Litsa Kapsalis

Above the ivy-shrouded facade of Lake Forest High School there reads a single sentence that perfectly sums up the school’s mission and that of all schools everywhere in the world: abeunt studia in mores.

The “official translation” is “they leave, striving after morality,” but a more poetic (and accurate) rendering is “studies pass into character,” according to longtime Latin teacher Mrs. Ariel Landvick, who is perhaps more qualified to translate Latin than the school administrators.

Regardless, if indeed studies pass into character, then junior Litsa Kapsalis shall be ranked among the most charactered students to emerge from LFHS. With nine AP tests under her belt, she is, as classmate William Schlachtenhaufen said, “quite intelligent” and “rarely partakes in shenanigans.”

This overwhelming academic load — which has been known to cause severe harm — goes not to Litsa’s head. Rather, she maintains a persona of friendly excellence, according to junior Meghan Geraghty.

“Litsa Kapsalis is the most devoted, kind, and caring person I have ever met,” Geraghty said. “Her work ethic and amount of herself she pours into everything she does inspires and astonishes me — considering she too only has 24 hours in a day… I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Litsa’s willingness to throw every ounce of herself at a problem has not gone unnoticed or unrewarded. Her peers in JSA elected her Governor of the Midwest State, and next year she will serve as the president of the Debate Team. She has also earned profuse praise from Mrs. Carol Clark and Mr. John Wanninger, Debate’s faculty advisers.

“She has more energy than anyone I have ever known,” Mrs. Clark said. “In three years, I have not found a job that Litsa can’t do; [next year] is going to be a great year for both Debate and JSA.”

“Her passion, drive, and charisma make her a natural leader,” Mr. Wanninger said. “More than just about any Debate student we have ever had, I know that Litsa will be doing huge things in the future, making a name for herself, and making the world a better place.”

Abeunt studia in mores. Until next year, LFHS.