Check out some of our favorite school traditions!
Accelerated Physics students explore the properties of light and wave interference using lasers—where handson experimentation brings theoretical concepts to life.
GREEN&WHITE MAGAZINE
What did you read last summer?
Warriors
Welcome to Whitfield: A School of Experience
AT WHITFIELD, we believe students learn best by doing.
Whether you’re building a trebuchet in physics, learning Spanish through dance, or writing your own poetry, you’ll find a school where learning comes to life. Located on a 26-acre campus in St. Louis, Whitfield is an independent, coeducational school for grades 6–12 where curiosity, creativity, and kindness lead the way.
Head of School
Chris Cunningham, Ph.D.
Director of Enrollment Management
Heather Carreiro
Director of Communications and Marketing
Erin Walsh
Design
Melissa Irvin
Principal Photography
Geoff Story and Josh Sarris A Magazine for Future Whitfield
OUR FAVORITE WHITFIELD
TRADITIONS
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH
In celebration of the start of the school year, the community gathers on campus to enjoy BBQ, carnival games, and fall sport exhibitions.
SENIOR SUNRISE AND SENIOR SUNSET
The senior class gathers on the practice field at 7:00 AM on the first day of school to welcome their final year at Whitfield. On the last day of classes, they again gather, this time at 7:00 PM to bid farewell to secondary school.
WELCOME CLAP-IN
On the first day of school, the senior class lines the portico leading to the main entrance and cheers for each student as they enter the building.
LIP SYNCS
On the Friday of Homecoming weekend, representatives from each grade level perform a song and dance routine in front of the school community and a panel of judges.
SPIRIT WEEK
Taking place during the week leading up to Homecoming and again in the week leading up to Spring Recess, Spirit Weeks consist of themed dress-up days, daily assemblies, and grade level competitions.
TRASH CAN BAND
Made entirely of trash cans, this co-ed percussion group performs throughout the school year during all-school assemblies and for special events.
WHITFIELD’S SCHOOL DOG
About 20 years ago, a neighbor’s dog decided that Whitfield was his new home. Whitfield’s latest school dog, Sunshine, graduated with the class of 2025. Stay tuned for exciting puppy news!
FROM GENES TO
GRRRS
Middle School Scientists Create Monsters!
AT WHITFIELD, SCIENCE ISN’T JUST ABOUT TEXTBOOKS AND TESTS—IT’S ABOUT EXPLORING, IMAGINING, AND BRINGING LEARNING TO LIFE.
In seventh grade, students in Dr. Brown’s biology class learn how traits are passed down from parents to offspring by creating their very own genetically accurate monsters!
First, students used Punnett squares to map out which traits their monster might inherit. Would it have one eye or three? Spiky skin or fuzzy fur? Once they had their results, they used drawings and 3D printers to bring their monsters to life.
The finished creations were displayed in the Intellectual Commons, showing off a wild variety of creatures each one different, just like in nature.
This fun and hands-on project helped students understand how genes work and how small changes in DNA can lead to big differences.
“It was so fun to build our monsters and see how even tiny trait changes made them look totally different,” said one seventh grader.
At Whitfield, science is full of curiosity, creativity,andalittlemonstermagic.
SCIENCE WORDS TO KNOW
Gene – A set of instructions that tells your body how to grow and what traits you’ll have.
Trait – A characteristic like eye color, body shape, or fur texture.
Dominant Trait – A stronger trait that usually shows up when passed down (shown as “D”).
Recessive Trait – A quieter trait that only shows up if both parents pass it on (shown as “d”).
MAKE YOUR OWN MONSTER
Try this fun activity to learn about genetics just like Whitfield students!
STEP 1: Choose Your Parent Monsters
Each “parent” has two genes for each trait.
Count
(D) or
(d)
Texture Scaly (D) or Fuzzy (d)
STEP 2: Use a Punnett Square
Fill out the square to find your monster’s traits!
DID YOU KNOW?
If the result is “DD” or “Dd,” your monster shows the dominant trait. If it’s “dd,” it shows the recessive trait.
What ’ s Your Story?
Whitfield Students Create Their Own Podcasts
IN TENTH-GRADE ENGLISH AT WHITFIELD, STUDENTS GO BEYOND READING THEY BECOME STORYTELLERS. As part of the “Assertion of the Self” interdisciplinary unit, every student produced a three-part podcast exploring a topic they’re passionate about and creating rich, research-based narration.
MAKE YOUR OWN PODCAST INTRO
Want to tell your own story? Here’s how to start:
STEP 3:
Draw or Build Your Monster
Use craft supplies, clay, or your imagination to bring your monster to life based on its inherited traits.
STEP 4: Give It a Name
What’s your monster’s name? What’s its special power?
Write a short description to go with your drawing or sculpture.
Genotype – The two-letter combination of genes (like “Dd” or “dd”).
Phenotype
– What you can see the trait the genes produce.
Punnett Square – A tool scientists use to figure out which traits a baby might inherit.
One standout project, inspired by the book The Cat I Never Named, by Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess became The Fear of Silence podcast. Students interviewed the author, explored themes of identity and survival, and wove historical research into powerful audio storytelling.
Through this process, students learned to:
• Research and develop context
• Script engaging episodes
• Conduct interviews
• Record and edit audio
• Share their episodes with a real audience
Scan code for The Fear of Silence podcast.
WHY IT MATTERS: Students discover their unique voices while gaining key skills from empathy and critical thinking to communication and production.
At Whitfield, your story is powerful— and your voice matters.
STEP 1: Pick a Topic
Choose something meaningful—like a family story, a passion project, or a social issue.
STEP 2: Find a Speaker
Think about who you might interview: a friend, mentor, family member, or local expert.
STEP 3: Write Your Intro
Start by introducing yourself and your topic. For example:
“Welcome to IdentityUnheard, where I explore untold stories from our community. I’m Maya, and today we’re talking with Coach Ramirez about resilience in sports and life.”
STEP 4: Record and Share
Use a phone or tablet to record. Practice first, then press “record.” Share it with friends, family, or your English teacher.
BOOK CLUB
The Whitfield School students love to read! Last summer, each grade was assigned a book to read as a class. Have you read any of these books? If not, which one will you read first?
6th Grade | Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
Questions to consider while reading:
How does literature show a culture’s values and beliefs?
• Why are multiple perspectives important in literature?
In a classroom? In the world we live in?
What do notice about my thinking as read?
8th Grade | TouchingSpiritBear by Ben
QuestionsMichaelson to consider while reading:
• What factors shape Cole’s identity?
• How does Cole’s experience change his character: how he sees himself as an individual as well as part of a community? How would you describe Cole’s need for both love and power as it plays out in the book?
• What are your thoughts on Circle Justice?
7th Grade TheHungerGames by Suzanne Collins
Questions to consider while reading:
What character trait words (adjectives to describe personality) would you use to describe the character?
Do you consider the character a hero? Why?
How does the character’s culture (beliefs, traditions, customs, and values) affect his/her actions?
How does the government of Panem affect the character?
9th Grade | CityofBeastsby Isabel Allende
Questions to consider while reading:
• What are some potential benefits of scientists or explorers engaging with tribes that have had limited contact with the outside world?
Imagine you are exploring a place that few outsiders have ever visited. Describe how you might feel in that moment and explain why.
Imagine you live in a small, isolated village with little contact with the outside world. One day, strangers arrive without being invited. How would you feel, and why?
11th Grade | Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Questions to consider while reading:
How do you define success? In what ways does society define success? To what extent should we pursue our personal happiness at any cost?
• How do we create our own identity through our actions, interests, values and beliefs?
• What is the purpose of education and what is our responsibility to our own education?
What is American society and what does its literature say about its people?
10th Grade | IHaveSomeQuestionsforYou by Rebecca Makkai
Questions to consider while reading:
• How do we assert our voices in a world that pressures us to stay silent or conform?
How do group dynamics influence the choices we make—and what happens when we go against the group?
What motivates us to be brave, and what risks come with standing up for what we believe?
What did you read last summer?
DIDKNOW? YOU
Whitfield was founded in 1952 .
Whitfield’s average enrollment is 415 students in grades 6-12.
Whitfield’s average class size is 12.5.
Whitfield boasts a 9:1 student/teacher ratio.
Whitfield offers 14 AP/Dual credit classes.
Whitfield students come from 136 different St. Louis area schools.
Whitfield students come from 65 different St. Louis area zip codes.
Whitfield enrolls an average of 85 new students every year.
Whitfield has won 36 state championships, and 88 district championships.
Whitfield students have won 199 individual state medals.
Whitfield offers 20 team sports, 24+ clubs, and 10 affinity groups.
38% of Whitfield’s students identify as people of color.
71% of Whitfield’s faculty have advanced degrees.
that’s something!saying
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLASS AT WHITFIELD?
MASON ODOM ’28
My favorite class is English because I felt supported by the teacher and she made the class fun! I also liked the projects and the assignments. We were able to use resources to support our opinions on topics and to help better express our thoughts and to understand each other.
WINNIE MURPHY ’26
My favorite class is theater. We do a lot of hands-on activities like improv games and short skits which are really fun. Also, you don’t have to be good at acting or have had any past experience to enjoy this class.
JAMES KELLY ’29
Seventh grade Spanish was my favorite class because it was my first time really focusing on one language. My teacher was also my soccer coach, which made it even better. He was tough, but by the end of year, I was amazed that I could speak Spanish to the entire class.
CLEO ERLINGER ’31
I like Social Studies. The environment is really welcoming and I think Mrs. Wolfslau really knows how to make learning fun.
¿Cómo se dice?
How do you say?
Learning Spanish Through Dance! Word Search
AT THE WHITFIELD SCHOOL, LEARNING SPANISH ISN’T JUST ABOUT TEXTBOOKS AND VOCABULARY LISTS—IT’S ABOUT MOVING TO THE BEAT!
In Señor Cipriano Casado’s AP Spanish class, students are learning the language in a whole new way by dancing to the rhythms of Spanish music with Zumba sessions.
Señor Casado believes that learning a language should be a fun and immersive experience. “Dance is a big part of Latin American culture,” he says. “By dancing, students not only improve their Spanish skills, but they also get to experience the culture in a lively and enjoyable way.”
Students love these dance sessions. Whitfield graduate Jocelyn Kazmierski ’24 remembers, “When I took Sr. Casado’s class, I had so much fun ending the class with a dance. Everyone seems to enjoy it, whether they’re dancing confidently in the front or a bit shyly in the back.”
But it’s not just about having fun—there’s science behind it too! Señor Casado explains that physical activity, like dancing, can help students remember what they’ve learned and think more clearly. Research even supports this idea, showing that exercise can boost brain power.
By mixing traditional learning with Zumba, Señor Casado’s class is a great example of how Whitfield teachers find creative ways to help students learn. So, next time you think about Spanish class, picture students dancing, learning, and having a great time all at once!
To dance: Bailar
Example: “Me gusta bailar Zumba en la clase de español.” (I like to dance Zumba in Spanish class.)
Music: Música
Example: “La música en la clase de español es muy divertida.” (The music in Spanish class is very fun.)
Culture: Cultura
Example: “Bailar es una parte importante de la cultura latinoamericana.” (Dancing is an important part of Latin American culture.)
Class: Clase
Example: “La clase de español es muy interesante.” (Spanish class is very interesting.)
Rhythm: Ritmo
Example: “El ritmo de la música te hace querer bailar.” (The rhythm of the music makes you want to dance.)
Language: Lengua
Example: “Estoy aprendiendo la lengua española.” (I am learning the Spanish language.)
Exercise: Ejercicio
Example: “El ejercicio en la clase ayuda a mejorar la memoria.” (The exercise in class helps improve memory.)
Teacher: Profesor/Profesora
Example: “El profesor Casado enseña español con Zumba.” (Profesor Casado teaches Spanish with Zumba.)
Student: Estudiante
Example: “Los estudiantes disfrutan de la clase de Zumba en español.” (The students enjoy the Zumba class in Spanish.)
Fun: Diversión
Example: “La clase es muy divertida porque bailamos y aprendemos.” (The class is very fun because we dance and learn.)
BIGBigFish,WIN!
AT WHITFIELD, YOUR PASSIONS
CAN TAKE YOU FAR just ask senior Jack Lynch ’26!
For his final physics class project, Jack saw an opportunity to combine his two loves video production and fishing by entering his video in a national science competition. His creation “Eyes on the Water: How Bass and Bluegill Vision Can Lead to Sustainable Fishing” dives into how fish perceive their underwater world, and how that insight can shape more sustainable angling practices.
Jack first fell in love with video editing at age 12. He convinced his parents to get him a special computer so he could learn Adobe After Effects and hasn’t looked back since. “It takes a while to learn,” he says, “but I love figuring out how to make everything come together.”
Perspectives
THE LAST SHOT
By Edan Shoghi ’30
wake up in the morning and go to the court put up shots and none of them go in, for my mind has broken
want to be great but there are trials
After putting up 100 shots, I call it quits while everything around me slows while think.
don’t think can do this anymore look at the hoop and down on my shoes quit I can’t do this anymore
ask myself how could give all my strength and fail push and push myself until I can not walk
As fall to the ground ask why I still do this answer myself to say can do this out of all of them
5-4-3-2-1
MINDFULNESS THROUGH THE SENSES
By Ginny Fendell, Director of Health and Wellness
Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated! It simply involves “noticing” what is happening in the present moment. Sometimes our attention is jumping all over the place like a monkey, so practicing mindfulness is a way to tame that “monkey mind” and train it to focus on what we want it to pay attention to. We do that by using our five senses: seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting.
TRY IT OUT!
Start by looking around wherever you are and notice:
5 things you can see that you’ve never noticed before
4 things you can feel with your hands
Jack’s video struck gold: he clinched first place in the Science in Your World category of the National Eye Institute’s Eye on the Future teen video contest, chosen out of more than 120 entries from across the country. He also took home a $2,000 prize—and even caught the attention of STL Public Radio.
HEAR IT FROM JACK
Curious about Jack’s journey from fishing trips to national recognition? Hear him talk about it on STL Public Radio:
St.Louishighschool student wins national video contest
Even though he doesn’t plan to pursue a career in science, Jack views video editing as its own kind of science full of discovery, experimentation, and precision. As he prepares for senior year, he’s aiming for a film-industry internship and is eyeing colleges known for strong video production programs.
His Grandpa a retired biology teacher and lifelong fishing buddy couldn’t be prouder: for Jack, it’s not just a win. It’s a legacy.
CICADAS UNDER CONCRETE
By Erin Messias ’27
Can’t you imagine the life of a cicada
Waking vampirically from a hundred year slumber
Climbing with purpose through dirt and grime
Only to hit something unknown
A conglomerate slab walked day by day
Placed to protect, yet uncaring of your corpse
You sing melodic cries for your siblings, your lovers, your colleagues
Maybe they call for you too
They scream and yearn for others in the same sea of rot
To feel some instinct of togetherness
But are left in the dark, alone
The same as you
A sense of abandonment seeps into the ground
YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
Make Your Own Science Video
Think about something you love—sports, baking, doodling, robotics anything! Then:
1. Pick your passion.
2. Ask: What science questions can you explore?
3. Give your video a catchy title.
4. Sketch your opening scene.
Tip: Great science stories start with curiosity what moment made you go, “I wonder…?”
Yet just a few feet away, others make it through
They see the warm sun, and cling trees like a newborn
Unbeknownst to their family buried alive in graves of soot
They stretch their crystal wings while yours stay veiled in soil
Deaf to the cries from mute mouths
Your suffering is suffocated
Your fate has been sealed in granite and cement
There is nothing more to be done
Maybe we are all just cicadas under concrete
Edan’s and Erin’s poems and Paige’s and Aiko’s artwork originally appeared in the 2024-2025 edition of Perspectives, The Whitfield School’s student art and literary magazine.
3 things you can hear, near and far sounds
2 things you can smell right now
1 thing you that you can taste
YOU DID IT! What did you notice?
Share this practice with a friend or family member to see if you noticed similar or different things.
HOW JACK LYNCH TURNED HIS PASSION INTO A NATIONAL AWARD
Aiko Cagle ’26
Can You Build a Better Birdhouse?
HOW GEOMETRY STUDENTS BRING MATH TO LIFE—ONE BIRDHOUSE AT A TIME
AT WHITFIELD, MATH CLASS ISN’T JUST ABOUT SOLVING EQUATIONS— IT’S ABOUT SOLVING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS. In Maria Ahern’s Geometry class, students put their skills to the test by designing and building birdhouses from scratch.
DESIGN
YOUR DREAM BIRDHOUSE!
What kind of bird would you build for?
Draw your own birdhouse and label its parts. Don’t forget to think about size, shape, and where it will hang!
GEOMETRY GLOSSARY
First, they used TinkerCAD (a 3D design program) to create digital models. Then, they figured out how to turn those 3D designs into 2D shapes called nets exactly what you’d need to build the real thing. From calculating angles and surface area to measuring wood and using power tools in the shop, students applied math in ways that really mattered.
Each birdhouse had to follow real design rules: it couldn’t be too wide (so it would fit on a fence), and it needed features that would actually keep birds safe and dry. Students even researched best practices from bird experts and added clever features like twistable nails so the front could open for cleaning.
From pencil sketches to final paint jobs, these birdhouses weren’t just projects—they were proof that learningbydoingcantakeyourideastonewheights.
Here are a few words you might hear in Whitfield’s Geometry class:
• Net – A 2D shape that folds into a 3D object
• Surface Area – The total area of all the surfaces on a shape
• Volume – How much space an object takes up
• Angle – The space between two lines that meet at a point
Whitfield Teachers...… They’re Just Like Us!
• Trigonometry – A kind of math that deals with angles and triangles
Lisa Barry Jenkins - Director of Technology
Biggest Fear: Spiders
Pet Peeve: Slow internet
Driving Song: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
Miller Boyd, Ph.D. - History Department
Favorite Animal: Great Dane
Favorite Flavor: Butter
Pet Peeve: Cruelty to others
Cipriano Casado - World Languages Department
Biggest Fear: Frogs
Favorite Flavor: Vinegar
Dream Job: Teaching
Ashley Eggebrecht -English Department
Favorite Animal: Snow leopard
Dream Place to Live: Vail, CO
Dream Job: Teaching
Amber Odom - Admissions Office
Favorite Book: Charlotte’s Web
Dream Place to Live: Hawaii
Pet Peeve: People facetiming in public with no headphones
Chris Sellers - Science Department
Favorite Animal: Tiger shark
Dream Job: Teaching
Favorite Spirit Day: Green & White Day
INVOLVED
HOW TO GET AT WHITFIELD
Take the quiz below to learn more about how to get involved in The Whitfield School’s many after school clubs, affinity groups, and athletics.
Question 1: What do you enjoy doing for fun?
A. Playing sports
B. Singing, dancing, or acting
C. Hanging out with friends and family
D. Volunteering or helping others
E. All of the above
Question 2: What are your strengths?
A. I’m athletic and competitive.
B. I’m creative and expressive.
C. I’m good at making friends and getting along with people.
D. I’m good at organizing and leading others.
E. All of the above.
Question 3: What are your interests?
A. Playing sports, hiking, biking, etc.
B. Singing, dancing, acting, theater, etc.
C. Volunteering, social justice, allyship, etc.
D. Student government, debate, leadership, etc.
E. All of the above.
Question 4: What are your goals for the future?
A. To be a varsity athlete.
B. To be a prominently featured singer, dancer, or actor.
C. To make a difference in your community through volunteering and/or social justice work.
D. To be a leader in student government or a club.
E. All of the above.
Question 5: What are you passionate about?
A. Winning and competing.
B. Expressing myself creatively.
C. Helping others and making a difference.
D. Organizing and leading others.
E. All of the above.
Question 6: What are you good at working with?
A. My body (hand/eye coordination) and physical skills.
B. My voice, coordination, and facial expressions.
C. Other people and relationships.
D. Ideas, concepts, and problems.
E. All of the above.
Question 7: What do you like to do in your free time?
A. Play sports, go to the gym, or be active.
B. Sing, dance, act, or watch movies and TV.
C. Hang out with friends and family, volunteer, or do community service.
D. Organize events, plan meetings, or lead projects.
E. All of the above.
Question 8: What do you think is the most important thing in life?
A. Winning and being the best.
B. Expressing myself creatively and authentically.
C. Helping others and making a difference in the world.
D. Leading and organizing others.
E. All of the above.
Results:
Mostly A’s: Athletics/Esports
Mostly B’s: Performing and Dramatic Arts
Mostly C’s: Student Interest Clubs
Mostly D’s: Student Council and Service
E’s: Try them all!
There are so many ways to get involved at Whitfield! This quiz is just a starting point to help narrow down your areas of interest. Check out all of the clubs, affinity groups, and sports
The Whitfield School has to offer.
Middle School Athletics
Baseball - boys
Basketball - boys, girls
Cross Country - boys, girls
Field Hockey - girls
Lacrosse - girls
Soccer - boys, girls
Volleyball - boys, girls
Wrestling - boys
Upper School Athletics
Baseball - boys
Basketball - boys, girls
Cross Country - boys, girls
Field Hockey - girls
Football (cooperative with Principia School) - boys
Golf - boys, girls
Lacrosse - girls
Soccer - boys, girls
Tennis - boys, girls
Track & Field - boys, girls
Volleyball - boys, girls
Wrestling -boys
OUR STUDENT LIFE!
Flip the page over to reveal the answers!
