Martin Pacheco

Mr. Martin Pacheco might be the last face you see before taking your dreaded AP Bio test, but his enthusiastic personality is sure to calm your nerves before you start. 

An LFHS employee since 2014, Mr. Pacheco has shifted roles this year. He now is the student supervisor for the Testing Center.

“Martin is super nice, very helpful in the testing center, and he always strikes up the most interesting conversations, especially with (study hall teacher) Mrs. Nelson,” said junior Elizabeth Tunney.

However, his influence and assistance extends far beyond the testing center. If you have not met Mr. Pacheco yet, you are bound to sometime before you toss up your graduation cap. If not in the testing center, you are most likely to find him walking the halls and engaging with students. Once he meets you, there is no doubt he will greet you with a friendly hello in the halls and even check in and ask how you’re doing.

No matter what, Mr. Pacheco is there to support anyone when they need it.

“Martin has done so much for me — I can’t even describe it all,” said Nelson. From helping me move to my new room at the end of the year to carrying my little suitcase and lunchbox to the car, and even giving me a big bear-hug when I need it, he is one of my best friends.” 

He takes his role as a Scout seriously and wholeheartedly supports and cultivates longstanding relationships with athletic programs. Since being invited by the team in 2016 to help with Pucks and Poms, Martin has been an avid supporter of the dance team. The team is always touched by his enthusiastic emails before and after competitions. 

Finding the all-caps and emoji-filled messages in their email is always a reaffirming boost that the dancers truly appreciate. 

“Martin goes above and beyond to spread kindness to everyone at the school, and it is so appreciated,” senior Mia Konkol said. “Before every competition, Martin makes sure to send our team members good luck emails, and he never forgets. He even wears an LFDT t-shirt the day before our competitions.”

Even his smallest gestures make a meaningful difference to those around him. While Martin may see his actions as just simple acts of kindness, they mean so much more to the students and staff of LFHS.

Will Hirschfield

Junior Will Hirschfield is the type of person to greet each person he sees the same way: a big smile, an enthusiastic wave, and calling you by your name. 

His talent is knowing everyone, even after one conversation Will is sure to remember you. This is thanks to his incredibly outgoing personality and his love for meeting new people.

 “When we walk into school and he sees someone he doesn’t know yet he immediately goes up to introduce himself,” said Will’s younger sister, sophomore Mimi Hirschfield.  

His memory expands far past just names. He puts effort into genuinely getting to know people and learning about their lives. This even includes his impressive skill of remembering each teacher’s car by heart.  

“He’s the most social person I know,” said Mimi.

Will consistently spreads his light through the hallways, making a positive impact on those around him. 

“He truly cares about others,” ELS teacher Mrs. Donna Lovistch said. “He always tries to brighten someone’s day.” 

Will is also known for his role in the annual ELS basketball game, an LFHS fan favorite event that allows students to cheer on their peers in the special education program. He’s a star at grabbing rebounds and scoring points off his signature shot — pulling up from the right side. 

His excitement each time a play was made was contagious. His buddy during the game, senior Addington Leahy, shared that the two of them celebrated together on every basket.

“His energy made the game so fun,” said Leahy. “Even if that meant me running full speed down the whole basketball court.” 

Besides from on the court, you can catch Will in the Friday Morning News videos, broadcasted throughout the school.  Will’s weekly segment is the joke of the day, a very fitting category for his bubbly personality, and he delivers every time. 

“He enjoys making people laugh,” said Lovistch. 

All in all, Will is exactly the kind of friend you want to have. 

“Being around Will is just an instant mood boost,” said Mimi. 

Tommy Demetrio

There may not be a more comical, honest, or outgoing person in all of LFHS than senior Tommy Demetrio. Whether you recognize him from his perfectly curated “old money” wardrobe, hysterical personality, or his new position as the lax manager, it is undeniable that his presence brings people together. 

This semester, he threw himself into the job as the Boy’s Lax Manager and has already contributed to the energy and success of the team. 

“You can always expect him to give 110% to the team. He fits in like family, like he was born with a lax stick in his hand. He has the natural feel for the game, the intensity, and the vibe,” said teammate James Elliot. 

Demetrio’s friends look back at laugh-filled and chaotic memories of him with nostalgia. 

“Thomas August Demetrio and I have been great pals since 7th grade. He is a great guy to go to when you need a quick laugh,” said senior Maxim Cusack. “I think a perfect explanation of Tom’s character can be clued out from the following story. For some reason he really wanted to do a bike jump off a five-foot drop. He did it, fell, and was left with a bloody gash on his forehead. The first thing he said after the fall was: “you were recording right?!” 

It has become a common conversation between Demetrio’s friends on his unique introductions into a room. Instead of walking in and giving a non-chalant greeting, Demetrio makes every person in the room feel seen and important, like the most important person in the room actually. 

The moment you see him he stops and screams ‘no way. It’s my favorite person in the world. So good to see you’ followed by a hug. 

“Every time Tommy D walks into a room, I know he is going to have the most epic entrance,” said Josie Irvin. “He makes everyone feel so welcomed with his infectious smile and personality.”

Tommy will without a doubt carry his energetic and spontaneous personality into his future in Fort Worth, where he will be studying Business and on a Pre-Law Track at Texas Christian University. 

Caroline Borega

Caroline Borega or “Kurt” to her teammates is a silent worker who has quietly been making a positive touch on others. 

Although many may know Borega for making the varsity lacrosse team as a freshman, behind the scenes, Borega is an exceptional hockey player. Her hockey team, 16U Warhawks, just won the state championship and are going to compete in the Nationals tournament over spring break. 

Borega also has the opportunity to play lacrosse alongside her older sister. Senior captain Claire Borega likes to push Caroline alongside her, never allowing her to come short of what she is capable of. 

“Being teammates with your sister is something a lot of people will never get to experience. It is so fun getting to lean on each other and push each other. Having someone to always rely on that I can relate to is something I do not take for granted,” said Claire Borega.  

Even with sports, Borega volunteers in her spare time impacting her community and the people around her. Every Sunday, Borega takes part in leading Children’s Liturgy of the Word where she educates young children in her church community about their faith. 

Borega also works at Toned Yoga in Lake Bluff, where she welcomes everybody in as a receptionist. She works alongside junior Marissa Graham.  

“Working with Caroline makes our shift go by so fast. She is always so fun to be around and is overall a great person,” said Graham. 

Margaret Boberski

Sophomore Margaret Boberskiet has shown true commitment to her athletics. 

Coming into her freshman year, Boberski made the JV tennis team, having a successful season playing doubles and singles. 

Boberski doesn’t fail to follow through with commitment. Over the summer going into her sophomore year, she worked hard and was determined to achieve her goal of making the Varsity tennis team. 

In the fall, she was one of three sophomores to be brought up to Varsity. 

“As soon as I saw Maragret at tryouts and talked to her, I knew she was a great addition to the team. She has the kind and hardworking energy that we want for our team,” junior teammate Giana Paradowski said. 

Aside from Boberski’s dedication and commitment, her positivity and encouragement is always alongside her. 

“Margaret has always been such a positive light in everyone’s day. You can tell she truly cares about everyone. I know I can always count on her for anything!” senior Captain Phoebe Silver said. 

Boberki’s commitment and positive spirit didn’t fail to show up after her season fell short to a torn ACL injury. 

“Even after she tore her ACL, she still was so uplifting and resilient. She showed up and committed every time to still being there when she could,” Paradowski said. 

However, her positivity doesn’t stop there. Margaret brings her same positivity and encouragement as the manager of the JV soccer team.

“Margaret is an amazing person and someone you can always count on. She puts 100% in everything she does, whether it’s academics, managing soccer, or playing tennis,” sophomore past teammate Emerson Hirsh said.