Review
The Magazine of Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall
Head of School
Chris Tennyson P’27
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
Steve Woltmann
Contributors
Greg Greenwell P’25
Ruth Keyso
Rita Schulien MacAyeal ’87
Christine Ryder P’15, ’17
Emmy Schwerdt
Hannah Shallenberger
Garry Sloan P’19, ’21
Chris Tennyson P’27
Admission Office
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rkeyso@lfanet.org
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Parent Relations Office
847-615-3238
leighann.jacobson@lfanet.org The
Noëlle Balson Retires
After 18 Years at LFA
Noëlle Balson joined the Modern and Classical Languages Department as a Spanish teacher in 2005. She held the A. John Huss Jr. ’58 and Ruth S. Huss Chair in Humanities from 2010 to 2013. She has led various Lake Forest Academy student curriculum and service trips including: Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Panama, The Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.
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. ©2023, 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.
A native of France, Noëlle earned a degree in business administration and commerce from the Université de Valenciennes and attended Ecole des Langues et Affaires in Paris. She is fluent in French, English, and Portuguese as well as Spanish. During the past years, she has taught at Loyola Academy and Lake Forest Country Day School. Noëlle’s teaching experience also includes The Elms, Colwall, England; Malvern College Preparatory School, England; Keighley College, England; Alliance Française, São Paulo, Brazil; Lycée Notre Dame, Roubaix, France; and Lycée Français de Chicago.
Lake Forest Academy is grateful to Noëlle for everything she has given to the Academy, its students and families and wishes her a wonderful retirement.
ATHLETIC CENTER EXPANSION
The Academy announces plans for a 45,000-square-foot expansion of the athletics footprint on the north end of campus.
MULTICULTURAL DAY
The annual Multicultural Day celebrated LFA’s diversity with workshops and the International Exhibition.
CLASS OF 2023
A full week of events led up to a beautiful Saturday afternoon Commencement in the Formal Gardens.
ON & OFF CAMPUS
The spring semester featured a number of events on and off campus as the Caxys traveled the world for Spring Break, performed for children in the local community and earned honors for athletic excellence.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
James Prestini developed a manual arts program that included woodcrafting in which he would become recognized as a foundational figure in the contemporary woodturning movement in the United States.
Table of Contents
2022-23 Board of Trustees
John S. Marlatt ’65
Chair
Jessica P. Douglas ’96
Vice Chair
Charles T. Cooper ’96 Treasurer
Richard L. Zhao ’04, LT’20 Secretary
Jim C. Cowart ’69 Member At Large
Todd E. Altounian ’86
Bruce W. Anderson ’70, P’97, LT’13
Molly Pearson Campbell ’04
Patrick J. Carroll II ’87, P’18, LT’12
J. Patrick Corsiglia P’15, ’17, ’20
Ahmed Farag P’22, ’24
Karin Fink P’22, ’23
Haji L. Glover ’92
David Gupta ’81
Gloria W. Harper P’93
Duane C. Jackson ’01
Scott W. Kaeser ’96
Allan M. Kaplan ’72, P’03
Edward Kovas P’21
Rumi Kuli ’93, P’17, ’22
Scott Meloun ’77
Bancroft O’Quinn, Jr. ’72
Katherine Gray Pollock ’70
Kristin Rey ’83
Emily Sammon ’91
Marianne Silver P’15, ’16, ’21
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.
From the Head of School
Dear Friends of Lake Forest Academy,
Greetings, and I hope that this issue finds each of you well and enjoying your Summer.
The year-end ceremonies on campus included many fantastic traditions and celebrations. Our community was on full display! During the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023, I spoke to our seniors about how “people make places” and thanked them for helping to make Lake Forest Academy the wonderful place that it is.
People do make places and this issue of The Review showcases that. In addition to the article about graduation, you can read about the Academy’s Athletic Center Expansion project, the school’s largest capital project in its history and a space that will be a true game changer for our students, faculty, staff, and alums. You can also read about this year’s Gala, as well as other campus events and alumni events that show how great our community is at LFA.
Lake Forest Academy is also excited to be in the midst of its first strategic plan in a number of years and the steering committee is hard at work, using data gathered by our consulting partner, Triangle Associates, to develop goals and objectives that will lead us forward and continue to deliver upon our value proposition. I am excited to share that with you during the upcoming school year.
Finally, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your engagement and support as alumni and alumnae of Ferry Hall and Lake Forest Academy. People do make places and your time at these two great institutions have helped shape the Academy into what it is today. Your continued support – whether that is time or treasure or both – will continue to lead us forward. As I begin year two of my headship, leading the school that I love, I am excited about the things that we will do together.
Go Caxys!
Chris Tennyson P’27Athletic Center Expansion Project Building on Success
Lake Forest Academy is embarking on an ambitious capital project that will see a major expansion of the Academy’s indoor athletic facilities. This 45,000-square-foot Athletic Center Expansion to the west of Crown Fitness & Wellness Center will double the indoor space for athletics, fitness, and recreation.
“This Athletic Center Expansion project serves our entire Lake Forest Academy community and beyond. It speaks directly to athletics’ foundational status in the LFA experience,” said Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27. “This facility will serve all students and adults in the LFA community and be the catalyst for greater
efficiency in scheduling not only for the athletics department, but across campus while also advancing the LFA brand locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. Our campus is excited for this project and we are looking forward to working with our many partners and supporters on this endeavor.”
When the Charles F. Glore Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated in April 1953, it was recognized as one of the best athletic facilities at the time. Additions to the athletics footprint in recent decades enabled growth of the athletics, fitness, and recreation programs which now exceed the limits of the current building.
The Athletic Center Expansion project features three regulation multi-use courts for indoor sports that currently share one court in Glore Gym. Other amenities of the new state-of-theart facility include:
• Squash courts for practice and competition
• An indoor running track
• Indoor turf to accommodate training for outdoor sports
• Other significant community amenities
The expanded facilities will offer a new hub for services and resources for athletes, creating efficiency, and building camaraderie and community. Together, these projects will help LFA students become even more competitive, build our programs’ reputation, and help attract and retain talented student-athletes looking for opportunities to compete at their very best, led by first-rate faculty coaches. In addition, because these projects increase the physical training space for our athletes, access to facilities space becomes more abundant for other fitness programs and recreational activities for all LFA students.
This expansion will bring LFA’s indoor sporting facilities in line with its competition from other top boarding schools and other regional public high schools. Guests from local communities and around the region visit the Academy’s athletic facilities each year for athletic events, camps, and tournaments. An up-to-date, expanded facility will better represent Lake Forest Academy to prospective students and visitors while also serving the current student body with collegiate-level physical fitness facilities.
Suits & Sneakers
Gala Raises Funds for Future of Lake Forest Academy
Abanner evening inside historical Glore Memorial Gymnasium saw a look back to the past and excitement for the future at Lake Forest Academy.
LFA’s annual Gala celebration raised over $800,000 to benefit the Athletic Center Expansion project as the entire campus community gathered to support the future of not only Caxy athletics, but the entire school.
The 45,000-square-foot Athletic Center expansion to the west of Crown Fitness & Wellness Center will double the indoor space for athletics, fitness, and recreation.
The Academy expresses a special thank you to the Gala 2023 co-chairs – Trustee Karin and Nicholas Fink P’22, ’23, ’27, Leslie and Stu Rosen P’25, ’25, ’27, ’27, and Trustee Charlie ’96 and Nicole Cooper and to our presenting sponsor O’Toole’s Pub Group (Humberto Martinez Jr. and Sara McKinnon-Martinez P’20, ’21, ’25).
Along with the Gala co-chairs, Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 and Director of Athletics Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 spoke to the importance of the evening and the excitement of the new athletic facility. The program also featured a musical performance by the student group VOX that
entertained everyone in attendance with a medley of tunes from the rock group Queen, including the ubiquitous sports event song “We Will Rock You.”
The Academy thanks all of the Gala’s sponsors and patrons, and the guests who made the last Saturday in April a true community event as we celebrated and raised funds to benefit the Athletic Center Expansion in Glore Gymnasium in suits and sneakers.
Con-GRAD-ulations!
Celebrating the Class of 2023
On the warm and sunny afternoon of May 27, the graduating Class of 2023 joined friends and family in the Formal Gardens to celebrate the end of their academic careers at Lake Forest Academy.
LFA faculty and staff led the traditional processional out the doors of Reid Hall and into the Formal Gardens, followed by the graduates to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.” After taking their seats, attendees listened to the invocation by Dean of Advancement Garry Sloan P’19, 21. Next, the ceremony brought Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 to the stage for a welcome and his opening remarks. Outgoing Parents Association Chair Judith Romelus P’23 then presented the Book of Gratitude to Dean of Faculty Tom Johnson. This year’s graduation address was delivered by Head Athletic Trainer David Atas, followed by Class President Heewoong
Kim ’23, who both provided advice for the outgoing Class of 2023. As the class advisors, Dean of College Counseling Andrew Poska and History and Social Science Teacher Suzanne Vaughn P’27 announced individual graduates, who were then presented their diplomas by incoming Board of Trustees Chair Jessica Douglas ’96. Tennyson returned to the stage with his closing remarks, pausing for a performance of Katie Moran Bart’s “Blessing,” featuring current and former students. The graduates led the recessional to “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4,” closing out the ceremony. On display behind the podium throughout the entire ceremony were 66 national flags, representing the native countries of LFA graduates from 1980 to 2023, a nod to the Academy’s robust internationality.
This year’s graduation ceremony was a special milestone, not just for the Class of
2023, but for Tennyson as well: marking the end of his first school year as LFA’s 31st Head of School. During his closing remarks, he reflected on the memory of his first visit to LFA and emphasized the idea that “people make places.”
Tennyson recognized the dedication of the entire LFA community - from parents to students, faculty to the Board of Trustees - as what makes LFA a truly special institution.
“There is no better class that I could think of to lead us as we fully returned to normal. You were leaders in the arts, in athletics, in service. School spirit and participation was as high as it was because of all of you. You celebrated cultures, one another, and LFA. You leave the Academy prepared to do great things, and we can only hope that your next stop in life will allow you to find a community that is as special as this one. We hope that you can surround yourself with amazing people - people that will make your next place a phenomenal one. And, when the time comes for you to enter future phases of life, you will seek places that are made special by its people and relationships.
“People make places. So, thank you for being among the people that made this place special during your time here
SENIOR CLASS GIFT
An Independent School Tradition
The Class of 2023 leaves a legacy following its graduation in May. Through the senior class gift initiative, the seniors raised more than $5,400 to purchase a hanging brass bell that will sit at the north end of campus near the athletic facilities. This bell will be rung after home-game victories, much like the Bowditch Bell chimes to signal an away-game win. The Academy is grateful to the students for this thoughtful tribute to the school. A class gift committee led the fundraising effort: All-School President Riko Kishitani, Senior Class President Heewoong Kim, and reps Bryson Royale, Jack Wyne, and Yaelle Ortiz, along with Tatum Young, Cheryl Dao, Joie Romelus, Isabella Malescina, Miranda Hernandez, and Josh Li. In addition, all 116 members of the senior class signed a class paver, which was placed in the patio at Alumni Circle following Senior Celebration Night on May 24. The paver ceremony is a tradition that started with the Class of 2014. Congratulations, Class of 2023, and welcome to the alumni community!
on campus, for making my first year as a Head of School better than I could have ever dreamed, and for leaving your mark on this institution in such fantastic ways. Remain intellectually curious and always remain kind, come back to visit often, and keep us updated about your successes and happiness.”
Members of the senior class leadership place the Class of 2023 paver in the patio at Alumni Circle near the Bowditch Bell. l to r: All-School President Riko Kishitani, Yaelle Ortiz, Heewoong Kim, Jack Wyne, Bryson Royale Top photo left to right is Cameron Fink and Trustee Karin Fink. Bottom photo left to right is Christine Yin, Trustee Xiong Yin and Trustee Jessica DouglasAlma College
Alma, Mich.
Amherst College
Amherst, Mass.
Arizona State University
Tempe, Ariz.
Auburn University|
Auburn, Ala.
Augustana College
Rock Island, Ill.
Babson College
Babson Park, Mass.
Bates College (2)
Lewiston, Maine
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Brandeis University (2) Waltham, Mass.
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pa.
Butler University
Indianapolis, Ind.
Carleton College
Northfield, Minn.
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
Chapman University
Orange, Calif.
Claremont McKenna College (2)
Claremont, Calif.
Class of 2023 Matriculation
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Mass.
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Connecticut College New London, Conn.
Cornell University
Ithaca, N.Y.
Dartmouth College
Hanover, N.H.
Denison University Granville, Ohio
DePaul University Chicago, Ill.
Duke University (2)
Durham, N.C.
Emory University (3)
Atlanta, Ga.
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa
Harvard University (4)
Cambridge, Mass.
Indiana University (2)
Bloomington, Ind.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Md.
Lake Forest College Lake Forest, Ill.
Loyola
Marymount University
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Macalester College
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Michigan State University East Lansing, Mich.
New York University (9) New York, N.Y.
Northeastern University (2) Boston, Mass.
Northwestern University (4) Evanston, Ill.
Occidental College
Los Angeles, Calif.
Olin College of Engineering Needham, Mass.
Parsons School of Design at The New School New York, N.Y.
Phillips Exeter Academy (postgrad year) Exeter, N.H.
Pratt Institute Brooklyn N.Y.
Purdue University West Lafayette, Ind.
Rice University
Houston, Texas
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Conn.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, Calif.
Stanford University
Stanford, Calif.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pa.
The College of William and Mary Williamsburg, Va.
Tufts University (2) Medford, Mass.
Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, La.
University of California, Davis Davis, Calif.
University of California, Irvine Irvine, Calif.
University of California, Riverside Riverside, Calif.
University of California, San Diego (2) San Diego, Calif.
University of Chicago
Chicago, Ill.
University of Denver
Denver, Colo.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (3) Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
University of Miami (2)
Coral Gables, Fla.
University of Michigan (4)
Ann Arbor, Mich.
University of Richmond
Richmond, Va.
University of Southern California (3) Los Angeles, Calif.
University of St. Andrews (2) St. Andrews, Scotland
University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville, Tenn.
University of Toronto Toronto, Ont.
University of Washington (2) Seattle, Wash.
University of Wisconsin, Madison Madison, Wis.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tenn.
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Villanova University
Villanova, Pa.
Wake Forest University
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Washington University in St. Louis (2)
St. Louis, Mo.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Mass.
Wheaton College
Norton, Mass.
Yale University
New Haven, Conn.
*all information current as of July 1, 2023
Honors for Excellence
Cum Laude and Move-Up Day Awards
Move-Up Day Awards
Daughters of the American Revolution Award
Tommy Enrietto ’23
American Legion Award
Ben Arthurs ’23
Faculty Award
Saanvi Malkani ’23
Alexander Award
Brian Botero ’23
Mary Freeland Award
Cindy Nguyen ’23
Benjamin D. Waldie Sr. Award
Tatum Young ’23
Butler Award
Abby Trejo ’23
Wetzel Award
Riya Kapoor ’23
Hixon Award
Miranda Hernandez ’23
Horace S. Vaile Award
Montgomery Gold ’23
Jewell J. Jackson Jr. Award
Jerry Ren ’24
McLaughlin Prize
Cum Laude
The Cum Laude Society is the secondary school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, and membership in the Lake Forest Academy chapter is one of the highest academic honors the Academy can bestow on its students. The Cum Laude induction ceremony took place at a luncheon on May 25, 2023 in Reid Hall. Based on their exceptional scholarship during their tenure at LFA, the Cum Laude Committee was honored to induct the following seniors into the Lake Forest Academy chapter:
Ben Arthurs
Myke Chen
Cameron Fink
Ella Gartz
Montgomery Gold
Bika Gupta
Mia Hernandez
Juliette Hulsizer
Bill Le
Stephanie Li
Josh Li
Bradley Ma
Max Ma
Saanvi Malkani
Cindy Nguyen
Alan Nigmetullin
Anna Nikishina
Sajan Shah
Annika Subrahmanian
Abby Trejo
Rohan Vashi
Anton Walvoord
Evan Wang
Michael Xing
Adam Yang
Aaron Zhang
A small percentage of students are considered each year for membership during their junior year as well and those students are as follows:
Noah Cedergren
Theresa Fu
Henry Gold
Kate Graham
Cindy Lin
Toby Nelson
Jamie Pruett
Jerry Ren
Lily Botero ’25
Jonathan Fremd Award
Jasiek Bugaj ’26
Clare Gartz ’26
Abigail Shanley-Roberts Spirit Award
Noah Cedergren ’24
Daniya Nussipbek ’24
Service Above Self Award
Cindy Nguyen ’23
Mia Hernandez ’23
Aurelian Book Prize
Michael Xing ’23
Virginia Phillips Speidel Award
Abby Trejo ’23
Faculty Awards
Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence
The recipients of the 2023 Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence are Mathematics Teacher Dr. Michael Hall and Modern and Classical Languages Chair Marianela Gonzalez.
Laima Salcius Faculty Award
The recipient of the 2023 Laima Salcius Faculty Award is Modern and Classical Languages Teacher Yuan
“Ivy” Jiang P’16, ’18.
Fostering Intercultural Respect and Engagement FIRE Conference
Lake Forest Academy’s annual FIRE (Fostering Intercultural Respect and Engagement) Conference was held on Saturday, Feb. 25 and welcomed local students and teachers to join in a full day of events learning about multiculturalism and inclusivity.
Attendees included students, faculty, and staff from LFA, as well as Stevenson High School, Carmel Catholic High School, and Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.
The conference, which centered around the theme “Meeting in the Middle,” included two guest speakers: Jason Craige Harris and Dr. Rami Nashashibi
Their sessions focused on building and maintaining relationships and how to approach conversations with curiosity and an open mind.
In between the speakers, student attendees went into smaller breakout groups, where they participated in group discussions and simulations. These discussions and simulations were designed and led by LFA student leaders, and they covered how to handle a variety of sensitive topics and how to navigate situations to find a common ground. Faculty and staff attended a 90-minute professional development session with Craige Harris, focusing on developing tools for fostering communities of growth and inclusion.
Top left to right: Mazin Awada ’23, Jason Craige Harris, Dr. Rami Nashashibi Bottom left to right: Anusha Srivastava ’23, Lusanda Mayikana P’14, Jamal English P’18, ’20, ’23, ’24, Dr. Rami NashashibiMulticultural Day
Celebrating Diversity
Just before students departed campus for Spring Break, Lake Forest Academy honored and celebrated its incredible diversity with the annual International Talent Show on Tuesday, March 14 evening followed by Multicultural Celebration Day on Wednesday, March 15. The community had the chance to watch Rohina Malik’s one-woman show “Unveiled,” and a traditional display from the Lucero Flamenco performers. Events also included workshop sessions and the International Exhibition, where students, faculty and staff taught others about their cultures and heritages.
Math Team Claims State Title
Lake Forest Academy’s math team traveled to Illinois State University in April to compete in the ICTM State Math Contest. After LFA’s 23-member team placed second in regionals in
February, the Caxys earned a first place finish and state championship for Division 2A!
LFA placed within the top five schools in every team event, and nine students placed within the top 10 of their
Bird Artist Series Welcomes Visitors to Campus
individual event. The Caxys posted a score of 706 to put them ahead of second-place Fenwick with a score of 639. The ICTM State Math Contest championship is the second for LFA as the Caxys also
claimed the top spot in 2018 for Division 2A. Division 2A is one of four divisions in the contest and covers schools with enrollments between 400 and 1,099.
Following Mihara’s presentation, actress Chaon Cross visited LFA on Jan. 25 followed by author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on Feb. 28-29 and the traveling theater company A Crew of Patches on May 9.
Cross has appeared on stage locally in Chicago and throughout the regions along with on screen on The Exorcist (FOX), Chicago Fire (NBC), Boss (Starz) and Detroit 187 (ABC) along with film credits including Widows and My Dog Skip Adjei-Brenyah is a New York Times-bestselling author of Friday Black and Chain-Gang All-Stars and was selected by Colson Whitehead as one of the National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35” honorees, the winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Award for Best First Book and the Aspen Words Literary Prize.
Lake Forest Academy welcomed a number of artists, actors, and authors to campus this spring for the Bird Artist Series. The Bird Artist Series is named after former LFA English teacher Ray Bird. Bird taught English 9, 10, and AP English Literature for 12 years starting in 1995. He taught his students to love literature, to test the boundaries of their imaginative abilities, and to open their minds to ideas both novel and arcane. With a quick wit, abundant gestures, and a limitless supply of energy, Bird captivated his students and instilled a lifelong passion for reading, writing, and creative expression.
The series opened with speaker Sam Mihara (pictured above left) on Jan. 19 who is a national speaker on the topic of mass injustice in the U.S. Mihara and his family were forced into a prison camp in Heart Mountain, Wyo., with his family during World War II.
A Crew of Patches Theatre Company was formed in the Autumn of 2003 with a goal of producing first-rate, full-length, First Folio-based Shakespeare for middle and high school students.
Model UN Celebrates 35th Anniversary
Over 30 LFA students attended the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago conference in February. Over 3,000 local high school students attended the four-day conference, where students were in session from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
LFA had committee members representing Italy, Maldives, and Ghana; as well as participating in committees that
simulated the creation of the 2011 Icelandic constitution, the Cabinet of Manmohan Sighn of India, and the Historical General Assembly of 1991. The students had been meeting and preparing for these committees since mid-October.
The LFA delegates received positive feedback across the board, and students Madison Rosen ’25 and Saige
Chaseley ’25 were awarded the Verbal Commendation Award for their work representing Ghana in the Organization of African Unity. This year’s conference was the first in-person event since February 2020, with 2023 marking the conference’s 35th anniversary - LFA has participated in all 35 years.
LFA Community Health Center Opens
Lake Forest Academy celebrated the opening of its new campus health center in January with open house events for supporters, students, faculty, and staff. The LFA Community Health Center is located in a 4,500-square foot space in the former Hutchinson Commons, affectionately known as “Hutch.” The $1.5 million project was fully funded by donations raised at LFA’s 2022 Gala event and throughout the construction of the facility.
The new facility in the lower level of New Hall unites physical and psychological health services at Lake Forest Academy and features: two exam rooms; overnight room for both students and Health Center staff; resting room; group gathering space; a laboratory; an outdoor wellness garden; and an endowment fund to ensure the facility is well-maintained
For many students – both boarding and day – the new Health Center is able to serve as a comforting, caring, safe space, where they have confidence that there is always a dedicated, professional adult available to them.
FBLA Shows Strong at State Conference
Lake Forest Academy sent 38 students to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Illinois State Leadership Conference in April. The Caxys traveled to Springfield and claimed 17 top 10 finishes and nine students qualified for the FBLA national competition at the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta at the end of June. The national qualifiers included Mia Hernandez ’23, Cyrena Yang ’26, Kate Graham ’24, Theresa Fu ’24, Dariana Yu ’24, Maxwell Mullarkey ’23, April Li ’23, Jack Graham ’25, and Madison Durchslag ’23. Hernandez (Business Communication) and Yang (Database Design and Applications) both finished first in the state competition in their events. Yang represented LFA at the FBLA National Convention in Atlanta where she competed in Database Design and Applications.
Service Learning Day Takes Caxys Around Area
The LFA community celebrated Service Learning Day on April 27 as the entire campus community participated in service projects around the area. Organized by the Stuart Center for Global Leadership, Service Learning Day is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to participate in service-based projects throughout Lake and Cook counties. This year, projects included decorating cards for hospitalized children, packing and organizing food for distribution, cleaning out local environmental areas, and assisting several non-profit organizations. It was an incredible day of connection and community!
Prom 2023
It was an “Enchanted Masquerade” for LFA’s Prom 2023 on Saturday, May 13 at Joe’s Live in Rosemont. Following pre-prom events and photos on campus, attendees traveled to Joe’s Live for a wonderful evening before returning to campus for a post-prom gathering at the JC Cowart Student Center.
LFA Esports Takes Third in National Event
LFA’s CS:GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) Esports team finished third in a national tournament hosted by the High School Esports League. The third-place finish awarded the team members with scholarship funds. The Caxys advanced to the national tournament after finishing in second place in the Midwest regional tournament. Congratulations to team members Harry Luo ’24 (team captain), David Yao ’24, David Wang ’23, Steven Chen ’25, and Gavin Ji ’26
Sailing Club Competes on Lake Michigan
LFA’s sailing club returned to Lake Michigan this spring in a number of events. The Caxys finished seventh in the Mallory Central Qualifier on Chicago’s lakefront to qualify for the MISSA Mallory Qualifier on April 29-30 in Lake Forest. Overall, LFA was ranked 20th among schools from the Midwest in the Midwest Interscholastic Sailing Association that includes schools from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Spring Break Travel
During Lake Forest Academy’s Spring Break, students, faculty and staff traveled around the globe with groups venturing to Cuba, Kenya, the Pacific Northwest, Washington, D.C./Philadelphia, and Guatemala. Under the Stuart Center for Global Leadership at LFA, student travel consists of curricular and co-curricular trips. The travel programs expose LFA’s globally minded students to people, cultures, ideas, problems, and opportunities that allow for investigation of the world and its many complexities. Students reflect on their experiences and the different perspectives they encountered and sought. This inquiry informs their understanding and allows them to respond compassionately and responsibly to local, regional, and global issues. For the 2023-24 academic year, the co-curricular trips include: Berlin, Prague, Munich (Prussia, Bohemia, Bavaria); Miami, The Keys, and Southeast Florida; Spain and Morocco; Turkey; and United Kingdom (England and Scotland). The following classes will also include a curricular trip during the 2024 Spring Break: AP Environmental Science; Global Capstone; AP Chinese Language and Culture; and Chinese Cultural Studies.
Philadelphia Museum of Art San Lucas, Tolimán, GuatemalaAwards & Honors
Sophomore Boy: Trevor Stewart ’25
Sophomore Girl: Kate Delia ’25
Junior Boy: Evan Stastny ’24
Junior Girl: Emi Sierra ’24
Senior Boy: Charlie Campbell ’23
Senior Girl: Diana Bishopp ’23
Sandra Bolz Memorial Fan Award: Ed Campbell
William “Bill” Dolbee Award: Carolyn Gorowski
David O. MacKenzie ’50 Award
(Male): Tommy Enrietto ’23
David O. MacKenzie ’50 Award
(Female): Tatum Young ’23
Independent School League Honors
ISL Team Champions
Girls Golf Boys Soccer
Girls Swimming
ISL Team Sportsmanship Award
Softball
ISL Individual Champions
Kate Delia ’25 – Girls Track & Field (800m)
Kate Graham ’24 – Girls Swimming (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay)
Winter Varsity MVPs/Awards
College Athletic Commitments
Diana Bishopp ’23 - Sacred Heart University (women’s ice hockey)
Simon Weisserman ’23 - Macalester College (men’s basketball)
Tyler Wood ’23 - Chapman University (men’s track and field)
Tatum Young ’23 - Wheaton College (Mass.) (women’s basketball)
Junior Hockey Commitments
Charlie Campbell ’23 - Boston
Junior Bruins (USPHL NCDC)
Tommy Enrietto ’23 - Carleton Place
Canadians (CCHL)
Tyler Gearman ’23 - New Jersey
Rockets (USPHL NCDC)
Luke Hampel ’23 - Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
Jackson Macejko ’23 - Charlotte
Rush (USPHL Premier)
Cole Mathews ’23 - Carleton Place
Canadians (CCHL)
Ben Snyderman ’23 - Coquitlam Express (BCHL)
Ian Vandenberg ’23 - Carleton Place
Canadians (CCHL)
2022-2023 LFA Athletic Awards
Fall Varsity MVPs/Awards
Girls Cross Country: Kate Delia ’25
Boys Cross Country: Noah Cedergren ’24
Girls Volleyball:
Kennedy Pemberton ’23
Boys Soccer: Nick Lubaev ’23
Girls Field Hockey: Chichi Otti ’23
Boys Golf: Nick Heise ’25
Girls Golf: Madeline Cournoyer ’23
Girls Tennis: Natalie Frekko ’24
Girls Swimming: Kate Graham ’24
Boys Basketball: Simon Weisserman ’23
Girls Basketball: Tatum Young ’23
Coed Cheer/Dance: Chloe Doan ’24
Girls Hockey: Diana Bishopp ’23
Boys Prep Hockey: Tommy Enrietto ’23
Stuart Award: Sarah Daly ’23 and Jackson Macejko ’23
Boys Squash: Max Bae ’26
Boys Swimming: Zach Youn ’26
Spring Varsity MVPs/Awards
Girls Badminton: Tracey Liu ’23
Boys Tennis: Sajan Shah ’23
Girls Softball: Diana Bishopp ’23
Boys Baseball: Gavin Berlin ’24
Girls Soccer: Anusha Srivastava ’23
Boys Volleyball: Charlie Campbell ’23
Girls Track & Field: Kendall Scales ’24
Boys Track & Field: Tyler Wood ’23
Boys and Girls Senior Track & Field
Award: Anton Walvoord ’23 and Kennedy Pemberton ’23
Boys Lacrosse: Tommy Enrietto ’23
Girls Lacrosse: Juliette Hulsizer ’23
Athletes of the Year
Freshman Boy: Carlos Brito ’26
Freshman Girl: Lindsay Farbman ’26
Victoria Kim ’25 – Girls Swimming (400 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay)
Defne Kocak ’26 – Girls Swimming (100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 400 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay)
Kendall Scales ’24 – Girls Track & Field (100m hurdles)
Tuana Turhan ’24 – Girls Swimming (100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay)
Anton Walvoord ’23 – Boys Track & Field (110m hurdles)
Tyler Wood ’23 – Boys Track & Field (high jump)
ISL Player of the Year
Diana Bishopp ’23 – Softball
Nick Lubaev ’23 – Boys Soccer
First Team All-ISL
Diana Bishopp ’23 – Softball
Elise Brandt ’25/Theresa Fu ’24 –Girls Tennis (doubles)
Pierce Chaseley ’23 – Boys Soccer
Andrea Fernandez ’25 – Girls Cross Country
Natalie Frekko ’24 – Girls Tennis (singles)
Juliette Hulsizer ’23/ Anusha Srivastava ’23 –Girls Tennis (doubles)
Nick Lubaev ’23 – Boys Soccer
Bogi Milosevic ’26 – Boys Soccer
Kennedy Pemberton ’23 –Girls Volleyball
Emilia Sierra ’24 – Girls Basketball
Franco Sovero ’24 – Boys Soccer
Tatum Young ’23 – Girls Basketball
Second Team All-ISL
Gavin Berlin ’24 – Baseball
Diana Bishopp ’23 – Girls Soccer
Sarah Daly ’23 – Softball
Lindsay Farbman ’26 –Girls Basketball
Selin Goekce ’24 – Girls Basketball
Evan Haldar ’24 – Boys Soccer
Matt Kupczyk ’24 – Boys Soccer
Emilia Sierra ’24 – Softball
Honorable Mention All-ISL
Xitlali Ayala ’23 – Girls Volleyball
Tatum Young ’23 – Girls Volleyball
Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Honors
IHSSCA All-Section First Team
Nick Lubaev ’23
IHSSCA All-Section Honorable
Mention
Pierce Chaseley ’23
Bogi Milosevic ’26
IHSSCA Academic All-Section
Pierce Chaseley ’23
IHSSCA All-Section Senior
Sportsmanship Award
Jordan Sebolt ’23
Midwest Prep Hockey League Honors
MPHL All-Star Team
Tommy Enrietto ’23
Cole Mathews ’23
Ian Vandenberg ’23
MPHL Honorable Mention
Noah Houle ’24
Luke Hampel ’23
Charlie Campbell ’23
Metro Girls Hockey League Honors
MGHL Academic Honor Roll
Carla Accogli ’24
Diana Bishopp ’23
Lily Botero ’25
Zoe Canonne ’25
Saige Chaseley ’25
Minha Chung ’26
Sarah Daly ’23
Kate Delia ’25
Sophie Fei ’24
Adriana Fernandez ’25
Theresa Fu ’24
Tanya Ganesh ’24
Stephanie Li ’23
Madeleine Stastny ’26
Gabi Stewart ’24
Angela Zhang ’24
Madeley Reaches 500 Wins
With an 8-0 win over Rice Memorial in early January, prep hockey coach Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 reached a major coaching milestone as he recorded his 500th career victory at Lake Forest Academy.
“I have been very fortunate to be able to coach so many incredible young men that understood the privilege that comes with attending LFA and playing on the prep hockey team,” said Madeley. “I have also been really lucky to have an assistant coach like Andrew Poska who sees the game the way I do and someone I fully trust. I also had Ryan Weber the first three years who was a really strong players assistant coach and then Tyler Madeley ’14 the last couple of years who gave the players someone to talk to because he went through what they are going through.”
Following the 500th victory, Madeley was able to soak in the moment and reflect as his 2022-23 squad prepared to face two more tough MPHL opponents during the weekend.
“After the game I was driving back to the hotel when the number of wins hit me and I started to reach out to some players to thank them for helping build a program that I am very proud to be part of.”
GIRLS GOLF SOFTBALLPERFORMING ARTS
Seussical
In addition to its four-day run of performances in The Cressey Center for the Arts, LFA’s winter musical, Seussical, took the show on the road in February, performing at two local elementary schools. Cast, crew, and orchestra packed up the set
Terrace Elementary School in Highwood and Forrestal Elementary School in North Chicago. The elementary school performances come as a result of LFA’s partnership with North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) through the Stuart Center for Global Leadership. Lake Forest Academy is grateful to The Pattis Family Foundation for contributing to this production through the establishment of The Pattis Family Fund for LFA’s Winter Musicals.
Mucca Pazza
Lake Forest Academy welcomed Mucca Pazza in April as part of the Stephen C. Ryder Visiting Artist Series, established by Karen and Matt Kaplan P’07 and Doug Kaplan ’07, in recognition of Co-ax founder and veteran faculty member Steve Ryder P’15, ’17 Describing itself as “combining marching band and street theater with rock and roll sensibilities,” Mucca Pazza entertained LFA families, parents, and alumni in The Cressey Center for the Arts.
Co-ax
LFA’s student rock band performed throughout the year on stage in The Cressey Center for the Arts and outdoors at the Silver Family Green for the block party following the final day of classes.
VOX
The student singing group, VOX, meets after school to prepare for concerts in the fall and spring as well as major LFA events, like the Gala. Every year, the group prepare a wide repertoire of songs from musicals to recent pop hits.
Jessica Douglas ’96 Named Next Chair of the Board
As John Marlatt ’65 Transitions to Life Trustee
Following the winter meetings of the Board of Trustees, the board announced that Jessica Douglas ’96 will serve as the next Chair of the Board. Douglas has been a member of the Board for five years that includes serving as the Vice Chair for the last three years. She officially began her term as Chair on July 1, 2023.
Douglas has also held roles with the Board as Chair of the Committee on Trustees, as a member and Secretary of the Executive Committee, and on the Committee on Diversity and Global Pluralism. She possesses great institutional knowledge of the Academy, is passionate about the mission, and possesses the talent, enthusiasm, and wisdom to lead the Board.
“I look forward to serving the LFA community as the incoming Board Chair. I am humbled by the confidence the Board has in me to lead and am excited to be part of the team shaping the Academy’s bright future,” said Douglas. “John Marlatt has been a thoughtful and dynamic leader. His mentorship ensured that Character, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Responsibility continue to be the guiding principles of the Board and our LFA community.”
Douglas follows John Marlatt ’65 as he closed his term of service this summer. Marlatt has led the Board as Chair for the last four years and completed his ninth year on the Board. Marlatt is now a Life Trustee at LFA.
“It has truly been an honor to serve my alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees. Together we have navigated through challenging times with LFA emerging as a much stronger school,” said Marlatt. “Working with so many talented people has been so rewarding and enjoyable, a special experience. I am confident that the Academy’s progress will continue with
the excellent leadership of Jessica Douglas as Board Chair, Chris Tennyson P’27 as Head of School, and the entire LFA community.”
Many Thanks to These Life Trustees
Following the fulfillment of their nine-year terms on the Board of Trustees, Rumi Kuli ’93, P’17, ’22, John S. Marlatt ’65, and Katherine Gray Pollock ’70 will serve as Life Trustees at LFA. The Academy thanks them for providing personal expertise and financial support for the betterment of LFA and to support its growth.
Prior to officially assuming her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jessica Douglas ’96 represented the board at graduation in May. John Marlatt ’65 speaks at the Celebration of Philanthropy and Service in November.FROM THE ARCHIVES
James Prestini and the Manual Arts at LFA
By Rita Schulien MacAyeal ’87, Director of the Library and Archivistbasement of South Hall dormitory. Having recently graduated with degrees from Yale University in mechanical engineering and education, Prestini had only a basic knowledge of wood crafting; he spent long hours that first year honing his ability to use a lathe and in the process discovered a personal artistic passion for the art of woodturning.
In the 1930s, Headmaster John Wayne Richards introduced a number of progressive educational reforms to LFA and decided to add a “manual training” program in industrial arts into the curriculum to complement the fine arts of drawing and painting. In 1933, he hired James Prestini to teach mathematics and coach lightweight football, and tasked him with creating a manual arts program in a workshop located in the
The new manual training classes were enthusiastically embraced by the students, as was Prestini himself – whom they affectionately called “Uncle Joe.” In 1934, Richards hired architect Leland “Lee” Atwood to teach art and mechanical drawing alongside Prestini. Although Atwood only stayed one year at the Academy, he and Prestini worked together to focus the curriculum on both modern design and craft. They added to the workshop a larger
wood lathe; a metal lathe; a drill press with dove-tailing; routing, and mortising attachments; and an electric sander. In 1935, the manual arts exhibition in the annual Academy Mid-Winters Festival was very well received by the school community. The students entered their originally designed and crafted dining set (table, chairs, and tableware) in the Chicago Flower Show at
Navy Pier and won the highest award of the junior exhibit. They also won two prizes at the Lake Forest Flower Show for a modern porch arrangement and wooden vase. In 1936, the students again won a special award at the Chicago Flower Show at Navy Pier for their entry: a “model student’s study” consisting of a desk, bookcase, chair and lamp.
As Prestini refined and perfected his own woodturning
James Prestini’s faculty photograph in the 1935 Caxy yearbook. Students use the manual arts workshop at the Academy during James Prestini’s first year at LFA, 1933-34. Student-made objects on display at the 1935 spring exhibition in Reid Hall.skills, he began turning out beautiful bowls and platters which he exhibited in increasingly prestigious national arts exhibitions. In 1937, he met Hungarian artist László Moholy-Nagy who had come to Chicago to open a design school called “the New Bauhaus.” The school opened that fall at the Marshall Field family estate on Prairie Avenue but quickly lost funding and closed; it reopened in 1939 at a new location under the name “the School of Design.” While still teaching at LFA, Prestini lectured during the evenings at the School of Design and partnered with Moholy-Nagy to create his design ideas. In May 1938, Prestini brought Moholy-Nagy to the Academy to speak to the students about the New Bauhaus theories. The presentation may have been a bit too complex for the young audience – one student reviewing the talk for the Spectator wrote: “I am sure we will all agree that Mr. Moholy has something there; but for the present with our meager knowledge, I am afraid it will
have to remain one of those well known unknowns.”
Prestini’s prestige grew as his work toured the country’s art museums and was included in the 1940 San Francisco World’s Fair. With connections in the established art world, Prestini was able to arrange for a circulating exhibition called “What is Modern Architecture” from the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) to be displayed in Reid Hall during the 1940 Spring Arts Festival. In 1941, the U.S. State Department arranged for Prestini’s works to be included in the Guatemala National Fair. In 1942, Prestini left LFA and took a job teaching design at North Texas State University for one year before returning to Chicago to work at the Armour Research Foundation, which was part of the Armour Institute of Technology. In 1953, he moved to Italy to pursue advanced training in sculpture and worked as a designer at the modernist furniture company Knoll
International. In 1956, he accepted a faculty position in the architecture department of the University of California, Berkeley where he taught design and further developed his sculptural work in polished metal until his retirement in 1975.
In 1983, Lake Forest Academy presented a 50th anniversary exhibition of Prestini’s work featuring wooden bowls borrowed from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and in 1987 the Academy inducted Prestini into the LFA-FH Hall of Fame. While being interviewed in 1989 for a UC Berkeley oral history project, Prestini reflected on the importance of his time at Lake Forest Academy. He recalled that during his first year at LFA he made a pivotal decision to “take life seriously” and began working intensively on mastering his woodturning skills. He noted that his collaboration with fellow Academy teacher Lee Atwood introduced him to the concepts
of form and the meaning of design. Also during that period while lecturing at the School of Design, he embraced a core belief that “craft is the basis for all creative work.”
Prestini died in 1993 and today is recognized as a foundational figure in the contemporary woodturning movement in the United States. Examples of his work are held in prominent museum collections including: the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA); and the Art Institute of Chicago. LFA has two steel Prestini sculptures in its art collection: one that was donated in 1976 by Mrs. Doris G. Pridmore in memory of her son, David Pridmore ’73; and a second that was donated in 2013 by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Wacker III and is installed in the Reyes Family Science Center.
“Steel Cylinder” sculpture by James Prestini was donated to LFA in 2013 by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Wacker III and installed in the Reyes Family Science Center. James Prestini at work in the manual arts workshop at the Academy, 1940. The “Pridmore Memorial” stainless steel sculpture by James Prestini is unveiled at the presentation of the first Pridmore Fine Arts Award in May 1976. The sculpture was donated to LFA by Doris G. Pridmore in memory of her son David Arthur Pridmore ’73.Washington, D.C. Brunch and Young Alumni Gathering
Nov. 10 and 13, 2022
Lake Forest Academy hosted a pair of alumni events in Washington, D.C., in November 2022. On Nov. 10, a group of young alumni gathered at Duke’s Grocery Dupont to reconnect and meet fellow alumni in the area. On Nov. 13, Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 and Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso met with a small group of alumni at Clyde’s Georgetown for brunch and conversation. This was a great opportunity to introduce Tennyson to the wider alumni community around the country.
front row, l to r: Dean of Equity, Pluralism, Inclusion, and Community Lusanda Mayikana P’14, Viola (Lingyu) Du ’16, Anna Markey ’18, Keyso, Hallie Ventling ’14, Nayana Kollanthara ’10; middle row: Pierce Witmer ’14, Joseph Mojo Lee ’10, Mary Kate Patton ’14, Jackie Jacobson ’13; back row: Keenan Johnson ’11, Quai Chandler ’12, Catalina Todd ’11, Nyalia Lui ’12, Kevin Berto ’10, James Rozsypal ’16, Sophia Platcow ’16, Miriam Fraga ’14, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management Kristin Paisley P’24, P’27
Seussical
Feb. 11, 2023
Area alumni and their children (and grandchildren) enjoyed a special Saturday matinee performance of Seussical the Musical at Lake Forest Academy on Feb. 11. The morning started with a breakfast of green eggs and ham in the lobby of The Cressey Center for the Arts, followed by the student performance and photos with the cast afterwards.
(clockwise from bottom left): Maurice Green (guest of Chinara Hill ’14), Hill, Rachel Fybel ’10, Katerina Salnikova ’09, Eswara Somu P’24, Jesse Bradford ’93, Tennyson, Kevin Berto ’10, Madeleine Pye ’15, Andrea Emshoff Nelson ’96 and her son, Miles
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Dec. 17, 2022
Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 joined Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall alumni/ ae in Ponte Vedra Beach for our annual gathering in December 2022.
Pictured are (clockwise from bottom left) Former LFA President Tom Hodgkins ’53, P’82, ’85, GP’19, George Spiel P’82, ’84, Dick Siragusa ’53; Susie Spiel P’82, ’84, Tennyson, Jean Royster Smiley ’56, Teddi Siragusa, former LFA Principal Bondy Hodgkins P’82, ’85, GP’19, and Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso
Lake Forest Academy is grateful to The Pattis Family Foundation for contributing to this production through the establishment of The Pattis Family Fund for LFA’s Winter Musicals.
Josh Rothstein Young Alumni-Student Networking Night
March 8, 2023
LFA hosted its ninth annual networking night for students and young alumni at the Academy on March 8. Nine alumni representatives from the classes of 2012 through 2019 engaged with more than 80 current students about college and careers. The Academy is grateful to this year’s group of alumni professionals, who represented the fields of law, medicine, wealth management, consulting, tech, film, sports entertainment, and venture capital. This event is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement in partnership with the family of former student Josh Rothstein ’05. Josh was struck by a car and passed away during his sophomore year at LFA.
May 25, 2023
Thank you to alumnus Graham Harwood ’11, who spoke at this year’s Cum Laude Society Luncheon at LFA on May 25. Graham is a graduate of Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, information science, systems, and technology. He also holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
He has worked as a developer at several proprietary trading firms and as a software engineer at Goldman Sachs. Following his graduation from the University of Chicago, Graham will do a fellowship in Washington, D.C., with the minority of the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Graham was inducted as a Cum Laude Society member during his senior year at LFA 12 years ago.
Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) Annual Meeting
April 14-15, 2023
Members of LFA’s Alumni Advisory Board returned to campus (or joined Zoom) for the group’s annual meeting on April 14-15. This year the AAB welcomed new member Jaime Hermosillo ’07 to the 33-member board. During the two-day meeting, members engaged with a panel of faculty; shared advice and insight with consultants, who are working with LFA on its next strategic plan; toured the new LFA Community Health Center; engaged in a discussion about athletics as LFA embarks on its Athletic Center Expansion Project; and had an audience with Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 to talk in depth about matters at the Academy today.
The AAB comprises 33 alumni/ae of LFA and Ferry Hall. AAB members serve as ambassadors for the Academy and assist the school on a variety of initiatives, including serving as a sounding board for the head of school. This year’s two-day meeting was followed by a session with Black Alumni Advisory Council (BAAC) members, who are planning a special event for alumni of color and students of color at Reunion 2023.
Learn more about the AAB at https://www.lfanet.org/ lfa-alumni/alumni-advisory-board
College Dinner Series
Drake University
Oct. 25, 2022
Dean of Advancement Garry Sloan P’19, ’21 meets with Drake University students Cam Pugliese ’21 and Shylee Saladi ’22 in Des Moines, Iowa.
New York City
Nov. 30, 2022
Caxys at universities in NYC meet for dinner at Denino’s. Clockwise from bottom left: Cher (Jiayang) Li ’20 (Columbia), Andrew (Weichu) Wang ’22 (NYU), Sophia (Weihan) Wang ’20 (NYU), Alex Kovalchuk ’20 (NYU), Assistant Director of Advancement Christine Ryder P’15, ’17, and Jose Moraes ’18 (NYU, master’s program)
Duke University
Feb. 6, 2023
Caxys at Duke University meet with Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso at Mellow Mushroom in Durham, N.C. Clockwise, from bottom left: Anna Schilling ’20, Katie Schilling ’21, Ricky Ascroft ’22, Alex Jackson ’19, Alex (Yuchen) Zhou ’20, Danny (Zeping) Luo ’19, Jackson George ’21, Stewart Thompson ’22
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 11, 2022
Caxys at American University and George Washington University gather at Pizzeria Paradiso in D.C. Pictured are (clockwise from left): Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso, Ani Martinez ’20 (AU), and Vivi Torres Quintanilla ’21 (GWU)
Lake Forest College
Jan. 18, 2023
Our college Caxys at LFC get together at The Lantern. Pictured are clockwise from bottom left: Nathan Barnes ’19, ELL teacher Michele Vaca, Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso, Connor Hudziak ’19, math teacher Ted Golota, and Fatima Martinez ’22
Wake Forest University
Feb 8, 2023
Caxys at WFU join Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso for dinner at Cugino Forno in Winston Salem, N.C. Clockwise from bottom left: Ava Ascroft ’19, Steven (Haili) Sun ’22, Lulu Morrison ’22, Kelsey Rosales ’22, George Reavis ’20, Rohan Miglani ’21, Sophie Berto ’22, Kirstin Palasz ’22
Northwestern University
Oct.
27, 2022
Faculty meet up with Caxys at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., for dinner at Taco Diablo. l to r: Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso, LFA math and computer science teacher Dieter Villegas ’18, Frank (Shaopeng) Gu ’21, Dora (Qingyang) Hu ’21, Mia Castle ’20, Josh Mayberry ’21, Elizabeth Campisi ’20, Assistant Dean of Advancement Christine Ryder P’15, ’17, Diana Borland ’22, Maeve Brady ’22, Akhil Kommala ’22, and Mia Walvoord ’20
1940 1970
In April 2023, Patuxent Music released Stephen Wade’s most recent work, Hands on the Tune. This live-concert album, recorded in 2017 and 2022, draws from songs, melodies, and styles rooted in Southeastern folk tradition. A 2013 Grammy nominee, Stephen authored the prize-winning book, The Beautiful Music All Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience. (University of Illinois Press). On Labor Day 1979, he performed for President Carter at the White House.
1978
Mark Childers will be attending his 21st Major League Baseball All-Star game in July when he visits the Emerald City and Seattle’s T-Mobile Park for the 93rd playing of the midsummer classic.
1985
Happy 100th birthday to Ferry Hall alumna
Rachel Marian MacHatton Carlton.
Rachel attended Ferry Hall for her senior year of high school (1939-40). She came to the United States from England, where she was living with her family. Her father, Dr. Burtis R. MacHatton, was himself a former student of Lake Forest Academy (1889-1891). Rachel turned 100 years old in March 2023 and was celebrated by her family, which includes five children. Her son Robert shared the following: Rachel graduated from the University of Chicago, where she studied music and human physiology, and later earned another degree in art from Hull University – at age 73. In one of the many fascinating stories about her life, he notes that she played the xylophone alongside John Cage in the premiere of his avant-garde piece “Imaginary Landscape No. 3” at the Chicago Arts Club in March 1942. Throughout her life, Rachel worked as a scientific researcher, an accountant, and a retailer. Rachel’s sister Patricia May MacHatton Cliffe also attended Ferry Hall. Rachel gardened and painted into her 90s and continues to play the piano. Happy birthday, Rachel!
1965
Bill Friedeman was selected as VP of Philanthropy for Colorado Horse Rescue in Longmont, Colo. Check out the website at chr.org.
1969
Stanley Howard writes that his second novel was published several months ago: Icarus: An American Odyssey. He is also the author of When the Dogwood Blooms: Seasons in a Boy’s Life. All of Stanley’s work can be found on amazon.com. Stanley retired in April 2023.
At its November Awards Gala, AIA Central Virginia awarded W. Douglas Gilpin, Jr. FAIA, the Milton Latour Grigg Award, the highest award bestowed on a member Architect, to honor a distinguished, sustained, body of accomplishments. An award winner’s work spans the spectrum of the profession, and transcends the scope of normal professional activities. Doug received his bachelor of science/architectural studies and master of architecture degrees from the University of Illinois in 1974 and 1976, respectively.
1975
Dick Quagliano was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as media representative. “Quags” is an award-winning freelance high school sports reporter in the Chicago area covering nearly all high school sports. He has worked for the Daily Herald and the Chicago SunTimes and got his start calling in scores to the City News Bureau when he was at LFA. Dick and his wife, Debi, live in Barrington.
1976
1995
The Academy extends its heartiest congratulations to Rebecca Makkai on the February 2023 release of her fifth book, I Have Some Questions for You, a murder mystery set on the campus of a boarding school in New Hampshire. Rebecca is a prize-winning writer and the author of The Great Believers (a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award; winner of the ALA Carnegie Medal and the LA Times Book Prize), The HundredYear House, The Borrower, and the short story collection Music for Wartime. Read more about Rebecca and see her touring schedule at rebeccamakkai.com Rebecca was inducted into the LFA Hall of Fame in 2020 for Achievement in the Arts.
1996
Lindsay Glazer’s new comedy album, “Thanks, Dad.” was released on April 14. You can find it on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and other streaming platforms. Lindsay is based in Las Vegas and performs all over the country. She is thrilled to have already had some Caxys (like Jessica Douglas ’96) at her shows and hopes to see more.
Ken recently had dinner with Jennifer Barthel and Richard
LFA Trustee Charlie Cooper started a new position as Co-Head of Chicago at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Managing Director, in May 2023. He and his wife, Nicole, loved co-chairing the Gala this year leading to the start of construction of the new Athletic Center Expansion at LFA.
1996 and 1997 2010
hockey at Saint Ignatius College Prep. He also looks forward to coaching against his alma mater and former coach Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 (hoping for a tie!). Matt Ustaski ’12 continues to play professional ice hockey following his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. Nick and Matt are also part-owners of and investors in a new hockey-themed bar and grill opening in August 2023 in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago close to the United Center. Caxys are always welcome.
2013
What are the chances you meet up with a former high school line mate on a Disney Cruise? Here’s Mike Davis ’96 (left) and Josh Klein ’97, 20 years after hanging up their skates!
2007
Alejandro Fernandez Alderete and his family recently moved to Chicago’s West Loop after seven years in London, where he was an account executive with Salesforce. Alejandro will continue helping retailers and consumer goods companies thrive in these uncertain times through the use of Salesforce’s Commerce portfolio. A oneyear ASSIST student at LFA, Alejandro is thrilled to return to the States. He and his wife, Andrea, have a daughter, Alicia, and are expecting their second daughter later this year.
Head of School Chris Tennyson P’27 and Matt Vaughn P’27 caught up with LFA alumnus Remy Ndiaye ’10 at the Milwaukee Bucks-Miami Heat playoff game on April 26 in Milwaukee. Remy is the Heat’s assistant video coordinator/ player development specialist. Miami won the series against the Bucks before eventually advancing to the NBA Finals where the Heat fell in five games against the Denver Nuggets.
2011
It’s a small world! Alumnae Rachel Maguire ’85 and Alanna Dillon ’07 met one another for the first time at an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences screening event at Netflix in Hollywood on April 30. Both are National Active members. Rachel and Alanna assisted the Academy with its “Live from the Third Coast: LFA in the Entertainment Industry” virtual event held in February 2021. Rachel is an awardwinning executive producer, writer, and director. Alanna is an executive producer and producer of commercials, music videos, and short-form content. Both are based in Los Angeles.
Graham Harwood graduated from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy in the spring 2023. A white paper he co-authored inspired a day-long symposium at the University on April 6 on the topic of the human impact of military service, in particular the impact of military reporting on national security. A panel discussion on this topic was headlined by leaders in government and the media, including Jon Stewart (comedian and 9/11 veterans’ advocate); Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks; Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough; Medal of Honor Recipient and retired Army Capt. Florent Groberg; Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy; and award-winning journalist Bob Woodward. The title of the white paper is “Engagement, Not Enragement: Bridging the Military-Civilian Divide and Bolstering National Security by Holding the Powerful to Account with More Rigorous, SolutionsFocused Journalism.” Graham addressed students at LFA in May at the Academy’s annual Cum Laude Society luncheon and induction ceremony.
Nick Ustaski recently located back to Chicago after four years in Houston, to join the law firm of Dykema Gossett, PLLC, a leading national law firm serving business entities, in their labor and employment litigation and corporate finance groups. He is enjoying being back in Chicago and seeing many of his old LFA classmates on a more regular basis and coaching ice
Captain Charles Gallagher and Anna Martin were married on Dec. 29, 2022, at a small, private ceremony in Lake Forest, Ill. Charles is a Marine officer currently serving in Germany. Anna is a chemical engineer employed by BASF in Germany.
Danielle Mendoza has a new job at William Blair Chicago, as an analyst with the Workplace Real Estate and Management team. Previously, she worked in the Real Estate and Facilities department for almost five years at Horizon Therapeutics.
2016
Caroline Miller will be attending Brooklyn Law School in the fall 2023. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from American University.
2017
Aleeya Sawyer will graduate with a master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology from the University of Denver in June 2023. She plans to continue her education at Loyola University Maryland in the fall, pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology.
2018 and 2022
Associate Dean of College Counseling Ben Wetherbee was in Ireland on a college tour in March 2023 and caught up with alumni Bowen Duan ’18 and Lily Ainsley ’22. Bowen is in his second year Biomedical Engineering Masters program at University College Dublin and Lily is in her first year at Trinity College Dublin studying film.
2019
Carrington Newsome graduated from Wake Forest University in May 2023 with a degree in Spanish. She will be taking a gap year to complete prerequisites for dental school.
Chris Yuanzhe Li graduated from Brandeis University, where he majored in history, international relations, and East Asian Studies. He will continue his studies at Yale University, where he is enrolled in a master’s program in history.
Young Alumni Lunch
January 4, 2023
Lake Forest Academy kicked off the second semester of the 2022-23 academic year with the popular Young Alumni Lunch in Reid Hall on Jan 4. Nearly 60 alumni from the classes of 2018 through 2022 joined faculty for lunch in the Garden Room in Reid Hall. This was a wonderful chance for them to share their college successes with their former teachers and to reconnect with current students. In addition to enjoying a poke bowl buffet lunch, the group also played several rounds of online bingo for Caxy spirit prizes.
2021
Rachel Johns has been awarded the Department of Defense Smart Scholarship at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. This scholarship will cover her tuition at Washington University in St. Louis, and Rachel will receive an annual stipend. In addition to an internship during the summer 2024, she will have a job at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency when she graduates in 2025. Rachel is an environmental earth sciences major at Wash U. She served as the Ferry Hall Prefect during her senior year at LFA.
2022
Scott Chernobrov graduated from Bradley University and will continue his internship at OSF Hospital, where he is an animator/ editor in the Jump Education/Simulation Center. He is also planning to pursue a master’s degree in game development with a concentration in art/animation.
Alex Jackson graduated from Duke University in May 2023. He moved back to Chicago and is a data and analytics consultant at FTI Consulting.
l to r: Luke Fiocchi ’19, Director of Experiential Learning Erin English P’18, ’20, ’23, ’24, Peter Fiocchi ’22, Kelsey Rosales ’22
l to r: LFA Senior Assistant Dean of Admission Emily Kalis, Safiya Nicol ’22, Emily Hawkins ’21, Briana Murphy ’21, Gabi Stewart ’24, Ramya Herman ’21
Bo Iravedra ’79 Donates 135 Instruments Giving the Gift of Music
In early October 2023, a trailer pulled up behind the Cressey Center for the Arts, packed full of 135 different instruments, dozens of instructional booklets, and crates of CDs and DVDs, all thanks to a generous donation from Luis “Bo” Iravedra ’79.
“My very first experience when I first came to visit Lake Forest Academy in 1973 was watching a student play the harp in the library. It really set the tone for the four years I was there, and so, I’ve always equated LFA with the fine arts,” Iravedra said. “I always wanted to give [the collection] to LFA. That was always the plan.”
After suffering health complications that altered his lifestyle and career, Iravedra began rehabilitation through music therapy. In that process, he met Pete Wernick, a prominent bluegrass musician, who introduced him to folk music and all things Americana. As a result of his health conditions, Iravedra was unable to play music, but this new musical love and appreciation started him on a path of collecting instruments.
Iravedra’s collection includes some traditional orchestral instruments, but it more heavily focuses on instruments commonly used in folk and Americanastyle music, such as mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, harps, dulcimers, and guitars.
“I wanted to try and cover every aspect of an American traditional string band, recreating an old-time string band from Appalachia with bluegrass at its roots. I wanted to create something that would be relevant for a school of folk art and have that as a part of the repertoire of LFA,” Iravedra said.
Many of the instruments in the collection are one-of-a-kind and so unique that, for the most part, when they arrived and students got their first look, they weren’t even sure how to play most of them.
“[The students] were giddy, they were so excited. They started going through the instruments, opening cases and boxes,
and it’s this great moment where nobody’s an expert. Your curiosity is often centered around what you know, and maybe a few things you don’t know. This donation, for us, was so much we don’t know, and there’s so much for us to learn,” said Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair Jason Koenig P’26
LFA’s student-run rock band, Co-ax, immediately took to the instruments, even incorporating a few of them into their November All-School Meeting performance. According to Koenig, Co-ax won’t be the only group that will benefit from the generosity of Iravedra’s gift though. LFA’s fine and performing arts faculty members are already brainstorming how access to these instruments will impact areas such as course offerings and extracurricular programming.
“I think the instruments will lean towards Co-ax, but I think they can also lead us in a lot of different directions. We want to bring out more workshop-based things, maybe bring out somebody who can develop some sort of program or project outcome with those instruments,” Koenig said. “Artistically, that opens our abilities as teachers and what we can offer to our students and community.”
Koenig also expects that the opportunities that will arise will be important in community engagement and will help to make LFA stand out as an elite performance destination in the area.
“I think we’ve got some really great things happening here, and we’re building our social capital both on campus and in the wider community. This donation is one of those things that can help lead us to piquing the curiosity of the people in our community who might be interested in participation and support,” Koenig said.
As for Iravedra, he’s grateful the instruments that were so special to him have become something special to the next generation of musicians. He also hopes to inspire other LFA community members to seek out ways in which they too can make an impact.
“I’m so glad to see the collection taking on a life of its own and that the students are able to use the instruments,” Iravedra said. “I would also hope that this donation would inspire all of our alumni to give. It doesn’t matter what it is, but I would ask for people to look at this as an opportunity to give back in kind to LFA.”
Koenig echoed the sentiment, saying that he believes the impact of a donation like this will be felt in the community for years to come.
“The students who were like kids in a candy shop when they got these instruments will hopefully look back 20 years from now and go, ‘I want to do that for the kids that are there now,’” Koenig said. “To be able to give that blessing of curiosity, that’s a magical gift.”
1940
Constance Lorch Osler
March 25, 2022
1944
Mary Owen Johnson
December 12, 2022
1946
Jean Bengel Laughlin
May 18, 2021
1947
Molly Claire Armbrecht Coleman
August 19, 2022
Thomas Hunter
December 4, 2022
Robert Gonzalez Lopez
January 6, 2023
Mary Martin
August 30, 2014
Elita Joyce Mallers Murphy
September 8, 2022
Roger William Strecker
August 9, 2016
Barbara Meigs Taylor
January 6, 2023
Frederick G. Uhlmann
May 16, 2023
1948
Ernest H. Rettig
March 12, 2023
1949
Susan Block Abrams
January 19, 2023
John M. Parker
January 18, 2017
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 August 10, 2022 and May 31, 2023.
Donna R. Beagle Sidwell
September 2, 2019
Susan Hobbs Sheaffer Taylor
June 7, 2019
1950
Robert Scott Merolla
November 11, 2022
Christopher Sheller Peacock
March 14, 2023
Stuart B. Scudder
December 9, 2022
1951
Mary Anna Bell Kalbfleisch
August 16, 2018
1952
John R. Goodwillie
December 16, 2022
Walter N. Hellyer
January 13, 2023
1954
Donald Huber Kemper
February 14, 2023
1955
Richard Krelstein
March 3, 2023
David Ure Van Metre
May 11, 2023
1959
J. Eric Plym
January 1, 2023
Mary Anne Bower Shaver
February 14, 2023
Susan Anne McElroy Yost
May 14, 2023
1961
Martha Shollenberger Rocks
November 12, 2022
1962
Robert Geoffrey Littick
March 6, 2023
Marilynn M. Torrison
November 13, 2022
1963
Paul J. Brown
January 25, 2023
Camilla P. Mesenbrink Crawshaw
November 10, 2022
1967
Jose Andres Cardenas
November 12, 2022
Nita R. Cooper Goodman
December 14, 2022
Renee Danielle Bisbee Miller
August 23, 2007
1971
Katherine Young Wilson
January 19, 2023
1972
Philip R. Gilboy
September 23, 2022
Leslie Wones Spahr
June 2022
1973
Richard A. Alston
December 13, 2022
1978
Santiago V. Crisostomo
March 1, 2023
1986
David Belden
May 7, 2023
2007
Aleshia Alexandra Burks Carter
May 14, 2023
2011
Jay Daniel Gervens
March 5, 2023
Established in 1988, the Richards & Tremain Society recognizes those members of the LFA community who have made provisions for LFA in their estate plans. The group is named for Mr. John Wayne Richards, headmaster of Lake Forest Academy from 1913 to 1941, and Miss Eloise Ruthven Tremain, Ferry Hall’s principal from 1918 to 1945. The legacies of these strong, effective leaders have shaped the future of the school in many ways. It is fitting that we honor the lasting and important legacy of those who benefit the school through gift planning with membership in the Richards & Tremain Society.
For a limited time, you can become a member of the Richards & Tremain Society and experience both an immediate and long-term effect from your legacy gift thanks to the Caxy Legacy Challenge. With documentation of a new or existing estate gift*, you can gain access to funds from a challenge pool of
$200,000 made possible by alumna Sheri Kersch Schultz ’72 and alumnus David Gupta ’81. The challenge pool dollars—up to a maximum of $10,000 per donor—can be directed to an existing fund of your choosing, meaning the impact of your gift is felt now and in perpetuity.
*Eligible estate gifts must have a minimum face value of $50,000
Celebrating 10 Years of College Dinner Series
Over the past 10 years, Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso and members of the Advancement Office have visited Caxys at nearly 50 colleges and universities to engage with our youngest alumni and share the latest news from Lake Forest Academy. This beloved tradition keeps connections strong between the Academy and our graduates. Here’s to many more decades of great meals with great friends.
Historical List of College Dinner Series
Institutions
American University
Bates College
Berklee College of Music
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Case Western Reserve University
Claremont McKenna College
Colby College
Columbia University
Drake University
Duke University
Elon University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Harvey Mudd College
Haverford College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Johns Hopkins University
Lake Forest College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Parsons School of Design
Pratt Institute
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rhodes College
Santa Clara University
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
The Catholic University
Tufts University
University of Chicago
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan
University of Missouri
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Richmond
University of Southern California
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis
Yale University
Pay It Forward Support the College Dinner Series
Make a gift of $15 or more to underwrite a meal(s) in the upcoming school year’s College Dinner Series. Whether you (or your child) attended one of these dinners or value Caxy connections – keep this program going. give.lfanet.org/collegedinner
Review
Save The Dates Fall 2023
We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Family Weekend
September 22-23
Join fellow parents, students, siblings, and grandparents for Family Weekend 2023!
New this year: The annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event, hosted by the LFA Parents Association, will be held the evening of Friday, September 22 so that all parents can share a fun evening with LFA faculty and staff members.
Weekend Highlights Include:
• Mini-classes
• Fall season sports competitions
• Caxy Family Tailgate
lfanet.org/familyweekend
Reunion
October 14
Calling ALL alumni and alumnae! Lake Forest Academy alumni and Ferry Hall alumnae of all classes are welcome, with classes ending in 3s and 8s celebrating their milestone years. Highlights Include:
• Social time with classmates and faculty
• Festive Fall Social and Lunch
• Reunion Dinner
• Celebration of the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees and Woman of Distinction honoree
lfanet.org/reunion
Admissions Open House
October 22 at 1 p.m.
Interested students are invited to attend LFA’s Fall Open House. Prospective students in eighth grade and older are welcome to visit the Academy in preparation for the Fall 2024 admissions process.
lfanet.org/admissions