The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
At the very minimum, active advertising of harmful, addictive substances shouldn’t be constantly exposed to children going to school.
In a bad sign, ever more marijuana shops are popping up near schools
February 14, 2025
The high school Jazz Band performs their set on Jan. 17.
18 musicians accepted into state-wide conference
February 14, 2025
Sunder Pichai remains CEO of Google despite his countless blunders.
Workers lose their jobs when CEOs fail at their jobs
February 14, 2025
Kim performs “Romeo and Juliet” Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky with the NYO2 orchestra in Dallas on Aug. 6.
Practice takes senior musician to Carnegie Hall and beyond this summer
February 13, 2025
From campus beautification activities, like picking up trash, to quiet homework time.
This year, work-focused Treasure Toga punishment replaced by traditional detention for efficiency
February 11, 2025
Junior Arjun Krish, Class of `23 alumnus Adam Xu and his mentor Dr. Liang Li stand in front of Krish’s lab station in the summer of 2024.
Junior researches for a cure for glaucoma
February 16, 2025
Free Luigi” merchandise has been growing rapidly on online shopping platforms.
Analysis: Luigi Mangione’s case of vigilante justice reflects American glorification of violence
February 15, 2025
Matt Walsh’s brand new documentary reveals the dark side of DEI movements.
‘Am I Racist?’ — mockumentary takes a deep dive into DEI and presents ideas worth considering
February 14, 2025
Senior Michelle Ho poses in her lab coat holding a small flask.
Senior explores genetic underpinnings of arthritis in her research
February 14, 2025
“Nature’s Chance Encounter” along with many others of senior Amy Pan’s paintings adorn the Saratoga Library Group Study Room.
Senior represents nature through texture, visuals, and ambiance through both physical and digital mediums
February 13, 2025
Competitions like the World Cup are popular in both soccer and futsal respectively.
What makes futsal the kicker for soccer players?
February 15, 2025
The seniors pose for a picture after winning 3-1 against Cupertino.
Boys’ soccer qualifies to CCS after 3-1 victory over Cupertino on Senior Night
February 14, 2025
Students utilize the school’s weight room to keep fit during the season and off-season.
Student athletes adapt to avoid “falling off” during the offseason
February 13, 2025
Senior Saatvik Kommareddi spins past a defender at a game on Jan. 18.
Boys’ basketball team suffers first loss but clinches CCS qualification
February 11, 2025
Senior David Kim practices archery at the Stevens Creek County Park Archery Range.
Olympic coverage, social media stars and increasing college scholarship opportunities make archery more popular than ever
February 11, 2025
In large classes, it’s difficult to share my opinions often.
Why class sizes should not exceed 30
February 14, 2025
With the release of more AI language models like Deepseek, we are hopeful to see a future of the industry with more diverse options for users.
Public attention on DeepSeek fuels discussion about AI development
February 14, 2025
The progressive movement reached its peak in 2020, during COVID-19.
The Progressive movement is on the outs
February 12, 2025
2024 electoral map
In a splintered U.S., consecutive two-term presidents may become rare
February 11, 2025
AI Safety is not a joke.
To prevent disastrous outcomes, inherently evil AI growth needs to halt
February 11, 2025
Junior Ishir Ayyagari flexes after an arm workout.
New year, new goals: Three juniors give advice about how to stick to your workout resolutions
February 15, 2025
It’s time to use those cold emailing skills (and your $29.99 monthly LinkedIn Premium subscription) to get LinkedUp.
Top 10: ways to get a valentine next year
February 14, 2025
I practice the guitar in my room during my free time.
This is a PSA to take up a new instrument (in my case, a guitar)
February 14, 2025
Hello.
A letter to my senior year self
February 13, 2025
Some wonderful new year's resolutions that you should try out!
Top 10: New Year’s Resolutions
February 13, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon
Shirina Cao

Shirina Cao, Lifestyles Editor

All content by Shirina Cao
Some of these couples’ best moments captured in photos (From top to bottom: Keys, Nakamatsu, Nitzan).

Sparks fly: The surprising ways teachers met their spouses

Andrew Gong and Shirina Cao
February 7, 2025
Amy Hawthorne picks her most unique or intense and emotional photos to publish onto her website portfolio.

Honoring her late husband, parent becomes skilled photographer of her sons and other athletes

Shirina Cao
February 7, 2025
The three best dishes we ordered at Ippudo: Akashu Modern, Chicken Karaage, and Pork Buns

Photo or Graphic for: Our visit to Ippudo: A cozy experience with tastes beyond ramen

Linh Do and Vedant Sinha
January 17, 2025
If all of our icks culminated into one man, this is what he would look like.

Top 10: Icks

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
January 17, 2025
In a capitalist world, informed journalism takes second priority.

Photo or Graphic for: Billionaires should step back from publications they own

Bryan Zhao
January 12, 2025
There are so many to choose from, but there is a clear

Top 10: romance tropes

Divya Vadlakonda and Shirina Cao
December 13, 2024
Senior Anisa Taymuree learns her solo dance alongside her choreographer Karen Chien.

Solos allow dance team upperclassmen to explore their individuality

Shirina Cao and Renisha Mandal
December 9, 2024
NewJeans members try to fly in to save the day — albeit through a YouTube live — by demanding HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk to reinstate former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.

Famous K-pop company HYBE kicks out sublabel CEO for coup allegations

Shirina Cao
December 2, 2024
Students in the marching band and color guard perform their show “The Show Must Go On” at the Oct. 26 Cupertino Tournament of Bands.

Photo or Graphic for: Marching band takes fourth place at Cupertino High competition

Tanvee Tirthapura
November 4, 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

Shirina Cao and Grace Lin
November 2, 2024
Seniors Keion Ashjaee-Marshall and Tevita Pahulu practice taping wrist injuries.

Photo or Graphic for: Sports Medicine elective returns

Alec Guan and Linh Do
October 30, 2024
Seniors share their advice to thrive in high school.

I’ve wanted to plop into a fluffy pile of snow, not fall off the lift onto the hard packed snow of the ski trail while everyone on the lift watches.

Don’t jump off the ski lift — the snow isn’t as soft as it looks

Shirina Cao
October 28, 2024
Seniors share their advice to thrive in high school.

Photo or Graphic for: Seniors urge having realistic time commitments and genuine interests

Vedant Sinha
October 27, 2024
Judges receive rubrics to score each performance out of 160 possible points.

How are Homecoming performances ranked?

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
October 20, 2024
During their first meeting on Sept. 12, Slime Club members mix a large bowl of glue with an activator to make slime.

New Slime Club is drawing over 60 members each meeting

Shirina Cao
September 26, 2024
The dance team sells homemade baked goods at their bake sale at the Sept. 5 home football game against El Camino to fundraise for competition and costume costs.

Dance team welcomes new assistant coach who focuses on their technique and fitness

Shirina Cao and Renisha Mandal
September 19, 2024
Thomas Casavant teaches freshmen how to fix a section of their Java code.

AP Physics teacher expands course repertoire to Intro to Computer Programming

Shirina Cao and Ashni Pillai
September 17, 2024
Wellness Center therapist Janae Smith writes in her notebook.

New Wellness Center therapist brings diverse work experience

Shirina Cao and Madhura Natarajan
September 9, 2024
 A turtleneck constricts a woman's neck.

Photo or Graphic for: Let’s leave turtlenecks in the past, where they belong

Sasha Prasad
May 30, 2024
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Photo or Graphic for: Road trips: a once detested, but now beloved summer tradition

Sasha Prasad
May 20, 2024
Sports Drinks

Photo or Graphic for: Top 10 sports drinks

Bill Huang
May 20, 2024
Different things make different people happy.

Taking Toga’s Temperature: What does happiness mean to you? 

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
May 17, 2024
Sophomore Brennan Pak sprints across the lacrosse field.

Longtime seasoned athletes step out of their comfort zone to pursue new sports

Jeremy Si and Shirina Cao
May 15, 2024
Emily, Shirina and Amy hold up the finished tanghulu while sugary water drips onto the floor.

The viral sweet treat tanghulu: Is it worth all the hype?

Shirina Cao, Jessica Li, Amy Miao, and Emily Wu
May 10, 2024
The three Jacks’ line up in height order (left to right: Jack Gong, Jack Dong and Jack Tong).

Jack (Dong, Gong, and Tong) of all trades

Shirina Cao
May 4, 2024
When the world is turning more digital than ever, with children often online gaming during their free time, how are board games staying afloat?

Board games stay afloat among the rising online gaming industry

Shirina Cao
May 4, 2024
Saratoga students often take a variety of West Valley summer courses, whether it is for college credit or self interest.

Photo or Graphic for: Get a real college experience at no cost — take some summer community college classes

Richard Fan
May 4, 2024
Sophomore May Gendeh performs the small lyrical routine at the United Spirit Association Nationals Competition on March 22.

Dance team competes at Nationals in Anaheim

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
April 23, 2024
Self-portrait finals projects (Caleb Yu left, Franky Zheng top right, Vivienne Brooks bottom right).

Roaming campus with a purpose, Digital Photography students hone skills that can be used for a lifetime

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
March 27, 2024
The dramatic difference in body type between Ursula and Ariel indirectly villainizes certain “undesirable” features.

Disney dysmorphia: How a beloved childhood franchise instills unrealistic beauty standards and gender bias

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
March 21, 2024
Birthdays are usually filled with big smiles and happy laughter, but I still can’t help but feel sad.

Fighting the birthday blues and losing

Shirina Cao
March 14, 2024
Students who succumb to the allure of Sparknotes will fail to analyze classic literature on their own.

Photo or Graphic for: SparkNotes — a glorified version of cheating

Alec Guan
March 7, 2024
Senior Michelle Wan fiercely raises her right arm during the ending pose of the team’s jazz routine during the competition hosted by West Coast Elite at Valley Christian on Jan. 20.

Making the most of limited practice time, dance team soars through competition season with a positive outlook

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
February 8, 2024
Spice up your love life with these activities.

Ideas for the next big date after Valentine’s Day

Shirina Cao
February 8, 2024
The rising band faces difficulties coordinating around busy schedules, but its members look forward to their coming performances.

Photo or Graphic for: Student band Pollen Prone springs into the spotlight

Lawson Wang
January 24, 2024
Don’t worry, rock music enjoyment is definitely not a cult.

Photo or Graphic for: How my father rocked my musical world

Alec Guan
December 14, 2023
While UC Berkeley offers a tiresome uphill hike from SHS, Yale, Harvard and Stanford lead to an easy downhill slide.

Recent alumni offer their report card on how SHS prepared them for elite colleges

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
December 13, 2023
Ashley Xu does a double stag jump while holding rainbow ribbons during her solo section of the folkloric group routine “Colorful Joy” during the performance at Spotlight Dance Cup nationals on July 8.

Dancers find perks in attending outside dance studios over school dance team

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
December 7, 2023
The Christmas season means an impending list of gifts to get.

The Falcon’s guide to gift-giving during the holiday season

Shirina Cao
December 5, 2023
Substitute teacher Siddhartha Punj explains key coding vocabulary during an AP Computer Science lesson on Nov. 27.

Long-term substitute AP Computer Science teacher hired

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
December 3, 2023
The dance team members Anisa Taymuree and Annalyn Bui hold their ending pose for their Oct. 20 football game halftime performance.

Dance team transitions from football half time performances to competition season

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
November 20, 2023
Sofia Hoffman and Elisa Pattullo work on glazing their decorative coil pot on Oct. 11.

Ceramics gives students creative freedom and hopes to recover from recent loss of interest

Shirina Cao and Emily Wu
November 6, 2023
Seniors Riley Alves and Ashly Henry dressed as skeletons during the school's Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 28.

All dressed up: Creating terror-ific memories to celebrate the spooky season

Shirina Cao, Kathy Wang, and Beverly Xu
November 5, 2023
Class rivalry during rally games is a great way to raise school and class pride. 

Dear Toga students: You aren’t ‘too cool’ to attend rallies

Shirina Cao and Anika Kapasi
October 19, 2023
The dance team performs their hip-hop routine to the song “Hot in It” for the football game on Sept. 1.

Dance team kicks off to powerful start while adjusting to new coach

Shirina Cao and Jessica Li
September 23, 2023
Drum Major Petr Tupitsyn overlooks his marching band, ready to showcase their senior night performance.

Photo or Graphic for: Marching band shows promising season with their performance ‘Blossom’

Allison Tan and Zachary Zinman
October 25, 2022
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