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
Categories:

Webbies volunteer at the Claremont Forum

Vivien Xi, Co-Editor of Media
January 24, 2020
Vivien Xi
Webb students sit around the table to wrap books at the Claremont Forum.

As students strive to emphasize service at Webb this year, Webb’s Prison Library Project Club organized their first weekend community service trip to volunteer at the Claremont Forum’s Prison Library Project. The Prison Library Project’s goal is to package and organize books to send to 600 different federal and state prisons to help inmates acquire the books that they requested. 

The Webbies who were interested in community service previously signed up for this event through an email with a Sign-Up Genius link. After they arrived at the Claremont Village at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th, the Claremont Forum manager gave a brief lecture on the Prison Library Project’s history and a basic lesson on how to wrap the books. The edges of the wrapped books needed to be covered completely with tape, and a shipping label needed to be attached to the front of the package. The seven members of the PLP club wrapped a total of 21 books and spent a relaxing afternoon working for this admirable cause. 

“I enjoyed helping out with the PLP! Reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine so being able to share that with others who don’t have the same access to books was great,” said Sofia Centeno (’22), a PLP club member. 

“Volunteering at PLP and wrapping books may seem boring, but it is nothing of the sort,” said Joanna Yap (‘22), a PLP club member. “Not only do you develop a stronger relationship with the students around you as you wrap the books together, but you also pay attention to the kind of books you’re given and gain a deeper understanding of the books that get sent to the prisons.”

“It sounds like [the PLP club members] maxed out on the impact they could make at the PLP. These service-based events are some of the most valuable and rewarding weekend activities,” said Ken Rosenfeld, Dean of Student Life. “I have the privilege of helping coordinate. When students ask for a run to help with a local charity, I am inspired to work as hard for them as they do for those they are dedicating a part of their weekend to help.”

The PLP club is planning on organizing monthly runs to the Claremont Forum next semester and kicking off 2020 with more community service opportunities for the Webb community. 

View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in News
Sarah Lantz, Dean of Students, and Micheal Hoe, Assistant Head of School, explain procedures for the Honor Pledge Ceremony to students sitting outside the chapel. This is the first time students have had to sit outside to accommodate the larger number of students in a co-ed ceremony. “We had new signers for the Honor Pledge and escorts sit outside the chapel and watch the ceremony on TVs, which was a new addition this year,” said Scott Wishek (‘25), chair of the honor council.
Honor Pledge Ceremony shifts with one school model
Natália Mosaquites ('26) brainstorms different events she knows that are occurring on campus. As a peer advisor, she plays a crucial role in making Halloween at Webb fun. “We're very excited; the PA’s have been working hard to provide on-campus events such as the [Zombie] Apocalypse,” Natália said. “I know that the prefects have also been hard at work with the haunted house.”
Halloween arrives at Webb
Freshmen and sophomores gather in Stockdale while juniors and seniors convene in Liu Cheung to hear from renowned English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall on Zoom. Known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees and an extensive career in naturalism and activism, Goodall's talk inspired deep reflection among Webb students. “I found Jane Goodall's talk very inspirational. To see somebody perpetuate change and strive to keep doing so motivates me to do more in our community,” said Victor Li (‘25).
Jane Goodall speaks to Webb
Gianna Rabida (‘27) captures the Bridge Fire raging through Glendora’s Mountains while returning to Webb from an away volleyball game. Since September 8 – the day the fire started – it grew to 10,000+ acres in around two days, leaving Webb students anxious. “I’m afraid that I will have to evacuate my dorm in the middle of the night,” Gianna Rabida said. Boarders at Webb remain alert, anxious about possible evacuations as the fire rages through the Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties.
Threat of evacuation frightens Webb students
Pictured above, Jonathan Li (‘25), Aaron Yang (‘25), and Tyler Liu (‘25) all travel to Texas to attend the VEX Robotics World Competition. Out of 13,000 registered teams, these three Webbies were able to come out on top, qualifying for the world competition. “It was very exciting, competing in our local competitions and qualifying for the world competition,” said Aaron.
Junior robotics team dominate at VEX Robotics World Competition
Long tables are placed in the library to accomodate for AP tests this year. Every year near the end of the school year, the library is closed off for hours at a time for students to take their AP tests.
What happened to AP classes?
More in Showcase
Tyler Liu (‘25), the publisher Mr. Dashwood in Webb’s 2024 Fall production Little Women , flits though the clothes rack, looking for the jacket to his costume. Every play begins and ends with its costumes. “The suit is really nice, and it really feels like I’m an English gentleman,” Tyler said. The theater program was able to borrow fine clothing from a local costume shop, ensuring each actor had period-appropriate suits or dresses tailored to them.
Little Women: A behind-the-scenes look at how Little Women united
Maddie Leiva (‘27) and Gavin Hamilton (‘27) dramatically pose while holding signs promoting the democratic and republican parties respectively. The two students are both expressing dismay for each other's signs, however situations such as this disagreement are encouraged at Webb. “It's important to keep people in your life that you disagree with, because it kind of affirms what you really believe in,” Saraya Chigoji (‘27) said. Moments of debate build stronger individuals who can allow political differences to coexist.
Webb undermines political diversity
Webb students gathered on Thursday, October 31st in their most creative and fun costumes for the annual Halloween costume contest. The energy buzzed with excitement, and many students wore unique costumes. “It’s all about having fun and expressing ourselves,” said Joyce Zhao (’25), who dressed up as the chef from Ratatouille for the contest. The event was a lively embodiment of school spirit, bringing the Webb community together as everyone paraded down the Halloween contest in their different costumes.
What are Webbies dressing up as for Halloween?
Parents visited the Honors Spanish 3 class at Webb taught by Ms. Viviana Nicolosi. Students in the class sat in a circle on the ground as they engaged in activities and interacted with one another. Parents also participated in activities such as “Chocolate,” where parents were paired with their kids, clapping while shouting out: “chocolate.” As Carolyn Wang (‘26) shared, “on Family Day, I had a great time in my classes, especially in Spanish class, where we played games.”
Family Day arrives at Webb
Tyler Liu (‘25) and Jay Pang (‘25) model the current political climate of division in the upcoming election. “People literally beat each other up over the election,” Jay said. “It’s crazy.” The political divide in the United States is becoming increasingly tense, and many students at Webb feel it in this community as well.
Poll reveals political divisions and shifts in the Webb community
Chappell Roan has not only found herself in the spotlight of fame, but also in the spotlight of controversy. Her push to ask questions and truly learn about candidates has ignited intense debate amongst voters and fans or hers. “People were pushing her to vote for Kamala Harris but Chappell was pushing for proper research and authenticity, which is far more important than a presidential campaign, in my opinion,” said Emily Thornton (‘25).
Chappell Roan and nuance — why we need civil discourse
About the Contributor
Vivien Xi
Vivien Xi, Chief Copy Editor
Vivien Xi (‘21) is a positive and energetic soul from Shanghai, China. This year, she has taken on the role of Chief Copy Editor for the Webb Canyon Chronicle. She is perfect for the position because she is motivated, responsible, organized, and loves helping others. Over the summer, she interned at multiple financial firms and worked at a restaurant. Vivien’s spirit animal is a bee, because they are always working diligently and socializing with others. Vivien's busy bee work ethic will serve her well working on the WCC team and in her near future, especially since she wants to study economics and media. She enjoys playing tennis, eating sushi, and hanging out with friends and family. She wishes to make a positive impact in life, big or small. Vivien has gained a confident voice from working with the Webb Canyon Chronicle. This year, she plans to use her voice and platform on the WCC to speak out about healthcare systems around the world and how COVID-19 has impacted those systems.