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The Falconer

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The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

The Student News Site of Torrey Pines High School

The Falconer

Tylor Shin

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer

As a sophomore and first-year writer on the Falconer, Tylor Shin is just getting the hang of being on staff. As someone who is often catching up on the news, he hopes to bring positive contributions and meaningful perspectives to the newspaper, as well as grow his skills in writing, thinking and research. In his free time, he likes to read, work on his health and fitness or spend time with family and friends. He also likes watching sports like baseball and football and has been an avid collector of baseball cards since 2019. He can also be found doing taekwondo, volunteering or trying to pick up guitar.
All content by Tylor Shin
Society despises teenagers for their attachment to social media. However, media companies designed their apps and sites to trap teens in addiction.

Teenage phone addiction: Who to blame?

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer May 27, 2026

I open my phone after 20 minutes of “doing homework.” Instinctively, my finger follows the pattern that has been built into it. Swipe right, top left corner, one row down. Except this time, Instagram...

Camden Nishnick (11) celebrates with his teammate after scoring a run. He won Athlete of the Month for April.

Athlete of the Month: Camden Nishnick

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer May 13, 2026

Stepping up to the plate, Camden Nishnick (11) was named April Athlete of the Month. As an outfielder and first baseman, Nishnick competes on the varsity baseball team as a defensively versatile power...

School lunches sit in the trash. Students rushed to get their food but did not finish it.

Satire: School lunches

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer May 4, 2026

The clock hits 1:05 p.m. Lunch is finally here after what seems like an eternity, and students pour out of the doors all across campus. Within seconds, walking in a straight line for more than three yards...

The NFL Draft allows teams to select college prospects to play in the league. This year's draft took place in and around Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

National Football League Draft recap

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer May 1, 2026

The National Football League (NFL) draft took place in Pittsburgh, Pa. from April 23 to  25, where each team had seven rounds to select college players to acquire new prospective players, bolstering their...

This is Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS), which allows pitchers, catchers and hitters to challenge balls and strikes, a previously unprecedented, albeit desired, feature in baseball. Initially tested in lower levels of professional baseball starting in 2019, MLB officially implemented ABS for all games starting in the 2026 season.

Sports technology: Adapt or stay behind

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer April 28, 2026

The pitcher delivers. The ball lands in the catcher’s mitt just an inch off of home plate. The umpire calls a strike, prompting the hitter to double-tap his helmet. Then, the jumbotron displays a screen...

Catherine Mintz, AP Government and Politics, Film and Society and AP Psychology teacher works at her desk. She was named SDUHSD Teacher of the Year.

Catherine Mintz named Teacher of the Year

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer April 17, 2026

Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Politics, Film and Society and AP Psychology teacher Catherine Mintz was named the SDUHSD Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school year.  Mintz expressed her...

The Fighting Illini play the Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Huskies won 62-71. Photo courtesy of Colton Sallaway.

Community voices: March Madness recap

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer April 10, 2026

The University of Michigan Wolverines (37-3) defeated the University of Connecticut Huskies (34-6) on April 6 to win the National Championship for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division...

To many, reusable water bottles seem ideal. They were introduced as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to single-use bottles.

Reusable water bottles: A false promise?

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer March 12, 2026

School. Work. Gym. Everywhere one goes, ThermoFlasks, Stanleys and Owalas abound. Studies estimate 60% of Americans own a reusable water bottle. In addition to their durability and relatively inexpensive...

The Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29–13 at Super Bowl LX for their second championship in franchise history. The game was held on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Super Bowl LX Recap

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer February 13, 2026

The Super Bowl LX , where the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) defeated the New England Patriots (14-3) on Sunday, ended with a final score of 29-13. The match was held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.,...

Varsity wrestler Elijah Ra (10) faces off against his opponent. Ra won by a tech and helped his team win the duel.

Day on the Team: Wrestling

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer February 6, 2026

While some athletes enjoy intense gameday routines, it is the opposite for varsity wrestling team member Elijah Ra (10), who prefers to have a calmer routine on match days. “I wake up five minutes...

Alesha Billmeyer, Introduction to Business Management and Advanced Business Management teacher, likes to go on a morning swim before the school day. Billmeyer said that her habit of starting the day early came from running competitive track in high school.

Day in the Life: Alesha Billmeyer

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer January 14, 2026

Almost three hours before the first bell rings, while most of the city is still asleep, Alesha Billmeyer, Introduction to Business Management and Advanced Business Management teacher, wakes up early and...

A close look at the finals schedule reveals an extra two hours of first period on Wednesday and Thursday. Although the extra period seemed useless, it exists because of state requirements, and students used it in productive and beneficial ways.

Satire: Extra time in first period

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer December 17, 2025

Finals week is a busy time. With studying, planning for winter break and trying to get in the holiday spirit, it can be hard to focus on one thing. However, a closer look at the finals schedule reveals...


When the bell rings for lunch, students take advantage of the short time they have to press pause on the school day. However, lunch was also time for teachers to catch a break.

Satire: Teachers’ lunch breaks

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer December 15, 2025

When the bell rings for lunch, students take advantage of the short time they have to press pause on the school day. However, lunch is also a time for teachers to catch a break. As students try to maximize...

Members of the Torrey Pines DECA chapters pose for a photo. They won awards in the Business Finance series of roleplay and exam.

Photo Gallery: DECA San Diego Minicon

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer November 20, 2025

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) held the San Diego Minicon at Canyon Crest Academy on Nov. 15. The event featured role plays, exams and awards. Students honed their skills through practice...

Left to right: Andre Wang (10), Ethan Wang (10) and William Cheng (10). Photo courtesy of Andre Wang

Club Spotlight: Keys for Kindness

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer November 13, 2025

The school’s music department features a variety of programs, including Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, and holds concerts and performances throughout the year. For the organization Keys...

Columbus Day, sometimes known as Indigenous Peoples' Day, is a federal holiday on Oct. 13. This article examined whether or not the Italian explorer deserved a federal holiday.

Christopher Columbus: Hero or heretic?

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer October 14, 2025

Many historical figures shape the world to be what it is today, some for the better and some for the worse. Celebrating these people leads us down a slippery slope we should not go on. Christopher Columbus...

Padres warm up to play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 27. The Padres ended their season with a final record of 90 wins and 72 losses.

San Diego Padres: 2025 season review

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer October 14, 2025

The Padres ended with a final record of 90 wins and 72 losses, making it their sixth-best season in franchise history. The 2025 season began with a historic start, with the team going 13-3 through their...

Amid tariffs and a potential stock market bubble, many Americans fear that the economy is falling into a dangerous recession. This article analyzed the validity of these concerns.

What recession looks like

Tylor Shin, Staff Writer September 22, 2025

Financial news is available far and wide with different outlets reporting different things. While some proclaim economic stability, others cry out warnings of a major recession. So where does the economy...

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