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 Tara Natarajan
The five contestants (left to right) — Derek Liang, Anika Kapasi, Beverly Xu, Kathy Wang and Tara Natarjan — line up behind their boards.

The Charcuterie Board Beatdown: which reporter will make the breaking board?

Anika Kapasi, Derek Liang, Tara Natarajan, Kathy Wang, and Beverly Xu
February 14, 2024
My Common App essay after two months of fruitful progress.

Top 10: places where I’ve worked on my college application essays (and why you shouldn’t)

Tara Natarajan
February 4, 2024
Charlie Brown is an unexpected Christmas comfort character

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ spotlights struggles of those who just don’t mesh with the holiday

Tara Natarajan
December 7, 2023
Gym bro culture normalizes disordered eating under the guise of self-improvement

Gym bro culture normalizes disordered eating under the guise of self-improvement

Tara Natarajan
December 4, 2023

Mountain View episode underscores need for independent student journalism

Tara Natarajan and Kavya Patel
October 19, 2023
Am I really a Logician? Debriefing my personality test results 

Am I really a Logician? Debriefing my personality test results 

Tara Natarajan
October 14, 2023
A still from one of my childhood shows, “Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.” Ben, an elf, and Holly, a fairy, hang out with their friend Gaston the ladybird.

A childhood without ‘Spongebob’ allowed me to experience truly great childhood TV

Tara Natarajan
September 24, 2023
Junior Sarah Lim marks her last putt at Baylands during the team's second match of the season on Aug. 30.

Photo or Graphic for: Early season update: Girls’ golf team banks on returning players 

Kathy Wang
September 24, 2023
Senior Lucas Dennis pitches a ball

Top senior athletes: Falcons shine in their respective sports

Victoria Lin, Tara Natarajan, and Aiden Ye
June 1, 2023
There are multiple pathways to college other than going straight after high school.

Photo or Graphic for: As colleges acceptance rates continue to decline, more students should turn to options other than 4-year universities

Neal Malhotra and Kavya Patel
May 31, 2023
Alumni players Rick Worman, Rich Orlando, Kevin Ruf, Steve Worman, Larry Worman, Kevin Tanner, Rob Orlando and Kyle Heinrich (left to right) pose with coach Benny Pierce (center) at the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl reunion game against Los Gatos on Nov. 26, 1992.

Colleagues, alumni reflect on longtime football coach’s Benny Pierce’s life and legacy

Tara Natarajan
March 15, 2023
One of my go-to workouts is Kirsten Ferguson’s popular ‘90s Walk series.

The Peloton app might be what you need to get fit

Tara Natarajan
March 13, 2023
With superscoring, students combine their best scores from each section of the SAT.

Superscoring exacerbates existing inequity in the SAT

Tara Natarajan
February 15, 2023
The leadership conference attendees pose in front of Aurora’s castle on the last day of the trip.

Leadership class travels to Anaheim and learns leadership the ‘Disney Way’

Allison Tan and Tara Natarajan
February 10, 2023
A typical BBL dress can be found on websites like PrettyLittleThing and Fashion Nova.

BBLs and beauty standards: the damaging effects of the trend cycle

Tara Natarajan
February 9, 2023
That’s a wrap for the movies of 2022.

2022 wrapup: my favorite movies of the year

Tara Natarajan
February 9, 2023
Twitter has long been toxic; why are we trying to protect it?

Twitter has long been toxic; why are we trying to protect it?

Tara Natarajan
December 8, 2022
The process of mixing the brownie batter. 

The best baking guide to making brownies from scratch (kind of)

Tara Natarajan and Kavya Patel
December 5, 2022
 Passing proposition includes the legalization of sports betting.

Photo or Graphic for: California’s propositions challenge voters with tough decisions over often obscure issues

Sarah Zhou and William Norwood
October 20, 2022
Biology teacher Anne Witkowski helps one of her students during tutorial.

Class of ‘15 alumna returns as intern to teach Biology

Derek Liang and Tara Natarajan
September 24, 2022
Nearly 50 seniors show up to the first day of Homecoming move-in.

Senior Homecoming participation increases

Allison Tan and Tara Natarajan
September 24, 2022
Duvvuri sets the ball for his teammate

Junior wins national volleyball title with his team in the 16U division

Tara Natarajan
September 21, 2022
Counselor Brad Ward leads a college application introductory presentation for seniors in the new College and Career Center on Aug. 25.

College and career counselor Brad Ward quickly settles into the school community

Tara Natarajan, Shreya Rallabandi, and Beverly Xu
September 19, 2022
Affirmative action cannot be abolished without drastic consequences

Affirmative action cannot be abolished without drastic consequences

Tara Natarajan
May 19, 2022
Seniors Sadaf Sobhani and Caroline Keogh strike a pose on the runway together.

Benefit organizers, model reflect on 2022 show

Tara Natarajan
May 19, 2022

Track: While losing meets, individuals set their own PRs

Tara Natarajan and Shaan Sridhar
April 9, 2022
Kyle Scola hits a jump off a ramp at the Northstar slopes while snowboarding.

A Tahoe life: Skier and snowboarder relish their time on the slopes

Tara Natarajan and Daniel Wu
April 9, 2022
Employees from Inspire Diagnostics wait for students at the school’s testing site

Students and staff grapple with COVID-19 infections

Sarah Thomas and Tara Natarajan
February 8, 2022
Senior Amoli Vanavadiya overtakes her competitor at a meet.

Cross-country captain reflects upon school educational experiences in India

Tara Natarajan
February 4, 2022

English teachers foster classroom community through various forms of gift exchanges

Tara Natarajan and Kavya Patel
February 4, 2022

Dutch transfer student experiences Saratoga education and school culture

Tara Natarajan
February 1, 2022
Caroline Keogh works with sandpaper letters in her Beijing Montessori elementary school

Senior reflects on education abroad compared to in Saratoga

Tara Natarajan
January 12, 2022
The ‘metaverse’ may be the internet’s next big thing, but it shouldn’t be Meta’s

The ‘metaverse’ may be the internet’s next big thing, but it shouldn’t be Meta’s

Tara Natarajan
December 2, 2021
‘Blue Banisters’: Lana Del Rey reminds us that she is still in charge of her narrative

‘Blue Banisters’: Lana Del Rey reminds us that she is still in charge of her narrative

Tara Natarajan
November 28, 2021
Five (actually good) covers of Christmas classics you should add to your 2021 winter playlist immediately

Five (actually good) covers of Christmas classics you should add to your 2021 winter playlist immediately

Tara Natarajan
November 22, 2021
The district aligned valedictorian and salutatorian GPA calculation.

District aligns GPA policies between both school sites

Tara Natarajan and Shaan Sridhar
November 18, 2021
Profane graffiti from the night of Oct. 31 scrawled across a wall at Los Gatos High School

Los Gatos community responds to vandalism incidents of spray-painted profanities and slurs

Sanjoli Gupta and Tara Natarajan
November 16, 2021
Multiethnic South Asian students recount their experiences with identity, culture and family

Multiethnic South Asian students recount their experiences with identity, culture and family

Tara Natarajan and Sarah Thomas
October 22, 2021
The Anarchists’ poster for Daveyland

MAP students dive headfirst into 19th century social and economical philosophy

Tara Natarajan and Sarah Thomas
October 21, 2021
Nicki Minaj’s vaccine-related tweets amount to a public health hazard

Nicki Minaj’s vaccine-related tweets amount to a public health hazard

Tara Natarajan
October 11, 2021
Principal’s assistant Pola-Michelle Alas to leave school for district office this month

Principal’s assistant Pola-Michelle Alas to leave school for district office this month

Tara Natarajan and Sanjoli Gupta
October 7, 2021
Halloween 2020

My first autumn in America

Tara Natarajan
October 2, 2021

New English 12 teacher splits time between SHS and LGHS

Apurva Chakravarthy and Tara Natarajan
September 13, 2021

As team rebuilds, senior golfer relishes having a more normal season

Avani Kongetira and Tara Natarajan
September 13, 2021
The singer’s supporters rally near the Los Angeles courthouse where her conservatorship case is being heard.

Conservatorships aren’t just a Britney issue — they’re a civil rights issue

Tara Natarajan
September 6, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-01-21 at 10

Weaving the fabric of pandemic communication

Tara Natarajan
January 21, 2021
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