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The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

Alum Itzel Salgado (‘24) created a microcontroller with a soil sensor
to trigger a valve in the irrigation system.

The Whitaker Hall of Fame: Highlighting the Best Student Projects of All Time

Amelie Giomi, Spread Editor
February 8, 2025

Student projects line the walls of the Whitaker Lab, with creations ranging from a motorized laser-cut Ferris wheel to an electronic version of the game...

Former science teacher Marc Allard speaks at the 2012 opening of the Whitaker Lab. Photo courtesy
of Bianca Nakayama on Menlo Flickr

History of the Whitaker Lab

Elaina Huang, Assistant Opinions Editor
February 6, 2025

Science teacher James Dann first stumbled upon an empty basement storage at Menlo while searching for a costume during spirit week in 2008. At that moment,...

Julie Stein poses for her senior portrait. Photo courtesy of Stein

Selected Student Profile: Julie Stein

Amber More, Creative Director
February 4, 2025

The following responses have been pared and edited for clarity. Q: What’s your favorite food? A: 1,000% sushi. I like a spicy tuna roll with tempura...

A student from Peninsula Bridge uses a bandsaw to cut out a skateboard. Photo courtesy of Jamie Formato

Non-Profits Make Use of Whitaker During the Summer

Rafe Weiden, Staff Writer
February 3, 2025

During the school year, the Whitaker Lab is a space of constant creativity and innovation. In recent years, however, it is also in use during the summers...

Whitaker Isn’t Cheap, but Cost-Consciousness Keeps Expenses in Check

Whitaker Isn’t Cheap, but Cost-Consciousness Keeps Expenses in Check

Geoffrey Franc, Co-Editor in Chief
February 1, 2025

One of Whitaker’s most prominently displayed student projects is the monowheel under the wall of freshman seminar projects, a motorized vehicle where...

Senior Biotech students Caroline Herndon and Michael Preys
practice cell culturing for the first time in the Whitaker Lab. Photo courtesy of Sienna Swanson

No Whitaker Lab Resource Is Out of Reach

Alyssa McAdams, Print Editor
January 28, 2025

Menlo’s Whitaker Lab is one of our most sacred locations. It’s more than just a workshop; it’s a hub of creativity and innovation. But though the...

From Bibs and Binkies to Caps and Gowns: Menlo Daycare Alums Reunite on Upper School Campus

Malia Chen, Assistant Social Media and Marketing Director
January 28, 2025

The earliest years of childhood are filled with discovery, play, learning and more. For a select group of Menlo students, those formative years took place...

James Dann helps senior Kirin Debnath with his project in the Whitaker Lab.

Teacher, Physicist, Farmer: James Dann Does It All

Elaina Huang, Assistant Opinions Editor
January 25, 2025

Despite teaching in the heart of Silicon Valley, Applied Science Research (ASR) and engineering teacher James Dann makes a two-hour-long commute to his...

Seasonal Depression Has Arrived: Here’s How to Manage It

Seasonal Depression Has Arrived: Here’s How to Manage It

Miki Kimura, Head Copy Editor
January 22, 2025

As the weather turns cloudier and colder, the days grow darker earlier and the sun shines its light on the quad less and less often, my motivation diminishes....

Upper School Director John Schafer poses on his family’s boat at age 18. Photo courtesy of Schafer

Teachers as Teens: Would You be Friends with Mr. Schafer?

Savannah Smith, Assistant A&L Editor
January 20, 2025

All teachers’ responses were pared and edited for clarity. Danielle Jensen How would you describe your parents growing up? Both my parents really...

Semi: Two Months of Planning For Two Hours of Dancing

Semi: Two Months of Planning For Two Hours of Dancing

Caroline Clack, A&L Editor
January 16, 2025

There are few things at Menlo that generate as much conversation, drama and excitement as the Menlo Semi-Formal Dance. With so many implied expectations...

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