January 2012

T H E

BOLT

January 2012 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657 Volume 12, Issue 4 September 2011 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657 Volume 12, Issue 1

To Catch a Thief

A Talk With Thomas: A Welcome from Your President Second Semester In this Issue...

Benefits Natasha Sakraney ‘12 The Sage Dance Team and Coral Lee ‘13 are B: Could you explain a little bit about how the dances have changed this year? And how did you and the StuCo achieve the goal of making dances more affordable?

TH: As a student body president, I want !"# $"%&# !"# '(# )*+# ,%"-./01# !2)!# 3# '*4#

cost of the dances. This shows StuCo’s B : H o w a r e s p i r i t r a l l i e s Molly and the administration’s commitment to gWang o i n g ‘13 to work this year? among the victims of the Sage Hill Thief. PhoStaff Writer making events accessible for all students.

TH: Spirit rallies will remain class The Bolt (B): What are you most tos courtesy of Heather Goldin and Jenna Shapiro.

B: Some people may say that academics will with also try excited about for this upcoming year?

The Newcompetitions.

Year is hereWe along theand and other things should be given higher recognize the athletes from our sports T h o m a s H a g u e ( T H ) : I a m second semester of school! Students priority than school dances? Why are teams in spirit rallies. Although will be most excited to see kids get Remembering a Day That getting from their winter break you personally back celebrating our individual classes, we super involved and for us to Will Never Be Forgotten......2 may find getting back into the swing of s o p a s s i o n a t e also want to celebrate the whole school. have a great time while bringing about the topic their daily B: How do you respond when people routine a hard adjustment. meaning and change to the school. of Sage dances? say that Sage is losing its “Saginess”?

B: How would you express the With half of the school year over and TH: Dances are TH: I think that if Sage stays the dynamic on StuCo this year? most college applications sent in, sea n i m p o r t a n t same every year then it shows that the TH: This year we have, by far, the that their last days of o p p oniors r t u n iare t y realizing students are complacent. I think that best Student Council I have ever been are approaching quickly. f o r shigh t u d eschool n t s part of “Saginess” is the desire to create a part of. The reason for this is that to rem i n d Cue theyour own unique year at the school. I onset of “senioritis,” which every member is there for the right themselves that think the senior class, as leaders of the according to UrbanDictionary constireasons and truly has a passion for the they are still school, plays large role in shaping work that they do. Although we still tutes symptoms sucha as: laziness, an k i d s . S c h o o l each year. Saginess will only die if have lots of work to do, the whole over-excessive wearing of sweatpants is supposed to the kids no longer care about it, but I Girls’ Volleyball Ready for StuCo deserves great recognition sweatshirts, lack of studying, and fun. and Students don’t see that happening anytime soon! for the work they have done over the an Epic Season......................3 a general dismissive attitude.

The onlyyou can learn to B: What’s one piece of advice summer. StuCo doesn’t even usually '*4#!2/#-).)*7/# would have for the freshmen class? known cure is a phenomenon known Juliette Singarella ‘14 work over the summer. I trust them based on trust and respect. Students Petty theft has previously been combetween a “Graduation.” strong TH: Don’t be afraid to be a little weird.

Staff Writer fully to make decisions because as Of course, other hold each other accountable to live mitted at Sage, but never has there commitment to Even if you might be a little weird, they always make the right ones. Photo courtesy of:Thomas Hague are outliers in this s most of our community as Poffenberger Sage Hill students academics and desire to enjoy themselves. that just makes you incredibly special.

B : W h a tunder c h a n gour e s honor h a v e ycode: o u Face challenges been a “serial theft”, continue to work as hard knows, Sage Hill School recently has with courage and dignity,and make this school the best it can be. personally have experienced some of and gone a year scenario the community described, “We I haven’t B: W hat’s your favorite thing about Sage? i m p l e m e n t e d i n t h e s c h o o l ?

To be quite honest, the dance prices were my most valuable learning at as ever. suffered under the misdeeds of what Sage Hill TH: My favorite thing about Sage is that withrespect dedication, andacademics where there hasn’t been some form of TH: We’ve made a and few new the main problem that I found. I talked outside of the classroom. Even though it’s a home away from home, a place With a decreased stress load, many is now known as the Sage Hill Thief. changes to keep students the ButProm, it’s been isolated”. with integrity andin honesty: Live honorably. to many students last theft. year after academics are extremely important, I also where I feel comfortable to be who I seniors discover their priorities The thief committed the first loop about everything that is going crime With these values in mind, students With such serious themore thief,outside of the am. I actually have a part this amazing and it became obvious that people did think offenses, I have grown on at Sage.

We have installed a shifted.

Alexa McElroy ’11 finds that in early October when Coral Lee ‘13 have become accustomed not want spend hundreds of dollars if caught, is likely to suffer serious to to leaving All Dressed Up: An Interview classroom and want make sure that others place and the sense of responsibility flat screen TV in the Upper amount of time I spend with had five cameras and a wallet stolen. bags and computers out on dances.

It really how great The can experience growth as “The well. And With Ms. Blackwell..............4 consequences. thief hasthis harmed open in the shows that students have here makes it so Humanities for announcement and our school is if one of our main problem family and friends has increased beSince this incident, approximately with the new dance pricing, I just wanted unique. The list of my favorite things library or in the quad. The Sage Hill students, taking valuable possessions pictures. We have also successfully is dance prices! With the help of many to show that if a you see a cause, problem, as I come closer to goes leaving highon. twelve to fifteen other thefts haveorganized been Thief about Sage just on and the calendar to presentsboard a challenge to the sense from them and undermining their faculty members and administrators, the administrators are willing to work school, they become more important. ” reported. Most of the items have make beenit easy for students to see When asked about of comfort and safety $/#$/%/#)-./#!"#156*5'7)*!.+#%/487/#!2/# that our com- sense of trust. with you and that you can enact change.

all that’s going on at the school.

Front Page Editor

Features:

Sports:

A

Arts:

expensive, but small, such as iPhones, munity has enjoyed. punishment, Poffenberger said, “I can For McElroy, second semester brings jewelry, wallets, and cameras.

Poffenberger commented on the say with almost certainty that they about “a sense of lightheartedness and As a reaction to the ourburst of crimi- change of mindset of the students: would not be a member of this com- gratitude for the company of good friends and the sun in the quad.” She nal activity, Sage has taken many steps “Sage is built on trust. … You can sit munity.” to increase security, aiming to catch here and you look out and

to Sage the start The Hill of Thief is an anomaly on notes, “If anything, I’ll be extremely youFast seeforward You’re Funny...But You’re Shannon Zhang ‘12 sad to see Yoon Cha Heather Goldin ‘12 !251# 172"".# +/)%9# 3# $)1# '*)..+# )-./# it end. ” ‘13 introduces her the thief. The Dean of School Life, Jon bags and computers and everything a campus built on community, respect, Assistant Editor­in­Chief Going to Hell.........................5 Editor­In­Chief “Challenges of the Month” and to test out the idea with an edition In contrast, juniors busily begin Poffenberger, describes the course of sitting around.” From the window of and trust in one another. The Thief has of The Bolt from last year. With a debuts Ms. Orr’s monthly guest

Welcome to The Bolt for what many consider action the school has decided to take his office, student’s belongings I successfully little experimentation, stolen private property, but preparing could not only Confused by our Town Meeting puzzles. Jenna Shapiro ’13, 2011­2012! It’s been almost a the most laborious semester yet, with in keeping the Sage communityannouncement at the beginning of safe be observed at various locations uploaded an edition of The Bolt to on has also acted against what we know one of our fabulous Assistant Issuu and voila! We have a virtual month of school and already SATs, APs, and the advent of the college and catching the thief: “We’ve the year? Don’t be confused­­I’m been tables and chairs. According to Poff, to be “Sageyness”. It some is ourof duty as acounting Editor­in­Chiefs, says, “I am so edition of the Bolt on our hands. us are here to clear things up! When I said, admissions process. To the sophomores working with the local police depart- The Thief has “taken away a little piece community to pull together, as we have Our hope for the future of The down the days to summer. incredibly excited for newspaper “The Bolt is going virtual,” I meant and freshmen as well, second semesment as well as trying to up our efforts Bolt is that, along with the monthly this great of what makes Sage special,” referring over eleven years building it. The Bolt can now be accessed As freshmen forge new this year! We will be making publishing of the paper, the online stressful andI’m requires the of observation, walking through.digitally And to from the “people website feel Issuu.comfortable leav- environment, to restore history.

Literally. especially how and reestablish ter is more version will be linked in the bi­weekly friendships on the retreat this (pronounced issue).

Curious utmost attention and focus; after all, also having people lock things up.com ” excited about the online version, the sense trustis andweek, seniors prepare for the security the Sage ing their things. … Now Community there is that E­News email, of which about how this idea came about? summer is only a few months away.

All of the items stolen had been sense of mistrust”.

New Teachers........................6 which will allow our school to Hill Thief has attempted to destroy. sent to both students and parents. The '*).#1!%/!72#8*!5.#6%)48)!5"*:# Let me explain: But never mind all the seemingly reach a broader audience. YAY!” consciously left out, something not link will also be visible in the paper I can’t wait for another year Back track Spring at Theft to is not uncommon at schools. decided semester. to assign If negative aspectsWe of second unusual at Sage. Our community is one where a junior took on an itself so it will be easily accessible.

Sage, filled with spontaneous

One common advantage internship at the OC Register to !2/#*/$#1!);;#$%5!/%1#!"#)#1,/75'7# first semester grades were only “eh,” all­school hugs and other to online newspapers is the ease of gain some professional journalism page as a support system for the start of the new semester is the time moments found only at Sage. sharing more visuals in addition to the experience. On her mind was editors.

Congratulations to all text. The Bolt welcomes Megan Diaz

The start of a new to flip over a new leaf and establish her visit to Columbia University the new writers listed below! We ‘14 as this year’s photo editor, who Heather Goldin ‘12 +/)%#).1"#0/)*1#!2/#'%1!#5118/# ally kept physical copies of each issue. the previous November, where lieve what I was looking at. The issue good habits for the rest of the year. And will be in charge of a special section of our completely student­run also love guest writers, so just she read I had about the increasing Assistant Editor-in-Chief also always wanted to know how second semester is the time had no resemblance 1,/75'7# !"# !2/# "*.5*/# Bolt.

The new to the newspaper above all, technological improvements in let us know if you want to write! newspaper! After three years long The Bolt has existed, since we only to really appreciate and reflect on all we have now, if you could even call it Students use the lower library for section will add more pictures related digital journalism. How cool would Environmentalists Unite......7 Front page: Elise Sugarman on The Bolt staff, I’m honored to the articles contained in the issue had online archives from ‘04-‘05.

Ms. the positive relationships and wisdom a newspaper. It consisted of a packet it be to bring a digital aspect to last minute test cramming, printing ‘ 1 3 a n d M o l l y Wa n g ‘ 1 3 that 2005, month.

The online version also to serve as your Editor­In­ our school newspaper, The Bolt?

Imai took out a folder marked and gained throughout high school. with staples and Word Art. out assignments, or just talking with means more photos in color, a previous Chief. This year, we’re lucky F e a t u r e s : J o y C h a n g ‘ 1 3 A few days into my internship, I each I began to look through issue.

Seeing such a different version of friends. However, during a conference limitation with print. asked the features editor, who I was to have an extraordinary a n d Vi c t o r i a G r i f f i n ‘ 1 3 The headlines alone on each front Another goal we are trying to our school newspapereditorial got me thinking period at the start of this semester, working with, if he knew about any board. We also S p o r t s : H a l l a n d M c k e n n a reach is a complete online archive of all my inter- about how far we have come. With the good ideas or websites that I could the lower library became a place of page were enough to catch welcome Miss Ehret, a new ‘15 and Kavi Sakraney ‘14 previous editions of The Bolt. Looking use. My goal was that for the next included recent change in layout design, our discovery. Ms. Imai, the Director of est. Memorable headlines Arts: Celeste Broderick ’14, Jeremy back through old Bolt newspapers is addition to college counseling school year, students would not “George W. Bush re-elected as 43rd Dorne ’13, and Sidney Lee ’15 paper is now more modern than ever, Library Resources and Website only Coor-be able a great way to look back on Sage’s office, as our advisor.

She to access the school history, the to recent 10­year at and Sagewith not mention our success in making dinator, asked me if I was busy, and if President” and “Vandalism newspaper around school when an has extensive experience in Opinions: Eric Zhang ’14, anniversary, I know my curiosity about Draw your favorite animal in how The Bolt available virtually.

If you are I could help her sort through theissue came out, but also online.

Bolt Hill.” It really put into perspective and dealing E r i k a L y n n ­ G r e e n ’ 1 4 , Sage’s beginning has been sparked both journalism

O n l i n e

n e w s p a p e r

a n d 10 seconds..............................8 much history a single decade holds. with stressed out teenage a n d S o p h i a F a l m a g n e ‘ 1 2 looking to read some of Sage’s history, Archives. First thought: “They exist?” somewhat. With the help of Nikki magazines are becoming more School Life: Brian Slaughter As soon as I saw the folder marked Imai, Director of Library Recources, writers—a skill that comes in don’t hesitate to stop by the lower liSecond thought: “YES!” common, and, as a result, becoming ’15 and Juliette Singarella ‘14 all previous issues will soon be able handy during editing sessions!

‘01, I actually felt my heartrate speed the armain source of information. I brary and ask about The Bolt Archives.

I knew that there were online to be viewed in an online database via Lifestyle: Andrea Candelaria followed my editor to the desk of We are also thrilled The Bolt in And yes, they do exist! chives, but I had no idea that we actu- up. I held the first issue ofthe library section of Sage’s website, Kevin Sablan, who works on the ’13 and Katie Bick ‘12 to reveal some new additions my glovedareas, hands, and I an archive that will continue to grow couldn’t bePhoto courtesy of Heather Goldin Register’s technical which

Opinions:

The Bolt Goes Virtual

Welcome to the The Bolt!

School Life:

Bolt Archives

Lifestyle:

Backpage:

inside

as we publish more and more issues of includes its website and other social The Bolt. media outlets. Sablan suggested The race: Mlo’s album a site called Issuu.com, which Wizarding World of harry potter involves uploading the I issues of “We await your owl.”

Michelle Oglevie: “I’m still experimenting with where The Bolt in PDF form for a nice, can go as an artist.” high quality online version of our – page 4 – page 7 own student­run newspaper!

to our program—Heather G o l d i n ‘ 1 2 , o u r s a v v y Editor’s note: It is with heavy hearts index that the entire Bolt staff expresses Assistant Editor­in­Chief, “General Education” Screens in the Studio....02 our condolences for alumnus writes about our online Sophomore Class Recap....……………….…..03 Geoffrey Burns’s family. It is never Gentlemens’ Varsity Lineup................05 version in the article to Soccer Crosswalk........................……...…..06 the left. On The the New back page, easy to accept the loss of someone of such admirable character.

He will always be in our hearts.

January 2012 The Bolt

2 Features

“General Education” Screens in Studio Shannon Zhang ‘12

Editor-in-Chief

Back when Sage alumnus Kevin Liang ’07 attended Sage, students performed plays outside in large, white tents. The lack of a permanent performing space didn’t deter Liang from pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, however.

On January 15, Liang hosted a private screening in the Studio of his coming-of-age comedy, “General Education,” which was positively received by a full audience of family, alumni, and investors.

After graduating from the Brooks Institute in 2010, Liang established Pelican House Productions with three other friends.

“General Education” took over a year and a half to make, but Liang mentions that his fellow producers had a plan in mind even before graduation. He says, “It’s almost just as hard to sell a movie as it is to make it.”

He won’t have too hard a time selling “General Education,” if audiences warm up to its charm and clever script.

The basis for the story is simple: Levi, a promising high school tennis player risks losing a scholarship after failing science class. He must attend summer school to graduate, during

Photo courtesy of Shannon Zhang

General education Some of the cast and producers of the film after the screening.

which time he falls in love with a classmate, embarks on various shenanigans, and struggles to reconcile paternal expectations with his own dreams.

Liang cites his and other filmmakers’ lives as the inspiration for the film: “We were lucky to have an idea of what we personally wanted to do, so we thought it’d be interesting to tell the story of a kid who’s forced to do something else.”

Maiara Walsh, who plays Levi’s

Sophia Witte 5K Hannah ‘15, Sidney Lee ‘15 Staff Writers

Photo courtesy of Sophia Witte

Middle School Students were sponsered by the Kevin Armstrong Foundation to run in the 5K on January 7, 2012.

Sophia Witte is a junior at Sage Hill School who has been running in the Varsity Cross Country team since freshman year. She is one of the best female runners in Sage history as evidenced by her record on show in the gym. Because she loves running and spending time with children, Sophia Witte volunteered in the Kevin Armstrong, M.D. Memorial Sports Foundation for her service-learning project.

The Kevin Armstrong, M.D. Memorial Sports Foundation sponsors a team of middle school students within the foundation to participate in local marathons and races. The foundation allows low-

income students in the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) to take part in sports to improve their medical care, facilities, and other equipment.

It is a great cause and one that Sophia is proud to take part of.

When asked about her favorite part of the experience, Sophia says, “I love helping the kids warm-up and prepare before all of their events throughout the year.”

One of the first races Sophia helped out in took place on Saturday, January 7, 2012 on Barranca.

Although she couldn’t run the event because of a soccer game, Sophia was able to convince Mr. Miller and Mrs. Sefami to participate in the Southern California Half Marathon and 5k. As service learning advisors, they took part in the project in order to help and encourage her. Sophia especially enjoyed having Mr. Miller there because he is also her cross-country coach.

The event gave her the opportunity to show that she uses all of his running advice to mentor the kids. Through mentoring the kids and helping with the event, Sophia embodies the ethos of Sage Hill service learning.

love interest, says the film was “so much fun to work on.” Walsh, who has starred in shows such as Desperate Housewives, Vampire Diaries, and Disney Channel’s Cory in the House, cites persistence as one of the most important qualities of aspiring actors and actresses.

Her advice: “Get in an acting class—that’s the best way to get referrals. Be ready to face rejection.”

Liang’s experiences at Sage certainly reflect Walsh’s advice to “stick

with it.”

Liang candidly spoke about how he was “kicked out of school” his sophomore year, but returned once he understood his learning style.

He says, “I look like a terrible student on paper, but Sage was understanding. I’m a visual learner, so I turned in essays that were actually narrations for my films. In Geometry, I wrote out my tests after class on the Smart Boards.”

Liang fondly recalls theatre classes with Mr. Marshall and his time at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. He credits his experiences as an actor for helping him understand characters and “how to portray a story.”

With “General Education” in post-production, Pelican House Productions is looking for distributors while also working on a second film, “Truck World,” which follows the adventure of two stepbrothers.

The well-wishers who surrounded Liang and the other film members certainly left no doubt in the audience’s mind of their potential.

An overheard comment said it best, “No one’s ever surprised when they see Kevin doing so well.”

For more information on “General Education,” visit www.generaleducationmovie.com and www.pelicanhouseproductions.com.

Grades Go Virtual Joy Chang ‘13

Staff Writer

Grades, like most other programs, have gone virtual at Sage Hill. Finally, students will be able to check their grades online. The transparency of grades has its pros and cons but junior Jeremy Dorne says, “It doesn’t really matter at all. I mean, it doesn’t change your grades.” It’s true; students will not be able to change their grades online, but then what has changed with this new system?

Many schools strive to become eco-friendly by consuming less paper by grading online, just as Sage is trying to do. Senior Sophia Falmagne thinks, “It’s great that the grades are virtual because of the paper it’s saving; I love the eco-friendlyiness.”

Not only is it conserving our planet’s resources, it is also a new, convenient, and easy way to check up on the grades. With a simple username and password, grades are only a click away.

Although grades are now posted online, some teachers such as math teacher Mrs. May are going to continue only to post at the interim and final grades. “I don’t

want my students to stress over exactly what their number is in the class. I’d rather have them learn and have grades become a supplementary indication of where they stand.” Each term should be for learning and not obsessing over the grades, a comforting fact that we sometimes forget.

The increased availability of grades online may be something to extol, but some students such as junior Angela Choi are not ecstatic over the raised awareness of grades. “I want to tell my parents about my grades. I do not want the internet to tell them.”

Parents’ easy access to grades does make it easier for them to stress; however, “It ultimately isn’t much different because parents get the grades at the end either way,” says Sophia Falmagne.

Hopefully, students will be able to use the new system to check their grades periodically and determine what they need to do better to raise their grades. At the end of the day though, grades are grades, and they are going to be the same online as they are on paper.

January 2012 The Bolt

school life 3

SOPA/PIPA Bills Darren Chen ‘13

Co-Features Editor

On January 17th at midnight Eastern time, Wikipedia ‘blacked out’ for twenty-four hours in protest of the recent SOPA and PIPA bills that Congress is trying to pass.

For an avid Wikipedia user like myself, this ‘blackout’ came as a mild inconvenience to me. Several websites such as Google and Reddit have already taken steps to petition against the bills.

The reactions to these bills range from mild approval to complete condemnation.

Sophomore Arya Nakhjavani believes along with many other internet users, “that the bills are a basic infringement upon our inalienable rights of free speech.”

The SOPA and PIPA bills, which stand for Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act, are intended to prevent piracy of copyrighted material such as music, movies, and other

Photo courtesy of Heather Goldin

protest: A screenshot of Wikipedia’s homepage on January 17th.

Wikipedia and other sites ‘blacked out’ to protest SOPA and PIPA.

forms of media. On the surface, these bills appear to be a concerted effort at curbing internet piracy. We have all undoubtedly knowingly or unknowingly accessed pirated material online at some point in our lives.

Many internet users like junior Jace Horton agree that the basic intention of

“taking down file-sharing sites is just because that is where most piracy happens, but it seems like [Congress} wants to censor a lot more than just that.”

Other students like junior Jason Cowan are adamantly opposed to the bill, fearing that the bill “is causing more problems than fixing things.

Sophomore class recap Claudia Noto ‘14, Jack Williamson ‘14 Guest Writers

So far this year, we have been extremely proud of our grade in every way. Ever since the beginning of freshman year, we have felt that our class bonds well together and has a unique spirit and role in the Sage Hill community. Mr. McNeill summed it up nicely at the first pep rally when he spoke of the “sheer volume” of our grade. We believe that sheer volume encompasses the spirit, diversity and cohesiveness of our class.

The desire to contribute something new to pep rallies was one of our goals as cochairs this year. We believe

Congress is trying to change the way we use the Internet, which has been integrated into our daily lives.”

The heart of the issue here lies within the small details of the bills. The bulk of the bill is supposedly filled with vague phrases and details which can be twisted by congress to censor any website they do not like. As we have learned from the history of the United States, many bills have been misconstrued or applied erroneously because of vague phrases within the bills themselves.

Users have the right to be afraid of the unintended repercussions of this bill.

We’ve all heard the censorship stories in countries such as China and North Korea.

Some internet users, like junior Henry Koo, believe that the government is actually using the prevent piracy title as a “pretense to censor any websites that they dislike.”

The issue is controversial to say the least, but it is safe to

say that the general consensus is that internet users are opposed to this bill.

And to show their opposition to these bills, internet users have been signing petitions left and right to show Congress their disapproval.

Many Sagers have already signed petitions and voiced their discontent.Google has amassed 4.5 million signatures on their petition. Wikipedia has a box where you can input your zip code and obtain the contact information for the congressional representatives in your area.

As for the passing of the bill, the SOPA bill is still being debated on in the House Judiciary Committee. Congress planned to vote on the bill on January 24th. Currently, both bills are on hold, but SOPA and PIPA are not dead.

Actions will still be taken to refine the bills, but until then, sites such as Wikipedia hope that their protests will make a difference in the long run.

Feel free to come share your ideas with us anytime and let us know ways you feel we can improve.

that we have added a new “sophomore” spin to the rallies.

For example, a group of sophomores created the Flagship, an organized spirit group whose goal is to fire up our grade at pep rallies. The Flagship group has done a great job of spearheading our spirited grade and making our voices heard. Our sophomore energy was felt and seen as the sea of red flowed into the gym and our class flag flew proud.

In October, we had a sophomore bonfire. The huge number of sophomores who showed up for the event is further evidence of how much we really do enjoy each other’s company.

At the bonfire, people ate,

played guitar and sang and played volleyball as well as soccer. It was nice to see different kids from a wide range of ‘groups’ spending time and really getting to know peers they might not usually spend time with. Many of the sophomores who came that night left knowing someone from the grade a little better than they did before they came.

It sounds so simple, but it is nice to see it really happen. So nice that we think it is worth having another and getting even more kids from our class to attend.

Before our next bonfire, we are planning a fun event with the juniors at Sky High Sports, where we hope to jump high and beat them in a dodge ball rematch.

We hope to have more bonding experiences for our grade this semester. We are always looking for new ideas any sophomores may have!

who asked two days before Saturday night.

For those of you out there that are already thinking of ways to ask for prom, the events of this formal season proved that it is never too early and never too late.

It seems the most classic way to ask someone to Winter formal is by designing a scavenger hunt. One can never go wrong with a fun series of clues that will ultimately lead to a cake, cupcakes, a poster, or virtually anything inscribed with the words: “formal? Love, [your name here].”

The most fun scavenger

hunts are the ones that incorporate inside jokes into the clues making it much more personal. Savannah Gardner ‘13 asked her date to formal by creating an intricately planned Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt.

Each step included a teacher or student that posed as a Harry Potter character and a trivia question that, with the correct answer, would lead him to the next stop in the scavenger hunt.

Another classic way to ask someone to formal that’s similar to a scavenger hunt is by putting the asking into teachers’ hands. For example

if your prospective date likes baseball, spelling out “formal?” on seven baseballs and handing them to the person’s teachers on a Wednesday morning gives him or her something (though it may be really obvious) to look forward to every class period.

My personal favorite way to ask someone to formal is by getting their parents involved. This gives you the opportunity to go all out in your plan to ask. With their parent’s cooperation, you could have access to their house and their after-school or weekend plans, and take advantage of them to ask in a

Photo courtesy of Heather Goldin

Represent: Sophomore Co-chairs Jack Williamson and Claudia Noto are enthusiastic about representing their grade for the 2011-2012 school year.

“Formal? Love, [your name here]” Andrea Candelaria ‘13 Staff Writer

By the time you are reading this, formal will have already passed. But the various ways students were asked to formal are as memorable as the dance itself. Most people start planning creative ways to ask during our two-week winter break and execute their plan upon returning to school in early January.

However, this year some asked a prospective date as much as two months before the actual date. At the same time, there were also those

clever and innovative way.

In the case of Chanelle Diaz ‘13, you could have the person’s mom hide something in their car for them to find unexpectedly in the morning.

Or you could use the help of your own parents, like Kristen Tsubota ‘13 had her dad play guitar while she recorded a song she wrote for her date which she then later played in the quad.

Whatever your preference, Winter formal is always a blast, but asking your date to formal in a creative way is half the fun.

January 2012 The Bolt

4 arts

The Race: Michelle Oglevie’s Album

Erika Lynn-Green ‘14

Staff Writer

Michelle Oglevie ’14 stood guitar in hand, in front of a bonfire surrounded by thirty or so Sage Hill sophomores, all of whom demanded a song.

She smiled unassumingly, picked at the strings, and invited them to sing along. As she began singing a sloweddown cover of ‘Pumped-Up Kicks’, a cheer went up, but nobody sang until the chorus, held by Michelle’s voice.

This impromptu performance is an indicator of Michelle’s confidence as an

Photo courtesy of Erika Lynn-Green

artist. “I perform whenever I can,” she says, “I do openmic and Bandapalooza at every opportunity.”

These facets of the Sage community have helped her to express herself artistically, she says.

Another artistic outlet for Michelle is song-writing, which she began experimenting with last summer.

Michelle heard about Costa Mesa Recording Studios through her voice teacher’s grapevine.

After an inspiring trip to Nashville last June, she

recorded two self-written songs.

“I was very fortunate,” she says. “I was able to work with two producers and give them the songs I wrote.”

Her producers provided drums as a background to Michelle’s vocals and guitar.

Echoing the fact that she does not have a band, Michelle says, “It was really cool to see how songs can come from just guitar riffs to be some big thing.”

Michelle eventually recorded four songs in an EP, or Extended Play, three of which she wrote herself.

Called ‘The Race’, it is available on iTunes under the name Mlo, Michelle’s initials.

Even though she describes the album as pop-rock, Michelle says, “I’m leaning towards alt rock these days,” reflecting her continuing artistic evolution.

When it comes to influences, she says, “I could never pinpoint one artist. I respect any musician out there.”

Perhaps due to the variety of her own musical taste, she says, “I’m still experimenting with where I can go as an artist, but if I could make a career out of it, that’d be great!”

Michelle is also planning to continue her musical education, through taking AP Music Theory and continuing with choir.

Coachella Line-Up! Sophia Herzlinger ‘12

Sports Editor

“It’s up!” After a highly anticipated release the 2012 Coachella line up was finally announced on Monday, January 9th. Social networking sites such as Facebook were overloaded as students posted pictures of the lineup along with enthused updates about the headliners they were most excited to see.

There’s a strange obsession with Coachella at Sage. Held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California the festival attracts around 50+ Sage students each year.

In the past, the school has tried to limit student attendance due to the fact that many would miss a Friday of school to drive out to the desert.

However, students went anyways and there is no reason to doubt that they will not do so again this year. Early in the summer the festival announced that it would be extending to two weekends giving people greater opportunity to see the many artists playing there.

Some people panicked: how would they decide which weekend to pick?

However, they were put at ease after it was announced

that the two weekends, April 13-15 and April 20-22 would share identical lineups.

So, who is playing?

While the festival is primarily known for “indie” bands, in the past few years it has gone more mainstream with headliners such as big name Kanye West who played last year. This year there is a huge bounty of awesome artists, some highlights include: Friday: The Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Arctic Monkeys, Afrojack, and M83.

Saturday: Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Shins, David Guetta, Andrew Bird, and Feist.

Sunday: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dog, At The Drive-In, Justice, Florence + the Machine, La Roux, Beirut, and Girl Talk.

Overall there is a wide variety, once again with some mainstream artists such as Dr. Dre and Snoop dog, popular indie artists like Bon Iver and The Black Keys, and of course a whole plethora of house and electronica.

So, if there’s a band you haven’t heard there is a high probability some new lunchtime mixes will probably include them. Sage, get pumped there are less than three months to go!

Anna Karenina: An Interview with Brennon Mendez Savannah Gardner ‘13

Arts Editor

The Sage Hill Production of Anna Karenina is a Russian play originated from Leo Tolstoy’s dramatic novel full of secret affairs, heartbreak, and tragic love.

The director, Mr. Marshall, has added fourteen characters to the original eight, and has created an exciting ensemble that symbolizes society of the 1800s, and how easily they can reject a person and push them to depression and insanity.

This emotional play brings the audience a wave of emotions from sadness to anger, and reminds us of the exhilarating feeling of forbidden love. The production opens Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00pm, and will be really worth seeing!

This past week, I got the privilege of sitting down with the male lead, junior, Brennon Mendez, where he told me all about his experience in Anna Karenina. His character,

Levin struggles to handle his rejection from the love of his life, and tries to escape the materialism and vapidity of Moscow.

Brennon’s eloquence and maturity really comes across while I was talking to him, and I cannot wait to see what he will bring to his role in the show.

S.G: Seeing as this is your first play at Sage Hill, was it difficult to take on the male lead in Anna Karenina?

B.M: “To be honest, when I auditioned, I had no idea that I would be contending to play the male lead, due to my lack of theatre experience.

The moment I saw the cast list was the most surprising and unexpected experience I’ve ever had. Although it’s a massive responsibility, I feel incredibly grateful and honored to be cast in this amazing role.”

S.G: And how did you find your character in the role?

B.M: “Our director, Mr. Marshall, always says that

‘getting into character’ is impossible, because actors can’t genuinely portray a character that hasn’t originated from themselves. My approach to Levin, my role, is to bring out as many aspects of myself as possible and apply them in rehearsal, which in turn allows me as the actor to examine and challenge myself.”

S.G: How do you cope with three hour rehearsals everyday and the workload of junior year?

B.M: Sometimes, trying to find balance between arts and academics can be difficult, but I’ve found that by reminding myself of the incredible opportunity that I’ve been given to participate in such a fantastic production, I can find the motivation to stay up late to study after an emotionally and physically draining, three-hour rehearsal.

S.G: Did this experience make you want to pursue acting in the future?

B.M: “I don’t really consider myself to be a natural

Cast member Leland Reza ‘13 and director Mr. Marshall Photo courtesy of Casey Astorino performer, but I’m definitely considering directing as a future career. By gaining experience both on stage in Anna Karenina and behind the director’s table in The Fantasticks, I feel like I’ve grown immensely this year in terms of my understanding of the theatre.”

S.G: How are your feeling about the performance on February 2nd, are you nervous or excited?

B.M: “I am both nervous and excited! If I’ve learned anything from this process, it’s that those two emotions are not mutually exclusive.

Most of all, I’m eager to share this amazing production of an amazing play with an amazing cast to the Sage community, because everyone involved has truly put their energy, heart, and soul into this show. I can’t wait to share it with all of you!”

January 2012 The Bolt

sports 5

Gentlemens’ Varsity Soccer Kavi Sakraney ‘14 Staff Writer

The Gentlemens’ Varsity Soccer team has started this season strong in league. Although they struggled a little in the preseason against much larger schools, they have been quite successful in league so far with a 5-1 record. Head Coach Ignacio (Nacho) Cid says, “I believe that the team is starting to play at a great level. I am happy with the effort that is given at training. More than that, I am happy with how the development from training is starting to transfer in the game day.”

The first game in the academy league was against St. Margaret’s.

They battled back after going down 2 to 0 on the St. Margaret’s turf. They were able to put a through ball past Tartan defense to Jack Percival who finished the play. Eric Cheng scored a goal to tie it up with just a few minutes left forcing the game into overtime.

The Tartans were able to score in overtime, and they barely scraped a win out of the game beating Sage 3-2 in overtime. Sage looks forward to playing St. Margaret’s on our home turf, and they need support from fans to help get revenge on Friday, January 27.

Sage’s next opponent, Whitney, also took the team to overtime, but this time Sage prevailed. Percival

scored a penalty in overtime after tying 2-2. Jack then assisted Kavi Sakraney on a goal to secure a victory.

Cole Kirby was also able to start the team on the right foot against Whitney by scoring off of an assist from Ahmed Eltamami.

After Whitney, the Sage Hill keepers Mason Weinstein and Adam Ellingson as well as defense lead by senior Eric Cheng really stepped up.

Starting defenders Brett Dunlavey, Gordan Strelow, Brandon Zelner along with Cheng did not let up a goal for the next three games.

A lot of the credit for these three shutouts goes to Weinstein and Adam who had some really amazing saves.

They shut out Crean Lutheran, Brethren Christian, and Whitney scoring a total of fourteen goals against those opponents and letting up zero.

Some highlights of these games included a beautiful strike from freshman Nikoli Sadeghi over the keeper to the far post against Crean, Jack Percival skinning defenders and scoring five of the fourteen goals, Alex Manolakas finishing a penalty kick against Crean Lutheran, and Cheng scoring two goals against Whitney playing center defender.

In the latest game against Oxford, Sage came out strong against this tough opponent and won 3-1.

Kirby finished a great header off of Percival’s cross to put Sage on the

Gentlemens’ Varsity SOccer prepares for a win.

Photo courtesy of Heather Goldin

scoreboard first. Another highlight included Gordan Strelow forcing an own goal as well as Eltamami blasting a shot past Oxford keeper.

The Sage Boys’ Soccer team has grown and become more and more successful as the season has continued. A lot of this success is due to some great leadership from the seniors.

The team is overall very young with about half of the team consisting of underclassmen. Returning senior captains Jack Percival and Mason

Weekend Plans: Superbowl Edition

Nikki Parmar ‘15

We all know when it’s that time of year. With Valentine’s Day creeping up and a relaxing Ski Week just around the corner, Super Bowl comes up and smacks us upside-down.

For those who may not be familiar with the Super Bowl, here is a brief snippet of its history: The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League, also known as the NFL. It is the highest level of professional American football in the United States.

The Super Bowl XLV played in 2011 became the most-watched American television program in history. The day on which the Super Bowl is played is now considered an American national holiday often referred to as ‘Super Bowl Sunday.’ Whether our plans are with the family at home, at a party with some friends or going to see the actual game live, there are countless ways to spend February 3, 2012.

My own plans are to head down to my buddy’s house in San Diego and watch it live in his home movie theatre, rooting for my favorite team, the New York Giants. (Sorry Patriot fans!) Pounds of guacamole, chips, and salsa are a definite yes.

Of course, just going down to San Diego will be a road trip of its own, with a Super Bowl mix tape of songs such as ‘Levels’ by Avicii and

Why the BCS Needs To Go Jeremy Dorne ‘13

Guest Writer

Staff Writer

Last fall, our own Head Football Coach JR Tolver was awarded the ABC 7/ NFL High School Football Coach of the Week Award!

Photo courtesy of Sage Hill School

‘Party Rock Anthem’ by LMFAO, all in preparation for a day of fun-filled festivities. Mini football games will be organized, family pinned against family in the attempt to win the title as ‘Super Bowl family winners.’

As Amir Soleimany ’15 says, “It’s a day where the whole family can relax and come together just to enjoy their time together.”

Whether you are a football fanatic or would prefer a nationally recognized day dedicated to watching Gossip Girl, the Super Bowl indeed offers a sense of family and patriotism for all to take pleasure in. Let us all gather with drinks and food to celebrate this occasion, getting excited for many more to come.

Weinstein have led this young team by example as well as vocally helping the young and less experienced players improve.

All players, returning and new, look forward to a long season this year, hopefully deep into CIF. Coach Nacho says, “I look forward to continually growing as a team and peaking as a team right before CIF. I think that they can end the season on a great note and put Sage Hill Men’s Soccer on the map as a great program.”

This January, an exciting year of college football ended with the anti-climatic thud of a BCS National Championship Game. This year’s game pitted two teams not only from the same conference but also the same division, Alabama and LSU from the SEC West. These two teams had met already in the regular season with LSU winning 9-6 in overtime.

January’s game saw a different result and Alabama won 21-0 in a dominant defensive performance.

The season series ended tied between these two juggernauts of southern football.

Only the SEC had a chance to win the National Championship this year even though Oklahoma State and Stanford both finished with one loss in strong conferences. So how can Alabama be legitimately called the National Champion?

The BCS was created to pit the two best teams in the nation for a championship game. Before the BCS, the top teams in college football would not always meet in a post-season bowl game. The BCS was supposed to alleviate the controversy involved in voting for national champion.

The BSC though, has created more controversy than ever before.

In the 2003 season, Oklahoma, LSU, and USC all finished with one loss and USC was left out of the championship game. USC was voted the national champion by the Associated Press, while LSU was the BCS national champion.

Undefeated Auburn was left out in 2004 in favor of USC and Texas.

In 2008, there were 3 one-loss teams from the Big 12 but only one team, Oklahoma got to play for the title.

The Football Bowl Subdivision is one of the only college sports not to use a playoff. There are currently 120 teams in this subdivision, with 66 teams in major conferences plus Notre Dame. College football in the past couple years has grossed over a billion dollars and its time for a legitimate champion each year.

After the title game this year, there were meetings between BCS officials about a four-team playoff. Sage Hill teacher Derek Carlson thinks that a 16 team playoff is the correct format for determining a champion because in the current format a single loss can render a team’s season meaningless.

Opponents of a 16 team playoff think that a playoff of this length distracts from the real purpose of college, education.

One thing is for sure though, it is time for a playoff system in football.

The BCS Title Game this year excluded most of the nation and had a drop-off in TV ratings. College football has gained much popularity and is still growing but many more games like Alabama-LSU could jeopardize this momentum.

America wants a tournament, a fair and just way to determine a champion, and it looks as if it will. LSUAlabama provides an opportunity to part ways with an unjust system, but will this opportunity be acted upon or will fan be left with unjust champions for years to come?

6 opinions the

Bolt

The North & The South: Silicon Valley vs. Hollywood

Ashkan Khayami ‘12

The Bolt is published monthly as the official Sage Hill student-run newspaper. Since our founding year in 2000, we have served as a public forum for the Sage community. Our goal is to uphold a high standard of quality journalism in a way that is both engaging and informative for students and faculty. All issues are stored online in the archive at http://issuu.com/shsbolt. Please contact Shannon Zhang at 12ZhangS@sagehillschool.org if you have any questions, or a desire to guest write or take photographs for The Bolt.

Editor-in-Chief

Shannon Zhang ‘12

Assistant Editors-inChief

Heather Goldin ‘12, Jenna Shapiro ‘13

Front Page

Editor: Natasha Sakraney ‘12 Writers: Elise Sugarman ‘13, Molly Wang ‘13

Features

Editors: Darren Chen ‘13, Natalie Kobsa-Mark ‘12 Writers: Joy Chang ‘13, Victoria Griffin ‘13

School Life

Editor: Joelle Nanula ‘14 Writers: Juliette Singarella ‘14, Brian Slaughter ‘15

Arts

Editor:Savannah Gardner ‘13 Writers: Celeste Broderick ‘14, Jeremy Dorne ‘13, Sidney Lee ‘15

Sports

Editor: Sophia Herzlinger ‘12 Writers: Spenser Apramian ‘12, Halland Mckenna ‘15, Kavi Sakraney ‘14

Opinions

Editor: Ashkan Khayami ‘12 Writers: Sophia Falmagne ‘12, Erika Lynn-Green ‘14, Eric Zhang ‘14

Lifestyle

Editor: Carlyn Kane ‘14 Writers: Andrea Candelaria ‘13, Katherine Bick ‘12

Back Page

Editor: Yoon Cha ‘13

Contributors

Ava Soleimany ‘12, Claudia Noto ‘14, Nikki Parmar ‘15, Jack Williamson ‘14

Advisor

Joanne Ehret Sage Hill School established 2000 20402 Newport Coast Drive Newport Coast, CA 92657 (949) 219-0100 http://www.sagehillschool.org

Opinions Editor

In the 1861, the issue of states’ rights and federal authority geographically and politically divided the United States. Now a rift between the North—Silicon Valley—and the South— Hollywood has brewed over Internet hosting rights over copyright laws. Pieces of legislations now known as PIPA and SOPA are causing major controversy on both sides.

The bills ostensibly are meant to protect people who work in media industries. For example, those hundreds of people—at the end of movie, when the credits run—who helped create the film are all paid through the sales and dsitribution of the film. Ergo, pirating and video hosting are theoretically stealing because people can access and download films for free thus not provding revenue for the people who worked on productions.

It’s very similar with music; hundreds of people help distribute and create musical productions and when websites allow people to download music for free, producers and distributors are being not being paid for their work and is therefore synounymous with stealing.

The major problem with

Shannon Zhang ‘12

the SOPA and PIPA bills is that they are incredibly vague, and do not provide protection for websites like Wikipedia, Facebook, or any other website that allows links and files to be uploaded. If the bills are legalized, then popular and arguably essential websites could be sued or eliminated all together.

That’s why these websites spent an entire day protesting the bills by suspending their services.

These online demonstrations have turned old proponents of the bills to opposers overnight.

On a personal note, this development is paradoxically both an inspiring and heartbreaking one. On one hand, I love seeing non-violent protest of the populace work towards forwarding their will—in essence, democracy.

In contrast, I think the devlopment is also depressing in the sense that people are willing to protect their right to free films, music, and information.

However, people are not willing to give the same attention to more pressing issues such as healthcare, taxes, and war. I hope that this is a marker of people’s growing awareness of their rights.

The New Crosswalk

January 2012 The Bolt

Joelle Nanula ‘14

School Life Editor

Rebelious seniors Ash Khayami and Alexa McElroy jump over the newly installed crosswalk.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Zhang

The installation of the new crosswalk in front of Sage has some students wondering: who actually uses it? I get dropped off in the upper lot every morning, and I can say that I have never once utilized the crosswalk.

I prefer to be driven toward the very front of the school, so that I may get out of the car and onto the sidewalk without the threat of approaching cars. Personally, a crosswalk doesn’t make me any more keen to step out onto a street with hurried cars.

That being said, many kids are comfortable being dropped off at the corner and crossing the street to enter the art building.

However, I have witnessed this daily migration both before and after the installation of the crosswalk, and not much has changed.

Many people don’t even use the crosswalk. They carry on with their old routine as if nothing were different.

When asked if he ever uses the crosswalk, sophomore Alex Sun replied, “Sorta… not really.” The general view of the Sage community seems to be that the crosswalk isn’t making much of a difference.

So is there any need for the new crosswalk at all?

Actually, there is. Despite the fact that many students do not use it, the simple fact of its presence makes Sage a safer place. If one day, I were to decide to break my habit of being driven all the way to the front of Sage and walk across the street instead, the crosswalk would be there. I might use it; I might not.

The difference is that before, students could never be completely certain that their passage across the street was protected. Now, with the installation of the crosswalk, there’s a way to play it safe.

Students glean a sense of security from the knowledge that there’s a safer way to cross the street. And that’s something that’s very important.

Checking the “Asian Box” �������������

Editor-in-Chief

In the midst of the college admissions season—that final stretch of late night, caffeine assisted exhaustion—a controversial USA Today article appeared on my Facebook newsfeed.

The ethnicity box on the Common Application was causing consternation because Asians weren’t checking it. Rather, they were leaving it blank or identifying with a different heritage.

The situation applied chiefly to students with mixed racial backgrounds.

Government regulations prompt applicants to choose between different racial backgrounds on the Common Application, which serves over 450 colleges nationwide.

However, there aren’t options on the application to, say, differentiate a Vietnamese international student from a Vietnamese kid born and raised in the US. Students who choose to

not acknowledge their Asian background hope to gain some advantage with their decidedly more Caucasian surnames.

Students with Asian descent may face greater hurdles in the process, perhaps encouraged by false stereotypes and increasingly limited spots for minorities. A study published by Princeton sociologist Thomas Espenshade in 2009 concluded that, on average, Asians needed to score 140 points higher on the old SAT for the same admission chances as Caucasians.

Applicants argue that choosing to leave the ethnicity box blank isn’t lying—it’s just a convenient and legal way to avoid racial discrimination. However, in my opinion, such actions are contemptible and only identify sell-outs, not future college students.

It is one thing to be racist against a particular group.

It is another to perpetuate racial discrimination targeted

at your own heritage. Applicants who neglect to check their respective box do a disservice to themselves and perhaps a greater one to their own race.

The fact that Asian students feel the pressure to pervert the truth for advantage implies that they are ashamed of their identities, of their past. If we do not take pride in our ancestry, we only reinforce the notion that it perhaps is a very bad thing indeed to be Asian—a statement that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The seniors have since emerged from the admissions frenzy, but the overall message extends beyond college apps. It seems obvious, after years of reading up on nonconformists in our classes, that we should take pride in ourselves.

I know full well that it’s impossible to live so idealistically, that sometimes the ends do justify the means.

Yet, it is also cowardly to deny a fundamental truth

about yourself.

Our sense of self-worth and identity does not belong to the check box or to any college. As one of my fellow senior friends said amidst the milieu of opinions, “If you do not have the willpower to take pride in our ancestry, then we do not deserve to use the word ‘pride’ in our speech. Your pride belongs to you and no one else.”

The situation Asians face with the ethnicity box serves merely as a vehicle to convey my point: that it makes no sense to deny who you are, for the sake of some form of external validation, be it from a college or a friend or an employer. You’re automatically disadvantaged the instant you feel insecure.

So, I ask that my fellow Sagers be honest to your friends—be honest to yourself. Check the box—why ever did that become such an ordeal?

January 2012 The Bolt

lifestyle 7

The So Co Experience Ava Soleimany ‘12

Guest Writer

Every Saturday, the South Coast Collection Design Center in Costa Mesa is transformed into a food lover’s paradise. The arrival of numerous food trucks turns the parking lot into a buzzing market with a unique, tantalizingly tasty variety of food.

With opportunities to sample everything from Korean-inspired sandwiches to gourmet corn dogs, bone marrow quesadillas to what may be the OC’s most sophisticated coffee shop, the So Co Farmers’ Market is truly a culinary and cultural adventure.

I have sampled the offerings of numerous food trucks, yet there are two specific vendors—the California Grill Truck and the Portola Coffee Lab—that have truly blown me away. The California Grill Truck, the very first truck I dined at, remains my favorite truck for its clever interpretation of Korean cuisine.

Their top seller, the Bulgogi Sub, contains bulgogi, thin slices of beef marinated in a sweet and tangy soy-based sauce, accompanied by a cabbage slaw and a spicy chili mayonnaise. The filling of the sandwich is perfectly balanced and the slices of fresh French bread complete the Bulgogi Sub. Aside from the high level of umami—a Japanese term that roughly translates to “deliciousness”—achieved by the Bulgogi Sub, another one of the California Grill’s creations, the Spicy Tuna Wrap, matches the standard set by the truck’s top seller.

Crisp lettuce envelops a unique filling that features tempura-fried tiger shrimp and sushi-style spicy tuna. The tempura shrimp and spicy tuna are in perfect harmony and are accented by the fresh notes of iceberg lettuce and cabbage. The California Grill Truck brings together all that is good about Asian cuisine into something that is truly special.

Unlike the California Grill Truck, the Portola Coffee Lab is a permanent fixture at the South Coast Collection Design Center and the perfect way to conclude a day spent at the So Co Farmer’s Market.

At first glance, the Portola Coffee Lab, with its baristas and cashiers clad in lab coats and its assortment of brewing devices monitored carefully by timers, alarms, and workers, seems to be more representative of a chemistry lab at a top university

Seasonal Fashions

Jenna Shapiro ‘13

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Photo Courtesy of Ava Soleimany

rather than a modern coffee shop.

In reality, the Portola Coffee Lab brings together the best of both worlds as it uses cutting-edge technologies to brew coffee of an unparalleled quality while serving a variety of coffee and tea drinks, home-made pastries, and bistro-style lunch fare in a trendy, upscale environment.

The Portola Coffee Lab has something to satisfy the needs of every coffee lover—from espresso shots so strong they come with a glass of sparkling water to a simple yet expertly prepared Cup O’ Joe. Regardless of what you order at the Portola Coffee Lab, you can be certain that it will be prepared with scientific precision, with immense dedication, and with an unparalleled passion that makes this place no ordinary coffee shop.

The California Grill Truck and the Portola Coffee Lab are just two examples of what the So Co Farmer’s Market has to offer.

As freshman Parker Reposa states, the So Co Farmer’s Market has “a huge variety of unique, tasty treats and small meals [that] gives So Co a positive vibe and a really interesting atmosphere.”

It’s truly an experience that cannot be missed, and, regardless of what trucks you choose to dine at, you can be certain that your trip to the So Co Farmer’s Market will be far more than worthwhile.

For information: www.socofm.com Address: 3303 Hyland Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Our calendars claim it’s January, but the omnipresent California sun shines as radiantly as ever and seems to make the month of year suddenly irrelevant (save post-holiday sales, of course).

The foreign word, “winter,” has been flung upon our doorsteps like an obscure package without a return address. However, try as we might, we cannot completely ignore forty-seven-degrees-and-sunny mornings, even if we do understand that the temperature will be seventy-five degrees by noon.

As we face our closets, we are faced with a difficult choice: disregard the entire season of winter as nonexistent and brace for the morning chill in those cute shorts and v-neck tee, or bring on the chunky sweaters and be sweating by lunchtime. Luckily, a happy medium exists in our paradoxical “winter in California.”

Pair contrasting textures, fabrics, hemlines, and necklines, but avoid excessive layering that could result in a hobo look (not the same thing as boho).

By throwing on different pieces of outerwear (vests, sweaters, wool coats), you can also create an unexpected ensemble that you may not have considered before.

Sophomore Sydney Endicott says, “Winter is definitely my favorite season because of all of the different layering I can do. It’s fun to try on random pieces and see what will happen.”

Layering can be applied from head to toe, as well.

High socks pulled up under boots have become a major trend this year, and choosing socks with frilly lace on the end adds an appealing detail to an outfit.

Junior Chloe Ames admits, “I mean it’s California, so who knows what to expect with the weather, but I’ll usually put on a dress with tights or a high skirt. I could possibly be caught wearing my favorite cutoff jean jacket, and a unique scarf.”

As for boys, menswear provides can’t-go-wrong pieces for the winter season. The pea coat remains a timeless staple that is not only extremely functional, but also very flattering. In addition, beanies, other hats, and scarves add an understated hint of style.

Of course, for both boys and girls, staying true to one’s own style is most important. Whether these ideas help relieve some confusion over dressing in California’s awkward “winter” weather, let’s just be happy that we don’t have to wear meat freezer attire like some of our fellow Americans in the East.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Victoria Griffin ‘13

Staff Writer

Dear Sage Hill Student, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Hollywood. The first term is to be in 2016. We await your owl.

All of us have dreamed of receiving a Hogwarts acceptance letter like the one above. On December 6th, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park would come to California, making all of our hopes and dreams of eventually attending Hogwarts possible.

Junior Caitlin Nguyen says, “This is really going to be magical because it’s bringing to life what we’ve grown up with in the books.”

The new theme park will include a replica of the original Hogwarts castle, and Hogsmeade village including the notorious Hogwarts Express Platform, Honeydukes Candy Store, Hog’s Head Pub, The Three Broomsticks eatery, and Zonko’s Joke Shop just as the Orlando theme park.

Additionally, rumors have been flying about a

possible re-creation of Diagon Alley, which would feature a Leaky Cauldron restaurant, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and Ollivander’s Wand Shop.

This magical new park is going to be built within the current Universal Studios Hollywood lot and will replace two or three of the current attractions, possibly expanding into some of the television back-lot studio space.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park’s grand opening of this awaited attraction will happen sometime during 2016 at the earliest; however, the project will likely go beyond the allotted timeline because Universal Studios will have to clear out space before they can begin any solid construction.

The cost to build the Harry Potter theme park in Florida has been estimated between $230 and $265 million, and the cost of new park in Hollywood would be equivalent to that, excluding the demolition of current rides to make room for the new attraction. It seems Universal Studios is sparing no expense to please the exuberant and enthusiastic fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga!

California is not the only future destination

for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park. Warner Brothers and Universal Studios hope to expand their theme park to Japan, Korea, and Singapore sometime in the near future.

Savannah Gardner, president of the Harry Potter Club at Sage, has said, “When I heard that a Harry Potter theme park was coming to Hollywood, I couldn’t believe I would be able to experience this magical world only an hour away from home. I finally found meaning to living in California!” Certainly, others agree with her.

On the opening day of the Orlando theme park, a staggering 5,000 people arrived on 20 acres of land to stand in line for their Harry Potter theme park tickets. Because of the theme park’s huge success in Florida, Universal Studios expects about the same amount to show up for the Hollywood park’s opening day.

Even if the number of people who attend the park opening ceremony with celebrity guests Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint is unknown, we can be certain that at least 400 people will be in line from our own Sage Hill community.

8 back page

JANUARY 2012 The Bolt Josh Gomez ‘14 guessed the exact number (293) of jellybeans in the jar.

Congratulations!

CHALLENGE WINNER! OF THE MONTH

Yoon Cha ‘13

COMIC This month’s featured comic (right): “The Problem with Yoga”,

by Doreen Yedwab ‘14

Want to draw a comic for the Bolt?

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

THEME: WINTER FORMAL

The Backpage is now calling all Sage artists for comic strips. Digital or on paper, any format is acceptable. Submit it to the Backpage box or email (thebolt@sagehillschool. org). Contact Yoon Cha (13chay@sagehillschool.org) for more details.

ACROSS 1 Cooking measurement 4 Covers the neck 9 Rebuke 14 Airport abbr.

15 Sound 16 __ up (hiding) 17 To ___ is human 18 Dance ______ 19 Regulate 20 Sold during lunch 22 Bearing 24 Dueling sword 25 Winged 27 Soft drink 31 Depend 32(x/a)2 + (y/b)2 = 1 33 “___ ask ___” 34 Listing at the back of a book 36 ___ cotta (clay) 38 Evening meal 40 unshaven 42 hint 43 Packer 44 “p___.”

45 hair____ 47 Leave out 51 Large flat-bottomed boat 53 Tinted 54 Often used on boutonnieres 55 Highest point

57 Lack of use 59 Southern girl 62 Incite (2wds.)

65 Common teenage greeting 66 Don’t forget them on word problems!

67 Knobs 68 ____’s Candy 69 what “m” stands for in “mp” or “mf” 70 Beginning 71 East southeast DOWN 1 Walking in heels 2 Banding 3 Present 4 Risk-free 5 Faddish devotion 6 Flurry 7 River (Spanish) 8 School dance 9 footwear 10 Toe sores 11 Aged 12 Common Asian last name 13 Original “just dance” 21 Making lock openers 23 Tax agency 25 Maintain 26 Chill

28 Shrek 29 A group of Indic languages 30 Wing 32 Poem of praise 35 North northeast 36 Should match the girl’s dress 37 Mistakes 38 A genre of music. “___o” 39 Within 40 “I’ll put you on ___” 41 wood chopper 42 scent that everybody hates 43 Farewell 45 That girl 46 For the gents 48 Dessert 49 Publishes 50 Collapsible shelter 52 Ballroom dance 56 Mexican currency 58 Institution (abbr.)

59 Hobo 60 Vane direction 61 Frost 63 Card game 64 Vapor