Caroline Ward

Freshman Caroline Ward is 50% Irish. Her ginger hair comes straight from her Grandpa. For St. Patrick’s Day, her family goes all out and spends the day celebrating and drinking green river soda. They sometimes go out to watch people play the bagpipes. Sophomore Catie Ward (Caroline’s sister) explains that Caroline takes great pride in her culture, and being close in age makes the bond between them stronger. 

“The closeness in age between Caroline and me is a blessing, and it is so nice seeing her in school,” Catie said.

The assumption that some Irish people are angry is completely debunked by Ward, as she is someone who is considered kind and bubbly by many around her.  

“Caroline is a very happy person who is always smiling. She treats everyone with kindness and makes others around her happier,” said freshman Charlie Cole. 

At LFHS, Caroline was involved in freshman/soph tennis in the fall, and was known to be a great teammate and player. There is no doubt that this will carry into her soccer season this spring as well. 

“Caroline played with passion and put in the hard work, but she was also able to keep the matches fun through her sense of humor,” said sophomore and captain of the team Avery Lynch. 

It is known for Irish people to have traits of being humorous, but no one does it better than Ward. She has the ability to make people laugh instantly and can bring those around her solely through her electric energy. Freshman Mila Latusek describes her as “her best friend ever and is someone who is always there for me and can make me laugh no matter the situation.”

Whether she is celebrating her culture or lifting someone up through her natural comedy, Caroline is a breath of fresh air to family and friends around her. 

Kaden Gray

Junior Kaden Gray, or “Ice Spice” as his friends like to call him, has quietly been making a positive impact around  Lake Forest High School. 

Whether it’s on the soccer field, practicing the guitar, or spending time with his friends, he is sure to light up the room and leave a positive presence for everyone around him.

Gray has been part of the LFHS Soccer program for all three years of his high school career so far, which reflects his dedication and commitment to the program. The effort he brings to the field encourages his teammates to follow suit and raises the intensity of the entire team. 

“No matter what the occasion is, he gives as much effort as he can, whether it’s a sport or just hanging out with his friends,” junior Mike Hehman said. 

While soccer is an important part of his life, he also has a taste for music. If he’s not on the field, you can find him practicing a new song on his guitar, always trying to improve and get better.

“If you’re lucky enough to catch Kaden on the guitar, you’d be impressed by the skill he has; a lot of time and effort has gone into his guitar skills,” junior Alex Richards remarked.

A fact many don’t know about him is that he was born in Belgium, giving him a cool international connection that may surprise many people. Kaden’s friends would describe him as someone who is easy to talk to and is always willing to help someone out if they need it.

Kaden’s calm personality and humor make him an easy person to be around. Whether it’s on the soccer field or playing golf with his buddies, he continues to leave a positive impression on the school and the LFHS community.

Brooke Spencer

Brooke Spencer’s iconic hair is not the only thing that makes her stand out at LFHS. As a member of Student Council, Student to Student, and an array of other activities, her commitment to being a Scout shines through in everything she does. 

“Brooke is one of the most dedicated and determined people I know. She is involved in so many things inside and outside of school and always gives her all into everything she does, and it’s so fun to see,” said one of Brooke’s friends, Lily Remus.

Outside of school, Spencer has a passion for dance. From an early age, she has committed time, dedication, and effort into perfecting her craft. She has spent decades bettering herself in this passion, and is being recognized for her talent as she finished her senior season. As an artist, she pours her heart and soul into each performance she’s accomplished. 

Alongside practicing dance, she is a teacher at the studio where she grew up. Her leadership and experience offer a safe space for aspiring competitive dancers, and it is safe to say that those who are learning from her are privileged to learn from one of the best. 

If you know Brooke, you know that she has stellar music taste, ranging across several genres. You can always count on her to be playing a tune that gets a room dancing. Her love for music even got her interested in taking the AP Music Theory course here at LFHS, one of rigor and precision. She also practices playing the guitar in her free time. 

Brooke is a 4-year CROYA member and has made a lasting impact on the spirit and atmosphere of the organization. From retreats to meetings, Brooke is overly involved in helping make CROYA a great experience for all members. 

“Brooke always comes into CROYA with great energy. Whether it’s starting a conversation with someone new or just cracking a good joke, she’s the kind of person people just want to be around,” said Vice Chair Evelyn Marshall. 

You can always count on Brooke to make a room laugh and to be a loyal friend. The ease that comes when you spend time with her is one of her best qualities. 

Her sweet disposition and fiery energy (plus hair) set her apart from most Scouts. Without Brooke’s involvement, LFHS would not be the same. 

Mrs. Meaghan Cook

With her bright red hair and even brighter personality, Mrs. Meaghan Cook is one of the most recognizable teachers in the halls of LFHS. A Lake Forest native and LFHS alum, Cook has spent the past 13 years in the building, helping students grow both in the classroom and on the soccer field. 

Cook has been teaching at LFHS for 13 years, including her time as a student teacher. She originally planned on staying for 8 weeks, but her dedication and work ethic led her cooperating teacher, Mr. Raymond Del Fava, to encourage her to remain for the full year.

“Mrs. Cook is an awesome English teacher who inspires her students; she is an amazing soccer coach who inspires her team; most importantly, she is a loving mother who inspires her own children. How she balances all this is truly a mystery to me,” said Del Fava.

That decision turned into a career in the same building where Cook once walked the halls as a student herself.

In addition to teaching, Cook is also in her thirteenth season coaching soccer at LFHS. She began coaching during her student teaching year and has continued ever since, building strong relationships with the student athletes she works with every season, like Senior Taylor Gaston.

“Mrs. Cook is an amazing coach! I always look forward to soccer season knowing I have a coach who supports and pushes us to be our best! She always brings positive energy that always makes practice more fun,” said Gaston, a returning Varsity player.

Outside of school, Cook is a mother to three young kids: George, Claire, and Erin. Balancing family life with teaching and coaching keeps her schedule busy.

Growing up in Lake Forest and now teaching in the same community gives Cook a unique connection to LFHs. Seeing students both inside and outside of school strengthens the sense of community that makes the school feel like home.

Cook is also known for the strong relationships she has built within the English Department. After spending more than a decade working with the same teachers, the department has become more than just coworkers; they are a family. 

Above all, in the classroom, Cook is a fan favorite. Even though the books and curriculum each year stay the same, she finds a way to bring light and perspective into each and every classroom. Her dedication to everyone around her and her impossible-to-miss red hair continue to leave a lasting impression on the LFHS community.

Rita Mateus

Known around the halls of LFHS for her striking ginger curls, sophomore Rita Mateus is kind, radiant, and a fantastic friend to all who know her.

After living in Spain, Brazil, Dubai, New Jersey, England, and Chicago, Mateus eventually found herself in Lake Forest for 8th Grade. Because of her family’s constant movement, Mateus has an amazing ability to make strong connections with people quickly.

“She definitely felt that Lake Forest was difficult at first, because it’s nothing like any of the schools she’s been to before. But she is so bubbly and nice to everyone, so I think people just naturally gravitate towards her,” said her older sister, Senior Clara Mateus.

Many of those friends she made in 8th grade remain a part of her close circle, including sophomore Ruth Jenkins.

“Every morning, Rita would compliment someone’s outfit or wish us all good luck on our tests or quizzes,” said Jenkins.

Mateus is always the first person to make sure everybody is included and having a good time. 

Mateus is also a very involved member of the LFHS community. She plays for the Girls’ Soccer Team as left wing, is a member of the Animal Conservation Club, and the Enviro Club. She is also a very skilled guitarist. 

But Mateus is most known for her kindness (and curls). She is always spending time with her friends, constantly calling them to check in, and supporting them through their achievements.

“My favorite memory of her is when we went to get ice cream together, and we were just laughing over the same stupid jokes over and over again. She is one of my favorite people to laugh with,” said sophomore Elena Mucci, another long-time friend of Mateus.

Mateus’ unwavering, positive outlook on life sets her apart from most students at LFHS. After living in almost every corner of the world, she’s learned the importance of kindness and friendship.

“Rita really doesn’t believe in bullying. She always invites people to sit at her table who are alone because she knows the feeling of not having a place to sit. She knows how hard it can be to make friends, so she has made it her mission to ensure that everyone has a place to sit at her table,” said Clara Mateus.

Lake Forest is fortunate that, after all her globetrotting, Rita has settled in our community.