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 Selina Chen
Selina Chen anchors at “Maroc TV”, Mohammed V University’s TV Station in Rabat, Morocco.

Photo or Graphic for: In her gap year, alumna becomes reporter in Morocco and learns real-world lessons

Amy Miao and Emily Wu
December 4, 2023
Speech and Debate team celebrates senior night, head coach’s Hall of Fame induction

Speech and Debate team celebrates senior night, head coach’s Hall of Fame induction

Selina Chen
May 22, 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
The temple in Oakland, Calif., is where Saratoga members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go to for sacred ordinances.

Saratoga Mormons live by a faith often misunderstood by outsiders

Selina Chen
May 12, 2022

Superintendent Mike Grove announces retirement for later this year

Selina Chen
April 2, 2022

Boys volleyball team seizes second chances

Selina Chen and Ariel Zhou
April 1, 2022
Interior view of Big Basin Burger Bar in the early days of the pandemic, captured by the writer during her first time reporting for the Falcon  

Standing up for local businesses: I love Big Basin Burger Bar for sentimental reasons

Selina Chen
March 31, 2022
Attempting to unmask the traditional art of changing faces

Attempting to unmask the traditional art of changing faces

Selina Chen
March 23, 2022
To Lit or to Lang? Ay, there's the rub

To Lit or to Lang? Ay, there’s the rub

Selina Chen
March 18, 2022
Portrayed in a sketched by a courtroom artist, senior mock trial president Nicole Lu competes at the Santa Clara County Mock Trial Competition.

Students see success in competitions, scholarships

Selina Chen, Allen Luo, Jonny Luo, and Nikhil Mathihalli
March 2, 2022

District plans for five more advisories after putting them on hold in January

Selina Chen and Lihi Shoshani
February 4, 2022

Will it ever end? COVID-19 strains mental health and personal relationships

Selina Chen, Lihi Shoshani, and Shaan Sridhar
February 4, 2022

College (Counselor) Confidential: What she would say if she could

Selina Chen and Benjamin Li
February 1, 2022
More 12- to 15-year-old get booster shots following recent approval

More 12- to 15-year-old get booster shots following recent approval

Sanjoli Gupta and Selina Chen
January 21, 2022
Grieving the loss of a Falcon print copy

Grieving the loss of a Falcon print copy

Selina Chen
January 20, 2022

Should the alumni interview system undergo radical changes?

Selina Chen
December 17, 2021
Two new COVID-19 cases prompt widespread testing

Two new COVID-19 cases prompt widespread testing

Selina Chen
December 8, 2021
The Odd Fellows manor would be obscured by a new building under the current plan.

Photo or Graphic for: Senior and local residents advocate for an alternative to the proposed construction at the Saratoga Retirement Community

Carolyn Wang and Sara Bright
December 3, 2021
Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Omicron variant may displace students’ travel plans

Selina Chen and Atrey Desai
December 3, 2021

Immigrant celebrates Chinese New Year with unusual ‘family’

Selina Chen
December 2, 2021
Senior Vicky Bai received the LGSUHSD Board Student Recognition during the school board meeting on Nov. 16.

Photo or Graphic for: Senior receives district recognition for volunteer work to fight hunger

Serena Li and Daniel Wu
November 30, 2021
Teachers gather for a picture in the library after the Nov. 16 LGSUHSD board meeting.

Photo or Graphic for: District Teachers Association rallies behind effort to get higher pay

Sam Bai, Shreya Rallabandi, and Aiden Ye
November 22, 2021
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.

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

Christina Chang and Lynn Dai
November 19, 2021
ASB explores legal concerns raised by rejected club

ASB explores legal concerns raised by rejected club

Selina Chen and Lihi Shoshani
November 18, 2021
Emerson Pak getting ready to pass a serve along with upperclassmen Lisa Fung and Noor Khan.

Photo or Graphic for: Freshman adjusts to new team and coach

Ariel Zhou
October 29, 2021
Reading fanfiction, if done correctly, can be the best ‘vice’ for de-stressing

Reading fanfiction, if done correctly, can be the best ‘vice’ for de-stressing

Selina Chen
October 17, 2021
Exposé: Security questions are a Eurocentric ploy

Exposé: Security questions are a Eurocentric ploy

Selina Chen
October 17, 2021
Surprised by the size? The roots were even longer before they broke

Senior details the gruesome operation and aftermath of a wisdom tooth extraction

Selina Chen
October 12, 2021
Members of the Model UN club smile for a group picture after their first online meeting.

Photo or Graphic for: Model UN Club implements a hybrid in-person and online system

Vicky Bai and Arnav Swamy
October 7, 2021
Screener-19 QR code prank redirects confused students to ‘Remy Ratatouille’ photo

Screener-19 QR code prank redirects confused students to ‘Remy Ratatouille’ photo

Selina Chen
September 17, 2021
Derek Hsu was thrown into the air by his fellow dance members during senior stunt dance practice. 

Photo or Graphic for: Homecoming participation rises after school starts back up

Lena Aribi and Harshini Velchamy
September 10, 2021
Students and staff walk by the student center during Phase 3A in March. 

Photo or Graphic for: School outlines COVID-19 protocols and expectations

Lynn Dai and Shaan Sridhar
September 5, 2021
A screenshot of the grade change request form

Students given option to change letter grades from ‘20-’21 to Pass or No Pass

Selina Chen
August 27, 2021
soccerpic

Photo or Graphic for: Boys’ soccer finishes the season strong with new goals for next year

Stephanie Sun and Martin Xu
May 21, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-05-13 at 2

Districts reveals new bell schedule for ‘21-’22

Selina Chen
May 14, 2021
senior 1

Photo or Graphic for: On campus for first time all year, new teachers and students try to orient themselves

Minsui Tang
May 13, 2021
aaa

Season 2 roundup: Girls’ volleyball team ends the season in high spirits despite challenges

Selina Chen
May 13, 2021
zoom

No more hybrid: While providing an online alternative in the fall, the district wants students in in-person classes next semester

Selina Chen
May 13, 2021
grad

Plans for graduation ceremony and Grad Night develop

Selina Chen
May 10, 2021
2

Photo or Graphic for: Season 2 wrapup: With small roster, badminton team learns to adjust

Vicky Bai
May 6, 2021
aa

Photo or Graphic for: COVID-19 cases force quarantines for multiple sports

Shreya Rallabandi and Bill Yuan
May 6, 2021
IMG_7846

Photo or Graphic for: Football team closes up-and-down season with victory against Fremont

Avani Kongetira
May 3, 2021
Boyce-Bender

Community mourns the loss of class of 2020 alumna

Selina Chen
April 30, 2021
IMG_2003

Former player recalls ridiculous string of volleyball injuries

Selina Chen
April 23, 2021
interview

The struggles of getting a Falcon interview in a virtual year

Selina Chen
April 18, 2021
IMG_1932

Recalling ‘lockdown day’ prompts reflections on my American identity

Selina Chen
April 13, 2021
The Junior Girl’s Dance performs in front of the officers in the quad while Junior Olivia Kinoshita gets her filming equipment ready.

Photo or Graphic for: ICAC performers dance the night away at drive-in movie-style BnB on April 16-17

Apurva Chakravarthy
April 2, 2021
protestaapi

Photo or Graphic for: A time to stand together for Asian Americans

Esther Luan
April 1, 2021
SCC SO logo

Deputies investigate attempted groping of female student jogging near campus

Selina Chen
April 1, 2021
IMG_7281

Saratoga community responds to rise in anti-Asian violence with calls for change

Selina Chen, Shreya Rallabandi, and Carolyn Wang
April 1, 2021
IMG_6706

Photo or Graphic for: Falcons adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and new head coach

Avani Kongetira
April 1, 2021
IMG_1833

Three students qualify to speech and debate nationals

Selina Chen
March 29, 2021
91RPigWberL

‘Cloud Atlas’ movie has its highlights, but the book is more worth your time

Selina Chen
March 29, 2021
000

Photo or Graphic for: Long-time athlete forced to choose between sports

Avani Kongetira
March 28, 2021
Vuong & Jia

Comparing novel ‘On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous’ and movie ‘Hi, Mom’: Have your tissues ready

Selina Chen
March 26, 2021
IMG_6596

Photo or Graphic for: New coach sets goals for team in unusual season

Vinay Gollamudi and Martin Xu
March 26, 2021
IMG_5435

Photo or Graphic for: After losing most of their starters to graduation, the girls’ golf team aims to rebuild

Harshini Velchamy
March 12, 2021
girlssoccer3-12

Photo or Graphic for: Girls’ soccer aims to rebuild in a short season

Tiffany Wang
March 12, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-02-26 at 7

Representing North Korea: a Model UN delegate’s plight

Selina Chen
March 10, 2021
Covid19_vaccine_biontech_pfizer_2

Local COVID-19 vaccine distribution policies falter, but officials see possible improvements ahead

Selina Chen
February 9, 2021
Thang_Bar1 Cropped 2

Refugee, hexaglot, CEO and activist: the architect behind the school’s state-of-the-art music building

Selina Chen
February 9, 2021
prank call

How to use Google Translate and a phone call to falsify a detention notice

Selina Chen
February 7, 2021
IMG_3970

No ordinary tale: Addendum to funeral homes story

Selina Chen
February 6, 2021
IMG_3972

Local funeral homes and elder care facilities adapt to realities of the pandemic

Selina Chen
February 6, 2021
IMG_3978

Struggling to survive: Local establishments contend with decreased business while lucky few see increase in customers

Selina Chen
January 29, 2021
modelUN_selina

Model UN members attend virtual Stanford conference

Selina Chen
December 4, 2020
boyce-bender & horse

Taking the road less-traveled: Alumni embark on unconventional postsecondary education paths

Selina Chen
December 3, 2020
speech_selinaandme

Speech and debate novices navigate their way through an online season

Selina Chen and Joann Zhang
December 2, 2020
IMG_0979

Garbage truck catches fire in SHS back parking lot

Selina Chen
December 1, 2020
IMG_1055

Looking at 2020 from my rear-view mirror

Selina Chen
December 1, 2020
china covid pic

Schools in China reflect the government’s strict pandemic policies

Selina Chen
November 21, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-11-07 at 5

Not inferior to Beethoven or Tchaikovsky: Traditional Chinese instruments deserve equal respect

Selina Chen
November 13, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-11-05 at 8

Falcon Focus: Sophomore self-publishes fantasy novel

Selina Chen
November 5, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-10-22 at 9

Volleyball athletes face clashing school and club seasons

Selina Chen and Oliver Ye
October 22, 2020
cycle1_sportsrecruitment

Yearbook staff grapples with the challenges of distance learning and low sales

Selina Chen
October 18, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-10-06 at 11

Faith intertwined: Virtual religious services prove essential for connections

Selina Chen
October 18, 2020
Photo on 10-3-20 at 4

Online speech and debate season off to a turbulent start

Selina Chen
October 10, 2020
wechat

Local Chinese Americans respond to prospective WeChat ban

Selina Chen
October 7, 2020
zoom (1)

District should lift the new restrictions on student Zoom accounts

Selina Chen
October 7, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-10-06 at 2

I do not appreciate ‘candy’ in the form of equations

Selina Chen
October 7, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-09-17 at 3

Battling the monster: Spanish teacher shares her experience with COVID-19

Selina Chen
September 17, 2020

Some days it’s so hot the chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs

Selina Chen
September 14, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-09-06 at 11

From tents to hazmat suits: traveling during COVID-19

Selina Chen
September 6, 2020
Carnegie Hall

The struggles of playing an instrument that calls for elegance

Selina Chen
September 4, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-08-29 at 11

New English teacher brings experiences from sailing academy

Selina Chen and Tiffany Wang
August 29, 2020
graphic shop vs food percentage of sales compared to pre-covid

COVID-19 strains Saratoga’s economy; small businesses struggle to stay afloat

Selina Chen
August 27, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-08-26 at 11

100 Word Rants

Selina Chen, Carolyn Wang, Chris Chen, and Vicky Bai
August 26, 2020
semis round

Speech and debate adapts to an online season

Selina Chen
August 26, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-08-20 at 10

Photo or Graphic for: Widespread fires prompt staff members to evacuate

Kaitlyn Tsai
August 20, 2020
Load More Stories
Donate to The Saratoga Falcon