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Jacqui Nickell
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Adventure week is a long standing Lakehill tradition. Typically, students in grades five through eight take off across the state and country on a week long road trip right before spring break. In order to uphold the tradition, Head of Middle School, Kaye Hauschild, planned a week of fun for the staff and students in the Dallas area.
 
On Monday and Tuesday, students enjoyed a day at the Dallas Zoo or participating in many activities at the Roger L. Perry campus. Activities included fishing, volleyball, basketball, laser tag, flying kites, KanJam, chess, and much more!
 
“They had a lot of fun fishing with Coach Bracken. Sophia Marshall brought her own bait and caught several fish. Ms. Kufel caught the most out of all the staff that attended,” Ms. Hauschild said while laughing. “I think the week really turned out to be exactly what we wanted, a way for our middle school students to be together, socialize, and just have fun.”
 
On Wednesday, all four grades were at the Roger L. Perry Campus. Coach Mitchell had a kickball tournament going, Ms. Tan learned to fly a kite for the first time, and Coach Neyland dominated the laser tag area set up on the football field. There was a taco and churro truck that arrived for lunch time and the snack table was never left empty.
 
A special thanks to Ms. Kaye Hauschild and all the Middle School faculty for making Adventure Week 2021 a success.
Jacqui Nickell
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The Lakehill Bionicles First Tech Challenge Robotics team has been working diligently all year despite the constraints of social distancing. The team started off strong in the summer by joining a group called Project Worldwide. The purpose of the group was to share STEM ideas with students around the world. The team also continued their Lower School STEM experiments and Weekly STEM Hero series highlighting a diverse set of innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Be sure to follow the Bionicles on social media (@ftc14904 on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook) to learn about these exciting projects!
 
This year’s game is called Ultimate Goal. It involves a field with two “Tower Goals”, four moveable goals called “Wobble Goals”, and two sets of “Power Shots” that are reminiscent of a milk bottle game at the fair. The robot must intake and shoot orange, donut-shaped rings at these targets to score points. Upon return to school the team started by breaking down the tasks the robot would need to complete, prototyping possible solutions using the CAD software Fusion 360, and making the team’s vision a reality. Most Importantly, the team determined this year’s robot’s name: Vhisola, after the character in the Lego Bionicles series.
 
Because of the pandemic, this year’s competition is virtual. On Saturday, March 6th the team will meet at school for the competition kickoff hosted by Aledo High School. They will meet judges virtually to explain their vision for the robot and its functionality. At that time, the submission period for matches will open, and the team will have a week to submit completed matches through a cloud-based scoring system. The following Saturday, March 13th, the team will learn the results of the competition.
 
This year’s team consists of Seniors Sarah Smith, Max Link, and Cade Armstrong; Juniors Page Howland, Blake Perry, Sumner Born, Indi Esneault, and Will Gorman; Sophomores Anna Knickel, Ma’Ki Shaw, and Millie Castoldi; and Freshmen Nick Blanchard and Max Byrd. If you see the team members in the hallway, be sure to wish them good luck!
Jacqui Nickell
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Lakehill’s own Katie Rich ('23) has been awarded the 2020 National Horseman All-American Champion in Junior Exhibitor Pleasure Driving and the 2020 American Saddle Horse Association Saddleseat Equitation Reserve National Champion.

Katie Rich has been riding for almost ten years and recalls the first time she fell in love with being at the stables. One spring, Avery and Karen Owen mentioned a riding summer camp to Katie. She signed up and was hooked! With a big smile she expressed, “I just love it!”
 
Katie trains at Skyview Stables in Rockwall, Texas. “It is a huge time commitment. I practice four to five times a week and practice sessions are between three and four hours,” said Katie. She has seven horses at the stables and three of those are currently competitive. Training includes various workouts, lessons, and practice sessions with her trainer where Katie and the horses mimic a competition.
 
“Competitions are strenuous. I have never run track but I imagine it's the same type of stress. You hurry to warm up and then wait your turn.” Competitions are grouped by various divisions including age and horse qualifications. Horse qualifications include things like how well behaved the horse is and how beautiful the horse is. “You have a success rate at the end of the year. Success rate is determined by points gained through your placing in competitions that year.” Then a champion is crowned!
 
Katie described the Pleasure Driving competition where her horse, Cooper, is hooked up to a cart that Katie is riding in. For the Saddleseat Equitation, Katie rides her horse, Charlie.
 
Help us in congratulating Katie for her accomplishments in 2020 and wishing her luck as she moves into the new season.
Jacqui Nickell
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Jenny Livengood was the first person to come to Athletic Director Bob Yttredahl’s mind when the Varsity Soccer team clinched a playoff spot for the first time in program history. Coach Livengood was once a 3rd grade teacher and JV volleyball coach at Lakehill. Her true passion was always found in soccer. 
 
“She kept trying to convince me to start up a soccer program for Lakehill,” said Coach Yttredahl. “She has a true passion for the sport and wanted to share that with our kids.”
 
When the decision was made that it was time to start a school soccer program, it was offered to middle school athletes for the first two years. Once that was established, a varsity team followed. “I realized pretty quickly how popular soccer was going to be. It just goes back to one of our core values of providing opportunities for our students to excel. I am so proud of the athletes, Coach Bracken, and Coach Diego. They have worked so hard over the past several years to get to this point.”
 
The Warriors will take on Waco Vanguard in the first round of the playoffs. Join us in cheering on the Warrior Soccer team through our TAPPSTV channel. Go Warriors!
Jacqui Nickell
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Asher Chamoy was beaming with pride while describing his audition for Washington’s Armor, a TV series that will be released sometime in 2022. “Thanks to four years of French classes at Lakehill, I was cast for a character in Washington’s Armor and am able to speak my lines in French,” said Asher. “I am currently taking French IV, so this was a really fun opportunity to speak the language I have been learning.”
 
Washington’s Armor is about George Washington prior to the American Revolution and is set during the French and Indian War. The filming is currently taking place in Weatherford, Texas. “Call time was 7:30 in the morning,” said Asher. “We filmed for about seven hours in one day.” He went on to describe the old shoes he wore and the really neat outfit. He smiled when describing how he did the same motions over and over for the many different camera angles. “It was definitely a learning experience. I learned about camera angles, lighting, and different terms used in the film business.”
 
Asher is a senior at Lakehill and plans to attend Harvard University in the fall of 2021. He will study history, music, and theater while acting on the side.
Jacqui Nickell
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Last November, four Lakehill singers participated in and recorded auditions for the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Choir. Over 800 students from more than 90 of the top private schools throughout the state of Texas entered the competition by submitting a recording. Being selected for the TPSMEA All-State Choir is the highest honor a Texas private school vocal music student can receive. There are two rounds of judging, the first of which is the All-Region choir.
 
This past weekend, three Lakehill singers were a part of the TPSMEA Region One Choir workshop and concert. They are Sarah Ganson (‘24), Sophia Ganson (‘21), and Keegan Clendenin (‘21). Keegan was selected for the All-State Choir while Sarah and Sophia were selected to the All-Region Choir. TPSMEA decided to hold a Region event to celebrate the accomplishments of these students. The two day event was held at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and about ninety students participated. The large sanctuary allowed for the choir to be spaced out properly and for the students to present a thirty minute concert. “It was so rewarding to hear live choral music,” said Choir Director Tracy Herron. “The sanctuary seats 7,000 people, so everyone was safe and able to enjoy the thirty minute presentation.”
 
Congratulations to Sarah, Sophia, and Keegan!
Jacqui Nickell
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Since Lakehill was founded, the heart and soul of the school’s mission has been to develop young people to live with integrity and to serve with compassion. Lakehill Headmaster Roger L. Perry has been leading this mission for 47 years, serving both the Lakehill and East Dallas community.
 
When COVID-19 hit the Dallas area, Lakehill students were committed to supporting the execution of Lakehill’s mission. However, considering the extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, students had to remain mindful of their activities and the potential impact on the Dallas community. Organizations like National Honor Society (NHS), National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), and Student Council have been meeting during the school year to determine how they can be creative and continue to make an impact.
 
Projects completed include but are not limited to:
 
  • Shoreline Spruce Up, White Rock Lake Adopt a Shoreline: One Saturday each month, all Lakehill students are invited to clean Lakehill’s adopted shoreline at White Rock Lake. Students meet at 9:00 am at the West Lawther and Chapel Hill parking lot. Join us on February 20. 
  • Clothing Collection for Austin Street Shelter: For people experiencing homelessness, Austin Street Center has been a light of hope for over 37 years in the North Texas area. Lakehill students collected clothing and donated it to Austin Street Center this school year.
  • “Everything but the turkey” Canned Food Drive: During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, Middle School students collected canned foods to be donated for those in need for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

  • Parade of Gifts: Lower School students collected more gifts than ever before for Lakehill’s annual Holiday Parade which benefited underprivileged Dallas-area children. Collected toys, books, and games were donated to the Wilkinson Center and Hope Supply Company for delivery to homeless and low-income children just in time for the holidays. Additional gifts were supplied to the Community Partners of Dallas Rainbow Room. The Rainbow Room partners with Child Protective Services year-round to ensure that children and parents who are in need of protection have the clothes, food, and toys needed to reset and restart after a traumatic experience.

Currently, Upper School is working with White Rock Center of Hope for a Clothes, Cans, and Cloth Drive. To donate, students should bring items into school and place them in the proper donation bin. There are three donation locations: the Lower School entrance, the Middle School entrance, and the Main Entrance by the front desk. One box will be for clothes, linens, and coats, and the other box will be for canned items. For a specific list of needs, please click the button below.

Thanks for your support in helping Lakehill’s mission thrive!

Jacqui Nickell
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Earlier this month, Mr. Brad Grist, Chairman of the Board of Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC), delivered a Lifetime Member award to Mr. Roger L. Perry.

This award is presented to individuals who have exhibited exemplary service to the East Dallas Chamber and to the East Dallas community. Mr. Perry was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GEDCC to serve three consecutive years in that position. He held the title from 2011-2013 showing great dedication to serve the community of East Dallas.

The GEDCC Board of Directors voted unanimously to bestow this honor on Mr. Perry. This award is not presented yearly, in fact, Mr. Grist has served on the Board of Directors for four years and this is the first recipient during his time. Mr. Grist emphasized in his letter that this award is for exemplary service.

Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Roger L. Perry for his dedication to East Dallas and the Lakehill community.

Jacqui Nickell
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Erin Entrada Kelly’s 2018 Newberry Medal winner Hello, Universe tells the story from the prospective of four middle school students as one of them becomes trapped in a well. These four unique teenagers are not friends, that is, until a prank turns disastrous. The epic quest begins and friendships blossom. The story ends with a cliffhanger, allowing readers to decide what happens next.
 
Mrs. Murgen’s 6th grade class read the story last fall. After they finished the story, she tasked her students with writing one final chapter. This open-ended assignment could be completed as a 300 word minimum written chapter, a video, or even as a piece of art.
 
Shelby Shook wrote an original piece that ended up being over 1800 words. Dalia Ranen wrote over 1200 words, updating all the characters as they got older. Rygel Farr wrote an especially sweet story. Adrian Chytil creatively composed one of the strangest nightmares ever. Alexa Biedler beautifully painted the three main characters while Connor Byrd and Sawyer Scarborough completed original drawings. Gracie Rabon and Hayden Walker made animations.
 
Mrs. Murgen enjoyed the next chapters from her students so much, that she decided she would contact Erin Entrada Kelly and share the amazing work. Within a week, the author had responded and was thrilled by the work of the Lakehill students. The creativity and passion within young minds is inspiring Erin Entrada Kelly to this day.
Jacqui Nickell
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The Lakehill Warrior football team completed an undefeated season by defeating Allen Academy 42-34 in the TAPPS Six-Man Division II State Championship game Friday afternoon at Midway ISD Panther Stadium in Hewitt, Texas.

The Warriors jumped out to a strong start with senior runningback Ryan Henry scoring the first touchdown of the game. After a couple receiving touchdowns between senior quarterback Nathan Lewis and junior receiver Mitchell Crow, the Warriors were up 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Rams of Allen Academy fought back in the second quarter but the Warriors managed to hang on to a 26-21 lead going into halftime.

The Rams took the lead in the second half 34-26, but the Warriors were not backing down. With two more rushing touchdowns from Henry and one receiving touchdown from Lewis to senior Matthew McCall, the Warrior defense was ready take the field to hold the lead in the fourth quarter. With a minute left in regulation, the Warrior defense stopped the Rams for a turnover on downs to seal the victory.

“We were here last year and I knew these resilient kids would show up ready to play today,” said Head Coach Jairus Mitchell. “We as a community have been through so much this school year and I am so proud of these kids for capitalizing on this big moment.” 

Lakehill has six seniors this season; Ryan Henry, Nathan Lewis, Matthew McCall, William Leake, Tristan Leach, and Keegan Clendenin. “These seniors have played a huge role in this football program over the last few years,” said Athletic Director Bob Yttrehdahl. “The bond these guys share with all of their teammates is special. This season was not guaranteed and we did not know what each week would bring. We are grateful for the opportunity to get to play and ending the season this way is a feeling I can’t describe for these kids and this community.”

Lakehill finishes the season 7-0 and recorded the first TAPPS Six-Man Football State Championship in the history of Lakehill Preparatory School.

 

Lakehill is located in the heart of the Lakewood neighborhood in East Dallas. The six-acre Main Campus houses classrooms students in Kindergarten through Grade 12, as well as a gymnasium, a cafeteria, two libraries, numerous science and computer labs, and the Charles J. Wyly, Jr. Auditorium.