The 40 students who took the Leadership class up on its offer of a lunch from In-n-Out last month received a delicious burger without even having to rush off-campus and speed to make it back in time.

Saratoga alumnus, Harvard graduate and Facebook executive Andrew Bosworth told Leadership students about his journey from being a student at Saratoga High to becoming the director of engineering at Facebook.

A group of 10 Leadership students, led by senior Akash Kar, has decided to monitor, minimize and eliminate bullying by having interactive discussions during classes.

It’s Tuesday at lunch. Groups of upperclassmen sit around the staff lounge as assistant principal Karen Hyde drifts around, speaking with some of the 23 or so students. The topics range from anti-bullying approaches to updates about business or other leaders coming to speak on campus.

“Loser.” “Geek.” “Stupid.” The girl on the projector screen wore a bored expression as she slandered her classmate. As the scene faded to black, some words flashed: “If you wouldn’t say it in person, why say it online?”

Within just a few years of learning how to walk, freshman Tivoli Sisco was already throwing a softball around the yard.

Many a time, students at Saratoga High dismiss leadership opportunities in favor of a rigorous academic schedule and numerous other extracurricular activities. However, participating in class office, as these three alumni testify, bolsters a student’s high school experience and is truly rewarding later in life.

No matter how many academic courses a student takes during his or her high school years, perhaps the most valuable lessons are taught not in textbooks but by experience. Students who participate in student government positions gain valuable leadership skills that invariably benefit them in the future.

The winter holidays aren't only about Christmas.

That's the message the leadership class is trying to convey this month with numerous posters around campus about other winter holidays such as Boxing Day, St. Stephen's Day, Las Posadas, La Befana, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

"[This project] was a joint effort of several clubs, including Italian Club, Spanish Club, Diversity Task Force and Multicultural Club," said senior Rebecca Amato. "We just wanted to create more awareness about other holidays and encourage people to celebrate other holidays in addition to Christmas."