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 Esther Luan

With declining numbers, track hopes to excel by training new recruits

Esther Luan and Harshini Velchamy
March 20, 2022
Don’t believe the narrative of ‘saving kids from sex ed’

Don’t believe the narrative of ‘saving kids from sex ed’

Esther Luan
March 18, 2022
From left to right: senior Christian Li, juniors Julian Berkowitz-Sklar and Mateusz Palusinski, senior Christopher Liu. The athletes celebrate after Liu scored an “and-one” layup on a fast break to give the Falcons a 49-39 lead over the Wildcats with one minute remaining.

Boys’ basketball team wins four straight to start league season

Esther Luan and Howard Shu
January 21, 2022
Then sophomore varsity player Christian Li dribbles the ball upcourt during a home game in the 2019-20 season

Boys’ basketball: Senior-led group aims to dominate El Camino

Benjamin Li, Esther Luan, and Howard Shu
November 19, 2021
Delayed SAT scores prove hassle for seniors

Delayed SAT scores prove hassle for seniors

Esther Luan
November 16, 2021
Does studying with friends actually work?

Does studying with friends actually work?

Esther Luan
November 12, 2021
From left to right: Varsity players seniors Daniel Jiang, Chris Wu and Marcus Kuo perform warm up drills during practice

Boys’ water polo currently undefeated

Sam Bai, Andrew Lin, and Esther Luan
October 8, 2021
Senior Morgan Bettinger stands outside the NYU Stern School of Business during her college visit tour. 

College visits offer insights but are still limited

Esther Luan and Kaasha Minocha
September 20, 2021

Staff editorial – Title IX: topic too big for tutorial

Andy Chen and Esther Luan
September 19, 2021
Freshman ASB officers pose for a photo, ready for the coming year.

Freshman class officers selected through interviews, not an election

Esther Luan and Tiffany Wang
September 17, 2021
Zorba the Greek-style madness saner than it might seem

Zorba the Greek-style madness saner than it might seem

Esther Luan
September 5, 2021
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Music program wraps up remote year with ending concert and senior night

Esther Luan
May 21, 2021
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Friendships in sports keep athletes motivated

Esther Luan
May 17, 2021
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Oddly specific campus phenomena that you may not have realized you missed

Esther Luan
April 18, 2021
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One step closer to ‘normal,’ school steps into hybrid mode

Esther Luan and Nicole Lu
April 3, 2021
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Team reflects on successful season despite COVID-19 challenges

Esther Luan
April 2, 2021
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A time to stand together for Asian Americans

Esther Luan
April 1, 2021
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Photo or Graphic for: Students and teachers adjust to an increased use of cellphones in class

Anouk Yeh & Esther Luan
April 1, 2021
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Leave students and their Snapchat F-bombs alone

Esther Luan
February 4, 2021
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New dynamic for students working jobs during quarantine

Nicole Lu and Esther Luan
October 18, 2020
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Students and alumni from LG, SHS team up in light of #MeToo Movement

Nicole Lu and Esther Luan
September 19, 2020
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Link Crew adjusts to virtual format

Esther Luan
September 4, 2020
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District establishes new protocols for distance learning

Andy Chen and Esther Luan
August 26, 2020

ASB hosts online competition to connect students and boost school spirit

Esther Luan and Samantha Yee
May 2, 2020

Colleges should not have required all students to leave campus

Esther Luan
April 20, 2020
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Leadership to introduce changes to club system

Andy Chen and Esther Luan
April 16, 2020

School adjusts to post-coronavirus reality 

Esther Luan, Harshini Velchamy, and Tiffany Wang
March 13, 2020

Senior bikes to LA over course of seven days

Esther Luan
March 11, 2020

Sophomore takes on the runway

Esther Luan and Tiffany Wang
March 9, 2020

Allnighters and instant regret

Esther Luan
March 6, 2020
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Author returns to Chinese roots in debut novel

Esther Luan
March 1, 2020

Speak Up For Change informs students about consent, making tough decisions

Apurva Chakravarthy and Esther Luan
January 29, 2020

Falcons season off to a slow start after loss of key defender

Shama Gupta and Esther Luan
January 28, 2020

SUFC shouldn’t force speakers to conform to an arbitrary theme

Esther Luan and Siva Sambasivam
January 28, 2020
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Campus vandalism and graffiti a little-known but harmful problem, says maintenance staff

Esther Luan and Anouk Yeh
January 28, 2020

Low on fuel: In face of mounting pressures, student athletes burn out

Esther Luan and Kaitlyn Tsai
January 24, 2020

TOP 10 list: the best of the past decade

Esther Luan and Tiffany Wang
January 17, 2020

How books are chosen for English classes

Esther Luan and Oliver Ye
November 22, 2019

Girls’ soccer: Team must fill the defensive line to be successful again this season

Shama Gupta and Esther Luan
November 22, 2019

More vending machines with healthy offerings implemented around campus

Esther Luan and Kaasha Minocha
November 15, 2019

Revisiting Animal Jam: social inequality

Esther Luan
November 15, 2019

Thanksgiving break should be lengthened

Esther Luan
November 15, 2019

Phone-free spaces are effective but unnecessarily restrictive

Esther Luan and Anna Novoselov
November 15, 2019
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String quartet feature in marching band show provides new experience

Esther Luan
October 30, 2019

Falcons win Homecoming football game against Homestead, Homecoming dance well attended

Esther Luan
October 17, 2019

Memo to teachers: SHSTV should actually be shown in classrooms

Andy Chen and Esther Luan
October 15, 2019

Stop. Eating. In. The. Library.

Esther Luan
October 15, 2019

K-pop idol auditions not taken seriously

Esther Luan and Tiffany Wang
October 14, 2019

E-sports club achieves wide popularity but has no traditional meetings

Esther Luan and Andy Chen
October 14, 2019

Field trips foster social and applicational learning

Esther Luan
October 9, 2019

Lynbrook was right to fire Persky, the judge who was recalled as a result of the Brock Turner case

Nitya Marimuthu and Esther Luan
October 9, 2019

Class of ‘18 alumni march for world champion Blue Devils

Esther Luan and Maddie Jin
September 9, 2019

How TikTok created a new app market for itself

Esther Luan
September 9, 2019

Changes to bathroom policy unnecessary

Esther Luan and Shreya Katkere
September 9, 2019

New club policy limits growth

Esther Luan and Andy Chen
September 9, 2019
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