The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Sophomores Alma Garniek and Sia Bharadhwaj performed during the group dance.
Sophomore quad day thrives with a boost in participation
October 20, 2024
Seniors wave goodbye to students and staff in the audience after successfully delivering a stunning performance.
Seniors ends week of Quad Day performances with an energetic display
October 20, 2024
Group dance carries the show with energetic dance moves and smiles on their faces.
Juniors navigate low rehearsal attendance and participation for their quad day
October 20, 2024
Assistant superintendent of business services Ruben Fernandez, superintendent Bill Sanderson, director of human resources Dagmar Derickson, assistant superintendent of student services Heath Rocha and public information officer Tanya De La Cruz listen to public comment against the amendments to Sanderson’s contract. The new contract was approved by the board in a unanimous decision.
Widespread criticism over district leadership leads to community meetings and attempts at rebuilding trust
October 18, 2024
Sporting green jerseys, Joseph Yu, Elaine Luo, Sophie Qi and Serena Hu went all out for their performance.
Freshmen pull through despite fewer than 30 participants in their first quad day performance
October 18, 2024
Judges receive rubrics to score each performance out of 160 possible points.
How are Homecoming performances ranked?
October 20, 2024
The once-great Marvel and Pixar trend toward decline, as multiple factors drag them down.
The hidden factors behind Pixar and Marvel’s downfall
October 18, 2024
With an endless stream of online content, students find themselves overwhelmed by the temptation of smartphones.
In a world of short-form videos, long-term focus becomes a challenge
October 18, 2024
Each teacher reflected on their growth since they first started teaching at the school.
25 Years later: Educators reflect back on their first year at SHS
October 18, 2024
Gru Junior successfully tames Gru’s high school mascot—the honey badger Lenny.
‘Despicable Me 4’ is getting too much hate
October 18, 2024
With a shock offseason trade, Karl Anthony-Towns joins the New York Knicks to play alongside tenured Knick Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks are on course to finally bring a championship to New York
October 22, 2024
Leagues like Overtime Elite allow high school athletes to display their talents on a giant online platform.
How young athletes have started using social media for success
October 21, 2024
The constant cycle of practice and school leaves little free time during the day.
Competitive athletes balance rigorous sports schedule with academics
October 21, 2024
Falcons lineup in front of the endzone preparing to rush forward for another touchdown.
Football boasts 49-0 Homecoming win over Lynbrook, maintains undefeated record
October 21, 2024
Alice Vaughan balances in the flag position while practicing her solo performance at Garrod Farms.
Sophomore equestrian vaults to destress, despite dangerous nature of sport
October 15, 2024
Results shown on Google Map after searching up “housing developments nearby,” which doesn’t include those that didn’t publicize themselves on the map.
A gentler approach to growth: Why ADUs offer a middle ground in housing development
October 21, 2024
Though the school lunch applesauce is good, I prefer the ones that come in a pouch, since I don't need a spoon to eat them.
100-word rave: Applesauce is my go-to snack
October 18, 2024
To fight an upward battle, students struggle against time
100-word rant: classes without breaks
October 14, 2024
The balance of power at the school sites is heavily outweighed by the district.
Staff editorial: As the board levels up on district office personnel, LG and SHS staff suffer negative impacts
October 10, 2024
The Monopoly theme is a mere shadow of what it could have been.
This year’s Homecoming theme for the senior class is a major disappointment
October 10, 2024
There are some items I can’t leave behind on a ski trip.
Trip essentials from a yearly Tahoe-goer
October 22, 2024
My favorite teddy bears and I have made plenty of good memories over the years — and their origin story is better than mine.
From trash can to happy home: a tale of two teddy bears
October 21, 2024
Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, hold their creature power discs.
Nostalgia for ‘Wild Kratts’ hits strong as it remains to be one of my core shows of childhood
October 21, 2024
School starts at 8:30! Thankfully I still have 31 minutes to get there.
Top 10: excuses for being late
October 18, 2024
A particular scent can tug at your nostalgic feelings.
An ode to my favorite ‘scent-sibilities’
October 18, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Nika Svizhenko, School Scope Editor

Nika Svizhenko, Class of '26, is a School Scope Editor for the 2024-25 school year. Previously, she was a reporter and layout editor. Nika has covered the school's sports teams and various school events. In her free time, she enjoys drinking iced milk tea and her favorite color is blue.
All content by Nika Svizhenko
Junior Thalea Charton passes the ball during an after-school practice.

Season preview: Girls’ water polo tries to stay afloat with only 8 players

Emily Wu and Nika Svizhenko
September 19, 2024
Seniors pose in front of a model ship at the United States Naval Academy.

6 seniors test their mettle in summer program at U.S. Naval Academy

Nika Svizhenko
September 19, 2024
There are multiple great times to arrive to class.

Top 10: times to arrive to journalism in the morning

Nika Svizhenko
September 4, 2024
A mango dragon fruit lemonade refresher.

100-word rave: Starbucks iced drinks are the greatest start to any day

Nika Svizhenko
September 3, 2024
The 2024 CCS bracket.

Softball falls 7-0 to Capuchino in CCS

Nika Svizhenko
May 26, 2024
Junior Sawyer Chao sprints towards the ball during home game on March 11. The game against Gunn ended with a loss for the Falcons. 

Lacrosse: After a canceled year, teams rebound to complete their seasons

Richard Fan and Nika Svizhenko
May 21, 2024
The in-person Saratoga High School team receives medals for scoring fourth place overall.

Math team places fourth in Stanford Tournament

Nika Svizhenko and Lawson Wang
April 29, 2024
The theme for the 2024 prom is “The Princess and the Frog”.

Students placed on waitlist as prom tickets sell out

Nika Svizhenko
April 22, 2024
Junior Alan Lu ducks and covers during the earthquake drill. 

Annual earthquake drill includes new addition of post-tremor simulations

Nika Svizhenko
March 18, 2024
Sophomore Eliza Lin keeps score during a match.

Badminton coach implements stricter practices to hone skills

Sunny Cao and Nika Svizhenko
March 18, 2024
Senior Cooper Call lowers his shoulder into Pacific grove defender

Fresh boys’ lacrosse team faces rebuilding season

Nika Svizhenko and Mitchell Chen
March 15, 2024
AP exams are held for two weeks every year in May.

Students should be required to submit AP exam scores when applying to colleges

Nika Svizhenko
March 14, 2024
Tote? More like NOPE.

Don’t buy the hype: Tote bags aren’t the holy grail

Nika Svizhenko
February 4, 2024
Juniors Dance practices in the library.

Bombay in the Bay seniors prepare for final performance

Nika Svizhenko
February 3, 2024
A Friday Letter was sent out announcing the return of lacrosse.

With coaches now hired, lacrosse makes a return

Grace Lin and Nika Svizhenko
January 26, 2024
Sophomores Joyce Lee (left) and Sahana Kumar (middle) sing during a rehearsal.

5 singers selected for Coastal Region Honors Choir

Nika Svizhenko
December 16, 2023
Linebacker Keion Ashjaee-Marshall charges down the field.

Falcons dominate in last two regular season victories over Gunn and Lynbrook

Nika Svizhenko and Caitlin Stoiber
November 20, 2023
Setting up the new Wi-Fi is very tedious.

District’s new Wi-Fi system unnecessarily frustrating and complicated

Nika Svizhenko and Skyler Mao
November 14, 2023
Sophomore Garrick Chau faces off against his opponent in a foosball match.

Senior hosts events promoting drug prevention

Nika Svizhenko
November 6, 2023
The weight room contains rows of benches and weight racks

Weight room offers equipment suited for a variety of goals

Nika Svizhenko
September 29, 2023
Swimming cap worn by water polo players.

Top 10: ways to turn around struggling sports teams

Nika Svizhenko
September 29, 2023
The Falcons preparing to execute their Run-Pass-Option play during their Homecoming game.

Pioneers plow through Falcons’ defense in Homecoming defeat

Caitlin Stoiber and Nika Svizhenko
September 29, 2023
Bookshelf used for the library system in Mary Palisoul’s classroom

Palisoul takes on new role teaching English 11 Honors

Nika Svizhenko
September 28, 2023
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