Sydney Schafer

It can be intimidating to move 2,000 miles away from your best friends and community whom you’ve grown up with. Starting fresh at a brand new school is always difficult, but in the middle of a pandemic? Seems impossible.

All worries and anxiety of a new school are magnified when there is no actual school to go to. How is anyone supposed to make friends through a Google meet?

Luckily senior Sydney Schafer was born to be the center of attention.

“Sydney is one of the most confident and outgoing people,” senior Michlyn Ward said. “How she came into LFHS as a new student with such a positive attitude is so admiring. I also have to say she has the BEST outfits, especially when it comes to school sporting events.”

Shortly after moving to Lake Forest, she joined Scout Nation and Lacrosse.

“Sydney is the best! She is always up for a good time and is so fun! I met Sydney during lacrosse season last year, and she was so easy to get to know. She is so inclusive and friendly with everyone,” says senior Brynne Hippel.

While many students struggled through Google Meets, Sydney was in person and bringing light to her dull classes.

“There are few people that I know that are so genuinely authentic and Sydney is one of them. She is so kind and funny and knows exactly what to say and when to say it,” senior Ava Landis said.

Everyone who is close to Sydney has nothing but good things to say about her. She’s such a supportive person, and always hyping you up whether you’re a friend or a stranger.

I often wonder how Sydney did it. If my parents moved me across the country in the middle of my high school experience, I would pout until they sent me back. It didn’t take long to find out that’s just not the kind of person she is, and I’m honored to have gotten to know her.