The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomore Lauren Song performs as Clara in Los Gatos Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
Dancers perform in ‘The Nutcracker’ with the Los Gatos Ballet
December 18, 2024
Casavant’s frequent drop-ins on water polo games and practices brought energy to the team.
In supporting student athletes, staff members make important connections
December 15, 2024
Students dance to the music in the moshpit on Dec. 7.
Winter Formal at Gilroy Gardens garners positive feedback
December 14, 2024
Many seniors feel frustrated with the lack of a consistent counselor.
Students last names A-F have faced struggles with guidance counselor turnovers in past two years
December 13, 2024
In recent years, an increasing number of students have applied early to college.
Class of ’25 sees an increased number of early college applicants
December 13, 2024
Playing Grace Fryer and Tom Kreider respectively, senior Kat Aldrete and junior Larry O’Brien star in the SHS ‘Radium Girls’ fall play.
Senior Kat Aldrete shines as lead role in ‘Radium Girls’
December 14, 2024
A perfect sparkly Christmas decoration to get you in the festive mood.
Top 10: Christmas Decorations
December 13, 2024
There are various ways to approach studying math competitions such as the AMC.
Students prepare for math competitions with various methods and mediums
December 13, 2024
AP Physics teachers Tom Casavant and Matthew Welander discuss a change in their upcoming lesson plans.
Class-alike teachers collaborate to improve and standardize student experiences
December 13, 2024
The result of the poll conducted by our Falcon Instagram account.
What songs top the charts for all-time favorite holiday music?
December 13, 2024
The boys basketball team poses after their game with American High School on Dec. 7.
Boys’ basketball secures second place at James Lick Invitational despite key injuries
December 14, 2024
Free throw attempt from the team's recent scrimmage against Wilcox on Dec. 7.
Freshman basketball team brought back for the first time since COVID
December 13, 2024
Senior Daniel Jadali shooting a freethrow
For Falcon players, basketball is a year-round commitment
December 13, 2024
Falcons look to defend Notre Dame’s free kick during home game on Dec. 10.
Girls’ soccer defeats Notre Dame Knights 3-2, still undefeated in pre-season
December 13, 2024
49ers’ head coach and former SHS student, Kyle Shanahan, sits in grief after the team suffered a rough 24-23 loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 6.
49ers hobble through losing season
December 12, 2024
The logo of the Better Canvas extension for students to download.
100-word rave: “Better Canvas” is just better
December 13, 2024
Red lights are often run at the intersection of Highway 85 and Saratoga Avenue.
Saratoga drivers: Simmer down and use more caution, please
December 13, 2024
The use of social media allows controversial news to spread and grab the attention of more Americans than ever.
Social media fuels increasing polarization of American politics
December 13, 2024
The fast fashion industry really is Hell.
‘Brandy Hellville’ documentary reveals fast fashion as a devil in disguise
December 12, 2024
The many confusing aspects of Shakespeare make his works unappealing.
To read or not to read: My struggle with Shakespeare
December 7, 2024
A super cool pineapple
Top 10: Fruits
December 14, 2024
My perfect Christmas tree where these gifts go under.
Top 10: Best Christmas Gifts
December 13, 2024
I contemplate between two different Owala FreeSip colors at Target.
My journey to find the perfect water bottle ends with Owala
December 13, 2024
Christmas music is fine no matter what season you’re in.
Christmas music can be played, shamelessly, any time of the year
December 13, 2024
The perfect place to be during Christmas.
Christmas is just horrible without snow
December 13, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
All content by Andrew Lin
A chart showing my top 25 most-played albums for the past month, as of May 9

Senior Mag 2024: A poser’s guide to niche metal subgenres

Andrew Lin
May 25, 2024
Kapoor concentrating in a match at a tournament at Menlo High School on Dec. 3

Senior Mag 2024: On board: Yashom Kapoor seeks to broaden appeal of chess

Andrew Lin
May 25, 2024
The first “Vultures 1” album cover, shown above, drew criticism due to its similarity to Norwegian neo-Nazi black metal artist and convicted murderer Varg Vikernes’ “Filosofem” album cover. The current album cover is not appropriate for publication in a school newspaper.

By Kanye standards, ‘Vultures 1’ is a disappointing album

Andrew Lin
March 28, 2024
Junior Alan Lu ducks and covers during the earthquake drill. 

Photo or Graphic for: Annual earthquake drill includes new addition of post-tremor simulations

Nika Svizhenko
March 18, 2024
Junior Angie Chen tells her story of body dysmorphia at the Speak Up for Change assembly on Jan. 26. 

Speak Up for Change assembly: Students and staff discuss healing by seeking help, body dysmorphia, pursuing passions

Mitchell Chen, Andrew Lin, and Emily Wu
January 27, 2024
Short videos would offer more information and be more fun to review than written essays

Staff editorial: ‘Why school?’ essays should be replaced with video introductions

Andrew Lin
January 25, 2024
As semester ends, Taiwanese visitors get a taste of school in U.S., Bay Area culture

As semester ends, Taiwanese visitors get a taste of school in U.S., Bay Area culture

Andrew Lin
January 12, 2024
Timothy Leung accepts his trophy for reaching the semifinals for Program Oral Interpretation.

National tournament experience sets up speech competitors to reach new heights

Andrew Lin
December 4, 2023
 In the first semester, seniors have a lot on their plates

Application inflation: As acceptance rates decline, seniors are applying to more colleges

Andrew Lin
November 15, 2023
Principal Greg Louie stands in front of a no fire sign, reviewing the fire drill simulation

Newly created safety team plans for emergency scenarios

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
September 29, 2023
“UTOPIA” sold nearly 500,000 physical units in the first week after its release, and it would have sold over 700,000 if not for shipping delays.

In ‘UTOPIA’ Travis Scott answers his critics

Andrew Lin
September 24, 2023
A personification of ChatGPT bot.

As school year concludes, ChatGPT cheating contention simmers to a boil

Andrew Lin and Kathy Wang
May 27, 2023
A new battle between AI and teachers has started

One path forward in light of ChatGPT cheating

Andrew Lin
May 26, 2023
A still from one of the most recognizable clips in the movie due to its widespread use in “sigma edits.”

‘American Psycho’ revisited: Has it withstood the test of time?

Andrew Lin
May 26, 2023
Junior Eric Norris and sophomore Ryan Backhus successfully block the ball and score a point against Los Gatos on May 3.

The comeback kids: Despite quarterfinal loss to Harker in CCS, the volleyball team ends the season feeling like champions

Derek Liang, Andrew Lin, and Aiden Ye
May 24, 2023
Senior middle Mateusz Palusinski spikes the ball past the opponents’ defense to score a point.

Boys’ volleyball focuses on improved  teamwork to help performances

Andrew Lin and Victoria Lin
March 17, 2023
No-win situation.

Like most things in life, eating should fall into a healthy middle ground

Andrew Lin
March 9, 2023
“Let’s Start Here.” was released on Jan. 27.

‘Let’s Start Here’: a psychedelic time machine back to the ‘70s

Andrew Lin
March 1, 2023
Sophomore Cosmo Cooper and junior Ariana Tootoonchi rehearse “An Easy Heaven” on Jan. 19, two days before the performance.

Student directors create productions exploring themes of life and death

Andrew Lin and Parav Manney
February 15, 2023
Depicted are the COVID cases from Aug. 22 to Jan. 20.

School averts post winter break COVID-19 outbreak

Andrew Lin
January 26, 2023
“AI Art Story by George Huang, Eric Shi, Andrew Lin” generated by Midjourney.

AI-generated images aren’t the future of art

Andrew Lin, George Huang, and Eric Shi
January 24, 2023
The gym may seem daunting at first, but lifting can potentially change your life for the better.

How to start lifting

Jason Cheng and Andrew Lin
December 16, 2022
2022 Wrapped has led me to expand my extremely one-dimensional music taste.

Spotify Wrapped should include more detailed statistics

Andrew Lin
December 14, 2022
The many faces of Kanye West.

There is no more defending Kanye West

Emma Fung and Andrew Lin
November 10, 2022
The drama program will be performing “The Crucible” on various dates from Nov. 12 to 19.

Drama program prepares for fall play ‘The Crucible’

Andrew Lin and Victoria Lin
September 24, 2022
 Kanye is No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 of all time

Top 10: Kanye songs

Andrew Lin
September 10, 2022
Junior shortstop and pitcher Lucas Dennis throws a pitch during the last game of the regular season on May 12 against Fremont.

Photo or Graphic for: Baseball team makes CCS after a three-game win streak to end the regular season

Howard Shu
May 19, 2022
This is the same search firm that found Grove four years ago.

District searches for new superintendent after Mike Grove announces retirement for health reasons

Andrew Lin
May 18, 2022
Kristofer Orre instructs junior Anthony Wang on proper form for an exercise called the thruster.

Kristofer Orre takes over as Intermediate P.E. teacher for second semester

Andrew Lin
May 15, 2022
Screen Shot 2022-05-12 at 11.01.52 AM

Photo or Graphic for: 100% sugar? More like 100 grams of sugar

Sam Bai
May 12, 2022
The meatballs have a texture similar to rubber erasers, which is concerning. Notice the lack of green vegetables.

King for a day: the changes I’d make to the cafeteria if I could

Andrew Lin
April 28, 2022
Top 10 fonts

Top 10 fonts

Andrew Lin and Atrey Desai
March 23, 2022
Name a more iconic group of 10

Ruining protein powder: a pitiful example

Andrew Lin
March 20, 2022

What you need to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
March 18, 2022
No. 1 Singles Kosei Ogata serves in a match against Los Gatos, and the Falcons ultimately won 6-1.

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ tennis: Falcons gear up for success with new players

Hannah Lee and Aiden Ye
March 18, 2022
School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
March 18, 2022
Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
March 16, 2022
Longtime football coach Lugo accepts athletic director and head coach job at Mountain View

Longtime football coach Lugo accepts athletic director and head coach job at Mountain View

Andrew Lin
January 21, 2022
After months of deliberation, school board leaves bell schedule unchanged

After months of deliberation, school board leaves bell schedule unchanged

Andrew Lin and Nikhil Mathihalli
January 21, 2022
Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
January 18, 2022
IMG_0023

Photo or Graphic for: The need for tech refresh: Establish a tech booster organization

Lynn Dai
November 22, 2021
Senior Andrew Hong defends the goal at the team’s last game against Lynbrook on Oct. 29. The Falcons ultimately lost 8-7.

Boys’ water polo closes season with a loss to Lynbrook at league finals

Bill Yuan, Sam Bai, and Andrew Lin
November 22, 2021
IMG_0009

Ethnic studies would work better as a whole-year class

Andrew Lin
November 19, 2021
Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Andrew Lin
November 19, 2021
Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
November 18, 2021
IMG_0446

Photo or Graphic for: So you want to play all the games The Falcon has reviewed recently? Start here

Sam Bai
November 7, 2021

Top 10 places to cry

Andrew Lin
November 4, 2021

Beijing’s grip on Chinese gaming and media tightens

Atrey Desai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021

Advisories resume; more changes still planned

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021
From left to right: Varsity players seniors Daniel Jiang, Chris Wu and Marcus Kuo perform warm up drills during practice

Boys’ water polo currently undefeated

Sam Bai, Andrew Lin, and Esther Luan
October 8, 2021
IMG_1255

Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ tennis season off to a rough start, working on team bonding

Anamika Anand and Aiden Ye
October 8, 2021
Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Andrew Lin
September 30, 2021
UNICEF club advertises to potential members on the second day of Club Rush.

Photo or Graphic for: Club participation increases to pre-pandemic levels

Vicky Bai and Jonny Luo
September 24, 2021
IMG_1061

Photo or Graphic for: Music department back on track after rough pandemic year

Shannon Ma and Nikhil Mathihalli
September 20, 2021

The proposal of an Olympic chess event is utterly ill-conceived

Andrew Lin
September 13, 2021
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