Class of 2018 Senior Issue

Although Abby Yang hopes to be remembered as an “aloof senior who doesn’t talk to anyone,” her friend Doris Wang (‘18) attests to the fact that she is, “a genuine and determined person and a true friend.” You are lucky if you get to know Abby because while she may seemed reserved, she is a loyal friend and always makes people laugh. “Abby is very detail oriented, and her meticulous and consistent approach toward studying is a recipe for success in the classroom. Sarcastic humor is always part of any interaction with Abby, and she smiles triumphantly when pointing out my mistakes but also smiles sheepishly when her mistakes are pointed out to her,” said Mr. Dahler. Even though she will miss the small community at Webb along with playing sports, Abby is excited to move to New York City next year and hopes that after studying Business at New York University, she will someday end up on Wall Street.

Albert Zhang describes himself as quirky and spontaneous, which is obvious to anyone who has seen him around campus. “Albert is a very committed man, to his relationship and to the boys. He is very self-determined and motivated, but always has a hidden agenda,” said Andrew Tarakji (‘18). He has served as a two-year class president, a WSC all-school vice president, and a head peer advisor. He also participated in varsity badminton since freshman year and led the team as captain for three seasons. Through all of his leadership, Albert learned that hard work earns respect over being a dictator. Albert is family-oriented and loves going on adventures with his friends. He is excited for the newfound independence that he will gain when he goes to Occidental College. He will continue his family’s legacy when he double majors in Economics and Computer Science while having a job and his own apartment.

While Ale Butcher played an active role in both the varsity water polo and the admissions ambassador teams, she truly found her home in the Webb theatre tech department. In the words of Mr. Valdez, “Ale is always bringing a great sense of humor and fun to tech every afternoon. I am going to miss her!” Her greatest memories from the past four years include times spent driving with her friends in the car, windows down, blasting really loud music. Jordan Noelte (‘18) said, “Ale is determined, hardworking, reliable, and the best.” Ale has loved spending her free afternoons sitting at her favorite spot on campus: the cozy, grassy part behind Hooper in the quad. Because she enjoyed Mr. Rosenfeld’s Crime and Punishment class so much, Ale plans to major in Legal Studies at Scripps College. In five years, she will have “hopefully gone somewhere other than Claremont” to attend graduate school with an adopted pet cat or dog.

You may think of Alex Oei as the quiet senior guy who can be found in functional fitness, badminton, or in front of the Hutches, but there is also so much more to him. Alex is a day student prefect, the group who is responsible for events like the drive-in-movie. As a DSP, he learned how easy it was to talk to people, which helped him become less shy. If he could give advice to his freshman self, it would be to “talk to more people, [because] it’s not so bad.” His four years at Webb, admittedly, would have been more fun if he made more new friends, but he has maintained strong friendships with those he hangs out with on the weekends. Alex is ready to leave behind class meetings and chapel to study at the University of Southern California next year, where he plans on studying Biology, possibly to begin his journey on the pre-med track.

While most people know Alice her by the friendly smile she flashes as she passes by, her friend Abby Yang (‘18) jokes, “Lucy Fur (Alice) is a mysterious person. She might thinking about 100 ways to kill you but she still smiles at you with that typical Alice grin.” Between badminton, advanced classes, hanging out with her friends in the dorms, and binge watching Gossip Girl or Spongebob Squarepants, Alice is always keeping busy. She has loved the close-knit community at Webb and appreciates the individualized teaching style. Mr. Quick said, “Quiet and unassuming, Alice is a true thinker, teammate, and especially a true friend who will listen and help whenever a friend needs a listening ear.” When Alice moves to Massachusetts next year to attend Boston College, she plans to study Education. In the future, Alice hopes to pursue this passion and become a teacher or even establish her own school in a rural area.

Allegra McDermott graced the Webb campus four short years ago, following in her father’s footsteps. To the average student, you would not have recognized the young girl with blonde highlights, braided hair, and floral attire. Allegra describes herself as the, “all black wearing, business school attending, and Tesla crashing” girl everyone has grown accustomed to. But, there is more to Allegra than what your first interaction with her will tell you. Hidden beneath her strong, stubborn demeanor there is a girl who runs to hug her grandmother at the airport and spends hours a week at a college level computer programming course. Madison Steinorth (‘18) describes their friendship as, “the one reason coming to Webb every day didn’t seem so bad.” Her Chinese jokes, TV show recommendations, and constant support will be missed as she moves to the east coast to attend Babson College. But, in case you begin to suffer from any withdrawals from her self-deprecating and slightly inappropriate humor, just keep an eye out for her at the nearest Din Tai Fung.

From Saudi Arabia to Claremont and all of the exotic destinations in-between, Anam Zahidi is one of the the most thoughtful, hilarious, outgoing, and tone-deaf people you will ever meet. Anam has grown up admiring her two older sisters, Yumna Zahidi (‘14) and Hiba Zahidi (‘16), who are the reasons she ended up at Webb. She values her family and friends and will miss staying up late in the dorms, watching movies and playing Cards Against Humanity. “My time being friends with Anam has taught me to live every moment to the fullest and I will always be grateful for her friendship,” said Sophia Jahadhmy (‘18). Even though her torn ACL has kept her off of the volleyball court, Anam can still be found around campus watching Friends or tanning on the tennis courts. When Anam heads off to the University of California, Irvine next year to major in International Relations, she plans to continue exploring new places while also balancing a dedicated work ethic.

If you find someone tinkering away in the robotics lab with her friends, it is likely Andi Delgado. Andi, a self-proclaimed “disorganized, fun, and hungry” person will be studying Biology or Linguistics on the pre-med track at Carleton College next year. Andi has wanted to be a doctor from a young age, because she knew that she wanted to change people’s perceptions of doctors, who often give their patients too much medicine without cause. At Webb, Andi has developed a close bond with Mr. Hamilton (who she kept calling Dr. Hamilton for the first week of robotics). One of Andi’s best friends, and robotics team member, Matthew Hu (‘18) said, “Andi is the world’s greatest overachiever, she manages to both surpass and fail to meet my expectations.” At college, Andi will miss her friends, robotics, Mr. Duque’s high fives, hanging out with Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Jurczak, and Mr. Farrell, or just conversing with Ms. Duron, Mrs. Quick, and Ms. Jeantete.

There are two sides to Andrew Tarakji that not everyone has the privilege of getting to know. There is the side that most students see and refer to as “Classic Andrew.” The one who will do anything for the snap, the one shows up to soccer practice in jeans, and the one who spends his days bouncing around campus to make people laugh. But, there is another side to Andrew as well. One that is caring, dedicated to school, and concerned about his friends, and those he cares about. Through the culmination and growth of these two sides, Andrew has been able to grow into a respected and successful leader at Webb. He will be missed by many as he attends the University of Southern California next fall, but we all know that he won’t be staying away from any Snapchat stories anytime soon, so he is really just a click away.

On weekends, Andy Zhou is likely to be found following his usual weekend routine, “eat, sleep, and repeat.” Next year, he will be studying abroad at the American University of Paris, and he will be coming back to Southern California in his sophomore year, transferring to the University of Southern California. In college, Andy will study Global Relations; his reason for this is because it relates to his parent’s jobs, he loves traveling, as he has been to over 20 countries, and he loves learning new languages. Andy will be fluent in Spanish after completing Spanish Four at Webb, and while in Paris, he plans to learn his fourth language: French. Jun Kim (‘19), one of Andy’s best friends and a fellow Jameson resident said, “Andy lives by one rule: just laugh and have fun. No matter the situation, he never fails to put a smile on your face with his endless jokes and always manages to brighten your day.” When he goes off to college, Andy, a self-proclaimed “stupid, optimistic, and awkward” person, will miss his friends as well as his favorite teacher, Mr. Quick.

Imagine this: You’re driving down Baseline when, out of nowhere, a 2015 white Fiat 500 Sport quickly zooms in front of you. You stop at Indian Hill and take notice of the car’s license plate frame. You squint, making out the writing on the frame – “Dog Mom”. Intrigued, you pull up next to the miniature car at the next light to get a better look at the driver. You imagine a 40-year-old soccer mom wearing her husband’s Oakley sunglasses, but when you finally get a glimpse of said “Dog Mom,” you see an 18-year-old brunette in a bright yellow t-shirt with a scoop of cookies & cream in her hand, and a little black terrier in her lap. You’ve just encountered a wild Anissa Medina. Judging by the little car, you’d never guess that Anissa has big dreams of becoming a future president of the United States. Anissa would elect Nicki Minaj as her VP and change the national anthem to “Si Una Vez” by Selena. Anissa will leave behind her family and her dog, Cash, in California, but she’s amped to study Sociology at Harvard University.

Spunjali bunjali anjali. A Seattle native, Anjali Reddy has single-handedly brought the game of squash to Southern California with her insane grip strength and junior year excuses to not go out on the weekends. Even though she may look like she is in a constant state of despair, Anjali has truly blossomed into her purest self: an outgoing, magnetic, friendly, and fun gal who sends snapchats of afternoon drives with her dog, Bubbles, and brother, Teja. As a day student prefect and the Editor-in-Chief of The Webb Canyon Chronicle, Anjali has learned the importance of being unapologetically herself, curly hair and all. Madison Steinorth (‘18) said, “Anjali is like a bowl of pasta: warm, comforting, and fills your life with happiness. But, like all good things, too much time with her will lead to you being fat from love and suffering withdrawals.” Whether she is sporting her classic green suede Adidas or an oversized Steelers jersey, she will always closely resemble the sloth in Zootopia, slow to put spread on her bagel in the dining hall but quick to offer support and love. Anjali Reddy is headed to Reed College in Portland, Oregon where she plans to study Political Science.

A fierce debater, a “Francophile”, and an adventurer who spent a semester away in Washington, D.C. – these three distinct qualities all belong to Anne Jiang. Anne is extremely passionate about international relations and public policy. Throughout the summer, Anne will be spending time in Kigali, Rwanda with SEGL (The School for Ethics and Global Leadership) to study the Rwandan genocide. After, she will head to Rabat, Morocco to study Arabic for a year before starting at Wellesley College in the fall of 2019. One of her best memories at Webb was getting her French teacher and a group of friends together to perform a French song at Jubilee. Then after the performance, Anne’s teacher drove her to get Jamba Juice together. For Anne, that night was the epitome of being happy and carefree. She was also heavily involved in the debate team at Webb and has a lot of wonderful memories preparing for tournaments and debating with her friends. In her spare time, she loves to watch Grey’s Anatomy, sing opera, and try out new restaurants with her best friends, April Bi (‘18) and Victoria Liu (‘18).

Anthony Villalobos vibed to “The Bird” by Anderson.Paak throughout his time at Webb. Fittingly, Villalobos flew away from home his senior year transitioning from a day student to a boarder simply for the experience. Anthony has been a peer advisor for two years, helping other smaller birds find their home here at Webb. Christina Dong (‘18) said, “Anthony is the weirdest, sniffling, pizza shirt wearing nerd in the best way.” Anthony is a friend who is always down to go on adventures, whether that be to the movies, going outside, or simply listening to new music; he is the friend that always knows how to make a good time happen. Next fall, Anthony will fly away to Stanford University to study Mechanical Engineering, an interest that sparked from repairing a car last year with his dad. One day, Anthony hopes to use his engineering skills to become a car designer.

When Anya Vincent is not running for cross country or running the senior class in student government, she can be found chilling at the “senior spot” on a sunny day. Besides being vice president of her class and co-captain of the cross country team, Anya has also been heavily involved with the theatre tech program for the past four years. Anya is not one to back away from a challenge: she joined triathlon this winter season and learned how to swim and bike for the very first time. Riya Mehta (‘18) said, “Anya is the type of friend any person would want. She’s smart, strong, and out to do great things.” One of Anya’s favorite memories at Webb was making friendship bracelets at Jubilee her junior year while listening to Lucid Daze and DJ Leo Liu. After spending the fall semester in Rome, Anya will study both Neuroscience and Spanish at the University of Southern California.

April Bi is closely connected to her cats. At home, she likes taking naps on sunny afternoons with her cats. Additionally, she once read The Three Body Problem, a science-fiction novel, with her cats and wrote her college essays while having her cats mess around with her. April extends her love of animals to her passion in paleontology as she immersed herself in the study of snails. She is most grateful for Dr. Lofgren for his help in the paleontology program and Mrs. Quick for being “the actual mom.” April enjoys participating in theatre production, spending a few hours doing homework at the village cafe and watching a movie alone right after her work. Next fall, she will continue this lifestyle at Barnard College in New York City, even if she can’t bring her cats.

Isabella Kong is a whale shark. Whale sharks are rare. There is only one in captivity. They look intimidating, but they are extremely friendly. Catch Bella in Taylor Lab studying marine biology by day and at the tennis court smashing tennis balls by night. She has lead the VWS tennis team to three league championships; Bella is truly a woman of many talents. She is an intense listener and the most loyal friend a person could have. Whether it be listening to your wild weekend plans, jamming out to Hannah Montana down Indian Hill Road, or finding the best poke spot in the village, Isabella will be by your side in every adventure. Her best friend Anam Zahidi (‘18) said, “At Webb you go through friend groups and so much drama but she’s the one you can rely on to stick through it all. Even though she blasts horrible throwbacks in the car, she will turn anything into an adventure.” Isabella takes off on her next adventure in Ithaca, New York next fall as she studies Environmental Science and Sustainability at Cornell University.

Blake Pederson’s route to Webb wasn’t a simple one; he had to grind his way to the top and strive for a better life he never had. Although Blake believes his experiences at Webb were valuable to his ideals, Blake views Webb as a “stepping stone to get where [he] actually wants to be.” “I literally just want to make a lot of money. My career plan is to make a lot of money, take care of my mom, and make sure my life is set so I don’t have to struggle.” As a multi-sport athlete, Blake learned the value of passion. Blake is one of the most passionate guys you’ll ever meet. His biggest passion is loyalty to the people he loves. Blake might be intimidating to some, but he’s a genuine dude who would “take clothes off his back and give them to one of his friends in need.” Blake will attend the University of Oregon, aiming to gain knowledge to support his dreams of providing his family with a comfortable life. He might be leaving his loved ones in California, but Blake will always have his passions to remind him of his most important goals.

Brandon Yip likes to think he lives his life following the motto, “eat, sleep, repeat.” Through his four years at Webb, however, it’s obvious that behind Brandon’s funny and chill exterior, he’s a natural leader who has already gotten a head start on his goal of one day being incredibly successful and powerful. A self-proclaimed “feminist,” Brandon is notorious for his strong opinions which have served him well as a debate captain his junior year. He has also served as an admissions fellow and WSC head prefect. Brandon is also squad goals with his tight-knit group of boys who refer to themselves as the mysterious “SGS.” His first and foremost love is soccer (he’s played all four years at Webb), and when he isn’t out and about eating good food, he’s probably watching a soccer match. In the fall, Brandon will be heading off to Ithaca, New York to major in Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University.

If you ever see Britany Marticorena walking around campus, you won’t find her without a smile. Even when she was covered in peanut butter during the Theme Night skit sophomore year, her humor filled the gym. Although Theme Week was one of her favorite school events, she will miss Jubilee just as much. Her joyous personality can be described as irresistible, almost as much as her willingness to help others. As a head peer advisor, Britany chose to dedicate her free time helping new students get acclimated to the Webb environment by planning the New Student Orientation Carnival as well as Stress Less Week. However, her generous spirit extends far beyond the Webb bubble. During her freshman year, Britany started a campaign to help developing countries gain access to clean drinking water and has continued to work the program throughout high school. Britany’s humor and positivity will be missed by many when she attends Pitzer College in the fall.

Besides his position as head of the International Support Program, Bryan Wei also played an instrumental role on the cross country, triathlon, and baseball teams. Bryan’s all-time favorite Webb memory was performing the K-pop dance routine with last year’s graduates at LA Times. He also will never forget jogging around Claremont with his cross country pals, Kevin Wang (‘18) and Mike Liu (‘18). Mr. Caldwell said, “Bryan was my manager for cross country this year, but in truth he was so much more. He was more like a life coach and a great friend rolled into one super smart, honest, humble, hard-working great young man.” Abby Yang (‘18) said, “Bryan is a very considerate and generous person. And by generous, I mean that I probably owe him one-hundred bucks but haven’t given it back yet.” Although he will deeply miss Webb’s close-knit community, Bryan is excited to major in Logic Information and Computation at the University of Pennsylvania.

If you ever need someone to talk to, Camille Ylagan will be there with her signature smile and caring words to make you feel better. As a head peer advisor, she was connected to the community and constantly came up with ways to help Webb’s morale. This year, she created the healthy relationships campaign to allow students to feel comfortable at Webb and to help make sure everyone finds their “person,” a reference to Grey’s Anatomy. Her smile, believe it or not, grows even bigger when she reaches the dance studio every fall and winter; Camille has tried countless dance styles and has thrived within Webb’s dance program. Mr. Szayni said that he has, “loved watching her be a silent leader in dance and show the group what it means to be committed to an idea.” Her initiative is also reflected in the classroom. In her junior year, her successful presentation at Archer STEM Symposium sparked her interest in Neuroscience. Camille will continue to blow us all away when she attends Scripps College in the fall.

Chelsea Chen is known as the “punniest” chick at Webb, regardless of who won the actual senior superlative. Apart from her quick-witted humor, Chelsea has been noted for her kind heart and fun-loving spirit. Matthew Brailsford (’18) said, “Chelsea is super funny. Especially when you say a joke and then she just repeats it louder, so everyone can hear.” If you see her in the dorms, she’s probably watching Netflix with Sonia Malik (‘18) or working hard on APES homework until one in the morning. During afternoon activities, you can find her in Liu Cheung Theater at dance with Christina Dong (‘18) and Mr. Szanyi. Outside of Webb, however, you can catch her eating at Din Tai Fung with Matthew Brailsford (‘18) and Jeffrey Ran (‘18). Something she will never forget will be participating in the dance show for four years. Ready or not, Chelsea will head off to Wellesley College in Massachusetts next year as she will miss the heat along with all of her friends that are sticking around in the warm west coast weather.

Whether it be in the physics classroom or the dance studio, Christina Dong’s smile shines as she overcomes the challenges that Webb presents. As Dr. Seuss instructs, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dance is one of the only things that keeps her sane, so, no matter what time of year, you can find her in the dance studio choreographing and connecting with her artistic side. Christina also puts her energy into her roles as a peer advisor and head waiter, where she gets to connect with the freshmen and the kitchen staff, respectively. When she isn’t dancing her heart away, Christina loves watching BuzzFeed’s “Worth It” videos with April Bi (‘18) at 1 A.M. and visiting her favorite spot, the track and gym hill, in the moonlight. When she attends Pomona College next year, she will miss Webb’s community the most.

Dan Kumok may have entered the Webb Schools as a new junior, but he wasted no time leaving his mark on the Webb community. Artem Borisov (‘20) describes Dan as someone who “pursues his goals” and “takes leadership” especially when others have lost their motivation. Dan was the captain of the CyberPatriot team at Webb, a club which competes in cyber security competitions, and helped lead his team to a Platinum Tier victory. During his time at Webb, he enjoyed playing soccer and working hard at academics. Dan is a language enthusiast; he studies Russian, English, Spanish, French, and some Arabic, as he believes each language is more than just speech, it’s the motivation and history of a culture. His favorite book is Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol because of its interesting commentary on the Russian character. Although he will miss the California weather, Dan will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar next year, where he will study Business Administration.

David Qian is passionate about math and computer science. His favorite teachers, Mr. Caldwell and Mr.Dahler, influenced him in ways of thinking and approaching different mathematical theories. One of his most memorable memories at Webb were all the late-night conversations about physics, astronomy, and the existence of the universe with Jim Wan (‘18) and Steven Dai (‘18). His interests are not limited to academics, as he is also a proud member of the Webb triathlon team, a runner for the cross country team, and a badminton player. His experience in all these three types of sports has taught him perseverance. As of next year, he will travel all the way from Claremont to New York to study Applied Mathematics at New York University. He is excited about all the different opportunities in New York City to further extend his passion in math.

Derreck Chu can be found sitting in front of the library, playing video games in his friends’ dorm rooms, or exploring all the different food options in Claremont. Derreck balances his life as a day student in a boarding environment by staying on campus late and taking his friends out to eat on the weekends. He interacts with different people in the Webb community by serving as the senior class vice president, a head day student prefect, a valuable member of the varsity basketball team, and the secretary of the Business Club. A SoCal native, Derreck will only be an hour away at the University of California, Los Angeles, but will miss the tight-knit community and the familiar faces around campus. However, he is excited for the future and looks forward to exploring new subjects. Matt Brailsford (‘18) said, “If I was Derreck’s mom or dad, I’d be proud. If I was both of them, I’d be double proud.” Derreck is an accomplished person who hopes to carry his success in the Business Economics and Accounting fields.

As co-captain of the varsity golf team and co-chair of the dorm council, Doris Wang is living proof that you can really do it all. Doris the explorer loves her exclusive 18+ Uber permissions, having driven miles east to skydive in the desert of Perris and miles west to shop in Beverly Hills. Her favorite memories include meeting the high-spirited freshmen of North Hutch. Abby Yang (‘18) commented, “If you look up ‘perfection’ in the dictionary, you should see a picture of Doris. She knows what she’s doing and what she wants to achieve. That’s probably why everyone loves her both in the dorms and at school.” In the words of Mrs. Mingarelli, Doris is, “one of the smartest and most genuinely intellectually curious students I’ve ever had, not to mention one of the kindest.” Although Doris will dearly miss the SoCal sun and cotton-candy skies, she will attend University of Chicago and major in Environmental Studies.

As the ultimate Star Wars Rebels fan, four-year junior varsity tennis star, and all-school WSC vice president, Drake Gardner’s out-of-this-world persona will be missed as he travels west to the University of California, Los Angeles next year. As part of student government for the past three years, Drake’s favorite moments were spent behind the scenes watching events like homecoming, LA Times, and Theme Nights come to life. Matthew Hu (‘18) said, “Drake is charming, talented, brilliant, and has a contagious personality.” Dr. Linsley, whom he credits with helping him both with writing and coming out of his shell, commented, “Drake was one of the hardest working creative thinkers I have encountered. His legacy will live on, because I expect to circulate his paper on Princess Leia to future generations of Webb students as a model of exemplary work.” After majoring in Communications, Drake dreams of working for a large entertainment corporation like Disney in the public relations sector.

If you hear someone yelling, “Mr. Quick!” across campus, you know you’re about to cross paths with Elena Monroe. She is known for being very outgoing and extremely energetic. Her contagious laughter, at herself and others, can be found not only in classrooms but in the dorms, where she served as a chair of the VWS dorm council. She is also the editor-in-chief of yearbook and a student ambassador, authentic to her love for Webb’s community and “capturing the moment.” During the week, you can find her taking a nap on the floor outside the library or hanging out with her “junior boyfriends.” Throughout the weekend, she can be found watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians with her “kids” in the Appleby lounge. Even though Colgate University is 2,672 miles away, we know Elena will be continuing her 3-hour long calls and frequent visits to Webb. She might even come back as a teacher in a few years.

Elena Suherman, aka “L”, is humble about her many talents. “[She] has been one of the hardest working and most dedicated technicians on the crew. You can always depend on her, even if she does sleep through rehearsal,” said Mr. Valdez. It is no surprise that the highlights of Elena’s Webb career all involve the theatre program. When Elena isn’t reading or watching anime, she is a theatre star, but not in the way you might expect. Elena has spent her three years at Webb running the shows and supporting her friends from backstage. She has been a key member to the tech team and was even chosen as the Crew Chief her junior year. Elena’s hard work behind-the-scenes also extends to her academic life. Teachers and other students admire her work ethic and writing style as well as her confidence in expressing her opinion. Elena will miss both “the humanities classes and the strawberry cream cheese” when she heads to Wellesley, Massachusetts to study Entrepreneurship at Babson University.

You may recognize Elizabeth Lee by all the different pictures of food she posts on her Snapchat story. This self-proclaimed “foodie” can be found in the dining hall on the daily, or in the Hutches, where she is a dorm councilor. She loves the positive energy from the community of her dorm so much that she has lived in North Hutch for three out of her four years at Webb; she also loved setting up and taking down the haunted house, where she got to scare people and watch them enjoy themselves. At school, she may seem quiet, but her happiness radiates all the way to Jones, where she spends time with her best friends and messes around laughing about “things that aren’t funny.” This is true to her motto of “going with the flow,” leading her on adventures such as relaxing getaways off campus to the Claremont village and Los Angeles. Her next stop in “the flow” is studying Neuroscience at the Liberal Arts Program at Emory University.

Ellie Canty’s considerate personality will be missed when she leaves for Haverford College next fall. She thinks of herself as “positive and understanding.” This description is backed up by her friend, Ariel Benjamin (‘20), “Ellie brightens my day every time I see her. I have never met someone more caring and compassionate.” Ellie plans to major in Chemistry since she’s always been interested in science. This year she completed an independent study project in which she searched for the DNA markers that can possibly cause cancer. Ellie’s nurturing spirit as a peer advisor and her advanced scientific research explain her interest in medical school. Her love for helping people is surpassed only by her want to explore other cultures and travel the world. Her favorite saying is, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy tea.” Ellie is a tea enthusiast and if she had to pick a favorite, it would be Earl Grey. Although Ellie will be in Pennsylvania next year, her optimistic character will continue to be an inspiration for the Webb community.

When anybody talks about swim, you know Euson Hui’s name will be part of the conversation. This is because he has been splashing through daily practices since he was four years old. As a result, his name frequents the record board as well as tops the psych sheets. Though he is a swim captain, Euson always continues to work hard, push himself, and take the chance to improve. When Euson is not in the pool, he loves to explore places and meet new people. On the weekends, he never hesitates to get off our “150-acre” campus which, after being here for four years, has never seemed smaller to him. His favorite adventure was skiing at Big Bear during his junior year, which evoked nostalgic memories from when he was 12. Euson will continue to “freestyle” his way at Pitzer College, where he will be studying Psychology and Chemistry. Don’t be surprised if Euson follows in his dad’s footsteps and becomes a dentist.

If you sit in the classroom for Advanced Studies Creative Non-Fiction, you will definitely remember Georgia Newman’s passionate and firm voice during class discussions. Georgia enjoys immersing herself in debates and discussions on physics in the universe, epistemology of words, philosophy, existentialism, politics, and social rights. Georgia is a social justice activist and a proud feminist. During her free time, Georgia likes drinking boba, dancing, reading, and hiking. Next year, Georgia will extend her passion for math at Harvey Mudd, as she continues her life in Claremont, California.

If you don’t know who Grace Kirkland is, you can find her walking around campus wearing a giant fur coat, regardless of the weather. A familiar face now, Grace came to Webb during her sophomore year not knowing very many people. Despite switching schools half way through high school, her future goals of working in the medical field never faltered. Becoming a nurse has been her goal from a young age, following the footsteps of both her mother and grandmother. Her compassionate soul and caring spirit make her the perfect friend along with her giving heart. The more her friends got to know her, the more they were able to discover her vivacious personality better represented through her fashion sense. This Cali native is ready to experience the cold, bringing along with her all of her fuzzy coats, when she attends Loyola University Chicago in the fall.

Hannah McClure is a self-proclaimed “genuine person,” which she explains means, “very generous and kind but also easily provoked.” Her friends describe her as “a good listener,” someone who is trustworthy, and who follows through with her promises. Since Hannah’s freshman year, she has come out of her shell by participating in and attending more school events. Throughout her time at Webb, Hannah has enjoyed creating art and testing her limits in triathlon. One of her goals in life is to open a small shop in the town of Cayucos, California. Her roommate, Elena Suherman (‘18) believes that if Hannah opens a shop it will sell, “anything pertaining to ghosts or the supernatural or anything you might find on the side of the road. Just the weirdest and coolest stuff.” Hannah has been a leader in the Webb theatre tech program as the Props Crew Chief. She will be continuing her studies in Technical Theatre at Golden West College for two years and then will transfer to Cal State Long Beach to finish her schooling.

Although Isabell appears reserved at the surface, there is more to her personality than meets the eye. “Isabell is the definition of ‘extroverted introvert.’ This might sound like a contradiction, but they exist and Isabell is their queen,” shared Sonia Malik (‘18). She acknowledges that she has grown since her freshman year when her catchphrase was, “focus on your education!” Isabell has let her voice be heard by serving on the honor cabinet. She enjoys making situational puns and spending time with her friends, most likely while wearing matching pink Crocs. Isabell will miss her friends while she is studying International Relations and Environmental Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She credits her interest in environmental science to Mr. Lawrence after taking his AP Environmental Science course. She is often perceived as a stereotypical straight-A student, but she wants people to know that she is a “real mess” like most teenagers.

“When you first see Jackson, you assume that since he’s the responsible friend, he’s got a serious way about him,” said Anjali Reddy (‘18), “but whenever anything goes unexpectedly wrong, this big smile breaks across his face and he joins in on the chaos. He has an unexpected goofy side.” Jackson Bibbens enjoys hanging out with his friends and his dog, going on spontaneous expeditions to get boba, and hiking in the hills of Claremont. He dedicated many hours to the honor committee, debate team and theatre tech, but he is best in his element when he is outdoors, especially while running cross country. He was a member on the varsity cross country team since his sophomore year and served as a team captain for his last season. Jackson’s final hurrah will be when he goes “cross country” from the west coast to the east coast to study Math and Economics at Bowdoin College. He will miss his friends, but he will most definitely maintain the connections he made with the people at Webb.

If you know Jacob Miller, you know that there’s not one bad bone in his body. Perceived as a “gentle giant”, Jacob has the innate ability to brighten up any room he enters. Although Jacob is one of the most kind-hearted, caring, and understanding people at Webb, he’s not afraid to argue for what he deems important. At Webb, Jacob found his voice. Before Webb, Jacob was reserved, but had passions for music and athletics. During his sophomore year, Jacob discovered a new way to display his passion for music, while exploding out of his shell to perform in front of hundreds of spectators – theatre. “I didn’t even know theatre was a passion of mine until I first auditioned during sophomore year, and at the time I was still doing baseball during spring… Theatre has helped a lot in terms of developing me as a person, it’s allowed for a lot of personal growth as an actor and an individual.” Jacob is stepping out of his comfort zone again, as he’ll be leaving California to attend the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. Jacob’s contributions to the drama department, sports teams, and classes will be remembered by many.

Jeffrey Ran has a charming personality with a mischievous side and a knack for finding happiness in the small things in life similar to his spirit animal, a monkey. He channels his high spirits through many sports, but football has made the most substantial impact on his life. As a defensive end, Jeffrey is always there to protect his teammates on and off the field. Jeffrey and his friends have formed a supportive bond throughout their years at Webb while remaining comical and lighthearted. “Jeff likes people to know how tall he is. As his friend, I should tell you that he is 6’1,” said Matt Brailsford (‘18). Jeffrey has an avid appreciation for pranking people and joking around with his friends and Mr. Quick, who teaches his favorite class: Advanced Studies in Anatomy and Physiology. He will foster his interest in Neuroscience at Colgate University next year.

Jessica Yoder’s vibrant and outgoing personality has led her to participate in a myriad of activities, including robotics, cross country, theatre, and English country dancing. Jessica founded the English Country Dancing Club at Webb and has been taking lessons since she was eight years old. Musicals helped Jessica get through her time at Webb, and her current favorite is Finding Neverland. You might hear her laughing in the corner table in the dining hall with her friends, discussing all kinds of random yet intriguing topics. Jessica is described as a “mantis shrimp” by Kate Bowman (‘18), due to her “ability to see so much color in the world as well as her startlingly aggressive strength during the few times she is angry.” Jessica will be taking her passion for robotics with her as she leaves for Smith College in Massachusetts, where she hopes to study Engineering.

Jim is passionate about environmental studies, cross country, math, and Mr. Dahler. He is a proud member of the WSC honor committee, as he regards his role with profound fondness to promote transparency and student advocacy. He extends his passion outside of the classroom in evening tutoring and robotics. He has also represented Webb at the Caltech Harvey Mudd Math Competition. One of his best memories at Webb is launching a weather balloon in the LA stratosphere to collect pollution data. He enjoys watching various types of anime and eating blondies. He has been known as the philosopher by his friends. For next year, he will head to the University of California, Berkeley to further pursue his interests.

From being a star badminton player all four years to being the head of prefects and chapel council, Jeremy Pandji has left an unforgettable mark on the Webb community. Considered a renaissance man of sorts, Jeremy, better known as “JJ” around Webb, can be found slamming it on the basketball court, impressing Ms. Blomberg as a biotech whiz, or simply making people smile. You’ll catch him at every open gym, no matter what time rain or shine. Once JJ sets a goal, he will never give up. JJ is known for his loyalty and honesty, and he will never give up on his beloved squad, SGS. He’s been asked multiple times on what SGS stands for, but JJ will never give up the secret. His values have made him a lovable leader at Webb, and when he goes on to University of California, Los Angeles to study Biotechnology, his kind heart and loving nature will be missed.

“Jordan is the best person to have as a friend; he is always caring and I know I can count on him to put a smile on my face,” said Ellie Canty (‘18). If you hear laughter coming from one of the tall stacks of books in the library, Jordan Noelte is probably the source of that laughter, watching fail video compilations on YouTube. His laughter is as compelling as his sweet personality. His magnetism is as powerful as his performance in the pool. As a four-year varsity athlete, most afternoons Jordan could be found either destroying scrubs during a water polo game or crushing the 200 freestyle at a swim meet. While Jordan isn’t crushing the competition in the pool, he is up in the tech booth working behind the scenes in the latest theatre production. Although Jordan won’t have the same crew to hang with next fall at the University of California, Santa Cruz, you know he will find some friends to share some of his favorite memes and fail videos.

“Passionate, overly so sometimes,” is how Kate Bowman describes herself. She is protective of her friends, family, and her swim team and is not afraid to be loud during class discussions. She has participated in internships with government officials and will be taking her passion for vocalizing her beliefs to Wellesley College in Massachusetts to study Political Science. Kate is a very literary person; she was the sole conqueror of the library’s 2017 reading challenge. Her favorite book is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a writer who has influenced Kate’s own writing style. Kate herself has written anthologies, short stories, research papers and even a novel. Her favorite Webb memory is hanging out on a trampoline outside the Caldwell’s house during freshman and sophomore year. Her friends think of her as “opinionated” and “inconsistent.” Jessica Yoder (‘18) describes her saying, “Kate is not human, Kate is Kate.” Kate will miss the community of people and teachers that she’s connected with at Webb, but will stay in touch with her friends despite the distance.

Kelli Henry, a Frank Lloyd Wright fan and architecture aficionado, is a busy Webb student who serves as a day student prefect and track captain. Kelli plans to study Architecture and Business at Cal Poly Pomona. Kelli wants to study architecture because it allows her to pursue her passion for art, something that she has loved for the majority of her life. Even when she was a child, Kelli designed structures from varied materials, including Legos and clay. In addition to her interest in sculpting, Kelli is also curious about drawing, using watercolour and pencil to pursue her other artistic passions. One of Kelli’s best friends, Drake Gardner (‘18), said, “Kelli is the type of person who can figure out how to fly to the moon with paper plates in 10 minutes and throw the biggest party at the same time.”

Throughout his time at Webb, Kevin Wang has distinguished himself as an excellent athlete as team captain of cross country, a badminton player, and triathlon competitor. Kevin loves to bike every single day; he sometimes bikes to Seal Beach, which is 110 miles roundtrip. He believes that in five years, he could potentially become a farmer, since his parents live on a farm. He likes Game of Thrones, both the TV show and the book series. On a more serious note, Kevin will miss his friends at Webb as he continues his studies in Environmental Science at Pitzer College in Claremont. Kevin describes himself as “dumb and kind of funny,” but his friend Vijay Xu (‘18) said Kevin is, “very unique and I don’t think that there is anyone like him here at Webb. I really respect what he does because he doesn’t follow what other people do, he just does whatever he thinks is right.”

Kia’s quiet presence on Webb’s campus throughout the day is no comparison to the loud noise he makes on the basketball court. Kia Nalbandi is known for his quiet, yet impactful leadership whether it be as captain of the varsity basketball team, or as an integral honor committee member. His determination to do well has shown through many of his accomplishments whether it be athletic or academic. Despite his tenacity and noticeable hard work, Kia loves to take a step back and focus on making music with his friends. His easy going and fun personality has made him a likeable dude to every person he crosses paths with, along with his unique sense of humor. Although Kia won’t be going far when he attends Pitzer College next year, he’s ready for anything new and exciting that is coming his way, whether it be on the court or in the studio.

For Kit Caldwell, the first day of the Webb experience began years before the first day of her freshman year. Mr. Caldwell, or ‘dad’ as Kit knows him, said,”Kit represents the very best of me and my family – she is kind, considerate, and humble. I love my child with all my heart and am so proud of who Kit has become.” While she will miss the friends and memories she made here, like freshman orientation, Theme Nights, and the spring break China/Japan trip, Kit is ready for something new. Andi Delgado (‘18) said, “[Kit and I] have done and said such weird and random things that I am ultimately grateful for. Kit is one of the most supportive and accepting people I know, and neither robotics nor swim nor Webb in general would have been half as fun without her.” After 18 years at Webb, Kit will be leaving to attend University of California, Santa Cruz this fall. Kit’s love for cartoons, especially Gravity Falls, has inspired her dream to one day be an animator.

A theatre aficionado, language-lover, and Grey’s Anatomy fan, Leah West will be studying at Trinity University in Texas next year. Though she doesn’t know for sure what she wants to study, Leah is inspired by her older sister’s track: pre-med, Spanish, and travelling the world along with it. At Webb, she enjoyed going through all the ups and downs of the school with her closest friends: Savannah Thomas (‘18), Nate Ehrlich (‘18), Maddie Stoddard (‘18), Steven Abouchedid (‘18), Jacob Miller (‘18), Rebecca Whithorn (‘18), and Georgia Newman (‘18). Now, she laughs at the time when she hit a real down: crying all the way through one lab in Integrated Physics and Chemistry with Mr. Jurczak. One of her best friends, Nate Ehrlich (‘18) said, “If I had to describe Leah in the fewest words possible, they would be open, caring, and funny as hell. That may seem generic, but putting her personality into any words is impossible. Ask her to describe herself; she can’t.” When she goes off to college, Leah, a self-described “caring, compassionate, and fun-loving” person will miss Theme Nights and her favorite teachers Mr. Duque, Mr. Gerken, and Mrs. Fisher.

Leo Li lives by the Gucci Mane quote, “If a man does not have the sauce, then he is lost. But the same man can be lost in the sauce.” He spends time with friends and gets as much out of it as he can, going as far as trying out skiing for the first time in Big Bear and proceeding to land on his face during his second attempt. On the weekends, Leo likes to “push” places with his friends, traveling as far as Irvine and Newport. He likes meeting new people, and loves his leadership role as a peer advisor because he has the opportunity to organize freshman orientation. His easy-going nature is also seen on the tennis courts, where he has had fun and made friends with his team members. Next year, Leo will “see where life takes [him]” at Babson College, a business school in Boston.

An elusive man of few words, Logan Cignoli slinks around Webb, getting to where he needs to go and not wasting much time in between. A passionate film lover, Logan spends his free time watching and researching horror movies, his favorite genre, and even dabbling in the creation of his own. Matthew Hu (‘18) says, “The stuff he makes is pretty cool. It’s a shame he never gets around to making anything.” As head waiter, Logan gets to talk and mingle with all members of the Webb community, something he enjoys despite his introverted personality. He is also an avid Kanye West fan, even post-TMZ interview– a true testament to his loyalty and constant analytical mind. Logan’s greatest accomplishment during his time at Webb has been answering the questions for this senior blurb and his biggest challenge has been talking about himself during this interview. In the fall, Logan will head to Boston University where he will study Film and Television, perhaps to become one of the next greats in the world of directing.

Born in London, currently residing in Mexico, studying in Claremont, and frequently travelling to Italy to visit his family, Lorenzo Vela, a self-proclaimed “happy, lazy (in a good way), and Italian,” is quite the globetrotter. Lorenzo plans on adding to his jet-setting nature by studying Business at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada this coming fall. Mo Zahidi (‘18), one of Lorenzo’s best friends and one of his neighbors in the Alamo dorms said, “Lorenzo might not love everything, but two things he loves is “Fortnite” and going to the gym.” Aside from “Fortnite”, Lorenzo also loves “Call of Duty” and “Minecraft”. Additionally, he loves binge-watching How I Met Your Mother and The Office.

As an artist, softball and badminton player, community service guru, admissions fellow, Netflix-binger, and aspiring reporter, Mabel Zou was definitely not afraid to experiment with new things during her four years at Webb. Macy Huang (‘18) said, “Mabel is a caring friend, a comical person, and very straightforward in giving advice.” Ms. Duron commented, “When I first met Mabel, I didn’t have the words to describe her. But having gotten to know her over the past few years, I have it – a BFF who is also sweet, crazy, hilarious, intelligent, creative, and kind natured!” Next year, Mabel will attend the University of Richmond to study Communications and Media. Mabel will dearly miss signing up for weekend runs to the Claremont Village with her friends to get froyo. Her sweet and wholesome personality will be remembered at Webb even after she travels onwards to explore new hobbies in Virginia.

Macy is known for her approachability and her smiles. Passionate in the areas of education empowerment and poverty eradication, she joined Givology, an education nonprofit connecting donors with grassroots organizations. At school, she is the captain of badminton and tennis, and an active member in the realms of community service and computer science. Macy aims to pursue a career in the fields of international development and Latin American studies, hoping to impact communities in the developing world through education and technology. Next fall, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania to explore her passions.

Maddie Stoddard has grown up being familiar with Webb’s campus with her older brother attending Webb, but that doesn’t affect the name she made for herself. Maddie’s sarcasm is duly noted by everyone that knows her, as it is one of her most hilarious yet genuine personality traits. Although Maddie is quiet at times, when she has something to say she will. Despite the sarcastic exterior, her kind heart and caring soul is what draws people in to get to know her. When she attends Trinity University in Texas next year, she will never forget her last homecoming at Webb with all of her closest friends. Some of her other favorite memories include going to eat out with Natalya and taking care of Ms. Armbruster’s dog whenever she had the chance. Maddie is ready for new adventures, but will miss the relationships she has made while attending Webb.

MuUOOOoOoHH. You hear this sound from outside of the library, shaking every object in its path. You look quickly to find a bright smile, a glowing personality, and awkward hand movements. Of course, the whale-like sound is coming from Madison Steinorth. A shining star on the Webb campus, Madison has a magnetic energy that makes everyone want to be her friend. Even though she physically parted ways from most of her childhood besties by choosing Webb, she maintained solid relationships with most of them, attesting to her loyalty and compassion. Madison is the Editor-in-Chief of The Webb Canyon Chronicle and loves to express herself through written word as well as challenging herself by learning more about the world around her. Allegra McDermott (‘18) says, “I am deeply saddened that she gave up her dreams of becoming a foot model due to cross country and professional pimple popper because of taking bio classes.” Although her chosen career paths have evolved, Madison plans to study Biology at the University of San Diego where she will stay close to the things she loves: her family, the beach, and pilates instructors.

Many of you probably know Matthew Brailsford as the quirky senior who spends all of his free time goofing around. From partaking in an anime photo-shopping competition to dressing up in a bikini for cross country practice – Matt Brailsford has done it all. However, there is more to him than what meets the eye. Awarded the coaches award for cross-country this past season, Mr. Caldwell describes Matt as “a remarkable young man.” And his strengths do not just pertain to athletics, his teachers deem Matt as, “an energetic and enthusiastic student who is committed to learning for the sake of learning.” There is one thing everyone who knows Matt is sure of and that is how he will continue to change the world around him for the better – be it through his laugh, his Roy Purdy impersonations, or his care and consideration for his loved ones. Colorado College is lucky to gain this nugget as he swings on over to the centennial state to study Neuroscience and Biochemistry.

While he may seem reserved, “Matthew Hu is a hardworking, courageous, young man who goes out of his way to ensure that others bring out the best in themselves,” said Drake Gardner (‘18). As a four year member of the robotics team, Matthew has enjoyed spending the afternoons and competition weekends with his closest friends as well as getting the opportunity to experiment with one of his passions, computer science. “Matthew is a creative, quirky, and deep thinker. It was a joy to teach him for two years, I am proud of the student he has become during his time at Webb. I still have his OChem types of reactions concept map on my wall and will be taking it with me to Hawaii!” said Ms. Mingarelli. Although he is not quite sure what job he will pursue after college, he knows he will study Computer Science next year when he attends Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mike Liu is a jack of all trades. Not only is Mike wickedly intelligent and courteous, but he wears several hats as a leader of the Webb community. As a dorm prefect and international student liaison, Mike learned valuable lessons by acclimating new students to the Webb culture. “Being both a prefect and an international student liaison was a really good experience because I got to know a lot of young people, especially the freshman boarders, which was a special experience that most seniors don’t get.” Mike isn’t all business, however. Mike appreciates the little things in life, such as sports and friendship. Mike lives an active life, participating in several afternoon activities at Webb including cross country and badminton. Mike is also a menace on the basketball court, using his lockdown defense and knockdown mid-range shot to lead his teams to victory. Above all else, Mike is a competitor, doing anything he can to get to where he wants to be in life. Mike’s future looks bright, as he’ll attend the prestigious NYU-Stern where he’ll major in Finance.

Mohammad Zahidi, volleyball player and avid gamer, describes himself with three words: funny, athletic, and motivated. This fall, Mo plans to stay in Southern California, as he plans to study Biology at Cal Poly Pomona. In five years, he hopes to be studying medicine, as his dream is to be a doctor. Mo enjoys watching Modern Family and How I Met Your Mother. In addition to his TV show addiction, Mo enjoys gaming, with his favorite games being “Call of Duty” and “Fortnite”. When he is not gaming or watching television on weekends, Mo enjoys going out to eat iCusine, a restaurant in Pomona, with his friends, Lorenzo Vela (‘18)and Juan Pablo (‘19). Lorenzo, another gamer and Alamo resident said, “Mo has a unique talent of making creative jokes out of anything.”

“Natalya”, “Natulez”, “Nata”… Whatever you call our favorite “mom friend” , one thing’s for sure – she has made her way into the hearts of the Webb community. “Natalya is easygoing, energetic, and incredibly thoughtful all at once,” says Miss Mani. A natural leader, Natalya Bachoura has completed the toughest range of feats, from controlling a mob of hungry Webb students looking for arabic food that was sold to help Syria to organizing an entire school-wide game of assassin. Natalya is a superstar who although one would assume would never have time to breathe, because she’s always spending time with family, friends, in the outdoors, keeping up her stellar grades, playing violin, or planning DSP events, somehow manages to go to bed earlier than all of us – after curling up with a good book, that is. In the fall when Natalya makes her way to Chapman University to study Business and Marketing, her bright smile and cherished support will be missed by many.

Nathan Ehrlich hails from Los Angeles, California. A theatre tech aficionado, he describes himself as, “obscenely talented, comedic, and self-indulgent.” This fall, Nate plans to study journalism, writing, and biochemistry at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. He hopes to be “saving the world” in five years. One of his closest friends, Anthony Villalobos (‘18), said, “Nathan is extremely loyal to his friends, and cares about them deeply, sometimes to his own detriment.” Nathan’s closest friends include Anthony Villalobos (‘18), Leah West (‘18), Logan Cignoli (‘18), and Matthew Hu (‘18), and his favorite teacher at Webb is Mr. Duque, whose infectious smile he will miss. While at Webb, Nathan watched a lot of Silicon Valley, played copious amounts of rock music in his band Borderline X, and constantly got reprimanded by his superiors. He will miss getting reprimanded by his superiors when he goes off to college.

Blue-tinted sunglasses, a black hoop earring, and extremely luscious hair only begin to describe Nick Battistelli, but there is much more to be uncovered. Although he is a boarder, Nick often returns home to Rancho Cucamonga on the weekends. There, he trains horses for a program that assists disabled children in fostering their love for equestrianism. At Webb, Nick is an admissions fellow and Rogers Scholar award recipient, often recognized for his academic achievement and outstanding leadership. Sophia Jahadhmy (‘18) says, “Nick is one of the most honest and thoughtful people I know.” Nick is also an integral member of the theatre team at Webb, performing in a lead role for the past two years. He enjoys the challenging yet rewarding process of line memorization and discovering one of his hidden talents – singing! Nick is off to Colorado State University to study Animal Science in order to eventually become a large animal veterinarian.

Nick Martinez is Webb’s very own “Wolf of Webb Street.” It makes perfect sense that he’s always been interested in business administration and finance. In just three years, Nick has managed to make ‘doing it all’ seem easy – running varsity track and cross country, debating his way to a handful of trophies, and winning march madness brackets against his beloved squad, SGS. Although Nick may come off as having a no-nonsense attitude due to his infamous walk that no one can keep up with, Nick also has a soft side. He’s very passionate about his miniature pincher, and gets very excited when he sees a dog walk by. Known for his ironic sense of humor, when asked for three words to describe himself, Nick responded with, “short, affectionate, and humble.” All jokes aside, Nick cares a lot about the people around him and once he graduates they will miss him dearly as he heads off to Babson College.

Oren Wei, also known as Dr. Wei, will attend Johns Hopkins University next year. After college, he plans to attend medical school to finally fulfill his nickname. Oren is a leader on campus, serving as a head prefect and an associate of the debate team. His interest in debate can be reflected through his favorite shows: “Suits” and “House of Cards.” In the dorms, his role as a head prefect allows him to work with others and learn responsibility; in debate tournaments, Oren stays aware and perceptive, leading to his success in his four years of debating. During breaks, Oren has embraced the travel opportunities that Webb offers to travel to Peru and Cuba- places that he would have never set foot in otherwise. Oren will miss the comforting community that he’s grown to love, but is excited to leave behind the strict rules for boarders- and might even leave campus for more than six hours at a time!

Payton Williams brightens up any room with her friendly and upbeat demeanor. Since her freshman year, she has come out of her shell and demonstrated her outgoing personality as a student government commissioner. She lives by the Ferris Bueller quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” Payton reflects on her years on the varsity soccer team as some of her favorite memories, from a team trip to Catalina Island to forming new and unexpected bonds with her teammates. One of her closest friends, Emily Stepanian (‘19), said, “There’s never a dull moment with Payton. I can always count on her to make me laugh or to go on spontaneous adventures.” Payton is always eager to take a trip down to the beach, go shopping, or indulge in the ‘90s by binge-watching Friends. She is excited to begin her new phase in life at Texas Christian University, where she will major in Business.

Peter Raus is a self-proclaimed “kid” of mystery. Catch him roaming around campus sporting Philadelphia sports gear, khakis, and a pair of Sperry topsiders. Although Peter isn’t from the “city of brotherly love”, he is an avid Phillies and Eagles fan thanks to his dad, who hails from Philly. Peter is also known for his long luscious hair. His friend Kia Nalbandi (‘18) said, “One time at breakfast I put my hand on Peter’s shoulder but it wasn’t Peter. It was Mrs. Quick.” Peter is a kid of few words, yet a kid of wisdom. He joined the honor council during his senior year, enforcing honor mixed with his signature sarcastic humor. Catch Peter next fall at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame in the Notre Dame gateway program where he will take classes at both Notre Dame and Holy Cross freshman year and then transfer full-time to Notre Dame the following year.

Rebecca Whithorn is a self-proclaimed “go with the flow” kind of girl. She values doing what makes her happy; she believes that if you are not happy, then you are doing something wrong. Rebecca has been playing with a passion on the softball field for the past twelve years and has participated on the Vivian Webb softball team for three seasons. Rebecca also loves spending time with her family and friends, which she considers to be the best balance of social life and school life. “Webb can be really difficult and frustrating, but she always makes my days better because she is the perfect person to rant to or just hang out and listen to music together,” shared Maddie Stoddard (‘18). Rebecca is excited to begin her new journey at Citrus College as figures out what major she wants to pursue.

It’s a typical day at Webb when you round the corner and you hear a voice loudly exclaiming, “Oh god I’m late again,” as a girl rushes up from the day student parking lot. She pauses to say hi, and tell you a funny story about her morning, all while continuing to run to class, leaving you with a smile. You’ve just run into the lovable VWS student body president, Riya Mehta. Riya is a social butterfly who believes in brightening everyone’s days. However, even though Riya is easygoing, she’s also a star student who fights for equality and believes that it’s all about the balance in life. Riya has taught us that it’s okay to laugh at ourselves, admitting that she has pretty cringey music taste and an addiction to accidentally cutting all her hair off. As she heads off for a gap semester in Switzerland and then the University of Southern California, we can only hope that one day we will be like her.

A former crew sock wearer, superstar athlete, and infamous “elbow boi”, Ryan Place has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to him at Webb, while also creating new resources for future Webbies. As club president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ryan holds weekly meetings where he discusses the intersection of sports and God with his fellow club members, often hosting inspiring guest-speakers. After a transformative summer camp before his junior year, he realized that service through leadership was his calling. A self-described “gentle giant,” Ryan is a super fun friend, often found goofing around in the senior spot with his favorite sophomores or discovering newly crafted bass-boosted videos on Instagram. Ryan Vidales (‘18) says, “Ryan is like an almond joy— on the outside he looks like every other candy bar, but once you get to his core, you discover the qualities that make him unique.” Ryan Place will continue to pave new paths as he furthers his football career at the University of Redlands where he will study Business Management and Entrepreneurship.

What do you get when you combine a red beard, an obsession with sports, an extroverted personality, and a love for #edgy music? Ryan Vidales, aka ropefather, holds quite a few positions at the Webb Schools like student government president, co-captain of the football team, lead singer of Lucid Daze, and the editor of sports for The Webb Canyon Chronicle. He received his most important title his sophomore year when he achieved the top position in the entire state of California in WWE trivia on the app QuizUp…yum! But don’t be fooled by his dedication to ESPN highlight reels and super swole arms; Ryan is a multifaceted gem with many interests and passions. More often than not, Ryan can be found interpreting the nuances of Tyler, the Creator’s newest album, or laughing along to Cody Ko, or hanging out with his girlfriend at the beach or playing with his dog Lolli. An endless encyclopedia of “Spongebob” and “Seinfeld” references, there’s no doubt this beautiful soul will be missed as he attends the University of Oregon in the fall where he will study Business Administration with a focus in Sports Business and Analytics. As he trades his penguin waddle for that of a duck, Ryan hopes to become the general manager of his favorite football team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, those are some bIg facts.

If you see a person in Jones incessantly solving advanced calculus problems at maximum speed, you have probably settled your eyes on Sally Guo. Sally will travel all the way from Claremont to Boston to study Applied Mathematics at Boston University. Her interest in math explains why she likes Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Dahler so much, as they both influenced her on how to think about math. Some of her favorite memories at Webb include going on “Webb runs” on Friday nights to go to Edwards Theater in La Verne to watch science fiction and horror movies. She is active on campus in her role as a dorm counselor and a proud member of the badminton team.

A wild Sam Scudder can be seen wandering around the mountain bike trails behind Webb, dressed head to toe in camouflage with reflective sunglasses and a flat brimmed cap. Many of you know Sam for rocking a similar attire on a day-to-day basis taking Scudderesque snapchats, which are characterized by frequent zooming, excessive, and an averagely eccentric appeal. Known for his skater boy ways, Sam is a valued member of the Webb community and serves as a peer advisor helping young freshmen find their way through all the chaos. Camille Ylagan (‘18) describes Sam as someone who, “never fails to remind me how living in the present and appreciating all the simple things in life is the best way to live. He has this infectious love for the world around him and a genuine care for the people in his life. I’m better for knowing him.” Sam’s quirky personality and band, Lucid Daze, will be missed as he continues to pursue his love for the great outdoors at Willamette University in Portland, Oregon where he plans to major in Environmental Science and Journalism.

From being a captain on the VWS cross country team to leading the school as an executive, Sarah Hebb exemplifies everything that makes up a driven VWS student. Her cross country coach, Mr. Owers, shares, “On our trip to Catalina, she showed a true sense of wonder over the things that are fascinating about time, space, reality, morality, and eternity. But most importantly, she also talked about embracing her opportunity to leave this world a better place than she found it.” Sarah Hebb will continue to move through life inspiring those who cross her path to be better and to do better. She will miss the home she has created on campus and her family made up of friends, faculty, and dogs. Thankfully for us, Sarah will only be a short drive away as she continues her journey at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California where she plans to study Economics and Environmental Science.

Her name is Savannah Thomas but her friends call her Savannah Smiles. The reasoning is obvious, anywhere you go on campus, even if you’re 50 feet away, you can spot her radiant smile. She’s a baller on the court and in the classroom, executing exemplary plays as a four-year varsity basketball player and upholding the honor code as a member of the honor cabinet. Shooting hoops isn’t the only sport that holds Savannah’s big heart; during her junior year she took a leap of faith and joined the Webb dance team. There she fell in love with the challenging elegance of dance and stuck with it for the remainder of her Webb years. Savannah’s loyalty expands from the court onto the campus as she roams the Quad surrounded by a group of friends. Savannah will bring her giggles with her as she roars into the University of Southern California next spring to major in Communications. Until then, Savannah plans to travel and experience life to its fullest form.

“Serena has a magnetic personality; everyone is drawn to her,” said Serena’s BFF Britany Marticorena (‘18). Serena Fangary is the friend we all need but don’t deserve. She is always there if you need a shoulder to cry on or if you want to drive 52 miles to to get Takis covered elotes on a Saturday night. When Serena isn’t vibing to Tyler the Creator on a long drive to find authentic Mexican food with her best friend Britany, she could be found joking around with Ms. Duron, helping out in the dorms as a dorm counselor, or preparing for Sunday chapel with the chapel council. Call it the “Serena Touch” because anything and anyone Serena comes in contact with is immediately is embraced by her selfless compassion and authentic friendship. “Serena is an all-round warm person.” Serena is the ultimate high school best friend even though her favorite Tyler line is, “high school wasn’t for me.” In the next five years, you can catch Serena finishing up her degree at Chapman University in either Law or Education, owning an Australian Shepherd, and living large with her significant other.

Ever the art museum, concert, and Black Mirror fanatic, Shyam Arya has made a permanent mark on Webb as co-chair of the Service Council, vice president of the Young Feminist Club, and vice president of the LGBTQ+ and Allies Club. Although he was on the fence about joining theatre and dance as a freshman, he now cannot imagine his life without having embraced these forms of artistic expression. Mrs. Mingarelli said, “Shyam is both a really deep thinker and a really passionate scientist who has pushed me to become a better teacher and a better person.” Shyam was surrounded by biologists from an early age, but was told he was too young to understand the complex secrets of the laboratory. He is looking forward to discovering answers to his many questions when he continues his studies of Molecular Cell Biology and Theatre at Brown University.

Baseball & coffee. Skyler Rivera is one of the most energetic people to ever exist, but the jury is still out on whether it is organic or caffeine-induced. Although the block schedule took some adjusting to, Skyler has taken full advantage of the opportunities available at Webb. As an admissions fellow, she has shared her appreciation and excitement to prospective students, spreading her catching charisma and insanely bright smile. On The Webb Canyon Chronicle, she shows her love for baseball and journalism through comically photoshopped graphics and in-depth analyses of sabermetrics all while expanding the WCC’s outreach through social and multimedia platforms. On the weekends, you can find Skyler exploring new restaurants in Los Angeles with her brother, jamming out to country music in her Jeep named Brick, turning up at Christ’s Church of the Valley, or creating elaborate spreadsheets of baseball statistics. Skyler will have to get all of her top-down-radio-up drives in this summer as she will be heading to Syracuse University in New York to study Broadcast and Digital Journalism.

Sonia Malik is a lifechanger. From her constant radiance of honesty, ability to speak her mind, and kind-hearted spirit, she is everything that epitomizes not only an amazing friend, but an amazing person. From the waterpolo team to the swim team, not only has Sonia excelled in academia and life, but also athletics. Her senior season was cut short due to an unforeseen injury, but Sonia did not let this stop her from being on the sidelines every game supporting her teammates. When she is not in the pool, you can find Sonia with her tight knit group of friends doing anything from baking cookies, going to the beach, or making a weekly stop to the village. For the last four years, Sonia has found a home at Webb surrounded by the family she has made built on love, trust, and respect. Lucky for us, Sonia will only be a short drive away at Scripps College in Claremont, California where she will spend her nights watching Hum Saath – Saath Hain and fueling her poke and boba addiction.

Sonny Wang is always keeping busy. She is either competing on the courts as a varsity tennis player, leading tours as a student ambassador, helping peers in the dorms as a dorm counselor, or taking the metro to Los Angeles with her friends. “She sings, cooks, and eats good food. She’s constantly making fun of herself but always knows what to say in serious conversations,” said Georgia Newman (‘18). Sonny is always full of energy and is very passionate about the things she enjoys. It is no secret that she has shined as a singer in both Jubilee and Theme Nights, but her talents extend far beyond that as well. Sonny grew up admiring her mother’s skills as a pediatrician, following her around the hospital and watching her work. This inspired her to study Biology at University of California, San Diego, with an emphasis on pre-med next year, before hopefully going to med school and becoming a doctor.

If a kinkajou was an avocado enthusiast that could dance, it would be as if Sophia Jahadhmy was standing in a mirror. Despite having arrived at Webb as a junior and only spending two years here, there is no question that Sophia has made Webb a brighter place. Sophia, affectionately deemed a “small, hawaiian boy” by her friends, is a fun, quirky addition to campus who you can always find laughing or crying at a meme that most people just don’t understand. You’re most likely to spot our favorite part-time vegan from a mile away in her signature stripes and funky socks making a grilled cheese at the panini bar. Her lovable personality and dazzling confidence will be missed as she dances her way to the east coast, where she plans to attend Vassar College in New York to study International Relations, and then go on to join the Peace Corp and the United Nations.

Whether it be on the field, the mat, or the track, you can find Spencer Easley working hard at any sport he comes across. His versatility and determination are only a couple of reasons why people are so drawn to him, not to mention his constant humor and positive presence. Even though Spencer spent a majority of his Webb career playing varsity football, he found a love for wrestling as he created friendships with his coach and teammates throughout the winter seasons. Outside of sports, Spencer is known as one of the most fun-loving and hilarious dudes on campus. Lexie Freeland (’19) said, “He always knows how to make me laugh, whether it be through memes or his own jokes.”His constant smile is irrepressible and he can make anyone around him feel the same joy he does. Spencer is going to miss the comfort of his own home when he attends Cornell College in the fall, but he is excited for the change that will come.

On a hot spring day, if you ever find yourself by the baseball field, you will most likely hear the sound, “AUUNGHEAUX,” as Stephan Park slams a baseball across the field. Stephan, famous for his ludicrously funny but accurate comments in class, has created unforgettable memories through his sense of humor and fierce loyalty to those he loves. Stephan has made his way through his four years at Webb playing basketball, baseball, and saving the environment. He served as WSC prefect for the last two years and has learned as a leader the importance of speaking his mind. His friend group, who proudly call themselves SGS, say they are “proud to have him as a friend, seeing as he is smart and strong-willed–perfect qualities for a general.” Peter and Steven also say they’re excited to see what their “big boy with a big heart and big dreams” will do when he goes to the University of Toronto in the fall to study Kinesiology.

Super Smash Bros was released in 1999. Steven Abouchedid was born in 1999. Coincidence? I think not. Steven is Webb’s wickedly talented Super Smash Bros expert. Not only has he won many Webb competitions, but he also competes in “professional” leagues around the area. You can spot Steven around campus challenging his friends to games in the library, playing chess, or floating around talking to new people. Steven isn’t only an eSports athlete; he is also a four-year varsity athlete in football, track, and wrestling. “Steven is the friend you love to hate.” Ryan Vidales (‘18) said, “Steven will use the worst player in the game, and still beat you, it’s seriously insane.” Aside from his gaming, Steven supplies Webb students with an abundance of fresh memes, anywhere Steven is at you will surely find laughter and smiles. Steven will take his meme collection to Chapman University next fall as he begins his journey on the pre-med track.

Advanced multivariable calculus, complex computer calculations, and interesting math dilemmas are all subjects that will frequently appear on Steven Dai’s signature interactive computer screen. He is extremely passionate about advanced mathematics and robotics, and has represented Webb at the Robotics World Championships Tournament in Houston, Texas. He developed his interest in astrophysics after witnessing a rocket launch when he was younger. Next year, he will further study Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. At Webb, he spends free time running for the cross country team and playing badminton. His favorite thing to do is daydreaming about space, the future, and different technologies.

No one sums Takim Myhre up better than Jeffrey Ran (‘18) who said, “Takim is like a dressed up mannequin in a fancy designer shop, except he wears underwear.” Throughout his three years at Webb, Takim Myhre has grown into the outgoing and amicable person that friends and teachers love having around. Mr. Farrell said, “Don’t tell him that I said this, because it’ll go straight to his head but I am going to miss this well dressed and ridiculous young man. He’s either giving me a hug or making fun of me, often both at the same time. Takim’s sense of self, loyalty to family and friends and care for those around him, is rare and should be celebrated.” Takim has enjoyed his role as a WSC varsity soccer captain and is proud to have led his team to two league championships. Next year, Takim will miss the “Green Dolphins” but is excited to join his brother next year at Occidental College where he plans to study Environmental Policy or Economics.

Thea Kirkpatrick is optimistic, hardworking, and humble even though “everyone knows she is the smartest anyway”, according to her friends. She served as a day student prefect during her junior year and a member of the honor cabinet as a senior. Thea also demonstrated her leadership on the varsity tennis team since freshman year. Additionally, she has held the team together as team captain for the past two seasons. Along with tennis, she has formed close bonds in the classroom with her peers and with many teachers. Ms. Duron said, “Thea is the type of person that when you meet them, you instantly know that they are destined for great things.” Thea will continue to do great things at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she plans on studying Mechanical Engineering. Her interest sprouted from her desire to invent things as a child, and it has been fostered through the robotics team, theatre tech, and Civil Air Patrol.

The idea of being nice to people out of the kindness of one’s heart goes a long way. This is exemplified by one of the Webb community’s favorite young scholars, Tom Liu. Tom is a relatively quiet fellow, which makes his personality more mysterious and enigmatic than the average Webb student. However, behind every quiet man, lies an array of ideas that will one day be marveled by the masses. Tom exhibited his excellence at many different points of his Webb career. He was a varsity tennis captain, member of student government, and performed in the orchestra, all while dealing with a rigorous workload that would raise the eyebrows of any college admissions director in the world. When he’s not on the tennis court or working hard on his studies, Tom is enjoying all the gifts that life presents. Whether it’s taking a trip down to the Claremont Village or going on trips to foreign countries with his buddies, Tom strives to live an active life full of happiness and excitement. After Webb, Tom aims to graduate from Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

Tony Jun’s four years at Webb are described as some of the best years of his life. Tony has maintained meaningful friendships he created since his freshman year. He credits the safekeeping of those friendships to music, as he recalls spending a lot of time in the instrument storage room jamming out to all kinds of different music. His versatility with many different instruments made him a fan favorite in Orchestra and at Jubilee playing the sax and the drums. Growing up in Korea, Tony was taught the phrase, “you make your home.” Since then, he has learned the truth to this statement by admitting that he felt the most at home surrounded by the people he met in high school. And although Tony is excited to attend University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall, he hopes to stay in contact with those he now refers to as his “family.”

Vic Castro’s impressive designing skills are rivaled only by her academic prowess. She is also an active participant in the Webb community, having formed multiple student-led organizations,like Chinese Club, Art Club, and Student Weekend Activities Group (SWAG). However, Vic’s talents truly shine in design as she created the new line of school uniforms, produced many posters for performances around campus, and designed art all over the library such as the video game cabinet and mural in the back room. “Vic is creative, organized and meticulous,” said Mrs. Quick, “She is wise beyond her years.” Vic will miss the familiarity of the Webb environment, but will still be in the area for an intercollegiate program with the Claremont Colleges. After attending Pitzer College for the next three years, Vic will travel onwards to Columbia University in New York for two years as part of a 3-2 program for Biomedical Engineering and Management, due to her interest in the STEM field.

Hailing from Beijing, China, Victoria Liu is a busy Webb student, serving as a debate team capitan, honor cabinet member, and Editor of News and Opinion for The Webb Canyon Chronicle. Next year, Victoria plans to study at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. When she goes to Georgetown, Victoria will miss her best friends, Macy Huang (‘18) and Anne Jiang (‘18), as well as her favorite teachers, Ms. Fisher and Mr. Gerken. After graduating, Victoria plans to work in a Global Relations and International Development firm. She has pursued her passion for politics and global affairs, serving as Chair of the Political Discussion group, and creating a website to facilitate political discussion.

Vijay Xu describes himself as someone with “an easygoing personality who is a lot more fun to hang out with once you get to know [him].” He is a dedicated basketball player: for the past three years he has played for the Webb basketball team and joined the fall season basketball clinic. Vijay demonstrated his leadership as a dorm prefect and a member of Chapel Council. His favorite activity to do on the weekend includes taking a break from responsibilities to go out to eat in places such as downtown Los Angeles. Kevin Wang (‘18) loves going with Vijay, “to 99 Ranch and eating food.” Vijay will miss having such close relationships with faculty next year, when he attends the University of California, San Diego to study Economics. Vijay plans to start a business sometime during his life since he was born into a family of economists and wants to uphold the family tradition.

William Donahue is both a beast in the pool and in Skyrim Overwatch. As co-captain of the varsity water polo team and a valuable distance swimmer, Will has contributed tremendously to Webb’s aquatic athletic teams. Mr. Duque said, “My most memorable moment of Will is when he addressed his classmates at a WSC assembly by sitting down on the stage saying ‘we can do better.’ Will has a big heart and cares a lot about Webb.” As both a day student prefect and an admissions fellow, Will connects with the Webb community through his intrinsic compassion for others. His favorite experience was delivering his senior chapel talk as a culmination of the past four years. Isabelle Saad (‘20) commented, “Will is a teddy bear at heart with a thoughtful mind and will genuinely be there for you every step of the way.” As an aspiring doctor, Will plans to major in Health and Human Sciences on a Pre-Med track at Loyola Marymount University.

Judging by how lowkey William Peng is, you’d never guess how unique the Hong Kong native really is. William is as humble as he is intelligent. William’s unconventional interests in extreme sports like snowboarding, skydiving, and base jumping are overshadowed by his modest personality. In terms of intelligence, William is as sharp as they come. William’s passion for art and graphic design led him to an internship at Sony and smaller companies, where he dealt with game development. William’s passions drive him to make the most of his pre-collegiate life.William epitomizes ‘going with the flow’. William doesn’t take his life too seriously, but he takes advantage of the opportunities life presents him. Currently undecided on a major, William isn’t worried about making a hasty decision. Like most things he does in his life, William will weigh his options and make a decision that benefits him and his family. You might not hear much from William when travels to Philadelphia to attend University of Pennsylvania in the fall, but you can believe that William will be do an amazing job representing Webb in his future endeavors.

One fateful freshman evening, Zach Hamman’s love for a few of his favorite things gained him the nickname “Bobi”. Four years later, the nickname remains. On a daily basis, Bobi likes to exude the essence of a sloth, by going through his day combating laziness, moving at a very slow rate, and acting with an easygoing attitude. You can find him on Chandler Field, with the boys, or playing fortnite. A veteran of both soccer and football, Bobi is revered by his coaches and teammates for gracing the field with his athleticism and skill. His friends describe him as, “awesome, dope, and swaggy.” A talented French speaker and Raising Cane’s lover, Bobi has successfully created a goofy, kind, and respected persona by everyone on campus. Bobi will only be less than 10 miles away as he begins his fresh start at Cal Poly Pomona in the fall.