Random, funny Westlake memory:
Back in the 1980s, Starline tour vans stopped by Westlake a few times a day on their route through Beverly Hills & Holmby Hills. They typically stopped across from our basketball courts & athletic field (chain link fence), often during PE classes. They'd sit there for a few minutes, watching us (and snapping a few photos), while the guide yammered about how *prestigious* Westlake was, the famous alumni, the many celebrity children, etc. (The van was so close, we could often hear the guide when the windows were open).
Everyone, including our P.E. coaches, thought it was sorta funny, but also, a little annoying. It was a distraction, and there was a weird feeling of being "on-display". (whispering: "Observe, the daughters of the rich & famous, in their natural habitat.")
Our longtime P.E. Dept. head, Miss Welsh, was a real character. She was from Texas, and came across as a very no-nonsense, hard-ass, drill sergeant... but actually had a terrific (and sometimes goofy) sense of humor. One April Fools' Day, she brought a 10 ft. bullwhip to school & hatched a plan with one of her morning P.E. classes to freak out Starline Tours.
I can't recall if a student was placed on look-out or what...but when the van came around the corner, a whistle was blown. All the girls in basketball class, rushed to the chain link fence as the van stopped (some climbing on it), yelling "Help, help! Let us OUT!" -- while Miss Welsh cracked the bullwhip, Indiana Jones-style, behind them! It was fucking HILARIOUS!! The shocked expressions on the driver & tourists; the way the van quickly took off.
In today's climate, Miss Welsh (may she R.I.P.) would have been fired immediately, for pulling such a stunt. Hell, she would have fired for even bringing the bullwhip to school.
