The Student News Site of Saint Francis High School

The Lancer
Mr. Yang smiles while listening to a Q&A question.
Saint Francis Speaker Series: Gene Luen Yang
Lancelot serving the community, Holy Cross style.
The founding of Service Club
An artistic rendering of a robot.
Robots and reefscapes: kicking off the robotics season
Mr. Curtis talks to a student and his mother.
Holy Cross Achievers potluck is a huge success
Mr. Nethercott stands in front of the Andre House.
Teacher Feature: Mr. Cade Nethercott
Mr. Nethercott stands in front of the Andre House.
Teacher Feature: Mr. Cade Nethercott
Mr. David Cobb stands in front of the Andre House for a photo.
Teacher Feature: Mr. David Cobb
Ms. Andrea Joslyn poses in front of the Andre House for a photo.
Teacher Feature: Ms. Andrea Joslyn
Teacher Feature: Mr. Chihiro Ikezi
Teacher Feature: Mr. Chihiro Ikezi
Teacher Feature: Mr. Dudley Battle
Teacher Feature: Mr. Dudley Battle
An artistic depiction of San Juan Diego's newspaper, Saintly Headlines.
Writer Swap: on starting a newspaper and the dying passion for writing
Photo courtesy of Holy Cross of San Antonio student Leena Garcia (’26). Holy Cross students pose for a photo in their student section, Section Ñ, before a football game.
Writer Swap: building family through community and culture
The author, San Juan Diego junior Abi Donnelly, working at a floral shop.
Writer Swap: connecting education to industry
Courtesy of SFHS Photo Archive.
All About Alumni: Linda Kao
Photo courtesy of Lizzie Lonergan ('17).
All About Alumni: Lizzie Lonergan
Courtesy of Ms. Michelle Tjin
All About Alumni: Dr. K. Megan McArthur
Photo provided by Brooke Baker ('23).
All About Alumni: Brooke Baker
Photo provided by Ms. Sharon Purcell ('90).
All About Alumni: Ms. Sharon Purcell
A compilation of album covers from the 2010s.
Through the Decades: influential pop in the 2010s
Shakespeare's “Taming of the Shrew” and film, “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Sides of the Same Coin: “10 Things I Hate About You” and “The Taming of the Shrew”
A compilation of Disney memorabilia.
The magic of Disney and nostalgia
New York City skyline as seen in Gossip Girl.
The gossip on social standards: class conflict in Gossip Girl
Art inspired by SZA’s album and merchandise.
“LANA”: the long-awaited SOS deluxe
Shakespeare's “Taming of the Shrew” and film, “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Sides of the Same Coin: “10 Things I Hate About You” and “The Taming of the Shrew”
Anya Nandiwada ('25) watches Easy A after classes.
Sides of the Same Coin: “Easy A” & “The Scarlet Letter”
Elizabeth Bennet on the left; Bridget Jones on the right.
Sides of the Same Coin: healthy relationships in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary”
A compilation of album covers from the 2010s.
Through the Decades: influential pop in the 2010s
David Bowie's iconic lightning bolt makeup.
Through the Decades: exploring rock in the 1970s
Popular music shifted from instruments, such as the trumpet, to vocals.
Through the Decades: the 1940s shift from instruments to vocals
On the Same Page: feminism and dystopia in The Handmaid's Tale
On the Same Page: feminism and dystopia in The Handmaid’s Tale
On the Same Page: depth, detail, and emotion in “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”
On the Same Page: depth, detail, and emotion in “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”
On the Same Page: Did we "fall in love with hope"? Signs point to no.
On the Same Page: Did we “fall in love with hope”? Signs point to no.
On the Same Page: description and dread in "Bunny"
On the Same Page: description and dread in “Bunny”
On the Same Page: retellings and tragedy in "Song of Achilles"
On the Same Page: retellings and tragedy in “Song of Achilles”
Pieces on Pride: "The Ellen Show" and what it means to advocate for human rights
Pieces on Pride: “The Ellen Show” and what it means to advocate for human rights
Pieces on Pride: lackluster detail in “Heartstopper, Volume 5”
Pieces on Pride: lackluster detail in “Heartstopper, Volume 5”
Pieces on Pride: allyship in "You Need to Calm Down"
Pieces on Pride: allyship in “You Need to Calm Down”
Pieces on Pride: coming out in “Happiest Season”
Pieces on Pride: coming out in “Happiest Season”
Pieces on Pride: representation in "Imogen, Obviously"
Pieces on Pride: representation in “Imogen, Obviously”
Rom-Com Reflections: difficult versus obedient women in "10 Things I Hate About You"
Rom-Com Reflections: difficult versus obedient women in “10 Things I Hate About You”
Rom-Com Reflections: college admissions stress in "Prom Pact"
Rom-Com Reflections: college admissions stress in “Prom Pact”
Rom-Com Reflections: casual objectification and toxic relationships in "The Kissing Booth"
Rom-Com Reflections: casual objectification and toxic relationships in “The Kissing Booth”
Rom-Com Reflections: the desperate seek for normality in "First Daughter"
Rom-Com Reflections: the desperate seek for normality in “First Daughter”
Rom-Com Reflections: materialism and shopaholism in "Confessions of a Shopaholic"
Rom-Com Reflections: materialism and shopaholism in “Confessions of a Shopaholic”
Mrs. Vollucci poses with her pork belly carbonara udon.
At the Teacher’s Table: pork belly carbonara udon with Mrs. Joanna Vollucci
Assorted frozen yogurts at Yogurtland.
Yogurtland: a comprehensive review of its Mountain View location’s flavors
Bowls (and one plate) of candy. Sweet, delectable treats from that market down the street.
The Joe Show: crazy candy edition
East Campbell Avenue on Sunday morning.
Farm to table: Campbell farmers market review
Chips and Salsa.
A Walk Down Castro Street: Taqueria La Espuela
Mrs. Vollucci poses with her pork belly carbonara udon.
At the Teacher’s Table: pork belly carbonara udon with Mrs. Joanna Vollucci
Mr. Ikezi poses with his Rice Krispies treat.
At the Teacher’s Table: Rice Krispies treats with Mr. Chihiro Ikezi
Ms. Zhang surrounded by cute pineapple buns.
At the Teacher’s Table: pineapple buns with Ms. Zhang
At the Teacher’s Table: vinha d’alhos with Mr. Carroll
At the Teacher’s Table: vinha d’alhos with Mr. Carroll
At the Teacher's Table: cinnamon swirl bread with Ms. Sherrard
At the Teacher’s Table: cinnamon swirl bread with Ms. Sherrard
Chips and Salsa.
A Walk Down Castro Street: Taqueria La Espuela
House Potatoes
A Walk Down Castro Street: Crepevine
Empanada sampler
A Walk Down Castro Street: Limón
A Walk Down Castro Street: the ultimate bubble tea review
A Walk Down Castro Street: the ultimate bubble tea review
A Walk Down Castro Street: Fu Lam Mum
A Walk Down Castro Street: Fu Lam Mum
Bowls (and one plate) of candy. Sweet, delectable treats from that market down the street.
The Joe Show: crazy candy edition
Several scrumptious deserts laid out on nice plaid cloth. With totally normal bread. Nothing bad about that bread!
The Joe Show: may the best baking mix win!
A spread of fall foods on a picnic blanket.
The Joe Show: Trader Joe’s fall flavors
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon being voiced by a white man.
Capitalist Critique: media’s moneymaking machine
The circumstances surrounding the Tiktok Ban were soul-crushing and deceptive.
Tiktok, free speech, and privacy in 2025
An appealing box of Crumbl cookies.
The Business Buzz: Crumbl
Hecklers pointing to sole teenager.
The social death sentence of high school
A political cartoon-esque representation regarding the issue of college tuition.
Capitalist Critique: climbing college costs
An appealing box of Crumbl cookies.
The Business Buzz: Crumbl
Owala water bottles are known for their the Freesip spout, leak-proof design, and the infamous “Bowala” drop.
The Business Buzz: Owala
Hailey Bieber's signature smoothie alongside Erewhon's other renowned offerings.
The Business Buzz: Erewhon
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon being voiced by a white man.
Capitalist Critique: media’s moneymaking machine
A political cartoon-esque representation regarding the issue of college tuition.
Capitalist Critique: climbing college costs
Capitalist motives of news companies force consumers to pay for information.
Capitalist Critique: access denied
The People Problem: how ableist language perpetuates discrimination
The People Problem: how ableist language perpetuates discrimination
The People Problem: crude comments about curly hair
The People Problem: crude comments about curly hair
The People Problem: the "rustic" charm of farmers' markets
The People Problem: the “rustic” charm of farmers’ markets
The People Problem: the harms of collateral damage in war
The People Problem: the harms of collateral damage in war
The People Problem: social impacts of antihomeless infrastructure
The People Problem: social impacts of antihomeless infrastructure
Trend Z: modern celebrity culture
Trend Z: modern celebrity culture
Trend Z: perception vs. peace
Trend Z: perception vs. peace
Trend Z: the evolution of self-care
Trend Z: the evolution of self-care
Trend Z: authenticity on social media
Trend Z: authenticity on social media
Trend Z: the dark sides of dark academia
Trend Z: the dark sides of dark academia
An artist's impression of the Earth - from a metaphorical perspective.
Have we passed the tipping point of climate change?
AI, the new assistant in medicine.
The advancements of artificial intelligence in medicine
A computer featuring artificial intelligence on the left and an Earth burning on the right blend to show the effects of AI on climate change.
How artificial intelligence is contributing to the death of the planet
Counting birds!
A lack of color: analyzing the results of the Christmas Audubon bird count
McDonald’s, one of the most prominent fast food chains, poses as fast and convenient, yet symbolizes the world’s addiction to unhealthy processed food.
Food for Thought: Are processed foods actually good for you?
McDonald’s, one of the most prominent fast food chains, poses as fast and convenient, yet symbolizes the world’s addiction to unhealthy processed food.
Food for Thought: Are processed foods actually good for you?
A silhouette of a woman eats a piece of bread, enraptured by the surrounding screens.
Food for Thought: Social media’s role in shaping our food choices
Dominic So ('27) shopping in a grocery store aisle.
Food For Thought: how grocery stores are the battleground for economics and nutrition
Max Ladd (’25) catches a rebound and shoots a layup.
Varsity Boys’ Basketball season preview
Varsity cheer team shows off their skills at competition.
Diving Deeper: Competition Cheer
Penelope Correa Mason (’26) gears up for a shot against Presentation.
Girls Soccer’s electrifying season so far
Lancers huddle up.
Photo Diaries: Boys’ Soccer versus Riordan
Golf ball at moment of impact.
Scottie Scheffler 2025 season outlook
Varsity cheer team shows off their skills at competition.
Diving Deeper: Competition Cheer
Sloane Swenson (’27) bounces the ball before serving it to the opposing player.
Diving Deeper: Girls’ Tennis
Goalkeeper Maria-Clara (MC) Sliesoraitis ('26) with a huge block against an opposing player.
Diving Deeper: Girls’ Water Polo
Diving Deeper: Girls' Lacrosse
Diving Deeper: Girls’ Lacrosse
Diving Deeper: girls' soccer and their impressive season
Diving Deeper: girls’ soccer and their impressive season
Lancers huddle up.
Photo Diaries: Boys’ Soccer versus Riordan
Natalie Chan ('25) fights for possession of the ball.
Photo Diaries: Girls’ Varsity Soccer tryouts
Kingston Keanaaina ('25) runs the ball down the field.
Photo Diaries: SFHS versus Bellarmine
Marisa Baltodano (’25) takes a breath mid-fly.
Photo Diaries: just keep swimming
Lancers huddle up after a point.
Photo Diaries: Boys’ Volleyball season opener
Issue 61.2 Game
Issue 61.2 Game
Issue 61.1 Game
Issue 61.1 Game
Saint Francis teacher wins an incredibly underwhelming award
Saint Francis teacher wins an incredibly underwhelming award
Saint Francis develops revolutionary new app, Find My Lanyard
Saint Francis develops revolutionary new app, Find My Lanyard
The Jostens Hands: professional clappers for your walk
The Jostens Hands: professional clappers for your walk
Winston to participate in celebrity cook-off against Gordon Ramsay
Winston to participate in celebrity cook-off against Gordon Ramsay
EXCLUSIVE: St. Franny advice column receives sorrowful letters from Eggers Innovation Center and Welcome Center
EXCLUSIVE: St. Franny advice column receives sorrowful letters from Eggers Innovation Center and Welcome Center
The Student News Site of Saint Francis High School

The Lancer
The Student News Site of Saint Francis High School

The Lancer

Mental Mettle and Musings

by Arhana Aatresh (’23)

Mental Mettle and Musings is a column addressing current news about the brain, in the context of problems applicable to or prevalent in high schoolers, such as cognition and mental health.