5 minute read
Grade Level Retreats See Growth
By Maya Desai
Freshmen Bond in Big Bear
Marking the start of a new adventure, Sage Hill’s freshman class traveled to Big Bear on Sept. 13. Although students were at first unfamiliar with each other, this trip helped them learn about their classmates and grow closer as a class. As light broke through the clouds above Big Bear, conversation arose, snacks were shared, and smiles were cracked. Throughout the three day-retreat, the freshmen focused on team-building.
On the first day after a brief orientation, advisors released students to free time.
“I got to bond with classmates and spend time in nature,” Freshman Ben Ahn said.
Most freshmen agreed that the best conversations and new friendships started during free time. Later that day, students embarked on a night hike that compelled them to stay close and talk amongst each other. At the end of the night in a talent show, students gained courage from their peers and performed in a display of skill and fun.
Throughout the next day, students participated in the Amazing Race, zip lines, advisory banners, and puzzles.
SAME co-president Isabella Palacio led a project organized by the multicultural student group.
“They enjoyed and learned about different topics,” Palacio said. These activities brought advisories closer together as they had to work through problems, communicate solutions, and encourage one another. As a culmination of the advisors’ efforts, each freshman advisory presented their banner at nightime, and English teacher Boyd Jorden’s advisory won first place. The energy of every advisory brought a unique aspect of the Class of 2027 to the table.
“The retreat allowed me to get away from the busy school atmosphere, clear my mind, and make friends,” Freshman Samuel Jinhal said.
Big Bear brought an exciting beginning to the next four years for the Class of 2027.
Sophomores Roll into Second Year
By Arya Rawal
After a switch from an on-campus pool party to a roller-skating activity, Sage Hill’s annual sophomore retreat kicked off at the Holiday Skate Center on Sept. 13. Student leadership and sophomore staff representatives initially planned to host the retreat at the Sage Hill aquatics center, but ultimately decided against it due to safety concerns about swimming without lifeguard supervision. Some students intially expressed discontent or hesitancy after hearing about this change, but many others were relieved or excited after hearing the news.
“I was really happy with the choice of roller-skating because it was easier to approach others and start conversations,” Amber Wang said.
During the roller-skating event, students coordinate their outfits to match the 80s-themed costume contest. Some common themes included neon shirts, coordinated colors, and floral prints. The Rothman-Deckers advisory wore shiny tutus over leggings or shorts, accessorizing with matching fishnet gloves.
“I had mixed feelings after seeing that we were going to have the pool party at eight in the morning,” Sophomore Aurora Li, who was worried about chilly weather. However, she found the roller skating experience to be “fun and very engaging” although “the next day, her whole body was sore and her knees hurt.”
Many students shared her sentiment, as they struggled to balance on the rink and continued to fall, but energy levels were boosted by participating in games such as limbo and Red Light, Green Light. The students’ favorite game tended to be an activity in which a dice was thrown in the middle of the rink. Student were eliminated if the dice landed on a assigned number. The last students standing won passes for free drinks and snacks. Sophomore Co-Chair Ella Wong noted that this experience was overall a very successful endeavor, as she was able to talk to many new people.
“Our grade definitely got closer throughout our time spent on the rink,” Wong said.
Junior Retreat : Jumping into the Semester
By Grace Yan
Juniors quite literally jumped into the “hardest year of high school” during their retreat at Skyzone Trampoline Park on Sept 13. The park, a traditional retreat location in years past, had been completely reserved for the Sage Hill students’ special day. Upon entering the indoor location, the juniors were greeted with a thrilling sight: trampolines lined the walls and floors, foam pits arranged around the park, and a variety of other looming attractions awaited.
After putting down their items and pulling on special trampoline socks, many students bounded for the main trampoline squares, relishing in the joy of defying gravity — or laughing as their friends succumbed to it. Others explored the different areas of the park, from the zipline to the obstacle course. Some acrobatic students — such as competitive gymnast and junior Maddie Chao — wowed a crowd of onlookers by performing graceful backflips and aerial twists on a bouncy platform. Athletic friend groups engaged in dodgeball battles in opposing groups of four, the trampolines adding an extra fierceness to their competitive spirits. Adjacent to the dodgeball court, students organized a dueling ring around the X-Beam pit, cheering as their fellow students knocked each other off the balance beam with padded lances.
Junior Melody Yu reminisced on her past experience with trampoline parks versus this one.
“This entire trip was very nostalgic for me, since I remember going to trampoline parks as a kid and having a lot of fun. I haven’t been to one in so long since I’m always busy and I’ve gotten a lot less athletic, so this trip was very special,” she said.
“I think it was a good change of pace,” junior Oneal Wang said. “Honestly, it’s pretty refreshing to fail at something that’s not academics for once.”
Retreat was a reminder that there’s more to high school than just academics. The juniors have set the bar high for an unforgettable year, and this retreat is just the beginning of their exciting journey.
