Lakers Go To NYC It’s no secret—Lakers love their basketball. This year, the Varsity Boys team completed their regular season ranked number 1 in the nation and with a record of 28–0. But their work is not finished. The Team will travel to Geico’s National Tournament April 4-6 in New York to battle top-ranked teams in the country for the national title.
The Lakers have had a long history in this tournament (previously known as ESPN Rise and Dick’s Nationals), having been invited several times, placing second in 2016, and winning the national title in 2017. Last year, they competed and lost in the quarter finals. The Lakers have been preparing for this year’s tournament all year. Having already played many other top ranked teams and still holding a perfect record, they’re going into the tournament with the same intensity and love for the game they have had all season. La Lumiere’s student section is known for being a great traveling student section and will be present in New York to cheer their peers. We wish the team luck as they get ready for the momentous tournament.
Student Spotlight Amelia Surma is a senior at La Lumiere. She is the serviam prefect, the cheer captain, a member of the volleyball team, part of the yearbook staff, and is in show choir. Surma is known as one of the sweetest people on campus and brightens everyone’s day.
Originally from La Porte, Surma always heard of La Lumiere growing up, as her older sister also attended the school. Despite following her sister to high school, Surma has carved her own path and found a home at La Lu. She loves the people and the community.
“The teachers really care about the students and the students all look out for each other,” she said.
After La Lumiere, Surma plans to study business and is excited for everything the future holds.
Ms. Dettey Audette At La Lumiere, teaching and learning extend outside the classroom walls. Ms. Dettey Audette lives by the teaching. She grew up in Massachusetts and attended Holy Cross for her undergraduate degree, where she first experienced teaching outside the traditional classroom setting. Audette played softball at Holy Cross and worked as a residential assistant.
“Holy Cross was amazing in its ability to teach students how to live and learn beyond the classroom, and the major mission that drove my four years there was answering the call to be ‘men and women for others,’” she said.
After attending Providence College to receive her master’s degree, Audette began to teach history. Eventually, she found her way to La Lumiere. The moment Audette stepped on campus she knew she’d found a place she belonged. Students were friendly and engaging. She felt everyone on campus was completely invested in the betterment of the students and the community. Now, she is in her second year at La Lumiere and teaches World History 2, AP World History, and European History, and coaches La Lu’s crew team. Teaching is truly her passion.
“Over the course of my teaching career, I have learned the old adage is true— to teach is to learn,” Audette said.
Bookstore Basketball Of all the traditions at La Lumiere, the Bookstore Basketball is one of the most exciting. The basketball tournament captures the attention of the student body and faculty alike. All different skill levels participate in the event, from varsity basketball players to those who have never touched a basketball. The games are played three-on-three to 30 points.
The game recaps given at morning meeting the next day always illicit laughs due to the ridiculousness of the games themselves. For the four-week span of Bookstore Basketball, the gym is bustling with players and spectators, all wanting a piece of the action.
The regular season just ended before students left for spring break. Each team played two games with the top 32 teams moving on to the elimination rounds, which will commence the week students return from spring break. The stakes are high: ultimate bragging rights and the bookstore crown. Good luck to all the Lakers competing in this great competition!