Aanchal Mohan

As they do every year, the Indian Cultural Awareness Club (ICAC) will host the annual charity event, Bombay in the Bay, on the first Saturday of April 14 spring break and it will combine Indian dancing, singing and food into a night of fun and entertainment, according to senior secretary Ruchie Bhardwaj.

Senior right midfielder Sneha Shivkumar jockeys for possession of the ball with an opposing player in the 30th minute of a Jan. 5 game versus Mountain View. She manages to fend off her opponent nevertheless, passing the ball to a streaking teammate down field.

After winning the El Camino league division with a record of 12-2-3 and making it to the first round of CCS last year, the girls’ soccer team has moved to the more competitive De Anza league this year.

Junior Maya Nag waited anxiously on Nov. 11, hoping the rain would cease so she could run CCS the following day when her patience was rewarded as she qualified herself for the state meet.

At a sports season’s end, many teams worry about the holes the seniors will leave behind as they graduate in the coming spring. The underclassmen-dominated girls’ cross country team will have one less thing to worry about.

Injuries challenge all athletes at some point in their careers. All one can hope for is a short recovery period. Junior co-captain Courtney Schlossareck has been hoping for a quick recovery since sustaining a knee injury during the 2010 cross country season.

As senior Miharu Morishita stepped out into the quad during the seniors’ quad day on Sept. 30, the audience fell silent. All eyes were on her as she executed a perfected “1990,” which involves standing on her head and contorting her body into a twist. From her first trick to her final pose, the hundreds of onlookers responded with applause and cheers.

Coach: Danny Moon, entering his fourth season as head coach 2010 Record: Runners senior Emily Williams and junior Maya Nag (each qualified for the state race last year) 2010 Recap: Although only Williams and Nag qualified for CCS last year, another key runner, junior Courtney Schlossareck, was injured. With this returning talent, the team hopes to reach state this year as team.

The Activities Office experienced some major changes this summer, with the introduction of a new credit card payment system and the temporary leave of usual secretary June Lamm.

On the afternoon of April 7, senior elections commissioners Jenny Zhang, Kevin Mu, Karthik Annaamalai and Grace Kim and junior Varsha Ramesh thought that the results of the ASB elections were done, and they were ready to announce the results. But then information began to emerge that the online voting system may have been tampered with. The evidence about whether this happened was unclear, but it was enough for the commission to re-do the entire election the old-fashioned way: by in-class voting.

Everyone knows what it feels like to try their hardest and still not achieve the results that they aim for. This season, the boys’ lacrosse team suffered their fair share of disappointments—and more.

Everyone knows what it feels like to try their hardest and still not achieve the results that they aim for. This season, the boys’ lacrosse team suffered their fair share of disappointments—and more.

Eight years ago, Oregon death row inmate Christian Longo was convicted of murdering his wife and three children. After he realized the gravity of the crime he had committed, Longo decided to conclude his appeals, then donate his organs to society after his death, so his life could help save others. His petition, however, was denied by prison officials.

Arriving on school grounds, many students see a school whose appearance could be improved. Some even go as far to say that the school resembles a “jail.” This is why the buildings and grounds commission is wants to have a mural painted on the back wall of the school on the science building.

The most stressful part of a student’s career is arguably the first semester of senior year. During this time, seniors must navigate through their toughest classes and maintain grades that colleges will certainly view, while additionally completing college applications.

For the past five years, students and teachers from Saratoga High and West Valley College have coordinated their respective Special Education departments to host the Annual Alumni Holiday Celebration. On Dec. 15, the Sixth Annual Alumni Holiday Celebration was held in the cafeteria. It is a potluck, so attendees are encouraged to bring an appetizer, snack or dessert item.

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for most, but for seniors, it’s a time of nail-biting and anxiety as they begin anticipating the results of their applications to college. Students refer to days as Yale-day or Columbia-day, based on the life-changing letters that they will find in their mailboxes that day. However, is this all necessary?

They boost spirit at sporting events and compete at competitions, and even most colleges accept cheer as a sport. But a Connecticut judge dismayed cheerleaders nationwide when he ruled cheer as not a sport during the summer.

For the past few years,the school, with the help of the Giving Tree Foundation, a local organization that receives wishes from families, has tried to bring holiday cheer to those families who are not as fortunate. This year, so many students and teachers wanted to help out the community that the school had to order more cards with wishes on them.

For the past two years the Associated Student Body (ASB) has been making an effort to weed through the massive nu of clubs on campus and decide whether or not they are qualified to be school sponsored clubs.

Immerse yourself into the quad of Saratoga High School, and you will most likely hear students complaining about their grades, an impossibly difficult test or the immense amount of homework they have to tackle.

Former Saratoga High teachers Paul Page and Larry Bingham never thought that they would come back to SHS after they retired at the end of the 2008-09 school year, but they’re back, a year later, to help out former colleagues who are having babies this fall.

The girls’ cross country league season came to a dramatic close at course Crystal Springs on Nov. 2, with temperatures reaching 85 degrees. Officials canceled the last two races, the frosh-soph races, because paramedics were having to treat so many athletes who had fainted with heat exhaustion. The 2.96-mile course is notorious for its steep hills and tough conditions.

People often see police as the heroes of a community. Officers are the embodiment of justice and security, giving equal treatment to all people and ensuring safety within the community. On Sept 26, such was not the case when it came to 43-year-old Michael Lee, who had a history of drug abuse and mental illness.

As the midnight premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,” set for release Nov. 18, comes closer, many teenagers are rushing to buy tickets. It is part one of the dramatic close to the worldwide phenomenon and it has everyone excited and nostalgic. They have read all the books and cannot wait for it to debut on screen. Yet for seniors Grace Kim and Andy Jan, this is not the case. The magical effect of Harry Potter has not put them under the same spell as all the fans.

Following the Homecoming dance Saturday night, students will have the chance to sleep in not only once but twice thanks to the the school's decision to add an extra day off for them this Monday.

When the starting kicker of the Romeo High School Bulldogs in Dakota, Mich., could not attend a football game on Sept. 10, the team had to call for reinforcements. Their temporary kicker rose to the occasion, successfully making a field goal and two extra points. For most football teams, this situation would be no big deal, except that this was not a normal team and not a normal kicker. Romeo High School's kicker led her team to victory.

Junior Manish Raghavan is an example of why the administration made a big scheduling change this year. He loves soccer and plays it as his winter sport. But he knows that in December and January he is going to be missing his sixth-period class, Calculus BC with Ms. Warmuth, on many Wednesdays and Fridays when games are scheduled to be played.

After qualifying at CCS trials, freshman Melodie Bellegarda and sophomore Ailene Nguyen hoped to continue on their winning streak into CCS finals. Bellegarda placed fifth out of eight competitors at the CCS trial in the 400m. "I just really wanted to run my race and get another [personal record]," said Bellegarda, whose current personal record is 57.58 seconds.

Question: What is the secret behind the success of the school's award-winning marching band? Among the many possible answers—tireless nights spent rehearsing on the football field, determination to achieve and school-wide appeal. But perhaps the most important reason is the preparation that takes root at Redwood Middle School.

On April 19, in her room at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston, science teacher Kellyann Nicholson was preparing for what would perhaps become one of her greatest personal achievements: running in the legendary 26-mile Boston Marathon. But her plans were halted when Nicholson made a shocking revelation: She had forgotten to pack her favorite pair of running pants—they're just big enough to fit food in the pockets, but tight enough so they don't fall down.

Lady Gaga Lady Gaga, who has been entertaining the world with her catchy songs and ridiculous outfits, is now coming to the Bay Area over the summer to entertain us some more. "I'm really excited because I've heard her concerts are amazing and I love her songs," said sophomore Shivani Chada, who will be attending the concert. "I can't wait!" Lady Gaga will be performing many of her songs from her latest album "The Fame Monster" along with her many other famous singles at the HP Pavillion Center in San Jose on Aug. 16 and 17 with the cheapest tickets going for $120.

When most people think of track and field, they tend to ignore the "field" part and simply concentrate on the runners and sprinters. And, of course, the sprinters, such as freshman Melodie Bellegarda and senior Sarah Guy, to name a few, do their share for the team, but they are not the only ones.

Sports bags lay in piles outside the girls' locker room while students are in class, bikes sit on the bike racks unlocked and everywhere there are stories of a stolen iPods and cell phones. Over the past few years theft has continued to a problem despite the the school's reputation for being a safe place. The most popular item to steal are cell phones, iPods, wallets and backpacks, although this year, for the first time, larger items such as instruments from the music department and sports equipment from the team room have also gone missing.

Two new coaches + a lack of experienced track athletes = a long season ahead. This simple equation shows how challenging the girls' track team's season may be. For the past few years the ladies have proven to be strong, producing many athletes who have gone to compete at the college level, such as alumnae Katie Gasik (Chico State, hurdles) and Kiersten Dolbec (UC Santa Barbra, high jump). This year the girls are going to have to jump over many hurdles to make it to leagues.

Young and old came together on campus for an evening of dancing and live music during annual Jazz Cabaret held March 6 in the Large Gym. The Redwood Middle School Jazz Band, SHS Jazz Bands I and II, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Big Band and the SHS Choir all performed while over 500 people from all throughout the Saratoga community swing-danced to the music. "The music was beautiful and fun to dance to," said sophomore Alison Knysh. "I was happy with how it complemented the atmosphere of the night perfectly."

When judging school events, students, teachers, and administrators alike have to be wary of potential bias. For example, every year the junior class holds Saratoga Idol, the event where students are able to display their vocal talents outside of the classroom. Typically, a teacher is asked to help judge the auditions with a few musically inclined students. This helps ensure that each student will be judged directly by his or her vocal ability.

Just a month ago, when the season first started, few would have ever guessed that the boys' soccer team, led by a brand new coach and made up mostly of sophomores, would even be able scrape together a few wins, let alone compete for a league title and a spot in CCS. However, with an overall record of 10-5 and a league record of 5-2, the Falcons are leading the El Camino Division and are on target to earn a spot in the playoffs.

One new coach ready to bring home a victory? Check. Two sophomore captains ready to lead their team to the top? Check. Twenty-two skilled soccer players ready to play their hardest to become league champions? Check. The boys' soccer team is now in second place out of eight teams in the El Camino League as of Jan. 25. They credit this newfound success to good chemistry. "We all play really well together," said senior goalie Kevin Benzing. "Even though we all come from different teams and different grades, we manage to put that aside on the field."

At least 77 students will be out of state during the approaching ski week and the much awaited spring break, and 52 of them will be Spanish 2, 3, 4, and 5 students visiting Cuernavaca, Mexico, as part of the Spanish department's annual 10-day trip there. The other 25 students out on school business will be roaming the canyons of a national park in Monticello, Utah, as part of teacher Matt Torrens' "Wild West" trip.

After obstacles during the season such as adopting new middles and tough league competition, the girls' volleyball team managed to pull themselves through, placing third overall in the De Anza League and qualifying for the Central Coast Sections (CCS) playoffs. "The season flew by really fast," said senior co-captain Chelsea Sabella. "Hopefully, we [will] last a while in CCS." The Falcons started off CCS with a win (3-0) against Notre Dame-Belmont on Nov. 14 leading them to the semi-finals. They then went on to play Valley Christian and lost 4-1.

As the boys' soccer team kicks off their 2009-10 season, they seek to build off last year and win with the help of a new coach and young spirit. "I think we have a pretty good team this year," said sophomore defender Manish Raghavan. " We don't have that many seniors, but I think that we'll be fine."

One minute left. You're in the last moments of your championship soccer game, and your team gets a penalty kick. Normally, your team would start cheering, knowing they're about to win the game. However, this time the top kicker is coughing as she goes up to take the shot. As she hacks away, the people on the sidelines are wondering why she is even playing. Isn't there a rule stating that if a student doesn't show up at school for more than 50 percent of his or her classes in a given day, that person is not allowed to participate in any after-school activities?

One minute left. You're in the last moments of your championship soccer game, and your team gets a penalty kick. Normally, your team would start cheering, knowing they're about to win the game. However, this time the top kicker is coughing as she goes up to take the shot. As she hacks away, the people on the sidelines are wondering why she is even playing. Isn't there a rule stating that if a student doesn't show up at school for more than 50 percent of his or her classes in a given day, that person is not allowed to participate in any after-school activities?

Weird rules play a big part in high school sports. Soccer is no exception. In soccer, all players are required to wear shinguards, but recently the way they are worn has come under more scrutiny. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) requires that the shinguards cannot be placed any higher than two inches above the ankle and cannot be any lower than one inch from the knee. Shinguards worn in any other way will be considered inappropriate.

The girls' volleyball team is trying to be a force in the De Anza League this year. So far they've had mixed results. They won their first league game against Homestead Sept. 24 (3-0) and then lost to Los Gatos 3-0 Sept. 29 and to Palo Alto 4-1 Oct. 1. After the two losses, the Falcons beat Gunn 3-1 Oct. 6 and later on picked up another victory against Los Altos Oct. 8 (3-0). "We started off with the two toughest teams in our league and lost," said junior setter and opposite hitter Hannah Nielson. "Besides that, we have been playing very well and have been working as a team."

True or false: Being in charge of a club will increase your chances on getting into a top college? To the people's dismay, the answer is false. This misconception has instigated many students to create new clubs on campus, forcing the Associated Student Body (ASB) to go as far as placing restrictions, such as the requirement of 20 members for a club to officially exist. As a result, numerous previously existing clubs are under the risk of being cut, resulting in complaints from their respective leaders.

The girls' volleyball team wasn't able to win the St. Francis Tournament but slowly worked their way to the top of the competition.

The girls' volleyball team is relying on teamwork rather than team size for success this year. "We only have nine people [but] we’re all really close already because most of us have played together for two, some of us three years," said senior co-captain and side hitter Chelsea Sabella. "I think that’s going to be one of our strong points, [but] it’s really going to come down to working with our middles.” Because of the loss of graduated seniors, the team had to make changes and bring up underclassmen to fill its holes, especially in the middle.

The girls' volleyball team is relying on teamwork rather than having a large squad to result in wins this year. "We’re only nine people and we’re all really close already because most of us have played together for two, some of us three years," said senior co-captain and strong side hitter Chelsea Sabella. "I think that’s going to be one of our strong points, [but] it’s really going to come down to working with our middles.” Due to the loss of graduated seniors, the team had to make changes and bring up underclassmen to fill the void.

This year, the physical education department has decided to shift the focus of the PE program. Instead of the traditional team sport-based curriculum, the classes will focus primarily on promoting healthy lifestyles.    “Our PE department felt that the original curriculum wasn’t an effective way of helping kids get into better shape,” said athletic director Peter Jordan. “We were looking for ways that we could promote fitness skills that [students] would be able to use outside of high school.”