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 Carolyn Wang
Left to right: Seniors Jenny Chan, Nithya Krishna and Carolyn Wang sit on the bleachers at theTrack and Field home meet on April 18.

Senior Mag 2023: The Three Run-Sketeers: Cross country friends maintain 4-year running ‘cult’

Carolyn Wang
June 27, 2023
Carolyn (left) and Christina (right) in their newly-purchased Target T-shirts.

No drive, no life: Second-semester seniors go to Target on a $15 budget

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
April 25, 2023
Trees fall after the recent storm.

Photo or Graphic for: Opinion: School should enhance its storm response in preparation for the future

Skyler Mao
March 30, 2023
The job listing for a new assistant principal was posted March 1.

School seeks new assistant principal for next year

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
March 28, 2023
Caro—what? Perks and struggles of having a common name that sounds like other popular names

Caro—what? Perks and struggles of having a common name that sounds like other popular names

Carolyn Wang
November 9, 2022
Resident Baratta-Lorton’s monthly expenses and national inflation statistics.

Recent inflation upends living costs, poses health risks for the elderly

Carolyn Wang
October 12, 2022
The comfortable environment Brad Ward sets up for the new location of the College & Career Center (CCC)

College specialist creates warm, encouraging space for students during college visits

Carolyn Wang and Zack Zhang
September 25, 2022
Top 10: annoying orchestra sections

Top 10: annoying orchestra sections

Shannon Ma and Carolyn Wang
September 11, 2022
From Disney Songs to Musical Theater: Junior’s odd song preferences triumph over mainstream music

From Disney Songs to Musical Theater: Junior’s odd song preferences triumph over mainstream music

Carolyn Wang
June 5, 2022
 Juniors Sunny Huang and Aanika Jain glue tesserae onto their flower mosaic. 

Juniors install mosaic to commemorate pandemic’s mental health toll

Carolyn Wang
May 30, 2022

With decisions coming out — sometimes via hacks — seniors learn their college possibilities

Carolyn Wang
April 1, 2022
Saratoga Cleaners, a dry cleaning shop situated in downtown, continues to struggle financially.   

Local businesses see mixed success after mask mandate lifts

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
March 31, 2022
 

Arm injury resets priorities and teaches lessons

Carolyn Wang
March 15, 2022
Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo Di Caprio) try to convince President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep) and Jason Orlean (Jonah Hill) about an incoming meteor.

‘Don’t Look Up’: a fresh angle on prevalent societal issues

Carolyn Wang and Zachary Zinman
March 12, 2022
For second year, school hosts virtual electives night for incoming freshmen

For second year, school hosts virtual electives night for incoming freshmen

Carolyn Wang
February 8, 2022
An adequate warning, but far from reality: Theranos does not reflect Silicon Valley startup culture

An adequate warning, but far from reality: Theranos does not reflect Silicon Valley startup culture

Carolyn Wang and Zachary Zinman
February 8, 2022
Linguistics is a widely underrated field of study

Linguistics is a widely underrated field of study

Carolyn Wang
February 4, 2022

Green Team tests indicate low water quality from fountains

Carolyn Wang
February 4, 2022

City’s ‘Let’s Work’ program clears invasive plants from Quarry Park

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
January 31, 2022
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Photo or Graphic for: America may be the land of the free, but that doesn’t mean college should be

Sarah Zhou
January 20, 2022

Instaspecial: Girls cross country captures memories on social media

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
December 13, 2021
The Odd Fellows manor would be obscured by a new building under the current plan.

Senior and local residents advocate for an alternative to the proposed construction at the Saratoga Retirement Community

Carolyn Wang and Sara Bright
December 3, 2021
San Jose Mercury News reporter Ethan Baron (not shown in picture) and Bay Area News Group photographer Aric Crabb cover the 2020 CZU fires in the Santa Cruz mountains

Local newspaper industry struggles to meet shifting expectations

Carolyn Wang
December 2, 2021
This is obviously a cheese jellyfish, yes?

Cheese may be plotting to take over my mind

Carolyn Wang
November 28, 2021
The word ‘smart’ must stop being used in the wrong context

The word ‘smart’ must stop being used in the wrong context

Carolyn Wang
November 4, 2021
Commissioners pose with their DIY scarecrow for the city’s scarecrow contest

Students serve as representatives of youths in city government

Carolyn Wang
October 28, 2021
Danny Moon bringing his wife Madelyn in as she is finishing her 10k race, two weeks after they both completed the Boston Marathon in 1988.

Danny Moon: from paperboy to marathon runner and coach

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
October 22, 2021
Protestors line up on Sept. 18 near West Valley College farmer’s market.

Some residents continue to voice objections to COVID-19 vaccines

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
October 17, 2021
Are textbooks the best way to learn history?

Are textbooks the best way to learn history?

Carolyn Wang
September 17, 2021
Girls cross country captains explain a run to early session one athletes

Cross country set to make strong comeback this season

Sara Bright and Carolyn Wang
September 9, 2021
A brutally honest college essay: how I overcame two daunting challenges

A brutally honest college essay: how I overcame two daunting challenges

Carolyn Wang
September 7, 2021
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Distance team makes progress

Carolyn Wang
May 21, 2021
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Students discuss cultural misconceptions in media and history textbooks

Carolyn Wang
May 13, 2021
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Teachers prepare students for AP World Language exams remotely

Carolyn Wang
May 3, 2021
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Revisiting the chaos of lockdown day

Carolyn Wang
April 26, 2021
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Juniors search for alternative ways to take standardized testing

Carolyn Wang
April 15, 2021
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Local teens hold TED-style entrepreneurship speaker event

Carolyn Wang
April 2, 2021
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Saratoga community responds to rise in anti-Asian violence with calls for change

Selina Chen, Shreya Rallabandi, and Carolyn Wang
April 1, 2021
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‘The Sound of Music’: the family film that develops with age

Carolyn Wang
March 30, 2021
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Reporters maintain friendship through animal nicknames

Christina Chang, Anjali Pai, and Carolyn Wang
March 23, 2021
Classroom

Local sixth graders return to school for in-person learning

Carolyn Wang
March 21, 2021
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City and community support local historical Japanese garden during COVID-19

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
March 8, 2021
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Time traveling back into the past with the school’s 10 principals in 62 years

Carolyn Wang
February 23, 2021
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Photo or Graphic for: Phone addict takes a break

Lily Zhang
February 9, 2021
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Hello? I’d like to order a pizza and some toilet paper

Carolyn Wang
February 2, 2021
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Post-its, simple and tactile, are superior organizational tools

Carolyn Wang
February 2, 2021
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Art Club gains higher participation online

Carolyn Wang and Tiffany Wang
December 15, 2020
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Photo or Graphic for: AP Gov students lean democrat in mock election, giving President elect Joe Biden landslide victory

Oliver Ye
December 10, 2020
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District cancels all sports for the rest of 2020

Jonathan Li and Carolyn Wang
December 4, 2020
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Photo or Graphic for: Sophomore dedicates herself to pre-season running

Nika Bagherian and Cici Xu
December 3, 2020
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New girls’ volleyball coach adjusts strategy to bring team together

Carolyn Wang
December 2, 2020
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Welcome to the Salem Witch Trials, mafia style

Carolyn Wang
December 1, 2020
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Bizarre nicknames originate in bizarre ways

Carolyn Wang
November 20, 2020
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Alumni reflect on experiences after leaving Saratoga bubble

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
November 2, 2020
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Students from music department organize wildfire relief concert

Serena Li and Carolyn Wang
October 31, 2020
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A pandemic birthday gave me an opportunity to reconnect with my sister

Carolyn Wang
October 22, 2020
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Teachers should consider replacing online tests with pen and paper assessments

Carolyn Wang
October 8, 2020
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Photo or Graphic for: An extrovert’s guide to surviving quarantine

Nidhi Mathihalli
September 16, 2020
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Should runners wear masks on their jogs?

Carolyn Wang
September 10, 2020
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Dermont joins Saratoga community after 5-year teaching career

Carolyn Wang and Oliver Ye
August 29, 2020
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100 Word Rants

Selina Chen, Carolyn Wang, Chris Chen, and Vicky Bai
August 26, 2020
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