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TOP left to right: Wendy DeLeon, Alex Renda (9), Henry Kendall (10), Charlie Flynn (9), Aiden Kang (11), Theo Lardon (10), Ethan Elleraas (12), Tyler Greene (12), Horry Ren (12), Max Wrolstad (11), Daniel Tsai (11), Praat Maneerat (9), Colton Sallaway (9) and Ryland Wickman. BOTTOM left to right: Santiago Bosch (11), Trey Jacot (10), Ryder Hurtado (11), Andrew Xu (11), Jacob De La Vara (10), Derek Tsai (9), Brendan Qiu (9), Sean Fulkerson (9) and Peter Grimskog (11). Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione..

Boys golf secures NCC Championship win

Claire Zhou, Staff Writer May 28, 2025

The school’s Cardinal boys golf team (20-2) secured another New Coastal League win at the two-day North County Conference Championship, competing against Carlsbad High School, Canyon Crest Academy, La...

Now as a teacher, Nicholas Diaz ('10) poses with an athlete after winning the CIF  Open Division Championships. Diaz returned to the school as a special education teacher and assistant basketball coach after graduating. Photo Courtesy of Nicholas Diaz.

Coming full circle

Isabel Ji, Staff Writer May 27, 2025

Though the cardinal-and-gold-plaid carpet has been swapped for marbled stone and new CIF banners fill the Olive Garden ceiling, the spirit of Torrey Pines remains unchanged. After walking the halls as...

Claire Frederico (12) and Gideon Jakobs (12) perform as Maggie and Max in 'Lend Me a Tenor.'  The play, which showed from April 30 to May 2 and May 6 to 9, was the last one of the school year and the last production under the direction of theatre teacher Marinee Payne.

Torrey Pines Players presents ‘Lend Me a Tenor’

April Kato and Sarina Feng May 23, 2025

“Please laugh.” That’s what a cast member told us before we went to the show. We didn’t need to be told twice.  In what would be the final production directed by retiring theater teacher Marinee...

Anna Scipione sits on a field with her camera, smiling for a picture. Scipione founded Scippix about 18 years ago, with photos dating back to 2007 still on her website. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Capturing moments: Anna Scipione

Viki Kiss and Lily Bruch May 19, 2025

With a camera in hand and an eye for the extraordinary, Anna Scipione is a constant presence on the sidelines, capturing the pulse of each game and the raw emotion of sport with every frame. Scipione is...

An empty teachers desk sits without its normal company. During their time at the school, many students have seen common substitutes across campus.

Familiar faces: Common substitute teachers

Isabel Ji and Joanne Liu May 15, 2025

It’s the little things you notice first: a door propped open when it’s usually closed, the usual mug missing from the desk and an announcement posted on Google Classroom. Unfamiliar handwriting sprawls...

A student prepares for their next four years at a university, opening the Common App. Recently, the Falconer had the opportunity to speak with college counselors Deni-Kay Freier and Sylvia Caruthers about the application process.

Q&A: Deni-Kay Freier, Sylvia Caruthers

Sneha Lele and Liv Weaver May 14, 2025

As responses from colleges flow in, the question as to what these institutions really weighed in their decisions may be at the forefront of students’ minds. From private schools to public, urban to rural,...

Morning Lavender sits off Highway 101 in Solana Beach, inviting guests into their cafe and boutique. They offered everything from hair clips, to matching dresses, to lattes and tea parties.

Restaurant Review: Morning Lavender

Lana Weber, Staff Writer May 12, 2025

Walking into Morning Lavender feels like entering a fairy tale dream, the entrance and walls are adorned with whimsical flowers in shades of pink and purple that look like they are straight from a Disney...

Left to right: Sophie Keller ('24), Lisa Tellers and Nataila Mochernak ('24) pose for a photo at graduation. This year, Tellers was named Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Lisa Tellers.

Lisa Tellers named Teacher of the Year

Joy Ma, Assistant-Editor-in-Chief, Long-form May 8, 2025

The school named Lisa Tellers, AP Art History and College Prep World History teacher, as the Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 year. Tellers, who has taught at the school since 2006, is known for...

April Rising Star of the Month Saardhat Nagaram (12) smiles for a photo at the award ceremony. Nagaram was recognized for his leadership, integrity and general excellence. Photo courtesy of Saardhat Nagaram.

April Rising Star of the Month: Saardhat Nagaram

Joanne Liu, Staff Writer May 7, 2025

The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce awarded April’s Rising Star Award to Saardhat Nagaram (12) for demonstrating leadership, integrity and general excellence in school. The Rising Star Award recognizes...

The girls varsity lacrosse team (6-11) team smiles for a picture on Senior Night. The Falcons dominated, defeating Poway High School (6-17) 20-5 on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Varsity girls lacrosse wins big on Senior Night

Viki Kiss, Staff Writer May 5, 2025

In an effortless finish on Tuesday night, the girls varsity lacrosse team (6-11) achieved a 20-5 victory against the Poway High School Titans (6-17).  Before the whistle, the Falcons celebrated Senior...

Theater teacher Marinee Payne sits on the set of "Lend Me a Tenor," the final TP Players production she will direct before retiring. Throughout her 32 and a half years at the school, Payne not only taught a wide range of theater classes but also developed curriculum, directed productions and created a supportive community for generations of students.

End of an era: Marinee Payne retires after 32 years

Lana Weber and Sophia Gorba May 2, 2025

“Regrets I’ve had a few, but then too few to mention.”  These are the lines of Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way,” that Marinee Payne believes best embodies her time as a teacher.  “32...

Club booths and PALs members welcome students to Fun Friday. The first Fun Friday took place last week, during lunchtime on April 26.

PALs launches ‘Fun Fridays’

Lily Bruch, Staff Writer April 30, 2025

The school’s first Fun Friday, organized by the school's Peer Assistant Leaders was held last week in collaboration with the TPHS Foundation. “It was super successful and it was great to see that...

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