Increased voter education should be necessary for a high school diploma
Senior-level Economics and Government classes are the best opportunities to implement vital civic knowledge before age 18, but it’s only a start of what is necessary
Kara Nikfar, School Scope Editor
Photo Essay: Prom venue features lakeside view
Prom at Lake Chalet in Oakland featured a dance floor, karaoke and a dock perfect for photos.
The Falcon Best Dressed awards for the 2026 Oscars
I rank the best dressed, fanciest statement pieces and color schemes featured at the red carpet.
Anonymous student responses — what are teens struggling with?
Issues range from academic pressure to low self-esteem.
Planned obsolescence endangers the safety of our planet and our future
In 2022, the world generated 62 million tons of e-waste, but only 22.3% was properly collected and recycled.
Reflecting on 2025 in three words
Maybe 2025 really was the friendships we made along the way.
Tai Zhan bakery brings diverse customers to Saratoga downtown
The vegan bakery, which opened in 2023, has amassed a large following among Saratoga residents and other admirers across the Bay.
‘Zootopia 2’ lives up to the legacy of the original
The sequel, which is projected to gross more than the original, featured stunning animations, along with a hilarious and action-packed plot line.
The Louvre robbery: inspiration for the next big heist hit
Though the heist was not as flashy as “Ocean’s Eleven,” it had all the key elements needed for a future heist movie.
Girls’ water polo reaches CCS for first time in seven years
The Falcons announced as tri-champions alongside Homestead and Lynbrook.
Parent and student volunteers host annual Saratoga Pumpkin Walk
On Oct. 23, Saratoga Elementary decked out in Halloween decorations, including music, food trucks and a hand-crafted haunted house.
Girls’ water polo bounces back with Homestead win after first loss to Cupertino
After trailing going into the fourth quarter, the Falcons rose together to score a last-minute game clincher.
Campus undergoes summer maintenance and upgrades
New flowers, trimmed trees and rewaxed gym floors refresh the campus.
Girls’ water polo welcomes increase in numbers
With seven new members, the team hopes that a bigger team will boost practice efficiency and morale.
General Psychology class explores the field through projects
Hana Chen, who has taught her teacher for eight years, helps students apply their passions to studying psychology.
Locura de Marzo 2025: the fun and the fabulous
Spanish classes participate in the bracket, which is similar to March Madness in sports, and many of the songs are truly worth the listen.
Returning softball coach simultaneously pursues passion in photography
Greg Spirakis, father of alumnae softball players, is taking over Mike Davey’s role as head coach for this softball season.
Free-time reads — books your English teachers recommend
The literature-loving staff on campus reveal their TBRs (To Be Read), from childhood favorites to newly-published novels.
It’s finally spring — so it’s time to clean
My family tradition of spring cleaning before Persian New Year clears up my closet and declutters my personal space.
Pluto TV: the indulgent streaming service for the cost conscious
It’s a free streaming service and especially notable for filling reality TV and drama cravings.
The 2025 Oscars: predictions and most deserving films
The 97th Academy Awards, taking place on March 2, will be filled with talented actors and top films of various genres.
New year, new goals: Three juniors give advice about how to stick to your workout resolutions
Goals, partnerships, regularity — these are all cornerstones of fitness success and fun.
Senior explores genetic underpinnings of arthritis in her research
Michelle Ho looked at gout, an inflammatory arthritis, conducting bioinformatics data analysis of blood samples when stimulated with uric acid and RNA sequenced.
State testing — some key numbers behind the results
The results for the 2023-24 standardized state testing were released and the district exceeded both state and county averages.
Christmas songs for when Mariah Carey’s high notes become mind-numbing
There are so many better Christmas melodies to listen to rather than a certain overhyped pop diva.
The U.S. legal system is in need of serious changes — beginning with criminal justice
Unlawful incarceration and wealth corruption appear too often in a country that claims to have one of the top 10 justice systems in the world.
California needs to take stronger action to protect child influencers
Governor Gavin Newson has signed new bills to protect their earnings but he and legislators need to enact laws to protect their safety, too.
One of my most nostalgic childhood memories: watching ‘The Aristocats’ on VHS
Since I became a fan years ago Toulouse has been my favorite animated character.
Cell phones have a healthy and necessary role in schools
CA legislature's new bill to ban phones in schools threaten student safety and ignores the many beneficial uses of phones.
Deepfakes take dangerous steps forward in authenticity, blurring the lines between fiction and reality
False videos and images can be funny, but their overall effect is no laughing matter.
The three Thomsons find comfort in having family on campus
Spencer and Isla enjoy the benefits that come with having their mother, a science teacher, just a few classrooms away.
New plant supervisor looks to improve athletic facilities
Henry Arellanes made the switch from CalTrain to SHS and is excited to make positive changes.