Elizabeth Cheng

Be careful what you post on Facebook because just about everyone who is your friend will see. The new layout guarantees it.

Dear adolescent girls of America, Contrary to popular belief, your self-worth is not based in the label splayed across your overpriced neon pink tracksuit that’s made of the same material as what I dry myself off with after a shower. Also, nobody can tell if the “Merry Berry” lip gloss you’re wearing is M.A.C or Smackers. Furthermore, the purpose of make-up is to conceal flaws and enhance features – so it is not in any way necessary, or complementary, for you to be wearing four layers of foundation and concealer, topped with bronzer and blush when your skin is still flawlessly smooth and pimple-free.

On Friday, Feb. 27, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble got a chance to showcase their months of rehearsals for fellow musicians at the Chabot College music festival. The band performed two pieces, “Huldigungsmarsch” by Richard Wagner and “Give Us This Day” by David Maslanka, for a panel of three judges that included Professor Gary Hill from Arizona State University, Dr. Ed Harris from San Jose Sate University, Dr. Andy Collinsworth from Sonoma State, who provided audio commentary on the performances.

At the end of each school year, every member of the symphonic bands receives an envelope from music teacher John Zarco. Inside every envelope is a hand-written letter filled with student-specific memories, wishes of good luck for the future and a heartfelt “thank you” for being in band. With so many students, not one of which is forgotten, the process undoubtedly takes hours and never fails to leave an impression on all those who receive a letter. However, Saratoga students will not be receiving these heart-warming letters from Zarco after this year. After three years of drilling the marching band, conducting the Jazz bands and teaching the two band periods, Zarco will be leaving Saratoga for Minneapolis to pursue a PhD in music education and conducting.

While walking the crowded hallways during break, a girl adorned in a velour pink Juicy Couture hoodie elbows you on accident. As you reach up to open your locker, you get accidentally hit in the head by the Louis Vuitton signature canvas bag hanging on the shoulder of the girl next to you. During class, you can’t help but stare at the shiny Bathing Ape sneakers of the boy sitting in front of you and wonder, “Is this excess really necessary?”

Free on Sunday, Jan. 18, and looking for a musical experience? Go watch members of the Santa Clara County Honor Band perform a concert at Gunn High.

Twenty-five yearbook students from Redwood Middle School and adviser James Conn got a taste of high school journalism when they visited on Friday, Nov. 7. Trekking from their school to Saratoga High for fifth period, they had the chance to see the Talisman staff in action.

While roaming the hallways, it’s not unusual to hear juniors complaining about their copious AP classes. “AP US History takes so much time,” they cry, “and teachers just don’t know when to stop piling on the work!” Careful juniors—don’t go whining to the seniors. True, they’ve finished the rigors of US History and survived the torrent of exams and stress that is rumored to be junior year. But all of that is nothing, nothing compared to first semester senior year.

“Join to find out how to get the old Facebook back,” advertises just one of the numerous anti-new-Facebook groups popping up. With the new Facebook now permanent and mandatory to use, countless people have been vocal about how much they absolutely hate it. But, what’s really wrong with this new layout?

It is Thursday night and the piercing beats of the metronome cut through the evening air. School has started and so has marching band. The band season actually began two weeks before school even started, with nearly daily 11-hour rehearsals at school each day. With rigorous music and marching practices, the band has started the year on a good foot. The biggest difference this year is the size of the band, which currently counts 220 students.

Before spring break, the music department began the process of picking the 2008-2009 leadership team. Drum majors were decided the week after spring break, and the leadership team was announced last week. Seniors Julia Glausi and Paul Stavropoulos will join senior Mara Couch in leading the band at field show competitions as the new drum majors.

A piano soloist, a brass quartet and a jazz ensemble are just some of the performers that will be playing in a May 29 AP Music Theory class recital.

As spring leads to summer, many students are using next week’s spring break and the week following for travel. The Wild Wild West history trip will take place over spring break, followed by two school trips for conferences. Additionally, many seniors will use the time to visit colleges. Wild Wild West A group of 21 students left today with history teacher Matt Torrens for Southeastern Utah to participate in a history-filled trip based on the Wild West.

This story was originally published in the April 4 edition of The Saratoga Falcon Music students often meet and work with students from California, but on March 14 they were bonding with students from across the nation. From Ultimate Frisbee on the lower field to a dance-off in DONthe quad, Saratoga students got to know the 50 Anoka, Minn., students who had traveled across the country to hold a joint concert with them.