South Pasadena Graduation 2020

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Congratulations

GRADUATES!

“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

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Flintridge Sacred Heart Shines Flintridge Sacred Heart Class of 2020 includes (in alphabetical order) Caitlyn Adams, Sofia Algorri, Emily Amirian, Nicole Ariki, Kristen Asmar, Catherine Bauer, Lindsey Beck, Lauren Bolte, Brianna Bronson, Caroline Chase, Yanjie Chen, Zunyi Chen, Francesca Christensen, Emma Condit, Margaret Coontz, Natalia Cruz, Emily Cupo, Leni Dai, Cerys Davies, Janna De Vera, Riley DeJardin, Ferryn Drake, Alexandra Ehrhart, Natalie Felikian, Isabella Gandarilla, Xinning Gao, Emily Giesler, Dominique Godinez, Samantha Godinez, Emily Gomez,Yuqi Gong, Qi Guan, Sarah Hanks, Madeleine Hara, Kysa Hayashi, Manami Hayashi, Chase Hayes, Kiara Hosseinion, Hillary Howard, Christine Huston, Natalie Isaghulian, Grace Italia, Elisa Jimenez, Jaden Jones, Margaret Kalaw, Carmen Kelley, Darcy Kelley, Georgia Kisob, Ann Krappman, Liliana Labellarte, Jocelle Marie Lauron, Brianna Layseca, Abigail Lewis, Eleanor Li, Aili Lin, Aiqi Long, Lea Lopez, Izabel Mah y Busch, Katrina Manaloto, Celine Moradi, Shiyi Mu, Elle Nawrocki, Lauren Nettels, Nicole Noriega, Francesca Norton, Emilie Nunn, Olivia Partamian, Sarah Peck, Christina Perasso, Olivia Pieterse, Madeline Placido, Liza Pyle, Hailey Ramos, Lia Ramos, Brynne Richardson, Emilie Risha, Olivia Roginson, Elizabeth Rosenberger, Claire Schmidt, Hannah Sobota, Olivia Spina, Camryn Steele, Catherine Sullivan, Meghan Sullivan, Kaitlyn Thomas, Quinlan Van de Voorde, Jiayi Wang, Jenna Webster, Lilian Welwood, Madeline Williams, Meihan Wu,Yu Wu, Jiayue Xia, Huanqi Yang, Julia Yellen, Qing Yu,Yajun Yuan, Zoe Zarifes, Ziyan Zhang, Catherine Ziegler and Alexandra Zuch.

Valedictorian Katrina Manaloto

Salutatorian Kristen Asmar

Flintridge Sacred Heart Associated Student Body Board includes President; Georgia Kisob, Vice President; Olivia Spina, Comm. of Boarding/ASB Rep; Jiayi Jenny Wang, Campus Minister; Janna De Vera, Secretary; Jocelle Lauron,Treasurer; Kristen Asmar, Comm. of Activities; Greta Coontz, 20

Clairbourn Grads’ Skills for Success in Life C

lairbourn Head of School Dr. Patzlaff’s message for the class of 2020: When I think about this class, your impressive, varied talents come to mind, as well as your ability to navigate surprises, like the switch to remote learning in the middle of the school year. At Clairbourn, you have become specialists in the skills that apply to all games and all situations. We have talked about these skills in our daily

Morning Assemblies, and these are the qualities from our Code of Ethics: honesty, respect, responsibility, citizenship and spirituality. These are the skills you need for success in life.

People keep referring to “these uncertain times.” But there is certainty in how you approach your life. You always have the choice to act ethically, and that gives you control in the game and in life. So I wish you

all the best because you are prepared with this special secret. Clairbourn is proud of you because, in the end, the medal they will hang around your neck will say you played the game well with honor, and you are scholars and leaders with heart.

Clairbourn is a CAIS- and WASCaccredited independent school for preschool-grade 8. Visit clairbourn. org or call (626) 286-3108.

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College Admissions in the Time of COVID-19 A

Westridge Class of 2020, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! W

estridge Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Westridge class of 2020 Instead of sitting on the risers on Westridge School’s Frank Field for commencement, this year’s class of 63 graduates drove across that same field for a safe commencement celebration welcoming them to the ranks of Westridge alumnae.

The car procession was preceded by an online ceremony, which featured salutatorian N’Dea PiliavinGodwin (Princeton ’24), valedictorian Leah Soldner (School ’24) and commencement speaker Krista Kokjohn Poehler ’93, assistant dean at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego.

In welcoming students, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor spoke

about the arc of events during the graduates’ lifetimes, from 9/11 to the current protests calling for an end to racial injustice and the pandemic that upended the students’ final months of high school.

McGregor noted that courageous women have led to great things during tumultuous times.

“This is where you come in!” said McGregor. “This is where you take your best bold selves, your resilience, compassion and leadership skills that have grown and flourished while you’ve been at Westridge, and unleash them near and far, restoring hope and possibility and guaranteeing a brighter future. Make it known that a Westridge graduate inspires others and leads a life of impact!”

s parents and students prepare for the college admission process this fall, they will encounter a landscape we have never encountered before, and systems filled with uncertainty. So much is changing. Standardized testing requirements have been suspended by the University of California but not by all universities; the Cal State system will institute remote learning in the fall, yet not all universities have determined their plan of action, and universities are examining the financial impact of COVID and determining which budgets to cut. Complex decisions being made daily will affect the class of 2021 in unexpected ways.

As I reflect on my experiences working in university admissions (Stanford and USC) as well as in high school college counseling offices (Poly and Prep), I understand that these are going to be stressful times for students and families. These experiences have shaped the ways I approach the application process, forming the lens with which I view trends. While events are changing the decisions families will need to make, I am encouraged by the opportunities these times have presented students.

The current climate is prompting families to look within. We have the opportunity to redefine success and re-examine day-to-day routines.

My students are increasing their sleep, reading for pleasure, going outside and having dinner at home with their families. Students are becoming more creative in what they plan to pursue this summer. One student wants to learn a new language; another plans to create a poetry blog, and another to organize virtual sessions with homeless youth. Universities can no longer expect students to take advantage of formal summer programs or service trips abroad, so this is the time to allow students to create, innovate and explore.

We expect the technical aspects of the college

Gloria Ventura application process to remain relatively consistent. Standardized testing will resume in the fall, application deadlines will likely go unchanged and essays will need to be written. But what can be different are the stories our students tell. Encourage your child to observe their world and the ways in which it is changing. Ask your children their opinions, observations and perspectives.

These conversations will inspire and shape the way they tell their story.

I welcome you to visit steppingstones.net and sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on the college admission climate, and please reach out to me at gventura@steppingstones.net for help supporting your teen on the road to a campus where they will thrive.

— By Gloria Ventura Stepping Stones to Learning

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