School Traditions
At the beginning of each school year, all new students, faculty, and staff are initiated in Westridge’s longstanding tradition of either becoming a Greek or a Roman. If a relation of a student attended the school earlier, the student will be placed in whichever group their relation was in. It is a lighthearted rivalry with fun and games at the beginning of the each year in a sorting ceremony. Points are awarded throughout the year through various activities and a trophy is presented at the end of the school year to whichever side has garnered the most points.
There is an annual Ring Ceremony in April in which the junior class receives their class rings and the Head of School speaks. During this ceremony, each girl's name is read out and she receives her ring from the Head of School and a white rose from the Mistress of the Rings. This ceremony is seen as the junior's passage into being seniors. In the past, the junior would receive her ring from a senior who had been a significant friend or mentor to her. It is unknown why the school changed this most popular part of the tradition.
Right before school gets out for Christmas break, Westridge holds a Holiday Concert in which girls from the lower school, middle school, and upper school Glee Club and orchestra perform holiday music. The fourth graders always have a special cute song to perform; they keep it a secret until the day of the concert. Upper school students perform original skits in which they make fun of each other and sometimes teachers. Santa Claus also comes and each grade decides on two wishes it wants him to grant.
Westridge also has one day of the year called All School Day. The ASB prepares a day in which the entire school relaxes and just has fun. The ASB prepares activities, food, and a movie. A theme is announced every All School Day. Previous themes have been Disneyridge, All Around the World and Time Warp Westridge.
Additionally, the girls participate in Big and Little Sisters where two lower school students, one middle school student, and two upper school students are assigned into a "Family." Families meet every major holiday to participate in activities to bond. This tradition is a way for younger students to have a friendship with older students. Big Sisters are seen role models for Little Sisters.
Read more about this topic: Westridge School (Pasadena)
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