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The Student News Site of University Preparatory Academy

Aquila

The Student News Site of University Preparatory Academy

Aquila

The Student News Site of University Preparatory Academy

Aquila

Stem V.S. Students

Samira Madden, Multimedia Manager May 29, 2024

The UPA handbook states, “Students take a breadth of courses that help to prepare them for the future, such as Project Lead the Way (our math, engineering, bio-med, and science pathway)” UPA handbook....

Should we Pay for VTA?

Should we Pay for VTA?

Cece Le Messurier, Copy Editor Lead May 28, 2024

Many UPA students and teachers alike utilize public transport daily to commute to school. Whether it’s to decrease their carbon footprint or because they don’t have any other option, the VTA—Valley...

Bottled Up

Bottled Up

Samira Madden, Multimedia Manager May 22, 2024

Microtrends are niches, products or interests that appeal to a small, specialized section of the population. Do not get it confused, microtrends and trends are very different!    To put it...

Bha-Ra-Ta-Natyam: The Emotion, Melody and Rhythm of Classical Dance

Bha-Ra-Ta-Natyam: The Emotion, Melody and Rhythm of Classical Dance

Zahra Shaikh, Team Editor May 6, 2024

“[Bharatanatyam] has always been really important to me. When I actually got up on that stage [for the first time], I was a little bit scared, but I had a lot of fun performing and I felt really proud...

Sisterhood Through the Ages

Sisterhood Through the Ages

Lorenzo Almario, Reporter May 3, 2024

“Happy Face!” sophomore Dominique Ananayo's three-year-old sister said.   Happy face is a phrase Ananayo and her family repeat when cheering up the crying toddler, but when Ananayo was under...

Learn about the life of ASB members and the complications they face on a day-by-day basis.

Interested in Applying for ASB?

Celina Tandon, Team Editor February 19, 2024

It’s 7:15 AM on Tuesday, a time they dread. The sun has barely peeked over the horizon. Most students are sleeping. The few that wake up know that they can sleep for one more hour. Some are early birds...

The UP in UPA

The UP in UPA

Olive Luong, Managing Editor February 14, 2024

According to the UPA official website, UPA’s mission is to “prepare a diverse population of 7-12th grade students in Santa Clara County to enter and excel in the best colleges and universities in the...

Frankie, a crested gecko, climbs the glass of his terrarium in Beary’s home. (Photo courtesy of Kathryn Beary.)

Beyond Cats and Dogs

Yun Yun Fleishman, Reporter February 13, 2024

Pets: the animal companions that people adopt into their families to fill their homes with life and happiness. When households adopt these pets into their lives, they bring companionship and form a special...

The Long Drive

The Long Drive

Alexa Garcia, Publicity Manager February 11, 2024

There are some students and teachers within the UPA community who combat the long commute to and from school every day. The constant conflict of having to commute far for a job or for one's education goes...

Tears for Game of the Year

Tears for Game of the Year

Lance Peraza, Team Editor November 20, 2023

And finally, Game of the Year of 2023, goes to “Tears of the Kingdom”!   The Game Awards, established in 2014 by media entrepreneur Geoff Keighley, began hosting their awards ceremonies...

From Directing Choir to Directing College Bound Students

From Directing Choir to Directing College Bound Students

Vishaka Anand, Team Editor June 7, 2023

High school academic counselor and UPA founder Dorothy Westerhoff dreamt of pursuing a career in education since her childhood, but took a break from her academics to focus on her growing family. Fortunately,...

Summer School and Summer Bridge

Summer School and Summer Bridge

Samita Golla, Copy Editor June 5, 2023

UPA offers a Summer Bridge program for the new seventh graders and an online summer school program for students to make up any classes they failed.   English teacher Edward Voss teaches English...

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