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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

All content by Alena Rubin

Routines I’ll never get sick of

Alena Rubin
June 1, 2018

I’ve been thinking a lot about routines recently. The ones I keep, the ones I’ve grown out of and why they exist at all. I’m a person that likes routine. By ‘likes’ I mean ‘is obsessed with’....

Where does the future of Greek life lie?

Where does the future of Greek life lie?

Alena Rubin
February 27, 2018

It was summer when Wilder Short ’18 first visited Bowdoin College. He had already visited a handful of schools, but when he toured Bowdoin’s campus in Maine, it felt different. As his student-led tour...

Photo Illustration by Nicole Kim and Alena Rubin

United We Dream: In the In Between

Alena Rubin
February 27, 2018

Máté Major ’18 likes routine. During the school week, he wakes up at 6 a.m., battles traffic on the 101 in his 2007 Honda (“the village donkey”), goes to his classes and goes home. He might go...

Jones to hold DEI meetings

Alena Rubin
January 13, 2018

New Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Janine Jones (Taylor ’18, Avery ’23) has implemented critical changes in the school’s hiring policies to create a more diverse faculty. Jones held...

Cardin trains teachers on LGBTQ sensitivity

Alena Rubin
October 10, 2017

Over 80 faculty and staff learned how to be better allies to the LGBTQ community members at safe space training meetings held by Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and science teacher Nate...

Search ends for Director of Diversity

Alena Rubin
August 29, 2017

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Bubbled In: Standardized Testing in AP Course Curricula

Bubbled In: Standardized Testing in AP Course Curricula

Alena Rubin
June 2, 2017

After taking her first unit test in an Advanced Placement class at the beginning of junior year, Alyse Tran ’18 said she felt:   a) Frustration b) A decline in motivation c) Helplessness d) All...

Brittany Hong/Chronicle

Fixing our STEM Curriculum to Inspire Curiosity

Alena Rubin
May 31, 2017

She was a fourth grader I met at an after-school science workshop, a ten-year-old, and she was better at physics than me, a junior in AP Physics. In a matter of minutes, the most advanced model bridge...

Photo Illustration by Alena Rubin.

Facebook Official: Posting College Decisions on Social Media

Alena Rubin
April 26, 2017

Dani Mirell ’17 opened the portal to the University of Michigan website hesitantly. She knew she loved the school, but she told herself she would be okay if she didn’t get in. Marlborough student Lily...

Photo by Pavan Tauh
Photo Illustration by Alena Rubin and Josie Abugov

Proud to be LGBT: Profiling GSA and P10

Alena Rubin
April 1, 2017

On the night of the election, upper school science teacher Nate Cardin and his husband looked solemnly at each other. Their searching eyes asked each other the same question: “Will we be able to stay...

Resnick discusses changes to proposed AP limits policy

Alena Rubin
March 15, 2017

Interim Head of Upper School Liz Resnick shared newly developed details of the administration's AP limit proposal with students at the second of five meetings to discuss the proposed limits Wednesday...

Administrators forget to cancel AP limits meeting

Alena Rubin
March 7, 2017

No members of faculty nor Prefect Council attended the third of four open meetings to talk about AP limits, which was scheduled to take place Monday during Activities. Several students arrived and waited...

Photo illustration by Alena Rubin

Eyes Wide Shut: Students Suffering from Sleep Disorders

Alena Rubin
February 19, 2017

When Lucas Perez ’16 finally starts to fall asleep, he hears a siren blare. Its chaotic, high pitch mingles with a shrieking wail. The sounds grows louder, and the chaos builds until it’s all he hears....

Photo Illustration by Alena Rubin

Doctor’s Orders: Using and Abusing Medical Marijuana Cards

Alena Rubin
January 13, 2017

Colorful sugar-dusted gummy edibles. A medical bottle packed with a few grams. Perfectly-rolled joints packaged in plastic tubes and a Bic lighter enameled with a gopher graphic.   These items lay...

Mady Madison/Chronicle

No homework holidays: all work and no play

Alena Rubin
November 29, 2016

I still remember how restless I was that Monday night, my mind anxiously recounting my day the way it tends to when I stare too long at the ceiling about my bed. I retrospect, it was a perfect type of...

Seniors to wear white at graduation

Alena Rubin
November 22, 2016

The senior class voted to all wear white gowns and caps to graduation this year, following the decision to end the tradition of female seniors wearing white gowns and male seniors wearing black gowns. The...

Seniors to wear white robes at graduation

Alena Rubin
November 1, 2016

The Class of 2017 will wear white gowns and caps to graduation this year following the decision to end the tradition of girls wearing white gowns and boys wearing black gowns in order to promote inclusivity. Prefect...

Photo Illustration by Alena Rubin.

Bonus Points: Are Expensive Tutors Worth It?

Alena Rubin
October 6, 2016

Blake Wong ’17 sat across from his tutor, reciting his answers to the latest ACT practice test. The room, he said, felt like home, flooded with natural light and complete with warm wooden cabinets. "Yup,"...

Miles Agus '18 shares his group's ideas for future speakers and field trips at the first HW Venture meeting Wednesday. Credit: Alena Rubin/Chronicle

Students, alumni convene for first HW Venture event

Alena Rubin
May 16, 2016

Students gathered in the Kutler Center Monday for the inaugural HW Venture meeting, in which alumni and faculty shared personal experiences in the tech industry and at startups. Venture is a group that...

Business of Life teacher Rob Levin and science teacher Nadine Eisenkolb participate in a Frisbee throw on the field during the Festival of Spring Thursday. Credit: Nicole Kim/Chronicle

Students, faculty play games at first Festival of Spring

Alena Rubin
March 24, 2016

Community and Character Committee hosted the first Festival of Spring Thursday between fourth and fifth periods in an effort to build a sense of community and help students relieve stress before Spring...

Response to Facebook sports controversy

Response to Facebook sports controversy

Alena Rubin
March 11, 2016

Emma Watson looked me in the eye and asked, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” Watson delivered a speech entitled “I’m a feminist” to the UN in 2014. Okay, I kind of lied. She didn’t exactly...

Student journalists speak at conference

Alena Rubin
March 11, 2016

Members of the Chronicle staff spoke at the Jewish Scholastic Press Association’s conference Feb. 25. Staff members presented journalism techniques to Jewish high school journalism students from across...

Members of the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force talk to Congressman Ted Lieu. Printed with permission of Harry Garvey

Students meet with district congressman

Alena Rubin
March 9, 2016

Rep. Ted Lieu met with the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force to discuss the Syrian refugee crisis Feb. 16. The club supported Lieu’s vote against House Resolution 4038, the American Security Against...

Club hosts Chinese New Year luncheon

Alena Rubin
March 6, 2016

The Chinese Cultural Club hosted its annual luncheon today at the Skirball Center. Members of the Chinese Cultural Club, Chinese language students and faculty were invited. The event is the club’s largest...

Daniel Lesh'18 spends a lot of time backstage moving equipment or setting up speakers. He even has his own office on campus.  Credit: Alena Rubin/Chronicle

DJ Lesh ’18 works in sound technology

Alena Rubin
January 15, 2016

It was opening night. Daniel "DJ" Lesh '18 went through his checklist for the last time. Turn on the speakers; turn on the sound board- check. Backstage, he had put each of the 23 mics onto the actors...

Faculty to view “Star Wars” screening

Alena Rubin
December 17, 2015

Eighty-five members of the faculty and staff will attend a free screening of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Dec. 19 at the IMAX headquarters in Playa Vista. Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn (Cassidy ’06,...

Students hold bake sale to benefit charity

Alena Rubin
November 17, 2015

Students raised $700 Monday for Bear Boxes, a charity that sends care packages with teddy bears to orphanages and schools in developing countries, by selling baked goods in the lounge. The bake sale took...

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Alena Rubin