The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Allied teams 95071X (right) and 1000A (left) celebrate after advancing to grand finals at the U.S. Open National Championship.
VEX Robotics team makes finalists in U.S. Open National Championship
April 10, 2025
Rally commissioners act out a skit inspired by “Beauty and the Beast.”
‘Beauty and the Beast’ rally builds hype before prom
April 10, 2025
Trustee Shawn Mortensen (far left) listens to a presentation at the district office during the school board’s March 11 meeting.
Meet Shawn Mortensen: LGSUHSD’s newest school board trustee
April 5, 2025
The Philharmonic Strings orchestra combined with the Freshman orchestra to play together in the non-competitive category of the conference.
SHS orchestras travel to Atlanta for National Orchestra Festival
April 4, 2025
During the summer of 2026, the music department will be traveling to perform in Japan.
Music department to tour Japan in summer of 2026
April 3, 2025
Cochrum helps a student during tutorial.
Cochrum reflects on educational journey with learning disability
April 5, 2025
An advertisement poster Leung made for the company.
Senior takes on remote social media job in New York
April 5, 2025
Courtesy of Montalvo Arts Center Often rented for weddings, the beautiful grounds of the Montalvo Arts Center is a popular place for hosting social events.
A nearby gem: the Montalvo Arts Center
April 3, 2025
Combining multiple skill-sets fosters collaboration and growth in ceramics class
April 2, 2025
Kinoshita films a fight scene for her college sophomore-year passion project, “The Veil” — her first time as Director of Photography
Stories that matter: Alumna pursues cinematography to inspire through storytelling
April 2, 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
Bossow wrestles against Bellarmine at Overfelt High on Dec. 6.
Wrestling team shows significant improvement this season
March 27, 2025
Coach Brian Liao talks game strategy with sophomores Andy Lu and Teegan Seid-Pham.
New head badminton coach brings valued guidance for players
March 27, 2025
President Riley Adler demonstrates yoga moves on the March 20 meeting, focused on the benefits of the practice.
Sports Medicine Club strives to teach athletes to be more aware of their body
March 26, 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
Starting next school year, more students are able to study at MIT without worrying about tuition.
Educational institutions are wise to offer free tuition to low-income families
March 26, 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
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
Top 10 celebrity baby names over the years
April 3, 2025
Students take a test in Mrs. Marks’ Spanish 3 class.
Spanish teacher Stephanie Marks connects language learning to current events
April 2, 2025
Volume 48, Issue 9
April 15, 2025
Volume 48, Issue 10
Volume 48, Issue 10
April 15, 2025
Volume 48, Issue 12
Volume 48, Issue 12
April 15, 2025
Volume 48, Issue 13
Volume 48, Issue 13
April 15, 2025
Volume 49, Issue 1
Volume 49, Issue 1
April 15, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
All content by Jonny Luo
Seniors Sam, Kabeer and Shrey sleeping while Pothan stays alert

Photo or Graphic for: Senior Mag 2024: A professional guide to sleeping in class

Sam Bai
A scrumptious pizza with a side of chocolate milk and fruit cups. 

100-word rave: delicious, delectable, delightful — a love letter to cafeteria lunch

Jonny Luo
Top 10 ways to justifiably slap your friends

Top 10 ways to justifiably slap your friends

Jonny Luo
Li prepares to shoot at the Outdoor California Regionals Competition at the Black Mountain Bowmen Archery Range on Aug. 21, 2022. 

Senior’s journey through archery: Tears, plateaus, improvements and mentorship 

Saachi Jain and Jonny Luo
Employees at the District Office pack sandwiches for Martha’s Kitchen on April 25. 

School places second in Martha’s Kitchen in first local Food Fight competition

Jonny Luo
Falcon families come together at the SHS Parents Holiday HAPPY HOUR event hosted by PTSO on Dec. 11th.

PTSO, seeing slump in donations, urges parents to support students, staff

Jonny Luo and Michelle Wan
Freshman Taewon Yim competes against a Los Altos Swimmer in the 200 IM event at a home meet on Mar. 10. 

Despite strong individual talent, small team size hinders team’s ability to win

Jonny Luo and Martin Xu
Senior Anthony Wang and two assistant coaches, sophomore Skyler Mao and freshman Lawson Wang, teach four students in Redwood’s black team. 

Clubs build connections with middle school counterparts

Sam Bai and Jonny Luo
Take-home COVID-19 tests are provided by the school for pick-up in the health office.

A COVID-era landmark: At-school Inspire testing ends

Jonny Luo
Patroclus and Achilles, playing the lyre, share an intimate moment together. 

Why you should read most of ‘The Song of Achilles’

Jonny Luo and Leyna Chan
LGSUHSD’s three new board members.

Three newest district board members see potential for positive change

Lynn Dai and Jonny Luo
Photo of The Inn at Saratoga.

Rare shooting occurs in Saratoga downtown

Jonny Luo and Kathy Wang
As part of a new program to increase opportunities for middle schoolers, the school invited eight students (front row) to join the ensemble of “The Crucible.” 

Drama program works to increase membership, provides new opportunities for students

Jonny Luo
Green committee members run a booth at the Saratoga Education Foundation run, selling eco-friendly products like reusable utensils, straws, tote bags and water bottles.

Green Committee asks for students’ help to make the school a greener place

Jonny Luo and Kathy Wang
A house in San Jose, built around a large tree, was devalued several hundreds of thousands of dollars due to the potential problem it posed for future homeowners. 

Saratogans love trees, except when they become problematic

Jonny Luo and Kathy Wang
Juniors listen to Professor Warren as he discusses Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

English 11 Honors hosts ‘Hamlet’ discussion with Shakespeare professor

Jonny Luo and Victoria Hu
Senior Olivia Smith as Abigail and junior Ella Tamas-King as Mercy Lewis and other ensemble members, which included middle schoolers, pretend to be bewitched in the courtroom scene during dress rehearsal. 

Fall play audience attendance rebounds to pre-COVID numbers

Jonny Luo and Daniel Wu
A collection of amigurumi made by Miranda Yee.

Senior who loves crocheting makes bags, sweaters, stuffed animals and more

Victoria Lin and Jonny Luo
Biden’s loan forgiveness plan simply throws money at the issue and solves no real problems.

Biden’s student loan forgiveness program fixes few real issues

Jonny Luo
Caption: During her visit to France in August, junior Anais Sobrier posed with her French friend, Julia, at Vichy’s Opera house. Sobrier met Julia during the first French camp she attended at age 9 in summer 2015. 

Jack of all languages: junior learns four languages with plans to study more

Jonny Luo
Behind the scenes: hiring processes for superintendent, district staff

Behind the scenes: hiring processes for superintendent, district staff

Lynn Dai and Jonny Luo
Junior varsity member Amaris Charton prepares for a shot in a game against Santa Clara on Sept. 22.

Girls’ water polo team seeks to improve after loss of key players

Jonny Luo
School board and city council candidates post their advertisements in Saratoga downtown’s four-way intersection.

Two board members opt against running for re-election; 5 candidates vie for 3 open seats

Lynn Dai and Jonny Luo
A photo of the fish my family caught. Five of them are mine, although I’m not sure which ones.

Fishing: boring but rewarding

Jonny Luo
Holly Royaltey teaches AP Government and Economics for seniors and World History for sophomores.

New World History and AP Government teacher encourages learning through growth mindset

Jonny Luo and Sunny Cao
Similar to last year, the school is still providing food such as this pasta bake.

Despite flaws, free lunch benefits students across the state

Jonny Luo
School spirit in the sophomore class is extremely lacking. 

We were freshmen in our sophomore year

Jonny Luo
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
 Night custodian Uriel Villavicencio cleans room 701 on May 18.  

From broken toilets to daily cleaning: The unseen workers who keep our campus clean

Jonny Luo
 SHS plant supervisor sits in his “control center” on Apr. 21. 

From custodian to plant supervisor: Paul Weir’s 30-year journey in the Bay Area

Jonny Luo
The badminton team poses during senior night

Despite little success during season, badminton places second at CCS with Mar at the head

Jonny Luo and Sanjoli Gupta
I first started learning to swim in the small pool in my backyard.

Recounting my sports memories as a high school athlete

Jonny Luo
A worker in the engineering lab as it is being worked on earlier this month

The big summer disruption: renovations to impact teachers, sports teams and outside organizations

Jonny Luo
I remember squatting around the dam I built with my friends

Elementary school memories: playing the engineer and building an illegal dam

Jonny Luo
This cookie felt and tasted like a stale Chips Ahoy! cookie.

Why I’ve given up on school cookies

Jonny Luo
The cup of boba on the right was my delicious go-to order from Teaspoon.

Boba-lover dissects his favorite boba order

Jonny Luo
Fantastic Beasts 3: ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ improves on declining franchise

Fantastic Beasts 3: ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ improves on declining franchise

Jonny Luo
The Quiz Bowl competitive team plays at Cal Cup 4 on March 27 at Bellarmine High.

STEM competitions spotlight top achievers

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
Measure E to the finish: School to conduct major renovations over the summer

Measure E to the finish: School to conduct major renovations over the summer

Anamika Anand, Jonny Luo, and Aiden Ye
Post-pandemic woes: Yearbook, ASB face funding issues

Post-pandemic woes: Yearbook, ASB face funding issues

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
A Sources of Strength professional talks to students during Sources of Strength training on Nov. 30.

Sources of Strength organizes Valentine’s day flower sale to fund mental health awareness projects

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
Saratoga: city of no lights and peaceful nighttime strolls

Saratoga: city of no lights and peaceful nighttime strolls

Jonny Luo
Sophomores Arjun Raje and Varun Sreedhara take the court against Monta Vista on March 8. The team ultimately lost 16-14.

With young roster, badminton seeks to develop skills

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
“Kurzgesagt — in a nutshell” is an educational YouTube channel with over 17.7 million subscribers.   

The perfect blend of entertainment and education: ‘Kurzgesagt — in a nutshell’

Jonny Luo
A lucky few guesses allowed me to guess this word in 3 tries.

Wordle: millions consumed by a simple yet compelling game

Jonny Luo
Portrayed in a sketched by a courtroom artist, senior mock trial president Nicole Lu competes at the Santa Clara County Mock Trial Competition.

Students see success in competitions, scholarships

Selina Chen, Allen Luo, Jonny Luo, and Nikhil Mathihalli

Seniors Vignav Ramesh and Anouk Yeh selected as Coca-Cola Scholars Regional Finalists

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli

Academic clubs prepare to host respective competitions

Jonny Luo, Nikhil Mathihalli, and Aiden Ye
The team plays a game on Jan. 25.

Girls’ soccer team hopes to carry preseason success into league games

Jonny Luo and Arnav Swamy
Dimock teaches an English 9 class about “The Odyssey” on Jan. 13.

Saratoga parent takes over as long-term substitute for departing English teacher

Jonny Luo
Staff editorial: As infections rise, schools should have the authority to go online again

Staff editorial: As infections rise, schools should have the authority to go online again

Jonny Luo
Redefining the superhero genre: ‘Invincible’

Redefining the superhero genre: ‘Invincible’

Jonny Luo
Quiz Bowl members practice for Cal Cup virtually through Protobowl, a real-time, multiplayer Quizbowl application.

Quiz Bowl to send its top team to nationals

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
The mock trial team poses for a photo with Velchamy after virtual practice on Nov. 29.

Mock Trial prepares for competition season with hybrid teaching

Vicky Bai and Jonny Luo
Inspire Diagnostic employees prepare for COVID-19 testing on Nov. 16.

New on-site COVID-19 testing aids school during first student COVID-19 case

Jonny Luo
Senior Lauren Yarrington plays in a match against Milpitas last year.

Falcons prepare to replicate last season’s success

Jonny Luo and Arnav Swamy
The football team practices at the field on Oct. 21

Football season cut short by lack of healthy players

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
School hosts Friday Family Time to answer parent questions

School hosts Friday Family Time to answer parent questions

Jonny Luo
School sees increase in iPad usage for both students and staff

School sees increase in iPad usage for both students and staff

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
Being unvaccinated amid a push for vaccination

Being unvaccinated amid a push for vaccination

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
School introduces new twice weekly on-site COVID-19 testing system

School introduces new twice weekly on-site COVID-19 testing system

Jonny Luo
A second-generation Chinese student’s Thanksgiving traditions

A second-generation Chinese student’s Thanksgiving traditions

Jonny Luo
Why you should buy ‘Bloons Tower Defense 6’

Why you should buy ‘Bloons Tower Defense 6’

Sam Bai and Jonny Luo
Junior running back Paolo Navarro runs the ball as senior lineman Parker Smith blocks Monta Vista’s defense.

Falcons kick off league season with a win and a loss

Andy Chen, Jonny Luo, Nikhil Mathihalli, and Shaan Sridhar

Quiz Bowl practices remain online to mimic tournament setting

Nikhil Mathihalli and Jonny Luo
School library should remove unnecessary books

School library should remove unnecessary books

Jonny Luo
Every day I’m puzzlin’

Every day I’m puzzlin’

Jonny Luo
UNICEF club advertises to potential members on the second day of Club Rush.

Club participation increases to pre-pandemic levels

Vicky Bai and Jonny Luo
Recapping the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Recapping the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Jonny Luo and Nikhil Mathihalli
Cafeteria adopts safety procedures to keep students and staff safe

Cafeteria adopts safety procedures to keep students and staff safe

Jonny Luo, Shannon Ma, and Minsui Tang
Kerry Mohnike and STEM and Chinese teacher Sara Tseng chat at Mohnike’s surprise retirement party held on Friday, Sept. 3, in the wellness center.

After 30 years in multiple roles, assistant principal Kerry Mohnike retires

Jonny Luo and Shreya Rallabandi
Can horoscopes actually predict your future?

Can horoscopes actually predict your future?

Jonny Luo
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