Reese Lindstrand

Next year, when completing her Common App, junior Reese Lindstrand will have no trouble filling out the activities section. 

 Reese is a very hands-on student and frequent participant in school activities, including both sports and clubs.

 As a member of the Enviro Club, French Club, Scout Nation, and Math Team, Reese’s commitments are not random but rather fueled by curiosity. With everything she does, she pushes herself to be the best she can be and learn as much as possible.

Even outside of school, Reese is deeply involved in her community. She is a dedicated intern at SaLT, which is a nonprofit organization that helps fight food insecurity. Being the kind and selfless person that she is, Reese has made it a large priority to be an active member of SaLT, and much of her time outside of school and volleyball is spent organizing, working, and fundraising with this organization.

Since freshman year, Reese has been a part of the girls’ volleyball program. She started on the sophomore team, and now she is on varsity. While her team placement has changed, what hasn’t changed is her unwavering dedication and commitment to the team. 

“Both on and off the court, Reese’s positivity carries the team. She is definitely a light in our team, and absolutely embodies the character of LFVB,” said junior teammate Bella Goldfayn.

Aside from holding herself accountable to contributing to her community both inside and outside of school, she also has a rigorous course schedule.

Reese is one of the most driven students among her peers, holding herself to some of the highest academic standards. Her schedule consists of AP Bio, AP Lang, AP Comp Sci A, AP U.S. History, French 4H, Multivariable Calculus Honors, and Law. Even with a schedule like that, Reese’s hard work and dedication has resulted in her lowest grade being an A. Though she would never brag about it, that is an accomplishment that deserves to be commended. 

“She is diligent, focused, attentive, and willing to participate in class, even at the end of the day. But more than that, she is also positive, kind, and balanced. She brings a sense of humor and a smile every day,” said history teacher Cindy Collier.

While it may be a breeze for Reese to fill in her activities in the common app, she may struggle to decide what career to pursue. When you are excelling in all subjects, it can be difficult to narrow down your options, but isn’t that a problem we would all like to have?

Jack Guenther

Senior Jack Guenther is a man of many talents. Whether it’s his crazy rock climbing skills, his goofy magic tricks, or his incredible management on the volleyball court, he is the “Jack” of all trades.

Jack loves the outdoors. You can catch him flying up a mountain due to his expert rock climbing skills.

And do you love a good riddle? Jack does. He loves to tell a riddle where two penguins are on a canoe in the middle of the desert. When you have the chance, you should definitely ask him about it. Ask him about his card tricks, while you’re at it. 

Jack is also deeply into sports. He is the Varsity Girls Volleyball Team manager and is a player on the Varsity Boys Volleyball Team. 

Jack is also focused inside the classroom. He’s a frequent participant in tons of class discussions. No matter what class he is in or the topic, he will put his focus on making sure he understands it. 

“Jack consistently enriches our class discussions with his insightful questions and thought-provoking comments. His natural curiosity is evident in his desire to understand topics on a deeper level,” robotics teacher Mr. Matthew Wilen said.

For example, he participated in a physics experiment in front of the class. He had to yank a wooden circle off a bottle that had a cork on top to prove inertia existed. He walked up confidently, yet ended up accidentally breaking the lab. Despite this happening, he laughed it off.

“He laughs off his mistakes and celebrates other’s success,” senior Sufyan Hussain said.

Jack’s love for the outdoors comes from being a TA for Mr. Werner’s outdoor ed class. It’s also where his rock climbing skills come from. He brings energy and positivity to class. He wants to make sure that the students he is TAing have just as good, if not a better experience.

“Usually, whatever group he’s working with, there’s people going to be laughing, and there’s something silly that he kind of starts and stirs up nicely. He does like helping people and that makes for a huge benefit in the class. When someone is taking the class he’ll try and help someone else have an experience that was as much fun as his,” outdoor ed teacher Mr. Ray Werner said.

Haley Helfrich

Sophomore Haley Helfrich is a dedicated athlete and a steady force at LFHS. Although only halfway through high school, she has already built strong relationships across grades and sports, especially through field hockey in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. Her classmates, teammates, and friends all describe her as someone who helps create a grounded, supportive environment, both during competition and the everyday moments. 

Teammate Campbell Gore recalled the impact of Haley’s words at their season banquet. “Hearing her senior speech for me made me tear up because her words were so kind,” she said.  “I truly consider her a sister and part of my family.”

Her influence extends beyond specific moments. “Her attitude strengthens not only her teammates, but the Lake Forest community,” said Gore.

Whether at practice or around school, Haley has a way of making people feel comfortable and welcomed.

Her friends describe her as someone they rely on for just about anything.

“She’s the person you go to. Whether you need fashion advice, a hug, or someone to talk to,” sophomore friend Cadence Mullenbach said. “Anyone who knows her agrees she’s irreplaceable.” 

Fellow classmate and teammate Reese Bolton got to know Haley on and off the field. “Before warm-ups or even at tough practices, we’d talk and joke around,” Bolton said. “Whether it’s during practice or in class, Haley’s always positive and knows how to uplift those around her.” 

Haley’s impact at LFHS doesn’t stop at her athletic ability. Her reliability, commitment, and genuine investment in her peers make her a meaningful part of the community. As she continues through her next two years at LFHS, her influence can only continue to grow.

Bella Goldfayn

Those who know junior Bella Goldfayn know both her kind-heart and her sense of humor. Goldfayn is a person you could go to with anything, including questions on homework, opinions on an outfit, advice, or even a laugh. 

Goldfayn not only impacts those around her, but also the places and communities she is a part of. She made varsity volleyball in her sophomore year and has since had a significant impact on the team, program, and her teammates. 

Fellow junior teammate Sophie Yeliseev sees the impact Bella has made on the team and the hard work she puts into the sport. 

“Bella always gives her all in everything she does for school volleyball. She is competitive, driven, and always striving to do her best,” Yeliseev said.

Goldfayn is a middle on the volleyball team. The middle position is often considered the most challenging to play in volleyball, yet Bella makes it look effortless. Bella is always someone the team can count on to get a block or kill when it is needed.

Another junior teammate, Abby Uhart feels she can always count on Bella, and is a player the team can always lean on.

“Bella will do anything that is needed for the team. I know I can always count on her to score when the ball goes to her,” Uhart said.

Goldfyan is not only a player the team could physically count on, but also mentally through losses and wins. She’s calm, which helped the team remain so connected and positive throughout the season. 

“Bella never forgets to include others and lift people up along the way,” Yeliseev said. 

She is truly a person who drives with her heart. Her kindness and support for others do not go unnoticed. 

Although she is a person who spends most of her time on the volleyball court, in her free time, she spends lots of time volunteering with SaLT: an organization that specializes in educating and helping our community. 

Mrs. Cindy Collier

For approximately 20 years Mrs. Cindy Collier has taught history with an edge. 

She will give her class practical notes, explaining them with enthusiasm and connecting them to personal stories that the class could relate to. She’s not just lecturing at the front of class, she is making the notes interactive. After notes, she uses online simulations and creative hands-on class activities so the ideas that she teaches stick in her students heads. 

I will never forget her fun trivia game where in order to answer a question, you had to do a dance. One group did the macarena and another group tried the thriller dance (which she taught us). Her colleagues have also expressed her love for dance, explaining that she has taught them the Charleston. Whether she’s dancing to help people learn or simply just to make someone laugh, she knows how to make someone’s day a little better.

Mrs. Collier is known to truly make a difference in the lives of the people she works with as well.

“I really admire her. She is so good at her job and just such a good person and I think the world of her,” said history teacher Mr. Joe DeRosa. 

She expresses her love for history in many ways, often hanging up work from her class in the third floor hallways.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Collier spends time cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, spending time with her daughter and husband, and making a difference in the community through her sponsorship of Interact Club. 

“I participated in Interact Club and also had Mrs. Collier as a teacher for APUSH. Her passion for people is obvious in the classroom and in the club. She just wants to make a difference,” said senior Alissa Eglite.