Lake Forest on Topic

Transitioning into high school can cause a great deal of anxiety for young teens. Knowing someone is there to look out for you makes all the difference. Coach Phil LaScala developed the Lake Forest High School (LFHS) basketball program and ran it for nearly 20 years with the deliberate intention of supporting young players. He paired seniors on the team with underclassman and it meant everything to the new guys who looked up to the varsity players. It taught members of the varsity team to understand their leadership role and to tune in and make time for others on and off the court.Our sons, Noah, Tommy and Sean, were three of the hundreds who benefited from taking part in the program. Noah continues to appreciate what the four-year experience taught him and remembers a sense of comfort starting high school knowing someone was around to check in on him.Coach LaScala created a program culture that inspired basketball players from as young as five to aspire to play for him one day at LFHS and the results speak for themselves. Coach LaScala built one of the strongest, most competitive teams in the area year after year, including the 2015 team on which Noah and Tommy played, that went 28-3, losing only to Stevenson High School led by Jalen Brunson, one of the best players in the NBA today.LFHS and our community have been fortunate to have Coach LaScala at the helm of one of our most celebrated sports programs for two decades. He demanded that his players work to grow into the best versions of themselves as athletes and students, knowing it would benefit them in college and in their careers. Most LFHS basketball alumni say it has.At end-of-the-season banquets, Coach LaScala made sure the events were a grand finale. The entire team of players, coaches, trainers, managers and parents attended and it didn’t phase him that it lasted hours. He made sure every senior was properly recognized, with an in-depth tribute that detailed what he and the team appreciated about them. Each one was called to the front, where he stood next to Coach LaScala as he spoke about the player’s strengths and contributions, both on and off the court.Today’s LFHS feeder program was shaped by Coach LaScala. Initially, there was a single team for each grade. He rejected that approach, saying more kids should have the opportunity to play and develop. Now, each grade has multiple teams that instill the fundamentals of what is taught at the varsity level. Coach LaScala knew winning starts with them believing in themselves and in each other.Being good citizens was just as important to Coach LaScala as being good players. He made sure his guys made a difference in the community by volunteering at Camp Hope, helping with the feeder program, and shopping for gifts to give the less fortunate during the holidays. Coach LaScala believed being a good person translated into being a good teammate.He pushed the boys to be the best version of themselves and to strive for excellence. He was named Illinois’ “Coach of the Year” six times as head basketball coach for LFHS. We thank and honor Coach LaScala for the role he played preparing our sons for life.Jennifer Karras and John Trkla- LF on Topic

Susie Kullby is a 30 year resident, educator and coach in Lake Forest. Coach Kullby played a variety of sports growing up but fell in love with soccer as a varsity player at New Trier high school. She went on to play at Xavier University. She has coached soccer for LFSA for 20 years and has a national C license from U.S. soccer. In 2020 Susie received the Illinois Women in Soccer Award in 2020.John Lazzaretto founded Bandits Lacrosse in 2014 and has coached hundreds of young athletes, growing the program to over 200 girls playing each year. John has two children who went on to play Division I varsity lacrosse. John is a Lake Forest High School graduate where he was an All-State running back and set multiple football and track records. In addition to Lacrosse, John has coached youth football and other rec league sports for girls and boys.Matt Wells grew up in Mundelein playing baseball and basketball. After getting injured playing college baseball, Matt transitioned into coaching and has spent over a decade working with young athletes. Matt has previously worked with the Lake Forest Scouts baseball program and served as the Director of Athletics at the Mundelein Park District. He is currently the General Manager and a baseball coach at The Farm System - a community based sports organization built on helping athletes grow into their full potential on and off the playing field.

Representative Morgan was first elected to the 58th District, which includes Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highwood, Highland Park, Deerfield and Bannockburn, in 2018. In Springfield, Representative Morgan has made gun safety and healthcare access his focus. Prior to running for office, Mr. Morgan was a healthcare attorney for the Governor’s Office and General Counsel for the Department of Health. He was instrumental in implementing provisions of the Affordable Healthcare Act here in Illinois and was also a force behind the implementation of the State’sMedical Cannabis Program. Representative Morgan is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has his JD from Northern Illinois University. He resides with his wife and two children in Deerfield.

Melanie and Kent are co-Chairs of the Adhoc Bylaws committee for the Lake Forest Caucus. Melanie is along time resident of Lake Forest and has served the community in many ways, most recently as an Alderman. Prior to that she has also served as an office of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association including a stint as Chairperson. She has been a member of the Board and past President of the Lake Forest District 67 School Board as well as a Director of the Gorton Community Center. Melanie has been active in many other civic and charitable organizations in Lake Forest and Lake County. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston and Loyola University Law school and continues to practice law in Lake Forest.Kent is also a long time resident of Lake Forest. Kent has been very active with the city having served as a 1st Ward Alderman, a member of the Zoning Commission, a member if the District 67 School Board and as part of the Executive Committee of the Lake Forest Caucus. Kent attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and John Marshall University law school. He is a practicing attorney in Chicago.

Joanna is the longtime Executive Director of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. Joanna, a graduate of Boston University, began her career as a singer and actress. Her stage career included productions in Boston, Denver, and the Chicago area. She transitioned into public relations and marketing by working with two symphony orchestras, including the Lake Forest Symphony. Joanna then went to work at the Gorton Community Center, and after a stint in the real estate industry, she became Executive Director of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

Dr. Lenart came to Lake Forest High School in 2021 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Lenart began her career as an English teacher and later has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at both the Junior High and High School levels. She holds a Bachelors degree in English form Austin Peay University, a Masters in Education Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech.

Jim Carris is a candidate for the Illinois 10th District in the House of Representatives. Jim is a longtime commercial real estate executive who has put that career on hold to run for congress. He has an undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and a law degree from Loyola University in Chicago. Jim, his wife, and three children are residents of Lake Forest.

Congressman Schneider is currently serving his 5th term representing the 10th District of Illinois. He presently serves on the House Ways and Means and the Foreign Affairs Committees. Congressman Schieder is a recognized leader on the Middle East and has focused extensively on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Mr. Schneider holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA both from Northwestern University. Prior to running for congress, he has worked as a business consultant and managed an insurance firm. He is seeking a 6th term in the House of Representatives in the election next month. The congressman resides with his wife Julie in Highland Park. 

Dr. Jill M. Baren. In July of 2022, Dr. Baren was appointed the fourteenth president of Lake Forest College. Lake Forest College was founded in 1857 and is home to nearly 1600 students. Last year the Wall Street Journal rated Lake Forest College the top liberal arts college in the Midwest. Dr. Baren is a medical doctor, educator, and researcher, who brings nearly 30 years of academic medicine and higher-education administrative experience to the presidency.  She previously served as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, before coming to Lake Forest College 

Joe and Tim talk about the Caucus, bylaw modernization and restoring trust within the community. Joe is the current president of the Lake Forest Caucus. He has lived in Lake Forest since 2015 with his wife and four children. Joe previously served as Caucus Vice President, Treasurer, and on numerous subcommittees, leading searches for elected and appointed volunteers for various positions. He also served on the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Board. In his professional life, Joe has served as an advisor, officer and fiduciary for corporate clients, helping them to improve operational and financial performance. He’s held executive officer roles, such as president and CFO, on behalf of clients in multiple industries.

Paul Sacaridiz is the Executive Director of Ragdale located here in Lake Forest. Ragdale is a nonprofit artist community located on the former country estate of Arts & Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw and his wife, poet and playwright, Frances Wells Shaw. Each year it offers 150 residencies and fellowships to creative professionals of all types, making Ragdale one of the largest interdisciplinary artist communities in the country. Paul joined Ragdale in April. He brings 25 years of experience to the organization, with a background that includes art making, teaching, and administration. He has held leadership positions in both higher education and the nonprofit sector.

Mr. Laximinarayan became the Executive Director of the Lake Forest Library on May 1, 2023. He has previously worked at libraries across India and the United States and has most recently worked for a consulting firm that assists libraries in strategic planning, community engagement, and marketing. Ishwar has been active in local, state, regional, and national library organizations and was selected by the Public Library Association for its inaugural Leadership Fellowship at Harvard University.

Chris has lived in Lake Forest since 2011 with his wife and two sons. Born and raised in Chicago, Chris graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Computer Science.  He has spent his career in the telecommunications and technology industries.Founded in 1935, the mission of the Lake Forest Caucus is to recommend qualified citizens to serve in Lake Forest government and on the School Boards via an independent, nonpartisan process. All Lake Forest registered voters are members of the Caucus.  

Susan has authored four historical books: Downtown Lake Forest, West Lake Forest, Legendary Locals of Lake Forest and Billy Caldwell (1780-1841) Chicago and the Great Lakes Trail.  Previously, Susan was the Economic Development Officer for the City of Lake Forest for ten years where she worked with commercial property owners to recruit businesses to Lake Forest.  Susan and her family have lived in Lake Forest since 2006.  Prior to moving to Lake Forest, Susan lived in the Sauganash neighborhood on the north side of Chicago.  She was involved in Chicago politics for two decades as the 39th Ward Committeeman and Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago.  It was living in Sauganash, the land that Billy Caldwell received in the 1829 Treaty, that sparked the interest in Billy Caldwell and began the research that has lasted over 33 years. Susan is currently President of the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston

Matthew Montgomery, Superintendent of Districts 115 and 67 and John Noble, President of the District 115 School Board.  Dr. Montgomery and Mr. Noble first appeared on this podcast last November. We’re having them back today to catch up on recent events at Lake Forest High School.

Paula Turelli serves as the Executive Director of Mother’s Trust Foundation, which offers immediate aid to low-income children in Lake County during crises. Peggy Talbot, an early supporter and former Board Chair of Beacon Place in Waukegan, IL, champions programs fostering academic growth, better health, and skill-building for children and families. Anne McAveeney, a founder of Fill A Heart for Children, collaborates with educators and social workers to support the most vulnerable children in their community.

Rick has written for newspapers and magazines as varied as Esquire, National Wildlife, Premiere, TV Guide, Playboy, Men’s Journal, PTA Magazine, American Libraries, Baseball Digest, Outside, and others. In 1972, Sports Illustrated published his first national article. It was about the jolt of being done with football, and being forced to, as Kansas City head coach Hank Stram advised him, “get on with your life.” That article would eventually become a book and later be made into a film.Rick was a Special Contributor for Sports Illustrated for eight years, before joining the magazine full time as a Senior Writer in 1981. In 1995 he left SI to become the senior sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, a position he holds to this day. He has written nine books and has had his articles collected in over two dozen anthologies. His work was nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize. He has been named Illinois Sportswriter of the Year eight times and has had eight stories named to the Best American Sports Writing anthology. In 2018 he received the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for a series he wrote on violence in inner city Chicago high schools and the saving force of sport. In 2020 he received the Dan Jenkins Excellence in Sports Writing Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Texas. And in 2021 he was voted into the National Sports Media Hall of Fame.If being a college athlete and award winning writer wasn’t enough, Rick is a musician and part of a band, the Del-Crustaceans, that started when he was a senior in college with buddies from a poetry class. They are still performing to this day.  He is also an artist with his work ranging from pen and ink drawings, to sketches, Day-Glo signs, and even spray-painted graffiti on urban walls. In 2018 he had his first showing at the Adventureland Gallery in Chicago

Dr. E, as she’s known by audiences around the world, is a sought-after keynote speaker, author, and coach. She helps people identify how critical moments of high stress, what she refers to as “The Red Zone”, is shaping their behaviors, decisions, health, and overall performance.Dr. E has helped teams at many Fortune 500 companies unleash performance, profits, and untapped potential by showing them how to make sure stress gets the best from them—and not the best of them.Dr. Lombardo is also a well-known media expert with hundreds of TV and radio appearances on shows like Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, The TODAY Show, CNN, Fox Business News, and others. She also regularly contributes to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, SUCCESS, Fast Company, Huffington Post, Forbes, and other respected publications. She is also the author of several books: “Get Out of The Red Zone”, “Better Than Perfect” and “A Happy You”

Mark McMahon is a lifetime resident of Lake Forest. To say he comes from a creative family would be a massive understatement. His father Franklin was a globally recognized artist and his mother a writer. Five of his eight siblings pursued art professionally in various forms. His wife Carolyn and children Elise and Drew are also professional artists and two of his grandchildren are active in the arts.Mark attended Lake Forest High School where he is recognized on the Alumni Wall of Fame. He went on to Adams State College in Colorado and Loyola University where he studied art and art history.You can find examples of Mark’s murals at the Gorton Center and the Lake Forest High School Library. Mark has been exhibiting his work annually at the Lake Forest Art Fair since the age of 10. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Deerpath Art League who organizes the Fair. You can view and purchase Mark’s work, as well as that of other family members, at mcmahongallery.com 

Jennifer Karras has lived in Lake Forest for 22 years. She has held senior marketing positions for several organizations, including most recently at Guggenheim Partners. Jennifer is a former Ward One alderman and has served as president of DPM’s APT, Chairman of CROYA, and executive member of LFHS Foundation and LFHS Boosters. She is the founder of YD3, a college recruiting company focused on Division 3 athletic programs.Susan Sailor Daly is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington and has been a tv reporter, district staffer for a congressman, a banker and software salesperson. She and her husband, Richard, have two grown sons and have resided in Lake Forest since 2007. Susan served on the Lake Forest Caucus Committee for three years and is a past Ward 1 Chair. And, fun fact, Susan represented her home state of Indiana in the 1986 Miss America PageantJohn Trkla has been a resident of Lake Forest since 1966 when his family moved to Lake Forest. He and his wife Kathleen, also a Lake Forest native, have raised three children here who attended the School of St. Mary and Lake Forest High School.  John has been a long time youth sports coach for both St Mary’s and the City of Lake Forest Recreation department.  John has owned a digital marketing company for over 20 years.Learn more about Lake Forest for Transparency at https://lf4t.com

Dr. Matthew Montgomery began his career at the Waterloo School District in Atwater, Ohio, first as a science teacher, and later, as principal of Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School.  In July 2013 he became Superintendent of the Waterloo School District. Two years later Dr. Montgomery became Superintendent of the Revere School District in Bath, Ohio and in 2021, came to Lake Forest as the new Superintendent for Districts 67 and 115. Dr. Jennifer Hermes is the COO of the shared district office responsible for budgeting and finance, Board relations, employee and labor relations as well as oversight of District 67 and 115 facilities, transportation, food services, technology, and early childhood programs. She came to the Lake Forest schools 17 years ago after holding similar positions in Naperville School District 203 from 1997 to 2006.  Dr. Hermes is an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University in Chicago.Mr. John Noble grew up in Lake Forest, graduating from Lake Forest High School in 1986. A distinguished, high school, college and professional tennis player, John also coached the LFHS men’s and women’s tennis teams in the 90’s. John is continuing his long association with Lake Forest High School, serving two terms on the District 115 School Board where he is the current Board President.

Dr. Matthew Montgomery began his career at the Waterloo School District in Atwater, Ohio, first as a science teacher, and later, as principal of Waterloo Middle School and Waterloo High School.  In July 2013 he became Superintendent of the Waterloo School District. Two years later Dr. Montgomery became Superintendent of the Revere School District in Bath, Ohio and in 2021, came to Lake Forest as the new Superintendent for Districts 67 and 115.Dr. Jennifer Hermes is the COO of the shared district office responsible for budgeting and finance, Board relations, employee and labor relations as well as oversight of District 67 and 115 facilities, transportation, food services, technology, and early childhood programs. She came to the Lake Forest schools 17 years ago after holding similar positions in Naperville School District 203 from 1997 to 2006.  Dr. Hermes is an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University in Chicago.Mr. John Noble grew up in Lake Forest, graduating from Lake Forest High School in 1986. A distinguished, high school, college and professional tennis player, John also coached the LFHS men’s and women’s tennis teams in the 90’s. John is continuing his long association with Lake Forest High School, serving two terms on the District 115 School Board where he is the current Board President.

Michael has been a lifelong resident of Lake Forest and was very active in our city government. Michael has held the position of Alderman with the opposing Lake Forest Independence Party, and served on the Lake Forest Caucus . During 90’s and early 2000’s, there was much opposition with our Caucus leadership and Michael was instrumental is reforming and restoring our Lake Forest Caucus.  

Sheila Henretta is a Lake Forest resident with a track record of public service, including in the Illinois Governor’s office and as the state’s chief banking regulator; as an elected Local School Council member in Chicago; and on the board and as an officer of the Better Government Association. More recently, she served as a member of the Lake Forest Caucus and was the Caucus’ President in 2019-2020. She is currently the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of an investment management and benefits firm and sits on the board of directors of its institutional investments arm. Sheila graduated with a business degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and returned to her hometown of Cleveland for her law degree. She has specialized in corporate transactions and corporate governance for over 25 years.

Phillippe has a background in political campaigns and advocacy. He worked closely with former Congressman Robert Dold and has managed various campaigns in Illinois. Jeff is the President and CEO of Consumer Financial Services. He has served on a number of National and Local boards and in 2015 was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner to Chair the State Racing Board, which he did for 5 years.

Prue is a longtime resident of Lake Forest having moved here in 1976. She has volunteered and served on the board of directors for non-profit organizations in both Chicago and Lake Forest for over 40 years. She spent six years as an alderman in Lake Forest and has been a member of several other city committees and commissions. She began her career as a Chicago Public School teacher after receiving a Bachelor in Arts from Wellesley College and an Master of Studies in Education from University of Chicago.

Former Lake Forest resident, Victoria Smith was a marketing executive who gave up her comfortable Chicago life for the romantic dream of moving to Tuscany with her husband. Typically undaunted, Victoria was one of the first women marketing executives at Procter & Gamble in the early 1970s, a senior vice president with DDB Needham international advertising agency during the 1980s, and director of volunteers at a large church in the 1990s. Follow the Lake Forest On Topic Podcast on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/LakeForestforTransparencyLearn more about Victoria and her book at: https://victoriasmithwriter.com 

State Senator Julie Morrison. Senator Morrison represents the 29th District, which includes part or all of 22 communities from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station on the north, to Wilmette on the south, and west into Buffalo Grove.Senator Morrison serves as Majority Whip for the Senate Democratic Caucus.  She also chairs the Health and Human Services committee and sits on the Veterans Affairs, Early Childhood Education, and the Environment and Conservation Committees. She is vice chair of the Appropriations Committee for Health and Human ServicesPrior to her election to State Senator, Ms. Morrison served as Supervisor of West Deerfield Township for 15 years.Senator Morrison was born in Beardstown Illinois and graduated from Knox College and is a resident of Lake Forest.

Kim Pfahl and Mike Adams are both long time Lake Forest residents and are past presidents of the Lake Forest Caucus. Kim and Mike are not currently members of the Caucus Committee as they have both completed their maximum length of service.

Carol became the Executive Director of the History Center of Lake Forest Lake Bluff in 2018. Carol has extensive experience in marketing, advertising, operations, and project management working with both private sector businesses and public institutions. She has served on the Board of several not-for-profit organizations including the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the Public Narrative, and Girls in the Game.Carol served as a member of the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic and is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Marion moved to Lake Forest in 1996 and raised her family here. She’s been very involved in community organizations that focus on our natural resources. She is the former co-director of the Garden at Elawa Farm where she worked for seven years. She is active in the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, where she has taught educational courses, overseen restoration programs and served on its staff. Marion is currently a member of the Open Lands Board of Governors.  Marion is also a site steward for MacArthur Woods, a 560 acre woodland to our west that is owned and operated by Lake County Forest Preserve. She is an expert in conservation and land stewardship, organic vegetable gardening and composting. Marion is a leader of Green Minds Lake Forest Lake Bluff, a community group that works to bring awareness to environmental issues and encourages common sense practices that will help make our communities more sustainable.Marion grew up on the north shore and attended New Trier High School and is a graduate of Dartmouth College

John has lived in Lake Forest for the 27 years and is currently the Director of National Accounts for Abbott Diabetes. John has been a very active member of our community having served on the Lake Forest Caucus Committee and the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation Board. He has had various roles at the Church and School of St. Mary and is also a Trustee of Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan. In 2013 John was elected to the District 115 Board of Education and served a four year term. In April of this year, John was elected as a Ward 2 Alderman for the City of Lake Forest.John received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Missouri and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

David Sweet grew up in Lake Forest and moved back to the city in the early 2000’s. He is a journalist who has worked for news outlets across the country including the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, the Sports Business Journal and The Lake Forester. He currently is a contributor to Classic Chicago magazine and edits the Lake Forest Love blog.In addition to his newswriting and columns, David is the author of two books: Lamar Hunt - The Gentle Giant Who Revolutionized Professional Sports and 3 Seconds in Munich – The Controversial 1972 Olympic Basketball FinalDavid received a Bachelor of Arts in writing from Dennison University and a Masters in journalism from the University of Southern California.

A community leader who is passionate about education and actively supports her local school community. She has been a volunteer leader in Lake Forest for 13 years since establishing the Kinderhaven Parent Board in 2010.  She has taken on leadership roles in the District 67 APT, Spirit of 67 Foundation, Lake Forest Soccer Association Board, and Temple Jeremiah in Northfield. In May, she completed serving her second 4 year term on the Lake Forest District 67 Board of Education, most recently serving as Board President and Education Committee Chair. She represented District 67 on the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 (formerly NSSED, Northern Suburban Special Education District) board for 8 years and served as President of the TrueNorth’s Governing Board and Leadership Council for 6 of those years.Additionally, she has served as the Chair of the Lake Forest High School Foundation for the past 4 years and has been volunteering at Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan for the past 8 years. Suzanne holds a BA in Child Study, from Tufts University and a Masters in Middle Childhood Education from Emory University. She spent the first decade of her adult life teaching at Dolvin Elementary School in Alpharetta, Georgia and then Harper School in Wilmette.

Dr. Michael Ebner is the James D. Vail the third Professor of History – Emeritus - at Lake Forest College. He’s been a professor for over 50 years and joined the faculty at Lake Forest in 1974.In addition to having written extensively on America’s cities and suburbs, Dr. Ebner is the author of the book, Creating Chicago's North Shore, A Suburban History.A long time Lake Forest resident, Dr. Ebner was active in the city’s politics in the 80’s and 90’s. He is a former chair of the Lake Forest Caucus and was a member of its Candidate Selection Committee. Dr. Ebner has also served as Chairperson of the City of Lake Forest’s Building Review Board and the Historic Preservation Committee.