The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
English teacher Marcos Cortez speaks to the whole school during the Speak Up For Change Rally on Jan. 24.
Speaking up for ‘finding your passion’
February 4, 2025
Students from Future Business Leaders of America and Inspiring Future America work on survival kits Sacred Heart in the Student Center.
Bringing back service to campus on MLK Day
February 4, 2025
Teams take to the stands as they wait for alliance selections.
In annual tradition, MSET hosts a tournament at school
February 4, 2025
A past Regeneron STS Scholars national award ceremony.
Two seniors recognized by nation’s oldest science and math research award
February 3, 2025
The current rankings highlight percent gains for groups of 2-3 seniors based on the initial $100k each group started with.
Kirk Abe’s AP Gov class practices live trading in interactive stock simulation
February 3, 2025
The latest car Sharma has fixed is an Audi B8 S4 with modifications.
Junior fixes classic used cars as a hobby and sells them for a profit
February 4, 2025
Lew’s cozy and aesthetic desk setup
Junior’s studying videos gain popularity on Instagram
February 3, 2025
During his 30 years of work, Young never took a holiday longer than 10 days.
SHS ‘almost-alumnus’ from Class of ‘84 shows there are many pathways to success
February 2, 2025
Science Bowl team preparing for Regionals.
Aiming for gold: Science Bowl team prepares to take on Regionals
February 2, 2025
Jinx makes her entrance in the final act of the season.
‘Arcane’ Season 2: A pinnacle of animation, but lacking in storytelling
February 2, 2025
The album cover of LiAngelo Ball’s viral song, “Tweaker”
NBA athletes’ careers in music and acting
February 4, 2025
Sophomore Ivanya Sadana has qualified three times for the U.S. Junior Open since 2022.
Nationally ranked squash player aims to further her athletic career in college
February 4, 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
February 2, 2025
Athletic trainer Caitlin Steiding on senior night of the football season.
Athletic trainer steps down from position to pursue other opportunities; school seeks replacement
February 2, 2025
Arranged left to right, senior captain and center back Hillary Gonzalez leads a strong defense, sophomore attacking midfielder Katie Lu with 11 goals, and junior Keatyn Spendlove with 8 assists.
Girls’ soccer undefeated in El Camino League halfway through season
January 29, 2025
I found success in the college application process without a private counselor, and I do not regret my decision.
A private college counselor isn’t a prerequisite to finding success in the application process
February 4, 2025
Climate change protests are becoming increasingly irrelevant in mainstream media.
Americans are becoming increasingly desensitized or willfully ignorant to extinction-risking issues
January 31, 2025
College counselor with personal advice for students
Getting a private college counselor was one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school
January 31, 2025
Elon Musk has become increasingly controversial and even less penalized.
Musk’s controversies are more interesting than his plans for the future
January 29, 2025
Senior Nick Okada delivering the Senior class fundraiser cookies.
100-Word Rant: Crumbl’s 1,000-calorie cookies are not to be messed with
January 28, 2025
A few of my elementary school writing assignments, persuasive essays and achievements.
A full circle moment: My childhood career aspiration became my college one
February 4, 2025
Dictionary definition of the word accomplishment
What’s your biggest accomplishment?
February 2, 2025
What’s the first song you hear when you turn on the radio in the car?
What’s to love about humdrum love songs?
February 1, 2025
The seniors construct their gingerbread houses.
Seniors demolish juniors with professional architectural skills in holiday gingerbread house challenge
January 31, 2025
Falling down a dark abyss in my dreams
Even Shakespearean tragedies can’t compete with my dramatic dreams
January 31, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
All content by Martin Xu
Hong and Leung pose for a photo in the music building — the place they spend most of their tutorials and lunches.

Senior Mag 2023: Melodies of friendship: from elementary school piano buddies to college roommates

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
July 1, 2023
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
March 30, 2023
Playing on the same alliance during one of their matches, the MSET Cuttlefish and Bettafish race to stack blue cones on poles stationed around the field.

Veteran robotics team qualifies to Worlds after regional tournament

Saachi Jain and Martin Xu
March 20, 2023
A student opens up to a therapist.

The winding road of wellness: Therapy offers a map forward but finding the right path takes time and patience

Martin Xu
January 26, 2023
Juniors Naomi Hsieh and Rishab Melkote, and senior Emily Lu begin the structural design of the pumpkin-smasher.

Robotics team to host pumpkin smashing event on Nov. 2

Martin Xu
November 7, 2022
Yang’s first installation made out of wooden skewers. 

From wooden skewers to toilet seats: senior experiments with 3D art

Martin Xu
September 30, 2022
Junior Nathan Zhang placed 2nd at the Junior Olympic Qualifier in Nov. 2021. 

Students improve athleticism through fencing

Martin Xu
September 25, 2022
Petersen instructs the class about an upcoming project during class on Sept. 14.

New computer science teacher joins teaching staff

Saachi Jain and Martin Xu
September 15, 2022
Junior Isha Jagadish sprints in a relay event as she competes against Monta Vista High School

Track ends strong at late-season meets

Martin Xu and Viraaj Reddi
May 22, 2022
MSET Cuttlefish makes Worlds

MSET Cuttlefish makes Worlds

Martin Xu
March 18, 2022

Robotics team wins qualifier, advance to regionals

Atrey Desai and Martin Xu
January 31, 2022
Newly credentialed social studies teacher fills in

Newly credentialed social studies teacher fills in

Martin Xu
January 24, 2022

Teachers reach 3-year agreement with district

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
January 21, 2022
Library and lab technician Cynthia Cheng works to prepare labs for AP Biology students in the science building.

Cynthia Cheng takes on new role as library technician

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
October 7, 2021
Rookie members of team MSET 6165 Cuttlefish work on the finishing touches of their robot together in the robotics room before their scrimmage.

Robotic teams use offseason to get even stronger after a strong pandemic year

Arnav Swamy and Martin Xu
September 25, 2021
The football team practices after school with no masks and minimal distancing. 

Student athletes anticipate return to normalcy

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
September 10, 2021
Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Teachers implement course modifications to combat learning gaps

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
September 10, 2021
‘BLACKPINK: THE MOVIE’: a perfect gift for fans

‘BLACKPINK: THE MOVIE’: a perfect gift for fans

Martin Xu
September 5, 2021
soccerpic

Boys’ soccer finishes the season strong with new goals for next year

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
May 21, 2021
WOPOlynbrook

Boys’ and girls’ water polo teams aim to end tumultuous season on a memorable note

Nicole Lu, Stephanie Sun, and Martin Xu
May 13, 2021
martin_onecohort

Unfortunate outcome of a strategic plan: Sophomore misses out on swim season

Martin Xu
May 11, 2021
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Cafeteria reboots as students return for in-person school

Martin Xu
May 3, 2021
lgsrecreation

Community organizations adapt fast and survive the pandemic

Martin Xu
April 28, 2021
3ft vs 6ft graphic-01 (1)

Updated CDC social distancing guidelines prompt mixed reactions from SHS community

Christina Chang and Martin Xu
April 15, 2021
Free Speech Graphic-01

What is the extent of the First Amendment in schools?

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
April 2, 2021
IMG_6596

New coach sets goals for team in unusual season

Vinay Gollamudi and Martin Xu
March 26, 2021
Albert Xiong

New CASSY therapist hopes to promote wellness for students

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
March 24, 2021
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Swim team adjusts to new practice, meet protocols

Neeti Badve and Martin Xu
March 10, 2021
Textbook Service Window

School adapts to new COVID guidelines for textbook pickups

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
February 23, 2021
stephanie-sun

‘Unconventional’ names lead to challenges in daily life

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
February 7, 2021
mygphic

Will scaled-down online classes lead to learning gaps?

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
January 21, 2021
Dear 2021 Graphic

Dear 2021 … it can only get better

Martin Xu
January 13, 2021
hybrid learning graphic-01

Does hybrid learning really work?

Martin Xu
December 9, 2020
cakes

Quarantine boredom leads to a ‘friendly’ competition

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
December 2, 2020
cheatinggraphic

Remote learning or remote cheating?

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
November 19, 2020

Teachers’ assistants readjust their roles online

Anjali Nuggehalli and Martin Xu
October 15, 2020
IMG_5295

Junior reflects on mental and physical benefits of fishing

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
October 15, 2020
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Sophomore wins Congressional art contest

Martin Xu and Mina Yeap
September 16, 2020
DeliveryBoy

Which food delivery service is best for you?

Martin Xu
September 10, 2020
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