• Oct. 6-10Homecoming
  • Oct. 9PTA Reflections
  • Oct. 11PSAT
  • Oct. 13Indigenous Peoples Day
  • Oct. 22Fall Concert
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
Medals earned from the PVSA bronze, silver and gold award are on display. Image used with permission from Ksims.
PVSA pause leaves service uninterrupted
Recent events to note include Lynbrook being ranked 10th in California schools by U.S. News & World Report, the city of Santa Clara hosting the annual Parade of Champions on Oct. 4, the rise of Waymos on the road and the matcha shortage. Top left: Photo by Tristan Lo. Top right: Photo used with permission from Wikimedia Commons. Bottom left: Photo used with permission from Creative Common License. Bottom right: Photo used with permission from Creative Common License
Campus, community and world events
Californians rally in protest against Trump's immigration policies at the San Francisco Civic Center. Image used with permission by Wikimedia Commons.
Bay Area pushes back against presidential policy
Vicky the Viking strikes a pose at the first student section of the 2025-26 school year, themed "Red Out."
Vicky the Viking brings campus diversity
As a kid rides a bike down the hill, their dad trails closely behind.
Local movement advocates for Calabazas
Students expressed different perspectives on the new phone ban
Students react to the new phone policy
Proposition 50 plans to redraw California's congressional districts to win five more seats in the House of Representatives.
Prop 50: A must have or manipulative?
Under Lynbrook’s current food delivery policy, students are not allowed to have meals delivered to the school campus or nearby houses from food delivery services. However, an alternative to a completely restrictive ban that allows for both safe and efficient food delivery is worth considering.
Editorial: Lynbrook should revisit food delivery policy
Although chatbots may offer quick, convenient responses, they are poor substitutes for therapists and trusted individuals.
AI chatbots create a false sense of connection
Catherine Yang finds the value in being 'alright" at many talents.
Being alright with being “alright”
Catherine Yang finds the value in being 'alright" at many talents.
Being alright with being “alright”
2024-25 Senior Columns
2024-25 Senior Columns
It’s September 11, 2018.
My hijab & I
One thousand. The biblical number of prosperity, the number of years in a millennium, and the number that signifies a remarkable milestone.
A fresh sheet of square paper
Just past midnight, my house is deafeningly quiet.
On soup and stories
Under Lynbrook’s current food delivery policy, students are not allowed to have meals delivered to the school campus or nearby houses from food delivery services. However, an alternative to a completely restrictive ban that allows for both safe and efficient food delivery is worth considering.
Editorial: Lynbrook should revisit food delivery policy
With legal immigration pathways narrowing and deportations without due process rising nationwide, it has become more important than ever for students and school communities to be educated on their rights and protections. Photo by Qianzi Loo. Graphic illustration by Maddy Chang
Editorial: Building safety and awareness around student immigrant rights
Lack of awareness around the prevalence of digital misinformation affects students in the digital age. To combat these concerns, student engagement in media literacy and responsible journalism should be prioritized within schools.
Editorial: Media literacy in and out of FUHSD classrooms
Students actively engage in discussions and group activities in their Ethnic Studies class.
Editorial: Federal education cuts threaten ethnic studies programs
In a district wide effort to address student mental health issues, Lynbrook plans to launch a future mental wellness center, preceded by a monthly prototype launching in May.
Future wellness center is a step toward aiding student mental health
Vedanshi Prasad writes beautiful poetry and short stories, inspired by her previous struggles and powerful books.
Vedanshi Prasad overcomes obstacles and ignites inspiration
Bryce Mikolajczak holds up his cards, planning to make his next move in his game Cell Quest. Photos by Nicolas Cheng and used with permission from Bryce Mikolajczak.
Bryce Mikolajczak’s Cell Quest gamifies the world of cells
Michelle Chung designs a variety of cakes with vibrant frosting and exuberant decor. Photos used with permission from Michelle Chung.
Michelle Chung spreads sweetness, one treat at a time
Madison Chan (left) and Jayden Peterson (right) pose with their drinks at their boba booth. Images used with permission from Madison Chan.
NovelTea blends creativity, community and passion together
Senior Harvy Chang and his team break the Guinness World Record for fastest BART speedrun at Berryessa/North San Jose Station on July 6, completing it in 5 hours, 43 minutes and 10 seconds. Used with permission from Harvy Chang.
Harvy Chang takes to the railroads of BART
Sruthi Chetput keeps tradition in motion
Sruthi Chetput keeps tradition in motion
Vishnu Sankaran joins inclusivity and sports
Vishnu Sankaran joins inclusivity and sports
Hrithikesh Kotha challenges himself through music
Hrithikesh Kotha challenges himself through music
Photos by Lilly Wu. (Lilly Wu)Graphic illustration by Claire Guo. (Claire Guo)
Claire Hsu bakes it up
Jayden Yang makes waves through water polo
Following the evolving story of Hispanic History Month and how these celebrations grew, shifted and became nationally recognized.
Exploring Hispanic History Month’s evolving legacy
Passports have become indicators of one's geopolitical worth, with each nation's passport granting or denying access to a number of countries.
Power and privilege in the palm of your hand
Power and privilege in the palm of your hand - Student Blurbs
Power and privilege in the palm of your hand – Student Blurbs
As college application season rolls around, the question of how CollegeBoard managed to have such a chokehold on the American education system is once again on the rise.
How the College Board took over American education
Whether through panic-buying or an uptick in lipstick sales, the American shopping cart can reveal much about the state of our economy during economic hardship. Photos used with permission under Creative Commons license.
Tracking consumer and marketing changes over the recessions
The mass support of the Golden State Valkyries comes ultimately from respect — an attitude that the entire sport of basketball should prioritize over media drama.
Focus on the WNBA for the talent, not the drama and sex toys
This school year, the varsity football team was temporarily disbanded, leaving Lynbrook with just a JV team. The impact on school culture and other athletic teams is already evident.
Campus life without varsity football
The Monta Vista-Lynbrook marching band merge arose from a member shortage, with students working to blend differences in campus cultures for their first joint season this school year.
Merging melodies with the Monta Vista-Lynbrook marching band
This school year, Lynbrook introduced a girls flag football team to the fall sports roster.
Girls flag football kicks off the fall season
As the season progresses, David and Abigail Leder look to overcome difficulties with collective effort.
Father-daughter dynamic duo makes a splash in water polo
Recreating brunch foods
Recreating brunch foods
33 Questions with Dr. Chen
33 Questions with Dr. Chen
Crossword Oct. 6, Issue 1
In a joyful shift from his more melancholy works, pop musician Ed Sheeran added his eighth album, “Play,” to his discography on Sept. 12.
Ed Sheeran plays it safe with his new album, Play
In the aptly-named “Marvel Zombies,” released by Marvel Studios on Sept. 24, heroes fight and flee from armies of undead.
A tragic, heartfelt bloodbath
Tug, not tackle: Students and staff on girls flag football in Viking athletics
Tug, not tackle: Students and staff on girls flag football in Viking athletics
Approaching 60 years of history: Lynbrook back in the day
Approaching 60 years of history: Lynbrook back in the day
Nostalgic memories, since 2010
Nostalgic memories, since 2010
Vertigo and La Pluma Open Mic
Vertigo and La Pluma Open Mic
Students gathered in the parking lot on March 29 for ASB's first school-sanctioned celebration of Holi.
Adding a little color with Holi
Brain Rot
Brain Rot
Nostalgia
Nostalgia
Gaming the system
Gaming the system
Lost in translation.
Lost in translation.
Welcome Back Rally 2025
Welcome Back Rally 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/gradphotos25.
Class of 2025 graduation ceremony
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/sprom25.
Senior Prom 2025: Rewrite the Stars
Farewell Rally 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/spromfashionshow2025
Senior Prom Fashion Show 2025
Recreating brunch foods
Recreating brunch foods
33 Questions with Dr. Chen
33 Questions with Dr. Chen
Behind the live performances of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (ft. Studio 74 and Lynbrook music department)
Behind the live performances of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (ft. Studio 74 and Lynbrook music department)
Unwrapping holiday memories
Plucking heartstrings with Lynbrook students’ favorite love songs
Epic staffers Amanda Jin and Irene Hwang give their opinions on the 2025 Oscars nominations. Graphic illustrations by Olivia Tu.
From Anora to Emilia Perez: Our opinions on the 2025 Oscars
Graphic Illustration by Amanda Jin, Alexandra Wu and David Zhu.
Behind the runway
Formula 1: Pit lane Talk
Formula 1: Pit lane Talk
Graphic Illustration by Daeun Chung
College mythbusting with Mr. Roy
Don’t judge a book by its cover: the shortcomings of banning books
Don’t judge a book by its cover: the shortcomings of banning books
Crossword Oct. 6, Issue 1
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
The Student News Site of Lynbrook High School

the Epic
Maddy Chang

Maddy Chang, Opinion Editor

(she/her) Maddy Chang is a junior and Opinion Editor for the Epic. Outside of journalistic and creative writing, you can find her taking longs walks on the beach, eating at her favorite Poke Bowl restaurant and designing random posters on Canva or Adobe Illustrator.

All content by Maddy Chang
This school year, the varsity football team was temporarily disbanded, leaving Lynbrook with just a JV team. The impact on school culture and other athletic teams is already evident.

Campus life without varsity football

Maddy Chang and Joanna Chen
October 6, 2025
Proposition 50 plans to redraw California's congressional districts to win five more seats in the House of Representatives.

[Photo] Prop 50: A must have or manipulative?

Anushka Deshmukh and Saavan Saraf
October 6, 2025
Catherine Yang finds the value in being 'alright" at many talents.

[Photo] Being alright with being “alright”

Catherine Yang, Staffer
October 6, 2025
From Sep. 12-14, Lynbrook's American flag flew at half mast following President Trump's Presidential Proclamation.

Charlie Kirk’s death shouldn’t rewrite his legacy

Maddy Chang and Saavan Saraf
September 30, 2025
Meet the Freshman Class of 2029 Officer Team

Meet the Freshman Class of 2029 Officer Team

Anna Cen, Maddy Chang and Isabella Chiu
September 2, 2025
Truly Fresh, a nonprofit started by junior Xara Aman, targets produce waste by collecting excessive fruits in neighborhoods around the Bay Area, and donates them to West Valley Community services.

TrulyFresh offers fresh solutions to food waste in homes

Maddy Chang, Alyssa Lin, Katie Shang, Olivia Tu and Ethan Wong
August 25, 2025
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/gradphotos25.

Class of 2025 graduation ceremony

Maddy Chang and Brian Lee
June 29, 2025
With legal immigration pathways narrowing and deportations without due process rising nationwide, it has become more important than ever for students and school communities to be educated on their rights and protections. Photo by Qianzi Loo. Graphic illustration by Maddy Chang

Editorial: Building safety and awareness around student immigrant rights

Maddy Chang and Brian Lee
May 19, 2025
Allen Chan and Toan Phuong work hard to replace security cameras and pick up calls.

Behind the screens with the information technology team

Maddy Chang and Irene Hwang
April 28, 2025
San José mayor Matt Mahon recently proposed a policy to authorize arrest of homeless after refusing help three times within 18 months. This policy falls short of tackling root causes of homelessness and overlooks the true needs of homeless.

[Photo] Unlicensed materials in AI model databases undermine original works

Isabella Chiu, Features Editor
April 28, 2025
With a steady hand, sophomore Charlie Loper applies the last details to his signature Basque cheesecake. Photos used with permission by Charlie Loper.

[Photo] Charlie Loper bakes beauty with Basque It cheesecakes

Cecilia Wu, Web Editor
March 24, 2025
No-return zones, increased temporary housing and homeless data collection are among efforts from San José and Santa Clara County to tackle homelessness and housing costs.

Santa Clara County expands affordable housing

Maddy Chang, Opinion Editor
March 3, 2025
Billionaires are playing an increasingly larger role in shaping American politics, stemming from their high-value contributions to political campaigns.

[Photo] Wealth generates the American Oligarchy

David Zhu and Akash Anand
March 3, 2025

Exploring students’ favorite brain rot activities

Brian Lee and Maddy Chang
February 3, 2025
Using humor as a way to cope with unfortunate realities is not an entirely new concept; historically, people have always turned to often short-lived distractions for comfort.

The problem with turning everything into a joke

Maddy Chang, Opinion Editor
February 3, 2025
From weeks to months in advance of the official season, many sports have preseason to train certain techniques and bond with teammates.

Preseasons are the blueprint for success

Maddy Chang, Opinion Editor
December 9, 2024
California's general election ballot this year included propositions that targeted a wide range of hot-button issues, from climate change to crime.

[Photo] The impact of California’s passed and failed propositions

Stuti Jain, Staffer
December 9, 2024
The disconnect between media detoxing and reality

The disconnect between media detoxing and reality

Maddy Chang and Kieran Hau
November 4, 2024
IMG_0226

[Photo] Candidates vie for city, state and national seats in elections

November 4, 2024
rebecca column

[Photo] Moving west, east and west again

Rebecca Cai, Staffer
November 4, 2024
Thirteenth Amendment is often seen as a law that completely abolished slavery, yet a loophole remains: allowing slavery to remain legal as a form of punishment.

The Exception in the 13th Amendment and the unseen legacy of slavery

Maddy Chang and Rohan Kakhandiki
October 7, 2024
During the Korean War, Korean soldiers ate army stew, or “budae jjigae”, featuring Spam and fusing local ingredients with American elements.

[Photo] How food imperialism has shaped global cuisines

Alexandra Wu and Cecilia Wu
October 7, 2024
Spurred by a district-wide effort to transition toward greener practices, Lynbrook has finished installing new LED lighting in the theater and begun implementing sortable waste-disposal bins for the 2024-25 school year. Illustration by Maddy Chang, Claire Guo, Robert Yu, Stuti Jain, and Emily Pedroza

FUHSD’s continuous efforts toward greener campuses

Maddy Chang, Claire Guo, Stuti Jain, Emily Pedroza and Robert Yu
August 28, 2024