Friday Fanscout

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Happy Friday!

This week started with some serious brainpower. I had the opportunity to join some of our high school and District team members to engage in professional learning alongside Google and Stanford. We were asked some big questions about the role of artificial intelligence in education and technology's growing place in our schools. And if I’m being honest—I left with even more questions than answers. But, I am so proud that we aren’t just responding or reacting to change—we’re leaning into it with curiosity, care, and responsibility. That’s the Lake Forest way.

From tennis courts to turf, tracks to the theater, we are deep into Senior Night season. For many of our students and families, these are bittersweet moments—celebrations of all that has been and signs of all that is still to come. To our seniors: you are leaving a legacy of leadership, perseverance, and heart. To your families: thank you for being with us every step of the way.

And to Dr. Sassen—thank you for being everywhere I cannot be. Your steady presence at our events and your love for our students never goes unnoticed.

Today, I had the privilege of attending the LFHS Foundation Luncheon. Each time I get to speak about our school, our staff, and most importantly, our students, I’m reminded how lucky we are to live and work in a community that truly believes in its public high school. The Foundation continues to say yes to innovation, yes to opportunities and possibilities, and yes to our Scouts. That kind of partnership makes all the difference.

Wishing you all a restful weekend ahead, especially those gearing up for even more celebrations to come. May is a mad dash to the end, with almost nightly events. Here’s to cheering on our Scouts–loudly and often.

Be well,
Erin

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• Forest Scout Friday

• Important Notice About the Back of the School Entrance off of Willow/Spruce St

• Prom 2025
• Safe2Help Illinois

• Important Senior Celebrations
• Link Crew Leaders Needed
• Summer School Registration is Now Open!

• Under the Hard Hat Episode 12: Spring Recap and Summer Look Ahead

• A Thank you to Lillie Alexander, Smith's Men's Store and LFHS APT

• Athletics
• Cardboard Boat Regatta Races
• Cinderella Meet and Greet
• CROYA
• LFHS Foundation Spotlight on Grants
• LFHS Friday Morning News
• LFHS Mandarin National Chinese Honors Society
• LFHS Reads
• Student Activities Celebrations (Math Team at State)

• LFHS Wall of Fame Honorees
• SAVE THE DATE - All Alumni Parking Lot Party (90 Years of LFHS)

Scouts Trailing News

• Gear Up with Athlattic
• Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Experience Survey
• Student One Pager

• Hiring: Bike Camp Director
• National Alliance on Mental Health

Overall Must-Reads:

• Staff Writer Anna Jasper- Forever in Our Hearts: Honoring the Legacy of Niki Stage

In LFHS:

• Editor-in-Chief Lyla Carney and Video Editor Grace Donovan- College Corner: Week #11

• Staff Writers Anna Braun and Evelyn Marshall- Beyond the Feed

• Staff Writer Finley Karr- Case Closed: Mr. Mann’s Return to LFHS As a Law Teacher

• Staff Writer Ibrahim Hashim- Answering the Most Commonly Asked Tariff Questions

• Staff Writer Eden Vishnubhakat- Zamboni

In Between the Lines:

• Sports Editor Ryan Valentincic- A Weekend of Firsts: Caleb Durbin Makes His MLB Debut

• Staff Writer Boden Rupprecht- Scouts Baseball Struggles to Find Consistency in 2025

• Staff Writer Nick Angelos- Analyzing the Chicago Bears Top Three Draft Picks From 2025

In Our Opinion:

• Staff Writer Trevor Diem- From the Big Poop to the Big Day

• Staff Writer Rhona Okada- Katy Perry Went to Space?

In Style:

• Staff Writer Natalee Hoel- Stylish Scouts: Lilly Walsh

Watch It:

• Staff Writers Burke Konz, Dominic Mordini, and Reza Anarwala- Off the Record: Ep. 1

• Special Guests Lilly Stauffer, Grace Donnellan, Jack Clark, Will Hirschfield, Maria Alzamora, Joey Van Camp, Kaylah Perez, Clay Goldhaber, Hannah Miczuga, and Runo Ogufere- Morning News 5/2

Seniors, do you know where you are going to college and want to be featured in College Corner? Click here to appear in an upcoming article!

Starting Immediately - The back school entrance off of Willow/Spruce will only be a ONE-WAY exit only from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm. If you wish to enter the back school parking lot between these times, please enter off of Noble Ave. You may exit the back school parking lot at Willow/Spruce or Noble Ave. This has become a safety issue with all the Athletic buses lined up in the back lot after school blocking one lane of traffic in the parking lot. Thank you for your help with this matter!

Dear Parents and Students,

On behalf of the Junior Class and the LFHS APT Prom Committee, we are pleased to present Prom 2025, Unmask the Night. Prom will be held on Saturday, May 17th at Belvedere Catering and Events. This is a Junior/Senior Formal event. Please see the information below. Use this link to register today: Prom 2025

Lake Forest School District 115 now uses Safe2Help Illinois for confidential reporting of concerns like bullying, safety threats, or mental health issues. This 24/7 statewide tool connects students to the right support—school staff, mental health professionals, or law enforcement.

This program is accessbile by app, text (SAFE2 to 72332), phone (844-4-SAFEIL), or website (safe2helpil.com), Safe2Help focuses on prevention and building a culture of trust and care.

May 5-16: AP Testing

May 6: D115 Board of Education Meeting (West Campus) 7:00 PM

May 7: Freshman Counselor Seminar (Students Only)

May 8: Freshman Counselor Seminar (Students Only)

May 14: Senior Counselor Seminar (Students Only)

May 17: Prom

May 19: Wellness Walk

May 21: AP Testing Make Ups

May 21: Band Concert (RMA) 7:30 PM

May 22: AP Testing Make Ups

May 22: Pitch Night (RMA) 7:00 PM

May 23: AP Testing Make Ups

May 26: Memorial Day - No School

May 28-29: Senior Finals

May 29: Seniors Last Day

June 2-5: Finals Week

June 4: Bilingual Parent Registration Night 5:30 PM

June 5: Last Day of School

June 5: Graduation Rehearsal and Senior BBQ 2:00 PM

June 7: Graduation 2:30 PM

Attention Seniors! The last two months of high school are filled with wonderful events, last opportunities, and celebrations. Be sure to check out our new Senior Commons: LFHS Class of 2025 page with all things related to the end of your time at LFHS. There are also two opportunities for you to honor those who helped you through the last 4 years. Check out both QR codes to nominate a member of our support staff and/or a faculty member who have made a difference in your life at LFHS.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Summer School registration in now open for the upcoming school year. Click on the link below to view our Summer School catalog and register for classes. Registration for most Summer School courses close on Friday, May 23rd. Driver Ed Registration closes on Friday, April 11th.

Check out the latest episode of Under The Hard Hat for an inside look at the Phase 1 construction progress at Lake Forest High School and a preview of the work planned on campus this summer.

On Saturday, April 26th LFHS hosted an eight team Boys Track and Field Invitational. At the end of the meet one of the IHSA officials wanted to recognize one of the participants with a Sportsmanship award (a baton) that he had been carrying with him for some time. The official felt our very own Xaiver Garriques was a standout and awarded him this prestigious award. Congratulations Xaiver Garriques!

The Physics Cardboard Boat Regatta returned this year with a full audience. All non-AP physics classes participated, and students from other classes watched from the pool balcony as their peers showed off their engineering and piloting skills at the conclusion of this 3-month project. The fastest time this year was in Mr. Wilen's 5th period Physics class. The pilot was Brendan Sheeler and the rest of the group was Luke Almagro, Miranda Deitche, Daira Hernadez Abarca, and Collette Mrowiec, and their race time was 36.94 seconds! This annual event is a Lake Forest tradition that spans many decades, and the physics teachers are always happy to make this contribution to our school community. Thanks to everyone who both participated and worked so diligently behind the scenes to make it happen. See you at next year's Regatta!

Last weekend, Lake Forest High School wrapped up a successful run of its spring musical, Cinderella. Under the direction of Kelly MacBlane and John Wanniger, more than 60 talented students came together as cast, crew, and orchestra, dedicating nine weeks of hard work and rehearsals to bring this timeless fairy tale to life on stage.

The production captivated audiences across three performances, culminating in a sold-out Saturday matinee that featured a special meet-and-greet with the beloved characters. Children and families were thrilled to interact with Cinderella, Prince Topher, and the rest of the cast. From the youngest audience members to the high school performers themselves, joy and excitement filled the theater making for an unforgettable afternoon of magic and community spirit.

• 5/2 - Work Trip and Founders Awards applications due! Find them both in our Instagram bio (@croyalflb).

• 5/3 - CROYA's Battle of the Bands! 7-10pm at CROYA. Come support local youth and their passion for music. Get tickets here!
• 5/7 - High School Meeting: Final round of elections! 7-8pm at CROYA.

Please click on the link to read all about LFHS Foundation Spotlight on Grants.

LFHS Spotlight on Grants

Clark Sommers (Class of ‘95), Margaret McMullan (Class of ‘78), and Carla Neuschel Wyckoff (Class of ‘66) with their Wall of Fame plaques. (Lake Forest Schools)

[LAKE FOREST, IL] – Lake Forest Community High School (LFHS) proudly inducted three distinguished alumni into its Wall of Fame during a special ceremony on April 14, 2025. This event marked the first induction since 2019, following the pandemic, and served to reinvigorate a cherished LFHS tradition that began in 2005.

“We’re thrilled to bring back this event and celebrate three outstanding Scouts who’ve made exemplary contributions in their fields,” said Lesley Fisher, LFHS Alumni Association Coordinator. “Their inspiring stories are a powerful reminder of what is possible for our Lake Forest Community High School students.”

At the ceremony in the LFHS Raymond Moore Auditorium, Carla Neuschel Wyckoff (Class of ‘66), Margaret McMullan (Class of ‘78), and Clark Sommers (Class of ‘95) took the stage smiling as their families, LFHS junior and senior classes, former inductees, Alumni Ambassadors, and the LFHS community watched with pride from the audience. Their plaques will be placed on the LFHS Wall of Fame.

The three honorees were chosen by the LFHS Wall of Fame Selection Committee. “We look for individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact in their profession and community,” said Carolyn Konz, LFHS faculty and Wall of Fame Selection Committee member.

Meet the Honorees

Carla Neuschel Wyckoff

Carla Neuschel Wyckoff, LFHS Class of 1966, graduated from the University of Missouri Journalism School and earned an MBA from Northwestern. She spent 16 years as an American Medical Association executive, including time as a Washington, D.C. lobbyist. After earning a Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola, she served as a prosecutor in Lake County before being elected County Clerk in 2014. In 2019, she became an Assistant State’s Attorney in McHenry County. Her children, McKay and Alexander, also graduated from LFHS.

Margaret McMullan

Margaret McMullan, LFHS Class of 1978 and author of nine award-winning books, including In My Mother’s House, Sources of Light, and Where the Angels Lived, has received an NEA Fellowship and a Fulbright. Her work appears in USA Today, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. A former professor, she serves on multiple literary boards and co-directs the McMullan Young Writers Workshop. She also helped launch One Book, One Pass and writes full-time in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Clark Sommers
Clark Sommers, LFHS Class of 1995, is a Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and educator who has toured globally with jazz luminaries, including Kurt Elling, Cedar Walton, and Brian Blade. A CalArts graduate, he studied with Charlie Haden and later earned a master's in Jazz Composition from DePaul University. Clark leads acclaimed projects like Ba(SH) and The Lens.

Clark’s most recent recording project, “Feast Ephemera” is a 12-piece ensemble released in September 2023. Feast Ephemera is his most ambitious and far-reaching project, featuring all new compositions and arrangements, realized by 12 of Clark’s long-time collaborators. It will be performed by the Memphis Symphony this April.

Nominate a Scout for the Next Wall of Fame Class

If you know an LFHS alum you would like to nominate for induction into the LFHS Alumni Wall of Fame in 2027, please complete the LFHS Wall of Fame nomination form here.

Seniors, Quinn Brown and his team (Brooke Bolton, Heidi Moebius, Grace Clark, and Derek Marshall) members of the Business Accelerator program at LFHS are making waves with their new venture: Athlattic (gently used sports gear and equipment).

Whether you’re looking to buy high-quality equipment at a fraction of the cost or you have some gently used gear you’re ready to part with, Athlattic is here to help! Their mission is to make sports more accessible by offering affordable options and promoting sustainability.

Why Choose Athlattic?

• Affordable Gear: Get top-notch equipment without breaking the bank.

• Eco-Friendly: Recycle your used gear and contribute to a more sustainable future.

• Spring Cleaning- Clean your garage and attic and make money.

• Easy Process: Buying and selling is a breeze with our online platform.

Ready to shop or sell?

Visit www.athlattic.com to check out their selection or list your items today!

If you have any questions or need more information about their services, feel free to reach out at athlattic@gmail.com. They are always happy to help!

We want to hear from you! Whether you’ve participated in our classes, events, or recreational activities, we’d love to know how we’re meeting your needs and where we can improve. The information collected will guide our strategic planning to ensure we continue to provide high-quality programs, facilities, and experiences for the community. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and help us make Parks and Recreation even better for everyone. Take the survey.

Here is the updated student one pager.

Student One Pager

Lake Forest Community High School District 115 may share content from public/private schools, government entities, community organizations, or 501(c)(3) nonprofits that align with district-related events, initiatives, or youth activities. Distribution of external content is at the District’s discretion. The District is not responsible for the content or accessibility of external websites. For more information, visit our website.

• Now Hiring: Bike Camp Director!
  Join Our Team! $20 per hour + Bonus Benefits 40 hours/week for 8 weeks. Travel around Lake Forest and other local communities, utilizing the North Shore Bike Path, Des Plaines River Trail, and the Skokie Valley Bike Trail. Visit local attractions, such as Forest Park Beach, Middle Fork Savannah, and Fort Sheridan. Bonus Benefits Include: Free Fitness Center Membership, Free Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals, and Discounted Golf at Deerpath. Learn more.