For the entirety of my life, I have been fortunate to grow up in a safe community with vast opportunities that are there to guide you to success; a community full of loving people who strive for excellence unified in blue and gold. Being able to grow up in a place like Lake Forest is something that I will never take for granted.  These last 18 years of my life have been nothing short of a privilege. 

May 26 marks the last day of school for us seniors.  It’s very hard for me to believe that I will be leaving 1285 North McKinley for the last time this week.  It feels like just yesterday when I was just a little freshman walking through the basement hallways of LFHS.  I vividly remember my sister telling me that high school goes by so fast, and now I can finally sympathise with her.  I truly didn’t think that these last four years would go by as quickly as they did.  

I have loved every minute of my highschool career, and will remember it for the rest of my life.  When I reflect on my four years at LFHS, my mind gets flooded with memories.  The early bird commute to school, Friday night sports games, lively student sections, and school dances are all about to be a part of my past life. 

It is very unfortunate that our senior class has to end this year the way that we do.  We spent half of the most exciting year in high school behind a computer screen; we missed out on major “lasts,” such as the last homecoming football game and the last turnabout dance; even when we returned to school, we missed out on a handful of privileges due to COVID restrictions. 

Yet no matter the circumstances, this senior class took advantage of all that we could–we made the most of it.  The school did their part in trying to make our year as normal as it could be, and I truly thank them for it.  Without their help and consideration, our last year would have been nothing like it was.  

The fact that I will be a college student next year has not fully sunk in with me. It feels like highschool is truly not over.  It’s going to be an overwhelming transition to a new life, but I am ready.  I know the future holds some of the greatest years of my life, and I’m thankful that LFHS shaped me for said future.   

This is not the end of an era, it is only the start of a new beginning.  Each and every one of us is going to go on to do great things in the world as we transition onto bigger and better things.  Although it’s bittersweet to see everybody go, It’s only right that it is time to move on.  

To Lake Forest High School, thank you for the amazing opportunities that you have given me through my four years of High School.  Your welcoming environment has been nothing but a blessing. 

To all the amazing teachers, staff, faculty, and coaches,  thank you for being there for me in the good and bad and showing how much you care about students like myself. Your generosity never goes unnoticed.  

To Dr. Holland, Mr Simeck, and the Board of Directors, thank you for your continuous effort in facilitating a school with a high quality education that is consistently ranking in the highest percentiles.  We as a community are very thankful.

To the incoming Superintendent and Principal, thank you for your consideration. I’m excited to see how the high school will be in years to come.

To all 1,585 students at LFHS, you have all made a difference in my life and have shaped me into the person I am today, and for that I thank you. I would never trade my childhood for the world, and I know that the future is now in my own hands.  

TFS Signing off,
Kernan Lynch 

Now let’s go have a killer graduation.