The Student News Site of Saint Francis High School

The Lancer
Lancers of the past: Saint Francis High School throughout time
Lancers of the past: Saint Francis High School throughout time
Members of Bring Change to Mind, a mental-health related club, decorate their gratitude tree.
Mental health matters: what Bring Change to Mind brings to our school community
Integral features of the Café Mots experience spill out of a poetry book.
Passion and poetry: a look into Café Mots
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
Mr. David Cobb stands in front of the Andre House for a photo.
Teacher Feature: Mr. David Cobb
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
Teacher Feature: Mr. Evan Pasion
Teacher Feature: Mr. Evan Pasion
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
Portrait of Liam Payne.
Liam Payne’s passing and One Direction’s legacy
David Bowie's iconic lightning bolt makeup.
Through the Decades: exploring rock in the 1970s
Anya Nandiwada ('25) watches Easy A after classes.
Sides of the Same Coin: “Easy A” & “The Scarlet Letter”
Jessica Kwandou ('25) watches The Menendez Brothers on Netflix.
The “Menendez Brothers” review
Social media floods our perception of electoral events.
The emerging role of media in politics
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”
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”
But that’s not a theory… it’s facts. (A random man theorizing about Thanksgiving)
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
The booming industry of fast food.
Fast food and the American lifestyle
A Christmas wreath with different holiday food traditions.
Holiday food traditions from around the world
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!
House Potatoes
A Walk Down Castro Street: Crepevine
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
At the Teacher’s Table: egg custard pie with Ms. Yang
At the Teacher’s Table: egg custard pie with Ms. Yang
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
A Walk Down Castro Street: Amarin Thai Cuisine
A Walk Down Castro Street: Amarin Thai Cuisine
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
A political cartoon-esque representation regarding the issue of college tuition.
Capitalist Critique: climbing college costs
Voter submitting a ballot.
America’s issue: low voter turnout
A drawing of President Trump giving a speech, accompanied by a trash can holding some of the concerns of the 2024 presidential election.
So, America, what happens now?
Owala water bottles are known for their the Freesip spout, leak-proof design, and the infamous “Bowala” drop.
The Business Buzz: Owala
Social media company censoring speech.
Free speech in the digital age
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
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
Artist's impression of a meteor shower's stunning visuals in the night sky.
Annual Taurid meteor shower ongoing
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
The transition of Mars from a habitable, Earth-like planet to a desolate desert wasteland.
Ancient lakes on Mars may once have harbored life
Celebrating brilliance in chemistry!
UC Berkeley PhD wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry
A black hole consuming information.
The black hole information loss paradox: a deep cosmic mystery
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
Natalie Chan ('25) fights for possession of the ball.
Photo Diaries: Girls’ Varsity Soccer tryouts
Dmitri Verstak (’25) rises out of the water to shoot the ball.
The road to CIF
Aaron Knapp (’25) hands the ball off to Kingston Keananiana (’25) while the offensive line blocks.
Lancers gearing up for playoffs
Sloane Swenson (’27) bounces the ball before serving it to the opposing player.
Diving Deeper: Girls’ Tennis
Kingston Keanaaina (’25) stands on the field between plays during the game against Bellarmine College Preparatory.
Kingston Keanaaina’s breathtaking season
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
Diving Deeper: girls' wrestling
Diving Deeper: girls’ wrestling
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
Alex Gklaros-Stavropoulos (’25) open under the basket.
Photo Diaries: Boys’ Basketball versus Sacred Heart Cathedral
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
Semira Arora ('25)

Semira Arora (’25), Editor-in-Chief

Semira Arora is an Editor-in-Chief for vols. 60 and 61 of The Lancer. She was an Opinions Editor for vol. 59 and a Staff Writer for vol. 58. She authors the vol. 61 Opinions column “The Business Buzz,” co-authors the vol. 61 Food column “Trader Joe’s,” and authored the vol. 59 Opinions column “Trend Z.”

All content by Semira Arora ('25)
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!

Semira Arora ('25) and Smriti Vijay ('25)
November 22, 2024
Owala water bottles are known for their the Freesip spout, leak-proof design, and the infamous “Bowala” drop.

The Business Buzz: Owala

Semira Arora ('25)
November 22, 2024
A spread of fall foods on a picnic blanket.

The Joe Show: Trader Joe’s fall flavors

Semira Arora (’25) and Smriti Vijay ('25)
October 4, 2024
Hailey Bieber's signature smoothie alongside Erewhon's other renowned offerings.

The Business Buzz: Erewhon

Semira Arora ('25)
October 4, 2024
Bending boundaries in "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

Bending boundaries in “Avatar: The Last Airbender”

Semira Arora ('25)
March 21, 2024
Teacher Feature: Mr. Chihiro Ikezi

Teacher Feature: Mr. Chihiro Ikezi

Katherine Winton ('25) and Semira Arora ('25)
March 21, 2024
Photo courtesy of Lizzie Lonergan ('17).

All About Alumni: Lizzie Lonergan

Semira Arora ('25)
February 28, 2024
The dying art of hobbies

The dying art of hobbies

Semira Arora ('25)
February 28, 2024
Courtesy of Ms. Michelle Tjin

All About Alumni: Dr. K. Megan McArthur

Semira Arora ('25) and Katherine Winton ('25)
February 1, 2024
Teacher Feature: Mr. Dan Quinn

Teacher Feature: Mr. Dan Quinn

Katherine Winton ('25) and Semira Arora ('25)
November 16, 2023
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[Photo] Behind the scenes of Homecoming ’23

Sahana Rao ('26) and Akshara Panchumarthi ('26)
November 16, 2023
Teacher Feature: Ms. Kelly Walsh

Teacher Feature: Ms. Kelly Walsh

Semira Arora ('25) and Kasper Halevy ('24)
October 5, 2023
Trend Z: modern celebrity culture

Trend Z: modern celebrity culture

Semira Arora ('25)
April 3, 2023
Rethinking diversity training

Rethinking diversity training

Sarav Desai ('24) and Semira Arora ('25)
March 31, 2023
Trend Z: perception vs. peace

Trend Z: perception vs. peace

Semira Arora ('25)
March 9, 2023
Trend Z: the evolution of self-care

Trend Z: the evolution of self-care

Semira Arora ('25)
February 2, 2023
Trend Z: authenticity on social media

Trend Z: authenticity on social media

Semira Arora ('25)
November 17, 2022
Trend Z: the dark sides of dark academia

Trend Z: the dark sides of dark academia

Semira Arora ('25)
October 6, 2022
Wheels vs. doors: a once insignificant debate now sparking social media outrage

Wheels vs. doors: a once insignificant debate now sparking social media outrage

Anusha Jain ('25) and Semira Arora ('25)
April 7, 2022
I Scream, You Scream: sampling the best ice cream in the Bay Area

I Scream, You Scream: sampling the best ice cream in the Bay Area

Semira Arora ('25)
April 7, 2022
Behind the Scenes of TedxSaintFrancisHS

Behind the Scenes of TedxSaintFrancisHS

Semira Arora ('25)
March 17, 2022
Behind the Scenes of “9 to 5”

Behind the Scenes of “9 to 5”

Anusha Jain ('25) and Semira Arora ('25)
February 11, 2022
Breaking down the Diwali spread

Breaking down the Diwali spread

Semira Arora ('25)
November 18, 2021
Fast fashion, slow down

Fast fashion, slow down

Semira Arora ('25)
October 11, 2021
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