Winter 2021
LOOK INSIDE School news, alumnae news, and more
END OF AN ERA Juanita Jimenez to Retire
Page 6
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JUANITA JIMENEZ TO RETIRE AFTER 50 YEARS AT WESTRIDGE
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DISTANCED AND DIFFERENT But Still Westridge at Heart
Table of
contents
01 02 05 06 08 11 12 15 19
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ALUMNAE WEEKEND AND NEWS
Details for the 2021 Virtual Reunion
Head’s Note Distanced and Different, But Still Westridge Adelaide Hixon ’36 Juanita Jimenez Around Campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alumnae Weekend/News Class Notes In Memoriam
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From the
HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends, I write from a place I think few among us expected to be when we gathered for Alumnae Weekend last March: nearly a year into a pandemic that has caused so much pain and paused so many aspects of life. Indeed, the Westridge campus has been without students since March 12. But as you will read in “Distanced, Different, But Still Westridge at Heart,” so much of what makes Westridge Westridge, has been sustained by the care and perseverance of community members near and far. The second story in this edition of Surgere is about beloved faculty member Juanita Jimenez, who will retire in June after 50 years of inspiring Westridge girls to push themselves creatively and teaching them, and all of us, about a life well lived. Reviewing the timeline that parallels change and growth at Westridge with highlights from Juanita’s tenure (page 6), led me to think about the history of our
institution and the people, such as Juanita, who have left their mark here. Our school has been through difficult times before — we have even been through another pandemic — and we have come through them together. Right now, we turn to each other for support and to maintain what is core to our mission, our school, and our hearts. In the years to come, as we reflect on what we experienced, I have no doubt that we will realize that we are wiser, stronger, and more connected than ever. I hope to see our alumnae online during Alumnae Weekend, March 12 and 13. I have marveled at how our students, faculty, and staff have brought so much meaning to our online events and traditions this year, and I am looking forward to warmth, memories, and community that the weekend always brings. Surgere,
Elizabeth J. McGregor Head of School
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Distanced & Different But Still Westridge at Heart
During remote learning, we miss many things about our regular school life that we have taken for granted in the past — from hands-on group projects and field trips to live productions, competitive athletics, playgrounds, and spontaneous conversations between teachers and students on campus. In this unusual time, however, essential elements of Westridge have kept us going and kept us together, including a creative and dedicated faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to ensure the best possible education for their students, a community that surrounds our students and school with support, and Westridge traditions. Here, we reflect on and celebrate the many ways people from all corners of the Westridge family are keeping the school, its students, and each other in their hearts during COVID-19.
FACULTY & STAFF STEP UP In March, every member of the faculty and staff pitched in to ensure that our school could be rebuilt online with only two weeks’ notice. Emphasis was placed on ensuring educational continuity and supporting student wellness in a new and frightening time. There was trial and error and evolution in the first weeks of the emergency campus closure. Yet faculty and staff fought to keep students learning and connected and to keep special elements of their year intact, from tech support drop-in sessions and support groups for parents, to the 8th Grade Radio Play, the 6th grade’s online World Women of Courage and Character Wax Museum, rocketry competitions, and a slate of yearend events for seniors. With time over the summer to evolve our remote learning playbook, teachers developed curricula specifically designed for remote learning. Based on experience from the spring, the academic team revamped the schedule to build in additional regular opportunities for community connection and social emotional learning — even more critical when students can’t be together on campus.
Ceramics teacher Juanita Jimenez sent students home with pottery wheels and provides clay refills at monthly supply pickups so students can continue their ceramics studies from home.
Extra time was added for advisory and homerooms, and “Westridge Wednesday” launched to create a day without classes devoted to student-life activities and much-needed time to do homework or meet one-on-one with teachers. In addition, a fuller complement of co-curricular programming was re-instated or expanded this fall, including: • Regular assemblies • An online after school program •A full slate of performing arts online productions and a new professional speakers’ series in the Theatre Department •C ollege Counseling events •U pper School Writing Center •M iddle School online athletic team skill building
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The Theatre Department’s winter production of Mynx and Savage was produced and streamed online.
•A nd even full-blown ceramics classes, because the inimitable Juanita Jimenez (see page 6) figured out a way to get pottery wheels and clay to the homes of students.
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Of course, a significant part of the Westridge experience lies in personal connection and community interactions. This presents a challenge in remote learning when the serendipity of impromptu interactions on campus is lost and everyone needs a break from screen time after a day of online academics. Special kudos to student leaders in all divisions and to our deans of student activities who went the extra mile to create community from afar this year! Here is a sampling of the ways campus connections were forged during remote learning: This year, Ms. Trimarchi is recreating that experience for 5th and 6th graders online (and it is still a popular place to hang out)! •M ath help sessions. Teachers in the Lower and Middle School, Susi Pettersson, and Kenzie and Val Brownsmith, offer online drop-in sessions for math assistance. • Supply surprises. A number of teachers, Eric Libicki and Barbra Chabot among them, have taken to including small goodies in monthly class supply packets — items that have nothing to do with class but let students know they are thinking of them. Big & Little Sisters get to know each other on Teams.
STUDENTS • Tell-A-Tiger. Upper School students have offered their ears to Lower and Middle School students in need of peer support while remote. Most Tell-A-Tiger buddies meet weekly. •B ig & Little Sister groups. Many Big & Little Sister groups have ongoing “chats” and impromptu meetings in Microsoft Teams, the platform Westridge uses for remote learning. •P eer-to-Peer safe space. In February, Peer-to-Peer, a group of students who are trained to provide peer support, began hosting office hours of sorts — an online space for students to drop in when they need to talk to someone. •L ower School student clubs. The introduction of Lower School clubs this year has created great opportunities for students to make new friends and socialize. •9 th grade lunch buddies. Freshman class leaders have formed drop-in lunch tables on Microsoft Teams for students to virtually hangout with peers over lunch.
FACULTY •4 th, 5th, and 6th grade social hour. When parents of our youngest students requested more opportunities for social interaction, Lower & Middle School Dean of Student Activities Farrell Heydorff established an afterschool social hour. She kicks off each event with a few questions such as “what are you reading?” or “share a favorite pet story,” and the students take it from there. •L ower School art drop-in. In normal times, the Lower School art room often fills with students at lunch and after school, when they make great art and great conversation.
Alumna Andja Budincich ’10 joined the Theatre Department’s new guest speaker series to give students a glimpse into the career path of a costume designer.
PARENTS & ALUMNAE •A lumnae “campus” visits and mentoring. Remote learning makes it possible for Westridge alumnae outside of Los Angles to join classes as guest speakers, and many have stepped up in classes from biology to theatre. In addition, Westridge alumnae from coast-tocoast have offered to mentor BIPOC students as we work to increase support and representation. •O nline events. Westridge Parent Association (WPA) leadership and grade-level representatives have focused on creating connection for both students and parents. Their creative offerings have ranged from escape rooms, movie nights, and art classes for students, to happy hours and trivia nights for parents. •C ooking classes. As evidence that Westridge remains Westridge, food is still an essential part of the Westridge experience, even in the pandemic. Many students,
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parents, and alumnae have had a taste of the beloved Westridge Commons with virtual cooking lessons from Chef Brandon Worrell. Students at Westridge of African Heritage Group (SWAHG) brought in Chef Roslyn Spence for an afternoon of cooking. And author and senior cooking editor for The New York Times and NYT Cooking Genevieve Ko ’96 made a special appearance during the Yam Festival. •C ommunity business listing. Early in the spring lockdowns, the school and the WPA compiled a directory of businesses owned and run by Westridge families and alumnae that would benefit from business from the Westridge community during the pandemic. •F inancial support. Current parents, former parents, and alumnae have approached the school to ask how they could help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the school and its families. Support came in many forms, including: - Giving to the annual fund. Knowing that others may be impacted financially and might not be able to give this year, many stepped up to make their own contributions to the annual fund. This includes a generous $100,000 anonymous challenge gift from a current family, which successfully inspired fellow parents to support the school. -A $500,000 anonymous gift from an alumna to support our short-term Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP helps families who traditionally do not qualify for aid but have been impacted in the short-term by the pandemic. -C OVID-Relief Funds. Special gifts from alumnae families helped Westridge offset the financial impact of the pandemic on school operations, such as increased technology costs, and work to prepare the campus for a safe return to in-person learning. This included an anonymous gift of $100,000.
WESTRIDGE TRADITIONS In addition to just plain bringing joy, traditions connect us to a greater whole, create shared memories, and create a sense of belonging. Westridge traditions — and the staff members, parents, and students who have worked so hard to reimagine them — have helped keep students connected during the pandemic. •S enior events. The Class of 2020 was treated to a nearly full, though virtual, slate of traditional year-end events including an online Commencement ceremony followed by an in-person car parade. This fall, senior parent gradelevel representatives organized a monthly series of creative senior breakfast care packages and a series of spring events is being planned for the Class of 2021. •Y am Festival. Yam Festival became Yam Week in 2020, complete with a yam latke-making cooking class with Brandon Worrell, a Big & Little Sisters event including an “Our YAMily” worksheet, and an after-school session on how to grow sweet potatoes, complete with 3-D printed planters.
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•B ig & Little Sisters. Not only has Big & Little Sisters survived during the pandemic, it has thrived and expanded to four activities in the first four months of school! •G reek & Roman Initiation. It may have been a bit quieter than when hosted in Hoffman Gymnasium, but ASB leaders worked hard to make this year’s initiation memorable, including sending blue or yellow confetti poppers to new student and faculty members' homes for the big reveal. • Junior Ring pick-up. Although their celebration was delayed until the fall, the Class of 2021 was presented with their class rings and a white rose in a virtual ceremony in September. Senior parent grade-level representatives created an amazing experience for students to collect their Ring Ceremony kits in the State Street parking lot, including a giant balloon ring photoop, a cotton candy stand, and beautiful kits containing their rings, roses, and cupcakes. •G randparents & Friends Day. Our virtual Grandparents & Friends Day provided a glimpse into students' everyday lives at school, with video messages and performances, photos, and news stories showing what they have been working on at “Westridge Without Walls.”
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RENOWNED VISION OF
Adelaide Hixon ’36 LIVES ON
Twenty years ago, alumna Adelaide Hixon ’36 strengthened Westridge’s burgeoning diversity efforts by establishing the Adelaide and Alexander Hixon Fund for Lower School Diversity. The principal of the fund established by Adelaide and her late husband is held in perpetuity, and a portion of the investment earnings generate annual revenue to support Westridge’s commitment to racial, ethnic, and economic diversity in the Lower School. The remainder of the fund’s earnings is reinvested each year so that the fund and its impact on students continue to grow.
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hanks in part to Adelaide’s generosity, Westridge began to increase its efforts to build diversity throughout the student body — but this was not the last of her support. Adelaide also made a second gift to the fund through a generous bequest in her estate plans to ensure this important work continued. After her passing in 2019, Westridge received a contribution that will grow the Hixon Fund and increase its impact on our students. “Adelaide had the vision many years ago to recognize that economic, racial, and ethnic diversity provides a strong learning experience for all our students,” said Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor. “It was a joy to know her, and I will miss her inspiring conversations. We are extremely grateful for her leadership.”
1928
Adelaide received the 2002 Ranney Award from former Head of School Fran Norris Scoble.
Adelaide embraced her own life-long evolution deliberately. She emerged as a young and beautiful Pasadena debutante, fully committed to the exclusive material terrain to which she was born. The story goes that her honeymoon travels required perhaps a half dozen steamer trunks; one just accommodating head wear. Her story evolved to the point where she could travel the globe effectively with one average-sized suitcase. The same tone resonates in her last stand for diversity and inclusion across the board. From early country club life to her full glory as an eleemosynary powerhouse. - Andrew Hixon, Adelaide’s son To make a gift to support Westridge’s DEI work, visit www.westridge.org/give and click on "DEI Initiatives" in the drop down menu. To inquire about gift planning or let us know of your own estate plans, email Lisa Vandergriff at lvandergriff@westridge.org.
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WESTRIDGE LUMINARY
Juanita Jimenez TO RETIRE IN JUNE
When she arrived at Westridge in 1971, Juanita Jimenez (then Mizuno) thought she would be here for one year. Her love of her students, the art, and the community kept her coming back year after year. This spring, 50 years later, we will celebrate Juanita’s retirement.
1973 1971
1965
Juanita graduates with a B.F.A. from the Chouinard Art School (now the California Institute of the Arts)
Juanita joins Westridge teaching ceramics in a garage with a single wheel
Katherine Trower appointed head of school
1986
1978 Ceramics program moves to the Laurie ’68 and Susan ’71 Frank Art Studio
1985 Richard N. Frank Field built
Juanita takes sabbatical year to work on large-scale Hittite forms at the Bemis Alternative Worksite in Omaha, Nebraska
1973 1980
1971
324 students enrolled at Westridge
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1977
Ceramics moves to Pitcairn House after it is renovated for use as fine art classrooms.
1986
Elsa “Midge” Bowman appointed head of school
Nancy Owen appointed head of school Hoffman Gymnasium opens
1990
Fran Norris Scoble appointed head of school
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uanita has been a steadfast figure at Westridge with a career spanning seven headmistresses and witnessing the enormous expansion of campus. “When I started here, the campus was one-quarter the size it is now,” recalled Juanita. “There was no gym, no field, no Performing Arts Center. The addition of those buildings was huge in creating community spirit, especially the gym where we have assemblies. That gave the girls a place to speak up and learn to have a voice.” Juanita’s first ceramics class was held in a garage with a single potter’s wheel and a hole in the ground for cleanup. The ceramics program expanded quickly under her guidance — aided by her tendency to recruit any students
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she found on campus with a free period to enroll in her class. After just two years, the program outgrew the garage and moved into Pitcairn House. In 1978, a dedicated ceramics studio was constructed, the Laurie ’68 and Susan ’71 Frank Art Studio. Juanita holds a special place in the hearts of so many students and alumnae who learned not only how to throw a pot from her, but also to trust in themselves, explore their own creative abilities, and to have patience and appreciate process. She will retire at the end of this school year in Joshua Tree, where she looks forward to working full-time on her art.
Honoring Juanita
Since day one, Juanita has ceaselessly amazed and inspired me. She gives herself completely, imparting wisdom, encouragement, and love, and expects only basic respect and kindness in return.
Join us to honor Juanita during Alumnae Weekend at the cocktail reception on Friday, March 12 (see page 12) To make a gift to the Art Department in honor of Juanita, contact Lisa Vandergriff at lvandergriff@westridge.org or visit www.westridge.org/give.
- Julie Chen Woo ’93
2016
Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center and Herrick Quadrangle open
1996
Juanita marks 25th 1998 year at Westridge Marjorie May Braun ’36 Science Building is completed 2001
2009
Elizabeth McGregor appointed head of school
500 students enrolled at Westridge
2005
2015
2008 1991
400 students enrolled at Westridge
1998
Construction begins on first classrooms north of Madeline Drive
2000 The Anne F. & James F. Rothenberg Humanities Center is completed
Rosemary Evans ’71 appointed interim head of school
2020
Juanita conducts alumnae ceramics course attended by 24 alumnae
Juanita shifts ceramics remote with students receiving wheels and clay for use at home
2020
2010 Upper School Science Building is completed
School moves to remote learning in pandemic
2021
Juanita will retire in June after teaching at Westridge for 50 years
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CAMPUS Newly Renovated Lower School Playground Honors Beloved Westridge Educators
Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor to Retire June 2022 In November, Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor announced that she will retire in June 2022 after 13 years at Westridge. Mrs. McGregor will be greatly missed, but her legacy will remain in the community she fostered and innovative programs that were inaugurated or expanded under her leadership, including the STEAMWork Design Studio, college counseling, theatre, speech and debate, Peer-toPeer, and work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We look forward to celebrating Mrs. McGregor and all she has contributed to our community over the next year and a half until her retirement in 2022.
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Thanks to donations from alumnae, trustees, current parents, and faculty and staff, the Lower School playground was renovated this fall and awaits the return of students to bring it to life! New features include a zip line, rock-climbing structure, expanded swing set, gaga ball pits, table tennis tables, and a deck and benches around Ranney Tree. The playground is dedicated to former Director of Lower and Middle School Mary Tuck, who retired in 2019 after 19 years at Westridge. The area surrounding Ranney Tree was constructed as a reading space in memory of Carol van Zalingen, the late dean of Lower and Middle School student support who passed away last year.
Congratulations to Upper School History Teacher Sandy de Grijs, who is celebrating 25 years at Westridge this year!
Global Initiative Program Awards First Distinctions to Seniors This fall, seniors Sosi D. and Leily R. became the first Westridge students to earn Global Initiative distinctions for their work taking on an interdisciplinary, independent study of a modern-day global issue. Sosi explored how vital early education is for child development and Leily explored how colonialism paved the way towards the current political landscape between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Global Initiative program allows students to pursue global interests by combining coursework, experiential learning, and volunteer work. Sosi and Leily completed the program by presenting and defending their final portfolios of work to a panel of Westridge faculty and staff, earning distinctions on their diplomas at Commencement.
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Author Sandra Cisneros Discusses Writing as Activism with the Westridge Community In January, the English Department welcomed acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros for a conversation with students and families about writing as a form of activism. In this year’s All-School Read, which took place the same day as Cisneros’s visit, students in grades 4-12 gathered online for cross-divisional conversations to discuss selections from her classic coming-of-age novel The House on Mango Street.
Students Learn to Bake, Woodwork, and Build Microscopes in New Online After-School Program
Peer-to-Peer’s Love Your Mind Week Prioritizes Mental Health in Time of Crisis
The new Tiger Club program, introduced for Lower and Middle School students this fall, provides an exciting variety of online, after-school activities taught by Westridge faculty and staff that engage students intellectually, get them moving, and add some fun, social time to their afternoons. Just a few of the activities to date include cooking sweet potato latkes, constructing wooden jellybean dispensers, building digital microscopes, practicing yoga, and participating in book discussions!
Every year, the Peer-to-Peer student support group hosts “Love Your Mind” Week to destigmatize discussions about mental health. During a global pandemic, this tradition became more important than ever. Peer-to-Peer students got creative to reimagine “Love Your Mind” events on virtual platforms while still ensuring that students were given time and space to talk about their mental health and provide support to their peers.
Students Controlled the Narrative in the Theatre Department’s Online Fall Festival Students took unprecedented control of the production and narrative in the new Fall Festival this year, proposing selections from plays they wished to produce and then collaborating with peers to bring their creative visions to life. Students worked as actors, directors, writers, designers, and technicians, ultimately presenting a compilation of 10 performance pieces from contemporary plays and original works by Westridge students.
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Public Health Education 7th Grade Style After learning about viruses, the immune system, and vaccines, Barbara Chabot’s 7th grade science class turned its attention to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in groups, students tapped their creativity to help educate our community in fun and engaging ways through videos, animations, presentations, infographics, websites, and comic strips. Topics included the benefits of face coverings, how vaccines work, how the pandemic is affecting different minority groups, and how other countries have lowered transmission rates.
New at Westridge: Lower School Clubs After introducing their first-ever club last year (the Earth Club), Lower School students launched seven new clubs this fall, including Baking Club, Black Lives Matter at Westridge, Da YouTubers, Photo Life Club, Lower School Witches Undercover Club, Dancing Tigers, and Sports Mania. Sixth graders may propose and lead clubs, which are open to all Lower School students.
5th Grade Math Class Takes a Virtual Field Trip to New York Ms. Houser’s 5th grade math class took a virtual field trip to New York City to visit the National Museum of Mathematics — the only museum in the country dedicated to math! The program, titled “Mind-Blowing Division: See How Long Division Can be Made Exceptionally Clear,” included a presentation about long division with mathematician and educator Dr. James Tanton. Dr. Tanton’s goal is to bring “joyful math” to students all around the world, sharing his love for the beauty and creativity of the subject.
Student Tech Partners Provide Support in New Age of Remote Learning The Student Tech Partners program, which pairs current and new students to help ease the transition to Westridge educational technology, became indispensable this year as the pandemic kept school in remote learning and tech demands skyrocketed. The 34 Student Tech Partners in grades 6-10 spent time over the summer virtually meeting with new students, and creating video tutorials that were used in school-wide trainings to prepare the whole community for the new world of remote learning this fall.
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion UPDATE
A comprehensive Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) update was published in November and is posted online at www.Westridge.org/DEI. Additional updates since that report are provided here.
A DEI OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED to offer its perspective and input regarding the school’s actions and progress in meeting its DEI and anti-racist goals and to challenge the administration to pursue those goals intentionally and consistently. The Committee reports to the Board of Trustees and the head of school, and consists of 16 members from across the school’s constituencies (e.g. parents, students, alumnae, and faculty). Alumnae representatives include Alicia Henry ’01, Seema Ahmad ’99, and Maya Alvarez-Galvan ’88. RECRUITING FOR A DIRECTOR OF EQUITY launched in December and the school is currently interviewing candidates. The new director will join the school in July and be a member of the Westridge Leadership Team, reporting to the head of school. Sheri Johnson, MA, M.Ed., MFT, joined the school as a PARTTIME COUNSELOR. She will be a resource for all students but brings training and experience in working with BIPOC populations to the school’s student support team. Sheri Johnson
Tamara Shahar Jaffe ’08 has been named DEAN OF LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT VOICES, a new position in which she will coordinate the many aspects of student diversity work for Westridge’s lower and middle schools. In March, an outside expert Tamara Shahar Jaffe ’08 will advance CULTURAL PROFICIENCY TRAINING of faculty to inform their work in LEADING A CURRICULUM REVIEW. To ensure that a beloved tradition is accessible to all, JUNIOR RINGS WILL NOW BE PAID FOR BY THE SCHOOL. This follows several years of discussions about equity issues surrounding the rings, which are an important tradition and rite of passage at Westridge yet were not accessible to all students due to the personal expenditure required. ALUMNAE AFFINITY GROUP activities are underway. Groups for Black, Latinx, and Asian American alumnae have met and are currently in different stages of formalization. Westridge has held listening sessions with different BIPOC alumnae groups and looks forward to keeping the conversation moving forward. To learn more, contact Director of Alumnae Affairs Lisa Vandergriff at lvandergriff@westridge.org.
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Virtual Alumnae 2021 March 12-13, 2021
Madeline Society Member Coffee with Elizabeth J. McGregor Thursday, March 11 at 10 am
Last year’s reunion took place just days before Westridge closed for what we then thought would be a few weeks. One year later, we have a renewed understanding of the importance of our community connections, and students and alumnae have taught us a great deal about translating school traditions online. While we look forward to celebrating in-person reunions for classes ending in ‘1’ and ‘6’ later in the year when we are allowed to do so, we are excited to gather with alumnae from around the world this March for a series of online Alumnae Weekend events.
Friday, March 12 • 5 pm - Cocktail Reception Honoring Juanita Jimenez’s 50th Year with Westridge
Saturday, March 13 • 11 am - Brunch & Tea with Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor
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• Program honoring 2021 Mary Lowther Ranney Award Recipient Jossalyn Turner Emslie ’83 and 2021 Distinguished Young Alumna Jade McKnight ’09.
Further details and links will be sent via email. Please email alumnae@westridge.org to indicate your interest in participating and to ensure that we have your current email address for the event. For more information contact Lisa Vandergriff, director of alumnae affairs, at alumnae@westridge.org or 626-799-1053, ext. 244.
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MARY LOWTHER RANNEY DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD The Ranney Award is given annually to an alumna whose life embodies the spirit of the Westridge motto, Surgere Tentamus, and who, by her commitment to her chosen path, her dedication to lifelong growth and learning, and her habits of heart, mind, and action is an example and an inspiration to the Westridge community.
JOSSALYN TURNER EMSLIE ’83
is a primary care physician working primarily with underserved and needy populations, intent on providing her patients with the best quality care they wouldn’t otherwise have the means to obtain. She volunteers and mentors youth via the League for Crippled Children at Orthopaedic Hospital, a health organization for children from poor, uninsured, or undocumented backgrounds. Following Westridge, Jossalyn earned a B.A. in English literature at UCLA; M.S. in biology with emphasis in California Ecology at CSULA; and M.D. in medicine at USC. Jossalyn is interested in a myriad of subjects including
reading, writing, and language, as well as co-running the Westridge Alumnae Reader’s Book Club. She maintains numerous outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, backpacking, orienteering, ecosystems, and preserving nature. She is also a passionate, hands-on advocate for women in the sciences. With two daughters who attended Westridge, Caitlin ’12 and Maddie ’16, Jossalyn became a valued mentor and influential leader with Girl Scouts for 16 years, and by helping develop a high-performance rocketry program at Westridge. She remains passionate about women’s issues and empowering girls, and has offered a medical internship shadowing program to Westridge seniors. “There is a long history of male mentorship,” said Jossalyn. “But this isn’t the norm for women...I think it’s important for women to mentor girls and for girls to have a place to experience this with only girls.”
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNA AWARD The Westridge Distinguished Young Alumna Award was established in 2020 and is awarded annually to a young alumna who exhibits excellence, leadership, and agency during her educational and career path, and who continues to serve as a role model and inspiration for Westridge students.
JADE MCKNIGHT ’09
was called to a career in public health after witnessing significant community need in her first job after college. Jade received her B.A. in anthropology from Amherst College and moved to Philadelphia to begin her career in non-profit programs. In providing health services, Jade witnessed firsthand the gaps in services that existed in the community. After working as a paralegal at a public interest firm, Jade made a huge shift and took a job at a non-profit public health organization and began graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. Jade was awarded her master’s in Public Health in 2019 before moving home to Pasadena where she now works as a
school health program coordinator, managing programs that school districts may not have resources to provide, including substance use prevention programming, suicide prevention screening, and mental health support. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, Jade’s work quickly pivoted. As an employee at a government-funded agency, Jade underwent FEMA Disaster Service Training and worked with LA County first responders to staff one of the first COVID-19 testing sites in the South Bay region of Los Angeles. Nearly a year later, Jade continues these duties as a disaster service worker, working 30 hours each week at the test site in addition to managing school and community-based programs with local mental health providers and school districts.
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Alumnae NEWS AND EVENTS Westridge alumnae have embraced the virtual world of online events, resulting in renewed connections with alumnae who live out of state and abroad, who were previously unable to join us in Pasadena. We have loved seeing a myriad of Zoom screen shots of alumnae, near and far, in the classes of 1953, 1961, 1969, 1973, 1979, 1987, 2009 and more, who have met online, some monthly or even weekly!
Class of 1987 rep Jennifer Giles helped plan a Zoom gathering in October, with an excellent turnout including: Top row: Tara Sandroni Hirshberg, Jennifer Tongish Giles, Heather Fukumoto Perlman, Emily Prud'homme. Second row: Christina Johnson, Pavan Stephenson Kreuger, Mary Katherine Raymond Johansson, and former faculty member Lyssa Axeen. Third row: Ilana Glass Anderson, Wendy Burns Everett, Leslie Reeves Lindholm, and soon-to-beretired Ceramics teacher Juanita Jimenez. Bottom row: Julia Kent, former faculty member Betty Cole, Tanja Reutimann (via phone). Not Shown: Nancy DeForest, Laurie Edmundson.
Alumnae from 1960-2020 joined Chef Brandon Worrell, Westridge School’s director of dining services, for an interactive, step-by-step cooking class to create a festive sparkling punch cocktail and seasonal appetizer. The class allowed alumnae with all skill levels to participate from the comfort of their own kitchens to make delicious pesto baked brie bites, and to raise a glass of holiday cheer together. Alumnae expressed interest in additional cooking classes such as the art of plating, and cooking for one with lunch leftovers. Stay tuned for more offerings, and please send ideas for alumnae classes to alumnae@westridge.org. In December, an Alumnae Yoga class was taught by Westridge Middle & Upper School Yoga Teacher Courtney Seiberling. With participants from classes spanning six decades, Courtney led an all-level class aimed at bringing balance, connection, and joy through soft movement, breathwork, and guided meditation focused on gratitude and the heart chakra.
Front row (from left to right): Chloe Shipko, Violet Sarosi, Sha’Trece Slaughter, Emily Honn / Middle row: Madeline Crowley, Caroline Reich, Allie Burke, Grace Pai, Melia Ishihara, Jessica Yang, Hanna Hedberg, Anna Hoffman, Eliza Diop / Back row: Chloé Cheney-Rice, Sarah Beshir, Ashley Jen, Sharon Woo, Meredith Lampier
On March 7, 2020, the Class of 2010 gathered for its 10-year reunion. “We enjoyed each other’s in-person company, caught up on our lives since Westridge, and reminisced about our favorite Westridge memories,” said Class Rep and reunion host Jessica Yang, who also serves on the Alumnae Board. “We hope to gather again virtually soon and to reconnect with more of our classmates.”
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Middle and Upper School Yoga Teacher Courtney Seiberling
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1949
Prudence “Prudy” Baldwin Kaye
(Corvallis, OR) is living in Corvallis, Oregon close to family and friends. “Because of the pandemic I am not singing in my three choirs. A loss to my spirits, but ‘Surgere Tentamus’ as ever,” writes Prudy.
1955
Amanda Nyce McIntyre
(Carpinteria, CA): “A few of us had an overnight reunion organized and perfected by classmate Nancy Rhodes Burrows — old school ties are strong!”
1959
Cynthia “Cindy” Nash Hummel (Billings, MT): “I am
glad to report that in spite of the raging pandemic, my husband and I are relatively healthy. We spent two weeks in December in Whitefish, Montana with our sons and their families, but our travels this past year obviously fell by the wayside. Fortunately we were able to spend last Christmas with our family in Cabo San Lucas followed by an amazing month-long marathon to Argentina and Antarctica. In Argentina we visited Bariloche, famous for its majestic Alpine scenery. From Bariloche we returned to Buenos Aires, then flew to Ushuaia (on the south coast),
where we boarded our ship for the 12-day cruise south to the Antarctic Peninsula. We returned home at the end of February and since then have been hunkered down mostly in Billings. My brother was able to visit us for a day in November. It was the first time we had seen each other in two years. We have a cruise planned in October to India and Bangladesh. Hopefully we’ll be able to follow through with those plans. For fun at home I play tennis, work in the garden, and during the last seven months have completed several quilting projects, including four twinsized quilts to give to my two granddaughters (ages 9 and 2 1/2) when they leave home!! Happy New Year from Montana.” 1
1964
Penelope “Penny” Dumm Wilkes (La Jolla, CA):
“Michael and I stay safe in La Jolla with morning runs, bike rides, and lots of photography. It appears this isolation stimulates creativity and possibilities. I have published poetry and essays in a variety of publications. My daily blog, Penjaminswriteway.blogspot. com, has reached 4,000. I also post photography on feathersandfigments. blogspot.com. We mentor student athletes and architecture students at the
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1 University of Oregon. Now Zoom helps us stay in touch during this challenging time. Hope to travel to Eugene in the spring to see our students.” 2
1965
Sara “Sally” Mattoon (Tucson, AZ): “My husband Scott was hit by a car while bicycling in 2007. He was in a coma for two months and he became functionally quadriplegic. I have cared for him three, 8-hour shifts a day since then. This is the hardest thing I have ever done and, because of it, I feel like I can do ANYTHING! It has been doubly challenging, as we lost our income a month after I brought him home. The really miraculous part is that, even though I am only paid 40 hours/week to care for him we have been able to keep
the house, feed ourselves and pay for utilities. Support has come from the most unexpected places: a divine gift that has been awesome to witness. This is a good time to express to those who helped us when the accident first occurred (and beyond) who have not yet heard from me. If you didn’t provide me with an email address at the time, you are still on the list of people to whom I still need to communicate my deep gratitude. You will hear from me eventually! Scott and I are fortunate to have a strong, spiritual perspective, as well as a terrific sense of humor. We are organic vegetarians and live a very pure lifestyle and diet, using all natural healing techniques. We have very strong immune systems (haven’t had a cold or the flu
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CLASS Notes To see them and learn more about the project, please visit www.vaka.org or look up Vaka Taumako on Facebook.
1970
Jennifer “Jenny” Zoff Lamb (St. Helena, CA):
3 in over 30 years!) and hardly notice the ramifications of the COVID-19 fiasco as we have been trapped in the house since 2007! I’d love to hear from any of you and, if you happen to come to Tucson, please know I would love to see you. Love and Blessings to you all! P.S. I am still in contact with my high school boyfriend. We have maintained a loving relationship all these years!” 3
Heu’ionalani Wyeth
(Anahola, HI): The Pacific Traditions Society’s production of “We, the Voyagers” Parts 1 and 2, co-written by Heu’ionalani, received grand prizes in the Feature Film category from the 2020 International Maritime Film Festival in Bucksport, ME, and the Arkhaios Film Festival in Pittsburgh. In addition, the films have been shown at festivals in New Zealand, India, Cyprus, and Chile. The Society for American Archaeology also plans to include them in the program for its annual meeting in San Francisco in April 2021. Each film lasts about 55 minutes. Both are accessible online, as is a sixminute introductory trailer.
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“After retiring from the wine industry and leasing out my vineyards for 10 years, COVID put a big lock on all my plans to travel and see my children and grandchildren across the globe. But the Glass Fire put an end to all my future hopes when my home, vineyards, wine cellar and entire infrastructure burned in September. So my new job for the next four years is now working with three separate insurance companies, government agencies who offer grants and loans, and my vineyard manager and team to replant my vineyard and continue with life...”
1973
Paula “Paula-Jeanne” Pomerantz Feinberg
(Camarillo, CA): “What a year 2020 has been! I did not enjoy distance learning/teaching last spring so I retired after teaching middle school for 27 years. Mentally I was not ready to give up helping students, so I have launched my own tutoring business. Thankfully, it has turned out to be the perfect segue into part-time retirement. I am enjoying the one-to-one interaction with my ‘tutorees’ and they seem to appreciate the help I am giving them to make distance learning more productive. Donning masks, we meet safely outside of their homes on a patio or in their garage. The days of grading student work late into the night, lesson planning, or calling parent
conferences are a distant memory. Hopefully, in the spring or next summer I will be able to travel again to some exotic lands. Stay healthy and safe, everyone. Also, a sincere congratulations to Juanita, our beloved, ever-so-patient ceramics master teacher on her well-deserved retirement!”
Lisa Fiedler Fryman
(Lexington, KY) is still living in Lexington, Kentucky and enjoying her job as executive director of the non-profit International Book Project, which partners with organizations in 167 countries to provide books to those who have no access to them. “The silver lining to this pandemic has been the weekly Sunday evening Zoom calls with classmates Nina Warner (whose notes after each call should be compiled into a record of how we all coped and held each other up), Terry Gamble Boyer, Sarah Weller King, Sarah Wheeler Cobb, Katie Clark, Diane Egelston, Tina Oldknow,
Cathleen Chandler Eckhardt, Lindsay Morse Bennett, Cole Rowan, Poodie Newton, Rosemary Howley, Alison Buell, and Judith Schonbach,” writes
Lisa. “Somehow, I think the next reunion will be a BIG one since we could all use that big, REAL hug!”
Reavis Hilz-Ward (Germany): “I am delighted to announce that we have won a prize for “Unique Technology in Talent Management” from the Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology for our STRATURITY Human Capital Self-Assessment (c) (www.straturity.com).”
1981
Deborah “Debbi” Yost Hoffman (South Pasadena,
CA): “Happy to announce the birth of our second grandchild! George Henry English, born May 18, 2020. He joins his sister Emily, born January 2019. Fun fact: The babies, grandmothers were both Greeks! Looking forward to our 40th reunion in 2021!”
1983
Kerrie “Kacey” Riley
(Littleton, CO): “Greetings from Colorado. I moved to Littleton last June during a pandemic... never the time to move, however I am here and love Colorado. I still help people navigate the Medicare maze here in Colorado and California now that we are using the internet. This spring I will be flying back and forth so if anyone needs help with their Medicare just call Kacey. Hope all are well during these crazy times!”
1988
Thembisa Mshaka
(Brooklyn, NY): “Despite the extreme challenges of 2020, I’m thankful for a great year in my creative career. As a campaign writer I’m proud to have helped BET garner a historic 10 nominations and six wins at Promax BDA Awards 2020, equivalent to the Oscars of marketing and brand creative work for media. As a voice actor, I received my sixth nomination for a Voice Arts Award for an NBC Sports interstitial I voiced for the Women of Team USA as we look ahead to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This project was a dream come true as an alum of women’s education and I was honored
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to be presenting at the virtual ceremony on December 20. On December 13, I served as the opening keynote for the third annual Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival, powered by SeedAndSpark.com (#bmgflyfest).” 4
1993
Keegan Leopold Nordan
(San Diego, CA): “I am currently living in North County San Diego with my three daughters Keira (15), Kylie (14), and Edie (11). I recently decided to make a giant career shift and gave up being an elementary school teacher in order to start a new business in outplacement and career consulting. Please check us out at: https:// leoandloy.com”
1995
Ashli “A.J.” Baker
(Lewisburg, PA): “I am an associate professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Bucknell University, where I teach Latin and Ancient Greek, Classical literature, Roman history, and more. I just got tenure in February (woot!). Life in rural PA would be sleepy if not for
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my husband and two little ones, Penelope (3.5 years old) and Leonie (14 months). I do sometimes miss the sun of Southern California — especially because I wish my girls could go to Westridge when they get older! — but have adapted to the ‘wintry mix’ of the Mid-Atlantic. Wishing everyone good health and an efficacious vaccine in 2021.”
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1997
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Lara Glück (Mainz, Germany): “Thanks to the Environmental Club and inspiring teachers, Westridge has left a strong impact on my life. Besides working on design projects with a focus on sustainability and environmental protection issues, I have founded an organic neighborhood café and a community garden in the Artists’ Quarter ‘Alte Patrone’ here in Mainz, Germany.”
2004
Megan Plunkett (Los
Angeles, CA) In July 2020, in recognition of changes to the USPS operations, Megan teamed with Adam Marnie of F Magazine to plan an Open Call “Mail Art” Auction to Benefit the USPS. By late August, art auction mail was flooding in, with 200+ artworks from more than 140 artists across the United States, as well as several from Canada and France. According to Megan, “the artwork overflowed with experimentation and diversity, emblematic of the democratic nature of the USPS itself.”
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2005
Selena Mone (Sierra Madre,
CA): “Greetings, fellow Tigers! I would like to share that in addition to my day job in education, I am now a certified personal trainer and I am currently finishing my final project to become an Opex-certified fitness coach. I am back in Pasadena and am lucky enough to have access to a large, privatelyowned, and well-outfitted gym in the area. *Please feel free to get in touch with me atseenabo@gmail.com or @r3dzeppelin (on Instagram) - I’d be thrilled to [re-]connect and/or join you on your fitness journey! (*Currently providing virtual training and at-home programming. Once gyms are fully re-opened and it has been deemed safe, I will
return to offering in-person training sessions.)” 5 Jennifer Gong Cheung (San Jose, CA) lives in San Jose, CA with her husband and daughter. She has been working as a physical therapist and enjoys spending time with her family. 6
2006
Mara Leong-Maguinez
(Pasadena, CA) In 2020, Mara joined Ronald McDonald House Pasadena as executive director. Relying on the support of the generous Pasadena community, the Ronald McDonald House provides a “home-awayfrom-home” for families with critically ill children who are receiving life-changing medical treatment at local
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CLASS Notes hospitals. As executive director, Mara works to advance the mission of providing comfort, care, and support to families when they need it most.
2008
Amy Chung-Yu Chou
(Pasadena, CA) is currently program manager for research and innovations at Google Health. She married Dr. Ueli Rutishauser in March 2019, with Westridge classmates Alex Dworsky and Dr. Theresa Wong in attendance at the ceremony. 7
Emily Hudson (South
Pasadena, CA) moved back to Los Angeles in November 2019 after 6.5 years in New York City and is currently enjoying not needing to wear a puffy winter coat. In September 2020, she started a new job with InStride, an Education Technology company, and looks forward to potentially returning to an office and meeting her new coworkers for the first time in 2021.
Katia Ratkovich (San
Francisco, CA): “I’m Splunk’s global head of early talent, responsible for developing and implementing strategies to attract and retain top university graduates to create a diverse, global workforce. I am also a member of Splunk’s Women in Technology group and sit on the D&I counsel. I am also working with Michael Grimes, the head of Global Technology Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and a Poly/ UC Berkeley alum, to support the Berkeley M.E.T. Program (https://met. berkeley.edu).” Katia recently connected with Westridge to share more about the
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incredibly competitive, elite program that produces some of the best and brightest tech leaders. “I genuinely believe it would be a great opportunity for any Westridge women interested in pursuing a career in tech,” said Katia. To learn more visit: https:// www.businessinsider.com/ucberkeley-met-for-future-techleaders-2017-4.”
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2009
Katrina Post (Santa Monica, CA), a graduate of Brown and client relationship manager at Causeway Capital Management, made Westridge proud as a contestant on Jeopardy on September 30, when her knowledge of history and geography allowed her to take the lead in a several categories. She placed second overall for the evening. 8
2011
Sheila Sitaram (Brooklyn, NY): “I recently left PwC to join an absolute rocket ship of a tech startup called Hashicorp to be the chief of staff to the CMO; this is a far cry from fashion, but I think I finally found a role that combines my so-called left and right brained interests — if anyone who reads this knows any Westridge alums who work in tech and/or are based in NYC, I would love to connect! I have been scouting LinkedIn for interesting connections and would love to broaden my circle amongst the incredible group of Westridge women who are out in the world.”
2013
Simona Brooks (Chicago, IL)
graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and is now working as an associate in the tax group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago.
Celine Tien (Pasadena, CA)
In October, Celine, a Yale grad and founder of the digital health startup Flowly, was accepted to Stanford StartX. Her company, Flowly (www.flowly.world), helps you manage pain and anxiety with biofeedback and VR. This year, Flowly became one of the youngest companies to be awarded a $1.2 MM grant by the National Institutes of Health. Flowly is both NIH and venture backed, and now launched on the Apple App Store.
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2019
Ava Rose Chapman (Dublin, Ireland) was recently awarded the Robert Henry Wallace prize for receiving top marks in English at the annual Junior Freshman honor examination. The exhibition was founded in 1946 by a gift from Mrs. A. Wallace Henry, and Ava was surprised and pleased to learn she had won the prize. Ava is working hard and really enjoying her experience at Trinity College in Dublin. “The international experience has some real benefits!” said Ava. To learn more from Ava about Trinity College, please reach out to her via Westridge Connect.
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THE SCHOOL HAS LEARNED OF THE DEATHS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
JOSEPHINE (JO) CARTER DUFF ’39
Prior to her death on September 24, Jo had been living at Casa Dorinda in Montecito since 1998, calling it “a great place if you have to grow old.” Jo grew up in Pasadena and was president of the Athletic Association during her senior year at Westridge, where she was involved in drama, music, hockey, basketball, and tennis. Her sister Virginia Carter McLain ’36 (d) also attended Westridge. At age 24, Jo sailed to Okinawa, Japan with the Red Cross and met her husband, Elgin Gould Ingram, after returning to Pasadena. They had two sons and lived in the Bay Area where Jo continued volunteering with the Red Cross and stayed active with the Belvedere Tennis Club and the San Francisco Opera and Symphony. Following Elgin’s death, Jo spent time with Paul and Julia Child in the South of France. She then married Roy Duff and enjoyed 22 years of marriage before his death in 1998. Jo continued her travels while supporting and attending performaces at the Santa Barbara Opera and Symphony and the Music Academy. She is survived by her two sons, Whit and Carter.
AUDREY STEELE BURNAND ’40
Audrey, one of Westridge’s beloved benefactors, passed away on June 27. She was the 1998 recipient of the Mary Lowther Ranney Award (along with Polly Hunter Turpin ’45) and was recognized for her work as a philanthropist who supported the arts, the environment, and education through the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation. When Audrey was asked to support The Campaign for Westridge in 1993 she stepped forward and gave the first $1 million outright gift ever received from an alumna. A member of the Madeline Society since 2007, she was a loyal and generous donor throughout her lifetime through her bequests to numerous philanthropic organizations. As a student at Westridge from ninth through 12th grade, Audrey was involved in drama and served as senior class president. Following Westridge, Audrey attended Scripps College. She is survived by three children, nine grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren.
JOAN NEWMAN COON ’45
Joan’s daughter, Ansley, wrote to Westridge about her mother’s passing in May at the age of 92. “She spoke
highly of her time at Westridge School and it’s clear that her education there was an element in her formation as a life-long learner. She remained always an avid reader and she shared that love of reading as a volunteer working with those for whom English was a second language,” said Ansley. During her senior year at Westridge, Joan was secretary of the Glee Club.
BRIER ANDERTON ROBERTS ’45
Brier died peacfully on March 9 in Middlebury, VT surrounded by her family. She was raised in Pasadena and was a member of Westridge’s riding club. Following Westridge, she attended Bennet Junior College in New York, then UCLA where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Following her marriage to Eugene C. Roberts III (d), she moved to Massachusetts where they raised their family. She worked at Mass General Hospital as a research assistant and volunteered for the American Red Cross. An avid skier, she was recognized by the National Ski Patrol for her leadership as a ski patrol and an instructor. She founded a youth ski program, was involved with the Special Olympics games as a coach, and was supporter of ski and equestrian events. She is survived by her three daughters.
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CYNTHIA CRONKHITE JONES ’50
Cynthia passed away October on 12 at age 87 at her home in Pasadena. Cynthia attended Westridge in grades 11 and 12 and was involved with the equestrian team, Spyglass, Glee Club, and cheerleading. She was known for her photography skills and amateur modeling, including being selected to wear I. Magnin clothes for the Inlook tea fashion show. She earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Briarcliff College. She married Richard W. Jones and they had three children, Cynthia (Dudley) Jones Thatcher ’78, Dede, and Michael. Cynthia was passionate about social justice and peace, working to help start the the Foothill Free Clinic as well as working for farmworker rights in the Central Valley, protesting the Vietnam War, and supporting the work of the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance in Malawi, Africa. Cynthia’s husband and sisters predeceased her and she is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, including Cynthia Smith ’04, Sarah Smith ’05, and Stephanie Thatcher ’13, and many nieces and nephews.
ANNE COOLEY AMEND ’55
Anne passed away peacefully at home on June 23, seven weeks after her husband of 58 years, Howard Amend. “She often reflected fondly of her time at Westridge with her twin sister, Marian Cooley Green ’55, and her cousin, Caroline Cooley Crawford ’55,” said Anne’s daughter, Merrill Amend Marker. At Westridge, Anne was known for her interests in singing and Girl Scouts and she had the honor of spending a summer in Europe working with the Girl Scouts.
MARGUERITE WHEELER WELCH ’58
Westridge recently learned that Marguerite passed away in June of 2020. Marguerite attended Westridge through 8th grade, serving as vice president of her class that year. Her sister, Dixie Wheeler ’61, also attended Westridge.
HEATHER GOSS ’59
Heather Goss passed away in Irvine, CA on January 3, 2021. Raised in Pasadena, Heather attended Westridge for
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sophomore and senior year, serving as class secretary, Inlook model, Glee Club member, volleyball team captain, and equestrian team member. Following Westridge, Heather pursued art history classes and took great interest in classical music, fine wine, and gourmet food. After attending the Schaeffer School of Design in San Francisco, she started a successful catering business, Heather’s Affairs, noted for beachside parties, lavish weddings, and dinners. She later opened The Gourmet Goose in Costa Mesa and The Heather, in Corona del Mar. Heather served as president of the Orange County Philharmonic, on the Corona Del Mar Baroque Music Festival’s board, was a choir member and council member of the Newport Harbor Lutheran Church. In 1990 she joined the Vox Feminae singing group, performing in Europe, and in Southern California classrooms. Finding joy in the outdoors, Heather enjoyed ride bareback in the desert, hiking with her German pointer Max, camping, tennis, skiing, and bike riding up and down the California coast. With a deep reserve of courage and faith, she pushed herself even after Parkinson’s began to take its toll. Heather is survived by her sisters Shana, Devon and Briar, and many nieces and nephews. The family has asked that gifts in Heather’s memory be made to benefit the Music Department at Westridge.
KATHLEEN HICKS ANDREWS ’63
Westridge learned of Kathy’s passing on December 8 from Freddie Baumstark Jackson ’63, who wrote to her classmates: “Kathy died after a long battle with cancer at her home in Utah with her son and daughter present. I spoke with her before Thanksgiving — she knew her time was near. We had a wonderful hour-long conversation.” In her senior year at Westridge, Kathy served on the Music Assembly Committee, was head of make-up, and known for her love of the Beach Boys and for her casual certitude. Kathy was devoted to her local Catholic church community, serving as the grief support group’s facilitator and head of bereavement. She was also passionate
about immigration issues. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren in Utah and California.
TERESA OMORI HOLDEN ’63
Teresa, known as Terri, died on December 8 after a 16-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Her husband, Jim, said that Terri did not want any sort of service in light of the pandemic, but eventually wants her ashes to be scattered near the Hawaii Ironman swim turn-around off the coast of Kailua-Kona. Terri first participated in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in 2000 after winning a lottery selection. In 2002, she proudly qualified on her own. Jim shared a special message with the Class of 1963, saying Terri cherished each as members of her collection of favorite “peeps” and to please raise a glass to her. Terri attended Westridge from 7th through 9th grades, and as an alumna she maintained a close connection with classmates while she lived many places including Paris, Japan, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Italy, Florida, and eventually Ventura, Jim’s hometown.
SAMARA DYER ’03
Samara sadly lost her long-term battle with cancer on December 3. She was remembered lovingly on Facebook as Samara Kimiko by many friends and Westridge classmates. She attended Westridge through 9th grade, and later studied media production at the University of Southern California and worked as a rape crisis and domestic violence advocate at the New York State Department of Health. Her family held a private graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery on December 15. Warm recollections of Samara were shared amongst alumnae and faculty members who knew about the pain of her untimely passing.
Discover
THE BENEFITS OF GIVING WISELY Did you know there are creative ways to support Westridge School? Ways in which Westridge, you, and your loved ones all benefit? If you are uncertain about making a contribution to Westridge during this challenging time, we can help!
Such giving techniques are called “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, your gift can benefit both you and Westridge. YOU CAN: Make a gift that costs nothing during your lifetime by naming Westridge in your will or trust. Give stock and realize larger tax savings. Planned gifts are recognized in the Madeline Society. We encourage you to become a member of the Madeline Society, which honors the generosity of all those who provide for Westridge School in their estate plans or other deferred giving arrangement.
If you would like information about making a gift that will benefit the school in the future, please contact Lisa Vandergriff, director of alumnae affairs, at 626.799.1053, ext. 244, or Lvandergriff@westridge.org
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No. 1986
Do you have photos of Van Halen at Westridge? The untimely passing of Eddie Van Halen on October 6 prompted an outpouring of remembrances in the Pasadena community of the band Mammoth — the precursor to Van Halen — playing at local high schools, including Westridge at the 1977 junior prom! Fliers went out to all local high school students and the strong turnout caused a traffic jam on Madeline cul-de-sac for the packed show in Braun Auditorium. If you have photos of this performance, or of the flyer, we would love to see them! You can email them to us alumnae@westridge.org.
