The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
One of the school’s top-of-the-line AEDs
School ramps up AED count on campus
November 20, 2024
Students listen to Natasha Schatzman’s presentation in the student center on Nov. 15.
NASA aerospace engineer shares research in aeromechanics and aeroacoustics
November 20, 2024
Acting superintendent Heath Rocha speaks during the Nov. 12 board meeting.
New concerns arise over former superintendent Sanderson’s 2022 hiring
November 20, 2024
The flyer for this year’s Winter Formal hangs up around school and is posted on social media.
Tickets for Winter Formal sell out before purchase window closes
November 20, 2024
Saratoga Team 1, senior Alan Lu, junior Lawson Wang, sophomores Andy Lu and Seabert Mao, senior Skyler Mao and sophomore Vivian Zhong (left to right), hold their 3rd place trophy.
Math club places third at Berkeley tournament
November 17, 2024
Actress Naomi Scott playing Skye Riley brings to life a terrifying transformation through subtle changes.
‘Smile 2’ mixes traditional jump scare and psychological horror
November 20, 2024
BASIC officers at a boba fundraiser on Oct. 2.
BASIC club emphasizes youth action on humanitarian aid
November 18, 2024
The U.S., China and Taiwan, among other nations, are engaged in one of the fastest-growing tech races in history to develop and produce the best semiconductors and AI.
The U.S. is playing catchup in the semiconductor race. Is it too late to win?
November 12, 2024
Highlights of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors dances during Homecoming week from Oct. 14-19.
Behind the scenes: Meet the choreographers who brought the Homecoming dance to life
November 2, 2024
Students gather around the table at the top of the quad steps during the voter registration drive on Sept. 25.
Revived Democracy Matters club kicks off the school year with successful election events
October 30, 2024
Senior Saira Ramakrishnan pitches for the Saratoga Falcons.
Senior softball player commits to University of Rochester
November 20, 2024
The team gathered around a fire during their retreat to enjoy s’mores and build team chemistry.
Girls’ basketball team aims to build winning culture in pre-season after eye-opening retreat
November 20, 2024
Recap of fall sports.
Fall Sports Recap: Toga teams fight hard to the end
November 16, 2024
The girls’ tennis team poses for a group photo.
Girls’ tennis finishes the regular season with a solid victory
November 16, 2024
Mascots and volunteers cheering runners on as they cross the finish line.
Saratoga 5K Fun Run: a blend of community and competition
November 13, 2024
Cigarette packaging should depict frightening images on the front and sides, clearly communicating the consequences of smoking.
Cigarette packaging needs to be more graphic in its dire warnings
November 15, 2024
Journalism labor unions have firmly opposed the bill, calling it a “shakedown.”
‘Undemocratic’ deal reached between Google and California news outlets
November 7, 2024
Test dates make or break our vacation
The bliss and benefits of having tests before breaks
October 31, 2024
Here’s why you should vote against Prop 34.
Prop 34’s devious methods target non-profits
October 30, 2024
Please let me understand my mistakes.
100-word rant: Let me use the answer key to check my work
October 28, 2024
Personally, I really need some noodle slippers.
My 8-year-old self would be sad to see ‘5-Minute Crafts’ go — but I’m not
November 20, 2024
A hearty stew such as a beef bourguignon is perfect for a cold winter day.
Winter break bucket list: cooking galore
November 18, 2024
Don’t hate until you try it.
Top 10: weirdly good food combos that might get you flamed
November 16, 2024
A girl cries as she realizes her wallet is empty.
Resisting the urge to splurge: regulating money spent on lunchtime outings
November 11, 2024
The seating chart is often like a game of Russian Roulette, you either sit next to your best friend or next to your ex.
Top 10: Reasons to request a seat change
November 5, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
Alec Guan

Alec Guan, School Scope Editor

All content by Alec Guan
Cell phones in the classroom pose a significant distraction and threat to student’s education

State’s decision to restrict cell phone usage in schools is a step in the right direction

Alec Guan
November 4, 2024
Seniors Keion Ashjaee-Marshall and Tevita Pahulu practice taping wrist injuries.

Sports Medicine elective returns

Alec Guan and Linh Do
October 30, 2024
This so called “trendy” sport leaves the rest of the racquetball community in quite the pickle.

A plea to pickleballers from a ticked off tennis player

Alec Guan
September 19, 2024
Junior Nirvan Shah faces off against junior Brady Liang at lunch on Sept. 16.

Student irresponsibility undermines the Falcon Nest’s true potential

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
September 18, 2024
Try it before you judge me…

Try a strange but delectable food combination: Doritos dipped in cupcake frosting

Alec Guan
May 29, 2024
The team, with robot number “649,” plays a qualification match at St. Ignatius during the San Francisco Regional. 

MSET Robotics team of 49 students scrambles to build a robot for their first regional, with an ambitious schedule

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
May 21, 2024
The math department will integrate new Algebra and Geometry textbooks next school year.

New math textbooks to be implemented in 2024-2025 school year

Alec Guan
May 16, 2024
More and more jobs will now be taken over by automation, making Computer Science less appealing as a major.

Is studying comp sci still the golden ticket to wealth?

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
April 29, 2024
Breaking will make its debut in the 2024 Summer Olympics in an effort to draw in more attention from a younger audience.

Break Dancing to be introduced at 2024 summer Olympics

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
April 18, 2024
Students who succumb to the allure of Sparknotes will fail to analyze classic literature on their own.

SparkNotes — a glorified version of cheating

Alec Guan
March 7, 2024
Science Bowl members prepare for regionals during Feb. 1 meeting after school.  

Science Bowl team places third at regionals, falling short of national tournament qualification

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
March 3, 2024
Social media can shorten students’ attention span and hinder their academic performance.

Down the online rabbit hole: Students find social media to be detrimental to academic performance

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
March 3, 2024
MSET Bettafish and MSET Jellyfish compete against each other during a match at a FTC league meet.

FTC teams improve consistency for upcoming league tournament

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
February 6, 2024
The spread of misinformation on social media platforms is highly problematic as unqualified individuals create misleading posts

Social media too often misleads when it comes to mental health advice

Jeremy Si and Alec Guan
January 26, 2024
Florida school district outlaws the usage of cell phones during school hours; those who violate this rule will be punished.

Florida school district’s cell phone bans are a step in the right direction

Alec Guan
December 16, 2023
Nested in what previously used to be farmland, the proposed city will not succeed.

Billionaires: Don’t build that city 

Alec Guan
December 15, 2023
Don’t worry, rock music enjoyment is definitely not a cult.

How my father rocked my musical world

Alec Guan
December 14, 2023
Sophomore Yash Sharma presents “Wonders of Python” on a trip to India in summer 2023.

Sophomore’s non-profit organization aims to inspire younger generations to pursue programming

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
December 2, 2023
A robot from Cupertino high school drives across the field to score a “triball,” or a plastic, acorn-shaped game object.

SHS and Redwood VEX teams host qualifier tournament

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
November 6, 2023
Lithium mining has increased exponentially over the past few decades– and we will have to face the consequences of it sooner or later

Newsom’s mandate on electric vehicles will do more harm than good

Alec Guan and Richard Fan
October 19, 2023
Rallies are the place to go if you want people encroaching on your personal space.

Teachers, please stop shepherding us to rallies

Alec Guan and Jeremy Si
October 18, 2023
 Senior outreach lead Ameya Saund’s painting for the fundraising event’s art auction shows multiple hands to highlight how collective action can accomplish much more than a sole actor.

FRC Robotics team helps bring education to underprivileged girls in rural India

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
October 14, 2023
The average overheating Macbook is good for frying eggs for breakfast.

100-word rant: What do people see in MacBooks anyway?

Alec Guan
September 29, 2023
At the second mandatory meeting of the year, new junior safety lead Richard Chung introduces organization plans for the semester, along with other student leads and staff advisor Jennifer Lee.

Despite success through the years, MSET  Robotics team strives to upgrade its training

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
September 27, 2023
Tired of sweating? Try the sports on the right!

Top 10: unathletic sports

Richard Fan and Alec Guan
September 24, 2023
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