What’s recently happened?
Fall at La Lumiere School (La Lu) has officially started with a plethora of activities. With fall sport seasons nearing their end and the exciting start of basketball season just around the corner, the Lakers are getting excited for all that is to come over the school year.
On September 20, Family Weekend 2024 officially kicked off. Friday started with advisory parent meetings so all of the parents would have the opportunity to meet their child’s advisor and learn about the advisory program at La Lu. At La Lu, the Lakers are given an advisor their freshman year and they stay with the same advisor all four years. With this opportunity, both students and parents have an opportunity to build a relationship with the advisor.
Following the advisory session, everyone met under the tent for the first meal all together. After dinner, students and parents alike gathered on Sullivan Field to celebrate the first ever Family Weekend movie showing. The movie shown was “The Sandlot” which was chosen by the student body.
Saturday was busy as ever with every sports team playing in a contest, Head’s Cup competition, two community-wide meals, a prayer service, and an arts showcase. With Girls Varsity Volleyball getting a win against John Glenn High School, Girl’s Soccer winning its game against Bethany Christian School, Boy’s Tennis pulling out a win against South Bend Riley High School, and Boy’s Soccer tying its game against Hammond Academy of Science and Technology, the Lakers had an incredibly successful day.
Following all of the sports contests, parents were able to participate in Head’s Cup competitions alongside their students. Led by Activities Prefect Avery Tegt and the whole Prefect Board, the contests were competitive and fun as ever. The competition ranged across three activities – tug-of-war, water balloon toss, and potato sack race – that are all sacred La Lu traditions that students were excited to be able to share with their parents.
Saturday night ended with amazing desserts made by Social Science Department Chair Sarah Berndt. Berndt made a variety of mini tarts, along with tons of cookies for everyone to enjoy.
While the senior class was unable to have its Senior Bonfire at this time due to a Fire Ban in La Porte County, the seniors brought a great attitude to a new La Lu event, Senior Kickball. The seniors were split into two random teams, Team 2025 and Team Seniors. The two teams battled it out to ultimately crown Team Seniors as the first ever Senior Kickball champions to finish off Family Weekend 2024.
“While it was sad that we were unable to have our bonfire during Parent’s Weekend as it formally is, it was super fun to have the opportunity to start a new tradition with my classmates,” Senior Casey Van Eekeren said.
On Wednesday, September 25, five star class of 2025 Senior Jalen Harleson announced his commitment to the University of Notre Dame. Harleson is currently ranked the number one player in the state of Indiana, and became the highest ranked Notre Dame commit ever.
What’s coming up?
As basketball season is just around the corner, so are many more fall traditions at La Lu. October 8 officially kicks off this year’s Bookstore Basketball season, run by Physics and Calculus Teacher Ken Andert. In Bookstore Basketball, teams of three players are formed to try and have a chance to play in the coveted championship game during Marsch Madness. While players aiming to play or have already committed to play either Division 1, 2, or 3 basketball are not permitted to play, the rest of the school is encouraged to participate.
In the middle of October, the seniors will all go on their Senior Retreat. Senior Retreat is a coveted senior experience that is held a secret for all students. While the seniors do not know much about the retreat yet, they are all excited to be able to create lasting memories with their classmates.
“I am super excited to have the opportunity to create these memories with my classmates,” senior Macey Hamiliton said.
Marsch Madness is also coming up. Marsch Madness officially kicks off the Lakers basketball season. At Marsch Madness the cheer team, along with the seniors on various basketball teams, all participate in a group dance together led by Cheer Captain Elliott Hall. With other events such as the three-point contest, the dunk contest, and player introductions, this year’s Marsch Madness will be one for the books!
The Fall Ball, La Lu’s fall dance, is also quickly approaching on November 2, the weekend after Marsch Madness on November 2. Fall Ball is planned by the prefects along with the activities council.
Staff spotlight:
Matt Benedict is an upperclassmen english teacher and is the Director of the Theater Program at La Lu, The La Lu Players. Benedict has been a part of the La Lu community since 2018.
Originally from Massachusetts, Benedict has now lived in the Northern Indiana area since he enrolled in Notre Dame after attaining his BA in English from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and working in Washington, DC as a public affairs professional.
He earned an MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing at Notre Dame where he worked for 18 years. His various roles included administrative duties in the English Department as well as offering undergraduate literature and creative writing courses.
Beyond being a teacher, one of the main reasons he came to La Lu was the opportunity to run the theater program. Benedict has had original plays produced all over the United States and also plays a major role in the Fine Arts Department at La Lu.
In running the Theater Program at La Lu, Benedict works with the Attendance and Visa Coordinator Cindy Heffron, who is also the assistant director of theater. Together, they have produced plays such as “The Crucible,” “Clue,” and “The Conference of the Birds.”
Along with the Fine Arts Prefect, Benedict aims to bring art to a plethora of activities on campus. By creating more ways for students to become involved in art at La Lu, the art programs become even more sophisticated.
“I work with the Fine Arts Prefect to assist bringing arts programs and activities to campus based on what the Arts Prefect and the Arts Council wish to pursue,” said Benedict.
Student spotlight:
Senior Fine Arts Prefect Elliott Hall has been a vital part of the La Lu community for the past four years and is the current Fine Arts Prefect. In her role as Fine Arts Prefect, Hall organizes activities such as Fine Arts Friday’s, along with Coffee Houses and the Art Gallery.
Keeping a long lasting tradition of Fine Arts Friday’s, students are able to have an open mic night, and often showcase their talents. This past Fine Arts Friday on September 13, Hall created a Rodeo theme where students sang, played instruments, and showcased poems, art, and dancing.
When Hall originally started off as Fine Arts Prefect at the end of last school year, she set out with the goal of creating a more open and supportive community around art at La Lu. Collecting students personal goals and interests was at the forefront of her mind and she has executed that throughout this school year.
“I hope to get every student involved in at least one fine arts program, whether that be in a play, in Fine Arts Friday, in choir, or submitting your art,” Hall said. “I hope to create a space for students to explore art even if it's just appreciating it. I also plan on hosting the first gallery at La Lu to show physical artwork that students have created in and out of the classroom.”
In addition to being Fine Arts Prefect, Hall is also very involved in the school's Literary Magazine, “The Massasauga.” “The Massasauga” is run by English teacher Patti Pangborn and as this year will be the third edition of the literary magazine, Hall has been involved in the magazine all three years working on the editorial team.