GreatNews.Life Student Voices: La Lu takes on skiing

What’s recently happened? 

La Lumiere School (La Lu) has been busy in recent weeks. On Saturday, January 31, a group of students and faculty got the opportunity to participate in the annual ski trip to Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego, Michigan.

Students were shuttled from campus at 7:30 a.m. to the ski hill to enjoy a full day of skiing and snowboarding regardless of their skill. The bus headed back to La Lu around 6 p.m. that evening. The annual ski trip is a great opportunity for both boarding and day students to come together and go skiing as a school-sanctioned event.

“It was fun getting to ski with people who I had never skied with before, and to make connections with them outside of school,” Sophomore Zen Wendt said.

While some students were attending the ski trip, La Lu’s choir was competing at the 2026 Indiana State Music Association Solo and Ensemble. They ended up earning the highest possible rating, Division 1, for their outstanding performance. 

Another important La Lu tradition happened on February 4. Fine Arts Wednesday is an opportunity for students to come together a few times a year and showcase their talents. Lakers can display artwork, perform a dance, sing, play an instrument, or tell jokes. The opportunities are endless during this Laker tradition.

What’s coming up? 

Looking ahead, life at La Lu is not getting any less busy. Spirit week is the week of February 9-13, with themes ranging from La Lu spirit to class colors. Friday is Valentine’s Day themed, leading into the long President’s Day weekend.

On February 11, there is an all-school game in the Historic Marsch Gymnasium featuring the Regional Boys Basketball team. All students are required to attend. The gym should be packed and filled with energy as the Lakers sport a La Lu spirit game theme.

All school games are scattered throughout the school year and require everyone to participate to instill a sense of school spirit and community by supporting the athletic teams during the winter season. 

“It is really nice that everyone comes together to support one another. It is one of those things that makes La Lu great,” said Junior Tiarah Alexander.

After students return to school from the long weekend, the winter theatrical performances begin. February 21 marks the first showcasing of the Theater Program’s Winter Performance. Be sure to be on the lookout for further showtimes and dates. 

Staff Spotlight: 

Kevin Effron teaches the majority of the Theology and Philosophy curriculum at La Lu. From classes like Theological Imagination to Ethics, Effron likes getting to teach a variety of material that he enjoys. Effron is a genuine presence inside and outside of the classroom.

“I’m just me – I try to be as authentically myself as possible in every interaction I have with students and my colleagues; what you see is who I am,” said Effron.

He loves his students and finds joy working with them every day. It is this love of student interaction that has led Effron to name the Baccalaureate Mass as his favorite La Lu tradition.

“In many ways, the Mass that we celebrate with our seniors before Senior Dinner is the highlight of my year. It is a very sentimental experience as I get to see students that I have been fortunate enough to teach over the years as they prepare to leave us for good the next day. It also never fails to bring up memories of past years and the students that made those times special,” said Effron.

He also gets to stay involved with students outside of the classroom in the dorm and through athletics. Effron is the dorm parent in the freshman and sophomore building, and he is the assistant boys soccer coach. It is this involvement in the school that has led him to love the community.

“Seeing the students outside of the classroom participating in events, cheering each other on in co-curriculars, and hanging out in free periods reminds me of how tight-knit we are and how much our relationships matter at this school,” said Effron.

Student Spotlight: 

Tiarah Alexander is a junior at La Lu and has attended all three years so far. Originally from Illinois, Alexander spends most of her time on campus as a boarding student. She is a quiet yet thriving presence at La Lu and is involved in the school’s community in a number of different ways.

“This school truly challenges me and constantly helps me strive to better myself,” Alexander said.

She chose the school because it was the best option for her interests, and she is certainly using the opportunities that La Lu has to offer. Alexander has been writing for “The Torch”, the student-run newspaper, for two years now, showcasing student life and activities through her pieces. 

On the athletic side of things, she is the manager for the Girls Volleyball Team in the fall, participates in fitness during the winter, and plans to be the Girls Tennis Team manager for the first time in the spring.

Alexander loves the school’s community and plays an active role in participation. She is a strong force in academics and always contributes to traditions like The Taste. The Taste of La Lu is an opportunity for students to prepare food from around the world and share it with the community. This is Alexander’s favorite tradition because she gets to eat different food from a variety of cultures.