Issue 3 2024-2025
News
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Center for the Living Arts Grand Opening
The fully renovated and expanded Center for the Living Arts (CLA) opened to rave reviews! At a formal celebration in April, nearly 150 guests—including faculty, staff, trustees, alums, donors, and…Read More Read LessThe fully renovated and expanded Center for the Living Arts (CLA) opened to rave reviews!
At a formal celebration in April, nearly 150 guests—including faculty, staff, trustees, alums, donors, and friends of the school—gathered to experience the reimagined space that now serves as a hub of energy and creativity in the heart of Westtown’s campus.
Dedicated to expression and spiritual reflection through the arts, the center’s restoration was completed in three phases, with work beginning in the summer of 2019. The CLA now features bright and airy visual arts studios, a digital media lab for music and photography production, revitalized performance and rehearsal spaces, an acoustically remediated theater with student-safe catwalks, accessibility upgrades throughout the building including renovated bathrooms and an elevator, as well as beautifully restored outdoor spaces that connect the building to the student experience on the top of campus.
The reception was held in the visual arts space anchored by the Hildreth-Dietrich Visual Arts Wing—honoring a gift from Westtown alum and trustee, William Hildreth ’81 and his family—that includes a critique and exhibit gallery for students as well as numerous visual arts classrooms, and the Chu Gallery, a two-story, permanent exhibition space named in honor of generous support from Westtown Alum and Trustee, Jehan Chu ‘94 and his wife, Jeannie. Both galleries are flooded with natural light and have beautiful views of the South Woods and Main Hall.
“When I was a student at Westtown, this building felt like home in so many ways. I spent countless hours in the Barton-Test Theatre, the rehearsal rooms, and the art studios,” said Hildreth. “When I learned that Westtown planned to renovate the Center for the Living Arts, I knew I wanted our family’s foundation to support the creation of an inspiring space for reflection, imagination, and expression. It has been a great joy to see the renewed space and be confident that it will feel like home to future generations of Westonians.”
During the reception, guests delighted in the inaugural installation of works which includes some of Westtown’s permanent art collection, student pieces, alum creations, and art procured from visiting artists through the McLear Artist in Residence program. Tours were offered so that new features beyond the gallery could also be explored, such as new private dressing rooms off the theater, an outdoor patio for community gatherings and classes, music pods for private instrument practice, and new faculty offices and student meeting spaces.
The building’s modifications are in keeping with the schools sustainability goals and included new heating and cooling, replacement of all windows and doors, installation of an automated building management system to maximize energy efficiencies, and sections of new roof which make the building LEED silver equivalent.
“Westtown was a turning point in both my sister, Shamsi’s, and my life. It had a profound impact on my spiritual, artistic, and leadership development under guides like Jay Farrow, Caroline Loose, Ellen Jensen (Abbott), and many others. It is a privilege to be able to contribute a small gift back to the Westtown community on behalf of the Chu family and the incredible class of ’94,” Jehan Chu ’94 shared.
The Center for the Living Arts officially opened its doors to students this past fall. This exciting space serves as a vibrant invitation to reflect, create, and to seek out and honor the light of God in one’s self and others, and will further support the journey of self discovery and growth that is at the core of a Westtown education.
Enjoy the gallery of photos from the grand opening here!
Features
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World Languages Week
The World Languages Department, chaired by Bei Zhang, created a series of activities and events to promote language learning and immersion during the fourth-annual World Languages Week celebration at Westtown.…Read More Read LessThe World Languages Department, chaired by Bei Zhang, created a series of activities and events to promote language learning and immersion during the fourth-annual World Languages Week celebration at Westtown. The Upper School student body was divided into language teams—Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish—to compete throughout the week. Activities included special assemblies with guest speakers who demonstrate how they use languages in their work, student peformances of songs in their language, themed dinners representing culture and languages each night, and, finally, concluded with the the Language Olympics.
The first assembly featured polyglot YouTuber Arieh Smith—known as @xiaomanyc online—who gave his entire presentation in “Gen Alpha,” much to the delight/chagrin of the primarily Gen Alpha audience!
At the second assembly, the keynote speaker was Meg Smithson, Senior Social Worker at New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), where she works with detained and non-detained people in removal proceedings. She spoke about how language learning has impacted her life and how being able to speak Spanish is crucial in her profession, not only in her one-on-one work with people, but also as she serves as an interpreter in highly sensitive client-attorney meetings. After the moderated talk with Zhang, there was a Q&A for students to learn more.
The Language Olympics—a series of field-day-type events—is always a highlight of the week and capped off the week’s activities. You can enjoy photos here!
Though World Languages Week was planned by language teachers, it was an all-hands-on-deck undertaking, as all Upper School faculty participated in facilitating events. This week-long celebration was also a unique way to assess language acquisition in real time. Zhang says, “Some of our goals included promoting language acquisition, building cultural competency, providing students a platform to celebrate their success in their language education, and helping students envision their future career paths where they can apply their language skills and cultural knowledge.”
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Upper School Welcomes Dr. Victor Garcia ’99
We recently had the honor of welcoming Dr. Victor Garcia ’03 to campus. Dr. Garcia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at New York Medical College, where…Read More Read LessWe recently had the honor of welcoming Dr. Victor Garcia ’03 to campus. Dr. Garcia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at New York Medical College, where his groundbreaking research led to the discovery of a receptor (GPR75) involved in regulating obesity, diabetes, and cancer. He holds a patent and has contributed to the development of several drugs targeting these diseases. He is also deeply passionate about mentoring and empowering young scientists. Dr. Garcia visited classes, met with students, and spoke at the Upper School Assembly where he talked about his professional journey, his work, and his time at Westtown. Students were excited to engage with Dr. Garcia both in and out of the classroom.
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Beyond the Classroom
A signature experience for many students at Westtown are the school-sponsored trips which provide a variety of opportunities to learn and broaden their experience beyond the classroom. This year's spring…Read More Read LessA signature experience for many students at Westtown are the school-sponsored trips which provide a variety of opportunities to learn and broaden their experience beyond the classroom. This year’s spring break trips offered cultural and language immersion, biodiveristy exploration, service, and political activism. Groups went to Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Washington, DC.
Puerto Rico
Spanish teacher and Puerto Rico trip leader Mercedes Ureña Durán shares, “I had the opportunity to travel Puerto Rico with 18 amazing students and two wonderful colleagues: Fernando Gomes and Franco Yannielli. Throughout the trip we enjoyed the richness the island has to offer through its music, customs, biodiversity, and vibrant culture which allowed for an unforgettable experience.“Our trip was a mix of fun adventures, immersive learning and service experiences, sprinkled with opportunities to relax and soak in the island’s beauty. We started the trip in Old San Juan and learned about the history of the island and visited some important landmarks like El Morro. We then traveled and hiked deep in the tropical rainforest of El Yunque. It was a challenging uphill hike, nonetheless it was wonderful to have the opportunity to connect with nature in such a majestic setting surrounded by a lush forest of a variety of trees, including the native Yagrumo. The students were then rewarded with the chance to cool off by skidding down a natural rock slide into the refreshing waters that run through the forest.
“Visiting a local sustainable forest project called Casa de la Selva was a highlight of the trip for many students. Being deep in the forest and surrounded by nature allowed them to disconnect from technology and engage with each other. They supported the project by clearing the trail by cutting brush and fallen bamboo. It was tough work, but rewarding. Some students dug ditches that helped re-establish drainage to help proper water flow while others built steps along the trail which help to create easy access to the forest. After a day’s work, students got to be in community with each in a more connected way. One student brought yarn and taught other students how to make intricate braided bracelets, which became a favored unwinding activity after a day of work. As the sun set in the evenings we were delighted by the croaking of the endemic Coqui frogs which, although they are pretty small and sometimes hard to see, in unison they can make a cheerful and impactful sound.
“We traveled to Loiza to visit Samuel Lind, a local artist that celebrates Afro-Puerto Rican history and his passion for nature through his art and sculptures. Dancing was also an important part of the trip, as the students learned about Bomba and Salsa. We visited historic cities such as San Juan and Ponce and learned about the history of the Puerto Rican people. A favorite and unforgettable experience for many students was to experience the magic of nature at the Bioluminescent bay at La Parguera.
“Throughout the trip, Spanish immersion was our goal and it was wonderful to see the students practice their language skills outside of the classroom in authentic settings. To keep sharpening their writing skills students were encouraged to journal in Spanish throughout the trip as a way of encapsulating their daily experiences.”
Costa Rica
Science Department Chair and Environmental Science teacher Ryan Black led the trip to Costa Rica along with Megan Williams and describes it here:
“Students had a rewarding experience in Costa Rica during our biodiversity exploration! We spent the majority of the trip in Caño Negro, a remote wetland area and crucial migratory stopover for many bird species. The students did a fantastic job on several service projects, which included trail maintenance behind the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto SINAC facility, camping platform sanding and staining, turning soil and building a greenhouse structure for a community garden, and conducting trash cleanup and recycling along local roadways.
“Several students made the most of our time there by waking up at 4:30 a.m. to observe birds, howler monkeys, and other wildlife at dawn. Highlights in Caño Negro included a biodiversity boat tour down the Río Frío, as well as a biodiversity talk and walk with local experts.
“After five days of hard work and manual labor, we traveled to Arenal Volcano, where we encountered sloths, coatis, and eyelash vipers during a unique hike to a scenic lookout point. There, students learned from our guide about the history and ecology of this impressive active volcano.
“We then visited the cloud forest in Monteverde, where students got a reprieve from the heat and were able to immerse themselves in a completely different ecosystem. Among the highlights was a thrilling night hike, where we spotted scorpions glowing under UV light, camouflaged glass frogs, hidden walking sticks, industrious leaf cutter ants, elusive kinkajous, stingless “blue cheese” bees, and a variety of other exotic wildlife. Students also zip-lined over the rainforest, bravely conquering the longest zip-line in Latin America, and explored the farming and processing of sugar cane, cacao, and coffee at the Don Juan Plantation. Many of the amazing species we encountered can be viewed on our iNaturalist project.“
Washington, DC
Teachers Lara Freeman and Jake Norton took a small group of students to Washington, DC, for the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s (FCNL) Spring Lobby Conference. FCNL is a”national, nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.” The Spring Lobby Conference welcomes about 300 students from across the country to learn about active legislation, engage in trainings about lobbying, and meet with their representatives in Congress. This year’s conference focused on the threat to healthcare and food assistance. After their training sessions, students met with their representatives to lobby them to protect healthcare and food programs. Freeman shares, “We had a great trip and the students were fabulous advocates for protecting Medicaid and SNAP benefits as Congress works on its reconciliation budget.”
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Earth Day Celebrations
A focus on sustainability and the environment is embedded in much of our curriculum and practices, but on Earth Day, we enjoy special activities and celebrations. Some of the ways…Read More Read LessA focus on sustainability and the environment is embedded in much of our curriculum and practices, but on Earth Day, we enjoy special activities and celebrations. Some of the ways we celebrated on Earth Day included an all-school Meeting for Worship in the Greenwood, an all-vegan and a locally sourced lunch in our Green Star Certified Dining Room, an assembly with a student panel, and workshops centered on the theme “Finding Your Why and Empowerment.” The 17 workshops offered—which covered topics from bioremediation to clean energy at Westtown to environmental justice, to seed sharing pollinators, to name just a few—aimed to help to inspire students to get involved in sustainability work and to find the ways their passions and interests intersect with sustainability guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals created by the United Nations. Special thanks go to Mira Hartmann ’25 who was integral in organizing the day’s schedule, activities, and workshops in the Upper School.
In Middle School, teacher Courtney McKinley‘s eighth grade students headed outside to race the solar powered cars they had made. As Middle School Principal Will Addis shares, “The call to be stewards of a better world is implicitly and explicitly woven throughout the Middle School. In sixth grade science, the work STEM teacher Carlos Charriez and the students do cultivating plants in the greenhouse fosters a keen understanding of nature. In eighth grade social studies and science classes, students gain a broader understanding of climate change from both scientific and sociological perspectives. In Abby Lausch‘s seventh grade English Language Arts class, students learn to write persuasive letters to community leaders, which will alone them to hone their skills to be change makers. In the dining room, students eat food cultivated locally and debate which items go in the compost bowl and the Green Captain helps them get the decision right. Our outdoor education trips create a meaningful relationship with the world around them, with a ‘leave no trace’ focus. Our athletic program teaches our students to have positive personal lifelong health practices by exercising on our beautiful campus. Our Visiting Artist program also took a sustainability focus this year. Stephanie Rowley centered on using found materials to create a new work of art. Students manipulated the materials in a variety of ways, including sewing and knitting, to create a new work of art. The process had a zero waste focus, and highlighted the connection between us and the natural world. While we celebrate Earth Day each year, we observe the principles every day.”
Enjoy photos from this special day here!
Students
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Down the River
Our eighth graders participated in a beloved Westtown tradition—the last Middle School canoe trip! The Class of 2029 went on a three-day/two-night adventure on the Potomac River in western Maryland.…Read More Read LessOur eighth graders participated in a beloved Westtown tradition—the last Middle School canoe trip! The Class of 2029 went on a three-day/two-night adventure on the Potomac River in western Maryland. This hallmark experience is marked not only by skill-building in nature and on the water, but also by community-building and growth. Students learn to push themselves and encourage each other, work as a team, as well as to canoe and practice “Leave no Trace.” As Middle School Principal Will Addis shared, “The canoe trips and the training that goes with them provide real-world applications for the skills and understandings we strive to teach our students while also providing lessons that reflect those skills. If you are ever around the students as they prepare for a trip, you will see how evident this is. Phrases like ‘We can do hard things and ‘There are no passengers, only crew’ are uttered frequently. This is true on the river but applies to the classroom, playing field, Dining Room, and so on.” Our thanks to Chris Henwood-Costa, Director of Outdoor Education, and all the Middle School faculty who support these important trips each year! Photos of this year’s adventure are here!
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Living Museum
At the end of the school year, fourth graders invited family and fellow Lower Schoolers to present their Living Museum, part of a research project centered on the lives of…Read More Read LessAt the end of the school year, fourth graders invited family and fellow Lower Schoolers to present their Living Museum, part of a research project centered on the lives of historical abolitionists. The project is a culmination of their social studies curriculum, which focuses on the history of this continent from pre-European contact through the abolishment of slavery. In this final “living museum” project, students share the work, struggles, and successes of many notable abolitionists. Well done, fourth grade! You can see more photos here.
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Book Buddies
Every year, as part of the teacher Abby Lausch's English Language Arts class, seventh graders learn about writing and storytelling and then work with the Primary Circle students—their "book buddies"—to…Read More Read LessEvery year, as part of the teacher Abby Lausch‘s English Language Arts class, seventh graders learn about writing and storytelling and then work with the Primary Circle students—their “book buddies”—to co-author and illustrate a book. At the end of the year, the book buddies had a “publish party,” where they read their final books together, had a cool treat, and shared recess time. See more photos here!
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Environmental Science Students Visit Stroud Water Research Center
Students in teacher Ryan Black's Advanced Environmental Science classes visited the internationally renowned Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA. Located along the pristine White Clay Creek, the Center offered…Read More Read LessStudents in teacher Ryan Black‘s Advanced Environmental Science classes visited the internationally renowned Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA. Located along the pristine White Clay Creek, the Center offered an ideal environment for students to conduct chemical tests of water quality and assess aquatic biodiversity using a biotic index. The experience allowed students to observe what a healthy local stream should look like and compare it to the more impacted streams on our campus.
During the visit, students toured Stroud’s Platinum LEED-certified facility, which features vermiculture composting toilets and a streamhouse—an indoor laboratory where stream water is circulated for algae growth and controlled experiments. They also met with Stroud’s entomology team to gain a deeper understanding of macroinvertebrates and their role as indicators of stream health. Independent study student Mira Hartmann ’25 was able to tour their entomology lab and speak directly with the entomologist to gain insight into advanced analysis methods for the macroinvertebrate data she has been collecting on campus.
This immersive field experience enriched the students’ classroom learning and emphasized the importance of real-world, field-based research in understanding and protecting freshwater ecosystems.
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One Story Week
This year, Lower School hosted author and illustrator Matt Phelan for the 2025 One Story Week. In addition to illustrating books for other authors, Matt has written and illustrated many…Read More Read LessThis year, Lower School hosted author and illustrator Matt Phelan for the 2025 One Story Week. In addition to illustrating books for other authors, Matt has written and illustrated many of his own, from picture books to chapter books to graphic novels.
The four days of special activities kicked off with an outdoor divisional gathering at the fire circle on Monday, followed by decorating and personalizing One Story Week tee shirts. On other afternoons, students participated in mixed-grade activities based on themes from several of Matt’s books. During these activities, fifth graders served as student leaders, assisting Primary Circle, first, and second grade students. The week culminated with a talk given by Matt Phelan in our Gathering Room.
Lower School Principal Karyn Payton shares, “Matt gave an engaging and inspiring presentation to our young artists and writers. He shared his journey to becoming an illustrator and author by connecting his childhood to our students’ using a photograph of himself as a first grader and drawings he made in second and fifth grades. Simply put, Matt shared that anyone who plays, uses their imagination, and/or draws can become an author or illustrator. Highlighting the phrase, ‘creativity is superpower,’ Matt’s tips for the creative process included starting with an idea, being curiously attentive to the world around you, and finding the story in history. Matt showed us an example of his own drafting to final story process for a graphic novel—from scribble to sketch to final picture.”
Thanks go to Heather Tannenbaum, Lower School Library and Media Specialist, and the Lower School faculty One Story Week Committee for planning this special week. You can enjoy the gallery of photos here!
Guest author/illustrator Matt Phelan and Lower School Librarian Heather Tannenbaum -
Integration Bee Buzzing with Westtown Talent
At the 2025 Integration Bee at West Chester University, Westtown students swept the podium earning the first, second, and third places! Third place in the high school division (along with…Read More Read LessAt the 2025 Integration Bee at West Chester University, Westtown students swept the podium earning the first, second, and third places! Third place in the high school division (along with a $50 gift card) went to Kyle Cui ’25, second place and $75 went to junior Max Zhang ’26, and first place and $150 went to Jerry Rao ’27. In the semi-final rounds, Westtown was very well represented with junior Tiantong Hu ’26 and sophomore Jamie Lee ’27. Tessa Kipnis ’26 and senior Vi Kanyamiheto-Watson ’25 also participated.
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Biolympiad
As the premier biology competition for high school students in the United States, the USA Biolympiad (USABO) enriches the life science education of nearly 12,000 talented students annually. It provides…Read More Read LessAs the premier biology competition for high school students in the United States, the USA Biolympiad (USABO) enriches the life science education of nearly 12,000 talented students annually. It provides the motivation, curricular resources, and skills training to take them beyond their classroom experience to the level of international competitiveness. Westtown students have competed in the national exam for the past two years.
This year, five students took the exam, administered on February 6 after school by science teacher Leslie Barr. They are:
- Max Zhang ’26
- Jerry Huynh ’25
- Anqi (Angela) Wang ’26
- Ela Mitra ’28
- Mary Chen ’27
Of these students, Angela Wang qualified for semifinals. This semi final exam was during our spring break, (and only open to US residents). Angela has qualified for this honor for two years now, and has represented our school very well.
Please join us in congratulating all of this year’s participants in this national academic competition!
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Think, Care, Act Fair
The seventh grade Think, Care, Act project is the culmination of students identifying their strengths, interests, and talents, focusing on what they care about in their communities and world around…Read More Read LessThe seventh grade Think, Care, Act project is the culmination of students identifying their strengths, interests, and talents, focusing on what they care about in their communities and world around them, then choosing a service project or organizationto donate time to related to these strengths and interests. Each student does 10 hours of service, which together makes 400 hours of community service performed by seventh graders! The Think, Care, Act Fair is the culmination of these projects and was held in the Uptown Lounge where students presented tri-folds describing their services projects and shared their experiences with parents, teachers, and fellow students. Well done, students, and shout to teacher Abby Lausch who created and shepherds this project!
Enjoy the gallery of photos from the fair here!
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National Chinese Honor Society Inductees
The National Chinese Honor Society was established in November 1993. Its objective is to acknowledge the superior achievement of secondary school students studying Chinese as a second language. Like other honor…Read More Read LessThe National Chinese Honor Society was established in November 1993. Its objective is to acknowledge the superior achievement of secondary school students studying Chinese as a second language. Like other honor societies, the National Chinese Honor Society not only recognizes high scholastic achievement but also good character, leadership, and service. National Chinese Honor Society members should exemplify all these standards. The Society’s goal is to promote enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture learning, commitment to advanced study, and greater cross-cultural understanding. In addition, the National Junior Scholars for Excellence in Chinese award is to recognize our eligible Middle School 8th grade Mandarin students’ achievement in the study of Chinese language and culture.
After reviewing their Chinese course work throughout their middle school and high school years, examining the national standards set forth, and discussing the many qualifications of gifted students, the Westtown School chapter of the National Chinese Honor Society was pleased to induct 12 new members into the society and renew seven students’ memberships, as well as award four Middle School students into the National Chinese Junior Scholar in Chinese.
At an induction ceremony in the South Room this spring, teachers Jie Song, Nina Li, and World Languages Chair Bei Zhang presented the students with their certificates. Congratulations!
Upper School Newly Inducted Members
Alondra Garcia Almonte 顾明兰
Camille Bley 林可芯
Payton Corp 孔沛萱
Ben D’Alessandro 邓杰
Evan Holgate 侯昱
Insaaf Imtiyaz 张先尧
Catherine McDonough 麦熙婷
Fernanda Paredes 潘悦珂
Celia Perkins 彭静
Victoria Potts 潘诗颖
Ayla Riley 阮庆玲
Miriam Smith 史幂Upper School Renewed Members
Sofia Burgos 包慧珍
Parker Coates 寇晓洁
Aveline Heryer 何美琳
Emily Kessler 艾明兰
Grace Malavolta 马悦晴
Liam Sellers-Johnston 孙俊
Auden Vosburgh 王嘉奇Middle School Newly Inducted Members
Abby Sellers-Johnston 沈佳怡
Sam Marsini 马珊珊
Molly Kramer 康明慧
Kayla John 蒋敏静 -
Spanish National Honor Society Inductees
At the end of the school year, students were inducted in to Las Alas Sociedad Honorífica Hispana de Westtown - the National Spanish Honor Society. The National Spanish Honor Society’s…Read More Read LessAt the end of the school year, students were inducted in to Las Alas Sociedad Honorífica Hispana de Westtown – the National Spanish Honor Society. The National Spanish Honor Society’s goal is to recognize high school achievement in Spanish and Portuguese and to promote interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies. Upper School Spanish teachers Mercedes Ureña Durán, Juan Rodriguez, and Cynthia Voorhees and Middle School Spanish teacher Franco Yanelli led a candle-lighting ceremony (outside, of course!) then awarded students their certificates. ¡Felicidades, estudiantes!
Madeline Abah ’26
Logan Amaya ’28
Charlotte Anstine ’25
Kaitlin Boston ’27
Payton Corp ’26
Jesaiah Curden ’25
Ronan Duffy ’28
D-Liz Esaka Esaka ’27
Melissa Freeman ’26
Aneesa Hernandez ’28
Wynnie Herrera ’28
Tiantong Hu ’26
Addison James ’27
Brielle Kazemi ’27
James Kelleher ’26
Tessa Kipnis ’26
Emma McDonough ’26
Alex Moschella ’27
Gabriela Poyo ’26
Delia Sanchez ’27
Yeji Shim ’25
Avery Shorter ’26
Meredith Smith ’25
Grey Sobel ’26
Kate Stephan ’26
Radhi Sundararajan ’28
Ishana Sundararajan ’28
Alana Thomsforde ’25
Elijah Tulleners ’28
Maitreyi Vadigepalli ’27
Anqi Wang ’26
Mady Wiley ’26
Arts
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Artists in Residence
We are fortunte to have robust Artists-in-Residence programs in all divisions here at Westtown. This year, three artsists worked with students to share their talents and create special works with…Read More Read LessWe are fortunte to have robust Artists-in-Residence programs in all divisions here at Westtown. This year, three artsists worked with students to share their talents and create special works with students.
The Lower School welcomed Margaux McAllister as our 2025 Candace Freeman Artist-in-Residence. The Lower School Artist-in-Residence program is coordinated by Lower School art teachers, Kelly Nicholson and Jane Chesson. Margaux is a multi-disciplinary artist whose recent work has featured various fiber techniques to explore the theme of identity. Throughout the residency, Margaux worked alongside PK – 5th grade students during their art classes to teach the process of rug tufting using punch needles. Students learned about working collaboratively while practicing new fiber-based skills. They will be able to continue building upon this work as we integrate these new techniques into our Lower School Art Studios after the residency concludes. Margaux took the students’ work back to her Phoenixville studio to assemble a collaborative fiber work, and it was installed in the Lower School this spring. You can see the final piece in the Gathering Room.
The Candace Freeman Artist-in-Residence Program began over thirty years ago and focuses on bringing professional artists to Westtown Lower School to share their artistic process and inspiration with our students. The opportunity for young artists to work alongside a professional artist is a valuable and an important piece of our arts curriculum. You can see many of the Artist-in-Residence projects from years past throughout the Lower School hallways.
This spring Middle School and art teachers Cindy Hodgson and Marta Willgoose Salo welcomed Stephane Rowley, Philadelphia-based mixed media artist, as the visiting artist. Stephane collaborated with students using weaving, quilting, embroidering, sewing by machine and hand, knitting, and more to create a fiber piece which will be installed in the CLA. Students explored textile traditions, especially pertaining to reuse and repair such as Kantha, Sashiko, and piecework quilting to create an installation to minimise and upcycle textile waste. See her work with students here!
The Upper School was thrilled to have Westtown alum Sarah Bourne Rafferty ’00 as the McLear Artist in Residence this year. Sarah worked with students to create cyanotype prints and together they created the beautiful work that hangs in the CLA Jehan ’94 and Jeannie Chu Gallery, pictured below.Sarah’s work ranges from photographs to books to prints with a particular love for alternative process/non-silver photography. She is engaged in a line of inquiry that stretches beyond a particular medium. Sarah is mesmerized by the interweaving of thoughts into words. She is consistently inspired by the natural world, be it her small back yard or adventures on mountain tops far away. Parts of the natural world often appear intertwined with words or lines of text as she tries to dissect what is happening with the changing of the seasons and how they can relate to communication.
She is the founder of Atwater Designs, a cyanotype design studio that produces original cyanotypes, fine art prints and paper goods. Her more experimental and personal work is what appears here in her portfolio. She is also a teacher of photography to high school students and finds working with students to be integral in her process. Sarah’s work has been shown both nationally and internationally. She currently lives, makes, and teaches in Southeastern PA.
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Evening of the Arts/Senior Art Show
At the end of the year, students, faculty, and families gathered for Senior Art Exhibition. The Senior Art Exhibition is a summative experience that brings together works of students from…Read More Read LessAt the end of the year, students, faculty, and families gathered for Senior Art Exhibition. The Senior Art Exhibition is a summative experience that brings together works of students from all visual arts disciplines — drawing and painting, photography and digital art, sculpture, ceramics, and fiber arts created during the 2024-2025 school year. This year’s talented artists included Sophia Atkins, Sofia Burgos, Coco Chen, Ella Dobrzelewski, Adele Daughenbaugh, Nick Fabricatore, Nia Foote, Kennedy Hall, Georgia Smith, Bitong Sun, and July Wen. You can visit Westtown Senior Art Exhibition website to see the students’ work and can visit the gallery here for more photos of their work.
The Senior Art Exhibition was part of the Evening of the Arts celebration which began with a reception in the gallery and concluded with performances by our Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
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Spring Musical
The Upper School production of The Addam's Family was a smash! From set builders to light and sound technicians to the actors on stage, the students did a remarkable job!…Read More Read LessThe Upper School production of The Addam’s Family was a smash! From set builders to light and sound technicians to the actors on stage, the students did a remarkable job! Enjoy photos of this fabulous musical here!
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Trills and Thrills
On Friday May 30, our 7th and 8th grade band students participated in their first Trills and Thrills Music Festival. This festival has events throughout the country hosting school music…Read More Read LessOn Friday May 30, our 7th and 8th grade band students participated in their first Trills and Thrills Music Festival. This festival has events throughout the country hosting school music ensembles from elementary to high school to participate in an adjudicated performance before spending the day celebrating at an amusement park. This year the 7th and 8th grade band and their director Jason Wu went to Boyertown Area High School for their adjudication, where they performed two pieces and earned an Excellent Rating which is the second highest rating in the event. They spent the rest of the day at Dorney Park! Well, done middle schoolers!
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Spring Dance Concert
The spring dance concert, entitled A Bouquet of Movement, was a celebration of our graduating seniors and their work. There were also student-crafted dances from Upper School and Middle School dancers…Read More Read LessThe spring dance concert, entitled A Bouquet of Movement, was a celebration of our graduating seniors and their work. There were also student-crafted dances from Upper School and Middle School dancers and collaborative work led by dance teacher Amy Grebe. You can enjoy photos from their wonderful performance here!
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Spring Concerts
Spring is the time our students showcase their musical talents and demonstrate all they've learned throughout the year. If you missed the concerts you can at least enjoy photos our…Read More Read LessSpring is the time our students showcase their musical talents and demonstrate all they’ve learned throughout the year. If you missed the concerts you can at least enjoy photos our students’ performance here!
The Lower Schoolers sang, danced, drummed their hearts out at their end-of-year concert! See the gallery here.
The Middle School strings ensemble, band, and chorus regaled the crowds at their spring performances, one in the Barton-Test theater, and one showcase in the Center for the Living Arts. Enjoy the photos here!
Bravo to our Upper School musicians on their wonderful performances! String Orchestra (photos by Coco Chen ’25), Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble performed for our community a diverse repertoire written by composers from around the world. The String Orchestra and Symphonic Band also performed at The Hickman, a Quaker retirement home in West Chester, to share live music with their residents. Their performances showcased their hard work and talents! There are more photos of their performances here!
Athletics
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Spring Sports Roundup
Director of Athletics Mich Canuso-Bedesem, sums up the awesome spring sports season: This spring was a rainy yet exciting time in Westtown Athletics! All of our spring teams qualified for…Read More Read LessDirector of Athletics Mich Canuso-Bedesem, sums up the awesome spring sports season:
This spring was a rainy yet exciting time in Westtown Athletics! All of our spring teams qualified for the Friends Schools League (FSL) playoffs which is a first for Westtown, at least in the last decade. The Oak Lane Athletic Complex hosted games and practices for the first time and our Middle School baseball team had their first season on the new Middle school baseball field.
- The girls lacrosse team made the FSL playoffs for the first time since 2006. This is a huge step for the program as they finished just shy of the playoffs the past two seasons. Additionally, senior Sophie Jones broke Westtown’s all time goal’s record scoring 210 goals in her career.
- Our baseball team was hit with the injury bat this season but still managed to take a spring break trip to Florida, secure a winning record, and advance to the FSL semi-finals for the eighth year in a row.
- We hosted our very first “Under the Lights” game this spring for our boys lacrosse Senior Night game against league rival Shipley. It was a beautiful night and the team played an amazing game and beat the Gators! Boys lacrosse finished 2nd in the FSL losing a heartbreaking game in overtime in the FSL Championship match up with ANC.
- Westtown hosted the FSL Track and Field Championships this spring. It was an exciting event and two records were broken. Laila Atkins ’27 broke her own school records in the discus and shot put and Charlie Reed ’28 broke the 100m hurdles record. Both went on to win the state championship in their respective events.
- Our golf, softball, and tennis teams had solid performances this year and their ranks are filled with young talent eager to make their mark on the FSL in years to come.
- We welcomed alums and current players for a Westtown Alums Field hockey event on Alums Day. This event allowed our alums to check out the new field and our current players a chance to play on the turf since it wasn’t completed until after the season. Some alums jumped in to play with our current students while others cheered from the Clubhouse or stands. We even had two board members—Emily Abels and Liz Osterman—come out in support!
- Westtown student athletes continue to be amongst the best in the FSL and we took home 23 FSL All League and Honorable Mention recognitions this spring!
Finally, congratulations to the seniors (new graduates) who signed their National Letters of Intent to play their respective sports in college. They are:
Charlotte Anstine – Dickinson College (golf)
Francisco Benbow – Lafayette College (soccer)
Angelis Bolivar – Adrian College (softball)
Avery Canady – F&M College (track)
Mason Davis – Rhodes College (lacrosse)
Ella Dobrzelewski – Penn State, Harrisburg (field hockey)
Jayden Forsythe – West Virginia Univ. (basketball)
Vianna Kanyamiheto-Watson – Swarthmore College (basketball)
Landon Laney – Hampton University (lacrosse)
Rariwonote Maracle – Clarkson Univ. (lacrosse)
Kash Sanders – Rosemont College (basketball)To see more of all of our athletes in action, check out the photo galleries on our website!
- The girls lacrosse team made the FSL playoffs for the first time since 2006. This is a huge step for the program as they finished just shy of the playoffs the past two seasons. Additionally, senior Sophie Jones broke Westtown’s all time goal’s record scoring 210 goals in her career.
Alums
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Alums Weekend Success!
It was wonderful to welcome so many alums back to campus for the 2025 Alums Weekend! Thanks to all who attended and to the staff, faculty, and students who worked…Read More Read LessIt was wonderful to welcome so many alums back to campus for the 2025 Alums Weekend! Thanks to all who attended and to the staff, faculty, and students who worked hard to make the weekend a succuess. There will be much more about Alums Weekend in the next issue of The Westonian, but in the meantime, you can enjoy photos from the weekend here!
Members of the WAA Board at Alums Weekend
