August 2017 Issue

CHRONICLE the harvard-westlake

Los Angeles • Volume 27 • Issue 1 • Aug. 28, 2017 • hwchronicle.com

Charlottesville: reflections from one campus to another

By Eli Adler

Spencer Perryman ’15 watched the TV with horror as a car barreled down the historic one-way street, pummeling everything and everybody in its path.

He recognized the stores and the restaurants. He saw a fragment of the city he thought he had known so well. How could the town he loved so much contain so much hatred? Did he choose a school and a community that didn’t support his fundamental views?

Perryman, for a moment, felt he had misunderstood Charlottesville. After spending two years at the University of Virginia, he believed the city was fun, open and, most importantly, safe.

The attack unnerved him.

• Continued on B3

ELI ADLER/CHRONICLE

Search ends for Director of Diversity

By Alena Rubin Associate Director of Admission Janine Jones (Taylor ’18, Avery ’23) will serve as the official Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion after being previously named Interim Director last school year.

Science teacher Nate Cardin will assist Jones as the Coordinator of DEI in addition to being a teacher.

The creation of new positions focusing on diversity follows last year’s school-wide conversation about race and sexuality and the DEI Climate Assessment.

Jones and Cardin are focusing on initiatives to increase hiring of diverse fac-

ulty, altering curricula to be more diverse, working with student-run affinity groups and giving faculty the tools to discuss current events in the classroom.

They will also be resources for the community.

“My door is always open,” Jones said. “I think, honestly, that’s the thing that I want students and faculty alike to know. While I’m happy to help through a problem that has arisen, I would love to be engaged and have conversations with students before things become a true problem.”

Jones said that the changes that require the most focus are professional development for faculty and staff and pay-

ing more attention to curricla.

Administrators promised to implement these reforms during a meeting with affinity group leaders in February.

Jones began preparing strategies to help solve these issues over the summer.

Jones said that she has arranged for faculty conventions this year to serve as opportunities for professional development on DEI issues.

For example, an annual faculty lunch was utilized as a time to train faculty in LGBTQ issues, and the entirety of Professional Growth Day will be devoted to DEI. At a faculty meeting Tuesday, she held a workshop outlining a framework for which

faculty members can discuss current events in the classroom.

“If they are able to present those seven agreements to classes before they engage in a conversation about current events, and if everyone in the class agrees to adhere to them, these conversations can be substantially more productive,” Jones said. “I think a lot of the faculty felt like they wanted a green light to have these conversations and I think [President Rick] Commons is very supportive of faculty members engaging in these conversations if they so choose.”

• Continued on A3

AP restrictions start with Class of 2022

By Danielle Spitz

juniors and seniors, respectively. All classes, including President Rick Commons, AP and honors classes, will be Associate Head of School Liz graded on a four-point scale.

President Rick Commons Resnick and Head of Upper School Laura Ross approved said honors classes are not included in the polithe Faculty Academic cy because they are Committee’s recomcreated by Harvardmendation to limit Westlake teachers the number of Adfor Harvard-Westlake vanced Placement students. courses upper school We decide some students can take significant portion of and remove the GPA our advanced curweighting for AP and riculum,” Commons honors courses. ’ said. “Not the College The policy, which Kent Nealis Board in Princeton, will go into effect for New Jersey.” the current eighth Math teacher and head grade students, will set a limit of two, three and four of the FAC Kent Nealis said AP courses for sophomores, the policy is consistent with white s

the administration’s Vision for 2020 that states “happiness and balance will become primary values in the Harvard-Westlake culture and in shaping the experience of students.”

Rather than loading their schedules with AP and honors courses to enhance their college applications, students can now pursue classes they are genuinely interested in to construct their narratives as applicants, Nealis said.

“This is going to allow students to distinguish themselves in ways other than the number of APs,” Nealis said.

“If that’s the only avenue that students have to distinguish themselves, then it’s more

likely that they’re all going to look the same.”

To compensate for periods that might have been taken up by AP courses, Nealis said the development process for new courses will begin immediately.

All faculty members are encouraged to think of new classes and all ideas will come from individual teachers, Nealis said.

Because the policy does not affect any current upper school students, Commons said there is time to develop new courses and electives.

“We want to make sure that what this policy • Continued on A2

INSIDE

FOOTBALL: With a younger group than in years past, the squad prepares for a strong year.

ONLINE

DIGITAL DIRECTION: This year’s staff uploaded a promotional video to the newspaper’s Facebook page.

Follow the Chronicle @hw_chronicle

A2 News

The Chronicle

New athletics principles created

Harvard-Westlake Athletics Principles • •

Sportsmanship • • • •

•

• •

Balance • • • •

• •

By Emory Kim

Good sportsmanship is vital for all athletes.

Coaches and athletes exemplify the school’s mission and values.

Harvard-Westlake values school spirit while respecting teams and fans from other schools.

Athletic excellence is defined by the quality of student experience and the level of achievement.

Athletic programs are offered for a range of levels and time commitments.

Harvard-Westlake maitains strong relationships with outside club programs.

Harvard-Westlake admissions seeks qualified applicants with unusual athletic talent.

Excellence

Programs balance athletic commitment with academic responsibilities.

Harvard-Westlake strives to make it possible for students to participate in multiple cocurricular activities.

Athletic programs promote healthy habits.

Harvard-Westlake provides opportunities and resources to all students.

Teamwork for the collective good is expected of athletes.

Coaches and teachers partner to resolve time conflicts.

Coaches and parents partner for the well-being of students.

Educational excellence combines academic and co-curricular activities.

Teamwork

GRAPHIC BY EMORY KIM AND SPENCER KLINK

address students’ confusion resulting from some sports reAfter six months of meet- quiring more practice time and ings, the administration will commitment than others.

Another discussion topic present a set of 15 athletics principles as a standard for was how to aid athletes with the athletic department’s ex- their sports and school workpectations and to address con- load.

“I think that there was temporary issues.

The Athletics Mission and a sense that teachers and Planning Committee, made up coaches weren’t communicating as well as they of 14 faculty and staff could and should, members, convened and students were to answer two quesgetting caught in the tions: In what ways middle,” Commons is the HW Athletics said. “If a student had Program aligned or a tournament and misaligned with our had a test either durmission and visions? ing that tournament What are the key or right after, it was questions & critical left to the student to issues for Harvard’ try to balance. The Westlake Athletics?

Terry Barnum teacher sometimes “There were all was being inflexible these open meetings to talk about concerns, is- and the coach sometimes was sues, complements to the ath- being inflexible.”

The meeting also underletic department and things we don’t want to change,” took issues of sportsmanship.

“When I go to a boy’s basPresident Rick Commons said.

“What resulted is a set of prin- ketball game I love the fact ciples that I think will help us that we’ve packed the gym,” to make sure that we’re living Commons said. “But then the up to what it is that we, as a crowd makes some derogatory chant about some player school, want athletics to be.”

The committee wanted to or the other team and I’m apwhite s

Administration limits number of AP classes permitted per student • Continued from A1

is something better than what we currently have, not something that people feel like this really is changing of our academic excellence,” Commons said. “We want it to improve academic excellence, not cut back on it.”

Out of 265 surveyed in a Chronicle poll, 71 percent said they were not in favor of the AP limit policy.

Last year, Paul Leclerc ’18 and Marcus Leher ’18 gathered 169 signatures from students of the Class of 2018 for a petition that challenged the AP limit before it had been approved. Now that it will be implemented in the current eighth grade class, Leclerc said he is concerned how it will affect his sister, who is en-

tering Harvard-Westlake as a seventh grader this year.

“If she wants to take AP classes and explore topics, she might not have the opportunity to do that,” Leclerc said.

“Harvard-Westlake claims to prepare us for college and the real world. If they don’t teach students to manage their own time and workload by attempting to remove it from their environment, then is HarvardWestlake really fulfilling what they set out to do?”

Leclerc said he was also concerned that without the five-point scale for honors and AP classes, students might feel inclined to take lower level classes to assure an A and opt not to take more challenging courses.

Upper School Deans Department Head Beth Slattery

In the issue

News

Aug. 28, 2017

said class rigor is still more important in the college process than a student’s GPA because most colleges use their own formulas to calculate a student’s GPA. She said the deans will communicate with colleges about the new policy, and Commons said the school will use a modified GPA weighting system for colleges where the school’s calculations do matter.

As a former reader of Harvard-Westlake applications at Columbia University, Ross said this policy will help students set themselves apart from other applicants in the college process.

“From a college admissions lens, the most compelling kids are the ones who are involved in things beyond themselves,” Ross said. “It’s a really reduc-

“

If they don’t teach students to manage their own time and workload by attempting to remove it from their environment, then is Harvard-Westlake really fulfilling what they set out to do?”

—Paul Leclerc ’18 white’s

tive thing to say excellence is only academics. In order to be a truly excellent school, you have to have an environment that thinks about bigger things.”

Ross also said the policy will help balance students’ schedules and get them to think about something greater than themselves.

Entering her first year at the Upper School, Kate Konvitz ’20 said the policy eases her fears about Harvard-Westlake’s competitive environment.

“A lot of times, I find that students take honors or AP classes solely because they

WILLKOMMEN TO CABARET: Current

events, especially those involving bigotry, informed the performing arts department’s choice of “Cabaret,” for the fall musical.

C1

be joining the Harvard-Westlake community as Head of Upper School replacing Interim Head of Upper School Liz Resnick.

A3

Features BODY IMAGES: Social media’s influence

PEERS IN POLITICS: With a volatile na-

on users can result in depression, anxiety and bullying. In a time of emphasis on wellness, its hidden consequences have the greatest impact.

B6

tional government considering tax reform, numerous alumni sought political positions over the summer, with mixed results.

A4

PRO/CON(VOCATION):

Convocation sparks controversy over its effectiveness and time usage. Students and faculty must begin to consider the unity this event facilitates.

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want to impress their friends, parents or colleges,” Konvitz said. “By limiting the number of AP classes, students will have more down time to explore subjects or hobbies that truly interest them.”

Resnick said she hopes the policy relieves students of some stress and allows them to get more sleep.

“This limit promotes happiness and balance, requires students to think carefully about where to spend their AP currency and allows them to both pursue courses of genuine interest and dabble in areas where they may have interests,” Resnick said.

Arts & Entertainment

B1

A NEW ROSS IN TOWN: Laura Ross will

Opinion

palled that we’re that school.

I know that that happens in sports, but I don’t want that to happen here.”

As a result of the meetings, the committee formed principles under four categories: sportsmanship, excellence, balance and teamwork.

“I think that the athletic department is significantly different than we were ten years ago, so we continue to grow, which we view as a positive,” Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said. “We felt it was important for us to have some guideposts in place so that our growth is always positive and supportive of the mission of our school.”

The administration, rather than the athletic department, will be releasing the athletic principles. “[By having the administration announce the athletic principles], we wanted to say Harvard-Westlake is going to decide how the athletic program functions within the whole educational experience of the school, and we all have to support,” Commons said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATE SCHRAGE AND KRISTIN KUWADA

TO THE RIGHT, TO THE RIGHT: Polls show that the majority of Harvad-Westlake students describe themselves as more liberal than conservative. This piece explores how a predominantly liberal environment influences the opinions of right-leaning students.

B1

The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School, is published eight times per year and distributed free on both the upper and middle school campuses.

There are 727 students at the Middle School and 873 students at the Upper School.

Subscriptions may be purchased for $20 a year for delivery by mail. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters

Sports

TROJAN TACKLE: Standout offensive

lineman Liam Douglass ’18 is heading to USC next fall after signing with the Trojans over the summer.

D6

to the editor may be submitted to chronicle@hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format. Advertising questions may be directed to Jiwon Park at jpark3@hwemail.com. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school.

Aug. 28, 2017

City holds parking hearing

hwchronicle.com/news

News A3

By Maddy Daum

The Parking, Safety and Athletic Improvement Project is waiting for the City Planning Commission’s approval to move forward after the Aug. 8 hearing, where attendees were able to voice their concerns.

The hearing addressed traffic, safety, the environment and the community, giving both Save Coldwater Canyon supporters and those in favor of the project an ope­­ n forum for discussion.

“I think [the hearing] went well in the sense that people were respectful of giving time to each side of the issue,” Coldwater Canyon resident Karen Abrams said. “It’s unfortunate that there doesn’t seem to be any understanding of the concerns that we have as those living closest to the construction site.”

The two groups, the supporters of the construction and Save Coldwater Canyon, were able to speak in favor of the project or about their issues with the construction in front of the City Planning Commission.

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF HW.COM

PARKING AND RECREATION: Pictured is the parking structure proposed in the Parking, Safety and Athletic Improvement Plan.

The PSA Improvement plan hopes to eliminate parking on side streets and help the traffic on Coldwater Canyon, if approved.

“I think it was great that we had such a significant number of project supporter turnout and I think a lot of their voices were heard,” Chief Financial Officer David Weil said. “I felt that the hearing was a positive one and both sides gave the city a good chance to hear the concerns of the community.”

President Rick Commons said that although there were many supporters, there were also many neighbors who still had issues with the project.

However, there were some misconceptions about the construction which need to be addressed.

“I understand [their] concerns. Obviously we believe and feel really strongly that we are going to solve problems in the neighborhood long-term and that there will be a shortterm cost during construction,” Commons said. “But then there were things that neighbors were saying that were just untrue and those were hard to hear.”

Both committees will be able to further discuss these issues at the next hearing Sept. 28, and will present their last speeches against or in favor of the project in front of the of the City Planning Commis-

sion.

“The school has been unwilling to compromise from day one, lobbying for their original project and proceeding as if it is a ‘done deal,’ despite the massive opposition and the need for city approval,” President of Save Coldwater Canyon Sarah Boyd said in an email. “The school has not yet presented the community with any more modest project alternatives with lesser environmental impacts.”

Weil said that once the City Planning Commission makes their decision, if it is in favor of the project, they will make

their recommendation to the City Council. The council will take its own position.

Advocates for the PSA Improvement Project will also be able to address misconceptions and show the benefits they think will come from the construction.

“We are looking forward to addressing a lot of misinformation that has been circling about the project and reinforce some of our technical studies that show the project can be built safely and is not going to result in health problems,” Weil said.

Ross, Resnick each assume new positions in the Upper School

By Noa Schwartz

PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE

PICTURE DAY: Incoming Head of Upper School Laura Ross starts work in her new office. She comes to Los Angeles from Dallas.

Entering Harvard-Westlake after a year of both difficult and important conversations, new Head of Upper School Laura Ross said she aims to spend her first year focusing on how to best support student needs on a day-to-day basis.

Ross said she plans to use her experience as Head of Upper School at Greenhill School in Dallas to do this most effectively. Referring to Greenhill as the most progressive school in Dallas, Ross said the school was founded with an equity, inclusion and social justice mission.

She said she looks forward to further incorporating these

Two faculty members granted permanent diversity positions • Continued from A1

Commons affirmed that these discussions, although difficult, are necessary.

“Part of her message was how we have to be willing to be uncomfortable in conversations, listen to one another, allow for discomfort and not feel that you’re going to finish a conversation and it’s all going to be fine,” Commons said.

“But we still have to be able to have those kinds of conversations.”

In addition to professional

development, Jones will work with department chairs to add more diverse viewpoints to their curriculum. The history department rewrote the eighth grade history course for this year to cover a less Eurocentric and more global perspective. Jones said that she and the faculty will continue to discuss revisions that can be made.

While Jones will be focusing her attention on areas of concern regarding DEI, she will also work to further support the areas that the climate

assessment identified as strong, such as the work of affinity groups.

“We want students to have ownership of their own groups,” she said. “So we don’t want the adults coming in and saying to the affinity group leaders, ‘This is what you should do’ so it’s really more in a supportive way that I’ll be helping them and hopefully streamlining their processes a little more.”

Cardin, who is a faculty leader of the Gender-Sexuality Awareness Club, will specifi-

values into Harvard-Westlake culture.

Ross’s predecessor, Liz Resnick, will take on the role of Associate Head of School.

Resnick is responsible for all teaching and learning, at both the Middle and Upper School, Ross said.

While Ross mentioned concerns about building relationships with the student body due to its size, she said she plans to immerse herself in the community as much as possible by sitting in on classes and attending student events.

“My overriding interest in schools is the experience of kids,” Ross said. “The education, teachers and everything everybody provides here

“

is incredible, but if you don’t take care of the psycho-social needs of kids, there’s no point. If you’re not in a space to learn, it doesn’t matter what all of these incredible teachers are doing.”

Since officially taking her position July 1, Ross said she has been most impressed and surprised by the overwhelming sense of commitment and community at the school.

“Everyone I’ve met very much feels like it’s their responsibility to do what’s best for the school,” Ross said.

“There’s a real sense of collective enterprise. Everyone wants to do their job to the fullest because of what it means for everybody involved.”

I think that there needs to be a lot of consistent work done over time to try to make things better for lots of different populations.”

—Nate Cardin Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion white’s

cally be working to bring affinity group leaders together and meet with the administration regularly. While he acknowledges that his new title will require more hours and energy, Cardin said that he is excited to help propagate positive change on campus.

“I think that there needs to be a lot of consistent work done over time to try to make

things better for lots of different populations,” Cardin said.

“I’m excited to do that because the more people that have the opportunity for a great education or the more people who are already in our community who maybe don’t feel like they belong, if we can make them feel like they have a place at Harvard-Westlake, that’s what motivates me.”

A4 News

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2017

Alumni make strides in government roles

By Anthony Weinraub

education has really formed so much of my foundation With news of nearly daily and really helped shape a lot firings coming from the White of my principles and core beHouse and Congress strug- liefs, so I’m forever grateful gling to pass major legislation, to Harvard-Westlake and the school alumni have experi- Harvard-Westlake community enced mixed success in their for making me the person I am today,” Ahn said in May. own bids for political office.

He faced former State AsReelected Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ’88 won his semblyman Jimmy Gomez in the election. Ahn campaigned March election by a landslide.

Newly minted School Board against the failed Republican member Nick Melvoin ’04 won health care proposal and acin a June runoff against for- knowledged his past as a Remer School Board President publican.

If he had been elected, Ahn Steve Zimmer.

Both of their terms started would have been the first Koin July, and they will remain rean American that was electin their positions until 2022 ed to Congress in more than due to a one-time change in 20 years.

“I think it the term limit would’ve been policy. great to have a The change “To be mayor of Korean Ameriwas made can representaLA you have to engage in an effort tive in the Los to boost votpeople—you have to Angeles comer turnout, earn their love and munity, but I which stood think ultimately at nearly 12 respect.” this is just anpercent for the —Eric Garcetti ’88 other opportuMarch mayoral election.

Mayor of Los Angeles nity for other Korean AmeriGarcetti cans to step up earned over 81 percent of the vote in his and maybe good luck will hapelection victory while facing 11 pen next time,” Calvin Koo ’18 other candidates. Melvoin won said.

Additionally, Special Aswith 57 percent.

Garcetti, who has frequent- sistant to the President July been mentioned as a poten- lia Hahn ’09, who joined the tial presidential candidate by Trump administration in Jannews outlets such as Politico uary, is expected to leave the and The New York Times, em- White House following former phasized his economic record Chief Strategist Steve Banas mayor during his campaign. non’s departure earlier this Garcetti presided over an month.

Before entering the White increase in the minimum wage and a lowering of business House, Hahn worked under taxes during his first term as Bannon and editor-in-chief Alexander Marlow ’04 at Breitbamayor.

“To be mayor of LA you have rt News, a right wing website.

Hahn worked for talk show to engage people—you have to earn their love and respect but host Laura Ingraham before you have to be strong enough she decided to join the news to get things done,” Garcetti website.

During her time at Harsaid in an all school assembly vard-Westlake, Hahn particiin 2013.

In contrast, Robert Lee Ahn pated in mock trial, created a ’94 lost his own bid to repre- fundraiser for the purpose of sent Downtown Los Angeles in helping orphan children get American host families and Congress.

The election was triggered was a member of the jazz band.

Hahn also worked to clarify

by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s resignation to the role of Prefect during her time at the school. assume his current position.

Hahn was believed to be While Ahn advanced to a runoff June 6, he only gained ideologically similar to Bannon, and in February The New about 41 percent of the vote.

“I would say that my Har- Yorker described her as “Steve vard-Westlake experience and Bannon’s Bannon.”

“

ALEX GOLDSTEIN/CHRONICLE

Sophomores reunite at orientation SAME SCHOOL, NEW CAMPUS: Sophomores come together on the quad at orientation in

order to become familiar with their new campus and meet their deans. Students received their schedules, attended a class meeting and went on tours to get acclimated to the Upper School.

Community Council travels to Anaheim for first annual retreat

By Kaitlin Musante

Community Council members travelled to Anaheim for a two-day retreat to bond and discuss the upcoming year.

Chaplain J. Young said that he and Director of Student Affairs Jordan Church decided to host the retreat for the first time to foster a cohesive environment among the students.

“The Community Council plays a vital role in achieving one of the main tenets of the mission statement so the council’s advisers, Father Young and I, felt the group needed additional training and support to progress,” Church said. “Like with the Prefect Council retreat, the major goal is to bond as a group.”

Throughout the retreat,

Church and Young held dis- games and spend time togethcussions about the influence er swimming, watching Disneof community service and the yland fireworks and eating at action that they plan to take the Anaheim Packing District. throughout the year to help Attendees also got to know students gain valuable expe- members of the Prefect Counriences from their service. The cil, who stayed in the house students also began the night before for planning events and their annual retreat, talked about how to through a series of be a larger presence icebreakers. in the community.

Members of Com“It was moving munity Council said and inspirational to that they enjoyed the witness the personal retreat and felt that dedication the memthey bonded. bers of the group have “My favorite part ’ towards community was getting to know Bella service,” Young said. everyone,” attendee Carino ’19 This is the first Bella Carino ‘19 said. time that a Commu“It was really nice to nity Council retreat has been become so close to everyone held. Members of the coun- there. I am very much looking cil were able to bond through forward to the year with them.” white s

Going down in history: history department adds two new classes

By Alex Goldstein

The History Department brought back the Advanced Placement World History class after it was omitted from last year’s curriculum and added an additional AP Human Geography course.

History teacher David Waterhouse said the history teachers did not want to remove AP World History in the first place, but they could not find someone to teach it last year. This year, Waterhouse offered to teach the course himself.

“It is really interesting to look at the big picture, especially regarding the rise and fall of civilizations,” Water-

house said. “It really gives the fered as a full year elective and students a very broad perspec- students can select from one tive, and from that perspective, of two available classes: AP looking at modern western Human Geography and Intercivilization becomes especially national Relations or the new interesting and inforclass, AP Human Gemative.” ography and Urban The class is open Studies. to seniors, and curIn the AP Human rently 13 students are Geography and Inenrolled. ternational Relations The History Declass, the study of gepartment also added ography is connected a new AP Human Gewith learning about ography class. current international ’ The class used to political relations, acAndie be offered as either cording to the curricCook ’19 a one semester class ulum guide. or as a full year class The AP Human with an added international re- Geography and Urban Studies lations component. course allows students to exNow the class is only of- amine the causes and impacts white s

SABA NIA/CHRONICLE

A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE: Jasper Wong ’19 reads the AP World History textbook. The class returns after a year hiatus. of city life, according to the curriculum guide.

“I was intrigued by the human geography aspect,” Andie Cook ’19 said. “When it came to choosing which class to take, I heard that [AP Human

Geography and Urban Studies] focused more on Los Angeles, which sounded super interesting. I still don’t even really know what to expect, and am excited for what the year has to bring.”

AUG. 28, 2017

HWCHRONICLE.COM/NEWS

NEWS A5

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF KELLY CHANG PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ALENA RUBIN

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ALYSE TRAN

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF NICOLE KIM

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JENNY YOON

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JAKE ROBBINS

JETSETTERS: (Top left): Chronicle Print Managing Editor Alena Rubin ’18 makes pottery in Japan. (Bottom left): Students at the Basel School of Design listen to a presenta-

tion. (Top middle): Alyse Tran ’18 researches Vietnamese herbal medicine outside of Ho Chi Minh City. (Bottom middle): Jenny Yoon ’19 visits a music museum in Spain to learn more about classical Spanish guitar. (Top right): Kelly Chang ’18 asks a Taiwanese man about Han Chinese influence. (Bottom right): Jake Robbins ’18 holds a Spanish paper.

Ready, Set, HWGo!

Vietnam this summer for her Alena Rubin ’18: Taking inspiration from HWGo! project. Tran said that Japanese museums, streets she wanted to take advantage and magazines, Chronicle of the opportunity to connect Print Managing Editor Alena to her heritage while pursuing Rubin ’18 created a blog and one of her interests.

Though Tran spent the four original graphic designs while on the HWGo! Asia Ini- majority of her trip in Ho Chi Minh City, she also visited the tiative Fellowship.

Rubin said she focused on countryside to get away from the integration of design into urban facilities with their practical items that she ob- high-tech, modern machines and materials, and surround served.

“In Japan, they’re a very herself in authentic practices.

“I realized that a coundesign-oriented culture, so you would walk down the try like Vietnam, very agrarstreet and be in a regular drug ian and rural, shouldn’t be store and look at the packag- underrated as a country in ing and everything would just terms of culture and medicine. Even though it’s not be beautiful,” Rubin said.

Her four graphic designs super advanced in medicine, feature elements of distortion it shouldn’t be overlooked,” and bright colors, inspired by Tran said. “I also think it was amazing to see how charitable Japanese print design. the people I was “I wasn’t working with trying to I’m really grateful were because make each they’re not bepiece functo the school and the ing paid, and tional and HWGo! program for rather doing it beautiful at for the love of the same letting me have this helping people.” time,” Ruamazing opportunity.”

Tran’s projbin said. “I was trying to —Alena Rubin ’18 ect, a video that chronicled her play with the trip, will be prequestions, ‘why is one thing beautiful sented to the school in the while the other is just ordi- coming weeks. She said that nary? Why isn’t everything she enjoyed the opportunity beautiful and what do we and recommends that more perceive as beautiful versus students apply for a HWGo! fellowship. not?’”

“It was a very humbling exRubin said that the experience motivated her to to con- perience that changed me and tinue pursuing design in the also made me realize more my passion for medicine,” Tran future.

“I’ve always been into said. “It also allows us to exgraphic design and it’s some- perience new cultures.” thing that I’m really pas—Saba Nia sionate about, so I’m really grateful to the school and the Kelly Chang ’18: HWGo! program for letting me In an effort to learn more have this amazing opportuni- about her culture, Kelly ty,” Rubin said. “It’s a really Chang ’18 travelled to Taiwan unique experience that not a on an HWGo! fellowship this lot of schools offer.” summer to research Han Chi—Sophie Haber nese influence and presence on the lives of native Taiwanese people.

Alyse Tran ’18: She said she pursued the After receiving the Asia Initiative Fellowship, Alyse Tran fellowship to observe how Han ’18 studied herbal medicine in immigrants have affected her

“

Six students traveled across the world to study a particular field for their respective HWGo! fellowships. They will be presenting their research and projects in the coming weeks.

family’s culture.

Chang visited four different cities during her stay in Taiwan and observed the daily habits and culture of the native people in each region.

Through the interviews with various members of the aboriginal community, Chang researched how Taiwanese people have been affected by the introduction of Han culture. She named her work “The Han Effect.”

“I was having trouble feeling connected to my own culture, and in a way I felt guilty about it,” Chang said.

“During my interviews with various people, I learned that it doesn’t matter if you are always living with your culture’s proper customs or not at all, what matters is the respect that you give towards your people and your culture.”

Chang has recorded her research on “The Han Effect” in the form of a documentary and has published a website that includes pictures and diary entries detailing the events of her trip.

—Kendall Dees

Nicole Kim ’18: To explore her passion for graphic design, Chronicle Presentation Editor Nicole Kim ’18 traveled to Basel, Switzerland for a week-long workshop on international typographic style.

Kim attended the course “Words, Images and Signs” at the Basel School of Design through the HWGo! Junior Summer Fellowship.

The course combined philosophical discussion about design and semiotics with hands-on learning. Kim was the youngest of the 12 participants and said she felt the professional environment allowed her to discover new aspects of graphic design, such as considering the needs of the consumer.

Kim said that she was inspired to apply for the fellowship after realizing that she

wanted a more structured education on graphic design.

After finishing the course, she spent another week in Basel exploring art museums and attending Art Basel, an international art show that draws art enthusiasts from across the globe.

Kim said that she is grateful for the opportunity to learn about the business of graphic design.

“I felt like the program was a good opportunity to invest in one of my interests,” Kim said. “I am not sure if I would have been able to study graphic design if it weren’t for the program.”

—Kaitlin Musante

even observe and study this in Spain alongside traditional Spanish guitarists and music historians.”

—Alex Goldstein

Jake Robbins ’18: Motivated by a debate with a friend over the origins of Islamic extremism, Jake Robbins ’18 studied Islamic Spain as part of the Iberian Latin American Fellowship for his HWGo! project this summer.

Robbins spent two and a half weeks in Andalusia, Spain researching his project by comparing the economic, social and political conditions during the middle ages in Spain to the Middle East today.

“What I got Jenny Yoon out of it the ’19: would While JenIt was incredible most be a combinany Yoon ’19 to have a chance to tion of learning grew up with a about the topic background in even observe and in general and classical mustudy [music] in Spain getting to fulfill sic, through alongside traditional that curiosity HWGo! this I had for the summer she Spanish guitarists and time period,” was exposed music historians.”

Robbins said. to a different In the mornstyle of music: —Jenny Yoon ’19 ings, Robbins classical Spanstudied mediish guitar.

Yoon has played the clar- eval history at the School of inet for eight years and will Arabic Studies in Granada. In take AP Music Theory this the afternoons, he studied the Middle East at the University year.

“During my AP Spanish of Granada.

When Robbins came back class last year, I started to become more interested in to the U.S., he compiled his Spanish culture,” Yoon said. research into writings about “I felt like classical Spanish religious tolerance, which he guitar music was a topic that presented to the HWGo! FelI wanted to explore further on lowship Committee Aug. 23.

Robbins said his favorite my own.”

Yoon was awarded the Lat- part of the experience was the in American and Iberian Stud- language immersion.

“I thought it was really cool ies Fellowship through HWGo! and decided to research the to actually get to speak anclassical Spanish guitar. This other language (Spanish) and style of guitar is prevalent in to get to meet new people,” southern Spain, so Yoon trav- Robbins said. “It also helped eled through Sevilla, Málaga with my cultural awareness, in terms of going to another and Barcelona.

“This music has a powerful country, being a foreigner and background of pain, loss and really getting to immerse myhealing,” Yoon said. “It was self in a culture that wasn’t incredible to have a chance to my own.”

“

A6 News

THE CHRONICLE

inbrief Hello New Faces Holmes-Chuba receives promotion Nancy Chen: Geology

History teacher Katherine Holmes-Chuba will begin her tenure as the Upper School Dean of Faculty and Staff after working at Harvard-Westlake for over 30 years.

Holmes-Chuba said she is most excited about being able to interact with both faculty and staff in her new job.

“I really look forward to getting to know the staff and people from other departments in a meaningful way and representing them on the Faculty and Administration Council,” Holmes-Chuba said.

She previously acted as the Self-Study Coordinator, where she organized an all-school evaluation.

Before serving as the SelfStudy Coordinator, she was the History Department Head for 17 years, taking on the responsibilities of planning the curriculum and training new teachers.

In addition to her new position, Holmes-Chuba will continue to teach tenth grade World and Europe II and Advanced Placement Art History.

—Sarah Reiff

Faculty traveled to Mexico over break

Seventeen faculty members immersed themselves in Hispanic culture in Mexico City, traveling to museums, staying at a hacienda and exploring the streets of the city June 13-19.

The trip was sponsored by the Gunter Gross Global Fund and supported by Harvard-Westlake families for the Faculty Summer Fellowship, which allows faculty members to travel.

Middle school Spanish teacher Anamaria Ayala and upper school history teacher Ken Neisser led the trip.

“There is nothing like experiencing another culture with colleagues who are eager to learn,” Ayala said.

—Sofia Heller

Milo Sini to act as new Health Officer

After serving in the upper school trainers’ office, Milo Sini assumed the newly minted position of Community Health Officer.

“I’m in charge of the overall general health of the student body and anything that that would entail: anywhere from making sure that our kids are physically healthy, that they’re properly taken care of and such.”

As part of his promotion, Sini will help with administrative work, including meeting with faculty members and teaching them CPR, and helping the trainers and medical staff, at games if needed.

As his responsibilities cover the entire school, Sini will split his time between both campuses and interact with all students.

“I’m very excited to be closer to the whole student body rather than only being selective to the athletic student body,” Sini said.

—Saba Nia

AUG. 28, 2017 Meet the twelve new faculty members who will be on campus.

Patrick McCullough: History

By SPENCER KLINK

By JORDAN MURRAY

Nancy Chen joined the upper school Science Department as a Geology and Geology Honors teacher this year, replacing Wendy Van Norden.

Previously, Chen was a teaching associate at California State University, Fullerton.

There, Chen helped develop course curriculum for Geology courses and supervised introductory classes.

Chen also taught at the Breakthrough Learning Center, a tutoring program in Yorba Linda, Calif. There, she helped students finish homework and prepared them for upcoming school topics.

Chen said she believes her previous teaching experiences will help with her new position.

“I’ve taught middle schoolers and college students, so high school is just in the middle,” Chen said. “I love mentoring and advising students and trying to reach their fullest potential.”

Chen earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Allegh-

Patrick McCullough said he is looking forward to discussing contemporary issues with his students as a new member of the History Department.

McCullough will teach United States History.

“I am excited to participate in a community that is devoted to learning and where teachers and students care about learning,” McCullough said.

McCullough graduated from Messiah College and worked as a teaching assistant at the University of California, Los Angeles where he taught classes on ancient history.

He also earned his doctorate in the History of Religion, Early Christianity from UCLA and holds a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.

SPENCER KLINK/CHRONICLE

eny College in Pennsylvania and obtained her master’s in Geology from California State University, Fullerton.

Chen said her colleagues made the transition to Harvard-Westlake very easy.

“Any questions I have are always answered,” Chen said.

“If they don’t have any answers, I’m always redirected to someone else. They also emailed over the summer if they could help in terms of moving anything we should be expecting.”

Derrik Chien: Math

By KEILA MCCABE Former Calculus tutor for undergraduate and graduate students, Derric Chien will join the math department this year.

He will be teaching Precalculus: Trigonometry and Function, Data Structures and Design and AP Computer Science A. Chien graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory School and earned his bachelor’s degree with highest honors in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley.

He also earned his master in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame.

Chien said that the Harvard-Westlake campus seems like a great place for him to start his teaching career.

“The campus is really nice, and the students seem really on top of things and the faculty have all been very very welcoming,” Chien said.

Since Chien has worked as an assistant and a tutor,

KEILA MCCABE/CHRONICLE

he said that he is excited to start his first official teaching job and to have total control over the classroom for the first time.

“I’m definitely still developing my teaching style, so I will be learning a lot from my faculty mentors and colleagues,” Chien said. “As far as teaching style, I think I try to give my students more independence so that they can explore more and from there I can lead them.”

Sophie Wasson: Psychologist

By JOANNA IM Formerly working for Notre Dame De Namur University, California College of the Arts and other institutions in psychological studies, Dr. Sophie Wasson will be the new upper school psychologist.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts at Bates College, a Master of Arts, a Doctor of Psychology degree at University of California, Berkeley and received training in adolescent psychology, related to academic and social pressure.

After working with Diane Erhensaft, another psychologist from the San Francisco Bay Area, Wasson became more focused on engagement with transgender teens and is now focusing on her own studies.

“I look forward to getting to

JOANNA IM/CHRONICLE

know the students in various settings—whether in Choices and Challenges, Peer Support or counseling,” Wasson said.

“I am most excited about offering the students a space to become curious about their own thoughts and feelings and where meaning and identity can be discovered.”

JORDAN MURRAY/CHRONICLE

McCullough studied cultural developments involving politics and religion.

“I am really looking forward to teaching, because I appreciate the ability to expand what I’ve worked on before and also be able to talk a little more about contemporary issues,” McCullough said.

Steve Yang ’08: Physics

By JEANINE KIM Steve Yang ’08, a former teaching assistant at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will return to his alma mater to join the science department as a Physics teacher this year.

After graduating from Harvard-Westlake, Yang went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from USC and a Master of Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in structural engineering.

As a teaching assistant, one of his responsibilities at Rensselaer was to make YouTube videos for students who needed help with homework.

He also led exam review sessions, helped run and organize student labs, worked with professors to write and design new lab experiments and taught students about engineering software.

He was awarded the Rensselaer School of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in 2015, and the year after, he was a Search

JEANINE KIM/CHRONICLE

Finalist in the Khan Academy Talent Search.

Yang said that he is both excited and nervous for the year ahead.

“I’m just hoping that my students do well and that the class doesn’t crash and burn on me,” Yang said. “It’s my first year teaching so I need to make sure that I’m keeping track of everything and making sure that I maintain the historic averages of the school.”

Sophie Escarpeta-Garcia: Spanish

By MARCELO BLANDER RODRIGUEZ After teaching four different levels of Spanish over the course of fifteen years and serving as department chair at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Ohio, Sephora Escarpeta-Garcia will begin the school year teaching Spanish at the Upper School.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in education at City College of New York and went on to earn her master’s degree in Spanish literature from Ohio University.

“I really like doing handson and group projects and activities to integrate students with lower levels of Spanish,” she said.

Escarpeta-Garcia said that students who have less experience with the Spanish language motivate her to aim her teaching at the entire classroom, rather than to individuals.

Before she began to teach Spanish, Escarpeta-Garcia taught art at a public middle

MARCELO BLANDER RODRIGUEZ/CHRONICLE

school in The Bronx.

Escarpeta-Garcia will be teaching Spanish 3, Spanish 3 Honors, AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature.

Escarpeta-Garcia said that she is excited to teach her new students in the upcoming year.

“The students’ creativity and how hard they try to speak the language really makes me happy,” Escarpeta-Garcia said.

Aug. 28, 2017

hwchronicle.com/news

News A7

Nia Kilgore: Upper School Dean

Hannah Platt ’08: Advancement

By Kyra Hudson

By Isabela Llevat

Nia Kilgore landed the position of Upper School Dean after years of experience as a college counselor at various independent schools in the Los Angeles area.

Kilgore worked as the Interim Director of College Guidance at Yeshiva of Los Angeles Girls High School, an orthodox Jewish day school. Before working at YULA, Kilgore was the Assistant Director of College Counseling and an Academic Advisor at Milken Community High School, filling a maternity leave position. She was also a dean at Crossroads School for Arts and Science for three years.

“I had the identical job at Crossroads School,” Kilgore said. “The only difference was the size of the school and the size of the team. I think more deans create a large system of support, sharing responsibilities and duties that a team of three just can’t do.”

Kilgore graduated from Georgetown with a bachelor of arts degree in English and Harvard University with a masters of education degree in administration, planning, and social policy.

KYRA HUDSON/CHRONICLE

Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Kilgore worked in the admissions office at Georgetown, as a college conselour at Pingry School and in admissions at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Kilgore said she is exited to work in a motivated school environment.

“I really do think I’m in a place where kids care about anything and everything that they do as individuals,” Kilgore said. “I expect to see kids in the stands at sporting events.

I expect to see people going to see plays and dance recitals. I expect students will utilize me as a dean. Let’s see if it happens.”

Grace Brown: Learning Specialist

By Tammer Bagdasarian The school’s first learning specialist, Grace Brown, will join the faculty this year, bringing 22 years of experience in the field to the new position.

Brown said that the main purpose of her position is to help integrate students with learning disabilities into the school community and to work with them on any academic problems that they may be facing.

Brown has worked in the learning specialist field since she was first introduced to it as an undergraduate student at Harvard University. She then completed her graduate degree in Learning Disabilities at Columbia University.

“I had my mind set on being a lawyer, but while I was at college, I got offered a job helping people with learning disabilities go to college, and I just fell in love with it,” Brown said.

Brown has worked at sev-

TAMMER BAGDASARIAN/CHRONICLE

eral schools, most recently Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT. Brown also said she hopes to improve the community and help students enjoy their school experience this year.

“My main goals are to start forming relationships with students, to be able to be accessible to anyone who is having trouble or needs help and eventually make the school a more welcoming place,” Brown said.

Oscar Cancio ’04: Admissions

By Luke Schneider After working as a HarvardWestlake Alumni Volunteer for over seven years, Oscar Cancio ’04 will join staff this year as an Associate Director of Admission.

Cancio previously worked in admissions at the University of La Verne, Bates College and the University of Southern California.

Cancio graduated from Bates College with a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in African-American Literature.

Cancio said there are many differences between college admissions and secondary school admissions.

“The interviews, quite honestly, are more fun with the younger students,” Cancio said. “We talk about family dynamics, or their pet, or their favorite food. It’s just a very different feeling.”

LUKE SCHNEIDER/CHRONICLE

Cancio has almost a decade of experience in college admissions and said he has advice to share with students.

“It was always a pet peeve of mine when students wouldn’t proofread their essays,” Cancio said. “People are so quick to have shorthand conversation [on social media], and an essay is not an appropriate place for that.”

Hannah Platt ’08 is the newest addition to the Advancement Team as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at the Middle School.

For three years, Platt has been the Program and Outreach Director at Camp Ramah. There, she was in charge of the mental and physical safety of 350 staff members ages ranging from 17-72, as well as 1400 campers from grades three through 11.

In addition to a yearround programming camp, she oversaw the planning of summer programs like field trips, camp-based events and overnight camping trips. Platt was also in charge of overseeing staff events such as group bonding exercises and training camps.

Platt is a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in Art

Artist to showcase work at MS gallery

ISABELA LLEVAT/CHRONICLE

History.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Harvard-Westlake community,” Platt said.

“I think touching upon an alumni community brings a lot of new, cool things to a job rather than working with the current population as well as in a school setting. My favorite thing about my job is bringing people together and reconnecting them to the community they grew up in.”

Michelle Sagarminaga: Dance

By Jessa Glassman “SagaDance Company” Artistic Director and choreographer Michelle Sagarminaga will begin teaching upper school dance classes this year.

“I am excited to get a feel of the community here, learn from students and faculty, and inspire and teach,” Sagarminaga said.

After attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and completing a residency at the Laguardia Performing Arts Center, she received her bachelor’s degree in dance in 2012 from the California Institute of Arts on scholarship in 2012. Sagarminaga has since been performing with different companies and choreographers.

Sagarminaga will teach Art of Dance I and Art of Dance II, and assist in Advanced Dance

JESSA GLASSMAN/CHRONICLE

II classes. Sagarminaga said she is anticipating the start of the school year.

“It feels like a home,” Sagarminaga said. “Everyone knows each other and their whole family and what they did so it’s really nice. It’s a very home-oriented community and I really appreciate that.”

Marisol Ordonez: Director of HR

By Jenny Li Marisol Ordonez will return as Director of Human Resources after serving as the maternity leave replacement last February.

As the Director of Human Resources, Ordonez said that she hopes to expand and bring human resources to the forefront of the school and to increase the quality of employee life.

“I hope to partner with the department heads and to get a little more involved in bringing human resources to the department head and the deans to make sure the teachers and staff feel like this is the best employee life they could ever have,” Ordonez said. “I think the school’s reputation speaks for itself, and everyone wants to teach here because the students are so prestigious and how well respected the institution is. I want to make sure we are also one of the best employers.”

Ordonez has worked for more than 20 years in different environments of human resources. After serving as the Human Resources Manager for E4L, Inc, she worked for the next 15 years as the Senior Director of Human Resources at New Wave Entertainment.

inbrief

Artist Basil Kincaid will present his work in the Arlene Director Schnitzer ‘47 Art Gallery at the Middle School on Sept. 18. Schnitzer, who made the largest alumni donation in school history, made the event possible.

Middle School Visual Arts Department Head Katie Palmer ’98 chose to display Kincaid’s work in order to represent the diversity and inclusion discussed in the mission statement.

Kincaid’s work, which is heavily influenced by AfricanAmerican and West African culture and traditions, seeks to promote inclusion and examines the effects of perception and prejudice on one’s sense of belonging.

—Kaitlin Musante

Debaters attend summer program More than 300 Lincoln Douglas, Policy and Parliamentary debaters attended the third annual International Summer Debate Program this summer.

Over the course of the seven-week program, debaters from over eight countries, ranging from beginner to varsity levels, spent their time reading, writing, researching and participating in mock debates.

They were also given the opportunity to learn from Tournament of Champions winners and experienced debaters in Lincoln Douglas Debate.

“Our goal each day is to have every student leave more excited about debating than when they arrived,” Program Head Mike Bietz said. “We have always achieved our goals of providing an excellent experience for students to improve their skills in competitive debate from top level instructors.”

—Madison Huggins

Chinese students intern in Shanghai

JENNY LI/CHRONICLE

In 2016, she transitioned into being an independent human resources consultant for both small and medium-sized businesses.

Ordonez said she looked forward to managing human resources at the school due to the care-giving attitude of the education industry.

“I’m super excited because I’m new to the education space so it’s a new industry for me,” Ordonez said. “Because teachers are in the position of serving another community, they are better listeners when it comes to HR matters. I find they sort of get it, they seek knowledge and they’re a bit empathetic because they are so typically concerned with a different community.”

Over the summer, five students travelled to Shanghai to intern at different finance companies through the World Leading Schools Association (WLSA).

From June 18 to June 30, Simon Weinberg ’17, Bryant Wu ’17, Kendall Dees ’19, Claire Dennis ’18 and Jacob Lapin ’19 interned at Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd and Shanghai Seven-star Financial Service Co. Ltd. Professors conducted lessons about Chinese business and students were assigned to write daily finance reports for their advisors.

The students stayed with host families during their stay in Shanghai, as they bonded with their host siblings, Lapin said. Upper School Dean Jamie Chan supervised the trip.

“I think our students got a lot of social exposure being in the Chinese businesses, using their language skills and learning about their economy,” Chan said.

—Casey Kim

A8 NEWS

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

Econ Club to teach seminar

By KENDALL DEES

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JON CAROLL/CHRONICLE

IN FOR A RE-TREAT: Attendees participated in bonding activities, including gender-based breakout discussions, in order to get to know the other members. Both middle and upper school cub members could attend the retreat, which occurs every year.

BLACC members bond on annual retreat

By SABA NIA

Following the success of their first retreat last year, student and faculty members of the Black Leadership, Awareness and Culture Club held bonding exercises and workshops Aug. 19.

The retreat, which was held again at the Middle School, featured icebreakers, games and group discussions for students to better foster connections.

Keynote speaker Kena Dorsey shared her documentary-like video, “Portraits of a Black Girl.” The video highlights how African-American girls at Campbell Hall and Westchester High School, who switched schools for a day, connected despite coming

from different backgrounds.

Students also listened to a panel led by Chanell Thomas ’13 and Taylor Nunley ’12. The alumni answered questions and talked about their experience at the school and it affected them in college.

“It seemed like everybody bonded well,” upper school BLACC leader Taylor Redmond ’18 said. “I’m looking forward to mixing with the middle school [BLACC members] a little bit better and also bonding as a tight-knit upper school community. For the year coming up, our program seems to be going well so far.”

In addition, faculty members led workshops about smart decision-making and study skills. The 70 participants also made backpacks of

supplies for children in need the Upper School and Midwhile their parents attended a dle School [BLACC] we don’t do enough panel about together. It’s raising chilhard during dren. school B o t h This is a bigger the year when evfaculty and organization that’s here eryone gets student to support you. You can so busy,” Upleaders School said that feel a sense of belonging per Dean Chris their goals to something larger than Jones said. of creating “So I think stronger yourself.” the first [goal] bonds be—Chris Jones is to kick off tween club members Upper School Dean the year. Then [another goal was accomis] also to get plished.

Participants said that they are all the kids in the same space looking forward to continuing realizing that this is a bigthe retreat annually and mak- ger organization that’s here ing the BLACC have a stronger to support you. You can feel a sense of belonging to somepresence on campus.

“Because we have both thing larger than yourself.”

“

Will Cook-Healy ’19 and Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor Asa Saperstein ’19 wrote a seminar over the summer on introductory level economics, which they plan to teach to the Economics Club over the course of the incoming school year.

Cook-Healy and Saperstein said that they created the Economics Club to bring attention to the underdiscussed world of economics, and the breadth of subtopics which it incorporates.

“We put together the seminar as a way to put all of the things that would form somebody as financially literate in one place,” Cook-Healy said.

Cook-Healy said that the course is designed to help students understand economics through the application of relatable topics and practice problems. They named the course “An introductory study in economics, financial markets, and trading securities.”

The goal of the course is to ensure that these concepts do not remain abstract to students, Saperstein said.

“I think that the whole course tries to build on itself and you end up with a really financially literate student who is going to be able to go into the world and participate in a globalized economy, and that is kind of the point of the course,” Cook-Healy said.

Both Saperstein and CookHealy have conducted research on the topic of economics in order to qualify themselves to teach such a seminar, including private tutoring.

The seminar will be taught during club meetings and will be supplemented by assigned reading and projects.

“We are intent upon engaging in colletive learning through discussion, debate and critical analysis of market phenomena,” Saperstein said.

Flashback: Westlake staircase archive project opens to public

By SOPHIE HABER

founders of Westlake, graduation gowns and dresses, Alumni, faculty and staff including the dress worn by will rediscover artifacts from Shirley Temple ’45.

Railings and picture frames Westlake School for Girls at the Westlake Archive Staircase are repurposed from wood used in the floor of ribbon cutting Sept.

Westlake’s great hall.

18.

“On the one hand At the top of the it was like going back staircase, an interto someplace like an active kiosk features old playground and electronic versions discovering that they of all Westlake yearhave replaced all your books, profiles of nofavorite swings with table alumni and stonewer, fancier equipries of past teachers. ment,” photography “I think it’s goW ’ teacher Kevin O’Maling to trigger a lot Kevin ley said. “But then of memories for the O’Malley you see that the anwomen and they will see that now, finally, we are cient drinking fountain is still honoring those memories in there.”

Arlene Director Schnitzer a really professional, thoughtful way,” Senior Advancement ’47 funded the project in an Officer and Director of Major effort to make sure the Westlake’s history was properly reGifts Jim Pattison said.

The walls along the stairs corded, Pattison said.

As the second Jewish studisplay items from the original HITES S

dent to be admitted to Westlake school, Schnitzer faced adversity while at Westlake; however, she still felt her experience was meaningful and believes in the school, Pattison said.

Schnitzer gathered $300,000 for the project with the help of other Westlake alumni.

The exhibit was designed

by Ulf Henriksson’s (Luke ’17) company, The Scenic Route, Pattison said.

“He was able, with his staff and the curator of the exhibit, to assemble a wonderfully powerful, emotional and evocative presentation of the Westlake story, really weaving together the strands of DNA that make up the school and the graduates,” Pattison said.

Some faculty members, including Admissions Director Elizabeth Gregory Riordan, who had been at the school

KENDALL DEES/CHRONICLE

STAIRWAY TO HAZY: Mark Cho ’22 and Jade Stanford ’22 look at the Westlake archive display on the middle school campus. since the 1970s, already had the opportunity to view the exhibit after it was completed in August.

“My reaction was unanticipated and surprising to me,” Riordan said. “I started to cry.

Not weeping, of course, but tears came to my eyes as the memories flooded back. I was

unprepared for the depth of emotion the Westlake Staircase engendered. Seeing Westlake again in the beautiful displays was at once joyful, nostalgic and beautiful.”

The information featured on the interactive kiosk is also available on the about page of hw.com.

C HRONICLE the harvard-westlake

Editors-in-Chief: Josie Abugov Danielle Spitz Print Managing Editors: Maddy Daum, Alena Rubin, Anthony Weinraub

Opinion The Chronicle • Aug 28, 2017

Los Angeles • Volume 27• Issue 1 • Aug 28, 2017 • hwchronicle.com

editorial

Digital Managing Editors: Eli Adler, Noa Schwartz Executive Editors: Ellis Becker, Elly Choi Presentation Editors: Nicole Kim, Kitty Luo News Editor: Emory Kim Assistant News Editors: Kendall Dees, Alex Goldstein, Sophie Haber, Saba Nia, Kaitlin Musante Opinion Editors: Brittany Hong, Claire Keller Assistant Opinion Editors: Vishan Chaudhary, Kelly Gourrier Features Editors: Kristin Kuwada, Kate Schrage Assistant Features Editors: Sofia Heller, Sam Ko, Jenny Li, Sam Lingard, Alison Oh, Cameron Stokes A&E Editors: Gabi Berchtold Sarah Lee Assistant A&E Editors: Kaelyn Bowers Alexandra So Senior A&E Writer: Caty Szeto Sports Editors: Aaron Park, Matthew Yam Assistant Sports Editors: Ryan Albert, Lucas Gelfond, Jackie Greenberg, Ryan Kim, Asa Saperstein, Ben Tenzer Multimedia Editor: Isabelle Eshraghi Assistant Multimedia Editor: Isabelle Eshraghi Engagement Editors: Oliver Akhtarzad, Zach Swartz Innovation Editors: Sam McCabe, Adam Yu Business Editor: Jiwon Park Assistant Business Editor: Cameron Stokes Photography Editor: Pavan Tauh Freelance Cartoonists: Anna Gong Layout Assistants And Staff Writers: Noah Aire, Tammer Bagdasarian, Graham Berger Sacks, Marcelo Blander, Salvatore Casola, Giselle Dalili, Jessa Glassman, Sarah Healy, Kyra Hudson, Joanna Im, Madison Huggins, Casey Kim, Sun Jae Kim, Spencer Klink, James Lassiter, Isabela Llevat, William Mallory, Anusha Mathur, Keila McCabe, Jordan Murray, Lauren Nehorai, Nina Nuemann, Zoe Redlich, Sarah Reiff, Luke Schneider, Zack Scwartz, William Seymour, Emma Shapiro, Jane Sidon, Valerie Velazquez, Astor Wu, Lindsay Wu, Eugene Wyman, Amelie Zilber Layout Assistant Adviser: Juliet Suess Adviser: Jim Burns

The Chronicle is the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School. It is published eight times per year. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters to the editor may be submitted to chronicle@hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format.

Advertising questions may be directed to Jiwon Park at jpark3@hwemail.com.

Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or school.

BRITTANY HONG/CHRONICLE

Let’s get the ball rolling

Two weeks ago, the events in Charlottesville stunned our country. Racism, anti-semitism and white nationalism, ideologies we naively believed to have declined, proved to endure.

Although these hateful acts occurred on a campus far from our own, the shock, sadness and fear that developed in Virginia resonated throughout the entire nation.

Today is the first time in three months that our community has come together. Classes have resumed and teachers have the opportunity to bring their students into the national discussion. We encourage the adults on campus to initiate such conversations.

We have called for a greater awareness about current events before. Last year, in light of ongoing issues pertaining to race, we began a conversation about diversity, acceptance and progress—topics that aren’t usually addressed at school. The increased recognition of these problems and the activism it provoked were a step in the right direction. We believe that an informed and conscientious student body is essential, and while these discussions have been effective in bringing attention to this issue, further action would be welcomed and could continue to bring about lasting change.

If last year was about identifying issues of diversity and areas in which the student body can improve, then this year should be about implementing the necessary changes. While most of the responsibility falls on the administration to ensure that changes occur, it is our responsibility—and the responsibility of the student body—to hold the administration accountable for the promises it has made.

We were encouraged to see the introduction of a new Director of Diversity position, filled

by Janine Jones, as well as the increased hir-

ing of diverse faculty. These measures show that the administration has made an initial effort in responding to the issues at hand. We know that change does not happen overnight and the type of fundamental restructuring necessary to achieve a community that values and represents the diversity of the world around us will take time to implement.

But our community must start somewhere, and although change is overdue, we applaud that departments have started shifting their mentality to emphasize diversity. For example, the history department created new courses and altered existing courses to offer a less Eurocentric curriculum. With the help of Jones, other departments can follow suit.

Hiring a more diverse staff and altering curricula were among reforms that administrators promised to implement following a meeting with affinity group leaders last year. We are glad to see that the ball is rolling on some of their requests, and we hopefully await the administration’s implementations of further policies. And as we said earlier, we will continue to hold the administration to account.

We are aware that Jones delivered a presentation last week outlining how faculty members can discuss current events with their students. We hope that they will use the tools they learned to introduce honest conversations to their classrooms, especially as we all grapple with the events of this month.

Although the start of a new year means Friday night lights and familiar faces, our community must take this opportunity to come together and reflect on the fact that we still have a ways to go until every student is valued regardless of their own identity. Let’s set the tone for the rest of the year by having these hard, albeit, necessary discussions now.

A10 OPINION

THE CHRONICLE

AUG 28, 2017

Community of Convocation

By Vishan Chaudhary

C

BRITTANY HONG/CHRONICLE

An Ode to the grind

By Matthew Yam

F

irst things first, let’s clarify exactly what the phenomenon known as “the grind” is. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you’ve all experienced it. For some, it begins at 2:35 p.m. with the exception of Mondays, when it begins at 3:10 p.m. For those who play a sport, the grind typically begins around 6 p.m. when they get home after practice. For others, even later.

Regardless of what time you get home, the routine is the same. Sit down, unzip your backpack, take out your red planner, plop your books on your desk and start the first assignment. You have now begun the grind.

You will write your essay, do your math problems, study for biology, in no particular order (unless you are organized and have a set schedule of which subjects you tackle first, in which case, I envy you).

You are now in the midst of the grind.

Until anywhere between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., you will toil away at your work, enriching your mind as your valuable teenage years wither away.

Once you are finished with the grind, you will crawl into bed for an extended nap, and the cycle continues.

We all know the grind. It is tiring, it is tedious and it can be heartbreaking. More than any-

thing else though, it is a given.

It has become a part of our lives we have just come to expect.

We are so used to it that it can be surprising to know that 99 percent of the high school students don’t partake in “the grind.”

I didn’t realize it until the evening of June 21: the summer solstice. It was 10:30 p.m. and I was sitting in a McDonald’s with a friend I’ve now known for 12 years.

As we were reflecting on our past years, I, of course, lamented on how much of a grind junior year was. He laughed.

“The grind,” he said. “The only time we say grind is when it comes to sports. You can’t have that much homework.

What’s your night like?”

“Well I get home, do my homework, and then I go to sleep.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

“That sucks!”

“Yeah.”

The grind sucks. Just like all of you, I’ve been through it.

I’ve complained about it countless times to my friends. I’ve stared at my Biology textbook at 1 a.m. wishing that I didn’t have to read it.

Few other schools have it.

Students from other schools don’t spend all afternoon and all night doing homework.

So why do we? It wasn’t

until this past summer that I came to realize why the grind is so important.

The most valuable thing Harvard-Westlake has given me is not what the school is notorious for – brutal amounts of homework – but the community that I have been able to be a part of.

I’m surrounded by some of the smartest, most talented kids in the world and get to build relationships and learn and grow with them.

This to me, is what makes being a Wolverine worth it. The community, and the competitive environment that forces all of us to learn and grow.

That bio lab you spent all night on will probably be thrown away. That history test you flunked will be meaningless once we’re out of here.

It’s not the result that matters, it’s the process. It’s the strong work ethic that we develop and the ability to ride the waves of stress when they threaten to sweep us away that are valuable.

The grind serves as a tool to force the very best out of us.

To make us work so hard and struggle so much so that we can be prepared for anything the real world throws at us.

To grow and become so strong that nothing will stop us from achieving our goals. It takes pressure to make a diamond.

The Indu-sputed truth

By Indu Pandey

P

seudo-intellectual whines until Fake News Media gives her socially acceptable way to bully people.

-Failing liberal media gives Indu Pandey a satire column to attract viewers. Sad! Panda will pretend to know what she’s talking about as she embraces bougie intellectualism to hypocritically criticize others.

“That’s what the world needs, you know? More leftists insulting your way of life from an ivory tower,” Papyrus said as she adjusted her Jill Stein 2016 button on her organic t-shirt that saved the Amazon.

Pandemic promised to flawlessly channel discount Andy Borowitz meets teen trying to be edgy.

“After phoning in doing real journalism for two years, I’m glad the high

school equivalent of CNN and Vox’s love child decided to give me this column,” Papaya said.

Editors at the Chronicle claim the decision was due to coercion and excessive whining.

“This is a travesty for the instituition of journalism, the First Amendment and human civilization,” Director of Fake News Jim Burns said.

Regardless of its alternative facts, Papillomavirus remains optimistic in her capacity to hold the mirror of truth and justice up to Harvard-Westlake society.

Pangea describes this as her greatest life dream, second only to finding The Emails, the greatest American treasure since the wildly successful and popular Occupy Wall Street movement.

“I’m like the Jordan meets Kobe meets Curry of this newspaper. Call my agent with potential job offers, Breitbart,” Papua New Guinea said.

onvocation has become a staple of the first day of school, as every year students and faculty from both campuses congregate as one group. It helps foster a sense of community that the school would otherwise lack.

When the school created convocation four years ago, the goal was to create a time for students from both campuses come together in one place. Many students only thought one thing: they had to sit on the hot astroturf for 45 minutes. But even though it can be overlooked and ridiculed, the inculcation of community spirit should be valued. Without a sense of community, the atmosphere feels more isolated and atomized instead of welcoming.

Ideally, students should have a common identity of being a part of the school, yet Coldwater Canyon separates our two communities.

Every year, the mission statement is read, instilling our core values in each student. Students across all grades know what the school stands for, and what we have in common. Convocation highlights our shared beliefs as everyone gathers in the same place, hears the same speeches and learns what our school strives to be.

Even though certain events at each campus promote school spirit, there is only one time where the entire school participates in one of these events. Convocation allows each and every student to mingle with people from other grades and campuses, and embodies the diverse and inclusive community that we strive to be.

Instead of separating the grades, convocation welcomes seventh graders to the community.

The seniors sit in the bleachers next to the school’s newest members, showing that regardless of age difference, the two groups have a common bond. Even though

diversity is one of our most prized virtues without a shared experience, our community will be divided. Convocation allows every student and faculty member to recognize what they have in common.

In the short time that students have before classes resume, they’re able to catch up with old friends or teachers from different campuses, something that wouldn’t be possible without convocation.

There would be a lack of a connection between our two campuses, as students would simply leave the Middle School after ninth grade, and occasionally run into people from their old campus.

Convocation allows students and faculty to come together every year, increasing the bond between community members.

At convocation, we also witness the Prefects and Student Council Senators take their oath as the elected leaders of the student body. Four students from each grade take on the responsibility of representing their respective classes during convocation.

We hear speeches from the Head Prefects, which lay out both the strengths of our community, and its flaws.

Those messages set the tone throughout the year on both campuses, as we learn what the school community needs to improve.

Although some may be resistant to the idea of collective identity, students should change their perspective of convocation and recognize that it helps us strengthen our community.

Even though we pride ourselves on diversity and difference, the school community will be fractured unless we continue to recognize what we have in common.

Convocation is the backbone of our community, and without it, our two campuses would remain isolated and atomized, instead of bound by a shared identity.

Former Chronicle News Associate gives her take on current pop culture and politics in a recurring satire column. In this issue, she introduces the column and discusses progressive culture.

L

iberal snowflake enrolls in gov to figure out how Bernie can still win.

--

Distressed by Trump, liberal Snow F. Lake enrolls in AP U.S. Government to figure out how Bernie can still win.

A.P. U.S. Government has experienced a 400% increase in enrollment due to Trump. The class will now feature a daily mid-class safe space to accommodate the new demographic.

“The safe spaces are a great idea.

Whenever a libertarian talks in class, I just need a moment to reestablish my bubble,” Lake said.

Lake tried speaking with the history department about how Bernie could still win, but fell asleep after they started saying stuff like “impeachment” and “that’s not how the government works, you darn millennial.”

After reading the front page of CNN

weekly for the last week, Lake fashions himself quite the activist.

“Yeah, like I liked the Women’s March Facebook page, you know?” Lake said.

Lake described his quest as courageous and groundbreaking.

“It’s hard when no one understands the work I’m trying to do except my Tumblr friends who check my #whiteprivilege,” Lake said.

Taking a bite from his Chinese Chicken Salad, Lake advised other seniors to discover the real truth with him.

“The Electric Collage was rigged against Bernie! All of these secrets and stuff are exactly what National Treasure warned us about!” Lake exclaimed, fixing his designer pink baseball hat and cuffed jeans afterwards like a true Bro. Lake’s movement will target Trump and all of the bad things the Huffington Post said he did, Lake said.

You can make America great again, Snow F. Lake. Godspeed.

hwchronicle.com/opinion

Aug 28, 2017

quadtalk:

Opinion A11

Adding more to the school profile

By Sophie Haber

C

Poll

Do you think the school’s efforts to focus on diversity with the appointment of a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be effective?

Yes: 54% percent No: 46% percent

198 students weighed in on the Aug 23-24 poll INFOGRAPHIC BY BRITTANY HONG

Lola Craig ’20

“I think right now the diversity is really good and inclusive. I think their efforts will help and improve diversity.”

CLAIRE KELLER/CHRONICLE

Marie Eric ’18

“Taking more applicants outside of America or getting people from other cultures would be great because you have people with different views and opinions.”

Chase Garvey-Daniels ’19

KELLY GOURRIER/CHRONICLE

“Yes I do. I think that we’re in a time where it would definitely be beneficial and helpful to everyone, students and faculty included.”

CLAIRE KELLER/CHRONICLE

ommunity, excellence and joy — as a student ambassador, I’m told to represent the school and its mission in all of its facets.

I am told that the theater is to be shown with the same enthusiasm as the science labs and the athletic field.

A prospective student with a particular interest in debate is ensured that they will have access to incredible resources, just as the distinguished basketball player will.

While the school prioritizes all types of activities, the school profile does not showcase them equally.

At a school where students can strive for greatness in any area of interest, the school profile only reflects greatness with regard to textbooks and playbooks.

The school profile details student demographics, available Advanced Placement classes, standardized test results, college placement, finances and faculty education, but does not outline extracurricular achievements other than those of the athletic program.

While CIF performances are an important aspect of the school’s culture, dance performances are too.

Although the joyful pursuit of educational excellence often feels limited to areas that can be tracked by numbers and letters, there is so much more to it than what we can measure.

Students can achieve excellence in the studio, at an ethics bowl tournament and in a foreign country doing community service.

Last year, Downbeat magazine, a publication for professional musicians, awarded members of the jazz band for Outstanding Performance and Best Composition. They were also one of six groups in their category to be invited to the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, according to its website, which only accepts

groups with a superior or first division rating.

Eight student debaters competed in the National Tournament of Champions last year for Lincoln-Douglas, a prestigious tournament that only accepts 100 debaters from across the nation.

Over one hundred students received Scholastic Art and Writing awards last year, fourteen of which earned awards on the national level.

Model UN members receive high titles, including Outstanding Speaker and Best Delegate awards, at conventions across the country.

Why are these achievements not featured on the school profile?

With incredible artists, writers and engineers, the school not only allows but also encourages all students to pursue their passions to a high level.

By not highlighting other achievements, the school profile neither accurately represents the breadth of student talent nor the faculty’s commitment to excellence in many disciplines.

In Viewpoint’s school profile, classes like advanced robotics and filmmaking classes are given emphasis.

With a school profile that reflects the diverse interests of the student body, prospective applicants can understand a more accurate representation of the school and current students can take pride in their accomplishments, knowing that their school celebrates all of their achievements.

Going forward, it would benefit the community if the depth of student achievements at school was reflected to the public through its profile.

Two more bold words and a few bullet points is worth the space to show appreciation for and give legitimacy to the many programs that allow the school to be a place of community, excellence and joy.

Letter from the Editors

Time for transparency

By Josie Abugov and Danielle Spitz

R

ecently deemed the “enemy of the American people,” reporters are facing an increase in scrutiny of their credibility and integrity.

As high school journalists, we feel included in this heightened disdain toward the press.

Harry Styles said it best: “Just stop your crying. It’s a sign of the times.” This has been a rough year for journalists, but that doesn’t discourage us.

On The Chronicle, our priority is to impartially report the truth.

We hope to continue serving the school community by helping to facilitate transpar-

ency between the administration and the student body.

Journalism is essential to hold institutions accountable, and we don’t take this responsibility lightly.

As a staff, we intend to continue The Chronicle’s longstanding tradition of strong and accurate reporting.

Since Harvard and Westlake merged, the Editors-inChief of the Chronicle have typically been a boy and a girl.

For the second time in Harvard-Westlake history, two girls were chosen to assume this role this year. This change is one of many that we anticipate for the paper in the upcoming school year.

As part our efforts to gear the newspaper toward our high school audience, we will be focusing more on digital media.

The digital managing editors, along with the multimedia editor, will be working to regularly produce innovative online content that will both correspond with print stories and stand on its own.

We plan on making Quad Talks to complement all eight of our print issues.

The video highlighting our year-long goals, which can be found on the Chronicle’s Facebook page, kickstarts this initiative.

Another one of our ambi-

PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE

COVER GIRLS: Editors-in-Chief Josie Abugov ’18 and Danielle Spitz ’18 strive to focus on transparency and accuracy. tions is to burst the infamous Harvard-Westlake bubble.

In the past, we’ve restricted the majority of our stories to covering on-campus changes and events.

While our focus still remains on reporting news affecting the school community, we want to acknowledge that students are not solely impacted by what goes on around campus.

This issue’s story on the

recent events in Charlottesville put students in a national context.

In today’s heated political climate, not discussing current events in the context of our student body would be negligent.

The administration hired a permanent Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, exemplifying their efforts to facilitate important discussions.

We want to make our own.

A12

Cheers to senior year

spotlight

Aug. 28, 2017

The Class of 2018 celebrated the beginning of senior year with a Senior/Faculty Barbecue on Wednesday. Students enjoyed refreshments and mingled with faculty members, discussing their hopes for the school year.

ASTOR WU/CHRONICLE

KETCHIN’ UP: (Left to right) Axel Rivera de Leon ’18, Jonah Ring ’18 and John Harbour ’18 discuss the upcoming school year over refreshments on the quad.

PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE

BACK TO THE GRIND: Head Prefects Wilder Short ’18 and Julia Cosgrove ’18

introduce new Head of Upper School Laura Ross to the incoming senior class.

ASTOR WU/CHRONICLE

BBQ&A: (Left to right) Axel Rivera de Leon ’18, Charlotte Weinman ’18 and Oceania Eshragi ’18, three of this year’s Peer Support leaders, introduce themselves to new campus psychologist Sophie Wasson.

ASTOR WU/CHRONICLE

THE GRUB HUB: Students and faculty gather on the quad duirng the Senior/Faculty Barbecue to enjoy refreshments provided by Woodranch Grill.

ASTOR WU/CHRONICLE

SPILL THE BEANS: Upper School Deans Celso Cardenas and Jamie Chan listen as Elly Choi ’18 describes the activities she participated in this summer and her excitement for the start of senior year.

ASTOR WU/CHRONICLE

LEMME TAKE A SELFIE: (Left to right) World Languages teachers Veronica Cherry, Sofia Tanenbaum and Amandine Nelaton pose together for a picture.

SOPHIE HABER/CHRONICLE

THE GREAT EMBRACE: Evan Keare ’18 hugs Spanish teacher Sofia Tanenbaum after a summer apart, before enjoying their barbacue lunch.

Features The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2017

The Elephant in the Room Conservative students speak about the connotations associated with their political beliefs as a minority in a predominantly liberal environment.

• Continued on B7

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATE SCHRAGE AND KRISTIN KUWADA

B2 Features

The Chronicle

Aug. 28, 2017

S’more Relaxation While most students choose to spend their summers in internships or academic programs, others reserve it for fun and relaxation.

most of the day. Perluss has been going to camp for 15 years and While some students were thought it was fun to be with her stressing over an internship friends.

“I love working with young or college prep over the summer, Blythe Berk ’19 was sitting children and the people I consider around a campfire at the edge of to be some of my closest friends a lake, making s’mores with her go to camp, so this summer was a way for me to spend more time camp friends.

“I felt like going back to camp with them,” Perluss said.

Perluss did not consider a difto see all my friends was more important to me than preparing ferent way to spend her summer for colleges because it’s just a because she believes summer good break where I get to relax,” should be primarily for fun.

“In my opinion, I spend all Berk said.

While Berk said she does year preparing for college and think using the summer to pre- school,” Perluss said. “Summer is pare for college is beneficial, she my time off. My camp is my definition of fun.” still decided to go to camp.

Other students travelled over “So many kids spend their summers preparing for college the summer. They worked on and although it’s very import- projects or with community serant, I have been waiting all year vice organizations and relaxed on to see my friends from Toronto at beaches and toured cities.

Bella Carino ’19 spent her camp,” Berk said.

She said she believes that ev- summer in Europe with her famiery student has a different idea of ly and volunteering in Nicaragua.

In addition to how to spend traveling, she their summers. also worked at “I would say an internship.

Finding something it depends on “We planned the person,” that is both work and a lot of the trip Berk said. “For fun would probably be around a Greek me, summer is wedding we a time where the most realistic way of were attending I can take a approaching real life.” and while I was break from school and —Luba Bek in London I did an internship stress.”

Upper School Counselor at the Victoria U p p e r and Albert Muschool Counseum,” Carino selor Luba Bek said. agrees that summer is different While she enjoyed her travelfor every student. She recommends that students spend some ling, Carino also appreciated her time working but reserve the ma- internship and volunteer work.

“I think it’s important to gain jority of their time for fun.

“I think a healthy balance is a variety of experiences at this key. I would say 40 percent hard age so that was the main motive work and 60 percent fun,” Bek behind that internship,” Carino said. said.

Bek said she believes many However, Bek said she believes there is a distinction be- students do not spend their sumtween having fun while working mers being idle. However, she said she hopes they find someand really enjoying the summer.

“That’s not to say having an thing to do that they enjoy rather internship is not fun, but this is than something boring just to put not the kind of fun I’m talking it on their resumes for college.

“Not forcing yourself to do about,” Bek said. “I’m talking about free time. Hanging out with something you really dislike is friends in town and going to see a important,” said Bek. “Finding something that is both work and movie, that is fun.”

Tali Perluss ’18 also spent the fun would probably be the most summer having fun at camp as a realistic way of approaching real life.” counselor-in-training.

Will Berlin ’19 also travelled As a counselor-in-training, Perluss spent time with campers over the summer in an effort to in third through eighth grade for enhance his debate skills and as-

By Ryan Albert

“

sembled a portfolio for photography competitions next year, while still taking time off this summer.

“My summer plans were just decided by what I enjoy,” Berlin said. “I like debate and photography so I spent some time working to improve those [activities], while having fun doing it. I also travelled Europe during that time for a much-needed break.”

Although he prepared for his extracurricular activities during the summer, Berlin said he primarily wanted to have a good time.

“I definitely enjoyed that my summer was more fun-oriented,” Berlin said. “Colleges didn’t really come to mind; it was more about doing what I wanted to do.”

Although colleges have become an influential force for students planning for the summer, upper school Dean Adam Howard believes they should not dictate a summer schedule.

“There is no ‘big summer thing’ that a student can do that is going to have some major game-changing effect on their college process,” Howard said. “What a student does over the summer is just part of the overall application.”

Many students end up preparing for classes or tests during the summer, which Howard believes can be both monotonous but sometimes necessary.

“Some students may need to prep over the summer if their schedule necessitates it. Perhaps [if] someone knows that athletics takes up a chunk of their year, they might get a head start during the summer,” Howard said.

On the other hand, Bek is strongly opposed to spending a summer in that way, since she thinks the SAT prep classes are neither relaxing nor engaging.

“What a lot of people do is go to a SAT boot camp and that is an absolute no-no for me,” Bek said. “It is mechanical. Taking and retaking over and over. I don’t consider that fun.”

Although these students spent their summers traveling, at camps or internships, some said they considered having fun and

being with friends to be more important than school responsibilities.

“It’s important to do what you want to do over summer and not think about how it will look on a college app because now is the time that you can have fun as a kid,” Perluss said. “Now is the time you can go to summer camp instead of work, and I think it’s important to take that opportunity when you can.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SAM KO

AUG. 28, 2017

HWCHRONICLE.COM/FEATURES

FEATURES B3

ELI ADLER/CHRONICLE

CONFLICT IN CHARLOTTESVILLE: LEFT: White nationalists congregated in Charlottesville to protest the removal of a Confederate monument dedicated to General Robert E. Lee, a Southern Civil War general. RIGHT: Charlottesville residents, including students at the University of Virginia, organized counterprotests on the streets.

Charlottesville: Where do we go from here?

Continued from A1

the forefront in the protests,” Charlottesville resident An“I never expected such nabel Forward said. “It posed a major event to happen in a lot of questions for citizens this city, and I even remem- not just here but around the ber talking to my friends say- country about how to make ing this is probably one of the inclusivity a priority and how safest towns to live in to avoid to overshadow and break terror attacks,” he said. “The down the messages the profact that such a horrid event testers were spreading.” happened there definitely ratThe events in Charlottestled me.” ville occurred one week before Charlottesville, frequently incoming University of Virginranked as one of the best col- ia freshman Ethan Blaser ’17 lege towns in the country, was arrived on his new campus. rocked by an unprecedented “It did scare me,” Blaser display of racist violence Aug. said. “Even though I am a 11 and 12. white student who isn’t JewWhite nationalists from ish, so I wasn’t threatened around the country descend- by any of the protesters, it ed on the college town, lead- was troubling to see such ing to protests and large amounts of hate violent clashes with and violence happen counter-protesters. down the street from The root of the vicampus, in places olence was a City where I’ve stood lookCouncil vote to reing at the school.” move a statue of Even though the Confederate general violence alarmed him, Robert E. Lee from Blaser said the events a park in the town’s did not alter his deci’ center. sion to attend UVA. Spencer “In a lot of ways, “The university to Perryman ’15 it felt like a very me represents the anintimate conversatithesis of what these tion we were having with our white supremacists wanted,” neighbors and friends,” Char- Blaser said. “They want the lottesville resident Fré Halv- opposite of open discussion, erson-Taylor said. “It didn’t the opposite of debate and the seem like something that opposite of intellectual diswould garner the national at- course.” tention it did.”

Perryman said he also However, the protests remains confident in his quickly captured national school’s integrity. attention as they opened up “At the end of the day, wounds in other communi- even if the attacks were ties, including schools around shocking, nobody I knew was the country. super scared to come back be“It was extraordinarily dif- cause they knew that the rally ficult for us because many of was over and that the white us are so oblivious to the true supremacist crowd wasn’t gonature of racism in Ameri- ing to be there when we were ca, and that really came to back on campus,” Perryman NATHANSON S

said.

While white students may have felt comfortable coming back to campus, minority students, especially students of color interested in the school, were put off by the attacks.

John Harbour ’18, a student of color, is one of the students for whom a violent event at a college campus would deter him from applying to the school.

“Ultimately, I would not want to live in an environment where displays of hate, violence and arrogance are more probable and visible than other places,” Harbour said.

A graduate of the university, President Rick Commons said he was also impacted by the events.

“While Charlottesville is a place you’ve probably heard of, it’s a place I spent four years growing up, so it felt very close to home to me that these events could happen in a place I knew so well,” Commons said.

For Harbour, the actions in Charlottesville are representative of the racism and hatred that he believes has become even more apparent following the 2016 election.

“I still can’t believe that there are people who support white supremacy enough to proudly and violently march, while also criticizing the actions of the more peaceful and meaningful counter-protests,” Harbour said. “The problem is that this hate and internal divide is not newfound. It is deeply rooted and this election really pushed it into the forefront.”

According to a Chronicle poll of 260 students, 70 percent think the school commu-

Opinions on campus 48%

of students think that events such as Charlottesville brought people together.

nity should address the pro- cating the leaders of tomortests in Charlottesville. row, we have to learn together “These conversations can how to navigate the dynamic be very reassuring in knowing and complex world in which that people feel the same way we live today, where so many I do,” Harbour said. of our citizens feel ignored, Commons also said that invisible and actively discrimcontinued, productive con- inated against.” versation is important for As Blaser prepares to belearning and growing from the gin studying at UVA, he said country’s recent events. He these events ultimately made said the school encourages the student body stronger. tough conversations but also “What happened was tragrecognizes that these discus- ic, but it was tragic because sions could evoke the use of we were doing the right thing intolerable language. in taking down that monu“If you and I get into a ment,” Blaser said. “It’s sad, conversation, we may dis- but the events did strengthen agree and not be able to hug the resolve of my class and afterwards, but these are still bring us together, and I’ve nostrong conversations that we ticed that in a day.” must continue While he to have,” Combelieves that mons said. many of his The problem is c l a s s m a t e s “But there are also things that this hate and inter- did do the that are out nal divide is not new- right thing by of bounds for getting out found. It is deeply root- on the streets moral reasons. For us, counted and this election and what the proreally pushed it into the er-protesting, testers who he said that forefront.” were marchmore lasting ing in Charlot—John Harbour ’18 change can be tesville were made off of the saying, chantstreets, both ing and beat the univerlieving are out of bounds here sity and around the country. and are not allowed in the dif“I think as the resistance, ficult conversations we need we have to take our own reto have.” sponsibility and do the best to Upper school Dean Maude protect ourselves and make a Bond also said the student difference in ways outside of body would benefit from in- protest,” Blaser said. “There creased group discussion fol- are positive influences we can lowing the events of Charlot- have in the community, and tesville. instead of fighting and going “Both my parents attend- to violence in the streets on ed segregated schools in the our part, we should be keepJim Crow South and my old- ing ourselves out of harm’s est sister integrated her kin- way and preventing another dergarten class,” Bond said. conflict, such as what we saw “In order for us to keep edu- in Charlottesville.”

“

The Chronicle polled 265 students Aug. 23 about their thoughts on the protests in Charlottesville.

70%

of students think that the school should address the events in Charlottesville.

48% of students think that violent events would deter them from applying to a college.

THE CHRONICLE

B4 FEATURES

AUG. 2

#Detoxic

PHOTO BY KATE SCHRAGE AND KRISTIN KUWADA

28, 2017

HWCHRONICLE.COM/FEATURES

FEATURES B5

Former Harvard-Westlake psychologist Kavita Ajmere said that After an exhausting afternoon as the reach of social media has of multiple sports practices, Jes- become almost inescapable, teensica’s* exercise had only just agers are becoming increasingly begun. She felt as though she exposed to idealized body stanneeded to work out until she was dards.

While there are countless exphysically unable to continue.

Like most days, she went ternal factors that are personal to through her routine with barely every individual who develops an eating disorder, one common conany food in her system.

“I was going on my run, very tributor to what Jessica describes lightheaded, everything was kind as “the perfect storm” is social of blurring, but my eating disor- media.

“Without social media, eating der kept telling me to keep pushdisorders would still exist but ing through,” Jessica said.

She noticed her vision was de- they might not be as prevalent,” teriorating while she was running Jessica said. “It really creates an because she was so exhausted air of negativity around yourself that she couldn’t keep her eyes and the way you feel about yourself, whether you have an eating open.

“I was just in my head thinking disorder or not.”

According to the North Caroabout nothing and thinking about everything the whole time and lina Medical Journal, social mejust sort of daydreaming while I dia’s body ideals are the strongest indicators of negative body image. was running,” she said.

Of 265 students surveyed in a She rememChronicle poll, 54 perbers she was cent reported that exoverexerting Without social posure to social media herself to the media, eating disorders made them insecure point where about their own bodshe no longer would still exist, but ies. knew where they might not be as “I would have she was, and thoughts about reprevalent.” suddenly she stricting, about smashed, —Jessica* ’18 over-exercising, negaheadfirst, into tive body image, nega pole.

Jessica said she is currently ative self-talk, and in that flurry recovering from anorexia nervosa, social media was there as well,” an eating disorder associated with Jessica said. “It kind of perpetua significantly low body weight ated all of those thoughts and it and an intense fear of gaining wouldn’t give me time to get betweight. She describes that period ter.”

Sally*, who recently recovered in her life, from ninth grade until only recently, as physically and from anorexia nervosa, said that social media influenced the develmentally draining.

Although Jessica now recog- opment of her negative body imnizes the severity of her condition, age.

“For me, it’s more subconshe recalls that this incident did not stand out to her as abnormal scious,” Sally said. “I don’t find myself staring at Instagram modat the time.

“I wish I could say it was a els but I think over time after seewake-up call to what I was doing ing a lot of the same body type I to myself, but it really did take me felt that was the right body type a while after that to get the proper and that mine was wrong.”

A study by the Royal Society help,” Jessica said.

Jessica is not alone. In a recent for Public Health found that InsChronicle survey of 265 students, tagram was associated with high 11 percent of students report that levels of anxiety, depression and they have had or are currently bullying and FOMO, or “fear of struggling with an eating disor- missing out”.

“These societal pressures can der.

BY KRISTIN KUWADA

“

Weighing the Impact 54%

of students felt exposure to social media made them feel insecure about their body.

really take a toll on the human “I only did [the juice cleanse] psyche,” Ajmere said. “It can be for a day, but I found it incrediagonizing, lead to depression, it bly hard and I felt super tired and lead to serious anxiety, and ulti- had a headache all day,” Ava Bemately those are disorders that navente ’20 said. could affect your entire world.”

According to the National AsFor teenagers who have a de- sociation of Anorexia Nervosa and sire to lose weight, the “wellness” Associated Disorders, men are industry offers a possible solution less likely to look for treatment through health trends and fad di- options because of the cultural ets that have become popular in stigma that pathologizes eating the last decade. By using celebri- disorders as a women’s issue. ties and supermodels as spokes“I think it’s the reverse probpeople for health, this industry lem for guys, in that the culture has promoted juice diets and encourages guys to put on weight cleanses. Pressed Juicery, a pop- and get bigger, whereas for womular juice diet company, advertis- en it’s all about losing as much es celebrity praise for its cleanses weight as possible,” Tiber Seireeni from famous figures like Jessica ’18 said.

Alba, Miranda Kerr and Nicole The National Eating Disorder Richie.

Information Center explains that “Day 3 and my LAST day of the the lack of discussion among men @PressedJuicery cleanse and I’m is often due to the pressure to feeling better than ever!” Richie conform to their gender role. In tweeted to her 5.08 million Twit- many cases, it’s not that males ter followers. are not exposed to the “I think that society’s same problems or do not dieting mentality is what feel the same insecuritraps young girls and ties, but that there is a young boys because it stigma that males should doesn’t start as an eatnot have a problem that ing disorder,” Jessica is stereotyped as a fesaid. “They start one diet male issue. and all of a sudden they “In general, women can’t get out.” are conditioned to be very ’ According to a Chronconcerned about their Dylan icle poll of 265 students, Faulcon ’18 body image and how they 10 percent have admiteat, whereas guys aren’t ted to trying a juice or an all liq- really held to the same standard,” uid diet.

Dylan Faulcon ’18 said. “Guys The chief of the division of can sometimes be a little hesitant gastroenterology, hepatology and to talk about how they’re strugnutrition at Winthrop-University gling with something.”

Hospital, James H. Grendall, said Ajmere said that aside from that there is no scientific backing issues of misdiagnosing, health that juice cleanses remove toxins and nutrition have become a from the body, and the human great source of confusion and body is well designed to eliminate misconception, especially due to wastes and toxins on its own. the greater prevalence of fad and “I think that unfortunately a unhealthy diets. lot of these companies capitalize “These are conversations that on a short-term fix and they’re families should be having with not really looking at wellness,” their children about the unrealisAjmere said. “I think that really to tic aspects of media in general,” look at wellness, you have to look Ajmere said. “The best part about at the interplay between the mind living in a country where we really and body.” are paying more attention to menMany people who have tried tal health is that there are a lot these diets said they have felt that of different places and resources they are not only extremely diffi- where people can get help.” cult to sustain, but that they can even create health problems that *Names have been changed. didn’t exist before.

NATHANSON S

The Chronicle polled 263 students Aug. 23 about their experiences with eating disorders, juice cleanses and social media’s influence on body image.

25%

of students have struggled with eating behaviors such as skipping meals or fasting.

11%

of students had or are currently struggling with an eating disorder.

B6 Features

The Chronicle

highstakes

Aug. 28, 2017

The First Roll of the Dice

ILLUSTRATION BY SAMANTHA KO

Four students start the college admissions process, each following a different path on the gameboard.

By Kate Schrage With the year’s first issue of The Chronicle comes the first installment of High Stakes: a year-long profile of four anonymous seniors through their respective college processes leading up to an identity and college reveal in our May issue.

While High Stakes has traditionally followed students hidden behind the identities of “The Brain,” “The Athlete,” “The Artist” and “The All-Around,” this year High Stakes will be following four students not with drastically different identities, but instead with drastically different college application processes: service academies, sports recruitment, art portfolio submissions and performing arts auditions.

Without further ado, meet Audrey*, Jenna*, Nate* and Christopher*.

The Portfolio Applicant: When Audrey began painting as her main extracurricular activity in eighth grade, she didn’t anticipate that she’d be spending her high school weekends trying to find time for friends in between painting and drawing classes around Los Angeles. But as college application and art portfolio deadlines approach, her schedule is only getting busier.

As an applicant looking to highlight her artistic abilities in the realm of oil and acrylics, Audrey began putting together pieces for her portfolio about ten months ago. In order to display their best work, artists like Audrey must begin preparing the portfolio components of their college applications months and often years

in advance.

This summer alone, Audrey partook in two separate week-long painting intensives to make progress on her portfolio and dedicated a majority of her free time to conceptualizing and creating her work.

As the school year begins, Audrey is planning to finalize her portfolio before the early decision deadline, complete her Common Application and supplements and continue to meet with art and art history department heads from universities — something that has helped her to get to know the programs at various schools.

Her application process as an artist is unique in that she must find the perfect balance between showcasing her artistic and academic abilities.

“Not only do you need to be a strong student and show that you have a compatible personality with the school, you also have to show your capacity for talent and that the type of artist that you are at an emotional and conceptual level is something that the school’s really looking for,” Audrey said.

She said she is looking into schools with strong arts programs rather than art conservatories. Her current top choices for college are The University of Pennsylvania and Barnard College.

The Service Applicant: Jenna’s affinity for computers and her impressive concert attendance records might make her seem like an average high schooler, but her time at West Point and the Coast Guard Academy this summer say otherwise.

Aside from the core differences in the college experience Jenna seeks, applying to

a service academy starts a lot earlier than senior year. Jenna says a student must know that they are interested in applying to service academies almost years in advance, as the applications for these schools open January of junior year.

Jenna has much more to worry about than grades, test scores and essays. In addition to the traditional application demands, Jenna must also apply for a congressional nomination to the academies and take a rigorous physical exam.

“You have to be really committed to it,” Jenna said.

“There’s also the whole entire physical part of the application that just doesn’t exist at other schools, which is about 30 percent of your application.”

Luckily for Jenna, she began looking into the possibility of attending a service academy at the end of her freshman year and had decided it would be her definitive college route by midway through her sophomore year.

Her next move as her senior year unfolds is to balance her demanding workload with applications for her congressional nomination to the academies, one of the most crucial components to her college applications. She also plans to retake her candidate fitness assessment, necessary to her top choices’ applications: West Point, The Coast Guard Academy and possibly The Air Force Academy.

The Potential Recruit: At first glance, nobody would guess that Nate is an athlete dedicated to being recruited: he works as hard as he can at school, studies diligently and prefers spending

time with his friends over nearly everything else. However, the latter is nearly impossible to fit into his busy schedule, filled with about 18 hours of swimming and lifting per week.

His athletic career started nearly nine years ago when he began swimming competitively, but Nate’s decision to pursue recruitment occurred during his sophomore year.

“I kind of knew in the beginning of freshman year that it would definitely help me in the college process,” Nate said. “And I like [swimming] enough to continue it for the next four years, so it’s kind of always been assumed that I would continue into college.”

Once he knew that recruitment could be a potential option for college admissions, he began emailing coaches and practicing each day until he finally reached a competitive enough level to be realistically considered in May. To best prepare himself for showcases, Nate spent his summer training nearly twice as much as he’s able to during the year, attending practices sometimes twice a day. His practice season ended in the beginning of August with a three-week break before jumping back into routine practices in September.

Preparing for school, Nate said he is most concerned with his ability to balance practices and recruitment trips with his workload. Because recruitment trips could be his best shot to be noticed by colleges, he said he will need to prioritize his swimming performance sometimes over his academics. For now, Nate is hoping to catch the attention of Williams College, Amherst College, The Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, Brown University or Pomona College.

The Audition Applicant: Christopher said he has loved music for all his life, but only a year ago did he step into the realm of musical theater and fall in love with it.

For kids like Christopher looking to pursue music in college, the application process comes with a few added obstacles, including video and live auditions. Luckily for Christopher, the preparation process doesn’t include much more than doing exactly what he loves.

“With musical theater, over the past year I’ve just been getting more experience,” Christopher said. “But for music, I’ve always been writing or adding cover songs so that I can have a lot of possibilities when it comes to choosing songs for auditions.”

For most performing artists like Christopher, he will need to have three songs, a cover, an original and another of choice, recorded in a video audition to submit with his early action application by Nov. 1 and with his regular decision applications in January. He will also need to prepare a musical arrangement in the event of getting invited to audition live, which only a few schools offer or require.

Christopher said he isn’t particularly stressed in the face of senior year, as he’s used to balancing his musical career with his work as a student. He said his current top choices include University of Colorado, Boulder as an early action plan and USC Thornton School of Music as his regular decision favorite. *Names have been changed.

AUG. 28, 2017

HWCHRONICLE.COM/FEATURES

FEATURES B7

The Right of Way

• Continued from B1

said being in Harvard-Westlake’s political climate has made them As Patrick’s* ’18 sophomore more liberal, Julia Hahn ’09 and English class prepared to pack up, Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief he was halted by the sharp words Alex Marlow ’04 took a different of his teacher in response to a course.

With ties to the Trump adminstudent’s comment about current events: “If you support Trump, get istration and a “protégé of [former out,” the teacher’s words blared White House chief strategist] Steve Bannon,” according to a New Yorkacross the room.

“I think a lot of people felt re- er article, Hahn’s writing has been strained in what they could say critiqued as inflammatory and ex[in the class],” Patrick said. “Even tremely right-wing. When she was if they shared a lot of similar lib- a Breitbart reporter, one of her areral values with the teacher, they ticles was titled “Clinton Releases feared a misstep would cost them Plan to Dissolve U.S. Border Within 100 Days.” dearly.”

According to a Politico article, Lisa*, another student in the class, said the teacher’s comment Marlow’s “political consciousness was shaped by living in a multiculalso made her feel uncomfortable.

“What it says is, ‘If you don’t tural area where he thinks liberals agree with me on politics, then were too accepting of the changing you’re wrong,’ and it’s saying that demographics.”

Though California has not votyou have to have one certain opined for a Republican presion or you’re not welidential candidate since come,” Lisa said.

1988, a recent Los AnFor students like Nageles Times article cited talie Winters ’19, feeling Southern California as an like the only conservaorigin point of a new kind tive voice in the room is of political conservatism, not unusual. A Chroniwith tangible connections cle poll of 255 students to Harvard-Westlake. The found that 23 percent ’ Natalie article listed figures such view themselves as more Winters ’19 as Andrew Breitbart, Presconservative than liberident Donald Trump’s seal, demonstrating a conservative minority. Winters said nior policy adviser Stephen Miller, feeling comfortable openly sharing Bannon, Hahn and Marlow, and their ties to Southern California her views has been an issue.

“I’m always having to evaluate and, specifically, Los Angeles.

Winters said she understands and truly understand my views because I feel whenever I get into the notion of shifting politically political discussions, I’m always right as a result of a primarily libbeing attacked with ad-homonym eral environment.

“You can’t even challenge the words like I’m a racist, a sexist, a bigot or a transphobe, and that policies that you deem to be failing forces me to really research all of around you,” Winters said. “When you’re talking to your friends or my positions,” Winters said.

For Winters, better under- having a debate and you can’t even standing her own views involves truly express your opinions bereading both liberal and conser- cause you’re scared someone will vative news sources, she said. judge you, that’s how you push However, she said that her most people to the right.”

Although Winters said she trusted news source is definitely believes there is much more to a Breitbart [News].

While 66 percent of students person’s identity than their politiNATHANSON S

cal views, she also said that one’s rather than argument, to better views can sometimes be very sig- understand their views.

“The biggest issue is when peonificant.

“Alex Marlow and Julia Hahn ple say they want to discuss, but obviously have careers in politics, it just turns into more of an arso that’s a big part of their identi- gument than a discussion,” Ford ty,” Winters said. “Being forced to said. “When people are yelling at compromise or even lie about ma- each other, nothing is getting acjor components of who you are is complished there.”

History teacher Dror Yaron said hard and it hurts.”

Ultimately, however, through he agreed with Ford’s perspective recent positive experiences with on the benefits of active discussion teachers and in class, Winters of controversial issues.

“You break down discourse by said she has come to appreciate engaged political discussion and conversation, by argument,” Yaron said. “The Trump phenomenon indebate.

Davis Ford ’18, who also de- troduced a whole new label that’s scribes himself as conservative, emerging as we speak in terms of has seen his views change during ideational politics. Students need his time at Harvard-Westlake. to be fully educated on terminolFord said his exposure to a pre- ogy. It’s not hard and fast-identidominantly liberal environment fied.”

In his own classes, Yaron said has given him a unique outlook.

“Being a Harvard-Westlake he encourages debate by utilizing deliberately contrastudent and a dictory sources to kid that’s grown The biggest issue prompt discussion. up in a conseris when people say they Winters said she vative household, partially attributes it has actually want to discuss, but it unrest among more been quite interjust turns into more of conservative stuesting to see my an argument than a dents to the feeling of own political bediscussion.” being marginalized. liefs and ideas “That’s how you change through—Davis Ford ’18 create conservaout the years,” tives,” Winters said.

Ford said. “Living in this bubble you’re constantly “Whether they’re a man or a wombombarded with a lot of liberal me- an, white or black, guilting somedia, which is not necessarily a bad one for something they have no thing. I definitely learn a lot from control over, like being a white the other side of the spectrum by man, is not humane and it’s not living in this bubble. I think I’ve kind.”

Ford, too, said he has obgone a little more center, especially served unfair labeling of conservaon social issues.”

He attributes some of these tives. “ ‘All white cis males are the changing views to be a byproduct evil of this world’-- talk like that is of his environment.

“I used to be against Planned terrible and what creates a divisive Parenthood because I thought it community,” Ford said. “I think a was soaking up tax dollars,” Ford lot of people would argue that this said. “I read into [Planned Parent- is my white self struggling to give hood] and now I totally believe in up power. But that, in my opinion, is dangerous. It’s adjusting to it.”

Ford said he believes people change.” with differing political perspectives *Names have been changed. should turn to civil discussion,

“

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KATE SCHRAGE AND KRISTIN KUWADA

B8 FEATURES

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

Degrees of Separation Teachers, administration and students address the diversity of degrees teachers have on campus.

By DANIELLE SPITZ

they want to know their teachers’ credentials, but 71 percent said After another long day of test- they don’t think Harvard-Westlake ing and note-taking, Diego Ayala teachers should be required to have ’18 faced his most challenging task a master’s degree.

While the Los Angeles Unified at home: telling his mom what he School District requires that all learned in school.

Reflecting on lectures from his teachers have a bachelor’s descience, history and math classes, gree and a teaching certificate, no Ayala said it was difficult to pin- such requirements exist for private point a certain lesson that resonat- school teachers.

Some private high schools in ed with him because all he could Los Angeles, like Viewpoint School, remember was transcribing his teacher’s presentation and copying Brentwood School and Windward School, list the academic degrees notes from a textbook.

“Are we such good students that and alma maters of all faculty memwe don’t really need good teachers, bers on their websites.

The Harvard-Westlake website we just need teachers who know about their subjects?” Ayala asked. does not include this information His mom, a professor of edu- on faculty members.

President Rick Commons said he cation at California was unaware that State University, Los the website did not Angeles, answered If you think about provide that inforthat question with a mation because your favorite teachers, firm “no.” that decision was “She thinks that it’s not necessarily the made before he asa lot of the work at academic background sumed the role of Harvard-Westlake is President. they’ve had.” placed on the stuWhen considerdents in ways that —Rick Commons ing teaching canin other schools it Head of School didates, Commons might not be,” Ayasaid their degrees la said. “She talks are only part of the with her students at length about equation.

He said he is much more what makes a good teacher and how to teach well. Whereas at Har- concerned about their passion and vard-Westlake, anyone who knows knowledge on their subject, which anything about the subject can lec- is gauged when they practice teaching a class as part of the interview ture on it.”

During his junior year, four out process.

“At Harvard-Westlake, classof Ayala’s seven teachers had doctoral degrees, but he said he was room management isn’t one of not convinced that having a higher those things that you interview for academic degree made for a better because everyone shows up ready to work and ready to learn,” Comteacher.

All 224 faculty members hold a mons said. “If you think about your bachelor’s degree, according to the favorite teachers, it’s not necessarischool’s website. Of those, 132 hold ly the academic background they’ve master’s degrees and 28 hold doc- had. It’s who they are.”

Commons said the school offers toral degrees.

According to a Chronicle poll professional development funds to of 265 students, 67 percent said encourage and support teachers

“

who are pursuing their degrees.

“I’ve never doubted any teachCommons spoke from personal er’s credentials or experience that experience, as Harvard-Westlake they spoke of, but I have wondered funded his studies to earn his Mas- why someone with the experience ter’s degree in English at Middle- they’ve had was able to be teachbury College when he started out ing at least one of the classes they as a teacher. taught,” Lily said.

Ayala said his teachers with Mathematics teacher Adam Varhigher degrees appear to be more ney took on his first teaching job knowledgeable and passionate in last year after earning his Bachetheir respective fields but can also lor of Science in 2014 and Master be less accessible. Though teachers of Arts and Mathematics in 2016 at with master’s or doctoral degrees University of California, Santa Barmay be more receptive to discuss- bara. ing topics related to their field that Varney worked as a teaching asare not covered in class, Ayala said sistant while earning his master’s their classes and expectations for degree but said he had never been their students can be less clear exposed to private schools before than those expressed by teachers coming to Harvard-Westlake. without higher degrees.

“I was nervous about being close English teacher Malina Mami- to my students in age, just in terms gonian, who earned her that there is a difference bachelor’s degree in govof respect and command,” ernment and literature Varney said. “Being introfrom Claremont McKenna duced to the private school College and her master’s culture and community and doctoral degrees in was very shocking and it British and American littook me out of the comerature from the Univerfort zone that I was familsity of York in England, iar with, so I really didn’t ’ said she has relied on her want to mess up because Adam Varney education in various ways I figured the stakes were a throughout her time as a little higher here than they teacher. were at a public school.”

“I believe firmly that having a As a new teacher, Varney said solid background in your field is his biggest takeaway was learning only to the benefit of your students, to be open to critique and asking for and so having been grounded in help. analytical reading as a discipline While Mamigonian decided not throughout graduate school, I am to pursue a masters in education, very well-equipped to teach analyt- she said she always assumed that ical reading and analytical writing,” she would become a teacher.

Mamigonian said. “You have to love “I teach secondary school beand believe in what you do and cause I’m excited about working be brutally truthful with yourself with higher-level skills and that’s about it—then you can share that what I’m best at,” Mamigonian unfettered curiosity and concern.” said. “I enjoy working with younger Lily* ’18 said she notices a great- people because that’s where I think er difference in classroom environ- there’s some hope in creating a betments in which teachers have less ter world.” teaching experience rather than *Names have been changed. varying academic degrees.

NATHANSON S

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANNA GONG

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2017

Life is a Cabaret For the fall production of “Cabaret,” the performing arts department will use the show to represent all spectrums—including gender.

By SARAH LEE

of that.” are gender-neutral or genderfluid In addition to not treating mo- or nonbinary. I would love to see When Natalie Kroh ’18 opened rality as a black-and-white binary, more conversations about that on her email May 13 and learned Pugh said the Harvard-Westlake campus, and I think that comes “Cabaret” would be the 2017 production of “Cabaret” will also from seeing so many androgynous fall musical, she was less than explore the idea of gender as a characters in this play.”

Spears said the cabaret perthrilled. SInce the musical takes gray area. Pugh said this is done to place in late Weimar Germany, avoid the objectification of female formers’ interpretation of gender Kroh was initially concerned about characters, especially the ensem- would itself form a spectrum, with its intense themes. Ultimately, af- ble, present in many professional the gender-non-conforming cabter reflecting on the current politi- productions of “Cabaret” and in- aret at one end and the outside cal climate, she said she came to a stead use the ensemble to portray world of Nazi Germany at the oththe gender nonconformity of real er. different consensus.

“These clubs and these per“If any show can leave you Weimar-era cabarets.

“The world of the cabaret was a formers were sort of counter-culthinking afterwards and asking questions, it’s this one,” Kroh said. place where there was much more tural, and, strangely enough, as Performing arts teacher Rees gender fluidity than anywhere else you’ll see in the play, the mainPugh said current events, espe- in the world at that point, and cer- stream people would still visit cially those having to do with big- tainly in the world of this show,” these clubs to sort of dip their toe otry, informed the choice to put Pugh said. “I thought that it would in the extreme and the exotic, and then criticize them out on “Cabaret” as the fall musical. be interesting for us as a community in the daylight,” Spears Though the muto explore. said. “We want to make sical was chosen Throw up in that point, too, and we before the recent [‘Cabaret’] forces the air genwant to, strangely, celprotests in Charan audience to ask itself, der stereoebrate the diversity and lottesville, Pugh types and the wonderful oddity and said the protests ‘What would I do if this and what the huge spectrum of all make the musical were happening around we can exof those categories.” and the questions me?’.” plore with Spears added that exit raises all the ’ normalizing ploring all facets of identimore relevant.

—Rees Pugh the gender Charlotte ty serve to paint the cab“[‘Cabaret’] Weinman ’18 Performing arts teacher spectrum” aret as a place of freedom forces an audiP e r in a world where that was ence to ask itself, ‘What would I do if this were hap- forming arts teacher Michele frowned upon.

“We want this world to sort pening around me? Is it enough to Spears said there is a lot of freewatch and comment and criticize, dom in interpreting the characters of be an example of all of the or does it require activism?’” Pugh in the ensemble and their identi- things that categorize us as ‘othsaid. “The things that were paral- ties that represent all ends of the er,’ whether it’s sexual identity or orientation, whether it’s religious lel to the story and the present day gender spectrum.

“I want a room of people, caba- identity or belief, whether it’s polibecame less a parallel and more of a direct connection because ret performers, who have designed tics,” Spears said. “That’s all counneo-Nazis themselves came to a themselves, and that design is terpoint to something like the Nazi completely up to them,” Spears regime, where they wanted to wipe protest and out of the woodwork.”

Pugh also said he doesn’t said. “That might be ridiculously out anything that was ‘other.’”

Kroh said what she hopes the want audiences watching the Har- camp and over the top and cravard-Westlake production of “Cab- zy and completely androgynous, audience takes away from watcharet” to walk away thinking it had or they might be very traditional ing “Cabaret” is a newfound sense a black-and-white message of how glamour. I want everyone to know of compassion for those around them and their humanity. to respond to political tumult, but that all of that’s on the table.”

Charlotte Weinman ’18, who “What I love so much about art instead begin a process of self-replans to audition for the musical, and musical theater is that I feel flection.

“We’re not necessarily trying said she hopes the play’s portrayal like it reaches a lot of people from a to prescribe action,” Pugh said. of gender opens up more conversa- lot of different backgrounds,” Kroh “What the show does describe is tions of gender identity on campus. said. “My hope is that [‘Cabaret’] “We already have a very vo- will inspire some empathy from the consequences of being a bystander, the consequences of being cal social justice scene,” Wein- people about what it is to be a huan enabler, and the consequences man said. “I think there’s a lack man being, and I hope that creates of being trapped as a victim in all of representation of people who more unity.”

“

NATHANSON S

ILLUSTRATION BY SAMANTHA KO

C2 A&E

THE CHRONICLE

AUG 28, 2017

Harvard-Westlake student artists spent their summers working on improving their creative abilities. Many attended intensive programs that helped them advance their skills.

By KAELYN BOWERS For Nina Neumann ’20, summer 2017 was spent mastering ballet at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet 5-Week Summer Ballet Program.

Each day began with two 90 minute technique classes which were followed by a pointe or variations class. The day typically wrapped up with an optional technique or partnering class.

Neumann said she admired the wide variety of distinguished teachers who

provided different perspectives on what she could improve while at the camp.

“From the intensive, I certainly gained independence and strength in terms of my technique, but the main thing I took away from the program was confidence,” Neumann said. “A couple of teachers really highlighted not being afraid to dance big. This really helped me feel less afraid to express myself through my dancing.”

Neumann found out about the program through

a teacher she had been working with. After doing some research of her own, and hearing nothing but good feedback, she decided to submit an application. Neumann said the application process included the submission of photos in various dance positions and a placement class during the first day of the program to assess each dancer’s skill level.

“This summer program was more challenging than my previous summer experiences because the teach-

ers were able to pinpoint our weaknesses straight away and tailored each class to fit our needs rather than sticking to a strict syllabus, ultimately allowing for a huge amount of improvement,” Neumann said.

Neumann said her favorite moments were those spent bonding with teachers outside of the studio and getting advice from experienced professionals with careers she is interested in.

PHOTO PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF NINA NEUMANN ’20

By SARAH LEE With the stroke of a pen, word after word appeared on Meera Sastry’s ’19 page. Sastry spent every morning like this for four weeks at the California Sate Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) as part of the creative writing intensive she was taking.

CSSSA is a residential program

at the California Institute for the Arts (CalArts) in Santa Clarita that allows students to study visual, performing, and literary arts. In order to apply to CSSSA, all students, regardless of discipline, must submit a portfolio showing the breadth of their skills.

For Sastry, this meant submitting a collection of writing ranging from screenplays to speculative fiction.

Sastry said studying writing at an art school helped reinforce the idea that writing is a cre-

ative pursuit, not just an academic one.

“Because you’re there with kids from visual and performing arts, it’s kind of like having an artistic community,” Sastry said. “You really feel how creative writing and literary stuff is part of an artistic legacy.”

In addition to the opportunity to study writing outside of an academic environment, Sastry said she also appreciated CSSSA’s workshop-driven approach to writing.

“Getting feedback from other dedicated, focused

writers that are my age was really helpful in determining what works in my style and what doesn’t,” Sastry said.

Sastry said she is most satisfied with being able to attend such a rigorous program without having to travel too far away.

“I’ve never really been to a sleepaway camp like this before,” Sastry said.

“It was nice to kind of be closer to home. It’s one of the best programs that they have for high school [writing] students over the summer.”

PHOTO PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MEERA SASTRY ’19

By ALEXANDRA SO

PAVA

N TAU H

/CHR

ONIC

LE

Calvin Kaleel ’18 immersed himself in different art forms, particularly jazz, while at Interlochen Arts Camp for three weeks this summer.

“Everyone is in the spirit of Interlochen,” Kaleel said. “You play with great people and everybody has some different talent.”

Kaleel auditioned through a series of video recordings after hearing about the camp through middle school perform-

ing arts teacher Starr Wayne.

Though this summer was the third time Kaleel attended the camp, he found each year’s experience different because he entered at different levels. Kaleel said that he was a beginner the first year, so he saw a large improvement in a short time span. On the other hand, when he came back more experienced he was able to play with a better group of musicians, and still learned a lot.

Kaleel’s program at

Interlochen consisted of master classes to learn bass techniques, improve musical listening, and the history of improvisation. He also rehearsed with a large band and smaller combos to build his skills and prepare for concerts. Kaleel participated in three concerts, two of which were in a band and the other in combos.

“In my combo, there were great musicians,” Kaleel said. “It was amazing how with little preparation we could just put something magical to-

gether and help promote another, different art form.”

Kaleel said that he not only gained bass techniques, but he also met many people who inspired him musically.

“I definitely improved my bass skills over the three years that I have done it,” Kaleel said. “I have gotten a lot of sense musically, and I met a lot of kids from a lot of different backgrounds, musically at least.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GABI BERCHTOLD/CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

THE CHRONICLE

A&E C3

Ben Platt ’11 receives first Tony Award

By CATY SZETO

Hitting a milestone in his career, Ben Platt ’11 received his first Tony award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in “Dear Evan Hansen” at the 71st Tony Awards.

Platt has starred as the lead in the musical since its debut performance at the Washington Arena Stage in summer 2015. The musical was selected to run at New York’s Second Stage Theatre last spring and eventually made it to Broadway in December.

With eight performances each week, Platt acts as 17 year-old Evan Hansen, a high school senior struggling with social anxiety who finds himself caught up in a web of lies following a classmate’s death.

In each show, the audience watches Platt perform heartfelt monologues, three solo songs, screams, cries and nervous ticks. His skills shine onstage as he plays the complex character, managing to keep audiences on Hansen’s side despite his egregious actions.

Platt beat out several other Broadway veterans in this year’s awards ceremony, including Christian Borle, Andy Karl and David Hyde Pierce.

His family was in attendance to cheer the musical actor on, with his older brother Jonah Platt ’04 even posting on In-

PHOTO FROM HW.COM

THEATER THROWBACK: Ben Platt ’11 stars in his final musical production at Harvard-Westlake as the titular character of “Pippin.” Platt is currently starring in the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen” in which he portrays a socially anxious teenager. stagram to congratulate his younger sibling’s accomplishment.

At the ceremony, Platt performed one of his solos from the musical, “Waving Through a Window.” Upon receiving his award, he also delivered a speech detailing his journey to achieving his dream of being on Broadway.

“When I was six years old, I was the prince in ‘Cinderella’ in a blue sequined vest at the Adderley School for Performing Arts in the Palisades,” he began in his speech. “I’ve spent

The Chronword Puzzle DOWN 1. Close friends, slangily 2. End of a college URL 3. Deliberate destroyers of property, whose name comes from a 4th-5th century Germanic people 4. Incite (to prank a house, maybe?)

5. Upper school Performing Arts department head Pugh 6. Senior independent course which expanded to have an APES-focused section this year: abbr.

7. Once more 8. Too attached 9. Online screenname 10. Ten of these gets you a 1st down: abbr.

11. Gave the thumbs down in an election 12. Frigidity 13. Neither bogeyed nor birdied 18. Took satisfaction in 22. Touch of affection that shares its name with a popular brand of soap 23. How nearly all movie monsters are made 24. Anatomically-female chicken 25. Alpha follower 26. US national symbols 28. Late morning or early afternoon meal 31. Equal access through fairness and impartiality, regardless of background 32. Entertainment guild that includes many members in the HW parent community: abbr.

35. Public speaker 36. Instruction to a friend on Twitter 37. Two-wheeled, non-motorized vehicle 38. “Walden” writer 40. Make a mark on 41. Small battery size 42. “As if!”

44. Collection of bees and their

every day since then just madly in love with musical theater.

It’s where I’ve found everything I’ve ever loved and where I belong. I’ve dreamed every day since of being on this stage and being a part of this community of artists, so this is insane.”

During his time at Harvard-Westlake, Platt took advantage of the numerous resources in the performing arts department to hone his craft and bring him that much closer to his dream of Broadway.

He starred in leading roles for

the fall musicals all three years he was at the Upper School, including his performance as the title character of “Pippin” during his senior year.

In addition to school productions, Platt was also a member of the auditioned ensembles Chamber and Jazz Singers as well as the school’s comedy improv troupe.

By graduation, Platt was ready for the professional stage, landing a role in Chicago as Elder Cunningham in “The Book of Mormon” just a year after leaving Har-

vard-Westlake.

After giving his thanks to the cast and staff of “Dear Evan Hansen” as well as his family, Platt finished his speech with an inspirational message toward all his viewers on staying true to themselves and embracing the quirks that make them unique.

“Don’t waste any time trying to be like anybody but yourself,” Platt advised his viewers in the speech. “Because the things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful.”

Science teacher Nate Cardin created crossword puzzles for Harvard-Westlake students to complete. They will be featured in each issue of Volume 26 of the Chronicle.

hives 45. Test, as a small bit of food 48. Pepsi or Nabisco, for example 49. Nearly see-through 50. Cut wood 53. Centers of interest 55. What one spills when they tell the truth, slangily 56. Tim’s counterpart in the UK 57. Awesome, in modern slang 58. Ave. crossers ACROSS 1. Flu symptoms 7. Sore, like when you have the flu 11. By way of 14. Pithy proverbs 15. Pleased 16. Month that you would expect to be 8th, based on its prefix: abbr.w 17. Science tests and tough lab reports?

19. Waiter’s reward 20. Tres menos uno 21. Fruit peel 22. Wrestler John associated with an airhorn 23. Upper school dean who used to be a CrossFit instructor (for real!)

25. Director of the middle school play?

27. Hair product 28. Spot for studying and (sometimes) sleeping 29. Has a desire (for) 30. Added with a caret during editing 33. Classes studying rocks or right angles 34. Eating with your best friends and throwing out your trash afterwards?

37. Astonish 39. Type of mineral water 43. Guatemalan girls

CROSSWORD BY NATE CARDIN

46. Morning hrs.

47. Chinese chairman 48. Middle school administrator’s craft supply?

50. Expelled saliva 51. One of the Gilmore Girls 52. “Well, what I think is...” in text speak 53. Not near 54. Consumed 55. Items collected by the basket-

ball team manager?

59. Teachers’ org.

60. “Perry Mason” author _____ Stanley Gardner (whose first name anagrams to a part of a fishing pole) 61. Gets a 100% on a test 62. R&B group _____ Hill 63. Neither hoy nor manana 64. Central points

Scan for Answers!

C4 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

On Another Note The performing arts department welcomes acclaimed conductor and singer Zanaida Robles as the new upper school choir conductor.

Chamber singer Alexa Frandzel ’18 said Robles’ colorful scarves immediZanaida Robles will ately made her feel welreplace Eric Gault as the come.

“I feel like the different new Upper School choir colors of her scarves reconductor.

Before Harvard-West- flected her artistic sides lake, Robles received in the same way her muawards including the sic mirrors her creative University of Southern side,” Frandzel said.

Robles plans to use California’s Symposium Fellowship, the Young her experience and new Musicians Foundation resources to expand upon Gladys Turk scholarship the foundation that the and two Los Angeles Art- choral groups have estabist of the Future awards. lished over the past few Robles has a Doctor- years.

“My goals for the proate of Music from California State University gram are to really build Northridge and Califor- an artistic identity for nia State University Long the organization that the Beach. Prior to accepting students can take ownership of, the role that they as a Havcan be rard-WestWith the proud of, lake perstudents, I felt like I and realforming ly foster arts teachcould be myself and a healthy er, Robles immediately make commuconductmusic.” nity and ed choirs strong such as —Zanaida Robles relationthe UniHead of Choral Program s h i p s , versity of interperSouthern sonally California Thornton University and artistically,” Robles Chorus and the Classical said. “Being in a choir is Choirs at the Los Ange- like being on a team, and les County High School I really believe that singfor the Arts. She has ers are athletes.”

Frandzel said she sung professionally with The Rolling Stones, Josh hopes choir students will Groban and worked as a become closer this year singer and pianist on the and have an opportunity to bond.

TV show “Glee.”

“I want [Robles] to help Robles also serves as the music director for facilitate that and help us Project Messiah, an orga- showcase our brilliance,” nization that creates mu- Frandzel said. “I hope sical events with people for us to take choir trips dealing with homeless- because it would elevate ness or incarceration. Ro- the choir to a new caliber bles will continue to sing through different travel with the Los Angeles Mas- opportunities.”

Robles said her ultiter Chorale while teachmate goal for the program ing at the Upper School.

“Coming to Har- is to spread the choir’s vard-Westlake means a music to a larger variety lot less [time spent on my of more audiences. “[Choir] has a lot of other activities], which makes the fact that I’m spirit in it, a lot of encoming to Harvard-West- thusiasm, a lot of fun, lake a really big deal and when you couple and something that I re- that with artistic excelally am proud of,” Robles lence, it’s a really dynamsaid. “It’s a big decision. ic program,” Robles said.

I couldn’t be happier with “That’s what I expect and it because I know that of the ultimate goal is to be all the wonderful experi- able to take what we do ences I’ve had, I expect out into the world, and teaching teaching at this be the hands and voices institution to be a moun- of our institution, sharing taintop experience in our excellence through terms of the level of mu- our music.”

Robles’ interest in sicianship and artistic excellence that we are going joining the Harvard-Westlake community began to achieve.”

Students said they through her relawith hope that under the guid- tionships ance of the Robles, the some of her upper school choirs will p r e d e increase the camarderie cesand performance quality of the choir program.

By GABI BERCHTOLD AND KAELYN BOWERS

“

sors, including Rog- nails waiting to find out if er Guerrero and Jane I was going to be [offered Campbell. Robles is one the position]. You can’t of the few women to serve imagine the party that I as a choral conductor at had when I found out I got the job.” the Upper School.

One of Robles’s “I have been interested in Harvard-Westlake for largest goals for the a long time,” Robles said. program is finding “My predecessors, Guer- a way to integrate rero and Campbell, were her passion for by both friends and mentors diversity of mine. I studied with visiting other proand followed [Campbell] school who to the LA County High grams underSchool for the Arts, where are I taught for seven years. I privileged and inknew she had come from getting Harvard-Westlake and volved.

She said that’s where I learned about that school. I al- shwas moved ways kind of imagined if I by the diversity wasn’t teaching at the LA she saw within the HarHigh School for the Arts, [Harvard-Westlake] vard-Westwould be anothlake comer amazing place munity. to teach. It is the “ T h e only other high good news school that kind is that the of comes close to student body that type of expehas a lot of rience with artis’ color in it,” tic excellence. I Alexa Frandzel Robles said. just had to wait ’18 “I was emountil the time tional during my interwas right.”

Robles said she was views because I saw all inspired by the diversity of these different stuand positivity of the stu- dents and I just didn’t dents she met while go- know that there was so ing through the interview much diversity already present. We’re taking process.

“I don’t think many what we have and people would say this what we have accomabout job interviews, but plished and bringing I honestly can say I had our experience and a blast,” Robles said. “I resources into comloved doing it and that’s munities that we what really made me haven’t before. It’s feel like this could be a really about havplace where I could really ing an authenthrive and do something, tic relationship because the minute I with people we stepped foot on the cam- don’t know. pus and started to inter- And that’s act with the students, really what that’s when my fear went diversity means away.”

In her interactions f o r with students during her me.” interview, Robles said she felt a sense of community and connected well with the vocalists.

“With the students, I felt like I could be myself and immediately make music,” Robles said. “That was intensely gratifying. I was biting my NATHANSON S

ILLUSTRATION BY SAM KO PHOTO PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF ZANAIDA ROBLES

Sports The Chronicle • Aug. 28, 2017

Football

JACKIE GREENBERG/CHRONICLE

TURN AND BURN (LEFT): Wide reciever Cam Jones ’18 catches a pass and turns toward the endzone in a 42-21 loss to El Camino Real Sept. 16 last season.

IN THE TRENCHES (RIGHT): The team huddles together after defeating Birmingham 33-28 in their first game of the season and looks forward to the season ahead.

New season begins with new approach

By Aaron Park

After ending last season on a five-game losing streak, failing to capture a single Angelus League victory, the football team was left with two words.

“Losing sucks,” head coach Scot Ruggles said.

Armed with new playbooks on both sides of the ball, and with another year of experience, the team captured a 33-28 victory on a last-second play against Birmingham in its first game of the season.

After recovering a Birmingham fumble with just over a minute and a half in the game, quarterback Jameson Wang ’20 threw a touchdown to receiver Cam Jones ’18 with one second left on the clock.

The game featured a revamped offense after Ruggles returned to play-calling duties.

Running a hurry-up offense, Wang was responsible for all four of his team’s offensive touchdowns (two passing, two rushing).

“In terms of the plays, they’re completely different,” team captain Liam Douglass ’18 said.

“Coach Ruggles is going to always put us in the best position that we can be in when he’s calling plays. He likes to move fast, so I think that’s one of the reasons why our offense is so much faster and explosive this year.

It’s just that the rate at which we’re receiving the play call is much quicker.”

The offseason saw the team add defensive coordinator Pat-

rick Cartmill. fense, offseason training camp Despite running new defen- emphasized the team’s stamina sive concepts meant to help stop and ability to compete late in opposing runners, the Wolver- games, Glover said. The team’s ines still struggled to stop Shane workouts and training also foBennett, Birmingham’s running cused on maintaining physical back, in their health throughFriday matchout the season. up.

“Our kids Coach Ruggles is have The team reworked going to always put us turned quarterharder than in the best position that they ever have back Jameson Wang ’20, halfin the winter, we can be in when he’s back Thomas in our morning calling plays.

Glover ’18 and workouts,” Rug—Liam Douglass ’18 gles said. “We’re Jones.

Glover and Jones are Offensive Tackle going into our team captains first game withalongside Douout an injury. glass and linebacker Will Gold- We attribute that to how hard berg ’19. our kids have been working in Because many players have the weight room, taking care of to play on both offense and de- their bodies and we’re excited.”

“

Listen to our sports podcasts every other Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Online at

soundcloud.com/hw-chronicle

Water Polo

Team adjusts for senior departures

By Asa Saperstein

AARON PARK/CHRONICLE

IN THE CAGE: Goalkeeper Sam Krutonog ’18 enters the ball

to a teammate from the two meter line during summer training.

The boys’ water polo team is looking for young players to step up in the wake of last year’s exodus of talented graduating seniors. With their offensive attack limited, the team will further focus attention on defensive effort and world-class goalie Sam Krutonog ‘18.

Head of Aquatics Brian Flacks has shown that he is capable of coaching teams to winning records even after the graduation of a superstar.

Two years ago, attacker Ben Hallock ’16 was widely considered the best high school player in the country. The following year, Flacks managed to coach the Hallock-less team to finish 25-2 overall and 3-1 in league play.

Last year’s graduating class included 10 seniors and five starters, three of whom will play at UCLA this year. During their four year tenure, those seniors were part of what may have been the most successful run in school’s water polo history.

“They lost nine games in four years,” Flacks said. “What they’ve done, in terms of water polo, is unprecedented, and what they’ve done, in terms of the culture they created for this program, is also very special.”

Not only is the current team young, but it is also inexperienced. Although Flacks believes that the younger players are talented enough to step up, he does acknowledge that injuries to key players last season made it difficult to dole

out playing time to younger team members.

“Last year was a weird year because, after the 7th game, our starting center Felix [Brozyna-Vilim], who’s now at UCLA, went down with a knee injury,” Flacks said. “In order to hold our seeding in CIF throughout the year, it became very difficult to get more playing time distributed.”

In spite of this complication, Flacks believes that the team will be ready for their first game Aug. 30 thanks to their year-round training schedule and offseason opportunities and training, affordinh players time to prepare for the season.

• Continued on D7

D2 SPORTS

Game to watch OCTOBER 7

Water Polo vs.

Loyola Copses Family Pool The Wolverines will host Loyola in the squad's second home game of the season.

Last season, the Wolverines defeated the Cubs early on in the year, but later lost to Loyola in one of the final games of the season. The Wolverines went 25-2 overall last season.

KEY PLAYER Sam Krutonog '18 With the departure of nine senior players, goalie Sam Krutonog is the key player in the upcoming game against loyola. Krutonog has been the starting varsity goalie for the past three years and last year committed to USC. He lead the Wolverines to a 12-0 start last year as well as an Elite Eight Tournament championship.

& Figures Facts

.621

Girls' volleyball win percentage in 2016

4

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

field hockey

Team revamping defensive presence

By LUCAS GELFOND

tournament so we were a little unsure how we were going to Coming off of a strong 15- do, but we won all of our games 3-3 overall record and an 8-0 pretty easily," team captain Mia undefeated league record last Reilly ’18 said. "I think they were year, the varsity field hockey all either 5-0 or 5-1, so we were team is looking to have another really happy about that.” strong season.

While the team primarily However, four out of focused on their games five graduated seniors during the trip, it also from the last year were functioned as a team defenders, which left a building experience. In gap in the team. their free time, team “There’s just been members visited theme a huge gap in defense parks like Disney since they’ve all left World. now,” team captain “We just have a ’ Erin Lee ’18 said. really big group, but a Mia Reilly ’18 "There’s a lot of missing group that gets along, defenders and [Head Coach Erin] and we really saw that at Disney,” Creznic has had to pull up a lot Creznic said. “I don’t think I’ve of younger players to kind of fill ever had a group that has so them in, but they are at a skill much bonding out of season level where they are not quite than we’ve had this year.” there yet. They just need a little This year’s team is larger than more practice and training and usual and consists of mostly stuff like that. That’s really going older players, with 10 seniors, to put a strain on the team, losing 3 juniors, 6 sophomores and 2 a lot of defenders.” freshman on the roster.

The team started practicing “In years past, sometimes two hours per day two weeks ago the upperclassmen have kept but bonded as a team earlier in separate from the lowerclassmen, the summer. Much of the team but this year we’re really close all went to Orlando July 31 to Aug. around, in that we hang out as 3. the entire team,” Reilly said.

“Four or five of our really key The team also spent time starting players couldn’t go to the together off the field.

WHITE S

AARON PARK/CHRONICLE

FIELD GENERAL: Chronicle staff writer Rachel Brown '20 pushes the ball up-field in an overtime win against Edison on Aug. 30. “[We have] done a lot of nonschool activities together, like going to the beach together and like getting dinner afterwards, just little things,” Lee said.

Despite their bonding, both Lee and Reilly highlighted a lack of coordination as a weakness going into the next year.

“Usually with new teams everyone is still learning how each other plays and sometimes there are miscommunications on the field,” Reilly said. “For example, our center midfielder will do a really great pass up to the corner, but maybe one of our younger new forwards might not

have understood what she was doing so she may not have run to the right spot."

Creznic highlighted a need to take advantage of scoring opportunities going into the next season.

“I think probably our biggest weakness was capitalizing on scoring opportunities because we certainly, in our playoff games, had way more chances to score than our opponents, and they took advantage of it and we didn’t,” Creznic said.

The team's first match will be against Edison High School on Aug. 31.

girls' volleyball

Number of girls' volleyball players named to All-Mission league teams

Number of losses in league by girls' field hockey last season

.9

0 Win percentage by boys' water polo in home games PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JOE LESTER

Junior Varsity Field Hockey Next Game: Aug. 31 @ Edison High School

Girls' Tennis Next Game:

Sept. 5 @ Valencia High

Girls' Volleyball Next Match: Sept. 7 @ Harvard-Westlake

Boys' Water Polo Next Match: Aug. 26 @ Agoura High

Cross Country Next Match: Sept. 3 @ Brookside

CAN YOU DIG IT?: Libero Isabel Wiatt '18 dives for a ball against Marymount on Sept. 22 in a 3-0 home conference loss. The Wolverines fell to a record of 11-6 following the loss. The squad will face Marymount on Oct. 10 at in a Mission League rival matchup.

Squad looks to improve under new head coach

By RYAN KIM

The Athletics Department hired former Davidson athlete Haley Blanchard and former national team player Kristen Hahn to lead the girls' volleyball team to success.

“I am extremely excited to join the Harvard-Westlake family as Head of the Girls’ Volleyball Program,” Blanchard said in a statement to the Athletics Department. “The opportunities for coaches and athletes at Harvard-Westlake can easily be compared to college. I feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with such talented and motivated athletes and staff.”

Blanchard previously coached at her alma mater, Mira Costa High School, leading

the squad to the CIF-SS Division I semi-final and Bay League Championship in 2016. After graduating from Mira Costa High School, Blanchard played for Davidson College.

"We are very excited to have [Blanchard] as our leader for girls' volleyball,” Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said in a press release by the Athletics Department. “She is a proven winner at the high school, college and club levels. She has demonstrated the ability to build a program, which was a key factor to her becoming our new program head. Her enthusiasm is contagious and we are delighted to welcome her into the Harvard-Westlake community."

The Athletics Department also hired Kristen Hahn as the

new assistant girls' volleyball coach. Hahn graduated from the Iowa State volleyball program and earned a place on the US National Women's Volleyball team in 2014.

The team held tryouts as well as varsity weight training beginning early August. With practice sessions throughout the month, the team is preparing for the Molten Classic tournament on Aug. 28 .

With the departure of last year's graduating class, other members will assume key roles. Setter Lindsey Kelly '19, Outside Hitter Bella Hedley '18, Setter Right Side Hitter Jaimie Rao '18, Libero Isabel Wiatt '18, Outside Hitter/Right Side Chloe Mueller '19 and Middle Blocker Caroline Tilton '19 are some key players on the Varsity squad.

“Hayley and Kristen are both amazing coaches and in just the few weeks that our team has been with them we have all improved so much," Hedley said. "They are both great additions to the athletics team and I think they will lead the volleyball program to success."

In addition to the Molten Classic tournament, the team is preparing for other upcoming tournaments, as well as games against Notre Dame, Santa Barbara High School, Alemany and Louisville.

"The girls have really been working hard and buying into the new program," Blanchard said. "We have a number of talented athletes that know what it takes to win and have the physical and mental toughness to make it happen."

HWCHRONICLE.COM/SPORTS

AUG. 28, 2017

SPORTS D3

inbrief

Cross Country

Runners aim for title again

Sophomores win gold in Water Polo

By JACKIE GREENBERG

The Cross Country team prepared for its first meet Sept. 8 by focusing on both physical and mental workouts in Big Bear during team retreat.

“Big bear is always a great bonding experience,” captain Jonah Ring ‘18 said. “I think it not only helped bring the team closer together, but the altitude and intense training provided an opportunity to increase everyone’s physical and mental fitness going into the season.”

Traditionally, the varsity team goes to Big Bear for six JOE LEVIN/CHRONICLE days each year before the seaRUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE: Keon Mazdisnian ’19 pushes hard as he nears the end of the son starts.

Runners value the trip, race at the Mt. Sac invitational. Last season, the Cross Country team won the CIF championship. saying that the trip also aling sure everyone is working said. “Most of all, though, I lows them both to connect said.

“Last year’s graduat- their hardest in aspiring to want everyone to have a seawith older team members and to bond with the new members ing class had a huge posi- be a scoring varsity member,” son that they’re proud of.”

The boys tive presence on our Cardillo said. joining the squad. previously took While the team,” Cardillo said.

“The squad lost “Last year’s gradu- the Division IV “This year, the team, girls’ team capdepth after graduas a whole, will defi- tured the Misating multiple key ating class had a huge CIF-SS title in 2015, and are League nitely work to keep up sion runners, including positive presence on our looking to win their traditions and title last year, varsity scorers and another CIF tichannel their enthu- the boys’ team team.” the team captains,” tle this season. siasm and drive for fell just short, Mazdisnian said.

—Lila Cardillo ’18 W ’ “As a team, coming in secthe sport.”

“However, the team Andrew we have the The squad lost ond place in intends on increasVarsity Cross Country Shibuya ’19 same goals Mission many runners but the ing workouts and we have every League. was stocked again changing locations to The boys placed fourth at year - we’re always trying to prepare for the season and for with new freshman.

The girls’ team hopes that Division IV CIF-SS and ninth get the league victory, win CIF meets against powerhouses and the State meet,” Andrew they win the Mission League place at the state level. such as Loyola.”

“I want to see both the Shibuya ’19 said. “I want to Additionally, the team title once again and qualify for boys’ and girls’ teams running do everything I can to help us plans to continue to uphold both CIF-SS and state.

“I think that it will be a in the California State Meet reach the goals that we’ve set its long-established culture and values, Lila Cardillo ’18 great season to focus on mak- and ranking highly,” Cardillo as a team.”

“

HITE S

Girls’ Golf

Champions prepare to defend league title

By ADAM YU

The girls will play in three matches as visitors against The girls’ golf team will Notre Dame, Marlborough and play its first home match of Alemany, respectively.

After finishing last season the season against Chaminade on Sept. 7 at the Encino Golf with an overall and league record of 7-0, the squad reflects Course.

This will also be the on what they hope to achieve squad’s first league match of for this season.

“I have a few goals for the the season. season,” Baker “I’m most excited about the upcoming potential for success our team said. “My main personal goal has this year,” Josie Baker is to have an under-par scor’18 said. “We have seven new ing average for our regular season matches.” freshmen coming in, Baker also said and the team is going she has goals for the to be the strongest it’s team as a whole. been during my time at “My goals for the Harvard-Westlake. I’m team are to have ansuper excited to see if other undefeated seawe can not only defend son in Mission League our league title, but and to advance furalso advance to CIF rether in CIF than we gionals.”

W ’ did last year,” she Team member Daisy Wan ’20 is also Josie Baker ’18 said.

Baker also outexcited about the sealined the differences between son.

“We have a very strong this year’s team and last team and I’m looking forward year’s.

“This season will be differto winning Mission League and advancing far into CIF,” Wan ent because we have an even said. “From new freshmen to more solid roster, and the seniors, I think we all contrib- team will be a lot younger than ute greatly to the team and we previous years,” Baker said.

The squad will also particiare all very supportive of each pate in the Varsity Invitational other and talented.”

The team has two addi- Tournament starting Sept. 8 tional league matches at home and ending the next day.

Another change to the girls’ scheduled for this season against Louisville and Mary- golf program is the addition of a JV team. mount, respectively.

HITE S

AARON PARK/CHRONICLE

ON THE GREEN: Karina Guo ’18 focuses on the putting green before attempting a shot. Last season, the golf team went 7-0.

Two varsity water polo players, center defender Nico Tierney ’20 and goalie Nolan Krutonog ’20 won gold in Serbia with the United States Cadet team.

The group competed against transnational water polo teams, upsetting the favorite Serbian Cadet team 6-5 and beating Croatia 9-6 in the finals.

Goalkeeper Krutonog led the team with 17 saves against the Croatian team, and he completed the tournament with a record of 7-0.

—Amelie Zilber

Athletic Department completes renovation The Athletic Department completed construction to replace the previously water-damaged track with a polyurethane track including a renewed surface.

After requests from coaching staff, the athletic administration and Chief of Campus Operations and Construction Jim DeMatte upgraded the track.

The project started June 9 and was completed July 30, when striping was laid down.

The project impinged on team workouts, but coaches were able to manage by moving training sessions to different venues.

—Asa Saperstein

Weight room undergoes makeover The weight room underwent renovation this summer, including an improved layout and new equipment to accommodate a larger number of athletes.

The room’s new capacity will increase efficiency in training, allowing twice as many athletes to train at once, strength coach Sarah Mock said.

With the new renovations completed, the lifting stations are now positioned back-toback, which affords teams 28 bars to use at once, instead of only 14 bars.

The school’s logo is also positioned across the floor in front of the lifting stations.

Strength coaches designed the room. This project, with the track, marks a summer of facility improvements for the school’s athletic department.

—Asa Saperstein

Sophomore wins title with National Team Pete Crow-Armstrong ’20 won gold with the 15U National Baseball Team at the COPABE Pan Am AA Championships in Cartagena, Columbia.

The team was named cochampions along with the Dominican Republic team, and they finished with an 8-1 record. During the third round, Crow-Armstrong went 2-2 with two RBI’s against Venezuela, which resulted in a 5-1 victory. Crow-Armstrong later went 2-3 with an RBI single, leading to a 5-4 win against Brazil.

—Astor Wu

The Chronicle

D4 Sports

Aug. 2

The fall sports team their seasons in the Here are some play

Bella Hedley ’18

Jameson Wa

is committed to Darthmouth College.

started all 11 gam season as a fresh

Mia Reilly ’18

scored 30% of the team’s 65 goals last season.

Josie Baker ’18

practices up to three hours a day on a putting green in her front yard.

28, 2017

hwchronicle.com/sports

Sports D5

ms will kick off coming weeks. yers to watch.

Amanda Chan ’19

Wang ’19

is a five star recruit and ranked 48th in the nation.

mes last hman QB.

Sam Krutonog ’18 Andrew Shibuya ’19

has been on varsity since freshman year and is a CIF-SS D1 champion.

sleeps with an oxygenreducing tent to increase his body’s ability to use oxygen.

ILLUSTRATION BY SPENCER KLINK

D6 SPORTS

THE CHRONICLE

AUG. 28, 2017

AARON PARK/CHRONICLE

MAKE ’EM PROUD: Douglass sizes up an opposing team member. Douglass’ parents didn’t let him play tackle football until his junior year because of fears of injuries. Despite only one year and 11 games of playing, Douglass has received offers from many college football programs and is nationally ranked as an offensive tackle.

Football player commits to USC

By LUCAS GELFOND AND MATTHEW YAM

Offensive lineman Liam Douglass ’18 committed to play football for the University of Southern California on June 19, signing to the Trojans just hours after he was offered.

Douglass is the second Harvard-Westlake student to ever receive a scholarship to USC for football.

“The other offers I’ve received are really great football programs and great academic schools, but I just felt that I would be most comfortable at USC and playing at USC,” Douglass said. “They have a great coaching staff over there and since I stepped on that campus for the first time, it’s just where I felt the most com-

fortable and most at home.”

Despite having played in only 11 games over one season of high school football, Douglass received offers from Arizona, Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas, California, Hawaii, Utah State, Ohio State and Washington State. Scout. com ranks Douglass as No. 58 nationally among offensive tackles and No. 10 among offensive tackles on the West Coast.

Since committing to USC, Douglass has stuck to his six meal, 4,500 calorie a day diet and reached out to other 2018 USC commits.

As of now, football is still a priority for Douglass. This season, he will play offensive tackle and running back.

“At the end of the day, most teams with kids can’t get

a 280 pound running back,” Head Coach Scot Ruggles said.

“Most kids that big aren’t that athletic, so [Douglass] is going to have two jerseys on game day and he will play a multitude of positions. It was with our scheme offensively when you can play around with that and have a kid that big, that tough, that obviously helps this guy.”

Ruggles said he was not surprised that Douglass received the offers as quickly as he did, citing “toughness, athleticism, desire and size” as key components of Douglass’ game. “[The] best part of my job is playing a small role in helping kids chase and achieve their dreams,” Ruggles said.

Regardless of his success in high school football, Douglass

outtakes

“When you can play around with that and have a kid that big, that tough, that obviously helps this guy. He’s going to be an offensive lineman at the next level, —Scot Ruggles Football Program Head said his parents were initially hesitant. Douglass played flag football until age 13 but said his parents were very opposed to his playing tackle football. “[My parents] were worried about injuries in general, not just head injuries but injuries to all of the body,” Douglass said. “I don’t worry about it.

I think if you think about all that stuff during football you shouldn’t be playing football.

I just go out and play as fast and as hard as I can.”

Despite his parents’ origi-

WHITE’S

nal hesitance, he said they seem to have come around.

“I think they were just happy they were able to help me fulfill what I wanted to do,” Douglass said.

Douglass’ parents seem to have come around from their initial hesitance.

“I was a little worried about my dad and whether he would come to games, but by week one he was in the front row wearing a Harvard-Westlake football t-shirt and cheering,” Douglass said.

New strength, conditioning staff

By ASTOR WU

mance at Cal State University, Northridge, where he managed The athletics program the athletic performance enhired two full-time athletic hancement of the university’s performance coaches, Direc- 19 sports. Additionally, he detor of Strength and Condition- veloped speed, strength and ing Jeff Crelling and Strength conditioning programs for five and Conditioning Coach Kyle NCAA Division I teams. Crelling plans to bring his experiCasey.

The pair will focus on devel- ence to the school in his new position. oping athlete’s “Those respeed, agility, sponsibilities nutrition and The pride that carried a lot of rehabilitation this school has is administrative in addition to work in the something that I’ve never duties outside of just coachweight room. experienced before.” ing athletes, Crelling, who will serve —Jeff Crelling helping me to develop a vias program Director of Strength sion, lead a head, received a Master in and Conditioning d e p a r t m e n t towards that Arts in physical education and coaching vision, and serve student-athfrom the University of Nebras- letes along the way,” Crelling ka and a Bachelor in Science said. “Now I have an opporin health, physical education tunity to do the same at Harand exercise from Virginia vard-Westlake, and do so with a bit more expertise.”

Commonwealth University.

Crelling says he is excited Prior to working at Harvard-Westlake, he served as to get to know the studentthe Director of Sports Perfor- athletes.

“

“Nothing is more fun for me than helping athletes push themselves in the weight room, then getting to go watch them reap the benefits out on the field, court, or in the pool,” Crelling said.

Casey studied at the California State University, Northridge where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology.

Casey interned at the University of Southern California in strength and conditioning, where he worked with university sports teams. Additionally, he has coaching experience with the school.

Casey worked as a parttime Athletic Performance coach for the school in 2016 but will go full time in the fall.

“The biggest thing I learned this past year was how passionate Harvard-Westlake is about their sports teams,” Casey said. “The pride that this school has is something that I’ve never experienced before and I am very excited and blessed to be a part of this school.”

ASTOR WU/ CHRONICLE

BEEFING UP: Coach Kyle Casey spends time in the weight room.

Casey will become a full time Athletic Performance coach in the fall.

AUG. 28, 2017

Softball coach steps up

By RYAN KIM

New Head Coach Brittany Moeai looks to lead the softball team with her playing experience and fresh perspective on the game.

Moeai attended Carson High School where she played varsity Softball. As a fouryear letterwinner, Moeai was a catcher through her junior year and a pitcher senior year.

In 2011, she helped the Carson High Colts to a CIF Los Angeles City Section Championship.

After her high school career, Moeai attended UCLA as a softball player. As a Bruin, Moeai started all 58 games she played her freshman year. In 2014, she was named All Pac12 Honorable Mention and her team was named All-NFCA Region Third Team.

“Coach Brittany brings a fresh perspective, as she just graduated from UCLA a few years ago,” Kat Swander ’19 said. “She values team camaraderie over anything else.”

Last season, Moeai served as Interim Head Coach after the departure of Head Coach Katie Griffith before the season began. In her new role, she lead the team to an overall record of 15-11 and a league record of 8-0.

“We felt [Moeai] had done an excellent job leading the program as interim and felt that she had earned the right to have the official title. We are super excited to have her,” Head of Athletics Terry Barnum said.

HWCHRONICLE.COM/SPORTS

SPORTS D7

Water Polo

Team to compensate for senior departures • Continued from D1

a member of our team and to He also underscored the follow the standards of our onus that the younger players program.”

The advent of goalkeeper have to take on more responsibility, with the lineup slightly Krutonog last year as one of depleted of experienced talent. the best players in the coun“I don’t think that the try allows the team to shift to young kids have an option but a more defensive strategy, with to step up, or it’s going to be a Krutonog having proven extremely reliable as the last line long year for us,” Flacks said.

While Flacks concedes that of defense.

“We might have the best the team is less experienced than it has been in a few player in the United States on years, he figures that players our team,” Flacks said. “Sam will be focused and excited Krutonog in the goal may be to get opportunities that they the best player in the United had not previously had, cit- States and the most dominant player in the United ing enthusiasm and States. I think that his vigor as the favorability to do what he able aspects of inexdoes in the cage and perience. hopefully our ability to “The energy and play defense and grind excitement they’re it out on offense puts going to have to us in a position to be play because of the really successful.” lack of opportuniWith the team’s ofW ’ ties they’ve had in fensive attack weaker Sam the past will excite than it has been in Krutonog ’18 them and help to past years and the drive them and furstrength of the team ther enhance the culture that having shifted to defense and the seniors brought,” Flacks goalkeeping, players admit said. that their margin of victory George Avakian ’20, Nolan will be lower than it used to Krutonog ’20 and Nico Tier- be. The wins will be of groundney ’20 got an opportunity to it-out type, and players do not play on the U.S. men’s cadet expect to dominate by 15 goals national team at the Darko like in years past.

Cukic Memorial tournament “Every team that goes in to in Serbia, helping the team to play us is going to think that win the gold medal with a 9-6 they have a chance to beat us, win over Croatia. just looking at [the matchup] Flacks stressed that young on paper,” Krutonog said. “Our players are as equipped to be strategy does definitely change leaders as those more experi- this year because we know enced if they have team-play- that it’s going to be a little bit er qualities. tougher for us to score goals.”

“Age has never been imAttacker Pierce Maloney portant to us ever,” Flacks ’19, one of the young talented said. “It’s how capable you players expected to improve are, your willingness to a be and step into a bigger role, atHITE S

MATTHEW YAM/CHRONICLE

NOT THROWIN’ AWAY MY SHOT: Sam Krutonog ’18 saves the ball. He is looking to be a major leader on the team this year. tributes special importance to leadership by committee.

“The leadership doesn’t really rest in a couple of our hands,” Maloney said. “We have really made an effort as a team to unite around each other rather than an individual.”

Krutonog also mentioned that one of the team’s most essential qualities is that any player can take the reins and be the trailblazer through tough situations.

“The greatest part of this

New trainer inspired by brother’s injuries

Girls’ Tennis

of injuries, but when my brother got injured in college, Brian Gallagher has been I was forced to learn [about] named the new Director of his condition,” said GallaghSports Medicine for the up- er. “I understood what being a trainer really was. Through coming school year.

With a background in ath- the process of evaluating his letic training, Gallagher said injuries and his rehabilitation, he is prepared to further de- my eyes were opened to a field velop the Sports Medicine De- of sports I never knew existed.

From that point on, I realized partment.

Gallagher studied Ath- what being an athletic teacher took, and I just letic Training immediately at West Chester University When my brother fell in love with the idea of beof Pennsylvagot injured in college I was coming one.” nia, and later Gallagher earned an forced to learn [about] his said he highly Master of Arts condition.” anticipates in Kinesiology and Sports — Brian Gallagher working alongside his colManagement Director of Sports Medicine leagues and from the Unithe progress versity of Conof the sports necticut. medicine departAfter graduating, Gallagher worked at the ment in his new position.

“I’m really looking forward University of Connecticut and to establishing an identity Stanford University.

Certified in Athletic Train- and building the Sports Mediing at the collegiate level for cine Department with my col15 years, Gallagher said his leagues,” said Gallagher. “We wide array of jobs deepened all share a common vision his childhood passion for ath- of where we want the Sports Medicine Department to go, letics.

He said he discovered his and I’m ready and excited to passion for sports medicine surround myself with the staff after his brother had an exten- and administration, as well as the entire Harvard-Westlake sive injury.

“I always had my fair share Community.”

By AMELIE ZILBER

EMILY RAHAAL/ CHRONICLE

SEEING DOUBLE: Former Wolverine Sophia Genender and teammate Jenna Moustafa ’17 warm up.

As both left the school last season, younger players are eyeing now-open leadership spots on the team.

Squad looks toward CIF title win

By BEN TENZER

Despite the departure of four senior leaders and the task of adapting to a new coach, the girls’ tennis squad hopes to return to the CIF finals for the third year in a row.

Going into the new season, the squad will be under a new head coach, Jelena Durisic.

Durisic previously served as the team’s assistant coach.

“I’m sure [Durisic] will have a really big impact on this season,” Lara Mikhail ’18 said.

Last year, the Wolverines

team is that there’s so many guys who can lead us down the stretch,” Krutonog said.

The group is tight-knit, and team members have spent time together this summer outside of training.

“Before and after practice, we hang out all the time, especially during summer,” Krutonog said. “We hang out at each other’s houses. A lot of times teammates come over to my house or [Neapole’s] house.

We definitely have some great team bonding.”

lost to Campbell Hall in the CIF finals. They ended the regular season with a 7-1 record, losing only to Notre Dame.

This year, the team has lost several players including Jenna Moustafa ’17 and former Wolverine Sophia Genender.

“Jenna and Sophia was one of our strongest doubles pairings, if not the strongest,” Lara Mikhail ’18 said. “So now that they’re gone, we have to develop stronger doubles skills as a team.”

Along with Moustafa, four other members of the squad have graduated, leaving holes in the girls’ lineup.

“We had four other seniors on the team last year,” Chloe Donovan ’19 said. “I think that the other members of the team will really need to step up and lead us this year.”

With openings in the lineup, younger players have opportunities to make an impact.

“Maddy Dupee ’20 and Erica Ekstrand ’20 have probably are probably the strongest players in our singles lineup,” Mikhail said. “It’ll be interesting to see how our new coach arranges the lineup.”

“

The Chronicle

D8 Sports

Q&A

Aug. 28, 2017

Jameson Wang Football

By Matthew Yam When and how did you start playing football?

I started playing football and basketball when I was four. My dad got me into sports at a really young age. I still play both.

What is your favorite part about being on the team?

Just the vibe. It’s like my second family to be honest. Football brings people together in a way that other sports can’t.

What are your goals for this season?

My personal goals are to throw more than 3000 yards, rush for more than 750 yards, limit my interceptions to a really low number and keep turnovers at a minimum. My main goal is to try to go 10-0.

Why do you wear the number eight?

The number eight is a lucky number in Chinese. I’ve been wearing it since I was four. People say that I started wearing it after Marcus Mariota, but it’s just a lucky number for the Chinese.

What’s it like being protected by USC commit Liam Douglass?

It’s special having him as right tackle. It’s a good feeling to always be protected on your right side with him playing defensive tackle.

He also plays running back. We actually have an incoming sophomore, Vito [Ameen ’20]. He’s looking pretty good. He’s pretty big, not Liam-big, but big.

What’s on your playlist?

Future, Drake, Travis Scott and Lil Uzi are on my playlist.

How do injuries and the risk of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) factor into your football experience?

We’re all worried about getting injured, but when you get on the field, it just doesn’t come to mind. We just play. We’ve been talking about [CTE] as a team. Most people that get it are in the NFL and have been playing their whole life. In high school, we don’t think about that because we haven’t been playing for long enough and we aren’t getting hit hard enough to get CTE. In the NFL, they are flying around and killing each other.

Who are your favorite NFL players?

My favorite player is Odell [Beckham Jr.]. I know quarterbacks usually like other quarterbacks, but I watched Odell [play] in college and it just amazed me, and going into the NFL he just sparked. My style would be compared to Marcus Mariota. It’s the dual threat aspect. We both pass and rush. There’s not a lot like that. Tom Brady, for example, he’s more drop back, pass, but Mariota and I, we can both run the ball the same amount as passing.

Stats

2,098 18 7

Passing yards in 2016 Passing touchdowns Rushing touchdowns

How has being Chinese affected your football experience?

You always get the racist aspect when on the field. It makes you want to prove people wrong. Chinese quarterback? What even is that? One of a kind. I don’t take offense. I just try to prove them wrong. I’m the same as all people. The other team will sometimes say, “open your eyes,” but I won’t let that get to me. They are just trying to get into my head. I don’t take it personally.

What are your plans for the future?

My dream goal is to play football at the highest level I can. If the highest level means college, then it’s college. If it’s the NFL or the CFL, that would be pretty cool. My goal is then to go on the coaching route, [hopefully] coaching at a college.

Do you have any words of wisdom?

Prove people wrong. That’s what I’m trying to do.

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