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The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

  • For further questions, please email [email protected]. Stories will not be posted over the summer break. Please check back on Aug. 11 for stories.
The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

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 her mother's old stethoscope in hand, Editor-in-Chief Makaylah Gerling smiles for a photo. Gerling recently decided to major in nursing, the same profession as her mother. Photo courtesy of Jacob Gerling.

Personal Perspective: Makaylah Gerling

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief May 22, 2025

Over the past few years, I have always dreaded responding to the question, “What school do you go to?” I can easily envision their facial expression dropping as I say, "I go to Torrey Pines High School."...

All hands in as the Girls Falcons Rugby team (12-5) does their cheer before kickoff. The team only lost five games this season, making them a strong competitor in the San Diego area. Photo courtesy of Emma Schreuder-Welte.

Girls Falcons Rugby season recap

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief February 21, 2025

The Girls Falcons Rugby team (12-5) wraps up its season this Saturday after one of its most successful seasons since its founding in 2016.  “You know, I’m always surprised every single year by...

The start of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve hike begins with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Loved by Ashwaq Manasrah (12) in particular, the trail features various terrains.

[Photo] Top hiking trails in San Diego

Sophia Gorba, Staff Writer February 13, 2025

The start of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve hike begins with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Loved by Ashwaq Manasrah (12) in particular, the trail features various terrains.

Left to right: Riley Tone (12) and Thomas Maher ('24). Student manager Tone holds up the 2024 CIF Open Division trophy with Maher. Tone became a manager for the boys varsity basketball and boys varsity baseball team after suffering an ACL tear  his freshman year. Photo courtesy of Riley Tone.

Managing morale

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief January 10, 2025

Amid the chaos of the sidelines, players and coaches pace back and forth while their student managers work behind the scenes to ensure everything from film sessions to game days runs smoothly. While their...

Lily Oliva (12) has her eye on the ball, moving on her feet. Oliva was named the December female Athlete of the Month. Photo courtesy of Lily Oliva.

Athlete of the Month: Lily Oliva

Makaylah Gerling, Editor-in-Chief January 9, 2025

Editor’s note: Athlete of the month is released by ASB a week after the month ends. Stories on each athlete are delayed for this reason. In the chaos of the Olive Garden, December female Athlete of...

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...

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).
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.
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