The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomores Alma Garniek and Sia Bharadhwaj performed during the group dance.
Sophomore quad day thrives with a boost in participation
October 20, 2024
Seniors wave goodbye to students and staff in the audience after successfully delivering a stunning performance.
Seniors ends week of Quad Day performances with an energetic display
October 20, 2024
Group dance carries the show with energetic dance moves and smiles on their faces.
Juniors navigate low rehearsal attendance and participation for their quad day
October 20, 2024
Assistant superintendent of business services Ruben Fernandez, superintendent Bill Sanderson, director of human resources Dagmar Derickson, assistant superintendent of student services Heath Rocha and public information officer Tanya De La Cruz listen to public comment against the amendments to Sanderson’s contract. The new contract was approved by the board in a unanimous decision.
Widespread criticism over district leadership leads to community meetings and attempts at rebuilding trust
October 18, 2024
Sporting green jerseys, Joseph Yu, Elaine Luo, Sophie Qi and Serena Hu went all out for their performance.
Freshmen pull through despite fewer than 30 participants in their first quad day performance
October 18, 2024
Judges receive rubrics to score each performance out of 160 possible points.
How are Homecoming performances ranked?
October 20, 2024
The once-great Marvel and Pixar trend toward decline, as multiple factors drag them down.
The hidden factors behind Pixar and Marvel’s downfall
October 18, 2024
With an endless stream of online content, students find themselves overwhelmed by the temptation of smartphones.
In a world of short-form videos, long-term focus becomes a challenge
October 18, 2024
Each teacher reflected on their growth since they first started teaching at the school.
25 Years later: Educators reflect back on their first year at SHS
October 18, 2024
Gru Junior successfully tames Gru’s high school mascot—the honey badger Lenny.
‘Despicable Me 4’ is getting too much hate
October 18, 2024
With a shock offseason trade, Karl Anthony-Towns joins the New York Knicks to play alongside tenured Knick Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks are on course to finally bring a championship to New York
October 22, 2024
Leagues like Overtime Elite allow high school athletes to display their talents on a giant online platform.
How young athletes have started using social media for success
October 21, 2024
The constant cycle of practice and school leaves little free time during the day.
Competitive athletes balance rigorous sports schedule with academics
October 21, 2024
Falcons lineup in front of the endzone preparing to rush forward for another touchdown.
Football boasts 49-0 Homecoming win over Lynbrook, maintains undefeated record
October 21, 2024
Alice Vaughan balances in the flag position while practicing her solo performance at Garrod Farms.
Sophomore equestrian vaults to destress, despite dangerous nature of sport
October 15, 2024
Results shown on Google Map after searching up “housing developments nearby,” which doesn’t include those that didn’t publicize themselves on the map.
A gentler approach to growth: Why ADUs offer a middle ground in housing development
October 21, 2024
Though the school lunch applesauce is good, I prefer the ones that come in a pouch, since I don't need a spoon to eat them.
100-word rave: Applesauce is my go-to snack
October 18, 2024
To fight an upward battle, students struggle against time
100-word rant: classes without breaks
October 14, 2024
The balance of power at the school sites is heavily outweighed by the district.
Staff editorial: As the board levels up on district office personnel, LG and SHS staff suffer negative impacts
October 10, 2024
The Monopoly theme is a mere shadow of what it could have been.
This year’s Homecoming theme for the senior class is a major disappointment
October 10, 2024
There are some items I can’t leave behind on a ski trip.
Trip essentials from a yearly Tahoe-goer
October 22, 2024
My favorite teddy bears and I have made plenty of good memories over the years — and their origin story is better than mine.
From trash can to happy home: a tale of two teddy bears
October 21, 2024
Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, hold their creature power discs.
Nostalgia for ‘Wild Kratts’ hits strong as it remains to be one of my core shows of childhood
October 21, 2024
School starts at 8:30! Thankfully I still have 31 minutes to get there.
Top 10: excuses for being late
October 18, 2024
A particular scent can tug at your nostalgic feelings.
An ode to my favorite ‘scent-sibilities’
October 18, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Amy Luo, News Editor

Amy Luo, Class of 2025, is a News editor for the 2024-25 school year. Previously, she was a Lifestyles editor and a reporter. Throughout her three years on staff, Amy has covered topics including class and student spotlights, personal columns, and local events in Saratoga. She also loves making graphics for the paper and received a JEANC 2024 Honorable Mention Award for graphic design. In her free time, Amy enjoys listening to instrumentals and playing badminton.
All content by Amy Luo
Following my advice will guarantee your success!

A senior’s guide to surviving (and thriving in) APUSH

Amy Luo
August 31, 2024
A sample senior’s college list.

College & Career Center holds essay boot camps for incoming seniors

Amy Luo and Angela Tan
August 24, 2024
Juniors Arthur Wang, Kathy Wang, Sunny Cao, Kayla Nguyen, Aarushi Sharma and Will Norwood with their awards from the NHD states competition.

Two junior student groups qualify to the National History Day Nationals Competition

Amy Luo and Beverly Xu
May 20, 2024
My state of mind at the beach.

Top 10: reasons I hate the beach

Amy Luo
May 4, 2024
An art piece submission, “Serenity’s Embrace: Canyon Whispers” by Claire Kim from Issue 1: “Make Your Dreams Come True.”

Asian Anthology: literary journal co-founded by local high schoolers

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
April 18, 2024
A simplified diagram of Siripurapu’s “Droplet”.

Junior places 2nd in Congressional App Challenge with water conservation project

Amy Luo
March 26, 2024
I always spent hours making bracelets with my sister on the weekends.

Photo or Graphic for: Rainbow Loom: the childhood hobby that led to crochet

Jane Lee
March 24, 2024
To eat or not to eat? That is the question.

Marshmallows: malicious or delicious?

Amy Luo
March 24, 2024
Rows of guitars displayed on the wall at the guitar store, Diamond Music.

Groovy guitar gamble: Alumni runs thriving guitar shop in downtown

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
February 8, 2024
Planning my day with colorful highlighters always brings me joy.

Photo or Graphic for: Bullet journaling: the planning system I fell in love with

Jane Lee
February 6, 2024
AP Music Theory teacher Nitzan lectures on harmonic function during class on Nov. 13.

AP Music Theory offers opportunities to explore compositional techniques

Amy Luo
December 7, 2023
Charlie Brown is an unexpected Christmas comfort character

Photo or Graphic for: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ spotlights struggles of those who just don’t mesh with the holiday

Tara Natarajan
December 7, 2023
Television is poison: Don’t let it dominate your life.

Photo or Graphic for: Stop watching TV: It’s a covert threat to your time and health

Alan Cai
December 4, 2023
Downtown’s Christmas tree lights up the dim evening.

Annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony brings community together

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
December 3, 2023
Our all time favorites!

Top 10: best Halloween candies — extended holiday edition

Amy Luo and Beverly Xu
December 1, 2023
My favorite activities to celebrate the holiday season!

Photo or Graphic for: A guide to Christmas: making the most out of the best holiday

Jane Lee
December 1, 2023
I’m heartbroken when January hits, indicating Santa’s farewell.

Photo or Graphic for: Christmas is an ‘ex’ I’ll need to get over 

Angela Tan
November 26, 2023
Food Gobbler in action: dishes swept within a matter of seconds.

Top 10: people to leave out of your Thanksgiving dinner invites

Amy Luo
November 25, 2023
Crashing into mailboxes: a not-so-unique Saratoga student experience.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: sure-fire ways to fail your driver’s test

Beverly Xu
November 20, 2023
Veteran and new players both display their love for Pokemon Go (rightfully so).

Photo or Graphic for: Gotta catch ‘em all: Pokémon Go’s deserved comeback

Andy Zhu
November 15, 2023
Frangieh and her UC Davis team at the 1990 water polo National Championships held at Brown University.

Math teacher Kelly Frangieh: once dual collegiate athlete at UC Davis

Amy Luo
October 21, 2023
Ellis returns a punt during a 1992 game against the University of San Diego.

College football standout: athletic director Rick Ellis

Amy Luo
October 21, 2023
With the help of online resources, succeeding in Chemistry Honors is definitely achievable.

A junior’s guide to succeeding in Chemistry Honors

Amy Luo
October 19, 2023
Memories of my childhood — like making tang yuan with my grandma — are forever instilled in the little circular desserts.

Photo or Graphic for: A taste of my childhood through tang yuan

Beverly Xu
October 14, 2023
Behavioral therapist Sora Kang works on her computer in one of the special education classrooms on Sept. 21.

New behavioral therapist aids other special education teachers

Jane Lee and Amy Luo
October 11, 2023
My favorite types of self-care! 

Photo or Graphic for: A junior-year guide to self-care

October 11, 2023
Attracted by glamorous college names and eye-catching buzzwords, students need to weigh the true benefits of summer pre-college programs with the costs.

Photo or Graphic for: Summer pre-college programs: The ‘college experience’ and fungible classes advertised come at too steep of a price

Beverly Xu
October 1, 2023
I know the toilet will murder me if I don’t run away fast enough.

Photo or Graphic for: Sorry, Mom, I’m too scared to flush the toilet

Kathy Wang
September 29, 2023
Eight-year-old me is struck with utter fear as she comes face to face with a soon-to-be life-long enemy.

Photo or Graphic for: Hitchock was right when it comes to birds

Emma Fung
September 27, 2023
Seniors sing along for their weekly karaoke activity.

A happy place for all: Elderly find community at the Saratoga Senior Center

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
September 24, 2023
The pancakes that my mini bear-pan aspires to mold and the Instant pot that never lets my food get cold—which one is better? I think that’s an Instant answer…

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: pots and pans (of all kinds)

Beverly Xu
September 21, 2023
Some of my favorite snacks to eat after school are honey butter chips, shrimp chips and pocky.

Photo or Graphic for: After-school snacks: my secret key to productivity

Zack Zhang
September 12, 2023
Students are looking forward to learning sign language.

Dual enrollment agreement with West Valley brings ASL to the school next fall

Amy Luo
June 1, 2023
A collage of junior Kyleen Liao’s ambitious research journey.

Junior in progress of developing user-friendly solutions regarding air pollution concerns

Amy Luo
May 27, 2023
Sophomore Aidan Smith hits his approach shot on the 18th hole during league finals at Santa Teresa golf course en route to a birdie.

Top players qualified for CCS despite subpar team record

Saachi Jain, Amy Luo, and Sarah Zhou
May 20, 2023
A group photo in Monaco, France.

France trip revived after 5-year hiatus

Amy Luo
May 6, 2023
 Sophomore Matthew Chang lines up his next shot.

Boys’ golf loses two early matches after rain delays season

Saachi Jain and Amy Luo
March 31, 2023
A collection of Telgemeier’s characters from Smile, Sisters and Ghosts.

Raina Telgemeier: beloved author of charming graphic novels

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
March 7, 2023
People wait in line and hear about their multiple canceled flights.

Flight cancellations disrupt traveling plans over the holiday break

Nicole Lee and Amy Luo
February 12, 2023
Many submissions revolved around the theme of mental health. Among them was senior Christina Chang’s artwork “Burnout,” a mixed media self portrait which comments on the academic culture at Saratoga High. 

Winter Soundings issue to be published online in late January

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
January 24, 2023
Ms. Tseng’s 7th period of Introduction to Computer Programming, one of the two classes she teaches at Saratoga High.

Language teachers alternate between teaching at Saratoga and Los Gatos

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
December 19, 2022
A group photo of my selected favorites.

Being emotionally attached to every single one of my stuffed animals

Amy Luo
December 10, 2022
Field hockey defends their goal against Mitty.

Field hockey ends season in CCS loss

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
November 30, 2022
Senior point guard Tanya Ghai prepares to shoot during a shooting drill at practice. 

Season preview: Girls’ basketball aspires to make it further into CCS

Emma Fung and Amy Luo
November 22, 2022
Some Floridian citizens had their homes left in ruins.

Hurricane Ian is a reminder that we are the ones who pay the price for climate change

Amy Luo
November 6, 2022
Defender junior Emma Green and midfielder senior Georgia Adams and defender senior Annika Muju guard the goal against Mitty.

Field hockey calls up JV players to fill roster

Amy Luo and Isabelle Wang
September 30, 2022
Bad habits influence and shape our everyday lives.

Bad habits undo the best of intentions

Emma Fung and Amy Luo
September 28, 2022
Two students throwing a frisbee during la fiesta.

Photo or Graphic for: The best class period: A hard-earned fiesta in Spanish 2

Andy Zhu
September 27, 2022
An assortment of activities when there’s nothing better to do

Top 10: ways to kill time

Amy Luo
September 22, 2022
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