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 Christina Chang

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

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

Top 10 ways to ask someone out

Christina Chang and Sam Bai
Top 10: ways to fake having friends

Top 10: ways to fake having friends

Christina Chang
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
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School should offer more humanities courses

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

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

Christina Chang
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
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
Saratoga’s varied neighborhood feature diverse lifestyles

Saratoga’s varied neighborhood feature diverse lifestyles

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

PSA: It’s OK to take a break

Christina Chang
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
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
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

Benefit Fashion committee plans Retro show this year

Christina Chang
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

Teachers reach 3-year agreement with district

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
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
English teacher Amy Keys browses the books on her classroom library shelves.  

English teachers host elaborate mini-libraries in their classrooms

Christina Chang
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
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
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

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

Bell schedule change advances for second semester

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
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
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

Chess champion Andrew Hong earns elite grandmaster title

Christina Chang and Jonathan Si
Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Christina Chang and Shannon Ma
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
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
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
 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
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
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
Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
sports

Falcon athletes experience the ups and downs of Season 2 sports

Christina Chang
IMG_2613

SCVAL teams forced to forgo CCS playoffs

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
book club photo courtesy of Avani Kongetira

Book Club aims to spread the love of literature

Christina Chang
procrastination graphic-01

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

Christina Chang
teacher friendships photo

Teacher friendships continue to thrive despite the pandemic

Christina Chang
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Girls’ basketball: New coach faces challenges posed by pandemic

Christina Chang and Nilay Mishra
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
West Valley College photo courtesy of QUADRIGA

Students discuss appeals and challenges of Middle College

Christina Chang
3ft vs 6ft graphic-01 (1)

Updated CDC social distancing guidelines prompt mixed reactions from SHS community

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
Free Speech Graphic-01

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

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
petsgraphic

Reporters maintain friendship through animal nicknames

Christina Chang, Anjali Pai, and Carolyn Wang
IMG_5982

District plans to begin reopening schools with Phase 3A and Phase 3B

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

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
alex yang campaign photo

Candidates express difficulty of campaigning on social media for ASB elections

Christina Chang and Lihi Shoshani
newsom sports graphic-01

Return of sports: Students share excitement and navigate new guidelines

Christina Chang
IMG_4896

For coaches, the return of sports has been a long journey

Christina Chang and Minsui Tang
CC podcast

2019 alumna leads guided meditation with ‘Chaotic Calm’ podcast

Christina Chang and Marisa Kingsley
drama auditions graphic-01

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

Christina Chang
sports vs academics graphic-01

Student athletes in college balance sports and studies

Christina Chang and Preston Fu
Dear 2021 Graphic

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

Martin Xu
hybrid learning graphic-01

Photo or Graphic for: Does hybrid learning really work?

Martin Xu
mask graphic-01

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

Harshini Velchamy
school

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

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
multiple sports in a season photo

Playing on two teams more likely in condensed sports seasons

Christina Chang
private schools graphic

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

Christina Chang and Chris Chen
theaters closing graphic-01

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

Christina Chang and Lihi Shoshani
ent_overthemoon_movieposter

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

Christina Chang
Screen Shot 2020-11-02 at 2

Alumni reflect on experiences after leaving Saratoga bubble

Christina Chang and Carolyn Wang
Power Outage Graphic-01

Recurring internet outages irk students and staff

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
Sports Covid Graphic-01

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

Christina Chang and Anjali Pai
saratogahigh

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

Christina Chang and Shreya Rallabandi
Spider graphic

Spider Apocalypse

Christina Chang
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