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
Skyler Mao

Skyler Mao, School Scope Editor

All content by Skyler Mao
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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