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 Ariel Zhou
A collection of a few crochet projects I’ve completed in my free time.

Senior Mag: What to do instead of studying  

Ariel Zhou
May 29, 2024
Maddy practicing lifting Vidhi for one of their stunts, preparing for their coming competition.

Senior Mag 2024: Saratoga High School’s favorite horse girls 

Ariel Zhou
May 29, 2024
Senior Zinnerah Ahmed rushes forward to score a layout against Mountain View on Jan. 24.

Girls’ basketball shows improvement in rebuilding year

Mitchell Chen and Ariel Zhou
February 3, 2024
Crocheting: not just a granny craft

Crocheting: not just a granny craft

Ariel Zhou
December 15, 2023
The atrium lies at the center of the office, allowing sunlight in through the roof.

Historical atrium in office commemorates  impactful parent

Meher Bhatnagar and Ariel Zhou
May 26, 2023
Freshman Somei Ogata prepares a backhand in a match against Bellarmine

Boys tennis’ ends CCS run with semifinal loss to tough Menlo Park team

Daniel Wu and Ariel Zhou
May 16, 2023
Some of the worst characteristics a person can have.

Bottom 10: Worst genres of people at SHS

Meher Bhatnagar and Ariel Zhou
March 16, 2023
Rainbow Magic: The most captivating series for 8-year-old girls

Rainbow Magic: The most captivating series for 8-year-old girls

Meher Bhatnagar and Ariel Zhou
March 16, 2023
Seriously, find a new personality.

App users download personalities off the internet

Meher Bhatnagar and Ariel Zhou
February 13, 2023
Blom and Timmons pose at an ice rink in Palo Alto.

Lovestruck: The Falcon plays matchmaker

Sarah Thomas and Ariel Zhou
February 12, 2023
Co-captains junior Zinneerah Ahmed and senior Tanya Ghai command the court during the Lynbrook game.

Girls’ basketball faces tough losses, CCS prospects unlikely

Christina Chang, Meher Bhatnagar, and Ariel Zhou
January 31, 2023
Should hooking up be considered a norm in our developing generations?

Photo or Graphic for: Hook-up culture promotes unhealthy morals for younger generations

Meher Bhatnagar and Michelle Wan
January 24, 2023

2022 will be remembered as a year of celebrity infidelities

Ariel Zhou and Parav Manney
December 18, 2022
A sample of the wide array of foods Ettan provides.

Photo or Graphic for: Ettan is my new favorite restaurant for Indian food

Meher Bhatnagar
December 13, 2022
Dream’s explosion on social media for simply uncovering his face.

Famed YouTuber’s face reveal exposes downsides of internet fame

Michelle Wan and Ariel Zhou
December 6, 2022
Anzalone subs for an APUSH class while Morelle is on leave.

History teacher takes maternity leave until second semester

Meher Bhatnagar and Ariel Zhou
November 17, 2022
Just a casual day in the Toga parking lot.

Photo or Graphic for: A how-to guide: parking lot etiquette

Michelle Wan
November 16, 2022
A student staring at the bleachers in shock, wondering where everyone is. 

Photo or Graphic for: Dear Toga student section: stop being so lame

Lena Aribi and Meher Bhatnagar
November 12, 2022
Senior libero Noor Khan hits the ball in their game against Lynbrook. The Falcons ultimately lost 3-0.

Girls’ volleyball pushes through injury-ridden season

Natalie Chua and Ariel Zhou
November 12, 2022
meher name story

Photo or Graphic for: The ups and downs of growing up with an uncommon name

Meher Bhatnagar
November 11, 2022
no racism graphic

Photo or Graphic for: ‘Diverse’ period dramas must choose between fact and fiction

Sarah Thomas
June 5, 2022
Boys’ volleyball player gets ready to serve during a game.

Boys’ volleyball finishes season 0-14

Ariel Zhou
May 30, 2022
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Photo or Graphic for: Drop Shah Rukh Khan for Rajnikanth: Give South Indian movies more hype

Kavya Patel and Sarah Thomas
May 26, 2022

Boys volleyball team seizes second chances

Selina Chen and Ariel Zhou
April 1, 2022
March Madness Graphic

Photo or Graphic for: Team ‘Scottsdale Community College’ takes first in school’s March Madness tourney

Benjamin Li
March 31, 2022
New district official Jamal Splane takes on essential role in school culture

New district official Jamal Splane takes on essential role in school culture

Sarah Thomas and Ariel Zhou
March 23, 2022

Normalize natural bodies: Imperfections are beautiful

Sara Bright and Ariel Zhou
February 6, 2022
2022-01-27 11-28

Photo or Graphic for: Intro to Engineering and Intro to CS to be merged next year

Mitchell Chen and Daniel Wu
February 3, 2022
Healthy relationships require communication and mutual respect, not external pressure

Healthy relationships require communication and mutual respect, not external pressure

Sarah Thomas and Ariel Zhou
January 20, 2022
Noor and her friend model traditional Pakistani dresses before attending a wedding.

Few in number, Pakistani American students deal with common misunderstandings

Kavya Patel and Ariel Zhou
January 12, 2022
Shows for young adults misrepresent serious issues

Shows for young adults misrepresent serious issues

Sarah Thomas and Ariel Zhou
December 1, 2021
Emerson Pak getting ready to pass a serve along with upperclassmen Lisa Fung and Noor Khan.

Freshman adjusts to new team and coach

Ariel Zhou
October 29, 2021

Please avoid these 10 overdone group costumes this Halloween

Sarah Thomas and Ariel Zhou
October 22, 2021
Sophomore Lexi Cleland gets ready to shoot a goal during practice.

Field hockey: Underclassmen called up to bolster team

Kavya Patel and Ariel Zhou
October 22, 2021
Early Halloween for Pets

Early Halloween for Pets

Ariel Zhou
October 12, 2021
Girls’ volleyball team warms up for their scrimmage against Del Mar.

Girls’ volleyball team adjusts to new coach and tactics

Ariel Zhou
September 24, 2021
Girl’s team chatting and having fun during a quick break from practice

Field hockey team bonds as they prepare for upcoming season

Kavya Patel and Ariel Zhou
September 10, 2021
Spirit commission pilots genderless Homecoming court

Spirit commission pilots genderless Homecoming court

Ariel Zhou and Sanjoli Gupta
September 9, 2021
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