The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomores Alma Garniek and Sia Bharadhwaj performed during the group dance.
Sophomore quad day thrives with a boost in participation
October 20, 2024
Seniors wave goodbye to students and staff in the audience after successfully delivering a stunning performance.
Seniors ends week of Quad Day performances with an energetic display
October 20, 2024
Group dance carries the show with energetic dance moves and smiles on their faces.
Juniors navigate low rehearsal attendance and participation for their quad day
October 20, 2024
Assistant superintendent of business services Ruben Fernandez, superintendent Bill Sanderson, director of human resources Dagmar Derickson, assistant superintendent of student services Heath Rocha and public information officer Tanya De La Cruz listen to public comment against the amendments to Sanderson’s contract. The new contract was approved by the board in a unanimous decision.
Widespread criticism over district leadership leads to community meetings and attempts at rebuilding trust
October 18, 2024
Sporting green jerseys, Joseph Yu, Elaine Luo, Sophie Qi and Serena Hu went all out for their performance.
Freshmen pull through despite fewer than 30 participants in their first quad day performance
October 18, 2024
Judges receive rubrics to score each performance out of 160 possible points.
How are Homecoming performances ranked?
October 20, 2024
The once-great Marvel and Pixar trend toward decline, as multiple factors drag them down.
The hidden factors behind Pixar and Marvel’s downfall
October 18, 2024
With an endless stream of online content, students find themselves overwhelmed by the temptation of smartphones.
In a world of short-form videos, long-term focus becomes a challenge
October 18, 2024
Each teacher reflected on their growth since they first started teaching at the school.
25 Years later: Educators reflect back on their first year at SHS
October 18, 2024
Gru Junior successfully tames Gru’s high school mascot—the honey badger Lenny.
‘Despicable Me 4’ is getting too much hate
October 18, 2024
With a shock offseason trade, Karl Anthony-Towns joins the New York Knicks to play alongside tenured Knick Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks are on course to finally bring a championship to New York
October 22, 2024
Leagues like Overtime Elite allow high school athletes to display their talents on a giant online platform.
How young athletes have started using social media for success
October 21, 2024
The constant cycle of practice and school leaves little free time during the day.
Competitive athletes balance rigorous sports schedule with academics
October 21, 2024
Falcons lineup in front of the endzone preparing to rush forward for another touchdown.
Football boasts 49-0 Homecoming win over Lynbrook, maintains undefeated record
October 21, 2024
Alice Vaughan balances in the flag position while practicing her solo performance at Garrod Farms.
Sophomore equestrian vaults to destress, despite dangerous nature of sport
October 15, 2024
Results shown on Google Map after searching up “housing developments nearby,” which doesn’t include those that didn’t publicize themselves on the map.
A gentler approach to growth: Why ADUs offer a middle ground in housing development
October 21, 2024
Though the school lunch applesauce is good, I prefer the ones that come in a pouch, since I don't need a spoon to eat them.
100-word rave: Applesauce is my go-to snack
October 18, 2024
To fight an upward battle, students struggle against time
100-word rant: classes without breaks
October 14, 2024
The balance of power at the school sites is heavily outweighed by the district.
Staff editorial: As the board levels up on district office personnel, LG and SHS staff suffer negative impacts
October 10, 2024
The Monopoly theme is a mere shadow of what it could have been.
This year’s Homecoming theme for the senior class is a major disappointment
October 10, 2024
There are some items I can’t leave behind on a ski trip.
Trip essentials from a yearly Tahoe-goer
October 22, 2024
My favorite teddy bears and I have made plenty of good memories over the years — and their origin story is better than mine.
From trash can to happy home: a tale of two teddy bears
October 21, 2024
Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, hold their creature power discs.
Nostalgia for ‘Wild Kratts’ hits strong as it remains to be one of my core shows of childhood
October 21, 2024
School starts at 8:30! Thankfully I still have 31 minutes to get there.
Top 10: excuses for being late
October 18, 2024
A particular scent can tug at your nostalgic feelings.
An ode to my favorite ‘scent-sibilities’
October 18, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Derek Liang, Sports Editor

Derek Liang, Class of '25, is a Sports Editor for the 2024-2025 school year. Previously, he was a Head Copy Editor and Reporter. Derek has reported on topics ranging from sports coverage to ice cream reviews. Outside of journalism, Derek enjoys working out and playing sports with friends, as well as eating good food.
All content by Derek Liang
Gru Junior successfully tames Gru’s high school mascot—the honey badger Lenny.

‘Despicable Me 4’ is getting too much hate

Derek Liang
October 18, 2024
Rose Weasley (left), Scorpius Malfoy and Severus Potter discover the last Time Turner during a key scene of the play.

Broadway version of ‘Harry Potter’ delivers no magic

Derek Liang
September 15, 2024
Leadership students working on various projects during class.

ASB prepares to host open meetings for all students during tutorial

Derek Liang and Caleb Yu
August 31, 2024
After being drained from studying, state testing provides a recharge.

State testing provides a good break from junior year

Derek Liang
May 22, 2024
Samanvi (far left) and other varsity girls after winning medals at league finals on May 4.

Boppana sisters bring home girls’ doubles NorCal badminton title

Derek Liang
May 21, 2024
The outdoor basketball court without flooring at night.

Outdoor basketball courts to be repaired by summer

Derek Liang
April 5, 2024
Juniors Dylan Wilson and Natalie Zaragoza posing in front of a banner after the California Winter Track and Field Championships at Arcadia High on Feb. 3.

Junior track athletes’ club experience pays off in competition results

Derek Liang
March 29, 2024
District nurse Lisa Tripp and principal Greg Louie pass out Narcan kits to students after a Narcan training meeting on Feb. 28.

Fentanyl crisis prompts district Narcan training aimed at students

Derek Liang and Daniel Wu
March 28, 2024
Right back Vihaan Bhaduri prepares to inbound the ball near the goal box on Cupertino’s side in Feb. 13 game.

Boys’ soccer pushes to improve amid underwhelming season

Derek Liang
February 14, 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 cheer team gathers around their coach in celebration after first place at CCS on Jan. 20.

Cheer team ends its season with CCS win, qualification for nationals in Las Vegas

Derek Liang
February 8, 2024
A fantasy of Drake in a rightful crown.

Top 10: Drake songs

Derek Liang
January 24, 2024
Senior forward Yul Hong dribbles left in preparation for a shot during practice scrimmages.

Underclassmen on boys’ soccer step up to help recover from a loss of depth from graduation

Derek Liang
December 9, 2023
The AED cabinet in the SHS student center.

District safety initiatives bring new AED machines and Narcan kits to campus

Derek Liang
December 7, 2023
Food trucks were missing on the Nov. 21 Turkey Trot, and will continue to be banned in most future events involving them.

Policy change eliminates food trucks during school-day events like Turkey Trot

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
December 7, 2023
We bought the celebrity ice cream flavors from Safeway during our newspaper deadline night on Sept. 28.

Ben & Jerry’s celebrity ice creams: Which one is the best?

Derek Liang and Andy Zhu
November 20, 2023
SHS’s website has received a clean new look as the school wifi gets a major overhaul.

Major updates made to WiFi system and school website

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
October 21, 2023
21 Savage at Versace fall 2019 fashion show.

21 Savage’s collaborations top his solos

Derek Liang
October 18, 2023
UNICEF Club advertises their club to students during club rush held on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.

ASB aims to limit overlapping clubs

Derek Liang and Eric Shi
September 25, 2023
The team hypes up the student section in the stands during the football game against Prospect on Aug. 25.

Cheer preview: New head coach buoys team’s hopes

Derek Liang
September 23, 2023
Freshman Larry O’Brien’s Eagle Service Project of creating a new map for Saratoga downtown is displayed on a kiosk on the front corner of downtown.

Freshman creates map of Saratoga downtown for Eagle Service Project

Derek Liang
May 27, 2023
Sophomores Aiden Chen (left) and Langdon Huynh (right) playing their respective sports.

Student athletes look toward professional players to improve their game

Derek Liang
May 24, 2023
Junior Eric Norris and sophomore Ryan Backhus successfully block the ball and score a point against Los Gatos on May 3.

The comeback kids: Despite quarterfinal loss to Harker in CCS, the volleyball team ends the season feeling like champions

Derek Liang, Andrew Lin, and Aiden Ye
May 24, 2023
Freshman outside hitter Brennan Pak jumps up to spike the ball against Palo Alto on March 24.

Three sweeps in a row raise volleyball team’s hopes as new members fill important roles

Derek Liang
April 1, 2023
Freshman Ishir Gupta dives towards the bird in a doubles practice match on March 28.

Badminton team looks to new freshman talent for team expansion

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
March 30, 2023
The cheer team sits on the edge of the stands preparing to cheer for the girls’ basketball on their Jan. 7 game against Los Gatos.

Coach and team member departures force cheer team to give up competition season

Derek Liang
March 28, 2023
A junior’s Tesla was totaled after a crash into a house’s yard on Herriman Avenue in late January.

Recent student driving accidents, speeding reports raise safety concerns

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
February 13, 2023
Students meditate on bean bags during a weekly class on Dec. 2.

Wellness Center prepares students for finals week

Derek Liang
December 16, 2022
Lord of the Flies graphic maps made by Palisoul’s students.

Palisoul’s English 10 dives into their first book of the year

Derek Liang and Andy Zhu
December 6, 2022
A hotel card collection stacked together, with the Proper Hotel card sitting at the top.

My collection of ‘stolen’ hotel property

Derek Liang
December 1, 2022
Many students have objected to creating a Facebook account for school.

Underclassmen: Yes, Facebook is for old people, but it’s a great way to communicate for clubs and groups

Derek Liang
November 9, 2022
The cheer team walks together along the track before the football game.

Cheer team prepares for competitions as sideline season comes to an end

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
October 21, 2022
Balancing between school work and having a job

Students with jobs offer differing viewpoints on the benefits and consequences

Derek Liang and Nidhi Mathihalli
September 25, 2022
Before beginning cheering for a varsity football game, the team takes a photo together

Cheer team focuses on conditioning hoping to qualify for nationals

Mitchell Chen and Derek Liang
September 24, 2022
Biology teacher Anne Witkowski helps one of her students during tutorial.

Class of ‘15 alumna returns as intern to teach Biology

Derek Liang and Tara Natarajan
September 24, 2022
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