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I love to travel, and before attending Palo Alto High School, my family explored some fascinating places around the world. Living in London during middle school made it easy for us to move around Europe, giving me the opportunity to practice photographing cityscapes and monuments.
As a student journalist, however, I’ve learned that photographs are more than just satisfying images, but they’re tools for storytelling. Several of my photos were featured as cover images for stories on The Paly Voice website and many others have been used across social media posts, timelines, and galleries, helping bring our reporting to life.
This photograph of the seniors finishing their Spirit Week dance was used on the 'MAC Cubes'—one of our Spark Grant funded projects. This cube is displayed on campus along with two other cubes highlighting student journalism and eye-catching photographs.
'Mac Cube' displayed on our Campus.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Following the senior class dance, the Class of 2025 rushes towards the bleachers, running through their green sign. Sophomore Kane Do commended the seniors' performance. “They did really well and I hope they have a nice farewell,” Do said.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
The Paly Voice consistently covers our high school’s graduation, and I led coverage for the classes of 2024 and 2025. To make the event more memorable for graduates and their families, I sought to incorporate drone footage alongside on-the-ground reporting. As a sophomore, I coordinated with the Incubator webmaster, an experienced drone pilot, to capture aerial photos while I gathered video and images from the field. The result of our efforts was the most-liked Paly Voice Instagram post at the time. The following year, after the webmaster graduated, I worked with a new sophomore staff member who owned a drone but had not yet applied it in a journalism setting. I mentored her through the process and connected her with the former webmaster for guidance. Together, we produced equally successful coverage. I hope this approach of prioritizing immersive, visually engaging storytelling at major campus events, will continue long after I graduate.
Supporting a new staff member in connecting with the Incubator webmaster about how to integrate drone technology into our photojournalism coverage of 2025 graduation.
The view of the entire graduation event 2024.
Photo credit: Divij Motwani.
A graduate walking back to their seat after receiving their diploma, captured by The Paly Voice's drone.
Photo credit: Divij Motwani.
View of the class of 2025 during graduation.
Photo credit: Lise Concolato.
Taking good photography can be difficult, so it’s important that The Paly Voice stays up-to-date on the best methods for photojournalism. I enlisted the help of one of The Paly Voice managing editors, who is a phenomenal photographer, to give a mini photo presentation to the class about tips and tricks to improve photography. The presentation is similar to our school’s Beginning Journalism curriculum.
Sports Photography
Sport photography is a unique way to capture movement and athletic effort, and I find it one of the most engaging photography styles. The Paly Voice references our school's athletics website to stay informed about upcoming games for all teams, ensuring we know the right place and time to take quality photos.
A Westmoor varsity boys triple jumper competes at the Rustbuster Invitational.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Milpitas varsity girls long jumper competes at the Rustbuster Invitational.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Mills High School junior varsity girls triple jumper competes at the Rustbuster Invitational.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Santa Teresa varsity boys triple jumper competes at the Rustbuster Invitational.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Gunn High School junior varsity girls’ high jumper maneuvers over the bar at the 2026 Rustbuster Invitational at Monta Vista High School.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Palo Alto High School varsity girl diver practices on Wednesday evening for a meet the following day.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
A Palo Alto High School varsity girl swimmer splashes through laps on Wednesday before her meet.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
The Palo Alto Vikings and Fremont Firebirds jump for a spike in a match early March.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Fremont Firebird varsity boys volleyball player misses a ball Palo Alto High School Viking player spikes over the net.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Palo Alto High School varsity boys volleyball player Diego Hakeman prepares to spike the ball during a match against Fremont High School.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
The Palo Alto High school boys varsity volleyball team argues with the referee about a point towards their opponent.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Other Photography
In a hallway of San Francisco’s Superior Court Building, attorneys on both sides of Gustafson vs. San Francisco Unified School District clarified scheduling concerns following a December court hearing regarding the employment status of Lowell High School journalism adviser Eric Gustafson. According to Gustafson, the outcome of this case highlighted a crucial part of student journalism. “This case clarifies the independence and the rights that students have and that, to me, is the most satisfying part of this,” Gustafson said.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
In response to the nationwide “No Kings” protest, members of the Palo Alto community gather to oppose what they see as a rise in authoritarianism by marching down Embarcadero Road this afternoon. Gina Wulff, protester from Portola Valley, said she strongly believes that the current presidential administration is undermining democracy. “Our [U.S. citizens’] executive branch is completely out of control and we the people need to make it stop,” Wulff said. “I hope that the administration realizes that they do not have the approval of the majority of the people in America. Trump is not a king, and he is not a ruler.”
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Hundreds gathered to watch a dance demonstration at Rinconada Park at the end of the 'No Kings' nationwide protest to oppose what they see as a rise in authoritarianism.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Palo Alto Unified School District board member Rowena Chiu expresses her opinions during her first board meeting on Jan. 21. Two days later, Chiu shared her thoughts on an ethnic studies class as a graduation requirement. “If we vote to pause, there has to be a practical way of moving forward with what is a deeply important course,” Chiu said in the board meeting.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Steve Young, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback, discussed coaching behaviors that promote and protect mental health at a youth athlete mental health panel at Stanford University yesterday. According to Young, mental health is something he wishes had been discussed more when he was younger. “I would’ve loved to have the ability to chat about it [mental health] so I’m glad it’s happening now,” Young said.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Julie Lythcott-Haims, Palo Alto City council member, speaks at the “Know Your Rights” meeting last Thursday. According to Lythcott-Haims, the priority is to keep people protected. “The City of Palo Alto is determined to be a community that keeps folks safe and everybody knows they matter,” Lythcott-Haims said.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Icelandic jazz-inspired pop singer Laufey Jin Bing performed at the Oakland Arena on Monday, Sept. 29.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Laufey plays the piano for a slower song.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
The Palo Alto Police Department and United States Secret Service prevent further movement of protestors and pedestrians. Armed officers come out of the barricade set up around the perimeter of Marissa Mayer's house to ensure the safety of the protestors and bystanders.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
United States Representative Anna Eshoo, in red, stands with the leaders who made the electric Caltrain possible this weekend at the Palo Alto University train station. According to Eshoo, the team effort was the only way this achievement was possible. “I had to have my colleagues with me; this wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s support and effort,” Eshoo said.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
During the first football game of the year, Palo Alto High School's marching band plays for the audience during halftime at the Viking Stadium.
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
Teachers from the PAEA stand on the sidewalk to gather in support before a board meeting with the district. Hunter Reardon, an English teacher at Palo Alto High School, said that PAUSD is known to have top schools and is the reason many families settle in Palo Alto. “If we want that to continue to be the reality through the next generation,” Reardon said, “then we need to respect teachers by paying them a fair wage and a livable wage in this area.”
Photo Credit: Ava Knapp.
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