NewsSHS continues grounds improvements despite budget crisis
SHS continues grounds improvements despite budget crisisReplacing decrepit water fountains, planting gardens and installing new cabinetry in the cafeteria are among the myriad of improvements the school's maintenance staff has been busy working on this year, and students around campus have taken notice. Just last month, the school installed new wooden cabinets, funded by the PTSO, in the cafeteria to replace the old trophy case, which has been moved to the gym lobby. According to plant operations supervisor Brian Moran, the main reason for this change was to increase storage space. Summer vacation brings enrichment opportunities
Summer vacation brings enrichment opportunitiesStudents and teachers will be branching out in the next few weeks as they explore new subjects and other parts of the world. As one example, junior Daryl Chang will be taking part in a prestigious internship at Stony Brook University in Long Island called Garcia MRSEC. Budget problems postponed to 2011-12
Budget problems postponed to 2011-12Next year’s budget woes may be solved, but the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) is now facing a $3 million deficit for the 2011-2012 school year. The budget deficit for 2010-11 has been solved by cutting courses and programs, implementing a salary freeze and a pay cut, withdrawing money from the reserve and instigating teacher layoffs. As a result of these changes, some class sizes such as English 9 will increase by one or two students. Freshman wins big at science fair
Freshman wins big at science fairFreshman David Zarrin wants to change the way people think about bicycles. With a first place prize in engineering from the International Science and Engineering Fair under his belt, he may very well do so. "I learned of the issues of today's bicycle through experiencing them myself as I rode my bike," Zarrin said. These problems, he said, primarily relate to limited gear ratios, no backwards pedaling capability, and inefficient gear shifts. Mohnike scripted as next year's drama teacher
Mohnike scripted as next year's drama teacherNext year will be one of change and adjustment for drama students, as current English teacher Kerry Mohnike has volunteered to teach two classes of drama after Chris Mahle, who has led the program for four years, was not retained by the school. Many students were disappointed about news of Mahle's departure, which was revealed during a drama club lunch on April 6 by assistant principal Karen Hyde. Junior Hannah Harter said the news was "very upsetting" and was surprised to hear it. OpinionDon't hate the player, hate the game
Don't hate the player, hate the gameLess than a year ago, Lloyd Blankfein was the envy of every banker on Wall Street. At a time when most banks were struggling to remain solvent, his firm Goldman Sachs had reported the largest profits in its 140 year history. Employees gleefully made down payments on yachts and Ferraris as Blankfein announced the company would dole out at least $23 billion in bonuses—or $600,000 on average per employee. Blankfein himself made more than $140 million, telling The Sunday Times that he was "doing God's work." Roethlisberger deserves to lose part of season
Roethlisberger deserves to lose part of seasonOn July 17, 2009, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexually abusing a 31-year-old woman in his hotel room in Lake Tahoe. After leading his team to multiple Super Bowl victories, Roethlisberger was one of the most heroic figures in Steelers' franchise history. Even though Roethlisberger denied the claim, his image was tarnished. He had spent all his time since trying to re-build his fan base. But that all changed on March 5 of this year. Oil spill may be bitter medicine for US oil dependence
Oil spill may be bitter medicine for US oil dependenceOil is being used all around us, from the cars we drive, to the power plants. For the appliances that have become ingrained into our daily routine. We all know the environmental downside to the consumption of oil, yet we just can't seem to stop using it. The reason for its ubiquity is simple: it is the cheapest form of energy available. Cheap, at least for Joe Six-Pack, but there lies a hidden cost, waiting to erupt, just as it did with the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Whitman unfit to lead
Whitman unfit to leadRegardless of your interest in the 2010 California gubernatorial race, chances are you've heard the name Meg Whitman in some way, shape or form within the last couple of months. Whitman, the former CEO of E-Bay, has inundated the radio and television with ads touting her credentials and encouraging voters to support her campaign for the governorship. Finals should be administered before AP tests
Finals should be administered before AP testsAt Saratoga High, the AP season at the beginning of May defines much of academic life on campus. After a long year of work, juniors, seniors and a handful of sophomores or freshmen demonstrate their knowledge during the two weeks of testing. Photo gallery Students, parents and teachers ate soup and bought student-created bowls during the Souper Bowl on Feb. 10. The event raised money for teacher Leah Aguayo's ceramics program. Personal columns For the past decade, I've been swimming two hours a day, six days a week and 11 months a year with DACA (De Anza Cupertino Aquatics) up until roughly two months ago. Am I crazy for that? Possibly. Since then, I put club swimming on the back burner for a couple of months and started practicing exclusively with the school team. It's been ... different. |
Spotlight: Football star from SHS raps its up at CalAlex "Loggy" Lagemann is not your typical Saratoga High graduate. The class of '07 grad may be a tremendous football player, playing for Cal as a wide receiver. But more unusual, Laggeman is an accomplished rapper—a feat that is unheard of for most former Falcons. Rhymes about calculators and B+'s in AP science classes are nowhere to be found on Loggy's impressive new mixtape "Up All Night." Rather, Loggy belts out snappy verses about late night parties and the effects of consuming inordinate amounts of alcohol.
Also in the Spotlight:  Seniors say bittersweet good byeIt's almost that time of year again: summer vacation. But for the class of 2010, the month of June brings with it more than just waning days of a concluding school year. Parting words Graduation is around the corner and the ceremony is all in order. According to assistant principal Karen Hyde, the ceremony will be very similar to ones held in previous years. "Nothing new under the sun," said Hyde. "But let's hope it's sunny. It's going to be nice; it's not going to rain."  Cochrum named Teacher of the YearWhen science teacher Lisa Cochrum received a call from principal Jeff Anderson at her home one night recently, she was alarmed. "Usually I only receive calls from Mr. Anderson at my home when something bad happens," Cochrum said. "I pulled up a chair and prepared myself for the worst news." The news she got was anything but bad: She had been named Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011 in the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School district. "When he said I was named Teacher of the Year, I was totally surprised," she said. .thumbnail.jpg) Boys' tennis falls to Menlo in CCS finalsWith the promise of a victory over arch-rival and undefeated Menlo hovering just a racquet's length away, the boys' tennis team fell just short amidst a perfect storm of injuries in the finals of CCS, held at the Los Gatos Courtside Club on May 14. Disaster struck the Falcons as they were leading the Knights 3-2 in the best of seven contest. As the remaining two matches both went into third sets, players John Lamble and Andrew Hsieh both began cramping badly. FeaturesHow to make your friends smile
How to make your friends smileOn a Friday afternoon, junior Chris Chung returns home from a rough day at school and decides to relax on his computer. As he logs onto Facebook, he sees a notification, and expects it to be a wall post from one of his friends. But to his surprise, it says, “Michelle Chan posted a video on your Wall.” In the video, freshmen Michelle Chan and Lynne Okada strum their ukuleles and belt out lyrics personalized just for him. As the one minute-long video comes to an end, Chris can’t help but smile at the two girls’ “spunky and energetic personalities.” So you don't have a "Bad Day" anymore Eccentric "security blankets" help bad days go away
So you don't have a "Bad Day" anymore Eccentric "security blankets" help bad days go awayWho has never had a bad day? Put your hand up. No, put your hands down and don't lie. Everyone has had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong, the world has turned upside down and there's no end in sight. When that happens, all you can do is hope you can go home so that you can curl up into a little ball and cry yourself to sleep. How to adjust to SHS
How to adjust to SHSAs almost any freshman will tell you, high school is a daunting experience. Fresh out of middle school they are suddenly faced with a new campus, new classes, new teachers, new people and shockingly, grades that matter. Even though it is a frightening transition, most incoming students are fortunate enough to bring their old friends along, giving them a support network to survive the first few brutal weeks. Imagine being a student without that support system, thrust into a new environment but with the added burden of not knowing anybody there. For quite a few students, this was the harsh reality. Local beaches provide relaxation for students
Local beaches provide relaxation for studentsAs summer draws near, the sun, sand and waves of the beach beckon to students in need of relaxation. Although the beaches of the Bay Area are not as glamorous as those in southern California, there are several local beaches that are less than an hour away from Saratoga and can satisfy the needs of stressed students. Talent + Youtube account = stardom
Talent + Youtube account = stardom"And I was like baby, baby, baby ohhh, like baby, baby, baby noo, like baby, baby, baby ohh, I thought you'd always be mine, mine." This over-played jingle stuck in many teenage girls' heads is sung by Justin Bieber, the squeaky-clean 16-year-old Canadian sensation. After being discovered on YouTube and signing a deal with Usher, Bieber rapidly rose to become an international phenomenon. He released his first single "One Time" in 2009, and soon enough, many people worldwide found themselves diagnosed with the contagious "Bieber Fever." SportsSenior pitcher recruited by Willamette University
Senior pitcher recruited by Willamette UniversitySenior pitcher Blake Paisley will graduate in June, but he doesn’t plan on leaving his baseball career behind. Paisley plans to play for Willamette University in Salem, Ore. “I really like the coach up there since he knows a lot about baseball,” said Paisley. “I am also getting a 40 percent scholarship, which is always good.” Swimmers earn third consecutive top 5 finish in CCS
Swimmers earn third consecutive top 5 finish in CCSComing off a momentous season, the boys' swim team made its mark again by earning a third consecutive top-five finish, placing fifth place and emerging as the top public school at the CCS finals meet on May 21 at Santa Clara International Swim Center. Bellarmine won its 26th consecutive title. Girls Lacrosse still improving as second-year team
Girls Lacrosse still improving as second-year team1.Season Record: 4-12-0 2. Highlight: "Bonding I'll never forget that, it's always crazy and fun. Our best game was Harker because it felt great to win, but I also really liked the game against Leland even though we lost in overtime because everyone put 100 percent into it and more," said Jodi Huang Toga girls make waves at CCS
Toga girls make waves at CCSSaratoga Girls dominated CCS this year coming in at sixth place. Seniors Megan Nolet, Elizabeth Murray and Laurnen Opatrny all gave stunning performances in their last meet of their high school career. Despite set backs in which a confusing meet schedual caused missed races, the Falcons went on to achieve best times in CCS Finals. Lauren Opatrny achieved 56.10 in her 100 yard backstroke, placing second in finals. Girls' Swimming Season Recap: Swimming ends solid season ranked 6th in CCS
Girls' Swimming Season Recap: Swimming ends solid season ranked 6th in CCS1. Season Record: 3-3 2. Highlight of the Season: At CCS, the Toga girls ranked 6th overall. Lauren Opatrny, Natalie Cheung, Elizabeth Murray and Megan Nolet swam the 200 Medley Relay and placed third. The 400 Free Relay swum by the four seniors Christine La, Elizabeth Murray, Megan Nolet and Lauren Opatrny placed fifth. Saratoga High TVSHS TV Saratoga High TV
Posted on 5/17/2010 1:45 PM by by Talia Sisco and Nicole Shadman |
