The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomore Eric Liang and his VEX team 2041V pose for a photo after winning a competition
The road less traveled: choosing to do robotics outside of the school’s well-known teams
March 22, 2025
Juniors hike along the ocean view at the Año Nuevo State Park on March 13.
AP Environmental Science classes embark on the 14th annual Año Nuevo visit
March 22, 2025
Little by little, the animal rights movement continues to grow in both support and action.
Analysis: Animal rights movement shines light on humanity’s cruelty
March 22, 2025
The district is looking to replace the school’s security cameras, which were installed around campus in places like the corner of the music building as far back as 2016.
New district plans include updated facility rental policies and revamped campus security systems
March 21, 2025
Seniors Shaan Janardhan and Naahur Sajwan face off in Bombay in the Bay’s All Male Dance.
Senior Indian Cultural Awareness club officers reflect on last month’s Bombay in the Bay performance
March 21, 2025
Chowdri ices macaroons at El Chico in Prayaraj, India.
Sophomore pursues patisserie passion as her small business
March 22, 2025
Like thrillers, mathematics and history? Watch “The Imitation Game.”
WWII movie: ‘The Imitation Game’ shines light on a dark time
March 21, 2025
Haworth’s photo of pop artist Chloe George on March 5 of last year became the cover of George’s single “Heart of Glass.”
Junior gains confidence, praise for her concert photography
March 21, 2025
Sophomore Cuttlefish member Maxwell Tham works intently on his Phoenix Unlimbited Hand in order to get certified by e-NABLE.
MSET Cuttlefish expand efforts to help those in need across the globe
March 21, 2025
Timothy Wei presents at a NeurIPS Workshop in Vancouver on Dec. 14, 2024.
Senior gains research experience in wildfire prevention and fall detection
March 19, 2025
Sophomore Sina Mohtaj-Khorassani warms up before a scrimmage.
Promising freshmen primed boost boys’ tennis team’s chances
March 22, 2025
Iris gets some setter reps while practicing with her dad.
Athletes navigate sports with their fathers on the sideline as coaches
March 21, 2025
Students play girl’s flag football during the 2024 Falcon Puff competition.
Could flag football be a school sport next fall?
March 21, 2025
Swimmers compete at home on Feb. 28 against Lynbrook.
Swim team optimistic for coming season with many new freshmen
March 21, 2025
Head Coach Archie Ljepava coordinates the home meet against Monta Vista and McDonald on March 13.
Ljepava returns to head coaching role for track and field
March 21, 2025
Nationwide voter turnout since 2002, blue is presidential, yellow is midterm
Sagging voter participation puts democracy at risk
March 22, 2025
Cutting the tree of the Department of Education in half.
DOGE’s cuts for educational programs cause instability and loss of research confidence
March 19, 2025
The average tuition and fees for public colleges have decreased, while increase in private college tuition has slowed.
Unlike critics of CollegeBoard suggest, the cost of attending public colleges will likely decrease
March 19, 2025
Students have varying opinions on MOSAIC’s effectiveness — how do we reduce the stigma around the issues it tackles?
Lessons to tackle: MOSAICs can be even more effective with a few tweaks and updates
March 18, 2025
Research shows that optimal learning temperatures lie between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extreme classroom temperatures swings not conducive to effective learning
March 16, 2025
Club officers provide homemade baked goods for members to enjoy.
Brownies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies — what’s not to love about the new baking club?
March 22, 2025
The Falcon’s podium of top 10’s.
Top 10: Top 10’s
March 22, 2025
These Asian snacks are my guilty pleasures.
Weee! Asian snacks are my lifeline when trying to stay productive
March 22, 2025
Jump into your spring cleaning era now!
It’s finally spring — so it’s time to clean
March 22, 2025
The endless possibilities you can do with a scribble of colors…
How to craft a letter for someone special
March 21, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
Jessica Li

Jessica Li, In-Depth Editor

All content by Jessica Li
TikTok refugees parachute from a plane into a Rednote truck.

The collective migration to Rednote in response to the short-lived TikTok ban reveals underlying American sinophobia

Jessica Li
March 14, 2025
The school, which opened in 1959, now has thousands of alumni from over six decades; some will be among those inducted into an SHS Hall of Fame next fall.

Inaugural SHS Hall of Fame to be launched in October

Jessica Li
February 6, 2025
The Gechlik family poses for a photo at the top of a ski slope in 2013.

From the slopes to the track: The Gechliks have been speeding together their whole lives

Derek Liang and Jessica Li
February 2, 2025
The heavy snowfall at Northstar California Resort made travel around the resort and on the slopes difficult.

When skiing couldn’t make the trip, sledding had to slide in

Jessica Li
December 13, 2024
From 1959 to present-day, the Falcon has transitioned from a black-and-white newspaper to a colored magazine and website.

Through the decades: How The Falcon transitioned to new technologies

Amy Miao, Jessica Li, and Richard Fan
December 10, 2024
We went to Costco to review their Halloween selections and were immediately drawn to this adorable squishmallow.

Costco’s Halloween essentials: our recommendations

Florence Hu and Jessica Li
October 30, 2024
Junior Jack Dong jumps over a hay bale at the Artichoke Invitational at Half Moon Bay High School on Oct. 5.

Cross country teams successful in League meets and prepare for finals

Amy Miao and Jessica Li
October 27, 2024
The runners explore many routes in Saratoga, venturing to roads such as Elva Avenue.

Cross country season preview: Tippetts returns to coach boys while professional runner steps up to coach the girls

Annika Gho, Jessica Li, and Amy Miao
August 31, 2024
Senior pitcher Aiden Chen announces his verbal commitment to the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps athletic program on Aug. 14.

Senior pitcher verbally commits to Claremont McKenna

Jessica Li
August 24, 2024
Emily, Shirina and Amy hold up the finished tanghulu while sugary water drips onto the floor.

The viral sweet treat tanghulu: Is it worth all the hype?

Shirina Cao, Jessica Li, Amy Miao, and Emily Wu
May 10, 2024
Sophomore May Gendeh performs the small lyrical routine at the United Spirit Association Nationals Competition on March 22.

Dance team competes at Nationals in Anaheim

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
April 23, 2024
My box of squishies (usually hidden in the depths of my closet), emblematic of my playful childhood activities.

Splurge diaries: my double life as a squishy collector and aspiring YouTuber

Jessica Li
March 28, 2024
If you waltz into my room, there’s a high possibility that my desk is covered with snacks.

Caving into my cravings: my go-to comfort snacks

Jessica Li
March 21, 2024
A joyful 10-year-old and a not-so-happy Sephora sales officer.

Sephora: Store shows what happens when 10-year-olds run amok under social media spotlight

Jessica Li
March 14, 2024
Avadhanam uses geometry techniques to solve Team Selection Test (TST) problems.

2 seniors now one step away from making national Math Olympiad teams

Jessica Li, Parav Manney, and Amy Miao
February 10, 2024
Dong finishes a clay stack of animals, with two sheep stacked on top of each other and one yellow and one blue bird on top.

ClayArtByJulie: Sophomore molds side hobby into small business

Jessica Li
February 8, 2024
Senior Michelle Wan fiercely raises her right arm during the ending pose of the team’s jazz routine during the competition hosted by West Coast Elite at Valley Christian on Jan. 20.

Making the most of limited practice time, dance team soars through competition season with a positive outlook

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
February 8, 2024
Anatomy and Physiology teacher Kristofer Orre achieves a deadlift personal record of 460 pounds at his gym.

Fitness pursuits keep teachers healthy, happy and focused

Jessica Li and Amy Miao
February 6, 2024
While UC Berkeley offers a tiresome uphill hike from SHS, Yale, Harvard and Stanford lead to an easy downhill slide.

Recent alumni offer their report card on how SHS prepared them for elite colleges

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
December 13, 2023
Katie Lu dribbles the ball during a game against Mustang Soccer Club at Provident Field on Apr. 15.

Freshman winger on track for national soccer pursuits

Jessica Li
December 9, 2023
Ashley Xu does a double stag jump while holding rainbow ribbons during her solo section of the folkloric group routine “Colorful Joy” during the performance at Spotlight Dance Cup nationals on July 8.

Dancers find perks in attending outside dance studios over school dance team

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
December 7, 2023
Team Saratoga 1, consisting of students Bryan Li, Lawson Wang, Advaith Avadhanam, Alan Lu, Skyler Mao and Victoria Hu (left to right) proudly hold up their second place trophy.

Mathletes place second at highly competitive Berkeley tournament

Jessica Li and Amy Miao
December 7, 2023
A glimpse into a few Chinese artifacts stationed around my room.

My room is submerged in keepsakes from China

Jessica Li
November 29, 2023
The dance team members Anisa Taymuree and Annalyn Bui hold their ending pose for their Oct. 20 football game halftime performance.

Dance team transitions from football half time performances to competition season

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
November 20, 2023
Jennifer Lee sifts through information and drafts a report on Oct. 24, preparing for the upcoming midterm review.

Biology teacher takes on new role as WASC coordinator

Jessica Li and Amy Miao
November 8, 2023
Clubs should generate genuine interest, not become mindless exercises

Clubs should generate genuine interest, not become mindless exercises

Jessica Li and Sasha Prasad
November 6, 2023
Freshman Vivian Zhong (right) and junior Ishani Agarwal (left) win medals at the MP4G awards ceremony.

7 SHS female mathletes travel to MIT for elite contest

Jessica Li and Amy Miao
October 21, 2023
Sophomore Barbara Vasilyeva and senior Ishan Joshi perform at the MAGIC concert on Aug. 27. 

Concert ‘MAGIC’ raises $30,000 for Maui fire victims and children in India

Jessica Li and Kavya Patel
September 24, 2023
The dance team performs their hip-hop routine to the song “Hot in It” for the football game on Sept. 1.

Dance team kicks off to powerful start while adjusting to new coach

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
September 23, 2023
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