The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
SHS students, faculty, and alumni pose after their final performance with BDB.
Students participate in prestigious Blue Devils Drums Corps over the summer
September 18, 2024
Sophomore Alma Garniek begins her shift at TEAZENTEA.
New bubble tea store opens in downtown Saratoga
September 15, 2024
Amanda Lupoli fills out a Venn diagram with input from students in her 6th period AP U.S. History class.
New history teacher emphasizes instilling critical thinking skills
September 15, 2024
English teacher Amy Keys makes masks as part of a Día de los Muertos workshop in Oaxaca.
Veteran teachers return to the classroom after taking leaves last year
September 15, 2024
Junior Nolan Woo introduces his club, League of Programmers, to junior Jack Dong.
This year’s Club Rush features off-beat new clubs and traditional old ones
September 14, 2024
The album cover for “Bando Stone and The New World,” where Donald Glover plays the titular character in the accompanying movie with the same name.
Bando Stone and The New World is an exhilarating sendoff to the Childish Gambino persona
September 18, 2024
The new installment in the “Quiet Place” series originally hinted at an emotionally impactful story about the tragedies of the apocalypse, increasing fan expectations.
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’: not worth all the noise
September 18, 2024
Olivia Rodrigo engages with the audience while singing “enough for you” during her concert.
Buying last-minute Olivia Rodrigo tickets is a good idea, right?
September 17, 2024
Absolutely hooked, I can’t stop myself from watching true crime, such as the Slenderman case.
The allure of true crime documentaries
September 17, 2024
Ao3 reigns supreme as the #1 fanfiction site.
A review of popular fanfiction sites — are they worth the read?
September 17, 2024
The 2024 F1 season has already crowned 7 Grand Prix winners — the most since 2012.
The rise and appeal of Formula 1 racing
September 18, 2024
Junior Millie Wang hits a 54-degree wedge out of a bunker at Saratoga Country Club.
With only 7 players, girls’ golf hopes to ace its season
September 17, 2024
Awaiting the inquiry results, Jordan Chiles looks at the screen anxiously.
A devastating — and unfair — loss of a medal for gymnast Jordan Chiles
September 16, 2024
The Niner’s chaotic offseason has been interesting to watch mainly due to the recently-resolved contract situation of wide-receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
After a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss, the 49ers are ready to move on
September 14, 2024
In March 2024, freshmen Kayley Ren placed seventh out of 94 fencers at the Fortune Fencing Super Youth Circuit in Ontario, Calif.
Blade and balance: Freshman excels at competitive fencing
September 13, 2024
I say my line during my annual spring program.
From private school to public school, the benefits and downsides I experienced
September 15, 2024
Too often, students instinctively reach for the calculator.
Stop and think: Do you really need that calculator?
September 15, 2024
Six ants crawl on bathroom sink.
Clean up after yourself before the ants take over the school
September 12, 2024
The skibidi toilet horrors that popped up in our Instagram reels less than a year ago.
Gen Alpha has a word for that — but you probably won’t know what it means
September 12, 2024
Glasses and Contacts
Contacts vs. glasses: Which one works better?
September 12, 2024
One of the three vending machines on the school campus.
Top 10: vending machine items on campus
September 17, 2024
My teachers are fast asleep while I rush to submit the assignment.
100-word rant: Homework should always be due at the start of class, not midnight of the night before
September 17, 2024
I carry an 8-month-old baby Io.
Never again: a girl, her dog and her keyboard
September 17, 2024
Moments before we (unfortunately) tasted our least favorite boba.
Our sweet adventure: uncovering the hidden boba gems in the Bay
September 16, 2024
Some productive and unproductive ways to combat after-school slump.
A guide to productivity: How to combat the after-school slump
September 16, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
All content by Andrew Lin
A chart showing my top 25 most-played albums for the past month, as of May 9

Senior Mag 2024: A poser’s guide to niche metal subgenres

Andrew Lin
May 25, 2024
Kapoor concentrating in a match at a tournament at Menlo High School on Dec. 3

Senior Mag 2024: On board: Yashom Kapoor seeks to broaden appeal of chess

Andrew Lin
May 25, 2024
The first “Vultures 1” album cover, shown above, drew criticism due to its similarity to Norwegian neo-Nazi black metal artist and convicted murderer Varg Vikernes’ “Filosofem” album cover. The current album cover is not appropriate for publication in a school newspaper.

By Kanye standards, ‘Vultures 1’ is a disappointing album

Andrew Lin
March 28, 2024
Junior Alan Lu ducks and covers during the earthquake drill. 

Photo or Graphic for: Annual earthquake drill includes new addition of post-tremor simulations

Nika Svizhenko
March 18, 2024
Junior Angie Chen tells her story of body dysmorphia at the Speak Up for Change assembly on Jan. 26. 

Speak Up for Change assembly: Students and staff discuss healing by seeking help, body dysmorphia, pursuing passions

Mitchell Chen, Andrew Lin, and Emily Wu
January 27, 2024
Short videos would offer more information and be more fun to review than written essays

Staff editorial: ‘Why school?’ essays should be replaced with video introductions

Andrew Lin
January 25, 2024
As semester ends, Taiwanese visitors get a taste of school in U.S., Bay Area culture

As semester ends, Taiwanese visitors get a taste of school in U.S., Bay Area culture

Andrew Lin
January 12, 2024
Timothy Leung accepts his trophy for reaching the semifinals for Program Oral Interpretation.

National tournament experience sets up speech competitors to reach new heights

Andrew Lin
December 4, 2023
 In the first semester, seniors have a lot on their plates

Application inflation: As acceptance rates decline, seniors are applying to more colleges

Andrew Lin
November 15, 2023
Principal Greg Louie stands in front of a no fire sign, reviewing the fire drill simulation

Newly created safety team plans for emergency scenarios

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
September 29, 2023
“UTOPIA” sold nearly 500,000 physical units in the first week after its release, and it would have sold over 700,000 if not for shipping delays.

In ‘UTOPIA’ Travis Scott answers his critics

Andrew Lin
September 24, 2023
A personification of ChatGPT bot.

As school year concludes, ChatGPT cheating contention simmers to a boil

Andrew Lin and Kathy Wang
May 27, 2023
A new battle between AI and teachers has started

One path forward in light of ChatGPT cheating

Andrew Lin
May 26, 2023
A still from one of the most recognizable clips in the movie due to its widespread use in “sigma edits.”

‘American Psycho’ revisited: Has it withstood the test of time?

Andrew Lin
May 26, 2023
Junior Eric Norris and sophomore Ryan Backhus successfully block the ball and score a point against Los Gatos on May 3.

The comeback kids: Despite quarterfinal loss to Harker in CCS, the volleyball team ends the season feeling like champions

Derek Liang, Andrew Lin, and Aiden Ye
May 24, 2023
Senior middle Mateusz Palusinski spikes the ball past the opponents’ defense to score a point.

Boys’ volleyball focuses on improved  teamwork to help performances

Andrew Lin and Victoria Lin
March 17, 2023
No-win situation.

Like most things in life, eating should fall into a healthy middle ground

Andrew Lin
March 9, 2023
“Let’s Start Here.” was released on Jan. 27.

‘Let’s Start Here’: a psychedelic time machine back to the ‘70s

Andrew Lin
March 1, 2023
Sophomore Cosmo Cooper and junior Ariana Tootoonchi rehearse “An Easy Heaven” on Jan. 19, two days before the performance.

Student directors create productions exploring themes of life and death

Andrew Lin and Parav Manney
February 15, 2023
Depicted are the COVID cases from Aug. 22 to Jan. 20.

School averts post winter break COVID-19 outbreak

Andrew Lin
January 26, 2023
“AI Art Story by George Huang, Eric Shi, Andrew Lin” generated by Midjourney.

AI-generated images aren’t the future of art

Andrew Lin, George Huang, and Eric Shi
January 24, 2023
The gym may seem daunting at first, but lifting can potentially change your life for the better.

How to start lifting

Jason Cheng and Andrew Lin
December 16, 2022
2022 Wrapped has led me to expand my extremely one-dimensional music taste.

Spotify Wrapped should include more detailed statistics

Andrew Lin
December 14, 2022
The many faces of Kanye West.

There is no more defending Kanye West

Emma Fung and Andrew Lin
November 10, 2022
The drama program will be performing “The Crucible” on various dates from Nov. 12 to 19.

Drama program prepares for fall play ‘The Crucible’

Andrew Lin and Victoria Lin
September 24, 2022
 Kanye is No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 of all time

Top 10: Kanye songs

Andrew Lin
September 10, 2022
Junior shortstop and pitcher Lucas Dennis throws a pitch during the last game of the regular season on May 12 against Fremont.

Photo or Graphic for: Baseball team makes CCS after a three-game win streak to end the regular season

Howard Shu
May 19, 2022
This is the same search firm that found Grove four years ago.

District searches for new superintendent after Mike Grove announces retirement for health reasons

Andrew Lin
May 18, 2022
Kristofer Orre instructs junior Anthony Wang on proper form for an exercise called the thruster.

Kristofer Orre takes over as Intermediate P.E. teacher for second semester

Andrew Lin
May 15, 2022
Screen Shot 2022-05-12 at 11.01.52 AM

Photo or Graphic for: 100% sugar? More like 100 grams of sugar

Sam Bai
May 12, 2022
The meatballs have a texture similar to rubber erasers, which is concerning. Notice the lack of green vegetables.

King for a day: the changes I’d make to the cafeteria if I could

Andrew Lin
April 28, 2022
Top 10 fonts

Top 10 fonts

Andrew Lin and Atrey Desai
March 23, 2022
Name a more iconic group of 10

Ruining protein powder: a pitiful example

Andrew Lin
March 20, 2022

What you need to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
March 18, 2022
No. 1 Singles Kosei Ogata serves in a match against Los Gatos, and the Falcons ultimately won 6-1.

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ tennis: Falcons gear up for success with new players

Hannah Lee and Aiden Ye
March 18, 2022
School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
March 18, 2022
Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
March 16, 2022
Longtime football coach Lugo accepts athletic director and head coach job at Mountain View

Longtime football coach Lugo accepts athletic director and head coach job at Mountain View

Andrew Lin
January 22, 2022
After months of deliberation, school board leaves bell schedule unchanged

After months of deliberation, school board leaves bell schedule unchanged

Andrew Lin and Nikhil Mathihalli
January 21, 2022
Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
January 18, 2022
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Photo or Graphic for: The need for tech refresh: Establish a tech booster organization

Lynn Dai
November 22, 2021
Senior Andrew Hong defends the goal at the team’s last game against Lynbrook on Oct. 29. The Falcons ultimately lost 8-7.

Boys’ water polo closes season with a loss to Lynbrook at league finals

Bill Yuan, Sam Bai, and Andrew Lin
November 22, 2021
IMG_0009

Ethnic studies would work better as a whole-year class

Andrew Lin
November 19, 2021
Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Andrew Lin
November 19, 2021
Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
November 18, 2021
IMG_0446

Photo or Graphic for: So you want to play all the games The Falcon has reviewed recently? Start here

Sam Bai
November 7, 2021

Top 10 places to cry

Andrew Lin
November 4, 2021

Beijing’s grip on Chinese gaming and media tightens

Atrey Desai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021

Advisories resume; more changes still planned

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021
From left to right: Varsity players seniors Daniel Jiang, Chris Wu and Marcus Kuo perform warm up drills during practice

Boys’ water polo currently undefeated

Sam Bai, Andrew Lin, and Esther Luan
October 8, 2021
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Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ tennis season off to a rough start, working on team bonding

Anamika Anand and Aiden Ye
October 8, 2021
Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Andrew Lin
September 30, 2021
UNICEF club advertises to potential members on the second day of Club Rush.

Photo or Graphic for: Club participation increases to pre-pandemic levels

Vicky Bai and Jonny Luo
September 24, 2021
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Photo or Graphic for: Music department back on track after rough pandemic year

Shannon Ma and Nikhil Mathihalli
September 20, 2021

The proposal of an Olympic chess event is utterly ill-conceived

Andrew Lin
September 13, 2021
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