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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

Nathan Wang

Nathan Wang, Presentations Managing Editor

Nathan Wang ’25 is the Presentations Managing Editor on The Chronicle and an Editor-in-Chief of the Big Red Sports Magazine. Outside of Weiler Hall, Wang is the vice president of HW Model UN, the founder and co-leader of Global Affairs Society and an announcer for HWTV. He likes cookies.

All content by Nathan Wang
Dr. OiYan Poon speaks about Asian American identity and affirmative action in college admissions.

[Photo] Author attends Guest Speaker Event in Ahmanson Lecture Hall

Luca Gonzalez, Assistant News Editor
November 14, 2024

Dr. OiYan Poon speaks about Asian American identity and affirmative action in college admissions.

Former Program Head of the Girls' Basketball Program Melissa Hearlihy raises the 2024 CIF Girls' Basketball State Championship trophy after a 60-45 win over Colfax High School from Northern California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)

The Final Whistle

Nathan Wang and Evalina Gerencher
October 1, 2024

The name Melissa Hearlihy is synonymous with excellence in high school sports. With 39 full seasons, 839 career victories and two girls' basketball CIF State Championships with the Wolverines under her...

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

Nathan Wang and Chloe Kim
September 9, 2024

Alexander Hudlin ’26 spoke to millions of viewers at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Aug. 21. Hudlin is Vice President Kamala Harris’ godson, and referred to her as his "auntie"...

Board Game Club and Cinephiles Club  collaborated to host a movie night with board games in Mudd Library on May 24.

[Photo] Board Game Club and Cinephiles Club host activities

Erin Ryu
May 29, 2024

Board Game Club and Cinephiles Club collaborated to host a movie night with board games in Mudd Library on May 24.

Graphic Design classes hosted the first "School's Out For The Summer" Flea Market on the Feldman Horn Quad on May 24.

[Photo] Graphic Design Class hosts Flea Market

Eila Shokravi
May 29, 2024

Graphic Design classes hosted the first "School's Out For The Summer" Flea Market on the Feldman Horn Quad on May 24.

The school hired Jee Won Lee and Michael Durant to serve as deans starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Printed with permission of Lee and Durant.

School adds two new upper school deans

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
May 29, 2024

The school hired Jee Won Lee and Michael Durant to serve as deans starting in the 2024-2025 school year, increasing the number of upper school deans from 10 to 12. Head of Upper School Beth Slattery...

Boys' volleyball falls in CIF quarterfinals

Boys’ volleyball falls in CIF quarterfinals

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
May 29, 2024

The boys' volleyball team achieved its highest win percentage of 75% this season in the last 15 years and its first season with more than 20 overall wins since 2017. The team progressed to the California...

Playwright Will Arbery spoke to students in the American Playwrights class in Ahmanson Hall on May 10.

Pulitzer Prize finalist speaks to students

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
May 20, 2024

Playwright Will Arbery spoke to students in the American Playwrights class in Ahmanson Hall on May 10. In 2020, Arbery was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for writing Heroes of the Fourth Turning. The class,...

NASA Moon to Mars Mission Directorate Andres Martinez spoke to Chinese IV and V classes over Zoom on May 1.

NASA directorate presents to Chinese classes

Nathan Wang, Assistant New Editor
May 15, 2024

NASA Moon to Mars Mission Directorate Andres Martinez spoke to Chinese IV and V classes over Zoom on May 1. Martinez was named one of the top 20 most influential Latinos in technology in 2015, according...

Rex Grube '25 gives a speech to his peers for Head Prefect elections.

[Photo] Senior Prefects elected for 2024-2025 school year

Colin Ho
May 8, 2024

Rex Grube '25 gives a speech to his peers for Head Prefect elections.

The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra performed in Rugby Auditorium on April 18.

USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra performs in Rugby

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
April 26, 2024

The University of Southern California (USC) Thornton Jazz Orchestra performed in Rugby Auditorium as a part of the Jazz Lunch Concert Series on April 18. Following his employment at Thornton in 2008, saxophonist...

The school gathered along the Quad and viewed the solar eclipse through telescopes and solar eclipse glasses. Asher Meron '25 attempts to take a picture of the solar eclipse through a telescope.

[Photo] School community views solar eclipse

Colin Ho and Eila Shokravi
April 23, 2024

The school gathered along the Quad and viewed the solar eclipse through telescopes and solar eclipse glasses. Asher Meron '25 attempts to take a picture of the solar eclipse through a telescope.

The Upper School is mandating the use of phone caddies in the classroom for the fourth quarter to prevent further distractions from cellphones following an increase in Honor Board cases related to phone usage. The use of earbuds and headphones in the classroom will also be strictly prohibited.

Upper School reinforces phone and earbud policies

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
April 3, 2024

Head of Upper School Beth Slattery mandated that teachers enforce the upper school’s cell phone policy in an email to teachers March 19. In the email, Slattery said the Upper School is tightening existing...

Junior Prefect Gideon Evans ’25 takes the stand for his introductory speech during the Preliminary Head Prefect Election round in Rugby Auditorium. This year, twelve candidates submitted statements and spoke in the Preliminary Election Round on March 13.

[Photo] Juniors elect four Head Prefect candidates to give speeches in final round of elections

Hannah Shahidi, Assistant News Editor
March 20, 2024

Junior Prefect Gideon Evans ’25 takes the stand for his introductory speech during the Preliminary Head Prefect Election round in Rugby Auditorium. This year, twelve candidates submitted statements and...

The school hired a wellness director to
add to existing mental health initiatives. She will begin her position in July.

School hires new wellness director

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
March 20, 2024

Marci Reichert will join the school as the new Wellness Director in July. Reichert brings four years of experience as the Health and Wellness Programs Manager at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and...

Christian Stubbeman '25 prepares to hit a forehand in a match against Peninsula.

Boys’ tennis starts the season undefeated

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
March 20, 2024

The boys’ tennis team started the season with a perfect 5-0 record. The team’s match against Loyola High School on March 7 was postponed due to rain with the Wolverines up 8-5 at the time of postponement....

Guest speaker and prominent British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir speaks to the crowd at Westflix. The panel consisted of student directors Madison Baffo ’24, Jacob Lutsky ’24 and Yuuki Lubin ’24.

[Photo] Student wins Director’s Choice Award at Westflix for stop-motion film

Everett Lakey, Assistant News Editor
March 20, 2024

Guest speaker and prominent British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir speaks to the crowd at Westflix. The panel consisted of student directors Madison Baffo ’24, Jacob Lutsky ’24 and Yuuki Lubin ’24.

Munger Science Center, Seaver Library, Feldman Horn and Rugby Hall temporarily lost power March 14 due to high winds.

School experiences power outage

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
March 14, 2024

High winds caused a neighborhood power outage that affected select buildings at the Upper School on March 14 at around 9 a.m. Power, electricity and Wi-Fi shut off during the outage in Munger Science Center,...

Ethan Levitt ’07 and Sam Usher ’08 spoke to the school community on strategy-making in professional baseball and basketball leagues.

Printed with permission of Sam de Castro Abeger ’07.

Alumni speak on strategy in professional sports

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
March 2, 2024

The Harvard-Westlake Student Alumni Association (HWSAA) organized a panel consisting of the Director of Baseball Strategy for the Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers Ethan Levitt ’07 and the Director of Basketball...

Spencer Casamassima '24 and Josh Barnavon '24 celebrate in a game against Chaminade on Jan. 3.

Standing on Business

Justin Tang and Nathan Wang
February 1, 2024

It was Boys’ Soccer Program Head Michael Erush’s first day at work. In the brisk spring weather, Erush entered practice with the team as its new head coach. After introducing himself, Erush instructed...

The World Languages Department organized and hosted the first-ever World Languages Week. On the last day of the celebration, LatinX Hispanic Student Organization (LAHSO) co-leaders led line dances on the Quad for students to participate in.

World Languages Department introduces annual World Language Week festivities

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
February 1, 2024

The World Languages Department hosted its first-ever World Languages Week celebration from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26. Throughout the week, the World Languages Department, in partnership with Student Leaders for...

Point guard Trent Perry ’24 sprints down the court. He was accepted to the 2024 annual McDonald's All-American Game which will be played in Houston on April 2. Perry is the fourth basketball player from the school to be selected for the prestigious team.

USC basketball commit selected to play on 2024 McDonald’s All-American West team

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
February 1, 2024

University of Southern California (USC) basketball commit Trent Perry ’24 was selected to the 2024 McDonald’s Western All-American team. The prestige-based team competes in the annual McDonald's All-American...

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

Trustee Charles (Charlie) Munger died on Nov. 28 at 99 years old after serving on the Board of Trustees for 54 years. The father of five graduates, Munger joined the Harvard School Board of Trustees in...

Simon Pompan '18 and Harry Gestener '18 from left to right. Both alumni were featured on Forbes' 30 under 30 list for notable work in their co-founded company Fanfix.

Three alumni featured in Forbes’ 2024 30 Under 30 list

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
December 13, 2023

Forbes Magazine admitted three alumni to the Forbes North America Under 30 List on Nov. 28. Harry Gestetner ’18 and Simon Pompan ’18 were selected for social media, and Larry Zhang ’14 was selected...

WRESTLING WINNERS: Adrian Drouin ’26, 144 pounds, fights to break free from his Chaminade opponent's grip. The Wolverines and the Eagles held a match in the wrestling room Dec. 6, following the Downey 32 Way Tournament. The team will compete in the Tournament of Champions on Dec. 16.

Wrestling team continues to improve following massive results in Downey 32 Way tournament

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
December 13, 2023

The varsity wrestling team competed at the in-season Downey 32 Way tournament Dec. 1–2.  Team captain Cutter East ’24, 150 pounds, brought home first place in his weight group. Alec Avedissian ’25,...

Former CBS Middle East Deborah Camiel (Ariel '24) speaks to students and faculty at a meeting Nov. 15. She talked about her experience as a journalist covering the Israeli-Palestine conflict in Gaza despite violence between the two groups.

Journalist speaks on her experience in the Middle East

Alex Dinh and Nathan Wang
November 17, 2023

Journalist and former CBS Middle East Producer Deborah Camiel (Ariel '24) spoke to the community about her journalistic experience covering Middle Eastern conflicts Nov. 15. During her time as a war-zone...

Senior Independent Studies

Eleven Seniors were chosen this semester to work on independent study projects. The seniors and their advisors are highlighted here.

Chloe Dolkart By Sienna Dall'Olmo Chloe Dolkart ’24 is studying the relationship between COVID-19 and developing Type 1 diabetes for her Senior Independent Study. Dolkart is working with Upper...

Midfielder Micah Rossen looks to make a pass in a game against Sierra Canyon on Jan. 23.

Boys’ soccer to defend Mission League title

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
November 15, 2023

The boys’ soccer team is looking to improve this season with the new leadership of seniors and the rising talent of its freshmen class. Last season, the team won its first Mission League title since...

Illustration by Ashley Ham

Save Our Spirit

The school community and students from other independent schools discuss the effect of varying levels of school spirit on student bodies
Alex Dinh and Nathan Wang
November 15, 2023

It is Community Time on a Friday afternoon, and the entire Upper School student body floods through the entrance of Taper Gymnasium. While students would typically use this period to do homework, get food...

READY TO REOPEN: Alcove and Ventura Starbucks employees serve guests Nov. 11, the first day back after a three-week long renovation.

Starbucks Coffee renovation ends

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
November 15, 2023

The Starbucks location on Ventura and Alcove was temporarily closed for renovations from Oct. 22 to Nov. 11. The renovations, led by PR Construction Inc., featured changes to the store’s bar location,...

Performing Arts Teacher Chris Sullivan speaks to the audience before the group's opening set Nov. 2. The performance was the third of the Jazz Lunch Concert Series, a set of new performances created by Sullivan at the beginning of the year.

HW Jazz hosts third Jazz Lunch Concert series with guest performers

Connor Tang and Nathan Wang
November 13, 2023

The jazz program hosted its third lunch concert in Chalmers 104 on Nov. 2. The Jazz Lunch Concert Series, created this year by Performing Arts Teacher Chris Sullivan, is a new set of performances where...

Harvard-Westlake Parent's Association (HWPA) hosted the October Faculty Appreciation Luncheon in partnership with Latin American Parent's Association (LAPA) Oct. 28.

Parents’ Association hosts Faculty Appreciation Luncheon

Nathan Wang
October 28, 2023

Harvard-Westlake Parents (HWP) partnered with the school's Latin American Parent’s Association (LAPA) to host the monthly Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon on the Feldman-Horn Gallery LAPA provided...

Printed with permission of Janine Jones

School hosts annual Pollyanna conference

Hannah Shahidi and Nathan Wang
October 26, 2023

The school hosted 30 different middle and high schools from around the Greater Los Angeles (LA) area for the seventh annual Pollyanna Conference on Oct. 21. The school brought in Reverend Natosha Reid...

ASiA leaders share Chuseok and Zhong Qiu Jie traditions and food with the school community.

ASiA celebrates fall traditions with students

Connor Tang and Nathan Wang
October 3, 2023

The affinity group Asian Students in Action (ASiA) held a Chuseok and Zhong Qiu Jie Festival on the Quad during lunch Oct. 3, in celebration of Korean Thanksgiving Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival in Korean...

Administrators speak about student wellbeing at State of School Address

Administrators speak about student wellbeing at State of School Address

Nathan Wang, Assistant News Editor
September 22, 2023

Administration leaders kicked off the 2023-2024 school year with the Harvard-Westlake Parents’ Association (HWPA) sponsored State of the School Address and introductory reception at the Middle School...

BUILDING UP A DREAM TEAM: 2023-2024 Head Fanatics Zion Otaño ’24, Lily Stambouli ’24, Annabelle Mass ’24, Ben Boateng ’25, Fiona Ryan ’25 and Boaz Maydew ’24 pose for a group photo after meeting in preparation for this year’s spirit activities at athletics games.

[Photo] Head Fanatics elected for 2023-2024 year

Colin Ho
September 21, 2023

BUILDING UP A DREAM TEAM: 2023-2024 Head Fanatics Zion Otaño ’24, Lily Stambouli ’24, Annabelle Mass ’24, Ben Boateng ’25, Fiona Ryan ’25 and Boaz Maydew ’24 pose for a group photo after meeting...

HW Athletics introduces new student-run social media team

Karsten Cole and Nathan Wang
September 21, 2023

Harvard-Westlake Athletics created the Student Social Media Team to give students a chance to create and post content for the school's social media accounts. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are able to...

New faculty and staff join for 2023-2024 school year

Sarah Miller: Upper School Dean By Alex Lee Sarah Miller joined the Upper School as a dean, replacing Sara Miranda, who left after three years at the school. Miller worked in college admission...

Students elect Prefects for the 2023-2024 school year

Alex Lee and Nathan Wang
May 28, 2023

Following a series of elections and runoffs throughout March, April and May, the student body elected the Prefect Council for the 2023-2024 school year. Sophomores and juniors elected Bari LeBari '24 and...

Van Nuys residents express concern over potential Van Nuys Airport expansion

Nathan Wang
May 25, 2023

Communities in the San Fernando Valley have expressed their concern over the possibility of a Van Nuys Airport expansion, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The Van Nuys Airport, which dedicates...

SLIDE Co-Chairs appointed

Nathan Wang
May 25, 2023

Lila Daoudi '24, Cole Hall '24, Ella Jacobs '24, Sabine Kang '24 and Nilufer Mistry Sheasby '24 will serve as Co-Chairs for Student Leaders for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (SLIDE) for the 2023-2024...

Five athletes reach Track and Field CIF Masters

Nathan Wang
May 25, 2023

The Boys Track and Field team placed fourth and the Girls Track and Field team placed eighth at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Track and Field Finals May 13. Pole Vaulters Jessica Thompson...

Matthew Asada speaks at HW Works Global Leadership Institute

Matthew Asada speaks at HW Works Global Leadership Institute

Alexander Dinh and Nathan Wang
March 29, 2023

USC Public Diplomat In Residence Matthew Asada spoke to students on both the middle and upper school campuses as a part of the HW Works Global Leadership Institute, March 17. Asada joined the U.S. Foreign...

New Academic Classes for 2023-2024

New Academic Classes for 2023-2024

Catalyzing Change: Entrepreneurial Thinking By Nathan Wang and William Liu erdisciplinary Studies and Independent Research course called Catalyzing Change: Entrepreneurial Thinking. According to the...

Swing, Batter: Morgan Hill ’26 takes a swing at the ball during a home game against La Salle High School on Feb. 21. The team won 10-0.

Freshman class of five helps softball team to best start in years

Nathan Wang
March 22, 2023

The softball team started the season looking to improve after finishing 2-16 last year. The team is 2-2 following a 20-9 win against Marymount High School on March 7.  Head Coach Leesa Harris said the...

Prefect Council hosts Academic Fair

Nathan Wang
March 15, 2023

Prefect Council hosted the annual Academic Fair to highlight new and existing courses for the 2023-2024 academic year on March 7. Students browsed courses and heard directly from teachers and student representatives...

Mitchell Kallick hired as Girls Volleyball Program Head

Mitchell Kallick hired as Girls Volleyball Program Head

Nathan Wang
March 5, 2023

Mitchell Kallick joined the school as Girls’ Volleyball Program Head on Feb. 22 following former Girls' Volleyball Program Head Natalie Morgan's resignation.  Kallick attended New York University...

Seven students won awards for National Chinese Essay Contest

Nathan Wang
February 25, 2023

Seven students won awards for their essay submissions to the 2022 National Chinese Essay Contest, sponsored by the Chinese Language Association of Secondary Elementary Schools (CLASS) at the end of January. Students...

Joy Harjo, the Brown Family Speaker, speaks to students at an assembly.

U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo speaks at Brown Family Speaker Assembly

Nathan Wang
February 23, 2023

Three-consecutive-year U.S. Poet Laureate, author and songwriter Joy Harjo recited poetry and spoke at this year's Brown Family Speaker Assembly on Feb. 16. Founded by Linda Brown and Abbot Brown (Russell...

ASiA honored Lunar New Year by covering the Quad in red and festive decorations and offered a variety of activities
and food for those who attended the festival. They gave rewards including stuffed animals and candy to people who participated in the event.

ASiA hosts annual Lunar New Year festival

Alexander Dinh and Nathan Wang
February 8, 2023

Asian Students in Action (ASiA) hosted their annual Lunar New Year Festival on the Quad on Jan. 23. Lunar New Year is a commonly celebrated holiday in many Asian cultures and is the beginning of the Lunar...

On the Mat: Alec Avedissian '25 faces off against an opponent in a wrestling match versus Crespi Carmelite High School on Jan. 31, 2023, the team's fourth match of the season and final one before Mission League Finals.

Wrestling prepares for playoff competitions

Nathan Wang
February 8, 2023

 Alemany High School, Chaminade and Crespi, the wrestling team looks to bounce back just in time for the playoffs. Wrestling playoffs include three tournaments in chronological order: CIF Individuals,...

Second Semester Clubs

Anthropology Club By Nathan Wang Anthropology Club, founded by Melissa Ho ’25 and advised by World Languages Teacher Li Sun, is a space where students can discuss the development of societies and...

Time Out

Time Out

Student-athletes discuss the balance between sports, social life and academics.
Nathan Wang
February 6, 2023

The sky turned dark as water polo player Zach Rossen ’23 finished practice. At 6 p.m., when practice usually ended, Rossen climbed out of the pool, took a quick shower and changed into his clothes. With...

School reports record absences due to illness

School reports record absences due to illness

Justin Tang and Nathan Wang
December 14, 2022

The school reported a record-breaking 344 sick absences in November this year, the most since March 2019, according to Student Discipline and Attendance coordinator Gabriel Preciado. In the most recent...

Students discuss their Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay

Nathan Wang and Connor Tang
December 2, 2022

Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay were released Nov. 30. “Spotify Wrapped” and “Apple Music Replay” show users their listening time, favorite artist, top five songs of the year and favorite...

Illustration by Sophia Evans and Amelia Chiarelli

Senior Independent Studies

Yoshi Kimura By Zoe Goor Yoshi Kimura ’23 is building a new instrument and composing a piece of music with it for her Senior Independent Study. Kimura said the instrument, which is played with...

SPREADING AWARENESS: Carter Staggs ’23 performs in the “Laramie Project: Ten Years Later,” shedding light on LGBTQ rights.

Shepard Foundation speaks at HW

Nathan Wang
November 17, 2022

Matthew Shepard Foundation Executive Vice President Jeff Mack and Associate Louis Sisneros spoke to students over Zoom in Rugby Theater Oct. 25. They discussed Matthew Shepard’s story, the history of...

DAY OF THE BREAD: LAHSO celebrates Día De Los Muertos with a decorated booth and treats available to students and faculty.

LAHSO celebrates Day of the Dead

Nathan Wang
November 6, 2022

The Latinx and Hispanic Student Organization (LAHSO) and the Latin American Studies course constructed an altar on the Quad to celebrate Día de los Muertos on Nov. 1. They also organized activities ...

A college admissions officer from Georgetown University answers student questions about Georgetown’s campus, academics, athetics, student life and financial aid. Prospective students were encouraged to attend the meeting and ask any questions they might have.

College representatives return for in-person admissions question and answer sessions

Nathan Wang
October 4, 2022

The Upper School Deans began hosting fully in-person college representative visits to the school this fall. Open to juniors and seniors, the visits  include 25-minute sessions that allow students to have...

Food trucks served In-N-Out and Rice Balls of Fire for dinner.

Admission Office hosts Student Ambassador Training Dinner

Nathan Wang and Alden Detmer
September 25, 2022

The Admission Office hosted the annual Student Ambassador Training Dinner in Saperstein Theater on Monday, Sept. 19 with 318 students in attendance. The training dinner is an opportunity for freshman and...

Back-to-School Day returns in person

Back-to-School Day returns in person

Nathan Wang
September 25, 2022

Back-to-School Day returned in person on Sept. 24 after being on Zoom for the 2021-2022 school year. Held at the start of the school year, Back-to-School Day allows parents  to experience their child's...

New faculty and staff join for 2022-2023 school year

New faculty and staff join for 2022-2023 school year

Julee Madkins: Director of the Learning Center By Nathan Wang Julee Madkins joined the Upper School this year as the Director of the Learning Center. Previously, Madkins served as the Director...

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