Winter 2025 Surgere Magazine

MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE

Learning History While Living It Students Grapple with Contemporary Issues Through the Past in History Electives

WINTER 2025

One Campus, Infinite Possibilities Seen here in a view f rom Madeline Court, the English Classroom Building was acquired by Westridge in the 1990s and converted into a classroom building while the Anne F. & James F. Rothenberg Humanities Center was being developed in the f irst phase of “north campus.” Once a private residence, the beautiful Tudor-style building now houses Upper School English classrooms, the English Department off ice, the Admissions Off ice, and the Head of School off ice.

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Features 04 LEARNING HISTORY WHILE LIVING IT

A spotlight on the Upper School history electives

16 PROFILE: ALICE LEE

Meet the new Westridge Director of Athletics

32 PROFILE: ERICA LIEPMANN ’05

Learn more about the co-founder of Ready to Launch’s path through government, politics, and uplifting women

Sections 10 AROUND CAMPUS

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A day in a life at Westridge, through photos!

14 WESTRIDGE THEATRE 18 ATHLETICS 20 FACULTY VOICES

O ur f irst installment of Notes f rom Madeline features English Teacher Tarra Stevenson

24 28 SCHOOL NEWS 36 ALUMNAE NEWS 41 CLASS NOTES 47 IN MEMORIAM STUDENT WORK

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36 EDITOR

Shivani Patel PHOTOGRAPHY

John Davis Photography, Shannon Keller, Cindy Lin, Moloshok Photography, Inc. ART & DESIGN

Bacio Marketing & Design, Inc.

ON THE COVER

Meet Micaela R. ’26, Amelia C. ’30, and Koa S.-S. ’32, representing our student leaders on campus as Upper School Associated Student Body (ASB) president, Middle School Student Government president, and Lower School Student Activities & Leadership Council president, respectively. These students work with their fellow student leaders to make decisions and host events in service of their peers. Read more about leadership, student life, and traditions at Westridge at westridge.org/empower.

FROM THE

Head of School

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ast week, while listening to a panel at an alumnae networking event here on campus, I heard a familiar refrain: “My best friends in the world are still my Westridge classmates.” Another panelist added, “We’ve all been through the experience of Westridge together and that is an experience that is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been here.” A shared history that extends into today and ultimately into the future.

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As I look at the stories in this issue of Surgere, and as I think about our school in general, this theme—the profound connection between history and the present and future—resonates throughout. In the article about our exceptional history department (p. 4), Director of Upper School Dr. Melanie Arias says, “We help [students] grapple with contemporary issues with real, thoughtful questions while using history as a tool to connect the dots and understand the forces that lead to such challenges.” In a similar vein, as we begin the next chapter of athletics at Westridge, our new director of athletics, Coach Alice Lee (p. 16), is connecting the long and robust history of Westridge sports to this next chapter.

Even the architecture on our beautiful campus tells the story of the history of our school—from Greene and Greene homes to our modern science building and now the beginning of a new master plan that will imagine the future of space and programming on our campus (p. 30). History informing the future: a paradigm that exists so powerfully throughout Westridge’s stories, mission, and reason for being.

I love to think about the history of Westridge and how it was forward-thinking from the beginning: of Mary Lowther Ranney founding our school to give girls access to the rigors of education their brothers were getting in the backdrop of the Suffrage Movement, of the “hidden meaning” of striving to rise and its future-orientation towards full citizenship for women, of creating an infinite space for unstoppable girls and waiting for the world to catch up. And just as girls’ schools stand for empowering the trajectory of women’s educational progress through time, so too do our alums say that the trajectories of their lives were most impacted by their foundational education at Westridge. As I think about their shared history of best friendship, I think about the beautiful thing that happens when you spend your adolescent years with other girls going through the same thing in a girls’ school space that allows a unique kind of freedom. A shared language emerges that lasts a lifetime; it is one that easily juxtaposes the most intense teenage conversations with the most hilarious ones. The reflection by English Teacher and Writing Center Co-Director Tarra Stevenson about research she conducted last year (p. 20) demonstrates the importance of emotion in academic learning and child development. It is shared emotion in this shared history that is the stuff of best friendships.

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And in moments like these that are full of challenge, let’s lean into our long history of adolescent girl energy—of taking it all seriously while also remembering the essential part of life that is laughing with abandon too. Both are so much needed right now.

Andrea Kassar Head of School

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HISTORY

Learning History While Living It SPOTLIGHT ON UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY ELECTIVES MUCH HAS BEEN SAID IN RECENT YEARS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF TEACHING HISTORY during this ever shifting and divided time. When adults struggle to talk about world events and politics across ideological divides with nuanced perspectives, how can we empower students to think critically about current events and engage in productive conversations to expand their knowledge and thinking?

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For members of the Westridge history faculty, the answer is: stay the course.

“You get into history because you really care about the world, about politics, about the fate of humanity in a profound way,” mused Melissa Kelley, chair of the Westridge History Department. “My department is constantly talking about what’s happening in the world and thinking about how our students are experiencing it.”

Westridge history courses, particularly the upperlevel courses, are designed to give students the agency to understand the moment they are in, explained Director of Upper School Dr. Melanie Arias.

“We help them grapple with contemporary issues with real, thoughtful questions while using history as a tool to connect the dots and understand the forces that lead to such challenges,” she said.

While this approach holds true across the curriculum, it is paramount in Upper School history electives, including Advanced Ethics, Histories of Art: Sparkle & Scandal, Modern Middle East, and Research in History. All of these courses are Westridge Advanced Courses (the most advanced courses taught at Westridge) or offer the option to earn advanced course credit—a model known as Challenge by Choice. “[These courses] take students very seriously as people, letting them think about the world in an open-ended way, empowering them to believe in the value of their questions,” said Dr. Arias.

Clearly, Westridge students are also feeling the importance of taking such courses. Although the school requires three years of history toward graduation requirements, over the last f ive years nearly 90% of seniors took a fourth year of history.

Read on to learn about the deeper learning principles, the intellectual rigor, and the creativity—hallmarks of Westridge Advanced Courses—that serve as the foundation of our upper-level history courses.

Modern Middle East The Middle East—a region with a complex history coupled with many religious and cultural identities, foreign interference, and instability f rom ongoing

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conflicts—has been a mainstay in the media for many years, and since 2007, it has been the subject of the Westridge history elective, Modern Middle East. The course was introduced by Upper School Teacher Sandy de Grijs, who lived in Lebanon as a child—an experience that left a profound impact on her personal and professional life.

The course begins with Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 and goes all the way to present day, covering, for example, the growth of political Islam, the IsraelPalestine conflict, the Iraq War, and recent uprisings in the Arab World. de Grijs cares that students have a broader understanding of the globe and America’s place in it with consideration to American foreign policy and European imperialism.

Students study and analyze politics, economics, culture, and society through these historical events— with an emphasis on gender, literature, f ilm, and popular culture. de Grijs fosters the learning through a college-level textbook and the graphic memoir Persepolis along with teacher-curated primary and secondary resources.

“I teach through primary sources alongside the textbook so students can really see these conflicts for what they are … I’m not telling them what to believe in, but I’m clear on what the history is.”

HISTORY

“

We help them grapple with contemporary issues with real, thoughtful questions while using history as a tool to connect the dots and understand the forces that lead to such challenges.

Daria Hajimiri ’24, who took the class as a senior, shared that the experience of having such an open classroom in Modern Middle East—the way in which students were encouraged to ask honest questions, sit with complexity, and speak f rom lived experience—is something she carries with her in college.

“The class is obviously based in facts and arguments built on textual evidence, but more fundamentally, it is centered around genuine open and curious conversation,” she said. In fact, the class taught her to approach discussions differently.

Research In History Students in Research in History (now in its f ifth year!) shift their focus f rom learning about history to learning to be historians. The class provides an opportunity for students who love history to dive into a subject they really care about while also exploring what history is and what distinguishes it as a discipline. They are tasked with developing their own research projects on a topic of their choosing by f irst learning about historiography (historical writing), different f ields of history, and learning to engage in historical research.

Previous student projects have included: “The Intersections of Jewish and Black Cultures in Comedic Entertainment: an Anthology of a Cultural Revolution between the 1960s and the 1970s,” “Gaps In The Record: The Detrimental Impact of Systemic Oppression and Lost Voices of Concubines In Imperial and Ancient China,” and “The Burdens of Young People in Sectarian Conflicts: The Intersection of Youth Culture and Violence in Northern Ireland.”

For Lucia Pierandozzi ’24, this class shaped both her passion for independent learning and what she is now studying in college (history at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland!).

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implementing in my university work,” she shared. In fact, the topic Pierandozzi chose to research in the class while at Westridge—covering the transition f rom humoral to germ theory medicine during the mid-19th century—is something she is currently pursuing as a research topic in her university work.

One of the goals of the class is, as Kelley put it, to change the face of history as a f ield.

“There’s all sorts of gatekeeping within academia … But I’m of the opinion that the more power and opportunity we can give to younger people, the better the world is going to be.”

“

I listen more carefully.

I ground my opinions in evidence while still making room for emotion and personal history. And I try to create the same kind of space Modern Middle East created for me: one where people feel safe enough to say what they actually think.”

Histories of Art The exploration of art in Histories of Art: Sparkle & Scandal is f ramed f rom the perspective of art being a window into the very best and very worst of humanity. “While art can contain so much beauty and meaning, it can also be, for example, funded by dictators and in other cases stolen by another culture and never given back,” said Kelley, who developed and teaches the course.

This lens contrasts with the Advanced Placement (AP) Art History course previously offered at Westridge, which was built around memorization to fulf ill the obligations of the standardized test, leaving little room to explore the complexities and historical contexts of art pieces that students now do in Histories of Art. The Challenge-by-Choice course—now in its second year—is thematic-based, with room to cover art f rom all over the world rather than just a Western focus.

— Daria Hajimiri, Class of 2024

Research In History, Close To Home THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF ALTADENA Department Chair Melissa Kelley recently received a Westridge faculty research grant to look into the teaching and recording of the public and environmental history of Altadena after the Eaton f ire in hopes of bringing this learning into the course curriculum. She is investigating how professional historians think about the history of natural disasters, how to understand the social implications and impacts of such events, and how the social history of Altadena impacts recovery and rebuilding for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) households.

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Pictured, from left: Westridge History Department Faculty Sandy de Grijs, Willa Greenstone, and Melissa Kelley

AG E NCY AT WESTR H I S TID OR GE Y

Currently, students learn about art related to world religions, Renaissance art, the notion of avantgarde (meaning experimental or innovative), and modernism. Kelley has plans to expand the topics to include art and identity focused on Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s and art in institutions.

Students spend the class analyzing pieces Kelley has selected for the day, which can include paintings, sculptures, photography, prints, ceramics, and architecture. From there, they make crosscultural comparisons, noting historical influences and building connections with assigned readings.

Kelley recognizes that the arts—humanities, really—sometimes get reputation for being elitist or a waste of time, but sees great value in art as a way of understanding the good—and the bad— of humanity. “There isn’t a culture across history that doesn’t have some relationship to visuals and creation,” she said.

Advanced Ethics The Advanced Ethics elective moves beyond the subject of history, prompting students to look at philosophy through a transdisciplinary lens, studying—in part—how ethical beliefs can impact decisions in science, the arts, daily life, and beyond.

Ethics Teacher Willa Greenstone introduces students to a diverse range of philosophies f rom Western deontology and consequentialism to Southern Af rican Ubuntu, Chinese Confucianism, and Indian-born Buddhism with readings including Plato, Kant, Machiavelli, Confucius, and Siddhartha (all f rom primary sources).

“It was really interesting to read how Buddhism and Ubuntu were used in social justice practices after apartheid, the Cambodian genocide, and Khmer Rouge, and see the way these ethical ideologies were able to have an impact on real-life people after real-life tragedies,” said Josephine W. ’26, who is currently in the Advanced Ethics class.

During second semester, students research and debate current ethical issues using sources such as news articles, f ilms, and guest speakers. This helps students develop the ability to think critically about emotional issues and address topics that are truly controversial—a useful skill ahead of graduation!

“Before seniors go off on their own—where they’ll really be making decisions without input f rom parents, [Advanced Ethics] is a good exercise in exploring your own values and def ining your own system for making those decisions,” said Greenstone.

In fact, as a f inal project, the students are tasked with creating their own ethical construct (a f ramework to help guide decision-making).

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Around Campus

A RO U ND CAMPUS

This issue, we took a different approach to showing you, the reader, Around Campus. While you can check out the latest happenings on 324 Madeline at westridge.org/news, we are taking you behind the scenes of a day on Westridge campus. Over the next few pages, check out goings on through photos taken at 9:30 am, 1 pm, 2:15 pm, and 3:30 pm. Shout out to our community of students, faculty, staff, and even parents for participating in this photo essay.

Some of our 10th grade parents at their fall coffee meet-up, joined by Director of Upper School Dr. Melanie Arias!

Our awesome school nurse, Ms. Beltran!

A kindness jar!

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AR OUND CA M PUS

Upper School photography students reviewing their work on the big screen!

Westridge Dance Teacher Ms. Jackie teaches 6th graders the art of salsa dance!

Hello from our student leaders!

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A RO U ND CAMPUS

Middle School students hanging out in Mudd Pit

And Ms. Jackie, with our P.E. students!

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AR OUND CA M PUS Members of the Upper School Loop Club, a recycling and sustainable materials science group, experiment with recycling old 3D prints into patterned flat sheets for laser cutting. (See a close up of co-founder Zi D. ’27 top center.)

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W E S T R I D G E T H E AT R E P R E S E N T S :

Around Campus

The Sisterhood or Sorority of Scientific Sisterly Science

Congratulations to the cast & crew behind this fall’s play—The Sisterhood or Sorority of Scientific Sisterly Science by Omer Abbas Salem! The Upper School students had the incredible opportunity to debut the play, which has never before been performed on stage. Ahead of the performances, Westridge Theatre was able to virtually meet with the playwright, who spoke about his career and experience and answered questions.

“This is the very first version of the play that’s happening, so I know that I will learn a lot from the way that you end up producing it,” he said to the students during their meeting.

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AR OUND CA M PE R FOR M ING APUS RTS

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DIIRECTOR RECTOR OF ATHLETI CS D

MEET Alice Lee

Fun Facts

WESTRIDGE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Speaks fluent Mandarin Loves food and theater

Alice Lee is on a joyful mission to lead Westridge athletics to its next level of excellence while increasing its visibility on campus and off and developing a strong culture around sports in the Westridge community.

Coach Lee’s beloved golden retriever, Ollie!

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Lee arrived at Westridge in July, stepping into the shoes of Coach Horn, who retired in June after 30 years at Westridge. She hails from Williams College, where she led a transformation of the lacrosse team from a league lagger to a top 10 ranking, and brings 16 years of collegiate coaching and administrative experience to our school. In her own words, she is “passionate about using athletics as the playground for building leadership, resiliency, and confidence among young women.”

We sat down to get to know her a bit better—here are excerpts from the conversation: What drew you to Westridge?

It was a couple of things. First was the mission of serving girls and helping them grow into courageous, compassionate leaders; helping them know they are infinite people with unlimited possibilities.

And second was the culture of the people

D IR ECTO R OF ATHLETICS Pictured: Coach Lee (left) with her high school lacrosse teammates!

all—whatever that is for them.

That’s good for the team, and that’s how the players will grow f rom their experience.

In your words, what is the “why” of the Westridge Athletics Department?

I interviewed with, including students. Everyone was smart and clearly capable, but also so centered on the mission and funny and down-to-earth. I really got the sense that this is a human place, and that’s what I’ve found since I’ve been here.

What does your background in collegiate athletics bring to your work here?

We are growing courageous and compassionate leaders through sports. In order to do that, we’re striving to compete, we’re striving to win, we’re striving for big goals because it’s in that striving that growth happens.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but what happens in the process is who you become and that’s what we are trying to do here.

I think I come with the mentality of asking: “Why can’t we do this for high-school level?” I am thinking about things such as the holistic development of the student athlete around the mental game, sports psychology, sports nutrition, strength training—things that will help them in their sports and in their lives.

What is your coaching philosophy?

How has the shift to the highschool level been, assuming that athletes who go on to play in college are playing at a more uniform level of competition?

What was your first impression of Westridge athletes?

I have experience coaching teams with players at different levels but it is different in a high school where some students might even be experiencing a sport for the first time. I think that’s great—but what we want is for our athletes, regardless of their experience or skill level, to understand the level of mental and emotional commitment we need. We want to invite people in, but our expectation is for them to give it their

Overall, I believe in balancing high standards and expectations with high levels of support … and remembering that joy and fun are an important part of the process. I think the human piece is important in coaching and athletics.

I have been so impressed by the depth of our student athletes, and by that, I mean we have players who are highly competitive athletes who I am learning are very good students and also have passions outside of sports. I think it makes them better athletes, right? When you don’t have all of your eggs in one basket and one thing making up your identity, you can manage the highs and the lows better. And you also learn so much from other experiences that you bring to [your sport].

Personal Stats • 16 YEARS collegiate coaching experience.

• TRANSFORMED WILLIAMS WOMEN’S LACROSSE into a nationally recognized program with a top 10 ranking.

• HELPED GUIDE THE MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE LACROSSE TEAM to league and NCAA titles and was named the IWLCA Division III National Assistant Coach of the Year.

• BOARD MEMBER of the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA).

• MEMBER, WECOACH, AN ORGANIZATION dedicated to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches in all sports and levels.

• THREE-TIME, ALLCONFERENCE SELECTION FOR D1 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT’S LACROSSE TEAM. • MASTER OF SCIENCE in sport management from at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and B.S. in management from Central Connecticut State University.

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ATHLETICS

QUESTIONS for Trainer Mike

Mike Avelar, ATC, CES, has served as Westridge’s certif ied athletic trainer for three years, assisting nearly 300 student athletes each season.

Lucky for us, he found a few minutes to share some of his expertise.

What are your top three training tips for overall injury prevention?

What is one myth about athletic training that would you like to debunk?

GRADUAL INCREASE IN INTENSITY It’s important to have proper off/pre-season training that focuses on slowly increasing intensity leading up to the regular season. This way athletes are better conditioned to meet the demands of the sport, thus reducing the risk of injury.

That athletic trainers only give out ice and water. We are healthcare providers that specialize in clinical diagnosis, emergency care, injury prevention, and wellness promotion.

ADEQUATE WARM UP Fifteen to 20 minutes of a full body dynamic warm-up is highly recommended (optimal warm-up is when you are just about to break a sweat). We want to increase our body temperature and prepare our muscles and joints for physical activity.

PROPER COOL DOWN It’s important to stretch and cool off following physical activity. This can help reduce muscle soreness, aid in quicker recovery, and potentially lower the risk of injury.

What are your diet recommendations for athletes on game day?

I always recommend having breakfast, lunch, and a snack before games, ensuring athletes have enough carbohydrates in their diet (grains, vegetables, fruits, etc.). It’s important to have a well-balanced meal).

For example, a game day diet could consist of avocado toast in the morning, grilled chicken, rice and mixed veggies for lunch, banana and peanut butter for a pre-game snack. And don’t forget to hydrate throughout the day!

Coach Spotlight: Alyssa Vaughn Coach Vaughn has been with Westridge for 11 years, serving as the Tiger head coach for the Upper School Cross Country and Track & Field programs for the last 10 and 5 years, respectively. (Previously she coached the Middle School Basketball B team and was an assistant coach for the Varsity Basketball team.)

The longtime athlete was a quadruple threat in high school (cross country, basketball, softball, and track & field) and in college competed in both cross country and track & field. Today, she runs, including in marathons!

In fact, she launched a Westridge Middle School Run Club with the goal of inspiring young athletes to stay active and introducing them to the sport of running.

When asked what attracted her to Westridge, Coach Vaughn said, “Over time, I’ve come to deeply appreciate Westridge’s commitment to empowering young individuals to reach their fullest potential. The school’s

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supportive environment and focus on personal growth align closely with my coaching philosophy.”

Coaching philosophy: I believe sports are a powerful tool for shaping strong, confident, and resilient individuals.

My goal as a coach is to create a culture where every athlete feels supported, challenged, and proud of their progress—no matter their starting point. Success is measured not just by medals or personal bests, but by commitment to improve, effort through setbacks, and the friendships gained along the way.

ATHLETICS

ASB Athletic Reps (a.k.a. Team Awesome)

The Upper School Associated Student Body (ASB) Athletic Reps is a group of student leaders who collaborate to build pride and spirit across all teams and grades, amplify the voices of Westridge student-athletes, and bridge the gap between middle and upper school through representation, celebration, and connection.

This year’s athletic reps at a celebration pep rally for fall sports!

Fall Sports Highlights

Cross Country Makes Playoffs

Middle School Volleyball Champs!

For the first time in 18 years as a team (!), Westridge Cross Country were CIF bound as of press time following a 3rd place finish in Prep League standings.

Let’s hear a Tiger roar for our Middle School Volleyball team!

The players brought home the Middle School Independent League (MSIL) championship.

GO TIGERS

Upper School Flag Football at CIF Playoffs Three cheers to our mighty Upper School Flag Football team, which made it to the CIF playoffs for the second year in a row!

14 Westridge student-athletes were named to All-League teams— including 7 to first team—in volleyball, tennis, flag football, and golf!

Get Your Fan Gear On! Introducing The Tiger Athletics Store Westridge Tiger team and fan gear galore is available at the Tiger Athletics Store launched in September. Use the QR code here or follow the link at westridge.org/athletics.

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FACU LTY VOICES

Notes from

Madeline

By Tarra Stevenson ENGLISH TEACHER & WRITING CENTER CO-DIRECTOR

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FACULTY VOICES

I recently participated in the Global Action Research Collaborative on Girls’ Education (GARC) through the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS).

The overarching theme for my cohort of GARC researchers was “Girls as Agents in Their Learning: Creating a Culture of Empowerment & Engagement”; for the fellowship, I chose to study the Westridge Writing Center. Now as an English teacher and the Writing Center codirector, this research meant I had to boldly go where I very rarely venture: science.

For six months I studied 15 Writing Center fellows (specially-trained students in grades 10-12 who help guide peers through stages of the writing process) through the lens of student agency, and what I learned is programs like the Westridge Writing Center provide an opportunity to improve not only the practice of writing, but the practice of agency as well. I def initely had some preconceived notions about what I would f ind, and for the most part, I was proven right: that agency is not static but developmental, and by giving students real choices, we disrupt traditional hierarchies and empower them to co-create meaning; that mentoring other students leads to self-eff icacy and risk taking, which can become cyclical; that exposure to materials and consistent writing exercises benef its the tutor and the tutee; and that emotional engagement between tutors and tutees is key to successful collaboration.

Quick reminder of our mission: “Westridge is a forward-thinking girls’ school committed to developing intellectually adventurous thinkers and courageous, compassionate leaders.”

Students had the opportunity to practice compassion in an event I did not design and had no control over: the Eaton f ire in January. Our school was hit particularly hard in terms of families affected either directly or indirectly by the f ire, and so as part of my exit interview at the conclusion of my project, I asked students to reflect on their feelings about the f ire, checking in both to their emotional and physical needs. As part of that exit interview, I also explained that 9th grade was just about to start reading Fahrenheit 451 and once the f ires occurred, we (the English department) decided that it was not an ideal time to engage with that text. Instead, we decided to offer the text in a more casual setting through a book club in the Writing Center.

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Students were still incredibly traumatized by the event, as Student H mentioned in her exit interview: “Hearing the word f ire triggers me. I recently had a nightmare of my house burning down with my parents and best f riend inside.”

Despite that, all 15 fellows volunteered to lead and/or participate in the book groups, even though it was additional time and not necessarily on their scheduled shifts: “Witnessing how LA came together to support each other instilled in me the value of community. I f ind myself being more willing to help others,” Student J mentioned in response to the level of interest question in her exit interview.

The f ire led me to conclusions I hadn’t anticipated and wasn’t testing for: community compassion leads to an enhanced inward focus and civic responsibility, and peer tutoring is a transcendent practice that could potentially lead to long-term mental health outcomes.

Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang’s 2024 research suggests that deep learning is rooted in emotional meaning-making: “thinking deeply is essentially telling complex, emotionally engaging stories to ourselves.” The Eaton f ire was one of those moments for my students. ImmordinoYang’s f indings indicate that when adolescents grapple with big, life-relevant ideas that they care about, they feel that their learning is important, which in turn inspires them to take initiative. In my participants’ case, the students’ care for their community and the loss f rom the f ire made the learning experience feel authentic. They were not responding to a teacher’s directive; they were responding to an emotional need to contribute and make sense of the event. This reflects a high level of agency: students identif ied a need (help younger students process the event through literature) and proactively designed and led the learning experience.

So here is where the science comes in: During a visit last year, Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang introduced Westridge faculty to the idea of “transcendent thinking (a kind of thinking that moves beyond reacting to concrete things and events to seek broader meaning f rom an ethical

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or values-based context, for example), which is associated with more resilience in the face of adverse events. It’s a muscle that students working in the writing center get to practice building and not only is it helpful in the moment, but it’s a predictor for future mental health. One of Immordino-Yang’s key research f indings is that students exposed to community violence (I’m reading the f ire as a violence) typically show brain thinning in regions controlling attention, emotion, and learning. However, students who think transcendently about these challenges actually show brain thickening in these same critical regions, counteracting trauma’s negative effects.

My conclusion is that writing centers are essential inf rastructure for developing

FACULTY VOICES

“

[Preparing] young women for

students’ capacity to think beyond immediate circumstances toward deeper purpose and meaning, a skill that protects against mental health challenges while promoting academic and personal growth. I f ind myself trying to cultivate transcendent thinking in my own life as well, outside of my classrooms: I started writing on my Substack much more regularly and started my own book club there, because civic engagement is important to me.

At Westridge, we say we are preparing young women to live lives of meaning, contribution, and impact. What I’ve learned through my GARC research is that this doesn’t happen through academics alone; it happens through emotional connection.

As Immordino-Yang reminds us, “we feel, therefore we learn.”

lives of meaning, contribution, and impact ... doesn’t happen through academics alone; it happens through emotional connection.”

stridge.”

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STU DENT WORK

WHITLEY L . ’26

Student Work

Mosaic in Blue

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LUCIA F.-R. ’26 Altadena Collection This collection of pieces (Suspended Memory, above, & The Ecology of After, on the ground) is dedicated to my beloved Altadena community and the complex, painful, and hopeful process of destruction to rebuilding/regrowth. The opposing inverse forces lie over each other, highlighting destruction and pain while recognizing the emergence of fragile but resilient regrowth. These forces do not coexist, but are inextricably linked, shaping a new reality formed by the Eaton fire.

YIYI G. ’33

This is an abridged version of Lucia’s reflection. Scan the QR code to read the complete text.

STUD ENT WOR K

In Middle School Art, students were tasked with proposing a project that will challenge them and create opportunities for learning and discovery. Pictured is an in-progress set of pieces

by Cordelia P. ’31, who decided to embark on a great charcoal experiment.

I was going to do four charcoal portraits with different expressions on each of them. I chose to work on this because I really enjoy drawing people, but wanted to challenge myself by working with charcoal. I soon realized while doing this that I didn’t know how to work with charcoal. I began to do exercises with models (pictured), and learned a lot about how to use the “dramatic-ness” of charcoal to my advantage.

ELLIOTT S. ’33

ENA Y. ’33

SLOAN C. ’26 Mess I was inspired by the word MESS, a word significant to me because it embodies the internal chaos that lurks in my head. Although it can disrupt my ability to organize my life, this piece highlights the positive aspects of embracing mess. Being “messy” illustrates the unconventional and unique techniques I take to create art. It allows me to highlight my self expression and creative personality by approaching art through experimentation.

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Student Work

STU DENT WORK

SOPHIE D. ’29

PHOEBE M. ’29 A Ghost in the Mist This sculpture is part of the 8th grade Yokai project, which has students inventing a Yokai (Japanese mythological spirit) using a 3D-printed model that is later sculpted with clay and paint. Here’s an excerpt from Phoebe’s story about her spirit: “This creature is most often called a Ghost in the Mist by those who encounter it ... People fear them because they can make you so lost in the fog that you never find your way back out. But if you show them kindness and respect, they will lead you out of the fog.”

JANE K. ’27 Ajumma The word “ajumma” is a romantiziation of a Korean word that refers to a middle-aged, often married, woman. In Korean culture, a person’s life, especially a woman’s, is considered to be “over” after the age of 40 due to their youth fading in their features as they age. These pieces respond to this notion by showcasing the uniqueness of Korean, middle-aged women despite not meeting the conventional Korean beauty standards, revealing the beauty in their features that would—at first glance—be considered “unattractive.” The art style is inspired by Margaret Kilgallen’s work.

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WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

STUD ENT WOR K TETI P. ’28

HARPER W. ’29

ALINA Z. ’33

LOWER SCHOOL SKETCHBOOKS As part of their art practice, the Lower School students in Westridge Art Teacher Val Trimarchi’s class (known fondly as Ms. T) create sketchbooks that house their drawings, plans, and other miscellaneous art. Pictured above are four sketchbook covers, which students were tasked with decorating early in the school year!

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S CH O O L NEWS

School News

Pictured above: Mari (Gallegos) Kennedy ’07 virtually connects with students in the Women in STEM Careers class (and other interested Upper School students)!

New Electives: Women in STEM & Intro to Organic Chemistry Two new STEM-related H-Block electives entered the curriculum this year.

In Women in STEM Careers, students research different STEM fields and then meet with women working in or studying those specialties. The course is designed to open students’ eyes to the myriad possibilities that a STEM degree offers and provide first-hand learning about how to deal with being a minority in STEM. Speakers include women in academia (CalTech) and private enterprise—and 10 Westridge women. As this magazine was in production, alumnae presenters so far included Dr. Adrienne Jo ’15 of the PaloSanto Fund, which funds pharmaceutical research relating to neuropsychological drugs; Dr. Julie Sinclair ’07 f rom multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company; Mari (Gallegos) Kennedy ’07, a senior software engineer II at M1 Finance with a background in mechanical engineering; and Dr. Marika Schulhof ’07 who works on bridging science and policy related to aquatic ecosystems.

Introductory Organic Chemistry was developed to solve a quandary— many advanced chemistry students wanted to pursue additional chemistry courses but didn’t have time in their schedules to do so. But they can f it an overview elective that introduce them to the concepts of organic chemistry.

According to Chemistry Teacher Edye Udell, who created and teaches both new electives, “Organic chemistry is known by many as one of the most diff icult college chemistry courses and this class will help students build perseverance for when they get to college-level O-Chem.”

ASB 2025-2026 Annual Theme Stronger When Woven Together, aims to inspire unity, collaboration, and support across all grade levels.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Westridge Speech & Debate Excels During Fall Season The Westridge Middle & Upper School Speech & Debate students have had an impressive performance so far this fall. From Long Beach to Fullerton to Alhambra and San Gabriel, the team has been hard at work preparing, speaking and debating, and bringing home numerous f irst and second place wins.

At the Fallhambra Debate tournament earlier this fall, several students earned legs (a.k.a. half of a qualif ication) to the State Championship tournament in the spring! And a special shot out to Caitlin P. and Samar K. ’29, who remain the tournament’s undefeated champions in the JV Public Forum Debate category. Let’s go, Tigers!

New This Year: Freshman/Sophomore Dances!

This fall, Westridge introduced dances for 9th and 10th graders—an expansion of sorts f rom the muchloved Middle School dances held with local independent schools, and Winter Formal and Prom, which are for juniors and seniors. The f irst dance was held at Westridge in September, featuring mechanical surf ing, volleyball, and lots of dancing among other activities.

From “Westridge’s Layla Rashid Is a Double Threat” published in Outlook Newspapers Pasadena in August, profiling the junior (who earned all-CIF honors in both girls’ flag football and lacrosse). In the following quote, she links her academic passions and athletics.

“

Problem solving is big in both [academics and athletics]. In rocketry and engineering you have to figure out how to make something work, and in lacrosse and flag football, there’s so much strategy and quick decision-making with your team.”

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School News

S CH O O L NEWS

Cheers to the Mighty Class of 2025!

In case you missed this spring’s online coverage of Commencement, we present the Westridge Class of 2025, whose 74 members have gone on to 50 institutions of higher education across the U.S. and in Canada, England, Ireland, and Scotland. To see the full matriculation list scan the QR code or visit westridge.org/collegecounseling.

310 Arlington Update: Architects Onboard!

This fall, Westridge hit an important milestone when it named Practice as the project architectural firm to develop a new campus-wide masterplan— the plan required by the city for campus building and improvements. Practice, located right here in Pasadena, was founded in 1980 and has decades of experience designing education, housing, and civic spaces.

The school’s current Master Plan is set to expire in the fall of 2027. Because of that deadline, and the fact that the school plans to take advantage of the campus expansion to think about upgrading existing classrooms and buildings, the master plan is the f irst step in the building project for 310 Arlington Drive, the property adjacent to the north side of the Herrick Commons/Rothenberg Humanities Building.

“Master planning takes time and ours will need to be approved by the fall of 2027,” said Jim Lygopoulos, the Westridge trustee who chairs the Buildings & Grounds Committee as well as the 310 Arlington Task Force. “But because adding significant square footage [at 310 Arlington] opens up so many opportunities across the school, and because these types of projects happen just once in a generation of students if that, it’s important that we think holistically to maximize the outcomes for teaching and learning in the near and longterms, and to ensure this work reflects the school’s mission and our forward-looking goals for students.”

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SCHOOL NEWS

Westridge Welcomes New Trustees Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70 Decades-long career professional focused in historical research, fundraising, and nonprof it management. Previous posts include executive director of the Pasadena Oral History Project, assistant director of the Pasadena Historical Museum, and director of community relations for the California Arboretum Foundation. Author of Talking About Pasadena . Current board member for Pasadena Garden Club, La Casita Foundation, and Pasadena Beautiful Foundation in addition to previously serving on the Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley Board as well as Westridge Board of Trustees (2008-2017).

Named Westridge Trustee Emerita in 2017. B.S. in history f rom Mills College. Master’s in educational psychology f rom USC Graduate School of Education. Sister to Candace ’73 and mother of Evan ’09.

Brian Krinsky An IT and business management professional with more than 25 years of experience in international enterprise class, systems architecture, design, integration, and business management, currently working as the business and IT manager at Orange Grove Dental/Dino Kids’ Dental. Previous posts include 20 years with Kaiser Permanente, IT director at High Tech High LA and IT manager at PAE (a Lockheed Martin company). Currently serves as board chair at Frostig School, and is a member of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, American Society for the Advancement of Project Management, and the International Project Management Association.

Father to Lauren ’32.

Nicole Lomas ’92 Senior clinical director at Pacif ic Clinics in Los Angeles with over 25 years of experience in nonprof it community mental health. Elected as colead for the Pacif ic Clinics LA Region Race, Equity, and Justice Action Group. Previous experience includes clinical auditing supervisor at All For Kids and licensed clinical supervisor/quality improvement coordinator at Pasadena Unif ied School District Mental Health Services. Previous member of Westridge Alumnae Board. B.A. in race and ethnic studies f rom Pitzer College. Master of Social Work, Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and Doctor of Social Work f rom USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Recognized for ’Outstanding Contribution to Community Health Award’ by Pitzer College. Mother to Izzie ’31 and Mila ’28.

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A LU M NA SPOTLIGHT

Erica Liepmann ’05 On Ready to Launch & Breaking Down Barriers To Government, Politics, And Policy

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At the intersection of communications, public policy, and uplifting women’s voices, you’ll f ind Erica Liepmann ’05. She is a leading voice in gender equality within government spaces with an unwavering commitment to seeing to a better future for Los Angeles. Liepmann is the co-founder of Ready to Launch—a community hub building equitable access to government and political opportunities for women—and currently serves as the director of strategic communications for Inclusive Action for the City, a nonprof it that expands economic opportunities in underinvested communities. She holds many years of experience in local government, political campaigns, and nonprof it organizations— including having worked for former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

at Westridge followed by a bachelor’s degree in English f rom Occidental College and a master’s in public policy f rom USC. “At both Westridge and Occidental, my eyes were really opened about the world and the things I learned formed my world view and my passion for making change—making a difference in the world,” Liepmann said. Following an early-career writing job focused on public education and world causes with Huff ington Post , she realized that she wasn’t just passionate about writing about important causes, but rather that she wanted to be involved in helping make a direct impact.

Her passion for public policy and government, as we learned, stems f rom her education starting

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

We sat down with the Westridge alum to chat about her career journey and the founding of Ready to Launch.

ALU MNA SPOTLIGHT

What drew you to working at the intersection of public policy and communications?

I think our government hasn’t historically done a good job of talking to people. Policy language can be technical and exclusive, so I’m very passionate about how we invite people in and how we talk about policy in ways that are accessible to our community members across a wide array of identities and education levels.

I believe this is fundamental to change happening because if we are not helping constituents understand what the government is working on and helping them participate in those conversations, then they can’t be part of making change, and we’re further siloing decision makers f rom the people.

What is Ready to Launch?

We’re a small, local nonprof it focused on breaking down barriers to government staff roles and expanding access for more women f rom historically marginalized communities to enter public service careers. Our organization provides mentorship, training workshops, and professional development through a fellowship program and f ree public events.

We get to see these “light bulb” moments f rom our participants as they learn about different pathways and see people who understand their backgrounds working in government and in politics. Most of our participants come to us feeling that they want to make change in their communities through legislation or policy work,

Erica Liepmann (left) and her Ready to Launch co-founder, Charlotte White Canter

and they need support to learn about those opportunities. Many think they have to go to law school to do legislative work, but that’s just one of many paths. And it’s hard to know that if you don’t have someone in your life to talk to about it.

Now f ive years in, I’m feeling good. We have 10 fellows this fall, which is the biggest cohort we’ve had. I think we’re in a moment of growth—we’ve been doing this work as volunteers for all these years and have proven the success of this model, and now we would like to try and unlock some major funding to help staff up and scale the organization while making it sustainable.

What inspired you to form Ready to Launch?

Erica Liepmann (center right) with Ready to Launch fellows and Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman (far right)

My co-founder, Charlotte [White Canter], and I met while working on the Measure M campaign in 2016. [Ed. note: Measure M was a Los Angeles County ballot measure authorizing a half-cent sales tax to support transportation projects that passed.] We got involved with local groups and organically began volunteering our time to build community for young women interested in politics and government. Then in 2020 during the pandemic, Charlotte and I were on Zoom and found ourselves talking about the impact we wanted to have with our lives and careers. We just kept coming back to this idea that there was a gap in helping local women—particularly f rom historically marginalized communities—get into S U R G E R E | WI N T ER 2025

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A LU M NA SPOTLIGHT

entry-level government staff roles. We did a lot of research, conducted a lot of interviews, took a lot of meetings, and it validated the gap we saw.

We did interviews with women in government about their journeys and what support they would have needed when they were getting started, as well as the barriers they encountered. That helped us build out the purpose and mission [of Ready to Launch] and really lit a f ire within us. We came up with a brand and then in March 2021, we did a big Zoom event to launch the organization, and ran our f irst fellowship in the fall of that year.

How did spending time in your adolescence in a girls’ school environment impact your career choices/focus?

My passion for building community with—and helping expand opportunity for—other women really comes f rom my time at Westridge. I think the school helped me f ind my voice and

encouraged me not to be af raid to raise my hand.

The extracurriculars—theater productions, student government—helped me practice public speaking, improvising, and being up in f ront of people f rom an early age, which was transformative in my journey and is now at the core of who I am.

What sort of trends have you seen around women in government? And how do you approach expanding the pipeline of women to these roles? What are ways we can contribute to increasing women’s representation in government and service?

There’s not a lot of publicly available data about representation in local government, but at least f rom my perspective, I’ve seen a lot of change in the last 5-10 years. We have certainly achieved tremendous success in the election of women—for example, over half of the [Los Angeles] City Council is made up of women. The LA County Board of Supervisors is now 100% women.

When it comes to creating access to these staff roles, however, I think there was a mindset for a long time of people hiring only f rom their own networks, so job postings weren’t accessible to those without connections. But it’s gotten better—now, more elected off icials are posting open roles on social media and on their websites, allowing for a broader pool of people to apply. That’s a big change.

We are also seeing public agencies make stronger commitments to building more equitable pathways for folks to apply to these roles, which is encouraging.

Another big part of this is recruitment and reaching women where they are—f rom college campuses to nonprof its, clubs, and youth organizations—and bringing them into the fold. I think all of us can play a role in that, even by just encouraging women in our lives to look into these roles and spread the word about different opportunities.

And certainly, when it comes to elected off icials, we all have choices we can make about who we want to represent us, and we can be thoughtful about including women’s voices when we go to the ballot box.

A Ready to Launch networking event hosted at UCLA, with notable guests including Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath in attendance!

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Can you talk about why you’ve chosen to work so much at the local level—in Los Angeles County— instead of moving up to the state or even national level?

I def initely had a West Wing phase where I wanted to move to Washington, D.C., and other moments

“

We just kept coming back to this idea that there was a gap in helping local women— particularly from historically marginalized communities—get into entry-level government staff roles. We did a lot of research, conducted a lot of interviews, took a lot of meetings, and it validated the gap we saw.

ALU MNA SPOTLIGHT

FUN FACT:

Westridge introduced Liepmann to her best f riends for life! (pictured above) “I have a group chat with my f ive best girlf riends f rom Westridge, and we talk almost every day,” she said. “We’ve been there for each other through all the life milestones and special moments.”

over the years, but something always pulled me back to LA County. I think it’s because at my deepest core level, my passion for government, public service, and social justice is locally rooted.

After all, these are the communities and issues that I know. My heart is really in the local work.

the foref ront of our civic landscape here in Los Angeles, and that’s been incredibly inspiring.

I’m passionate about making a difference because we have this stark juxtaposition between rich and poor here, and I’m also passionate about our climate and public transit.

I believe Los Angeles can be an incredible model of inclusive policies working.

Be proactive. Don’t be af raid to put yourself out there and take advantage of resources, organizations (like Ready to Launch!), and events in these sectors to meet people, because at the end of the day, it’s the folks that you meet who will have the greatest impact on where you’re headed. Don’t be af raid to ask people to sit down for a cup of coffee—there are a lot of people in government and in all sectors who are eager to mentor and invest in the next generation.

With all the challenges involved, what keeps you motivated to work in government adjacent spaces?

At my core, I’m an optimistic person. I have seen a lot of change in my lifetime on a wide array of social justice topics and things that I care about, and so what motivates me to stay positive is the progress that I have seen. I’ve been really privileged to get to know some of the changemakers in different sectors who are at

Do you have any advice for current students or alumnae interested in politics and government?

I would also say, don’t be so set on a specif ic role or job, but instead orient yourself to the type of service and impact that you want to make and explore all the ways that you can do that.

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A LU M NAE

Dear Reader,

Alumnae Corner

Over the last year, our community has faced challenges we could not have anticipated. The Westridge community quickly drew together to compassionately support fire affected families and the community at large. This was no surprise as connection and belonging are truly at the heart of a Westridge education.

This community has been a constant in my life since I stepped off the graduation stage on Frank Field in 1990. Through enduring friendships (as noted in fellow alum Erica Liepmann’s profile on page 30!), dynamic conversations with current students, and witnessing a new chapter of leadership, Westridge welcomes us back whether you have just graduated or are celebrating your 50th reunion and beyond!

Growing belonging is an intentional act, and I am proud of our alumnae initiatives and efforts such as Westridge Connects, the Joy Journal, and the Lunch, Boba, & Banter series—just a few examples of how the Westridge conversation continues across classes, decades, and life paths.

For current and future families discovering Westridge, you will see how lifelong bonds and compassionate learning define who we are. Please join us as we support each and every student, alum, and community member to continue to thrive in this very special place for unstoppable girls.

Surgere Tentamus!

Nicole Rabaudi ’90 Alumnae Board Chair

ALUMNAE BOARD Nicole Rabaudi ’90, Chair Elizabeth (Liz) Carlton ’03, Vice Chair Madison (Maddie) Bender ’15 Taelor Bakewell ’11 Michelle Noble Barnett ’90 Zandie Brockett ’05 Maimouna Diarra ’15

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Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83 Elizabeth (Tizzie) Oldknow-Huttinger ’68 Caroline Sill King ’03 Ashwini Lakshmanan ’97 Julie Lee ’12 Mara Leong-Maguinez ’06

Kelsey McCormick ’13 Olivia Moore ’01 Tanya Paz ’02 Alexandria (Alex) Perez ’19 Alekxa Rollins ’12 Meriel Bogen Stern ’77 Jessica Yang ’10

Members of the Alumnae Board, pictured (from left): (top row) Caroline Sill King ’03, Kelsey McCormick ’13, Jessica Yang ’10, Madison Bender ’15, and Meriel Stern ’77; (bottom row) Jossalyn Emslie ’83, Tanya Paz ’02, Nicole Rabaudi ’90, Julie Lee ’12, Mara Leong-Maguinez ’06, and Ashwini Lakshmanan ’97

A LUM NA E

For me, joy has always meant different things at different times of my life. Now that I am entering the ’mature’ stage in life, joy means many uncomplicated things: like the way the summer sun streaks through the ferns outside the dining room window, or the sound of waves when vacationing in Hawaii, or the smiles complete strangers give when I’m on my daily walks.”

It is a joy to have some friends who have shared my journey whether for many years or short intervals.

– Dana Wright

We are all blessed to have our friends from Westridge!

– Linda Mitchell Pierce

– Andi Dorn Rohner

JOY JOURNAL Music…always music. Singing, playing the piano, listening, watching, dancing.

–V ictoria Odriozola Dillingham

What Brings the Class of 1961 Joy! To ring in their 80s (!), the Westridge Class of 1961—a.k.a. The Mighty Goliaths, as members call themselves—shared what brings them joy through a special Joy Journal. From beautiful sunsets and bountiful gardens to spending time with children and grandchildren and taking classes, there is something for us all to take away f rom the Goliaths as they enjoy this milestone decade.

Our 13-year-old granddaughter rides horses regularly, and when I’m around, I love taking her and watching. I had no idea how much fun grandkids would be.

– Alice Myers Brown

Auditing classes at Georgetown University.

– Jane Downer Collins

Life is good at 80!

– Nellie Salvosa-Bowman

An especially beautiful sunset—purple, violet, dusky blues mixed with vermillion, orange, peach, mauve—too many colors to name, all changing as the sun sinks lower and lower. Joy turns to awe.

– Mollie Beckerlegge Brown

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Upper School Lunch, Boba, & Banter Series This now-annual series for Westridge Upper School students debuted just last year—connecting them across generations to alumnae f rom diverse professional backgrounds over lunch and (you guessed it!) boba. During each session, alums share insights on life post-Westridge, demystify work pathways, and discuss their current roles and achievements.

Alum guests this year have included: •D rs. Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83, family medicine physician, and Ashwini Lakshmanan ’97, associate professor at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine & clinical associate professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine •C lass of 2013’s Celine Tien, CEO and founder of Flowly, a virtual clinic for pain recovery, and Sophie Wagener, associate attorney • Heu’ionalani

“Meph” Wyeth ’65, director of NGO Pacif ic Traditions Society The series is meant to showcase the endless possibilities for a Westridge girl’s future, with inspiration f rom the Tigers who came before them.

The Next Generation: Tiger Cub Club A years-long Westridge alumnae initiative, the Tiger Cub Club (TCC) brings together alums with their toddler and elementaryaged children and grandchildren for playdates on our beautiful campus. While alums reconnect and make new memories with one another at their old stomping grounds, their kids partake in a variety of themed games and activities.

TCC is rapidly growing in popularity, bringing together more Tigers and their little cubs to build on lasting f riendships.

Alumnae interested in joining or receiving more information should contact alumnae@westridge.org.

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A LUM NA E

INTRODUCING

Westridge Connects The Westridge Alumnae Department launched Westridge Connects, a streamlined mentor database aimed at connecting alumnae across generations in a simple and accessible way, this fall. Special shout out to our alums who joined the database as mentors, allowing our young alums the opportunity to seek guidance, advice, and career pathway inspiration.

There are currently more than 50 alums on the database, in fields ranging from arts, entertainment, and media to healthcare, law, and STEM/engineering, and we invite you to join the list.

ALUMNAE INTERESTED in accessing the database and/or signing up as a mentor should reach out to the Westridge Alumnae Off ice at alumnae@westridge.org.

Night of Networking Speaking of connections, thank you to those who attended our annual Night of Networking: Connecting Westridge Alumnae night in November. This year’s event featured a panel of alums including Dr. Ivy Lee ’98, a dermatologist and digital health consultant; Kelsey M. Szamet ’00, a partner at Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers; Caroline King ’03, COO of Lather; and Taelor Bakewell ’10, senior vice president of talent influence marketing at United Entertainment Group - Edelman.

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A LU M NAE

WESTRIDGE ALUMNAE ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US FOR

THERE WILL BE ON-CAMPUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AND SPECIAL REUNION CELEBRATIONS FOR CLASSES ENDING IN 0 AND 5.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 6-8, 2026 THERE WILL BE ON-CAMPUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AND SPECIAL REUNION CELEBRATIONS FOR CLASSES ENDING IN 1 AND 6.

FRIDAY: Stop by to cheer on our Tiger athletes before attending class presentations and the popular “Twilight at Westridge” cocktail reception.

SATURDAY: Kicks off with coffee and treats and the affinity gathering followed by a Q&A session with the Mary Lowther Ranney and Young Alumna award recipients.

The afternoon will culminate in a formal luncheon, where alumnae can celebrate, reconnect, and reminisce together.

P.S. Be sure to look out for a Westridge Alumnae email in December, where we will announce the 2026 Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna and Distinguished Young Alumna award recipients!

If you can't make it to Alumnae Weekend, we encourage you to consider making a gift in honor of your class or to support the programs and traditions that shaped your Westridge experience. Your contribution helps ensure future students have access to the same opportunities that meant so much to you.

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SUNDAY: The weekend will wrap with the Sunday Family Fun Day organized by the Tiger Cub Club.

For more information or if you are interested in reunion planning, email Director of Alumnae Engagement Fan Wang at fwang@westridge.org.

Scan the QR code or visit westridge.org/give to do so. Thank you!

Class Notes Class of 1961 PAMELA HALE LOCHHEAD TRACHTA (Tucson, AZ): “For the past 36 years, I’ve lived outside Tucson, Arizona, with my husband Jon in the amazing high Sonoran Desert. I rejoice at the rare times our spread-out family can assemble. It’s been a wild ride, including losing a daughter to cancer and surviving an array of physical challenges, but I am very blessed. Our Westridge Zoom sessions and text conversations are an ’island of coherence’ for me… an amazing group of bright women and a testament to Westridge. I currently write under the name Pamela Hale (my birth name), do a bit of spiritual mentoring, and watch wildlife come to our little pond.”

KAREN ZISCH HARDESTY (Tiburon, CA): “I have survived two disastrous marriages and a terminal cancer diagnosis. I have had a successful business career, and, at the age of 82, am focused on my second career as an emerging writer. I consider my marvelous children, Chelsea and Joshua, to be my greatest achievement. Watching them raise my three grandchildren fills me with joy. The support from several of my close friends from the Class of ’61 continues to be a bulwark of joy and inspiration.”

MOLLY BECKERLEGGE BROWN (Chapel Hill, NC): “I am fortunate that life has given me

many opportunities to do what I love. I taught in public education (pre-K to college seniors) for over 30 years. As a single mom, I did the most with my two daughters.

Today, I’m proud that they work as advocates for children and families in public schools, and that my granddaughters continue the focus on community service. I live in North Carolina, work with a program that mitigates food insecurity, and remain everlastingly grateful for the good foundation Westridge provided me with.”

VICTORIA ODRIOZOLA DILLINGHAM (Santa Barbara, CA): “It is an honor to be Class Agent for our formidable, supportive, and loyal gang of Goliaths—our class mascot: a ladybug, aptly named Goliath.

As we reflect on our (gasp!) eight decades, we want to share that one of our greatest joys is our monthly class Zoom, brilliantly and patiently orchestrated by VIRGINIA CORLETTE POLLARD ’61. We began these Zooms [at the start of] COVID, and we never gave them up. These Zooms sustain us and are a gift. We all agree that our years at Westridge helped guide and prepare us to tackle our futures with strength, forbearance, and ultimately, joy. Thus, we urge all alumnae classes to form your own Zooms—consider it a bit of octogenarian wisdom. You’ll thank us!”

CL A SS NOTES

Class of 1963 LYNNE SAITO ’63 (Huntington Beach, CA): “When I was feeling better after getting a handle on my rheumatoid arthritis, I began to plan travels that included visits with friends, family, and

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Class Notes

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classmates from our Class of 1963 including a visit to HOLLY BROUGHTON SHEPARD ’63 (who showed me a painting by CELE MANDIGO DONATH ’63!) along with JO WHITEHOUSE ’63 in San Francisco and a visit to ANNE ROBERTSON ’63 and LESLIE WHEELER ’63 at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.”

(1,2,3)

Class of 1972 ALENKA PODBEVŠEK (Bled, Slovenia): “A lot has happened to me in previous years. My beloved husband, Bojan, has passed away. I have had quite a few health challenges. First, I had to beat kidney cancer. A few years later, it came back as a tumor in my skull. After beating that as well, I unfortunately had some post-surgery complications that left me partially disabled.

Because of this, I cannot travel

5

very far anymore. My sons are doing great. The younger Matej is now a Belgian citizen. He is a very successful lawyer in IT and telecommunications consulting.

The older son, Gorazd, also a lawyer, has 3 kids, who are almost completely grown now.

I live in beautiful Bled, which all visitors from the United States seem to love. I will be happy

to receive any communication from you, especially a visit. I share a photo of myself and GALE PIEROSE OLSON ’72 in Montana, where we meet every May!” (4) BARBARA DAVIS REYNOLDS (Pasadena, CA): “Greetings from Pasadena. Pictured is the group from our March Alumnae Readers Book Club meeting.

The group meets every two months on campus and online via Zoom. If you’d like to join in, email alumnae@westridge.org. I enjoy playing pickleball, golfing, landscape painting, and keeping up with the lives of our family in Florida. Best to all!” (5)

Class of 1973

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WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

JUDITH BLANCHARD SACCO (Marina Del Rey, CA): “My husband Joe and I are still busy traveling. We are currently planning a month-long trip to Asia in October and November— from Hong Kong to Singapore and many stops in between. Next spring, we will be traveling to India for a tiger safari, followed

CL A SS NOTES

by a trip to Alaska. And next fall, we will be visiting Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The rest of the time, I keep busy raising neonatal kittens, bottle feeding them, and getting them ready to be adopted into their ’furrever’ homes.”

Class of 1975 SMOOCH REPOVICH ROSENBERG (Glendale, CA): Smooch is enjoying her recent retirement. She loves playing with her two amazing grandsons and working on a home renovation project in Santa Barbara, where she and her husband will move by year’s end.

Smooch and her husband will be splitting their year, spending half in Europe and half in Santa Barbara.

executive producer of the film Lilly about Lilly Ledbetter and her fight for justice and equal pay. If you were not able to see it during its theatrical release, please go and watch it on Amazon Prime! My husband (an infectious disease scientist and investor) and I have two grown children—a daughter in San Francisco working in biotech and a son in Los Angeles who is an EDM DJ and producer. Check out “BKAYE” on music platforms!”

career winds down, Mary’s 25-year membership in the Altadena Community Garden has taken on a new purpose since the garden’s destruction in the Eaton fire in January. As vice president, Mary and the president have been working nonstop to restore the garden.

They are using progressive techniques to remediate the soil and are reusing destroyed over 100-year-old Deodar trees donated towards their project.

JINKO GOTOH (Hancock Park, CA): “I lost my home in the Eaton fire in January. I’m still working, currently producing the next Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse film. My commute is no longer 1.5 hours each morning—I live in Hancock Park, less than 10 minutes from my office. I believe there’s always a silver lining to everything.”

LIBBY MAYNARD (Cambria, CA): Libby is enjoying retirement after 32 years at Kaiser Permanente, while she continues consulting for the company.

She loves spending time most weekends with her two granddaughters, who live in San Diego. Libby and her husband can frequently be found with them at the zoo, Sea World, or at the beach. Her grandson and other granddaughter (and their parents, of course) recently moved from Northern California to La Cañada—she is thrilled to have them nearby. Libby enjoys gardening and spending time at a second home in Cambria, California. She invites alums to stop by if in the area.

KATE WHEELER ROCK (Brooklyn, NY): Kate is “more or less” retired, but she and her sisters are looking to start a family business hosting events and retreats at their mother’s (“Mrs. Wheeler” to those who remember her—library assistant and student activities coordinator) 100-year-old farm in the Sacramento Delta. She would love to hear from fellow alums who have experience or advice to offer.

ERICA ZOFF RUSSO (Milford, CT): “I had so much fun catching up with my classmates at the 50th reunion! I am living in Milford, Connecticut, and am still working part-time as a dental hygienist for my husband, who is a dentist. We have two grandsons living in the state and three grown daughters scattered around the Northeast. We try to plan as many family gatherings as possible.”

LISA ANDERSON KELLEY (Carmel, CA): “I am happily retired and still living in Northern California, spending time in both Carmel and Lake Tahoe. I am involved in strengthening our democracy by supporting qualified women candidates who are running for political office across the country. I am also an

MARY McGILVRAY (Pasadena, CA): Mary has been teaching foundation design classes in the visual arts department at Pasadena City College for 30 years. Her passion for teaching drawing, painting, and visual composition was inspired by her excellent teachers at Westridge. As her teaching

Class of 1990 CHRISTINE LLUIS REIS (Miami, FL): “My husband, Michael, and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary this year. We have three children. The older, Tori, is in her second year of medical school at Florida Atlantic University Schmidt School of Medicine.

Bella is at Florida State University, and the youngest, Christopher, is

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Class Notes

A LU M NAE

entering his senior year of high school. I am in my third year as a U.S. Immigration Judge. Prior to this, I worked as the director of the St. Thomas University School of Law Human Rights Institute.

For now, the five of us live in Miami, Florida.”

JILL MORTASHED WEISS (Studio City, CA): “I live with my husband and our 14-year-old daughter. I have been working as an internal medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles since completing my residency there in 2002. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks with my 2-year-old rescue dog, Toffee. Fun fact: I recently completed a PADI scuba refresher course after being away from diving for 20 years and was able to dive with my daughter, who just became scuba certified this summer in Hawaii.”

FRANCESCA DeMARCO (Milan, Italy): “September marks 13 years since I moved to Milan for a short-term contract at Bocconi University, where I started the f irst alumni giving

program. Little did I know that I’d go on to lead all fundraising for the university, then jump to the other side of philanthropy and work for a Swiss foundation supporting projects in Af rica before meeting my husband at Lake Garda thanks to COVID! Now, we live in the countryside outside of Milan, where I work f rom home for a Sicilian foundation I helped start last year. If you’re in the area, come visit! I’m on Facebook.”

LYNN HUANG (Pasadena, CA): “Life has taken some unexpected, but deeply meaningful turns. One of the most heartwarming projects I’ve been a part of is Madhatter Knits, a nonprofit organization that began as a small club at Westridge, started by my two daughters, CHRISTIE ’17 and KATHRYN ’18, and my sister’s two daughters, KIMBERLY C. ’25 and TIFFANY C. ’22.

Today, Madhatter Knits donates hand-knitted hats to babies in NICUs across the country—from California to Maine, Alaska, and

Hawaii, to Mongolia, India, and parts of Africa. As parents, we’ve proudly stepped in to support this growing mission. If you know of anyone with a baby in the NICU who could use a little beanie and a lot of love, please feel free to reach out to us atinfo@madhatterknits.org.”

GAYATRI (SITARAMAN) CHOUDHARY (Glen Allen, VA): Greetings f rom the East Coast! I’ve been living in Richmond, Virginia, for nearly 30 years, where I now own my own residential interior design business. I still miss California—especially Glendale, where I grew up, and Pasadena including my days at Westridge—but I def initely don’t miss the earthquakes, traff ic, or smog! Life is full and busy with my husband of 28 years, our two boys (18 and almost 16), and our sweet rescue dog. If anyone f rom Westridge f inds themselves in the D.C. area, I’d love to connect—feel f ree to reach out! (6)

Class of 2007

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WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

SARRAH SHAHAWY (Cambridge, MA): “I currently live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and work as an OBGYN at BIDMC, a Harvard Medical School-aff iliated hospital. My research is on the intersection of religion, health, and socio-political context with a focus on Muslim reproductive health (both in Muslim-majority and diaspora contexts), global health in the Middle East and North Af rica (MENA) region, and immigrant/refugee health. Last year, I founded the

CL A SS NOTES

MeRGE Research Lab (Muslim Reproductive and Global Health Engagement), of which I am the principal investigator. I live with my husband and two-year-old daughter, who loves learning about the seasons and going apple picking in the fall.”

ANASTASIA GAMICK (New York, NY): “I live in New York City with my dog Atlas, though I spend a lot of time in San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and London working on science policy and institutional innovation. I cofounded the nonprofit Convergent Research, which develops fundamental capabilities in science and technology.”

OLIVIA GRZEGOREK (HASSAN) (Maryland): “For the past three years, I’ve been working for the Department of Justice, investigating financial crime as a forensic accountant.

Last year, my husband and I bought a house in the woods in Maryland. We love living here with our two kids, large dog, and ornery cat.”

KATIE MITCHELL (Highland Park, CA): “I am a senior attorney at Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers, representing parents and working to dismantle the family regulation system. I live in Highland Park with my ’suffrapettes,’ Lucretia Mutt, Frances Harpurr, and Clara Shorthair Foltz. I love completing reading challenges, going to comedy shows, and being an auntie to my friends’ children.”

EMILY RIGGALL (Georgia): ’I am a pediatric neuropsychologist at the Children’s Healthcare of

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Atlanta and Emory University.

I live with my husband and our two very opinionated dependents: our 2-year-old daughter, Anne, and our 8-year-old husky mix, Hobbes.

We’re also looking forward to welcoming a new baby soon!”

ELISE WALL (Minneapolis, MN): “I’m living in Minneapolis, working and volunteering in sustainability (pollution prevention and energy efficiency policy for a San Francisco consultancy, 2050 Partners). I am married with two cats, and like biking, gardening, electronics, and painting.”

Class of 2010 JOSIE AHRENS (Oakland, CA): Josie and William Wilcox were married on June 15, 2024, in

Oakland, California. They were joined by ELIZABETH HUNTLEY ALGERMISSEN ’77 (aunt), EMILY HONN ’10, CASSANDRA IROZ ’10, ANNE HUNTLEY AHRENS ’75 (mom), ROBERTA (AHRENS) SWAYNE ’12 (sister), CHLOE CHENEY-RICE ’10, and MARA GOBY ’12. (7)

Class of 2011 CAITLYN CHELEDEN (Chicago, IL): “My husband and I welcomed our son George over the summer. I can’t believe I’m a mom to a Chicago boy but look forward to introducing him to his Southern California roots!”

Class of 2014 ERIN GOLDIN ( Chicago, IL ): “I just had my wedding with

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Class Notes

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9

8

f ive Westridge girls in the bridal party (pictured, f rom left): SOPHIA MORITZ ’14, CLAIRE VOTAVA ’14, CARMEN COSTA ’14, my husband Jonny Fisher, myself, CAMERON MARSH ’14, and HALEY PHILLIPS ’14.” (8)

my MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and started working as an associate brand manager in the consumer packaged goods industry. Life outside of work has been just as exciting as I got engaged to my high school sweetheart, Matt! Go Tigers!”

is responsible for organizing class-wide events leading up to Commencement in May, per the school’s newspaper, The Harvard Crimson. (9)

Class of 2018

EMILY McLANE (Morristown, NJ): “Last May, I received my Juris Doctor degree f rom Notre Dame Law School. I am so excited to start my legal career as a judicial law clerk in Morristown, New Jersey.”

Let us know what you’re up to!

SAMANTHA CHEANUDELL (New York, NY): “After graduating, I moved to the East Coast, where I f irst worked for Converse. I currently work for Major League Baseball as a product manager. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunities along the way. I stay close with my Westridge f riends, which has been one of the best parts of life after high school.”

CAROLINE COLLINS (Chicago, IL): “I recently completed

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WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

Class of 2022 CHARISMA CHEN (Boston, MA): Congratulations to Charisma on her election as f irst marshal for the Harvard College Class of 2026! The alum, along with the second marshal, will lead the senior class committee, which

ALUMNAE:

We love hearing about what our Tigers are up to across the globe. If you haven’t already, reach out to your class rep, contact Director of Alumnae Engagement Fan Wang at fwang@westridge.org, or visit westridge.org/ classnotes.

In Memoriam

IN M EM OR IA M

Janet Butler Franklin ’48 Janet, 94, passed away on March 5. Westridge remained one of her fondest memories throughout life, according to her daughter.

During her time at Westridge, Janet served as president of the athletic association, which was a fitting role, as she participated in the basketball, tennis, and volleyball teams.

Jenifer Paul Bode ’55 Jenifer, 88, passed away on May 27. She was born on June 25, 1937, in Pasadena. After attending Westridge, Jenifer attained her associate’s degree from Briarcliff College in New York and later attended UC Berkeley, where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science. Shortly after, Jenifer married Vernon W. Monroe, and they had a son together. Jenifer spent many years in advertising sales before moving on to Coldwell Banker where she enjoyed a successful career as a broker. After a divorce, she married former classmate John Andrew Bode, who she met at UC Berkeley’s 25th reunion.

Together, they spent 15 years traveling the world until his passing. Jenifer pursued her passion for protecting animals as a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo and serving on the Board of Directors of The Pasadena Humane Society. She is survived by her two sisters Debbie Barkley ’66 and Mollie Collins ’61; her son Stephen (Alyssa); grandchildren Isabella and Hendrix; stepdaughter Linda Merrifield; and stepson Scott Bode.

Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 was a woman of elegance, style, and substance and an independent thinker always guided by this inner truth: “I can be who I am.” She died peacefully at her home in Morro Bay on July 11. She was 80 years old.

A true California native, Leslie was a proud alumna of Westridge, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her master’s degree in graphic design.

Leslie was an active member of the Los Angeles design community in the 1970s. She and her husband, interior designer Ray Gray, amassed a collection of Art Deco, primitive art and furniture, African art and early ’70s Italian Modern, which was featured regularly in such magazines as Architectural Digest, British House & Garden, and Casa Vogue.

In 1970, she traded her design career for a role at Westridge School, where she contributed her considerable talents in various capacities over a 33-year span: as an art and photography instructor, assistant head of school, head of alumnae relations, head of publications overseeing all printed materials for the school, and project lead for the restoration of Pitcairn House, the Greene and Greene designed house on campus.

In 2003, the living room at Pitcairn House was dedicated and named the Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 Living Room to honor Leslie for all her contributions to Westridge.

After retiring from the school, Leslie took her expertise to Cambria, where she opened a design workshop and color consultation business as well as establishing an innovative gallery, Deer Run Art & Artifacts.

The light in her life began to dim when, in 2020, her only son, Alex, died.

Leslie is now held in rich memory by family, friends, colleagues and a large community of fellow artists and designers.

“My son had a very funny description of what I did in life. ’Well, you were the watchdog on taste.’”

In lieu of flowers please consider donation in Leslie’s memory to The Westridge School Forever Fund or The Alex Gray ’97 Media Lab Endowment at Polytechnic School.

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I N M EMORIAM

Carolyn Newland Morrow ’61 Carolyn, also known as “Mudd” during her Westridge years, passed away on April 29 from kidney failure. During her time at Westridge, Carolyn served as senior class secretary and was a member of the swim team.

Class representative Victoria “Vicki” Odriozola Dillingham ’61 shared that Carolyn was known for her contagious giggle, sense of fun, her beautiful and chic coiffure, and intelligence.

She later attended UC Berkeley, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and was an active member of the Pi Phi sorority. Upon graduating, Carolyn moved back to Pasadena, where she married Pat Bowen and the two welcomed their daughter, Brooke. After a divorce, Carolyn moved to the San Diego area and last lived in Escondido. She is survived by her daughter, Brooke ’97; younger sister, Ann ’66; and two grandsons.

Anita “Tita” Thomas ’63 Tita, 79, passed away on July 29. Her classmate Lynne Tsuboi Saito ’63 recalled how Tita strummed a guitar and sang with classmates during their Senior Ditch Day—“Tita was often smiling and laughing and excelled in art, which provided an early career before she started her dog training and showing.” Her classmates remember her as being talented, kind, and thoughtful. In recent years, she resided in Chino Valley, Arizona,

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WESTRIDGE SC H O O L

where she trained dogs for competitive shows and helped numerous owners with their dogs. She also trained therapy dogs and would visit hospitals and senior centers with her own therapy dog. In fact, she was voted “Unsung Hero” for the Prescott Arizona Kennel Club for multiple years.

Annie Manion ’97 Annie, 46, passed away on April 27 after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She was born on October 8, 1979.

Annie attended Chandler and Westridge schools before heading to the University of Chicago for a bachelor’s in east asian studies. Upon graduating, she went abroad to live in Japan and teach English.

After returning to the United States, she earned her master’s degree from USC as a Fulbright Scholar, from where she also attained a Ph.D. in cinematic arts. Annie is remembered as a “beacon of happiness and light to all around her.” She is survived by her parents John and Cecilia Manion; sister Sarah Marie ’00; husband Christian Armogida; and two daughters.

B.J. Kirwan Hanna FORMER TRUSTEE Westridge learned of B.J.’s passing earlier this year. B.J., a Westridge parent and former trustee from 1998 to 2007, served on the Board of Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley for over a decade, where she helped lead

the company’s affiliate through a pivotal time of growth and transition; helped open health centers in Alhambra and Glendora; and contributed to the renovation of the Pasadena Health Center. She was fiercely intelligent and committed to Planned Parenthood’s mission, advocating for patients long after her tenure on the board.

B.J. was a beloved mother to Kerrigan ’04 and Katherine ’95, grandmother, wife, colleague, mentor, and friend.

A NNUA L GIVING

Support the Westridge Annual Fund— Every Gift Matters!

Westridge thrives because of you.

The Westridge Annual Fund supports everything that makes our school exceptional—inspiring teachers, innovative programs, financial aid, and unforgettable experiences for every student.

Tuition alone doesn’t cover the full cost of a Westridge education, which is why we all play a role in ensuring our students have the best opportunities. Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact.

When we give together, we make Westridge stronger.

Join us in supporting the Westridge Annual Fund today!

QUESTIONS? Contact Director of Annual Giving Lauren Le Ber at lleber@westridge.org S U R G E R E | WI N T ER 2025

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PA ID

Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986

324 Madeline Drive Pasadena, California 91105 westridgeschool westridgeschool westridgetube

We’re already counting down the days until

MARCH 6-8, 2026

In that spirit, pictured above is the Class of 1976 standing in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during their senior year. The group will be celebrating their 50th reunion at Alumnae Weekend!