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Friday Five

Each week we highlight five people who are doing their part to make LFHS a better place
Friday Five

Madeline Ignoffo

Sophomore Madeline Ignoffo, better known as “Iggy,” is one of the funnier Scouts you will find.

Madeline has a gift to make people laugh, but outside of her contagious personality, she finds a way to spend time with her family throughout the week, babysit, and attends club meetings. 

Paloma Russo, a good friend, says she is lucky to have met Madeline in her freshman year.

“Madeline brings so much energy and positivity everywhere she goes and instantly brightens up my day and everyone around her day, with her contagious smile and personality. She makes everything more fun!” Russo said. 

Besides her outgoing personality, Madeline likes to spend her free time creatively. She loves arts and crafts and has a natural talent for it. Whether she is starting an art project or picking up a new hobby, she adds her own imagination and enthusiasm to it. 

Outside of school, Madeline loves to travel and especially loves to explore new cities in Italy. She loves learning about the different cultures and languages while having an adventure. Even in school, she is an active member of the Latin Club. She loves learning about the culture and traditions, and learning new facts with her friends. 

“Madeline is the kind of friend who always has your back. She’s loyal, supportive, and someone I can count on no matter what. Whether it’s a tough school week or something exciting happening, she’s right there — cheering me on or helping me through it,” said sophomore Madeline Adolph.

At school, she stays active and is involved in lots of activities. In addition to the Latin club, she is a part of Big to Little and enjoys helping kids with after-school activities. On the weekends, she volunteers at Feed My Starving Children, Bernie’s Book Bank, and Fill a Heart for Kids. She also babysits on the side. During the summer, she is usually at her lake house and spends lots of time with her family which she has lots of close relationships with. 

Whether she is at the golf course trying to perfect her craft, volunteering, at her lake house with family, or cracking jokes with her friends, Madeline is a positive and genuine soul. She is someone everyone wants to know.  

Lainey Laughton

Junior Lainey Laughton is the type of girl who fills a room with laughter. She asks the questions no one else thinks to ask, runs towards every challenge with fearless energy, and somehow turns every obstacle she’s faced with into fuel for becoming stronger.  

Over the summer, Laughton spent a weekend at the Curvy Girls Scoliosis Convention 2025, an international gathering for young girls with scoliosis to connect and support one another. The event brought girls together from across the country and around the world who share similar experiences. Laughton became part of a bigger community centered on resilience, confidence, and perseverance. 

Scoliosis has been a part of her life since childhood, but it has never defined what she can and cannot do. Many know her from the Girls Varsity Tennis Team, yet tennis is only one of her many sports. She has been dancing since she was young and is always willing to try something new when the opportunity arises. She ran track as an underclassman and decided to join the badminton team. 

The past tennis season, she went to state with her doubles partner, senior Charlotte McEvoy, where they received three wins for the doubles category. Laughton and McEvoy were not just doubles partners; they became good friends. 

Lainey is a really supportive but also hard-working person who really cares about the people that are important to her,” said McEvoy. “She can always tell if something is wrong and is there to listen if something is bothering you.”

Still, her story at school reaches beyond her athletics.

In the classroom, Laughton is known for her curiosity. She asks thoughtful questions and is not afraid to keep the conversation going. Her engagement in the classroom creates a friendly environment that benefits everyone. 

“Lainey’s bubbly personality is contagious,” said junior Nina Singh. “As soon as she walks in the room, I immediately feel excited for class.”

Her involvement also extends into various extracurricular activities. She participates in Women in STEM, Stitch Club, and is a member of the Math Team— where she takes on challenges that require creativity, collaboration, and academic application. Last summer, Laughton also attended a Harvard summer program, showing her dedication to learning new things and stepping outside of her comfort zone. 

Whether she is on the tennis court, in the classroom, or attending summer programs and events, Laughton consistently shows up fully.

“It is incredible that someone can be so funny, smart, compassionate, athletic, thoughtful, and more,” said Singh. 

 

Hayden Hill

Chances are that you have seen Hayden Hill surrounded by friends, laughing with them in the senior commons, or leading the Special Olympics team after school. Hill has a positive energy that radiates throughout LFHS.  

Hill is a coach for LFHS’s Special Olympics after school team, which includes sports like bocce ball, basketball, and track and field. 

She uplifts the team while fostering a fun and welcoming community. 

“She puts in so much effort into leading different activities,” fellow friend and coach for the Special Olympics, Addington Leahy, said. “And she always makes sure to form connections with each buddy.” 

She leaves meaningful and positive marks on her peers and community. 

Hayden is also involved in a program called Soccer Stars, where she helps coach soccer for children with special needs. 

Senior Taylor Gaston has been lucky enough to have grown up with Hill, and she says she has seen her positivity grow throughout the years. 

“Watching her easily build connections with the children, and her way of supporting and encouraging them is very inspiring,” said Gaston. 

In addition to her incredible leadership skills and ability to connect with anyone, she is a great friend. 

“Hayden is such a fun person to be around, because she is very passionate about the things she loves and cares about,” said senior Molly Clark.  

Qualities that many would want in a friend are qualities that Hill has and brings to every friendship: something that her friends admire about her. 

“She always knows how to make someone laugh or feel better,” said Clark. 

Hayden is also a JV soccer player,  which helps her coach Soccer Stars. 

Hill dedicates her time to making meaningful, positive differences. Her empathy does not go unnoticed. 

Hill is truly a team player and knows how to build a community on compassion, inclusivity, and encouragement. 

Owen Koehnemann

 While most sophomores are still adjusting to high school sports, one athlete is already making a name for himself: sophomore Owen Koehnemann.

Koehnemann is a multi-sport varsity athlete whose effortless talent is something you have to see to believe. As a freshman, Owen was one of the few to make the JV team as a freshman which is not typical in Lake Forest Baseball. After a long week of tryouts this year, Owen made the Varsity team. 

“Owen has shown up day in and day out ready to work hard and give it his all,” Varsity baseball manager Tommy Esplin said. “It’s fun to watch him play.”

His kindness and humor are unmatched, and he’s always got something to talk about. 

Owen’s impact on his teammates and peers is powerful. He’s always willing to lend a hand and be a positive influence in his classes. Owen loves to show off his athleticism in his Team Fitness class. He seldom fails to impress his classmates with his skills.

“He’s a great athlete, even a better kid,” classmate Nic Neuwirth said. “He’s always winning, but he’s always the most humble guy out there.” 

Owen was also called up to the Varsity Football team after spending most of the year with the JV team. His impact was immediate, and his talent was beaming. As a young running back, Varsity football can be scary, but Owen’s fearlessness is one of his greatest strengths.

“With all the injuries the team had this year, Owen stepped up to lead us to our last victory of the year against Mundelein. He’s a fearless young kid with tons of raw potential,” senior captain Jimmy Scheidler said.

Lily Remus

When it comes to hard work and dedication, Lily Remus is a perfect example of both at Lake Forest High School.

Preston Lui

As a 4-year Girls Varsity Soccer player and senior captain, Remus is a known and highly committed athlete. She not only pushes herself in her training, but also pushes and cares about her team’s growth and success. 

After years as a vital player, Remus is now taking on the role of one of the varsity captains. Coach Robert Parry has seen and counted on her skills consistently for the high school team.

“Lily has proven herself to be a versatile and dependable player who can be counted on to bring energy and technical quality to every practice session or game,” said Coach Parry.

In addition to playing for the LFHS team, Remus has played club soccer with FC United through the years to further her training beyond the spring high school season. 

Off the field, Remus enjoys giving back to her community. She is involved in numerous organizations and clubs, including Camp Hope as a volunteer and as a member of Big 2 Little. Remus is a naturally selfless person, carrying a positive attitude whilst effortlessly supporting her peers.

Like her dedication in sports, the care and support Remus provides for her friends does not go unnoticed.

“Lily is just such a hardworking person and such a great friend,” said senior and close friend Sophia Maffioli. “She is very dedicated to what she does and always encourages the people around her.”

Remus will be continuing her athletic career at DePauw University next year on the women’s soccer team. There is no doubt she will bring her impressive soccer skills, strong work ethic, and kindness she has shown at LFHS.

 

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