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The student news site of Amador Valley High School

AmadorValleyToday
The student news site of Amador Valley High School

AmadorValleyToday
The student news site of Amador Valley High School

AmadorValleyToday
Carol Xu

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief

Carol Xu is the 2022-23 AVT Editor-in-Chief and a senior at Amador. She joined journalism to fuel her passion for writing; she likes writing features and profiles the best. Involved in an eclectic mix of school activities, from marching band to AV Mentors, Carol is a huge logophile and likes to wax lyrical about nice prose. 

A vivacious reader with a huge sweet tooth, she often reads through the daily news whilst devouring a tasty dessert. Her favorite quote is “I’m not weird, I’m limited edition,” and according to her friends, she uses it far too much. She can be found wandering around campus decked out in red.

All content by Carol Xu
May Amadon 2023

May Amadon 2023

Zaynah Shah, Yi (Steven) Yang, Renna Popli, Aileen Hu, Eva Grove, Carol Xu, Parth Mishra, Gigi Zhang, Emerson Muise, Shaan Anderson, Jalen Alami, Amishi Jha, Anita Gautam, Edwin He, Parsa Hassanpour, Alyssa Wu, Preston Elliott, Ritika Ghosh, Shimon Arai, Sydney Queen, Tatum Krekorian, Haley Gottlieb, Trisha Pandey, Ian Cha, Luke Rathjen, Katy Clark, Eva Carranza, Yatin Bayya, Kaylee Simpson, Heaven Boren, Sebastian Diligent, Sophie Pereira, and Varsha Harnoor
May 31, 2023
March Amadon 2023

March Amadon 2023

Zaynah Shah, Yi (Steven) Yang, Renna Popli, Eva Grove, Aileen Hu, Arlina Yang, Carol Xu, Vincent Ma, Trisha Pandey, Sophie Pereira, Ian Cha, Heaven Boren, Varsha Harnoor, Parsa Hassanpour, Matthew Nader, Sebastian Diligent, Audrey Combs, Grace Huang, Aashi Jain, Riley Rohr, Nadya Carreira, Jocelyn (Hsin-Chiao) Hsu, Anita Gautam, Ritika Ghosh, Rohan Prakash, Julia Evans, and Zayn Ali
March 30, 2023
Left to right: Gavin Wang (23), Rachel Chung (24), and Suhani Chheda (25) present a matcha egg puff straight out of the waffle machine.

Student baristas get boba bliss at Happy Lemon

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
February 27, 2023
February Amadon 2023

February Amadon 2023

Zaynah Shah, Yi (Steven) Yang, Renna Popli, Eva Grove, Aileen Hu, Vincent Ma, Arlina Yang, Carol Xu, Amishi Jha, Varsha Harnoor, Sophie Pereira, Sydney Queen, Gyan Bhambhani, Diana Schwarz, Alayna West, Amogh Belgal, Dylan Breen, Zayn Ali, Preston Elliott, Parsa Hassanpour, Olivia Vukman, Anita Gautam, Parth Mishra, Sofia Skinner, Katy Clark, Ritika Ghosh, Heaven Boren, and Dhanush Gowda
February 23, 2023
Spending big on Valentines Day has reached a new high, with Americans expected to spend $25.9 billion this year. However, most consumers overlook how the majority of their flowers, chocolate boxes, and plastic packaging will bypass recycling straight into landfills, exacerbating environmental pollution and waste.

Waste-dumped by love: the hidden costs behind love on Valentine’s Day

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
February 20, 2023
Since around July 2022, Simran Khemlani has been a student ambassador with Nordstrom, attending Zoom monthly information sessions to explore the fashion industry.

Junior Nordstrom Ambassador talks fashion industry and expressing herself through her outfits

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
January 27, 2023
Simran Pandey (‘23), President of Mock Trial, was admitted into Duke University. She shares her high school journey and gives key insights to help students apply and be accepted into Duke University.

[Photo] ACING Duke University with Simran Pandey (’23) | Acing Admissions Advice

Edwin He, Staff Writer
January 24, 2023
Tony Wang (‘23) was recently admitted to Stanford University through Early Decision. The president of the Speech and Debate Club and National Honors Society Club shares his experience and a few tips on how to get into Stanford.

[Photo] ACING Stanford University with Tony Wang (’23) | Acing Admissions Advice

Edwin He, Staff Writer
January 24, 2023
January Amadon 2023

January Amadon 2023

Zaynah Shah, Yi (Steven) Yang, Renna Popli, Eva Grove, Aileen Hu, Vincent Ma, Arlina Yang, Aashi Jain, Jalen Alami, Diana Schwarz, Ian Cha, Parsa Hassanpour, Heaven Boren, Dhanush Gowda, Andrew Xiao, Gyan Bhambhani, Maximilien Kiyoi, Anita Gautam, Zayn Ali, Dylan Breen, Varsha Harnoor, Javi Gros-Suanzes, and Carol Xu
January 23, 2023
Food Review: Starbucks Christmas Menu proves tasty and timeless

Food Review: Starbucks Christmas Menu proves tasty and timeless

Jiawen (Sarah) Yan and Carol Xu
December 12, 2022
I hope (readers will) follow along on my journey of constantly learning and making my little piece of the world a better place. Im excited to see how we grow together as a community of parents, co-workers, peers, teachers, students, friends, and family, said Sukumar. Lets redefine inclusivity in our homes, communities, schools and lives. Change starts from us.

Senior girl scout seeks to redefine neurodivergence in Gold Award project

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
November 30, 2022
Directed by Paul Fieg, The School for Good and Evil suffers from a cliched script that fails to develop most of its characters. The film tries to cram too much into an already lengthy viewing time (2 hours 27 minutes), a sign that the books would likely have been better adapted instead as a television series to flesh out all the subplots and characters. (Image courtesy of Netflix)

Film Review: “The School for Good and Evil” fizzles in enchantment

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2022
The new SSC representatives were elected by students in their grade through an online Google Forms ballot.

INTRODUCING… your School Site Council student representatives

Jocelyn Hsu, Grace Huang, Aashi Jain, and Carol Xu
October 9, 2022
Moore is the 2022-23 SSC senior student representative.

Terrence Moore (’23)

Carol Xu, AVT EIC
October 9, 2022
BeReal has topped the App Store downloads chart and is on track to surpass Instagram as the most downloaded app in the United States.

A deep dive inside the new social media platform BeReal

Carol Xu, AVT EIC
October 2, 2022
Yu has been working at Amador since 2017, and her office door always stays open for students to come in.

[Photo] INTRODUCING… counselor Jennifer Yu

Eva Raul, AVT Page Editor
September 24, 2022
Choudhary has been horse-riding for nearly six years, and started officially competing two years ago.

Taking the reins: Rohan Choudhary (‘24) competes as an equestrian

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
September 23, 2022
Kimberly Tran oversees students who have last names starting with Sn-Z.

INTRODUCING… Kimberly Tran, Om-Z counselor

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
September 20, 2022
A team of over 10 Chinese parents arranged and prepared the festival celebrations.

Marching band Chinese community hosts Mid-Autumn Festival event

Carol Xu, AVT Editor-in-Chief
September 15, 2022
Students interviewed recalled witnessing the exchange of drugs and violence at the Aloha Dance and its afterparties.

Annual Aloha Dance canceled this year

Carol Xu, Diana Schwarz
September 2, 2022
Bober Tea is open seven days a week, notable for its premium fresh tea and Instagram-worthy decor.

Food Review: “Bober Tea” is pinkalicious and refreshing

Carol Xu, AVT EIC
August 24, 2022
Over the summer, Meenakshi Yarlagadda (23) self-published a poetry collection that combines whimsical storytelling with vivid imagery.

“My heart is like a pen”: Meenakshi Yarlagadda (‘23) publishes vibrant new poetry collection

Carol Xu, AVT EIC
August 23, 2022
ACE Coding Day brings computer science to new generation

ACE Coding Day brings computer science to new generation

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
May 18, 2022
While director Patha Thongpan rises to the occasion, delivering a fresh take to the beloved tale that tackles a burning, complex romance, the central plot disappoints as another rehashing of past adaptations, and quickly loses momentum as the series progresses.

TV Show Review: “F4 Thailand” offers modern spin on Japanese romance with dazzling cast, disappointing plot

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
May 14, 2022
From my experience working at a boba store, Ive become convinced that working part-time is a rite of passage all teenagers should undertake.

Work it: part-time jobs offer merits, valuable rewards for teenagers

Carol Xu, AVT Editor
May 3, 2022
Ellen-Lee-streams

[Photo] The streaming life: Ellen Lee (’25) creates content on Twitch and YouTube

Eva Raul, Staff Writer
April 25, 2022
Test days always seem to attract a higher number of absences in class. By controlling makeups, this problem can be alleviated.

[Photo] Teachers should not allow make up work

Kevin Zhu, Page Editor
April 21, 2022
Sanami Kanda (25) gets ready to receive her opponents serve. Kanda swiftly won her match, 21-4 and 21-3.

AV Badminton topples Clayton Valley in clean sweep

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
April 19, 2022
Katie Wiest (22) smiles for the camera, pictured along with her boyfriend Braeden Cameron (22).

(In)visible Disease: Katie Wiest (’22) on battling & living with POT syndrome

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
April 15, 2022
The princess of punk rock is back–but can she still bear the crown? Album Review: Avril Lavigne’s “Love Sux”

The princess of punk rock is back–but can she still bear the crown? Album Review: Avril Lavigne’s “Love Sux”

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
March 31, 2022
DECA members presented their proposals before each other on campus and exchanged advice.

[Photo] DECA and Business Academy students compete in mock Shark Tank contest

Mandy Wong, AVT EIC
March 31, 2022
Rao moonlights as the founder and host of popular podcast Down to Brown. Alongside guest speakers in each episode, Rao explores the different dimensions of the South Asian-American identity and seeks to answer this question: “what would life look like if we freed ourselves from the pressures of American assimilation and Indian stigma to be our best, most authentic selves?”

Down to brown: Lahari Rao (’08) talks hosting a podcast and discovering her own cultural identity

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
March 29, 2022
Since childhood, Chiplunkars life has been filled with music–his determination and drive mean that he never deviates from his routine of writing or playing music every single day.

[Photo] Losing himself in the music: Anirrudha Chiplunkar (‘23)’s journey as a rapper

Kevin Zhu, AVT Page Editor
March 23, 2022
Bridget Neff (22) started crocheting during quarantine, and has since embraced it as a new hobby.

[Photo] A good yarn: Bridget Neff (’22) creates crochet creatures for friends, finds creative outlet in new hobby

Eva Raul, Staff Writer
March 16, 2022
AV Badminton dominates San Ramon Valley with sweeping victory in seasons first game

AV Badminton dominates San Ramon Valley with sweeping victory in season’s first game

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
March 15, 2022
Wind Ensemble I stands after the end of their performance. “We had a very respectable performance… I thought both groups peaked. It was really exciting for both the staff and the students,” said Edwin Cordoba, assistant director of bands.

Wind ensembles dazzle at Sonoma Invitational Music Festival

Carol Xu and Kevin Zhu
March 11, 2022
Six awardees shared their reactions to winning, favourite pieces, and their inspirations behind their artwork.

Amador students win big in regional Scholastic Arts Competition

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
February 27, 2022
With the wide selection of course available to students at Amador, we asked six different students spanning all four grades to tell us their favourite classes so far.

February Group Feature: Students share their favorite classes at Amador

Audrey Combs, Anaita Mistry, and Carol Xu
February 24, 2022

[Photo] Varun Yedavilli (‘23)

February 24, 2022
Amador Alum Jennifer Jin (21) has, since graduating, exploded in popularity on Instagram and become an influencer.

“Go for it”: Jennifer Jin (‘21) on life as an Instagram influencer and her personal evolution

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
February 13, 2022
An adventure comic with enough thrilling action and subtle romance, Jungle Juice will resonate with readers of all ages.

Webtoon Review: “Jungle Juice”

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
February 3, 2022
Masked, not muffled: over 20 Amador students perform and bond in the North California honor band

Masked, not muffled: over 20 Amador students perform and bond in the North California honor band

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
January 31, 2022
New Years Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

Renna Popli, Audrey Combs, Karissa Yeung, Carol Xu, Kevin Zhu, Parth Mishra, and Jeanette D'Addabbo
January 29, 2022
Abe Tabatabian (22), Tyler Cheng (22), Brady Nassar (22), and Foster Keast (22) planning their next move on the court.

Varsity Boys Basketball fights hard against De La Salle

Carol Xu, Editor
January 27, 2022
The number of absent students in Mrs. Da Costas classroom reached new levels at 27 on Tuesday, Jan 11.

Attendance rates plummet by over 10 percent at Amador after winter break

Carol Xu, Kevin Zhu, and Soumya Rangan
January 18, 2022
Castillo and Carroll take a photo with customer and supporter Marney.

Chef Castillo whisks creativity and community in new downtown bistro Bocado

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
January 12, 2022
The main counter’s decorated in a blue-green tile pattern that evokes the rippling, shimmering sea, and a leafy display of “Bocado on the go” offers newcomers a bright welcome to the establishment. (Carol Xu)

Food review: Bocado Un Petit Bistro

Carol Xu, AVT Page Editor
December 22, 2021
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Carol Xu