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Ilena M.

Ilena M., Staff Writer

Ilena is a staff writer. In addition to writing and serving her role as Spyglass' in-house satirist, she enjoys eating potatoes, sharing historical facts, and preaching her hatred of pizza. Ilena is a freshman, and this is her second year on Spyglass. 

All content by Ilena M.
Westridge students gather for a Tiger Week class. Even when used recreationally, videoconferencing is often still mentally draining.

The Ups and Downs of Zoom Culture

April 12, 2021
The beginning of high school brought with it a very __ need for emotional reassurance in the form of baked goods. On good days, that manifested itself in the form of homemade crepes, which made me gasp in horror at the realization of just how much butter goes into __ food, then shrug and eat twelve. When I didn’t have that kind of ambition, it was jarred whipped cream in a pre-made pie crust -- which I can’t say is too bad at all. And when we couldn’t get our typical honey-laden baklava from a local bakery for the Jewish New Year, I decided to keep up the tradition by brewing homemade cinnamon syrup and experimenting with phyllo dough for the first time. It was a little chewy, and it didn’t cook through until ten o'clock at night, but when I sat around in my pajamas at midnight, it tasted like victory.

Etc: Valentine’s Day Edition

March 1, 2021
Some Appropriately Professional, Non-Invasive Valentines For Teachers

Some Appropriately Professional, Non-Invasive Valentines For Teachers

March 1, 2021

Suggested Artisanal Ice Cream Flavors for Valentines Day

March 1, 2021
Fascinating Facts About Valentine’s Day You Never Knew You Needed to Know

Fascinating Facts About Valentine’s Day You Never Knew You Needed to Know

February 28, 2021
The Backstory: Three Historical Couples Who Didn't Start Wars, End Empires, Or Marry Their Cousins

The Backstory: Three Historical Couples Who Didn’t Start Wars, End Empires, Or Marry Their Cousins

February 28, 2021
The Abraham Lincoln

Alternative Ways to Wear Masks: A Photo Essay

January 29, 2021
In Online School, Mental Health is Hurting: How Do We Move Forward?

In Online School, Mental Health is Hurting: How Do We Move Forward?

December 8, 2020
Column: The Backstory: 3 Female Pirates Who Swashbuckled Their Way Into History

Column: The Backstory: 3 Female Pirates Who Swashbuckled Their Way Into History

December 4, 2020
If all else fails, turn off your video and conk out on your keyboard.

Tuesday: A How-to Guide

November 5, 2020
Column: The Backstory: Häagen-Dazs; A Story of Immigration, Entrepreneurship, and... Ice Cream?

Column: The Backstory: Häagen-Dazs; A Story of Immigration, Entrepreneurship, and… Ice Cream?

November 1, 2020

Finding Connection Through the Mundane: My Covid Summer

October 12, 2020
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Opinion: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, My Jewish Feminist Hero

October 11, 2020

When STEM is Forced on Girls

May 1, 2020
(clockwise from left) The author talks with Gia M. ‘27, eighth-grader Sydney W., and Sylvie S. J. ‘24

Lower & Middle School Remember Ms. V.

April 24, 2020

8 Fun Activities To Keep the Crazy Out of Quarantine

April 17, 2020
Sophia L.

Presidential Elections & Peanut Butter Cups: What Westridge Has to Say About the Year Ahead (Kinda)

February 18, 2020
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Ilena M.