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The Falconer
The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

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Latest
Artist of the Month: Lainey Costabile
September 26, 2025

When the curtain closed on “Our...

Video: Sept. 26, 2025 Falcon Vision
September 26, 2025

In this week's episode, reporters...

Trending
1
Charlie Kirk was a right-wing political activist known for co-founding Turning Point USA. He was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.

Deride, dismiss, distort: Charlie Kirk’s legacy in a divided nation

2
School administrators pose for a picture on the course. Former Assistant Principal Robert Shockney spent his last day at the school on Friday. Left to right: Robert Shockney, Rob Coppo, Rebecca Gallow and Tracy Olander. Photo courtesy of Robert Shockney.

Former Assistant Principal Robert Shockney takes on district role

3
A student carries a Labubu keychain as they walk to class. Labubu originated as a character from Kasing Lung's series, 'The Monsters,' and were sold as Pop Mart toys beginning in 2019.

Labubu, rise of overconsumption

4
The Carmel Valley Library is a branch of the San Diego Public Library system. This location adapted to budget cuts by eliminating Sunday hours.

San Diego Public Library budget cuts change library hours

5
The University of Edinburgh, one of the various international universities that Tess Wheatley (12) is applying to in the United Kingdom, is known for its extensive and advanced environmental programs. Wheatley chose to apply to the university so she could delve deeper into her major, as well as be closer to family that lives in Europe. Photo courtesy of the University of Edinburgh.

Falcons flock to opportunities abroad

6
The FDOT issued an order to paint over rainbow crosswalks in Florida. Is this a safety precaution or an act of oppression against the LGBTQ+ community?

Rainbow crosswalk removal: Suppression, not safety

News
Journi Jones (11), president of the Black Student Union, explains the significance of her club. BSUs have been formed internationally as a means to support black student demographics.
Photo Gallery: Club Rush
Gabriela Morillo Dal Piccol, Staff Writer • September 23, 2025
Left to Right: Principal Robert Coppo, Foundation President Tracy Acers, and Foundation Executive Director Joe Austin. Coppo, Acers and Austin display posters of events and opportunities on campus. Coppo discussed these during the 10th annual Coffee with Coppo.
Coffee with Coppo
September 23, 2025

“Coffee with Coppo”  celebrated its 10 year anniversary on Thursday. This is...

The Carmel Valley Library is a branch of the San Diego Public Library system. This location adapted to budget cuts by eliminating Sunday hours.
San Diego Public Library budget cuts change library hours
September 18, 2025

The San Diego Fiscal Year 2026 budget went into effect on July 1, increasing funds...

Swimmers dive in the cove to begin the three-mile race. Nine-hundred participants kicked off the 107th annual La Jolla Cove Open water swim on Sunday, Sept. 7. Photo courtesy of Ava Fergerson.
Students participate in annual La Jolla Cove Swim
September 15, 2025

Every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day, the Kiwanis club of La Jolla hosts...

Crossword
Crossword week of 9/26/25
Crossword week of 9/26/25
Claire Zhou, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Crossword week of 9/19/2025
Claire Zhou, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Design • September 19, 2025
Crossword week of 9/5/2025
Claire Zhou, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Design • September 5, 2025
Sports
Ava Hauer (11) defends an opposing athlete in a home match vs. Bishops High School on Sept. 2, 2025. Hauer has been a key player on the varsity field hockey team for three consecutive years. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.
After scoring the final point, the girls' volleyball team rushes together on the court and celebrates their victory. The Falcons beat the Dons (3-0) on Sept. 10 in the Olive Garden. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipone.
Girls’ volleyball makes history by defeating Cathedral Catholic Wednesday night
Viktoria Kiss and Autumn Bowman • September 11, 2025
First game halftime performance
Lily Bruch, Arts and Entertainment Editor • August 29, 2025

At the halftime of the first home varsity football game of the season on Aug. 22 vs. La Jolla High School, the school’s cheerleading and dance team put on a show for fans and players.  The cheerleaders...

Q&A: Alyssa Ahn, alumna U.S. Open Tennis Championships Showcase
Kai Strzelecki and Emily Chao • August 27, 2025

Alyssa Ahn graduated from the school in 2025 and competed in the U.S. Open Tennis Championships on Aug. 25, 2025. How long have you been playing tennis for? What led you to decide that this was a passion? Ahn:...

Varsity girls tennis team hires new head coach
Shayna Dolin and Emerson Koning • August 21, 2025

Clipboard in hand, Jan Guevara, the new girls varsity tennis head coach, can be found cheering on her players from the sidelines. Although a new addition to the school's team, Guevara has experience...

Opinion
Apple Watches are just one of the many wearable fitness trackers available on the market. Reporters debated the advantages and disadvantages of using this technology in daily life.
Pro/Con: Personal fitness trackers
Sage Rosskopf and Emily Chao • September 24, 2025

Pro - by Sage Rosskopf Efficiency is vital in today’s fast-paced society, and nothing enables it better than personal wearable fitness trackers. Products...

Diverse animal consumption: an ethical question?
September 23, 2025

A common question arises regarding the consumption of guinea pigs, parrots and other animals “too compatible”...

What recession looks like
September 22, 2025

Financial news is available far and wide with different outlets reporting different things. While some proclaim...

Deride, dismiss, distort: Charlie Kirk’s legacy in a divided nation
September 19, 2025

When the bell rings after seventh period on Sept. 10, you walk down the stairs of the B-building and open Instagram...

Feature
Podcast
Each month, High School Hustles features a different business run by students at Torrey Pines High School. For April, students interviewed the owners of Sweet & Simple.
High School Hustles Podcast, Ep. 4: Sweet & Simple
In this month's episode, hosts interview Santiago Bosch about the business of his golf career. Bosch started considering golf as a future career at 6 years old.
High School Side Hustles Podcast, Episode 3: Business of golf
Fresh Face Friday: Noel Banuelos
Dylan Guillory, Staff Writer • September 5, 2025

Tucked away in the B Building, Noel Banuelos spends his school days teaching Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 3. As a new staff member at...

Fresh Face Friday: Emily Chakurda
Talia Rosenthal, Staff Writer • August 29, 2025

When the bell rings, signaling the start of a school period, students can expect a piping hot cup of tea, a bubbly greeting and a compelling English...

What’s in your bag: student athletes
Claire Zhou, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Design • August 26, 2025

Stray socks, scattered notes and little things folded between jerseys somehow always find their way back inside of athlete backpacks. When student...

Integrated Math I teacher Noel Banuelos works at his computer, with colorful paper and craft supplies in the background. Banuelos began teaching in 2011 and joined the school’s math department this year.
Fresh Face Friday: Noel Banuelos
Dylan Guillory, Staff Writer • September 5, 2025
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A&E
Artist of the Month Lainey Costabile (12) plays Rebecca Gibbs in "Our Town." The play was a past production by TPPlayers in November of 2022. Photo courtesy of Lainey Costabile.
Artist of the Month: Lainey Costabile
Kai Strzelecki, Director of Outreach • September 26, 2025

When the curtain closed on “Our Town,” Lainey Costabile (12) walked offstage as Rebecca Gibbs, unaware that she walked straight into the most defining moment in her life. From the wings, she watched Emily Webb’s ghost relive her twelfth birthday,...

VMA winners hold their new awards for the cameras. Artists Yungblud, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Nuno Bettencourt performed a tribute to the artist and legend Ozzy Osbourne. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
2025 MTV Video Music Awards: Biggest wins, boldest performances, big questions
Reese Carsley, News Editor • September 17, 2025

The Music Television (MTV) Video Music Awards (VMAs) returned to television last week with...

The lyric video for "My Man on Willpower," shows Sabrina Carpenter embodying a playful style. The track was the third on Carpenter's album "Man's Best Friend." Photo courtesy of Island Records.
Behind the Lyrics: ‘My Man on Willpower’
Lily Bruch, Arts and Entertainment Editor • September 11, 2025

“My Man on Willpower” is the third track to Sabrina Carpenter's seventh studio album, “Man's...

Yoga is one of the wellness trends emerging in 2025. Other trends included saunas, pilates, green juice, and various other physical and dietary changes.
Wake up to wellness
Elsa Goodman, Director of Social Media • May 28, 2025

From cold plunges and saunas to pilates and green juice, 2025’s hottest (and coldest) wellness...

Students showcase their art at the fourth annual Arts Fest. Arts Fest took place on May 16 and 17 and featured dance, music, ceramics and artwork.
Fourth Annual Arts Fest
Cass Love, Staff Writer • May 28, 2025

Every seat in the Performing Arts Center was filled. Chatter filled the room. Then, the lights...

Reviews
These five snacks are cozy and pumpkin-spiced, perfect to enjoy during the fall season. They were sold at Sprouts and Whole Foods.
The Solana Beach Farmers Market overflows with customers every Sunday. The market was hosted by local San Diego vendors.
At Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte contains a warm, comforting blend of fall flavors. The Pumpkin Spice Latte returned to Starbucks in late August.
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