Countdown centennial
2013-2014
Volume 1 | July 2012
westridge school Centennial Steering Committee Fran Norris Scoble, Chair former westridge head of school Alison Taylor ’80, Co-Chair Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86 Elizabeth Bonamy ’01 Sigrid Burton ’69 Stephanie Chandler Dencik ’90 Patti Johns Eisenberg Michele Nishiyama Esbenshade ’91 Rosemary C. Evans ’71 Judith K. Gain Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70 Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 Dorothy Hughes Matthiessen ’52 Kazue McGregor Sarah Young Miller Molly Munger ’66 Hope Tschopik Schneider ’70 Kristi Wallace ’61 Joni Moisant Weyl ’72 Sabra Clark White ’76 Elizabeth J. McGregor Head of School Anne Scott-Putney Director of Advancement
Our Chosen Path
Founding Values Shape A New Century Westridge is on the cusp of its 99th year, poised to commemorate its 100 year history in 2013-2014. An anniversary of this magnitude provokes reflection amid projection — as an institution, how did we get here, and where are we going? From the beginning, Westridge School’s progressive educational foundation, based on intellect, opportunity, independence, and goodness, was ahead of its time. Those founding values remain, have elevated the school to its present stature, and continue to provide the framework for our next century of educating young women whose joy in learning lead them to meaningful lives as contributing global citizens. The Centennial theme, “Our Chosen Path,” is a testament to Westridge founder Mary Lowther Ranney, an independent, forward-thinking, college-educated woman. An artist and professional who worked as a draftsman for the renowned Greene Brothers, Miss Ranney paved a standard and expectation for Westridge women and what it would mean for them to take their places in an ever-changing world. Westridge’s Centennial will be a celebration of the Westridge community which, by preparing and encouraging young women to forge and follow their own paths, has remained true to Miss Ranney’s vision and purpose for Westridge School. Under the leadership of former Head of School Fran Norris Scoble and an exceedingly thoughtful steering committee comprised of alumnae, current and past parents, and friends of Westridge, planning for Centennial has been well underway since summer 2011. We are grateful for their leadership and guidance. Next school year, 2012-2013, will be a crucial time for gathering historical data to bring the past into the present while looking into the future. It will a be a year of reconnecting with lost friends and making new ones through myriad planning opportunties for volunteers. Next year will set the stage for what will be Westridge School’s most significant milestone to date. Stay in touch. Become involved. You won’t want to miss a moment!
Monica Meñez Director of Communications Ava Megna Centennial Coordinator
Elizabeth J. McGregor, Head of School
westridge
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Founder Mary Lowther Ranney intended for Westridge School to be located at the home that she shared with her parents on State Street. As a result of the overwhelming registration of 21 students during the summer of 1913, the Ranneys acquired a larger house on Madeline, opening the doors of Westridge School at 324 Madeline Drive.
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Westridge’s program consisted of four departments in 1913: Montessori (two years)
donate your personal westridge items for Centennial & historical archiving
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Time to clear out from your closets, attics, and storage your Westridge items! The school is collecting all varieties of Westridgerelated materials, including school pictures, candid snapshots, school records, uniforms, early yearbooks, ephemera, memorabilia, and more! Your participation will greatly enhance the historical records and collections at Westridge School. For more information, including Westridge’s accession policy, please contact past parent Bonnie Burke Carthew, 626.818.1216, archives@westridge.org. Please specify what you would like to donate, and the best mode of collection (mail, pick-up, delivery, etc.). Donations will be accepted throughout this school year as well as during Centennial year.
Primary (three years) Intermediate (five years) Academic (four years) The Primary and Intermediate Departments corresponded to the eight grades of grammar school; the Academic Department, to the four years of high school.
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From day one, Miss Ranney intended for Westridge to be a school that prepared girls for college. The Academic Department followed two courses of study: the English Course, and the College Preparatory Course. The latter was designed to meet the entrance requirements of the Colleges and Universities admitting women in pre-suffrage America.
While these items may be used as part of the Centennial commemoration, they will also be maintained as part of the school’s comprehensive historical archive, documenting its first 100 years.
The original Westridge School was a brown-shingled home at 324 Madeline Drive (pictured above). To accommodate the rapidly growing student body, the home was torn down and the new Westridge School was built in its place in 1923. That second structure still stands today as the heart of 324 Madeline Drive, marked by the classic green front door.
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a call to action: Westridge Centennial Needs you!
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The Westridge community comprises a body of abundant talent, resources, and expertise. As a school established by its local community almost 99 years ago, a successful Centennial is one that involves, engages, and relies on its members from start to finish.
Centennial Events
The school seeks adult volunteers to help with Centennial planning and execution in a number of areas. If you enjoy or have experience in the following fields, we need you!
2013-2014
Founder’s Day Sunday • October 6, 2013
Centennial
Celebrations Thursday • March 20, 2014 Friday • March 21, 2014 Saturday • March 22, 2014 Sunday • March 23, 2014
> archiving / archival research > historical research & cataloguing > oral histories > exhibit design > architectural research > event planning > communications > social media management > writing & editing > photography & videography > administrative support (note taking, photocopying, scanning, etc.) > general assistance Planning committees will cover broad themes, including school history, social events, programmatic events, and communications. Volunteer positions are open now and will continue on an as-needed basis through March 2014. Be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No matter what your connection is to the school, become involved, share your talent, find old friends and make new ones! Contact current parent Jennifer Holladay, chair of the Centennial Volunteers Committee, centennialvolunteers@westridge.org.
324 Madeline Drive Pasadena, California 91105 www.westridge.org Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986
Power Steering An historic milestone as significant as Westridge School’s Centennial requires thoughtful and meticulous planning and research. Most essential to its success, however, is a great deal of passionate community involvement. Westridge is fortunate to have an exceptional steering committee in place, led by retired Head of School Fran Norris Scoble. See inside for the complete list of community members on the Centennial Steering Committee.
Count Down with W e s t r i d g e !
Centennial 2013-2014 Westridge introduces “Countdown,” a community newsletter detailing the collaborative goals, planning needs, and event announcements for Westridge’s Centennial in 2013-2014. We want you to join in the fun! Find out how, inside!
partial committee pictured above, standing (l.r.): Kazue McGregor, Hope Tschopik Schneider ’70, Michele Nishiyama Esbenshade ’91, Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70, Stephanie Chandler Dencik ’90, Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86. seated (l.—r.): Sabra Clark White ’76, Kristi Wallace ’61, Judith K. Gain, Fran Norris Scoble, Dorothy Hughes Matthiessen ’52, Sarah Miller.