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SPRING/SUMMER 2018 WEBB M AGA ZINE
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todaythe weekend program
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Location, location, location. Some weekends are for skiing and some for frolicking at the beach … and the beauty of going to school at Webb, in beautiful Southern California, is that some weekends, you might have to choose between the two. After classes, labs, formal meals, study hours and team practices are done, the next important part of attending a boarding school is the opportunity to relax and have fun with peers and faculty on the weekends. These shared experiences not only enrich student growth, they also help foster relationships that last a lifetime. On the weekends, students have the chance to try new things and challenge themselves as individuals through a wide variety of activities. Rick Duque is the dean of campus life at Webb and says that the weekends are a good time for students to “get off the studying track” a bit and out into the world, not just sit in a dorm room playing video games.
“There are so many things to do and see in Southern California,” he says. “And part of high school is having fun.”
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SPRING/SUMMER 2018 WEBB M AGA ZINE
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todaythe weekend program
n an effort to best serve the interests of all students, a new weekend committee was formed, SWAG – Student Weekend Activity Group. Comprising 10 students from WSC and VWS, the group meets every Monday to discuss topics as wide ranging as food served on weekends to on and off campus activities. According to group member Victoria Castro ’18, SWAG’s mission is to “serve the community by providing and responding to requests to visit popular outside destinations, while also maintaining on-campus activities. We needed this committee to provide communication between clubs, leadership, students and faculty to develop an exciting weekend schedule.” The group employs word of mouth suggestions and their own ideas for brainstorming sessions to determine possible trips and activities. “ y mentality about the group is li e as ing myself, where would li e to go or where haven t been, or where would li e to explore, ” adds astro, a boarder on campus.
Boarding and day students are invited to enjoy a wide range of on and off campus activities. According to Duque, this year the group has planned excursions to, among other places, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Broad Museum, Hollywood Bowl, Santa Monica Pier, a Dodgers game, Knott’s “Scary” Farm (to celebrate Halloween), laser tag and SMORGASBURG LA—a weekly Sunday market in downtown Los Angeles for food, shopping and drinks. The group even arranged for students to participate in the January 20 Women’s March, which was held in downtown Los Angeles. loser to home, there is the Webber run where students sign up to visit locations nearby the school the movies, laremont illage, the olonies a retail and restaurant center in nearby pland , and ontclair lace mall, for example, so boarding students can go out and have fun or get errands done. And there are lots of activities on campus, too. The group has initiated riday night student choice dinners with the dining hall ta ing suggestions from the group, including po e bowls, chic en tenders, brea fast for dinner and more , brea fast brunch runs, and even a music jubilee during which students perform on their instruments. ill Anapoell , a trained hypnotherapist, visited campus last fall. e hypnoti ed several students and tal ed about the benefits of hypnotherapy for test anxiety, sleep disorders and more. “The wee end activities blend the interests of teachers as well,” says u ue. aculty members have led night hi es to nearby otato ountain s mores were crafted and consumed and science teacher ohn awrence too students to a olla ove to swim with and maintain a respectful distance from nonaggressive leopard sharks. The group also strives to maintain a healthy school fun balance in providing activities.
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is going to feature a lot of fun events on campus for boarders and day students. We plan on doing a wet slide on Alamo lawn, which has been done before with a lot of success, and a lot more.” The wee end activities also provide opportunities for teachers and students to interact with each other away from the classroom for faculty members to meet di erent students, and for students to interact with peers of all ages. “ f there is a major exam on onday, then it would be best to have more snac runs and library study places,” explains astro. “ f it is a more relaxed weekend then we might have a Six Flags or isneyland run.” The group meets almost every onday to discuss ideas and vet student suggestions. They then create a list on a whiteboard and start planning. “We have been coming up with a lot of our ideas based on what s happening right now and what students want to do,” explains hristopher onte . “So, if there is a big food event that a lot of people want to go to, we put that on the list and see the feedbac . We repeat some events based on how successful they were. We balance the educational and recreational activities based on student interest. We have set up visits to popular art museums, such as the road and A A, because a lot of people wanted that. We have had many suggestions for future museum visits, it is all just up to scheduling.” The group is also loo ing at opportunities for students to volunteer in the community. And there is a lot of cooperation with on campus clubs, student leadership and faculty. “We have a SWA wee end event that is being planned, in which we will probably collaborate with a lot of clubs and let each of them set up a little booth, and present whatever they want to whomever attends,” says onte. “The SWA wee end
Webb students are in uisitive by nature and eager to learn. “ grew up exploring my surroundings to the maximum,” says astro. “ ve lived in many di erent places and the first thing do when move or stay in a new environment is to explore. m usually up to date with travel and food reviews. n fact, started my own food blog because of it.” And, the group has also initiated a Fun Fund so that all students are able to participate in activities. SWA encourages students to ta e advantage of the cultural, educational, historical and recreational activities a orded in the Southern alifornia region and on campus at Webb. “These ids are living it right now,” says u ue of the group. “ t s all about the students. t s their wee end, their free time.”