Harvard-Westlake • Studio City • Volume 35 • Issue 7 • May 28, 2026 • hwchronicle.com
Trevor Noah speaks at assembly By Kara Jazaeri Comedian and writer Trevor Noah visited the school for the annual Brown Family Speaker series on May 18. The series aims to host speakers relevant to the school’s community. Specifically, Noah’s book “Born a Crime” is read in the school’s middle school English classes. Noah is also a critically acclaimed television host, author and producer. Student moderator of the event Dhara Jobrani ’26 said Noah’s speaking was impactful in unexpected ways. “I was so happy I was able to interview Trevor Noah for the Brown Family Speaker series,” Jobrani said. “It’s incredible that we were even able to host PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF BRIAN LESAGE him, and being picked to inter- MARKING MERIT: President Rick Commons speaks at the podium during the Cum Laude ceremony as audience members watch. To the right view him was really an honor. I sits Head of Upper School Beth Slattery, History Teacher and Cum Laude Chapter President Lilas Lane and Associate Head of School Laura Ross. was inspired by how insightful he was when I was interviewing him and how genuine he was.” Alice Torosyan ’27 said the event felt especially relevant for students at the school. “What really stuck out to me was what he said about success,” Torosyan said. “It’s really applica- By Abby Ryan enough honors classes to be able bly made it more enjoyable. she dealt with them. ble to my life as a student at Harto still get in the top. If you just “This was a particularly joy“A majority of my academic vard Westlake, and a lot of other 60 seniors were inducted into use unweighted GPA, then you ous ceremony this year,” Lane experience consisted of failures people’s lives here, because every- the National Cum Laude Soci- prioritize people just trying to said. “We started a lovely new rather than successful narraone is really busy focusing on the ety by History Teacher and Cum get A’s and not necessarily pur- tradition of having a few in- tives,” Lee said. “My failures are next thing and the next thing and Laude Chapter President Lilas suing rigor. This tries to be at the ductees take a moment to elab- the reason why I have arrived at the next thing. It’s always good Lane during the Cum Laude intersection of considering rigor orate on the motto of the Cum the destination I am in today. to remember to have a parameter ceremony in Rugby Theater on and performance.” Laude Society as a part of the Without experiencing chalfor success. That topic is talked May 19. The recipients President Rick speaker’s program. Hearing our lenging concepts, positions I about quite a bit, but no one is fell within the top 20% Commons said he students breathe new life into tried out for but didn’t earn and able to put it quite into the right of the class based on a enjoys being able to the ancient wisdom of arête, ideas that were debated by peers words and give such good exam- combination of class honor students who dike and time was a highlight and teachers, my intellectual ples of how that might manifest rank, unweighted Grade have prioritized aca- for me.” journey would be much less nuin daily life. He really brought me Point Average (GPA) demics all year. Andrew Jo ’26 said he appre- anced than it is now.” back down to earth.” “I am extreme- icated Vik Bakaya ’26’s speech Jo said seeing longtime teachand weighted GPA. Sascha Wiley ’27 said she felt ly proud of students about justice. ers at the ceremony was meaningHead of Upper Noah’s speaking was inspirational. School Beth Slattery who work hard “The part that really stood ful, especially those who support“I was really impacted by the said they chose to deL. Wood enough to get into out to me was hearing from ed him beyond the classroom. way he spoke about identity,” cide Cum Laude this that category and the three student speakers who “It was really nice to have the Sally Wiley said. “He read really well way in order to balance Ramberg ’26 who have devoted spoke about the three virtues of opportunity to see a lot of my because his humor makes him what classes people themselves to the ac- excellence, justice and honor,” teachers at the ceremony who genuine. That’s one of Trev- choose to take. ademic life of the school,” Com- Jo said. “There was a great mix have been a part of my journey or Noah’s best abilities — just “The rationale behind how we mons said. “I have been an advo- of empathetic and thoughtful ever since the middle school,” being able to really connect to calculate Cum Laude is, if you cate for maintaining it, because, speeches, but my favorite was Jo said. “The teachers who realpeople on a base level. He has just use weighted GPA, then you as crude as the instrument is, I Bakaya’s about justice because ly stuck with me were the ones this ability to command atten- inspire people at all costs to just want to be able to say to people he made an excellent point who I had a relationship with tion without being overbearing. take only weighted classes,” Slat- who have worked hard and done about how everyone else has beyond the classroom. They His lesson about doing things tery said. “Sometimes we would well that the school notices and their own list of priorities.” taught me a lot about how to right the first time really stuck have kids who had, and not that honors you.” Inductee and speaker Liv Lee stay curious, engage in probwith me.” Lane said the addition of a ’26 said her academic journey is lems I found challenging and be this is terrible, a B- or a C+ on • Continued on A2 their record, but they had taken speaking element to this assem- defined by her failures and how a source of emotional support.”
Students inducted to Cum Laude Society at annual ceremony to recognize academic success
IN THIS ISSUE
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A10
B7
C3
D1
SLIDE Spotlight: New SLIDE co-Chairs were announced for the upcoming school year during a Community Time assembly.
Dinner Decorum: Features Reporters Mila Detmer ’27 and Rebecca Vitti ’27 urge for a resurgence in dinner etiquette.
Glmpses of Graduation: Alumini and faculty discuss the character of the school and reflect on their experiences with graduation.
The Met Mindset: Arts and Entertainment Reporter Audrey Herrera ’27 argues Jeff Bezos should not co-chair the Met Gala.
Jason Collins ’97 Tribute: Community members and friends of Collins share personal stories honoring his life and legacy.