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Fire Evacuees Share Stories of Community and Resilience
By Kenzie Chang
Sympathies and condolences are arising for Los Angeles County residents in the wake of major wildfires that exploded in severe weather. On Jan. 7, Santa Ana winds gusting at up to 99 mph and bone-dry conditions fueled the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of these Californian disasters, has burned over 23,000 acres of land, destroying nearly 6,900 structures including homes, schools, small businesses and places of worship. Over 88,000 residents of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica and neighboring communities evacuated during the incident. Bella Solaka, a student at Oaks Christian School of Westlake Village, recalled how residents rushed to flee her Brentwood neighborhood as the
fire broke out.
“[People] were piling kids they didn’t even know into cars and... driving in the opposite direction of the fire, while others ditched their cars completely and were running on foot,” Bella said.
Some students who attended her sister’s elementary school had their parents’ phone numbers written on their arms in case they were separated in the chaos.
Bella and her family evacuated to Newport Beach where they found refuge from the fires and poor air quality. The Solakas’ home didn’t burn down but still endured “severe smoke damage.” They recently returned to their house after temporarily staying near Bella’s school.
On the other side of Los Angeles, the Eaton fire caused severe devastation to surrounding communities such as Alta-
dena. Thirty-year Altadena resident Kate Beyda lost her two-story Mediterranean home to the Eaton Fire. Beyda explained how she and her husband had about an hour to pack up their things and evacuate as a police car drove up and down the streets ordering residents to flee the area.
“I regret things I didn’t take. The thing that is the hardest is that my daughter has no relics of her childhood,” Beyda said. “As we left I said, ‘thank you’ to the house, because I knew we’d never see it again.”
Beyda’s street that once had about 44 homes, only has 11 homes that remain, leaving many of her neighbors scattered across Southern California.
However, communities in the affected areas of this natural disaster have come together to support each other and the
firefighters in this difficult time.
Residents have encouraged others to donate to firefighters and severely affected families with needs such as air purifiers, water, food, and clothing. Residents have put together GoFundMe campaigns for families in need, and local businesses have set up clothing boutiques for those who lost basic attire due to the Eaton Canyon Fire.
During the January Sage Center Day, students in the Families Forward service learning group helped organize a donation drive at Mariners Church, and financial donations have been encouraged by established organizations in the Los Angeles area, as an immediate way to assist affected residents and families. To contribute direct relief to the California Fire Foundation, visit cafirefoundation.org.
(Left to right) Frankie and Bella Solaka on the first day of classes at the Carlthorp School in 2019. Altadena resident Kate Beyda’s house before damages of the fire. Beyda’s home after the Eaton fire. Bella Solaka is a resident of Brentwood, Calif. Bella Solaka celebrating at a Fourth of July parade in the Palisades in 2016. (Photos courtesy of Bella Solaka and Kate Beyda)
TikTok Ban CreaTes slippery slope Toward FuTure Censorship
By Katelyn Yeh
President Donald Trump proposed banning the ubiquitous social media app TikTok during his first term, citing national security concerns and potential data collection by the People’s Republic of China.
Tiktok has created an online community where users are free to do anything from creating dances to sharing their political beliefs. On Jan. 19, the ban upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court took effect, and Americans temporarily lost access to TikTok around 9 p.m. PST. While national security concerns should be investigated, the TikTok ban sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach, censorship, and the suppression of free speech in digital spaces. After his return to office, Trump
issued an executive order delaying the ban, paving the way for a potential deal for the tech company’s sale to a U.S.-based entity.
In the days leading up to the ban, many users saw it as a deliberate attack on their rights and freedoms, causing widespread frustration with the government. Rumors, such as members of Congress purchasing Meta stock before the TikTok ban, only further aggravated the situation. Many users moved to RedNote, another Chinese-owned platform. It’s important to note that the anger didn’t stem from people simply losing access to TikTok; instead, the uproar was fueled by the government’s abuse of power.
Since the international rise
of TikTok in 2017, the app has been used as a platform for self-expression and activism. A notable example is the Black Lives Matter Movement, which started as a hashtag on TikTok following the deaths of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. This hashtag spread to other platforms, such as Twitter (now known as X), Instagram, and Facebook, where it was used over 160,000 times a day on average during summer of 2020. The simple TikTok hashtag helped develop the BLM movement, which highlighted police brutality, the over-policing of minority neighborhoods, and systemic racism experienced by Black individuals. Without TikTok, BLM would have never gained the traction it needed to make a deep-rooted
impact on society or secure justice to those harmed by police brutality.
The act of banning TikTok feels like an attempt by the government to stifle the voices of citizens, blurring the line between a democratic and a totalitarian government. While the ban was only effective for a couple of hours, the fact that it was enacted demonstrates the powerlessness of society against a powerful government.
Censorship may start with the temporary ban of an app, but can easily lead to the banning of websites, clothes, books, faiths, or even speech and expression. The brief ban of TikTok serves as a chilling reminder that we have to scream if we want our voices to be heard.
CiTies need a hard look in mirror amid Bans on homeless Camping
By May Shen
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which upheld the legality of bans on camping and sleeping in public spaces, cities across the United States have scrambled to implement policies that criminalize homelessness. While these measures might clear streets and sidewalks, they fail to address the root cause of homelessness, perpetuating cycles of poverty and displacement.
The illusion of progress created by encampment bans is fleeting and harmful. By prioritizing the eradication of visible homelessness over addressing its underlying causes, cities such as Newport Beach fail to resolve the issue, opting to obscure it from public view with limited and short-term efficacy.
TThis strategy does nothing to combat rising housing costs, healthcare affordability, stagnant poverty rates and widening wealth inequality. Between 2000 and 2022, fuel and utility costs rose by 115%, outpacing wages and leaving low-income families with less to meet their basic needs. Despite decades of technological, medical and environmental advancements, poverty rates remain stagnant.
Anti-poverty programs have expanded, with per-person aid increasing from $1,015 under President Ronald Reagan to $3,014 under President Donald Trump. Much of this funding fails to reach those in need, with programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) allocating only 22 cents of every dollar directly to low-income individuals.
he Bolt is a student newspaper and serves the public forum at Sage Hill School. Its content - news, editorial, opinion, and feature - is protected by Education Code 48907, the state student rights law and the California Constitution which guarantees all citizens the right of freedom of speech and of the press. Opinions expressed do not represent the views or beliefs of Sage Hill School and its administration. The Bolt accepts signed letters to the editors from members of the Sage Hill community which may be posted as comments at lightningboltonline.com, or addressed to Editors-in-Chief Ava Eimani, Grace Yan and Arya Rawal and put in their mailboxes on campus. These letters may not exceed 150 words or they will be edited for inclusion.
For insight into the lived realities of these bans, I spoke to three people who previously experienced homelessness: Zuprimna, Clark and Marcus. The Bolt is withholding their last names for safety concerns. Their experiences paint a sobering picture.
“The encampment ban doesn’t solve anything,” Zuprimna said. “It just moves us out of your sight. But the problems—lack of housing, jobs, and healthcare—are still there.”
“Just because you don’t see us, doesn’t mean we’re not there,” Marcus said.
The data supports their concerns with 90% of those displaced by encampment bans returning to the streets, often with criminal records that further entrench their homelessness, said Chris Herring, assistant
THE BOLT
Editors-in-Chief
Ava Eimani (Bolt), Grace Yan (Bolt) & Arya Rawal (Online)
Editorial Board
Maya Desai, Ceyda Shamsai, Taite Nicholson, Katelyn Yeh, Jesse Lew, Mirabelle Jiang, Madeleine Carroll and Jenny Li
Writers
Jonathan Yan, Nate Yoo, Doyoung Lee, Isabella Huang, Eleanor Wang, Leonardo Lin, Kenzie Chang, Shawn Huang, Maria Neemuchwala, Amy Choi and Ella Wang. Photographers and Artists
Amy Choi, Jenny Li, Tina Tahbaz, and Nathan Tang
Adviser Daniel Langhorne
professor of sociology at UCLA. Allen Burnett, a spokesman for the Costa Mesa nonprofit Project Hope Alliance, said bans “address symptoms, not causes, simply putting a bandaid on the problem” and create barriers to housing and jobs. Newport Beach, internationally known for its affluent neighborhoods, yacht community and picturesque coastline, provides a case study of how systemic issues exacerbate homelessness. Single-family zoning dominates the city’s landscape, severely limiting development of affordable housing and subsidized units. As a result, those in need face daunting challenges: long waiting lists for housing assistance and a lack of affordable options even when they qualify. See Homeless on page 4.
Trump WasTes No Time eNforciNg His uNapologeTic foreigN policies
By Nate Yoo and Doyoung Lee
President Donald Trump’s reascension into political office immediately triggered a new wave of reforms and objectives that aim to expand U.S. influence beyond its borders. However, these ambitious plans can easily backfire and erode key international relations that the U.S. has relied on for much of its history.
In 2019, Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland from Denmark, a move that stunned both Danish and Greenlandic leaders. Trump’s administration framed the proposal as a strategic effort to strengthen U.S. military influence in the Arctic, secure access to valuable natural resources like uranium, and counter growing Russian and Chinese activities in the region. Denmark resoundingly rejected the proposal as a direct challenge to their sovereignty, with many Danish politicians voicing their opposition.
Notably, Kristian Jensen, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, stated, “It has gone from a great opportunity for enhanced dialogue between allies to a diplomatic crisis.” This is
yet another example of Trump’s “America First” policy, which prioritizes U.S. strategic and economic interests at the expense of long-standing alliances.
In a similar move to Greenland, Trump put forward the reacquisition of the Panama Canal. Originally constructed by the U.S., the canal was placed under Panamanian control in 1977 by then-President Jimmy Carter. Trump claimed that the canal significantly overcharged American ships, breaching the treaty signed in 1977. He also cited alleged Chinese efforts to control the vital canal as another instance of their agreement violation and a threat to national security. The Panama Canal was front and center in his inaugural address, indicating how it remains one of his top foreign policy priorities.
These policies risk isolating the United States from its greatest strategic advantage—its allies. This is problematic as, throughout history, America has relied on alliances and support from other countries to achieve its international goals. For example, following the Sept. 11, 2001
terrorist attacks, NATO invoked Article 5, which states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all. After U.S.-led coalition strikes against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, the United Nations voted in December 2001 to form the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). During the conflict, ISAF grew to include over 130,000 service members from 42 countries charged with supporting the interim government of Afghanistan. The cooperation among these countries to rally around the U.S. exemplifies the significance and necessity of international alliances when confronting global security challenges.
Despite this, Trump still continues to weaken international relations through his imposition of tariffs and increasing desire to expand beyond U.S. borders. “America First” should not come at the expense of vital international relationships that have kept the U.S. afloat in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Going forward, Trump needs to carefully navigate between national goals and global cooperation to better handle evolving international challenges.
carTer leaves a legacy of service
By Maria Neemuchwala
Jimmy Carter, the only Governor from Georgia to serve as the president of the United States, died on Dec. 29, 2024. He was 100 years old. Throughout his lifetime, Carter had many successes both during his presidency and after.
Carter grew up with humble beginnings in Georgia; he was raised on his parent’s peanut farm, and he spent a lot of his early life making a living from farming peanuts. His mom was an illiterate farmhand, who had strong values of faith and hard work, later serving Carter as crucial motivation to advocate for proper education for low income students during his presidency. Carter’s dad, James E. Carter, Sr. was a businessman and member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
Carter started off his career by serving on the county school board in Georgia. In 1971, Carter was elected as Georgia’s governor. His accomplishments as governor were clearly evident and helped him during his run for presidency. While serving as a governor, Carter fought laws that discriminated against African Americans. He was dedicated to ensuring that all people were treated as equals. He also focused on changing wasteful government practices and championing social and economic development.
After his many accomplishments as governor, Carter decided to run for the presiden-
cy in 1974. Carter’s campaign emphasized the importance and promise of equality and freedom. He narrowly beat his Republican opponent, President Gerald Ford, in 1976. Carter conducted a complete reorganization of the executive branch of government during his presidency.
One of Carter’s most notable accomplishments was reorienting U.S. foreign policy towards human rights, as well as pursuing further Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with the Soviet Union as well as normalizing relations with China. Furthermore, Carter made major strides for rights of African American women by signing the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, a landmark civil rights legislation. However, though Carter did much good during his presidency, there was controversy surrounding his campaign.
Many were unsatisfied with Carter, claiming he did not follow through with many of his promises, was not able to make critical decisions, and implemented policies that contributed to another recession, accompanied by lots of job loss. All of these factors led to his landslide loss to California Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1980.
The end of Carter’s term did not stop his determination to implement peace and freedom in America. In 1982, he established the Carter Center, which focused on fighting the stigma associated with mental illness, as well as promoting democracy and healthcare.
To help accomplish these missions, the Carter Center oversaw and contributed to many efforts, a few of which focused on conducting fair elections in developing countries, eliminating Guinea Worm disease, and rebuilding thousands of homes destroyed in disasters. In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Prize for
Peace for his tireless work on expanding human rights.
“Carter was a unique president, as he had a much larger impact after leaving office. Despite being a one-term president, Carter’s hands-on work and effort on charities around the world was a major contribution to his legacy and memory
today,” World History teacher Frank Gonzales said. Carter’s time spent on improving millions of lives serves as a special example to many today. His deep impact on both America and the world will carry on as an inspiration for generations to come.
Gaga Skidmore | Creative Commons
U.S. President Donald Trump.
Courtesy of The Carter Center
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter photographed in 2014.
Questions Linger A round KoreA n A ir Line Cr Ash
A nd offiCi ALs’ r esponse
By Amy Choi
Amidst political chaos with the recent impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, on Dec. 29, 2024, the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 occurred at Muan Airport, South Korea during landing, taking the lives of all 175 passengers and 4 crew members.
The two surviving crew members were immediately hospitalized and are currently recovering without any life-threatening injuries. Both stated that their memory of the crash is hazy. All 179 bodies have only been recently identified as of Jan. 22, and few bodies have been sent to families.
Investigation teams were sent immediately after the collision, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) demonstrated its support by sending investigators, including Boeing representatives. However, finding the cause of the accident is a problem, as the two black boxes on the plane were
cut around four minutes before the crash, creating a mystery that’s still unresolved.
On Jan. 29, another crash occurred in Washington, D.C., over the Potomac River involving a U.S. Army helicopter and a commerical plane, killing 67 with with no survivors. The NTSB’s focus has largely turned to this domestic incident.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transports of South Korea stated on the day of the crash that full inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in South Korea would take place. The Boeing 737-800 is one of the most common commercial aircrafts used by airlines, and after the government’s statement of inspection, U.S. officials and Boeing soon followed in on inspections.
Recently, in the preliminary report, investigators have found duck DNA and feathers stuck in the engine, aligning with early speculations as the crew was warned of bird strikes two minutes before the tragedy. However, the report does
not point to a specific cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.
Even with announcements from the government and Jeju Air stating their efforts to accommodate the situation, the Korean public was ashamed of authorities’ failure to enhance transportation safety, especially since this was not the first breakdown leading to high death counts. In 2014, a large vessel with 476 passengers traveling from Incheon to Jeju Island sank. 304 people died, including many students of Danwon High School, which led to a political uproar against former President Park Geun-hye who was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for numerous charges of corruption.
Many families of victims especially expressed dissatisfaction during the identification period of passengers as it continuously pushed back the joint memorial many relatives demanded.
One family member told BBC News about the frustration he felt while waiting
at the airport for six hours after the crash to receive a handwritten list of certified identities of the victims and 12 hours for DNA testing at the request of family members. He was skeptical of the sincerity of the apology of the Jeju Air board members, and said, “Whenever there is an accident, [authorities] always only make a fuss after the event.”
Although there are many controversies regarding South Korea’s politics, the Ministry of Transportation announced that the investigation would be held without any senior officials of the Aviation and Railroad Investigation Board and the Ministry of Transport to ensure a fair probe of the incident. They have also promised that changes in the structure of airports will be swiftly taken into action in the interest of safety. However, conclusions about the accident are far from made as the ministry announced that investigations could last for another six months.
According to local advocates, it can take years for individuals to secure housing, leaving many trapped in a cycle of instability.
Adding to the problem is a lack of awareness and accessibility. Many homeless individuals are unaware of how to access resources or navigate complex systems to secure housing or social services.
“It’s not just about waiting in line—it’s about knowing the line exists in the first place,” said Marcus, a formerly unhoused individual. This gap in resource accessibility further marginalizes an already vulnerable population, making it even harder to transition out of homelessness.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed for $1 million in state support clear
encampments, emboldening local officials to implement stricter policies aimed at reducing visible homelessness. Newport Beach recently reported a decline in its homeless population from 70 to 11, but 58 individuals were jailed for violating the ban, Homeless Services Manager Natalie Basmaciyan said. When these individuals are released, typically within a year, they are likely to return to the streets, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness without addressing the systemic barriers that keep them there.
These barriers are exacerbated by a growing wealth gap. The top 10% of households by wealth hold 67% of the nation’s total wealth, while the bottom 50% hold just 2.5%. Rising economic inequality creates environments where poverty persists, as policies increas -
ingly prioritize the subsidization of affluence over the alleviation of hardship. Newport Beach’s zoning laws, for example, not only restrict affordable housing development but foster economic exclusivity, forcing low-income residents to bear the brunt of rising housing costs and limited resources.
Homelessness is far more complex than the presence of encampments. It includes those living in cars, cycling through temporary accommodations, or teetering on the brink of eviction. Modern homelessness, which escalated during the Reagan administration due to deinstitutionalization and housing budget cuts, remains deeply intertwined with NIMBYism, mental healthcare and economic inequality.
However, one solution has consistently proven effective: fostering
genuine human connection between residents and the homeless. What often proves transformative is the power of individual connections, which ignites collective action and drives systemic change. These connections transform compassion into tangible solutions, building the foundation for progress.
Until policymakers prioritize sustainable solutions, encampment bans will remain an empty gesture—hiding poverty from sight without resolving its root causes. Homelessness isn’t just about living on the streets; it’s a systemic failure that denies individuals stability, dignity and opportunity. As cities enforce encampment bans, it’s worth asking: Are we addressing homelessness, or are we concealing it? The answer, for now, remains painfully clear.
A Jeju Air commercial passenger jet crashed in South Korea on Dec. 29, 2024, killing 179 people.
Creative Commons
Girls’ BasketBall ClinChes leaGue Championship
By Leo Lin
Sage Hill Girls’ Basketball
bested St. Margaret’s to win the 2024-25 Pacific Coast League Championship in a home game on Tuesday.
The Lightning’s triumph over the Tartans on Seniors’ Night set their season record at 19-8.
Girls’ Basketball successfully bounced back from a 55-65 loss to Rialto on Feb. 1. This loss ended the team’s monstrous 10-game winning streak. One aspect of the game that the team has excelled at is their lockdown defense. The team’s defense is so great, not only because of the excellent individual defenders but because of the team’s cohesiveness.
“We are helping each other when we get beat,” Assistant Coach Megan Hanson said.
The team also has a principle called “help the helper,” where a player will cover a player, that in turn is covering another player. This concept shows how coherent the team is on defense.
After the team’s impressive 10-game winning streak to start the season, Hanson said it is imperative “to maintain our inten-
sity, mental toughness, and hard work as we approach playoffs.”
One way the team pushes the intensity during training is to play games or keep score, maintaining a competitive cadence Specifically in training, the team looks to further improve their lock down defense as well as rebounding and shooting.
Freshman Leah O’Toner notices how the team is working better together.
“Our chemistry has only increased since the start of the season,” Leah said. “We’ve grown to love playing with each other.”
The increased selflessness of players as well as their trust in teammates, has created a more balanced attack. Each match there are multiple players who can have big nights.
“We are a strong team and are coming together at the right time,” Leah said.
As the team enters CIF playoffs on Feb. 13, the team will look to maintain their strong work ethic and take confidence from their 10-match winning streak. CIF is slated to post brackets for all winter sport playoffs on Saturday.
Girls’ soCCer Beats tartans
By Shawn Huang
The Girls’ Varsity Soccer team cut through St. Margaret’s defense to score twice, igniting cheers from fans on Jan. 24. The final whistle blew, as the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team and the spirited crowd roared to celebrate the win over St. Margaret’s with an outstanding performance of 2-0 at home. It was an exciting win against an undefeated St. Margaret’s after four years.
“The team has been working hard to make this season go really well, they have great cohesiveness and are able to really appreciate one another,” Head Coach Issac Sierra said.
New freshman players added something really special to the team this season.
“After reflecting on last year’s performance, the team has established fresh goals aimed towards more practice and hard work. These goals range from honing their defensive strategies to increasing their scoring opportunities during games, which they have been doing really well on,” Sierra said.
Junior captain Finley Maynard shared her insight of this past season, describing their successes and new obstacles.
“Some highlights of this season are the amount of games we have won, and [how] we have meshed well into a well-coordinated team to find success with our matches,” Finley said, adding. “Something we are doing really great with this season is
scoring, which is important to help us gain the upper hand during plays.”
The Lightning are working even harder to improve their teamwork, practicing almost every day.
“In our practices, we focus on establishing skills, teamwork, and stamina so that we are more prepared for our games,” Sophomore captain Marley Walker said.
From drills to scrimmages, every practice is designed to help them grow both individually and as a team. Marley added she looks forward to the team’s changing dynamics.
“The freshmen this year are really good and are super nice, which makes the team even better,” Marley said.
Boys’ BasketBall stumBles aGainst WoodBridGe
By Leo Lin
The Boys’ Basketball finished their league games with a tight match, losing 44-47 against Woodbridge High School in the Pacific Coast League Tournament on Wednesday.
The Lightning’s season records stands at 14-9 as of The Bolt’s deadline.
On Jan. 28, Boys’ Basketball enjoyed a 60-47 win over University High School. This placed them as the second seed in their division.
“As a collective unit, the team is playing well,” Head Coach D’Cean Bryant said. “Our team is very dynamic and we never know who will step up. Some nights a freshman will step up, other nights a senior will step up. The whole team is solid.”
By strategizing and playing to their strengths, Boys’ Basketball has crafted strong player commitment and a collaborative team dynamic. On defense, the team has become increasingly more physical while still avoiding fouls.
“Boys’ Varsity works on staying fundamentally sound and doing all the little things correctly,” Bryant said.
The team has been prior-
itizing foundational skills with specific focus on “rebounding, defending the three-point shot, not going for pump fakes, passing with good angles, and having a stable foundation when shooting,” he said.
This attention to detail and craft will help the team maintain their standard of play and not make sloppy mistakes.
Players have also benefited from a sense of accountability and respect for their teammates. Freshman Timi Akomolafe points out that players “communicating and holding each other accountable when we do something wrong has been going very well for us.”
Cultivating a strong sense of community, each player’s dedication and efforts to improve collectively has helped achieve results. Communal support has been a backbone of the team’s high standard of play. Bryant emphasized the importance of the team maintaining its standards.
“If the team outplays us [that] night even when we play to our standard, that’s alright, bravo. However, we cannot lose if we play below our standard,” he added.
Tina Tahbaz | The Bolt
Junior Alyssa Cuff (22) defends the ball from Portola in a home game on Jan. 24.
Jenny Li | The Bolt Freshman Gisselle Barron drives the ball against St. Margaret’s on Jan. 24.
School co -Founder ShareS 30-Year Fight For JuStice
By Taite Nicholson
“For 30 years, my brother’s death was a mystery,” the speakers crackled in the gym on Jan. 15. Steve Johnson, a co-founder of Sage Hill School, shared how he uncovered the truth behind the death of his brother, Scott Johnson, with the school community.
In 1988, Scott was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Sydney, Australia. Authorities dismissed the 27-yearold American’s case as a suicide and failed to notify his family. Steve learned of Scott’s death from his brother’s boyfriend and immediately flew to Australia, marking the beginning of a decades-long fight for justice on behalf of hundreds in Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.
“Of course, my life fell apart at that point. Scott was my closest friend,” Steve said, his voice trembling.
Scott was a Ph.D. candidate who had just completed the final step of his mathematical dissertation the morning before his death. He was young and full of potential. Despite apparent signs that there was more to the story of Scott’s demise, investigators refused to reopen the case.
“I was 29 years old, lived 10,000 miles away, had no money, and [my wife] just had a baby,” Steve said.
After returning to the United States, Steve went on to become an entrepreneur and raise three children. But questions about his brother’s suspicious death lingered. After three separate cases of gay men found dead under similar circumstances, which were later deemed gay hate crimes, Steve hired his own investigative team. Six years later, a second inquest was launched, reopening Scott’s case.
A coroner eventually ruled Scott’s death a homicide. A new commissioner appointed a fresh investigative team, which secretly recorded the killer’s confession to murder. Scott’s killer pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is now serving a nine-year sentence. Steve’s tireless efforts to expose the truth behind the homophobic hate crimes that plagued the Australian gay community in the ‘80s and ‘90s played a key role in the 2017 national refer-
endum that legalized gay marriage in Australia.
Reforms within the Sydney police force are underway. The Australian government launched a special commission, forcing police officers under oath to explain how they had suppressed LGBTQIA+ hate crimes for over three decades. As a result, 25 detectives are now revisiting 200 deaths from the same period that are suspected homophobic hate crimes.
“Tell the truth; credibility is everything. Treat everyone with dignity because they will help you. Don’t give up; things change. Don’t be cynical; most people are good” Steve continues to advocate through his book “A Thousand Miles from Care” and a Hulu documentary featuring Scott’s case and other LGBTQIA+ hate crimes.
new Year’S r eSolutionS oF Sage hill StudentS
“My New Year’s resolution is to start a detailing business..”
- Freshman Hunter Highland
“I want to get more sleep. I wanna recover quickly from my ACL surgery so I can get back to volleyball. And I wanna make sure I have better time control.”
- Sophmore Anna Li
“My New Year’s resolution is to get closer to my culture and improve my Arabic speaking skills”
- Junior Aisha Muhsin
“My New Year’s resolution is that I want to play better chess and I want to attend more tournaments.”
-Junior Anjun Chen
By Jonathan Yan and Nathan Tang
“My New Year’s resolution is to go to the gym at least once ever.”
- Senior Margot Siemon
Grace Yan | The Bolt
Sage Hill School co-founder Steve Johnson shares from “A Thousand Miles from Care” in the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater on Jan. 15.
Arts & Entertainment
palaces, pastR ies, and paintinGs: the pa R isian expeR ience
By Arya Rawal
With steam seeping out of festively decorated cups of hot chocolate and coffee, strings of light and pine green wreaths hanging across the streets, and families huddling in front of gold and silver Christmas trees dispersed throughout Place Vendôme, Paris was a sight to behold during the holiday season. Both tourists and locals alike joined in celebration, admiring the elaborate Christmas decorations of Les Galeries Lafayette, taking their relatives to see famous Impressionist works at the Musée d’Orsay, and grabbing seasonal sweet treats from food carts and cafés.
Shopping in Paris is unique in both the quality and availability of items found within their stores. Since my family and I visited the city during the week before Christmas, we found the shopping districts of Le Marais and luxury stores lining the Avenue des Champs-Elysées filled to the brim with people.
RWhile this often led to longer wait times and busier shopping assistants, the shops offered a variety of items typically made of higher-quality fibers such as cashmere and merino wool. From a store in Le Marias, I was able to customize an embroidered design on a hoodie. The whole process, from selecting a font, size, and color to receiving my finished clothing, took less than an hour.
I was initially concerned about the availability of vegetarian meals in Paris. However, if given early notice, the restaurants we tried were very amenable to accommodating dietary restrictions. My favorite restaurant offered a sweet onion ravioli with candied lemon, hazelnut emulsion, and black truffle that was among the best dishes I have tasted. We especially enjoyed decadent desserts, including macarons from Pierre Hermé and chocolate from La Maison du Chocolat.
Despite sampling new foods
and spending days wandering its shops, the most enjoyable aspect of visiting Paris was the treasure trove of historical art and monuments we visited. I was fascinated by extravagant rooms embellished with velvet and gold trim at the Palace of
Versailles, the dazzling beauty of the French Crown Jewels at the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon, and the natural beauty decorating the cobblestone roads of the island of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy.
Paris is often glamorized in
eview: what h appened at the
By Elisa Xu
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards, an evening that commends excellence in international films and television series, was held at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 5. Nikki Glaser, a wellknown American comedian, hosted the event as the first solo female host in Globes history. Notable film winners include historical drama “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Peréz,” a French musical.
The first-ever Golden Globes was granted by the Hollywood Correspondents Association, similar to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (an organization of journalists and reporters who cover American entertainment.) The aim of these shows was and still is to celebrate exceptional achievements in cinema and film. Soon after, a statuette, a shiny globe positioned on top of a pedestal was born: the Golden Globe. In 1951, award categories were divided into Drama and Musical or Comedy; this change allowed for more range in the recipients that received the awards. When animated films became popular, a new category named “Best Animated Feature Film” was introduced. Now, the Golden Globes presents awards in 27 categories for motion pictures and television series.
This year, the celebration was hosted by Glaser, who starred in TV comedy series “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” and
her MAX stand-up special “Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die.” Glaser first rose to fame with her celebrity roasts and appearances on talk shows, but she returned home and took a break from touring comedy shows when the pandemic hit.
“I think they want authenticity. A lot of comedians are very successful, but they’re performative,” Glaser told Inlander
A characteristic that makes Glaser as funny as she is her authenticity, which is shown by her boldness in talking about sensitive or controversial topics such as sex and sexism. Glaser’s edgy sense of humor took to the Golden Globes’ stage, where she called the award show “Ozempic’s biggest night.”
Following the starting monologue, Glaser continued to poke fun at different celebrities. Her fearless attitude earned her the title of “New Queen of Comedy” by The Hollywood Reporter. Despite the acclaim, online communities have criticized Glaser’s humor, calling it “unnecessary and forced” as well as “overdone.”
This year, a handful of international films won awards. For example, the French musical comedy Emilia Peréz won four awards, which triggered controversy around one of the main characters. Many watchers considered the film as not having good transgender representation, considering moments in the film as exagger-
ated or completely unauthentic. This year’s Golden Globes also had some first-time winners, including veteran actress Demi Moore for her performance in “The Substance,” a horror film that serves as a metaphor and criticism of society’s beauty standards of women. Moore was first nominated in 1997 for her role in Ghost but did not win the Globe. In her speech, she talked about her challenges in a career as an actress, countering the notion that “popcorn actresses,” a stereotypical term for women who star in thrilling action and blockbuster movies, could not earn critical success in the film award industry.
The widely popular musical “Wicked” won the award for cinematic and box office achievement, celebrating its commercial success as it managed to amass over $722 million at worldwide box offices. Considering that the movie is a musical, its success is even more profound. Its impact can be seen in growing online communities and groups along with the public’s appetite musical films, which have often been wrongly perceived as silly and frivolous.
This year’s Golden Globes consisted of a variety of great actors, actresses, films, and television series. Glaser’s hosting of the show was phenomenal, as shown through praise among numerous news outlets and social media platforms.
films and novels as a place of mystery and romance that cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Even with high expectations for our visit set by glamorous media, I found that Paris truly is a city like no other.
Golden Globes?
Tina Tahbaz | The Bolt
The Louvre Museum at night on Dec. 31, 2024.
Mavelus | Creative Commons Golden Globe Award
History Department
JESSE LEW
By Maya Desai and Linda Liu
Welcome to the fourth edition of our poetry corner. We will discuss how images can be used to promote emotion and perspective in writing. Our past editions have discussed different types of written writing, so, this time, we will highlight a different type of writing, visual poetry.
Concrete Poems
Using the words of a poem to form an image, concrete poems display more meaning behind written text by changing the way the text is shaped and displayed. Concrete poems take an arrangement of words in the poem and create an image that reflects the subject matter. These types of poems symbolize how important
Good
Year
Dad is a collector of rainbows.
an image is to writing, and the symbiotic relationship they share. Concrete poems can vary in their length, size, color, or spacing to create visual interest.
One famous example of a concrete poem is Lewis Carroll’s “The Mouse Tail,” which narrows the poem into the shape of a mouse’s tail. Carroll chose to demonstrate his written word this way to highlight the subject of the poem, the mouse. He cleverly uses the mouse’s tail as a “tale” between a mouse and a dog. Carroll was a clever author who used language to portray images.
The poem below is about how adults can still act like kids, and it shows the story of a father reminiscing about the past and his childhood. Turn the poem sideways to see the rainbow, a symbol of childhood highlighted in this writing work.
Pictures taken to capture and frame
A small wonder performed on the world
He says it is like saving up luck in our lives
Seven rainbows held in his hand, preciously
Displayed Dazed, I see syrupy dimples form
From a childish prideful smile I felt inquisitive
“Seven lucks to share,” he said in nostalgia
Traced back through time, pure and innocent
Rainbows rarely occur and when they do–
He promises that miracles will happen
It will definitely be a good year.
