Juanita Jimenez

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.

Juanita graduates with a B.F.A. from the Chouinard Art School (now the California Institute of the Arts)

1971

324 students enrolled at Westridge

1971

Juanita joins Westridge teaching ceramics in a garage with a single wheel

1973

Katherine Trower appointed head of school

1978

Ceramics program moves to the Laurie ’68 and Susan ’71 Frank Art Studio

1985

Richard N. Frank Field built

1986

Juanita takes sabbatical year to work on large-scale Hittite forms at the Bemis Alternative Worksite in Omaha, Nebraska

1973

1977

Nancy Owen appointed head of school

1980

1986

Elsa “Midge” Bowman appointed head of school

1990

Fran Norris Scoble appointed head of school

Juanita 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 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.

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.

- Julie Chen Woo ’93

2016

Honoring Juanita

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.

1996

Juanita marks 25th year at 1998 Westridge Marjorie May Braun ’36 Science Building is completed 2001

400 students enrolled at Westridge

1998

Construction begins on first classrooms north of Madeline Drive Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center and Herrick Quadrangle open

500 students enrolled at Westridge

2005 2009

Elizabeth McGregor appointed head of school

2015

Juanita conducts alumnae ceramics course attended by 24 alumnae

2020

Juanita shifts ceramics remote with students receiving wheels and clay for use at home

2000 2008

Rosemary Evans ’71 appointed interim head of school

2020

School moves to remote learning in pandemic

2021

Juanita will retire in June after teaching at Westridge for 50 years