Westridge School - From the Head

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2011-2012 Annual Report on Philanthropy

The 2011-2012 school year launched with a call to action that is now well integrated into the Westridge lexicon: Be your best, bold self. From Convocation until Commencement, the year revealed innumerable ways in which our Westridge community embraced and demonstrated this powerful theme.

The Lower School introduced the Tiger Cub Spirit Club, a squad of enthusiastic 4th, 5th, and 6th graders eager to build school spirit, improve attendance at Westridge games, and learn about athletics and teamwork. The group, organized and coached by Lower School parents, boosted our Upper School athletes during their home games and became a collective group of little sisters cheering on their big sisters.

In its inaugural year, the Middle School Debate Team far exceeded expectations. Made up of 7th and 8th graders, the team joined the Rancho California League, competing with area schools including Campbell Hall, Chandler, Clairbourn, Gooden, Mayfield Jr., Polytechnic, Sequoyah, and Waverly. Brand new to debate and ready to make their voices heard, our Middle School girls learned the art of public speaking and how to research and analyze topics, organize ideas, form logical arguments, and stay on topic. In their second tournament of the year, the team earned six trophies. With a strong season, they advanced and won two rounds in the Claremont Invitational Championship.

Westridge Tennis had a standout year. For the first time in 27 years, Varsity Tennis won the Prep League title. Junior Varsity Tennis has remained undefeated in Prep League play for three consecutive years!

The school rallied around Erica Wu ’14 as she contended for a spot on Team USA competing in table tennis at the 2012 London Olympics. She triumphed, and at 16 years old, now has the distinguished honor of having the title “Olympian” attached to her name in perpetuity.

Seventy-one members of the Class of 2012 earned 409 acceptances to 158 different colleges and universities in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, with 845 submissions to 215 colleges. One hundred percent of the Class of 2012 were admitted to four year colleges and universities. They are attending 51 different colleges in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

During its second school year, the Science & Mathematics Building became central to Upper School culture, but also made an impact on the surrounding community. As a result of the thoughtful and purposeful design, Westridge earned three awards for the facility: a Merit Award from the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) Pasadena & Foothill Chapter; the inaugural Sustainable Innovation Award from the U.S. Green Building Council Los Angeles Chapter; and a commercial design award from the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation. Furthering Westridge’s commitment to sustainability, outside of the integrated “green” features of the Platinum LEED certified science facility, the school also earned a Green City Award from the City of Pasadena for campus-wide water conservation and the installation of a new solar panel system on the roof of the Fran Norris Scoble Performing Arts Center.

Westridge’s partnership with the parent community continued to grow and deepen. The Parent Association’s launch of the Multicultural Parent Collaborative and the Dads’ Club introduced new ways in which the parent community can develop a stronger connection to one another, their daughters’ Westridge experience, and the school.

Regional events in London, Oakland, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, and Santa Barbara brought alumnae of all ages together, illustrating that the ties that bind Westridge women extend far beyond the boundaries of Madeline Drive. Much like the parent partnership, these events — and myriad local events — help alumnae maintain a strong connection with the school, reinforce their relationships with one another, and establish a network of diverse women with a shared foundation. Exemplifying the promise of a Westridge education, our alumnae continue to be their best, bold selves and reach new heights. One example is Carrie Ryan ’08, who in spring 2012, was one of 32 American students and the first Westridge graduate to be selected as a Rhodes Scholar. This past fall, she began her program at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy in Evidence Based Social Intervention.

The work accomplished to date on a new strategic plan has informed the Board of Trustees and the administrative leadership team of Westridge’s strengths and opportunities. The success of a 100-year-old institution such as ours lies in our ability to stay relevant, be forward thinking, and examine areas where growth is crucial and change is necessary. The exercises where this planning process has involved the community have proved to be invaluable and will inform Westridge’s trajectory as it begins its next century of educating young women.
Preparation for the school’s Centennial celebration in 2013-2014 is well underway. Under the leadership of Westridge retired head of school Fran Norris Scoble; Centennial Coordinator Ava Megna, who is a past parent and former trustee; and an exceedingly thoughtful steering committee, event planning and volunteer recruitment is ongoing. The diligent committee work — from researching the school history to planning the celebration weekend — is a persuasive indicator that the Centennial year will be one to remember.

Members of the Westridge community have made it clear that being our best, bold selves is not a theme that can be associated with just one school year — it is a lifestyle by which we all strive to live. Thank you for putting forward your best, bold selves as supporters and philanthropists who place the school’s well-being as a priority in your lives.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

Westridge School gratefully acknowledges the many parents, alumnae, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends who generously contributed their money, time, and effort to Westridge School during the 2011-2012 school year. Every effort has been made to accurately list all contributions received July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. If, however, an error has been made, please accept our apologies and notify the Advancement Office at 626.799.1053, ext. 252.

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