Jade Bisht

Labeling Kendrick Lamar’s most recent album “To Pimp a Butterfly” (TPAB) as confrontationally ambitious is an understatement. With aggressive lyrics and soothing jazz, the album soars above expectations, as each of the album’s 16 songs captures the soulful charisma and witty remarks of Lamar. 

This year’s opening show of Bombay in the Bay takes place Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. in the McAfee Center, which will be decorated in traditional Indian style. 

Reporters discuss their Indian culture and its place in Saratoga.

Pencils are high maintenance and bothersome. Of course, most writing utensils are — they stand in the tall shadow of life’s greatest gift: pens.

Indian Cultural Awareness Club members have been preparing for their annual show, Bombay in the Bay, which will take place in the McAfee Center on Feb. 13 and 14.

Anyone who follows our Snapchat stories is fully aware of our constant presence at Starbucks. Honestly, we spend more time sitting on their familiar couches than we do at our own respective homes.

The new insanely addictive app called Trivia Crack has officially swept teens and teachers across the nation, destroying free time and friendships.

The marching band saw the season come to an end last weekend, and again the music room’s counters overflow with trophies.

Despite the numerous hours that the rally commission puts into its scripts and skits, the administration too often disagrees with the kinds of jokes they include. It’s unfair that the rally commission is censored to the point of absurdity, smothered by a perpetually growing stream of rules and regulations.

Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of all equality to men. Irony is Miley Cyrus declaring that she is “one of the biggest feminists in the world,” post-swinging around naked on a wrecking ball and twerking against Robin Thicke in a scandalous leotard.

The marching band kicked off its season by taking home a handful of awards at the Cupertino Tournament of Bands on Oct. 11 with an ambitious new show.

Reporter reflects on the ups and downs of being biracial.

Reporter discusses impact of TV star Robin Williams's suicide.

Common App essay prompts are far from perfect. Prompts such as “Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea” and “Recount an incident when you experienced failure” are too broad. 

Saratoga and Redwood musicians came together on May 13 to participate in the Music Education with Saratoga High (MESH) program. After alumni and head of the program Michelle Won graduated, seniors Lauren Casey-Clyde and Gloria Liou took the reins in hopes of creating a show that would benefit both high school and middle school students.  

After beating Los Gatos on May 2 with a score of 12-4, the girls’ lacrosse team has secured a spot in playoffs and are currently seeded fourth in CCS.

April 19 was a night to remember as the juniors danced the night away at the Bay Club during their prom. Just as Gabriella stressed over her own prom in “High School Musical 3,” girls at school struggled to sort through the numerous items necessary to make prom memorable.

We’ve all parked our 8-year-old selves in front of the television on early Saturday mornings. This habit of waking up early to catch all the Disney and Nickelodeon classics continued through middle school as we all spent hours channel surfing and ignoring the seemingly copious amounts of homework. But these days, kids are powering off their TVs and instead turning to their desktops, laptops and phones; all this in the name of YouTube.

For starters: No, I am not obsessed with “Frozen.” Now a quick disclaimer before my friends line up at my door to refute this with my Spotify activity as evidence. Yes, I am in love with the soundtrack, but the movie itself is slightly weak in contrast to past Disney movies. Even so, the disappointment I have for the ending was not enough to heed me from shrieking upon hearing that the producers released a sing-along version of the movie.

Looking to take an AP science that isn’t as math heavy as AP Physics, concept-based as AP Chemistry or as memorization-based as AP Biology? Considering taking AP Environmental Science (APES) because you’ve heard that it’s an “easy AP”?

When history teacher Margaritta Morelle went on her maternity leave one week into the school year, Caroline Underwood, a newly credentialed teacher, stepped in to take her place. Though she received her teaching credential within the last year, Underwood started her teaching career by taking on five periods of regular U.S. History in Morelle’s absence.  

Classrooms can be mundane, cold and hostile at times. Students sit in the same position but in different spots. They stare at the same board but with different strings of some sort of “required” knowledge across the board. They fall asleep in the same position but with different neck cramps and different classmates judging them. But not in room 303.

After being turned away from the military for not passing the Pentagon’s strict body fat test, some potential troops are beginning to turn to liposuction. What’s in need of surgical correction, though, is the government’s faulty, out-of-date test. Commonly referred to as the “tape test,” the current system uses a ratio of the circumferences of the neck and waist to determine a person’s body fat percentage. The bigger a soldier’s waist, the higher the percentage and the less likely chance of passing the test.

The sound of harmonious voices ricocheted off the walls of the McAfee Center as schools from across the Bay Area came together to participate in a women’s choir exchange concert on Nov. 4.

Recently, there has been controversy surrounding the movie “Captain Phillips.” The film paints Phillips as a hero who led his crew through the terror of Somali pirates. Since the movie’s Oct. 11 release, however, anonymous crew members have come forward criticizing his poor leadership and calling the portrayal of Phillips’ character completely inaccurate. In fact, a handful of crew members are sueing Phillips for $50 million, testifying “willful, wanton and conscious disregard for their safety.”

Amid the stressful chaos of tests, projects and homework overwhelming students is the saddening news that the Indian Cultural Awareness Club’s annual Bombay in the Bay (BNB) has been moved two months earlier. The show will take place on Feb. 15 rather than on its usual weekend at the beginning of April break due to scheduling conflicts regarding the spring musical. Thinking about BNB taking place in less than five months compared to the usual seven is frightening — there are too many unnecessary conflicts to fret about in so little time.

Going home to watch YouTube videos of two grown men rant and rave about giraffe sex has never been so amusing; specifically, when one of the two is world famous author John Green. Commonly known as Vlogbrothers, Hank and John Green connect and educate their audience through their various YouTube channels. Most famous is their Vlogbrothers channel, which produces two videos a week, with topics ranging from timely worldwide problems (most recently the government shutdown) to 53 of the most terrible jokes.

The marching band opened their season with a strong beginning, performing “The Year Eternal” at the Cupertino Tournament of Bands on Oct. 12. 

Standardized tests that students have taken for years are about to change next spring: California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests and the API scores that accompany it are being eliminated in favor of a new system based on Common Core Standards. 

More than 200 members of the band department gathered on the lower field at 9 a.m. on Aug. 6 to officially kick off band camp, spending a grueling two weeks of 12-hour days reviewing marching and music basics. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., band members learned their new field show for the upcoming competition season under the sweltering heat.

The initial reaction to encountering a famous actor or singer might be to scream, hyperventilate and faint — not necessarily in that order. For science teacher Lisa Cochrum, this experience came firsthand when she was face to face with the two men who she had long idolized: the “MythBusters.”

Childhood memories include memories of us hiding friends to avoid going home and pestering older brothers to no extent. However, nothing compares to spending hours on end in front of the TV watching our favorite shows.

May 8 against Palo Alto at 14-3. After finishing in season rankings by tying with Gunn for third place, the team powered through the semi-finals by giving a last good run with their leaving seniors.

Imagine the most pain-inducing scenario possible; something that would scar you for the rest of your life, scare you into an unthinkable state of mind in which you cannot live a sane life without bursting into tears.

Bestowed upon this undeserving world in October of 2011 was the heart-clenching, breathtaking, jaw-dropping news of the impossible — a new season of “Arrested Development.” This glorious news had announced that the new season would be released in early 2013 and then was later specified to this past May 26. The painstakingly slow wait was worth it, and it is impossible to not fall out of my chair with the privilege of seeing see a fresh batch of clever and hilarious episodes.

After the team placed seventh in SCVALS on May 10, senior Hannah Johnson, who throws the shot put and discus, and Eric Ringsrud, who does the high jump, made it as far as semifinals for CCS. 

As if there isn’t enough perfection in the world — sit down for this one — Pixar has graced the world with the promise of more sequels, leading to a joyous celebration for all those who love the fantastic animated movies. 

As students get ready for a relaxing spring break, the Indian Cultural Awareness Club will put on its annual show, Bombay in the Bay on April 13. As usual, the spectacle will donate all proceeds to charities that have yet to be determined.

The girls' track team recently faced off against Milpitas in its third meet of the season on March 21. Although the team lost, senior Maya Nag placed first in both the 1600m race and 3200m race with times of 5:41.09 and 12:26.71, respectively. In addition, senior Jennifer Jin placed first in the 100m hurdles race with a time of 17.75.

As students get ready for a relaxing spring break, the Indian Cultural Awareness Club will put on its annual show, Bombay in the Bay on April 13. As usual, the spectacle will donate all proceeds to charities that have yet to be determined.

The girls' track team recently faced off against Milpitas in its third meet of the season on March 21. Although the team lost, senior Maya Nag placed first in both the 1600m race and 3200m race with times of 5:41.09 and 12:26.71, respectively. In addition, senior Jennifer Jin placed first in the 100m hurdles race with a time of 17.75.

To take or not to take Chemistry Honors. That is the most pondered question during the second semester of freshman year. Students can choose to enroll in one of the few honors classes offered for sophomore year, or decide to take the regular alternative.

The girls' track team recently faced off against Milpitas in its third meet of the season on March 21.

The girls’ lacrosse team recently won 18-5 against Leland on March 26.

Love stories have been shaped differently in various ways through movies, ranging from chick flicks to the stereotypical running through the pouring rain down an empty street in the melodramatic films. 

Love stories have been shaped differently in various ways through movies, ranging from chick flicks to the stereotypical running through the pouring rain down an empty street in the melodramatic films.

AquaBounty Technologies is “a biotechnology company dedicated to the improvement of productivity in aquaculture,” its website proclaims.

Coach: Archie Ljepava Last season's record: 2-4 Last Season's recap: The team spent much of the season dealing with injuries and adjusting to the tougher competition after moving up to Division A. Key Additions: To be determined by tryouts Star Players: Senior distance runner Maya Nag and sprinter Melodie Bellegarda Key matchups/games/meets: Milpitas, Mountain View, and Palo Alto   

Walk around the campus and it is common to see at least one student holding his or her smartphone high, aiming the camera at his or her face and making a face as he or she snap a picture. 

For the fans, the best part of a TV show is when two of the characters jump that “friend zone” border, run to each other in that sappy scene where they stare into each other’s eyes and realize they love each other. Predictable, maybe, but absolutely necessary.

Things to watch/read/listen to on Valentine's Day

Last season, the girls impressed the coach by going 9-9 were and were one win away from making CCS. It was the closest the girls had ever gotten to the playoffs in the history of the school’s program.

The week of Nov. 5 celebrated the 50th year since Interact was first created club as an international club.

The state of California recently released the 2012 Academic Performance Index (API), showing the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD)’s improving academic scores.

For seniors Hannah Johnson and Kyle Dozier, winning Homecoming king and queen is more than a walk across the football field and a convertible ride around the track.

Do you have HIV, malaria, hepatitis, the H1N1 flu virus, cancer or any possibly fatal diseases? Do their well-known statuses of being incurable frighten you? Well, look no further than MMS, or “Miracle Mineral Solution,” to solve these pesky problems. A simple swig of 28 percent sodium chlorite in distilled water will surely solve any of these “incurable”  diseases!

Having always been curious about the other side of the line, I challenged myself to do something outside of my radar: become a lunch lady for a day.

The dreadful months of praying for college acceptances from California State Universities (CSUs) may be a waste of time unless Gov. Jerry Brown’s “millionaire” tax proposal passes in the November election.