The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle
Alexander Hudlin '26, pictured left, stands onstage at the DNC in Chicago, IL on Aug. 21. As Vice President Harris' godson, Hudlin was invited to speak about her family values and character.
Junior speaks at Democratic National Convention during Harris Campaign
Printed with permission of Dashiell Sparks
BLACC members participate in annual retreat
School welcomes new assistant director of debate
New coordinator of Jewish life joins DEI office
Upper School welcomes new french teacher
The new layout will include 520 apartment units, 78 of which are reserved for low-income tenants and 45,000 square feet of commercial space, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Sportsmen’s Lodge hotel set for demolition; renovation to include new apartments
Community members vote in the California Primary
Community members vote in the California Primary
From left to right: Jamie Page, Assistant A&E Editor Mia Morgan '25, Councilmember Traci Park and Craig Fiegener.
School hosts District Attorney debate in Rugby Auditorium
Shake Shack, which is about a 10-minute walk away from campus, opened its new Ventura location in the month of January. There were also a number of renewed discounts, which includes a list of over 10 restaurants in the area.
New discounts feature Shake Shack and Sweet Butter Kitchen
Alumni gather to discuss recent school developments
‘Untitled’ Political Podcast, Episode 3
‘Untitled’ Political Podcast, Episode 3
‘Untitled’ Political Podcast, Episode 2
‘Untitled’ Political Podcast, Episode 2
Alexander Hudlin '26, pictured left, stands onstage at the DNC in Chicago, IL on Aug. 21. As Vice President Harris' godson, Hudlin was invited to speak about her family values and character.
Junior speaks at Democratic National Convention during Harris Campaign
'Untitled' Political Podcast, Episode 1
‘Untitled’ Political Podcast, Episode 1
An elephant and donkey, representing the republican and democratic parties, face off under an “I Voted” sticker.
Backing the Ballot
AI Art
Letter from the Editors: Setting Journalistic Foundations
Letter from the Editors: Setting Journalistic Foundations
Rethinking our mental health initiatives
Nextdoor is driving us insane
Nextdoor is driving us insane
Require physical activity for PE credit
Require physical activity for PE credit
Head Prefect Predictions
The Official Chronicle Curriculum Guide 3
Unpublished Chronicle Headlines 2: Electric Boogaloo
PRETTY IN PINK: Super princess pop star Sabrina Carpenter performs on stage with Rick Caruso '76 as a dynamic duo. The pair will be performing a concert this upcoming weekend in Palisades Village, curtesy of Caruso.
Your holidays, my opinions
Buddy the Wolverine cries over his math homework. Buddy is taking Advanced Precalculus and learning inverse trigonometry has him in the trenches.
New year, new me?
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
A polaroid of two best friends is split apart signifying the end of their friendship
Fractured Friendships
An elephant and donkey, representing the republican and democratic parties, face off under an “I Voted” sticker.
Backing the Ballot
Choosing with Caution
Choosing with Caution
Tracing Tracks
Tracing Tracks
Printed with permission of Finn Slootweg
The Rise of Brat Summer
Bruno Mars: A Night of Magic and Gaga
Bruno Mars: A Night of Magic and Gaga
Memoir of a Sparklemuffin: Not too much sparkle
Memoir of a Sparklemuffin: Not too much sparkle
Childish Gambino’s last album: The final hurrah
Childish Gambino’s last album: The final hurrah
Flip or Flop
Flip or Flop
Boys’ Basketball Program Head David Rebibo will temporarily serve as the girls’ basketball program head while Boys’ Basketball assistant coach will temporarily serve as the girls' basketball head coach. The school will conduct another search after the winter season.
Rebibo to become interm girls’ basketball program head and Nailes to become interim girls’ basketball head coach
Wide receiver Elijah Williams ’25 braces for a tackle after a reception in a game against Cleveland Magnet High School
Football sees immediate improvements to offense
Water polo alumni medal at Olympics
Sophomore Valentina Ganocy has left the field hockey team after moving to Texas. She was a standout player as a freshman.
Sophomore star leaves field hockey team
The girls’ cross country team members pose at the LA Memorial Coliseum after completing a half-marathon Aug. 24.
Cross country kicks off season with retreat and half-marathon
The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle
The Student News Site of Harvard-Westlake School

The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle

Davis Marks, Print Managing Editor

All content by Davis Marks
Cayley Tolbert-Schwartz '24, who plays Mrs. Lovett, sings alongside patrons of her meat pie shop.

Theater department opens “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Davis Marks and Everett Lakey
February 8, 2024
Charles (Charlie) Munger poses for a photo in 1995. Munger served on the Board of Trustees for 54 years and oversaw many institutional changes, showing unwavering dedication to the school.

Charlie Munger passes away after 54 years on the Board of Trustees

Davis Marks and Nathan Wang
December 13, 2023
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION: On Nov. 8, the L.A. Planning and Land Use Management Committee hearing regarding the school’s River Park athletic facility commenced. The hearing took place at Los Angeles City Hall. Throughout the meeting, any member of the Studio City community was able to give feedback about River Park in the form of short speeches.

[Photo] LA City Council planning committee approves River Park environmental impact report

Max Turetzky, Assistant Opinion Editor
November 15, 2023
BATTLE-TESTED JOURNALISTS: Print Managing and Satire Editors Jade Harris '24 and Davis Marks '24 pose as Editors-in-Chief Averie Perrin '24 and Ella Yadegar '24 in Yadegar's signature Madhappy™ sweatshirt.

Letter from the (Satire) Editors: prioritizing untruthful reporting

Jade Harris and Davis Marks
September 21, 2023
LA City Planning to determine future of River Park

LA City Planning to determine future of River Park

Eden Conner and Davis Marks
August 29, 2023

HW Media retreat recap

Davis Marks, Print Managing Editor
August 25, 2023
After renovations and repainting over the summer, the Senior Lot now features larger spots and more space for cars to drive through. The Senior Lot has several less parking spots than before, and some seniors were assigned spots in the nearby Junior Lot.

Campus Operations completes parking lots

Davis Marks, Print Managing Editor
August 25, 2023
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Associate Director of Admission Janine Jones poses for her yearbook portrait during the 2022-2023 school year.

Jones to become Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging

Davis Marks
June 2, 2023

2023 student awards announced

Davis Marks
May 31, 2023
Jonah Anschell '23 poses for his yearbook photo during the 2022-2023 school year. Anschell passed away on April 19 from suicide.

School responds after second student death

Davis Marks and Grant Park
May 28, 2023
Departing teachers

Departing teachers

Natasha Speiss, Hannah Shahidi, Zoe Goor, Davis Marks, and Caroline Plunkett
May 24, 2023
ISIR IN SESSION: The Kutler Center celebrated 10 years of ISIR this year. Now, an ISIR department is being introduced to the Middle School.

ISIR introduced to Middle School

Davis Marks
March 22, 2023
PLANNING AT POLLYANNA: Teachers attended the annual Pollyanna Conference, the largest gathering of K-12 educators in the LA area, in order to discuss the role of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work in schools. Attending the conference was part of the school’s framework of DEI this year.

SLIDE becomes Directed Study course

Davis Marks
March 22, 2023
Claire Paul '23 smiles with a cupcake as she celebrates getting accepted into the school before seventh grade.

Highway to Harvard-Westlake

Ella Yadegar and Davis Marks
February 9, 2023
In response to the multiple antisemitic vandalism incidents this year, members of the Jewish Club posted signs around campus meant to spread awareness about antisemitism.

School searches for suspects after fifth antisemitic vandalism incident

Davis Marks and Natalie Cosgrove
February 8, 2023
President Rick Commons sent a school-wide email Tuesday detailing the most recent incident of antisemitic vandalism.

Commons reports fourth incident of antisemitic vandalism

Davis Marks
January 25, 2023
Sanders is currently Director of Admission and Financial Assistance at Francis Parker School in San Diego.

Sanders appointed Head of Admission and Enrollment

Davis Marks and Chloe Park
January 19, 2023
The school's emergency broadcasting system notified the community at 6:20 AM that in-person instruction would be canceled Tuesday.

Both campuses closed due to rain storms

Davis Marks and Chloe Park
January 10, 2023
President Rick Commons speaks to juniors about the fourth antisemitic vandalism incident during a Junior Class Meeting assembly on Monday.

School reports third antisemitic vandalism incident of the year

Davis Marks
January 9, 2023
Associate Head of School Laura Ross will begin serving as Head of School in July. Prior to becoming Associate Head of School in July 2020, Ross was Head of Upper School from 2017 to 2020.

Ross to become Head of School

Davis Marks and Chloe Park
January 3, 2023
PLAYING FOR THE PRESIDENT: Ryan Pinsker ’23 plays his new game “Get Ricky C” with his friends. The game is modeled after the online game 2048 and features images of teachers and administration instead.

Student creates HW web game

Iona Lee and Davis Marks
December 14, 2022
Students discuss the commercialization of Christmas, impacting other winter holidays and emphasizing materialism.

Selling Our Spirit

Davis Marks and Iona Lee
December 14, 2022
History Teacher Peter Sheehy discusses 19th century American history with his Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) class of juniors. APUSH is one of multiple AP classes being discontinued.

Academic departments reduce the number of Advanced Placement courses offered

Davis Marks
December 14, 2022
Students are lacking spirit, which leads them to forget how enjoyable the school community can be.

Stepping up our Spirit

Davis Marks, Assistant News Editor
November 19, 2022
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ’88 poses for his yearbook photo during his junior year at the Harvard School for Boys.

Mayor Eric Garcetti ’88 explains allegations

Davis Marks and Will Sherwood
November 16, 2022
Carter Staggs ’23, in character as Tectonic Theater Project member Greg Pierotti, interviews Elise Fried ’24 and Clara Berg ’25, in character as Reggie Fluty and Marge Murray, respectively. The play uses the real words of Laramie residents gathered through interviews.

Fall Play: ‘The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later’

Davis Marks and Alden Detmer
November 16, 2022
Congresswoman Karen Bass and businessman Rick Caruso '76 campaign to be elected as mayor of Los Angeles.

Mayoral Election: Down to the Wire

Davis Marks
November 16, 2022
Performing Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies Teacher Ted Walch taught, mentored and impacted thousands of students over his 30 year tenure at the school.

Remembering Ted Walch

Davis Marks and Fallon Dern
October 3, 2022
Signs posted around campus celebrate the Kutler Center's tenth anniversary.

Kutler Center Turns 10

Davis Marks
September 28, 2022
LAUSD schools respond to Fentanyl

LAUSD schools respond to Fentanyl

Davis Marks and Chloe Park
September 28, 2022
President Rick Commons announces the Ted Walch Scholar endowment at an event honoring Walch in August.

School honors Ted Walch with new arts scholarship

Davis Marks
September 8, 2022
Alex Lee ’24 (left) poses for a picture with fellow debaters at the 2022 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Lee and his teammates, under the name West LA Violents, beat out a large field en route to a national debate victory.

Junior receives first-place recognition competing at National Speech and Debate Tournament

Davis Marks and Chloe Park
August 26, 2022
Jacob Soboroff '01 addresses the audience filled with hundreds of friends and family of Ted Walch in Taper Gym.

School hosts 800+ for celebration of Ted Walch’s career

Davis Marks
August 25, 2022
NEW FACES IN ADMISSION: Interim Director of Admission and Enrollment Greg Gonzalez steps into his new role in the Admission Office.

Admission Office adds members

Davis Marks
August 25, 2022
Gisele Stigi '22 performs "7 Nation Army" by the White Stripes during the annual Senior Solo Night.

Seniors perform at annual Senior Solo Night

Davis Marks
June 3, 2022
President Rick Commons urges the school community to remain vigilant about wearing masks in an email May 25.

Administration recommends masks amid COVID-19 surge

Davis Marks
June 1, 2022
Asian Students in Action (ASiA) members hand attendees cultural foods and baked goods.

SLIDE organizes Multicultural Fair

Davis Marks
May 10, 2022
Members of Chamber Singers, Bel Canto, Wolverine Chorus and Jazz Singers prepare to sing the National Anthem alongside other school choirs at Angel Stadium.

Choirs perform at Angel Stadium

Davis Marks
May 8, 2022
Reverend Anne Gardner leads students and faculty in a candle lighting ceremony in honor of Yom HaShoah.

School commemorates Yom HaShoah with assembly, candle lighting and exhibition

Davis Marks
May 4, 2022
Loyal Terry '19 was one of 58 students across the country to be awarded the Truman Scholarship on April 14.

Loyal Terry ’19 awarded Truman Scholarship

Davis Marks
April 24, 2022
Charlotte Newman '24 and Illi Kreiz '24 cheer on participants at a Special Olympics event organized by Community Council.

Community Council hosts Special Olympics event on Ted Slavin Field

Davis Marks
April 22, 2022
Reverend Anne Gardner stands with ashes, ready to place them on the heads of Christian students.

Reverend honors Ash Wednesday

Davis Marks
March 4, 2022
The Community Health Office redefined its definition of being "fully vaccinated" to include the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. All students are required to have received the booster shot in order to attend school on campus.

Community Health Office mandates vaccine booster

Davis Marks
February 19, 2022
Reverend Sumi Lounden Kim, who works at Yale University, explains Nirvana Day and its significance to Community Chapel virtual attendees.

Community Chapel honors Nirvana Day

Davis Marks
February 16, 2022
Rick Commons announced new and improved Visions for the school after surveying students, parents, staff and alumni.

School releases new Visions after surveying community

Davis Marks and Natalie Cosgrove
February 12, 2022
Max Thompson ’23 and Brandon Damelin ’23 interact with marine animals at the Heal the Bay’s aquarium in Santa Monica on a trip hosted by the Environmental Club and the Heal the Bay.

Environmental Club hosts clean-up event

Davis Marks and Jackson Mayer
February 5, 2022
Auto Club members pose altogether after racing at a go-karting outing at the MB2 raceway in Sylmar, California.

Auto Club organizes go-kart event at MB2 Indoor Raceway in Sylmar

Davis Marks
February 3, 2022
Students dunk Math Teacher Joshua Helston and enjoy pizza during the event organized by Community Council.

Community Council organizes donation celebration

Davis Marks and Iona Lee
February 1, 2022
Student Ambassadors examine the middle school campus map that the school’s Admissions Office offers to prospective families. The map features all academic centers and common areas.

Admission Office hosts self-guided campus tours

Davis Marks
January 20, 2022
In Mudd Library, Maxwell Lee ’24 and Kai Do ’24 discuss strategies for their debate tournament. Debaters are often given the topics in advance so they can compose their arguments.

Debate team competes in virtual tournament

Davis Marks
January 19, 2022
Middle School students gather on Sprague field after evacuating from a gas leak that occurred at a nearby construction site.

Gas leak causes school evacuation

Lucas Cohen-d'Arbeloff and Davis Marks
January 15, 2022
During the filming of his short film, which is called “A Second Chance,” Alejandro Lombard ’23 oversees a vehicle collision scene in which two actors lie on the ground, playing dead. Lombard and the rest of his team shot and edited the short film over the course of four weeks. Printed with permission of Alejandro Lombard.

Student hosts film screening

Davis Marks
December 16, 2021
The new location of Tocaya Organica, a health-oriented Mexican chain restaurant, opened to customers Dec. 7. Dishes include tacos, bowls, quesadillas and burritos.

Restaurants open locations at Sportsmen’s Lodge

Davis Marks
December 16, 2021
Members of the Jewish Families Alliance light candles while saying a prayer during Shabbat dinner.

Jewish Families Alliance hosts monthly Shabbat dinner

Davis Marks
December 13, 2021
StandWithUs Israel’s Director of International Student Programs Charlotte Korchak discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with students over Zoom.

Israeli activist speaks to HWJFA students

Davis Marks
November 19, 2021
Crowds rush to the newly opened Erewhon Market on Ventura Boulevard to purchase food and to eat at their tables outside.

Erewhon Market opens new location in Studio City

Davis Marks and Jackson Mayer
November 18, 2021
On the ceiling of Rugby Hall, a bat lays still. The student who initially noticed bat assumed it to be a decoration, but the bat was later removed by maintenance staff.

Bat found and removed from Rugby Hall

Davis Marks and Tate Sheehy
November 18, 2021
An illustration features bags of candy being placed in a donation box. Two donation boxes were placed on campus, where students could drop candy to be donated to Operation Gratitude.

Community Council holds candy drive

Davis Marks and Abigail Hailu
November 5, 2021
LA mayoral election gains recognition from students and citizens

LA mayoral election gains recognition from students and citizens

Davis Marks
October 30, 2021
Students sit on the stage of the Saperstein Theater before speaking on a panel in front of school PODS.

School hosts annual diversity conference

Davis Marks
October 28, 2021
When Jim De Matté moves to his role overseeing the school's River Park Campus full-time in January, current Upper School Plant Manger Dave Mintz '87 will take over as Chief of Campus Operations and Construction.

Position changes in Maintenance Department announced

Davis Marks and Will Sherwood
October 24, 2021
Students and parents in the Harvard-Westlake Jewish Families Alliance (HWJFA) eat lunch outside at Holocaust Museum LA.

HWJFA visits Holocaust Museum LA

Davis Marks
October 12, 2021
Dr. Robert Gilchick explains COVID data as part of a slideshow presented to students, as Head of the History Department and Interdisciplinary Studies Department Larry Klein and Head of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Ari Engelberg '89 look on.

LADPH official speaks to Directed Study class

Davis Marks
October 6, 2021
Before school starts, students gather on the fire road in order to be tested for COVID-19. This testing occurs weekly, with sophomores, juniors and seniors being tested on different days.

Attendance office emphasizes importance of weekly COVID-19 testing

Davis Marks
September 28, 2021
Student Ambassadors socialize on the Middle School Lower Lawn while waiting to get food from In-N-Out and Rice Balls of Fire trucks.

Student Ambassadors gather at Training Dinner

Davis Marks
September 23, 2021
A fan blows out the fumes inside the science classroom in the aftermath of the incident.

Chemistry class accident triggers fire alarm

Davis Marks and Will Sherwood
September 22, 2021
Outside AMC Century City 15, Los Angeles residents congregate before their movie viewings.

Los Angeles movie theaters reopen

Davis Marks
September 18, 2021
Governor Gavin Newsom appears at a campaign rally with President Joe Biden in Long Beach, California.

Newsom survives recall election

Davis Marks
September 16, 2021
At the Senior Ring Ceremony, Senior Prefect Jason Thompson '22 addresses seniors and their families, discussing his high school experiences.

Seniors celebrate annual ring ceremony

Natalie Cosgrove and Davis Marks
September 14, 2021
Before the start of school, students gather on the fire road for mandatory COVID-19 testing by grade level. Constant testing ensures the safety of the community in the event of a positive case, so students can prevent the spread of the virus.

School confirms first COVID-19 case of the year

Davis Marks and Alex Hahn
September 7, 2021
Illustrated footsteps show a path from one food item to the next, which represent some of the new businesses coming to Sportsmen's Lodge.

New businesses come to Sportmen’s Lodge

Davis Marks
August 28, 2021

Local restaurants accommodate to COVID-19

Davis Marks
August 27, 2021
Nilufer Mistry Sheasby smiles for a photo after winning gold in a national speech and debate competition.

Sophomore wins gold in national speech and debate tournament

Davis Marks
August 26, 2021
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