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
Freshmen adjust to the academic demands and freedoms of Upper School while exploring new opportunities for growth.
“The Expectations Have Gone Up.” Freshmen Navigate Upper School’s Increased Academic Standards While Balancing New Freedoms and Choices
(Lillian W. '27)
Projects at Westridge: How Creativity Benefits Student Learning and Engagement
Students taking the same class can often have different experiences than their peers depending on their particular teacher's interpretation of the course.
Same Class, Different Teacher. When Does One Class Become Two?
In the weeks and days before the election, three Westridge sophomores traveled to Nevada to support Kamala Harris' campaign.
“It’s Important to See That You Do Have an Opportunity to Help:” Sophomores Travel to Nevada to Support Vice President Kamala Harris’ Campaign in Election
(Sophia Y. '26) You still awake? Spyglass followed four Upper School students to uncover the factors and habits of their sleep routines.
You Still Awake? Spyglass Followed Four Upper School Students’ Sleep Routines for 22 days
PC: Gia S. ’25. Willow and some of the Westridgettes posing before their first performance.
Roll Call! Meet the 2024–25 Westridgettes
Upper School Office Seeks to Resolve Discovery Week Equity Issues Despite Rising Costs
Upper School Office Seeks to Resolve Discovery Week Equity Issues Despite Rising Costs
Students line up in single file after the new signs aim to streamline the flow of traffic.
“The Line is Working Again”: New Policies and Ramen Option Aim to Reduce Crowding and Improve Lunch Experience in the Commons
Despite Efforts of Promoting Sustainability at Westridge, Students Still Struggle to Properly Sort Trash and Silverware
Despite Efforts of Promoting Sustainability at Westridge, Students Still Struggle to Properly Sort Trash and Silverware
Ms. Mshaka posing in front of a Westridge sign on campus. (Fan Wang)
Alumna Profile: “I felt confident, I felt safe, and I felt seen.” Westridge Alumna Thembisa Mshaka Reflects on a Career in Entertainment and Westridge’s Role in Her Development
PC: Ruby S. Students returning to work and discussing after the meeting.
Middle School Students Find Strength in Community Amidst Election Results
OPINION: Movie Master Class: How Movies Have Brought My Dad and Me Together
OPINION: Movie Master Class: How Movies Have Brought My Dad and Me Together
All of Middle School came together to identify their "Top 10 Scariest Scenarios."
Top 10 Scariest Scenarios – Westridge Middle School Edition
“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
Photo courtesy of Festival de Cannes
Gory Thriller “The Substance” (2024) Evokes Emotions But Lacks Substance
Spyglass staff writer Lilah R. '25 and I pose with our cart full of soup cans. We bought around 100 cans during this trip to the store.
OPINION: Four Years of Food Drives: Connecting with Service and the Class of 2025
The Formula To Sisterhood: The Austin F1 Grand Prix Through The Eyes of Two Best Friends
The Formula To Sisterhood: The Austin F1 Grand Prix Through The Eyes of Two Best Friends
OPINION: I Don’t Care About the Uniform—So It’s Time To Go
OPINION: 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
PC: Gia S. ’25. Willow and some of the Westridgettes posing before their first performance.
Humans of Westridge: 10 Questions with the Westridge Tiger Willow N. ’25
PC: Bianca P. ’28, Both sisters pose together on the first day of school.
Humans of Westridge: Bianca P. ’28 Embraces Her First Year of High School, Following in the Footsteps of Her Older Sister Brooklyn P. ’25
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
"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: Solstice
Song ’24
Sounds For State Street: Harvest
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
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
Spyglass Live | Yam Fest Yap Sesh 2024
Spyglass Live | Grandparent's Day 2024
Spyglass Live | Grandparent’s Day 2024
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?
PC: Gia S. ’25. Willow and some of the Westridgettes posing before their first performance.
Humans of Westridge: 10 Questions with the Westridge Tiger Willow N. ’25
PC: Bianca P. ’28, Both sisters pose together on the first day of school.
Humans of Westridge: Bianca P. ’28 Embraces Her First Year of High School, Following in the Footsteps of Her Older Sister Brooklyn P. ’25
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
The ban will reframe how both students and admission officers approach future applications.
Westridge Reacts to California’s Decision to Ban Legacy and Donor Consideration in the College Admissions Process
Lindsay C.'25 after her third round of interviews for the Rose Court.
From a Westridge 4th Grader to the 106th Rose Queen: Lindsay C. ’25 Shares Her Growth
Going down the A Line, our next stop South Pasadena.
Down the Metro A-Line: South Pasadena
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
(Esperanza O-C. '26) Esperanza posing with the U-17 National Women’s Team of Nicaragua.
“It’s Just So Much More Than Just Playing Soccer”: Esperanza O. ’26 Is Selected for the U-17 National Women’s Team of Nicaragua
Layla R. '27, center, rushing the ball in a game.
In Second-Ever Season, Westridge Flag Football Features a Postseason Triumph in CIF’s First Year of Offering Playoffs
Sophomore quarterback Abby W. pitches the football as Layla R. '27 looks back. The Tigers played Ayala in the season opener, losing 19-6, but went on to win four straight games after that.
Jennifer L. ’25’s Back-to-Back Prep League Tennis Championship Headlines the 2024 Fall Sports Season
Coach Horn sits in front of a cluster of sporting trophies and an inspirational tiger poster. (Gemma A. '27)
“I Will Be a Tiger for Life.” After Over Thirty Years At Westridge, Director of Athletics Coach Melanie Horn Announces Her Retirement
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
Photo Credit: Sophene A.'25
Your Senior Year Survival Guide
Holiday Recipe: Ginger Molasses Cookies
Holiday Recipe: Ginger Molasses Cookies
Dr. M: Latin Teacher and Style Icon
Dr. M: Latin Teacher and Style Icon
1. Get in the holiday spirit by listening to some classic Christmas music. (Ms. Amos holding a vinyl of Christmas carols.)
10 Ways to Spend your Winter Break – According to Your Freshman Advisors
5 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit
5 Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit
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
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
  • ❄ December 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
Katie S.

Katie S., Editor

Katie is a senior, and this is her fifth year on Spyglass and third year as an Editor. In her free time, she loves playing guitar, writing, and doing calligraphy.

All content by Katie S.
(Mena J.)

Is Financial Accessibility Enough to Make Discovery Week Equitable?

Katie S. and Gia S.
April 24, 2023
(Graphic Credit: Addie K.) Students with eating disorders at Westridge come forward about their experiences on campus.

How Does Westridge’s Culture of Competition and Achievement Impact Eating Disorders?

Katie S.
April 24, 2023
Where Does Tuition Money Go? A Guide to Westridge’s Budget

Where Does Tuition Money Go? A Guide to Westridge’s Budget

Reed D. and Katie S.
February 6, 2023
Screenshot 2023-02-05 at 9.00.59 PM

Westridge’s Budget Process

Katie and Mandy's Holiday Recipe: Gluten Free Dark and Spicy Pumpkin Loaf

Katie and Mandy’s Holiday Recipe: Gluten Free Dark and Spicy Pumpkin Loaf

Katie S. and Amanda S.
December 12, 2022
Summer Editors’ Picks

Summer Editors’ Picks

Ilena M., Eliza W., Tanvi C., Reed D., Sophene A., Florence J., Katie S., Daria H., Hailey T., and Lauren C.
May 31, 2022
A timeline outlining the progression of the Gender Identity Policy.

[Photo] “What does it mean to be a girls’ school when we’re no longer living in a binary world?”

Katie Shirreffs
May 31, 2022

Click Here for March Editor’s Note…

Katie S.
March 21, 2022
A Spyglass Guide to Civic Engagement

A Spyglass Guide to Civic Engagement

Katie S. and Ilena M.
February 14, 2022
Let the AI Machine Quiz Gadget Calculate How Single You Are

Let the AI Machine Quiz Gadget Calculate How Single You Are

Katie S.
February 14, 2022

Click Here for February Editor’s Note…

Katie S.
February 14, 2022
What your toffee should look like as it sets. (“Hot Toffee” by Liz West is licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))

Swiss Milk Toffee

Katie S.
December 13, 2021

Click Here for December Editor’s Note…

Katie S., Editor In Chief
December 13, 2021

Click Here for November Editor’s Note…

Katie S., Staffer
November 8, 2021
What Your Favorite Candy Says About You

What Your Favorite Candy Says About You

Katie S.
October 31, 2021
A computer science student works on an assignment.

[Photo] With the New School Year Comes a New Computer Science Department

Mckenna D.
October 3, 2021
Westridge’s new HD Teacher and Strength and Conditioning Coach Katie Dockter finds that her two roles at Westridge work well together.

Westridge Welcomes Powerlifter HD Teacher Katie Dockter!

Katie S.
October 3, 2021
The State Street parking lot is nearly always full during school days. (Katie S. '23)

Why the Uptick in Westridge’s Parking Lot Accidents?

Katie S. and Jessica W.
October 3, 2021

Click Here for October Editor’s Note…

Katie S., Editor In Chief
October 3, 2021
Westridge's DEI Efforts Part 3: Moving Forward

Westridge’s DEI Efforts Part 3: Moving Forward

Katie S.
May 23, 2021
Part of the November 2020 DEI and Anti-Racism update. It starts with a letter from Elizabeth McGregor, Head of School.

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

Katie S.
May 15, 2021

Click Here for May Editor’s Note…

Katie S.
May 16, 2021
Some of Westridge’s parent ambassadors with whom prospective families can connect.

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

Katie S.
May 9, 2021
A Year in Review: Westridge Looks Back and Forward at its DEI Efforts

A Year in Review: Westridge Looks Back and Forward at its DEI Efforts

Katie S.
May 9, 2021
Feldmeth teaching a Contemporary Ethical Issues class in 2019. Sometimes in his Ethics classes, students will ask Feldmeth about his personal viewpoint.

Share their Views or Remain Neutral? The Difficulties of Navigating Politics for Teachers

Katie S., Writing Editor
April 11, 2021
The Friday lunch discussion addressed the recent incident of anti-Asian racism.

Westridge comes together after alumna hurls anti-Asian slurs

Katie S., Writing Editor
March 15, 2021
Conversation Hearts For A Valentine’s Day In Quarantine

Conversation Hearts For A Valentine’s Day In Quarantine

Katie S. and Eliza W.
February 28, 2021
A meeting with a club that Christina S. and Cyana L. attend monthly.

Weighing the Functionality of Teams Versus Zoom for Westridge’s Remote Learning Platform

Weighing the Functionality of Teams Versus Zoom for Westridge’s Remote Learning Platform

Katie S. and Jessica W.
January 27, 2021
Instagram app. Between 46% and 51% of adults have been using social media more since quarantine began, according to a Harris Insights and Analytics poll.

Opinion: What Quarantine Taught Me About Social Media

Katie S., Writing Editor
January 14, 2021
Everyone takes a deep relaxing breath in a meditative pose.

Employee Yoga Classes: Self Care, Relaxation, and Community

Katie S.
November 18, 2019
The maintenance staff. (Felicia Johnson)

Westridge’s Maintenance Staff Prepares Campus for Students’ Return

Katie S., Writing Editor
November 21, 2020
Microsoft Teams app loading screen.

Microsoft Teams Video Presence Raises Questions of Privacy and Distraction

Katie S., Writing Editor
November 2, 2020
Kamala Harris endorses Joe Biden at one of his campaign rallies on March 9.

Kamala Harris’s Nomination Is Met With Both Excitement And Hesitation

Katie S. and Mckenna D.
October 11, 2020
The first level of Fireboy and Watergirl: The Forest Temple.

Fireboy and Watergirl: My Favorite Pandemic Pastime

Katie S.
October 10, 2020
Evelyn’s February spread in her bullet journal, or as she likes to call it her “bujo”.

Fun Hobbies and Interests During COVID-19

Katie S.
April 30, 2020
Each sport has its own Padlet. This lacrosse Padlet has links to lacrosse games, workouts, and yoga classes for all athletes to review and experiment with.

COVID-19 Interrupts Spring Sports

Katie S.
April 23, 2020
One of Audrey’s puppies climbs on top of the other.

More Time with Pets!

Katie S.
April 16, 2020
Jacqueline L.

Opinion: Civics Belongs in Our Classrooms

Katie S.
April 16, 2020
Ms. Stevenson (left) and Ms. Yurcak (right) discuss their favorite books.

Taking A Look Inside Westridge’s Offices

Katie S.
February 18, 2020

Bringing Home the Gold and Silver: Westridge Students Win Creative Writing Awards

Katie S.
February 18, 2020
Ms. Shang organizes her desk before starting her work. “A good office environment is not how we’re having fun all the time, it’s how we really respect each other and how we support each other,” shared Ms. Shang

(Left to Right) Dr. P and Dr. E have known each other since they went to grad school together. Dr. E often brings in essential oils and some hand lotions. “We’ll text each other funny pictures--definitely with me and Dr. E if I see a license plate or something that has a Greek or Latin phrase,” shared Dr. P.

(Left to Right) Ms. Shang and Ms. Hull chat at their desks. “I just want to say we are the best [office] and we accept challenges,” Ms. Hull joked.

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Katie S.