The Bolt Februray 2024 by Sage Hill School

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BOLT

February 2024 Volume 22, Issue 4 lightningboltonline.com Sage Hill School 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657

Girls Tackle Flag Football Tournament

Jenny Li | The Bolt

Sophomore Soraya Dennis defending junior Eva Alexander at the girls’ flag football tournament on Jan. 26. By Madeleine Carroll

For the first time in school history, Sage Hill organized a flag football game on Ramer Field. The game held on Jan. 26 was a preview of what’s to come next fall. Girls’ flag football will be a CIF sport, allowing girls to compete competitively against other schools in the Pacific Coast League for the first time. “This is my first time playing flag football and it has been such a fun experience. I can’t wait to join the Sage Hill team and play flag football next year, which is something I’d never thought I would do,” junior defensive player Ceyda Shamsai said. School spirit was at an all-time high on Friday. Every grade showed their school spirit by repping their class colors.

News, Page 3

Students showed up to school early to decorate their bleacher section with colorful banners. The flag football tournament was composed of freshman sophomores, juniors, and seniors all competing against each other to win not only the trophy, but pride for their grade. Each game was seven minutes long with no breaks. The first game featured the freshman versus sophomores. The game was a nail-biter and ended with the sophomores winning. “It was a tough game, but it was so exciting to see our hard work paying off,” sophomore wide receiver Alexia Beyrath said. The second game, seniors versus juniors, was full of excitement. The seniors, having scored a touchdown on their first

Athletics, Page 4

drive, looked like they were going to win, when the juniors scored a 50-yard touchdown in the last 30 seconds of the game. The final game, sophomores versus juniors, kept the school on the edge of their seat. Both teams were unable to score, leading to the referees checking which team had more yards. They announced that the sophomores ended up with more yards, giving them the first girls’ flag football trophy in Sage Hill history. “Although the tournament didn’t turn out as we hoped, we’re a strong team and I really look forward to playing again. We’ll get ‘em next year!” junior quarterback Haley Li said. Synergy Dance Ensemble and Sage Hill Dance Team also put on exciting

Community, Page 6

performances during halftime with a little help from English Teacher Jennifer Scott, History Teacher Jen Rothman, Math Department Chair Dr. Drew Ishii and Science Teachers Dr. Todd Haney and Derek Shapiro. Members of the Boys’ Football Team coached their grade’s flag football team, using their knowledge of the sport to help their team win it all. Each grade-level team devised strategies that could give them an advantage on game day. Coaches even deployed some of the plays they use during the regular season and implemented them into their playbook. “I’m excited to be part of this inaugural event,” junior coach Dylan Dolotta said.

Student Life, Page 7

Entertainment, Page 8

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

Opinion

Opinion: Urban Planning for a Sustainable Future By Max Razmjoo

Last year, a Pew Research Center survey found that 80% of U.S. adults would change their behavior to fight climate change. Many people try to “play their part” by doing things like recycling, turning off the lights or using less plastic. Unfortunately, like many things in society nowadays, American laws are preventing us from making the most conducive, sustainable stride of them all: solving the car problem. There are between three to eight parking spaces for every car in America (CNN). Our newer burgeoning metropolises seem to be dominated by highways rather than crowded pedestrian walkways. Some streets even lack bike lanes. All this goes without mentioning the incredibly jarring (and unique) lack of reliable public transportation in much of America. You might ask, “why?” Why can’t American cities make the most aesthetically pleasing, convenient decisions when it comes to development? Surely,

parking spaces at that scale are such an unnecessary eyesore. Why are cities like San Bernardino devoting 49 percent of their land area to parking spaces (Parking Reform Network)? Conventional wisdom may argue that this is a necessity for America’s large population. How does that explain the fact that out of the roughly 1.4 billion people in China, there “only” exists 250 million parking spaces (Intertraffic China)? Lobbying made America a uniquely car-dependent country. I recently watched a Vox YouTube explanation summarizing this occurrence: Essentially, as American cities rapidly industrialized in the 1920s, a combination of auto industry lobbying and (at the time) financially-prudent decision making led to this phenomenon. To cities, policies favoring car ownership would lighten the tax burden of providing public transportation. Instead, they could passively generate income as they set up parking spaces with meters, taxing people for their transportation while

making their ownership easier via parking space construction and highway development. At the same time, the auto industry (led at the time by Ford and GM) pressed cities to make these changes for their own sake: Consumers would buy more cars given their newfound accessibility and requirement for transportation. Car dependency is unsustainable in the era of climate change. Aside from its emittance of carbon, it’s simply a waste of space and an eyesore for everyone. If we lived in more walkable cities with ample bike lines and better public transportation, we could make life more environmentally friendly and convenient for everyone. I think people should focus their activism on changing these laws and citywide regulations to encourage less car use, because this could potentially resolve our carbon emission problem to an unprecedented extent.

Opinion: Your iPhone Could Be a Product of Modern-Day Slavery By Rodin Zarrabi and Naomi Tran

Phones, cars and other electronics are cornerstones of our modern-day society. From school, work and entertainment, Americans consume information through these outlets on a daily basis. Though these products are a symbol of humanity’s advancement, the means by which these resources are obtained is barbaric in nature. These devices use rechargeable batteries that are powered by components containing cobalt mined in slave-like conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The exploitation of the Congo is part of a larger issue of labor exploitation and the lack of regulations for corporations. Several reports from reliable sources, beginning in 2023, have unfolded the horrors occurring with these labor camps. Numerous laborers in these mud-ridden conditions are children as young as six years old. Exposed to hazardous chemicals and harsh working conditions, these children often end up either extremely ill or dead. Some of these mines receive laborers directly from human trafficking. More often than not, militias control these mines and force children and victims of human trafficking to work countless

hours without pay. Due to the ongoing civil war in the DRC, these mines are also practically war zones, with different militias fighting over control of cobalt mines. Furthermore, the mining industry has destroyed the landscape of the DRC. Millions of trees have been cut down and watersheds have been contaminated due to toxins from mining. A further impact of cobalt mining is the hazy air, full of dust and grit, surrounding the mines. Working in the cobalt mines is associated with birth defects, like limb abnormalities and spina bifida. Grassroots organizations and activists have tried to advocate for more comprehensive and regulated mining laws. In 2018, the Fund for Global Human Rights helped draft a mining reform bill that codifies the need for better corporate social responsibility and raises royalties for companies in the DRC. The law also requires mining permit holders to give a percentage of their annual revenue back to communities affected by extractive industries and work with local communities to enforce such a law. In 2023, the Congolese organization Bureau d’Etudes Scientifiques et Techniques (BEST) implemented their Corporate Social Responsibility Ba-

rometer project, which will measure whether mining companies are compliant with social responsibility standards in the South Kivu Province. The goal is to shame bad actors. Separately, a New Jersey congressman recently introduced the COBALT Supply Chain Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to ban imported products containing minerals critical to electric vehicle batteries, but mined through child labor and abusive conditions in Congo. It is clear that the mining industry in Congo is exploitative, abusive and an example of how pervasive slavery and human rights violations can be especially when consumer interests of developed and rich countries. With how important electric vehicles and phones have become, change might seem unattainable. However, collective progress is possible—more activists are gaining ground and have been effective in lobbying for better mining regulations. Still, as consumers, we need to acknowledge our role in perpetuating the brutal mining practices in the DRC. The first step in addressing Congo’s mining industry is to take accountability for our own consumption, and to advocate for bills that protect workers in Congo.

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. Opinions expressed do not represent the views or beliefs of Sage Hill School and its administration. The Bolt accepts signed letters to the editors from members of the Sage Hill community which may be posted as comments at lightningboltonline. com, or addressed to Editors-in-Chief Phoebe Pan, Alia Sajjadian and Anne Chen and put in their mailboxes on campus. These letters may not exceed 150 words or they will be edited for inclusion.

Editors-in-Chief Phoebe Pan (Bolt), Alia Sajjadian (Bolt) & Anne Chen (Online) Editorial Board Minha Oh, Trinity Chen, Yasmin Dennis, Madeleine Carroll, Ava Eimani, Grace Yan, Grant Franey & Ceyda Shamsai Writers Priya Bhakta, Maya Desai, Mika He, Mirabelle Jiang, Linda Liu, Jesse Lew, Taite Nicholson, Arya Rawal, Riley Robinson, Jonathan Yan, Suri Yaghmai, Katelyn Yeh, Nate Yoo, Eric Zhang & Sophia Zhou Photographers Amy Choi, Sarah Huang, Sophia Jacinto, Jenny Li & Sophie Wang Adviser Daniel Langhorne

Scan this QR code to check out our online edition or find us at lighningboltonline.com for the latest news!

NEWS

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

The Balance of Academic Dialogue across Universities By Alia Sajjadian

Alumnus Gabe McNeill ‘22 regularly stands in the heart of UCLA’s campus quad with hundreds of students who gather weekly, holding signs with anti-war slogans and demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. In this light, the recent humanitarian and political crisis in the Middle East has reignited activism on college campuses and tested the parameters of free speech particularly with the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia. McNeill describes heightened tension between UCLA student groups and administrators that began late last year. “There definitely feels like a concerted effort by the administration to shut down and downplay the pro-Palestine protests,” McNeill said. McNeill states that while pro-Palestine campus demonstration permits “are extremely delayed,” pro-Israel demonstrations appear to receive less scrutiny. Additionally, he shared that advocates for Palestine have faced threats from outside the university after UCLA’s protests were covered by major media outlets such as Fox News. Subsequently, people unaffiliated with the university came to their campus where protestors were “threatened and attacked.” He noted that while UCLA provides “much more security” to pro-Israel rallies, the lack of security at pro-Palestine demonstrations has created a “real culture of fear” for the physical safety of participants and their ability to voice their opinion. “Discrimination, threats, violence and hate have absolutely no place in a university community dedicated to open-mindedness, respect and mutual understanding,” Chancellor Gene Block wrote in a letter reported by Los Angeles Times. Beyond the current uptick in demonstrations, college campuses have historically been bastions of self-expression, collective action and free speech. The ‘60s and ‘70s saw college campuses

Courtesy of Gabe McNeill

Alumnus Gabe McNeill ‘22 joined a Nov. 8. rally at UCLA supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. and universities stage massive anti-war protests in response to the increasingly unpopular Vietnam War and became epicenters for challenging the status quo and promoting social justice during the Civil Rights Movement. More recently, college campuses were an arena for the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020 as teach-ins, workshops and protests highlighted student dissent against structural racism. These deliberate and purposely visible displays of civil disobedience and unrest became the manifestation of a rising generation demanding change and equality. For millions of young adults, these institutions of higher education provide a unique atmosphere to create discourse, raise awareness and question

the traditionally accepted norms in hope of breaking the stalemates of progress. Currently, while some university administrators assert that they are committed to freedom of expression as protected by the Constitution and the precedents of U.S. Supreme Court rulings, others have redefined and altered school policy in response to criticisms that their institutions permitted hate speech and did not act decisively to prevent it. On Nov. 10, Columbia University suspended two pro-Palestinian chapters at their university, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. George Washington University, Brandeis, and Rutgers also suspended their chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine late last year. Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis called for the banning of Students for Justice in Palestine chapters in the state’s public universities. In response, the national Students for Justice in Palestine denounced these initiatives as building a framework for “censorship and intellectual manipulation.” Major donors and influential alumni flexed their influence over prominent schools by threatening to withhold millions of dollars in donations over the university administrations who carefully walked the line between free speech and hate speech. University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned after testifying at a widely-scrutinized congressional hearing about antisemitic speech on elite college campuses. Harvard President Claudine Gay also resigned after a conflagration of criticism over her responses to Congress and an internal probe of plagiarism claims. The dependence of these private institutions on the financial support of mega donors exposed a fundamental weakness in academia: that the functioning of higher education can be leveraged and that less powerful opinions can be minimized. “Universities need to be very careful of the influence of money…donors should not be able to decide campus policies or determine what is taught,” former UPenn board of trustees chair Scott L. Bok wrote in an opinion piece for The Philadelphia Inquirer. At Northeastern, alumna Audrey McGuff ‘22 believes that since she attends a private university, there is “more control in regulating protests.” She has noticed that Northeastern students have opted to hold more “silent demonstrations on campus.” While some praised college administrators for taking action against possible hate speech, some civil rights groups and social activists contend that these interventions by financially powerful and well-connected alumni creates the framework for disproportionate influence on school policy.

Seniors To Cast Their First Ballots in U.S. Presidential Primaries By Mirabelle Jiang

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, many Sage Hill seniors are eligible to vote in the California primary elections, which will run from Feb. 5 to March 5. The presidential primary elections are held before the general elections on Nov. 5 to determine the presidential candidates of each party. The elections are divided into two types: open, where voters can cast ballots in either party’s primary regardless of party affiliation, and closed, where voters may only cast ballots for their registered party. In 2010, California adopted an open, top-two primary system where the two candidates who earn the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the General Election. The presidential primaries also provide opportunities for parties to polish election strategy by gauging voters’ interests. Senior Alexa Han will mark her ballot for the first time in a national election this year. As a soon-to-be college student looking toward joining the workforce, Han said that she prefers candidates who will provide “social safety nets,” such as

student loan forgiveness, for students and people from middle-class backgrounds. “These policies will be enacted when I’m in college… so I want a candidate that will provide stability and give support to people like me,” Han said. Han is also concerned about more affordable healthcare and less censorship on controversial topics in education and media. As the elections draw nearer, Han will be looking out for candidates who advance policies that align with her concerns, using various news sources such as the Atlantic, the New York Times, CNN and occasionally Fox News to gauge platforms from both sides of the race. Before casting her votes, senior Arden Stobart will look for candidates with realistic goals and solutions to the nation’s biggest challenges. “I’m looking for someone who is reliable and will follow through on their promises,” Stobart said. When deciding between different candidates, her main focus will be on their proposed economic policies for the country.

Senior Max Razmjoo shares similar concerns with Stobart, and he looks for presidential candidates who are decisive leaders and govern in a “technocratic manner.” These candidates will be selected based on their expertise in fields involving science or technical knowledge. Besides the presidential election, Orange County voters will also cast votes in “down-ballot” races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, State Assembly, Orange County Supervisor, the Orange County Board of Education and other local offices. In a rare open primary for U.S. Senate, California voters will decide between Republican and former professional baseball player Steve Garvey, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank). There’s also a nationally-watched race to replace Porter as the representative of coastal Orange County’s 47th Congressional District. Former Republican state assemblyman Scott Baugh, State Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine) and attorney and grassroots political organizer Joanna Weiss lead in

endorsements and campaign fundraising in a crowded primary field, according to the Los Angeles Times. While only students who turn 18 years old on or before March 5 are eligible to vote in the primary elections, those who reach legal age on or by Nov. 5 will still be able to participate in the General Election. Eligible students can register to vote through registertovote.ca.gov, and an array of mail-in ballots and polling locations are available from the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Students who are currently 16 or 17 years old can also pre-register to vote through the same website. Historically, youth voters have shown a lower voter turnout rate than older, especially retirement aged voters. However, according to CalMatters, Californian youth voters possess the power to change election outcomes through their widespread support of environmental protection, equal rights for Americans who identify with the LGBT+ community, national abortion access and other social issues.

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

Athletics

Girls’ Soccer Strikes for Success By Mika He and Eric Zhang

Continuing with the season, the Sage Hill Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team added another loss to their record, losing 0-2 to University High School on Jan. 23. Still, the team holds a mostly winning record of 8-6-2. As of publication, they are sixth in the league, but still have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves and make it to the playoffs. “Even with our current record, [playoffs] are still something that we can achieve, which is what the team is looking forward to,” Head Coach Issac Sierra said. As for the season’s objective, “it hasn’t changed; the goal is still to make playoffs and make a run for CIF.” Though the team is full of talented athletes, the girls that have recently stood out were sophomore Cambria Thomas and senior Jaci Lee. Both have

proven themselves as key problem solvers this season. “The freshmen have been phenomenal,” Sierra said. He points out how they have fully committed themselves to the team from the first day and continue to find ways to surprise him and support the team. He also notes that his freshmen players have “to an extent overachieved” and he is excited to witness their growth in the following years. Sierra has faith in the team and is “proud of the girls and their efforts.” As of now, all we can do is support them along the way as the season approaches the end. The team celebrated their graduating players Sabrina ElGamal, Alexandra Gomez, Sofia Jacinto, Jaclynn Lee, Samantha Lee, Sophie Qiu and Sarah Shu at Senior Night before a tough 0-5 loss against Woodbridge High School on Jan. 19.

Sofia Jacinto | The Bolt

Freshman Zoe Hutchinson heading the ball

Sophomore Finley Maynard blocks a shot as goalkeeper.

Sofia Jacinto | The Bolt

Boys’ Soccer Sees Mixed Season By Jonathan Yan

This season, the Sage Hill Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team faced many challenges. They improved their skills, coordination and game sense during their numerous practices in order to prepare for the hurdles ahead. The boys gave it their all during every hard-fought game and worked through every obstacle as a team. Whether it was a loss or a win, the players strengthened their bonds with one another, and the team became a close-knit family. As of publication, the Sage Hill Boys’ Soccer Team has a record of five wins, 11 losses and two ties. During their first season game, Sage Hill went up against Western High School. Though a hard-fought battle, junior Jake Pirnazar scored an amazing goal, tying the game 4-4, resulting in Lightning Soccer’s first season tie. The boys’ soccer head coach Raphael Da Costa Alves acknowledged the team’s lack of consistency this season. “The preseason was great, and of course … when you go to the league, the level of competition is higher because all the schools are not part of our division… My feel-

ing is that we can do much more,” Alves said. Lightning Boys’ Soccer then went on to win their next four games against Valley Christian, Capistrano Valley Christian and Tarbut V’ Torah. With such an amazing performance so far, the team’s confidence was boosted to an all-time high. Following this win streak, boys’ soccer went on to lose their next three matches until they beat Laguna Hills 2-1. The team then lost their next five matches and ended up tying one. The season was not looking so good for boys’ soccer as they were beaten down and exhausted. On Jan. 22, the team played against University High School and battled through the pouring rain. The giant lights reflected off the falling water drops as the Lightning raced across the field to meet the Trojans of the University players. Under the slippery conditions and unfortunate weather, Sage Hill players were unable to score a goal, resulting in their 0-2 loss. Though they were unable to break their losing streak, the players still had hope that they could reach their goal of making CIF. “It’s not looking as likely, but

Courtresy of Sage Hill School

Sophomore Jerry Huang dribbles past Laguna Hills on Jan. 24.

we can always push, and we’re still in contention—we just need to win a few more games. But we hope to make CIF and also just grow as a program,” sophomore Sascha Pirghibi said. The Varsity Boys’ Soccer players are building new friendships as they improve their skills and get

more consistent in games. “The new freshmen, Alex and Max, connected with sophomores Con, Roman and Sascha… Daniel Joshi is extremely important for the team with his brother, Aaron, but Daniel has probably been the most consistent player we have,” Alves said.

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

Athletics

Chemistry on and off the Court By Phoebe Pan

Jenny Li | The Bolt

Senior Annabelle Spotts looks for an open teammate against South Medford.

Senior Emily Eadie dribbles against South Medford on Dec. 13.

Jenny Li | The Bolt

For Emily Eadie, Zoie Lamkin, Kat Righeimer and Annabelle Spotts, being teammates means more than just collaborating on the basketball court: These four seniors share how their years of partnership have brought them together as both athletes and true friends. As of publication, Sage Hill’s Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team is ranked fifth in the state with 22 wins and two losses. The Lightning continue to lead the Pacific Coast League (PCL) after winning the league last season. As members of the starting lineup, Emily, Zoie, Kat and Annabelle support the team with a connection formed through almost a decade. “We’ve been playing together since fourth [or] fifth grade, so about nine, eight years,” Kat said. “We have really good chemistry on the court just from playing together for so long and watching each other grow and develop into…high school players.” The girls’ success as high school athletes is just as unique as their history together. Starting high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Emily, Zoie, Kat and Annabelle helped win Sage Hill its first Girls’ Basketball CIF championship as freshmen in 2021 and were 2022 CIF-SS Division II state champions as sophomores. Last year, they were promoted to Open Division and are positioned to compete in it again this season. Emily is proud to take on more responsibilities as a senior, and feels that

her experience smoothed the transition from underclassman to team leader. “I think we’ve done a really good job, especially in incorporating the younger kids and making them feel like a part of the family, which is really important,” Emily said. As the four enter their last season as teammates, they expressed mixed feelings about the end of an era. “We’re friends on the court and off the court, so it’s been really special [playing together]. Going our separate ways next year is hard, but I’m really happy for everyone,” Zoie said. Though their high school basketball careers are ending, this is only the start of the girls’ athletic journeys: Looking ahead to college, Emily and Kat are eager to make the most of their playing time at Princeton and Northwestern, respectively. Though Zoie is still deciding whether to play basketball in college, she feels that the lessons she gained from the sport—including collaboration and time management skills—are essential and relevant in any path she chooses. Annabelle, who committed to University of Chicago, shared that she wants to make “a big impact, especially in the score” to help support her team. “And, [I want to] hopefully win a national championship—that would be really fun,” Annabelle said. But first, these seniors hope to end their final season together by winning the 2024 CIF state championship.

Boys’ Basketball Shoots and Scores in League By Ava Eimani

Music blasts from the speakers in the Peter V. Ueberroth Gymnasium as the excited voices of students and parents fill the gym. During their pre-season, Sage Hill Varsity Boys’ Basketball took on skilled opponents, leading to the players developing their various techniques, refined strategy and plays and the team becoming a tight-knit family. Their hard work, endless dedication to the game and relentless determination is reflected in their league record: 6 - 1. As of publication, the team is tied for first in the league. Their first game in league was against Irvine High School, a team that had expert shooters and offensive players. Sage Hill players were prepared for every play, basket and strategy, leading to an end score of 50 - 44. The coaches and team didn’t rest as they ran new strategies, rewatched film and refined their skills for their next opponent: Portola High School. During their second home game, the pressure was on for the team to bring home another victory, despite Portola’s excellent shooting guard. The team showcased the individual players’ talents and demonstrated their ability to tackle challenges head-on. While the score remained close throughout the game, senior captains Sergio Maggette and Johnny Mayhew got numerous rebounds Junior Jackson Cryst led in blocking shots. In that same game, junior James Karahalios and sophomore Everett Yun scored three-pointers, earning the team a 58 - 53 victory. On the road, the team first faced a skilled and versatile opponent: Beckman High School. The Patriots retained possession of the ball and scored multiple three-pointers. The end score was 79 - 59. This tough loss only motivated the

Junior Jackson Cryst defends the hoop in a home game against Portola on Dec. 10. boys to work even harder in practice and carry out new, difficult plays. The team’s unbreakable positive attitude, paired with their dedication to improving, led to their next win against Northwood High School, ending 68 - 60. “I see them high-five after timeouts and lift each other up. I see how they

come back game after game, always walking into practice with a positive attitude. That resilience is what makes me so proud of the team,” Head Coach D’Cean Bryant said. On senior night, the senior captains celebrated their final season with their families and friends.

Courtesy of Sage Hill School

Tensions ran high during senior night as the crowd waited for a tiebreaker between Sage Hill and Woodbridge High School. The Warriors broke the tie in the fourth quarter. Then, in the last 30 seconds, Sergio scored a three-pointer, tying the two teams. In overtime, the Lightning scored again to win the game in overtime.

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

Community

Jewish Affinity Group Introduces School to ‘Jewish Earth Day’ By Minha Oh

Jenny Li | The Bolt

The Jewish Affinity Group presents at Sage Center Day Assembly on Jan. 24.

On Jan. 24, the first Sage Center Day of 2024, students of the Jewish Affinity Group shared their heritage and culture through a presentation to the school community gathered in the Peter V. Ueberroth Gymnasium. Sara Graham, Assistant Director for Global Education and Inclusion in the Hamoui Family Sage Center, shared her heritage from the Levites and explained that identifying as Jewish can encompass various meanings, “serving both as an ethnic and religious identity, either intertwined or distinct.” The Jewish Affinity Group brings together Jewish students and fosters the sharing of history and culture. Additionally, Graham highlighted that the family traditions and culture of each student may be different, yet they come together to share their Jewish roots. Graham then continued to introduce the students of the affinity group and the Jewish holiday, Tu BiShvat. Sofia Jellen, a member of the Jew-

ish Affinity Group, shared her background as an Israeli American with a Jewish background across Europe and Asia. She added that Tu BiShvat is also known as the “Jewish Earth Day,” and that it is a time when Jews focus on the tree, such as the “tree of [one’s] own spiritual growth.” Sophomore Justin Kline explained how the Jewish community is made up of an “ethnicity of people whose distant ancestors are from the land of Canaan,” as well as those who were not born Jewish, but later converted. He emphasized the fact that there is great diversity in the Jewish community and that the Jewish people cannot be simplified to a single group. Freshman Katarina Isakov presented about a “Jewish diaspora,” which means that the Jewish “communities in different regions develop their own unique cultures while retaining their Jewish traditions.” Other members of the group also shared the diversity and cohesiveness of the Jewish culture, including different languages, shared cultural traditions and shared history.

Futurist Boosts AI at Speaker Series

By Grace Yan

Futurist Rohit Bhargava visited the Sage Center Speaker Series to lecture on innovation and how AI technology will shape the future on Jan. 10. After graduating college with an English degree, Bhargava got into the advertising business during the dot-com boom. It led to his 15-year career as a brand marketing specialist, during which he started a marketing blog series that grew in popularity and landed him his first book publishing deal. From there, he wrote nine more books on marketing and became a three-time Wall Street Journal best-selling author and began traveling the world as a keynote speaker. Throughout the lecture, Bhargava stressed the importance of keeping an open mind and breaking the status-quo, citing the 1968 Summer Olympics in which American High Jumper Dick Fosbury won an Olympic Gold Medal by jumping over the bar with a completely new technique and subsequently revolutionized the sport. Bhargava aimed to find the “Fosbury Flop” equivalent in marketing. Bhargava said the secret to seeing what others missed lies in three principles:

1) Don’t speed-read—speed-understand instead. 2) Put people first—People who understand people always win. 3) Pay attention to what matters; the real challenge isn’t predicting the future, but anticipating the new normal. “You don’t have to be tech-savvy, you just have to be curious,” he said. Bhargava claimed to have tried nearly every single new generative AI tool, from novel-writing software to math problem makers. He believes that each has its own quirks that can reveal new opportunities. According to Bhargava, humanity is currently experiencing a “global failure of imagination of the future.” When we think of AI and technological advancement, our minds automatically jump to dystopia, like those depicted in novels like “The Hunger Games” or “1984.” The general populace holds an increasingly pessimistic view of the future. Bhargava hopes to change this. He believes that if we stay in denial of technology’s potential out of fear, we lose out on all the benefits it could give us. “If we expect disaster, we’ll make it happen,” Bhargava said. “The only future we can make is one we are able to imagine.”

Courtesy of Sage Hill School

Futurist Rohit Bhargava at the Sage Center Speaker Series on Jan. 10.

Teacher Spotlight: Get to Know Amy Bergener

By Linda Liu

Jenny Li | The Bolt

Visual Arts Teacher Amy Bergener.

With a love for art and great enthusiasm in teaching, Visual Arts Teacher Amy Bergener encourages her students to express their creativity and reach their full potential. She particularly enjoys brainstorming many inspiring activities to inspire students in her Fundamentals of Art 1 and Art 2 classes. “I believe in the power of art and I want to harness it to help Sage students in all areas of their school career,” Bergener said. Growing up in Utah, Bergener developed many hobbies involving outdoor activities, nature and sports while helping raise her six younger siblings. In her free time, she snowboards, goes on mountain-top backpacking trips and enjoys all types of camping. Bergener adores the ocean, as well as scuba diving and stand-up paddle boarding. She worked as a Montessori elementary music and arts teacher prior to coming to Sage Hill, but she “wanted to ex-

plore a deeper side of art with older students.” She acknowledges how her past has helped her grow in both maturity and patience when interacting with others. These experiences all influenced her teaching style. Bergener earned her bachelor’s degree from Laguna College of Art and Design and went on to earn her master’s degree at the Glasgow School of Arts in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergener virtually started her career at Sage Hill as a substitute teacher, guiding students over Zoom. “I instantly felt honored and excited to be part of Sage Hill’s amazing programs and mission,” Bergener said. She lets students showcase their talents through their protest art displayed on the call board and provides art therapy workshops to help students cope with the stress of studying for finals. “Sage students constantly impress me with their creativity and commitment to their community,” Bergener said.

Student Life

The Bolt Febuary 2024 Sage Hill School

Fashion Show Flaunts Sustainable Styles By Katelyn Yeh

Parents, faculty, students, and sponsors crowded in the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater, buzzing with excitement as the lights dimmed. Reimagined Club Founder Anna Yang and Co-president Sofia Jellen stepped into the spotlight to present their theme this year: Déjà Vu: Through the Decades. Reimagined, a club dedicated to reducing fast fashion by giving used clothing a second life, hosted their second annual fashion show on Jan. 19. Collaborating with Fashion Island, the fashion show displayed five different decades of fashion: the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s. Club members created the runway pieces by sewing, painting and embellishing donated clothing. Pieces ranged from skirts, to jeans, to tanks and to coats, all redesigned to look new and in-fashion. Over 60 Sage Hill students volunteered as models and walked down the runaway, sporting designs from Reimagined’s design team. “The purpose of the fashion show is to educate others on the consequences of fast fashion and to unite the community in advocacy of sustainability as the future. We hope that by seeing the reimagined pieces, our audience sees the endless potential in giving clothes a new life and taking the circular economy into consideration when making purchasing decisions,” Anna

and Sofia said in a statement. By upcycling donated clothing, club members hope to spread awareness about the negative effects that fashion waste has on the environment. Showcased pieces of clothing will be sold online and in-person, and all profits will be donated to organizations fighting against fast fashion. Influencer and guest speaker Lexy Silverstein spoke to the audience about the detrimental effects that fast fashion has on the environment. She emphasized the importance of shopping sustainably because the environment suffers severely for each item produced. A lover of fashion since childhood, Silverstein is earning her bachelor’s degree in digital marketing at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), where she ran a campaign against the school’s partnership with SHEIN, a clothing retailer that has been criticized by sustainable fashion advocates. Her petition to cancel this partnership quickly gained traction, earning her press that introduced her to a broader audience. Silverstein successfully lobbied her school to break off the partnership. After wrapping the show, Reimagined Club members hugged and congratulated each other on a successful turnout. “It feels amazing and we’re just happy to see so many people loving fashion, Reimagined

Jenny Li | The Bolt

Co-presidents Anna Yang and Sofia Jellen close the Sustainable Fashion Show on Jan. 19. and fashion sustainability,” Anna said. “We’re grateful to have so many people helping out with the fashion whether it was modeling, designing the pieces or just being in the audience. Thank you to the community for always supporting us.”

Sophomore Wenny Han on the runway at the Sustainable Fashion Show on Jan. 19. Jenny Li | The Bolt

Debaters Takes on Harvard-Westlake Tournament BYL MAYA DESAI Over a dozen debaters from Sage Hill participated in the Harvard Westlake debate tournament over the Jan. 13 weekend. Through this tournament, Sage students exercised their opinions in different areas of a debate; for example, research or rebuttal, to master the skills of critical thinking and communication. Debate used their voices to help create difference in society. “Debate empowers Sage students to be better advocates for change within their communities,” Sage Hill debate captain Naomi Tran said. Students debated in the styles of Lincoln-Douglas and World Schools during the threeday event. Freshmen Isabella Huang and Amy Jia participated in Lincoln-Douglas, a one-onone debate style. There were over a 100 debaters participating in this category. In World Schools, a threeon-three debate style, Sage had three teams. Sage’s debate team one: freshman Eric Zhao, freshman Lucas Luo, junior Aava Ghorbanian and freshman Sabrina Wu; team two: junior Naomi Tran, senior Max Razmjoo, sophomore Shaurya Mittal, junior Courtney Tetteh-Martey, senior Brian Chung and team three: freshman Maya Desai, freshman Zack Hubbard and

freshman Charlotte Lee. Teams two and three qualified to compete in the quarterfinals. “There is a synthesis in debate that will always connect to the Sage curriculum and also Six Cs. The process of examining current events and other topics helps students connect to the world,” Sage Hill debate coach Rosalyn Foster said. With Harvard-Westlake topics like the presence of the U.S. military in the Asia-Pacific and West Asia-North Africa, Sage values of communication, critical thinking and cross-cultural competency inform students on how to discuss these real world topics. Many Sage debate students have chosen to intern or work for elected officials; for example, they have offered aid by canvassing for Congress members. “Speech and debate helps students find their opinions and their voice that can be used going forward,” Foster said. Sage debate students will have the opportunity to participate in several more qualifying debate tournaments this year before nationals, the last debate of the year. Now, debaters look forward to upcoming tournaments with excitement and begin to prepare for the quickly approaching national debate tournament.

Courtesy of Shaurya Mittal

Junior Courtney Tetteh-Martey, Junior Naomi Tran, Sophomore Shaurya Mittal, Senior Max Razmjoo and Senior Brian Chung (not photographed) ranked the highest among Sage Hill’s teams competing at Harvard-Westlake on Jan. 13.

The Bolt February 2024 Sage Hill School

ENTERTAINMENT

Travel: Red Rocks and Stargazing in Sedona

Review: The Wonderful World of “Wonka”

Image courtesy of Warner Bros

By Yasmin Dennis

Rock formation crevices inside the Lower Antelope Canyons in Sedona, Arizona.

By Arya Rawal

plants or animals that would otherwise distract from the vibrant colors of its passageways. The wind and water in the canyons had created shapes into the walls of the canyons, resembling intricate shapes such as a rose, an indigenous chief’s headdress and a woman’s face. We also visited Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped canyon surrounded by the Colorado River and located on the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon. People flocked to the railings, still energized despite the brief hike to the viewing platform, to see the sun fall over the bluegreen waters surrounding the canyon. While the city is well known for its natural landscape and red rock canyons, Sedona also offers numerous recreational

Arya Rawal | The Bolt and relaxing activities. Most resorts in the city have scheduled activities, such as hiking, yoga, and meditation for families. My family and I especially enjoyed the stargazing tours, where guides led us on a hike through surrounding canyons during the night with a telescope. I especially enjoyed being able to learn about the stories and myths behind each of the constellations pointed out to us. We also hiked on a trail near the resort we were staying at, climbing one of the red rock mountains to see the forestry surrounding us. Even on the drive back to the airport, I appreciated the greenery and watched the sunset cascade over the red rocks, covering the land in a red-orange hue.

As the third movie and prequel to the Willy Wonka franchise, “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet, is a sugar-coated story that will make audiences of any age feel like a child again. The film centers around the eccentric chocolatier and eternal optimist Willy Wonka and his role as a good-hearted hero who saves his friends and finds his place in the world. Chalamet expertly plays this role through his intermittent melodies and doe-eyed appearances, blending charming naivety with a fittingly sweet spin on the character. While Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” gives Roald Dahl’s tale a darker spin, both in its visuals and overall storyline, “Wonka” takes on this fantastical story in a more old-fashioned and light-hearted manner—without making it overly saccharine. Besides the admirable portrayal of Wonka, the film incorporates magical visuals against the backdrop of 1930s London. Similar to the Mary Poppins franchise, “Wonka” offers a whimsical take on the routine of daily life in a cinematic escape that leaves you with a smile on your face —and perhaps a chocolate craving.

Opinion: a classroom redesign BYLINE *ALPHABETIZED*

Illustration by Jesse Lew

Less than three hours by plane or eight hours by car, Sedona, Arizona is a destination full of opportunities for relaxation and sightseeing. During my family trip there this past winter break, I was amazed by the natural beauty of the city and surrounding wilderness. My family and I visited the Lower Antelope Canyons, which is a series of underground red-orange caves carved by wind and water erosion. I’ve seen the Taj Mahal and the sunset on the Greek island of Santorini, but the desert landscape was surprisingly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Although named after the antelope that used to roam the area, the canyons were free of any large plants or animals that would otherwise distract from the vibrant colors of its passageways. The wind and water in the canyons had created shapes into the walls of the canyons, resembling intricate shapes such as a rose, an indigenous chief’s headdress, and the face of a woman. We also visited Horseshoe Bend, a horseshoe-shaped canyon surrounded by the Colorado River and located on the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon.

PHOTO CAPTION People flocked to the railings, still energized despite the brief hike to the viewing platform, to see the sun fall over the bluegreen waters surrounding the canyon. While the city is well known for its natural landscape and red rock canyons, Sedona also offers numerous recreational

PHOTO CREDIT | HERE

and relaxing activities. Most resorts in the city have scheduled activities, such as hiking, yoga, and meditation for families to partake in. My family and I especially enjoyed the stargazing tours, where guides led us on a hike through surrounding canyons