Friday Fanscout

• BrightArrow Emergency Test Message – April 22

• Distinguished Educator Award
• Forest Scout Friday
• Prom 2025
• Safe2Help Illinois
• Theater - Cinderella

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

• CROYA
• Enviro Classes 2nd Annual Night Hike with LFOLA
• Friday Morning News
• LFHS Wall of Fame Honorees
• LFHS Reads
• LFHS Spring Luncheon
• Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Experience Survey
• SAVE THE DATE - All Alumni Parking Lot Party (90 Years of LFHS)

Scouts Trailing News

• Gear Up with Athlattic
• Student One Pager

Community Event Opportunities

• National Alliance on Mental Health
• Spring 2025 Teen Talks

Need the FanScout translated? Please see the translation button on the upper right corner of this communication! ¿Necesitas traducir el FanScout? Por favor, vea el botón de traducción arriba a la derecha!

April 18, 2025

Dear Lake Forest Community High School,

Happy Friday–and what an incredible week it has been!

On Monday, we celebrated the renaissance of the Alumni Wall of Fame Ceremony. Meeting three accomplished Scouts and hearing a little about their experiences at Lake Forest High School and then their journeys to becoming extraordinarily successful was inspiring and truly thought provoking. Two of the honored alumni had incredible experiences at Lake Forest High while one spoke openly about her fears during high school and how she actually used those feelings to cultivate her personal art of storytelling, which eventually led to a Scholastic Award. I was reminded that as special of a place as we believe our community’s high school is, there are always students who are struggling–even if it is under the surface and largely unseen. How do we encourage students to feel all the feels, and lean into them wholeheartedly, in an effort to understand, explain and improve themselves and our world? I know that even in the lightest and darkest of times, it is often our response, gratitude, and resilience that shape and define us as people. A special thank you to Carla, Clark, and Margaret for giving your all to Lake Forest High School, and to the Lake Forest High School Alumni Association for resurrecting this incredible day!

At Wednesday’s Board meeting, I announced that Lake Forest High School will be phasing out our Mandarin Chinese World Language program in 2026-2027. As a school that very much values the opportunity and enlightenment that comes from a robust range of World Languages offerings, after many years of very low enrollment, I made this recommendation with several variables in mind: Fiscal cost of maintaining a very small program with declining enrollment; access challenges since one of our two feeder, public-school districts cannot/is highly unlikely to be able to access Mandarin Chinese; and overall AP Mandarin achievement and outcome data for our students who have been enrolled in the Mandarin Chinese program.

I understand that the decision does not come without consequences and with great disappointment from families who both value and access Mandarin Chinese in D67 and at private schools. We will respond and reconsider impact as we see a viable and sustainable series of larger cohorts of students successfully progressing through Mandarin Chinese instruction from our middle-school feeders.

For the community’s reference, we do and will continue to offer well-established and academically rigorous programs in Spanish, French, and Latin, with many students earning seals of biliteracy, and all students performing significantly above the national average pass rates for AP exams in these respective courses. 95% of our World-Language students currently access one of these three language offerings at Lake Forest High School.

For some of us, we soon celebrate the final days of Passover, and for others, we celebrate Easter. If you are celebrating or not, I wish you all a restful and joyful weekend ahead!

Your proud principal,

Erin

Districts 67 and 115 will conduct a test of the BrightArrow emergency notification system on Tuesday, April 22. The test message will be sent to your contact preferences on file (phone, email, and/or text). Please take a moment to review your BrightArrow settings and update your contact info if needed:

Your help ensures we can reach you quickly in an emergency. Thank you!

Seniors, you may now nominate a faculty member for the Distinguished Educator Award! This award was created in honor of Tom Wing, a beloved teacher. The essay should be written by a senior (or several seniors) about a faculty member who has made a difference in their high school careers.

All applications are due by Friday, May 2nd at 12 pm.

Full details can be found here, including the full history of the award, specific prompts that may be used as well as guidelines to follow.

Please make sure all submissions are on time and submitted to this email address (educatoraward@lfschools.net).

Overall Must-Reads:

• Editor-in-Chief Reese Harper - Three Successful Alumni Honored on the Wall of Fame

• Video Editor Grace Donovan and Staff Writer Anna Braun- Deans Take Aim At Seniors: No Nerf Guns on Campus

In LFHS:

• Editor-in-Chief Lyla Carney and Video Editor Grace Donovan- College Corner: Week #10

• Staff Writer Lizzy Grace- Scouting for Tomorrow: Editors of The Forest Scout Inspire Young Writers Today

• Staff Writers Evelyn Marshall and Josie Irvin- Prom Organizers Hope to Bring Prestige Back to Court

• Staff Writer Boden Rupprecht- Behind the Special Education Department: Mrs. Lovitsch

• In LFHS Editor Sara Drowne and Editor Michaela Barry - Dates for Seniors to Look Forward to

In Between the Lines:

• Editor-in-Chief Clara Collis- Where They Are Now: Lainey O’Neil

• Staff Writer Matthew Chabraja- New Face on the Diamond: Phil LaScala, Baseball’s Newest Assistant Coach

• Staff Writer Josie Irvin- Making a Mark on LFDT

• Staff Writer Charlie Graham- Scouts Lacrosse Cruises in the First Quarter of the Season

• Staff Writer Matthew Angelos- Rory Mcllroy Completes the Grand Slam with Masters Win

• Staff Writer Sophia Brincat- Girls Varsity Lacrosse: Seven New Freshman Added to a Legacy

In Our Opinion:

• In LFHS Editor Sara Drowne- Scout Nation’s Next Chapter

• In LFHS Editor Amelia Hansen - Advice I’m Taking With me to College (That Actually Matters)

• Staff Writer Chloe Baughman- Exploring The Guild: Where Vintage Meets Creativity in Highland Park

• Staff Writer Burke Konz- Enjoy the Boring: Importance of Reading for Teens

• Staff Writer Kayden Prieto- Top 5 Spring Date Ideas

• Staff Writer Finley Karr- Lollapalooza Survival Guide

In Culture:

• Staff Writer Trevor Diem- Chicagoland’s 2025 Summer Concert Lineup

In Style:

• Editor-in-Chief Clara Collis- Prom 2025 Dress Guide

• Staff Writer Natalee Hoel- Stylish Scouts: Bella Goldfayn

• Staff Writer Kiley Goodman- Stylish Scouts: Kacey Goodman

Watch-It:

• 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 4/18

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.

"Mark your calendars! The LFHS Spring Musical, Cinderella, takes the stage, and it’s going to be magical.

Join us for a fresh retelling of this timeless tale, complete with unforgettable characters and classic Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes that’ll have you humming all weekend long.

Showtimes:
April 24 & 25 at 7:00 pm
April 26 at 3:00 pm

Raymond Moore Auditorium

Directed by: Kelly MacBlane and John Wanninger

Reserved seating only—doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Don’t miss this enchanting production brought to life by our incredibly talented students!

Buy Tickets Here: https://cur8.com/39960/project/129369 "

April 18: Deadline to Drop a Class

April 24-25: Musical (RMA) 7:00 PM

April 25: Emergency Make Up Day (No-School, unless an emergency day is used)

April 26: Musical (RMA) 3:00 PM (followed by character meet and greet)

May 1: Continuing the Journey (Commons during lunch hours)

May 1: Senior Breakfast 7:30 AM

May 1: Orchestra Recital (RMA) 10:25 AM

May 2: Choir Concert (RMA) 7:30 PM

May 5-16: AP Testing

May 7: Freshman Counselor Seminar (Students Only)

May 8: Freshman Counselor Seminar (Students Only)

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.

• CROYA Executive Committee elections coming up this month. Click here for more information about each position!
• CROYA Senior Founder’s Awards applications are out! Win a one-time award for your time in CROYA to go towards your college experience. Applications can be found here!
• Check out CROYA’s April Top 10!

Environmental Science students put on their winter gear for the 2nd Annual Night Hike through the Green Nature Preserve—a tradition that continues to foster connection with the natural world under the stars. Despite brisk temperatures, students from all levels of the Environmental Science classes embraced the chill for an unforgettable sensory experience. Guided by LFOLA naturalists and LFHS Environmental Science teachers, students hiked the trails down to the beach while listening for nocturnal wildlife, a brief stop with a guided meditation, and time to reflect on the ecological importance of preserving natural spaces and connecting with nature. While on the beach, beautiful sunsets were observed, many rocks were skipped along the shoreline, and some looked for UV fluorescing rocks. Overall, another unique experience shared between our students, faculty, and community partnership with LFOLA.

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.

Spring Luncheon Information and Tickets

Celebrating Educational Excellence

On Friday, May 2nd, the LFHS Foundation will host its 15th Annual Spring Luncheon at Knollwood Club. This year's event features Harlan Cohen, the New York Times bestselling author of The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into In College and six other titles (over 1 million copies in print). Tickets and raffle tickets for the event are available now at https://LFHSLunch25.givesmart.com. All parents, alumni, and community members are welcome. Please join us!

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.

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!

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.

Spring 2025 Teen Talks topics—designed to inspire, empower, and connect adoptees in a safe, virtual space. First Monday of each month at 7 PM (CST).

Join us virtually for these engaging discussions:

• February 3rd: Community

• March 3rd: Identity

• April 7th: Adoption and the Media

• May 5th: Microaggressions

This teen-led support group is a judgment-free zone to share your story, learn from others, and explore topics that matter.

Tag a friend who might be interested and share this post to spread the word!

Visit our website to register: icare4aaff.org or email:teentalks@icare4aaff.org

#TeenTalks #AdopteeSupport #AdoptionJourney #VirtualSupport #SpringTopics #iCARE4AAFF