The Forest Scout THE FRIDAY FIVE

OLD SCHOOL: I REMEMBER LFHS WHEN... SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL: A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS

REAL, ORDINARY PEOPLE: MR. SCOTT KRAJNIAK

WE HAVE PLENTY TO 

celebrate

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER MAGAZINE OF LFHS

Editor's Note

cross country season draws to a close, the Asinfamous no-cut nature of the sport comes to an end as the top twelve runners who will run in the state series--regionals, sectionals, and, if all goes well, state--are decided. This obviously leads to some tough conversations, as with any set number, there are going to be those left out. With seven running, there’s going to be an eighth alternate; with twelve making up the team, there’s going to be a thirteenth who missed the cutoff.

This year, one of my best friends was that number thirteen. After opening the season as our number two runner, she was sidelined by a pre-stress fracture in her shin that kept her out of commission for the latter part of the season. However, she was able to bounce back to run one final race at conference on the notoriously fast Warren home course after not running for almost four weeks. Despite the lack of training, breathing problems, and stopping to get sick mid-race, she still finished with an incredibly fast time to end her high school cross country career. She would argue that it wasn’t enough, however. That race put her at number thirteen on the team, so she missed making the state series team by one place. A day or so after this was decided, her normally bubbly personality was notably subdued, so I asked her what was on her mind. She candidly responded by saying that she was worried that this injury had caused her to miss out on her last season on the team.That because she didn’t compete as much as she’d wanted to this season, hadn’t logged as many miles as the rest of us, her entire season was a wash. It broke my heart to hear this not only because of how this demonstrated the way she viewed herself, but also how it reflected her perspective on cross country overall. Part of what makes the sport stand out from the rest is that season records of wins and losses at meets are disregarded in favor of the individual achievements made in every race. What’s more valuable to the coaches and to the team overall is the heart put into every day at practice, and the culture of the team, rather than any season record or meet. 

Cross country is so much more than a numbers game of race times and marginal improvements. While she might not have run in as many races this year, that friend most definitely did not miss out on her season. She still came to every practice, showed up at every meet, and was a vital part of the team, even if she wasn’t racing. Looking back, she might not have the data points on athletic.net to substantiate her season, but that’s the wrong way to look at things. Viewing cross country (and life in general) as a series of peaks and valleys and nominal achievements is a mentality that’s all too easy to fall into. For as tempting as it seems, however, it’s just not true.

This conversation with my friend made me realize that what she’s feeling is a sentiment that extends far beyond the cross country team. In particular for the seniors in the thick of college application season, this perspective is especially relatable. The way the application process is set up is designed to make someone slap a label all of the high points of their high school career. This results in a kind of despair as some look back on their four years spent here and ask themselves if they’ve done anything. After all, if you don’t have the titles or awards or state championships to list on your resume, what have you done with your time? However, like with cross country, high school can’t be boiled down to a couple of bullet points on an application. It’s impossible to quantify every lunch period conversation, or after school just-for-kicks Target run, or friendships formed through AP chemistry into something you can put on a resume. So much more happens during high school than any success you can put into words. Five, ten, fifteen years down the road, the times she ran her senior year of high school are not what will stick out in my friend’s mind; rather, she’ll remember the laughs during practice, the bus rides to the meets, and the teammates she saw more often than her own family during the season. It’s a twoway street, too; her value on the team is so much more than any race she could have run. She gave her heart to the team, and that is better than any personal record or place in a race. In the same way, you shouldn’t feel like you haven’t done as much with your time at this high school just because you don’t have the labels to prove it. 

One question can yield a variety of answers. When prompted to fill in the rest of the statement, “I remember Lake Forest when…” via a Facebook message or email, both recent and long ago alumni responded with answers that covered a variety of topics and events. Since its beginning, the Lake Forest/ Lake Bluff area has seen a plethora of changes. Whether it be building a new restaurant, adding a storefront to Western Ave. in Market Square, or renovations to the high school, change is inevitable. In this new weekly segment, former residents and students of Lake Forest High School and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area share their memories about Lake Forest during the time they called it home. “I remember Lake Forest when everyone would gather in front of the train station in East LF for donut holes and hot chocolate right before they turned the Christmas Lights on the big, beautiful tree in the Square.”  Debbie Berger “I remember Lake when the rec center was in downtown LF and we roller skated every Friday night, drank green rivers from the “pop” machine, and had dances upstairs on the 2nd floor.  And, of course, I can’t forget Kiddles.  Great times!” Debi Kiddle (’74)

“I remember Lake Forest when Gorton Community Center was Gorton School. I went there for 5th-6th grade. I was just in the building the other day with one of my children pointing out where my classrooms and lockers were. Once a week, I would walk across the street during lunchtime and take a piano lesson from Mrs. Arquilla.” Terri Kreutzer “I remember Lake Forest when I would walk to the old Deerpath theater. They had Saturday matinees for 25 cents with a newsreel before the show. Popcorn was also 25 cents. I also remember Maxie Kohn’s neighborhood store on McKinley and Woodland with shelves of penny candy.”  Peg Wills (’74) “I remember Lake Forest when you knew practically everyone; the football games were AWESOME on Lindenmeyer field with Tim Weigel and the best team ever! We had the longest conference winning record for 3 years! Great memories.  Judy Day (’62) “I remember Lake Forest when my father was still a cop at LFPD. That was in the 60’s and 70’s. Society wasn’t so crazy and crime filled. A lot of great memories from back then.”   Maria Robinson

“I remember Lake Forest when ….31 Flavors was the place to go after any nighttime school function or sporting event; when, in the early days, Marshall Field’s, only carried women’s clothes so Mrs. Field didn’t have to drive all the way to the city to shop; when Little Red Hen was the best place for chicken; the Silo had a big bar in the middle of the first floor with some kind of fire that lit up the very dark room, the Silo’s upstairs was for 21 and older only; when Mr. Pasquesi (at Pasquesi’s, not Left Bank!) held court behind the counter and you felt special if you got to sit in the back room); when there were 2 campuses for LFHS and a shuttle Bus that ran back and forth; when there were massive beach/bonfire parties in the summer; when games at Lake Forest Days were 25 cents and the rides were not much more; where leaf burning was allowed in the fall and fireworks were okay on the 4th; when we stayed out all day playing in the summer and came in when we heard our Mom ring our specific bell for dinner. Growing up in this town was a real gift and I am thankful every day for it.”  Erin Murphy Foley (’84)

“I remember Lake Forest when I could walk down to Lake Forest College, stand at the chain link fence & watch Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Refrigerator Perry and so many other amazing Chicago Bears players practice their craft! ” Lorie Tewes, (’82)

“I remember Lake Forest when Sweet’s was in the middle of that block on Deerpath closer to Walgreens and they opened up the muffin shop where Sweets is now. I worked at both places–so much fun. Marcy Griem Calaway, (’89)

“I remember Lake Forest when we chopped “I remember how you could hear live down a live crab apple tree in full bloom and music in the gym as you walked in from put it on the middle of the old east gym to the parking lot to the east of LFHS and decorate for our junior prom. –Joye Wright you knew it was going to be so much fun Hurthle, (’53) dancing with everyone there together.” “I remember Lake Forest during the preppy Jan Larsen Polep, (’62)“I remember when, handbook days, carrying bermuda bags, LFHS had a fountain soda machine in the shopping at Lily Pulitzer for hairbands, and lunchroom. Loved the 7up. I assume it wearing sweaters monogrammed with our would be heavily taxed today. I initials. I remember the toy store where Sweet remember the one pay phone to call for a Pete’s is now, and buying pantyhose and ride home. And Mrs. Waldeck in the dresses at Marshall Fields. I don’t miss the old attendance office.”  Kristen Buck Chun beach but I remember it, and I believe the last “I remember Lake Forest when we had “Scoop the Loop” day and night around Market Square, then heading for the beach. Also tobogganing down same said drive, ice skating at West Park. Hanging out at the beach and water skiing during the day time, smelt fishing and bonfires at night. Dancing at Cellar and Big Toe on Friday and Saturday nights (LFHS clubs with live bands held at the old Rec Center in Market Square.) Shopping at all the old stores with girlfriends uptown (Uptown was Lake Forest, Downtown was Chicago.) LFHS football on Saturdays, basketball on Friday nights, cheerleading, student council, talent shows, musicals, proms, awesome teachers and friends and when girls were finally allowed to wear pants around ’68 or ’69.  Many great memories.”  –Karen Fennell Idema, (’70)

movie shown at the theater was The Princess Bride. I remember scooping ice cream for a line of people out-the-door regularly when I worked at Haagen Dazs whenever the movies let out. Ann Cain Rattin (’85) “I remember Lake Forest when football games were on Saturday afternoons! As a pom pon girl we wore saddle shoes. Favorite hangout was Baskin Robbins (now Dimitri’s jewelers) and Left Bank for great hotdogs, but the sloppy joe ruled.” Lisa Carlson (’80) “I remember LFHS when the faculty cafeteria was located near where the faculty workroom is now.  It was packed and noisy every day at lunch.  We called the longest table the “trough,” and everyone looked forward to the turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie that were served the Thursday before Thanksgiving.”  Jane Eccleston (English Teacher)

“I remember when we didn’t have computers on our desks in the office and no projectors–the Social Studies department shared four computers among the entire office and we had to schedule computer labs for classes; that was always a crap-shoot because we didn’t have enough labs for everyone who wanted one and some teachers would schedule an entire semester in advance �� One thing I really like about one to one is the ability to create on the spur of the moment and implement it because everyone has a computer now.  Before projectors, we had TVs in the rooms connected to cable (at least in my room) and students would come in during lunch and watch the NCAA Basketball tournament. TVs were how we all watched the events of 9/11 as well–a stunning day for everyone here and across America. Before the new addition, I remember how teachers had a really nice lunch room that had windows and was a great place to relax and work, even if one didn’t eat there. I miss that a lot.  Ah, progress–I like the new addition. I just wish we hadn’t lost the lunch room that was a great meeting place.”  Nancy Micksch (Social Studies Teacher)

“I remember Lake Forest when I worked on stage or lighting crew for most of the shows during my 4 years at LFHS – and the cast parties when done. Best story was when we did Brigadoon and someone put the fog machine in Mr Criche’s VW bug and turned it on. Needless to say he was “I remember Lake Forest when all the late to the party and very mad.” school sponsored dances were held in the “When remote parking for juniors and seniors  Jeanne Sposito (’70) Girls’ Gym off the north foyer and people, was parallel to the train tracks on Western Capsules compiled including parents and friends, could come Ave. You had to cross the tracks, cut through by Drew Foley to watch from the dark balcony the bike path and then illegally cross bleachers. Sort of creepy, I thought. (My McKinley Ave to get on the sidewalk to school. parents never did that but some of my In order to park in one of those few spots (~20friends’ parents went and I felt sorry for 30 spots) you had to obtain a parking pass from my friends with their parents watching the city. Those parking spots went fast so you them “slow dance” with their dates.) had to get to school at least 45 minutes early.” Sandi Moe (’63) Grace Tivnan Whiteford (’99)

Will School Spirit

SURVIVE? SURVIVE?

Kyle Wix, J.R. Naughton, Holly Malnati, and Katie Pierce all share  their opinion on the question that is perplexing many LFHS students 

After last year’s class graduated, I sort of flowed into the role of one of the Scout Nation leaders. Scout Nation is the club dedicated to supporting our school’s athletic programs. Last year, our senior class did a solid job in supporting their Dear Student Body, classmates’ achievements on the field by going to support them at their games. When I got to high school, one of the I know many of you will glance over this article, or are too biggest things I looked forward to was having the ability to busy to read the whole thing, so I’ll give you the quick support the athletic programs and my fellow peers on the summary now so my message gets across. Our student field. Listen: I understand I am a big sports fan–probably attendance at sporting events–and the football games in much bigger than I should be–but I think anyone can particular–has been downright embarrassing thus far in appreciate going to support their own friends when they 2017. Our football team deserves a better student section play. I play for the baseball team, and I think it’s awesome and school spirit. With it being homecoming week, I when my friends come and watch us play. For this reason, I encourage every student to come out Friday night at 7pm for the football game. It is time we step up as a student body understand how the football players and other athletes must feel when they look up and see a sparse student section. A and show our school spirit and pride with a full student filled student section does a lot for the pride and morale of section for the entire game. With that said, I’ll dive into the team (see football player Colin Lochiatto’s piece on the more detail as to what is actually going on here. subject). A filled student section shows that the student body      If you were one of the few people that attended last cares and is ready to support their team no matter the result. week’s football game you may have noticed the sparsely While we may have no impact on the field, the players feel populated student section, and the Stevenson High School valued and supported when their friends and peers are out students that packed their visiting side of the bleachers. If there watching them play. you stayed beyond the second half, you may have also      Scout Nation has done a lot on social media to promote witnessed the mass exodus of Lake Forest students leaving after halftime as well. I understand the ACT may have been each sport and their respective games. I’ll be the first one to admit we can do a better job at cheering and having more the following day, but the attendance on Friday was fun at the games, and as Scout Nation leader I must shoulder shameful for a big home game for our football team. We a lot of the load myself. But it is also on you, the students, to played a strong Stevenson team that should have drawn a big, rowdy crowd. Instead, attendance was light and by the show up and stay at the games. It is on you to make the choice to support your friends instead of staying home and third quarter the Stevenson student section had more making poor decisions. I understand there are other things people in it than we did. you can be doing on Friday nights, but here’s the thing: there      Let that sink in.      We were embarrassed mightily by a rival school–a school will be hundreds and hundreds of weekend nights in your we consider one of our fiercest rivals–at our own field. As a life to party it up, but there will only be about twenty home games in your high school career, depending on the big Scout athletics fan, I found this attendance to be extremely disappointing. I was disconcerted that my school circumstances. So save it. The point is, very soon there will be no more opportunities to go and watch your friends could barely show up for a home game, while the other compete for your school. You’ll soon be watching athletes in team’s bleachers were full of pride and support. After the game, I realized something had to be done to get our student giant stadiums often fit for hundreds of thousands of people that you don’t know and have no personal connection with. body more involved and supportive of our school.      Since the Forest Scout newspaper began, there have been These people at LFHS at your classmates. Many of them are many well-crafted articles regarding student participation. your friends. They deserve your support.      You can do all the other stuff on Friday nights later in your Articles have encouraged students to go to homecoming, turnabout, prom, etc. While the articles were persuasive and life, but during your high school career you should spend the well-versed, the students did not seem to heed the advice of time supporting your fellow peers out on the field. Unlike a school dance or activity, a sporting event is an easy way to participating fully in school activities. I am writing this article to get students to think twice about the choices they have fun with a school activity. You don’t have to worry make. If they truly believe not going to the game to support about dates, dresses, or friend groups. At the games, it is all about being one student body for Lake Forest High School their peers is the right choice for them, then so be it. and having fun cheering on our fellow peers. That’s about as Hopefully, after reading this article and considering the easy and fun as it gets. options at hand, students will gain a new perspective and      As we all know, this week is homecoming week. There is thought process of what it means to be a student here, and no better time to start showing your school spirit and  what it means to support your friends and the school.    

Part 1: It Takes a Nation

support of our our students. Throughout the week, I have seen many students participating in spirit week, which is a great sign of school spirit. With the pep rally during school, and the cookout before the game, there are plenty of opportunities to show up and support the Scouts. On behalf of Scout Nation, I encourage everyone to show up and cheer on our football team on Friday night. You don’t have to love football, or be the craziest fan out there (of course we would love that kind of support), but we do want you there. We want everyone to show up and display their commitment and pride for our school. That is what these activities are all about: taking pride in your school and your peers out on the field. For those of you that decide not to come, I hope you think twice about what you choose to do otherwise. The one thing I know is that those who decide to show up to the game will have a great time supporting their school and their team. Win or lose, big crowd or small, we are all Scouts and that is what this week is all about. There is no exclusivity with Scout Nation. Come one, come all. The more, the absolute merrier.      The football game is Friday night at 7pm vs. Warren Township High School. Student Council is hosting a cookout at West Campus before the game starting at 5:30pm. For Scout Nation, we are keeping it simple quite simple. Wear your best blue and gold Scout gear and show up with a great attitude and spirit. I encourage everyone to show up, pack the stands, and embrace everything the game has to offer. Grab your friends, carpool, wear coordinated outfits, text in a group chat, whatever you have to do to get as many people there as possible. Our football team deserves and needs your support to get back on track. It is on us, the students, to do our job and show our support to our friends out on the field. Let’s end homecoming week together with great school spirit at West Campus as we watch our Scouts get back on track with a big win over the Warren Blue Devils. See you all Friday.

Part 2: We Have Plenty to Celebrate It goes without saying that in terms of student support, nothing beats Friday night football games. Especially for the players.      There has been a lot of recent uproar about the lack of a student section and spirit at athletic events. Whether it be intentional or not, this anger has been rooted from the socalled “weak attendance” at the football games. Now, I do not want to attack the football team at all– I love Friday night games as much as the next person–but there seems to be some confusion. These accusations towards LFHS students are frustrating to hear. There are students who get together every Friday and make signs for each of the football players; there are students who cheer at the top of their lungs during every play. I would like to remind you that football has the largest fan base here at Lake Forest High School. They are the only sport or activity at LFHS with enough fans to warrant a designated “Student Section.” Therein lies the problem.      The football team walks out to hundreds of people in the stands for every single game. You may hear them preach school spirit and advocate for people to skip out on other Friday night activities to go and support them at Varsity Field, or to make the trek to another school. And lots of kids do. Again, I am not trying to single out any one group or program, but football is a prime example. The fame, glory, and support that they get from fellow students is unmatched in comparison to other sports. While it’s true that I have never seen such a small crowd at an LFHS football game as I did when we played Stevenson, I never once felt that the team was unappreciated.      Why? Well, when was the last time the soccer teams ran out to more than ten students in the stands at one of their home games? What about field hockey, who is often relegated to playing on weekday nights and Saturday mornings instead of primetime? Or swim and dive, who has had multiple athletes place in state competition in the last five years? If you want to talk about school spirit–or lack thereof–we should talk about the things that don’t even have a fan base before we discuss football. At a majority of the other events here at LFHS, including but not limited to other athletic teams, you can commonly find solely parents supporting their children.      There are so many things offered at Lake Forest High School that go unrecognized and I don’t think it’s fair that no one is talking about them. We have people who are committing to Division I schools for sports like cross country, we have a choir that is singing in the Vatican this 

spring, and we have so many other groups of people that deserve a fan base like the one football gets. These hard workers go unnoticed at times and continue to share their talents with the few audience members they have. And they do so because they love what they’re doing.      I want to make myself clear: I don’t expect everyone to drop everything and attend every school sporting event– no one has time for that. I think people also need to recognize that students have busy lives and if they aren’t attending a football game, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are out “partying.” That accusation is off base in addressing the student body as a whole. In fact, it most likely means that they have something else going on that is important to them, just like football is for the members of the team. For example, this weekend girls cross country was running at a big meet in Peoria on Saturday morning, therefore they were unable to attend the football game. Two weeks ago, some LFHS students opted to skip the game against Stevenson because they were taking the ACT the following morning. Those are just a few of the reasons students may miss a football game, and they’re completely justified. Furthermore, it is upsetting and unwarranted that some assume that if students aren’t at a football game, they must be making poor decisions.  I know this wasn’t the direct intention of the previous open letter, but those who were not there need to be defended.      With all this being said, I believe that we should strive for high attendance at all events. For those who attend the football games, keep up the good work. For those who don’t attend them, that’s okay, too. I do encourage people to go because they are extremely entertaining, especially with friends. However, what I really encourage is to go out and support the other extracurriculars offered here at LFHS that don’t receive the support that they deserve. There are so many things to celebrate at such a wonderful high school, and it is important that all of us receive the appreciation we deserve. Attend a play for the sole purpose of watching it, not for extra credit; go to a volleyball game or to an Orchestra concert. Those students devote as much time and energy as any athlete at Lake Forest High School. You’re probably thinking: “I’ve never heard them complain.” You’re right, they haven’t. But they could. Every LFHS student puts in hard work and dedication in their respective hobbies, and that deserves just as much support as any team.      We have so many talented people that walk these halls every single day. We are athletes. We are musicians. We are club representatives. But most importantly, we are Scouts. And that, in of itself, deserves to be recognized.

-Holly Malnati and J.R. Naughton

Part 3: When We Work Together, Spirits Stay High I’ll be the first to say that a football game on a Thursday night is a bad idea.  But a football game on a Thursday night with eighty eighth graders and about 110 exhausted high schoolers is another story.  I was nervous about the game; we wanted to give the eighth graders the best experience possible, encouraging all of them to join band next year in the high school.  But something else happened that I wasn’t really expecting.      After a long pre-game, we played songs with the eighth graders for an entire half.  Halftime was phenomenal (obviously, because it was Star Wars), and the eighth graders were dismissed afterwards.  Since it was a Thursday night, we gave all the high school band members the option to leave after halftime as well, and, to my surprise, almost all of them did.  This is where I wondered what we would do.  About 15 band members in total stayed, leaving us with no low brass, and very few high voices.  But all the players who stayed were strong players, giving us the ability to play almost any stand tune we wanted.  Most of the drumline stayed, playing cadences and keeping our spirits high.      At one point, I looked over to the student section and saw that they had about the same number of kids as we did.  After our lead snare William Steck talked with the remaining students, we moved over to their section to join our sections together, even closer than we’d been before.      At this point in the game, we were losing 20-0, the parent section was nearly empty, and the Lake Zurich student section was roaring with energy.  Yes, in comparison to them, and to our football team, we looked pretty pathetic.  But the 30 of us kids did as much cheering as we possibly could.  And we did it together.      The band has certain dances that go with cadences, and when we were with the minuscule student section, we did those dances together.  When we played songs, they sang to them.  We did cheers together.  We were losing, but we still cheered together.      That’s the thing about our school spirit.  Yes, I believe that we need to improve our student turnout.  Yes, I believe that we need to work together.  But that improvement is going to come with acceptance.  And we accepted each other at Thursday’s game.    

Everyone talks about moving next to the band like we’re a foreign country.  In reality, we are just as spirited as the most enthusiastic members of the student section.  After all, we are students.  We love football games, no matter how badly we are losing.  We love spending time with each other, cherishing that time under the lights in the cold, forgetting about tests we took that day, or a fight with a friend, or a busy weekend ahead.  We leave all of that behind when we cheer as a band.  That’s why I love it as much as I do.  I just wish we worked together more.      The student section moving next to us gives us an opportunity to share that feeling.  We want the students to realize that we are students too, with just as much love for our school, Scouts football, and school spirit. Nothing compares to the feeling you get when you play “Sweet Caroline” and people sing the words as you play. Nothing compares to the feeling knowing that your spirit is shared by others.      So the next time you are at a game (perhaps even Senior Night), sitting in the student section, turn towards the band, towards your peers, and give us a smile, or a wave.  Sing along to our songs with us.  Cheer with us.  Support others with us.  Let’s work together to support our school; the football team may have lost on Thursday, but the band and the students most definitely got the win.

-Katie Pierce

'You Can't Take It With You' showcases talent and teamwork “You Can’t Take It with You” is as eccentric a play as the family it portrays. Combining communism, chivalry, fireworks, and wall street, this play spans the spectrum of human emotion and experience in general. It takes the star-crossed lovers archetype and sets it against a backdrop so unconventional that it results in a surprisingly profound message in the end.      The entirety of the three acts are performed within the setting of the Vanderhof-Sycamore-Carmichael family home, with the traveling circus of characters cycling through during the various scenes. In short, the play tells the tale of a young couple deeply in love, tragically kept apart by their radically different families. Alice Sycamore, the only “normal” member of her family, is madly in love with the son of the president of the company she works for. 

The man in question, Tony, hails from the very wealthy Kirby clan, and spends the majority of the play trying to convince Alice that their love can overcome whatever filial barrier stands between them.      LFHS’s performances took place this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in the RMA. Despite the heavy thunderstorms that rolled in on the final night, the (somewhat waterlogged) crowds still came in droves to see the latest addition to the LFHS theater department’s impressive resume. Led by a seasoned cast of upperclassmen, the three performances went off without a hitch.      Unless you’re a theater buff, odds are good that you hadn’t heard of the play before its debut at LFHS. When asked what made this particular play stand out, senior Elizabeth Clayton (if you saw the show, you might know her better as Alice Sycamore) said, “ It really has such an important message—to not be so obsessed with the things of the world, things that we can’t take with us—thus putting the whole thing together was such an honor.”      And while it may seem a simpler performance given that the set stayed the same throughout the entirety of the play, the amount of rehearsal time and production it took to put it all together says otherwise. Senior Peter Sullivan, in addition to wowing the audience with his xylophone skills while playing Ed Carmichael, added that, “The show was a lot of fun to put on, but behind the scenes it was a really difficult one to pull off. The whole show is chaotic and fast paced, and we had to get the timing perfectly or else it wouldn’t work. We accomplished this by doing each scene over and over again until we almost went crazy.”      And as far as those iconic stage kisses go between Alice and Tony, junior Jacob Koefelda maintained that he didn’t tell his family about them beforehand.“I wasn’t exactly sure how to casually bring that up, so I figured that I would wait and let them find out on their own,” he said. “My cousin came up to me after the performance and said, ‘Jake, I think you just scarred your mum for life!’ My parents remained silent.”      All actors credited the directing skills of Mr. Pulio as a large factor in the play’s success, in addition to the community the cast formed through countless hours spent in rehearsal. Elizabeth said, “While playing Alice Sycamore was a bit difficult for me, as I am not used to playing the happy love interest character, my fellow actors supported me and made the experience so much better! Mr. Pulio is also an amazing director. While he can be really hard on us, it’s because he really cares and wants to push us to do our best.”

-Grace Scheidler

National Merit Scholars  seize excellence Last Wednesday, the 13th of September, the 2018 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists were announced. Four of them are our very own Lake Forest High School students: Elizabeth Porter, Caroline Skinner, Isabel Rosa, and Victoria Walsh. 1.6 million high school students in more than 22,000 high schools across the United States entered the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT, and 16,000 students qualified to be semifinalists.      Though 16,000 may sound like a large number at first mention, it represents less than 1% of the nationwide Class of 2018. Semifinalists are selected based on their PSAT score, and now have the opportunity to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.      To say being a finalist is impressive is a dramatic understatement. Simply put, it’s like being an AllAmerican for academics, and by no means should be treated casually.      But here’s the catch: all four of Lake Forest’s finalists took the PSAT cold. No practice, no knowledge of the test’s content, no nothing. They accredit keeping up with their strenuous schedule consisting of multiple APs for their success on the test. All four girls are, naturally, Magna Cum Laude and challenge themselves in the classroom. Elizabeth Porter went into the test unaware there would be scholarship opportunities. “I knew when I got my score back later in the year that there was a good chance I’d be a finalist, but going into the test, I didn’t even know that scholarships were possible.” Isabel Rosa, another scholar, also was in the dark about the scholarship possibilities. “I didn’t really know why we were taking the PSAT, but I found out afterwards I could possibly be a semifinalist.”      Now that they’re semifinalists, all four girls are going to proceed with the application to qualify to be a finalist. The application must include a recommendation from a Lake Forest High School administrator, a written essay, and one additional SAT score to validate their PSAT performance. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation also evaluates semifinalists’ academic records, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, employment, and all honors and awards received during their high school tenure. 

“It’s essentially another college application, but it’s worth it.” Skinner mentioned, “Since we’ve made it this far, we might as well proceed with the process.”      This February, 15,000 finalists will be announced and half of them will receive scholarships based on the same application they previously submitted. Scholarships vary in funding from the National Merit Corporation to corporate or college sponsored scholarships.

-Brett Chody

The choice is yours, LFHS On August 31st, the Illinois Senate voted in favor of SB (senate bill) 1947, also known as the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act. The House approved the bill only days before, and both sides of the political aisle declared it a success. However, there is one seemingly minor part of the bill that seems to be going unnoticed.  There are ample suggested changes in the Physical Education and Driver’s Education programs in Illinois’ public schools: the state wants to reduce the requirement for PE from five days a week to three, and they are also permitting public schools to hire outside companies to run the driver’s education program.      As a teaching assistant for the freshmen Wellness for Life course, this is a scary proposition.  Not only do we need physical activity every day for our day-to-day health, but P.E. can provide a break in the day, especially for students with a rigorous schedule.      P.E. teaches students teamwork and persistence in difficult situations.  Wellness teaches us how to live healthy lifestyles, while teaching us skills that we can use for living independent lives in our futures.      As a T.A., I am able to make connections with peers that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to make otherwise. The freshmen all have stories that deserve to be heard, and in being a T.A. I am graced with an opportunity to hear them. I observe them playing sports, cheer them on and help them get the basket or the goal they deserve. I observe these freshmen learning about teamwork, to see how passing the ball will give them more success than keeping it to themselves. These opportunities to learn have the potentially to be phased out–or at the very least minimized–thanks to the new law. Aside from that, downgrading the requirements of P.E. means cutting fulltime employment. Whose load would that decrease? Would it be Mr. Firodirosa, the only former professional athlete that our school employs, who teaches young men and women to be strong, tough, and kind? Would it be Mr. Busse, who teaches scores of freshmen with an 

unmatched energy and enthusiasm? Ms. Anderson or Ms. O’Donnell, who have so selflessly taught so many young women that it is possible to be a great teacher and a great mother? The caring and compassionate Mr. Werner? The ever-optimistic Mr. Landvick? None of those teachers deserve this. Each of them have earned their status at LFHS.     As for the Driver’s Education part of the law, I can attest that the Driver’s Education program at Lake Forest High School is one of the best around. Some of my fondest memories of my sophomore year include unusually warm days in the beat-up Driver’s Ed. cars, listening to Mr. Webster’s rocking playlists, and getting away from school for a little bit and going for a drive during my day. If these outside companies come in to run the program, all of the memories that I have will not be a reality for future sophomores and students who learning to drive. Not only do I have fond memories of Driver’s Education here at Lake Forest High School, I have skills that I will use for the rest of my life. I don’t know a single one of my friends who has had a driving incident since taking the class here at the high school. I feel safe in tough situations (and by tough, I mean trying to navigate around the high school during open house with parents everywhere), and I’m able to drive to do errands and get to appointments with confidence that I drive cautiously and appropriately. I would hesitate to put my faith into a separate company; after all, these teachers have been teaching Lake Forest students how to drive for many years.      While I have been taking the time in this article to disparage this bill, I have to highlight some of the benefits that it does have for students.  Public schools are going to receive funding based off of an ‘evidence-based’ program, a $75 million fund for private schools was negotiated.      But this seemingly insignificant detail about Physical Education and Driver’s Ed. could have very real and very negative effects on our school district, and those like us throughout Illinois.  The real winners in this bill are the private companies and even private schools. The losers are Illinois students.      However, not all is lost. According to the statute itself, districts have the option to decide on the number of days that Physical Education is required in that school.  That means that our school district has the option to require gym five days a week, and the state isn’t mandating that we change that.      As for Driver’s Education, the state is also leaving districts the option to hire a private company to teach driving to students.  That does not mean that districts are required to change to a private company.  

If the district does decide to hire a private company, there are specific steps that the board has to take, like holding a public hearing or get certification from the state.      The bottom line is simple: we don’t have to change the number of days we have gym, or elect to hire a private company to teach us how to drive.  It’s up to the district to keep up the standards that benefit us; yes, we may not really want to have gym every day, but we do need it. It’s up to our district, and our school board, to stand for us, and make decisions to help prepare us for healthy lifestyles in the future.      I remember taking my driving skill test in the dead of winter, on a freezing and snow-covered day in January.  I finished, thankfully with a great grade, and I decided to watch my partner complete his test.  Vividly, I remember standing on the icy sidewalk with Mr. Webster watching my driving partner complete a straight-in park, and Mr. Webster began reminiscing about how much he loved his job.      Mr. Webster has been here for around thirty years, and throughout those years, he has taught hundreds of kids how to drive. He told me he loved his job because of all the people he got to meet, and the lives he’s changed in the process.  On that cold afternoon, I realized how lucky we were to get a teacher with so much experience, and a program that prepares us so well. I can’t imagine not having that. As for his trusty sidekick Mr. Matheson, he is as much a part of the cultural lifeblood of LFHS as anyone. He has led the golf team to numerous IHSA State Championships, coaches the JV volleyball team in the spring, and is always around the high school supporting and promoting LFHS athletics in between those seasons. I can’t imagine our school losing such iconic teachers.      So, it’s up to you, Lake Forest School District 115, and our school board.  The ball is in your court. Let’s keep our programs dribbling (and driving) on for a long, long time.

-Katie Pierce

Inspired by the title of the Lake Forest based movie Ordinary People, in her column “Real Ordinary People,” senior Teresa Fawcett showcases the stories and lives of the real, ordinary people from the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff communities.

There’s a silent buzz in the vents as I am welcomed into the sunny front office–a venue co-inhabited by two of LFHS’ top security and safety employees. One of them, Mr. Scott Krajniak welcomes me and introduces himself with some light selfdeprecating humor when I explain to him Real, Ordinary People’s mission to share the stories of important community members that help to run our town: “You mean kids ask, ‘who’s that old guy with the white hair?’” he asks, laughing.      Mr. Krajniak is the Head of Security at LFHS. He oversees emergency plans, plans the fire drills, lockdown drills, and all the “behind the scenes stuff” that goes on for Homecoming, Prom, football and basketball games. Needless to say, he is vital to the operation of many of LFHS’ major events. Students have probably seen him in the halls, sporting his navy blue LFHS security collared shirt or his neon vest.      Mr. Krajniak grew up in Wauconda, Illinois on 10 acres of vacant land with horses, rabbits, and chickens, hunting, fishing, and “all things like that,” he mentioned. He knew ever since he was a kid that he wanted to go into law enforcement, and after a semester at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, he applied to become a police officer at either Lake County, Lake Forest, or Zion. He was accepted at Lake Forest first, and from there he has enjoyed a 26-year career for the Lake Forest Police Department.      After retiring from the LFPD in 2006, Krajniak became the Head of Safety and Security at LFHS, a position he has been working in for the past 12 years.      With his bright neon vest draped over the back of his desk chair, Krajniak leaned back in his comfortable office chair, puzzled in thought. It was difficult for him to articulate his answer to my next question: describing his favorite part of his job here at LFHS. Behind him, his computer screen flickered as it played the live security footage of the cameras displayed around the school. Krajniak took a moment to find his answer.      Evidently, Krajniak finds the majority of his job exciting and enjoyable. However, eventually, he did find the words to sum up the favorite part of his job here at LFHS. 

“The energy,” he elaborated, “[at the high school] it’s never boring, it’s always on the go.”  Whether that entails his roles at football games, dances, sports, concerts, or plays, Krajniak finds the atmosphere at LFHS something that always keeps him on his toes. As to a favorite memory at LFHS? For Krajniak, that was a difficult question to answer. He had to take an afternoon to think about it. After spending 12 years working in the Security offices, I’m sure he has many stories to share. However, it’s his friendship with coworker Michael Rohrs, an employee of LFHS that Krajniak has known since Rohrs went to high school here, that is set apart as one of Krajniak’s favorite memories at the school. Rohrs, who has now moved on to be a police officer in Las Vegas as recently as last week, could be seen as an understudy to Krajniak, who helped him learn the information that he would need for a job on the force.      For the past few years, Krajniak and Rohrs have been vying against each other in a friendly, yet competitive scaring contest. Krajniak has hid under desks, moved ceiling tiles, and come in after work hours have ended, just to give Rohrs the biggest scare he can offer. It is yet another thing that keeps him on his toes at LFHS.      After 12 years at the high school, Krajniak is no rookie to the halls of Lake Forest High School. He has been working in the Lake Forest community for 36 years, and he knows the ins and outs of the Lake Forest streets and knows the school forwards and backwards. He is a man who works under the humming vents in a sunny room in the front of the school, keeping LFHS safe as a watchman of sorts.     He is a Real, Ordinary retired policeman and current head of Security at LFHS who does more than just protect our building. He, like many other security staff members, are the keepers of the coveted positive “energy” that resides within Lake Forest High School. You can’t put a price on safety, and you certainly can’t put a price on an employee as loyal and as dedicated as Mr. Scott Krajniak.

-Teresa Fawcett

Real, Ordinary People: LFHS' Eliza Hoobler She wakes up, cooks something for breakfast, and grabs a tap tap. I had to stop senior Eliza Hoobler here in her description of an average day in her life in Morne Rouge, Cap Haitien, a small town in Haiti she and her family visit frequently to volunteer in an orphanage and school located there. A tap tap? “It’s a type of taxi car,” Hoobler explains, waving her hands to show me the length of two benches in the back behind a regular vehicle. “When you want to get out, you tap.” It is evident, based on my pure imaginations of what a tap tap may look like, that Morne Rouge, is far, far from home.      And home for Eliza Hoobler? That’s Lake Bluff, Illinois. The town she has lived in since she was 2 years old. She was raised on the quiet suburban, ravine-cutting streets; she has been educated in the public schools, eaten the ribs from the annual rib fest, and watched the 4th of July parade from a perch on a curb on Scranton Avenue. Hoobler would describe herself as a child as “a pretty chill kid,” and when she wasn’t running around the ravine with friends, her nose was in book, or she was participating in a mix of activities – playing with princesses, or skipping around in mud.      In high school, Hoobler has been involved, like she was as a kid, in a mix of activities. However, as a teenager these activities have taken more of a mature role in her life. From her involvement with her Youth Group, SHYG, to being a small group leader of a group of 12 3rd grade girls at her Church (she has been leading this small group since the girls were 1!), to volunteer work in the community, to her involvement in Haiti, she has a busy schedule.      Hoobler and her family have been going to Haiti since she was 13 years old. They travel to an orphanage in Morne Rouge 2-4 times a year where her purpose there is to do simply as much as she can. She helps kids and teenagers with their schoolwork in subjects ranging from algebra to French. She spends time with the kids, gets to know them, listens to what they have to say, and the stories they share. A favorite memory of hers is hosting a movie night at the apartment her family owned in the town, making spaghetti with a big group of the kids and sitting down to a popcorn filled late night. And although these relationships with the kids are difficult to form at first and they take time, Hoobler recounts, “the rewards of that relationship outweigh any of the distrust.”      One of the biggest challenges for these kids in Haiti, says Hoobler, is language. Although in Haiti, spoken word is conversed in Creole, school usually is taught in French, while the kids in the orphanage in Morne Rouge, Cap Haitien are taught in English. For the kids who don’t know French, life outside the orphanage will be very difficult. 

Hoobler tries to help with this, as an AP French student at LFHS, a native English speaker, and a student of Creole (when I asked if she was fluent in Creole, she responded, “I hope so!”) Although the school system the kids in the orphanage work through is “a self-paced American homeschooling system from the 50’s,” Hoobler, and the hardworking orphanage staff are doing what they can.      It is difficult, however, for a 17 year old senior in high school to fly to Haiti as often as she would ideally fly. Balancing school, activities, friends, and Haiti is a unique, but complex dilemma in Hoobler’s life. The constant shifting and spending time with the kids to running back to Lake Forest High School can be emotionally taxing, tiring, and difficult to keep up with.  However, Hoobler explains “I don’t know why [going to Haiti] wouldn’t be for a reason and something in the future.” Next year at college–a decision she, admittedly, is still undecided about– she plans to study either nursing, public health, holistic healing, or a mix of the three. She would like to work in an area with poor public health, maybe a reservation, the inner city, or perhaps Haiti, the country she has been visiting since she was 13 years old.      Back home, Hoobler takes advantage of the town she was raised in. Her favorite things about Lake Bluff includes the education, the safety, and the beauty of the town. For Hoobler, Lake Bluff is a good place to grow, learn, and flourish. Kids can be raised without constantly fighting the culture and fighting the town itself, they can grow up completely themselves.      Back in Haiti, many of the Haitian teenagers will be following similar paths as Hoobler next fall. A handful of the young adults from the orphanage will be attending college next year, and six of those students will be attending colleges in the U.S. From Seattle to Montana to Indiana, perhaps Hoobler will be near a Haitian peer wherever she finds herself next September.      Hoobler describes her role in Haiti as “doing what I can in the mess… this thing that can’t be fixed. There is so so much beauty and I love it.” For Hoobler, going to Haiti is something she gets to do, it is an experience where “[she] receives more than what [she] can give from it.” Hoobler carries this demeanor back home with her. Although life at Lake Forest High School involves activities far from a tap tap, Hoobler does what she can in her own community too. Through her church involvement and leadership with SHYG, tutoring at Elementary schools, and her calm disposition in classes, Eliza Hoobler is a Real Ordinary high schooler, Haiti volunteer, aspiring nurse, and Lake Bluffer.

-Teresa Fawcett

EmbRACE: The start of a better future Since my family moved from California in the 7th grade, I’ve attended schools in the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest districts. I’ve lived in the same environment, had the same teachers as my classmates, and was fortunate enough to have the same education, yet somehow I still felt like an outlier as a Latina in a predominantly white community.  Although I was raised to have pride in my Mexican-American culture, I struggled to find my voice in the classroom, often too self-conscious or embarrassed to share a differing perspective from my peers. Lacking confidence held me back from accomplishing the goals I dreamt of for myself. Rather than expressing myself authentically as I was accustomed to doing around family and friends, I allowed myself to slowly slip into the background and began acting out the stereotypes of not making school a priority. I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t, paying more attention to my image than my education. I knew I needed to make a change in order to live up to my potential. It wasn’t until the middle of my junior year that I decided to make those changes.      In talking candidly with some of my other Latina and African-American friends, I discovered that  some of them felt the same insecurities but couldn’t find the confidence to open up. It was around this time that I developed the idea for a racial diversity club through a hallway conversation with my freshman year English teacher, Ms.Lyons, who coincidentally was looking for student leaders to head up a club like the one I was envisioning. We realized that many neighboring high schools already had clubs like these, so we started working together alongside Nadia Rodriguez, a current junior, to develop our own at LFHS.  In preparation for the club, we attended Latinx United at Evanston Township High School as well as a conference hosted by SOAR, Students Organizing Against Racism, that was held at Northwestern University last Spring. Latinx United is a conference held for their Latinx students to offer them a chance to discuss current issues in the community. The SOAR conference was a much larger event that was held for all students, no matter their ethnicity. It moved me to see students of all races–Black, White, Asian, Latinx and others–all coming together to have courageous conversations about race. Both events gave me the courage to have a voice and the inspiration to encourage others to do the same. 

It was a place where I felt like myself, where everyone heard each other’s opinions without any criticism. By the end of the conference, Nadia and I spoke in front of hundreds of students without hesitation. It was easy for me to speak and share my experiences because everyone was there for the same reason: to support and listen to each other.      We are excited to have our first meeting this Thursday, of EmbRACE, a club that is open to all students who are interested in building community, developing racial consciousness, and advancing racial justice. With current events in Charlottesville and with DACA, it seems evermore important to have these conversations.   Ms. Lyons, our faculty sponsor and fearless leader in developing EmbRACE, had this to share about the club’s mission and rationale, “One of the outcomes of living in a monocultural community is to gravitate toward those who are like ourselves, but this is at the expense of forming relationships with others we can learn from. The club is called EmbRACE because we envision it to be a place where students embrace conversations about race, embrace their racial identities, and embrace multicultural relationships as a means of breaking down misconceptions about one another.” Ms. Lyons, Nadia Rodriguez, Leslie Barranco, another club leader, and myself envision EmbRACE to be an environment that uses discussion and activities to facilitate a safe, inclusive space for people of all ethnicities to share what’s on their mind, be it their victories, feelings, or concerns surrounding race in today’s world.      I personally want to reassure students that the guidance and the support system is in Lake Forest High School even if it is not at the tip of their hands. We envision EmbRACE as a club that will push every student at LFHS–regardless of race–to be accepted for who they are in the classrooms, hallways, and in conversations that take place at our high school. We want this club to be a safe place for any student in this school, regardless of whether they’re experiencing racial unrest firsthand or not.      I fully understand that it takes time, resources, people, and most importantly, awareness to change the preconceived notions and attitudes surrounding race. The seeds of change, however, need a place to be developed and nurtured through education and understanding, which is what we envision EmbRACE becoming at our school.      We realize it takes courage to share our own experiences and step out of our comfort zones regarding race and identity. Showing up to that first EmbRACE meeting demonstrates to us that you care about the world around you and see value and potential in our school. Moreover, it validates for me that I’m not the only who realizes that instruction and discussion, which can yield knowledge and understanding, has the power to change our community for the better. -Tori Velazquez

Teacher Feature: LFHS, You've Changed At the beginning of the year for the past thirteen years of my career as a teacher here at this beautiful school, there has been radio silence. When I have asked my students for 13 years if there is anything that I need to know in order to support them, there has been no mention of gender identity or sexual orientation. For those of you who speak Spanish as I do, I mean NADA.      But then this year, something shifted. Kids opened up to me and said that they identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual,  trans, and queer. I’m not talking about just one; I mean a bunch of kids. And the best part? To them it was not a big deal; they just wanted me to know. For many of these kids, what was more pressing to them was what kind of students they were, whether they felt that they were “good” in Spanish, that their parents were divorcing, or that they might be struggling with some anxiety or depression, just like every other kid in this school.      When I read these responses, I began to cry. I cried not because I was sad for the kids, but because I was so incredibly joyful that they knew who they are, that they could name what they are experiencing, and that they are living authentically. I cried that they felt confident and safe enough to share this incredibly personal information with me. I cried because I felt so much relief for them. It was, without a doubt,  one of the best moments I can recall in my entire teaching career.      For many, many years, LGBTQIA students were silent and silenced in this school. In fact,  there was no gay straight alliance until the fabulous Mr. Wanninger began our own GSA, Alliance, in 2010 .  Since then, I have noticed that more kids are out and vocal about who they are. And equally beautiful, kids who identify as straight seem to be accepting and almost dismissive of the issue, as if it is not a big deal at all. The lesson in this? Kids are open to diversity and to change. I have learned much about life in my career as a teacher; one of my truths is that kids are often better people than adults. LFHS, you’ve changed, and I love you even more for it.

-Ms. Marni Levinson

Promoting students, faculty, and community members making a distinct and profound difference at Lake Forest High School

Capsules written by a series of anonymous authors of The Forest Scout

Tom Reau: If you’ve ever played a sport at Lake

Even the titles themselves are difficult to understand. To many, chemistry, at times, can be as challenging as literal rocket science– that’s because it really is–(one of the first labs of the year being the construction of your very own rocket). No college-level class, let alone chemistry, that you take in high school is going to be a walk-in-thepark; it’s just not how school works. But thanks to teachers like Mrs. Sorensen, such an elaborate, demanding style can seem pretty straightforward and, often times, made much easier.       Those who have been lucky enough to have Mrs. Sorensen over the years will know her not only as one of Lake Forest’s most dedicated and outgoing members that the faculty has to offer, but more importantly, what many would refer to as the true embodiment of a “cool” teacher. Whether it’s asking each individual student “what’s new?” or “how’s your day going?” as they walk into class; or effortlessly putting a smile on everyone’s face with her lively sense of humor, there is never a day you’ll walk out of chemistry without laughing–at least a little– here and there and just simply feeling good–even on the dreaded unit test A perfect example of the intertwinement of days. With that being said, it’s fair to Landen’s hard work and cheerful personality, say that Mrs. Sorensen is just as “light work,” is an expression that showcases interested in the personal lives of her the fun-loving yet down to earth personality students as she is in Einstein’s Theory that Landen has. Likewise, Landen has been of Relativity, which is saying a lot involved with athletics and music outside of because she loves anything and school. He  played a significant role in the everything that has to do with success of the sophomore baseball team, chemistry. starting at third base and batting at the top of        Aside from her cool, relaxed the lineup. When it comes to music, Landen’s demeanor, Mrs. Sorensen’s top passion and enthusiasm for the guitar is priority day-in and day-out is the shown through his love for classic rock and individual success and growth of each jam sessions with friends. Whether you see of her students. Teaching both Honors ‘Sner in AP Chem, on the baseball field or in Chemistry as well as AP Chemistry, one of the chorus practice rooms jamming out, Mrs. Sorensen knows the difficulty of you can be sure to expect a beaming smile and the two classes and never falls short ample laughter. of providing extra help and guidance whenever a student asks or when she Landen Messner: At LFHS, students and teachers Mrs. Rebecca Sorensen: From the study of feels that it’s in their best interest. light and Quantum Theory to the principles alike know Landen Messner to be a radiant, From printing out endless amounts of stated in the Kinetic Molecular Theory, respectful, and hardworking junior. One of four practice problems to review for the Messner boys who have either attended the high complex topics are covered throughout the quizzes and tests to staying after class school or are currently attending the high school, course of a typical chemistry class. These, of to personally explaining the key course, can end up being some of the most Landen exists as one of the most well-rounded principles discussed in the new notes confusing lessons you’ll learn in your high students the school has to offer. His broad variety Mrs. Sorensen’s commitment Capsules written by a series of anonymous authors of packet, The Forest Scout career.  of interests include involvement in many AP and  school and devoted effort toward her  Forest High School, then you have definitely been impacted by Mr. Tom Reau even if you don’t know who he is off-hand. Reau is the head of grounds for Lake Forest High School which means he oversees the maintenance and work on all athletic fields at both East and West Campuses. While his work is often underappreciated by the student athletes and faculty members, Reau works tirelessly throughout the year to make sure our grounds are impeccable day in and day out.           For Reau and his crew, work often begins at 6:30 am and continues until 4:30 pm, when the day’s work is complete. With just one turf field at Lake Forest, Reau and his team are always busy ensuring that the grass is cut and paint lines are in place before the sports teams come to play. If you’ve been to West Campus, you’ve probably seen the massive amount of land and grass that Reau needs to cover. Combine that with the East Campus lawn and fields, and you realize just how much Reau is in charge of. Two fields at East Campus, the front lawn, the five fields at West, the three baseball and softball diamonds, Varsity Field, and the tennis courts all fall under his control. Even though the Varsity Field turf is nearly ten years old, an independent turf inspector once commented how great the condition of the field was despite its age. With many games on the turf each year, it is clear that Reau’s hard work and skill have contributed mightily to the quality and longevity of our athletic facilities. When you think about everything he has to manage, you realize just how much Tom Reau does for our school.        At heart, Mr. Reau is a hardworking and dedicated individual that will do whatever it takes to make Lake Forest High School the best around. He is a man that loves his job, his co workers, and this school. His work ethic, character, and hyperbolic humor make him an enjoyable person to work with, and an important asset to our school and athletic department. Here’s to Tom Reau and the work he has done and will continue to do for Lake Forest High School. The next time you take the field for your team, or look at the front lawn, take the time to thank Tom Reau and the grounds crew on their tremendous work to make our athletic and school experience as good as it can be.

Honors classes, baseball, football, intramural basketball, and taking guitar lessons. More importantly, Landen’s amiable, all-embracing, jubilant personality is easily recognized by his peers. One of Landen’s close friends, junior Cece Rytell says, “It doesn’t matter to him if it’s one of his close friends or someone he may only have one class with, he is consistently trying to cheer people up.” It has become easy to associate Landen with a smile and laughter when you see him in the hallways. Landen’s ability to bring people together and foster comfort among them have led to the creation of Landen’s countless nicknames. Whether it be L Mess, L Train, Landino or the classic, ‘Sner, it is fairly obvious that people are drawn into Landen’s approachable and welcoming personality.       In and out of the classroom, Landen is one of the hardest workers you’ll meet at LFHS. Junior Adam Khater laughs remembering Chem Honors study sessions where Landen would, “Always make sure the group finished every single question that was on the review packet and didn’t let us leave until we did.” It is a remarkably important skill to be able to discern when it’s a time to joke around and laugh and when you need to direct your attention to more important things, like schoolwork. Luckily for Landen, he has perfected this craft. His consistent grind on and off the field has coined the popular phrase, “Light work.”

students’ success is unlike any other.      Landen Messner, a junior (who is coincidentally in the Friday Five this week) has been a student of Mrs. Sorensen for the past two years now, described her as “Without a doubt one of the best teachers in the school. Every day I look forward to coming into chemistry class not just to learn about one of my favorite subjects, but also to joke around and have a good time with my favorite teacher.” Natalie Waite: As freshman, we often find a

club to that suits our most resounding passions and interests, which is good. We join tennis or field hockey because we love the sport, join the Scholastic Bowl team because we feel we can dominate at academic trivia, or simply involve ourselves with Big 2 Little because we want to help others.      That’s essentially what Natalie Waite did when she joined the band, but it is her adaptability and willingness to take on new roles that makes her truly a one-of-a-kind freshman. Junior Drum Major Katie Pierce praised Waite for stepping up for the marching band even though she wasn’t able to use her primary instrument, the oboe. “She learned her new role in two weeks,” Pierce mentioned in admiration. “It wasn’t her primary instrument, but she did what was best for the group in a very selfless move.” Although her skills are most adept in the flute choir, Waite saw her involvement with the marching band as a way to grow herself musically, which is pretty mature for a 14year-old with all that she has going on.      Outside of just the choir and band room, however, Waite has made a profound impact on her Wellness for Life course. So much so that her TA, Sean Trkla, was in awe of her ability to make people’s days better and recommended her for inclusion in this week’s edition of the Friday Five. “She always asks how my day is,” mentioned, Trkla, the lively, energetic senior. “She’s always active cheering on a team, not just individuals and she goes out of her way to look for a way to make someone’s day better.” Normally, freshman shy away from seniors and are reluctant to even engage in conversation with them– especially when it is not required for some type of assignment. “She’s different,” Trkla added. “A very nice change of pace in terms of confidence and a genuinely positive vibe.”      As Waite grows older and continues expanding her leadership roles while trying new things in the process, look for her to be a vocal and social leader for LFHS students striving to take on new things with a positive 

attitude. After all, the character traits that exist between the list of clubs and activities on your academic resume are ultimately the most important. Keenan Jajeh: Keenan Jajeh might fly under

the radar in the hallways, but in the classroom it’s a different story. Born of Syrian descent, Keenan is a charismatic, humorous, genuine junior at Lake Forest High School. He can flip the mood of the room completely on Mondays. Those who are lucky enough to share a class with Keenan will agree; Junior Bobby Winebrenner mentioned “There have been times in Enviro where Keenan has made a joke from the back of the room, and Mrs. Davenport has had to stop class because everyone was laughing so hard. Even she would share a reluctant chuckle.” It’s hard to think of Keenan without the thought of his sarcastic remarks popping in your head, forcing you to laugh.      He’s able to relate to many others at Lake Forest due to his vast extracurricular schedule. On top of his already tireless junior year schedule filled with AP and Honors classes, he still manages to extend his workload after school. Keenan’s an avid member of Model United Nations. Zeyad Alam, another key junior in Model UN had this to say about Keenan: “He really improves the Model UN environment by bringing his tech skills to the program. It’s a big help.” Keenan also participates in chess club, math team, ping pong club, flag football, and is a saxophonist for the school band. Senior flag football teammate Cade Coughlin echoed the aforementioned sentiments shared by all teammates of Keenan. “He adds to the practice competition, he’s the only non-senior who comes to practice and has really showed a commitment.” This, yet another impressive club, aligns Keenan with some of the most decorated students at Lake Forest.      Keenan’s also an extremely nice kid who doesn’t mind what others may think of him. He rocks an android phone and embraces the green messages he sends to others, even making jokes out of it. Keenan’s radiating personality appeals to virtually everyone who’s been lucky enough to get to know him. While he might laugh at “roasts” or “flames” yelled across the room, he’ll always go out of his way to pick up a peer when their down, noticing them when most others won’t.

Michael Rohrs: To the sadness and dismay of

all that knew him well, the post-Michael Rohrs era at LFHS has officially begun. The high school’s trusty watchman, who also worked closely with the Security and Building and Grounds Department at LFHS, had his fingerprints on every single one of LFHS’ yearly productions over the past five years. An LFHS graduate, Rohrs knew the ins and outs of the high school unlike anyone else. Whether it was the annual talent show, the fall play, the spring musical, an orchestra concert, or a basketball game, Michael Rohrs was always behind the scenes ensuring that everything ran smoothly and efficiently.       After a tenure at LFHS that garnered that the respect of all that he crossed paths with, Michael has moved on to achieve one of his lifelong goals: to become a full-time police officer. Rohrs has relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada to achieve his dream and–in the wake of all that has happened there in the past month–will certainly have his hands full. But that’s just how Mr. Michael Rohrs likes it.      In his time at LFHS, Rohrs dabbled as a maintenance technician, a master carpenter, an information technology guide, and a watchman. Those who spent a lot of time in the building outside of its regular school hours knew Michael for always being the one with the key to open the door they needed, or just genuinely being the helpful hand that you were always in search of at LFHS. Though Michael Rohrs will be missed by all he has come into contact with in the Lake Forest community, his departure has most profoundly affected his mentor and LFHS Head of Security, Mr. Scott Krajniak, who served as a former police officer and narcotics officer before his arrival at LFHS.      Though we will miss his professional Everyman strut, with his key ring jangling as he marches off to his next job, we are thrilled for Mr. Michael Rohrs in pursuing the future that he so rightfully deserves. Jan Kubata: Being a freshman can be hard.

Everybody knows that. But what about being a freshman 7,300 miles away from home? Well, in watching freshman Jan Kubata navigate his school day and balance his extracurricular activities, you would think it was a walk in the park.       Kubata, who originally hails from the city of Usti in the Czech Republic, can be seen wearing his trademark Vegas Knights snapback with a smile on face sharing his personality with his classmates. 

Whether it be by way of his participation in Mr. Busse’s Wellness for Life class, his creative spirit in Woodcraft, or his natural writing voice in English, Jan is always one who craves human interaction.     In fact, Jan’s optimism and up-for-anything attitude towards having in school has garnered praises of adulation from upperclassmen, which, if you know any upperclassmen, aren’t all too common. “Jan’s one of my favorite kids that I T.A. for,” mentioned senior Chris Cavalaris, who works with Jan in Mr. Busse’s Wellness for Life class. “He’s always involved in what we’re doing. He has fun, but he doesn’t do so in a distracting way. He has has fun within the course curriculum.” Jan (pronounced Yahn), is an avid hockey player who spends many late nights and virtually all weekends traveling to pursue his passion in hockey. Still, the 15year-old Lake Bluff native refuses to complain about homework, due dates, or tests–he just manages it all in stride. For someone who has experienced such drastically different environments over the course of life, it makes sense that Jan is quite the chameleon in adapting to a new school’s culture.     Mr. Tim Haskett: When trying to accurately describe choir teacher Mr. Tim Haskett, one word comes to mind: determined. Mr. Haskett has been working at the high school for many years and genuinely puts his heart and soul into his job. He can often be recognized across the globe as our high school choir director, but he is so much more than that to each and every student he encounters. Mr. Haskett is also in charge of the famous holiday acapella group known as Madrigals and runs the school’s glee club as well. Current senior Trisha Bhagat shed some light on Mr. Haskett’s character.  “Mr. Haskett is one of the kindest and happiest teachers you will ever meet. His passion for music goes way beyond the classroom and the dedication he demonstrates towards his students is truly amazing. I feel extremely lucky to have had Mr. Haskett as my choir director the past four years. He adds so much more to the choir atmosphere than just singing; there is never a day where I leave class without a smile on my face”     While most students only get a teacher once in their high school career. Mr. Haskett’s students get the privilege of having him for four years. This allows Mr. Haskett to create a bond with each one of his students. It is evident both inside and outside the classroom that he genuinely cares for his students and wants to help students create a foundation for 

While most students only get a teacher once in their high school career. Mr. Haskett’s students get the privilege of having him for four years. This allows Mr. Haskett to create a bond with each one of his students. It is evident both inside and outside the classroom that he genuinely cares for his students and wants to help students create a foundation for their music that they can carry with the after they graduate.     Aside from his personality, Mr. Haskett is also one of the most talented teachers at Lake Forest High School. An extremely talented singer and director, Haskett truly leads by example in his practice. This year, the Lake Forest High School choir will be traveling to Italy to perform in the Vatican, along with other churches. This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of Mr. Haskett himself. His kindness and talent is radiant to many here at the school but Holly Malnati, a senior, perfectly summed it up .“ I have had the pleasure of having Mr. Haskett as a teacher for over three years now and I can honestly say that he is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. He always asks me how I am when he sees me and truly cares about my learning in choir. He has allowed me to become more confident on stage and always pushes me to do my best. I am really lucky to have him as a teacher.

The Alsikafi name is one that has developed a reputation for both athletic and academic success at LFHS, all while demonstrating respect and care to those around them. Salma is certainly another Alsikafi bumper crop, benefiting those around her on a daily basis with her smile and personality. Patrick McNeill: At Lake Forest High School,

students know senior Patrick McNeil as a joyful, sports-crazed senior. There’s no doubt that is true; but the teachers who have had the pleasure of having Patrick in class know him as so much more. “Patrick is a great kid,” says teacher Mr. Graham O’Connor Brooks, who knows Patrick quite well. “He is extremely hardworking. He doesn’t know how to give give anything other than 100%.” Work ethic is only one of Patrick’s many admirable classroom traits. In fact, other teachers know Patrick to be creative and innovative when presenting new ideas and strategies for conveying his knowledge in the classroom. He also works closely with Ms. Juli Jennings, his one-on-one aide, and Mrs. Vogler, his LRC teacher these past four years. According to his Fashion Merchandising teacher, Ms. Cole, Patrick is a pleasure to have in class. “He is always coming up with new ideas for the class and challenges his classmates to think outside of the box,” said Cole. “He knows everything Salma Alsikafi: One box on a to-do list that there is to know about NHL and NBA will never be checked off: see sophomore jerseys. Patrick is the biggest Blackhawks Salma Alsikafi in a bad mood. Whether she’s fan I’ve ever met.” bouncing around the halls, running around      Mr.O’Connor-Brooks and Ms. Cole are not the tennis court, or sprinting on the track, the only teachers who recognize Patrick’s Alsikafi always has a smile on her face. “Salma next level effort towards his academics. Mr. is one of the most upbeat and smiling girls I LaScala, a Business Entrepreneurship know,” said good friend and a fellow tennis teacher and head varsity basketball coach at teammate, senior Emily Gorczynski. “There is the high school mentioned, “Patrick is the never a time when she isn’t there to cheer up most committed business student I’ve seen her peers or crack a joke to brighten your at the high school. And I’ve been here for a day.” And when she isn’t laughing and while [12 years],” added the seasoned beaming? Salma is spending time with family, LaScala. working hard in her sophomore year courses,      It’s clear that Patrick has already made or hanging out with friends. quite the impact in the Lake Forest High      As a member of the varsity tennis team and School community and has the work ethic to the track team, Salma has a very busy continually impact those around him for the schedule but she still finds time to balance her rest of his life. Look for Patrick sharing his activities and keep up with challenging knowledge of sports and unmitigated courses at school, including her favorite class, passion for all that he is interested in. 8th period English with Mr. Peter Lubliner, Congratulations, Patrick! Keep up the good the teacher whom she was recommended by work in inspiring LFHS students to be better for recognition in the Friday Five.  She is very each day. easy to talk to, loves to laugh, and make others smile. And she does this all in a good mood. “At home, Salma is still smiling and definitely one of the most optimistic people I know,” said Capsules continue onto the next page senior Yusef Alsikafi, Salma’s big brother. 

Matthew Casper: Entertaining. Intelligent.

Sociable. The first three words traditionally used to describe sophomore Matthew Casper are ones that elicit positive memories. Whether it is learning something new in class by way of his intelligence, sharing a laugh at a joke due to his highly entertaining style of comedy, or just a candid conversation yielded from his highly sociable style, Matthew Casper brings joy to others. “Matthew is the sort of guy who is constantly lightening the mood,” shared fellow sophomore Casey Murray, who shares Latin class with Casper. “He’s always happy to make some ridiculous comment on how crazy life is, and every once in a while he really hits it out of the park and you can’t help but crack up.”      Casper the Friendly Student stacks his schedule with AP (Seminar) and Honors (English-2H, Chemistry-H, Latin-3H, and Math Analysis-H) courses, but also makes time to share his sense of humor in videos with his enrollment in New Media. Meanwhile, his participation as an active member of the sophomore football team at LFHS as a 5’11 160 lb. tight end/linebacker rounds him out as more than just a student. “He’s just a really interesting young man,” shared one of Casper’s teachers. “Always very inquisitive and finds his own unique entry point into whatever topic we’re discussing in class.”      Though Casper’s favorite class might be Latin, as he loves to remark how English has “won” because they have developed more words, Casper makes time for all classes and all students. “Genuinely speaking, everyone enjoys his presence. Whether you’re a close friend of his or not, he makes classes more entertaining and insightful, which goes a long way.”      In high school, positivity and happiness are perhaps the most contagious traits. Sophomore Matthew Casper is certainly doing his part to share the smiles around 1285 N. McKinley Rd. Gina Sobhy: For a 16-year-old junior, Gina

Sobhy certainly can work a room. “As soon as she enters a room, you can feel Gina’s presence,” shared Julia Plotner. Sobhy’s outgoing, can’t-miss personality is shared with the Exec Board of CROYA and many other leadership positions in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff community. A badminton player in the spring, Sobhy, who is of proud Egyptian ancestry, is best known for the genuine way she goes about caring for people. “Everyone that she comes into contact with, whether it’s in sports, class, or just socially, she cares about  

Gina Sobhy: For a 16-year-old junior, Gina Sobhy certainly can work a room. “As soon as she enters a room, you can feel Gina’s presence,” shared Julia Plotner. Sobhy’s outgoing, can’t-miss personality is shared with the Exec Board of CROYA and many other leadership positions in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff community. A badminton player in the spring, Sobhy, who is of proud Egyptian ancestry, is best known for the genuine way she goes about caring for people. “Everyone that she comes into contact with, whether it’s in sports, class, or just socially, she cares about. She truly cares about making the world around her a better place, and that starts within the high school.     One of Gina’s best friends, KelliJean Camardo, values Gina’s friendship for her ability to be trusted. “I can tell her anything,” Camardo, a fellow junior shared, “and she always approaches things without judgment. She understands your perspective first before offering any counsel or advice.” Aside from her trustworthiness, Kirsten Larson, another close friend of Sobhy’s, reiterated the fact that Gina finds the sunshine in each and every day, constantly pushing those around her to see the good in people, situations, and even through adversity. “[Gina] knows to find the good in everything and everyone. She uses her influence to spread a caring, nurturing environment for those close to her.”      Even Gina’s teachers agree that her personable nature is uncommon. “Grea kid, super personable,” shared Ms. Meaghan Laughlin, Gina’s teacher for AP Language and Composition. Of course, Gina’s social nature has been carefully developed and nurtured over time, and most believe she gets it from her parents, who are as equally friendly and kind as Gina. So next time you are in a room and Gina Sobhy walks in, and her curly hair, tall frame, and wide-eyed smile command your attention, you’ll know who we’re talking about. Mr. Mark Kuhl: History, of any kind, can

sometimes drag on to be one of the most incessant, ceaseless classes of the day–dates, people, events all needing to be memorized. Without your daily brew of coffee, staying awake in a warm classroom with the teacher lecturing on about the Battle of Antietam in the Civil War in a gentle tone early in the morning is can sometimes seem impossible. For many prestigious, experienced teachers, such a task has been a challenge since the beginning of their educational careers. To keep a room full of 20 to 25 teenagers, especially those of our absent-minded 

iGeneration, interacted and intrigued about topics such as the agricultural techniques of ancient Mesopotamian society is a job too demanding for even the most outgoing, extroverted members of the teaching staff. Still, despite the rigor and demands required of such a position, one man has been able to effectively share his vast historical knowledge with his students while making the classroom environment casual yet incredibly efficient and informative-for over 31 years: Mr. Mark Kuhl.      Many, including myself, sit back, scratch our heads, and simply wonder: “Mr Kuhl, how do you do it?”      Whether it be his often corny, dad-like selection of jokes or his array of quirky yet humorous mannerisms, Mr. Kuhl finds a way to cultivate the minds of his students with various new aspects of history while always keeping it interesting. Although AP U.S. History is considered by many to be one of the most challenging history courses that Lake Forest has to offer, Mr. Kuhl makes it all worthwhile; believe me when I say it. As an AP course, the content and requirements of such a class can seem brutal at times by students as many cannot comprehend the possibility of remembering a single piece of information from the textbook reading from the night before, or having the slightest clue as to what each historical document really meant. Being one of those paranoid students, I realized there was nothing to sweat over thanks to Mr. Kuhl’s infamous college-style lectures the very next day, as he always made sure to clear the air and provide a sound explanation with his assortment of historical facts that he manages to infuse into each explanation.      One of his former AP students puts it best. “I’m not going to lie, his class kicked my butt. That being said, never before have I learned and been able to understand history before than I did in his classroom. I felt over prepared for the AP exam. Trust me, you’ll learn a lot from this man.”      Mr. Kuhl, being a graduate of both the University of Virginia as well as the University of Northwestern, two of the most distinguished and renowned universities in the country, plus his 31-plus years of teaching experience, Mr. Kuhl, without a doubt, is one of the most intelligent and intellectual teachers to have ever set foot in Lake Forest High School. Though this year marks his final year at Lake Forest before he enters retirement, I can assure you that Mr. Kuhl has left an impact on each and every one of his students over the past three decades.

Lake Forest has been both privileged and blessed to have the dedicated yet scholarly presence of Mr. Kuhl since August of 1986, and will always be thankful for the knowledge and unique style of education he has bestowed upon his students each day. Lincoln Updike: You may know him from his

prowess on the tennis court, or from his stance on the football field at the half-time show, but senior Lincoln Updike is hard to miss. Along with his ability to smack the ball back and forth on the tennis court for the boys varsity tennis team, Lincoln plays barisax in the LFHS band, and is also talented pianist, performing at Honors Band recitals and working part-time as a piano instructor on the side to earn a little extra cash.      Between tennis practices, band rehearsals, and piano lessons, however, Lincoln still finds time to have a good time. He is known for his humor and his infectious smile, and when around him, it is hard to stay in a negative mood. “[He] always does stuff just because people think he won’t do it,” says good friend Augie Cirame.      Updike, a 17-year-old Lake Forest resident, goes above, beyond and out of his way to make others laugh, often challenging the social norm to make his friends smile. If you can’t find him in the band room, on a piano bench, on the tennis court, or hanging out with friends, you can find him in the classroom, where he challenges himself in difficult courses. Ranging from AP Computer Science to Multivariable Calculus, Lincoln Updike is a focused and hardworking student.      Despite all that he has going on in so many different areas, senior Lincoln Updike is certainly someone who is forging a positive path for his little sister Ashley (and many others) at LFHS. Mme. Laura Sperling: For anyone who has

dabbled in a little Francois at LFHS in the past few years, you were luckily most likely to have the lovely Madame Sperling as your teacher. Many people, like senior Madison Davalle, often refer to her as “Mama Sperls,” due to her outrageously big heart and her attentiveness to every one of her students that makes everyone in her class not only feel loved, but important.     While Madame Sperling has been teaching French here at Lake Forest High School for many years, every lesson she teaches is just as entertaining and informative as the lone prior. In the wise words of two year French Club President Emmet Brady, who not only 

has had the privilege of being in her class, but also working outside of school with Madame, he mentioned her as “an easygoing teacher who isn’t quick to snap at students during class.” Aside from just being patient, however, she is forward and innovative at the center of instruction. “From my experience, she does a great job of making learning an interactive experience.” Classes with Madame can include anything, like traditional note taking on verb tenses to playing intense games of Kahoot, eating baguettes with Nutella, or even listening to her favorite French musical artists, Emmanuel Moire.     While Madame Sperling is frequently described as extremely kind, she is also steadfastly dedicated to the success of her students. Junior Jake Koefelda described Sperling as “a fantastic teacher who cares about each of her students, not just academically but personally. She is incredibly friendly and her class will make your day that much better.” A key role in why Madame is such an accomplished teacher is not only because of her genuine nature as a person, but the fact that she leaves no student behind. No student in her class ever feels embarrassed that they are confused or scared to ask a question. Madame is always more than happy to explain anything you are having trouble with in class, after class, or before or after school. Her approachability and belief in every student significantly aids everyone in her class to be able to perform to the best of their ability.      Whether you are a wannabe Parisian or not, Madame Laura Sperling would be there for you in the blink of an eye if you needed her. If you are ever looking for a language to pick up with a phenomenal teacher, or simply a person to confide in or brighten up your day, stop into room 44 to speak to one of the most genuine teacher’s Lake Forest High School has to offer. The hardest part will be finding the room. Erik Luedeking: Though he may be mild at

times, it’s hard to miss junior Erik Luedeking. Perhaps the aforementioned fact can be attributed to “Lueds” standing at about 6’3″ with bright red hair. Certainly that may be part of it, but Erik Luedeking is more widely known by his classmates for his observational humor, no-stress-we’llget-through-this type of attitude, and the shy grin written across his face at nearly all times. In fact, when recently explaining to 

his golf coach, Mr. Jim Matheson, that he had to hustle home from a meet to attend the homecoming dance, he mentioned that he “can’t help it that the girls love me, coach.”      All kidding aside though, people do love Erik, especially on the golf course and tennis courts. Erik competes as a member of the varsity team for each sport, but aside from his ball-striking acumen–be it a little white ball or a bigger yellow one–his demeanor is what rubs off on his teammates. “Nothing better than playing a round with Lueds,” mentioned teammate Scott Frevert, a senior captain of the golf team. “He’s always very complimentary and soft-spoken, but is willing to have a few laughs along the way. And he’s not a complainer. I appreciate that.”      Before his long hours on the course or court begin, Luedeking is always on his game in the classroom as well. The junior, who has now had Dr. Dukats for two straight years of English, proclaims that this scheduling coincidence was “the best thing for him as a writer and a student.” In addition to AP Language and Composition, Erik is enrolled in AP Environmental Science with Mrs. Nawor, as well as the Business Incubator class with Mr. Pulio.      Just last week, Erik took the AP Enviro field trip to the farm, got back to school, hopped on the bus to Waukegan, played 9holes of golf, and went home and took care of at least two hours of homework all without complaint. “That’s Lueds,” Frevert added. “His golf swing takes the ball far, but his kindness takes the person farther.” Peter Sullivan: If you were to ask your

typical high school student what they want to study in college, or even where they want to go to college, you’d be greeted with a blank stare and a cold sweat. Senior Peter Sullivan, however, is the exception to the rule. Peter has  known what he’s wanted to do with his life since his days roaming the halls of Cherokee elementary school, and has taken advantage of every opportunity presented to him so far. In high school, he has been a participant in nearly every production the theater program has put on– Sweeney Todd, Hello Dolly!, Radium Girls, Grease, and Urinetown, just to name a few. At the beginning of this year he also had the opportunity to direct his own One Act, which was, naturally, a smashing success. Senior Cailey Hiam said that, “He’s a strong leader in the theater department and puts a ton of dedication into acting.” When he’s not in rehearsal blocking a scene or running 

lines, Peter manages an academically challenging course load full of honors and APs, as well as staying on top the bane of every senior’s existence–college applications.

On top of all of that, though, Laurie and her colleagues keep the coffee shop moving like a well-oiled machine. This cup is for you, Ms. Laurie Hektor. You are an example of someone that goes the extra mile every day and for that, we thank you!

and Spanish 5 classes after studying Spanish as a major at the University of Iowa. In addition to that, she recently received her Master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University to become a counselor. Some form For those who know him well, Peter is much of music (most days, “Despacito”) along with a more than just a theater buff. In the summers huge smile always follow around Mrs. he lifeguards at Exmoor Country Club, and is Robert Hammond: Every single student at Levinson as she greets her students each day an active participant of the boys swim team to Lake Forest High School attends Math class as they walk in the door.   boot. He’s quite possibly the punniest person on a daily basis. But those who are lucky      Though her title is a Spanish teacher, she is at this high school, and according to senior enough to share their Math period with also the assistant varsity cross country coach. Nell Dasso, “a truly great friend. He’s always junior Robert Hammond know that they are No matter what the itinerary for the day’s looking out for those he cares for and brings a in the presence of greatness. In fact, Robert, practice consists of, Coach Lev is always there smile to everyone’s face whenever he’s who also plays the pep band as one of the waiting for the girls to gather before going off around. He’s a gem and is really an amazing drummers has graced three math classes on their warmup, never forgetting to ask how person.” Between his theatrical aptitude, his with his presence this year: Honors our each member’s day was. As they run, academic success, and his perennial positivity, Advanced Math Problem Solving, Honors either on or off the track, Coach Lev it’s no wonder that Cailey Hiam feels the need Advanced Computer Science, and AP accompanies them on her bike, measuring to tell him, “Don’t forget me when you’re Calculus BC. Just to put that into perspective every step with her orange GPS watch. famous!” for a moment, those are three of the hardest      Aside from running, Sra. Lev, a yoga guru, math classes on campus at LFHS and Robert leads the team through sun salutations, Ms. Laurie Hektor:“ Hey hun, how are you?” is enrolled in all three. In the same semester. stretches, and the everybody’s favorite, It’s a simple greeting. But if you are having a       Despite his affinity for solving for x, y, and Savasana. “This is your time of the day to not bad day, something as simple as that can turn other unknowns, Robert’s other teacher’s think about anything, move away from your it all around. This is the greeting that testify that he is a well-rounded, balanced busy lives. If a thought comes to your mind, everyone gets from Ms. Laurie Hektor, the student. “I never heard him talk about Math realize that it is just a thought and let it go,” head barista at The Daily Grind, as they walk one time until one his classmates mentioned she tells the young women as they relax. into the coffee shop at LFHS. Laurie Hektor that he was giving Euclid and Will Hunting a Some days they get the background noise of works in Food Services at LFHS and is one of run for their money,” mentioned his construction workers or landscapers, but the people behind LFHS’ uber-successful freshman English teacher Austin Scott. “He is when they are lucky, they are greeted with coffee shop. “She’s so friendly and brightens an all-around great thinker. He led a lot of the perfect silence of birds chirping and a my day every day,” noted senior Elizabeth our discussions on Siddhartha‘s life being slight breeze in the distance. Porter. Kids go in and out of the coffee shop all rooted in the middle path as a freshman. He      Competition days can be both nerveday and are sometimes in there for less than a read Chuck Klosterman essays, discussed wracking and thrilling for every runner. All minute, but it’s enough time for Laurie to character development, and loved learning of the hard workouts on the track and long make an impression. Now, there are a lot of new vocab–I had no idea about the Math runs during the week prepare them for the people who work with Laurie in food services prowess.” day of the meet. With all of this stress, Coach at the high school, all of whom do a fantastic      Indeed, Robert also indulges in English 3-H Lev is consistently there to calm the team job everyday. So, what has Laurie done to with Ms. Eccleston, Honors Mandarin 3, AP down and set their focus for what lies ahead. leave such an impression on the students? (early bird) Geometry, and Outdoor “As we huddle up, she reminds us: you are all      It may have something to do with the lovely Education. Robert’s creative mind is pulled in so strong, you got this, it will be a great race,” greetings you receive when you get to the a lot of directions in a mere six hour period assured senior Mia Johnson. “Before each front of the line, or maybe it’s just Laurie’s during each school day, but he manages it all race, we all complete her signature handshake warm and welcoming personality. In my in stride and just keeps on beating to his own of a side slap and fist bump for good luck. personal opinion, I think it’s the way she drum (no pun intended). “He’s one of the Throughout the race, it’s hard to miss Coach carries herself day in and day out, with the most dedicated, spirited members of the Lev screaming your name, motivating you to most consistent positivity. Every time you see marching band,” mentioned senior Will pass the girl in front of you.” her, she is smiling and talking to somebody. Steck. “There’s no one else quite like Robert.”      An avid athlete, Coach Lev has completed a “She’s just a very lively person. She adds a      Perhaps in ten or fifteen years–when self- half marathon, numerous triathlons and very lively aspect to the coffee shop,” driving cars and artificial intelligence is the marathons, and is also an active hiker. She is explained senior Holly Malnati. norm based on algorithmic math–we can committed to herself, fitness, but most of all,      Laurie takes the time to make every student truly appreciate the genius that is junior Mr. to inspiring and motivating others. feel special and cared for. She makes every Robert Hammond.      When members of the cross country team interaction feel personal, “It’s really nice–she were prompted to describe Coach Lev in one lets me pick what specific muffin I want,” said Sra. Marni Levinson: Some call her Señora word, the following answers ensued:  selfless, senior Cosette Bevis. Laurie Hektor interacts Levinson, while others know her as Coach passionate, motivational, inspiring, with as much if not more students than any Lev. To everyone, she is Lev, one of the most encouraging, powerful, empowering, teacher in the building on a daily basis. And motivational, sweet, and positive teachers knowledgable, strong, dedicated, mindful, her positivity shines through to each and LFHS has to offer. She is a Spanish teacher charismatic, supportive, and caring. Quite the every person. here at Lake Forest, leading the Spanish 2  reputation precedes her.

Like the athletes, the coaches who are blessed to work with Sra. Levinson also enjoy their time in her presence. “This is my fifth year with Coach Lev – she has been a great addition to our program.  It has been a real pleasure to get to know her better over these past few years as we have spent a lot of time together in the fall and the summer working with the team,” mentioned Head Coach Steve Clegg. “From yoga sessions with the whole team after a hard run, to one-on-one pep talks with individuals, Coach Lev is the real heart of our team.”  Coach Chris Landvick, the other varsity assistant coach, agrees with the aforementioned praise of the motivational pioneer. “Coach Levinson is one of the most supportive coaches I have had the privilege to work with,” added Landvick. “[She] will also pick up my spirits when I am down on myself. She does everything she can to help improve the athletes.  She will inspire, advise, relax, joke, empathize and ultimately care.” Perhaps Landvick said it best when it comes to combining the feelings of Señora Marni Levinson’s students, athletes, and colleagues. “She simply gives her absolute best to anyone she comes into contact with.” Delaney Weiss: If you have ever walked

down the hallway early in the morning and encountered someone intensely powering through homework packets, coffee cup firmly in hand, it was most likely Delaney Weiss. Although you may think she’s just exhausted, like the rest of us, the truth is that she’s probably just returned home from an arduous tournament where she competed against the best and the brightest in search of a national title.      For the past few seasons, Delaney has played for the Chicago Young Americans U19 Tier 1 team, an elite girls hockey program consisting of the best players in Chicago. Nationally, Delaney’s team consistently ranks in the top 10 beside other elite US programs from Minnesota and Michigan. But Delaney doesn’t just play for CYA, for the past 2 seasons she has captained the team all while managing her studies and commitments at LFHS.      Hockey is part of Delaney’s DNA. In fact, she isn’t the only superstar athlete in her family; her older sister Sheridan (LFHS ‘16) is currently playing field hockey for the University of Indiana and her brother Hunter (LFHS ‘19) has committed to the University of Notre Dame to play D1 hockey.      Like her siblings, Delaney is not only a serious athlete, she is also a serious student who receives high praise from teachers. Mrs. 

Landvick, her Latin teacher, mentioned, “Delaney is exactly the kind of kid you want in your class. She’s not just smart, she’s invested. School isn’t about grades alone, it’s about understanding what the subject matter means in the bigger picture and what it means to her personally.”      While many seniors continue to agonize over the college application process to determine where they’ll end up, Delaney Weiss has had it figured out since junior year. She is excited to continue her hockey career at the collegiate level playing for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.       Delaney is known for being one of the toughest competitors on the ice and also for being one of the nicest and most caring people at LFHS. Just ask her friend LFHS senior Audrey Kaus. “Delaney is the most honest, down-to-Earth person I’ve ever met. She’s always so helpful and fun to be around. I’m so lucky to have a friend like her.” Humility, respect, kindness, and dedication are characteristics that Delaney exemplifies both on and off the ice. So the next time you see her in the hall, take a minute to introduce yourself because she’s definitely a friend worth having. Casey Murray: Sophomore Casey Murray, a

graduate of St. Mary’s Middle School, took very little time getting acclimated to the high school a year ago. Seemingly unfazed by the sizable transition from middle school, Casey took off in a variety of different classes– especially Chemistry. “He’s Einstein’s prodigy,” says Junior Eddie Scheidler, a past classmate. “He probably knows more than some teachers,” Scheidler joked. Well, fast forward a year and nothing’s changed.      Casey consistently scores well and often leads the class in a wide variety of sciencebased discussions and assessments. From how hydrogen bombs work to why pascal’s are the best unit of pressure, each argument is indicative of his passion for using the right SI unit. In class, “Casey is usually able to find five different ways to solve a chemistry problem while everyone else struggles to find just one,” says classmate George Schoettle, an upperclassmen and one of Casey’s peers. “He is always looking to learn more.”      That desire to learn extends outside of the chemistry lab as well, following Casey down two flights of stairs into the Latin classroom. Last year, Casey received numerous medals for his academic achievement on the following latin exams: the Latin Mythology exam, the National Latin Vocabulary exam, and the National Roman Civilization exam. 

Out of all LFHS Latin students Casey was the only one to receive a perfect score on the National Latin Exam, earning himself Summa Cum Laude recognition and a gold medal. Furthermore, Mr. Woodruff— Casey’s freshman year Latin teacher— recalls Casey always being interested in the, “curiosities of language – the exceptions, the oddities, and all the interesting fine points.” Clearly, Casey’s most profound characteristic seems to be his unwavering curiosity.      Outside of the classroom, Casey is heavily involved in sailing for the high school team as well as participating in Model UN, having been named “best delegate” multiple times. “Casey is one of the most outspoken and eloquent delegates we’ve ever had,” said this year’s secretariat Emma Johnson. “He’s an excellent speaker. He is creative, knowledgeable and a natural leader in committee sessions.” Casey represents India as a sophomore. The fact alone that an underclassmen is representing one of the more powerful countries is indicative of his ability as a delegate.      Casey Murray’s incredible curiosity and work ethic has led to some pretty impressive accomplishments in his two years at LFHS. “If his drive to build the perfect rocket continues, I foresee him doing great things in the future!” says Casey’s Chemistry teacher Mrs. Sorensen. And it’s all the the truth. Out of everyone I’ve spoken to this week regarding Casey Murray, one thing has remained the same. “Casey is the king,” mentioned his freshman English teacher Mr. Austin Scott. “He’s a one in a million student, but a once in a lifetime kid.” Indeed, Casey is a bright kid with a bright future and LFHS should be proud to call him one of their own. Lexie Conley: From her upbeat demeanor

to her positive, smiley personality, sophomore Lexie Conley never fails to bring her pep wherever she steps. Whether it’s early Monday morning or what feels to be a never-ending day of school, Lexie’s cheerful, vibrant nature remains steadfast. “I don’t know how she does it, but she always seems like she’s in a good mood,” recalled Charlie Aberle, one of Lexie’s closest friends.     Aside from being the energetic, bubbly person many have come to know her as, Lexie’s school spirit is unlike any other. Just last week, throughout the five days dedicated to showing your school colors, Lexie did not skip a beat, going above and 

beyond for the specific theme each day. Lexie stood out from the rest of her grade as a true embodiment of enthusiasm and excitement for one’s school.     Believe it or not, Lexie’s lively charisma carries far beyond the breaches of the high school hallways and classrooms and into her extracurricular activities and events, such as year-round dance. By staying through the duration of the homecoming dance to continuously supporting the Scouts at the football games no matter the outcome, Lexie breaks from the social norm of many students simply because she has such passion for the team in the blue and gold, regardless of sport. Better yet, Lexie doesn’t let what others may think or do alter the kind of person she is and strives to be.      That, what I believe, makes Lexie truly unique.      Often times in high school, students are commonly faced with the stresses and pressure associated with self consciousness and the fear of being judged by those around them; it’s merely a part of the whole high school experience. Yet, despite those widely apparent stigmas, Lexie continues to be herself and live her own personal life, not thinking twice about others may have to say.      Simply put, Lexie Conley is an example we all should aspire to be. To possess such a genuine, ecstatic personality, and to go about each day living by it is something we all should try to emulate ourselves. One of her best friends, Bridget Mitchell, best summarizes Lexie’s overall being: “She’s always singing. She’s always dancing. She’s really just a ray of sunshine.” Molly Casey: Senior Molly Casey is a favorite

to many here at Lake Forest High School. Her spunky, red-headed self is quite the character.      Molly is actively involved in many things both inside and outside of school. Molly participates in JV Cross Country where many have named her the “unofficial captain.” Molly’s leadership and dedication is demonstrated each and every day, be it at practice or during a race. Outside of school, one of her many strengths includes her passion for art. Molly is extremely talented when it comes to art and designing things. You may recognize her work from this year’s homecoming shirts featuring her original design. This summer, Molly did a program at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) where she was able to expand her knowledge in art, learn new skills, and meet some new people with common interests along the way.

Her eye for art is clearly shown in her sense of style; every outfit she wears is unique and fashionable. No matter the day, she can always be seen rocking the latest trends and looking perfect from head to toe. Longtime friend Susan Nevin shed some light on her. “Molly Casey is one of the most fashionable, Devil Wears Prada-loving, spunky girls I know. She always knows what outfit I should wear. Her personality (and hair) are electric, along with her love for others and her ambition.”      While her kind spirit is often recognized, Molly is also known for her humor. She never fails to make those around her laugh as she is always cracking jokes, regardless of the situation. However, since the deletion of Vine, the short video app, Molly has been spent more of her time dedicated to Instagram memes and is always up to date with the current trends, like all the other things in her life.      Overall, Molly is a great friend to have here at LFHS. Taylor Rappeport summarized her perfectly . “Molly is one of the most caring and creative people I know. She is such a genuinely nice person that she’ll often put others’ needs before her own. She has a true gift because her artwork is amazing. Also, her ability to reference all memes is beyond impressive.” There you have it, the artist, the meme-maker, and the unofficial captain rolled into one smiling soul.  Mrs. Catherine Catanzaro: Mrs. Catherine

Catanzaro, a mother of two, teacher of many and coach of a bunch more, certainly knows how to positively impact the students of Lake Forest High School. Commonly known as Coach Cat or Mrs. Cat, this Wellness for Life teacher has been at LFHS for four years now, has worked as the head varsity lacrosse coach since 2014 and coached field hockey at LFHS since 2006.      Walking into a school as big as Lake Forest High School, with multiple flights of stairs and endless hallways, can be scary to a confused 14 year old. The Wellness for Life program at Lake Forest replaces regular P.E for the the school’s youngest demographic and provides freshman with an experience of learning how the high school works by creating good habits while still maintaing a regular exercise and health class. This course is taught by Mrs. Cat and many more that help provide guidance. Mrs. Cat is the perfect fit for the job of molding freshman into responsible young adults. Sean Trkla, a student and T.A. in Wellness for Life for 

three years now, can attest to this. “Mrs. Cat is the warmest person in the high school. She is the most perfect person to handle freshman each year with her combination of patience and compassion.” Freshman year can, as we all know, be a lot to handle, but to have someone as special as Mrs. Cat guide and properly prepare us for the years to come is truly a blessing. A student who had her in his freshman year that would like to remain anonymous said, “She is really good with helping you settle in as a freshman. She will get on you about late assignments and putting your name on your paper. She really helped me adapt into high school.”     Last spring, Coach Cat got the job as the head varsity field hockey coach at LFHS. The team, who was coming off a IHSFHA State Championship, needed a coach like Catanzaro to rein them in and continue to improve. Coach Cat is the type of coach who knows when to have fun and when to work. There is a fine line between coach and friend and she draws, and enforces, that line perfectly. A junior on the team who has had Coach Cat for three seasons, Logan Hanekamp, explained Catanzaro’s coaching style in her own words. “Coach Cat is always energetic during practices or games and encourages everyone to do their best. She makes us work harder everyday and I love going to practice where I have a coach that has so much passion for the team.” All of Coach Cat’s players testify to her persistence and positive attitude that will make you a better player, yes, but also a better person. Senior field hockey player Sophie Metzger mentioned, “Coach Cat is always pushing you not only to be a better player, but a more well-rounded person by having everyone’s best interest at heart. I know I can go to her and get honest, sound advice.”      Playing sports, especially at the high school level, should not only make you a better athlete, but teach you lessons for life. Coach Cat is actively shaping young adults into strong characters who will do great things in the years to come. If you are lucky enough to be coached or taught by such a special educator, soak up her advice and you’ll be better for it.  Olivia Douglass:   She simply does it all. A dedicated member of both Cum Laude and National Honors Society, Student to Student, and Women’s Club; a diligent athlete on varsity field hockey, varsity 

basketball, and varsity lacrosse–she is the jack of all trades. Anyone who knows Olivia knows she stays on top of her game–both on the field and in the classroom–twenty-fourseven.      In the winter, Olivia’s focus switches from field hockey to basketball with essentially no time off. But the lack of a break in between sports doesn’t stop her commitment to the sport and her team. Caroline Skinner, a longtime teammate of Olivia mentions, “She is one of those leaders that’s not super vocal but lets her game and work ethic speak for itself. You can depend on her on and off the court, and she is such a good role model for the underclassmen.” Her leadership especially came in handy last year, when her little sister, Halle, made varsity as a freshman. “Olivia always made me feel comfortable around the team and always included me around her friends. Because of that, I became so close with all the girls on the team and even closer with her.” Halle confirmed. Naturally, these qualities transfer smoothly to the lacrosse season, where Olivia, once again, is a coveted team member.      Olivia, almost supernaturally, manages to juggle three varsity sports with a rigorous academic schedule. Not often do you see a high schooler with supremely gifted athletic abilities also challenge themselves in the classroom, and thrive. Mary Gregg, who has shared classes with Olivia, can attest to her knowledge on the field and in the classroom. “Olivia is someone I can always count on to help me study for tests and quizzes. She is very hard working and always does what she has to do to be successful in class.”      Aside from her three varsity sports and clubs, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is known for her charisma, affable personality, and positivity. “Olivia is never negative, she’s one of the sweetest girls you’ll ever meet, ” mentioned good friend Mia Johnson.      Clearly, Olivia Douglass has it all going on. Sports, extracurriculars, academics, a social life– you name it, she does it. Her enthusiasm in all facets of her life is unprecedented, and it definitely should not go unnoticed. Ryan Klein: When a sophomore boy is

deemed “funny” by his peers, most roll their eyes and assume that he is a master of crude humor, slapstick jokes, or uses other people as a fodder for his comedy. Sophomore Ryan Klein, however, is an anomaly. “He would make speeches about policy in Model UN and they would be genuinely funny,” mentioned senior Will Steck, 

who took in Klein’s humor firsthand as a fellow member of the Model UN team.     For Klein, his sense of humor–which was also put on display in his improvisation classes at Second City this summer–is his most noticeable attribute. “He’s never inappropriate though,” said Will Davis, a junior student. “That helps his humor make its way to the classroom because he doesn’t have to sacrifice staying on task to lighten everyone’s attitude.” Aside fro being a crackup, this 15 year old Lake Forest resident runs on the cross country team and, as mentioned prior, is an active participant in Model United Nations.      Using his reputation as a positive influencer in the high school, Klein’s leadership duties extend into CROYA, where he helps recruit and help kids open up through a variety of different events and activities.      It is clear to all that know him that Klein’s wisdom is blended with an effervescence for life that truly brightens the spirits of those around him. “He’s a breath of fresh air because kids enjoy being around him for the right reasons,” shared one teacher. “He can make his teachers and peers laugh with the same joke–that’s certainly special. But that’s just Ryan.” Skyler Kreunen: If Lake Forest High School

had a “Most Interesting Man/Woman in World” commercial slot, much like that of Dos Equis, the winner might be a fourteen year old girl, not a graying older gentleman. The class of 2021’s Skyler Kreunen certainly checks some of the boxes that would file as prerequisites for the contest. She takes Latin and Spanish, is a member of the varsity reading team, and is said to bake the best cookie in the school, according to fellow freshman Margot Pierce. Fellow freshmen Julia Chang and Whitney Wisniewski both credit Kreunen for keeping them motivated on a daily basis.She always finds a way to make you laugh, and is not afraid to invest in her passions. “She is someone that works hard, but plays harder. She always shows me how to find excitement in everything, even if it’s trying in school,” shared Whitney Wisniewski. Julia Chang adds, “No matter what situation, she is in she always managing to sneak in sass and her own pizzaz. From babysitting for crazy kids at a birthday party, to just the way she carries herself. Skyler is Skyler–there is no substitute.”

In her first month at LFHS, Kreunen has solidified herself as an academic while also investing thought in another one of her passions, beauty. “She’s a beauty fanatic, and loves adding a sparkle to things, whether it be school or to a face,” mentioned another freshman classmate. Before speaking about all of her academic and social success, however, all of Skyler’s friends and classmates made sure to make note of her inclusive nature as a person and how strong of a friend she is. “I’ve known Skyler since we were both five.  She is one of my best friends, and I am really glad that she is,” added freshman Margot Pierce. “She’s supportive, especially if I’m having a bad day, where she always helps me look on the bright side of things and pull me out of a low spot. She is also understanding, and if I want to gripe about homework or a class, she listens. Whenever she wants to go somewhere for an activity, be it a library craft or just hanging out, she asks me if I want to come too. Many times, she doesn’t ask just me, but other friends as well, and we always have a good time.”      For freshman, with four middle schools joining into one high school, it is important to know people that enjoy involving others and that relish each opportunity to meet a new person. Each class needs someone who is able to build bridges for people in order to link them into new social experiences and activities. For the class of 2021, they are lucky to have someone as inclusive and interesting as Skyler Kreunen. Robert Salkin: If you see him in the

hallways, you might mistake Robert Salkin as an intimidating, crude, football “hardo” due to his silent demeanor and imposing 6’4 frame. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone who knows Robert well knows he would never hurt a fly (off the field that is). Just ask his varsity football teammate Jack VanHyfte. “Salkin’s the best,” said the Scouts starting running back, “He’s the kind of guy that will make you smile off the field and you know will give 100% on the field.”     Others know of Robert as an automotive buff. “It’s crazy,” says teammate Sean Trkla, “he knows everything there is to know about cars. Every make, every model. If you need help looking for a new car, Salkin is your guy.”

Others know of Robert as an automotive buff. “It’s crazy,” says teammate Sean Trkla, “he knows everything there is to know about cars. Every make, every model. If you need help looking for a new car, Salkin is your guy.” It’s fair to say that Robert is a well-liked, highly thought of, great character kind of guy, which is probably why his transition from the Cincinnati suburbs just over a year ago went so smoothly. “We love him,” says fellow junior and two year teammate Porter Weisberg. “He’s positive, he’s a smart kid and easy to talk to. He’s the kind of person you want to have in your community.” Indeed Robert embodies a keen self-awareness and enthusiasm that renders him simply a “likable kid,” which, as we can all attest, is not all of us all of the time.      So don’t let Robert’s imposing figure let you write him off as the football-only narrow minded type of meathead. He’s a genuine good guy, one of the few that’s left, and he should be appreciated as such. Jonny Kilmer: When you are having a slow

morning, the one where you come to school five minutes later than you wanted to completely exhausted, there are few people who can turn your day around in seconds.  Thankfully, my friends and I have one: Jonny Kilmer.  “For as long as I have known Jonny Kilmer, I have never seen such dedication from a person. Every moment you’re with Jonny, he brings a light to anyone’s day, no matter how glum it’s been. I cannot imagine my life without his ‘glass half full’ personality,” remarks junior Katherine Jemian.  “His dedication to his passions in life while maintaining a humble countenance surpass even those twice his age.”      This dedicated sophomore puts his heart into everything that he does, from his schoolwork to band rehearsals, where he’s always on time, and he always has something positive to give his peers.  “When I first met Jonny, I remember thinking I couldn’t have met a sweeter guy. He was polite and respectful. But most of all he was enthusiastic. I could tell he wanted to be in the band room more than anything,” says senior Kristen Coughlan.  “He has an incredible strive for excellence, he practices his trombone more than anyone in the section and you can tell he worked hard to get where he wants to be.”  Besides the fact that he is a member of the audition-based Wind Ensemble, Jonny is “hardworking, friendly and welcoming” according to a former classmate.  “The first thing that comes to mind is Jonny’s willingness to help, be it large or small, he’s happy to help. He’s funny, 

optimistic, and always ready to have a good time,” shared sophomore trombonist Evan Jasica.  “I’m glad to have him as a peer, a friend, and a fellow musician.”

There’s a reason why Mr. Wanninger’s everyday zeal (and laugh) are omnipresent: he loves his job. You can follow his teacher Twitter or Instagram and find the hashtag #ilovemyjob in As a freshman, Jonny quickly embraced the many–if not all–of his captions. He school spirit of LFHS, participating in many voluntarily works fourteen hour days if musical endeavors including pit orchestra need be; he sometimes is in the building at and holiday brass ensemble.  He is now the 6 AM and doesn’t leave until 8 PM, then official photographer of the LFHS band. proceeds to stay up late grading his  During late-night pit orchestra rehearsals, students’ work. If that’s not dedication, I Jonny helped keep the mood light, especially have yet to see it in action. in the low brass section.  “I remember the      Furthermore, his commitment to his countless times Jonny and I would sit in pit students is unprecedented. Senior Brett rehearsals for hours waiting and chatting,” Chody, who was a student of Mr. Katherine Jemian remembers.  “Whether it Wanninger’s last year, can attest to this. was about the music or about your day, he “Mr. Wanninger always read my articles would sit there and listen to everything you and kept up with my cross country had to say.” results, which really meant a lot to me. He      Jonny has already made an impact on the also took time to get to know everyone in incoming freshman class, according to fellow our class and really created a community trombonist Margaret Jemian.  “Jonny is the among us.” kind of person that you just love being      Along with being committed to his around and that always makes you happy,” students, Mr. Wanninger devotes an she shared.  “As a freshman, it is such a incredible amount of time to the musicals privilege for me to have such a charismatic, each year. Camille Valentincic, who has hilarious, and gifted musician like Jonny to gotten to know Mr. Wanninger through learn from and laugh with.” the theatre, applauds him for his hard      Regardless of your age, your musical ability, work. “Mr. Wanninger’s dedication to the or lack thereof, Jonny Kilmer is someone who musical is very admirable. He comes to will have an impact on not only your day, but every single rehearsal, even if it’s for your life.  He always has a smile on his face, a vocal or dance practices, just to oversee laugh, and a joke ready to share.  He defies and make sure the show is running the stereotypes of a sophomore boy with his smoothly. He has a vision, but he’s okay outstanding work ethic, his spirit, and his with letting people experiment and try love for life.  As long as he’s around, it’s things out, which shows his respect unlikely that anyone who knows him will toward us as students and performers.” have a bad day.      Mr. Wanninger is a one of a kind teacher that the Lake Forest High School Mr. John Wanninger: The director of the community is fortunate to have. So if you musical, leader of the debate team, head of see the infamous DJ Wang, or even hear Alliance, an English teacher, a DJ, you name the tunes coming from Room 364, stop in it–Mr. Wanninger does it all. If you’ve been and congratulate him on a job well done. fortunate enough to get to know Mr. Wanninger, you know he is one of the most Alex Park: A young boy who goes by dedicated teachers in this school. Known for many nicknames: Shnall, Roni, Ronaldon his eclectically indie playlists that fill the has already made a difference in his short room as you enter his class, an impeccable time at Lake Forest High School. Alex taste in movies, his ethically-driven vegan Park has been raised by the kindest diet, and a compassion for each one of his parents you’ll ever meet, and Alex didn’t students, there are countless reasons why fall far from the proverbial tree. Alex is Mr. Wanninger is one of the most cherished shy but once you break that seal you’ll teachers in Lake Forest High School. reveal a humble, hardworking, and     “Mr. Wanninger is a great teacher. He has a amicable Freshman. Throughout Alex’s special way of making everyone feel years at Deer Path Middle School, he welcome in his class,” senior Sean Trkla said. proved to be a best friend to many and a “He has an unparalleled enthusiasm every stud not only on the athletic field, but day in class, no matter what.” academically as well.

His favorite sports are basketball and football as he has been playing since he was three years old. Starting with New Vision Athletics, a sports program out of Lake Bluff, he learned the basics of both games. These basics then led him to success in the high school feeder programs and will shortly prove to be resonant at Lake Forest High School. He became a leader on the basketball court as his close friend Lorchan O’Sullivan explained. “He’s always been a really good friend to me and a very talented basketball player. Alex taught me a lot about the game.” He is a leader on the basketball court and doesn’t shy away on the football field. An older and talented athlete on our Scouts Varsity Football team, Chris Cavalaris, can testify to Alex’s dedication to the game: “I love Alex. He may not be the biggest in size yet, but he’s a very hard working kid. Alex always has a positive attitude and you can tell enjoys football. He’s a good influence on his teammates.”      Alex does not forget his positive attitude on the field as he brings alacrity every day to school. Michael Park, Alex’s academically gifted older brother, admires the work ethic of the high school’s youngest Park. “He’s really hard working, he’ll get home from two different practices and still want to work out sometimes. He’s also in geometry as Freshman, so obviously he’s really smart.” Alex’s talent doesn’t stop with math, though. According to close friend Gage Messner, he’s dubbed to be very gifted in our high school’s Woodcraft course – maybe a possible profession for Park in the future.      Wherever Alex’s talent takes him, his family, friends, and teammates are sure he will succeed. If you are lucky enough to be friends with Alex Park, hopefully his kindness and work ethic will rub off on you.    Rafa Swerdlin: With a encyclopedic skill set of musical talents–ranging from the guitar, to the bass, to the drums–and the self-proclaimed “voice of Bono,” it is no secret as to why you’ve probably heard of junior Rafa Swerdlin. Though mostly famous in the halls of LFHS for his luscious hair and effortless cool, those who know Rafa Swerdlin best can attest to the positive vibes given off by this go-your-ownway junior.      As a JV soccer extraordinaire, he helps keep the team “lighthearted and free,” shared junior teammate Will Davis. “But he’s also very bright, friendly, and outgoing. There’s no better guy for a bus ride than Rafa.” In looking more deeply at Rafa’s schedule, it is clear that he finds balance with the academic side of his 

brain and his curiosity as an artist. For example, he bookends his days with APUSH and Honors-Math Analysis, but keeps busy during the in-between hours with Guitar Making, Art-1, and French-4. Considering his musical talents, it is no surprise that Rafa has lent his talents to numerous bands over the course of his Battle of the Bands tenure, while also displaying himself as the indie fashion mogul of the junior class.      For a young man as balanced as Rafa, perhaps his most resounding trait is the comfort he exudes in his own skin. Whether it be on the soccer field, in his AP English classroom, the stage, or anywhere in between, you know just what you’re going to get–the epitome of cool.

Indeed she does care. In fact, Mary is the owner and operator of a babysitting enterprise that she orchestrated herself. In the summer she also runs soccer and tennis camps for little kids to help make an extra buck and share her smile throughout the community while giving back. It is clear to anyone who sees Mary in her element that she is socially ahead of the curve. “She’s friends with everyone,” shared one anonymous upperclassmen, “and she’s been in school for about three weeks.” As far as athletics go, Mary participates on the girls tennis team (her mom Kauri is a longtime assistant coach for Corky Leighton) and plans to also compete for the girls soccer team, like her older sister Jenny before Mary McKendry: Generally speaking, the first her, this spring. Aside from athletics and few months of high school are reserved for entrepreneurship, Mary is heralded timidity. Don’t speak too loudly–especially to among her peers as the Queen of the upperclassmen, stay on the periphery of the Compliments. Wear a flattering top or hallway, and don’t share too much of yourself trendy pair of sneakers and expect to too soon in class. In other words, if you can’t be hear from Mary. “She’s so vibrant and cool, at least act cool. positive,” shared one of her freshman      Then there are those like freshman Mary peers. “No bad days for Mar.” McKendry. As the third McKendry to come      Sometimes the social butterfly, the through the halls of LFHS, no situation has philanthropist, and the curious thinker this extroverted freshman at a loss for words. all blend themselves into one, difference“She says what’s on her mind when it’s on her making student. Perhaps her rendition of mind,” shared her English teacher Mr. Austin one of Shakespeare’s most famous lines Scott. “And I appreciate that. She loosens would read as follows: Though she be but everyone up by thinking out loud and fourteen (and little), she is fierce. Ladies engaging with each and every discussion we and gentleman, Ms. Mary McKendry. have. She’s not doing it to fake it, either. Mary cares–that’s what’s awesome.” Ms. Jessica Cole: In just three short years     Indeed she does care. In fact, Mary is the at LFHS, Business Ed. teacher Ms. Jessica owner and operator of a babysitting enterprise Cole has solidified herself as a fan that she orchestrated herself. In the summer favorite at LFHS for reasons both big and she also runs soccer and tennis camps for little small. Aside from her youth, which kids to help make an extra buck and share her carries a relatable nature to the high smile throughout the community while giving school aged student, Ms. Cole’s reputation back. It is clear to anyone who sees Mary in is built on the pragmatic notion of her element that she is socially ahead of the teaching the next generation how “the curve. “She’s friends with everyone,” shared real world works.” one anonymous upperclassmen, “and she’s     Though she split time between the been in school for about three weeks.” As far Business Ed. and Math Dept. in her first as athletics go, Mary participates on the girls year at LFHS, Ms. Cole is now strictly tennis team (her mom Kauri is a longtime business. As a result of the opportunity to assistant coach for Corky Leighton) and plans get acclimated to one department, to also compete for the girls soccer team, like “J.Cole,” as she is affectionately called, has her older sister Jenny before her, this spring. built one of the most popular classes on Aside from athletics and entrepreneurship, campus–Sports Marketing and Mary is heralded among her peers as the Entertainment. Last year, the brand new Queen of the Compliments. Wear a flattering class succeeded wildly, holding many top or trendy pair of sneakers and expect to sections due to the high enrollment hear from Mary. “She’s so vibrant and numbers that students drove by selecting positive,” shared one of her freshman peers. the course among a wide variety of “No bad days for Mar.” electives. 

2016 alumna Tegan Morcott shared that, “[Ms. Cole] always had a way of engaging us with real world problems and challenged us to think of real world solutions. Aside from that, she was tremendously caring, compassionate, and loyal to her students, constantly showing up for games and competitions to show her students how much she cares.”      After originally graduating from Deerfield High School, Ms. Cole honed her business acumen at the noteworthy New York University, located in the popular Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was in that competitive environment that Cole thrived, learning how to connect with so many other people from varying walks of life. Perhaps that is what Cole is known most for at LFHS, the ability to bridge personal, meaningful connections with all of her students regardless of age, ability level, and interest (though being a White Sox fan certainly doesn’t hurt). As she continues to build years of experience in the Business Ed. department, it is clear to see that Ms. Cole will continue to innovate, engage, and inspire the students of the next generation. Sam Rogers: If you’ve been lucky enough to

share a class with sophomore Sam Rogers, you’ll know just what we’re talking about. Only a few students in the high school have the energy and positivity to make a distinctly positive influence on each and every class they set foot in on a daily basis. Those who have had Sam in their Bio, English, or World Civ class could attest that his energy doesn’t change in between periods. The same upbeat, smile-happy sophomore you get in first period is the same one you see in eighth period after a day’s worth of work.     Rogers, dubbed “Blue” by some of the Varsity players on Lake Forest’s golf team last fall, has worked hard to earn every piece of recognition he holds claim to. “He’s certainly gotten a lot better,” added Lake Forest Golf Coach Jim Matheson. “His 2nd place 40 (+5) speaks to that. But for Sam it’s more than just golf. Everybody simply has more fun when he’s around.” And if you didn’t believe Matheson, LFHS Golf’s Varsity captain Wesley Dixon echoes the same sentiment. “Everyone loves [Blue]. The kid lights up every room he’s in with his smile and sense of humor. He has a bright future ahead in so many different areas.”      Admittedly, Sam would be the first to tell you that he asks a lot of questions. He asks teachers, classmates, and friends alike. The reason behind this is that Sam Rogers is one of 

the more inquisitive, curious sophomores around. By definition, that makes Sam Rogers a pure scholar, one who seeks the knowledge to learn more, do more, and grow more by asking questions. On day two of the school year, if you think that his unbridled positivity and enthusiasm is all some turnover-a-new-leaf hoax that will soon die, think again. Sam Rogers is truly something special. Mrs. Anne Thomas: It wouldn’t be a football

game without concessions. The notoriously energetic student section fuels itself on the readily available cheeseburgers, candy bars, and rainbow spectrum of Gatorade offered by the concessions stand.      The only way most of us are aware of a home swim meet or volleyball match is by the wafting smell of popcorn coming from the (newly redone) concessions corner located right outside the field house. However, most of us don’t think much about the logistics behind the popping of said popcorn, or how it all comes together to complete the mood under the Friday night lights. If anything, all you’ve done is lament the loss of ramen noodles this year, but even that small decision had much more thought behind it than we give it credit for.     Believe it or not, every concessions event at LFHS–be it at the varsity games on Friday nights, the breakfast spreads for Saturday morning freshmen football games, or home swim meets–is under the direction of one supremely organized mom. “I felt like I was in the trenches,” a senior cross country team mom said recently of her first time working concessions. “I got such a good sense for who the people are who really make the school run. I don’t think everyone could do her job, but I think everyone should do their part.”      For taking on such a time-consuming, logistically-difficult, and mostly-thankless job, Mrs. Thomas has sure done a phenomenal job of it this year. The revamped menus (cold-brew coffee, anyone?) were largely in part due to her efforts, as well as the healthier options available, such as fresh fruit and organic lemonade. In addition, she also has to cover for any parent volunteers who don’t show up for their required booster shifts. So the next time you’re standing in line for hot chocolate, or hamburgers, or whatever it may be, make sure to thank the person behind the counter. “Or,” added the senior team mom, reminiscing on her own experience, “maybe give them a hug.”

Trevor Schneider: When describing

sophomore Trevor Schneider, popularly known by his friends as “Trev” most people would likely either include the adjectives funny or kind. But that’s not all. A close friend of Trevor’s, sophomore Lexie Conley, mentioned that, “Every time I see Trev he is always so happy and makes me feel very important. He is a sweetheart.” This, of course, is true. If you are ever lucky enough to be around Trevor, your day brightens almost instantly.      Despite simply being his kindhearted and hilarious self, Trevor is involved with many extracurriculars inside and outside of Lake Forest High School. Outside the walls of LFHS, Trevor satisfies a unique hobby by participating on a rugby team. Needless to say, rugby is tough and demanding.  Not only does he dedicate himself to rugby outside of school, but he is also a linemen on the sophomore football team and is on the JV wrestling team. A teammate of Trevor, sophomore Coel Morcott mentioned that Schneider, “is always a positive and funny guy that everyone loves to be around.”      Athletics aside, Trevor is caring, which solidifies itself as his most important attribute. Not only does he care for his friends like the aforementioned Lexie and Coel, but he cares about helping people in need. This past summer, Trevor along with his friends in his youth group (SHYG) traveled to the Dominican Republic for six days to build homes and foster relationships with the children within the community. While yes, this work trip was only six days, everyone who knows Trevor knows the caring for others–including those who live in an impoverished country–lasts long beyond his designated mission trips. If you are looking for a friend who not only will make you laugh constantly but will also be there for you, you can quit looking. Trevor Schneider is one of Lake Forest High School’s best.

Ms. Meaghan Laughlin: Some credit her with

teaching them how to swim, others remember her as a student, and some yet even recall her days as a student teacher. If you have had her as a teacher or coach, worked beside her at Camp Hope or just passed by her in the hallway, you know why everyone loves Ms. Laughlin.      First and foremost, Ms. Laughlin is a gifted and empowering educator. As one former student explained, “The best part about Ms. Laughlin is her willingness and ability to relate to students. As an LFHS alum, she knows what specific challenges LFHS students face.” Other former students have shared that, “Ms. Laughlin is one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. She dedicates her life to helping others, and I am so lucky to have been able to spend so much time with her.”      Beyond that, Ms. Laughlin receives high praise from more than just her students. Her mentors, like fellow English Teacher Mr. Ray Del Fava echo the sentiments of the students. “Ms. Laughlin strives to make LFHS a better place every time she steps foot in the building, and she succeeds. She truly cares about the students and shows it through her work as a teacher in the classroom, as a coach on the soccer pitch, and as a moderator in Student Council meetings. LFHS is truly blessed to have Ms. Laughlin as one of its own.”      Ms. Laughlin chooses to extend her duties beyond the classroom. Amongst other things, she serves as the newly minted faculty advisor for Student Council, is an assistant coach for the girls varsity soccer team (state champs ’15) and a faculty sponsor for Ping Pong Club. More importantly Ms. Laughlin is an enabler of good. She spends the majority of her time giving back to students through coaching and supporting their interests and hobbies. Just last year, when the Ping Pong Club was looking for a new faculty sponsor and found themselves in dire need, Ms. Laughlin volunteered happily, despite knowing that she would not receive the same benefits as some other faculty sponsors.      During her summers, Ms. Laughlin works as a director at Camp Hope, a camp for children, teenagers, and young adults who are challenged by developmental disabilities. As her coworkers attest, Ms. Laughlin makes the camp special for everyone involved. One of her partners at the camp, Special Ed. teacher Mr. Graham O’Connor-Brooks validated the importance of Laughlin’s presence. “Ms. Laughlin does an amazing job at Camp Hope. She connects so well with all the buddies and 

campers. She is a big reason that people come back year after year. Camp simply wouldn’t be the same without Ms. Laughlin.”      Simply put, Ms. Laughlin is selfless and caring, but she also has the relaxed and approachable demeanor that makes her cool.  She exemplifies what all LFHS students aspire to be–now and for years to come. Cameron Redding: Senior Cameron Redding

might be the last in the school to describe himself as a typical Friday Five candidate. He's reserved, shy, and doesn't ooze an ounce of ostentatious look-at-me self-promotion that pushes his own importance on people. "That's just what makes him special, though," echoed senior Holly Malnati. "Everything he does is so genuine. It comes from the bottom of his heart and you can tell."      Redding, a senior who participates in cross country as well as Madrigals, the holiday a cappella group at LFHS, has earned the respect of his classmates and teachers by proving his responsible, you-first sort of kindness that has come to be his modus operandi.  He's the road chair of the choir program, which makes him responsible for ensuring the safe-keeping of all of the robes when the choir is on the road, so he is reliably consistent, but is also forwardthinking. "Outside of being a fantastic singer," his choir teacher, Mr. Tim Haskett, mentioned, "Cameron is one of the nicest person's you could ever meet.      Redding's schedule is occupied with some of the most deep-thinking classes LFHS has to offer. He begins his day in humanities learning the religions and perspectives of the world, moves on to New Media where he can help creatively craft visual stories of others, and then--after a quick break--heads to AP Psychology to challenge himself with all of the complexities of the human brain.      Though, in the case of Cameron Redding, it is not the brain or braun that has made the man; rather his comely, genuine kindness tells others all that they need to know about this well-respected senior. Ms. Monica Fumarolo: The Lake Forest High

School head Librarian, Ms. Monica Fumarolo, is very self-aware. "She loves to read," shared one freshman student when prompted to articulate all that she knew about Ms. Fums, the school librarian. In fact, it might be one of the first things Fumarolo would share about herself. And, more power to her, she has no qualms in showing it.

Her tireless work promoting Teen Read Week has been boundless. In order to help kids grab a book and dive in, she has made buttons, tried her hand at developing a mini golf course, orchestrated a book drive, and even created giant Jenga. If you follow the library on Instagram (@lfhs.library), you see Ms. Fumarolo behind the scenes showcasing new authors and genres, always highlighting fabulous books that other students or adults have read to motivate young readers. In addition to the 'gram, however, Fumarolo has made the library more visible than it has  ever been at LFHS. You can now follow the library on Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, Pinterest and Wordpress to learn about all that the library is reviewing and researching for you, the students.      The library--thanks to Mrs. Fumarolo--has become more of an academic center than it has ever been. Each day you'll see it used to its fullest benefit, chock-full of kids studying for tests, reading silently, or exploring for their newest reading endeavor. She has spearheaded the Varsity Reading Team to get passionate young readers a forum to help grow their craft, invited in bestselling authors to speak to students, and managed the circulation desk with efficiency and friendliness, all in her first three years at LFHS.      Fumarolo, a University of Illinois graduate and the former assistant librarian at James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, has been a godsend for teachers and students alike. Recently, Ms. Fumarolo has also started Wednesday Brain Breaks filled with interesting lunchtime activities. Perhaps, after all you've done for us, Ms. Fumarolo, you deserve a break. 

23,518 and 15,010.     Those are just numbers. They don’t have any meaning by themselves. That’s the problem with numbers, it’s hard to know their significance in the context of real, human lives.      Mary and Jennifer are both 17-year-old juniors in high school. They both live in suburbs of Chicago. They both have parents who love them. They are both excited to graduate high school and are working hard to get accepted to the college of their dreams.      Out of 100 students in Mary’s grade, three of them are low income. One of them is learning English as a second language. Their teacher’s average salary is around $100,000 and 95% of them return to Mary’s school year after year.  None of Mary’s classmates are homeless. Six of them will move to or from another school before the year is over. Ninety-four of them will graduate within four years. Eighty-eight of them are deemed college ready.      Out of 100 students in Jennifer’s grade, 79 of them are lowincome. Fifteen of them are learning English as a second language. Their teacher’s average salary is around $55,000 and only a little more than half of them will be back again next year.  Three of Jennifer’s classmates are homeless. More than one-fourth of them will move in or out of her school before the year is over. Sixty-three of them will graduate within four years. Twelve of them are deemed college ready.      If you think segregation and racial inequality is over in America, think again. Of those 100 students from Mary’s school, 91 of them are white. One of them is black. Three of them are hispanic. And of those 100 students from Jennifer’s school, two of them are white. Forty-one of the are black. Fifty-five of them are hispanic.      High school kids are more than statistics. 

They are real people with real futures and real problems. They have no say in the family they were born into, the town they live in, or the school they attend. For some, the path to college is paved clear. For others, unimaginable obstacles stand in the way.      Mary and Jennifer are fictional but the schools they attend are not. Have you guessed? Fictional Mary attends Lake Forest High School while Jennifer attends North Chicago High School.      These statistics are based on nothing more than the 2015-2016 averages from a state database on public schools, The Illinois Report Card. Public schools in Illinois are plagued with stunning levels of inequality. What does it all boil down to? 23,518 and 15,010.      The annual operational spending per student for Lake Forest High School is $23,518, while at North Chicago High School, it is about 40% less, $15,010.      The federal government contributes relatively little to public school funding. According to the US Department of Education, 92% of elementary and high school funding across the country comes from the state and local governments. The disparity in funding comes primarily from the heavy reliance on local property taxes. For districts with high value homes and successful businesses, that funding is abundant. Even though residents of Lake Forest pay a lower percentage of their property value than North Chicago residents in taxes every year, their homes are worth far more on average, so Lake Forest High School has much more money to spend.       Consider a simplified example; if your home is worth $1,000,000 and your tax rate is 2%, your annual property tax payment will be $20,000. 

If your home is worth $100,000 and your tax rate is twice as high at 4%, your annual property tax payment is only $4,000. Since a majority of this money goes to funding local schools, on a large scale this creates a vast gap in revenue.      The state of Illinois does allocate more money to districts with lower local revenue. For example, almost 75% of North Chicago High School’s total funding comes from the state and federal governments. But that money is not enough to offset the immense disparity in local revenue.      This system creates a self-perpetuating cycle where low income families move to communities with low property values and affordable housing–communities they can afford to live in. Their property values are low, therefore their schools are underfunded. But their underfunded and underperforming schools further hurt property values. Their children’s schools don’t get the resources they need, so they have many more obstacles on the path to college. They end up with a much lower graduation rate and a lower chance of going to college which can impact them for the rest of their lives.      Lake Forest and North Chicago are just two close to home examples of a crisis occurring across the country. The state and federal governments are failing these kids. They are failing the next generation of American citizens and leaders. As a result, public education has become a chief agent of inequality in our country. I’m not saying there is a simple solution, but the current situation is horrifying.      In 1848, Horace Mann called public education, “the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.” What would he say if saw us today? Footnotes: All statistics are taken from the The Illinois Report Card, the official database for information about each of Illinois’s public schools. A student is deemed college ready if they receive a 21 or higher on any ACT test.

In Between the Lines

Rabjohns rebounds from tough loss, earns 5th place 

Whitney Young won the IHSA State Championship, while Stevenson and Hinsdale Central took 2nd and 3rd respectively.       Look for Kiley Rabjohns and the young Scouts core to rebound next year and compete for both individual and collective IHSA titles. The Scouts last won the team title in 2014, which was their 12th trophy overall in the program’s history. They also finished first in ’13, ’11, ’02, and ’03.

-Chris Cavalaris

Scouts finish remarkable season as state runner-up BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.--Lake Forest freshman Kiley Rabjohns humbly ventured out to Buffalo Grove High School last Thursday, the site of the IHSA Girls Tennis State Finals tournament, just looking to do her best and have fun. Despite an undefeated regular season in a gruelingly competitive schedule for Lake Forest, the freshman–as modest as they come–had reasonable expectations.      Heading in to the late afternoon on Friday night, however, Rabjohns found herself in unfamiliar, rarified territory for any high school tennis player. The freshman had cruised past Hallie Leblebijian of Chicago (Lane) (6-0, 6-0) in her opening round match, only to power past Meera Baird of Metea Valley (6-2, 6-2) in the round of 32. When she reached the Sweet 16 in a tournament that featured the state’s best talent, the rest of the state took notice of the Lake Forest wunderkind, silently powering her way deep in to the bracket.      On Friday, Rabjohns would again make quick work of her opponent, this time Marta Mikos of Hinsdale South (6-1, 6-0). This plotted Rabjohns against Deerfield’s Emily Casati, one of the state’s best players. Despite battling valiantly, Rabjohns lost to Casati in two sets (6-2, 6-3), but gave the junior ranked 4th in the state of Illinois by Babolat, a run for her money.       Rabjohns would respond from her first loss of the season with three straight victories over Olivia Oosterban of Hinsdale Central, Zoe Taylor of NSC rival Stevenson, and Samantha Choi of Wheaton Warrenville South to earn the 5th place Consolation Championship. Rabjohns battled hard for her last win, ousting Choi in a three-set classic (4-6, 6-2, 6-4).      Kolie Allen of Glenbard East was the singles tournament’s eventual champion, outlasting Evanston’s Anastasia Goncharova in the final. Casati finished 3rd overall for Deerfield while Niles West’s Michelle Bacalla earned 4th. 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill– After cruising through conference, regionals, and sectionals, the boys golf team headed south to Bloomington for the IHSA state finals at The Den Golf Course. The Scouts were smooth and fearless throughout the season, as they conquered match after match to get themselves back to the state tournament after failing to qualify the previous year. Lake Forest relied heavily on its top six players all year long, and they would need to do the same again to hang another IHSA plaque on the East Campus Competition Gym wall.      After an impressive sectionals win on Columbus Day, the boys golf team departed for Bloomington, Illinois on Wednesday night. The team played its practice rounds on Thursday in preparation for the two biggest days of golf of the season. With preparations complete, the twelve best teams in the state, including the likes of New Trier, Loyola, Highland Park and Stevenson, took to the tee boxes Friday searching for the elusive state championship.      The state championship is the biggest stage in high school golf, and for the Scouts, the moment and the pressure took its toll on the players early on in the first round. The team started off with a combined score of plus nine after the first three holes. Despite the shaky start, many other teams were also feeling the pressure as well, 

which kept the Scouts in the mix on day one. Junior Danny Fisher cruised through his first nine holes without much trouble as his 36 (E) was the best for the Scouts on the front nine. Seniors Connor Polender and Scott Frevert, who had been consistently strong for the Scouts all year, both carded a 38 (+2) on the front with two bogeys each.      While the Scouts were searching for some rhythm, five time defending champion Hinsdale Central was showing their experience and skill by grabbing the lead at the turn. Junior Josh Lundmark had just 26 putts in the first round en route to a round of 69 (-3) which helped put Hinsdale Central in first place after day one.      With the front nine and nerves behind them, the Scouts looked to find their better games on the back nine. Frevert fired even par on the back nine to finish with a round of 74 (+2). Polender and Fisher battled hard as well, but an unfortunate triple bogey from Fisher on the 16th hole left him and Poldender with rounds of 76 (+4). The Scouts rounded out their day one score with Michael Seaman’s 78 (+6), after firing just plus one on the back nine. At the end of a challenging day one, the Scouts sat in third place at 16 strokes over par. Hinsdale Central finished nine strokes ahead of the Scouts with Loyola Academy in second. With the first round behind them, the Scouts went to bed Friday night knowing they would have lots to do to earn their first state title since 2011.      As the sun rose on Saturday morning, the Scouts knew they would need something big in order to battle back to make a run at Hinsdale Central. The first three holes gave the Scouts problems on Friday, and that theme continued in round two when the Scouts couldn’t afford to go backwards. The Scouts opened the first three holes at plus 9 once again, and that sloppy start surged their overall score to plus 20, and thirteen strokes back early in the second round. Knowing they would need a miracle to win another state championship, Seaman, Polender, and Frevert stepped to give the Scouts a fighting chance. Seaman carded two birdies on the front nine against one bogey to make the turn at 35 (-1). Polender battled for a 36 (E) and Frevert was even as well until he stepped onto the seventh tee. On the long par three Frevert surrendered a gut-wrenching quadruple bogey as he finished the front nine at 40 (+4). Despite the crushing blow on seven, Frevert was not ready to give up on his final high school match after an incredible career as a Scout. Upon making the turn, Frevert rattled off three straight birdies on 10, 11, and 12 to make up the lost strokes earlier in the round. With that incredible stretch the Scouts were within reach of the title.       Just like the other four seniors in the Scouts’ top six, this would be the last match for Seaman as a high school 

player. After a bogey on his second hole, the switch flipped for Seaman as he sunk five birdies in his last 16 holes to finish at 68 (-4). The birdie-making machine came to life and so did the energy of the team. With the momentum from Seaman’s round and the consistent play from others the Scouts managed to tie Hinsdale Central at plus 15 with three holes to play. After a rocky road at the start, the Scouts managed to be right in the hunt at the end. It was up to Frevert, Polender and Fisher to bring it home for the Scouts.      With the title within reach, the players faced the brutal stretch of holes 16 and 17. 16, a tough par four, and 17, a long par three with water left, got the best of Polender and Fisher as each player bogeyed each hole down the final stretch. Polender finished at 74 (+2) and Fisher carded a 75 (+3) for the final round. With the unfortunate late bogeys, the Scouts were down three strokes and it was all on captain Frevert to make a run at Hinsdale Central’s Lundmark.      The Den Golf Course is known for its final three holes, which meant Frevert would have to tackle some of the toughest holes in the entire state if the Scouts were going to defeat Hinsdale Central. While Frevert made par on 16, 17, and 18, his round of 74 (+2) simply was not enough for the Scouts to catch Hinsdale Central in the end. Lake Forest finished at plus 19 for the tournament, which ended up being two strokes short of Hinsdale Central, who won its sixth state championship in a row with a two-day score of plus 17. Scouts Finish Remarkable Season as State Runner-Up.    

           For the Scouts, it was a difficult ending to a very successful year. While it hurts to see the state championship slip away, the Scouts conquered so much this year. This is a team that won conference handily, swept regionals and sectionals, and then came so close to yet another state championship. For the seniors, it’s a tough pill to swallow in their final high school match, but in the end this group of young men has much to be proud of. Congratulations to your 2017 Lake Forest Scouts boys golf team on second place in the state and an incredible year.

-Kyle Wix

Chody sets new West Campus record

The Forest Scout 2017-18 Girls Basketball Preview

LAKE FOREST, Ill.–No two cross country courses are created equal. Depending on elements, elevation, hills and other terrain, each day and each separate course presents a new challenge. Even with all that being said,  a set a course record is every bit as impressive as it sounds.      On Tuesday night in west Lake Forest, senior Brett Chody–an All-State athlete, high honors student who had just returned from her official visit to Duke University in Durham, NC over the weekend–clocked in at 16:57.3 in a 3-mile dual meet race against ZionBenton. To put that into perspective, Chody, who won first place honors in the event, finished 2:46 seconds before Zion-Benton freshman Kelsey Hamilton, who finished 2nd overall.      Chody, who has battled injury throughout her career, seems to be hitting her stride in this, her senior season for the Scouts. Her personal record times have improved each year, which is an especially remarkable feat considering that cross country athletes often peak at the beginning of their high school careers. Chody’s times have not tapered, but rather have improved steadily. In her 9th grade season on the varsity, her fastest time was 17:55; her sophomore and junior years both yielded a time of 17:26.5 as her personal best; this year, however, Chody’s mark of 16:57.3, a number that will live on in West Campus cross country lore is her now personal best overall. Even within the season, Chody has shown marked improvement in her times. In her first meet of the season, the Hinsdale Hornet-Red Devil Invitational on September 2nd, Chody ran an 18:13.7 on a very difficult course. And although the West Campus course is a relatively flat, simple course, shaving 1:44 off of any time is no small victory.      With the NSC championship, IHSA Regionals and Sectionals, and the IHSA State Meet at Detweiler Park in Peoria waiting ahead, the best is certainly yet to come for the fleet-footed senior. After her cross country season is complete, Chody will decide from a list of colleges courting her athletic and academic talents that includes the likes of Duke, Southern California, California-Berkeley, Michigan, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt.

With practices starting soon in the middle of next week, it’s finally time to say that the varsity girls basketball team, led by Mr. Kyle Wilhelm, is gearing up for another successful season. The team lost two seniors during the offseason due to graduation, one of those being the alltime leader in assists and steals as well as the MVP of last year’s team, Delaney Williams. It’ll take some time for the players and staff to adjust to a new lineup without Williams, seeing as she was a four-year varsity starter, but Wilhelm and Co. will have plenty to work with in 2017-18. The Scouts’ team still has five guards remaining from last year’s roster and are looking fill the void left by Williams and the shooting Tori Salanty. Junior Grace Tirzmalis told the Forest Scout, “It’s definitely tough losing great players like Delaney and Tori, but we’ve still got some incredible talent this year.”      Leading this year’s group will be Halle Douglass, an allNSC performer a year ago who will play a huge role for the Scouts this season. Douglass, who is now in her sophomore campaign, had a fantastic summer on the club basketball circuit and is accruing Divison-1 level interest from a variety of schools. A 6’0″ do-it-all floor general with length, athleticism, and skill, Douglass has a chance to become one of the high school’s most decorated players of all-time by the time her high school career is complete.      While having some shooting specialists on the team is important, it would appear that rebounding has been the emphasis on the team for the last few years. Thus, possessing height on the roster is extremely important. Luckily, six returning players are 6’0” or above. A major force of the 6-foot club is Maeve Summerville, the alltime leading rebounder for the girls basketball program who just recently committed to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana to continue her career in college. Summerville will be playing in her last season this year and will undoubtedly have a major impact, albeit after a knee injury keeps her sidelined until at least after the winter holiday tournaments. Joining her in the front court will be 6’1″ junior Ellie Pearson and 5’11” senior Audrey Kaus, who recently committed to the University of Chicago for lacrosse; both players have experience and size in the post. Kaus, a tenacious competitor–especially on defense–will be key for the Scouts’ toughness factor late in games. 

-Chris Cavalaris

Adding on to that lineup will be 6’0″ Grace Tirzmalis, a seasoned varsity player, and Olivia Douglass, who proved to be a reliable role player for the Scouts a season ago. Projected Lineup:

Halle Douglass, 6’0″ guard Audrey Kaus, 5’11” guard Olivia Douglass, 6’0″ forward Grace Tirzmalis, 6’0″ forward Ellie Pearson, 6’0″ forward      Other returners from last year’s squad include guards Annie Aberle, Caroline Skinner, Taylor Conley, and Victoria Giordano, all seniors this season, and another 6’0″ post player, Jen Whittington. There are also a few newcomers on this year’s team that will help push the needle forward for the girls basketball program here at the high school. Freshmen Lily Trkla and Finola Summerville both have an outside chance of seeing varsity minutes if they are able to earn their keep in practice. Though Coach Wilhelm could not be reached for comment, it is likely that he will have to wait until after tryouts to further assess the roles of Trkla and the younger Summerville on the 2017-18 squad.      Last year, after going an improved (8-4) in conference regular season play, the Scouts defeated Warren to claim their first Regional title in 12 years. Following that was a loss against a talented Hersey team in the Sectional Semifinals, ending their season. Tirzmalis agreed that last year’s final result was a bit disappointing, but was nonetheless still psyched for the upcoming season. “I like our odds,” she told me. “We have a lot of players with added experience on this year’s team.”      Tryouts for the Scouts start next week on October 30th. After two weeks of practice, the girls will take on Lake Forest Academy at the Vernon Hills Thanksgiving Tournament on November 13. Games against Vernon Hills and Antioch follow the LFA matchup on November 16th and 17th, respectively.  The first home game is November 28th against Mundelein, but the matchup many are looking forward to most will be on December 6 at 7:00 against the Patriots of Adlai E. Stevenson High School. The Scouts lost by just six points to Stevenson last year, and the fact that the Scouts led 10-4 in the second quarter made this loss even more disappointing. Varsity girls basketball will play a three-and-a-half month season 

culminating with Regionals, Sectionals, Super Sectionals, and the IHSA State Finals in late February.     Eight players on this year’s team will be playing in their final season with the Scouts, so make sure to make it to a game and support LFHS girls varsity basketball as they embark on another exciting season. 

The Forest Scout 2017-18 Boys Basketball Preview As the fall sports calendar comes to a close, the excitement of winter athletics begins to bloom. Notably, the boys basketball team holds their official tryouts November 6th, even though they’ve been gearing up since June. Expected to be deep, versatile, and very talented, the squad has high hopes for the upcoming season.      After losing many talented seniors from last year’s team, big shoes are left to be filled. Guard Justin McMahon is playing in Greencastle, Indiana at Depauw University for the Tigers, and his point production and leadership will be sorely missed. The Scouts also lose forwards Reed Thomas and Brian Stickler, both starters at the end of last season. These accomplished graduates will make it tough on the newcomers to fill the scoring and rebounding void left by the class of 2017.      The team last played during an exhibition on June 24th this past summer. They participated in a fantastic event with the reigning Illinois 2A state champions, Orr Academy. Many expected a blowout in favor of the Chicago natives, but the Scouts held their own and played a close game that would come down to the final wire. The 2017-2018 team impressed in their first showing. Projected Lineup:

Point Guard: Jed Thomas Shooting Guard: Jack VanHyfte Small Forward: Sean Trkla Power Forward: Ben Gibson Center: Mead Payne       Led by plenty of talented senior guards, the Scouts backcourt should pose fits for the North Suburban Conference this season. 

Each player presents a different skill set which could ultimately lead the Scouts to their first sectional title in the school's history. Combo guard Jed Thomas-who saw lots of minutes as a junior--brings elite passing to the offense. They welcome the return of athletic point guard Jack VanHyfte after missing his junior year to an ankle injury. VanHyfte scored 15 points in the summer exhibition and showed he can be a key factor for the Scouts this season. Also, Sean Trkla provides scoring ability to an already-lethal offense. Trkla also loves the no-look pass and will be a huge help on both sides of the ball. Junior guards Carter Horan, Jake Fisher, and Michael Pasquella hope to prove themselves in their first varsity season and find a way into the rotation.      On the bigger side of things, Coach LaScala will look to returning seniors to lead their frontcourt. Mead Payne and Drew Arnson saw lots of playing time and several starts over the course of their junior year. The 6’6 Payne is terrific at playing through contact and getting himself to the free-throw line. Even taller, Arnson must come down with lots of rebounds if the Scouts want to have success this year. The now 6’5 and sculpted Ben Gibson creates offensive mismatches all over the floor. After not playing a great deal in his junior year, he had a great summer and is much improved offensively. Gibson will be a focal point for the offensive attack this winter. Kyle Waggoner is another senior forward who will see time this year. Waggoner runs the floor well for a big man and creates lots of transition opportunities. With limited frontcourt depth, however,  juniors will be much needed this winter. 6’5 Crawford Bolton also presents an explosive attack and a versatile thread; him and Tommy Hanson will be counted on to score some points from 3 this season. The Scouts also need another big body to be physical down low, and junior Porter Weisberg contributes to that equation. Key Games:

The Scouts begin play on Monday, November 20 in their Thanksgiving tournament at New Trier High School. They’ll face stiff competition from the likes of Loyola, New Trier, St. Ignatius, along with others depending on pool play. Conference play begins at home on December 5 in a defining game against Stevenson. The Scouts will learn a lot about themselves then as Stevenson is always a difficult opponent. 

A week later, Libertyville and senior phenom Connor Peterson welcome the Scouts into their house in what should be another entertaining matchup. The Friday after Winter Break, Lake Zurich, a much improved offensive team, comes to East Campus for a critical matchup igniting the second half of the season. Also, be sure to mark January 24 on the calendar when the Lake Forest buses head north to Waukegan. The Bulldogs have received lots of hype this offseason and are coming off a sectional final appearance. In order for the Scouts to claim that elusive trophy, they’ll have to get through many talented teams. Three Factors:

Ben Gibson: The versatile forward has improved since last season. His size and ball-handling skills can pose fits for opposing teams and the Scouts must look to get him the ball this winter. Frontcourt: The Scouts will count on Payne and Arnson to carry the load and make up for the loss of major frontcourt contributors. The juniors must step up as well if they want to compete with the bigger teams in the conference. Controlling The Ball: Turnovers can be an issue for any team, and the Scouts have seen this problem in years past. If the Scouts want to reach their full potential this winter they’ll need to control the ball and get it to their playmakers. Bobby Winebrenner

IN

Style

Style Profile: Anna McCall

When looking through the vast halls of Lake Forest High School, you’ll immediately notice the outstandingly stylish senior, Anna Mccall, who’s truly a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. You’ll often see her rushing to class in her staple streetwear style that perfectly matches her spirit. She exemplifies the part of the student body that strays away from the typical standards of fashion in this community, and truly expresses herself through her clothing. Style  Icons:

“For sure Simi & Haze. They are really edgy and daring when it comes to their fashion choices. They are also really quick at finding the newest trends, such as wearing dresses with sneakers. That combo was even featured at the Louis Vuitton F/W 17 fashion show too.” Picking an Outfit:

“I tend to go for stuff that stands out, I also like wearing a lot of red since it’s my favorite color. Also, I try to not wear the same outfit that I’ve worn in the past two weeks.” Since it’s getting colder, Anna says she tends to reach for darker clothes and pieces she can layer easily. She’s also a fan of the baggier silhouette for the fall and winter season. Inspiration:

“I usually go to Instagram for my style inspiration honestly. There’s just so much variety out there and you can find some really cool aesthetics.” Anna frequently updates her Instagram with her take on different fashion trends as well. “I look at high-end brands’ lookbooks and see how I can incorporate that style into my own wardrobe.” Besides social media and lookbooks, Anna also frequents any upcoming Supreme releases for some inspiration as well.  Fashion Pet Peeves:

“I really hate it when a certain trend blows up and becomes so overused that it’s no longer cool, like Adidas Superstars for example” “Oh my god… Aztec print anything actually makes my skin crawl.” “Making every day an “Athleisure” day…” “One thing I see a lot is when kids get really nice pieces of clothing, but then they don’t know how to style it and then it just looks off=putting” “Bean boots, Michael Kors, Vineyard Vines, and UGGS”

-Lily Parasiuk

Vivian Popov turns passion in to product

Vivian Popov, if you didn’t already know, is a fashion enthusiast making her dreams a reality. It all started when she was only six years old, like most girls, putting on fashion shows for her grandmother. Naturally, she fell in love with Burberry and knew fashion was something she wanted to pursue with the plans of ultimately starting her own business.  took it upon herself to start this business when she was only a freshman in high school. Though that task may seem daunting to most, Popov demonstrates the “just do it” attitude necessary for entrepreneurial success.      “The look of my business is supposed to be effortless and when someone sees my models I want the person to think ‘I want to be just like them.’ When I saw Claire Torkelson, now a freshman in college at the University of Colorado-Boulder, that’s exactly what I saw–a very chic vibe. It took a couple days for me to work up the courage, but finally I went up to her at lunch and asked if she would model. For me, if I want something I’ll do it, and normally in the end something good will come out of it.”      Vivian Popov was only a freshman last year and asking a senior certainly takes a lot of nerve. Vivian isn’t afraid and that’s how she gets things done. She started selling jewelry in February and jean skirts in March. If you check out her Instagram, @vivan.ivonne, you will see many models rocking her stylish products.      First, the jean skirts. The way she puts it seems simple. “I watched a YouTube video and didn’t love the way they did it, so I made it my own way.” But it wasn’t as easy as it seemed; you do have to know how to sew to be able to produce well-crafted skirts. Vivian’s idea was very creative and well thought out, however. In terms of process, she cuts from the knee on a pair of jeans, goes around the seam on the side, overlaps the front and the backside of the jeans, and finally sews it 

together. The first time she tried it, it took four hours. But over the summer she perfected her skills and now she can make a jean skirt in only ten minutes. But how could the jean skirts only be $35?      “I wanted to sell it at a price I would buy it for. The price isn’t expensive but at the same time isn’t too cheap.” She goes to a local thrift shop in Gurnee and buys the denim at a low price so that she can make a profit off of her product. There are multiple jean skirts to choose from: the Olana denim, Aloha denim, light wash denim, white denim, patchwork denim and most importantly, Vivian’s favorite, the Venetta denim, named after her grandmother. “It’s an edgy skirt, you can dress it up or down and it looks good on everyone.” After creating each skirt, Vivian doesn’t waste the material, she uses the excess pieces and sews them together to create the stylish patchwork jean skirt.      Vivian also sells handmade jewelry: A black stringed pearl strand necklace, a variety of chokers, and a tassel necklace. Her jewelry looks chic and stylish and the prices range from only $8 to $20, a true steal for high school students. Vivian goes to Chelsea’s Beads or Michaels for the materials and it usually takes her under an hour to make the jewelry depending on which piece it is.      Most of you are probably wondering how she has the time for all of this…Vivian knows how to budget her time well.      “I always put homework first. During the summer I produced a lot of product so that I would be ready to sell it in the fall.”       Every week she gets about one to three orders and since March she has sold about 40 skirts. You can go on her Instagram, @vivian.ivonne, and contact her to order. Make sure to keep your eye out for any new products. She’s been working on a denim dress that she is looking to start selling soon.

Anafran Curry, a 17-year-old senior at Lake Forest, is the definition of someone who stands out. Growing up in the city, she shaped her wardrobe around herself and not what others thought of her and, quite frankly, we can all learn a valuable lesson about selfconfidence and loving yourself from this confident young woman.  

The unique style of senior Anafran Curry

What is your dream job?

When most of us think about fashion, what usually pops into our head is a trend, a bandwagon fad, or something we have to adopt on a seemingly weekly basis to keep up with new social normalities. But for the select few, they follow their own guidelines. And it’s obvious.      When strutting through the hallways of LFHS, certain people catch our eye. We observe the way they hold themselves, their hand gestures, and obviously, the way they wear their personality in their uniquely selected style. 

Where do you get most of your inspiration for your fashion?

“Growing up, my mom and my sister were the two strongest women in my life. I remember just watching my sister wear whatever she wanted. She didn’t care one bit what people thought of her. I don’t necessarily take outfit inspiration from my sister and my mom, but I use their confidence as a motivation to create unique and exuberant outfits. My mom always says ‘there is nothing better than a girl in a dress,’ and that just goes to show you that confidence is something every woman should have in everything they put on their bodies.” What are your favorite colors to wear?

“When I pick out an outfit, I am usually drawn towards the bright colors and funky patterns. I love wearing my favorite white, purple, and black camouflage cargo pants with a neon top. It pulls in aspects that a lot of people don’t consider and it creates depth. Also, why not wear it? I think the reason I wear such bright colors is because it makes me happy. Of course, I have black and white in my closet, but something about a neon yellow Calvin Klein t-shirt is what really makes me feel confident. Throwing on my pair of white Nike Air Max Jordans is a staple in my wardrobe. I wear them with most of my outfits, besides Doc Martens.” “I love fashion and the fact that it can really identify a person as a whole, but I also enjoy psychology and the reason behind things, which is why I want to be a neuroscientist. If I could have a job that somehow involved both, that would be great! But I don’t know if something like that exists. When I look at fashion around me I tend to think about the logic behind someone’s outfit, which is something I find really interesting.”

Who is your celebrity fashion inspiration?

“I’m a huge fan of Rihanna and the confidence she has in her wardrobe. It’s not necessarily the clothes that she wears, but again, the confidence she has in wearing them. She walks like she owns the planet and I really admire that. But if I had to pick a more realistic fashion style for myself, it would be Hailey Baldwin. Every time she puts together an outfit, I just wait for the next one. I love the depth she creates in her wardrobe.” Where do you shop for most of your clothes?

"For me, clothes aren’t about money, or about having the latest thing. I actually do most of my shopping at thrift stores and I definitely upcycle my clothes a lot. I think about 60% of my closet is resale. Some of my favorite pieces I own, I bought for fifty cents, which is crazy because I wear them all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I love high end things too, because who doesn’t, but a lot of my clothes are from smaller boutiques and thrift stores where I know a lot of people won’t have the same stuff. However, I do take a lot of inspiration from Gucci and Moschino because the depth in clothes is something that I think says a lot about their brand. Any piece of clothing can be styled any way. You don’t need money to look put together or ‘fashionable.’” If you could give any advice to the students of LFHS about fashion, what would you say?

My first day of 8th grade I walked into school wearing electric blue Doc Martens and bright red lipstick. I think I got more weird looks that day than I had ever in my life. But my mother and my sister told me not to care, because that was what I liked to wear and it was what I felt confident in. My advice would be to just be yourself. I know that sounds really cliche, but fashion is a way to emulate yourself without needed to speak and you should always strive to wear new things that represent you as an individual. For me, I like to create a memory with my outfits; I want to make an impression that really shows who I am and what I am about.”

-Julia Plotner

Andrea Mannarino: The Power of Makeup

Andrea Mannarino, a 17-year-old senior at Lake Forest High School, caught my attention one day in class. Surely I was not the first. It was the beginning of the year and, as is the case in many classes at the onset of a new school year, we were asked to make a profile on ourselves.     Andrea’s profile–one that firmly digressed from the standard, generic answer–was one that really stuck out and hit home for me and my classmates. She talked of how a big part of her philosophy is empowering others. She discussed her unique and individual story at length, and how makeup is something that drives her every day. I was stunned by the level of makeup production on her face, looks I, or any high schooler for that matter, could never achieve. The shadow on her eye, the highlight on her face was all so intricately done. I took the time to interview her and ask her some questions about both her makeup and her one-of-a-kind personality. What got you into makeup?

““I was 10 and bullied for my appearance, both physically and facially, and one day I had enough of it. I went into my grandma’s makeup and put foundation all over me. It was blotchy and uneven but I felt like the most beautiful oompaloompa ever. To top that classic look off, I put on MAC’s lipstick in the shade sweetie. My grandma told me it was terrible. I tried and tried for years and one day I was then taken to Bendles in New York where I used to live in 8th grade to get my makeup done. I learned from Kaltar, the women who did my makeup, who works with Beyonce’s makeup artist. She looked at me and told me that I was beautiful with and without it. She then told me something super powerful which was that makeup is the only one-size-fits-all part of fashion and that’s what I base my community service around it. Empowering young girls and teaching them that they don’t need to fit a specific beauty standard–that’s my mission. I’m a big believer in self expression and being comfortable in your skin. “

Are you self taught or did you learn the intricacies of makeup from a professional?

“I am a self taught”

Any tips or tricks you have for us everyday users?

“I would just say for tips: never forget to prime and moisturize. You want an even and well nourished base no matter how light or heavy you wear your makeup.” Any favorite products?

“Morphe prep and set, Maybelline matte pore-less fit me foundation, Tarte shape-tape, Jeffree Star cosmetics highlighter (the shade crystal ball is my personal favorite), NYX liquid suede liquid lipstick” How is empowering others a big part of who you are and what you do?

“After that one day in the 8th grade, I wanted to make others feel the way Kaltar made me feel. Working with people and connecting with them on a personal level while still being able to fix their problems and help them has made me realize that it is what makes me happiest. Ultimately, that is what I want to do for a living” Give us a specific example of you empowering others through your work?

“Well, with the children I work with, it is best when we exchange our experiences and I provide on-site application. We will also do creative activities, like one time I brought these wooden framed mirrors, paint, and other decorative things and I told the kids to decorate the mirrors with things that remind them of how radiant and unique they are. Those are just two examples of the work that I do with children” Clearly, Andrea’s mission goes beyond just physical appearance. Her belief is that feeling good about yourself on the outside and showcasing your true style should naturally enhance your selfesteem and confidence. Be sure to drop Andrea a line in the hallway if your interested in her services. It could just be the difference-maker for your next big event.

-Jenny Ortega

The staff of the Forest Scout and the Journalism program as a whole would like to thank the student body, the faculty of LFHS, and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff communities for all of the support that you have bestowed upon us. You make us more confident writers, more fearless in pursuit of the stories that make Lake Forest High School the unique and inspiring place that it is.  We relish the opportunity to have our writing be a visible product that people in the school community listen to, regard, and effectively learn from. It is our greatest honor to help serve the community that has helped raise us in the formative years of our lives. Thank you.