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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

Sylvie Venuto

Sylvie Venuto, Print Editor

 

Fun fact: Sylvie is super good at card games especially Exploding Kittens!

Interests outside of school: Basketball, baking.

Favorite fictional character: Aelin Galathynius.

Grade: 11.

Email: [email protected]

All content by Sylvie Venuto
People line up outside of Levi’s Stadium to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The line is usually around one hour long, according to the Operations Director who gave his name as Edwin. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

Vaccine Distribution Begins at Levi’s Stadium

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
February 21, 2021

Mass COVID-19 vaccine distribution began at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 9. Under California’s vaccine prioritization plan, healthcare workers...

Books sit outside open windows and doors of Kepler's Books as a form of health safety
measures. Restaurants and other businesses in downtown Menlo Park have had to rethink their
normal business models amid the pandemic. Staff photo: Carly McAdam.

Top Picks From Print: Downtown Menlo Park Businesses Battle the Pandemic

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
February 17, 2021

Note: This story originally appeared in the 47.3 print edition of The Coat of Arms in February 2021. --------- In the midst of the global pandemic...

People walk out of the polling area in San Mateo County. Polling booths had to be re-imagined to fit COVID-19 social distancing regulations. Photo courtesy of Reena Kagan.

Local City Council Election Results Reveal Mixed Preferences

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
November 7, 2020

Note: The results originally listed in this article were current as of Nov. 6, 2020. On Dec. 11, 2020, The Coat of Arms updated this story with new information,...

Menlo has altered its plan to host its normal on-campus PSAT test for sophomores and juniors. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

[Photo] PSAT Modified for Health Guidelines

Riley Huddleston, Assistant Spread Editor
October 31, 2020

Menlo has altered its plan to host its normal on-campus PSAT test for sophomores and juniors. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

Construction on the new Spieker Center for the Performing Arts has finally finished. With the new building, Menlo drama and dance programs will have more space, resources and opportunities. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

[Photo] Menlo Creative Arts Members Anticipate Spieker Center for the Arts with Optimism and Excitement

Danielle McNair, Staff Writer
October 30, 2020

Construction on the new Spieker Center for the Performing Arts has finally finished. With the new building, Menlo drama and dance programs will have more...

Lopez engages with the East Palo Alto community as he runs for East Palo Alto City Council. Photo courtesy of Antonio Lopez.

Menlo Alum Runs for East Palo Alto City Council

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
October 7, 2020

Menlo alum Antonio Lopez (‘12) is running for East Palo Alto City Council. His decision to run was heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and influenced...

Junior Elizabeth Curtin sets up her desk for the school day. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Curtin.

Menlo Community Reflects On In-Person and Virtual School

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
September 29, 2020

In anticipation of Menlo’s decision about whether in-person classes will resume in November, members of the Menlo community shared their opinions on...

The California Reentry Institute, where several Menlo students and alumni volunteer, provides pre- and post-release programs to individuals in the justice system. As many incarcerated people are released early because of the pandemic, these rehabilitative programs are even more crucial, according to alum Sonya Lebedeva ('20). Illustration courtesy of Kate Richardson.

Menlo Students and Alumni Step Up Amid San Quentin COVID-19 Crisis

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
September 24, 2020

Menlo alum Sonya Lebedeva’s (‘20) interest in the criminal justice system started with a discussion with a friend during Christmas — now she’s...

The Menlo campus has undergone various changes, most as a response to the pandemic, including modifications to classrooms and athletic facilities. Staff photo: Alex Levitt.

In Photos: Menlo Implements Campus Changes for Coronavirus and Sustainability

Sylvie Venuto, Sophia Artandi, and Alex Levitt
August 29, 2020

    A fence has been put in place around Menlo’s campus, with a single entrance through the gate along the loop. Once in-person classes...

Wildfires in California have emerged from a series of lightning strikes, resulting in deteriorating air quality and the evacuations of some Menlo community members. Photo courtesy of Tripp Robbins.

California Wildfires Force Evacuations and Air Quality Precautions

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
August 23, 2020

Wildfires have burned over 314,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties as of Aug. 22 since Aug. 17, according to CAL FIRE, resulting in several...

A security guard monitors the entrance to Menlo School on April 17 as the campus is closed. Security has been present on campus 24/7 throughout the school closure, and in-person classes have not taken place since March 10. Photo courtesy of Tripp Robbins.

Menlo Classes to Begin Online Only

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
August 6, 2020

Menlo School classes will be conducted only online through October unless “radical and positive” changes occur in COVID-19 cases, according to an email...

The football team plays in a game during the 2019 season, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced athletics to temporarily shut down. Some Menlo sports teams have now started reopening with new social distancing measures in place. Photo courtesy of Pam Tso McKenney.

Some Menlo Athletics Facilities Reopen Following County Guidelines

Sylvie Venuto, News Editor
July 9, 2020

Some outdoor Menlo athletics facilities opened for team use amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Gates Pool, Wunderlich Tennis Courts and Cartan Field opened...

The Class of 2018 graduates and celebrates during their reception ceremony. This year, the post-commencement reception will not happen, and the commencement ceremony will take place at the Circus Club. Photo courtesy of Tripp Robbins.

Upper School Commencement and Middle School Promotion Ceremonies Undergo Modifications to Meet Social Distancing Requirements

Sylvie Venuto and Emily Han
June 1, 2020

Senior commencement and eighth grade promotion ceremonies have been adjusted this year to comply with San Mateo County Department of Health social distancing...

Head of School Than Healy delivers the 2020 State of the School speech through a video on Vimeo instead of the normal speech delivered in Martin Hall. Screengrab: Menlo School.

State of the School Address and Town Hall Q&A Center Provide Insight on COVID-19’s Current and Future Effects on School and More

Sylvie Venuto and Carly McAdam
April 30, 2020

Head of School Than Healy and Chair of the Board of Trustees Jake Reynolds delivered the annual State of the School Address via a Vimeo video, which was...

A student works in the SAT subject tests practice book from College Board. The May 2 SAT subject tests have been canceled. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

Some SATs Canceled, AP Exams Moved Online as COVID-19 Spreads

Sylvie Venuto, Assistant News Editor
March 21, 2020

As a result of the COVID-19 virus, the College Board canceled the May 2, 2020 administration of SAT tests, including both the SAT and the SAT II subject...

Rather than wearing pajamas to online glasses, I will pick out clothes that I normally wear to school. Staff photo: Sylvie Venuto.

Why I’m Going to Get Dressed Tomorrow—And Strongly Urge You to Do the Same

Sylvie Venuto, Assistant News Editor
March 15, 2020

There is nothing I would like more than to wake up five minutes before my advocacy FaceTime, roll out of bed and open my computer tomorrow morning—but...

Many celebrate the turn of the decade along with the start of a new year on Jan. 1. Creative Commons photo: geralt on Pixabay.

Has a New Decade Actually Started? Or Which Decade are we in?

Sylvie Venuto, Assistant News Editor
January 8, 2020

Hold the celebrations for the dawn of a new decade. Put a pause on the spectacle and ease the pressure on your decade-long resolutions — the new decade...

A poster hangs at the entrance to Menlo School in 2011, promoting the then-newly-founded GO MENLO program. GO MENLO promotes ways to reduce the number of drivers on Menlo’s campus, such as roller skating or taking the bus. Photo courtesy of Pete Zivkov.

Menlo Nears Traffic Limit, Threatening Drop in Student Enrollment

Sylvie Venuto, Assistant News Editor
October 29, 2019

The number of trips taken by cars in and out of Menlo School is nearing the limit posed by Menlo School’s Conditional Use Permit from the Town of Atherton,...

A police checkpoint outside the entrance to Los Trancos road ensures security for President's visit. Staff Photo: Adley Vogel.

President Trump Visits Palo Alto for Campaign-Funding Luncheon; Meets Both Support and Protest

Adley Vogel and Sylvie Venuto
September 18, 2019

President Donald Trump visited a private home in the Palo Alto Foothills on Tuesday, Sept. 17 for a campaign-funding luncheon. The visit marks Trump’s...

Menlo students do wipers as a part of strength training during the school day. The exercise is meant to help with back mobility and flexibility. Staff Photo: Sylvie Venuto.

Strength Training Improves Athletic Performance and Physical Health

Sylvie Venuto, Staff Writer
March 26, 2019

    Strength training—the combination of weight lifting and sprint training—in the Menlo Strength and Conditioning program can help improve athletic...

Four helpful note-taking applications and their functions. Piktochart by Sylvie Venuto.

The Benefits of Electronic Note-Taking

Sylvie Venuto, Staff Writer
February 1, 2019

Using electronics to take notes can be an effective and useful strategy when using the correct software, according to Upper School Academic Support Coordinator...

Menlo's conveyor belt for students to put their dirty plates and leftover food. Staff photo: Kate Hammond.

Where does Menlo’s leftover food go?

Kate Hammond and Sylvie Venuto
December 6, 2018

Over the years, food waste at the old and new cafeteria has been an issue due to students taking more food than they can eat. This year, the new cafeteria...

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