The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
Escorted out by the tournament staff and trainer, Aoi Ito smiles as her fans surround her, hoping to get her autograph. Her victory at BNP Paribas Open was difficult but sweet. Her injured leg, now wrapped in compression tape, still throbs, but the applause from the crowd gave her a surge of determination. She will fight another day.
Features
Aoi Ito triumphs through injury at Banque Nationale de Paris Paribas Open Qualifiers
Andy Liu | March 28, 2025

Final set. Four games all. 30:30.   The brutal early afternoon sun scorches the top of her scalp....

Caption: Finn Bulson (‘25) answers a call from his dad and freezes. A shooting threat reported on the Claremont McKenna College campus—where his dad works. His appetite vanishes; concern turns to panic, and Finn heads home. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Finn said.
Showcase
CMC swatting call raises questions about school security measures
Zona Zhou, Copy Editor | March 28, 2025

On Thursday, March 13th, 2025, a security threat at a nearby college sent shockwaves through the Webb...

During lunch, many Webb students pack into the library to sit together and do homework. Due to the busy schedule that Webb puts on students, a lot of them try to start their homework early so their work is not overwhelming in the evenings. “I usually go to my dorm or the library to do homework during lunch,” Sochika Ndibe (’26) said. “I usually have many hours of homework to do every day, so I like to get a head start on it, so I am not working on homework for hours at a time.”
Showcase
Stress affects teenagers’ mind across all school environments
Sydney Mildon, Chief Editor of Features | March 27, 2025

Teenagers today face an immense number of pressures from multiple sources, including academics, social...

Many Webb students spend their free time in the library watching a popular TV show like Riverdale and Euphoria. “Based off what I’ve seen, like in Euphoria, because the actors are older, they don't showcase an actual high school life properly,” Sochika Ndibe (‘26) said. “Since [the actors] are older [and] playing a teenager, from a girl’s perspective, it is going to make you think you should look more developed at a young age.” The actor, who plays Veronica Lodge, was 22 years old at the time of filming.
Showcase
Media promotes unrealistic beauty standards
Berklee Antecol, Chief of Social Media | March 23, 2025

Disney Channel affects kids' perception of themselves  Waking up in a world where media is more prevalent,...

Being recognized by a peer for being responsible as a leader is always a joyous experience. Lucci Troendle (‘26), South Hutch prefect, embraces this moment by pondering who left him this positive comment. Being a leader for Lucci means enjoying the job and developing passion for the role, especially in the dorm. “I really enjoyed being in the dorm, so the idea of being a leader within the dorm was really appealing to me, and the more I engaged in the process, I realized that I really liked this job,” Lucci said. “Now that I could do it, I could not be happier.”
Showcase
Leadership application culture
Anna Meng, Staff Writer | March 20, 2025

Imagine spending days crafting a perfect response to the Webb leadership application questions for, nervous...

About an hour after the Palisades fire had broken out, residents hiking the Santa Monica mountains could see the smoke increase by the minute. “It was terrifying seeing the fire,” said Silvestre Morales, a Los Angeles resident. “At first I thought it was just going to be a small fire that the fire fighters would quickly put out; I would’ve never imagined that it would become such a horrific event.” Following the fire outbreak, all trails in the Santa Monica mountains were closed.
Showcase
Pacific Palisades Fire: Los Angeles’s path to emotional and physical recovery
Sydney Morales, Social Media Manager | March 20, 2025

It was the morning of January 7th, and the sun was shining throughout Los Angeles. Rush hour had just...

High stakes, big laughs, and unforgettable memories. Relive the thrill of Casino Night at The Webb Schools!
Showcase
Webb Casino Night 2025
Sohum Uppal, Editor of Sports | March 18, 2025

After an impressive 64 to zero defeat against Workman High School, Stratton Rebish (‘24), Troy Seanoa (‘24), and Ale Fountain (‘24) pose for a picture with Michael Dunford. “It was a nice win coming off back-to-back losing seasons, and it had a lot to do with Dunford and his coaching, inspiring us to believe which helped us keep winning,” Troy said. Under the leadership of Coach Dunford, the Gauls defense continued to have a stellar season, helping propel the team to a 12-1 record and playoffs for the first time in 4 years.
Showcase
Coach Michael Dunford, shaping leaders through sports
Ethan Undello, Editor of Sports | March 18, 2025

For the past 10 years, Michael Dunford has served as the Gauls Football team Defensive Coordinator, Head...

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    Feb 17 / WSC Baseball
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    Feb 16 / WSC V Tennis
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    Jan 31 / VWS V Soccer
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    19
    Jan 31 / VWS V Water Polo
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    73
    Jan 31 / WSC V Basketball
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    1
    Jan 29 / VWS V Soccer
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    Sierra Vista
    9
    Jan 29 / VWS V Water Polo
TRENDING NOW
1
Jialu Chen (‘24) listens to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”, her favorite vault track written by Taylor Swift.
An analysis of 13 of Taylor Swift’s best songs
2
Photo of the VWS Junior Varsity Basketball Team taken from the El Espejo 2019-2020 yearbook.
Why everyone should play sports regardless of ability
3
Ya Ya hanging out in a tree enjoying her days in her enclosure at the Memphis Zoo. Photo courtesy of Memphis Zoo Staff.
The Memphis Zoo is not mistreating pandas
4
Caption: Finn Bulson (‘25) answers a call from his dad and freezes. A shooting threat reported on the Claremont McKenna College campus—where his dad works. His appetite vanishes; concern turns to panic, and Finn heads home. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Finn said.
CMC swatting call raises questions about school security measures
5
Maya Chin (‘26) plays Block Blast on her phone during her free block in Stockdale Community Center. Block Blast is a mobile game similar to Tetris and has two game modes. "I think a lot of people play [Block Blast], but I don't know how many people are willing to admit it,” Maya said. “Since I’ve downloaded it and brought it up to other people, I’ve seen them also download and play it. I’ve seen some crazy high scores which are not healthy; they probably spent at least 3 hours trying to get it.”
Block Blast: are our attention spans “cooked”?
Columns and Series
Standing in front of the Jackson Library, Stephanie Ma (‘25), Co-Editor of Opinion and honor council member, ponders over Neria Spence’s “Disband the Honor Council” Hot Take Tuesday. Disagreeing with the hot take, she decides to respond.
HC Corner part 2: response to Hot Take Tuesday “Disband the Honor Council”
Arts Adventure
Arts Adventure
Sophie Lin (‘26) sits in the common area of Jones dormitory with a guitar on her lap, writing a song. Music is a shared interest and hobby among many Webb students because it can easily resonate and connect with different people. “I really appreciate the beauty of melodies. I can express myself freely through music.” said Sophie.
How to write a song
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News
Ash Cortéz ('28) stands in the Quad, holding the Mexican flag as she looks up at the American flag towering above her—a moment that reflects the complex emotions surrounding immigration policies and national identity. “The protests had a profound impact on me—they brought me down at times, but they also inspired me. I wanted so badly to be there, to be out in the streets, actively supporting the cause” said Ash Cortéz (‘28). This quote shows Ash's struggle, feeling both discouraged by the challenges her community faces and inspired by the protests.
Anti-Ice protests and immigration policy: how Webb students are affected
Chijioke Mgbeke, Staff Writer | March 10, 2025
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As the drumbeats, mystical creatures of blue and red scales entered. This mysterious creature is the dragon and lion for the lion dance performance. These traditions, fortunately, bring a sense of home to international students. “Watching the lion dance reminds me of performances I watched at home in Shanghai,” said Jessica Lu (‘27).
How different cultures at Webb Celebrates Lunar New Year.
Anna Meng and Emma Liu | February 25, 2025
Alexandra Wang (‘27) took this photo on her balcony back at Arcadia, documenting the rapid spread of the Eaton fire in Altadena. Along with the dry Winter weather and rapid blowing Santa Ana winds from inland, the fire exponentially increased in a short period of time, spreading fear among many local residents as well as Webb students tracking the hourly growth of the fires on the Calfire website, “I noticed that the Eaton Fire was getting close to my home in Arcadia on the evacuation map on Tuesday night, so I was kind of worried,” Kevin Wang (‘27) said. Boarding students with homes near the fires felt anxious especially, fearing their family’s potential evacuation.
Gale Force Tuesday: Webb tackles extreme winds and the Californian fires
Andy Liu and Alexandra Wang | February 12, 2025
Daira Kaufman, Webb’s choreographer for the dance company instructs the whole dance team. Ms. Kaufman has been choreographing the dancers in many different styles of dancing to perform for the dance show. ”Styles and themes include contemporary dance, jazz, hip hop, K-pop, ballet, dance theater, dance as political satire, dance as resistance, a Community Dinner like you've never seen before, and so much more,” said Ms. Kaufman.
Webb’s dance program leaps into a new chapter
Sydney Mildon, Chief Editor of Features | December 16, 2024
Tyler Liu (‘25), a local day student, runs alongside West Baseline Road. Here, the road is riddled with imperfections and hasty patches, though there may be hope for a solution soon. The City of Claremont began a near $2 million citywide street resurfacing project approved at the May 28 City Council meeting. This project, which will span from Indian Boulevard to Towne Avenue, has locals hoping that this is a precursor to changes across all streets. “I can definitely feel some bumps while driving to school,” Tyler said.
Claremont, local politics, and you: what changes are happening around Webb?
Phillip Park, Editor of Science and Technology | December 16, 2024
Opinion
In February 2025, Los Angeles witnessed significant anti-ICE protests in response to intensified immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump's administration. Thousands of demonstrators marched from Olvera Street to City Hall and subsequently blocked the 101 Freeway. “By the time we were on the street, you couldn't see anyone—it was just like a sea of people,” Priscilla Centeno (‘24) said. Despite the scale of the protests and the freeway blockade, no arrests were reported.
How America swung right and what it cost us
Elena Petrova, Editor-in-Chief | March 12, 2025
Skimming the brief prompt for his in-class essay in Advanced Studies Existentialism, Andy Liu ('26) feels the pressure mounting. With no chance for revisions, every word must land perfectly. He knew the clock would be ticking, and preparation is key to formulating a clear and concise argument in 70 minutes. “It’s one and done,” said Jaeho Lee (‘28), echoing the stress of high stakes writing.
Over preparation dissuades risk-taking
Andy Liu | March 11, 2025
Language exclusion is a complicated issue at Webb. On one hand, Webb wants its students to feel comfortable around campus by being able to speak their native language. On the other hand, it has become an issue around campus where some students speak in their shared language, leaving others feeling awkward. “I think [language exclusion] has gotten better in the past year, but [our efforts] are definitely not enough,” Triet Pham (‘26) said.
Awareness alone will not solve language exclusion — we need kindness
Zona Zhou, Copy Editor | March 10, 2025
In the background, groups of students completed numerous activities during the Leadership and Honor symposium, while Larry Zhou (‘26) stands confused. The ambitious number of activities lead students to feel out of place and unsure of what was happening. “I think day one was slightly misscheduled because a lot of things felt out of place,” Larry said. “A few groups ended up not completing all of the activities because some [activities] ended up being longer than [they] should have been.” However, students remain overall optimistic about the opportunities they were given to bond with their friends and classmates.
The Leadership and Honor Symposium is superficial and neglects student understanding
Sandy Li, Staff Writer | March 9, 2025
The pendulum, representing the U.S.’s criminal justice policies, makes a move from liberal to conservative. Following the 2024 election, many criminal justice policies trend toward tough-on-crime. “It's political polarization, and depending on where you live, some people are more frightened or conscious of the crimes that are going on around them because it's very visible,” Marc Zambrano (‘26) said. As it is now, criminal justice has been largely partisan — is this partisan divide in criminal justice policies beneficial for public safety and justice?
The partisan pendulum of criminal justice swings again
Kathy Duan, Chief Copy Editor | March 6, 2025
Webb students face increasing accountability measures for unexcused absences and unexcused tardies, as outlined in the latest policy. Gianna Darden (‘26) is shocked by the potential consequences of getting a UA or UT and missing 7/10s.” I did not realize how strict the policy has become,” Christina Young (‘25) said. Though the policy aims to reinforce student accountability, it is causing widespread stress among the student population.
The new UA and UT policies are flawed
Freya Fu | February 25, 2025
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Culture and Lifestyle
While watching Terrifier 3 for the first time, Christina Young could not keep her eyes open as she was grossed out by the disturbing murders. The Terrifier films have always been popular for its comedic killer, Art the Clown, and for the gruesome killings that many see as a challenge to watch, and others see as unnecessary and the murdering of children immoral. “I have watched only Terrifier 3, and that was enough for me,” said Christina Young (‘25). “I was terrified to say the least.”
Was Terrifier 3 too gruesome?
Payton Delgado, Staff Writer | March 10, 2025
We are what we eat. Although this saying is repeated far more than it is actually thought about, one thing is clear—food plays an essential role, not just in our personal lives but also in culture and society as well. Good food can remind you of home when you are far away; it can bring people together when they need company; it can offer solace when all you want is to be alone on Webb’s campus. In this guide, we will break down the essentials of ordering food at Webb—what does not disappoint, what you must try, and what you might want to think twice (or a lot) about.
The ultimate guide to food deliveries at Webb
February 10, 2025
Martin Beseth (‘27) angrily educates Ethan Xi (‘27) about over-relying on paper cups as they produce unnecessary waste. Webb started to advocate for the community to decrease the number of paper cups used. “I think [Webb is] taking a huge step towards stopping the deforestation of trees ...and helping the environment,” Martin Beseth (‘27) said. The attention brought to the community prompts new opinions among students on using fewer paper cups.
Webb reduces paper cups in the dining hall
December 20, 2024
Holiday decorations relieve stress around Webb campus
December 20, 2024
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Features
Maya Chin (‘26) plays Block Blast on her phone during her free block in Stockdale Community Center. Block Blast is a mobile game similar to Tetris and has two game modes. "I think a lot of people play [Block Blast], but I don't know how many people are willing to admit it,” Maya said. “Since I’ve downloaded it and brought it up to other people, I’ve seen them also download and play it. I’ve seen some crazy high scores which are not healthy; they probably spent at least 3 hours trying to get it.”
Block Blast: are our attention spans “cooked”?
Stephanie Ma, Editor-in-Chief | March 14, 2025
Six students display their freshly done nails, placing their hands in a circle and showcasing Qier Wang's ('27) various designs. Each nail design, unique in color and style, reflects Qier's creativity and precision on her tiny canvas, demonstrating the skill that has made her nail services a popular choice among students. Her prices range between $20-35. “Her services are super affordable and definitely worth the price,” Frannie Hinch (‘25) said. “It’s been super beneficial for me and all my friends.”
Nailed it: Qier Wang brings affordable art to Webb’s campus
March 10, 2025
This image captures different perspectives of Webb’s annual dance show, featuring both audience members and performers. On the left, members of the Webb community gather to watch the performance, while on the right, dancers — Berklee Antecol (‘25), Leia Albornoz (‘25), Yuki Layman (‘25), Freya Fu (‘26) — pose backstage. This side-by-side comparison highlights the contrast between those experiencing the show and those bringing it to life on stage.
Code of Conducts: Dancers versus audience perspectives
March 10, 2025
WSC students from the upper dorms participate in this year’s Webb Idol. During rehearsals every evening, students would meet with their choreographers and practice the dances for about one and a half hours. “It is a great chance for us to get to know our classmates and dormmates better,” said Victor Li (‘26), who has participated in the past two years of Webb Idol. “It is always so fun to meet new choreographers and learn the new dances they bring to our dorms.”
Webb Idol participation goes back to WSC dorms only
March 9, 2025
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Sports
The girls' basketball team rallied in pink ribbons, ready to gather their support for cancer survivors while playing a nail-biting game. Bolstered by their competitive spirit, the team joined with the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches in an event called Coaches vs. Cancer. “By being here, you are showing that your community stands united,” said Coach Kays, science department faculty and Webb’s girls’ basketball head coach “You're demonstrating that in the face of cancer, we refuse to be silent.” The game included packed stands with fans supporting the team, and the cause!
Girls’ basketball takes on a bigger cause
Lily Youngstrom | February 7, 2025
On one of the Webb robotics team’s new Skytech Nebula computers is Jake Hui (‘25), engineer of Webb’s 358 Robotics team who is currently improving his team’s robot virtually in a Computer Aided Design application, or CAD. Before the building, the driving, and the victories, comes the prototyping of the robot. “Right here [on his computer] is where the robot is designed, and I have access to all the parts that I need to try things out,” Jake said. Technical computer skills as well as an intimate knowledge of how robots work is required to efficiently work in the CAD design space. The skills are well worth the time spent, as it can save hours or even days' worth of time spent on assembly in the real world. "If there is a piece that we don’t have, 3D print it to see if it's really necessary before making an expensive purchase, as the parts can cost hundreds of dollars,” Jake said.
Webb robotics: showcasing every part of the machine in action!
Phillip Park | February 7, 2025
Tracy Ren (‘28) stands on the outdoor courts, ready to practice for the girls’ JV team. Her excitement to improve is infectious, filling the court with a buzz of eagerness. Although the team warms up outside, in the chilly winter air, the excitement warms the team up. "Having energy on the court makes me play better” says Mandana Mojaverian (‘26). With the readiness for improvement coursing through the girl's veins, there's no secret this season will be a great one.
Girls’ basketball has come with a unique surprise this winter season
Dessie Koehn, Staff Writer | December 20, 2024
On October 29th, after an intense game, Webb varsity water polo players participated in the customary post-game high five with the opposing team, Pioneer High School. This game marked the beginning of CIF and ended with a promising score of 13-4. “Coming in as the underdogs brings a thrill of uncertainty to the playoffs and knowing we're playing our best is encouraging,” Neil Xu (‘27) said. As the team steadily progresses through CIF, their advancement raises the question: how did the team get here despite not participating in any league games?
Varsity water polo strives for CIF victory
Gianna Darden, Editor of News | November 14, 2024
Varsity girls' tennis had their senior night match last week. Claudia Yang (‘25), Jasmine Beseth (2’5), Saira Bhagat (‘25), Penelope Sugihara (‘25), and Lindsey Azurin (‘25) can be seen posing with their fellow seniors. The Gauls overall performed well and won against Pacifica Christian.
Girls’ tennis dominates their senior night
Sohum Uppal, Editor of Sports | November 11, 2024
It is 4:55 PM. Webb’s two upper tennis courts nestled in between the Jameson, Kirkhill, and Appleby dorms, glowing beneath an October sky washed in crimson. Soon, darkness will settle, and with daylight savings pushing sunset an hour earlier, dwindling light will make it tough for the players to carry on. “A few small lights would a nice addition,” said Larry (‘26).
From classrooms to courts: Webb’s vision for enhancing sports infrastructures
Andy Liu and Ethan Undello | October 29, 2024
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Science & Technology
All members of the Webb Robotics Winter season teams taking a group photo. Of note is Team 359, pictured in the middle row. “It was super exciting to get the win and have the chance to go to regionals [robotics competition]” Max Lan (‘25) said. From left to right: Max Lan (‘25), Jerry Hu (‘26), David Lui (‘25), Jake Hui (’25), Boyang Li (‘25), bottom Jonathan Li (’25), Tyler Liu (‘25)
Webb robotics and You: a comprehensive overview on the members of Team 359!
Phillip Park | March 10, 2025
Webb students often use AI tools like ChatGPT to navigate questions they have about their classes, some students even having ChatGPT Pro subscriptions. “I think it becomes a habit that’s hard to break because ChatGPT is such a versatile and accessible tool to use for everything,” Triet Pham (‘26) said. However, headlines have been surfacing linking the detrimental environmental impact of AI, with some news sources even tying the recent California wildfires to AI’s resource use. This research has raised questions on whether investing in AI is worth it.
The dangers of AI: what do Webbies know?
Yuki Layman | February 10, 2025
On December 18, 2024, at the Webb Schools’ gym, Dr. Theresa Smith, Head of Schools, struck a thoughtful pose, embodying curiosity and reflection. She pondered the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. "How is AI going to transform education and transform society at large?" Dr. Smith asked. She wishes to make Webb a safe place for students to innovate and prepare for the technological advancements of society.
Dr. Theresa Smith navigates AI incorporation at Webb
Bella Schnurer, Staff Writer | December 20, 2024
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