The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
A student writing an essay in class.
Increasing student use of AI causes English teachers to switch to in-class essays
May 15, 2025
Courtesy of Belal Aftab Saratoga mayor Belal Aftab centers his agenda on residents’ feedback.
New mayor Belal Aftab aims to foster a more vibrant, connected community
May 10, 2025
The Saratoga Speech and Debate team at TOC in Kentucky
Speech and debate celebrates national-level results while striving for more
May 9, 2025
Assistant principal and activities director Kristen Cunningham.
Cunningham to leave for admin role at LGHS, district
May 8, 2025
Courtesy of Mary Ko MSET senior mentor Anh-Quan Nguyen described the team’s performance as “the best performance of any Cuttlefish team in history.” MSET senior mentor Anh-Quan Nguyen described the team’s performance as “the best performance of any Cuttlefish team in history.”
FTC 6165 Cuttlefish boasts an 8-2 record at World Championships
May 1, 2025
Students, such as junior Leonardo Jia, attend both synchronous and asynchronous courses at West Valley College.
A deeper look at math classes beyond the school’s offerings
May 17, 2025
2010s highlighted some of the greatest names in music, such as Adele or The Weeknd, who are still admired today.
Catchy rhythms and unique vocals make the 2010s the best era of music
May 15, 2025
Images courtesy of Disney Wiki and Parade An example of a disappointing live-action remake, “The Lion King” lost the heart and expression that made the animated original a classic.
Why do live-action adaptations never measure up?
May 15, 2025
A film’s ratings often reflect the director’s creative vision and execution, which can often differ from audience expectations.
How movie ratings shape stories — and box office success
May 15, 2025
MAP, a longstanding program at SHS, hosts numerous video-based projects for students.
Sophomore MAP students illuminate social issues ‘Be the Change’ projects
May 12, 2025
Maggie Huesby, Dahlia Murthy, Sydney Riera and Saira Ramakrishnan from left to right.
Q&A: Seniors reflect on their four-year softball journey
May 16, 2025
The badminton seniors dressed in shark onesies for their senior night on April 22.
Badminton team extends undefeated run with senior night win over Cats
May 16, 2025
Courtesy of Renn Blanco Team poses after beating Palo Alto 199-188
Golf team reaches CCS as a team for first time in 3 years
May 15, 2025
Senior Captain Avi Taneja serves the birdie during the 4/15 match.
Q&A: Four senior captains reflect on their four years on the badminton team
May 11, 2025
Courtesy of Ian Johnson Junior Ian Johnson captures senior Daniel Jadali going up with contact in a basketball game against Lynbrook High School on Jan 31.
Two juniors explore their passion for photography through sports
May 10, 2025
100-word-rant: Aesthetically, sharp corners stink
100-word-rant: Aesthetically, sharp corners stink
May 17, 2025
The burrito and chips meal from the school cafeteria.
Off-campus lunches come at a cost of high prices and questionable nutritional value
May 15, 2025
The early bird gets the worm.
To aspiring Leadership students: Campaigning early is a must
May 13, 2025
The least user-friendly survey out there.
Help wanted: Someone please fix the California Healthy Kids Survey
May 13, 2025
If only the calendar started on Monday…
The week should officially start on Monday: It just makes sense
May 11, 2025
Courtesy of Wikipedia Katy Perry’s album cover for ‘Hot N Cold’
In world history, Katy Perry’s ‘Hot N Cold’ gets a Cold War twist
May 15, 2025
Courtesy of Vihaan Bhaduri Bhaduri’s test drones.
Two juniors explore global tech research in drones and medical uses for AI
May 15, 2025
My classic study setup.
The blind leading the blind: how to study like a pro
May 13, 2025
After President Yoon Suk Yeol invoked martial law on Dec. 3, hundreds of Korean citizens took to the streets to show their disapproval of Yoon’s actions.
Democracy preserved in South Korea as country impeaches would-be authoritarian president
May 11, 2025
YouTube Kids’ Policies prohibit certain types of advertisements but not enough.
Learning from the tall tales of Big Cereal
May 7, 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 Avani Kongetira
District staff presented a comparison of graduation requirement differences between Saratoga High and Los Gatos High at the special board meeting on Feb. 13.

District to reconvene alignment work groups, implement ethnic studies graduation requirement

Avani Kongetira and Shaan Sridhar
Model sign-ups went live on Jan. 17.

Annual Benefit Fashion Show set for April 22

Avani Kongetira
The ideal playlist for a school dance.

Six songs and artists that should be played at school dances

Anika Kapasi and Avani Kongetira
Top 10: scariest things

Top 10: scariest things

Avani Kongetira
The junior and senior class offices released a graphic on April 21 advertising the venue and prices for prom. 

Combined prom set for May 29 at Tech Interactive

Avani Kongetira
Sophomore Victoria Le and Senior Mahi Ravi kickboard next to each other during practice.

Swimmers take on CCS, advance to finals

Avani Kongetira and Jonathan Si
Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian announced

Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian announced

Avani Kongetira and Harshini Velchamy

Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian announced

Avani Kongetira and Harshini Velchamy

Graduation ceremony returns to pre-pandemic setting

Derek Hsu and Avani Kongetira
Sophomore Arushi Maheshwar (right) at the load-in on Sunday, March 27.

Breaking tradition: Underclassmen fill stage manager role in ‘Fiddler’

Michael Fok and Avani Kongetira

‘Icks’ to get you over that not-so-special someone

Avani Kongetira and Kavita Sundaram

Alumna pursues passion for music through professional girl group

Avani Kongetira and Nidhi Mathihalli

As auditions wrap up, spring musical rehearsals begin

Avani Kongetira
As classes delve into slavery, Black students see positives while also sometimes feeling singled out

As classes delve into slavery, Black students see positives while also sometimes feeling singled out

Avani Kongetira
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

ComedySportz returns after low participation during remote learning

Michael Fok and Avani Kongetira
Top 10 underrated Taylor Swift songs from two certified Swifties

Top 10 underrated Taylor Swift songs from two certified Swifties

Avani Kongetira and Kavita Sundaram

Drama program begins preparations for annual school play and student productions

Lena Aribi, Chris Chen, and Avani Kongetira

As team rebuilds, senior golfer relishes having a more normal season

Avani Kongetira and Tara Natarajan
senior prom

Senior class officers refine plans for late May prom in the quad

Avani Kongetira
book club photo courtesy of Avani Kongetira

Photo or Graphic for: Book Club aims to spread the love of literature

Christina Chang
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Football team closes up-and-down season with victory against Fremont

Avani Kongetira
finals prep graphic [Recovered]

10 ‘foolproof’ steps to success in this semester’s finals

Avani Kongetira
94ffa09792acf7801d12c36ecbde67ca

Photo or Graphic for: Team reflects on successful season despite COVID-19 challenges

Esther Luan
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Photo or Graphic for: Diamonds in the rough: Softball team works to rebuild skills after losing nine seniors to graduation

Stephanie Sun
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Falcons adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and new head coach

Avani Kongetira
campus tours

Campus tours ease stress on freshmen coming to campus

Avani Kongetira and Audrey Mah
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Long-time athlete forced to choose between sports

Avani Kongetira
born a crime

‘Born a Crime:’ Trevor Noah’s hilarious memoir takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster

Avani Kongetira
girlstenns3-12

Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ tennis pushing through season with resiliency

Minsui Tang
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Photo or Graphic for: Swim team adjusts to new practice, meet protocols

Neeti Badve and Martin Xu
Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 7

Boys’ basketball coach unites team during pandemic

Avani Kongetira
new years artwork

The new year does not mean our problems are solved

Avani Kongetira
spfc banner

Outreach commission preps virtual Speak Up For Change event

Avani Kongetira, Lihi Shoshani, and Kavita Sundaram
Screen Shot 2021-01-11 at 8

Aligning the curricula at Saratoga and Los Gatos would create more trouble than it saves

Avani Kongetira
Screen Shot 2020-12-02 at 1

Teachers increase use of new technology

Andy Chen and Avani Kongetira
election

Students’ relationships endure burden of political polarization

Avani Kongetira and Amanda Zhu
Screen Shot 2020-10-31 at 9

Biden emerges as the clear winner of the debates

Avani Kongetira
Screen Shot 2020-10-10 at 11

Is Netflix still worth it?

Avani Kongetira
ASB beat artwork

ASB plans virtual events in hopes of keeping students engaged

Avani Kongetira and Kavita Sundaram
Screen Shot 2020-09-10 at 9

New Downtown Saratoga boba shop has charms, but it also emptied my pockets

Avani Kongetira
senior traditions artwork

Countless senior traditions canceled

Avani Kongetira
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