GreatNews.Life Student Voices: La Lu expands Prefect Leadership Program

What’s recently happened?

Spring is in full swing at La Lumiere School (La Lu). Students returned from a much needed spring break on March 26 and immediately resumed a busy schedule. Spring co-curriculars began leading to busy days with full practice and game schedules.

Over the break, Lakers were also busy working on their prefect applications. This year, La Lu’s unique leadership program is getting a complete makeover. In years past, students have had the opportunity to apply to be one of 11 prefects. Prefects run specific programs and school events throughout the year with the support of other students and faculty.

It is an opportunity for seniors to get more involved within the community and take on a larger leadership role. The 2026-2027 Prefect Leadership Program provides expanded opportunities for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.

The new program includes 18 prefects, 18 assistant prefects, and six senior head prefects all in charge of respective boards that execute certain events or programs. Each of the six boards is led by a head prefect and oversees three committees that consist of a prefect and an assistant prefect. The boards have a wide range of focuses from Community Engagement to Residential Life.

This is a big change and expansion within the La Lu community, but the new program offers a vast number of leadership opportunities for students and a great number of ways to get involved and engaged within the school.

What’s coming up?

Looking ahead, La Lu has some even busier weeks approaching. The Lakers are booked one way or another with every single weekend in April carrying an event. Students returned to school after Easter break on April 7, and they will not be catching another break for a long time.

The famous Taste of La Lu is approaching quickly on April 11. The Taste is an amazing opportunity for the community to come together and share dishes from their home country or culture. The Taste takes place in the Historic Marsch Gymnasium, and every single table is usually filled with people. Around 100 different dishes are spread around the perimeter of the gym as the whole community comes together to enjoy this special La Lu tradition.

The following weekend, campus is full again. The Spring Open House is taking place on April 18 and is a chance for prospective or admitted students to step onto campus and hear more about life at La Lu from teachers and current students. The admissions team and council are putting on the event so it is sure to be a success.

To wrap up the month, La Lu is having Prom on April 25. Prom is a great opportunity for students to come together and have fun outside of school. It is a high school rite of passage and the event is set to take place at The Lodge at Rush Lakes from 7-10pm. The theme is Masquerade so students should prepare for a fun evening.

Staff Spotlight

Molly Shields is a very involved science teacher at La Lu. She teaches biology to freshmen and AP Biology to upperclassmen, in addition to Earth Science. Originally from Texas, Shields brings a bit of her past by starting each of her Biology classes with a friendly “Howdy.”

She is not only a prominent presence within the classroom, but in athletics as well. She coaches cross country in the fall and Girl’s Tennis in the spring. She also serves as the Augustin dorm parent for the boys.

One of the reasons she loves La Lu is because of the community aspect and how people are able to feel at home here, no matter where they are from.

”La Lu is a very communal place where everyone is able to come together,” Shields said.

She also notes that there are not very many schools that do a three on three basketball tournament. Bookstore basketball is a really fun tradition at La Lu, and will be coming to a close soon with the championship game approaching quickly. Despite loving Bookstore Basketball, it is not her favorite La Lu tradition.

“I love senior candles, especially as I predominately teach freshmen. It is great to see how happy they get when they get a candle,” Shields said.

Shields is a warm presence on campus with her son Joseph always brightening peoples days in the best way possible.

Student Spotlight

Olivia Campbell is a bubbly presence on campus. Her laugh and smile is enough to make people smile in return.

Campbell is a strong student and athlete at La Lu. She plays on the Girl’s Volleyball team in the fall and the Girl’s Tennis team in the spring. She loves being on a team and the support that comes with it.

”I love the team aspect and how the team comes together to help each other out,” Campbell said.

It is this level of community that makes her feel so at home at La Lu. She believes that it is truly unlike any other school with a very inclusive environment.

“There are so many things that make La Lu so special, like the Head’s Cup Games in the middle of the day,” Campbell said.

She looks forward to the upcoming Taste of La Lu, which is her favorite La Lu tradition and she plans to cook a few dishes with her friends.