The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
English teacher Marcos Cortez speaks to the whole school during the Speak Up For Change Rally on Jan. 24.
Speaking up for ‘finding your passion’
February 4, 2025
Students from Future Business Leaders of America and Inspiring Future America work on survival kits Sacred Heart in the Student Center.
Bringing back service to campus on MLK Day
February 4, 2025
Teams take to the stands as they wait for alliance selections.
In annual tradition, MSET hosts a tournament at school
February 4, 2025
A past Regeneron STS Scholars national award ceremony.
Two seniors recognized by nation’s oldest science and math research award
February 3, 2025
The current rankings highlight percent gains for groups of 2-3 seniors based on the initial $100k each group started with.
Kirk Abe’s AP Gov class practices live trading in interactive stock simulation
February 3, 2025
The latest car Sharma has fixed is an Audi B8 S4 with modifications.
Junior fixes classic used cars as a hobby and sells them for a profit
February 4, 2025
Lew’s cozy and aesthetic desk setup
Junior’s studying videos gain popularity on Instagram
February 3, 2025
During his 30 years of work, Young never took a holiday longer than 10 days.
SHS ‘almost-alumnus’ from Class of ‘84 shows there are many pathways to success
February 2, 2025
Science Bowl team preparing for Regionals.
Aiming for gold: Science Bowl team prepares to take on Regionals
February 2, 2025
Jinx makes her entrance in the final act of the season.
‘Arcane’ Season 2: A pinnacle of animation, but lacking in storytelling
February 2, 2025
The album cover of LiAngelo Ball’s viral song, “Tweaker”
NBA athletes’ careers in music and acting
February 4, 2025
Sophomore Ivanya Sadana has qualified three times for the U.S. Junior Open since 2022.
Nationally ranked squash player aims to further her athletic career in college
February 4, 2025
The Gechlik family poses for a photo at the top of a ski slope in 2013.
From the slopes to the track: The Gechliks have been speeding together their whole lives
February 2, 2025
Athletic trainer Caitlin Steiding on senior night of the football season.
Athletic trainer steps down from position to pursue other opportunities; school seeks replacement
February 2, 2025
Arranged left to right, senior captain and center back Hillary Gonzalez leads a strong defense, sophomore attacking midfielder Katie Lu with 11 goals, and junior Keatyn Spendlove with 8 assists.
Girls’ soccer undefeated in El Camino League halfway through season
January 29, 2025
I found success in the college application process without a private counselor, and I do not regret my decision.
A private college counselor isn’t a prerequisite to finding success in the application process
February 4, 2025
Climate change protests are becoming increasingly irrelevant in mainstream media.
Americans are becoming increasingly desensitized or willfully ignorant to extinction-risking issues
January 31, 2025
College counselor with personal advice for students
Getting a private college counselor was one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school
January 31, 2025
Elon Musk has become increasingly controversial and even less penalized.
Musk’s controversies are more interesting than his plans for the future
January 29, 2025
Senior Nick Okada delivering the Senior class fundraiser cookies.
100-Word Rant: Crumbl’s 1,000-calorie cookies are not to be messed with
January 28, 2025
A few of my elementary school writing assignments, persuasive essays and achievements.
A full circle moment: My childhood career aspiration became my college one
February 4, 2025
Dictionary definition of the word accomplishment
What’s your biggest accomplishment?
February 2, 2025
What’s the first song you hear when you turn on the radio in the car?
What’s to love about humdrum love songs?
February 1, 2025
The seniors construct their gingerbread houses.
Seniors demolish juniors with professional architectural skills in holiday gingerbread house challenge
January 31, 2025
Falling down a dark abyss in my dreams
Even Shakespearean tragedies can’t compete with my dramatic dreams
January 31, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
All content by Mitchell Chen
Swimmers practice?

As swimming numbers dip, team struggles in meets

Mitchell Chen and Florence Hu
March 18, 2024
Senior Cooper Call lowers his shoulder into Pacific grove defender

Fresh boys’ lacrosse team faces rebuilding season

Nika Svizhenko and Mitchell Chen
March 15, 2024
Senior Diego Rocabado playing against Cupertino at an away game on Jan. 24.

Boys’ soccer struggles to adapt after rough start to season

Mitchell Chen and Christina Labban
February 3, 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
Junior Angie Chen tells her story of body dysmorphia at the Speak Up for Change assembly on Jan. 26. 

Speak Up for Change assembly: Students and staff discuss healing by seeking help, body dysmorphia, pursuing passions

Mitchell Chen, Andrew Lin, and Emily Wu
January 27, 2024
Senior Mitchell Chen got a dub playing OG fortnite after playing for three hours straight.

Another day, another win for the ‘OG’ Fortnite

Mitchell Chen
December 11, 2023
Calling a timeout, the team decides to run a new play to try  to score on possession.

Despite defensive improvements later in the season, boys’ water polo finishes last in league

Mitchell Chen
November 16, 2023
Seniors Mitchell Chen and George Hu finally finished their Chipotle bowls before heading to class.

1 mile, 2 runners, 4 Chipotle Bowls, many regrets.

George Hu and Mitchell Chen
November 15, 2023

Boys’ water polo struggles to find traction in first few weeks

Mitchell Chen
October 3, 2023
Senior Emma Green fights for the ball in a game against Presentation on Sept. 27.

Field hockey adjusts to new coach as the season progresses

Mitchell Chen and Saachi Jain & Ariel Zhou
October 1, 2023
Senior wing Victoria Le shotblocks against Monta Vista on Sept. 7.

Girls’ water polo season off to a hot start with an undefeated record

Mitchell Chen
October 1, 2023
Timothy Leung outlasted 49 other competitors to win his category at the state speech tournament.

Sophomore wins speech state championship for Programmed Oral Interpretation

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
June 6, 2023
Swimmers warm up at the Baylor Aquatics Center at the CCS championships.

Swim team participates in CCS, girls’ team makes States

Mitchell Chen, Victoria Lin, and Aiden Ye
May 27, 2023
Collage of prom photos

Beach Boardwalk praised as ideal prom location

Mitchell Chen and Neal Malhotra
May 27, 2023
Lisa Fung and Anushka Sankaran are the Class of `23 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Class of ‘23 valedictorian and salutatorian announced

Mitchell Chen
May 25, 2023
Junior Neal Malhotra catches some Z’s after a long night of playing brawl stars — he forgot to complete his history homework due that day.

Call it a case of Junioritis-’24

Mitchell Chen and Neal Malhotra
May 22, 2023
Sharkie, the mascot of the San Jose Sharks, came to give senior Kayla Steele her scholarship on March 1.

Senior wins scholarship from San Jose Sharks

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
May 6, 2023
Senior Keon Nikfar competes in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Swim team struggles with low participation, hurting their ability to win meets

Mitchell Chen and Kevin Yang
March 30, 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
Senior wins New York Times award for 2022 personal narrative contest

Senior wins New York Times award for 2022 personal narrative contest

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
February 15, 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
I hope Santa won’t realize his missing elf!

Top 10: Things that happened when Santa came down the chimney

Mitchell Chen
December 21, 2022
Eric Miao and Jayden Ham play a Mozart duet arrangement for flute and clarinet.

Tri-M concert raises money for Hurricane Ian relief

Mitchell Chen and Zachary Zinman
December 6, 2022
Chang received the NSPA honorable mention award for her impactful journalism portfolio.

Falcon editor wins honorable mention for NSPA Writer of the Year award

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
December 6, 2022
Posing in an upward dog position, I take in deep breaths to clear my mind.

Yoga has a cult following of millions; I won’t be joining them

Mitchell Chen
November 21, 2022
While leg day might not be my favorite, I never skip it.

The many ways people make fools out of themselves in the gym

Mitchell Chen
November 20, 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
Senior Keon Nikfar looks to shoot during the game against Wilcox on Oct. 3.

Boys’ water polo makes late-season turnaround, looks forward toward next year

Mitchell Chen and Anthony Wang
October 21, 2022
Head coach Kendal Jarvis smiles as the team creates a plank centipede.

Boys’ water polo looks to repeat success despite losing key seniors

Mitchell Chen
September 24, 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
Senior Merriam Labban walks down her runway.

Senior takes design and fashion passion to next level at modeling show

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
September 24, 2022
New health clerk and campus supervisor Tammy Parris gets ready for lunch duty.

New health clerk and supervisor aims to be positive presence on campus

Mitchell Chen and George Hu
September 22, 2022
The team poses for a photo during their end-of-year banquet at Lazy Dog on May 15th.

Boys’ golf placed second in league finals, junior qualified for CCS finals

Mitchell Chen and Nilay Mishra
May 30, 2022

Newly formed clubs cultivate multitude of opportunities

Mitchell Chen and Jonathan Li
April 1, 2022
Uncrustable from lunch line

The one sandwich you can never stop eating

Mitchell Chen
March 31, 2022
Irene Frazier (far left), Solbee Lee (middle left), Meher Haider (middle right), Rebecca Boscow (far right) pose before going to CCS.

4 girls on wrestling team take their skills to CCS

Mitchell Chen
March 20, 2022
Wrestling welcomes new athletes following numerous graduations

Wrestling welcomes new athletes following numerous graduations

Mitchell Chen
February 4, 2022
Intro to Engineering and Intro to CS to be merged next year

Intro to Engineering and Intro to CS to be merged next year

Mitchell Chen and Daniel Wu
February 3, 2022
Wrestling team hopes to improve in face of rising COVID-19 cases

Wrestling team hopes to improve in face of rising COVID-19 cases

Mitchell Chen
January 23, 2022
Winter workouts: a refreshing alternative

Winter workouts: a refreshing alternative

Mitchell Chen
December 13, 2021
I can't go to the bathroom without disturbance

Finding a good bathroom: a rant

Mitchell Chen
December 13, 2021
Sophomore Minh Do plays "Christmas Festival" by Leroy Anderson on a violin at the Thankful Hearts concert at the Villa of Saratoga senior center on Nov. 28

In-person concerts become more common for service clubs

Mitchell Chen and Jonathan Li
December 3, 2021

Inspired by events and trends, students found new clubs

Jonathan Li and Mitchell Chen
October 22, 2021

Eating like The Rock for a day leads to stomach aches and regret

Mitchell Chen
October 21, 2021
How to sell your sibling 

How to sell your sibling 

Mitchell Chen
October 17, 2021

Girls’ water polo upbeat as they face a challenging season

Mitchell Chen
September 13, 2021
Load More Stories