The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomore Lauren Song performs as Clara in Los Gatos Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
Dancers perform in ‘The Nutcracker’ with the Los Gatos Ballet
December 18, 2024
Casavant’s frequent drop-ins on water polo games and practices brought energy to the team.
In supporting student athletes, staff members make important connections
December 15, 2024
Students dance to the music in the moshpit on Dec. 7.
Winter Formal at Gilroy Gardens garners positive feedback
December 14, 2024
Many seniors feel frustrated with the lack of a consistent counselor.
Students last names A-F have faced struggles with guidance counselor turnovers in past two years
December 13, 2024
In recent years, an increasing number of students have applied early to college.
Class of ’25 sees an increased number of early college applicants
December 13, 2024
Playing Grace Fryer and Tom Kreider respectively, senior Kat Aldrete and junior Larry O’Brien star in the SHS ‘Radium Girls’ fall play.
Senior Kat Aldrete shines as lead role in ‘Radium Girls’
December 14, 2024
A perfect sparkly Christmas decoration to get you in the festive mood.
Top 10: Christmas Decorations
December 13, 2024
There are various ways to approach studying math competitions such as the AMC.
Students prepare for math competitions with various methods and mediums
December 13, 2024
AP Physics teachers Tom Casavant and Matthew Welander discuss a change in their upcoming lesson plans.
Class-alike teachers collaborate to improve and standardize student experiences
December 13, 2024
The result of the poll conducted by our Falcon Instagram account.
What songs top the charts for all-time favorite holiday music?
December 13, 2024
The boys basketball team poses after their game with American High School on Dec. 7.
Boys’ basketball secures second place at James Lick Invitational despite key injuries
December 14, 2024
Free throw attempt from the team's recent scrimmage against Wilcox on Dec. 7.
Freshman basketball team brought back for the first time since COVID
December 13, 2024
Senior Daniel Jadali shooting a freethrow
For Falcon players, basketball is a year-round commitment
December 13, 2024
Falcons look to defend Notre Dame’s free kick during home game on Dec. 10.
Girls’ soccer defeats Notre Dame Knights 3-2, still undefeated in pre-season
December 13, 2024
49ers’ head coach and former SHS student, Kyle Shanahan, sits in grief after the team suffered a rough 24-23 loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 6.
49ers hobble through losing season
December 12, 2024
The logo of the Better Canvas extension for students to download.
100-word rave: “Better Canvas” is just better
December 13, 2024
Red lights are often run at the intersection of Highway 85 and Saratoga Avenue.
Saratoga drivers: Simmer down and use more caution, please
December 13, 2024
The use of social media allows controversial news to spread and grab the attention of more Americans than ever.
Social media fuels increasing polarization of American politics
December 13, 2024
The fast fashion industry really is Hell.
‘Brandy Hellville’ documentary reveals fast fashion as a devil in disguise
December 12, 2024
The many confusing aspects of Shakespeare make his works unappealing.
To read or not to read: My struggle with Shakespeare
December 7, 2024
A super cool pineapple
Top 10: Fruits
December 14, 2024
My perfect Christmas tree where these gifts go under.
Top 10: Best Christmas Gifts
December 13, 2024
I contemplate between two different Owala FreeSip colors at Target.
My journey to find the perfect water bottle ends with Owala
December 13, 2024
Christmas music is fine no matter what season you’re in.
Christmas music can be played, shamelessly, any time of the year
December 13, 2024
The perfect place to be during Christmas.
Christmas is just horrible without snow
December 13, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
Derek Liang

Derek Liang, Sports Editor

Derek Liang, Class of ’25, is a Sports Editor for the 2024-2025 school year. Previously, he was a Head Copy Editor and Reporter. Derek has reported on topics ranging from sports coverage to ice cream reviews. Outside of journalism, Derek enjoys working out and playing sports with friends, as well as eating good food.
All content by Derek Liang
The cheer team poses for a photo together at the JAMZ competition on Nov. 9.

Cheer places 4th in first competition of the year and qualifies for nationals

Derek Liang
November 29, 2024
Mascots and volunteers cheering runners on as they cross the finish line.

Saratoga 5K Fun Run: a blend of community and competition

Bill Huang and Derek Liang
November 13, 2024
Gru Junior successfully tames Gru’s high school mascot—the honey badger Lenny.

‘Despicable Me 4’ is getting too much hate

Derek Liang
October 18, 2024
Rose Weasley (left), Scorpius Malfoy and Severus Potter discover the last Time Turner during a key scene of the play.

Broadway version of ‘Harry Potter’ delivers no magic

Derek Liang
September 15, 2024
Leadership students working on various projects during class.

ASB prepares to host open meetings for all students during tutorial

Derek Liang and Caleb Yu
August 31, 2024
After being drained from studying, state testing provides a recharge.

State testing provides a good break from junior year

Derek Liang
May 22, 2024
Samanvi (far left) and other varsity girls after winning medals at league finals on May 4.

Boppana sisters bring home girls’ doubles NorCal badminton title

Derek Liang
May 21, 2024
The outdoor basketball court without flooring at night.

Outdoor basketball courts to be repaired by summer

Derek Liang
April 5, 2024
Juniors Dylan Wilson and Natalie Zaragoza posing in front of a banner after the California Winter Track and Field Championships at Arcadia High on Feb. 3.

Junior track athletes’ club experience pays off in competition results

Derek Liang
March 29, 2024
District nurse Lisa Tripp and principal Greg Louie pass out Narcan kits to students after a Narcan training meeting on Feb. 28.

Fentanyl crisis prompts district Narcan training aimed at students

Derek Liang and Daniel Wu
March 28, 2024
Right back Vihaan Bhaduri prepares to inbound the ball near the goal box on Cupertino’s side in Feb. 13 game.

Boys’ soccer pushes to improve amid underwhelming season

Derek Liang
February 14, 2024
The five contestants (left to right) — Derek Liang, Anika Kapasi, Beverly Xu, Kathy Wang and Tara Natarjan — line up behind their boards.

The Charcuterie Board Beatdown: which reporter will make the breaking board?

Anika Kapasi, Derek Liang, Tara Natarajan, Kathy Wang, and Beverly Xu
February 14, 2024
The cheer team gathers around their coach in celebration after first place at CCS on Jan. 20.

Cheer team ends its season with CCS win, qualification for nationals in Las Vegas

Derek Liang
February 8, 2024
A fantasy of Drake in a rightful crown.

Top 10: Drake songs

Derek Liang
January 24, 2024
Senior forward Yul Hong dribbles left in preparation for a shot during practice scrimmages.

Underclassmen on boys’ soccer step up to help recover from a loss of depth from graduation

Derek Liang
December 9, 2023
The AED cabinet in the SHS student center.

District safety initiatives bring new AED machines and Narcan kits to campus

Derek Liang
December 7, 2023
Food trucks were missing on the Nov. 21 Turkey Trot, and will continue to be banned in most future events involving them.

Policy change eliminates food trucks during school-day events like Turkey Trot

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
December 7, 2023
We bought the celebrity ice cream flavors from Safeway during our newspaper deadline night on Sept. 28.

Ben & Jerry’s celebrity ice creams: Which one is the best?

Derek Liang and Andy Zhu
November 20, 2023
SHS’s website has received a clean new look as the school wifi gets a major overhaul.

Major updates made to WiFi system and school website

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
October 21, 2023
21 Savage at Versace fall 2019 fashion show.

21 Savage’s collaborations top his solos

Derek Liang
October 18, 2023
UNICEF Club advertises their club to students during club rush held on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.

ASB aims to limit overlapping clubs

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
September 25, 2023
The team hypes up the student section in the stands during the football game against Prospect on Aug. 25.

Cheer preview: New head coach buoys team’s hopes

Derek Liang
September 23, 2023
Freshman Larry O’Brien’s Eagle Service Project of creating a new map for Saratoga downtown is displayed on a kiosk on the front corner of downtown.

Freshman creates map of Saratoga downtown for Eagle Service Project

Derek Liang
May 27, 2023
Sophomores Aiden Chen (left) and Langdon Huynh (right) playing their respective sports.

Student athletes look toward professional players to improve their game

Derek Liang
May 24, 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
Freshman outside hitter Brennan Pak jumps up to spike the ball against Palo Alto on March 24.

Three sweeps in a row raise volleyball team’s hopes as new members fill important roles

Derek Liang
April 1, 2023
Freshman Ishir Gupta dives towards the bird in a doubles practice match on March 28.

Badminton team looks to new freshman talent for team expansion

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
March 30, 2023
The cheer team sits on the edge of the stands preparing to cheer for the girls’ basketball on their Jan. 7 game against Los Gatos.

Coach and team member departures force cheer team to give up competition season

Derek Liang
March 28, 2023
A junior’s Tesla was totaled after a crash into a house’s yard on Herriman Avenue in late January.

Recent student driving accidents, speeding reports raise safety concerns

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
February 13, 2023
Students meditate on bean bags during a weekly class on Dec. 2.

Wellness Center prepares students for finals week

Derek Liang
December 16, 2022
Lord of the Flies graphic maps made by Palisoul’s students.

Palisoul’s English 10 dives into their first book of the year

Derek Liang and Andy Zhu
December 6, 2022
A hotel card collection stacked together, with the Proper Hotel card sitting at the top.

My collection of ‘stolen’ hotel property

Derek Liang
December 1, 2022
Many students have objected to creating a Facebook account for school.

Underclassmen: Yes, Facebook is for old people, but it’s a great way to communicate for clubs and groups

Derek Liang
November 9, 2022
The cheer team walks together along the track before the football game.

Cheer team prepares for competitions as sideline season comes to an end

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
October 21, 2022
Balancing between school work and having a job

Students with jobs offer differing viewpoints on the benefits and consequences

Derek Liang and Nidhi Mathihalli
September 25, 2022
Before beginning cheering for a varsity football game, the team takes a photo together

Cheer team focuses on conditioning hoping to qualify for nationals

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
September 24, 2022
Biology teacher Anne Witkowski helps one of her students during tutorial.

Class of ‘15 alumna returns as intern to teach Biology

Derek Liang and Tara Natarajan
September 24, 2022
Load More Stories