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 Natalie Chua
Seniors Eric Norris (left) and Shreyash Das Sharma (right) stand with their stimulus pad project, which creates the feeling of resistance in conjunction with the new Apple Vision Pro. 

Engineering Design and Development students build their own designs for capstone project 

Natalie Chua and Beverly Xu
April 16, 2024
Natalie and Victoria’s tentative first bites.

Spicy ‘reaper’ tenders at Dave’s Hot Chicken fail to bring the heat

Leyna Chan, Natalie Chua, Victoria Hu, and Sarah Zhou
March 24, 2024
As their high school journey closes and practical incentives disappear, many seniors find themselves lacking the motivation to do schoolwork. 

Combating senioritis: trying to keep students engaged all the way to the finish line 

Natalie Chua and Parav Manney
February 19, 2024
My beloved legos displayed on my bedroom shelf.

Legos: late nights and never-ending fun

Natalie Chua
February 17, 2024
The office Giving Tree, tags completed and gifts delivered.

Cunningham: Change from Family Giving Tree donation campaign possible in future year

Leyna Chan and Natalie Chua
December 11, 2023
‘The Hunger Games’ prequel subverts expectations through theatrical elements and great scriptwriting 

‘The Hunger Games’ prequel subverts expectations through theatrical elements and great scriptwriting 

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
December 11, 2023
The team huddles and encourages each other during their senior night against Homestead on Oct. 18.

Varsity girls’ volleyball pulls members from JV due to low numbers

Natalie Chua and Sarah Zhou
October 21, 2023
Whenever I encounter a spider in my bathroom, I can’t help but cower in fear.

The itsy bitsy spider torments me every day

Natalie Chua
September 29, 2023
Tamashiro provides a therapy session to a student in the ASSIST program.

New ASSIST therapist provides support to struggling students

Natalie Chua and Emily Wu
September 29, 2023
The team huddles during a time out in a game against Christopher High School on Sept. 5.

Season preview: Girls’ volleyball adjusts to small roster and new coach

Natalie Chua and Sarah Zhou
September 9, 2023
Guidance counselor Frances Saiki works in her office.

Behind the scenes: How guidance counselors help seniors with college letters

Natalie Chua
June 6, 2023
Senior Mateusz Palusinski in action with junior Kali Duvvuri and sophomore Caleb Yu during the March Madness game on Mar. 15.

Photo or Graphic for: School March Madness tournament wraps up after a month of scintillating basketball

Anirudh Iyer
April 5, 2023
The piece creatively encapsulates her many passions and priorities.

Senior places first in ‘To Be Honest’ fall art contest 

Leyna Chan and Natalie Chua
April 3, 2023
Freshman Taewon Yim competes against a Los Altos Swimmer in the 200 IM event at a home meet on Mar. 10. 

Photo or Graphic for: Despite strong individual talent, small team size hinders team’s ability to win

Jonny Luo and Martin Xu
March 30, 2023
Boppana and her teammates’ satellite won 2nd place at the MIT BWSI CubeSat Competition in May 2022.

Junior Sannidhi Boppana wins Honorable Mention in prestigious women’s STEM competition 

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
March 20, 2023
Boys on the track team run during practice.

Canceled track meets due to dangerous weather conditions cause setbacks

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
March 20, 2023
Junior second baseman Vivienne Brooks runs to first base.

Despite integrating inexperienced players, softball’s team chemistry remains strong

Natalie Chua and Victoria Lin
March 20, 2023
Many MAP students are excited to travel to LA.  

MAP plans first post-COVID era LA trip

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
February 16, 2023
Co-captains junior Zinneerah Ahmed and senior Tanya Ghai command the court during the Lynbrook game.

Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ basketball faces tough losses, CCS prospects unlikely

Christina Chang, Meher Bhatnagar, and Ariel Zhou
January 31, 2023
Sophomore Timothy Leung spoke about being sexually assaulted while in seventh grade and his journey to acceptance.

Photo or Graphic for: At SUFC rally, trauma becomes central focus

Saachi Jain and Kathy Wang
January 29, 2023
Senior point guard Nick Tjaden shoots a floater in the game against Palo Alto on Jan. 20.

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ basketball edges out Gunn, but faces tough tests in De Anza

George Huang and Zack Zhang
January 29, 2023
Junior Lynn Dai extracts planaria after feeding them egg yolk.

Students continue honing hands-on research skills in Advanced Science Research

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
January 29, 2023
The three gray bins placed around campus are filled with donated food.

Hunger at Home club combats food insecurity through food drives

Natalie Chua
December 15, 2022
Field hockey defends their goal against Mitty.

Photo or Graphic for: Field hockey ends season in CCS loss

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
November 30, 2022
An overflow of people rush to get discounts on Black Friday.

For the love of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Natalie Chua and Sanjoli Gupta
November 28, 2022
Sophomore Dylan Wilson runs a footwork drill during the boys’ soccer tryouts.

Photo or Graphic for: Season preview: Boys’ soccer aims to use teamwork to make up for lack of returning juniors

Victoria Lin and Daniel Wu
November 18, 2022
Midfielder senior Gabi Golko dribbles the ball during practice on Nov. 16.

Photo or Graphic for: Preview: Girls’ soccer struggles to fill positions after loss of graduated players

Victoria Lin and Isabelle Wang
November 17, 2022
A fresh bowl of Laksa.

Food connoisseur recounts a day of dining in Malaysia

Natalie Chua
November 13, 2022
Senior libero Noor Khan hits the ball in their game against Lynbrook. The Falcons ultimately lost 3-0.

Girls’ volleyball pushes through injury-ridden season

Natalie Chua and Ariel Zhou
November 12, 2022
Zambon helps sophomore Samanvi Boppana with her work.

New Spanish teacher Claudia Zambon makes transition from private to public school setting

Natalie Chua and Aiden Ye
November 1, 2022
Defender junior Emma Green and midfielder senior Georgia Adams and defender senior Annika Muju guard the goal against Mitty.

Photo or Graphic for: Field hockey calls up JV players to fill roster

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
September 30, 2022
Sophomore Megha Horantur hits the ball at a tennis game.

Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ tennis: Falcons have mixed results in quest to return to De Anza

Hannah Lee and Victoria Lin
September 30, 2022
Junior Zitong Wang made chocolate truffles for her cultural project.

Photo or Graphic for: Holidays give Haggerty ways to teach lessons on French culture

Amaris Charton and Sanjoli Gupta
September 29, 2022
A typical representation of Gen Z with swag.

Top 10: slang words

Natalie Chua
September 29, 2022
Petersen instructs the class about an upcoming project during class on Sept. 14.

Photo or Graphic for: New computer science teacher joins teaching staff

Saachi Jain and Martin Xu
September 15, 2022
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