Westridge 2025:
A preview of the school’s new strategic plan. Page 2
LOOK INSIDE Class Notes, Ranney Award Winner, Alumnae News and more Winter 2020
ON THE COVER: Two generations of Westridge women! Sally Simonds White ’57 (center) with her granddaughters, Sarah W. ’20 and Emmie W. ’22.
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AROUND CAMPUS
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Q&A’S
News and photos from Madeline Drive.
ALUMNAE EVENTS Photos from alumnae get-togethers on campus and off.
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with Juanita Jimenez & Priscilla Dunn Flynn ’47.
STRATEGIC PLAN
What’s on the 5-year horizon for Westridge.
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ALUMNAE BOARD CHAIR As a long-term class representative and alumnae volunteer, I am constantly impressed by the remarkable changes to campus since I graduated in 1971, and by the ever-evolving curriculum, taught by a team of dedicated and dynamic educators. And as you will read in the story on the next page, this is a very intentional pursuit of excellence on behalf of our students. The school is embarking on a new strategic plan that paints an inspiring picture of the future of education at Westridge.
ALUMNAE NEWS
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Reunion Weekend photos, events, campus visits, ALUMNAE NEWS and more. Class notes and
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photos from alumnae.
As Alumnae Board chair, I took part in the development of this plan and it was an impressive process that got people thinking about how programs can evolve and change while remaining grounded in the core values, traditions, and competencies that remain at the heart of a Westridge education. Decade after decade, Westridge has helped students develop a solid sense of self, with admirable confidence garnered through the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. This strategic plan, with an emphasis on social and emotional development, as well as leadership, extends that tradition. Support for socioeconomic diversity is as strong, if not stronger, as it was when I attended Westridge thanks to financial aid, which has provided many students in our community the opportunity to attend the school. As a recipient of financial aid, my appreciation and gratitude run deep, and my friendships with classmates and fellow alumnae have strengthened as we celebrate Westridge, which is the enduring bond that connects us to one another. When I ask you, as alumnae, to share in the Alumnae Board’s passion to stay connected and give back to Westridge, I do so with a full heart from having received so much from Westridge, first as a student, and forever as an alumna. Surgere,
Catherine Christian Schultz ’71 Alumnae Board Chair 01
WESTRIDGE SCHOOL
Strategic Plan
ROOTED IN OUR BELIEFS
2020-2025
Dear Alumnae, This month Westridge launches its new strategic plan, which sets the school’s course for the next five years. It was two years in the making, starting with an all-faculty and staff selfevaluation of our program for our California Association of Independent Schools accreditation process, and continued with a year of research and meetings touching all constituencies of the school, including work with our Alumnae Board. The plan focuses on four priorities that we believe have transformational potential for our students:
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E xpanding programs and resources that promote student well-being and social emotional growth.
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Strengthening and expanding our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Conducting a curriculum review across all divisions of the school to inform a comprehensive program update focused on academic excellence, innovation, and relevance.
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Developing core leadership skills and personal agency in all Westridge students.
Student Well-being and Social Emotional Development
•W e believe that childhood and adolescence should be a joyful adventure of growth and discovery, while acknowledging that growth and change, by their very nature, can be disruptive. •T hat some stress is normal, necessary for growth, and can foster resilience and competency. •T hat relationships are the foundation for building the skills needed to manage stress well. •T hat students are best supported through integrated student care provided across departments and drawing upon the many resources and relationships available at school.
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•T hat as an institution entrusted with the well-being of girls, especially during a time of significant increases in adolescent stress and anxiety, we have a responsibility to provide the most comprehensive system of support possible to our students.
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Academic Excellence & Innovation
•W e believe education should be intellectually challenging, reflective, discussion-based, student-centered, and spirited. •T hat students, especially girls, learn best when they are deeply connected with their learning. •T hat students thrive on challenge and hard work when their studies are meaningful and purposeful. •T hat experiential education provides opportunities for deep learning that engages the hearts, as well as the minds, of students. •T hat curriculum innovation is critical to preparing students for an ever-evolving world and to the continued relevance of a Westridge education.
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Though on the surface disparate, these areas are tightly integrated components of academic excellence. As our alumnae tell us, in addition to our academic program, a key strength of our school has long been the emphasis we place on helping our students develop into healthy, good people through our work in human development, social emotional learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, leadership development, and the like. These are not secondary to us—we believe personal development is an essential part of what happens here. Today, there is growing body of research revealing the specific connections between students’ emotional well-being and their ability to learn and succeed in school—to academic excellence. And as we all know, we live in an era when stress, anxiety, and depression has increased dramatically among children and adolescents across the country, including a marked increase among high-achieving students. Based on these factors, in addition to an expansive curricular review this plan places significant emphasis on social emotional learning and our students’ readiness to learn. Our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion similarly touches on student wellness, readiness to learn, and academic excellence. Students must feel safe and like they truly belong to access our program, and there is more we can and will do in this area.
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human development, and changes in the world leading to evolving demands on our graduates, they remain true to the core values and beliefs of Westridge. We are inspired by the vision for Westridge espoused in the Westridge Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and look forward to sharing the progress that results with you, our alumnae. Thank you for being a part of the past and future of this important institution that we have the great honor to steward for a time.
Elizabeth J. McGregor Head of School
Richard Fung Chair, Board of Trustees
The full strategic plan can be viewed at www.westridge.org/strategicplan2020. In this edition of Surgere we wish to share the beliefs upon which this plan was built. In addition to providing insight into the thinking behind our strategic initiatives, beliefs are key threads in the fabric of any community. You will see that while these reflect significant advances in research in teaching and learning, neuroscience,
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• We believe understanding the full human experience is essential to preparing students for our increasingly diverse, global, and connected world. •T hat building and supporting a diverse community of students and adults must be a top priority for Westridge because a diverse educational environment deepens, strengthens, and solidifies academic excellence for all. •T hat a true sense of identity, emotional trust, and belonging is required for being present for learning, teaching, and taking part in the Westridge community. As such, equal priority must be placed on building and maintaining a culture of inclusion. •T hat all students welcomed into our community deserve access to the same opportunities.
Leadership & Agency •W e believe all will profit from closing the persistent gender gap in leadership. •T hat girls’ schools provide an ideal environment for developing leadership skills and traits in girls. •T hat girls are empowered when acting on their own behalf and making choices in their own interest. •T hat all girls benefit from developing the qualities and values of a leader—from integrity and resilience to vision and positivity—regardless of the path they choose in life. •T hat our emphasis on student voice, responsibility, and lives of impact primes Westridge girls to make a difference in the world. 03
Q&A
Alumna Priscilla Dunn Flynn ’47
We often talk about the lifelong impact of a Westridge education and the relationships forged on campus. At 90, Priscilla Dunn Flynn (mother of Louise Flynn ’78 and Catherine Flynn ’79) is a perfect example of these themes. The curiosity she attributes to Westridge teachers led her and classmate Kitty Palmer Liddle to Wyoming to see bison released to the Shoshone tribes in Wyoming just last year. Now Priscilla is hoping to go to Pleistocene Park in Siberia next summer and is in touch with the Russian scientists leading a project there employing bison to help protect the permafrost from melting. Kitty is just one classmate Priscilla remains in touch with. In fact, she is the glue of the class of ’47, a role Priscilla stepped into after Joanie Taufenbach Haskell ’47 passed away in 2014. Each year, Priscilla leads the charge at Phonathon for the class that has won the Herrick Bowl for highest participation in Annual Fund giving 10 times.
What influence did Westridge have on you? I think the strength of any institution is the people in it. One very strong influence was the teachers, and the other is the classmates. Through Joanie’s annual telephone calls, letters, and reunions over her 62 years as a class rep, we became a class. As you begin to grow up and get older, you really begin to appreciate how impressive these women are. The value of female friendships is huge. Friendships with women are deep because you understand each other, and you can share your feelings in an honest way. It’s bedrock. I feel sad for people who don’t have that. What did you learn at Westridge that has stayed with you through the years? I think one of the greatest gifts a teacher can give you is curiosity. I just turned 90 and I’m still learning and having new adventures. Curiosity is what keeps me going. Two teachers in particular who brought passion and curiosity to everything they taught us were Margaret Treat (history, 1942-1955), and Margaret Ewing (English and theatre, 1939-1949). They were revolutionary for their time. They thought there were no limits to what a woman could accomplish. After a long and varied career including work at Life Magazine, the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Chandler High School, Polytechnic School, and for a number of political campaigns, you’ve traveled extensively, including with classmate Kitty Palmer Liddle. Tell us about your travels. I’ve visited amazing places, including the Soviet Union with my daughter Catherine, Auschwitz, Canada, North Korea, and Vietnam. One of my first trips with Kitty, whom I met in 5th grade at Poly, was to Alaska, where my daughter, Louise, was working for an environmental consulting agency. We went to South Africa the year Mandela became president, to Antarctica on a Russian ship with just 35 passengers, on two river rafting trips, and we went to Wyoming in May to see the bison released. 04
Several years ago, we realized many of our friends were becoming less mobile, and that the only way we were going to see some them is if we went to them. So, Kitty and I took an 1,100-mile trip through California visiting Poly and Westridge classmates. We visited Cubby (Caroline) Wadsworth Rayfield in Dana Point, Mary Lou Price Moses in Palo Alto, Anne Forve Neville, Ginny deSurville Muller, Nan Vaughan and Arden Roberts Verbeck in Pasadena, and Susie Coate Alden in Mountain Ranch. We are so grateful that we did this, because it gave us the opportunity to celebrate and renew lifelong friendships that pick up right where we left off, no matter how long it’s been. Plus, we had a great deal of fun in the process.
Thank you, Priscilla, for being an important part of the Westridge community!
Left: Priscilla riding high on her 90th birthday Right: Kitty Palmer Liddle ’47 and Priscilla in Wyoming
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Ceramics Teacher Juanita Jimenez Looks Toward Her 50th Year at Westridge In 2021 Juanita Jimenez will celebrate her 50th year teaching ceramics at Westridge. In the decades she has worked here many things have changed, but her passion for her art and love for her students have never faltered. We sat down with Juanita to hear about how things have changed since she arrived at a ceramics garage with a single wheel in 1971.
How has your space evolved over time? When I started teaching ceramics here I had one potter’s wheel in a garage on a block of houses. All we had were some faucets and a hole in the ground with gravel in it for clean-up work and washing hands. The history department was in the house next door and slowly I started taking over their house. First the den, and then the kitchen became the glaze room, and when I started taking over the dining room they finally said “enough!” So they built this ceramics studio.
1972 Why have you stayed at Westridge so long? Really, it’s the students. I love when the girls get so excited about what they’re doing— that really warms my heart. The biggest pleasure that I get is when they can work with a media that they didn’t know anything about. It’s not only about creativity, it’s about having a positive attitude and persevering. If I can teach them about patience, perseverance, and process, I think I’ve done a lot.
And now look at this (the Laurie ’68 & Susan ’71 Frank Art Studio built in 1978), it’s just an amazing studio! We have 16 potter wheels, three kilns, a glaze room, and a ceramics library. How has teaching ceramics changed since 1971? I’ve been through seven headmistresses, so there has been a lot of change in how we approach academics, how we approach learning, and how disciplines interact with one another. I really like collaborating with academic teachers, that’s really important to me. Last year I collaborated with Eric Libicki on a geometry project, creating mathematical 3D forms. I also did an English project with Tarra Stevenson based on the idea of “what comes first, the chicken or the egg” with images and writing.
1985
I’ve grown a lot with my students and with my colleagues with the passing years. I’m much more patient, and I’ve come to really love the process, and I talk to the girls a lot about that. I think process teaches you so much if you can take the time to be in it and then spend time analyzing what you learned. What do you hope students get out of your class? The ability to create a 3-dimensional form and feel good about how they built it. I often get students who say they’re only here because they can’t paint or draw. So I try to find something that really resonates with them. I had one student who was a musician who built a full-size bass out of clay. Then we strung it with catgut and it made sound! So then they think about themselves and their abilities in a different way. I think that everyone has a creative side, they just need to explore it. 2019
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Westridge Alumnae Readers Book Club JANUARY 22 Susan Orlean—The Library Book MARCH 10 Dorothy Parker—Complete Stories (Penguin Classics) MAY 20 Michelle Obama—Becoming
Westridge Alumnae Readers Book Club
JULY 15 Lisa See—Island of the Sea Women
The November 13 Alumnae Readers Book Club gathering, hosted by Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83, combined discussions of Ursula K. Le Guin’s 50th anniversary edition of The Left Hand of Darkness with a showing of the PBS documentary Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, edited by Westridge’s own Gail Huddleson ’83. In addition to discussing the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book, the documentary provided great insight into the life of the renowned writer, known as the queen of science fiction. Kudos to Elizabeth Kully ’83, who makes it a point to attend book club once a year when visiting from Australia. “If I lived any closer, I’d attend every meeting!” said Kully. Book club attendees in front of Gail Huddleson’s screen credit include (left to right): Barbara Davis Reynolds ’72, Cathy Terry Dees ’54, Karen Schirm Irwin ’56, Elizabeth Kully ’83, Taylor Callobre ’08, Stephanie Sauter ’83, and Lynne Tsuboi Saito ’63. Kneeling: Sylvia Crowley Holmes ’76, Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83, and Lisa Vandergriff, director of Alumnae Affairs.
Seattle Alumnae Happy Hour Westridge partnered with Polytechnic School to host a Seattlearea alumni event in October. The casual happy hour gathering was held at the Local Public Eatery, where a mix of alumni from both schools enjoyed food, beverages, and conversation. Be sure to keep your contact information current with Westridge so you’re on the mailing list if there’s an alumnae event in your area!
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Front row: Lyndi Wu, Ellen Judson, Carole Fortin Conger ’60. Back row: Christopher Volk, Melissa Furbush Shaw ’86, Palmer Robinson ’69, Helen Murphy ’67.
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College Care Package Mailing The fall college care package mailing for the Class of 2019 was executed with great organization and enthusiasm by the group of 2019 parent volunteers who gathered for coffee and conversation in Pitcairn House on October 28. In addition to some Westridge gear and helpful gifts for college students, the
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packages included letters students wrote to their future selves in human development class. There will be another mailing in February for all college-age alumnae for whom we have a confirmed mailing address. Email alumnae@westridge.org to update your mailing address, or visit our website, www.westridge.org/alumnae.
Alumnae Phonathon/ Annual Fund Appeal
Jossalyn Turner Emslie’s Medical Shadowing Program
The October 16 Alumnae Phonathon brought together a great mix of Alumnae Board members and class reps to reach out to their classmates in support of the Annual Fund. From phone calls to texts and emails, alumnae from classes of 1947 to 2012 kept the Pitcairn House abuzz with activity. Many thanks to our dedicated Annual Fund ambassadors and supporters!
Dr. Jossalyn Turner Emslie’s ’83 medical shadowing program for Westridge students is now in its third year. This summer, five Westridge students participated in this week-long program that provides hands-on experience seeing patients, learning about medical school, and speaking to a diverse range of medical professionals.
If you haven’t joined your class in supporting the 2019-2020 Annual Fund yet, please visit www.westridge.org/give.
Elisa D. ’20, Rowena H. ’20, Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83, Kathleen H. ’20, Isabella G. ’20, and Kaylan P. ’20.
Barbara Davis Reynolds ’72, Nina Warner ’73, and Andrea Mills ’72 enjoyed each other’s company during Phonathon. 07
Stanley Schultz, Catherine Christian Schultz ’71, Laureen Chang, Elaine Pan
Isabel A. ’20 and Georgie Bray Erskine ’50
Leadership & Loyalty More than 200 parents, grandparents, alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends of Westridge gathered at the Athenaeum for the annual donor recognition celebration honoring donors of $1,913 or more, members of the Madeline Society, and loyal donors. Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor and Associated Student Body President Sophie C. ’20 welcomed guests, and Darrell Spence, chair of the advancement committee of the Westridge Board of Trustees and Catherine Christian Schultz ’71, chair of the Westridge Alumnae Board also spoke. “Now more than ever the world needs Westridge women and we thank you for helping make their success possible,” said McGregor.
ASB President Sophie C. ’20 and Elizabeth J. McGregor
James and Kathleen Wallis
Lisa Vandergriff and Shahbano Nawaz ’98
Young Alumnae Circle December Brunch Front row, from left: Mari Di Napoli ’15, Kamryn Green ’18, Elizabeth J. McGregor, Sophia Ramirez-Brown ’18, Amanda Milley ’17, Grace Wallis ’17, and Carolyn Arya ’15. Back: Emily Kim ’11, Siobhan Aamoth ’10, Lily Leventhal ’10, Jessica Yang ’10, Charlotte Hall ’11, Sarah Beshir ’10, and Bonnie Singh ’14.
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HOMECOMING 2020 Tiger pride was soaring at this year’s homecoming, which featured several exciting new events. This year, homecoming featured Tigers vs Tigers as alumnae athletes and faculty took on current students in soccer and basketball. Following the games, a special reception was held at Pitcairn House to celebrate Melanie Horn’s 25 years of empowering students at Westridge. Of course, the day kicked off with the traditional College Conversations event featuring our most recent alumnae from 2019 speaking with the Class of 2020.
College Connections Fair & Parade turns five! On May 15, Westridge College Counseling and Alumnae Affairs will present the 5th annual College Connections Fair & Parade! Last year 150 alumnae, students, faculty and staff turned out to represent more than 80 colleges and universities.
1. R econnect and bond with faculty and staff who share your college alma mater
Here are the TOP FIVE REASONS WHY you should attend:
2. S how your college pride 3. The Westridgettes perform their LAST performance of the year!
4. Really, are there any other parades this fabulous in Pasadena? Well, at least in May? And with Mrs. O’Grady “pooper scooping?”
5. Have you tried the punch?! 09
Westridge Fields First Robotics Team
Bringing Back a Beloved Tradition: the Big & Little Sisters Picnic
In a Westridge first, there is now a Tiger robotics team! Although the robotics class is in its third year, this is the first time that Westridge has fielded a competitive robotics team. The team spent fall semester building and programming three robots in preparation for game-based engineering competitions in the winter.
This year, Westridge revived a beloved tradition—the Big & Little Sister picnic! Big & Little Sisters began in 1956 as a way for students to connect and make new friends across divisions. For many years the picnic was central to the Big & Little sister events, but it went by the wayside somewhere in the mid-2000s. This year’s picnic added a twist and turned it into a friendship braceletmaking party!
Westridge Writing Center Now Open for Business The Westridge Writing Center opened in November, staffed by faculty members and specially trained student Writing Fellows who are available to help students with their writing. “We want to meet every student where they are at any point in their writing process, and we want to provide a low-stakes environment where students can come in for practice, remediation, and enrichment (and candy),” said Tarra Stevenson, English teacher and co-founder of the Writing Center.
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Huge Response to Test of New Parent Education Format Director of Counseling Lisa Carruthers and Westridge Research Initiative Coordinator Jim Holland had a brainstorm this summer. What if, in anticipation Dr. Lisa Damour’s visit to campus, they offered a series of guided discussions for parents addressing how the issues in her book Under Pressure manifest in their daughters’ lives? They expected interest from 10 or 15 people. Over 100 registered. Six groups of 15 were formed and a large, one-time event was held so that everyone could participate before Dr. Damour’s visit.
There’s a New Student Leadership Group on the Block This fall, the Student Action Council (SAC) joined the roster of student leadership groups on campus. SAC grew out of last year’s “Dream Summit,” which gave students a chance to share their perspective on the strategic plan. This group was created to ensure ongoing dialogue between students and the administration, with 16 members representing all student leadership teams on campus: Peer-to-Peer, Spyglass, Student Voices, Student Life, and ASB.
Varsity tennis won the CIF-SS Division 4 championship for the second time in Westridge history! (The Tigers also won in 1981.)
Head of School Introduces Little Lending Library If you visit Ayrshire Courtyard, you might notice a dollhouse-sized addition to the familiar landscape. The cute green and white house outside the Head of School’s office is our new Little Lending Library! It is filled with books that expand on this year’s theme of empathy and connection, curated by Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, faculty members, and several enthusiastic student readers.
CONGRATULATIONS
to Dance Teacher Kashmir Blake and Art Teacher Linda Brownridge!
2020 marks 25 years of teaching Westridge girls for both of these dedicated educators. 11
DON’T MISS 2020
Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7 Genevieve Ko ’96, Julie Chen Woo ’93, and Vanessa Gaw Baik ’94
If you have yet to RSVP and would like to attend, please email alumnae@westridge.org to register today and reserve your seat at Saturday’s luncheon. Left: Class of 1953 Herrick Bowl recipients Holly Greeff Robinson, Gwen Garland Babcock, and Cynthia Crawford Berne.
Friday, March 6 1:45 PM Gathering of the 50th Reunion Class of 1970
4:00 PM Westridge Tigers Softball vs. Polytechnic School
5:00-7:00 PM Fiesta Friday Reception sponsored by the Westridge Alumnae Board
2:15 PM Pen Pal Tea for the Classes of 1970 + 2028
3:30-4:45 PM Noir Lighting in Photography Join Upper School Art Teacher Katie Sivers and students for a hands-on lesson in using lighting to create striking portraits using your cell phone. Bring your phone, of course!
3:30-4:15 PM Speak to Spyglass Spyglass advisor Masami Hansen and students present an overview of the pitch to publish process for the now digital Spyglass newspaper, including student-led interviews of alumnae to be published in the April 17 edition.
4:15-5:00 PM Not Everything is Lost: The unexpected gift of a cookie. Join Ms. Bizar and Mr. Cross, the guides for 7th-grade cultural studies, as they explore ways to nurture happiness and resiliency while interrogating identity, diversity, and our shared humanity. We’ll dig into a beautiful text, do a little writing, and share a sweet treat; somehow, we’ll weave it all together into a cohesive and meaningful story, a story we tell of ourselves. 12
Saturday, March 7 10:30 AM Coffee & Registration
10:45 AM Alumnae Speaker Genevieve Ko ’96, Los Angeles Times cooking editor and author of Better Baking.
11:30 AM Reunion Class photos for classes ending in “5” or “0”
12:00 PM uncheon & Program Honoring the 2020 Ranney Award Recipient L Jinko Gotoh ’75 and Lauren Yang ’09, the 2020 Distinguished Young Alumna Award-winner. Interested in booking a hotel in Pasadena at a block rate during Alumnae Weekend? Please contact Melissa Wu ’94 at melissa@woodlyntravel.com or (626) 817-2589.
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD Westridge is pleased to announce the 2020 Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Award will be presented to Jinko Gotoh ’75 during the Alumnae Weekend luncheon on Saturday, March 7. The Ranney Award is given annually to an alumna whose life embodies the spirit of the Westridge motto, Surgere Tentamus, and who, by her commitment to her chosen path, her dedication to lifelong growth and learning, and her habits of heart, mind, and action is an example and an inspiration to the Westridge community.
Jinko Gotoh ’75
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inko Gotoh ’75 is one of the film industry’s most sought-after animation producers and consultants. Her career began on Warner Bros.’ Space Jam, after which she moved to Disney Feature Animation. There, as director of digital production, she oversaw the inevitable move to CGI animation and its extensive application on such features as Dinosaur and Fantasia 2000 and, later, on Pixar’s Finding Nemo for which she served as associate producer. She is currently producing Escape from Hat for Netflix. Her other producing screen credits include 2020 Oscar-nominated Klaus, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Little Prince, The Illusionist, and 9.
Jinko serves as vice president for Women in Animation, an advocacy organization to advance women and people of diversity in the industry. She is co-president of The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, bringing essential musical education to children in underserved Los Angeles neighborhoods. She is also a member of the EC, and an A2020 member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, representing diversity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in applied math, and an MFA in film from Columbia University.
The Westridge Distinguished Young Alumna Award was established in 2020 and will be awarded annually to a young alumna who exhibits excellence, leadership, and agency during her educational and career path, and who continues to serve as a role model and inspiration for Westridge students.
Lauren Yang ’09
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ust six years out of college, Lauren Yang, a proud member of the Class of 2009 and a Westridge lifer, has forged an interesting career path, founded a non-profit, and earned her MBA. And she is just getting started.
After graduating from Middlebury College with a degree in environmental science and architecture, Lauren took a job as manager of business development at a small food-manufacturing firm. Wanting to understand the business from all aspects, she started on the assembly line trimming raw chicken. Talking with coworkers she discovered that many of their children were struggling in school and she offered to tutor some of their kids. When the demand became too big, she created a non-profit, the Early Bird Tutoring Center, for first generation college-bound students. Six years later, the center has 41 children, ages 3-19, and seven tutors. One former student is now attending college, with special thanks to past tutors Natalie Shum ’09 and Cameron Marsh ’14.
In 2017, Lauren received her MBA from UCLA Anderson, where she was her class commencement speaker and recipient of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service. There, she was copresident of the Anderson Basketball Club, which had 180 members, just two of whom were women. After business school, Lauren spent a year working at Capital Group with Jill Peterson Dennis ’94. She is now back in Pasadena running her non-profit, working at the food manufacturing firm, and planning to start her own business in the near future.
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1936
Virginia Sterry Hislop (Yakima, WA): “I’ve led an interesting and busy life, and am eternally grateful for my Westridge education. It made going to Stanford easy and contributed to a lot of the things I’ve been doing.”
1953
Cynthia Crawford Berne (Duarte, CA) met with classmate Hatti Fincke Woakes in Fishguard Pembrokeshire, Wales for a wonderful three-day visit in August.
1959
Cecily Wilde Bishop (Cedarburg, WI) was in Copenhagen for two weeks in September visiting her granddaughter during her year abroad. She also went to Helsinger, Roskilde, and Amsterdam and had a wonderful time! Elizabeth Pyle Chandler (Desert Hot Springs, CA): “I am with a new gallery in Palm Desert, Juxtapose & Akimbo on El Paseo, and a new website, echandlerart.com. Still lifting 14
weights and working out. My son, David, will start nursing school in January and daughter, Karin, is an MFT in Marin County! Best to all of you, Elizabeth.” Susan Hazeltine Connell (Pasadena, CA) All is well with Susan, who still loves painting and recently had a group show in Santa Monica. Cynthia Nash Hummel (Billings, MT): “My husband and I continue to pursue our goal of visiting all of the 195 countries in the world. We just returned from Lebanon and Bahrain, which brings us up to 183. Earlier this year we were in Chad, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi! On the list for 2020 are Antarctica (not a country, but worthwhile destination), Liberia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, which will bring us up to 186 by next October. One of my favorite activities continues to be maintaining friendships with special friends in Germany. Every year I find three weeks to visit them and am extremely pleased that my ’German brain’ seems to click in and let the German flow. All is well here in Billings,
1 Montana as winter begins to make itself known with snow and colder temperatures.” 1 Gloria Newhouse Martin (Santa Barbara, CA) and husband Keith are enjoying many activities, including theater and music, as members of the Santa Barbara Club, which was founded in 1892. Carol Fisher Minelli (Longmont, CO) is the newly-elected president of the Longmont Symphony, which puts on 16 to 18 concerts per year, including the “Gentle Nutcracker,” a one-hour, sensoryfriendly adaptation from the second act of The Nutcracker featuring the Boulder Ballet. The
opportunity to walk around and talk during the show is helpful for those with special needs or who are sensory disabled/challenged, and they sell 500 tickets. Isabel Travis Pulvers (Pasadena, CA): “Hi to everybody! Everything is fine, no complaints.”
1962
Sarah Jane Harper-Lansburgh (Nevada City, CA): “I have been participating in the Damanhur School of Meditation located in the Piedmont Valley of the Alps of Northern Italy for about four years. My joy is to learn new ways of thinking. Northern Italy
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is beautiful. Thank you Westridge for the structural foundational capacity to think and perceive beyond the encultural mind set we were born into.” Barry Zorthian (Mill Valley, CA): “Retired at the beginning of 2018, but still working about 10%. Broke my wrist in August, finally getting better. Apart from all the fires, enjoying life in Marin County. My favorite thing is still lying on the bed reading mysteries, just like it was when I was at Westridge.”
1967
Nancy Wallace Nelson (Mendocino, CA) and her precious Shadow are enjoying “elderhood” on the Mendocino Coast. They just read Dr. Louise Aronson’s book Elderhood, and they’re more informed and empowered for the adventures ahead! 2
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1969
Teri Wilde (La Cañada, CA): “2019 has been an eventful year starting with the class of 1969’s 50th reunion. It was wonderful to see so many classmates, many of whom I haven’t seen since our graduation. I’m so proud of our class, especially Sigrid Burton and Elizabeth Russell, for being the driving force behind the Forever Fund to raise endowment funds for financial aid and to ensure that future generations of qualified students have the means to attend Westridge. It was a thrill for me to present a check for $100,000 to Liz McGregor at the Alumnae Weekend luncheon as the first contribution. Since Alumnae Weekend, I’ve had a chance to get together with Sigrid, Elizabeth, Mary Farris Anderson, Carol Watson Kunert, Janet Jobe and Andy Jorgensen. Lots of fond memories and plenty of laughter with all these amazing ladies. Serving on the Alumnae Board has been another rewarding Westridge experience. So many interesting, accomplished women with such diverse life experiences! Reconnecting with Westridge has definitely been a big plus. I’m still working and in my spare time I’ve been traveling. This year I took a culinary trip down the Rhône River and in January it’s off to Egypt. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten everything I learned about ancient Egypt in Miss Lonergan’s class! I’ve been taking French lessons—merci, Mme Haas, you taught me well. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds when I retire.”
3 1970
Jennifer Zoff Lamb (St. Helena, CA): “After living in the amazing Napa Valley since 1975, owning and managing a vineyard with my husband Herb since 1987, making and selling our HL and Two Old Dogs wine labels since 1997, and losing my husband in 2014, I have decided to lease out the vineyard and am anticipating being somewhat retired within the next year. It’s time to travel with friends and family (any takers?), enjoy the beauty of my home and vineyard views, and spend precious time with my family and grandchildren on the East Coast...drinking someone else’s wine!”
1971
Debbie Lawrence (Pasadena, CA): “I have a new assignment as the manager of major projects for the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning. No intention of retiring yet, but when I do I want to ride my horse Carly more often. I continue to enjoy getting together with my very special Westridge friends!”
1973
Cynthia West Bennett (Altadena, CA): “I’ve become a grandmother three times over with another one on the way. I find the grandchildren hilarious and love spending time with them. I started a clothing/design business some time ago that started as just for children and now we have expanded to include women. I love designing and sharing what we are up to. Check us out at www.devonsdrawer.com! I’m still in Altadena with my elderly father who is 95. I’ve found that coming back to Southern California has been therapeutic and I’ve loved the climate and pace. That’s all!” Nina Warner (Culver City, CA): “Our class continues to circle back and have some amazing fun with one another. A White House and Congressional tour took place for Judith Schonbach and me in late October as well as seeing openings and closings of museums there. Funny thing, Terry Gamble Boyer ’73 was also in DC for meetings and then on to her book promotion for The Eulogist. Sarah Weller
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King, Sarah Wheeler Cobb, and Tina Oldknow all rendezvoused for some October fun as well in Silver City—visiting the Cat Walk, Pie Town, Toaster House, and onto the Cobb’s house to be serenaded by the very talented singers from Opera Southwest. And Weller/Wheeler also made a pilgrimage to see Cathleen Chandler Eckhardt, who is now a grandmother. Traveling alums include: Paula Pomerantz Feinberg—in her 27th year of teaching and getting ’cut,’ which is truly impressive; Judith
Blanchard Sacco spent a lot of the summer in Europe and Diane Egelston was also abroad in a delicious food tour in Italy. Brava Class of 1973!” 3 (page 15)
1974
Polly Ellis (Menlo Park, CA) shared photos and news of a fun-filled reunion with the Class of 1974 that included lunch at the Valley Hunt Club, a walking tour, dinner at El Portal, and custom Westridge cookies from Federico’s. 4, 5
1976
Anne Dorsey Long (Shafter, CA): “On the way to the Phonathon today, I had a vivid memory of Madame Houser walking one of her giant poodles along Orange Grove. It made me smile.”
1977
Yvonne Cwak Dunatov (Sammamish, WA): “Drove down to LA from Seattle with my son and had the great pleasure of meeting up with Suko Gotoh at her lovely home in Glendale—a mini reunion where we picked up seamlessly from our high school years. Good friends last forever.”
1980
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5 4. Front row: Marie Noelle Brisson (’73), Polly Ellis, Janet Kennedy, Sarah Lasell Illtis, Ann Moorman, Angelita Cruz, Peggy Furman, Diane Allen Voorhees Back row: Cassie Tollenaere Abrams, Cathy Haskett Hany, Anne Stockwell, Jerre Ann Stathatos Pappelis, Janet Kennedy, Nancy Baxter, Melissa Johnson 5. Walking Tour (front row): Anne Stockwell, Peggy Furman, Sarah Lasell Iltis. Back row: Mia Davidson, Jerre Ann Stathatos Pappelis, Polly Ellis, Angelita Cruz, Ann Moorman
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Pamela Carter Bryant (Los Angeles, CA): “I just can’t seem to get enough of this life-long learning thing, so I’ve gone back to school (again). I started the DNP program at UCLA this fall. Loving it so far, but definitely an adjustment working full time and school full time... while north of 50! My little muffin just made seven years and is in first grade. I love being a nana. Would love to hear from my Westridge tribe.” Tracey Banks Newsome (Roswell, GA): “After 27 years in Seattle, I’ve traded in my Washington apple for a Georgia peach and have moved to Atlanta. I love the people, weather, and quality of life here. I’ve taken a new job as a product marketing manager with Philips Healthcare after a 20+ year marketing career at Microsoft. And the most exciting bit of news is that my son is getting married in June 2020.”
1983
Kacey Riley (Altadena, CA): “I have a son in college—can’t understand that I am old enough to have a son that old. I am still in the Tournament of Roses 26 years and counting. Beyond my volunteer groups, I help people navigate the Medicare maze, which keeps me busy.”
1987
Darragh Jones Cheleden (Pasadena, CA): “Caitlyn Cheleden ’11 was sworn in as a member of the New York State Bar on June 26, 2019 in Albany, NY. She is currently an associate attorney in New York City for the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She married Robert Rogowski on October 12 in Charlottesville, VA.”
1988
Thembisa Mshaka (Brooklyn, NY) was nominated for two Voice Arts Awards for her work as a voiceover artist. The ceremony was held November 17 by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles. Her work as the voice of the Southern grocery store chain Publix and for a PSA she voiced for the Alzheimer’s Association were nominated for Outstanding Commercial, TV or Web, and Outstanding Public Service Announcement respectively. In her work as a brand creative executive for BET Networks, Thembisa serves as the editorial brand lead for the network’s new subscription streaming service, BET+ in the capacity of copywriter for the print marketing campaign
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2001
Monique Robinson (Los Angeles, CA) was featured on Susan G. Komen’s weekly podcast, Real Pink, on November 4. Through her journey as a two-time survivor, she seeks out various opportunities to educate and empower other women diagnosed with breast cancer. Available on your podcast platform of choice at www.realpink.komen.org.
2003
6 and the app’s interface. She currently has outdoor advertising and radio campaigns appearing nationwide for the hit dramas Tyler Perry’s The Oval and Tyler Perry’s Sistas, which premiered on BET October 23 and airs Wednesdays at 9/8 central. 6
2000
Natalia Olarte de Staunton (San Marino, CA): “I recently completed the coursework for my doctorate in clinical psychology in which my research focused on how parents can promote resilience in their children. I am currently doing a one-year training program that focuses on geropsychology at Heritage Clinic in Pasadena. My son, Daniel, just turned three and loves the solar system and taking things apart.”
Morgan Muir Callahan (San Francisco, CA): “I am a fulltime attorney, wife, and mother. My husband and I live in San Francisco with our two-yearold daughter, Audrey. I am a healthcare lawyer at BioMarin, a biotechnology company in San Rafael. In keeping with my all-girls roots, I’ve been singing with an all-female a cappella group called The Loose Interpretations, or the Loosies for short (www.loosies.com), for the past nine years. Recently, my dear friend Angela Markle ’03 and I introduced our young daughters and it was magical.”
which took a historical look at civilization’s relationship with barriers, both real and imagined, Zandie worked to develop a series of public programs around topics such as prison photography, the relics of redlining, and the importance of public art for creating sites of contemplation and mindful living. Actress and activist Sophia Bush ’00 moderated the show’s panel discussion with artists Candy Chang and James A. Reeves. 7 Courtney Pollock Maher (Long Beach, CA): “I am currently living in Long Beach with my husband and we had our first baby in August (a boy named Owen). I am an occupational therapist specializing in inpatient rehabilitation (working mostly with people with neurological deficits).”
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2006
Alyson Kil (Pine Bluff, AR): “I graduated from medical residency in occupational and environmental medicine this summer from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center/Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences as chief resident. I was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal as well. I am now the chief medical officer at Pine Bluff Arsenal, an Army arsenal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.”
2008
Blair Smith (Los Angeles, CA): “I was recently promoted to the position of City Planner at Los Angeles City Planning. I’ll be crafting affordable housing policies in the Citywide Housing Unit. I’m very excited and can’t wait to dive in.” 8
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2005
Zandie Brockett (San Marino, CA) is now working as the senior manager of engagement and learning at the Annenberg Space for Photography. After living and working as a curator in China for the past eight years, Zandie is thrilled to be back in LA running public programs and education initiatives at the photography space. For its last exhibition, WALLS: Defend, Divide, and the Divine,
7 Left: Zandie Brockett ’05 and Sophia Bush ’00 Right: Blair Smith ’08 and her co-worker and mentor Debbie Lawrence ’71
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focused on advancing outcomes for California’s children and families.
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Kimberly Koperski (Washington, DC) currently works at KPMG in their Federal Audit practice. Kimberly is wrapping up her CPA license and is training for a Spartan Race in spring of 2020. Kristy Koperski (Santa Clarita, CA) graduated with her Master’s degree in nursing from UCLA over the summer and recently started working on a telemetry unit at Northridge Hospital. She and her fiancé, Brett, recently bought a home together and are getting married next summer!
2009
Lauren Yang (San Marino, CA) co-hosted the Class of 2009 ten-year reunion on December 28 with Maud Waterman and Emilie Hahn. A great turnout of classmates and significant others (aka Sig-Os) enjoyed a taco bar, snacks and beverages, photo booth, memorabilia displays, senior skit videos, and a Westridge trivia game with Westridge swag prizes, party favors, and more! 10
2010
Jessica Yang (Arcadia, CA) graduated from Penn Law in May and was sworn into the California Bar this month. Prior to law school, she worked at PwC and is licensed as a CPA. She is currently a real estate attorney at Skadden, Arps in downtown Los Angeles. Her
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sister, Angela Yang ’17, is a junior at Penn studying systems engineering. She interned at Southern California Edison this past summer and will be studying abroad in Stockholm in the spring. 11
2012
Jillian Eisenberg (Glendale, CA) recently earned her Master of Science in nursing from the University of San Francisco. She currently works at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in their solid organ transplant unit and is loving every minute of it! Mara Goby (Berkeley, CA) is a second year Master of Public Policy student at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School. After graduation, Mara plans to pursue a career in local government
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2014
Carly Oscar (Brooklyn, NY): “I’m about to head into production on my second season working on Sesame Street, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Additionally, I was just promoted to assistant to the executive producer. While at Sesame Workshop, I’ve also had the chance to work on new (and mostly secret) projects for Apple TV+ and HBO Max. I am currently living in Brooklyn, but if any Tigers need help figuring out how to get to Sesame Street, I’m your girl!” 12
2015
Nicole Chrisney (Los Angeles, CA) After graduating from UCLA in June with a major in communication studies and minors in gender studies and entrepreneurship, Nicole decided to put her studies to the ultimate test and launch her own online fashion brand, Rebelflow. “It wasn’t easy to forego the more traditional path of taking a full-time job after graduation, but I knew any other full-time job offer I accepted was only delaying my dreams from becoming a reality,” Nicole recalled. From figuring out how to legally incorporate a business, traveling to source clothing, perfecting the branding and website with fellow Westridge alumna Allegra Gutierrez ’15, making sales, and a lot more, Nicole has learned to work through the struggles and celebrate the successes that come with starting up a business. The brand can be found online at www.rebelflow.com and on
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Instagram and Facebook @shoprebelflow. 13 Lucy Grindon (Middlebury, VT) is living in Verona until July 2020, teaching English and learning Italian!
2016
Grace Wallis (Stanford, CA): “I’m directing Pippin—the largest student theater production and musical on campus this year. Finally, not Shakespeare! My vision is largely inspired by my passion for environmental justice, the psyche of young people amidst climate change, and science communication through the performing arts. It goes up in early-mid April 2020! I’m also part of a yearlong artist’s honors cohort, working on a performance piece titled Earthsong that explores and inspires hopeful humanenvironment interaction through sound design and tap dance. For those of you who know me, don’t worry. I am not the one who’ll be tap dancing.”
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Please send class notes and photos for the summer edition of Surgere to alumnae@westridge.org.
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In MEMORIAM THE SCHOOL HAS LEARNED OF THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
Adelaide Finkbine Hixon ’36 Adelaide died at her home on November 6. She was 101 years old. Adelaide was a uniquely complex and loving person who deeply influenced many people during her long life. She had a decent golf game and was a highly accomplished fly fisher. Her family moved to Pasadena from Iowa when she was one year old and she attended school in France when she was 12 or 13 before entering Westridge. She later attended The Shipley School for Girls in Bryn Mar, PA and Vassar College. She married Alexander P. Hixon in 1938. Adelaide was dedicated to liberal and humanitarian values from an early age. She felt that her wealth and social position demanded that she be aware of and of assistance to people who struggled in life. Adelaide believed in education and she and Alec supported a variety of schools too numerous to mention. At Westridge, she and Alec funded the Adelaide and Alexander Hixon Endowment for Lower School Diversity Fund, the Adelaide and Alexander Hixon Endowment for Multicultural Education Fund, and the Elizabeth Hixon Hunter Scholarship Fund. She is survived by two sons, Andrew Hixon and Anthony Hixon, seven grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, and her first-born son, Lex Hixon.
Kathleen Jackson Seabury ’41 Kathleen died peacefully on September 19 following a brief illness. She was 97 years old. While a student at Westridge, she was vice-president of the senior class, a member of Glee Club and Mask and Brush. Kathleen was in two Mask and Brush productions: Christmas at Westridge Manor, the annual pageant, appearing as The Lord of Misrule, and the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Gondoliers as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro. 20
She and her husband, David, married in 1950 and moved to Northern California, where she spent her adult life as a homemaker and mother of two boys. Her life was centered on St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda, where she was very active in the choir, the Garden Club, and the Alter Guild. She was preceded in death by her husband and her second son, Edward. She is survived by her son John, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Sandra Skelton Weaver ’47 Sandra died on August 28. At Westridge, she was on the volleyball team and served on the Inlook Tea Committee. Her sister is Antoinette Skelton Dugan ’43.
Nancy Russell ’53 Nancy’s date of death is unknown. She attended Westridge for her 9th grade year.
Sarah Yeatman ’53 Sarah, known as Sally, passed away April 29, 2018. Sally attended Westridge through 11th grade during which time she served on the Spyglass staff. She graduated from Glendale High School and went on to earn a BA at University of California, Santa Barbara, followed by a master’s degree from San Francisco State University. She lived in the Bay Area all her adult life. Sally was a special education teacher, working with children who were blind, deaf, and both blind and deaf. She also worked with autistic children. She received a Teacher of the Year Award in San Mateo County. She is survived by a daughter and grandson.
Tenaya Stewart Custer ’59 Tenny died on November 30 at her home from complications of a compromised immune system. Her children were with her. Tenny was a long-time co-class representative of the Class of 1959. She also served as a member of the Alumnae Council from 2010 to 2012. Upon hearing of her death classmates remembered fondly the 2013 mini-reunion celebrating their 53rd year held in London that Tenny attended and enjoyed. While at Westridge she served as president of Mask and Brush. Known as the class seamstress, she could design a formal in the morning, make it in the afternoon, and wear it that evening. A superb diver, Tenny excelled in all sports and was a member of the Greek team. After graduating from Westridge, she attended Stephens College, Cal State LA, and USC. Tenny was a retired elementary school teacher. She was at the forefront of information about gluten intolerance and generously shared her knowledge. She was predeceased by her mother, Josephine Helmholtz Stewart ’32. She is survived by her son, her daughter Katharine Custer ’91, and her sister Irene Stewart Sinclair ’56.
Mary Hazlet ’69 Mary’s date of death is unknown. After graduating from Westridge she attended the University of Washington.
Melissa Ross Pratt ’70 Classmate Lisa Kelland notified Westridge that Missi died on July 27 after a long struggle with Crohn’s disease. She reports that a number of 1970 classmates attended a celebration of her life in August. Missi was a joyous spirit who will live on in all who loved her. At Westridge, she was a member of Red Cross and Service Council. She is survived by her husband, Scott.
Winter 2020 /
Raise your HAND
Surgere
If you’ve included Westridge in your will. We want to honor you as a member of the Madeline Society.
The Madeline Society recognizes the generosity of all those who have provided for Westridge School in their estate plans or other deferred giving arrangement. If you have not already included Westridge School in your will, consider these easy steps to leave a legacy and help shape the future: • C HOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO GIVE. D etermine whether you would like to make a gift of a specific amount or if you would like to leave a percentage of your estate. • M EET WITH YOUR ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY. Whether you need to create a will or simply update an older document, you’ll want to seek professional assistance. • N OTIFY US OF YOUR INTENTION. I nforming us of your gift allows us to thank you and ensure that your request will be fulfilled in the manner you intend.
If you have any questions or wish to tell us about your gift, contact Rebecca H. Potter, planned giving officer, 626.799.1053, ext. 261 or rpotter@westridge.org
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986
324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105
Ceramics teacher Juanita Jimenez at an art exhibit with students in 1993. See page 5 for a Q&A with Juanita as she looks toward her 50th year at Westridge.