The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
One of the school’s top-of-the-line AEDs
School ramps up AED count on campus
November 20, 2024
Students listen to Natasha Schatzman’s presentation in the student center on Nov. 15.
NASA aerospace engineer shares research in aeromechanics and aeroacoustics
November 20, 2024
Acting superintendent Heath Rocha speaks during the Nov. 12 board meeting.
New concerns arise over former superintendent Sanderson’s 2022 hiring
November 20, 2024
The flyer for this year’s Winter Formal hangs up around school and is posted on social media.
Tickets for Winter Formal sell out before purchase window closes
November 20, 2024
Saratoga Team 1, senior Alan Lu, junior Lawson Wang, sophomores Andy Lu and Seabert Mao, senior Skyler Mao and sophomore Vivian Zhong (left to right), hold their 3rd place trophy.
Math club places third at Berkeley tournament
November 17, 2024
Actress Naomi Scott playing Skye Riley brings to life a terrifying transformation through subtle changes.
‘Smile 2’ mixes traditional jump scare and psychological horror
November 20, 2024
BASIC officers at a boba fundraiser on Oct. 2.
BASIC club emphasizes youth action on humanitarian aid
November 18, 2024
The U.S., China and Taiwan, among other nations, are engaged in one of the fastest-growing tech races in history to develop and produce the best semiconductors and AI.
The U.S. is playing catchup in the semiconductor race. Is it too late to win?
November 12, 2024
Highlights of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors dances during Homecoming week from Oct. 14-19.
Behind the scenes: Meet the choreographers who brought the Homecoming dance to life
November 2, 2024
Students gather around the table at the top of the quad steps during the voter registration drive on Sept. 25.
Revived Democracy Matters club kicks off the school year with successful election events
October 30, 2024
Senior Saira Ramakrishnan pitches for the Saratoga Falcons.
Senior softball player commits to University of Rochester
November 20, 2024
The team gathered around a fire during their retreat to enjoy s’mores and build team chemistry.
Girls’ basketball team aims to build winning culture in pre-season after eye-opening retreat
November 20, 2024
Recap of fall sports.
Fall Sports Recap: Toga teams fight hard to the end
November 16, 2024
The girls’ tennis team poses for a group photo.
Girls’ tennis finishes the regular season with a solid victory
November 16, 2024
Mascots and volunteers cheering runners on as they cross the finish line.
Saratoga 5K Fun Run: a blend of community and competition
November 13, 2024
Cigarette packaging should depict frightening images on the front and sides, clearly communicating the consequences of smoking.
Cigarette packaging needs to be more graphic in its dire warnings
November 15, 2024
Journalism labor unions have firmly opposed the bill, calling it a “shakedown.”
‘Undemocratic’ deal reached between Google and California news outlets
November 7, 2024
Test dates make or break our vacation
The bliss and benefits of having tests before breaks
October 31, 2024
Here’s why you should vote against Prop 34.
Prop 34’s devious methods target non-profits
October 30, 2024
Please let me understand my mistakes.
100-word rant: Let me use the answer key to check my work
October 28, 2024
Personally, I really need some noodle slippers.
My 8-year-old self would be sad to see ‘5-Minute Crafts’ go — but I’m not
November 20, 2024
A hearty stew such as a beef bourguignon is perfect for a cold winter day.
Winter break bucket list: cooking galore
November 18, 2024
Don’t hate until you try it.
Top 10: weirdly good food combos that might get you flamed
November 16, 2024
A girl cries as she realizes her wallet is empty.
Resisting the urge to splurge: regulating money spent on lunchtime outings
November 11, 2024
The seating chart is often like a game of Russian Roulette, you either sit next to your best friend or next to your ex.
Top 10: Reasons to request a seat change
November 5, 2024

The Saratoga Falcon

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

Senior Mag 2024: A professional guide to sleeping in class

Sam Bai
May 26, 2024
Weasel Decklich belaying up at Movement Climbing.

Senior Mag 2024: Learning to climb, one boulder at a time

Sam Bai
May 26, 2024
Victoria and Sam waiting in the League of Legends lobby

Senior Mag 2024: Bonding over League of Legends

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
May 25, 2024
Gravel Ridge, owned by Ryan Cagliostro’s parents, a five-acre vineyard planted for Chardonnay grapes in 1979-81. 

Senior grows up on historic family-owned vineyard

Sam Bai
March 18, 2024
A wall in the journalism room showcasing many of the awards the Falcon has won in the past 65 years since its establishment.

Falcon wins Silver Crown Award from Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Sam Bai and Nicole Lee
March 18, 2024
A person crying after losing all of their money

Sports gambling in the digital age fuels underage addiction

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
March 14, 2024
Junior Aiden Chen swings bat towards incoming ball.

With no JV team and a huge roster, varsity baseball team focuses on skill building for underclassmen

Sam Bai and Isabelle Wang
March 14, 2024
Bee boxes sitting on my lawn.

A new hobby has me buzzing with excitement

Sam Bai
March 13, 2024
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
March 13, 2024
A rain cloud smacking somebody with a fist.

Photo or Graphic for: Rain, while sometimes inconvenient, sustains us

Nicole Lee and William Norwood
March 7, 2024
The first fight encountered when playing “Library of Ruina.”

‘Library of Ruina’: the painful process of learning new games

Sam Bai
March 4, 2024
Mr. Torrens photoshopped onto an image of a Scottish Lord.

The Tarbox and Torrens Show: using photoshop to provide comic relief for the staff

Sam Bai
February 3, 2024
Herzman and Tyler enjoy music on the ride to school.

Teachers grow friendships through daily carpools to school 

Sam Bai and Annie Liu
January 24, 2024
The library is jam packed with students during tutorial.

Teachers continue to call for hiring of credentialed librarian three years after the role became vacant

Sam Bai and Zack Zhang
November 14, 2023
The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists pose outside the college and career center.

An untapped resource: student photographers

Sam Bai
November 8, 2023
The old school website (left) in contrast to the updated version.

School and district websites undergo major redesign

Sam Bai
November 5, 2023
Principal Greg Louie stands in front of a no fire sign, reviewing the fire drill simulation

Newly created safety team plans for emergency scenarios

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
September 29, 2023
Rector sits inside of his homemade jungle.

Plants enliven Rector’s classroom

Sam Bai and Annie Liu
September 20, 2023
Ghosted

Top 10 ways to ghost 👻

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
May 1, 2023
27'

Photo or Graphic for: 100-word rant: Students who write 27’ instead of ‘27 should be rescinded

Allison Tan
April 1, 2023
Senior Kasie Yang’s sculpture “Quarantine Lifted,” a part of her portfolio which won a gold key.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: 47 students recognized in 2023 competition

Sam Bai
March 20, 2023
A student plays Tetris on their computer.

School WiFi should not block students from playing video games

Sam Bai
March 20, 2023
A student addicted to their phone.

Reddit and Reels: Tech has made teens like me unable to focus for longer than 15 seconds

Sam Bai
March 16, 2023
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
March 15, 2023
Cover of the first book in the series, “Percy Jackson and The Olympians, The Lighting Thief.”

Percy Jackson: not as good as nostalgia might make it

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
March 13, 2023
chess.com is blocked when using school WiFi.

100-word rant: school’s wifi should stop blocking video games

Sam Bai
March 10, 2023
Physics teacher Matthew Welander does a bench press.

Physics teacher Matthew Welander finds numerous benefits of going to the gym

Sam Bai and Aiden Ye
January 26, 2023
How much money students spent at Saratoga High School compared to the national average.

How do students spend their money?

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
January 22, 2023
100-word rant: The new bell tone is like being at SFO

100-word rant: The new bell tone is like being at SFO

Sam Bai
January 18, 2023
The three gray bins placed around campus are filled with donated food.

Photo or Graphic for: Hunger at Home club combats food insecurity through food drives

Natalie Chua
December 15, 2022
 Day 2: Skurry. Victoria: A tiny rat scurries across the floor in search of cheese, “sneaky sneaky.” Sam: A youtuber named Skurry fights the final boss from the indie game Hollow Knight.

Inktober proves to be a daunting challenge

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
December 5, 2022
School shooting pranks undermine safety

School shooting pranks undermine safety

Sam Bai
November 18, 2022
shsfalcon

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10 isms

Victoria Lin
November 9, 2022
100-word rant: Fog is confusing

100-word rant: Fog is confusing

Sam Bai
October 26, 2022
Ask someone out with these easy, fool-proof methods.

Top 10 ways to ask someone out

Christina Chang and Sam Bai
October 19, 2022
The long line of students waiting to enter the cafeteria extends all the way to the student center.

School joins National School Lunch Program

Sam Bai and Victoria Lin
September 29, 2022
Outside temperatures are burning hot while inside ones are freezing cold.

100-word rant: too cold classes

Sam Bai
September 24, 2022
People socialize during the Food Truck Festival on Aug. 16.

Food Truck Festival deemed great success, $300 raised

Sam Bai and Leyna Chan
September 23, 2022
Gloriana Garcia standing in front of motivational posters in her room.

Long-term sub brings in her experiences as an advocate, journalist and entrepreneur into classroom

Sam Bai, Selina Chen, and Aiden Ye
May 22, 2022
Falcon individuals and teams shine in their respective sports

Falcon individuals and teams shine in their respective sports

Sam Bai, Aiden Ye, and Victoria Hu
May 20, 2022
100% sugar? More like 100 grams of sugar

100% sugar? More like 100 grams of sugar

Sam Bai
May 12, 2022
School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

School to host Grad Night in person on June 2

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
March 18, 2022
Engineering Design and Development students design and build original projects for practical use

Engineering Design and Development students design and build original projects for practical use

Sam Bai and Howard Shu
March 10, 2022
“NileRed explains what is happening in a Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction"  

NileRed, a professional amateur chemist, savior of students, bane of teachers

Sam Bai
March 4, 2022
NileRed explains what is happening in a Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

NileRed, a professional amateur chemist, savior of students, bane of teachers

Sam Bai
March 2, 2022
Math and CS teacher incorporates video games into teaching

Math and CS teacher incorporates video games into teaching

Sam Bai and Aiden Ye
January 21, 2022
Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Achieving perfection after two reboots and nine tries: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

Andrew Lin and Sam Bai
January 18, 2022
My month-long journey to learn Morse code through mnemonics

My month-long journey to learn Morse code through mnemonics

Sam Bai
December 10, 2021
Senior Andrew Hong defends the goal at the team’s last game against Lynbrook on Oct. 29. The Falcons ultimately lost 8-7.

Boys’ water polo closes season with a loss to Lynbrook at league finals

Bill Yuan, Sam Bai, and Andrew Lin
November 22, 2021
Teachers gather for a picture in the library after the Nov. 16 LGSUHSD board meeting.

District Teachers Association rallies behind effort to get higher pay

Sam Bai, Shreya Rallabandi, and Aiden Ye
November 22, 2021
Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam and Andrew get insanely jacked

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
November 18, 2021
So you want to play all the games The Falcon has reviewed recently? Start here

So you want to play all the games The Falcon has reviewed recently? Start here

Sam Bai
November 7, 2021
If you snooze, you lose

If you snooze, you lose

Sam Bai
November 1, 2021
Why you should buy ‘Bloons Tower Defense 6’

Why you should buy ‘Bloons Tower Defense 6’

Sam Bai and Jonny Luo
October 22, 2021

Advisories resume; more changes still planned

Sam Bai and Andrew Lin
October 9, 2021
From left to right: Varsity players seniors Daniel Jiang, Chris Wu and Marcus Kuo perform warm up drills during practice

Boys’ water polo currently undefeated

Sam Bai, Andrew Lin, and Esther Luan
October 8, 2021
Learning poetry, one stanza at a time

Learning poetry, one stanza at a time

Sam Bai
October 6, 2021
Welander poses next to equipment used in AP physics demonstrations.

AP Physics C students dive into school year with advanced concepts and labs

Sam Bai and Nicole Lu
September 9, 2021
Mr. Bayona smiles for a photo in a chicken costume back in high school.

New math and CS teacher aims to engage students

Sam Bai and Vicky Bai
September 9, 2021
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