As the theme song from the 1993 blockbuster film Jurassic Park blasts from loudspeakers, it mingles with the laughter and pattering of feet that sounds from every corner of campus. The sun beams down on Lower Schoolers and seniors alike as they rush to see the decorations added to the campus overnight by the Associated Student Body.

All School Day lasts only three hours, ASB and Administrative Assistant to the Upper School Ms. Kali Spicer started preparation in late November. Ms. Spicer has had previous experience working on ASD, and this year makes her fourth time helping oversee the planning and budgeting of the event. Ms. Spicer also emphasized ASB’s dedication when it came to the brainstorming and preparation. “We work really, really hard to make [All School Day] happen. I don’t think people, really, fully understand how much work it is,” she said. 

For many, ASD, a day filled with fun, is one of the most looked forward to events at

Westridge. All School Day immerses students into a fair-like event with games and food, which is all organized by the ASB. The night before this event, ASB stayed on campus after school to adorn Westridge with Jurassic Park-esque decorations. 9th Grade Class President Katherine D. shared the process of preparing for the day. ASB spent time “looking at the logistics of it, how many people would be in each area, staff, stuff like that,” she said. 

Though the tradition of ASD is a familiar occurrence for Westridge lifers, newcomers this year were erupting with joy and excitement. For fourth grader Leoni S., the sweet treats were a highlight. She said, “I like how you get donuts.” 

Upper schoolers, both new and old to Westridge, embraced the day of freedom. Freshman Amy Y. loved her first ASD because it allowed her to connect with friends while also relaxing from her classes. She also loved the theme because “it makes me think of my childhood,” she said.

“It’s nice to have a break, to have a half day and not have to do academic classes,” Hermione W. ‘27 said. 

This year, ASB worked with the Upper School Service Representatives, offering service opportunities to support impacted families from the Eaton Fire. Four rooms across campus provided spaces to assemble care packages, lunches, seed packages, and even build homes for rabbits. In total, students made 100 lunches, 75 care packages and five rabbit homes. In addition, students were able to assemble native seed packages to help replant the vegetation in Altadena. “[Service] adds this really cool dimension on to ‘let’s have fun and be together’. But also, let’s do something meaningful and helpful for our community too,” Ms. Spicer said.

Although ASD’s magic is in part due to the nearly 30 foot tall inflatable zipline and buckets of colorful rock candy, at its core, it is a day where Westridge students, regardless of age, can have their childhood wonder returned for a few hours. “I always wanted to go to a real Jurassic World, and this made my dream come true.” Amy Y. ‘28 said.  

ASD reveals a fun-loving side of a typically academic Westridge community. It is a day where Westridge faculty, students, and staff join together for a rare break from stress and obligation. ASD reminds us that being a Westridge student is more than just grades and papers, it is also being a member of a loving community. Ms. Spicer reflected on the importance of ASD. She said, “Being a well rounded human means doing a lot of things, including having fun and being together as an a community.”