The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News
The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News
The student news site of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California.

Scot Scoop News
Erick Cheng

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer

Erick Cheng (class of 2026) is a current Junior at Carlmont, marking his second year in the journalism program. Outside of school you can find him playing tennis with friends, jamming out with musicians playing drums, and doing photography. Erick also enjoys sharing stories about the community around him, displaying them through numerous forms such as articles, videos, and photography. You can find the portfolio of his work here.

All content by Erick Cheng
Carlmont pickleball club president Gabriel Rui and his teammate Ethan Roth compete in a tournament they organized amongst the school. The pickleball tournament had a massive turnout of Carlmont students and teachers participating in the event, showcasing the increase in popularity of the sport.

In a pickle: the battle for the courts

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • November 6, 2024

In the past four years, pickleball fever has spread rapidly among Americans.  Characterized by its fun and social nature, the paddle sport has grown from 4.2 million players in 2020 to 13.6 million...

Parent volunteers help serve food to the water polo players. In the banquet, the parent volunteers helped organize and set up the event for the players. The volunteers helped pick up the food, decorate the student union for the banquet, and serve food to the players.

In Photos: Boys water polo banquet celebrates end of fall season

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • November 5, 2024

The Carlmont varsity and JV boys water polo team celebrated the end of their season with their annual water polo banquet. The banquet consisted of events such as handing out awards that recognized...

Dancers dressed in huipil garments and long skirts dance back to back with each other. Huipils are a traditional garment worn commonly by indigenous women in parts of Central America. Huipils today have become a sign of the wearer's community and ethnicity, as each culture has its way of making and decorating the garment.

In Photos: Redwood City’s Dia de los Muertos celebration unites community

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • November 4, 2024

  Redwood City recently hosted its annual celebration of the Dia de los Muertos holiday, also known as the Day of the Dead. The festival had many performances such as music and dances, shopping...

The Scots try to save the ball after the Panthers block a spike. One necessary area of improvement for the Scots is the ability to finish points at the net. In combination with the Panther's good defense, the Scots, in the end, weren't able to win the match.

In Photos: Panthers snatch victory from Scots

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • October 15, 2024

The Carlmont freshman girls volleyball team lost to the Burlingame Panthers in a home match 2-1. The Scots started the match with low energy, allowing the Panthers to get ahead and secure the first...

Junior Claudia Williams helps promote Ocean Studio Club by giving out free blue raspberry shark gummies to interested students. Ocean Studio Club is dedicated to spreading awareness about plastic pollution within oceans, hoping to promote change and action regarding environmental challenges. One of the more common ways of accomplishing their mission is through their artistic creativity which highlights environmental problems within communities.

In Photos: Carlmont clubs fair feeds student community

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • September 27, 2024

The annual Carlmont Clubs Fair was once again successful, as many students went to the quad to check out the activities that Carlmont's many clubs hosted. Every year, the fair provides a way for...

Junior Megan Bence performs a half volley on an approaching ball. With this shot, Bence brought the opponent toward the net, putting offensive pressure on them. This allowed her to secure the point, which ultimately led to her winning the match.

In Photos: Scots strike down Bearcats in prevailing tennis match

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • September 26, 2024

The Carlmont varsity girls tennis team won by a landslide against the San Mateo Bearcats 6-1. Throughout the matches, the girls remained mentally focused and stayed consistent with their strokes,...

In Photos: Bears swipe victory away from Scots

In Photos: Bears swipe victory away from Scots

Erick Cheng, Staff Writer • September 9, 2024

A hard-fought game between the Carlmont Scots and the Mercy Bears took place on Sept. 5, the Bears winning the game with a score of 3-1. While the Scots maintained strong defense and offense for much...

Junior Clare Wang gracefully serves the ball to the opposing side. The serve is a crucial aspect of volleyball as often puts the opposing team in a challenging defensive position. Serving is also quite complex and requires skill in many aspects, such as hand-eye coordination, timing, and ball control.

Junior Clare Wang gracefully serves the ball to the opposing side. The serve is a crucial aspect of volleyball as often puts the opposing team in a challenging defensive position. Serving is also quite...

Junior Athena Chui dives for the ball, hoping to keep it in play. Throughout the game, the Bears made many strong offensive plays, which helped them raise a lead against the Scots. The strong offense of the Bears also forced the Scots to make tougher defensive maneuvers, such as dives, to keep the ball in play.

Junior Athena Chui dives for the ball, hoping to keep it in play. Throughout the game, the Bears made many strong offensive plays, which helped them raise a lead against the Scots. The strong offense of...

Snow and junior Olivia Pasion raise their hands in front of the net with the server serving behind them. "I really think it's kind of performative," said Noelle Pecavar, a player for the JV volleyball team. "The strategy behind it is where you're supposed to hide your server and make it harder for the passers to see the ball."

Snow and junior Olivia Pasion raise their hands in front of the net with the server serving behind them. "I really think it's kind of performative," said Noelle Pecavar, a player for the JV volleyball...

Head coach Sergio Smirnoff advises players on how to approach the game as it goes. "It's crucial that teams learn how to fight games point by point, because in certain moments, the one who makes less mistakes is going to take the game home," Smirnoff said. "We are all here to support each other, and I expect the people who are out of the court to be the first cheerleaders of the people who are actually in the court."

Head coach Sergio Smirnoff advises players on how to approach the game as it goes. "It's crucial that teams learn how to fight games point by point, because in certain moments, the one who makes less mistakes...

The JV volleyball team cheers from the stands, supporting the varsity team as they play. The cheering helps bring life to the atmosphere of the match and keeps the spectators engaged in the game. Many JV team members stay after their game to cheer on their varsity team, enforcing a tight community among both volleyball teams.

The JV volleyball team cheers from the stands, supporting the varsity team as they play. The cheering helps bring life to the atmosphere of the match and keeps the spectators engaged in the game. Many...

Pasion and sophomore Eva McLinden block an incoming spike from the opponent. Blocking allows teams an opportunity to put the opponent back on defense. Blocking creates a lot more complexity in the game due to how fast a team can go from an offensive position to a defensive one.

Pasion and sophomore Eva McLinden block an incoming spike from the opponent. Blocking allows teams an opportunity to put the opponent back on defense. Blocking creates a lot more complexity in the game...

Senior Annika Snow spikes the ball towards opponent blockers. Snow is a middle blocker and hitter for the team, so she is responsible for covering the center of the net and acting as the first line of defense against offensive hits. The middle blocker is also involved in offensive plays due to their proximity to the net, allowing them to spike the ball.

Senior Annika Snow spikes the ball towards opponent blockers. Snow is a middle blocker and hitter for the team, so she is responsible for covering the center of the net and acting as the first line of...

Sophomore Amber Lee helps set up an offensive maneuver after defending a spike. Lee is the team's libero, who is typically the central receiver of serves, and the second line of defense against attackers. Liberos act as the backbone of the team as they are typically solid passers, helping their team to set up a proper offense.

Sophomore Amber Lee helps set up an offensive maneuver after defending a spike. Lee is the team's libero, who is typically the central receiver of serves, and the second line of defense against attackers....

The Scots shake their opponents' hands before the match starts. Shaking hands is a way to start the game with good sportsmanship and respect among the teams. Team handshakes before a game also allow players to wish their opponents good luck.

The Scots shake their opponents' hands before the match starts. Shaking hands is a way to start the game with good sportsmanship and respect among the teams. Team handshakes before a game also allow players...

Smirnoff huddles with the team after the game. In this discussion, Smirnoff discusses what the team did well and what needs to be worked on. This allows the team to reflect on what needs to be focused on to improve their game going forward this season.

Smirnoff huddles with the team after the game. In this discussion, Smirnoff discusses what the team did well and what needs to be worked on. This allows the team to reflect on what needs to be focused...

A group of kids chat by an altar close to the Belmont Greek Orthodox Church on the festival grounds. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to gather as a community and have a great time. In addition, the festival also gets to share Greek traditions and culture among the local people in the community through hosting tours of the church premise.

A group of kids chat by an altar close to the Belmont Greek Orthodox Church on the festival grounds. The festival provides an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to gather as a community and have...

Two volunteers help run the beer garden, a new addition to this year's festival. "We're hoping the beer garden is a way to get younger Greeks to help out at the festival and to keep everyone together," said Chris Mattis, one of the creators of the beer garden booth. According to Mattis, all the beers are imported from Greece, making them hard to find in local markets.

Two volunteers help run the beer garden, a new addition to this year's festival. "We're hoping the beer garden is a way to get younger Greeks to help out at the festival and to keep everyone together,"...

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