When thinking of a person in the graduating class of 2026 who most clearly embodies what it means to be a Lake Forest Scout, Josie Irvin is the name that immediately comes to mind for many. 

Irvin is best described as the “human form of sunshine,” a reflection of the warmth and positivity she brings to everyone around her. Those who know her commend her unique ability to make others feel genuinely seen and heard. Her friendly disposition is evident in simple, consistent gestures, like the way she goes out of her way to talk to and meet new people. 

“I’ve known Josie for a very long time, and when I first came to the high school as a freshman, Josie made the experience feel much more welcoming. In the hallways, she would always say hi with a wave or a smile, and she did the same for whoever else I was walking with, even if she didn’t know them,” sophomore Sienna Walsh said. 

Although it sounds like a cliche, she is the girl in our grade who somehow seems to truly do it all. Throughout her four years at LFHS, Irvin has been involved in numerous commitments: constantly willing to step in and contribute. If someone asks her to get involved, her answer is almost always ‘yes.’ 

During her freshman and sophomore years, she did what all underclassmen do: try out various activities until they find what fits them best. Irvin was involved in the Women’s Club and Scout Nation, but as she’s become older, she’s been more focused on Link Crew, Student to Student, National Honor Society, and Student Council.

Irvin has consistently dedicated her time to LFHS Student Council since her freshman year of high school. When sophomore year came around, there was no question between the 2026 Student Council cabinet members as to who should represent the grade as a whole. Irvin was elected to be her class president for both her sophomore and junior years. 

“As soon as the Freshman Student Council began, my dad told me to go to that first meeting right away. From this moment on, I have been involved in the Student Council because of the love, excitement, and passion the students get to bring to the school. When I joined Student Council, I knew that I wanted to make a positive impact on LFHS by incorporating fun and new experiences for students,” Irvin said.

Currently, she serves as the leader of every grade level as the Student Body President. She has taken on this role with grace by giving her full attention to anyone with a suggestion, consistently making the student body feel valued.

“My role as Student Body President is to be the voice of the students. It has been my goal this year to incorporate multiple ideas from multiple different people in order to get a range of ideas,” Irvin said.

Irvin is the kind of leader who does not need any recognition for her efforts. Her desire to lead and do a good job at it comes from a genuine care she possesses for others. Many of her friends, who often watch her strain herself to complete all of her responsibilities for the benefit of others, can attest that she leads with such humility. 

“It feels like Josie and I are always doing something together for Student Council, and she makes it easy by being the amazing person she is,” said Student Body Vice President Ethan Farrell. “Whenever Josie and I are working on an email that we need to send out to Student Council, she is always making sure that we do not come across as needy or angry in any way–even if we are asking for something super simple and easy. Her compassion is displayed by the way she approaches everything she does for the student body.”

In the classroom, Irvin’s teachers describe her presence as always hardworking and uplifting. Irvin wrote for The Forest Scout both semesters of her junior year, and her journalism teacher, Mr. Raymond DelFava, can happily attest to the fact that she was a pleasure to have in class. 

“Josie brought an energy to The Forest Scout that few students could match. Her stories always reflected her outstanding personality and genuine care for LFHS,” Mr. DelFava said.

That enthusiasm extends far beyond the classroom, as Irvin pours her passion and dedication into everything she does–especially dance, which has been a central part of her life since childhood. 

Irvin started dancing when she was three years old at Lake Bluff Park District. She grew up taking ballet, tap, and jazz classes and found out early on that dance was her passion. As she got older, she started dancing at LoMastro and danced there from kindergarten until seventh grade. When she got to eighth grade, she switched over to Jenny’s Dance Centre.

“Ever since I was in elementary school, I have looked up to the girls on the high school dance team, and I knew I wanted to be like them. Whenever there was a future scouts dance or cheer camp, I was sure to be there, loving every minute of it. When dance became more serious, I knew my end goal was to be on the dance team,” Irvin said. 

She’s been involved in the program since the end of eighth grade, as the first set of tryouts was in the spring of 2022 for incoming freshmen.

Irvin was on the JV dance team her freshman year, and then she made the Varsity team during the competition season of her sophomore year. Her favorite part about dance has always been the people and the sense of belonging it gave her. 

“My favorite part of being on the dance team is the community that is created between the entire program. The positive energy from each coach and the unconditional encouragement from my teammates are something that I will keep with me forever. I have created such memorable relationships and memories with my teammates that have shown me why I love to dance,”s

aid Irvin.

Although she wasn’t a captain, Irvin showed her leadership on the team in many different ways. Friend and teammate Camille Brincat admires that Irvin is always celebrating others.

“Josie is a true and blue friend. She so selflessly cares and acts for others; the privilege of being able to share both a sport with her and being one of her closest friends makes me the luckiest,” said Brincat. “Whether it be in practice or while competing, Josie radiated constant positivity and never missed an opportunity to cheer on her teammates. She champions others’ victories as if they were her own– she made one of the biggest differences in the outplay of our final season dancing together.”

This past summer, Irvin also started teaching summer dance camps at Collective Dance, a dance company based in Lake Forest for young kids. Irvin has dedicated her Wednesdays after school this year to running pom, ballet, and tap classes for four and five-year-olds for about two hours. 

“I’ve taught them three recital dances, one for each genre. June 7th is their recital, and I can’t wait to watch and cheer them on,” said Irvin. 

It’s hard to picture how Irvin is able to find time to accomplish all that she does, but each of these experiences have led her to the next chapter in her life. Irvin plans to spend her next four years at Clemson University, where she will study business. She is most excited to meet new people and take many business classes–“the warm weather is also a plus!”

“I have been a Clemson fan my whole life. My dad grew up in South Carolina, and his parents went to Clemson! When I started looking at colleges, I always had Clemson in the back of my mind, and I knew I wanted to go there. When I went to visit, I immediately loved the small college town vibe. It is a familiar place but still new to me!” said Irvin. 

Irvin has left a long-lasting mark on LFHS through her deep commitment to the school community. Whether through her involvement in school activities, her leadership among peers, or the small everyday moments of kindness she extends to others, she has helped create a more welcoming and connected environment. 

“Josie is a natural leader. Polished and positive, she brings energy, love, and enthusiasm for student life and culture to every single meeting she attends. She has made Lake Forest High School a better place to learn and work, and we all look forward to seeing and celebrating her success in the amazing future she has ahead of her!” Principal Dr. Lenart said. 

While Irvin may be leaving this year, all of the things she accomplished will remain. There is no one better to give a speech at graduation to the Class of 2026 in many students’ eyes. Irvin said she hopes to give a few words that will resonate with all the seniors for their last time being together. 

“Leaving LFHS is definitely bittersweet. I have made so many friends and connections through my time here that I will continue to hold them as I go to college. It will be very different being in an environment where there are all new people. I will miss the small things that made LFHS unique,” said Irvin.

To her friends, teachers, Student Council members, and so many others, Irvin has expressed her gratitude for all that they have done for her over the past four years in high school. I think it’s time that we repay that courtesy, which is why she is The Forest Scout’s 2026 Person of the Year.