At Westridge, students from different grades cross paths constantly—in hallways, classrooms, and rehearsals. But the friendships that grow out of those encounters often begin in specific spaces. For senior Josephine W. and freshmen Alma S., Maddie K., and Ella K., that connection began in the water polo pool. For junior Nadine M. and freshman Amelia W., it started backstage during a Middle School theatre production. These friendships formed in very different spaces. But, both began the same way: through time spent in the same place, over and over again.

In the Pool

For senior Josephine W. and freshmen Alma S., Maddie K., and Ella K., their friendship began through a club water polo practice before the school season even started.

When Alma arrived at Westridge as a new student, seeing a familiar face in Josephine made the transition easier. “I felt responsible for them,” Josephine said. “I’m their captain. I’m a senior.”

For Alma, that connection quickly became a source of guidance. Starting at a new school came with questions—about classes, schedules, and what high school would actually be like. Maddie and Ella, rising ninth graders at the time, found themselves asking similar questions as they began thinking about high school. Having already gone through ninth and tenth grade, Josephine became someone all three naturally turned to for advice. “She was kind of like a guide for us,” Alma said. “If we had questions, we could go to her.”

At first, those conversations centered around school and water polo. But over time, the dynamic became less about answering questions and shifted into simply spending time together.

“It started as a friendship through water polo,” Alma explained. “But it expanded to more of an actual friendship.”

Josephine described the shift as gradual. The sense of responsibility never completely disappeared—she still checks in and offers advice—but the conversations now stretch beyond practices and games.

What began through a shared sport became something steadier: a friendship that carried from club water polo into the school team and beyond the pool.

Behind the Scenes

For junior Nadine M. and freshman Amelia W., the beginning looked a little different. They met during the 2024 Middle School Play when Nadine, then a freshman, was helping with costumes alongside Amelia, who was in seventh grade.

When asked how they became friends, neither described a single defining moment. “I was kind of scared of you [at first],” Amelia explained.

Instead, the friendship formed over time—through sewing clothes, costume fittings, and the long stretches of time that theatre productions require. Being in the same space day after day made conversation inevitable.

At first, the relationship felt shaped by the difference in experience. Nadine had already gone through her first year of high school, and Amelia often found herself asking questions. “I really look up to Nadine,” Amelia said. “It’s nice to know someone who’s kind of been through it already.”

Nadine recognizes that dynamic, too, though she doesn’t see it as the center of their friendship. “I feel like I have a person to support,” she said. “But being friends is more than that. It’s kind of equal.”

Over time, the relationship moved beyond rehearsals and productions. What began as a connection through theatre grew into something that existed beyond it as well. Both agreed that without theatre, their paths probably wouldn’t have crossed. The production simply gave them a reason to spend time together in the first place.

Although Josephine’s friendship with Alma, Maddie, and Ella began in the pool, and Amelia and Nadine met backstage, the two stories share something in common. Both started with proximity. Practices, group environments, and time spent in the Costume Shop bring students from different grades together in ways that everyday school routines often do not. In those spaces, older students often become informal guides, answering questions, offering advice, and helping younger students navigate new experiences. Over time, those repeated interactions can turn into something closer.

Connections by Design

Westridge programs like Tigers, Cubs, and Stripes are designed to create that same kind of connection across grades and divisions. Upper School students can choose to participate and are paired with Middle and Lower School students, who are automatically included. These groups meet periodically throughout the year, typically around five times.

For Skylar R. ’28, those meetings have been a way to get to know students she wouldn’t otherwise interact with. “I think it’s been really nice to get to know them,” she said. Even though she doesn’t see her Cub and Stripes often, she still recognizes them around campus. “If I see them, I’ll say hi, and we’ll start talking!”

Amelia H. ’28 described a similar experience. “The program has introduced me to Middle and Lower Schoolers I wouldn’t usually see,” she said. “It’s one of the only times we’re all together, which makes the school feel more connected.”

Because the meetings are less frequent, those relationships can feel different from ones built through daily practices or rehearsals. Still, they create small but intentional moments of connection, giving students a reason to interact across grades when they otherwise might not. Even brief conversations or familiar faces in the hallway can carry those Tigers, Cubs, Stripes connections beyond the meeting itself. 

For Josephine and Alma, Maddie, and Ella, that connection grew from their proximity in the pool. For Amelia and Nadine, it formed gradually through shared time in theatre. In both cases, though, the friendships began simply because they were in the same place often enough for conversation to grow into something more.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes.