Anoop Galivanche

“Pssst … hey Susie, what’s the answer to question 3?” reads a comic strip from Calvin and Hobbes. The comic brings back a “nostalgic” view of traditional cheating—whispered conversations and quick peeks at peers’ papers. However, the abundance of technology in and out of the classroom has led to a vast increase in cheating techniques in recent years, although “old-fashioned” approaches are still widespread. A survey of 517 students done by the Falcon suggests that cheating is most prevalent on homework.

Let’s face it: It’s been a long 27 years for Saratoga football. As Saratoga students grew increasingly indifferent to the football program due to mediocre results, the program fell into a self-perpetuating slump that seemingly bogged down players, causing failures that only served to further alienate the fans.

Alex "Loggy" Lagemann is not your typical Saratoga High graduate. The class of '07 grad may be a tremendous football player, playing for Cal as a wide receiver. But more unusual, Laggeman is an accomplished rapper—a feat that is unheard of for most former Falcons. Rhymes about calculators and B+'s in AP science classes are nowhere to be found on Loggy's impressive new mixtape "Up All Night." Rather, Loggy belts out snappy verses about late night parties and the effects of consuming inordinate amounts of alcohol.

n the interest of reusing test questions in the future, some teachers do not allow students to look their graded tests. As much as this decision benefits these teachers, who are often swamped with tests, homework and projects to grade, it undermines a key component of a good education: self-learning and reflection.

John Mayer's new album, "Battle Studies," is hitting the shelves soon and has quickly become one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Mayer has hinted at yet another reinvention of his style—incorporating a new method of songwriting, and generally changing the approach that he took in his most recent success, "Continuum." Mayer said it involves advice, observations and lessons that he has learned over the years. Mayer has said he is attempting to experiment with the new approach he is using through this album and gauge the reaction that it gets.

Applying to colleges and anxiously waiting for a reply at one's mailbox is hard enough without being blindfolded. The content of recommendation letters has been kept under lock and key—so much so that they have become a thing of mystery and anxiety to seniors. The current system is understandable—if not to students at least to teachers. It prevents kids (or their parents) from taking up arms to go to their teacher's house, knocking on their front door and demanding a recommendation letter more complimentary to their college repertoire.