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
All content by Christina Chang

Senior Mag 2023: Taking the untraditional path: Seniors pursue gap years before resuming academic studies

Christina Chang
August 30, 2023
Hong and Leung pose for a photo in the music building — the place they spend most of their tutorials and lunches.

Senior Mag 2023: Melodies of friendship: from elementary school piano buddies to college roommates

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
July 1, 2023
Carolyn (left) and Christina (right) in their newly-purchased Target T-shirts.

No drive, no life: Second-semester seniors go to Target on a $15 budget

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
April 25, 2023
The job listing for a new assistant principal was posted March 1.

School seeks new assistant principal for next year

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
March 28, 2023
Fallen tree branches litter the ramp in front of the library.

Atmospheric river brings heavy winds, fallen trees and destruction to campus facilities

Christina Chang
March 14, 2023
A young eighth grade Christina brings the ball down the court against a press during a Tri City PA-PAP Squad game against Tri City Shoyu Sisters in 2018.

An athlete’s journey: learning to quit

Christina Chang
February 27, 2023
The Prosecution team poses with glee for a celebratory photo during a team debrief following a victorious competition on Jan. 26.

Mock Trial caps most successful season in recent history, but fails to advance

Christina Chang and Sanjoli Gupta
February 16, 2023
Co-captains junior Zinneerah Ahmed and senior Tanya Ghai command the court during the Lynbrook game.

Girls’ basketball faces tough losses, CCS prospects unlikely

Christina Chang, Meher Bhatnagar, and Ariel Zhou
January 31, 2023
Many submissions revolved around the theme of mental health. Among them was senior Christina Chang’s artwork “Burnout,” a mixed media self portrait which comments on the academic culture at Saratoga High. 

Photo or Graphic for: Winter Soundings issue to be published online in late January

Amy Luo and Kathy Wang
January 24, 2023
Kellen Browning, who was raised in Davis, has been working at The Times for two years.

Photo or Graphic for: Journalism program holds speaker event with New York Times

Saachi Jain
December 15, 2022
A duck puts up a superficial facade of calmness as it floats peacefully along the surface of the water; beneath the surface, it paddles frantically to stay afloat.

Stanford professor’s findings help explain why so many young people feel so miserable

Christina Chang
November 20, 2022
Every year, Algebra 2 Honors tends to have a large number of students who drop to Algebra 2 after the start of the year. Unequal movement contributes to unbalanced class sizes.

Too big or too small — class size issues emerge this year

Christina Chang
November 9, 2022
Ask someone out with these easy, fool-proof methods.

Top 10 ways to ask someone out

Christina Chang and Sam Bai
October 19, 2022
Top 10: ways to fake having friends

Top 10: ways to fake having friends

Christina Chang
June 5, 2022
73 questions: conversations with the school community

73 questions: conversations with the school community

Lena Aribi, Meher Bhatnagar, Christina Chang, Lynn Dai, Victoria Hu, Hannah Lee, Jonny Luo, Shannon Ma, Nikhil Mathihalli, and Sarah Zhou
May 30, 2022
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School should offer more humanities courses

Christina Chang
May 18, 2022
District to review plan for solar panel farms in mid-June

District to review plan for solar panel farms in mid-June

Christina Chang
May 22, 2022
Mayor Tina Walia introduces the Blossom Festival to residents in the gazebo.

Saratoga Historical Foundation hosts Blossom Festival following 2-year hiatus

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
May 15, 2022
Junior Kayla Steele gains territory running with the ball during the Falconpuff championship game. The juniors were matched up against the seniors, who ultimately won 14-0.

Leadership hosts first Spring Fling spirit week since 2019; dance nixed for low ticket sales

Christina Chang
May 15, 2022
Saratoga’s varied neighborhood feature diverse lifestyles

Saratoga’s varied neighborhood feature diverse lifestyles

Anamika Anand, Vicky Bai, and Christina Chang
May 10, 2022
PSA: It’s OK to take a break

PSA: It’s OK to take a break

Christina Chang
April 28, 2022
Screen Shot 2022-03-20 at 2.33.33 PM

Photo or Graphic for: Timing was right to lift mask mandate, but caution still important

Ethan Lin
March 20, 2022
Senior reflects on year as Santa Clara County’s first Youth Poet Laureate

Senior reflects on year as Santa Clara County’s first Youth Poet Laureate

Christina Chang
March 18, 2022
As mask mandate expires, most students and staff still choose to wear them

As mask mandate expires, most students and staff still choose to wear them

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
March 18, 2022

Benefit Fashion committee plans Retro show this year

Christina Chang
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

Teachers reach 3-year agreement with district

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
January 21, 2022
The Outreach Commission announces this year’s Speak Up For Change theme: Stepping Forward.

Speak Up For Change reveals this year’s theme: Stepping Forward

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
January 21, 2022
English teacher Amy Keys browses the books on her classroom library shelves.  

English teachers host elaborate mini-libraries in their classrooms

Christina Chang
January 20, 2022
Senior Cary Chen took this sunset photo at a friend’s house on Dec. 23.

Senior delves into new-found interest in photography

Christina Chang
January 18, 2022
Class of 2021: Alumni reflect on their transition to various colleges

Class of 2021: Alumni reflect on their transition to various colleges

Christina Chang and Arnav Swamy
December 18, 2021
The field hockey team runs onto the field at the beginning of their game against Homestead.

Fall recap: Successful seasons were rare, but athletes were happy to be back in the game

Christina Chang and Ethan Lin
December 6, 2021

All recycling products at the school have been trashed in the past six months because students keep contaminating recycling bins with improper waste such as food

Christina Chang and Cici Xu
December 2, 2021

Bell schedule change advances for second semester

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
November 22, 2021
The LGSUHSD board, Curriculum Alignment Course Pathway Committee, teachers, parents and students convene to discuss the issues at hand at the Nov. 16 board meeting.

Board preliminarily supports alignment of graduation requirements between SHS and LG, leaves door open for considering full alignment

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
November 19, 2021
Freshmen Timothy Leung and Beverly Xu collaborate to work on a yearbook spread.

Journalism 1 students combined with yearbook staff due to smaller class size

Christina Chang
October 21, 2021

Chess champion Andrew Hong earns elite grandmaster title

Christina Chang and Jonathan Si
October 19, 2021
Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Christina Chang and Shannon Ma
October 8, 2021
Jensen penned a public email on Aug. 30 blaming the 40.1 percent of foreigners in Saratoga for wasting the city’s water supply.

Member of city Planning Commission resigns over comments widely seen as xenophobic

Lynn Dai and Christina Chang
October 8, 2021
Newsom on a roll: vaccine mandate incites majority approval from students

Newsom on a roll: vaccine mandate incites majority approval from students

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
October 8, 2021
Library and lab technician Cynthia Cheng works to prepare labs for AP Biology students in the science building.

Cynthia Cheng takes on new role as library technician

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
October 7, 2021
 Santa Clara County Fire recently deployed routine use of tactical water tenders, which quickly deliver additional water at vegetation fires where fire hydrants may be unavailable.

Fall means fire season — and preparation for potential emergencies

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
October 6, 2021
Semicolon Saratoga is scheduled to sell t-shirts designed by senior Isabel Lee in October to fundraise for Project Semicolon.

Junior creates platform for students to share mental health experiences

Christina Chang and Shreya Rallabandi
September 20, 2021
Students engage in games at the Back to School Social on August 13.

Students discuss excitement, challenges of being back in-person school

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
September 10, 2021
Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
September 10, 2021
sports

Falcon athletes experience the ups and downs of Season 2 sports

Christina Chang
May 17, 2021
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SCVAL teams forced to forgo CCS playoffs

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
May 11, 2021
book club photo courtesy of Avani Kongetira

Book Club aims to spread the love of literature

Christina Chang
May 8, 2021
procrastination graphic-01

In a race between good intentions and procrastination, guess who wins?

Christina Chang
May 3, 2021
teacher friendships photo

Teacher friendships continue to thrive despite the pandemic

Christina Chang
April 28, 2021
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Girls’ basketball: New coach faces challenges posed by pandemic

Christina Chang and Nilay Mishra
April 25, 2021
health and cooking class photo courtesy of Wendy Lewis

Students enjoy health and cooking class both in-person and at home

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
April 25, 2021
West Valley College photo courtesy of QUADRIGA

Students discuss appeals and challenges of Middle College

Christina Chang
April 22, 2021
3ft vs 6ft graphic-01 (1)

Updated CDC social distancing guidelines prompt mixed reactions from SHS community

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
April 15, 2021
Free Speech Graphic-01

Photo or Graphic for: What is the extent of the First Amendment in schools?

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
April 2, 2021
petsgraphic

Reporters maintain friendship through animal nicknames

Christina Chang, Anjali Pai, and Carolyn Wang
March 23, 2021
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District plans to begin reopening schools with Phase 3A and Phase 3B

Christina Chang and Tiffany Wang
March 9, 2021
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City and community support local historical Japanese garden during COVID-19

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
March 8, 2021
alex yang campaign photo

Candidates express difficulty of campaigning on social media for ASB elections

Christina Chang and Lihi Shoshani
March 6, 2021
newsom sports graphic-01

Return of sports: Students share excitement and navigate new guidelines

Christina Chang
March 1, 2021
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For coaches, the return of sports has been a long journey

Christina Chang and Minsui Tang
March 1, 2021
CC podcast

2019 alumna leads guided meditation with ‘Chaotic Calm’ podcast

Christina Chang and Marisa Kingsley
February 21, 2021
drama auditions graphic-01

Spring musical planned to be online film version of ‘The Addams Family’

Christina Chang
February 6, 2021
sports vs academics graphic-01

Student athletes in college balance sports and studies

Christina Chang and Preston Fu
January 26, 2021
Dear 2021 Graphic

Photo or Graphic for: Dear 2021 … it can only get better

Martin Xu
January 13, 2021
hybrid learning graphic-01

Photo or Graphic for: Does hybrid learning really work?

Martin Xu
December 9, 2020
mask graphic-01

Photo or Graphic for: Masks are not necklaces; wear them properly

Harshini Velchamy
December 1, 2020
school

With conditions worsening, district will not move forward with Phase 3 to start second semester

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
December 4, 2020
multiple sports in a season photo

Playing on two teams more likely in condensed sports seasons

Christina Chang
December 3, 2020
private schools graphic

Private schools pave the way for returning to in-person schooling

Christina Chang and Chris Chen
December 3, 2020
theaters closing graphic-01

As movie theaters struggle during the pandemic, drive-in movies stage a comeback

Christina Chang and Lihi Shoshani
November 27, 2020
ent_overthemoon_movieposter

‘Over the Moon’ brings more Asian representation to Western animation

Christina Chang
November 20, 2020
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Alumni reflect on experiences after leaving Saratoga bubble

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
November 2, 2020
Power Outage Graphic-01

Recurring internet outages irk students and staff

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
October 31, 2020
Sports Covid Graphic-01

Sports should not have practices at this time due to safety concerns

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
October 20, 2020
saratogahigh

Break-in at administration building continues string of unusual crimes on campus lately

Christina Chang and Shreya Rallabandi
October 10, 2020
Spider graphic

Spider Apocalypse

Christina Chang
September 12, 2020
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