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The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle

The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle

The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle

Many students tend to tailor their applications to emphasize their strengths, sometimes leading them to give up their genuine interests in the process.

Passion vs. Pressure: How Students Are Forced to Sacrifice Hobbies for College Applications

The school community reflects on the culture and impacts of tailoring student narratives to appeal to college admissions.
Hailey Kramar and Erin Ryu
September 4, 2024

Dripping in sweat with multiple bags in hand, Sarah Parmet ’25 rushes up the stairs to Rugby Auditorium after her cheer practice, barely making it in time for rehearsal  for the upcoming musical. Her...

A polaroid of two best friends is split apart signifying the end of their friendship

Fractured Friendships

Students and faculty discuss the effects of ending friendships in high school and navigating growing apart from connections
Sienna Dall'Olmo, Assistant Features Editor
September 4, 2024

It is a Friday night and Siena Griswold ’26 is standing outside her best friend’s  house. She lets herself inside, as she always does, excited to see her friend after months of missed calls and busy...

An elephant and donkey, representing the republican and democratic parties, face off under an “I Voted” sticker.

Backing the Ballot

Students and faculty discuss the importance of youth being involved in politics and how those eligible should inform themselves before voting.
Kayla Graff and Colin Ho
September 4, 2024

In less than three months, Avery Kim ’25 will look down to see his 2024 presidential ballot. After completing the registration process and reading the news daily for campaign updates, the moment will...

Choosing with Caution

Choosing with Caution

Members of the school community discuss choosing colleges following recent antisemitic attacks on college campuses across the country.
Lydia Gugsa, Assistant Features Editor
September 4, 2024

Maya Leibzon ’25 stared at her parents in disbelief — they had just told her about the recent antisemitic messages that had been found written at college campuses across the country amid protests and...

Tracing Tracks

Tracing Tracks

Students and faculty weigh in on how social media and having a digital footprint can affect individuals in their future endeavors.
Andrea Ricabal, Assistant Features Editor
September 4, 2024

On a Saturday morning, Lila Wimbish ’26 wakes up, grabs her phone and opens her most used app, Instagram. But amid the usual posts, she also sees pictures of students holding red cups with glass bottles...

Flipping the Switch

Flipping the Switch

Students and faculty discuss the prevalence of code-switching in various marginalized communities and how it impacts individuals.
Hannah Shahidi, Assistant News Editor
May 29, 2024

Just down the street from the Koreatown H Mart is St. James Episcopal School, where elementary school aged kids say goodbye to their parents, run around with their friends and share snacks before class...

It's Just Rocket Science

It’s Just Rocket Science

The school’s new Rocketry Club is shooting for new heights. Combining high school with high explosives — what could go wrong?
Max Turetzky, Assistant Opinion Editor
May 29, 2024

Making explosives is not an everyday occurrence in the Munger Science Center. But, Rocketry Club co-founder Seth O’Brien ’25 and Mathematics Teacher and club advisor Andrew Theiss find themselves doing...

Impending dorm

Impending dorm

Eden Conner, Assistant Opinion Editor
May 29, 2024

Levi Schwartz ‘26 sits in his messy room at 11:30 p.m on a Wednesday. There are clothes everywhere but the hamper, a stacked plates of food on his desk and too much homework in his backpack to worry...

A protester stands near Dickson Plaza at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where students and external supporters set up a pro-Palestinian encampment. The University of California Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department forcibly disbanded the encampment after there was a violent confrontation.

University Protests: Rising Tensions

The school community reflects on the rise of campus protest and activism regarding Israel, Palestine and the ongoing war in Gaza.
Alex Dinh and Connor Tang
May 29, 2024

A couple days after the Palestinian militant group Hamas led terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, Jewish Harvard student Violet Barron ’22 read a letter signed by over 30 Harvard student organizations,...

Muslim students perform daily prayers using a prayer mat.

From Dawn to Dusk

Students and faculty reflect on the unique challenges, considerations, experiences and joys of celebrating Ramadan while at school.
Saisha Kumar
March 20, 2024

It’s 5 a.m., and Ahmad Adaya ’25 wakes up to the sharp sound of his alarm. Outside, it is pitch black, but Adaya promptly prepares his breakfast of bread and dates, the only foods he will consume until...

What the heck is a Zyn?

What the heck is a Zyn?

Members of the school community discuss factors that lead to the increase in use of nicotine pouches like Zyns among Gen Z and their health implications.
Alden Detmer, Assistant Features Editor
March 20, 2024

Looking around his 8:00 a.m. class, Kenny* was confident that no one was watching him in the back row. As his teacher discussed the past night’s reading, Kenny reached down and slowly unzipped the top...

A playing card with an illustration of a college counselor on it.

Students and counselors discuss independent college counseling

Students and counselors discuss the benefits and disadvantages of private college counselors.
Zoe Goor
March 20, 2024

Afternoon light floods the room as Ben Boateng '25 logs on to a Zoom meeting. An iced coffee sits on a coaster next to the computer. The characteristic Zoom chime sounds as he joins the meeting room, and...

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