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The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

The Falconer

The Falconer

Makaylah Gerling

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief

Last year, best year. The 2024-2025 school year will serve as Makaylah Gerling’s third and final year as a so-called “Falconerd,” as she rises to the challenge of Editor-in-Chief for the nationally-ranked, award winning publication, the Falconer. Gerling is excited to contribute to the immense success of the Falconer and hopefully gain national recognition once again. Last year, Gerling made her mark in the newsroom as the sports editor, as she connected her love for athletics with her growing interests in the journalistic world. During the slight chance that she makes it out of room 311, you can find her competing on Ed Burke field as a senior captain and fourth-year member of the varsity women’s soccer team. Despite the growing infestation of senioritis, she is determined and focused to make her last year at TPHS worthwhile by challenging herself with courses aligned with her future career as a registered nurse, following in her mothers footsteps. Outside of TPHS, she can be found in navy blue scrubs as a Palomar Health Pathmaker Intern and a bright orange jersey as a head coach for Soccer Shots. While excited for her next adventure, Gerling is sad to say goodbye to the community she has had the pleasure to call home for these past few years.

All content by Makaylah Gerling
With college applications underway, many families are questioning the benefits and drawback of hiring a college admissions counselor. In recent years, college admission counselors were in high demand as the application process has grown more and more selective.

Pro/Con: College admission counselors

Makaylah Gerling and Jessie Chen November 7, 2024

Pro - by Makaylah Gerling With college decisions around the corner, students continue to stress over their submitted applications, and the years of hard work endured for this moment. With the growing...

The varsity football team (4-6) lines up for a play against La Costa Canyon High School (10-0). The Falcons fell to their long standing rivals, the Mavericks, on Friday night with a final score of 28-0.

Photo Gallery: FNL against La Costa Canyon High School

Makaylah Gerling, Ellie Koff, and Kai Strzelecki November 4, 2024
The varsity football team (4-6) lines up for a play against La Costa Canyon High School (10-0). The Falcons fell to their long standing rivals, the Mavericks, on Friday night with a final score of 28-0.
The sound of the starting horn kicks off the 76th Mt. SAC Cross Country invitational. The school's cross country teams competed Saturday in Walnut, Calif. Photo courtesy of Jessica Mendez.

2024 Mt. SAC recap

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2024

The 76th annual Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational took place on Saturday, where the school’s freshman, JV and varsity girls and boys teams competed.  According to assistant varsity coach Colin Cornforth,...

This school year serves as special education teacher, Nicholas Diaz', first year teaching at the school. Diaz graduated from the University of Oregon in  2014 with his bachelor's in sociology.

Fresh Face Friday: Nicholas Diaz

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief October 25, 2024

Walking into the Olive Garden, hundreds of banners lining the ceiling, special education teacher and boys varsity basketball assistant coach Nicholas Diaz (‘10), reminisces on his past at the school....

Campus supervisor Jose Reynoso speaks into a walkie-talkie. Reynoso started working at the school six years ago.

Day in the Life: Campus Supervisor

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief October 18, 2024

The sound of birds chirping in the distance. The sight of lights flickering in Ed Burke stadium. The feeling of breathing in the crisp morning air that wafts through the empty parking lots; the quiet before...

Top universities are a hot topic, ablaze amid sexual assault and various scandals resulting fraternities. How could universities move forward and assume greater accountability for the well-being of their students and the reputation of their institutions?

‘The college experience’: Sexual assault to hazing within Greek life

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief October 8, 2024

Greek life is seen as an instrumental aspect of the “full college experience.” Dating back to its establishment in 1825, some students even dictate their college decisions based on the quality of the...

Adviser Kara Adler smiles in the new Falcon Vision studio, where they host live broadcasts every Friday. Last year, Adler taught Video Film I, TV Production and Advanced Video Film.

Teacher Feature: Kara Adler

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief September 30, 2024

Every Friday at 11 a.m., the school's student-broadcast show, Falcon Vision, goes on air. However, behind this spectacle of snippets and segments lies the guiding hand of adviser Kara Adler. Adler works...

Crafting Kindness promotes their club. The club shared their aim to use creativity to craft things for charity and donations.  Left to right: Ekaterina Karyakina (10) and Olive Cooper (12).

Photo Gallery: Club Rush

April Kato and Makaylah Gerling September 13, 2024
Crafting Kindness promotes their club. The club shared their aim to use creativity to craft things for charity and donations. Left to Right: Ekaterina Karyakina (10), Olive Cooper (12).
ASB Commissioners' of Sales Ava HeSchenk (11, right) and Tyler Suhar (11, left) advertise merchandise from the student store on Back to School Night. They worked to provide trendy and fashionable merchandise to students at the school. Photo courtesy of Ava HeSchenk.

Student store releases new, updated merchandise

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief September 13, 2024

Students and staff are now able to purchase their class shirts, limited edition and TPHS 50-year anniversary merchandise, all designed by ASB Commissioners’ of Sales, Ava HeSchenk (11) and Tyler Suhar...

Sylvia Olson (12) is the president of Support Our Troops, where members write letters to deployed military troops. The club passed out small American flags to visitors.

Sylvia Olson (12) is the president of Support Our Troops, where members write letters to deployed military troops. The club passed out small American flags to visitors.

Officers of a club smile at their booth. The International Friends Club aimed to provide a place for students of different backgrounds to build confidence and connections. Left to right: Pratch Maneerat (12), Bomin Kim (12), Carol Chen (12) and April Kato (12).

Officers of a club smile at their booth. The International Friends Club aimed to provide a place for students of different backgrounds to build confidence and connections. Left to right: Pratch Maneerat...

Dance for Change's purpose is to support underprivileged individuals that have a passion and love for dance. They promoted their club at Club Rush. Left to Right: Kandy Xu (11) and Arianna Bertino (11).

Dance for Change's purpose is to support underprivileged individuals that have a passion and love for dance. They promoted their club at Club Rush. Left to Right: Kandy Xu (11) and Arianna Bertino (11).

Best Buddies fosters connections and unites fellow students with cognitive and developmental disabilities, aiming to create an inclusive community. They promoted their club at the event. Left to right: Joey Levenberg (12), Jacob Cava (12) and Harper Kelley (12).

Best Buddies fosters connections and unites fellow students with cognitive and developmental disabilities, aiming to create an inclusive community. They promoted their club at the event. Left to right:...

Alex Morgan addresses Snapdragon Stadium during her farewell speech on Sept. 8. Morgan signed with San Diego Wave FC in 2021. Photo courtesy of Kaelin Mendez/Getty Images.

Alex Morgan announces retirement

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief September 11, 2024

On Sunday, two-time Olympic gold medalist, World Cup champion and soccer legend, Alex Morgan, played her last game after announcing her retirement and pregnancy on Sept. 5. At Snapdragon Stadium, San...

Cameras in room 311 are protected with a lock. Over the summer, the school experienced multiple thefts, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Campus theft over summer

Ellie Koff and Makaylah Gerling September 5, 2024

Two separate incidents over the summer resulted in the theft of four golf carts, 60 cameras and lenses, a drone and camera batteries from the school. Three golf carts stored by the auto tech garage...

Lauren Golafshan (11) attends a humanitarian trip to Thailand. She built a classroom for underprivileged kids, while also teaching them English. Photo courtesy of Lauren Golafshan.

Photo Gallery: Falcon summers

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief August 27, 2024
Lauren Golafshan (11) attends a humanitarian trip to Thailand. She built a classroom for underprivileged kids, while also teaching them English. Photo courtesy of Lauren Golafshan.
Seniors gather at Powerhouse Park on Aug. 11 to enjoy the sunset. They celebrated the approach of their final year as Falcons with friends. Photo courtesy of Audrey Davidson.

Photo Gallery: Senior year kickoff

Eric Lee, Makaylah Gerling, and Elsa Goodman August 15, 2024
Seniors gather at Powerhouse Park on Aug. 11 to enjoy the sunset. They celebrated the approach of their final year as Falcons with friends. Photo courtesy of Audrey Davidson.
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