You’d be hard pressed to find a more well-known, universally-enjoyed, and wholly positive experience at Lake Forest High School than the annual ELS basketball game. For over 15 years students, parents, teachers, and community members have come together to enjoy the game. This year, the Scouts will be playing Mundelein at home on Friday, February 24th, during lunch periods. They will also be playing away at New Trier.

Coach Spagnoli described the day perfectly. “It’s the most positive energy on one day in the whole school year.”

The cheerleaders perform, the band plays, the freshman chorus sings the national anthem, parents attend, and many teachers bring their children. And, to top it all off, almost the entire student body comes to the game during a class or lunch period to cheer passionately or wave posters. The players are accompanied by their buddies, students who are TAs in the Integrated Wellness class. Senior Integrated Wellness TA, Megan McCabe, explained that they don’t even have to advertise, news just travels by word of mouth. Indeed, you can ask LFHS upperclassman or recent alumni and they will remember going to the game every year and what a positive experience it was for everyone. Lianna Wisneski describes the ELS game as a nice way to bring the entire school together for a day, a truly beneficial experience for all.

Even more so than the community, the game is special and memorable for the players who participate. Junior Integrated Wellness TA, Ellie Smith, thinks that much of the value in the event is that the players feel so much love and support from everybody, not just them. In addition, Junior Anika Heswall feels that it demonstrates to the students that they really are part of the community; it allows them to experience that involvement firsthand. Further proof of the supportive and positive atmosphere is that both sides cheer for both teams.

The Scouts team is a mix of first-timers and veterans. This will be Elliana Tribble’s first game. She indicated that she has heard it’s the best day of the school year and she’s looking forward to playing in it. Grace Moderwell is also looking forward to playing in the game for the first time and said she’s excited about playing basketball, adding that she’s, in fact, a good basketball player. In addition, Luke Cast is excited to get out on the court and play basketball and said he is excited for the raffle, too.  

Ali Weeden, Liam Hulseman, Bill Burns, Yulissa Castaneda, Patrick McNeill, Jack Mory and Will Preschlack have all played in the ELS game in past years.

All of the excitement going on during the game is Liam’s favorite part. Playing basketball is Bill’s favorite part of the day, and he also enjoys the raffle. Will likes the game because he is surrounded by friends while Patrick’s favorite part of the game is when the fans get loud! He also likes the posters with the players faces on them and thinks they’re funny. Also, he loves when the parents come and watch.

Yulissa Castaneda also likes all the cheering from the fans watching. This will be Ali Weeden’s fourth year playing in the ELS game. She is ready and excited to play Mundelein. Another veteran you will see out on the court is Jack Mory; it’s his 5th year and he loves playing basketball and the cheering. In interviewing Jack, he is very confident in the Scouts chances.  

According to Education and Life Skills teacher, Mrs. Lovitsch, “it is a highlight of their year and of their time here.” She explained that besides playing a fun game of basketball and being surrounded by friends, one of the things that makes it so special is the opportunity to be fully immersed in and have the support and attention of the larger school community. They get the chance to represent our school and make everyone immensely proud, just like every other athlete at our school.

All in all, the ELS game is a great opportunity to come together as a school community and show support for our fellow students. The fact that the gym is packed every year and so many students know about the event is testament to how much fun and how valuable the experience is for all involved.

It shows the best side of LFHS and the most admirable traits within us all.

The positivity of the day goes beyond the walls of LFHS. Every year the Integrated Wellness class chooses a different cause to donate to. This year, the proceeds from tee-shirt sales and raffle tickets will go to the Center For Enriched Living, a local recreation center for developmentally disabled children and adults. You can purchase a shirt during lunch periods the week before the game to rep LFHS.

Looking back on high school, the ELS game is one of the moments we are all going to remember: being part of a wonderful tradition, cheering on our classmates and rooting for our school, hanging out with our friends during lunch periods and enjoying ourselves, listening to great music courtesy of the band and choir and watching the talented cheerleaders perform. The feel-good positivity and inclusiveness felt by everyone at the ELS game are unmatched at any other sporting event or pep rally the school has to offer. All of this while contributing to a great cause. The annual ELS game is a no-brainer.

And just in case you needed another reason to attend, Luke and Jack’s predictions are in, the Scouts are going to win!

They’re definitely right. Everyone who plays or attends is a winner at the ELS basketball game.