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Dear Westerly Alumni Families and Friends,
Greetings from Westerly School! It's been quite a journey since our last newsletter, and we have so much to share with you. Our community continues to thrive and evolve, driven by our commitment to educating the whole child and igniting a love of learning.
In February, we hosted a CAIS accreditation team that met with students, staff, families, and board members. Their recommendations will guide our next strategic plan, ensuring continuous improvement and growth. Watch for opportunities to engage in our strategic planning process, and check our website in September for the Accreditation Report’s takeaways.
In May, we welcomed Mary-Ellen Lavigne as our new Director of Advancement. She began her time at Westerly by providing valuable support to this year’s Out of This World auction fundraiser. This event has enabled us to update classroom projectors and embark on creating a new kitchen space this summer, where students learn culinary arts. If you’re a chef or know a local chef, we’re inviting professionals to work with our students during and after school (let us know by replying to this email!)
In June, we proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024, an exciting milestone in Westerly history as this capped our 30th school year. Do you remember your/your child’s graduation experience? Since then, we have simultaneously enjoyed the summer and been preparing for next school year. We are thrilled to have Chris Wiebe join us as the new Assistant Head of School as of July 1. We’ve also just kicked off Summer with Westerly 2024! New this year is Math Marvels: middle school enrichment and support to foster a love for learning math.
As we reflect on all these accomplishments, we are reminded of the strong foundation built by you, our esteemed alumni community. Your legacy continues to inspire us, and we are grateful for your enduring connection to Westerly. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to hearing about what you’re doing, plus many more shared achievements.
In peace,
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Rebecca Geary
Head of School
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Legacy Spotlight: Nancy & Byron Pinckert | |
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Within the 30-year-old book of Westerly's history, to which we continue adding pages with each passing year, one story that shines brightly is that of Nancy and Byron Pinckert – two visionary forces behind the transformative evolution of Westerly School as we know it.
From their inception as "Westerly Founders Adjacent," Nancy and Byron infused the school with unwavering commitment, blending leadership, graphic design expertise, and architectural brilliance to shape Westerly's identity. Through vibrant campus spaces and meticulous fundraising campaigns, they left an indelible mark on the school's landscape, offering a blueprint for parental involvement and fostering a legacy of community-driven education.
Byron sadly left us too soon in March 2021, but his and Nancy's legacy at Westerly and beyond lives on. Learn more about their remarkable journey with Westerly through the words of Nancy Pinckert:
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What inspired you and Byron to become actively involved in supporting Westerly's Mission in leadership, graphics and built form? Could you share a memorable moment or project that highlights your contributions to Westerly?
We became “Westerly Founders Adjacent” because we were attracted to the like-minded spirit of other parents who were willing to contribute significant energy, talent, and financial resources in the pursuit of their children’s education. We had no idea what it would take to establish a new school, but we applied what we did know to the effort of establishing, maintaining, and growing Westerly School. Byron, as an architect, applied his talent and connections with the commercial real estate community, city planning, and other development resources to assist in the creation of classrooms (at first temporary, then permanent), and a campus that reflected Westerly’s mission of school-wide engagement and curricular breadth. As a board member, he tried to keep the leadership focus and not swerve into areas of partisanship. In addition, he helped create viable funding efforts to allow the school to survive during “lean years” and to establish permanent buildings when it was feasible to do so.
Always in this plan was the concept that all students should engage with each other during the school day. The Quad brought the community together at the beginning and end of the day and between class time. The evolving “sand pit,” volleyball court, and then (eventually) the Westerly amphitheater allowed families to gather with students, faculty, and staff for events and school celebrations.
(Pictured: 8th grader "mentors" gather in the Quad with their Kindergarten and 4th grade "mentees" to read together.)
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 |  | Ray Bizjack, the first head of School, came to my design studio in 1992 and asked, “Why do I need you?” I responded, “You don’t. But I can create graphics as if you have a school, which you don’t yet; materials to attract a faculty, which you don’t have yet; and a student body which hasn’t enrolled yet.” We worked closely together for 10 years creating admissions documents, marketing materials, fundraising packages, summer school programs, newspaper advertising and “The Compass,” Westerly’s newsletter. Byron and I worked together on many Westerly projects but perhaps the most significant was the fundraising campaign “Sending Down Roots” and the construction of the first permanent Westerly buildings. We designed and distributed notebooks outlining the financial and building design campaign to construct classrooms for music and art, a plaza exhibit space, and a formal amphitheater. I believe the result, the Westerly Arts Village, is one of the school’s crown jewels. Also, it established the architectural vocabulary and spatial hierarchy for the rest of the campus.
As Westerly alum parents, how did your experience shape your perspective on education and community engagement? Can you reflect on the journey of your two children through Westerly and how their education here has influenced their adult lives?
Westerly provided an experience for us of contributing to and participating in our children’s education in an “unconditional way.” We strove to contribute to the school as a whole, not just for our children or our children’s classes. We never felt entitled to make any decisions based on the fact we were paying tuition. When our children graduated from Westerly, we continued to contribute to their education in a similar way. Westerly gave us the confidence and desire to participate in these efforts knowing that they would make a difference to more than just our own children.
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced while creating graphic designs for Westerly, during the process of transitioning to the new Westerly's buildings, and/or serving as leaders in the community – and how did you overcome them?
One of the joys of creating graphics for Westerly was working with the different parents who headed the Westerly Annual Fund drive. Each year I would become close to these volunteer parents and try to realize their vision for the annual fund campaign. Producing these pieces was very fulfilling. I was involved in keeping a “consistent” look in all of the materials so that the “brand” of the school would grow in strength. This was difficult because I needed to navigate many changes in leadership and vision through the years. I believe my last piece was an invitation to a courtyard dinner celebrating the completion of the classrooms and administration buildings.
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An example of one of Nancy's designs included the 2010 summer program brochure. Here is the colorful cover of the 12-page informational booklet, giving a vibrant touch to the school's growing summer program. | |
Off to the races! Here's another piece from Nancy's design portfolio for Westerly, an invitation to the Annual Auction, a tradition that continues to this day and the whole community looks forward to. | |
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How do you feel your involvement has impacted the Westerly community and its students over the years?
Regarding graphics, I think I was able to provide an uncomplicated but solid message in all internal and external media about Westerly as a new independent, nonsectarian school in Long Beach. This included the creation of admission documents, print advertising, fundraising campaigns, school event programs, campus signage and branding. Byron’s involvement had a profound impact on the Westerly community as he spearheaded efforts to ensure the school was on solid financial footing and raised funds for permanent buildings. His design of the Westerly campus site plan echoes the original families’ mission of school-wide inclusion and participation in all subjects from academics, technology, the arts and athletics. Byron’s design of the individual classrooms, administration facility and private gathering spaces reinforces this site concept on a smaller scale. I hope that the architecture and resulting Westerly campus as a whole will continue to provide a successful and delightful educational experience for students, faculty, staff and families well into the future.
(Pictured: renderings and the intentions behind the Westerly Arts Village; highlights of the Westerly Master Plan Vision)
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How do you envision the next chapter for Westerly, considering your family's long-standing connection and contributions to the school? How do you see your influence and legacy continuing to shape Westerly's future?
Byron and I had always hoped that Westerly would be a positive institution in the greater Long Beach Community and that the relationship between the school and the City would be strong and grow. For example, the Amphitheater would be a terrific venue for some broader community events. If the “Gymnasium” or “Large Multi-Use Space” ever gets built [part of the original campus design plan], this would also be an opportunity for Westerly to connect with the greater Long Beach community. Westerly may be cultivating this relationship at present. For us it has always been a significant and meaningful future effort.
As a leader, what advice would you give to current and future parents who wish to actively contribute to their children's educational institutions?
Dive in and contribute what you can with unconditional kindness, generosity, and love. Have fun!
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Lunah Vazquez
Lunah Vazquez ('23) began attending Los Alamitos High School after graduating from Westerly last year in 2023. She's excelled there, especially in music, placing in her high-performing Los Al High Show Choir group. She was also one of three freshmen in the elite "Soundtrax group." She competed in Chicago in April as well for her Show Choir finals. We're proud of you, Lunah!
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Helena Donato-Sapp
Congratulations to Helena Donato-Sapp ('23) on all her accomplishments this year; a major one was becoming a new member of the Long Beach Commission on Women and Girls – the youngest Commissioner in the history of the city of Long Beach, California.
(Pictured: Helena stands wearing blue and black in the center of the group of newly appointed Commissioners, along with the Mayor and his staff)
Helena's appointment was unanimously approved by the City Council, along with 10 other members. Mayor Richardson even gave Helena a special shout-out: "These incredible women from across our city will help us shape meaningful policies and programs to uplift women and girls throughout Long Beach ... Special shout out to the youngest member, Helena Donato-Sapp, who is working hard at 14 years old to improve her city. I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome these trailblazers and look forward to working closely with the Commission."
In addition to joining the Commission, Helena has been recognized by a number of organizations and platforms for her advocacy of disability justice, such as The Discovery Channel, National Education Association (NEA), and RECN Team (Rainier Educators of Color); she is also a Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador for Long Beach and, more recently, Los Angeles County! Follow Helena's journey via her website helenalourdes.com.
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Jalyse Rodgers
We recently caught up with alumna Jalyse Rodgers ('21) to discuss her transformative experience at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, DC. Jalyse shared insights on how the program exceeded her expectations, shaped her perspective on law and politics, and influenced her career aspirations. Learn more about her journey and memorable moments below!
(Pictured: Jalyse stands third from the right in overalls and a green shirt in front of the US capitol building)
What inspired you to apply for the SEGL program, and how did it meet or differ from your expectations before heading to Washington DC?
I originally applied to SEGL thinking that it would be a fun opportunity to explore more outside of California and to learn more about politics and the career path I want to pursue. The program both exceeded and surprised me in regard to my expectations. The educational and political aspects were very surprising because I didn't realize how impressive and important our speakers would be. The student living surprised me because I was expecting more of a house-type dorm, and the dorms are townhomes. However, I quickly got used to the dorm life and it became a home away from home.
How did studying ethics and global leadership in the program shape your perspective on law, politics, and lobbying? How did it impact your understanding of global conflicts and international relations?
Studying ethics showed me how skewed the perceptions of political industry are, despite some of its truth. Learning about lobbying was very interesting because of its bad reputation. However, after learning more about it, I came to realize that everyone lobbies in a way, because everyone has self-interest – whether it be for their own gain or an important topic that they're passionate about like climate change. Lobbyist organizations are just organized groups of people to persuade law-makers to create legislation in support of their cause. Now there are many lobbyists that don't consider the ethics behind their movement or how they contribute to passing legislation, which is where the negative perception comes from. While it is a valid perception to hold, it's not all of the industry. Being able to lobby for important issues impacts national and global interest; advocating ethically on a national scale leads to effective and ethical solutions for global problems.
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Can you share a memorable experience or conversation with a politician or other speaker during your time in the program that impacted you?
We had a conversation with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and she said, "Do what you can do and what you enjoy doing, and try your best to learn what you cannot." That was really impactful because a big part of being successful at what you love is doing what you can do. However, at the same time, you have to learn what you don't know how to do to be an effective leader. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, also said, "Leadership is built upon connection and understanding; you have to connect and understand with those you are leading to effectively connect and understand your cause." I really love this idea because leadership isn't about the leader, it's about the people you are working with. The people you're working with are the ones who are going to help you make the change, and if there is a disconnect with your team, it becomes difficult to lead effectively.
What was the most challenging aspect of your semester in DC, and how did you overcome it? How did this experience contribute to your personal growth?
One of the most challenging parts of the program was learning to follow other leaders. The whole program is composed of students who are leaders in their communities and schools, so everyone is fighting to be the lead on projects. So, it was really hard for me to realize and understand that sometimes leading means stepping back and following, especially if you're not an expert on the topic you're working on. It just so happened that on a bigger project that the whole cohort was working on, I was not the person who knew the most on the topic of research, despite my abundance of knowledge. I knew that it would be best for me to take the backseat on that project and help with coordinating and keeping everything up to date, rather than researching and putting things together. True leadership is knowing what role you should take without allowing pride to get in the way, and it took the whole semester for me to grapple with that.
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Now having completed the SEGL program, plus an internship with the Nguyen Theam Lawyers under your belt as well – how do you envision your future career in law or politics? How has your time in DC influenced your aspirations and goals?
After the program and internship at the firm, I want my work to be split between non-profit work and law. Over the semester, I came to realize how important it is to recognize how the law affects people of all backgrounds. I want to be able to offer legal support to those who can and cannot afford it, because the law is not exclusive and everyone should have quality representation.
BONUS: Which of the monuments (or other historical landmarks) in DC left the biggest impression on you, and what significance does it hold in your memory?
The Washington Monument has an important place in my heart, because I used to see it almost everyday. I used to run from my dorm to the monument a couple times a week, and every time I was able to run during the sunset. At a particular spot on the National Mall, the sun hits the Monument and the Capitol at the same time and it's one of prettiest things I've ever seen. Every visitor should go see the Monument and the Capitol at sunset – it's an amazing sight! Seeing any of the monuments at night are amazing because of the lights!
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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.
More ways to connect:
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We are excited to announce a call for submissions poetry and illustrations from our Westerly alumni! We would love to showcase the creative talents of our alum community and celebrate the artistic expressions that make our school proud. If you have poetry or illustrations that you'd like to share, please send your submissions to advancement@westerlyschool.org by September 30. Whether it’s a reflection piece, inspired by your experiences, or any other creative work, we welcome it all. | |
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Spread the word: we are open to hosting Class Parties and Reunions for those interested!
If you would like to help organize these events and keep your class connected, please let us know if you're interested or would like to serve as a "Class Captain."
We look forward to partnering with you to maintain strong ties within our alumni community.
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We also have many opportunities for volunteers and interns!
If you’re interested in giving back to the school and gaining valuable experience, we would love to have you join us.
Let us know if you’d like to get involved!
Please contact us at: advancement@westerlyschool.org
(Pictured: Jiya Murrell, '23, is volunteering this summer as an administrative intern.)
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