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Palo Alto High School's News and Features Publication

Verde Magazine
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Verde Magazine
Palo Alto High School's News and Features Publication

Verde Magazine
Niaz Alasti

Niaz Alasti, News Editor

All content by Niaz Alasti

DEI Dilemma: students react to Trump’s diversity cuts

Niaz Alasti and Jaron Leung
April 3, 2025
WORKING TOGETHER — ASB members Samantha Fan, Amani Fossati-Moiane and Liam Li talk during class. On Jan. 30, ASB voted to remove the position of class representative. ASB treasurer Paul Wang said that the goal was to make sure events are run by experienced students. "Having people qualified to plan the mechanisms of an event, organize and lead throughout the year is important," Wang said.

[Photo] ASB removes class representative position

Lilia Kuzmicheva
April 2, 2025
SMILING STUDENTS — Junior Scarlett Frick works on a project in a MAC computer lab. Journalism adviser Rodney Satterwaite hopes that the college credit for juniors will encourage more students to join. "The juniors don't get anything [college credit], so we feel like there should be something for the juniors," Satterthwaite said. Photo: Niaz Alasti

[Photo] Advanced Media Studies to be offered as dual enrollment course

Lilia Kuzmicheva
February 15, 2025
WALKING THE WRECKAGE – Max Barthelemy’s father takes a picture of what was left of his son’s house. Barthelemy couldn’t believe what had happened when he received the photo. “There was this strange disconnect with it [the photo],” he said.

Los Angeles under fire: City of Stars goes up in flames

Niaz Alasti and Leela Kulkarni
February 14, 2025
A CLASS IN GLASS — Glassblowing teacher Mike Da Ponte works on a project. He hopes the new glassblowing equipment will interest more students. "I think as we kind of grow into this program, we'll bring in a lot more stuff, hopefully really transforming it into something Paly's never seen."

[Photo] Glassblowing gets new equipment

Darah Katz
March 3, 2025
MILING SCULPTORS — Juniors Orla Hedstrom and Farrah Kardwell use pottery wheels to work on their projects. Art teacher Mike Da Ponte hopes that splitting Art Spectrum into two more specific classes will make it easier for students to join different programs like ceramics and glassblowing. "Art Spectrum has always been the gatekeeper of doing sculpture early on," he said.

[Photo] Art Spectrum to split

Leela Kulkarni
February 15, 2025
Hard at work — Students work to put together the special edition magazine honoring the 10th anniversary of the Media Arts Center. “They [students] can expect to see pride and joy,” said Kaitlyn Gonzales-Arceo, head of marketing and advertising for the magazine.

[Photo] MAC celebrates 10th anniversary

Keira Ling
February 12, 2025
Opinion: Patriotism and pride: Navigating my Iranian heritage

Opinion: Patriotism and pride: Navigating my Iranian heritage

Niaz Alasti
November 22, 2024
WATCH PARTY — Democrats in California watch the results of the 2024 election at the Democratic Volunteer Center. Despite losses in the national elections, people paid close attention to the races further down the ballot. Menlo Atherton High School senior and intern for State Assemblymember Nathan Thurlow who attended the event said people should remain hopeful. "I think people automatically go to somber whenever you lose an election, but I think it's not somber, there is some energy here, but it's tentative hope,” Thurlow said.

Piecing together propositions: Debriefing 2024 California propositions

Niaz Alasti and Zachary Crystal
November 20, 2024
BROWSING BRYANT — Two people walk past 445 Bryant St., which is going to host a community center focused on teenagers and senior citizens.“To be able to find this one city space, to be able to use both [teen and senior citizen spaces], surpassed my expectations at the beginning of the entire process,” Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone said.

[Photo] New center to host seniors, teens

Zachary Crystal and Ryan Saket
November 20, 2024
LOOKING AHEAD — A senior advisory class learns about future scholarship and financial aid opportunities for college. Palo Alto High School college advisor Sandra Cernobori said that most advisory lessons are centered around four year college pathways. "So, we are always looking for a way to incorporate more career advising lessons," Cernobori said.

[Photo] Foothill College promotes vocational program

Chloe Huang
November 23, 2024
STANDING UP, SPEAKING OUT — Hoover third grader Rupali Rao speaks to the Palo Alto school board on Sept. 10 about her experiences with all gender restrooms at Hoover Elementary. “A boy has punched me in the stomach and spit on me,” Rupali Rao said. “I really do not feel comfortable in an all-gender restroom.”

[Photo] Decision made on Hoover all-gender bathrooms debacle

Divya Gandhi
October 12, 2024
Sam Liccardo’s deputy campaign manager Gil Rubenstein tables at Palo Alto High School alongside a volunteer at Palo Alto High School during NorCal Media Day. He highlighted Liccardo’s existing efforts to stop climate change. “He pushed to create a clean energy utility that provided 95% GHG [greenhouse gas] free electricity at 8% cheaper than the other alternative,” Rubenstein said.

Liccardo, Low to face off in November election

Niaz Alasti and Zachary Crystal
October 4, 2024
Ending encampments: New order tackles unhoused crisis

Ending encampments: New order tackles unhoused crisis

Niaz Alasti and Eva Chang
October 3, 2024
PHONES AWAY — Senior Sarina Grewal puts her phone away before the start of class. “Phones aren’t distracting anyone but yourself,” junior Harrison Lan said.

[Photo] District considers cell phone restrictions

Chloe Huang, Features Editor
October 7, 2024
FIGHTING FOR CHANGE — A protester speaks with the Palo Alto sheriff across caution tape. Some students found the campus shut down unnecessary. "I do feel like ... it's a little bit of a over precaution to stop people just from going to get food, because at this point they will be leaving," sophomore Vasim Jamil Fee said.

Campus closes for pro-Palestinian protest

Niaz Alasti and Anna Van Riesen
May 17, 2024
CAPTURING CELEBRATION — Two friends pose for a picture in front of the haft-sin at the festival. The festival draws in hundreds of people every year. “This event [Nowruz festival and bazaar] happens every year,” event coordinator Gita Meshkat said. “This is like our Christmas.”

Welcoming spring: Bay Area foundation celebrates Nowruz

Niaz Alasti and Kensie Pao
March 29, 2024
CHATTER FILLS THE ROOM — Oklava has something for everyone, making it the perfect place get some work done or to spend time with friends.

Review: Oklava Cafe: Downtown cafe serves Turkish treat

Niaz Alasti and Nathalia Arias
February 29, 2024
CONTENDERS CONVERGE — Congressional candidates gather to engage in a debate at City Hall hosted by the Embarcadero Media Foundation on Jan. 31.

Eleven voices, one seat: Candidates face off in CA District 16 race

Lia Cardwell and Niaz Alasti
February 26, 2024
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