In its most recently distributed “Best High Schools of America” list in December, U.S. News and World Report ranked Saratoga High as the 93rd best school among a list that includes charter and magnet schools in the U.S. and 30th among open enrollment schools (meaning regular public schools that accept all students within their boundaries).

While typical students may want to hang out at the mall or go to the movies, horseback riding with friends at Garrod Farms provides a more unique and unusual experience that, for those daring enough to give it a go, will create lifelong memories.

Located only three miles from SHS in the Saratoga foothills, Garrod Farms offers over 23 miles of trails that are located on both Garrod Farms' property and the Fremont Older Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve. The trails are at an elevation of over 1,000 feet and therefore overlook the entire Silicon Valley as well as San Francisco Bay.

As soon as you explore the Planet Granite rock climbing gym in Sunnyvale, the massive facility really does feel out of this world. Not only are there climbing walls in every direction, there is a complete weight training area with rows of treadmills and elliptical machines and a large outside area with more climbing. Planet Granite is a great place for a full-body workout, a fun activity with friends, and relaxing yoga.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community has always been underrepresented and discriminated against, but the recent appointment of Amanda Simpson to the post of Senior Technical Advisor to the Commerce Department is definitely a step forward for the LGBT community.

Simpson was originally a male but she eventually transitioned to female in 2000.

Obama's appointment of Simpson was originally viewed as a political move to increase his support—even Simpson herself expressed her fear of being labeled a "token."

When many people hear the words "community service," they usually think of felons in orange vests picking up trash on the side of a highway as a form of punishment to compensate for a crime that they had committed. But here at Saratoga High, the words community service have a different meaning as most students believe that the more extra service they perform, the more appealing they will become to colleges.

“Get moving, senior!” said physical education teacher Yuko Aoki.

I hustled down the track—fists clenched and heart pounding—before my mind did a double-take, and I realized that, once again, my name at birth had been one-upped. Jokes and references aside, I’ll make it known here: I am a senior enrolled in physical education.

Senior Ally Doles strolled out of the AP Environmental Science classroom toward the quad. Over her shoulder she slung a white garbage bag filled with empty Doritos bags, wrinkled wrapping paper and folded gum wrappers. Many heads turned and shot her inquisitive looks, wondering if she had become a walking trashcan.

Steve Chang partakes in nearly every activity one would expect of a 17-year-old with the exception of one—high school.

No, Chang is not a high school dropout, nor is he an early graduate. While many of his former classmates roam the halls of Saratoga High as seniors, Chang takes classes at West Valley Community College as part of their Middle College program.

This branch of schooling deviates from the typical path students follow to higher education but offers several attractive benefits.

Audience members came away feeling the holiday spirit after attending the winter concerts by the orchestra and symphonic band on Dec. 9-10. The Dec. 9 concert featured the orchestra and wind ensemble, and the Dec. 10 concert featured jazz band and concert band.

"I think the concert ran pretty smoothly and the audience really enjoyed the surprise skit," sophomore violist Carolynn Choi said. "I feel that the last concert from the previous year had more energy than the one this year, but I still had a lot fun and really felt the holiday spirit."

With each year of high school, students seem to find it harder to manage academics, sports, extra-curricular activities and a social life, leading many seniors to look back fondly on earlier—and easier—days when they were freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

The choir department is at their busiest time of year when they encounter most of their events. In the course of three months, they will have more than six competitions and performances.

All of the choir students recently attended an overnight trip to San Francisco on Dec. 17 where they watched the musical “Wicked” and caroled at three major hotels.

“I thought the trip was a lot of fun; it was a chance for the choir to just have a break and hang out with all of the other choir members as well as have an early start to Christmas break,” said junior Cid Diaz.

After graduating Saratoga High in 2007, aMichael Nguyen, a junior at UC San Diego studying human development, decided to go to around Tanzania last fall to teach HIV/AIDS awareness through One Heart Source, a program that helps house orphans in Africa.

Nguyen felt that it was an opportunity he would not want to miss.