End of Our Journey – Personal Reflections

Gabriela Velazquez, SAGE Team Member: This year has certainly been the best. I was given the opportunity to join the SAGE team without any prior knowledge of business management. I must admit entering SAGE has been a frightening but most rewarding experience in my life.


Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Kemp have spent hundreds of hours helping us in all of our SAGE projects and have dedicated themselves to making us the best.

This trip to South Africa has been a once in a lifetime experience. Although learning about the different cultures present at the SAGE World Cup has been amazing, touring the city has made this trip even more memorable.

This final SAGE competition has been the most stressful yet the most exciting one. The long working hours and sleepless nights have certainly paid off.

Samohi, ROP, Mrs. Jones, Mrs.Kemp, and all of our mentors have done an amazing job in leading this SAGE team. Thank you for all your hard work and for this amazing opportunity to become part of the BEST SAGE team in the WORLD!

Tanya Choo, SAGE Team Member: One week. One week was all it took for me to fall in love with South Africa.


I remember stepping off that plane to discover a country filled with such immense beauty, hidden from my sight and ignorant in my mind for so long. From the inspiring hope and spirit of the people we met, all the way to the white shores and clear blue waters of the ocean, the magnificence of this country has eternally laid its place in my heart.

What started out as merely something I wanted to do in order to compete with my sister, SAGE has truly become one of the greatest journeys in my life. All the hours of hard work, practicing, and even long arguments to make things perfect, were completely worth it in the end.

The dedication from the team came out not only with the reward of a 2nd place international title, but also the reward of having a true learning experience that I know we will use to eventually grow up and become better people, and leaders for our generation.

This trip will of course be remembered for all our encounters, such as the rhino and elephant that almost knocked over our jeep, the networking with all the cute boys from different countries, the great places we saw, and even the interesting food we ate, but most importantly, it’ll forevermore be remembered merely because of the great people in our team.

By the end of this journey, we did not just become a team, but a family that truly worked together, struggled together, and came together to represent our country. I hope the memories we all experienced this year will be forever cherished and deeply held in our hearts.

I just have one thing left to say: Congratulations, Santa Monica SAGE 2010!

Larry Kotovets, SAGE Team Member:  Wow this trip was the definition of a once in a lifetime experience. It was truly, and utterly remarkable, except for all of the hours we spent in the air.

First was our safari into the wilderness were lead by Dennis. Oh what can I say about Dennis; he is a man with no fear, a man with a heart of gold, and a man who knows no bounds. After our delicious warm-hearted breakfast our journey into the unknown began. We came across two rhinos. All of a sudden, one ran at our old army truck and Dennis quickly threw it in reverse, and allowed the rhino to see that were not there to hurt him. Or so we thought! Just as we again approached the rhino, he came charging back and gored our truck, and then ran off. Thankfully our army truck is strong, and built to last.

Then Dennis wanted to play with some young lions while we all watched in horror. His jacket got ripped and so did he. “It comes with the job,” said Dennis and we continued along on our safari. We saw gazelles, bissions, and South Arica’s national animal the springbok. We came across the elephants, and gazed at their massive beauty. We looked around, and saw all of the destruction these elephant caused, because as Dennis informed us that “they don’t know their own strength.” One of the elephants started creeping closer and closer to us. “Omg Ooo ah” our whole SAGE team was getting anxious. Dennis turns the key and nothing happens, he tries again…nothing the car wouldn’t start. He gets up and kicks the elephant in the trunk, giving us just enough time to escape.

That was just a mere sample of an event that took place here in South Africa. I cannot keep writing about my trip with this depth, otherwise it would be endless. But I will still list them.

• We went to the top of Table Mountain we were embedded in the clouds as if we were in Heaven itself.
• Our SAGE team came together, and grew into a loving family. We all have our differences, but that’s what makes us who we are. We are all pieces of puzzle, and it is all of these different pieces that bring us together.

Gabriela Ruiz, SAGE Team Member: This was truly a fantastic way to end my SAMOHI and SAGE experience. All our hard-work and dedication was truly shown in the presentations and question and answers.


We are still in shock of winning second place, yet the whole experience- meeting other teams and truly showing the expertise gained, and the unity our SAGE team achieved is something I will never forget.

Let’s not forget the excursions we were able to partake in! From going on a cable car to Table Mountain, to seeing adorable African Penguins, our SAGE team became a little family in the past week, with amazing memories of the gorgeous city of Cape Town and the stunning beaches.

Never will I forget these experiences and memories- I am forever grateful for being allowed this wonderful trip.

Yvonne Strahn, ROP Support Staff:  I am truly honored to have been allowed to accompany this group of students to the SAGE World Cup. This was my third SAGE World Cup and it was a wonderful experience. It was interesting to recognize some of the SAGE leaders from other countries that had attended the previous SAGE World events in Nigeria & China.


South Africa is a very hospitable country. From where we stayed, it seemed so much like Santa Monica; sometimes it was hard to remember we were in a foreign country. The weather was very mild, cold in the morning but warmish during the day. There were some things that helped remind me we were somewhere other than the USA. People had different accents. Steering wheels in vehicles were on the right side of the car and cars were driving on the left side of the street. Traffic lights are called robots. Water is not automatically included with meals; you had to pay for it. Oh and be sure you know if you want still water or sparkling water. Lemonade is a soda, not what we think of as lemonade. You pay for bags at the grocery store and some souvenir shops. There are wild animals and penguins in various parts of the country.

We had wanted to go the Robben Island and see the prison where Nelson Mandela was held but were unable to get tickets. We did see District Six in Cape Town. District Six is where people were driven off the land in the 60’s just because of their race. Sadly, most of the land is still empty with mounds of bulldozed building materials from years ago.

The competition from the other SAGE teams was incredible. Quite a difference from what I saw at the 2006 World Cup in Shanghai. It’s thrilling to hear about the projects the various teams have worked on during the year both globally and in their communities. How great for our students to connect with students from other countries working on the same goals!

We learned we can survive economy class in an airplane. The hours of flying were numerous (approx. 25 hours total) but well worth taking. Dubai turned out to be an interesting layover. People are incredulous learning about my “field trip” experiences.

Thanks to the hard work of our students, they have had experiences that many students their age have not had. I have been wowed by their drive and ambition. I look forward to hearing in the future where they end up in life.

Yoly Ramirez, SAGE Team Member: Where can I start?
Well first of all South Africa is amazingly beautiful. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity of being a member of SAGE, it has been the best decision I’ve made. SAGE has made us grow as a team, learn as a team and even cry as a team. It’s an experience that we will never forget.

I would like to thank our advisors and staff that came along to support us. Without them we wouldn’t have gone so far. We owe so much to them, and we are truly grateful to have had them.

The competition itself was very intense and stressing but what isn’t? Overall we had LOTS of fun and we spent sooo many memorable times together, from funny moments in the tour to sleeping videos in the bus.

Now that the end of the trip has come, we will sadly say goodbye and all take different routes, but SAGE will continue its course, and teach new students and open the doors of opportunities, just like it did to us.

Thanks to everyone who supported us in any way, thank you so much for this opportunity SAGE!!! I will miss all of the SAGE members of 2010 so much…

Jessica Santiago, SAGE Team Member: The South Africa trip was truly a remarkable journey. Our SAGE team did extremely well, placing 2nd in the WORLD! I am still shocked, but our team really deserved it. We have worked so hard this year and it was nice to have all our hard work pay off. From tight competition to crazy, exhilarating safari to very late nights and bedtime stories; I leave South Africa very satisfied and happy.


I have created wonderful memories that I will always remember in my heart. I saw animals up-close, created new friends, and most importantly, left with a great sense of the African culture and spirit.

The moment I arrived, I immediately felt the happy spirit of the people in this country. The opening night for SAGE really impacted me when they put on a show of Africans dancing a cultural dance. They put all their emotion into a dance in which I felt I gained a great feeling of the South African culture. I sensed their spirit and pride for their country and was grateful for having them share a piece of their heart with me.

I am excited and thrilled to share my experiences with my family and friends because visiting Cape Town, South Africa was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Mary Kay McCray, ROP Support Staff: Traveling to South Africa via Dubai with the SMMUSD 2010 SAGE students was an amazing and humbling experience. The students were delightful, full of energy, focus and enthusiasm for every adventure and new experience. The teachers, Ms. Kemp and Ms. Jones gave numerous hours in planning and executing a trip of this magnitude and their professionalism and presence was very inspiring. The students formed such a wonderful team spirit and looked out for one another in every way.


Having Ms. Baxter, administrator extraordinaire, travel with us provided such a sense of comfort. Ms. Strahn kept us all organized, making sure everyone was present, taking volumes of pictures and always rock steady in her support.

For me, personally, the trip was an opportunity to support the quality of work that SMMUSD ROP has provided to its students and lend a helping hand to two very dedicated teachers.

Africa itself was so beautiful and the people so humble and kind.

The students represented the USA admirably. We learned so much about other cultures and schools.

I felt humbled to have what we have and it certainly was a life changing experience for all of us. I had the opportunity to mediate some of the teenage drama, but ended up learning so much from the students and was surprised by their maturity and kindness.

Thank you SMMUSD for your support and for letting us have this wonderful memory.

Evan Parra-Raygoza, SAGE Team Member:


“Writer's Block”

Jessica Chuan, SAGE Team Member: Culture Shock: A phenomenon in which an individual encounters a surprising ritual, custom, or norm that is not familiar to them in their homeland. This is my definition for culture shock, because I had a few bolts here and there. That is one of the best parts about traveling, these electrifying differences! South Africa was phenomenal as a whole and I’m precisely grateful that the language barrier was paper thin. English is a common language and the only obstacle was some of the thicker accents.

Is it cliché that I’m going to say that this trip was a forever memorable one? Maybe so, but hey, I have proof!

1) I will never forget the security guard who asked for a strip of my plastic bag in order to use it as teeth floss.

2) I will never forget the charisma and the very human connection that the all the African SAGE teams gave me as we made friends. If there’s something I want to bring back to the states, it’s that ability be so attentive while chatting in an everyday conversation.

3) I will never forget Denis, our safari ranger who had a strikingly pleasant accent and a fantastic sense of humor. Apparently he was close enough to the rhinos that he felt comfortable eating their feces as he yelled out “Welcome to Africa!” It’s okay though, he reassured us rhinos diet consisted of only grass.

4) I will never forget all the business contacts, friends, and international students I have met; how we are all so different, yet we have all of these interesting parallels. I was talking to Shaquille Jele from South Africa and we automatically related to each other as we spoke about the urgent need for humanity to halt selfishness and consumption and become more altruistic and philanthropic.

5) I will remember the gorgeous sides of South Africa; it’s melodic beach tides and it’s astonishingly honest people.

6) I will also remember the sides of South Africa that still needs improvement; the sensitive parts that are tucked away carefully from the tourists, hHidden areas like the squatter’s camp where they had huts made of scraps of metal and the frozen mornings where the homeless would huddle outside an extravagant building.

7) I will remember yanking my shirt down when it accidently slid up a little in Dubai. When in Rome, …I mean Dubai; cover your knees and elbows!

8) And of course I will always remember that the team makes the star, and we are all like pieces of a remote. Some of us charge the others with energy, some of us connect us together and others, and well others push our buttons. But without each piece, we wouldn’t be able to steer us into the right direction. So I thank SAGE, South Africa, and all of our wonderful pieces for working together, even when we thought control was the last thing we had.

If I listed all the things that I remembered from this trip, then you would probably want me to keep it in my memory bank and off this blog, so I guess I will end it off with this: We need a climate change in human consciousness and a global warming of hearts. SAGE has shown me, us, and I think it’s safe to say everyone that we are all working for a common goal. So let’s give back, and make profits!

Ricardo “Ricky” Reynaga, SAGE Team Member:


“Writer's Block”

Alejandro Villero, SAGE Team Member: This year's SAGE World Cup in South Africa was truly unforgettable. With top teams from over 20 countries competing, I witnessed some of the most unique entrepreneurial projects (not to mention polished presentations) I've seen in my life. In addition, the international networking opportunities were phenomenal--I'm actually negotiating a business deal with the leader of SAGE Ghana right now!


The scene at Cape Town was also nothing short of amazing. From Table Mountain tops to breathtaking wildlife to shimmering beaches, Cape Town had a lot to offer, and is certainly a place I'd like to visit again someday.

As I leave for college, I feel that this SAGE trip was the perfect ending to my high school experience (2nd place ain't too shabby!). The introduction I've had to entrepreneurship will undoubtedly serve me for years to come. I thank Ms. Jones, Ms. Kemp, and the entire ROP Staff for all their support during my time at Samohi.

Catherine Baxter, SAMOHI Administrative Team:


“Tongue Tied”

Teri Jones, SAGE Instructor:


“Tongue Tied”

Anita Kemp, SAGE Instructor:


“Writer's Block”

Natalie Barba, SAGE Team Member:


“Tongue Tied”