Spring 2025 Windward Magazine

WINDWARD

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

BUILDING TOMORROW, TOGETHER

A LEGENDARY LEGACY

After 38 years of dedicated leadership, Windward’s Head of School, Tom Gilder, will retire this June, paving the way for Sarah Beck as our next Head of School. As Windward embarks on this exciting new chapter, Tom and Sarah will work together to guide the School into a future filled with opportunity, innovation, and boundless possibility. Read more on Tom and his incredible contributions to Windward School on Page 20.

A LETTER FROM

Tom Gilder

When I first arrived at Windward in 1982, I knew immediately that I was joining a community unlike any other. As I prepare to retire in June after 38 incredible years as Windward’s Head of School, I find myself experiencing many of the same emotions I felt when I first set foot on campus— excitement, gratitude, and a deep, unwavering sense of support.

From the moment Windward School opened its doors, its mission was clear: to provide a dynamic, engaging education within a nurturing, inclusive community. Over the past 43 years, I’ve had the immense privilege of watching the School grow from a tight-knit, intellectually vibrant community with humble beginnings into the welcoming, engaging, forward-thinking campus environment that exists today—a place where faculty and staff grow and flourish, and students are equipped not only for academic success but also for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

As I look back on my time at Windward, what stands out most is not just the tremendous transformation of our facilities, but the lasting impact we’ve had on every student who has passed through our doors. We've created an environment where curiosity, critical thinking, and resilience are not just encouraged—they’re embedded in the very fabric of who we are. Whether it was laying the groundwork for our state-of-the-art campus, introducing innovative programs to meet the demands of the future, or fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, our community has always remained grounded in the shared belief that the potential of our students is limitless.

None of this would have been possible without the steadfast commitment of our incredible Windward Community. From our amazing students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff to our dedicated trustees, committee members, and volunteers, together we’ve built something truly remarkable. I am eternally grateful for each person who has contributed to our collective success. It’s been a partnership that has enriched me in ways I can never fully express. You all have been instrumental in shaping the legacy of Windward and my time as Head, and I will forever carry that legacy with me.

As I reflect on Windward’s journey, I can’t help but think of our founders, Shirley Windward and Carl Parsons. When I first joined this community, I was struck by their clear sense of purpose, and I have always been deeply committed to honoring and building upon that vision. Shirley understood that education is not just about the lessons we teach but about the relationships we cultivate. She believed that the bond between student and faculty is at the heart of a meaningful education, and it has been one of my greatest privileges to continue nurturing that connection throughout my tenure.

Looking ahead, I remain as excited as ever about the future of Windward School. Our students continue to amaze and inspire me with their passion, creativity, and drive. They are the embodiment of everything Windward stands for—thoughtful leaders, compassionate peers, and resilient problem-solvers—and this issue of the Windward Magazine is a testament to all they can and will accomplish. As the School’s vision moves forward under the stewardship of our incoming Head of School, Sarah Beck, I am confident it will continue to adapt and grow, remaining at the forefront of educational excellence and preparing generations of students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

As our incredible alumni community knows, Wildcats are forever— and I will always be one of you. The pride I feel for Windward is immeasurable, and I will always be thankful and honored for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary community. While my time as Head of School is coming to a close, my connection to Windward will never waver. The friendships, the memories, and the accomplishments we’ve shared together will remain with me always.

Thank you for the trust, the partnership, and the support you’ve shown me throughout my tenure. It has been an incredible honor to work alongside all of you. I look forward to watching Windward continue to flourish as it moves into its next era, and I will forever be cheering on every Wildcat, past, present, and future.

Tom Gilder HEAD OF SCHOOL

WE ARE WINDWARD

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

On January 7, 2025, a series of wildfires broke out across Los Angeles. Over the following weeks, these fires, along with others around the region, ravaged more than 50,000 acres, deeply impacting countless lives and leaving a devastating mark on the city's storied history.

Among those directly affected were members of the Windward community. In an instant, families lost their homes, their businesses, and their beloved communities. Yet, even in the face of such unimaginable loss, the Windward community responded as it always does in times of crisis—by coming together in solidarity and support.

As news of the fires spread and the full extent of their destruction became clear, Windward's leadership quickly mobilized, launching a community-wide survey to assess the specific needs of those affected and to identify

munity. The survey provided a space for displaced families to share their immediate needs. It also allowed members of the Windward community who were unaffected by the fires to offer their sup port. Even in such a difficult time, the outpouring of generosity was incredible. Community members offered everything from temporary housing to transportation options to school supplies and everything in between. The response was overwhelming, with families and individuals eager to help in any way they could.

In the days that followed, the Advancement Office continued its outreach efforts, gathering additional information and connecting those impacted with the necessary resources. The office also helped coordinate the School’s logistical endeavors, collecting, packaging, and distributing donated items and ensuring that each family received the support they needed. This behind-the-scenes work helped streamline the flow of resources and made sure aid reached affected fam ilies quickly and effectively. Through collaboration with the three Division Teams, the School worked tirelessly to link affected fam ilies with support, ensuring they had what they needed to begin the long road to recovery.

As the immediate threat of the fires subsided and students returned to campus after a brief period of remote learning, it became clear that the community’s commitment to providing long-term support was unwavering. While the Advancement Office continued to manage the ongoing support efforts, many members of the community reached out directly, eager to offer further assistance. Among those were parents like Kim and Marco DeGeorge, who donated care packages with a 30-day supply of Bella + Canvas clothing for each displaced family member, and Hsiu-Yen and Sean Brosmith, who provided toiletry kits filled with essential items for Windward families in need. For these families and many others, the decision to act was an easy one.

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY

"Our family has been honored to be part of Windward’s amazing community, and as part of that community we believe it is important that our family makes a positive contribution,” shares Kim. “It is also important to us to help those people impacted by the catastrophic wildfires, so we were more than happy to provide both Bella+Canvas and Alo clothing to affected families.” Hsiu-Yen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of small acts of kindness in times of crisis. "When someone is in need, just help them, even in the simplest way," she says.

To further assist families, Windward also organized a gift card drive, allowing families to purchase items they most needed and would provide them comfort. The response was nothing short of remarkable: over $74,000 was raised, directly benefiting the families who needed it most.

In addition to these efforts, Windward students also played a crucial role in supporting those affected by the fires. Through the School’s Service Learning program, students worked together to create comfort kits for Save the Children and Project:Camp. They also partnered with the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, to send messages of encouragement and support to local youth impacted by the fires. These student-driven initiatives highlighted their commitment to service and provided them with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond their immediate community. (For more on Windward Service Learning and their partnership with the Potomac School, please see page 56.)

While Windward and the greater Los Angeles community continue to move forward, the challenges faced by many families are far from over. Yet, in times like these, the true power of community shines through. At Windward, we have witnessed the unwavering strength of those who are passionate, generous, and ready to lift each other up in times of need. It’s a quality that Head of School Tom Gilder is proud to have seen time and again throughout his years at Windward. “This moment has proven, once again, that no matter the circumstances, there is no challenge we cannot overcome when we face it together.”

As we continue to support those affected, Windward remains committed to providing the ongoing resources and care that our families will need in the months and years ahead.

ABOVE AND BE-YONDR

PROMOTING MINDFULNESS IN A DIGITAL AGE

In an era of constant digital distraction, schools across the country are grappling with how to manage the pervasive presence of smartphones in their classrooms. For the 2024-25 school year, Windward introduced an innovative solution - the Yondr bag, which secures students' phones away for the duration of the school day. Over the course of the school year, what started as a practical response to phone-related distractions evolved into something far more significant—a cultural shift that benefits both students and the broader campus community.

The idea for using Yondr bags at Windward School was sparked by an ongoing conver sation about the challenges of managing phone use among Middle School students. Eric Mandel, Assistant Head of School and Director of Middle School, explains that although phones have always been prohibited during the school day, enforcement has been a challenge. “In previous years, this rule has proven difficult for students to follow and difficult for the School to enforce,” says Eric. “While engaging in research last Spring, I found Yondr and reached out to them for a meeting.”

Yondr is a simple yet effective solution—a lockable, magnetic pouch that keeps Middle School students’ phones safely secured during school hours. With this system, students place their phones in the canvas bags at the beginning of the day, and the bags remain sealed until dismissal.

Julia Coley, Assistant Head of School and Director of Prep Division, saw the Yondr bags as an opportunity to extend the School’s values of community and connection into everyday practice. “Having experimented and seen the positive results of our Begin with Belonging initiative, there was momentum around the idea of extending some aspects of Begin with Belonging into the regular routines of the school day,” she explains. “In particular, the benefit of more schoolwide (though not universal) support of connecting without tech, resulted in more personal interaction and in less tension between students and teachers or other adults. To change the culture and give students a break from constant distraction and interruption, we needed to make a statement and provide realistic means to be more present.”

While everything new has its challenges, the initiative has been largely embraced by students, parents, and faculty. “The response from the parents and faculty has been almost uniformly grateful and appreciative of our efforts,” notes Eric. “While students did not greet the announcement of Yondr by giving us candy and flowers, privately, many of them will confess that they are relieved not to have the tempta tion of violating the rules and appreciative that this action is collective, removing the social pressure associated with worrying about missing out on what students who were violating the rule might be posting. In short, it removes the fear of miss ing out associated with not using your phone.” Says Julia, “The bigger challenge was ensuring consistency across the School. It requires everyone—parents, teachers, and division teams—to stay on the same page.”

With nearly a full school year in the books, the most significant transformation has been in the students themselves. “Students benefit in numerous ways,” Eric states. “They are less distracted and more able to focus on learning, and more connected and engaged in in-person, face-to-face communication. They are also more independent, learning to make decisions themselves or with the support of adults on campus and without needing to reach out to their parents.”

Ann-Marie Hobbs, Middle School Dean of Students, agrees, noting that the absence of phones has led to more authentic engagement. “In the past, students were distracted by their phones even when they weren’t necessarily intending to use them. Whether it was an ESPN notification, the possibility of debriefing with a parent over how they did on a quiz, or taking a bathroom break to make sure they didn’t lose their Snap streak - the possibility and distraction of the phone was always there,” she says. “Now that they are locked, the possibility is gone and they are able to pivot toward engagement on a different level. Sometimes I feel like they are relieved.”

As Windward looks ahead to its second year of using Yondr bags, school administrators are already thinking about how the initiative could grow. “We helped found the Coalition for Limiting Access to Smartphones and Social Media (CLASS), a group of schools working together to mitigate the potential harm caused by smartphones and social media,” Eric explains.

“I would like to see more schools join this effort, and encourage elementary schools to be more aggressive in their efforts to delay student access to smartphones and social media. Ideally, I would love to get to a place where all parents delayed smartphone and social media access until at least high school. The research is clear - social media and smartphones are not healthy for this age group. Like other addictive habits, we need to delay access because Middle School brains are more susceptible to addiction.”

Ann-Marie envisions a future where students are no longer reliant on their phones for entertainment or social validation. “I would love for students to fall out of the habit of defaulting to looking at their phone,” she says. “The fact that the phones are away for at least seven hours of their day can go a long way in preventing that becoming a habit.”

For Julia, she hopes the Yondr initiative will spark a shift in how students view their use of technology. “I hope we will get to a place where it’s the students making these decisions,” she says. “We want students to be motivated by how being away from their phones meets their needs, not just those we prescribe for them."

What started

as a practical solution to classroom distractions has grown into a broader cultural shift at Windward. The Yondr bag initiative isn’t just about removing phones in the classroom—it’s about creating space for students to be present, to connect with one another, and to cultivate a healthier relationship with technology.

As Windward continues to promote and reinforce ways to keep students mindful and connected, and as more schools take a cue from Windward’s example, the potential for a more tech-aware future looks brighter than ever.

TEAMWORK IN ACTION

HOW FACILITIES AND SECURITY

KEEP OUR SCHOOL THRIVING

At Windward, the harmony between the Facilities and Security teams is more than just a functional relationship—it’s a model of collaborative excellence. These two departments, working side-by-side, ensure that our School not only runs efficiently but remains a safe, welcoming environment for the entire community. Their commitment to one another is grounded in a shared purpose, mutual accountability, and a sense of camaraderie that transcends daily tasks.

Lindsay Gonzales, Director of Infrastructure and Risk Management, has observed firsthand the transformative shift in these teams over the past several years. “When I began in early 2018, the Facilities team was more like a collection of individuals working in silos. But through a deliberate effort to strengthen communication and build trust, we’ve seen a significant cultural shift,” she notes. This shift has fostered a deeper sense of unity, enabling both departments to collaborate seamlessly. As the teams have worked together more closely, their scope of work has expanded. Tasks that once required external vendors are now handled in-house, from minor plumbing issues to troubleshooting power outages, showcasing the team’s growing efficiency and expertise.

Raul Villa, Facilities Manager, echoes this sentiment. Having transitioned from the Security team to Facilities in 2016, Raul has witnessed the power of cross-department collaboration firsthand. “The relationship between our teams has strengthened to levels never seen before,” he says. “With a pool of people from both Facilities and Security, you get different perspectives and ideas. But we all share one common goal: the safety and better interests of the Windward community.” This shared vision has become the foundation of their work, allowing them to address challenges quickly and effectively, whether it’s an emergency or a routine events task.

That sense of unity is amplified by a strong team mentality. Greg Moreno, Security Manager, is proud of how his team consistently steps up to help one another. “We all have a shared understanding of what it takes to keep the School safe and clean,” Greg explains. “Each team member brings valuable qualities that complement each other, and I believe this helps us stay united and strengthens our bond.” The mutual respect between team members is palpable, and it’s this respect that helps them navigate challenges with a positive, growth-oriented mindset.

Uriel Aguirre, Plant and Vendor Manager, adds that the trust built over years of working together has been key to their success, especially in high-pressure situations. “We’ve all been part of this amazing community for several years,” he says. “When we face a challenge, we know we can come together as a team to tackle it. That level of camaraderie and understanding is invaluable.” It’s this strong foundation of trust that has enabled both teams to thrive.

The growth of the Facilities and Security teams has also been supported by ongoing professional development. From leadership conferences to team bonding activities, these opportunities have further strengthened the collaboration between departments. Lindsay highlights how this investment in growth has paid off: “The teams’ improved collaboration has bolstered efficiency and effectiveness. We’re seeing more thoughtful task deployment, quicker task completion, and a greater ability to take on new challenges.”

At Windward, the relationship between the Facilities and Security teams is a testament to the power of collaboration. By working together, supporting one another, and holding themselves accountable, they create a safer, more efficient environment for the entire community. Their shared commitment to excellence ensures that Windward remains a place where all Windwardians can thrive.

GET ON BOARD

WINDWARD’S TRANSPORTATION

PROGRAM

Nothing marks the start of a school day morning like the sight of a big yellow school bus, doors opening to reveal the excited chatter of students ready to take on a new day. A key part of its institutional fabric, Windward’s Transportation Program represents the School’s commitment to being a responsible, engaged neighbor in the Mar Vista community. The program's comprehensive busing and carpooling options provide students with reliable, safe transportation, while also contributing to the School’s efforts to be more environmentally sustainable.

As a proud Mar Vista neighbor, Windward continually reevaluated its transportation practices to ensure its offering the best programs possible for both community members and the neighborhood at large. In areas like Los Angeles, where traffic congestion can cause untold headaches, Windward’s Transportation Program plays a vital role in reducing the number of cars in the neighborhood. This helps to ease the stress of pick-up and dropoff congestion, and helps to minimize the School’s carbon footprint. Beyond these logistical benefits, the program also creates a space for students to connect, form friendships, and engage with one another outside of the classroom.

Windward partners with First Student, Inc. to provide a network of bus routes that cover a broad area of Los Angeles, from Palisades and Bel-Air to Cheviot Hills, Brentwood, and South Bay. For many of our families, the bus is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a trusted, safe, and reliable option that ensures students arrive ready to start their day. Parents frequently express their appreciation for how safe the drivers are, as well as the kindness and respect they show their students. They also commend the drivers for their consistency in being there every day and getting students to school on time.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, all incoming 7th and 8th Grade students, as well as new incoming 9th Graders (Class of 2029), will be required to use the bus. It’s one of the many ways Windward seeks to foster community connections, helping students feel a sense of belonging right from the start.

For families not utilizing the bus, carpooling is an excellent alternative. Like the bus, carpooling gives families the opportunity to support one other while modeling responsible citizenship and environmental consciousness. As students share rides to school, they not only reduce their carbon footprint but also engage in valuable conversations—whether discussing lesson plans, planning after-school activities, or even strategizing over which items to order for lunch at the Pavilion.

Windward’s Transportation Program is about more than just getting to and from school safely—it’s about fostering a sense of connection and sustainability. By participating in the program, families are not only helping the School comply with city mandates, they’re also contributing to a collaborative relationship with the Mar Vista community. The program is a reflection of Windward’s broader commitment to being a good neighbor, and a commitment to making Windward a better place for students, families, and the community at large. Each choice made within our transportation program is part of a larger movement towards a more sustainable, connected, and responsible future.

A MORNING of MEMORIES

Windward’s Grandparents and Special Friends Brunch

Of Windward's many annual traditions, the Grandparents and Special Friends Brunch holds a special place in the hearts of our community. On Saturday, November 2, these valued guests came together in celebration, arm-in-arm with the Windward students who treasure them so dearly.

The day started with a delicious brunch, where over 300 attendees gathered around beautifully decorated tables, sharing conversation and connections. They were then greeted in a special welcome address by Head of School Tom Gilder, who celebrated the gathered guests for their impact on Windward’s past, present, and future. That sense of warmth and connection was furthered by student speakers Bella Kapoor ’26 and Cha Kusserow ’28, who took the stage to reflect on their unique Windward experiences. Their heartfelt words provided a glimpse into their journeys at Windward, underscoring the crucial role that the support of those present has played in fostering their ongoing growth. Guests were also treated to talented musical performances by The Chromatics, the Chamber Ensemble, and the Advanced Jazz Ensemble, adding an additional magic touch to the morning.

After brunch, grandparents and special friends had the opportunity to tour the Windward campus alongside their grandchildren. It was a truly touching sight to see two generations enjoying the same campus pathways on a beautiful Mar Vista day, delighting in one another’s company. The day, filled with joy, laughter, and gratitude, served as a welcome reminder of the enduring bonds that make Windward a place unlike any other.

WILDCAT PRIDE

Spirit Week 2025

From January 27-31, Windward was filled with energy and excitement as Spirit Week made its highly anticipated return to campus!

For Lisa Alpern, Windward parent and Parent Guild Vice President (7th/8th), the weeklong celebration was exactly what the community needed. “Spirit Week is special because it brings the entire school community together for fun and friendly competition,” she shares. “The themed dress-up days, activities led by the Student Leadership Board, and events create an atmosphere that makes everyone feel involved and excited.”

The week kicked off with a bang on Monday, which featured an electrifying pep rally. The bleachers were packed with students sporting their Class Colors gear, and the rally included high-energy activities like a dynamic cheer performance, a fast-paced relay race between classes, and the most intense game of musical chairs the school has ever seen. With spirits high, students made their way to the Bridge to enjoy a variety of carnival games and fun activities.

On Tuesday, students dressed up in their country best as part of Country Fair Day. Throughout the event, students lassoed themselves delicious lemonade and churros, and enjoyed a petting zoo filled with adorable farm animals. Wednesday had a more relaxed vibe, with students sport-

ing shades and leis for Beach Day. In addition to a tightly contested limbo and hula hoop competition, the activities also included a homemade ice cream demonstration courtesy of Simon Huss, Director of STEAM Program.

Winter Wonderland Day brought a festive touch to the Thursday air, as students bundled up in their winter wear (and their super stylish Windward beanies). Students indulged in delicious hot chocolate, faced off in an epic donut-on-a-string contest, and enjoyed a real winter wonderland courtesy of the included snow machines. That set the stage for the final day of the week - Founders’ Day! The spirited finale featured a number of exciting home sports matchups, delicious food trucks, and the unveiling of the School’s newest celebra-

tion—Tomchella! (For more on Tomchella, please see page 20.)

“This year, Spirit Week came at the perfect time, offering a much-needed sense of community after the devastation of the wildfires,” says Lisa. “Spirit Week became more than just a fun school tradition; it became a way for the community to come together and experience moments of joy despite the uncertainty and loss experienced by so many Windward families.”

Like so many Windward events, Spirit Week would not have been possible without the time and dedication of our parent and student volunteers. Windward would like to express its gratitude to everyone who helped make Spirit Week so special!

A TRIBUTE to TOM

Tomchella 2025

Each year, Windward’s campus comes alive with the sights and sounds of Founders’ Day, an arts-centric celebration of the School’s co-founders, Shirley Windward and Carl Parsons. In January, the most recent iteration of the event kicked off with a special surprise addition - “Tomchella”, a first-of-its-kind music festival celebrating Windward’s Head of School, Tom Gilder.

Spurred by Windward’s student body, Tomchella was created as a way of honoring Tom for his 38 + years of dedicated service, while also celebrating his well known love for Windward, live music, and Coachella. The event, created entirely behind the scenes, featured everything you’d want from a live music festival - incredible student performances, specially designed “Tomchella” band shirts, branded drink koozies, flower crowns, and a totally tubu-

lar photo booth, donated by Windward parents Norma and Todd Monroe.

“It was a blast to work with this Committee for the first ever Tomchella,” shares Heather Mitchell, Windward parent and Parent Guild Vice President (11th/12th).

“The students came up with the idea, and the adults were more than happy to execute it. Unbeknownst to Tom, we spoke to his family to get ideas and obtain old photos - which informed his favorite snacks and drinks. We knew that one of his favorite all-time events was Founders’ Day - watching the kids perform and celebrating Shirley Windward - and that he adores Coachella. In fact, we heard that he used to take students there back in the day! So the idea of combining his love for both events into one event just made total sense. And who knew that the timing was such that everyone would be craving this

much needed time for joy, laughter, celebration and community!”

This event was something as meaningful as it was special - Tom's face when he first saw the dedicated "Tomchella" banner said it all. “It was wonderful to see Tom's expression when he realized that he had been surprised with Tomchella,” says Heather. “Everyone knows that Tom is not at all interested in being the center of attention. After being initially stunned and absolutely surprised, he immediately threw on a Tomchella shirt and took pictures with everyone. He seemed pleased and appreciative. One of our favorite photos from the day is Tom, sitting in the crowd with his wife, attentively enjoying the student performances on stage, with students behind him in the audience waving large cut-outs of his face. An indelible memory for sure!”

As the School continues to bask in the warm feelings of the event, the students have already made a decision for the future - “Tomchella” is here to stay. “Windward would not be Windward if it wasn't for Tom's vision and leadership,” Heather says. “What was special about Tomchella is that we could celebrate him and his legacy in a way that was fun, unusual but in absolute Windward style. So many people commented, ‘this is so Windward!’ To watch students, faculty, parents and staff alike honor Tom's legacy was truly special and we know Tom felt the love. We believe that Tom would agree that what made Tomchella special is that everyone got to participate in this quintessentially Windward event. It depicted Windward at its best - supporting each other, and creating a sense of belonging and community.”

Thank you to all the students, parents, and administrators for their invaluable contributions to this inaugural event!

The WindwardRead Big

On September 24, Windward students, parents, and faculty joined together for a first of its kind event - The Big Windward Read. Built around the book Dry by New York Times bestselling authors Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman, The Big Windward Read invited the Shustermans to campus to join Windward community members for a unique interdisciplinary experience.

Selected last year by a committee of students and faculty members, Dry was chosen to kick off this inaugural event due in large part to its connections to current environmental concerns and the key role that Los Angeles plays in the book. Students in all grade levels read the book as part of their Summer Reading Program, the shared experience ensuring that they could talk about the book with literally any of their fellow Windward classmates. This accessibility was another reason Dry made for the perfect choice, and its widespread reading gave faculty and students the flexibility to create a number of unique and engaging lessons across campus.

Beginning with an all-school assembly featuring the Shustermans, the day then spun off into a jam-packed schedule of -based opportunities. From creative writing sessions to escape rooms, film screenings to survival skills, the event brought out a wave of creative energy and excitement that carried over into every single breakout session. “It is impossible to do anything collaborative at Windward without coming away feeling excited and inspired by our faculty,” shared English Teacher Dawn Robinson. “There were so many rich and varied learning experiences that were offered in connection with this book. From an intellectual dive into the philosophy of Hobbes and Rousseau -based Dungeons & Dragons session, there really was something for everyone.”

The open-ended nature of the event allowed students to take ownership by creating their own Dry-centric The “Tap Out” In Real Life: The Environmental Consequences of California’s Water Usage and the Solutions being Implemented to Fight Drought student facilitators Ryan Chang ’26 and Dylan Westheimer ’25 delivered a well-researched presentation and encouraged a thoughtful discussion between the student groups in attendees. As part of their preparation, Ryan and Dylan researched case studies of water use in California, ranging from groundwater shortages statewide, reservoir reserves in Northern California, and water supply here in Los Angeles. The two were struck by the immediacy of these realities and their connection to the storyline in Dry where young people are centered within the fallout of similar circumstances. Citing impact on smelt fish in the California Delta and Chinook Salmon near the Shasta Dam, the dry lakebed of Owens Lake which feeds the LA Aqueduct, and irrigation needed to support the food produced through the golden state, participants voiced their concerns and made compelling closing arguments about water priorities and use in the closing debate.

For Gage Loveless, Science Chair and Faculty advisor, the event gave students the chance to build on their preexisting interests and skills in a forum that benefited the entire community. “As co-leaders of the Environmental

Action and Outdoor Club (EAOC),

Ryan and Dylan already had an established rapport for working together, and practice in garnering student interest in current events and how they impact young people as well as the environment at large.

“Throughout the planning process, Ryan and Dylan impressed me with their initiative and perspective, both about these situations, and how to consider participation of other students in the session,” Gage continued. “As the session wrapped up, several students stuck around to thank the student leaders and congratulate them on leading such an informative and topical session.”

Culminating in a nighttime reading and discussion with Windward parents, the School’s first Big Windward Read was a resounding success. “This was only the first iteration in what we hope will become a Windward tradition,” said Emily Miner, English Teacher, “so I think there were many people who didn’t know what to expect or really have it on their radar who were delighted by the interdisciplinary learning of the day. At the same time, this only came together because there were so many students and faculty who put in countless extra hours to choose the book, design the day, and lead sessions. This first committee was invested from day one in brainstorming engaging, thought-provoking books to bring the community together and in creating a varied, creative day of learning.”

These student-driven projects highlighted the impact a topic can have when presented by students who care deeply about it. For Jake Williamson, English Chair, "it’s a model of the type of teaching and learning we hoped this initiative would bring about.”

Thank you to Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman for dedicating their time, and to all the students, faculty, and parents who helped to make this first event such a success!

HonoringLegacy

a Middle School Entrepreneurship

Middle School Entrepreneurship, a 7th and 8th Grade class co-taught by Emily Dawe, Associate Director of Middle School, and Simon Huss, Director of STEAM Program, is a project-based class that emphasizes teamwork, research, and creative expression. As part of their Fall lesson plan, students were given a special assignment - to ideate, develop, and pitch a potential monument in tribute to the School’s namesake and co-founder, Shirley Windward.

In an effort to understand Shirley Windward’s life and influence, students first watched a video commemorating her as part of the School’s Founders’ Day celebration. Students also immersed themselves in her poetry, and participated in a storytelling panel featuring members of the Windward community who shared personal anecdotes and reflections about Shirley. Guest lecturers from the art department also discussed the purpose and design of monuments, inspiring the students to think about how to celebrate a legacy through art.

Following their research period, students broke up into groups and began formulating their ideas. Over the next few weeks, students shared their plans, received feedback, and began developing 3D-printed prototypes at 1/10 the scale of their intended design. The culmination of the project was

a presentation day, where each group of students shared their proposed monument designs and locations in front of a panel of judges. The panel included Middle School counselor Tammy Clem, Visual and Media Arts faculty Katie Thoma and Jeff Miller, and Elliott Gordon ’74, Windward alumni and parent, former Board Chair, and a longtime student of Shirley’s. “This project allowed students to hear from members of our community who knew Shirley well,” shares Simon. “Checking in with key stakeholders is a key part of the design thinking process, and allows our students to tailor their creative efforts to reflect both their own research and the voices of our community."

Even though the students would have been toddlers when Shirley passed away, the judges were impressed by how well students grasped her essence and her impact on the School’s culture. One standout idea was created by students Dexter Novick ’29, Shreya Jadeja ’29, and Jonah Gluckstein ’30. Their concept involved a reflective pool, whose structure would include layers of purple sand, a nod to Shirley’s favorite color, symbolizing her creatively layered personality. The pool would invite viewers to reflect on their own connection to Shirley’s legacy, a striking visual representation of the bond between past and present.

For Emily, the carefully considered concepts and creative ideas showcased how deeply the students understood Shirley, even without having known her personally. “The kids really got that Shirley saw every student as her child and wanted a personal connection with each one. There was a lot of poetry incorporated into the ideas, which really touched me,” Emily says. The students’ designs captured the essence of the values Shirley once set forth: fostering a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated.

Though there are no immediate plans to build a monument, Emily hopes this project will spark discussions about how to honor Shirley’s memory and continue to celebrate her vision in the years to come. “Even if the monument doesn’t become a reality (though we really hope it does!), the fact that the students researched Shirley and reflected on her life is significant,” Emily notes. “They are carrying forward her message and connecting with the values she instilled in the School.”

By looking at Shirley’s life through their own lenses and crafting these monuments, students not only honored Shirley’s legacy, but also formed a unique connection to their school and its history. While the designs remain conceptual, the project sparked meaningful conversations about how best to preserve and reflect Shirley’s lasting vision.

The of theTown Talk

Windward’s Speech & Debate Program

At Windward, the Speech & Debate program is more than just a space for competition—it’s a transformative outlet where students not only refine their public speaking skills but also discover their unique voices and grow into strong leaders. Whether exploring the thrill of creativity, unlocking the power of performance, or interrogating the complexities of politics, Windward’s Speech & Debate program offers an invaluable platform for discovery, critical thinking, and connection.

Hatim Malak, Debate Program Lead, emphasizes the broader lesson at the heart of the program. “I want students to understand that their voice matters,” he shares. “That when they get up and speak from their heart, the world will be compelled to listen. I also, more than anything, want them to understand that the beauty in that experience is not that others chose to give them an ear (because, ultimately, not everyone always will), but, rather, that they chose to vocalize themselves in the first place. Words matter, not only for their impact on others, but for their impact on ourselves.”

With so many disciplines to choose from, it can be a daunting task picking one's proverbial lane. For Senior Teddy Sipkins, who competes in Parliamentary Debate, it’s the multitude of options that keeps him coming back. “I stayed with Parliamentary Debate (Parli) because it enabled me to explore countless topics every single round. Always having a new topic to debate truly fulfills my rampant curiosity.” The fast-paced nature of Parliamentary Debate—which demands quick thinking, logical analysis, and strong rhetorical skills—helps to keep Teddy intellectually stimulated. “I largely attribute my knowledge on various topics to Parliamentary Debate.”

Teddy's debate partner, Carter Mitchell ’25, echoes this sentiment. “I have been doing Parlia mentary Debate since 8th Grade with Teddy. I have always loved arguing and chose Parlia mentary Debate because it was the most fun and allowed me to be creative.” The collaborative nature of the program has played a major role in their growth over time. “Since joining the debate team, I have grown really close with my fellow teammates,” Carter shares. “Each year my relationships have become program.” Teddy adds himself makes I explore other to Parli because of new education.”

Beth Davids, a Senior who has competed in categories such as Duo Interpretation and Original Oratory, remembers how she felt when she first joined the team as a Sophomore. “Joining debate was incredibly daunting,” Beth admits. “Everyone seemed to speak the secret language of debate, and I couldn’t catch a word. What's more, I always had a twinge of stage fright, to the point that every tournament was deeply anxiety-inducing.” Beth’s experience changed when she realized that the best way to overcome her fear and uncertainty was simply to dive in headfirst. “I quickly learned that the best way to combat both of these insecurities was to just debate more,” she says.

Beth also credits the team’s supportive culture for her personal growth. “By throwing myself into the activity, I soon realized that the more experienced debaters in the class were more than willing to help me learn the ropes,” she explains. “The easiest way to overcome anxiety is to be open about it and come up with methods to combat it.” Now one of Windward’s veteran debaters, Beth looks to pay it forward by taking on a mentoring role of her own. “I try to remind myself of the sense of confusion and isolation I had felt as a new debater. Remembering the upperclassmen who helped me during those initial months, I try to replicate the helping hand they offered me for the new underclassmen on the team,” she reflects. “For me, connecting with Windward classmates in other grades has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time in Debate.”

Windward’s Speech & Debate Program

Kennedy Richard, known for her work in Interpretation Speech, initially joined the program as a debater. However, Kennedy’s passion eventually shifted to performance-based categories like Dramatic Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation. “I had never acted before this activity and find myself enjoying every last moment I have the opportunity to be in a piece or play a character,” Kennedy reveals. “Interpretation events require students to embrace their emotional intelligence and act out published narratives and stories, with each event having their own twist on that same premise.”

That sense of emotion and connection is something that carries over to Kennedy’s audience, a shared sensation she didn’t initially expect. “I’m performing a speech about The Little Rock Nine and the childrens’ bravery and passion to create change,” she explains. “I’ve had multiple instances this year where competitors or judges would tell me that I had ‘changed their lives.’ That they believe that I was going places and going to make a difference in that world.”

Kennedy’s shift from being a debater to embracing a leadership role in the team has also been key to her personal growth. “As a captain of this team, I’ve been taught how to lead by example and become an influential leader,” she states. “I’m a highly competitive person, and for a long time,

my Speech career was defined by the awards I won and the titles I had claimed. But my new position on the leaderboard has opened up my eyes to what this activity is truly all about - awareness. Speech opens the space to change the lives of others.” This focus on making an impact is something Kennedy has tried to instill in her teammates, encouraging them to use their platforms to influence others and spark meaningful conversations. “My team now thrives on a culture of speaking to create change and I hope that I have been a large part in forming that culture.”

A common thread woven through the experiences of Windward’s Speech & Debate team is the sense of community it creates amongst its members. Whether preparing for a national tournament or huddling together in blankets to stay warm at a regional competition, these students share not just their victories, but also their challenges and growth. It’s this strong sense of support that makes Windward’s Speech & Debate program a welcome space for all interested members.

“Just do it,” Carter encourages students who might be inter ested in joining the program. “Don't be worried about not being good enough because the skills you learn from debate are irreplaceable, and the friendships you make will help you feel supported all throughout your years at Windward.”

Beth agrees, emphasizing the welcoming and inclu sive nature of the team. “It's so rare to find such devoted coaches, teammates, and opponents all in the same activ ity, and the community on the Windward team is truly unmatched,” she notes. “I know the next generation of debaters this team has to offer is simply AMAZING. Not only is everyone amazingly talented, but also amazingly kind. This program is so special, and participating in it has been one of the best things to happen to me in high school.”

Teddy also points to that sense of community, reflecting on his experience at the Parliamentary Debate Tournament of Champions in New York City. "The ability to compete in the single highest level of competition for my category was an incredible opportunity and largely the culmination of my years in debate,” he says. “Beyond the competitive success and actual tournament, it’s most memorable for me because of the people that I went with. Between walking a mile every morning to the tournament and eating soufflé pancakes the

morning after the tournament, the moments outside of the tournament defined the competition for me."

For Kennedy, the program has given her much more than just a space to perform—it has given her lifelong friendships and a sense of purpose. “I have been transformed into this completely different person as a result of my work on this team,” she reflects. “We are nothing less than a family - we support, practice, compete, and grow together. I can genuinely say that this program gave me lifelong friendships that I will have for the rest of my life! For that, I wouldn’t give up my Saturdays for anything else.”

As these students prepare to take on new challenges at the next level, they carry with them not just the technical skills of debate and public speaking, but a deep understanding of the power of words and the importance of collaboration. More

Into the Woods

Windward Theatre Area’s Fall Production

Directors’ Note by Jordan Fox and James Patric Moran

What makes Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods such an incredible show is that there are so many layers to its gorgeous music and intricate wordplay. Every time you experience it, you hear it differently depending on where you are in your life. As we grow and change, this piece grows and changes with us, and because of that, our entire theatre community has connected deeply to this material and these characters. This musical speaks to the child searching for adventure, the caretaker who worries for their child, and the couple wondering if there is more out there. It is a powerful experience to find ourselves in each character as they wish to enter the woods, which in turn represent so many things that our young artists are grappling with - indecision, desire, instinct, a search for change.

Sondheim had said that Into the Woods is a musical about individuals starting out by acting selfishly, then learning to act as a community. Our cast and crew has taken this to heart and has strived to act collectively: creating a safe and encouraging space where we appreciate and honor each other’s uniqueness while also creating a community of care, connectedness, and support.

Putting on a theatre production is demanding and requires our student artists to have a disciplined work ethic and a love of collaboration in a creative environment. Everyday we came together to create art whether those days were great or hard. We persevere because of our love of storytelling and collaboration together as an ensemble, and because - as Into the Woods teaches us - we do not have to face life alone.

Part of the genius of Into the Woods lies in its ability to connect to the audience of any era at the human level and we are so grateful to share this work with all of you who champion the arts. We are also deeply grateful to be able to showcase our next ambitious and heartfelt Fall Musical with you in 2025 in Windward’s upcoming Innovation & Arts Center. We look forward to continuing to tell important stories, share joy, and celebrate the magic of life in the years ahead.

Windward’s Evening of Dance

By Alesia Young, Performing Arts Program Area Advisor: Dance

Joy in Movement

Joy in Movement

Windward's Evening of Dance, which took place on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the JAMS Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, was received by a warm and supportive audience of friends, family, faculty, prospective families, and members of the Los Angeles dance community, all gathering together in celebration and community.

This special evening included a collection of works by Artists-In-Residence Seda Aybay, Aidan Carberry of JA Collective, Brendan Evans, Juliette Martinez, Sophia Oddi, Jermaine Turnbow and Taryn Vander Hoop, and featured our Middle and Upper School companies. The evening, which included a variety of genres to demonstrate the range of our dancers and the breadth of the artform, also included an extended trailer of the documentary Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance along with a guest performance by Maddie Lucas and Ella Melideo in a hauntingly beautiful duet.

As we prepare to transition into the Innovation & Arts Center, it felt fitting to reflect on this period of off-campus exploration by revisiting our first performance at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse.

Much like that milestone event, the Evening of Dance performance showcased jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance— highlighting the versatility of our dancers and the ongoing evolution and diversification of the art form. These styles open new avenues of expression, honoring their rich histories while also addressing the pressing contexts of today.

Moving forward with this concert during such a challenging time was a true testament to the resilience and dedication of our students, guest artists, production team, and the Windward community. Everyone pulled together to ensure the show’s success and to ensure the dancers had the support and care they needed to execute a production of this scale, despite the lost rehearsal time leading up to the show and deeply aware that some were still processing devastating loss, displacement, and grief. The students held such pride in the choreographic process with these tremendous artists and wanted to do justice to the work. And did they ever. The dancers shined that evening, not only displaying such professionalism and dedication, but also an immense honesty and vulnerability.

We were reminded that art has the profound ability to connect us to our innermost selves, offering new ways to process our experiences and broaden our perspectives. Art heals, inspires, and reveals. Art thrives, especially when we are experiencing difficult situations. Our wish that evening was that the performance offered everyone who attended a moment of joy, inspiration, connection, and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of the arts.

Young at Art

Windward’s YoungArts Award Winners

Each year, thousands of student performers take part in the national YoungArts Competition, which identifies exceptional young artists ages 15-18 in 10 artistic disciplines in the written, visual, and performing arts. Windward is excited to announce that two of our Senior performing artists - Crystin Herring and Cole Kaller - have been named 2025 YoungArts winners! While their paths to becoming YoungArts winners are uniquely their own, one thing remains constant - a profound dedication to their craft and the unwavering support they've received along the way.

When asked about their early inspirations, both Cole and Crystin shared stories of discovery and growth that began at an early age. For Cole, music was a gateway into performance. “When I was in preschool, I used to bring my ‘Mamma Mia’ CD with me to school every day,” he remembers with a laugh. “I would dance and have everyone play it—it was my thing. And then my sister was a singer, so I followed in her footsteps.”

Crystin’s journey began with ballet. “I always had a family who appreciated music and I was always dancing around the kitchen,” she says. “But then I started ballet and was doing intense training. Junior year, I switched schools and joined Windward’s Fall Production of The Prom. That was when I found my passion for theater. It made transitioning to a new school so much easier.”

While their love for performance started young, both Cole and Crystin found their true passion for the craft during moments of personal growth. For Cole, it was the difficulty of the pandemic that led him to theater as a space for connection and expression. “I wanted a space to actually do something in-person because everything else was not,” he remembers. “As things were opening up, it was really cool to just be part of these people and create this world and then share it with other people. And especially in the context of like COVID, it was such a unifying, community based thing. Theater can be a space to create change and to share stories. It’s meaningful—it’s not just entertainment. And I was like ‘I really want to do

Crystin shares a similar sentiment, finding theater to be a light amidst challenging times. “Switching schools Junior year wasn’t ideal, but it turned out to be a transformative experience,” she recalls. “I did the dance call for The Prom, and there was just something about directors James and Jordan—their eyes lighting up because they’re just excited that you're in their presence and that you feel the same way about them. They really make you feel valued in the space, and that was something I hadn't felt in a long time. I really lit up and really got into it, and it was such an escape and made transitioning to a new school so much less hard.”

Presented by the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists, this year’s YoungArts winners were selected from more than 11,000 applications. Cole was named a winner in the category of Theater/Musical, and Crystin, named a Winner with Distinction, was a winner in the category of Theater, both firsts in Windward history. Given their hectic schedules as Seniors, both students were pleasantly surprised that their hard work had made the cut. "I was so pleased,” Cole shares. “I was just really surprised, I didn’t know what to expect at all. People were like, ‘You won!’ And I was like ‘I didn’t even know!’” Crystin was in similar disbelief, receiving the exciting call moments before she was due to take an English essay. “I got the call, and I had forgotten that I had even applied,” she laughs. “I was running throughout the whole school. I told my friends right away. It was such a great surprise.”

While both students submitted in different disciplines— Cole for musical theater and Crystin for acting—their paths to the audition were equally frantic. For Crystin, it was a whirlwind of balancing schoolwork, auditions, and rehearsals. “It was a very last-minute thing,” she recalls. “I had to do college pre-screens, school work, and essays, and on the day I had to submit, I asked Drue (Director of the Media Arts & Film Lab) to film a last minute video of some monologues that I found a week prior. And it worked out, because these adults, these artists who've been in the industry for a while, they see it and they see it in you and they know you're young, but they see a seed in you and they want to help that grow.”

Windward’s YoungArts Award Winners

Cole could relate, especially with recording multiple performances for different competitions. “I did the musical theater one. I recorded those downstairs here, and I was also preparing for Spotlight (a nationally recognized performing arts competition in which Cole and Crystin were named Semifinalists in the Acting category) and another monologue competition at the same time,” he shares. “I didn’t feel like it was my best work; even since that video, I have grown so much more and I could sing those songs and be a million times better than I was in that video. But at the same time, I'm proud that people could see the potential and see that there's something here, even if it's not a finished product. It was just great exposure and experience, especially for going into college auditions where auditions actually mean so much more because this is the next four years of my life that I’m training for.”

While the YoungArts Award itself is a major accomplishment, the real win is being seen and validated by those who understand the craft. As Cole puts it, “Having someone who's in the industry, who knows what’s going on, to say, ‘Yeah, this person could do something important within this art form’—it’s such an inspirational thing.”

Crystin agrees, noting the sense of community she experienced as part of YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida, which she attended as a

YoungArts Winner with Distinction. "You're there, and you look to your left and right, and you see these really gifted kids. It’s not about you—you’re more so grateful to be in the presence of these artists," she reflects. "It’s inspiring just to be around so many like-minded people, all driven by the same passion for the arts. We didn’t feel like competitors. We felt like a family, a support system. Everyone was there to learn and grow together."

At YoungArts Week, the panelists were instrumental in helping everyone feel at ease. "They tell you right away, ‘Everyone’s here for a reason. We picked the YoungArts winners for a reason. Don’t even think about proving yourself.’ And there was this calm that settled in. Even though we were nervous, we understood it wasn’t about proving anything. It was about learning, growing, and connecting." This shift in mindset created an environment that Crystin describes as incredibly supportive. “By the second day, we were like a family,” she says, recalling how they cried, laughed, and danced together, sharing experiences that would last a lifetime.

One of the most memorable aspects of her experience were the immersive workshops. "We did numerous workshops, but it wasn’t just about doing; it was also about stepping back, listening to experts, and really soaking in their wisdom,” Crystin explains. Each

participant was assigned a scene to work on before arriving, and Crystin was paired with a scene partner for Angels in America. "We clicked right away. The scene just made sense," she says. The workshopping process was intense, and by the end of it, Crystin felt like a changed actor. "I walked out of there feeling different. It felt like a guiding experience. The moment that scene locked in, I knew I was doing something real, something that would stay with me forever, even though it wasn’t recorded or filmed.”

By the end of the week, Crystin says they all bonded over their experiences. “We didn’t want to leave each other. We had all been through this intense journey together, and the connection we had was so strong. It was like a rite of passage. It was an unforgettable experience.”

“To say that we are proud of Crystin and Cole is an understatement,” beams Jordan Fox, Area Advisor, Theatre. “Their innate ability to create rich and nuanced characters through voice, movement, and acting is utterly remarkable. Crystin and Cole are expressive, versatile, and deeply committed to their artistry. This is just the beginning of the exceptional opportunities that will come their way.”

As they continue their journeys into professional theater, both young artists plan to hold on to their joy of performing and the sense of belonging it provides. For Cole, that means embracing his sense of self. “I think that James and Jordan are the most supportive, amazing directors and mentors,” he says. “Spring Awakening was my first Upper School show, and I was taking on the character of Moritz, a very troubled character. It was a very vulnerable role to take on, and I was scared to do it. They sort of embraced me and taught me how to bring my full self to the character, how to not be afraid to be vulnerable on stage, how to separate myself from the character, and how to be confident in my abilities. They taught me to push myself, and as a human being I'm so much more confident, so much more prepared for life even outside of the arts, because of what they've taught me.”

And for Crystin, who was also recently nominated by YoungArts to be a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts, it’s about focusing less on the pressures of competition and more on the connections that theater fosters. “Theater is something to protect,” she says. “It’s been such a light, especially during tough times. And it’s something I want to share with others. It's about the people, the community, and the connection. That’s what makes theater so special.”

OF THE

SISTERS STAGE

Isabelle Choy ’27, Evelyn Choy ’30

For sisters Isabelle Choy ’27 and Evelyn Choy ’30, dance is more than an art form—it’s a shared passion that has shaped their lives, creating bonds both on and off the stage.

For Isabelle, dance has been a constant presence in her life. “Dance has been intertwined with my life for as long as I can remember, as my mom often tells me I was practically dancing since birth,” she recalls. “I would dance and perform for my family at every opportunity I would get, prompting my mom to place me in ballet lessons at age three and never look back.”

Her love for ballet grew naturally from those early years. “I fell in love with movement,” she says. “I was attracted to the constant room for improvement and mastery that ballet possessed, fostering a deeply rooted love for learning and the beauty of growing into a dancer that I was proud of.”

While ballet remains central to Isabelle’s training, her exposure to contemporary dance at Windward proved to be a welcome eye-opener. “When I first truly entered the world of contemporary dance at Windward in 7th Grade, I found it difficult to adapt to the different technical and physical elements that the work possesses,” Isabelle admits. “Letting go of the rigidity of my ballet training and exploring a

foreign form of movement to me was out of my more tight-knit comfort zone.”

Over time, the work she put in, as well as her dedication to movement and performance, began to shine through in her contemporary studies. “I found ways to become increasingly more comfortable in this style of dance,” she says. “I believe that I am still learning how to find a strong sense of confidence in my contemporary work. But I have loved being able to let go and just move in a way that is different from the more restrictive aspects of ballet.”

Evelyn’s journey into dance followed a similar pattern. “I have been taking ballet classes since I was three years old because I was inspired by my sister’s love of ballet,” she shares. “It has been something that we have been able to bond about, which I’m very grateful for.”

Like Isabelle, Evelyn finds satisfaction in the technical challenges of ballet. “My favorite part about ballet is being able to constantly work on getting better and internalizing the corrections that I receive,” she says. “Ballet is very technical and beautiful. There is always something that I can work on and improve upon, which is exciting to me. Although it is challenging sometimes, it is very rewarding when you see improvement.

Nutcracker (alongside fellow Windward dancer Kyler Sziraki ’29), to campus performances such as Windward’s Evening of Dance. Despite the differences, they find the preparation process equally demanding and rewarding. “Preparation for The Nutcracker at my studio begins in August, so you are already immersed in the world of holiday magic months before Winter even begins,” Isabelle says. “We spend our Saturdays rehearsing for several hours alongside technique and pointe classes every day aside from Sundays.”

While The Nutcracker preparation follows a strict timeline, Windward’s Evening of Dance offers a different experience. “Preparation for Windward’s Evening of Dance also starts when we arrive back on campus for the year, working with a myriad of different choreographers to create new and exciting pieces for the production,” Isabelle explains. “The process feels different to my work in ballet in the sense that you are working on and switching between different pieces over the course of the several months leading up to the performance. You are also able to obtain a greater amount of differing rehearsal and choreographic experiences.”

Though Evelyn hasn’t yet performed in Windward’s main production, she is enjoying the unique experiences of working

form with her year after year has allowed me to see how much she has truly blossomed.”

Evelyn feels equally fortunate. “I am so grateful to be able to perform and share a passion for dance with my older sister,” she says. “I have looked up to her and admired her work ethic and dancing since I was little. Some of my earliest memories are of wandering around the dance studio and watching her classes. To be able to watch her perform or even just talk about dance with her is something that means a lot to me. She inspires me to work harder to hopefully one day become as good as her.”

As they continue on their respective dance journeys, Isabelle and Evelyn encourage other interested dancers to take the same leaps they did. “Dance has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had throughout my life,” Isabelle says. “To anyone who is interested in exploring dance, the best words I would be able to give them would be to step back once in a while and wholeheartedly enjoy the process of learning and growth that dance maintains. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the details, of the things we are unable to achieve, of the progress that is still left to be made, of the fears and the ‘what ifs.’ But taking a moment every once in a while to refocus yourself and embrace

Joining Windward this year, Evelyn already has enjoyed the different dance options available at the School. “Windward Dance is very different from ballet as it includes more of a contemporary style,” she explains. “It has been really fun to learn about contemporary dance, as it is very innovative and unique. Although it is difficult to dance contemporary because of my classical ballet training, I think it has helped me improve my fluidity of movement and musicality. Ballet is very technical and detail-oriented, while contemporary is more flexible and varied.”

Both sisters have performed in large-scale productions, from off-site community productions like Westside Ballet’s The

with various choreographers. “It has been a privilege to work with three different choreographers so far this year, each with a unique style that has been a joy to learn and dance,” she says.

Of the many performance highs they’ve experienced, for Isabelle and Evelyn, the greatest joy of dance is sharing the stage. “I have been unthinkably lucky to have been able to share the experience of ballet and dance with my younger sister, as the bond that we share has only been strengthened both in and out of the studio,” Isabelle reflects. “Watching her grow from a young dancer finding her footing to getting her first pair of pointe shoes last year has given me so much pride, and being able to per-

the genuine joy that dancing brings, to both you and the individuals who are able to watch you throughout your journey, allows for the beauty and love within dance to truly be expressed.”

“Dance has taught me so much that I apply in my everyday life, like respect and discipline,” says Evelyn. “If you apply yourself and work hard at what you do, I’m sure you will learn to love the challenge and joy dance has to offer. It really doesn’t matter how ‘good’ you are at dance. If you truly dance with passion, then you are a true good dancer. Dance is an art form that is open to anybody, and if you apply yourself then I’m sure you will have fun.”

SERVING SUCCESS

Lana Frelix '28

The path to success is rarely a straight line, and for Lana Frelix '28, that journey has been anything but conventional. Recently selected to join USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), Lana’s path began on the gymnastics mat before shifting to the volleyball court — and it’s a decision she’s never regretted.

“I had been doing gymnastics for nearly seven years and thought I would never stop because I didn’t know anything but the sport," Lana recalls. "However, when COVID hit, everything changed. Practices stopped for a while, and when they did resume, we were outside and things just weren't the same. Instead of feeling love for the sport that I thought I could never stop adoring, I hated going to practice. When I finally quit, I was given the option between a few different sports, and eventually went with volleyball.

"It was the best decision I could have made,” Lana shares. “Not only did I start to feel the joy of competition again, but I was eager to learn and grow in any way I could."

As a Sophomore, Lana is already putting that joy on display as a member of Windward’s Girls Volleyball program. While she’s proud of her individual skillset, it’s the collaborative environment that really endears her to the sport. “What I enjoy most about volleyball is the team aspect and the competitiveness," she explains. "There's something really special about working together with your teammates, strategizing, and supporting each other on and off the court. The energy and camaraderie you build are unmatched, and can create lifelong bonds."

Lana also appreciates how working with her teammates has impacted her need to be more assertive on the court, something she looks to grow as she continues with the program. “I am looking forward to developing my leadership skills to guide myself and my teammates. I absolutely love the thrill of competition and pushing myself to improve with every game, and I want to be able to step up as a leader and help my teammates whenever and wherever they may need me.”

As Lana prepares for the National Team Development Program, she can’t help

but look back at her Windward journey with pride. “In my first year of volleyball, I remember my dad mentioning a program where you got the chance to train with the best athletes from around the country,” Lana shares. “At that time, it felt like I would never get there, but with hard work, I was able to achieve my first long-term goal! I'm so incredibly grateful.

“Athletically, Windward has helped prepare me for the NTDP by elevating my skills with the significant increase in practices and games,” she continues. “The training sessions have made me a more disciplined and technically sound player. The competitive environment has also allowed me to experience high-pressure situations where I have gotten great experience in learning how to handle intense moments, which is crucial for performing well in important matches.”

The guidance and mentorship from her coaches at Windward have had an equally transformative impact. “Personally, the coaching has been a literal game-changer. The coaches at Windward have helped me maintain my confidence, even when I make

mistakes’” shares Lana. “They've taught me that errors are part of the learning process and have encouraged me to view them as opportunities for growth. This shift in perspective has made me more resilient and better equipped to handle tough situations in the future both on and off the court."

For coach Lainey Gera-Dazé, Lana’s acceptance to the National Team Development Program is reflective of her dedication to her team and her craft. “Lana’s work ethic, tenacity and overall athletic abilities have allowed her to play a big role for our team this year,” says Lainey. “She deserves to be recognized and given this opportunity to train with the best in the country with the NTDP. I'm so proud of her and what she has accomplished in the last few years as a player. She is going to do BIG things, not only at Windward but beyond!”

PASSION PRESSURE OVER

At Windward, students are encouraged to try their hand at multiple academic and extracurricular disciplines in the hopes they’ll hone or discover a lifelong passion. Kyle Morris ’25 is a perfect example of that practice in action. The epitome of a well-rounded student, Kyle manages an ambitious academic schedule, is a member of Windward’s Baseball team, and is involved in leadership roles in organizations like the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Windward Omnicats. It’s a busy life for any Senior, but with the encouragement of his mentors and a strong sense of self, Kyle has found beauty in balance.

When asked about how he manages his busy day-to-day life, Kyle credits Windward’s flexibility and support. "I definitely take advantage of the free periods," he says. "Since I don't take a full year of classes because I play a sport, I get a free period this year. Anytime I have free time, I make sure to use it wisely to get my work done." Windward faculty also play a crucial role in Kyle's success. "A lot of teachers are open to meeting you at any time," he adds. "Even if I get here early in the morning, like around 8 a.m., I can meet with them if I’m struggling with something. They're always there to support me."

With his packed schedule, Kyle admits that staying on top of everything can be tough. "It’s hard, especially with all the AP exams," he laughs. "But I’ve learned to make the most of every opportunity and to keep a balanced perspective." Despite only joining Windward his Freshman year, Kyle has taken 11 AP courses over the course of his high school career. "I took one AP my Sophomore year, five my Junior year, and then the rest in my Senior year," he shares. "The most challenging one for me was AP Bio. I’m not really a biology person, and the amount of material we had to learn was overwhelming."

Even with its challenges, Kyle says these experiences have helped him discover his true academic passions. "Taking all these AP’s has shown me that there’s so much you can focus on in certain fields. Like in physics, I learned about electric fields, magnetism, and light refraction, and I realized that I can do anything in that field.

"Physics helped me figure out that I’m really into rockets. I’ve done a lot of research on propulsion, and that's something I want to pursue in the future," Kyle continues.

Outside of the classroom, Kyle enjoys being part of the Windward Baseball team. His leadership and collaboration skills on the field mirror those he uses in the classroom.

"Being on the Baseball team has taught me the importance of working with others and understanding different perspectives," he explains. "In robotics and in sports, everyone’s input is valued, and that’s something I try to bring into my classes, especially when it comes to group projects." Whether academically or athletically, Kyle understands the value of teamwork. "Some people in group projects are more quiet, so it’s important to invite them to share their ideas. You want everyone to have an influence on the outcome," he says. "I think that’s something I’ve learned from Baseball and robotics. It’s not about doing everything by yourself; it’s about getting everyone to work together toward a common goal."

That sense of shared purpose extends to his role in Windward’s various clubs, particularly the Black Student Union (BSU) and robotics. He draws inspiration from his sister, Riley (Windward Class of 2022) who was also a leader at Windward. "She’s had a big influence on me," Kyle says. "She did everything—BSU, robotics, sports—and seeing how happy she was helping others really motivated me to get

Kyle Morris

’25

involved. I want to make a positive impact on people, too."

As a Senior, Kyle has taken on the role of mentor to younger students, guiding them toward making the most of their time at Windward. His leadership is rooted in his commitment to inclusivity. "I want to make sure that when people come to me, they feel like I’m there for them," he says. "Just like my sister treated people kindly and invited them into spaces, I want to do the same. I want to be someone who helps others feel good about themselves."

With so many activities to balance, Kyle quickly learned to focus on passion over pressure. This philosophy has helped him dedicate his interests and energy into personal fulfillment over external expectations. "You're doing it for yourself, not for other people," Kyle advises. "I know a lot of students feel pressured to check all these boxes for college admissions, but that’s not the right mindset. If you don’t enjoy something, it's okay to step back. If you don't love what you're doing, it’s really hard to keep going. I remember playing Basketball in Middle School, and I didn’t enjoy it because I was only doing it for my friends. But with Baseball, I love it, so it's easy to stay committed."

As he prepares for college and beyond, Kyle is focused on staying true to himself. "The most important thing is to enjoy the process," he reflects. "If you’re passionate about something, everything will fall into place."

Fall

ATHLETICS ROUNDUP

There’s no stopping the Wildcats! The 2024 Fall Athletics Season saw a number of team and individual bests, including personal records, championship runs, and inspiring displays of teamwork!

Boys Beach Volleyball

First PlaceOcean Division League Southern Pacific IBVL Divi sion II Champions School history)

“This was a special season with a special group and I could not be more proud of the way they represented Windward and our Beach Volleyball program!”

- Coach Kristen Petrasic

Girls Varsity Tennis

“The Girls Tennis season started off with a three match winning streak and ended with a tight win against Viewpoint. The team showed grit, resilience and displayed their problem solving skills on the court. Team captains - Carter Mitchell, Elodie Milchan and Maggie Goldsmith - kept the culture positive and fun throughout the season. We will miss our five Seniors and wish

Girls Flag Football

Record: 13-2

CIF Southern Section Flag Football

Championships Quarter-Finalist

All-CIF Southern Section MVP - Livi Lagao '25

Liberty League 1st team nominationsSamara Durham and Reese Zolkin

Girls Varsity Volleyball

Record: 23-10

Gold Coast League Champions

(first league title since 2014)

CIF SS: Division 3 Semi-Finalist

CIF State: Division 2 Semi-Finalist

Gold Coast League MVP -

Cece Terpening ’25

CIF SS: All-CIF - Cece Terpening ‘25 & Jianna Green ‘27

“This was a historic year for the Girls Volleyball program. After starting the season with a few heartbreaking losses, the team responded by getting to work in practice and focusing on the importance of the culture in the locker room. They rallied together to produce some of the best results in program history!”

- Coach Lainey Gera-Dazé

Boys Cross Country

CIF-SS Division 5 Finals, CIF-SS

State Championship Appearance

CIF Notable Times

Max Kobayashi -16:19.50

Aman Granados-Puvvula -16:19.80

David Estrada -16:26.20

Kyler Zanuck -16:37.80

Van Lindelof - 16:38.70

Connor Chi - 18:36.30

Justin Merritt -18:48.0

Girls Cross Country

CIF-SS Preliminaries

Gold Coast 2nd Team -

Taryn O’Day ‘25, Helen Best ‘27

CIF Notable Times

Taryn O'Day - 22:28.90

Helen Best -23:14.60

Maple Mand -24:36.60

Zoe Pallotta -25:20.50

Sofia Armon -25:44.10 Girls Golf

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Coast League Tournament

Team

Selynne Park ’27 (CIF Tournament Qualifier)

Team All-LeagueEloise Rego ’28

Middle School Athletics enjoyed a successful Fall season, setting high standards of performance, and sportsmanship and highlighting some incredible team and individual development.

In Girls Volleyball, 7th Royal was superb in winning the PBL Championship with a win over St. Matthew's in front of a home crowd in the Lewis Jackson Memorial Sports Center.

Girls Tennis swept all opponents to win the PBL Team Championships, defeating Brentwood and Geffen in the tournament section. In the individual tournament, Emerson Morgan ’30 performed fantastically to secure the runner-up spot. In the doubles event, the duo of Fiona Levin ’29 and Sawyer Greenberg ’30 became PBL champions by impressively defeating a strong Crossroads pairing.

The #1 seeded 7th Royal Flag Football team rounded off a great playoff week by bringing home the PBL Championship on Foley field, beating Calvary Christian in the final in a highly competent and confident manner.

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING

By David Estrada ’25 and Jarett Hung ’25

Entering this season, the Windward Boys Cross Country Team was coming off a historic three year period of success pioneered by the strong Class of 2025. Entering Senior year, we were gearing up for a dominant closing season.

Yet in the course of our efforts, the Cross Country team faced a season of unexpected challenges. Ultimately, resilience and teamwork carried us to a series of memorable performances and a berth at the State Championship. The journey is a testament to what a determined group can achieve when adversity presents itself.

The season started with upheaval. “Our longtime head coach left unexpectedly at the start of the season… we knew then that this season would come with unforeseen challenges…our course would be very different from in years past,” said Senior runner Aman Granados-Puvvula. The departure of our longtime coach Rob Heyl left the team searching for direction. It proved difficult to operate during such a drastic change, and our team fell into a funk early on in the season. Communication on races and practices broke down, participation flagged, and as runners we felt the culture of the program change. “People were buying in less…it felt like our leadership was breaking down,” said Max Kobayashi ’25. With these developments, the team’s performances waned, and we fell to fourth place in the league standings. There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the program, and this might have derailed another group. However, for our team, these initial setbacks became the fuel that powered our turnaround.

With the help of our assistant coaches, Dawn and Khyasia, and the much-needed structure and clear communication that they brought, we began to get back on track. Their presence was a catalyst for our team strengthening under a singular goal: to turn the season around. To do that, we all had to step up and lead ourselves as a unified front. Said runner Connor Chi ’25, “The team was able to find solace in each other, rallying around our collective commitment.”

This newfound focus carried us to the Mt. Sac Invitational, where we delivered a pivotal performance. Despite having no chance for automatic qualification through league placement, we embraced the challenge and secured a wildcard berth in CIF playoffs through sheer effort and determination. “It was the moment when the belief in our potential crystallized,” said Co-Captain Van Lindelof ’25.

At the CIF Prelims, the team rose to the occasion once again. We advanced to the CIF Finals on the back of strong collective leadership. Runners Max Kobayashi ’25 and Kyler Zanuck ’25 would craft the team’s training schedule and it was us, the athletes, who led practices and race warmups. At CIF Finals, the season’s

defining moment awaited. At the end of the race, we were tied with league rivals Campbell Hall for the final State Championship qualifying spot. From each runner down the line we had put together a strong performance. The tiebreaker came down to our sixth runner, Connor Chi, who narrowly outpaced Campbell Hall’s sixth man to push our team through.

It was a victory that epitomized our season: every runner mattered, every effort contributed, and our collective strength carried us farther than anyone expected given our rocky start. “It was a moment of pure elation,” said Senior runner Justin Merritt.

The State Championship brought the toughest competition yet, and the team finished 17th overall. While we didn’t place at the very top, the result felt like a triumph. After all, this season was never just about results—it was about resilience, camaraderie, and rediscovering what it means to work together toward a common goal.

From a season that could have ended in chaos, the team emerged victorious. Led by a resilient Senior class, we overcame hurdle after hurdle and achieved the improbable.

WINDWARD FILM & “THE SUNDANCE KIDS”

By Drue Metz, Director of Media Arts & Film Lab

For the first time in Windward’s history, students enrolled in Regina Hoffman’s Honors Film 4 class embarked on a cinematic adventure to Park City, Utah, to attend the world-celebrated Sundance Film Festival. Led by Media Arts & Film Lab faculty Regina and Drue Metz, as well as Garret Tyau, Dean of Students: Prep Division, the trip featured 14 Seniors who had studied film throughout their entire Windward careers.

Each day, students bundled up and hit the mountain-ski town for their daily movie marathon, walking amidst snowfall and tree lined streets to various theaters and watching breakthrough independent cinema yet to be released in the mainstream market. “I kind of had this idea that Sundance was exclusively for the top filmmakers,” said Mattias Ferrell ‘25, “but I think the fact that we saw such a variety of films helped me believe in myself more as a filmmaker, writer, and actor.”

“The amount of passion in the audience surprised me,” shared Kat Dubrow ‘25. “Everyone was extremely attentive, excited to talk about the films, and stayed for all of the credits, as well as the Q and A session. It was really interesting to see how supportive and excited everyone was about each other's films and made me want to join that community. “Another great moment was having one of the top films of the festival, OMAHA screened privately at our residence, followed by a visit and discussion with director Cole Webley and producer Preston Lee. The filmmakers discussed and analyzed OMAHA and also their personal careers with the students. “I was surprised by how willing and open the filmmakers were to engage with the audience and our group specifically,” expressed Devon Leaf ‘25.

Tyler Berman ‘25 agreed, noting, “it really inspires me to take pride in my work, and was a great reminder that films are made in detail and that in order to make something great, you must know the story inside and out.”

As part of the trip, our students stayed in two gorgeous homes in the snow blanketed Deer Valley. While the films were the focus, the trip also provided unforgettable moments of bonding and fun, with students creating memories that will last long after graduation. “I think just hanging out with my friends and spending time with the boys late at night or walking around Main St, playing football, running around in the snow, Uber convos, and making TikToks,” were unforgettable moments outside of the screenings, said Senior Jeremiah Hampton. Added Oliver Savage ‘25, “My favorite memory was playing football in the snow. Everybody was outside and we had just arrived at the houses. We were diving into the snow and it was so cold but also very fun.” After a full day of screenings, speakers, and discussions, the “Sundance Kids” wrapped up their day at one of the houses, watching short films and analyzing them together by the fire, or spending quality time sharing dinner and reviewing our memories of the day.

Amongst the many incredible movies that the students saw together, one film that stood out to our cohort of 14 was Sorry, Baby, which won the best screenplay award at Sundance. “The most impactful film I encountered at Sundance was Sorry, Baby because I thought that not only was the overall story extremely powerful, but the dialogue and all of the intricacies were also entertaining,” shared Maple Mand ‘25. “This inspired me about all of the different ways that you can tell a powerful story that is also entertaining.” As aspiring writer Dani Benudiz ‘25 expressed, “I loved Sorry, Baby. It literally changed my life. I loved the cinematography, the story, the acting, the way the comedy was threaded into the sadness was so perfect. The pacing was amazing too.” Devon added, “This film truly inspired me and aligned almost perfectly with the kind of films I want to make/stories I want to tell. Whether it was the simple yet beautiful cinematography or the raw and authentic performances, I walked out of that film wanting to create something just like it.“

With the continued growth of the Media Arts & Film Lab program, it’s clear that the desire to explore storytelling is vital to our students’ personal and academic development. This groundbreaking trip will remain a cherished memory, and we look forward to guiding the next generation of “Sundance Kids.”

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURETHE POWER OF “YEARBOOK”

By Tony de los Reyes, Visual and Media Arts Teacher

Additional Photography by Hannah Northenor ’99, Visual and Media Arts Teacher

Video and Stills by Eli Ricanati '18 and Harrison Bliss '16

There’s a particularly unique aura around the high school yearbook portrait. Instantly recognizable, with each student formatted into the same tight rectangle, it’s a roundup of familiar and distant faces, surrounded by loose and deep memories. And like its cousin the driver’s license photo, you’re stuck with it, even as one evolves in ways that dismiss that singular moment. They remind us of our shadow selves, a paradox of time, experience, and memory.

Last year, I began an art project called “Yearbook”, where each student in my Interdisciplinary Studio 1-3 course was asked to paint a realistic reproduction of one Senior from Windward’s 2004 yearbook. Of course, my students didn’t know any of these alumni, but they loved a certain hairstyle, t-shirt, smile, disposition—anything that spoke to them. Yes, our school has changed enormously in 20 years, but I knew my students would find a connection, having shared a community and campus across decades. In addition to this, they were tasked with making a same-sized, companion portrait of a completely fictitious high school student, in any style they chose. I know my

students—they have wildly creative imaginations—and I wanted these paintings to demonstrate that, as well as their technical skills. The idea was to create an installation of 40 paintings that spoke to the high school experience, with its complex inner and outer dimensions, mixed with invention and fun. We did that. But what we didn’t expect was a small miracle of a film, Yearbook.

Because the project became such an interesting mix of introspection, musing, and teaching, I asked Visual and Media Arts Chair Katie Thoma if we could produce a short film documenting the project, to showcase how we teach the arts at Windward—not just technically, but conceptually, with twists of innovation that only our faculty can provide. Over the past decades I’ve seen the most incredible projects and pedagogy, helping shape students to think more clearly and consciously about their goals and futures. The power of what goes on every day, in each classroom, is indescribable. Documenting our projects on film would be a great way to express our commitment to innovation and expertise.

With the support and guidance of VMA Film teacher Drue Metz, and Windward alum and filmmaker Eli Ricanti (Windward Class of 2018, UPenn ‘22 ), a deeper idea began to form. As if fashioned from the “Yearbook” project itself, and proof of the kind of students we inspire, Eli took the baton and ran with it, creating a five-minute long, poetic deep dive into what it means to be a Windwardian, and the meaning of high school itself. I’ll let Eli continue:

“Not too far removed from my own high school experience, I was hyperconscious of a yearbook’s mnemonic ability to recall impressions and memories of that younger, more innocent time. Centering a project around this powerful symbol inspired lots of intriguing possibilities and I pitched Tony a film that not only incorporated participating student-artists, but also alumni whose yearbook portraits had been painted by these students. I felt that the impressions of these alumni, when coupled with those of current students, could produce a film that not only highlighted the ‘Yearbook’ painting project, but also touched on the angsts, nostalgias, and experiences associated with high school.

I collaborated with cinematographer Harrison Bliss (Windward Class of 2016) to create ‘Yearbook.’ Despite only vaguely knowing of each other during high school, Harrison and I were reintroduced through a Windward mutual and have created five short films together post-college. For this film, we prioritized visuals that evoked the central theme of a yearbook. This included framing our interviews in a portrait format and wherever possible representing students and alumni interacting with yearbooks. I also employed another long-time friend, collaborator, and Windward alumnus Spencer Lemann ’18 to craft the film’s score.

To view the full video, please scan the QR code.

Returning to Windward to film ‘Yearbook’ was a kind of meta experience for me, as interacting with the campus recalled memories and emotions much in the same way as it did for the alumni in the film. Being able to return to Windward in a more professional capacity was a full-circle moment; the 15-year-old inside me who used to run around campus filming whatever wacky idea had popped into his head ten minutes before was never far away!”

Eli’s enthusiasm and skill took the project to a degree that I could not imagine, but it is evidence of the way we are always collectively ready for something better and brighter. Working with the alumni who generously gave their time to be included in this film was a spectacular gift. Many thanks to Paul Rubin and Dr. Cara Siegel (Class of ’04), and current students Luca Measer ’25, Wyatt Frank ’26, and Ally Yu ’26. And of course, some big props to legendary former film teacher Kiloh Fairchild, who gave Eli incredible latitude and knowledge as a young director who continues to expand into the profession he loves. You all helped create something

remarkable, reminding me of that beautifully true French maxim, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” (The more things change, the more they stay the same). We hope you enjoy this lovely meditation on the moments that Windward continues to make, share, and linger.

EDUCATORS in ACTION CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH CONFERENCES

As part of Windward’s ongoing efforts to create a sense of belonging for all community members, each year the School encourages students, faculty, and staff to take part in educational conferences relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. In 2024-25, Windward community members attended two conferences - the Pollyanna Conference, hosted by Harvard-Westlake School, and the People of Color Conference (PoCC), hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools. The lessons learned and the tools acquired at these conferences not only inspire the current Windward community, but also help to shape its future.

For Dahlia Morrone, Associate Director of the Collegiate Division, attending the conferences for the first time was an invigorating experience. “I came away from both conferences with a sense of inspiration. There are a lot of people who are passionate about this work—they care and they’re doing the work," she said. "It’s great to learn from them and

hear what we can do to make our community stronger."

A longtime conference attendee, Garret Tyau, Dean of Students: Prep Division, noted an immediate increase in participation. "Both conferences seemed more well attended. The PoCC was for sure the largest it's ever been, and Pol lyanna seemed very well attended with a mix of familiar faces and new faces. I think that means there’s a lot more people doing the work at their schools.

“Both conferences also had a big emphasis on collecting hard data,” Garret continued. “Not just anecdotal, conversational happenstance kinds of things, but showing how to do the work and how to target the work. It’s almost like taking a temperature check of your communities.”

Ryan Shelven, Windward’s Director of Student DEIB & Community Engagement, came away with a sense of kinship and shared experience with other educators in attendance. “A lot of schools

on because there are so many different outlets where they can receive this information.”

That sense of community extends to actively promoting and celebrating Windward’s commitment to ongoing progress relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. “I want our community to know what it is that we do,” said Dahlia.

for, it helps create that sense of emotional safety.

“You can actually speak more frankly when there is structure in place of how to do it and what the conversation is supposed to be focused on,” Garret continues. “It ties into this idea that while sometimes rules and policy can feel oppressive, they can actually be liberating depending on how they are written and executed.”

the same struggles and positives as we are in our community,” he observed. For Ryan, the conferences underscored the importance of not just recognizing these challenges but also putting systems in place to address and support them.

That support is essential in helping students to navigate the complex media landscape already making the task for educators more complicated. “Kids today are more exposed to things around the world that are positive and negative,” Ryan notes. “I think that is really changing the landscape, and it’s really difficult for educators to pinpoint what’s going

not getting right, but to really start at a place of appre ciating what we are doing, what we do know, and then we can work better from there together.”

Beyond inspiration, those in atten dance also came away with tangible tools to bring back to campus. “I think a takeaway tool is implied in the structures of both Pollyanna and PoCC,” said Garret. “Whether it’s a disclaimer at the front end of a workshop or a framework explicitly stating what the conference is

focus on belonging was welcome and appreciated. "When I told her about our affinity groups, she was like, ‘Wow, I totally needed that when I was there, and now that you guys have it, it’s great,’” Ryan recalls. “For her to come back and tell us that, to see her response on how the School has progressed, it was a big deal to hear that.”

As Windward continues to provide opportunities for constituents to attend conferences like these, the group points to the value of external perspectives as a key resource. “It’s important to get a new perspective, to get outside of the box of being at the School,” Garret explains. “I think it helps you realize that you’re doing some kind of work.”

That structure and sense of shared purpose also helps to add a personal element to the conference experience. Ryan, who has attended the PoCC in previous years, as well as the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, ence together.”

He also shared an encounter with a former Windward student at this year’s conference, noting that the alumni’s appreciation for the School’s evolving

Dahlia agrees, stating “I think exposure to different viewpoints, to different people, is a way to both affirm and challenge what you think. There’s always something to learn. The work is never done in terms of, ‘we know everything there is to know about belonging.’”

She continues, “By attending these conferences, you learn what you don’t know and where there’s room to grow - ‘What ways can I, as a person, as an individual, continue to grow? And as part of the greater whole, what can I do to help the community continue to grow?’”

As Dahlia, Garret, and Ryan look to the future of Windward, they see these educational opportunities as a great example of how this work can effectively be grown. “You can find somebody who is a different ethnicity, and you have more commonalities than you think because you’re there for the purpose of being an educator, for these kids, having that space,” says Ryan. “Our group was South Asian, Black, Latino, White, AAPI, and Middle Eastern, and we all came together and were all there for a common ground. We each got different things from it, but we were all there to support each other.”

GATHER ’ROUND WINDWARD’S

TALES AT THE TABLE

On November 14, the Windward community gathered on the Bridge for an evening of shared celebration and fellowship. The highly antic ipated return of Tales at the Table, Windward’s annual community-building event, was more than just a dinnerit was a heartfelt celebration of diversity, commonality, and the shared experiences that unite us all.

Held under a beautiful backdrop of twinkling lights, the evening kicked off with a number of delicious food options curated by Windward's CulinArt team. As attendees savored their meals, they also took part in lively discussions, using the included table prompts as icebreakers to get to know their fellow Windward community members. The “open table” approach encouraged attendees to reach out to members they didn’t know, the many prompts leading to a sense of shared experience from table to table. These candid discussions covered topics such as culture, identity, and their place within the Windward community, making for a welcoming forum of storytelling and reflection.

“Tales at the Table is one of the most impactful school events of the year,” said parent Matthew Karatz. “It's incredibly moving and inspiring to hear members of our community introduce themselves and share so much about themselves. It is also a perfect evening to meet new families by sitting with strangers for the evening, all linked by a common thread—Windward.”

Led by student hosts Samara Durham '25 and David Estrada ‘25, the magical evening continued with powerful personal stories from a series of volunteer speakers. Each illuminating on the unique ways in which we find our

place in the world and the community that sur rounds us, these speakers included students Diego Anderson '26, Louis Bond '25, and Leah Weissman '26, along with alumni Courtney Jaco '13, Windward parent Kenny Mitchell, and Windward parent and faculty member Dr. Rhazes Spell.

“I love Tales at the Table and look forward to it every year,” shares Sheri Green, Parent Guild President. “I always leave feeling so happy that I have met new people and connected in such special ways. I always love hearing the speakers tell their stories. It truly is a lovely and very mean ingful evening for so many people!”

“This is such a beautiful authentic event that puts the emphasis on ‘show’, vs. ‘tell’,” agrees parent Renee Yang.

“I love that we got the opportunity to hear from different constituents within the community (students, teachers, parents, alums). It is so incredibly special and heartfelt. I also loved that we got the opportunity to sit with educators and parents that we wouldn't typically.”

With its largest ever turnout, Tales at the Table again served as both a tribute to the individuality of each community member and a reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in cultivating a welcoming environment. By giving our community the space to seek connection, understanding, and fellowship, we can continue to build a campus where everyone feels like they belong.

BetterTOGETHER

Windward Service Learning

In the aftermath of the devastating January wildfires, Windward experienced an outpouring of support from community members eager to help those affected by the disaster. This collective effort was driven by a shared desire to provide comfort and relief to not only the Windward community but also to our neighborhood partners.

To respond to immediate needs, Windward’s Service Learning program organized a community-wide event to benefit Save the Children, an organization that works in partnership with the Red Cross and Project:Camp. Project:Camp provides crucial emotional support to children impacted by natural disasters, creating safe, fun environments in pop-up camps across Los Angeles. These camps offer displaced children a chance to heal and find comfort in difficult times.

On January 30, Windward community members gathered together to pack comfort kits for Project:Camp, filling each kit with blankets, games, craft supplies, and other essential items. Thanks to the efforts and generosity of our students, parents, and volunteers, Windward was able to supply over 150 comfort kits for distribution.

For Jolie Denny '26, the goal was simple: “I want to help those who were affected and bring them nothing but love, joy, and a smile to their face.” Ashan Lalvani Kapur '30 echoed this sentiment, stating, “In times like these, people have to come together and help those affected.”

The power of community was further demonstrated through a special collaboration with the Potomac School, an independent K-12 institution in McLean, Virginia. Together with Potomac, Windward personalized the comfort kits by inviting two Potomac student groups—the Potomac Service Learning Club and the Good Guys Club—to write and illustrate cards of encouragement. These heartfelt notes, intended to comfort and uplift the young campers, were a tangible expression of solidarity across schools and states.

As Bella Kapoor '26 shared, “Being able to write these cards and make kits makes it feel like I can have a little bit of an impact and bring some happiness during these hard times.” This partnership not only provided immediate relief but also expanded students’ understanding of service, helping them connect with a wider community and recognize the power of collective action.

The collaboration between Windward and Potomac was facilitated by Sarah Beck, Windward’s incoming Head of School and current Assistant Head of School for Academics at Potomac. Through this partnership, students from both schools were able to directly advocate for causes that were important to them.

The result of this collaboration was a heartfelt display of solidarity, demonstrating the importance of service and the profound impact that community efforts can have, whether local or national. Windward would like to express its gratitude to the Potomac Service Learning Club and the Good Guys Club for their generosity and support, as well as to the Windward community for again supporting their neighbors in times of need. Even in the most challenging of times, we are reminded of the incredible power of community and how small acts of service can make a lasting difference.

Equity CHAMPIONING MENSTRUAL

Windward’s Pad Project Club

In their 9th Grade year, current Windward Seniors Dori Farkas and Riley Taylor came to the same realization - more could be done to make menstrual products readily available. "We had both talked about how the lack of menstrual products around campus was quite disappointing, and we both agreed that something needed to change," says Riley. When Dori discovered The Pad Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending period poverty, she knew it was exactly the sort of initiative that would feel right at home at Windward. “I pitched the idea to Riley, and she loved it,” Dori shares. “We’re still the President and Vice-President of the Pad Project Club, and we're passionate about its mission. We have worked to ensure that there are people who come to club meetings and are able to keep the club alive once we graduate!”

Starting with just five members in the 2022-23 school year, the Pad Project Club has since grown to over 50 students. In that time, they have raised over 10,000 menstrual products, working with local organizations like the Grace and Wisdom Institute and SPY (Safe Place for Youth).

In December, club members came together to host their biggest drive yet, taking part in a week-long Giving Tuesday service initiative. Throughout the week, they collected pads, tampons, and other menstrual products donated by Windward community members. At the end of the week, the club constructed both weekly and daily kits on campus to share with the partnering organizations in need. "We were all blown away when there were almost 10,000 products donated by the community," says Dori. "Our last drive, two years ago, gathered almost 4,000 products, so we anticipated around that amount. We learned how much the Windward community really cares."

For the Pad Project Club, the drive was more than just a collection of products; it fostered a genuine sense of unity and accomplishment, one that they hope will carry on long after they leave the School. "We gained a larger sense of camaraderie with each other," Riley says. "We all had a part in organizing this drive, and to see such a great turnout really made us all proud of ourselves and each other."

With the program showing sustained success, Dori and Riley hope that they serve as an example of the importance of service learning initiatives and, more critically, the need for students to take ownership of the causes most important to them. "With the resources we have at Windward, I feel empowered to help others in Mar Vista and Los Angeles,” says Dori. “Everyone has passions that are unique to themselves, but may inspire others. If someone is passionate about an issue, and is able to advocate for it, they are able to make change to help people. Even if you help one person, that is still an impact made."

“Getting service learning experience while still in school really gives a person a kind of sensitivity to the issues that may not be in their foresight, creating a more empathetic person,” adds Riley. “At Windward, it is very easy to fall into the trap that what we see and experience at school everyday is real life, and it's not. Service learning allows us to give back to the community around us, so we don't exist in a disillusioned world."

Looking ahead, Riley and Dori are hopeful that the increased community participation could lead to a potential schoolwide initiative for the Pad Project Club down the road. "This organization sadly has increasing relevance in Los Angeles," says Riley. "With an ever-increasing unhoused population, menstrual equity is more uncertain than ever. Somebody not receiving proper care during their period can make the difference between somebody being fine after it, or contracting pelvic infections, and other reproductive and urinary tract infections. As two people who do get their period, we find this completely unacceptable, and we believe that all members of our community should feel implored to help.”

As the two Seniors consider life beyond Windward, they encourage their younger classmates to look outside the community for their own inspiration. "There are opportunities going on all the time all around you," Riley says. "You just need to look. If you are struggling with finding places to work at, ask the adults and educators in your community. There’s always a cause to get involved in." Dori agrees, adding, "Just keep pushing. While it may not feel like anyone else would care, I guarantee that there is at least one other person who has the same passion as you. Being able to make change, at all levels, is so important, and being able to practice that in high school sets you up for future success."

About The Pad Project

The Pad Project is a global nonprofit that expands access to menstrual care products, combats period stigma, and champions menstrual equity for all. For more information, visit www.thepadproject.org.

100 Days of Giving

DONOR UPDATE

It’s not too late to show your support and add your name to this impressive list. More information can be found online by scanning the QR code.

List reflects donors having made a gift or pledge on or before February 24, 2025 THANK YOU!

Founder $50,000+

Anonymous (1)

The Ahmanson Foundation

The Binder Foundation

Jenna & Todd Binder

Sarah & John Bonello

The Elbaz Family Foundation

EJ & Gregory Milken

Viveca Paulin-Ferrell & Will Ferrell

Head of School

$25,000+

Anonymous (3)

1P Foundation

American Endowment Foundation

Wendy & Gary Broad '77

Shainaz Donnelly Burg & Mark Burg

Jennifer & Mercel Chambers

Ashley & Scott Cohen

Jenni Kayne-Ehrlich & Richard Ehrlich

Jennifer Garner

Ann & Jim Gianopulos

Whitney & Bill Glass

Jennifer Winer-Gordon & Rafi Gordon

Shelby & Sam Grayeli

Krystyna & Dan Houser

The Klos Family

Kendra & Michael LaSalle

Sophia Whang & Robert Lee

Joanne & Navid Mahmoodzadegan

Lorraine & Damien McCann

Staci & Adam Miller

Dana & Richard Pachulski

Zaheeda & Nav Rahemtulla

Anna & Jeffrey Reyna

Leanne & Jeff Richardson

Aimee & Mark Rosenbaum

Jessica & Cory Rosenberg

Gretchen & Dan Rush

Jessica & Stephen Samuel

Pippa Bond & Stan Savage Jr

Jennifer & Fred Savage

Lisa Nishimura & Gregory Seese

The Seton Family

Jennifer Shore

Noah Shore

The Shourie Family

Mark Siegel

Robin & Jeffrey Strug

Linda & Jay Sures

Nicole Pearl & Cindy Tobisman

Amy & Jon Turteltaub

Liz & Andy Waters

Lanhee & Mark Yung

Leadership

$10,000+

Anonymous (3)

Abby & Reuben Berman

Alexandra & Mickey Berman

Bhavnani Family Foundation

Emily Procter & Paul Bryan

The Schwartzberg Family

Josh Simms

Kara & Brad Slater

Tina Holmes & John Tripp

Sharon De Mayo & Luca Viola

Annie Belanger & Gaines Wehrle

Kate Phillips-Wiczyk & Modi Wiczyk

Visionary $15,000+

Anonymous (4)

Lisa & David Alpern

Amy & Paul Arenson

Catherine Bridge

Nicole & Brad Brooks

Maggie & Matthew Cwiertnia

Kim & Marco DeGeorge

Theane Evangelis & James Kousoulas

Sabina & Gregory Gault

Valerie Karno & Eric Glaser

Stacey & Stephen Henning

Lisa & David Hernand

Aliza Reder & Benjamin Kacev

Alison Kaplan '96 & Jason Kaplan

Kate & Aaron Korsh

The Kwit Family

Talia & Martin Lesak

Wendy & Eric Levine

Heidi & Damon Lindelof

Curtis Macnguyen & Sandy Le

Joanne Rosario &\ Ernesto Halim

Heather & Kenny Mitchell Jr

National Philanthropic Trust

Candace & Charles Nelson

The Newkirk Family

Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps

Daisy & Nishen Radia

Tristan Bickman & David Ribakoff

Laura & Jason Richardson

Molly & Erick Richardson

Michelle & Keith Richman

Laura & Kenny Rogers

Amy Klimek & Joshua Roth

Samantha & Bejan Rufeh

The Loni & Jeff Rush Family Foundation

Mary & Kevin Ryan

Dana & Evan Schlessinger

Tara Kowalski & Zach Schorr

Pamela & Matt Schwab

Lia & Jeffrey Seabold

Kristina Brittenham & Jesse Sisgold

Chiara & Greg Slewett

The St. John Family

Michelle & David Taub

Elle & Ross Walker

Nicole & Jeffrey Westheimer

Julie & Eric Yamin

Sharon Dai & Eric Zabinski

Benefactor $5,000+

Anonymous (5)

Doria Anselmo

Claudia & Roberto Apelfeld

Lauren Armistead

Michelle & Gareth Asten

Susie & Peter Comisar

The Crotty Family

Valerie & Faraz Daneshgar

Emily & Aaron DeBevoise

Heather & Terry Dubrow

The Kent-Feldman Family

Angela Asher & Ted Fikre

Karen Silagi & Jeffrey Freedman

Suzanne & Michael Ginestro

Yanka Burgos & Brad Gluckstein

Gold Family Foundation

Ilene & Stanley Gold

Cathy & Josh Goldsmith

Andrea & Donald Goodman

Erin & Seth Grahame-Smith

Vika & Brian Gray

Michelle Vick & Scott Greenberg

Kara & Jamie Horowitz

Randy & Jon Hurwitz

Laura & Andre James

Christine & Jordan Kaplan

Betty & Rick Kim

Kymber Lim & Ted Kim

Autumn & David Konheim

Emma Watts & Jonathan Krauss

Erin Estrada & Ron Laffitte

Morina & Zander Lichstein

Elizabeth & Jon Marashi

Aarti & Jaret Matthews

Nushin Sabet & Farhad Mohit

Yunnie & Greg Morena

Megan & Eric Needleman

Juliet & Jun Oh

Jess Meyer & Tim Pappas

Amy & JB Perrette

Amy Friedlander Hoffman & Todd Hoffman

Nathalie & Michael Huddleston

Alison Greiner & Matthew Jacobson

Roopal & Dylan Jadeja

Jordana & Mark Jaffe

Victoria Hong & Wei Jiang

Lindsey & Matt Karatz

Eryn & Ryan Kilstein

Cate Jenkins & Keith Klein

Ashley & Matt Kline

Charice & Ko Kobayashi

Vivian & Samuel Ku

Jovana Lara-Brooks

Mai & James Lassiter

Mina & Peter Lefevre

Tamara Umansky & Boaz Lev-Ari

Jessica & Lior Lewensztain

Lisa & Kevin Lewin

The Lugash Family

Jamie & Douglas Lynn

Alissa & Daniel Mafrice

Shoreen Maghame

Ingrid Eskeland-Adetuyi & Todd Makurath

Erin & Mike Mand

Leslie & James Margolis

Gregory Marusak

Adie & Brian McPartland

Melinda & Steve Mehringer

Michelle & Yariv Milchan

Kristin & Aaron Bendikson

Amy Green Bray '99 & Tom Bray

Courtney & Noel Bright

Hsiu-Yen & Sean Brosmith

The Broumand Family

Soma Samanta-Buck & Stephen Buck

Michelle & Tyrone Chang

Allison & Adam Checchi

Cristina Wong & Conly Chi

Eileen Kim & Conway Cho

Subha & Neil Chudgar

Nicole Deddens & Ronn Davids

Rosalia Ibarrola & Michael Egner

Roya Ghafouri & Daniel Esmaili

Kerry O'Neill & Martin Estrada

Jennifer & Todd Feldman

Samantha & Jonathan Firestone

Meredith Milton & Jonathan Frank

Caroline Wittcoff & Douglas Fuchs

Tannaz Nikravesh-Galker & Andrew Galker

Jennifer Gold

Carol Schwartz & Elliot Gordon '74

Laura & David Gottlieb

Melissa Papp Green & Jeff Green

Sheri & Michael Green

Jolie & Rick Greenwald

Jessica & Ralph Haberli

Melissa & Brian Haloossim

Mary Alice Haney & Tom Davidov

Ruth & Tom Harkin

Lizette Sanchez-Hayutin & Matthew Hayutin

Jennifer & Marc Heenan

Jennifer & Adam Herschman

Tish Bridges & Dulany Hill

Mavis & Chris Hillin

Eleni Mavromati & John Stasinos

Arika Mittman & Cynthia Stegner

The Steinberg Family

Patricia Park & Joon Suh

Martha & Ari Swiller

Hana Ogawa Sziraki & Kyle Sziraki

Lilian Jensen & Sam Tabibian

Colleen Terpening

Linda & Thomas Tierney Jr

Katherine Jakle & David Travers

The Trilling Family

Jennifer & Spencer Tyler

Vanguard Charitable

Joanne Danto & Arnie Weingarden

Renee & David Yang

Partner $2,500+

Anonymous (6)

Rachel & Jayson Adams

Erika Savage & Philip Alberstat

Cindy Aronberg

Dawn Barrett

Kelly & Stephen Bickle

Jean Liao & Paul Boyd

Ruthanna & Steven Brill

California Community Foundation

Ali & Marc Campbell

Kathy & Al Checchi

Junko & Jason Choy

Cathy & Chris Milton

Allison & Jeffrey Mirkin

Danielle & Kevin Misher

Carlye & Michael Morgan

Allison & Peter Morrison

Roberta & Richard Nathanson

Cheryl & David Nelson

Samantha & Michael Nussbaum

Mindy & Mark Owens

Philip Paccione

Chelsea & Saladin Patterson

Huria & Abhijeet Patwardhan

Joanne & Matt Pauley

Kimberly & Joshua Perttula '88

Stephanie Kleinjan & Sol Poursalimi

Bill Procter

Jennifer Suzuki & Lee Rawles

Lisa Shannon & Peter Rieveschl

Ann Singhakowinta & Jeremy Rogers

Raina & David Rosenblum

Nancy & Kenneth Ruttenberg

Janey & Ryan Sakamoto

Michal Amir Salkin & Ken Salkin '86

Katie Gebhard & Raney Schackne

Lauren & Kevin Scher

Chana & Justin Schuman

Karen Weiss & Brad Schwartz

Ankita & Nilay Shah

Tina & Mike Shayestehfar

Naz & Zad Shooshani

Kalyani Chirra & Peter Simon

Kelly & Matt Sloan

Jessica & Mark Sokol

Linda & Glenn Solomon

Jody & Jacques Stambouli

Julie & Nicholas Ciriello

Alexandra Conrad

Amy Bersch & Christopher Crain

Julie Pan & Jeffrey de Chausse

Amy & Joseph Dickstein

Julie & Steve Dolcemaschio

Bory & Douglas Eastman

Caskey & Mick Ebeling

Rachel & John Edwards

Melanie Murakami & Timothy Eng

Sharon & Chad Eshaghoff

Hugh Evans III

Rene & Danny Farah

The Farar Family

Heidi Feigin

Gulden & Craig Fox

Carol & Kevin Gelbard

Lori & Tom Gilder

Lori & Kirk Goldstein

Gabe Gordon '98

Tamara & Andrew Gross '92

Jacqueline & Ray Hanna

Wendy & Brett Hauser

Rose & Peter Helm

Lauren & David Howard

Carolyn & Danny Huang

Michelle Schurgin & Blake Indursky

Lizna & Abdul Ismail

Rachel Davidson & Jeffrey Janger

Ing Lee & Todd Jerry

Peggy Procter & John Johnston

Dana & Adam Kaller

Taji Yazdany & Barsam Kasravi

Jennifer & Eric Kaufman

Linda Kwak & Jimmy Kim

100 Days of Giving

Carly & Jonathan Kimmel

Britt Johansson & Jeremiah Knight

Amanda & Jeffrey Kolodny

Dalit Toledano & Daniel Krivoy

Karen Kwak

Natalie Kyriakoudis

Mags & Trevor Lavin

Francie Berns & Richard Levin

Jori Finkel & Michael Lubic

Jana & Scott Luirette

Cara & David Luse

Tonja & Ramin Mahallati

Eric Mandel

Alisa Becket & Leo Marmol

Brooke & Dave Marrujo

Dorothy & David Measer

Amirah & Asif Meghani

Hanelle & Jeff Meier

Lorena Barrientos & Mark Merritt

Samantha & Jason Milner

Liz Mirkin & Ryan Mirkin '06

Elizabeth & Bill Molinski

Venisa Ibarra & Tamir Nadborny

Aida Mazaheri & Robert Naraghi

Jamie Chasalow-Neiman & David Neiman

June & Carl Phelps

Lisa & Michael Pierce

Michelle Adelson & Matthew Puopolo

Orit & Nadav Ravid

Jessica & Eric Reid

Erika & Craig Rich

Samantha & Chris Robichaud

Joy & Jason Rothenberg

Melissa Karz & Thomas Rubinson

Allison Bloom & Gabriel Mann

Dorothy & Avram Salkin

Jessica & Scott Samet

Jennifer Howard & Robert Schwentke

Carolyn & Jeremy Shapiro

Amy Cozamanis & Andrew Shikiar

Sharon & Boris Shimanovsky

Chelsea & Greg Shukov

Robyn & Marc Sidoti

Shawn & Jason Silletti

Sara & Lawrence Sloan

Lisa & Mitch Smelkinson

Cheryl & David Snow

Pam & Stephen Soller

Stacey & John Staples

Susie Romano & Randy Steinberg

Veronica Cajigas & Brian Stolz

Georgeann Carras & Adam Stotsky

May & Matt Tenser

Nina Kogan Tepper '86 & Yaniv Tepper

Lexine & Cuyler Tremayne

Jill & Nick van Dyk

Michelle & Robert Watkins

Lynne & Jonathan Weaver

Candice & Perrie Weiner

Evelyn & Manuel Weiskopf

Kerry & Adam Wright

Effie Epstein & Ira Yasnogorodsky '01

Kate Adler & Marcelo Ziperovich

Julian & Jeff Zolkin

Friend Up to $2,500

Anonymous (18)

Alexis Aguirre

Laura Cohen & Arik Ahitov

Jeffrey Allen '18

Kavita Amar

Sabine Dreher & Robert Amin

Estela Zarate & Tait Anderson

John Andrews

Barbi Appelquist

Apple Inc.

Gabriela Venegas & Jren Armon

Natasha Arnold

Shoshana Arunasalam

Mohammad Ashas

Ken Asher

Nisha & Ravi Asnani

Barbara Avilez

Dana & Tracy Baer

Gabe Baez

Richard Bailey

Rachel & Jeffrey Baldino

Bank of America Charitable Giving

Naader Banki '07

Shlomit & David Bard

Katrina & Jordan Barron '05

Jennifer & Gavin Bates

Sarah Beck

Lauren & Todd Behrendt

Marty Behrendt

Annick Bellordre

Benevity Community Impact Fund

Keli Kastrup & Mike Bennett

Suzanne & Marc Berkman

Tisha & Andrew Berman

Karen Van Nuys & Antonio Bernardo

Brian Bernhards

Brittany Berriz

Bridget & Charles Best

Dilan Bhalla '17

Amanda Bickman '19

Jacob Bickman '16

Matthew Bickman '18

Alma Castellanos & Dirk Binkley

Margaret Yuspa & David Blackman

Ali & Don Bland

Phyllis & Robert Blaunstein

Jasmine Blevins '17

The Blum Family Foundation

Elizabeth Boatright-Simon

Kathy & Andrew Bobrow

Michael Bognanno

Susan & Jim Bologna

Michele & Louis Bond

Erin Borgstrom

Cielo Botello-Williams & Michael Williams

Molly & Peter Branch

Kathy & Richard Brisacher

Erika Johnson-Brooks & William Brooks

Amos Buhai '98

Maya Burrell Marrero

Gunilla Byfield

Carmen Camacho

Brandon Cane '00

Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

Mya Caruso

Beatriz Castellanos & Luis Castellanos

Maynor Castellanos

Jocelyn Castillo

Marilyn & Christian Cazun

Polina & Sam Chapiro

Joy Cheng '22

Candice Chiang

Andrea Lieberman & David Chill

Samantha Chinn '86

Sarah Clark

Tammy Clem

Billy Clemens

Roya & Peter Cohen

Shanna Cohen

Joan & Ken Cohn

Pamela Conrad Rosenberg

Bryan Cook

Deb Cook

Amber & Lloyd Cook

Margaret & William Cook

Kira Solmon Cooper '87

Melissa Cowan Cope & Stephen Cope

The Cotsen Family

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

Cara Di Bona

Deborah & Eric Diamond

The Walt Disney Company Foundation

Amparo Durham

Jahmal Durham

Alice & Phillip Eng

Cathy & Jeff Engel-Marder

Valerie & Anthony English

Johnny Enriquez

Patricia & Bruce Eskovitz

Choiwan & David Essey

Carolyn Estrada

Zoe & Adrian Fairbourn

Aaron Farkas '14

Carin & Scott Farkas

Courtney Farkas '20

Reed Farkas '23

Alia Faubert

Ayn Faubert

Alexa Faucette

Joy & Alan Feld

Leah Corselli-Felisan & Stephen Felisan

Erin & David Felman '96

Beth Osisek & Ken Fink

Lauren Bowles & Patrick Fischler

Neilani & Raul Flores Jr

Adine & Dan Forman

Jordan Fox

Michael Fox-Boyd

Asha Francisco

Adena & Bill Frank

Sheila Lawrence & John Frazier

Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.

Aidan Freedman '20

Dana & Alan Frelix

Samantha & Michael Friedland

Julie & Garth Friedrich

Patrick Friel

Jill & Leonard Fromer

Portia & Sean Furst '88

Norma Gamez

Alison Garb

Carlos Garcia

Margarito Garcia

Meresa Garcia '19

Evangelina Morales & Ruben Garcia

Jolie Garwood '96

DJ Gay

Alyson & DeMarkus George

Giso Ghassemi

Tiffanie & Jeff Gilder '08

Barnett Gimbel '98

Naomi & Cameron Gloege

Jana Baumgarten & Michael Goldberg

Hiliana Gomez

Lindsay Gonzales

Edgar Gonzalez

Ashley Goodman

Amy Harkin & Steven Goodrich

Google, Inc.

Carolyn & Adam Gordon '82

Julia Coley & Jerry Goren

Lori Gottlieb

Jyoti Puvvula & Gilberto Granados

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Kimberly Green

Nicole & James Green

Stephanie Grissom

Marjorie & Robert Gross

Ethel Gullette

Janyee Gutierrez

Rachel & Gary Gutkin

Jane Gutman

Alex Haas '08

Brandon Hakim '08

Joanne Rosario & Ernesto Halim

Linda & Marion Hall Jr

Jessica Halloran Goldman '07

Meredith Hamel

Jasmine Parker-Hampton & Jeramy Hampton

Colleen Hargaden

Danielle & Burt Harris Jr

Hillary Heath

Eveneshia Hedgeman

Alayna Held '11

Christina Hendershaw

Susan Herrera

Cynthia Mathis-Herring & Charles Herring

Carlos Higuera

Laurie Hill '88

Miranda Hill '08

Ann-Marie & Nicholas Hobbs

Kristen & David Hodess

Jennifer Leitzes & Jon Hoeber

Schuyler Ha & Richard Hoff

Erika Hoffman

Lauren Hoffman '05

Regina Hoffman

Gail & Robert Holmes

Jennifer McDonnell & Jeff Holsey

Andrea & Scott Holtzman

Marjorie Houston

Ayn Howze '98 & Leonard Howze

Swagata Mandal & Andy Hsu

Molly Hudson

Tiffaney Hughes

Peggy & Francis Hung

Simon Huss

Michelle Nilsson & Ronaldo Ignacio

Julie Zissimopoulos & Ryan Irvine

Monica & David Isaacs

Robin Jacobson Sipkins

Alan Jacobson

Seema & Saurabh Jain

Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Sudha Joga

Ryan Johnston '97

Frances & Josh Jones

Opal & David Judaken

Andrea Kahn '02

Adity & Teddy Kapur

Dana & Alan Katz

Danielle Katz '11

Beth & Christopher Kemp

Farrah Khaleghi Aizenman '07

Christopher Kikuta '90

Corey King

Shelley & Bill Klein

Grant Klein '13

Kevin Kloeker

Chris Klos

Nancy Corshen & Richard Klubeck

Lindsay Knaub

Lauren Kawasaki-Knight & Derek Knight

Daniel Koh

Shawna Kornberg Wexler '01

Cynthia & Mitchell Kraus

Jack Kwit '21

Theo Kwit '24

Julie LaBeach

Cori & Max Lagao

Jeff Lake

Shai Kapur & Sunita Lalvani

Suzan & Matthew Lamishaw

Michael Lammers

Becca Larson

Vanessa Sorenson & Derek Leavitt '95

Leanne Mouw & Andre Leb

Corey Lebowitz '08

Hye & Benjamin Lee

Peter Leeb '00

Michelle & Daniel Lehmann

Nick Lehrhoff '11

Spencer B. Lemann Memorial Fund

Eleanor Suhr & Michael Lerner

Leah & Michael Levine

Elinor & Jonathan Lewis

Duan Peng & Suxi Li

Sarah Lidschin '87

Sheila Darcey & Micah Linton

Lauren & Josh Lippman '95

Stefan Litt

Keren Kohen-Lobel & Dory Lobel

Sara Lofton

Michelle Martinez & Corey LoPrete

Gage & Laura Loveless

Luellen & Daniel Lucid

Laura Luna & Reinaldo Luna

Gretchen Humbert & Colin Maduzia

Jennifer & Charles Malaret

Hatim Malek

Shelly & Martin Mand

Mr. & Mrs. A. Maniker

Susan Getlein & Mark Marcum

Rebecca & Adam Markman '82

Kerri Speck

Corey Marquetti

Stefano Marrero

Cynthia & Joshua Martin

Susan & Josh Marx

Jennifer Benedisuk & Mark Mascolo

Kristie Mattsson

Amanda Cohn Matus '02 & Nick Matus

Fola & Alvin May

Julie Marsh & Steve Mayer

Linda McCormack

Jamey McElvain-Whitman

Tanya McLaughlin

Sandy & Loren Mendell

Jeanet Mendez

Drue Metz

Sydney Michaels '03

Jeff Miller

Amanda Mills

Emily Miner

Amy & Eric Mirich

Abby Morguelan Mirkin '01 & Matthew Mirkin '01

Hillary & Brandon Moglen

Chad Monk

Nicole Monk

Norma & Todd Monroe

James Patric Moran

Greg Moreno

100 Days of Giving

Cori & Landon Morris

Dahlia Morrone

Steph Rae-Duncan Moss & Jonathan Moss

Fanisha & Larry Muepo

Sarah & Chris Musich

Ashley Nahai '06

Brooke Hasegawa-Nakaoka & Kyl Nakaoka

Justin Nasatir '99

Zachary Neufeld

Jordan Newman '04

Amy Weimer & Kevin Newman

Tri Nguyen

Julia & Joel Nickerson

Kathleen Niles

Akiko Nimura

Max Nishimura

Hannah Freed Northenor '99

Wayne Northrup

Katie & Mason Novick

Terence O'Day

Tiffany O'Day

Emily & Eric Olson

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

Gillian Ondaatje '15 & Drew Pion '14

Jenna & Joseph Pitson

Lauren Plant '97

Lauren Reisman Polak '93 & Jeff Polak

Maureen & Noah Pollack

Nora Portillo

Sibylle & Howard Postley '82

Lauri & Jemeel Powell

Susan & Tyrone Powell

Aaron Presser '18

Mary & Mark Presser

You Sun & Brian Ra

Amber & Paul Rainey

Karalyn Ramon

Marisela Ramos

Heather Regnier '04 & Matt Dines

Jennifer Regnier '02

Judith Gonda & Victor Regnier

Malina & John Rego

Michaela & Mischa Reis

Elizabeth & David Ricanati

Lauren Rice

Sophia Lord-Richard & Joe Richard

Dawn Robinson

Deborah Schwartz Rohde '84

Ashley Rose '03

Emily & Colin Rose

Ani Rosen '19

The Holly & Eric Rosen Family

Sydney Rosen '16

Joan & Robert Rosenbaum

James Rothstein

Regina Rubio

Diane & Mark Rudolph

Heide-Marie Rufeh

Deonna Betts-Martin & Darnell Russell Jr

Maria Sibug Saber & Peter Saber

Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program

Amber & Warren Saft '91

James Sainz

Jessica & Steven Samarge

Alli Sanborn Cobar '97

Edward Sanchez

Benjamin Sanders '02

Maryann & Michael Sanders

Shannon Sanders '86

Nayla & Joselito Santo

Alex Sarkissian '09

Jiyoung Moon & Pawel Sasik

Ramona Robinson & Edward Saunders

Lisa & Ian Schapiro

Tirosh Schneider

Rachel Schrote

Emily Fox & Peter Scott

Kate & Pete Scudese

Jyoti Sehdeva & Paul Sehdeva '93

Jackie & Stephen Shapiro

Ryan Shelven

Michael Shephard '13

Kyle Shimoda

Barbara & Herb Siderman

Rochelle & Ian Siegel

Bonnie & Peter Sipkins

Kathleen & Charles Sipkins

Sophie Sloan '24

Ian Sloane

Harriet Silverman & Paul Smelkinson

Cindy & Andrew Smith Lewis

Jennifer & Rob Solomon '87

Zakaria Solotoff

Chantal Spanicciati '01

DeAnn & Rhazes Spell

Zane St. John '22

The Stanwyck Family

Maja Starcevic & Kresimir Petrinec

Jessica & Jonathan Steier '91

Carol & Jay Stein

Eva & Jeffrey Stodel

Carolyn & Norman Straker

Lori Zukerman & Thomas Strouse

Michael Sugarman '05

Jennifer & Sean Sullivan

Joanne Van Emburgh & Sam Surloff

Donata Takahashi

Jacqueline Tate-Naghi & Nicole Tate-Naghi '02

Brette Tell '08

Katie Thoma

Ben Thomas

Julie & Albert Torres

Erica Tukiainen '06

Lori & Barry Turbow '89

Garret Tyau

Alana & Andrew Ungvari

United Way of Deleware

Vivian & Oscar Valladares

Jacob Van der Wilk

Sara & Damon Van Leeuwen

Katherine & Joel VanderKloot

Sarunas Varanauskas

Jacqueline & Adam Varney

Jane Vaynerov Angel '01

Vanessa Vazquez

Jill & Salvador Velazquez

Rene Phillips & Carlos Vidal

Raul Villa

Will Vincent

Lisa & Dennis Walker

Barbara Wallace

The Wallace Family

Melanie Walton

Maia & Matt Wapnick '02

Karol Watson & Christopher Branche

Karen & Alan Weil

Lisa Weinstein

Renee & Stephen Weiss

Julie & Eric Weissman

Amy & Brian Weitman

Eric Weller

Cole Wertlieb '17

Drake Wertlieb '20

Ian Wertlieb '20

La Donna & Neil Wertlieb

Jon Westerman

Jake Williamson

Leslie & David Wimmer

Nicholas Winnie

Sheri & Christopher Winters

The Wonderful Company

Laurel Wong '89

Phaizon Wood

Whitney Wood

Ladan & Farhad Yaghoubi

Connie Yamaguchi

Wenchi Yang Selzer

Jane & TT Yang

Alesia Young & David Lowe

Emily & Peter Yu

Sherif Zakaria

Uriel Aguirre Zamora

Sharon Pearline & Henry Zangwill

Jenn Zanoria

Patricia & Harrison Zanuck

Jenny & Ronen Zipkin

Alejandro Zuniga

TAKES FOCUS

By La Donna Wertlieb,

In February, members of the Windward Fund Committee came together for a dynamic and thoughtful discussion on how we can continue to elevate the 100 Days of Giving campaign. Our goal was clear: to refine our approach in sharing the impact and importance of the Windward Fund with our community. With five key constituency groups and multimedia opportunities at our disposal, we explored best practices to ensure our outreach is as engaging and effective as possible.

Over the past four campaigns, we have embraced a “show, don’t just tell” philosophy—demonstrating tangible results made possible by our donors’ generosity. When I transitioned from parent to the Director of Development and Donor Services, I felt deeply compelled to champion the Windward Fund in a way that resonated personally with families like mine. The Windward Fund is more than a fundraising initiative; it is an investment in our students, faculty, and programs that make our School exceptional.

With that in mind, our committee focused on two key priorities:

Creating Volunteer Materials with a Commitment to Sustainability

Soundbite Appetite: Fewer Words, More Images— effectively reaching donors through straightforward, compelling multimedia storytelling

The conversations were insightful, inspiring, and forward-thinking. As a committee of 65 current parents, we deeply value the dual perspective of parent and donor, and this shared experience shapes and strengthens our efforts.

Looking ahead, we are excited to officially launch the 2025-26 Windward Fund campaign on September 11, 2025 The 100 Days of Giving will continue to support Windward’s mission and its three primary pillars: Program Enhancements, Financial Aid, and Research & Development.

We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers who make this work possible, and we welcome anyone interested in joining this passionate team. If you’d like to be part of this exciting effort, please email lwertlieb@ windwardschool.org—we’d love to have you!

VOLUNTEERS & STEERING COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

Windward Fund and Steering Committee

Volunteers

Rachel Adams

Lisa Alpern

Tait Anderson

Amy Bersch

Dilip Bhavnani

Jenna Binder

Erica Broido

Alexandra Conrad

Phyllis Crotty - SC

Emily Cummins

Sharon Dai

Sabine Dreher

Rene Farah

Justin Farar

Scott Farkas

Patrick Fu

Sabina Gault

Ann Gianopulos - SC

Jennifer Gold

Lori Goldstein

Jennifer Gordon

Brooke Hasegawa- Nakaoka

Matthew Hayutin

Carolyn Huang

Rosalia Ibarrola

Seema Jain

Cate Jenkins

Benjamin Kacev

Shai Kapur

Matthew Karatz Taji

Director of Development & Donor Services

2024-25

Friend Cont.

DEGEORGE FAMILY INNOVATION & ARTS CENTER

With springtime on the horizon, we are counting down the days until the DeGeorge Family Innovation & Arts Center is complete. Our students and faculty are eager to begin working in the new spaces, and excited for the opportunities that await. With its cross-functionality, the space will allow for students to learn, explore, and imagine, creating new ideas with hands-on experiences and bringing visions to reality.

Construction Progress— A glimpse into The Center:

Built to showcase the most state-of-the art Proscenium Theater equipment and technology, on par with wellknown professional venues, this space will offer students and outside artists the opportunity to hone their craft and immerse themselves in an environment that elevates their performances and illustrates their talent. With 250 seats and 6,400 square feet of space, The Theater will offer performers and artists alike the ability to immerse themselves into their craft and collaborate with their peers. The Theater will also provide much needed space on campus for guest speakers, class meetings, group presentations, and parent events.

The IDEA Floor represents a unique opportunity to facilitate a partnership between the burgeoning technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. These spaces empower a pedagogy that favors the making mindset and will support makers, entrepreneurs, programmers, budding engineers, and roboticists. The spaces are spacious workplaces supporting students with modern design and fabrication tools coupled with the best prototyping technology (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, woodworking tools, embroidery machines, etc.).

Community Keynote Stage & Recital Hall

A transformative space, offering students and creators unprecedented opportunities for creative freedom and technological innovation in theatre, music, dance, and media arts. This venue will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating advanced tools and technologies to help choreographers, composers, performers, and filmmakers redefine their art. The Hall, with its ideal presentation space, will provide space for keynote speakers, TED Talks, Division Meetings, Class Assemblies, Senior Capstone Presentations and so much more!

Art Gallery

The Gallery, with its 24-foot-tall ceilings and a wide clerestory window, will be home to large scale paintings and sculptures, as well as state of the art acoustics and projectors for video and sound art exhibitions. Exhibitions will be designed to maximize the impact of the existing architecture, while also taking advantage of its large volume to include a wide variety of lighting and presentation effects. The space will be used to display cross-disciplinary exhibits, like the inaugural “LA River Exhibition,” which is an all-department, faculty/ student project, intended to set the tone for such future programming, combining substantive Windward pedagogy in an arts context.

Since the beginning of our Innovation Campaign, Co-Chairs and Steering Committee have volunteered their time, expertise, and resources to inform and fundraise for our capital campaign. We are grateful for each member of the Committee, past and present, and extend our sincere gratitude for their dedication to our Windward community and for helping create the next chapter in Windward’s history.

CURRENT INNOVATION CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE PAST INNOVATION CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Phyllis Crotty (Elle ‘24 & Luke ‘26)

Marco DeGeorge (Rocco ‘29)

Ann Gianopulos (Alexa ‘21 & Niki ‘23)

Alex Kwit - Co-Chair (Jack ‘21 & Theo ‘24)

Jordan Kaplan - Co-Chair (Claire ‘19 & Jace ‘25)

Maria Mancuso (Greta ‘18 & James ‘20)

Rich Pachulski - Co-Chair (Nicola ‘22)

Matt Pauley (Truman ‘23, Channing ‘24, & Gibson ‘25)

Pamela Schwab (Jordan ‘23 & Zachary ‘25)

Moira Shourie (Jai ‘21, Zubin ‘22, Neel ‘30, & Seth ‘30)

Maie St. John (Zane ‘22, Jude ‘24, & Adam ‘30)

Gareth Asten (Claire ‘23)

Bryan Ezralow - Former Co-Chair (Alexandra ‘12, Spencer ‘14, & Preston ‘17)

Jonathan Firestone (Hudson ‘28)

Jason Finger (Wesley ‘22 & Eve ‘25)

Ed Gargiulo (Ava ‘21, Emma ‘21, & Jack ‘24)

Brad Gluckstein (Sonya ‘19, Leila ‘21, & Jonah ‘30)

Michael Hackman (Gabrielle ‘10)

Pamela Mass (Nolan ‘17, Oliver ‘19, & Theo ‘22)

Bob Platt (Carly ‘23 & Aaron ‘23)

Tony Rubin - Former Co-Chair (Jacob ‘10 & Gena ‘15)

Andrew Schwartzberg (Sophie ‘22, Ava ‘24, & Kate ‘26)

Michelle Taub (Hannah ‘20, Judah ‘23, & Leila ‘25)

Perrie Weiner - Former Co-Chair (Jenny ‘16 & Matt ‘17)

Brian Weitman (Chloe ‘17 & Zack ‘22)

Neil Wertlieb (Cole ‘17, Drake ‘20, & Ian ‘20)

A Note of Gratitude for our Co-Chairs and Steering Committee:

Allison & Bennett Rosenthal Theater

IDEA Floor

It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that we acknoweldge and thank the following families for their commitment to Windward and their investment in the Innovation Campaign.

$5MM+

Anonymous (1)

The DeGeorge Family

$2MM+

Anonymous (1)

The Milken Family

Allison & Bennett Rosenthal

The Schwartzberg Family

$1MM+

Anonymous (4)

The Ahmanson Foundation

Krystyna & Dan Houser

Christine & Jordan Kaplan

Nushin Sabet & Farhad Mohit

$500,000+

Anonymous (1)

Valerie & Faraz Daneshgar

Shannon & Dean Factor

Caroline & Michael Hackman

Joanne & Navid Mahmoodzadegan

Lorraine & Damien McCann

Dana & Richard Pachulski

Amy & JB Perrette

The Shourie Family

The Wiczyk Family

$250,000+

Anonymous (5)

Shainaz Donnelly Burg & Mark Burg

The Cayton Family

The Crotty Family

The Cwiertnia Family

The Elbaz Family Foundation

Theane Evangelis & James Kousoulas

Quinn & Bryan Ezralow

Angela Asher & Ted Fikre

The Karno Glaser Family

Nancy & Jon Glaser

The Grahame-Smith Family

Adity & Teddy Kapur

The Kwit Family

Samantha & Jason Milner

Allison & Jeffrey Mirkin

The O'Connor Family

The Rosenthal Family

Amy Klimek & Joshua Roth

Pamela & Matt Schwab

Lia & Jeffrey Seabold

Josh Simms

The Tuzon Stone Family

The Yi Family

$100,000+

Anonymous (10)

The Albert Family

The Alpern Family

The Altieri Family

Lori & Howard Altman

Michelle & Gareth Asten

Bhavnani Family Foundation

The Binder Foundation

Jenna & Todd Binder

Nicole & Brad Brooks

Jennifer & Mercel Chambers

Jo Champa

The Comisar Family

Cara Di Bona

Jenine & Eric Dreisen

Jenni Kayne-Ehrlich & Richard Ehrlich

Julia & Jonathan Eng

The Finger Family

Samantha & Jonathan Firestone

The Foster Family

Evanne & Edward Gargiulo

Jennifer Garner

Gary Gersh

The Glass Family

Carol Schwartz & Elliot Gordon '74

The Gordon Family

Susan Winfield & Stephen Grynberg

Nathalie & Michael Huddleston

Sophia Whang & Bobby Lee

Wendy & Gary Leshgold

Lisa & Kevin Lewin

The Lippman Family

The Lugash Family

Maria Mancuso

The Mass Family

The MCJ Amelior Foundation

Michelle & Yariv Milchan

Staci & Adam Miller

Candace & Charles Nelson

The Newkirk Family

Christine & Richard Newman

The Ouchi Tsai Gallon Families

The Pauley Foundation

Kelly & Darren Peers

The Phelps Family

Rachael & Bob Platt

Tristan Bickman & David Ribakoff

Laura & Kenny Rogers

The Rosenbaum Family

The Richard Salomon Family Foundation

R&S Kayne Foundation

Dana & Evan Schlessinger

Paulina & Carlos Smith

The St. John Family

The Stratton Family

The Trilling Family

Tina Holmes & John Tripp

Candice & Perrie Weiner

Amy & Brian Weitman

Elisabeth & Rich Welch

La Donna & Neil Wertlieb

Sharon Dai & Eric Zabinski

$50,000+

Anonymous (4)

John Andrews Nadine Bell

The Benudiz Family

Lorraine & Joe Berchtold

Alex & Jason Brent

Alison Garb

Risa Gertner

Cathy & Josh Goldsmith

Shiva & Cyrus Hadavi

Stacey & Stephen 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

Juliet & Jun Oh

Judith Hayward & Michael Parks

Kimberly & Joshua Perttula '88

Leanne & Jeff Richardson

The Sachs Family

Sheri & Shawn Sani

The Slewett Family

Bart Williams up to $49,000

Anonymous (5) Randye Soref & Michael Abrams

Jennifer & Chris Andrews

Jamie & Michael Angus

Karol Watson & Christopher Branche

Rachel & John Edwards

Katherine & Sean Eskovitz

The Farar Family

Lori & Tom Gilder

Sheri & Michael Green

Jamie & Joshua Gutfreund

The Gutman Family

Stacie & Bryan Hausner

Randy & Jon Hurwitz

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

Adie & Brian McPartland

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 Alvarez Taub & David Taub

Amy & Jon Turteltaub

Courtney & Jared Wolff

Malea & Reza Zafari

Gina Deutsch-Zakarin & Mark Zakarin

OUR PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

Turner Construction

The DeGeorge Family Innovation & Arts Center and the Milken Family Community Gathering Plaza represent the final pieces of the School's current Innovation Campaign. To help make these state-of-the-art spaces a reality, in 2023 Windward began its partnership with Turner Construction, a North America-based, international construction services company and a leading builder in diverse market segments. Turner is supported by an Innovation Strategy Committee— a group of senior leaders who are enthusiastic about advancing audacious goals. Their global network of Innovation Champions also plays a key role in innovation development. This group of front-line staff bring a diversity of thought, expertise, and customer-centric perspectives to innovation development, and have been a welcome addition to the larger Windward community.

“We are so excited to be a part of the Innovation & Art Center construction project,” shares Andrew Kung, Project Manager. “It’s been a pleasure working with the amazing Windward team every day! Since breaking ground in 2023, our team has been working tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The anticipation is building as we move closer to completing the stateof-the-art theaters and innovation classrooms above. We can't wait for everyone to experience and enjoy this incredible new space!”

SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2025

As Summer approaches, the Windward Network is excited to unveil this year’s extensive internship program, offering opportunities at 40 companies for Windward students and college-age alumni in a variety of industries. The internship program is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, allowing participants to gain insights into their chosen fields and develop essential skills that will serve them well in their future careers.

The Windward Network is committed to offering internships that reflect the interests of our students and alumni, as well as the current needs and trends in various sectors. This Summer's program includes unique opportunities in:

In addition to our long-running partnership with Boeing, we’ve added new opportunities at companies including Astrolab, Athlete Interactive, and the Honor Fraser Gallery.

Medicine has historically been one of our most popular sectors, and for this reason we are excited to add five new opportunities this Summer, including shadowing Dr. May Kim Tenser at USC, and working with the Blue Dove Rehabilitation Team.

This Summer we’ve added multiple exciting internship opportunities, including interning for writer Wendy Straker Hauser, at the Tornante Company, and at Broken Road Productions.

We also have exciting opportunities in other sectors including Finance, Non-Profit, Start-Ups, Real Estate, and more! To learn about these and about the Windward Network internship program in general, please scan the QR code.

“ I worked as a Marketing and Communications Intern at JVS, where I learned a lot about PR, digital/graphic design, social media management, and the ins and outs of office life. I worked on a capstone project for my entire time at the internship, where I created a flowchart on the refugee process (in coming to America and living independently), and the funding required to allow refugees to come to America. I was also fortunate enough to assist in leading an event where the organization gave scholarships away, and I got to speak to hundreds of people, as well as feel like I was making a difference in the community.” Charlotte Cope ‘25

1. STEAM

Medicine 3. Entertainment

FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER

A Discussion with Hire Options

On February 13, the Windward Network hosted an inspiring and hands-on community event for 10th Grade students, welcoming Hire Options, a Los Angeles-based recruiting and staffing agency, to share valuable insights about the application and interview process. This special gathering was led by Hire Options guest speaker Christy Kreisberg, parent to Windward alumna Lily ’18, and Robin Pickett, Director of Windward Network, offering Windward Sophomores a chance to learn the essentials as they prepare to become internship-eligible.

The event kicked off with an engaging presentation by Christy, who guided students through a comprehensive set of "dos and don'ts" for resume building and interviews. With years of experience in the recruiting world, Christy explained both the fundamentals and the ever-evolving landscape of job applications. From the enduring importance of making a strong first impression—eye contact, a firm handshake, and presenting an authentic voice—to the latest technological shifts that are shaping resumes and interviews, Christy provided a well-rounded view of what employers are looking for. While the tools and formats continue to change, Christy emphasized that timeless qualities such as authenticity and confidence remain key to standing out in today’s competitive job market.

The session wasn’t just about talking theory—it was about putting advice into action. Christy invited students to participate in a unique, hands-on opportunity: a live mock interview. One brave Sophomore, Jacob Essey, stepped up to the challenge, agreeing to be interviewed in front of classmates and peers. This real-time experience gave Jacob the chance to practice answering tough questions, highlight personal strengths, and showcase a positive, proactive attitude—all under the mentorship and guidance of Christy. By the end of the mock interview, Jacob was able to demonstrate what it takes to present oneself with poise and confidence, making a memorable impression on anyone watching.

Christy’s thoughtful feedback and personalized coaching proved invaluable for the students, offering them a glimpse

into what a real interview might look like and helping them hone the skills they’ll need in their future careers. “Every year I continue to be impressed with the 10th Grade class that we work with,” shares Christy. “I love staying connected to Windward and being able to help give students the tools they need to succeed, and it’s equally wonderful to see how excited they are about the amazing opportunities that the Windward Network offers!”

As students left the event, it was clear that they were not only better equipped with the technical tools to build standout resumes, but also armed with the confidence to consider their career journeys. “I can already tell that this class is eager to explore what lies ahead,” says Robin. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the students better and helping them find Summer opportunities!”

FROM STUDENT TO STEWARD ELLIOT GORDON '74

In 1974, Elliot Gordon etched his place in Windward history as a member of the School’s third graduating class. Over the next five decades, Elliot’s connection to Windward became even deeper as his roles changed and grew—first as a student, then as a Windward parent, and for nearly two decades as a member and Chair of the School’s Board of Trustees. His long-standing relationship with Windward reflects his deep appreciation for the School’s core mission and enduring vision, one he has helped to steer as a Chair of Windward’s Strategic Plan Committee, as well as Co-chair of the Head of School Search Committee which helped to identify Windward’s next leader, Sarah Beck.

While a young student at Paul Revere Junior High, Elliot had two favorite teachers - Shirley Windward and Carl Parsons. “Shirley Windward was my English teacher and her co-founder, Carl Parsons, my history teacher,” Elliot recalls. “They were bright shining lights in an otherwise dull educational atmosphere. Shirley’s enthusiasm for the written word and bringing characters to life was infectious. And Carl’s teaching went far beyond the traditional regurgitation of historical facts and gave us the tools to think about why things happened and how to understand broader historical and political trends.”

When Elliot learned that Shirley and Carl were starting their own school, he knew he had to attend. It was a bold choice - forgoing the more traditional route to attend a “start-up” school with just 60 students in a small building behind Wilshire Boulevard - but Elliot credits his parents for supporting his decision. Followed by his three siblings, all of whom also graduated from the School, Elliot has no doubt that his decision was the correct one.

Once at Windward, Elliot was immediately taken by one of the early innovations of its teaching and learning model. “Windward was pioneering the ‘block’ system in which we dedicated an entire week to one area of study,” he explains. “I chose the ‘law’ block, during which we had the opportunity to meet and learn from lawyers and judges and attend trials.” This experience not only deepened his interest in law, but it also gave him a sense of direction that followed him even after leaving the School. “I loved the chance to dive into a particular subject and that experience was formative in inspiring me to pursue a legal career,” Elliot says. “I still have the notebook I used to write down my observations during trials.”

Decades later, Elliot’s son, Daniel, was accepted to Windward, joining a school that had grown significantly in size and resources since Elliot’s time. However, while the campus and programs had changed, the School’s

core principles remained the same. “When Daniel started, the School was 40 years old and had a campus and resources we could only have dreamed of in 1971,” Elliot says. “But the reasons Shirley founded the school were still very much present: great teachers who seek to inspire a love of learning, and a focus not only on academic achievement, but personal growth and the opportunity to explore different interests.”

While at Windward, Daniel thrived in Windward’s music and theater programs (as shown in his performance as Cyrano de Bergerac, pictured above). “Daniel always enjoyed it when Shirley Windward was in the audience,” Elliot says. “Although he did not pursue this area professionally, his experience taught him about teamwork and allowed him to be very comfortable in front of an audience, skills that have helped him throughout his education and career.”

As a parent and then later a member (and eventual Chair) of the School’s Board of Trustees, Elliot also had the opportunity to work closely with Tom Gilder, Windward’s Head of School of 38 years. In Tom, Elliot saw that the School had found not only an executor of the mission set forth by the School’s founders, but a visionary able to turn that mission into decades of sustained progress. “I have been able to enjoy a close-up look at all that goes into being a Head of School, some of which is not always readily visible,” Elliot explains. “It’s impossible to overstate Tom’s contribution to Windward. He has been instrumental in obtaining the resources we enjoy today.”

As Tom prepares to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year, Elliot looks forward to celebrating his many accomplishments. “As he finishes

his tenure, we will celebrate the crowning achievement of his master plan – our Innovation & Arts Center,” shares Elliot. “But he has put in just as much time and energy to developing an amazing faculty and staff devoted to the education and well-being of our students. Perhaps what I admire most is that even after 38 years, Tom never rests on his laurels and constantly looks for ways to make the school even better, always through careful research and planning rather than trend chasing.”

Looking ahead to the future of Windward, which will welcome new Head of School Sarah Beck this July, Elliot remains committed to the School and its enduring mission. For Elliot, it’s easy to stay connected to the community, having experienced firsthand the generational joys his dedication to Windward has provided for him and his family. “My experiences, as well as my son Daniel’s, helped shape our lives, and my service is a way of paying that forward,” he says.

That service again goes back to the ethos of the School that Elliot connected with so strongly when he began his own journey back in 1971.

“While Windward has changed in many ways and has long lost the ‘funkiness’ of the 1970s, my mission is to ensure that Shirley’s vision of what a school should be remains the beating heart of Windward – a place where faculty develop strong bonds with and inspire students, and where every Windwardian is appreciated for who they are and encouraged to grow not only as a learner but as an individual and community member,” Elliot concludes. “Those have been Tom’s guiding principles, and I know they will be the North Star for Sarah Beck as well.”

TAKING CHARGE

A key element of the Windward experience is encouraging students to explore various departments to gain a well-rounded understanding of different fields. For Jasmine Blevins ’17, a requirement for Windward’s Advanced Theatre Ensemble sparked a career-defining interest that shapes her journey as a video producer and editor for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers even today.

As part of the Theatre Ensemble, Jasmine was required to participate in multiple aspects of the School’s annual plays and musicals. During her Senior year, she decided to take on the role of assistant director for Urinetown the Fall Musical. This decision was driven partly by Jasmine’s desire to stay flexible with her basketball commitments, but it also exposed her to the broader scope of theater production. “It was the first time I had ever had the opportunity to see the full scope of what it means to produce a show from beginning to end, including choosing blocking, sets, and scene choices,” Jasmine explains. “While others may have been getting fatigued during cue-to-cue sessions, I realized that I loved every second of it.”

That experience coincided with another newly discovered interest, working as a videographer and production assistant for her local congregation at the age of 16. There, she gained hands-on experience in learning the basics of camera settings, camera angles, technical directing, lighting techniques, and audio mixing. Beyond the technicalities, it was the importance of having a clear vision that really stuck out. Says Jasmine, “The most impactful thing I learned was how to film and edit functionally and

with intention and then allow those decisions to fuel my creativity.” This idea—understanding not just the subject but the purpose and direction behind each shot— became a cornerstone of her professional philosophy.

After Windward, Jasmine set her eyes on the sports industry, initially working as a seasonal production assistant for the Chargers and as a digital media producer for the USC Athletic Department. Arriving at a time when sports production was highly influenced by social media, she spent her early years creating short-form, hype-based content for recruiting purposes. After a few years of creating quickly consumed content, Jasmine knew she needed a change.

“I wanted to return to longer form storytelling and more produced work,” she shares. “This was around the same time that the sports industry had begun to invest in documentaries as well. New shows such as SPRINT and QUARTERBACK had garnered a lot of attention. The Chargers already had a long-form show called ALL In, and with the influx of interest, were looking to build their department out.” Thanks to her networking at USC and the strong work ethic she had displayed in her seasonal position, Jasmine was recruited back to the Chargers to join their growing video production department. For Jasmine, the move could not have been more perfect. “I knew that growing my skills in storytelling and cinematography were goals of mine as I continued in my career, and I believed returning to the Chargers was the perfect step in that process.” Working in the fast-paced, unpredictable world of sports production comes with its own set of challenges. For one,

there are no blanket expectations for what is and isn’t allowed, as each of the numerous professional sports teams have their own individual rules and restrictions. That extends to access to the players and coaches themselves, making the job of content creation sometimes difficult. “Sometimes respective coaches and players are not open to being in produced content,” Jasmine explains. “They are camera shy, or see it as a distraction to their goal of winning. When that happens, we as a content department have to find ways to tell the story of the team and the organization without having much access to what is going on.”

She uses Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert as an example of someone more focused on winning than promotion. “While it would be ideal for one of our biggest stars to be in the majority of our content, that is not the reality of our situation,” Jasmine notes. “We have to plan content that is less produced and focused on what naturally occurs in a football work week. This content may revolve around great plays he made, practice photos, or other events that center around football that he will participate in. It’s imperative to tailor our content, especially our longer form content, to the personalities of the players. This maximizes their engagement, is more authentic to them, and creates the best piece of work.”

Beyond the logistical considerations, even gaining access to the proper equipment proved to be an early hurdle when Jasmine was first starting out. While still in college, Jasmine made it a goal to invest in the tools she needed to effectively compete in the industry. “I made financial spreadsheets with the goal to own quality cameras and keep up with the latest advancements in tech,” she shares. “Reaching those financial goals are some of my favorite accomplishments. Being able

to use equipment that I feel confident with, and chose myself, gives me the opportunity to feel free as I create and film.”

Looking ahead, Jasmine sees her career continuing to evolve, with an eventual shift toward scripted television production. Though she loves working in sports and is proud of her accomplishments, she has aspirations of moving into feature writing and producing. Her passion for dramatic storytelling and writing, first nurtured during her time at Windward and further developed at USC, continues to shape her career goals. “I would love to write and produce features on some of my favorite historical heroes such as Stagecoach Mary and Ida B. Wells, and tell the stories of those who survived moments in history such as the Red Summer of 1919.”

As Jasmine reflects on her career, she points to the guidance and support she received from her teachers at Windward as key contributors to her ongoing success. “I loved breaking down books and historically important literary works with all of my English teachers, such as Charlie Holmes, and flexing my own creative muscles in my theater, improv, and creative writing classes,” Jasmine recalls. “Teachers such as Brendan Constantine, Natasha Arnold, and Jordan Fox were especially impactful in building my foundation in the arts and encouraging me to pursue my interest in the field. I am also thankful for James Moran, the director of Urinetown who allowed me to assistant direct and watch his process. The exposure to the craft that I had at Windward is critical to the projects I lead today, and as I continue to move forward in my career.”

Windward’s TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

South