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Features

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The Ins and Outs of Leadership at Westridge

Every other Tuesday, April Verlato attends Arcadia’s City Council meeting. Every time she speaks, it’s in front of a room primarily full of--or only--men, but that hasn’t deterred her from sharing her voice, advocating for ideas, and in essence, serving as a leader. Why? Verlato is the Mayor of Arcadia.

December 16• Katie S.
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Hannah W.
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Overheard Westridge is More Than a Form of Entertainment 

@overheard.westridge, which was first started in January of 2018 and is a spoof off of the popular Instagram accounts @overheardla and @overheardnewyork, is anonymously run. With posts ranging from “college is a religion and I’m atheist” to “how do you discreetly throw a mango onto the roof,” the account is dedicated to posting funny, unusual things students and staff have overheard or said on campus. 

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November 18 • Jackie Y.

Sustainability at Westridge:

One year later, how are we doing?

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After graduating from Westridge, Elizabeth Huttinger ’68 spent most of her career as a two-time grant recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges in Global Health Program for the study of water kjbkj

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Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth Huttinger ’68

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It’s been one year since the Commons began its sustainability efforts.  In an attempt to become more environmentally aware, Westridge removed all plastic bottles, lids, and straws from the Commons and replaced them with greener alternatives. Spyglass decided to check back in with the community and ask, “How successful has Westridge been in maintaining a more sustainable campus?”

parasite diseases. Spyglass talked with her to learn about what she is up to now, her favorite part of her job, and the advice she would give to current students who want to pursue a career in research.

November 18 • Jackie Y.
November 18 • Hailey T.
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Westridge Welcomes New Staff

As our year begins, Spyglass would like to welcome all those new to the Westridge Community. Read our feature on the new Head of Lower and Middle School, Dr. Zanita Kelly, by clicking on her photo, as well as short pieces on the other faculty that have arrived this year. We are grateful for their new presence on campus. We can't wait to get to know them all!

October 1 • Spyglass Staff

Dr. Zanita Kelly (left); Stephanie Bolton (top); Lily Shang (bottom)

Empathy and Connection Backdrop New School Year

October 1 • Emily S.

Every year at Convocation, students, faculty, staff, and parents return to campus and settle into the gym to hear the traditional speeches from Head of School Elizabeth McGregor and the new ASB President. This year McGregor’s speech discussed the new theme of empathy and connection, which seems to be a continuation of last year’s theme of integrity.

Parents Getting Schooled

Westridge Introduces New Detention Policy

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Cale S. '21, Liv B. '21, Cara W. '21 Nica K. '21 and Phoebe J. '21 in Thursday detention

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September is the time to welcome new members of the community: new staff, new faculty, new students, and this year, a new disciplinary policy: detention. Even though the new policy is in response to faculty and administration’s frustration about lack of consequences for behavioral violations, dress code violations appear to be the main reason for the new policy.

October 1 • Sophia HK. & Bella W.
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Last spring, Dr. Lisa Carruthers, Director of Counseling and Student Support, and Dr. Jim Holland, Westridge’s Research Initiative Coordinator, began thinking ahead to this December, when author and psychologist Lisa Damour is scheduled to speak about her 2019 book, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls, which was also the assigned summer reading for faculty and staff. Their meeting ended with a proposal to create a platform for parents to engage and discuss the book.

Alumni Spotlight:

Nina Guo ’11

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Soprano Nina Guo ’11 sings worldwide, including performing at Westridge last year with her double-bass partner Eddie Kass. Spyglass talked with Guo about her job and her advice for students who want to pursue a career in music.

October 1 • Jackie Y.
October 1 • Emily S. & Isabel A.
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