GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Lake Central’s Pride in History and Aspirations for Innovation

What’s recently happened?

On September 11, the Lake Central Science Olympiad team held its official callout meeting. The main objective was to demonstrate what the events are like and highlight the interesting aspects available.

“We try to really get people interested in events, because a lot of the time, some students struggle to know what they want to do,” Jayden Shah, senior, said. “Anytime we can give them an insight into what events look like, they might have a greater idea of what they want to pursue this season. We also try to show what career connections the events would have.”

Returning members are also excited to thoroughly research and examine study material on the specs for their respective events.

“I’m excited to get deep into my events and learn about them the best I can with the time I have this year. I have more time on my hands to really delve deep into what I like to do and study,” Anthony Greer, senior, said. “That’s the biggest thing with the Science Olympiad: you get to do what you like to do. You get to study what you like to study. You’re not forcing anything and it’s all on you.”

With a greater focus on humanities, the History Club met on October 7, where they discussed the life of Edgar Allen Poe, chosen for the presentation of that week as he passed on that same day in 1849.

“History Club provides a way to learn about history outside of a school setting, while still being in the safety of the school. I feel more connected, especially to the student body, because I’m learning more about those who have shared interests,” Angel Matthews, junior, said. “I get to learn more about the person, because in History Club, there is a big presentation where various members are allowed to present. It’s not just leaders telling you about World War II for two years straight.”

Many members appreciate history for the insights it can bring for future discussion and innovation.

“It’s a really good place to learn about all aspects of history, which is really important because learning from history is how we set ourselves up for success, as when we learn from the past, we’re able to not make the same mistakes and take the success of the past to build off of it,” Olivia Banchard, sophomore, said. “What it does for me is how learning about the past allows me to learn about people who are inspiring to me.”

What’s coming up?

On November 13, Lake Central High School will hold its annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony. School administrators and student leaders of clubs alike are amped for the end result.

“We have meetings every couple of weeks in the library where we go over what we are going to do, what needs printing out, and what people’s roles are going to be for that day. We have been doing it for about four years and helping the students with their role in the process,” social studies teacher Claire Kuhlenschmidt said.

Many clubs get directly involved with planning, one being the Interact Club.

“Usually, our students will be some of the speakers and greet veterans when they walk in. We do the flyers, design programs, act as ushers, and do whatever else is needed. Interact Club is a club which has normal events and a food drive we do,” business teacher and club sponsor Derek Pruett said.

The Veteran’s Day Ceremony is important to many because of the ability to honor those who have served. This includes Tom Clark, a retired Lake Central social studies teacher.

“A lot of young people don’t realize the importance of all these veterans and what they’ve done. I think by doing programs like this, over the years, they become more and more aware of what these guys have done for them,” Clark said. “This year, we plan on having two World War II veterans. These guys are in their 90s and were deployed for three years or more.”

Clark is in charge of selecting guest speakers and does so with engagement in mind.

“I look for people who have done outstanding things, not only in the military, but for veterans. They care about veterans and we get everybody fired up,” Clark said. “Patrick O’Donnell has raised millions of dollars to build homeless shelters. William Taylor is a marine with three Purple Hearts and was there over a year.”

Staff spotlight:

Gina Geiss is a cafeteria worker who serves students in the Lake Central cafeteria. She also does nonprofit work as the president of the Italian American Women’s Club of Lake County.

“Feeding the kids is my favorite part. I personally always like being in the kitchen, so that is a perfect spot for me: making sure that the kids enjoy their lunch,” Geiss said. “I’m always in the kitchen at home. I cook when we do baking for the Festa Italiana at Villa Cesare and then, on bocce nights, they serve pasta, so I also make sauce and homemade pasta.”

One of the difficult parts of being a lunch server is knowing how to be efficient with time.

“I would say getting the kids through the lunch line quickly is the most difficult part. We know that you only have so much time to eat and the lines are long, so the kids that are in the back of the line don’t really have that much time as the kids that are in the front of the line,” Geiss said.

Nonprofit work is one of Geiss’ biggest passions outside of what she does at the school.

“We sold over 700 tickets and we made a phenomenal amount of money. So, the $10,000 that we gave out in September is a portion of the money that we made during our fundraiser,” Geiss said. “In November, we do an annual fundraiser where we’re going to be giving out $8,000 and that’s going to be split between organizations that our members are submitting.”

Even time or labor-intensive work can be fun if one has a passion for what is being done.

“I’m not saying that it’s easy, but if you enjoy what you’re doing, like I enjoy being in leadership with the Italian American Women’s Club of Lake County, it’s fun. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, then you need to seek a different path. I enjoy dealing with people and the monthly meetings that we have,” Geiss said.

Student spotlight:

Lucas Cook is a senior at Lake Central who has set his sights on teaching music. He has participated in many extracurricular activities to help him advance towards his goal.

“I go to the Merit School of Music in Chicago and the conservatory’s name is Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory: it’s a pre-collegiate conservatory and, my junior year, I tested out of all the music theory classes straight away,” Cook said. “I went straight into the composition class and composing my first year. I’m still composing there today and now a part of their choir program.”

Cook has many inspirations that have built up over the years for pursuing his interests.

“When it comes to choir, I’ve improved as a performer. I attribute a lot of my musical success to choir. It’s really helped me sing,” Cook said. “I’ve asked my choir teacher, Nathaniel Jones, about a lot of things. I’ve learned a lot. He’s always encouraged my interest in composing and gave me ideas.”

Cook has taken on many other roles as a teacher which are associated with his classes at Lake Central, particularly with being director of his barbershop quartet, The I Guys and then Handbells.

“I’ve also arranged Handbells and choir songs for the spring concert this year, 2026, and then this fall concert, I was chosen to be assistant director of Handbells,” Cook said. “I directed the whole Handbells as one class, as well as forming a little quintet, a total of five students, where I arranged a song, as well as directed it and taught them the music.” 

His interest in the in-depth elements of musical composition was mainly sparked by his AP music theory class. He encourages underclassmen to pursue various classes of interest. 

“You should be able to go and explore. The second that you’re sure, ‘I really like this thing. I really want to do this,’ you should take every opportunity,” Cook said. “I don’t think I would be in the place I am if I didn’t take every opportunity I was given. So, if you have an opportunity to do something really fun, really special or something that really shows off your talents or your skills, you should absolutely take that.”