APRIL 2021
MONTHLY DISTRICT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Lake Forest Community High School District 115
Welcome Back to Insight 115
Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
While our school community navigates the complexities of the pandemic, those things that define and differentiate our District in the most positive ways continue – including our commitment to outstanding instruction and academic growth, inclusive practices, social emotional well-being, the fine arts, extracurriculars, athletics, and giving back. With so much attention lately devoted to communicating about the operations of our schools, this newsletter aims to share stories about “the good stuff” you may have missed.

Please help us find and tell those stories by emailing us with your suggestions at insight@lfschools.net. You’ll find us here again – with the good stuff – in May.
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Describing His Selection as an 'Unimaginable Honor,’
Dr. Matthew Montgomery Chosen as D67 and D115 Superintendent 
Dr. Matthew Montgomery (pictured) is the new superintendent for Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115 and will begin his new role July 1. His contract was approved by both Districts’ School Boards in a unanimous vote April 12. Currently the Superintendent of the Bath, Ohio Revere Local School District, Dr. Montgomery, was selected following an extensive community engagement and national search process. As he prepares for his move from Ohio, he spoke with Insight.  Read More
IPA LAKE REGION PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Dr. Holland Honored During Award Presentation
In a ceremony on April 16, LFHS Principal Chala Holland received the award honoring her as Illinois Lake Region High School Principal of the Year.  Read More
RETIREES READY FOR NEW CHAPTER
District 115 Saying Farewell to Six Retirees
Six District 115 staff members, with nearly 130 combined years of service, including David Brandes (pictured), are on the retirement list for this school year.   Read More
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Project F_LL Brings Districts 65, 67 and 115 Together to
Help Feed Lake County Families
Tri-District Project F_LL, which only works with U, continues to make gains in the fight against food insecurity in Lake County. Read More
BoxU Business Incubator Team Pitches in to Help Others
Members of the BoxU Business Incubator Team, which won the Foundation Cup at Pitch Night 2020, partnered with Waukegan’s Staben House — which provides transitional housing to homeless women with children — to get necessity care-packages to families in need. Read More
ALUM IN THE NEWS
LFHS Alum Taps Business Incubator Skills to Launch Coffee Straw That Gets Noticed by Kickstarter
Building on skills that he says originated in his Lake Forest High School Business Incubator class, Nick Yehle (pictured left) — Class of 2016 — has jumped into the entrepreneurial arena. He and partner Joey Jones (pictured right) launched a Kickstarter campaign this month for their JoGo coffee brewing straw.
IN SCHOOL AND OUT
“You Hold the Key” Prom — With an Emphasis on Fun and Safety — To Be Held May 22 on LFHS Front Lawn
A prom completely reimagined to be fun, safe, and memorable is to take place May 22 on the LFHS front lawn. Planning for the event, themed You Hold the Key, is being spearheaded by the Junior Class Student Council and the LFHS APT Prom Committee. Read More
Kelly McKee’s Social Studies Class Explores How 1918 Pandemic Hit Lake Forest and Mirrored COVID-19’s Impact
LFHS social studies teacher Kelly McKee’s students went back in time — 102 years back — to see how a pandemic then mirrored the one they are living through today. McKee’s collaboration with History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Curator Laurie Stein helped students see how the influenza pandemic of 1918 affected Lake Forest, and how it compared to COVID-19’s impact. Read More
Robotics Team Members ‘Setting Our Goals High’
After a record-setting year, Need for Speed, Lake Forest High School’s robotics team, has big plans for next year, said science teacher Matt Wilen, a team mentor and coach. Read More
Graduation Plans Taking Shape
Planning is underway for LFHS Graduation, which is to take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, on the East Campus Front Lawn. Read More
Weeks of Hard Work Lead to 'Spectacular' Spamalot Performance
The Lake Forest Theater Program won rave reviews for its recent performance of Spamalot: A Socially Distant Concert-ish Version. Directed by LFHS English Teacher John Wanninger and English/Theater Teacher Sara Dreiling along with Student Director Ricky Marchant, the musical aired on April 24. Read More
LFHS FOUNDATION
Annual Spring Luncheon a Hit In Person and Remote
With a successful hybrid version of the Annual Spring Luncheon under its belt, the Lake Forest High School Foundation is looking ahead to 2022. “Next year’s event will take place on April 29, 2022, so everyone should mark their calendars now,” LFHS Foundation Board Chair Suzanne Sands said. She shared highlights of this year’s luncheon, held April 23 in person at Knollwood Club and remotely — with a livestreamed program and takeout-lunch boxes from Knollwood — with Insight.. Read More
LFHS Staff and Foundation Team Up for New Summer Reading Program
This year the LFHS Foundation has awarded a grant to LFHS Reads, a new Lake Forest High School summer reading experience offered to all students. LFHS Reads, which is entirely voluntary, is a building-wide opportunity intended to celebrate reading, said English Instructional Director Kristen Carlson and Librarian Katie Pausch, who are spearheading the program. Read More
STUDENT SUCCESSES
Scout Shout Outs
"The Sun" by Abigale Lawrence, Class of 2022

Three LFHS juniors, including Abigale Lawrence whose art is pictured, earned scholarships to attend summer programs at two art schools this summer. Read about those students and others who merit a Scout shout out. Read More
Look for our next issue of Insight 115 in May.
Please share your feedback and story suggestions by writing to insight@lfschools.net.