April 2013 Volume 12, Issue 6

THE BOLTProp 8 ReconsideredAmerica is a nation of change. We

were founded on the principles of free-dom, liberty and equality, and we devote ourselves to the pursuit of these ideals, embarking on new missions as our defini-tions of these principles evolve. For our parents’ generation, that mission was the civil rights movement. Now, people who lived through the civil rights movement look back on that time with disbelief. It amazes them that we ever tolerated racism, and that’s part of what makes America great; we are not afraid to change for what is right.

That being said, not everyone shares the same definition of what is right. There are two sides to every story, and there certainly are two sides to the gay marriage issue, which is arguably the defining politi-cal cause of our generation. We all remem-ber the day Prop 8 was passed. The year was 2008, and the passage of a law stating that “marriage is only valid between a man and a woman in the state of California” set aflame a debate that soon caught fire nationwide.

For many, the passage of Prop 8 felt like a giant step backward. “Before prop 8 passed, I was closeted in a Christian middle school that was not very tolerant of LGBT issues,” recalls senior Brennan Hicks. “I remember having to conceal my feelings when I would look up from the playground at typewriters spelling out ‘YES ON PROP 8’ in the sky. After it passed, I was conflicted [about] myself and

my beliefs compared to the people around me, but I have since come to speak out for marriage equality and the hopeful overturn of Prop 8.”

Other Americans who had supported Prop 8 were pleased. But some felt attacked by the demonstrations against Prop 8 that occurred after its passage. They argued that, no matter what the issue, California voters had the right to decide what was best for their state.

“I’m not opposed to gay people mar-rying. However, I’m very opposed to the federal government making a judgment on a proposition voted on by the people of

the state of California,” said junior Austin Robert. “In doing so, the government is stepping in and disrupting the balance of the states.”

The passage of Prop 8 was met with both assenting and dissenting voices, and it wasn’t long before the dissenting voices made themselves heard. In 2010, Judge Vaughan Walker of the Lower Federal Court ruled that Prop 8 was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Two years lat-er, the 9th Circuit Federal Appeals Court agreed with his ruling, propelling Prop 8 into the national spotlight. Now, with the appeals process escalating toward a long-

20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, Ca 92657

Star Wars and Ratatouille It is no secret that Sage has an apprecia-

tion for, verging on obsession with, the act of reflection. We reflect on our backgrounds, families and dreams, and at the end of the year, we reflect in eight different essays which culminate in the capital-P Portfolio essay.

And then there is the search for the meta-phor, perhaps the greatest challenge of it all.

We rack our imaginations, with possible help from Google, for that perfect metaphor that can seamlessly relate our experiences in the past year to our connection to the world—not to mention one that will make a sick display in the gym.

Yet despite the stress that can come dur-ing this all too familiar metaphor selection process, Sage has taught me to fall in love with the metaphor.

I know that statement absolutely cements my status as an English nerd. I have come to love the metaphor because it has the power to

express what cannot be easily put into words.So, as I reflect on my experience at Sage

Hill and write my final words to this school, I naturally find myself falling back on this well-known and loved figure of speech.

To me, Sage is every Star Wars movie combined, a special universe that generates an invisible force that passes through us and compels us to think and act differently.

Sage is the Eighth Wonder of the World, a place to marvel at and be inspired by time and time again.

Sage is a bowl of ratatouille, a conglomer-ate of personalities and talents each of which adds its own unique flavor to create a distinc-tive, colorful recipe.

Finally, Sage is a home that holds a very large, supportive family that feels comfortable enough to fall asleep just about anywhere, be it Ms. Orr’s couch during a free period or the middle of the quad (I have done both).

Thank you, Sage Hill, for giving me an ex-perience that cannot be easily put into words.

By Jenna ShapiroEditor-in-Chief

By Joelle NanulaSchool Life Editor

awaited climax, America holds its breath. The outcome of five years of struggle lies around the corner.

Although this waiting period is accom-panied by great anxiety, for liberals and conservatives alike, it also brings with it a feeling of triumph. No matter what your stance on gay rights, there is no denying that America has mobilized and unified around the issue, making us a very differ-ent society than the one we were in 2008. Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in high schools and universities are more popular than ever. Our very own GSA at Sage Hill is on fire, selling equality rings to students and raising school-wide awareness. Pop music’s newest phenom, Macklemore, also hap-pens to be a gay rights activist. Everywhere you go, the rainbow flag is flying. Most importantly, though, there is a national atmosphere of acceptance—of greater ap-preciation of diversity and difference—that did not exist in 2008 transcending the gay rights issue and speaking to how much we have matured as a nation since Prop 8 passed.

We will learn the fate of Prop 8 in June, and I have faith that America will make a fair and just decision. Whenever I feel doubt, I need only look back at our nation’s history to be reassured. America has a reputation for choosing the path of change. We are a country that is constantly looking to the future, searching for ways to apply the principles of our forefathers to the present day. When I look at it that way, I have no trouble believing that America will eventually make progress on the issue of gay rights, no matter what form that progress may take.

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Andras

Photo Courtesy of Mercuri2

Stand up for what you believe. On Nov. 15 in Los Angeles and San Francisco, protesters fought heat and opposition to support same-sex marriage and debate proponents of Proposition 8. In Los Angeles, gay-rights advocates clustered in front of the city hall and began a march downtown carry-ing signs that read “Love your neighbor as yourself ” and “We have a dream too!”

2 SCHOOL LIFE

Oh, The Places They Went!

Photo Courtesy of Janis Jin

sPread the word. Sage alumnus Phil Kaye (‘06) and his poetry partner, Sarah Kay, have opened up a new frontier in self-expression: spoken word poetry. When they’re not writing, they’re traveling the country on tour, sharing their work and spreading their love for poetry.

It is a question our family and friends have been asking us since kin-dergarten, a question that we all ask ourselves and a question that every student inevitably must face: What do you want to be?

As we near the end of the school year, life after high school feels a life-time away. Our futures are uncharted. All we can do is look at the lives of others as an example and as inspira-tion. So the question we should ask ourselves instead is, Where are Sage alumni now?

1. Drummer for a rising rock band: After 11 years together, alum-nus Nick Gross (’06) and his three bandmates are releasing Open Air Stereo’s debut album May 21. Their album, Primates, is composed of 10 songs that, according to the band’s website, give “the impression [of a band] that has multiple albums and world tours under [its] belt.” Since its founding, Open Air Stereo—al-ready nominated for several OC Mu-sic Awards—has played at prestigious venues like the House of Blues and

The Roxy Theatre. Open Air Stereo has also been featured as the main plotline of Season 3 of MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.

2. One of the world’s top female surfers: Currently ranked third in the world, alumna Courtney Conlogue

(’10) became the youngest female to reach the semi-finals of the World Qualifying Series during her soph-omore year at Sage. Conlogue, now 20, was awarded 2011 ASP Women’s Breakthrough Performer of the Year in addition to other titles and honors.

3. Co-director of an international project: Alumnus Phil Kaye (’06) co-directs Project VOICE—Vocal Out-reach Into Creative Expression—a movement to inspire and teach youth how to express themselves and en-gage with their world through spo-ken word poetry. Since they founded Project VOICE in 2004, Kaye and his partner, Sarah Kay, have become pub-lished authors and have performed at national events such as TED Confer-ences and National Poetry Slams, as well as at international venues in In-dia, Australia and the Czech Republic.

4. Co-founder of a groundbreak-ing company: Alumna Jessica Tsoong (’04) recently sold WifiSLAM, an in-door location service, to Apple for $20 million. Her company, which she started with Joseph Huang in 2011, uses cell phone technology, including Wi-Fi signals and built-in accelerom-eters, to locate a user’s position within 2.5 meters—a far cry from the usual 10-meter accuracy through GPS. This software has the potential to revolu-tionize not only map apps, but also proximity marketing by allowing stores to send targeted coupons to us-ers close to a product.

The Eco Fair:Sage Gives Back

We live on Earth. We breathe its air, drink its water, eat its crops, and occupy its soil. We take advantage of Earth’s resources every day, and we need the Earth to nourish and support us as we go about our lives. It is there-fore our responsibility to protect and preserve what the Earth has to offer.

As inhabitants of this planet, our home, we celebrate what we have been given and reflect upon what we can give back. We do our best to conserve nature so that it will continue to nur-ture future generations. At least, we hope that it will.

This hope has inspired Earth Day, a celebration of the modern environ-mental movement on April 22. Tens of millions of Americans participate yearly in campaigns to give back in some small way to Mother Earth.

Sage is no exception. In fact, un-der the leadership of Lauren Fieberg, Science Dept., the Sage Hill Eco Club hosted the third Sage Hill Eco Fair on April 23.

In the hopes of establishing an an-nual event similar to the Multicultural Fair, the Eco Club organized dozens

of activities for Sage Hill community members to partake in. The goal of the fair was to expose Sage students to the merits, careers and opportunities within the environmental movement.

Among the many activities avail-able at the Eco Fair, students enjoyed the bike-powered smoothie station. Fieberg’s own bike powers a blender filled with organic ingredients for de-licious smoothies. The fair showcased utilizing human motor power as an emerging front in the environmental movement.

The Eco Fair is but one of the many initiatives that Sage Hill has taken on in order to demonstrate its commitment to the environment and to educate its students. One of the newest additions to campus, Sa-vannah’s Organic Ranch, has already been put into action as a learning cen-ter for Service Learning buddies. The new science building will also be cer-tifiably eco-friendly.

The Eco Fair and Eco Club may not end the world’s pressing issues. However, a Sage Hill education, both in and out of the classroom, provides the inspiration for ideas that will change the world.

By Michelle MinStaff Writer

By Samir DurraniGuest Writer

Photo Courtesy of hawken Miller

sage hill sChool gets friendly with Mother earth. Sophomore Paula Gardner snuggles up to an iguana at the Sage Hill Eco Fair on April 23rd. Organized by science teacher Lauren Fieberg and brought to life by motivated Sage students, the fair boasted tasty vegan food, infor-mative booths advertising their causes, and even a bike-powered smoothie maker.

Photo Courtesy of Virtue Byrd

EDITORIAL & OPINION 3

The Importance of Sage Faculty

Recently, I sat in on a potential Sage Hill math teacher giving an AP Statistics lecture. I paid

attention to the lesson, but when it was over, I was unable to fill out the applicant evaluation sheet. Sage’s eval-uation process has students rate pro-spective teachers on not only teaching ability, but also sociability, integrity and even humor. I was taken aback by these questions, but I shouldn’t have been. There is something to be said about a teacher who is a perfect fit for the Sage community. A couple years ago, I spoke to mathematics faculty member Eliza-beth Orr about the role of a teacher at Sage Hill School. She not only spoke about the education aspect but for the most part, about the community aspect. I was told about the obliga-tion to provide help in all walks of the high school experience and the need for communication and cooperation between other members of the faculty. A teacher is expected to be involved in the community the same way that a student is. Departing Sage faculty, Ingrid Gus-tavson, Chris Marshall, Khara Cov-ington and Elizabeth Orr, all embody the ideal Sage Hill faculty member. I have seen all these faculty members embrace roles as members of the Sage community.

BOLTThe Bolt is published monthly as the official Sage Hill student-run newspaper. Since our founding year in 2000, we have served as a public forum for the Sage com-munity. Our goal is to uphold a high standard of quality journal-ism in a way that is both engag-ing and informative for the stu-dents and faculty. All issues are stored online in the archive at http://issuu.com/shsbolt. Please contact Jenna Shapiro at 13Sha-piroJ@sagehillschool.org if you have questions, or a desire to guest write or take photographs for The Bolt.

Editor-in-ChiefJenna Shapiro ‘13

Managing EditorCarlyn Kane ‘13

Assistant EditorsErika Lynn-Green ‘14Tiana Lowe ‘14

News EditorJoy Chang ‘13

School Life EditorJoelle Nanula ‘14

Opinion EditorJeremy Dorne ‘13

Arts and Lifestyle EditorSavannah Gardner ‘13

Features EditorCarlyn Kane ‘13

Sports EditorKavi Sakraney ‘14

Backpage EditorYoonseo Cha ‘13

StaffChris Andras ‘13Christian Liu ‘13Maddy Abbott ‘15Alexandra Bollman ‘14Maddy Bukaty ‘14John Cha ‘16Angel Chen ‘15Claire Goul ‘15Mallory Glay ‘15Nellie Hamadani ‘15Jodie Horowitz ‘15Janis Jin ‘16Kiana Jodeiry ‘14Selin Karaoguz ‘15Hawken Miller ‘15Michelle Min ‘15Halland McKenna ‘15Nikki Parmar ‘15Namita Prakash ‘16Kristin Saroyan ‘16Emily Shimano ‘14Doreen Yedwab ‘14

Publications AdviserKonnie Krislock

Sage Hill School20402 Newport Coast Dr.Newport Coast, CA 92657(949) 219- 0100www.sagehillschool.org

Rebel Without a Reas0n

“I thought you already graduated.” The Starbucks barista posed this statement as a question.

“No,” I responded in a hurry to get my chai latte and get out. “Still another year to go.

Then the barista asked a question so sinister, so excruciating to anyone enter-ing or in the college process that we have to suppress the expletives from flying from our mouths:

“So, where do you want to go to col-lege?”

This sounds like a well-intentioned inquiry, but to applicants and future applicants, this question has a different subtext: How good are you? How good do you think you are? How do you think you compare to your peers? How much money do you think your parents will spend on you? How entitled are you? Can you walk on water?

So I looked around at what appeared to be Lululemon-clad, bleached-blond housewives observing me, a little deer in the headlights, waiting to explain how I want to go to my parents’ alma mater

or stay in my beautiful, beloved Southern California.

“Absolutely anywhere but here,” I said.One of the housewives laughed, a cross

between a genuine chuckle and some sort of indiscernible expression of surprise and disgust.

She was confused. Fine. I’d gladly clarify.“I want to get out of Suburbia as fast as I

can, by any means necessary.”At that moment, I knew I sounded

grossly spoiled or belligerent, that I would fail to articulate my rationale; I left the Starbucks wordlessly.

By Monday afternoon, I was beat; however, I was adequately content by the time I was back in my car after my caffeine fix. Sweater Weather was on the radio and the freeway was clear enough of cars and cops for me to speed five miles above the speed limit. There are lots of things wrong with this image. For one thing, it was 2:09 which meant I probably should have been in film class. Then there was the whole speeding issue.

The song ended, and the D.J. started talking.

“Coachella.” “Hot new band.” My brain just sort of filtered these things out as white noise.

“Boston.” “Terrible world we live in.”The week that followed was one of not

just horror, but senseless: Michael Bay-style car chases, city-wide lockdowns and a power plant explosion in West, Texas. At the hands of two radical brothers, lives ended, careers were ended and Bosto-nians faced terror with the only weapon that can stop the problem at the source -- bravery.

Because of fear of things like these, acts of terror, most of us live in suburbia, where most of us believe we are safe. From a socioeconomic standpoint, we are the luckiest people on the plant, a part of an elite, not 1%, but 0.001%.

Then why am I so . . . not content? Why is my only discernible goal for the future, as I so curtly worded it to the barista, “to get out?”

I don’t have a reason. I have two lov-ing, supportive parents who’ve let their daughter be an individualist in a homo-geneous world. I live in a statistically safe area. I have resources that most people will never dream of. Yet, I have no reason for my discontent. The unknown, the spontaneity of people, the wild, the jungle and the urban jungle seduces me.

So when people ask me where I want to go, I suppose I still have my very vague, abstract and unsatisfactory an-swer: anywhere but here.

But why? I have no reason.

By Jeremy DorneOpinions editor

Gustavson taught my ninth grade Patterns of Civilization class and she was my adviser for an independent Spring at Sage project. In recent years, she became the Sage’s first-ever Dean of Faculty. Chris Marshall played a key role in building the arts program at the studio as Arts Dept. chair, but as a Peer Coun-selor I saw Marshall thrive as an adviser. Khara Covington, in her short time here, has always been around the library when I have needed help and took pride in her position as a coach on the track and field team, something she is con-tinuing even after she leaves her library

role to be a full-time mother. It will be strange to start the 2013-2014 school year at Sage Hill without Orr, who has become a hallmark of the faculty. In addition to being a pas-sionate mathematics teacher, Orr has always been there for me and any other Sage student. Her classroom door is almost always open and she is ready to lend a hand, math related or not. The leaving Sage Hill faculty mem-bers have left their mark on our young campus for good. Not many high schools in the United States can boast a staff truly committed to the concept and vision of the school as a whole.

Staff Editorial

Art by Doreen Yebwab ‘14

By Tiana Lowe

4 FEATURES

Class of 2013 in 13 WordsThe best four years any one can ask for! I love you all! -Dina Aluzri Sage, where your friends are your teachers and your teachers are your friends. -Chris An-dras Sage forced me to live outside the box, and I’m loving the view. -Shelby Bolen Watching Wall Street thinking about money you can call me Michael Thug-less. -Jason Cowan Transferring to Sage was the best decision I’ve made; I’ll cherish every memory. -Kimberly Brown I may be wrong, but I think Sage may pos-

sibly be a community. -Joy Chang Sage is a happy place where happy people can love each other. Hugs. -Caitlin Cohn I will take 3 binders to college containing 112 writing pieces, 22 scripts, and 752 pictures. -Rachel Cramer I forgot how to work but learned to live with good friends. -Max Davitt Take all that Sage gives you and cherish it. This place is magical. -Sophie Dumas Where magic and knowledge converge to shape the minds of America’s greatest scholars. -Samir Durrani I think I spent more time at Sage than at my own house. -Ryan Fishel Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag All Day. -Shaan Gareeb Sage is my knight in shining armor. Definitely outrageous, but perfectly amazing. -Lizzie Geocaris I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for Sage. -Nikki Hezar From fearing my voice being heard to joining choir and doing a musical. -Brennan Hicks Most memorable four years of my life with an amazing group of people. -Kathleen Huang I can’t think of a better place to figure out who I am. -Carlyn Kane There is no place like home. Sage is home. -Kent Kawaguchi The Class of 2013 truly is the best to pass through Sage Hill. -Henry Koo I’ve spent more time on these 13 words than anything else this year. -Coral Lee The creation of amaz-ing memories and irrepla- cable friendships that I will cherish forever. -Mona Lee Sage is truly one of a kind. Take advantage of your four years! -Harry Lubowe With only one go, truly the most memorable times of my 18 years. -Jacqueline Luke So much to say. When it mat- ters most, words don’t come my way. -Liliana Mora Some of the best years of my life with the best people ever. -Caitlin Nguyen I don’t know about the

other eleven words, so here’s two: THANK YOU. -Gennyvera Pa- checo I’m convinced I went to the best high school in America. NO joke. -Kajal Patel Friends that last a life time and teachers that inspire in you great-ness. -Quinntin Ruiz Sage Hill School: the place that changed by life. Seri- ously. -Mackenzie Sambuco I know I helped come up with this, but thirteen words isn’t enough. -Jenna Shapiro Don’t stop trusting your students. It’s what makes you special. Don’t lose it. -Leland Stephens Fifty years from now, I’ll still be talking about my amazing Sage experi- ence! :) -Elise Sugarman Sage is awesome! It has made an amazing fam- ily that will last forever. -Tanner Tremaine Smiles, tears, stress, happi- ness, sadness, joy, friendships, adventure, experience, risks, excitement, discovery, and... -Kristen Tsubota The Sage community is my family and I couldn’t ask for anything better. -Becky Wilson

FEATURES 5

Class of 2013 in 13 WordsThe best four years any one can ask for! I love you all! -Dina Aluzri Sage, where your friends are your teachers and your teachers are your friends. -Chris An-dras Sage forced me to live outside the box, and I’m loving the view. -Shelby Bolen Watching Wall Street thinking about money you can call me Michael Thug-less. -Jason Cowan Transferring to Sage was the best decision I’ve made; I’ll cherish every memory. -Kimberly Brown I may be wrong, but I think Sage may pos-

sibly be a community. -Joy Chang Sage is a happy place where happy people can love each other. Hugs. -Caitlin Cohn I will take 3 binders to college containing 112 writing pieces, 22 scripts, and 752 pictures. -Rachel Cramer I forgot how to work but learned to live with good friends. -Max Davitt Take all that Sage gives you and cherish it. This place is magical. -Sophie Dumas Where magic and knowledge converge to shape the minds of America’s greatest scholars. -Samir Durrani I think I spent more time at Sage than at my own house. -Ryan Fishel Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag Swag All Day. -Shaan Gareeb Sage is my knight in shining armor. Definitely outrageous, but perfectly amazing. -Lizzie Geocaris I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for Sage. -Nikki Hezar From fearing my voice being heard to joining choir and doing a musical. -Brennan Hicks Most memorable four years of my life with an amazing group of people. -Kathleen Huang I can’t think of a better place to figure out who I am. -Carlyn Kane There is no place like home. Sage is home. -Kent Kawaguchi The Class of 2013 truly is the best to pass through Sage Hill. -Henry Koo I’ve spent more time on these 13 words than anything else this year. -Coral Lee The creation of amaz-ing memories and irrepla- cable friendships that I will cherish forever. -Mona Lee Sage is truly one of a kind. Take advantage of your four years! -Harry Lubowe With only one go, truly the most memorable times of my 18 years. -Jacqueline Luke So much to say. When it mat- ters most, words don’t come my way. -Liliana Mora Some of the best years of my life with the best people ever. -Caitlin Nguyen I don’t know about the

other eleven words, so here’s two: THANK YOU. -Gennyvera Pa- checo I’m convinced I went to the best high school in America. NO joke. -Kajal Patel Friends that last a life time and teachers that inspire in you great-ness. -Quinntin Ruiz Sage Hill School: the place that changed by life. Seri- ously. -Mackenzie Sambuco I know I helped come up with this, but thirteen words isn’t enough. -Jenna Shapiro Don’t stop trusting your students. It’s what makes you special. Don’t lose it. -Leland Stephens Fifty years from now, I’ll still be talking about my amazing Sage experi- ence! :) -Elise Sugarman Sage is awesome! It has made an amazing fam- ily that will last forever. -Tanner Tremaine Smiles, tears, stress, happi- ness, sadness, joy, friendships, adventure, experience, risks, excitement, discovery, and... -Kristen Tsubota The Sage community is my family and I couldn’t ask for anything better. -Becky Wilson

6 ARTS & LIFESTYLEPoetry Month Slams Town Square

Photo Courtesy of Emily Shimano

Namita Prakash ‘16staff Writer

Whether the rain hammers down on the grass or the sun scorches fer-vent faces, poets speak to the attentive audience scattered across the Town Square. Sage Hill is home to countless talented poets who often passionately express their ideas and emotions dur-ing Town Meeting.

“I like poetry because it’s a writing form that allows me to present [ideas] in a way that I want to present them,” said junior Mariah Wilson.

Sage’s first-ever poetry reading took place on April 15 in the Theatre Lobby. The reading turned out to be a success, filled with profound poems and thought-provoking themes. Al-though the poets are received warmly throughout the year, the month of April is special for them. April has been recognized as National Poetry

Month since 1996 by the Academy of American Poets. It was created with the intention of exposing the world to the art of poetry through the media and promoting its vast heritage.

In addition to the reading, Sage holds a poetry contest every year. This year, the Library and English Depart-ment have taken the liberty to sponsor it.

The contest limits entries to three per person for each category. The cat-egories include a written division and a haiku division. The written division places a restriction of a maximum of 50 lines, typed, and the haiku division restricts each poem to 17 syllables be-tween one and three lines, also typed.

The entries are due by May 3 to ei-ther Arlie Parker’s mailbox or to Nikki Imai in the Upper Library. The results are to be announced May 21, when the winner will receive prizes including gift cards.

“I think the extent of Sage’s par-ticipation really shows the influence of poetry in our community and the variety of people it can affect,” said sophomore Jodie Horowitz.

To help with the celebration of the holiday nationally, the academy cre-ates nearly 200,000 posters each year and mails them to various patrons. They also hold publicity events, in-cluding Poetry & the Creative Mind, an event where the greatest poets gather. Sage celebrates in countless ways.

The community comes together to rejoice in the art and promote its expression around campus.

As National Poetry Month comes to an end, students continue to utilize the beauty of poetry to express their deepest thoughts. In honor of the literary holiday, take out the old pen and paper and try your own hand at poetry.

One ‘Axe’ Experiments

By alex BollmaN ‘14staff Writer

Dance ShowExploresEdgy Themes

Tomorrow and Saturday nights, the annual Spring Dance Collective will take to the Black Box stage, featuring nine student choreographed pieces along with dance teacher Meki Blackwell’s own pieces that explore themes of love, grief and women’s empowerment.

The student choreographers are members of Sage Hill’s Dance Ensemble, a group of the most advanced dancers, and include Sloane Anderson, Sarah Booth, Celeste Broderick, Amanda Cohn, Yvonne Escalera, Lizzie Geocaris, Ashlee Queathem, Becky Wilson and Helena Youhana.

In past years, the dance show has captivated the attention of the student body with its student perspective, inno-vative techniques and strong messages. This year’s show, like Sage Hill’s dance program in general, has been profoundly shaped by new influences and oppor-tunities at Sage. Blackwell, who began working at Sage about two-and-a-half years ago, has brought professional experience and unbridled passion to the floor. As a result, the dance program at Sage has become notably more active and prominent.

Throughout the year, Sage Hill has hosted a variety of guest dancers who taught alongside Blackwell in various dance genres including members of the the Muse Dance Company, which visited campus a few weeks ago. The company held a master class for dance students and members of the student body, as well as debuted their show, “The Divine Direction,” in the theater.

Junior Dance Ensemble member Celeste Broderick believes the program has “really taken a leap this year in terms of artistic quality and [level] of perfor-mance. I think students will be surprised by the artistic quality of each piece in the show and we’ll be able to connect to the audience more than ever before,” she said.

For some, the upcoming Dance Collective is their last performance on campus. Graduating seniors in the dance program are sad to leave but know that the program they leave behind is in good hands and will continue to grow.

“Dancing at Sage over the last four years has really made me realize how close our community is,” said senior Liz-zie Geocaris, who will be studying dance and choreography at California Institute of the Arts next year.

“It makes me smile just to think how much encouragement, feedback and knowledge I am able to take away with me to college next year,” she said.

Senior Becky Wilson adds, “It’s crazy to think how far this dance program has come, and Sage is blessed to have such a wonderful teacher [in Blackwell]. I know the program will continue to flourish!”

our knees touchingin the green grass

my heartbeat quickens

storytelling time nowunder the covers

warm whispers of the night

- Mariah Wilson

seliN karaoguz ‘16staff Writer

What do Dance Dance Revolution compet-itors, a young girl struggling with dissociative identity disorder and 8-year-old boys learning how to like girls all have in common?

Not much.The wide range of genres featured at the One

Acts Festival celebrated April 12-13 made this year’s show particularly powerful.. Comical, sala-cious, horrifying and enlightening, the show took spectators on an emotional ride.

The show consisted of nine student-directed one acts, performed by more than 40 student ac-

tors and actresses. Audiences believe the One Acts Festival shows

a different side of the students because many of the performers have never acted in a school production before, but rather use the opportunity to give the-ater a try.

Director Sydney Endicott, a junior, says, “Di-recting is honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had at Sage. I learned so much about acting through the process. I couldn’t have asked for a better end result!”

SPORTS 7

GIRLS’ LACROSSE PROGRAM REBUILT WITH NEW COACH AND STRONGER THAN EVER

By Maddy aBBott ‘15Staff Writer

This year, girls’ varsity lacrosse has helped make the spring athletic season on The Hill unforgettable. Not only has the boys’ varsity lacrosse team made history

with a 5-2 record, but the girls team has also re-established and redefined the school’s lacrosse program.

With passionate new coaches—Maghan Beaudrault, a former player on the Ohio State girls lacrosse team, and Tom Messier—the girls have been making strides unparalleled with any other team on campus.

Just last week in a game against St. Margaret’s, the team lost by a mere 2 points, a feat that could not have been pre-dicted at the beginning of the season.

With only a minute left, they were within scoring range, but the clock ran out; the team was left saddened by the result, but so proud of how close they had come to defeating their all-time rivals.

“Although a lot of our team had never played lacrosse prior to this season, the members of our team have dedicated them-selves to improving both their skills and knowledge of the game,” said sophomore Natalie Lowenstein.

Members of the leading lineup are talking about a new feel on the lacrosse field, one of excitement and eagerness as the program goes through this transforma-tive process.

“It is so fun to come to every game, play at every practice, and watch our team

grow with experience, talent and understand-ing of lacrosse,” junior captain Claudia Noto reflected.

She attributes this spirit to the help of new coaches Beaudrault and Messier.

Messier, who has coached lacrosse for eight seasons--three at Pioneer and five at Beckman--says, “this year at Sage has been very rewarding. It reminds me of my first year at Beckman in many ways. Last year, I spent all my energy on rankings and prep for playoffs, and in many ways that made me look past the fun of coaching day to day,” he said.

“This year,” he noted, “has been much more about building skills, building a pro-gram and enjoying the accomplishments of the players and the team every game. The experience has been great.”

Messier said Megan Cid is “by far the best AD I’ve worked with; no team I’ve coached has a trainer like T-Meg, and even after coaching hundreds of women’s lacrosse games, I’ve learned so much from Maghan Beaudrault. I’m really looking forward to building this program much the same way we built Beckman over five years.”

The spirit among the players and coaches is itself a testament to the program’s potential, yet the team’s improving capability may also foreshadow true success in coming years.

Baseball Beats St. Margaret’s During Historic Spring Season

Baseball season is coming to a close, and the team has certainly earned their bragging rights with a current record of 8-3; this Friday, the boys’ varsity baseball team plays Crean Lutheran.

Team members are thematically consistent, crediting their success to the closeness of the team as a whole. After and between practices and games, they enjoy eating at Sharky’s, throwing around a football, and watching the Jackie Robinson movie 42 together.

“We all have each other’s backs enough to pick each other up, amplify our strengths, compensate for our weaknesses and work as a unit,” soph-omore Henrique DaMour said.

“I can say with certainty that if we weren’t the family we are today, the team would have caved in on itself from day one.”

Senior Ryan Fishel agrees. “Every player wants to win and is willing to put aside his own pride for the good of the team. It’s working pretty well so far.”

Collectively, the team can most likely agree that beating St. Margaret’s was a major highlight of this year’s season.

“We played some of the best baseball that day, and we all came out on the field absolutely wanting to win,” sophomore Kellen Ochi, says of that game. “That drive to win was my favorite moment.”

Ochi, who plays shortstop and is one of the team’s pitchers said “the greatest contributing factor to our success would have to be the fun of the game and the passion to win because when we want to win and we have fun doing it, we win the game. Simple as that.”

FOOTBALL WORKS HARD IN OFF-SEASONThey work while you sleep. After a disappointing season with a

0-10 record, Sage Hill School Football is more motivated than ever to improve as Coach JR Tolver has implemented an off-season program to keep players in shape. Coach Tolver explains that “we are being creative in how we get that work done and our guys are doing a great job commit-ting and participating.”

Future senior and leader Will Burns describes the program as “a trust-based system Coach Tolver has constructed that allows us to do our workouts at home.”

Each morning, the members of the football team must wake up and run, increasing the length of the run each day throughout spring weeks. To ensure that

each team member does the workout, Tolver instructed the players to download the mo-bile application, MapMyFitness, onto their smart phones.

MapMyFitness allows each team mem-ber to see each other’s workout details with a map tracking running route as well as the duration, distance, pace and elevation of the run. All football teammates can tell if some-body is not doing the workout because this iPhone, Android or Blackberry application displays a map of each person’s run.

Although it is rumored that some players drive their cars to avoid running so early in the morning, (if this scheme is not evident by their fast pace displayed on the application) it will certainly become evident when they enter the season with a lack of fitness.

One of the leaders, Jack Bick, describes another system to ensure that all players do

their morning workouts. “All of the incoming seniors, including

myself, are responsible for several under-classmen,” Bick said. “As seniors, we are looked up to and we lead by example every time we wake up to work out.”

Bick describes the football team as a “family that needs to be able to trust and depend on one another to get the job done.”

The offseason football program not only helps keep the football players in shape, but it also brings the football team closer together through trust. Players like Bick and Burns hope that this extra fitness and closer bond among teammates will result in a more successful season next year.

Tolver summarizes the goal of the off-season saying, “Balancing school and sports is hard, but hard times also leads to an eventual champion. Our football program is aiming to be as good as we can be.”

By KriStin Saroyan ‘16Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Parker Reposa

Photo Courtesy of Emily Shimano

Photo Courtesy of Jack Bick

By Kavi SaKraney ‘14SportS editor

Holding up tHe number 1, the senior powder puff team and coaches celebrate after beating the juniors in the championship game. Sophia Witte, second from left, caught an interception and scored the touchdown to tie the juniors with just minutes to spare. Dina Aluzri ran to score the extra point for the win.

Sprinting witH tHe ball, Junior Cap-tain Claudia Noto helps lead the lacrosse team in the game against the Woodbridge Warriors.

8 BACKPAGE2012-2013: WHAT’S LEFT?

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

CARTOON CAPTION CONTEST Winner!“I knew I should have made that left turn on Alburquerque...”

- Tom Ficcadenti (‘14)

Runner-Up“Not all who wander are lost.” -J.R.R. Tolkien

- Ryan Lee (‘13)

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Newport Beach Fim Festival C H O I R C O N C E RT

S p r i n g B e n e f i t

AP WEEKS!

Theatre Ensemble Performance

Sageyland

Bandapalooza

Wednesday Schedule

Monday Schedule

Portfolio Night!

TuesdaySchedule

senior rafting trip

F I N A L SMemorial Day

No SchoolTeacher-in-service

No School

Spring at Sage >>>

SPRING AT SAGEFINAL ASSEMBLY

Awards Assembly

Yearbook S i g n i n g

Graduation

APRI

LM

A Y

JUNE

Spring at Sage >>>

Review Days>>>

SUMMER!

Gelato Day!