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 recent reversal of test-optional admissions policies made by several of the nations most influential college institutions stirs up a whirlwind of emotions as current high schoolers adapt to an ever-changing college admissions landscape.
The Dartmouth Domino-Effect: More Elite Institutions Reinstate Test-Required Admissions Policies
With demanding academics and time-consuming extracurriculars, what do Westridge students sleep habits look like?
What Do the Sleeping Schedules of Westridge Students Look Like? Spyglass Asked 200+ Students to Find Out.
Earlier this year, the Facilities team removed several panels from classroom ceilings. Depicted is an animated green smoke coming out of the holes, representing the smell in Rothenberg Building.
Facilities, Administrators Hopeful for an Odor-Free Rothenberg Building In Near Future
Ms. Heydorff in her office explaining her role when working with ASB. ASB really took the lead on [ASD] and I was just there to support and give them assistance in any way they needed, said Ms. Heydorff.
“It’s been hard.” Westridge US Faculty and Students Unite to Support Each Other Amidst Admin Absence
Westridge players use the John Muir Tennis Court during a match. (PC Emily L. 26)
“Our tennis kids deserve a good spot.” Westridge Athletics Struggles to Secure Ideal Tennis Courts
Spyglass Live: Whats In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: What’s In Your Notes App?
All actors in The SpongeBob Musical come together for the final scene. (Credit: Cliff William)
Westridge’s The SpongeBob Musical: Silly, Entertaining, and Playful
A group of Upper School students sit on the floor, excited to watch the eclipse.
Westridge Embraces the Eclipse, Celebrates on Frank Field
Westridges Love for Stanleys
Hydrate or Diedrate: Westridge’s Love for Stanleys
Seniors Julia H., Lauren K., and Verena W. at a train station in Berlin
Journeys Filled With Laughter and Learning: Students Bond While Exploring New Places Together During Discovery Week
Danielle even knows how to appreciate the tough moments. I love being tired, I love grunting, I just love like, dying
Danielle L. ‘29 – Student by Day, Ninja By Night
Class Pet by Noelle D. and Maya K.
COMIC: Class Pet
Mr. Mermelstein talking about the criminal justice system with 8th graders.
Guest Speaker Sheds Light on Inequities of the Justice System
”They looped and meandered, like long conversations with close friends.” -Ms. Anna Bondoc. Ms. Bondoc loved to draw art that traced bird wing movements.
She Painted Birds In Flight And Helped Me Fly: An 8th grader Remembers 6th grade with Anna Bondoc
Is this how you do it? A non-athlete’s soccer journey
“Is this how you do it?” A non-athlete’s soccer journey
Spyglass Live: Whats In Your Notes App?
Spyglass Live: What’s In Your Notes App?
Girls Just Want to Play Sports is a column highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Women’s Basketball is Winning
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
Sounds For State Street: Daisy
Sounds For State Street: Daisy
Official Mean Girls Poster in the Universal Studios Cinema (Credits: Rebecca Lopez)
Mean Girls (2024) Falls Short of Fetch
Spyglass Live: Whats 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
Isla R. ’25, Westridge’s First-Chair Violinist
Humans of Westridge: Meet Star Violinist Isla R. ’25
Sarah and Lilah Review: Poor Things
Sarah and Lilah Review: Poor Things
Girls Just Want to Play Sports is a column highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Women’s Basketball is Winning
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
Spyglass Live: Spotlight on Mia N. 24
Spyglass Live: Spotlight on Mia N. ’24
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: The Pet That Truly Rocks
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?
Confessions From The College Front Line: Looking Back While Stepping Forward
Confessions From The College Front Line: Looking Back While Stepping Forward
Girls Just Want to Play Sports is a column highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Women’s Basketball is Winning
Girls Just Want to Play Sports is a column highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
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 highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
Girls Just Wanna Play Sports: Reflecting on the Careers of Women’s Soccer Players
Girls Just Want to Play Sports is a column highlight women athletes. This edition is about the tremendous growth of womens basketball.
Introducing: Girls Just Wanna Play Sports, A Column
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
Sounds For State Street: Butterscotch
Sounds For State Street: Butterscotch
Sounds For State Street: Golden Hour
Sounds For State Street: Golden Hour
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
The Backstory is a column celebrating fun and forgotten history!
The Backstory: LA’s Long History of Blowing Things Out of the Sky & Out of Proportion
Spyglass Live: Whats 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 Years Resolutions
Spyglass Live: New Year’s Resolutions
Spyglass Live 22-23 Bloopers!
Spyglass Live 22-23 Bloopers!
Senior Chalk Day
Senior Chalk Day
Spyglass Live: Whats 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
Isla R. ’25, Westridge’s First-Chair Violinist
Humans of Westridge: Meet Star Violinist Isla R. ’25
An inside-view of Hodgsons 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
The side entrance to Erewhon on Lake Avenue during the community wellness event on Saturday, September 16.
Why Erewhon? Students Voice Opinion on the Popular and Extravagant Market
This June, 10 Westridge students and two faculty members embarked on a 10-day trip to Ireland as a part of Westridges Summer Global Art Program.
Testimonies from Westridge’s Summer Global Art Program in Ireland
8 Items That Convinced Us That Erewhon Is Worth the Hype
8 Items That Convinced Us That Erewhon Is Worth the Hype
Athletic Trainer Mike in his office.
Humans of Westridge: Meet Mike, Westridge’s Athletic Trainer
Both pairs of sisters have played sports with each other before, but this year marks the first time each sibling duo have played together at Westridge.
Sisterhood in Sports: Westridge Siblings Reflect on Their Athletic Journeys Together
(PC: Melanie Horn)
Soccer and Basketball Show Improvement Despite No Teams Reaching CIF Playoffs: A Winter Sports Round-Up
Westridges Varsity Soccer team stands outside of In-N-Out, while wearing their hats.
Win or Lose, Westridge Sports Make Memories at Traditional ‘In-N-Out Games’
Westridge players use the John Muir Tennis Court during a match. (PC Emily L. 26)
“Our tennis kids deserve a good spot.” Westridge Athletics Struggles to Secure Ideal Tennis Courts
The comic caption contest is a new initiative to boost viewership engagement.
Introducing the Comic Caption Contest
One of the worst crimes to look out for on Westridge Campus, taking the last Breakfast Bacon Burrito.
Top 10 WORST Westridge Crimes to Look Out For
In the pandemic, Westridge replaced classes on Wednesday with a wellness day, dedicated to student wellbeing.
SATIRE: Bring Back Wellness Wednesday
The Westridge 2024 Roster
The Westridge 2024 Roster
Class Pet by Noelle D. and Maya K.
COMIC: Class Pet
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
  • April 15th 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
Valentina V.

Valentina V., Editor

Valentina is a Sophomore in her second year writing for Spyglass and her first year as an editor. When not writing Spyglass articles about dolls, theatre, and Taylor Swift, you can find her enjoying dolls, theatre, and Taylor Swift. She also has a goose. 

All content by Valentina V.
Westridge players use the John Muir Tennis Court during a match. (PC Emily L. 26)

“Our tennis kids deserve a good spot.” Westridge Athletics Struggles to Secure Ideal Tennis Courts

Valentina V. and Emily L.
February 12, 2024
7 Westridge Red Flags

7 Westridge Red Flags

Kristin C. and Valentina V.
February 12, 2024
Discovery Week Trip “Crossing Borders: San Diego/Tijuana” Is Canceled Due To “Unforeseen Logistical Challenges”

Discovery Week Trip “Crossing Borders: San Diego/Tijuana” Is Canceled Due To “Unforeseen Logistical Challenges”

Valentina V.
December 11, 2023
Mosquito Mayhem: Westridge Gets Itchy!

Mosquito Mayhem: Westridge Gets Itchy!

Kristin C. and Valentina V.
November 13, 2023
Radium Girls painting dials (PC Wikipedia)

Westridge Theatre Tackles the Tragically True Radium Girls

Valentina V.
October 2, 2023
Me and my sister at the Eras Tour

Opinion: Taylor Swift Has Brought Me and My Sister Closer Than Ever

Valentina V.
October 2, 2023
Spotlight on the Class of 2023

Spotlight on the Class of 2023

Sylvie S.-J. and Valentina V.
May 30, 2023
An “Enchanting” Night of Dance and Connection

An “Enchanting” Night of Dance and Connection

Valentina V.
May 29, 2023
The Canada Geese hanging out behind Mudd.

A Wild Westridge Goose Chase – Canada Geese Claim Campus

Valentina V.
April 24, 2023
The WPA Night Market provided a space for families to share their cultures. (Valentina V.)

WPA Night Market Celebrates Culture With Fashion, Food, and Fun

Valentina V.
April 23, 2023
My doll, Aria, and I

Op-Ed: Yes, I’m 14 and I Still Play With Dolls

Valentina V.
March 13, 2023
My doll, Aria, and I

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

Ella B. and Tanvi C.
March 13, 2023
Pickup Lines for Other Holidays

Pickup Lines for Other Holidays

Valentina V.
February 6, 2023
Students in Acting I preparing for the Winter Showcase.

What the 3 Months of Hard Work Leading Up to the Westridge Theatre Winter Showcase Were Like

Valentina V.
February 6, 2023
Izzy C. ’23 entertaining everyone in the dressing room before the show.

[Photo]

Layla R. ’26 and Ms. Hawk singing Taylor Swift.

[Photo]

Acting I exploring the prop loft.

[Photo]

Me laughing while crying under the sink in the PAC bathroom.

[Photo]

Lunch with the Archer Oracle staff.

Spyglass Goes to St. Louis!

Ilena M., Eliza W., and Valentina V.
December 12, 2022
Green Guerrillas Pave The Way For Sustainability at Westridge

Green Guerrillas Pave The Way For Sustainability at Westridge

Valentina V.
December 12, 2022
Athena N. ’23 and Natalie S. ’23 working together in the Math Center

New Math Center is a Helpful Resource for Upper Schoolers Brave Enough to Enter

Valentina V.
November 7, 2022
New Head of School Initiated as a Roman in Dinosaur-Themed Greek and Roman Initiation

New Head of School Initiated as a Roman in Dinosaur-Themed Greek and Roman Initiation

Ella B., Valentina V., and Helena C.
October 3, 2022
(Left) Kara Ramirez, Westridge’s new MS English Teacher (Right) Kara Ramirez Hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Walking into Westridge With Open Arms: Kara Ramirez, New Middle School English Teacher

Valentina V.
October 3, 2022
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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.
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Valentina V.