The student-run newspaper of Westridge School for Girls, Spyglass strives to build community and evoke empathy through the medium of journalism. Comprised of passionate student writers, editors, designers, managers, and leaders, Spyglass is dedicated to ethical reporting that amplifies our unique voices to inform, entertain, and forge connection in the Westridge community and beyond.

Spyglass
Voices and Votes: Navigating the Political Landscape at School
Voices and Votes: Navigating the Political Landscape at School
A screenshot of my personal morning commute.
“You Live Where?!” Westridge Students Who Commute the Long Haul
Administrative Assistant to the Upper School Ms. Kali Spicer, Dean of Student Support Ms. Bonnie Pais Martinez, Director of Upper School Dr. Melanie Arias, and Assistant Director of Upper School Ms. Kerri Epps in Dr. Arias’ office
New Upper School Office Builds Upon Existing Infrastructure, Creates “Infinite” Possibility for Future 
Activity in the library fluctuates depending on time of day, divisional schedules, and events.
Westridge Library’s One Space Serves All: Convenience, Cramming, and Community
Many students at Westridge recognize the benefits of rewriting, but do it ultimately for a better grade. "[When I revise] I get to make those changes and like, obviously, get a better grade, but also because I'm learning more things," said Avin M. '27.
Balancing Grades and Learning: Westridge Teachers and Students Weigh in on Revisions, Rewrites, and Retakes
Photo Credit: Abby H.
Minimal Discourse on the 2024 Presidential Election Takes Place on Campus
Westridge sits in PAC as Ms. Heydorff introduces the new program (Kristin C. ’26)
“A Sense of Belonging”: Westridge Announces New Tigers and Cubs Program
Discussions surrounding politics are essential for students' critical thinking and active role as a citizen.
Electioneering at Westridge: Faculty Strive to Balance Political Discourse with Student-Centered Education
“I was just craving newness”: Admission Associate Nicole Larios Embarks on Her New Adventure at Westridge
“I was just craving newness”: Admission Associate Nicole Larios Embarks on Her New Adventure at Westridge
The Rothenberg Hummanities Building has long boasted an unfortunate smell. Lauren C. '26 described the odor, "It’s like rotten eggs with Febreeze added on top.”
After a Summer of Construction, Rothenberg Humanities Building’s Odor Persists
“We lost as a team and won as a team.” Middle School Flag Football Team Puts up a Valiant Fight Playing for the Prep League Championship
“We lost as a team and won as a team.” Middle School Flag Football Team Puts up a Valiant Fight Playing for the Prep League Championship
Middle School Students React to New Art Schedule Change
Middle School Students React to New Art Schedule Change
Dances Give Middle School Students Opportunity for Community and Bonding
Students working on their homework during Ms. Chabot's study hall
Studying Study Hall: Striking a Balance Between Student Support and Needs
And Then, She Picks Up Her Confidence
I Don’t Care About the Uniform—So It’s Time To Go
I Don’t Care About the Uniform—So It’s Time To Go
Holly N. '25 is a guest contributor for Spyglass and will be voting for the first time this November.
OPINION: The Power of a Vote: Why My 18th Birthday Was All About Registration
I perform Beethoven's "Tempest" Sonata at the Beethoven Museum during my joint recital.
OPINION: What Beethoven’s “Tempest” Sonata Taught Me About Resilience
My tap shoes (Valentina V.)
OPINION: Flapping Passed The Fears: My Teenaged-Tap Journey
A collection of some of the outfits we wore during our experiment.
We Were Out of Uniform for 12 Days and Here’s What Happened
PC: Ariana E. Zetta G. ‘31 posing in front of the gym after a fun P.E class. 
Humans of Westridge: Spotlight on Zetta G. ‘31, “I love Westridge.”
Spyglass Live: What's In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: What’s In Your Notes App?
Athletic Trainer Mike in his office.
Humans of Westridge: Meet Mike, Westridge’s Athletic Trainer
Nati L. '25 and her Mad Dog teammates posing for a photo at their lacrosse tournament.
Humans of Westridge: Nati L. ’25 Found Love for Lacrosse at Westridge
Mrs. Rocio Ramos in her office at her desk.
Humans of Westridge: “My family is my everything.” Rocio Ramos, Back in the Westridge Family as Administrative Staff
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: It’s Time for Playoff Hockey
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: How An Immigrant, A Dream, And A Bunch of Bananas Changed The World
Sounds For State Street: Sunkissed
Sounds For State Street: Sunkissed
Sarah and Lilah Review: Challengers
Sarah and Lilah Review: Challengers
We Need to Start Caring About the Waste Production Problem at Westridge
We Need to Start Caring About the Waste Production Problem at Westridge
College Column: Oh, the Humanities!
College Column: Oh, the Humanities!
The writer taking the football to the head instead of catching it during a game. (P.C. Austin M.)
College Prep and Lifelong Learning: From One Girls School To Another
College Column: College Prep and Lifelong Learning: From One Girls School To Another
College Column: College Prep and Lifelong Learning: From One Girls School To Another
College Column: Can I stay true to myself in the admissions process?
College Column: Can I stay true to myself in the admissions process?
Confessions from the College Front Line: How Early is Too Early for College Pressure?
Confessions from the College Front Line: How Early is Too Early for College Pressure?
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: It’s Time for Playoff Hockey
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Women’s Basketball is Winning
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: National Girls and Women in Sports Day Reminds Us of Our Accomplishments and Shortcomings
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Reflecting on the Careers of Women’s Soccer Players
"Girls Just Want to Play Sports" is a column that highlights women athletes.
Introducing: Girls Just Wanna Play Sports, A Column
Song ’24
Sounds For State Street: Crimson
Sounds For State Street: Sunkissed
Sounds For State Street: Sunkissed
Sounds For State Street: Daisy
Sounds For State Street: Daisy
Sounds For State Street: Cupid
Sounds For State Street: Cupid
Sounds For State Street: Pudding Mix & Sugar Plum
Sounds For State Street: Pudding Mix & Sugar Plum
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: How An Immigrant, A Dream, And A Bunch of Bananas Changed The World
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: The Pet That Truly Rocks
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: The True Meaning of Christmas in Beheading a Candy Pig
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: The Women Who Drove Auto Innovation
The Backstory: A Brief History of Underwear Through the Ages
The Backstory: A Brief History of Underwear Through the Ages
Do all Westridge students think the same? | Election Edition | Spyglass Live
Do all Westridge students think the same? | Election Edition | Spyglass Live
Spyglass Live: 2024 Dance Concert Documentary
Spyglass Live: 2024 Dance Concert Documentary
Spyglass Live: What's In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: What’s In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: Spotlight on Mia N. '24
Spyglass Live: Spotlight on Mia N. ’24
Spyglass Live: New Year's Resolutions
Spyglass Live: New Year’s Resolutions
PC: Ariana E. Zetta G. ‘31 posing in front of the gym after a fun P.E class. 
Humans of Westridge: Spotlight on Zetta G. ‘31, “I love Westridge.”
Spyglass Live: What's In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: What’s In Your Notes App?
Athletic Trainer Mike in his office.
Humans of Westridge: Meet Mike, Westridge’s Athletic Trainer
Nati L. '25 and her Mad Dog teammates posing for a photo at their lacrosse tournament.
Humans of Westridge: Nati L. ’25 Found Love for Lacrosse at Westridge
Mrs. Rocio Ramos in her office at her desk.
Humans of Westridge: “My family is my everything.” Rocio Ramos, Back in the Westridge Family as Administrative Staff
View inside Jones Coffee's South Pasadena from the staircase
Community in a Cup at Jones Coffee Roasters
Going down the A Line, our next stop Del Mar.
Metro Stop Highlights: Del Mar Boulevard
A short series highlighting the Metro stops in Los Angeles, California, starting with Lake Avenue.
Metro Stop Highlights: Lake Avenue
An inside-view of Hodgson's Antiques on a sunny, spring day. Its location on Mission Street in South Pasadena, only a short walk away from Westridge, makes it a prime destination for an after-school outing.
Hodgson’s Antiques: A Time Capsule of Nostalgia in South Pasadena
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker. (PC: Jamie Martin/Associated Press)
Alabama Falls Into the Nation’s Spotlight Following the State’s Ruling to Stop IVF Services
Sarah L. ’25, who reached scoring 100 goals earlier this year, playing in a lacrosse game
Sarah L. ’25 Scores 100 Goals During Lacrosse’s First CIF-Advancing Season
Westridge's freshman star pitcher Jadyn M. who led the league in strikeouts.
Jadyn M. ’27 Makes Mark on Westridge Softball, Leads the Prep League in Strikeouts
For the first time ever, Westridge's lacrosse team advanced to CIF playoffs. While they lost in the first round, the Tigers put up an incredible fight.
A CIF Champion Among Several CIF Appearances: A Spring Sports Round-Up
In addition to being the 2023 Prep League pole vaulting champion, Teia L. '26 is now a CIF champion! Coach Horn spoke about Teia's greatness, saying, "I've lost count as to how many times Teia has broken the Westridge School record in the past 15 months but I can tell you she still holds the record at 11'4"
“Talk about a prodigy”: Teia L. ’26 is a CIF Pole Vaulting Champion, Clearing a Height of 11’1
Athletic Trainer Mike in his office.
Humans of Westridge: Meet Mike, Westridge’s Athletic Trainer
Two Westridge seniors, Lindsay B. and Kimberly C., take a photo during their last convocation as students.
Snapshot of the Edition: Convocation
Top places to study highlighted on a map of Westridge.
Looking to Boost Your Mid-Semester Study Game? Top 4 Places to Study on Campus
I will no longer be shamed for wearing open-toed shoes. I will "let the dogs out!"
OPINION: Seniors, Let the Dogs Out
(PC: Floatie Kings)
What Your Favorite Pool Floaty Says About You
Spyglass' Staff Summer Playlist
Spyglass’ Staff Summer Playlist
Guests settle down as the event dedicated to Anna Bondoc starts. (Credit: Aceley P.)
“This is really about the two years she spent here and her time as a teacher.” Anna Bondoc’s Celebration of Life
A handful of Westridge classes have incorporated a flipped learning approach. Teachers aim to find the right balance between traditional and flipped learning. (Eliza K. ’26)
Westridge Teachers Seek to Find the Right Balance Between Traditional and Flipped Learning
“We Don’t Need to Tiptoe Around Sex-Ed:” As Students’ Needs Evolve, So Does the Program for Sex Education
“We Don’t Need to Tiptoe Around Sex-Ed:” As Students’ Needs Evolve, So Does the Program for Sex Education
Remembering Anna Bondoc 1969-2023
Remembering Anna Bondoc 1969-2023
Commuters getting on and off the North Hollywood metro at Union Station.
Who Needs Cars When You Have the Metro? The Appeal of L.A. Public Transits Outweighs the Cons for Local Riders
  • October 7th Edition Out Now!
The student-run newspaper of Westridge School for Girls, Spyglass strives to build community and evoke empathy through the medium of journalism. Comprised of passionate student writers, editors, designers, managers, and leaders, Spyglass is dedicated to ethical reporting that amplifies our unique voices to inform, entertain, and forge connection in the Westridge community and beyond.

Spyglass
The student-run newspaper of Westridge School for Girls, Spyglass strives to build community and evoke empathy through the medium of journalism. Comprised of passionate student writers, editors, designers, managers, and leaders, Spyglass is dedicated to ethical reporting that amplifies our unique voices to inform, entertain, and forge connection in the Westridge community and beyond.

Spyglass
Gia S.

Gia S., Staff Writer and Copy Editor

Gia is a senior in her fourth year as a Spyglass staff writer and third year as a Copy Editor. She loves solving crossword puzzles and crocheting little dolls and flowers in her free time.

All content by Gia S.
Administrative Assistant to the Upper School Ms. Kali Spicer, Dean of Student Support Ms. Bonnie Pais Martinez, Director of Upper School Dr. Melanie Arias, and Assistant Director of Upper School Ms. Kerri Epps in Dr. Arias’ office

New Upper School Office Builds Upon Existing Infrastructure, Creates “Infinite” Possibility for Future 

Gia S. and Kelly C.
October 5, 2024
Spyglass’ 2024–2025 Editorial Board

Spyglass’ 2024–2025 Editorial Board

Gia S.
May 19, 2024
Sarah L. ’25, who reached scoring 100 goals earlier this year, playing in a lacrosse game

Sarah L. ’25 Scores 100 Goals During Lacrosse’s First CIF-Advancing Season

Gia S.
May 19, 2024
Ghost Ranch scenery

Journeys Filled With Laughter and Learning: Students Bond While Exploring New Places Together During Discovery Week

Gia S. and Lily C.
April 14, 2024
Westridge Love Languages

Westridge Love Languages

Gia S.
February 12, 2024
BFFs SpongeBob (Sydney S. '25) and Patrick (Ada N. '24) during rehearsal

Westridge Theatre Presents The SpongeBob Musical: A Silly But Strong Story For Everyone

Gia S.
February 12, 2024
Screenshot 2023-12-11 at 1.06.18 AM

How festive are you? Take the Quiz

Tekle S-J and Gia S.
December 11, 2023
The English teachers have brought up boxes of their stuff including books to their new office space in EC21

English Office Once Again Relocates to Escape the Westridge Smell. Challenges Arise With EC21’s Move to Fish Room

Gia S.
November 13, 2023
The Upper School flag football team huddles up during a game (PC: Coach Horn)

A Season of Firsts: Flag Football’s Inaugural Season Launches With High Hopes

Kristin C. and Gia S.
October 2, 2023
Dorien Grunbaum, child Holocaust survivor, Anne Frank LA co-founders, “Your Story Matters” contest winners including Sarah L. ’25, and Olivia P. ’29 at the ribbon cutting and award ceremony on May 18, 2023.

Sarah L. ’25 Wins Anne Frank LA and Los Angeles Public Library “Your Story Matters” Essay Contest

Gia S.
May 30, 2023
(Mena J.)

Is Financial Accessibility Enough to Make Discovery Week Equitable?

Katie S. and Gia S.
April 24, 2023
(Gia S. '25)

Eliza W. ’24 steps into Spyglass Editor in Chief role for 2023–24.

Gia S.
April 24, 2023
The English office desks are empty due to the relocation.

English Office Relocated While Facilities Investigates Smell in Rothenberg Humanities Building

Gia S.
March 13, 2023
The English office desks are empty due to the relocation.

[Photo] Westridge Raises Questions About the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Education

Ella B. and Tanvi C.
March 13, 2023
It’s Not Me, It’s You. Why More and More Teens are Breaking Up with Social Media

It’s Not Me, It’s You. Why More and More Teens are Breaking Up with Social Media

Lilah R. and Gia S.
February 6, 2023
Dr. LaFave

[Photo] The Westridge Diet: Is Serving Up Activities Instead of Food at Lunch Normalizing Disordered Eating on Campus?

Reed D.
October 2, 2023
Stephanie C. explained that she took social media breaks from Instagram because she noticed that her frequent use of social media negatively impacted her mental health.

A group of sophomore students huddle around their laptops and textbooks to work on homework and study in the library.

No, It’s Not Just You. Sophomore Year is Really That Hard

Gia S. and Ariana E.
December 12, 2022
Gia's Holiday Recipe: Kumquat Jamalade

Gia’s Holiday Recipe: Kumquat Jamalade

Gia S.
December 12, 2022
Real Life Horrors

Real Life Horrors

Gia S.
November 7, 2022
The current Latine Affinity mural located outside of the library.

Latine Affinity Plans to Repaint and Restore 1995 Mural

Gia S.
November 7, 2022
Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

“Representation Matters” – Westridge Reacts to New Disney Live Action Little Mermaid 

Gia S.
October 3, 2022
Ms. Simon on the Braun Patio.

Westridge Says Goodbye to Sarah Simon

Gia S.
May 31, 2022
WPA Night Market Promotes Cultural Connection Through International Food and Events

WPA Night Market Promotes Cultural Connection Through International Food and Events

Lauren C. and Gia S.
May 31, 2022
Opinion: What Joining JV Basketball Taught Me About Self-Confidence

Opinion: What Joining JV Basketball Taught Me About Self-Confidence

Gia S.
March 21, 2022
Finished product of coconut mochi.

Coconut “Snow” Mochi

Gia S.
December 13, 2021
Westridge Updates Schedule, Adding Extended Passing Periods and Shortening Lunches

Westridge Updates Schedule, Adding Extended Passing Periods and Shortening Lunches

Gia S.
November 7, 2021
Mr. P. playing his violin.

More To New Rocketry and Math Teacher Dan Perahya Than You Know

Gia S.
October 4, 2021
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