Senior Pilar Rosales is not just any Lake Forest Scout—whether it’s in her athletic endeavors, academics, or extracurricular activities, Rosales is a shining example of a multi-faceted high schooler. As she begins her final year at LFHS, Rosales is going above and beyond as a student athlete while she balances the demanding college recruitment process for running track and cross country.
Rosales is a known hard worker and accountable student in the classroom. This year, she is taking on a rigorous course load including AP Literature, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Calculus, and more. Rosales invests time and focus into her school work, however she is always there to help a friend or classmate.
“Pilar always helps me study for AP Calc,” close friend Kate Mccann said. “We have some of the same classes which let us work through problems and homework together. If I need something, I know I can always count on her.”
With an interest in biology, she hopes to go pre-med in college with aspirations to be a surgeon. To prepare herself for this ambitious path, Rosales volunteered 100 hours over the last two summers at Northwestern Hospital helping elderly patients in the inpatient unit. With this experience under her belt, she thinks college will allow her to “grow and push to her fullest extent.”
While Rosales notably excels in the classroom, her talents don’t stop there. She plays a vital role on the Girls Cross Country team in the fall, and runs with the Girls Track team in the spring. Rosales is a captain, three time state qualifier, and has earned an abundance of titles throughout her time as an athlete at LFHS. To list a few: she was Conference champion in the 2 mile race sophomore year, won the 4×8 race sophomore year, got 2nd place in the mile to former teammate, Lucy Schlachtenhaufen, who now runs at Richmond University, and was Conference runner-up in cross country her junior year.
Being a dedicated athlete in a very physically demanding sport has provided Rosales with a strong work ethic and ability to push through pain. This summer, Rosales ran an average of forty-five miles a week. She also attended a running camp on the campus of Oregon State University, in which she ran a whopping sixty miles in six days.
Early on this season, she finished 1st in the varsity race at the County Meet at Lakes High School. This particular win titled her the 2025 Lake County champion—a title which has not been won by a Lake Forest runner for over a decade. To both coaches and teammates, Rosales serves as a key member and leader.
To Clio Stresser, a junior member of the Girls Cross Country team, “Pilar is a great leader because she’s super motivating and supportive, no matter what. Plus, she’s always there to laugh or talk with on a bad day.”
On top of her demanding running schedule and course load, you can find Rosales cheering on our Scouts at football games and other school events. As a committed member of Scout Nation since freshman year, she has now taken on the role of senior student section leader along with a group of other spirited seniors. Rosales serves as a bright light in the student section, showing up and showing out for her school.
Rosales is looking forward to starting college and to being “surrounded by people with like minded goals and interests.” This scout is making the very most of her senior year, and is ready and excited for what’s to come.
