GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Snow glistens throughout La Lu

What’s recently happened?

La Lumiere School (La Lu) was welcomed back from a week-long Thanksgiving break to lots of snow. La Lu’s campus was transformed into a winter wonderland, and students took advantage of the weather.

Snowball fights took place during passing periods, and snowmen sprang up around campus. In place of after-school activities, students went sledding down the bowl for hours on end after school. Even after being gone for a week, students came together immediately once school resumed.

To match the winter festivities, there was a spirit day on Thursday, December 4. Students and faculty alike wore holiday sweaters to school to celebrate the chapel mass later that day. The halls were filled with a variety of sweaters, ranging from funny to comfy.

To foster even more spirit, La Lu hosted Giving Tuesday, a wonderful opportunity for students to get competitive and raise money for a good cause. La Lu’s students and staff are separated into four Heads’ Cup teams, and on Tuesday, they competed to see which team could get the most people to donate. The competition lasted the whole day up until midnight when one team pulled ahead. Moore placed last with 36, Sullivan third with 53, Webster second with 62, and Bunting in first with 65 people donating.

The community spirit stayed strong into the weekend. La Lu’s national basketball team played DePaul Prep in Chicago on Saturday, and a good portion of the student body showed up to support the Lakers to victory.

“The game was really fun to watch, and I had a really good time watching the teams,” said Mae Horn, the sibling of La Lu junior Lucy Horn.

What’s coming up?

The Lakers are busy in the next couple of weeks with finals, and with Christmas break quickly approaching. Schedules are packed with the Lumina symposium, as well as Christmas dinner.

The Lumina symposium is a chance for students to showcase to the student body what they have been working on all semester. From The Torch, the student-run newspaper, to School Buddies, a partnership with a local school, there is a wide variety of things students have participated in this semester.

During the last week of the semester, students take their final exams before school ends on Friday, December 19. No classes are held during this week, but students still have the chance to get together on campus and come together as a community for a Christmas dinner.

Christmas dinner is an opportunity for all students, boarders and day, to come to campus for a communal meal at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17. There will be Christmas classics, music, and memories to be made during this special La Lu tradition before parting ways.

Winter break is three weeks long, but some La Lu students have the opportunity to go to the Bahamas for a school trip during the last week of break. A handful of students will be attending the Island School, where they will learn about self-sustainable practices, sea life, and more.

Staff spotlight:

Matt Benedict teaches a wide range of English courses, including junior and senior literature, AP English Literature, and speech, as well as a few electives.

Beyond academics, Benedict is a central figure in La Lu’s theatrical program, where he plays a major role in planning and producing the school’s shows for every seasonal production. His involvement reflects what he believes defines La Lu.

“Community is a word that is used in lots of places, but it really means something here. Everyone is a member of this community and treats each other like family,” Benedict said.

Outside of school responsibilities, Benedict spends his free time on a number of different activities, ranging from film photography, organic gardening, and taking hikes. Benedict’s unique style, consisting of fun socks and beanies, reflects the lighthearted presence he brings to the school.

Student spotlight:

“I love how welcoming the community is,” said Charlie Dwyer, an 11th-grade student who joined La Lu this year.

Despite being new to the school, Dwyer has adapted quickly and has already gotten involved in the community. She is a great addition to the school and truly adds to the environment.

She joined the Varsity Volleyball Team this fall athletic season, and her favorite school events so far have been those home games. She looks forward to the number of people who show up and to the energy they bring.

Dwyer participates in both volleyball and Film Club and plans to join the tennis team in the spring. 

Outside of school, she continues to play club volleyball in Valparaiso. Despite being new to the school, she has grown fond of Mike Heffron, who teaches two of the classes she is taking: AP U.S. History and Microeconomics.