The Seaver building is currently undergoing a remodel that has been in development for the past three years. The primary aim of the remodel is to create a new Wellness Center which will be located on the building’s second floor. Additionally, offices and classrooms on the building’s third floor will be upgraded. While the third floor will remain open during the remodel, the second floor will be closed until the end of December this year. The project is expected to be complete by the end of winter break before classes resume.
Upper School Plant Manager Ed Wormald, who is overseeing the remodel of the Seaver building, said this project is part of the school’s ongoing effort to make meaningful changes to campus facilities without disrupting daily life.
“Each year we look at all the buildings and decide which parts need to be remodeled, whether that’s classrooms, offices or shared spaces,” Wormald said. “We don’t want to shut down an entire building, so we usually focus on certain areas, like a floor or wing. The Seaver remodel is larger than usual, but it fits into this ongoing cycle of upgrades.”
Wormald said when the project is finished, the history department will move from their temporary space in Feldman-Horn back to an updated office in Seaver.
“The history department is currently in the Feldman-Horn Gallery and will remain there through December,” Wormald said. “That’s not the permanent location. Once the remodel is complete, the department and staff offices will move back into Seaver.”
History teacher Peter Sheehy said the improvement of Seaver’s classrooms and offices will foster a more productive learning and teaching environment in the coming years.
New mobile device usage policy put into place at Upper School campus
By Holden Kim
The Upper School announced its new phone policy for the 2025-2026 school year in an email sent on Aug. 8. Beginning this fall, students who bring phones to campus will be required to install Opal, a screen time app that blocks access to video games and social media. This marks a significant shift from last year’s policy, under which students were granted unrestricted use of phones. The school said the guidelines were based on findings showing most students would voluntarily opt into restrictions like Opal, particularly if doing so would allow them to continue to access essential phone functions.
Head of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Ari Engelberg ’89 said in recent years, administrators of the school have grown increasingly concerned about antisocial student behavior attributable to cell phone use, warranting an intervention from the school.
“During students’ free time
at lunch or break 10 or 20 years ago, you would go down to the Quad and see eight or 10 people sitting around a table talking with one another,” Engelberg said. “Now, when you go down to the Quad, you’ll see eight or 10 people at a table, and all of them will be on cell phones. They may be doing things that you would consider to be productive and not distracting, but we also know that some of it is either social media, games or other sources of distraction.”
Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said the school’s status as one of the only remaining campuses in Los Angeles without cell phone restrictions further convinced her it was time for the school to act, even if it chose to allow continued phone use on campus with restrictions.
“We were one of the only schools left out there that didn’t already [implement] a phone policy, and also a bunch of schools in the area created a coalition,” Slattery said. “It seemed like the time was right and that we had to try something because
we do know that it’s not great for you.”
Engelberg said this policy stemmed from the school’s belief that its nuanced approach would help students develop a more responsible relationship with devices.
“These kinds of phone restrictions are spreading across the country – everything from phonefree schools to schools that require you to put your phone in a bag or in a locker to what we’re doing at Harvard-Westlake, which we actually think is a bit more sophisticated,” Engelberg said. “We’re allowing students to continue to possess their devices and even use them when it’s appropriate. We think that that’s a more mature approach, and will ultimately help students develop a better relationship with the device.”
President Rick Commons said while upperclassmen may face a difficult transition from a lenient phone policy to a stricter one, he hopes they will ultimately welcome the change by appreciating how it can strengthen connections.
Belonging policies introduced
By Emmeline Chan
The school instated a series of policies with the goal of increasing community, belonging and fostering connections this year. Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said that following the COVID-19 pandemic, declines in teen mental health and Los Angeles fires, the school felt the need to strengthen community bonds this year.
“The past five years have been hard,” Slattery said. “COVID-19 had people get really used to not being together, and so I’m trying to have people be more intentional about spending time together.”
Since the end of last year, faculty talked about new policies to help students engage with their peers and teachers more. One new implementation this year is moving community time and class seminars to earlier in the day.
Slattery said that the schedule change was implemented to avoid students leaving campus at 1 p.m. and skipping class meetings and community time to go home early.
“Students were saying to faculty that the only time they could set up meetings was during lunch because they wanted to leave school and go home early,” Slattery said. “It was creating a lot of stress on teachers, and so by putting the office hours and free periods earlier in the day when kids will definitely be on campus, it creates more time for people to actually be together.”
Another policy change is the cell phone restriction policy, which aims to make people more present and create a stronger sense of community. Students will still be allowed to text on their computers in case of emergencies, but faculty hope that students will connect with each other in person more now that they are unable to spend time at school on their phones.
The school will also enforce faculty supervision during free periods. Every lunch, office hour and class seminar, five assigned faculty members will walk around the quad and sweep academic buildings to make sure all students are present and engaged.
DIGITAL DETOX: In an effort to build community and aid productivity, students will no longer be able to use their phones freely on campus. The Opal app is used to restrict access to social media during the school days.
COLIN HO//CHRONICLE
Endowments given to faculty members
By Abby Ryan
Upper
School Dean Adam
Howard ’93 and Cross Country and Track Program Head and Physical Education Teacher Jonas Koolsbergen ’83 were awarded Distinguished Service awards, and Performing Arts Teacher and Director Sabrina Washburn and Mathematics Teacher Jessie Shorr were awarded Early Career awards by Head of Upper School Beth Slattery.
Slattery said the awards highlight teachers that have had a meaningful impact on students.
“The awards are done to honor people who have given a significant amount of time to Harvard-Westlake and have done really good work while they’ve been here,” Slattery said. “Then the early career one is for someone who has not been here for a long time, but in a short period of time has really had an impact on people, and particularly on students. It’s to inspire people to want to stay and keep doing really good work.”
tually went to Harvard-Westlake, and has dedicated his whole life to Harvard-Westlake.”
Yari Milakin ’27 said Shorr has been very impactful as a math teacher.
“Shorr was one of the best math teachers I’ve ever had,” Milakin said. “Her teaching was always extremely engaging and helped me understand math concepts that I would’ve been lost in otherwise.”
Riley Romans ’27 said Koolsbergen helped her learn to enjoy a running.
“Koolsbergen changed how I looked at running,” Romans said. “It started to feel manageable, and even kind of rewarding. He explained things in a way that actually stuck and made it easier to improve. He definitely deserves this award.”
Slattery said that both of the Distinguished Service awards went to alumni who have been dedicated to the school.
“Howard graduated from Harvard-Westlake, and other than when he was in college and in grad school, he has had lots of different jobs at Harvard-Westlake, the most recent one being a dean and teaching a section of English this year. He’s really contributed a lot to this place,” Slattery said. “Koolsbergen also ac-
Shorr said she believed she received this award because of her positive attitude towards teaching.
“I was so touched to receive the Early Service Award,” Shorr said.
“My hope for my classes is that every student leaves knowing their worth, feeling like they were part of a community and understanding that they are capable of overcoming challenges. I want to instill a sense of perseverance, joy in learning and belief in themselves to all students in my classes. I hope my students are learning those skills in my classroom and that is why I was recognized.”
Administration works to build community
• Continued from A1
Slattery said she hopes having faculty do the sweep of the campus will help staff across departments connect to one another.
“Staff often stay in their department offices and don’t necessarily come together, so there will now be designated faculty and staff lunch tables. Two of these tables will be located at Rugby, and then the other will be in front of Munger.”
Slattery said she has observed several students isolating themselves and she wants to prevent this from continuing to happen.
Prefect council attends annual retreat
By Angel Song
Prefect Council went on their annual retreat to Big Bear Lake from Aug. 14-16 to prepare for the upcoming school year after their weeklong leadership intensive at the school.
Junior Prefect Charlotte Im ’27 said the purpose of the retreat is to get to know the other prefects to ensure strong teamwork in the upcoming school year.
“The purpose of the retreat is to help us grow closer as a group,” Im said. “We have sophomores who are still new to the upper school as well as newly elected members, and with an important year ahead of us that will require us to work closely together, it is the perfect opportunity to start
building that bond.”
The three-day excursion involved an overnight stay at Big Bear, a bake-off and bowling.
Head Prefect Robby Louie ’26 said he enjoyed the car ride back from retreat because he felt that the entire Council had gotten friendlier with each other.
“The drive back from Big Bear was very memorable for me this year,” Louie said. “We had all gotten really close at that point, so it was just a great time. The drive is normally three to four hours, but it flew by because we were blasting music, playing games and having great conversations.”
Sophomore Prefect Miro Katan ’28 said the retreat helped him connect with other prefects, as this
is his first year on the council.
“At first, I was excited but also nervous about spending two nights with people that I’ve never really met, but by the second day, I realized how sweet, supportive and funny everyone was,” Katan said. “[The trip] was very successful in its goal of making sure that we view each other not just as people we work together with, but as friends.”
Louie said teamwork is the driving force behind many of the Council’s projects.
“Teamwork is a crucial aspect of Prefect Council,” Louie said. “In order to effectively and efficiently carry out all of our responsibilities, we are always working with each other and dividing up the work.”
“A lot of kids have been going into classrooms and locking the door behind them,” Slattery said.
“It’s not really community building for people to be locked in a classroom and so we want to have people spend more time together.”
Lawrence Zhao ’28 said these new implementations have good intentions but potentially harmful effects.
“It’s a good attempt to try to bring the community together, but faculty supervision during free times might scare or intimidate students and take away from the genuine things students want to talk about,” Zhao said. “The idea of
the Upper School is [having] more freedom, and so I was looking forward to using my phone and having more independence. But now, that’s not going to happen.”
Slattery said she hopes that these new policies will connect both students and teachers, thereby improving the overall well-being of the school.
“When people feel seen and connected to one another, then they feel better, they want to be here and this place feels like home to them,” Slattery said. “It mitigates the stress at school, when you actually feel like your teacher cares about you.”
New phone policy instated
for 2025-2026 school year
• Continued from A1
“I believe we’ve gotten to a place in our society where we’re too focused on the devices in our pockets and not enough on each other,” Commons said. “I would acknowledge that this is a tough [change], especially for the juniors and the seniors who have experienced a freedom to regulate themselves, independent of any policy other than what’s in the classrooms.
“
I’m really hoping there will be a cultural shift where the seniors broadly embrace the idea that this has good science as well as good culture, that we’re just going to keep our phones in our bags and allow this change, as difficult as it is, to take place.”
kind of against it, but I feel like our school really set their heart on doing it.”
Jonah Greenfeld ’27, a longtime user of Opal, said that while the student body may initially be hesitant to accept the changes to the new phone policy, it will overall benefit all students.
I think we as a student body will come to realize that Opal will help us stay focused and not procrastinate as much.”
Jonah Greenfeld ’27
Ivy Wang ’26 said she was not surprised by the school’s decision to implement a new phone policy and that the use of Opal was preferable to other stricter measures.
“There were a lot of false rumors that we were going to use pouches and that we would lock [our phones] away, so I don’t think it was that big of a surprise that we were going to use Opal,” Wang said. “It’s better than having a pouch. I’m still
“I do think students may have an initial negative reaction and push back, I think we as a student body will come to realize that Opal will help us stay focused and not procrastinate as much,” Greenfeld said. “I used it before because it did all those things. It helped me be able to focus. It was like an external source of discipline.”
For any of the school’s students who have not yet installed Opal, the app is available to be downloaded on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Google Play Store for Android users. It is required that all students block specific apps and scan in to the app each school day. The school’s new phone policy took immediate effect on the first day of classes, but its long-term impact on student life, productivity, community and campus culture, however, remain to be seen.
L. Wood Adam Howard
LUNCH AT THE QUAD: Students, faculty and staff enjoy lunch outside prior to new school year on Friday, Aug 22., before the implementation of school wide policies such as the phone policy and new teacher supervision.
KARA JAZAERI/CHRONICLE
TIME TO BOND: The 2025-2026 Prefect Council attends their annual retreat in Big Bear, California to promote bonding within the council. Left to right: Alex Yang ’28, Sophie Ro ‘28, Samaya Sayana- Manchanda ’26, Charlotte Im ’27, Simren Bindra ’27.
Sophomores spend a day at the Upper School Campus for the first time during orientation
By Hannah Bayat
The school hosted a two-day Sophomore Orientation at the Upper School on Aug. 21-22. Orientation gave rising sophomores a chance to get familiar with the campus, meet faculty and prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, according to an email from the Upper School Deans Office.
Students heard from club leaders and school staff about affinity groups, extracurricular opportunities and the new cell phone policy before meeting their dean cohorts and touring the campus.
Garret Morberg-Nguyen ’28 said orientation helped ease the transition to the Upper School.
“It was definitely well-designed and well thought out to ensure that sophomores could
ease into the year considering it’s right before we [start school],”
Morberg-Nguyen said. “All the tours were nicely laid out and everyone there was really friendly. I got to know a bunch of kids that would be in my Sophomore Seminar today.”
Talia Landres ’28 said that the second day of orientation helped improve her overall understanding of advisory.
“
I really want to try to join Peer Support. It seems really interesting and [like] a great opportunity.”
Makenna Topp ’28
“I was able to learn about what the purpose of having [advisory] required is, and I saw my dean cohort for the first time,” Landres said. “My favorite part was getting to see my friends.”
Sophomores heard from the staff at the Learning Center, all
12 deans, student leaders for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (SLIDE), Peer Support leaders, the attendance office and a representative from Opal, a screen time app implemented this year. Gabriel DeCastro ’28 said that visiting the Upper School for orientation made him feel more confident because he became even more familiar with people on campus.
“It was nice to walk the campus and know where all the rooms are and get to know the teachers,” DeCastro said. “I was not expecting to meet that many people that early on. I thought it was more like you see who you see, but
Senior class comes together at Santa Monica Beach to watch the sunrise
By Emmeline Chan
The senior class gathered at Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica at 6 a.m. for the Senior Sunrise event on Aug. 24, the last day of summer break. Prefect Council planned the event for the first time with social media support of Features Editor and Presentations Managing Editor Lydia Gugsa ’26.
Senior Prefect Samaya Sayana-Manchanda ’26 said watching the sunrise as a class was not just an activity, but a celebration of the start of their final chapter together.
“[The] Senior Sunrise event included food, photos and memories, but most importantly, it’s a time to bond as a class and marks the beginning of our last year together,” Sayana-Manchanda said. “We hope
that this event will continue our ongoing goal as prefects to strengthen community and build connections.”
Quinn Hamilton ’26 said the Senior Sunrise was a symbolic kickoff to the last year of high school.
“I know I’m going to look back on these years as the best of my life and I want to make it as enjoyable as possible,” Hamilton said. “Spending time with my fellow students, even if it’s super early in the morning, will start the year off right.”
During the event, Diya Shevink ’26 said the seniors enjoyed eating bagels, watching the sun rise over the water and taking photos with friends using signs made by Prefect Council.
“The bagels were good,” Shevink said. “And I think that the signs were cute for photos. It’s nice to see people outside of
school before we all see each other on campus.”
Marty Minikes ’26 said that the energy the day of Senior Sunrise was amazing, and that he was glad to see a lot of friends he hadn’t seen for the whole summer.
“The energy was electric,” Minicus said. “Everyone was buzzing, having a great time and being very social. It is very beautiful being at the beach, and the whole grade gets to hang out together.”
Hamilton said the sunrise was a metaphor for his last year at the school.
“The sun is rising over the beach,” Hamilton said. “And so it is like the sun is rising on the senior class and signaling the start of our final year. Then, when the sun sets, it is a nice symbolic end. There is beauty in that symbolism.”
Campus Renovated Over Break
“The History Department classrooms and office were long overdue for some refreshing,” Sheehy said. “We were pretty tightly packed into our office, and as I understand it, we will have a little bit more space to meet with students and work more efficiently during the school day.”
Sheehy said that the renovations in Seaver will also benefit students, not just through added space, but by creating a setting that is better purposed for learning.
“Architecture has an impact on how people feel and learn,” Sheehy said. “Fresher, cleaner and brighter spaces will contribute to a better environment for both teachers and students.”
Derek Dai ’26 said that while he feels disheartened to lose access to certain parts of Seaver during the first half of the year, he still sees the remodel as an overall benefit to the school community in the years to come.
I’m really glad they introduced us to everyone.”
Makenna Topp ’28 said she learned a lot about Peer Support through presentations.
“I really want to try to join Peer Support,” Topp said. “It seems like a really interesting and really great opportunity to broaden my horizons. I already wanted to join before, but the presentation gave me more information about what Peer Support does exactly. I saw how it made a tight-knit community, and that’s very interesting to me as well.”
Optional campus tours were led by upperclassmen who took the sophomores through various academic buildings, the bookstore, Mudd Library, Learning Center and other important sites on campus.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
“I will be a little disappointed by the fact that we will not be able to use this space at the start of the year,” Dai said. “But at the end of the day, renovations are almost always good for the future juniors, sophomores and freshmen.”
Jonathan Shu ’27 said that he is glad the school is increasing the availability of mental health resources on campus and supports the creation of the Wellness Center.
“The addition of a wellness center is going to improve the overall well-being of the student body,” Shu said. “I am very glad that the school is making a wellness center because the overall topic of mental health needs more attention and I am glad there will now be more resources.”
The Seaver rennovation has been in planning for the past three years and is expected to be completed in early January.
SOPHOMORE ORIENTATION: A large group of sophomores leave Rugby Auditorium after welcome presentations and go to the quad for lunch. In the two days of Sophomore Orientation, sophomores take tours of the Upper School Campus and meet the faculty, staff and deans.
New Facult y
New faculty sign on for the 2025-2026 school year: Casey Brown, Chris Murphy, Coral Alvarado, Grace Zanotti, Kelly Weinhart-Henry, Lauren Moonesinghe, Matt Bartha, Mike Plourde, Nicole Chung, Sami Siegelbaum and Scott Layne.
Casey Brown: Chemistry Teacher
By Maddy Wynholds
Dr. Casey Brown joined the Upper School for the 20252026 school year as a new chemistry teacher with previous teaching experience at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley School and The Harker School.
Brown graduated from Swarthmore College in 2005 with high honors, earning a degree in biochemistry. Before pursuing higher education, he worked for two years at a program called Teach For America to teach at under-resourced
Christopher Murphy: History Teacher
By Phoebe Sun
Christopher Murphy joined the Upper School History Department for the 2025-2026 year and will teach four sections of Rise of the Modern World.
Before moving to Los Angeles, Murphy taught European history and a combined history-and-philosophy course for seniors at Punahou School in Honolulu, where he also advised sophomores. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University before complet-
ing a joint doctorate in philosophy at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
Murphy said his approach to teaching history goes beyond covering classroom material. He hopes his students grow not only as learners but also as people who care about the world around them.
“I can’t think of anything more important than fostering students’ natural love of learning and concern for others,” Murphy said. “We may learn a lot about how the world works, but if we aren’t very concerned about others, that’s dangerous. On the other hand, our
schools. Brown then went on to receive a doctorate from the University of California Berkeley, conduct post-doctorate research at Columbia University and eventually work as a teacher.
As a Harvard-Westlake alum, Brown said his return to the school came with an understanding of the school from a student perspective.
“I’ve been through Harvard -Westlake,” Brown said. “It is a unique circumstance with good things, challenges and the whole mix, and I, having been through it all, think that I have
hearts may be in the right place. But if we aren’t hungry for knowledge, we’ll be fairly ineffective at best and unintentionally harmful at worst, so I hope my interactions with students, whether they’re in my classes or not, will encourage them to grow in these equally important ways.”
Looking ahead, Murphy said he is excited about making connections with the school’s faculty and students.
“At the moment, I’m most excited about the sense of belonging that the school’s community aspires to instill in students, fac-
some special understanding and perspective about the school that may serve me well.”
Brown said that his high school experience allowed him to come to the school with an awareness of specific issues students may have and how he can help them.
“One of the benefits of working at a really high intensity [school] is that we have kids who are really motivated and want to excel, but sometimes there is a lot of anxiety about exactly what that means
ulty and staff,” Murphy said. “I think a robust sense of belonging is the perfect antidote to our common fears of vulnerability and insecurity.”
Murphy said he sees himself as a lifelong learner who values challenge and obstacles.
“I’m still a student at heart,” Murphy said. “Some of my best classes occur when I’m deeply puzzled alongside the students and willing to admit that I don’t yet have the answers to important questions or at least that I don’t yet have the proof that certain answers are the right ones.”
Coral Alvarado: Summer Programs Coordinator
By Kara Jazaeri
Coral Alvarado joined the school’s faculty as the new Upper School and Summer Programs Coordinator for the 2025-2026 school year. Alvarado previously worked at Muse, a small independent school in Calabasas. She looks forward to working at a larger school with a broader community and range. She said there are some similarities and differences between her new job and previous jobs. “It was a bit different than Har-
Grace Zanotti: English Teacher
By Holden Kim
Grace Zanotti joined the upper school English Department for the 2025-2026 school year. She will be teaching Honors English III: Imagining America and Honors English IV: Dystopias and Utopias. Both courses are part of the school’s honors English sequence for juniors and seniors.
Zanotti previously taught English at Milken Community High School, where she developed the sophomore english curriculum. She earned
her doctorate in Comparative Literature at the University of Michigan. She also holds a Master of Arts in Humanities from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York at Albany.
Zanotti said her high school English teacher played a key role in nurturing her scholarly voice and passion for literature, a legacy she now seeks to pass on to her own students.
“My high school English teacher was the first person who really made me feel seen in
vard-Westlake given that it was on a much smaller scale, with around 100 students. I wore a lot of different hats in that role, which I will [still] be [doing] in this role, as the goal in this position is to be a point of contact for students.”
Alvarado said she looks forward to connecting with others during her time at the school.
“I’m excited to be a part of the community,” Alvarado said. “I’m working on getting to know not only the staff and faculty, but also the students.”
the classroom,” Zanotti said. “It was the first time I felt like my thoughts really mattered, so I try to give that feeling to my students as well.”
Zanotti said she enjoys various activities outside of the classroom.
“I enjoy exploring bookstores around Los Angeles, especially used bookstores and record shops, and I also love baking, collaging and doing crosswords,” Zanotti said.
Zanotti said she was drawn to the school for its community, a value that shapes her classroom approach and encourages students to engage in collaborative discussion
Alvarado said her day-to-day schedule varies, but she hopes to connect with students.
“One of the big things I’m learning is that every day in this role is different,” Alvarado said. “It’s important to roll with all the changes and try to be flexible. My number one goal is to make sure students feel comfortable coming into this office. I want them to be able to come in here and ask questions and I want to make sure they feel welcomed.”
Alvarado said her first days on
and open inquiry that will impact their lives beyond school.
“A classroom feels most like a true community when everyone feels seen, heard and respected,” Zanotti said. “[By studying] English, you build up a capacity for sustained, critical attention to the work of other people’s minds, learning to inhabit and critique different perspectives and ways of being in and understanding the world cultivating an attitude of both generosity and discernment is as useful for approaching relationships with others as it is for analyzing literature.”
Kelly Weinhart-Henry: Library Assistant
By Angel Song
Kelly Weinhart-Henry joined the Upper School as a part-time Library Assistant for the 2025-2026 school year. Prior to coming to the school, she worked mainly in television as a field producer, directing Home & Garden Television shows including “House Hunters,” “Flip or Flop” and “Landscaper’s Challenge,” which required her to travel frequently. After deciding to take a break from the television industry, she wanted
to find a more flexible job opportunity. She first connected with the library last year while working as a substitute teacher for the school.
Weinhart-Henry said her new job will involve helping students with working on any of their schoolwork and connecting with the general school community, often through activities offered by the library.
“The library is such a hub of creativity and community, and I want to support students in every way I can,” Weinhart-Henry
and exactly how to do that,” Brown said. “I really try and help [the students] find somebody that they can connect to [and] that makes the material make sense.”
Brown said he values transparency and communication when teaching.
“I try to communicate expectations and goals clearly and explicitly to my students,” Brown said. “I really try to support my students and make sure that they understand exactly how they should be practicing or preparing.”
campus have been both exciting and welcoming.
“The first days of school have been both exciting and a little exhausting,” Alvarado said. “I’ve been getting to know the faculty and staff on the upper campus, supporting students during the day, and adjusting to a new role and school environment, especially the stairs. Even with all of that, I’ve felt so welcomed and supported by my colleagues and supervisors, which isn’t something I wasn’t expecting right away.
said. “Whether it’s helping with research projects, organizing resources or joining in on fun activities like the escape room, I’m here to help.”
Weinhart-Henry said she is most excited to experience the school and its events to the fullest while interacting with the entire student body.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the students,” Weinhart-Henry said.
“Last year, I wasn’t here every day, so I only saw pieces of the school year. This year, I get to
be part of the full experience, which means I won’t miss all the fun activities and traditions.”
Weinhart-Henry said she is most looking forward to being a part of the positive and welcoming atmosphere that comes with the new school year.
“I love the energy at the start of a school year,” Weinhart-Henry said. “Everyone comes in with new goals, fresh ideas, and a sense of possibility. I’m excited to be part of that buzz and see where it takes us this year.
Lauren Moonsinghe: English Teacher
By Emmeline Chan
Lauren Moonesinghe joined the English Department this year to teach English II and English III: Living America. In her new role, Moonesinghe said she will guide students through reading, writing and discussion.
“I encourage us all to think more critically and express ourselves more clearly,” Moonesinghe said.” We should connect what we study in literature to larger questions about the world and our place in it.”
Before coming to the school, Moonesinghe taught English in
Matt Bartha: Math Teacher
By Charlotte Fowkes
Matt Bartha joined the Math Department for the 2025-2026 school year to teach two upper school classes: Advanced Algebra II and Advanced Precalculus. Bartha brings 16 years of teaching experience to the school, including teaching at the Archer School for Girls, another Los Angeles private school. Prior to teaching in Los Angeles, Bartha spent eight years teaching at various public schools in Baltimore, Memphis and Nashville. In Nashville, he made his
By Wynne Davis
Sami Siegelbaum joined the History Department this year to teach Rise of the Modern World and Honors Art History. For the past 18 years, Siegelbaum has been teaching art history at the collegiate level. He has worked at various schools, including the University of Cali fornia, Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University and Occidental College. Siegelbaum said that history and getting experience in the classroom have always been a significant part of
South Carolina and Santa Monica, and spent three years at home with her daughter. Moonesinghe said that although returning to work with familial responsibilities is challenging, she finds it meaningful.
“Life looks quite different now,” Moonesinghe said. “The last time I was in a classroom, I was not balancing preschool schedules and mom duties, but I truly would not trade this chapter for anything.”
Moonesinghe said her biggest goal is to create a classroom where students feel both challenged and supported.
transition to teaching at private schools, where he spent four years at Franklin Road Academy, a K-12 private Christian school. Over the course of his career, he has worked with students across a wide range of grade levels and school settings.
Bartha said he enjoys encouraging students who believe they are not strong at math coursework by giving each individual the opportunity to participate in the classroom using whiteboards, adding an aspect of impermanence to answers. “I want to expand access and
support for advanced coursework, including for students who do not traditionally see themselves as ‘math first’ students’,” Bartha said. “I find it effective to have small, collaborative groups working on vertical nonpermanent surfaces.”
Bartha said he appreciates the school’s reputation of prioritizing the staff and students as individuals over their roles at the school.
“Harvard-Westlake is really well-known for being a great place to work and taking good care of their employees,” Bar-
Nicole Chung: Science Teacher
By Rebecca Viti
Nicole Chung joined the Science Department this school year to teach Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Genetics and Biotechnology. Chung studied at Amherst College, where she double majored in chemistry and education, and previously worked at the Thatcher School, a boarding school in Ojai, for three years.
Chung said she was inspired to work at the school because of its reputation and commitment to its values.
his life, part ly because his parents were also history teachers.
“I come from a family of history teachers, so it is not that surprising that I have always been drawn to history,” Siegelbaum said. “My interest in teaching developed once I found my voice in the classroom. I loved the intensity of focused discussions on a complex topics and teaching seemed to be the best way to keep being able to have those kinds of conversations with people.”
Siegelbaum said that he is excited to branch out into teaching various forms of his toryfor
“I was always really impressed by the level of excellence and high standards at the school that are held no matter what it is you’re passionate abou who you are, the thing that you love to do, the school really supports that exactly.” Chung said. “Teaching science, for me, is all about supporting students, but also about developing those critical thinking skills to think about the world in a different way.”
Chung said outside of teaching, she is interested in several creative and athletic hobbies.
the first time while continuing to share his passion for art with students.
“Though I will be teaching Honors Art History at Harvard-Westlake, I’ll also be teaching history proper for the first time.” Siegelbaum said. “I have spent most of my career teaching art history, but I’m excited to branch out and teach different areas of history,” Siegelbaum said. “I’m excited to hear what students think about forms of art they have maybe never been exposed to before or even thought could be art.”
With his long experience in
Scott Layne: ISIR Teacher
By Abby Ryan
Scott Layne ’05 joined the Interdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research (ISIR) department as a teacher for Corporate and Personal Finance Systems in the first semester and Global Financial Systems in the second semester alongside Head of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Ari Engelberg ’89.
After high school graduation, Layne worked on Wall Street in quantitative algorithms for 11 years before
“I want students to feel confident taking risks in their thinking and writing, knowing that mistakes are part of the learning process,” Moonesinghe said. “Ultimately, I hope students see literature not just as schoolwork, but as a meaningful way to build community and reflect on themselves.”
Moonesinghe plans to learn the school’s routines and find her rhythm in the community.
“I have missed being part of a vibrant campus and I know this will be a wonderful experience,” Moonesinghe said. “Every year, students bring their own voices, personalities and passions to
tha said. “As I got to know the school during the interview process, I was really inspired by the growing efforts to take care of students beyond just their academic lives. That’s something, as the kids say, I really ‘vibe’ with.”
Bartha said he sees humanity at the core of education and is extremely thrilled to get started this year.
“People are at the center of this work,” Bartha said. “I am most excited to connect and work with everyone in the school’s community.”
“I’m a big reader and writer, and I enjoy running,” Chung said. “I’ve done a couple marathons, and I’ll hopefully be running the Boston Marathon this year. I also enjoy making my own kimchi. Fermentation is very fun. [I will] jump in any body of water, no matter what the temperature is outside or in the water.”
Chung said she hopes to help students confidently navigate science in her classes.
“A skill I’m really hoping to incorporate into my classes is
art history and his excitement for trying something new, his arrival is a big addition to the history department.
Siegelbaum said that he is eager to get to know the Harvard-Westlake community and start building bonds through meaningful conversations. “I am really looking forward to learning alongside the students in my classes,” Siegelbaum said. “Teaching is kind of like an exchange. I bring my own knowledge to the classroom, but I also get inspired by students’ new perspectives everyday.”
the classroom, and I am excited to see what this year’s classes will hold.”
Moonsinghe said she loves teaching because high schoolers bring curiosity and fresh perspectives to the classroom.
“I love talking with and learning from teenagers,” Moonsinghe said. “You notice things and think about the world in ways that many adults overlook or dismiss. I also value what happens in the classroom each day, the chance to wrestle with tough questions, broaden our perspectives, and hopefully walk away changed for the better.”
learning to not be afraid of the jargon that often comes with science and to give them some skills and tools to be able to distill things in ways that are concrete and manageable,” Chung said. “I want students to allow themselves to make mistakes, and to come back from those mistakes instead of using that to judge themselves or to be the basis of their self worth, and for [students] to recognize and patternize [their] mistakes to grow and learn from them.”
moving back to Los Angeles in 2020. He has been self-employed in the same field for the past five years.
Layne said that he is eager to pass on the knowledge he has picked up during his time working on Wall Street.
“I am excited to teach what I’ve learned in my 16 years working in finance, from trading to the broader world of persona, corporate and global finance systems,” Layne said.
“I have taught and mentored younger hires at the firms I’ve worked at, but this is my first
time teaching in a formal classroom setting, which I’m incredibly excited for.”
Layne said he has thought about becoming a teacher since high school, but only got the chance recently.
“The seed was planted during my time at Harvard-Westlake when I learned about a few teachers, Mr. Ari Engelberg, my 11th grade history teacher and now my co-teacher, as well as Mr. David Hinden, for whom teaching was a second career,” Layne said. “The idea of returning to
the school to teach stayed in the back of my mind, until one day when Mr. Engelberg and I were catching up. That day, the idea of co-teaching an elective course with him on finance began to take shape.”
Looking ahead to the fall, Layne said he is looking forward to his students taking his class and sharing his knowledge with them.
“I am most excited to get to know the students in my class and find out what topics they are [interested in learning],” Layne said.
Sami Siegelbaum: History Teacher
Max Coleman and
By Sophie Lee
For their Kutler Center Junior Fellowship project, Max Coleman ’26 and Nikhil Sarvaiya ’26 stayed in Los Angeles to make a documentary about food waste and food insecurity. They explored the discrepancy between organic waste and the millions of food-insecure people in the city.
Coleman and Sarvaiya began with reaching out to places in Los Angeles connected to food waste. They tracked the surplus, efforts to recover it and the people working to feed others in need. Through
Zachary Abrahamson: Ancient Japanese Ukiyo-e Prints
By Maddy Wynholds
For his Kutler Center Junior Summer Fellowship, Zachary Abrahamson ’26 traveled to Japan to study ukiyo-e prints and immerse himself in the history of the art.
Ukiyo-e is a Japanese form of artwork, popular during the Edo Period (1603 to 1867), that depicts subjects from everyday life. Thousands of ancient ukiyo-e prints have not yet been digitized and therefore remain widely inaccessible outside of Japanese museums.
Abrahamson took woodblock
painting classes and had the opportunity to learn from Motoharu Asaka, a Tokyo-based woodblock expert and one of the few remaining masters of the art. Abrahamson said he enjoyed delving into ukiyo-e artwork.
“My favorite part of the trip was being able to dive deeply into one subject,” Abrahamson said. “I have harbored a fascination for ukiyo-e art since elementary school, so having the opportunity through Harvard-Westlake’s Junior Fellowship program to immerse myself entirely in the subject through hands-on, self-di-
rected research was incredible.” Abrahamson said he learned about the elaborate layers of ukiyo-e, its history and those working behind the scenes.
“Many people know about Hokusai’s famous ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa,’” Abrahamson said. “But few people have had the opportunity to experience the printing process itself and learn about the publishers, wood carvers and printers, all of whom helped create Hokusai’s famous work.” Abrahamson said outside of his research he explored Japan and visited important cultural sites.
Nikhil Sarvaiya: Food Insecurity in Los Angeles
this process, they were able to have a holistic overview of the problems of food waste and the solutions implemented to combat it.
Sarvaiya said the inspiration behind the project came from his experience running a nonprofit.
“About a year ago, [Coleman] and I started a nonprofit called ‘Knead LA’ to take leftover bread from an industrial bakery to food shelters across the city,” Sarvaiya said. “We have now expanded to multiple bakeries and a larger team, and in seeing the disparities along our delivery route, we wanted to explore the problem deeper.”
Sarvaiya said the experience helped him realize the importance of food redistribution and reducing the amount of food untouched in certain areas.
“What stood out most was how critical it is to redirect surplus food to those who need it — and how much abundance exists in [Los Angeles] that often goes to waste,” Sarvaiya said. “Many of the solutions we explored focused on building stronger connections between excess food and people in need through food rescue programs, apps that coordinate donations and community-led initiatives.”
Sarvaiya said the project helped reveal many societal issues.
“What was really exciting about our project was, even though we expected it to be just an informative documentary on the issue, as we held more interviews, we discovered so many people with personal connections to the problem,” Sarvaiya said. “‘Food is life’ was a phrase repeated across multiple interviewees with very different circumstances and jobs, but it really underscores the humanity behind the problem. [Coleman] and I worked extremely hard on this, and that work really paid off.”
Caroline Cosgrove: Myths and Legends of Transylvania
By Phoebe Sun
Caroline Cosgrove ’26 spent her summer in Eastern Europe studying traditional Transylvanian folklore as part of her Kutler Center Junior Fellowship project. This excursion enabled her to visit Romania, by interviewing locals, where she had the opportunity to explore myths and superstitions that have been shaping the local culture and mindset for centuries.
Cosgrove said she took the majority of her inspiration for the project from the short folk -
loric stories her grandfather would often tell her when she was younger.
“My grandfather was from Transylvania, Romania and he used to tell me bedtime stories from his childhood,” Cosgrove said. “I was really curious to see how his stories compared to the myths that are still present in Romanian society.”
Cosgrove said she was able to interview many of the elders in the Maritinou de Sus community in the region and spoke with people of varying ages in Burcharest and Prague to hear
about their perspectives on traditional folklore and its influence on modern lives.
“The elders seemed to be much more invested in the mythology, and they were much more superstitious than the youth,” Cosgrove said. “Especially in the countryside, people were stronger believers of these ideas compared to more urban regions like Bucharest.”
Cosgrove said having the opportunity to go on the trip helped her feel a stronger connection to her grandparents’ experiences and personal family
“When I was in Matsumoto for my fellowship, I visited a nearby famous restored castle,” Abrahamson said. “The hike up the castle’s stairs was rewarded with a beautiful overlook of the entire city, and the tall, steep and uneven steps provided context for day-to-day life back in Edo Japan.”
Abrahamson said the culture in Japan was different from the culture in the United States, and that, while he saw variation in the food, museums and classes, the biggest difference was in the local transportation services.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
history, which involved many memories with these stories.
“I was really interested to see that the stories they told me were oftentimes different from the ones my grandfather had shared, but there were also unexpected similarities,” Cosgrove said. “It was so interesting to me to see the variations that exist even within one group’s culture. The trip helped me learn so much about the culture, and it also gave me a way to reconnect with my grandfather’s legacy by visiting the place where he grew up.”
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Calder Glass: Whispers of the Rainforest
By Hannah Bayat
Calder Glass ’26 traveled to Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rainforest in Washington to record sounds in nature for his Kutler Center Junior Fellowship project this summer. He formed soundscapes and music as part of the project, titled “Whispers of the Rainforest: Sonic Ecology in the Temperate Rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.”
Glass said he chose to travel to the Hoh Rainforest because of its large spectrum of biodiversity and the abundant flora
Ryan Hung: Kenya’s Economic Potential
By Andrea Yu
Ryan Hung ’26 traveled to Kenya over summer break to investigate the direct impact of foreign infrastructure investments on local economies and people’s lives for his Kutler Center Junior Fellowship.
Hung said he found Africa’s extensive labor force to contain lucrative economic opportunities that the U.S. is not properly trying to take advantage of at the moment.
“I saw that [Africa] has a lot of untapped economic potential
By Lydia Gugsa
Lyra Majumdar ’26 visited New Delhi, India this summer for her Kutler Center Junior Fellowship project. Majumdar examined contemporary India’s denial of the legacy of the Mughal Empire through the lens of art and architecture. Her work investigated whether there is an ongoing effort to dismantle Islamic architectural and cultural spaces in India and explored the movement’s connection to political efforts to religiously homogenize the nation.
Majumdar said she found inter-
living in the environment.
“All the moss and the amount of rain that the rainforest gets makes it a super cool environment for sound,” Glass said.
“The moss takes away a lot of the sounds so that every sound you hear is super pure, so it just seemed like a great place to do it. There’s also not many planes that go overhead, which is super good for noise.”
Glass said a previous trip and his role as a D.J. and guitar player sparked his interest in sonic ecology.
“I went on a three-day back-
that I feel foreign countries are going to start trying to vie for, if not exploit,” Hung said. “I already knew that China was already active in the region. They have a lot more influence in Africa than the United States.”
Hung said one of his main takeaways from this summer excursion was the significance of conducting firsthand field research when trying to understand new concepts.
“You need to have real field work and real-life experience,” Hung said. “Otherwise, you’ll never fully get a true grasp of
what you’re talking about.”
Hung said that he believes Western news outlets can often release biased reports, particularly for many topics relevant to Africa.
“I know that we like to believe in the United States that our news is completely objective, but my trip and what I’ve researched in the past show how a lot of Western news outlets like to accuse China of what they call debt trap diplomacy in Africa,” Hung said.
Hung said that in reality, the Kenyan people he conversed
packing trip to Wyoming a while ago, and I’m super into music right now,” said Glass. “I didn’t have music with me because [I was] backpacking and camping, but if you listen to the sounds of nature you feel really calm.”
Glass said the 30-day fellowship journey was an especially memorable experience because of the interesting natural landscape he was surrounded by during the entire visit.
“There was a really nice view when I sat by the lake recording [sounds] and reading for about two hours one of the days
with appeared to have benefited immensely from Chinese monetary assistance.
“[Debt trap diplomacy] is what the U.S. constantly accuses [China] of, but in my experience, China has done more for Kenya than the U.S. has done at all,” Hung said. “The local Kenyan people were talking about how much more beneficial Chinese help has been, and how simply they get things done without strings attached. What the U.S. does always has a political motive and agenda behind it.”
Siona Kirschner: Australian Fire Prevention
By Luca Gonzalez
Siona Kirschner ’26 traveled to Australia for her Kutler Center Junior Fellowship project to learn about effective wildfire prevention initiatives. She visited Sydney and Melbourne, as well as numerous small towns along the way, speaking to both firefighters and researchers about the issue.
Kirschner said she wanted to emphasize the importance of dealing with climate change and the reality of wildfires becoming more prevalent.
est in the topic through her observation of the political scene.
“Since my childhood, I’ve witnessed a gradual shift and redefinition of Indian identity,” Majumdar said. “I saw more signs promoting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a conservative nationalist party that has been in power for the past decade, and a shift in the iconography around Hindu deities as they gradually became portrayed as more aggressive and militant. I gravitated toward the study because of the manner in which the same dissonance around national identity, xenophobia, constitutional ide-
By Jihan Park and Rebecca Vitti
Amanda Shu ’27 traveled to Thailand this summer in order to further understand Thai traditional classical dance and music for her Kutler Center Sophomore Fellowship project. She enhanced her understanding of music and other arts by attending Bansomdej Chaopraya Rajabhat University to meet and work with college students majoring in music and visited a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organziation (UNESCO) World Heritage
“I have always been really interested in environmental science and cared a lot about the impact of climate change, specifically how we’ll be able to not just battle it, but also adapt to it,” Kirschner said. “There are certain things that are inevitable at this point, so it’s important to be able to also learn how to handle those changing factors.”
Kirschner said the recent Los Angeles fires and the continued threat of fires were significant motivators for her project.
“I was really inspired and motivated by what we saw, how
als and religious heterogeneity in contemporary India are analogous to similar struggles in America.”
Majumdar said India’s approach to its past is marked by both preservation and suppression.
“Lesser known Mughal and Islamic architectural works are being grossly neglected and actively undermined by the BJP,” Majumdar said. “What adds complexity is the man in conservation efforts by organizations like the Aga Khan Foundation. I interviewed one of the heads of this foundation and the government toward preserving prominent Islamic monuments.”
site to learn about Nang Yai, a type of traditional Thai dance involving the skillful use of shadow puppets to tell stories.
Shu said she was initially excited to expand her view of the arts in Thailand because of certain aspects of Thai art that are different from forms of art she was exposed to.
“[I was] extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Shu said. “I believe it has allowed me grow in multiple ways, helping me with accepting new cultures and understanding diverse forms of art.”
Shu said this trip mostly affected her experience with art
while I was camping,” Glass said. “There’s a really cool view of Mount Olympus, and it was so peaceful.”
Glass said he often encourages other students interested in receiving the summer fellowship to start writing their applications on a topic that they’re genuinely passionate about.
“[Students] should try to choose a project they love, not a project they think will get chosen,” said Glass. “Everyone whose project got chosen truly cares about it, and that allowed them to craft good applications.”
awful it was and how many people were affected,” Kirschner said. “Fire has the power to do a lot of harm to a lot of people, and it’s really important that we do everything we can to equip ourselves to understand, manage and deal with it.”
Kirschner said there was a surprising amount of climate awareness and general knowledge of how to fight fires amongst residents in smaller communities, especially compared to those residing in more urban areas.
“Since Australia is such a
Majumdar said India’s diverse past is vital to maintaining its cultural ideals.
“Exploring the impact of Hindutva in the political atmosphere in India today juxtaposed against the beauty of the Mughal art and architecture is remarkable,” Majumdar said. “I became more aware of how critical it is to fight for the preservation of democratic and pluralistic institutions and ideals. In doing so, we allow cultural diversity and heritage to flourish, enabling monuments as uplifting as those left by the Mughal dynasty to be celebrated for centuries more.”
and positively impacted her ability to adapt to new environments while understanding unfamiliar cultures after being exposed to them.
“I learned how to separate my original concept of music, which was constructed of Western techniques, and to understand new ways of music,” Shu said. “The trip taught me patience in the face of language barriers and enhanced my communication skills.”
During a choreography workshop, Shu was given the opportunity to collaborate with some dancers to learn more about various Thai danc -
large country, and a lot of the continent is very rural, the local communities are really the first line of defense in fires a lot of the time,” Kirschner said. “People work as volunteer firefighters, many of which I got to talk to. The people are often very aware of where the water sources are nearby to them, and are certainly equipped to handle fires, which I found really interesting. Obviously, there’s less awareness in the big cities like Sydney or Melbourne, but in smaller, more rural areas, it’s the default.”
es, particularly the 1,000-yearold dance known as Khon. This type of artistic movement is widely recognized for its elaborately designed choreography, intricately decorated costumes and expressive body movements. Shu said she was happy she was able to ultimately acquire a better and deeper understanding of a different type of art during the workshop.
“I believe that when I participated in the workshop, I had inherited different aspects of cultures,” Shu said. “Through this, I felt that it has allowed me to grow as a musician.”
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Amanda Shu: Classical Thai Music & Theater
Lyra Majumdar: India’s Denial of the Mughal Empire
Mechanical Mystery
Aven Son ’26 has crafted up The Chronicle’s crossword puzzle for this issue. See if you can use the clues to solve the automobile enigma.
1. Approximately, in dates 6. Swindle
10. Electrical surges given off by nuclear explosions or sci-fi tech 14. What you get on your birthday?
20. Flipped a uey? [OUR DNA]
23. “Live ___” (Taco Bell slogan)
26. iPhone software
27. Spin, like a fan
28. Quaking trees
30. Banana discard
32. Acid
33. Weaved so as to avoid traffic [LEANS]
36. Group of cattle
37. Small batteries
38. Jacob’s twin
42. Went from second to third while driving stick [RAGES]
47. Greek M’s
50. “¿Cómo ___ usted?”
51. Mountain-related
52. Breathe in
54. Volkswagen Golf model
55. ___ Angeles
56. Performed a Chinese fire drill [TASES]
60. Knights’ titles
Chron-nections
61. Sign of boredom
62. Low _____ fade
66. Entrance exam for some private high schools
67. What one shouts at their getaway driver during a heist: “Step ___!”
68. White heron
69. Loch ___ monster
70. Popular fleece-lined boots
71. Instagram short form content that is a crippling addiction for many
DOWN:
1. “CAH” trig function
2. Sick
3. Nutritional fig.
4. The value of a penny
5. In the midst of a quarrel, say
6. Reads, as a bar code
7. Show concern
8. “Back in my day, when I was but ___ ...”
9. Team that Norris and Piastri drive for
10. Poet T.S.
11. Car with a clutch factor?
12. ___ vs. Zombies
13. Smoothed down
21. Valentine’s Day flower
22. Part in a play
23. ___ 1 (speed of sound)
24. Tennis legend Arthur
25. Practice boxing
29. Concludes
30. Spanish silver
31. Simplicity
34. Electronic music duo ___ Punk
35. Ooze
39. Travel by boat
40. Florence’s river
41. Takes advantage of
43. Lend a hand
44. Phrase after “Peekaboo”
45. Numbers to crunch
46. Sparkly craft store supply
47. Tucker Wetmore’s “Wind Up _____ You”
48. Ill-advised
49. Stock market purchases
53. Church recesses
54. Chaps
57. “Rats!”
58. Big gulp
59. Wise-sounding herb
63. Opposite of post-
64. Snakelike fish
65. Some NFL linemen
Ella Jeon ’26, Colin Ho ’26 and Ellika LeSage ’26 created this issue’s Chron-nections. Find four groups of four words that share a common category. Each word belongs to only one category. Puzzle away!
Illustrators: Annabelle Cheung, Ryder Felisan, Audrey Herrera, Abby Juarez, Emma Lutsky, Anika Norton, Eila Shokravi, Sabrina Simek, Phoebe Sun
Layout Assistants and Staff Writers: Leica Achacha, Alexander Ahn, Kiran Amin, Ila Bakaya, Hannah Bayat, Emma Bing, Isabella Chiang, Grace Choen, Rowan Green, Philo Hornby-Simmons, Sophia Jeon, Leela Kandavel, Halyn Kim, Katelyn Kim, Lauren Kvamme, Claire Lee, Lucas Lee, Radha Malhotra, Freddie Mandel, Violet Martin, Brendan Park, Ji Park, Matteo Rabizadeh, Ollie Rauch, Avery Resnikoff, Birdie Reynolds, Sage Seltzer, Madison Shen, Sally Straus, Phoebe Sun, Avery Thompson, Nick Waller, Maddy Wynholds, Andrea Yu, Vicky Yu, Gyan Zinn
Director of HW Media: Jen Bladen
Chronicle Adviser: Billy Montgomery
HWTV and Broadcast Adviser: Max Tash
Assistant Adviser: James Lane
Publication Information:
Founded in 1990, The Chronicle is the Harvard-Westlake Upper School’s student-led newspaper. Now in its 34th year, The Chronicle strives to report stories accurately and to uphold its legacy of journalistic integrity. The newspaper is published eight times per year and distributed to students, parents, faculty and staff. We are members of the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Private School Journalism Association. Be sure to check out the HWMedia+ app for more content from our publications.
Leisure Meets Learning
As the school year begins, students pack up their beach towels, tuck away their summer novels and trade slow mornings for alarm clocks. We reminisce on the months spent enjoying our hobbies to the fullest and the days when our largest commitment was ensuring we didn't miss the newest episode of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Our summer state of mind receives an abrupt interruption when we begin to accept our fates of sleepless nights and dreadful amounts of work. While it’s important to return to a world of academic structure, we shouldn’t leave behind the sense of joy, creativity and freedom that summer provides.
Summer is often seen as a break from learning, but in reality it’s a time when students learn in an alternative and often more meaningful way. Summer provides students time to explore new hobbies, travel with family, hang out with friends or simply have the space to daydream. It is the time when students recharge and grow. Longing to explore and relax should not come to an end once convocation commences; it is something students should incorporate into their lives throughout the academic year.
As humans, time allocated toward leisure and personal enjoyment is important for a happy, engaged and connected daily life. Research shows that joy and play are critical for cognitive development, mental health and long-term academic success, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Carrying elements of summer into the school year doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility, but rather balancing work with wellness.
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The Chronicle's publications will aim to represent this diverse community and provide a variety of perspectives on the topics that they cover.
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Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of staffers and are written by the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editors and Section Editors.
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A school year in which students make time for hobbies, friends and creativity outside of the classroom is not idealistic, but achievable. However, a shift in mindset is necessary. Students must understand that productivity does not mean burnout and that it is okay and necessary to make time for relaxation.
Carrying summer habits into the school year can begin on a smaller scale: scheduling weekly walks in the park, packing a sketchbook in your backpack or reading for pleasure rather than a requirement. For some, it might look like joining a club not because it improves your Common Application activities list but because it is fun. For others, it could mean organizing weekend picnics, keeping up with journaling or continuing to play the instrument they picked up in July.
School faculty can support this as well. Teachers and administrators can encourage project and team-based learning or hold events embracing creativity and student interests. School should be a place of learning and healthy competition, but also a place of joy. When students are encouraged to bring parts of themselves that are not academic to school, everyone benefits.
Too often, the academic year becomes a time of pressure, with report cards, tests, deadlines and competition around every corner, leading to stress rather than success. Summer reminds us that learning can be joyful, friendships are important and we are more than our academic successes. Why let go of that just because classes have started up again?
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Letters may be submitted to chronicle@ hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited to conform to Chronicle style, space and format. We are committed to uplifting the voices of marginalized or underrepresented individuals and groups in accordance with our efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
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UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS:
Though we always strive to be as accurate as possible, staff members identify inaccuracies and receive feedback from readers.
The Chronicle publishes corrections when we discover a factual error within a piece. We will continue to uphold transparency even in the face of mistakes following the publication of each issue.
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ILLUSTRATION BY ANNABELLE CHEUNG
TTValue genuine self-expression in fashion
By Jack Fener
he cropped baby tee. The cheap black loafers and white socks. The tote bag, emblazoned with the logo of a band nobody listens to. The baggy selvedge jorts, falling just past the knee with a Labubu gently dangling from his belt loop. He sips a matcha latte while his wired earbuds serenade him with a two hour Clairo playlist. Some book he doesn’t understand, “Infinite Jest” by David Wallace perhaps, is held gingerly in a single hand as he pretends to read it. This creature, known colloquially as the “performative male, ”haunts fashion discourse as a despised, ubiquitous archetype that is the epitome of disingenuous trend allegiance. But, as justified as one is in disliking this type of person, the problem lies not with the performative nature of fashion itself. Instead, the issue is what performative males seek to accomplish and what their fashion represents.
All fashion is inherently performative. Ultimately, a person dresses to either conform to or subvert the standards of others in their own way. With this said,
Utilize Los Angeles cultural offerings
By James Corman
he first place I went when school ended was the Robertson Branch Library; after being too busy to explore the city for nine months, I wanted a change of scenery. I was surprised to find a zine making workshop, one of many classes the library holds and one of the accessible cultural offerings of Los Angeles. Inspired, I committed to exploring the city and realized that, despite living here all my life, there is still so much to discover.
Los Angeles has a network of 72 public library branches across the county, offering Los Angeles residents access to hundreds of thousands of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs. Yet Los Angeles Public Libraries offer much more, especially for teenagers. Some branches organize Teen Councils where adolescents can gather regularly, forming a community and giving them a civic voice. The library system offers art and writing competitions, encouraging teenagers to develop a creative voice. Additionally, some library branches offer 2D and 3D printers, innovation labs and museum-style exhibitions.
Many Los Angeles residents
rarely venture outside of their neighborhoods unless required to do so. However, Los Angeles is filled with cultural offerings, hubs for creativity and art appreciation, according to Royal Moving. It is time that students take advantage of this, especially in this digital age when in-per-
Los Angeles is filled with cultural offerings, hubs for creativity and art appreciation.
son activity is less common, according to The Hill.
One vessel for cultural involvement is Los Angeles’s array of museums. Museums expose teenagers to the arts and sciences in a physical way that cannot be matched through a screen, and studies show that engaging with the arts leads to a longer and happier life, according to Blue Zones. Los Angeles also offers access to niche museums like the Jurassic Museum of Technology, the Wende Museum and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Since aquariums and zoos function as
museums, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium provides another fascinating experience, including a public library and nursery in addition to its marine life.
Los Angeles has a bustling theater scene. There are over 350 theaters in the city, and watching live theater can increase empathy, a crucial value in an era when teen mental health is declining, according to the Arizona Theater Company. Students should opt to attend smaller theaters, as supporting these institutions is beneficial for the cultural preservation of our city. Theater can be expensive. The organization TeenTix presents a solution: a “TeenTix Pass” which allows Los Angeles teenagers to access a myriad of live performances with $5 tickets. The next time you feel like watching a movie on Netflix, try seeing a play instead.
We are lucky to live in Los Angeles, a city full of accessible opportunities for cultural and artistic immersion, and teens should take full advantage of these resources. Doing so will provide students with an entertaining and educational lens into our city’s robust creative hub.
the self-imposed goal of fashion, or any other aesthetic pursuit, is to express oneself according purely to one’s own tastes. Everyone is influenced by societal standards, prominent figures, and especially widespread trends. Adhering to a style trend is not in and of itself a problem. Whether one adopts a style forever or it changes as one matures is purely at the discretion of the individual.
However, trend participation becomes problematic when they stop being loose blueprints to mold personal style. Trends are not meant to be to be used as rigid uniforms to be rapidly adopted and forsaken for the next popular fashion movement. This is the key that separates proper trend engagement from shallow, thoughtless posturing with a cover of fashion. The rigid style that has come to be associated with “performative males” is simply the latest and possibly most widespread single-minded fashion.
Beyond the clothes themselves, it must be acknowledged that the accessories, music choic-
es and attitudes of these people are precisely formulated to appeal to women. What makes this style extraordinarily performative is that it is not a true reflection of the tastes of the people who wear it. It is little more than a disingenuous trick used to score cheap points with girls. In this case, the philosophy behind the pieces of the performative uniform is rather simple: a feminized take on a very basic trendy outfit with a few accessories and complementary items popular with women. By styling themselves this way, performative males seek to make themselves appear approachable, intelligent and nonthreatening.
Disregarding the thinly veiled misogyny behind the belief that women will actually fall for this ploy, adopting these clothes and attitudes for this purpose is contradictory to the central pursuit of originality. If garments, accessories and even personalities are simply means to an end, they are not fashion. In this way, the performative male fashion is not fashion at all.
EStop gatekeeping music
By Riya Iyer
arlier this month, I was scrolling on Instagram Reels and came across a video of a creator dancing to the audio “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow. The video came with the caption “POV: You thought the lyrics were about a fun night out.” In reality, while the song is deceptively upbeat, it tells the tragic story of Lola, a showgirl working at the copacabana, and how she loses the love of her life, ultimately falling into a spiral of alcoholism. The clip had amassed thousands of likes, with some commenting that they also didn’t know the hidden message of the song, while others admonished the creator, insinuating that she didn’t actually know the song because she was unaware of the meaning. I found myself torn between these two perspectives. On one hand, I was upset to see a song I had been listening to since I was 10-years-old reduced to a popular audio, but on the other hand, I was glad to see the song get the recognition it deserved. Although it can feel tempting to tie a sense of exclusivity to certain tracks, music is a shared tradition that deserves to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of a perceived sense of ownership.
In the age of social media, music has become increasingly mainstream and accessible to the masses, with 63 % of users reporting that they have discovered new artists on social media, according to MusicWatch. Gatekeeping is
not a new phenomenon, but accessibility to music has spurred fans to increasingly claim ownership over an artist’s music. This creates a hierarchical fan dynamic, in which listeners are defined through a series of arbitrary criteria that overlooks the value of connection that music provides.
The sentiment of exclusivity reflects a natural desire to preserve individuality in the form of a unique music taste. However, the effects can be far-reaching as an increasing number of songs gain traction on social media. 61.5% of students at the school report having listened to an artist before they gained widespread popularity, according to a Chronicle poll. Although fans may have good intentions in wanting to cultivate a fanbase where everyone feels equally connected to an artist’s music, protectiveness over music can undercut an artist’s impact. It can potentially limit the scope of the audience and force a narrow interpretation of an artist’s message on a group of diverse listeners.
To ameliorate this, fanbases should embrace open forums across social media where listeners can reflect on their impressions of a song, allowing fans to be exposed to diverse perspectives of the artist’s music. This would allow for increased accessibility to an artist’s discography and fan base, promoting inclusivity and fostering community through a shared interest.
ESSAY CLASSES: MAKING A STATEMENT
Essay workshops help us
By Ellika LeSage
In the midst of college application season, seniors face the daunting task of writing their Common Application personal statement. With over 1,100 colleges using the Common Application to streamline admissions processes, the personal statement, a 650-word essay required by most colleges, has become one of the most important pieces of a student’s application. During summer break, nearly half of the school’s senior class spends a week logging onto a daily Zoom “bootcamp” to tackle this challenge.
The program, run by the College Essay Guy, kicks off with about 10 exercises designed to help students reflect on their values, passions and identities. These activities often spark strong essay ideas and encourage authentic self-reflection. The workshop emphasizes two main essay structures: the narrative, which tells a story from beginning to end, and the montage, which strings together multiple events around a central theme.
This workshop solves many problems that writing a personal statement on your own may pose. Every summer, countless rising seniors waste weeks staring at an empty Google Doc, paralyzed by the question: “What do I even write about?” The personal statement seems like such an impossible task that it’s easy to put it off until the last possible second. The College Essay Guy workshop solves this problem by giving students a concrete starting point.
Most seniors, myself included, spend way too much time waiting around for the “perfect” essay idea to magically appear. But when I did the workshop, it felt like I was finally given a structure that actually made ideas flow. Instead of trying to invent some big dramatic story, I realized the best topics were already part of my life.
Beyond the solo activities, the workshop also offers one-on-one coaching. This is where the process gets even more powerful. Talking through your ideas with someone experienced can bring clarity in a way that brainstorming alone never will. Many students choose to continue these sessions beyond
This professional perspective helps students understand what in their essays stands out and what falls flat.
the bootcamp, using the College Essay Guy as a source of support throughout the essay drafting process. Having a dedicated coach not only provides expert feedback but also keeps students accountable.
One of the biggest draws of the workshop comes on the final day, when students get to share their drafts with a current college admissions officer. Receiving direct critiques from someone who has read thousands of applications provides insight you can’t get anywhere else. This professional perspective helps students understand what in their essays stands out, what falls flat and how to revise before senior year begins.
Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect a one-week workshop to result in a finished personal statement. The workshop is focused on generating momentum for the students rather than providing a fully finished product. By the end of the program, students have generated pages of raw material, identified possible themes and in many cases, drafted the beginnings of an essay. Even if the essays themselves still need work, the hardest part of the process has
Letter from the editors
Pursuing courageous journalism
By Kayla graff and Sienna Dall'Olmo
Throughout history, journalism that embraces discomfort has been instrumental in catalyzing societal change. From 1920s muckrakers advancing social justice by exposing wealth inequality to 1970s reporters bringing government corruption to light during the Watergate scandal, journalism has proved essential to our society’s pursuit of truth, integrity and justice. By giving a voice to people who wouldn’t otherwise have one, journalism is one of our most powerful tools. This year, we as editors-in-chief are committed to pursuing courageous journalism. We will not back down from controversy and hard-hitting subject matter because we recognize its importance – not only to maintain the respect of our peers, but also to shine light on what matters in our community. Reporting courageously means pitching stories not everyone will agree with. It means reaching out to
people we are not familiar with for interviews. It means making a conscious effort to uplift underrepresented voices from all corners of the community. As part of our efforts to encourage well-rounded viewpoints, we will welcome voices from outside of our staff into every issue of the paper. By including OpEds from the broader school community and introducing more freelance writers, we hope to create a paper that reflects the views of our entire community. We want to not only be the organization that the community relies on for accurate information, but also one people can go to learn new things, be surprised and hear ideas and perspectives they have not been exposed to before. By thinking outside the box, we will be a publication that exemplifies both the technical competence that builds our audience’s trust and the creativity that keeps them coming back month after month. In the
TWorkshops are unhelpful
By Lyla Kavanagh
he Common Application asks highschoolers what feels like an impossible question – can you condense the most important aspects of yourself into a 650 word essay? The essay is daunting not only because of its content, but also because of the significance it holds in the college admissions process. It makes sense then, that the school offers a seniors-only workshop in cooperation with the College Essay Guy company
It is redundant and un-necessary for a student going into the program with a draft or idea of what they want to write.
to assist students in a large part of their writing process. While this program was helpful to many individuals, it is certainly not for everyone. The workshop works best for students starting from scratch; students with pre-existing drafts may find the topics that College Essay Guy builds their curriculum around to be overly repetitive and restricting.
The workshop spends the first two hours taking students through personality exercises, essay structures and overall application advice, utilizing interactive presentations and their class workbook. While these activities may offer students helpful insights and characteristics to include in their essays, they are redundant and unnecessary for student who are going into the program with a draft or idea of what it is they want to write about.
Next, the class is marketed to students who are at any point in
the writing process, but is only beneficial to some students because of its restrictive guidelines. The essay workshop offers two different essay structures to students: the montage essay and the narrative essay. While the structures may assist students who have not yet started their essays, the presentation is unhelpful to anyone who already has established ideas. If anything, forcing a pre-existing idea to fit into a specific essay format can make the topic more contrived, less unique and less interesting to read. Instead of helping students create an organized essay with a clear through line, the imposed structure can inhibit the students' abilities to pursue the ideas that they came up with before taking the workshop.
Furthermore, using only two essay structures does not take into account the varying writing abilities of students at the school. Students with prewritten drafts may feel forced to change their essays simply for the purpose of following the mold given to them by the program and end up writing an essay they do not truly believe in.
The workshop does offer the unique opportuny for refining and polishing an existing essay through daily one-on-one sessions with an essay coach and a meeting with an application reader at the end of the week. Additionally, simply having someone to keep you accountable on a day-to-day basis ensures that by the end of the week students will have at least a preliminary draft of this incredibly important essay. However, for more self-motivated students who have other private writing tutors or who have already written a first draft or outline of their essay, the course may feel unnecessary.
context of a newspaper targeted at a school community, it is especially important to encourage critical thinking, allowing us to inspire our readers to form their own opinions by producing content that embraces multiple perspectives and, when appropriate, respectful disagreement. In a time of intense global polarization, it is more critical than ever to report an unbiased narrative that covers all sides of the story. We encourage our reporters to interview sources of a variety of ages, genders and backgrounds. We are committed to listening and learning from each other so that we can be a voice that accurately represents the diversity of our community. This mindset not only drives high-quality journalism but also challenges the reporters themselves, pushing them to get outside their comfort zones, build their skill sets and cultivate resilience. As a student-run paper, one of the primary goals of The Chronicle is fostering growth
and learning within our staff.
The Chronicle is a newspaper, but it is also what we believe to be one of the most tight-knit communities within the school.
The work that we do is entirely dependent on the ability of our staff to work together, show up for one another and be dedicated to achieving a common goal. This paper is excellent because of the loyalty of each staff member – the ones who willingly spend
their Saturdays in Weiler Hall and take on articles without being asked. Without the strength and trust we’ve built within our own community, our paper cannot run efficiently and effectively. Our staff is not expected to be perfect, and neither is every article we produce, but we do expect every single member of The Chronicle to pursue truth and objectivity wholeheartedly and to be diligent members of our staff.
TAKING CHARGE: Editors-in-Chief Sienna Dall'Olmo ’26 and Kayla Graff ’26 smile for a picture at their first Chronicle layout of the year.
NICK MONROE/CHRONICLE
ILLUSTRATION BY SIÉNA ORWITZ
Joe’s, and offers residents of Sherman Oaks and students various food options.
New Trader Joe’s store opens in Sherman Oaks
By Matteo Rabizadeh
A new Trader Joe’s opened on Riverside Drive June 6. The store opened following an announcement by the grocery chain on June 5. The new store opened across the street from another Trader Joe’s location. Neither location will close, according to an announcement from the brand.
Head Prefect Caroline Cosgrove ’26 said that she was thrilled about the new branch of the store.
“I’m really excited that there’s gonna be a new [Trader Joe’s] opening up nearby,” Cosgrove said. “It’s really convenient to go straight after school since it’s not that far, and I can go pick up groceries
for my family and friends.”
Cosgrove also said that she is excited to go during lunch this year.
“I would love to go to Trader Joe’s during the off campus lunch period because it’s close, I can pick up food quickly and it’s cheaper than going to a restaurant nearby.”
CJ Jia ’28 said she was excited about the new Trader Joe’s and that she would go there before her golf matches.
“I would go if my mom was willing to drive me because this would probably be the closest Trader Joes to my house,” Jia said. “We have a lot of golf matches against Notre Dame this season, so maybe my coaches will let us get stuff there in order to get pre-game
meals before our match.”
Abbey Herrera ’28, another student athlete, said she felt similar excitement about the new Trader Joe’s location.
“I love having after school snacks, especially as a student athlete,” Herrera said. “One of my favorite snacks at Trader Joe’s is the frozen chocolate covered fruit.”
Junior Prefect Charlotte Im ’27 said that she would use the Trader Joe’s when she is near the school.
“I would probably not go for my home stuff, but maybe if we need something for school, I would go with my friends,” Im said.
Transportation and Equipment Coordinator Miguel Acevedo said he is looking forward
Extreme heat warnings declared
By Kara Jazaeri
Extreme heat warnings have been distributed throughout Los Angeles County and California in recent weeks, raising concerns among the student body regarding potential fire hazards.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued firefighter resources to be administered in areas where red flag warnings have raised concern for elevated wildfire danger. The Los Angeles and Ventura counties are both included in these high risk areas, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Francesca Varese ’26 said she is reminded of the fires that took place earlier this year.
“I feel scared because I remember how terrible last January was for our whole community, and I’m overall worried about how the start of my senior year
could be impacted,” Varese said.
“I am also worried about the future because this is a clear sign of climate change.”
Waller Morton ’27 expressed similar concerns regarding possible wildfires after the recent incidents in January.
“The fire warnings are especially scary after witnessing the destruction of the Palisades fires,” Morton said.
Olivia Wiczyk ’28 said that the warnings issued also raise serious concerns about our current environmental stability.
“The recent heat and fire warnings are concerning,” Wiczyk said. “I’m worried about our safety and how it’s affecting the environment around us. It shows how important it is for us to take climate change seriously and be prepared for emergencies.”
Lulu Aridi ’27 says she is concerned for the wellbeing of the
school’s students.
“I think there’s definitely a noticeable difference in the rising temperatures in the city, and although for the most part the students and staff are kept safe and healthy with conditioned classrooms and indoor seating, we should make sure to keep in mind the safety of student athletes who practice for hours outdoors in the sweltering heat,” Aridi said.
Vik Bakaya ’26 doesn’t expect the weather to create a daily issue for him but is concerned about broader implications.
“Frankly, the heat wave doesn’t have a significant impact on my day to day,” Bakaya said. “I do have grandparents that live at home though, and the alerts keep saying that older people are more vulnerable. The extreme heat seems to be getting worse every year.”
to visiting the new store because of the upgrades that have been made.
“I actually shopped in the old one they used to have there, but I haven’t shopped at the new one,” Acevedo said. “I assume it’s going to be better. They probably updated the parking lot and made a bigger store too.”
Junior Prefect Jasiri Johnson ’27 said that the Trader Joe’s could be helpful in getting snacks for people who have different dietary restrictions.
“I could see myself having to go there to pick up some snacks because they do have some really good snacks that are gluten -free,” Johnson said. “However, I don’t see it being my store of choice, due to the fact that it’s
so far away. It’s also pricey for a student to be going.”
Like Johnson, Kailani Yap ’26 said that even though she enjoys Trader Joe’s, the new location would not be convenient and would not be put to good use.
“There’s a Trader Joe’s pretty close to my house in Studio City,” Yap said. “It seems as though the new Trader Joe’s is not on my commute to school, so there likely won’t be any reason to go during school hours.”
Sarah Huang ’27 said that Trader Joe’s has a special place in her heart.
“Trader Joe’s is awesome,” Huang said. “I remember being excited to find the animal hidden in the grocery store and getting a lollipop as a kid.”
NEW TRADER IN TOWN: A new Trader Joe’s location opened June 6 on Riverside Dr. This location is under ten minutes from the school and is situated on top of a recently constructed apartment complex called Citrus Commons. It is across the street from another Trader
BEAT THE HEAT: Recent extreme heat warnings throughout Los Angeles county pose a threat for fires and students playing sports games.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Almost Famous
Teenage influencers discuss their goals to grow their platforms and how they balance managing social media and school.
By Mila Detmer and Rebecca Vitti
While driving with friends, Abby Juarez ’26 whips out her phone, opens the camera app and starts a video with an energetic, “What’s up guys?” The clip is a glimpse into her YouTube channel, which she launched in March 2025. Though her channel sits at just 49 subscribers so far, Juarez said she is already envisioning what her platform could be
content throughout senior year and implement creativity through her editing.
“I’m planning on having a video series capturing milestone ‘senior moments,’ from senior sunrise to graduation,” Juarez said. “Hopefully, it’ll grow my platform. I’ve already been brainstorming edits and ideas. I’m thinking about trying out new transitions, maybe adding some fun effects and even doing a series that follows a story over a few
growing trend. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have turned teenagers into media personalities, blurring the line between high school life and professional content creation. A study found that 95% of teens use YouTube, and nearly one-third say they want to become influencers themselves, according to The Pew Research Center.
“I want to look back in ten years and remember my senior year. Even if only a few people watch, its meaningful to me. I want to take risks and push myself creatively.”
juggle an online presence with academics, friendships and sports commitments. Many teens feel pressure to post constantly, maintain a perfect online image or respond to followers, while still keeping up with homework and exams, according to a study done by Psychology Today. Juarez said she tries to navigate these challenges with a grounded sense of purpose.
Abby Juarez ’26
“I’m not thinking about the numbers right now,” Juarez said. “I just want to make content I enjoy and share moments that matter. It’s like a digital scrapbook of my senior year.”
Juarez said she loves including her friends in her vlogs and filming fun videos with them.
“Some people are curious, some are supportive and some just ignore it,” Juarez said. “Most of my friends just want to be included in the fun, like when we film a clip at field hockey practice or during lunch.”
Her content is also deeply personal. While many teens use YouTube for trends or challenges, Juarez said her focus is storytelling.
“I like seeing what my siblings and parents are doing too, and I want to include them,” Juarez said. “It makes the videos feel like a family memory, not just content for the internet.”
Storytelling and creative expression are part of why teen influencers continue to grow according to Science X Network. Juarez said she edits videos late at night after field hockey practice, brainstorms series ideas during study halls and carefully plans which moments to capture for her channel.
The rise of teen influencers also mirrors a broader cultural shift. Social media has made personal storytelling accessible even in adolescence, according to the Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research. Juarez said for her, influencing is not just about creating entertaining videos, but about expressing herself creatively, sharing her passions and building skills that go beyond social media.
Juarez said she wants her videos to serve as a way to hold on to the small, but meaningful moments of her senior year.
“I want to look back in ten years and remember my senior year,” Juarez said. “Even if only a few people watch, it’s still meaningful to me.”
For today’s teens, influencing is about experimenting, learning and expressing themselves. It is also about navigating friendships, academics, extracurriculars and the experiences of high school life, according to The Pew Research Center. Juarez said her journey as a content creator has allowed her to learn more about herself.
“Being a teen influencer is about figuring things out while still juggling school, friends and sports,” Juarez said. “I want to take risks and push myself creatively. Even if only a few people watch, it’s worth it because I’m learning and growing from the process.”
Weighing Waymo
The school community reflects on the Waymo service as an alternative way for teens to safely travel around Los Angeles by themselves.
By Tali Gurule
As a cool breeze displaced the warm summer air, Quinn Harris ’27 and his crew savored a lazy afternoon at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). With the brick-inlaid path of the college campus behind them and a long lunch period ahead, Westwood was their oyster. The group piled into a Waymo and left their pre-college classes behind. Harris, who attended the UCLA Summer Institute this year, spent his lunch periods with friends using Waymo cars to explore restaurants throughout Westwood. Harris said the Waymo was able to expertly handle dangerous situations on the road, which can be difficult even for human drivers.
Harris said he was impressed with his Waymo’s reaction to dangerous situations after one of his friends began the ride to lunch without a seatbelt.
“When I was in the Waymo, one of my friends decided not to buckle his seatbelt,” Harris said. “The car started driving and gave us a few warnings about it. About a minute into the ride, a person came over the loudspeaker, a real person, and said, ‘Hello, I’m from Waymo support. Please put on your seatbelt.’ I realized that Waymo constantly monitors all its cars and has people ready on the line. I felt very safe.”
“As the Waymo was driving, I was impressed with how it reacted to other cars,” Harris said. “Since LA drivers are not the greatest, some of them would get caught in an intersection or not know where to go. The Waymo reacted perfectly to those situations. It knew how long to wait before going around the cars. It went slowly and it made sure nothing was there. It was cool how easily the car adapted.”
Waymo, a driverless taxi company that launched their service to the public in 2020, provides 24/7 service throughout more than 120 square miles of LA County, according to the Los Angeles Times. With an app, users can request a ride from anywhere between Santa Monica and Downtown LA. The service also spans from West Hollywood to Inglewood and encompasses the full length of Sunset Boulevard.
Each week, Waymo provides more than 250,000 rides
Elise Kennedy ’27 used Waymo at least six times a month before she got her driver’s license. Kennedy said it was surprising to her that people were so unfamiliar with the driverless taxis since she used them so frequently and knew they were safe.
“I have two younger brothers and my parents always have something going on,” Kennedy said. “I also don’t live close to very many people so carpooling isn’t an option. Waymos made the most sense and, after the first five rides, it became apparent [to me] that Waymos were safe. It became the new normal. In a Waymo, I would see people surprised that there was a person riding in the car. I forget that it is so weird to people because, to me, it is normal.”
Natalia Crystal ’28 has three siblings and is too young to drive herself. Her parents recommend she use rideshare apps whenever they are unavailable to drive her. Crystal said her parents appreciate the ease of Waymo.
“I have three siblings and, before Waymo, [either] my parents drove me or no one drove me,” Crystal said. “Now, my parents
They love not having to drive me places now that I can get there on my own.”
Kennedy used Waymo to attend dance classes and meet up with friends. Kennedy said she values Waymo because it gave her a chance to manage her own activities instead of relying on her parents.
“It is very freeing to be a 15-year-old and have this very safe option for getting around LA,” Kennedy said. “I do not have to worry about asking my parents or figuring out our complicated schedules. I can independently sort out my logistics, and that is super awesome.”
Waymo encompasses a specific portion of LA and is inaccessible outside a set radius, according to KTLA news. Waymo is not available in the San Fernando Valley, and both of the school’s campuses fall outside Waymo’s operational area. 70% of upper school students said they have never taken a Waymo, according to a Chronicle poll.
It is very freeing to be a 15-year-old and have this very safe option for getting around LA. ”
Elise Kennedy ’27
Bob Johnston (Priscilla ’26) knows his daughter rides a Waymo at least once a week because it is efficient for both of them and helps Priscilla avoid difficult parking situations. Johnston said he made sure Waymo was safe before suggesting Priscilla use it.
“I did research online about the number of Waymos that have veered off course, and it seems to be a fairly small number,” Johnston said. “[Waymo] saves us both time and allows [Priscilla] to not worry about taking her car everywhere. Now, she has a different and easier way of getting around town or going places where finding a parking spot can be a hassle.”
Priscilla said she uses Waymo because the Waymo technology is more predictable on the road than an Uber driver.
“I trust the technology of Waymo more than I trust a random Uber driver, especially if I am alone,” Priscilla said. “It can see everything so much better than an actual human could. Waymo is the best driver I could get.”
Though Waymo ex-
Sally Ramberg ’26 said she finds the prospect of a driverless taxi exciting but has not ridden in a Waymo because they are unavailable where she lives. Ramberg uses Uber but said she would ride in a Waymo if it was more accessible.
“[Waymo] is so inconvenient for me,” Ramberg said. “I have never had the opportunity to use one. When would I, when I don’t live [close to] where they are allowed to go? If they could go to all the places Ubers can go, I would use Waymo for sure.”
Between 2017 and 2022, 400,181 Uber rides in the United States led to a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct, according to the New York Times. Crystal said she prefers Waymo to other rideshare apps because she feels safer in a Waymo.
“I like that you do not have to worry about the person driving,” Crystal said. “With a stranger in the car, you cannot necessarily trust [them] and have to be more cautious. When I take an Uber, I always track the route on Google Maps because I am nervous.”
Sophia Wong ’27 uses Uber alone at least once a month. Wong said she prefers Uber because she values talking with her driver during the ride, a social aspect that Waymos cannot provide.
“With an Uber, your driver might ask you about your day,” Wong said. “You could get along [with them] and have a great mo will always lack
L. Wood Quinn Harris ’27
Students and faculty discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s foreign policy agenda on their sense of identity and belonging in America.
By Riya Iyer
Katelynn You ’26 walks leisurely with her family across the crowded Sherman Oaks Fashion Square mall. The overflowing bags in both of her hands hit the floor as a group of kids approach her and begin to berate her about her immigration status. As the words “Where is your green card?” ring in her ear, You cannot help but feel embarrassed and ashamed. You picked up the bags and scattered items from the ground and leaves the mall early. You said the incident reflected the current values of the Trump administration.
out in a certain way. To navigate the intersection [of my identities], finding people who are similar to me and who I can relate to helps me feel like I genuinely belong in a world [in which], a lot of times, I feel the opposite.”
Foreign policy can have cascading effects beyond the world stage, affecting civilian life via price fluctuations, access to the job market and migration policies, according to the International Monetary Fund.
“ I was born and raised in America, so that makes me American, but I feel like I only belong here to a certain extent.”
“Although I was younger during Trump’s first presidency, I remember that there was a big rise in anti-Asian sentiment, especially during the pandemic.” You said. “Even though I was young and had an adolescent, innocent mindset, I still felt affected by how people saw me. On personal level, now I’ve become more aware of how foreign policy trickles down into everyday things, whether it’s classroom jokes, how I think strangers perceive me or how I defend my own country.”
—Katelynn You ’26
Dhara Jobrani ’26 spent much of his summer in Jordan, living among Jordanian citizens, studying Arabic and working as a waiter as a part of a summer immersion program. Jobrani said he learned how American foreign policy has made it difficult for Jordanians to immigrate to America despite having similar values.
to do a lot of internal reflection on how I view the world.” Wiczyk said. “It has caused me to reflect on myself and how I can deal with [anti-semitism]. Ultimately, there is only so much I can do and I have done a lot [for] my own education. I had conversations with people, but you cannot change people’s opinions.”
Coordinator of Jewish Life Sarah Rapaport said the spotlight on Israel in recent years has sparked different reactions in students, shaping her role through times of conflict.
for granted in America, but it also made me realize that America is really not that different.” Jobrani said. “Jordan felt modernized and Americanized. It changed the perspective I have as an American, and it made me realize how powerful our cultural impact is around the world.”
During the second Trump administration, foreign relations have become increasingly fraught as President Trump seeks to impose tariffs in response to high duties that have been imposed on America by other countries, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Following Trump’s 2024 election win, there has been an increase in xenophobia against Asians in the U.S., with violent threats increasing by 59% from November to December 2024, according to Stop AAPI Hate. You said the rise in anti-Asian sentiment impacted her sense of belonging.
“I was born in America, so I am American, but I feel like I only belong to a certain extent,” You said. “I’ve always felt like I do not belong, whether it’s at school, a local mall or just walking around Studio City. I do feel like I stand
“For those who may not know, Jordan is an American stronghold in the Middle East with many of the Americans living there either working at the military base or embassy.” Jobrani said. “Jordanians love America and its values, and I had many friends ask me to take them back with me to Los Angeles or New York. That being said, I didn’t realize just how hard it was to visit the US as a Jordanian, with many rounds of interviews, proof of bank statements and a lot of visa rejections. It’s even harder nowadays. My Jordanian friend told me how he planned to move to the states with his family this year but now won’t be able to.”
President Trump’s hardline stance on foreign policies, including with Israel, has led to shifts in public opinion regarding American support for the country, according to BBC News. There has been a 200% increase in anti-semetic incidents since the October 7th attacks, according to data published by the Anti-Defamation League in 2024. Jewish Club Leader Sophia Wiczyk ’26 said recent events have led her to reflect on how to deal with discrimination.
“[The Oct. 7 attack] has caused me
“The relationship between Israel and the U.S. is often in the news, especially in the last couple years. It sparks feelings and questions, [specifically] feelings of being seen but also scrutinized. For some students, there’s been a sense of pride or connection to their Jewish identity as a result of this focus, whereas others definitely feel stress and worry about how these events will shape how people perceive them.”
In coordination with Israel and in an effort to curb Iran’s nuclear armament, the U.S. launched a series of strikes against Iran on Jun. 22. The strikes were largely successful, with President Trump declaring a ceasefire on Jun. 24 according to the New York Times. Mattin Tasbihgoo ’27 said although the most recent strikes didn’t affect him, he participated in anti-regime demonstrations back in 2020 that were important to him.
“Being in America, I was lucky the strikes didn’t affect me that much,” Tasbihgoo said. “However, back in 2020, when there were a lot of protests against Khamenei’s government, I was very involved in the demonstrations in Los Angeles. My parents [and I] attended quite a few, and we were hoping for a change. Unfortunately, it didn’t make a tangible difference, but [I think] our message was clear.”
Jobrani said his visit to Jordan was surprising and changed his perspective about the impact of American foreign policy in other countries.
“Personally, [the trip] was a huge shock to my system. It definitely did make me appreciate the things I take
65% of students at the school identify with a nationality outside of being American, 23.5% associate more with the other nationality than the American one and 43.1% feel affected by Trump’s foreign policy agenda, according to a Chronicle poll. Sophia Wong ’27, who is a first generation immigrant from Taiwan, said although having a dual identity under the administration can be challenging, it offers a unique perspective.
“It’s a really beautiful thing to have a dual identity and is also something that not everyone gets to experience.” Wong said. “It’s one of the greatest parts of my life. Being able to be the bridge between my family and my [American] life is something that’s both hard but also really beautiful. Because I am going to experience both cultures and see how they connect and clash, it offers perspective.” You said learning to blend her two identities instead of pitting them against each other helped her gain perspective as a whole.
“For me, it’s definitely not about choosing sides, and more about learning to live like the in between.” You said. “I don’t see my Chinese and American identities as oppositional, I see them as relational. That perspective allows me to navigate tensions without internalizing them as contradictions. Instead, I use that space to ask questions and explore that curiosity and build an understanding. I even see conflict as an opportunity to learn, build and grow. So, in my daily life, that looks like studying language, whether it’s studying Chinese or Shanghainese and doing cross-cultural research. Part of the work I did this summer was leading different student groups where difference isn’t just tolerated, but it’s valued.”
L. Wood
Sophia Wiczyk ’26
Members of the school community reflect on the various emotions and pressures they experienced after sending off their older siblings to university.
By Hailey Kramar
Zoe Vourgourakis ’26 pushes open her front door, expecting to discover her older brother strumming on his guitar or sitting on his piano stool. The buzzing of music had once filled the house and warmly embraced her upon walking through the front door each day. This time, though, when Vourgourakis steps through the door, she is confronted by an eerie silence. The air is heavier without the rhythm bouncing off the walls and filling the hallways. Vourgourakis said the absence of her brother and the quietness of the house felt abnormal to her.
Vourgourakis said the absence of her brother and the quietness of the house was abnormal to her.
“I was definitely not prepared for the silence that came with my brother leaving,” Vourgourakis said. “I came home one time from a hangout and the house was completely silent. Since Manos is a jazz musician, he was always filling the house with music from some sort of instrument, whether that’s piano or guitar bass. Hearing nothing was so foreign to me, and it felt completely off.”
a phenomenon where they experience a similar loss and identity crisis that parents encounter when their children leave the home, according to Researchgate.
For Vourgourakis, the preparation for the inevitable transition began long before her brother left for Temple University this summer. Although she tried to regulate her emotions, Vourgourakis said she was extremely emotional the day her brother left for college.
“The actual day he left was very weird, seeing him with all of his bags and knowing I wasn’t going to see him until Christmas,” Vourgourakis said. “I tried to keep it together until at least after he got out the door, just to not make him feel bad or anything. But that night, I was just reflecting a lot a looking at some old pictures, but I was still overcome with emotion. I’m genuinely so excited for him, but saying goodbye was pretty difficult.”
Sydney Assil ’26, whose twin brothers left for college three years ago, said she often walks into her older brother’s room to reminisce on old memories with him.
“I get a tiny bit nostalgic and look at some of his things,” Assil said. “There’s this little trophy that I bought him when I went on a field trip in the fifth grade to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Every time I see it, I get a cute flashback. He has a way nicer desk than me and his room faces where the sun sets so it gets natural light. My room gets really dark, [whereas] his is really bright, so I like to hang out in his room more when I’m doing work.”
Strong bonds between siblings makes for a much harder transition when an older sibling leaves for college, according to The Guardian. Younger siblings often experience “empty
Summer Park ’27 said that she prioritized and cherished her time with her brother living in the house.
“Once I knew that I only had a few months left with my brother home, I tried to spend a lot of time with him,” said Park. “Unfortunately, it is inevitable, so I’m grateful for the time that I had with my older brother.”
Younger siblings often experience a strained or dramatically changed relationship with their parents after their older brother or sister leaves for college. Younger siblings may find themselves with new duties and far greater attention from parents than they have ever experienced before, according to Time.
Kyle Henderson ’27 said after his older sister left for college, he grew stressed because of the added responsibilities and extra monitoring from his mom.
“There were a lot more responsibilities with chores, doing stuff around the house, going to get groceries [and] that kind of stuff,” Henderson said. “This became all my responsibility, and I don’t like the added attention. When there’s a lot of at-
perform their peers because they receive more attention and pressure from their parents, according to a study from the University of Texas at Austin.
Hansen Liao ’27 said that the added attention from his parents is positive because he believes that it will help him get into college.
“When I was in middle school, my sister was still in the house, they were focused on helping her get into college,” Liao said. “Now, they’re focused on helping me get into college. So now they’re pretty much doing the same monitoring for me.”
Liao said that the weight of the pressure from his parents is hard to ignore because they are all worried about his future.
““Even the smallest things could start an argument, because we’re all stressed out and worried about the future,” Liao said. “It’s very easy to start arguments when everyone’s tense. That’s just [a] relationship that you start to have, especially when you are in high school and you’re the only child.”
The
mom is a lot stricter with him than she was with his older sister.
“My sister was 17 and a half, almost 18, when she got her license, so my mom gave her all that freedom, even though, technically, she’s had the same amount of experience driving as me,” said Henderson. “I have my license, my parking spot on campus, but my mom won’t even let me drive yet. She’s saying, I need to get more practice, which is understandable, that you’re looking out for your kid. But then you have to trust them.”
Park said that her relationship with her mom has not changed significantly because her mom went through the same situation.
day he left was weird. I tried to keep it together until at least after he got out the door, just to not make him feel bad or anything."
Zoe Vourgourakis
’26
Henderson said his mom is stricter with his academics and college application process than she was when his older sister was going through the process.
“When it comes to grades, my mom would never really talk to my sister about grades,” Henderson said. “But now that my sister’s already in college, she kind of knows what she wants to do and has already planned out everything for herself. My mom is never on her about school or anything like that, because she doesn’t need to be. But when it comes to me, it’s a lot about ACT studying, building up my college application and tying my extracurriculars back to my major.”
When parents focus all of their attention on one child, it can result in greater conflict in the family dynamic. This
“My parents haven’t treated me differently at all,” Park said. “I think a large factor is that my mom had an older brother, so she has already experienced what I am currently going through.”
The extra attention from parents is sometimes welcomed. It could be beneficial to the younger siblings to help keep them focused and on track with their academics, according to Children’s Dayton.
Liao said that his parents are also a lot stricter with him, and he feels like he has lost some of his breathing room, but he understands their perspective.
“My parents have a lot more rules because they have become more strict,” Liao said. “Sometimes it feels like you barely have any space to yourself, because you have lost your alone time. Now, there is a spotlight on you, and I am just not used to that. There are definitely some days where they are pushing my buttons a little bit, and it can get a little bit annoying, but in the end, after your emotions die down, and you look back on it, you know that they’re only trying to do [what is] best for you.”
L. Wood Chloe Hsu ’27
Passion to Profit
Students and faculty discuss the intersection between their school activities and the small businesses they operate on the side.
By Hannah Hendifar
Zane Burstin ’26 moves through the dimly lit room, aligning rows of glossy black protein powder bags so their gold lettering gleams. His phone buzzes. It is an invitation from the Georgia Bulldogs to speak to their team about his product. He allows a brief moment of exultation before moving to arrange the next line of product, working until the first rays of sunshine slowly stretch over the skyscrapers that surround him. When he starts to hear the commotion of a city coming to life, he straightens his tie and places a smile on his face, prepared to greet his family, friends, investors and potential customers to this inaugural event of his protein powder company, Pure Fusion. Burstin worked for 16 hours that night setting up this event, the beginning of a business that he said is now his priority and plan for the future.
“I have always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur and tried making startups,” Burstin said. “This is my first one that has been doing pretty well. I’m less stressed about school now because I have faith in what I’m doing. I know that the more [work] I put in, the more I’m going to get out. It is definitely something I want to pursue full-time.”
Pure Fusion, which has amassed approximately $46,000 in revenue since its June 22 launch date, offers a unique blend of ingredients designed to maximize muscle growth, according to its website.
Burstin said he got the idea for creating his brand after seeing success with drop shipping on Amazon.
“I would buy [five core ingredients] and put them in a bundle and sell them on Amazon,” Burstin said. “People were buying based on the sheer fact that they were just too lazy to do their own research. So I thought, ‘If this is working, why don’t I make a protein powder that has all these ingredients in one product?’ And that is exactly what I did.”
Burstin said launching his business was
“Raising the money for the actual manufacturing was probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,” Burstin said. “It is really hard to get people to trust you and even harder to get people to open their wallet for you. I spent a year and a half pitching to people and eventually got the ‘yes’ I needed. At the end of the day, a ‘no’ is a delayed ‘yes,’ and that is what kept me motivated. I put every dollar I had [to] my name into my protein powder. Formulating it was close to $50,000.”
Burstin said Pure Fusion still demands constant attention, resulting in him working on it six to 10 hours a day.
“Even when I’m out at dinner with my friends, I’m still on my phone, sending out emails, responding to texts and setting up meetings,” Burstin said. “It is really a never-ending grind. I guess the best way to put it is that I’m selling the lifestyle. I’m not on the clock. It is just my life.”
Burstin is part of a larger student population of aspiring entrepreneurs. 60% of American teens are more interested in starting their own business than having a traditional job, with 6% of teen boys and 4% of teen girls having already started their own businesses, according to a survey done by Junior Achievement USA and research from Junior Achievement and Ernst & Young LLP.
English Teacher Catherine James created Hom, a platform that enables generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create a relationship with homeowners and guide them through the process of renovating a home. James said she developed the software with her husband, Cuong James, after revamping multiple homes themselves and hoping to help others with the same process.
“If we rewind the clock many years, when my husband and I were first engaged, we bought a house,” James said. “It was built in the 1920s and a total fixer-upper. We learned how to fix up houses, and we did the demo, tiling, drywall, carpentry, framing, electrical
way we can take what we’ve learned to help other people through this process?’”
James said Hom aims to create personalized connections with homeowners and AI.
“What [the homeowners] needed was a human, a way to take the human emotions that are inevitably embedded in that home project process, whether you are building a brand new home or fixing up something old or just doing a really fun renovation of a space that you have been dying to do for years,” James said. “[AI] can tailor everything to you. We realized that the other missing element was the whole relationship piece. So we figured, there must be a way to build that bridge using technology to help the human relationship along. That is kind of what we designed.”
challenging,” Peters said. “Establishing an identity, creating labels, photographing my work, writing descriptions and figuring out search engine optimization all take way more time than one hopes it will.”
Ben Fischler ’27 experienced a similar transition from passion into business. Fischler said he turned to selling pottery after realizing he had an excess of pottery pieces and no purpose for them in his home.
“I took pottery freshman year, and really liked it, and kept on doing it,” Fischler said. “I started to develop a passion for it. I made a lot of pottery and I did not really have the use for it in my house, so I thought it would be beneficial for me to sell it.”
I said to my husband, ‘Is there a way we can take what we’ve learned to help other people?’”
— Catherine James English Teacher
Tech businesses are not the only ones that faculty are creating. Performing Arts Teacher Lisa Peters said she began selling the clothes she made after discovering she had an abundance of materials.
“I inherited a huge stash of vintage fabrics, trims, buttons and beads from my grandmother and wanted to put the beautiful materials to good use,” Peters said. “I really enjoy the process of playing with the different colors and textures and allowing each piece to evolve as I work. Friends and strangers began asking if they could purchase one of my bags or jackets, and I certainly cannot wear them all, so I figured, ‘Why not?’”
Peters said she has a regimented yet creative mindset when it comes to operating her business.
“During the summer, I sew all day, every day for weeks at a time,” Peters said. “During the school year, my goal is at least a couple of hours every other day during the week and more on the weekends. I don’t think of it like a production line.
Fischler said he sells his pottery through an Instagram account where he uploads photos of his pieces, word of mouth and the school’s Winter Market.
“My best day was the Winter Market at school,” Fischler said. “I made around $1,000 from that. People definitely bargained with the prices, and I definitely did not sell them for as much as I could because I am an amateur potter. My prices reflected that.”
Chloe Min ’27, a customer of Fischler’s, said she did not agree with the pricing of his work but supported his business because she admired his dedication.
“We bought four to six pots from him,” Min said. “They were overpriced, especially considering that it costs him essentially nothing to make them. I supported his business because I wanted to support my friend. He would take the bus down to the Middle School and stay in the pottery studio until 9 p.m. Whether or not the business proposition makes sense, you have to respect that he was putting in the work and time. I saw it firsthand. He was in that studio a lot.”
Fischler said he was able to put a lot of time into pottery in his freshman year, but as his priorities have changed, he now has less time to devote to it.
“Freshman year, I was in the studio for maybe three hours four days a week,” Fischler said. “It took up a lot of my time, practicing and refining the shapes that I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Once sophomore year hit and sports and school work started ramping up, I didn’t have the opportunity to get in as much as I would like to. The amount of pieces I was able to make kind of took a hit from that. School was more of a priority for me, so my schedule had to reflect that.”
Fischler said he still values the opportunity to sell his pottery.
“Selling my pottery definitely reinforced that it was worth something,” Fischler said. “A big part of artistry is pricing a creative work. I have always valued my art and thought it was pretty good.
The fact that other people wanted to have my art in their house and were willing to pay for it was a cool experience for me. Seeing that day in the winter market when I just kept selling pieces was really cool, because it was like, ‘Oh, people value what I’m doing.’”
WE THE DREAM
Students and faculty on campus discuss how the recent ICE raids in the Los Angeles area have impacted their well-being, communities and sense of security.
By Donna Enayati
On the first days of summer vacation, Maylie Macias ’26 sits with her family enjoying the early June sunshine. Conversation about everything from the final exams Macias had just finished to stories about friends fill the afternoon until, suddenly, her day takes a turn upon hearing about the detention of one of her friends by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (U.S. ICE). Anxiety surges through her body as she wonders who would be next. Macias said she and her family felt a deep sense of apprehension as they learned more about the raids.
“[There] was an unspoken fear between me, my parents and my cousins,” said Macias. “We all just had that same look on our faces. We looked at each other and just didn’t know how to process this.”
Los Angeles, known for its diverse immigrant com munity, is home to nearly 3 million foreign-born resi dents, roughly one-third of its population, according to ABC7. Since the begin ning of the raids, ICE has made at least 4,163 arrests in the greater Los Angeles area, according to the Los Angeles Times.
immigration issue and the struggles of immigrants are overlooked at Harvard-Westlake is due to the fact that undocumented people, due to fear, are often very private about their status in this country,” Sierakowski said. “It is the same fear that forces immigrants to not be vocal about their personal or familial struggles, [leading] their issues to become invisible to the community.”
The ICE raids are motivated by the Trump Administration’s desire to increase national security and boost the U.S. economy, according to the Associated Press. However, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022 and paid higher state and local tax rates than the top 1 percent of households in 40 states, according to the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy.
Around 45% of Americans support increasing the frequency of ICE raids at workplaces
“ We all just had that same look on our faces. We looked at each other and just didn’t know how to process this.”
- Maylie Macias
’26
73.3% of students at the school come from an immigrant back ground, according to a Chronicle poll. Macias, a co-leader of the First Generation Immigrant Ally Club (1GIA), comes from a family of immigrants. Her father works alongside undocumented employees, and she said she felt the impacts of ICE on her community almost immediately.
“It is not just an attack on immigrants, but an attack on Latino communities, and that’s why it feels so personal,” Macias said. “It puts us in a state of fear. It makes us feel as though we have no representation or rights due to the lack of due process right now. Everybody is at the risk of being sent away without that process.”
Natalie Ascorra ’24 said she was alarmed by the ICE raids, expecting more from Los Angeles’s status as a sanctuary city and May or Karen Bass’ response to the raids.
“It was definitely a huge scare to me,” Ascorra said. “It’s still a constant worry that I have. But, what stood out to me was that LA is supposed to be a sanctuary city, and it proved not to be. It was alarming to see the reaction of the city. Our mayor didn’t protect LA as much as she should have.”
Upper School History Teacher Ingrid Sierakowski said she felt uneasy upon hear ing about the ICE raids in the news.
“I can’t say that I was entirely surprised, given the administration’s approach toward immigrants,” Sierakowski said. “I am very familiar with folks who were put in a state of fear as a result and absolutely empathize with those who were and are undocumented.”
Ascorra said she was most concerned about the children of immigrant families, especially those whose parents were in fear of being deported.
“[Children of immigrants] always have to be awake,” Ascorra said. “They have to be alert. They have to be a lot older than they should be. They can’t really be kids. Children of immigrants have to mature very fast. Kids can’t be kids.”
Sierakowski said the challenges undocumented families face often remain hidden on campus, since fear of exposure keeps many from speaking openly.
“Part of the reason the
protects students during their commute, changed bus routes and distributed preparedness guides to immigrant families. Teachers have created hotlines and rapid-response networks to help students manage fear and uncertainty, according to the Washington Post.
Across the nation, similar measures have been adopted. A new policy from New York’s school system prohibits ICE from entering school property and utilizing school facilities, according to the New York City Council.
Head of Upper School Beth Slattery said the school has avoided making public statements about the raids in the interest of the safety of students.
“Making public statements can put kids at risk, so we have tried to walk a line of supporting individuals directly instead,”
that their institution is there to offer support,” Sierakowski said. “They [the school] should at least acknowledge that various members of our community may be affected directly or indirectly.”
Conversely, Rockwell said the school should focus on education instead of politics.
“The school has a responsibility to remain neutral and not polarize itself politically, which in the past, it has done with certain topics.” Rockwell said. “They don’t have a responsibility to reach out or make a a statement because their job is to teach, not to be affiliated politically with the modern world.”
Macias said the school should be there for students in this time because of how diverse the student body is.
“Harvard-Westlake should at least show support for their students,” Macias said. “The first-generation, immigrant and Latino
ed. There are students who are on visas, and people whose parents are undocumented.
STAFF SUMMER
Concerts going green: venues change futures
By Audrey Herrera
When fans pack into large stadiums to see their favorite artists, the focus is on the music, lights and spectacle, but not the environmental repercussions. Many large concerts have a large carbon footprint due to the energy used to power the stage and the plastic waste left behind. Artists such as Coldplay and Billie Eilish have led the charge to make live music more sustainable.
Coldplay’s current tour pledges to cut its CO2 emissions by over 50%. The band partners with DHL, a logistics and package delivery company, to minimize transportation impacts. Together, Coldplay and DHL cut greenhouse gas waste by using electric vehicles and advanced biofuels for air travel, according to their tour website. However, their most creative solutions come from inside the stadium, where they have kinetic floors that generate electricity from fans’ dancing and stationary bikes that let audience members actively help power the following show.
Joseph Villa ’27 said he appreciates the creative and interactive solutions the band offers.
“[Their alternatives are] really cool, and as someone who loved dancing myself, the idea of dance floors that capture energy is honestly amazing,” Villa said. “That
idea could be heavily expanded upon and implemented in other concerts and types of events. As a Mexican, we dance so much at parties. The idea of a dance floor that captures energy is amazing as we always put so much energy into our dancing, and it is amazing to see that it will help too.”
Meanwhile, Billie Eilish focuses her sustainability efforts on planning and fan involvement.
An audience’s commute makes up over 70% of a concert’s carbon footprint, according to her promotional site. Eilish partnered with Google Maps to encourage fans to walk, bike or take public transportation on the way to and from her various performances. Those who drive in their own vehicles are shown the most fuel-efficient routes. Beyond travel, she eliminated single-use plastic items on tour, swapped plastic straws for paper ones and ensured all merchandise at her concerts and events are made from recycled or organic biodegradable materials.
Hudson Phillips’ 27 said she believes that artists participating in climate efforts are taking steps in the right direction, but the audience plays a part as well because they contribute.
“It is nice when artists use their platform to speak about important issues such as climate change,” Philips said.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
Brand marketing: examining the controversial ads of this summer
By Zara Groves
During this past summer, ad controversies, such as American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney and e.l.f.’s Matt Rife ad, have revealed the tensions between consumers and their relationship with marketing in recent times.
Sydney Sweeney’s collaboration with Dr. Squatch to promote a soap called “Bathwater Bliss,” which was largely marketed as having her bathwater as a key ingredient, was released on June 6. Later, Sweeney partnered with American Eagle for a campaign with the slogan, “Sydney Sweeney has great genes,” playing on the double meaning of gene expression and denim. This led people to accuse the ad of promoting eugenics, because Sydney Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair were claimed to be superior in the much-discredited scientific theory, as stated by NPR.
Lila Brockway ’28, who found Sweeney’s recent string of ads vulgar and crude, said that people must be willing to hold today's brands accountable in order to create change in marketing to increase inclusveness.
K-pop Demon Hunters unleashed
By Sophie Lee
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” is the latest addition to Netflix’s lineup of animated movies and has made waves in the movie industry with its record-breaking songs and unique concept. A Sony Pictures Animation production released on Netflix, the movie has remained in Netflix’s Top 10 Movies since its release on June 20. The film follows the fictional K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who use their music and voices to protect their fans from the constant threat of demons that steal souls.
The film is currently Netflix’s second most viewed movie, garnering over 210.5 million views, according to ScreenRant. Although the movie seems child-oriented, the striking visuals, innovative premise, and relatable themes appeal to a wide audience. The film’s original soundtrack is one of its most distinctive features and is responsible for its smash hit success. Sarah Huang ’27 said the movie resonated with her because of the memorable songs and melodies.
“The best parts of the movie are the songs because they’re extremely
catchy and they introduce the Kpop genre to people not familiar with this type of music,” Huang said. “The vocals are really nice to listen to, and the dances are super fun to do.”
The movie’s fictional girl group HUNTR/X and the fictional demon-boy band Saja Boys have surpassed records held by mammoth K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS. Katie Wang ’27 said she enjoys the songs in the movie since they resemble actual K-pop songs.
“I really like ‘Golden’ by HUNTR/X and ‘Your Idol’ by Saja Boys because they genuinely sound like real K-pop songs,” Wang said. “They’ve got the beat and some Korean incorporated throughout each song. I feel like they follow the same general path as K-pop songs, too. There’s usually some type of verse sung, the chorus, then some rap, back to the chorus, and maybe a bridge that leads back into the chorus again, which all the songs in the movie follow perfectly.”
Veronica Mnatsakanian ’26 said she loves the movie and believes it should serve as an inspiration for future animated films and an intro into new animated styles.
“I think Netflix will use it as a reference for future movies because the mixture of fantasy, friendship, and romance gives this movie a special relatability and enjoyment factor that entices people of all ages,” Mnatsakanian said. “I saw some similarities between ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Turning Red,’ which both include female leads, music, and self-acceptance. Therefore, I think more films may also try to weave in these arcs.”
The film’s exceptional popularity is a very significant moment for the entertainment industry, as it not only acts as a propeller for K-pop music to reach new heights, but it also showcases the desire for original stories that combine different genres. In the case of “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” the printed novel combines supernatural elements such as demons and infectious music, creating a captivating blend that appeals to many people as well as introducing them to K-pop. Wang said that the movie’s inventiveness in style surprised her, as she had rarely witnessed in a story combining two different genres, especially within animation.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
“People’s obliviousness is what determines which products influence our lives,” Brockway said. “We should promote the idea of surrounding yourself with good influences, so we can hold brands to a certain standard of cultural norms. However, if people aren’t holding brands accountable, [they] will continue to have this ignorant behavior.”
Comedian Matt Rife, who was criticized in the past for jokes about domestic abuse, recently partnered with makeup brand Elf for their new campaign “E.L.FINO & SCHMARNES,” which was released on Aug. 9. Many saw Rife as a poor casting choice, considering the brands target audience is women.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Justine Bateman, author of “Hijacking the Media,” said consumers “don’t want to be told what to think” and that, while celebrity endorsements can successfully sell a product, they are not as effective at selling an idea or message. This unpredictability means that when a celebrity’s actions clash with a brand’s values, the public’s reaction can be difficult to predict and control. Noah
Ramsey ’27 said that this use of celebrity endorsement to promote products can feel manipulative.
“Celebrity endorsements have a huge impact because people look up to them,” Ramsey said. “When a celebrity speaks out, it can shape how the public thinks. Sometimes brands genuinely care about marketing, but a lot of the time it’s just an obscure marketing move, like e.l.f.’s recent campaign.”
Troye Sivan’s campaign with GAP in 2024 showed him and a slew of backup dancers in GAP denim, demonstrating the versatility and comfort of the jeans over their aesthetic results, according to Vogue Business. Alice Lee ’27 said Katseye’s GAP jeans campaign was an example of a positive and inclusive advertisement, similar to Sivan’s, even though it had been planned before Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign.
“From the song choice to the timing, it seemed very intentionally opposed to what the American Eagle campaign represented,” Lee said. “It not only presents each member fairly but highlights the individual capability of each beyond their physical appearance.”
Released on July 2, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” is the newest installment in the Jurassic series. The movie features a completely new cast, setting it apart from its 2022 predecessor, “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The film explores the ramifications of the Jurassic Park research on humanity and showcases how humans live alongside the dinosaurs.
The movie follows operatives contracted by a biopharmaceutical company as they participate in an illicit expedition to an abandoned island research facility. Their goal is to obtain genetic material from three live dinosaurs to create a lifesaving medicine that can cure diseases thought to be incurable. Led by a skilled mercenary, Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), the team faces horrors such as hybrid dinosaurs.
The format of the movie is
different from previous Jurassic films as those had primarily involved the characters consistently escaping. However, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” subverts the cliche of characters continuously fleeing from dinosaurs and instead portrays them actively approaching the creatures. A highlight of the movie is the suspense that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. Because there are not as many intense scenes compared to previous installments, the gripping scenes are thrilling without being very gory.
While the film offers excitement, it also melds family dynamics, humanity’s arrogance and corporate greed. Moreover, the ethical concerns over who will be able to benefit from the medicine raises several important questions for the audience to think about.
The new cast is engaging and compelling to watch. In
particular, Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) is memorable because he is a paleontologist who joined the expedition to live out his childhood dream of seeing real dinosaurs. He is a relatable character because he has taken great risks to pursue his dreams. His genuine interest in the dinosaurs introduces an innocence that can remind viewers of their childhood fascination with the creatures, and even fond memories of previous Jurassic films. Additionally, the character of Xavier (David Iacono) provides much needed humor and comic relief with his clumsy, yet sincere intentions to help.
Overall, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” is a satisfying movie for fans of suspense. Although the new installment is not as action heavy as previous films, by including interesting characters and a variety of intriguing themes, it is captivating to watch.
A Hero Reforged: The New Superman
By Audrey Herrera
Director James Gunn returned to the superhero genre this summer with a revitalized take on DC’s classic hero “Superman.” Released on July 11, the highly anticipated film soared to the top of the box office, earning $122 million on the opening weekend, according to the Associated Press. The film offers an engaging and visually striking experience, centering its narrative on empathy and the value of kindness in the modern world. Gunn’s Superman, played by David Corenswet, is intentionally optimistic. His willingness to embrace the character’s lighter qualities are apparent when audiences meet the new Clark Kent, face planted in the snow, dressed in the classic red trunks and spandex. His dialogue, sprinkled with dated phrases like “golly” and
Summer on Repeat
By Audrey Herrera
Summer 2025 featured a variety of new releases across a wide range of genres, from rap to 80s-style pop. Tyler, the Creator reminded audiences to stop scrolling and start living, Conan Gray turned heartbreak into synth melodies and Katseye attempted to stake a claim in the pop world.
Tyler, the Creator –Don’t Tap the Glass Tyler’s latest album is a satirical reaction to the modern concert experience, where screens often get more attention than the stage.
“Don’t Tap the Glass” highlights Tyler’s awareness of how digital culture has changed the way audiences engage with music. The
strong dance beats and lighthearted lyrics are a strong contrast to his prior albums, such as Chromakopia, which dealt with much heavier themes of self-discovery and aging. The album utilizes humor and sharp observations to urge listeners to be more present in the moment, both at his concerts and in everyday life.
Katseye – Beautiful Chaos
Katseye’s new album, “Beautiful Chaos,” is polished and energetic, featuring well-produced music videos, strong choreography and charismatic performances that make it fun to watch. The group knows how to put on a show and engage their fans with artistic styles that connect to their k-pop roots. However, the songs
often fall flat. Exciting dance numbers and well-coordinated costumes can’t hide how formulated many of the tracks feel. The trending track, “Gnarly,” offers fun TikTok-worthy clips, but the EP offers little depth or lasting impact. Katseye delivers bright, entertaining performances with fun, engaging members, yet the music itself is simple and not innovative.
Conan Gray – Wishbone
Conan Gray’s album “Wishbone” is an emotional rollercoaster told through shimmering, synth-heavy 80s-pop. The album captures the ache of young love and loss which does not shy away from vulnerability.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
“what the hey,” emphasizes the simple and sincere side of the character which makes him authentic and endearing. At a time when aggressive and cynical personas dominate popular culture, Superman emerges as a much-needed counterbalance. His acts of kindness and compassion throughout the movie remind audiences that being a good person still matters.
The film also benefits from a memorable antagonist, Lex Luthor. Many modern villains and antiheroes on the big screen have their cruelty softened by elaborate backstories or sympathetic trauma, such as Ghost in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” or Vulture in “Spiderman: Homecoming.” Luthor, on the other hand, is unapologetically malicious, running in spite and a strong hatred of Clark Kent’s alien origins.
Luthor views Superman as an alien threat, framing him
as an outsider or even an “illegal”. This conflict mirrors real-world discourse on belonging, borders and national identity, which sparked online debates from viewers across the political spectrum. The film highlights how ordinary civilians are caught in the crossfire of world conflicts sparked by greed and ambition, as Luthor manipulates conflict for his own personal gain. While some viewers have labeled Gunn’s take as politically liberal, others believe the film is a reminder that superhero cinema has always reflected the anxieties of the era, reported by The Guardian. By grounding its story in themes of empathy, exploitation and collective responsibility, the movie distinguishes itself from other recent superhero blockbusters by tackling very modern themes head-on.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
Chron Island
Welcome to the villa! Located in the heart of Weiler Hall, enjoy beautiful views of the parking lot you’re not allowed to park in and the club football practice for elementary schoolers. Will you make it to the final four? Or will you get kicked out in the first week? Choose your first partner, but pick carefully!
Colin Ho: He zooms in and takes a photo of your pimple, and then posts it on his Instagram spam using his contraband flip phone. He gets kicked off by production for breaking the phone policy. You are single and booted out of Weiler.
Ellika LeSage: She starts laughing at you when you trip down the stairs and then hits the griddy on you.
David Rothbart: He forgets to talk to you for three days and then tries to explain where you fall on the douchebag/funny axis.
Do you couple up with the new bombshell, not knowing who it is?
Yes: Surprise surprise, the new bombshell is Max Nam! He takes you for a drive in his dad’s car up Coldwater Canyon Avenue. He tries to get you to buy his meme coin course – what do you do?
Agree: The course turns out to be an Instagram Reels account with a $50 monthly subscription fee. Max forces you to enter your credit card information and then strands you at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Rush hour traffic makes it impossible to get back to the villa.
Andrea Ricabal: She sits by the pool tanning. You ask her to go for a chat and she tells you she’s busy swimming. You become a friendship couple and get voted out by the public after getting no screen time.
Yes: You guys make it to the final four but break up immediately after landing. You sit on opposite sides of the reunion.
No: David/Ellika tries to make you breakfast, but the pancakes are undercooked. You get food poisoning and are sent home.
Reject: You avoided getting scammed! Time for Casa Amor. You’re greeted by Sienna Dal’Olmo, Eila Shokravi and Andrea Ricabal. Who do you pull for a chat?
Eila Shokravi: During your date at Corepower Sherman Oaks, you almost pass out during class. She says that you two are physically incompatible. Do you try and make things work?
No: She says, “that’s fine” and then immediately ghosts you to yell at the juniors in the sports section.
No: CONGRATULATIONS!
You and Sienna survive Love Island and win the $100,000. You both pledge the entire sum to animal shelters.
Yes: You confront your haters the day before fire pit. You are both voted off by other islanders, but come home to dozens of brand deals and a “Call Her Daddy” interview request.
Sienna Dall’Olmo: She hosts a Peer Support meeting in the hideaway. Production films all of hot seat and plays the clips during movie night. The villa hates you and Sienna for being gossips, but America says you’re real ones. Do you confront your villa haters?
Field hockey team begins new season
By Chloe Kim
The field hockey team traveled to San Diego to participate in scrimmages against Bishops High School on Aug. 20 and Torrey Pines High School on Aug. 21. They also participated in team bonding activities.
Goalie Abigail Juarez ’26 said she learned the importance of engaging in each play as well as encouraging her teammates.
“[During the pre-season scrimmages], I learned that I have to commit harder to every ball and go all in,” Juarez said. “I also learned to make sure to motivate and hype up my teammates.”
Midfielder Margaux Schlumberger ’27 said the team participated in bonding activities such as doing escape rooms and going to Disneyland throughout pre-season to help with communication.
“This year there has been a large emphasis on team camaraderie and bonding, as well as physical fitness and being dynamic,” Schlumberger said. “I’m looking forward to seeing our progress reflecting in our games this season.”
Co-captain and midfielder Maggie Koo ’26 said she looks forward to playing against rival schools and seeing how the team has improved compared to their last season.
“Our team's goal is definitely to win the championship,” Koo said. “There are definitely some good match ups like Bonita High School. We lost to them in the championship last year 1-0. Our team will be able to adapt and grow from the season so if we play them again in playoffs, and possibly the finals, we will be able to beat their strategy.”
The team will face Marina High School at 4 p.m. on Aug 29. for their first home game of the season.
Girls volleyball team heads into new season with undefeated preseason record, new coach
By Jean Park
The girls volleyball team is beginning their season with new head coach Morgan Wijay.
Middle Ruby Sampson ’27 said the adjustment to the team’s new coach has been a major factor in building momentum and that the difference in intensity compared to last year is already noticeable.
“She’s so good at motivating us,” Sampson said. “Having a new coach was a big switch, but a good switch, because we’ve genuinely gotten so much better already. She wants us to be the loudest team on the court, always cheering, always talking, and our energy in practice has never been higher. [Wijay] is very energetic, positive and chatty, which has
been such a good fit for us. Her energy is always so appreciated, playing a key part of our game. She’s helped us raise our expectations and given us the drive to compete with the biggest teams.”
Sampson said she is also looking forward to the Durango Tournament in Las Vegas this September, one of the key highlights that should be anticipated of the season.
“So many teams go, and it’s so fun because there’s always such good team bonding,” Sampson said. “Also, traveling with the team is always one of my favorite things to do every year. We have so much fun.”
Sampson said the team had gone through a major switch with the new coach, but a positive one
Football team starts with new staff
By Jake Yoon
The football begins the season with a new coaching staff and a different approach to preparation. Practices began over the summer and have continued into the fall as the wolverines get ready for the season.
Team manager Ryan Davidoff ’27 said the program’s offense will look nothing like strategies from previous years.
“Our offense is going to be completely different because we have a new coaching staff coming in, and their mentality is the opposite of last year,” Davidoff said. “It’s going to be a lot more electric, and a lot more explosive. We’re really implementing it to be a faster tempo. We’re going to
try to keep the defense on their heels the whole time.”
Strong safety and wide receiver Dylan Fullmer ’27 said his main excitement comes from the chance to help the team push toward the postseason.
“I’m most excited about hopefully having a successful, winning team,” Fullmer said. “The goal is to make the playoffs, and I think it’s a very reasonable goal to have in mind.”
Davidoff said practices have become far more demanding under the new staff.
“Practices this year have been three times as intense as last year,” Davidoff said.
“Everybody is always going 100%. There’s an insanely committed energy this year, and everyone’s really bought
in it. Our process has been refined, and it really looks professional in practice.”
Fullmer said months of summer training have prepared them well for the fall.
“We’ve been practicing [almost] every week this summer," Fullmer said. “We’ve been going through a bunch of skill drills where we’ve learned all of the next-level things from our coaching staff that have really prepared us.”
Fullmer said that one of the team’s biggest goals this year is to finally break through to a winning record.
“A big challenge is going to be getting to that next barrier, going above .500,” Fullmer said. “That’s been the step we’ve been looking to get past for so many years.”
to improve their game this year.
“It has definitely been a big switch, but a good switch, because it's been working out for the better,” Sampson said. “We are also getting so much better, which makes me very excited.”
Setter Camy Zahiri ’26 said the team’s preparation has paid off, as they opened the year undefeated in preseason and are motivated to keep that momentum going. She said their goal is to compete with top teams, make the playoffs and enjoy the season together.
“We have started the year off super strong being undefeated in preseason,” Zahiri said.
“I hope we just win as many games as possible, punch the top teams hard if not taking the win and make playoffs, while also having so much fun and making it memorable.”
Sampson said the team has
set clear goals for the season and is determined to reach them. She said the players are working to stay motivated and hold each other accountable throughout the year.
“This year we’re trying to make playoffs, which means we have to get third in the Mission League,” Sampson said. “We’re very motivated to do that and hopeful for the win.”
Zahiri said this season feels especially meaningful since it is her last year on the team, a chance to finish her high school career on a strong note while making lasting memories with her teammates.
“I am most excited for this season as it is my senior season, so it will be the year to have all my lasts with my best friends,” Zahiri said. “I’m also excited to see how we do overall because we’ve started out really strong and every game is special knowing it’s my last season with this group.”
TEAM HUDDLE: Middle blocker Ruby Sampson ’27 high-fives outside hitter Kahala Faucher ’27 during a match. The moment highlights the team’s energy, connection and determination reflecting how they continue to build chemistry and stay focused while pushing for a Mission League playoff spot.
JUNIOR LEADER: Max Ferreira ’27 sets up for a kick during the Wolverines’ game against Cleaveland Mag on Aug 22. The wolverines defeated them 21-0
Ruby Sampson ’27
Cross country prepares for fall season
By Chloe Kim
The boys cross country team went to their annual Big Bear retreat Aug. 12-17. In addition to preseason training at school, runners condition outide of practice by themselves or with teammates to prepare for upcoming races.
Co-captain Charles Abemayor ’26 said the team has been preparing mentally and physically for the long and challenging competitive season.
“We have been running high mileage weeks since June,” Abemayor said. “[We have also been] doing some tough workouts to prepare for the season, with a few people running over 60 miles a week. We’re not only getting right physically but also mentally, as cross country is a somewhat mental sport.”
Lee Barron ’27 said he hopes to compete with top varsity runners this season.
“I would like to try and make it onto the top seven varsity runners on the team,” Barron said. “Many others also have time goals, but I like to just race and see how fast I can go. As for the team, I think we are in a good, if not the best
spot we have ever been in, and I hope we can make the podium at state.”
Abemayor said he hopes to make school history and become Mission League Division IV champions this year.
“Loyola has dominated the league for dozens of years, but we hope we can win the league championship for the first time in Harvard-Westlake history,” Abemayor said. “In our California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) division, many teams
have asserted themselves as the favorites and have demonstrated that they are great teams. Our team has flown under the radar but I believe we have the capability to show out and display our hard work.”
Senior Aaron Escalante ’26 said that he believes this year will be the year they finally overcome Loyola.
“We have a super experienced and tight group this season,” Escalante said. “This is arguably the best team we’ve
Cheerleading team begins fall season with focus on increasing teamwork, game spirit
By Jake Yoon
The Wolverines cheerleading team began its fall season with a summer intensive and two weeks of August practices. The team used that time to learn choreography, rehearse routines and prepare for game-day performances.
Junior Suzy Schwartz said she is most excited about the team’s opportunities to grow closer this year.
“I’m looking forward to bonding with my teammates
and growing closer with the new members,” Schwartz said. “Performance wise, I’m especially excited for homecoming because it’s always the highlight of the year.”
She said the team’s off-season preparation had opportunities to learn from professionals while also refining their routines.
“During the off-season, we all attended a summer intensive where we learned choreography from professional dancers and choreographers,” Schwartz
said. “Then, we joined back in the studio as a full program and continued to rehearse our routines and cheers to get ready for game day.”
Looking ahead in their schedule, Schwartz said she hopes her dance and cheer teammates will continue to strengthen their bond on and off the field.
had in school history and with the team culture we have, everyone’s really bought in. That means getting extra mileage and showing up everyday at practice ready to work and compete. For us seniors, it’s our last chance to win league and we all know it and we’re working for it.”
Cooper Rieke ’27 said his goal is to become a good teammate that could support his team and to also improve his pacing for longer courses.
““A personal goal I have this season is to be a great teammate and to help the whole team be the best we can be,” Rieke said. “I also want to improve upon my pacing throughout races because last year, I often started either too slow or too fast, and my pacing being better will allow me to run faster.”
The team will participate in the University of California Santa Barbara Cross Country Invitational for their first race this season on Aug. 30.
I’m hoping that we continue to build our team’s chemistry and all become closer. Not only with our dance teammates, but also with the cheer team, so that our program can continue to grow and strengthen.” — Suzy Schwartz ’27 L.
two weeks where we came for about four hours every day,” Rosenfeld said.
Girls
By Jake Yoon
Mia Rosenfeld ’28 said the team trained for two weeks in August as part of its preparation for the fall season.
“We had a dance intensive for two days in June, and then in August, we had another
“I’m hoping that we continue to build our team’s chemistry and all become closer,” Schwartz said. “Not only with our dance teammates, but also with the cheer team, so that our program can continue to grow and strengthen.”
The team played their first game of the season against Cleveland Magnet High School on Aug. 22 and will play at home at the Ted Slavin Field on Aug. 28 against Palisades Charter High School.
tennis enters season with new look
The girls tennis team has opened the fall season with a mix of returning and new players, aiming to compete against top programs while building team chemistry.
Doubles player Emily Stutsman ’26 said she is approaching her final season with gratitude and excitement.
“I’m looking forward to savoring my last season with the team,” Stutsman said. “We have a great group of girls this year, and I’m excited to continue building relationships and making memories with them. I’m especially excited for our San Diego tournament, which was a highlight of last season for us competitively and as a bonding experience.”
Stutsman said much of the roster stayed sharp during the offseason through private training and tournament play. Stutsman said their focus is on building strong team chemistry and setting clear goals to stay united during the season.
“We want to create a strong foundation by connecting on court, bonding off court and setting team goals for the season,” Stutsman said. “I want us to play with more confidence and continue to support each other, especially during our tougher matches.”
Singles player Alli Firtel ’27 said the team is preparing to compete with a new lineup after six players graduated.
“We’re looking forward to moving up some of the girls from JV and also some new freshmen,” Firtel said. “We’ll be switching around doubles partners and the lineup itself to do the best we can with the new group.”
winning the thing,” Firtel said. “We hope to do the best that we can in playoffs and go in with as much confidence as possible.”
The Wolverines will compete in the San Diego Invitational from Sept. 18-20, one of the key events of this season.
Stutsman said the team is focused on creating a strong foundation by connecting on and off the court. She said their goal is to play with confidence, support each other and stay united and together during some very challenging matches.
Firtel said the team hopes to advance further in the season compared to last year.
“Last season, we were in the open division of CIF and lost to Palos Verdes High School in the first round, and they ended up
“We definitely want to improve from last season,” Stutsman said. “We lost in the first round of CIF to Palos Verdes, who ended up winning it all, so this year our goal is to practice hard, build confidence and make a stronger run for these playoffs.”
EYES ON THE BALL: Junior Alli Firtel ’27 follows through on a forehand during a league match. Firtel is working to strengthening her consistency for this season.
STRONG FINISH: Robby Louie ’26 surges ahead on the track during a race at a home cross country meet. After a summer of training, Louie is sharpening his consistency, maintaining pace through the final stretch and contributing to the team’s momentum this season.
READY, SET, GO: The girls cross country team huddles up for a photo on Aug. 14 at Big Bear Mountain before doing their 40s/40s workout, which is infamous for its difficulty. The 40s/40s workout consists of athletes running 200 meters in timed groups at a high altitude and slope.
Girls cross country team starts season with retreat
By Chloe Kim
The girls cross country team attended their annual preseason retreat to Big Bear Mountain Aug. 12-17. The retreat consists of summer practices and training, and helps runners build endurance while running at high altitudes.
Co-captain Elle Kirman ’27 said going to the Big Bear retreat helps her get in shape and bond with her team.
“Preseason is mainly about building fitness,” Kirman said. “We do a combination of easy runs, workouts and long runs in the summer. Right now, we are coming off a very hard couple of weeks by going to the crosscountry retreat in Big Bear and continuing to have hard workouts at practice.”
Team member Emma Calista Lee ’27 said she learned a lot
about the dynamic of the team from the retreat.
“I had so much fun at Big Bear,” Lee mentioned. “It was such a great experience getting to train and spend time with my team and it really brought me closer to everyone. Throughout the retreat, I learned to stay consistent with training and recovery. I was also reminded that I have a strong team that I can unconditionally rely on.”
Team member Oona Sils ’26 said she aims to improve by making adjustments for her last season on cross country.
“I want to get as close to 19 minutes in the three miles as I can and have a good season overall as it’s my last in high school,” Sils said. “[The team] wants to make it to [CIF Division IV State Championship] and see a lot of good running and improvements this year.”
Team member Mikaela Brabbee ’28 said that she wants to focus on her health because she struggled with a sprained ankle and pneumonia last season.
“Our team is hoping to qualify for state again this year,” Brabbee said. “This is definitely something we will have to work towards, so hopefully everyone is able to stay healthy and avoid injuries. Last year I was injured and unable to run at the famous Woodbridge Cross Country race in Irvine, so I am very excited to attend this year.”
Sils said she hopes to strengthen team dynamics and ensure the health of her teammates.
“I really want to improve our team dynamics by making sure we organize long runs for everyone, and that we are caring for each other and encouraging each other,” Sils said. “I also want to improve injury prevention
and nutrition. [For example], having proper stretching, diet and running form, so that we are able to have everyone as healthy as possible.”
Kirman said that the team hopes to challenge their biggest rival, JSerra Catholic High School, at the end of the season for first place in the CIF Division IV State Championship.
“I expect the biggest challenge that we will face in our division is JSerra’s team,” Kirman said. “While right now they expect to be better than us, we are hoping to see how competitive we can be with them and try to disrupt their dominance in [CIF Division IV State Championship].”
The team will go to the University of California Santa Barbara Cross Country Invitational for their first race on Aug. 30.
By Jean Park and Chloe Kim
The boys water polo team has begun the new season with a new roster.
Goalie Nathan You ’26 said he feels excited about the new group’s determination and energy, even if the team is less experienced in comparison to last year’s lineup.
“Our team’s definitely way younger this year than last year,” You said. “We don’t have as big or as fast players, but we do have a group of really smart and disciplined players. I think that’s where we can succeed against these top teams in Orange County and up north.”
Captain and Attacker Jack Shapiro ’26 said his goals are to set an example for the underclassmen, and to be the most dominant team in California.
“My personal goal is to gain everyone’s respect on the team as a leader and be someone they all go to for advice, whether it’s water polo or school-related,” Shapiro said. “As a team, our goal is simple. The goal is to win and be the best team in the country. Playing for HarvardWestlake comes with a certain sense of pride and achievement, and we strive to be the best.”
Attacker Evan Vourakis ’27 said the team’s preparation during the offseason has them ready to compete.
“We have had practice six days a week during the summer and additionally have lifted three days every week,” Vourakis said. “I think last season gave us a great foundation, but this year we can look to be more disciplined and work together as a team while keeping our intensity.”
Looking ahead, Vourakis said he is particularly excited for the challenge of a marquee matchup.
• Continued on hwchronicle.com
Girls golf team kicks off season with short game practice
By Jake Yoon
The girls golf team began their season with a focus on improvement and teamwork. With regular practices and skill sessions, players have been focusing on their short game.
Team member Ellie Oh ’29, who joined the team this year, said she hopes to grow as a player while learning from her teammates.
“I am most excited to get to play with my teammates and get more experience,” Oh said. “We’ve been practicing the skills that the team needs, like working on our short game. We even dedicated a practice to bunker shots and chipping around the green.”
Oh said the team also worked to prepare on different courses, which has helped them develop a broader range of skills.
“We’ve been having practice three times a week, and playing different courses,” Oh said. “It’s been good to work on a variety
of shots in different places.”
Team member Chuyue Jia ’28 said she looks forward to playing new courses with her teammates and seeing how both new and returning players contribute this season.
“Each course brings its own challenges, whether it’s tricky greens or tighter fairways, and it pushes us to adapt our game,”
Jia said. “Having that mix of fresh energy and experience makes the season exciting, and I think it will give us momentum heading into league and CIF.”
Jia said the team emphasized strategy and short game practice while also bonding as a team by spending time together before the season starts, such as the team’s retreat to Valencia.
“Our team has been focused on course management and consistency,” Jia said “A big emphasis has been on our short game, since those strokes really add up in team scoring. We’ve also been working on building team chemistry through common experiences like our team
retreat, because supporting each other on the course makes a huge difference in match play.”
Team member Katelyn Kim ’28 said she looks forward to strengthen her skills while also building stronger connections within the team.
“This season, I’m excited to bond with the team more and get to work on my game,” Kim said. “I’ve been working on getting better at my short game, especially putting, because I feel like that’s very important in golf.”
Kim said the team’s strength comes from their support of each other and accountability.
“Everyone has off days, but I think supporting each other is very important,” Kim said. “If one of us isn’t playing well, having teammates who stay positive makes it easier to get through the round.”
The team will play its first match of the competitive season at Encino Golf Course against Oaks Christian School on Aug. 28.
PRINTED
PUTTING PRACTICE: Layout Assistant and Staff Writer Katelyn Kim ’28 lines up her ball and gets
wolverines only wolverines only
BY
When I first stepped onto a volleyball court as a 10-year-old, I did not think twice about my height. Back then, everything about the sport felt new and exciting. I was introduced to the middle blocker position, and immediately, I fell in love with it. It was the heart of the action. Jumping, blocking, attacking quick sets — it felt like I belonged there. I was not tall, but it did not seem to matter. At that age, we were all just kids learning how to serve overhand and figuring out how rotations worked. Volleyball was fun, and I felt like I had found my place.
As I grew older, the dynamics began to shift. While many of my peers experienced significant growth spurts, my height remained largely unchanged. By the time I reached middle school, the physical disparity between myself and other players became increasingly evident. I was consistently the shortest middle blocker on the court, and it did not go unnoticed. Coaches, opponents and even opposing players often reacted with surprise or skepticism when they learned my position. Sometimes the doubt was expressed outright. Other times, it was evident in a pause, a raised eyebrow or a subtle glance after I introduced myself as a middle. Gradually, I began to absorb those reactions. I started to question whether I truly belonged in the role I had grown to love.
Volleyball, which had once been a source of joy and confidence, started to feel like a test I kept failing before the game even began. Each tournament felt like a comparison. I would look across the net and see girls who were taller, with longer reach and more commanding presence. I tried not to let it get to me, but it did. I found myself playing smaller — not just physically, but emotionally. I stopped calling for the ball as much. I hesitated more. I tried to blend in, to avoid attention. But blending in is hard to do when you’re standing at the net, staring down hitters a full head taller than you.
I was not lazy or disengaged. I still worked hard at every practice and gave everything during games. But I was no longer playing like the version of myself I once was, the one who wasn’t afraid to go for it, to lead, to call out plays. My
LAURYN LEWIS Lsuryn Lewis
confidence had slowly eroded, not all at once, but over the course of months filled with doubt and quiet self-comparison. And yet, through all of that, I never quit.
There was something inside me that wouldn’t let go of the position. I wasn’t ready to accept that just because I did not fit the mold, I could not succeed. I started to shift my mindset. If I could not change my height, then I had to double down on the things I could control.
So I began to work differently. I focused on improving my speed and explosiveness, trying to get off the ground as quickly as possible. I studied hitters and worked on reading their body language so I could anticipate where the ball was going. I practiced my footwork, making sure I could close blocks more efficiently. I sharpened my court awareness, understanding how positioning could help me make up for the inches I lacked. Most importantly, I decided to become loud.
Not only could I be the most athletic person on the court, but I could also be more vocal. I realized that communication is one of the most underrated skills in volleyball, and it was one where height did not matter at all. So I made it my mission to bring energy to the court. I called balls, directed teammates and became a constant source of encouragement. I didn’t wait for someone else to lead; I stepped into that space myself. Bit by bit, I started to regain confidence, not just from getting more blocks or kills, but from the way I was showing up for my team. That shift changed everything. Over time, coaches began to notice that I was no longer just an “undersized middle.” I am a hard worker. I am a leader. A hardworking leader that is eager to block the six foot five middle across the net regardless of the height difference.
Looking back now, it is almost surreal to think about how far I have come. I used to be afraid to speak up, worried that if I said the wrong thing or missed a block, it would only highlight the fact that I did not “belong.” Now, I’ve learned how to lead not with volume alone, but with intention; by being calm under pressure, by modeling effort and by making sure
everyone feels seen and supported.
The challenge of being an undersized middle blocker wasn’t just physical. It was deeply mental and emotional. It meant constantly having to prove that I deserved to be where I was. It meant battling self-doubt, even when I was playing well. It meant confronting the silent assumptions people made the moment they saw me lined up at the net. But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t change any of it.
That adversity forced me to grow in ways that might never have happened if I’d been a few inches taller. I learned how to fight for my spot, how to show up consistently and how to believe in my value even when others didn’t immediately see it. I became more competitive, more focused, more resilient. And in the process, I discovered something even more important than skill: presence.
Presence isn’t about size. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you impact the people around you and how you respond when things don’t go your way. Being the smallest middle on the court made me develop a different kind of presence. This presence was one built on grit, awareness and leadership.
Volleyball didn’t just help me grow as an athlete. It shaped who I am as a person. It taught me how to handle doubt, how to push through discomfort and how to find my voice, both literally and figuratively. That voice now shows up beyond the court. It’s in the way I advocate for myself in group projects, the way I support friends who are struggling and the way I walk into new spaces with confidence that isn’t based on how I look, but on how I lead.
I’ve stayed the same height since middle school. That part of me hasn’t changed. But I’ve grown in every way that actually matters. I’ve grown into a leader, a communicator, a competitor. I’ve learned that challenges don’t always need to be overcome by force. Sometimes, they’re best met with creativity, effort and presence. While I may not be the tallest player on the team, I’ve never felt more at home on the court. That, to me, is what true growth looks like.
