Lightning Insider

Lightning Insider - Episode 28 (Feat. Patricia Merz)

Head of School Patricia Merz recaps the exciting groundbreaking ceremony for Middle School and Second Gymnasium and shares her end-of-year message. 
S.A.M.E. members Naomi Tran ’25 and Maya Desai ’27 reflect on their experiences and lessons learned from the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Denver.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update. Lastly, Associate Athletic Director Mike Farzley sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round. (Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang '24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 27 (Feat. Matt Sahlin & Melissa Deckers)

Director of Advancement Matt Sahlin and Director of Annual Fund Melissa Deckers stopped by during the giving season to share about the Annual Fund and other campaigns underway in the Advancement Office.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid shares the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and gives shout outs to recent Athletes of the Week. Dylan Rosmann ’25 and Luke Weichert ’26 recapped the 2024 Water Polo season.
Claire Sueyoshi ’25 and Baominh Le ’25 of Sage Hill Junior Classical League are also interviewed about their experiences co-chairing the Southern California Regional Amici Madness recently hosted at Sage Hill.
Lastly, Pavle Filipovic, College Counseling Coordinator and Head Coach for the Water Polo and Swim & Dive Teams, sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 26 (Feat. Lynn Mountain & Anjali Sheth)

School Counselors Lynn Mountain and Anjali Sheth talk about how students can maintain their mental health during an often stressful period of the school year. They also share advice on how students can find perspective and agency following a polarizing election cycle.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid shares the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events as the fall sports post-season wraps up and winter sports get underway.
Lastly, Verginie Touloumian, Assistant Director to the Sage Center for Service Learning and Internships, sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 25 (Feat. Dr. Joseph Moody)

Director of Middle School Dr. Joseph Moody shares his vision for how Sage Hill plans to add grades 7 and 8 to its program in August 2026.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid shares the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and shouts out our recent athletes of the week. Bella Giarla '25 and Claire Casey '25 also drop in for a recap of the Girl's Volleyball season.
Lastly, Young Alumni Program Manger Catie Chase sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 24 (Feat. College Counseling Team)

The College Counseling Team joined our mid-semester huddle to offer encouragement for seniors as they wrap up their early college admission applications. Our college counselors also shared tips to guide juniors as they look ahead to the coming year.
 
Director of Athletics Megan Cid shares the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and highlights our recent athletes of the week.
 
Lastly, Receptionist Lisa Willett sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.
 
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 23 (Feat. Peter Jordan & Student Ambassadors)

It’s time for Admission Open House! Peter Jordan, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, is joined by Student Ambassadors Justin Kline ’26 and Madeline Stagg ’25 to preview our largest event of the year for prospective families.
 
Director of Athletics Megan Cid shares the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and highlights our recent athletes of the week.
 
Lastly, World Languages Department Chair and Latin teacher Dr. Jeffrey Feland sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.
 
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 22 (Feat. Sanan Shirinian)

Sanan Shirinian, Director of the Hamoui Family Sage Center for Innovative Curriculum, shares an overview of Sage Hill’s signature programs, previews Sage Center Orientation Day and offers the community some advice on how to grow through this presidential election cycle.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid gives a rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and shouts out our recent athletes of the week.
Lastly, Biology teacher Derek Shapiro sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 21

Dean of School Life Dominic Campeau returns to Lightning Insider to preview the Ninth Grade Student Retreat in Big Bear and Club Fair. He also shares how we made the most of his summer break and predictions for the 2024 MLB World Series.
Associate Athletic Director Mike Farzley gives the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events and is joined with a special shoutout from Lightning Football from Justin Graham ’25 and Dylan Dolotta ’25.
Lastly, Mathematics teacher Rena Dear sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 20

Lightning Insider returns with its first episode of the 2024-2025 school year! Head of School Patricia Merz shares some of her biggest takeaways from the first day of school, becoming a Sage Hill parent and an update on the Middle School & Second Gym Project.
Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns to announce exciting happenings in the Fall Athletics Season.
Lastly, Mathematics teacher Cece Angotti sat down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.
(Original Artwork by Sabrina Chang ‘24)

Lightning Insider - Episode 19

In our final episode of the 2023-2024 school year, Head of School Patricia Merz previews what Sage Hill families can expect at the Awards Ceremony and Commencement for the Class of 2024. She also shares an update on the Middle School & Second Gym Project as well as her biggest takeaways from the past year.
Instrumental Music Director Dr. Brent Dodson is our Lightning Round guest.
Lightning Insider will return to its usual program schedule in August 2024.
(Illustration by Sabrina Chang ’24)