Thatcher Rother

To know sophomore Thatcher Rother is to know energy, originality, and a love for the unexpected. While he may not always follow the same path as other students, he paves his own, making life an adventure that pulls everyone around him into it. 

Whether it’s on the water during an extravagant fishing trip or at home with his three dogs – Mooncricket, Nefarious Nightskin, and Texas Toast – Thatcher’s enjoyment for the moment is nothing short of contagious. He finds excitement in the unusual, often diving into tasks that some may consider quirky or inventing strange tasks that leave friends in pure laughter. 

Sophomore Charlie Sommers, a close friend of others, describes these moments best.

“Thatcher is the type of guy who loves playing eccentric games when you’re with him. It’s a great Thatcher thing. He loves spending many hours completing strange tasks with his three dogs … I love being with him and his dogs, and the energy he brings is infectious,” he said.

That same spirit directly affects Rother’s relationship with his older brother Graydon, a junior. He often admires Thatcher’s love for freedom and creativity. 

“Whenever we go on a fishing trip together, we both agree on never having a definite plan and just winging it. That’s something I love about our relationship. It gives us the chance to create more memories,” he said.

When he’s not outside exploring or fishing, Thatcher’s easygoing personality shines most when he’s at home. His room has become something of a training ground, where he hones in on his hacky sack skills, or what he would call, Footbag. This hobby reflects that of Thatcher’s playfulness and patience.

Through it all, Rother is carving out his name at LFHS. Not by following the expected, but by doing what he wants, how he wants to do it, and where he wants. He’s the kind of person whose presence leaves you smiling-and whose next adventure you’ll always want to be a part of.

Neason Lui

If you’ve ever seen magic on the ice or on the turf, you’ve probably seen it done by freshman Neason Lui, who is always pushing himself to his limits.

Neason is a fast, agile and a “beauty” of a player on the Lake Forest JV Gold Hockey team, which a club team not affiliated with the high school. In his first three games of the SHL (Scholastic Hockey League) he has an impressive 12 points, with eleven goals. He combines his hard work, talent and skill for his team. His precision and determination shows on the scoreboard at games. 

Off the ice, he motivates his friends and his teammates to perform to the best of their abilities.

“He always gets the team going before games, he cheers on other players and he shows respect towards players and coaches,” said freshman teammate Jack O’Malley. “He gives it his all in practice, goes to goalie clinic on Saturday mornings and like always, works hard on the ice.”

Outside of the ice arena, Lui also represents his talent in lacrosse. Last spring, his team won the State championship on his LFLA 2029 A team, made up of incoming freshmen at the time. Lui is playing lacrosse at LFHS this year and also plays for 2029 True IL AAA Lacrosse, which is a very high and competitive level of the sport. Lui plays attack, where he uses his speed to score many goals.

“Neason is a great teammate because he hypes the boys up before a game. He also is a scorer in big moments which is huge for the team,” said freshman teammate Finn Eggers. “He respects our coaches with the same respect he gives us which gives him the great character he is.”

As a freshman and new to LFHS, Lui is still a positive and funny person to be around outside of sports. What gives him character is his way to make people feel welcomed and treat them with the respect he gives his teammates and coaches to make them feel welcomed. It will be very exciting to see where Lui’s athleticism will guide him in the future.

Libby Yakes

Junior Libby Yakes devotes much of her free time to serving her community. 

While many teens spend their summers focused on hanging out with friends or lounging by the pool, Yakes dedicated over 20 hours each week to volunteer at Fill a Heart 4 Kids, a non-profit that supports children in foster care and those experiencing homelessness. Her work there has allowed her to directly impact the lives of vulnerable youth, from organizing donations to preparing essentials that help kids feel cared for and valued. 

In addition to her commitment to Fill a Heart 4 Kids, Yakes also gives her time to the Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry, where she takes on the responsibility of a leadership role when packaging baskets of food for families in need. She approaches this task with consistency, as she has been helping the church since she was oung.

Yakes’ sister, Kat Yakes, has witnessed Yakes’ dedication to helping others for years. 

“My sister is always helping people, whether that is through an organization or taking the simple task of walking new students to class. She constantly pours her heart into the work she does, while never seeking recognition but always making an impact,” said Kat.

Through her service, Yakes has shown both compassion and leadership. Her willingness to give so much of her time reflects not only her empathy for others but also her belief that helping her community is a responsibility worth embracing. For Yakes, volunteering isn’t just an activity; it’s a way of life that shapes her character, inspiring those around her to do the same.

Mr. Tim Jennings

It’s his second year, and Mr. Jennings has already mastered the hardest part of teaching: making students laugh before 8:30 a.m!

It doesn’t matter if it’s during practice, a match, or while weaving through the halls, his trademark glasses make him recognizable. He can turn around any ordinary day around with something as simple as “What’s up?” 

Beloved by students for his steady presence, he proves to be irresistibly funny once you get to know him. 

“He literally is my favorite person ever. Mr. Jennings or ‘J’ is one of the football coaches so I have something in common with him. He’s super easy to have a conversation with and he is absolutely hilarious,” senior Braden Hoskins said. 

His impact continues to extend beyond the classroom. As head coach for the freshman football team and boys tennis coach, Mr. Jennings is involved throughout the school. 

“Timbo has been a positive experience for the kids and the school. He’s really good with the kids out on the football team and obviously engages well with the kids that he works with in the Special Ed Department,” freshman football  Assistant Coach Dave Glynn said. 

His dedication has not only improved student experiences, but also contributes to improvement in the school all while only having two years under his belt. 

 “It is one thing to act like you care, but it is another team to show you care, and Tim goes out of his way to help his students become successful and believe in themselves,” Special Education Teacher Scott Gilbert said. “As a teacher and coach, Tim lets his students and athletes be themselves and builds on their strengths consistently.  He is doing a fantastic job and I am proud to have Tim as my colleague and my friend.”

Mrs. Sarah Dworkin

If you have had Mrs. Dworkin as a teacher or have gone down to see her at her office, you likely  know that she is a welcoming person who loves to help students. She enjoys talking to students and is very passionate about letting them know she cares.

She has been working as a teacher for three years. She graduated from Ohio State University with a major in marketing and minor in economics. She realized her true calling was to make a difference in students’ lives, which led her to earn a Master’s degree in Special Education from UIC.

Learning Strategies teacher Mr. William Frye said he respects her work ethic.

“She puts a lot of heart into everything she does each day,” Frye said.

Also Mrs. Dworkin just doesn’t love just academic side of her work here. She also loves to find time with students and talk to them when they are feeling down. She loves to help them in any way she can. She is dedicated to helping students find success.

“She helps students by making study guides for tests, especially for African-American studies. What’s really amazing is that when I missed school, she put all the notes in one binder for me. She always goes out of her way to help students who miss class or have other things going on,” DAmitry Kurtz said.

She was very understanding when it came to taking tests and helping students who were feeling unprepared. She always did her best to support students in understanding the material so they could succeed and earn good grades.

“She was an excellent teacher.She creates a classroom environment where every student feels seen and supported,”  Alin Lara said.

In the end, she’s more than just a teacher. She’s a mentor, a role model, and someone who truly changes lives. Her dedication, compassion, and belief in her students leave a lasting impact, and I’m grateful to have been one of the many who had the chance to learn from her.