Westridge School Surgere

2011-2012

Surgere WESTRIDGE SCHOOL

we

strive

to

rise

Surgere for a new

century

Westridge’s Surgere has a new look and feel, evolving with the school into its next century of excellence — new format, same spirit of storytelling, connectedness, and Tiger pride.

features 3 leading by design Westridge receives leadership awards for environmental sustainability and design

5 Erica Wu ’13: Olympian 7 Rhodes Alumna Carrie Ryan ’08 is the first Westridge graduate to be selected as a Rhodes Scholar

70 Cultural Consciousness Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor Director of Advancement Anne Scott-Putney Editor & Design Monica Meñez Class Notes/In Memoriam Editors Julie Ehrhardt Christie Guevara Kathy Ignacio Rebecca Harlow Potter Contributing Photographers Melanie Horn Marshall Kwong Monica Meñez Courtney Seiberling Nathan Stuffel JaNelle Weatherford Bill Youngblood Printing Sinclair Printing

Westridge alumnae pursue passions steeped in social justice and cultural pride

108 Centennial

segments 2 11 18 65 74 89 102

from the head shared trust: meet the trustees school life parent partners alumnae programs class notes in memoriam

& events

from the head

Leadership: A Call to Action

by elizabeth j. McGregor

At the start of the school year, I asked the girls to take a pledge with me. The five-word challenge helped to set a framework for the year, referred to often with eager affirmation, occasionally with well-humored adolescent exasperation.

Be your best, bold self.

This alliterative promise is a call to leadership without the burden of how the term “leadership” is formally defined. Leadership, as understood by titles, fame, and rank, falls short of its real breadth and depth. We teach the students that actions beget leadership in simpler ways.

Do your best. Challenge yourself. Be true to your unique individuality.

Westridge is a place where the community — students, parents, alumnae, trustees, faculty and staff — leads through action. The school would not be nearing its 100 year anniversary if otherwise were true. Our strength in leadership lies in, and relies on, one another — we have constant reminders of leadership around us, reinforcing our actions and pushing us to strive for more.

Each year unveils a new dimension of who Westridge women are and can become. In May 2011, Sarah Shahawy ’07 was honored as the Valedictorian of the University of Southern California (USC) Class of 2011. In Novem-

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ber 2011, Carrie Ryan ’08, who graduated this past spring from Sewanee: The University of the South, was selected as a 2012 Rhodes Scholar — a Westridge first. This past April, Erica Wu ’14 earned her spot on Team USA to compete at the 2012 London Olympics in table tennis — as a high school sophomore.

While we know that the Westridge community is exceptional, the bar is continually raised each year, one student or alumna at a time, being their best, bold selves.

But the lesson that we ultimately try to teach here at Westridge is that while accomplishments such as these are phenomenal, the small victories in life are just as important, and are, in fact, the stepping stones on which we tread to achieve the loftier goals. Only by your daily decisions and actions do you begin to establish or reinforce the leader that you want to become — be it an Olympian, a scholar, an entertainer, a mother, or an innovator. Whatever the goal, do your best, be bold, and be yourself — that is the true road to courageous and enlightened leadership, however you choose to define it.

Photo courtesy of Run on Sun.

leading by design

Westridge receives leadership awards for environmental sustainability & design

W

estridge School holds the distinction of having completed the first building in the City of Pasadena to be LEED® certified at the Platinum level. The Upper School Science & Mathematics Building was designed by Pica+Sullivan Architects with LEED consultant Davis Langdon and opened for classes in fall 2010.

Notable organizations have recognized Westridge’s leadership in environmental sustainability and design through the form and function of the Science & Mathematics Building. In fall 2011, the school was awarded the Pasadena & Foothill Chapter American Institute of Architects (AIA) Merit Award (October) as well as the inaugural Sustainable Innovation Award from the U.S. Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter (USGBC-LA) (November). Most recently, the facility received a commercial design award from the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation.

In April 2012, Westridge was honored by the City of Pasadena with a Green City Award, acknowledging the school’s installation of water conservation equipment and additional solar panel system.

The reduction in irrigation water consumption, as well as the new 52.3kW solar array on the roof of the school’s Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center (pictured above left) demonstrates Westridge’s ongoing commitment to, and broad understanding of, what it means to diminish the institution’s carbon footprint.

“Our students actively engage in experiential learning, from monitoring energy consumption to scientifically observing decomposition in a natural environment. They are appreciating and analyzing, first-hand, how resources can be utilized, conserved, and re-purposed in ways that promote environmentally-friendly practices,” said Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor. “It is our responsibility as a school to lead by example. This is education for life!”

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Erica Wu ’14 Olympian

By Melissa Lin ’12

T

he Westridge community has more than just vacation to look forward to

this summer. After competing and winning in the North American Olympic Trials finals in Cary, North Carolina, Erica Wu ’14 has earned a coveted spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Table Tennis.

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Since the start of 2012, Wu had increased her practice time from six days a week to seven and added half an hour more for serves and physical training both for her first trials in February and for the April trials in Cary.

Entering the most recent Olympic Trial tournament, Wu said, “I was just nervous...and extremely stressed because everyone [had] been training so hard [for the tournament], and everyone wanted to make it but there were only so many spots. I felt like I had a really good chance and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime [opportunity], and if I had messed up, I would have spent the rest of my life saying, ‘I was so close.’”

For Wu, winning a medal isn’t necessarily her goal as she competes in the Olympics. “Making the [Olympic] team was my biggest goal. Going to the Olympics is just for the experience, because it’s definitely an amazing experience. Basically, we don’t have any chance at all,” Wu explained, citing the lack of an American professional league, sponsors and media time as reasons.

“Also, everyone on the team just plays table tennis after school…We are all academically strong. We put school in front of table tennis.” She said that in many other countries, especially some in Asia or Europe, “[the players] have been training five or six hours a day since they were seven...and they don’t take [school] seriously.

[Some] have gone professional since they were ten, and that’s really hard for us to compete against.”

Erica, pictured above, with her father Peter Wu and mother Johan Pao, after winning the bronze medal at the October 2011 Pan American Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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Erica (far left) poses as a member of Team USA competing in table tennis at the 2012 London Olympics. Pictured (l. to r.) are Wu (Arcadia, CA), Lily Zhang (Palo Alto, CA), Ariel Hsing (San Jose, CA), and Timothy Wang (Houston,TX).

Wu, who started playing table tennis at seven years old, said that getting into the Olympics hadn’t even been a goal until fairly recently. She had started playing for fun, and said, “The first time I won a trophy at a local tournament when I was nine was when I really started to like table tennis…And it was only three or four years ago that I decided to pursue table tennis full time.”

And that commitment has clearly paid off. In addition to winning table tennis matches and international tournaments, she learned a lot from her years playing table tennis. “[Table tennis] has given me a lot more confidence to be able to compete at such a high level with such high stakes,” Wu said. “The pressure in table tennis is really high because of the speed of the sport and the precision that you need for it…and it’s not a team sport, so you have to take responsibility for every point. It’s really taught me how to work well under pressure.”

As for her future in Table Tennis after the Olympics, Wu said that she planned on continuing to play, but less intensely, with fewer days and hours dedicated to practicing. Wu enters junior year next year and explained that “next year is 11th grade, so I won’t have as much time…with APs and SATs and all that stuff.” However, she said if she could maintain her level, even with less time for practicing and make the national teams, she would “go for it. If I can’t, then it’s not a big deal.”

rhodes Alumna Carrie Ryan ’08 is one of 32 American students in 2012 and the first Westridge graduate to be selected as a Rhodes Scholar.

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arrie Ryan ’08 graduated from Sewanee this past May with a major in cultural anthropology and a minor in Education. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Philosophy degree in Evidence Based Social Intervention at Oxford.

What is Evidence Based Social Intervention? “Simply, it’s culturally sensitive policy and program creation,” Carrie explains to the Pasadena Sun. “The program believes that social problems are contextual and that solutions to these problems arise through contextually-driven fieldwork and research.”

An active student leader at Sewanee, Ryan was the president of the student body and a student trustee; co-founder and co-chair of the campus Diversity Coalition; Study Skills Program leader for Canale Internship for Community Service; and Gessell Fellow in Social Ethics. She received The Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award and the 2011 Newman Civic Fellow Award, both recognizing her extensive service for, and involvement in, the community. Ryan was also honored with the Most Outstanding Youth Award at the 2009 Generations United Conference for her gerontological commitment and work in senior organizations.

“My experience at Westridge was transformative,” said Ryan. “Especially after an Aging in Literature independent study I pursued during my senior year alongside teacher Ed Raines, I left Westridge with a deep thirst to learn more and a strong commitment to social justice. I graduated from the school knowing that I was not only capable of enacting positive social change, but that I also had a responsibility in doing so.”

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Rhodes Scholars must be endorsed by their college or university and according to the Rhodes Trust, are chosen on the basis of “high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor.” The scholarship provides recipients with all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England, including stipends for cost of living. This year, 830 students were endorsed by 299 different institutions of higher learning.

Established in 1902, Rhodes Scholarships opened eligibility to women in 1976. This year, for only the fourth time in its history, more women (17) than men (15) received the coveted scholarship despite the fact that women constituted only 42 percent of the applicant pool, and 40 percent of those who reached the final stage of the competition.

“Carrie is one of those Westridge women to whom younger students look up to and say, ‘When I grow up I want to be just like her,’” said Elizabeth J. McGregor, head of Westridge School. “She embodies all that we hope our girls will be – intellectual, courageous, compassionate, and a leader whose quiet sense of purpose and goodness let you know that the future is in capable hands.”

Carrie is from a family of Westridge women; her mother is Marianne Van Vorst Ryan ’79, her aunts are Kristen Van Vorst Sepulveda ’78, and Louise Van Vorst ’75.

Challenging her to be her best, bold self...

Inspiring her to change the world. w e s t r i d g e

s c h o o l

it all starts

here.

How will you contribute to her journey?

Support the educational enrichment that will prepare her for college and the world beyond.

The Westridge Annual Fund is more than simply a collection of gifts — it represents a shared confidence in Westridge School and the girls who will become community innovators and leaders.

Your generous contribution to the Westridge Annual Fund helps Westridge continue to challenge and inspire young women.

It all starts here, with you. www.westridge.org/annualfund

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westridge annual fund

201 1 —20 12

Through generous community support, Westridge exceeded the Annual Fund goal of $840,000 by over $25,000.

parent participation reached 87 percent.

Alumnae participation reached 20 percent. alumnae parent donations increased

42 percent from last year.

Faculty and Staff had 88 percent participation and

Trustee participation hit 100 percent.

These donations benefit the day-to-day learning and experiences of Westridge girls. Thank you for all you do as a community to support their education and development.

For final year-end details, look for the 2011-2012 Annual Report in the fall.

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ourageous, enlightened leadership is essential to the vitality and well-being of Westridge School. A culture that fosters leadership and actively involves every member of the community contributes to the success of the institution. The collaborative efforts and intentions of those most invested in Westridge — from the Board of Trustees, to the alumnae, parent, employee, and student communities — are what comprise the energy, goodness, and excellence of the school.

As the governing body of Westridge School, each member of the Board of Trustees is deeply committed to the school’s mission, values, and traditions.

Westridge is fortunate to have an active board whose trustees dedicate themselves to upholding and strengthening the school’s focus on developing in girls their intellectual and creative powers and their unique qualities as individuals.

Meet the people behind the passion.

Westridge Board of Trustees

shared trust

Shaw B. Wagener Board Chair Shaw joined The Capital Group Companies, Inc. in 1981. He is Chairman and a Director of Capital Group International, Inc. and Capital International, Inc. Shaw is Director of Emerging Markets Growth Fund and Capital International Emerging Markets Fund, and serves on the Capital Group Companies Management Committee.

Since 2006, Shaw has served on the board of trustees at his alma mater, Claremont McKenna College. He is a member of the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts and has served as a board member for Union Station Foundation, Los Angeles Children’s Museum, and was a member of the Rebuild L.A. Task Force.

Shaw received a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in International Relations from Claremont McKenna College and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He and his wife Deborah have two children, Sophia ’13 and Harrison.

Head shots by Jamie & Kelley Photography.

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Susana Smith Bautista ’84

Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86

Michael W. Biard

Susana is a scholar on museums, digital technology, and the arts, and has recently earned her doctorate as a Provost Fellow at the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, where she also received her master’s degree in Art History/Museum Studies.

Jennifer is a real estate broker and Senior Vice President at David N. Schultz, Inc., a leading local property management and real estate brokerage firm in Glendale founded by her father David. The company currently manages approximately 140 apartment buildings, primarily in the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to property management services, Jennifer and her father are active brokers serving clients in purchasing and selling apartment properties. She has worked at the firm for over 20 years in various capacities including property supervision, sales, and overseeing corporate operations.

Michael serves as Executive Vice President, Distribution, Fox Networks where he oversees distribution of Fox’s 43 domestic television networks and related services by all of the major cable, satellite, and telco operators.

He directs the business strategy and negotiations with video distributors and works closely with all the Fox networks on wide-ranging distribution activities on all linear and non-linear platforms, including video-on-demand, online, mobile, and other emerging platforms. Michael joined Fox as Director of Affiliate Business Affairs in 2000. He held a number of roles in the distribution group before assuming his current duties in 2010.

Susana has almost 20 years experience in the art world in Los Angeles, New York, and Greece working with museums, commercial galleries, and non-profit art spaces. She was Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, Editorial Director of www.LatinArt.com, and an Associate with the Daniel Saxon Gallery. She served the City of Pasadena as the Arts and Culture Commissioner for six years.

Susana has presented her research at numerous international conferences including Digital Humanities, Museums and the Web, Arts in Society, the European Science Foundation, the National Communication Association, and Digital Media & Learning. She has assisted in research on museums and libraries in the digital age (MacArthur Foundation grant), assistant taught, and lectured on “The Communication Revolution, Entertainment, and the Arts.”

Susana served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ School and Mission and Governance Committees. She and her husband Juan Felipe have a son, Nicolas.

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Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master of Business Administration and Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California.

Jennifer is outgoing Chair of the Westridge Alumnae Council and has been involved in supporting the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Glendale Adventist Medical Center. She is a member of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee and served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ School Committee. She and her husband Chris have a daughter, Lucy ’19.

Before Fox, Michael was an attorney for Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe and previously Keesal, Young & Logan. He graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in biology-psychology and earned a Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Michael served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Asset Management and Advancement Committees. He is also a board member at the Sierra Madre Church of Christ. He and his wife Lori have two children, Kendall ’16 and Dylan.

Westridge Board of Trustees

Natalie Naftzger Davis

Stephanie Chandler Dencik ’90

Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70

Natalie is an owner/operator of N3 Cattle Company, a family owned ranching enterprise. She is a former partner of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, where she specialized in antitrust litigation.

Stephanie has both financial and non-profit experience assisting companies in a variety of industries.

Currently Stephanie is engaged as an independent consultant on a number of projects for both private and nonprofit organizations. Before taking on these independent mandates, Stephanie was Executive Director of MUSE/IQUE, a non-profit organization which produces concert events as well as educational and community outreach programs. Prior to joining MUSE/IQUE, Stephanie was a Vice President at FocalPoint Securities, LLC, where she was involved in numerous M&A transactions as well as debt and equity capital raises. Between 1998 and 2002, Stephanie was a Senior Associate in the London office of Robertson Stephens International, spending time in both Corporate Finance and the Private Capital Markets Group.

Brooke has worked as Executive Director of the Pasadena Oral History Project, Assistant Director of the Pasadena Historical Museum, and Director of Community Relations for the California Arboretum Foundation.

She published a book, Talking About Pasadena, a collection of excerpts from oral histories, for the Pasadena Centennial.

Natalie is active at Stanford University and Dartmouth College. At Stanford, Natalie serves on the Class of 1978 Major Gifts Committee and is a member of the Advisory Council of The Stanford Center on Longevity.

Natalie and her husband Phillip are on Dartmouth’s Family Fellows Committee and the Friends of Dartmouth Women’s Soccer Committee. Natalie has also served as a Board Member at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (19932007) and Children’s Hospital Research Institute (1993-1995).

Natalie received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Stanford University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California School of Law. Natalie served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ School Committee and chaired the Board’s Strategic Planning Committee. She and Phillip have three daughters, Katharine (Katie) ’07, Brooke ’10, and Claire ’13.

Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from Hamilton College, where she graduated Cum Laude with Honors in Economics. Stephanie received a Master of Science in Econometrics from The London School of Economics and is a Certified Financial Analyst.

She was Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee, chaired the board’s Asset Management Committee, and is a member of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee. She and her husband Leo have two children, Emilia and Alexander.

Brooke received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from Mills College and has served on the board of trustees for the Pasadena Historical Museum, the Circle of Huntington Hospital, Kidspace Museum Circle of Friends, Junior League of Pasadena, the Stanford Junior Women of Pasadena, the Los Angeles Junior Opera Project, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra support group. Currently she serves on the board of Planned Parenthood of Pasadena, the Pacific Asia Museum, and is a member of the Las Madrinas and Children’s Chain of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

First elected to the Westridge board in 1984, Brooke was co-chair of the Alumnae Endowment Campaign in 2000 and the Building for the Next Century of Excellence Campaign in 2004. She served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Advancement and Mission and Governance Committees and is a member of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee. She and her husband Edward have three children, Grant, Trevor, and Evan ’09.

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Donald E. Hall

Jennifer Lum

David G. Mgrublian

Don, founder of advisory firm Hall Capital, has over 25 years of professional investing experience having joined Scudder Stevens & Clark as portfolio manager in 1982. In 1988 he became Managing Director of the firm which subsequently became Zurich Scudder Investments.

Jennifer currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel in the General Counsel’s Office at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Prior to joining Caltech’s Office of the General Counsel, she served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Central District of California handling both civil and criminal matters.

Jennifer was an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, where she served as Chief of the Major Frauds Section.

She previously worked as a law clerk for United States District Judge Dickran Tevrizian and was in private practice in Los Angeles where she focused on general business litigation.

David graduated with a double major in economics and political science (honors) from Claremont McKenna College, where he served as student body president. He received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and had a distinguished career as a partner, marketing principal, and leasing agent with Trammell Crow Company.

Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and French from the University of Southern California and a law degree from Cornell University. She is a member of the California Bar and admitted to practice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

David is a trustee of Claremont McKenna College where he chairs the Building and Grounds Committee and serves on the Board Affairs, Academic Affairs, Capital Campaign, Research Institutes, and Executive Committees.

He is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Development/MixedUse Council. He is a former board chair of Westridge and St. Mark’s School in Altadena, the former director of the Western Diocese Armenian Church Summer Camp, and the former alumni association president of Claremont McKenna College.

Since leaving Zurich Scudder in 2001, Don has been Managing Director of Arcturus Capital, an early stage private equity firm located in Pasadena which he co-founded. In 2010, he returned to the publicly traded securities sector and founded Hall Capital which manages portfolios for individuals and advises institutions.

Don became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.

A member of the CFA Institute, Los Angeles Association of Financial Analysts, Don is also involved in three corporate boards, San Pasqual Trust Company, Pasadena Heritage, and The Episcopal Diocesan Investment Trust.

He served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Mission and Governance Committee. Don is married to Taylor.

He has three children, Parker, Rosemary, and Charlotte ’11.

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She is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the American Association of Corporate Counsel and on the Board of Trustees at Saint Mark’s School in Altadena. She was a Vice Chair on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee and chaired the board’s School Committee.

She and her husband Kent have two daughters, Mara ’17 and Anya.

He joined IDS Real Estate Group in 1992 and as CEO, oversees its Real Estate Services, Corporate Services, and Advisor divisions. Under his leadership, IDS is the largest privately held manager of commercial real estate in California.

David served as a Vice Chair of the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee and chaired the board’s Mission and Governance Committee.

He and his wife Margaret have two daughters, Kathryn ’07 and Madlyn ’09.

Westridge Board of Trustees

Sarah Young Miller

Chris Orndorff

Francis Y. Park

Sarah is an associate member of Children’s Chain at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as well as a member of the San Marino Junior Alliance. She was also a member of the Pasadena Junior League, the Pasadena Children’s Guild, and the Kidspace Circle of Friends.

Chris is a senior portfolio manager with Western Asset, where he specializes in global multi-sector and absolute return portfolios. Chris has 26 years of portfolio management experience, approximately half of which was spent managing global equities and half managing global fixed income and absolute return. Prior to Western Asset, Chris managed his own hedge fund, was a member of the Executive Committee for Payden & Rygel, and a Second Vice President for Northern Trust Company. Chris is quoted frequently in the print and broadcast media.

Francis is a founding partner of Park & Velayos LLP, which focuses on land use, real estate, infrastructure, utilities, and other government related matters.

Prior to founding Park & Velayos, Francis was a partner in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, where he practiced since 1994. He has worked on a variety of major development projects across Southern California and has extensive experience in working with local jurisdictions, agencies, and public officials at all levels.

As a parent of two Westridge graduates, Sarah was actively involved in the Parent Association. As past Vice President and Chair of the Summer Opportunities Fair (SOF) for two consecutive years (2005, 2006), Sarah led a committee that produced and managed hugely successful fairs. She was also instrumental in the 2005 establishment of the SOF Corporate Sponsorship program that is still in place today.

Sarah received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University. She served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee and is a member of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee. She and her husband Eric have three children, Eliza ’09, India ’11, and Matthew.

Chris received a Bachelor of Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Chris has extensive board experience, including company boards, mutual fund boards, foundation boards, and non-profit boards. He has been a Westridge Trustee since 2003 and served as Secretary of the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee and on the board’s School Committee.

Chris and his wife Beth have two children, Mary Grace ’11 and David.

Also representing a number of pro bono clients, Francis is a dedicated member of the community and has been involved in numerous civic, community, and charitable organizations. Additionally, Francis serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC), the Governing Board of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, the Advisory Council of Planned Parenthood of Pasadena, and formerly served on the boards of Kidspace Children’s Museum, the Korean American Coalition (KAC), and Big Sisters of Los Angeles — Asian American Advisory Council.

Francis received a Juris Doctorate from Columbia School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. He served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Asset Management and School Committees. He and his wife Jeanette have three children, Carina ’19, Felicity ’21, and Elliott.

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Richard H. Patterson Jr.

W. Torrey Sun

Alison Taylor ’80

Dick is a founder and chief executive officer of San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust Company, a California state-chartered financial institution based in Los Angeles.

Torrey is Executive Director for Principal Gifts at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Previously, Torrey served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Claremont McKenna where he was responsible for overseeing college interests such as campus life, student activities, career services, community service and volunteer programs, guest speaker programs, and international student programs. From 1994 through 1999, Torrey was a part-time professor in Claremont McKenna’s Government department.

Alison is a writer and producer for broadcast and cable television and a branded media consultant. She has been an executive producer and writer for the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Fox, and ABC television networks and was the creator and executive producer of Just Jordan on Nickelodeon.

She was also a screenwriter of the popular Cheetah Girls movies on the Disney Channel.

Prior to San Pasqual Trust, Dick was general counsel for the Braille Institute of America, Inc. for 11 years. As general counsel, he served on the legal affairs, finance, and retirement committees of the board, which had oversight responsibilities for the Institute’s endowment investment portfolio and pension plan. Prior to the Braille Institute, Dick was a partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Poindexter and Doutre.

Dick has served on several non-profit boards including the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (Board President 1995-96), Young and Healthy, (Board President 2001-2003), All Saints Episcopal Church (two term Junior Warden and Senior Warden from 2003-2004), Westridge School (Board Chair 2006-2009), and the Duke Club of Southern California (Los Angeles Alumni Admissions Committee Chair 1989-present).

He received an Artium Baccalaureatus from Duke University and his Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of the state bars of California and Texas.

Dick served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Asset Management Committee. He and his wife Melissa have four children, Taylor ’00, Sarah, Charlie, and Caroline.

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A member of the board of directors of the Shakespeare Festival, L.A., Torrey has also served on the board at Flintridge Preparatory School. He was also a member of the accreditation team of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in Oakland, California from 1993 to 1996.

Torrey received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Colorado College, a master’s degree in public policy studies, and a doctorate in international relations from Claremont Graduate University’s School for Politics and Economics. He also holds a certificate in German Language Studies from the University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. Torrey served on Westridge Board of Trustees’ School Committee.

He is married to Katie King, aunt of Westridge alumna Charlotte King ’05.

A member of the Board of Trustees since 2003, Alison is co-chair of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee. She is a former chair of the Alumnae Council and served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee.

Alison is a graduate of HarvardRadcliffe. She has a son, Wyatt.

Westridge Board of Trustees

Alan R. Tekerlek

Sabra Clark White ’76

Alan is Managing Partner and Founder of Aspect Partners LLC, a Los Angelesbased private equity and advisory firm targeting middle-market companies across a broad range of industries.

Sabra started White Associates Lighting in 1991 in partnership with her husband Doug. She previously worked for the National Trust for Historical Preservation in Washington D.C., the Chicago Historical Society’s Architectural Collections in Chicago, and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

Prior to Aspect Partners, Alan was a Senior Vice President and Partner of Global Technology Investment Banking at Lehman Brothers Inc., a Senior Banker in the Corporate Finance and Restructuring Groups of General Electric Capital Corporation, and a senior consultant at Theodore Barry & Associates.

Alan is currently a trustee and executive committee member of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Los Angeles and associated with several for-profit companies.

Alan graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He served as a Vice Chair of the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee and chaired the board’s Advancement Committee. He has a daughter, Olivia ’16.

Sabra received her Bachelor of Arts in History of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. She served on the Westridge Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee and is a member of the Westridge Centennial Steering Committee. She is part of a three-generation family that has attended Westridge, including her daughter Mollie ’04 and her mother Sabra McCay Clark ’48. She and Doug also have a son, Ned.

with

gratitude Westridge thanks the following trustees, whose board terms concluded at the end of the 2011-2012 school year: Thomas G. Clarke trustee 2006-2012

Peter Lucey trustee 2001-2012

Tari Frahm Rokus trustee 2002-2012

Maha Youness ’88 trustee 2010-2012

The Westridge Board of Trustees will welcome new members in fall 2012: Camilo Becerra Christine McCarthy Roger W. Stephens Linda Tolbert

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2011-2012

Life

School

“

I promise that I will be a courageous & enlightened leader and be my best, bold self!

”

— Student pledge with Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, Convocation 2011

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Greek & Roman Initiation September 21, 2011 The annual tradition of sorting new community members into Greeks and Romans takes place as a student-run assembly in Hoffman Gym each year. The Greeks took the victory in 2011-2012!

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Annual Back-to-School Picnic September 25, 2011 Westridge families gathered on the campus on a Sunday afternoon to kick off the new school year with games, activities, music, and food!

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JV Tennis JV tennis continues to post the most winning record, year after year!

The Tigers have lost only one game in the Prep League the past four years and have remained undefeated in Prep League play for three consecutive seasons.

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Tennis After a 27-year sabbatical, Westridge tennis clinched the Prep League title!

Maral Tavitian ’13 in singles, along with Erin McDonald ’14 and Erin Wong ’12 in doubles, were named to the Pasadena Star-News All Area Team. Head coach Jerry Rivera was selected as Coach of the Year. The “Erins” were named MVP of the Prep League in doubles. The Tigers finished the season 16-2.

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“Little Shop of Horrors” October 20-23, 2011 The Westridge Drama Department presents the fall musical as the first production in their 2011-2012 season, “The Year of Comedy.”

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Halloween Parade October 31, 2011 Westridge students show their creativity at the annual Halloween Parade in Hoffman Gym.

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making the W cut

estridge’s Artist-in-Residence program brings a local visual artist to campus to expose Westridge art students to the diverse resources of talent in the Los Angeles area. The artist-in-residence interacts with Westridge students and offers a lecture or show to the broader school community.

Ann Elliott Cutting ’78, professional photographer and Westridge alumna, joins the school’s Artist-in-Residence ranks: 2007 Sigrid Burton ’69 artist specializing in oil on canvas paintings and mixed-media works on paper 2009 Erika Oller ’60 artist, painter, author, illustrator 2010 Pae White ’81 multimedia and installation artist 2011 Elizabeth Pyle Chandler ’59 painter 2012 Ann Elliott Cutting ’78 photographer

The week of November 14, Westridge welcomed photograper Ann Elliott Cutting ’78 as the 2011-2012 Artist-in-Residence.

Cutting’s versatility spans subjects from science and organic images to children, sports, and lifestyle. She uses many photographic techniques, including traditional cameras, digital imaging, and images made with toy cameras.

Her mysterious, evocative images have been published in Photo District News, Graphis, Communication Arts, US News and World Report, The Nature Conservancy, Science Magazine, Time, Washington Post Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Bloomberg, and Oprah Magazine. Clients include Nike, Lexus, Target, Lee, Nikon, and Pioneer, and recording companies Warner Brothers, Capital, and Sony Music.

A graduate of Westridge School, Ann earned a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from the Art Center College of Design.

The week concluded with a special gallery exhibition of her work on November 18, shown in the Sigrid Burton ’69 Gallery, lower level of the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center.

The Maxwell Artist-in-Residence program, named after Cynthia Clark Maxwell ’71, was established in 2004.The endowment fund was created by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. R.B. Clark, to honor Cynthia’s memory and Westridge experience.

See page 52 for an image of Ann’s photo project with the 7th Grade.

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Basketball Leading the Tigers on the hardwoods was Carmen Costa ’14, averaging 10.4 points and a Prep League high of 15.2 rebounds per game! Liliana Lim ’13 averaged 9.4 points per game and added 3.4 steals, second best in the league. The Tigers ended the season tying for third in the Prep League! Due to enduring tenacity and great teamwork, the Tigers have advanced to CIF-SS playoffs the past eight of nine seasons.

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Yam Festival November 18, 2011 The annual and beloved Yam Festival is a community affair. Parents, students, faculty, staff, and past parents make and share yam dishes from all ethnic backgrounds, creating multicultural unity around a shared ingredient.

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“Steel Magnolias” December 1-3, 2011 The Westridge Drama Department presents the second production in their 2011-2012 season, “The Year of Comedy.”

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Holiday Concert December 8, 2011 The annual Holiday Concert showcases Lower, Middle, and Upper School choral and orchestra performances.

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7th Grade Power of One Exhibit December 13, 2011 The 7th graders create exhibits focusing on the difference one person’s work can make in their community.

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6th Grade Candy Houses December 14, 2011 The 6th graders showcase their creativity each year during the holidays by building candy houses. Their creative projects are no longer simply houses! This year, TOMS shoes are quite the inspiration (see the Power of One project on the opposite page). 33

Summer Opportunities Fair | February 4, 2012 Westridge’s annual community outreach event hosts over 100 exhibitors from local, national, and international summer programs. With the help of over 200 student and parent volunteers, this free event is open to the community at large and attracts thousands of guests seeking information about summer and volunteer opportunities for their children.

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The 18th Annual Evening of Student Directed One-Acts February 9-11, 2012 The Westridge Drama Department featured student directors Kai Grayson ’13 and Ravenna Thielstrom ’12.

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Swimming & Diving Cassidy Golden ’13 has earned second place in Prep League diving as a sophomore and junior. This year Cassidy advanced to CIF-SS Division II Diving Finals and placed eighth in the division — a truly extraordinary accomplishment!

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Softball The Tigers hit their stride with the superb pitching of Jackie Pai ’14 and the excellent hitting of Sydney Estrada ’14 and Erin Golden ’14. Jackie was selected to the first team All Prep League as she led the league with 102 strike-outs for the season.

Sydney led the Tigers with a .455 batting average and Erin was close behind with a .293. Westridge tied for third place in the Prep League and toppled Eastern Christian 16-1 advancing to the second round of CIF-SS Division VI playoffs.

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All School Day — “Westridge Storybook” March 9, 2012 Westridge students had the opportunity to have a class-free, fun day of games, activities, and movies.

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“The Odd Couple” (Female Version) March 15-17, 2012 The Westridge Drama Department presents the fourth production in their 2011-2012 season, “The Year of Comedy.”

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Grandparents and Friends Day | April 13, 2012 Despite the rain, grandparents and friends of Westridge students visited campus to spend part of the day with their Westridge student. Student performances were followed by classroom visits and lunch.

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Ring Ceremony | April 16, 2012 Juniors received their Westridge rings at the annual Ring Ceremony in the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center.

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Middle School Debate Championships April 21, 2012

by Shannon Barber, Middle School Debate Coach The Middle School Debate program launched in 2011-2012 with faculty members Shannon Barber (coach), Sara Cline Tammen ’92, and Gigi Bizar (assistant coaches). Made up of both 7th and 8th graders, the Debate Club is a member of the Rancho California League which includes 10 schools in the Pasadena-East San Fernando area. Included in the league are Polytechnic, Chandler, Waverly, Sequoyah, Campbell Hall, Clairbourn, Gooden, Mayfield Jr. and Westridge.

As it was Westridge’s first year in the program, all students were new to debate. The focus of learning was placed on analytical skills, researching topics, organizing ideas, forming logical arguments, staying within the boundaries of a point, as well as public speaking techniques. The girls did an amazing job. It is a significant time commitment for the girls and requires a great investment of energy. All tournaments are held on Saturdays and are all-day commitments from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The first tournament was held at Poly on December 2, 2011, the day after the crazy windstorms, when much of Pasadena didn’t have electricity. The team braved downed trees and power lines, making their way to Poly’s campus. The girls learned a lot from participating with and debating against other schools during this first judged debate in public. They returned from this experience with a much better idea of what it takes, outside of research and knowledge, to be successful in a debate round.

The second tournament was January 28, 2012 at Campbell Hall. More practiced, poised, and with refined techniques, the team spoke with more confidence. With a better understanding of what was required of good debaters, the team took home six trophies! Go Tigers!

The third tournament was a Tri-League event held at Poly on March 17, 2012. It poured rain all day!

Because much of Poly consists of “bungalow-style” classrooms accessible only through outdoor hallways and corridors, the girls got soaked going back and forth between location rooms and the gym.

Despite being cold and wet, the team performed superbly: two teams won eligibility to attend the Championship Invitational at Claremont McKenna College on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

Congratulations to the Middle School Debate team!

After a strong learning season, the girls finished strong with two wins, three losses at the Claremont Invitational Championship against other championship teams from all over the state and some from across the nation.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Barber.

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Dance Concert April 27-28, 2012 Photo courtesy of current parent Curtis Ro.

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6th Grade Wax Museum “World Women of Character & Courage” May 11, 2012 The 6th Grade portrayed 41 women of character, equipped with carefully crafted scripts, costumes, and props to transform each student into her research subject.

Each member of the class represented a woman of significant influence in history or in her community.

While this annual event immerses each student in the research, study, and presentation of her subject, it also educates attendees by telling the stories of phenomenal women from ancient times to the present from all around the globe.

The impact of the 6th Grade Wax Museum has reached beyond the local community and is proof that exercises in small acts of kindness and awareness can go a very long way. (See story reference in Head of School Elizabeth McGregor’s Commencement remarks on page 62.)

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Research in Science Poster Presentations | May 18, 2012 The senior level Research in Science class placed nine students with professional researchers at Caltech. Student poster presentations displayed their independent research and laboratory work at the university level. Topics included craniofacial development, making designer proteins, pollen identification, air pollution, and looking at fluorescently marked proteins to study embryonic development.

6th Grade Robotics Viewing Day May 24, 2012 Sixth graders demonstrated programming skills to their parents, friends, and teachers, displaying the robots they assembled and the tasks that they had programmed them to perform.

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“A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” May 18-19, 2012 The “Year of Comedy” closes with the 8th Grade play.

have a seat.

Name a seat in the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center!

Leave your daughter’s legacy in the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center. Make a special gift to Westridge, and have your daughter or your family’s name inscribed on a seat!

Founders Circle $5,000 | Orchestra $2,500 | Terrace $1,000 For more information, contact Anne Scott-Putney, Director of Advancement, ascott-putney@westridge.org, 626.799.1053, ext. 252.

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6th Grade Recognition

2018 class of

Marissa Aivazis Katherine Bender Maya Bluthenthal Kara Burke Kelsey Burke Samantha Chean-Udell Rachel Cho Rebecca Cohen Ciauna Cota Matilde Eckford Sofia Flores-Rojas Siena Giljum Kamryn Green Emma Greenlee

Medora Groff Talia Haddad Jessica Hansen Jane Horner Angel Hoyang Kathryn Huang Io Jette-Kouri Christy Kradjian Katherine Kurohara Ada Li Camille Lin Alexandra Medina Karina Mousessian Ella Obico

Alexandra Patzakis Lara Sachdeva Alexia Sakellariou Sofia Santoro Emma Schou Sophia Forgetta Spezialy Catherine Su Nicole Tanouye Jillian Taylor Isabella Thieltges Virginia Wood Sylvia Woolner Madison Young Hanna Zaimovic

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6th Grade Recognition Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Opening Remarks Mary Tuck, Director of Lower School

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ood evening and welcome to our annual 6th Grade Recognition. Tonight we are gathered to mark an important milestone for the Class of 2018, the culmination of their Westridge elementary years.

Sixth grade is a special year at Westridge. It is the year when girls deepen their knowledge of topics they were introduced to in 4th and 5th Grade.

Individually, each of these girls has developed a more sophisticated understanding of literature, expressing themselves with increasing confidence, technical correctness, and fluidity in their essays and research reports. The Class of 2018 should be most proud of their culminating research report on women of character and their performance of that character at our annual Wax Museum.

In the world of mathematics, they studied the basics of economics in their Baking a Better World Project, learning the differences between consumers and producers, and that hard work and saving are crucial to economic success. They moved increasingly to thinking abstractly, helping them to be comfortable operating in a world of ideas. They discovered that math is particularly good for developing their logic skills, and they learned through integrated projects that the classical Greeks were not wrong to hold the study of mathematics in such high esteem.

Their study of music and art has enhanced the aesthetic dimension of their minds and their appreciation for the world around them. They exhibited their knowledge of the arts with their outstanding performance and their remarkable gallery of art at our annual Lower School Fine and Performing Arts Night.

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In physical education and in Council, this class learned the importance of developing habits for a lifetime of health and exercise. Practicing teamwork, teachers agree they prepared successfully for 6th Grade tournaments and demonstrated their ability to win, while at the same time, understanding the importance of team building and playing fairly.

Lower School teachers and I also agree that this is a class of girls who care deeply about each other.

They relish group work, especially assignments with a technology edge or a mission to give back to others. Whether they have visited in my office puzzled by the actions of their peers or ready to discuss a dilemma, each has grown closer to being more independent and wise. Their teachers would also agree with me that they are a group who asks great questions, enjoys Westridge traditions, and ponders choices that will help them be their best selves.

As the Class of 2018 has developed their academic, social, and physical skill sets, they could not have done so without the guidance and instruction they receive from the Lower School faculty. Lower School teachers have encouraged these 6th graders to take in all they can on their way to a fulfilled life. The Lower School faculty has not only gifted the girls with a solid skill and knowledge base,

“This is a class of girls who care deeply about each other... a group who asks great questions, enjoys Westridge traditions, and ponders choices that will help them be their best selves.�

they have also helped the girls develop their selfesteem by earning it through hard work and tackling a multitude of challenging experiences.

This year I would especially like to recognize a group of our faculty who will move from Westridge to new opportunities in the fall. First, I want to thank our long-term substitutes who filled in for teachers on maternity leave. They are Baiba Graft and Penny Geis who taught social science and language arts to Susi Petterson’s 4th graders, and Roxanna Castro, who taught Spanish to our 5th and 6th graders during second semester.

Mrs. Graft and Mrs. Geis returned from retirement to assist and Roxana Castro is beginning her “without a doubt” stellar teaching career. To all three, we are indebted to you for making sure our program served the needs of our students. Many thanks!

I would also like to acknowledge our two dynamic science teachers, Tina House and Lisa Ulsh.

Together they have taught what many would agree is the most innovative upper elementary non-text book science program in the greater Los Angeles area. Each, in her own way, has given Westridge girls an understanding of the general laws of nature; made sure they know important facts and ideas about the universe; trained girls in methods scientists use; given students an appreciation of the scientific view of the world; and motivated them to ask questions and find answers. They have helped our students realize the importance of approaching the universe as an ordered place; as regular and predictable, and at the same time taught them that to know something in science you have to be able to prove it. Perhaps above all, anyone in their classes would agree that students learned not to stop asking, “Why?” It is highly likely that one of these 6th graders will grow up to be a scientist because they learned to love science while in the Lower School. Thank you, Mrs. House, for teaching our 4th graders. Thank you, Dr. Ulsh, for designing the program that will continue

“Their commitment to causes that serve the greater good will continue to be a hallmark of this class.” to be the basis of all science that is taught in the Lower School for many years to come. We wish you both well in your new adventures.

As we have recognized our teachers, I too would like to recognize our 6th grade parents. Thank you for partnering with us in the Lower School. We thank you for driving on field trips, maintaining the world’s best Web site, leading our Tiger Cubs, and for helping us guide these girls by supporting our work with them during their time in Lower School. They may not always tell you, but we know that in the years ahead they will come to realize just how much they owe to you. Trust me, it does happen!

Finally, the class of 2018 is to be commended for the outstanding service learning work they did prior to and during our Lower School Portfolio Day and Experiential week. They worked hard learning about poverty and plentitude issues, raising funds to support two local and one global organization. Their commitment to causes that serve the greater good will continue to be a hallmark of this class.

On behalf of the Lower School Faculty and in the humorous words of Dr. Ulsh, we wish these marvelous “hooligans and goobahs” a wonderful summer and many successful and happy years ahead. It has been a pleasure for the Lower School teachers and me to teach the class of 2018, and we are proud to help them celebrate their Lower School years at our recognition today.

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farewell Westridge says goodbye to Dr. Lisa Ulsh after 21 years

I came to Westridge as a 5th Grade homeroom teacher. The following year, we began the Lower School science program as a “pull out” class (prior to that, science was taught in the Lower School classrooms by the grade level teachers). Our first Lower School science classroom was in the Seeley Mudd building in the small room that is now the office space for the technology staff. It quickly became apparent that we needed a larger space and one that was specifically geared to Lower School students. The Campaign for Westridge built the Marjorie May Braun ’36 Science Building to house Lower and Middle School science, and in 1997, Lower School Science moved into the 2nd floor. Since then 4th through 6th grade students have had science classes in this wonderful large classroom with lab counters and its own computer lab.

What I love about Westridge When I first walked on to campus, I was impressed by the friendliness of everyone I met. I have loved working with talented and dedicated teachers and administrators in the Lower School and other divisions. I value the close relationships I’ve made with teachers in the science department and the way we have shaped a 4th through 12th grade identity for the department over the years. But of course, my favorite people on campus are the students who walk through the door every day. I’ve often said that I have the best job on campus because I teach a wonderful subject to students who are

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eager to learn. Because Lower School science is a mix of earth, physical, and life science, I’ve been able to create and teach a curriculum that integrates concepts from all of these branches of science — and incorporate the kinds of hands-on learning that allows young students to learn best and have fun doing it. Every year, I look forward to watching students grow more confident and more sophisticated in their thinking and understanding of the natural world around them.

Favorite teaching moments One of my favorite moments every year is when the girls bring in their science fair projects. I feel their sense of pride and accomplishment.

When the science fair is first announced, students are often intimidated by the complexity and scope of the project. I love helping them understand that they can accomplish big goals by breaking big tasks down into manageable

parts. Difficult problems and dilemmas, whether

in these projects, other classes, or life can be tackled and solved if girls will remember the strategies I try to teach them through the science fair. So many ah-ha moments happen when students stop worrying and let good thinking and creativity take over.

My students have taught me to enjoy every moment in the classroom. I can’t imagine working in a job where I didn’t get to experience the unbridled energy and excitement of young people. The moment I step in front of a class of students, the magic begins and we have an hour together to make new connections and create new understandings. Science is such a wonderful subject to teach. It was my favorite subject, and I love sharing that passion with my students… especially helping girls see themselves as scientists now and hopefully, in their future studies.

The road ahead In the years I’ve been at Westridge, as much as I will always be a teacher at heart, I’ve grown more interested in school leadership. I am leaving Westridge to become the principal of the Lower School of Colorado Academy, a three-division, co-educational independent school in Denver, CO. I’ve described Colorado Academy as “very much like Westridge . . . except with boys.” While it’s hard to imagine leaving Westridge, I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my career and to being closer to my family in Denver.

I will miss the long and enduring friendships with the people — administrators, fellow teachers, staff, students, and parents — who make Westridge the special school it is. After more than 20 years, I’ve watched many of my former students graduate. I taught big sisters, little sisters, cousins, and known parents in many families. I’ve worked with many wonderful teachers, some who’ve moved on and some of whom are still here. I’ve been particularly lucky to work under the leadership of Mary Tuck, Director of Lower School, for the past 11 years.

She has supported and encouraged my work and the work of my Lower School colleagues—and insisted that we remember to have fun while doing the important work we do with kids and families. I will miss everyone at Westridge, but I will particularly miss my good colleagues in the Lower School!

I am so proud of the good work we do at Westridge. I’m proud to be part a dedicated and talented faculty, and I’m proud of the students we work with. The strength of our program stems from people who care deeply about the education of girls and young women. That shows across all divisions and in all departments. I’ve watched the school grow in so many ways in the two decades I’ve been here, and I feel so fortunate to have been able to have a hand in that growth and to have benefited from it.

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7th Grade art photo projects with Artist-inResidence, photographer Ann Elliott Cutting ’78 Students photographed the alphabet, created using nature and themselves, in the style of contemporary photographer/environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy.

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2016 class of

8th Grade Recognition Lauren Alonzo Carson Becker Kendall Biard Anna Billy Caroline Brockett Rileigh Clarke Helen Cline Rachel Dillman Molly Doyle Madeline Emslie Amanda Fassler Maggie Fritz Angela Fung Katherine Gallagher Jordan Graves Rose Haas Olivia Holbrook

Emma Hovanec Nayyirah Islam Morgan Jen Abigail Kornafel Christine Kurohara Charlotte Kwong Andrea Li Hannah Maltzan Sheridan Marsh Taleen Mitchell Alyssa Ng Grace Olinski Ruchi Parikh Brinda Patel Natalie Pearson Iliana Penichet-Ramirez Julia Romyn

Morgan Ru Ella Rushing Rosie Ryden Shuchi Sehgal Shayana Seneviratne Jordan Shreffler Charlotte Stephens Olivia Tekerlek Emma Thomas-Sand Kealani Venable Leanne Wang Erica Wei Marjorie Williams Margaret Wood Olivia Xu

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8th Grade Recognition wednesday, June 6, 2012

Opening Remarks Laura Caron, Director of Middle School

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ood afternoon. I’m Laura Caron, the Director of Middle School. We’re thrilled you are here to help us honor these young women in their transition from Middle School to Upper School.

The Class of 2016 represents all that is Westridge.

You are deep thinkers, eager leaders and joyful friends.Your accomplishments are mighty: your first-ever debate team flew up its steep learning curve to earn an invitation to compete at the Claremont Championships with schools from across the country. Your volleyball tournament team ruled the court taking first and second in the Middle School Independent League’s two tournaments, and your soccer team dominated the field as a dynamic offensive powerhouse who kept opponents on their toes with your relentless charges. You also competed confidently in the Math Counts and Science Olympiad regional contests, and many of you earned medals and honors on national academic exams. In fact, nearly 80 percent of you beat the national average on the National Latin Exam (compared to the single digit percentages earned by students at many other schools).Your joint scores on the national math exam are equally impressive — you placed in the top 5 percent of schools in the country, with one classmate scoring in the top 1 percent!

Creatively, you lit up the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center with the debut of a chorus and orchestra collaboration that showcased your versatility. Your stirring submissions to Litlook are highlighted this year by the most vibrant and personal cover yet. Last year, as 7th graders, you performed scenes from Our Town in your drama

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class; last month, you staged a delightfully hearty production of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court that anchored the entire Westridge drama season. And I must remind you that the highly coveted, artfully designed Middle School lounge that you love was the vision of two of your own classmates. Finally, just last week your creative verve was in full swing at the starry, starry nightthemed 8th Grade dinner. Whether it was recalling celestial lyrics in a trivia game, shooting rubber bands at stars, or savoring the clever yet heartfelt descriptions of your teachers and your peers, you celebrated each other and the class you’ve become.

It seems that no matter what the activity, your class has someone in it who will shine.

Of your class’s many attributes, one glows particularly brightly: your kindness.You focus on each other’s strengths instead of weaknesses, such as when the cast and crew of the play worked closely as a team even though you had significantly different levels of experience. On the stage and in the classroom, you appreciate each other’s gifts and freely offer support in times of challenge. This kindness was on glorious display in the hills of Malibu at the 8th Grade retreat when you shared poignant insights into each other with your nice lists. But while you beautifully articulated your compassion, it has been your actions that have defined you as a class.

Of your class’s many attributes, one glows particularly brightly: your kindness.

Often when people think of Middle School, they think of cliques and turmoil, and possibly, something not too far from The Hunger Games.

This is not the Middle School you have made: at the 8th Grade rally night sleepover last fall, you instead chose to sleep in an enormous circle as wide as the gym so that everyone felt included. This wasn’t a request made by teachers, or a balm for some social upheaval — it was your way of bringing kindness to life by making something happen that you cared about. As you unrolled your sleeping bags and introduced your stuffed animals to each other (you are, after all, a class who loves fuzzy puppies and plush animal hats), you were at your best.

Ceremonies like this are bittersweet. In this moment, we reflect on and celebrate how you’ve contributed to our Middle School family for the past two years. In the very next breath, we will say goodbye, wishing you new adventures as you recess back up the aisles and spill into the courtyard as high school students,

Parents, you have done so much so right:

girls, you are so strong!

Parents, these are the kinds of kids you have.

Yes, they are stellar students, athletes, actors, artists…but more importantly, much more importantly, they are committed to making kindness real and to taking bold steps to be a part of a solution. They are upstanders who are making a difference now, right here on campus, and in your homes and your communities.

Parents, you have done so much so right; girls, you are so strong!

just out of our reach. But while we may long to see you again twirling in the swinging chairs in the Mudd lounge, we are grateful to have witnessed the choices you’ve made that have built the character of your class.Your teachers and I have learned from each of you, just as you’ve enriched each others’ lives.You are well prepared for ninth grade and are ready to meet its challenges, so please take good care of yourselves and each other in the months ahead.

Thank you, students and families, for sharing this journey with us. Congratulations!

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sitting sleepily surrounded by sunshine you will never be this naïve again After life under this canopy the sky isn’t green anymore.

— “Epilogue”

by Alex Pastron ’12 and Julia Longmate ’12 Published in the 2012 Outlook and presented at Vespers, June 7, 2012.

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Photo by Nick Boswell Photography.

class of 2012

commencement Roberta Lorene Ahrens Sarin Aladadi Wendy Paloma Avila Dorien Bailey Marley Alison Baker Alexandria Sheain Battison Shweta Bhatia Erin Croonquist Corson Nicole Lokelani Crawford Anna Rose Dahl Karissa Danielle Dauphin Kathleen Grace Deems Jennifer Jeanette Diehl Kenna Trapedo Graham Dworsky Megan Suzanne Ebner Jillian Rose Eisenberg Caitlin C. Emslie Hannah Stendahl Erskine Rebecca Lisa Felman Mara Sierra Goby Isabel Ochoa Gold Kelly Ellen Habib Elinor Jennings Johnson Haddad Denise Antionette Henry

Kirsten Emilie Muderspach Hilliard Victoria Louise Holbrook Miranda Elizabeth Holmes Carrie Elizabeth Snow Honn Carolyn Aisha Islam Sarah Margaret Virginia Jackson Ester Hana Jun Sara Khan Kimberly Megan Koperski Kristy Shelby Koperski Grace Kellogg Korkunis Rachel Catherine Lau Julie Yumi Lee Alexandria Baldonado Lehman Melissa Wan Wei Lin Julia Meihua Longmate Louisa Natalie Lubman Nayely Edith Martinez Julia Anne McCrimlisk Rachel Ryan McKnight Metzli Mejia Carrie H C Mok Kathryn Claire Morse Cassandra Shyanne Nufable

Anne Osenbaugh Mary Catherine Osenbaugh Alexandra Gabrielle Pastron Sydney Diane Philbin Michelle Michiko Prestholt Eda Gretchen Reed Andrea Dawn Risolo Aileen Young Ro KiMi Inui Robinson Alekxa Cabriales Rollins Nathalie Sami Sofia Sandoval Arielle Rebecca Sharfstein Jessica Shen Brenda Soto Ravenna Thielstrom Lauren Mei-Chu Lennon Tom Amy Rose Voorhees Clare Newlin Wallmark Claire Grey Wiley Erin Nicole Wong Rachel Eileen Wood Seraphina Yong

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1. The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 2. Allegheny College Meadville, PA 3. Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 4. Boston University Boston, MA 5. Brown University Providence, RI University of California at: 6. Berkeley Berkeley, CA 7. Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA (2) 8. Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 9. Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA (2) 10. Carleton College Northfield, MN (2) 11. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 12. Chapman University Orange, CA (2) 13. University of Chicago Chicago, IL (2) 14. Colby College Waterville, ME 15. University of Colorado at Boulder Boulder, CO 16. Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO 17. Emory University Atlanta, GA 18. The George Washington University Washington, DC (2) 19. Georgetown University Washington, DC (2) 20. Hamilton College – NY Clinton, NY 21. Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD (2) 22. Juniata College Huntingdon, PA 23. Lafayette College Easton, PA 24. University of La Verne La Verne, CA 25. Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA 26. Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA 27. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 28. University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 29. New York University New York, NY (3) 30. University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 31. Oberlin College Oberlin, OH 32. Occidental College Los Angeles, CA 33. Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA (2) 34. Pepperdine University Malibu, CA 35. University of Portland Portland, OR 36. Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 37. Reed College Portland, OR (2) 38. San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA 39. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL 40. Scripps College Claremont, CA 41. Siena College Loudonville, NY 42. Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY 43. Smith College Northampton, MA 44. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA (10) 45. Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA 46. Texas State University-San Marcos San Marcos, TX 47. University of Vermont Burlington, VT 48. Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO 49. Wellesley College Wellesley, MA 50. Willamette University Salem, OR

The 71 members of Westridge’s Class of 2012 earned 398 acceptances at 158 different colleges and universities around the country. One hundred percent were accepted into four-year colleges and universities. They will attend 50 different colleges and universities in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

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35, 37

6

9

8

34 33 40 24 12

7, 26, 32, 44

lea ders ac ro s s the c ountry w e s t r i d g e s c h o o l

cclass l a s s o of f 2 02012 12 college matriculation College Matriculation Map as of 06/04/2012

14 47 42 41

20

10

5 23

2 30 13, 39

36

31

11

22

43 49 3, 4, 27

29

25 45 21 18, 19

15 48 16

17 1

46 28

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Commencement Friday, June 8, 2012 Elizabeth J. McGregor, Head of School

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lass of 2012, it has been my pleasure getting to know you over the course of the past three years. It has also been a privilege watching you, and working with you, as you have challenged yourselves to understand what represents a purpose-driven life.

Through our interactions we have come to realize that at any given moment in time there are women who “let their lives speak”1 through their words and deeds in powerful and inspiring ways.

And, knowing our joint admiration for courageous and enlightened women leaders (affirmed by Rachel on behalf of your class at Vespers last evening!), I’d like to share some thoughts about who these women may be. I’d also like to reflect on the guiding principles by which they have chosen to live their lives, and consider how their lives can be examples for ours.

Admirable women are all around us. They can be old and wise, or young and curious. Some carry out their lives on the world stage; others live their lives quietly close to home. There are examples to be found each and every day.

I’m sure it won’t come as a complete surprise to you if I tell you that this week, Queen Elizabeth II, is at the top of my list of “Women I Most Admire!”

After 30 years in America, believe it or not, I often forget that I’m English, but this past weekend, I found myself glued to “the telly” — watching the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

It’s quite an extraordinary feat to be revered after 60 years. The Queen has truly let her life speak for what she believes. At age 21, before she was crowned, she promised the people of Great Britain

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and the Commonwealth that she would lead a life that would be “devoted to your service” – and today, 65 years later, duty and public service are the hallmarks of her reign.

I believe that we can learn from her courageous and enlightened leadership, particularly when it comes to the qualities of responsibility (“selfdiscipline, reliability, civic mindedness”) and respect (“civility (and) appreciation not judgment, especially in relation to cultural and other differences”).2 Maine Senator Olympia Snowe also comes to mind this week. Having decided to “distill triumph from adversity”3 after losing both her parents before she was 10 years old, her uncle who had stepped up to take care of her just a few years later, and then her husband when she was 26, she chose to serve in public office for nearly 40 years because she wanted to make a difference. She is now retiring, dismayed by the inability of the two major political parties to agree to differ in a civil manner and seek compromise.

As a recent newspaper article pointed out, over the years the Senior Senator HAS embodied the “two truths” that are being overshadowed in today’s political discourse: one being the “honorable pursuit of public service,” the other, “bipartisanship.”4 We need honorable politicians who weigh the issues and “cross the aisle” like Olympia Snowe.

Maybe one of you will follow her example – not so far fetched when you think about it – especially when you consider that women in politics most often attribute their intellectual curiosity, confidence, determination and success to their experience at an all-girls’ school or college.5

My list of admirable women who are living out their passions and beliefs, as mentioned earlier, also includes Westridge alumnae, along with many of you in our graduating class today, and others who are a part of our Westridge community.

I was particularly struck by the notion of “letting your lives speak” when the Westridge Class of 1992 held their 20th reunion luncheon on campus last Friday. Many of them spoke about setting off to college not really knowing what they wanted to do with their lives, and starting their careers in a similar frame of mind. However, over the years many of them came to understand that what they most needed to do to lead a purposeful life was to make a difference in the lives of others.

In the Class of 1992 we now have at least five doctors, a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a therapist with the Pasadena Unified School District, and someone who is contemplating leaving a successful life in the financial world to work for a non-profit organization that helps support patients with pancreatic cancer. The predominant theme in these women’s lives is service to others. And they “listened deeply” to what Parker J. Palmer would call their “Voice of Vocation.”6 Maybe it is this voice of vocation to help others that will inspire many of you in your life’s work.

Maybe those of you who went on the Interim trip to El Salvador, where you split your time between running an after-school program and doing an extreme makeover at a rural primary school, will take your experiences to heart and will actively “be the change that you want to see in the world.”7 Maybe those of you who earlier this week delivered senior project presentations that had a distinct service-to-others focus (a focus that you chose for yourselves), will also continue your efforts. For example, Carrie and Metzli filmed their regular visits to a senior citizen’s home and realized what a difference their visits made to the elderly women they chose to interview. Carolyn *See page 38 for more information on the 6th Grade Wax Museum.

and Kelly described the “Amazing Race” event they organized for older children who are seeking host or adoptive parents, how they encountered significant challenges but kept going, and are now considering how they might plan similar events in the future. And Cassie and Nicole staged a fashion show that raised funds for breast cancer research — a cause that they vowed to continue to support. Ladies, your efforts were admirable, and as you yourselves indicated, it took considerable courage and leadership at times to make sure that you completed what you had set out to do.

There is also one striking example of a courageous and enlightened Lower School student leader-in-training that I’d like to share with you today. For her role in the 6th Grade Wax Museum World Women of Character and Courage,* Ella Obico ’18 chose to research and portray Asha Hagi, the Chairlady and Founder of Save Somali Women and Children (or SSWC) who was the 2008 recipient of the “Right Livelihood Award” for outstanding vision and work on behalf or our planet and its people, and in 2009, was one of five recipients of the Clinton Global Citizen Award.

Hagi has “dedicated her life to gaining a better and more peaceful future for her war-torn country of Somalia” and this spurred Ella to action. She decided that she would not only “BE” Hagi in the museum, but that she would make bracelets and sell them to her audience. Ella then wrote to SSWC asking where she should send the money she had raised and received this response from Hagi herself: “Dear Ella…when I saw and read your heroic effort I decided to reply to you personally...it is for sure that you are wiser, kinder and (more responsible than most children of your age). It is a privilege for me to know you as an 11 year old… who is already committed to serve humanity… You are an inspiration to me and many. I am sure that you are going to go somewhere and you will realize your dreams.”

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I would think that with this kind of encouragement there is no doubt that Ella will be someone who will do just that, and it prompted Christine Kiphart, Ella’s teacher, to note: “If there is any doubt (about) the impact our girls have on the world, this should dispel even a whisper of it!”

I think that this story also shows how you can never be too young, or too famous, or too busy to want to make a difference and to reach out to others to provide support and encouragement.

Now I realize that I have only referenced women across the generations who in some way have engaged in public service, healthcare, education, charitable organizations or volunteer service to others. Is this the only way that we can lead admirable lives that demonstrate courage and enlightenment?

Of course not, and I think that the larger message that each of us should take away with us today is that it is not just what we choose to do with our life, but how we choose to lead it.

Class of 2012 – you are the class that decided to “Turn it Up!” So let’s spend our last few minutes together while you are still students at Westridge thinking about some of the guiding principles that you can live by to ensure that your lives speak up in admirable ways.

There are any number of principles that I could list that you could follow. For example, you could decide to use these “cornerstones”8 as a guide: • • • •

Learn daily Love deeply Laugh often Live your legacy now!

Or even some of the principles that I have tried to follow over the years:

• Lead with the truth • Seek to understand • Build on your strengths and those of others • Find a place to park your heart as well as your mind • And… Keep Calm and Carry On! Which brings me back to my starting point, as this last phrase or principle has been attributed to the Queen!

Members of the Class of 2012, my charge to you this summer is to compile you own list of admirable women, to reflect on the qualities of character that they possess, and to develop or refine your own guiding principles so that you can be your best bold selves and let your lives speak in the ways that you would most like to be remembered.

Good luck and best wishes to each of you as you set out on this next stage of your life’s journey!

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References: 1. Palmer, Parker J. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. Jossey Bass, Inc., Publishers, a company of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000. (Note that “Let Your Life Speak” is a fundamental Quaker value.)

2. Bassett, Patrick F. Character. Basset Blog, NAIS, updated January 16, 2012.

3. Snowe, Olympia J. My Brilliant Career: Politician. The New York Times, Sunday, June 3, 2012 4. Snowe, Olympia J. Olympia Snowe: Why I’m Leaving The Senate. The Washington Post, March 1, 2012 5. The Benefits of Attending a Girls’ School. Report from the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, 2000, 2005, 2009.

6. Palmer, Parker J. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. Jossey Bass, Inc., Publishers, a company of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.

7. The Right Livelihood Award for Outstanding Vision and Work on Behalf of Our Planet and its People. http://www.rightlivelihood.org/ hagi.html.

8. Propel Yourself: It’s What You Do With the Dash. Intercom Group, Momentum Moment,Volume 2 - Message 14, 2008.

partners parent

The purpose of Westridge Parent Association (WPA) is to:

• promote a sense of community among parents, students and the school.

• create opportunities for parent involvement in and communication with the school.

• provide a forum for discussion of issues pertinent to the education of young women.

• provide financial and volunteer support for school needs and activities • support the Statement of Purpose of the school.

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parent education 66

2011-2012 Westridge Parent Association Meetings september 27, 2011 Courageous and Enlightened Student Leaders A panel of Upper School student leaders from ASB Student Government, Student Life, and Student Voices talked about their definitions of leadership and their ongoing journeys to becoming leaders.

november 8, 2011 Brainology and Risk-Taking How should we define success? How do your daughters grapple with ideas of mindset, failure, and “being smart?”

John Cross, Middle School English/Upper School Creative Writing, and Barbra Chabot, Middle School Science, discussed how they have applied Carol Dweck’s Brainology program and notions of the growth mindset to their students.

january 10, 2012 Play Like a Girl:The Transformative Benefits of an Active, Athletic Life Melanie Horn, Director of Athletics, discussed how physical activity and athletics can help your daughter be her best, bold, and most balanced self.

Melanie discussed current sport psychology research and brain activity as it relates to physical movement, what children learn when they train in athletics, and the need for physical activity in a balanced education.

march 13, 2012 Women in STEM Careers: It All Starts Here!

A panel of Westridge moms who work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) discussed their career paths, why they chose their fields, what hurdles they have encountered in these traditionally male-dominated professions, and how they have overcome them.

Upper School Science teacher Dr. Edye Udell, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at MIT and her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Caltech, talked about how a Westridge education can prepare students for careers in STEM fields. In addition, Westridge seniors in the Research in Science class discussed the work they had done this year at Caltech in molecular biology.

may 8, 2012 New Parent Welcome and College Matriculation Report

Dad’s Club

westridge

By Jennifer Holladay 2011-2012 Westridge Parent Association President

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he first Westridge Dad’s Club barbeque was held on Sunday, April 29 in Hahamongna Watershed Park on the east side of Pasadena, near La Cañada. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon under the oaks and sycamores, while the Dad’s Club grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, veggies and even smoked a few spare ribs. Homemade coleslaw and potato salad were also on hand for the picnic, along with snacks kindly donated by Snak King and Trader Joe’s.

Dads and their families made good use of the nearby horseshoe pit and other games supplied by Westridge.

The afternoon was capped off with three members of the Arroyo Seco Foundation leading the group on educational walks to learn about the watershed, ecosystem, and plants of the Arroyo. Particular emphasis was on the invasive plants that have proliferated in the Arroyo over the decades. The Dad’s Club also conducted a trash clean-up of several areas in the park which produced many bags full of plastic debris as well as odd articles of clothing and one baseball (in good condition).

The event was summed up by Westridge Head of School Elizabeth McGregor: “The Arroyo Clean-Up brought members of the Westridge community together in ways that were true to the values of the school strengthening family ties (particularly with fathers), providing information about the natural habitat, and actively taking care of the local environment. It was time wellspent, allowing us all to reflect on what really matters.”

The Westridge Dad’s Club is open to all past and current Westridge fathers.The goal of the club is to enhance the involvement of fathers in their daughter’s school community and with one another.The Dad’s Club’s next event is the Westridge Back-to-School picnic, Sunday, September 23, 2012.

Jennifer Holladay is a current and past parent (Sammy ’15 and Caroline Reich ’10).

Photo courtesy of current parent Camilo Becerra.

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multicultural parent collaborative The Westridge Multicultural Parent Collaborative works with the school to support and advance Westridge’s multicultural and diverse community. The group’s goals are to support parents whose primary language is not English, coordinate a forum where dialogue can take place on topics related to multiculturalism and diversity, and facilitate activities that promote a spirit of engagement among parents with shared backgrounds within the Westridge community.

By Kazue McGregor 2011-2012 Westridge Multicultural Parent Collaborative Chair and Parent Association Past President

The Multicultural Parent Collaborative, the newest Parent Association committee, hosted international parent coffees in four languages during the week of September 19, 2012.

Parent interpreters included Jill Fung, Jenny Huang, Lisseth Rojas-Flores, Camilo Becerra, Angie Soto, Stella Nam, Lisa Pai, Midori Taylor, and Jennifer Fong. They translated conversations with the Head of School, Elizabeth McGregor, into Chinese, Spanish (pictured), Korean, and Japanese.

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Convivial laughter and emotions filled the Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 Alumnae Living Room in Pitcairn House as parents exchanged heartfelt stories of how their families arrived in America, their Westridge experiences, and brought questions about the curriculum, college counseling, and cultural differences, among other topics. Even those parents who are bilingual expressed that it was nice to converse with other parents in their native language.

Lisa Burke, a new 6th Grade mother of twins Kara and Kelsey, came from Taiwan at the age of 13. She appreciates the incredible experience of

growing up living in two very different cultures.

She commented, “My goal is to translate that experience into global awareness and to raise my children with respect and appreciation for differences.” She often tells her daughters that speaking more than one language is a plus and something of which to be proud.

May Zhang, mother of 8th grader Andrea who started at Westridge in the 6th Grade, commented, “My daughter has really changed over the last two years.” She particularly appreciated the character and confidence-building that the school provides for the students.

Lisa Pai, mother of 10th grader Jackie and alumna Grace, described how her family emigrated from Korea to Minnesota when she was 13 years old.

After being the only Korean family in her Midwest community, she was surprised to discover the diverse population in Los Angeles.

Camilo Becerra, father of 10th grader Isabella, enjoyed meeting fellow Colombian, Lisseth RojasFlores, new 6th Grade mother of Sophia.

Rosa Alvarez and Felipe Garcia, 12th Grade parents, expressed sincere gratitude to Westridge for guiding their daughter, Nayely, through the college admission process.

I am honored to chair this committee with cochair, June Diarra (Laurence ’17, Maimouna ’15).

Here at Westridge, we are fortunate to have a great array of cultural and diverse backgrounds with bilingual families speaking no less than 18 languages by my personal count!

The Multicultural Parent Collaborative was conceived in 2010-2011.The collaborative held over 20 events in 2011-2012, including parent coffees, focus groups, steering committee meetings, and community mixers.

Westridge was the host school for the Southern California People of Color in Independent Schools Parent Voices event in May. Kazue McGregor is a current parent (Misao ’14).

Editor’s Note: Information about Westridge’s Multicultural Parent Collaborative will be published in the October 2012 issue of Currents Magazine, a publication of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

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w e s t r i d g e s ch o o l : a foundation for

Cultural Consciousness westridge alumnae pursue passions steeped in social justice and cultural pride

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achel Blacher ’95 works for the Division of Global HIV/AIDS Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. An epidemiologist, Rachel performs program monitoring and evaluation for global prevention of mother to child transmission programs.

Her work supports programs in countries striving to establish strong HIV testing and counseling programs and provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs to pregnant women who are HIV positive. She is also involved with the improvement of HIV testing for exposed infants and ensuring HIV positive infants receive the care and treatment they need.

Rachel travels all over the world, most frequently to Africa, in an effort to carry out her work. Rachel and her husband Scott recently welcomed their daughter Eleanor Sabine Blacher McCowan to their lives on April 30, 2012.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Blacher ’95.

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Working in Africa When I finished graduate school at Emory University, the Rollins School of Public Health, I got a job in Zambia working with an HIV research project that had HIV Testing and Counseling sites throughout the country. I was hired to manage a site and also prepare the sites for a clinical trial.

Living and working in Zambia was utterly eye opening on many levels. Statistically, one in six people in Zambia are HIV positive. On top of that, much of the country lives in poverty. The Zambians with whom I worked were all personally affected by the HIV epidemic, which was a constant reminder of how important our efforts to prevent HIV is in order to achieve an AIDS free generation. Working with a committed staff of Zambians who had much less than me and frequently dealt with personal loss and heartbreak was humbling and a constant reminder of how fortunate I am. It was challenging, exhausting, exhilarating, and much more.

Despite the ever-present reminder of sickness and poverty, my time in Zambia was rewarding and helped focus my professional career. I learned how to manage a research project, how to conduct a clinical research trial, and how to work with people whose traditions and culture were quite different from my own. My time in Zambia also confirmed my deeply held commitment to working with people around the world.

“Much of what I first learned about social justice and human rights came from the fantastic faculty and curriculum at Westridge.”

Why She Loves Her Job There are many things that I love about my job. First, I work in far-flung locations that are not your usual travel destinations. Over the past three years I’ve worked in Tanzania, Botswana, Guyana, Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique. I work with great, committed people wherever I go, whether they are part of the CDC office or the host government staff. Besides the travel, I really enjoy what I do because it’s mostly about problem solving and using program data to show where the program is succeeding and if not, where we need to make adjustments for improvement. This helps us make decisions on how to allocate resources. Finally, I love the variety of my job – no two days are the same.

Westridge: A Strong Foundation Westridge taught me to be analytical, how to solve problems and how to be strong and persuasive in light of opposition. Much of what I first learned about social justice and human rights came from the fantastic faculty and curriculum at Westridge. Many of our courses focused on issues around social justice, specifically that all people deserve equal rights, no matter their gender, race, or ethnicity. That probably got me started down the path of public health.

And, of course, Ms. Rosemary Evans ’71 taught me how to write a paragraph.

In Her Spare Time As of now, bonding with my daughter and raising a child is my number one activity. Most all travel is on hold right now until Eleanor is older, but we hope to get her out to see the world as soon as possible. My other hobbies are cooking and eating good and exotic food, gardening, and running.

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q & a with

aurora anaya-cerda ’96 What do you do for work?

I work at El Museo del Barrio in New York City. I’m the Family Programs and Cultural Celebrations Manager, which is part of the Education and Public Programs department at the museum. Working in an artistic, cultural, and community gathering place, I totally have my dream job.

Photo courtesy of Aurora Anaya-Cerda ’96.

Logo from www.lacasaazulbookstore.com.

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You are opening a bookstore in East Harlem that specializes in Latino literature and bilingual books. How did that come about and what has been the process?

I am opening La Casa Azul Bookstore, www.lacasaazulbookstore.com, in East Harlem. I have been dreaming about this since my senior year in college, when I worked at a bookstore in Hollywood. When I moved to New York at 27, I decided to make my dream of having a bookstore a reality, and I dedicated myself to learning about bookselling. I have worked and volunteered at six bookstores, taken business classes, gone to book-selling school, and traveled the country meeting with booksellers studying diverse business models.

As an artist, educator, and entrepreneur, La Casa Azul is a reflection of who I am and the goals that I have to feature Latino/Chicano writers at the bookstore.

Chicana/o literature was critical in my own education and identity. Growing up, I was an avid reader, but reading work by Chicana/o writers connected me to stories that I could relate to. I began seeking out more books that reflected my identity and experience and at La Casa Azul Bookstore, I hope to have these stories be front and center.

How did what you learned at Westridge prepare you to open the store?

At Westridge, I learned that I could be/ do anything. I grew up in East Los Angeles, and commuting daily to Pasadena was like going to another planet. I learned to navigate both home and school life, and learned about myself — to be me, no matter what my surroundings were. The skillset that I developed at Westridge allowed me to have the confidence to pursue various interests, to take risks, and to challenge myself.

fell in love with this city in the first place.

Oh and of course, going to museums and browsing in bookshops.

What do you remember most about Westridge?

I have many fond memories of Westridge.

Some of my favorite memories include countless hours in the art room (Hi Juanita!), experiments in the science lab, participating in dance performances, and being a part of the Glee Club. I always felt supported by teachers, and I truly appreciate everything that I did and learned at Westridge. I thank Westridge for fostering my thirst for knowledge and exposing me to a different world filled with endless possibilities.

What advice would you give to current students at Westridge?

Do what makes you happy — and enjoy the journey. Know that even if it takes years to accomplish your dream, it’s all worth it.

What do you do for fun?

I love exploring the city, there is so much to see and do here. Walking through Times Square on a summer night, taking the Staten Island Ferry and seeing the Manhattan skyline, summer concerts, Broadway shows – are all reminders of why I

“At Westridge, I learned that I could be/do anything.”

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far&wide westrid g e

Westridge holds regional events to reconnect with alumnae across the country. If you would like to host a Westridge alumnae event in your city, please contact Director of Alumnae Affairs Christie Guevara, cguevara@westridge.org, 626.799.1053, ext. 244.

London — November 27, 2011 (l. to r.): Nancy Ennis Follett ’59, Bonnie Dean ’75, Suzanne Baggs Watt ’80, Barbara Holway Ilias ’59, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, Sarah Wilson ’06.

Oakland — January 19, 2012 (l. to r.): Linda Corey DeWitt ’76, Susan Anderson ’80, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, event host Martha Doerr Toppin ’53, Sandra Morse Coleman ’54, Brynne Montgomery Staley ’76.

San Francisco — January 20, 2012 (l. to r.): Katherine Starros ’03, Joyce Feuille ’00, Sarah Roggero ’00, Jane Miller Chai ’56, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, Morgan Muir ’03, Susan Wheeler Rappe ’60, Elisabeth Imhoff ’99.

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New York — February 9, 2012 (l. to r.): event host Lisa Cobey Kelland ’70 (standing), Whitney Potter ’82, Colleen Nowers ’98, Martha Erskine ’81, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, Sigrid Burton ’69, Joni Moisant Weyl ’72, Aurora Anaya-Cerda ’96.

Washington D.C. — February 12, 2012 (Seated, couch, l. to r.): Sushan Demirjian ’84, Laura Repess Biddle ’84, Mary Ann Peatman Corette ’58, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor. (Seated, floor, l. to r.): Meredith Lampier ’10, Hanna Hedberg ’10, Raven Radley ’03, Kate Kountzman ’03, Alicia Henry ’01, Vanessa Gaw Baik ’94.

(Seated, chair): Deirdre Coppage ’80.

Hosted by Betty Nathan Dietel ’58, not shown.

Seattle — February 29, 2012 (Standing, l. to r.): Cleo Furbush, event host Melissa Furbush Shaw ’86, Kathleen Ryan Enger ’86, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor.

(Seated, l. to r.): Palmer Robinson ’68, Director of Lower School Mary Tuck.

Santa Barbara — May 22, 2012 (l. to r.): Tanja Reutimann ’87, Ann Moore ’55, Seyburn Zorthian ’66, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor, event host Amanda Nyce McIntyre ’55.

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Join the Circle classes of 2003 to 2012

Members of the Young Alumnae Circle are committed to raising funds and awareness about the importance of giving back to Westridge and to reuniting alumnae through various social activities and programs. The group is comprised of graduates from the past 10 years.

The group’s mission is: • To recognize recent graduates who make annual gifts that set the standard for other young Westridge alumnae.

• To create opportunities for young alumnae to network, socialize, and build relationships.

• To ensure a strong alumnae community.

Alumnae from the Classes of 2002 to 2011 gathered in Herrick Commons in December 2011 at the Young Alumnae Circle holiday party — good food, good friends, and a fun photo booth set-up!

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and stay connected... with one another Young Alumnae Circle Happy Hour, June 2012

and with Westridge!

Alumnae Basketball Game: A scrimmage with the Westridge basketball team took place in August 2011.

College Conversations: College freshmen from the Class of 2011 were invited back to campus to talk with the Class of 2012 about their college experiences the afternoon of Homecoming in January 2012.

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Calling All Tiger Moms!

Join fellow Westridge alumnae and their “tiger cubs� for play dates and arts and crafts throughout the year! The Alumnae Tiger Cub Club (TCC), created by alumnae moms, has hosted occasional Saturday get-togethers for alumnae, spouses, partners, and children on and off the Westridge campus.

Most recently, the Tiger Cub Club took a field trip to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Open House on June 9, 2012. After a fun and informative morning of science and engineering displays for the whole family, Westridge alumnae families gathered at Hahamongna Watershed Park for a community lunch (pictured, above right).

For more information, contact the Alumnae Office, alumnae@westridge.org.

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alumnae lunch speaker series Bring your life experience back to Westridge and share your wisdom with current students! Through the Alumnae Lunch Speaker Series, alumnae are invited to spend lunch time with juniors and seniors discussing careers, education, and experience, followed by a question and answer session.

The speaker series aims to help students learn more about fields in which they are interested, while connecting them with the alumnae community. The series places in context for students what is possible with a Westridge and continued education, as well as the diverse career paths, passions, and success of Westridge women.

If you are interested in participating as a speaker, please contact Director of Alumnae Affairs Christie Guevara, 626.799.1053, ext. 244 or cguevara@westridge.org.

Many thanks to the 2011-2012 alumnae speakers!

Michelle Tyson, M.D. ’86 General Practicioner (pictured center)

Monica Oller ’91 Architect (pictured far left)

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[re]connected 1

Class Representatives are key members of the Westridge community who help keep alumnae connected to one another and to the school.

Westridge is grateful for these alumnae leaders who dedicate their time and energy to helping

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keep Westridge a tightly-knit community.

Dinner was held in honor and appreciation of Westridge Class Representatives on October 13, 2011 at the Clark House (the head’s home). Pictured (numbered, l. to r.):

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1. Nancy Copeland Lissaman ’50, Laura Kaufman Loofbourrow ’92, Tenaya Stewart Custer ’59.

2. Rehana Hethumuni ’91, Wendy Schnee Withers ’91, Michele Nishiyama Esbenshade ’91.

3. Darrell Chulay Banta ’77, Brooke Larsen Garlock ’70, Ann Hazeltine Hyde ’66.

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4. Julie Chen Woo ’93, Julia Wells ’04.

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5. Anne Dorsey Long ’76, Hannah Palmer ’97.

6. Barbara Davis Reynolds ’72, Barbara Beckham ’71.

7. Diane Link ’64, Cheri Colby Langdell ’62.

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Gwen Garland Babcock ’53

on being a Class Rep:

I have been Class Rep for the Class of 1953 for years and years. I took over after I hosted our 10th reunion at my parents’ house in San Marino and have had a party at our house for every major reunion. Since 1982, we have had an annual lunch in which I pick a date in the summer that works for a core of three or four of us and then send an e-mail to everyone else. We usually have about eight ladies in attendance. It is potluck, which makes it easy for me and commits everyone to come. I send an e-mail to everyone afterward with the group picture, hoping to get some enthusiasm for the following year.

For our 50th reunion, I created a Web site, which I gather was a first for Westridge. I am not sure how many of my classmates could negotiate it, but there was a lot of enthusiasm.

I send a letter to the class every October and follow up with email messages every couple of months. In January, I sent both the notice of one death (Coco Freeman McDougall) and then a link to Westridge’s first Rhodes Scholar Carrie Ryan ’08. (That was a lovely article!) I try to get 100 percent Annual Fund participation every year. I start bugging the laggards in April and May. So, there you have it. We are a small class, and getting smaller. Most of us are genuinely fond of each other.

Whenever there is a serious illness or death, we learn of it by email. Everyone is very supportive of the others. If I have helped this happen, I am very happy.

It has all been a fun part of my life.

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life. Although some of us may not talk often, it’s always nice to see and hear all the wonderful places and spaces that each of our lives have taken us. Throughout the years we have matured into mothers, authors, doctors, artists, and for many of us best friends. It’s always nice to revisit the thread that has woven us together.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Henry ’01.

Alicia Henry ’01

Class of 2001 Representative

I

was a Westridge lifer. From recess on Ranney Lawn to the Senior Holiday Assembly in Hoffman Gym, Westridge played a pivotal role in my adolescence and coming of age experience. Westridge empowered me as a young woman of color to explore the world around me. The motto, Surgure Tentamus, We Strive to Rise, instilled in me the power of women to change and transform the world.

I learned to seize opportunity, use my imagination, explore my own creativity, and move beyond the traditional superimposed confines of my gender. Westridge empowered me to envision a world where women were the true agents of change. At Westridge, I learned to rise, indeed, and be the greatest force of change I could be. These lessons I learned during my formative years have followed me into my adult life. The comfort in that which is familiar keeps me connected.

Staying Connected I recognize the pivotal role that Westridge played in my development as a woman and critical thinker. Many Westridge alumnae venture beyond Pasadena to forge new friendships and embark on new adventures. No matter how far we travel, there is something familiar and unique about 324 Madeline Drive. I love staying connected with my classmates and traveling with them on this journey we call

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Alicia on Leadership Westridge taught me to be courageous, dream with passion, and in the words of Liz McGregor: to be my “best, bold self.” Leadership is not always about what you do but how you act. If you are leading, there is always someone watching you. I learned the importance of sharing the spotlight and working with and for my community. Westridge taught me to be innovative in my leadership style but most importantly afforded me opportunities to groom my leadership skills.

I think a leader is someone who is willing to go against the grain and take risks. It’s a great responsibility. It requires us to manage those around us with skills such as communication, initiative, and enthusiasm. A leader is compassionate and displays integrity. It’s often about understanding the “bigger picture.” As a Class Rep, my goal is to keep everyone connected. I don’t like to think of this as a leadership role. I do it because I love it.

My Mother, My Role Model My mother has always been a constant source of inspiration and motivation in my life. She is fearless, compassionate, and “fly.” Ever since I can remember, my mother has been my biggest cheerleader in life. From skinned knees to moves across the country, my mother has been there. She taught me that life is my oyster and regardless of circumstance, there was no such word as “no.” She is a true survivor in every sense of the word and has tackled life with enthusiasm and class. Regardless of the “hump,” my mother has taught me to embrace tragedy for in its boughs, we learn the beauty of triumph and develop character.

alumnae day there’s no place like home | march 23, 2012

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8 9 Alumnae Day 2012

Pictured (numbered, l. to r.): 1. Director of Alumnae Affairs Christie Guevara, 2012 Ranney Award Winner Alissa Arp ’72, and Head of School Elizabeth McGregor.

2. Alumnae Council 2011-2012 Chair Jennifer Schultz Bertolet ’86 with Izzy Travis Pulvers ’59.

3. Alumnae Council members Liz Farley ’04 and Kristen Brown ’86.

4. Alumnae Council member Dorothy McCay Scully ’54 with Barbarba Bottomley Kelley ’59.

5. Judith Fuss Adell ’60 and Robin Frush Matthews ’60.

6. Alumnae Council members Erica Fishman ’84 and Michele Nishiyama Esbenshade ’91.

7. Nancy Laine Thompson ’51, Sherry White Bullock ’51, and Susie Davies Martin ’51.

8. Andrea Mills ’72, Karen Huante ’79, Greta Banks ’77, Victoria Williams ’02.

9. The 50th Reuinion Class of 1962 met with their pen pals in the 4th Grade Class of 2019.

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Alissa Arp ’72 Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Award Winner & 2012 Commencement Speaker her master’s and doctorate degrees in Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). She continued to become a postdoctoral associate at the University of California at San Diego’s (UCSD) Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

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lissa Arp ’72 currently serves as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Oregon University and is world renowned for her expertise in the physiology of animals living in challenging environments. While conducting her research, she participated in eight deep-sea submersible dives to depths of one-and-a-half miles in a variety of submarines, and has also participated in over 22 oceanographic expeditions on a variety of vessels. Her discoveries have been recognized in internationally distinguished scientific journals as well as by the national media.

A natural leader since her time at Westridge, Alissa’s passion, drive, and commitment to education and science are among the reasons she was selected as both this year’s Ranney Award winner and Commencement speaker.

After attending Westridge, where she served as president of the student body during her senior year, Alissa received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Sonoma State University and earned

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Previously, Alissa served as vice president for research and dean of the College of Natural Sciences at Hawaii Pacific University. In her prior position as director of the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies at San Francisco State University (SFSU), she ran a research program mentoring undergraduate and graduate students while serving as the program director for SFSU’s Minority Biomedical Research Support grant awarded to the university by the National Institutes of Health.

An administrator, professor, author, and scientific researcher, Alissa has 18 years of classroom, field, and laboratory teaching experience and has published over 37 scientific articles. She sits on the board of a number of California institutions, including Headlands Institute, the California Academy of Sciences, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, and is a member of the Biology Council and the Science Council of the College of Science and Engineering at San Francisco State University.

Alissa is the 27th recipient of the Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Award, created in 1987 to honor an alumna whose life embodies the Westridge motto, Surgere Tentamus (We Strive to Rise).

Mary Lowther Ranney Distinguished Alumna Recipients 1988 Marian Brackenridge ’21 (d)

Margaret Brackenridge Jones ’21 (d)

1989 Harriet Huntington Doerr ’27 (d) 1990 Anne Richardson Gilbert ’27 (d) 1991

Gwen Garland Babcock ’53

1992 Joan Montgomery Hotchkis ’45 1993 Joan Lamb Ullyot ’57

Westridge advancement Welcomes...

Anne Scott-Putney director of advancement ascott-putney@westridge.org 626.799.1053, ext. 252 Anne joins Westridge with many years of advancement and communications work experience in universities and non-profits. She received her Artium Baccalaureatus in History from Dartmouth College and her Master of Business Administration in Marketing from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked at Yale College, University of Virginia, and The Ohio State University.

1994 Jessie Reynolds Groothuis ’64 1995 Jae Giddings Carmichael ’42 (d) 1996 Julia Cates ’69 1997 Jean Tarr Fleming ’44 1998 Audrey Steele Burnand ’40

Polly Hunter Turpin ’45

1999 Helen Hastings Murphy ’67 2000 Dorothy Hughes Matthiessen ’52 2001 Joan Irvine Smith ’51

Christie Guevara director of alumnae affairs cguevara@westridge.org 626.799.1053, ext. 244 Christie joins the Westridge Advancement team as the director of alumnae affairs. Previously, she worked as the assistant director of development for one of the top charter schools in Boston, MA. Christie received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from The George Washington University and has worked in education for over 10 years.

2002 Adelaide Finkbine Hixon ’36 2003 Margaret Taylor Cunningham ’58 2004 Linda LeMoncheck ’71 2005 Genna Rae McNeil ’65 2006 Palmer Robinson ’68 2007 Sara Sweezy Berry ’57 2008 Joan Taufenbach Haskell ’47 (d) 2009 Bonnie Dean ’75 2010 Elizabeth Wayland Barber ’58 2011

Nan Elliot Hale ’69

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Alissa Arp ’72

Rebecca H. Potter planned giving officer rpotter@westridge.org 626.799.1053, ext. 261 Rebecca Potter (Becky) rejoins the Westridge Advancement effort as the school’s first planned giving officer. She began at Westridge in 1980, serving as director of alumnae relations until 1993, after which she became director of development. After retiring from Westridge in 2006, Becky became a consultant in non-profit advancement serving a variety of clients, most recently working as a planned giving officer at Scripps College. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Scripps College and spent a number of years, prior to Westridge, as a public school teacher.

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reunions westridge

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1962 Class of 1962 | 50th Reunion (standing, back—l. to r.): Sarah Jane Harper-Lansburgh, Jackie Norwood Martinson, Leslie Clarke Gray, Frannie Seamans Collie, (Teddy Disterdick Wood, hidden), Alice Zimmerman Goetschel, Cheri Colby Langdell, Tonia Smith Fletcher, Sue Pierose Pyke. (standing, middle—l. to r.): Anne Wilson Giddings, Cheri Mangam Fremdling, Lynn Parry, Margy Bothwell Walker, Kathy Snow, Ellen Davidson. (seated—l. to r.): Ann Sturges Deyo, Lynne Helpbringer Pierpont, Barry Zorthian, Phyllis Williams Grey, Linda Lashley Roth.

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Class of 1947 | 65th Reunion (l. to r.): Anna Vaughan, Priscilla Dunn Flynn, Patricia Campbell Duckett, Katherina Palmer Liddle, Anne Forve Neville, Arden Roberts Verbeck, Susie Coate Alden.

Class of 1952 | 60th Reunion (l. to r.): Margie Hastings Howe, Dorothy Hughes Matthiessen, Dorothy Donath Hagler.

Class of 1977 | 35th Reunion (l. to r.): Greta Banks, Tina Stott.

Class of 1972 | 40th Reunion (back, l. to r.): Alison Vickers, Julie Hole Ward, Jamie Truscott Kwako, Alissa Arp, Laura-Mae Baldwin, Lisa Matthews, Willa McNamarra Fields, Lea Lambert Walker-Clark. (middle, l. to r.): Debra Geiger, Alenka Cisar Podbevsek, Martha Torres.

(front, l. to r.): Joni Moisant Weyl, Barbara Davis Reynolds, Emily Runkle Chorba, Susan Arnett Hyde.

Missing from photo: Carole Verlander Anderson, Mary Wydman Brown, Laura Harris Caulk, Andrea Mills, Ellen Narver, Allison Paddock.

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Class of 1987 | 25th Reunion (l. to r.) Wendy Burns Everett, Jennifer Tongish Giles, Chanel Summers.

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Class of 1982 | 30th Reunion (l. to r.) Carolyn Terry Larkin, Carrie Shea Tilton, Anne Odell Rosenberger, Marla Stephenson Thornton, Laura Stanford Turner.

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Class of 1992 | 20th Reunion (back, l. to r.): Sieglinde von Deffner, Emily Silber Olson, Lucy Huang, Megan Campbell-Risen, Shanika Perera, Kiesha Ramey-Presner, Karen DeNero Dearing, and Valerie Rubio Lemmon. (front, l. to r.): Jennifer Lomas and Mila van Otterloo, Tina Wood Winkler, Dominique Cutts-Cain, and Lisa Giuntini Spahn.

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Vail Goss Belyea (Charlottesville,VA): “I live in Charlottesville, VA, at a retirement center, Our Lady of Peace. My good friend here is Joe Giovanelli who was born blind. I helped him with his autobiography, Let There Be Light (look it up at: JoeGiovanelli.com). He wrote it at age 81! It’s funny and includes his meeting with the Lord (Honest!) He plays the piano marvelously and I sing with him at concerts twice a week.”

Mary Lou Price Moses (Portola Valley, CA): “Recently, while recovering from a broken femur, I began reading a little Shakespeare again. And thus came memories of the superb teachers we had at Westridge - Miss Ewing, Miss MacNamee, Mrs. Treat, “Hendy”, “Kuhny”, Miss Hubbard, Mrs. Rauch (in 8th Grade) to name but a very few. What gifts they gave to us and what trials we must have been at times. I do love to think of those days. Best wishes to all!”

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Katharine Nevins Schwarzenbach (Pomona, CA): “Summers in Maine — winters in Pomona at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. Keep in touch with Jo Duff in Santa Barbara. Never see or read anything about others in our class. I was second to youngest - will be 90 in August.”

Barbara Hunter Foster (Santa Barbara, CA): “Doing ceramics, 10 grandchildren, life is good.”

1941 Sandra Todd Holmyard (Greenwich, CT): “Hear from Barbara “Babbie” Witter Gillett ’41 there are at least four Westridge alumnae living at Casa Dorinda. “

1943 Ansley Newman Carnahan (South Burlington,VT): “Hope to have B.A. within the next year, and move on to grad school. Zemie’s doing a great job!”

1944 Mollie Howell Eschen (Larkspur, CA) is still in good health and plays tennis regularly.

Jean Tarr Fleming (Pasadena, CA): “Lou died on March 24, 2011, a devastating blow after 63 wonderful years together.

Thanks to our four children and their families, many friends, and All Saints Church I am slowly making the most difficult adjustment of my life. Many joyous memories are a great help.”

Dextra Baldwin Hopper (Carlsbad, CA): “I have just had a pacemaker put in! Please give my love to Jeannie Fleming!”

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Cynthia Holyoke Harris (Laguna Woods, CA): “Nancy Lissaman deserves our thanks for contacting our classmates — I gave her my quiet-life news.”

Nancy Copeland Lissaman (Los Angeles, CA): “I continue as the Class of 1950 representative. My artwork is about climate change. I am especially concerned about how global warming is affecting the polar ice caps. My after-school art program for disadvantaged kids awaits funding from the City of Los Angeles. I am still hopeful my involvement with the kids has been a long-term happy experience.“ Anne McDaniel Matthes (Hillsboro, OR): “Taking a French class, staying active, exercising, etc. In my fourth year at a retirement center in Hillsboro, OR. I am grateful to be near my son and his family, and to be able to continue volunteering with reading instruction at a nearby elementary school.”

Pat Carman McEldowney (Flagstaff, AZ): “Saw Joyce Kautz Sborgi ’49 in Florence, Italy. I hadn’t seen her since 1953 - we were next door neighbors in San Marino. We had a wonderful visit with her, her husband Franco, and daughter. Joycie gave quite a tour of Florence this spring really special. Slowing down a bit, member of a Great Books club. A docent at Arboretum meeting people all over the world. We now have 10 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren — the beat goes on!”

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Judith Couch Barnes (Costa Mesa, CA) graduated from UCSB, married, taught high school and junior college in Long Beach, and then returned to college for a master’s degree. Has lived in Costa Mesa since 1962. Her husband died in 2007. She has three sons, daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. Her interests include charity causes and community service.

Gwen Garland Babcock (San Marino, CA): “We had our annual Westridge lunch in June 2011 with eight of us attending: Ann Hammersley Stewart, Cynthia Crawford Berne, Janet Rogers Holmes, Janie Kearney Kahn, Holly Greeff Robinson, Trudie Robbins Fator, Valerie Thom Read and me. We shared news and pictures, and ate a delicious potluck lunch. Several of us agreed that it was the best lunch ever!

Martha sent along a good picture of herself with Cathy and Sally Karste, from a lunch they had had in February 2011.

If my addition is correct, this was our 28th annual lunch. I hope we can keep getting together for many more years.”

Althea Milbank Brimm (La Jolla, CA): “I do collage/ mixed media art work and give an occasional class in it.

Have begun painting again, also walk on the beach and do t’ai chi. Adjusting after a year of widowhood, remembering how old people talk about how fast time goes...”

Judy Baker Hartwell (Alberta, Canada) has two grandsons, both 16. One is going to the national iceskating competition in dance. He excels in basketball and hockey. The other also excels in hockey and is an excellent golfer. Her granddaughter is an equestrian.

Frances Hereford Pfaff (Newport Beach, CA): “Youngest of 14 grandchildren now drives a car and was homecoming princess for the sophomore class. Frances is taking care of her husband and enjoys Bible study and her seven children, who all live in Orange County.”

Nancy Laine Thompson (Oshkosh,WI) lives in Oshkosh, WI and hopes to make her annual visit to Southern California next spring. She still plays tennis once or twice a week. She has three children and one 16-year-old granddaughter, who was adopted from China.

Virginia Bigelow Burke (West Hills, CA): “I’m doing a lot of pre-school substitute teaching, active in our church and hiking. Alan and I continue to be in Boothbay, Maine each year June through October.”

Gertrude Robbins Fator (Aptos, CA): “I am recovering very well from surgeries performed in September 2011 and March 2012. Then, in addition to this, I am helping my husband recover from a stroke. Finally, I am recovering from sprained ankles.”

Sara Clifford Hammond (Pinellas Park, FL): ”Am now back living in Florida — Pinellas Park, which is just south of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg. Texas was not a good move for me. Have bought a house in an ‘over 55’ community and I love it. Am volunteering with Hospice here — working with patients and family — and I really enjoy it! Still have two Siamese cats (now 10 years old) which keep me relatively sane! Also will be volunteering doing taxes again in January with AARP! Life is good!”

Marilyn Keyes Roper (Houlton, ME): “My sister, Carol Elizabeth Keyes Gilgen ’50, passed away December 14, 2011 — her 79th birthday. Harry and I went to Cedar Falls, IA, to be with her husband of 57 years, three children, and four grandchildren. Carol and I both loved our years at Westridge. Thank you, Westridge, and all the wonderful friends we made there. Carol went on to Bryn Mawr as I did three years later.”

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Susan Grandin Taylor (Ross, CA): “Since last year, our first cruise — to Norwegian Fjords. Also, a trip to Costa Rica in January, which we loved. Just returned from Maui where I slipped and broke an ankle and wrist and spent my 77th birthday in a hospital in Maui, so will miss our reunion this year.”

1955 Jenifer Paul Bode (Pasadena, CA): “Am planning a trip with Victoria Straubel Daly ’57 to Brandywine Valley and Hudson River Valley in May. Also going to Europe as a chaperone with the Pasadena Youth Symphony — concerts in Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg.”

Susan Straubel Champion (Corona Del Mar, CA): “Still alive and kicking! We lost our fourth child in five and a half years with the passing of Chuck’s daughter Carolyn in June from cancer. Grandson Dan married in Chicago in August so that was our only big trip this year. San Juan Islands still our go to vacation spot!”

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Jane Miller Chai (Menlo Park, CA): “I was honored last April to receive the gift of a lifetime. Former Stanford students from Korea gave me a month-long trip to their country, a land of luminous mountains sprinkled with pink blossoms from cherry trees, rivers and streams cursing clear blue, and fresh new buildings of spectacular architecture. A memory is of being driven through a new business district and it being pointed out that when the former student (now an economics professor) was a boy, the area existed as rice paddies that farmers flooded in winter to freeze for kids to ice skate. South Korea’s marble museums are state-of-the-art, and on every subject, from pottery to music to pearl divers. The changing of the guard at historic palaces, in bright colored silks with flags flying, are also most memorable. Down Tunnel #3 at the DMZ to North Korea — the hermit kingdom ambition for a battalion to run through to take over South Korea leaving behind the starving and destitute. I thought about how South Korea in just one generation has gone from one of the poorest anywhere to being one of the richest and most democratic in the world. And it is the most technologically advanced! No ticket-taker for bullet trains!

I figured out most things and gave two lectures, one at Seoul National University on Central Asia. The United Nations Association for Stanford/Palo Alto has made me advocacy chairperson, keeping me informed and alive.”

Barbara Trent Furmanski (Ocala, FL): “Just returned from Europe. Love to travel.”

Joan Haradon (Sacramento, CA): “Horseback riding in Wales. Lots of rain gear. Welsh warm and welcoming.”

Barbara Blankenhorn Urban (East Falmouth, MA) is moving to Florida to a smaller house as soon as their house sells.

Class of 1956 Reunion at Debbie Andreson Burns’ home in Carpinteria, CA. Janet Skeels Bacon (Palmer, AK): “High winds in Palmer, AK (42 miles north of Anchorage).”

Julie Patton Barker (Grass Valley, CA): “Julie and Bert had a wonderful year of travel and family time. We took our oldest children and grandchild, Haley, to Hawaii in April for a great week of touring, then the reunion, followed by an exciting week at the Lair of the Golden Bear, the Cal camp at Pinecrest with the whole family — seven in one tent and four in another. We finished the year with a land tour of Portugal and Spain and a cruise from Barcelona to Casablanca and back. I was able to use some of my Castilian Spanish I learned from Mrs. Atwood at Westridge with all those ‘th’ sounds, and enjoyed some of the history of Spain she taught us.”

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1957 Anne Hereford Rohrbach (San Jose, CA): “Exciting News! My first book is now available on Amazon.com.

Conscious Order: Clear Your Mind Leave Clutter Behind — with a new approach to getting organized and staying organized. When you clear out the clutter in your mind, it’s easier to clear out the clutter in your home, your office and your life! Also have a new Web site: www. consciousorder.com. Life is filled with blessings and bliss.

Two daughters and six grandchildren also thriving.”

1958 Anne Crotty (Pasadena, CA) is enjoying reading and learning.

Ina Begerow Dalsemer (Los Angeles, CA): “Sad news.

Our classmate, Alice McKee Rowland, passed away September 6, 2011, from acute leukemia. She was a delightful, sweet woman and will be missed. She so enjoyed traveling and did a lot of it.”

Sarah Mage Keller (Los Angeles, CA): “Same house, same golf and bridge and computer, BUT we have two new grandchildren: Steve and Rick each had babies in February — Donovan and Georgina. That makes five. And we have a new puppy (what was I thinking?!?!).”

1959 Martyn Smith Belmont (Pasadena, CA): “Deasy Penner Realtors, Boutique Real Estate Co. Eight grandchildren.

Oldest grandson from Cal ­­in Teach for America teaching Special Education 7th and 8th grade History: 50,000 applicants for Teach for America. Two years committed.”

Cecily Wilde Bishop (Cedarburg,WI): “Since my retirement from Northwestern Mutual in 2009, I’ve become hooked on researching my family history. Who knew this would become such an addictive vocation! One of the most rewarding aspects of genealogy research is that you find cousins you never knew you had. I’ve discovered two third cousins who are in the UK, as well as several here in the States. Several research trips have taken me to Indiana, Illinois and genealogy mecca, Salt Lake City. Just as in the nursery rhyme, “Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief, Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief,” I’ve discovered my ancestors led wide and varied lives. Haven’t found the Indian Chief...but have heard from one contact that there may be Native Americans in one of my lines...so who knows. Did a bit of traveling this past year. In addition to the genealogy trips, I spent two weeks in Buenos Aires visiting friends. What an amazing city — a blend of Paris and New York — wonderful people, food, and wine. Had such a good time that I’m going back in 2012. I’m looking forward to the Class of ’59 mini reunion in England in 2013. Having missed our 50th, I hope to see a number of classmates.”

Ann Callaway (Gurnee, IL): “In January, a friend and I spent 10 days in Naples, FL and loved the sunshine and warm weather. Last month we took a cruise through the Panama Canal and up the Mexican Riviera. Now it’s reality time, weeding the yard and paying bills!”

Susan Hazeltine Connell (Pasadena, CA) has a new granddaughter, Eleanor Frances O’Leary, born August 17, 2011. Still painting and was in a group show “unCommon Threads” at El Camino Art Gallery and a show at San Luis Obispo College.

Cynthia Nash Hummel (Billings, MT): “Going to be a grandmother soon. India, Africa, and South East Asia tour (Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) spent most of the time allergic to mold in the A/C. Ate only rice, bananas, and yogurt — left trip early. Wonderful to be home. Piano, tennis, photography, exercise.”

Carol Fisher Minelli (Longmont, CO): “Everyone in my family (kids and grandkids) is doing very well. My father passed away October 28 in Pasadena. He was 98 and lived a wonderfully full life. My mother is doing very well at 97.

Our family is blessed to have parents who live so long.”

Jean Farrand Smith (Austin,TX): “New granddaughter in Portland, OR. Three granddaughters in all. So much fun!”

Janet Norwood Trotter (Little Rock, AR): “I continue to be a standardized patient at the local training hospital.

We follow a script but as the med students don’t, I get a chance to act. Duplicate bridge and travel are also a big part of my life. Turning 70 in December - WOW!”

1960 Hildegarde Fuss Duane (Los Angeles, CA) recently showed artworks in the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) exhibition “Under the Big Black Sun” at the Pompidou Museum, Paris and the Jancar Gallery, Los Angeles.

Erica Hoeneman Oller (Pasadena, CA): “Two years ago I was commissioned by someone to “sculpt something” for her garden that reflected my style. My first thought was to make a substantial figure of a life sized woman, to be placed perhaps on a stool. As my client and I walked through her house, I noticed beautiful photos of African elephants. Not thinking of how this would be done, I said I’d like to place the woman on an elephant.

I didn’t want to kill myself with welding materials or toxic compounds, and decided the medium should be concrete.

It would be waterproof, simple and durable. Ten months later, working at the piece most days, I found concrete is not simple....not even waterproof. My work area was littered with failed starts; pieces of elephant lying around, picked over for whatever wire, eyeballs or toenails could be used. One massive, partial carcass rolled, or got pushed, into a bougainvillea and is still there.

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The sculpture is 7’4” tall and a bit wider than that. The elephant is made of concrete (filled with empty plastic water bottles that I used to push against as I laid the concrete on a wire frame and wire mesh), the woman is primarily made of grout and fabric. I made everything you see, beads included, except the cloth blanket from Kenya. The fabric design I painted directly on a poymer medium over grout.”

1962 Ellen Davidson (Eugene, OR): “I’m still working and teaching ceramics classes and enjoying it! Too bad my back has gotten cranky about it! Oh well.”

Anne Wilson Giddings (Bakersfield, CA): “Enjoyed my trip to England for the Royal Wedding. Caring for husband with Alzheimer’s Disease. Can’t wait for 50th Reunion!”

Jaclyn Norwood Martinson (Houston,TX): “About to be a grandmother for the first time! Still teaching and loving it.”

Susan Pierose Pyke (Costa Mesa, CA): “Sadly, after 30 years together, Marcus passed away in 2010. I am remarried to Richard Pyke. He is the man who taught me to backpack 35 years ago! I am retired five years now from teaching.

Richard and I just got an Airstream. I have spent every summer in the High Sierras for 40 years! Looking forward to many trips.”

Susan Wheeler Rappe (San Francisco, CA): “This was a great year and I finally became a ‘nonna.’ My son and daughter-in-law have a lovely 10 1/2 month old boy. Aiden Emerson Wheeler-Rappe was born on September 8, 2011.

I visited him and his parents in Brooklyn when he was two weeks old. What a joy! I am still very active with Friends of Roman Cats, going to Rome, with a stop now in Brooklyn.”

1961 Susan Higginbotham Rehm (Santa Rosa, CA): “I send all my Class of 1961 friends best wishes. I spent Christmas with my daughter Sarah and her family. I love being so close to them. It helps me as I continue to deal with my single life.”

Pamela Lochhead Trachta (Tucson, AZ): Pamela Hale (professional name) founder of “Through a Different Lens,” creates powerful, practical tools and experiences that bring vision, creativity and wisdom into focus to help people thrive — physically, professionally and spiritually.

Educated at Stanford and Columbia Universities, Pam has created a unique body of work woven together from her varied experiences as a teacher, life coach, spiritual director, photographer, fundraiser, consultant to non-profits, and shamanic practitioner. Creator of the Sand Spirit Insight Cards, workbook and certification trainings, Pam is a pioneer in the therapeutic photography movement. She got her pilot’s license in her late 50s and resides in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, Jon. For further information on Pam Hale go to www.throughadifferentlens.com.

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1963 Sharon Lee Brown (Pass Christian, MS): “Joe and I have decided to leave the Gulf Coast and spend most of our time on Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri. Daughter Cecily is a firefighter in San Diego County and granddaughter Jenna is happy in school. We have landed in an idyllic spot — close, friendly people all around, all spots are golf-cart-close. Joe plays golf on our 9-hole course every day in summer and we jump in the lake in the afternoons! I am so looking forward to our 50th! Can’t wait to see you all.”

Ann Tudor McCook (Bend, OR) is enjoying all the outdoor activities in Sunriver, Oregon and Green Valley, Arizona.

Leslie Wheeler (Cambridge, MA): “Into my second year as a co-editor of Level Best Books, which publishes an annual anthology of crime stories by New England’s authors (www. levelbestbooks.com). Also, continuing my own writing, all three of my ‘living history’ mysteries are now available as e-books. Son Nick is now a junior at Champlain College in Burlington, VT.” Keonan Farmer Yardley (Santa Fe, NM): “I spend summers in Santa Fe and winters exploring the planet, addicted to perpetual motion.”

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Barbara Stout Arnold (Seal Beach, CA): “Our son, John, married his college sweetheart in October. They are both veterinarians in Colorado.”

Joyce Metcalf Gerritsen (Wynnewood, PA): “My first grandson lives in California with his parents, so I am back and forth some but mostly busy rehabbing a little cottage in the tiny historic unspoiled port town of Onancock, VA, established in 1680 on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I love restoring old houses. Also, painting in my ‘spare’ time.”

Mary Watkins Cronin (Bend, OR): “We still enjoy travelling, in good health, still maintain a consulting business. We have seven grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren (and one on the way). “ Diana De Mers Fourney (Morgan Hill, CA): “Just retired from my 35 year career in nursing administration. So far so good. Traveled to New York to visit children and grandchildren. Traveled to Ireland and Italy with friends. Now home for a while until we are off to New York again for two granddaughters’ birthdays in December. Life is good. “ Carol Horton Hawkins (Hollister, CA): “I’m enjoying retirement. Spending six months on our ranch at Fort Klamath, OR and six months on our ranch in Hollister, CA.” Lisa Hutchinson (Monroe,WA) went to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca in Peru.

Robin Galbally Martin (Tucson, AZ) is teaching preschool and enjoying her grandchildren.

Lee Matthew (Albuquerque, NM): “Back from trip to France. Spent time with friends in Paris. Workshop at Chartres Cathedral. Went to Zezere prehistoric cave paintings in SW of France. Went to San Francisco for board meeting for veriditas-non profit, which promotes use of labyrinth as a tool for transformation, www.veriditas.org.

Still doing investment advice and financial planning.”

Barbara Coates Morey (Victor, ID): “We are still having lots of fun & activities in our lives — the ranch, beach house, boating, travel, business (City Pass) and nine grandchildren. It all keeps us very busy.”

Martha McCook (Bend, OR): “My daughter Hillary Ehrlich is making beautiful coats for the rain (www.hillaryday.com) in Portland, Oregon. Her boys Henry,7, and Benjamin,4, are enjoying their first year at Oregon Episcopal School. Sonin-law Paul is an attorney for Adidas. It is such a thrill being a grandmother. Tudor continues to thrive.”

1966 Marcia Howe Adams (Los Altos, CA): “Two daughters, 30 and 27. Younger daughter married end of May 2011 and older daugher is in D.C.” Deborah Paul Barkley (Pasadena, CA): “Two grandsons!

Two labradoodles! Too much fun!”

Virginia Hastings (Peakhurst, NSV Australia) is a retired academic.

Christina Hershey (Florence, OR): “I have retired from the motion picture industry and am living in a small town on the Central Oregon coast with all of my fur and feathered children.”

Mary Lenox Oussayef (Winchester, MA) has two children.

Nancy McNabb Twist (San Marino, CA): “Am still in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Also, ‘grandma’ to two grandsons, age 3 and 5 months!”

Lynn Manildi Watanabe (Honolulu, HI): “Still doing community service work in Honolulu and the Philippines.

Spending lots of great times with adult children and four (+ one on the way) grandchildren all living nearby. Trying to help plan a reunion for our class in Hawaii this year — 2012. Children are ages 39, 37, 32, and 30 (2 boys, 2 girls) and four grandsons, and one due in February.”

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1968

1972

Cassandra Phillips (Kamuela, HI) has co-authored a book with Captain Charles Moore, a seafaring environmentalist known for his expertise and advocacy concerning the harmful consequences of consumer plastics pollution.

The book is titled Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain’s Chance Discovery Launched a Determined Quest to Save the Oceans (Avery/Penguin; 2011).

Frances Fleming (Lynnfield, MA): “Gale Pierose Olson and I had a great visit on Nantucket Island in August 2011.”

Judith Wesley (Los Angeles, CA): “I retired as a post production project supervisor in film after 20 years and have been teaching writing at University of Redlands and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for 10 years. I have written several books of poetry and am working on a novel.”

1970 Tracy Gamble Hirrel (San Marino, CA): “Still living in San Marino. Enjoying our 8-year-old granddaughter as well as our children. Traveling and volunteer opportunities take up most of my time.”

Catherine Hauser Woodson (Darien, CT): “After spending the last 15 years in metro New York City, Greg and I are happily moving to Incline Village, NV this summer.

We’re looking forward to lots of skiing, boating, and hiking!”

1971 Barbara Starr (Friday Harbor,WA): “It was so wonderful to see my friends and classmates at the reunion! Thank you to Catherine Christian Schultz, Barbara Beckham, and everyone who made this possible.”

Robin Morse Ver Eecke (Los Lunas, NM): “Recently installed solar panels on our house and make almost all our own electricity. Working on the vegetable garden, trying to reduce expenses in anticipation of retirement!”

Lisa Matthews (Sharon, MA): “Living south of Boston, doing OB-GYN in Foxboro. One son at home, another at Oberlin, daughter Emily is a freshman at Scripps.“ Ellen Narver (Los Angeles, CA): “I’ve been at the House Research Institute for eight years in the development office and still love it! I’m still riding, but I’ve switched from eventing to dressage, currently looking for a horse that will go to the FEI Levels (upper levels).”

Barbara Davis Reynolds (Pasadena, CA): “So great to see you all at our 40th reunion at Westridge.”

Ellen Weston Swagerty (Westlake Village, CA): “My husband Jim and I live in Westlake Village. I teach in the Los Angeles School District. I am actively involved with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.”

1973 Cathleen Chandler-Eckhardt (Soquel, CA): “Our twin senior girls are soon off to college. Wish that they would receive as practical and inspirational counseling as I received at Westridge. I am looking forward to volunteering and/or working abroad in medicine next year, but will dearly miss our girls. Still regularly see Sarah Weller King, Katie Clark, and Sarah Wheeler Cobb - FUN!” Paula Pomerantz Feinberg (Camarillo, CA): “Looking forward to seeing everyone at our 40th reunion! A special shout out to Marie-Noelle Brisson — safe travels!”

Nina Warner (Playa del Rey, CA): “Recommend everyone join Facebook to see what’s doing with class of 1973. A lot of us are on there! Shout out to Louisa Crowley who does a fabulous job as unofficial class rep! I cannot always get the word out. Thank you Louisa.”

Class of 1973 Members Meet for a Tennesse Valley Walk & Talk

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Members of the Class of 1973, including Katie Clark, Nina Warner, Sarah Weller King, and Terry Gamble Boyer, met in Marin County for a Tennessee Valley walk and talk in July 2011. Katie moved west to Sebastopol, CA, near Sarah and Terry who live in Marin and San Francisco. Time off for Nina from working with autistic kids in Culver City, CA. The TV beach is an old haunt for all of the northern Californians.

1974 Diane Allen Voorhees (South Pasadena, CA): “I am the proud parent of two beautiful daughters. Amy just graduated from Westridge, and Lindsay, who graduated from Westridge in 2007, is now a Duke University graduate, summa cum laude. The years are going very quickly these days!”

1976 Brynne Montgomery Staley (Piedmont, CA): “Evyn is a junior at University of Michigan, Henry heads off to Cornell, and Teddy starts high school. The nest is getting emptier.”

1977 Deanne ‘Gigi’ Dunaians Young (Dubai, UAE): “Greetings from Dubai UAE. We have moved from London.

Shall be home for the summer. No place like Pasadena.”

1978 Eve Rappoport (Venice, CA): “Settling into and enjoying my new Venice bungalow. Work life with City of Torrance is good, home life with George is great!”

1979 Karen Huante (Altadena, CA): “Two sons are doing well.

Kirk is 25-years-old and decided to go back to college.

Yeah! Kameron is 24 and finished as a sound board engineer at the Los Angeles Recording School. Now a working musician. Yeah! I’m single and loving it!”

Joan Griffith Malloy (Great Falls, MT):”Still living in Great Falls, Montana. Griff is a sophomore in high school and Bayley is an eighth grader. Love spending time with Westridge friends. Jenny Cutting’s 50th, Cabo, and Meg Symes’ NYC (US Open weekend). My 14-year-old daughter, Bayley, loves dance and son, Griff, is 16-yearsold with engineering on his mind. Loving watching the children grow up.”

Mira Bogen Sanchez (Davis, CA): “Mira just purchased a ranch with acres and acres of land, streams, and rivers that run through it. Absolutely beautiful! She is one of the best vets in California, zoo animals even. Lion, bears...not an exaggeration.”

1980 Susan Anderson (Oakland, CA) is looking forward to 35 year reunion.

Pamela Carter Bryant (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA): “I am finishing the last year of a family nurse practitioner program and hope to do some mission trips following graduation. I am currently the program coordinator at the Breast Center at Cedars Sinai. Kyle graduated from Hampton on Mother’s Day. Cameron is working. All is well...”

Deirdre Coppage (Manassas,VA) is working as a physical therapist.

1981 Martha Erskine (New York, NY): “I enjoyed seeing Westridge alumnae in NYC in February 2012. Hope to see more of you next time!”

Andrea Eldred Walker (La Canada, CA): “Graduated last spring from Phillips Graduate Institute with an M.A. degree in Psychology. Currently working towards licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist at a non-profit agency.

It’s a long road albeit, but rewarding and fascinating, as well. Family a-okay and adjusting well to my new career.”

Lynne Hannah Watters (Sunnyvale, CA): “Home schooling is working well for our 12-year-old son. (Of course, he could never attend Westridge!) The excellent and well-rounded education I received at Westridge gives me confidence as I teach our son.”

1982 Whitney Potter (New York, NY): “Enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones at the NYC alumnae event in February 2012.”

Maria Ravelo Odell (Redwood City, CA): “Clarissa traveled to Cuba last year at Thanksgiving with her father and sister, Christine, to visit her father’s family. She and Bill have two boys — Matt is a freshman in high school and Jack is a freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.”

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1983

1988

Jennifer Brooks (Pasadena, CA): “Two children, Max & Charlotte, will be one-year-old mid-November.”

Stephanie Walters Sweley (Meridian, ID): “First child is pursuing education and professional career. Second and third children are in high school. Running with our pure bred Siberian Huskies keeps me fit. Love all Idaho has to offer! Beauty of lakes, rivers, and mountains are just short rides from home. Public health nursing/administration still #1 love.”

Aliki Demetriades (Burbank, CA): Lee D. says hi and sends her love to all her old gal pals.

Lisa Hamilton (Brooklyn, NY): “I had a great time seeing alumnae in NYC. The Westridge spirit is still strong! Love seeing my friends and hope everyone is well. Write or get in touch if you are in NYC.” lisa90042@yahoo.com

1986 Mary DeWitt Wilson (Manhattan Beach, CA): “Coming off our 25 year reunion. It was great to see everyone.

Courtney Fong Evans and I will miss chatting with everyone once a year — but will see in you all in 5!”

1987 Jennifer Tongish Giles (San Marino, CA): “I am finishing up the past year as Carver School’s PTA president. It has been a long and rewarding journey as well as a pleasure working hand-in-hand with the administration of our school and district. Ready to get back to residential architecture projects starting this summer. Our two boys, Carson (11) and Cole (8), are growing like weeds and will soon be taller than I. Both play baseball all year round and I am warming to a sport that used to bore me. My husband, Mark, was recently promoted to principal of his company’s Pasadena architectural office. We have been married almost 17 years! Just recently visited with my sister, Sabrina Tongish Katz ’90, and her husband who reside in Chicago, IL. They are expecting their first child this summer. Hoping to get the Class of ’87 together soon for our 25th reunion if not this summer, next year during the kick-off of the Centennial festivities.”

Heather Fukumoto Perlman (New York, NY): “Hi Ladies — spent 4 days with Pavan Stephenson Krueger — so much fun. Wondering about our reunion — it’s a biggy... let’s do something worthy of our years!”

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1991 Wendy Schnee Withers (Westlake Village, CA): “I am enjoying my work as the Director of Foundation and Corporate Giving at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. My husband, Dan and I live in Westlake Village, CA with our two kids Madeline, 5, and Davis, 3. Would love to hear from classmates and friends.”

1992 Juliana Christy (San Diego, CA): “I am still living in San Diego and now work for Scripps Clinic Medical Group as a primary care physician in Internal Medicine. Fortunately I work part time (which means I see patients part-time and actually put in full-time work hours doing all the paperwork and documentation required). I enjoy medicine and work in a great group. I still ride horses and recently got a new dog - a yellow lab named Cody who is a very happy fellow.

I also enjoy cycling around San Diego on the weekends.”

1993 Keegan Leopold Nordan (Studio City, CA): “Three beautiful daughters, ages 3, 5 and 6.”

1995 Ashley Flanagan Slaughter (New York, NY): “I work in marketing at Seventeen Magazine and in my free time I run a blog called The Cuisinistas Club at cuisinistas.com.”

1996 Aurora Anaya-Cerda (Bronx, NY): “I’m happy to share the great news that I opened La Casa Azul Bookstore in East Harlem this spring. The bookstore specializes in Latino literature and bilingual books for children. I am looking forward to sharing my love for books with East Harlem and bringing programming, art and literature to such a vibrant community.” (See feature on page 72.)

1997 Vanessa Wolf Alexander (San Francisco, CA): Vanessa and Matthew welcomed their son, Andrew Edward Alexander, on June 2, 2011. They live in San Francisco, but try to get down to Southern California frequently for visits with Andrew’s grandparents.

1998 Margaret diZerega (Brooklyn, NY): “Working for the Vera Institute of Justice. Singing with Bella Voce Singers, a women’s choir in Brooklyn.”

1999 Elisabeth Imhoff (San Francisco, CA): Enjoying San Francisco, working at Gap, Inc. in Business Strategy.

2000 Joyce Feuille (San Francisco, CA) is currently in her second year of law school at the University of San Francisco. The writing skills she learned at Westridge come in handy daily.

Eszter Lengyel Neuman (Los Angeles, CA): Eszter Lengyel and Ariel Neuman were married on February 20, 2011 at the Sephardic Temple in Los Angeles. The groom’s brother, Rabbi Gil Neuman, officiated the ceremony. Westridge alumnae in attendance included: Emily Livadary, Alexandra Cacciatore, Carly Nese, Kelsey PetersonMore, Natalia Olarte, and Stacy Pemstein Knight ’99.

Eszter and Ariel, both of whom are attorneys in Los Angeles, traveled to Vietnam for an adventure filled honeymoon.

They recently settled in Silver Lake and enjoy keeping in touch with many friends from Westridge!

Sarah Roggero (San Francisco, CA): “I am continuing my life of single-sex education teach at an all-boys Middle School in San Francisco. I’d love to say hi to whomever is passing through!”

Join fellow alumnae for a monthly meeting of the minds! The group meets at 7:30 p.m. on the dates listed below in the Leslie Clarke Gray ’62 Alumnae Living Room, Pitcairn House on the Westridge School campus.

September 27, 2012 Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel

by Esi Edugyan November, 28, 2012 A Visit From The Goon Squad

by Jennifer Egan January 23, 2013 Gilead: A Novel

by Marilynne Robinson March 13, 2013 The Collected Stories of Jean Stafford

by Jean Stafford (several stories will be selected) May 22, 2013 The Red Tent: A Novel

by Anita Diamant July 17, 2013 Rebecca

by Daphne Du Maurier Westridge Alumnae Book Group selections are available to alumnae at Vroman’s Bookstore for a 20 percent discount.The September title is available upstairs at the Book Information Desk.

Vroman’s | 695 E. Colorado Blvd. | 626.449.5320

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2001

2004 Katherine Spada (Glendale, CA): “I am working in film production and development at Columbia Pictures.”

Julia Wells (Sierra Madre, CA): “I’m still alive! I’m writing a novel, Misconception, a few screenplays and a television show.”

2006 The Class of 2001 celebrated their 10 year reunion in Herrick Commons at Westridge in December 2011.

Ashlee Bailey-Powell (Alhambra, CA): “I will be graduating in the spring of 2013 with my master’s in School Psychology as well as a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.”

Angela Lopez Fitzgerald (Rancho Cucamonga, CA): “My yearbook prediction came true!”

Grace Wells Tomooka (Upland, CA): “Started working at an L.A. hospital as a neonatal intensive care nurse in July 2011. Baby #3 was born in March 2011.”

2002 Lauren Gibbs (Newport Beach, CA) is working as a small business sales manager for ADT Security.

Caroline Nasella (Glendale, CA): “I’m gearing up for a big year — graduating law school, starting my first ‘big girl’ job, and getting married (to the son of Karen PetersenBennett ’68)! Will be in the Bay Area for the indefinite future and would love to reconnect!”

2003 Joanna Gallardo (Alhambra, CA): “I live in Istanbul, Turkey and teach English.”

Holland Kerker (La Canada, CA) earned a master’s degree in operatic studies. Has worked as an opera singer in Germany, New York, and now Los Angeles.

Katherine Starros (San Francisco, CA): “Join the Westridge LinkedIn group to connect with alumnae. We are already 100 strong and range from lawyers, actors, vineyard owners, recruiters, real estate agents, small business owners, etc. Join the conversation!”

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Alyson Kil (Alhambra, CA): “Sara Kingston and I are in med school together! We’ve been friends since we were three.”

Sara Kingston (Alhambra, CA): “I’m in medical school! (with Alyson Kil and we’re roommates!)”

Rachel Miller (Pasadena, CA): “I’m a lighting designer for theatre, corporate events, and private parties. I just lit the red carpet at the Emmys and multiple film premiers with the company Kinetic Lighting in Glendale, CA.” Rebecca Synott (Santa Monica, CA): “I am teaching kindergarten in downtown Los Angeles. I am also studying to get my master’s in Education, which I will complete in May 2012.”

2007 Allison Clark (Altadena, CA) is currently coaching JV and Varsity basketball at Westridge.

Kyla Coates (Altadena, CA): “I work for a non-profit in Tanzania that focuses on empowerment through education.

We live in rural villages and teach English, HIV/AIDS education, kindergarten, and critical thinking and writing.”

One Heart Source: www.oneheartsource.org Julie Lanselle (Glendale, CA): “Just graduated from UC Berkeley in the spring, but am off to more school! Pursuing my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Yale University.”

2008

2010

Annabel Beichman (Pasadena, CA): “Graduating Harvard, May 2012. Studying North Atlantic right whales, Junior Phi Beta Kappa.”

Caroline Reich (Fairfax,VA): “In my second year at the George Washington University.”

Jessica Chang (Pasadena, CA): “I will be studying abroad in Italy in spring 2012.”

Sara Cullinane (South Pasadena, CA): “Senior at Stanford University majoring in Aeronautics and Astronautics.”

Noura Elfarra (Pasadena, CA): “I will be graduating from Stanford in June 2012.”

Natalie Hanks (Sierra Madre, CA) is a USC senior.

Ava Hess (Los Angeles, CA) traveled abroad in Tunisia directly following the revolution in January 2011!

Michele Stathatos (Pasadena, CA): “UC Santa Cruz Women’s Soccer!”

Sharon Woo (Los Angeles, CA) is studying Biology at UCLA.

2011 Cornell Banta (Pasadena, CA): “Majoring in sports broadcasting at Texas Christian University. Recently interned at Texas Rangers press box during the World Series along with being a camera operator for TCU women’s volleyball and soccer and men’s basketball and baseball broadcast on Mountain West Network.”

Melissa Kil (Los Angeles, CA): “I became a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer on May 29, 2012.”

Amelia Brooks (Pasadena, CA) is attending MIT.

Mollie Little (Pasadena, CA) graduated Maryland Institute College of Art in May 2012.

Ashley Chu (South Pasadena, CA) is attending Smith College.

Minerva Pinto (Monrovia, CA): This past Spring 2012, Minerva presented a paper on Hitler’s Failure as an Artist-Politician: The Impact of Hitler’s Vienna Years on the Aestheticization of the Nazi Program at the Undergraduate Research Conference in German Studies at Lafayette College. Minerva obtained her A.B. in History from Bryn Mawr College with a minor in Italian Language and Literature after defending her thesis entitled Nationalist Symbol of a Divided Nation: The Paradox of France’s Joan of Arc, 1940-1944. Her studies were awarded both magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College and departmental honors from Haverford College, where her research was conducted. With offers for both employment and graduate school, and barely minutes after her thesis defense, Minerva was recruited by a top Philadelphia business law firm that serves to provide middle-market companies with corporate legal advice and litigation services. Minerva is now managing and maintaining legal and financial documentation in-house and with the courts, conducting legal research, contributing to the production of the firm’s business divorce blog, as well as performing administrative duties. Her next near-term target is law school.

Mariana Estephanian (Pasadena, CA) is at USCB, Economics (maybe double with Communications) Pi Beta Phi member.

Erika Frazer (Glendale, CA) is doing a law internship with family law attorney Lisa Struttman.

Paige Lurie (Los Angeles, CA) joined Brandeis Academic Debate and Speech Society (BADASS) and placed fifth novice team at Wesleyan.

Chloe Obico (Pasadena, CA) is attending Emory University.

Emily Pipes (Arcadia, CA) is attending Washington University in St. Louis.

Kyra Price (Pasadena, CA) is a Columbia University engineering major.

Danielle Ser (Glendale, CA) is a freshman at UC Berkeley.

Sheila Sitaram (Altadena, CA): “I am a freshman at Brown University.”

Carrie Ryan (Sewanee,TN): “I won the Rhodes Scholarship and will be studying at Oxford University next year.”

Jessica Sutro (South Pasadena, CA) is a University of Pennsylvania Class of 2012 English major.

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in

Anne Sharp Coleman ’29 Anne passed away on December 10, 2010 in McMinnville, OR. She was born on June 5, 1911.

During her time at Westridge, Anne exuded school spirit and served as Class President. She was also on the Inlook staff.

Margaret “Margie” Brooks Van Dusen ’30 Margie passed away at the age of 98 on August 18, 2011 at Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and later moved to Pasadena where she attended Westridge School for part of her education and then majored in Music at Sarah Lawrence College. In 1934, Margaret married Daniel W. Goodenough and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts where she became head of the Harvard Law School Wives. She later settled in Grosse Pointe, Michigan to raise her family. She was widowed in 1974. In 1978, she married the Honorable Francis L. Van Dusen. Margie shared her love of travel with her husbands, children, and grandchildren. In her older years she was heard to say that if ill health prevented her from finishing a trip, she still wanted to begin it, so that “at least I’d get that far.” She is survived by her children Daniel W. Goodenough, Margaret (Pixie) Dodge, and Elizabeth N. Goodenough and stepchildren Rhe Van Dusen Jain, Muriel Van Dusen Berkeley, Francis L. Van Dusen Jr., and Clinton M. Van Dusen, and by eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren from her first marriage, and by eight step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

Barbara Dangler Spangler ’35 Barbara passed away peacefully at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, CA at the age of 96. She was the daughter of Clifford Schoffield Dangler and Margaret Murray Evans. Barbara was married to Robert Chamberlain Salisbury who predeceased her in 1966. She and Robert had three daughters. In 1971 Barbara married Charles Dixon Spangler who predeceased her in 2009. Barbara was very involved in serving her community through organizations like The Pasadena Guild of the Childrens Hospital, The Luminaires Benefitting the Doheny Eye Institute, The Pasadena Braille Auxiliary, and The Junior League of Pasadena.

She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends at the Valley Hunt Club, socializing with friends at The Athenaeum of Cal Tech and playing golf at Annandale Golf Club and BirnamWood Golf Club. She was passionate about traveling with family and friends as well as meeting with her lady friends at the Midas Investment Club to talk stocks. Barbara is survived by her three daughters, Gail Salisbury Titus ’60, Joan Salisbury Bolton, Leigh Salisbury Layman, eight grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.

Sally Tearse Lee ’41 Sally passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on May 15, 2012 with her family around her. She had been a resident of Villa Gardens Health Center since 2006. Sally came to Pasadena from Minnesota in 1924 with her mother Sally Hunt. While at Westridge, she served on Student Council. After graduating from Westridge, she attended Pasadena Community College and served in the Women’s Voluntary Services during WWII. She became a portrait photographer in Pasadena and in 1961 married Humphrey A. Lee. They settled in the Linda Vista area where they lived for 30 years. “Sal” was full of life, humor, and always passed that on to those around her. She is survived by her son Taggart A. Lee, daughter Kate A. Lee Wallace ’84, and stepchildren Humphrey A. Atherton and Marion T. Lee.

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memoriam Jean Smith Goodrich ’42 Jean died on March 26, 2012 at age 87. She was born on January 10, 1925 to Rosamond and Dana C. Smith in Pasadena, CA. She married Calvin “Cal” Goodrich in 1947 and had three children.

While living in San Marino, Jean served on multiple boards and volunteered for many service organizations. In 1975, she and Cal moved to Carpinteria. She continued to serve as an enthusiastic volunteer in many local Santa Barbara non-profits. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Don and Marta, Janet and Nathan, and Carolyn and John, several grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and many dear friends.

Faith Whitney Bowlus ’43 Faith passed away on April 23, 2012 with her family at her side. Originally born in New York City and spending most of her childhood in Darien, Connecticut, Faith moved west when she was 10 with her family including sister Joan Whitney Winchell ‘46. During her time at Westridge, she truly enjoyed art. Her favorite teachers were Madame Haas, the French teacher for the Lower School and Lietta Dowd, the Upper School art teacher. After Westridge, Faith attended Pomona College, where she met her husband Donald E. Bowlus. Her love of child development led her to become a preschool teacher for a few years after college. She eventually became a photographer and enjoyed writing short pieces of poetic prose. In summer 2012, Faith was featured as “spotlight” on the Westridge alumnae Web site, www.westridge-alumnae.org. Her oldest son, Eric Bowlus, shares that his mother lived a full life and had a following of many people that only she could touch in so many ways. He also remembers her talking about her days at Westridge and the fun she had. She is now at peace with her husband, Donald E. Bowlus who passed away over 13 years ago.

Barbara “Bobsy” Lyon Townsend ’43 Bobsy passed away on Friday April 27, 2012 at her home in Santa Monica. Barbara was born and grew up in Pasadena. During her time at Westridge she served a term as 8th grade Vice-President.

She attended the University of California at Los Angeles and pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. She could be found at the stables throughout her life with her horses and was very close to joining the Olympic Equestrian team. Barbara married Kenneth Bell Sharpe after graduation, and was married for 13 years and had 2 children. Her second marriage was to Brook Townsend III with whom she had 2 more children. Her life, which she lived to the very fullest, was filled with children, tennis, horses and skiing. One of her favorite places to be was Sun Valley, where she and Brook had a vacation home. When she was in California, she could be found walking the bluffs of Santa Monica, weights in hand. Every restauranteur from West Los Angeles to Pasadena to Sun Valley, Idaho will miss her enjoying dinners always ending with vanilla ice cream. Barbara is survived by her husband, Brook Townsend III, her children, Kristi Sharpe Lynch ‘67, Steve Sharpe, Blair Townsend Longacre ‘78, and Brooks Townsend IV, her six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

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Carol Keyes Gilgen ’50 Carol passed away from a stroke on December 14, 2011 surrounded by loved ones on her 79th birthday at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Carol was born in Oneonta, New York and later moved to Florida, Colorado, and California. As a Westridge student, Carol shared her musical, dramatic and leadership talents by playing the piano, singing with the Glee Club and taking on the role of president during her senior year, performing lead roles in Mask and Brush productions, and penning portions of the Christmas pageant and a play. After graduating from Westridge in 1950, she studied Russian history and language earning a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.

Later in life she earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from Kent State University and passed the CPA exam. While studying at Bryn Mawr College she was set up on a blind date with Albert “Al” R. Gilgen, whom she later married in 1954. They lived in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ireland for a year, before settling in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Throughout her adult life, she worked closely with Al helping him write and edit six books on the history of American psychology, the history and status in the late 1980s and early 1990s of Soviet psychology, and an international handbook of psychology. Carol is survived by her husband, Al, three children, Beth, Bert, Jim, four grandchildren, one great-grandson, and her sister, Marilyn Keyes Roper ’53.

Clotilde “Coco” Freeman McDougall ’53 Coco died December 13, 2011 in Bellevue, WA at age 75. She attended Westridge School and went on to attend Stanford University, from which she graduated with a degree in child psychology. Back in Seattle after college, Coco worked as a travel agent and then as a systems analyst for IBM. Meeting her husband Bruce on a blind date in 1964, she then married and moved with him to Vancouver, Canada. There they lived for 13 years, raising two children. In 1977 the family relocated back to Bellevue. Coco was always an original thinker and ahead of her time. She was active in several organizations including the Bellevue Arts Museum and Belle Arte Chamber Music, and was a longtime member of the Sunset Club. Coco is survived by her husband Bruce McDougall and her two children, Linda Lewis and Peter McDougall, and by her grandchildren, Cade and Duncan McDougall; Katie, Justin and Stephanie Lewis. She is also survived by three siblings: Sarah Freeman Stelter ‘52, Kemper Freeman Jr., Elizabeth Freeman, and by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Barbara Bishop Grigg ’54 Barbara passed away on October 3, 2011 at her home in Pacheco, California after a year and a half battle with lung cancer. After graduating from Westridge, Barbara attended the University of Arizona for three years followed by work as a buyer for the Emporium-Capwell Company in Oakland. While working at the Emporium, she met her husband, Gordon Grigg and they established their home in Lafayette while their children were going through school. Following a divorce in the early ‘80s, Barbara moved to Pacheco and went to work as an administrator for the Contra Costa Dental Society, a position which she held until her retirement in 2005. Barbara was an avid tennis fan and, over the past years, traveled the world to attend all the major tournaments.

She is survived by her two chlidren, Christopher Grigg and Lisa Marie Rook, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Jerome Bishop and Janice Brandt Bishop ‘57.

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in memoriam

Alice McKee Rowland ’58 Alice died peacefully at her home in Los Altos on September 6, 2011 at the age of 72 after a courageous struggle with leukemia. Alice, born on July 3, 1939, was the daughter of the late Eleanor Page McKee and the late Norman McKee. After graduating from Westridge, Alice attended San Mateo College and then worked at Stanford University until she married Richard Rowland in 1980. Alice was a very active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos and belonged to several charitable organizations including Peninsula Children’s Auxiliary and Peninsula Volunteers. She also enjoyed volunteering at Filoli and the Los Altos History Museum. Alice loved traveling with husband Rich; was an avid reader and took great pleasure in arranging flowers from her garden, as well as making arrangements for Filoli from their gardens. Alice is survived by her husband Richard, son Jeffrey Rowland, and her brother Allen McKee.

Sara Lehman Murray ’59 Sara passed away on January 19, 2012 at age 69. “Sally” was born in 1942 in Pasadena and attended Westridge for her sophomore year. Sally’s father’s business moved to Riverside where she finished high school, but remained a Westridge girl at heart and maintained many close friendships with her Westridge sisters. The daughter of Robert and Evelyn Lehman, Sally graduated from UC Berkeley in 1964 and married Will Browne Boynton in 1966. Sally spent her time on earth wisely. An enthusiastic traveler, brilliant cook, supporter of the arts, superb mother, and all around force of nature, she will be sorely missed by friends and family alike. She had an almost supernatural ability to organize the thorniest of projects, a talent that manifested itself early in life with student government positions, thirty years in administration in cancer research groups, a retirement filled with duties for causes beloved to her, and finally a worldwide travel itinerary that would have daunted Marco Polo. Sally is survived by siblings Robert Lehman, Charles Lehman, and Mary Lehman Harvey, as well as her sons and daughters-in-law Benjamin and Aya Boynton, Alexander Boynton and Amy Fowler, and grandson Tobias Boynton.

Mary “Mimi” Hugens Bull ’61 Mimi passed away on December 5th, 2011 at age 68 in her home in Los Osos, CA. She was surrounded by her loved ones and her animals, with the garden she tended outside her bedroom window. Mimi was the daughter of Earl and Mary Hugens, and was raised in Pasadena along with her siblings, John, Peter and Elissa. In 1962, Mimi married Daniel Frank Bull for 20 years, with whom she had her two children. During her marriage, Mimi’s life continued to take her on many adventures and live in many different places. Mimi lived in New York City, Minneapolis, Seattle, Mendocino, Petaluma, Paso Robles and Los Osos. Mimi went back to college after her children had grown and got a degree in Botany from Sonoma State University. Mimi loved the arts, animals, gardening, reading, politics and humanitarian issues. Her last 20 years of life were spent in the beautiful Central Coast. She was an amazing, tender, dynamic, and quick-witted woman, mother and friend. Mimi is survived by her two children Mary Katharine Bull and Daniel Eben and seven grandsons.

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in memoriam

Kathleen McCloskey ’62 Kathy passed away on December 11, 2011 at the age of 65. She was a devout enthusiast of classical music and was an amazing pianist. At the young age of 16, she was selected to play a soloist program for the St. Louis Symphony. During her lifetime, she consistently worked to perfect her craft, teaching and performing professionally. She taught her art and expertise to hundreds of students over 50 years. When Kathy wasn’t practicing or teaching piano, she was busy raising a family of four children, the oldest born when she was just 20 years old. Kathy always loved being a Westridge girl and remained close friends with several of her classmates. She was greatly missed at the recent Class of 1962 50th reunion but she was there in spirit and her friends will always remember her energy, warmth and bright smile. In recent years, she was at her best, and her happiest. She had reached an emotional and spiritual plateau which gave her great comfort, satisfaction and meaning. Her support, love and dedication to her loved ones are a legacy that will not be forgotten. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Kathy is survived by her four children; Jane, Greg, Katie and Peter; her four grandchildren; Blake, Paxton, Lukas and Lance; and her sister Jean.

Susan Mitchell ’73 Susie died unexpectedly on May 21, 2011 at the age of 54. She was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine for twelve years. Susie was born in Pasadena on December 2, 1956. After graduating from Westridge, where she played basketball, Susie attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and also received her Bachelor of Science degree at University of Massachussetts in Amherst. She graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston as well as a surgical residency at Tufts. In addition, she was distinguished as a board certified veterinary surgeon by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Susie was then hired by Tufts as an assistant professor and taught surgery in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals. She had a passion for teaching and helped establish the junior spay lab at the university where veterinary students had the experience of performing their first surgery by spaying or neutering shelter animals. All those who knew her have been forever touched by her joy of life. She is survived by her two daughters Lucienne Mitchell, age 5, and Robin Mitchell, age 3 ½ years old, as well as her brothers Pierpont Warner III and Arthur J. Lynch and her sister Georgia Lynch McClure ‘64. She was predeceased by her sister Cyrene Warner Bryan ’58 and her oldest brother Cameron Warner.

Valerie Rogers ’81 Valerie passed away on February 11, 2012. Valerie attended Westridge for 6th and 7th Grades. She was a loving daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by three children, Olivia Butts, Xavier Butts and Dominique Butts, and siblings, Olsen Rogers Jr., and Lea Rogers, as well as two nieces and two nephews.

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lives well lived deserve a legacy that lives on

Your Will Can Help the Future When you think about giving to Westridge School, do you hesitate because you’re concerned about needing your assets in the future? A gift in your will, called a bequest, could be the option you’re looking for.

This form of giving lets you help Westridge in the future without parting with any of your assets today. Plus, your generosity will continue long after you’re gone.

What makes a charitable gift in a will perfect for anyone? Two special features: • It gives you some flexibility. A bequest lets you balance your philanthropic goals with your concerns about your future. Because you’re not actually parting with assets today, you don’t need to worry that you won’t have enough to live on in the future.

Plus, you can change your mind at any time.

• It lets you be sensible in your commitment. Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate, allowing you to benefit Westridge and your family in relative proportion.

For more information, contact Rebecca H. Potter, Planned Giving Officer, rpotter@westridge.org or 626.799.1153, ext. 261.

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westridge centennial

is more than an anniversary. i t i s a t e s ta m e n t to t h e

legacy, excellence, & longevity of westridge school. you are a part of this Centennial and all that it symbolizes for Westridge School and its community. Mark your calendar to join in the festivities and become involved — volunteer your time, join a committee, or donate Westridge memorabilia. Your participation is vital to the success of this historic celebration and to the next 100 years of educational excellence at Westridge School.

Countdown, the Centennial newsletter, will be mailed quarterly and includes information about the collaborative goals, planning needs, and event announcements for the 2013-2014 Centennial. The July 2012 issue has already been mailed. If you have not received it and would like to, or if you have any questions about how you can get involved, contact past parent and past trustee Ava Megna, Centennial Coordinator, at 626.799.10153, ext. 297 or amegna@westridge.org.

celebrate your role in we stridge’s past and make your mark on its future.

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savethe dates Centennial Events 2013-2014

Founder’s Day Sunday • October 6, 2013

Homecoming Friday • January 10, 2014

Centennial

Celebrations Thursday • March 20, 2014 Friday • March 21, 2014 Saturday • March 22, 2014 Sunday • March 23, 2014 109

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986

324 Madeline Drive Pasadena, California 91105-3399 www.westridge.org

Address Service Requested

The fundamental purpose of Westridge School is to develop in girls their intellectual and creative powers and their unique qualities as individuals.

Essential to the school’s purpose is the commitment to be a community that reflects and values diversity, respects individual differences, and responds to a changing, dynamic world.

female academic courageous traditional inclusive visionary An intellectually engaging and challenging curriculum prepares students

to continue their education in college and beyond as discerning, motivated

learners who are committed to excellence and goodness in everything they do.

The program offers balance among humanities, mathematics and sciences, fine and performing arts, technology and athletics.

Westridge strives to develop young women whose joy in learning, personal

ideals, commitment to ethical action, social and environmental responsibility, courage and compassion will lead them to meaningful lives as contributing citizens of the larger world.

— Approved by the Board of Trustees, April 8, 2003