What’s Happening: Mayhem at the Marsch
La Lumiere Lakers kicked-off the 2017-2018 winter sports season with an energetic pep rally called Marsch Madness this month. During the event, all three varsity basketball teams, Girls, Boys Blue, and Boys White, were introduced. They competed in various fun events, with a friendly scrimmage, a shooting contest for a prized Dress Down Day, and the well-loved cheerleader’s dance routine with the basketball players. The student body was extremely hyped for the event, with many donning blue face paint and sunglasses. One student even wore a blue morph suit and wig.
The highlight of the night was by far the dunk contest. Four people competed, and two earned four tens, the highest possible score. This progressed for five additional tie-breaker rounds, since neither competitor faltered. Emmanuel Miller repeatedly dunked over people’s heads, beginning with those somewhat shorter and progressing to Headmaster Adam Kronk. He finished soaring over three people, two of which were his teammates of almost equal height.
Charles Smith put up an equally impressive display of dunks, from running full court for a shot to catching a staged rebound, he blasted each ball home. For the first time in the history of the contest, the judges decided to declare a tie, as the competition was too close to call. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and everyone is extremely excited for the basketball season this year, which is off to a dunk-tastic start.
What's Coming Up: Giving Back
This year, La Lumiere is working to promote an attitude of gratitude, realizing how blessed everyone is and sharing their blessings with those who have less. In order to achieve this, they are having a winter coat drive that started December 1. They will be collecting all gently used or new coats in the Moore House until the start of finals week.
Additionally, the Academic Decathlon team is hosting their annual Toys for Tots drive. They are collecting toys throughout the week, culminating with encouraged donations at the triple-header basketball game on Thursday, December 7. A new, unwrapped toy will be accepted in place of the typical price of admission in order to give deserving children a toy for Christmas.
These two drives are on the heels of the Aquinas Senior Boys Dorm Annual Food Drive. This year was one of the most successful food drives yet. Ethan Paff, who organized the drive said that they were hoping to collect more than any other year. Starting in early November, donations began to be accepted, up until right before Thanksgiving Break.
In the beginning, Paff said that he had a goal of 500 pounds, but he had not made that announcement yet. At the end of the first week, only 100 were gathered, but, after giving the students a goal, support multiplied exponentially. Within three days, the total had already jumped to about 450 pounds, and, on the last day of the drive, the goal was exceeded. The desired attitude of gratitude is well on its way to taking hold of the campus. Hopefully these other two drives will receive just as much support.
Teacher in the Spotlight: Christina Massey
Christina Massey, the new inhabitant of the A-frame house, previously occupied by the unrelated William Massey, has cemented the name of the lake in front of the home as Massey Lake. This is her second year teaching English as a Second Language at La Lumiere. She spends much of her time socializing with students. She currently stays in the English Writing Lab when not teaching classes to help students with essays, provide them with a piece of candy and thoughtful conversation, and help them relax with a fun game of Contact or Wuziqi (five in a row).
Prior to working at La Lumiere, Massey traveled the world and taught in many different countries. She spent time in Albania for about six months, and then taught in China for five and a half years. She then worked in Vietnam before coming to La Lumiere.
Now, in addition to her teaching, she helps lead a weekly Bible Study on campus. She loves her faith and has been working to solidify her identity as a child of God. She has read the entire Bible, deeply exploring every facet of it. She is excited to see what the coming years hold and what her role will grow to encompass.
Student in the Spotlight: Jack Breitowich
Jack Breitowich, a self-described “nice Jewish boy” is a senior at La Lumiere. He came here from Stanley Clark, following in the footsteps of his older sister, Andi, who graduated last year.
He is this year’s Co-Curricular Prefect, meaning he is, in his words, “in charge of fun.” He gets to plan all the dances and games for Headmaster’s Cup, which is similar to the Hogwarts House System.
Breitowich loves getting to take advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer, having attended the Nicaragua service trip his sophomore year, and La Lu Prague his freshman year. He loved getting to connect with his classmates and the kids in Nicaragua, gaining appreciation for what he has. He also enjoyed getting to explore the history in Prague, especially learning about Terezin, a concentration camp there.
During Breitowich’s freshman year at La Lumiere, he tore his ACL in one of his knees and then tore the other after recovering from the first. Because of his time laid-up, he got to hone his musical talent by playing the banjo and guitar.
Additionally, he realized how much he loves the sport of hockey. He has been playing since he was seven, but taking a break from the game to heal made him realize how important it is to him. He plays on the team for Valpo, having been drafted as their goalie. Breitowich considers himself a “student of the game,” striving to learn all he can from playing and watching his favorite team, the Chicago Blackhawks. Having already learned to make the most of everything, he is certain to carry his contagious positivity with him throughout his life.