The Bolt - January 2014 by Sage Hill School

The

BOLT

January 2014

20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657

Volume 13, Issue 4

Campus Culture, Reimagined As Sage Plans for a New Era

By Claire Goul Staff Writer Every five to seven years, many independent schools undertake a “strategic planning” process—a series of reflections and goals that aim to improve the school as a whole. Five years ago, Sage Hill underwent this process and now, once again, comes the time to “facilitate a conversation about the future of a spectacular school.” On Jan. 6, Pat Bassett, the former president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), came to campus to present on and discuss the future of the institution. The day involved three sessions: a keynote address to the Sage Hill community, small group sessions and a large group session. In each, faculty, staff, the administrative council, strategic planning committee members, the board of trustees and other members of the Sage Hill community participated. Can we agree on the skills and values that the 21st century will demand and reward? Where does Sage Hill stand with respect to other independent schools across the nation? How can we make high school a more engaging and creative experience for our students? These were some of the questions the first breakout session addressed. Bassett described Sage Hill as “already on the trajectory” to becoming one of the top independent schools.

Topics for consideration ranged from “teaming” inside the classroom (breakout sessions in which students work together and can then present their ideas to the class) to independent projects (such as robot-building or starting a business) specific to each grade-level. Basset outlined the six skill areas needed by the modern high school student as essential for college and life: Critical Thinking, Character, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration and Cultural Competency.

“How can we strengthen our students so that they’re not eggshell freshmen?”—Tyler Zarubin, Science Dept. “The Socratic Method is now what we’re calling innovative”—Pat Bassett “We could host teacher workshops—a place where teachers are teaching other teachers.”-— Karen Thorp, Board of Trustees “STEM? What about STEAM?” —Chris Vivo, Science Dept. (Note: The A refers to Art) In the final session, the smaller groups shared their ideas which were heard by the large audience as well as Bassett and Head of School Gordon McNeill. Moving forward, administrators, faculty, students, staff and parents have quite a lot to think about. The school must decide where it hopes to fall on the scale of traditionalism and innovation, what changes might better the school environment and how to stay on the trajectory of excellence. “This is a strategic planning process,” McNeill reminded the planners, “so take a deep breath, contemplate—these are the conversations we need to keep having.”

photo by Rick Davitt

COMMUNITY LEADERS. Pat Basset, former president of the National Association of Independent Schools, and newly named President Gordon McNeill join together to plan Sage’s next steps.

In the smaller breakout sessions, teachers and community members voiced their ideas on Bassett’s opening presentation and reported back on those questions and ideas. “From 1 (traditional) to 10 (innovative) we want to be an 8. Right now we’re at a 4.5”— Drew Ishii, Mathematics Dept.

photo by Rick Davitt

GROUP SESSION. Teachers meet in focus groups to discuss Sage’s future, and present their opinions on academic innovation.

“Our greatest asset is our teachers”—Diana Boulos, Board of Trustees. “Are we market-driven and mission-sensitive or mission-driven and market-sensitive?”-—Aileen Hawkins, English Dept.

photo by Rick Davitt

PAVING THE WAY. Head of School Patricia Merz, President Gordon McNeill, and Pat Basset.

EDITORIAL

But What About Sageyness?

Orange County parents in the early 90s faced two distinct, diverging paths for shaping their children’s futures. The first was the traditional, public school experience, effective for many but often weighed down by unmanagable class sizes and teachers who had lost their passion long before. The second was the straight-laced, uniform-adorned, college preparatory private school path. Yet a few parents and educators saw this crossroads not as a choice between two selections, but a chance to forge a new road. This experiment would later be named Sage Hill. A dedicated team of parents and educators threw out the scholastic models, picked up a 30-acre lease from the Irvine Company on a hilly area of Newport Coast and set to work on creating a school ready for the impending 21st century. Its model was based on

‘Citizens who can adapt to a rapidly changing world’ hands-on learning experiences to create not just better students, but better citizens. Breaking away from the usual imbibe-the-lecture and obey-therules doctrine that characterized surrounding public and private schools, the Sage formula incorporated community integration through service learning and inspired a genuine love of learning rather than teaching to a test. It emphasized academic curiosity instead of treating academia as

a means to an end. In only a few years, Sage’s humanist education proved its ability to achieve that “end” (student acceptance to the most elite universities) just as well as if not better than the traditional pedagogical model. “The first classes at Sage were eclectic,” former mathematics teacher Elizabeth Orr told her students. Teachers like Orr, who got even the most right brained to understand and love advanced levels of math, are lauded by Sage students. Despite lenient homework schedules and an anti-authoritative class environment, classes like Orr’s produced the most respectful and earnest learners. By igniting an internal motivation to learn rather than using petty threats and boring lectures, most Sage teachers produced a series of graduates who were accepted to the most prestigious colleges. “Independent schools have a more holistic approach,” Rich O’Dell, strategic planning educational consultant from the National Association of Independent Schools, said last week while comparing the progressive, perennialist, experimental education model to the traditional environment. Rather than advocate teaching students how to obey rules and not question authority, O’Dell and the NAIS help independent, non-profit K-12 schools create citizens who can adapt to a rapidly changing world with continual creative destruction of jobs and technological shifts in society. Schools like Sage, not just independent in their freedom from government control and inefficiencies but also in their embrace of selfdetermined, individually motivated students, excel in teaching “a level of respect for each other, a sense of community, a set of values,” not merely calculus and literature, O’Dell articulated. Yet what we proudly call Sageyness is constantly and increasingly at risk. Years ago, Sage students were accountable to only them-

selves for attendance. No phone calls, let alone recorded tardies, were administered as a result of lateness. Seniors had off-campus lunch privileges. X blocks were eventually incorporated to assist in the exponential growth of clubs like Mock Trial, Debate and Publications. The Honor Code was introduced as the paragon of Sageyness:

‘Freedom from government control and inefficiencies’ a personal accountability and excellence to live a life of integrity and responsibility. “The students working collaboratively with faculty, administration and the board have an opportunity not based solely on academic achievement to position Sage to be seen globally as a preeminent, forward thinking education school,” O’Dell said. Yet now our success brings us to another crossroads. As Sage rang in the new year with O’Dell and fellow strategic planning consultant Pat Bassett’s assistance in mapping the school’s road ahead, the administration faces a choice of where to take the school. As Sage Hill School begins to attract more parents and students who love the “ends” it achieves but not its laissez-faire liberalism, the school must decide what to do with Sageyness. The tide has already begun to turn because of growing pressure to produce results. We are no longer trusted with taking accountability

for our own punctuality; instead, our parents receive often-ignored voicemails if we walk into class at 8:01. We are watched by security guards as we leave campus at irregular hours, even if doing so is completely permissible. Freshmen are now required to check in with teachers during conference rather than personally judge how to use that time. Our X Blocks are being filled with more and more reminders on how to eat, how to drive, how to talk about race and how to talk about gender. Senior of the Days are censored into a publicity tool for demonstrating the Good Samaritans of Sage instead of giving us our precious 60 seconds to celebrate our quirky classmates. For all of those years with limited regulations, Sage worked. Letting kids make mistakes, stagger and then stand back up again worked. Not using grandiose gestures to assert administrative authority worked. Giving us, the student body, the freedom to be active participants in our own educational experience, both in and out of the classroom, worked. “The board will identify who the school wants to have as its audi-

‘Please tread carefully as you make this decision’ ence,” O’Dell reflected at the end of the NAIS’s visit to Sage. So Sage, please tread carefully as you make this decision. You cannot appease everyone at once, so make sure that you do not choose to alienate the students at the heart of the school’s mission statement as you plan the road ahead.

OPINION

An Ad By Any Other Name... By Erika Lynn-Green Co-Editor-in-Chief

During the summer, Mercedes Benz Driving Academy contacted Sage Hill Publications Staff about running an advertisement promoting its driving programs in The Bolt. The staff quoted the company $5,000 for a half-page ad in each of six publications as well as space on lightningboltonline. com. At this price, the company would have covered both the yearly cost of printing The Bolt and the fees to license the Publications Staff ’s online presence. However, all communications between the company and the staff ceased when publications adviser Konnie Krislock was told that Sage Hill does not accept any advertisements. According to Shoshana Grammer, director of development, the Board of Trustees’ official policy is to neither “seek nor accept any corporate advertising on our campus.” As Grammer points out, “the school covers 100 percent of

the cost of the newspaper,” and thus no outside funds are needed to print The Bolt. However, the Sage Hill Storm yearbook is largely supported by the proceeds from senior advertisements, which cost $500 for a full page and $350 for a half page; these ad prices have not changed in three years. With the yearbook’s total cost at around $50,000, these advertisements bring in a majority of the necessary funds, approximately $30,000 each year. However, the combination of the high cost and high visibility of these senior pages creates a sharp contrast between Sage students. For many parents, buying a senior ad is not an issue financially; their main focus is using the pictures and message they want included in this visual keepsake, which the whole school can see. Some families even purchase multiple spreads. For other families, however, the cost is prohibitive. The limited financial aid awarded for sundry expenses dries up after the

cost of textbooks, school supplies, sports equipment, Spring at Sage, transportation--and $500 for an 8 ½ by 11 glossy is quite a bit of money to begin with. In addition, senior ads are neither privately bought nor privately viewed; they are displayed in the most visible way possible, and perhaps more importantly, they are in the yearbook that the senior class will keep and refer back to in moments of nostalgia. It is true that Sage Hill already covers the entire cost of The Bolt in its print and online forms, but because we are an integrated staff, those newspaper advertising fees could go towards the cost of Storm. Mercedes Benz Driving Academy was willing to pay $5,000 for a series of ads in The Bolt, and that $5,000 could confidentially alleviate the cost of senior ads for Sage Hill students who could not otherwise afford one (and certainly not three). The last senior Grade Level Meeting featured a speaker who elaborated on the importance of

safe, text-free driving; the speaker was sponsored by the very same Mercedes Benz Driving Academy, which, in contrast to the stated policy, passed out advertising brochures after the talk. Advertising is advertising; even if Sage didn’t receive any money from Mercedes Benz Driving Academy, the company did promote their brand among Sage Hill students with the school’s consent. The Board of Trustees’ policy on advertising would make sense if not for this loophole created by corporate sponsorship of speakers. If Mercedes Benz Driving Academy was allowed to pass out fliers detailing programs and prices to the senior class, there is no reason to prohibit their The Bolt advertisement. The Sage Hill student body received the same exposure whether the Driving Academy paid us for it or not. So let them help solve the have-have not dichotomy created by our current senior ad system--there is a need to be filled, and the Board of Trustees has an opportunity to fill it by changing the policy. Sage Hill Publications Staff contact information: www.lightningboltonline.com 14lowet.publications@ gmail.com 14lynngreene.publications@gmail. com www.facebook.com/SageHillSchool

THE REVENUE FROM senior advertisements usually comprises around 60 percent of the cost of the Sage Hill Storm; this all-important funding could be supplemented by paid advertisements in The Bolt and on lightningboltonline.com. The negative revenue costs the school around $21,000 each year. Infographic by Claire Goul.

@sagehill

Publications Staff

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Tiana Lowe ‘14 and Erika Lynn-Green ‘14 Executive Editors: Nellie Hamadani ‘15, The Sage Hill Storm Michelle Min ’15, The Bolt Online - Joelle Nanula ‘14, The Bolt Managing Editor: Hawken Miller ‘15 Photography Editor: Emily Shimano ‘14 Section Editors: Academics: Claire Goul ‘15 Arts: Namita Prakash ‘16 Online: Kellen Ochi ‘15 and Amelia Tanner ‘16 Seniors: Maddi Bukaty ‘14

Staff:

Sports: Maddy Abbott ‘15 and Kavi Sakraney ‘14 Student Life: Kristin Saroyan ‘16 Underclassmen: Ingrid Dickinson ‘15 and Bailey Super ‘15 Elizabeth Alvarez ‘15 - Megan Diaz ‘14 - Claire Dwyer ‘16 - Tess Hezlep ‘16 - Selin Karaoguz ‘15 - Rebecca Lynskey ‘14 Catherine Mai ‘14 - Kandis McGee ‘17 - Stephanie Min ‘17 - Brittany Murphy ‘15 - Jackie Nam ‘16 - Celine Wang ‘16

Publications Adviser: Konnie Krislock

FEATURES

The Trouble with Faking It By Joelle Nanula Executive Editor

As eager, slightly naïve juniors just beginning the college process, my classmates and I were advised to find our passions, if we hadn’t found them already, and pursue them. I felt comfortable with where I stood on this front. I’ve always known what I like to do, and what I like to do hasn’t changed much since I was a little girl. I’m a writer. I’m a reader. I like to travel, watch movies, and run long distances. I’m passionate about diversity work, poetry, and puppies. As a junior, I wasn’t sure which schools would find these passions

FEATURES

attractive and which would scoff that puppy-lovers are too common these days, but I felt fortunate that I at least had some real, honest interests. I couldn’t stand to do something that I don’t like to do, simply to round out my college application. Many high school students today are not as lucky. Either they aren’t sure what their interests are at all, or they are told that, in order to earn Ivy League admission, their existing interests must be replaced by new ones that are a little more… exceptional. This pressure to be more and do more

has swept up kids across the nation in a frenzy of fakeness. People start organizations for causes that they find on the Internet. They take classes that colleges like to see, but may not want to take themselves. They join sports teams that they don’t have enough time for, just to appear “wellrounded.” It all stems from the idea that, if you can manage to appear perfect on your college application, the perfect school will accept you. This logic, when it comes down to it, is totally illogical. Finding the perfect college fit is about finding an environ-

ment that will best suit you. It stands to reason, then, that morphing into a completely different person your junior year, just to write all about that person on your college application, will not earn you the right acceptance letters. Can you be happy at a school that only accepted you because you feigned an interest in molecular chemistry? Will you feel in place among students that actually are interested in molecular chemistry? What will you do when they’re all at the molecular chemistry fair? These are questions that many of today’s high school

students must face. This is my advice. Do what you like to do, and do it in the biggest, most impressive way you can; but never become someone you’re not just to get into the school of your dreams. If the school of your dreams wants mathletes so badly, then maybe you should take your book-loving business elsewhere. You will be happier at a school that wants and appreciates the real you. And as long as you keep working hard and stay true to that person, you will find success wherever you go.

ARTS

Shhhh... Silence in the Black Box for ‘Noises Off’

Jonathan Iacobelli

Alexander Philips

as Selsdon / Burglar

Also known as Grande, the tech manager stands proudly next to his two-story masterpiece.

Jason Dino

Tess Hezlep

Lighting and sound expert Jason Dino explains his ideas for the show.

as Poppy

Seth Eaton

Cast

as Freddy / Philip

Lexi Heuser, Jonathan Iacobelli, Nicky Boulos and Jodie Horowitz rehearse.

Cast

Jodie Horowitz

Juniors Lexi Heuser and Jodie Horowitz and senior Nicky Boulos engage in an intense practice.

By Selin Karaoguz Staff Writer

The Studio at Sage Hill presents the winter play, Noises Off, a boisterous play-within-a-play that exposes the reality of what really goes on backstage at a performance. This British farce, written by Michael Frayn, follows a company of actors through their on and off-stage drama, from confusing love triangles to technical difficulties; the fast-paced comedy is guaranteed laughs. Performing in British accents, the cast has been determined to have “discipline, razor sharp focus, and physical endurance” throughout the rehearsal process. The director, Mary Robinson, remarks, “Noises Off is extremely challenging to direct. The timing of the piece, particularly in the 2nd act, is essential for it to work. The necessary specificity from each actor is crazy.”

as Dotty / Mrs. Clacket

The vitality for each character is so rigorous that an entire understudy ensemble was cast, working equally hard to capture the humor, timing, and energy of the comical play. Understudy Lexi Heuser explains, “Understudying is definitely a different experience. It’s really enjoyable to work with both casts and create this piece of work one character at a time”. Grande, the tech manager, has worked tirelessly to build an elaborate two-story set, with working stairs, nine doors, and painted walls that can spin 360 degrees on stage. From the extravagant set, to the energetic cast, the audience of Noises Off should be prepared for plates of sardines, lacy lingerie, countless slammed doors and innumerable laughs. Senior Nicky Boulos exclaims, “The set is amazing! I am so glad that I get to work on such a beautiful set in such an amazing space with an amazing cast before I leave for college. It really is such a good feeling to end on a high note”.

SPORTS

Tackling Concussions HEAD On By Kavi Sakraney Sports Editor

Nine players on the football team suffered concussions this season, the most concussions for a season of a sport in Sage Hill history. Recently, more research on concussions has caused athletic programs all over the country become much more cautious with regard to this head injury. Athletic trainer Meaghan Beaudoin acknowledges that a lot of concussions occurred at Sage this year, but she also pointed out that “everyone saw an influx this year because people were more aware of the consequences.” A concussion can be broadly defined as an impact to the head that results in any negative consequences. Beaudoin explains that there really is no “grey area” and that “you have to be safe rather than sorry.” Sage, as a smaller school, was affected by these concussions because there are not many players on teams to replace lost ones. “The many concussions forced everyone to step up and play better to fill the void,” said senior John Bick. “A lot of younger guys got experience playing varsity that will help them and the team in the long run. The team became like a puzzle especially during games, moving players around to different positions to find the best combination. “Despite the many concussions the team kept a positive outlook,

viewing it as a chance to play a bigger role,” Bick said. It was not just at Sage that there were many concussions suffered. At

Carona del Mar High School at least 12 football-related concussions were reported. Nationally, thousands of former NFL players with brain injuries sued the NFL for concealing the known dangers of concussions and

rushing players back to play during games. The NFL proposed a settlement of $765 million that was rejected recently by a judge who fears this sum

would not be able to cover all affected

players. With this topic in mind, should all of the concussion occurrences this year at Sage be reviewed? Thanks to the cautious and comprehensive protocol of Beau-

doin and the athletic department, football players were able to safely return from their concussions. According to Beaudoin, the Athletic Dept. has a “return to play protocol. There is a six- day program that you have to follow before you can return to game playing,” she explained. “If at any point symptoms occur, you go back to square one.” Also, Beaudoin says that Sage also uses a computer-based neurocognitive exam called ImPACT. “I have been using it as an athletic trainer for at least 10 years,” Beaudoin said, “where baselines of reaction time, processing, speed and memory are measured.” She also said, “many people scored better on their post-injury exam than on their baseline.” Using ImPACT is an objective way to measure whether or not someone’s brain has healed. “[Because] football is a collision sport there is always a chance for injury,” Bick said. “But for most, including myself, that just increases the drive to go 100 percent and get the most out of the time I am able to play.” Bick said when the concussion injuries occurred this year, “It would have been easy to let moral go down, but we all kept our heads up and just focused on football.”

SAME Moves Forward By Joelle Nanula Executive Editor As Sage begins its strategic planning process to update the school’s vision for the coming years, Sage Advocates of Multicultural Education (SAME) puts on its thinking cap.

SAME is a student-run, student leadership group at Sage. It works to promote knowledge about multiculturalism and to elevate tolerance of diversity to celebration. Its advisers, Drew Ishii and Bethany Pitassi, as well as its members know that SAME could play an important role in modernizing the fiber of Sage’s culture. The question: where to begin?

It all starts with the freshmen, SAME members believe. This year, SAME members have been working much more closely with their assigned freshmen advisories, providing counseling during advisory and giving presentations during X Block. The goal is to give freshmen a sense of Sage’s open-minded culture so that they may pass it down

to future Sage classes. It’s a task that, judging by SAME’s success so far, will not prove difficult at all. “SAME has the unique responsibility of helping to change the culture of Sage,” says senior Janve Sobers, who is a SAME cochair along with senior Lorenzo Orozco. “The best way to do that is to start with the next generation of Sagers.”

SPORTS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The Perks of Being a Young Team By Brittany Murphy Staff Writer “Compete on me, compete on three; 1, 2, 3, Compete!” The Peter V. Ueberroth Gymnasium is lively and loud everyday at 5 p.m., when the varsity and junior varsity girls’ basketball teams transition from the gym to the weight room. This year’s varsity team consists of 10 girls, one senior, six juniors, two sophomores and one freshman. Led by junior co-captains Claire Goul, Brittany Murphy and Bailey Super, the team traveled to San Diego over Winter Break to play in the Tri-City Christian High School Tournament, held Dec. 26-28, playing four games in two-and-a-half days. “The tournament in San Diego was great because I bonded with all of my teammates,” said senior Brenda Orozco. “We were able to play and compete with teams from

BOXING OUT. Junior Kendra Hall and sophomore Melissa Iglesias work together to battle for the rebound against Whitney in “The Ube.” Lightning lost 64-18.

all over the state.” The team’s attention is now turned towards league, facing teams that include Whitney High School, undefeated league champions last year, and rival St. Margaret’s. Lightning lost to Whitney and Calvary Chapel Downey, but came back victorious against Oxford and Saddleback Valley Christian. The girls are focused though, and are led by the enthusiasm and dedication of the six juniors, many of whom have been on the team together since freshman year. They know each other well both on and off the court. “Your instincts match up when you know someone so well on the court,” Super said. “It’s great how you can rely on your teammates to play the way you know they can, and vice versa.”

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Beyond ‘Glocal’ Basketball any cliques on this team, they are all brothers and that’s how they By Steven Du treat each other. In my seven years Staff Writer coaching varsity basketball at Sage Hill, this is the closest team I’ve In the competitive Academy had, by far. That’s the thing I am League, with powerhouse teams proud of most.” such as Brethren Christian and Beeler decided to take a global St. Margaret’s, not only are skilled step this year, providing the team players and coaches essential for Sage Hill’s Boys’ Varsity Basketball with an opportunity to bond team’s success, but team chemistry further with exhibition games in China and Hawaii. is also needed. “Scores are forgotten and tro“Team chemistry is an intephies break or get thrown away, but gral part of the foundation of any the lasting memories of just being team sport, especially high school with their teammates and friends is basketball,” said Jeffrey Beeler, the Varsity head coach. “It is the differ- why I schedule these trips,” Beeler said. ence between a collection of indi“Even though we were there for viduals and being an actual team. a reason and we thought of it as a [Since basketball is a five-man business trip, we had fun every step sport,] the significance is high.” of the way,” senior captain Jackson With such an emphasis on Williamson said. teamwork, it is not a surprise “Because we are such a close how close the players already are. team, the [trips were] basically like “Quite simply, we are a family,” going to one of the greatest places Beeler said. on earth with your best friends.” “The players hang out off the During the summer, the team court. They are best friends and it played four exhibition games in shows on the court. We don’t have

Wuhan. They played a variety of teams, including an university team. Varsity went to Hawaii right before league started, playing in the WYBT Holiday Tournament. Sage won three out of the four games, losing only the championship game. “We knew we could have beat the team we lost to so we weren’t satisfied,” Williamson said. “All in all, it was a great way to get ready for league where we have very high expectations.” So far in league, Sage is 4-1, having only lost to Brethren Christian. The lightning is also undefeated at home. In their most recent game, the Lightning defeated Crean Lutheran 60-50. Junior point guard Krishan Tarsadia scored a season high of 23 points, while junior forward Tyler Hague and Williamson added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Sage will play rival school Saint Margaret’s Episcopal tomorrow, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Margaret’s.

STOPPING THE SHOT. Senior Jackson WIlliamson leaps above the competition to stop the a shot from an Oxford Academy forward. Lightning finished ahead of the Patriots in a 50-30 win. Saturday the team beat Crean Lutheran 60-50 at home in a rare morning game to accommodate the scheduled Winter Formal that night.