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 Shannon Ma

Senior Mag 2023: Cars crash, but friendships last

Shannon Ma and Minsui Tang
August 30, 2023
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) and Freshman Band/Symphonic Band (FBSB) rehearse for numerous concerts and performances in the second semester. 

Band transitions from marching to concert season, looks forwards to performances in second semester

Saachi Jain and Shannon Ma
February 6, 2023
2 teachers awarded the University of Chicago’s ‘Outstanding Educator Award’

2 teachers awarded the University of Chicago’s ‘Outstanding Educator Award’

Saachi Jain and Shannon Ma
November 19, 2022
Marching band won 4th place at the Sacramento regional championships on Nov. 5.

Blossoming with ‘Blossom’: Marching band caps off a season of growth

Shannon Ma
November 17, 2022
Musk’s infamous “poop” emoji tweet to the Twitter team. 

Musk isn’t perfect, but he’s the best bet to steer the future of Twitter

Shannon Ma
October 26, 2022
Junior Tejas Tirthapura practices his viola at home.

Want to be smart? Play an instrument

Shannon Ma
September 20, 2022
Top 10: annoying orchestra sections

Top 10: annoying orchestra sections

Shannon Ma and Carolyn Wang
September 11, 2022
73 questions: conversations with the school community

73 questions: conversations with the school community

Lena Aribi, Meher Bhatnagar, Christina Chang, Lynn Dai, Victoria Hu, Hannah Lee, Jonny Luo, Shannon Ma, Nikhil Mathihalli, and Sarah Zhou
May 30, 2022
APUSH students compete at the 2022 National History Day State Finals in Sacramento

APUSH students compete at the 2022 National History Day State Finals in Sacramento

Shannon Ma and Jonathan Si
May 22, 2022
SSO performers at the year-end concert on May 19th, after performing tour piece “Slavonic Dance” by Antonín Dvořák

Orchestra and band students headed to Europe this summer

Shannon Ma
May 22, 2022
Astrology is wonderful, but horoscope sites are infuriatingly useless

Predictions for a stressful week

Shannon Ma
March 31, 2022
The Saratoga Symphony Orchestra stands with Mr. Boitz at the end of their performance.  

Music department hosts exclusive electives night performances

Shannon Ma
March 10, 2022
Junior Jenny Campbell practices at the Ice Center in Oakland.

Jenny Campbell: Thriving on Thin Ice as a Jr. Sharks ice hockey player

Shannon Ma
March 4, 2022
Nathan Chen strikes his ending pose at the end of his successful free-skate performance to “Rocketman.”

The new Chen-eration of figure skating has begun

Shannon Ma
March 4, 2022
My natural hair versus my straight-permed hair

Perms lead to regrets.

Shannon Ma
January 20, 2022
Four mainstream horror movies that left a lasting impression on me.

Ranking horror movies I tried to watch before bolting from the room

Shannon Ma
January 7, 2022
Me performing my solo “The Seed” at the Kids’ Artistic Revue (KAR) National Title Competition in Las Vegas over the summer 

Dance should receive more recognition as a sport

Shannon Ma
November 29, 2021
The music building looks stunning from inside to outside and offers vast, useful space

Music building remains elite campus hotspot

Shannon Ma
November 29, 2021
Junior Atley Yuen plays the xylophone at the Napa Valley Band Reserve

Marching band finishes season on high note

Shannon Ma and Brian Sheen
November 19, 2021
Mathway was a commonly used website that many students used to cheat during remote learning.

From cheating online to struggling in person

Shannon Ma and Stephanie Sun
November 14, 2021

Marching band retakes the field

Shannon Ma and Brian Sheen
October 9, 2021
Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Ranking popular water bottles from first to worst

Christina Chang and Shannon Ma
October 8, 2021
All Junior Quad Day participants mosh together in the haze of blue powder to cap off their performance

Junior class spirit shines, brings ‘Scooby Doo’ to life

Shannon Ma
October 7, 2021
Music department back on track after rough pandemic year

Music department back on track after rough pandemic year

Shannon Ma and Nikhil Mathihalli
September 20, 2021
Cafeteria adopts safety procedures to keep students and staff safe

Cafeteria adopts safety procedures to keep students and staff safe

Jonny Luo, Shannon Ma, and Minsui Tang
September 9, 2021
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