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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

Sydney Fener

Sydney Fener, Executive Editor

All content by Sydney Fener
Cover of Mitski’s recent 2022 sixth studio album “Laurel Hell ”,  symbolizing her ambition to create artistic fulfillment.

“Laurel Hell” by Mitski Album Review

Sydney Fener
February 23, 2022

On the stunning first track of “Laurel Hell,” entitled “Valentine, Texas,” Mitski sings, “Who will I be tonight?/ Who will I become tonight?” This is a fitting start to the spellbinding album,...

A student participates in an SDLC presentation to faculty, sharing incidents of racism at the school.

SDLC students discuss leaked transcript

Sydney Fener and Alec Rosenthal
February 17, 2022

Students who attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) gave their annual presentation to the faculty and administration Jan. 25. During the discussion, students responded to a post by...

Members of Prefect Council discuss plans for the upcoming year during their August retreat.

Prefects outline plan for 2021

Sydney Fener
August 25, 2021

As Prefect Council prepares for the start of an in-person school year, members of the council said they are hoping to create an enjoyable student experience by prioritizing school spirit and inclusivity. Sophomore...

Illustration by Caitlin Muñoz

Pass Go and Collect Diploma

Four graduating seniors looking forward to their college experiences reflect on their journeys navigating the application process.
Caitlin Muñoz and Sydney Fener
May 31, 2021

Kiki Iriafen When reflecting on the early months of her senior year, Stanford University women's basketball commit Kiki Iriafen ’21 recalled the pressure she and her peers felt as they grappled with...

Appreciating interaction

Sydney Fener
May 29, 2021

It’s just the truth. Being at school every day is tiring. Waking up early in the morning, driving in Los Angeles traffic, physically walking to different classrooms—it’s a lot to manage after a year...

It’s Curtains for ArcLight

Sydney Fener, Assistant A&E Editor
May 18, 2021

Movie theaters worldwide sat empty this past year as COVID-19 restrictions prevented moviegoers from attending films. This lapse in profit has affected all theaters, but it hit ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific...

Coming Out

The media impacts many youth in the LGBTQ community. Students reflect on the role the media plays in coming out.
Sydney Fener
April 28, 2021

When Jamie Kim-Worthington ’22 checked Instagram and saw all of the support and positivity that actor Elliot Page received after coming out as transgender, he said he felt very reassured. The response...

The theme for this year's Black History Month is the Black family, representation, identity and diversity.

Black History Month: Its Past, Present and Future

Sydney Fener
February 23, 2021

February is Black History Month, a time to honor Black culture and accomplishments. This month is also devoted to acknowledging the deep injustices that Black Americans have historically endured and overcome....

Credit: Conor Thompson

Swiss-born multimedia artist discusses surrealist work with senior art class

Sydney Fener
February 11, 2021

Swiss artist Nicolas Party visited the AP Studio Art senior class Feb. 9 to discuss his work and career with students. Party not only creates paintings, but also public murals, ceramics and installation...

HW Project released for students and faculty

Sydney Fener
February 9, 2021

The HW Project, a multimedia production including over 23 separate student works, premiered Jan. 22 on Vimeo in place of the regular fall play.   Upper School Performing Arts Technical Director and...

Greta Zumbrunnen '21 performs their portion of "Windows" in a sunlit room. Printed with permission of Greta Zumbrunnen

Upper school dance showcase released

Sydney Fener
January 25, 2021

The Upper School Dance program released a video of their latest multimedia project, entitled “Windows,” to the student body on Thursday, Jan. 21. Their video was entirely filmed and performed...

Holiday Happenings

Sydney Fener
December 11, 2020

“My family and I get a tree every year. We have a holiday tradition where we play remixes of holiday songs on the way there and back, and at home we name the tree something cute. I also have to carry...

Stream Wars

Sydney Fener
December 11, 2020

The Company That Changed the Game When Netflix was originally founded, it struggled to the point where the company was almost forced to sell to the doomed Blockbuster. Now, just two decades later,...

Calling Out Cancel Culture

Sydney Fener
October 14, 2020

When Jonathan Groff, a writer on the hit show Black-ish, first met Louis C.K., they were working together on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He said that while C.K. seemed to have a dark side to him,...

Students return to arts online

Sydney Fener
August 27, 2020

In order to adapt to the difficulties that remote learning poses, performing arts teacher Michele Spears said the department announced changes to the regular fall play in an official school-wide email...

Summer quarantunes

Sydney Fener
August 27, 2020

Tongue Tied - Grouplove “I love ‘Tongue Tied.’ It banged when it first came out, has banged since and will bang forever.” — Kyle Reims ’21 Ribs - Lorde “‘Ribs’ is one of those...

Printed with permission of Jonah Anschell.

Building His Own Experience

Sydney Fener
August 6, 2020

Beyond the backyard of the Anschell family’s house, there’s a steep dirt hill. Most kids would avoid this area, maybe explore it a bit, but largely keep out. Not Jonah Anschell '23. When he first...

Problematic portrayal of police in the media

Sydney Fener
August 4, 2020

If you watch TV, you’ve seen it: the “loose cannon” cop who doesn’t play by the rules and sticks with their hunch until they get the criminal, no matter whose rights they have to violate to get...

Gaming Club forms online sports league

Sydney Fener
March 3, 2020

Science teacher Richard Vo, the sponsor of the Gaming Club, and several students have formed the school’s first esports team. The group has already begun competing in a league with other West Coast...

Accountability for our planet

Accountability for our planet

Sydney Fener
November 15, 2019

Everyone is missing Greta Thunberg’s message, especially world leaders. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, has become a major player on the world stage. She addressed the...

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Sydney Fener