The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
A view of the Palisades fire from the seventh floor of Class of ‘24 Brielle Wong’s UCLA dormitory.
LA fires prompt alumni attending UCLA to return home at start of quarter
January 17, 2025
Donald Trump will be sworn in for his second four-year term in office on Jan. 20, 2025.
What will the next four years look like under a Trump presidency?
January 17, 2025
Jason Shiuan will be honored with the award at CASMEC on Jan. 16.
Music director named band educator of the year in California
January 15, 2025
Sophomore Lauren Song performs as Clara in Los Gatos Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
Dancers perform in ‘The Nutcracker’ with the Los Gatos Ballet
December 18, 2024
Casavant’s frequent drop-ins on water polo games and practices brought energy to the team.
In supporting student athletes, staff members make important connections
December 15, 2024
(Left) Susan Wojcicki before an interview, (Right) Saratoga parent May Wang during a talk
Honoring the life of Susan Wojcicki: A visionary female’s legacy in the tech industry
January 21, 2025
Ayyagari's most complex drum loop yet takes center stage in his new album, Realization, released on Jan. 5.
Take a look inside junior multi-instrumentalist and composer Ishir Ayyagari’s songwriting process
January 21, 2025
Taka (Scar) falls in love with Sarabi, the lioness who accidentally causes his villain arc.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ offers a fulfilling backstory for the classic Disney movie
January 21, 2025
Sisters Richa Moorjani and Sheherazaad are both pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
Sister alumni navigate complex world of Hollywood and the entertainment industry
January 9, 2025
Playing Grace Fryer and Tom Kreider respectively, senior Kat Aldrete and junior Larry O’Brien star in the SHS ‘Radium Girls’ fall play.
Senior Kat Aldrete shines as lead role in ‘Radium Girls’
December 14, 2024
Mrs. Hasegawa, a predicted winner, is a well-known champion weightlifter (in our hearts).
What’s the strongest department on campus (physically)?
January 21, 2025
The team poses for a picture on Jan. 16 after a home victory against MacDonald.
Boys’ soccer defeats MacDonald, marks three-game win streak
January 18, 2025
Crowd arises in ovation for Falcons’ impressive comeback
Boys’ basketball rallies back from 13-point deficit, securing top spot in El Camino
January 17, 2025
The boys basketball team poses after their game with American High School on Dec. 7.
Boys’ basketball secures second place at James Lick Invitational despite key injuries
December 14, 2024
Free throw attempt from the team's recent scrimmage against Wilcox on Dec. 7.
Freshman basketball team brought back for the first time since COVID
December 13, 2024
Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in just 2023, prompting a flurry of collapses within a few months.
Bank regulation is necessary to prevent financial crises
January 21, 2025
Kash Patel
The weaponization of the presidential pardon ought to end
January 13, 2025
In a capitalist world, informed journalism takes second priority.
Billionaires should step back from publications they own
January 12, 2025
Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha is looking towards a year of cooperation.
Staff editorial: Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha is the right choice to lead the district out of recent turmoil
January 11, 2025
The logo of the Better Canvas extension for students to download.
100-word rave: “Better Canvas” is just better
December 13, 2024
Papa’s Scooperia is more than the embrace of American consumerism — it’s the perfect pastime.
Games to play when you’re mentally depleted, as the Speech and Debate team frequently is
January 21, 2025
The three best dishes we ordered at Ippudo: Akashu Modern, Chicken Karaage, and Pork Buns
Our visit to Ippudo: A cozy experience with tastes beyond ramen
January 17, 2025
If all of our icks culminated into one man, this is what he would look like.
Top 10: Icks
January 17, 2025
Piling on ten layers of clothing is not a comfortable experience.
Skiing? s-NO-w thank you.
January 15, 2025
The three bears often travel, stacked on top of each other.
‘We Bear Bears’ are still the bear-y best trio
January 12, 2025

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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