The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
A winter storm creates unsafe driving conditions.
Millions Impacted as Winter Storm Fern Sweeps the Country
Students discuss together and share stories at the 2025 FIRE Conference.
LFA’s Annual FIRE Conference Preview
Four tips on staying healthy during cold and flu season. (Courtesy of @pedihealthpartners on Instagram)
Decreasing Vaccines Rates Endangering the States
A woman walks down the sidewalk in Lincoln Square during snowfall.
Frigid Friday Ahead in the Greater Chicago Area
Almira Tepe '25 participates in an open discussion at the 2025 FIRE Conference.
FIRE Conference Returning to LFA for 7th Year
Daniel Blumberg accepts his Oscar award for “Best Original Score” in 2025.
How Film Music Hacks Your Brain
Members of the book club pose with past reads.
LFA’s Faculty–Student Book Club
The new beverages menu at the Snack Bar.
A New Menu, a New Sip: The Student Center Refresh
Titi Donna’s Famous Eggrolls
Returning to Recipes in 2026
The signatures of the Newsies cast on a wall together at the festival.
On the Road to All-State with “Newsies”
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
President Trump meets with Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner, María Cornia Machado, in the oval office where she presents him with her award.
Trump and Greenland: Peace Is Not A Priority
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
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
Courtesy of Creative Commons
The Art of Giving: A Gift Guide for The Holidays
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
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
Romain Lellouche ‘26 shoots in a game against Team Illinois.
Romain Lellouche ‘26 Shines at the Circle K Classic
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
Los Angeles Rams kicker Harrison Mevis (92) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Chicago Bears during overtime of the NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Courtesy of Matt Marton-Imagn Images
What Have We Learned From the 2025 Chicago Bears?
“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”
Zara Larsson poses in front of a dolphin background. (Courtesy of @zaralarsson on Instagram)
From Meme to Grammy: Zara Larsson’s Viral Revival
(Courtesy of @strangerthingstv on Instagram)
Stranger Things Finale: A Subpar Sendoff
ANTI by Rihanna, released January 28, 2016.
10 Years Later: ANTI by Rihanna
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
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...

Nicolas Maduro being handcuffed and escorted.
Venezuela’s New Year
Maya Tafolla, Politics Editor • January 30, 2026

What started as an interception of oil tankers culminated in the United States’ invasion of Venezuela and their president, Nicolás Maduro.   In...

News
Students discuss together and share stories at the 2025 FIRE Conference.
LFA’s Annual FIRE Conference Preview
Kayla Moore, Executive Editor-in-Chief • January 30, 2026
Four tips on staying healthy during cold and flu season. (Courtesy of @pedihealthpartners on Instagram)
Decreasing Vaccines Rates Endangering the States
Amalia Rosen, Opinions Editor • January 30, 2026
A woman walks down the sidewalk in Lincoln Square during snowfall.
Frigid Friday Ahead in the Greater Chicago Area
Chris Frekko, Reporter • January 22, 2026
Sports
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
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
Los Angeles Rams kicker Harrison Mevis (92) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Chicago Bears during overtime of the NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Courtesy of Matt Marton-Imagn Images
What Have We Learned From the 2025 Chicago Bears?
Jack Menton, Reporter • January 20, 2026
An "ice man" statue of Caleb Williams stands in Chicago.
Bears v. Packers: A Historic Win for Chicago
Jon Noll, Junior Reporter • January 15, 2026
Social Justice
Lyle and Erik Menendez sit silently at their court hearing.
The Menendez Brothers: Revisiting a Horrific Murder Case
Priya Johnson, Managing Editor of Social Justice • November 22, 2024

Few criminal cases have captured America’s attention quite like the Menendez brothers’ murder trial. What began as a shocking double homicide...

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
November 22, 2024
Students participate in an SDA-organized school walkout.
Students Demand Action Stands up Against Gun Violence
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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ChatGPT consumes thousands of liters of water for its training process. (Cartoon by Gabby Wang)

ChatGPT’s Harmful Effect on the Environment

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Schweppe Mansion stands beautifully alone, vacant of an owner.

Schweppe Mansion: The Haunted Story Behind the Walls

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Mary Scheeringa ‘26 sits inside the Flagstar headquarters in Hicksville, New York with Joseph Otting.

Lessons in Leadership: A Conversation with Joseph Otting

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Head of School Tom Johnson speaks to LFA alumni at the Alumni Weekend Celebration Dinner.

Alumni Weekend: An Oktoberfest of Reunion and Reflection

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Photos that capture cherished moments and shared memories.

The Gift of Meaning: Rethinking Holiday Traditions

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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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Coutersy of Anok Yai

Met Gala 2024

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Blanka Devai ‘27 throws inbound pass to Akshara Ginjupalli ‘28 against Vernon Hills during the Cougar Classic game.

Girls Varsity Basketball in Debut Cougar Classic Tournament

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The new beverages menu at the Snack Bar.

A New Menu, a New Sip: The Student Center Refresh

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"The Eras Tour" Toronto Night 4 - Live Updates

"The Eras Tour" Toronto Night 4 - Live Updates

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Features
Titi Donna’s Famous Eggrolls
Returning to Recipes in 2026
Amalia Rosen, Opinions Editor • January 30, 2026
The signatures of the Newsies cast on a wall together at the festival.
On the Road to All-State with “Newsies”
Amalia Rosen, Opinions Editor • January 30, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. waves at the Washington Monument. (Courtesy of @hood_college on Instagram)
New Year, Unfinished Work
Jennifer Ji and Priya Johnson • January 30, 2026
Opinon
Senior Parking: Why Hasn’t It Returned?
Editorial Board • January 30, 2026

Senior Class Presidents have tried and failed over the past few years to reinstate senior parking. It has been a common inconvenience for every...

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
Bean Bar’s Matcha Latte is served in a green mug set.
The Spectator’s Ranking of Cafes Around LFA
Kayla Moore and Alexandra Zhu • January 30, 2026
A&E
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

The psychological thriller The Housemaid came out in mid-December and grabbed the attention of consumers because of its star-studded cast, including...

Zara Larsson poses in front of a dolphin background. (Courtesy of @zaralarsson on Instagram)
From Meme to Grammy: Zara Larsson’s Viral Revival
Charley Gopin, Features Editor • January 30, 2026
(Courtesy of @strangerthingstv on Instagram)
Stranger Things Finale: A Subpar Sendoff
Madeleine Stastny and Sadie Bruns • January 30, 2026