The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
One of the school’s top-of-the-line AEDs
School ramps up AED count on campus
November 20, 2024
Students listen to Natasha Schatzman’s presentation in the student center on Nov. 15.
NASA aerospace engineer shares research in aeromechanics and aeroacoustics
November 20, 2024
Acting superintendent Heath Rocha speaks during the Nov. 12 board meeting.
New concerns arise over former superintendent Sanderson’s 2022 hiring
November 20, 2024
The flyer for this year’s Winter Formal hangs up around school and is posted on social media.
Tickets for Winter Formal sell out before purchase window closes
November 20, 2024
Saratoga Team 1, senior Alan Lu, junior Lawson Wang, sophomores Andy Lu and Seabert Mao, senior Skyler Mao and sophomore Vivian Zhong (left to right), hold their 3rd place trophy.
Math club places third at Berkeley tournament
November 17, 2024
Actress Naomi Scott playing Skye Riley brings to life a terrifying transformation through subtle changes.
‘Smile 2’ mixes traditional jump scare and psychological horror
November 20, 2024
BASIC officers at a boba fundraiser on Oct. 2.
BASIC club emphasizes youth action on humanitarian aid
November 18, 2024
The U.S., China and Taiwan, among other nations, are engaged in one of the fastest-growing tech races in history to develop and produce the best semiconductors and AI.
The U.S. is playing catchup in the semiconductor race. Is it too late to win?
November 12, 2024
Highlights of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors dances during Homecoming week from Oct. 14-19.
Behind the scenes: Meet the choreographers who brought the Homecoming dance to life
November 2, 2024
Students gather around the table at the top of the quad steps during the voter registration drive on Sept. 25.
Revived Democracy Matters club kicks off the school year with successful election events
October 30, 2024
Senior Saira Ramakrishnan pitches for the Saratoga Falcons.
Senior softball player commits to University of Rochester
November 20, 2024
The team gathered around a fire during their retreat to enjoy s’mores and build team chemistry.
Girls’ basketball team aims to build winning culture in pre-season after eye-opening retreat
November 20, 2024
Recap of fall sports.
Fall Sports Recap: Toga teams fight hard to the end
November 16, 2024
The girls’ tennis team poses for a group photo.
Girls’ tennis finishes the regular season with a solid victory
November 16, 2024
Mascots and volunteers cheering runners on as they cross the finish line.
Saratoga 5K Fun Run: a blend of community and competition
November 13, 2024
Cigarette packaging should depict frightening images on the front and sides, clearly communicating the consequences of smoking.
Cigarette packaging needs to be more graphic in its dire warnings
November 15, 2024
Journalism labor unions have firmly opposed the bill, calling it a “shakedown.”
‘Undemocratic’ deal reached between Google and California news outlets
November 7, 2024
Test dates make or break our vacation
The bliss and benefits of having tests before breaks
October 31, 2024
Here’s why you should vote against Prop 34.
Prop 34’s devious methods target non-profits
October 30, 2024
Please let me understand my mistakes.
100-word rant: Let me use the answer key to check my work
October 28, 2024
Personally, I really need some noodle slippers.
My 8-year-old self would be sad to see ‘5-Minute Crafts’ go — but I’m not
November 20, 2024
A hearty stew such as a beef bourguignon is perfect for a cold winter day.
Winter break bucket list: cooking galore
November 18, 2024
Don’t hate until you try it.
Top 10: weirdly good food combos that might get you flamed
November 16, 2024
A girl cries as she realizes her wallet is empty.
Resisting the urge to splurge: regulating money spent on lunchtime outings
November 11, 2024
The seating chart is often like a game of Russian Roulette, you either sit next to your best friend or next to your ex.
Top 10: Reasons to request a seat change
November 5, 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
marchshowcaseorch

Music program wraps up remote year with ending concert and senior night

Esther Luan
May 21, 2021
9dffde93f5ad6dfd374a78128c7c4ef8

Friendships in sports keep athletes motivated

Esther Luan
May 17, 2021
Esther_vendingmachine

Oddly specific campus phenomena that you may not have realized you missed

Esther Luan
April 18, 2021
aaa

One step closer to ‘normal,’ school steps into hybrid mode

Esther Luan and Nicole Lu
April 3, 2021
94ffa09792acf7801d12c36ecbde67ca

Team reflects on successful season despite COVID-19 challenges

Esther Luan
April 2, 2021
protestaapi

A time to stand together for Asian Americans

Esther Luan
April 1, 2021
cellphonegraphic

Photo or Graphic for: Students and teachers adjust to an increased use of cellphones in class

Anouk Yeh & Esther Luan
April 1, 2021
snapchatphonegraphic

Leave students and their Snapchat F-bombs alone

Esther Luan
February 4, 2021
pasted image 0

New dynamic for students working jobs during quarantine

Nicole Lu and Esther Luan
October 18, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-09-19 at 11

Students and alumni from LG, SHS team up in light of #MeToo Movement

Nicole Lu and Esther Luan
September 19, 2020
IMG_9747

Link Crew adjusts to virtual format

Esther Luan
September 4, 2020
pasted image 0

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
pasted image 0

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
loveboat

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
IMG_9116

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
band

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
Load More Stories
Donate to The Saratoga Falcon