May 24, 2023 by Elijah N’dolo (‘24) On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Benjamin Martin, an African American teenager, was fatally shot in an Orlando suburb by George Zimmerman, a Hispanic American civilian. Despite public outrage, 17 months later, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges. But following the immense media attention the incident garnered, a social […]
Local News: A Brief History of Saratoga BLM Read More »
May 24, 2023 by Darren Pasek (‘25) On May 16th over 5400 people came out to vote on who they wished to represent the community on the School Board of Education (BOE). There were two blocks of candidates, though voters could select any three individuals on the ballot. One block was composed of Joe Sabanos
BOE Results: Emeka, Braxton, and Krackeler Secure Seats Read More »
May 10, 2023 by Darren Pasek (‘25) The Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) school board is made up of seven seats, with three openings for this year’s election cycle. There are five candidates, two of whom are already on the board: Tony Krackeler and Anjeanette Emeka. The Lightning Rod sent a survey to each
Meet the Candidates: The Lightning Rod’s Guide to BOE Elections Read More »
May 10, 2023 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26) The Student Council for the 2023-2024 school year has now been voted for and its members are all anxious to make a change to our school. Whether it be by increasing school spirit, spreading kindness and understanding towards others, or by strengthening the communication between our administration and
Meet Your 2023-2024 STUCO and Class Officers Read More »
May 10, 2023 by Maggie Trautner (‘25) On the night of April 15, twenty-year-old Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed after driving up the wrong driveway. Her car contained three other people, one of whom was Gillis’ boyfriend, Blake Walsh (19), and was accompanied by a second car and a motorcycle. Around 10 p.m., Gillis
May 10, 2023 by Elijah N’dolo (‘24) In the weeks following the killing of six people in the mass shooting of a Christian private school in Nashville, Kentucky, on March 27, hundreds of police departments across the country received anonymous calls in which human or automated voices claimed that an active shooting was taking place
How School Safety Handles a “Swatting” Call: An Inside Look With Officer Barrett Read More »
April 26, 2023 by Elijah N’dolo (’24) On Saturday, April 29th, the environmental preservation organization Sustainable Saratoga will host its annual “Tree Toga” event starting at Pitney Meadows Farm. Over the course of the day, more than one hundred volunteers will disperse throughout Saratoga Springs to plant trees in the yards of 38 “tree hosts.”
Sowing the Seeds of Community: Sustainable Saratoga’s April 29 “Tree Toga” Event Read More »
April 26, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (’23) On Wednesday, April 19, Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) hosted its first of three “No Place for Hate” events. The assembly, part of an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) program to improve inclusion, equity, and allyship in schools, included testimonies about experiences of exclusion and inclusion in the SSCSD, and
March 27, 2023 by Francisca Schmalz (‘24) March 27, 2023 photos by Sorell McIntire (‘25) Mamma Mia!, the musical inspired by Abba’s phenomenal and enduring hits, came to Saratoga Springs High School from March 16 through 18. Originating in London’s West End in 1999, then going onto Broadway in 2001, and eventually being adapted into
Review: They Can Dance, They Can Jive–SSHS Drama Club Stuns in Mamma Mia! Read More »
March 27, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (‘23) In February, all Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) students and families received an email from Principal Michelle Tsao entitled “Vape Detectors @ SSHS” announcing the school’s newest vaping prevention initiative. By March, some students say they have already discovered how to avoid and evade detection. “To be honest,
February 27, 2023 by Maggie Trautner (’25) On February 3, a Northfolk Southern train traveling through East Palestine Ohio derailed. This already tragic accident turned closer to catastrophic with the presence of toxic and harmful chemicals in 11 out of approximately 50 cars involved in the accident. Chemicals spilled from the derailed trains–such as vinyl
National News: Ohio’s Train Derailment Disaster Read More »
February 6, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (’23) In Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS)’s class of 2022, a mere 10% of students were non-white. In recent years conversation around the Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD)’s attempts to support those non-white and underrepresented student groups has grown alongside a national debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion
SRO Debate Prompts Conversation Over Racism in Saratoga Read More »
February 6, 2023 by Eliza Krackeler (’24) For the Toga students who live and breathe trivia, the recent North Country Quizbowl (NCQB) at Queensbury High was the optimal place to show off their knowledge and mental stamina. The Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) Academic Team competed in this tournament last month at Queensbury High School
Saratoga’s Academic Team Brings Home Victory in North Country Quizbowl Read More »
February 6, 2023 by Eliza Krackeler (’24) The sense of isolation is well known to the Saratoga community thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. This feeling is not, however, exclusive to the time in quarantine. Many Saratoga Springs High SChool students struggle with handling their emotional and/or physical situations, but fall short of finding an outlet
Rebuilding Community: SSHS’ Ally Program Read More »
January 17, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (’23) Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) Latin students’ love of their program can be summed up in one simple phrase: “Sumus Famila.” It’s the program’s unofficial motto, and it translates to “we are family.” “We’re all so close,” said senior Meghan Fairley, “we all feel like we are a
Rome Hath Fallen Again: SSHS Cuts Latin Program Read More »
January 17, 2023 by Ciara Meyer (’23) At the January 10 Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) Board of Education (BOE) meeting, the Board approved the addition of two School Resource Officers (SROs) to elementary schools in a 5-4 vote. The decision comes after months of contentious debate over police presence on SSCSD campuses, which
BOE Approves Additional SROs for Elementary Schools Read More »
