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

Skyler Mao, School Scope Editor

All content by Skyler Mao
Balatro’s cover image.

Why ’Balatro’ stands out as one of the best video games of all time

Skyler Mao
February 12, 2025
Christmas music is fine no matter what season you’re in.

Christmas music can be played, shamelessly, any time of the year

Skyler Mao
December 13, 2024
In recent years, an increasing number of students have applied early to college.

Class of ’25 sees an increased number of early college applicants

Caleb Yu and Skyler Mao
December 13, 2024
Sometimes your sibling buzzes around you like an annoying fly you can’t get rid of.

Top 10 ways to annoy your sibling

Seabert Mao and Skyler Mao
October 27, 2024
Prop 5 offers a potential solution to the affordable housing crisis.

Prop 5 takes us a step forward in addressing the affordable housing crisis

Skyler Mao
October 27, 2024
The debate novices gather in the cafeteria to compete in rounds.

Speech and debate team hosts mock tournament for novices

Preksha Jain and Skyler Mao
October 26, 2024
At the first Speech and Debate club practice of the year, speech coach Jenny Cook delivers announcements.

Speech and debate members excel at June’s Nationals, adding momentum to fall competitions

Preksha Jain and Skyler Mao
September 24, 2024
Some productive and unproductive ways to combat after-school slump.

A guide to productivity: How to combat the after-school slump

Skyler Mao
September 16, 2024
Boycotting of large brands like Starbucks, McDonalds, and Nestle have been at the forefront of social movements.

Boycotting presents an effective strategy for tackling modern-day issues

Skyler Mao
September 4, 2024
On April 18, the Deputy Ambassador of the US Robert Wood vetoed a resolution that would have recognized Palestine as a full UN member state.

Permanent membership in the U.N. Security Council: a catastrophic failure

Skyler Mao and Bryan Zhao
May 19, 2024
(left to right) David Broockman, Ryan Heshmati, Kate Quach and Francesca Fenzi, KQED Forum member, pose in front of the recording studio.

Junior produces live radio show during KQED’s Youth Takeover Week

Skyler Mao and Ruiyan Zhu
May 14, 2024
From top left going clockwise, the artworks of Lee, Pan, Hao, and Wang.

Four students selected to display their art at ArtNow in the New Museum Los Gatos

Emma Fung, Skyler Mao, and Zack Zhang
March 14, 2024
Percentage comparisons for drop numbers of math levels in SHS between 2017-18 and 2022-23.

Unprepared students suffer comprehension gaps after skipping math levels

Skyler Mao and Andy Zhu
February 8, 2024
The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes 300 promising young scientists every year.

Regeneron STS recognizes 3 seniors for their outstanding research

Skyler Mao and Lawson Wang
January 25, 2024
New Year’s Resolutions are useless — it’s better to reject them

New Year’s Resolutions are useless — it’s better to reject them

Skyler Mao
January 25, 2024
This graph from the study “Intensity and frequency of extreme novel epidemics” by Marani et al. in 2021 plots past disease outbreaks. The x-axis represents the number of deaths in millions per year, and the y-axis represents the probability another outbreak will exceed this deadliness.

COVID-19 has shown how unprepared we are for the next pandemic

Skyler Mao
January 17, 2024
Despite cheating concerns, many teachers remain optimistic about use of AI in classrooms

Despite cheating concerns, many teachers remain optimistic about use of AI in classrooms

Skyler Mao
December 15, 2023
Setting up the new Wi-Fi is very tedious.

District’s new Wi-Fi system unnecessarily frustrating and complicated

Nika Svizhenko and Skyler Mao
November 14, 2023
Young children are always hooked on their iPads, refusing to leave their screens.

New ‘iPad kid’ phenomenon reflects unsettling reality of screen time addiction — and it’s time for parents to do something about it

Skyler Mao
November 6, 2023
Class of 2025 performers crowd together and cheer under a cloud of blue powder at the end of their performance.

Juniors achieve impressive Quad Day performance despite rehearsal attendance challenges

Skyler Mao
September 24, 2023
The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is a prestigious position granted to high-achieving students.

33 in the Class of 2024 announced as National Merit Semifinalists

Skyler Mao and Lawson Wang
September 20, 2023
Students do not bond over useless facts during introduction games.

100-word rant: Teachers, please stop with the introduction games

Skyler Mao
September 11, 2023
Timothy Leung outlasted 49 other competitors to win his category at the state speech tournament.

Sophomore wins speech state championship for Programmed Oral Interpretation

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
June 6, 2023
Interest rates on federal student loans have increased.

Merit scholarships are a solution for the gap in need-based aid for college costs

Skyler Mao
May 22, 2023
Sharkie, the mascot of the San Jose Sharks, came to give senior Kayla Steele her scholarship on March 1.

Senior wins scholarship from San Jose Sharks

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
May 6, 2023
Leonardo Jia goes over strategy during debate practice on April 5.

Sophomore duo steps up at recent debate tournaments

Skyler Mao
April 5, 2023
Junior Johan Amirineni warms up before practice with other juniors.

Tennis team looks to bounce back after rocky start

Neal Malhotra and Skyler Mao
April 3, 2023
Trees fall after the recent storm.

Opinion: School should enhance its storm response in preparation for the future

Skyler Mao
March 30, 2023
Senior wins New York Times award for 2022 personal narrative contest

Senior wins New York Times award for 2022 personal narrative contest

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
February 15, 2023
Students experience increased stress with current deadlines.

Teachers: Please make homework due times right before class

Skyler Mao
February 9, 2023
Speech competitors (left to right) Cameron Nguyen, Kavya Patel, Anamika Anand, Naina Tallak, Kinnera Potluri, Timothy Leung and Anagha Vitaldevara meet up after a Coast Forensic League speech tournament.

Speech and debate transitions back to in-person setting

Skyler Mao
December 8, 2022
Chang received the NSPA honorable mention award for her impactful journalism portfolio.

Falcon editor wins honorable mention for NSPA Writer of the Year award

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
December 6, 2022
The 2022 Fall Finals Schedule is now available for students.

School releases fall finals schedule

Skyler Mao
December 3, 2022
Taking notes is a difficult yet necessary task.

Good note-taking strategies improve study efficiency

Skyler Mao
November 30, 2022
Locations of the ALPR cameras in Saratoga.

Saratoga’s license plate readers do more harm than good — they should be discontinued

Skyler Mao
November 9, 2022
Students struggle to find a place to stay during tutorial.

Library’s discarded 75-student limit promoted a positive learning environment — and should return

Skyler Mao
October 25, 2022
Blue group coach Victoria Hu lectures students at Redwood’s library during TJMC’s weekly meetings.

Subtracting longtime math club adviser adds up to more work for parents and students

Skyler Mao
October 18, 2022
Senior Merriam Labban walks down her runway.

Senior takes design and fashion passion to next level at modeling show

Mitchell Chen and Skyler Mao
September 24, 2022

New CBI teacher teaches vital skills to students

Skyler Mao and Annie Liu
September 24, 2022
Personal devices are more efficient than shared school devices.

Bring Your Own Device policy has many upsides

Skyler Mao
September 24, 2022
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