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
Richard Fan

Richard Fan, Sports Editor

All content by Richard Fan
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

Richard Fan and Ashni Pillai
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

Ashni Pillai and Richard Fan
December 13, 2024
From 1959 to present-day, the Falcon has transitioned from a black-and-white newspaper to a colored magazine and website.

Through the decades: How The Falcon transitioned to new technologies

Amy Miao, Jessica Li, and Richard Fan
December 10, 2024
Saratoga Team 1, senior Alan Lu, junior Lawson Wang, sophomores Andy Lu and Seabert Mao, senior Skyler Mao and sophomore Vivian Zhong (left to right), hold their 3rd place trophy.

Math club places third at Berkeley tournament

Richard Fan
November 17, 2024
The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is a prestigious position granted to students who achieve high scores on the PSAT exam.

30 in the Class of 2025 announced as National Merit Semifinalists

Richard Fan
November 16, 2024
Junior vice captain Max Rombakh reads a packet to the Science Bowl team, as they practice buzzing.

Science Bowl squad has first match of season

Richard Fan
October 25, 2024
Junior left wing Chester Bunker looks for a pass to penetrate the Pioneers’ defense during the Oct. 24 game.

Boys’ water polo secures an impressive 7-5 win on senior night against Cupertino, proving momentum heading into league tourney

Richard Fan
October 25, 2024
Lalitha Maruvda helps freshman Brooklyn Harman test his nearly complete Pong game on Sept. 13.

New Intro to Computer Science teacher brings over 20 years of industry experience

Richard Fan
September 19, 2024
Junior Nirvan Shah faces off against junior Brady Liang at lunch on Sept. 16.

Student irresponsibility undermines the Falcon Nest’s true potential

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
September 18, 2024
Junior Aiden Chen winds up for a pitch against Santa Clara on May 9.

Baseball falls short of CCS but builds for the future

Richard Fan and Jane Lee
May 23, 2024
Sophomore Kelsey Zhang swims the 100-yard Fly at CCS on May 2. 

Star swimmer’s disqualification in 200 IM race puts stirs controversy at CCS

Richard Fan, Agastya Vitaldevara, Ruiyan Zhu, and Bill Huang
May 21, 2024
Leo Shetler rows at a competition in Boston.

Sports: 2023-2024 notable athlete achievements

Richard Fan, Bill Huang, and Grace Lin
May 21, 2024
Junior Sawyer Chao sprints towards the ball during home game on March 11. The game against Gunn ended with a loss for the Falcons. 

Lacrosse: After a canceled year, teams rebound to complete their seasons

Richard Fan and Nika Svizhenko
May 21, 2024
Senior Riley Alves executes a reverse straight dive during a meet at Los Altos on March 14.

Senior diver competes at CCS, ends season unsure of future of the team

Richard Fan
May 21, 2024
Sophomore Nikhil Srivasta serves during home game against Homestead on April 29.

Boys’ tennis falls to California High at NorCal Regional Championships

Richard Fan
May 20, 2024
Saratoga students often take a variety of West Valley summer courses, whether it is for college credit or self interest.

Get a real college experience at no cost — take some summer community college classes

Richard Fan
May 4, 2024
The taste of happiness sadly lasted only one day.

100-word rant: Please bring back beef stew for school lunch

Richard Fan
April 30, 2024
More and more jobs will now be taken over by automation, making Computer Science less appealing as a major.

Is studying comp sci still the golden ticket to wealth?

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
April 29, 2024
Coach Osayi Omorodion gives sprinting suggestions to sophomore Steven Sun.

New track and field coaches help distance running and sprinters 

Kevin Yang and Richard Fan
April 18, 2024
Breaking will make its debut in the 2024 Summer Olympics in an effort to draw in more attention from a younger audience.

Break Dancing to be introduced at 2024 summer Olympics

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
April 18, 2024
Senior Ryan Cagliostro (young Jamie) mixes up a shot for a drinking game with junior Ryan Backhus (future Jamie) and junior Chloe Mantle (young Abby) in the play “Now and Then.”

Senior stretch in directing 2-act play of ‘Now and Then’ 

Richard Fan and Jeremy Si
March 24, 2024
Science Bowl members prepare for regionals during Feb. 1 meeting after school.  

Science Bowl team places third at regionals, falling short of national tournament qualification

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
March 3, 2024
Social media can shorten students’ attention span and hinder their academic performance.

Down the online rabbit hole: Students find social media to be detrimental to academic performance

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
March 3, 2024
Avadhanam uses geometry techniques to solve Team Selection Test (TST) problems.

Photo or Graphic for: 2 seniors now one step away from making national Math Olympiad teams

Jessica Li, Parav Manney, and Amy Miao
February 10, 2024
The blizzard on Jan. 6 caused numerous participants, including me, to lose visibility.

Harsh weather conditions derail my hopes at skiing competition

Richard Fan
February 6, 2024
Skiing and snowboarding are both very fun sports with very different styles. 

Slopesport face-off: a guide to the pros and cons of skiing and snowboarding 

Richard Fan
January 21, 2024
My current mish-mash playlist.

A musical journey, from Beethoven to The Fat Rat

Richard Fan
December 5, 2023
My Christmas in 2022 was completed perfectly with a bowl of clam chowder despite a sprained shoulder.

Shared experiences and togetherness are the essence of Christmas

Richard Fan
December 5, 2023
Sophomore Yash Sharma presents “Wonders of Python” on a trip to India in summer 2023.

Sophomore’s non-profit organization aims to inspire younger generations to pursue programming

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
December 2, 2023
Senior poster of girls’ varsity team captain senior Ryder Gangemi

Sports Boosters helps fund personalized Senior Night banners for athletes

Richard Fan
December 2, 2023
Girls’ soccer Instagram home page. 

Student-run social media accounts hype up school sports teams 

Richard Fan
December 2, 2023
The school’s Comedy Improv Troupe competes for laughs during the ComedySportz show

Drama program to hold student-directed plays

Richard Fan and Jeremy Si
October 21, 2023
Junior goalie Lera Polyakova gets ready to block the shot on goal during a home game against Homestead on Sept. 26. 

1-loss girls’ water polo celebrates success in league 

Richard Fan
October 21, 2023
Lithium mining has increased exponentially over the past few decades– and we will have to face the consequences of it sooner or later

Newsom’s mandate on electric vehicles will do more harm than good

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
October 19, 2023
Swimming cap worn by water polo players.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: ways to turn around struggling sports teams

Nika Svizhenko
September 29, 2023
Andrew Beattie works with football players during an after school practice.

New CBI aide takes on coaching roles for multiple sports

Richard Fan and Neal Malhotra
September 29, 2023
Tired of sweating? Try the sports on the right!

Top 10: unathletic sports

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
September 24, 2023
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