2025 Honorees
James W. Axline - Distinguished Service Honoree
Since 2001, Jim Axline has been the backbone of countless Saratoga High School traditions. From serving as Grill Master for Pancake Breakfast to wiring up Grad Night to advocating for Saratoga sports, Jim has volunteered his time and expertise year after year to make these events possible.
Always dependable and never seeking the spotlight, Jim’s tireless service has earned him the respect and gratitude of the entire community. He is a true pillar of Saratoga High—someone whose dedication ensures that Falcon traditions continue to evolve and thrive.
Sheeba Garg - Distinguished Service Honoree
Sheeba Garg played a pivotal role in building Saratoga High’s MSET Robotics program into a nationally recognized powerhouse, with teams regularly advancing to Nationals and Worlds. Her vision, energy, and leadership helped the program overcome major challenges, including securing space for both FRC and FTC teams.
Sheeba also built a strong base of parent volunteers—many of whom continue to support the program long after their own children graduated. Her dedication has created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and empower Saratoga students to achieve at the highest levels.
Coach Ray Goni - Staff Honoree
Coach Ray Goni dedicated 31 years to Saratoga High School as a teacher, coach, and athletic director, leaving an unmatched legacy of leadership and service. He guided teams to eight CCS Championships—four in football and four in girls’ soccer—while also coaching baseball, basketball, wrestling, track & field, and more.
Known for his passion, humor, and fierce dedication, Ray impacted thousands of students and athletes, bringing out the best in everyone he coached. His name lives on in the field he helped build, the championships he inspired, and the generations of Falcons who remember him as a mentor, leader, and legend.
Jonathan Jow - Alumni Honoree (Class of 2002)
Jonathan Jow, a proud Saratoga native and alumnus, has dedicated nearly two decades to teaching and leading the music programs that once inspired him as a student. He is the most tenured current music teacher in Saratoga USD and music director at Redwood Middle School, he has been a guiding presence for Saratoga’s young musicians since 2006.
As a student, Jon was active in orchestra, choir, band, jazz, marching band, and winter guard, eventually serving as drum major and earning numerous honors including the Rowland Schwab Music Scholarship, John Philip Sousa Band Award and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. After graduating magna cum laude from UC Berkeley and receiving his music credential from San José State University, he returned to Saratoga to teach and inspire new generations.
His excellence as an educator has been recognized with awards such as Redwood Teacher of the Year, the CMEA Gilbert T. Freitas Award, and 2016 Saratoga Union School District Teacher of the Year. Now, over two-thirds of Redwood’s current student population is involved in the music program. Jon’s lifelong passion for music and teaching, combined with his dedication to the community, has made him an influential leader and mentor for countless students.
The Honorable Michelle K. Lee - Alumni Honoree (Class of 1984)
The Honorable Michelle K. Lee has led a groundbreaking career at the top levels of law, technology, and public service. She served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, becoming the first woman, first person of color, and first Asian American to lead the agency founded in 1790.
Previously, Michelle served as Deputy General Counsel at Google and its first Head of Patents and Patent Strategy and built a respected career as a technology attorney. Throughout her career, she has supported American innovation, broken break barriers, and inspired and created opportunities for all, particularly under-represented groups in the areas of technology, law and policy.
Hugh Roberts, Ph.D. and J.D. - Staff Honoree
Dr. Hugh Roberts was one of Saratoga High School’s very first teachers and a beloved educator who shaped the school’s culture and spirit. He is credited with writing the lyrics for the school’s Fight Song and Alma Mater, and his legendary SimSoc units challenged students to create their own societies—lessons that blended creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
More than anything, Hugh taught his students to question assumptions and think deeply, instilling skills that lasted a lifetime. Known for his integrity, passion, and commitment, he pushed students to reach their potential because he cared about the people they would become. His legacy as a teacher and mentor continues to live on in the generations of Saratoga students he inspired.
Señor Arnaldo Rodríguex - Staff Honoree
For 42 years, Señor Arnaldo Rodríguex was a beloved Spanish teacher and mentor at Saratoga High School, leaving an indelible mark on generations of students and colleagues. Known for bringing language and culture to life through immersive trips to Mexico and annual class excursions, he inspired a love of learning that extended far beyond the classroom.
A tireless class advisor, homecoming coordinator, mentor teacher, and champion of community service, Arnaldo shaped the spirit and traditions of Saratoga High. Even in retirement, he continues to serve as a substitute teacher, remaining deeply connected to students and staff. His legacy is one of heart, service, and dedication—truly a model of what it means to give back to a community.
Akshara Sekar - Alumni Honoree (Class of 2013)
Akshara Sekar has established herself as a rising talent in television writing and producing. She is currently a writer producer on Netflix’s Running Point, which premiered in 2025 and quickly climbed to #1 on the platform. She previously wrote for Never Have I Ever, the animated series Velma, and an upcoming Apple TV series starring Matthew McConoughey and Woody Harrelson.
A Saratoga High alumna, Akshara first discovered her passion for storytelling while writing for the school newspaper. She later honed her craft in the USC Screenwriting program before breaking into Hollywood, where she worked her way from Mindy Kaling’s assistant to an upper level writer and producer. Committed to lifting up others, she now mentors aspiring writers at USC and Saratoga High. Her career highlights the creativity, resilience, and originality it takes to thrive in one of the most competitive industries in the world.
Gene Luen Yang - Alumni Honoree (Class of 1991)
Gene Luen Yang, acclaimed author, educator, and artist, has inspired readers worldwide with his award-winning graphic novels and stories. Once a computer science teacher, Gene went on to receive the Michael L. Printz Award and multiple Eisner Awards, and he served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature through the Library of Congress. In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow.
His groundbreaking graphic novel American Born Chinese was adapted into a Disney+ series, and he has written comics for both Marvel and DC, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. Dragon Hoops, his non-fiction graphic novel about a high school basketball team, was a Printz Honor winner, Eisner Award winner, and Harvey Award winner. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics (with Gurihiru), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). Through his books, teaching, and outreach, Gene has encouraged countless young people to embrace reading, writing, and storytelling. A proud family man and father of four, he continues to balance his love of literature, art, and education with deep dedication to the next generation.