Campus Culture

Emerson L.

Upper School Art Exhibition Shows Westridge’s True Colors

Just weeks from the end of school, Westridge art teachers wipe down their tables, and students frantically work through lunches in preparation for their final exhibition. The Upper School Art Exhibition is a chance for students who spend their year working (literally and sometimes figuratively) underground to share their work with family and friends. This year’s exhibition took place on April 26 and included contributions from students enrolled in Photography, Painting and Drawing, Time-Based Art, Clay Design/Sculpture, and 3D Design.

May 20 • Emerson L

Elisa D.

Does Westridge Teach Global Cultural Competency? Not Yet, But It Is Trying.

Students Rehearse For The Annual CAP Showcase

The monkey in a cage was a shock. Held behind wooden bars, its intelligent eyes stared beyond the Borneo interim students and chaperones into the lush jungle. This view was unexpected and mildly sickening—the monkey seemed far too aware of its own entrapment—causing participants to question their responsibility as guests in a foreign environment. What was the appropriate response? Should they say something? Ignore it?

May 20 • Sophia K.

May 20 • Isabella W.

An "Ode" to the Poetry Anthology

The Poetry Anthology might just be the most notorious and daunting assignment at Westridge. Every year, juniors are tasked with compiling a collection of 25 poems, including one in a foreign language and at least two they have written themselves, that fall under a specific theme of choice. After collecting said poems, they must also provide ten short analyses and five long ones. A year-long endeavor, this assignment challenges students to discover new artists, familiarize themselves with a wide variety of poetry forms, and learn about culture and history through the lens of language.

May 20 • Isabel A.

The 2019 Dance Concert

With styles ranging from jazz to contemporary, the annual dance concert took place on April 26 and 27. The “Expressions” dance concert featured dances from the beginning, intermediate, and advanced dance classes, as well as four soloists and two student-choreographed dances.This years theme, “Expressions,” was

created by Kashmir Blake, Middle & Upper School Dance teacher. “There were so many variations of dances that it was an expression of many people’s creativity,” said Blake.

The Class of 2019: Where They're Headed

Continuing in a Spyglass tradition, check out this compiled list of the seniors and the colleges they will be attending. You can also check out some secret senior confessions. congratulations to the class of 2019

May 20 • Caroline P.

May 20 • Isabella W.

Local & World

New Abortion Legislation Sparks Debate Across the Country

Ms. Bizar Explores The Holocaust with March of the Living

New abortion legislation in Georgia and Alabama stormed the news this week, grabbing the headlines of major newspapers and gaining the attention of every broadcasting station. Republican Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed the “heartbeat bill” on Tuesday, and Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed a similar bill on Wednesday. The bills are set to go into effect in both states by January 1, 2020.

May 20 • Caroline L.

Female Athlete Caster Semenya Loses Landmark Case Over Testosterone Levels

On April 2018, the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) introduced regulations requiring female athletes born with differences in sexual development (DSDs) to lower their testosterone levels in order to compete internationally in events between 400m and a mile. The IAAF argued that these new rules were to protect female sports, as DSD athletes supposedly have an advantage over the rest of the field.

May 20 • Caroline L.

Gigi Bizar

Gigi Bizar and friend take picture with her delegation in Israel.

30 marches, 260,000 participants and 52 different countries make up the March for the Living. For the past 31 years, 260,000 participants have marched through 52 countries in remembrance of the Jewish Holocaust in what is known as the March of the Living. This year, one of Westridge’s own, Ms. Bizar, will join the march for the second time.

May 20 • Sophia H-K.

Jess Rosales; Host, Vivian Chan, Culinary Producer and Host of Food Network; Dave Piendak, Comedy Segment Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden; Sarah Toutant, USC Doctoral Student in Urban Education Policy; and Ruben Dario Villa, Designer at Google and Founder of Fúchilia Fresheners

Tournament Of Roses Hosts First Youth Conference

Instead of sleeping in on a Saturday morning, over 200 teenagers packed the Pasadena Convention Center on May 11 at 8:30 a.m. Students from various high schools in the San Gabriel Valley, including public and private schools, all came together for #ThisGen2019, an inaugural half-day conference aimed at empowering youth. Students came together to learn about breaking barriers and overcoming obstacles to reach their goals. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, a volunteer-driven non-profit organization, took over five months to plan the event, which was described as an “interactive forum designed to engage youth in the Southern California community and empower them for the future.”

Gracie S.

May 20 • Gracie S.

Features

Jackie Y., Sophia H-K., Mary Tuck

Tracy Hoffman (left); Pam Garcia (top right); Mary Tuck (bottom right)

Westridge Says Goodbye

As our year comes to a close, Spyglass would like to say goodbye to all those leaving the Westridge Community. Read one of our four features on those retiring, as well as short pieces on the other faculty that are moving on to exciting positions elsewhere. We are grateful for all of their time at Westridge. We wish you all the best of luck.

May 20 • Spyglass Staff

Alumni Spotlight:

Sigrid Burton, '69

Muslim Students Celebrate Ramadan During APs and Finals

This issue’s alumni spotlight focuses on Sigrid Burton, ’69. This year’s Alumnae Ranney recipient, Sigrid attended UC Berkeley and then transferred to Bennington College before graduating. Spyglass spoke to Burton about her upcoming art exhibition, her reception of the Ranney Award, and advice for future artists.

May 2o • Jackie Y.

For some students, balancing academic and religious commitments can pose a particular challenge. This year, Ramadan started on May 6. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The intent is to purify oneself physically, emotionally, and spiritually through fasting, but it’s also an opportunity to connect oneself with something bigger: “Allah” or God.

May 20 • Sophia H-K & McKenna B.

Soap L.

Op-Ed

Julius Caesar Brings Bloody, Savage Statecraft Into the Present Day

Independent Shakespeare Co.

Before the start of the show, an actor in character as Cinna the poet, wine bottle in hand, broke the fourth wall to directly address the audience and explain how to lend their voices to crowd scenes, as cued by large monitors framing the stage. As the crowd, self-consciously at first, then more enthusiastically, shouted “Cinna the poet!” and the senators onstage filed into position, it was clear that this night at the Independent Shakespeare Company was no conventional production of Julius Caesar.

May 20• Emerson L.

May 20• Caroline P.

This is our final edition of Spyglass 2018-2019. It is crazy to think that just one year ago, we said goodbye to all of our Spyglass senior editors and our faculty advisor, and decided to remodel Spyglass into a fully digital format. The paper has transformed in a way I never could have foreseen. Over the summer the editorial team met and dreamed about what we wanted our paper to be. We came up with four mission words: effort, attitude, teamwork, and ownership all under the guise of creating community. Despite being amazing words by which to live, these words have become the backdrop to a successful paper this year. I truly believe that Spyglass runs on these words and I am so proud of this paper and the team we have assembled this year. Reflecting on our beginning and when we came up with our original plan, I now realize how many goodbyes have to be said.

May Editor's Note

Athletics

The team at the CIF finals.

Melanie Horn

Softball Advances to CIF Finals

Westridge Softball had a groundbreaking season, playing in the CIF-SS Division Final game this past week. Even though they came out the runner-up with a final score of 3-0, this team has shown amazing dedication and talent throughout the season, ending the year with a 13-8 record.