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
Sonia Dholakia

Sonia Dholakia, Co-Editor-in-Chief

 

Number of years in The Coat of Arms: 4

Favorite aspect of journalism: I love collaborating with our staff and producing journalism together.

Interests outside of school: Mock trial, traveling, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Class of 2025

All content by Sonia Dholakia

Video: Eaters In Chief Review Raising Canes

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
April 28, 2025

That’s a Wrap: Eaters-In-Chief Go Burrito Hunting for Their Final Food Review

That’s a Wrap: Eaters-In-Chief Go Burrito Hunting for Their Final Food Review

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
April 21, 2025

TLDR For our last edition as CoA editors-in-chief, we (Sonia and Geoffrey) made the very tasty (but gastrointestinally devastating) decision to find...

Photo courtesy of Mark Aquino

A Beloved Teacher, Colleague and Friend: Community Remembers the Life and Legacy of Mark Aquino

Sonia Dholakia and Asher Darling
March 1, 2025

In the days and weeks after his passing, one particular photo of Mark Aquino circulated around the Menlo community: Aquino, donning a bright neon ensemble...

Models: Savannah Smith and Jacob Wang

Fashion Trend Predictions for 2025

Sonia Dholakia and Alyssa McAdams
January 16, 2025

Suede: The Western revival in fashion will usher in a new era in 2025: suede fabric. According to the global shopping platform Lyst, searches for suede...

How To Rival Santa in the Art of Holiday Gift Giving

How To Rival Santa in the Art of Holiday Gift Giving

Sonia Dholakia, Co-Editor in Chief
January 13, 2025

As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves running around trying to find last-minute gifts for our loved ones. And though I appreciate...

A car is parked in the student lot after getting rammed into hours earlier on Dec. 5.

[Photo] Crashes in Student Parking Lot Raise Safety Concerns

Geoffrey Franc and Jacob Reich
December 9, 2024

A car is parked in the student lot after getting rammed into hours earlier on Dec. 5.

Sonia's creamy, filling (maybe too filling) fettuccine.

Roma Review: Just Another Upscale Italian Restaurant?

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
November 18, 2024

TLDR: 30/40 The review below is short because there’s really not much to say about Roma. It serves tasty Italian food with slightly higher prices...

Photo courtesy of Cooper Han.

Committed Corner: Cooper Han

Sonia Dholakia, Co-Editor in Chief
November 3, 2024

Senior Cooper Han first picked up a tennis racket when he was just three years old. In November 2023, he committed to play Division I tennis at Northwestern...

Left Bank's Cheese Fondue served with bread.

Left Bank Review: Brasserie Is Très Chic but Expensive

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
September 27, 2024

TLDR: 33/40 The food is tasty, yes, but the chic atmosphere is where Left Bank really shines. The service is also first-rate and the prices reflect that...

Sonia and Geoffrey's Burmese-style birria tacos, topped with scallions and served with lime and sauce.

Burma Love Review: No Love Lost for New Southeast Asian Restaurant

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
September 2, 2024

TLDR: 17/40 We would only describe two out of six of our dishes as “tasty.” The atmosphere is nothing special, the service is slow, and whoever sets...

Eaters-in-Chief Sonia and Geoffrey Taste the World at Menlo's Global Expo

Eaters-in-Chief Sonia and Geoffrey Taste the World at Menlo’s Global Expo

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
May 2, 2024

Admin Reports Uptick in Bigoted Language

Admin Reports Uptick in Bigoted Language

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
May 1, 2024

After multiple students were expelled for racist language and conduct in early March, Menlo administrators called attention to bigoted behavior. “What...

Eaters-in-Chief Get the Scoop on Local Ice Cream Spots

Eaters-in-Chief Get the Scoop on Local Ice Cream Spots

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
April 26, 2024

As summer fast approaches, debates rage in the halls of Menlo and across the town about the best ice cream in Menlo Park and Palo Alto. We’ve attempted...

Geoffrey's Butter Chicken with a side of Garlic Naan. Staff photo: Geoffrey Franc

Tilak Review: Cozy Indian Restaurant with Takeout Vibes

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
April 17, 2024

Right in Menlo’s backyard, next to the Starbucks crowded with middle schoolers each afternoon, sits Tilak, the closest spot to get your Indian food fix....

Saniya Ahmed in Geneva, Switzerland.

Selected Student Profile: Saniya Ahmed

Sonia Dholakia
April 13, 2024

Q: If you could have one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A raspberry-filled brioche from Satura Cakes in Los Altos. It’s the best...

From Minor League Baseball to Documentaries, Menlo Students Explore Their Passions Through IP Capstone

From Minor League Baseball to Documentaries, Menlo Students Explore Their Passions Through IP Capstone

Sonia Dholakia, A&L Editor
April 4, 2024

Most students leave class with the same assignment as everyone else. But in Menlo’s IP Capstone program, students are encouraged to set themselves apart,...

‘I’m Ashamed To Be a Leader at This School Right Now’: Administrators Call for End to Bigotry Amid Expulsions

‘I’m Ashamed To Be a Leader at This School Right Now’: Administrators Call for End to Bigotry Amid Expulsions

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
March 31, 2024

Senior administrators announced a crackdown on “unacceptable language” in class meetings on Friday, March 15 following the expulsions of two freshmen...

Mexico Spring Break Makes Strides Toward Inclusivity

Mexico Spring Break Makes Strides Toward Inclusivity

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
March 27, 2024

When senior Katie King was brainstorming a conclusion for her “Great Gatsby” essay about wealth bubbles back in 10th grade, her brother suggested writing...

Staff illustration: Andrea Li and Tatum Herrin

The Great Pizza Debate: Menlo Park’s Best (And Worst) Takeout Pizzas

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
March 5, 2024

We had one afternoon and one mission… find the best takeout pizza in Menlo Park. Our pizzas were evaluated on the following criteria: cheese, cheese-to-sauce...

Staff illustration: Amber More

Haters Gonna Hate: Taylor Swift Is Good for the NFL, So Why Can’t Football Fans Accept Her?

Sonia Dholakia, Arts & Lifestyle Editor
March 4, 2024

The NFL has been trying to expand its audience for over a decade. They have hosted games in Europe and streamed games on Nickelodeon, spewing virtual slime...

Staff illustrations: Andrea Li

Menlo Adopts “Test-Blind” Admissions Policy for Equity

Sonia Dholakia, Arts & Lifestyle Editor
March 4, 2024

The 2023-24 admissions cycle marks the first year in which Menlo will not consider standardized tests such as the Independent School Entrance Exam and...

The best focaccia of Geoffrey’s life. Staff photo: Geoffrey Franc

Che Fico Review: Upscale Italian Worth the Sticker Shock?

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
January 30, 2024

Che Fico, meaning “That’s so cool” in Italian slang, is an acclaimed Italian restaurant from San Francisco that recently opened a location in Menlo...

Looking Ahead: Fashion Trend and Style Predictions for 2024

Looking Ahead: Fashion Trend and Style Predictions for 2024

Sonia Dholakia and Alyssa McAdams
January 24, 2024

Drop waists: From fashion week to the it-girls on your For You Page, drop-waist dresses are stepping into the spotlight. The elongating silhouette...

Staff photo: Amber More

Son & Garden Review: ‘Taste the Aesthetic’ at This Local Brunch Spot

Geoffrey Franc and Sonia Dholakia
December 13, 2023

Son & Garden is located in downtown Menlo Park, around a 5-minute drive from Menlo, and primarily serves brunch. On the lookout for a great Sunday...

Staff photo: Geoffrey Franc

Guapas Review: A Bite Into Menlo Park’s Newest Taqueria

Sonia Dholakia and Geoffrey Franc
November 14, 2023

All we had was a location and a description of an upscale Chipotle. Upon turning into the Menlo Park strip mall on Middle and El Camino, we looked to the...

Photo courtesy of Yun

Committed Corner: Eric Yun, Princeton University

Sonia Dholakia, Arts & Lifestyle Editor
October 25, 2023

Senior Eric Yun is committed to play Division I golf at Princeton University next fall. Yun will be joining his older brother Jeremy Yun (‘21) on the...

Brown performs his new album on the Spieker stage on Sept. 23, 2023. Staff photo: Amber More

“I love teaching, and I love music”: Peter Brown Shares His New Album With the Menlo Community

Sonia Dholakia, Arts & Lifestyle Editor
October 11, 2023

Upon entering Peter Brown’s office, you’ll notice maps and souvenirs from trips abroad on the walls–reminders of his love for his work as a history...

Freshman Ethan Zhao defends a Sacred Heart Cathedral player. Photo courtesy of Pam McKenney

Expectations and Opportunities: Select Freshmen Compete on Varsity Teams

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
March 27, 2023

While Menlo freshmen usually play on the freshmen or JV level of their sport, a select group of them play for Menlo’s varsity teams. Many of these freshmen...

The Menlo Drama program also performed “The Learned Ladies” this past summer in Scotland, during the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Staff photo: Sonia Dholakia

In Photos: Behind the Curtain of ‘The Learned Ladies’

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
January 27, 2023

The Upper School winter play, “The Learned Ladies,” opens Friday, Jan. 27 in Menlo’s Spieker Center for the Arts, performing on Friday, Jan. 27,...

Junior Katie King works at Baskin Robbins in Los Altos, where she has been employed for two months. Photo courtesy of Katie King

Working Overtime: Students Balance Activities and Jobs

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
December 6, 2022

While Menlo students are certainly kept busy with schoolwork and various extracurriculars, a portion still find the time to commit to an outside-of-school...

Minning and choreographer Angela Curroto-Pierson speak to the cast and crew at the start of their first tech rehearsal on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Staff photo: Sonia Dholakia

Behind the Curtain of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
October 26, 2022

The Upper School fall musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” opens Friday, Oct. 28 in Menlo’s Spieker Center for the Arts. The musical follows the story...

Justin Pretre (center) runs at the Lowell Invitational, with Landon Pretre (left) shortly behind. At the end of the 5k, Justin and Landon Pretre placed first and second, respectively, out of 300 runners. Photo courtesy of Steve Pretre

Menlo Cross Country Looks to Carry Momentum Into Postseason

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
October 19, 2022

The Menlo cross country team opened their season with an impressive performance at the Lowell Invitational, a cross country event with over 80 schools...

Wilson poses in her office. According to Wilson, Menlo has really made her feel like part of the community. “Everybody has been so welcoming,” Wilson said. Staff Photo: Sonia Dholakia

Brooke Wilson Introduced as New Director of Admissions

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
September 18, 2022

Menlo’s new Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Brooke Wilson replaces former director Beth Bishop who moved back to Massachusetts following eight...

Menlo Upper School students celebrate the first day of school with spirit activities and new classes. Photo Courtesy of Kevin Chan.

Video: Menlo Celebrates the First Day of School

Jacob Reich, Sonia Dholakia, and Geoffrey Franc
August 28, 2022



Menlo's dining team team plans lunch options. Photo courtesy of Pete Zivkov.

Dining Team Adapts the Lunch Menu to Student Feedback

Sonia Dholakia, Assistant A&L Editor
May 9, 2022

Earlier in the 2021-2022 school year, the Menlo Student Life team sent out a survey to Menlo students allowing them to share feedback on the lunch options...

U.S. History Team Lead Katina Ballantyne assists a student during class. According to Ballantyne, the move away from AP U.S. History reflects a broader, nationwide trend. “We see that AP U.S. History is a course that’s been critiqued on the grounds of ‘What does this curriculum include and not include? Is it encouraging cramming over deep understanding?’” Ballantyne said. Photo Courtesy of Roya Rezaee.

Menlo Discontinues AP U.S. History Course

Sonia Dholakia, Staff Writer
April 3, 2022

Beginning this fall, Menlo will no longer offer Advanced Placement U.S. History as a class, and it will instead transition to an honors and non-honors...

In Menlo’s Choreo Club, students bond over a shared interest in dance and K-pop music. A typical club meeting involves learning a dance from the internet and then choreographing original formations. Choreo Club is an opportunity for students to select the dances they will learn, in contrast to Menlo’s dance classes where teachers choose the dances. Staff photo: Sonia Dholakia.

Video: Choreo Club Learns Unique K-pop Dances

Sonia Dholakia, Staff Writer
March 5, 2022



Senior Uma Misha performed in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in November 2021. Misha will also perform in “Senior Spotlight” this winter. “I’m sad that [“Senior Spotlight” is] not a traditional production because I think a lot of people would have enjoyed to do that, but I completely understand [Minning’s] reasoning,” Misha said. Photo Courtesy of Kai Yara.

Drama Department Cancels Winter Play to Produce a “Senior Spotlight”

Sonia Dholakia, Staff Writer
February 5, 2022

The Menlo Drama Department planned to perform the play "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand this winter, but COVID-19 once again hindered their plans....

Caption: In Jack Bowen’s Ethics class, freshmen debate numerous issues, including the ethics of eating meat and animal products. “I think freshmen in high school are at the ideal moment to start considering, ‘What does it mean to live a good life and be a good person?’” Bowen said. Staff Photo: Sonia Dholakia.

Freshmen Learn About Menlo’s Values Through Freshman Rotation

Sonia Dholakia, Staff Writer
January 25, 2022

Caption: In Jack Bowen’s Ethics class, freshmen debate numerous issues, including the ethics of eating meat and animal products. “I think freshmen...

Sammie Dostart-Meers volunteered for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016, knocking on doors to encourage those she spoke with to vote for Clinton in the election. People of all ages can volunteer to support political candidates by knocking on doors and speaking with people in their communities. Photo courtesy of Sammie Dostart-Meers.

Teenagers Should Be More Politically Involved

Sonia Dholakia, Staff Writer
January 18, 2022

According to a report from the United Nations, if the current rate of greenhouse emissions continues, Earth has less than eight years before the worst...

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