What’s happened
During the first weekend of October, La Lumiere hosted its annual Parents Weekend. This event invites the families of current students to campus to celebrate their students by watching them partake in sports games and participate in various ceremonies.
While the weekend is meant for all students, the senior class takes center stage during the events, getting to participate in a number of senior traditions.
Saturday afternoon, seniors who participated in any fall activities were recognized and honored during a ceremony. Students were able to walk out onto the soccer field with either their parents or an adult of their choosing and receive a flower from their coach or director. The event is a way for the senior class to remember their time in their activity/sport during high school, and to celebrate with their teammates/castmates one last time at the end of the fall season.
However, this was not the only tradition seniors got to take part in over the course of the weekend. On Saturday evening, although rainy and cold, the senior class rallied together to partake in one of the most popular traditions at La Lumiere, known as the Senior Bonfire.
During the Senior Bonfire, all seniors are given a torch that is set alight, and they then carry the torches through the woods, arriving at the soccer field where they together join their torches to make a huge bonfire. This tradition is one of the longest-running at La Lumiere and has become a favorite of many on campus. Susie Eguizabal, senior advisor for Student Services and Academic Events, not only loves the bonfire but says it has an even deeper influence on those who participate.
“The Senior Bonfire gives the senior class a chance to unite together at the beginning of the school year, and helps them to come together as they begin their final year together,” said Eguizabal. “It also goes beyond the senior class though and unites everyone who comes to the event which helps to bond our community early on into the school year.”
What’s coming up
With the end of fall activities after Parents Weekend, La Lumiere will soon be seeing the beginning of its winter activities season. This means that basketball will be in full force at La Lumiere. On Friday, October 29, the student body will all gather in the Marsh Gymnasium for another annual tradition known as Marsh Madness.
This event officially kicks off the basketball season and honors all of the different basketball teams as well as the cheerleading team. Students go all out for this event, wearing La Lumiere gear and even painting blue face paint on their faces.
It is most definitely an exciting night, and students and staff alike are looking forward to it.
Teacher spotlight
Susie Eguizabal has been working at La Lumiere for 15 years and is the Jill of all trades. Whenever a student needs anything or is having any difficulty they know that they can go to her, to get assistance in whatever it is they are having difficulty with.
Even after being here for such a long time, her favorite memory is still her first-ever moment at La Lumiere. When getting interviewed for her job, she remembers the person who was interviewing her saying he only had 10 minutes as he had to get to a soccer game. This moment showed her how special this community truly is.
“When he told me he had 10 minutes because he had to go to a soccer game to support the student, it showed me how special things are at this school, and how much this community cares about each other,” said Eguizabal. “If he did not care he would have spent more time with me on my interview, but because he cared about his students and the school he made time for both me and them, and afterward I went with him to the soccer game. So, although I came for an interview, in the end, I became part of the community that day.”
Eguizabal says not only did that day make her realize how special the community is, but it reminds her of how grateful she is to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people.
“The opportunity to be part of not only the student body here and to help them, but to also have a special relationship with their parents and the other faculty members is truly special, and makes me so happy to be a part of such a wonderful community,” said Eguizabal.
Student spotlight
Lauren Jordanich is a senior at La Lumiere this year. Having attended the high school for all four years, participating in the senior bonfire this year was a special experience for her, but not what she thought it would be.
“I didn’t expect when walking through the woods to feel anything was really different, but it actually felt really special while walking with my torch,” said Jordanich. “It was an amazing experience because I got to hang out with my friends and classmates, which was really special.”
Similar to her peers and teachers, Jordanich has noticed the special community bond at La Lumiere. There is one memory distinctly, however, that showed her how special the La Lumiere community is.
During her freshman year, Jordanich got the chance to attend the GEICO National Basketball tournament to cheer on the La Lumiere Basketball team.
“It surprised me how many people went, and everyone was so excited and supportive of the team,” said Jordanich. “I talked to so many people from different grades, even though I was a freshman. This was the moment that really showed me how truly special the La Lumiere community is.”
Jordanich is really looking forward to the rest of her senior year in which she hopes to spend lots of time with her friends and classmates before graduating in the spring.