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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

Sandra Koretz

Sandra Koretz, News Editor

All content by Sandra Koretz
The cast members of “The Insitute’s Prisoner,” written
by Carina Villanova ’22, gather for Playwrights Festival rehearsal in the Drama Lab.

[Photo] Theater the wright way

Jina Jeon
May 29, 2022

The cast members of “The Insitute’s Prisoner,” written by Carina Villanova ’22, gather for Playwrights Festival rehearsal in the Drama Lab.

Illustration by Caroline Jacoby

My Russian identity in a time of crisis

Sandra Koretz, News Editor
March 25, 2022

Russian melodies and whispers escaped through the open doors as the smell of my grandma's authentic Russian cooking seeped out of the house. Rich bowls of borscht and blinchiki welcomed me as I walked...

Catcher Jacob Galloway '22 looks at his coach in the dugout in the team's series against Notre Dame High School March 1.

[Photo] Baseball ties series against Notre Dame High School

Ella Yadegar
March 7, 2022

Pitcher Will Gasparino '23 breaks in between pitches in an at bat against Notre Dame.

SCANNING THE FIELD: During practice, Nathan Cassamassima ’24 looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to after beating a defender.

[Photo] Boys soccer team secures first CIF playoff win in years with penalty kicks against Woodbridge High School

Andrew Park
February 17, 2022

SCANNING THE FIELD: During practice, Nathan Cassamassima ’24 looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to after beating a defender.

Pitcher Tommy Bridges '24 throws a fastball in the baseball team's match against Foothill High School on Feb. 12.

[Photo] Baseball wins season opener against Foothill High School

Ella Yadegar
February 13, 2022

Bridges checks the catcher's pitch sign as he stands on the pither's mound.

MANAGING MASTERS: Sports Section Editor Maxine Zuriff  ’22 and News Section Editor Josh Silbermann ’22 are two of the boys basketball team’s managers. Zuriff and Silbermann fulfill their managerial duties by recording the statistics of each player, controlling the scoreboard, resetting the shot clock during games and helping the program’s coaches set up practices drills.

[Photo] A Manager’s World: The Sideline Story

Charlie Seymour and Leo Saperstein
December 17, 2021

MANAGING MASTERS: Sports Section Editor Maxine Zuriff ’22 and News Section Editor Josh Silbermann ’22 are two of the boys basketball team’s managers. Zuriff and Silbermann fulfill their managerial...

COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic held amid Omicron variant

Sandra Koretz
December 12, 2021

The school will host a COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic in partnership with Elements Pharmacy for those over the age of 18, offering both the Moderna and Pfizer boosters Dec. 16. According to an email...

Assessing Afghanistan

Assessing Afghanistan

Members of the school community share their opinions on recent conflict in Afghanistan involving its occupation by the Taliban
Sandra Koretz
August 30, 2021

The United States government announced that U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would be complete by Aug. 31, 2021, after the U.S. and the Taliban signed the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan...

Daniel Mnatskanian '23 handles the ball looking to pass in the teams game against St. Francis

Boys water polo beats St. Francis School

Sandra Koretz
August 25, 2021

The boys water polo team beat St. Francis School 24-4 in its first home game of the season Aug. 25. Center defender Jack Burghardt ’23 said he hopes the team's positive start to the season will allow...

Shooting into season: Jack Burghardt ’23 winds up to gather power before shooting the ball between two defenders in the team’s pre-season training. Boys water polo looks to start its season off strong in its Mission League home opener against St. Francis High School on Aug. 25.

[Photo] Water polo prepares for season

Danny Johnson
August 27, 2021

Shooting into season: Jack Burghardt ’23 winds up to gather power before shooting the ball between two defenders in the team’s pre-season training. Boys water polo looks to start its season off strong...

MESA hosts open forum discussion

Sandra Koretz and Tessa Augsberger
June 1, 2021

The Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) hosted a discussion with History Teacher Dror Yaron about current events and historical tensions between Israel and Palestine on May 18. Two days later, President...

CDC eases mask requirements as Los Angeles enters city’s yellow tier

Sandra Koretz
May 31, 2021

Fully vaccinated individuals were first permitted to be maskless outdoors except in certain settings when Los Angeles County moved to the yellow tier, the least restrictive tier in California's Blueprint...

Juniors (L-R) Matteo Dall'Olmo '22, Assistant Sports Editor Justin Goldstein '22, Ely Dickson '22, Jack Lesinski '22, Zane Danton '22 and Assistant News Editor Will Sheehy '22 smile for a photo after hearing about the return during lunch.

[Photo] School announces every day return to campus for all grades starting May 17

Ava Fattahi and Will Sheehy
May 10, 2021

Juniors (L-R) Matteo Dall'Olmo '22, Assistant Sports Editor Justin Goldstein '22, Ely Dickson '22, Jack Lesinski '22, Zane Danton '22 and Assistant News Editor Will Sheehy '22 smile for a photo after hearing...

Head of Upper School Beth Slattery shares her reaction to the release of the Chauvin verdict as other participants listen.

Deans and counselors host open discussion after the release of the Derek Chauvin trial verdict

Ava Fattahi and Sandra Koretz
April 22, 2021

In the midst of the Derek Chauvin trial decision, the school announced various measures prior to the announcement of the verdict in an attempt to benefit students who may be struggling during the time. George...

Californians 16 and older to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Sandra Koretz
March 31, 2021

All Californians 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 15 according to new California guidelines, allowing many upper school students to be vaccinated. In addition,...

Quincey Dern '22 poses for a photo outside Chalmers on her first day back on campus.

[Photo] Back to School Perspectives

Quincey Dern
March 15, 2021

Quincey Dern '22 poses for a photo outside Chalmers on her first day back on campus.

Golfers Alexa Sen ’22, Marine Degryse ’22 and Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor Maxine Zuriff ’22 all get ready to putt at their first practice since the reopening of athletics. Girls golf holds practices at Weddington Golf and Tennis and will have its first match against Marlborough on March 22.

[Photo] Athletic program officially resumes seasons

March 24, 2021

Golfers Alexa Sen ’22, Marine Degryse ’22 and Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor Maxine Zuriff ’22 all get ready to putt at their first practice since the reopening of athletics. Girls golf holds...

Baxter Chelsom '23 drives up the pool and attempts to shoot the ball in the game against Mira Costa High School.

[Photo] Boys water polo defeats Mira Costa High School

Maxine Zuriff
March 18, 2021

Baxter Chelsom '23 drives up the pool and attempts to shoot the ball in the game against Mira Costa High School.

A black-and-white photograph taken by Baxter Chelsom '23 shows a surfer paddling out on his board in an attempt to catch a wave.

Second virtual Arthouse showcases students’ visual artwork

Sandra Koretz
March 6, 2021

The Visual Arts department hosted Arthouse, a Zoom event designated for visual arts students to showcase their artwork to others on Thursday. The exhibit, titled One-derland, highlighted the work of over...

Commons releases update regarding return to school

Sandra Koretz and Fallon Dern
January 28, 2021

In an email sent to the school community Thursday, President Rick Commons said he is optimistic about a possible return to campus for students and faculty. Commons said that although COVID-19 cases within...

The inauguration of Kamala Harris as Vice President allowed for reflection within the student community. Illustration credit: Alexa Druyanoff/Chronicle

Inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris inspires students

Sandra Koretz
January 25, 2021

First ever female Vice President Kamala Harris was inaugurated into national office alongside the 46th president Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Throughout her life, Harris has committed herself to a lifetime of...

Midterm exams cancelled

Sandra Koretz
December 15, 2020

Due to the updated school schedule, teachers will not be assigning cumulative midterms this year before winter break. Instead, classes will take place as they normally would and teachers may assign regular...

Evan Hamilton ’07 responds to a question posed by Speaker Event Lead Sophia Rascoff ’23. Hamilton was one of four panelists at the event hosted by entrepreneurship program HW Venture. Credit: Sandra Koretz/Chronicle

Venture hosts social impact event

Sandra Koretz
December 11, 2020

HW Venture hosted a Social Impact Panel with four speakers working in the community service and entrepreneurship fields Nov. 17. All of the speakers spoke about their work helping others in their surrounding...

Students invited back to campus for social activities

Sandra Koretz
October 31, 2020

In an email to upper school students, Prefect Council announced that the campus will be open to students to participate in small group activities starting the week of Nov. 9. Attending these group activities...

The Stoned Age

The Stoned Age

Sandra Koretz
October 21, 2020

Like any teenager before the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam* ’21 followed a nightly routine of completing homework, brushing his teeth, scrolling through Instagram and falling asleep. His regimen changed during...

Students created several Instagram accounts such as @hw.confessions and @hw.compliments. Some of the created accounts spread gossip about students and teachers while others are supported by many students as they share positive coments about their peers. Credit: Alexa Druyanoff/Chronicle

Students create controversial Instagram pages

Sandra Koretz and Claire Conner
October 19, 2020

Students created several anonymous Instagram accounts dedicated to posts about their peers and teachers in recent weeks. Accounts such as @hw.confessions posted rumors and negative messages about students,...

Illustration by Alexa Druyanoff

National Merit semifinalists announced

Sandra Koretz
October 15, 2020

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation named 40 seniors as National Merit semifinalists based on their PSAT scores. In previous years, approximately 20 seniors from the school were selected, making...

Studio City adapts to COVID-19

Sandra Koretz
August 27, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic caused Studio City’s stretch of Ventura Boulevard to transform throughout the summer, as businesses have adapted to stay afloat and provide for others in the community. Granville,...

Commons presents reopening plans for 2020-21 school year

Tessa Augsberger and Sandra Koretz
August 5, 2020

The administration released their Return to School Plans and Guidelines for the 2020-21 school year July 31. According to the plans, students will attend classes from home in a distance-learning model...

School Reopening Task Force releases tentative plan

Sandra Koretz
July 15, 2020

The School Reopening Task Force released a new, tentative plan via email July 6 designed to implement a safe return to school for students, faculty and staff. The school plans to partially hold some classes...

McClain to work remotely from Washington

Sandra Koretz
June 3, 2020

After 13 years at the school, Upper School Scheduler, Chair of the Upper School Faculty Academic Committee (FAC) and science teacher Krista McClain will move to Seattle, Washington with her family in...

Stone-Cutters hosts second workshop, prepares for winter publication

Sandra Koretz
November 24, 2019

Stone-Cutters magazine hosted its second creative writing workshop to collect submissions for its winter publication Wednesday. Stone-Cutters offers in-person writing workshops Stone-Cutters has held...

(From left to right) Franklin Wimbish ’25, Addison Konwiser ’25, Maddie Hliboki ’25 and Chazzy Cho ’25 pose for a photo with the rest of their Latin IA peers in front of the Getty Villa’s long pool. Credit: Sandra Koretz/Chronicle

Latin students visit Getty Villa

Sandra Koretz
November 15, 2019

A group of approximately 30 students and teachers from Latin levels IA to III Honors visited the Getty Villa in Malibu during a field trip Oct. 26. "The Getty Villa is like this ancient treasure trove...

Paid to Play

Paid to Play

Tanisha Gunby and Sandra Koretz
November 13, 2019

Students believe athletic compensation will benefit themselves and their families.   After hearing about the Fair Pay to Play Act, which was passed by the California legislature this October,...

Hui Nan Eunice Kiang '20 accepts her ring during the Senior Ring Ceremony. Credit: Sandra Koretz/Chronicle

Seniors attend Ring Ceremony

Sandra Koretz
September 19, 2019

English teacher Sara Cohen gave a speech to seniors during the Senior Ceremony Sunday on Ted Slavin field. Each senior was presented with a ring or pin commemorating their time at the school. Senior George...

New Learning Center provides students with alternative study space

Sandra Koretz
September 10, 2019

A new Learning Center run by faculty members opened in Seaver 208 to give upper school students a place to study and complete their homework. Learning Resource Specialist Grace Brown, Receptionist and...

Goalie Baxter Chelsom '23 attempts to block the ball in the 21-1 St. Francis win on Aug 30. Credit: Sandra Koretz/Chronicle.

Boys’ water polo dominates Crespi in league match

Sandra Koretz
September 6, 2019

The boys’ water polo team defeated Crespi Carmelite High School 26-3 in a league game on Friday securing a 2-0 overall and league record. Players said that Friday’s game was beneficial in providing...

Melody Lee joins biology department

Sandra Koretz
August 28, 2019

Melody Lee is joining the upper school science department this year and will be teaching Advanced Placement Biology and Genetics and Biotechnology. Lee said she is looking forward to working with students...

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Sandra Koretz