Lake Loop
Ella Stankewicz, Tiarah Alexander
La Lumiere (La Lu) welcomed familiar and new faces back to campus on August 18 for a fun-filled week. Parents and students alike gathered for inspiring opening remarks by Head of School, Mr. Andy Webster, to commence the 2024-2025 school year. Thrilling athletic practices and school activities ran into the night, and students were rewarded with ice cream at the end of each day. Orientation week was filled with jam packed days and new memories.
Orientation is also the official kick-off for the Heads Cup competition. Heads Cup is a series of contests to invoke school spirit. Four teams fiercely compete with each other in order to win the grand Heads Cup trophy. With nail-biting activities like the infamous scavenger hunt, rock paper scissors competition, and the soccer shoot-out, the games are just beginning. With extraordinary enthusiasm all around, some teams were able to pull ahead early. Sullivan won the scavenger hunt, Webster got the win for rock paper scissors, and Moore secured the victory in the soccer shootout. Moore is currently in first place with 17 points, Webster is runner-up with 16, Sullivan in third with 10, and in last is Bunting with 7. Everyone did a great job!
School spirit continued as classes started on August 21 and everyone settled into their new schedules. Recently, there was yet another Heads cup competition, with Webster showing its bowling expertise against Moore, beating them by the slimmest of margins to earn the win. Bunting and Sullivan duked it out for third place, with Sullivan eventually gaining the win. These exciting games last all year round, until the triumphant team is decided at the end of the year. Every point counts.
Teacher Talk
Eve Hebrard Pinedo
Mr. Mike Heffron has been part of the La Lumiere community for almost 25 years. Heffron is the current Director of Residential Life, in addition to teaching AP United States Government, AP United States History, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics.
He first stumbled upon La Lu after he graduated from DePaul University when he was unable to apply for teaching jobs due to the school’s term system. Then during a camping trip, he received a phone call from Mr. Laurence Sullivan, the Headmaster at La Lu at the time, to be a substitute for one of the social science teachers. Heffron officially began working here in October of 2000.
Heffron says that some of his favorite parts about La Lumiere are that despite being located in Northwest Indiana, the school is a multicultural environment. The more flexible approach to teaching that a private school provides, as seen in the course structure of his classes, perfectly aligns with the boarding aspect of our school.
“It’s hard to believe that I get paid for these sorts of things” he comments about the fact that he’s able to take students on weekend “runs” such as Walmart or Meijer.
Heffron is a highly regarded faculty member here at La Lumiere and a very valued member of the community.
Sports: Beginning of the Sports Season
Anne Miller
Show up and step up may be the theme for this school year, but it also relates to the sports field. The beginning of the 2024-25 sports season comes with a lot of challenges, but the Lakers have had a strong start!
The boys’ soccer team started the season by taking a strong early season lead. With a score of 8-1, and the next game 2-0, the Lakers are starting off their season the best in years.
“The team has improved tremendously throughout the season, and the effort they bring to the field is unmatched,” says sophomore varsity goalie Ezra Spira.
The girls’ volleyball team is also improving greatly after beating South Bend Career Academy 3-0. The Lakers, led by new Head Coach Jim Kaufman, are looking forward to the upcoming games in the season as they look to improve.
Junior Adriana Forker says, “The overall goal is to try to shine.”
The girls’ golf team has also had a great season so far, and is looking to improve for years to come with a young team. In the first match, the Lakers won 232-264 against Elkhart’s Jimtown. The dynamic duo of the Robles sisters, Annabella and Gabriella finished in the lead with Bella Levick and Angelica Smith following close behind.
The Cross Country and Tennis teams have both brought home medals. In the two meets completed, both Zen Wendt and Grace Cappas won medals. The boy’s tennis team also has found early season success with Junior Josh Jaracz winning a second place medal in varsity singles.
As the season continues, the Lakers are looking forward to keeping this momentum strong. With the motto of “show up and step up,” the student-athletes will achieve great things. The Lakers are looking forward to seeing what the athletes are capable of!
The Inside Look on Girls’ Soccer Captains
Eloise Verdun
With three talented captains, from all over the field, including in the goal, the La Lumiere Girl’s Soccer team is led by seniors Avery Tegt, Anne Kuehn and Nicole Herrera. The three have been on the team for the past four years and have been captains for half of their careers.
Tegt and Kuehn have shared a pre-game handshake since they joined the team, creating a strong bond that helps hold the team together. As captains, they not only hold the team together, but hold the team up. They all share the same aspirations to make Girl’s Soccer a fun and uplifting environment, a place to grow.
“Overall, the goal is to create a team experience that is super fun and enjoyable for everyone involved” said Tegt.
While Kuehn, Herrera, and Tegt have had a lasting influence on their teammates, the team and sport has a lasting, loving, influence on the captains. They share that they love the community, laughter, friendship, memories, and overall the game itself. The three are shining stars with many skills and their legacy will stay strong as they move forward and step to their future.
Culture Corner
Helena Acosta, Evie DeRubbo, Maiyah Lewis
This year, Sunday September 15 will mark the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebratory month is meant to recognize the impact of Hispanics and their culture in the United States (US). Everywhere from the Olympics to the Supreme Court has been influenced by Hispanics. The Hispanic population of the United States continues to grow and shape the country. Today Spanish is the second most dominant language in the United States. As of 2022 there are 63.7 million Hispanics in the United States, accounting for around 19% of the United States population.
Here at La Lumiere there are many cultures represented, including Hispanics. This culture has been represented through the various traditions of La Lumiere including cultural chapels and the Taste of La Lumiere.
Spanish teacher and Chilean native Magaly Rivis said that this month means, “The acknowledgment of your hispanic roots through language, culture, or more.”
Student Eve Hebrard Pinedo said, “All communities can come together and share cultural aspects, share views and traditions, and the food’s really good.” Pinedo then added that their personal favorite dish was enchiladas.
Throughout the many communities in the United States including La Lumiere there are many diverse cultures. Months like this are a great opportunity to learn about other people’s history. By learning, we help celebrate and bring awareness about the incredible world that people call home.
Letter from the Editor:
Hi everyone!
Welcome to the first edition of The Torch. My name is Avery Tegt and I will be the 2024-2025 Editor-in-Chief for the revival of the school’s newspaper, The Torch. I am currently a senior day student from Chesterton, Indiana and I have attended La Lumiere all four years. Along with the help of French teacher, Bridget Sendziak, and English Department Chair, Matt Buchanan, together we are looking forward to bringing back such an illustrious part of La Lu.
When Madame Sendziak originally approached me with this idea in the Spring semester, I was instantly super excited to have a part in something that I hope would last for many years to come. In learning the diverse history of The Torch, being given the opportunity to bring it back in a new way is something that I am super excited to be a part of. Throughout this semester, you can expect to see a new edition on the La Lumiere School website under a new section entitled, “Read The Torch,” in addition to email newsletters, and a semesterly printed copy.
This project is created for all of the community, including parents, alumni, students, and faculty to have a consistent place to read about life at La Lumiere through student writing. The Torch will be a great liaison for alumni to keep in touch with the current student body, in addition to reviving something that is deeply rooted in La Lu’s history.
Throughout the school year, you can expect to learn a little bit more about the current life around La Lu, including the culture of the student body, sport recaps, and even what’s currently taking place in the classroom. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the students who are seniors and writing for The Torch, through the section, The Torch Team.
Thank you all so much for joining us on this journey as we reignite The Torch. I’m looking forward to bringing you a part of La Lu’s vibrant community through our writing and I hope you will enjoy reading these editions as much as we will enjoy creating them. Here’s to a great year ahead, filled with amazing articles, connections, and stories!
Warm regards,
Avery Tegt