Last week, the Class of 2026 celebrated their transition to senior year at the Junior Ring Ceremony, a cherished Westridge tradition that dates to 1936! The class heard from Head of School Andrea Kassar ahead of a heartfelt speech from Junior Class President Micaela R. '26, which was inspired by the Roald Dahl novel turned 2009 movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox."

“Just like us, it’s clever. Musical. A little chaotic. Full of charm. Aesthetically unmatched. Sarcastic, silly, and filled with celebrities,” Micaela said. “But there’s one moment—precisely at the 41:36 mark—that hit me differently this time. Felicity Fox kneels beside her son and says quietly, ‘I know what it’s like to feel… different. We all are. Him especially. But there’s something kind of fantastic about that, isn’t there?’”

“That line,” she continued. “That’s us. This class is filled with the most wildly different, absurdly talented, fiercely kind, and fantastically odd human beings I have ever had the joy of knowing.”

With the help of this year’s Finder of the Ring (or, as some call her, “The Lord of the Rings"!) Jaden A. ’26, each junior was presented with a class ring and white rose. Check out the celebration photos here. Congrats, juniors—and welcome to senior year!