Lightning Insider

In our final episode of the 2025-2026 school year, Head of School Patricia Merz previews commencement for the Class of 2026, reflects on recent Sage Hill happenings and shares some closing remarks. Additionally, Science teacher Kerry Langdale sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the latest edition of Lightning Round.

Sage Hill’s spring musical cast members preview “Mamma Mia!” which is set to premiere on Thursday, April 23, in the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater. Showtimes will run through Saturday April 25. Guests include Colette Moshayedi ’27, Juliet Ro ’27, Samuel Gabriel ‘28, Ryan Kline ‘28 and Carlen Le ’28. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns to spotlight recent Athletes of the Week and share the rundo...

S.A.M.E. symposium committee members Breeze Estrada ’27,  Max Konovalov ’27 and Marcos Pravongviengkham ‘27 preview what the Sage Hill community can expect at Multicultural Symposium 2026 on Wednesday, April 15! Director of Athletics Megan Cid gives the rundown on upcoming athletics events including the College Bound Athlete Signing Ceremony during lunch on Tuesday, April 14. Facilities Supervisor...

GEMfest student leaders Annika Shah ’26, Vivi Ta ’26 and Tina Tahbaz ’26 preview what to expect and how to register for the Girls Empowerment Movement’s event at Sage Hill School on Saturday, March 7! Campus Safety and Security Manager Adam Paterson also sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.

Director of College Counseling Carolyn Blair shares the latest on AI and the college admission process. Blair also previews the Coastline OC Case Studies Program at Sage Hill on Wednesday, January 28. All 11th grade students and parents are strongly encouraged to join families from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and Tarbut V’ Torah Community Day School at this informative event. Director of Athle...

Head of School Patricia Merz shares her end-of-year message and looks forward to the middle school’s opening in August 2026.   Girls’ Tennis team members Arya Rawal ’26, Alexia Beyrath ’26 and Cordelia Cieplucha '26 recap their senior season and share advice for their teammates.   Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update and spotlights the Athlete of the Week, Boogie McLeod...

Sage Hill Model United Nations co-presidents Shaurya Mittal ’26 and Aurora Li ’26 share about how students gain a global perspective and debate the biggest issues of our time through MUN. Learn more about one of the largest academic teams at Sage Hill. Director of Athletics Megan Cid spotlights our recent Athletes of the Week and gives the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events. Spanish te...

May Shen ’26 and Dylan Han ’26 of the Documenting Change Service Learning Group shared their experience producing a short documentary on homelessness and the affordable housing crisis in Orange County. Volunteering at a nonprofit and interviewing formerly unhoused individuals provided an intimate perspective of this complex societal challenge. Director of Athletics Megan Cid spotlights our recent...

Director of Admission & Financial Aid Peter Jordan and student ambassadors Annika Shah ‘26 and Brady Lee ‘26 preview what prospective families can expect to experience at Admission Open House on Saturday, October 4. Director of Athletics Megan Cid spotlights our recent Athletes of the Week, Athletic Trainer Jacqueline Davidson on a recent CIF-SS Champions of Character award and gives the rundo...

Sage Hill student council president Ella Wong '26 and spirit commissioner Finley Callero '27 preview the upcoming happenings for Homecoming Week 2025. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update for the fall season. Lastly, School Nurse Reanna Kirzhner sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.

Dean of School Life Dominic Campeau returns to Lightning Insider to preview the Ninth Grade Student Retreat in Big Bear and Club Fair 2025, as well as a reminder for students to maintain their outlets for fun. Director of Athletics Megan Cid gives the rundown on upcoming Lightning Athletics events. Lastly, Admission Office Coordinator Tina McDaniel sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for the late...

Lightning Insider debuts for the 2025-2026 school year! Head of School Patricia Merz reflects on Convocation 2025, shares an update on the Middle School and Second Gymnasium project and looks ahead to the coming year. Director of Athletics Megan Cid also returns with an Athletics Update for the fall season. Lastly, Academic Program Assistant Allyson Webb sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a...

In our final episode of the 2024-2025 school year, Head of School Patricia Merz previews what Sage Hill families can expect at the Awards Ceremony and Commencement for the Class of 2025. She also shares an update on the Middle School & Second Gym Project as well as takeaways from her first year as a Sage Hill parent. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with exciting news about our 2025 CIF...

Bella Giarla ’25, Alyssa Cuff ’26 and Social Studies teacher Teryn Bentley discuss the results of the sixth annual Sage Hill Start-Up Business Competition. This end-of-year project for the Principles of Business class brings students’ business plans in front of a “Shark Tank”-style panel of judges. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with exciting playoff updates from Sage Hill’s spring athlet...

Sara Graham, Sage Center Assistant Director for Global Education & Inclusion, shares some pro tips for traveling abroad and previews Spring at Sage 2025. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update on some spring post-season achievements. Lastly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Jill Livermore joins host Daniel Langhorne for the latest Lightning Round.

As cast members of the Spring Musical, Paul Cauffman ’26, Fiori Lee ’25 and Evan Pak ’25 preview what audiences can expect from “Hadestown” premiering on Thursday, April 24 in the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update, including our recent Athletes of the Week! Lastly, Physical Eduction & Wellness Department Chair Amy Ray sits down with...

Alyssa Flynn, Associate Director of Ninth & 10th Grade College Counseling, rejoins the podcast to advise current and prospective families on what they should keep in mind as they prepare for their journey to college. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update, including shoutouts for our recent Athletes of the Week. Lastly, History & Social Studies Department Chair Ka...

Isaac Alegria ’26, Aisha Muhsin ’26 and Naomi Tran ‘25 of Sage Advocates for Multicultural Education (S.A.M.E.) preview Multicultural Symposium, which will host seminars and panels for all Sage Hill students on Wednesday, April 16.   English teacher & Ninth Grade Dean Elizabeth Anauld also sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.

GEMfest student leaders Fiori Lee ’25 and Annika Shah ’26 preview what to expect and how to register for the Girls Empowerment Movement’s event at Sage Hill School on Saturday, March 8! Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update, including the reopening of our modernized baseball field after months of construction. Lastly, Director of Facilities Dan Livingston sits down with...

Reimagined Upcycling Club Co-Presidents Anna Yang ‘25 and Lauren Stoney ‘26 preview the sustainable fashion show returning to the Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 14. School Nurse Reanna Kirzhner also sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.

Summer at Sage Co-Directors Issac Sierra and Sarah Christeson join the podcast to share what’s new this year with our summer camps, workshops and credit classes.   Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update. Finley Maynard ’26 and Lizzy Ball ’26 also recap the Girls’ soccer season in a sports spotlight.   Lastly, Director of Human Resources Angela Oliver sits down with host D...

Science teacher Beril Tekin shares about her recent visit to the Harvard Graduate School of Education as a mentor for future STEM teachers. Tekin also previews her original screenplay recently produced by Netflix Türkiye. Director of Athletics Megan Cid returns with an Athletics Update.  Lastly, Sage Center Director Sanan Shirinian sits down with host Daniel Langhorne for a Lightning Round.   (Ori...

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 At...

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 2...

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 a...