Class of 2023 Senior Issue

The girl who can do it all, Abbey Cook, excels in every aspect of life. The Upland native has been playing soccer as soon as she could walk, she dreams of bringing her soccer skills to the professional pitch after she receives her B.S. from the Wharton school of the University of Pennsylvania. Though Abbey is excited for her future of playing Division 1 soccer at UPenn, she is also going to miss the many memories that she has made at Webb, combined with her performance of a lifetime as Hannah Montana in Theme Nights her senior year and her record-breaking experience on Webb’s Varsity Girl’s soccer and track team. Cook was able to exceed the record for most goals in a soccer season and Webb career. While running for the track team, she set the 4×400 meters relay record and 400 meters record in 59.81 seconds. Not only has this beast excelled at being a student athlete and has never disappointed her teachers, teammates, or coaches, Abbey is also kind and selfless — one of the best friends you could have. She is a friend that will always be there for you and never turn down a spontaneous adventure to the beach or the mountains. Abbey is all around a person that you will be lucky to call your friend.

We were at Hangar 18 our freshman year for outdoor activity and Abbey incorrectly harnessed the belay backwards, so Ms. Nacionales had to do an emergency belay switch. After that day, I never trusted Abbey to belay me again.

— Maksym Graham (‘23)

If you ever had the chance to walk through the Alamo Archway, you most likely will be kindly greeted by Aidan Helgeson, dorm prefect of the Alamo. Originally born in Sierra Madre, California, Aidan has learned many valuable lessons growing up and now knows how to avoid getting the nickname ‘0-7’ when asking girls out. Aidan is a kind soul and is always there to help a friend in need, or bring people together for Webb Idol every year, an event he loves because of how unique it is to Webb. Peccary trips over the summer will always bring a smile to his face, but looking back at his four years, Webb has taught him to not overthink all the actions he makes because at the end of the day, “you grow as a person and people will eventually forgive you over time.” He lives his day-to-day following his favorite quote by Ted Lasso, “Don’t let the wisdom of age be wasted on you.” Aidan has spent his time at Webb building connections with teachers like Mr. Caldwell, running cross country, and hovering over the bagel bar. During the weekends, you can find Aidan listening to “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth or watching movies like The Big Lebowski with fellow Alamo boarders. He is eager to study at Colorado College and further explore his interests, possibly managing a sports team one day.

Aidan is authentic and reliable, making him a person one can always count on no matter the situation.

— Alfonzo Alvarez-Seara (‘23)

Having long luxurious hair and always working on a painting, Aidan Yeung is a cottage-core girl at heart. His dream life would be to live in a cottage, grow a garden, and make a living through painting. Unsurprisingly then, one of Aidan’s favorite things to do is to paint nature. His favorite piece is called “White Flowers” where he quite literally painted a white flower. As can be seen by the name, Aidan is not someone to ponder the abstract meaning of things. In fact, Aidan stays grounded in everyday things. Some of his favorite memories at Webb are going to hot pot with friends, taking art class with Dr. Greco and Ms. Leishman, swimming, and playing water polo. As a fifth-year senior, Aidan could not compete in swim and water polo this year; nevertheless, he was at the pool practicing every day. Though he is disappointed about not being able to compete, Aidan cheers himself up by acting as the self-described “team mom” on the swim team, making sure everyone gets to their races on time. Aidan’s carefree aura is certainly a breath of fresh air in the bustling environment of Webb as he is able to laugh at himself from time to time, like when he spilled a trail of In-N-Out on the way up to his dorm. As he embarks on the next journey of his life, Aidan plans to continue his passion for art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he will continue to find joy in the little things in life.

You can be super genuine around Aidan. I think that’s really rare to find.

— Andy Fu (‘23)

The notorious Spaniard at Webb, Alfonso Alvarez Seara, has truly made an impact on the Webb community. Alfonso has always been known as a friend to all on the Webb campus. Even though his years on campus at Webb may have been short due to COVID, he made sure to be an active member in the community’s activities. As the captain of the wrestling team his senior year and through his dedication to Webb’s wrestling, swim, and football teams, his passion for athletics has left an impact on Webb’s athletic program, while also making the time an enjoyable experience for everyone who had the chance to compete alongside him. Afonso has also left his mark on the peer advisor program while serving as a PA to incoming new students these past two years, making their transition into the Webb community seamless. When Alvarez is not busy serving the Webb community, you can catch him strumming a guitar in Alamo, playing soccer on Chandler Field, watching Shameless or Blacklist on Netflix, or going on adventures with his friends off-campus. Alfonso is a multifaceted fella who is always sharing a laugh with whoever he’s talking to. He will bring his infectious energy to the University of San Francisco in the fall where he will pursue a major in economics.

He’s the same person in and outside of the classroom. He’s very unapologetically Alfonso and he won’t change himself depending on the environment that he’s in.

— Aidan Helgeson (‘23)

With his many layers and dimensions, Andy Fu is like a pillar; anyone who has seen him around campus will immediately notice his height. Despite towering over most of the students, teachers, and buildings on campus, Andy is a gentle giant, someone people look up to both literally and figuratively. For those acquainted with Andy, he resembles a pillar in both his persistence and commitment when he sets his mind to a task or a goal. He will happily dedicate countless hours to improve in the activities and hobbies he enjoys, whether it be pleasing shareholders in paleo class, playing golf, or grinding video games like Destiny 2 and League of Legends. In other words, you can always count on Andy to do what makes him happy and to do it very well. Finally, those who are lucky enough to be very close to Andy, will know that he is as dependable and unwavering as a pillar. His personal values and moral code might as well be etched in stone, and he is someone who can be trusted with anything and everything. Next year, he will be pursuing a future in Aerospace Engineering at California Polytechnic University Pomona, before hopefully moving on to building rockets or other potentially explosive objects. It is both reassuring and promising that pillars like Andy Fu will hold up the future of human technology, as we eagerly await to see how far into the stars he will take us.

Andy’s the type of person who can’t make a decision, asks you to make it for him, then proceeds to reject it and decides for himself anyway.

— Alia Langevin

Angie Zhang’s laughter — followed by clapping out of pure habit —can be heard from any part of campus. Angie is described as hardworking, whether it is shouting the most out-of-pocket phrases loudest in public, working on the next APES project, or carrying out her role as head day student prefect. Angie has a powerful leadership presence as the captain player on VWS golf for four years. Angie will miss the people at Webb when she goes off to college, never forgetting the support and moments of laughter from her closest friends. Angie’s friends describe her as the bubbliest person you will ever meet, always expecting to laugh until their stomachs hurt when they are around her. On the weekends, she loves cooking with Jonah, going out with family and friends, or staying up until 3:00 am playing Minecraft. As she is both spontaneous and indecisive, Angie cities Geoffery Canty’s “don’t let the tyranny of the ‘or’ defeat the power of the ‘and,’” as her favorite quote. With her time at Webb ending soon, Angie wishes she could have done more of what she wanted instead of grinding at golf, even if she is the best player on campus. Because of this, Angie has become one of the best people to make memories with in her last weeks at Webb. At Tufts University, Angie will still be seen cycling through her quirky emotes and cheering people up with her infectious laughter and genuine care.

Angie is a pro golfer girlboss gamer that can do everything but make a choice. If you look into her brain, it wouldd probably be 12% intrusive thoughts, 80% thinking about doing said intrusive thoughts, and 8% everything else. but most importantly, I think she is a hidden gem that everyone would love if they knew her more.

— Gabby Diaz ('23)

Austin Ra is instantly recognizable throughout the Webb community. Many people know him for his role as an emcee at any day student prefect event or for his hard-hitting interviews and journalistic skill shown in the Austin on the Block series. To the outside world, Austin is just another outgoing goofball with a magnetic personality, however, to his friends, Austin is an enigmatic individual, equal parts comic and pensive. When he is not influencing the cultural mores of Webb’s student body, he enjoys quiet, quality time with his brother, Nolan, and his two dogs, Allie and Buster. Austin didn’t take a traditional path to Webb. He started his high school career at Damien, in neighboring La Verne, and started his Webb experience online as a sophomore. Austin hit the block for the first time his junior year, and in his two short years on Webb’s campus, he created a name for himself through his charismatic energy and uniquely dry sense of humor, building a loyal following of “Blockheads” (devoted Austin on the Block fans). Austin will study Biology with a minor in Business at the University of Southern California, in hopes of one day taking over the family business and becoming a dentist. Before he moves on to the next chapter, Austin has a message for the Blockheads, “Sorry, we only had three one-episode seasons, but who knows, maybe Austin on the Block will live on at USC.”

Austin is my Patrick, or is he my SpongeBob, I don’t know if he’s my Patrick or my SpongeBob.

— Leonid Levitin-Shilman (‘23)

Do not let Ben Thien-Ngern’s 5’6” frame trick you; he is not a freshman! In fact, anytime you need to humble yourself on the tennis court, you should give Ben a call. With his blue tennis bag, Ben has bagged the WSC tennis team tickets to the CIF championship for the past two years. Speedy on the court and witty in Honor Cabinet meetings, Ben leads with distinction and dedication. Behind the scenes, Ben enjoys deep conversations with friends on homework-less nights, as they allow him to get in touch with his philosophical side. He constantly seeks happiness in different forms, for he believes it is the catalyst to living a fulfilling life. Whether it is watching a weekly chapter of One Piece, rooting for the Celtics, or collecting vinyl from his favorite artists, Ben finds joy in being present in the moment. Even when faced with dancing, his ultimate nemesis, during Webb Idol, he was able to pull through and made the most out of the performance with his fellow Holt and Kirkhill residents. In the fall, Ben will be attending University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Cognitive Science, a field that he has recently become fascinated with, and hopes that in five years, he will be able to make revolutionary changes to the community.

Deep down, Ben is a kind and compassionate friend; he is always there to help and willing to complete a task; he always finds possible options to fix a problem; he is also willing to talk to others and just a very extroverted person.

— Nathan Liu ('23)

It is your favorite blonde bombshell, Vietnamese wonder, and JV soccer demon: Bobby Pham! He is Webb’s very own Rick Sanchez and Lil Uzi Vert lookalike. It may be true, according to Bobby’s hair transformation, that blondes do have more fun. If you do not see Bobby playing video games nonstop under pink LED lights while blasting Playboi Carti through his speaker, you might find him scoring goal after goal on Faculty Field. Although Bobby has been studying computer science in Massachusetts and California for half his life, his true passion for computer science came from the Harvey Mudd course Webb offered at the end of this year. Bobby does not watch Inception and Interstellar for a mind-boggling adventure; he watches them to prepare for implementing his superhuman technology into our society as he becomes the world’s most powerful coder, and gets ready to destroy the planet with artificial intelligence. But for now, his current superpower is his shoes, which give him an extra two inches of height, pairing perfectly with his pink attire. The future Bobby we all cannot wait to see will be working at a tech company, making tons of money to build his own cars, and beating Apple at everything. Hopefully, he will be able to continue mastering each video game he encounters, achieving his distinct platinum blonde hair color, and coding more impossible products when he majors in Computer Science at Santa Clara University.

If you need serious advice, Bobby’s there for you. If you want to do something really stupid, Bobby will do it with you. If you are really hungry, Bobby will be the one to get you food. But if you want to do a group project… He’ll be asleep. He’s very consistent like that.

— Heloise Robertson (‘23

Scrambling in an airport with snow swirling outside and layers of comfortable clothing holding her tight, Britney Lu knew she had to stay in Vancouver another day. Of course, a plane ticket mistake had to happen to her. This happened only three months after Britney’s birthday, when she went from not seeing Mickey Mouse, to staring at fish, to getting her phone stolen after a credit card mishap at a karaoke room. From Disneyland to Canada, bad luck seems to follow Britney everywhere she goes. Yet Britney works hard to counteract these unfortunate experiences; instead, she embodies spontaneity. Britney is quick to make friends after moving around since elementary school, and she loves to rant and take photos after events like this year’s controversial Theme Nights. Her ability to make the best out of bad situations makes Britney the ideal honor cabinet member and captain for track and field. Her personality has even influenced those around her, whether taking her friends to dinner after being stuck in Canada or finding the best snacks for the Maid Café for Webb students to enjoy. Her attitude toward life will help her in her studies of Psychology and Child Development at Tufts University, where she wants to gain the knowledge to one day open her own clinic for occupational therapy. So yes, Britney can be unlucky, but she is also caring and resolute. It’s safe to say that every person whom she’s made an impact on is lucky to have ever met her.

The Catchphrases of Britney Lu: ‘Oh shoot!’ ‘Ok bet,’ ‘I can probably lift their body weight,’ ‘I can throw a baby 32 feet,’ ‘Bro what,’ ‘Giiirrrlll.’

— Rosemary Luo (‘23)

Bryan swears he stumbled into stardom; however, the well-initiated know that he was born for the spotlight. Bryan Oglesby: captain of the football team, a track star, a head peer advisor, an actor, a model, and one of the most likable human beings on Webb’s campus was born mere miles away from the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California. He moved to Alta Loma at a very young age and attended Stork Elementary where, as class president, his aptitude for leadership was on full display––his elementary school commencement speech is an inspiring watch. When Bryan came to Webb, he quickly became a fan favorite on and off the football field. He ran through entire teams during his freshman year, bringing Webb an astounding 766 yards in only eight games! One corny 80s movie training montage later, Bryan’s compassion and humility have reached new heights. Now, he is a role model and mentor to many underclassmen as Webb’s Master Oogway. Like this wise sage, Bryan Oglesby will be moving on to the University of Chicago to study business economics. While he may be a couple thousand miles away, Bryan’s spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of all Webb students who had the pleasure of meeting him.

Bryan is extremely generous. He’s always willing to be my personal Uber driver, is usually seen flashing a cheery smile, and will always offer you his jacket though that may just be because Bryan wants to show you his muscles.

— Maksym Graham (‘23)

Catherine Chen is a charming little fairy who will wave all your sorrows away, give you the warmest hug, and work her magic to put a smile on your face. Catherine is funny yet thoughtful, shy yet confident, and quiet yet expressive. When it comes to self-expression, she always finds ways to reveal her creativity and vivid imagination through different forms of art. While juggling academic responsibilities and college applications, Catherine always made time for drawing and exploring herself through hip-hop and contemporary dance. Her endless love for art extends itself to Webb’s Dance Studio, where she has displayed her unique style through her remarkable performances in Webb’s annual winter dance shows. In addition to her interest in drawing and dance, Catherine is the queen of origami, creating intricate designs ranging from paper lilies to peacocks. She leads Webb’s Origami Club as her craft is what she is exceptionally passionate about. Next year, Catherine will head to the USC School of Pharmacy to apply her fairy powers to Pharmacology and Drug Development.

Catherine reminds me of Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter — she seems slightly distant at first, but once you get to know her, you see her pure soul.

— Pai Sinpatanasakul ('23)

If you were to barge into Catherine Ruyi Chen’s dorm, you would most definitely see her playing League of Legends. However, if you wanted to have a heartfelt conversation, she just might put down her game for you. Understanding and kindness are the adjectives that Catherine embodied during her years at Webb. Her friends described her as a “down to earth” person, somebody that is easy to talk to, and a person that will devote her whole attention to you when you need it. At Webb, Catherine’s communication skills made her an excellent admission fellow, always eager to introduce newcomers to Webb. Although Catherine expressed regret at not making many friends during freshman year, her positive attitude and “down-to-earth” personality rendered her a pillar of the community. Aside from being a good communicator, Catherine also excels in art. Not only did she draw her media art classmates and teachers, but she also plays an integral part of the yearbook process, designing the cover for the 2022 to 2023 school year. Her love for her friends, ACGN (Animation, Comic, Game, and Novel), and art is an important part of who she is. As Catherine ventures off to Babson College in the fall, she plans to explore her interests in Marketing. Even though she will miss her teachers and friends at Webb, she will bring her kind and caring personality to Babson’s campus, continuing to warm and love the others around her.

Even though she is always playing League of Legends, she will always make time for the people she cares about.

— Theresa Hu (‘24)

Oh so calm and stoic, Chance Rebish is a diamond in the rough. Born and raised in Upland, CA, he leads a life much like a diamond — one of a rock. Chance is an introvert and a homebody, but this doesn’t mean he is any less interesting; he is a diamond, after all. He may not do or say much, but when he does, he means it. He is mellow most of the time, but try talking about the Rams or beating him in MarioKart — he can’t contain himself. As Chance has grown into himself at Webb, he has pushed himself to try new things. During his senior year, this diamond let his talents shine at Webb Day for the first time, buzzed and bleached his hair, and even stopped ignoring his brother at school. One thing that has never changed about Chance, though, is his love for his friends who know him most endearingly as “Pants” or “Chance Radish.” Even if it is often shrouded in sarcasm and witty jokes, Chance has always been a beacon of support and kindness to his friends. In the fall, Chance will attend Tufts University to major in Biology. As he leaves Webb and moves away from his home in Upland, Chance will miss his friends and family, but he looks forward to the connections and experiences that his bright future as a Tufts Jumbo holds.

Chance’s chill yet witty personality is always appreciated. He’s a grounded and selfless individual whose stability serves as a pillar in our friend group. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would’ve gotten through track and field.

— George Cardenas ('23)

A May Gemini, Cindy is more approachable and flexible than her resting face or her position on the Honor Cabinet make her out to be. As an ambivert, Cindy feeds off her friends’ energy while she spends time with them in the Appleby lounge, where their laughter fills up her heart. Dazzling with the stars that she admired during her freshman peccary trip, her heart is full of laughter, kindness when she hosted her friends during breaks, and of course, drama. To spice things up a little, Cindy watches her K-dramas and C-dramas in x2 speed, so she can easily finish five series in a week! Pacing herself, Cindy has not let any of her embarrassing moments tarnish her high school years, especially in her last sprint to the finish line. Making the most out of her remaining time at Webb, Cindy will miss her friends and the memories they created together the most, as seeing them after high school will not feel the same anymore. Attending New York University this fall to pursue business as an independent woman, Cindy hopes that one day, she will discover her own passion and make enough money to retire.

We hope she keep slaying as an independent businesswoman, and not fall into the trap of Stern finance bro at Wall Street.

— Wendy Chang ('23) & Jasmine Wan ('23)

DANG, Deng! Clarence Deng is always dressed to impress. He usually spends his afternoons in the gym. If you ever see him there, he’ll be wearing his $400 Bathing Ape shoes instead of normal tennis or lifting shoes. Clarence is the type of person to ask you for a pencil even though he has the highest quality Louis Vuitton backpack you’ve ever seen. At every school dance, Clarence will wear his lavish Gucci sunglasses, but the rambunctious Clarence will usually give the glasses to someone else while he busts a move on the dance floor. Despite being the youngest in the senior class, some say he has an old soul. For one, he plays golf. Why does he like golf so much? Clarence thinks it has helped him “clear his mind.” People also say Clarence is an old soul because he has dozens, if not hundreds, of small green tea bottles in his mini fridge, his room, and even in that Louis Vuitton backpack. Despite this description, Clarence is a joy to be around; he’s always smiling. Pair this with his precious baby face, and his smile instantly becomes contagious. And when he laughs, you’ll definitely be laughing too. Whenever Clarence is in the room, you know it’s about to go down. In the fall, Clarence will embrace the old and the new, studying Business at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Clarence is like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. He’s always smiling. But I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Silly, silly Clarence!

— Neria Spence ('24)

You may know Connor Plunkett from the infamous diss track “Connor is a Goner” by Maksym Graham or by Connor’s bouncing blonde locks as he runs with the worst tan imaginable during cross country, but Connor has a lot more to him than these things. As the co-chair of the Honor Committee, captain of the soccer team, and an avid caffeine drinker, some may even call him Webb’s “Dark Knight”. Yet during the day, Connor embodies all the qualities of a great friend, always ready to listen and give the most real advice. He is someone you can rely on and who will always go the extra mile to help. However, when night falls, Connor transforms into the invisible backbone of the Webb community. Behind the scenes, he tirelessly works to ensure the Honor Committee functions smoothly, upholding the principles of honor and trust that form the foundation of the community. While he is not fulfilling his duties, you can catch Connor chilling with his dog, Terian, while creating his own DJ sets inspired by Fred Again, blasting Tyler the Creator during a late-night car drive with Maksym and Bryan, or binging movies at the Village with Griffin and Neria. Next year, Connor will attend the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, where he will study Business Administration.

I feel like the first thing Connor does when he wakes up is stroll over to a large window, unveil his red velvet robe and expose his hairy chest before welcoming the sunlight with a cheerful, ‘ahhh hello world!’

— Maksym Graham ('23)

At an intimidating height of 5’3”, Conrad Poon is everyone’s favorite short king senior. Besides his height, Conrad serves as the co-chair of the WSC dorm prefects in Reynolds, participating in clubs and projects like MUN and KWEB, and being a member of the Tonics, Webb’s own student-organized band that all Webb students love. Conrad not only embodies the qualities of a great leader, but also loves spending time with his friends, where he is not only constantly cracking jokes, but he also shows a great level of care and kindness towards others. Hobby-wise, Conrad loves playing guitar and has been playing for about 9 years. Even with being the short king, he brings a lot into sports. He plays water polo, wrestling, and swimming, a likely cause of his constant sleep deprivation. Swimming is not just a hobby for Conrad, but he also is one of Webb’s swim team captains. After Webb, Conrad plans on attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, and will continue to not get enough sleep while studying for his master’s degree in computer engineering. On top of that, he will be striving to finally get a driver’s license. A funny and kind person, Conrad has formed many cherished memories with his friends through his Webb career and looks forward to many more to come when he goes to college.

Conrad has the most foul Twitter account that I have ever seen. He despises raisins and has excessive knowledge of “disturbing history” like Heaven’s Gate and MK-Ultra.

— Mirabel Raphael (‘24)

Dan Danylov, an authentic soul and rebel in his own right, channels his passions and life experiences into his art. He displays himself through his radical artworks, from his abstract portrayals of the war in his home country, Ukraine, to a replica of the wooden walls often seen in traditional Eastern European cottages. Dan always shows up unapologetically as himself; he doesn’t change himself to fit the mold of others but resists in his identity and waits for the mold to rearrange itself. Being both artsy and original, Dan truly embodies the spirit of his dorm, Jones. In Jones, Dan not only serves the role of head prefect, but he is also Jones’ caring, advice-giving, and goofy uncle. He is the kind of person who will take the time to help a freshman out when they have questions about whether they should wash their socks after just one use. If you ever come around Jones during the late hours, you will likely find Dan sacrificing his sleep to connect with his friends and family on the other side of the world. While Dan’s giggles and art collages will be missed at Webb, he will be taking UC San Diego by storm in the fall. In his next venture, Dan will delve into studying Political Science, bringing his artistic spirit and unwavering authenticity to his studies.

Dan is the bear from Masha and the Bear. He always helps you with the mission, like the bear helps the little girl Masha.

— Karma Griggs ('23)

Ever come across someone with the work ethic of a CEO and the running speed of a cheetah zooming across Webb’s campus? If you have, chances are that the person was Daniel Hu, an exemplary model of the maxim “work hard play hard,” as he embraced the role of senior class president and varsity soccer captain. Originally born on the East Coast in New Jersey, Daniel, better known as DHu, grew up in Shanghai, China. This is where he first discovered his love for soccer, a life-long passion. Although he comes off as always being productive, he does wish he spent more of his time during COVID-19 doing something other than scoring bangers on FIFA ‘23 with friends online. The Welcome-Back Dance in Ruddick freshman year will never top any other Webb event for DHu, but whenever he feels a little down, reminiscing on the old days, a little bit of Justin Bieber’s music or rewatching The Shawshank Redemption always brightens his mood. Movies are nothing compared to what a short marathon can do for DHu, though. Mr. Caldwell has been a role model for Daniel and has brought out a love for cross country he never knew he had. Although Daniel will miss the luxury of a dorm to himself, he looks forward to making new memories while devoting his time to studying Economics at Emory University and hopefully running a full marathon one day in his bright future.

There is not a man or woman in the school who is not in love with Daniel Hu.

— Nancy Lin (‘23)

Baking a cake can be as simple as one, two, three! But for Elizabeth Chai, making a cake is another story. Though her baking experience ended with an inedible flour confection, Elizabeth looks back on the fond memory she made with her friends. Rather than the end product, Elizabeth lives for the experience, like how she enjoys planning for a DSP social or traveling on the road with her friends. On campus, she loves going to office hours to chat with her favorite teacher, Mr. Caldwell, instead of actually studying for a math test. She even enjoyed the day of whale watching with her APES class over any other day in the year-long course. Yet Elizabeth also appreciates when a final product is deserving of her praise, such as when her favorite K-pop groups come back with new albums that are immediately added to her playlist or when an Enhypen or August D concert meets all her expectations. Her love for the journey and appreciation for the destination both fuel her desire to pursue Architecture in college where she will be able to build and plan unique designs for architectural masterpieces. As she travels to Washington D.C. to study at George Washington University, Elizabeth will be entering a new stage in her life where she will create plans towards her next goal: adulthood. By then, Elizabeth will trade in flour and milk for pencils and paper to finally make her perfect vision of a cake.

Lizzy loves using the word ‘slay’ and I agree that she also lives by the word as well. It’s always fun to hang out with her, whether it is watching a K-pop concert even though I barely know the artist, or making a freshly learned TikTok dance, she is always fun to hang out with.

— Britney Lu ('23)

Most people do not figure out what they want to do until late in their life, but Emilia Bordage has known that she has wanted to be an archeologist since the fourth grade. Her interest in the field stems from her desire to unearth forgotten parts of history and her love for stories about people and their cultures. Knowing this, it is easy to believe that Paleontology is her favorite class at Webb and explains why she spends so much time in the Alf Museum. Her love of storytelling is not limited to talking about things she dug up out from the ground, however. It has also taken her to the Liu Cheung stage as a choreographer for the annual dance show and a member of the spring musical. Aside from her talents for performing, Emilia has disproven the myth of DSP’s “not doing anything” by enthusiastically planning events for seasonal socials and supporting students during evening hours in the library. Emilia has made memorable contributions to Webb as well, like establishing the first ever “ofrenda” (alter in Spanish) on campus and bringing Chicana “altarista” (alter maker) Ofilia Esparza to campus for a storytelling session. Next year, Emilia will be taking a break from the fast-paced Webb life to study Anthropology at UC Riverside. She hopes to finally take the wheel of her life — both literally and figuratively — and return to Webb as a volunteer at the museum in the future.

[Emilia] is funny but like in a weird way. She’s a very wholesome kind of funny but there’s sometimes where she says some crazy thing and it’s like woah, woah!

— Yvette Shu ('23)

From singing “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls during her freshman class officer election speech to performing a magic trick in front of 200 students during the executive race, Emily Huang is fearless. Born in California but raised in China until she was nine years old, Emily brings a global perspective to Webb’s campus. Much like her favorite band’s recent Grammy-winning album –– The New Abnormal –– that redefined rock music, Emily has always been willing to embrace risks. Joining the cross-country team during junior year, she persevered under the hot October sun along with her teammates despite never having been a runner, and eventually became the co-captain of the team. Along with her eagerness to try new things, Emily thrived in AdvSt. Gothic and Horror Literature and Culture, where she relished analyzing Dracula and creating her own horror film, always pushing her boundaries of learning. Outside of the classroom, Emily serves as the co-founder and president of the Film Club, where she experiments with various camera footage and video editing formats. During the weekends, she enjoys watching old movies with her family, eating out at the Village with friends, and learning Hebrew through Sunday school. As Emily ventures off to Columbia University in the fall, she plans to major in International Relations and explore novel subjects across various disciplines. She will miss planning Theme Nights and falling madly in love with artists after attending their concerts in LA, but she will continue to have an open mind in the cosmopolitan environment of New York City.

Emily is the big film bro without all the annoying personality traits. She’s always willing to sit through an insanely long study session just because we’re committed, or pick up the phone and listen to me rant about whatever stupid thing is going on.

— Julia Tyck ('23)

Etienne Griffon, the cross-country and track star known and loved for being unapologetically himself on and off the track. While Etienne is very funny and chaotic, he is also someone to lean on when any troubles come up. Many students know him as a day student prefect when he is off the field, as he is very involved with many of the DSP events. As these events come to a close along with his Webb career, Etienne is going to go his own way to Northeastern University. At Webb, Etienne discovered not only his love for running but also his love for medicine, in fact, he plans to study it in college. Most likely Etienne will major in business and possibly study pre-med on the side. Although Etienne is a great runner, after college he plans to work at a hospital or in a corporation. Maybe this stems from the fact that even though Etienne is chaotically fast on the track, his brain moves even faster; some of his closest friends believe it moves at millions of miles per second. As Etienne heads off to college, he will be remembered for many things at Webb, like being able to run for a long time —winning many Webb awards, and of course, being unapologetically French.

His brain moves at like a million miles an hour, and it is really funny sometimes to see him short-circuit so hard.

— Aidan Helgeson (‘23)

If you hear hysterical laughing on campus, chances are it is probably Eunice. Whether she is alone, with friends, or with complete strangers, Eunice always finds a way to giggle. Even after a disastrous musical rehearsal that left her with a dislocated patella, Eunice and her friends could not stop laughing as she rolled through the health center in a wheelchair, putting on quite a show for the nurses. Speaking of putting on a show, Eunice is quite the theatre kid. Tech stage manager in the fall, dancer in the winter, and musical lead in the spring, Eunice’s angelic voice and rockstar dance moves are an immense asset to the theatre program at Webb. Beyond the theatre, Eunice is a smart cookie, tackling rigorous STEM classes while enjoying the creativity provided by the humanities. Eunice describes her favorite class, Advanced Studies Existentialism and the Human Condition, as “an experience.” Despite a challenging curriculum, Eunice found Dr. Hartle’s Existentialism class to be a supportive environment full of insightful discussions. Although she hopes to pursue medicine at UC Irvine, Eunice does not plan to abandon her artistic pursuits anytime soon. Set on continuing her passion for music, Eunice’s next big goal is to complete her debut album, a longtime dream of hers. As she ventures off to college, Eunice will miss the Webb campus and most importantly, the precious connections she has formed here. Nonetheless, we are excited to see her future endeavors as both an artist and a scholar.

“I’ve never met someone quite like Eunice… she’s annoyingly talented but she’s still a ray of sunshine with sparkles and rainbows.”

— Mick Adkins (‘23)

A flash of blue zooms past Fawcett library, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no… it’s Eva Annabi! Commonly seen with her face painted various shades of Webb blue, Eva is no stranger to exemplifying school spirit. This four-year varsity soccer champ is also no stranger to winning, as she led her class through the finish line at Theme Week this year in her role as Kanye West. As she speeds into the DSPL at approximately 8:38 every morning –– everyone needs their beauty sleep –– you might notice her Starbucks in hand clenched by practically permanently polished glittery claws. Despite how intimidating underclassmen might find her whenever she barks at them, she has always been there to lend a helping hand as a head day student prefect. According to her friends, Eva is “versatile.”. She can dress up for any occasion but usually takes every opportunity to wear her black and white plaid pajama pants. She is the life of the party at every event–– you can always count on Eva to hype the crowd as she squats a 120 lb. man on her back while her “for the people playlist” floods the room. As Eva likes to test her limits, she is excited to explore the way the human body works in her studies of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis. When she moves up North, she will miss her Teta’s cooking and her cousin Michael’s constant presence at Webb, despite the fact that he does not actually go here.

Eva reminds me of a Truffula tree. She’s always you know going with the moves, swaying in the wind. Eva normally looks pretty soft, like comfy you know? Like sometimes you just want to touch her shoulder.

— Maksym Graham (‘23)

Falcon Fu lives up to his name. While not a predatory bird, Falcon soars at intense speeds with the skill to hunt down historical leads, great movies, or a good restaurant. He is a true Renaissance man. Originally from Shenzhen, China, Falcon came Webb to study abroad and experience the sunny SoCal lifestyle. Falcon’s love for history is inspiring, and for his thesis seminar paper, he is currently devouring Hamilton’s letters and even reading a biography by his grandson. When not pouring over history books, Falcon can be found running as part of the cross country and triathlon teams or managing the JV tennis team. On the weekends, he loves exploring local restaurants, especially if they serve up some good steak or Korean BBQ. However, Falcon is also always down for a spontaneous jazz session or Hamilton play-through on his trombone. Inspired by his cousins’ stories about Chinese history in moves and games, Falcon will attend the University of Southern California in the fall to continue pursuing his passions in history, where he looks forward to exploring all that college has to offer.

Falcon is very kind, so he always has a willingness to help others. With his strong academic competence, he can always discover esoteric historical issues and give deep research on those topics. His perseverance always amazes me. Anyways, in case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

— Jessica Cao

Francesca Lascano is unapologetically herself. For her class president address her freshman year, she mimicked the popular “Stanky Fishy” song, admittedly losing some dignity in the process. Despite her slight regret, Francesca won in the polls, a testament to her ability to embrace her distinct eccentricities and ability to authentically connect with others. With the biggest heart, Francesca makes everyone feel comfortable even when they are not, making light of any situation. However, she also has the tendency to say the most out-of-pocket sentences known to man at the worst time, but you can’t help but to laugh. In spite of her impulsive, sometimes shocking, words, she expresses her kindness and unabashed individuality in areas such as community service with Webb. While others cuddled with the smaller puppies, Francesca’s unique charm and compassion attracted her to an older dog named Pablo. Her persistent, youthful energy made Pablo feel young again and open up. After months of waiting, he was adopted thanks to her love. Francesca anticipates missing the close-knit relationships she has fostered at Webb as she gets ready to start the next phase of her life. Francesca will be attending the University of Michigan, studying drug development, her interest first originating from Medicinal Chemistry with Mr. Choi. She has a special place in her heart for her close friends at Webb, and she values the degree of intimacy and comfort she has more than anything else.

Fran is like Chicken Little. She is caring, curious, and incredibly funny. She is also a little crazy and quite small. She is the Chicken Little of Webb.

— Neria Spence (‘24)

Similar to the events in episodes of the iconic American cartoon series Phineas and Ferb, you will always find Gabby Diaz jumping at the chance to make every day an unforgettable adventure. She is one of the most loyal, analytical, and soft-spoken yet opinionated individuals you may come across on campus. In fact, Gabby’s close friends say she embodies the character Ferb. Although she may be quiet, her presence lights up the room. So when she does talk, you know it will be important. Born in Honolulu, and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, Gabby’s adaptability in new environments has made her an approachable and friendly face for many students at Webb. From being a peer advisor to an active leader in the Webb dance program, Gabby has left an imprint in all areas of the Webb community. Notably, her choreography has won Webb Idol for Alamo several times and her easy-to-learn moves have been featured in Theme Nights. In addition to her impressive dance background, Gabby’s thoughtful personality shines through her passion for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Webb. One of her favorite memories was attending the Student Diversity Leadership Conference her junior year with several other Webb students at a house in Rancho Cucamonga; activities in their free time included movie nights and boba runs (even though she is lactose intolerant). Gabby not only gained a fresh perspective while at the conference but also an invaluable bond with other faculty and students. After Gabby’s 104 days of summer vacation, she plans to move to the east coast to study Public Health Administration at New York University. She hopes to continue her interest in both science and business while following in the footsteps of her mother in the medical industry.

When you play bed wars with Gabby, you can rely on her to make the best defense because as she is in bed wars and in person, she’s caring and loyal, but she doesn’t always have to be on the front lines to go fight other people. Sometimes she just stays and you know she has your back.

— Noelani Chock ('23)

Garrett Cordova-Caddes, or GCC for short, is described by his friends as a man of few words. However, underneath his mysterious demeanor lies an athletic, humorous, intellectual, and respectable man. He brings two years of cross country and track captain experience to the table and dominates events such as the 400-meter, 1600-meter, and 3200-meter races. Garrett lets his actions speak for his words and is regarded as a leader on and off the track. Apart from Garrett’s athleticism, he has served as an Honor Committee member for the past two years. Garrett does not recall many mistakes during his time at Webb, but when he does make one, you can find him uncontrollably laughing at himself. Brian Caldwell, mathematics teacher and cross-country coach, is Garrett’s favorite adult on campus, Mr. Caldwell has always embraced Garrett’s self-absorbed humor. At Garrett’s first Cross Country meet, near the finish line, Mr. Caldwell shouted words of tough love as he challenged Garrett to push Garrett across the finish line. This event was defining for Garrett because it made him realize Mr. Caldwell held him in a fond place in his heart. After this moment, Garrett could never back down from a challenge and pushed himself like never before to finish amongst the top competitors in the meet. When Garrett graduates from high school, he plans to attend Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where he will minor in Medieval History and major in Creative Writing. In the future, you might catch Garrett’s bestselling book in Barnes and Noble, which will most likely be something related to Science Fiction. Although many speculate Garrett as a man of few words, his aspiration of being a writer and long conversations with anybody may prove that he not such a man of few words after all!

Garrett reminds me of an octopus: super rare, smart, and unique.

— Etienne Griffon (‘23)

If you are walking around the campus and suddenly hear the most beautiful piano sound you’ve ever heard, or see a guy playing CS:GO on his MacBook in the library, you have just encountered George Cardenas. A talented pianist, Geroge has an artistic sensibility and great dedication to his craft. With his genuine warmth that instantly puts people at ease, it is easy to see why so many of his friends would say that he is one of the most compassionate and friendly people you will ever meet. George loves a challenge; his incredible work ethic and dedication allow him to overcome anything he puts his mind to. Fittingly, George will major in neuroscience at the University of Southern California. He chose this field due to its captivating nature and the mysterious and perplexing nature of how the brain functions.Like neuroscience, George himself is also a confusing and interesting individual who keeps people on their toes with his unique perspective and approach to life. Undoubtedly, George plans on continuing his piano career at USC Thornton School of Music along with neuroscience. In five years, George sees himself pursuing piano professionally and continuing his academic studies.

George is a contradiction. When he used to be vegan, he would say, “My favorite vegan meal is a Blueberry Chicken Salad from Panera.

— Julia Tyck ('23)

Hannah Mildon is the newest member of the senior class. For only being at Webb for one year, she has acquired a great amount of the Webb experience. Hannah is extremely passionate about art and loves to do almost everything that is artistic and creative. Whether it is painting watercolors, making sculptures, or crocheting hats and blankets, Hannah will happily explore everything that has to do with artwork. Hannah has made many great memories since the beginning of her journey at Webb, one of her favorites being eating pizza with her close friend, Molly Ratinoff, during their beginning of the year retreat. If you get to know Hannah, you are extremely lucky, because you will be having a blast engaging with her innovative mind, and her video game-loving and movie watching-self. On top of her gifted capabilities, she also has a big heart, and you may be fortunate enough to have her surprise you with your favorite food or boba when you’re having a bad day. Originally from Las Vegas, Hannah will be packing everything up and traveling across the country all the way to Boston to study Entrepreneurship at Babson College and she is very excited to be able to have different experiences somewhere that she has never been before – an appropriate attitude for a curious and fearless artist.

She’s been there for me no matter what, and she’s very nice; she’s just a really cool person who will be there for anyone.

— Ryan Walker (‘23)

The philosophical theory of experientialism states that the most valuable source of knowledge comes from personal experience. Hanson Hu, for instance, had never thought of accessing his martial arts expertise from his childhood memories in Guangzhou, China, until he performed in Webb’s Winter Dance Show in February. Illuminated by the spotlight, he steadily executed the moves of Tai-Chi before returning to the group dance and successfully completing the show. It is these little but memorable experiences —moments of stepping out of his comfort zone, moments away from “academic edification,” and moments of bonding with other people — that Hanson cherishes most about his time at Webb. From getting excited about normal activities, such as ordering food with his friends on Tuesdays, to being Alamo’s crucial rapper and performer during the annual Webb Idol, Hanson is striving towards the experientialist goal of living life to the fullest. Although he was an awkward freshman who studied all day, socialized little, and even got into trouble for Ubering out of school, he eventually learned to open his heart to the Webb community as an integral member of the honor council, chapel council, debate team, and golf team. Hanson hopes to continue his community involvement at Stanford University, where he intends to major in philosophy and history with a pre-law track, but he is flexible in trying a variety of subjects that pique his interest. After all, no matter what adventures the future holds for him, these distinct experiences are ultimately what makes him Hanson.

Hanson doesn’t really complain a lot. He never says anything bad that happens in his life unless it is attributed towards this one thing: golf. He would be like, ‘Bro, I missed my golf shot by two inches, two inches!’ and rant about everything else afterwards. If Hanson doesn’t have a bad day in golf, then he complains nothing about how his day went. All bad things happen in golf.

— Jordon Sun ('23)

Heloise Robertson is a double agent. Born in Qatar but raised in Shanghai, China, Heloise is a cosmopolitan city girl at heart. Growing up, she loved exploring the streets of Puxi alone, absorbing the city’s unique pulse and beautiful blend of Western and Eastern cultures –– her calming nature contrasting with the bustling world around her. At Webb, Heloise has discovered her niche with storytelling and served as the Chief Copy Editor of the WCC, yet her ability to notice themes and make genuine connections with people extends beyond journalism. An ardent fan of horror movies and murder mysteries, Heloise has thrived in AdvSt. Gothic and Horror Literature and Culture, where her investigative nature enabled her to catch the subtle symbolism that others often miss in works like Dracula and Frankenstein. Outside the classroom, Heloise is an active player on the VWS basketball team, serving as the junior varsity captain and eventually joining the varsity team. Despite self-identifying as the number one benchwarmer, Heloise views the team as a second family who would cheer wholeheartedly for her after her first score at her senior game. One thing Heloise loves more than basketball is her friends, always lending an empathetic ear should they need it. As she embarks on the next chapter of her life –– studying journalism at New York University –– Heloise will miss the weekend Kazama Sushi tradition she cherished with her friends, catching up on Bojack Horseman during the weekends, and most of all, the precious relationships she formed in the community.

Heloise looks emo from the way she dresses, but actually, she is the weirdest, goofiest person you’ll meet. Sometimes she’ll make a joke that’s not funny at all, but she’ll be laughing for ten minutes after the joke is made until she’s out of breath and Asian squatting on the ground.

— Nancy Lin ('23)

Split between two homes in Hong Kong and San Francisco, CA, Ian Chang will take his biology talents to a third home, in Pittsburgh, PA. Ian’s transformative experience with Mr. Choi’s Evolutionary Biology class and his hard work as a student leader in the international student liaison will help him rise to success as a Tartan. Outside of the classroom, Ian plays golf and even runs the infamous Webb Golf Instagram account that has definitely shown up on your Explore page, with hilarious captions every time. Those images show him making half of the swings he takes and mastering each hilarious caption of every post. He regrets not letting his curious and adventurous personality shine more as he stepped foot onto Webb. But now, Ian can proudly walk up to any stranger and bond over his love for basketball, Valorant, the Bay Area, and Modern Family. Is Ian like the controversial Modern Family character Manny? He thinks so. He is loveable, charming, and protective like Manny, after all: protective over his adorable poodle, Bailey, and his beloved basketball team, the Golden State Warriors. If you visit open gym on Fridays, you might catch Ian impersonating Steph Curry with his impressive 3-pointers. In a few years, Ian will be doing research on diseases in a biology lab, looking to fix your future medical health issues. He’ll take his golf, basketball, and global personality to explore a new corner of the world, the East Coast! We wish this passionate scientist the best as he studies Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon.

He’s heartfelt like Keshi, toxic like Abel, fierce like the Warriors, international like Hong Kong, funny like Bailey, and authentic like Ian.

— Karen Chen ('23)

Isaac Naren is Webb’s very own Superman. Much like this superhero, he leads a double life — one as a day student and one as a boarder. You may notice that while Isaac lives on Webb’s campus, he also takes on the position of head day student prefect. He loves to save the school day with trips to Starbucks, always with an iced caramel macchiato with light ice, upside down with extra caramel, in hand. However, these are not the only instances where Isaac uses his many super-talents at once. For example, one may find him starting on the court during both basketball and volleyball seasons, as well as out on the field during the football season. Flying through four years, Isaac has truly lived the full Webb experience, making many great memories along the way. Including, but certainly not limited to, bumping “Replay” by Iyaz for good luck before games, junior year Prom when everyone in the room danced on the dance floor, splashing water on players during London Tyck’s

football senior night, and his last senior basketball game. If Isaac had to pick a favorite word, it would be “exhilarating,” and based off his love for the adrenaline and “hype” that sports and his friends surround him with, there is no questioning why. Isaac will continue to “Naren it up” at California Lutheran University next fall and will miss the dual life of being a boarder and day student at the same time. His love for sports will help propel him throughout his college career as he will be studying Kinesiology and will be involved in athletic training. He also hopes to play basketball and volleyball and will undoubtably keep some aspects from the superhero-life he has built at Webb with him during the next four.

I think if it was between a lifesaving surgery and Starbucks, Isaac would take Starbucks to the grave.

— Ryan Walker ('23)

In loving memory of our beloved classmate, Isabella Saeedy.

Knowing Isabella has made me appreciate the joy and the people around me because of the unique way that she looked at the world. An afternoon with her was never wasted; she was always taking me on adventures, even if it was just running around aimlessly in our small hometown.

— Julia Tyck ('23)

Isa was someone who knew what I felt without needing a verbal explanation. Her eyes spoke volumes, giving me the peace and comfort I needed at my lows. I shared with her some of my happiest memories at Webb – moments that are weird and impossible to fully explain because no one would understand unless they were there sharing her laugh, quirky one-liners, and everlasting joie de vivre. She will be in my heart, forever and always.

— Emily Huang ('23)

Isabella is that one kind of friend that you meet and don’t expect to become friends with, but when you do, you realize how great she is. I’ve never had a friend like her, and she was always down for whatever — I felt at home with her. My best memories with her might not be too special, but we would always hang out in Hooper and watch movies or something. Even if it was bad, we would clown on it and even if it was boring, just being with her made everything a thousand times better.

— Ochuru Ochuru ('23)

She was goofy. I remember there was a toy we saw — a bean shaped unicorn — and she was like: is that a personalized tampon? And I was like, is that a unicorn? And we both lost it. Anyways, Isabella was always very considerate, and she was goofy because she embraced life to the fullest. Even the smallest of things, she was always ready to laugh at.

— Emilia Bordage ('23)

She radiates unwavering sunshine, even on the coldest of days. She is the yellow flowers that sprout in the toughest of spots. She embodies the essence of every poem and resonating song, infusing them with her spirit. She is the tranquil beach, the brilliant stars, and the soft grass. I am grateful that she is my friend.

— Reece Ollivierre ('23)

Isabella was the type of girl you can never truly ignore. We went from an empty text conversation to discussing class and college gossip to spontaneous boba trips after advisory dinner. She had a way of creeping into your thoughts until you realize—shoot, we’re friends! Her absence has left a hole in my heart that I never knew I had.

— Yvette Shu ('23)

Isabella was my first friend back in junior year after the pandemic, and I will always remember her as someone who extended a hand for me to grab and pull myself out of a dark space. We would always laugh at what dessert Mrs. Jeantete would bring for the DSPs, film wacky videos for experimental literature, and talk about the most random things because we could. She is inspiring — the strongest girl I know — and I hope people can remember her for her adventurous spirit, compassionate heart, and always smiling face and mind that lights up any room, big or small.

— Kaylynn Chang ('23)

[Isabella and I] spent a lot of time working on her application and resume for her job as a cancer researcher. It was a lot of fun watching her develop and put forth a version of herself forward for a job. She brought a level of perseverance towards fighting a battle that most people won’t, and that gave her the drive to not only fight her own battle but fight it for everybody else, and she did it every day in the lab that eventually became a paid position instead of just an internship. She was a ball of energy, and when it was something she was super passionate about, she always talked a mile per minute, just a stream of consciousness. Isabella’s place in this community was one of joy and inspiration, and that if the world was on fire, she always brought water.

— Mr. Brian Kays, Isabella's advisor

I don’t want to change the world and be an inspiration because of what I have, but because of who I am. I am not cancer. I am Isabella.

— Isabella Saeedy ('23)

Whether Ivy Yan is playing with her canine friends, grinding at the gym, going on therapeutic Target runs, or impersonating Dr. Martin’s unconventional teaching style, she always wears her favorite whale necklace. A gift from her mom, the tiny silver chain nestling between her collarbones holds a core memory: during Ivy’s unforgettable field trip to San Jose, a whirlwind of hands-on learning and discovery, she witnessed a whale flipping out of the water from a cliff’s edge. That singular moment became her inspiration for pursuing Geology and Planetary Science, which she plans to study at UC Berkeley. While Ivy’s love for nature is undying, the human connections she has forged at Webb are just as extraordinary. Even as she hopes to travel the world on National Geographic’s budget in the future, Ivy will always cherish the moments she shared with her Webb companions, from dancing under the flashing prom lights, to talking friends through existential crises, to getting Whole Foods avocados with Ms. Bauman. Now, it is true that Ivy’s swimming skills may not rival those of a graceful whale in a pool, but her heart is as vast as the ocean. Her whimsy, determination, and loyalty know no bounds, and she is always down for an unrestrained food quest filled with outrageous humor alongside the people she loves.

Ivy’s profile picture has always been Stitch. And by that, I mean so many different moods of Stitches. Sometimes she reminds me of Stitch too, with her love for the color blue, her energy at the gym or on the tennis court, and her quirkiness and big brain.

— Jasmine Wan ('23)

There are many ways in which Jack Messina’s name can be applied to his personality. The first, and perhaps more glaring, is as a jack-in-the-box — his surprising and sometimes startling sense of humor is most often described as “out-of-pocket.” Beneath this joking exterior, though, lies so much more. For instance, one of Jack’s favorite pastimes is cooking. Although Jack brings his signature flair into everything he does — making masochistically hot hot sauce out of some of the spiciest peppers in the world (Trinidad Scorpion, Carolina Reaper, and Ghost), citric acid, and lime juice, for instance — he also puts in an immense amount of care and dedication. With this comes Jack’s next title: the jack of all trades. Because while Jack’s ideas might be a little eccentric (like bringing a confetti cannon to a homecoming proposal), he truly works hard at everything he does. Theatre Tech? Jack is double majoring in computer science and computer engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology. Reading? Jack has read almost any fantasy (his favorite genre) book you could think of, from the teen fiction series Wings of Fire to the much more philosophical science fiction Ender’s Game. Social connection? While Jack may not hold the most conventional conversations, his friends describe him as a deeply caring person who is, above all, unafraid to be himself. All of this brings you to one final name: Jack, meaning grace. And Jack Messina is truly graceful in his unpredictability – in all the best ways.

It’s Jack… It’s Jack.

— Riley Fass (‘23)

Jack Zhou is the no.1 card game player at Webb. Although these games are usually complex and hard to learn, Jack masters the world of Yugioh and Magic the Gathering (MTG), shares his expertise with some of the Webb players, and even uploads strategy videos on internet. His passion and experience of games has inspired Boris Sun, who thought he was the only MTG player at Webb, to continue his gaming journey. Although he was not able to start a card game club, Jack enjoys Casino Nights at Webb where he can utilize his mastery in cards. Apart from card games, Jack values friendship and connections, and has always been a part of the community in his own way. He has been involved in Yearbook for two years and has taken photos for students and various sports events. He enjoy the learning journey with Mr. Owers and Mr. Shin, who often tell jokes in class and make him laugh. Furthermore, his favorite time at Webb was reuniting with his classmates after one year of distant learning online. When Jack studies in Hofstra Univesity next year, he will definitely miss the free food from the Webb dining hall. In the future, he hopes to eventually transfer to USC and expand his interest in card games as a professional game designer.

Jack might not be a talkative person, but he will always respond. He loves to discuss, answer questions, share techniques, and provide help when you need.

— Boris Sun ('24)

Jacob Arias is a compelling mystery. His calm attitude masks a steadfast presence as he thoughtfully supports others behind the scenes. He strikes a wonderful balance between being soft on the inside, with the biggest heart you can imagine, and being tough on the outside, exhibiting strength and perseverance in all he does. Despite his seemingly serious attitude, Jacob has a humorous and goofy side with his friends. He has an uncanny ability to lighten the mood and make everyone around him grin with his clever remarks. He effortlessly crosses gaps and brings people together –– getting along with almost everyone. Jacob is not just a friend, but also a leader. At Webb, he has demonstrated remarkable passion for sports as the captain of the varsity football team for the 2022-2023 season. His favorite memories, though, were during his freshman year with his friend group. During that period, he built long-lasting bonds with his team, instilling a sense of solidarity and belonging within a close-knit family. His love of biology fuels his long-term goal to pursue medical school and a career in oncology. Jacob hopes to contribute to the fight against cancer and lessen the pain of patients and their families. For now, Jacob is heading to Flagstaff, Arizona where he will be attending Northern Arizona University, to study as well as acquire real-world experience through internships. Jacob intends to enjoy the most out of his college years while indulging in stereotypical college-kid vices.

If you need someone to cheer you up with jokes or have a serious conversation, Jacob is your guy. He’s very caring of others and often puts them above himself.

— Sam Cardenas (‘23)

Jamie Zeng is one of the warmest people that you will ever meet on Webb’s campus. As a naturally caring and compassionate leader, Jamie serves as the head prefect of Appleby and captain of the varsity badminton team, becoming the number one go-to when you need comfort or help, whether you are an incoming freshman or a new dorm prefect. An integral part of the theater, Jamie fondly recalls the times she participated in the fall play of Dracula. Although she played the role of Mina Harker perfectly, Jamie did not start off so comfortably on stage. Always challenging her limits, she joined the musical in eighth grade to overcome her insecurity of stage fright and public speaking. Jamie’s determination to conquer her weakness will continue through her pursuit of hobbies in college. With a concentration in Neuroscience or Biology, Jamie also harbors a passion for the humanities. Fiction allows her to express her feelings and emotions in a completely different way than science labs can, and creative writing is a sink for her to fill in all her imagination. Through her next four years at Wellesley College, Jamie plans to explore her possibilities in labs, med school, and libraries.

Jamie acts very rationally and very life-experienced, but she is also a box of endless surprises that is waiting to be discovered.

— Catherine Chen (‘23)

Jasmine Wan is addicted to the feeling that filmmaking brings. From writing her own script and directing on set to seeing her works displayed in film festivals, she finds herself transported to a world of endless possibilities whenever she is producing films. There are no constraints by ordinary life in this universe, because Jasmine has the power to create the stories of various, vivid characters and experience their adventures. However, the joy of filmmaking extends beyond using layered camera language to construct an alternate reality. To Jasmine, the loving and supportive community behind the scenes has motivated her in not only her film journey, but also in everyday life, whether back in her hometown of Shanghai, creating her thesis film with two other friends in an abandoned factory or here at Webb, or playing on the varsity volleyball team as a setter. Sharing her creativity with the Webb community, Jasmine’s thoughtful contributions in humanities classes bring fresh insight in analyzing literary work. Her paintings and films, whenever displayed in the Art Café, always manage to attract viewers’ attention. As the end credits for her Webb journey begin to roll, Jasmine will continue her passion for filmmaking at USC School of Cinematic Arts next fall, exploring other areas of interest such as computer science and business. It is not only her brilliantly crafted films that will make a mark on the world in the future, but also the dazzling presence of Jasmine herself.

When Jasmine is with teachers or friends that are not super close with her, she would laugh in a very gentle way, like ‘hehehehehe.’ And when she is with us, she would laugh like, ‘HAHAHAHAHA.’

— Wendy Chang ('23) & Cindy Zhu ('23)

Introducing — from Rancho California, standing at a towering five-foot-nine — a man of pure muscle and intelligence: Jeffrey Baek. During his time at Webb, Jeff has made a lasting impression on the campus and community. Since junior year, he has had the privilege of being a Peer Advisor, helping to organize events and teach Freshman Seminar classes. Jeff’s favorite teacher throughout his Webb career has been Dr. Beikman because according to Jeff, and I am sure many others, “He’s just the GOAT.” When he is not busy volunteering at the hospital or performing in the CYMO Orchestra on the weekends, Jeff likes to hang out with his closest friends, Viraj, Chance, and Nathan “Luis” Liu. Next year, Jeff plans to attend the University of Chicago to study Biology on a Pre-Med track in hopes of becoming a doctor like his dad and grandfather. Commonly described as compassionate, goofy, and incredibly handsome, without Jeff next year, Webb will surely be missing a certain person of humor, leadership, and strength.

He has a funny quirk of trying to seduce you when he works out and reminds me a little of Perry the Platypus because of his mysterious demeanor.

— Viraj Nigam ('23)

Jessica Cao has been on fire for the past four years. Blazing from Ningbo, China, she has become an independent fighter who always seizes her opportunities. Despite starting as a newbie tennis player when she first came to Webb, Jessica practiced hard during her sophomore year and soon found herself becoming one of the best players on the varsity team. Even over zoom, Jessica spoke out actively and greatly improved her English speaking skills. As a co-chair leader for Webb’s orchestra, Jessica can always be found playing her violin at the center of the stage during concerts. Regardless of her intimidating instrumental skill, she is also easy to get along with. In her freshman year, Jessica loved singing in the bathroom with Lucy and Season late at night and creating their own rap songs before getting scolded by the prefect. Now, on the other side of scale, Jessica exudes a “mom vibe” around her friends. She is the best person to ask for comfort in the middle of the night and always has snacks to share with her friends. During breaks, she cooks Chinese food for her friends and explores restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles. With her abilities and persistence, Jessica is going to USC to major in Business and keep her fire burning.

Jessica is like a teddy bear: she is a fun person to hang out with and always offers good hugs.

— Season Li ('23)

Jolina Zhao, from Walnut, California, decided to sell her personality for a business model project in 9th grade. Wearing a pair of navy green pants with ducks all over them (Mr. Szanyi was hesitant about this choice of outfit), she presented a YouTube video that advertised her funny and personable charm to her class (Mr. Szanyi ended up loving it). While this assignment was a simulation, Jolina continues to have an unparalleled presence in the Webb community. Her convocation speech delivered as the VWS student body president last fall sparked a memorable start to the school year by asking the school to consider WWJD, or, What Would Jolina Do? Even after she lost the class election during her freshman year, she was determined to keep running and, in the following years, became the sophomore class president as well as a junior vice executive. Beyond her experience in student leadership, Jolina applies her dedication to a wide variety of hobbies. She amazes everyone, whether striking awe in coaches by learning reverse dives inhumanly fast, grinding on Minecraft with her best friends during quarantine, or even learning how to do nail extensions. Her masterful flute solo was also the perfect accompaniment music for the Winter Dance Show. Jolina will continue expanding her interests as she double-majors in psychology and engineering at Rice University this fall. While she will miss the friends and connections she has established over the years, Jolina has left a legacy of constant joy and laughter in the Webb community.

Jolina likes to cuddle. You would be sitting on a couch or on a bed, and she will be like, ‘Want to cuddle?’ And then, she will whip out her feet and start grabbing you with her feet. That is why none of us [Jolina’s friends] want to cuddle with her. But no matter what, she always ends up finding a way to do it anyways.

— Angie Zhang ('23)

In loving memory of our beloved classmate, Jonah Canty.

[Jonah] was the kind of person who always made you have fun. He always made you be happy around him. It’s almost like he always knew when you were down, because he would always just show up and be like, ‘Hey, you want to go do something? You want to go hang out?’ He was always there at everyone’s worst times, and everyone always felt better because of him.

— Oliver Butcher ('24)

[Jonah] was the sun of our friend group. He pulled everyone together; he was the reason that we all came together as a big group. And if he wanted something, he would go and do it. It was truly an adventure. He always wanted to be doing something; he didn’t like sitting around. And he was a deeply caring person. He cared a lot.

— Mick Adkins ('23)

Before Jonah, my life was pretty much one-dimensional: focusing on academics and playing golf up until I met him. After I started dating Jonah, I realized how much of life I was missing, and he set me free in that sense. I did not know how to skateboard; I did not know how to ride a bike. I never went out to see the stars with my friends; I never stayed up late or did stupid things. He did not even know he was doing it, but he showed me what it means to be a teenager and actual happiness felt like.

— Angie Zhang ('23)

Jonah was kind, genuine, fun, spontaneous — everything you wanted in a friend. The way he made friends was to be embarrassing so the other person wouldn’t feel embarrassed. My favorite memory with him is going on an impromptu road trip at 12 A.M. to Santa Barbara where we had no idea where to sleep, so we searched up ‘richest neighborhoods in Santa Barbara’ and slept in the car on a mountain road there because it would be more safe than a random Walmart.

— Eunice Lau ('23)

[Jonah] would always push me and others to do more things. After spending a lot of time with him last year in Theater Tech, I got to know who he really was. He encouraged me to do the musical, and many other things I’m so thankful for. I feel like there is always a subtle nudge from him, so people could do more adventurous things. He also would always be inviting to everyone and make you feel included, which is one of the main reasons why he was loved and appreciated by so many on campus.

— Valeria Gonzalez ('23)

He is the type of person to lead the group in a very non-leader way. There is no one that makes you want to have adventures like Jonah; it’s a very cringe phrase, but I feel like it’s true. There was this one time when we stayed at Oli’s house, and we went on an adventure to a boba store at 2 A.M. We drove there, where the entrance is a normal boba store, but when you go through the back, there is an entire chariot thing with led lights and crazy flowers. It was like at 3 A.M. at this point, so we ended up going to a playground and play tag for an hour and a half, when was pitch black outside.

— Dan Danylov ('23)

Jonah was the first upperclassman that seriously treated me like an actual friend and not an underclassman. Sometimes working in the shop gets boring and tiring, he would always make jokes and make Theater Tech lively. Even afterward, we would stay over and chill in Mr. Valdez’s office; he made me feel comfortable to be in that space [the theater], and that is one of my beloved spaces on campus.

— Leia Albornoz ('25)

Jordon will never forget Hanson’s birthday party last year. Thinking his love for Hanson would not exceed his fear of heights, Jordon spent the entire day on roller coaster after roller coaster. Not only is this one of his favorite memories, but it describes Jordon’s journey at Webb perfectly. Jordon’s rating of each semester of Webb has gone from 2s to 9s but always remembers that his friends were there for him Jordon is very determined and has worked extremely hard to get where he is, facing bumps and derailing but persevering, just like Six Flags. Jordon resonates with a quote said by one of the most resilient characters he is ever watched, Kamina from Gurren Lagann: “Listen, Simon. Never Forget. Just believe in yourself. Not in the Simon that I believe in; not in the Kamina that you believe in. Have faith in the Simon who believes in you.” His friends know that he will always believe in them, getting them through hard times. Deep down in Jordon’s DNA, there is an imprint of the recipe for Hanianese chicken rice, even though he would probably prefer a plate of sushi. At USC, he plans to make bold decisions, perusing his interest in game design and drilling into the future prepared for more roller coasters ahead.

Jordon is very friendly upon meeting him for the first time and the more I got to know him, he became more interesting. Even though he is a bad texter, he never fails to be there for his friends and geeks out with me over my hobbies, even when he is totally clueless, which makes it even better. He has helped me get through so many things I sometimes think he should go to psychology instead.

— Britney Lu ('23)

One student at Webb that stands out for her vibrant personality, unwavering support, and infectious zest for life is Julia Fenner. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Julia has made a lasting impact on the Webb community through her whimsical and exuberant nature, generous spirit, and genuine care for others. Whether it is tackling biology projects or joining the mosh pits at homecoming, Julia’s vivacious presence never ceases to bring joy to every situation. Moving on from freshman year, one of Julia’s main goals to improve her life at Webb was to “Be less weird,” making sure to just enjoy life and not look backwards. Outside the classroom, her personality shines even brighter, becoming an unstoppable force of conversation and activity whether it is going to festivals like Coachella or Stagecoach with her friends, or Dodger games with her mom. Julia’s impact on the Webb community cannot be overstated, as her friends have named her as everyone’s go-to person for advice, Julia is always willing to provide a listening ear or helping hand. As she embarks on the next chapter of her life, she plans to attend Loyola Marymount University to pursue her passion for Health and Human Sciences stemming from her love of the gym and Dr. Beikmans Anatomy class, her impact and energy at Webb will never be matched. Julia’s friendliness and love for the world and life remind us that all “life goes on.

Julia has always struggled with deciding the meaning of home, but for us — her friends — it’s easy. Whenever Julia’s around, it is home.

— Francesca Lascano ('23)

Julia Tyck checks every box to be any Webbie’s certified big sister. Hailing from Glendora, her understanding and forgiving character enables her to be a distinguished role-model and an empathetic co-chair of the VWS Honor Cabinet. Outside of her leadership position, however, Julia’s benevolent character still shines. At any given opportunity, Julia can be found performing acts of kindness for someone else. She is the first to present the perfect advice or hop onto Zoom for a movie night. At the same time, Julia is always unapologetically herself; whether it is making weird faces when someone says something questionable or dramatically sighing when annoyed, she never waters down her personality. As a freshman intimidated by upperclassmen, she used to dislike going to the Price Dining Hall by herself. Looking back on this silly fear, Julia can now make any stranger feel comfortable within seconds. An avid Dominic Fike and Steve Lacy fan, Julia loves all things music and spends her weekends at concerts or festivals—wearing a thoroughly planned outfit, of course. In the spring, you can catch her sitting on a blanket and supporting her friends from the sidelines as they perform in Webb’s annual Jubilee. She plans to incorporate her love for music into her studies at Barnard College, where she will major in economics and begin the foundation to later work in the music business. Although she will be moving coasts, Julia’s energy and fast-paced lifestyle will make her a perfect fit in New York City.

Julia is just the number one Webb student. She is kind, empathetic, silly, and insanely smart. Like super insanely smart. Like, no one knows how smart she really is.

— Neria Spence ('24)

Remember the Din Tai Fung buns at Webb’s Lunar New Year celebration? Or the spicy Korean rice cakes? This event that brought joy and a sense of home to many international students on campus was planned by the international student liasons, co-headed by none other than Karen Chen, the most energetic leader and empathetic friend one could ask for. Karen divides her time well: outside of planning ISL events, she spends hours in the gym, mixing tracks on GarageBand, and baking pastries for her friends. Originally from Shanghai, Karen currently lives near Arcadia, has an Austrialian passport, but is technically from Hong Kong. Under all of these backgrounds lies someone with a deep passion for the simple things in life, whether it is eating with her parents on the weekends or enjoying a chicken al pastor bowl from Chipotle after an intense workout. Karen is strong, both physically and mentally, shown through her chapel talk that touched the hearts of many in the community. A constant giver, Karen’s form of self care is reflecting in Dr. Maxon’s Creative Nonfiction class, blasting EDM music in her room — turning it down occasionally due to noise complaints — or laughing in her own unique way (you have to hear it to understand) to “Nathan for You.” Next year, she will bring her quirks to USCD, majoring in Business Economics and preparing for law school. Webb will surely miss Karen’s infectious laughter, admirable selflessness, and goofy jokes funny only to her and her closest friends.

If you hear loud EDM music or someone ugly-laughing, Karen is probabaly near.

— Ian Chang ('23)

If you have ever passed by Jones on the way to Dr. Greco and Dzula’s house, then you have most definitely seen Karma Griggs painting away at her easel. Her floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural light, and her dorm room is the perfect backdrop for a painting session. Art is Karma’s defining passion, and the subjects she chooses only exemplifies her deep love for her craft. If you can’t find her in her room – she is a self-described “dorm dweller” – then she is probably hard at work on her next project in the media arts studio. However, art is not the only thing Karma is faithful to. When class ends and the Black Affinity Group pours into the studio, Karma transforms into the dedicated and caring leader many know her to be. She has crafted her passion for social justice everywhere; from singing the Black National Anthem at her chapel talk to creating a short film PSA about microaggressions for the whole school. Her leadership spreads beyond her affinity group, as she also teaches freshman seminar as a peer advisor and is team captain on the basketball and track & field teams. Next year, Karma will be taking her characteristic energy across the country to Amherst College where art will continue to be a part of her future, but she hopes to use the open curriculum to explore African American Studies, Crime and Punishment, and even Biology. Right now, she is unsure of how all of these will combine into her future, but she is looking forward to another four years of creativity and fun.

Karma is very honest and very open. She doesn’t change her personality for anyone.

— Sam Cardenas ('23)

What is it you admire most in a person? On the outside, you might call Kaylynn 가연(Ga-yeon) Chang (her name meaning, as she says, “peace squared”) an admirable person for her accomplishments: she is a Head Editor at The Webb Canyon Chronicle, head day student prefect, and one of the leaders behind the Asian Affinity Group at Webb. But once you get to know Kaylynn, it becomes quickly apparent that her admirable qualities extend far beyond achievements. While Kaylynn will deny that she is, like her name, peaceful (or stable), she is a rock in hard times to those around her. She loves baking, comforting and celebrating friends with her homemade cakes and cookies. This is not to say Kaylynn is quiet; on the contrary, Kaylynn embraces the fun and often strange sides of life. In her opinion, some of the best articles she has written include an article on toe socks and, oxymoronically, a deeply thought-provoking article called Humans of Webb, modeled off a project featured in a New York Times article of a similar name. Like her articles, Kaylynn’s favorite books contradict her favorite movies; she enjoys both philosophical heavy hitters like Kafka on the Shore and Metamorphosis and pop culture classics like Shrek and the Bee Movie. And, if you know Kaylynn, all four works capture both her sense of fun and quietly contemplative nature perfectly. Depth of character, an understanding soul, absorbing hobbies, and a strong sense of self: Kaylynn Chang is an admirable person.

I don’t know what goes down faster: my motivation to do homework second semester senior year or Kaylynn’s morning coffee.

— Ivy Yan ('23)

Contrary to popular belief, Ken Sirimontaporn from Bangkok, Thailand, is in fact a senior this year. While he may appear to be an unassuming freshman to some, he has come a long way in his four years at Webb. From being a little more than a perpetually muted sliver of a forehead in a little zoom window for all of Sophomore year, he has now become the drummer of the Tonics band and a somewhat frequent visitor of the dining hall. When he’s not busy practising with the band or being a “top 500 support player” in the team-based multiplayer first-person shooter game Overwatch, Ken enjoys spending his afternoons helping out in the Museum Afternoon Activity. As much as he jokes that he “hates it here,” Ken will be leaving Webb with many fond memories — with performing at The Haven Pomona being a favourite among them. Next year, he will be majoring in Business at the University of California, Berkeley before pursuing culinary school after graduation. Although one of Ken’s favourite lines is “Sounds like an issue not an iss-me,” this time it is finally his (senior) issue —one that cannot fully communicate how humorous, empathetic, and genuine of a person Ken really is.

Ken is like an NPC. He’s funny, poorly coded, unassertive, and his head is a polygon.

— Andy Fu ('23)

Just like our beloved Costco Wholesale, Kylie Osborne comes to us from Kirkland, Washington. And much like Costco, she has got everything you need — as well as everything you don’t know you need. Every time you see her, it seems, she has something new — whether it’s a new book she has read or an analysis of an episode of Glee, or her plans to become an affluent financier with a Tuscan mansion. Kylie’s favorite place on campus is the Liu-Cheung Theater, where she has found her love for Theater Tech and embraced her role as stage manager. Come showtime, she can be found scrambling around the booth calling shows — her favorite to call being the Winter Dance Show during her junior year. Along with her passion for theater, Kylie is also proud of the affinity she shares with the LGBTQ community on Webb’s campus as Co-President of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance and Co-Head of the LGBTQ Affinity Space. Throughout her time at Webb, Kylie has loved to learn and explore. What truly makes Kylie, Kylie is her spontaneity and drive to do — it’s energizing. As outgoing and sociable as she may be, one thing she will miss the most from Webb as she leaves is her room in South Hutch, a constant in her wild life at Webb. At her next destination, Dartmouth College, Kylie plans to study Economics or Anthropology with a minor in Chinese, as well as continuing to stage manage in her next theater program.

[Kylie]’s not afraid to speak. She’s one of those people that will speak her mind and speak her truth, even if it might be slightly uncomfortable. I think she’s really special because of that.

— Emilia Bordage ('23)

“Come to the library! Please, I wanna play chess” is something virtually all of Leo Levitin-Shilman’s friends — or anyone in his proximity — have heard sometime during the second semester of his senior year. Indeed, his passion for chess is fascinating. However, what is equally intriguing is that Leo lives life much like how he plays the game: staying patient, looking carefully for the best moves, and using his mistakes to not only become stronger but also to help his friends learn as well. In his last year of wrestling at Webb, despite being a busy captain and representing the team, Leo spent much of his time coaching younger athletes. He sometimes told others, “I like wrestling because it’s like boxing but more chill.” His humble and nonchalant attitude is appreciated by everyone around him, from his classmates in AdvSt Fascism — his favorite Webb class — to the “siblings” he guides as a peer advisor. After saying goodbye to his friends and SoCal’s warm climate, Leo will move on to Concordia University in Montreal, hoping to continue working out, playing video games, and watching Seinfeld all while pursuing his interest in political science, linguistics, and of course, chess.

Leo is someone I would trust with my kids. It’s because he’s on the same level as them, mentally.

— Neria Spence (‘24)

When you knock on Lucy Liu’s door in Jones, chances are she is fast asleep, struggling to recover from her jetlag after returning from China. But despite her constant drowsiness, Lucy has a unique knack for stirring up creativity, courage, and unapologetic joy in both herself and others. Her close friends are honored to be a part of Lucy’s playful arguments and regular visits to Chinese saunas despite the painful scrubbing. Meanwhile, Lucy graces the Webb community with her bold decisions, from wearing a horse mask to the Back-to-School Dance to bleaching her hair and brows to “look intimidating.” Her wardrobe reflects her eccentricity, filled with wonders like heels with golden fangs, spiky sleeves resembling marine creatures’ skin, a mesh top printed with Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” lyrics, and artistic leopard-patterned pajamas perfect for midnight snacking and endless napping. When Lucy stays up late, it is for a good reason, such as binging all 11 seasons of Shameless or watching The Shining at 2 AM alone, with screams echoing in her room. Though Lucy will miss Webb’s lively dorm life as she embarks on her fashion design career at Parsons School of Design, she will bring her explosive creativity to New York City and the world, making art — not just commercial brands — just like Martin Margiela. After enjoying the fashion scene’s fun and fame, Lucy envisions herself eventually retreating to a quiet village where she can embrace her introverted side, meditate daily, and, of course, indulge in plenty of restful sleep to nurture her infinitely creative mind.

Lucy appears as a courteous and virtuous individual. Still, if you are fortunate enough to get to know her, you will discover that she is this crazy lady who keeps declaring how stupid TikTok is, then returns every time only to blurt out the top ten latest memes.

— Season Li ('23)

If you see a car salesman sprinting towards you at full speed to show off his freestyling skills, you should run, as it is probably Maksym Graham. As a 6’2” leprechaun who always yells “Yoo-hoo,” he is hard to miss on campus. When Maksym’s not embracing his inner pirate, you will most likely find him pushing himself at the gym or out on the soccer field. With infectious energy, Maksym always knows how to uplift everyone around him, whether that is through creating a band with his friends for a promposal, supporting the community through his role as a head peer advisor, or replacing the posters in the AP Environmental Science classroom with pictures of himself. Maksym embodies the entrepreneurial spirit by doing whatever it takes to get the job done. For example, while at the Los Angeles Football Club game, he ran into Youtuber Mike Majlack and tried to steal Mike’s cameraman’s job, claiming he could do it much better. It is no surprise that Maksym’s favorite quote is by no other than Mike Majlack, which reads, “I would rather know a little about everything than a lot about one thing so I could have a conversation with anybody.” Inspired by the freedom of owning a company, Maksym will attend Babson College in Massachusetts, where he plans on majoring in Business. In the future, he hopes his successful startup will pay for his lavish lifestyle, which will consist of weekly trips to the beach where he will lounge with his friends Connor, Bryan, and their collectively named dog, Samosa.

Maksym is like a leprechaun mixed with a chinchilla, mixed with a gym rat, mixed with a 9 year old, mixed with a giant, mixed with a vine star from 2014.

— Connor Plunkett ('23)

No matter how weird the food combo is, Maria Duan is always up for a bite of adventure. Maria is a boarding student from Bejing, China, where she enjoys showing off the variety of languages she has mastered, including, Chinese, English, Spanish, and soon, French. Maria is not only a master of words but is also a master of keys! Maria possesses an amazing talent as a pianist, having played piano for over a decade and playing for the VWS chapel, she also participates in annual competitions. As a keen reader, she enjoys novels that exclusively deal with deep moral inequality themes. Transposing these intellectual thoughts into words, Maria has contributed many articles to The Webb Canyon Chronicle. Furthermore, Maria is well-regarded by her friends as someone with an expressive heart of empathy and will go out of her way to brighten up your day. Maria enjoys comfort and does not mind joining her friend, Shuci Zhang (‘23), in pajamas at prom! Sometimes Maria’s style of comfort backfires; for example, Maria used to wear sweatpants every day of school until she was consistently dress-coded. Maria will always remember the endless memories she made at Webb, such as binge-watching Big Mouth with her friends in North Hutch and playing Cards Against Humanity while eating fresh quesadillas made by Seraphina Oney VWS dorm head. Maria plans to attend Scripps College pursuing a major in international relations, Maria is truly one of a kind, and her unwavering dedication to spread joy made Webb a better place for everybody!

Arthur

Maria is always ready to respond to your jokes and can brighten up any room with her positive energy.

— Arthur Lu ('24)

Did you spot a pink head in a crowd of Webbies at Prom, Homecoming, or a Back-to-School dance? Congratulations, you have found Marina Saeger! In her Converse that she wears exclusively for the mosh pits, not only does she tear up the dance floor, but she also demolishes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator scale of extrovert. Marina does not rest until the plan makes it out of the group chat because, on weekends, she is always on her feet taking boba runs, dancing in the South Hutch lounge, or getting ready for concerts with friends. Marina radiates her energy to those around her and never seems to run out. She is fascinated by little moments like the Alamo residents’ growth through Webb Idols and conversations with her friends about Tyler, the Creator’s profound lyrical skill. Looking back on her four years at Webb, freshman Marina would be proud of the progress that senior Marina has made: leaving her dorm room and surrounding herself with people she loves. In five years, she envisions something big: rooming with Reece Ollivierre as her “nemesis in the biology field,” and together owning a genetically mutated black kitten with wings and no whiskers. But for now, as Marina dances her way to Emory University, she will miss her friends — especially her junior friends — and Webb’s Oreo parfaits.

Marina is the person I trust the most at Webb. I’m so lucky to have bonded with her so early on in our freshman year about our similar music tastes. She’s the first person I go to in any scenario, and I would never trade our Panera runs or sleepovers for anything.

— Valeria Gonzalez ('23)

In the 2022 winter season, McKenna Boyle could be found with many of her fellow Jones seniors in her dorm as their number one college application support system. Many will see students storming in and out of her room as they grill her to help them make one of the biggest decisions of their life. When she is not guiding people in need of support, McKenna and her friends like to escape the academic world by watching movies and judging all of the characters afterward. Outside of the dorms, McKenna also supports her siblings as much as possible; if you have ever talked to McKenna, you know that she is constantly talking about all eight of them. She is not a follower but sometimes she adopts funny sayings she heard from her friends, like “Girl what”. McKenna is extremely close to nature and is both a vegetarian and a tree-hugger. McKenna has a big heart for many things beyond her Jones seniors. She loves animals and nature and will even cry over a music video from the Disney movie Encanto. After graduation, McKenna is heading off to the University of California Irvine; while she is excited, she is also sad to leave the Jones community and no longer be the so-called “mom” friend at Webb.

‘If you live to be a hundred, I hope to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.’ – Winnie the Pooh.

— Karma Griggs ('23)

A boarder from San Bernardino, Mick Adkins is best described as motherly — warm, caring, and only a little bit crazy. This is very clear in one of their favorite phrases: “Are we making good choices?” As motherly as they are, though, Mick is cooler than your mom — they like to have fun. On the weekends, Mick likes to go out with their friends, following the mantra, “What would Jonah do?” to justify any silly or outrageous decisions they make. Over their time at Webb, Mick has fallen in love with the arts — whether it be working in the art studio with Dr. Greco or revamping the theater with Mr. Valdez. Their passion extends beyond the arts, too, as they also discovered their passion for pharmacy through Mr. Choi’s Medicinal Chemistry class this past year. But as passionate as Mick may be about the arts or MedChem, their passion and care for their friends will be the most sorely missed by the Webb community come graduation. In the fall, Mick will take their talents to Norco College to play rugby, where they have set their sights on acquiring their PharmD and becoming a pharmacist in the future. As they graduate, Mick will miss the great friends they have made at Webb, but they look forward to what’s next for them.

They are a visionary. They are an icon. They are… Mick.

— Eunice Lau ('23)

If you are walking to the front circle ready to pick up your Door Dash order that just arrived, you will likely spot Molly sitting on the museum chairs relaxing. She might be reading a book, laughing with friends, or just sitting and enjoying the sounds of students walking by and birds chirping. Sometimes, you might see her whip out a huge camera and take pictures of her surroundings. Known for her photography account on Instagram, @molly_ratinoff.photography, which consists of several plants. Molly loves photography because she can express things that can only be found expressed in the natural world. Molly is not only creative though; her friends describe her as empathetic, selfless, and lovable. Displaying many of these traits in the South Hutch dorm, Molly is known for giving some of the best advice to underclassmen. Boy issues? Friendship drama? Crying because you have no idea what is going on in IPC? Simply approach those museum chairs, and Molly will be sitting there ready to welcome you with open arms. Even when she has so many responsibilities, like being a prefect at South Hutch and managing not one but two water sports, she knows how to make time for individual people. Although she’s always there for others, Molly has her own goals as well. Leaving behind the museum chairs that carry so many fond memories and friendships, Molly is ready to begin her journey at the University of Oregon. Molly hopes to make new friends, memories, and make the best of her freshman year at college.

She’s everywhere, all at once.

— Marina Saeger (’23)

Nancy Lin is a princess in real life. For evidence of her storybook bonafides, look no further than the masquerade-themed prom at Padua Hills Theater. Nancy’s genius for pageantry guaranteed magical lights, floral decor, and bubble machines. Whether tirelessly planning every detail of the Homecoming Dance as the vice executive of student government or confidently promoting newly published articles during community dinners as the Editor-in-Chief of the WCC, Nancy brings an unparalleled passion to everything she does. Born in Shanghai, China and moving to Vancouver when she was eight, Nancy embodies a blend of Western culture amidst her Chinese roots, seamlessly bridging the day student and boarding community through her bubbly personality. Although she occasionally spends too much money shopping –– zooming through the racks while her best friend is left on the boyfriend couch –– Nancy’s impeccable fashion taste and personal philosophy of “looking presentable” constantly inspire every underclassman. Even during sleepy afternoons, refreshed from her after-school power nap and energy drink, Nancy always dons a pink lululemon sports bra, pink shorts, and pink water bottle, and delves into an intense set of leg workouts accompanied by hardcore drill music. As she ventures off to Cornell University, Nancy plans to explore the social sciences with a concentration in communications, eventually considering corporate law practice on the east coast. Despite missing the beautiful dances during homecoming and prom season, it is a comfort to know that her princess energy that has so long graced Webb will continue to shine in her next kingdom.

I’m very quiet; she’s very talkative. I’m very shy; she’s very extroverted. I like to keep things very simple; she likes to go all out. I can calm her down; she can get me excited. It’s just the perfect balance.

— Heloise Robertson ('23)

If you’ve witnessed a black Mazda stomping curbs in the DSPL, that’s Narineh Madikians, Webb’s most trusted Uber driver. An experienced driver and day student from Claremont, Narineh has built a reputation for her exceptional service and positive contributions to the community. Narineh is a familiar face, not only behind the wheel but also as a leader. She has served as a head peer advisor, co-president of the Rotary Club, and vice president of the Middle Eastern Culture Club. Narineh’s driving style is spirited, her stereo blasting Childish Gambino and the Spice Girls. Inside, you may find old homework from her favorite class, Advanced Studies Short Story with Mr. Calvert. Her volleyball shoes sit in her trunk as she is always ready to hop on the court and attempt to spike over the net, although she is only 5’4. Also, don’t be alarmed by the face paint in the side door—Narineh is only an avid participant in Theme Week. While her cup holders may occasionally be filled with spilled lemonade, Narineh compensates with engaging conversation and genuine advice. As she prepares for her next adventure at UC Santa Barbara, Narineh anticipates a bittersweet farewell to her Webb community, cherished family, and loud barking dogs. She looks forward to studying Political Science, driven by her aspiration to become a lawyer and create systemic change to assist those in need. Narineh is always prepared for an adventure, so hop in and enjoy as she navigates toward her promising future.

She often confuses herself with a rollie pollie and balls up when she’s under stress or being shot by gel blasters.

— Maksym Graham ('23)

Nathan Liu, also known as Luis, is the glue holding the senior class together. While serving as both the vice president and honorary president at the same time this year, he worked overtime making sure everyone in the Class of 2023 shows up to every event, using his responsibility of taking attendance as an opportunity to connect with people’s feelings and socialize. When Nathan is not repeatedly saying “huh” to every sentence he hears, no matter how audibly clear it may be, he is making his classic “tough love” jokes. Nathan’s friends would describe him as goofy and devious, but he is more than just that; he is always there to listen when you need him to. A fun fact about Nathan is that he is both a day student and a local boarder. He lives closer to Webb than most day students but is fully ingrained in the boarder community. A quick thinker, Nathan’s decision-making skills have helped him many times in life, whether it be beating his friends in tennis or beating Viraj in chess countless times. Surely, his strategic decisions will help him in his future as he becomes a businessman. Nathan plans on majoring in business at New York University, hoping to become an entrepreneur like his father.

Nathan Luis bullies the people he loves the most. So, if he bullies you, it means he loves you.

— Francesca Lascano (‘23)

Noelani Chock is the motivated athletic superstar of the senior class who possesses determination, leadership skills, and boundless loyalty. Noe has tried many sports, but she has found her passion in soccer. The competition of soccer spoke to her in ways that the mundane repetitive exercises of a gym workout did not. In soccer, Noe has gained more than just awards for soccer — she has found a loving community. On campus, when Noe’s cleats come off, she transitions into being a head peer advisor and Head Editor for The Webb Canyon Chronicle. If you talk to her peer advisees, they love having Noe as a teacher because she blesses them with her artistic doodles as she writes on the board. She loves finding ways to be creative, especially regarding art. Just ask her favorite teacher, Mr. Calvert, and he will tell you all about it. Besides these traits, her close friends know her as a motivated and competitive Minecraft addict and major K-pop lover who is spontaneous and willing to go anywhere. As college nears, Noe is already dreading her friendships becoming long distance. Although Noe does not show it very often, she cares for her friends deeply and is always willing to encourage their shopping addictions in hopes of making herself feel better about her own. Noe leaves a smile on the face of whoever she interacts with, no matter if she is on or off the soccer field, and when she leaves for the University of Southern California to major in Business of Cinematic Arts, her creativity and loyalty will be missed.

DUDE ITS FREAKING NOE, she is a genius, she is very smart, she carries people, she is just that guy, she has MEGA RIZZ

— Jolina Zhao ('23)

Ochuru Ochuru has a major passion for movies that goes beyond just enjoying them: he is fascinated by the filmmaking process, particularly directing, producing, and the business industry itself. Ochuru has a deep admiration and interest for the artistry and creativity that goes into creating many different types of films, his favorite films being Memento and Love and Basketball because they are good and classic movies. Ochuru has also started his filming career by making some short films for fun, and he is mainly interested in the horror/thriller genre of films and romcoms. Beyond Ochuru’s love for filmmaking, he also values his time with friends at Webb and cherishes the memories they have together. One of his favorite memories is when he and his friends went to the movie theaters to see Marvel’s Eternals after going to the store and buying many bags of snacks to bring to the theaters so they could have a fun and chaotic time. As he looks back on his journey at Webb, Ochuru advises his freshman self and others to put themselves out there and embrace every opportunity to create meaningful experiences, as time will fly by before they know it. Throughout his Webb years, Ochuru has loved the events that Webb has, especially theme nights. After graduating from Webb and attending the University of Southern California majoring in business administration and film/television production, Ochuru hopes to pursue a career in a production company to bring his film-related aspirations to life.

He reminds me of the giraffe from Madagascar, I feel like if that character left the friend group, it would all fall apart, like he is the glue to any relationship.

— Karma Griggs (‘23)

Born in Toronto, Oma is described as compassionate, giving, and selfless. Keeping her friends in her heart, Oma is always there for them when they need someone to talk to or a shoulder to lean on. She has been known to be very empathetic and to offer emotional support to her friends and others who need it. Her favorite Webb memories consist of Theme Nights, prom, and casino night because they bring the whole community together and are a great time –to hang out with friends outside of the classroom. Cherishing the precious bonding with people -around her, Mr. Owers’ class always lightens her mood. During her free time, aside from working two jobs, Oma enjoys dining out with friends and hitting the gym. Oma is majoring in Psychology as she enjoys learning about how the brain works. In five years, Oma is unsure of her career path, but she wants to graduate from college, and have good health overall. Although Oma is going to miss all her friends that she has made at Webb, she is looking forward to making new connections in college.

She is the funny big sister to a lot of people. She gives advice, talks to many people, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, which I admire about her.

— Francesca Lascano (‘23)

Talking to Paikea Sinpatanasakul is like walking through a minefield. The words “raw” or “给 (gěi)” or “Imagine Dragons” can set off an explosion of laughter and a shockwave of groans. Hailing from Bangkok, Thailand, Pai arrived at Webb as a sophomore during the height of the pandemic, but soon found a place for herself. She is often found eating in the library or smuggling a sandwich into Mr. Flucker’s art class. However, despite her love for dirty, unrefined humor, Pai enjoys poetry and learning about “old white people” in her favorite class, Modernist Literature. She is a part of Breakfast, Webb’s own literary magazine where she loves to not only critique poetry and other peoples’ writing, but also show her own poetic talent and graphic design skills. You can find Pai spending her weekends at 99 Ranch, drinking boba or slurping a bowl of Kitsune Udon. She also harbors a passion for anime, with her favorite being Death Note, and she plays video games including Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, which she likes for the lore and hot characters. Hoping to become a corporate lawyer, Pai will be majoring in Economics at Barnard College, which will hopefully not contain any of the flapping pigeon wings she has an irrational fear of. When asked for advice, she says that people should be more open and understanding. Kindness can go a long way.

There is no fictional character or animal that can capture the sheer impossibility of her existence. I feel like I have a duty to contain her presence and prevent it from spreading.

— Jerry Qiao ('25)

Pierre Sun is Webb’s very own Peter Parker – he might not fight crime, but he holds many secrets. To the outside world, Pierre is intelligent, quiet, and, as many of his friends describe him, gentle. However, he holds much greater power. Behind his soft exterior, Pierre is a secret Gordon Ramsey. On a Friday night, you might catch him drinking a cold glass of Coke garnished with metal ice cubes and searing a filet mignon as Cai Xukun plays in the background. Pierre enjoys indulging in the finer things in life and never skimps when it comes to preparing any of his meals, a trait that carries to his academic pursuits. Although he might not have a Tony Stark lab, Webb’s laboratories helped nurture his love for Biomedical Engineering, a subject he will explore further at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Although he has not yet developed a high-tech web shooter, do not be surprised if Pierre creates a way for humans to evolve into their very own versions of the Avengers. As he spends his final moments at Webb, Pierre will miss the Theme Nights and Webb Idols that have created unbreakable bonds of friendship. He will never forget the memories he has made and the community he has become so comfortable in. Although the future might be scary, he continues to live by his favorite quote from Kung Fu Panda: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why it’s called the present.”

He is kind of like a groundhog. He’s cute but he’s kind of devious, like he’ll pop out every once in a while, say something out of pocket then go back into hiding.

— Nancy Lin ('23)

Reece Ollivierre’s favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but make sure to “c” that her name is spelled correctly. Smooth, sweet, and a little nutty, you might be allergic to her interesting humor and jokes, but Reece cannot help but become everyone’s favorite. Although she doesn’t call herself a leader, her impact speaks for itself. A hardworking soul, Reece juggles multiple responsibilities as captain of varsity soccer and track, a Black Affinity leader, and being the mature one in her friend group, (most of the time), yet she still makes time for fun. Whether it’s hitting up three dessert shops in one day with Kaylynn, driving the scenic route to the beach with friends and family, or planning road trips to NorCal on the fly, Reece loves the little adventures she finds along the way. Experimenting with dessert recipes without measurements because “it feels right,” or speeding on the highway during a late-night drive, Reece pieces these moments together one at a time. As a cat, capybara, and cringe memes connoisseur, Reece makes her friends question their lives, yet they cannot help but laugh along with her. Her dreams with science include genetically engineering a bald purple cat with wings for a pet, but for now, she hopes to first explore neuroscience research at Barnard College in New York. Although the future scares her a tad bit, Reece hopes to embrace the transition from a “not-so-LA” LA girl to a New York gal, where she will continue “cooking” in the lab and living her best life in the city.

Reece reminds me of Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy. When you get to know her, she’s the actual living incarnate of a demon ready to make fun of you at any given time, but she’s always got your back and will be there for you with open arms.

— Ochuru Ochuru (‘23)

Richard Wu is the definition of a triple threat. On top of being a phenomenal basketball manager and player, Ricky lives his life in threes. For example, he plays three instruments: the guitar, the piano, and his own voice. At almost every Webb event — even if it’s not a music-related event — you can hear Ricky’s angelic voice. He explores his creative side as the frontman in his band, The Tonics. He has also resided in three different places. Richard was born in Boston, Massachusetts, moved to Shanghai at the age of six, and has studied in California since he was 16. In California, his friends have given him many different names, more specifically, three main ones: Ricky. Richard. Rick. Ricky Wu goes by many names, but who actually is Mr. Wu? Well, his legal name is Richard, and he is a multi-named, multi-talented, and multi-faceted person. Ricky is always tapped in with the latest trends, playing Pokémon Go, discussing the most recent Minecraft update, or even catching up with the trendiest musical artist at the time (Rick’s latest obsession is Ice Spice). On the outside, Richard seems like he is always juggling his many different interests and talents, but on the inside, he would much rather focus on one thing at a time. Look at Ricky, man. So inspirational! Richard is a triple threat but also a triple inspiration: always pushing himself athletically, creatively, and academically, Richard will be studying anthropology at Northwestern University.

Ricky is an interesting individual. If you hear a random scream at a sports game or any school play, you know he’s in the crowd.

— Ben Thien-Ngern ('23)

You might know Riley Fass as the soundboard operator for various Webb events such as Theme Nights, Jubilee, and weekly Chapel. But you might not know the reason behind why Riley is so good at her job: her excellent listening skills. The soundboard operator’s position requires precision, adaptability, and dedication — all of which Riley has in addition to her caring nature. Nothing matches up to the care she has for her friends, her passion for her classes, and her hard work in the theater. Her favorite memory at Webb was the 2022 production of Mamma Mia! when she painted tiles on the stage and listened to music with the crew while eating cake and Spooners. Riley makes sure to bring all the qualities she’s learned from theater to all aspects of her life, including advocating for students through her leadership position as chair of the honor cabinet. Throughout her Webb journey, Riley set her eyes on what she wanted to dedicate her care, passion, and time to: neuroscience. Inspired by Dr. Beikmann’s Neuroscience class and the experience of her own neurological condition, Riley is determined to explore and make discoveries within this field of science. Although she will miss the lengthy conversations with friends and stunning productions at Webb, Riley will tie her listening skills, dedication, and patience to Bryn Mawr college, with a major in Neuroscience and minor in Psychology.

Whether I’m having a good day or bad day, she’s always there. She gives the best hugs, she’s always open, kind, and caring, and listens without judging.

— Molly Ratinoff (‘23)

Entering the Webb community halfway through high school is a tough transition, yet Rosemary Luo made Webb the perfect fit. As the manager of the badminton team, she is a warm friend and a motherly companion. She comforts others when they lose a match, but she is also there to share their excitement for a winning strike. Aside from school, Rosemary loves to spend her free time on the weekends bonding with her family, sharing meals together, playing games with her brother, and hanging out with friends. When she attends UC Davis in the fall, Rosemary hopes to study STEM on a Pre-Med track, eventually working to become a surgeon. As someone equally passionate about the humanities, which she explored in Dr. Hartle’s Creative Writing class, Rosemary will explore a diverse array of interesting topics in the next four years. If she were to go back to her freshman self, a very key piece of advice that she would give to herself is to be more ambitious and try her best to get what she wants –– an attitude she will carry into her future.

She is the best friend I could ever have in this life, she can act like my mom (she legit tucked me in once), my friend, my teacher, my colleague, or even my acting partner for my story; though she sometimes is busy, she still saves time for us to watch shows, sing late night karaoke, and gossip together.

— Britney Lu (‘23)

Ryan Walker sure knows how to light up a room — both figuratively, by bringing laughter to his friends, and literally, in the theater. Before entering Webb, Ryan had heard about the academically intense environment but was pleasantly surprised with the amount of fun he had, whether it was performing in the class unity dance on Theme Nights or hanging out with his friends late at night. Ryan’s favorite memory captures his carefree nature: when he was playing keepie-uppie with a balloon late at night during his freshman year, he could not stop laughing at Aidan Helgeson (‘23), who accidentally broke a window with a ping pong paddle. Theater tech was Ryan’s first found home, where he grew from a reckless freshman being chased by Jack Messina (’23) around the stage to the lighting crew chief, independently programming the lights for the 2022 fall play “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy.” Ryan is a ray of sunshine around campus because he finds all sorts of ways to cheer everyone up. You will find him relaxing with friends on the tables outside the Liu Cheung theater, making jokes and inspiring the fondly remembered bursts of laughter, or skateboarding to his heart’s content outside the chapel. Whether it is his colorful, surfer boy reminiscent outfits or his work operating the light board in the theater tech booth, Webb will miss Ryan’s caring, hilarious, loyal presence on campus when he studies accounting at Willamette University next year.

He’s very vital to the tech department, an integral part of a lot of his classes, and a favorite among faculty members.

— Emily Berg ('24)

Though he is not the easiest to reach, only having downloaded Outlook on his phone at the end of his junior year, Ryan Weigand is the friendliest guy to get to know. Having experienced leadership as a peer advisor for two years, as well as being a captain of the wrestling team, Ryan not only knows how to support teammates and peers but also how to create a balance for himself. Ryan is observant and loves being surrounded by different groups of friends, listening to all kinds of music genres, and the beautiful mountain views he has grown up with while living in Upland, CA. Ryan dedicates himself to the activities he loves, including lifting and creating incredible 3D art, such as wooden and resin knife handles, which he continues to create and sell as a small business. After graduation, Ryan will reminisce about the fun memories he made at Webb, one of his favorites being his junior year Prom, where the venue, food, and dance floor were, in Ryan’s opinion, perfect. Ryan will continue his leadership as he transitions from Webbie to WebstUR at the University of Richmond. Majoring in Business, he hopes to not only survive his first year but also to have the University of Richmond’s preferred email app downloaded on all devices.

I think Ryan is the community’s ‘Bob the Builder.’ Yeah, he likes to build stuff.

— Etienne Griffon ('23)

Though quiet and laid back, Sam Cardenas has proven to be an active leader on and off the football field. One of his favorite memories was during freshman football summer practices, when Chris Haliburton trucked both Sam and Jacob Arias after they were talking back to him. Sam claims that this experience definitely taught them a lesson. Out of the classroom, Sam’s personality is described by his friends as funny, competitive, talkative, and caring. They have compared him to Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh, and Danny Phantom for his kindness, easygoingness, helpfulness, and compassion. A highlight in Sam’s high school career is Ms. Kapp’s Spanish class as she urges him to learn more about the language and the different cultures of Spanish speaking countries. Sam enjoys Theme Nights , Casino Night, the Holiday Paty, and prom, where he was able to spend more time with friends and create memories. He cherishes every moment with them, for after he graduates, is going to miss these relationships that he made at Webb more than anything.

Sam is a silent leader; you don’t realize how much they impacted you and affected you until they are gone.

— Karma Griggs ('23)

Although he has not held a single club event all year, Samuel Zeiden (‘23) is proud to call himself the president of Webb’s Jewish Club. Don’t worry though, Sam makes up for this by fully committing as president of the Investment Club, mentoring underclassmen and cultivating his love for business. Sam is a true leader, always seen DJing at student government events as vice executive and giving rousing pep talks to his fellow “brothers” as a captain of Webb’s varsity basketball team. But don’t be fooled by Samuel’s mountain of responsibilities — he rarely displays stress and is constantly bantering with his fellow classmates and teachers, especially Mr. Owers, whose enthusiasm keeps him engaged in AP Calculus. During the day, Sam walks around campus with a hat on, saying “Hi” to everyone he sees. At night, he unwinds by playing FIFA with Bobby (…which he loses because he did not game enough freshman year to be a true gamer) and watching Interstellar. Kicking off adulthood next year, Sam will be majoring in Economics at the University of Virginia, with plans of eventually moving back to New York City to start his investment banking career and then ultimately heading his very own private equity firm. With his bright future, Sam will not forget to visit home, or homes, in Thailand and Hong Kong. And he will surely never forget his home at Webb, a place where he met his closest friends and matured into the person he is today.

Sam’s like Joe Biden. He’s always sleeping, but he’s important to the community.

— Clarence Deng ('23)

Despite Season Li’s constantly changing hair color, it will always catch your eye from a mile away. From strawberry golden locks to her deep blue streaks, Season describes each hair color as a stage of her personal growth. However, she is much more than her hair, whether Season is back home in Beijing, China, or back at Webb in the Appleby dorm, she shares her artistic passion for dance with those around her. Season’s dedication to dance is unmatched; her involvement includes leading her own group in the winter dance show and offering free K-pop choreography lessons to her classmates. Dance has developed her confidence to express herself through fashion and her willingness to embody leadership qualities. Although her friends claim she forgets to dress for the weather, her outfits undoubtedly never fail to be elegant and stylish. Season is not only passionate about dance and fashion, but she is also an extremely talented vocalist. Some of her most memorable moments have been performing with her friends in events like Jubilee or Open Mic opportunities, which are memories she will miss as her Webb career comes to an end. If you happen to visit New York City this fall, keep an eye out for Season as she plans to major in Communication, Media, and Culture at New York University. Although the major she may pursue is uncertain, in the words of Season, you should not be afraid to take your time in exploring your passions.

Season for some reason is always late to things, but she never misses important moments. Which kind of drives people crazy, but you can’t really say anything because she will always show up when you need it.

— Lucy Liu (‘23)

A true Bay Area guy from Los Altos, Sebastian Hofmann can often be spotted around campus in his grey Patagonia sweater, actively engaged in “conversation about various intellectual topics” with his close group of friends. Although he appreciates Webb’s academically rigorous environment — taking advantage of its unique humanities curriculum through classes like Honors Ethics and Modern Global Affairs and AdvSt. The Cold War Era — he equally enjoys playing video games when he can turn his brain off. Also notable is Sebastian’s love for cross country, not because he is good at it, but because of the supportive and noncompetitive team that encourages every runner to do their best — especially those on junior varsity. Looking back, Sebastian would tell his younger self to be more open and take opportunities, get out of his comfort zone, and stop worrying so much. After saying goodbye to Webb, Sebastian will return to his childhood home in the bay to attend the University of California, Berkeley where he will study political economy. He is also looking forward to being only a two-hour BART ride away from home. Even though he is excited about his future in the economy, Sebastian will miss his friends, his classes, and especially a conveniently compact campus that requires only a five-minute walk to get anywhere.

He has a lot of jokes and quotes rotating in his brain at all times, and a lot of them are not even his own stories. Its just stuff he’s read.

— Yvette Shu (‘23)

Shuci wears a black beret. On the surface, this might seem like just a fashion statement; berets, after all, are often associated with French artists (initially popularized due to the ease with which they could be manufactured) and are an elegant piece of clothing that goes with almost anything. This, combined with her buzzed hair and distinct style, might immediately draw your attention. But what is most unique about Shuci is not her appearance. If you talk to Shuci, you will soon discover: a) Shuci is a leftist revolutionary passionate about dismantling the system of global capitalism (she has started a communist book club, dedicated to reading Marx’s Das Kapital); b) Shuci wears a black beret to pay tribute to Che Guevara and the Black Panther Party; and c) Shuci buzzed her hair as both a statement against restrictive ideas of women’s fashion and a method of charity (Shuci is donating her old hair to children with cancer). But underneath — or, perhaps, alongside — her quick wit and sharp intellect, Shuci is deeply caring. When she’s not out protesting, Shuci likes hitching a ride with hardcore foodie friends, hanging out in the dorms, talking, connecting, and giving her friends a shoulder to cry on. After all, empathy is revolutionary, and this is what truly makes Shuci outstanding. She understands people, from their outer shell all the way down to what makes them human.

When I think of Shuci my mind automatically goes to her wearing her iconic red and black outfit with a beret. Red is a really bold color that’s super hard to pull off, but Shuci dominates that color. She’s got styyyyyle.

— Lucy Liu (‘23)

Sid Sinha is the man, the myth, and the legend at Webb. Born and raised in Palm Springs, California, he is a storyteller at heart, as a conversation with him never disappoints. From an early age, he heard his grandparents tell the story of the Ramayana, a Hindu epoch, sparking his interest in human mythos. Sid’s love of mythology later blossomed in his favorite class at Webb, Honors Mythology and the Hero’s Journey. Sid also loves to build and collect, as he maintains a large army of action figures and Lego MOCS (my own creations) of Star Wars. Despite his grandparents’ chagrin that they block their bookshelf, Sid insists, “Nah, the world must see this.” He hopes to share underrepresented mythology and stories from around the world, currently working on a story about a modern world where myths are true. On the weekends, he loves to hang out with his friends, watch movies, and play video games together. As a prefect for East Alamo, he understands the importance of community, and will miss the one at Webb, where everyone knows each other even if they aren’t close friends. Looking toward the future, Sid will be majoring in Classical Literature at Sarah Lawrence College and hopes to publish the story he has been working on for the past two years.

He’s actually quite a good debater. We got into a discussion about free will one time, and at some point, he threw his shoes onto the roof. It didn’t really prove that he has free will, but his absolute conviction shook me to the ground. I was like ‘fine, if he has free will, he has free will.’

— Yoyo Meng ('23)

Shanghai, China is home to numerous exceptional individuals, and among them is Stanley Jian. Video games, cross country and an interest in paleontology serve as a testament to his adventurous spirit and intellectual curiosity. Whether he’s conquering challenging terrains or uncovering the secrets of the Earth’s ancient past, Stanley finds peace and excitement in these pursuits. In the realm of music, the timeless tunes of “Dire Straits” inspire Stanley. Stanley is also an aspiring musician, leading Webb’s favorite band, the Tonics, as the lead guitarist. Stanley is very dedicated to his craft of music, as this is not the first music project he has created. Guitar club is one of the projects that Stanley is very passionate about. In an unexpected twist, he developed an interest in maid cafés — a unique blend of hospitality, art, and entertainment. Stanley’s love for math was ignited at a young age, as he discovered the beauty and logic within numbers. Throughout his academic journey, he excelled in this field, continuously seeking challenges and problem-solving opportunities. Math became an integral part of his identity, fueling his intellectual curiosity. Stanley’s aspirations lead him to UC Irvine, where he will be pursuing a degree in engineering.

Stanley is a born and bred guitarist — he’s got the skills to back it up, the courage to get on stage, and the humility to keep trying it again.

— Yvette Shu ('23)

On the latest episode of Criminal Minds, the BAU delves into the case of Taylor Crawford, a day student from Glendora, as their primary suspect. Let’s take a closer look at her profile. Going by the street name TayTayMonsta, she is notorious for her infectious laughter that fills the air wherever she goes. She spends nights watching New Girl and romantic comedies that bring a touch of lightness to her life. Her favorite motto is “YOLO,” reflecting her free-spirited nature. She often embarks on fun-filled adventures with her friends to the beach, and wherever to or whoever she is driving with, the stereo will undoubtedly blast artists like Frank Ocean, SZA, Justin Bieber, and Drake. Within the Webb community, Taylor has served as a day student prefect and captain of the VWS soccer team. She has cherished her time on the soccer field — especially during her junior season when her team secured a CIF and Regional championship — and will continue her athletic and academic talents at Piedmont University in Demorest, GA. Interested in dentistry, Taylor is set to major in Biology with a minor in Business at Piedmont, where she can combine her passion for science and desire to impact people’s lives. As the BAU examines Taylor’s file, they conclude that the only crime she is guilty of is creating laughter and joy within the Webb community. Her vibrant spirit and zest for life inspire those around her, reminding us to embrace each moment with a smile.

Taylor is the definition of a quirk. She snorts when she laughs and always says, ‘What the fudge.’

— Maksym Graham ('23)

If you asked different people what they thought of Teddy Meng, they would all give you different answers. Mr. Vincent, international student liaison advisor, would proudly tout Teddy’s work as co-head ISL, helping incoming and current students feel comfortable in a foreign environment. Mr. Kozden, his Wednesday dorm OD, would explain how Teddy’s music dominates Lower Macleod’s hallways, and how oftentimes a knock on his door is left unanswered due to his bizarre 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. sleep schedule. His closest friends, Pierre and Daniel, would describe his screams when playing League of Legends or his jumps of joy when his idol Cristiano Ronaldo scores a banger. Mr. Galarsa would say… never mind. But hang around Teddy, and you’ll find out so much more. He can be a cuddly “Teddy Bear,” but he won’t hesitate to humble you with his casual roasts. His honesty is easily his best and worst trait, particularly present during open gym basketball games where he doesn’t hold back on in-game “trash-talk.” This healthy competitiveness appears every year during Webb Day & Night, where he fights for his class in games such as soccer, dodgeball, and earthball. His absence will certainly be felt on Webb’s campus as he ventures to the University of Virginia next year to study Architecture. In the future, the public will know Teddy to be a famous architect whose designs can compare in artistic value to the Vitra Design Museum in Germany — his favorite work of architecture.

Teddy is very engaged in Webb’s athletic program. He started freshman year on the varsity soccer team as a goalkeeper, led the JV team to a successful season his junior year, and managed the same team his senior year. Not to mention his loyalty to the basketball clinic program, participating all four years, even the online year.

— Daniel Hu ('23)

Although you might not catch Terrence Wu leading the class in theme nights or jumping in the middle of the dance floor at prom, he is just as, if not more, present in the Webb community. A certified paleontology nerd, theatre enthusiast, and head WSC dorm prefect, Terrence’s quiet influence on Webb is undeniable. Terrence has spent the last four years juggling a busy academic and extracirricular schedule, dedicating time and effort to classes he enjoys such as AdvSt. Gothic & Horror Literature & Culture and AdvSt. The Long Novel, in which he spent a whole semester reading and analyzing War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Despite his heavy workload, Terrence still uses his spare moments to discover and foster new interests. For example, while others may be challenging themselves in an team sport after class, Terrence can often be found on the weekends testing his climbing skills at Upland’s climbing gym. To balance hard work and rest, he enjoys playing League of Legends with his friends as well as indulging in sci-fi shows and movies such as Interstellar and The Expanse. Terrence will miss Webb’s community and the large, single dorms as he continues his academic journey at Amherst College in Massachusetts, hoping he will enjoy a new level of freedom as he pursues his interests in anthropology and possibly pre-law.

Nothing really stands out. He’s just a good guy — most of the time.

— Ken Sirimontaporn (‘23)

TJ Ahn, National Merit Scholarship recipient, fell asleep but still managed to get an almost-perfect score on the PSAT. TJ enjoys spending his free time playing video games in his dorm room. Closing out the school year, his favorite Webb memory was the end-of-year party last year. It was his first proper end-of-year at Webb, and everyone was looking forward to summer break with exciting plans awaiting. On top of his favorite experiences, his favorite teacher is Mr. John Choi, Director of Equity, because he is very approachable and relaxing to talk to. Partly why his favorite class is medicinal chemistry is because he enjoys Mr. Choi teaching him about how different drugs and medication works. Tj doesn’t attend all Webb events but Webb Idol is among his favorite due to the amount of creativity behind the performances as well as the spectacular performances he enjoys watching. When he is off to college, he is going to miss the small community aspect that Webb provides, as well as the trust of leaving his bag laying around without it getting stolen. TJ plans to major in design because he wants to pursue art and values practicality; although unsure he knows he wants to design something that is useful.

We became close when I was going through a lot of stuff personally, so I will always value him as was one of the first people that I could lean on.

— Ken Sirimontaporn (‘23)

Meeting Valeria Gonzalez is like listening to a song. First, she makes an introduction that catches your attention. A boarder from Upland, Valeria is multi-faceted. She played on the VWS varsity soccer team for four years and now cherishes the practices during sunset. However, she is also known for being the biggest Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator fan—Valeria will proudly explain why her music taste is superior to anyone else’s. Transitioning from a verse to a chorus, Valeria’s storyline deepens with complexity. As a peer advisor, she enjoys connecting with younger students and doing everything to improve life as a freshman. You will also learn that her days are crammed with several adventures, like a song that simultaneously uses vocals, instruments, and a beat. She can be found at concerts, cooking at Mr. Choi’s house, watching New Girl on Netflix, or hanging out with her sister in Los Angeles. Like relatable lyrics, Valeria offers opportunities to emotionally engage with those she cares about. Sensitive and empathetic, she knows what her friends are feeling before they know it themselves. At the end of a song, the listener typically resonates with a theme conveyed by the artist. For Valeria, her high school career has revolved around diversity and education. At the University of Southern California, she will be majoring in Latin American studies to become a teacher for lower-income communities. Like the music that has changed Valeria’s life, Valeria’s efforts will soon change other communities for the better.

Music is her entire personality. I have never seen her without at least one Airpod in. And her music taste is superior, but it is really annoying because she needs everyone to know it.

— Marina Saeger ('23)

A pawn moves towards your king, and as the timer goes off, you wonder how you could have lost to a pawn. You look up and see Viraj Nigam staring back at you, and you suddenly understand. This chess master is a silent killer and holds more strength than you might think. This triple threat not only is a master at chess but also at wrestling and water polo. During junior year, Viraj took the initiative to become team goalie when nobody else wanted to tread into the net. He continued his leadership through wrestling, committing so fully that he even broke his arm. Even after his injury, Viraj continued to contribute to the program by mentoring younger wrestlers and always cleaning up equipment after practice. When Viraj is not slaying as an athletic beast, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and eating some of his favorite foods: Spam musubi and chicken Alfredo. His sneak attacks in chess might fool you, but Viraj never will, as his friends admire his dependability and compassion for others. As Viraj reflects on his journey at Webb, he wishes he stepped out of his comfort zone more often. When he moves south to study Biology at the University of California, San Diego, he hopes to explore the world more and he is excited to try new things and go on many more exciting adventures.

Viraj definitely brings a teleportation device to school. Sometimes I’ll be having a conversation with him and suddenly he’ll stop responding and when I look to my side, he’s gone. But then he reappears like half an hour later and acts like nothing happened.

— Leo Levitin – Shilman (‘23)

Often going around the dorm feeding her friends ramen at midnight, Wendy Chang is one of the kindest people you will meet at Webb. Wendy is a big sister in the Appleby dorm, always making sure that everyone feels at home. When she is outside the dorm, she is often spotted in the dance studio. As an active participant in the dance program, Wendy often stays later than afternoon activities to practice and help her friends with the choreography. For the past few years, Wendy has also volunteered to choreograph for Webb Idol and has helped Alamo win twice in a row. Her dedication to dance and helping others has made Wendy an undeniable leader in the studio and on stage. Another type of studio Wendy is often seen in is the art studio. Not only has she been an important contributor to Webb’s art program, but she also wishes to use art to help others. Wendy finds art to be extremely helpful in expressing herself as she is able to convey her emotions and thoughts through a canvas. Therefore, she wishes to study the use of art therapy as a psychology and art major at Duke University to help others express themselves through art as well. However, before she heads off to college, Wendy will be taking a gap year to study art history and intern at an art gallery in Italy. As Wendy embarks on the next chapter of her life, Webb will miss the kindness she shows to everyone around her, but it is a comfort to know that she will continue to pass her kindness along to many others in the art galleries in Italy and Duke University.

When I see Wendy, she doesn’t even have to say anything, and my day gets instantaneously better.

— Catherine Li (‘22)

Ever heard of the story of the freshman who got the back of her foot run over by seniors on theme night? How about the story of the girl who live-tweeted her allergic reaction to sesame at community dinner? With her Twitter username being @ultraviolence, this is a perfect reflection of who Wura is. Ultra— an extremist. Described by her close friends as being obsessed with little niches such as types of clothing styles or the show Boys Planet 999, Wura is able to become completely fixated on even the most minor of interests. Violence—powerful and aggresive. Wura may seem sweet and quiet, but don’t let that fool you. Described as loud around close friends and very blunt, Wura is never afraid to say what others are thinking. Wura knows what she wants and exactly who she wants to surround herself with. Most often, you will spot her spending time with the theater tech community. Being a part of theatre tech since freshman year, Wura enjoys the tight-knit community that comes with it. Wura also plays a significant role in leadership around campus as a leader of the Black Affinity group prefect at Jameson. You can always rely on Wura for a good laugh or good advice. Wura plans on majoring in Biochemistry at Occidental College, where she hopes to have fun, get good grades, and make new friendships.

Wura is my sleeper pick for number one hater on campus. Everyone has been featured on her Twitter at least once — she is the real gossip girl.

— Marina Saeger (’23)

There is a Stanford sticker on the wall of the Grotto. Certainly, no one will know where it came from or why it’s there ten years from now — if, that is, it lasts that long. But that sticker, like his stamp on the lives of those around him, is an indelible mark of Yoyo Meng’s presence at Webb. While it might be tempting to also compare Yoyo to the sticker (tenacious and colorful), this would be a gross misrepresentation of his character. And while this story might give a rough approximation of who Yoyo is — the kind of person to slap a high-quality Stanford sticker on the wall immediately after receiving it — the best word to describe Yoyo is indescribable. His multi-faceted existence eludes description. To some, he is a theatre enthusiast with a love for creative projects and ideas (having participated in the Fall Play, Dance Show, and Spring Musical). Yoyo has created unique art pieces both inside and outside of the performing arts in the form of video games, anime opening adaptations, and creative ARGs (Alternate Reality Games). To others, he is an accomplished student: book smart, knowledgeable, and passionate about everything from Existentialism to Linear Algebra. To all his friends, though, Yoyo is a passionate and deeply caring friend who pours time and energy into everything he does. Yoyo is just one of those people; a walking contradiction, someone you want to know, an aspiring game design major, and above all, someone you never forget.

Save me some waffles.

— Yoyo Meng ('23) in the Alamo group chat — from Sid Sinha ('23)

Few words can do justice to describe Yvette Shu (‘23)’s liveliness and vibrance, which is why Yvette should be a word of her own. Always jumping, yelling, working, advocating, munching, laughing, and living, Yvette would most likely be verb, and you can’t define her without her strong-will, towering stature, and her genuine ability to naturally care for others. The center of any situation, Yvette can always be found in the action because she creates it. As senior class president, she adds depth to the definition of a leader, organizing school dances like Homecoming and end-of-year senior parties that become the highlight of everyone’s memories. Her excellent rhetoric is heard around campus, leading meetings in debate and Asian Affinity sessions, or hyping up the seniors with her overflowing cheer. Yvette is synonymous with the titles of “local piano player” to Webb musicians, “questionable Instagram reel spammer” and “road-raging driver” to her friends, and “scary senior” to underclassmen because you can count on her to kick out rowdy freshman from the library rooms. Her hearty laugh ringing through the dining hall will be missed, but Yvette’s impact will leave an echo. When people talk about Yvette, they will spell out not only her accomplishments, but also the happiness she shared with everyone around her. Next year, Yvette will major in Political Science and International Relations with a Pre-Med focus at Johns Hopkins University, so do not be too surprised when she writes history by becoming president of the world and your local family doctor.

You know what Yvette said to me last week? She said, ‘I really tried to be radical over spring break but I just ate too many f***ing chicken nuggies.

— Kevin Wang ('24)

The best way to describe Zac Wang is that they are Zac Wang: many things but never a follower. When others may do things for the trend, Zac does what they are passionate about, one of which being caring for the environment. Every day, Zac rides a bike to school, but watch out, if you do not park your bike correctly, Zac will get mad at you. Do not worry though; Zac will always offer to help fix your bike. More so, they take their love for the environment to the preservation of native plants, thus founding the Native Plant Society and growing gardens at Webb. They not only enjoy doing their part in helping the environment but also cherish the friends they made with similar interests. Zac brought their knowledge of the environmental sciences to the infamous bees STAS debate, in which their email about the bees being an invasive species triggered an influx of emails. Their care is reflected in their role as head DSP and their friendships as well. As head DSP, Zac is always the first one to help cover someone else’s shift when they cannot make it and never asks for their shifts to be covered back. As for friendships, Zac has grown extremely close to “The Laundry Gang,” the best friends that they made when pulling an all-nighter to do laundry together on the summer peccary trip. Always being a supportive figure and taking time to understand where others come from, Zac shows a genuine care for their friends. Their actions are quiet and can often be overlooked, but that is part of the beauty of Zac. They never ask for anything in return for their act of caring. As Zac heads off to Carleton College in the fall — studying environmental sciences — they will miss their gardens and “The Laundry Gang,” but it is a comfort to know that Zac’s quiet kindness has affected so many at Webb and will continue to impact many more during his future adventures at college.

Zac introduced me to his group of friends when I hadn’t found my people yet. It was Zac that helped me find my place at Webb.

— Emilia Bordage (‘23)