The Student News Site of Saratoga High School

The Saratoga Falcon
Masked students cheer during a basketball game against Los Gatos High in 2022 — the first year after lockdown.
5 years since COVID-19: Students and teachers reflect on the pandemic
March 13, 2025
Principal double bassist senior Ian Kim, music directors Michael Boitz and Jason Shiuan and interim orchestra director Joni Swenson rehearse with the Saratoga Strings on Feb. 24.
Orchestra prepares to make a historic debut at national conference in Atlanta later this month
March 13, 2025
Team poses for a photo, from left to right: adviser science teacher Kathy Nakamatsu, team members Warren Chee, Max Rombakh, Skyler Mao, Ethan Pan, Alex Ge, and club member Edward Chee, who came to show support
Science Bowl team finishes fifth at regionals, falls short of qualifying for the national competition
March 13, 2025
he honorees pose with the board at the first Roaring & Soaring Board Recognition on Jan. 14.
New superintendent implements Roaring & Soaring recognition program
March 13, 2025
Sophomore Claire Jung’s award winning self portraits, "A Window's Light" (left) and "The Walk" (right).
25 students recognized in 2025 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
March 13, 2025
SZA released a teaser for her new album on December 9, 2024.
SZA’s latest album hits all the right notes
March 14, 2025
The movie covers a budding romance between a star quarterback and cheerleader.
Don’t sideline ‘Sidelined: The QB and Me’ on your next movie night
March 13, 2025
The cast and crew of “Anora” took the stage at the Oscars after winning “Best Picture.”
‘Anora’ and ‘The Brutalist’ win big at the Oscars, but did the voters get it right?
March 13, 2025
The film had a standout performance from Fernanda Torres as struggling mother Eunice Paiva.
If you’re watching the brilliant ‘I’m Still Here,’ make sure to grab some tissues
March 13, 2025
Kanopy, founded in 2008, is my go-to source for finding hidden gems in the movie world.
Forget about Netflix — Kanopy is the perfect streaming service for moviegoers
March 13, 2025
Volunteers from the Kyle J Taylor Foundation conduct a heart screening for high school student athletes.
District now requires heart screening for all athletes
March 14, 2025
During the Senior Night game against MacDonald at home, senior Urvi Iyer gestures for a screen from senior Riley Adler.
Girls’ basketball team reflects on going to CCS for the first time in 5 years
March 14, 2025
Freshman Aakarsh Ekollu attempting a net shot
Badminton: Two nationally ranked freshmen are key to rebuilding effort
March 13, 2025
Junior Sophia Farone lines up for a face-off in last season’s match against Los Gatos.
Girls’ lacrosse ready to make strides after victory in first pre-season scrimmage
March 11, 2025
Top NBA draft prospect Cooper Flagg has been a vital part of Duke’s success as the team is projected to secure a No. 1 seed.
Our top four college basketball teams ahead of March Madness
March 8, 2025
West Valley College, on Fruitvale Avenue, is just one of the highly ranked community colleges in the area.
Community college isn’t just an alternative, it’s a logical option
March 8, 2025
Last year’s prom held on a yacht on May 18
Because of this year’s early prom, attendance may go down significantly
March 8, 2025
The rugby competition show has drastically changed my view of sports.
100-word rave: Rugby is the ultimate sport
March 8, 2025
A point of contact I definitely did not need.
100-word rant: Please don’t shake my hand
March 6, 2025
A mislaid sock here and there isn’t the worst thing.
100-word rant: Untidy bedrooms get too much hate
March 6, 2025
TikTok refugees parachute from a plane into a Rednote truck.
The collective migration to Rednote in response to the short-lived TikTok ban reveals underlying American sinophobia
March 14, 2025
The scenic ride to my downfall.
Revisiting skiing over February break was my greatest mistake
March 14, 2025
The comforting environment inside the new Phin Cafe.
Local Vietnamese coffee shop Phin Cafe provides comforting specialties
March 13, 2025
A plethora of email sign-offs.
Top 10: email sign-offs
March 11, 2025
The LEGO Millenium Falcon, one of the best sets of all time.
Top 10 LEGO Sets
March 9, 2025

The Saratoga Falcon

The Saratoga Falcon

Skyler Mao, School Scope Editor

All content by Skyler Mao
Team poses for a photo, from left to right: adviser science teacher Kathy Nakamatsu, team members Warren Chee, Max Rombakh, Skyler Mao, Ethan Pan, Alex Ge, and club member Edward Chee, who came to show support

Photo or Graphic for: Science Bowl team finishes fifth at regionals, falls short of qualifying for the national competition

Ariia Blanco
March 13, 2025
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 28, 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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