The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Student art being showcased at last year’s Soundings exhibition in the SHS Library.
Soundings’ April 18. Exhibition will feature works from The Wildcat Review
April 17, 2025
Allied teams 95071X (right) and 1000A (left) celebrate after advancing to grand finals at the U.S. Open National Championship.
VEX Robotics team makes finalists in U.S. Open National Championship
April 10, 2025
Rally commissioners act out a skit inspired by “Beauty and the Beast.”
‘Beauty and the Beast’ rally builds hype before prom
April 10, 2025
Trustee Shawn Mortensen (far left) listens to a presentation at the district office during the school board’s March 11 meeting.
Meet Shawn Mortensen: LGSUHSD’s newest school board trustee
April 5, 2025
The Philharmonic Strings orchestra combined with the Freshman orchestra to play together in the non-competitive category of the conference.
SHS orchestras travel to Atlanta for National Orchestra Festival
April 4, 2025
Courtesy of Hollywood Life Cyrus when she was in Hannah Montana compared to now.
Disney child star to pop music icon: Miley Cyrus’ journey in the spotlight
April 23, 2025
I’ve imagined myself in 10 years in countless ways, and I’m still unsure where I’ll be.
A letter to me in 10 years
April 21, 2025
Junior Kiana Saadieh makes a latte for a customer at Big Basin Cafe.
Students’ reality of working in restaurants, fast food and cafes
April 20, 2025
Courtesy of IMDb Despite now mostly working as a writer, Mandell has acted in various productions — most recently, he starred in the self-written one-man-show “It’s a Phase” in 2022.
SHS alumnus pursues screenwriting career amid a turbulent Hollywood landscape
April 20, 2025
Jain poses during a dive in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, her first rotation at the Johnson Space Center during fall 2022.
Alumni reflect on the benefits of college co-op programs that place them in workplace settings for extended periods
April 17, 2025
Bonner instructs swimmers to start the set off the block.
Christian Bonner’s journey from non-swimmer to longtime swimming coach
April 17, 2025
Ning launches a three against Sacred Heart as his teammates prepare to celebrate.
From 13th man to 3rd team all league — Steven Ning’s basketball journey
April 3, 2025
The beam training area at Gold Star Gymnastics.
Paying it forward for the next generation of gymnasts
March 31, 2025
Bossow wrestles against Bellarmine at Overfelt High on Dec. 6.
Wrestling team shows significant improvement this season
March 27, 2025
Coach Brian Liao talks game strategy with sophomores Andy Lu and Teegan Seid-Pham.
New head badminton coach brings valued guidance for players
March 27, 2025
The issue of modern feminism: Don’t mistake progress for exploitation
April 20, 2025
Mangione’s alleged actions were wrong, but the diagnosis of America’s failing health-care system wasn’t
Mangione’s alleged actions were wrong, but the diagnosis of America’s failing health-care system wasn’t
March 31, 2025
Stay safe.
In a dark time, it’s time to know your rights
March 27, 2025
Starting next school year, more students are able to study at MIT without worrying about tuition.
Educational institutions are wise to offer free tuition to low-income families
March 26, 2025
Nationwide voter turnout since 2002, blue is presidential, yellow is midterm
Sagging voter participation puts democracy at risk
March 22, 2025
The infamous “criss cross chair” from TikTok Shop, ranging from $40-70, has taken over social media feeds.
Is TikTok Shop another marketing trap or actually have legitimate products?
April 17, 2025
Students gather to eat and talk on the upper deck.
Prom 2025: A grape evening at the Mountain Winery
April 6, 2025
Courtesy of Imgflip If you’re going to stop reading this story right here, this meme sums up my entire high school experience (I been chilling with boba but it’s close enough). Seriously, though, John Cena’s Chinese is elite.
My high school life in memes
April 5, 2025
Courtesy of Neha Sharan Students compete in a co-ed tournament held at the India Community Center in Milpitas.
A sophomore’s gambit: encouraging more girls to take up chess
April 4, 2025
Top 10 celebrity baby names over the years
April 3, 2025
Volume 57, Issue 6
Volume 57, Issue 6
April 23, 2025
Volume 57, Issue 5
Volume 57, Issue 5
April 23, 2025
Volume 57, Issue 4
Volume 57, Issue 4
April 23, 2025
Volume 57, Issue 3
Volume 57, Issue 3
April 23, 2025
Volume 57, Issue 2
Volume 57, Issue 2
April 23, 2025

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
 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
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
“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
A personification of ChatGPT bot.

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

Andrew Lin and Kathy Wang
A new battle between AI and teachers has started

One path forward in light of ChatGPT cheating

Andrew Lin
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
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
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
No-win situation.

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

Andrew Lin
“Let’s Start Here.” was released on Jan. 27.

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

Andrew Lin
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
Depicted are the COVID cases from Aug. 22 to Jan. 20.

School averts post winter break COVID-19 outbreak

Andrew Lin
“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
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
2022 Wrapped has led me to expand my extremely one-dimensional music taste.

Spotify Wrapped should include more detailed statistics

Andrew Lin
The many faces of Kanye West.

There is no more defending Kanye West

Emma Fung and Andrew Lin
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
 Kanye is No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 of all time

Top 10: Kanye songs

Andrew Lin
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
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
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
Screen Shot 2022-05-12 at 11.01.52 AM

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

Sam Bai
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
Top 10 fonts

Top 10 fonts

Andrew Lin and Atrey Desai
Name a more iconic group of 10

Ruining protein powder: a pitiful example

Andrew Lin

What you need to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
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
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
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
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
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
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
IMG_0023

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

Lynn Dai
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
IMG_0009

Ethnic studies would work better as a whole-year class

Andrew Lin
Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Increasing tardies, unexcused absences result in punishments

Andrew Lin
Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
IMG_0446

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

Sam Bai

Top 10 places to cry

Andrew Lin

Beijing’s grip on Chinese gaming and media tightens

Atrey Desai and Andrew Lin

Advisories resume; more changes still planned

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
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
IMG_1255

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

Anamika Anand and Aiden Ye
Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Hot dogs ARE sandwiches.

Andrew Lin
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
IMG_1061

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

Shannon Ma and Nikhil Mathihalli

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

Andrew Lin
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