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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 Kayla Graff
ASiA club hosts screening of movie “Dìdi,” discussion panel with lead actor Izaac Wang

ASiA club hosts screening of movie “Dìdi,” discussion panel with lead actor Izaac Wang

Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
May 30, 2025

Asian Students in Action (ASiA) and Asian American Culture Club (AACC) collaborated to host a screening of the 2024 independent film “Dìdi” and interview the movie’s lead actor Izaac Wang  in Ahmanson...

Summer Screening: Staff Movie Picks

Summer Screening: Staff Movie Picks

Staff members share their favorite seasonal movies to enjoy this summer.
Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
May 28, 2025

“Barbie” “I feel a deep personal connection to Ken. And Barbie.” - Nathan Wang ’25 “Fast Five” “Although it’s the fifth movie in the ‘Fast and Furious’ series, it’s number one...

Decisions, Decisions: How Seniors Decide Where to Attend College

Decisions, Decisions: How Seniors Decide Where to Attend College

Members of the school community discuss the various factors students take into account when deciding where to attend college.
Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
May 28, 2025

Andrea Cruz-Vazquez’s ’25 room is quiet, lit only by the pale glow of an open laptop. She sits cross-legged at her desk, her eyes moving between the three admitted student portals open on her screen....

Illustration by Anika Norton

Culture Shock: The Experiences of International Students

Members of the school community discuss the unique experiences of students who are originally from other countries.
Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
May 8, 2025

It is middle school application season, and Ivy Wang ’26 is studying for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Her study materials are a little different than those of her peers, though. Instead...

Under Control: Dealing with Menstruation

Under Control: Dealing with Menstruation

Members of the school community and medical professionals discuss birth control use among teenagers and its implications on the regulation of menstrual cycle and its symptoms.
Kayla Graff and Eila Shokravi
March 19, 2025

Although it is only 11 a.m., Rhea Khanna ’26 is on her way home from school. She feels a stabbing pain in her stomach as she sits hunched in the passenger seat. She worries about the math test and history...

A Valentine’s Day Gift Giving Guide

A Valentine’s Day Gift Giving Guide

Lyla Kavanagh and Kayla Graff
February 12, 2025

It’s February, and you know what that means — love is in the air! Or at least an excess of bland couples’ Instagram posts captioned “so easy to love you”. This Valentine’s Day, if you’re...

A Past to Restore: The Effects of the Eaton Fire on Altadena

A Past to Restore: The Effects of the Eaton Fire on Altadena

After the devastating Eaton fire, residents of Altadena comment on the destruction and rebuilding efforts of their historically significant neighborhood.
Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
February 12, 2025

Keisari Penman ’27 steps out of the car, smoke stinging her eyes. After evacuating the night before, she is on her street  to assess the damage done to her home. Her garage is ablaze, and a pile of...

World Languages teacher Bin He was chosen to be President of the Chinese Language Teacher's Association of Southern California (CTLA-SC) to establish goals for the Chinese language and culture.

[Photo] World languages teacher Bin He elected President of CLTA-SC

Luca Gonzalez, Assistant News Editor
December 18, 2024

World Languages teacher Bin He was chosen to be President of the Chinese Language Teacher's Association of Southern California (CTLA-SC) to establish goals for the Chinese language and culture.

Teen knocks on therapist's door.

Talking it Out: How Therapy Supports Teens

Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
December 18, 2024

Gabi*, a timid nine-year-old, steps into a warm, herbal scented room and takes a seat on a fluffy white couch. She is in her first therapy session, which her parents set up for her after they decided to...

ASiA leader Lauren Park '25 and Noa Blackman '25 sing a karaoke song together at the annual ASiA karaoke night. Club members and attendees bonded together through singing and enjoying pizza.

ASiA Club gathers for annual karaoke night

Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
December 18, 2024

ASiA leader Lauren Park '25 and Noa Blackman '25 sing a karaoke song together at the annual ASiA karaoke night. Club members and attendees bonded together through singing and enjoying pizza.

Building Every Family

Building Every Family

Members of the school community discuss the accessibility and affordability of fertility treatments and their role in creating families.
Kayla Graff and Lyla Kavanagh
October 31, 2024

17 years ago, Dwana Willis (Gian ’26) tapped her foot impatiently as a three-minute timer ticked down beside her. She held her breath as she squinted at the pregnancy test in her hands. After seeing...

Left to right: the album covers of Whitney Enenstein '24, Nate Arnold '25 and Sarah Parmet '25.

Stars in the Making

Musicians and community members discuss the process of entering the highly competitive music industry as an emerging young artist.
Kayla Graff, Assistant Features Editor
October 31, 2024

After adjusting the volume, compression and reverb, Sarah Parmet ’25 listens to the fourth draft of the song she wrote and recorded. Still unsatisfied, she clicks back to the editing space and makes...

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...

From left to right, Women of Color Club leader Nicola Dadlani '25, girls' soccer alumnus and USWNT member Alyssa Thompson '23 and club leaders Eva Vaca '24 and Bronwyn Vance '24 stand together for a photo after Thompson's visit.

Alyssa Thompson ’23 speaks to students at Women of Color Club event

Kayla Graff, Staff Writer
February 16, 2024

Alyssa Thompson ’23, spoke about her soccer career at the Women of Color Club (WOCC) on Feb. 2. Thompson was the first overall pick in the 2023 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft, and currently...

Shabana Basij-Rasikh was selected as the 2024 Brown Family Speaker for her fight for equal girls’ education.

Afghan activist for girls’ education talks at Brown Family Speaker Assembly

Kayla Graff and Zoe Goor
February 1, 2024

Girls’ education activist and co-founder of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) Shabana Basij-Rasikh spoke about her mission of teaching  Afghan girls at this year’s Brown Family Speaker...

Fiona Kim '24, Ronan Valle '24 and Matthew Reiter '25 register seniors to vote for the upcoming election.

Students hold voter registration for seniors

Kayla Graff, Layout Assistant and Staff Writer
October 6, 2023

Fiona Kim '24, Ronan Valle '24 and Matthew Reiter '25 register seniors to vote for the upcoming election.

School offers “Gatekeeper” mental health training

Lyla Kavanagh and Kayla Graff
September 21, 2023

The school partnered with the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Foundation this year to provide “Gatekeeper Training,” a mental health training program available to students, parents, faculty and staff. Counselor...

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Kayla Graff