Dear Westerly Alums,

Alumni are our lifeblood, to keep the stories alive about how Westerly School’s impact carries on beyond the classroom, to your shared feedback and perspectives about what you value and see as areas of growth or opportunity for our school and community.

It is with that idea in mind we extend our alumni newsletter to welcome your voices and experiences, your talent, and intergenerational connections. This is the start of what we envision to be a dynamic, inclusive, and far-reaching showcase of alumni through the ages, from our high school friends to founding classes. Vibrant community and meaningful connections are central to the ongoing success of Westerly and its community members, and by providing space for you to network by industry, interests, passions or even simply celebrate each other, we will strengthen our greater Westerly family ties.

On the school community front, we introduced Noche de Hablar, an evening open to all Westerly community and beyond, with potluck supper, games, and conversation all in Spanish, at whatever level - from beginner to fluent speakers. Watch in our January newsletter for the next date, being set for late winter on our campus. Consider joining us for this multigenerational evening.

Noche de Hablar attendees try various dishes brought by fellow community members

Sample questions and answers were posted as possible conversation starters as a reference for Spanish speakers, whether they were beginners or experts.

The Rodriguez family enjoyed their time connecting with classmates and friends during Noche de Hablar.

The Middle School Winter concert is tomorrow, Wednesday December 6 at 6:00pm. We are also engaging representation from the Tongva community to speak with our students (Lower and Middle School presentations) as we strive to educate beyond a land acknowledgement about the people on whose land Westerly resides. I would love to chat with alums on your thoughts of ways we at Westerly may continue to grow and learn, teach, and share towards the goal of igniting our students’ full potential in a diverse and dynamic learning community.

Enjoy this issue and spread the word to your former classmates to help us to make this a fun, informative and thoughtful digest.

In peace,

Rebecca Geary

Head of School

Life After Westerly: High School

We appreciate our recent alums sharing their wisdom at our recent High School Information Fair and "Life After Westerly" panel. Click the images below to hear a few of their recommendations for middle school students who are preparing for high school.

It's Not All About Grades

Anielka, '23

Long Beach Poly: PACE

Lots of Options to Choose From

Max, '23

Long Beach Poly: CIC

Focus On What's Right for YOU

Della, '23

Wilson High School: WAVE

Practice for Your Interview!

Noah, '22

Sage Hill School

Westerly Alum Spotlights

Jessie Garvey

• Westerly Class of 2018
• Wilson High School Grad
• University of Oregon student

Jessie attended Wilson High School after Westerly where she was named a distinguished scholar as well as an AP Scholar.

She played club volleyball after high school for about a year and then quit to focus more on dance; she was on the school's dance team for all four years.

Jessie graduated from Wilson in 2022 and then went to University of Oregon where she is now in her second year as a Sociology major with a Criminology minor.

She hopes to double major in Psychology with a goal of becoming a forensic psychologist!

Alissa Lieppman

• Westerly Class of 1996 (first graduating class + first student body president)
• Long Beach Poly Grad
• USC Grad (business degree)
• Occupation: Vice President at National Football League (NFL)

Alissa is currently the Vice President of Culture & Business Operations at the NFL (LA HQ) - after 5 years at a marketing agency here in Long Beach, she has now spent over 13 years building her career within the NFL in digital and social media, business strategy, operations, and DEI.

She moved back to Long Beach in 2014 with her husband and now has a 5 year old daughter, Finley. Some of Finley's friends are attending Westerly. Alissa says her entire family is so proud to see the school still going strong after 30 years!

Lindsey Krummel

• Westerly Class of 2006
• Long Beach Poly Grad (PACE)
• BA Occidental College, Diplomacy and World Affairs
• Middlebury Institute of International Studies and Monterey, Graduate Certificate in Social Enterprise Management and Impact Investing
• The University of Edinburgh, MSc in Education Futures
• Occupation: Learning Experience Designer & Foresight Consultant

Lindsey has just completed a MSc with Distinction (Honors) at the University of Edinburgh’s new Edinburgh Futures Institute where she was Class President. Previously, she was a Senior Manager of Global Strategic Partnerships at a global learning organization of 30,000+. Over the past 10 years, she has worked in Rwanda, the UK and the US, launched a business in Costa Rica and is currently building a new futures festival in Portugal! She is based between Edinburgh, Scotland and NYC.

Connect with Us!

We love reconnecting with our alumni and hearing your stories post-Westerly. Please email advancement@westerlyschool.org and share milestones, Westerly class connections; additionally, update your contact info and let us know what you've been up to since Westerly, or if you’re willing to mentor or network with current students, recent alums, or even peers who may be looking at switching careers or fields.

Westerly School of Long Beach

562-981-3151

advancement@westerlyschool.org

westerlyschool.org