Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “Art is a powerful form of self-expression and an effective way to illustrate emotions, frustration and opinions. One San Jose organization echoes this belief through its current art gallery..."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/30/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/30/s...
San Jose art gallery shares powerful message about gentrification
A review of MACLA’s new exhibition, “There Are New Suns,” featuring artwork from three Mexican American artists with South Bay roots.
www.mercurynews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “Art is a powerful form of self-expression and an effective way to illustrate emotions, frustration and opinions. One San Jose organization echoes this belief through its current art gallery..."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/30/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/30/s...
Iris Sanchez writes:“Traffic begins to pile up at 7 a.m. at San Jose State University as student commuters race to secure a campus parking spot. Drivers, who have paid up to $440 for a permit, circle around and around multiple-story structures throughout the day." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/29/s...
San Jose State’s peak enrollment is creating a parking nightmare
Students pay hundreds of dollars for a parking permit, but it doesn’t guarantee a spot in a campus garage.
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November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Iris Sanchez writes:“Traffic begins to pile up at 7 a.m. at San Jose State University as student commuters race to secure a campus parking spot. Drivers, who have paid up to $440 for a permit, circle around and around multiple-story structures throughout the day." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/29/s...
Sonia Mankame writes: “The explosive national debate over the state of democracy is hitting home among South Bay teens." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/s...
South Bay teens worry that democracy is under threat
Informal survey shows local youth are concerned about censorship, political polarization and government overreach.
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November 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Sonia Mankame writes: “The explosive national debate over the state of democracy is hitting home among South Bay teens." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/s...
Sophie Luo writes: “Anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. has a familiar ring to Connie Young Yu, a Chinese-American author and historian. Her family has roots in San Jose’s Market Street Chinatown, one of five Chinatowns in the city’s history..."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/27/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/27/s...
San Jose youth keep Chinese American heritage alive at History Park
Teen volunteers help document the events and life of the city’s five Chinatowns.
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November 3, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Sophie Luo writes: “Anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. has a familiar ring to Connie Young Yu, a Chinese-American author and historian. Her family has roots in San Jose’s Market Street Chinatown, one of five Chinatowns in the city’s history..."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/27/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/27/s...
Sonia Mankame writes: “On a Sunday afternoon in San Jose, a teenage girl in a witch’s hat rushed toward a table piled with crystal jewelry while down the aisle a boy in a Spider-Man suit stopped to stare wide-eyed at a jumping spider crawling in a display case." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/22/s...
Spooky San Jose market celebrates Halloween
Halloween craftmakers hawked their wares at San Jose’s “Peculiarities Market,” held on Oct. 12.
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November 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Sonia Mankame writes: “On a Sunday afternoon in San Jose, a teenage girl in a witch’s hat rushed toward a table piled with crystal jewelry while down the aisle a boy in a Spider-Man suit stopped to stare wide-eyed at a jumping spider crawling in a display case." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/22/s...
Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “More than their younger siblings may do, high school students who came to this country as teenagers struggle while learning English in school." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/14/s...
Spanish-speaking students say they face struggles learning English in high school
San Jose teens must learn English quickly to keep up with studies. But attaining fluency is a struggle.
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November 3, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “More than their younger siblings may do, high school students who came to this country as teenagers struggle while learning English in school." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/14/s...
Sami Khan writes: “Concerned about the amount of waste and use of nonrenewable items in school cafeterias, some Bay Area students and school districts have initiated changes toward more sustainable practices."
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/07/e...
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/07/e...
Eco-conscious Bay Area students lobby for sustainable cafeterias
Some school districts are starting to move away from single-use containers and plastic utensils.
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October 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sami Khan writes: “Concerned about the amount of waste and use of nonrenewable items in school cafeterias, some Bay Area students and school districts have initiated changes toward more sustainable practices."
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/07/e...
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/07/e...
Sophie Luo writes: “As data centers rapidly grow in Silicon Valley to support the rising demand for artificial intelligence, more youth are voicing their opposition to their environmental byproducts."
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/02/d...
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/02/d...
Data centers’ huge appetite for power concerns South Bay youth
Training just one AI model could power 100 U.S. homes for a year. Won’t that worsen our climate crisis, young people ask?
www.mercurynews.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Sophie Luo writes: “As data centers rapidly grow in Silicon Valley to support the rising demand for artificial intelligence, more youth are voicing their opposition to their environmental byproducts."
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/02/d...
Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/02/d...
Angelique Martinez writes: “San Jose is one of the priciest places in the nation to purchase or rent a home. As a result, many local students, especially those who come from low-income backgrounds, say they worry about helping their families afford housing." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
San Jose teens express concerns about rising housing prices
students say they worry about helping their families and finding an affordable place to live.
www.mercurynews.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Angelique Martinez writes: “San Jose is one of the priciest places in the nation to purchase or rent a home. As a result, many local students, especially those who come from low-income backgrounds, say they worry about helping their families afford housing." www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
Sonia Mankame writes: “Concern has ballooned nationwide as youth have embraced AI for friendship and advice, but many South Bay teens say they turn to AI for comfort in the absence of other support." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/30/s...
South Bay teens say AI needs more guardrails to protect youth
Even as teens turn to AI for friendship and advice, many think they need protection from its hazards.
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October 22, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Sonia Mankame writes: “Concern has ballooned nationwide as youth have embraced AI for friendship and advice, but many South Bay teens say they turn to AI for comfort in the absence of other support." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/30/s...
Lauren Uppal writes: “Saturday’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival filled the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose with festive activities for children to participate in." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/29/c...
Cultures converge at Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in San Jose
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival held last weekend at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose highlighted Chinese, Vietnamese celebrations.
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October 22, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Lauren Uppal writes: “Saturday’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival filled the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose with festive activities for children to participate in." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/29/c...
Lauren Uppal writes: “It took three years to get here, but about 30 girls at Del Mar High School in San Jose have kickstarted the school’s first flag football team." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/22/d...
Del Mar High School launches flag football team as sport takes off
Female athletes laying the building blocks for the future of the new girls sport at San Jose school.
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October 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Lauren Uppal writes: “It took three years to get here, but about 30 girls at Del Mar High School in San Jose have kickstarted the school’s first flag football team." Follow the link to read more: www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/22/d...
Iris Sanchez writes: “In the heat of a recent night, a teen folklorico group stomp in dance heels across the floor in preparation for their upcoming performances. The group is set to perform at a private 49ers staff event on Sept. 16." www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/15/s...
San Jose’s Los Laureles folklorico group embraces youth
The cultural troupe fills a void for teens yearning to learn and perform traditional Mexican dances.
www.mercurynews.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Iris Sanchez writes: “In the heat of a recent night, a teen folklorico group stomp in dance heels across the floor in preparation for their upcoming performances. The group is set to perform at a private 49ers staff event on Sept. 16." www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/15/s...
Padma Balaji writes: “It’s hard to know what to expect from my TikTok For You Page. A dog in a bear costume for Halloween. Scroll. Model Nara Smith making boba from scratch in high heels and a dress. Scroll. Footage of a child dying in Gaza." www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/11/o...
Opinion: When the internet gets you down, here’s what to do
In-person activism provided the author with something she never found while doomscrolling herself into oblivion: hope.
www.mercurynews.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Padma Balaji writes: “It’s hard to know what to expect from my TikTok For You Page. A dog in a bear costume for Halloween. Scroll. Model Nara Smith making boba from scratch in high heels and a dress. Scroll. Footage of a child dying in Gaza." www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/11/o...
Sophie Lou writes: “I notice artificial intelligence being used around me daily. At my school, I’ve seen students submitting AI-generated work as their own, rather than taking the time to research, write and truly understand content."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/10/o...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/10/o...
Opinion: Artificial intelligence is here to stay, so let’s teach it in class
Educators have the chance teach students how to use AI responsibly, not as a substitute for creative and critical thought but as a tool to support them.
www.mercurynews.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Sophie Lou writes: “I notice artificial intelligence being used around me daily. At my school, I’ve seen students submitting AI-generated work as their own, rather than taking the time to research, write and truly understand content."
www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/10/o...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/10/o...
Sami Khan writes: “As a high school student in Union City, I have been fortunate enough to be able to take college classes. One of my first surprises was that a college textbook that was required for a course was more expensive than the registration fee for the course." Read more with link in bio.
October 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Sami Khan writes: “As a high school student in Union City, I have been fortunate enough to be able to take college classes. One of my first surprises was that a college textbook that was required for a course was more expensive than the registration fee for the course." Read more with link in bio.
Iris Sanchez, Sonia Mankame, Angelique Alvarez Martinez and Sophie Luo write: “Parents, grandparents and others their age lined El Camino Real during Monday’s 17×17 Labor Day rally — as in previous anti-Trump protests. But where were the younger people?" Read this story with the link in our bio.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Iris Sanchez, Sonia Mankame, Angelique Alvarez Martinez and Sophie Luo write: “Parents, grandparents and others their age lined El Camino Real during Monday’s 17×17 Labor Day rally — as in previous anti-Trump protests. But where were the younger people?" Read this story with the link in our bio.
Lizette Anaya & Alexis Carrillo write: “As they said tearful farewells to their schools and now look to the fall, families affected by the closing, merger or redesign of more than half of the Alum Rock Union School District’s 22 schools..." Read more with the link in bio.
August 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Lizette Anaya & Alexis Carrillo write: “As they said tearful farewells to their schools and now look to the fall, families affected by the closing, merger or redesign of more than half of the Alum Rock Union School District’s 22 schools..." Read more with the link in bio.
Padma Balaji writes: “Every day, hundreds of VTA buses whoosh along the streets of Santa Clara County, carrying almost 90,000 people a day." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
August 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Padma Balaji writes: “Every day, hundreds of VTA buses whoosh along the streets of Santa Clara County, carrying almost 90,000 people a day." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “When I lived in Mexico, my seventh-grade Spanish teacher assigned us to read the novel “Don Quixote,” written in 1605. I loved that book! But most of my classmates hated it. They said it was boring and too long." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
August 15, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Angelique Alvarez Martinez writes: “When I lived in Mexico, my seventh-grade Spanish teacher assigned us to read the novel “Don Quixote,” written in 1605. I loved that book! But most of my classmates hated it. They said it was boring and too long." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
Riya Minglani writes: “Prospect High School in Saratoga has a large Latino population, but that’s not reflected in the demographics of its Advanced Placement classes." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
August 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Riya Minglani writes: “Prospect High School in Saratoga has a large Latino population, but that’s not reflected in the demographics of its Advanced Placement classes." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
Madeline Aristorenas writes: “San Jose’s Pinoytown, a place where Filipino businesses and families once thrived, now shows few remnants of its Filipino culture and history." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
August 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Madeline Aristorenas writes: “San Jose’s Pinoytown, a place where Filipino businesses and families once thrived, now shows few remnants of its Filipino culture and history." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
Lauren Uppal writes: “That marvelous feeling of being in a dark movie theater, sipping a cold soda and blanketed by the aroma of popcorn makes viewers love a movie. It’s that same whimsical feeling that is destroyed when your favorite movies are followed by bad sequels."Read more with link in bio.
August 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Lauren Uppal writes: “That marvelous feeling of being in a dark movie theater, sipping a cold soda and blanketed by the aroma of popcorn makes viewers love a movie. It’s that same whimsical feeling that is destroyed when your favorite movies are followed by bad sequels."Read more with link in bio.
Naomi Kotani writes: “When Axel Tello discovered as a college sophomore a federally funded grant that would allow him to do paid lab research in any area of his choosing, he immediately applied." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
August 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Naomi Kotani writes: “When Axel Tello discovered as a college sophomore a federally funded grant that would allow him to do paid lab research in any area of his choosing, he immediately applied." Read this story and more with the link in our bio.
Sami Khan writes: “The Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU for short, originally aimed to help youth in getting recruited to colleges or receiving scholarships. However, now many AAU basketball teams charge close to $1,000 per player for a single season..." Read more with the link in our bio.
August 9, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Sami Khan writes: “The Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU for short, originally aimed to help youth in getting recruited to colleges or receiving scholarships. However, now many AAU basketball teams charge close to $1,000 per player for a single season..." Read more with the link in our bio.