The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
Katy Perry holds a daisy aboard the New Shepard rocket in honor of her daughter.
NS-31 Goes to Space With All-Female Crew
A group of Montgomery County parents gather outside the MCPS Board of Education to protest classrooms containing LGBTQ+ books.
Mahmoud v. Taylor: Drawing the Line Between Church and State
NYU’s website reveals that average admitted ACT, SAT and GPA differ based on race.
NYU Admissions Database Breach Exposes Alleged Affirmative Action Practices
From left: Ysola Sanchez ‘25, Elizabeth Villagomez ‘27, Xitlali Ocote-Arellano ‘25, Bela Bock ‘25, Saige Chaseley ‘25 and Helena Secret ‘26 pose with Breaking Barriers faculty advisor, Angela Zhou (right).
The Inaugural Breaking Barriers Gala
Tables are lined up in the gym for the AP exam.
The Abrupt Digitalization of Advanced Placement Exams
Julie Brandt delivers a speech at LFA’s 26th annual Gala.
LFA’s 26th Annual Gala: Experiential Learning Blossoming at LFA
Kate Delia ‘25 smiles with her parents holding a bouquet of flowers on senior night.
Senior Sports Commitments: Class of 2025 Sign-Off
Q&A With Teachers and Faculty Leaving LFA
Students play on the inflatables on the quad.
RA Weekend Expectations: Does It Live Up to Ones in the Past?
LFA students dance at Prom.
Prom Night Under the Lights, Gatsby Style
CECOT prison guards process U.S. deportees.
Inside the Trump Administration’s Deportation of 238 Venezuelan Immigrants
The U.S. Capitol divides two American flags near the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Growing Gender Gap in Youth Politics
The Harvard University crest is displayed on Baker Library on campus.
Trump Freezes Billions in Harvard Funding, Threatens Tax-Exempt Status
Donald Trump announces Liberation Day tariffs.
Trade War: U.S. Allies and Rivals Impacted by Sweeping Tariffs
Mark Carney speaks to supporters of his Liberal Party in British Colombia.
Canada Had an Election. Trump Was on the Ballot
Katy Perry kisses the ground after returning from her Blue Origin flight.
Blue Origin-ageddon: The Katy Perry Agenda
Trump sits with Bukele in the Oval Office as they discuss sending U.S citizens to El Salvadoran prisons.
My Opinion on President Trump’s Immigration Policies
More Than a Number: The Invisible Expectations Behind LFA’s “A+ Diversity”
Are Parents Responsible for Children’s Gun Crimes?
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one of several New York Yankees using a "torpedo bat" this season. The bats have become the talk of baseball.
Pro-Con: I say to Mr. Manfred
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?
Educators or Advocates?
Behind the Tax-Exempt Curtain: ‘Nonprofits’ Exploiting Their Titles
No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter poses for his draft photo with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Recapping the 2025 NFL Draft
Kate Delia ‘25 smiles with her parents holding a bouquet of flowers on senior night.
Senior Sports Commitments: Class of 2025 Sign-Off
Coach Mike Hall poses with seniors at the last game of the season.
A Recap of the Spring Sports Season
NHL Continues to Honor Johnny Grudreau
NHL Continues to Honor Johnny Grudreau
75th Season of Formula One Has a Surprising Start
75th Season of Formula One Has a Surprising Start
Lady Gaga’s music video for “Abracadabra” was released on February 2, 2025.
Album Review: “MAYHEM” by Lady Gaga
“Ne Zha 2” continues to break records in China and internationally.
Chinese Animated Film “Ne Zha 2” Brings Global Success
The previous “Mamma Mia!” cast performs Super Trouper.
“Mamma Mia!” Returns to Broadway: A Hit That Keeps on Dancing!
Disney’s Snow White Struggles at the Box Office
Disney’s Snow White Struggles at the Box Office
The Ratliff family makes a poised entrance at The White Lotus resort in Thailand in style, blissfully unaware of the twists ahead.
Money, Murder and Moral Decay: Thailand’s “The White Lotus” Spotlight
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, Managing Editor of Features

All content by Charley Gopin

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 Wolberg
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 Wolberg
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 Wolberg, 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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