Avery Morris

Senior Avery Morris is unequivocally one of the most involved students at LFHS, but her stacked resume isn’t the only thing she has going for her. 

As president of the Debate team, secretariat member for Model UN, Band co-president and first chair clarinetist, and former Girls Varsity Field Hockey player, Avery’s schedule has always been a very busy one. But that hasn’t stopped this honor roll student from taking every opportunity to contribute to the LFHS community. 

“Avery is one of the most selfless, intelligent, hard working people I know. She’s always looking for the good in people. She is incredibly helpful, and always willing to be there when you need her to be,” said senior and close friend Maria Kyriacou.

Avery is well-known as someone who is genuinely invested in the lives of everyone around her. She is always looking for the next best way to support the people around her. 

“She’s very welcoming. She’s just great at making newcomers and freshmen feel comfortable in a small way that helps them get more involved in an activity or group at large,” said junior Nicholas Pizzo, a fellow member of the Debate team. 

Not only is Avery dedicated to her community, but she’s also heralded for reliability. No matter how many things she has on her plate, she always makes sure to take the time and care to prioritize both her extracurriculars, and any peer in need. 

“I’m lucky not only to be her co-president but to be her friend,” senior  Ana Dollard said. “Whether it’s down to bringing you a frozen Coke while you’re at home studying, or writing out a new poster because your handwriting is awful, Avery is always happy to help without so much as a second thought.”

Recently accepted to the Cornell program for Public Policy, it’s clear that Avery intends to continue using her intellectual and social abilities to improve the lives of others. 

“I met Avery because she wanted to get to know me, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for,” said Maria Kyriacou.

Mr.Darren Barndt

Mr. Barndt is an unforgettable teacher and coach. He has a strong reputation here, as the woodshop and architecture teacher. However, you can also find him on the sidelines of the basketball court as the  Boys Freshman Basketball coach. 

As a teacher who is accustomed to working with freshman students who are new to LFHS, Mr. Barndt has a warm and welcoming personality that makes students  feel at ease. 

His students enjoy his class, and his passion for architecture especially.

“He is always very informative and helpful if I’m ever struggling in class. No matter what, he can always walk me through a challenge I’m facing and help me resolve any issue,” said senior Ellie Moore. 

While Mr. Barndt knowledgeable in the classroom, he also creates a laid back vibe with some Bob Marley playing in the background while his students explore and dive into the latest topic that Mr. Barndt has brought to light. 

“I look forward to every class I have with Mr. Barndt. Even if I don’t turn in a project on time, Mr. Barndt is very understanding and helps me complete my project,” said senior Tristan McDonald. 

Mr. Barndt is the type of teacher who is continuously encouraging his students to pursue their passions. His students will remember his name and the impact he had on their lives.  

Lulu Keil

Junior Lulu Keil seems to do it all.

While she makes a huge impact on the field and court, she also knows how to make everyone around her smile. One of Lulu’s greatest strengths is her ability to stay positive and keep everyone’s spirits up, especially when the going gets tough. She never fails to bring the positivity.

“I have had four seasons with Lulu, and I am grateful for all of them! She has mastered the perfect balance of hard work and humor which allows her to have fun yet still practice hard. During games, Lulu is extremely focused and always has her eye on the prize,” teammate and friend Maeve Farrell says.

Lulu’s hard work and dedication is shown in and outside of school. She starts off the fall with field hockey season, then quickly transitions into the Girl’s Varsity Basketball season. Of course, she is back on the field for lacrosse in the spring. Lulu’s teammates admire  her because of her dedication to each of these sports. 

“Lulu is one of the most hardworking people I know. She’s a three-sport varsity athlete and plays many different sports outside of school. She is always dedicated to being the best she can be. She is always working to improve and get better while being a leader to everyone,” basketball and field hockey teammate Ryan Rice said, 

Cole Pezza

 Sophomore Cole Pezza is not only a young stand-out athlete on the lacrosse team, but he also has high expectations in the classroom. 

“Cole is always going the extra mile to help me whether it’s in math, English or just being a good friend when I need advice,” said sophomore and best friend Teddy Atzeff

Atzeff  praised Cole for his competitive drive. “He’s always ready to battle in any sport we play together.” 

Pezza is a great example of the true student-athlete at LFHS as he excels in the classroom and is involved in lacrosse and golf at the high school; he was a standout freshman for both sports at the JV level last year, and he is looking to make a greater impact this year.

Pezza’s teammate  Maxim Cusack really admires Cole’s grit and work ethic on the field.

“Cole is a great guy. He’s always there when you need him; he’s always there for when you need a laugh or a boost of energy. Sports wise, he’s a stud. Whether it’s lacrosse or golf, he never fails to impress coaches and teammates,” said Cusack. 

Pezza has high expectations for himself, too.

“Cole is always telling me how he wants to be at an Ivy League college” said sophomore Tess Uihlein.

Whether it’s on the athletic fields or in the classroom Pezza will always be there for you. 

Mr. Joe DeRosa

We’ve heard the phrase “Use Kindness” since we were children. Whether it’s been printed on posters on the walls or discussed during assemblies, this phrase is often overlooked and rarely internalized.

However, Mr. Joe DeRosa is somebody who embodies kindness and implements it in his classroom every single day.

Mr. DeRosa is a social studies teacher who is thoroughly passionate about teaching. He is the kind of teacher who not only does everything within his power to make sure that his students succeed, but he takes an interest in learning about them personally. Several students cherish the conversations that they have shared with Mr. DeRosa, in the classroom or even during passing periods. He is somebody who is always there to brighten your day. 

“Seeing him in the hallways always makes my day so much better. He always asks me, ‘Hey Grace, what class are you off to? What’re you learning today?’ He is so caring and empathetic. I have never met a single person who does not like Mr. DeRosa,” says junior Grace Donovan. 

Mr. DeRosa’s dedication to his students’ success not only academically, but as people, is deeply admired by each of his students. Kindness and acceptance are two attributes that he holds dearly and encourages his students to do the same. 

“He is a very kind person who tries to better his students as people,” says junior Coco Fallidas. 

In the classroom, Mr. DeRosa offers several resources to his students to ensure that they understand the material that he is teaching.

“He is always there to check up on his students before and after class to make sure that they understand the content to the full extent. He is passionate about teaching valuable information that will help his students succeed not only in the classroom but in our future lives,” says junior McKenzy Hoopis. 

Mr. DeRosa is the kind of teacher who everybody needs in their high school experience. The respect he has for his students does not go unnoticed, and his value of kindness is truly inspiring.