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
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
Graphic by Alexandra Zhu
A Letter from the Editors
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?
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
Louie Raines 27’ hits his tee shot on the 4th hole at Deerpath Golf Course.
2025-26 LFA Fall Sports Athletic Preview
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
Jackson Pick

Jackson Pick, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Jackson Pick
(Courtesy of @Netflix on X)

Gunn’s ”Superman”: Working Through the Traditional “Super” Formula

Jackson Pick, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2025
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

Jackson Pick and Maya Tafolla
September 26, 2025
Friends walking to dinner on the Upper West Side

Spectator Summer: School of the New York Times

Amalia Rosen, Jackson Pick, and Kayla Moore
September 26, 2025
Graphic by Alexandra Zhu

A Letter from the Editors

Kayla Moore, Jackson Pick, Alexandra Zhu, and Jeff Zavelsky
September 15, 2025
The U.S. Capitol divides two American flags near the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Growing Gender Gap in Youth Politics

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
May 30, 2025
Windy City Cannabis opened their Highwood dispensary in April of 2021.

How Illinois Uses Cannabis Sales To Reinvest in Communities

Chloe Jhin and Jackson Pick
April 30, 2025
Donald Trump converses with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.

Trump, Zelenskyy Clash in Oval Office Over U.S. Aid to Ukraine

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
April 30, 2025
Donald Trump takes the oath of office of the president of the United States inside the Capitol rotunda.

President Again: Trump Aims for Total Government Overhaul at Second Inauguration

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
March 14, 2025
Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office.

Immigration Crackdown, Executive Branch Overturn Headline Trump’s First Month

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
March 14, 2025
Rain falls on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.

Tragedy Strikes New Orleans as Bourbon Street Truck Attack Leaves 14 Dead, Dozens Injured

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
January 31, 2025
Donald Trump stands on stage with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., his selection for Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Courtesy of Free Malaysia Today)

Meet the Key Officials of the Second Trump Administration

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
January 31, 2025

American Democracy Is Broken. Let’s Fix It.

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
January 17, 2025
Elon Musk addresses the crowd at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden.

Did Elon Musk Attempt To Buy a Trump Victory?

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
November 22, 2024
Donald Trump waves to his supporters as he prepares to declare victory in the 2024 United States presidential election.

Election 2024: Trump, Republicans Win Trifecta as the Nation Swings Right

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
November 22, 2024
Image courtesy of Newsweek

US Election 2024 – Live Coverage

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
November 5, 2024
Meet Your Candidates for the 2024 United States Presidential Election

Meet Your Candidates for the 2024 United States Presidential Election

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
October 30, 2024
The nine potential flips in the 2024 Senate Elections are outlined above–eight of nine (Texas) are currently held by Democrats.

The Other Races on the Ballot in the 2024 General Election

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
October 30, 2024
Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz square off at the 2024 Vice Presidential Debate.

The 2024 Vice Presidential Debate: Vance Edges Out Walz in Cordial Contest

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
October 9, 2024
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris shake hands before their debate in Philadelphia.

The 2024 Presidential Debate: Harris Attacks Lead to Trump Unraveling in Philadelphia

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
October 1, 2024
Kamala Harris walks out onto the stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Biden Drops Out, Harris Steps Up as Democratic Nominee for President

Jackson Pick, Managing Editor of Politics
September 30, 2024
Donald Trump shows solidarity with the crowd at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Recapping the 2024 Democratic and Republican National Conventions

Chloe Jhin and Jackson Pick
September 30, 2024
Courtesy of Lake Forest Caucus

Incorporating Public Opinion: What’s Next for the Lake Forest Caucus?

Jackson Pick, Staff Writer
May 22, 2024
Local fans of Team Falcons–a Saudi-based esports organization–cheer for their team at Gamers8 2023

Esportswashing: The Price of Aiding a Struggling Industry

Jackson Pick, Staff Writer
May 9, 2024
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