MAGAZINE
LEANING IN TOGETHER L.A. girls’ schools form unique partnership
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American Studies NEW CURRICULUM LOOKS AT CIVICS & CITIZENSHIP TODAY Page 6
LOOK INSIDE School news, faculty profiles, alumnae news, and more
Summer 2017
14 CLASS OF 2017
Updates on our newest alumnae.
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AROUND CAMPUS
News and photos from Madeline Drive.
STUDENT WORK
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A sampling of art and writing from Westridge students.
FEATURED STORIES Classes and programs exemplifying Westridge leadership in girls’ education.
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Head’s Note
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ALUMNAE NEWS
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Reunion Weekend photos, events, campus visits, and more.
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Featured Stories
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Class of 2017
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Around Campus
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Student Work
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Athletics Performing Arts School News
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Parent Association Updates
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Alumnae News
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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from the
HEAD OF SCHOOL In reading through the articles in this edition of Surgere, I thought of the richness of life on our campus that results from our girls living out the Westridge mission. Our mission is a reminder that learning is not in and of itself the end; it is a means to help our girls lead meaningful lives as contributing citizens of the larger world. Our featured stories highlight seemingly unrelated programs: Peerto-Peer, a student-led support program; American Studies, a civics-based Middle School curriculum; the STEAMWork Design Studio, our makerspace; the Westridge Research Initiative, a program to identify and employ best practices in girls’ education; and, L.A. Girls’ Schools Lean In Together, our partnership with LA-area girls’ schools. Yet common threads run through them—collaboration, mentoring, support, and involvement in endeavors larger than oneself. These programs also illustrate the growth that continues at Westridge. While we remain grounded by our purpose and fundamental principles, we
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continue to evolve to ensure our girls are prepared for the future that awaits them and that Westridge remains a leader in girls’ education. As we look to the upcoming months, there will be an increased focus on wellness and balance in our daily work and through the intentional efforts of the Westridge Research Initiative. We know that today’s world exerts great pressure on young people and in turn, many of our girls put a great deal of pressure on themselves. It is essential that Westridge plays a vital role in the national conversation about these issues. As the school celebrates its 104 years of excellence in education, I wish you a year of learning and community, a year of wellness, balance, and growth, and a year filled with the power, joy, and wonder of Westridge girls.
Elizabeth J. McGregor Head of School
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As the school celebrates its 104 years of excellence in education, I wish you a year of learning and community, a year of wellness, balance, and growth, and a year filled with the power, joy, and wonder of Westridge girls.
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e all need a peer to turn to from time to time, and what a boon if that person turns out to be trained to support their friends! At Westridge, a growing number of girls are doing just that, thanks to an innovative Upper School elective series, Peer-toPeer, that trains students to be peer helpers, peer educators, and conflict mediators. “Having someone who really listens to them makes a difference in kids’ lives, and at its center that’s what Peer-to-Peer does,” says Judy McCleese, Westridge school counselor, who developed and leads Peer-to-Peer. “Students learn to listen to peers without judgement and help them figure out how they would like to solve issues, including when to connect with an adult.”
Having someone who really listens to them makes a difference in kids’ lives, and at its center that’s what Peer-to-Peer does. 04
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Peer-to-Peer students also raise campus awareness of issues relevant to adolescents. The Advanced Peer-to-Peer class launches school-wide initiatives on mental and physical health, such as the wildly popular Love Your Body week. Third-year students also create programs that will live on at Westridge beyond their time. Maggie Fritz ’16 founded Tiger Talk, a website for Westridge Middle School students that provides a reliable alternative to internet searches for help with “everyday things” faced by adolescent girls. According to McCleese, Peer-to-Peer is all about social emotional learning, for students enrolled in the class as well as students touched by their work. This is important for individual growth and wellness, but that’s not all. Research shows that academic outcomes improve when social emotional learning stands alongside intellectual learning. Students already have two new programs up their sleeves for this year: after school mentoring for Lower School students and a support group for high-performing student athletes.
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AMERICAN Inspiring Educational and Civic Engagement in the 8th Grade
n the year-old 8th grade American Studies curriculum, students investigate the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of American citizenship in the 21st Century. Through study of historical periods and events and literature with related themes, students are asked to ponder essential questions such as:
What is power and how is it negotiated in a civil society? What does one gain by being a part of society and what does one give up?
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How do individuals exercise privileges, rights, and responsibilities as American citizens?
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Weighty topics for 13- and 14-year-olds, yes, but the first group of students to experience the curriculum dove in head first. In fact, the new project-based, interdisciplinary History and English course came about from parallel conversations about how civics education had fallen out of vogue and how to engage students more personally in their learning. These led to an aha moment for English Teacher Masami Hansen and History Teacher Jennifer Irish. “What is more personal than talking about your identity and your role in the world around you?” said Irish. While students hone their understanding of what makes a good historian, thinker, reader, and writer, they contemplate identity and how individuals choose to—or not to—participate in society. During a research and reflection workshop students posted questions they were considering. Questions ranged from “Is it American to hold your country accountable and is that a responsibility or a right?” to “Does America not have as clear an identity as other countries because it is so young?” These are questions for a lifetime that our girls are pondering today.
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Together women can do more, go further, and change the world. from LeanIn.org
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not-so-secret ingredient of girls’ schools is the lift provided by their supportive networks of sisters. Imagine that amplified across a network of schools and you have L.A. Girls’ Schools #LeanInTogether. This partnership among Westridge, Archer, Marlborough, and Marymount High School follows the lead of Sheryl Sandberg and LeanIn.org’s #LEANINTOGETHER initiative, which works to strengthen female support systems. Its goal is to inspire our students to actively cultivate the relationships and systems of support that empower girls to dream big and achieve their goals. Last year our four schools launched campus conversations around leaning in and we began to connect student leaders; at Westridge, “Lean In & Lean In Together” was the theme of the year. The four school heads have their own Lean In Circle, and this spring, alumnae from all four schools joined in at a professional networking event spanning our communities (see pg. 47).
Stay tuned for updates from the 20172018 school year and join the conversation at Westridge.org/ leanintogether.
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Design Studio
utting a wall-sized window between the STEAMWork Design Studio and the main hallway of the school was a purposeful choice. The idea was that exposing students to other girls engaged in collaborative, hands-on, design-based projects would inspire them to give STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and tinkering projects a try. It worked. Since the Studio opened, use of the space has expanded greatly, and more and more STEAM-based projects are popping up in classrooms across campus. Just a sampling of those are listed on the opposite page.
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Recent STEAM-based project expansion includes: • T inker Lunch, open studio time for Lower and Middle School students to work on fun, independent, and explorational STEAM projects. • Westridge rocketry expansion (from one team to three, two of which competed in TARC Nationals in May 2017). • Girls Who Code club. • 4th Grade Exploration Hour, a period for collaborative and hands-on challenges and iterative problem-solving. • STEAMWork Faculty in Residence, a program that enables teachers to gain knowledge of the lab’s tools and implement project-based learning within their department’s curriculum. This year’s
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fellow is Upper School English Teacher Tarra Stevenson. Middle School STEAM elective including such topics as light, sound, and aerodynamics. 3D Design class, which combines tech and hand design sculpture techniques. STEM Expo, student conceived and led (thank you Ashley W. ’18 and Ashley Q. ’18) for Lower and Middle School students. Proceeds went to The Campaign for Female Education. Middle School MouseSquad, tech support team that teaches other students about how computers work.
The girls fully embrace their own agency. They see the power they have to build, transform, and problem solve, and this builds authentic confidence. Their exuberance and pride as they work in this space is a joy to see. - Jemma Kennedy, Assistant Head of School
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WESTRIDGE RESEARCH INITIATIVE: New Center for All-ThingsGood-for-Girls Enters Year Two The Westridge Research Initiative (WRI) is a new program to identify, promote, and employ best practices in educating girls. In its first year, WRI focused on mindfulness and: • f unded its first collaborative course creation and innovation grants (fourth grade Exploration Hour, the Upper School’s Perspectives in Literature course, and the interdisciplinary performing arts course in the middle school) • conducted research into best practices surrounding assessment and evaluation • hosted its first fellow (Christine Kiphart, who studied the role mindfulness can play in creating a culture of reflective learning) • established a database of sound research into best practices in girls’ education • and, hosted a series of roundtable discussions for faculty. Quite a year! In year two, initiatives from year one will continue, including a research focus on mindfulness and balance, and a STEAMWorks (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) faculty residency has been added. Stay tuned—WRI is in the earliest stages of an expansive, long-term vision, including such things as a speakers series for parents, symposia for local faculty, and perhaps participation in original research on girls learning and development. Learn more at www.westridge.org/WRI.
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CLASS OF 2017 The 75 members of the Class of 2017 earned 439 acceptances to 155 different colleges and universities. They will attend 44 colleges and universities in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. 14
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This class has raised the bar in every way for future Westridge classes. From academics and athletics, to serving one another and the community, they excel. There is no doubt this class will have a significant impact on the world. - LYNN O’GRADY, Director of College Counseling
2 43 1, 24
14, 23
44
15
41
36 11, 25
6, 37
31
5
33
3, 10, 12, 30, 34
42
21 9
13
8
27
18, 19, 20
40
17, 29, 38
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4, 7, 22, 26, 28, 35 32 39
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Boston University (3) University of British Columbia California Baptist University California Institute of Technology California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (3) University of California at: 6. Berkeley (9) 7. Los Angeles 8. Santa Cruz 9. Carnegie Mellon University (2) 10. Chapman University 11. University of Chicago (2) 12. Claremont McKenna College 13. University of Colorado Denver 14. Columbia University (2)
15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
Cornell University Davidson College University of Delaware Georgetown University (2) Howard University Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University New York University (4) Northeastern University Northwestern University (2) Occidental College (2) Ohio Wesleyan University Pasadena City College University of Pennsylvania Pomona College
31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44.
Purdue University Rice University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Scripps College (3) University of Southern California (4) St. Olaf College (2) Stanford University (3) Swarthmore College Tulane University (2) Vanderbilt University Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis (2) University of Washington Willamette University 15
around 8th Grade Sock Rebellion
Rocketry Soars to Right Heights The Westridge Rocketry Club saw two of its three teams qualify for the 2017 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) final national fly-off in Washington D.C. in May, where they also presented their rockets to congressional officials. TARC is the world’s largest student rocketry contest and a key piece of the aerospace and defense industry’s strategy to build a stronger U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Westridge’s Apollo 1913 and Wohoo Team both ranked in the top-100 out of more than 800 teams to qualify. Apollo 1913, which placed 31st at the 2016 nationals, was only eight feet off of this year’s target height of 775 feet in their two qualifying flights! Not an easy task to say the least! 16
When the 8th grade wanted to loosen Westridge uniform’s sock limitations and take advantage of the fun footwear options currently all the rage, they made their case in true Westridge form. They requested a meeting with their division director, made a formal presentation, and conducted an unannounced dry run of free-sock wear for 8th graders to make the point their sock choice would not be a distraction. The verdict? Free sock day every day for the 8th grade. “They made smart arguments and were smart about the process. It was fun and a great learning opportunity,” said Director of Lower and Middle School Mary Tuck. That’s our kind of rebellion!
International Women’s Day Westridge celebrated International Women’s Day in March, a day that has been recognized for more than 100 years as a day of demonstration, reflection, and a call to action. Our community spent the day sharing information with each other and students. To celebrate, we asked students on campus to name an extraordinary woman they’d like to honor on this special day. Answers ranged from music and sports icons like Beyoncé, Simone Biles, and Rihanna, to great women of history such as Frida Kahlo, Queen Elizabeth I, and Rosa Parks. Some kept it simple and close to the heart by honoring their friends, their teachers, their mothers, and perhaps most importantly, themselves.
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Westridge Debate is on the Move! To say that the school’s work to build its speech and debate program is off to a strong start just might be an understatement. In the 2016-2017 school year, with the guidance of our new coaching team of Coach Gia Karpouzis & Coach Nicole Dalton, our team grew to 45 members who earned more than 100 awards and Westridge became home to three Middle School State Champions. The team traveled to prestigious invitationals including the Cal Berkeley Invitational, where in their first year competing, Upper Schoolers placed in the top six debate teams in the country. This past summer, the team attended their first Nationals, and we are proud to say that Westridge is now nationally ranked - our Middle Schoolers rank in the top 15 in the nation, and our Upper Schoolers in the top 100.
Student Diversity Leadership Conference Six students attended the most recent Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), a multiracial, multicultural gathering of thousands of upper school student leaders from independent schools across the U.S. SDLC focuses on self-reflection, forming allies, and building community, helping these student leaders better serve as peer educators on issues of inclusion and equity on their campuses. The event was held in Atlanta, and the students had the great fortune of attending a closing session honoring local civil rights leaders Christine King Farris, Henry Louis (Hank) Aaron, and Congressman John Lewis. Three faculty members traveled with the students and attended the companion conference for independent school faculty and administrators, The People of Color Conference.
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Puppy with a Purpose If you’ve seen Jessica B. ’18 in the past year or so, then you’ve also seen Cinta or one of the other guide-dogsin-training she has been working with. Jessica is training puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind as part of her Community Action Project and takes her four-legged friends nearly everywhere she goes, including class, lunch, and the occasional orchestra karaoke on the quad. (Editor’s note: This year when Jessica received an academic award, Cinta received an honorary award along with her!)
Mobile Architecture with Yona Freidman Yona Friedman, renowned architect, urban planner, thought leader in the field of mobile architecture and grandfather of Juliette P. ’19, paid Westridge a visit to collaborate with Lower School students to build a massive structure comprised of more than 100 hula hoops. Though designed to be easily moveable, our community loved the sculptural structure so much that it remained a fixture under the Ranney tree until the end of the school year.
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Mouse Squad Move over Geek Squad and Genius Bar, there’s a new tech crew in town! Introducing the Mouse Squad, Westridge’s student-run technical support team, comprised exclusively of Lower and Middle School students. They might not know about VHS tapes and rotary phones, but they can help students get on Wi-Fi, teach them how to use the SMART Board, and explain how computers work faster than you can say “Be Kind and Rewind.”
Left: The Mouse Squad logo
Summer 2017 / Surgere 6th Grade Celebration On June 1, the Class of 2023 marched across the patio of Pitcairn House and officially into Middle School at the annual 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony.
Reading, Writing, and ARRRRR! MONSTERS! The fifth-annual Voices in Literature and Culture Conference was held in April, featuring student-led presentations and panel discussions. This year’s theme, “Monsters,” explored the notion of monsters in literature and art, what they represent and how they are represented. Students from all divisions presented critical essays, photographic projects, paintings, creative writing pieces, video projects, PowerPoint presentations, and poster boards that express their unique and creative ideas about the monsters that inhabit all of our lives. The event’s keynote speaker was Maria Russo, New York Times Book Review children’s book editor.
8th Grade Recognition On June 6, the mighty Class of 2021 bid a fond farewell to Middle School and celebrated their first steps on campus as Upper Schoolers.
Baking a Better World, one custom-designed 3D-printed cookie cutter at a time The 6th Grade got into the entrepreneurial spirit with their annual Baking a Better World unit, an interdisciplinary unit combining math, business and marketing with design and engineering, amongst other things. This year, students expanded beyond the traditional bake sales. They extended their offerings by producing a mason jar shortbread cookie mix, curating a recipe book, and designing and 3D printing cookie cutters, and pitched the Alumnae Affairs office on a partnership to sell their wares during Alumnae Weekend. Proceeds from their fundraiser benefited Friends in Deed, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless in Pasadena, and Peruvian Hearts, which works to end poverty and gender inequality by educating young women and creating community leaders in Peru.
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Mrs. Trimarchi Publishes Book of Meditations 20
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ower and Middle School Art Teacher Val Trimarchi, an artist and illustrator who is trained in mindfulness, devoted her recent Faculty Professional Development and Renewal (FPDR*) project to develop Breathe, a book to “bring calm and peace to those struggling with stress or anxiety in this chaotic and wonderful life.”
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FUN FACT Some Lower School students decided to help out, suggesting directions that the illustrations might take!
It’s a pocket-sized jewel of 13 meditations, each accompanied by one of Trimarchi’s illustrations. “I had planned on doing a children’s book, and after I took Mindful Schools’ mindfulness courses and realized how much it helped me, I wanted to share that learning with the girls and adults as well,” said Trimarchi. To learn more about Breathe or purchase a copy for use in your own chaotic and wonderful life, contact Artworks Fine Art Publishing at 323.550.1085. * FPDR projects support Westridge faculty members in pursuit of new challenges, scholarly initiatives, or opportunities for pedagogical or curricular improvement every five years. 21
STUDENT WORK Caroline L. ’21
Chloe D. ’19
Lydia M. ’17
Molly K. ’23
Cindy C. ’25
Julia B. ’21, Samantha S. ’21, Isabell T. ’21
Rachel K. ’17
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Summer 2017 / Surgere Abby H. ’25
Anja K. ’25 Kat A.-A. ’19, Ellie W. ’18 (based on the work of Buckminster Fuller)
DREAM BIG by Zoe K. ’23
Dream little Dream vicious Dream together.
Kaitlin Z. ’19
Hope is a stone of freedom In our hands Rung From the city We are.
Jesse H. ’18
MEMORIES AND DREAMS By Jesslyn C. ’23
What will remain of the goals we dream? ~ Clouds of wishes What will remain of the white letters on the board? ~White dust formed into memories What will remain of the connections between us? ~A string of metal What will remain of the memories we’ve made? ~A garden of joy
Evelyn C. ’21
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Amanda B. ’21
Natalie C., Sophie P., Cara W. ’21
Dahlia V. ’24
Kristen D. ’25
Clara C. ’23
Amanda G. ’25
MAGNIFYING GLASS by Ciauna C. ’18
Instead of using a magnifying glass, Use a young child Abbey P. P. ’20
Their hands are small and eyes are fresh They’ll notice everything
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Carina L. ’20
Summer 2017 / Surgere NOT A BAD WAY TO GO By Mara R. ’17
The mortal
but never weak
sons of Bora Bora were given a universe of stars and magic and the unfailing
Katherine M. ’21
hope of those that believed in them. They clung to each other, desperate, refusing to separate. They stole away in the night and lost themselves in darkness. The god chased and chased and chased them,
Summer G. ’19
Tanvi C. ’25
so from the mountaintop they leapt into the sky,
Luciana P. ’25
tripping over the clouds. Their flesh melting away in ribbons, they died in light,
Kaitlin Z ’19
entangled forever in the eyes of men and gods. They never looked back.
Suri C. ’21
Hannah B. ’17
Laurence D. ’17
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Teacher touches history during March of the Living
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his past spring, 7th grade History and 8th Grade Human Development Teacher Gigi Bizar toured Poland and Israel for two weeks with 10,000 teens, Holocaust survivors, and other adult support staff as part of The International March of the Living (www.motl.org). She stood physically and symbolically behind the survivors as all 10,000 participants marched in silent solidarity from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Teaching tolerance and empathy is an essential part of Bizar’s work and her unit on the Holocaust is central to that. She says taking part in the march has added great depth to her teaching of the subject. But it affected her more broadly as well. “The firsthand proximity to the Holocaust, and being led through that by people who witnessed it with their own eyes, was profound. I have been ignited as a teacher, mother, and Jew. I know I will bring more first-hand experiences into my curriculum and I will talk more to students about what it means to be a witness. Witnessing brings responsibility, which our students embrace,” said Bizar.
For Bizar, proximity is key to this story. She had long dreamed of joining this event “to touch that history so that I could feel it from my heart and get my students one step closer to it as well.” But she acted on her dream after listening to Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (eji.org), talk about four things needed for social change, one of which is proximity, which entails “showing up and seeing things with our own eyes.”
Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. - VIKTOR E. FRANKL, Man’s Search for Meaning
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T-T-TIG! E-E-ERS! 2016-2017 was a banner year for Westridge Athletics – literally. More banners than ever before - seven in all - were added to the increasingly full walls of Hoffman Gymnasium. Both varsity volleyball and water polo added Prep League Championship banners; varsity volleyball and basketball earned banners for their impressive runs in both the CIF-Southern Section and State playoffs; the Middle School Volleyball team raised one for winning its first Middle School Independent League title in more than a decade, and Middle School tennis won the inaugural MSIL girls’ tennis championship.
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Basketball
Volleyball
After winning its wildcard game to earn a spot in the CIF-SS playoffs for the 12th time in 14 seasons, varsity basketball knocked out #2-ranked California Lutheran and #14 Coachella Valley to reach the semifinals. There, they nearly pulled off another upset over #3 Crean Lutheran. The Tigers later went on to an unprecedented appearance in the state playoffs. All-CIF 1st team player Juliana F. ’17 finished her Westridge career with 1,100 points, becoming just the second Tiger ever to surpass the 1,000 point milestone.
Varsity volleyball won its second-ever Prep League Championship, advanced to the CIF-SS semifinals, and reached the second round of the state playoffs – the Tigers’ best playoff run since a quarterfinal berth at state in 2006. Junior Allison M., who represented the U.S. as a part of the Girls Youth National Team at the NORCECA Continental Championships last September, was recognized as an All CIF-SS performer and verbally committed to play collegiately for California State University, Long Beach. Middle School volleyball took home the title in the Middle School Independent League.
Summer 2017 / Surgere Water Polo Water polo successfully defended its Prep League Championship crown, marking the first time any Tiger squad has won backto-back conference championships since basketball achieved the feat in 2004 and 2005. Kira O. ’17 and Georgia B. ’17 will both play NCAA Division I-level water polo this year for the California Baptist Lancers and the Cal Bears, respectively.
Soccer
Swimming & Diving
Varsity soccer, which produced a 14-win season in 2017, secured a spot in the CIF-SS playoff bracket by defeating Nipomo 2-1 in the wildcard match-up. The team’s first-round CIF contest ended in a draw versus West Covina, but the Tigers eventually fell on penalty kicks. It was a strong year under new Head Coach Jason Sisneros, who came to Westridge from University of North Carolina, historically the most successful women’s soccer program in the NCAA.
Swimming finished as runner-up champions at the Prep League Finals, while Ella P.J. ’17 earned an individual title in the 100 backstroke. Kimi A. ’19 placed third in the diving event, and 10th at the CIF-SS finals. The team ended the year 8th in Division 3, a huge accomplishment with only four finalists in the mix.
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Lacrosse Westridge lacrosse competed in post-season play for the first time in program history where Isabelle P. ’18 scored her 100th career goal.
Track & Field The track & field team earned a podium finish at the Prep League Finals, placing third overall. Caroline C. ’18 earned an individual title in the triple jump, while Mara R. ’17 claimed her secondstraight Prep League shot put win. The Tigers’ 4x100 relay team (Samantha K. ’17, Olivia M. ’17, Makala T. ’18, Sophia M. ’18) placed fifth in the Division 4 at CIF-SS finals.
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Summer 2017 / Surgere 2016-2017
BY the NUMBERS All-Prep League performers
All-Prep League First-Team selections
Swim Records Broken
CIF STATE PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS (basketball, volleyball)
Tennis
Individual Prep League Champions (2 track, 1 swimming)
Prep League Team Champions (volleyball, water polo)
The Tigers won the inaugural all-girls Middle School Independent League championship (the team formerly competed in a co-ed league). Julia B. ’21 didn’t lose a single game in the tournament and was crowned singles champion, while Isabella S. ’22 (younger sister of varsity MVP Sofia S. ’18) and Sophia C. ’22 captured the doubles title. The powerhouse Westridge JV tennis went undefeated in league play for its seventh-straight season!
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The 8th grade play in May was Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever.
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Twelfth Night Last year’s selection for the fall Shakespeare play was Twelfth Night.
Glee Club Travels to Japan Since 2007, Glee Club has taken Interim Week trips to Japan and to the American South (Alabama and Georgia) to experience the culture of each area and share music with various schools and organizations. This spring, the Club returned to Japan for the third time. Students visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. They shared music with vocal ensembles at Hiroshima International School, Sagami University Women’s High School in Tokyo, Chiba High School in Chiba, and Nishi Joyo High School in Kyoto. Highlights of the trip were visits to Hiroshima Peace Park and Hakone Open Air Museum located outside of Tokyo.
Theatre Westridge blackbox productions have a reputation for tackling difficult works. 2016’s Proof, which deals with mental illness, was no exception.
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Dance More than 60 Middle and Upper School students performed in “Life in Motion,” the spring dance concert. Performances ranged from a Missy Elliot mash-up hip hop dance and a powerful piece of storytelling set to music from Birth of a Nation, to modern dance and theatrical-themed works.
Lower School Strings For many years, all Lower School students have learned to play a stringed instrument. Beginning this past spring, they had a chance to put their skills to some good fun in the new Lower School Afterschool Fiddle Club.
MILCK Singer/songwriter MILCK (aka Connie Lim) stopped by the Chamber Orchestra class to perform with them a beautiful arrangement (by our very own Mr. Kitajima!) of her viral hit Quiet. She spoke with the girls after their performance about the value and power of a woman’s voice and the importance of not letting circumstances or others silence theirs, and told her story of working her way up in the music industry. The Chamber Orchestra spent the year studying and meeting with Los Angeles-based musicians and music industry professionals. Inspired by the message of empowerment of Quiet, which went viral after it was performed by a flash mob at the Women’s March on Washington, the class decided to invite LA-based MILCK to Westridge and she said yes!
New Middle School Interdisciplinary Arts Program Enters Second Year In its second year, the Middle School interdisciplinary arts programs (the seventh grade course includes music and theatre arts and the eighth grade curriculum combines music, visual art, and digital media) will evolve to intersperse interdisciplinary projects within rotating weeks focused on skill development in individual disciplines. “Last year we saw the girls gain creative confidence by collaborating and generating their own content. That will still be central to the program, but we will spend more time this year in the individual disciplines as well before integrating that learning into the combined projects,” said Director of Theatre Brandon Kruhm. Students created content indeed—the 7th grade created and performed an entire original musical, The Future vs. The Past.
The musical Mary Poppins rounded out the 2016-2017 Upper School production slate. The exuberant story and imaginative staging received great reviews.
Save the Date
Westridge 2017-2018 Theatre Season
As You Like It • October 20-22 Almost, Maine • December 1-3 The Wizard of Oz • March 9-11 34
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm May 10-13
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Coming very soon! A new and improved Joan Irvine Smith Academic Resource Center.
As Surgere goes to press, a major renovation to the ARC has entered its final phase. The space is transforming from a more traditional library into a dynamic learning commons designed support current styles of learning and studying, including more collaboration, content creation, and technology. Two exciting features: a section specially designed for the Lower School and a covered study and seating area on the Herrick Quadrangle patio. And don’t worry—there will be many, many books!
The updated Learning Commons will open later this fall. If you are on campus, please take a look! If you can’t make it to campus, look for photos at www.westridge. org/learningcommons.
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A Fond Farewell Westridge says thank you to Betty Cole for 36 years of impact At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, our community said goodbye to a woman who truly exemplifies leading a life of impact— Betty Cole. In addition to being a passionate and caring teacher of history, ethics, and art history, Betty has devoted her life to service inside and outside of Westridge and developed many longstanding service programs at the school. Throughout her 36-year tenure, she served as an advisor, community service organizer, and friend to so many. She helped adults and students alike on campus gain understanding about humanity and humanitarianism. She played a major role in raising generations of Westridge girls to be bold thinkers and collaborators. She challenged all of us to stay true to our core values as the school moved forward. Please join us in thanking Betty for the impact she has made on countless lives, and wishing her a wonderful and much-deserved retirement!
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1:1 Laptop Program Expands to Upper School As the Upper School shifts to a formal one-to-one laptop program, what began as a singlegrade pilot in 2014 is now a school-wide initiative enhancing learning and helping our students to become content creators. In the Lower and Middle Schools, all students work on school-supplied Lenova Yogas. While a majority of Upper School students have brought computers to class for quite a few years, beginning fall 2017 all students are required to bring a computer each day. It may be a device of their choosing, but must meet standardized hardware and software specifications. Financial support is available so that all students are able to take part in this program.
Elizabeth McGregor Appointed to CAIS Board of Trustees Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor joined the California Association of Independent Schools Board of Trustees in June, signing on for a four-year term. She is an officer of the board, serving as vice chair of the secondary board of standards for K-12 accreditations. McGregor is also a trustee of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools.
Summer 2017 / Surgere
Curriculum Updates: New Courses for 2017-2018 El Mundo Hispanohablante:
Field Studies in Geology:
Upper School Service Learning:
This advanced interdisciplinary course presents an in-depth exploration of the history, culture, traditions, fine and performing arts, literature, political structure, religion, and current events of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will broaden their reading of literature and hone their spoken and written Spanish.
In this experiential geology course, students explore the connections of physics, chemistry, and biology from a geologic perspective. Focusing on California’s unique geologic features, Upper School students will participate in a minimum of one field study experience, such as a trip to explore and camp in the Sierra Mountains, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, or Yosemite National Parks, as well as local sites in and around the San Gabriel Mountains.
With the redesign and return of this course, service learning is incorporated in the core curriculum in all three divisions. Students will be exposed to a wide range of local and global social issues, with emphasis placed on women’s issues, and will make personal connections with experts in these areas. The course will culminate in the design and implementation of service projects based on skills acquired and resources provided through the class.
Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70 Named Trustee Emerita The Board of Trustees paid special tribute in June to Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70, who was voted trustee emerita as she stepped down from the board after a cumulative 33 years of service. During that time, among many other responsibilities, she headed the advancement committee, the committee on trustees (now mission and governance), and was co-chair of the Alumnae Endowment Campaign in 2000 and the Building for the Next Century of Excellence Campaign in 2004. She also served as the chair of the Alumnae Board. An alumna herself, Brooke is also the proud mother of an alumna, Evan Garlock ’09, and the sister of Candace Larsen Templeton ’73. Thank you Brooke for your years of service; enjoy your new-found free time!
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Westridge Welcomes New Trustees Please join us in welcoming our newest trustees, and in thanking Michael Biard, Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70, Roger Stephens, and Alan Tekerlek, who retired from the board this year.
GABRIELA CROWELL
MARC HARRIS
RENÉ LEDIS
Avid volunteer and hands-on collaborator, interested in organizing parents and youth on the critical health and social challenges they currently face. An advocate for children and teens in the local community. Member of National Charity League (San Marino Chapter), Spiritual Care Guild, and San Marino Public Library Foundation. Past board member at the San Marino Garden Club. Active in Carver PTA and San Marino PTA Council. Formerly spent more than two decades in the field of dental administration. Attended Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina. Daughter Emily in the 8th grade at Westridge.
Partner and trial attorney with Scheper Kim & Harris LLP. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney with more than 25 years of experience practicing law. Recently inducted fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. A.B. from Duke University and J.D. from University of California, Berkeley. Daughter Rachel is a member of the Class of 2019.
Twenty-plus-year financial industry executive and current senior credit analyst at Western Asset Management focused on commodities and utility investments. Previously served as VP of the Westridge Annual Fund. B.Comm in Economics & Finance from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and M.Sc in Mathematical Trading & Finance, City University Business School, London, UK. Father of Gabriella ’20 and Alexia ’26.
JOHN PETERSEN Long-time real estate executive and current executive vice president/COO of PS Business Parks in Glendale, CA. Trustee at La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation Endowment. Board member at San Jose Repertory Theatre and City Lights Theatre. Former chair of Palm Crest Elementary Beautification Committee and former president of NAIOP Silicon Valley. B.A. in History/Political Science, The Colorado College. Father of Carly ’22.
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Summer 2017 / Surgere
estridge’s highest institutional priority, The Campaign for Our Second Century, will raise $15 million for the school’s endowment by year end. Since its celebratory kick-off last October, the campaign total has reached just over $12.5 million from more than 250 donors, bringing the school’s overall endowment value to just over $26.4 million (as of June 30). Income from the endowment adds more than $1 million to the Westridge budget each year, providing critical support for our strategic initiatives, including advancing academic and co-curricular programs, attracting dynamic and accomplished students from all backgrounds, and recruiting and retaining highly talented faculty.
ANNUAL FUND UPDATE Congratulations and thank you to the more than 1,000 donors and volunteers who made the 20162017 Annual Fund a success! We have surpassed our goal of $1,217,000 thanks to you. Let’s do it again this year!
For more information about making a philanthropic investment in Westridge School, please contact Susan Bowers, Director of Advancement, at 626.799.1053, ext. 252 or sbowers@westridge.org.
As part of the Endowment Campaign, an ALUMNAE GARDEN will be established outside of Pitcairn House to honor alumnae or alumnae families who have made gifts of $100,000 or greater. Donors to date are listed here.
Anonymous (2) Camilo and Stephanie Becerra & Steve and Louise Bubalo Sigrid Burton ’69 and Max Brennan Greg Chapman and Kristin Chapman, MD Fanny Chen and Henry Chen Natalie and Phil Davis & The Harry Bronson & Edith R. Knapp Foundation Georgianna Bray Erskine ’50 Judith K. Gain Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70 and Edward Garlock Li and William Gong Suzanne Icaza
Cynthia Cronkhite Jones ’50 Sharon Kwan and Andy Chen Li Liu and Guang Yang Christine McCarthy and Michael McCormick David G. and Margaret Mgrublian Molly Munger ’66 Christopher Orndorff Anne F. and James F. Rothenberg (d) Sarah and Darrell Spence Roger W. Stephens Armineh and Ara Tavitian Clare and Chris Tayback Shaw Wagener and Deborah Heitz
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WESTRIDGE PARENT ASSOCIATION 2016-2017 Highlights Halle and Sarah ’22 Yuhan.
Thank you to Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86 for her leadership as WPA president this past year. Halle Yuhan signed on as 2017-2018 WPA president and we look forward to working with her to support the school, its community, and its girls.
WESTRIDGE COMMUNITY PICNIC Sunday, September 17 3:30-5:30 p.m. WPA GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, September 27 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Summer Opportunities Fair (SOF) The largest WPA fundraiser, SOF expanded its line-up of sponsors, food vendors, and exhibitors and thus, funds raised! The more than 2,000 attendees had fun and left loaded with information on the myriad of opportunities summer can bring.
Multicultural Parent Collaborative (MPC) MPC hosted a potluck for all parents featuring foods and music from around the globe, cultural conversations, Chinese language translation, and the ever-popular Student Movie Night with some amazing food trucks.
Dads’ Club The Dads’ Club participated with their daughters in a service day at the Young & Healthy Pasadena, manned the grill during three Westridge events, and hosted newly admitted families at a Dodgers game.
Parent Speaker Lori Getz The WPA sponsored a parent evening with Internet safety expert Lori Getz, who also spent the day working with students and faculty.
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Mark Your Calendars
WPA GENERAL MEETING FEATURING LISA DAMOUR AUTHOR OF UNTANGLED Wednesday, November 1 6:30-8:30 p.m. HOMECOMING Friday, January 5 WPA GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, January 16 6:30-8:30 p.m. SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FAIR Saturday, February 3 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. MPC POTLUCK DINNER Wednesday, February 21 6:30-9:00 p.m. WPA GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, March 13 6:30-8:30 p.m. MPC FAMILY EVENT Friday, April 6 6:30-9:30 p.m. WPA GENERAL MEETING & NEW PARENT WELCOME Tuesday, May 15 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Summer 2017 / Surgere Lauren M. Siegel ’97, Elizabeth J. McGregor, and Hannah Palmer Wildt ’97
Katie Nevins Schwarzenbach ’39 and Teddy Lair Hopper ’43
Alumnae authors Jessica Morgan ’93, book panel moderator Caroline Wallis ’11, Leslie Parry ’97, and Susan James ’63.
March 10-11, 2017 estridge School held its annual Alumnae Weekend celebration on March 10-11 with more than 200 alumnae returning to campus for a variety of activities and reunions. The two-day event began on Friday as members of the 50th Reunion Class of 1967 arrived to uphold the long-standing tradition of meeting their 4th grade pen pals during an afternoon tea. Several members of the Class of 1962 served as pen pals as well.
50th Reunion Class of 1967 member Rinda Hambleton Bishop with Class of 2025 pen pals
Alumnae from all classes toured campus, attended a varsity lacrosse game, and participated in several master classes, including Coding & Game Design, Perspectives in Literature, Mindfulness, and an Escape Room experience. In the evening, alumnae gathered at the historic Greene & Greene Pitcairn House for a beer and wine tasting reception, featuring wine from Concha y Toro, courtesy of Leslie Reeves Lindholm ’87 and beer from Firestone Walker Brewing Company, courtesy of Kate Colmery Firestone ’80.
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(cont.) n Saturday morning, Westridge alumna Caroline Wallis ’11 moderated a panel of alumnae authors, including Susan James ’63, author of Catherine Parr: Henry VIII’s Last Love, Jessica Morgan ’93, co-author of The Royal We, and Leslie Parry ’97, author of Church of Marvels. Heather Pidcoke from the Class of 1983 was honored during the Saturday afternoon luncheon with the Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Award for her internationally renowned medical and research experience. Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor shared Heather’s acceptance speech, and Heather’s classmate, Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83, gave a warm-hearted tribute that brought many to tears. Luncheon attendees also heard from sixth graders about their philanthropic efforts through their Baking a Better World project, and from Grace Peacore ’17 and Senior Class President Vivienne Li ’17, who talked about their experience at Westridge. The luncheon included a vocal performance from the Madrigals a cappella group, led by Paul Stephenson, and ended with everyone singing Surgere Tentamus.
Class of 1947 Katherine Palmer Liddle, Caroline Wadsworth Rayfield, Anna Vaughan, Priscilla Dunn Flynn, Arden Roberts Verbeck, Anne Forve Neville, and Nancy Myers Nemeth celebrated their 70th reunion.
Class of 1962 Visiting alumnae were also invited to attend the Upper School spring musical production of Mary Poppins, and classes celebrating milestone reunions gathered Saturday evening for dinner on campus and at local restaurants.
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Lesley Tannahill, Cheri Colby Langdell, Lynne Helpbringer Pierpont, Whitney Smith Applegate, Linda Lashley Roth, Anne Wilson Giddings, Phyllis Williams Grey, Susan Pierose Pyke, Tonia Smith Fletcher, Barry Zorthian, Alice Zimmerman Goetschel, and Jackie Norwood Martinson
Summer 2017 / Surgere
Class of 1967
Class of 1982
Taffia Kennedy (and Napoleon), Nancy Wallace Nelson, Kathleen Finucane Armstrong, Trish Virgadamo Conerly (d), Helen Thomas Gleason, Pam Ellis Simons, Diane Spivey Rogers, Julie Frantz, Rinda Hambleton Bishop, Betsy Volk Terazzas, Cathy Millen Weinress, Meredith Webster, Katie Williams, and Cynthia Ziegler
Katherine Farrand Anastasia, Susie Harker McClister, Anne Mundall, Harriet Haake Hall, Annie Odell Rosenberger, Elizabeth Serhan Loper, Laurie Stanford Turner, Beth Dunton Gould, and Emma Saffman
Class of 1977
Class of 1992
Darrell Chulay Banta, Suko Gotoh, Sybil Gray Forsyth, and Dana Knox Gallagher
Upper School History Teacher Betty Cole with Juliana Christy, Danielle Ou, and Valerie Rubio Lemmon
for Alumnae Weekend, March 9-10, 2018
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with reunions for classes ending in “3” and “8”
March 9 & 10, 2018 Class of 1997
ADDITIONAL REUNIONS
Sandra Lloyd, Jennifer Tsai and her daughter, Hannah Palmer Wildt, Ivy Chen, Leslie Parry, Annie Manion, Ashwini Lakshmanan, and Alice Cheng
taking place this fall include the Class of 1992 celebrating 25 years in October; and the Class of 1987 celebrating 30 years on September 16.
Cathy Millen Weinress ’67 with Class of 2025 pen pals
Becky Klock Sales ’72, Debra Geiger ’72, Susie Arnett Garrett ’72, and Debbie Lawrence ’71
Aurora Anaya-Cerda ’96, Juanita Jimenez, and Natalia Olarte de Staunton ’00
Kacey Riley ’83, Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86, and Kirsten Hansen ’83
For more information, contact Lisa Vandergriff, Director of Alumnae Affairs at lvandergriff@westridge.org or call 626.799.1053, ext. 244. 44
Five-Class Reunion
Summer 2017 / Surgere Class of 2001 members Angy Lopez Fitzgerald, Alexa Dedlow, Chace Wetzel, Lizze Bonamy, and Dana Icaza Banta
Class of 1998 members Lindsey Moore, Cherie Hines, Shahbano Nawaz, and Katie Teasedale Enney
Class of 2002 members Lauren Behar, Kerry Barker, Rachel Broderick, Sylvia Ginyard, Jen Scholty, Caroline Nasella, and Ariel Pittman
Book Panel
Class of 2000 members (front row) Tania Verafield, Betsy Roth Smith, Jessica Felman, Sarah Manion, Alexandra Cacciatore, and Misbah Khan Etman (back row) Eszter LengyelAlumnae Neuman, Morgan FeeneyJessica Des Groseillers, and Nosh McTaggart authors Morgan,
Caroline Wallis, Leslie Parry, and Susan James
Community Picnic / Sunday, September 17
Westridge Alumnae Readers
Fall Play – As You Like It / Friday-Sunday, October 20-22
Join us in the Pitcairn House, Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 Alumnae Living Room for:
Annual Fund Phonathon / Tuesday, October 24 Yam Festival / Friday, November 17
Get in Trouble Stories by Kelly Link / September 20, 2017
Young Alumnae Circle (YAC) 21+ Event / Friday, November 24
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood / November 15, 2017
YAC Holiday Brunch / Saturday, December 16
The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher by Debby Applegate / January 17, 2018
Homecoming & College Conversations / Friday, January 5
The Yellow Wallpaper + other stories by
Summer Opportunities Fair / Saturday, February 3
Charlotte Perkins Gilman / March 21, 2018
Alumnae Weekend / Friday, March 9 & Saturday, March 10 + reunion celebrations for classes ending in “3” and “8”
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien / May 16, 2018
Spring Musical – The Wizard of Oz / Friday - Sunday, March 9-11 College Connections Fair / Friday, May 18 Commencement / Friday, June 8
Rise of The Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt / July 18, 2018 RSVP to alumnae@westridge.org or 626.799.1053, ext. 244. Books are available at Vroman’s with a 20% Westridge Alumnae Reader discount.
*Regional event dates and details to come 45
Chloe Obico (front row, 4th from right) shares bars and bags with Westridge juniors and seniors.
This Girl Gives Back Chloe Obico ’11 As part of the Westridge Alumnae Luncheon Speaker Series for juniors and seniors, Chloe Obico ’11 visited campus to share the story of her career path. A graduate of Emory University with a BA in International Studies and a minor in Economics, Chloe took a chance on working for This Bar Saves Lives, a small start-up, back in 2014. She began as an intern and worked her way from the ground up to her current position as Social Media and Influence Engagement Manager for the nutrition bar company with a philanthropic mission to combat malnutrition around the world. This Bar Saves Lives, now featured in every California-based Starbucks, and on the east coast this summer, is also in the Commons at Westridge. For every bar sold, the non-profit partner sends a life-saving packet of food called Plumpy Nut to where it’s needed most, explained Chloe. She also shared her experience working in marketing and PR, social media, and social enterprise. “To work in marketing and communications, you have to know how to write,” said Chloe, “and because of Westridge, you already have a leg up.” Her parting words of advice were to ask for what you want, and to be persistent. As for working with a start-up, “It’s hard. It’s a risk,” she told students. “But don’t be afraid to take it.”
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Allie Burke (back row, to the right of Dan Calmeyer) spoke to Westridge AP Computer Science students.
Overcoming Sexism in the Software Industry Allie Burke ’10 Allie Burke ’10 gave a lunch-time talk for AP Computer Science students in Dan Calmeyer’s class, to discuss her path to a career in the field of computer science. Allie attended UCSC for her undergraduate degree and studied computer science with a focus in game design at their school of engineering. When Allie was at Westridge, computer science wasn’t offered, so she always thought she would end up studying physics in college. She applied to the game design major mostly on a “wow, how fun would that be, but I have no experience so why would they ever admit me” whim, and ended up getting accepted. That path led to her current job, working for the credit bureau Equifax as a front-end engineer and web designer. Allie is overjoyed to see that computer science is being taught at Westridge, and believes it is incredibly important to start teaching girls in high school that they can do computer science, and to give them a solid foundation to build upon. “Sexism in the software industry does exist,” said Allie to the group of students, “but because you’re at Westridge, I believe that every single one of you can deal with it. You all have the tools and the ability to deal with it and overcome.”
Summer 2017 / Surgere
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4 2 Westridge Alumnae Lean in with Peer Schools Alumnae from Westridge School, The Archer School for Girls, Marlborough School, and Marymount High School gathered in March for a #LeanInTogether networking event at the Culver Hotel in Culver City. The event, part of the L.A. Girls’ School #LeanIn Together partnership, was inspired by LeanIn.org and the national #LeanInTogether campaign. Alumnae from the four schools had the opportunity to mix, mingle, and network with fellow women professionals from across a variety of industries and at various career stages. In addition, each school brought noteworthy alumnae to the mix, including from Westridge Smooch Repovich Reynolds ’75, EVP Global Investor Relations, Leadership Coach; Seema Ahmad ’99, Deputy Federal Public Defender; and Katherine Starros ’03, Head of People Operations at ATTN:, a digital media company.
5 1. J essica Chang ’08, Maral Tavitian ’13, Lena Tavitian ’15, Seema Ahmad ’99 and Melissa Kil ’08 2. Katy Logan ’06, Mariana Marrone, Katie Kraft ’06 and Gibson Banta ’07 3. #LeanIn Together networking event organizers include Kim Hubner (Marymount), Candy Renick and Lisa Vandergriff (Westridge), Danielle Gordon (Archer), Michol Roberts (Marymount), Juliana Arnold and Alexa Almazan (Marlborough) 4. Suzanne Goin (Marlborough), Tina Gaines ’92, Pamela Carter Bryant ’80, and Monica Randazzo Kirchner (Marlborough) 5. Victoria Williams ’02 and Tammy Dinh ’02
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Rachel Kaufman ’17, Lauren Alonzo ‘16, Ruchi Parikh ’16, Laurence Diarra ’17, and Aisa Castro ’17 proudly represent USC at the College Connections Fair.
Parents of Westridge alumnae in the Class of 2013 include (from left to right): Li Gong, Suzy Husmann, Lori Dillman, Deborah Heitz, Robin Gruber, and Sheila Golden.
Parents of Westridge alumnae in the Class of 2015 include (from left to right): Alison Ashford, Gretchen Seager ’84, Joan Martinez, Christina Angeles, and Sarah Tenaglia Taverner ’76.
College Connections Fair
Parents of Westridge alumnae in the Class of 2016 include (from left to right) Lori Dillman, Jill Fung, Linda Clarke, Rich Diaz, Ailene Michel, Adriane Rothstein, and Jossalyn Emslie ’83.
Westridge College Care Package Mailing More than 25 parents of Westridge alumnae from the classes of 2013-2016 returned to campus in January to help with a college care package mailing for college-age alumnae. The adage “many hands make light work” held true as nearly 200 mailing envelopes were stuffed and labeled in less than an hour. The packages included a Westridge laundry bag, Valentine card with laundry tips, hot cocoa, cookies, and other treats. 48
The 2nd annual College Connections Fair took place in May with more than 60 colleges and universities represented by Westridge alumnae, faculty, and staff members. The event began with the Alumnae Parade, led by Tiger Mascot Quincy Foster ’17, followed by a colorful array of pennant waving participants wearing college t-shirts and hats. Retiring Upper School History Teacher Betty Cole served as Grand Marshal, and other parade participants included the Westridgettes and the Westridge Equestrian Team. Westridge Upper School families were invited to the fair to talk to Westridge college-age alumnae and faculty/staff members about the college or university they currently attend or from where they graduated. Members of the Class of 2017, having recently committed to a college or university, were also on hand to talk about their college process and outcome in a casual and friendly atmosphere. The event, spanning Herrick Quad and Madeline Court, included food, music, games, and a raffle, with a grand prize College Tour travel package.
Summer 2017 / Surgere
NCGS Networking Event Westridge School and The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) joined together for Girls’ School NET: Networking and Empowering Together, an initiative to bring together educators and alumnae from all-girls schools for personal and professional networking. As part of the NCGS conference held at the end of June in Washington, D.C., Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor hosted a small group of D.C. area young alumnae for a night of networking. Alumnae attendees included: Hannah Palmer Wildt ’97, Alicia Henry ’01, Liz Kincaid ’06, Alyson Kil ’06, Evan Garlock ’09, and Paige Lurie ’11.
Evan Garlock ’09 , Paige Lurie ’11, Alicia Henry ’01, Hannah Palmer Wildt ’97, Alyson Kil ’06, Elizabeth J. McGregor, and Liz Kincaid ’06
Pasadena Walking Tour, Westridge Edition Julia Long ’02, founder of Pasadena Walking Tours, has created a series of popular walks. Westridge alumnae benefited from her decision to add a walk in March, following Alumnae Weekend, based on popular demand for the Women Who Shaped Pasadena themed tour. The tour, featuring the stories of artists, botanists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and revolutionaries, allows participants to walk in the footsteps of women who inspired and were inspired by the City of Roses. Save the date for March 11, 2018, when Julia will lead a private tour for alumnae as part of Alumnae Weekend. Westridge tour participants, from left to right, included: Annie Manion ’97, Betty Cole, Julia Long ’02, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, Sylvia Crowley Holmes ’76, and Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83.
This college tour trip provided students with an opportunity to explore different types of colleges and universities, and to begin the reflective process of helping them determine what they are looking for in their next educational journey. Daily journal writing helped students document this educational experience so they and their parents could have meaningful dialogue about students’ perceptions and observations when they returned.
Westridge juniors with Sally Chung ’15 at Georgetown University.
Interim College Tours In March, 29 juniors went on the fourth annual Westridge Interim College Tour with Education First (EF) for a five-day, four-night trip to the East Coast (Mid-Atlantic style).
One of the highlights of this trip was having Westridge alumnae lead a tour of their campus or give a presentation to the group, sharing their college experiences as well as their transition from Westridge. It was unanimous that Westridge alumnae can represent their school as well as any admissions officer. In fact, some of them were almost recruited for a job on the spot! Several Westridge alumnae met individually with other students and families who visited college campuses independently during Spring Break. Kudos to our wonderful collegiate alumnae ambassadors, including Amanda Fassler ’16, Vassar College; Kai Grayson ’13, Emerson College; and Angela Sun ’16, Boston University. 49
two mystery short stories of mine will appear in anthologies coming out in July: Day of the Dark, Stories of Eclipse and Noir at the Salad Bar, Culinary Tales with a Bite. In other news, had a nice lunch with classmate, Anne Robertson, here in Cambridge, and since then we keep running into each other, to our surprise and delight. Looking forward to this summer’s trip to Montana, where we’ll visit my sister, Susan Wheeler Rappe ’60, who was three years ahead of me at Westridge, then spend some time hiking in the Canadian Rockies.”
1947 Susanne Coate Alden (Mountain Ranch, CA): “I am very sorry to miss this year’s reunion. I send my love to all my wonderful classmates and to my wonderful alma mater. Westridge was a perfect place for us all to learn and put our best foot forward!”
1/3 acre. Much less work. We spend 1/2 the year at Amelia Island, FL at our home and visit our five grandchildren in California. Luckily three grands live in Atlanta. I’m still playing as much golf as possible, but not competing nationally or internationally anymore. Fun in the past.”
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1958
Sara (Sally) Clifford Hammond (Harpswell, ME) is moving back to Maine and has plans to build a one-story bungalow starting this fall. With a daughter in Connecticut, Sally looks forward to being closer to family, and to connecting with classmates in Maine. Meanwhile, she’s ready to enjoy cooler temperatures and to be out in the country, and will continue kayaking and her volunteer work with hospice.
1957 Margaret Dickson Gitelson (Palo Alto, CA): “I was so sorry to miss our recent 60th. We’ll be moving from Palo Alto to La Jolla, CA, this summer, so I will hope to visit Westridge - and our classmates - more often from our new So. Cal. digs. Warm wishes to everyone.” Claudeen Smith Lindberg (Atlanta, GA): “Eric and I still live in Atlanta but just moved after 38 years from 11 acres to 50
Elizabeth (Betchen) Wayland Barber (Pasadena, CA): “Still splitting my time between trying to downsize (in advance of possible sudden need!) and running Oxy’s Folk and Historical Dance Troupe, which I invented in 1971 and is still going—though mostly on alumni-power. (Few college students seem prepared to interact with Real People nowadays. Less true at Westridge, I think: I wish we could join forces with them.) I had to miss the reception for our dear Rosemary Lonergan, and possible encounters with classmates, because we were in final rehearsal for a short show of American folk dances at the California Statewide Folk Dance Convention in Reseda at the end of May. At another group I attend, I see two ladies who are 93 and 97 still dancing, so I guess regular exercise really IS good for longevity!!”
1959 Carol Fisher Minelli (Longmont, CO): “Mike and I are both enjoying great health. We have two new great-grandsons - that makes three total. What fun!!”
1961 Alice Myers Brown (Palo Alto, CA): “Don and I have been married 48 years now and have lived in our Palo Alto house 45 years. We have seven grands, ages 5-14; four boys and three girls - see them often. We divide our time between PA and Carmel where we’d live all the time but don’t want to miss athletics of grands. Our youngest daughter Emily lives in beautiful Boulder and loves it. I paint outdoors ocean, rocks, wineries, farms and Clint’s sheep next door at Mission Ranch, Carmel. I also paint from photos we take on trips. We love ’adventure’ travel.”
1962 Whitney Smith Applegate (Carmichael, CA): “I live in the Sacramento area. I went to Berkeley. Met husband Bud at Cal. We love to travel. He’s in commercial real estate. Three grown children and three grands. Love seeing old friends and keeping on the move!”
1963 Leslie Wheeler (Cambridge, MA): “I’m happy to report that
1966 Nancy Morton (Oakland, CA): “Feeling grateful to have led such a blessed life. House remains filled with foreign students, neighbors young and not so young and sometimes far flung family members. Bridge, yoga and reading group keep me busy and engaged. Now also preparing and hosting bi-weekly dinners for food insecure UC Berkeley students.” Lynn Manildi Watanabe (Honolulu, HI): “Six grandchildren close by. Still travelling to Philippines for work with our NGO that we started 30 years ago. Lots of travel, lots of family, lots of volunteer work for human services and public schools. Still same great husband!”
1967
Julie Frantz (Portland, OR) “Enjoyed a wonderful 50th Westridge reunion in March with a dozen vibrant classmates. Still looking for Fergus! Am retiring July 1 after 23 years on the bench. My ’rewirement’ includes more international building trips with Habitat for Humanity in Ethiopia, ... but first off to a bicycle trip in Croatia and then Italy with my daughter.” Diane Spivey Rogers (Moorestown, NJ): “Retiring from teaching French last June meant I could come to our 50th Reunion.
Summer 2017 / Surgere
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5 2
3 So much fun! Recently attended our daughter Carrie’s graduation from community college; a real milestone in the life of our LD kid! Vacations at the Jersey shore this summer and a first time ever visit to Santa Fe for the opera.” (1, 2)
1970 Jennifer Zoff Lamb (St. Helena, CA) of Herb Lamb Vineyards in Napa Valley will lead a Wine Cruise Along the Rhone in November. “I would love to have Westridge alumnae join the Herb Lamb Vineyards wine club on this relaxing, post-harvest cruise up the Rhone River. What a wonderful time we will have,” said Jennifer. For more information, email Jennifer@ herblambvineyards.com.
1971 Mary Good Lindgren (Arcadia, CA): “Still thinking of how fun our 45th reunion was! We are staying close to home these days as husband, Ken, has had some health challenges. Looking forward to 4th of July when son’s family comes to visit from North Dakota.” Mary Russell (La Cañada, CA) “Both of my boys graduated within a week. Matthew from University of La Verne and Scott from La Cañada High. My time
flies! Enjoying time with my two sisters (Westridge alumnae) and my 98-year-old dad.”
1972 Laura-Mae Baldwin (Seattle, WA): “I continue incredibly rewarding work with primary care practices across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho, helping them develop ways to better manage chronic pain without prescribing opioid medications. My daughter Sylvie (23) is living the NYC life as an actor, and my daughter Zena (42) is a devoted nurse in our local safety net hospital. My husband Carl just finished designing the sets for a local children’s musical (Pickle, the Dog Who Loved to Read!), and has a busy life as a mail artist, corresponding with artists across the world. Please feel free to visit if you are in Seattle!” Barbara Davis Reynods (Pasadena, CA): “The Class of ’72 had a small, but mighty, group for Alumnae Weekend in March. Combining our gathering with the events at school works perfectly. Our 50th (!!!) will come faster than you think, so plan on a visit to Pasadena in March 2022. Here we are at Mijares: Andrea Mills; Joni Moisant Weyl; Ellen Narver; Debra Geiger; Becky Klock Sales; Susan Arnett Garrett; Willa
McNamara Fields; Barbara Davis Reynolds; Alison Vickers.” (3)
1973 Alyce Minsky (San Marino, CA): “I am a member of the Montebello Lions Club. Recently, we were privileged to be able to work the laptops at the Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall at Montebello Park. It is a duplicate of the black granite wall in Washington D.C. but not everyone has the means to visit it. We learned how to access the information in the laptops databases and how to be prepared for almost any kind of reaction from visitors. On the day I served, we had a steady stream of relatives and veterans seeking information about different soldiers from the Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy with whom they had lost contact. If they had died in that war from 1959 to 1975, their names and their position would be listed on the mobile wall panels. Some of the veterans came in with lists of partial information such as a battle date; misspellings of names were common. It was quite a challenge! We were gratified when most of our dogged efforts to provide information paid off. Many of them had stories to share with us. Vietnam was an unpopular war for a lot of
reasons and returning veterans had a shabby reception which they did not deserve. We were proud to be able to do something to acknowledge their service efforts and welcome them home. It was a profoundly moving experience.”
1974 Jerre Ann Stathatos Pappelis (Sherwood, OR): “Summer Vacation!! Off to France...”
1982 Alessandra Bianchi Herman (Marblehead, MA): “Looking forward to spending a few days together in New England with Carrie Shea Tilton, while one of her daughters attends volleyball camp back here. I relish seeing ANY Californians on the East Coast. This is a repeat habit of Carrie’s and each time has been a big success. We are pictured here last July in Rhode Island. On the flip side of cross country hospitality; attached is also a photo of Annie Odell Rosenberger and yours truly, in Altadena, where she kindly hosted me for an afternoon before I headed to my Poly 35th this past April. So many reunions... so little time. Love my Westridge friends!” (4, 5 )
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1
3
1984
Susana Smith Bautista (Los Angeles, CA) was appointed Executive Director of the Pasadena Museum of California Art in May.
2
1987
Pavan Stephenson Krueger (Avon, CO): “I am still living in the Vail valley, juggling my architecture business (check out my work here: kruegerarchitecture.com), children (two boys, 11 and 13), husband, riding my bike, and keeping up the fun quotient. The kids have gotten me out skiing and rock climbing- fun to learn some new things late in life. I’m looking forward to the 30th reunion in September! Also looking forward to having Jeanne Holt Register, Vashti Holt ’86, and Marian Lipschutz and family in Albuquerque in July to celebrate my dad’s birthday.” Leslie Reeves Lindholm (Altadena, CA): “Phil and I recently celebrated our 20th year wedding anniversary together! This fall our son, Henry, will be in 8th Grade at Flintridge Prep; and my daughter Kelly will be in 6th Grade at Saint Mark’s School. I am still in the wine industry, working for Banfi Vintners and live up in Altadena. Hilary Fitzgerald recently bought a house near me, and it is so fun to have her in my neighborhood! Looking forward to seeing everyone in September at our 30th!”
1998
Jennifer Sells Johnson (Los Angeles, CA) and her husband Ryan welcomed the birth of their second child, daughter Lily, in December 2015. Their oldest son 52
4 Michael (9) will be a third grader at Chandler School and is keeping busy this summer playing baseball in a Tournament Team league. Ryan and Jennifer enjoy growing their family real estate business and raising their children in Silver Lake. Jennifer is the Director of Alumni Relations and major gifts at Chandler and is passionate about her work as an alumna of the school. She looks forward to connecting with fellow Westridge alumnae at a future reunion event. (1)
2000 Betsy Roth Smith (South Pasadena, CA) is currently living in South Pasadena with her husband, Caleb, and two children. Her theatre company, Little Candle Productions, will mount its eighth production this September at the Fremont Centre Theatre: a new play chronicling three families’ stories during the 2008 mortgage crisis, American Home.
2003 Lauren Gaskill Bascom (New York, NY) married her grad school sweetheart in 2016 and will graduate with a PhD in Spanish Literature from UCIrvine in 2017.
2004
Kristin McCall (Ann Arbor, MI): “No news—just want to say, thank you, Westridge, for teaching me to resist! I carry the lessons my Westridge teachers and friends taught me with me every day, and I strive to be a better person as a result. May this gift (to the Lighting Her Path Fund) help others experience such a wonderful community!”
California in 2010 and from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 2014. Dr. Kil completed her internship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is currently a staff physician in the Medical Readiness Clinic. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Kil mentors and teaches medical and pre-medical students at Walter Reed. She began a residency in Occupational and Environmental Medicine in July and was recently appointed to serve as a staff physician on the White House Medical Unit, serving the medical needs of the First Family. Dr. Kil resides in Washington, D.C. where she is an active member of the community as a member of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA), an official volunteer with the Presidential Inauguration, an active member of the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., is involved in North Korean human rights, and serves on the board of Pan Pacific Asian Leaders and Mentors (PPALM) and the USC Alumni Association of Washington, D.C. (3)
2006
2007
Arielle Datz (New York, NY) is working as a literary agent for Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency in New York. Her first agented book, If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio, came out in April. Catherine (Catie) Icaza Roheim: (Pasadena, CA): “My husband, Jon, and I moved to Pasadena from Los Feliz almost a year ago and are loving living in the San Rafael neighborhood. Johnny (John Arthur) was born at the end of January and will be five months old in June.” (2)
2005
Alyson Kil (Washington, D.C.) is a physician and a Captain in the United States Army. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Southern
Sabrina Elfarra (Pasadena, CA): “I work for the Google News Lab analyzing search data where I’ve learned things like the most searched recipe in every state to trending political issues. I
Summer 2017 / Surgere Creation of Legacy and Memory: The Mechanisms of the Matilda Effect on Three Women in X-Ray Crystallography. I will be going back to London for December break to continue archival research for the thesis. I am also a History modified with Chemistry major at Dartmouth.”
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2016
5 recently visited London and had the opportunity to get together with fellow Westridge alumnae Carrie Ryan ’08, and her parents Marianne Van Vorst Ryan ’79 & Daniel Ryan, Lindsay Sugimoto and Cynara Woolner, as well as Rola Batniji Gordon ’84. Tigers for life!” (5) Kate Thorne (Los Angeles, CA) married Stuart Hammond in Winter Park, CO on March 4. Annie Thorne Hewett, Kelly McCall, and Megan O’Toole Saba ’08 were bridesmaids. Other Westridge attendees included Ayano Tsuchiya, Katie Davis, Rebecca Meaders, Lauren DeLaTorre Millard and Kristen Rokus.
2009 Jessica Traver (Houston, TX) has been named in the 2017 Forbes 30 under 30 list for her work in healthcare, as a cofounder of Intui Tap Medical, an early stage medical device company designing a product that helps physicians accurately and efficiently place spinal needles for spinal taps and epidurals.
2012 Roberta Ahrens (Los Angeles, CA) has been accepted to Columbia University and will be joining their MFA Acting
Program in the fall. Claire Wiley (New York, NY): “I graduated Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame this past May and am working at UBS in New York as an investment banking analyst. I would like to thank Westridge for helping me get to where I am today. Our tight-knit culture and the school’s dedication to our success and personal development have impacted me more than I was aware of at the time. I have heard nothing but great things about Westridge since my graduation. I know, especially in our changing political and social environments, that it is more crucial than ever to help empower girls and women through education.” Erin Wong (San Marino, CA) graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2012. She was the recipient of the faculty award for design and was an ITA Scholar Athlete in tennis. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in architecture at MIT.
2014 Alexandria Myers (Washington, D.C.) attends the George Washington University where she studies International Affairs with a concentration in
International Development and a minor in Women’s Studies. She has always been motivated to explore her passions through holding leadership positions in student government, starting her own club on world hunger, and engaging in community service in her hometown. One of her greatest accomplishments is raising over $14,000 for the organization Stop Hunger Now to package meals to send to in need people around the world. Alexandria has been a summer intern at the Pasadena District Attorney’s Office and worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Intern. She also spent a semester as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emerging Leader intern in the office of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans. She hopes to pursue her dreams to fight for women and girls’ education internationally! Alexandria is currently interning with the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama. (6)
Katie Gallagher (Pasadena, CA): Took a gap year after graduation, which she describes as the hardest yet most rewarding year she’s ever had. “I began working (as an associate story producer) at Discovery Studios for the reality television show, The Little Couple. I gained real world experience in an industry that I hope to be a part of after I graduate school. I moved to Turin, Italy for three months and worked as an au pair. This experience was both rewarding and difficult. But I also met amazing people, and got to explore my city and travel to other cities with new friends. I am finishing off my year working at Fiore Market Cafe in South Pasadena before heading off to school at Boston University in the fall.”
Please send class notes and photos for the Winter Edition of Surgere by November 15 to alumnae@westridge.org.
Claire Votava (Hanover, NH): “Currently I am in New York—I have an internship at the Whitney Museum for American Art. I also had my history thesis approved, and it will be a continuation of my studies in London. It’s titled: 53
In MEMORIAM
THE SCHOOL HAS LEARNED OF THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
Beatrice Green Hart ’32 Beatrice died on February 24 just short of her 103rd birthday. At Westridge she was vice president of her class, an honor student, and a member of the Crop and Spur Club. She attended Occidental College, UC Berkeley, and earned her B.A. from the University of Southern California. Her daughter, Patty Williams, kept Westridge informed about her mother and made it possible for meaningful Westridge memorabilia to be returned to the school. A celebration of life took place March 11 at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. Beatrice is survived by her daughter and son, two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Constance Ridgway Funsten ’43 Connie passed away January 19 at the age of 92. She was the fifth but last surviving member of her parent’s seven daughters who grew up and lived in the Pasadena area since 1928. Connie and her sisters Carroll Ridgway Brundred ’44, Patricia Ridgway Chester ’38, Barbara Ridgway Gregory ’49, Elizabeth Ridgway Ham ’37, Judith Ridgway Kieckhefer ’36, and Bertha Ridgway ’40, all attended Westridge. While at Westridge Connie was head of Romans. She went on to New York’s Briarcliff College and attended UC Berkeley. She was predeceased by her husband, Stanard, to whom she was married for 61 years. She is survived by
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their five children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Emily Angle Wallis ’44 Emily passed away July 14, 2016 at Pebble Beach, CA at 90 years of age. While at Westridge she was the art and photography editor of the Inlook. After Westridge she attended Stanford University where she obtained her B.A. Trained as a primary school teacher, she briefly taught kindergarten in San Francisco’s Presidio Hill School before raising her children on the Peninsula. She loved bridge, genealogy, tennis, art, travel and spending time with her family. She was predeceased by her husband and son. She is survived by three daughters and three grandsons.
in his footsteps serving as a Westridge trustee twice – 1980-1988 and 1998-1999. An active member of the Pasadena community she served on the Board of Trustees of Chandler School, Pasadena Day Nursery, Pasadena Art Alliance, L.A.C.M.A. Costume Council, L.A. Olympic Organizing Committee, and many others. Sallie was a dedicated and effective fundraising volunteer for Westridge, serving as both an annual fund and campaign volunteer. She was very interested in contemporary art. She is survived by her son, daughter Sarah Colmery Preston, mother of Haley Preston Green ’02, and daughter Katherine Colmery Firestone ’80. Her husband Harry died in 2014. Her sister Joan Morphy (D) was Class of 1939.
Nancy Copeland Lissaman ’50 Catherine Marshall Murray ’46 Catherine’s daughter notified Westridge that her mother died in 2011.
Sallie Morphy Colmery ’48 Sallie died April 19 in Montecito, CA after a long illness. She lived most of her life in Pasadena and attended Westridge, Polytechnic, and the Ethel Walker Schools. She then went on to Smith College. Her father, Alan Morphy, was a trustee of Westridge in the 1950s, and Sallie followed
Nancy passed away in December of 2016 in Los Angeles. At Westridge she was senior class vice president, Student Council member, member of Glee Club and Dramatic Club, school song leader, and played volleyball, tennis, and hockey as well as being a ballet dancer. After Westridge she earned her B.A. from Stanford University and later obtained her teaching credential from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena. Nancy was a painter and also served for many years as her class representative. She is survived by her sons and sister, Poppy Copeland ’58.
Summer 2017 / Surgere
Sarah Freeman Stelter ’52
Jane Miller Chai ’56
Sarah died May 19, 2015 in Clyde Hill, WA. After graduating from Westridge she went on to attend Stanford University. Some years later she received her master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She had three children and raised and supported them in Las Vegas until 1983 when she returned to the Northwest. Upon moving to Clyde Hill, Sarah took up competitive rowing. She is survived by her two children, her brother and sister, and seven grandchildren. One daughter predeceased her in 2012 as did her sister, Clotilde Freeman McDougall ’53.
Westridge was recently notified by Neil Chai that his mother, Jane, passed away “comfortably, peacefully, and on her own terms” on April 25. Jane, a longtime resident of the Palo Alto and Portola Valley area ended her yearlong battle with ALS at the age of 77. She attended Polytechnic for her elementary years and graduated from Westridge. At Westridge she was president of Mask and Brush. She attended Stanford University, earning a B.A. in Far Eastern History in 1960. In 1978, she earned her master’s degree in communications. After graduating from Stanford, Jane went to Japan and became a correspondent for the Associated Press, covering Asia. She was in Vietnam during the early 1960s, just prior to the U. S. military intervention there. She later moved to New York City where she was a division head for the Associated Press and also worked for Norman Cousins. She returned to Stanford for surgery and there met her future husband. They married and she became a dedicated wife and mother to their two adopted sons, Neil and Hiroshi, while continuing her interest in Southeast Asian studies. She is survived by her two sons and two grandsons. Jane was a member of the Westridge Madeline Society.
Mary Dickson Weinmann ’52 Mary passed away February 15, 2015 in Ashland, OR after a long illness. Her husband of 54 years, Richard, predeceased her in 2010. She is survived by three sons and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her sister Margaret Dickson Gitelson ’57.
Ann Moore ’55 Ann passed away March 17 following a brief illness in Santa Barbara, CA. She attended Westridge from 7th grade to graduation. While at Westridge she headed the News and Views Club, modeled professionally and wrote excellent poetry. She was also the assistant to the editor of Spyglass. After Westridge she attended UC Berkeley graduating with a degree in journalism. She also attended Hastings Law School. In 1964 she moved to Santa Barbara to raise her family. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in numerous charitable organizations serving as the executive director of organizations such as the Center for Law-Related Education and the Arthritis Foundation. She was a planned giving officer for the Red Cross, the Sansum Clinic, and the Cancer Center. In 2014, the Santa Barbara Associates named her their Woman of Distinction. She is survived by her four children, a granddaughter, and her brother.
Charlotte Graff Rashmi-Graff ’56 Charlotte, known as Carol at Westridge, died October 24, 2016. While a student at Westridge, Charlotte spent her off hours modeling. She was excellent at her studies and the yearbook notes her dramatic abilities were shown in the Christmas pageant. After Westridge, she attended UCLA graduating Cum Laude. She went on to study law at University of West Los Angeles. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1978. She obtained her master’s certificate in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica in 2000 and continued on with degrees from American International University. In 2004 Charlotte completed the Feldenkrais professional training in New Mexico. She was a devout Roman Catholic.
After living in La Quinta and Palm Desert, CA for many years she moved to Laughlin, NV in 2005. She is survived by her brother. Her mother was Virginia McCormack Graff ’26 (D).
Carolyn Laws Roos ’56 Carolyin died on February 10, 2015 at her home in Lincoln, MT after a two-year battle with glioblastoma multiform. She grew up in Los Angeles. At Westridge she was editor of the Outlook and served as head of badminton. She also loved water skiing, sailing, and swimming. She attended the University of Washington and received her B.A. from UCLA. After having visited the E-L Ranch in the Blackfoot Valley yearly since she was 10 years old, Carolyn moved to Missoula, MT. In Montana she enjoyed fishing, wing shooting, gardening, and working side by side with her husband on the land and for community initiatives and conservation. She is survived by her husband, step-daughters, and step grandchildren.
Tracy Innes Stephenson ’56 Tracy died January 15 in San Francisco, CA. While at Westridge she was a Spyglass reporter, Inlook literary editor, and member of the Glee Club. She received undergraduate and master’s degrees from UC Berkeley. Although a Southern California native, she spent the rest of her life after Westridge living in the Bay Area. She leaves two daughters, seven grandchildren, her husband, and many loving friends.
Harriet Wingler Crandall ’60 Harriet passed away March 9 of CNS lymphoma at University of Iowa Medical Center. She moved to Cedar City, Utah in 2007 from the family home in Stinson Beach, CA after the death of her husband, Robert, in 2002. While a student at Westridge, Harriet was chairman of the Music Assembly Committee. She is survived by her brother and three children.
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students, Rosemary left a deep mark on our school and its students. When last on campus for the Alumnae Weekend Luncheon in 2015, a line of former students from across the decades waited to greet her. In the dedication of the 1968 yearbook, which honored Rosemary, students wrote that her “wit, unfailing good humor, sincere interest in her subject and students, and a wealth of knowledge characterize her presentation of history.”
Rosemary Lonergan Rosemary Lonergan, beloved member of the Westridge community and engaged citizen of the world who contributed greatly to Westridge, its girls, and to the greater Pasadena community, died peacefully at her home in Pasadena, March 15, at the age of 94.
Rosemary is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Jim Modney, who has requested that donations in memory of Rosemary be made to Westridge School, c/o Susan Bowers, director of advancement.
Rosemary was a member of the History Department faculty at Westridge for 30 years, from 1954 to 1985, teaching ancient, medieval, and modern European history as well as three courses she helped develop: Revolutions and Dictators, Third World Countries, and China and Japan. She was the embodiment of a lifelong learner, combining her love of travel and history on three sabbaticals during her tenure Charles E. (Chuck) Schroeter at Westridge, participating in archeological (written by Fran Scoble) digs in Cairo and studying in Greece, Rome, Japan, and China. Charles E. (Chuck) Schroeter passed away peacefully on December 14, 2016 at his home Known as a devoted teacher who believed in Port Townsend, Washington surrounded by deeply in bringing history to life for her his family. Chuck is survived by his wife, Mary
Ann, three children and six grandchildren. Chuck came to Westridge in 1992 when he was appointed Head of Upper School, a position in which he served with a strong commitment to teaching and learning for seven years. In 1999 he chose to step away from administration and return to his first calling and love, the teaching of literature and writing. When Chuck retired in 2005, the senior class dedicated the yearbook to him and invited him to be their commencement speaker. In that dedication, students wrote: “Mr. Schroeter taught us to write…he transformed us and made us more able thinkers.” In his Commencement speech, Chuck surprised the seniors by revealing he had kept their journals from ninth grade, from which he read excerpts, and described what he had learned from them. “Those fragments…illuminate memories of you, creative and curious—talking and laughing, listening and smiling – in another time – together and happy, your minds and hearts open to learning, literature and life” After learning of Chuck’s passing, a friend wrote: “A generation of students will be able to express their loss in writing because of Chuck.” He leaves the legacy of a brilliant mind and a teacher’s heart.
Have you joined Westridge Connect? Particularly as our alumnae navigate college and early career years, one of the best ways to maintain—or make—connections to others in the Westridge community is with our new networking platform, Westridge Connect. Similar to LinkedIn, but exclusive to the Westridge community, Westridge Connect allows alumnae to directly reach out to fellow alumnae, faculty/staff, and parents to seek or share knowledge about colleges and universities, serve as mentors, post internships or jobs, inquire about careers, business or travel information and more. We recently invited rising seniors to join the network, and during their senior year the Class of 2018 will utilize Westridge Connect as they consider applying to various colleges and universities.
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The strength of Westridge Connect is in the scope of connections and outreach, and your participation will enhance the network. We encourage you to visit Westridge Connect to explore the site’s features and become members to share your knowledge and make new or renew connections for yourself. Visit https://westridgeconnect.peoplegrove.com.
Summer 2017 / Surgere
WHO changed your life? WHOSE life will you change? any friends of Westridge have established named funds that support or recognize the people, classes, or activities that were personally influential. Establishing a named fund assures your legacy by supporting the part of Westridge that means the most to you – and will benefit students of today and tomorrow as they find their passion. Making a statement as powerful as this does not require an immediate large gift. Named funds can be created by designating the gift in your will or estate plan and can be easily arranged through your attorney or financial advisor. Family members can combine their contributions to create a named fund; this opportunity is not limited to individual donors. The minimum gift requirement for a named fund is $100,000. Please consider your legacy, and consider creating a named fund to honor and preserve your love of Westridge. Our planned giving staff is happy to help you explore options for designating a bequest to Westridge. Please contact Rebecca Potter in the Advancement Office at 626.799.1053, ext. 261, or rpotter@westridge.org.
If you have included Westridge in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity, make sure the purpose of your gift is understood by the school, and recognize you as a member of the Madeline Society.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986
324 Madeline Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105