Andy Fan

The boys’ swim team began the season with a rocky start with losses against Palo Alto High School, losing 108-62, and Gunn High School, falling 113-69. 

As my high school career hits its twilight days, I’ve decided to finally attempt all the things I had been too timid or complacent for in the past. 

Of late, Facebook has become a vicious battleground where photos are no longer limited to selfies and prom pictures, but far-from-flattering pictures of people sleeping. The mastermind? Senior Sasan Saadat. 

Like most self-respecting Americans, we in the Fang family do not view the holiday season as a time to be grateful for what we already have but rather as a time to thoroughly abuse our first-world privileges. 

Four years ago, the boys’ varsity team were national champions, breaking national records for the 400 freestyle relay and winning and breaking the records of over half of the events at CCS; however, with the graduation of key swimmers from that season, the boys’ varsity team has been in a phase of rebuilding since.

Of late, Facebook has become a vicious battleground where photos are no longer limited to selfies and prom pictures, but far-from-flattering pictures of people sleeping. The mastermind? Senior Sasan Saadat.

Like listening to a vinyl record or eating a sundae at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, there seems to be a romantically nostalgic quality to communicating through handwritten letters. It was this desire to reconnect with the past that galvanized senior Jackie Gu to start a pen pal friendship with Prayuj Pushkarna from Singapore during her sophomore year.

In the last general election on Nov. 6, Colorado and Washington passed ballot initiatives that legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over.

1960: Fresh out of the hospital, Republican nominee Richard Nixon adamantly forgoes makeup for the first-ever televised debate, looking washed out and pale and unshaven in contrast to the younger and vibrant Sen. John F. Kennedy.

Senior Ramya Swami, a varsity middle blocker, was in a state of total concentration in the game against King’s Academy on Sept. 7 when crisis struck. 

On Sept. 16, quiet Saratoga downtown was transformed into a bustling street festival known as “Celebrate Saratoga,” a fresh and more family-friendly take on the now-defunct “Saratoga Street Dance.”

After an impressive season record, the boys’ lacrosse team missed making it to playoffs by only two goals in the game against Carlmont on May 1.

Although assistant principal Karen Hyde is known for her work ethic and efficiency, staff members affectionately praise her sense of humor. 

Despite having had a hectic school year, teachers will be able to enjoy their summers reconnecting with their families by traveling and relaxing.

Saratoga Downtown, also known as the Village, is commonly regarded by students as a stagnant area that really does not have much to offer.

Restaurant owners like Ram Ramgiri at Mynt Indian Cuisine in San Jose have a difficult problem to deal with every day. The grease used to cook throughout the day accumulates, and they need to dispose of it, a task that costs the restaurant money.

According to Myron Zhang and Elaine Chou, the two top students for the class of 2012, the key to success in school is working hard, rather than focusing on a title like valedictorian or salutatorian. “I don’t think becoming valedictorian was ever a goal in and of itself.” Zhang said. “Although it sounds slightly corny, it was really just a case of performing at the highest possible levels, trying my best. Academics was never about competing to be No. 1.” Chou, the salutatorian, echoed this sentiment.

Saratoga has long been a microcosm of the “melting pot” that is America, evidenced by the diverse mingling of cultures. The many students who are multiracial are symbols of the racial tolerance that has become integral to the school’s open-minded culture. But what does it really mean to be multiracial?

Dozens of children of all ages waved glow sticks and frolicked on the meadow in the Plaza Park in downtown Los Gatos on Dec. 2. Elderly women sipped coffee and observed. Along with the buttery smell of popcorn, a palpable feeling of anticipation hung heavily in the air; the tree lighting ceremony was to be held in only an hour, at 6 p.m.

The sketch first appears to be a rotting banana, then a dirty blonde wig. Suddenly and inexplicably, a light bulb goes off in the student’s head and he types in “Lady Gaga” on his smartphone. The student squeals in delight; he just won three coins.

The ceramics department, led by teacher Leah Aguayo, is hosting its annual soup supper called the “Souper Bowl.” The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria on Feb. 28 and will fundraise for much needed supplies for the course such as clay and glaze. This will mark the tenth year of the event.

For students sick of and disgusted by the sweaty clusters of hormonally charged teens who usually take over the usual school dances, the annual Jazz Cabaret fundraiser, hosted by the music department, is a welcome reprieve.  Senior Nancy Chen, who has gone to every Jazz Cab in her school career, says that the best part of Jazz Cab is the family-friendly environment.

For students sick of and disgusted by the sweaty clusters of hormonally charged teens who usually take over the usual school dances, the annual Jazz Cabaret fundraiser, hosted by the music department, is a welcome reprieve.

The ceramics department, led by teacher Leah Aguayo, is hosting its annual soup supper called the “Souper Bowl.” The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria on Feb. 28 and will fundraise for much needed supplies for the course such as clay and glaze. This will mark the tenth year of the event.

Drama students have eagerly started working on the spring musical, “South Pacific,” and for many of them, the famous musical holds a dear place in their hearts.

A group of 10 Leadership students, led by senior Akash Kar, has decided to monitor, minimize and eliminate bullying by having interactive discussions during classes.

As the curtains slowly opened on Oct. 20, audience members were faced with a sofa, dinner table and various chairs scattered around, which constituted the Orgon household. Then, senior Penny Burgess began the play, “Tartuffe,” with a long-winded speech about the failings of humanity, drawing the audience into the play for the next two hours.

Volunteering is not only beneficial to others but also to those who volunteer. Through integrating morals with volunteering, individuals are able to improve themselves and grow as people. Junior Maggy Liu, for example, is the vice-president of the Tzu Chi club, a volunteer organization and charity, which has been gaining traction on campus. Tzu Chi, Chinese for compassion and relief, is rooted in moral education as well as volunteering. These ideals are discussed during meetings and carried out through community service.

Interview, write, revise. Interview, write, revise. Week after week, this process is repeated as it becomes a rhythm in the life of a student reporter. Yet, contrary to what one might believe, newspaper is much more than bi-monthly cycles of monotony.

An all-time record of 38 seniors, or 12 percent of the class, has qualified for the National Merit Honor program this year, meaning that they were among the top 1 percent of all scorers on the PSAT exam given each fall. There were also 50 commended students, which meant that they were just below the level required to be named Semifinalists—sometimes falling short by as little as one point on the test. Saratoga High usually has a 20 or more of National Merit Scholars and commended students, but this year has yielded more than usual with about 27 percent.

Roughly 100 sophomores and juniors from the Media Arts Program ventured to Fort Miley Ropes Course in San Francisco on Sept. 9 to develop leadership and teamwork skills.

On Aug. 24, “hot sauce mom” Jessica Beagley was convicted of child abuse and five days later was sentenced to three years of probation.