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The Falconer

The Falconer

The Falconer

Claire Zhou

Claire Zhou, Writer

An equal parts music and riddle enthusiast, sophomore Claire Zhou enjoys listening to Clairo, Big Thief or ​​Adrianne Lenker while solving daily New York Times sudoku puzzles. For her first year on the Falconer, Claire is thrilled to find a writing community while covering stories on the Carmel Valley community in addition to picking up new skills and perspectives along the way. She is also involved in TPHS Math Club as well as Youth Care Club. When she’s not in school, Claire enjoys reading work by Paige Lewis, attempting to write poetry, and growing her collection of annotated Jane Austen books. Otherwise, Claire can be found volunteering at the local food bank, senior center, or binging Gilmore Girls. Someday, she will attend culinary school with her younger sister.

All content by Claire Zhou
A Little Free Library, located near Dot Cafe,   welcomes community members with the "take a book, share a book" catchphrase. Owners set up their libraries through the Little Free Library nonprofit organization.

[Photo] Take a book, share a story

Joanne Liu, Staff Writer November 19, 2024

A Little Free Library, located near Dot Cafe, welcomes community members with the "take a book, share a book" catchphrase. Owners set up their libraries through the Little Free Library nonprofit organization.

The bustling bakery creates pastries by hand, and in small batches, serving up to 400 customers each day. The fall pastry specials featured Pumpkin & Cranberry Cream Bun, Apple Galette, Savory Butternut Squash Scone and Apple Hazelnut Croissant.

Locals guide to San Diego

Claire Zhou, Liv Weaver, and Jessie Chen November 15, 2024

Depending on the time of day, the city offers activities from hikes to climb to bakeries to visit. The drop downs below provide more detailed descriptions of options to choose from when looking to...

Apple Galette (top left), Jalapeño Fontina Croissant (top right), Savory Butternut Squash Scone (bottom left) and an Almond Croissant (bottom right) from Wayfarer Bread sit in a to-go box. In November, their menu consists of Savory Butternut Squash Scone and Apple Galette among other seasonal pastries.

Apple Galette (top left), Jalapeño Fontina Croissant (top right), Savory Butternut Squash Scone (bottom left) and an Almond Croissant (bottom right) from Wayfarer Bread sit in a to-go box. In November,...

Every month, Salt & Straw rotates through seasonal flavors. Two weeks ago they dropped their seasonal flavors influenced by the spooky season; The Halloween Series consists of five flavors: The Great Candycopia, Creepy Crawly Critters, Jack o' Lantern Pumpkin Bread, Blackberry Tamales and Essence of Ghost.

[Photo] Restaurant Review: Salt & Straw

October 9, 2024

Every month, Salt & Straw rotates through seasonal flavors. Two weeks ago they dropped their seasonal flavors influenced by the spooky season; The Halloween Series consists of five flavors: The Great Candycopia,...

Trick-or-treaters stand in awe before a married skeleton couple and small ghosts. This house was one of many on the street that take pride in their vibrant Halloween decorations.

Photo Gallery: Halloween neighborhood decor

Claire Zhou and Jessie Chen November 1, 2024
Trick-or-treaters stand in awe before a married skeleton couple and small ghosts. This house was one of many on the street that take pride in their vibrant Halloween decorations.
Posters of music artists and bands like Nirvana, Queen and ACDC line the walls of AP World History, Socio-Political History of Rock-N-Roll and Surf PE teacher Austin Wade's classroom.  He hung them to show who he is as a person. "I wanted to share the interests and things that I enjoy, and hopefully ideas, concepts and interests that students might have in common," Wade said.

Photo Gallery: Unique classroom decorations

Isabel Ji and Claire Zhou October 23, 2024
Posters of music artists and bands like Nirvana, Queen and ACDC line the walls of AP World History, Socio-Political History of Rock-N-Roll and Surf PE teacher Austin Wade's classroom. He hung them to show who he is as a person. "I wanted to share the interests and things that I enjoy, and hopefully ideas, concepts and interests that students might have in common," Wade said.
According to a study published in Health Psychology Research, around 60% of high school athletes are often pushed to burnout. Athletes like Annika Pallia (12), Adriana Adatiya (10) and Evan Liu (10) played their sport all their life and experienced the start of athlete burnout in their teenage years.

Reality of athlete burnout

Claire Zhou, Staff Writer October 23, 2024

For elite athletes, sports are a 24/7 commitment. Passion for the game — whether keeping up with recruitment or honing drills — follows them the little time they have off field. With increasing pressure...

World History and AP Art History teacher Lisa Tellers hangs decorations from her ceiling. The lemons and flowers reminded her of her trip to a restaurant in Italy.

World History and AP Art History teacher Lisa Tellers hangs decorations from her ceiling. The lemons and flowers reminded her of her trip to a restaurant in Italy.

The butterflies hanging from Kristina DeVico's ceiling represent the evolution of teenagers. They were handmade by DeVico's past students.

The butterflies hanging from Kristina DeVico's ceiling represent the evolution of teenagers. They were handmade by DeVico's past students.

The Millennium Falcons compete in the Chezy Champs robotics competition with their robot, Drippy McCool. The team placed No. 33 out of 43 teams overall. Photo courtesy of Timothy Chang.

Millennium Falcons compete at Chezy Champs

Claire Zhou, Writer October 10, 2024

Seasoned and new members of the Millenium Falcons, the school’s First Robotics Competition team, returned from their first off-season competition at Chezy Champs, which took place from Sept. 27 to 29...

Every month, Salt & Straw rotates through seasonal flavors. Two weeks ago they dropped their seasonal flavors influenced by the spooky season; The Halloween Series consists of five flavors: The Great Candycopia, Creepy Crawly Critters, Jack o' Lantern Pumpkin Bread, Blackberry Tamales and Essence of Ghost.

Restaurant Review: Salt & Straw

Claire Zhou and Isabel Ji October 9, 2024

Every month, Salt & Straw rotates through seasonal flavors, ranging from Cinnamon & Honey Fried Chicken to the classic Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip. The spooky Halloween Series consists of five...

Millenium Falcons compete in the Chezy Champs Competition. The team placed No. 33 out of 43 overall.

Millenium Falcons compete in the Chezy Champs Competition. The team placed No. 33 out of 43 overall.

The varsity girls lacrosse team wears wrist tape with a smily face and a special message on game days. Last season, the team also made baskets and posters for Senior Night. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Team traditions beyond the field

Claire Zhou, Staff Writer September 24, 2024

Defensive and offensive lineman Ansu Perez (11) recalls the final football game before CIF playoffs during his sophomore year at La Costa Canyon High School (LCC) — a game rich in tradition. Like other...

Clairos new album 'Charm' is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. Released on July 12, 'Charm' quickly climbed to “The 21 Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)” by Vogue. Photo courtesy of Pitchfork.

Album Review: ‘Charm’ – Clairo

Claire Zhou, Staff Writer September 9, 2024

Claire Cottrill — professionally known as Clairo — explores growth, solitude and emotional vulnerability in her third album, “Charm.” Known for softening the line between R&B, soul, folk and...

Staff writer Claire Zhou weighs the 'Keep Kids in School' law. Would this law benefit California public school districts, or come to the student's demise? Art courtesy of Bronwyn Roberts.

‘Keep Kids in School’ law will do anything but

Claire Zhou, Staff Writer August 29, 2024

Throughout the 2022-23 school year, nearly 1,100 San Diego County students were suspended as the consequence of defiance. In response to the suspension rates in the state,  Calif. Sen. Nancy Skinner proposed...

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