The
BOLT
September 2021 Volume 22, Issue 1 lightningboltonline.com Sage Hill School 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
All Students Back on Campus After a year of dual learning options for students, the school welcomes back everyone.
Eric Xie | The Bolt
The Sage Hill community gathers in Town Square for the annual Convocation Ceremony on Aug. 23. Ingrid Luo Excited chatter, joyous shouts, and the loud rumble of more than 500 footsteps could be heard on the first day of school thisyear. After being cooped up at home or abiding by strict safety guidelines on campus the past school year, Sage Hill students were exhilarated that they could return to school, hang out with their friends, and learn in person. Sophomore Sophia Chen said that learning on-site is “super exciting and reinvigorating” and allows her to see “the whole school in a different light.” In the spring of 2020, the school closed its doors to maintain the safety of its students and staff. Due to the omnipresent threat of the coronavirus pandemic, all education was shifted online, with teachers hustling to adjust the framework of classes and tweak any complications that arose. The summer of
that year passed quickly, but COVID-19 was still a present concern and danger. Some students, worn out by the extensive quarantine, expressed their hopes of returning to the school campus. At the same time, others were still worried about the risks of contracting the virus. To fit the needs of everyone, the school established dual learning modalities — distance and in-person learning. Those who wanted to learn on campus would undergo regular testing to check for any symptoms of the coronavirus that could possibly endanger the Sage Hill community. Arrival times for the under and upperclassmen were established to control traffic and crowding, decreasing the likelihood of spreading COVID-19. At the same time, students and faculty who wished to stay home could learn and teach online, respectively, through Zoom. The 2020-2021 school year flew by, and many adjustments were made over the
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year as situations varied. Before many realized, though, it was already time for another beginning: this year. With almost 90 percent of the student body and almost 100 percent of the Sage Hill staff vaccinated, the school felt ready to bring everyone back on campus. “I believe we are at our best as a school and a community when we are all together, learning and collaborating in person,” said Dean of School Life Dominic Campeau. Since the pandemic is not completely over, with undulating cases and the discovery of a new variant, the decision and plan to open the school was discussed very thoroughly. “Of course, when making any decisions, Ms. Merz and the administrative team have the health and safety of our students and employees as a top priority at all times,” said Mr. Campeau. “But we believe that with our current policy of
I look forward to seeing my students each day.
- Jim Lau
Editorial, Page 2
Sports, Page 3
Community, Page 4
weekly surveillance testing for unvaccinated individuals, as well as mandatory face mask requirements indoors for everyone, we are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of exposure on campus.” Many students, as well as teachers and staff, look forward to the upcoming year. Several also agree that, despite the new safety requirements, they don’t sense much difference. “It was just strange,” junior Catherine Lockie, a student who chose online learning last year, said. “Because it didn’t feel like any time had passed since when I left the Sage campus and when I returned.” Hopes are high, and Mr. Campeau said that he is “looking forward to celebrating and being together as a community for popular traditions like Homecoming, pep rallies, and grade level retreats. We all just need to continue doing our part to keep ourselves and one another safe, and we will have an incredible year ahead!”
” Features, Page 6
Backpage, Page 8
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The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
Editorial
Redefining Normal
The date is March 12, 2020. Sage Hill students, faculty, and staff file into the Ube gymnasium following a quick announcement that was made during early morning B block. There is an excited chatter, but also a sense of unease. The Covid-19 virus has taken over the headlines, and the pandemic has now spread close to home. A hush falls over the crowd as Head of School Patricia Merz approaches the podium. Her words almost echo across the room: School will be moved to a distance learning format for two weeks. If it is safe to do so, everyone will return to campus after spring break. This announcement was met with mixed reactions - celebratory music blaring from a student’s phone, cheers across the gym, and a few hugs and solemn faces. No one quite knew how to react, but everyone knew this was the frontier of unprecedented times for recent generations. “When Ms. Merz made the announcement, I kind of heard what was going on but I didn’t really know what was happening at the same time, and it was kind of a shock,” said senior Catherine Herrick. “I remember exiting the school with all the other students and not going to practice, and it was kind of weird because nothing like this has ever happened before.” For current seniors and juniors, that day is probably one of your most memorable at Sage Hill. At the time, we had little to no idea that the next time all of us would be back on campus would be 18 months later. As for the current underclassmen, some of you had to navigate through the end of middle school and adapt to high school life through a virtual format during a time when abnormality was the new normal. “Meeting my classmates on zoom last year felt formal and impersonal,” said sophomore Alia Sajjadian. The past year and a half was a struggle for the Sage Hill faculty and staff as well, as they had to quickly adapt to the distance learning modality in order to preserve the school’s quality of education. Zoom fatigue and quarantine boredom was not unique to students. “It was harder to make personal connections with students, so I don’t really miss that part of distance learning,” said science teacher
Xinyi Xie | The Bolt
and senior advisor Mrs. Rutherford. The past 18 months have been a whirlwind of anxiety, worry, and uncertainty, and these feelings continue to linger upon the arrival of the 2021-2022 school year. How do we attempt to acclimate to what was normal when the pandemic continues to devastate millions across the globe? Is it even possible to truly return to what we called normal? In the present day, it seems that the answers are simply “we do our best” and “sort of.” Masks will still have to be worn indoors, hand sanitizer dispenser stands will remain posted around campus, and Covid-19 testing will continue for unvaccinated members of the community. But normalcy is making its comeback. Athletic events are taking place, dances are being hosted, and perhaps most impor-
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THE BOLT
he Bolt is a student newspaper and serves the public forum at Sage Hill School. Its content - news, editorial, opinion, and feature - is protected by Education Code 48907, the state student rights law and the California Constitution which guarantees all citizens the right of freedom of speech and of the press. The Bolt accepts signed letters to the editor from members of the Sage Hill Community which may be posted as comments to our website, lightningboltonline. com, or addressed to editor-in-chiefs Riya Gupta or Sanjana Khurana and put in their mailboxes on campus. These letters may not exceed 150 words or they will be edited for inclusion. Editors-in-Chief Riya Gupta (Bolt), Sanjana Khurana (Bolt), Xinyi Xie (Online), Courtney Davis (Storm) and Julia Kwon (Storm) Editorial Board Lauren Chung, Isabel Gomez, David Kim, Noe Lee, and Phoebe Pan Adviser Jennifer Kucera Rothman
tantly, the student body is back on campus in its entirety. This image is a stark contrast to the bare campus seen one year ago. “It’s very different seeing so many people here at once,” said senior Dina Khabaz. “It almost feels normal. Overall it’s good seeing everyone again.” “There was such a difference in the energy and collective excitement about being physically on campus,” said Sajjadian. How long will this version of normal last? Another answer that is unknown. However, we, the Sage Hill community, must continue to be determined and optimistic about the future. Although school life -- and everyday life at that matter -- may not return to the traditional normal anytime soon, this current redefinition of normal is a step in the right direction.
Priya Bhakta
Anisha Punia
Carter Bryant
Sophie Qui
Anne Chen
Max Razmjoo
Elizabeth Chen
Shaan Sakraney
Sabrina Do
Karmen Sandhu
Anna Lin
Zahra Sarwono
Ingrid Luo
Roya Yahmai
Shaan Patel
Eric Xie
Sports
The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
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Fall Sports Back in Full
After COVID kept fall sports teams from having a full season last year, our teams are ready for action.
Football players strategize a game play during a huddle. Priya Bhakta
Get excited Sage students, athletics are back! Camps for potential players to prepare as well as tryouts for teams were going on all summer for Sage athletes to prepare for fall sports. Girls volleyball, waterpolo, girls tennis, girls varsity golf, and football have all had games, and will continue to have games throughout this month. All of our teams have been working hard to prepare for the season. Each team has had some amazing showings in the first week of games. After losses against Newport Harbor High School, the girls’ frosh/soph and girls’
David Kim | The Bolt
junior varsity girls’ volleyball teams rallied back for some exciting wins against Calvary Chapel Santa Ana on Aug. 27. Our water polo team also had a victory in their first game, beating El Modena High School 18-4. Most notably, our football team had an impressive first game against San Jacinto High School, winning 54-0 at home on Aug. 27. This fall season is particularly special for our returning girls’ volleyball players, who did not get to have any games or a normal season due to the COVID-19 pandemic status last fall. “Being in the gym for the first time and getting the full girls’ volleyball expe-
David Kim | The Bolt
Alexis Kim and other golfers practice their skills at Strawberry Farms.
rience is so much fun,” sophomore Alex Gomez said. “Last year we didn’t get the opportunity to bond with our teams and make the memories that I’ve made now, which makes me so much more grateful for the experience.” This season is also important to the seniors who weren’t sure if they were going to get a senior volleyball season. For all girls’ volleyball players, returning or new, this season is special, and the teams are more than ready to get back on the court. Girls’ golf has also been in full swing since school started. Team members have been practicing at Strawberry Farms, getting to practice on a real
Freshman varsity player Eva Alexander jumps to spike the ball during a match against Newport Harbor.
David Kim | The Bolt
Ava Miller helps the girls’ varisty tennis team win their first match of the season.
course to prepare for the season. “Even though the season is just beginning, we’ve been having so much fun. It’s great to have everyone back together and matches are always fun when all the girls are together,” senior Alexis Kim said. The football team also started off on a high note for their season. “Our performance [on Aug. 27] was just the beginning for us,” said senior Nick Neal, who kicked off the first game with a touchdown in the first quarter. “Stay tuned!” Stay on the lookout for information about home games to come and support the Sage Hill community and our student athletes.
Sabrina Do | The Bolt
Dave Siegmund | Sage Hill School
Arvin Chona has his game face ready as he prepares to score a goal.
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Comm
The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
New Crew o
Jim Lau Mr. Lau is joining Sage this year as a mathematics teacher. Previous to coming to Sage, Mr. Lau taught 15 years at Crossroads School in Santa Monica and 6 years previously at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, adding up to a total of 21 years of teaching experience. Outside of teaching, he enjoys practicing Kung Fu, cooking, and playing music. Mr. Lau is also bilingual in Chinese and English. When asked what he looks forward to here at Sage, Mr. Lau said, “I look forward to seeing my students each day.”
Liz Chung Mrs. Chung joins Sage Hill as an English teacher. This year marks her twentieth year of teaching, and she began her career teaching in independent schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Baltimore, Maryland. She then transitioned to public schools in Maryland where she taught a wide range of subjects, including English for all grade levels, including AP English Language and Composition, and Gate and Talented Research Course. Mrs. Chung says that “those were some of my most memorable years as I still keep in touch with many of my students.” She moved to Southern California five years ago with her family, where she taught 9th and 11th grade English at Foothill High School. Here at Sage, Mrs. Chung says that she is looking forward to “developing a close relationship with my advisory, meeting and supporting my students in developing their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, and exchanging ideas with my colleagues at Sage Hill.” Mrs. Chung says that the school has been very supportive of her already, and she can’t wait to “strengthen those bonds with everyone in the Sage Hill community.” In her free time, Mrs. Chung values spending quality time with her family of four. They play competitive games, explore good food and new restaurants, and experiment with new recipes. Mrs. Chung gets her daily through Barre3, a full body balancing workout, which she says “allows me to be more pliable while strengthening my core and muscles.” When she has free time, she also enjoys playing a round of golf out on the courses. Mrs. Chung is also fluent in Korean and speaks some French.
Tamara Conger Ms. Conger joins Sage Hill as the Executive Assistant to the Head of School with over twenty years of experience under her belt. She has worked in many different types of schools in Eastern Washington, from public and private elementary schools to college education settings. Ms. Conger wanted to “escape snowy winters and be closer to my daughter ,” so she moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and began working as the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent at San Marino Unified School District. There, Ms. Conger says she was very fortunate to “work with some phenomenal people who are truly dedicated to their work in education.” Here at Sage, Ms. Conger says that she is “very excited to be part of the Sage community. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work on such a beautiful campus with the energy of students and great coworkers!” In her free time, Ms. Conger likes to get out in nature, enjoying a variety of activities ranging from going to the beach, hiking, and walking her dog through neighborhood parks. Since she is relatively new to Orange County, she says that “there is a lot more yet to explore.”
Beth Mawhinney Ms. Mawhinney joined Sage this year as the Library Media Specialist. Previously, she worked in social services for over six years, primarily focusing on at-risk youth, the unhoused population, and the Department of Mental Health. For example, she recently was a case manager for the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles. Ms. Mawhinney says that she is looking forward to “building connections with students, faculty, and staff, adding “I’m excited for opportunities to help students and the Sage Community build strong research skills so they can find the information they need, and stumble upon information they might want but did not know existed yet!” When she is not at Sage, Ms. Mawhinney says she spends her time at the beach, hiking, and camping with her family and two dogs. She also enjoys reading short story collections, cooking, and listening to Latin Jazz.
Maggie Raiken This year, Ms. Raiken is joining Sage Hill as the Director of Advancement Services. She first started fundraising “13 years ago, first working in political fundraising all across the country.” When she moved back to Los Angeles, Ms. Raiken worked in non-profit fundraising and volunteer management. This is her sixth year working in a school, and she has previously worked at a PreK-6th grade elementary school and a K-12 independent school, both in Los Angeles. At Sage, Ms. Raiken is “looking forward to getting to know the community, which so far has been very welcoming and supportive of [her].” She also mentions that she is very excited to co-advise an 11th grade advisory this year alongside Ms. Livermore. In her free time, Ms. Raiken loves to cook, bake, and explore new restaurants. She also enjoys spending time with her parent’s puppy, Benny, a Maltese-Poodle, who she says is “definitely a Covid-Puppy.” Ms. Raiken also mentioned that she loves reading a good book, or binge-watching reality TV.
munity
The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
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on the Block Sara Graham Mrs. Graham is joining Sage this year as the Sage Center Assistant Director for Global Outreach. Prior to joining Sage, she was the Director of International Programs and an academic advisor at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, MD, where she taught and developed a curriculum for the Global History and Mandarin Chinese Programs. Mrs. Graham also has extensive neuroeducation training, and in 2018, she was selected to be an Omidyar Teacher Research Fellow for The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, where she published a year-long action research project that explored student choice and motivation. Mrs. Graham said that she is “thrilled that at Sage Hill there is an entire center, the Sage Center, dedicated to inspiring students to become agents of change through innovative curriculum that facilitates engagement with local and global communities.” She mentions that she is very excited to be part of the center that houses these influential programs. In her free time, Mrs. Graham enjoys spending her spare moments with family. She also loves to cook and finds joy in organic gardening.
Sanan Shirinian Ms. Shirinian, a passionate member of the global community, is joining Sage this year as Sage Center Director. She has worked in private schools as a teacher and a principal, though she believes that “[her] experiences in the world outside of [her] career have been equally instrumental in shaping who [she is].” Her previous experience also includes dealing with social justice and human rights issues. For example, she worked in refugee camps in Jordan to serve 200 Syrian refugee children and to help give them hope in less than ideal circumstances. Ms. Shirinian said that she looks forward to “connecting with new humans, having an academic space to think critically and deeply about issues of our time, taking part in developing a vibrant and inclusive school culture, and so much more” here at Sage. Outside of her passion for service, Ms. Shrinian said she also enjoys reading (mostly non-fiction), listening to podcasts, and traveling around the world.
Dinh Nguyen Alyssa Flynn This year, Mrs. Flynn is joining Sage Hill as the Associate Director of 9th and 10th Grade College Counseling. Her professional career started in Kansas City, MO, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in counseling and guidance. For the past 15 years, she has been at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where she was the Director of Counseling & School Counselor. Mrs. Flynn truly enjoys supporting her students and welcomes them to reach out at any time. She says that here at Sage, she is most looking forward to “getting to know the students.” Mrs. Flynn said, “I truly enjoy working with high school students and partnering with them on their journey toward graduation. I am also very excited about my role as Lead Class Advisor for the sophomore class and helping to support the advisors working with those students during advisory and service learning.” Outside of helping her students reach their high school and college dreams, Mrs. Flynn enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters (age 12 and 9), and her mini schnauzer, Polly. She also loves going to the beach, working out at Orange Theory Fitness and riding her Peloton bike.
Dr. Nguyen is joining Sage as a mathematics teacher. He taught at Polytechnic School in Pasadena for 4 years prior to Sage. He says that he looks forward to “getting to know the students at Sage the most and getting involved in activities outside the classroom such as sporting events and Spring at Sage.” In addition to being a math teacher, Dr. Nguyen will also be an assistant coach for tennis. In his free time, Dr. Nguyen likes to go on hikes with his friends, play tennis, go running, and play video games.
Ha Tran Ms. Tran is Sage Hill’s new Human Resources/Payroll Specialist. She has over 25 years of payroll experience in various industries before Sage, including working for companies such as Allergan, Karma Automotive, and Meggitt-USA Services. After so many years of working in big corporations, Tran says that she is very happy to be at Sage. “It is definitely a change of pace, a more relaxed environment with genuinely nice co-workers,” she said. Outside of work, Ms. Tran enjoys spending time with her husband and children whenever she can. They enjoy going out to eat, watching movies, playing board games, and travelling together.
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Features
The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR ON CAMPUS David Kim Over the summer, senior Austin Lin published his own children’s book, The Not-So-Ordinary Recollections of an Ordinary Teenager. The book takes on the perspective of a teenager who moves from California to Connecticut. It is written in a diary format with each ‘chapter’ being different journal entries. The driving force of the plot is the main character’s autistic brother, Herbie, who struggles with acclimating to a new community. When writing the book, Lin drew inspiration from his personal life and his relationship with his family. He too has an autistic brother and wanted to write it for him. “My autistic brother was my motivation,” Lin said. “I don’t want him to face bullying or harassment just because he’s different.” By providing realistic scenarios and journal entries in the book, Lin wanted to make sure that people were able to connect to the characters of the novel. His hope for the readers is that they would learn two vital traits: empathy and compassion. “I want people to realize that people have differences and that we should respect them,” Lin said. However, writing a 146-page book in the middle of high school was no easy task for Lin. The process took around two years and he ran into numerous challenges, one of which was stylistic. “Finding the mix of keeping the readers engaged while successfully conveying the message was extremely tough,” Lin said. So far, Lin has sold about 100 copies. 100% of the proceeds goes to AutismSpeaks, an organization that conducts research and spreads awareness on autism.
David Kim | The Bolt
Senior Austin Lin holds up his newly published children’s book.
Movie Review: Black Widow Fights Gender Norms...Or Does She? Noe Lee and Roya Yaghmai “I’m not the killer that little girls call their hero.” In the 2021 hit movie Black Widow, actresses Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh light up the big screen with their empowering roles as Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova. The film featured action-packed fight scenes paired with the heart-wrenching themes of humanity and family. Natasha Romanoff’s past finally catches up to her as she struggles to find a balance between who she was
and who she wants to be. The movie follows Romanoff throughout her journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with her past self. While Black Widow aimed to portray the lead heroines as empowering role models, some would argue that it lacked originality. Although the film brought a new female lead to the screens, Rotten Tomatoes critic Deborah Ross claims that “women is its only decent idea,” and the objectification of women in power
Meet
continues to be present in cinema. Yet again, we see the heroine catering to male audiences in scandalously executed costuming. Actress Gal Gadot received similar backlash for her role as Wonder Woman in 2017. Though the idea of a feminist woman in the super-universe was initially an excitement, it proved to be a greater feat than director Patty Jenkins had intended. Slate writer Christina Cauterucci says that the chance of Wonder Woman being a female role model was overshadowed
the
by “its prevailing occupation with the titular heroine’s sex appeal.” Critics of Black Widow preach this same story three years later. When Hollywood’s solution to an oversexualized heroine is two oversexualized heroines, the audience may start to wonder where the problem really lies. Though Black Widow may not have accomplished its goal of female empowerment, it was still a super fun watch and definitely deserves a spot in the Marvel Hall of Fame.
Editors
Riya Gupta
Sanjana Khurana
Xinyi Xie
Courtney Davis
Julia Kwon
Lauren Chung
Isabel Gomez
David Kim
Noe Lee
Phoebe Pan
Opinion
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“Dear...”
Sage students offer words of advice to their peers. Dear freshmen, Welcome to the next four years of your life. Whether your first weeks have been exciting, intimidating, overwhelming, or all of the above, this is the time for self growth. Fearlessly venture into this chapter of your life with an open mind. Embrace all the life-long memories, belly-aching laughs, and challenging obstacles that are the purest fusion of the quintessential high school experience. As a sophomore who did not get to experience a conventional freshman year, I’d say the best thing you can possibly do
for yourself is to simply make the most of it. This year is about exploration and risk-taking. Run for co-chair, start a club, try a new sport, and be bold with your decisions because ultimately, the risks you take will determine the person you’ll become. Lastly, don’t cower in the face of adversity and remember that help is always available whether it be from your peers, advisor, or teachers. I wish you all my best in your freshman endeavors and beyond. Sincerely, Anne Chen
David Kim | The Bolt
Five freshmen battle it out during the weekly Town Meeting game. Dear sophomores,
David Kim | The Bolt
The sophomores are all smiles as they compete in tug-of-war. Dear juniors, Welcome back to campus! Although the past year of online school and staying home has been challenging, this school year will be better. Do not be scared or intimidated by the concept of “junior year” because you got this. “Prioritize your mental health. Find your safe space whether that be a hobby, friends and family, or a literal place,” said senior Riya Gupta. Make sure to take care of yourself. We all have our ups and downs throughout the year, but know that you have help. Your advisor, friends, teachers,
Last year was certainly quite hectic— you and I both know this. Two semesters of quarantine and online classes were probably not what you expected when you first started high school. But you have made it through; light is now finally at the end of the tunnel. And it’s not too late to make up for what you may have missed. The sophomore year is definitely a time you should treasure. You’re over the frantic confusion of trying to adapt to a new environment as a freshman, and you’ve got a lot more freedom now as a sophomore. And trust me — you’ll want to have your fun before junior year slaps you in the head. That means you now have the opportunity to start materializing your potential with plenty of time to
explore. And after a whole year of quarantine, it’s definitely a great time to branch out and socialize. Build friendships with your classmates. Get to know your teachers — they’re not the boring old guys people like to make them out to be. And a word of advice: make use of your time wisely. That’s not saying you can’t procrastinate at all, but at least have your priorities in order. If you think you’re going to regret having to finish that English essay tomorrow, then you’re probably better off just writing it today. And if you ever need help with anything, remember that the Sage Hill community is always there for you. Have a great and unforgettable year. Sincerely, Xinyi Xie
and peers at Sage are here to help and support you. “Take advantage of every opportunity,” said senior David Ho. With only two years left at Sage, it’s important to be present for every moment before the stress of college applications, and remember to have fun. This year, we have more things to look forward to: prom, service learning, and so much more. Though it is still important to work hard and do your best academically, you should also make time for yourself. Make the most of this year, and stay safe! Sincerely, Lauren Chung David Kim | The Bolt
Juniors gather together for the weekly Town Meeting. Dear seniors,
David Kim | The Bolt
A group of seniors reunite after the Convocation Ceremony.
Hey, Class of 2022! Two PSATs, over a dozen finals, four pep rallies, and one quarantine later, we finally made it to senior year. The past 18 months haven’t been easy, but our grade handled them with grace and came out of this experience stronger and even more connected to one another. But the end of quarantine has brought us to our year of lasts. Some of these lasts are celebratory, like our last final exams and our last time procrastinating on summer homework. However, we also will be having some bittersweet lasts, like our last sports games against St. Margaret’s, our last dances, our last Town Meeting, and our last
time together as the Sage Hill graduating class of 2022. So among all these lasts, appreciate every moment. Audition for the musical. Volunteer for the Town Meeting games. Join a club in which you’ve always been interested. Ask that person to prom. In other words, make the most of every opportunity and live without regrets. This is our last year here, so let’s make it count. I’ve been so grateful to experience high school with all 132 of you. The last three years have been unexpected but unforgettable, and I can’t wait to enjoy the remaining time we have together. Go lightning! Sincerely, Riya Gupta
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The Bolt September 2021 Sage Hill School
Backpage
Afghanistan: An Overview
Now that the U.S. has left Afghanistan, did we make a difference? Sanjana Khurana and Isabel Gomez
After 20 years, four U.S. presidents, over $2 trillion of U.S. expenditures, over 800,000 U.S. troops deployed, and 2,461 Americans making the ultimate sacrifice, the Biden administration announced on April 4, 2021 that they would maintain the Trump administration’s plan of ending U.S. military action in Afghanistan. Troops were slated to make the final retreat from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Optimistic about the Afghan government’s ability to maintain order, the Biden administration started withdrawing troops in the first weeks of August 2021. With seemingly little understanding of 3,000+ years of complicated tribal relationships and disregard for skeptical intelligence reports, President Biden discounted the risk that the Taliban would be able to negotiate the forced surrender of essentially the entire nation. On August 15, 2021, Kabul and the government that had been slowly pieced together over the span of two decades fell to the Taliban, the group the U.S. initially toppled to gain control in 2001. The United States initially entered Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in Manhattan and at the Pentagon. President George W. Bush sent troops in an attempt to kill Osama bin Laden (the terrorist leader behind the attacks) and expel Al-Qaeda (Osama bin Laden’s terrorist group) from the region. Because the Taliban refused to take sufficient action, the U.S. and Great Britain bombed Afghanistan, dismantling their hold on power, forcing a retreat, and cementing U.S. control. Eight months after 9/11, President Bush announced a new humanitarian and reconstruction effort to the U.S. occupation, likening it to the 1948 Marshall Plan after World War II. In an attempt to rebuild Afghanistan and forge a new and hopefully permanent order away from Taliban and extremist rule, the U.S. initially pledged $38 billion to the cause. The Taliban are students of a strict form of Sunni Islam and promised their followers to instate their form of Sharia law (Islamic law) on Afghanistan once in
Xinyi Xie | The Bolt
Other Voices “We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build. And it’s the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country.” - President Joe Biden “The high probability is if American forces withdraw from Afghanistan and if no alternative international arrangement is made that then the historic contests between the regions and the sects will reappear, the Taliban will re-emerge, and a very complicated and maybe chaotic situation will develop.” - Henry Kissinger
power. Afghans worry that under Taliban rule, women’s rights will regress to the conditions of 20 years ago. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001, women were not allowed to leave the house without a man, banned from schooling or working outside the house, and forced to wear burqas (most concealed Islamic veil). As Afghanistan’s future hangs in the balance, people are living in fear and dread a possible return to the old ways. Women are scared not only for their lives, but also for
losing the progress that was made in the past two decades. Only two days after the Taliban took control, over 20,000 Afghans flooded the Kabul Airport and swared the tarmac in hopes of escaping to safety. Few clung to the wings of departing airplanes for the slim chance of escaping the country, only to plummet to their deaths. The Kabul Airport has come to symbolize the desperation of the Afghans to escape the future under Taliban rule. While reflecting on the United States involvement in Afghani-
stan, it is hard not to think back to Vietnam. The United States spent years sending aid and troops worth billions of dollars to Vietnam. The fall of Saigon in 1975, which has become a symbol of American defeat, signaled the end of the Vietnam War. Thousands of Americans and Vietnamese troops were evacuated on helicopters. Sound familiar? The Taliban have now regained control of Afghanistan. It’s almost as though the United States was never there. Did we make a difference? Only time will tell...