LGHS Teacher attends Jeopardy! after years of waiting: On Dec. 2, Jeopardy! featured LGHS ninth-grade English teacher, Anne Martyn. She became one of only 40 selected from 700,000 applicants. Martyn, a longtime fan of the show who began watching with her husband, auditioned for years before finally receiving the long-awaited call. When describing her experience, Martyn highlighted the incredible people who created such a supportive atmosphere, emphasizing that they encouraged everyone to “do the best [they] can and go for it and have fun,” which made the show as much about camaraderie as competition. 

– Gowri Sunil, News Editor

LGHS Choir prepares for upcoming performance: The LGHS Choir department is working hard to make their upcoming winter concert the best one yet. The concert will feature three choirs: the department’s two audition ensembles, Mixed and Treble, as well as the non-audition chorus, Concert. Winter classics like You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch and Deck the Halls are sure to put the audience in the holiday spirit. The performance will also highlight the LeGatos A Cappella club, which will perform festive tunes and carols to complement the main choirs’ holiday setlist. The concert will be held tonight, Dec. 12, at 7:00 PM at the McAfee Performing Arts Center in Saratoga. Come watch to celebrate the students’ hard work!

– Sahil Muthukrishnan, Culture Editor

Car crashes into Los Gatos Roasting Company: On Thanksgiving evening, a car going full speed crashed into the Los Gatos Roasting Company, causing severe damage and destruction to the local favorite. The vehicle reportedly sped down University Avenue at approximately 70-100 mph before driving head-on into the coffee shop at the end of the street. Police extracted the driver, a 90-year-old Los Gatos citizen, from the totalled car. He was later hospitalized after the accident. Police say alcohol may have been a factor and that the driver was in serious but stable condition. At this time, there are no further updates on the driver’s condition or the reason for the accident. (Sources: CBS News, Los Gatan, Mercury News)

– Abby Coven, News Editor

DOJ sued California over in-state tuition: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) sued California on Nov. 20 over the state’s in-state tuition and financial aid programs for undocumented students. DOJ argues the California Dream Act, which provides in-state tuition rates to qualifying undocumented students, discriminates against out-of-state Americans who pay higher tuition fees, citing the 1996 Immigration Act. The law prohibits further education benefits for undocumented students unless they are available to all citizens, regardless of state. DOJ named Governor Gavin Newsom, California’s Attorney General, the University of California system, and others in the suit. Newsom’s office commented, “We’ll see you in court.” (Sources:  Inside Higher Education, NYT, USDOJ)

– Sahil Muthukrishnan, Culture Editor

Fantasy of Lights comes to LG: On Dec. 9 through Dec. 30, Los Gatos’s beloved Fantasy of Lights Festival returns to Vasona Park for its 27th year. The festival is a mile and a half long display of lighting decorations showcasing different themes and settings. Some notable decorations that make their annual return include dinosaurs, a basketball Santa, and flowers. Prior to the event’s official opening to cars, visitors had the opportunity to participate in the walk-through event on Dec. 6 and 7. This year, the fantasy is using new environmentally friendly LED lighting; therefore, visitors should expect this year’s decorations to outshine past ones. Tickets are available on TicketSpice and are a must-buy to get into the holiday spirit. (Source: Santa Clara County)

– Megan Saul, Editor-in-Chief

Turkey trots take place nationwide: On Thanksgiving morning, 1,056 Turkey Trot running events took place throughout the United States; of those, 69 were in California. The Turkey Trot began in 1896 in an effort to “provide health, hope, and a home.” Silicon Valley held its inaugural Turkey Trot in 2005 and has been going strong since. This year, there were over 1,000 runners at the local Silicon Valley Trot, with all proceeds going to nonprofit organizations including Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Healthier Kids Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, and Home First. The countdown to the 2026 Turkey Trot has begun, and now is your time to start training to run and support! (Sources: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot)

– Kloe Adams, Games Creator