New Headlines
Subscribe
The Student News Site of Burlingame High School

The Burlingame B
The percentage of favorable responses from students to the survey question, “How fairly do students from your school treat students of different races, ethnicities, or cultures?”
Board reviews Panorama survey results from start of 2024, recognizes boys’ soccer’s championship
WASC looks for more than the basic California State standards. According to chairperson Mike Woo, “As new rules and new concerns come up through society, [WASC] look[s] is the school doing something about that. Like the biggest trend post-COVID is mental wellness. So is your school doing something to address the mental health of the students? Along with are they still doing the proper academics?”
Western Association of Schools and Colleges evaluates Burlingame for accreditation
On Tuesday, March 5, Californians cast their votes in the 2024 primary election.
Seniors reflect on voting in monumental election
Although government and economics teacher Alex Gray took economics in high school, she has never felt like the curriculum adequately prepared her to navigate the finances of daily life.
California weighs requiring financial literacy course
The answers from SMUHSD staff to the survey question: “How should the Board allocate the proceeds from the sale of Crestmoor?”
Board discusses options with newly allocated funds, puts WASC action plans in motion
Dating in high school: Is it worth the risk?
Dating in high school: Is it worth the risk?
For most music producers, digital audio workstations (DAWs) are a necessity for mixing and polishing audio. Here, staff writer Bertelli is shown next to his DAW. While there is no shortage of highly capable DAWs on the market, prices for professional software typically range in the hundreds of dollars.
Exploring art through sound: Three amateur music producers pursue passion
Elizabeth Diehl, who plays Ariel Moore in Footloose, performs the dance number “Holding Out for a Hero” during a dress rehearsal.
Footloose rocks (and rolls) the stage
Yearbook: Behind the scenes
Yearbook: Behind the scenes
Students believe a four-day school week would offer more benefits than traditional five-day weeks.
Debating the merits of a four-day school week
In the past decades, pop culture has shifted from concrete universal trends to quick micro trends due to the increasing use of social media.
Is pop culture dead?
Books from ancient India to modern novels written by Indian-American authors have paved the way for more diverse cultural representation in written works.
Comic books and culture: My connection to South Asian literature
English is one of the most tech-heavy classes. While students still rely on physical books to read, most essays, assignments and tests are taken digitally.
Technology in schools: for better or worse?
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) fight a battle to the death to determine whether or not Paul has the might to become emperor.
‘Dune: Part Two’ is an exquisite cinematic experience
Popular out-of-state schools attract students nationwide, leading to an influx of applicants.
Are out-of-state schools worth the hype?
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) fight a battle to the death to determine whether or not Paul has the might to become emperor.
‘Dune: Part Two’ is an exquisite cinematic experience
Ben (Glen Powell) waits for help on a raft with Bea (Sydney Sweeney) after jumping off the boat to save her.
Social media overhyped “Anyone But You”
Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) tips his hat in the newest kids and family musical, “Wonka.”
After 52 years, ‘Wonka’ finds its way back on screen
More than 50 of these 24-karat gold trophies will be given out to recipients of this year’s Oscars awards.
Opinion: Predictions for this year’s Oscars and Grammys
Mahito (Luca Padovan) embarks on a journey full of surprises after moving from Tokyo to his aunt’s mysterious house in rural Japan.
‘The Boy and the Heron’ expands but weakens Miyazaki’s resume
Sophomore Lila Edmondson fights for the ball on the draw
Girls lacrosse mounts comeback to top Woodside Priory
Sophomore Kieran Clarke takes a deep breath as he swims butterfly in his race.
Swim overcomes Aragon in advance of PAL finals
Junior Giana Johnson swings in the varsity softball game against Aragon High School on Tuesday, April 9.
Softball drops league contest to Aragon
Senior Jake Ramirez sprints to the finish line during the boys’ varsity 800 meter race against athletes from Half Moon Bay and South San Francisco High School.
Track and field dominates in final league meet
Freshman Dylan Black searches for an open teammate during the boys’ lacrosse game against Palo Alto on Tuesday, April 9.
Boys’ lacrosse comes out slow in difficult loss to Palo Alto
Elizabeth Diehl, who plays Ariel Moore in Footloose, performs the dance number “Holding Out for a Hero” during a dress rehearsal.
Footloose rocks (and rolls) the stage
Team members carry the robot out for competition.
Iron Panthers barely fall short of world championship
Student volunteers senior Miu Onoe, senior Landon Stoubagh and freshman Karen Mikoshiba welcome the Japanese exchange students after their arrival at Burlingame.
Burlingame welcomes five exchange students from Japan
On Sunday March 3, Iron Panthers collaborated to fix their robot which broke right before quarterfinals.
Triumph and team unity: Iron Panthers shine at Silicon Valley Regional Robotics Competition
“For me personally, I want [others] to see the music program as a strong union because we can really bring out the life of our school,” Vega said. “We need music, you know? Otherwise, things would be really silent and dead.”
Music department brings lively music-making to Southern California and Disneyland tour
The Student News Site of Burlingame High School

The Burlingame B
The Student News Site of Burlingame High School

The Burlingame B
Elise Spenner

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief

Elise Spenner is a senior at Burlingame High School and is so excited to be this year's editor-in-chief. When she's not reporting on investigative pieces, you can find her blogging about the Supreme Court, writing columns in the local San Mateo Daily Journal, or working on political campaigns. She's a big fan of sports (especially soccer, cross country, and track), watching Netflix, and spending time with friends.

All content by Elise Spenner
Sophomore Samantha Tom returns a deep shot in her doubles match against a pair of Mills twins that played almost “telepathically,” she and partner Evelyn Du said.

Girls’ tennis showcases depth in impressive season

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
November 5, 2023

“It’s good tennis.”  Listen closely, and that’s what senior Mila Mulready’s dad says the most while she’s playing. She might close out a point with a devious slice backhand, and he won’t...

Continue Reading
GSA President Violet Hansma speaks at the Friday, Sept. 15 “Welcome Back Rally” following the removal of the Harry Potter theme for spirit week due to concerns over author J.K. Rowling’s transphobic views.

GSA, leadership lead positive change after divisive Harry Potter-themed spirit week

Elise Spenner, Jake Rothstein, and Sophia Bella
September 16, 2023

The School Advisory Council (SAC) hosted a public meeting after school on Wednesday, Sept. 13, with a focus on addressing the fallout caused by the Harry Potter-themed spirit week and its relation to author...

Continue Reading
Posters protesting J.K. Rowling, the controversial author of the Harry Potter series upon which the upcoming rally is based, were found around campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Protest posters spark controversy over Harry Potter-themed spirit week

Elise Spenner and Sophia Bella
September 13, 2023

Art teacher Eislyn Wolf-Noyes printed and displayed posters during and after lunch on Tuesday, Sept. 12, denouncing leadership’s Harry Potter-themed spirit week and rally as an endorsement of author...

Continue Reading
Senior co-captain Mimi Cacciato leads the Panthers in goals this season, contributing seven against Priory and four against Sequoia.

Girls’ lacrosse storms (or screams) to top of WBAL

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
April 26, 2023

No one, not even head coach Phil Wang, expected Burlingame girls’ varsity lacrosse to be undefeated in the WBAL Skyline Division (10-0) with a week left in league play. Their star player, senior Elizabeth...

Continue Reading
Freshman Haleh Ansari, a standout addition to the girls’ varsity lacrosse team, wields off two defenders in Burlingame’s overtime victory against Sequoia High School.

Girls’ varsity lacrosse dominates at top of league standings

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
April 7, 2023

Just how much does a season opener actually matter? If you ask any player on the Burlingame girls’ varsity lacrosse team, the answer is “quite a lot.” Consider this year’s first league game...

Continue Reading
Each student we talked to said that pressure at school — where perfection seems to be the only option — exacerbated their mental health struggles.

Burlingame girls report widespread mental health crisis

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
March 13, 2023

“All of my female friends have struggled with eating disorders, depression, suicidal ideation, self harm, or general anxiety.” “I personally know multiple females who have attempted or successfully...

Continue Reading

Girls’ Lacrosse

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 28, 2023

Head coach Phil Wang looks for two things in his girls’ varsity lacrosse players: athleticism and coachability.  “And I guess lacrosse experience would be the third of the three,” Wang admitted....

Continue Reading
Star senior starting pitcher Holden Glavin works in the bullpen during a preseason practice.

2023 Spring Sports Preview: New leaders and lofty goals

Michelle Moshkovoy, Athena Bostonmaer, Elise Spenner, Jake Rothstein, Zachary Newman, Arshia Chakravartti, Alex Kelly, Zach Shapiro, Amanda Nolan, and Will Kriner
February 28, 2023

Continue Reading
“I felt the pain from everybody,” music director Kyoko Yamamoto said after Fridays incident. “Everybody was in so much pain — except those people who were laughing, and spectating, and even taking videos.”

Community shocked by public lunchtime altercation

Jackson Spenner, Elise Spenner, and Jake Rothstein
February 3, 2023

At lunchtime on Thursday, Feb. 2, an altercation between two students in the quad quickly escalated into a violent situation prompting intervention by several administrators and safety officials, including...

Continue Reading
Head coach Bill Smith offered advice to senior Ella Rafferty during her No. 1 singles match against Varsha Jawadi, Aragon’s top player.

Girls’ tennis rises to occasion in tight match against Aragon

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
October 12, 2022

Despite missing two of their top-10 players, the girls’ tennis team eked out a 4-3 victory over Aragon High School on Monday afternoon to solidify a third place finish in the Peninsula Athletic League...

Continue Reading
Junior and No. 1 singles player Mila Mulready won her match easily (6-0, 6-1) against Carlmont’s top competition. Last season, she won the Peninsula Athletic League’s individual tournament.

Girls’ tennis shows potential for an energized playoff run after close season opener

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
September 14, 2022

I’m not quite sure what the secret to the success of the girls’ tennis team is. It could be a head coach who will drive six hours round-trip from Chico for an impromptu Saturday morning practice...

Continue Reading
Trees line Burlingames main entrance on Mar. 12, 2021. On Tuesday, graffiti was discovered in the C-Building boys’ bathroom.

Racist, Anti-Semitic graffiti discovered on campus

Elise Spenner and Jackson Spenner
August 31, 2022

 

Continue Reading
Although the mask mandate will remain in place until the end of May, summer school sessions will operate according to the policy of the California Department of Health in June.

District keeps mask mandate through school year, to align with CDPH in June

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
May 5, 2022

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees voted 4-1 on the evening of May 5 to keep its indoor mask mandate in place for the remainder of the school year. On June 1, in advance of summer...

Continue Reading
Students at Burlingame will be required to wear masks at least through April 21.

Board keeps mask mandate, to reconsider in late April

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
March 13, 2022

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on the night of Thursday, March 10 to keep the indoor mask mandate in place for all campuses. In doing so, the trustees rejected...

Continue Reading
Leaver chats with Matthew Gallegos, a social science teacher at Peninsula. Both Leaver and Sacdalan spoke to the support and kindness of staff.

Peninsula High School: navigating inequity

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 24, 2022

My conversation with Peninsula High School guidance counselor Elaine Llaguno and wellness counselor Lara Montoya took place in a counselor’s office at Burlingame. Even though the room is surrounded by...

Continue Reading
The new Peninsula campus sits near the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame. The location aims to offer a more accessible campus for students.

Peninsula High School: “a Lego-built school”

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 23, 2022

The new Peninsula campus sits near the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame. The location aims to offer a more accessible campus for students.

The students at Peninsula moved into their new school, located in Burlingame, in March 2021. The one-acre campus has 10 classrooms.

Peninsula High School: speaking out against neglect

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 22, 2022

On Sept. 20, 2021, the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Peninsula High School to celebrate the opening of a state-of-the-art facility for the continuation...

Continue Reading
Draft 102 divides the map according to feeder school districts in an attempt to keep neighborhoods grouped together.

Board hears update on student performance, weighs redistricting maps at recent meeting

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 20, 2022

Yancy Hawkins, the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) Chief Business Officer, presented extensive data on the results of the Panoramic survey and other metrics to gauge student performance at...

Continue Reading
Teachers, parents, administrators and SMUHSD Board members attended the Unity in the Community Town Hall on Jan. 11 to share and hear perspectives on social justice, equity and representation for Black students.

Unity in the Community Town Hall presents Capuchino mural, touches on social justice and hate speech in the district

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
January 16, 2022

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, the Black Parents Association held the second Unity in the Community Virtual Town Hall of the school year, with presentations from Black Student Union (BSU) leaders across the San...

Continue Reading
Model UN club members discuss Bear MUN in a meeting on Oct. 26.

[Photo] In conversation with Model UN co-president Alex Kelly

Arda Inegol, Business Manager
December 17, 2021

Model UN club members discuss Bear MUN in a meeting on Oct. 26.

The majority of the Educator Block Grant will be spent on an in-house induction program intended to support new teachers in the District and school climate initiatives related to anti-bias and improving culture.

Educator Effectiveness Block Grant for professional development aims to support induction program, school climate initiatives

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
December 5, 2021

Over the next five years, the San Mateo Union High School District will invest more than $2.2 million in professional development through the Educator Effectiveness Block Grant, with an emphasis on supporting...

Continue Reading
Burlingame runners Evan Kim and Lucas Keeley, both from the boys’ varsity team, competed at CCS against 13 other schools.

[Photo] Cross country wraps up season at CCS

Wali Chaudry, Staff Reporter
November 23, 2021

Burlingame runners Evan Kim and Lucas Keeley, both from the boys’ varsity team, competed at CCS against 13 other schools.

The Student COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirement for Participation in Extracurricular Activities will cover events with large numbers of participants, like school dances, but spectators at extracurriculars will not have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Board unanimously approves extracurricular testing policy and hears student perspectives at recent meeting

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
November 1, 2021

Testing Policy: After months of deliberation, the San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a COVID-19 testing policy for extracurricular activities on Thursday night. The...

Continue Reading
Despite two Board meetings largely devoted to public comment and deliberation over an extracurricular vaccine and testing mandate, the trustees have yet to reach an agreement. As of Sept. 26, 86% of students in the district were vaccinated for COVID-19.

Board of Trustees punts again on a vaccine and testing mandate for extracurricular activities

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
September 30, 2021

The San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees again postponed a vote on a mandate that would require a COVID-19 vaccination or a weekly negative test for all extracurricular participants by...

Continue Reading
With 82% of students in the district vaccinated, the proposal to mandate vaccines for extracurricular activities aims to bolster COVID-19 mitigation in schools.

School board tables decision on extracurricular vaccine mandates

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
September 14, 2021

At the San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday night, the trustees delayed voting on a proposed vaccination requirement for students participating in extracurricular...

Continue Reading
Sophomore Mila Mulready, Burlingame’s No. 1 singles player, returns the ball on her way to a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the first match of the season.

Camaraderie leads girls’ tennis to first win of the season over Lick Wilmerding

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
September 8, 2021

Burlingame’s girls’ tennis team swiftly conquered the junior varsity and varsity teams from Lick Wilmerding High School on Aug. 31, winning all 14 singles and doubles matches.  The match signaled...

Continue Reading
Burlingame and El Camino boys start a grueling 1600-meter race. While El Camino nabbed first place, Burlingame senior Bing Lin achieved a new personal record in the event.

Track and field sprints, jumps and somersaults into a new season

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
April 22, 2021

When Burlingame hosted its first track meet of the season last Monday, April 19, the team’s running prowess, camaraderie, and determination were on full display — as was their startling gymnastic...

Continue Reading
The intergenerational cookbook project allows isolated populations to bond and make lasting connections, while also producing a tangible product.

Cookbook project to spark connection between generations and assist broader community

Elise Spenner and Julianna Oliver
April 19, 2021

Before the pandemic, senior citizen Gertrude Stopper would go to church multiple times a week. Occasionally, she would go downstairs and have a glass of wine at the senior living facility, but when the...

Continue Reading
Juniors Annika Ganguly (left) and Molly Wachhorst (right) high five with rackets during their doubles match.

Girls tennis aces the season, on and off the court

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
March 19, 2021

Before each match, the girls tennis team has a routine they follow religiously. They gather in a circle — distantly. The entire team begins to clap slowly — a raucous but organized beat. Over time,...

Continue Reading
In the Easton Addition, many of the streets are named for early conquistadors and explorers who brought genocide and colonization to the Americas.

Schools and statues. Why not streets?

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
March 4, 2021

In my 14 years on this planet, our society has grown more aware of the people we put on pedestals, glorify in textbooks and immortalize with monuments. Slowly, we have realized that the history we celebrate...

Continue Reading
During practices, tennis players must wear masks at all times and maintain social distancing. Although these practices don’t feel normal to players, they provide both physical activity and social interaction.

Girls tennis bounces back onto the court

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
February 12, 2021

Tennis coach Bill Smith knows the joke. The two week shut-down announced by the district in March of last year? Well, that quickly shifted from a brief hiatus to a temporary aberration to a year-long,...

Continue Reading
This January, the second full semester of distance learning begins. While pods and conditioning practices bring a portion of students back on campus, the vast majority remain at home.

Students forge on in distance learning

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
January 27, 2021

When freshman Cora Haggarty pictured her freshman year at Burlingame High School (BHS), the first few months would be fast-paced and rushed, chaotic and stressful – the growing pains that come with...

Continue Reading
An altered high school classroom at Crystal Springs. At the end of October, Crystal Springs returned to a hybrid learning schedule, with students on campus for four days and off for 10.

As private schools head back to campus, education disparities widen

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
December 14, 2020

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11th and 12th graders at Crystal Springs Uplands School, commonly referred to as Crystal, walked onto campus for the first time in seven months. The same day, San Mateo County dropped...

Continue Reading
94-year-old naturalist David Attenborough takes a stand on climate change in his recent documentary, which can be viewed on Netflix.

Listen to the voice of nature, Attenborough’s new documentary warns

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
November 18, 2020

In a recent documentary, the voice of nature has, at long last, spoken out. It’s weathered, deep and gravelly. It’s angry, upset and frightened. But, it is simultaneously uplifting, energized and confident...

Continue Reading
The SMUHSD Board of Trustees are in the midst of an election for 2 open spots.

The SMUHSD Board of Trustees candidates: Why they matter and what matters to them

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
November 1, 2020

With two days until a major national election, attention and publicity has been drawn to one small corner of the ballot. But for students, parents and other constituents within the San Mateo Union High...

Continue Reading
On a Friday night, the library shines bright despite challenging times.

In a time of crisis, the Burlingame Public Library forges on

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
October 20, 2020

For six months, the Burlingame Public Library has been quiet. No guests peek through the windows or tug at the heavy door, waiting for the lights to turn on. No toddlers jump around in excitement for story...

Continue Reading
Joshua Knudson, Assistant Principal, brings a unique perspective to Burlingame High School.

Joshua Knudson: Much More than a Suit and a Tie

Elise Spenner, Editor-In-Chief
October 10, 2020

In an entertaining anecdote, Joshua Knudson, the new assistant principal at Burlingame High School, compared our bizarre situation to “The Twilight Zone.”  “I’m working at a high school, but...

Continue Reading
Load More Stories

The Burlingame B

The Student News Site of Burlingame High School
THE BURLINGAME B
1 Mangini Way
Burlingame, CA 94010
© 2024 All content is property of Burlingame High School Journalism • Privacy Policy • Advertise • FLEX Pro WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in
Donate to The Burlingame B
$575
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal