Meet Our Students & Staff

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
For sure the opportunity to be a part of this vibrant and spirit lifting community, and a chance to help our wonderful teachers and students.

What was your 1st job?
During my college years I was working as a draftsman in the Cultural Monument Protection Institute in my home town Novi Sad, Serbia, Europe. That was very rewarding experience since I had an access to many old buildings and people who lived there for generations. So, besides collecting all necessary measurements, I heard a lot of interesting stories regarding those buildings and city in general.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
There is no boring task or project – always strive to find a joy in an effort to make improvements on the way of perfecting the process.

What is something we might not know about you?
I like to spend time in the kitchen baking cakes and desserts for my friends.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I feel very lucky to work with such wonderful teachers who always support each other. Along with being hardworking educators, they also truly care about helping their students become respectful, honest, and resilient individuals. Being part of a team that values both learning and character makes me proud to be a Falcon.

What was your 1st job?
My first job was as an electrical engineer, specialized in ASIC design for communication systems. It helped me build a strong foundation in problem solving and teamwork.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Never stop learning and always do your best in everything you do.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon due to the academically proficient and accepting community that this school has fostered.

Who is your hero or inspiration?
Neil Armstrong

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I'm starting Defensive Tackle for our school's Varsity Football team, ranked 4th in tackles per game. I'm an active member in our school's theatre community; currently Community Outreach for the Drama Club and planning on auditioning for the musical Urinetown. I'm also going to be directing and producing my own production scheduled for February 27-28 (be there or be square!). I've been an Eagle Scout for 4 years after creating a new map of Downtown Saratoga (which is still up to this day) for my Eagle Project. I also enjoy stargazing and long walks on the beach. My favorite constellation is Scorpius.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself looking out at the Earth through the cockpit of a rocket ship as I travel to a world beyond our own.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
SHS is the most inclusive and welcoming place I've ever worked. From students to staff, admin to parents, everyone supports and encourages each other. I think it's our greatest strength and I'm proud to be a part of it.

What was your 1st job?
I started working at age 15. I worked on a grounds crew for the Hearst family. I mowed lawns, weeded, cleaned pools, and did general maintenance. I also worked in the kitchen washing dishes for the family chef.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Life can get pretty challenging at times. Don't stress or put energy into things that are out of your control. Instead, focus on what you can control or influence in response to those things, and just do your best.

What is something we might not know about you?
I come from a family of educators. My mom retired after 30 years as an elementary/middle school aide. My grandfather, his brother, and both of their parents, were all teachers on Maui.

Takako Hasegawa is the heartbeat of the Saratoga High School Music Department. For more than three decades, Mrs. Hasegawa has given selflessly of her time, care, and talents to support our students, staff, and community. What began as volunteer work while improving her English soon grew into a lifelong commitment to our schools, and since 2009 she has served as an indispensable classified staff member. Her dedication behind the scenes - whether organizing rehearsals, managing instruments, or caring for students on international tours - has made her the backbone of the music program.

Takako’s impact goes far beyond logistics. She is known for the extraordinary care she shows students, often working late into the night to ensure their well-being on trips, and always making sure every need is met with kindness and humor. Her ability to orchestrate field trips for hundreds of students across the world, while treating each child as her own, is nothing short of remarkable. Every other school that encounters her wishes they had “a Takako,” but we are the lucky ones. She embodies hospitality, resilience, and selflessness, serving as a friend not only to students and staff, but also to parents and visiting music programs alike.

Simply put, the Saratoga High School Music Department could not function without Takako. From maintaining hundreds of instruments, to coordinating international tours, to building relationships across the globe, she does it all - and more - with humility and grace. Her work ethic, compassion, and unwavering support are a model for the kind of people we hope all of our students become.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
I am proud to be an SHS Falcon because of my friends and classmates. Everyone is so hardworking and ambitious within their own niche, and no one hesitates to be friendly or provide support for their peers.

Do you have any hobbies/extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
Outside of school, I love to do art! I enjoy doodling and sketching, as well as painting and creating digital art. I often enter my art into competitions, and have won a national medal in Scholastic Art Awards. I also help create public art for several cities, such as designing a street banner in Los Gatos Downtown or making posters for the county. Outside of managing several school clubs and organizing additional events for those clubs, I further exercise leadership by serving as the co-president of the Saratoga Library Teen Advisory Board.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to have completed my higher education and find an occupation that combines engineering with art and design. I would like to continue making art recreationally, and hope to join more communities and make more personal connections through art. I plan to continue learning and growing via reading books, meeting new people, and expanding my interests.

What makes you proud to be a SHS Falcon?
Our students never cease to amaze me. We have talented musicians, artists, sports players, mathematicians, engineers, and more! They are also the kindest humans, and it warms my heart when I see a student offering to sit with someone who’s found themselves alone, or to help another learn a difficult concept. Our students are incredible, and our staff is just as great!

Our administrators are so supportive- they make sure we have the resources we need and go out of their way to get us what’s needed- even if it means driving 20 minutes to and from Costco to pick up a lost pizza order for our freshmen class. They lead by example in helping others, and have truly cultivated a supportive, nurturing environment on our campus. Teachers at SHS take teaching to the next level- they are dedicated to the learning process and go the extra mile to make sure students understand the concepts they present. They truly care about their students and want them to succeed—not only in academics, but in finding balance in life as well. Our classified staff are just as great- they work so hard and support us all from behind the scenes with smiles on their faces and a positive attitude. I feel so fortunate to get to work in such a wonderful community.

What was your 1st job?
I worked as a gymnastics instructor and ran gymnastics camps at a tiny gymnastics studio in Felton, CA.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Always be kind- you never know the battles someone else might be facing.

What is something we might not know about you?
I was a gymnast until I was about 20 years old, and while I no longer feel confident flipping in the air, I can still hold a headstand for close to a minute!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon? 
I have been a Falcon since 1994! I am proud to call this place home :)

What was your 1st job? 
I worked at Kid in A Candystore in downtown Los Gatos

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
If someone can't change something about themselves in 30 seconds or less you shouldn't be mentioning it (this is something I learned for educators that I tell my student and my own kids).

What's something we might not know about you? 
I was the Showcase Showdown winner on the Price is Right!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
The amazing community that supports me here at Saratoga High School.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My family

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I love to help animals in need, setting up food and shelter for the animals in my backyard. I also love to spend time with family and friends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I never have an answer for this because I believe my path in life will change with the given circumstances. But I would love to work for team USA for swimming since I am an athlete of the USA National Junior Team now. Something that will help swimmers become a better person like the staff are helping us on the team today. 

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon because of the community at Toga. I am lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of students and staff that continuously inspire me to be better while embracing my authentic self.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My inspiration is for sure my mom; she helps me and supports me through everything I do and is the reason I am standing here today (for more reasons than one).

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
My most passionate extracurricular is Speech and Debate! For me, there's no greater fulfillment than using my voice to help others find theirs, whether that's in round, in front of the school, or even fostering this passion in other students as a coach. I've also joined the musical this semester which has been super fun—buy your tickets for "The Little Mermaid!"

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself making a difference in the world in a way that makes sense to me. I'm not sure what that looks like yet, but that's okay! I know wherever I go, I'll be supported by the wonderful community I've met here at Toga and beyond.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I absolutely love the sense of community at SHS! The staff shares a strong camaraderie, and everyone truly cares about the students—not only their academic achievements but also their growth as individuals. I also admire how dedicated the students are to becoming global citizens who make a positive impact on the world.

What was your 1st job?
Lifeguard at a waterpark

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
My high school Latin teacher had a sign in her classroom that read "forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit” which translates to “perhaps someday it will be pleasing to remember even these things.” It’s a powerful reminder that, even in moments of hardship, time and perspective can transform difficult experiences into meaningful ones. I try to carry that same lesson forward, sharing it with my students to help them see the potential for growth in every experience.

What's something we might not know about you?
I drink a lot of tea and have a bit of a passion for collecting mugs in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I’m proud to be part of our huge music program that gives me so many great opportunities like traveling with the orchestra to giving me access to great out of school programs. I’m proud that our school has a lot of academic rigor but at the same time people are kind to each other and help one another out. I love the SHS athletics. Going from redwood middle school to SHS, I have noticed there are so much more school sports. During the field hockey season I loved taking part in the school tradition of decorating the bleachers and setting up extensive gift baskets for the seniors and dressing up for the senior night theme.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
I have many heroes. My hebrew teacher is tri lingual. she is always kind, bringing snacks and smiles to everyone. My second source of inspiration is Patricia Miranda, who wrestled in the Olympics when it wasn’t very common for girls to wrestle. She graduated from SHS as well :) My third source of inspiration is my dad, who wrestled for Stanford. He encourages me and trains me every day. He helps me condition with sprints and wrestling technique and coordinates with his Stanford wrestling friends so I can go to other practices when I am not going to Saratoga’s. He pushes me to try my best without overdoing it and comes to all of my tournaments and duel meets to cheer me on and coach me.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school? 
I play viola for orchestra but love doing it outside of school in summer programs, trying out for different ensembles, and playing duets for Tri-M with my friend Cece. I love to run and played field hockey for Saratoga and on Saturdays and sundays in Lightning field hockey. I love sports in general! Currently, I am wrestling and love practicing with my dad outside of Saratoga and will continue to wrestle in a club after the school season ends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I am hoping to work as some sort of doctor because my mom is an orthopedic surgeon and my dad is a emergency medicine doctor. I might want to be a trainer or a nurse paramedic. I would like to continue viola like teaching on the side. I also really want to continue sports in college!

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
The students and staff are always positive and helpful to others. I’ve had students help me clean and come to me to thank me for all I’ve done especially in the music department. The students and staff always give me a positive attitude everyday and that motivates me to work harder and help any way I can. 

What was your 1st job?
My first job was working in concessions at the cinemark theaters in Mountain View, CA 

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Be respectful, be kind to others, help others and show initiative. Work hard to accomplish any goals in life and you will see hard work does pay off. 

What's something we might not know about you?
My main hobby is gardening. I’m always working on the weekends on my backyard and every month I add a new plants or fruit trees to my backyard. My main thing is planting exotic fruit trees and I’ve been planting them all around my backyard yard fence. My wife calls it a jungle. 

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be part of the family that has been built within the music program here at SHS. It has given me a place to grow as a performer and a person and I take great pride to be a Falcon in this program.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
My parents

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
I marched in Drum Corps International (marching band over the summer) with the Blue Devils B in 2022 and 2023 and the Blue Devils in 2024 where I have put in over 3000 hours in the past 3 years. I was the Mellophone section leader in the 2023 Blue Devils B as well as a soloist and I received the MVP visual award and the MVP music award that season. I was the youngest member in the 2024 Blue Devils out of ~180 members. I plan to march with the Blue Devils until I age out in 2029. Outside of marching band I have done Scouts of America for over 8 years and I will receive my Eagle Scout in 2025.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Playing in a professional orchestra and teaching marching band.

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am a Saratoga High Alumna (class of 2007) so I am very proud to be back at my alma mater!

What was your 1st job?
I worked at Saratoga Bagels during my junior and senior years of high school.

What are your words of wisdom to live by?
Don't sweat the small stuff!

What's something we might not know about you?
I have twin 4 year old daughters, Rosemary and Katherine. I am also the assistant coach for the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. 

What makes you proud to be a Falcon?
I am proud to be a SHS Falcon because of the dedication our school community has to highlighting the strengths and passions of every student.

Who is your hero or inspiration? 
Both my mom and dad are my biggest inspirations because they are always by my side no matter the problem.

Do you have any hobbies/ extracurricular activities you do outside of school?
I am part of the Drama Program and spend a lot of my time acting in as many productions as possible, as well as advocating for theatre education. I am also part of the Democracy Matters Club, where we fight for youth involvement in civic duty. As the future of our nation, we believe that it is imperative for the youth to start understanding how they can change the course of our nation by speaking up about topics that matter to them.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself working as a lawyer (hopefully in politics!), as well as doing as much community theatre as possible.