Windward Magazine - Winter/Spring 2024

WINDWARD

Windward's Next Era MAGAZINE GUIDED BY GOALS

THE NEXT CHAPTER

At Windward, we use our guiding questions to create an environment that excites students about learning. Turn to Page 08 to learn more about our new Strategic Plan and how it will shape the next six years of the School's future.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the Head of School

A Letter from Tom Gilder

Student Spotlights

Felix Guo ’29

Saira Rahemtulla ’28

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Welcome

Advancement Office

Contributions

Dawn Barrett

Windward Network

The Mix—Windward Network’s Third

Annual Holiday Mixer

Painting Her Own Path—Julia Siegal ’20, Windward Network Intern

Ila In Production—Ila Brooks ’25,

Windward Network Intern

Alumni

A Perfect Package

Familiar Faces

Alumni Spotlight: Ron Drabkin ’83

Alumni Spotlight: Ani Rosen ’19

Associate Head of School for Advancement, Finance, and Operations

Michael Bognanno

Director of Advancement Services

Jeff Gilder ’08

Director of Alumni Development and Engagement;

Associate Director of Admissions

Ashley Goodman

Director of Service Learning;

Associate Director of Admissions

Molly Hudson

Digital Communications Specialist

Jeff Lake

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Lindsay Knaub

Director of Development and Engagement

Jamey McElvain-Whitman

Graphic Designer; Brand Strategist

Robin Pickett

Director of Windward Network;

Associate Director of Admissions

Jacqueline Varney

Director of Development and Major Gifts

La Donna Wertlieb

Director of Development & Donor Services

Photography

Akiko Nimura

Bobby Rapp ’26

Brandon Kirk Photography

Corey Marquetti

Jenna Schoenefeld Photography

Leo Viola ’25

Maggie Goldsmith ’25

Molly Hudson

Stephanie Romero Photography

Design & Layout

Akiko Nimura

Multimedia Specialist

Tom Gilder

At Windward, we teach our students to ask questions and arrive at even bigger answers. We encourage them to be critical thinkers, resilient problem-solvers, and inclusive leaders, with a love for learning that transcends the classroom environment. If I had asked myself what I hoped to see the School become when I first took over as Head in 1987, the answer would be the dynamic, state-of-the-art environment we enjoy today.

To me, the start of the 2023-24 school year represents the culmination of years of focused vision, meticulous planning, and unwavering support. In the Fall, we broke ground on our incredible new Innovation & Arts

Center (page 64). The next step in our Campus Master Plan, which began with the construction of Windward’s heart, the Academic Hub, the Innovation & Arts Center will further establish the School as an educational cornerstone of tomorrow. Along with the Milken Family Gathering Plaza, which is set to break ground later this year, new structures like the Innovation & Arts Center ensure we remain at the forefront of educational models and practices. We know that technology and its place in the world will only continue to grow and evolve, and these intentionally designed spaces will provide our students with the tools and resources they need to grow along with it.

As our spaces and curricula continue to change to meet the demands of the world around us, so too must our goals and the vision of what makes a Windward education complete. To meet this aim, in October we unveiled our new Strategic Plan (page 8). Revisited every six years,

our Strategic Plan represents a shared vision, one nurtured by every level of the Windward community. Driven by three key tenets— Belonging, Growth, and Partnering Together to Achieve Our Goals— we will use this new Strategic Plan as a guide moving forward as we usher in the next generation of Windwardians.

The root of these goals can already be seen and felt across campus. We started the year with an increased focus on Belonging, using the first two weeks of classes as an opportunity to engage, connect, and develop lasting relationships among community members new and old (page 6). In the classroom, we continue to develop new programs, fulfilling years of research by offering the School’s first hybrid coding class (page 18). And just before Winter Break, we invited students from Cusco, Peru to join our World Language program in a multi-day expression of community and partnership, the first trip of its kind since the Spring of 2020 (page 20).

As I marvel at how far the School has come in my 37 years as Head of School, I can’t help but feel excited and proud for what’s

to come in this thrilling new chapter of the School’s history. Our community has never been stronger, our future never brighter, and it is that steadfast belief that gave me the comfort and confidence to announce my retirement earlier this year, which will mark the culmination of the 2024-25 school year in June 2025.

I am immensely proud of the strides the School has made throughout my tenure, and I look forward to continuing to see our shared vision further take shape over the next 15 months. I remain as committed as ever to realizing the mission set forth by Shirley Windward, and invite you to join me as we transition to this exciting new era.

Tom Gilder HEAD OF SCHOOL

As part of the School’s efforts to prioritize connection and well-being amongst all community members, with the start of the 2023-24 school year came the pilot of a new initiative - Begin with Belonging.

Belonging is an important foundation of student learning, and a sense of belonging is an important contributor to overall well-being. Begin with Belonging was introduced to encourage the creation of in-person connection and conversation, and facilitate independence and the use of problem solving and on-campus support. This focused approach helped lay the foundation for yearlong community connections.

“The idea of Begin with Belonging, to me, was that we all start off the year at Windward being a little bit more here - more present and mindful as individuals, and also a little more here for each other,” said Melanie Arias, Associate Director of the Prep Divi-

sion. “I saw it as a chance to encourage counting on your community and yourself in small moments, so that you know you have more resources internally and in the community when bigger challenges come along over the course of the year.”

The hustle and bustle of a new school year can make it difficult to forge new connections and deepen existing ones. Research shows that a positive sense of belonging is a critical foundation for engagement, learning, and well-being, particularly given the importance often placed on screens and other interactive devices. As part of Begin with Belonging, the community turned their attention from the familiar use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other smart devices, instead focusing on building a mindset that prioritizes relationships through face-to-face interaction and meaningful, intentional communication.

Beginwith Belonging

Over the first two weeks of school, students engaged in on-campus activities that encouraged in-person connection, be it formal or informal, fleeting or long lasting, between all members of the community. From lawn games hosted by the Student Diversity Leadership Board, to maker opportunities in the CREATE Studio, to community-written words of support and appreciation for Windward’s Summer staff, the initiative gave our students the opportunity to join in an environment where everyone contributes to a sense of shared belonging.

One such environment was Windward’s Center for Teaching and Learning. Throughout the course of Begin with Belonging, the CTL offered daily activities including puzzles, coloring, and crocheting. While designed as a way to foster day-to-day connection, the open-invite structure allowed for new students from all grade levels to join in each day, sharing in their mutual interests while also discovering new ones. This steady growth in participation proved to be a perfect showcase for the sustained engagement

Begin with Belonging hoped to instill. “Begin with Belonging really gave the CTL an opportunity to lay the foundation for the year,” said Sarah Clark, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. “It sums up what we’ve been trying to create. We were able to show students that this is a space where engagement happens, and then continue it. I love that they’ve found this place; it’s their place now.”

As the first two rotations came to a close, the sense of shared connection across all grade levels remained immediate and obvious. Despite the wrinkle in their routines, our students and faculty participants showed growth and resiliency in their willingness to step out of their comfort zones and into a mutually supportive space. The lessons learned from this early year initiative proved to be as insightful as they were uplifting, and will help us as we continue to develop new ways in which we can celebrate and elevate the overall sense of belonging on campus.

Planning for the

Future

Every six years, Windward’s Strategic Planning Committee works with the community—including members of the Board of Trustees, parents, faculty, administration, students, and alumni— to define the vision and create the next set of goals for the School.

In Winter 2022, the Committee began this important process anew. Led by Head of School Tom Gilder and Committee Chair Michelle Alvarez Taub, this 27-member committee included members of the Board of Trustees, parents, faculty, administration, students, and alumni. Over the course of this year-long process, the Committee solicited feedback from past Strategic Plan leaders and local and national educators, as well as the larger Windward community. Using the progress made and lessons learned from the previous Strategic Plan, the Committee

met multiple times throughout 2023 to review all aspects of the School and its programs, highlighting themes and identifying areas of potential growth and development. As these guiding questions began to take shape, feedback was again solicited from the community, resulting in a finished Plan that best represented the values and vision for Windward moving forward.

Launched in the Fall of 2023, the newest iteration of the Strategic Plan consists of three overarching Themes—Belonging, Growth, and Partnering Together to Achieve Our Goals. Each Theme is anchored by specific Goals, each with their own Guiding Question, Rationale, and Action Steps. This structure ensures that the focus, purpose, and attainability of each Goal is clearly articulated and its progress measurable.

Inextricably linked to the School’s mission of creating a dynamic, engaging education in a nurturing, inclusive community, Belonging is a key tenet in Windward’s efforts to cultivate a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued as their authentic selves. Bolstered by two goals—Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Student and Community Well-Being and Mental Health—Belonging affects and supports all levels of our Windward community. From developing the awareness, habits, and skills needed to form meaningful connections to community-wide events dedicated to celebrating what brings us together and what makes us unique (see Tales at the Table on page 46), these goals represent a shared responsibility that is forever ongoing.

As represented by the desire to review and reassess every six years, Growth is an integral part of the Windward experience. The idea of Growth allows the School to regularly consider what it’s doing, as well as where it wants to go. Windward’s Core Competencies, the pillars that define how we prepare our graduates for the world beyond Windward, were developed when crafting our previous Strategic Plan. Goal 1 represents our commitment to continually redefining the curriculum, programs, and activities we wish to offer, ensuring that all Windward graduates are critical thinkers, effective communicators, resilient problem-solvers, inclusive leaders, and ethical and culturally responsive citizens. That commitment also extends to Windward itself, its models, educators, and practices making up Goals 2 and 3. In keeping up with an ever-changing world, the School must continue to develop its educational practices and innovative spaces while identifying and retaining the best educators to lead them. We must also solicit and review feedback from our community members, which is exactly what we did in increasing our focus on environmentally sustainable models.

Connecting it all is Theme 3—Partnering Together to Achieve Our Goals. The Windward community is one unlike any other, and it’s our commitment to shared success that has allowed the School to reach such exciting new heights. From the unveiling of the Academic Hub to the groundbreaking of the School’s new Innovation & Arts Center, the future of the School is bright thanks to the partnership of Windward’s parents, faculty, administration, students, alumni, grandparents, and more. As we look to the future, the ongoing support of the School will allow us to build upon our existing efforts, ensuring its continued success.

This Strategic Plan represents the culmination of many hours of work and fruitful partnership in evaluating the best ways to improve Windward’s program and community. Using this plan, the Head of School and the administrative team will work in partnership with the Board of Trustees to identify the areas of focus for the year ahead in seeking to address these questions and to help

Windward achieve its ongoing mission. This plan marks an exciting new chapter in the School’s history, and will serve as a welcome roadmap as we approach the next six years in the only way we know how—together.

To view the full 2023-24 Strategic Plan, please scan the QR code.

Spirit Week

2023

William the Wildcat Returns!

By Lani Farar, Windward Parent to Bella ’26 and Evan ’24

Spirit Week returned with a roar October 9 - 13, culminating with a Friday Pep Rally where a fiercely improved William the Wildcat tumbled out to the crowd. Each day, classes earned points and raffle tickets to win amazing prizes - restaurant certificates, sporting events and even concert tickets to see SZA! The Student Leadership Board (SLB) took a big role this year, leading class competitions each day and working to breathe fresh perspectives into the themes and activities for each day.

“Spirit Week was especially meaningful this year because it supports the new schoolwide initiative, Begin with Belonging,” says Lisa Alpern, Parent Guild VP and parent leader of the Spirit Committee. Lisa’s team of devoted parent volunteers, including Lani Farar, Portia Furst (also head of the new Parent Guild Decor Committee), Jen Gordon, Kendra LaSalle, Samantha Remeney, Molly Richardson, and Robyn Sidoti, organized a huge supporting cast of parent volunteers all week long.

Lisa continued, “Going to school and seeing classmates wearing something similar helps students feel like they belong. From a petting zoo to carnival games to a watermelon eating contest, Spirit Week encourages community bonding by increasing engagement among students, faculty, and parent volunteers. Perhaps most importantly, Spirit Week brings shared joy to our community.”

Francis Jones, Windward’s Senior Associate Director of Athletics agrees. “Spirit Week is crucial for fostering a sense of connection among students and staff. Through themed activities, dress-up days, and collaborative events, Spirit Week promotes a shared enthusiasm for the School, building a strong community spirit. This connection enhances the overall school culture, creating an inclusive environment where diverse individuals can come together, share experiences, and form lasting memories.”

Frances, along with Amandra Troughton, Associate Director of Special Events, as well as our dedicated Facilities Team, worked tirelessly for months coordinating efforts behind the scenes to ensure the week went by without hiccups, and most importantly, that it was fun for the students.

And fun it was! Monday kicked off with Jersey Day where everyone supported their favorite teams and played Carnival Games on the Bridge for prizes and raffle tickets. Tuesday, there were no snoozers or losers as everyone got comfy in their PJs, watched The Parent Trap in the gym, and made posters for Friday’s Homecoming Game. SLB hosted a Donut on a String contest and everyone enjoyed the hot chocolate and cereal bar manned by our parent volunteers. Tropical Beach Day and National Coming Out Day waved in on Wednesday with limbo and watermelon eating contests, fruit cups, and a DIY ice cream parlor hosted by our own Director of STEAM, Simon Huss. There was live entertainment from the Chromatics, and our SAGA Club, under a beautiful rainbow banner, welcomed everyone with a bracelet making station, an assortment of pins, and a board for people to leave words of love and affirmation. Thursday, our students made hay with cowboy hats and boots for Country Fair Day with a petting zoo, funnel cakes, lemonade, a barn-themed photo booth, line dancing lessons, pin the tail on the Wildcat, and balloon twisting.

Friday was the main event with a school-wide Pep Rally celebrating all the Fall sports teams and featuring a last minute effort for students to gain points for their class. In a historic first, the Class

of 2029 ultimately prevailed in the class competition, beating out the Seniors who were favored to win. Windward’s Cheerleading Team, Robotics Team, and Jazz Band rounded out the event while we amped up our football players for the Homecoming Game against Flintridge Prep. We even rolled out a new tradition - Kennedy Richard ’25 was crowned Most Spirited student with her very own trophy.

At the Homecoming Game, every Wildcat came out on top, enjoying a Spirit Sale with personalized gear and delicious food trucks, including Heavy Handed Burgers, Kona Ice, Fruit Cart, The Churro Joint, and Lime Truck. Despite a disappointing game loss, everyone was a winner!

Frances says, “The week provides a break from routine, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy a positive and vibrant atmosphere. Ultimately, Spirit Week contributes significantly to building connections, strengthening the bond among students, and leaving a positive impact on the overall school experience.”

A AffairFamily

Windward’s Grandparents and Special Friends Brunch

The turn to November brought the return of a School highlight—Windward’s Grandparents and Special Friends Brunch!

Taking place in the Lewis Jackson Memorial Sports Center, this special event saw our students invite their grandparents and special friends to enjoy a fun and festive morning on campus. Our students get to enjoy campus all year long, but this event allowed them to share a part of their Windward journeys with those closest to them. First welcomed by Head of School Tom Gilder, the attendees were also treated to heartfelt anecdotes from student speakers Chloé Andrieux-Amadeï ‘24 and Griffin Brown ‘26, as well as musical performances by the Chromatics and the Advanced Jazz Ensemble. Our guests delighted in the ability to connect with other members of the Windward Community, the delicious brunch punctuated by lively conversations.

Following the brunch, our students took their grandparents and special friends for a tour around campus, two generations enjoying the welcoming community they share. It was a joy to see so many new and returning faces—we’re already looking forward to next year!

A Haunted Holiday

The late October chill brought a frightening favorite back to campus—Windward’s Halloween Celebration! Filled with mustachioed super plumbers, brave spacefarers, and all the Kenergy a school could handle, the day came to its exciting conclusion with our annual Halloween Costume Contest! Our costumed community filled the courtyard to witness this monster mashup, culminating in exciting wins for Best Student Group Costume, Best Student Individual Costume, and Best Faculty/Staff Costume.

It was a wickedly wonderful time for all!

A Winter Wonderland

Just before Winter Break, Windward’s Student Leadership Board, Middle School Student Leadership, and the Performing Arts Department came together to collaborate on an exciting new student-led event - the 2023 Holiday Winter Wonderland Performance and Celebration! Held during Lunch on the beautifully decorated Bridge, the event featured hot chocolate with whipped cream and candy canes, a range of ugly sweaters, and some stunning holiday-based musical performances from our student singers and instrumentalists.

“This event was entirely student-driven,” said Ben Thomas, Director of Athletics Sports: Administration and Curriculum. “They came to us with an idea of putting something together that the whole community could enjoy, and we helped them make it happen. Students, staff, and faculty all really enjoyed the holiday spirit, sense of togetherness, and entertainment provided before heading off for their well-earned Winter Break. The event was a great success!”

An Afternoon of Arts

Founders’ Day 2024

On January 26, Windward came together in a joyous display of community as part of its longstanding Founders’ Day celebration. Honoring the School and one of its founders, Shirley Windward, Founders’ Day takes place during an extended lunch period and invites students, faculty, and parent volunteers to enjoy all things arts, with live music, spoken word, and more all set to a festive campus backdrop.

From the start of the period our students flocked to the Academic Hub, enjoying delicious Shirley Temples and taking part in a Service Learning valentine making station. Windward’s Media Arts & Film Lab was also on hand, manning an interactive photo booth with a collection of colorful costumes. For the first time, the event took place in the courtyard of the Academic Hub, allowing everything from second floor viewing to first row beanbag seating.

Fun fact - when the School first opened in 1971, it was beanbags, not chairs, that made up the early classrooms. Their return marked a fun full circle moment in the School’s history, making for a comfortable and fitting Founders’ Day tribute. Thanks to these thoughtful touches, as well as the tireless efforts of our Parent Guild volunteers, this year’s event was truly our best yet!

What a tremendous showing from our amazing Founders’ Day Performers!

Firepunk

Sunday Kelly ’28

Lexi Smith Lewis ’29

Felix Guo ’29

Laila Chudgar ’29

Alexis Levine ’28

Zach Blackman ’25

Founders’ Day would not be possible without the incredible contributions of our amazing Parent Guild Committee and volunteer community members. The School would like to extend a special thank you to:

L. Heather Mitchell

Juliet Oh

Michelle Watkins

Jenna Pitson

Kate Adler

Lily Richardson ’28

Liam Brooks ’25

Sophia Schuman ’26

Nina Antoni ’24

Raphael Daneshgar ’24

Sweet Tooth Speed Limit

Jennifer Wallace

BBIT YTE

BY 8TH GRADE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE II

In order to achieve our goal of providing a dynamic, engaging education, the School is always looking at ways in which it can grow and develop its programming to ensure it remains at the forefront of educational models and practices.

15 years ago, the School added the use of simple machines to its Science curriculum to help prepare Middle School students for the Physics classes they’d take in 9th Grade. This change in curriculum was made in order to create a smoother transition into vertical integration and coding, a focus Windward’s Science department, in conjunction with the School’s STEAM Director, would continue to develop over the next decade.

“Over the past five years, we've been adding coding into the curriculum, here and there. We had it as basically a single freestanding project during one month of the year in 8th Grade science, just making sure that every single kid would get programing and coding,” says Science and Technology Teacher Gage Loveless. “And then last year in the springtime, we started to think about ‘how can we revamp this course?’”

At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, the many years of proactive planning culminated in the launch of a new 8th Grade program — Principles of Science II. A joint collaboration between Gage and Rhazes Spell, the School’s new Computer Science Teacher, Principles of Science II now introduces the principles of coding and

programming in a way that connects with the Earth and physical science lessons that are also taught in the 8th Grade.

“A lot of times with computer science, it's sort of pulled out into its own thing,” Rhazes explains. “And part of what we wanted to do was to have it sit more naturally in the subject, so the kids would actually be able to see it getting applied as they were learning the skills of programming.”

Taking advantage of Professional Development funding made available to Windward faculty, Gage and Rhazes redesigned the curriculum to better create a program that would result in long term learning and a true depth of understanding. To start, they created a collaborative schedule that allows students to split time with them throughout the three planned units. From discussing the practical elements of a topic with Gage to utilizing computer science applications with Rhazes, the merging of disciplines allows students the opportunity to synthesize what they have learned and then apply it with coding and programming. The subjects taught in each module feed directly into the next, culminating in a final project in which students show their understanding of both the completed module and the larger applications of the lessons learned.

To close out the first half of the year, students were tasked to highlight what they’d learned over the course of the semester by designing and creating an interactive display piece. In addition to

showing a clear grasp of the concepts they’d learned in their Earth Science lessons, the project also required that students incorporate at least two types of sensory input devices, and four output display devices such as LEDs or motors. Throughout the course of the unit students worked on multiple drafts, submitted sketches, diagrams, and instructions, and tested their programs on working models. In January, the resulting projects were proudly displayed at a special exhibit in the CTL and shared with other Windward students, faculty, and staff.

While the language of coding is specific to computer science, the universal principles taught—accountability, resiliency, and self-reflection, among others—are just as necessary on the field or stage as they are in the lab. It’s that well-rounded application that Gage and Rhazes find so rewarding about their shared class.

“The class makes sure that every student can see themselves possibly as a coder, as a programmer, and see the value and excitement it has, as well as see the ways in which it can be integrated into art, science, math,” says Gage. “They see the multifaceted application of it instead of thinking of it as, ‘Oh, that's what those other people do’ or ‘that's not for me.’ I think making sure that every kid codes makes it more accessible.”

While students are encouraged to observe, ask questions, and come to solutions in their other Science classes, Principles of Science II requires that students consider their answers from all angles.

Rather than simply explaining their work, students have to be able to articulate it in a way that makes sense to the program they’re using, something that requires explicit communication and a sharp attention to detail. In coding, a single errant comma can be the difference between success and frustration. For Rhazes, it’s in those challenging moments that students truly find out what they’re capable of. “Students have an identity,” he notes. “‘I'm good at this. I'm not good at that.’ What we try to do in the classroom is sort of shake their sense of, 'This is who I am, and this is what is hard.'" He continues, “It’s getting them to relax and have fun and ask ‘How do I work through the problem?’ When the lightbulb goes off, you see the joy of learning and the confidence when they figure something out, and it’s really, really cool.”

Much like it has over the last 15 years, the program will continue to evolve to match the 21st century needs of our students. As Gage and Rhazes consider what’s next for their collaboration and beyond, they remain proud of the advancements the department has made in making coding accessible for all Middle School students. “Every 8th Grader will leave this year with the ability to program a physical circuit, do block coding, and do line by line coding and program within a simulation on the computer,” marvels Gage. “I think that's massive for every rising 9th Grader to have that experience.”

INKED ANGUAGE

BY L

As part of Windward’s Global Programs curriculum, students are tasked to develop and exhibit cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of the commonalities and differences between peoples and regions. On January 16, our World Language students were granted a firsthand opportunity to do just that, as the School welcomed to campus a contingent of students from Colegio San Gabriel in Cusco, Peru.

Though Windward first began these visits in 2013, this year’s visit was the first since the program was interrupted in the Spring of 2020. In all, 21 Peruvian students and four chaperones made the trip, joined by the leader of their program, Mariella Bernasconi. The visitors, marked by their distinctive blue overcoats, caused an immediate sense of excitement on campus, a sentiment shared by Richard Bailey, Director of Global Programs. “It was chicken-skin inducing,” Richard recounted, “to see how the Windward hosts, primarily recruited from the Global Scholars program, and their Peruvian counterparts came together instantaneously that first morning.”

Following their initial meeting, which included the sharing of traditional gifts between the visiting students and their Windward counterparts, the students then broke off into pairs, with a Peruvian student shadowing a Windward host throughout their daily routine. Over the course of their three-day stopover, students attended Windward classes, shared meals with Windward classmates, and even took part in the School’s Spirit Night celebration. They also joined their hosts off campus on a special field trip to the Santa Monica Pier, chronicling their adventures in photos and shared assignments.

With so many collaborative activities, Windward’s World Language students had ample opportunity to practice what they’d learned in a real-life setting, something that Richard noticed led to a major boost in confidence. “Our students learned that they can indeed communicate in Spanish with native speakers, especially those who are like them in far more ways than they differ.

“They also learned that striving for perfection is an obstacle to effective spontaneous communication–you just have to go for it, accept that you are going to make mistakes, and if you say something that doesn’t make sense, you can negotiate the meaning and learn from someone who is in the same situation as you. Also important was the fact that our students experienced the Spanish language as something far beyond the abstraction that it may seem to be, despite even the best intentions to make it as real and applicable as possible in the classroom.”

For Richard, the visit offered a picture-perfect example of the shared worldview that Global Programs aims to instill. “Hanging out with kids from another country plants the seeds of curiosity,” he said. “There is an enormous amount of strength that comes from being a good host, and remembering how to be an ambassador for one’s community lays the foundation for an even more valuable experience when they are in the visitors’ shoes. Hosting international visitors lends a texture to the Windward experience for everyone involved. I can’t wait for next year’s visit!”

AKING TAR IN THE A S

YBou might know him as Ben the math teacher at Windward, but in the online world of social media, you may recognize him as @BenjaminTheBaker. From helping his mom make her famous Cookies on a Stick to becoming TikTok famous himself, Ben Delwiche has combined his three lifelong passions into a recipe for success.

Baking has been a part of Ben’s life for as long as he can remember. “I grew up baking with my siblings, with my mom, with babysitters, and then started working in bakeries when I was in high school.” Even after moving away for college, Ben worked in a bakery just a few miles from Boston College, where he received his B.A. in Mathematics and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.

“Baking, teaching, and math have always been the three big things in my life,” he explains, “they have always been a part of my trajectory.”

To help build a sense of community during the pandemic, Ben first took his baking online with a series of “Bake-Alongs” for Windward’s faculty, staff, and students over Zoom. Using recipes he created, Ben guided his peers in making apple almond turnovers and students in making scones. “We made our dough from scratch. We made our apple filling. And even the frangipane was made from scratch,” he recalls. “As we were baking, people would ask, 'Is this what it's supposed to look like? Am I rolling this out correctly?' It was a great way to have a sense of connection even while everyone was quarantining at home."

From there, Ben created a TikTok account, @BenjaminTheBaker, and began uploading videos he had already recorded of the baking experiments he was conducting at home while quarantining with his wife.

“It took me a little bit to figure out the style of video that I wanted to do; what I've settled on now, and what I typically do, is show the effect of different procedures or different ingredients on the final baked good,” he explains. “A lot of people talk about how one change might affect the final result, but I want to offer a visual that goes along with the explanation. That way people can make their own decision like ‘oh, it doesn't really bother me that it looks like this or that.' Or, 'I actually prefer the texture that someone else might say is 'incorrect.'’”

Thanks to Ben's long history of teaching and baking, and, as Ben points out, a combination of a little good timing and luck, the account was an instant hit.

“Within the first couple of videos that I actually made with the intention of posting was my first really big video about how to use a piping bag. And that was only like the fifth or sixth video that I ever posted on TikTok,” Ben recalls. “That one blew up. Within an hour it had 100,000 views, then it was at a million

views within a few hours. When I went to sleep it was at 10 million views and when I woke up it was at like 13 million.”

Within a year and a half, Ben had over 1 million home bakers following along to see what complicated process or technique he would make easily digestible next. Since then, Ben has released Everything Brownie – a sweet seasoning blend you can sprinkle on fruit, oatmeal or even coffee – and is working on a cookbook, which like his videos, focuses more on the science of baking than the recipes themselves. “The side that I'm really excited about and I like talking about is the explanations, the science behind things, the ‘why are you doing something?'"

While Windward students are lucky enough to experience Ben’s baking applications in the classroom every day, the rest of us will have to wait for his weekly 48-second videos.

TAKING THE

STAGE

The PROM DIRECTORS’ NOTE

The creators behind Broadway’s The Prom formulated the show’s premise after seeing nationwide news reports of incidents involving gay students not being allowed to go to their proms. While the musical was inspired by several occurrences involving exclusion and prejudice with regards to high school proms and homecomings, the most notable incident took place in 2010, when Fulton, Mississippi’s Itawamba Agricultural High School refused to let high school senior Constance McMillen and her girlfriend attend the prom as a couple, as well as prohibiting McMillen from wearing a tuxedo to the prom as only male students were allowed to do so. McMillen, with the support of the ACLU, sued the school board, gaining national attention. Eventually she was allowed to go to the prom; however, it was only attended by seven students. Despite McMillen’s success in rallying national support for inclusivity, discriminatory policies still impact students when it comes to high school events. Constance McMillen’s story is unfortunately all too common, as is banning and canceling musical productions in high schools across the country. Just last year, a high school in New Jersey tried to ban a production of The Prom and only reversed the decision due to backlash from the community.

We feel incredibly lucky to work in a community that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This is not only upheld at our school events and in our classroom curricula, but is also the focus of the work that we choose to share with our audiences. Last year, we had the privilege of producing Spring

Awakening and The Laramie Project as part of our 2022-23 Theatre season. Through community conversations and the support of experts in our external partnerships, we have been able to share important material with our students where they can see themselves through art and our audiences can engage together in dialogue about what diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging mean to us in our complex contemporary world.

As we sit and compose this note, a chance for us to express our vision for the show, we are swept away by the support and commitment of our Windward community. The LGBTQ+ community faces injustices daily and the Windward Theatre Area is proud to share The Prom with you and honor the important themes this musical inspires: acceptance, allyship, activism, and above all, love.

We want to share our gratitude for our student artists as they constantly dream and create a future that is filled with joy, laughter, forgiveness, and empathy both in their craft and in the ways they relate and connect to one another. Our wish is that you who have the privilege to witness their work are as brave as they are and will partner with them to ensure that their dreams become a reality as we strive to create an environment at Windward and beyond that is filled with solidarity, inclusion and love.

With love, Jordan Fox and James Patric Moran

A Perfect Pick-Me-Up Windward’s Coffeehouse

By Lisa Weinstein, Performing Arts Faculty

F

or as long as I can remember, the bi-annual Coffeehouse has stood as a cherished tradition, weaving its way into the very fabric of Windward's culture and community. Nestled within the vibrant tapestry of the School’s Performing Arts events, this gathering has become a platform for our young student artists to showcase their remarkable talents. Coffeehouse is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the boundless creativity that flourishes within Windward School.

In my opinion, one of the most enchanting aspects of Coffeehouse is its ability to regularly unearth hidden talents among the Middle and Upper School students. Year after year, the stage transforms into a place where voices, words, and melodies take flight, revealing the depth and diversity of artistic prowess within our community. It is a testament to the nurturing environment at Windward that students feel supported and encouraged to explore their full creative potential.

Coffeehouse offers a beacon that shines brightly, welcoming every student to participate and share their unique gifts. Whether it's spoken word, musical performances, or theatrical acts, the stage is open to all, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. This inclusivity not only showcases the richness of talent on campus, but also reinforces the sense of belonging that defines Windward. Beyond the spotlight and applause, Coffeehouse serves as a catalyst for community bonding. Parents, teachers, and fellow students gather in anticipation, creating an atmosphere of shared appreciation for the arts. It's a time when the community comes together to revel in the collective joy of artistic expression.

The bi-annual Coffeehouse at Windward is more than just an event; it's a celebration of the collective spirit that makes our community thrive. As we applaud the talents of our Middle and Upper School students, we also applaud the culture of inclusivity and encouragement that allows these talents to flourish. Coffeehouse is a stage where dreams take flight, and where the bonds of community are strengthened through the shared love of the arts.

W!T

What Is That?

You’ve seen the silly posters, the eye-catching shirts, and the hilarious promotions—but what IS W!T?

Made up of student performers who practice the amusing art of both short and long form improvisational comedy, W!T is Windward’s Improv Troupe. Initially conceived as a Period 8 elective taught by outside improv company, CSzLA, the early iteration of the group was part of the ComedySportz High School League. As the program developed and student interest grew, Program Lead Natasha Arnold, along with Windward’s Performing Arts Department, came to an important realization—rather than stay within the confines of an existing structure, why not turn the program into something entirely their own?

With that, the Windward Improv Troupe was born. The freedom to cultivate their own path allowed the program to push the boundaries of high school improvisation, adding long form and advanced concepts and structures to their play and shows. This expanded structure also extended to the performers. While still largely student-run productions, W!T kicks off the year with a community-favorite Faculty/Staff Match, followed by the wildly

popular Family Match, which invites family members to share the stage (and the laughs!) with their student performers. “It's always one of the most magical nights to see parents play alongside their kids, just before they graduate and leave home,” shares Natasha. “Improv is all about connection, and witnessing this type of connection through play and laughter brings me the most joy.”

That joy carries on long after students leave Windward, as made evident by the amount of Windward graduates who return for W!T’s Alumni Match each year. This connection begins in class and on stage, the performers and instructors working together to form a strong familial bond built on mutual trust and encouragement. Without fear of failure, students are free to take risks and put themselves out there, often resulting in moments of true discovery.

For Natasha, it’s the “a-ha moment” when all the pieces start to come together that makes W!T so rewarding. “I love the moment students start trusting their instincts and their individual choices and voices,” she says. “They often have little recognition when it's actively happening, but it is the most beautiful thing to witness.”

members—spends an average of an hour to an hour and a half practicing chess, which includes completing puzzles, studying openings, looking at end games, and watching Masters’ games.

Felix Guo ’29

a Move toward Mastery Taking the Field

I

n 2019, Felix Guo ’29 began playing chess upon the recommendation of his piano teacher who thought the game of strategy would help him slow down and think ahead. Just four years later, he is one of the top youth players nationwide.

“This year I want to get to National Master and long term my goal is to reach International Master,” says Felix, who is just 100 points shy of the 2200 points required to earn his National Master title. “For International Master, I probably need two to three more years; it’s pretty hard to get so it’ll probably take a few more years.”

Each day after school, the 7th Grader—who also still plays piano, is the published author of two books, founder of a non-profit organization to help other kids with public speaking, and founder and president of the International Children Education Association’s Chess Club with over 300

“A year or two ago, I wasn’t good yet and I was playing a candidate master,” recalls Felix about his pivotal performance at the 2022 National Middle School Championships in Grapevine, Texas. “I knew I wouldn’t win, so I sacrificed my rook and he fumbled and I won. It wasn’t the most important match, but he was a lot better than me and I made a beautiful move, so winning felt really great.”

This year, Felix is most looking forward to the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival and the North American Youth Chess Championships, two tournaments where he can win titles, and Summer tournaments in Las Vegas, where he can win money.

Looking back at the progress he’s made over the last four years, Felix believes everyone can benefit from playing Chess. “It helps me slow down, focus, my academics are better when I’m playing often, and I’m learning to handle losses in a good way, so I think everyone should play,” he says.

Saira Rahemtulla ’28

Meet Saira Rahemtulla ’28, an 8th Grader whose journey embodies resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering spirit both on and off the field.

Most known amongst her peers for being determined, energetic, and athletic, Saira is the only girl playing Middle School Flag Football alongside 70 boys.

"I try to do great at anything I’m doing," she remarks, reflecting on her approach to life and the many challenges she has overcome, including a heart condition that marked her infancy and childhood. Enduring not one, but three heart surgeries—one as a baby and two more at the age of 10—Saira's resilience became ingrained in her character early in life.

Today, as the only female MS Flag Football player, the biggest challenge she faces is being underestimated on the field. “A lot of times when I walk up it’s already assumed I’ll be the last pick, so I have to work harder to prove myself, or I won’t get the ball for a while until I can prove I can catch it.”

Although frustrating at times, the unique opportunity has taught her how to be a better team player. “I’ve learned how to interact through losses, through wins, through arguments on the court and how to overcome that.”

Heading into 9th Grade, Saira is most looking forward to joining Windward’s new Girls Flag Football team, a program for Upper School students.

“I’ve been playing flag football since I was 5 or 6 and it’s always been all boys and then me so I think it’s going to be a great change,” Saira says about joining the girls squad. “I’m so excited about that; I’m most excited that it’s all girls.”

When she’s not playing football, Saira can be found playing basketball or participating in a number of Windward activities including the Women in Sports Club, Community Service Club and Film Club. And if she’s interested in an opportunity that doesn’t yet exist, she’ll find a way.

“If it’s something I really want to do, I’ll keep pushing until I get it.”

WILDCATS ON THE PROWL

Exciting team wins, individual accomplishments, and phenomenal displays of sportsmanship—the Fall 2023 Athletics season had it all!

A FUN FALL FOR ALL Middle School Athletics

Teamwork was the name of the game for our Middle School scholar-athletes! Our new 7th Graders and veteran 8th Grade students put together an excellent season, showing resiliency and a true team-first commitment in their contests throughout the Fall!

Despite a number of obstacles, the 202324 Middle School Cross Country season was amazing! The Boys and Girls teams started the season off strong and fought until the end. They overcame and endured everything from injuries and illnesses to small hills and big loops. Our scholar-athletes set goals and smashed them every time! The Boys opened up the season with a first place win, while the Girls came back from being a runner down to finish third in their second league meet. By the end of the season, the teams had a team chant, cue words, and new practice and performance goals to help them stay focused. Hitting multiple personal records and season bests, our runners achieved individually and as a team!

Led by the trio of Tyrone Powell, Ken “The Guru” Asher, and Zach Bright (ZB), the final record of the 7th Grade Royal Flag Football team did little justice to the talent, competitiveness, and resiliency they showed throughout the season. The majority of the group’s losses came by just a single score, including their heartbreaking playoff defeat to St. Matthews, which saw their game-tying touchdown ruled out of bounds as time expired. All signs point to them being a championship contender next season!

Similarly, 7th Grade White Flag Football showed progression from week to week over the course of the season. The team put together many great offensive drives which resulted in touchdowns, from long, sustained drives to big plays down the field. Eli Sorota and Theo Harris developed a great deep pass connection, which was responsible for the majority of the team’s touchdowns and aerial attack. The run game took a little more time to get going, but once the option became a part of the offense, the team became a real big play threat! The team gave it their all and built a strong foundation of experience to build on next season.

Defense was the theme of the season for the 8th Grade Royal Flag Football team. The squad was very tough to score against, and showed grit throughout the season. A highlight was the win over Campbell Hall, who went on to win the Delphic League championship. The Cats made it all the way to the semifinal, falling in a hard fought battle to Willows School.

Competitors is the word that would best describe 8th Grade White Flag Football They never quit on each other or the coaching staff and battled game in and game out. They started the year with a highlight, marching down the field in 8 plays to score an opening drive touchdown in their first game of the season against Crossroads.

Middle School Girls Tennis ended their season with a trip to the Gold Coast League Playoffs, making it all the way to the semifinals. In the final individual tournament, Sylvie Bright ’28 made it to the semifinals, while the doubles team of Alexie Wehrle ’28 and Tata Yung ’29 advanced all the way to the finals!

Middle School Girls Volleyball also had a great year, capped by a great run in the playoffs. The 7th Royal team only lost once during the regular season, playing collectively and supporting and cheering for each other after every point. This special group has a lot of potential, making it the playoff semi-finals before falling to the eventual champions, Crossroads. They can’t wait for next year!

A SUPER SEASON

Upper School Athletics

The ‘Cats are back! This past Fall, Windward Athletics put together a stellar season filled with incredible individual achievements and thrilling team honors. Our scholar-athletes put it all on the line on the field, on the court, and on the track, making for another exciting year of Upper School competition!

The Varsity Tackle Football Team wrapped up an impressive season under the leadership of an outstanding group of Seniors. Cultivating a culture of hard work, unity, and grit, the team showcased these values throughout the season, fostering trust and camaraderie among their fellow student-athletes. While this team was tested by its share of adversity, reaching the second round of the CIF playoffs marked a significant achievement, highlighting the competitive spirit of all involved. Multiple athletes received All Prep League honors, including Cooper Feldstein ’24, who earned All-CIF honors for his exceptional contributions.

Windward’s Football coaches expressed immense pride in the athletes and gratitude for their dedication. During the

season, they showcased the team's growth, emphasizing the significance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and the lasting impact of a culture centered on hard work and mutual support. It was a season marked by success, both on and off the field, as the team united to create lasting memories.

This Fall also saw the inaugural season of Windward’s Varsity Girls Flag Football team, and it was a tremendous success! The team finished undefeated in their first year as a squad. Scholar-athletes of different grades and skill levels came together, became teammates, learned the game of football, and took this historic first season all the way to the top. The final game of the season offered the toughest test, as the Wildcats prevailed in double overtime as time expired.

The fastest growing sport in the world, and new to the 2028 Olympics, flag football will continue to be a focus for our scholar-athletes in the offseason. Team captain and quarterback Livi Lagao, who dominated on the field, submitted her digital combine application for an invitation to compete for a spot on the USA Jr. Olympic National Team. Flag football is providing a lot of

opportunities for young girls right now, and we are excited to be part of that growth! (For more on their first season, see page 38.)

On the sand, Boys Beach Volleyball had a stellar season, taking 1st in league and 3rd overall in the playoffs. Our scholar-athletes made huge strides in their game and truly became a strong unit together. The team’s 1’s pair, Jack Phelps and Maxwell Stotsky, held it down in the 1’s spot all season long and took down some solid pairs. The program looks forward to seeing the growth of this squad as a whole, and can’t wait to see them back on the court when the indoor season kicks off this Spring!

Girls Varsity Volleyball also had an incredible season, prioritizing team unity and trust in order to continue to build team culture. The time spent on those team dynamics allowed the team and program to have yet another great year. Girls Varsity finished 2nd in league play and made a deep run in the CIF SS playoffs as an underdog, while our Junior Varsity squad went undefeated in league play for their second straight season! The program will miss its amazing Seniors who helped define what Windward Volleyball is all about!

Windward Cheer kicked off the Fall season by welcoming Ani Rosen, Windward alum and professional LA Lakers dancer, to our coaching staff (for more on Ani, see page 75). The team had a fantastic season, performing choreography, cheers, and stunts on the field supporting our Football team. Their Fall season came to a strong end with a culminating Homecoming performance, which included both our JV

and Varsity teams. Cheer continues to bring all things spirit to campus!

Girls Tennis battled through with close matches against Crossroads and a win against Viewpoint to end the season. Seniors Sydney Ginestro and Sophie Sloan made a major impact on the team, leaving a legacy that the new captains will preserve for the next season.

Our Cross Country runners had another strong year, punctuated by some excellent Gold Coast finishes. The Girls squad took 4th place in Gold Coast League play; Monica Kusserow advanced to the CIF Southern Section Championships as an individual, finishing 37th out of 114 runners! The Boys team also placed 4th overall in Gold Coast play, advancing to the CIF Southern Section Championships and finishing 9th out of 16. David Estrada set a new Windward record with his 3 mile time of 15:45, finishing 19th out of 114. Great job, Wildcats!

THE NEXT LEVEL

Congratulations to our scholar-athletes for committing to playing college athletics at the following institutions! We’re so proud of your achievements— your Wildcats family are fans for life!

Sadie Cohen

Cal Poly - Basketball

Ben Leshgold

Gettysburg College - Baseball

Joshua Patterson

Oberlin - Baseball

Alex Umland

Oregon - Baseball

GIRLS OF THE GRIDIRON

Windward Girls Flag Football Kicks Off

In 2023, Windward Athletics added a new sport to its Fall rotation — Girls Flag Football. An Upper School activity, Windward’s Girls Flag Football team is the latest entrant to the fast growing world of Flag Football. Trading helmets and pads for neon colored flags, the world of Flag Football has grown so rapidly that it’s even been named a new sport in the 2028 Olympics, set to take place right here in Los Angeles.

The surge in popularity comes as no surprise to new Girls Flag Coach Lindsey Panasiti. Hired in the Fall of 2023 to help kick off the School’s inaugural season, Lindsey credits the accessibility of Flag Football as a key to its impressive growth. “Flag Football is fun because it’s crafty,” Lindsey explains. “You don't have to be the fastest or strongest player to excel in flag football. Everybody has their own strength that they can apply to the sport; players can find their own move or niche, which allows for a lot of fun and finesse. It’s a sport that lets athlete’s bring a little bit of their own flavor.”

Windward’s Girls squad quickly found that their individual flavors made for quite the winning recipe. Led by Junior quarterback Liv Lagao, the Girls Flag Football team had a tremendous season out of the gate, going undefeated in just their first year of play. This achievement is made even more impressive considering that the team was formed just before the start of the season. Though they started small, the team grew in size over the course of the season as word spread and the victories mounted.

For Lindsey, the growing sense of camaraderie proved every bit as rewarding as the final standings. “My job is creating a fun environment where everyone feels comfortable,” she says. “The girls here advocate for the team, they enjoy coming to practice. When you’re dealing with high school and learning something new, it’s kind of a mindset shift for some of them. For their first time being a team, they meshed really well.”

As Lindsey looks to grow the program in 2024 and beyond, she sees a group willing to put in the work to get even better. Such opportunities exist in tournaments that

take place throughout Los Angeles, part of the ongoing work to generate interest in the sport across all genders and age levels. During the season, Lexi Shapiro ’24 had the opportunity to compete in the Los Angeles Rams’ first ever all girls flag tournament jamboree. As a nominee, Lexi was selected by the Chargers for the 12th Grade L.A vs O.C. All Star Girls Flag game, getting to play at Sofi Stadium on the field.

According to the NFL, around 15,700 girls played high school flag football in 202122 — a 40% increase since 2018 — and women continue to drive some of the fastest growth in the game. To Lindsey, that number will only continue to increase as more high school girls have the opportunity to witness and compete in Flag offerings going forward. “Seeing so many other girls and high schools competing really opened their eyes to the size of the sport,” says Lindsey. “Flag Football is a sport that they can keep playing in college and even after college. I want to keep promoting that because I know a lot of girls quit sports, so I'm just excited to keep building that interest.”

Art is often an individual expression of self; each brush stroke, hard angle, or unique texture offers a snapshot into the creative energy of the artist. If these separate moments of inspiration read like single pages, what would it look like if brought together to tell a full story? That’s exactly what members of Windward’s Art Club are looking to convey in their ongoing communal art project—the “Common Wall.”

Guided by Art Club leaders Bella Kapoor and Alma Allaway (both Class of ’26), and Visual Arts teacher Tony de los Reyes, Art Club is an “everyone’s invited!” organization that aims to provide students with the opportunity to try new visual expressions outside of classroom curricula. Meeting weekly in Studio 830, students access everything from Posca markers and acrylic paint, to more physical mediums like plaster and clay. As the group continued to meet to explore their individual interests, Tony challenged them to find an idea that they could work on collaboratively, one that could be collectively enjoyed by the Windward community at large.

With that, the idea for Common Wall was born. Working on three connected, 8 x 4 foot panels resembling brick walls, Art Club

members are drawing works ranging from very small, intimate pictures, to large spraypainted texts. Students then add their own unique designs, ranging from quotes and individual doodles, to cartoon characters, meme quotes, Air Jordan shoes, and Taylor Swift album covers. As the artwork grows and expands with currently over 20 student artists, the concept of the project comes into view - what were once singular snapshots are now an aggregate of collaborative expression, each item now part of a larger story. “This project is all about movement and creating,” explains Bella. “If you do more art with more people, you get more perspectives and more art styles, and it’s a lot more interesting to look at.”

Alma agrees, noting that the project is intended to be ongoing, allowing for continued refreshes and additions as more students look to make their mark. “There's going to be multiple layers, and even after we ‘finish,’ we will just keep adding more and more. If there’s stuff that we like we might leave it there, but we will have new stuff layered on top of it. It's a collective effort, it's not just one person's idea. It took a lot of effort and ideas and thoughts and inspiration to do this, and I feel like that is seen in the work.”

That ever-changing sense of community expression is something Bella is excited to share with the rest of those on campus once the finished panels are put up for public display. “When you go about your day and look at the wall you might notice a doodle you haven’t seen before,” she shared. “To have something so collaborative that is student made, it really livens things up.”

As Bella and Alma reflect on their work, they encourage interested students to join them and their fellow club members in adding their voices to campus in unique ways.

“Art conveys trends and thoughts,” says Alma. “It’s very important to see how people's ideas and emotions have changed. At Windward, I think art is important because it shows community in a way. With the Common Wall, it shows how everyone can work together on one thing and each has an opinion that is equally important, even if it doesn’t take up much space.”

“You're expressing your emotions,” Bella agrees. “With this project you’re not supposed to necessarily make sense of it when you look at it. It's just supposed to make you think a little bit, and it hopefully will be something you want to be a part of.”

COMMUNITY CANVAS

YOUNG ARTISTS STORYTELLING

WINDWARD’S STUDENT SPOTLIGHT SERIES

By Drue Metz, Director of Media Arts & Film Lab

Now in its seventh incarnation, the Windward Student Spotlight Series is a special invitational film series where students of creative excellence go on camera to tell their stories of growth. Each year, Windward Performing Arts and Visual & Media Arts faculty nominate students who have demonstrated artistic growth amongst our robust creative programs from Dance, Theatre, Filmmaking, Animation, and more.

Collaborated on and produced in Windward’s Media Arts & Film Lab (MAFL), the nominated students prepare and learn to tell their stories in candid 3-6 minute dialogue with faculty, discussing topics such as memorable experiences and explorations, how they have grown as artists, and what artistic moments have been most meaningful to them and their lives. After interviewing, the students then explore and learn the professional film editing program Adobe Premiere to craft their stories into 3-6 minute films with the guidance of their teachers and the MAFL.

In 2023-24, the series featured the entire Honors Advanced Theatre Ensemble led by Jordan Fox, Acting Faculty and Area Advisor of Theatre. Each Junior and Senior explored what it has meant to them to study acting at a rigorous level and how acting has been a cherished part of their Windward experience. Cole Kaller ’25 described the impact of participating in a large scale production. “My favorite character that I ever played before was Moritz Stiefel in last year’s Spring Awakening. Moritz was a crazy character because he’s super funny, but he’s really hurt and so sad.” Cole continued, “It’s really tough to play that character because you have to get in touch with really scary and uncomfortable emotions. It was a theater experience I haven’t had before. But when you really work at something, and it pays off, and you become a character on stage, it's really rewarding. I remember thinking, ‘I can create a change or feel something in the audience’, and I want to take that into my future.”

Francesca Coppola ’24, a member of both Windward’s Honors Advanced Theatre Ensemble and Advanced Film, reflected on the incredible duality of her growth both in acting and in her experience making films. “For me, art is a way to talk to people.” Like Cole, Francesca also participated in Windward’s production of Spring

Awakening. “I remember so many people coming up and talking to me about it. I’ve always wanted to be someone who entertains, but that show made me realize as an artist, I want to help people and make people feel seen.” Francesca, like many of our students, has found a way to integrate her two passions—acting and filmmaking—into her academic life at Windward. For Nasir Luna ’24, a member of Honors Advanced Theatre Ensemble and Windward’s Varsity Basketball Team, both acting and basketball have been integral parts of his Windward experience, and Nasir has found connections between being an actor and an athlete. “When you really get into it,” said Nasir, “basketball and acting - you’re just performing.”

Joshua Ashendouek ’24 talked about his journey learning from instructor Colleen Hargaden and how much support and inspiration she has given him to pursue the arts. From college visits to guest speakers, Josh expressed the importance and impact Colleen has made on his growth and love of animation.

“In my growth” Josie Reitman ’25 says, “the arts have played a strong role.” Josie goes on to describe that her Windward classes have “taught me creativity. I learned how the small things I learned in film and in art class are in everyday life and the future.” Hope Hudson ’24, studying advanced Film and Theater, describes her journey with warm introspection. “There’s so much you can do in film and areas of exploration. Constantly having in-class projects, working as a film set, and as a community, felt so professional.” She continues describing her parallel trajectory of Theater and Film at Windward, “There’s been so many experiences I’ve been able to gain. I feel so connected to both, and I think intertwining them is something I’m really passionate about.”

As a cross-departmental opportunity to highlight the monumental growth of our students, these young artists have shown how art transcends craft and leads to unforgettable and enriching education, personally and creatively. The Windward Student Spotlight series continues to be a time capsule of growth and accomplishment for the students and the programs at large, showcasing the interpersonal growth and diverse education students receive when becoming Windward artists.

Welcome to Windward

Windward prides itself on being a nurturing, inclusive community. To help fulfill that aim, the important work of creating a sense of belonging and connection happens long before our new students begin their first day of classes on campus.

In March, new families join in their shared excitement by way of a special Spirit Wear sale. Then in April, families are invited to attend the first of many new family events that aim to foster a sense of familiarity and comfort with their fellow Windwardians. From barbeques and student and parent welcome events for new 7th families, to a 9th Grade picnic in which the entire grade level is invited to take part, these events give students and parents the opportunity to get to know their fellow classmates and their families in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

"Helping welcome our new students and families to the Windward community is one of the best parts of my job,” says Eric Mandel, Assistant Head of School and Director of Middle School. “I love being able to help foster new friend ships that will last a lifetime."

Julia Coley, Assistant Head of School and Director of Prep Division, points to the support and experience of existing Windward families as a key com ponent to forming new connections. “In the Prep Division, our first gath ering of the entire new class is a picnic on campus,” says Julia. “Every year, students and families come together for food and activities, and leave with new connections. Without fail, students recognize familiar faces and shed some of the nervousness that naturally comes with change.”

As Spring begins to give way to Summer, our new families continue to have ways in which they can get involved. In May, all new parents are invited to attend Spring Soiree, Windward’s premier parent event, which provides an excellent opportunity to get to know their students’ fellow parents amid a fun and festive backdrop. Spring Soiree also offers an excellent first look at some of the many parent-led committees that make up the School, including Windward’s incredible parent resource group, the Parent Guild.

To further cement this sense of shared community, the School also encourages new 7th Grade students to take part in Camp Windward, a highlight of Windward’s Summer Camp program. Only open to incoming 7th Grade students, Camp Windward gives new 7th Graders the opportunity to get to know the campus, the faculty, and their future Windward peers over a fun-filled week of activity and fellowship.

Before the new school year kicks off, there are also separate orientations for 9th Grade students and their families, as well as a dinner for Parents and Guardians to get to know each other better. By this time, families have heard from the Parent Guild New Families Committee members, and students have been paired with an older classmate who will serve as their Peer Mentor.

Big and small, these events, along with the ongoing support of current Windward families and Windward administration, give our new families the time and support they need to flourish and be successful, ensuring that they feel connected to and a part of the larger Windward community. By the time classes resume in August, our new Wildcats are ready to hit the ground running, setting the stage for a year of dynamic learning and shared experiences.

One Community. One Windward.

On November 9, members of the Windward came together in fellowship as part of our annual Tales at the Table event. What began as a seemingly simple idea - creating a safe space to share stories of individual triumph, history, and discovery - has since blossomed into a powerful Windward staple that has only grown from year to year.

Part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of community and belonging, Tales at the Table is an all-ages, all-community family affair centered around storytelling that intersects individual history with shared fellowship. Set to a stun ning campus backdrop on a beautiful November night, the evening featured a delicious dinner and dessert prepared by CulinArt, the School’s food provider. As they ate, guests took part in roundtable conversations, utilizing provided table prompts to help them break the ice. Over the course of these conversations, our Windward students, parents, alumni, and faculty members were able to safely and comfortably explore and articulate what it is that sets them apart, while also forming connections and finding common threads with those around them.

Throughout the evening, a series of inspiring guest speakers took to the stage to share their own personal tales on topics such as culture, iden tity, and perception. Hosted by Windward students Jude St. John '24 and Samara Durham '25, the stories began with an impactful opening from Head of School Tom Gilder. Those in attendance were then treated to captivating tales from Windward students, parents, and faculty, whose complex and vulnerable stories illustrated the powerful ways in which our stories shape us as individuals and as a community.

The night offered a beautiful and often heartfelt sense of connection, further fostering a sense of belonging amongst the Windwardians in attendance. As a final treat, guests also received a complimentary copy of Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

A night like this wouldn’t be possible without the incredible contributions and buy-in of our amazing Windward community. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event such a success, and thank you to our brave guest speakers for their trust in sharing their stories with us.

Welcome to All

Windward’s Heritage Month Celebrations

To further the School’s goal of creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, connected, and valued as their authentic selves, Windward hosted a number of on-campus events this Fall, celebrating and honoring the many diverse cultures that make up our Windward community. These on-campus Heritage Month celebra tions allowed students to proudly honor their rich backgrounds, in turn encouraging them to share aspects of their different cultures with their fellow students, faculty, and staff. These special events are the direct result of an incredible collaboration between parent, student, and faculty volunteers, and are instrumental in helping the School succeed in its ongoing DEIB efforts.

In September, Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off the first event of the year with a spirited meeting on the Bridge. Throughout the period, members of the Latino/Hispanic student affinity group, as well as their Faculty advisors, served Jamaican agua frescas, distributed Latin American candies, and invited students from all grade levels to line up and take a crack at a piñata filled with treats. The affinity student members also created and displayed map cutouts that represented their own heritage.

In early October, the School was treated to a special visit from Grammy-win ning and Oscar-nominated composer, Germaine Franco. The first woman of color to win the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (for Disney’s “Encanto”), Germaine spoke to students, faculty, and staff about her incredible career path, her connection with her culture, and the important lessons and relationships she's fostered throughout her journey. Our students thoroughly enjoyed her thoughtful presentation, and gave her plenty of cheers for the lasting impact her work has had on numerous generations.

Also in October, the community came together in allyship in recognition of National Coming Out Day. Set to a festive Spirit Week backdrop, on October 11 members of Windward’s SAGA Club hosted a beautiful display near the Bridge, inviting our students and faculty to come together to share their stories and provide allyship and support. With a bracelet making station, an assortment of pins, and a board for attendees to leave words of love and affirmation, the event provided a welcome space for connection and shared support. This sense of fellowship was furthered in a special presentation to faculty, in which members of the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Team, SAGA, and SPECTRUM came together to share experiences of being LGBTQIA+ in our community. The comfort and courage our students displayed speaks volumes about the empowerment they feel at the School, while also giving them the sense of belonging needed to share the ways in which things could be made even better.

The final months of the year brought us two special additional special events. In November, the School celebrated Día de los Muertos, or the "Day of the Dead", a traditional Mexican holiday that has been embraced worldwide. On this important day, the Windward community took the time to remember and celebrate the lives and memories of those who have passed away in a special lunchtime celebration on the Bridge. Student and parent volunteers set up an “ofrenda” or altar, which community members adorned with photographs and mementos of their loved ones, fostering a sense of unity and remembrance. Participants were also invited to share in pan dulce, or sweetbread, as well as pan de muerto, a traditional staple.

Closing out the year, on December 7 the Windward community came together to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. Students again took to the Bridge and enjoyed donuts, music, candles, dreidels, and fellowship throughout the celebration. This lovely collaboration between the DEIB Team, parent and student affinity group members, and volunteers was yet another example of the shared sense of community that makes all of these events so incredibly special. It’s these traits that make Windward the institution it is today, and as these events continue throughout the year, we hope you’ll join us in celebration, allyship, and fellowship!

Expanding Their Horizons

Each year, Windward is a proud participant at the National Association of Indepen dent Schools People of Color Conference (PoCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). In 2023, the School sent a cohort of student and faculty representatives to St. Louis, Mo. from November 29 - December 2 to attend the two conferences.

Held simultaneously, these conferences allow faculty members and student group leaders to meet with like-minded individuals from their prospective spaces to share ideas, insights, and plans for future growth. This year, the theme for the POCC was Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power. The conference called participants to “converge from different paths to a common journey of truth, knowledge, joy, and power, evoking the presence and strength of our ancestors and the possibilities borne of our posterity and emergent futures.”

In his second year visiting the conference, Ryan Shelven, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, was immediately taken by the sense of shared purpose put forth by his fellow educators. “There is no com parison to the feeling of being around people who look like you and engage in the same meaningful work promoting diversity within their campuses,” Ryan explained. “You walk away from the conference with your tank full because of the words of encouragement from the guest speakers, the joy and pain from your fellow educators, and the laughter and enlightenment from the students.”

Reinvigorated by the mutual vision of his conference cohorts, Ryan also came away with a renewed commitment to building a continued sense of community on campus. “Moving the work of belonging and inclusion forward in the Windward community means ensuring our students’ and faculty members' voices are heard and that they feel seen,” said Ryan. “That includes providing programming for students to dive deeper into their identities, while also showing respect for others around them. That’s when the real work happens.”

Aiding in this important work is our students themselves.

This year, six students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference. With a focus on Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Radical Optimism, Transformational Joy, Resilience, and Brilliance, students fostered valuable connections with peers who represented a multitude of backgrounds, perspectives, and identities through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and group activities. These interactions not only fostered a sense of belonging but also ignited a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity that exist within our school community.

“We learned that in order to be able to support other people, we have to learn what their experiences are and how they need us to help them," shared Eden Adams ’27.

“We went to a place where everybody had different backgrounds and different experiences,” added Samara Durham ’25. “We had the opportunity to share our experiences and listen to others. It was one of the most comfortable spaces to be in. I felt no judgment, and I felt like I could express who I was.”

That sense of connection and shared identity is something attendees hope to continue to foster back at Windward, either in affinity groups or larger community forums. “Being able to see other people like me was definitely an experience that I have not had yet,” said Hunter Brooks ’25. “With all the affinity groups they had there, I was able to connect with multiple people that had experienced the same things that I have. Just being able to have someone that can agree and know what I’m going through was definitely an important experience.”

As Windward continues to grow and evolve, it’s Ryan’s hope that the experiences shared by these conference attendees will continue to inform Windward’s approach to DEIB going forward. “The students who attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference are incredible, compassionate, caring, and intelligent people,” he shared. “They came back from the conference incredibly motivated and ready to make a change on campus, which, as an educator, is what you hope for in your students.”

ALLYSHIP IN ACTION A CARING COMMUNITY

This past Fall, Windward again partnered with community partner Allies for Every Child for a special Thanksgiving Service Learning initiative. Throughout the month of November, Windward volunteers assembled and packaged Thanksgiving baskets with non-perishable food items or gift cards to be distributed to Allies families in need before the holiday. By month's end, over 90 families had contributed to the basket drive, making for an incredible display of community generosity.

“For the first time in two years, we were able to go back to Allies and hand out the baskets and host a small fair with games and prizes, with the help of Middle School families,” said Ashley Goodman, Director of Service Learning. “It was amazing to be back in person and see the impact that the generosity of the Windward community was able to provide face-to-face.”

Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement, believes that generosity begins with a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.

In honor of Giving Tuesday 2023, the School supported two local organizations—Hope in a Suitcase and Housing MV—for a weeklong donation drive.

Over the week, volunteers were asked to donate high-needed items for the organization and the community that they support. For Housing MV, that meant new winter clothing items for the unhoused clients they support, including hats, gloves, and jackets.

For Hope in a Suitcase, the School collected throw blankets for kids ages 10-18. These throw blankets were then distributed to children at a holiday event in December, providing a sense of comfort during the Winter months when those in the local foster community are most affected.

The impact of the blanket donations was felt immediately. Housing MV shared the following statement from Jacob, a young boy who received one of the blankets. “I never thought that a wearable blanket would make me feel as warm and protected as I was when I was at home with my mom. I put it on and it helps me fall asleep every night since I got it. My mom passed away two weeks before Christmas, so I wrap myself up in the blanket really tightly when I go to sleep.”

A sincere thank you to everyone who donated!

STOCKING STUFFERS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

To help make the holiday a bit brighter for area youth, the School hosted a gift drive on behalf of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH). Windward volunteers were each matched with a host family, using the shared wish lists to provide gifts and good cheer to the PATH families in need.

As the toy drive came to a close, Windward’s Middle School Service Learning came together to wrap and package the various gifts for delivery. They also crafted treat bags and made decorations, making the festive offerings even more

special. All in all the Windward community matched with 80 families, an incredible show of community spirit from our wonderful student and parent volunteers.

7th Grader Samantha Pickett, who volunteered at the Middle School event, said, “It was really nice to be able to come together and provide gifts for families who are not as fortunate to have what we do. Plus, it was a really nice bonding experience for me and my friends.”

In early December, the School teamed up with Mar Vista Elementary for a collaborative school beautification event. Over the course of a sunny Mar Vista day, Windward Service Learning volunteers, including members of the Windward Baseball team, painted and cleaned Mar Vista Elementary classrooms and furniture, and provided much needed upkeep in their community garden. This Beautification Day gathering was a wonderful opportunity for Windward volunteers to assist a community neighbor, making for a warm and welcoming experience for all involved!

2018 HIGHLIGHTS

– Girls Basketball wins CIF State Open Division Championship

– First Tales at the Table community event

5 YEARS – Athletic Facility Updates completed –

Neil

Benjamin Delwiche Math Teacher

Christina Dempsey Performing Arts Teacher, Athletics Teacher, Cheer Program Lead

Phoebe Fan World Language Teacher

Sudha Joga Director of Information Technology

Amanda Troughton Associate Director of Special Events

Jeff Lake Director of Communications & Public Relations

Garret Tyau Dean of Students, Prep Division

Jamey McElvain-Whitman Graphic Designer, Brand Strategist

Jacob Van Der Wilk Administrative Coordinator to the Admissions Department

Brian Bernhards World Language Teacher

James Patric Moran Performing Arts Teacher, Performing Arts External Community Partnerships Co-Coordinator

Alia Faubert Research Librarian

Dahlia Morrone Associate Director of the Collegiate Division

Melanie Arias Associate Director of the Prep Division

Karalyn Ramon Science & Technology Teacher

Margarito Garcia Assistant Facilities Manager

Sam Pack English Teacher

Susan Herrera Director of Human Resources and Recruitment

Julia Phillips Science & Technology Teacher, Chemistry

Daniel Koh Director of Performing Arts, Performing Arts Program Area Advisor: Vocal Music, Performing Arts Teacher

Ben Thomas Director of Athletics: Sports Administration and Curriculum

Richard Brisacher Associate Athletic Director and Golf Program Lead

Dawn Robinson English Teacher

Ayn Faubert Director of Finance

Jeff Gilder Director of Alumni Development and Engagement, Associate Director of Admissions

Regina Rubio Lab Manager

Vanessa Vazquez Associate Director of Payroll and Benefits

Susan Marx Financial Aid Director

Alejandro Zuniga Facilities Associate

100 Days of Giving

DONOR UPDATE

It’s not too late to show your support and add your name to this impressive list.

THANK YOU!

Sabina & Gregory Gault

Valerie Karno & Eric Glaser

Jennifer Gold

Stacey & Stephen Henning

Lisa & David Hernand

Alison Kaplan '96 & Jason Kaplan

Olivia & Brian Kelly

Nancy Corshen & Richard Klubeck

Mai & James Lassiter

Wendy & Eric Levine

Curtis Macnguyen & Sandy Le

Staci & Adam Miller

Samantha & Jason Milner

Heather & Kenny Mitchell Jr

Candace & Charles Nelson

The Newkirk Family

The O'Connor Family

Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps

More information can be found online by scanning the QR code.

List reflects donors having made a gift or pledge on or before February 14, 2024

Founder

$50,000+

Anonymous (1)

The Ahmanson Foundation

The Elbaz Family Foundation

Daniell & Daniel Elperin

EJ & Gregory Milken

Viveca Paulin-Ferrell & Will Ferrell

The Schwartzberg Family

Head of School

$25,000+

Anonymous (2)

Ben Affleck

Gina Valentine & M. Mark Albert

Sarah & John Bonello

Wendy & Gary Broad '77

Shainaz Donnelly Burg & Mark Burg

Ashley & Scott Cohen

Kate & Arthur Coppola

Valerie & Faraz Daneshgar

Heather & Terry Dubrow

Jenni Kayne-Ehrlich & Richard Ehrlich

Jennifer Garner

Ann & Jim Gianopulos

Whitney & Bill Glass

Jennifer Winer-Gordon & Rafi Gordon

Krystyna & Dan Houser

Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

The Klos Family

The Kwit Family

Kendra & Michael LaSalle

Heidi & Damon Lindelof

Joanne Gappy & Navid Mahmoodzadegan

Musk Foundation

Dana & Richard Pachulski

Zaheeda & Nav Rahemtulla

Jessica & Stephen Samuel

Schwab Charitable Fund

Josh Simms

Hillary & Brett Thomas

Annie Belanger & Gaines Wehrle

Kate Phillips-Wiczyk & Modi Wiczyk

Visionary

$15,000+

Anonymous (3)

Lisa & David Alpern

Amy & Paul Arenson

Shanna & Jonathan Brooks

Jennifer & Mercel Chambers

Maggie & Matthew Cwiertnia

Krishna & Robert Daly Jr

Kim & Marco DeGeorge

Cara Di Bona

Theane Evangelis & James Kousoulas

Anna & Jeffrey Reyna

Mary & Kevin Ryan

Pippa Bond & Stan Savage Jr

The Seton Family

Jennifer Shore

Noah Shore

The Shourie Family

Mark Siegel

Robin & Jeffrey Strug

The Trilling Family

Tina Holmes & John Tripp

Amy & Jon Turteltaub

Sharon De Mayo & Luca Viola

The Walt Disney Company Foundation

Liz & Andy Waters

Leadership

$10,000+

Anonymous (2)

Jack Anderson '07

Kimberley Stead & Halina Avery

Alexandra & Mickey Berman

Kamila & Dilip Bhavnani

Hsiu-Yen & Sean Brosmith

Emily Procter & Paul Bryan

Susie & Peter Comisar

The Crotty Family

Emily & Aaron DeBevoise

The Kent-Feldman Family

Angela Asher & Ted Fikre

Stefanie & Jason Finger

Evanne & Edward Gargiulo

Suzanne & Michael Ginestro

Ilene & Stanley Gold

Cathy & Josh Goldsmith

Andrea & Donald Goodman

Erin & Seth Grahame-Smith

Vika & Brian Gray

Shelby & Sam Grayeli

Kara & Jamie Horowitz

Christy Morcomb & Laurie Hudson

Randy & Jon Hurwitz

Alexandra Winston & Bo Hyde

Alison Greiner & Matthew Jacobson

Aliza Reder & Benjamin Kacev

Christine & Jordan Kaplan

Kymber & Ted Kim

Autumn & David Konheim

Emma Watts & Jonathan Krauss

Wendy & Gary Leshgold

Morina & Zander Lichstein

The Lugash Family

Stephanie & Larry Lugash

Aarti & Jaret Matthews

Andrea & John Meigs Jr

Honor Fraser & Stavros Merjos

Michelle & Yariv Milchan

Yunnie & Greg Morena

Megan & Eric Needleman

Juliet & Jun Oh

Jess Meyer & Tim Pappas

Joanne & Matt Pauley

Daisy & Nishen Radia

Tristan Bickman & David Ribakoff

Leanne & Jeff Richardson

Laura & Kenny Rogers

Aimee & Mark Rosenbaum

Jessica & Cory Rosenberg

Raina & David Rosenblum

Amy Klimek & Joshua Roth

Samantha & Bejan Rufeh

The Russo Family

Diana & Andrew Sachs

Jennifer & Fred Savage

Dana & Evan Schlessinger

Pamela & Matt Schwab

Lisa Nishimura & Gregory Seese

Sarah & Adam Sher

Chiara & Greg Slewett

The St. John Family

Veronica Cajigas & Brian Stolz

Michelle & David Taub

Jennifer & Spencer Tyler

Lanhee & Mark Yung

Sharon Dai & Eric Zabinski

Benefactor

$5,000+

Anonymous (4)

Rachel & Jayson Adams

American Endowment Foundation

Jennifer & Chris Andrews

Michelle & Gareth Asten

Bank of America Charitable Giving

Kristin & Aaron Bendikson

Abby & Reuben Berman

Amy Green Bray '99 & Tom Bray

Cicek & Paul Bricault

Catherine Bridge

Teresa & Paul Bridwell

The Broumand Family

Soma Samanta-Buck & Stephen Buck

Michelle & Tyrone Chang

Cristina Wong & Conly Chi

Subha & Neil Chudgar

Nicole Deddens & Ronn Davids

Julie Pan & Jeffrey de Chausse

The Edelman Family

Rosalia Ibarrola & Michael Egner

Katherine & Sean Eskovitz

Kerry O'Neill & Martin Estrada

The Farar Family

Jennifer & Todd Feldman

Deb Bloom & Mark Feldstein

Samantha & Jonathan Firestone

Meredith Milton & Jonathan Frank

Andrea Wallace & Jonathan Friedman

Caroline Wittcoff & Douglas Fuchs

Roxanne Davis & James Gavsie

Natalie & Leo Gestetner

Amy Harkin & Steven Goodrich

Google, Inc.

Carol Schwartz & Elliot Gordon '74

Laura & David Gottlieb

Melissa Papp Green & Jeff Green

Sheri & Michael Green

Myra & Brian Greenspun

Jolie & Rick Greenwald

Tamara & Andrew Gross '92

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Amirah & Asif Meghani

Idina Menzel & Aaron Lohr

Cathy & Chris Milton

Danielle & Kevin Misher

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Aida Mazaheri & Robert Naraghi

Roberta & Richard Nathanson

Cheryl & David Nelson

Amy Weimer & Kevin Newman

Christine & Richard Newman

Samantha & Michael Nussbaum

Mindy & Mark Owens

Philip Paccione

Chelsea & Saladin Patterson

Kimberly & Joshua Perttula '88

Molly & Erick Richardson

Michelle & Keith Richman

Ann Singhakowinta & Jeremy Rogers

Melissa Karz & Thomas Rubinson

Gretchen & Dan Rush

Loni & Jeffrey Rush

Jennifer Rush

Nancy & Kenneth Ruttenberg

Janey & Ryan Sakamoto

Dana Sayles

Tyson Sayles

Lauren & Kevin Scher

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Chana & Justin Schuman

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Kelly & Matt Sloan

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Cheryl & David Snow

Jessica & Mark Sokol

Linda & Glenn Solomon

Jody & Jacques Stambouli

Eleni Mavromati & John Stasinos

Arika Mittman & Cynthia Stegner

Jessica & Jonathan Steier '91

Joni & Shelly Steier

The Steinberg Family

Diana & Frank Stephan

Martha & Ari Swiller

Hana Ogawa Sziraki & Kyle Sziraki

Lilian Jensen & Sam Tabibian

Colleen Terpening

Karen & Jeremy Umland

Denise Contis-Walter & Christopher Walter

Joanne Danto & Arnie Weingarden

Amy & Brian Weitman

Nicole & Jeffrey Westheimer

Renee & David Yang

100 Days of Giving

Partner Cont.

Partner

$2,500+

Anonymous (3)

Laura Cohen & Arik Ahitov

Dawn Barrett

Jennifer & Michael Beerman

Benevity Community Impact Fund

Kelly & Stephen Bickle

Angela Armitage & David Blau

Courtney & Noel Bright

Ruthanna & Steven Brill

Ali & Marc Campbell

Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

Allison & Adam Checchi

Junko & Jason Choy

Julie & Nicholas Ciriello

Rachel & Jeffrey Cohen

Tatsinda & Jonathan Cohen

Tamy & Marc Cohen '91

Tobi Molenaar & Stanley Cohen

Alexandra Conrad

Kara & David Corwin

Amy & Joseph Dickstein

Caskey & Mick Ebeling

Rachel & John Edwards

Melanie Murakami & Timothy Eng

Sharon & Chad Eshaghoff

Hugh Evans III

Rene & Danny Farah

Carin & Scott Farkas

Erica & James Fishkin

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

Portia & Sean Furst '88

Jennifer Ouchi & David Gallon

Shana & Todd Garner

Carol & Kevin Gelbard

Lori & Tom Gilder

Lori & Kirk Goldstein

Kim Gordon

Lori Gottlieb

Shazi & Kambiz Hakimi

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Rose & Peter Helm

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Peggy & Francis Hung

Michelle Schurgin & Blake Indursky

Lizna & Abdul Ismail

Laura & Andre James

Kristina James

Ing Lee & Todd Jerry

Peggy Procter & John Johnston

Opal & David Judaken

Sandra & Jim Kawahito

Britt Johansson & Jeremiah Knight

Amanda & Jeffrey Kolodny

Kristin & Joseph Kosinski

Natalie Kyriakoudis

Mags & Trevor Lavin

Francie Berns & Richard Levin

Tony Low

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Todd Makurath

Eric Mandel

Alisa Becket & Leo Marmol

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Dorothy & David Measer

Samantha McGarry & Sean Meehan

Hanelle & Jeff Meier

Lorena Barrientos & Mark Merritt

The Mohn Family

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Ashley & Chris Morrow

Jamie Chasalow-Neiman & David Neiman

Emily & Eric Olson

Rhonda & Ronald Papell

June & Carl Phelps

Lisa & Michael Pierce

Michelle Adelson & Matthew Puopolo

Eva & Jason Rapp

Orit & Nadav Ravid

Jessica & Eric Reid

Michaela & Mischa Reis

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Samantha & Chris Robichaud

Joy & Jason Rothenberg

Allison Bloom & Gabriel Rutman

Dorothy & Avram Salkin

Jessica & Scott Samet

Michelle Schurgin

Jennifer Howard & Robert Schwentke

Sharon & Boris Shimanovsky

Robyn & Marc Sidoti

Shawn & Jason Silletti

Kalyani Chirra & Peter Simon

Sara & Lawrence Sloan

Lisa & Mitch Smelkinson

Pam & Stephen Soller

Georgeann Carras & Adam Stotsky

Jenny & Michael Tatum

Nina Kogan Tepper '86 & Yaniv Tepper

Linda & Thomas Tierney Jr

Candice & Perrie Weiner

Evelyn & Manuel Weiskopf

Kristen & Dean Wong

Patricia & Harrison Zanuck

Kate Adler & Marcelo Ziperovich

Julian & Jeff Zolkin

Donor

Up to $2,499

Anonymous (25)

Elvia Abdullah

Robert Abdullah

Patricia & Ronald Adler

Gayla Aspinall & John Agoglia

Uriel Aguirre Zamora

Shelley & Stephan Altman

Kavita Amar

Sabine Dreher & Robert Amin

Estela Zarate & Tait Anderson

John Andrews

Adelaine Antonino '96

Barbi Appelquist

Melanie Arias

Lauren Armistead

Gabriela Venegas & Jren Armon

Natasha Arnold

Sandra & Chuck Aronberg

Cindy Aronberg

Shoshana Arunasalam

Frieda & Ceth Ashendouek '85

Ken Asher

Cynthia Atterberry

Avago Technologies U.S. Inc.

Barbara Avilez

Gabe Baez

Richard Bailey

Crystal Balthrop '96

Shlomit & David Bard

Katrina & Jordan Barron '05

Miki & Bruce Baumgarten

Christen Carter & Simon Beardmore

Marty Behrendt

Annick Bellordre

Keli Kastrup & Mike Bennett

Tisha & Andrew Berman

Karen Van Nuys & Antonio Bernardo

Brian Bernhards

Brittany Berriz

Bridget & Charles Best

Amanda Bickman '19

Jacob Bickman '16

Matthew Bickman '18

Alma Castellanos & Dirk Binkley

Margaret Yuspa & David Blackman

Ali & Don Bland

Boeing Corporation

Michael Bognanno

Susan & Jim Bologna

Michele & Louis Bond

Erin Borgstrom

Cielo Botello-Williams & Michael Williams

Molly & Peter Branch

Roger Bridges

Kathy & Richard Brisacher

Tracy Brittan

Erika Johnson-Brooks & William Brooks

Jan Brumm

Amos Buhai '98

Maya Burrell Marrero

Gunilla Byfield

Carmen Camacho

Becky & Troy Carter

Mya Caruso

Maynor Castellanos

Jocelyn Castillo

Marilyn & Christian Cazun

Polina & Sam Chapiro

Brenda Chavez '95

Candice Chiang

Samantha Chinn '86

Sarah Clark

Tammy Clem

Tanika & Hwesu Cobb-Phillips

Roya & Peter Cohen

Shanna Cohen

Joan & Ken Cohn

Bryan Cook

Deb Cook

Carrie Creighton

Lilian Cuenca

Emily Cummins

Jennifer Dao

Emily Dawe & David Weil

Erica Broido & Greg Dawley

Michael Day

Mary Leigh Cherry & Tony de los Reyes

Paola DeCastro

Jean-Paul deGuzman

Benjamin Delwiche

Wendy Dembo '84

Christina Dempsey

Dionne Washington-Denny & John Denny

Beth Rendeiro & Steven DePaul

Alden Derr

Deborah & Eric Diamond

Jade Duell & Samy Sabil

Amparo Durham

Jahmal Durham

Kristin & Bob Dworkoski

Alice & Phillip Eng

Johnny Enriquez

Allison Epstein

Patricia & Bruce Eskovitz

Choiwan & David Essey

Stacy & Scott Ezra

Anita Famili

Phoebe Fan

Aaron Farkas '14

Alia Faubert

Ayn Faubert

Alexa Faucette

The Faye/Asher Family

Heidi Feigin

Joy & Alan Feld

Erin & David Felman '96

Beth Osisek & Ken Fink

Amy Call & Adam Finkel

Lauren Bowles & Patrick Fischler

Aidan Flintoft

Gulden & Craig Fox

Jordan Fox

Michael Fox-Boyd

Asha Francisco

Sheila Lawrence & John Frazier

Ethan Freedman '20

Julie & Garth Friedrich

Patrick Friel

Jennifer & Robert Galperson '90

Norma Gamez

Damian Gancman '98

Alison Garb

Carlos Garcia

Margarito Garcia

Meresa Garcia '19

Evangelina Morales & Ruben Garcia

DJ Gay

Lakisha & Mo Gelin

Tiffanie & Jeff Gilder '08

Naomi & Cameron Gloege

Joann & Terrill Gloege

Jana Baumgarten & Michael Goldberg

Julian Goldstein

Hiliana Gomez

Lindsay Gonzales

Edgar Gonzalez

Ashley Goodman

Julia Coley & Jerry Goren

Rosyln Gottlieb

Ronen Grace

Jyoti Puvvula & Gilberto Granados

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Nicole & James Green

Stephanie Grissom

The Grossman Family

Ethel Gullette

Min Xie & Dedian Guo

Janyee Gutierrez

Rachel & Gary Gutkin

Brandon Hakim '08

Jessica Halloran Goldman '07

Meredith Hamel

Jasmine Parker-Hampton & Jeramy Hampton

Colleen Hargaden

Danielle & Burt Harris Jr

Corey & Eric Hartnack

Wendy & Brett Hauser

Stephanie Hayutin

Hillary Heath

Eveneshia Hedgeman

Aimee Helfand

Christina Hendershaw

Susan Herrera

Cynthia Mathis-Herring & Charles Herring

Robert Heyl

Kameron Hightower

Carlos Higuera

Karriann Farrell Hinds & Elliot Hinds

Ann-Marie & Nicholas Hobbs

Kristen & David Hodess

Jennifer Leitzes & Jon Hoeber

Schuyler Ha & Richard Hoff

Erika Hoffman

Regina Hoffman

Gail & Robert Holmes

Jennifer McDonnell & Jeff Holsey

Josh Holt

Andrea & Scott Holtzman

Swagata Mandal & Andy Hsu

Fran & Dennis Huddleston

Jennifer Hudson

Molly Hudson

Tiffaney Hughes

Simon Huss

Michelle Nilsson & Ronaldo Ignacio

Julie Zissimopoulos & Ryan Irvine

Monica & David Isaacs

Robin Jacobson Sipkins

Betsy & Antonio Janairo

Sudha Joga

Frances & Josh Jones

Andrea Kahn '02

Adity Khanna & Teddy Kapur

Beth & Christopher Kemp

Wendy & Buzz Kersman

Farrah Khaleghi Aizenman '07

Karen & Jeff Kirshner

Kevin Kloeker

Lindsay Knaub

Lauren Kawasaki-Knight & Derek Knight

Daniel Koh

Yifat Dahan & Shahar Koren-Pinto

Emily Kovner '91

Michael Kraus

Cynthia & Mitchell Kraus

Suzanne Kraus

Dalit Toledano & Daniel Krivoy

Jack Kwit '21

Cori & Max Lagao

Jeff Lake

Becca Larson

Cathy & Matt Leaf

Michelle & Daniel Lehmann

Elinor & Jonathan Lewis

Sarah Lidschin '87

Sheila Darcey & Micah Linton

Lauren & Josh Lippman '95

Lany & Sy Lippman

Stefan Litt

Michelle Martinez & Corey LoPrete

Gage & Laura Loveless

Luellen & Daniel Lucid

Laura Luna & Reinaldo Luna

Margarita & Danilo Magno

Hatim Malek

Shelly & Martin Mand

Susan Getlein & Mark Marcum

Benjamin Markiles '14

Corey Marquetti

Stefano Marrero

Susana & David Martin

Susan & Josh Marx

Jennifer Benedisuk & Mark Mascolo

100 Days of Giving

Kristie Mattsson

Amanda Cohn Matus '02 & Nick Matus

Fola & Alvin May

Lorraine & Damien McCann

Linda McCormack

Jamey McElvain-Whitman

The McKenzie Family

Tanya McLaughlin

Sandy & Loren Mendell

Drue Metz

Jeff Miller

Emily Miner

Ryan Mirkin '06

Nicole Monk

Chad Monk

James Patric Moran

Greg Moreno

Cori & Landon Morris

Dahlia Morrone

Fanisha & Larry Muepo

Sarah & Chris Musich

Justin Nasatir '99

Zachary Neufeld

Tri Nguyen

Francine Magasinn Nicholson '05

Julia & Joel Nickerson

Akiko Nimura

Max Nishimura

Hannah Freed Northenor '99

Wayne Northrup

Katie & Mason Novick

Terence O'Day

Tiffany O'Day

Stephanie Osimiri

Samantha Pack

Christopher Padilla

Sindy & David Paikal

Femke Wolting & Tommy Pallotta

Melissa & Keith Parker

Christina & Matthew Paul '98

Daniel Paulson

Khanh Truong & Mark Paz

Irene Perez

Kristen Petrasic

Guilda & Jacob Peykar

Julia Phillips

Roxana Pianko

Jeff Pickett

Robin Pickett

Drew Pion '14

Jenna & Joseph Pitson

Simone McKitty & Martin Pitts

Lauren Plant '97

Maureen & Noah Pollack

Mark Polland '81

Nora Portillo

Susan & Tyrone Powell

Mary & Mark Presser

Bill Procter

You Sun & Brian Ra

Amber & Paul Rainey

Karalyn Ramon

Heather Regnier '04

Jennifer Regnier '02

Samantha Abrahamson-Remeny & Justin

Remeny '95

Nery Reyna

Elizabeth & David Ricanati

Lauren Rice

Sophia Lord-Richard & Joe Richard

Dawn Robinson

Ashley Rose '03

Emily & Colin Rose

Ani Rosen '19

The Holly & Eric Rosen Family

Sydney Rosen '16

Shoshana & Mark Ross

James Rothstein

Regina Rubio

Heide-Marie Rufeh

Deonna Betts-Martin & Darnell Russell Jr

Marc Sabine

Amber & Warren Saft '91

James Sainz

Betty & Tom Saliba

Patty Samarge

Jessica & Steven Samarge

Edward Sanchez

Benjamin Sanders '02

Maryann & Michael Sanders

Nayla & Joselito Santo

Jiyoung Moon & Pawel Sasik

Ramona Robinson & Edward Saunders

Lisa & Ian Schapiro

Tirosh Schneider

Emily Fox & Peter Scott

Kate & Pete Scudese

Jackie & Stephen Shapiro

Ryan Shelven

Michael Shephard '13

Amy Cozamanis & Andrew Shikiar

Kyle Shimoda

Chelsea & Greg Shukov

Barbara & Herb Siderman

Rochelle & Ian Siegel

Loretta Siciliano & Scott Silverman

Kathleen & Charles Sipkins

Ian Sloane

Clara & Yudesh Sohan

Jennifer & Rob Solomon '87

Zakaria Solotoff

DeAnn & Rhazes Spell

Maja Starcevic & Kresimir Petrinec

Susie Romano & Randy Steinberg

Eva & Jeffrey Stodel

Carolyn & Norman Straker

Lori Zukerman & Thomas Strouse

Jennifer & Sean Sullivan

Joanne Van Emburgh & Sam Surloff

Donata Takahashi

Brent Tanaka

Sandy Teitsworth

Katie Thoma

Ben Thomas

Sandra Thomas

Nicole Pearl & Cindy Tobisman

Julie & Albert Torres

Amanda Troughton

Erica Tukiainen '06

Garret Tyau

Alana & Andrew Ungvari

Jacob Van der Wilk

Sara & Damon Van Leeuwen

Katherine & Joel VanderKloot

Sarunas Varanauskas

Jacqueline & Adam Varney

Jane Vaynerov '01

Vanessa Vazquez

Jill & Salvador Velazquez

Rene Phillips & Carlos Vidal

Raul Villa

Will Vincent

Lisa & Dennis Walker

Barbara Wallace

The Wallace Family

Maia & Matt Wapnick '02

Michelle & Robert Watkins

Karol Watson & Christopher Branche

Karen & Alan Weil

Lisa Weinstein

Renee & Stephen Weiss

Julie & Eric Weissman

Cole Wertlieb '17

La Donna & Neil Wertlieb

Jon Westerman

Curtistine Spates White '84 & Tom White

Jake Williamson

Leslie & David Wimmer

Deborah & Richard Winn

Nicholas Winnie

Phaizon Wood

Kerry & Adam Wright

Ladan & Farhad Yaghoubi

Jane & TT Yang

Effie Epstein & Ira Yasnogorodsky '01

Alesia Young & David Lowe

Yourcause, LLC

Emily & Peter Yu

Sherif Zakaria

Sharon Pearline & Henry Zangwill

Jenn Zanoria

Jenny & Ronen Zipkin

Alejandro Zuniga

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS

Windward

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - SCOTT FARKAS

My involvement as a Windward Fund volunteer for the past seven years has been personally rewarding while providing a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in our community. Connecting with other families that share the values of the School results in tremendous impact, and I thank the Windward Fund volunteer leadership for their dedication to this effort each and every year.

As my children have grown, with my son (Reed’ 23) now in college and my daughter (Dori '25) in 11th Grade, I’ve witnessed the realization of the Fund’s ambitious goals firsthand. From advancing academic programming and maintaining a diverse student body to extracurricular excellence, sharing our support through our annual fundraising effort allows our children to thrive. Windward’s uniqueness lies within the families that make up our communityand these interactions have made my job so enjoyable. As will be "graduating" next year after my eighth year of volunteering, I am excited about Windward’s future.

Bringing school spirit, delicious bites, and sweetness into our community!

Windward Fund Co-Chairs

Viveca Paulin-Ferrell

Heather Mitchell

Steering Committee Co-Chairs

Jordan Kaplan

Alex Kwit

Rich Pachulski

Windward Fund Volunteers

Rachel Adams

Lisa Alpern

Letitia Bridges

Erica Broido

Amy Call

Alex Conrad

Emily Cummins

Rene Farah

Scott Farkas

Justin Farar

Sabina Gault

Ann

Maria Busteria-Glickman

Jennifer Gold

Lori Goldstein

Jennifer Gordon

Dedian Guo

Matthew Hayutin

Rosalia Ibarrola

Britt Johansson

Aliza Reder & Benjamin Kacev

Matt Karatz

Tara Kowalski

Mitchell Kraus

Wendy Levine

Todd Makurath

Dorothy Measer

Meredith Milton

Megan Needleman

David Nelson

Samantha Nussbaum

Kerry O’Neill

Beth Osisek

Matt Pauley - SC

Maureen & Noah Pollack

Emily Proctor

Jessica Reid

Jeffrey Reyna

Jeff Richardson

Jessica Rosenberg

Joy Rothenberg

Jessica Samuel

Jiyoung Moon & Pawal Sasik

Pamela Schwab - SC

Kate Seton

Naz Shooshani

Josh Simms

Ann Singhawkowinta

Kelly Sloan

Jessica Sokol

Linda Solomon

Maie St. John - SC

Michelle Alvarez Taub - SC

Julie Torres

Caroline Witcoff

Sharon Zabinski

Julian Zolkin

INNOVATION CAMPAIGN

Where Ideas Thrive

Windward’s Innovation and Arts Center Breaks Ground

On September 19, the School took a momentous step forward by breaking ground on the new Innovation & Arts Center. Representing Part II of the School’s Master Plan, the Innovation & Arts Center will build off of the resources added by the previously completed Academic Hub, further transforming Windward’s campus into one ready to embrace and develop the ideas of the modern world.

To commemorate this exciting moment in Windward’s history, the School held a special celebration as part of Back to School Night. As parents and well-wishers enjoyed their delicious appetizers, Head of School Tom Gilder, joined by members of the School’s Board of Trustees, announced the project as officially underway in a toast to Windward’s bright future.

Such a milestone would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the many generous families who have helped to make this dream a reality. It is thanks to our amazing Windward community and committed partners that the School has become the premier institution it is today. We look forward to sharing this exciting new space with the Windward community upon its completion in 2025!

The Innovation & Arts Center

At its core, The Innovation & Arts Center will provide an ideal incubator in which students and teachers from all disciplines will engage in an empowering, electric, and ever-changing environment to ask big questions and arrive at even bigger answers. The 33,500 square foot, technologically advanced space will include:

• Multi-functional Lobby

• Art Gallery

• The Allison & Bennett Rosenthal Theater

• Community Keynote Stage & Recital Hall

• Recital Hall Gallery & Lobby

• The Gordon-Schwartz Family Gallery Celebrating Windward History

• I.D.E.A.Floor featuring: (Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship, Advanced Robotics)

I.D.E.A. Lab with Breakout Rooms

I.D.E.A. Studio

• Special Events Roof Deck

• February - March 2024

INNOVATION CAMPAIGN

Quinn & Bryan Ezralow

Angela Asher & Ted Fikre

The Karno Glaser Family

Nancy & Jon Glaser

The Kwit Family

Samantha & Jason Milner

The Pauley Foundation

Kelly & Darren Peers

The Phelps Family

Rachael & Bob Platt

Tristan Bickman & David Ribakoff

Rachel & John Edwards

Katherine & Sean Eskovitz

The Farar Family

Ryan & Tucker Gates

Lori & Tom Gilder

Sheri & Michael Green

About our Contractor Construction Timeline for Innovation & Arts Center:

Turner Construction

HVAC Wet Side Hydronics Complete

HVAC Dry Side Complete

• Fire Alarm Testing

• Agency Inspections

• Fire Alarm Testing Complete

• Pressurized Fire Protection Testing

• Fire Protection System Complete

• Fire Protection Active / Filled

Windward is thrilled to be partnering with Turner Construction Company for both the Innovation & Arts Center and Milken Family Community Gathering Plaza. The Turner team joined the School in September and will maintain a full-time on campus presence for the duration of the projects. Their friendly nature and team-first focus have allowed them to fit seamlessly into our nurturing, inclusive community, and we look forward to working with them in the years ahead.

Turner is a North America-based, international construction services company and is a leading builder in diverse market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and community. Turner's Innovation team works full-time to identify, evaluate, develop, and implement innovative solutions. They are supported by an Innovation Strategy Committee— a group of senior leaders who are enthusiastic about advancing audacious goals. Turner's team of front-line staff bring a diversity of thought, expertise, and customer-centric perspectives to innovation development.

It's with appreciation and gratitude that we thank the following families for their commitment to progress and their investment in the Innovation Campaign and the future of Windward.

As of February 29, 2024

$3.5MM+

DeGeorge Family

$2MM+

Anonymous (1)

The Milken Family

Allison & Bennett Rosenthal

The Schwartzberg Family

$1MM+

Anonymous (4)

Krystyna & Dan Houser

Christine & Jordan Kaplan

$500,000+

Anonymous (1)

The Ahmanson Foundation

Valerie & Faraz Daneshgar

Shannon & Dean Factor

Caroline & Michael Hackman

Joanne & Navid Mahmoodzadegan

Lorraine & Damien McCann

Dana & Richard Pachulski

The Shourie Family

The Wiczyk Family

$250,000+

Anonymous (4)

Shainaz Donnelly Burg & Mark Burg

The Cayton Family

The Crotty Family

The Cwiertnia Family

The Elbaz Family Foundation

Allison & Jeffrey Mirkin

The O'Connor Family

The Rosenthal Family

Amy Klimek & Joshua Roth

Pamela & Matt Schwab

Lia & Jeffrey Seabold

The Tuzon Stone Family

The Yi Family

$100,000+

Anonymous (10)

The Albert Family

The Altieri Family

Lori & Howard Altman

Michelle & Gareth Asten

The Benudiz Family

Nicole & Brad Brooks

Jo Champa

Cara Di Bona

Julia & Jonathan Eng

The Finger Family

Samantha & Jonathan Firestone

The Foster Family

Evanne & Edward Gargiulo

Jennifer Garner

Maria Mancuso Gersh & Gary Gersh

The Glass Family

Carol Schwartz & Elliot Gordon '74

The Gordon Family

Susan Winfield & Stephen Grynberg

Nathalie & Michael Huddleston

Wendy & Gary Leshgold

Lisa & Kevin Lewin

The Lippman Family

The Lugash Family

The Mass Family

Michelle & Yariv Milchan

Staci & Adam Miller

Angela & Mark Milstein

Candace & Charles Nelson

The Newkirk Family

Christine & Richard Newman

The Ouchi Tsai Gallon Families

Laura & Kenny Rogers

The Rosenbaum Family

The Sachs Family

Dana & Evan Schlessinger

Paulina & Carlos Smith

The St. John Family

The Stratton Family

The Trilling Family

Candice & Perrie Weiner

Amy & Brian Weitman

Elisabeth & Rich Welch

La Donna & Neil Wertlieb

$50,000+

Anonymous (2)

John Andrews

Nadine Bell

Lorraine & Joe Berchtold

Alex & Jason Brent

Alison Garb

Risa Gertner

Cathy & Josh Goldsmith

Shiva & Cyrus Hadavi

Stacey & Steve Henning

Lisa & David Hernand

Roopal & Dylan Jadeja

Lindsey & Matt Karatz

Lisa & Brian Kessler

Leah & John Ketcham

The Corshen Klubeck Family

Serena & Shawn Levy

Laura & Chris Miller

Judith Hayward & Michael Parks

Kimberly & Joshua Perttula '88

Sheri & Shawn Sani

Bart Williams

up to $49,000

Anonymous (5)

Randye Soref & Michael Abrams

Jennifer & Chris Andrews

Jamie & Michael Angus

Kamila & Dilip Bhavnani

Karol Watson & Christopher Branche

Jamie & Joshua Gutfreund

The Gutman Family

Stacie & Bryan Hausner

The Hurwitz Family

Jiang & Hong Family

The Kallman Family

The Kane Family

Ashley & Matt Kline

The Klos Family

Emily Kovner '91

The Lamishaw Family

Cathy & Matt Leaf

Heidi & Damon Lindelof

Debbie & Jonathan Markiles

Dana Sano & James Meyers

The Nichols Levey Family

Lydia & Charles Oppenheim

I-Shyh & Paul Ortiz

Patricia Duncan & Winston Peters

Jessica & Eric Reid

Ann Singhakowinta & Jeremy K. Rogers

Kelly & Matt Sloan

Lilian Jensen-Tabibian & B. Sam Tabibian

Michelle & David Taub

Amy & Jon Turteltaub

Courtney & Jared Wolff

Malea & Reza Zafari

Gina Deutsch-Zakarin & Mark Zakarin

STEERING COMMITTEE

2023-2024

Phyllis Crotty

Maria Mancuso Gersh

Ann Gianopulos

Jordan Kaplan

Alex Kwit

Rich Pachulski

Matt Pauley

Pamela Schwab

Maie St. John

Michelle Taub Committee Co-Chair

IN THE MIX — WINDWARD NETWORK’S THIRD ANNUAL HOLIDAY MIXER

On Thursday, Nov. 30, the Windward Network held its third annual holiday mixer at the Terra Rooftop Bar at Eataly in Century City. Over 60 Windward alumni gathered on a beautiful Fall evening to catch up with old friends and also meet new Windwardians.

The evening, also an opportunity for career growth, featured six amazing recruiters from Hire Options, including our very own alumni parent, Christy Kreisberg (Parent of Lily ’18). Hire Options is a Los Angeles based recruiting and staffing agency which has successfully worked with Windward alumni over the past few years. Many of our alumni connected with recruiters at the event to ask questions about their resumes or career advice, and alumni also followed up afterwards to make appointments to explore career options. Said Christy of the evening, “Wow, what a great night! My office is still buzzing about it, we had such a great turnout with so many amazing connections made! Thank you for including Hire Options on this special night, we’ve already had a lot of alumni reaching out!”

Robin Pickett, Director of Windward Network, said of the evening, “Since its inception, the goal of the Windward Net-

work has been to provide students and alumni with access to career guidance and support while leveraging connections within the entire Windward community. This support has proven to be especially important over the past few years, and Hire Options continues to be a wonderful resource to us. This was our third annual Holiday Mixer and the best one yet, as it was immensely gratifying to see so many alumni utilizing the Windward Network, and having fun while doing so! Thank you so much to Christy and Hire Options, and also to our more experienced Windward alumni who came out to give career advice to our younger alumni!”

The Windward Network looks forward to continuing to support our students and alumni with our upcoming Summer internship season. Internships offered through the Windward Network (many offered by Windward parents and alumni!) provide meaningful experiences for current students (rising Juniors and Seniors) and college-age alumni in a variety of different fields beyond the classroom. Participants have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into their industries of interest, develop skills, cultivate professional connections, and strengthen their resumes, all while receiving academic credit.

PAINTING HER OWN PATH

Julia Siegal ’20, Windward Network Intern

Major: Business of Creative Enterprises and Minor in Public Relations Company: Olive & June

What made you decide to apply for an internship at Olive & June?

I always had a passion for the beauty industry and growing up I always had an affinity for the Olive & June brand. I also had an interest in working for a brand since my major focuses significantly on marketing for the creative industries.

What have you learned this Summer through your Windward Network internship?

I learned so much about the process behind social media strategies for brands in the beauty and retail space. Specifically, I was taught how to produce content creation, conduct competitor and market research, capitalize off trends, and brainstorm ways to target the Gen Z audience.

Can you walk us through a typical work day at Olive & June? I would typically start my mornings with check-in meetings with my managers. I learned how to be a lot more efficient and productive with my time by creating my own schedule throughout the day with the tasks given to me. In the first half of my day I would usually work on specific projects from my manager such as creating research slide decks or developing a weekly trend report. In the afternoon, I brainstormed ideas for content, filmed and edited them.

What did you take away from this experience, and how might it impact you in the future?

After working for a brand, it made me realize it’s definitely something I want to do in my career. I received such amazing advice from the supportive team at Olive & June. I am so grateful for my internship experience because it helped me understand the career path I want to take going forward.

How has the Windward Network continued to help you after graduating?

The Windward Network has significantly helped me get to where I am now through building my resume with valuable work experiences. After completing two Windward Network experiences, I feel confident in my well-rounded work experience and a strong idea of what I want to accomplish post-graduation.

What is your major field of academic/career interest at this time and why?

My major field of interest is currently cybersecurity, much in part to my internship at Symantec last Summer! As mentioned above, I love the limitless nature of cybersecurity, and am very excited to learn more about the field. I will be continuing to learn and explore cybersecurity through an intern role with Microsoft this coming Summer, where I hope to continue to grow.

What activities outside of school do you find the most rewarding/exciting/engaging and why?

Outside of school I have worked as an Academic Intern for two computer science courses at UC Berkeley. This has been such a rewarding experience for me because it has allowed me to both reinforce many of the concepts I have learned in computer science and help guide others toward the same passion I have found during my academic career. The skills I had developed in this position helped me during the recruitment process (coding challenges, interviews, etc.), as well as the internship itself. This experience not only solidified my understanding of fundamental computer science concepts but also furthered my ability to communicate these concepts to a wide range of audiences.

We’d like to thank Steve Trilling (Parent to Max ’24) for providing Windward Network internship opportunities at Symantec! If you are interested in partnering with our internship program, please contact Robin Pickett, Director of Windward Network, at rpickett@windwardschool.org.

ILA IN PRODUCTION

Ila Brooks ’25, Windward Network Intern Company: Gotham Group

What made you decide to apply for an internship at Gotham Group?

I applied to Gotham Group because I wanted to see what working in the film and television industry could be like. I also thought it would be very important to observe and learn from those who were so accomplished and hear about their unique journeys.

Can you walk us through a typical work day with your internship?

A typical work day started at 9 a.m. and went until 5 p.m. When we first got into the office, me and the other interns would find a nice place to put our stuff down and begin working. After about an hour, there would be a meeting. These meetings ranged from production meetings to animation meetings, and all interns were welcome to sit in and encouraged to introduce yourselves. After meetings, we would continue to work on our coverage assignments. For the rest of the day, we helped out wherever we were needed whether that was organizing cabinets, taking inventory, or delivering mail.

What did you take away from this experience, and how might it impact you in the future?

I learned so much from this experience, especially about leadership and organization. Sitting in on production meetings and

watching projects be discussed helped me understand that everyone needs to take responsibility for their task in order to keep projects rolling. I definitely want to continue my interest in film and television and hopefully use some of the skills I learned during my time at Gotham Group.

What have you learned from your mentor(s)?

I learned that no one's journey is linear and it is okay to have setbacks. Perseverance is key, and no matter what you will end up where you are supposed to be.

Why would you recommend fellow Windward alumni and students to apply for an internship through the Windward Network?

I would definitely recommend this internship to anyone looking to get a sense of the logistics of media production, as well as those who are interested in helping with the pre-production of these projects and reading.

Perfect

On November 15, dedicated volunteers from the Parent Guild Alumni Committee and parents of our recent Class of 2023 graduates joined forces to curate thoughtful college care packages. Each meticulously assembled package featured unique alumni-branded items, including a drawstring backpack, a cozy beanie, lip balm, a screen cleaner, a Starbucks gift card, and delightful sweet treats. Accompanying these goodies was a save-the-date card highlighting upcoming alumni association and Windward Network events, such as the Young Alumni Lunch.

PACKAGE FACES A

Parents seized the opportunity to add a personal touch by writing heartfelt notes to their children and other students in the graduating class before sending off the care packages. The event not only created a memorable experience for the parents of alumni but also served as a reunion on campus. It fostered reconnections among parents, allowing them to share experiences and gain insights into the college journeys of the recent graduates. Importantly, it underscored the enduring connection parents of alumni have with the Windward community, emphasizing that their bond

persists even after their children have graduated.

In the coming months, parents of alumni can look forward to the Alumni Festival on Saturday, June 1. This exciting event will showcase the culinary talents of parents and alumni who own or manage restaurants, offering a delightful gastronomic experience for the entire community. It's a celebration that reaffirms the enduring ties between parents, alumni, and the vibrant Windward community.

"As we came together to assemble care packages for our recent graduates, it wasn't just about packing backpacks and goodies; it was a tangible reminder of the enduring ties that bind us together as a Windward family. Each package carried not just items, but the warmth of parental love, the spirit of alumni pride, and a connection that transcends graduation.”

Jeff Gilder ’08, Director of Alumni Development and Engagement

On December 15, a number of past Windwardian’s flocked to campus as the School welcomed back alumni who have graduated in the last five years for the School’s Annual Young Alumni Lunch! Joined by Windward’s Class of 2024, the event allowed alumni to reconnect and reminisce on campus over games and the ever-delicious food on hand thanks to the In-NOut truck. As a final send off before the School embarked on its Winter Break, the event was a joyous occasion for Windward students past and present.

“As a parent of two alumni, I love volunteering for the young alumni lunch,” said Linda Solomon, parent to Alexander ’21, Amanda ’23, and Allison ’28. “I have done it for several years and enjoy seeing the alumni reunite with one another, and love seeing the growth and change in all of the alumni.”

We look forward to seeing our alumni back on campus this June as we kick off Alumni Weekend on June 1!

Ron Drabkin ‘83 recently published his first non fiction book -

“Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor”

What was your path after Windward?

I went to Duke after Windward, did a study abroad in Japan, which was all influenced by Windward’s study abroad program. After that, I went to Berkeley for grad school and worked basically for Intel and for a bunch of startups, in Silicon Valley, before heading back to Tokyo two years ago.

What piqued your interest in espionage nonfiction, and what inspired you to write a book on the topic?

I always knew that my dad was working in espionage, or didn't really know, but he talked about it a little bit. It was always a big secret, but his job was picking up foreign spies who worked at the aircraft factories in L.A. They had that unit and they would go around and arrest people. He didn't say much about it because it was top secret, but he obviously loved it.

When he passed away about five years ago, my siblings and I were cleaning out his place, and we just found all this spy stuff right in his office that we never were allowed to go into. Long story short, I was like, “God, this is interesting!” So I started writing to the FBI to get information. I got these files from the FBI, and it was early Covid, there wasn't much else to do. They sent me these files and I was like “Oh, my God, this is some crazy stuff!” Hollywood and Spies and Pearl Harbor. And I was like, wow, what a story. When the FBI goes and declassifies files, they don’t tell the world, hey, there's some hot stuff we just declassified. I just happened to hit it. And that was sort of the impetus.

Can you describe your journey after graduating Windward in 2019?

How did you land a book deal with HarperCollins?

I think the short answer is it's just a really interesting story. And I had to tell the world, so I called up some people I thought would be interested. I called up The Hollywood Reporter and they quoted me in an article about what I found about the Hollywood stars and stuff like that, and then from there another newspaper called me. So then when my agent packaged it all in, the media had already covered it.

We know the last line of the book is particularly special. Could you expand on that last line and what inspired it?

There were a lot of great teachers at Windward and I always liked history, so Daniel’s classes always did it for me. His stories were so gripping. When I was writing the dedications in the book and thanking everyone, I started with the mechanics and ended with the emotional stuff – like my dad and grandpa – and then the people who really inspired me. I wrote, “I also think about my history teachers in school. In particular, I was thrilled by the lectures of Daniel Gavaldon and William Steele.”

“Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor” is available now from HarperCollins. To purchase, please scan the QR code.

When I graduated from Windward in 2019, I was filled with both gratitude for my time there and excitement for my next chapter at UCLA to begin. At UCLA, I studied Dance, Entrepreneurship, Film, Television, and Digital Media, and I was a four-year member and senior captain of the UCLA Dance Team. I cheered on the Bruins at football and men’s/women’s basketball games, and it was a dream of mine to dance for the NBA/NFL. I am now working for the Los Angeles Lakers, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to pursue my dreams of dancing at the professional level.

How was the transition from the UCLA Dance team to becoming a member of the Laker Girls, and what has that experience been like for you?

As a member of the UCLA Dance Team, I learned so much that would ultimately set me up for a career in dance and beyond. My experience as a student-athlete pushed my ability to stay driven to achieve my goals both in and out of the classroom, and I learned critical skills including hard work, time management, teamwork, self-discipline, and leadership. I also learned the importance of representing a brand as large as UCLA, and it was these skill sets that helped me be successful as an NBA Dancer. It has been a dream come true dancing for the Lakers organization – and I even get to share this experience with my sister Sydney (Windward ‘16) who is also a Laker Girl!

What inspired you to come back to Windward to coach our cheer team?

When I was a Windward student, there wasn’t a cheer/dance team, so I started the Windward Dance Crew as a Senior – an entirely stu-

dent-run dance team which later evolved into the Windward Cheer Team. It has been incredible watching the program grow throughout the years, and I am thrilled to be a part of that growth as a new coach and give back to the school that helped me get to where I am today. As a Windward alum, I hope I can be a mentor for the students and inspire them to pursue their dreams.

What advice would you give to a fellow alum pursuing a career in dance?

It is a big responsibility dancing professionally. My main piece of advice is to be a sponge – take in as much information as you can, learn about the history of your company, ask questions, stay organized, and continue to set and achieve new goals. It is important to be reliable and responsible as a professional dancer, so take lots of notes, practice on your own time outside of practice, and learn what it takes to be a good teammate and hard-worker. Finally, you have to believe in yourself. Growth is not linear, and it might take a few setbacks and some adversity before finding success.

How did your Windward experience have an impact on you?

Windward prepared me immensely for the academic rigor of UCLA and I will forever thank the English department for teaching me how to write an essay. Beyond academics, I made connections that will last a lifetime. I will always be grateful for the Windward faculty –sharing their intelligence and providing me with an immeasurable amount of support while I was a student both academically and personally. It was teachers and mentors like Alesia Young and Julie Friedrich, specifically, who made my experience on the Windward Dance Company so incredible and helped pave the way for my dance career after Windward.

Ani Rosen ‘19

Ron Drabkin ‘83

SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2024

ALUMNI FESTIVAL Noon - 4 PM

Craft Beers, Wine Tasting, Food Trucks, Alumni Classes, Activities for Kids

CLASS REUNIONS

4 - 6 PM

Classes of: 2019, 2014, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1984, & 1974

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE! | CAMPS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

ACADEMICS

Debate Camp

Camp Windward

CREATE Camp

Game Design with Snap!

VEX Robotics Camp

Explore and Learn with STEM (3rd & 4th)

Explore and Learn with STEM (5th & 6th)

ARTS

VMA Camp

Broadway Production Camp

ATHLETICS

Baseball Camps

Boys Basketball Camp

Girls Basketball Camp

Football Camp

Soccer Camps

Tennis Camp

Boys Volleyball Camp

Girls Volleyball Camps

For more information and to register visit:

www.windwardschool.org