Future leaders unite through tolerance and fun

This summer, Lawrence Woodmere Academy students were given an assignment that would forever change the community. We were asked to read “The Diary of Anne Frank,” which not only was informative about a shameful time in our history, but also taught us the true importance of tolerance.

Lawrence Woodmere Academy is a school built on diversity and talent. The assignment illuminated how amazing an example LWA is for what the world’s future should look like. It enforced how we must be kind to one another for the bettering of our lives ahead.

To further enhance our learning experience, the student body sat privileged through an assembly where guest speaker, Evelyn Altenberg, honored us with her words. She told the story of how her parents survived the Holocaust. We sat in awe as we collectively realized what each of us can do to make our world a better place. With new knowledge of the ideal that tolerance is key, the students wrote letters thanking her for her bravery and the gracefulness as she stood to let us never forget.

The Student Senate of Lawrence Woodmere Academy prepared for Homecoming. A day that could recognize what makes our community genuinely special. We wanted to highlight how being tolerant of others is essential. LWA is a family that comes together, full of various colors, religions and ideals. This day is everything to us, because it brings the family that we are together, to celebrate the blue and white, and the power of our roar (the school nickname is Tigers).

This special day came on Oct. 20. As I arrived at school at 10 in the morning, the sky was a dark grey. Through set up, a soccer game, games and clean up, the student body portrayed how we are one. As I witnessed how my friends laughed, I saw the sunlight peek through the clouds.

While rain was in the forecast, LWA stood united in the sunlight. While family and friends played fun carnival games at the freshmen booths, spoke with a fortune teller at the sophomore’s booth, got married with the help of the juniors, and played “Are you smarter than a senior?” with the graduating class, it was noticeable that the hard work paid off. Our community clearly showed our love for each other, and our hope that the rest of the world would follow in our steps. Lawrence Woodmere Academy looks to lead as an example, and will continue to. With days like these, I believe the student body truly is the future.