Ye

Especially in second semester, seniors have many more opportunities to meet new underclassmen or try out fun hobbies they haven’t had time to do.

Though seven out of nine wrestlers are new to wrestling, the team has shown considerable growth.

An extension of the quad, the Falcon Nest was established using additional prom funds from the Class of ‘20. Construction is scheduled to finish this spring.

Former State Champion wrestler Bianca Vargas works with new wrestlers with intense strength-and-conditioning sessions.

With a goal to improve defensive skills, the team aims to make it further into CCS this season.

Seniors Brad Ma and Zeyneb Kaya were two of 1,514 semifinalists in America.

Right-wing influencers support boycott of Bud Light following advertisement by transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney.

Despite only teaching one period, Precalculus teacher Matangi Rajamani comes on both Red and Blue Days to help her students.

The faculty’s “Finding Nemo”-themed quad day featured varied props and matching T-shirts.

 College applications prove a daunting obstacle to leading the carefree lives we dreamed of.

Second semester senior year has presented me with extra time. With it, I’ve been exploring atypical sports like darts and cricket.

 Over the last year, I’ve spent around 4 hours a day preparing repertoire for college piano auditions as a prospective piano major. However, the instrument that’s kept me sane during this exhausting time is the mridangam, an Indian classical drum. Now, I’m trying to unite the pair. 

Sport provides a variety of benefits, both physical and mental. 

Seniors Lucas Dennis, Zeynep Tokuz and Jalyn Harrigan have all demonstrated high proficiency in their respective sports of baseball, swimming and track and field.

 The Falcon ranked every sport on campus based on both their capability and campus presence. Here are the results. 

The swim team attended CIF States for the first time in four years. 

Julian Berkowitz-Sklar, Carolyn Pyun, Caden Lee and Merriam Labban discuss how their highschool experiences have impacted their post-grad plans.

The Falcons made CCS for the first time in four years.

Mason Wang will take a gap year to pursue his AI startup and further research on Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPTs).

The pains we experience as a student.

A genuine desire to watch Major League Baseball (MLB) has been dwindling across the country for quite a while now; however, with innovative changes to fundamental rules of the sport, there is a chance of a revival with this upcoming season. 

With the NCAA March Madness coming to an end, campus’s intense, action-packed tournament wraps up.

The Metaverse has already cost Meta over $36 billion, and the results remain underwhelming.

Recent rainstorms have delayed matches and forced a slower start to the season.

Junior Grant Hough placed second in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge in December.

After a couple of up and down seasons, the Falcons are ready to build on a productive 2021-22 campaign and strive to reach CCS and beyond.

Elite colleges should offer help to those with health issues instead of treating them as an inconvenience.

With recent years placing us in a far more digital world, a change to how students approach coursework is necessary.

With a lot of blood, sweat and tears, SHS athletes share what they’ve had to overcome in their sports pursuits. 

Davey has already made a positive impact on the team. 

Exciting, exhilarating and back-and-forth with spine-tingling action on both offense and defense from two excellent teams, Super Bowl LVII had it all. The Philadelphia Eagles and eventual victor Kansas City Chiefs gave a watcher of any background a superb spectacle.

Teacher during the week, avid golfer on weekends – Physics and Business instructor Kirk Davis has played golf since childhood and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. 

Model UN invites public schools in the area to participate in its conference on March 26.

Bombay in the Bay, occurring on Feb. 17 and 18, brings together students and parents in the Saratoga community through dances and South Asian culture. 

Physics teacher Matthew Welander goes to the gym at 6 a.m. to do bench presses, squats, and more.

Soccer’s most popular domestic league is just about halfway through, and with that arises a need for a recap of the season so far. 

With this past December spirit week being the last one of the first semester, the holiday spirit is really kicking in now.

Although Qatar harbored a plethora of reservations aimed their way in the buildup to the 2022 World Cup, this year’s tournament has been nothing short of awesome. 

Students already face enough pressure to excel in the classroom and juggle a plethora of extracurricular activities; publishing average unweighted GPAs next to every school sport adds unnecessary academic pressure.

With increased care for those struggling with mental health in various other spheres, it is only right that athletes receive the same luxury. 

The Saratoga Quiz Bowl Club has also expanded its team to Redwood Middle School in order to train incoming novices early on.

The Falcons beat Lynbrook 11-6 in the final game of the season.

Though seeing a fellow second-generation Indian become a leader of a world superpower initially warmed my heart, a further look at Sunak’s policies made me disillusioned.

We wanted to see for ourselves if Dish N Dash aligned with reviews, and we weren’t disappointed. 

For over a decade and half, Ronaldo was on top of the world. After refusing to come off the bench in a recent victory for his club Manchester United, it looks like Father Time has finally caught up.

Claudia Zambon joins Saratoga after nine years of teaching English and Spanish in America and Argentina.

The spirit commission chose to hold only one round of voting, unlike two in previous years.

Recently implemented bell schedule introduces shorter class lengths and daily tutorials, following up on feedback from last year. 

Who doesn’t love wasting their time looking at random subreddit posts?

With the sheer financial might the league now has, this season could be one for the ages, with underdogs of years past now well on their way to joining the well-established elite.

Four seconds were added at the end due to a timing error — but that was all that was needed for Mills to win 30-28.  

The ultimate source of essay advice!

Counterintuitive choice has a way of focusing my mind.

 These white-feathered menaces love to poop all over the hotspots where students like to sit.

Chrome extensions can make your browsing experience more enjoyable.   

 After Margarita Morelle left for maternity leave, Gloriana Garcia was hired as the long-term substitute for AP Government and History in Film.

Pickett will miss teaching at the school but looks forward to having more time to herself

All of our sports teams this year deserve praise, but these are the teams and players that truly stand out.

With a 2-3 record, the team plans to adopt a better mindset and encourage one another to bolster teamwork.

8 years after the Measure E bond first passed, the school district has $25 million to spend on planned and future projects.

More coordination needed in some subject areas.

Taylor Zhou discovered his passion for filmmaking and directing through the Media Arts Program’s filmmaking intensive courses.

Science Club, Math Club, Science Bowl and Quiz Bowl prepare to organize and compete in academic competitions during the second semester

They always happen at inconvenient times.

Through online video streaming platform Twitch, Jarvin Bayona uses abilities he learned from shoutcasting in teaching.

Yes, we’ve all been there before.  

Due to difficult opponents and lack of players, the team is considering dropping a division next season.

Biggest complaint revolves around falling behind the pay of other districts in the county.

Don’t know what to eat today morning? We got your back.

Administrators hope the SAT can return to its normal scheduling next year.

The sheer amount of micro and macro actions required to play Starcraft at a high level is almost incomprehensible.  

The team is connecting on the courts again after the pandemic with new star additions such as Megha Horantur.

The club has combined a series of individual, cross-club and speaker-series meetings to attract students.

Since the lunch is now only 30 minutes long, it is challenging to even finish your food and get to 5th period if you buy hot-lunch.

In order to combat heavy congestion during dropoff times, senior and junior parking lots should be opened.

Now that quarantine is over, we need new ways to get bored!

38 seniors were recognized for their junior year PSAT score.

12 students were voted into the Homecoming Court.

One story was about a sexually explicit hand gesture used by players on the Los Gatos football team that was later published on Patch.

Rohan Kumar recounts journey growing STEM channel to over 5k subscribers in two years  

 Similarities cited between the way the district dealt with the Audrie Pott case and the LGHS #MeToo Movement.  

Teachers find different ways to prevent phone use, while students take advantage of the increased accessibility  

Juniors Anjali Mazur-Ganeson and Miranda Olson share their experiences with riding and showing in quarantine  

Director Jane Schoebrun gives the reader exclusive insight into the Sundance “Next” finalist film and the reporter shared her thoughts.  

Our TikTok picnic at Azule Park, including the famous wine glass cake and charcuterie board.

Competition takes place against 30 other teams for 10 hours on Feb. 6 over Zoom.

Dozens of mathletes compete in national level exam with hopes of qualifying for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination.

Andrew Sean Greer’s newest book is charmingly lyrical.

The textbook return and pickup system has been adjusted to fit the current situations and proved to be effective when providing safety for students and staff.

Students feel unprepared for future classes due to lack of class time and accountability in the remote environment.

/APUSH teachers Daly and Morelle implement a discussion session to help students unpack, while Government teachers restructure following classes to emphasize contemporary events.

Even though it’s against the rules, demeaning opponents is sometimes strategy and sometimes revenge.

Club founds the annual Hyde Invitational middle school tournament as a way to cover club costs.

Public screenings included nine short films with talkbacks with each director.

Politicians who have actively downplayed COVID-19’s severity or broken quarantine laws should not be granted access to vaccines before essential workers   

Principal Greg Louie hopes for another six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in January.

Who needs a plan when just throwing ingredients together is so much more fun?

Seniors align with state on President, congress, diverge in favor of progressive state policies.

They have felt uncomfortable during remote learning, as they are used to being much busier.  

Borrowing from a The New York Times feature, reporter explores the neighborhood social networking app every mom is using.

Sophomore equestrian vaulter shares her experience with competing in the obscure sport during the pandemic.

Baking gourmet cheesecakes leads to a mess and some pretty good results.

Human rights should not be up for debate.

Young debater sees success nearly unprecedented in the school’s history.

Everything you need to know to escape the children’s table this Christmas season

Remote learning brings numerous opportunities for students to cheat and requires teachers to test out new policies.

Most now practice outside or on Zoom.

SHS alumni take on their freshman year of college at home.

Last minute, original costumes for Halloween 2020

With nine short films and 30 students, teacher hopes a student-led film festival will provide exciting learning opportunities.  

Yes, you get hung up on and yelled at, but chances for real conversations take place.

The pandemic presents club volleyball players with unusual tryouts, overlapping seasons, and a difficult college recruitment process.  

For junior Andy Tran, fishing is a great way to relax, spend time with his family and exercise.

One of the premiere posters from the Asian American starring “Fresh Off the Boat” TV show.

Students and club officers role-play as doctors and patients in the newest health club.  

Financial difficulties loom in a year when little is normal.  

Reporter explores what Joe Biden’s VP selection means for democratic voters.  

Sophisticated ring of thieves target SHS, other schools, stealing thousands of dollars in computers and even taking a safe from the main office.

Manasi Garg’s work was selected out of over 30,000 submissions to become a NSPP finalist.

Samika Agarwal’s “An Ode Of Love” has been displayed in the Cannon tunnel of the U.S. Capitol building.

Brian Thompson returns to Saratoga High School as an assistant principal and Paul Robinson is placed as an interim principal at Los Gatos High School.  

Reporter seizes the opportunity to prove her commitment to social justice during the digital switch for the speech and debate community.

Adichie’s writing proves accessible and eye-opening for students getting into anti-racist self-education.  

With over 19 years of experience teaching elementary through college, Kristen Nakagawa takes over the reins for choir this year.

Stanford graduate Allison Dermont kicks off her first Falcon year teaching Spanish 2 and 3

After strong public opposition, Saratoga city council moved to end the annexation process in a 3-2 vote. The winery will remain under Santa Clara County control.

As schools transition to virtual learning, educational discrepancies are laid bare  

Spanish teacher will head to Connecticut next

In hopes of making the application process for high schoolers less stressful during this crisis, colleges have called for more flexible evaluations

While school spirit is not crucial to students’ academic lives, it is a way for students to combat loneliness during social distancing.

While health care workers continue to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, their personal family dynamics have considerably shifted  

British horror podcast makes for an effectively chilling lockdown pastime.

Cooking prompts a deeper dive into flavor combinations, sparking the development of some recipes that would make Gordon Ramsay drool.  

Students find alternative ways to spend their summer in light of continued lockdow

Though the viral Instagram challenge is entertaining, it can lead to unexpected conflict

Reporter attempts makeshift quarantine lifestyle change.  

Band and orchestra teachers are keeping their program strong through activities and online resources.

Although seemingly unnecessary, Instagram challenges serve as cathartic outlets.

AAW is a way for students to express themselves creatively and enter a national group of student writers.

LG teacher’s coming out sparks discussion of importance of diversity among educators

Reporters travel all the way to San Francisco to hike uphill and smell flowers.  

Pirating is usually not the crime it is made out to be.

A new schedule will be implemented next year to comply with educational minutes and adhere to state regulations.

Second movie of the popular love series has major plot holes and character personality changes that make it difficult to watch.

Jobalia discusses her experience fencing on a collegiate team.

Inspired by a family friend, sophomore Dhruva Nair often performs standup comedy for both friends and large events.

With the loss of major starting lineup players, the boys’ volleyball team looks to make major adjustments

Students not cleaning after themselves leads to increased work by the maintenance staff.

With students starting college counseling earlier and earlier to groom themselves for college applications, it is important to ask the question: how much is too much?  

Recent virus forces school, city and state officials to contemplate solutions to a rare problem.  

Ellis faces a big change in culture as he transitions from teaching to being an administrator.

Too often these hoped-for goals are abstract and hard to attain.

As Science Bowl regionals near, Falcons ramp up preparation.

School custodial staff struggles to deal with the sharp rise in defacing incidents on campus.

Ryan discusses how her transition has been — at work and at home.

School competition sees increased participation 

Student performers found the entertainment industry to be a more viable career option following increased Asian-American representation.

Why Trump’s impeachment was absolutely necessary.

Junior class sets up annual tree and increases community engagement, reaching out to local elementary schools for donations.

Math teacher PJ Yim and business teacher Kirk Davis employ technology in lieu of a paper notepad system.

A closer look into how English teachers create and revise their curriculum  

Speech and debate team sees success in past few travel tournaments.

Analyzing media and public backlash after Trudeau’s blackface scandal.

Admin team collaborates with parents to plan the career day, which will span two days and is scheduled for March.

Junior describes experience being sick and provides tips and tricks to getting better quickly

Class of 2018 alumna parlays interest of art and engineering into business and design.

This says something about the story that is new and different from the headline.

Adults on campus share the wisdom they’ve gained to students.

Why horseback riding isn’t as easy as you think.

Trying to go viral on the new popular app proves futile but fun is guaranteed.

Motherhood looks different for each individual

Already maligned programs take further hit from digitized Falcon Fest packets.

Falcon reporters spend a day in a popular fall hangout spot.

Freshman Magdalena Mendoza excels in traditional style of dance.

Speech and debate begins season triumphantly and hopes to continue its winning streak.

Senator Harris’s past records as SF district attorney and CA attorney general are glaring warnings we can’t overlook.

Should professional athletes keep political opinions off the court?

New policies to come with a change in Math Club’s leadership.

Hilly terrain causes girls’ cross country team to adapt and overcome challenges.

With the current model, there is unlikely to be a true reflection of the spirit of Homecoming court

Undercover cop operation exposed drug problems on campus

With the reduction of library computers, it is vital that the library return to its original format

Watching brain-cell-killing Barbie movies can become an unexpected addiction.

Reinstated creative writing class will play a significant role in the creation of the Soundings student magazine.

The speech and debate team hopes to keep the momentum of the program going while dealing with the transition of coaching staff.

New U.S. History teacher Michael Betz talks about his journalism career and how it has affected his teaching.

Student who served at the International Congress of Youth Voices in Puerto Rico recounts experience there and evaluates the symbolism of Ricardo Rossello’s resignation.

18 students travel to Costa Rica on an environmental conservation trip.

Previous school record was 40 in 2018.

Four freshmen share the myths and expectations about high school before entering freshman year.

Change seeks to align with other nearby schools.

Strong dedication and abundance of young talent point to a successful girls cross country season.

Reporter describes the timeline of changes for standardized tests.

Advancements in the VR field provides large areas of potential, but large hurdles must first be overcome.

Habitual actions improve moral and increase concentration for athletes.

Discussions and culture are emphasized over grammar and vocabulary worksheets.

Boys volleyball team performs better than expected during season despite losses.

COSMOS gives students a chance to pursue STEM in a college atmosphere

Book discussion with author at Saratoga Library shows what older generations think of Saratoga school pressure.

Many classes will implement more earth science topics to prepare students for standardized test.

Due to issues with safety and costs, Application Development club has started a project to digitize the physical trophy cases on campus.

With a new lineup, the Falcons aren’t as competitive as in the past few years

Students compete, attend workshops and receive professional feedback at the CST.

Reporter describes drawbacks from being too organized.

Traveling abroad reveals that environmental issues such as climate change and pollution have devastating impacts on not only the Earth as a whole, but also on individual people.

Drama students prepare for the 2019 spring musical, which will premiere on April 26.

Balanced team leads to successful meets despite earlier start to season.  

New computer program and barcode scanners allow students to quickly log their cash-free purchases.

Chemistry teacher honors late husband.

Science Teachers carry out prank wars, entertaining both staff and students.

Toy top serves as reminder that fun can be achieved without electronics

Students need to change the way they decide to apply to summer camps

The genre of .IO games, characterized by simple player versus player mechanics, consists of hundreds of unique and popular games. Two hard-core .IO gamers have come together to determine their top three favorites.

Limiting the math classes that students can takes prevents proficient and advanced mathematicians from living up to their potential

Challenging season lies ahead for a rebuilt team with a new coach and a drastically different roster.

Ariana Reines’s travels influence her artistic voice

Reporters share how to spend Valentine's Day.

In addition to being in the public domain, Shakespeare's plays have flexible timeperiods.

Tree lighting ceremony attended by the mayor, the Saratoga Youth Commission and choir students from Marshall Elementary School

After losing 18 seniors to graduation from last year's’ squad, and moving up a division, the soccer team is winless after their first four games

Robinson credits many of his successes to living by Wooden’s philosophy and pyramid of success.

Why invest hours of time studying in advance when it’s not needed?

The concentration required in the high-speed sport translates into other benefits as well.

Reporters argue that race-based affirmative only ends up exacerbating the problems it's supposed to fix.

The art of personalizing holiday gifts can be excruciating.

Art and film students prepare portfolios to showcase their creativity as opposed to technical skill — a change from a decade earlier.

Green Team continues to work on projects from past years, such as installing solar panels on campus.

Senior Shasta Ganti takes on the challenge of playing Brutus, whose character contrasts with his previous castings, in the Fall Play

The Falcons took several losses early in the season due to inexperience, but quickly improved, winning three of their last games.

Reporter's reviews and recommendation on nearby boba stores.

Best ways to please your teachers.

Shakespearean language in "Julius Caesar" provides challenge for rehearsals.

Junior Risa Carter follows 2018 alumni Riley Carter's footsteps, leading the girls' volleyball team to CCS.

The negative image and stigma that comes from braces

Saratoga mayor, Mary-Lynne Bernald, plans excerises to increase student participation and involvement in government. 

Junior Hannah Chang posts art and baking videos on her channel, "HeyIt'sHannah!"

New game's aesthetics and sound effects appeal to players.

NBC Bay Area anchor shares testimony of using his weakness in writing to his advantage to inspire students to pursue their passions.

This year’s application pool at Howart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the strongest in the School’s history. You should not feel our decision reflects negatively on you or your potential as a successful Muggle, but unfortunately wizarding may not be the right path for you. You are either magical or you are not.

Some romantic cemedies deserve credit for their hopeful sentiment and unique sappy truths about love and life.  

Senior shares her opinion on the impact of recent racist incidents.

Despite the current administration's anti-immigrant stance, immigrant students remain optimistic.

The meme community utilizes films and movie characters to expand its presense

SHSTV covers the run, hide and defend drill scheduled for next week, the student of the month and Red Ribbon Week.

Senior Elicia Ye shares the essay that got her into Harvard

Celebrities use their well established names to create successful, high quality makeup products.

Sports may face cuts due to a lack of funds

Alumni experience culture shock and stuggle to identify in areas with different racial dynamics

Student rants about Brandy Melville obsessions

Freshman becomes first female football player.

New leadership class changes to add sections and divide responsibilities. 

A message from our life editors to freshmen. 

A strong Los Gatos team beat the Falcons 11-7 on May 5, ending their season but not dampening the pride they took in their team and season.  

Students scramble to gain spots on rally commission. 

With more than 275 students set to attend Senior Prom and dozens of interactive exhibits at The Tech Museum of Innovation, the senior class officers are hoping for an event that tops last year's widely praised Junior Prom.

Election speeches give every student an equal chance to swade the voters, eliminating the popularity contests which certain candidates rely on.

Director Sarah Thermond enjoyed the Broadway version of the musical, and decided to stage “Legally Blonde” this year after many drama students requested it.

The school performs it first ever lip dub.

Spring Fling encourages school spirit through themes.

Girl's lacrosse team feels loss of alumnus. The players hope to develope their skill and bonding throughout the season.

Saratoga downtown changes throughout the years.

Before Bombay in the Bay (BnB) became the phenomenon it is today, the former Indian Cultural Awareness Club’s (ICAC) show was a “Friends and Family” night hosted in the Argonaut Elementary School cafeteria.  

Bnb is made through many people's hard preperation typically many months in advance. 

Girl's lacrosse gears up for a strong season. 

It’s clear that television shows like “Sherlock” can appeal to many different demographics, which is important to its success. In fact, Sherlock’s appeal to teenagers in itself is something of an anomaly. Teenagers are typically attracted to stories with young adult-age characters; nonetheless, they are fascinated by “Sherlock” due to the distinct nature of the characters.  

With more than half of the world’s population having curly hair, a fear of curly-haired people seems to be one of the last items on someone’s list of phobias. Especially when the person has curly hair himself.

Students call the new SAT more intuitive than the old one.

This year winter formal brought many people who had not shown up in previous years.

Students discuss the girls' soccer team and their season thus far. 

Students love for singing continues into high school.

Senior's debating leaves him with great experiences

Students talk about new French teacher. 

The Leadership class brings "Red Ribbon Week" to SHS.

ASB officers explain the intentions behind hosting off-campus dances.

NYC film festival features SHS students

SHSTV covers the student of the month, reactions to the new iPhone 7 and the recent MAP Speaker Series event

A veteran English teacher responds to a story about the creation of a website that seeks to make students' four years at the school a 'breeze.'

SHSTV has stories on new teachers, the performance of the choir with the band Foreigner over the summer and comments on the new bell schedule.  

Parents for each of Jay Koo's students are paying $1,150 for the four week summer course where one of the area’s top SAT tutors can work his magic and boost their scores.

Despite the numerous hours that the rally commission puts into its scripts and skits, the administration too often disagrees with the kinds of jokes they include. It’s unfair that the rally commission is censored to the point of absurdity, smothered by a perpetually growing stream of rules and regulations.

Reporters reflect on changes to the popular TV show "The Big Bang Theory."

On May 1, seniors across the country had to commit to to their chosen colleges.

Senior Charles Li holds a script in his hand as he nods his head along to the lines.

Carter is 15, maybe 16. His teammates crowd around him, chuckling and nodding, shoving each other around. They are at a friend’s house, and it seems like any other day.  

After looking through hundreds of documents, researching archives, contacting experts and compiling their findings into one project, History Day participants came together at the Santa Clara County Office of Education on March 1 to present their topics and display their hard work.

A new, clearer ASB constitution took effect last month, on Feb. 24, after agreeing earlier this year that the old version was incomplete and ambiguous. ASB officers hope the revised document will prevent misunderstandings about elections procedures and give the student body a voice in school affairs.

The ice cold concrete bites at sophomore Bradley Newton’s toes as he runs onto the dark, empty pool deck. Rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes, he and his teammates listen to the warm-up set and get ready to take the first plunge. It is 5:30 a.m.

Senior Rio Harada has sat through hundreds of hours of lectures, jotted down notes in English and history, taken the SAT and passed countless tests. But in June, after the years that he spent struggling through school with his classmates, he plans to take a very different path: Harada will be enlisting in the military.  

I can still recall the week two years ago when I binge-watched three seasons of “Community” online through Putlocker links. Unlike many other so-called comedy shows, “Community” struck me as genuinely witty with original humor.

The mock trial team is now preparing for its month of competitions, which will begin in early February. The county competition will be held in the Santa Clara courthouse, and the team will participate against schools across the county.

The restroom on the 900 wing reopened on Jan. 7 after being closed to repair damage from a fire. 

As the lights in the Large Gym went out last Friday, colors flew around the packed gym. Thrown from all sides of the room, the glow sticks that had been handed out at the beginning of the assembly painted the air in rainbows as students’ screams echoed off the walls.

In September 2013, California lawmakers passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour by 2016 from the current $8 minimum wage. This change will make the state’s minimum wage the highest in the country. Lawmakers plan to raise the wage to $9 per hour by July 2014 and bring the total to $10 by 2016.

On one of senior Wesley Chaffin’s shirts, three cartoon boys roast their hot dogs and one of the boys’ weiners falls into the camp fire. “It’s all fun and games until someone loses a weiner,” the shirt proclaims.  

Junior Steven Sum finished second out of 87 runners in the CCS division 3 meet held last Saturday at Crystal Springs, ending up with a time of 15:35. Sum will represent the school at the state meet later this month.

With the partition of India in 1947 came bloodshed, riots, despair and one of the largest mass migrations in history. Millions of lives were cut short, and thousands of families were separated

Starting in late October, the ASB decided to revise its constitution in order to legitimize ASB processes and clarify rules concerning clubs and elections.

The words “save a life” and “donate now” flash in pink and white on the computer screen, as billions of dollars flood into breast cancer organizations around the world. Millions of people log onto websites, walk in parades and buy pink merchandise every year in hopes of making a difference.  

Back in elementary school when we were boisterous and under 5 feet tall, after-school Clubhouse daycare was the highlight of our days, on Fridays especially because we got to jump into a magical fantasy world full of talking fish, flying carpets and song and dance through many Disney classics. 

The school has four guidance counselors, Frances Saiki, Eileen Allen, Monique Young and Alinna Satake, all situated in this hallway. Their doors are always open to students.

The science department has expanded significantly this year, with growth in the number of students taking AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, all requiring the addition of one new class and a total of two new teachers in the department.

With the mock trial season underway, the team is facing  several new changes, including the addition of a new attorney coach, Ed Quevedo, and changes in leadership due to the loss of several seniors.

When she was in third grade, senior Katie Woodruff received a letter that changed her life. This letter, from the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization, came in the mail soon after the death of one of her family’s dogs and promoted raising guide dogs in one’s own house.

Ever since sophomore Fiona Sequeira was little, she was entertained with stories of her sisters’ experiences in high school, from Jessica Sequeira’s tales of the journalism room at Saratoga to Sophie Sequeira’s stories about her experiences at Archbishop Mitty High School. 

As the fall season begins, both the girls’ and boys’ cross country teams are working hard to improve their endurance.

With the start of the new school year underway, the ASB is hoping to rid the school of dormant clubs, work harder to create a positive atmosphere on campus and consolidate the school’s charitable efforts this year.

Math teacher Audrey Warmuth teaches teaches Indtoduction to Engineering. The class explains to students the design process in engineering.

This year, California has instituted a policy that prohibits schools from posting a required list of school supplies.  This is because of a lawsuit against the state in 2010. Now, free public education and the school supplies that come with it are universally offered to students. In Doe v. State of California, which began in September 2010, a minor, Jane Doe, demanded that the state pay fees and purchase materials for educational activities. The plaintiffs signed a settlement agreement that requires school districts to comply with the law. 

With summer vacation quickly approaching, many students are planning a summer full of adventures with their friends. But here’s the main question: How much are they willing to spend for a great time? What many people may not know is that there are many different places nearby that can easily fit a student’s budget.  

Following in the footsteps of many other high schools in the area, the school is now seriously considering installing solar panels in the front parking lot. The Green Commission met with the district board on April 9 to discuss this possibility after hours of research and planning. 

At the SHS-Redwood charity game on Feb. 27, many students were surprised to find out that their history teacher was actually athletic.

With the girls’ swim season coming to a close, the Falcons are now preparing for CCS, which will be held at the International Swim Center in Santa Clara on May 11.  Before a big meet, such as CCS or League Championships, swimmers prepare by tapering, a term used to describe practice sets with high intensity and low yardage. They are also eating balanced and healthy diets.

Charged with monitoring over 60 clubs, ranging from the French Club to the App Developers’ Club, the ASB has its hands full keeping up with auditing existing clubs and making room for new ones.  This year, and continuing into next year, the ASB is taking steps to make sure dormant clubs are no longer recognized by the school.

Most days after school, sophomore Gonzalo Palomino sits in front of the television, his eyes locked on the screen, his fingers madly pressing different buttons on the controller. He’s been practicing for hours, all in hopes of beating the game, Mortal Kombat.

Artist Alexandra Conway grew up in Saratoga. Attending both Redwood Middle School and SHS, Conway graduated in 2006. Her passion for painting sparked during high school under the guidance of late art teacher, Steve McCue.

Two years ago, history teacher Jim Chin learned that his fraternal twin brother, Jack, had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Imagine returning to school on a dreary Monday morning after a weekend filled with music lessons, a speech and debate tournament and a track meet. Dark circles surround your eyes, you sigh, realizing that you have not completed the homework for the seven classes that lie ahead of you —  it's going to be a long day.

Fifty students are crowded into a hallway. Some are eating and talking loudly, others are laughing over a video on a phone. Then, of course, there are those who are sitting at desks inside an open classroom and trying to work, shielding their ears from the noise that’s flooding in from the crowded hallways. 

Most days after school, sophomore Gonzalo Palomino sits in front of the television, his eyes locked on the screen, his fingers madly pressing different buttons on the controller. He’s been practicing for hours, all in hopes of beating the game, Mortal Kombat.

After years of dedication to the school, English teacher Natasha Ritchie and PE teacher Peter Jordan, who is now working as an instructional coach for new teachers in the district, have won the Goldin Foundation Award for Excellence in Education. This annual award is only given to six educators in the Silicon Valley. 

This year, Spring Fling traditions were brought back and new events were implemented, bringing the week to a more disappointing close, several students had some belongings stolen from their backpacks during Friday's rally.

Even though the boys’ volleyball team headed into the season from a preseason of four consecutive losses, the 3-1 Falcons are proving to be contenders in the El Camino league.

Since 2005, counselor Judy Jackson has helped teens with a variety of issues, including school stress, grief, drug and alcohol counseling, and nutrition issues.

Less than a century ago, women finally gained the right to vote after years of fighting for their rights. Just four years ago, Hillary Clinton ran for president of the United States and became closer to winning presidency than any female candidate ever had before.

Sophomore Elise Nguyen has always had a personal cheerleader. Whether at swim meets or just at practice, her sister, junior Emily Nguyen, has always been there to motivate her. Emily, who also has a fan in her sister, explained that she and Elise are able to bond over swimming.

This semester, ASB has come up with a way to help fading clubs regain lost momentum during second semester, a serious problem many clubs face each year.

After losing 2-0 against the Mountain View Spartans on Jan. 25, the 3-4-1 girls’ soccer team is stuck in the middle of the league standings in the second half of the season.

The whole school crowded into the gym on Jan. 22 expecting to listen to an ordinary speech on bullying.

Ever since they were young, seniors Maya Nag and Rebecca Yang have played both the piano and the bass clarinet, among other instruments.

A job applicant with an Ivy League education and a phenomenal resumé can have his job application sent straight to the garbage bin if the employer finds an inappropriate photo of him on his Facebook profile.  

I have had a YMCA gym card snuggled in one of the card slots in my wallet, untouched since last summer. My parents have always been on my case to exercise and get some muscle, so I decided to end their incessant nagging and go to the gym this semester. 

Despite losing much of the team’s backbone when last year’s seniors graduated, senior Erik Martin is still confident that this year’s team can do as well as last year’s team.

Sophomore Adrienne Kim has a lot on her plate this year.

When the audience first saw freshman Nina Nelson step up to the microphone at Saratoga Idol on Nov. 29, they thought she was just an average contestant waiting for her few minutes of fame.

From Feb. 28 to March 3, the drama department will perform “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” a musical with a much more lighthearted story line than the dark fall play “The Crucible.”

Historians consider the D-Day invasion along the coast of France during World War ll to be one of the most important events in U.S. history.

The ASB has a simple message for students this holiday season: Help someone else in need.

To some people, old party games are better than new party games and vice versa. But in order to say which really is better, first one needs to define what a party game actually is.

As the MVP on the JV team her sophomore year and an All League First Team Player her junior year, senior Courtney Schlossareck has continued to excel in soccer and has emerged as key player for the girls’ soccer team.

Antwerp is a city located in northern Belgium, a cultural hub complete with a large cathedral and musicians playing on cobblestone streets. Taking a glance around, you’ll find few cars — walking is the preferred mode of transportation.

The Falcons found themselves down early 14-0 and never recovered in a 28-10 loss at home on Nov. 9 to the rival Los Gatos Wildcats.

Even if they lose tonight at Milpitas, the Falcons are guaranteed to have a winning record going into the annual rivalry game against rival Los Gatos at home on Nov. 9.

In India, thousands of people each year suffer from treatable eye conditions. The Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) attempts to solve this problem by paying for eye surgeries and transforming these people’s lives.

Many students were surprised to hear principal Paul Robinson’s announcement on Oct. 10 that a student’s car had been vandalized. He said a $500 reward would be offered for information about the incident.

When most teachers think of punishing their students for being disruptive in class, the first thoughts that pop into their head are docking points off the student’s participation grade, sending them outside the classroom or even forcing them to stay after class.

"Action,” a whisper sounds, and all goes silent except the actors’ voices and the low, steady hum of a video camera. Later, members of the sitcom team run through the lines, edit the video and sit back and watch their work in action.

Many students don’t look forward to the end of the six-week grading periods because of the plethora of due dates. From tests, to projects, to essays and, of course, a heavier homework load than usual, teachers have to rush to get grades entered by the deadline.

For as long as anybody can remember, Soundings, the school’s arts and literary magazine, has given students the chance to publicize their creative work for their peers to enjoy.

Sophomore Joowon Lee spent the first four years of his life living in South Korea. While there, he built up his Korean vocabulary and language skills. Once Lee moved to the United states, he spent countless hours in Korean school, and was able to build up an extensive Korean vocabulary at an extremely young age. 

After winning their first game 21-17 against Burlingame on Aug. 31, the Falcons had the momentum going into their second non-league game against the Brahnam Bruins on Sept. 7, where they triumphed in an away game 50-22.

The football team continued its winning streak when it beat the Monta Vista Matadors 48-7 on Sept. 21 at home.  

After freshman elections were announced on Sept. 5, the freshmen now have leaders who will try to bring the class of 2016 together, especially since Homecoming is right around the corner. 

When history teacher Jeffrey Scott left the school last spring and returned to teach in his hometown of Napa Valley, students participating in mock trial were left without an adviser. Luckily of them, another social studies teacher, Jim Chin, has now agreed to help the group.

To master a sport as demanding as football, an athlete must hone the main qualities of the various positions.

Senior wide receiver Kyle Dozier uses his skills developed from baseball and basketball to make himself a standout football player. 

Xylophones run around clumsily as monkeys eat bananas.  Four students mouth the words slowly as their thumbs begin to move rapidly.

The audience listens to the crisp sound of ripping paper as a judge at the Los Angeles International Thespian Society (ITS) tears open an envelope. It is an intense competition between creative students and their costume designs.

All is quiet in the little area behind the library. Red flowers surround circular tables and benches, forming a serene area, and two students eat at one of the black tables. In the middle of this tranquil area, a street sign proudly states “Hyde Park.”

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.

For most freshmen, the transition from lower level sports to high school sports is drastic and rocky. While many struggle to make the JV team to begin with, starting on the varsity team is a feat that is even more difficult to achieve.

Going from the bottom of the league standings to second place in the competitive DeAnza league, the boys’ varsity soccer team made a lot of progress throughout the season, letting the consistent wins speak for themselves.

Going from the bottom of the league standings to second place in the competitive DeAnza league, the boys’ varsity soccer team made a lot of progress throughout the season, letting the consistent wins speak for themselves.

Going from the bottom of the league standings to second place in the competitive DeAnza league, the boys’ varsity soccer team made a lot of progress throughout the season, letting the consistent wins speak for themselves.

Going from the bottom of the league standings to second place in the competitive DeAnza league, the boys’ varsity soccer team made a lot of progress throughout the season, letting the consistent wins speak for themselves.

At 5’5”, senior center midfielder Rajiv Ramakabir is not the biggest player on the field, nor is he the fastest or the strongest, but that has not stopped him from being one of the star players on a talented varsity boys’ soccer team.

Students running around the field with brooms wedged between their legs and flat volleyballs in each of their hands may leave spectators perplexed as they pass by this unusual game. What many people may not know is that a quidditch club has been formed on campus.

With the preseason coming to an end, the boys’ soccer team achieved a 3-2 record, most recently beating Prospect 2-1 on Dec. 7.

When sophomores Amanda Lee and Tivoli Sisco first met on the softball field playing for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Magic travel team back in elementary school, they never imagined that they would become close friends. Now, their friendship has been solidified after six years of bonding, both on and off the field.

Hanging from the walls of the Large Gym are banners commemorating the school's CCS champions in sports like tennis and football. But none hangs for boys' soccer—something a talented boys' soccer team thinks it has a chance of fixing this year.

Because of the new restrictions set by the administration this year as a result of inappropriate scripts in the previous rally and the sophomore quad day, the rally commission found different ways to entertain students in the Halloween Rally.

Because of the new restrictions set by the administration this year as a result of inappropriate scripts in the previous rally and the sophomore quad day, the rally commission found different ways to entertain students in the Halloween Rally.

With the University of Southern California being strong in many diverse areas such as sports, academics and clubs, USC is perfect for students from many different backgrounds.

With Santa Clara University (SCU) so close to Saratoga, it is difficult for 2011 alumna Apeksha Sharma to decide which one to call home. On her first day at Santa Clara University, Sharma could already feel the friendly vibes that many students emitted. “A thing I really like [about SCU] is that everyone here is so genuine and kind,” Sharma said. “Even if you don't know someone, they'll say ‘hi’ to you.” Apeksha enjoys the school spirit that can be seen in all areas of campus life.

The worlds of physics and comedy collide and create entertaining results in the CBS hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory.”

Though the name may suggest otherwise, Sunday’s No. 1 show on ABC, “Desperate Housewives,” is not a reality show meant only for housewives. It can be appealing to all mature audiences, including teens.

1. If they misbehave, cook’em Anyone up for rooster noodle soup? 2. Fresh eggs Just wash off the poop first (yes the eggs that you bought did come from there...) 3. Fresh meat (axe not included) Mike the headless chicken lived a year after his head was cut off 4. Buy two roosters and watch them fight for sexual supremacy Couldn’t they just split up into nice even little couples? Then again, those horny little things will probably get a million divorces. Maybe it’s better that way. 5. Remove a rooster’s vocal cords

What club lacks an adviser and may not survive long enough to compete against other schools this year? Beep. The answer is the Quiz Bowl Club.

Every year when fall comes around and I see pumpkins everywhere, I remember the eagerly awaited Halloweens of my past. Back in elementary school, I couldn’t wait to carve pumpkins, go to haunted houses, walk in the annual Halloween parades and eat an abundant supply of candy. Now as I proceed through high school, my excitement of Halloween has gradually faded.

While motivational speaker and writer Scott Lang has been invited to Saratoga High annually for six years to speak to the music students, this year he brought along a surprise: his new book, with an entire chapter centered around music department chair Michael Boitz.

From a bar tender in high volume rock n’ roll club to a maintenance worker, new teacher Mike McQuade has worked in many different professions in many different places but now he has finally settled as a teacher at Saratoga High School. During more than a decade as an employee of the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School district, McQuade has worked in the maintenance department, been a student teacher with Kelly Nicholson and has now finally become a biology as well as an anatomy and physiology teacher.

Freshman Samuel Junqua has been playing competitive soccer since he was 10. His outstanding talent led him directly onto the U-14 San Jose Earthquakes Pre-Academy team last spring. Junqua attends three vigorous two-hour training sessions per week to improve his technique and fitness. He hopes to be on the U.S. national team one day. “For now I want to concentrate on the Earthquakes and improve with the U-16 academy.” Junqua said. “In order to make it to the national team, I will need to work to my full potential for every training.” What is your impression of high school so far?

"I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven,” guidance counselor Lisa Kellert said of her first day at Saratoga High.

Since she was a child, senior Keerti Shukla has gone to MIT a countless times when visiting her aunt and uncle, who both work at the school. Although she had walked through the pristine hallways of MIT on multiple occasions, Shukla’s desire to attend MIT became concrete once she decided to pursue a major in engineering.

Since she was a child, senior Keerti Shukla has gone to MIT a countless times when visiting her aunt and uncle, who both work at the school. Although she had walked through the pristine hallways of MIT on multiple occasions, Shukla’s desire to attend MIT became concrete once she decided to pursue a major in engineering.

DVDS/CDS Toy Story 3 Woody and Buzz are back again to save the day in this timeless classic from Disney. “Toy Story 3” provides humor, adventure and emotion all packed together in this final adventure of the Toy Story series. The heartwarming storyline of “Toy Story 3” is perfect for the holidays, by bringing back childhood memories that will make you both laugh and cry. This DVD is an essential addition to any movie collection and a perfect gift for anyone who grew up in love with the series.

My Aunt began making a lemon and almond cake during the holiday season after my cousin came to visit from Paris. After they practiced, they were finally able to perfect this recipe. Follow these simple directions to make your own delicious lemon and almond cake! Ingredients: 120g all purpose flour 200g almond powder 200g sugar powder 200g softened salted butter 3 eggs 1 lemon juiced and zested 1 teaspoon baking powder Directions: Preheat oven to 356°F 1. Beat butter and sugar until obtaining a clear mixture

While most people think of Chipotle when thinking about Mexican food, Los Dos Compadres #2 is a great alternative.

Rally commissioner Leah Capek's black 2003 Volkswagen Jetta seems more like a storage closet for costumes, props and equipment used in past rallies rather than a form of transportation. "My stuff is all pretty much from the rally, give or take a few things," said the senior who has been on the rally commission since the end of last year. "There are flags, my clothes from the rally, skates and in the backseat of my car I have my blanket and binders. I also have some nice robes and a bra." Capek, embarrassed by the blue leopard print bra, explains how it got in her car.

For senior Tim Lycurgus, his blue 1999 Lexus SUV is more than something that takes him from point A to B. It's also a storage device that he lovingly calls “Waldo" and a place where he hangs out with his best friend senior Kevin Darchuk, who claims to be Waldo's uncle. Just to get a glimpse of the inside of his trunk, Lycurgus has to fold down the back seat of his car and crawl into the trunk to open it from the inside.

Next year’s budget woes may be solved, but the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) is now facing a $3 million deficit for the 2011-2012 school year. The budget deficit for 2010-11 has been solved by cutting courses and programs, implementing a salary freeze and a pay cut, withdrawing money from the reserve and instigating teacher layoffs. As a result of these changes, some class sizes such as English 9 will increase by one or two students.

"1...chubby bunny...2...chubby bunny...3...chwubby bwunny...4...twubby bwunny...5..." All of the Chubby Bunny participants sounded exactly the same as they put one marshmallow in after the other. For those unfamiliar, Chubby Bunny is a childhood past time in which people compete to see how many marshmallows they can put in their mouth before their uttering of "chubby bunny" becomes incoherent. In the first showdown, seniors Mika Padmanabhan and Trevor Teerlink stuffed six and seven marshmallows in their mouths respectively, leaving witnesses in awe.

The Saratoga community expressed its concern over the district's budget crisis during the Feb. 25 town hall meeting at the SHS library. Several dozen parents, students and teachers all voiced their worries over the future quality of education at SHS and proposed possible solutions, such as community donations and a parcel tax.

As the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) continues to find ways to alleviate the worst budget crisis in its history, many teachers are beginning to worry about an increase in class sizes or the possibility of getting pink slipped.

As the budget deficit for next school year nears a staggering $3.06 million, the Los-Gatos Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) has started taking steps to deal with the growing crisis.

In the late 1990s, the school could hardly be viewed as a great facility for learning. In fact, Saratoga High had hardly changed its appearance or facilities in its first 40 years.

After graduating Saratoga High in 2007, aMichael Nguyen, a junior at UC San Diego studying human development, decided to go to around Tanzania last fall to teach HIV/AIDS awareness through One Heart Source, a program that helps house orphans in Africa. Nguyen felt that it was an opportunity he would not want to miss.

After a Dec. 8 school board meeting, district officials have concluded that the earlier projection of a $1.6 million budget deficit for next year has increased to $2.75 million because of a re-adjusted estimate of local property values. "Where we are now is [figuring out] what are we going to do––that's what we're negotiating now," principal Jeff Anderson said. "We are working with the board to figure out where should we save money and where that money is going to come from."

Saratoga and Los Gatos High Schools will be facing at least a $1.6 million deficit during the 2010-2011 academic school year and are looking for ways to solve the problem during the next few months. Potential changes include larger class sizes, staff layoffs, pay cuts and furloughs, fewer instructional supplies, an on-line summer school option and a schedule alignment between the two schools.

At the end of this school year, students will not only have to say goodbye to the seniors but also to retiring English teacher Paul Page and math teacher Larry Bingham. Both have decided to leave SHS in pursuit of relaxation and other passions.

After years of hard work, the time has finally come for seniors to make the next major step in life, college. In most cases, several doors are open to them. All they have to do is decide which college is right for them by May 1. And that’s where the pressure comes in.

After being an avid member of Girl Scouts for 12 years, senior Nyssa Spector is working toward the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in the organization. Receiving this honor requires 65 hours of community service.

Girls’ Soccer: The JV girls’ soccer team ended its season on a six-game winning streak and placed second in leagues. Freshmen Antara and Meghana Rao led the Falcons, who lost only two games all year. Boys’ Basketball: Despite a 4-8 record, the JV boys’ basketball team had a fairly successful season. The underclassmen improved greatly and should bring solid talent to the varsity squad in the upcoming years. Standout players include sophomores Kent Paisley and Chris Guengerich.

On Feb. 25, 40 total students from both Yerba Buena and Saratoga High School exchanged places as part of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. This experience was a way for the students to explore a different academic world.

Gripping the trapeze bar, sophomore Stacee Mendonca takes a deep breath before she jumps off the high platform and swings through the air. She maneuvers her body into a tuck and grabs backwards towards her partner, waiting for their hands to connect. She then lets go of her trapeze bar, trusting her partner as they fly through the air.

After much anticipation, the day finally arrived when 2006 SHS alumnus James Fung could see his designs as well as the clothes from other designers shown proudly on the runway. From choosing models to making promotional flyers, Fung, an architecture student at the University of Washington, worked diligently for three months to finish a 10-piece collection for a fashion show that took place on Feb. 26 at the University of Washington.

Chattering in Spanish, teacher Arnaldo Rodriguex and a few students gather on Friday after school for their weekly “café socials." Rodriguex has taught the language the district for the past 35 years and has been having “café socials” with his students for as long as he can remember. These occur almost every Friday after school and are usually hold at Peet’s Coffee Shop on Saratoga-Sunnyvale. During the socials, students practice talk with each other in Spanish outside of the typical class setting.

Many students have entered. Only one can be chosen. Out of 100 students across the Bay Area who entered the second Annual Social Issues Documentary Film Contest (SI DocFest) hosted in San Jose. Two SHS films have qualified to be in the top 10, one group ranked 12th and one group received an honorable mention. For this contest, Students were to create eight- to 10- minute documentaries highlighting local non-profit organizations focused on working with social issues.

While most seniors were busy filling out questionnaires and writing essays for colleges this past fall, a few took a different path. Seniors Vivian Fu, Candace Kao and Lisa Clark are among the handful of students who have decided to pursue a career in the arts, meaning they had to send portfolios to colleges.

Costa Rica is an ethnically unified country where 98 percent of the population is white or mestizo, a person of mixed American Indian and European. On the other hand, the United States is diverse and ranges from white to Hispanic to Chinese. These two different cultures mixed to form an experience of a lifetime when six Costa Rican students arrived in Saratoga on Jan. 19. Teenagers from both cultures were able to bond and compare their different lifestyles over the next three weeks.

Drama 4 Honors: 2 Asians, 11 Caucasians. AP Chemistry: 78 Asians, 13 Caucasians. Newspaper staff: 57 Asians, 12 Caucasians, as determined by a Falcon headcount. Statistics obtained from the school registrar show that in comparison to other public high schools in the area, Saratoga High School, sporting a 41.0 percent Caucasian, 40.9 percent Asian, and 11.9 percent Indian student population, according to the SHS Student Distribution Report, is relatively diverse. However, despite a near-equal ratio of Caucasians and Asians, an increasingly large racial imbalance has developed in some classes over the years.

After playing the flute for six years, senior Aaron Garg decided to enter the 2009 Santa Clara County Band Directors Association Concerto Competition (SCCBDA) on Dec. 2. With his solo piece “Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise” by Franz Doppler, Garg was able to win and will perform this piece with the SCCBDA Honor Band on Jan. 18.

As Winter Ball comes nearer, the ASB is putting the final touches on their plans for the Dec 13 event. The dance will be held in the gym.

Last year, the administration implemented a new policy that took away the applied arts credit for being an office aide (OA) or teacher’s aide (TA). Now, in order obtain these credits, students must enroll in a class that falls under the applied arts category and in addition has a career element to it. For this reason, the number of TAs and OAs has steadily decreased since last year, going from 143 students to an all-time low of 94 students, according to assistant principal Brian Safine.

Last year, the administration implemented a new policy that took away the applied arts credit for being an office aide (OA) or teacher’s aide (TA).

The rivalry between the Falcons and the Wildcats has only strengthened after the Falcons moved into the Wildcats’ division this year. Despite a 28-year losing streak to the Wildcats, the Falcons are optimistic about their chances of beating Los Gatos tonight at home. They hope that the implementation of the Wing T offense, which has thrived in previous games, will help them pull off an upset and break Los Gatos’ win streak.

Senior Neyha Bhat sang a solo at a Chinese opera performance at Le Petit Trianon Theatre in downtown San Jose on Sept. 13, quite a surprise considering Bhat is of Indian descent and does not speak the language.

Fans attending the first football game tonight will be surprised to hear an new voice sounding over the speakers. English teacher Erick Rector is the new announcer for JV and varsity football and basketball games, taking the place of math teacher Mike Navrides. “This year I was given the opportunity to announce and I decided to give it a shot,” said Rector.

The lunch bell rang on Sept. 18, finally releasing hundreds of restless students from their classes. As usual, they scurried to the quad steps with the intent of reaching the cafeteria first and avoiding the long lunch lines. However, they were met by an enormous mob of classmates surrounding the center of the quad, surveying colorful posters bearing the names of dozens of clubs. Saratoga High hosted its annual Club Day on Sept. 18. Although upperclassmen had already been introduced to a variety of clubs during their high school experience, freshmen who had never experienced this before, were overwhelmed by the many clubs that their new school had to offer.

Imagine walking down a dirt road barefoot among shards of broken beer bottles. Imagine losing a friend to enemy fire every day. Imagine not being able to see your family again. Imagine all this when you’re only being nine years old. In Uganda, 1.8 million children are being forced from their homes to fight against the Ugandan army. For them, it’s either kill or be killed. A rebel group named the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led by Joseph Kony has taken most of these kids from their homes at the ages of 5 to 14.Not only has Kony destroyed lives, he has destroyed schools. Most of the kids in Uganda don’t have a plan for the future. Lucky for them, hope is on the way.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) recently introduced then rescinded a new rule that requires all players to pass an oral English language test or face a suspension of their membership.

The class of 2012 timidly filed into the large gym on Aug. 22 for the first time as high school students. Unsure of what exactly was planned for them, they were placed in the care of 104 Link Leaders for the day, who led them through a series of activities and a tour of the school.

LPGA English-rule Controversy By: Theresa Yeh Word Count: 285 The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) recently introduced then rescinded a new rule that requires all players to pass an oral English language test or face a suspension of their membership.

It is normal for students like freshman Jennifer Chiang to be saying her farewells now that it is the end of the year. Saying goodbye to the scent of newly opened textbooks, the apprehension of the make-or-break-it tests, the friends who have been there to laugh and help. But for Jennifer, this will be the first and last time she will leave Saratoga High.

As the badminton season came to an end, the major end-of-season tournament CCS determined the top players of each section.

As the badminton season came to an end, the major end-of-season tournament CCS determined the top players of each section. Five seniors from the varsity badminton team attended CCS Championships, held from May 20 to 22. Boys’ doubles teams David Chock and Kevin Chiang, Michael Su and Andrew Shyu, and girls’ singles player Emily Hur all advanced from league finals to play against top-ranked Bay Area high school players. “It was a great experience to meet some new players from all around,” said Hur. “I learned a lot from watching their unique strategies and skills.”

AP Music Theory teacher and Choir Director Jim Yowell was recently named the District Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009. “I feel very fortunate to [have been] selected this year,” said Yowell. “All teachers have their own special talents and deserve to be honored. This great recognition is rather humbling and means a lot because other teachers are complimenting you.”

Saratoga lost three consecutive games over the past two weeks against Monta Vista, Wilcox and Gunn, three of the league’s strongest teams. All three games were lost by a score of 13 – 17. “We were really close [against Monta Vista and Wilcox],” said senior varsity girls’ doubles player Laura Lin. “If we had just won one more varsity game, we would have come out on top.”

Saratoga lost three consecutive games over the past two weeks against Monta Vista, Wilcox and Gunn, three of the league’s strongest teams. All three games were lost by a score of 13 – 17.

This story originally appeared in the April 4, 2008 edition of The Saratoga Falcon Advertised as a “social utility that connects you with the people around you,” Facebook has in recent years become the typical high school student’s favorite time-burner, as well as a nationwide phenomenon for virtual friend-friend conversations and pictures. For one determined college girl looking for a relationship, however, Facebook was the key to a much greater quest.

This story was originally published in the April 4 edition of The Saratoga Falcon As blood trickled down the hood of a crushed car, senior Andy Capek desperately shook senior Pete Florence’s body, but with no avail. Seconds later, Capek trembled and sank to the ground, covering his face with his hands. A police officer slowly approached him while firefighters surveyed the scene and the piercing wails of ambulances grew steadily louder.