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 Atrey Desai
Strategizing alongside Jason Cheng, Ryan Jain battles it out in the midgame against the computer.

Senior Mag 2023: Parking Lot Pawns

Jason Cheng and Atrey Desai
Hemmerich helps a group of students edit a project. 

Photo or Graphic for: MAP teachers Hemmerich and Muñoz to leave SHS

Anamika Anand
In a sprint event against Wilcox High on March 24, senior sprinter Yuvraj Singh speeds ahead of his competitors.

Track ramps up training, prepares for mid-season invitationals

Atrey Desai and George Hu
Journalism Deadline Night

Photo or Graphic for: Here’s some electives advice from a junior who’s taken a bunch of them

Victoria Lin
The inner workings of Journalism: deadline night

The inner workings of Journalism: deadline night

Neal Malhotra and Atrey Desai
During a practice on Feb. 3, the sprinters do warm up drills.

Photo or Graphic for: Season preview: Track attempts to shake rust off athletes through easy early season training schedule

George Hu
Yearbook staffers crowd around as senior EIC Ritisha Byri copy-edits a layout.

Yearbook works to meet deadlines with young staff

Atrey Desai and Stephanie Sun
Senior Mateusz Palusinski dribbles the ball down the court in the Thursday game against Aptos High School. 

Photo or Graphic for: Season preview: Boys’ basketball returns strong lineup for upper league

George Huang and Zack Zhang
Saratoga downtown Starbucks closing down.

Downtown Starbucks closes its doors

Atrey Desai, Jonathan Si, and Andy Zhu
Students can expect nothing more than a generic response from college representatives that they had to compete for space to attend. 

College visits don’t live up to expectations

Atrey Desai and Minsui Tang
Students in science teacher Kristen Thomson’s class use their own computers during an activity.

New district bring your own device policy elicits mixed reactions

Atrey Desai
New English teacher Mary Palisoul teaching English 10

New English teacher joins school with 11 years of teaching experience

Atrey Desai, Zack Zhang, and Andy Zhu
The Heritage Orchard blooms in spring.

Changes to Heritage Orchard stir mild controversy

Atrey Desai and Kevin Yang
Japanese 3 Honors teacher Yumiko Muneishi helping a student with their homework.

New Japanese 3 Honors teacher uses previous experiences to build connections with students

Atrey Desai and Nidhi Mathihalli
Junior Isha Jagadish sprints in a relay event as she competes against Monta Vista High School

Photo or Graphic for: Track ends strong at late-season meets

Martin Xu and Viraaj Reddi
The Tamasha dance team performs at their BnB performance on Feb. 19

Photo or Graphic for: Tamasha highlights Bollywood culture at the school

Lynn Dai and Nikhil Mathihalli
Top 10 fonts

Top 10 fonts

Andrew Lin and Atrey Desai
Warriors starting lineup stands before game.

Warriors’ early success gives hope for championship run

Atrey Desai and Howard Shu

Robotics team wins qualifier, advance to regionals

Atrey Desai and Martin Xu
Community mourns death of 23-year veteran teacher Todd Dwyer

Community mourns death of 23-year veteran teacher Todd Dwyer

Christina Chang and Atrey Desai
Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Selina Chen and Atrey Desai
‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy
Outreach’s unofficial commission started publicizing their hallmark event in a Nov. 8 post. 

New outreach commission plans Speak Up for Change ‘Stepping Forward’

Avani Kongetira and Atrey Desai
Sophomore Bettafish members Kai Otsuka and Rishab Melkote work on their robot in preparation for the scrimmage. 

Photo or Graphic for: Robotics team holds first in-house scrimmage in two years

Alexander Kan and Allen Luo
An Indian Thanksgiving: reworking America’s most famous meal

An Indian Thanksgiving: reworking America’s most famous meal

Atrey Desai
The football team practices at the field on Oct. 21

Photo or Graphic for: Football season cut short by lack of healthy players

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
Bootcamp: the best of both worlds

Bootcamp: the best of both worlds

Atrey Desai
We hate baseball.

We hate baseball.

Atrey Desai and Viraaj Reddi
Junior middle blocker Lisa Fung hits the ball as the other team’s players prepare to block.

Girls’ volleyball closes out their season with disappointing losses

Sarah Zhou and Atrey Desai
vaccine-graphic-blue

Photo or Graphic for: Being unvaccinated amid a push for vaccination

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
The football team practices for upcoming games on Oct. 21

Photo or Graphic for: Injury forces football team to forfeit at half in painful 28-0 home loss to Los Altos

Shaan Sridhar
Chewing gum in class — a menace or blessing?

Chewing gum in class — a menace or blessing?

Atrey Desai
When users interact with the bots on Discord, the bots explain what will occur next regarding their future.

YouTube shuts down popular Discord music bots

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy

Beijing’s grip on Chinese gaming and media tightens

Atrey Desai and Andrew Lin
Ethics In Technology club aims to educate students on its namesake

Ethics In Technology club aims to educate students on its namesake

Atrey Desai and Aiden Ye
We hate astrology

We hate astrology

Atrey Desai and Viraaj Reddi

Young girls’ volleyball team endures rough start

Atrey Desai and Sarah Zhou

@artby_apoorva: a documented journey for an aspiring artist

Atrey Desai and Hannah Lee
The main 2021-22 Premier League contenders — Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City — will compete in a potentially historical title race.

Revamped Premier League sparks excitement

Jason Cheng, Atrey Desai, and Vinay Gollamudi
Falcon Family Peer Tutoring Program offers student guidance for maneuvering tough classes

Falcon Family Peer Tutoring Program offers student guidance for maneuvering tough classes

Sarah Zhou and Atrey Desai
zoom-academy-graphic

Photo or Graphic for: As promised, district offers online program for ‘21-‘22

Howard Shu and Nikhil Mathihalli
KQED report: Former El Gato editor-in-chief claims newspaper adviser blocked multiple stories

KQED report: Former El Gato editor-in-chief claims newspaper adviser blocked multiple stories

Meher Bhatnagar, Atrey Desai, and Anouk Yeh
Robotics members excited by new facilities funded by Measure E

Robotics members excited by new facilities funded by Measure E

Atrey Desai and Hannah Lee
Top 5 soccer transfers of the 2021 summer window

Top 5 soccer transfers of the 2021 summer window

Jason Cheng, Atrey Desai, and Vinay Gollamudi
windowsmacvsbanner

The age-old debate: Macs vs. Windows

Nilay Mishra and Atrey Desai
top-10-movie

Top 10 movies to watch over summer

Atrey Desai
School-Board-Image

School board’s 4A decision raises questions

Atrey Desai and Michael Fok
_118189507_gettyimages-1232494972

Super League scare raises questions about ownership models in soccer

Jason Cheng, Vinay Gollamudi, and Atrey Desai

Top 10 books to read over summer

Atrey Desai and Nidhi Mathihalli
final-robotics

MSET 649 submits robot videos, capping off their online season

Nidhi Mathihalli and Atrey Desai
wilson-fung-vaccine

Some students begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Atrey Desai
Screen Shot 2021-03-12 at 10

Parents’ reopening reactions range from rage to reservation

Atrey Desai and Nilay Mishra

Americans are dying as the government looks on

Atrey Desai
SHS_Reopening_Infographic_Vertical_infographic

District lays out plans for Phase 3A in community town hall

Atrey Desai and Manasi Garg
gatekeeping

The problem with cultural gatekeeping

Atrey Desai and Anjali Pai

Politically active students lead the way

Atrey Desai

Monopoly in sports video games causes unease in the player base

Atrey Desai
Screen Shot 2020-10-31 at 2

If breakout rooms do not start talking I will take action

Atrey Desai

Boba is the superior drink that deserves its fans

Atrey Desai
AMY-CONEY-BARRET-CREDIT (CAROLINE BREHMAN_POOL VIA AP)

Amy Coney Barrett: qualified but conflicted

Atrey Desai
Screen Shot 2020-10-08 at 7

Photo or Graphic for: The perfect tools and practices to build your ideal online learning environment

Jason Cheng
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