Building Towards the Future
The LFA Athletic Center Reveal and the Fine & Performing Arts Makeover
Review
The Magazine of Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall
Interim Head of School
Tom Johnson
Main Editors
Greg Greenwell P’25
Emmy Schwerdt
Alex Stevenson
Magazine Layout & Design
Margaret Galeano
Photography
David Atas
Ruth Keyso
George Pfoertner
Emmy Schwerdt
Alex Stevenson
Contributors
Beth Bentley
Greg Greenwell P’25
Tom Johnson
Ruth Keyso
Rita Schulien MacAyeal ’87
Christine Ryder P’15, ’17
Emmy Schwerdt
Garry Sloan P’19, ’21
Printing
John S. Swift Co., Inc.
Admission Office
847-615-3267 admission@lfanet.org
Alumni Engagement Office
847-615-3268 rkeyso@lfanet.org
Marketing & Communications Office
847-615-3284 comms@lfanet.org
Parent Relations Office 847-615-3238 advancement@lfanet.org
The Review is published two times a year by the Office of Marketing & Communications at: Lake Forest Academy 1500 W. Kennedy Road Lake Forest, IL 60045 Telephone: 847-615-3210
POSTMASTER: please send change of address notices to Alumni Office, Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1047.
All the words and photos contained herein were written or taken by the editor, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in the Review are those of the authors. No material may be legally reproduced without the written consent of the editor and Lake Forest Academy. ©2025, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Illinois. All rights reserved. Lake Forest Academy supports and adheres to a long-standing policy of admitting students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
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OPENING OF SCHOOL
The All-School Handshake kicked off the 2024-25 academic year. This LFA tradition in the Formal Gardens enables every member of the community to wish one another a successful school year.
6
LFA ATHLETIC CENTER OPENS
This state-of-the-art facility opened its doors just over a year after construction began, offering a full range of competitions and enhanced fitness options for LFA’s students, faculty, and staff.
THE CRESSEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND NEW HALL UPDATES
Work started quickly following Gala 2024 and continued throughout the summer as Fine and Performing Arts spaces were renovated and upgraded in The Cressey Center for the Arts and New Hall.
ALUMNI WEEKEND
The Classes of 1974 from LFA and Ferry Hall celebrated their 50th reunions in October as the Academy welcomed all Caxys back to campus for Alumni Weekend.
AROUND CAMPUS
The first semester featured guest speakers and performers, along with
ALUMNI EVENTS
The College Dinner Series reached out to LFA’s youngest alumni by visiting various college campuses, while the Alumni and Friends Picnic welcomed alumni from the Classes of 1956 to 2024.
FOR MORE PHOTOS
from Alumni Weekend, Family Weekend, performances, and other events, please visit Lake Forest Academy’s photo galleries on SmugMug at or scan the QR code.
lakeforestacademy.smugmug.com
2024-25 Board of Trustees
Jessica P. Douglas ’96
Chair
John Marlatt ’65
Vice Chair
Eric Brown ’98
Treasurer
Karen Fink P’22, ’23, ’27
Secretary
Jim C. Cowart ’69
Member At Large
Elizabeth Alicea ’98
Todd E. Altounian ’86
Bruce W. Anderson ’70, P’97, LT’13
Molly Pearson ’04
Katie Frekko P’21, ’24, ’27
David Gupta ’81
Gloria W. Harper P’93
Tom Hodgkins ’85
Suzanne Isenberg ’83
Duane C. Jackson ’01
Ned Jessen P’01, ’05, LT’08
Scott W. Kaeser ’96
Allan M. Kaplan ’72, P’03, LT’04
Edward Kovas P’21
Margeaux McReynolds ’02
Scott Meloun ’77
Dr. Bancroft O’Quinn, Jr. ’72
Leslie Rosen P’25, ’25, ’27, ’27
Emily Sammon ’91
Frederick Waddell ’01
Thomas S. Wood ’78, P’23, ’24
Xiong Yin P’23
Mission Statement
Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.
CHARACTER encompasses respect for others and their beliefs, dedication to honesty in every sphere of life, realization of moral clarity and conviction, and pursuit of virtue and value in life.
SCHOLARSHIP encompasses acquisition of knowledge, development of critical thinking, enthusiasm for discovery and learning, and exercise of a powerful imagination.
CITIZENSHIP encompasses appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism, involvement in the LFA community, participation in service to others, and commitment to global awareness and understanding.
RESPONSIBILITY encompasses development of self-reliance, ability to seek guidance, dedication to cooperation and teamwork, and action based upon informed decisions.
To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in September, LFA’s Asian Culture Union hosted events including a lantern making event. Students created lanterns with messages of luck and prosperity before releasing them on the water in the Formal Gardens.
From the Interim Head of School
Dear Members of the LFA Community,
It’s hard to believe that we are past the midway point of the school year, but time flies on a busy campus. Our students and faculty find themselves in the second semester and in the heart of the winter athletic season. A good number of our seniors heard back about early college applications recently, and many are now waiting for regular decisions in March and April. Our theater program is preparing their winter musical, The Prom, to be performed the third week of February. Preparations are underway for our students and faculty to explore the world through March trips to Belize, New York City, Greece, the Bahamas, Peru, Martinique, and Puerto Rico.
In this issue you will see features on the results of our most recent two galas, the Athletic Center Expansion, and updates to Fine & Performing Arts classrooms. The philanthropic generosity of our community allowed us to make changes that have had profound impacts on the student experience. If you haven’t yet visited the Athletic Center on a winter evening, I encourage you to do so. Likewise, our Arts faculty would love the chance to welcome you into their renovated spaces.
Experiencing the 50th Reunion of the Ferry Hall and Lake Forest Academy Classes of 1974 in October was a great reminder of how this school holds a special place in the hearts of our alumni. Our recent graduates turned out in force for the Young Alumni Luncheon on January 8. And we’ll welcome more alumni back to campus for the Josh Rothstein Young Alumni Networking Night on February 27. We also have had the chance to reconnect with alums around the country through our college dinner series.
We have a lot to be thankful for as a school community, and so I encourage you to return to campus and experience the magic for yourself. I would love to see you and will always make time for a visit!
Sincerely,
Tom Johnson Interim Head of School
Opening of School
Record-Breaking Enrollment
Lake Forest Academy welcomed 452 students on the first day of the 2024-25 school year in August with LFA’s traditional All-School Handshake. The busy fall semester featured student achievements, community service, visits by performing artists and authors, and numerous wins and honors for Caxy athletics teams.
LFA’s enrollment has hit an all-time high of 452 students, including 134 newcomers and 318 returning students. The diverse student body comes to the Lake Forest campus from 19 different states and 40 countries and
hailing from across the nation and around the globe, day students from 47 local communities are also enrolled this year.
All-School Handshake
The entire LFA community gathered in the Formal Gardens, with Interim Head of School Tom Johnson initiating the All-School Handshake by flipping a coin to decide the starting direction. He was joined by AllSchool President Enos Zaah ’25 to lead the line around the formal gardens and pagoda, as every member of the school community
Healthy Choices Day
LFA’s annual Healthy Choices Day in midSeptember opened with a keynote address by award-winning science journalist Donna Jackson Nakazawa (pictured). She spoke to students, faculty, and staff about the science behind effective resiliency strategies for managing stress and adversity. Students spent the rest of the day in workshops throughout campus aimed at promoting student health and well-being.
Young Men of Color Symposium
In November, five LFA students participated in the Young Men of Color Symposium at Francis Parker. This leadership conference is dedicated to self-identified young men of color in grades six through twelve who attend independent schools. The Caxys present spent the day acquiring skills for selfadvocacy and community building while being empowered to become leaders.
Visiting Performers Entertain LFA Community
The LFA community welcomed a duo of performers during the fall semester to The Cressey Center for the Arts stage. In mid-September, world-renowned classical guitarist Marisa Sardo showcased her unique program featuring a variety of diverse music, including pieces from Europe, African music, South American compositions, works by women, world premieres, and music written specifically for her. Later in the semester, at the end of October, and as part of LFA’s celebration
of Hispanic Heritage Month, the femaleled Latin alternative band LADAMA performed and led a workshop focused on Afro-Colombian percussion. LADAMA blends sounds from South America and the Caribbean with soul, R&B, and pop.
Project Pumpkin and Trunk or Treat
It was a boo-tiful day full of Halloween fun in late October as LFA welcomed over 40 fourth- and fifth-graders from North Chicago’s A.J. Katzenmeier Academy to participate in the annual Project Pumpkin event. AJK students had the chance to choose their own costumes, trunkor-treat with an LFA buddy, dance to a performance by Co-ax, learn how to make slime, and enjoy dinner on campus. Project Pumpkin is organized by LFA’s service club, Interact, and the Stuart Center for Global Leadership.
Ranked Among Nation’s Best Once Again
LFA Selected as No. 1 Private High School in Illinois for Second Straight Year
The 2025 edition of Niche’s Best Schools rankings were published on September 30 with Lake Forest Academy maintaining its No. 13 national ranking among boarding schools and the No. 1-ranked private school in Illinois.
LFA is No. 13 on the nation’s boarding school list for the second straight year after being ranked No. 18 in the 2023 Best Schools rankings.
Niche’s rankings combine user input – ratings from current students, alumni and parents – with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources, facilities, extracurricular activities and more. This comprehensive approach assesses a wide array of factors, providing a well-rounded perspective on educational institutions across the country.
Among private schools, the Academy moved up two spots from the 2024 rankings to No. 34 nationally (out of 5,057 schools)
and is the top-ranked private school in Illinois (out of 159) for the second consecutive year.
LFA remained at No. 13 in the nation among the Best Boarding High Schools in America and also held the top-ranked spot in the state of Illinois. The rankings were out of 438 boarding schools nationally and nine in the state.
Other national rankings for LFA include No. 45 (out of 5,220) in Most Diverse Private High Schools, No. 56 (out of 4,953) for Best College Prep Private High Schools, and No. 121 (out of 9,912) for Best High Schools for STEM.
In the state of Illinois, Lake Forest Academy is also No. 1 for Most Diverse Private High Schools (out of 158) and in Best College Prep Private High Schools (out of 157). Other state rankings include No. 4 (out of 315) for Best High Schools for STEM and No. 125 (out of 796) in Best High Schools for Athletes in Illinois.
LFA Athletic Center Opens
State-of-the-Art Indoor Facility Launches
Just over a year after the project started in June 2023, the LFA Athletic Center opened in August and transformed Lake Forest Academy’s athletic footprint. The 45,000-square-foot project hosted a full slate of events during the fall and winter seasons while also providing an outlet for the entire community to exercise and relax.
The girls volleyball team played the first competition in the facility. The winter season has hosted events for boys and girls basketball and co-ed squash. The upcoming spring season welcomes home schedules for girls badminton and boys volleyball.
An indoor running track and an additional fitness center promoting practice, training, and recreation are already paying dividends for the Caxys. The newly installed turf in Glore Memorial Gymnasium has transformed what was once a wooden court into a state-of-theart indoor facility for soccer, softball, and baseball teams during the winter months.
Celebration of Philanthropy
The 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy occurred in early November at the Athletic Center, as the Academy recognized the generosity and support for the athletics expansion project. Along with expressing gratitude for contributions from the community, the evening included the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year award to Patrick Corsiglia P’15, ’17, ’20, and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility.
Lake Forest
The Cressey Center for the Arts and New Hall Updates
The Future of the Arts at LFA
Since Gala 2024 in April, the Fine and Performing Arts areas around campus have been transformed due to the generosity of the LFA community. More than $800,000 was raised April 27, 2024 when our community came together to support the student experience in the Fine and Performing Arts. Community members around the world supported Gala 2024: The Art of the Imaginable. We are grateful for their commitment to fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence for LFA students. The Academy also extends special thanks to the Gala 2024 co-chairs: Trustee Suzanne Isenberg ’83, Trustee Leslie and Stu Rosen P’25, ’25, ’27, ’27, and Julie Brandt and Timothy Lange P’25, ’28
The funds raised have been used for a variety of purposes to support the arts, including:
• Expand studio art classrooms to increase course enrollment for students, accommodate new professional grade equipment, improve workspace efficiency, and increase time on instruction
• Repurpose the existing darkroom into a digital studio space with modern technologies, including cameras, tablets, and supporting software
• Renovate the 2D studio space into a digital design studio with up to 16 new computer stations supporting digital graphic design, electronic music, and more
• Enhance production technology in the theater of The Cressey Center for the Arts with a new communications system and lighting console and an upgraded wireless network
• Improve acoustic quality in the orchestra room with resonate flooring and diffusion panels to control sound absorption and reverberation; create soundproof practice rooms; and install a humidity control system to protect instrument integrity
• Enhance access to visiting artists, studio supplies, performances, workshops, and other opportunities to expand and build on the highest caliber artistic curriculum for students through an arts enhancement fund
Thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping the future of arts education at LFA. The school’s ongoing commitment to the student experience includes excellence in the arts, inspiring students to embrace lifelong creativity personally and professionally.
2024 Family Weekend Family Fun on Campus
It was great to see so many families back on campus and those that joined LFA virtually during Family Weekend at the end of September. The weekend opened with virtual events that included Interim Head of School Tom Johnson for a Caxy Conversation and a residential life presentation with Dean of Students Jennifer Rundles, Interim Director of Residential Life
David Atas, and Residential Council Lead & LFA Science Teacher
Erica Wood
Class Coffee and Tea
Interim Head of School Tom Johnson, Dean of Students Jennifer Rundles, and Dean of Admission Carolyn Gorowski welcomed families of ninth and 10th grade students while Interim Dean of Faculty Paul Makovec, Assistant Head of School and Academic Dean Nancy Nassr P’24, ’25, and Dean of College Counseling Andrew Poska joined 11th and 12th grade families for a casual coffee, tea, or mimosa to kick-off Family Weekend on Friday morning.
Parents Association Welcome Luncheon
The LFA Parents Association (“PA”) Welcome Luncheon featured Dean of Advancement Garry Sloan P’19, ’21 and Chief Financial Officer Mike Reidy P’17, ’26 who presented an overview of the fundamentals of the Academy’s finances and operations and how tuition dollars and philanthropy sustain and enhance the student experience.
Family of BIPOC Students Gathering
Parents, grandparents, and students of color met for a special gathering to deepen connections with one another and to discuss issues of intercultural importance in a small-group setting. The session was hosted by Dean of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community Dr. Lusanda Mayikana P’14 and the Parents Association Multicultural Liaisons.
“Groovin in the Gardens”
The LFA Parents Association celebrated their guests of honor –the faculty, staff, and administrators at LFA – with a Woodstockthemed event complete with festival fare, a live band, and music! Special thanks to our Parents Association Bell Bash Co-Chairs on Friday evening, Suzanne Fox P’27, Tricia Gartz P’23, ’26, ’28, and Melissa Trandel, P’23, ’27
Athletics Events
The Caxys were busy competing on the fields, courts, and ice during Family Weekend. LFA teams competed throughout the weekend in cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
Saturday Morning Mini-Classes
Families followed their student’s A-Day schedule for abbreviated 15-minute classes with five-minute passing periods on Saturday morning.
Family Lunch
The Caxy Family Lunch brought together parents, students, siblings and grandparents for a Family Weekend favorite. A beautiful Saturday afternoon was enjoyed by everyone in attendance to celebrate Lake Forest Academy!
Fine & Performing Arts Drop-In
Fine and Performing Arts faculty and students provided a drop-in opportunity for families to see rehearsals, performances, and answer questions about LFA’s fine and performing arts program. The orchestra went through a rehearsal in New Hall while newly renovated spaces in The Cressey Center for the Arts featured the ceramics and glass studios, a choir rehearsal, and a tour of the digital design studio.
Students Activities Fair & Stuart Center Open House
Families were able to drop in and meet student club leaders to hear firsthand about the offerings and leadership opportunities at LFA. The Stuart Center for Global Leadership welcomed guests that were interested in LFA’s curricular and co-curricular travel opportunities.
Lake Forest Academy
2024 Alumni Weekend
Food, Friends, and Milestone Reunions
Whata weekend! Alumni Weekend 2024 took place on the LFA campus Oct. 18-19. Nearly 140 alumni and friends came to Lake Forest to reconnect with one another and celebrate milestone class reunions. The gorgeous fall weather provided a perfect backdrop for outdoor activities, including the Oktoberfest picnic in the Formal Gardens and campus tours with student guides.
The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a special dinner in Reid Hall for the 50th reunion class, the Class of 1974. Alumni reconnected over dinner, drinks, and music from their high school years. A spirited game of trivia about the history of LFA and Ferry Hall and a quiz on how well alumni knew their classmates added to the festive setting.
Ferry Hall alumnae enjoyed a special Ferry Hall poster exhibit, which paid tribute to the rich history of the girls school and honored the merger of LFA and Ferry Hall in 1974. This year marks 50 years of co-education between the two institutions.
Saturday morning united alumni with current students for conversation in the Library in Reid Hall. Co-hosted by the Office of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community and the Office of Alumni Engagement, this popular Reunion staple, the Multicultural Dialogue, offered alumni and students the chance to share personal memories of identity and belonging at the Academy and to explore how the environment at LFA fosters inclusivity for its more than 450 students from 40 countries and 19 states.
Music filled the Formal Gardens on Saturday afternoon as a local polka band provided lively tunes at the Oktoberfest picnic, which featured a buffet of delicious Bavarian food. Alumni walked off those calories on a visit to the new Athletic Center at the north end of campus. They caught a glimpse of the old Glore Gymnasium, which now features an artificial turf playing surface for outdoor sports.
Cocktails, class dinners, and photos capped off the evening.
Don’t miss YOUR next milestone reunion. On Oct. 17-18, 2025, we will celebrate reunions for those in class years that end in “0s” and “5s”.
The LFA and Ferry Hall Classes of 1974 celebrate their 50th Reunion on Saturday night. Pictured are front row, seated l to r: Vicky MacCarthy, Jane Neukomm McCollum, Ellyn “Bunny” LaVine, Lori Alexander Michels, Beth Pontarelli Darling; second row: Deen Oscarson, Jodee Collins DeBates, Ilyse Gottlieb Johnson, Martha Woodbridge Pedersen, Gertie Kalnow Chisholm, Ted Wilson; back row: Rob Reuss, Bill Zeigler, Herb Schwarz and John Fahey
Class of 1979
front row: Herb Garcia, Sue Stouder, Rachael Sokolowski, Jennifer Cohen Shneiderman; second row: Avi Rossenfeld, Mary Russo and Suzanne Rowe
Class of 1994
front row: Mike Sieman, Charles Hamby, Matt Barker, Joon Han; back row: Richard Song, Joel Sestito and Chad Peshak
Class of 2019
Connor McMahan and Kiki Hood
Class of 2014
Chinara Hill, AJ Hood and Danni Alvarez
Class of 2004
Temeszja Drummond and Molly Pearson
The LFA and Ferry Hall Classes of 1974 enjoy a special dinner on Friday night in Reid Hall in honor of their 50th Reunion. Pictured are front row, seated l to r: Vicky MacCarthy, Steve Lee, Hugo Sonnenschein, Ellyn “Bunny” LaVine, Gertie Kalnow Chisholm, Jamie Garard; second row: Herb Schwarz, Diane Anton Kacprowski, Ilyse Gottlieb Johnson, Kathy Neustadt, Gayle Rosten, Linda Parker Garard ’73; third row: Jane Neukomm McCollum, Jodee Collins DeBates, Lori Alexander Michels, Beth Pontarelli Darling; fourth row: Paul Moore, Martha Woodbridge Pedersen, Bill Zeigler, Deen Oscarson, John Fahey, Jim O’Brien; back row: Rob Reuss and Ted Wilson
Lake Forest
OKTOBERFEST
Alumni enjoy the Oktoberfest picnic in the Formal Gardens on a beautiful fall Reunion afternoon.
CAMPUS TOURS Ferry Hall alumnae take a tour of the Ferry Hall Dormitory on campus. L to r: Gayle Rosten ’74, Gertie Kalnow Chisholm ’74, Vicki Maccarthy ’74, Lori Alexander Michels ’74, Jane Neukomm McCollum ’74, Loretta Kalnow Kaplan ’73, P’03, and Ellyn Bunny LaVine ’74 (foreground)
50TH REUNION FOR LFA AND FERRY HALL CLASSES OF 1974 Pictured at the celebration dinner on Friday, Oct. 18 in Reid Hall are from left: Hugo Sonnenschein ’74, Beth Pontarelli Darling’74, and Rob Reuss ’74. Enjoying music from the ’70s are (l to r): Jodee Collins DeBates ’74, Kathy Neustadt ’74, Lori Alexander Michels ’74, Jane Neukomm McCollum ’74, and Steve Lee ’74
A MULTICULTURAL DIALOGUE
In the Library, Saturday morning of Alumni Weekend, alumni and staff participated in the popular Multicultural Dialogue. Pictured are: Dean of Equity Pluralism
Inclusion & Community Dr. Lusanda Mayikana P’14 (center) with Toks Onyekwuluje ’14 (left) and Mbasa Mayikana ’14. Pictured right are Dean Alexandrou ’75, Mghnon Martin ’05, Rich Young ’04, Dr. Lusanda Mayikana P’14, and Learning Resources Specialist
Leigh Morrison
Alumni reconnect at the Okoberfest picnic in the
L to r: Alex Jackson ’19, LFA history teacher
Sam Wold, Colin Weil ’19, Ry Birkerts ’19, and Sydney Olinger ’19
Student Ambassador Xitlali Ocote-Arellano ’25 takes alumni through the LFA Community Health Center (former “Hutch”)
Formal Gardens.
THE FORMAL CLASS DINNER Alumni raise their glasses in a toast at the formal class dinner in Reid Hall on Saturday night.
Lake Forest Academy
From the Archives
Founded as single-sex schools, Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall always had enjoyed a complementary relationship, uniting for dances, outings, theatrical productions, and other activities over the years. By the end of the 1960s, both schools found themselves facing the reality that single-sex schools were waning in popularity. To stay competitive and manage financial strains, LFA and Ferry Hall embarked upon “coordinated”
education. Students at Ferry Hall and LFA were bussed back and forth between the campuses throughout the day for co-ed classes. Generally, the students and teachers liked the co-ed learning environment but found the bussing to be rather inconvenient.
In December of 1973, trustees at both LFA and Ferry Hall voted to merge the two schools beginning with the 1974-75 academic year, formalizing the merger
on January 10, 1974. From the fall of 1974 to the spring of 1976, all students went to class on the LFA campus, although female boarders still lived at the Ferry Hall campus. Once the school had stopped using the Ferry Hall campus for dormitory space, the property was rented out to the Chicago Bears for practice space and then finally sold in 1979 to be developed into condominiums.
1971 - Ferry Hall Headmaster (1970-74) John Bird and wife Mary Alice
1973 - Smith Hall on the Ferry Hall campus
1974 - Ferry Hall campus
1974 Ferry Hall graduate with diploma
1973 - Class of 1974 students with banner at 1973 Move Up Day
Alumna Gayle Rosten ’74 takes a look at photos in the special Ferry Hall history display. The year 2024 marks 50 years of co-education between Ferry Hall and Lake Forest Academy.
1974 - Ferry Hall student receives award at graduation1974 - Ferry Hall Move Up Day program
1974 - Ferry Hall Class of 1974
1974 - Ferry Hall students at Lake Forest Academy
1974 - Students taking a bus between LFA and FH campuses in February
1974 - Graduation at Ferry Hall
1974 - Winter drama production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown with combined LFA and FH student cast
Lake Forest Academy
BIRD ARTIST SERIES Award-Winning Authors Welcomed to Campus
Lake Forest Academy’s annual Bird Artist Series invites artists, actors, and authors to campus every school year. During the fall semester, two community events showcased notable authors.
In September, author Karen Russell visited LFA for a community discussion. Russell is the author of five fiction books, including The New York Times bestsellers Swamplandia! and Vampires in the Lemon Grove. She is a MacArthur Fellow, a Pulitzer Finalist, and a Guggenheim Fellow, amongst her many honors and awards. Her work has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harper’s, Zoetrope, Tin House, Conjunctions, and the New York Review of Books She was also the librettist and co-lyricist for “The Night Falls,” one of The New York Times’ Best Dance Performances of 2023.
Jim Sciutto (pictured right), author and television anchor, visited LFA for a community event in December. Sciutto is CNN’s chief national security analyst and has written four books, including The New York Times bestseller The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War, published in 2024 by Dutton Books. This book examines the breakdown of a decades-old international order among the world’s strongest powers. Throughout his career, he has reported from over 50 countries around the globe, including numerous assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine and the Middle East. Following his presentation and a Q-and-A session led by history teacher Filipp Velgach, Sciutto signed copies of his books and visited with the LFA community.
The Bird Artist Series is named after Ray Bird, a former English teacher at Lake Forest Academy. Starting in 1995, Bird taught English 9, 10, and AP English Literature for twelve years. He inspired
Caxy Cafe Returns for Fall Semester Exams
As students studied for final exams, the Caxy Cafe returned for its second year to help them prepare. Led by the Academic Dean’s Office and the Health and Wellness Prefects, Caxy Cafe provides the opportunity for group study and faculty support during final exams.
his students to love literature, push the limits of their imagination, and embrace both new and obscure ideas. With his quick wit, expressive gestures, and boundless energy, Bird captivated his students and sparked a lifelong passion for reading, writing, and creative expression.
Five Caxys Named 2025 National Merit Semifinalists
Atotal of five students at Lake Forest Academy were honored and recognized at Morning Meeting on Sept. 11 for being named Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of over 16,000 Semifinalists from high schools around the country, including five LFA students. Semifinalists are selected based on the results of the PSAT/NMSQT® exams taken during their junior years. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
Members of the Class of 2025 that were named Semifinalists include: Ava Froberg, Yiwen Lu, Dayla Rosen, Madison Rosen, Aarnav Shah. LFA’s five Semifinalists follow five in the Class of 2024, seven in the Class of 2023, two in the Class of 2022, three in the Class of 2021, and five in the Class of 2020.
Student Newspaper Recognized for Article on LFA Trainer’s Heroics
Alongside traditional news coverage provided throughout the semester with monthly printed issues, live event coverage on the website, and a variety of podcasts, an article in The Spectator received recognition as a “Best of SNO” honoree. The SNO Sites platform hosts LFA’s student newspaper, The Spectator, as well as those of schools nationwide.
Jasiek Bugaj ’26 and Charley Gopin ’26 wrote the article “Hero Jenni Gorey Saves a Life,” which covered the life-saving situation that occurred at the ISL Cross Country Championship meet in mid-October. After publishing the story, it was submitted to SNO to be considered for its Best of SNO honors. SNO receives over 100 submissions per day, but only about 15 percent are selected for publication from the 3,000-plus participating websites around the country.
Under the guidance of LFA’s Director of Journalism Mark Eleveld, The Spectator has provided live coverage of events during the fall semester, including Caxy sporting events, a Taylor Swift concert, and election night. The student staff has also developed a robust series of podcasts on various topics with In Between the Lines, The Pop Perspective, The Bears Take, and Reads and Leads. The podcasts are available on podcasting platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Wearing Yellow for Ferry Hall Day
On Friday, Sept. 20, Lake Forest Academy celebrated the 155th anniversary of the opening of Ferry Hall. Students, faculty, and staff celebrated Ferry Hall Day by wearing yellow and white—the colors of Ferry Hall—and athletic teams donned special yellow jerseys to acknowledge the contributions of the school to LFA throughout the weekend. The Young Ladies’ Seminary at Ferry Hall, shortened to Ferry Hall in 1887, was a preparatory school for girls in Lake Forest. The school merged with Lake Forest Academy in 1974, and each year on Sept. 22, the LFA campus honors its legacy. LFA’s Ferry Hall prefect, Lily Botero ’25, joined Interim Head of School Tom Johnson at the Ferry Hall sign on LFA’s campus to kick off the day before students, faculty, and staff enjoyed treats in the JC Cowart Student Center during lunch periods. A flower bar was also available for bouquetmaking throughout the day.
Interim Head of School Tom Johnson with Semifinalists (L-r): Dayla Rosen, Madison Rosen, Yiwen Lu, Ava Froberg, and Aarnav Shah
LFA Athletics Highlights
The 2024-25 academic year of LFA athletics started with the traditional week of preseason in August before a busy fall season and start of the winter sports season. Highlighting the fall sports campaign was boys golf defending its Independent School League (ISL) title and numerous individuals claiming conference and regional honors.
The GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY team had two runners finish in the top 10 at the ISL Championship meet to earn All-Conference honors. Maria Retelewski ’25 (8th place) and Andrea Fernandez ’25 (9th) each earned the league recognition while the Caxys finished third at the meet hosted by LFA.
LFA FIELD HOCKEY picked up multiple honors following the season. Kelly Cheon ’25 was named ISL Co-Goalie of the Year and a first team All-ISL honoree while Maxine Hekster ’25 and Christina Quiroz ’26 each picked up IHSFHA All-Conference and All-ISL first team recognition. Additional All-ISL award winners were Audrey Danz ’25 (first team), Olivia Kelly ’25 (second team), Emma Swanson ’25 (second team), Kate Delia ’25 (honorable mention), and Claire Wyngarden ’25 (honorable mention).
BOYS GOLF captured its second straight ISL championship and LFA’s coaching staff of Ben Wetherbee and Matt Vaughn P’27 were selected as the ISL’s Coaching Staff of the Year. In addition to the team winning the title, four Caxys were named to the ISL’s AllConference team for finishing in the top 10. Fitz Knight ’27 (t3rd place), Nick Heise ’25 (t3rd), Christian Martinez ’25 (8th), and Trevor Reenan ’25 (t10th) all earned conference honors.
GIRLS GOLF was led by Bela Bock ’25 in fifth place overall to claim third on the team leaderboard at the ISL Championships. Bock picked up ISL All-Conference honors with the fifth-place finish.
Members of the Caxy BOYS SOCCER team were honored by the ISL and the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA). Four Caxys earned All-ISL honors as Inaki Fernandez Cubillo ’27, Kristian Kopacz ’26, and Bogi Milosevic ’26 were named to the first team and Yusef Primus ’25 (above) picked up second team recognition. Primus added IHSSCA Academic All-Section honors while Eric Jotkus ’25 was an IHSSCA Sportsmanship All-Section selection. The trio of Fernandez Cubillo, Milosevic, and Diego Pedroza ’26 were first team All-Section honorees by the IHSSCA.
LFA’s GIRLS SWIMMING squad concluded the season with a school record as Kendall Phillips ’28 (above) set a new mark in the 100 freestyle. Phillips set the new school mark at the ISL Championship meet in a time of 54.97 to break the previous mark of 55.71 set in 2015 by Hande Zeynep Kivanc ’17
GIRLS TENNIS finished third at the ISL Championships and four Caxys earned league recognition that included first team, second team, and honorable mention. Sophia DeLise ’26 (above) picked up first team All-ISL honors after winning the No. 2 Singles title at the ISL Championships. Vivienne Wang ’28 was a second team All-ISL honoree as the No. 1 singles runnerup. The duo of Beatrice Franklin ’27 and Madison Rosen ’25 added honorable mention All-ISL recognition with a third-place finish at No. 3 Doubles.
The GIRLS VOLLEYBALL team was represented by Lilla Szilvássy ’25 on the postseason honors list as she earned Honorable Mention All-ISL recognition. A total of 15 students from ISL teams were named to either the first team or honorable mention in a vote by the league’s head coaches.
The early winter season has already provided more accolades for the Caxys as Paulius Karvelis ’25 was named to the All-Tournament team at the New Trier/ Loyola Academy Thanksgiving Tournament leading the Caxys to a 2-2 record in the event. Arnas Simaitis ’25 added another All-Tournament Team honor for the BOYS BASKETBALL team after the Caxys went 2-1 at the Peddie School Invitational Tournament in Hightstown, N.J.
The GIRLS BASKETBALL team opened its season by winning the Vernon Hills Cougar Classic Thanksgiving Tournament and Lilla Szilvássy ’25 was named to the All-Tournament Team after the Caxys played three games in the Hill Girls Basketball Tournament hosted by The Hill School outside of Philadelphia.
The GIRLS HOCKEY program was represented by four Caxys as Adriana Fernandez ’25, Jessica Xu ’27, Kayleigh Dunford ’28, and Alexandra Fernandez ’25 were nominated to play in the Metro Girls Hockey League’s All-Star Faceoff at Allstate Arena in late December.
Fine & Performing Arts
While the finishing touches for The Cressey Center for the Arts were wrapping up, the Fine & Performing Arts department had a full calendar of fall events. Among the performances, concerts, and art displays were Co-ax, VOX, solo, orchestra, and choir concerts. Students were also selected to the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) district and state festival orchestras while LFA artists were featured on campus and regionally.
“Rose and the Rime”
The 2024 fall play transformed The Cressey Center for the Arts into a full-blown midwestern fairy tale as “Rose and the Rime” was performed over three evenings in October and featured audience seating on stage for a unique, interactive performance with the cast.
Musical Performances
LFA’s Choir and Orchestra conducted the concerts in The Cressey Center for the Arts. The fall solo concert brought live musical performances to Reid Hall’s Little Theater. LFA hosts three solo concerts every year, allowing students to showcase their vocal and instrumental abilities to the LFA community in a more personal environment.
Co-ax rocked out on stage, bringing a variety of musical performances to The Cressey Center for the Arts for an AllSchool Meeting and community event for the public. Following Co-ax, VOX’s extracurricular vocal ensemble performed various hits from musicals like Hadestown, Waitress, Spring Awakening, and Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812.
Visual Arts
In addition to performances on and off campus, the classrooms were bustling as students took ceramics, photography, glass, electronic music, woodworking, acting, and public speaking classes.
The 2D Studio class focused on illustrating mythical creatures using micron pens and watercolor paints. The students’ work was displayed in The Lillard Family Lobby in The Cressey Center for the Arts.
LFA Musicians Selected
Invitational Art Show
Lukacs Khorzad ’25, Benjamin Erulkar ’25, and Elyse Zhang ’25 represented Lake Forest Academy at the Northern Illinois University High School Invitational Exhibition. Khorzad and Erulkar attended the exhibition with Fine and Performing Arts instructor Gillian Teichman. The students submitted their pieces, which were created using photography, acrylic on canvas, and watercolor. The pieces were then displayed throughout the exhibition alongside works from other high school students throughout the state.
Two Lake Forest Academy students were recently selected as Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) district festival orchestra members. Davin Lee ’26 was the principal clarinet, and Sienna Yang ’27 was a violinist in the festival orchestra.
LFA is part of District 7, one of the state’s most competitive districts for ILMEA auditions. Lee was also selected to perform in the 2025 ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra and is one of only 1,500 high school students in the state of Illinois to participate in this year’s ILMEA All-State Student Programs.
Lee’s placement in the All-State Honors Orchestra, the highest performance level of the program, recognizes him as one of the top student-musicians in the state.
Alumni & Friends Picnic
August 11, 2024
LFAhosted its third Alumni & Friends Picnic on campus on Sunday, Aug. 11. More than 120 alumni, alumni parents, and their families joined us in the Formal Gardens for a fun summer afternoon of delicious food, perfect weather, and spirited entertainment. Alumni in attendance represented the Classes of 1956 through 2024.
Above photo L to r: Nola Aboyade-Cole P’22, Trustee Margeaux McReynolds ’02, Rhyann Robinson ’14, AAB member Gail Gadberry ’85, P’14, Jasmine Sawyer ’15, Miriam Akogu Squire ’15, Life Trustee Regina Spellers Sims ’85, Rhonda Roseboro ’00
Photo to left: Trustee Scott Kaeser ’96 with wife Melissa and family.
Celebrating 11 Years on Campuses College Dinner Series
LFA’s Office of Alumni Engagement hosted six college dinners nationwide this year for our youngest alumni. This tradition, now in its 11th year, is an opportunity to maintain connections with our college Caxys and keep them engaged with the Academy.
This year, several young alumni stepped forward to underwrite these dinners for fellow grads. Thank you to Mike Kurfess ’11 (Purdue 2015); Junhao Pan ’15 (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Ph.D. 2025); Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) member
Jordan Wolff ’15 (University of Michigan 2019); and Rishi Gudivaka ’17 (Northwestern University 2021).
For more info on how YOU can sponsor an upcoming college dinner series event, contact Ruth Keyso.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Purdue University
Northwestern University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Michigan
Knowledge Share
By Ruth Keyso
Students regularly reach out to the Alumni Office for assistance in connecting with graduates for advice and knowledge on different topics.
Sometimes, this is for a class they are taking or for a club; other times, it’s to network for future internships and employment. Thank you to the many alumni who have stepped up this year to assist our students.
In November 2024, alumnus and Brooklyn-based software engineer Jonathan Jin ’11 spoke with students in the computer science club at LFA via Zoom. Jin shared details about his academic and professional journey in the field and offered valuable advice – music to fans of the humanities – on standing out in the industry.
It wasn’t the advice you might expect from a software engineer – “Take a literature or creative writing class” – but hear him out. Jin wants aspiring engineers to understand there’s more to the world of computer science than just knowing how to code.
“Most of my job is writing project proposals and design reports,” says Jin, speaking with students in LFA’s computer science (CS) club via Zoom from his home in Brooklyn, where he works as a machine learning engineer with Hinge. “It benefits you to be able to communicate with others.” At the same time, computer science’s influence on fields as diverse as ethics, linguistics, finance, and biology means that “it benefits you and the industry to have a multi-disciplinary, holistic background.”
Jin, who never took a CS class during his two years as a student at LFA, fell for the field after his freshman year in college. He entered the University of Chicago as an economics and psychology major in 2011. But a boring summer after freshman year found him dabbling in code, trying to create a video game in Python.
“I was feeling my way in the dark, teaching myself,” he says.
It paid off. Jin got so interested in the process that he declared a CS major during his sophomore year. He has found success as an engineer for a number of brand-name companies – Spotify, Uber, Twitter, Hinge, OKCupid –since he graduated from college with a dual degree in CS and economics.
He encourages students at LFA to take CS in high school, a more relaxed atmosphere than a college classroom for learning the ins and outs of the field.
“Play with ideas...learn from building apps; there is very little to hold you back. Let yourself be bad when you start out; it’s like when you write that first draft of a paper,” he says.
“Take a literature or creative writing class” … Jin wants aspiring engineers to understand there’s more to the world of computer science
than just knowing how to code.
He explains that this experimentation might be the key to landing a first internship or job. It teaches you persistence and demonstrates a willingness to learn.
“Make your own website,” Jin encourages students. “This gives an employer an idea of where you are with your learning.” He says that rather than rattling off the classes you’ve taken, show a potential boss how you apply abstract knowledge.
And be a team player. Jin says while he works independently, all of his work is collaborative. When he writes code, it’s sent to the team for code review. And it’s important to teach the people you work with what you’ve done. Share the knowledge behind the process.
And don’t forget: Always have a work-life balance. Whether you’re working from home, in a hybrid situation, or at the office five days a week, everybody needs to step away from the screen. Jin enjoys reading, cooking, and learning Japanese when he’s not coding.
1947
Litta “Willie” Williams Sanderson writes: I am still “kicking” although now in assisted living. I miss my darling home in Rossmoor, with its beautiful surroundings, fabulous amenities, and great people. I wound up in assisted living a little over a year ago as I am now on oxygen 24/7. I miss my freedom and friends there, although they visit me often. I miss my water aerobics, bocce ball, swimming, and the free current movies, great restaurants, and wonderful concerts and other performances. I have become fairly active here, but not physically. I am president of the residents’ forum -- a means of offering suggestions and requests to management. We have had great success because many of our hoped-for additions/changes have already been enacted. I am also part of a committee to welcome new residents, as suddenly moving to a care facility is traumatic. We have added some social events, which are now quite popular.
I am in touch with Mary Dailey ’46, but I have lost track of my classmates. At 95, I wonder if I am the last one standing.
I have wonderful memories of Ferry Hall Days, which I share with my grandchildren. Besides the fun things, my proudest moment is when Alice Osswalt and I (with the support of our beloved English teacher, Mrs. Carlson, and against the wishes of most of the rest of the faculty) dedicated our yearbook to Sherman Black, the school custodian who did so much for all of the students and was such a gentleman. To our great delight, we met his daughter by chance at a reunion years later. Thanks for the memories! Classmates can drop Willie a line at williesanderson@aol.com.
1961
that it’s always wonderful visiting with classmates.
Recently Rosemary Mitchell Lee, Kathy Kahn Rusk, and Maddie Woods Gieselman got together for a fun-filled week at the home of Kathy in Lacey, Wash. We had a wonderful week, reminiscing, chatting, visiting some local fun places, and visiting a couple of Rosemary’s friends and relatives. All involved lovely places to eat!
1967
Bob Tarun writes that his legal treatise, The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Handbook (ABA), was the winner of the 2024 Book of the Year in Law from American BookFest. It has also been nominated for similar annual writing awards in spring 2025. In addition, he is excited to publish a white-collar criminal legal thriller, PRIVILEGED, in late February 2025. Bob dedicated the book to his sister, Terry T. Hall ’63 (a former high school English teacher), his former LFA English teacher Owen D. Heiberg, and to dedicated secondary school English teachers everywhere.
1970
Laurie Epstein Dearlove and Liz Thomas Camp gathered in June 2024 at Sweet Briar College, Va., to celebrate their 50th reunion with 200+ classmates. “It’s been a few years since our elementary school ballet lessons in Lake Forest with Anita Sedala and Pirkko Lawlor!”
1971
Michael Springer’s debut novel, Unbridled, A Novel of Murder and Revenge, was published in September 2024 by Mill City Press. The book is the first in a proposed trilogy about the deadly Equestrian Mafia of Chicago. Set in the northern and northwest suburbs of Chicago in the 1950s and ’60s, the book explores the world of show horses and the relationship between two brothers—their rivalry, their greed, and their affection for the same woman— all leading to a killing that would usher in one of the most sensational murder trials of the 20th century. Unbridled can be purchased as an ebook or in paperback.
Maddie Woods Gieselman took a cruise in October 2023 and visited with Nancy Royster Rice in Boston and Susan VanVoorhees Christensen in Kennebunk. She writes
1974
1988
Henry Lorenzo and his family visited the LFA campus in July 2024. He was amazed by how much the Academy has grown. While in town, he visited with fellow Caxys Jane Zarse ’89 and Gail Denenberg Belian ’89
1999
Max Weissberg had a feature film premiering in the United States at the 15th annual International Soho Film Festival in NYC on Sept. 22, 2024: Karaganda: Red Mafiya. He took a Russian Literature class at LFA many years ago with Dr. Martin Stegemoeller. The class inspired his interest in Russian culture. He now speaks Russian fluently. Max’s film has been screened at numerous film fests around the world, including Girona IFF (Spain), Salerno IFF (Italy), Dhaka FF (Bangladesh), Sofia FF (Bulgaria), and Moscow IFF (Russia). Learn more at www.karagandafilm.com. The film was released commercially in late 2024.
1996
Nicole and Charlie Cooper P’28 are so proud to now have their daughter, Lucy, at LFA in this year’s freshman class. She joins several other Caxys in the proud multigeneration LFA tradition. While Charlie’s service as a Trustee of LFA has ended after 10 years (term limit), he remains active with the school as a proud parent. Charlie and Nicole live in Lake Forest with two other potential Caxys (7th and 3rd graders). Charlie is the Co-Head of JPMorgan’s Private Bank in Chicago, and Nicole is a speech-language pathologist for their local school district.
1998
Phillip Gross and his wife, Michelle, celebrated their three-year wedding anniversary on Nov. 11, 2024. The couple lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood with their son, Anderson.
Deen Oscarson writes that he is enjoying retirement in Appleton, Wis.
2000
Jesse Cohen lives in Colorado with his wife, Charise, and their animals. He still works for the Westminster Police Department, where he was recently promoted to investigator after working as a police officer for more than a decade. He has been featured in nationwide police podcasts and magazines, such as Police One, in subjects related to tactics, arrest control, investigations, and police hiring. Jesse spends the majority of their time at his jiu-jitsu academy, Kompound Jiu-Jitsu, where he is one of the head black belt instructors and competitors. Please reach out by email (jessecohen10@comcast. net) or on Instagram, where his handle is @cauli_ears_ja.
2004
2005
Courtney Cregan writes: I just joined the Olive Well team at Compass as a real estate agent in Chicago and on the North Shore after working at the #1 small real estate team in Palm Beach, Fla. Olive Well is a group of phenomenal agents who have blown me away with their passion for real estate and how they treat their clients like family. So, whether you’re looking to buy, sell, rent, or catch up and give me your best tips on handling the Chicago winters, send me an email at courtney.cregan@compass.com.
2006
Olesya Salnikova Gilmore celebrated the launch of her second novel, The Haunting of Moscow House, with a book event and signing at The Book Stall in Winnetka, Ill., in September. Moscow House is a historical, gothic set in post-revolutionary Russia. Her first book, the historical fantasy The Witch and the Tsar, was published in 2022, also by Penguin Random House. Olesya lives in Highland Park with her husband, fellow alumnus Sean Gilmore ’04, and their daughter. Olesya’s books can be found online and at all major booksellers. Special thanks to the following Caxys who attended Olesya’s book event: Sean, Emily Kocanda ’04, Tom Pinchuk ’04, Drew Walgreen ’04, Katerina Salnikova ’09, Liz Montgomery ’09, and Rebecca Raudabaugh ’09
2006
Alison Von Glinow and her husband, Lap Chi Kwong, taught in the School of Architecture at Rice University during the fall 2024 semester while also renovating the University’s architecture school. The pair, co-founders of the award-winning Chicago-based architecture practice Kwong Von Glinow, also completed a 20,000-square-foot library renovation project for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) last winter, a redesign that earned them an AIA Design Excellence Award in September 2024. The library was featured in Architectural Record (2024 Record Interiors Issue.) They are currently working on two more projects with SAIC that will finish this fall. Alison hopes one day to do a project with LFA. (Here, Alison and Lap Chi are photographed at the AIA awards event in September.)
Rachel Rein has published their first novel, Strangers on the Shore, under the pseudonym Adrien Brooke A queer romantic thriller set in 1963 amid the tense hum of the Cold War, Strangers on the Shore explores family secrets and how the personal can overtake the political, sometimes with deadly consequences. Rachel’s book can be purchased online at bn.com or Amazon, and you can read more about the book and its influences at https://adrienbrooke.com/strangers.
2008
Andrew Duckworth and his wife, Kristin, announce the birth of their daughter, Blair, who was born in August 2024.
2011
Patrick Wonjun Han visited the campus in September 2024. Here he is pictured with his former advisor, Adam Gerber P’21, ’24, and hockey coach, Andrew Poska. Patrick lives in Korea and is a founding member of an AI startup called CLIWANT, which specializes in developing AI solutions that analyze complex RFPs (Request for Proposal) for government contracts.
Ariana Bhatia was profiled in Sheridan Road Magazine’s August 2024 issue. Ariana is a private wealth advisor with The Bhatia Group at Merrill Lynch in Chicago. A graduate of Stanford University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Ariana serves LFA as an Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) member.
Montse Borjas and Audrey McGrail walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain together following their undergraduate graduation in May 2024. Their twoweek pilgrimage through northern Spain spanned 200 miles, ending in the city of Santiago. They were also joined by Montse’s father, Carlos Borjas. Montse graduated from Villanova University with a B.B.A. in Marketing, and Audrey graduated with a B.A. in Classics from the College of the Holy Cross.
2022
Ricky Ascroft, Stewart Thompson, Lulu Morrison, Kirstin Palasz, Mimi Osborne, and Tessa Buhl reunited at Oktoberfest in Munich in September 2024. LFA connections really are forever.
Director of Journalism and English teacher Mark Eleveld is the editor of The Spoken Word Revolution series. He has edited the best-selling poetry anthologies The Spoken Word Revolution about Slam poetry, and poetry read aloud while also hosting the Thru the Mill podcast with poetry slam founder Marc Kelly Smith. Thru the Mill is available on all podcasting platforms and has a dozen episodes tracing the creation of the Uptown Poetry Slam and its international impact.
Erin English P’18, ’20, ’23, ’24 and Jennifer Madeley P’11, ’14 presented at the annual The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) conference in November. The presentation was titled “Empowering Wellness: A comprehensive journey through a four-year high school health curriculum” and highlighted LFA as leaders among independent schools in delivering a competency-based Health, Wellness, and Community curriculum supported by health and wellness, social-emotional, and global citizenship frameworks. English is the Chair of the Health, Wellness, and Community department and Madeley is Director of Health Services.
Jackie Leib P’18 represented Lake Forest Academy at the EA (executive assistant) Ignite Conference put on by The American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) in November. Leib is the Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees at LFA and was chosen to present at Train the Trainers along with three other executive assistants. ASAP has a conference for all administrative professionals and EA Ignite is geared towards the top level administrative professionals with deep
Fine and Performing Arts instructor Lauren Fowler gained artist representation in August from the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wash. She is also represented by the Corning Museum of Glass, the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Sandra Ainsley Gallery in Toronto. In addition to her work in these museums, Fowler was also featured with an artist lecture at her alma mater, Bowling Green State University, in the fall.
dives into issues that C-level assistants face in their day-to-day workload. It is her second time to be invited to lead the Train the Trainers session.
Lake Forest Academy’s Director of Athletics and Director of Hockey
Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 learned in November that he was selected for induction to the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame (IHHF). The induction ceremony took place in late January. Madeley has served LFA for 20 years as the Director of Hockey and Director of Athletics. Joining Madeley in the 2024 class of inductees are Mike Leonard and Greg Tam in the Player’s Category; Mike Hernbrott, Anthony Noreen and Madeley in the Coach’s Category; Gregg Chudacoff, John Dunne, Laura Johnson, Mark Shutan and Bob Wagner in the Builder’s Category and Steven Foresta and Peter May in the Referee’s Category. During his time at LFA, Madeley has amassed over 500 wins while cultivating an alumni network of graduates who have played in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, Europe, NCAA Division I, and NCAA Division III along with the top Junior leagues in North America.
Before LFA, Madeley earned numerous honors on the collegiate level at Lake Superior State University before a 10-year professional career. The IHHF induction is the second Hall of Fame for Madeley as he was honored in 2018 as an inductee into Lake Superior State’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
During the Summer of 2024, Dean of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community Lusanda Mayikana P’14, earned a Certificate in Instructional Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The certificate explores how to learn, reach, and motivate and apply team leadership strategies and practices supported by theory, research, and professional expertise. The program allowed Mayikana to become part of a community of peers, exploring the essential elements of teaching, and learning to leverage instructional coaching relationships to support teachers in achieving their goals for instructional improvement, student engagement, and professional growth. The certification enables her to develop strategies for facilitating and empowering groups of educators, deepening my understanding of adult learners’ needs and the role of collaboration in enhancing educator growth and student learning.
Fine and Performing Arts teacher Gillian Teichman presented at the Illinois Arts Education Association (IAEA) Annual Conference in October. She gave two presentations titled “Ask a New Teacher Anything” and “Using AI in Your Arts Classroom to Improve Critical Thinking.” In addition to presenting at the conference, two of Teichman’s pieces were selected to be displayed in the IAEA Members Exhibition. This is a gallery for Art Teachers in Illinois to submit work made in the past three years with just 50 selected out of 200 works submitted.
Lake Forest Academy
Faculty Trip to China
In late October, a delegation of six LFA faculty members traveled to Zhoushan, China to visit the Zhoushan Greentown Yuhua International School and attend their annual International Festival.
Yue Chen, Rita MacAyeal ’87, Nancy Nassr P’24, ’25, Paul Makovec, Mike Hall, and Nirali Dalia ’98 (pictured above L-r) began the trip with stops in Shanghai and Hangzhou, visiting with current LFA families while being introduced to different facets of Chinese culture. From there, the group traveled to Zhoushan, where they spent several days working with and learning about the Greentown School and attending their International Festival.
The International Festival brought students and educators from the Greentown School’s partnership schools together – which included LFA and institutions from Germany, New Zealand, and Belgium. The four-day festival included cultural celebrations, student-led activities, and panels and discussions with the ultimate goal of cultural exchange and fostering globallycompetent communities. LFA’s faculty also had the opportunity to teach condensed lesson plans and gain insight into the Chinese education system.
LFA’s relationship with the Greentown School began in 2019, when another group of six faculty members traveled to Zhoushan to visit. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel was paused, but LFA is now in the process of reestablishing its relationship with the Greentown School. The opportunities presented by this relationship would enhance professional development for LFA’s teachers and better equip them to support international students, while LFA’s students could benefit from the possibilities of international exchange while broadening their global education experiences.
The Academy has learned about the passing of the following alumni/ ae. May they rest in peace. This listing includes those alumni/ae whose notices of death were received between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2024.
1941
Nancy Broeksmit Howe
Dec. 27, 2019
1947
Marianne E. McGowen Berridge
June 25, 2023
1948
Frederick “Ted” Brooke Oct. 29, 2024
Thalia Strathas Deneen
May 27, 2024
1949
Margaret Kerwin Crane May 31, 2024
Thomas B. McNulty
June 5, 2019
1950
Madelyn N. Schwartz Devore
Aug. 8, 2018
Mary West McAdoo
June 17, 2021
1951
John S. Harvey
April 22, 2024
1953
Watson G. Branch
Aug. 4, 2024
Caryl R. McElvain Bradford Keys
May 18, 2024
1954
Helen Vourvoulias Fenton
July 10, 2024
1955
Susan Vanderbie Tripp
May 28, 2024
1957
Charles L. Erickson
May 24, 2024
1959
MaryAnn Gray Tate
June 6, 2024
1961
Sarah “Sally” Brown
June 21, 2024
Janet Wemmer Crawford
Aug. 19, 2024
Prescott “Scott” Miller
June 19, 2024
Leslie Berblinger Reed
Jan. 20, 2024
1962
Juliana Heine Jamison
March 20, 2024
1964
Abraham Silvian
Oct. 15, 2024
1971
John W. McFarlan
July 1, 2024
Peter Broeksmit
May 21, 2024
1972
Lynda Pepper Bollman
Sept. 5, 2024
1974
Robert N. “Bob” Goshgarian
Sept. 17, 2024
Laura Herren-Lund
Feb. 16, 2021
Paula Short
Nov. 24, 2021
1978
Robert W. Troch
Oct. 19, 2024
1985
Bret W. Spreen
April 2, 2019
2004
Rosemary Uluocha
May 27, 2024
Longtime LFA Staff Member
Helen Delaney
Nov. 3, 2024
Helen’s husband, Tom Delaney, sent in the this tribute of Helen:
Helen A. Delaney passed away on Nov. 3, 2024, at the age of 75, in Sun City Hilton Head, S.C.
Born on Nov. 23, 1948,
Helen’s early education took place in Chicago, Ill., where she attended St. Thomas More, followed by Academy of Our Lady and Bogan High School. She furthered her education at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill. Helen’s career was marked by significant contributions to Joseph T. Ryerson Steel Corp from 1967 to 1982 and later at Lake Forest Academy, where she worked from 1989 until her retirement in 2014. Her professional and personal life was characterized by her vivacious and caring nature, making her a beloved figure among colleagues and students alike. Helen was a devout member of St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, S.C., where she was actively involved in the community. Known for her intelligence, wit, and thoughtfulness, she was a source of light and laughter to all who knew her.
She is survived by her spouse, Tom Delaney; her “adopted” granddaughters Caitlin Delaney Fallert and Lillian Rose Fallert, and their parents John and Eileen (Betsy) Fallert. Other family members include her sister Beatrice Hardiman (James), niece Shannon O’Hara Conley (Jay), great-nephew PJ Conley, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, James and Helen O’Hara; brothers James O’Hara (Margaret) and Patrick; and sister Patricia Foody (Michael).
Contributions in memory of Helen can be made to Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Blvd., Lake Forest, IL 60045, or online at www. lfanet.org/give, honoring her commitment and love for education and community service. Helen’s legacy of love, humor, and dedication to others will forever be cherished and remembered by those whose lives she touched.
Alumni may reach out to Tom Delaney, Helen’s husband, to share condolences and memories of Helen through email at caxyfan@gmail.com or through Facebook messenger.
Gift Planning Supports LFA
New Site Makes Giving Easy
Lake Forest Academy’s Advancement Office launched a new website – lfanet.giftplans.org – just before the 2024-25 school year started. The website provides information and contacts for the Richards & Tremain Society, estate planning, and various ways to support philanthropy for LFA.
When you include LFA in your giving, you are supporting a legacy 168 years in the making: a diverse community of students, alumni, and families who will continue shaping the world for years to come. Your generosity enables LFA to fulfill its mission and make a lasting impact.
Thank you!
FOR MORE INFORMATION on planned giving opportunites, please visit lfanet.giftplans.org or contact a member of the advancement office.
Beth Bentley, Director of Individual Philanthropy
e: bbentley@lfanet.org
p: (847) 615-3204
Ruth Keyso, Senior Director of Alumni
Engagement & Philanthropy
e: rkeyso@lfanet.org
p: (847) 615-3268
Garry Sloan, Dean of Advancement
e: gsloan@lfanet.org
p: (847) 615-3287
Sample pages from the lfanet.giftplans.org website.
LFAnet.org Relaunch
An Eye-Catching, User-Friendly Experience
During Winter Break, between the fall and spring semesters, the official website for Lake Forest Academy — lfanet.org — was relaunched with a fresh new look and enhancements for mobile users, along with upgrades for its desktop experience.
The site opens with a video that showcases the school’s welcoming atmosphere and global perspective. Among the highlights are the homepage, which features a slideshow where monochrome images burst into full color as you explore the school’s programs, such as student travel, service learning, and leadership opportunities.
LFA’s signature orange is used throughout the website, providing a well-branded and cohesive appearance. The menus are userfriendly, even on smartphones, and the information is organized into clear, intuitive categories.
Save These Dates on Your 2025 Calendar
Join us to celebrate the Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall community and support the Academy’s students and faculty. Watch your mailboxes and inboxes for more information about these events. H Admissions Spring Open House Sunday, April 13 H Gala Saturday, April 26
Family Weekend Friday-Sunday, September 26-28
Alumni Weekend Friday-Saturday, October 17-18