• 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
Photos by Rachel Martin. Graphic illustration by Isabella Chiu.
Aarush Channapragada builds his way to business success
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
Photos by Rachel Martin. Graphic illustration by Isabella Chiu.
Aarush Channapragada builds his way to business success
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
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
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
Catholicism, one of the largest branches of Christianity, remains one of the most influential religions in the U.S. today. It has impacted on schools, healthcare, policies and national traditions.
Catholicism intersects with American culture
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
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/indlunchshow25.
InDesign Lunch Fashion Show 2025
Homecoming: Dance 25-26
Homecoming: Dance 25-26
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/hocogame26.
Homecoming: Football Game 25-26
Homecoming: Rally 25-26
Homecoming: Rally 25-26
Homecoming: Senior Skit 25-26
Homecoming: Senior Skit 25-26
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.
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/indlunchshow25.
InDesign Lunch Fashion Show 2025
Homecoming: Dance 25-26
Homecoming: Dance 25-26
View the full photo gallery at the link in our bio or at bit.ly/hocogame26.
Homecoming: Football Game 25-26
Homecoming: Rally 25-26
Homecoming: Rally 25-26
Homecoming: Senior Skit 25-26
Homecoming: Senior Skit 25-26
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
Sam Sarma

Sam Sarma, News Editor

(she/her) Sam is a senior and the News Editor of the Epic. Some of her hobbies include collecting postcards, making bracelets and other crafts and watching adorable animal videos. You can often find her listening to music or staring into space.

All content by Sam Sarma
Life lessons my body taught me

Life lessons my body taught me

Sam Sarma, News Editor
June 2, 2023
Juul settled with six states, amounting to $462 million paid for advertising its e-cigarettes to audiences under 21 years prior to its company-wide reset in 2019, in which the company redefined its ethics after criticism.

Juul pays its largest settlement over minor-directed advertising

Sam Sarma, News Editor
May 8, 2023
Drag — the art of dressing up in hypermasculine or hyperfeminine clothing and makeup — has risen in popularity through social media apps TikTok and Instagram.

Don’t “Drag” Drag

Sam Sarma and Maple Leung
May 8, 2023
After decades on a yacht in the Bay, senior prom will be held on land due to cost and COVID-19 issues.

Washed ashore: Senior prom leaves the yacht for land

Katie Chin and Sam Sarma
April 10, 2023
An exhausted service worker awkwardly awaits as a customer is deciding how much to tip — or if to tip at all.

Tipping culture has reached its tipping point

Sam Sarma, News Editor
March 10, 2023
The American flag, once a symbol of national pride, shifted to bear an additional message of "America first," showing the emergence of a gray area between patriotism and nationalism.

Toeing the line between patriotism and nationalism

Sam Sarma and Qianzi Loo
February 6, 2023
In an effort to protect teenagers from fentanyl-related deaths, Santa Clara County has supplied many high schools with Narcan kits and provided training for school staff.

The fentanyl crisis: Santa Clara County prompted to take action

Myles Kim and Sam Sarma
December 12, 2022
A. Rishma Khandelwal C. Soohyuk Yoon D. Jasmine Aumiller B., E., F. Nimalan Elanchelvan

Lynbrook students take stride in stylish footwear

Sam Sarma, News Editor
November 7, 2022
ELD program spells success for its students

ELD program spells success for its students

Sam Sarma and Inaaya Yousuf
October 10, 2022
The Sharma sisters' home-based business, Bake Up, supplies the Bay Area with eggless muffins, cookies and their signature banana bread.

The Sharma sisters Bake Up a business

Amy Liu, Chelsea Lee, Sam Sarma, Audrey Sun, Alyssa Wang, Emily Pedroza and Daeun Chung
August 23, 2022
The laws and ethics surrounding animal testing

The laws and ethics surrounding animal testing

Chelsea Lee and Sam Sarma
May 26, 2022
Declining mental health is not a crisis affecting that only affects students, but one that teachers face as well.

Teachers endure burnout

Sam Sarma and Jason Shan
May 3, 2022
With the guidance of Maker Nexus instructors, Lynbrook student volunteers created switch-adapted toys by soldering and connecting wires to larger external buttons.

Learning is limitless with switch-adapted toys

Sam Sarma, News Editor
May 3, 2022
Chopped: Epic edition

Chopped: Epic edition

Samyukta Sarma, Anushka Anand, Elizabeth Cheng and Jasmine Rihal
April 7, 2022
Characters Jett and Jinx, from the games Valorant and League of Legends, respectively, are part of video games that have recently skyrocketed in popularity.

Gaming culture: The latest updates are taking over

Samyukta Sarma and Jasmine Rihal
March 8, 2022
Askings bring liveliness to Lynbrook's campus, returning with balloons, crowns and Mario Kart with shopping carts.

You’re epic. Prom with me?

Meera Nambiar and Samyukta Sarma
February 1, 2022
Lynbrook is home to a variety of plants that can be found around campus.

A walk through our campus’s foliage and flowers

Samyukta Sarma
December 7, 2021
Epic staffers try pumpkin carving

Epic staffers try pumpkin carving

Timothy Kim, Samyukta Sarma and Anushka Anand
November 9, 2021
While an American classic, pumpkin pie, has found its way to our table this time of the year, yogurt rice will always be a unique symbol of my parents’ immigration.

Thanksgiving, but with yogurt rice?

Samyukta Sarma
November 9, 2021
Fall sports have shown high levels of team bonding.

Fall sports teams foster unique relationship

Samyukta Sarma
October 6, 2021
Students who choose to participate in the independent study program remain at home while the rest of their peers attend class in-person.

FUHSD implements new independent study program

Samyukta Sarma, Lauren Liu and Audrey Sun
September 4, 2021