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By: Veronica Edwards ‘27
Spring is here The final wisps of winter say their goodbyes Waves of laughter ripple from the heart of campus Discs fly through the air into the hands of our peers standing by Spring is here Sun reflecting off people's faces, leaving a smile One that will stay, stay for a while People stir from hibernation, Bringing bears and trees along for the occasion Ice cream melts on sugar cones Dripping into the vibrant green grass Scattered with flip-flops everywhere you pass Winter brought connection, determination, and snowy fun, But spring opens up its own opportunities, a different type of energy, a different kind of sun Spring at Westy is here
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By: Sean Tang '28
They thought something chewed its legs away when they first found it, mud-stained, frozen over patches of swaying reed grass. But the cutoff was clear. Where flesh and talon belonged, were two eerie stumps. A lustrous pair, willow-thin with a wax-like smoothness-- glaring under the cruel summer sun. Pristine, Spotless-- Holy. Deformity. They noted, Possible disease, trauma, or development defect. While sinking its rootless legs Abnormally large pectoral muscles. Along with its diligent wings Near-absent fat reserves. Into its cylindrical grave. More investigation needed. Gliding atop the gilded Formalin, as if returned to the first water-- The guest of summer flies beyond the day. By: Sunshine Li '26
The turn of the 20th century in Russia represents a society caught in a tectonic shift, suspended between a crumbling imperial past and an unimaginable revolutionary future. In researching Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters (1901), it becomes clear that the play is not merely a domestic drama, but an architectural map of a vanishing class. To understand the Prozorov sisters’ stagnant lives in a provincial town, one must first understand the vacuum left by the collapse of the old Russian social order. The most critical historical catalyst for the play’s atmosphere is the Emancipation Reform of 1861. Although the abolition of serfdom occurred forty years before the play’s debut, its aftershocks define the world of the Prozorovs. The end of serfdom effectively decapitated the economic power of the gentry class. Deprived of free labor, the Russian aristocracy began a slow, agonizing descent into debt and irrelevance. Meanwhile, industrialization had begun to pull people into cities, creating an expanding middle class and growing inter-class tensions. Intellectuals debated reform, progress, and the future, yet in provincial towns—like the one Chekhov depicts—change felt distant. Life moved slowly, shaped by routines of the past. The setting of Three Sisters shows how large historical shifts do not arrive evenly; for many, especially those outside major cities, change appears as a vague pressure rather than a clear event. Thus, by 1900, the refined class found themselves in a state of superfluity, which is a term often used in Russian literature to describe people with high education and noble ideals but no functional role in a modernizing, industrializing economy. Chekhov applies this stereotypically male character to women through the three sisters. Their obsessive desire to return to Moscow is not just nostalgia; it is a desperate wish to return to the center of a world that no longer exists. The play is also situated in the twilight of the Imperial Russian Army’s social prestige. The presence of the battery and officers like Vershinin provides the sisters with their only intellectual and romantic outlet. However, this military context is tinged with the looming shadow of the Russo-Japanese War and the 1905 Revolution. The officers represent a group of transient highbrows, men who discuss philosophy and the future life because their present military duties have become largely ceremonial. They are part of Russia’s bureaucratic machine that is beginning to rust and join the sisters in their superfluity. The author’s biography further contextualizes the play’s significance. Chekhov wrote it while battling severe health issues in Yalta, physically isolated from the Moscow Art Theatre and the vibrant intellectual life he craved. This personal isolation mirrors the sisters’ provincial exile. Chekhov’s tendency to observe humanity with detached clinical precision allowed him to capture the specific pathology of Russian boredom called poshlost. He famously insisted his plays were comedies, or at least “vaudevilles”, despite their tragic reputation. This suggests that the historical downfall of the Russian aristocracy isn’t just a backdrop for sadness, but a stage for the absurdity of people who possess every intellectual tool to change their lives, yet remain paralyzed by the weight of their own history. Ultimately, Three Sisters functions as a requiem for a class that has lost its purpose. The sort of working life that Irina yearns for is a romanticized reaction to the hereditary idleness of the past, yet the reality of the time suggests that even work could not save the aristocracy from the impending storm of the 20th century. Sources https://www.britannica.com/topic/Three-Sisters-play-by-Chekhov https://www.britannica.com/event/Emancipation-Manifesto https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/three-sisters-analysis-setting https://literariness.org/2020/08/04/analysis-of-anton-chekhovs-three-sisters/ https://archive.org/details/newlifeofantonch0000hing/page/n5/mode/2up https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6408 By: Lily Abdel-Meguid ‘26 and Esther Lee ‘26
Senior spring settles softly on the Hill, Sunlight stretches longer through the day. We soak in these final, fleeting weeks Trying to hold on tight until our time is up Not long ago, was our first uncertain walk on the lawn, New paths and responsibilities. Now soon it comes, the last time we will cross, These paths we learned so well they feel like routine. Time moved too fast to notice as it went, Spent through late nights, strong effort, Friendships held, and some that disappeared. We look ahead, unsure, but pulled along, Reflecting on what we worked towards. The years we thought would never end; The day we thought was lightyears away; Is here. With happy tears, we let go of what was for so long our home, Unlearning the safe routine we once lived by But still holding onto the lessons, struggles, and memories. A chapter we close, but a page we turn, Uncovering what lies ahead. By: Long Teng '26
East wind ignites thousands of flowering trees; Stars drifting like rain. Jeweled horses and carved carriages leave a fragrance along the streets. The phoenix-shaped flute stirs up the crowd, while jade light turns, Fish and dragon lanterns dance across the night. Maidens crowned by the golden snow-willows, Laughing, pass with sleeves of hidden aroma. In the throng I seek her, A hundred times, then a thousand, Trying to grab on to her. Yet we pass. Suddenly, I turned, And there she stands, Where the lantern glow fades. By: Audrey Tan ‘27
The 2025–2026 JV Girls Basketball (aka Splash Sisters) season at Westminster was defined by teamwork, consistency, and a strong sense of community. Throughout the season, players showed commitment both in practices and games, focusing on improving skills while supporting one another. The practices ended with a game of knock-out, demonstrating each of our basketball skills while being competitive and cheering for each other. Senior Day was a very meaningful moment in the season, as we were able to recognize the contributions of the team’s Sixth Formers, Esther Lee ‘26 and Piper Lundin ‘26. Their leadership and dedication helped shape the team dynamic and set a positive tone throughout the year during our games and practices. Following Senior Day, the team gathered for a pizza celebration to recognize their efforts and achievements throughout the season. It was a memorable moment that brought everyone together outside of competition, and we were able to celebrate wins. Some of the most memorable wins were against The Frederick Gunn School (24-6) and Williston Northampton School (26-7), two back-to-back games. Overall, the season reflected a balance between hard work and enjoyment. Splash Sisters at Westminster continues to be an environment where players can develop their skills, build friendships, and have a rewarding experience as part of a team! By: Sam Jiang ‘28
As the new International Student Organization (ISO) program advisors this year, Ms. Jun and Ms. Dy-Dajnowicz focused on creating community while continuing to build on what students already enjoy. When asked about their primary objectives, they shared, “The main goal for this office is to make sure we are building a home away from home for all students. We want to bring the joy of living in an international community to our school. The ISO office is about celebrating students’ cultural traditions and accomplishments.” Rather than fully changing the program, they tried to improve on what already exists. “We are strengthening existing programming and encouraging more student leaders to take charge in shaping our celebrations.” Ms. Jun and Ms. Dy-Dajnowicz also shared their future goals for the program. “We hope ISO has established activities and traditions, where existing members welcome new students each year and pass down leadership skills. We are always eager to welcome students from different backgrounds.” Together, these efforts reflect a commitment to creating a home away from home for international students. By: Candice Hong ‘28 and Chloe Zhao ‘28
On the 20th of February, 2026, Westy’s very own rendition of the musical Hadestown, by Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin, smoothly unfolded. At the end of the night of the premier, it was commented by Mr. Charlie Griffith as, quote, “...simply and astonishingly amazing! Mrs. Griffith and I were both blown away. Completely. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.” Students of Mr. Chrzanowski’s Third Form Global History and AP Music Theory Class provided numerous reviews on the piece as well, stating, “As someone deeply familiar with Greek mythology, I approached the show already knowing the tragic arcs of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as Hades and Persephone. Even so, this production felt fresh and immersive. Rather than simply retelling a well-known myth, the performers infused it with emotional urgency and nuance that made the story feel immediate and alive.” “I went to the Sunday performance and thought it was awesome. I have loved live action and musicals since I was a kid because my grandmother would take me to them. I like to see the emotion, and it's even cooler when you know the people up on stage.” “...Act 2 is such an emotionally-intricate fraction of the show, and many of my favorite songs are from it. But, this song (“We Raise Our Cups”) creates a specific type of appeal towards me because of the sensations it brings me: initial sorrow that transitions to uplifting hope. I get goosebumps every time I hear the instrumental beginning. “Hadestown” was meant to be a tragedy, but this encore allows me to believe in a happier, more complete ending.” The endeavors of the directors, cast, and crew are what make the show what it is. Let's hear about our Director and Music Director's experiences creating the production! Q: People consider Hadestown to be a tragedy, and often look forward to fuller, more optimistic “happy endings”. If you had the power to change something about the plot, what would it be? Would you even change the plot at all? A: Rasheed: I don’t think I would change the plot because the show itself had a wide range of emotional experiences for a human being. There was a lot of joy, some sadness, some hope, and in the end, it ultimately ended in heartbreak. But when you think about the last scene, everyone comes together and they’re singing that song again: hope comes back. There’s always hope, and I think that’s the overall message of the story. Life goes on, and it’s not always the end of the world. There’s always a new beginning. A: Chrzanowski: No, I would not change the plot at all because that's the story. And the story, the ancient story, is only told well when it's told the way it was originally written, which is that Orpheus loves Eurydice so much that he has to turn around. So there's nothing I would change. Q: There is a spectrum of well-rounded characters throughout Hadestown. If you had the opportunity to become one of the characters in the show, who would you choose to be and why? A: Rasheed: For me, it would be both Hermes and Hades because they’re the ones who drive the story. They give characters, like Orpheus, choices, so I like being in that seat. And they sort of play the antithesis. As for Hades, I don’t necessarily see Hades as evil in the show. Just a different perspective and outlook on life. And so being both Hermes and Hades offer those two distinct yet interesting perspectives. A: Chrzanowski: Such a good question. If I were to be one of those characters, I think Hermes. Oh, I would want to be the storyteller. Or also the instigator in some ways, you can look at it that way. But the person who knows what's gonna happen and who's really the person telling the story, I like that aspect of that character. I think that's, and that's why I would like that, that kind of role would appeal to me. Q: Hadestown has received high praise since the premiere of the show. During the production process, what was one moment that struck you as your favorite and why? A: Rasheed: I don’t know that there was one moment. The one moment was the whole process, you know, the journey that we all went on together. It was fraught with the very things that we experienced in the show. There was high emotion, there was a lot of joy, there was confusion, there was loss, and there was even fear. There have been times where I have gone through these processes and felt like I can’t wait until this is done so I can move on to the next. With this one, I enjoyed that process so much. Even through some of the frustrating moments, it was okay, because in the end, everybody gained and learned something about these experiences in a way that I have not experienced before. So, in my time here at the school, when I say this was the best theatrical experience that I’ve ever encountered through my journey of theater arts, I mean that. The whole process was very special, and I’ll never forget this one. A: Chrzanowski: Probably one of the first times we started running through a complete act, everyone. Every person, ensemble, and lead was able to kind of sense how the story was being told. And I could sense it because people were like, wow, this is really cool. We're having fun doing it, and it's a really awesome story. So, I would say, you know, I don't know when exactly that was, one of those rehearsals, like maybe a week or two before the show, when we were putting it all together. By: Suri Dong ‘28
The Westminster Girls Varsity Basketball team embodied the core values of grit and grace, putting in great effort on and off the court. Each member would show up early, compete fiercely, and run hard. The team has outstanding character, diligence, and an intense commitment to work and become the best teammates. The girls played a total of 23 games against Founder's League opponents and other top prep schools, primarily in NEPSAC Class A or B. The girls also played a holiday tournament at the beginning of winter break. Coach Owens served as head coach for the first year, joined by assistant Coach Bailey. The girls had a wonderful season. The girls started with a challenging game against Greenwich Country Day School. Although the score was a bit tough, the team finished the game with 24 points. Fifth Form Captain, Kaitlyn Buda ‘27, helped the team get out of the gates in the opening quarter by scoring seven points and battling hard on the boards. However, GCDS had strong ball movement and found open looks for their shots in their half-court offense. In the second quarter, Westminster adjusted its defense and picked up the intensity. After some good looks at the basket, Chloe Donovan ‘29 scored her first points in a Martlet uniform by nailing a free throw, followed by fellow freshman Charlotte Evanko ‘29, who cashed in a deep three ball towards the end of the half. Westminster continued to pick up its energy in the second half, with Delia Lockwood ‘26 collecting 12 rebounds. On December 19th, the girls' team went to the Ethel Walker Holiday Tournament. Although they faced some tough losses, they embodied the school's core values of grit and grace, fighting hard until the last buzzer each game. After coming back from the Winter term break, the girls were well prepared and ready for the season. They won their first game of the season against the Hotchkiss School on January 21. After traveling on the road for the last four games, the girls were excited to get back to their home court and compete against Hotchkiss. From the start, the girls played with energy and intensity, setting the tone on defense and looking to capitalize on transition offense. Gianna Monaco ‘27 and Buda ‘27 had excellent offensive looks, while Sixth Form Captain, Parker Perillo ‘26, and Lockwood ‘26 led the charge on defense. Evanko ‘29 had several electric shot blocks throughout the contest. In the third quarter, Melody El-Amin Stewart ‘27, Sophie McKenna ‘27, and Donovan ‘29 all had wonderful runs. The Bearcats reclaimed a 2-point lead heading into the final frame, but the girls held their composure and leaned on their teammates’ energy in the final minutes. At the end, with 34 Martlets and 29 Bearcats, Monaco ‘27 scored seven of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Buda ‘27 scored five of her 10. Together, the team won its first game of the season. On January 24, the Martlets earned a 48-42 win against Hopkins. Evanko ‘29 helped settle Westminster with an open 3-point shot and strong defensive zone. Both Monaco ‘27 and Buda ‘27 scored 9 points in the first half, but the Martlets entered halftime trailing by one. In the fourth quarter, the Martlets had five different players scoring to take the lead, with a 3-pointer from McKenna ‘27, a strong finish by Lockwood ‘26, and Perillo ‘26’s first points of the game, sending the game to overtime. With Buda ‘27 scoring the first points of overtime, and with the strong Martlet defense, Hopkins only had one point in the four minutes of overtime. The third win was against Frederick Gunn School on February 13th, with a score of 36-22. Coming out of the winter long weekend, the Martlets were ready and opened with one of their best quarters of the season. Evanko ‘29, Perillo ‘26, and Donovan ‘29 helped open up a lead, each hitting a 3-pointer. The game ended with six points from Buda ‘27 and another 3-pointer from Perillo ‘26. The girls had a wonderful season with their new Head Coach, Owens, and Assistant Coach Bailey, and are looking forward to the next season and are ready to compete. By: Ethan He ‘28
For the Westminster Thirds Boys Basketball team, this winter season was defined by effort, growth, and commitment. While the boys faced a tough schedule and battled through some challenging matchups, the Martlets proved the true value of grit and grace. Throughout their 12-game season, they consistently demonstrated incredible resilience and a positive attitude. Every time they stepped onto the court, they fought hard until the final buzzer, embodying the true spirit of Westminster athletics. The boys opened their season against Eaglebrook. Although the score was tough, the boys had moments where they played well. Ethan He ‘28 opened the game with the three-point shot, and the Marlets led 3-0. Eaglebrook soon scored, and the Marlets did not lead again. Bennett Varao ‘27 had a strong second half and led all Westminster scorers. Westminster had 18 players compete in this game, and everyone did some good things. Lan Dao ‘29, Eli Wilderman ‘29, and Archie Downing ‘29 were excellent in their shifts as point guards. Their future is bright! Colin Curelli ‘29 was able to make some things happen at shooting guard. Eaglebrook alums, Kyle Zhou ‘29, and CJ Berry ‘29, made their presence felt with some great rebounding and a couple of free throws. Even in a loss, the team’s relentless hustle and strong support perfectly showcased the core values of grit, grace, and resilience that will define this group all season long. On January 28th, Varao ‘27 led the way as the Martlets defeated the Winged Beavers for their first victory of the season. It was a close game, and both teams played very hard. The Martlets led 22–17 at the break. The Beavers took a six-point lead with about five minutes to go in the game, but then He ‘28 and Downing ‘29 hit some big free throws down the stretch to seal the victory for Westminster. Every player contributed to this victory. Jacob Flores ‘29 and CJ Berry ‘29 hit important free throws in the first half to help Westminster build its lead. Eli Wilderman ‘29 drew several fouls and hit a big three-pointer. Westminster led by as much as seven in the first half. Enoch Olaosebikan ‘27 played excellent defense and hit a huge turnaround jumpshot to help Westminster cut into the Beaver lead late in the game. After Varao ‘27 made a jumpshot, He hit two free throws to give the Martlets a 35-34 lead. Downing ‘29 then drew a foul and hit one out of two free throws. With a 36–34 lead, He ‘28 hit one more free-throw to make the final score 37–34. This thrilling, hard-fought comeback was a true testament to the team's collective grit and their ability to stay composed under pressure. On February 25th, led by Finn Hocking ‘26 and He ‘28, the Martlets never trailed in this game and led by as many as 17 in the second half. Westminster was in control throughout the game and led by as many as 17 in the second half. Hocking ‘26 got the game started with 6 consecutive points, and the Martlets opened with a 9-2 run. Leading by 7 at the break, the second half was closer until He ‘28 took over the game. A conventional three-point play followed by a long three-point shot gave the Martlets a comfortable lead. He ‘28 led the way with 15 points -- his best game of the season. Varao ‘27 was again a force on the boards, and Flores ‘29 hit a big three-point bucket for Westminster. This commanding performance showcased how much the team's chemistry, confidence, and execution grew since the beginning of the winter. |
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April 2026
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Photos from Verde River, Manu_H, focusonmore.com, Brett Spangler, Cloud Income