Lakehill Preparatory School Varsity swimmers Emily Allton and Rachel Myers competed on February 14 at the TAPPS State Swim Meet in San Antonio. Allton, a senior, took 4th in state in the breaststroke. Myers, a junior, took 5th in both the 50- and the 100-meter freestyle.

Founded in 1971, Lakehill Preparatory School is an independent college preparatory school for boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 12. Offering a three-dimensional program of academics, athletics, and fine arts in a rigorous yet caring leaning environment, Lakehill is a special place where dedicated faculty help students realize their intellectual, physical, and creative potential while recognizing their responsibilities as members of their community.

The Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Choir convened in San Marcos on January 30-February 1.

Lakehill Preparatory School will be closed on Friday, February 7 due to inclement weather.  All school-related activities and athletics will be canceled. 

Lakehill's commitment to serving others took on new meaning on January 24 with the school's third annual Upper School Day of Service. 

While eighth graders were busy learning more about high school at the Freshman Preview, Upper School students headed out in a variety of directions to lend a helping hand to their community. Students and faculty logged more than 500 hours of service before returning to campus for a celebratory lunch with the eighth grade students.

Freshman worked with homeless children at Vogel Alcove, while sophomores participated in a a variety of projects to benefit neglected and abused children at Community Partners of Dallas. 

Juniors sorted food and prepared food bags for children at the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), packing thousands of meals for hungry North Texas families. Seniors headed to the NTFB's second warehouse to sort pallets of frozen and refrigerated food and continue their three-year involvement with the organization. "It was really a pleasure to be working with the food bank throughout high school and to be able to share that bond," explained senior Tessa Hornbach. Senior Caroline Boles agreed, "Although our task of sorting frozen meat was not glamorous, I am really glad that I was able to serve my community."

The good deeds didn't stop when the group returned to campus. Several students decided to get involved with THANKs (Teens Helping Abused and Neglected Kids), the Teen Board of Community Partners of Dallas. "I decided to apply for THANKs because it is important to get involved in the community," said sophomore Anna-Maria Springman. "I loved my experience volunteering there for the Upper School Day of Service. I was so impressed by how organized and efficient their facilities and programs are. I can't wait to get started!" 

Faculty members were inspired as well. After volunteering at Community Partners of Dallas, Bill Dunklau decided to get involved with their Storyline program that utilizes adult volunteers to read and record stories on a phone line. Storyline provides children with an easy way to hear a story from a kind voice, an opportunity that some children have never had. "During our debriefing, we discussed ways to continue our involvement," Dunklau explained. "This seemed like an area where I could really help." 

Students throughout the community can get involved with Lakehill's Service Learning program this summer with the schools Community Connections Summer Camps. The camps are available to students in grades 1-12, and offer 30 hours of volunteer service with a variety of community organizations. To find out more about Lakehill's Summer Camps, visit http://www.lakehillprep.org/summer_camps.html

Lakehill Preparatory School's Lower School teachers are well known for their creative projects and programs that bring learning to life for their students. 

Lakehill's youngest students are preparing to celebrate their 100th day of school in February by collecting 100 toys for children at Scottish Rite Hospital. They have collected all 100 toys and are now planning their visit to Scottish Rite to deliver the toys to the children. The students will also take a tour of the facilities and learn about the history and good works of the organization. This is the sixth year that Lakehill kindergarten students have collected toys for Scottish Rite. 

The cause is near to the heart of Lakehill Kindergarten teacher Mylana Burt, whose eldest son was a patient at Scottish Rite when he was in second grade. "I remember the toys that they gave us at the hospital and the powerful impact it had on us. When I looked for a way to extend the reach into the community, I knew where our Kindergarten students could really make a difference." Since that time, Lakehill's kindergarten students have been celebrating their 100-day milestone by bringing cheer to their peers at a time they need it most.

While service is not mandatory, all Lakehill students recognize the importance of involvement in their school and in the community and are eager to help with class projects and school-wide initiatives. Others find time to participate in even more service opportunities. This year's Lower School Community Connections Club, an after-school club for students in kindergarten through grade four, is the largest club in the Lower School, with more than 60% of all Lower School students participating in voluntary after-school and weekend service projects. So far this year, students have worked on a variety of projects, including preparing cookie bags to distribute to the homeless through the Soup Mobile, making Rainbow Soup jars, packing food at White Rock Center of Hope, and picking up litter at Lakehill's adopted shoreline at White Rock Lake. 

"I love the excitement these students feel from helping others," explained Lakehill Headmaster Roger L. Perry. "Serving others is truly are part of the fabric of our school. Our students are encouraged to embrace a spirit of volunteerism that will foster a life-long passion for service."

Established in 1971, Lakehill Preparatory School is an academic community dedicated to the whole student. This means combining a robust, college preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community engagement. Small class sizes ensure a supportive learning environment and personal attention. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel. 

To find out more and experience the Lakehill Difference, please call 214-826-2931 or visit www.lakehillprep.org. Applications for 2014-15 are due January 17.