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

Nicole Lee, Opinion Editor

All content by Nicole Lee
I carry an 8-month-old baby Io.

Never again: a girl, her dog and her keyboard

Nicole Lee
September 17, 2024
If I were to keep one polaroid in my room, it would be KFC from first grade.

My tragic love story with Kentucky Fried Chicken

Nicole Lee
September 12, 2024
The 2023-2024 yearbook printed with the yearbook company Walsworth.

Yearbook plans to switch its publishing company for new school year

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
May 21, 2024
During the rally on May 15, dozens of teachers carried signs in support of district educators ­— French teacher Elaine Haggerty (left) and Spanish teacher Stephany Marks (right).

Early results show parcel tax headed to narrow victory; teachers continue to campaign for pay raise

Nicole Lee
May 23, 2024
Juniors Nicole Lee, Amy Pan, and Anjali Biju getting ready for a track warmup.

I finally understand why people sign up for Track

Nicole Lee
May 5, 2024
Photos of teachers from both Saratoga High School and Los Gatos High School Campaigning to support Measure A

Community employs several efforts to protect LGSUHSD’s educational quality

Nicole Lee and Ruiyan Zhu
May 5, 2024
Kapur’s family celebrates the New Year with their Haft Sin table. 

Beyond family traditions: How classes and clubs help students stay connected to their cultures

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
May 4, 2024
A girl working on her homework at sunrise as opposed to during midnight hours.

Our journey of building better sleep habits

Nicole Lee and Victoria Lin
March 27, 2024
A wall in the journalism room showcasing many of the awards the Falcon has won in the past 65 years since its establishment.

Falcon wins Silver Crown Award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Sam Bai and Nicole Lee
March 18, 2024
LGSUHSD are discussing with the The District Teachers Association about policy negotiations.

Teachers and district officials negotiating contract for next year

Nicole Lee
March 16, 2024
A photo junior Annette Li took during a sunrise walk at Hunter’s Point hiking trail.

Junior integrates several types of media to spark change

Nicole Lee
March 14, 2024
Music teachers Michael Boitz and Jason Shiuan pose together in Vienna after resolving a stressful safety dilemma.

A search for musical excellence overcomes age differences

Nicole Lee
March 14, 2024
Reporters get ready to ingest the various flavors and test their spice tolerances.

Noodle, noodle on the tongue, what’s the spiciest flavor of them all?

Nicole Lee, William Norwood, and Divya Vadlakonda
March 13, 2024
The two geese on campus waddling around the front entrance of the school.

The geese on campus should be celebrated, not scorned

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
March 11, 2024
A rain cloud smacking somebody with a fist.

Rain, while sometimes inconvenient, sustains us

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
March 7, 2024
Please stop adding an extra “s” to anyway

Please stop adding an extra “s” to anyway

Nicole Lee
February 4, 2024
A graph of the overall trend of an increasing number of clubs in ASB each year from 2018 to 2023.

Club commissioners aim to enforce stricter guidelines

Sanjoli Gupta and Nicole Lee
February 3, 2024
Macaroni noodles suspended in a strawberry cheese jello.

Amateurs’ kitchen: Combining sweets and salts in a meal and not loving the results

William Norwood, Nicole Lee, and Isabelle Wang
January 24, 2024
Postcards resembling my chickens at several points during our journey together.

A farewell to my 20 chickens: I will miss your company

Nicole Lee
January 21, 2024
Two geese stare each other down as they compare their superiority.

Top 10: Geese on campus

Nicole Lee
January 16, 2024
Nicole, William, Sarah and Isabelle smile happily over food.

The QUIET SHY somehow carried the BRITISH CHAD

Nicole Lee, William Norwood, Sarah Thomas, and Isabelle Wang
December 20, 2023
Athletes have been struggling with extreme temperatures in the gym due to an antiquated HVAC system.  

Gym HVAC advocates shift aims to improving current systems 

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
November 16, 2023
When 100 votes are grouped into the following districts of 10, a 60-40 win for square-heads can become a 6-4 loss for square-heads.

Gerrymandering undermines democracy

Nicole Lee and Ruiyan Zhu
November 15, 2023
The studying required to cram memory-based facts into short-term memory does not help in the long-term.

Daily quizzes aren’t inherently evil

Nicole Lee
November 9, 2023
A few of Aiden’s bird paintings found on his website.

Junior’s passion to protect birds showcased through painting exhibition

Nicole Lee and Caitlin Stoiber
November 6, 2023
History teacher Mike Davey coaching the softball team during the 2023 season.

Davey continues father’s coaching legacy 

Nicole Lee
September 29, 2023
The extremely destructive effect of the Maui wildfires on the communities nearby.

Although climate change exacerbated Maui fires, faulty power lines are prime offenders

Nicole Lee
September 29, 2023
A graphic of the potential dangers of running in burning hot artificial turf.

Staff editorial: It’s time to rethink the value of artificial turf fields 

Nicole Lee
September 29, 2023
No.1 doubles player Nancy Lei watches closely for her opponent’s serve at the Sept. 19 game against Lynbrook.

Girls’ tennis team regains momentum after loss of key players from last season

Florence Hu and Nicole Lee
September 29, 2023
Chan presents her cardboard and paper pieces from her art portfolio class.

Finding a path forward in the arts in a STEM-obsessed community

Nicole Lee and Victoria Lin
September 28, 2023
Zumi standing up on her two hind legs to feed on a piece of celery.

A furry friend in the Spanish classroom provides students with emotional relief

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
September 28, 2023
A collage of some of the dimsum dishes I ate in Hong Kong.

Traveling to my second home planet: Hong Kong

Nicole Lee
September 25, 2023
Say no to sparkling water; it’s bad.

Sparkling water is trying too hard

Victoria Lin and Nicole Lee
September 21, 2023
The marvels of the irony of the fire alarm.

A perfectly timed fire drill precedes actual fire situation the next day

Nicole Lee
September 5, 2023
Math teacher Kelly Frangieh speaking at the podium and  opposing the board’s new policy.

Teachers raise concerns over district’s move to enforce longer school time hours

Nicole Lee and Zack Zhang
May 27, 2023
Freshman Kelsey Zhang gets ready to dive into the water at Clovis West High School during the CIF state championship.

Swimming superstar: Freshman makes school history with state meet win in the 100-meter fly

Nicole Lee
May 26, 2023
Ten year old me holding up a yellowtail in a boat at sea.

Why fishing is my favorite family tradition

Nicole Lee
May 22, 2023
A photo showing an example of the state of my messy desk.

Cleanliness is overrated 

Nicole Lee
May 20, 2023
Many universities such as Yale undersell the importance of mental health among their students.

Opinion: Mental health should be a major consideration when choosing colleges

Nicole Lee and Aiden Ye
March 14, 2023
Clay figurines to make during a movie night.

How to organize a fun-filled movie night on a $30 budget

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
March 7, 2023
Food thrown on Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting “Mona Lisa.”

Throwing food at famous paintings doesn’t solve our climate crisis

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
March 7, 2023
People wait in line and hear about their multiple canceled flights.

Flight cancellations disrupt traveling plans over the holiday break

Nicole Lee and Amy Luo
February 12, 2023
Many students ask teachers for recommendation letters, but what really goes on behind the scenes? 

From surveys to substance: 3 teachers tell how they craft recommendation letters

Sunny Cao and Nicole Lee
February 6, 2023
In honor of conductor Yuriy Kerpatenko.

Microcosm of Russia’s human rights violations: Ukraine conductor dead after refusing to cooperate

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
January 22, 2023
A Journalism self-evaluation being turned in late.

Top 10: assignment due dates

Nicole Lee
January 18, 2023
Tina Walia, Mayor of Saratoga

As term draws to an end, Mayor Tina Walia recounts her favorite memories and accomplishments in office

Sunny Cao and Nicole Lee
December 15, 2022
A woman cuts off chunks of her hair in support of Iranian women.

Community weighs in on women’s rights abuse in Iran

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
December 13, 2022
Ogata and her judo team warm up before their practice.

Fighting arts provide structure and inspiration to athletes

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
December 4, 2022
The danger of chaos to be avoided using the school’s new evacuation simulation. 

School practices evacuation simulations for major emergencies

Nicole Lee
November 17, 2022
A meal eaten with horse meat, one of Kazakhstan’s most popular dish ingredients.

Sophomore offers glimpse into her native Kazakh cuisine

Nicole Lee
November 15, 2022
All you need to know about the Nov. 8 Saratoga City Council election: a look into the five candidates running

All you need to know about the Nov. 8 Saratoga City Council election: a look into the five candidates running

Sunny Cao, Saachi Jain, and Nicole Lee
November 7, 2022
Band members practice together after school.

Fall marching band season requires strong time management

Nicole Lee
October 26, 2022
Sign pointing to the COVID testing stations

Inspire PCR testing: a resource that shouldn’t go to waste

Nicole Lee
September 28, 2022
Junior Isabella Wang holds up an abstract still life painting she completed in just four hours.

2 students defy overscheduled stereotype over the summer

Nicole Lee and Isabelle Wang
September 25, 2022
10 in numbers

Top 10: numbers

Nicole Lee
September 23, 2022
Load More Stories