Welcome to Winterfest
Bleary, sleepy eyes immediately brightened upon returning to campus on Monday, January 9th. After enjoying a long break, students were eager to tackle the start of the second semester. New Monday activities began on the first day back, as well. Monday activities take place from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. These activities give students a chance to gain community service hours so that they may reach the graduation requirement of 40 hours. The opportunities include visiting a nursing home or walking the dogs at the Humane Society.
Varsity White boys’ basketball was busy over break, traveling to four different states to play in different tournaments and games. In a triple header, La Lumiere came out with the win at the Chick-fil-a Classic, making them the tournament champions. A few days later, La Lumiere beat Aberdeen Central High School. To top it all off, La Lumiere squared off with #2 ranked Findley Prep where they won 69-55. This pushes La Lumiere’s record to 16-0. After the dust settled from their amazing wins, La Lumiere received the news that for the first time this season, there is a unanimous #1 team in the country in all major polls.
On Thursday, Winterfest began officially with the first theme day. Students ditched their uniforms for farmer clothing. Many came in overalls and straw hats. A farm themed quiz and pin the tail on the donkey was offered as activities during lunch. The girls basketball team hosted Clinton Christian Thursday evening and won 40-29 with the entire student body in attendance as a part of the Winterfest activities. Winterfest continues with dorm karaoke and a ski trip later on in the month.
Heart of the Season
While January and February sadden people with the promise of snow, students and faculty at La Lumiere are excited by these two months because they signal the height of basketball season. Many big games are scheduled for every team alike.
On Monday night, Varsity White is scheduled to play nationally ranked Sierra Canyon on ESPN at 4:00 p.m. Girls varsity is set to play Marquette on Tuesday, while Varsity White plays them February 4th. The local rivalry is sure to make for a great game! Then, next Saturday the girls varsity and Varsity White are scheduled to play at Depaul Prep. Varsity girls are excited to travel with the Varsity White players and challenge themselves against Depaul Prep.
Many focuses of Winterfest are on increasing activities for boarders. Dorm dodgeball is set to take place in the upcoming week. A karaoke night is set to be held as well.
Heart of La Lumiere: Susie Equizabal
Upon applying to La Lumiere, incoming freshmen students are required to shadow a current student for a day. One of the first places the prospective student is taken to is Student Services where they will find a friendly face and some candy. This friendly face is Ms. Equizabal, or as students affectionately call her, Ms. E.
“I started at La Lumiere during the 2007-08 school year. My official title is Office Manager,” said Ms. E.
“No,” Varsity Blue coach Mr. Marvin interjected. “Your title is the Heart of La Lumiere.”
Mr. Marvin could not be more correct. Many kids confide in Ms. E, often surrounding her desk at all hours to simply talk. Ms E. happily listens, offering comfort and candy to anyone passing through. She also offers comfort to our international students, chattering away with them in fluent Spanish.
While making sure everything runs smoothly is her main job for most of the year, Ms. E picks up an extra one around January. That job is helping plan the annual Taste of La Lumiere. The Taste encourages La Lumiere’s international students to create dishes from their culture to share with the public. Over 100 different recipes are presented each year, and hundreds of people come to taste and see the uniqueness of La Lumiere.
“The Taste is important because it brings us all together, and it is an opportunity to show the diversity of La Lumiere. And I think that is important. It is a very special tradition,” said Ms. E.
Planning for the Taste begins in January while the real thing takes place around the end of March or early April. Fundraising has already started with pizza being sold at the girl’s game Thursday night.
When asked what she loved most about La Lumiere, Ms. E simply stated, “My kids.” From the looks on the adoring faces surrounding her desk every day, they are her kids indeed.
Student Spotlight: Mary Adam
Mary Adam of ‘17 is the designated “fun” person of La Lumiere. As Co-Curricular Prefect, she is in charge of creating activities and keeping up the school spirit. Upon observing the excitement bolstered by every announcement about a new activity being offered, she does an amazing job.
“Being Co-Curricular Prefect is really fulfilling to me because it gives me the opportunity to boost morale and work with my fellow students to include their input into the community. I have always been loud about what I want the school to look like and now this leadership position grants me the opportunity to give other students the same voice,” said Adam.
Mary transferred to La Lumiere for her sophomore year. Coming from Chicago, Mary is a boarding student, which makes keeping the fun alive and well even more important. It can be hard for boarders to be away from home for so long.
“I went to a public high school in the Chicago suburbs my freshmen year. There were 3,000 kids, and it was easy to get lost. I felt like a change.”
The feeling for a change guided her to La Lumiere, a boarding school her dad had previously attended and where her cousins currently went. Now a senior, Mary has found it easy for her voice to be heard at the school. While the small size is a factor, the fact that people are willing to listen encourages many ideas to bloom.
“I work every day to embrace the La Lumiere experience and try to get to know my peers better each day. I really just want to make the last semester memorable,” says Adam. With the activities for Winterfest being recently revealed, there is no doubt that this semester will be anything less than fantastic.