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 Lynn Dai
Student amazed upon receiving a schedule of seven classes.

Yes, it’s hard, but taking seven classes a year is worth the time and effort

Sam Bai and Lynn Dai
Mary Wong in a 1961 news clipping from Beloit Daily; Mary Wong and a young Hannah Dimock at their 2013 Wong’s family reunion.

The Wongs, five generations since immigration: treasuring family legacy and values in America

Lynn Dai
New guidance counselor Toni Jones works with a student at Escola Americana Do Rio Janeiro in Brazil.

International experiences supplement new guidance counselor’s goals and philosophy

Lynn Dai
Junior Lynn Dai presents the results of her project through the zFairs platform on April 11.

Photo or Graphic for: Students compete at California Science & Engineering Fair but fail to advance to further competition

Isabelle Wang
In San Jose’s South Hall, many students sit in chairs waiting for judges as others present their projects.

Local Synopsys Science Fair returns fully in person, 11 students win awards and four qualify for state fair

Lynn Dai and Saachi Jain
1950s Saratoga's Swanee Plaza, now the Saratoga Historical Museum.

Time capsule 1968: WASC report reveals an unfamiliar past

Lynn Dai and Howard Shu
In a match at San Francisco on Jan. 28, Fernandes (in red) tries to subdue an opponent.

A teacher and a class clown: an unlikely friendship forged through wrestling

Lynn Dai
 

Photo or Graphic for: Racial tensions flared in the ’90s as Asian students gained prominence

Kathy Wang
From a Google satellite image, the school's combination of various spaces, entrances and exits allows for the retention and growth of energy within the campus.

Finding harmony in SHS through feng shui

Lynn Dai
LGSUHSD’s three new board members.

Three newest district board members see potential for positive change

Lynn Dai and Jonny Luo
How much money students spent at Saratoga High School compared to the national average.

Photo or Graphic for: How do students spend their money?

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
At Villa Montalvo’s Carriage House, Jaishri Abichandani talks about a sculpture she created to commemorate her interactions with the community.

Leading South Asian artists discuss community, intersectionality of culture at Montalvo for SALA Festival

Lynn Dai
Salin works on a film at New York University; Vora reviews the script with her actresses for her thesis project at Chapman University.

Alumni recall the transformative experience of MAP for them

Lynn Dai
A duck puts up a superficial facade of calmness as it floats peacefully along the surface of the water; beneath the surface, it paddles frantically to stay afloat.

Photo or Graphic for: Stanford professor’s findings help explain why so many young people feel so miserable

Christina Chang
The PTSO gains most of its budget from "Just Do It" donations and matching funds. 

Donations are ‘voluntary,’ but programs can’t run without them

Lynn Dai
IMG_3121

Photo or Graphic for: School shooting pranks undermine safety

Sam Bai
Special Education teacher Brian Elliott meets with his seniors one by one at the “senior conference table.”

‘Creative, adaptable, family-oriented and kind’: Teacher of the Year’s vision transcends teaching within four walls

Lynn Dai

Saratoga wrestles with state demands for increased housing

Lynn Dai
Ask someone out with these easy, fool-proof methods.

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10 ways to ask someone out

Christina Chang and Sam Bai
Behind the scenes: hiring processes for superintendent, district staff

Behind the scenes: hiring processes for superintendent, district staff

Lynn Dai and 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
During their Sept. 10 practice, Danny Moon hands the new Walt van Zant trophy to WVJS member Dwayne Spencer, who finished with an all-time personal record.

West Valley Joggers and Striders Club: a microcosm of Saratoga society

Lynn Dai, Saachi Jain, and Kathy Wang
Wellness Center coordinator Grace Conley looks over the students gathered there.

Wellness Center welcomes new therapist team, introduces more mental health resources

Lynn Dai and Kathy Wang
Last year, Vanry shared Nanaimo bars, a classic dessert from her Canadian heritage, on the seniors’ last day. 

Vanry retires after 12 years at school, Tarbox now teaching visual arts

Lynn Dai
On her graduation day, Young stands in front of her sorority with two of her best friends.

Guidance counselor Monique Young: lifelong mentor, former recreation leader and event coordinator

Lynn Dai
Cross country runners practiced treading in the pool when temperatures soared above 90 on Aug. 19.

Sports teams change practice routines to work around historic heat wave

Lynn Dai
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
 Freshman Sydney Riera swings the bat during the Falcons’ last league game against Santa Clara on May 12, where the team won 15-4.

Softball team qualifies for CCS after recent comeback

Lynn Dai and Victoria Hu
The Saratoga Historical Park Museum, constructed in 1904, features a false-front pioneer architectural style. The building, originally known as the Swanee Dress Shop, was built in 1905 and refurbished in 1976.

Saratoga: Shangri-La of historical homes and orchards

Lynn Dai
Mayor Tina Walia introduces the Blossom Festival to residents in the gazebo.

Saratoga Historical Foundation hosts Blossom Festival following 2-year hiatus

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
State law forces cafeteria to provide free meals for all students in 2022-2023 school year

State law forces cafeteria to provide free meals for all students in 2022-2023 school year

Lynn Dai
The Tamasha dance team performs at their BnB performance on Feb. 19

Tamasha highlights Bollywood culture at the school

Lynn Dai and Nikhil Mathihalli

Season preview: Softball fosters positive environment, optimism

Lynn Dai and Victoria Hu

What you need to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
As mask mandate expires, most students and staff still choose to wear them

As mask mandate expires, most students and staff still choose to wear them

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Students, teachers weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Lynn Dai, Andrew Lin, and Daniel Wu
Juniors Kasie Yang, Dyne Lee and Emily Lu discuss their group website with two judges from the National History Day senior division competition, held at the school on March 12.

APUSH students explore 2022 NHD theme debate and diplomacy through variety of media, topics

Lynn Dai
Screen Shot 2022-03-10 at 11.10.20 AM

Photo or Graphic for: Toga boys need to stop acting ‘hood’

Lena Aribi andMeher Bhatnagar
Family of titans: Stratakos siblings dominate on the tennis court

Family of titans: Stratakos siblings dominate on the tennis court

Lynn Dai
The 2022 Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing from Feb. 4 to Feb. 20.

Boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics: a reminder for IOC officials to step up their game

Lynn Dai
Three seniors applied early decision to Cornell, Northwestern and Boston University. They will be majoring in chemical engineering, musical composition, computer science and applied mathematics, and pediatrics, respectively.

The process of Early Decisions: tips from two STEM-bound seniors

Lynn Dai and Christopher Chen
The Outreach Commission announces this year’s Speak Up For Change theme: Stepping Forward.

Speak Up For Change reveals this year’s theme: Stepping Forward

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
Screen Shot 2022-01-18 at 10.44.11 AM

Photo or Graphic for: What’s in your Notes app?

Lena Aribi and Meher Bhatnagar
Agarwal's piece "Tangled Shut Down" explores her struggles in mental health and insomnia from schoolwork.

Bold, hands-on, impatient: junior’s style of approaching visual art

Lynn Dai
trespass_graphic

Photo or Graphic for: Administration re-examines Safety Plan after trespassers enter campus

Lena Aribi and Meher Bhatnagar

Bell schedule change advances for second semester

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
The need for tech refresh: Establish a tech booster organization

The need for tech refresh: Establish a tech booster organization

Lynn Dai
Boys’ basketball poses for a team photo at Mountain View High School on July 16, when they won first place at the Mountain View tournament.

Traditions help teams bond, maintain chemistry over quarantine

Lynn Dai
The LGSUHSD board, Curriculum Alignment Course Pathway Committee, teachers, parents and students convene to discuss the issues at hand at the Nov. 16 board meeting.

Board preliminarily supports alignment of graduation requirements between SHS and LG, leaves door open for considering full alignment

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
The aftermath.

I ran barefoot at a cross country meet

Lynn Dai
After leaving the turkey in the oven for four hours, we unwrapped the foil and let it cool on the counter.

This Thanksgiving, try something new: Prepare a whole turkey

Lynn Dai
Jensen penned a public email on Aug. 30 blaming the 40.1 percent of foreigners in Saratoga for wasting the city’s water supply.

Member of city Planning Commission resigns over comments widely seen as xenophobic

Lynn Dai and Christina Chang
Newsom on a roll: vaccine mandate incites majority approval from students

Newsom on a roll: vaccine mandate incites majority approval from students

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
 Santa Clara County Fire recently deployed routine use of tactical water tenders, which quickly deliver additional water at vegetation fires where fire hydrants may be unavailable.

Fall means fire season — and preparation for potential emergencies

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
Students engage in games at the Back to School Social on August 13.

Students discuss excitement, challenges of being back in-person school

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
The front page of Draw For A Cause features the nonprofit’s mascot, Sumie.

Junior expands love for digital art

Lynn Dai
Students and staff walk by the student center during Phase 3A in March. 

School outlines COVID-19 protocols and expectations

Lynn Dai and Shaan Sridhar
With a regular intake of water and the addition of these remedies to your meals, you’ll feel as cool as a cucumber.

Natural remedies prove surprisingly fruitful against effects of smoky air

Lynn Dai
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