String lights illuminated the dancefloor as upbeat music rang through the air. Students crowded together, grabbing pizza, drinking lemonade, and riding the mechanical surfboard with friends.

On Friday, September 19, Braun was transformed into a tropical getaway as Westridge freshmen and sophomores, joined by students from Polytechnic School, Waverly, and Flintridge Prep, gathered for the first-ever multi-school 9th and 10th grade dance. 

Students from different schools and grades came to the dance with a common goal: to hang out with their friends. “I remember being told there weren’t any dances in ninth grade or Upper School, and I thought it would be a really fun experience to go out with my friends,” said Westridge ninth grader Harper W. 

Polytechnic student Calla S. ‘29, who attended Westridge during Lower and Middle School, said, “I’ve just been hanging out with my [Westridge] friends because I don’t usually see them, since I go to a different school.” Similarly, Kaitlyn N. ‘29 went to the dance to hang out with her friends and socialize with students from other schools. 

Amelia W. ‘29 added, “It’s been pretty good, it’s really exciting. I think the mechanical surfboard is really fun.”

Katherine D. ‘28, the 10th Grade Class Cabinet President, who assisted in planning the event, said, “There’s such a divide between grade levels, and I hope this can really weave us together.” 

Conversations about an Upper School social besides Winter Formal and Prom had been in the works for a while. The desire for more co-ed social opportunities was reflected in a Spyglass article published last year.

According to the Dean of Student Activities and Auxiliary Programs Ms. Farrell Heydorff, a common complaint from Westridge prom-goers is that they don’t know anyone to invite to these dances. Ms. Heydorff shared that student and parent surveys have also indicated a desire for more social interaction with other schools. The few co-ed activities facilitated by Westridge are of a competitive nature, like debate. “There’s nothing where you can just socialize without the sense of competition at the forefront of it,” said Ms. Heydorff. She hopes to facilitate more socially-focused community dances like this one.

For administrators, this dance is just the first step to forming stronger bonds with nearby high schools like Polytechnic, Waverly, Sequoyah, EF Academy, and Flintridge Prep, who were all invited to the dance. Although 7th and 8th graders have many socials and dances with other nearby schools throughout the school year, the Upper School has two main socials– Winter Formal and Prom. The Middle School’s connection network with other schools is part of what Ms. Heydorff is hoping to replicate in the upper school. “My main goal is just that people have a safe, fun time, but hopefully that we can meet other people,” said Ms. Heydorff, calling the dances “good networking opportunities.” Dr. Edye Udell, an Upper School Science Teacher and one of the nine chaperones at the dance, said, “I am so happy that the school did this for the students.”

Another dance is already in the works for spring, and both students and administrators hope it will bring an even better experience. Katherine said, “I hope we could find the value of these small, rare occasions where we could connect with people from other schools and people from other grades.”