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 Howard Shu
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.

Senior Mag 2023: Tony Fernandes: the milk man we needed

Howard Shu
June 6, 2023
Sophomore Aidan Smith hits his approach shot on the 18th hole during league finals at Santa Teresa golf course en route to a birdie.

Photo or Graphic for: Top players qualified for CCS despite subpar team record

Saachi Jain, Amy Luo, and Sarah Zhou
May 20, 2023
Boys-Golf-Courtesy-of-Now-Forever-Studios-570x380

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ golf ends March with just one victory in strong De Anza

Saachi Jain
April 6, 2023
Class of 1998 shooting guard Luke Weger hits a clutch three-pointer with around four minutes left to extend the Falcons’ lead to 58-52.

25 years later: SHS’s version of a staggering March Madness upset

Nikhil Mathihalli and Howard Shu
April 3, 2023
MIT college logo; visit your college!

Top 10: most underrated senior trip ideas

Kavya Patel and Howard Shu
March 30, 2023
Senior fuses meditation and neuroscience passions into research paper

Senior fuses meditation and neuroscience passions into research paper

Howard Shu and Annie Liu
March 24, 2023
1950s Saratoga's Swanee Plaza, now the Saratoga Historical Museum.

Time capsule 1968: WASC report reveals an unfamiliar past

Lynn Dai and Howard Shu
March 23, 2023
Junior Lynn Dai extracts planaria after feeding them egg yolk.

Photo or Graphic for: Students continue honing hands-on research skills in Advanced Science Research

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
January 29, 2023
The sophomore class office sells Candy Grams in front of the student center on Oct. 28.

Class officers search for unique, but still profit-maximizing ideas to fundraise for prom

Howard Shu
December 14, 2022
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
My trip included pleasant scenery of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains, smothering my head with winter gear and the greatest TV I have ever seen.

My chaotic Lake Tahoe skiing experience

Howard Shu
December 5, 2022
My first liked songs ever on Spotify are straight out of a nightmare for hip-hop fans, including myself now.

Listening to aggressive hip-hop as a shy suburban kid

Howard Shu
November 12, 2022
All senior English classes should have one class period dedicated to college essays.

Senior English classes should align with college essay guidance

Howard Shu
November 11, 2022
Chemistry teacher Janny Cahatol’s “memory wall” depicts past students holding up a whiteboard telling a joke or memory. 

Teachers’ room decorations capture memories, exemplary student work

Howard Shu
September 24, 2022
Clockwise: Removing old HVAC ducts, installing new beams and ducts, baseball field demolition and engineering lab renovation.

Summer construction ends successfully

Howard Shu
September 9, 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
The team poses for a photo during their end-of-year banquet at Lazy Dog on May 15th.

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ golf placed second in league finals, junior qualified for CCS finals

Mitchell Chen and Nilay Mishra
May 30, 2022
Junior shortstop and pitcher Lucas Dennis throws a pitch during the last game of the regular season on May 12 against Fremont.

Baseball team makes CCS after a three-game win streak to end the regular season

Howard Shu
May 19, 2022
Spanish teacher Allison Dermont and her fiance stand in front of the dance floor at Homecoming.

Spanish teacher Allison Dermont to depart school

Howard Shu
May 18, 2022
Chess boxing: the ingenious combination of physicality and intelligence

Chess boxing: the ingenious combination of physicality and intelligence

Howard Shu
May 16, 2022
Course registration patterns look to be consistent with past years

Course registration patterns look to be consistent with past years

Howard Shu
March 18, 2022
Pictured here is senior outfielder Derek Hsu at bat.

Season preview: Baseball looks to win El Camino with well-rounded roster

Howard Shu
March 16, 2022
Two juniors nominated for NCTE writing contest

Two juniors nominated for NCTE writing contest

Howard Shu and Arnav Swamy
March 12, 2022
Engineering Design and Development students design and build original projects for practical use

Engineering Design and Development students design and build original projects for practical use

Sam Bai and Howard Shu
March 10, 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
Warriors starting lineup stands before game.

Warriors’ early success gives hope for championship run

Atrey Desai and Howard Shu
February 22, 2022
Harvard sophomore Kevin Sze plays a shot out of a bunker at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Alum collegiate golfer plays top two seed on the D1 Harvard men’s golf team

Howard Shu
February 11, 2022

How to approach New Year’s Resolutions: Think of them New Year’s goals instead

Howard Shu
January 22, 2022
From left to right: senior Christian Li, juniors Julian Berkowitz-Sklar and Mateusz Palusinski, senior Christopher Liu. The athletes celebrate after Liu scored an “and-one” layup on a fast break to give the Falcons a 49-39 lead over the Wildcats with one minute remaining.

Boys’ basketball team wins four straight to start league season

Esther Luan and Howard Shu
January 22, 2022
Saratoga High alum Caroline Okuno from the 1st Marine Division Band out of San Diego poses for a photo in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Alum Caroline Okuno becomes youngest First Marine Division Band drum major

Howard Shu
January 20, 2022
Then sophomore varsity player Christian Li dribbles the ball upcourt during a home game in the 2019-20 season

Boys’ basketball: Senior-led group aims to dominate El Camino

Benjamin Li, Esther Luan, and Howard Shu
November 19, 2021
Two juniors achieve rare perfect scores on AP Comp Science exam

Two juniors achieve rare perfect scores on AP Comp Science exam

Annie Liu and Howard Shu
November 16, 2021
Graphic by junior Kaelli Trateng advertising the girls’ volleyball Dig Pink event for breast cancer awareness.

Effort begins to increase attendance at sports events

Howard Shu
November 16, 2021
Fitness club members listen as club advisor Mr. Ellis presents the workout for the day

After a successful introduction last year, the Fitness Club hopes to inspire more students to become healthier

Howard Shu
October 8, 2021
Students gather together in the quad during lunch

COVID-19 risk remains real, even for the fully vaccinated

Howard Shu
October 7, 2021
Junior Jeremy Lu (bottom right) works on the lab report for a candy chromatography lab with his group members

SHS students taking science research class at LG enjoy working on open-ended projects

Nidhi Mathihalli and Howard Shu
October 6, 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
Golden State Warrior fan’s hot takes: championship window is still open despite quiet offseason

Golden State Warrior fan’s hot takes: championship window is still open despite quiet offseason

Howard Shu
September 30, 2021
As promised, district offers online program for ‘21-‘22

As promised, district offers online program for ‘21-‘22

Howard Shu and Nikhil Mathihalli
September 10, 2021

Replays are overused in professional sports

Howard Shu
May 15, 2021
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After 10 years, athletics director Tim Lugo steps down

Apurva Chakravarthy and Howard Shu
May 13, 2021
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District must provide fair salary, increase benefits for SHS athletic trainer position

Andy Chen, Shama Gupta, and Howard Shu
April 15, 2021
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Students and teachers reflect on the past year of quarantine

Howard Shu
April 1, 2021
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Science Olympiad team happy with performance in regional tournament

Vinay Gollamudi and Howard Shu
March 29, 2021
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One family’s experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Howard Shu
March 27, 2021
ggolfphoto

Girls’ golf team improves through their first few matches

Howard Shu
March 18, 2021
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Math club hosts decorated Carnegie Mellon professor

Howard Shu
February 2, 2021
SAR Girls Golf

Girls’ golf team aims to rebuild in short, delayed season

Howard Shu
February 2, 2021
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History Bowl team places second in virtual national tournament

Howard Shu and Vinay Gollamudi
January 21, 2021
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Junior golfer hopes to welcome new players in upcoming season

Howard Shu
December 12, 2020
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Curry dumplings: a family classic

Howard Shu
December 9, 2020
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Cafeteria workers find ways to provide food during pandemic

Howard Shu and Mina Yeap
December 9, 2020
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Quiz Bowl team makes nationals again

Vinay Gollamudi and Howard Shu
December 7, 2020
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Kanye West comes up tens of millions of votes short in presidential election

Howard Shu
December 1, 2020
investment club logo

Student stock traders achieve success in the financial markets

Howard Shu and Jonathan Li
November 19, 2020
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Measure E bond to fund more renovations across campus

Howard Shu
November 5, 2020
DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau wins U.S. Open, revolutionizes golf

Howard Shu
October 18, 2020

How I boosted my typing speed in a week

Howard Shu
September 14, 2020
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