Asher Darling

Prediction Markets Surge, Drawing Interest

Asher Darling, Staff Writer
May 12, 2026

More than $37 million has been wagered on whether Jesus Christ will return before 2027. Another $13 million is riding on whether the U.S. will confirm...

Senior Trip Moved From Mexico to Palm Springs After Cartel Violence

Asher Darling and Savannah Smith
March 31, 2026

Since 2019, Menlo senior classes have celebrated spring break together in Punta Mita, Mexico. But after cartel violence erupted in nearby Puerto Vallarta...

Students Turn Curiosity Into Capital Through Investing

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2026

Senior Raj Kaushek said that his passion for investing stems from his interest in financial spending habits. That curiosity led Kaushek to start saving...

Inaugural Catalyst Semester Redefines Experiential Learning

Asher Darling and Caroline Clack
January 4, 2026

Instead of opening their notebooks on the first day of school after their grade-wide retreat, 16 Menlo juniors were crouched over tidepools in Monterey,...

Girls Flag Football Wins Sport’s First-Ever CCS Championship

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief
November 11, 2025

Down 13-7 at halftime, Menlo’s varsity girls flag football team stormed back behind junior quarterback Ava Allen’s four-touchdown performance to...

From The Editors: It Shouldn’t Take Four Years to Bond

Malia Chen, Caroline Clack, Sienna Lew, and Asher Darling
November 4, 2025

As the campfire crackles and the sweet scent of roasting marshmallows fills the air, a cohort of smiley — and some teary-eyed — seniors mingle to the...

Menlo Football Team To Forfeit Halloween Clash With Wilcox

Noah Levin and Asher Darling
October 28, 2025

Menlo’s varsity football team is forfeiting its game against Wilcox High School on Friday, Oct. 31, due to injuries and illness, several members of the...

Friday Knight Lights: Season 2, Episode 1: Cross Country Charts New Path Under Fresh Leadership

Asher Darling and Bianca Putanec
October 24, 2025

Preview Season 2, Episode 1 of Friday Knight Lights. In order to listen to the full episode, click the Spotify icon, the podcast title, the image or ‘Save...

Football Blows Out Paly on Friday Night

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief
October 18, 2025

Menlo’s varsity football team throttled Palo Alto High School 49-6 on the road Friday night, earning its second league win of the season and improving...

New Mexico Football Team Visits Menlo to Open Season

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2025

When Menlo opened its football season against a team from western New Mexico, located just outside of a Navajo reservation, Menlo ultimately secured a...

Upper School Retreats Foster Class Bonding as the New School Year Begins

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief
September 4, 2025

Menlo’s 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders embarked on retreats on Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26 to strengthen class bonds as the 2025-2026...

From 51.5 Print: Spring Sports Updates

Devon Schaefer, Aaron Widjaja, Payton Lee, Asher Darling, Caroline Clack, and Spencer Toland
May 13, 2025

Boy’s Golf places 4th at WBAL Championships After a rollercoaster of a season, Menlo boys golf finished with a 6-6 record and secured fourth place...

[Photo] Boys Golf Update

Rafe Weiden, Staff Writer
April 14, 2025

Menlo Students Go All in on Sports Betting

Asher Darling, News Editor
March 8, 2025

It was Jan. 2, 2025, and most Menlo seniors were spending their final days of winter break relaxing or celebrating the new year. David Mhatre, however,...

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...

Friday Knight Lights: Boys Basketball Relishes Rematch Against SHP (Ep. 4)

Devon Schaefer and Asher Darling
February 3, 2025

Preview the fourth episode of Friday Knight Lights. In order to listen to the full episode, click the Spotify icon, the podcast title, the image or ‘Save...

Football Season Recap

Asher Darling, News Editor
January 13, 2025

After losing to archrival Sacred Heart Prep in his first two seasons on Menlo’s varsity football team, senior wide receiver and linebacker Jamie Forese...

Shock, Fear, Joy: Knights React To Trump Victory

Jacob Reich and Asher Darling
January 9, 2025

On election night, freshman Harper Marek expected to stay up late to watch a tight battle for the presidency, but watching President-elect Donald Trump...

[Photo] Menlo Introduces Green Ride Wednesdays, A New Program Designed to Reduce Traffic Numbers

Elaina Huang, Assistant Opinions Editor
January 7, 2025

Head of School Than Healy and Director of Sustainability Chrissy Orangio welcome students during Green Ride Wednesday.

Friday Knight Lights: Flag Football Finishes Season Undefeated (Ep. 3)

Devon Schaefer and Asher Darling
December 2, 2024

Preview the third episode of Friday Knight Lights. In order to listen to the full episode, click the Spotify icon, the podcast title, the image or ‘Save...

[Photo] Football Season Ends With Loss to Palma in CCS Division II Semifinals

Devon Schaefer, Sports Editor
November 26, 2024

Freehill runs the ball in the third quarter.

Menlo Beats SHP in 22nd Annual Valpo Bowl

Devon Schaefer and Asher Darling
November 10, 2024

Menlo’s varsity football team claimed the Valparaiso Cup with a 20-17 win over Sacred Heart Prep in the 22nd annual Valpo Bowl on Friday, Nov. 8. The...

Friday Knight Lights: Football Prepares for Annual Valpo Bowl (Ep. 2)

Devon Schaefer and Asher Darling
November 8, 2024

Preview the second episode of Friday Knight Lights. In order to listen to the full episode, click the Spotify icon, the podcast title, the image or ‘Save...

Football Suffers Homecoming Loss Against M-A

Asher Darling, News Editor
October 20, 2024

A group of seniors show off the spirit shield.

Friday Knight Lights: Water Polo Hoco Game (Ep. 1)

Asher Darling and Devon Schaefer
October 19, 2024

Preview the first episode of Friday Knight Lights. In order to listen to the full episode, click the Spotify icon, the podcast title, the image or 'Save...

[Photo] Boys Water Polo Beats Top Teams, Ranks First in CCS

Amelie Giomi, Spread Editor
October 10, 2024

Freshman Hunter Coleman Passes the ball to his teammate at Roche Invitational on Sept. 6.

New Phone Policy Follows CA Movement But Stops Short of Full Ban

Asher Darling, News Editor
October 8, 2024

Five years ago, Adam Gelb, who was serving as assistant principal at San Mateo High School, helped ignite a monumental movement for high schools across...

Girls Golf Improves Scores

Asher Darling, News Editor
October 7, 2024

Menlo’s girls golf team began their season with a collective score of 265 strokes in their first match on Sept. 3 at Baylands Golf Links. The team has...

Project Reboot Founder Dino Ambrosi Speaks to Students About Technology Addiction

Asher Darling, News Editor
September 17, 2024

Dino Ambrosi speaks to students at Menlo School during an assembly on Sept. 17.

[Photo] John Schafer Gives 2024 Election Talk

Caroline Clack, A&L Editor
September 10, 2024

[Photo] Mikey McGrath Commits to Play Football at Williams College

Rafe Weiden, Staff Writer
May 20, 2024

[Photo] Willis Johnson Commits to Puget Sound for Football

Bianca Putanec, Assistant Sports Editor
May 29, 2024

Baseball Clinches CCS After Two-Win Week

Asher Darling, News Editor
May 10, 2024

Menlo’s varsity baseball team celebrated senior day with a 5-4 victory over San Mateo on Tuesday, May 7, at Cartan Field. Before the game, the team...

New SEIA Grant Expands Student Summer Opportunities

Asher Darling, News Editor
May 5, 2024

This year, Menlo expanded on its summer grant program, offering a new scholarship for student research called Social Entrepreneurship in Action. According...

Tennis Coach Bill Shine Retires After Illustrious Career

Asher Darling, News Editor
May 2, 2024

As Bill Shine’s dedicated 29-year head coaching career at Menlo comes to an end, the varsity boys tennis team is still yet to lose a league match during...

Athlete of Issue 50.4: Sandro Velazquez, Varsity Boys Soccer

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
March 30, 2024

As the clock dwindles down and Menlo trails Los Gatos High School 4-3 in the CCS Division II boys soccer semifinal match, it seems senior striker Sandro...

Boys Golf Loses to Sacred Heart

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
March 8, 2024

Junior Hunter Guyer putts on the fifth green.

And Then There Was One: Menlo’s APs Are Almost Gone

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
March 16, 2024

After getting rid of AP Biology decades ago, the school has nearly completed its phasing out of Advanced Placement classes in the course catalog: beginning...

Boys Basketball Loses in Heartbreaking CCS Finals

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
February 26, 2024

Menlo’s varsity boys basketball team was narrowly defeated 57-52 in the CCS Division IV final at Mission College by No. 1 seed Carmel on Saturday, Feb....

From the Bay to LA: Alum Jaden Richardson Fulfills Dreams of Playing Football at USC

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
February 14, 2024

Growing up as a USC fan, Menlo alum Jaden Richarson (‘20) always dreamed of playing at the Los Angeles Coliseum for the Trojans. On Jan. 2, 2024 Richardson...

Evan Arcilla Gives Cuts Above the Rest in Locker Room

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
January 23, 2024

Last April, Evan Arcilla returned from his barbershop disappointed and ready to make a change. After giving his barber clear instructions, Arcilla still...

Knights Fall to Gators in Annual Valpo Bowl, Remain Optimistic

Asher Darling and Devon Schaefer
November 10, 2023

Menlo was defeated by Sacred Heart 31-19 on Nov. 3 at Cartan Field in the 21st Valpo Bowl. The rivalry game marked the end of the regular season for both...

Menlo Volleyball Sweeps Sacred Heart, Secures First Place in WBAL

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
October 31, 2023

Menlo’s varsity volleyball team prevailed over rival Sacred Heart in three straight sets on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The effort was spearheaded by the team’s...

Girls Flag Football Wins Senior Day Matchup Against Sacred Heart

Asher Darling and Devon Schaefer
October 31, 2023

Menlo’s varsity girls flag football team celebrated senior day with a 25-0 shutout against rival Sacred Heart. Before their last game of the season on...

Menlo Community Reflects on College Conference Changes

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
October 19, 2023

For over a century, the Pacific Coast Conference — known as the Pac-12 since 2010 — has excelled athletically, garnering the nickname the ‘Conference...

Young Drivers Take a Wrong Turn: Upperclassmen Reveal Regrets Over Their Driver’s License Journeys

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
October 18, 2023

The number of teenagers with driver’s licenses has declined over the last several decades. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation,...

Menlo Community Reacts to Possible Oakland A’s Relocation to Las Vegas

Asher Darling, Assistant Sports Editor
September 8, 2023

On July 25, when the two Bay Area baseball teams met at Oracle Park in San Francisco as part of the annual Bay Bridge Series, Oakland A’s and San Francisco...

“The Greatest Knight” Auction Continues to Support Financial Aid

Aaron Widjaja and Asher Darling
April 24, 2023

On March 18, 2023, Menlo hosted its annual auction where members of the community gather for dinner, drinks and entertainment capped off with a live auction....

Middle School Loses Two Longstanding Heritage Oak Trees, Repurposes Valuable Wood

Asher Darling, Staff Writer
March 9, 2023

During the 2022-23 school year, the Menlo Middle School lost two beloved oak trees. The first tree fell on the morning of Oct. 21, 2022. Director of Dining...

Asher Darling, Editor-in-Chief

The Coat of Arms