The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
A view of the Palisades fire from the seventh floor of Class of ‘24 Brielle Wong’s UCLA dormitory.
LA fires prompt alumni attending UCLA to return home at start of quarter
January 17, 2025
Donald Trump will be sworn in for his second four-year term in office on Jan. 20, 2025.
What will the next four years look like under a Trump presidency?
January 17, 2025
Jason Shiuan will be honored with the award at CASMEC on Jan. 16.
Music director named band educator of the year in California
January 15, 2025
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
Sisters Richa Moorjani and Sheherazaad are both pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
Sister alumni navigate complex world of Hollywood and the entertainment industry
January 9, 2025
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 team poses for a picture on Jan. 16 after a home victory against MacDonald.
Boys’ soccer defeats MacDonald, marks three-game win streak
January 18, 2025
Crowd arises in ovation for Falcons’ impressive comeback
Boys’ basketball rallies back from 13-point deficit, securing top spot in El Camino
January 17, 2025
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
Kash Patel
The weaponization of the presidential pardon ought to end
January 13, 2025
In a capitalist world, informed journalism takes second priority.
Billionaires should step back from publications they own
January 12, 2025
Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha is looking towards a year of cooperation.
Staff editorial: Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha is the right choice to lead the district out of recent turmoil
January 11, 2025
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 three best dishes we ordered at Ippudo: Akashu Modern, Chicken Karaage, and Pork Buns
Our visit to Ippudo: A cozy experience with tastes beyond ramen
January 17, 2025
If all of our icks culminated into one man, this is what he would look like.
Top 10: Icks
January 17, 2025
Piling on ten layers of clothing is not a comfortable experience.
Skiing? s-NO-w thank you.
January 15, 2025
The three bears often travel, stacked on top of each other.
‘We Bear Bears’ are still the bear-y best trio
January 12, 2025
We tasted and reviewed the arrangement of six Thanksgiving pies.
Are Crumbl’s holiday desserts worth the hype?
January 12, 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
August 30, 2023
Hemmerich helps a group of students edit a project. 

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

Anamika Anand
May 27, 2023
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
April 3, 2023
Journalism Deadline Night

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

Victoria Lin
March 3, 2023
The inner workings of Journalism: deadline night

The inner workings of Journalism: deadline night

Neal Malhotra and Atrey Desai
February 15, 2023
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
February 15, 2023
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
December 14, 2022
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
November 18, 2022
Saratoga downtown Starbucks closing down.

Downtown Starbucks closes its doors

Atrey Desai, Jonathan Si, and Andy Zhu
October 21, 2022
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
October 20, 2022
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
September 25, 2022
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
September 24, 2022
The Heritage Orchard blooms in spring.

Changes to Heritage Orchard stir mild controversy

Atrey Desai and Kevin Yang
September 21, 2022
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
September 17, 2022
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
May 22, 2022
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
April 1, 2022
Top 10 fonts

Top 10 fonts

Andrew Lin and Atrey Desai
March 23, 2022
Warriors starting lineup stands before game.

Warriors’ early success gives hope for championship run

Atrey Desai and Howard Shu
February 22, 2022

Robotics team wins qualifier, advance to regionals

Atrey Desai and Martin Xu
January 31, 2022
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
January 23, 2022
Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Selina Chen and Atrey Desai
December 3, 2021
‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

‘Clash Royale’: the pinnacle of mobile gaming

Atrey Desai and Arnav Swamy
December 1, 2021
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
December 1, 2021
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
December 1, 2021
An Indian Thanksgiving: reworking America’s most famous meal

An Indian Thanksgiving: reworking America’s most famous meal

Atrey Desai
November 22, 2021
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
November 18, 2021
Bootcamp: the best of both worlds

Bootcamp: the best of both worlds

Atrey Desai
November 16, 2021
We hate baseball.

We hate baseball.

Atrey Desai and Viraaj Reddi
November 9, 2021
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
November 4, 2021
vaccine-graphic-blue

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

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
November 4, 2021
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
October 22, 2021
Chewing gum in class — a menace or blessing?

Chewing gum in class — a menace or blessing?

Atrey Desai
October 17, 2021
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
September 30, 2021

Beijing’s grip on Chinese gaming and media tightens

Atrey Desai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021
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
October 8, 2021
We hate astrology

We hate astrology

Atrey Desai and Viraaj Reddi
October 7, 2021

Young girls’ volleyball team endures rough start

Atrey Desai and Sarah Zhou
October 6, 2021

@artby_apoorva: a documented journey for an aspiring artist

Atrey Desai and Hannah Lee
October 6, 2021
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
October 2, 2021
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
September 30, 2021
zoom-academy-graphic

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

Howard Shu and Nikhil Mathihalli
September 10, 2021
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
September 10, 2021
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
September 9, 2021
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
September 8, 2021
windowsmacvsbanner

The age-old debate: Macs vs. Windows

Nilay Mishra and Atrey Desai
May 24, 2021
top-10-movie

Top 10 movies to watch over summer

Atrey Desai
May 19, 2021
School-Board-Image

School board’s 4A decision raises questions

Atrey Desai and Michael Fok
May 13, 2021
_118189507_gettyimages-1232494972

Super League scare raises questions about ownership models in soccer

Jason Cheng, Vinay Gollamudi, and Atrey Desai
May 13, 2021

Top 10 books to read over summer

Atrey Desai and Nidhi Mathihalli
May 11, 2021
final-robotics

MSET 649 submits robot videos, capping off their online season

Nidhi Mathihalli and Atrey Desai
May 6, 2021
wilson-fung-vaccine

Some students begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine

Atrey Desai
April 1, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-03-12 at 10

Parents’ reopening reactions range from rage to reservation

Atrey Desai and Nilay Mishra
March 12, 2021

Americans are dying as the government looks on

Atrey Desai
February 13, 2021
SHS_Reopening_Infographic_Vertical_infographic

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

Atrey Desai and Manasi Garg
February 7, 2021
gatekeeping

The problem with cultural gatekeeping

Atrey Desai and Anjali Pai
December 1, 2020

Politically active students lead the way

Atrey Desai
November 24, 2020

Monopoly in sports video games causes unease in the player base

Atrey Desai
October 31, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-10-31 at 2

If breakout rooms do not start talking I will take action

Atrey Desai
October 31, 2020

Boba is the superior drink that deserves its fans

Atrey Desai
October 22, 2020
AMY-CONEY-BARRET-CREDIT (CAROLINE BREHMAN_POOL VIA AP)

Amy Coney Barrett: qualified but conflicted

Atrey Desai
October 22, 2020
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
October 8, 2020
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