The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Mothers of middle and high school students from across the Bay Area listen to MomsConnect 2024 panelists on Sept. 22.
Safine among panelists for non-profit Chai with Moms inaugural event
October 10, 2024
Ward talks to a representative from Hult International Business School as part of a college fair on Sept. 23
The CCC’s services are here to help students through the application process
October 5, 2024
To conserve paper and reduce the risk of cheating, College Board has made the decision to transition toward an almost fully digital testing model for their Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Changes to AP testing procedures set to take effect in 2025
October 5, 2024
“A Dark Future” currently holds three titles: Lift-off Global Network Sessions Official Selection, Official Winners of the One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest and Regeneration International Youth Film Selection.
MAP grade 11 project “A Dark Future” wins International Environmental Film Award
September 29, 2024
During their first meeting on Sept. 12, Slime Club members mix a large bowl of glue with an activator to make slime.
New Slime Club is drawing over 60 members each meeting
September 26, 2024
A screenshot of SHS Fizz where students post content ranging from academics to shower thoughts
New SHS-focused Instagram confessions page stirs concerns
October 4, 2024
The crevice is widening between the ideologies of America’s two leading parties.
Deepening political divides are fragmenting America
September 26, 2024
History classes rely on using reliable sources when discussing political events.
When politics intrude into the classroom
September 26, 2024
Big data corporations like Disney are more involved in data stealing than you may think.
Behind a curtain of ‘transparency,’ many companies process user data undercover
September 25, 2024
A name like that might just give poor X a case of torrential bullying.
Elon Musk cursed his son by naming him X æ A-xii Musk
September 24, 2024
Young NFL stars James Cook and Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrated their breakout campaigns in blowout victories.
Fantasy Football Overview Weeks 1-4: Wild breakout performances and disappointing injuries
October 5, 2024
On Aug. 24, Zhang competes in the 50-meter freestyle in the preliminary round at Junior Pan-Pacific Championships.
Talented swimmer goes to Australia to compete at 2024 Junior Pan-Pacific Championships
September 30, 2024
Freshmen Delsin Dizoglio and Kaylee Ren play physical tic-tac-toe in period 6 P.E.
New mandatory P.E. rule for freshmen goes into effect
September 29, 2024
The Falcons huddle before their first scrimmage of the season against Evergreen on Sept. 5th.
Football team sees hard work pay off as a dominant 42-7 win against the Pioneers places them 2-0 in league
September 29, 2024
In last year’s matchup with Santa Clara, senior Sydney Riera controls the game from the middle of the field.
Field hockey team hopes to find improvement during rebuild
September 24, 2024
The balance of power at the school sites is heavily outweighed by the district.
Staff editorial: As the board levels up on district office personnel, LG and SHS staff suffer negative impacts
October 10, 2024
The Monopoly theme is a mere shadow of what it could have been.
This year’s Homecoming theme for the senior class is a major disappointment
October 10, 2024
Kamala Harris represents the U.S. in international politics.
Kamala Harris brings long-awaited and indispensable gender and ethnic representation to U.S. politics
September 30, 2024
No phone use on campus will prove to be a health and safety hazard.
Cell phones have a healthy and necessary role in schools
September 26, 2024
In the dark reality of social media, family channels have let money and fame blind them.
YouTube Family channels too often lead to child exploitation
September 24, 2024
Real-life image of my friend with AirPods while studying.
Top-10 classical music pieces to take a listen to
October 5, 2024
The library is the perfect place to work
100-word rave: A love letter to tutorials
September 26, 2024
An example of a WeTip poster depicting the impact of negative comments hangs in Meghan Laws’ English classroom.
WeTip posters aim to provide a way to report harassment, bullying and other issues
September 26, 2024
Stationery products from Muji
Top 10 best stationery brands
September 24, 2024
A paper knife is like trying to become an academic weapon — it’s not as magnificent or sustainable as it appears.
New year, new habits: I tried to become an academic weapon
September 24, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Skyler Mao, School Scope Editor

All content by Skyler Mao
At the first Speech and Debate club practice of the year, speech coach Jenny Cook delivers announcements.

Speech and debate members excel at June’s Nationals, adding momentum to fall competitions

Preksha Jain and Skyler Mao
September 24, 2024
Some productive and unproductive ways to combat after-school slump.

A guide to productivity: How to combat the after-school slump

Skyler Mao
September 16, 2024
Boycotting of large brands like Starbucks, McDonalds, and Nestle have been at the forefront of social movements.

Boycotting presents an effective strategy for tackling modern-day issues

Skyler Mao
September 4, 2024
On April 18, the Deputy Ambassador of the US Robert Wood vetoed a resolution that would have recognized Palestine as a full UN member state.

Permanent membership in the U.N. Security Council: a catastrophic failure

Skyler Mao and Bryan Zhao
May 19, 2024
(left to right) David Broockman, Ryan Heshmati, Kate Quach and Francesca Fenzi, KQED Forum member, pose in front of the recording studio.

Junior produces live radio show during KQED’s Youth Takeover Week

Skyler Mao and Ruiyan Zhu
May 14, 2024
From top left going clockwise, the artworks of Lee, Pan, Hao, and Wang.

Four students selected to display their art at ArtNow in the New Museum Los Gatos

Emma Fung, Skyler Mao, and Zack Zhang
March 14, 2024
Percentage comparisons for drop numbers of math levels in SHS between 2017-18 and 2022-23.

Unprepared students suffer comprehension gaps after skipping math levels

Skyler Mao and Andy Zhu
February 8, 2024
The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes 300 promising young scientists every year.

Regeneron STS recognizes 3 seniors for their outstanding research

Skyler Mao and Lawson Wang
January 25, 2024
New Year’s Resolutions are useless — it’s better to reject them

New Year’s Resolutions are useless — it’s better to reject them

Skyler Mao
January 25, 2024
This graph from the study “Intensity and frequency of extreme novel epidemics” by Marani et al. in 2021 plots past disease outbreaks. The x-axis represents the number of deaths in millions per year, and the y-axis represents the probability another outbreak will exceed this deadliness.

COVID-19 has shown how unprepared we are for the next pandemic

Skyler Mao
January 17, 2024
Despite cheating concerns, many teachers remain optimistic about use of AI in classrooms

Despite cheating concerns, many teachers remain optimistic about use of AI in classrooms

Skyler Mao
December 15, 2023
Setting up the new Wi-Fi is very tedious.

District’s new Wi-Fi system unnecessarily frustrating and complicated

Nika Svizhenko and Skyler Mao
November 14, 2023
Young children are always hooked on their iPads, refusing to leave their screens.

New ‘iPad kid’ phenomenon reflects unsettling reality of screen time addiction — and it’s time for parents to do something about it

Skyler Mao
November 6, 2023
Class of 2025 performers crowd together and cheer under a cloud of blue powder at the end of their performance.

Juniors achieve impressive Quad Day performance despite rehearsal attendance challenges

Skyler Mao
September 24, 2023
The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is a prestigious position granted to high-achieving students.

33 in the Class of 2024 announced as National Merit Semifinalists

Skyler Mao and Lawson Wang
September 20, 2023
Students do not bond over useless facts during introduction games.

100-word rant: Teachers, please stop with the introduction games

Skyler Mao
September 11, 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
Interest rates on federal student loans have increased.

Merit scholarships are a solution for the gap in need-based aid for college costs

Skyler Mao
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
Leonardo Jia goes over strategy during debate practice on April 5.

Sophomore duo steps up at recent debate tournaments

Skyler Mao
April 5, 2023
Junior Johan Amirineni warms up before practice with other juniors.

Tennis team looks to bounce back after rocky start

Neal Malhotra and Skyler Mao
April 3, 2023
Trees fall after the recent storm.

Opinion: School should enhance its storm response in preparation for the future

Skyler Mao
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
Students experience increased stress with current deadlines.

Teachers: Please make homework due times right before class

Skyler Mao
February 9, 2023
Speech competitors (left to right) Cameron Nguyen, Kavya Patel, Anamika Anand, Naina Tallak, Kinnera Potluri, Timothy Leung and Anagha Vitaldevara meet up after a Coast Forensic League speech tournament.

Speech and debate transitions back to in-person setting

Skyler Mao
December 8, 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
The 2022 Fall Finals Schedule is now available for students.

School releases fall finals schedule

Skyler Mao
December 3, 2022
Taking notes is a difficult yet necessary task.

Good note-taking strategies improve study efficiency

Skyler Mao
November 30, 2022
Locations of the ALPR cameras in Saratoga.

Saratoga’s license plate readers do more harm than good — they should be discontinued

Skyler Mao
November 9, 2022
Students struggle to find a place to stay during tutorial.

Library’s discarded 75-student limit promoted a positive learning environment — and should return

Skyler Mao
October 25, 2022
Blue group coach Victoria Hu lectures students at Redwood’s library during TJMC’s weekly meetings.

Subtracting longtime math club adviser adds up to more work for parents and students

Skyler Mao
October 18, 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 CBI teacher teaches vital skills to students

Skyler Mao and Annie Liu
September 24, 2022
Personal devices are more efficient than shared school devices.

Bring Your Own Device policy has many upsides

Skyler Mao
September 24, 2022
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