Second Semester Club Day 2020
By Stella Heo, Staff Writer // On Friday, Jan. 17, club day took place in the big gym. Watch the recap below!
AUHSD Shakespeare Festival 2020
By Keith Johnson, Staff Writer // The annual Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) Shakespeare Festival took place at Acalanes on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Watch the recap below!
Bluepers: Episode 2
By Zack Lara and Keith Johnson, Staff Writers // On this episode of Bluepers, Demetri discusses movies, music, and sits down with digital design teacher Chris Busse. Enjoy episode two!
Women’s Soccer Loses to Rival Campolindo
By Natalie Means and Shrida Pandey, Staff Writers // The Acalanes women’s soccer team (7-2-1) fell to the Campolindo Cougars (6-1-1) 2-0 in their rivalry game last Friday night. The Acalanes stands […]
Student Nicotine Addiction: Counselors, administrators, and lawmakers scramble to counteract the spread of vaping
By John Kalil and Demetri Leones, Managing Editor and Liaison Editor // As a result of years of successful youth education and societal attitude shifts, a 2017 report by the Center for […]
TED Talk Brings Awareness to Mental Health on Campus
By Kayli Harley, Staff Writer // There are “madmen” in the room. They sit the same as the others in the space, but a barrier of shame and ignorance isolates them. They […]
Holiday Choral Concert 2019
By Keith Johnson, Staff Writer // On Thursday, Dec. 12, the annual Holiday Choral Concert took place in the Acalanes Preforming Arts Center. Watch the recap below!
Holiday Wind Ensemble and Orchestra Concert
By Zack Lara, Staff Writer // On Thursday, Dec. 5, the wind ensemble and orchestra performed numerous holiday tunes in the second part of their two part winter concert series. Watch the […]
AUHSD’s Removal of Huck Finn Met With Mixed Reactions
By Stella Heo and Shrida Pandey, Staff Writers // Students gather in a classroom to read and analyze their class text. White students, Asian students, African American students are of equal rank […]
Environmental Month Brings Awareness to Issue of Food Waste on Campus
By Allie Marcu and Shrida Pandey, Staff Writers // Every year in the United States, 40 percent of the food is left untouched. The world wastes 1.3 billion tons of food every […]
Winter Instrumental Music Concert
By Keith Johnson, Staff Writer // The annual winter Instrumental Music Concert took place in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Watch the recap below!
Winter Sports Preview
By Mason Archer and Liam McGlynn, Staff Writers // As Acalanes fall sports teams finish up their seasons with North Coast Section (NCS) and state playoff runs, winter sports teams gear up […]
Football Comes Up Short of NCS Title Game Berth
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor The game of football has continued to evolve in of favor spectacular offensive displays and ridiculous passing numbers. Yet nothing close to an offensive explosion transpired […]
Women’s Water Polo Takes Home Norcal Title
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // What started as a mere possibility two years ago has blossomed into reality. The Women’s Water Polo team is the 2019 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Northern […]
Double NPR Episode 3: Impeachment
By Nicole Prozan, Opinion Editor // In this episode of Double NPR, Nicole Prozan and Nelson Rogers have a conversation about the current impeachment trials. Enjoy!
Acalanes students get Interviewed by KTVU Regarding Anti-Vape Bill
By Daniel Adri and Mason Archer, Staff Writers // A simple extra credit opportunity for Acalanes teacher Kristen Anderson’s government class, escalated quickly into an interview on live television with KTVU. On […]
Senior Dodgeball 2019
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // Senior Dodgeball took place in the Acalanes big gym from Monday, Nov. 18 through Wednesday Nov. 20. Watch the recap below!
Open Mic Night 2019
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // Acalanes students got to show off their talents at the annual Open Mic Night this Wednesday, Nov. 20. Watch the recap below!
Women’s Water Polo Storms Through First Round of NorCal Playoffs
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor //Just four days ago, the women’s water polo team earned its 51st straight victory and repeated as North Coast Section (NCS) Open Division Champions. Due to the […]
Football Shuts Out Newark Memorial in NCS Playoff Opener
By Sam Bequette, Staff Writer // The Acalanes Varsity football team showed up Friday night, taking down Newark Memorial 42-0 in the first round of the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs. The […]
Caffeine Dependency: The Nonstop Cycle of Energy
By Jamie Lattin and Binti Sohn, News Editor and Copy Editor The most popular psychoactive drug at Acalanes High School isn’t marijuana or ecstasy. It isn’t shrooms, cocaine, LSD, or any of […]
A Season in Review-JV Women’s Water Polo
By Tom Bequette, Staff Writer // It’s no secret that the Acalanes Varsity Girls Water Polo team is one of the best programs in all of California, but the junior varsity (JV) […]
Men’s Water Polo Wins First NCS Title Since 2010
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // In 2018, the men’s water polo team failed to qualify for the North Coast Section (NCS) playoffs. After an eventful 2019 campaign, Acalanes captured the ultimate […]
Women’s Water Polo Repeats As Undefeated Section Champions
John Kalil, Managing Editor // A sunset which covered the sky with pinkish red clouds gave way to night as Mother Nature placed Heaston Aquatic Center at the center of a perfect […]
Lafayette Fire Hits Close to Home for Firefighter
By Kayli Harley, Staff writer // The school hallways he once walked through were vacant and still as sirens blared just up the street, breaking the silence of the once normal day. […]
Acalanes Government Class Volunteers at Food Bank for Civic Action Project
By Stella Heo, Staff Writer // Kiwis covered the floor. Cardboard boxes and bags were ready to be filled. Student volunteers and their teacher stood ready to organize. As an opportunity for […]
A Season In Review-JV Women’s Volleyball
By Daniel Adri, Staff Writer // With the season at its end, the junior varsity (JV) Women’s Volleyball team (10-4) has many things to look back on and be proud of. The […]
Bluepers: Episode 1
By Keith Johnson and Zack Lara, Staff Writers // Welcome to Blueprint online’s first ever talkshow: Bluepers! Blueprint’s very own Demetri Leones sits down to discuss current events, pop culture and all […]
Women’s Water Polo Wins Fiftieth Straight Game, Advances To NCS Final
By John Kalil, Managing Editor // Two years and five days ago, the women’s varsity water polo team lost a game. In triple overtime, the Lady Dons fell to Monte Vista 9-8 […]
A Season In Review-JV Football
By Shrida Pandey, Staff Writer // Using phenomenal performances from a core group of players, the Acalanes junior varsity (JV) football team finished their season with a perfect 9-0 record. The team […]
A Season In Review-JV Men’s Water Polo
By Mason Archer, Staff Writer // With another solid season under their belt, the junior varsity (JV) men’s water polo team (10-9 overall, 3-5 league) gained some much needed experience as they […]
CARE Week Addresses White Privilege, Diversity and Equity at Acalanes
By Stephanie Liu, Copy Editor In an increasingly globalized world, and an especially diverse Bay Area community, Acalanes students will interact with many people of different races, ethnicities, religions, sexualities, and genders […]
Men’s Water Polo Survives Redwood, Advances to Semifinals
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // One Down, two to go. The men’s water polo team are now one step closer to attaining a North Coast Section (NCS) Championship. Despite a sluggish […]
Women’s Water Polo Dominates First Round of Playoffs
John Kalil, Managing Editor In just under 1600 words the First Book of Samuel chronicles the greatest underdog story ever told. The tale of David overcoming long odds to best Goliath inspired […]
Acalanes in the Dark: Damaged Power Line Causes School Cancellation
By Ella Alpert, Staff Writer // Waking up and running to your window, just in time to see the first snow of the season fall. School is cancelled, and you can spend […]
Football Wins on Senior Night, Earns Share of League Title
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // The football team picked up an easy victory Friday night over Alhambra 56-7 on a night that was all about the Class of 2020. The […]
Acalanes BioTech Teacher Loses Thousands Due to Power Outage
By Shrida Pandey, Staff Writer // Acalanes BioTech teacher Sydney Johnson sat down with Blueprint to discuss the devastating affects of the Acalanes power outage on her classroom.
Ruinous Fire Turns Lafayette Tennis Clubhouse to Ash
By Kayli Harley, Staff writer// One second tennis players are mindlessly hitting the ball across the net. Two seconds and there is an explosion. Three seconds and the flames spark. Four seconds and […]
Women’s Water Polo Wins NorCal Invitational
By Tom Bequette, Staff Writer // The women’s water polo team showed yet again why they are an elite program by becoming the NorCal invitational champions for the second year in a […]
Lafayette Fire and Acalanes Power Outage Disrupt Student School Day
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // On Sunday Oct. 27, a brush fire broke out in Lafayette burning both sides of Highway 24. Subsequently, power lines were damaged, resulting in a power […]
Football Survives Against Miramonte
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // After a slow first half, the football team stormed back against Diablo Athletic League (DAL) rival Miramonte and completely shut down the Matador offense in the […]
Weekly LGBT Support Group Begins in Wellness Center
By Stephanie Liu, Staff Writer // In a world that can be cruel to LGBT youth, Acalanes strives to make its queer students feel safe and represented. Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), Peer […]
The Laramie Project Play Preview
By Anna Yiannikos and Zoe Edelman, Head Photographer and Head Videographer // The Laramie Project comes to the Acalanes small theatre Wednesday Oct. 23 through Saturday Oct. 26. Tickets can be purchased […]
Students Explore the Realm of Online Dating
By Nicole Prozan and Zoe Cate, Opinion Editor and Online Editor-in-Chief //“You have a new match!” Gone are the days of love letters, candlelit dinners, and formal courtship. Now, the new […]
Mental Health Days: Solution to Stress or Anxiety Amplifier?
By Natalie Means, Staff Writer // For some students, high school serves as an exciting and memorable chapter of their lives. However, others feel that high school is predominantly a source of […]
The Laramie Project: A Production Posed to Create Conversation
Anne Thiselton-Dyer, Arts Editor // “That kind of thing doesn’t happen here.” This line is echoed by multiple Laramie residents and actors within the play, “The Laramie Project.” This line references the […]
Global Climate Strike Hits the Streets of San Francisco
Sofia Olsson and Charlotte Glass, Copy Editor and Print Editor-In-Chief // August 20, 2018 – A fifteen-year-old girl skips her Friday classes and stands alone on the steps of the Swedish parliament […]
Students Embrace Insta Stories as a New Medium of Activism
Lizzy Xie, Stephanie Liu, Catherine Lomond, Online News Editor, Staff Writers // The last of the blue Instagram profile photos for the Sudan massacre have disappeared. The outraged posts about restricting abortion […]
Cougs Do Lose: Football Dominates Campolindo
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor A sea of blue and pink engulfed the south side of the Acalanes football field Friday night as the sweet sound of an “ACA-LAN-ES” chant was […]
Football Faces Biggest Test Yet Against Campolindo
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // The football team has played at a high level for most of the season, suffering only two losses on the road against tough Vintage and […]
Stress Busters 2019
By Sabrina Agazzi and Keith Johnson, Staff Writers // The Acalanes front quad buzzed as students played with animals, enjoyed free treats and practiced yoga. On Friday, Oct. 11 The Acalanes Student […]
Fall Instrumental Pops Concert 2019
By Anna Yiannkos, Head Photographer // The first annual fall instrumental Pops concert took place in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Oct. 10. Watch the recap below!
Flooding in Classrooms Disrupts Student Learning
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // On Friday, Oct. 11, classrooms in the 400 wing were flooded. Watch the video below to find out how the flood occurred and how it will impact […]
The Aftermath of the PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff
Emerson Brown, Stella Heo, Katrina Ortman, Staff Writers // The seconds ticked by as residents waited for the power to go out. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed. Nothing. The lights were […]
Moraga Fire and Evacuation Shocks Community
Stephanie Liu, Copy Editor // While wildfires from previous years such as the Paradise fire in 2018 and the Santa Rosa fire in 2017 were disastrous, they were relatively far removed from the […]
PG&E Shutdown Impacts AUHSD
By Emerson Brown, Katrina Ortman, Stella Heo, Staff Writers // At the infamous Acalanes gas station, a line of cars inches into the small Shell gas station in preparation for the upcoming […]
Women’s Water Polo Tournament Closure Results in District-Wide Change
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // The women’s water polo team hosted its annual Acalanes Invitational Tournament during the weekend of Sept. 6-8. After winning the tournament championship in 2018, the team […]
Fall Instrumental POPS Concert Preview
By Emerson Brown, Staff Writer // Through the cracks of the band room door, students can be heard chanting “ooga chaka ooga ooga ooga chaka.” This is a stark contrast to the usual […]
Honorary Captains Shine in the Spotlight During Homecoming Week
By Sophia Cooper, Staff Writer // Typically, the Acalanes homecoming week is centered around the football team and the competition between the grades, but this year the spotlight shifted elsewhere. Three […]
LPIE Helps Blueprint Revolutionize Product
By Stella Heo and Kayli Harley, Staff writers // What started as a mere vision in the minds of the Editors-in-Chief of Blueprint to create a revamped publication has blossomed into a reality. […]
AUHSD Adopts Sandy Hook Promise to Combat Gun Violence
By Julia Poole, Staff Writer // School comes with daily stressors such as test anxiety, loads of homework and navigating the ins and outs of relationships. In addition to these mundane issues, […]
Backstage With The Delivery Men
By Keith Johnson, Staff Writer // Blueprint sat down with the Acalanes band, the Delivery Men to learn about their members and how they came together. Watch the video below to learn more!
Homecoming Week 2019
By Oliver Lane, Contributing Videographer // Acalanes homecoming week consisted of various lunchtime activities, class competitions, a rally, a football game, and a dance. Watch the recap of this week’s events below!
Football Wins Fourth Straight Homecoming Game over Oakland
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // The Acalanes football team shook off a slow start to down Oakland 41-7 in front of an electric homecoming atmosphere Friday, Sept. 27. The […]
Unexpected Blackout Ends Homecoming Football Game Prematurely
By Emerson Brown, Staff Writer // Without a flicker, the Acalanes stadium suddenly plunged into darkness during the 2019 homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 27. Immediately, students and parents pulled out […]
A Spark of Hope: Pelosi Announces Official Inquiry for Impeachment
Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // The whirlwind politics of the last few days confused, angered, and saddened me. After attempting to digest it all, I am left with one overarching question: What kind […]
Homecoming Week 2019: Tie Dye
By Oliver Lane, Contributing Videographer // For Tuesday’s homecoming lunchtime activity, dons gathered in the freshmen quad to tie-dye shirts. Watch the recap below!
Homecoming Week 2019: Unified Soccer
By Oliver Lane, Contributing Videographer // On Monday, Sep. 23, Acalanes students gathered on the field to support the special education students in a game of unified soccer. Watch the recap below!
Homecoming Week 2019: Hallway Decorating
By Oliver Lane, Contributing Videographer // Homecoming week has officially begun! To kick off the week students from all grades got together on Sunday, Sep. 22, to decorate their hallway in accordance with […]
Women’s Water Polo Wins Third Consecutive Amanda McDonald Tournament
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // Thirty-six wins and counting. The Lady Dons proved once again why they are number one in Northern California with another illustrious tournament victory. Led by a […]
Football Starts Fast, Blows out El Cerrito
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // Revenge is always best served cold. The Acalanes football team showed they had not forgotten last year’s brutal loss to El Cerrito by racing […]
San Francisco Climate Strike March
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // Nearly 40,000 people flooded the streets of San Francisco on Sep. 20 to call attention to the ever-pressing issue of climate change. This march was youth-led and […]
No More Coal, No More Oil: The San Fransico Climate Strike Through the Eyes of Two Acalanes Students
By Emerson Brown and Katrina Ortman, Staff Writers // Walking down Market Street, we chanted, “No more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil,” our voices echoing through the […]
Campus Beautification Project at Acalanes
Lizzy Xie, Online News Editor // Members of the Acalanes Parents Club (APC) and Acalanes students gathered on Sunday, Sep. 15, to beautify the Acalanes campus. Sixty-one parent and student volunteers showed […]
Club Day 2019
By Keith Johnson, Videographer // Acalanes hosted ‘Club Day’ on Sept. 13 during academy, an annual tradition to grow and learn about club involvement. Watch the recap below!
AUHSD Makes Considerable Strides to end Vaping Epidemic
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // The school district has applied for a $1 million grant to combat student vaping by hiring nicotine addiction specialists and installing vape detectors and surveillance cameras. Vaping […]
Football Lights Up Scoreboard vs. Berkeley
By Aaron Vaserman & Mason Archer, Staff Writers // The Acalanes faithful packed the stadium to watch the Dons defeat visiting Berkeley 57-28 on Friday, Sept. 13. Acalanes received the opening kickoff, […]
Remembering 9/11: Acalanes Staff and Students Reflect on the Tragedy and What it Means to Them
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // On the 18th anniversary of 9/11, Acalanes students and staff reflect on the importance of the day and what it means to them.
The Survival Guide to Freshmen Year: From one Acalanes Student to Another
By Allie Marcu, Staff Writer We all live or have lived the freshmen experience. Freshmen don’t understand why upperclassmen hate them until they aren’t one anymore. Once they become a sophomore, they then […]
Double NPR Episode 2: Electoral College
By Nicole Prozan, Opinion Editor // On this weeks episode of Double NPR, our editors discuss the electoral college. Enjoy!
Motivational Speaker Mike Smith Brings new Ideas to Acalanes
By Ella Alpert, Staff Writer // Curious Acalanes students quickly fell silent as a young man, with hair past his shoulders and a sleeve of tattoos made his way across the gym. This […]
Bathroom Renovations Create an Unusual Situation for one Acalanes Teacher
By Tom Bequette, Staff Writer // For many students and staff, using the Acalanes bathrooms is the last thing on their mind as they go about their day. But for Abigail Smith, Acalanes’ […]
Summer Jobs and Internships Taken on by Students at Acalanes
By Aysha Craig, Staff Writer // Whether the goal is to take on a large responsibility or to try something new, jobs and internships are a popular way Acalanes students spend their time […]
Double NPR Episode 1: Affirmative Action
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // The long-awaited first episode of Double NPR is here. In this new segment, two editors, Nicole Prozan and Nelson Rogers, from opposite ends of the political […]
Football Pulls Away From Sacred Heart Cathedral
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // The greatest teams in sports are always resilient. The Acalanes football team showed plenty of resiliency Friday night as they defeated Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep […]
Football Triumphs in Season Opener
By Daniel Adri, Staff Writer // The energy followed the Acalanes football team as they sprinted out onto the field. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as the Dons kicked off their season […]
Aquadons Swim From Alcatraz Island to Chrissy Field
By Lizzy Xie, Online News Editor // While the majority of the Acalanes High School staff and students slept in on Saturday, August 25, a group of teachers jumpstarted their weekend with an […]
Cooking With Charlie: Popcorn Three Ways
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // Cooking With Charlie is back! This time chef Charlie teaches us how to make popcorn three ways: sweet, salty, and spicy. Watch the video below to learn […]
Future Artist Recognition 2019
By Zoe Edelman, Head Videographer // An awards ceremony was held at Acalanes on May 30 to celebrate the seniors who are pursuing the arts in college. Watch the recap below!
Senior Week 2019
// As the school year comes to an end, so does the class of 2019’s time at Acalanes. Senior week was held May 20- 24 at Acalanes as a way for the […]
Senior Ditch Day 2019
By Stephanie Liu, Staff Writer // It’s 8:30 on a Friday morning and classrooms feel weirdly empty. Around two-thirds of students are missing, and the rest of the class checks their social media […]
The Nuances of Separating the Art From the Artist
By Anne Thiselton-Dyer, Arts Editor // It seems every day that another celebrity turns out to be a horrible person; Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, and R. Kelly are just a few of many […]
Students Jump Over Hurdles to Make it to Prom on Time
By Stephanie Liu, Staff Writer // Track star Mila Mathias paced arround her room, willing the polish on her nails to dry faster. Her prom dress and heels laid in a bag by […]
Pick Your Poison: Study Stimulant or Party Prescription
By Zoe Cate and Sofia Olsson, Online Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor // Welcome to Generation Adderall: a generation of students struggling with a dependence on a tiny blue pill as a “study buddy” […]
Daniel Appel Wins 2019 Teacher of the Year Award
By Sydney Lauer and Leda Abkenari, Feature Editors // Each year, the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) distributes “Teacher Of The Year Awards” to recognize outstanding staff members for their hard work […]
Exploring the Unique Experiences of Immigrant Students
By Lizzy Xie, Online News Editor // Among the vast majority of American-born high schoolers at Acalanes, a small portion of students possess backgrounds far unlike those of their peers. These individuals have […]
2019 Recruited Athletes
By Noah Glosson, Sports Editor // Acalanes Boosters honored 13 student-athletes during lunchtime at the Big Gym on Thursday, May 23. These athletes have either signed or committed to play their sports […]
POPs Concert 2019
By Anna Yiannkos, Head Photographer // Acalanes hosted the annual POPs concert on Thursday, May 23. Watch the recap below!
Former Speechwriter for George W. Bush and Blueprinter Visits Acalanes
By Anna Yiannkos, Head Photographer // Former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and Blueprint Editor-in-Chief came back to Acalanes to speak about his journey from Blueprint to the White House and all the lessons he […]
Blueprint Wins Big in Local and National Competitions
By Lizzy Xie, Online News Editor // Acalanes’ student-run newspaper, Blueprint, won first place for Overall Excellence in the county-wide Lesher Journalism Awards contest for the second year in a row in a […]
Cooking With Charlie: Garlic Knots
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // On this episode of Cooking With Charlie, Charlie Keohane teaches us how to make garlic knots. Watch the video below to learn how to make these delicious […]
Cooking with Charlie: Chocolate Oat Bars
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // Welcome to the first episode of Cooking with Charlie. This is a new segment on Blueprint Online, where we sit down with Charlie Keohane as she experiments […]
Men’s Volleyball Wins All In Close Call Against Campolindo High School
By Sarah Westergren, Staff Writer // Tensions ran high as the Dons battled for first in the league against rival Campolindo High School on Thursday, April 25 at home. Competition picked up […]
Baseball Rolls Over Rival Campolindo to Remain Undefeated In League Play
By Ryan Owens, Online Sports Editor // The warmer weather might have had something to do with the smoking hot bats of the Acalanes Dons Tuesday, April 23. The Dons scored […]
Spring Play 2019
By Zoe Cate, Online Editor-in-Chief // Baskerville comes to the Acalanes small theatre Wednesday, April 24 through Saturday, April 27 at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased on the webstore. Support the DramaDons!
Preview of Powder Puff 2019
By John Kalil, Managing Editor-in-Chief // Back for its second year on campus after a long hiatus, Powder Puff women’s football will take place Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17 on the field […]
Acalanes Men’s Lacrosse Honors Former Lacrosse Coach Matt Lynn
By John Kalil, Managing Editor-in-Chief // It was a beautiful spring evening to celebrate the life of a cherished member of the Acalanes community. This past Friday, April 14, students, parents, and community […]
QSA Day of Silence Calls Attention to Prevalent LGBTQ Issues
By Jamie Lattin, Staff Writer // A congregation of students donning red and wearing stickers gathered in the front quad on a bright, crisp spring morning, prepared for a silent protest that […]
2019 Annual Talent Show Recap
By Zoe Edelman, Videographer // Students showcased their gifts through the annual talent show on Wednesday, March 27 in the PAC from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hosts included seniors Ed Collinson, […]
10 Things To Do This Spring Break
By Binti Sohn, Staff Writer // Spring break can either seem like the slowest week of the year, or it can pass by in a second. Learning how to spend it right […]
Student Profile: Meeting Next Year’s ASB Officers
By Nicole Prozan, Staff Writer // Each year, new students are elected to head the Associated Student Body (ASB). ASB has many responsibilities including overseeing leadership, planning events, and being liaisons for […]
Daughter Margalit Ir Speaks of Her Parents’ Holocaust Experience in Academy Seminar
By Jamie Lattin, Staff Writer // When presented in an academic setting, history can often appear to be an impersonal slew of facts and statistics. The stories that are passed down from […]
Competition Strikes Between Staff and Students in New Senior-Only Dodgeball
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // In the first event of its kind, the Acalanes Leadership Associated Student Body (ASB) officers put together a senior-only dodgeball event, more formally known as “Dodge or […]
Annual Psychology Project Reminds Students of Teenage Parenting Obligations
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // Psychology students discovered what it meant to be a teenage parent through the yearly flour baby project, spanning from March 4 to March 8. Students were required […]
Q&A: Getting to Know the Characters of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
By Stephanie Liu, Staff Writer // Acalanes Performing Arts presents a production of everyone’s favorite classic fairytale, Cinderella. Disney fans should prepare for different vibes, different songs, and different personalities than the Disney […]
Improvadons Club Offers Theatrical Entertainment
By Binti Sohn, Staff Writer // To all students dreaming of becoming an actor or actress, becoming an Improvadon might just be the right course of action. The student-led club focuses on […]
College Board: The Non-Profit Dominating College Admissions
By Kiara Kunnes and Charlie Keohane, Print Editor-in-Chief and News Editor // One recruited athlete who received a full-ride scholarship has taken the SAT. One academically oriented student who has consistently taken Advanced Placement […]
A Continuum of Silence: Part II of Exploring Sexual Assault
By Karen Rosenberg and Lisi Burciaga, Print Editors-in-Chief // Dear Readers, Before you read this story, we warn you that it is a very dark, heavy hitting, and sometimes stomach-turning piece. If matters […]
Brenden Wins All in Staff and Student March Madness Basketball Tournament
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // Staff and students kicked off March with the first annual March Madness Week from Feb. 25 to March 1. ASB hosted a faculty and student tournament at […]
Black Student Union Raises Awareness of Black History Month on Campus
By Zoe Edelman and Lizzy Xie, Staff Writers // February is Black History Month; Acalanes’ Black Student Union (BSU) teamed up with the Acalanes Leadership Diversity board to put on a week […]
Sophomore Max Simas Plays for All-State Band in Fresno Convention
By Binti Sohn, Staff Writer // While most students’ biggest achievements include grades or the starting lineup, sophomore Max Simas’ accomplishment stands apart; he played the drums as part of the esteemed All-State […]
Women’s Basketball Falls Short in Overtime of NCS Quarterfinals
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // The four-seeded women’s basketball team fell in heartbreaking fashion to the five-seed Redwood Giants of Larkspur by a score of 65-57 in the North Coast Section […]
Valentine’s Day Singing Grams Make a Comeback at Acalanes
By Nicole Prozan, Staff Writer // Valentine’s day singing grams are a coveted tradition at Acalanes. After a lapse in this tradition last year, singing grams are being re-instituted this Valentine’s day with […]
Women’s Basketball Powers Past Northgate in First Round of NCS
By John Kalil, Sports Editor // It was a dry day in Lafayette, but last night the women’s basketball team poured in 62 points to soak Northgate in the first round of […]
Men’s Basketball Upsets College Park in First League Win of the Season
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // The men’s basketball team picked up its signature win of the season over Diablo Athletic League (DAL) powerhouse College Park 85-76 on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at […]
Blueprint Creative Submissions
How Different Writing Creative Submissions Winner, Anonymous “If you had a box of crayons,” Ms. Florine starts slowly, “would you want them to all be the same color?” She sweeps her shoulder length […]
Breaking the Silence: Revealing the Hidden Imprints of Sexual Assault
Dear Readers, Before you read this story, we warn you that it is a very dark, heavy hitting, and sometimes stomach-turning piece. If matters of great sensitivity, such as sexual assault, will […]
Breaking Down The Walls Breaks Standard for Anti-Bullying Campaigns
By Leda Abkenari, Jamie Lattin, Stephanie Liu, and Zoe Edelman, Staff Writers and Videographer // Kindness is in our DNA. Despite the overall accepting atmosphere at Acalanes, the community is not immune to […]
Athlete In the Moment: Girls Soccer Against Campolindo 01/28
By Aliye Wingate, Staff Writer // Whenever a team from Acalanes plays Campolindo High School, there will always be some sort of anticipation; after all, we are rivals. As part of the […]
Men’s Basketball Defeated by Rival Campolindo High School
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // The men’s basketball team endured a tough loss to rival high school Campolindo 43-66 in front of a sellout crowd on Thursday, Jan. 24, bringing their […]
Why Anti-Semitism Led Me to Stay Home From the Women’s March
By Nicole Prozan, Staff Writer // The two most important aspects of my identity are feminism and Judaism. Feminism is a main pillar of my everyday life which dictates my actions. My strong […]
Reflecting on the Fall 2018 College Application Experience
By Sarah Westergren, Online Editor-in-Chief // As the final Common Application deadline comes to a close, Acalanes students took a moment to reflect on the process and offer their best advice for […]
Student Profile: Didgeridoo Player John Stancik
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // In an exclusive Blueprint interview, Online Associate Editor Zoe Cate sat down with sophomore John Stancik to talk all things didgeridoo; a unique wind instrument he recently […]
Discovery of Mold Prompts School to Close Weight Room
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // Acalanes has closed the school weight room due to a recent discovery of mold on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in one of its corners. The weight room […]
Finals Week Advice for Freshmen
By Shreekar Pandey and Zoe Cate, Feature Editor and Online Associate Editor // Finals week is taking place at Acalanes Monday, Jan. 14 through Jan. 17. For freshmen, this will be their […]
Men’s Basketball Falls in Final Seconds of Chris Huber Classic Championship
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // In an intense Chris Huber Classic championship game, Acalanes fell in heartbreaking fashion as Tamalpais scored the go-ahead basket with 1.1 seconds remaining, handing Acalanes its […]
Men’s Basketball Advances to Third Straight Chris Huber Classic Championship
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // The Acalanes men’s basketball team held off a physically talented De Anza squad 57-51 on Friday, Dec. 28, earning themselves a spot in the Chris Huber […]
Men’s Basketball Shines in First Round of Chris Huber Classic
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // In honor of longtime assistant basketball coach and Physical Education teacher Chris Huber, the men’s basketball team hosted the first day of its annual Chris Huber […]
10 Things To Do This Winter Break
By Anna Yiannikos, Natalie Seiler, and Sydney Rohrbough, Staff Photographers // Stuck at home for the holidays? Have no fear—here are 10 things to keep you busy this winter season. Make your […]
Acalanes Celebrates Another Successful Year of “Adopt-a-Family”
By Zoe Edelman, Videographer // Acalanes staff and students participated in the annual “Adopt-a-Family” celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 18 during Academy, hosted by the Community Outreach Leadership board. This year, 25 classes […]
Acalanes Performing Arts “Sing All Together” Winter Performance
// The Acalanes Performing Arts Department presented their 2018 winter concerts entitled “Sing All Together” on Dec. 18 and 20. The first performance included special guest Las Lomas Chorale, with the second […]
10 Tips for Freshmen Heading Into First-Semester Finals
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // Finals week is a daunting time for most students. Unlike previous years, teachers will only have one week to review with their students before they hand […]
The Best and Worst of Netflix Holiday Films, Ranked
By Claire Mueller, Staff Writer // It’s the perfect time of year to bundle up under a warm blanket, drink hot cocoa, and watch a seasonal movie with close friends and family. […]
Acalanes Showcases Students’ Musical Talent In Instrumental Winter Concert
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // Acalanes hosted its annual Instrumental Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 20. The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Freshman Band performed that Tuesday, with […]
An Alternative Attitude Towards Jewish Holidays
By Nicole Prozan, Staff Writer // Bright twinkling lights throughout the streets, holiday commercials, and the coveted return of the red Starbucks cup stir up feelings of cheer, excitement, and happiness among […]
Question and Answer with Water Polo Head Coach Misha Buchel
By John Kalil, Sports Editor // Sports Editor John Kalil interviewed women’s water polo head coach Misha Buchel on another successful season after their NCS Championship win on Saturday, Dec. 1. Kalil: […]
The Art Room Exhibit Showcases Student Artwork
By Sarah Westergren, Online Editor-in-Chief // A subtle melody. Soft, warm hues. Walls, covered in art. It was the perfect ambiance at Lafayette’s Art Room last Friday night. “I wanted to showcase a […]
Loss of Another AUHSD Student Results in Community Devastation
By Zoe Cate, Ari Goodman and Sarah Westergren, Online Associate Editor, Staff Writer, and Online Editor-in-Chief // The Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) suffered yet another loss last week with the […]
Bejing Teachers-In-Training Visit Acalanes to Learn About American School System
By Stephanie Liu and Lizzy Xie, staff writers // Although the Chinese education system is known for producing competitive, smart and capable students, there is always room to grow. For Chinese teachers, […]
District Wears Green in Light of Miramonte High School Tragedy
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // Students and staff across the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) wore green for Miramonte Support Day on Friday, Nov. 30. Throughout the week, Leadership posted […]
Women’s Water Polo Wins Second North Coast Section Title in Three Years
By Noah Glosson, Staff Writer // The dream season is now complete. The Lady Dons are the 2018 North Coast Section (NCS) Women’s Water Polo Open Division Champions. In front of a […]
Women’s Volleyball Wins First Round of North Coast Sections
By John Kalil, Sports Editor // The Acalanes women’s varsity volleyball team gave new meaning to the term “road warriors” this past Tuesday, Oct. 23. The Lady Dons made the six hour […]
Play Preview 2018: ‘12 Angry Jurors’
By Lizzy Xie, Staff Writer // Blueprint sat down with lead actors Anna Sominsky, Blake Levinson, Alex Gold and Joel Braunstein to get the latest scoop on everything “12 Angry Jurors”, a […]
Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Boast Yet Another Successful Fall Instrumental Concert
By Sydney Lauer, Staff Writer // The Acalanes String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble wowed audiences during its annual Fall Instrumental Concert. Taking place Thursday, Oct. 18 in the Performing Arts Center, the […]
Football Falls to Rival Campolindo High School
By Ryan Owens, Staff Writer // The Acalanes football team endured a tough loss to rival school Campolindo this past Friday, Oct. 12. The Dons committed three turnovers and failed to […]
Acalanes Choirs Perform at Annual District Concert
// Acalanes’ Women’s Ensemble and Bella Voce choirs, along with Campolindo’s and Miramonte’s choirs, performed at the Women’s Fall Choral Classic (FCC) on Oct. 11 at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church. The […]
‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ Pleases Teenage Audiences
By Claire Mueller, Staff Writer // With an astounding rating of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is not your typical Netflix romantic comedy. It introduces […]
Homecoming Week: Tuesday
By Ryann Drue, Videographer // Students partook in Tuesday’s cardstacking challenge, modeled after the juniors’ subtheme, Alice In Wonderland. Juniors took first, with sophomores following behind and seniors lagging in third place. The senior […]
“Senior Sunrise” Tradition Makes Its Way to Acalanes
By Coco Cornish, Copy Editor // As the sun rises over senior year, so does a new found tradition at Acalanes High School. Coming together on Friday, Aug. 24, 75 seniors gathered […]
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