Viewpoint

From a Teen’s Perspective: Seeing Menlo Park with fresh eyes

I have lived almost my entire life in Menlo Park. The city has become a part of my being. Everything is familiar: I drive the

by Dylan Lanier
on November 7, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: Dating advice from a happy high school single

High school is often the first time people consider real romantic relationships (sorry everybody, that date in sixth grade doesn’t count). However, the path through

by Dylan Lanier
on October 31, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: The importance of small talk

We obviously lost a lot of things during the pandemic: going to school, eating out at restaurants, and spending time with friends, to name a

by Dylan Lanier
on October 24, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: Application affirmations

This past weekend, I submitted my first few college applications. I expected to feel intense relief afterwards, and while I did feel like I had

by Dylan Lanier
on October 17, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: Living life in one take

I was having lunch with my sister, cousin, and grandparents at Alpine Inn last weekend. We were sitting around the big wooden table, chatting about

by Dylan Lanier
on October 10, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: SOS (Save Our Schools)

Last Friday, every student at my high school listened to a webinar delivered by our administration. The presentation discussed lockdown procedures in the event of

by Dylan Lanier
on October 3, 2023

Remembering Senator Diane Feinstein and our chance encounter many years ago

In 1978 I had been climbing in Khumbu near Everest for six weeks. I was near the Everest View Hotel, the highest hotel in the

by Danna Breen
on September 29, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: Release those grudges

We all hold grudges. Whether it’s a big one, like the time someone made a huge mistake on an important group quiz, or a little

by Dylan Lanier
on September 26, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: The college essay, simplified

Some students are just starting their first essays for college. Many have written a handful but are far from complete. And a select few are

by Dylan Lanier
on September 19, 2023

From a Teen’s Perspective: Building the best homework plan

Homework is an unfortunate fact of teenage life. We all know the feeling of re-doing the same math problem over and over, or struggling to

by Dylan Lanier
on September 12, 2023