The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
95071X Extremity’s robot competes on the playing field during a scrimmage.
VEX Robotics team hosts inter-school scrimmages in preparation for worlds
April 26, 2025
Courtesy of Abhiram Ruthala An infographic describing the implications of different waves captured by the Muse headset, included in a video produced by the group to present their project.
Sophomore explores passion in neuroscience, placing second in California’s 16th Congressional District in prestigious coding competition
April 26, 2025
Courtesy of Dave Rickling Rickling’s stand at De Anza College Farmers’ Market, selling jars of honey and honey sticks alongside other vendors.
Dave’s Backyard Bees: from lockdown hobby to booming business
April 25, 2025
The SHS and RMS Combined Band performs at the 2024 Pancake Breakfast.
SMB prepares for annual Pancake Breakfast
April 25, 2025
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
Using phones before sleep not only harms your eyes, but also delays the time it takes to fall asleep.
Scrolling into insomnia: how electronics rob teens of sleep
April 27, 2025
Strydom’s dabbles in a variety of mediums, including pencil sketches, pen sketches and digital art.
Sophomore’s YouTube Shorts reach thousands of views
April 27, 2025
Courtesy of Portsmouth Events The remake of ‘Snow White’ sparked controversy and mixed reactions ahead of its March 21 release.
Disney’s ‘Snow White’: not the fairest adaptation of them all
April 26, 2025
Courtesy of Karthik Sangameswaran Sangameswaran proudly holds up the book his work is published in.
Senior becomes a published historian
April 25, 2025
Our H-Mart shopping basket.
A Falcon guide to Chinese Lay’s flavors from H-Mart
April 25, 2025
The notorious “torpedo bat” has increased mass in the center of the barrel, hence the name.
Controversial torpedo bat makes a splash in MLB
April 27, 2025
Athletic trainer Kevin Attard helps junior football and lacrosse player Jayden Kwong prepare for knee rehabilitation.
New athletic trainer hired after months-long search
April 25, 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
Courtesy of Pinterest The ideal Expo marker in a classroom should be fresh and full of ink.
100-word rant: Dried markers, know your place (in the trash)
April 25, 2025
This energy drink is the perfect refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
100-word rave: Energy drinks are just spectacular
April 25, 2025
The issue of modern feminism: Don’t mistake progress for exploitation
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
New York Times’ games can predict my future
New York Times’ games can predict my future
April 26, 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
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 Annie Liu
Dear sophomores, you are already halfway through!

Sophomore year: the interlude between middle school bliss and high school nightmare

Annie Liu
Which one would you choose?

Photo or Graphic for: Are we truly living in a simulation?

Victoria Lin
Senior Angela Luo works on urinalysis at Silicon Valley Career Tech Education.

Senior gains experience working alongside veterinarian in Career Tech program 

Annie Liu and Isabelle Wang
Untitled Artwork

Photo or Graphic for: National Cereal Day: an ode to my midnight best friend

Sunny Cao
A timeline of the course change dates and drop dates of first and second semesters.

Drop now or drop dead: District should remove drop date

Annie Liu
Hopkins and me sitting in the snow outside of his house 

My comfort game: ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’

Annie Liu
The only background noise to give me complete serenity.

Photo or Graphic for: Colored noise is a hidden gem among distracting study music

Divya Vadlakonda
Why unlearn this if I’m right?

Photo or Graphic for: The ‘neither-either’ grammar police need to check themselves

Divya Vadlakonda
The rude awakening I receive every night from my friend. 

Photo or Graphic for: Living on Facetime: the secret method to being productive 

Sunny Cao
“Five Nights at Freddy’s” live-action movie poster

Five Nights at Freddy’s film adaptation aptly satisfies expectations of video game fans  

Annie Liu
op_100WordAnyway graphic

Photo or Graphic for: Please stop adding an extra “s” to anyway

Nicole Lee
newyearresol

Photo or Graphic for: New Year’s Resolutions are useless — it’s better to reject them

Skyler Mao
Me time traveling back to my younger self.

Photo or Graphic for: Going back in time, I would like to relive a random day of nothingness

Sunny Cao
Herzman and Tyler enjoy music on the ride to school.

Teachers grow friendships through daily carpools to school 

Sam Bai and Annie Liu
Two geese stare each other down as they compare their superiority.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: Geese on campus

Nicole Lee
Class of ‘23 alumnus Eli Tsives pursues club water polo at UCLA.

Photo or Graphic for: Alumni further their athletic careers in college outside of NCAA

Agastya Vitaldevara
Untitled Artwork

Photo or Graphic for: Despite cheating concerns, many teachers remain optimistic about use of AI in classrooms

Skyler Mao
Adorable Sedum Ogons (Golden Japanese Stonecrops) at Yamagami’s.

Four nearby flower shops worth shopping at this holiday season (or anytime, really)

Annie Liu
The vacancy of Speaker of the house left the Republicans in disarray.

Photo or Graphic for: The latest, greatest embarrassment of the GOP —  the election of a speaker — shows the party is incapable of leading

William Norwood
The love, head and life line reveal secrets about your personality.

Photo or Graphic for: Your fate is in my hands: my one-day journey as an underqualified palm reader

Divya Vadlakonda
I cover my ears up when I hear “Best Day of My Life” playing.

Myth: Believing ‘Best Day’ song brings bad luck

Annie Liu
Me on my daily quarantine dog walk.

Photo or Graphic for: If you’re bad at drawing, try photography

William Norwood
Young children are always hooked on their iPads, refusing to leave their screens.

Photo or Graphic for: New ‘iPad kid’ phenomenon reflects unsettling reality of screen time addiction — and it’s time for parents to do something about it

Skyler Mao
Munching on the watermelon seeds is now a lifelong habit.

Photo or Graphic for: Busting the watermelon seed myth: No, they DO NOT grow in your stomach

Victoria Lin
Totoro, Chu Totoro and Chibi Totoro march together.

Photo or Graphic for: Guide for newbies: A step into the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli

Isabelle Wang
 Renovations to the school’s gym and additions of solar panels.

Photo or Graphic for: Board cancels gym renovations but continues with plans for solar panel carports for front parking lot

William Cao, Eric Shi, and Agastya Vitaldevara
The extremely destructive effect of the Maui wildfires on the communities nearby.

Photo or Graphic for: Although climate change exacerbated Maui fires, faulty power lines are prime offenders

Nicole Lee
Budlight released rainbow-colored cans to celebrate their partnership with Mulvaney.

Photo or Graphic for: Bud Light’s controversial advertisement highlights worrying social media trend

Aiden Ye and Victoria Lin
Students in Laws’ fairy light-lit classroom during tutorial.

The soft glow of fairy lights fills Laws’ classroom

Annie Liu
Rector sits inside of his homemade jungle.

Plants enliven Rector’s classroom

Sam Bai and Annie Liu
The clash of colors for graduation gowns. 

Photo or Graphic for: Choose white for the senior graduation gowns

Victoria Lin
What happens when seniors get home from school. 

Photo or Graphic for: Seniorly tired all the time: lessons we’re learning with our newly minted status

Victoria Lin and Aiden Ye
If we can hear teachers breathe, they are too close to us.

Photo or Graphic for: A layperson’s guide to students’ classroom pet peeves  

William Norwood and Divya Vadlakonda
Students do not bond over useless facts during introduction games.

Photo or Graphic for: 100-word rant: Teachers, please stop with the introduction games

Skyler Mao
collegemusic1

Photo or Graphic for: Seniors to pursue music at prestigious universities

Zachary Zinman
Rihanna continues to stun the public with her bold looks.

Photo or Graphic for: Rihanna makes strong return to spotlight despite backlash

William Norwood
@MinsuiTang July 21, 2023… be there.

Photo or Graphic for: Here’s what to do with your free time in the Bay Area this summer

Sarah Zhou
I spy with my little eye the sky and the stars — not my future. 

Photo or Graphic for: Can the stars see my future? I tracked my ‘horrorscope’ for a day

Beverly Xu
The dreaded phone pockets make their unwelcome appearance in every classroom.

Photo or Graphic for: 100-word rant: Sequestering phones in class is pointless

Divya Vadlakonda
Consider choosing the College and Career center over the convoluted, costly and sometimes unethical world of private college admissions consulting.

Photo or Graphic for: Staff editorial: Reject private counselors for free school resources

Nilay Mishra
The signs of Sagittarius, Libra and Aquarius join together in the unique brew that is my personality.

Photo or Graphic for: Studying the stars: finding out if my personality was developed or divined

Divya Vadlakonda
Senior fuses meditation and neuroscience passions into research paper

Senior fuses meditation and neuroscience passions into research paper

Howard Shu and Annie Liu
With superscoring, students combine their best scores from each section of the SAT.

Photo or Graphic for: Superscoring exacerbates existing inequity in the SAT

Tara Natarajan
adam accomplishments

Photo or Graphic for: Senior wins New York Times award for 2022 personal narrative contest

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
The handbook outlines the school’s academic integrity policy. 

Photo or Graphic for: Staff editorial: Policies on academic integrity need updating, clarifying

William Norwood and Divya Vadlakonda
The Falcons face off against Homestead on Jan. 12.

Girls’ basketball: Challenging season comes to a close

Victoria Hu and Annie Liu
Braised crucian carp

Photo or Graphic for: Dumplings and crucian carp: an irreplaceable dish of Lunar New Year in China

Kevin Yang
A typical BBL dress can be found on websites like PrettyLittleThing and Fashion Nova.

Photo or Graphic for: BBLs and beauty standards: the damaging effects of the trend cycle

Tara Natarajan
Students experience increased stress with current deadlines.

Photo or Graphic for: Teachers: Please make homework due times right before class

Skyler Mao
Students and teachers both highlight the importance of asking questions.

Photo or Graphic for: Upperclassmen and teachers reflect on skills necessary to succeed in widely perceived ‘most difficult’ classes

Sarah Zhou
A student shadow sits in on their matched volunteer’s classes.

Photo or Graphic for: Prospective students get a peek into campus life through shadowing program

Sarah Zhou and Victoria Hu
My yearly family dinner conversation.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: worst questions to ask at a family gathering

William Norwood
A student opens up to a therapist.

Photo or Graphic for: The winding road of wellness: Therapy offers a map forward but finding the right path takes time and patience

Martin Xu
maggiesnowman

Photo or Graphic for: How to build the perfect snowman

Maggie Zeng
I hope Santa won’t realize his missing elf!

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10: Things that happened when Santa came down the chimney

Mitchell Chen
Female politicians face sexism as a part of their day-to-day lives.

Photo or Graphic for: America needs to speak out against violence directed towards female politicians

William Norwood and Sarah Thomas
The Falcons play against Aptos on Dec. 5.

With only eight players, girls’ basketball lacks full roster as season begins

Annie Liu and Victoria Hu
Untitled_Artwork

Photo or Graphic for: It might sound crazy, but 16-year-olds should have the right to vote

Zachary Zinman
I vote to ban “All I Want For Christmas is You”.

Photo or Graphic for: ‘All I Want for Christmas’ … is this song to end

William Norwood
Our holy grail of afterschool snacks.

Photo or Graphic for: After-school snack connoisseurs point out their top choices

Divya Vadlakonda and Kevin Yang
Taking notes is a difficult yet necessary task.

Photo or Graphic for: Good note-taking strategies improve study efficiency

Skyler Mao
I grow concerned about slipping on the track before races in the rain.

Rain is good, but not during a track meet

Annie Liu
Autumn is my favorite season of the year. The weather is perfect, and time with family is memorable.

Photo or Graphic for: It’s autumn and time to celebrate

Nikhil Mathihalli
Students struggle to find a place to stay during tutorial.

Photo or Graphic for: Library’s discarded 75-student limit promoted a positive learning environment — and should return

Skyler Mao
Fall weather gives way to a cozy wardrobe.

Photo or Graphic for: An ode to fall clothing

Divya Vadlakonda
Woeful tears of the Halloween bowl.

Photo or Graphic for: The grievances of a Halloween bowl decimated by trick-or-treaters

Maggie Zeng
There is no place better than Reddit to waste your time.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10 subreddits

Nikhil Mathihalli and Aiden Ye
The class of 2023 is experiencing senioritis while drafting college essays.

Photo or Graphic for: Dear seniors, get a grip

Allison Tan
You can enjoy a warm mug of hot chocolate in a matter of seconds thanks to hot tap water.

Good tap water: a privilege to be enjoyed

Victoria Lin and Annie Liu

New CBI teacher teaches vital skills to students

Skyler Mao and Annie Liu
Personal devices are more efficient than shared school devices.

Photo or Graphic for: Bring Your Own Device policy has many upsides

Skyler Mao
The crying emoji with streaming tears and the otter, unlike the laugh crying emoji, will forever be your best friends.

Photo or Graphic for: My three cents: a dummies’ guide to emojis

Anika Kapasi
Not all words are created equal.

Photo or Graphic for: The real deal behind lol and lmao

Beverly Xu and Divya Vadlakonda
The number of students who do not receive federal financial aid for college after graduation must change.

Photo or Graphic for: Current merit-based college aid system needs rethinking

Sarah Zhou
Three geese and their offspring parade across campus.

Photo or Graphic for: And about those geese on campus . . . they’re not so cute

Aiden Ye
Students advocate for various changes to the school, which mostly go ignored or take a long time to be addressed.

Photo or Graphic for: Board needs to focus more on student concerns

Sarah Zhou
I remember squatting around the dam I built with my friends

Photo or Graphic for: Elementary school memories: playing the engineer and building an illegal dam

Jonny Luo
courserequests

Photo or Graphic for: Course registration patterns look to be consistent with past years

Howard Shu
scotusjudge

Photo or Graphic for: Controversy over new SCOTUS justice nomination divides minority communities

Hannah Lee
Farmers market: a bustling market of reminiscence

Farmers market: a bustling market of reminiscence

Annie Liu
classpolicy

Photo or Graphic for: Same-subject classes should have similar policies, assessments and difficulty

Nikhil Mathihalli and Aiden Ye
emptyhousetax

Photo or Graphic for: Vacancy taxes are a pathetic attempt at funding and creating affordable housing solutions

Sarah Zhou
Screen Shot 2022-03-04 at 11.18.02 AM

Photo or Graphic for: Cut the toxicity: Parents need to stop competing with their kids’ academic accolades

Sarah Zhou
The boys’ varsity soccer team huddles up to end their practice.

Boys’ soccer finds early league success

Annie Liu, Nikhil Mathihalli, and Tiffany Wang
Screen Shot 2022-01-18 at 10.45.43 AM

Photo or Graphic for: Overturning Roe v. Wade threatens more fundamental rights than just abortion

Stephanie Sun
meta bad

Photo or Graphic for: The ‘metaverse’ may be the internet’s next big thing, but it shouldn’t be Meta’s

Tara Natarajan
clashroyale

Photo or Graphic for: ‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy
sexualviolenceOP

Photo or Graphic for: Normalizing sexual violence through media fuels rape culture

Hannah Lee
Senior Nathan Zaragoza dribbles during a game last spring against Milpitas as part of Season 2.

Boys’ soccer looks forward to a promising season

Tiffany Wang and Annie Liu
Two juniors achieve rare perfect scores on AP Comp Science exam

Two juniors achieve rare perfect scores on AP Comp Science exam

Annie Liu and Howard Shu
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