Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer
Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer
Stanford Online High School's student run news site

OHS Observer
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Trending Stories
127 Views
A geometric illusion confuses us into seeing 3D motion.
When Seeing Isn’t Believing: Optical Illusions and the Quirks of our Brains
Jasmine Li, Co-Editor-in-Chief
102 Views
An ofrenda is a traditional altar adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, and other colorful offerings. Picture Courtesy: OHS student Josue Garcia Patino, German School Lomas Verdes, Mexico
The Day of the Dead in Spain and Mexico: Differences and Middle Ground
Dhruv Bhaghayath, Staff Writer
49 Views
Some of my favorite novels on self-hatred (among them, Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, DFW’s Infinite Jest, Plath’s The Bell Jar, Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day) .
There’s a Lot of Narcissism in Self-Hatred
Rishi Janakiraman, Editor-in-Chief
31 Views
A montage of cuts takes my hair from when I used to be afraid of a trim (far left) to the tousled shortness it is now (far right).
Why You Should Cut Your Hair: 3 Compelling Reasons to Chop It All Off
Beatrice Pook, Associate Editor
26 Views
Jeff Borowiak pauses for a post-practice photo with me at the Acalanes High School courts. Source: Salma Kirsch
Hidden in Plain Sight: Sunday Mornings with a Tennis Legend
Diego Kirsch, OHS Contributor
Meet the Staff
Emma Griffith
Emma Griffith
Staff Writer

Emma Griffith is a full-time junior at OHS and based in California. She is an avid writer – whether it be poetry, prose or creative non-fiction – and fell in love with the art when she was 3 years...

School News
Students face burnout and mental strain, eventually impacting their success; Source: Narek75, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Prioritizing Your Well-Being
Luca Whitehouse, Staff Writer • June 10, 2026

Many students, including OHSers, study regularly, take summer classes, and take advanced courses. They often genuinely enjoy learning, not only to be competitive...

OHSers are busy planning their spring break. Credit: Collage created using photos from Pexels
What Are OHSers Planning for the Spring Break?
Aditya Banerjee, Associate Editor • March 15, 2026
During exams students follow a routine of studying, writing, sleeping and eating. The Midterms and Mayhem event provides review sessions and a space to study in order to give students support.
Midterms & Mayhem: An Event Recap
Emma Griffith, Staff Writer • March 3, 2026
Midterms & Mayhem is a collaboration between The Board of Student Academic Support & Services, Board of Club Relations, Board of Events, Peer Tutors, Teaching Assistants, and The Writing & Tutoring Center. (Image courtesy The Board of Student Academic Support & Services)
Behind the Scenes: The Planning of Midterms & Mayhem
Emma Griffith, Rishi Janakiraman, Marie Perederii, Teresa He, and Rachel Yang • March 2, 2026
Opinion
The designs found on Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods reusable grocery and tote bags feature vivid artwork.
What Consumerism Should Look Like: Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Reusable Bags
Emma Griffith, Staff Writer • March 15, 2026

To date, I own 56 (and possibly more), reusable grocery/tote bags made by Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market. I like to tell my parents that...

The population of tigers has fallen from about 100,000 in 1900 to around 5,500 today, a staggering 94.5% decrease according to WWF. Credit: Tisha Mukherjee
Wildlife Population Decline: The Crisis That Is Rarely Discussed
Luca Whitehouse, Staff Writer • March 8, 2026
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show concludes with a poignant scene:: American flags are held high, joy is shared, and the unity of the Americas is declared. (Credit: NBC)
Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show and the Battle Over Who Gets to Be American
Zoe Campbell, Staff Writer • February 26, 2026
Europe revitalizes its economy, climate, and defense policies amid a changing world order.
The Making of the European Juggernaut
Aditya Banerjee, Associate Editor • February 20, 2026
Two Cents
Students face burnout and mental strain, eventually impacting their success; Source: Narek75, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Prioritizing Your Well-Being
Luca Whitehouse, Staff Writer • June 10, 2026

Many students, including OHSers, study regularly, take summer classes, and take advanced courses. They often genuinely enjoy learning, not only...

Grocery stores that are geared towards a particular community often try to replicate the feeling of home through layout, music, and smells. (Art by Stephen Djata)
A Side Order of Home: In the Ethnic Grocery Store
Kaveri Udupa, Editor-in-Chief • April 29, 2026

I smell frying samosas, as devotional music competes for attention with people talking loudly in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Gujarati. A stray...

Extending the concept of the distribution of beats, a visual representation of the Natawari Thehais like such is created.
The Mathematics Behind Rhythm
Aanya Gupta, Associate Editor • March 12, 2026

I never would have expected a simple 16-count rhythm to be the one that fascinates me most. Through countless small projects from my dance teacher...

World News
Europe revitalizes its economy, climate, and defense policies amid a changing world order.
The relative locations of students Caroline Bennett (CB), Hana Aboian (HA), and Grace Zheng (GZ) within the U.S.
Sports
Schalck is pushing hard to send men’s boulder #4 on Sep 28, 2025, with 50 seconds on the clock. He completed the climb with 50 seconds remaining and secured his placement as time was running down.
Janja Garnbret is strung out on the most overhung section of the women’s final lead route as she goes for the send! Source: IFSC/World Climbing official youtube stream of Innsbruck 2025
A&E
A montage of cuts takes my hair from when I used to be afraid of a trim (far left) to the tousled shortness it is now (far right).
Kate Bush’s “Breathing,” was inspired by the idea of a nuclear fallout and written from the perspective of a child trying to survive in a toxic womb. (Source: Rachel Yang)
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