The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
Jane Goodall speaks at an annual World Economic Forum conference. (Courtesy of the World Economic Forum)
Jane Goodall: A Legacy of Science and Advocacy
Jimmy Kimmel, live on Tuesday, September 23.
The Suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Brought Unity for Free Speech
Course Tiering in the Mathematics Department
The New Normal: Math Department “Skill Checks”
(Courtesy of the LFA Marketing and Communications Office)
New Faculty of the 2025-2026 School Year
Student leaders pose for a photo in the Formal Gardens.
Leading the Way: How LFA Students Are Shaping Campus Life
Yue Chen poses in front of the global classroom in Upper Corbin.
The Global Department: Preparing Leaders for an Interconnected World
A viral online “Dubai chocolate matcha Labubu.”
Unboxing the Lingo: Dubai Chocolate Six Seven: What Does It Mean?
Students construct natural diagrams on pen and paper.
Journey to Jamaica – Our Architectural and Learning Experience
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is back in season. (Courtesy of @starbucks on Instagram)
Pumpkin Season is Brewing Again: A Taste of Starbucks’ 2025 Fall Menu
Freshmen extend their arms, revealing adjectives describing themselves. (Courtesy of the LFA Marketing and Communications Office)
Fresh Starts and Final Years: LFA Class Retreats Create Lasting Memories
Charlie Kirk throws caps during his "American Comeback" tour.
Charlie Kirk: The Murder That Sparked Controversy Nationwide
Jimmy Kimmel, live on Tuesday, September 23.
The Suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Brought Unity for Free Speech
Trump meets with European leaders to discuss U.S. support of Ukraine. (Courtesy of The White House)
From Jeffrey Epstein to the Big Beautiful Bill: American Politics’ Summer of ’25
A National Guardsman patrols the National Mall. Photo by Elizabeth A. Schneider (Courtesy of The National Guard)
National Guard in Sanctuary Cities: LA, Washington D.C., Chicago
CECOT prison guards process U.S. deportees.
Inside the Trump Administration’s Deportation of 238 Venezuelan Immigrants
The actors in Decednants pose for a promotional photo
Descedants (2015) Movie Review
Jimmy Kimmel, live on Tuesday, September 23.
The Suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Brought Unity for Free Speech
LFA Makes an A+ a 98: The Issues With Raising the Bar
Madeleine Stastny '26 eats dinner after a shift at work.
Working and School: What I’ve Learned as a Hostess
Jon Pardi plays as the closer at Windy City Smokeout.
Why Windy City Smokeout Triumphs Over Other Music Festivals
LFA Makes an A+ a 98: The Issues With Raising the Bar
Graphic by Alexandra Zhu
A Letter from the Editors
More Than a Number: The Invisible Expectations Behind LFA’s “A+ Diversity”
Are Parents Responsible for Children’s Gun Crimes?
Why Do AP Teachers Not Teach the AP Test?
Chicago’s Tremaine Edmunds chases down the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels in a 25-24 win for the Bears.
Commanders Make Crucial Mistakes to Hand Bears a 25-24 Win on “Monday Night Football”
Michigan’s Tre Donaldson shoots a contested three against Wisconsin in the Big 10 tournament
College Basketball Preview
The famous Marquee outside Wrigley Field displays the game score.
Cubs Win First Playoff Series Since 2017, Advance to NLDS
Prep Hockey Live Coverage vs. Windy City Storm
Josh Allen warms up before his week one matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. (Courtesy of @nfl on Instagram )
Predicting the 2025 NFL Season
Taylor Swift's Discography, Ranked
Taylor Swift’s Discography, Ranked
The official “The Late Nights and Young Romance Tour” poster.
sombr’s “The Late Nights and Young Romance Tour” Comes to Chicago
2025’s Top 10 Songs of the Summer
2025’s Top 10 Songs of the Summer
(Courtesy of Netflix on Facebook)
Movie Reviews: Happy Gilmore 2
(Courtesy of @Netflix on X)
Gunn’s ”Superman”: Working Through the Traditional “Super” Formula
Women march with signs in favor of an abortion referendum during a Maryland protest.
A Nation Divided: The Battle for Abortion Rights on the Ballot
Students participate in an SDA-organized school walkout.
Students Demand Action Stands up Against Gun Violence
Lyle and Erik Menendez sit silently at their court hearing.
The Menendez Brothers: Revisiting a Horrific Murder Case
A whiteboard is displayed with supportive notes at Apalachee High School.
A New Normal: Navigating School Shootings in 2024
Migrants out on the streets because they don't have places to stay in
The Pouring Number of Migrants in New York City
A group of people celebrate the first Earth Day in New York City.
Celebrating Earth Day: A Global Movement for a Greener Tomorrow
Crops of lettuce grow using the vertical farming technique inside the container farm.
Students Get to Experience the Future of Sustainable Farming
LGBTQ+ protesters march among the streets of Thailand.
First Southeast Asian Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
ChatGPT consumes thousands of liters of water for its training process. (Cartoon by Gabby Wang)
ChatGPT’s Harmful Effect on the Environment
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives a speech. (Courtesy of Creative Commons)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation
The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
Charley Gopin

Charley Gopin, Features Editor

All content by Charley Gopin
Yue Chen poses in front of the global classroom in Upper Corbin.

The Global Department: Preparing Leaders for an Interconnected World

Charley Gopin, Features Editor
October 1, 2025
(Courtesy of @thesummeriturnedpretty on Instagram)

The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Season That Has Everyone Talking

Charley Gopin, Features Editor
September 26, 2025
Freshmen extend their arms, revealing adjectives describing themselves. (Courtesy of the LFA Marketing and Communications Office)

Fresh Starts and Final Years: LFA Class Retreats Create Lasting Memories

Charley Gopin and Ami Rosen
September 26, 2025
Bird Master Teaching Chair Jonathan Freeman sits with a set of Colson Whitehead novels.

An Overview of LFA’s Bird Artist Series

Charley Gopin and Jasiek Bugaj
September 17, 2025

Spectator Senior Spotlight: 2024–25

Charley Gopin, Esther Park, and Madeleine Stastny
May 30, 2025
NYU’s website reveals that average admitted ACT, SAT and GPA differ based on race.

NYU Admissions Database Breach Exposes Alleged Affirmative Action Practices

Charley Gopin and Zoe Wolfberg
May 19, 2025
Whole Foods features a buffet with a variety of foods avaliable for customers to choose.

Top Vernon Hills Spots: Quick Bites and Favorite Eats

Charley Gopin, Riley Mormon, and Sophia DeLise
March 14, 2025
Common Valentine’s Day gifts include flowers and chocolates.

Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day: The Histories, Traditions, and Celebrations

Charley Gopin and Gabby Wang
March 14, 2025
New York investigators observe the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot. (Courtesy of the New York Times)

Behind the Headlines: How Brian Thompson’s Murder Sparked a Nationwide Conversation

Charley Gopin
January 31, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears in court to give his testimony. (Courtesy of AP News)

Netanyahu Takes the Stand: The Trial That Could Define Israel’s Future

Charley Gopin, Managing Editor of Features
January 31, 2025
A Lake Forest house is decorated for Christmas and Gorton’s Yuletide Tour of Lights.

Celebrating the Season: A Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa

Bela Bock, Emma Swanson, Kayla Moore, and Charley Gopin
December 11, 2024
Jenni Gorey poses by LFA’s hockey rink, equipped with first aid necessities.

Hero Jenni Gorey Saves a Life

Jasiek Bugaj and Charley Gopin
November 22, 2024
Haitians seek shelter from gang violence in an old boxing arena.

A Nation on the Brink: The Haiti Humanitarian Crisis and Its Fight for Stability

Charley Gopin, Managing Editor of Features
November 22, 2024
Parents of LFA students connect at the Parents Association Welcome Luncheon.

2024 LFA Family Weekend Recap

Charley Gopin, Riley Mormon, and Parker Pollak
October 30, 2024
Jennifer Rundles speaks to students at an All School Meeting.

LFA Introduces New Pillar Pin Policy

Jasiek Bugaj, Charley Gopin, Jennifer Ji, and Zoe Wolfberg
October 30, 2024
Homecoming’s Effiel Tower sets the scene for a “Night in Paris” theme.

2024-2025: Homecoming Review

Jeff Zavelsky, Charley Gopin, and Bela Bock
October 30, 2024
Cava bowls are displayed on a table.

Cava Opens in Vernon Hills: A Mediterranean Escape for Busy LFA Students

Charley Gopin, Managing Editor of Features
September 30, 2024
All of the portraits of the new faculty.

New Faculty of the 2024-2025 School Year: Congratulations and Welcome to LFA!

Charley Gopin, Jeff Zavelsky, Zoe Wolfberg, Parker Pollak, and Jennifer Ji
September 30, 2024
A pro-Palestine protest.

College Protests Ignite Over Israel-Hamas Conflict

Zoe Wolfberg and Charley Gopin
May 22, 2024
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