Lumina at Westover | November 2025
Throughout November Lumina served as a time and space for students, faculty, and staff to appreciate friendships and the smaller moments of life, honor traditions and holidays, and discover peace in silence.
Here are the overviews from each Lumina hosted this past November.
Nicole opened up about her relationship with Maggie, sharing how she came to realize that Maggie is not just a teacher or advisor. She is someone who discovered Nicole’s strengths and has supported her growth each day at Westover since their first interaction during Nicole’s 10th-grade chemistry class.
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Remembrance Day at Westover - November 6
The first Lumina of November is dedicated to honoring every Westover alum who has passed away in the last year with a reading from the Book of Names. This tradition is known at Westover as Remembrance Day.
This year, Westover also honored El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, during Remembrance Day.
Before the reading of names, Valeria A.R. ’26 and Maria R.C. ’26 shared the importance of El Día de los Muertos within Mexican and Latin American cultures, along with memories and life lessons they gained from celebrating this holiday with loved ones.
“El Día de los Muertos teaches us that remembering is a form of love,” said Maria. “It’s not about mourning; it’s about celebrating the bond that time can’t erase.”
In the second half of Lumina, Westover’s Vita Nova, or Book of Names, was opened to honor all Westover community members who have passed this year.
Science teacher and 11th and 12th Grade Dean Maggie Nuñez-Fernandez ’98, P’27. prefaced this tradition for new community members by sharing a sentiment passed down each year:
“This is a reminder of our mortality––of the fact that we will all die one day––and also a reminder that we are all part of a larger whole: the thousands of people who have made Westover what it is today, and what it will be tomorrow…today, it is our honor to remember them and continue the legacy that started while here at Westover.”
Per tradition, this year’s first and second heads of school Meghan B. ’26 and Zuri K. ’26 stepped up to the podium to spread light and honor Westover’s generational community by reciting the Book of Names as everyone in Chapel remained silent, honoring the legacy each person had at Westover.
The solemnity and reflections from this Lumina remind our community that we can all build meaningful connections with those around us at Westover and beyond.
Building Community through Song - November 13
The power of song and music continues to connect Westover students with one another. This Lumina revealed discoveries on how song resonates within oneself, Westover’s community, and the greater world.
To introduce each song, a Lumina head or Glee head shared the song’s history and its significance to Westover. This interactive Lumina also allowed individuals to step up and share the stories they cherish for the song Westover’s community was preparing to sing next.
Greta D. ’26 introduced “Jerusalem,” an Episcopal hymn that has long been a part of Westover’s history and traditions since its founding in 1909.
“I enjoy this song because of the beautiful melody and so does my mother [Heidi Bosek ’96, P’26],” Greta shared with the community. “When she was a student here, this was her favorite song. Now, when you think about the lyrics and ask what could be so special about bringing Jerusalem to England, it means to bring a piece of home with you wherever you may go.”
Today, “Jerusalem” and other songs that are a part of Westover’s songbook find new meaning for each individual who sings them.
Whether it is a classic Girl Scout song, like “Make New Friends” and “Barges,” or a new addition like Wicked’s “For Good,” the Chapel was filled with a united chorus, demonstrating a collective harmony with one another and the world around us.
Honest Reflections on Gratitude - November 20
Before Thanksgiving Break, Westover’s community gathered in Chapel once more for Lumina. With full hearts and excitement to see family and friends over break, this Lumina’s purpose was to understand and express gratitude.
First Lumina head Isabell P. ’26 grounded the Chapel with a quote from American educator Randy Pausch: “Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.”
With an opening reflection on gratitude’s relationship with mental and emotional well-being, Director of Wellness Alyssa Tattersall stepped up to the podium.
Ending her reflection on humanness and our ability to feel multiple things at once, Alyssa shared, “Gratitude works best when it’s honest, not forced. When we allow space for both the positives and the challenges, we build resilience and a deeper sense of balance.”
Each Lumina head then shared a story connected to Westover. Isabell transported the community to her exchange in Australia, expressing gratitude for the care of her teachers.
“The patience I have been given [at Westover] has not just helped me learn material, but it has made me feel safe enough to ask questions, be more willing to admit when I do not know something, and more confident in myself to figure things out.” – Isabell P. ’26
Second Lumina head Kitty C. ’26 reflected on attending Malala Yousafzai’s book tour in New Haven, CT, through Westover. She was reminded of the value of her own education.
“As someone who has grown up in a country where girls’ education is protected, I sometimes forget the significance of my own education,” Kitty admitted. “Malala reminds me that education is a human right and that I should never take mine for granted.”
Nicole E. ’26 concluded the student reflections by highlighting the supportive adults at Westover, sharing her own experience with Maggie Nuñez-Fernandez ’98, P’27, who began as her chemistry teacher and is now her advisor.
“The nice thing about being at a boarding school like ours means you don’t just see teachers in class,” Nicole stated. “You run into them at dinner, in the halls, during advisory…There are more opportunities to talk, to connect, and to build real relationships…”
Nicole opened up about her relationship with Maggie, sharing how she came to realize that Maggie is not just a teacher or advisor. She is someone who discovered Nicole’s strengths and has supported her growth each day at Westover since their first interaction during Nicole’s 10th-grade chemistry class.
Lumina closed with a final reflection from Academic Coordinator and Registrar Hannah Galos and the following affirmations:
- Every day is a new opportunity to learn.
- I appreciate both my strengths and weaknesses because they make me human.
- I appreciate the small steps I achieve each day.
Be Boldly You
Westover School admits students of any race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. As a gender-diverse girls school, Westover welcomes applicants and students who are assigned female at birth and/or identify as girls. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions and financial aid policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs.