Skip to Main Content
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

Viktoria Kiss

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor

As Viktoria Kiss embarks on her third year of high school, she reflects on her immense commitment to the Falconer staff since her sophomore year, when she served as a Staff Writer. Kiss consistently brings passion and enthusiasm to the newsroom, writing and editing each story with an eye for detail and a commitment to excellence. This year, Kiss is excited to return to the Falconer and explore more opportunities in her role as the Sports Editor. Growing up playing competitive sports, Kiss demonstrates a clear focus on highlighting the lives and achievements of hardworking student-athletes, as evident in her writing. For the next two years, Kiss has her heart set on establishing a strong collaborative environment within the staff, with a heavy focus on highlighting the Falconer’s hard work both within the school and in the community. Outside the newsroom, Kiss can be found volunteering, focusing on any way she can to create smiles and give back to those who need it most. In addition to her philanthropy work, Kiss can be found spending time with friends at the beach, traveling with her family, scrolling on Pinterest or updating her scrapbook.

All content by Viktoria Kiss
Lila Swortwood (11) adjusts the pre-packed chocolate chip cookies at the Solana Beach Farmer's Market. Swortwood has been working on the establishment of the Tusk Cafe for the past few months. Photo courtesy of Lila Swortwood.

1 in 3000: Lila Swortwood

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor May 22, 2026

With an elephant inked on her left wrist, Lila Swortwood (11) carries with her a constant reminder of her grandmother’s love for the animal, encouraging her to advocate for elephant rehabilitation regarding...

After a tiresome and lengthy week, you stare at the theater's impending screen, searching for relief on a Friday night. Anticipating another round of laughs, tears and smiles that a typical, classic “feel-good” movie is meant to produce, you are utterly disappointed. Instead of raw emotion from some of your favorite actors, the latest movie in theaters featured eerie and uncanny “actors:” artificial intelligence (AI) characters with generated voices and images.

Artificial humanity: AI in films

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor April 13, 2026

After a tiresome and lengthy week, you stare at the theater's impending screen, searching for relief on a Friday night. Anticipating another round of laughs, tears and smiles that a typical, classic “feel-good”...

The school's lack of a gate or any supervision for students leaving or entering prompts concerns about safety and class attendance. The Falconer staff discussed issues about an open campus and whether or not action is necessary.

Staff Ed: Open campus

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor March 26, 2026

Right as the bell rings at 1:05 p.m., students rush out of classroom doors, bolting to their cars, speeding away for lunch or taking their journey on foot to a popular location only 0.8 miles away, the...

Election Q&A: ASB candidates

Election Q&A: ASB candidates

Viktoria Kiss and Talia Rosenthal March 23, 2026

Associated Student Body (ASB) elections begin today and run through March 27, and students may vote for next year's ASB leaders. The Falconer spoke with candidates running for ASB-elected positions ahead...

Scrapbooks document each year of Viktoria Kiss's (11) life. Pages are composed of stickers, ribbons, origami paper and printed images.

Value of hobbies: Scrapbooking

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor March 23, 2026

As I lean back into my chair and extend an arm over a concerningly tall pile of books to reach for yet another textbook, my hand accidentally brushes against a scrapbook. The cover, decorated with flower...

Incoming freshmen and student leaders walk throughout the school's campus. Campus tours are held on select weekdays after school throughout the year.

Campus tour voices

Viktoria Kiss and Christopher Bacon February 9, 2026

Incoming freshman tours occur through the year and are led by The Associated Student Body and Peer Assistant Learners (PALs). The tour dates are Nov. 19, Jan. 14, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and March. 25 from...

Brooklyn Burns ('22) serves a volleyball in California Polytechnic State University gymnasium. Burns committed to "SLO" before her senior year. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Burns.

Alumni Lookback: Brooklyn Burns

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Writer January 9, 2026

Whether setting her teammates the ball or “setting herself up for success”  in academic life, Brooklyn Burns (‘22) remained consistent through challenges. Now, as a senior at California Polytechnic...

Katerina Lutz ('23) passes an upcoming volleyball at a Division I women's volleyball match. Prior to her career at the University of California, Los Angeles, Lutz was a contributing athlete on the school's varsity volleyball as the starting libero. Photo courtesy of Katerina Lutz.

Alumni Lookback: Katerina Lutz

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor January 7, 2026

From the venerable, wooden courts in the Olive Garden to the sleek, modern floors at the University of California, Los Angeles,  Katerina Lutz’s (‘23) passion and outlook on life and community stay...

Co-president of the club, Zahra Alam (11) explains to members the steps to tying surgical knots at a meeting. The club meets biweekly every Wednesday during lunch time.

Club Spotlight: Medicines Next Generation Club

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor December 4, 2025

From learning how to tie surgical knots to hosting guest speakers, the future of medicine rests in the hands of the students in room 22.  The TPHS Medicines Next Generation Club meets biweekly on Wednesdays...

National Diabetes Month

National Diabetes Month

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor November 21, 2025

November is National Diabetes Month, which raises awareness about diabetes prevention, detection and management. Since 1982, people suffering from diabetes all over the world have been recognized....

PALs leaders hand out red bracelets and Gatorade to students during lunch time. In addition to their annual activities, the PALs hosted a speaker from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to speak on her experiences.

PALs host annual Red Ribbon Week

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor November 4, 2025

The school’s Peer Assistant Learners (PALs) hosted the annual Red Ribbon Week on Oct. 27-31.  As the week fell before Halloween weekend, PALs focused on educating students about the dangers of driving...

Varsity cheer team dance their choreographed moves to upbeat music. Prior to the game, the senior cheerleaders were honored by walking with their parents and other family members, with their name banners strapped across their bodies and flowers in hand.

Photo Gallery: Senior Night

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor October 28, 2025

On Oct. 24, the school's various programs and sports teams: cheer, dance, football and sports medicine honored their seniors at a football home game against San Marcos High School. After four years of...

Ava Bauer (12) smiles in her sacred 'sports medicine' creweneck with her med-kit wrapped around her body. Bauer has been in the sports medicine program for three years, now serving as president, and intends to pursue sports medicine as a career. (Viktoria Kiss)

What’s in your bag: Sports medicine interns

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor October 16, 2025

Various tapes, gauze, scissors and electrolytes fill a sports medicine intern’s “med kit” bag. You may have seen these kits wrapped around interns' bodies at sporting events, without knowing they...

The varsity contemporary dancers perform ‘Sweet Dreams,’ featuring Emi Kiyota (12) as the lead. The school's dance program put on the Fall for Dance show on Oct. 3-4.  Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Dance program performs Fall for Dance concert

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor October 9, 2025

The school's dance teams presented their annual Fall for Dance show at the Performing Arts Center last Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The production, which was in preparation...

Swapping the race of a character has grown increasing prominence in the film industry, especially in the making of live action movies. The Falconer staff discussed the controversy surrounding race swapping and its impact.

Staff Ed: Race swapping in media

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor September 29, 2025

Imagine hearing that your all-time favorite childhood fairy tale is finally being adapted into a live-action film. You are absolutely over the moon with excitement. As you eagerly open the cast list, ready...

Lucy Crosby (10) and peers showcase a prototype of their own AI surgical robot, which allows them to solve complex medical problems. Crosby attended a five day med-tech program at Harvard Medical School, the MEDscienceTECH Moonshot. Photo courtesy of Lucy Crosby.

Beyond horizons: Summer programs

Viktoria Kiss, Sports Editor August 25, 2025

From educational enrichment courses at prestigious universities to traveling abroad and exploring diverse cultures, students created a catalogue of memories and experiences. While some students spent their...

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

Viktoria 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...

Sydney Sirinian (12) performs her floor routine in the school's gymnasium. Recently on April 25, the school’s girls varsity gymnastics team competed in a dual meet against Westview High School. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Day on the Team: Gymnastics

Viktoria Kiss, Staff Writer April 30, 2025

As alarms blare, text messages light up the girls varsity gymnastics team’s phones, reminding them what gear to pack for the meet, what’s on the lunch menu and most importantly, blowing up the group...

March male Athlete of the Month Jacob Cava (12) points at the camera as he lifts his opponent in the air. Cava has been apart of the wrestling program at the school since freshman year. Photo courtesy of Jacob Cava.

Athlete of the Month: Jacob Cava

Viktoria Kiss, Staff Writer March 24, 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. Jacob Cava (12) cemented his legacy on the school’s varsity...

February Rising Star of the Month Gary Ying (12) poses for a photo. During the ceremony held by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 5, Ying received the award for his academic excellence and dedication to helping others.

February Rising Star of the Month: Gary Ying

Viktoria Kiss, Staff writer March 12, 2025

Gary Ying (12) received the February Rising Star Award at a ceremony hosted by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 5. The award recognizes SDUHSD students who made a significant impact on their community...

The girls varsity basketball team (18-7) celebrates with Harper Kelly (12). The team beat Sage Creek (6-17) at home after a score of 69-21. Photo courtesy of Anna Scipione.

Girls varsity basketball takes home a big win

Viktoria Kiss, Staff Writer February 6, 2025

In an effortless finish on Wednesday night, the girls varsity basketball team (18-7) achieved a breathless 69-21 victory against the Sage Creek Bobcats (6-17).  The Falcons came off with a fiery passion...

Students smile and high-five as they enter Challenge Day. Challenge Day has been held in around 2,700 schools worldwide, with over one million students having participated. Center: Alexa Quinones (10).

[Photo] Photo Gallery: 2025 Challenge Day

January 31, 2025

Students smile and high-five as they enter Challenge Day. Challenge Day has been held in around 2,700 schools worldwide, with over one million students having participated. Center: Alexa Quinones (10).

Load More Stories
Donate to The Falconer