The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
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
The front page cover for the Winter Soundings issue.
Soundings publishes winter issue after receiving over 30 submissions
February 9, 2025
Trustee Misty Davies voiced her firm belief in Rocha’s leadership during the Jan. 14th board meeting.
With community support, board appoints Heath Rocha as permanent superintendent
February 7, 2025
Students pack survival kits during the MLK Day of Service hosted by the IFA club.
Inspiring Future America explores different careers with guest speakers
February 7, 2025
The school, which opened in 1959, now has thousands of alumni from over six decades; some will be among those inducted into an SHS Hall of Fame next fall.
Inaugural SHS Hall of Fame to be launched in October
February 6, 2025
Cellists Aryan Shrivastava, Mridhula Vudali and Katherine Zeng run along a route to Saratoga downtown.
Cellists preserve team-bonding tradition with the Accellorundo
February 11, 2025
Members of the prosecution and defense team pose for a photo after winning their rounds.
Mock Trial reaches quarterfinals at Santa Clara County Tournament in best performance in years
February 9, 2025
Bruce Wayne is in fact, not a brooding loner unlike what many believe
Hoping for the revival of Robin with ‘Batman: Brave and the Bold’
February 9, 2025
‘Squid Game 2’: Promising season falls short
‘Squid Game 2’: Promising season falls short
February 7, 2025
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
February 7, 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
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
February 7, 2025
Vera and Emma Fung posing with their schools.
Twin sisters commit to fencing at Wellesley and Brown
February 7, 2025
Both Williams twins play varsity field hockey at SHS, with Emma on the offensive lineup and Evelyn on the defensive.
Sophomore twin sisters share close bond over sports
February 7, 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
Flags that can be posted by any user, known as “community notes” on X, will now be used on Meta’s platforms.
Meta, caving to Trump, severs ties with independent fact-checkers
February 9, 2025
All the different deadlines confuse me.
The college application process is messier than it needs to be
February 7, 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
Balatro’s cover image.
Why ’Balatro’ stands out as one of the best video games of all time
February 12, 2025
Our food spread, featuring Mendocino’s baby blue paper bag.
Mendocino Farms: great sandwiches, challenging wait times
February 11, 2025
My sister and I eating ice cream and relaxing on the pool deck after our treacherous adventure.
My ideal Groundhog Day: Dec. 22, 2018
February 7, 2025
Taking a Buzzfeed quiz for my new year’s resolution.
What horoscope quizzes tell me about the year ahead
February 7, 2025
Couples yoga is another way to become closer to a significant other.
Stretch together, grow together: the benefits of couples yoga
February 6, 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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