Story Awards Archives

Westridge Library’s One Space Serves All: Convenience, Cramming, and Community

Mirella C. • October 3, 2024

It’s a crisp Monday morning, and Westridge is slowly waking up as a steady stream of students walk onto campus. Some head to their lockers or the Commons. Others head to the library. Despite the early...

“This is really about the two years she spent here and her time as a teacher.” Anna Bondoc’s Celebration of Life

Aceley P. • February 12, 2024

During the Upper School morning band on January 13, parents, students, teachers, and alumni crowded the library, straining to get a glimpse of the podium. The interior of the library had been rearranged...

Westridge Teachers Seek to Find the Right Balance Between Traditional and Flipped Learning

Sophene A. and Arden R. • February 12, 2024

The confused tourist in an unfamiliar culture, a stubborn train on a dilapidated track, a fierce soldier heading into no man’s land. Depending on the subject, learning can feel like any of the above....

“We Don’t Need to Tiptoe Around Sex-Ed:” As Students’ Needs Evolve, So Does the Program for Sex Education

Eliza W. and Daria H. • February 12, 2024

“Do you have a pad?” one classmate not-so-quietly announced just moments into B Block History. Before I could respond, three other students had already pulled out a colorful array of various pads (and...

Remembering Anna Bondoc 1969-2023

Verena W. • October 2, 2023

Three years ago, I was assigned to write Anna Bondoc’s new faculty profile. She had joined the faculty as an English teacher in 2020. I was a new staffer to Spyglass and the thought of interviewing a...

Who Needs Cars When You Have the Metro? The Appeal of L.A. Public Transits Outweighs the Cons for Local Riders

Lilah R. and Ilena M. • May 30, 2023

When I first hopped on the Metro, I had no idea about the world that I was missing out on. Originally, I sat behind my two friends on the Metro Gold Line trying my best not to stare at the sleeping person...

Westridge Goes Test-Blind. What Does This Mean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Reed D. and Hailey T. • December 13, 2021

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Westridge announced that they would no longer require the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) for admission to the school. Instead, the ISEE was made an optional...

While Westridge’s Chamber Orchestra Reconvenes, Wind Players Still Face Challenges to Play

Hannah W. • October 3, 2021

Westridge’s Chamber Orchestra has finally reunited after practicing online for over a year due to COVID. Although most of the orchestra are able to reassemble normally, the wind instruments still face...

An Unrecognized Genocide is a Repeated Genocide

Sophene A. • May 17, 2021

Two years ago, I, along with countless other Armenians, stood in front of Congressman Adam Schiff. As he walked onto the stage, the crowd immediately became silent, but we continued to keep our flags raised,...

Westridge’s DEI Efforts Part 2: How Involved are Students in the DEI Process?

Katie S. • May 15, 2021

A large part of the DEI effort involves student input — receiving student feedback, checking in with students’ sense of belonging, and having ongoing conversations with students about changes they...

Westridge’s DEI Efforts Part 1: Increasing Student Body Representation

Katie S. • May 9, 2021

DEI initiatives and efforts to increase student diversity are not new to Westridge’s admission process. “There are some strategies we have expanded upon and some newer initiatives that are underway to spread the word about Westridge to families that may not hear about us through traditional marketing and outreach efforts,” explained Margaret Shoemaker, Director of Admission.

The Ups and Downs of Zoom Culture

Ilena M. • April 11, 2021

With its pros, cons, and 150 millisecond time lag, the adaptation to Zoom life is shaping an entirely new culture of human interaction.