The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
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
Students dance to the music in the moshpit on Dec. 7.
Winter Formal at Gilroy Gardens garners positive feedback
December 14, 2024
Many seniors feel frustrated with the lack of a consistent counselor.
Students last names A-F have faced struggles with guidance counselor turnovers in past two years
December 13, 2024
In recent years, an increasing number of students have applied early to college.
Class of ’25 sees an increased number of early college applicants
December 13, 2024
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 result of the poll conducted by our Falcon Instagram account.
What songs top the charts for all-time favorite holiday music?
December 13, 2024
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
Falcons look to defend Notre Dame’s free kick during home game on Dec. 10.
Girls’ soccer defeats Notre Dame Knights 3-2, still undefeated in pre-season
December 13, 2024
49ers’ head coach and former SHS student, Kyle Shanahan, sits in grief after the team suffered a rough 24-23 loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 6.
49ers hobble through losing season
December 12, 2024
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 use of social media allows controversial news to spread and grab the attention of more Americans than ever.
Social media fuels increasing polarization of American politics
December 13, 2024
The fast fashion industry really is Hell.
‘Brandy Hellville’ documentary reveals fast fashion as a devil in disguise
December 12, 2024
The many confusing aspects of Shakespeare make his works unappealing.
To read or not to read: My struggle with Shakespeare
December 7, 2024
A super cool pineapple
Top 10: Fruits
December 14, 2024
My perfect Christmas tree where these gifts go under.
Top 10: Best Christmas Gifts
December 13, 2024
I contemplate between two different Owala FreeSip colors at Target.
My journey to find the perfect water bottle ends with Owala
December 13, 2024
Christmas music is fine no matter what season you’re in.
Christmas music can be played, shamelessly, any time of the year
December 13, 2024
The perfect place to be during Christmas.
Christmas is just horrible without snow
December 13, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
Beverly Xu

Beverly Xu, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Beverly Xu
Rector opts for a wooden box instead of caddies.

Photo or Graphic for: What the new state-wide cell phone mandate means for the district

Madhura Natarajan
December 8, 2024
AP Language and Composition teacher Erick Rector in front of his AP Lang class.

Photo or Graphic for: A guide to thrive in AP Literature and AP Language

Adarsh Peruvemba
October 27, 2024
The team, with robot number “649,” plays a qualification match at St. Ignatius during the San Francisco Regional. 

MSET Robotics team of 49 students scrambles to build a robot for their first regional, with an ambitious schedule

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
May 21, 2024
Juniors Arthur Wang, Kathy Wang, Sunny Cao, Kayla Nguyen, Aarushi Sharma and Will Norwood with their awards from the NHD states competition.

Two junior student groups qualify to the National History Day Nationals Competition

Amy Luo and Beverly Xu
May 20, 2024
A chair-full experience: Two students sharing the same seats across different periods discuss their opinions on their seating

A chair-full experience: Two students sharing the same seats across different periods discuss their opinions on their seating

Kathy Wang and Beverly Xu
May 20, 2024
I once burnt a brownie so badly that it turned into literal hell, blackened crust and all.

My stupid ‘cooking’ adventures as a kid

Beverly Xu
May 8, 2024
You would think I would have learned to be wary of banana peels from all the cartoon characters who slip on them.

Top 10: ways to fall

Beverly Xu
May 2, 2024
Seniors Eric Norris (left) and Shreyash Das Sharma (right) stand with their stimulus pad project, which creates the feeling of resistance in conjunction with the new Apple Vision Pro. 

Engineering Design and Development students build their own designs for capstone project 

Natalie Chua and Beverly Xu
April 16, 2024
With several age-old institutions breaking down America’s voting system, democracy is teetering on the edge — and shifts in our voting system will determine whether or not we drop the ball.

America needs to rethink its voting system

Beverly Xu
March 29, 2024
From stories of old shoes, hockey games and Ultimate Frisbee matches, teachers on campus give us their best first date advice from their best and worst experiences. 

Lessons outside the classroom: teachers’ dos and don’ts for a first date

Anika Kapasi and Beverly Xu
February 15, 2024
The five contestants (left to right) — Derek Liang, Anika Kapasi, Beverly Xu, Kathy Wang and Tara Natarjan — line up behind their boards.

The Charcuterie Board Beatdown: which reporter will make the breaking board?

Anika Kapasi, Derek Liang, Tara Natarajan, Kathy Wang, and Beverly Xu
February 14, 2024
The formula for these class breakdowns: part workload, part concepts, part memorization and part AP test pass rate. 

Putting SHS science classes under the microscope

Beverly Xu
February 13, 2024
MSET Bettafish and MSET Jellyfish compete against each other during a match at a FTC league meet.

FTC teams improve consistency for upcoming league tournament

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
February 6, 2024
As corporations flood social media, users begin to forget the true actor behind the screen.

Be wary of brands trying to be relatable on social media

Beverly Xu
December 7, 2023
Our all time favorites!

Top 10: best Halloween candies — extended holiday edition

Amy Luo and Beverly Xu
December 1, 2023
Crashing into mailboxes: a not-so-unique Saratoga student experience.

Top 10: sure-fire ways to fail your driver’s test

Beverly Xu
November 20, 2023
Nothing would make me genuinely happier than a three-story high can of Celsius. 

100-word rave: Celsius energy drink is my panacea

Beverly Xu
November 20, 2023
A robot from Cupertino high school drives across the field to score a “triball,” or a plastic, acorn-shaped game object.

SHS and Redwood VEX teams host qualifier tournament

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
November 6, 2023
Seniors Riley Alves and Ashly Henry dressed as skeletons during the school's Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 28.

All dressed up: Creating terror-ific memories to celebrate the spooky season

Shirina Cao, Kathy Wang, and Beverly Xu
November 5, 2023
Tiananmen Square — on June 4, 1989 — teemed with students and civilians peacefully protesting for nearly two months before the massacre, one the greatest shows of public outrage in the history of China.

The aftermath of Tiananmen Square: a survivor tells his story

Beverly Xu
October 19, 2023
Memories of my childhood — like making tang yuan with my grandma — are forever instilled in the little circular desserts.

A taste of my childhood through tang yuan

Beverly Xu
October 14, 2023
 Senior outreach lead Ameya Saund’s painting for the fundraising event’s art auction shows multiple hands to highlight how collective action can accomplish much more than a sole actor.

FRC Robotics team helps bring education to underprivileged girls in rural India

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
October 14, 2023
As the SAT is getting ready to completely transition to digital from nearly a century of being on paper, students, particularly ones abroad, should expect many benefits.

CollegeBoard’s new digital SAT is a step toward accessibility and sustainability — so don’t snap your pencils yet

Amy Miao and Beverly Xu
October 14, 2023
Attracted by glamorous college names and eye-catching buzzwords, students need to weigh the true benefits of summer pre-college programs with the costs.

Summer pre-college programs: The ‘college experience’ and fungible classes advertised come at too steep of a price

Beverly Xu
October 1, 2023
Carota speaks to students in the quad.

New Special Education Program Specialist joins school with 20 years of experience in education

William Cao and Beverly Xu
September 28, 2023
At the second mandatory meeting of the year, new junior safety lead Richard Chung introduces organization plans for the semester, along with other student leads and staff advisor Jennifer Lee.

Despite success through the years, MSET  Robotics team strives to upgrade its training

Alec Guan and Beverly Xu
September 27, 2023
After spending a week on the platform, this collage encompasses some of my favorite, ridiculously ironic Truth Social memes

I spent a week on Truth Social — and my head’s still spinning

Beverly Xu
September 26, 2023
The pancakes that my mini bear-pan aspires to mold and the Instant pot that never lets my food get cold—which one is better? I think that’s an Instant answer…

Top 10: pots and pans (of all kinds)

Beverly Xu
September 21, 2023
Junior Caitlin Weber steps up to bat at the softball team’s last league game away to Monta Vista. The team won 13-0.

Softball: Falcons lose in CCS quarterfinals after achieving 9-3 league record

Divya Vadlakonda and Beverly Xu
May 31, 2023
Facing the Capitol building of conservative Texas, Ward takes her first testosterone blocker pills on Sept. 26, 2022. 

Halfway into life, college counselor begins a ‘second puberty’ as a transgender woman

Saachi Jain and Beverly Xu
May 25, 2023
From 2019 to 2025, the chances of SHS students getting admitted into the UCs are dropping off — and in 2025, it’s my turn to hopefully not get rejected.

Dear UCs: Please don’t reject me

Beverly Xu
May 15, 2023
When Peanuts first entered print, characters looked very different from what most people recognize today.

70 year later, ‘Peanuts’ remains a childhood staple

Beverly Xu
May 8, 2023
After their final match at the World Championship, the team gathers around their robot to take a team photo.

MSET Fish perform beyond expectations at Regional and World Championships

Beverly Xu
May 8, 2023
With a blaring “Filmora Free Plan” watermark, my rooftop music video clearly had everything but a big budget.

My version of a summer treehouse: my roof

Beverly Xu
May 4, 2023
Of all the plants that I have raised, not one has been spared a speedy trip to heaven.

Unrooted: my induction into the gardening Hall of Shame

Beverly Xu
May 2, 2023
I spy with my little eye the sky and the stars — not my future. 

Can the stars see my future? I tracked my ‘horrorscope’ for a day

Beverly Xu
April 3, 2023
Class of ‘19 alumna Alex Ruemmler smiles for a picture with her junior year history teacher Faith Daly, who inspired her to become a teacher.

School alumni choose to become teachers and return to California

Anika Kapasi and Beverly Xu
April 3, 2023
At the end of a qualification match, the team’s robot balances on the charge station.

MSET robotics team faces tough competition in SF and falls short of qualifying for worlds

Beverly Xu
April 1, 2023
Wellesley students decorate a ledge with chalk in support of the recent ballot measure.

Wellesley College officials should listen to students and staff and change their gender policy

Beverly Xu
March 30, 2023
Students at the Halloween Party gather around the robot demonstration organized by the Best Buddies club.

Best Buddies club hopes to bring change to school

Neal Malhotra and Beverly Xu
February 15, 2023
Chess club members gather around the projector to analyze game strategy.

Behind the flurry of chess club ‘grand master’ posters: competition, learning and play

Beverly Xu
February 12, 2023
Sitting (or maybe swimming) next to the bunny trifecta, “Flippy” the rainbow fish has not paid rent after more than four years living in my bookshelf. 

Parting ways with my 101 dalma-plushies

Beverly Xu
February 12, 2023
Sophomore Vera Fung assembles her laser-cut beams into each truss for her Principles of Engineering bridge project.

Building bridges teaches key engineering concepts

Beverly Xu
February 10, 2023
Stacked two-people high, three dragons dangle banners from their mouths and bounce up and down to the crowd’s delight.

Hakone Gardens moves forward with major renovations for its next century

Beverly Xu
February 10, 2023
Six out of the 12 members of Single’s Inferno season 2 all compete to leave the island with a partner.

Love is in the air — but not in Netflix reality dating shows

Beverly Xu
February 8, 2023
As the construction approaches completion, a large layer of turf is placed on the field.

Recent winter storms cause delays in baseball field renovations

Beverly Xu
January 26, 2023
High-fiving a long line of tournament contributors, team AstroBruins from Santa Clara High receives their award during the awards ceremony, closing up the competition.

Robotics teams host first 24-team tournament in three years

Beverly Xu
December 12, 2022
Senior captain Dylan Sinton dribbles the ball across the field during a Tuesday night practice match.

Boys’ soccer team focuses on building chemistry and momentum

Nilay Mishra and Beverly Xu
December 12, 2022
A wide variety of traditional jams, spices, beans and other foods stock the shelves of Rose Market in downtown Saratoga.

Cultural grocery stores: an essential for Bay Area residents

Victoria Hu and Beverly Xu
December 6, 2022
As schools of the same district, Saratoga High and Los Gatos High compete against each other throughout a variety of sports.

The state of the rivalry: How does SHS stack up against Los Gatos sports?

Anika Kapasi and Beverly Xu
December 6, 2022
A scene from our highly acclaimed mukbang video.

Mukbang: Why do we watch them?

Beverly Xu and Maggie Zeng
November 30, 2022
MSET Cuttlefish team modifies their robot a week before the qualifier.

Robotics teams prepare to host annual FTC tournament

Beverly Xu
November 28, 2022
Merry Birthday to me.

The most important holiday of the year: my birthday

Beverly Xu
November 28, 2022
No. 1 player sophomore Sarah Lim sets her ball down on the green for her next putt.

Freshman qualifies for golf state championship; team outperforms expectations

Beverly Xu
November 17, 2022
From 1840 to 2017, the number of US hazing deaths has shot up exponentially.

Greek life should be heavily regulated, if not eliminated entirely

Divya Vadlakonda and Beverly Xu
November 11, 2022
Falcon leaders stand out by forming strong relationships with their peers and mentors around them.

Around campus, leaders are selected through strong peer and teacher relationships

Anika Kapasi and Beverly Xu
November 10, 2022
An infographic detailing Cuttlecast’s Oct. 27 online session.

Cuttlefish robotics team hosts tech professionals on Cuttlecast

Beverly Xu
November 9, 2022
Seven minutes into a 30 minute lunch break, all three of the lunch lines still extend out of the cafeteria.

School should seek to turn difficulties with Universal Lunch Program into opportunities

Sarah Thomas and Beverly Xu
November 4, 2022
School nurse Lisa Tripp administers a COVID-19 vaccine at a partnership clinic with Inspire Diagnostics.

Fall COVID-19 booster clinics distribute updated bivalent boosters

Beverly Xu
October 29, 2022
Bawling my eyes out after being forced to wear my first Halloween costume, 4-year-old me went trick-or-treating for the first time.

Trick-or-treating, the best part of Halloween, is my childhood

Beverly Xu
October 19, 2022
Senior ACE club president Carolyn Wang presents the next group discussion to more than 15 student tutors.

ACE club members volunteer to tutor students across four different countries

Neal Malhotra and Beverly Xu
October 19, 2022
Females for Finance co-president Samantha Stoiber answers a member’s question about personal finance during their lunch club meeting.

STEM and finance clubs and organizations strive to bring in more female and nonbinary participants

Beverly Xu
October 19, 2022
Principal Greg Louie steals a big bite of his patented peanut butter and jelly sandwich, while checking his email.

A day in the life of principal Greg Louie

Beverly Xu
September 25, 2022
Not all words are created equal.

The real deal behind lol and lmao

Beverly Xu and Divya Vadlakonda
September 23, 2022
Counselor Brad Ward leads a college application introductory presentation for seniors in the new College and Career Center on Aug. 25.

College and career counselor Brad Ward quickly settles into the school community

Tara Natarajan, Shreya Rallabandi, and Beverly Xu
September 19, 2022
Senior Ananya Seth follows through on her swing, and watches the ball fly away from her.

Girls’ golf team looks to freshmen to make up for seniors lost to graduation

Beverly Xu
September 13, 2022
Junior Owen Liang mounts the new intake hardstop, preventing the intake from deploying too far down.

Robotics team readies to compete at regional offseason tournaments

Neal Malhotra and Beverly Xu
September 11, 2022
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