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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

MeJo Liao, Presentations Managing Editor

All content by MeJo Liao
Varsity swimmer Cooper Ren '26

Swimmers compete in CIF State events

MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
May 29, 2024

The boys’ and girls’ swim teams finished their respective seasons at the Mission League Swimming Finals on April 18. The boys’ team won second while the girls’ team won first. For the girls’...

Swimmers jump off blocks for a relay race between the school and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy (FHSA). The Boys’ Swim and Dive team will compete against Loyola on March 21, and the girls’ team will compete against Immaculate Heart on March 21.

Swimming and Diving begins season off strong

MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
March 20, 2024

The boys’ and girls’ swimming and diving teams are currently undefeated after competing in three meets. In the first meet of the season Feb. 24, the girls defeated Louisville 133-33 and Notre Dame...

Head of Upper School Security Earl Saunders stands at the north security kiosk. Saunders caught multiple juniors leaving campus in recent weeks.

Juniors caught leaving off-campus without senior lunch privileges

MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
March 20, 2024

Juniors have been caught violating the off-campus lunch privilege, which is reserved for seniors, according to an Honor Board report issued by Prefect Council on Feb. 20. The report detailed a specific...

Illustrated by Maiya Holly

Breaking the Silence

In light of Black History Month, students, teachers and counselors discuss the pressures and importance of reading about Black narratives.
MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
February 1, 2024

When she had found out her Honors English III: Imagining America class would be reading "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, Black Leadership, Awareness and Culture Club (BLACC) leader Tiffany Armour ’25 was...

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?

MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
December 13, 2023

2023 will be over soon , and I would like to ring in the new year with some New Year’s resolutions . As a Harvard-Westlake student, there’s nothing more important to me than finding new ways to strive...

Illustration by Eva Park

Watching the Scale

Students and counselors discuss the causes and effects of body image and the rise in popularity of weight loss drugs.
MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
December 13, 2023

Touching up her makeup, 16-year-old Liya* stepped back from the mirror and smiled at her own reflection. Since she started on the weight loss drug Wegovy a year ago, she has lost over thirty pounds,...

The school issued an email regarding student parties amid student hospitalizations due to drug and alcohol consumption Oct. 30. The email also warned of consequences to both parents and students who provide alcohol and substances to minors.

[Photo] School administration increases concerns regarding parties following student hospitalizations

Connor Tang, Assistant News Editor
November 14, 2023

The school issued an email regarding student parties amid student hospitalizations due to drug and alcohol consumption Oct. 30. The email also warned of consequences to both parents and students who provide...

Illustration by Sabrina Simek

Reclaiming Narratives

In light of Native American Heritage Month, students and teachers discuss the inclusion of the Indigenous community at school.
Zoe Goor and MeJo Liao
November 15, 2023

I’ll say, say, say, I’ll say, say, say, What is the United States if not a clot of clouds? If not spilled milk? Or blood? If not the place we once were in the millions? America is Maps— Maps...

Illustration by Eva Park

Stitching Identities

Students and doctors discuss the psychological effects and legal challenges of gender-affirming surgeries on minors.
MeJo Liao, Assistant Features Editor
September 21, 2023

As Loklin Gertschen-Klaseus '25 relaxed under the anesthesia, he turned to inspect the IV line in his right arm and gazed at the lights flickering above him, his heart fluttering with anticipation and...

Three seniors selected as 2023 Presidential Scholars in the Arts

Three seniors selected as 2023 Presidential Scholars in the Arts

MeJo Liao, Layout Assistant and Staff Writer
May 25, 2023

Photography Editor Raisa Effress ’23, Presentations Managing Editor Fallon Dern ’23 and Alejandro Lombard ’23 were chosen as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, selected by the White House...

Kutler Center Scholar in Residence Andrea Ghez poses with EMPOWER. Ghez won the Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering a supermassive blackhole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

School hosts Nobel Laureate and astrophysicist Andrea Ghez

Alden Detmer and MeJo Liao
March 22, 2023

The Kutler Center hosted the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics winner Andrea Ghez (Evan ’19, Miles ’24) as the 2022-2023 Scholar in Residence March 14-16. Ghez spoke at community-wide events and visited...

Former advisor publishes book

Former advisor publishes book

MeJo Liao
March 22, 2023

Former Chronicle Advisor Kathleen Neumeyer published her book “Advising the Chronicle: How I taught high school journalism students to run billion-dollar companies (and you can too).” Neumeyer was...

School announces new initiatives

Alexander Dinh and MeJo Liao
February 13, 2023

The school is instituting multiple policy changes that focus on the school's goals of student wellness and maximizing post-secondary opportunities, according to an email sent to 10th and 11th-grade families...

Cinema Sundays makes its return

MeJo Liao
February 8, 2023

Cinema Sundays are returning to the school after a hiatus following the passing of their previous host, former Performing Arts Teacher Ted Walch. The events invite community members to watch films and...

Upper school Science Olympiad team participates in invitational

Upper school Science Olympiad team participates in invitational

MeJo Liao
February 8, 2023

The Science Olympiad (SciOly) team competed in its first tournament at Temple City High School Jan. 28. SciOly is a team of over 30 members who train throughout the year to compete against other schools...

Illustration by Amelia Chiarelli

Underrated and Overrated: “Polar Express”

MeJo Liao, Layout Assistant and Staff Writer
December 15, 2022

When one thinks of Christmas movies, “Polar Express” is sure to come to mind. But for all its popularity, the film falls short on many fronts. People keep it around solely for tradition and not quality. “Polar...

Chamber Singers smile for a group photo following their performance at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Their performance, dedicated to helping families heal from their experiences with personal loss, was coupled with a reading and a sermon from a minister.

Chamber Singers travel to Forest Lawn Memorial Park to perform in memorial service

MeJo Liao, Layout Assistant and Staff Writer
December 15, 2022

Chamber Singers performed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park for the Lights of Remembrance Ceremony on Nov. 30. The service, which included prayers, poetry and a sermon by a minister, was dedicated to people...

“Black Adam” Review

MeJo Liao
December 5, 2022

"Black Adam," though high in potential, turns out to be an uninspiring film that attempts to address societal issues but instead ends up being a whirlwind of cheesy lines, spandex-waving, laughable CGI...

Guest Speaker Jeffrey Abrams presents at webinar combatting antisemitism

Guest Speaker Jeffrey Abrams presents at webinar combatting antisemitism

Mejo Liao
November 23, 2022

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Los Angeles Regional Director Jeffrey Abrams spoke at a webinar about the surge of antisemitism in the school community Nov. 14. Abrams' presentation was part of a larger response...

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Review

MeJo Liao
November 20, 2022

The highly anticipated sequel to Marvel's Black Panther, "Wakanda Forever" released Nov. 11, dominated box office results and grossed $287.9 million in total. It received nominations for Best Original...

Students volunteer at UCLA CORE

Students volunteer at UCLA CORE

Mejo Liao
November 13, 2022

Eleven students volunteered at the Power of Hope Gala in support of the CORE Kidney Program Oct. 22. Held at the newly-constructed UCLA Wasserman Football center, students met doctors, patients and celebrities...

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MeJo Liao