At Palo Alto High School, May is a month of finality. Though the days are growing longer, the time we have until we say goodbye to our fellow classmates, mentors and friends grows ever shorter. Whether it’s taking end-of-year tests, signing yearbooks or using this print issue as a sun shade during the graduation ceremony, the Paly community must confront the closing of an important chapter of their lives. At the same time, we must make sure to keep the memories we have made along the way.

This year’s fifth and final issue explores the many ways that members of the Paly community remember important milestones in their lives. 

Two perspectives of graduating seniors reflect on memories from their four years at Paly. In “On my way,” staff writer Melody Xu reflects on her decision to persevere through her time at Paly, even when she felt that high school was not for her. Staff writer Meena Narayanaswami’s “Five first days” details her high school journey through each of her first days of high school, reflecting on the lessons she has learned as she prepares to enter her first day of college. 

Students aren’t the only Vikings hitting milestones: Paly’s only Japanese teacher, Teruko Kamikihara, will be retiring this summer after a 22-year career. Launch Editor Ella Hwang and Culture Editor Divya Gandhi delve into Kamikihara’s unique teaching style and the impact she has had on her students in “Sayonara to Sensei.” 

As for us, we all experienced milestones this cycle. In Verde, senior editors stepped down from their positions, passing the torch onto the sophomores and juniors (us) who took their places. Stepping into the roles of our former editors is a daunting task and we are immensely grateful for their support. 

To our seniors: Thank you. We’ll miss you. 

And to our staff and readers: We look forward to reaching many more milestones with you in the issues to come.

On the cover

On the cover of Volume 24 Issue 5, Palo Alto High School senior Madelyn Castro kneels as she holds up her iPhone to take a photo of the Tower Building before the sun sets. Castro, along with the rest of the Paly Class of 2023, will soon say goodbye to this iconic Paly landmark as she graduates. Taking a photo allows her to capture the moment forever. Photo: Austin Eng

Find the full PDF of our magazine on Issuu.