Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
Sam the Banana Man staged one of the most outstandingly successful disasters in history. Let’s peel back his story.
In 1893, newly-arrived Russian immigrant Shmuel Zmurri stowed away on a freight...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
If you can’t find a human companion for Valentine’s Day, you’re allergic to cat fur, and the thought of walking a dog sounds less than appealing—fear not. There’s a solution guaranteed to please...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
My favorite way to celebrate the holiday season and relieve post-semester stress is by smashing a pig with a hammer.
But the pig...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
Anyone who has ever braved Westridge’s student parking lot should appreciate automotive safety features.
…It’s a rough world out there.
Women are far too often the butt of bad driver jokes,...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
Remember like a month ago, when the military shot down a bunch of UFOs? Yeah, that was pretty weird.
It started with...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
One fateful day, a pig got hungry.
In search of lunch, the snacky swine fled its home and ran to a nearby farm, where...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
Any self-respecting American should still be reeling from a post-Halloween candy coma. Much of Halloween's joy—and pain—can be credited to Milton Hershey, who's known far and wide for sweetening American...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
How often do you pass a cow on your daily commute or when you’re out for a hike near the Hollywood sign? Never? Me too!
Have you ever wondered why? Never? Me neither! That’s probably because we...
“Lives of impact begin at Westridge,” read the pastel signs above Madeline Court as I impactfully shove a burrito into my mouth while rushing across campus each morning. Indeed. Florence Florentine...
Ilena M., Editor, Former Editor in Chief, Columnist
I’m pretty sure they weren’t called the “Dark Ages” because of their poor clothing trends, but the Medieval world sure had its fair share of questionable fashion choices. From pointy hats to super...
![Dr. Zanita Kelly, Director of Lower and Middle School, pictured above, and the rest of Westridge Administration were instrumental to providing Westridge faculty and staff the support they needed after the Eaton fire. "[Teachers] are part of the community," said Dr. Kelly. "Just like our families and students."](https://westridgespyglass.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dr.-kellyyy-1-e1748143600809.png)
