Skip to Main Content
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

Oliver Fichte

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer

Oliver Fichte is a senior, and this is his third year in the journalism program. He is very excited to edit news from around the Bay Area and wishes to inform people about everything going on in the world around us. His portfolio can be found here.

Twitter: @FichteOliver

All content by Oliver Fichte
After receiving a call about a burning Chevrolet Silverado near Redwood Shores, the San Mateo Fire Department and other authorities quickly arrived at the scene. The wreckage of the vehicle was put out and cleaned up before being towed away approximately an hour after the call. Despite its dangerous nature, nobody was hurt in the incident.

Breaking News: Vehicle catches fire in Redwood Shores; no injuries

Rintaro Sato and Oliver Fichte June 3, 2023

A white Chevrolet Silverado caught fire this afternoon on the corner of Marine Parkway and Island Parkway near Redwood Shores. There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is not yet known. After...

A student’s parked car is severely damaged after a white van crashes into the vehicle.

[Photo] Breaking News: Carlmont secures campus after traffic collision

Grace Wu, Highlander Managing Editor October 17, 2022

A student’s parked car is severely damaged after a white van crashes into the vehicle.

County Executive Mike Callagy unveiled the construction of San Mateo County’s new Navigation Center on April 13. The center will be able to house over 200 residents and provide them with services such as job opportunities and plans to connect them with the means to get the permanent housing they need for a better future.

San Mateo County starts construction of new Navigation Center to fight homelessness

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer April 20, 2022

San Mateo County officials have announced the start of the construction of their new Navigation Center, a homeless shelter with the capacity to house 260 residents. The center’s construction, announced...

While some are excited about the new opportunities that the removal of the mask mandate brings, others, including physicians, are still approaching the situation with caution.

Removal of in-school mask mandate provokes mixed community response

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer March 4, 2022

California’s mask mandate in schools is being removed in less than two weeks. But what will this mean for Carlmont’s students and staff? According to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent...

 It is essential to step away from the stress that the technological world can cause and enjoy what nature offers. Georgie Rauls, the green team co-president, noted the importance of spending time in nature. “I still don't interact with nature as much as I'd like to, [but] I think connecting with nature is important because it gives us a break from things,” Rauls said.

Nature’s role in a digital world

Oliver Fichte and Robin Linares January 21, 2022

Click.  Tap.  Scroll.  Like.  The use of technology has become an essential part of our lives, for better or for worse. It seems, through the haze of a more stressful, urbanized world,...

Due to the Omicron variant's high transmissibility, San Mateo County is instituting a new COVID-19 testing plan, with more PCR and rapid antigen testing being made available.

San Mateo County unveils new COVID-19 testing plan

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer January 12, 2022

Coming back from winter break, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 left many students anxious about their return to school. With the rise of at-home test shortages in pharmacies and long lines at in-person...

The Bioinformatics Club, which utilizes hands-on learning, labs, and more, benefits students by teaching them real, applicable STEM skills. “[I have learned] how you can use biology in this way, and how it can be combined with computer science and other emerging fields to do something more meaningful,” said Avirral Agarwal, a junior.

Bioinformatics Club teaches students STEM skills for the future

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer December 2, 2021

Combining computer science with biology, the Bioinformatics Club teaches Carlmont students skills they will need to succeed in the future. Whether analyzing DNA or extracting it from strawberries, there...

Attempting to end loneliness and isolation on campus, the Students with Friends Club spends their Tuesday lunch period socializing with those sitting alone. “We go out and find people sitting alone at lunch and offer to sit with them and start a conversation with them, trying to make new friends,” said Svante Aretun, the vice president of the club.

Students with Friends Club strengthens Carlmont community

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer November 12, 2021

After a year of being at home, the Students with Friends Club aims to prevent loneliness and isolation among the Carlmont student population in an in-person learning environment. Headed by president...

With the return of math contests to our campus in September, students are ready to get back into the action; whether for extra credit points or to improve their skills. 
"It's definitely [helped me with] different math abilities but it has especially helped with problem solving," said sophomore Alexander Makeev.

Math contests make their return to Carlmont

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer October 22, 2021

Whether for extra credit or fun, math contests have been a long-standing tradition at Carlmont for decades. However, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many things, including the math contests, were put...

Student Business Enterprises is an organization devoted to helping nonprofits make their way through the internet's twists and turns. For Carlmont students, it is an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills. "I thought it'd be a great idea to create opportunities for my students to be able to learn about business by working as a digital advertising agency where we do marketing work for other nonprofit companies," said John Rowe, the business teacher at Carlmont.

Student Business Enterprises helps nonprofits navigate the internet

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer September 30, 2021

When the world calls out for help, nonprofit organizations reach out and support it. But who offers a hand when nonprofits themselves need assistance? Student Business Enterprises, or SBE, is a group...

Carlmont students rush to the lunch line, creating huge crowds despite restrictions imposed by the administration. "It's just really inconvenient for everybody,” said Zelia LaPlaca, a sophomore.

[Photo] Lunch lines provoke discontent among Carlmont students

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer September 9, 2021

Carlmont students rush to the lunch line, creating huge crowds despite restrictions imposed by the administration. "It's just really inconvenient for everybody,” said Zelia LaPlaca, a sophomore.

Many restaurants are struggling during the pandemic, but others have found new ways to stay afloat. For instance, some restaurants on Laurel Street in San Carlos: "Just taking a walk down Laurel Street, there’s a bunch of outdoor seating, and cars aren’t allowed on the road, and I personally really like that change; I think it’s nice to have a walkable area with outdoor seating,” said Rory McGann, a senior.

Local restaurants navigate the pandemic

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer May 5, 2021

Restaurants have been struggling ever since the pandemic began in early 2020. With so many sudden changes in health regulations and COVID-19 ordinances, many small restaurants have gone under, while some...

Carlmont's student body started to return to the classroom on April 5, 2021. However, it was different than expected. 
"I just expected it to be more social," said Talin Negandhi, a Carlmont sophomore.

Carlmont opens its gates – expectations vs. reality of in-person school

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer April 19, 2021

Ever since mid-March 2020, school for nearly every student in the U.S. has been in front of a screen, completing assignments and video conferences from home. However, on April 5th, 2021, Carlmont High...

San Mateo County recently entered the orange tier, allowing more indoor eating with some restrictions, as seen here in San Carlos.

Red Versus Orange Tiers: A COVID comparison

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer March 21, 2021

Activities like going out to movie theaters or eating at restaurants seem like things of the past. Or are they? For the past few weeks, San Mateo County has been in the red tier, which started on February...

Bay Area Parks, such as the San Mateo County parks, remain open during the pandemic for hiking, biking, surfing, and swimming. They provide a relaxing change in scenery during regular pandemic life.

Parks remain an outlet to relax during the pandemic

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer March 1, 2021

We’ve all been cooped up inside for far too long. Quarantine and various stay-at-home orders can be difficult and stressful, but thankfully, there will always be parks to change that. Regional Bay Area...

As a result of smoke from an abundance of fires in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington blowing into the Bay Area, the sky appeared a bright orange.

A Decade of Wildfires

Oliver Fichte and Enzo Carvalho January 29, 2021

Thick smoke covers the air; ash falls from the sky. Orange flames are flickering through buildings, forests, everything around. An eerie orange glow covers the sky. The day is turned into night, with a...

Great Plates Delivered, a state-funded nutrition program for seniors helps keep those most at risk healthy and fed during these troubling times.

Great Plates Delivered delivers to seniors in need

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer January 27, 2021

For those at risk for COVID-19, going outside is more dangerous now than it ever has been, limiting the ability for some to get the food they need to survive. Thankfully, due to the state program, Great...

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, food banks across the Bay Area need to provide food to twice the amount of people as pre-pandemic times.

Bay Area food banks adapt to feed more people

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer November 29, 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, food banks have had to meet the supply for twice as many people than they previously fed due to the loss of jobs or food or work changes.  Now, food banks...

Movie theaters remain empty after reopening as many customers don’t think it’s safe, even with precautions.

Movie theaters reopen with COVID-19 guidelines

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer November 5, 2020

Movie theaters throughout the Bay Area are beginning to reopen as the pandemic ensues and utilizing new safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. Theaters opened at different times, reopening...

The Mask Mobile hands out COVID-19 supplies, and promotes social distancing.

Mask Mobile distributes masks to those in need

Oliver Fichte, Staff Writer October 16, 2020

San Mateo County’s Mask Mobile distributed over 900 masks to the hardest-hit communities in the past week to keep families safe during the pandemic. The Mask Mobile project was introduced on Sept. 15...

Load More Stories