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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 Tanisha Gunby
Prefects organize activities

Prefects organize activities

Seniors will celebrate the end of the year with two weeks of special activities.
Tanisha Gunby
May 31, 2021

Seniors will participate in two weeks of activities to commemorate their time at the school starting May 28 and culminating with commencement June 11. The celebrations will begin with the last day of...

(left to right) Penny Juarez '21, Maya Harbour '21 and Tatiana Washington '21 cheer for athletes during the Homecoming soccer game Friday.

Seniors celebrate during the Homecoming soccer game

Tanisha Gunby
May 3, 2021

Seniors gathered at the upper school campus for music, cheering, food trucks and ice cream during the Homecoming soccer game Friday. Head Prefect Jonathan Cosgrove '21 said the mix of food trucks, music,...

Students and community members recognize women in STEM, entertainment, athletics and more during Women's History Month  every March

School community celebrates the achievements of women during Women’s History Month

Tanisha Gunby
March 28, 2021

Every year, Women's History Month is celebrated in March to recognize women's accomplishments throughout American history. EMPOWER Club co-president Maddie Boudov '21 said women have not been fairly represented...

Citizens 65 and older in the Los Angeles County district are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as of Jan. 14. However, only 850,000 vaccine doses were delivered, when more than four million are needed.

Limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines in Los Angeles County negatively impacts seniors

Tanisha Gunby and Natalie Cosgrove
February 17, 2021

Citizens 65 and older in the Los Angeles County district are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as of Jan. 14. However, only 850,000 vaccine doses were delivered, when more than four million...

Social Justice on the Shelf

Social Justice on the Shelf

Tanisha Gunby
February 10, 2021

As Chandace Apacanis ’21 flipped through the pages of a riveting novel, it dawned on her what a major impact English literature has made on her high school education. By reading books of different genres,...

School assesses virtual learning schedule

Tanisha Gunby
December 12, 2020

The Schedule Committee gave a presentation to upper school teachers Dec. 2 to discuss the findings of a school-wide survey about the new block schedule.  The school conducted the survey anonymously in...

Mohona Ganguly ’21 receives a floral wreath from upper school dean Celso Cárdenas from inside her car. The celebration was held for seniors as a drive-thru due to the coronavirus Sept. 13.
Credit: Crystal Baik

Seniors celebrate annual ring ceremony

Tanisha Gunby
September 17, 2020

In keeping up with an 87-year-old tradition, the school celebrated the seniors' last year of high school with a drive-thru ring ceremony Sept. 13. The senior ring ceremony, which started in the fall of...

Photo by Ethan Lachman | 
Construction for the new upper school cafeteria, which aims to account for the new schedule’s common lunch period for all students, is nearing completion.The cafeteria has an outdoor sitting area nearby and is located near the steps of the Mudd Library.

Outdoor cafeteria undergoes construction

Tanisha Gunby
September 4, 2020

In an effort to efficiently provide lunch to the school community,  the administration  decided to build a cafeteria annex at the flag court. Associate Head of School Laura Ross said that while the...

Brookshire joins Upper School deans

Tanisha Gunby
September 2, 2020

Sara Brookshire joined the Upper School Dean Team after Beth Slattery assumed the position of Head of Upper School. Brookshire served as the Director of Admission at Brandeis University for the past six...

High school volunteers host virtual summer courses for young students

In order to break down educational barriers and provide academic support for under-resourced students, some students have expanded their philanthropic organizations.    Founded by Hope Shinderman  ’21...

Illustration by Alexa Druyanoff

Going The Extra Mile

Tanisha Gunby
August 27, 2020

When John Szijjarto '21 opened an email from College Board on Aug. 29, he was disappointed to find out that his SAT exam had been canceled for the fifth time. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, test centers...

McCullough departs to pursue a new career

Tanisha Gunby
June 5, 2020

After teaching The World and Europe II and United States History classes for the past three years, history teacher Pat McCullough will leave the school to pursue a career in instructional design and educational...

Alumni discuss college process during HW4L virtual meeting

Tanisha Gunby
June 4, 2020

Five alumni spoke about their educational, social and work-related experiences both during and after college at the HW4L Campus: College Experience on May 26. The panelists included Genesis Aire ’19,...

Zooming to University

Zooming to University

Tanisha Gunby
June 4, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges have been making significant changes to the admissions process. So far, the change in policy to optional standardized testing has sparked controversy....

Foot in the Door

Foot in the Door

Tanisha Gunby
March 4, 2020
Delving into themes of representation and love, students and director of “Stage Door” discuss the play’s impact on them.
Illustration by Alexa Druyanoff

Comparing school systems

Tanisha Gunby
March 3, 2020

When my multinational family meets during the holidays, many of us hailing from high schools and countries around the world, we discuss and compare the education systems. Though Harvard-Westlake ranks...

Valentina Gaxiola '21 views various photography projects located in the Feldman- Horn Gallery. The art exhibit showcased works taken by Photography I and II students.

Photography students showcase portraits in Feldman-Horn Gallery

Tanisha Gunby
March 3, 2020

Photography I and II students displayed artwork that they have developed throughout the 2019-2020 school year at the opening reception of the Photography Student Showcase in Feldman-Horn Gallery on Feb....

Korean exchange students visit campus

Tanisha Gunby
February 8, 2020

Two exchange students from Ewha Girls' High School in South Korea visited the school and attended classes Friday to experience daily life in the United States. Because the exchange students both plan...

Cinematographer Robert Elswit speaks to Cinema Studies and Video Art students about his experience working with director Paul Thomas Anderson on the Oscar-winning movie “There Will Be Blood” on Jan. 13.

Oscar winning cinematographer speaks about movie

Tanisha Gunby
January 13, 2020

Academy Award winner Robert Elswit discussed his role as the cinematographer of "There Will Be Blood," an Oscar winning film, to Cinema Studies and Video Art students Jan. 13. Elswit spoke about the...

Mixed media artist Jenny Yurshansky opens her art exhibition, Blacklisted: A Planted Allegory, to students and faculty during her opening reception in Feldman-Horn Gallery on Jan. 10. Credit: Crystal Baik/Chronicle

Artist displays work in Feldman-Horn Gallery

Tanisha Gunby
January 13, 2020

The visual arts department invited artist Jenny Yurshansky on campus to serve as the Upper School's first artist in residence. Yurshansky's exhibition "Blacklisted: A Planted Allegory" in Feldman-Horn...

Sophia Nuñez ’20 watches a video art installation created by Anna Katz ’20 called “Rorschach” in Feldman-Horn Gallery. The installation showcased work by both students and faculty. Credit: Tanisha Gunby/Chronicle

Faculty showcase artwork in Feldman-Horn Gallery

Tanisha Gunby
December 13, 2019

Faculty and staff displayed their art in Feldman-Horn Gallery from Nov. 4 to 20. Students in Video Art II and III also created media art with the theme “Time Over Space” for the first 3D media art...

Upper School Dean Sharon Cuseo and Eli Friedman ’21 converse at the Winter Market on Dec. 2. In addition to selling food at the sale, many students chose to sell an assortment of goods, such as crocheted hats, handmade pottery and bracelets. Credit: Frank Jiang/Chronicle

Handcrafted goods sold at Winter Market

Tanisha Gunby
December 12, 2019

Students sold homemade goods including jewelry, ceramics, glass cups and baked goods at the first-ever Winter Market on the quad throughout the day Dec. 2. Prefect Council hosts inaugural Winter Market Members...

Non-binary activists Jacob Tobia and Tyler Ford engage in a conversation about gender and sexuality Nov. 6 in Taper Gym. Both speakers encourage students to overcome the stigma associated with “coming out” and transcend gender stereotypes. Credit: Crystal Baik/Chronicle

Non-binary activists discuss gender identity

Tanisha Gunby
November 15, 2019

Non-binary activists Jacob Tobia and Tyler Ford discussed their experiences as gender-nonconforming individuals at the first all-school assembly of the year Nov. 6. To begin the assembly, Tobia read a...

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,...

Smoke spreads across the horizon as the Getty Fire burns over 600 acres, impacting neighborhoods since 1:30 a.m. on Monday. Credit: Austin Lee/Chronicle

Getty Fire prompts school closure

Tanisha Gunby
October 28, 2019

Both the middle and upper school campuses canceled classes and activities due to the Getty Fire today, which is threatening homes in Bel Air, Westwood and Brentwood. "Our thoughts and concerns today are...

Saddleridge Fire Leads to Evacuations, Changes in Homecoming Plans

Tanisha Gunby
October 12, 2019

Following two days of uncertainty surrounding the effects of the Saddleridge fire on the air quality at the school, the administration proceeded with the Homecoming varsity football game and celebrations...

Parents’ association receives the Bruce Ackerman Partners with Youth award

Tanisha Gunby
October 10, 2019

New Directions for Youth presented the Bruce Ackerman Partners with Youth award to the HW Parents' Association and student volunteers for their service to youth in the community at the annual Spirit of...

Caitlin Chung ’20 talks to an instructor at the WLSA Conference during the conclusion for the “Being a Student Today” segment. Chung spoke in the conference regarding her experiences as a student.

Students, faculty travel to Prague for WLSA Conference

Tanisha Gunby
August 29, 2019

Faculty and student representatives attended The World Leading Schools Association’s Global Educators Conference in Prague from July 18 to 20. Attendees discussed topics that continued last year’s...

Four seniors named National Merit Scholars

Tanisha Gunby
May 16, 2019

Ben Beckman '19, Ryan Wixen '19, Yujung Park '19 and Arts and Entertainment Editor Alexandra So '19 won the National Merit Scholarship among more than 15,000 finalists. Winners will receive $2,500 as...

Food journalist speaks to students

Tanisha Gunby
May 5, 2019

Los Angeles Times food section staff writer Amy Scattergood discussed her experiences and stories regarding food journalism during fifth and sixth period in Ahmanson Lecture Hall on May 3.  The presentation...

Students of LAHSO distribute food to students at the Multicultural Fair.  Credit: Tanisha Gunby/ Chronicle

Affinity groups spread cultural awareness at third annual Multicultural Fair

Tanisha Gunby
April 17, 2019

To share the various aspects of their cultures with the student body, affinity groups played different genres of music and distributed food at the third annual Multicultural Fair on the quad April 17. "I...

JCL and Latin students participate in the Spirit Competition at the CAJCL convention.  Credit: Mercedes Barletta

Chariots of Fire: JCL attends annual convention

Tanisha Gunby
April 8, 2019

Thirty Latin students and members of the Junior Classical League from both campuses participated in intellectual, athletic and artistic activities in the California JCL Convention at Miramonte High School...

During the school's first-ever journalism festival "Through the Looking Glass," guest speaker and CEO of "The Latest" Jeff Hall encourages students to participate in internships to further their education in journalism.  The festival included workshops with industry professionals, as well as keynote speaker Peter Hamby.  Credit: Tanisha Gunby/Chronicle

Industry professionals, students convene at first-ever journalism festival

Tanisha Gunby
February 10, 2019

Students and advisers from schools in the Los Angeles area attended workshops co-led by industry professionals and student volunteers at the school's first-ever journalism festival, "Through the Looking...

New wildfire regulations to be implemented

Tanisha Gunby
January 28, 2019

In an effort to prevent  the wildfires that occurred last November from happening again, California state government implemented new regulations for wildfire safety and funding that...

Students volunteer at annual Luminaria event

Tanisha Gunby
December 2, 2018

Members of the school community helped set up lanterns for the Studio City Neighborhood Council's eighth annual Luminaria at Campo de Cahuenga on Saturday. Chair of Cultural Affairs Committee Richard...

Community Council holds Community Service Week

Tanisha Gunby and Hannah Han
November 21, 2018

In an effort to encourage students to participate in community outreach activities, Community Council organized Community Service Week from Nov. 12 to Nov. 16, in which members of each grade aided non-profit...

Conference attendees pose for a picture with featured speaker and actress Lily Colins '07. Credit: Tanisha Gunby/Chronicle

La Femme hosts second annual EMPOWER Conference

Tanisha Gunby
October 10, 2018

Students engaged in discussions with distinguished speakers who highlighted their professional and personal experiences relating to equity, feminism and gender equality during the second annual EMPOWER...

NYU and Photoville hold exhibitions

NYU and Photoville hold exhibitions

Lauren Cho, Austin Lee, and Tanisha Gunby
October 4, 2018

Photographs by Abe Kaye ’20 and Chronicle Assistant Photography Editor Caitlin Chung ’20 were selected to be displayed as a part of an exhibition in Photoville and New York University called “cit.i.zen.ship:...

Stephanie Cho '20, Anthony Cho '17 and Steven Zhao '19 instruct students in the classroom.  Printed with permission of Steven Zhao.

Students teach English to underprivileged children in China

Tanisha Gunby
September 18, 2018

As a way to give back to his father’s family village, Steven Zhao '19 tutored underserved children in English in rural China with Anthony Cho '17, Ethan Tam ’19 and Stephanie Cho ’20 a July 8-22....

Stahl to teach in visual arts department

Tanisha Gunby
September 13, 2018

New teacher Nicole Stahl teaches ceramics, sculpture and glass classes in the visual arts department. Before becoming a teacher, she assisted artists creating their own work. Most recently Stahl was an...

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Tanisha Gunby