The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stands next to his new “Department of War” sign.
AI Companies Experience Setbacks and Successes in Pentagon Deals
Coach Erin Stoney talks to her team between periods at their Senior Night against Loyola Academy on January 29.
Girls Hockey Head Coach Erin Stoney Wins AHAI Coach of the Year
Students sit with alumni at the 2025 Young Alumni Networking Night. (Courtesy of @lfacademy on Instagram)
YANN’s Unique Networking Opportunity: Mentorships, Opportunities and More
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, visits Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, a site of violence following Russian occupation.
Russia and Ukraine Negotiations Keep Tensions High
A winter storm creates unsafe driving conditions.
Millions Impacted as Winter Storm Fern Sweeps the Country
Students hold red envelopes at the annual dumpling making contest.
LFA’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebrations: Reflections of Identity and Belonging
Students gather at a vigil for Armani Floyd in Chicago.
The Myth of Safety: How Lax Borders Undermine Chicago
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway ties the record for most Winter Olympic gold medals.
The Olympic Games: A Shift Among Nations
NASA's Artemis II SLS rocket stands at the Kennedy Space Center.
NASA Artemis Missions: Redundant or Revolutionary?
Daniel Blumberg accepts his Oscar award for “Best Original Score” in 2025.
How Film Music Hacks Your Brain
Flowers lay at a makeshift memorial site for Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
From 9/11 to Now: The Foundations and Development of ICE
Masked law enforcement officers, including HSI and ICE agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S, May 21, 2025.
Where is ICE’s Accountability?
California residents protest ICE in Los Angeles in June 2025. (Courtesy of @alekseidoesstuff on Instagram)
Minnesota and Illinois Push Back on ICE Enforcement Tactics
Nicolas Maduro being handcuffed and escorted.
Venezuela’s New Year
The Trump administration has been criticized by Democratic leaders for targeting their states. Photo by Molly Riley (Courtesy of the White House)
Trump Administration Freezes Funding for Democratic States, Threatens More Cuts
Masked law enforcement officers, including HSI and ICE agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S, May 21, 2025.
Where is ICE’s Accountability?
Senior Parking: Why Hasn’t It Returned?
Czechia and Sweden goalies embrace after the IIHF championship game. (Courtesy of @iihfjuniors on Instagram)
Accesibility Over Clout: Why the North American Hockey Legacy is Failing
Bean Bar’s Matcha Latte is served in a green mug set.
The Spectator’s Ranking of Cafes Around LFA
A law enforcement officer points a gun at a protester in Chicago on October 14.
A New Era of Desensitization
Senior Parking: Why Hasn’t It Returned?
Holiday Season at LFA
Does LFA’S Letter Day Schedule Cause Balance or Burnout?
No Friday Night Lights: Looking for School Spirit
LFA Makes an A+ a 98: The Issues With Raising the Bar
Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson answers questions at the 2026 NFL Combine.
An Insight Into the Bears Offseason So Far
Coach Erin Stoney talks to her team between periods at their Senior Night against Loyola Academy on January 29.
Girls Hockey Head Coach Erin Stoney Wins AHAI Coach of the Year
The Varsity Squash Team poses with their Chicagoland Squash Team Championship trophy.
Varsity Squash Scores Many Victories in Team and Individual Championships
Gold medallist Chloe Kim of the United States celebrates during the flower ceremony.
Can Team USA Strike Gold in Milan?
Bills QB Josh Allen (right) and TE Dawson Knox (left) during their 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Courtesy of @NFLPlus on X)
Super Wild Card Weekend Recap
Photo Art: "Grease"
Photo Art: “Grease”
The College Dropout by Kanye West, released February 10, 2004.
Throwback Thursday: The College Dropout by Kanye West
Harry Styles hugs Bad Bunny while presenting his Album of the Year award.
2026 GRAMMYs: The Biggest Moments of the Night
“How Did I Get Here?” by Louis Tomlinson, released January 23, 2026.
Album Review: How Did I Get Here? by Louis Tomlinson
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney pose for the premiere of The Housemaid. (Courtesy of @sydney_sweeney on Instagram)
The Twisty Thriller: A Look Into “The Housemaid”
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 flag of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) flutters on a military patrol truck, at the site of a rally by STC supporters in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026.
South Yemen Separatist Council Dissolves
Nicolas Maduro being handcuffed and escorted.
Venezuela’s New Year
President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed meet in the Oval Office. (Courtesy of The White House)
The Trump Oval Office Meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed
U.N. officials raise the flag of Palestine in 2015. (Courtesy of the United Nations)
U.N. Moves Forward With Trump Plan for Gaza
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. (Courtesy of @claudia_shein on Instagram)
Tensions Rise Between Mexico and United States Over Proposed Intervention in Cartel Attacks
The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
This Just In...
Politics
Masked law enforcement officers, including HSI and ICE agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S, May 21, 2025.
Where is ICE’s Accountability?
Maya Tafolla, Politics Editor • February 26, 2026

“Mission: Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”...

California residents protest ICE in Los Angeles in June 2025. (Courtesy of @alekseidoesstuff on Instagram)
Minnesota and Illinois Push Back on ICE Enforcement Tactics
Max Bae and Jennifer Ji • January 30, 2026

On Monday, January 12, officials in Minnesota and Illinois filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Immigration...

News
Students sit with alumni at the 2025 Young Alumni Networking Night. (Courtesy of @lfacademy on Instagram)
YANN’s Unique Networking Opportunity: Mentorships, Opportunities and More
Amalia Rosen, Opinions Editor • February 18, 2026
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, visits Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, a site of violence following Russian occupation.
Russia and Ukraine Negotiations Keep Tensions High
Zoe Wolfberg, News Editor • February 12, 2026
A winter storm creates unsafe driving conditions.
Millions Impacted as Winter Storm Fern Sweeps the Country
Charley Gopin, Features Editor • February 2, 2026
Sports
The Varsity Squash Team poses with their Chicagoland Squash Team Championship trophy.
Varsity Squash Scores Many Victories in Team and Individual Championships
Parker Pollak, Sports Editor • February 11, 2026
Gold medallist Chloe Kim of the United States celebrates during the flower ceremony.
Can Team USA Strike Gold in Milan?
Chris Frekko, Reporter • January 30, 2026
Bills QB Josh Allen (right) and TE Dawson Knox (left) during their 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Courtesy of @NFLPlus on X)
Super Wild Card Weekend Recap
Fitz Knight, Reporter • January 30, 2026
Romain Lellouche ‘26 shoots in a game against Team Illinois.
Romain Lellouche ‘26 Shines at the Circle K Classic
Jack Menton, Reporter • January 30, 2026
Social Justice
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
Liv Kelly, Editor-in-Chief • November 22, 2024

Since the beginning of the U.S., public opinion has been heavily valued and seen as an American right. Inevitably, the ability to voice candid...

Students participate in an SDA-organized school walkout.
Students Demand Action Stands up Against Gun Violence
November 22, 2024
Lyle and Erik Menendez sit silently at their court hearing.
The Menendez Brothers: Revisiting a Horrific Murder Case
November 22, 2024
Global Perspective
A flag of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) flutters on a military patrol truck, at the site of a rally by STC supporters in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026.
South Yemen Separatist Council Dissolves
Jackson Pick, Editor-in-Chief • January 30, 2026

On January 2nd, South Yemeni separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates announced a constitution for an independent state in the midst of...

Nicolas Maduro being handcuffed and escorted.
Venezuela’s New Year
January 30, 2026
President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed meet in the Oval Office. (Courtesy of The White House)
The Trump Oval Office Meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed
December 10, 2025
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Flowers lay at a makeshift memorial site for Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From 9/11 to Now: The Foundations and Development of ICE

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Masked law enforcement officers, including HSI and ICE agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S, May 21, 2025.

Where is ICE’s Accountability?

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New Faculty of the 2025-2026 School Year

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A general view shows the Olympic rings on the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, which will host the curling, wheelchair curling, and Paralympic closing ceremony during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026, in Cortina, Italy, January 25, 2025.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics - The Logistics of Co-hosting in Cities 250 Miles Apart

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Features
Students gather at a vigil for Armani Floyd in Chicago.
The Myth of Safety: How Lax Borders Undermine Chicago
Vlada Hordiichuk, Junior Reporter • February 23, 2026
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway ties the record for most Winter Olympic gold medals.
The Olympic Games: A Shift Among Nations
Vlada Hordiichuk and Ellie Kim • February 13, 2026
NASA's Artemis II SLS rocket stands at the Kennedy Space Center.
NASA Artemis Missions: Redundant or Revolutionary?
Evie Ro and Eva Cen • February 11, 2026
Opinon
Masked law enforcement officers, including HSI and ICE agents, walk into an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S, May 21, 2025.
Where is ICE’s Accountability?
Maya Tafolla, Politics Editor • February 26, 2026

“Mission: Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”...

Senior Parking: Why Hasn’t It Returned?
Editorial Board • January 30, 2026
Czechia and Sweden goalies embrace after the IIHF championship game. (Courtesy of @iihfjuniors on Instagram)
Accesibility Over Clout: Why the North American Hockey Legacy is Failing
Madeleine Stastny, Sports Editor • January 30, 2026
A&E
Harry Styles hugs Bad Bunny while presenting his Album of the Year award.
2026 GRAMMYs: The Biggest Moments of the Night
Liza Lewis, Junior Reporter • February 13, 2026

Every GRAMMY ceremony tells a story about music, but it also tells a quieter one about power, legitimacy and who gets taken seriously. This year,...

“How Did I Get Here?” by Louis Tomlinson, released January 23, 2026.
Album Review: How Did I Get Here? by Louis Tomlinson
Sadie Bruns, Reporter • February 3, 2026
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney pose for the premiere of The Housemaid. (Courtesy of @sydney_sweeney on Instagram)
The Twisty Thriller: A Look Into “The Housemaid”
Zoe Wolfberg, News Editor • January 30, 2026