Lions Sharpen Lions

Just as biblical wisdom states that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), those who participate in LSL sharpen each other.

By Maya Brandt ’26

High school can be scary, confusing, and tiring, but the Upper School Lions Sharpen Lions (LSL) elective gives its students wind in their sails for the journey. We learn new skills, such as the most effective way to take notes or the best way to read a book and comprehend it. We also learn how to use a planner effectively to stay organized. Often, at the end of a semester, we will break into groups and present what we have learned about those skills, and how we have used that knowledge to assist us in our school work.

Our weekly routine includes starting every Monday with an inspiring quote, which we then explore in our LSL journals. One quote that resonated with me is from Bobby Knight, who said, “The will to succeed is important, but what's more important is the will to prepare.” We then discuss with others how this quote can help us in and outside of school. Through this, we can learn new perspectives and different ways to look at the same thing.

Each week, we have Tutorial Wednesday, which is where we bring in our hardest material from our classes that week. Tutors from outside of school and seniors at Trinity come and help us break down our questions and come to a deeper understanding. They invite us to think in new ways and see things from different angles. Together, with our classmates and with the help of the tutors, we can conquer even the most ambiguous concepts. This is not a study hall, but a time for collaboration, discussion, self-learning, and exploring.

At the end of the week, we have “Fired up Friday,” where we continue learning skills, have presentations, and do research for our various projects. I am excited about LSL because it has helped me keep track of large assignments and break them down into manageable pieces. I remember working on a Humanities essay where we were exploring the word civilization. At first we didn’t know where to start, but by working together we analyzed the different viewpoints. Hearing othersʼ opinions

LSL I for freshmen

Mr. Underwood

LSL II for sophomores

Mr. Hunt

LSL III for juniors / seniors

Mr. Hicks

LEARN MORE ABOUT LSL BY WATCHING THIS VIDEO: http://trinitydch.org/lsl and processing the essay in smaller pieces helped me come up with my own unique opinion.

Just as biblical wisdom states that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), those who participate in LSL sharpen each other. Three years ago, Mr. Hicks, the tenth grade Humanities teacher, saw an opportunity to help students who desired to go from good to great, both academically and in all areas of their lives. He started LSL to help students find their way in school and beyond. The expansion to two sections this year has enabled more students to become more confident, less stressed, and more prepared to navigate the murky waters of high school. While focusing on the present and getting through high school is important, LSL invites us to also think about our future by organizing approximately two in-state college visits each school year.

LSL allows us to set our own trajectory for success, while also giving us gentle nudges to keep searching for who God created us to be. LSL has implemented this vision extremely well, and as a new student at Trinity, it has enabled me to adjust to the new environment and feel organized in school and in my personal life. Trinity would not feel the same without LSL. Oftentimes students might feel overwhelmed by school work or that they are always playing catch up, but LSL empowers students to take the reins, walk through the halls, and feel confident about themselves.

MAYA BRANDT is in ninth grade at Trinity. She enjoys playing tennis and serving as a Student Ambassador. Outside of school, Maya enjoys riding her horse, Izzy, and enjoys competing in show jumping. She also plays the piano and loves hitting the ski slopes in the winter and exploring the trails on her mountain bike in the summer.