Category: Community

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Community Uncategorized

Kindness is Alive and Well

By Kaye Hauschild
Head of Middle School, Lakehill Preparatory School

Kindness in Middle School is not the mythical creature that most people assume it is. It is shy, preferring to exist behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.

It has a quiet voice, as if something very loud would take away its magic. It has the ability to grow in its reach, power, and impact if allowed the space and encouragement to do so. It can also be contagious, infecting friends and acquaintances.

Living as I do in a middle school world, I am used to hearing the generalizations about the negative side of our age. But I am proud to be witness to the kindness that students show to each other when someone is sad, overwhelmed, or feeling misunderstood. I am happy to provide opportunities for them to share their gifts and talents with those less fortunate. I am excited to help when they reach out during a problem in our neighborhood or a far away disaster.

Kindness is alive and well and growing and giving in our Middle School – and I am happy to be a witness!



 

























Categories


Community 




Delivering Smiles















By Nia Rasheed, ’11

Marketing Intern, Lakehill Preparatory School


When I was younger, we always knew that when my grandmother came into town we would have less responsibilities because she was always willing to help cook and clean. As she has gotten older and less independent, she has not been able to do various things, including cooking essential meals during the day. Thankfully, my grandmother has a friend volunteer to help her purchase food and make sure she is receiving the necessary things for her health.


Seeing the assistance that my grandmother needs allowed me to witness the importance of caring for senior citizens. As Marketing Intern, I have the privilege to participate in Meals on Wheels, a program motivated to increase the lifespan of seniors by providing health food and nutritionists facts. Through this program, I have the opportunity to deliver food to residents in the Dallas community.


The best part about participating in Meals on Wheels is seeing the smiles on the residents faces when they receive their meals. From the moment we walk in, we are greeted with hugs and gratitude. Knowing that your service may be the only love some of residents see that day makes the experience even better.


“Caring has the gift of making the ordinary special.” – George R. Bach


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Categories


Community Service Learning Uncategorized 




An Everyday Hero















By Victoria John

Middle School Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School


Sometimes a hero is not only the mythic god of Mount Olympus nor a contemporary Jedi knight. Sometimes a hero is someone we see every day, someone we know. In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, noted mythological scholar Joseph Campbell, describes heroes in myth as “practice models for understanding how to live…life principles embedded in the structure of stories.” Within these stories, he describes the qualities and passages of a hero through twelve stages called the hero’s journey. In Adam Bede, novelist George Eliot offers her concept of a hero, “It is more needful that my heart should swell with loving admiration at some trait of gentle goodness in the faulty people who sit at the same hearth with me…than at the deeds of heroes whom I shall never know.”


I am fortunate to know and teach such a hero, sixth grade Lakehill student Charlie Borowczak, who gifts children through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program with his Charlie’s Angels project. In December, as a guest on The Steve Harvey Show in Chicago, Charlie was featured in the Harvey’s Heroes segment.  Charlie shared that he became interested in supporting the Angel Tree program when he was in first grade. Since then, each November he goes to NorthPark Mall, chooses angels from the tree and purchases gifts for each child. Charlie funds these gifts by earning all the money himself through pet sitting, car washing or other odd jobs. Recently Charlie bought gifts for 30 angels, spending $100 on each. He says, “It makes him feel good to be Santa Claus for other children.”


When asked if he would describe himself as a hero, Charlie replies, “It makes me feel kind of smug to call myself a hero. I just think of myself as a normal person. I guess I would be a hero to the angels, because I give them a Christmas.”


This young entrepreneur is already planning for the future.  “I want to keep helping and inspiring others. I am working on expanding Charlie’s Angels and setting it up as a non-profit. I am spreading the word, and it is going fast.”


Talking with Charlie about his dedication to help children has touched me deeply and reminds me that he has heroic qualities. Charlie is a leader, loyal friend and respected by his peers. He is committed to helping others and genuinely cares about doing his part to make the world a better place. There is a gentle goodness in Charlie. He is someone we all know – he is our own Lakehill everyday hero. With his own words, “A hero needs a persevering spirit and the will to do good no matter what,” Charlie continues his path on the hero’s journey.


 


Charlie - 7 years  oldCharlie in Chicago, Steve Harvey Show Charlie on Steve Harvey

























Categories


Community 




Partners in Reading















By Heather Dondis

Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School


As Director of College Counseling, I assume the responsibility of all things college:  college fairs, college meetings, testing sessions, course and schedule advising. If it is related to college, I am there.


I am fortunate in my position, though, because I also get to see the kids in action in other parts of their lives.  A few weeks ago, our Upper School students participated in our annual Day of Service. It was incredible. I was with a group of eight seniors and I witnessed them at their very best, because they wanted to give their very best.


Their letters of recommendation have already been written and sent to colleges and they have already earned their highly-coveted senior privilege of off-campus lunch, so I know they were working together purely for the sake of giving back to their community. My groups volunteered with Reading Partners (http://readingpartners.org/dallas/about/), a non-profit organization that has joined forces with low-performing elementary schools in cities across the United States. We were assigned to one of the lowest performing schools in the state of Texas.


We were each paired with an elementary school child who was reading one to two years below their grade level. In 45 very quick minutes, our students were witnesses to the power of individual instruction and realized the love, attention, dedication, and patience needed for successful teaching and learning. Our seniors couldn’t stop talking about the project the entire way home and they are now in the process of proposing a more permanent partnership with the organization.


What a powerful lesson they learned.  I was proud to be a part of it.


Juniors at North Texas Food Bank


Lakehill seniors tutor children through Reading Partners

























Categories


Community 




Hot Meals, Warm Hearts















By Kristen Munoz

Middle School Science and Social Students Teacher, Sixth Grade Class Sponsor, Lakehill Preparatory School


The sixth grade class at Lakehill Preparatory School is committed to providing service to both Lakehill and the surrounding East Dallas community. Recently, the class began volunteering for Lakehill’s Meals on Wheels route.  Every other week, students travel with Ms. Hauschild, Ms. Ekstrom, and Ms. Stretcher to deliver meals to people in need. I have heard such amazing feedback from our kids about their experiences with the program. Claire Maxell told me after her delivery day that “seeing someone smile as I handed over a meal made my heart feel warm.” Watching my students get so excited to help others warms my heart as well.


Sixth graders also participated in our recent canned food drive. Middle School students donated more than 800 cans to benefit the Vickery Meadows food pantry. This food pantry serves residents in the East Dallas area who have come to the area as refugees. These brave people have come to the United States from terrible situations, leaving everything they know behind. They come to Dallas, unfamiliar with our language and customs, yet they must find work, enroll their children in school, and navigate the city. They use the food pantry as a way to supplement to their home pantry once a month. Our sixth graders expressed such compassion when talking about how brave these people are.


As our sixth grade students continue to feed those in need in our community, they also feed the heart of Lakehill with love and kindness.


Sixth graders prepare for their Meals on Wheels Route.
Sixth graders prepare for their Meals on Wheels Route.

























Categories


Community 




Speaking Her Own Truth















By Victoria John

Middle School Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School


At Lakehill we teach exceptional young people. I love teaching middle school, because when these students speak their truth, others listen.


Following the recent Cyber Safety Assembly, my eighth grade students expressed sadness about a bullied Cincinnati teenager who lost hope and took her own life almost ten years ago. Her classmates repeatedly humiliated and shamed her after her boyfriend sent an inappropriate picture of her in a text message to everyone in the school. This tragic case triggered the current legislation and inspired the programs designed to teach children about the consequences of bullying and protect them from dangerous online predators.


One of my eighth grade students, Lyric Menges, shared a personal heartbreak regarding this “permanent solution to a temporary problem.”


“Two years ago my best friend in Houston committed suicide, as a result of being bullied by her peers. I became very interested in why and how this whole thing worked.  I got involved with suicide prevention and become an emergency contact through social media. Since then, I have helped 18 people and have only lost one.  A few months ago I received an e-mail from one of the people I helped, a high school senior from the Midwest. When I read his words of gratitude, I realized that I had made an impact that big and was so glad I do this.”


He wrote, “I just wanted you to know that you are the reason I am still alive.  I worked hard the last bit of my senior year and got a scholarship for art like I wanted. I wanted you to realize the impact you had on my life and how much my parents, friends and I appreciate everything you do for us.  You are truly amazing. I am forever grateful.”


Lyric’s experience reminds me that young people care about others and take the time to make the world a better place. Because of Lyric’s dedication and willingness to listen, there are 17 more people who are alive today. I feel truly grateful that I teach at Lakehill Preparatory School and have the privilege to interact with a student like Lyric Menges, who has the courage to speak her own truth.

























Categories


Community 




Through The Looking Glass















By Victoria John

Latin Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School


A young boy steps forward in the lunch line, his head barely topping the rail where the green tray blocks his view. Tilting his head back, he peers up through the glass protecting the food choices. His timid eyes meet a familiar smile reflected in the mirror-like glass. As his own smile grows, so does his confidence to ask, “Miss Tammy, what are we having today?”


Tammy Jackson, Lakehill’s Cafeteria Manager for over 15 years and an integral part of the school, remembers answering this child’s question day after day. “He was always so polite, so respectful,” as she describes recent 2012 Lakehill graduate Hunter Austin Simpson. She continues, “I couldn’t believe how much he had grown up, until I watched him play basketball in the Nothing But Nets fundraiser,” and adds, “I’m so proud of him.”


Tammy’s co-worker, Shandra Jackson, fondly remembers when Austin brought his senior clearance form into the cafeteria. “I had to stretch my neck to look up at him as he towered over the glass. When I recognized him as the sweet little boy who used to look up at me, I blurted, ‘You used to wear glasses!’” Surprised, he replied, “I did?”


Thirteen years at Lakehill and 6’ 7” tall, Austin Simpson has grown into a mature and still respectful young man, an outstanding athlete, and a talented photographer, who recently had two sports photos published in the Dallas Morning News, where he served his senior internship. Austin clearly examines his choices and makes thoughtful decisions that affect him and others positively.


Austin has special memories of Tammy and Shandra. “I’ve always loved getting food from the cafeteria, not only because I like the food but because since kindergarten, I’ve had a nice, warm welcome every time I set foot in the lunch line. It’s been a treat to see Tammy every day of every year. She’s one of the most genuine and sweet ladies I’ve had the pleasure to know. It’s also awesome that Shandra was around for my Lakehill beginnings and was back for the end of my time here. Those ladies truly have the power to brighten my day. I will miss them more than they know. It would be great if they could come with me to Colorado State University.”


Lakehill offers not only a quality education, but a caring community. From Mr. Perry’s morning greeting, to the dedication of classroom teachers and coaches and the supportive administrative staff, to nurturing women like Tammy and Shandra. All offer a listening ear as they contribute to a Lakehill student’s personal and educational experience.


Hunter Austin Simpson’s legacy continues every time a kindergarten student entering the cafeteria looks up and asks, “Miss Tammy, what are we having today?” Through their comforting kindness, Tammy and Shandra impacted Austin’s experience, just as he impacted theirs. We are all teachers and learners. It just depends on your perspective. You never know how a smile changes someone’s day, until you see Austin smile. The hours in a school day mirror the years in a student’s life. They fly by quickly. But the memories of a smile reflected through the glass linger forever.

























Categories


Community Learning and Leading 




Building Champions















By Roger L. Perry

Headmaster, Lakehill Preparatory School 


On a recent drive to Abilene to watch our boys and our girls Varsity Basketball teams play for the area championships, I had time to reflect on how far our school has come over the many years I have been at Lakehill. Many people do not realize that from 1971 until 1989 the school leased portions of the building at the Hillside campus from Lakewood Baptist Church.


The church actually owned the building and used it all day on Sundays and on Wednesday evenings. Under the early lease, any person (adult or student) who was on the second floor, more than six feet from the stairways at the end of each hall, cost the school $50 per occurrence. The old sanctuary, that no longer exists, was only available for us to use once a year, for graduation. The current lunchroom was not available for use at any time. One of my critical functions as a young administrator was to make sure the vending machines worked properly for the lunch periods and to have enough change for everyone on campus to use for lunch. Yes, the lunch program consisted entirely of vending machine items. The lunchroom was located on the bottom floor where the locker rooms are today. This space was also used for any performing arts performances and music programs.


Prior to the construction of the gym in 1980, basketball practice was held on an asphalt parking lot on the opposite side of the auditorium, where we now have playing fields. We had to lease this property from the church as well. Yes, I coached a Middle School boys’ basketball team back in the ‘70s. The gym was a wonderful addition to the school and for many years had a concrete floor. Traveling was never called because any player who tried to stop would slide on the concrete for at least a couple of feet before coming to a stop.


The gym we enjoy today is outstanding and is available to us because of a visionary Board of Directors and many donors over the years including two major donors, Joe Lancaster and Karl Kuhlman, who made large gifts to make it a reality. Both Joe and Karl are now deceased but our school would be much different today had they not given so generously in the early years. They would have enjoyed, with pride, the performance I watched in Abilene of two teams who gave all they had for their team and for their school. The school will continue to develop over the coming years and generous people, just like Joe and Karl, will step forward to make sure generations of children will be able to enjoy their Lakehill experience.