The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator
American flags fly next to a memorial photo of Charlie Kirk.
State Department Revokes Visas Over Charlie Kirk Comments
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
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?
Max Verstappen celebrates his pole position during the Austin Grand Prix weekend.
Formula One Returns to the United States: Verstappen Wins in Austin
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
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

Mia Walvoord, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Mia Walvoord
Maintaining mental health amid social isolation is crucial. Just as LeBron James states in his partnership with the Calm App, “The mind is like a muscle; the more you train it, the stronger is becomes.”

The State of Mental Health Amidst the Pandemic

Mia Walvoord, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2020
Current COVID-19 Preventative Measures at LFA

Current COVID-19 Preventative Measures at LFA

Mia Walvoord and Angelina Chan
March 12, 2020

Legalization of Marijuana in Illinois: Impacts on LFA and Beyond

Mia Walvoord, Editor-in-Chief
February 4, 2020

Tips for Driving Safe in the Winter

Mia Walvoord, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2019

LFA’s Spooky Soirée Frights and Delights

Mia Walvoord, Editor-in-Chief
December 4, 2019
LFA Begins New Era at the Investiture

LFA Begins New Era at the Investiture

Mia Walvoord, Tyler Watts
December 3, 2019
Photo Courtesy of Mia Walvoord. As LFA’s 30th Head of School, José de Jesús, will begin his work this coming July, after Dr. John Strudwick retires.

LFA’s 30th Head of School: José de Jesús

Mia Walvoord, Managing Editor of A&E
May 2, 2019
Photo Courtesy of RobinHood.org

LFA Looks Forward To Upcoming Young Men of Color Conference

Mia Walvoord, Managing Editor of A&E
October 18, 2018
Schedule Changes: How They’ll Benefit You

Schedule Changes: How They’ll Benefit You

Mia Walvoord, Managing Editor of A&E
September 27, 2018
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