StudentS Channel Inner ‘Men In BlaCk’ at BaCk to SChool danCe
By Suri Li
Less than a week into the school year, students sporting black sunglasses and neckties the parking lot of the Lisa Argyros and Family Science Center for the annual Back-to-School Dance on Aug. 23.
The parking lot transformed into an otherworldly scene with lights and decorations, including an inflatable alien towering over the entrance. This year’s theme, Men in Black, inspired a copious amount of black-on-black outfits
with a futuristic edge.
A DJ spinning a customized playlist of current hits mixed with nostalgia-inducing oldies kicked off the event, and students filled the dance floor showing off their moves. Throughout the evening, students enjoyed complimentary refreshments, ranging from pizza to boba.
Students pilled into a photo booth to take home memories of friends with props and a shimmery gold background. Each flash of the camera contributed to
the pool of social media stories and posts throughout the night.
However, the highlight of the night was the glambot camera, a first at any Sage Hill dance. Like an experience at the Oscars, the camera captured students in slow motion, posing, flipping their hair, or their jackets twirling while the camera panned side to side.
“The glambot was a fun and unique experience to do with friends, and it really made us feel like celebrities,” sophomore Alison Wang said.
Sage Hill School
20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
MIddle SChool BuIld hItS MIleStoneS, applICatIon open
By Kenzie Chang
Sage Hill School is eagerly anticipating the launch of its middle school after opening applications for its inaugural seventh and eighth grade classes on Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, the middle school and second gym building continues to take shape behind the green construction fence. In August, construction crews poured concrete for the third floor and topped out the building’s cinder block shell. An excavator also drove multiple steel beams into bedrock to shore up the hillside. Earlier this month, crews started installing the gym’s roof.
When the three-story building is completed, Sage Hill’s enrollment capacity will increase from 600 to 750 students in grades 7-12. The administration plans to enroll 60 to 70 students in both seventh and eighth grade for the 2026-2027 school years.
Middle school students will study five core subjects – math, science, English, history, and a world language of their choice. They will also choose two electives and participate in a required team sport that will fill each student’s X block.
“The idea is that middle school is the time when students try a bit of everything and begin to see where their interests are,” Director of Middle School Dr. Joseph Moody said. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of clubs and academic teams, including Model UN, robotics, speech and debate, performing/visual arts and journalism. This diverse selection of opportunities allows students to gain experience in many different activities before entering high school.
Many of the current Sage Hill students are anticipating the new 8:30 a.m. start time implemented in the high school to stagger arrivals with the middle school and reduce rush-hour traffic congestion.
Sophomore class representative Ruby Wang shrugged off the change of having younger students on campus year round.
“I honestly don’t think it will be much different, except that we’ll have another gym to use. But I’m hoping to not see middle schoolers in my Calc C class,” Ruby said.
Sophomore Gisselle Barron expressed more enthusiasm for growing the school.
“I am excited for the younger students on campus. I think that new students mean more diverse perspectives and attributes they can offer the school,” Gisselle said.
While many students have noted their excitement to mentor younger students on campus, they have also expressed their desire to set boundaries as Sage Hill adds younger grade levels.
Middle School, see page 3
Courtesy of STUCO
Freshmen Mikhaila Reyeah Cudia, Kenna Walters, Hadley Maynard, and Nancy Chang at the Back to School Dance on Aug. 23.
Gun Violence Doesn’t Discriminate Based on Ideology
By The Bolt Editorial Board
On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on the campus of Utah Valley University. The American conservative political activist advocated for gun rights. He argued for greater protection of the Second Amendment right to bear arms and slashing states’ regulation of gun control. However, in the wake of Kirk’s shooting, increasing gun regulations is more essential than ever.
Guns are the leading cause of death for people aged one to 19 in the United States. The history and continued prevalence of school shootings and their impact on our generation’s experience are deep and complicated.
From the 2000 to 2022 school year, there were 1,375 school shootings, causing 515 deaths, according to federal data. During this time, some school shootings that gained national attention include Columbine High School (1999), Virginia Tech (2007), Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012), Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (2018) and Robb Elementary School of Uvalde, Texas (2022). Unfortunately, this list is wildly incomplete and only encapsulates a fraction of school shootings’ devastation.
Despite widespread anger, lawmakers passed no legislation after Columbine. Sandy Hook Elementary School became one of the first shootings where state governments took action. Connecticut and some other states placed restrictions on buying firearms, including background checks and bans on certain firearms. A staunchly pro-Second Amendment state, Florida, passed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act in 2018. This state law raised the minimum age to buy a rifle to 21, a three-day waiting period occurs after every gun purchase and a “red flag” law can allow the temporary removal of firearms from
people. Following the Robb Elementary School shooting, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which is considered the most significant gun legislation in decades. This act incentivized all states to pass the “red flag” law, increased background checks for buyers under 21, disarmed domestic abusers and focused federal support to mental health and school safety programs.
The long history of gun violence in schools demonstrates why gun regulations are necessary to protect lives, especially students. Moments after Kirk’s death, a school shooting occurred at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado. The shooter critically wounded two students and took his own life. Despite the violence inflicted on the students, most news sources were delayed in their reaction to the event because the shooting of Kirk dominated
headlines. When shootings must compete for media coverage, gun violence goes beyond isolated events. It becomes an epidemic— one that is necessary to address for the safety of our future generations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson led a prayer vigil for Kirk on Capitol Hill the evening following his death, but the moment of silence slowly turned into a point of political conflict. When Republican South Carolina Representative Lauren Boebert called for a spoken prayer, Democratic representatives protested. But, regardless of ideological stance, they brought up a crucial argument. Why was the death of one political activist deemed more relevant and impactful than an average of 125 Americans killed with guns every day, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit for gun control? The murder of a prominent political activ-
ist should not be necessary to prove the dangers of unregulated firearm usage. A seemingly never-ending list of students lost to gun violence is evidence enough of the need for greater gun regulations.
It has never been more urgent or timely for students to advocate for gun regulations. Ultimately, we are the ones in the classrooms when a gunshot goes off, not the policymakers or politicians. We live the reality that politicians debate abstractly.
Every life is important. And therefore, every death is, unequivocally, a tragedy. But, Kirk’s death is also an opportunity for us to learn. Gun violence does not care about ideology. It is the leading cause of death for children in America, and it will continue to be unless we take action to regulate firearms now.
The 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 Arya Rawal, Katelyn Yeh and Maya Desai and put in their mailboxes on campus. These letters may not exceed 150 words or they will be edited for inclusion.
THE BOLT
Editors-in-Chief
Arya Rawal (Bolt), Katelyn Yeh (Bolt) & Maya Desai (Online)
Editorial Board
Amy Choi, Taite Nicholson, Kenzie Chang, Neemuchwala, Isabella Huang, Doyoung Lee, Ella Wang, Jenny Li, Linda Liu, Tina Tahbaz, & Johnathan Yan
Writers
Suri Li, Elisa Xu, Nate Yoo, Mika He, Grace Ma, Carson Ellis, Leo Lin, Milan Desai, Nicole Bo, Alexis Prokopuk, Shawn Huan, Nathan Tang, Aniline Umstaetter and Zahra Hakimi
Photographers and Artists
Nathan Tang, Leo Lin, Aniline Umstaetter, Tina Tahbaz, Robbie Watson, Grace Ma, Elisa Xu, Zahra Hakimi
Adviser
Daniel Langhorne
Courtesy of Paul Becker | Wikimedia Commons
Anti-Gun protest in 2019, Columbus, Ohio.
Middle School, continued from Page 1
Dr. Moody noted that Sage would like to have a “cohesive 7-12 experience;” however, the construction of a new cafe, outdoor amphitheater, gym and practice field will allow younger students to spend most of their time on their designated side of campus. There is still room for exceptions, as middle schoolers will sit for performing at visual arts electives in the Studio at Sage Hill.
Just as important as the new building, Dr. Moody announced a slate of new middle school hires in August. Sage Hill Football Coach B.J. Crabtree came aboard full-time as the Middle School Dean of School Life and Athletics Coordinator, Math teacher Remy Carl, Science teacher Christina Kim and Latin teacher Tom Cirillo are among the new faculty members who will welcome middle schoolers in
August 2026. Personal Counselor Anjali Sheth will also take on the role of Middle School Learning Specialist.
Head of School Patricia Merz said the many similarities between student life on the upper and middle school campuses.
“Middle schoolers will have their own Student Council and Student Ambassador cohort, they will participate in all-school pep rallies, and they will engage in age-appropriate programming for Service Learning and Spring at Sage,” Merz said.
By making the middle school similar to the existing high school, Sage Hill will help better prepare younger students for the academic rigor high school will demand and these similarities will help to integrate Sage Hill’s core values and mission that states “we inspire in our students a love of knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge creatively, compassionately and
courageously throughout their lives.”
As construction continues to advance, Merz shared her excitement for this new chapter
of Sage Hill after four years of planning.
“I am thrilled that we can now offer even more students the opportunity to experience a
Sage Hill education—one that challenges them academically, supports them personally and also allows them to make mistakes, learn and grow,” she said.
A dmissions CyCle Clouded By White house’s shoW doW n With elite Colleges
By Jenny Li and Linda Liu
As Sage Hill seniors begin the college application process this fall, they must navigate an admissions cycle reshaped by President Donald Trump’s recent policy changes.
Since his inauguration, the Trump administration has targeted universities through funding freezes, visa restrictions, and admission crackdowns. His goal is to try to undo the disputed benefits that select students receive from previously-enforced diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. While the full impact to Sage Hill’s student body remains unclear, Trump’s revisions to the college admission process have already created uncertainty among Sage Hill students planning to apply this fall.
Facing resistance in cooperation from universities, Trump continues to execute funding freezes and lawsuits against top institutions. The Trump administration “is devoted to [rooting] out antisemitism” and claims that elite universities are “ideological indoctrination,” The New York Times reports. However, when facing opposition, Trump has penalized schools, including the recent settlement of a $200 million fine with Columbia. Harvard, one of the most elite schools in the country, has refused to accept Trump’s proposals. The conflict has been further escalated as Harvard takes Trump’s administration to court. Even now, the ongoing battle with Harvard includes $2.6 billion of frozen research funds. Nevertheless, a federal judge in Boston ruled the clawback unconstitutional on Sept. 3 and ordered the federal government to reinstate the funds, but this still remains to be seen as the administration intends appeal.
“There’s uncertainty that higher education is currently dealing with in understanding what recent changes mean
for their process,” Director of College Counseling Carolyn Blair said.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2023 banned universities from race-based admissions. The Trump administration is now policing “racial proxies” to create a race-neutral admission. More simply, race isn’t allowed to be mentioned in the admission process; rather, individual experiences are welcomed. Essays written on hardships, geography, or cross-cultural skills are prohibited if they discuss how race influenced an individual.
“I didn’t really talk about diversity too much. I feel like mentioning that could backfire now,” Senior Sarah Huang said.
New requirements by the Department of Justice direct universities to submit detailed admissions data by race. If race is still a factor in the admission process, penalties will be enforced, authorities said. Experts warn that this may further decrease enrollment for people of color.
Simultaneously, Trump’s enactment of new policies are more hostile towards international students and warns them to be more cautious of their behaviors. An recent policy is the revoke of the visas of students who were outspoken during pro-Palestinian protests or have penned editorials objecting to Israel’s military strikes in Gaza. Sage Hill students expressed sentiment of alteration to their essays because of potential uncertainty on how certain topics may be perceived.
“I’m tackling my application differently, less about staking a claim to what I believe and more about showing I can collaborate. I’d say that’s a positive,” senior Justin Kline said.
Trump administration officials demanded that Harvard stop enrolling foreign students. This may result in an estimation
of 30-40% decline in new foreign enrollments for the coming year, according to Forbes. Additionally, Columbia’s $221 million settlement required the university to decrease their “dependence” on international students. Sage Hill students have already seen fallout.
“My family friend in China isn’t even applying to U.S. colleges anymore. And that’s something I’ve heard from other [foreign] students too,” Sarah said.
As the administration proceeds with its scrutiny of higher education, several universities have been accused of using early admissions to artificially inflate tuition. Colleges use the word “binding” to compel students into committing earlier in the school year or face severe financial consequences. Afraid to be targeted by these schools if students break this “promise,” many families are forced to commit even while hit with hefty tuition bills. Trump’s administration claims that Early Decision inflates tuition, reduces financial
aid competition and benefits wealthy families.
In August, the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against a slate of highly selective schools, including Cornell, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University. Many questions remain about whether or not the fairness in admissions will uphold against scrutiny, and if ED will survive these legal challenges.
As the administration’s new policies push forward, students are set to encounter changes in FAFSA processing, which affects students’ approach to financial aid and affordability. Blair mentioned that “families who have filled out the FAFSA before will notice a difference in some terminology Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is now the Student Aid Index (SAI) and there have been changes to some eligibility, like Pell grants and Parent PLUS loan cap.”
Regarding financial aid and loans, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is planning to cut $307 billion from student loans
and eliminate Grad PLUS loans starting July 2026. Grad PLUS loans helped students gain extra loans when financial aid alone isn’t enough to cover the cost of tuition. The new caps for most graduate students are $20,500 per year and $50,000 for med/ law/dental students, including lifetime limits. Downsizing at the Department of Education could lead to federal aid processing delays. This hampering of access to loans may pose a concern for low-income and first-gen students.
“The current changes kind of favor kids in my demographic, students who can pay full tuition. While I know I’m in a good position, other kids aren’t as lucky,” Justin said.
Blair suggests “families should get started on their FAFSA early, mind deadlines, and follow directions.”
“Be your authentic self and share your story. Work with your college counselor. We’re here to help,” Blair said.
Aniline Umstaetter | The Bolt
Side view of the new middle school building on Aug. 26.
Courtesy of Will Hart | Creative Commons
Students mingle outside Widener Library at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
Athletics Athletics
Boys’ FootBA ll l Ays Groundwork For success Girls’ Fl AG FootBA ll r eturns to Gridiron
By Carson Ellis
With a 1-2 record start, Sage Hill Boys Football is working to find their footing early this fall. After commencing the season with a 2134 loss to Fresno Christian, Boys Football succeeded against Amino Robinson, only to face a difficult loss to Cornerstone Christian in front of a large home crowd this past weekend. Cornerstone Christian showed out early, scoring two touchdowns and holding Sage Hill scoreless in the first half. The Lightning bounced back by scoring early in the third quarter, but they failed to respond after another Cornerstone Christian touchdown, ultimately losing 6-25. After their loss against Fresno Christian, Boys Football recovered by taking a demanding 55-8 victory over their home-opener against Animo Robinson on Sept. 6, displaying a deep understanding of the opposing team, tearing apart their defensive schemes, and putting up a formidable defense. The team didn’t let the 21-34 loss against Fresno Christian get to them. Instead, they went back to work, analyzing their gameplay and making necessary adjustments.
“Our ability as a full team, players and coaches included, to be able to watch film with an open heart and mind, focusing not on nitpicking ev -
ery little mistake, but on recognizing and addressing the bigger picture issues,” contributed to the team’s sharpness coming into game two, Head Football Coach B.J. Crabtree said. Crabtree highlighted the team’s ability to understand their defense principles and their heightened urgency on offense. The team opened strong, scored the first points of the game, and never looked back. They maintained a comfortable lead the entire game and seemed poised and confident throughout the night.
“I’m proud that we were able to bounce back after Fresno and show out in front of the home crowd,” senior captain Bear Balossi said. A big change from previous seasons is there are more Football underclassmen than upperclassmen, which translates to more time spent learning bigger roles. One player who stepped up in the game against Animo Robinson was junior Bryce Pruter.
“Bryce Pruter showed up and balled out. He was an absolute demon on defense and I’m so proud of how he played,” senior captain Kian Khazei said. Bryce’s strong tackles caused chaos and destruction for the other team’s offense.
“His motor never stops, and as a junior, the sky is truly the limit,” Crabtree said. Besides playing and
being a captain of the football team, Bryce is also goalie for Boys’ soccer. With the loss against Cornerstone Christian still fresh and a long season ahead, the team is aware of their areas needing improvement.
“We will emphasize building trust with each other, to allow each player to offer up their best effort, play in and play out. Trust is massive in football and in life, they are connected,” Crabtree said.
Girls’ tennis stA rt
Fuels ciF dreA ms
By Leo Lin
Girls’ Tennis has jumped out to a formidable 11-1 start to the season. With a series of early wins, Girls’ Tennis is seeking redemption from last year’s early CIF-SS Division 1 Round 1 exit, where they lost a tight match 8-10 to Crean Lutheran. Despite their most recent 8-10 loss against Portola on Sept. 23, their impressive performance has set high expectations for the rest of the season.
The team started the 2025-2026 season without alumni Ceyda Shamsai, Joy Qu, and Madeleine Carroll. All three of them were starting doubles players who brought enthusiasm to each match. To fill in their shoes, the team has added two new players, freshman Zhenzhen Zhong and sophomore Madeleine Lal.
In particular, Zhenzhen has been an outstanding addition to the team, bringing a tenacious fighting spirit to her battles as the No. 2 singles player.
“She is a dogged competitor,” Head Coach Whit Kenerson said.
Senior and team captain Ella Wong also praised the impact Zhenzhen and Madeleine have had on the team.
“These two have been instrumental, bringing a new spirit and hunger to the group,” Ella said.
The Girls’ Tennis team is looking strong this season, with many players having improved their game by working over the summer. In the first ten games of the season, out of a possible 198 sets, Sage Hill has won 175 sets while only conceding 23 sets. This set win rate of 88% reveals the dominance of Girl’s
tennis so far.
Despite the team’s impressive form, there are still areas for improvement. Their first goal is improving first serve consistency. Making a lot of first serves helps tremendously in a tennis match as it allows players to dominate their serving games and win points with ease.
Kenerson often tells his girls how he dreams of first serves.
“This has been a roadblock in the past with too many double faults,” Kenerson said.
Another focus of the team has been on doubles net play. In doubles, a lot of the offense is generated by the player closest to the net because they can easily finish points. To increase their competitive edge, Girls’ Tennis has focused on improving their net play with stronger volleys, poaches, and overheads.
Finally, the team has worked on their conditioning so they stay energetic in the later stages of each match. Better fitness enables the team to compete just as hard in the third round as they do in the first round.
The team’s camaraderie is flourishing throughout the season, notably through the new chant created by sophomore Amelie Lalvani, as well as visits by team members’ dogs, Kiwi and Anna.
“We appreciate all spectators and would love any additional encouragement,” Ella said.
The team will play their next home match against Canyon High School at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29.
By Nicole Bo
After a successful inaugural year, Girl’s Flag Football is back for another eventful season. The Lady Lightning are currently holding a 5-7 record as they prepare to face the challenges of the rest of the season.
This new team includes eight freshmen who bring both talent and fresh enthusiasm to the team. The help from their more experienced peers allowed them to quickly adapt to the rigor and intensity of varsity-level practice. These new players are an essential part of the team’s effort to bounce back with key plays on the field.
Sophomore team captain Elliot Trout is determined to turn things around with her leadership and years of experience with club flag football.
“The biggest challenge the team has faced this season is the amount of injuries and absences amongst the players,” Trout said. Trout emphasized the importance of communication to persevere despite an injured players list. With a limited roster, the team has often had to reshuffle positions and push players into
unfamiliar roles.
“Everyone already has a better understanding of the game and the team is much more organized compared to the inaugural season,” Elliot said. Players are able to anticipate each other’s movements more carefully, building a stronger foundation for success.
“With everyone knowing their roles, we can focus on strategy instead of just figuring out the basics,” Elliot said. Sophomore team captain Jaden Rall mentioned the team is also focusing on how to “stay focused during practice as well as maintain a close bond between everyone so that the team spirit stays alive.” Together, Elliot and Jaden serve as trusted leaders that will help the team regain their momentum as the season continues. They hope to finish the season on a high note regardless of current obstacles.
As the season progresses with nine games remaining, the team aims to turn what they have learned so far into motivation and strengthen their record in a home game against Irvine on Sept. 29.
By Suri Yaghmai
Sage Hill dominated sports last year, as teams won state titles and climbed up CIF divisions.
Last winter, the Varsity Girls’ Soccer team won the program’s first CIF Southern Section Division 4 Championship and placed second in the CIF Southern California Regional Championships. The Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams won their CIF Regional Championships. Later in the spring season, the Varsity Boys’ Volleyball won the first ever
CIF State Division III final at Fresno City College due to their outstanding players, including award-winning Jackson Cryst, and team chemistry. These successes last year have the teams ecstatic and ready for the 2025-2026 athletic year.
The fall season got off to an exciting start when the Varsity Girls’ Volleyball team won the Pacific Hills League Championship against Woodbridge High School.
“I was very happy and proud of our team for coming so far in the season. As
a freshman at the time, it was so cool to see this outcome from our great team,” sophomore Vianna Kashani said. As this fall season begins, Boys’ Football recently won against Animo Robinson Charter High School in a 55-8 victory. The new group of outstanding freshmen, transfers, and returning players makes this team exceptional.
“I’m super grateful to be part of the football team. They have already made Sage feel like home, and I’m really excited for the rest of the season. We’re going to
have a great year,” junior transfer Dylan Streiff said. The athletics coaching staff is looking forward to seeing their athletes in action after pushing themselves this summer.
“I am beyond excited for the 202526 year in Lightning Athletics! We are looking to build upon the success that we had last year as our athletes have been working hard and preparing all summer for what we hope is another phenomenal year,” Director of Athletics Megan Cid said.
Sophomore JC Hoeppner (22) and freshman Daniel Peng (52) celebrate after a touchdown against Animo Robinson on Sept. 6.
Robbie Watson | The Bolt
Senior Cordelia Cieplucha smashes a return against Laguna Beach on Aug. 21. Leo Lin The Bolt
Freshman Flora Twardos (5) determined to get a touchdown for her team on Aug. 22.
Tina Tahbaz The Bolt|
Freshman quarterback Roya Mazi (3) prepares for the snap in a home game against Anaheim High on Aug. 22. Tina Tahbaz The Bolt
Community
New Hires BriNg FresH eNergy to Campus
By Grace Ma
As the 2025-2026 school year began, Sage Hill welcomed several new faces to campus. Carolyn Blair, Adrianna Daniels, Pablo Giustorobelo, Andrea Barclay, B.J. Crabtree and Annie Okuhara joined the community, looking to make a lasting impact.
Adrianna Daniels comes to Sage Hill with over 12 years of teaching experience, including stints at South Lake Middle School and Hillcrest High School. She describes her teaching style as “no-nonsense”, upholding high standards and challenging her English I and II students. However, she still emphasizes her deep care for her students’ personal growth. In her free time, Daniels likes to lift weights, run and try new food.
Carolyn Blair, director of college counseling, brings 25 years of experience in education after a lengthy tenure at a school district outside of St. Louis. Blair serves on the Board of Directors of the Common Application as well as multiple university admissions advisory boards. She is a nationally recognized advocate for streamlining the college application process. As for
her style of mentorship, Blair characterizes her guidance as “very direct and honest but really supportive.”
Away from campus, she enjoys working up a sweat in Peloton classes and playing scrabble.
Annie Okuhara joined the Sage community as an AV systems engineer last May. In the Black Box, she manages technical components of every show by coordinating lights, sound and set design.
“My time in music school taught me the importance of collaboration, and the opportunities it can open up for you,” Okuhara said.
An alumna of Chapman University’s performing arts college, Okuhara enjoys playing and developing video games as well as experimenting with sound design.
After teaching Spanish, film and theatre at Fairmont Preparatory Academy for 15 years, Pablo Giustorobelo joined Sage Hill as a Spanish teacher in July. In the classroom, Giustorobelo focuses on creating an engaging and comfortable learning environment where students are motivated to learn. He believes that students learn better
when they understand the reasoning behind what they are taught. Giustorobelo looks forward to exploring all the activities Sage offers, such as service learning and Spring at Sage. In his personal time, Giustorobelo enjoys photography and watching movies.
Andrea Barclay began working at Sage this school year after teaching English at Rosary Academy for 24 years. There, she served as the
English Department chair and taught various levels of English ranging from Honors English to AP English Language and Composition. She describes her teaching style as creative and collaborative.
“I like to keep it simple rather than overly organized and structured,” Barclay said. When she’s not working, Barclay enjoys reading literary fiction and true crime.
By Elisa Xu
Founded just last school year, the Anime and Cosplay Club has become one of the most popular clubs on campus. Co-presidents Fiona Fei and Linda Liu started the club in hopes of providing a safe and comfortable environment for anime lovers, as well as a space to learn more about the art of cosplaying.
Weekly meetings are held in Dr. Nguyen’s room, often showing an anime that is voted on by club members the day before. From “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” to “Jujutsu Kaisen,” the club has shown a handful of anime in past months. Dozens of students gather in the room, creating a crowded yet welcoming atmosphere, allowing members to feel included in their Sage Hill community.
These meetings often include the presence of an anonymous duck mascot who brings spirit to the club and abundantly provides snacks, reflecting the dedication of the leadership team. By showing effort to make club members as satisfied as possible, the Anime and Cosplay Club is able to garner more attention
as well as add liveliness to the club’s atmosphere.
The club also focuses on developing cosplaying skills and helping members learn more about the art of anime. It is clear that the club not only focuses on creating a safe space to watch anime but to help anime lovers grow confidence in engaging in hobbies related to their interests. “We started our club to…spread anime culture while helping students build skills in cosplay and prop making, fostering confidence and courage through creative self-expression,” Fiona said.
The judgement-free and friendly environment that the club provides for Sage Hill students each week truly contributes to the reputation and purpose of the club. Members are able to watch their favorite movies and shows with other people who share their interests and feel confident in their hobbies. Linda emphasizes the importance of these kinds of communities.
“We aim to allow students to freely express themselves in our anime community where they can pursue their passion,” Linda said.
AV Systems Engineer Annie Okuhara
English teacher Adrianna Daniels
Elisa Xu | The Bolt Club co-presidents Linda Liu and Fiona Fei (left to right) at the weekly Anime Club meeting
Director of College Counseling Carolyn Blair
Spanish teacher Pablo Giustorobelo
English teacher Andrea Barclay
Middle School Dean of School Life B.J. Crabtree
Movie R eview: Song MeetS SupeR natuR al - K-pop DeMon HunteRS SH atteRS R ecoRDS
By Shawn Huan & AlexIs Prokopuk
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has broken records across multiple platforms, including Spotify, Netflix, and Billboard. The animated film blends aspects of Korean tradition with K-pop culture to explore themes of self-acceptance and authenticity. Even the soundtrack peaked at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 5 weeks.
Set in South Korea, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” is set in a world where demons actively attempt to capture living human souls to sustain their king. The film centers around Rumi, one of the three demon hunters of the generation tasked with warding off demons and preventing them from entering the living realm. However, it becomes evident that the demon hunters’ band, HUNTRIX, is not as stable as it is originally presented.
Sharing some insight from the
By Nathan Tang & Leo Lin
For the down clues, visit lightningboltonline.com
movie, the demon hunters are united by a shared desire to outsmart their newest threat, the Saja Boys. However, the main singer Rumi wages a silent war. Hiding the truth about who she is, she carries with her years of shame and self-doubt that put a strain on relationships and silence her voice. Yet when a lucky encounter gives her a glimpse of acceptance, Rumi begins to reclaim the parts of herself she was taught to fear. And with that, a spark of hope returns, not just for the mission, but for herself.
The movie beautifully conveys the importance of self-acceptance and authenticity through Rumi’s loss of voice as she loses sight of her identity. When she is finally forced to open up, she finds that she still has people on her side. By opening up to each other, their voices are more powerful together, and they are able to beat the demon king.
Overall, the movie makes for a good comfort movie, with lots of
1 a joke that uses similar-sounding words
5 Gets set 5s by the setter in volleyball
10 An attacker on the flank in soccer and hockey
14 Special team in football
15 Aid for a fastball’s spin
17 Signed by athletes and employees to keep the organization’s secrets
18 Previously called Blue Ribbon Sports
19 What a team hopes to maximize after buying a player
20 One of the senses with no double letters
21 The sum of Mortal Kombat’s finishing move
26 Opponent’s win, in shorthand
27 Fantasy league’s drafting process
28 The score after two goals, perhaps
30 Soccer goal cross-piece
31 When the ball goes out of bounds in soccer, it stops this (abbreviation)
32 João Félix’s mispronunciation
34 Former East Germany
35 Greatest of ___
39 Short for doctor
40 Name of ball used in team sport from Quebec
41 Runner’s pre-competition menu, perhaps
42 NBA’s ___ October (nickname for Reggie Jackson)
43 Abbreviation of a volleyball team playing in Ligue A (French League)
45 Runner who excelled in Berlin
46 Abbreviation for a top 25 college football team with a mascot of duck.
48 De Gea, Ederson, Ter Stegen, Donnarumma
49 Texting slang for apologizing after a mistake
50 Org. for wheelchair athletics, once
52 Groupings of teams at a similar level
58 Roman numeral for 1000
59 “Get back on ___!”
60 Sport with the fastest projectile speed in a moving ball game
61 Rams, Chargers, Lakers, Clippers
emotional and heartwarming moments. The authors do a thoughtful job of delivering a clear, resonant message regarding identity, belonging, and worth. All the main characters show significant character growth and appeal to young audiences. What is also astounding is how effortlessly the film weaves elements of Korean culture and pop music into the story, and how it creates something both culturally educational and universally accessible. It is no surprise that the film has broken records. The movie speaks to something real, especially to younger generations who crave a story that shows vulnerability. It depicts the complexities of identity, and that being truly yourself is something to be applauded rather than mocked. K-pop Demon Hunters is more than a feel-good movie. It makes you see your own worth.
62 The only Sage Head Coach of both the boys’ and girls’ teams in a sport
67 Batter’s handedness on a lineup card
68 Soccer technology used to review calls
69 Short for a german soccer team (name starts with the name of a pharmaceutical)
70 For the meme, the dream, the stream, and the ___ team!
71 Legendary showdown on the court
73 Opposite of L
74 Sage Coach who substituted many teachers during Freshman Retreat
80 Abbr. on a scoreboard for home team
Image courtesy of Sony Animation Studios Animated characters from : “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”
Student Life
StudentS PauSe StudieS for fun on Grade LeveL r etreatS
By Mika He and Nate Yoo
Sage Hill students kicked off the school year with the annual grade level retreats, which took them beyond their usual routines. The events ranged from overnight trips to local outings, each designed to help classmates connect in new ways beyond the classroom. Activities encouraged teamwork, reflection, and plenty of laughter, strengthening community across campus.
The freshman went on their annual retreat to Big Bear for a two-day trip in the San Bernardino County wilderness. Students participated in outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking and completing obstacle courses, while bonding with their peers.
“My favorite part was the high ropes because it was something I had never done before,” freshman Marcos Aguilar said.
The retreat set the tone for the school year, giving the Class of 2029 a stronger sense of community and shared experience.
Sophomores stayed closer to home, spending the day bowling at Lucky
Strike. The retreat offered students a chance to step away from academics, laugh with classmates, and partake in some friendly competition.
“I really enjoyed bowling because it was fun and I had a great time with my friends,” sophomore Millie Gonzalez-Flores said.
Students left the bowling alley with stronger friendships and a greater sense of class unity.
Juniors went to Camelot Golfland to enjoy a variety of activities, including mini golf, go-karts, and laser tag.
“I really liked how the retreat offered many different events; it was really fun to compete in laser tag with the teachers and have this bonding experience among the class,” junior Chelsea Chen said.
The retreat provided a much-needed break for the notoriously busy junior year while continuing to foster stronger bonds within advisories and the entire class.
Seniors returned to Cedar Lake Camp in Big Bear for an overnight trip that included the high ropes course, team challenges and the highly anticipated senior sunrise. The retreat provided students with an opportunity to celebrate
r efLectionS on SchooL Year’S Start
“My favorite class here at Sage would be—a lot of people would disagree with me on this—but I’d have to say AP Chemistry, I like Chemistry. I enjoy being at Sage because the campus offers a nice view, and it’s a great place to study.”
- Senior Camila Garduno Mora
“Personally, my favorite class is Honors Dance IV. I believe it’s a good class for being able to enjoy dance, while still being challenged physically and mentally without too much stress.”
- Sophomore Mariah Parson
“My favorite place at Sage are the circle groups in the library. It’s private enough where it feels like your own space, and since it’s circular it’s easy to talk to the people within it.” -
friendships and start to wind down of their high school journey. Peer counselors stayed for Ninth Grade Retreat to provide mentorship to the freshman advisories.
“I think that the senior retreat was especially rewarding because we got
to experience what it was like to be a freshman again. It was really nostalgic, and we were able to reflect on how much we have grown as people,” senior King Oung said.
PoetrY corner : ink and inSPiration
By Maya Desai
Welcome to the first edition of Ink and Inspiration for the 2025-2026 school year. This column is dedicated to the power and beauty of creative writing. Follow our journey to explore genres undiscovered, find passion in works of writing, and discover the emotional strength of the simple word. Today, we will explore a type of poetry that began in medieval Europe and spread across the world in various versions. We will demonstrate how to use a precise number of syllables to create a story or talk about a certain theme or idea.
Cinqain Poems
Cinquain poems are written in the format of two syllables, four syllables, six syllables, eight syllables, and two syllables. These poems developed during the Medieval Age in France as five line poems with no limitation on the number of syllables per verse. A few centuries later, in the early 20th century, American poet Adelaide Crapsey invented the American Cinquain, the version most commonly used today. Using this version of the poem, authors write the first line as the subject’s name and the second line to describe such a subject in two words. Authors use the third line to describe the subject with three action verbs, the
fourth line as a short expression about feelings or details of the subject and the last line as a synonym for the subjects. Similarly, many students write comparable poems in school, which are instead called Didactic Cinquains and focus less on syllable count, more on word type.
Cinquain poems are free verse poems centered around a subject that varies from a human, place, or thing. A famous poem with this style is Crapsey’s “November Night”, which uses diction and imagery to capture a moment in autumn. These poems encourage writers to be more concise and purposeful with their writing and create short yet powerful stories that capture a moment. Cinquain poems are also special as they have migrated over to the classroom and are used to teach kids about diction and rhythm, demonstrating how these poems make writing more accessible. The poem below imitates a cinquain poem, as it uses the syllable format and captures a fleeting moment with purpose.
“A Mouse’s Human Senses”
A mouse
Deftly silent
Climbing, softly striking, Quiet in public but not deaf to Struggle
Tina Tahbaz | The Bolt
Senior Mia Li participates in the high ropes activity on Sept. 9.
Sophomore Veronica Cai