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 Arnav Swamy
Tony Fernandes drinks a carton of almond milk during the Feb. 11, 2022 rally, an action that made him infamous across the school as the milk man.

Photo or Graphic for: Senior Mag 2023: Tony Fernandes: the milk man we needed

Howard Shu
June 6, 2023
The class spotted three elephant seals lying on the beach while touring Año Nuevo State Park.

AP Environmental Science class goes to Año Nuevo for annual field trip

Sanjoli Gupta and Arnav Swamy
March 26, 2023
JPEGMAFIA’s discography features an explosive range of sharp social commentary, eclectic production, and witty humor.

Underrated artist spotlight: JPEGMAFIA

Arnav Swamy
March 14, 2023
Understanding how an application was reviewed would ensure equity and that a holistic admissions process is truly being followed.

Staff editorial: Colleges should release internal numerical ratings to all applicants

Nilay Mishra and Arnav Swamy
January 29, 2023
Analyzing our rap album of the year: Atlanta rapper JID’s ‘The Forever Story’

Analyzing our rap album of the year: Atlanta rapper JID’s ‘The Forever Story’

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
December 8, 2022
Try me.

Top 10: wordle openers

Arnav Swamy
September 23, 2022
Class of 2023 reflects on their year emerging from the pandemic

Class of 2023 reflects on their year emerging from the pandemic

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
June 5, 2022
Precalculus Honors classes should not transform curriculum to conform to AP Precalculus

Precalculus Honors classes should not transform curriculum to conform to AP Precalculus

Nilay Mishra and Arnav Swamy
May 30, 2022

Top 10 Michaels

Nikhil Mathihalli and Arnav Swamy
May 12, 2022
Prices for regular gasoline at the Chevron in Los Gatos on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road break $6.  

Gasoline prices soar amid Russo-Ukrainian crisis

Arnav Swamy
March 30, 2022
This is one of Thompson’s favorite cards, featuring his nephew Kyle Harrison, the top Minor League pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.

A million and counting: Assistant principal details his baseball card collecting passion

Arnav Swamy
March 17, 2022
Season preview: Boys’ golf reloads

Season preview: Boys’ golf reloads

Arnav Swamy
March 15, 2022
The FRC hardware team is fixing their robot, Cowfish, for their regional tournament at San Francisco.

Two regionals put MSET Fish’s robot to the test

Nikhil Mathihalli and Arnav Swamy
March 15, 2022
Junior Brandon Ngo poses with his music mixing software, Ableton, along with his equipment.

Junior Brandon Ngo elevates his DJ career at online music festivals

Arnav Swamy
March 12, 2022
Two juniors nominated for NCTE writing contest

Two juniors nominated for NCTE writing contest

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
March 12, 2022
Pictured here is the result of Howard and Arnav’s first game against each other, which resulted in a stalemate and atrocious accuracy ratings.

Grandblunderers > grandmasters

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
March 8, 2022
While on his trip to Sri Lanka in 1991, Mr. Tarbox kneels to take a photo of a Buddhist monastery.

AP Art History teacher reflects on Catholicism’s impact on his teachings

Arnav Swamy
February 28, 2022
The Weeknd’s fifth album, ‘Dawn FM,’ embodies his versatility as a musician

The Weeknd’s fifth album, ‘Dawn FM,’ embodies his versatility as a musician

Arnav Swamy and Tiffany Wang
February 28, 2022
The team plays a game on Jan. 25.

Girls’ soccer team hopes to carry preseason success into league games

Jonny Luo and Arnav Swamy
January 31, 2022
Amidst controversy, schools correct to maximize in-person education

Amidst controversy, schools correct to maximize in-person education

Arnav Swamy
January 31, 2022
Class of 2021: Alumni reflect on their transition to various colleges

Class of 2021: Alumni reflect on their transition to various colleges

Christina Chang and Arnav Swamy
December 18, 2021

Top ten times of day

Arnav Swamy
December 10, 2021
‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy
December 1, 2021
Senior Lauren Yarrington plays in a match against Milpitas last year.

Falcons prepare to replicate last season’s success

Jonny Luo and Arnav Swamy
November 19, 2021
Mac Miller performing at a concert in Norway in 2012.

Mac Miller’s album ‘Faces’ capstones his remarkable legacy

Arnav Swamy
November 1, 2021
The money tree sitting on the coffee table in my living room.

How to be a plant parent

Arnav Swamy
October 28, 2021
Poetry in motion: I’ve learned to slow down and tell my story in a genre I once scorned

Poetry in motion: I’ve learned to slow down and tell my story in a genre I once scorned

Arnav Swamy
October 17, 2021
Junior Tony Fernandes, then a third grader, clenches a goblet with the priest for communion, a traditional Christian rite.

Students details fading connection with religion

Arnav Swamy
October 14, 2021
Members of the Model UN club smile for a group picture after their first online meeting.

Model UN Club implements a hybrid in-person and online system

Vicky Bai and Arnav Swamy
October 7, 2021
Is it morally OK to do extracurriculars mostly for college?

Is it morally OK to do extracurriculars mostly for college?

Arnav Swamy
October 7, 2021
Baby Keem’s ‘The Melodic Blue’ pioneers path for future rap music

Baby Keem’s ‘The Melodic Blue’ pioneers path for future rap music

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
October 1, 2021
When users interact with the bots on Discord, the bots explain what will occur next regarding their future.

YouTube shuts down popular Discord music bots

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy
September 30, 2021
Rookie members of team MSET 6165 Cuttlefish work on the finishing touches of their robot together in the robotics room before their scrimmage.

Robotic teams use offseason to get even stronger after a strong pandemic year

Arnav Swamy and Martin Xu
September 25, 2021
Despite its raw potential, Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ too unrefined to be great

Despite its raw potential, Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ too unrefined to be great

Viraaj Reddi and Arnav Swamy
September 17, 2021
Junior mixes DJ sets to perform in online music festivals

Junior mixes DJ sets to perform in online music festivals

Vicky Bai and Arnav Swamy
September 5, 2021
Screen Shot 2020-11-05 at 8

Photo or Graphic for: Falcon Focus: Sophomore self-publishes fantasy novel

Selina Chen
November 5, 2020
Load More Stories