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
Taya Sibichenkova

Taya Sibichenkova, Chief Editor of News

Taya Sibichenkova’s (‘24) kindness and commitment to bettering the world through medicinal and environmental studies shines throughout every aspect of her life. From dedicating her summer to researching population health alongside graduate scientists, to sharing her passion for nature as a children’s science camp counselor, to creating an independent research proposal on drug repurposing at the Claremont Colleges, Taya’s interest in health is boundless. Partly driven by her selfless, caring personality and ability to think outside the box, Taya knows the importance of a holistic approach to medicine and a health As Chief Editor of News, she is ready to recognize and spread awareness of the issues our world faces, such as her article on the timeline of the Ukraine-Russia war. Yet Taya’s leadership is not just limited to news and science. For two years now, she has served as a welcoming admissions ambassador. When Taya isn’t busy being a real-life superhero, she enjoys brewing kombucha, knitting, watching sci-fi movies, and playing the guitar. This year, Taya is excited to bring her interests in health sciences and environmental justice to the newsroom and beyond.      

Song: Heat Above – Greta Van Fleet

All content by Taya Sibichenkova
The dining hall offers a myriad of different snack and meal options throughout the day, but many students still regularly gravitate to the same foods. Our food choices may be able to give an inside look into our other preferences — like where we spend our time outside of the academic day.

Quiz: What Webb dorm matches your personality?

Taya Sibichenkova
February 9, 2024
The floor-to-ceiling whiteboards in Chandler 325 are filled with mathematical sentences in Dr. Cuda’s handwriting. Several students went up to the board to attempt solving the problems on their own, working with each other to rationalize through the proofs. “So far, I’ve been amazed by how much more there is to proving than I imagined,” Yichen Sun (‘27) said. The more complex Dr. Cuda’s problems became, the more creative the students’ thought processes and reasoning were for solving them.

Webb introduces new mini course in math proofs with Dr. Tom Cuda

Taya Sibichenkova, Chief of News
February 6, 2024
In the middle of the night, Emily Thornton (‘25) spontaneously decides to boldly transform her look with a bang trim. An impulsive hair makeover is often used to mark a new chapter of one’s life or shift in self-image in response to emotional distress. “What you often see are these impulsive things happening after you've been highly emotional or during highly emotional moments because your brain is not on board to be able to actually think logically through the steps,” said Melanie Bauman, Director of Wellness.

How to cut your bangs at 2 a.m.

Elena Petrova and Taya Sibichenkova
February 4, 2024
VWS wrestlers (left to right: Alina Li (‘25), Grace Zhu (‘25), Nancy Chen (‘27) and Evelyn Fu (‘27)) pair up to practice different techniques like takedowns and pins in the wrestling “temple”. Their coach, Rieanna Duncan, emphasizes the importance of tough training so that the athletes are prepared for anything that comes their way in a match. Practices with the team often run up to three hours long, with intense drills, conditioning and team building.

Webb’s new girls wrestling team prepares for the 2024 league season

Taya Sibichenkova
January 9, 2024
Webb’s empty Health Center is decorated with Christmas trees and warm lights for the holidays. The COVID-19 testing station is no longer present, and significantly fewer students pay regular visits to the Center than in the last few winters.

Seasonal disease prevention vs. treatment: what’s better, and what’s changed since Covid

Taya Sibichenkova
December 13, 2023
Meeting together in front of Stockdale Center located on Centennial field, wrestling starts their practice with lots of stretches as their Head Coach Eric Hansen begins practice. The team having both VWS and WSC students allows for very open and hands on practices where players learn many of the skills and moves for matches. This sport allows for individual talent to shine as every day they strengthen their skills through practice and consistent training.

Webb athletes prepare for winter season

Nicolaas Grobler
November 30, 2023
Hollywood’s screenwriters participate in a picket line at Universal Studios during one of the longest writers strikes in recent history.

148 days of outcry: The Writer’s Guild of America’s historic new deal with the AMPTP

Taya Sibichenkova, Lisa Peng, and Eleanor Hong
September 30, 2023
This series spotlights five uniquely talented Webbies from different schools and grade levels.

September spotlight: uniquely talented Webbies in the 2023-24 school year

Taya Sibichenkova, Jenny Wang, Eric Luo, Elena Petrova, and Ben Madanski
September 26, 2023
A crowd of people gather with signs and raise the Ukrainian flag to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On January 17th, 2023, Russian emigrants held rallies in support of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, two years after he was detained and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

February 24, 2023: A year of fighting and resistance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Taya Sibichenkova, Leo Levitin-Shilman, Noe Chock, Elena Petrova, and Brandon Arteaga
February 27, 2023
A small Southwest plane makes its descent into John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, CA. It was one of the last flights to depart from any U.S. airport in the winter of 2022, before a system-wide disaster struck and left thousands of people stranded.

How Southwest caused a winter break catastrophe

Taya Sibichenkova
January 23, 2023
Despite the cold, winter night, the Holiday Party lights up the room with a warmth that Webbies feel through laughter, hot cocoa, and live performances. A chance for the whole community to gather and bond, the week ends with a perfect touch of the Christmas spirit.

Webb’s 2022 Holiday Party

Kaylynn Chang and Taya Sibichenkova
December 16, 2022
As students walk down the steps of Avalon Bardot, many comment on how Webb has stepped it up this year. The venue includes several general resting spaces and a dance floor. The club’s multi-colored, dim lighting adhered to the theme of Moulin Rouge. Students explore the venue, some remarking on the tightness of the space and others just observing their fellow students from the banister.

Webb steps it up with Homecoming this year

Kathy Duan, Taya Sibichenkova, Sydney Mildon, and Berklee Antecol
November 18, 2022
The buses were tightly filled with not one seat open. Passengers on the bus gaze out the window to see the gorgeously lit city of Los Angeles as they approach the nightclub venue. Students buzz with excitement as they are just minutes away from Avalon Bardot.

Andrew Paik (‘25), Julian Ratinoff (‘25), William Koo (‘25), Andy Falk (‘25), Erik Sun (‘25), and Austin Berg (‘25) felt the need for a break as well. They got drinks and then went to one of the lounge areas. They then rest while preparing to go back into the craziness of the mosh pit.

The DJ transitions between popular party songs of various genres, many of which were previously requested by Webb students via a survey sent out by student government. Below the DJ stand dozens of sweaty and tightly packed students who are dancing to the booming music. “The DJ played some good songs, but he would keep skipping in the middle of songs,” said Felipe Murillo (‘25). Griffin Suttner (‘25) finished Felipe’s sentence with, “and he seemed to not pay attention to requests from students.”

The Black Student Union (BSU) gathers at Anthony Flucker’s, the BSU Faculty Advisor, house to talk about matters relating to students’ identities while also enjoying a traditional fish fry. Webb Alumni Jordan Taylor (‘02) helps members reflect on their experiences at Webb while giving advice on navigating being black at a predominately white institution. “I love being able to express my thoughts and feelings toward the way the school is progressing this year with all of my friends while also enjoying the amazing fried fish that Mr. Flucker, a faculty member and football coach, prepared for us,” said Aeden Mozia (‘26). Affinity spaces such as BSU meetings allow Webbies to discuss important matters while also ensuring the information being said will remain confidential.

Webbies gather in affinity spaces in hopes of creating change

Bryan Oglesby and Taya Sibichenkova
October 25, 2022
At the lively Club Fair on Monday, October 17th, Sebastian Hofmann (‘23) and Conrad Poon (‘23) present the Model UN club. “Join the Model UN club if you want to roleplay as a politician!” said Conrad. Students learn a little about each club from the vibrant posters and attention-grabbing presentations as they pass by the clubs’ tables in the Quad.

What comes next: 6 tips for keeping a club active

Elena Petrova and Troy Seanoa
October 23, 2022
Artemis 1 remains on standby on Pad 39B in the Kennedy Space Center. Towering at 98.1 meters and weighing 95 metric tons. “The total liftoff thrust is 8.1 million pounds...It’s a little more than what the Saturn V was capable of”, Andrew Barrantes (‘23) said. Upon takeoff, the Space Launch System will be the most powerful rocket to ever be launched in history. But to achieve that feat, it first must take off.

A Grounded Goddess: The Shortcomings of Artemis 1

Terrence Wu, Connor Plunkett, Taya Sibichenkova, and Jenny Tran
September 30, 2022
Emily Thornton (‘25) goes through the flight simulation set up in the Old School House, where she learns the basic handlings of a plane, including take off, landing, and trimming. Students in “Just Plane Fun” participate in flight simulations every morning of their unbounded.

Just Plane Fun

Jenny Wang and Taya Sibichenkova
March 18, 2022
The Alamo team celebrates enthusiastically after hearing their names called out for first place. They wave their hands in the air and jump, running to hug their friends. After days of work, their impressive routine earned first place.

WSC boarders impress students with coordinated dance moves at Webb Idol

George Cardenas, Heloise Robertson, Taya Sibichenkova, and Jenny Tran
March 6, 2022
An assortment of F-block WSC American Idea students taught by Lauren Hartle, humanities department faculty. Jerry Jin (‘24), Joseph Yates (‘24), Lam Tran (‘24), Sebastian Hazlett (‘24), and Alex Lee (‘24), focus on activities ranging from discussing their assigned reading, independent work, and collaborating with their peers.

Webb’s single-gender classes: a deep dive

Taya Sibichenkova and Stratton Rebish
February 9, 2022
Sometimes it is hard to find a balance between academic rigor and social life, especially at a place like Webb. The scale in this image balances book and heart, symbolizing the delicate balance between academic and romantic life. Credit: Emily Li ('24)

The unique state of Webb’s dating culture: post-lockdown

Emily Li, Jenny Wang, and Taya Sibichenkova
January 26, 2022
Ada Liu (‘24) recites an original poem at the Bookworm Club’s poetry reading event during Wednesday long lunch. The other club members raise their phones, flashlights turned on, to create a solemn but encouraging ambience as they absorb the words of her poem.

Webb club leaders juggle a surplus of commitments after quarter one

Taya Sibichenkova
November 19, 2021
Mirabel Raphael (‘24), Jacky Qi (‘25), and Sebastian Hazlett (‘24), stand together as a team at Al’s Patio

Webb Debate Team Participates in First League Tournament

Taya Sibichenkova and Jenny Wang
November 3, 2021
A map of this weekend’s dorm activities designed by Wendy Chang (‘23), Brandy Zhang (‘22), and Lucy Liu (‘23).

Student leadership groups host Webboween this weekend

Heloise Robertson, Dora Ding, Wura Ogunnaike, Austin Ra, and Taya Sibichenkova
October 29, 2021
A side-by-side comparison between Webb's traditional grading system and the new standard-based system.

Webb humanities department experiments with new grading systems

Cathy Wang and Taya Sibichenkova
October 28, 2021
A collage of newly-vaccinated Webb students. Credit: Heloise Robertson ('23)

L.A. becomes first major school district to pass vaccine mandate for students

George Cardenas, Eleanor Hong, Jimmie McCloud, Heloise Robertson, Taya Sibichenkova, and Cathy Wang
October 2, 2021
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