“What was it like to have your mother work in the same school that you attended?”

“My mother has been working in the Lexington school system for about 14 years now. It has been awesome having her work at the high school! Anytime I was having a bad day or forgot something at home, she was always there. I loved being able to see my mother everyday even at times when we drove each other crazy. She was my teacher not only at home, but also in school. I became smarter about the decisions I was making and got to share the things I learned from her to help educate younger students as well as my peers.
When my mother was attending graduate school, I did not see her as often as I wanted to. She was either on the computer typing up papers, or video chatting with her classmates to collaborate on assignments that they were working on. Even though I did see her everyday, I never really got to talk to her because I was worried that I would make her more stressed out. During the two years she was in graduate school, I learned to become more independent. She has taught me many skills that I will need for the rest of my life. I am very proud of my mother and thankful to have had her not only in my home life, but also as a part of my school life. I would not be the person I am today without the love, support, and teachings of my mother.”

“High school is like a scavenger hunt. Your to-do list involves finding a group of people you can relate to, finding something you are passionate about and work hard towards it, and finally, trying new things so you don’t look like a fool going into life.”

“Strangers at first, best friends now.”

“Nothing worth having ever comes easy.”

“We have known each other since our days of kindergarten at Hastings! Now it just so happens that we are all leaving LHS at the same time. We are all going into next year in new environments that seem to fit ourselves and our lives! I’m sure I can speak for these two when I say that I wouldn’t change a thing from the past yet couldn’t be more excited for the future! We are so thankful to have two wonderful years at LHS surrounded by wonderful people and great teachers! As we all go our separate ways and are given different opportunities, we will always be grateful for all of the things LHS has given us!

*cue High School Musical finale music* ”

“As awful as LHS could be, it was both an exhilarating ride that I am going to deeply miss and something I never want to repeat again. I am not a deep guy, but I guess advice for underclassman is LHS is only as terrible as you want it to be. Believe me, as a transfer student I left my warm Connecticut beach town high school, for what at the time felt like a dark, unwelcoming place. But it is only that way if that is what you want it to be. So next time you are pulling an all nighter to finish that English project, avoiding conversation due to sleep deprivation, or frantically scribbling down the last page of your math test while the bell is ringing, remind yourself that there is more to LHS then trying to take 6 APs and get A’s in all of them. It may seem like your future depends on it, but it matters much less than you think. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it, only take APs you are interested in, and make time to hang out with friends. You only go to high school once and LHS will go by quicker than you think, so make sure you won’t look back in 20 years with regret on what you missed out on.”

“The way not to regret is to accept:
What has been done,
What is to come,
And what could be.

...because then you can smile and be a big derp like me :D”

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will give you a piggy back ride when the limo breaks down.”

“What is your favorite part about teaching?”

”My favorite thing about teaching is the opportunity to work with kids! I love working with kids and young adults, they are so full of energy and eager to learn if something sparks their interest.

I had some really good teachers during my high school and college years, they inspired me, and I want to extend the same passion and care to my students.”

”When are you proudest as a teacher?”

”My proudest moment is when my past students come back from college to visit me and tell me that Chemistry was easy in college because they learned so much in my class.”

”How would you define success in life?”

”Success is to achieve happiness!
That is why the definition of success is different for everyone; whatever makes you happy is your success!”

”What is life’s biggest surprise?”

”Life is a big surprise! Some surprises are good and some are not so good! I hope all of you will always get good surprises in your life!”

“Due tomorrow, do tomorrow.”

“From doing gymnastics I’ve learned many lessons that go beyond just the sport. It’s taught me how to work hard, be patient and above all be passionate. Being able to experience this kind of passion for something makes me really thankful. It’s made me realize whatever I end up doing with my life, I’m sure as hell going to love it.”

“‘A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.’
- Mahatma Gandhi”

“Want to know a secret? My real name’s Dvora.”

“Sometimes I dabble in being a social human being. But like for real that’s a lot of work.”

“I take AP history because I like history. I really couldn’t care less about going to a fancy ivy league college.”

*drops mic* ”

“I’m a freshman.”

“‘When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.’

- John Muir, conservationist”

“How did you guys become friends?”

Lenna: “I met Elias in middle school, but we’ve gotten to know each other more through ultimate, which is also where I met Gideon.”

Gideon: “I met Elias through band.”

Elias: “Also he is my TA in Latin.”

”What do guys talk about during lunch?”

”We talk about ultimate sometimes.
But lately we have been discussing the new Smash 4 and how it’s really fun, or different characters and how they’ve changed from brawl and melee or even PM.”

“The swim season is almost over and we got these amazing jackets that are super warm and that I can’t stop wearing. I’ll miss everyone so much.”

”What was your favorite moment in swim team this season?”

”Probably the Belmont meet and the team dinner that night. There was so much cheering and everyone was so supportive of each other during the meet; our team showed Belmont that we’re fierce and we won’t go down without a fight and that we have good sportsmanship. Even though we lost, everyone was so cheerful at team dinner and we were making t-shirts. It was so amazing and bonding and we all had so much fun eating (stuff that we shouldn’t have been, such as cupcakes).”

“I’m well past the point where I’ve gotten over my height as something can upset me. I’m now at the point where I’ve realized my height (or lack thereof) has shaped me as a person, mostly in good ways, including an ability to laugh at myself, and a striving to make others laugh. A gnome (not a Smurf, dammit), costume just seemed perfect. Also, Travelocity offered me a 10% on my next booking through them...”

“‘Most smiles are started by another smile.’

- Frank A. Clark”

“C’mon it’s only 25 cents, you know you want to.”

“On the outside she is covered in quills, a real fortress, but my gut feeling is that on the inside, she has the same simple refinement as the hedgehog: a deceptively indolent little creature, fiercely solitary—and terribly elegant.”

~ Muriel Barbery, “The Elegance of the Hedgehog”

“I’ve been asked many times why I would ever want to be a teacher. And I understand the confusion to some extent… I won’t pretend it’s an easy job to do! But I feel so blessed that I get to spend each day building relationships with a group of amazing students, experiencing the depth and richness and uniqueness of each of my students’ identities, and being challenged and inspired to grow as a person myself. I love that I have the opportunity every day to play even the tiniest role in helping lay the foundation for each student to go off into the world after high school and pursue a bright, fulfilling, meaningful future. And of course I love that I get to spend every day sharing fun and exciting math with my kids! LHS is such a special place, and we’re all so fortunate to work and learn here; I wish we could more often look past the stresses inherent to the work we do as students and educators, to see the beauty and goodness in our community and in each individual around us.”

“I think the most important thing in education, in life really, is our relationships with other people. One way that I try to live this philosophy is to make sure that everything I say to people is both true and kind. And if I want to say something that isn’t one of these, I rethink why I want to say it in the first place.”

“How do you cope with stress?”

”I proactively balance my life with things outside of homework like talking to friends and going to dance class.”

”Which type of dance do you do?”

”Ballet and jazz!”

“‘Accept who you are. Unless you’re a serial killer.’

- Ellen DeGeneres”

“Always be a little kinder than necessary.”

“‘You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.’

- Robin Williams”

“‘Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.’

- Anonymous”

“Going into high school can be scary and nerve racking, but if you make it, can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. What makes it so great are the relationships that you create during the confusing, stressful mess that is high school. They are what get you through, remind you what is really important, and make you laugh... A lot. We met my freshman year, first in basketball, and then coincidentally again in improv class. Since then there have been an abundance of inside jokes, clown nose selfies, and laughs. What we are saying is that, happiness, laughter, and life are only meaningful when shared.”

“I’m grateful for what LHS has to offer. As tough as the courses are, some are pretty interesting and there are times like PE class where I can relax from the stress of school. The number of clubs that you can join is mind-boggling. The boys tennis team has connected me with other guys who share the same passion as me. I’ve met so many amazing people. There isn’t a single thing I would trade my experience for.”

“A lot of times when people find themselves in less than ideal situations they focus on what’s not going right and forget to count everything that is. When I’m in a tough situation I try to take a step back and count all the blessings I have at the moment. It makes you realize you might actually overcome your situation and things will work out in the end as long as you take things one step at a time.”

“Lalala”

“If you could give one piece of advice to the freshman/sophomore/junior/senior class, what would it be?”

”I guess there a lot of things I could respond to that with, but I think the most important is how much it matters to be aware in high school; of yourself, of others, and of the many opportunities available to you. Though it’s easy to become concerned with things that don’t necessarily matter in school, you should always remember why you go there in the first place: to better yourself as a student and as a person. I really struggled with focusing on what mattered during my freshman year, but I gradually saw things more clearly and I’m thankful for it. I believe that if you focus on yourself first, everything else has a way of falling into place. It worked for me.”

“Live life with no regrets.”

“This bench really ‘blue’ me away.”

“A lot of people at LHS can get pretty caught up in whether they are good enough in school, or sports, or whatever they’re involved in. My older brother has Down syndrome, and he’s never going to go to an Ivy League or run a company. His life is meaningful because of the pride he takes in his work and the relationships he has. He gives amazing hugs and is always quoting Disney songs! Having him in my life definitely keeps me grounded when I’m stressing about grades or college. I think all of us sometimes need a reminder that the worth of a person isn’t defined by our achievements.”

“I love Humans of LHS! To me, it embodies and is an example of how the tide is turning towards optimism, positivity and mindfulness. When people talk about “LHS” or “Lexington,” they are taking away the human and personal aspect of our school and community - “LHS is so stressful” or “only in Lexington.” LHS is a building and Lexington is a town, but we are comprised of people - adults, students, faculty and staff. As people, I see us really making an effort to reduce stress, empower ourselves and encourage each other to make healthier choices, and look towards happiness. From Humans of LHS, lunch in the Zen Garden, the communal camp out in the quad senior prank, wellness programs, faculty merry pranksters, Stress Reduction Day, the Unwind to Boost Your Mind Campaign, etc., people are coming together in formal and informal ways to collaborate, have fun, and support each other. I hope this trend can continue and become truly embedded in how we operate. Keep up the great work, y’all!

’We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.’ - Thich Nhat Hanh”

“‘Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.’ - Franklin D. Roosevelt”

“‘I love the sun but don’t have the time to get a good tan and keep it year-round, so I am a huge fan of tanning products.’ -Kim Kardashian”

“I’ve known her since the awkward days of my freshman year and have always looked up to her...we sing together and are the best of friends, and I honestly can’t fathom that she’s about to graduate.”

“Ruh roh raggy!”

“‘The past is a ghost, the future a dream and all we ever have is now.’ -Bill Cosby”

“Luke, I am your father.”

“High school was a challenge, but I loved every second of it.”

“Très chic.”

“He’s on track to a bright future.”

“I believe that teaching is an act of love. You have to love your subject, of course, but you must also love teaching and learning. You teach your students, but they teach you, too: you learn from each other. That’s one of the best parts of the job. But above all, teaching means a love for the students that come through your classroom. I try to teach with a lot of love, and the truth is that for every bit of love I give, it comes back to me a million times over. I am so grateful to be in a place that reminds me of that every day.”

“People always tell me that I’ve got my priorities backwards. Last week, I missed two full days of school (one with MCAS, which I had go miss more school to make up) and pretty much my entire weekend for orchestra rehearsals. If I said that I stayed on top of my schoolwork for those four consecutive days, and that I didn’t suffer Sunday night from accumulated stress and sleep deprivation, it would be a lie- but even with the time constraints of an LHS student, I wouldn’t trade playing the oboe for the world. Had I given it up, I don’t think I would have been able to survive this far at LHS without music to save me, anyway.”

“I’ve made the world my own; you should make it your own, too!”

“Friends are for accepting people for their differences, being a support system, and of course, having fun. That’s how we came together.”

“Friends not lovers. He’s a ballet dancer she interpretive dances. It wouldn’t work out anyways.”

“The way I try to live my life is to be the best possible person I can be. I’m certainly not perfect, and neither is anyone else. But if we don’t work toward that ideal, we get stuck in a rut. We march toward that ideal with kindness, openness, understanding, generosity of time and talents, standing up for what is right, fighting for those with no voice, challenging our prejudices and preconceptions, and not allowing anything to hold us back. I want to actively enjoy life, instead of standing on the sidelines and letting it pass me by. I want to be able to look back on my life and be proud of how I lived it. I strive to be a positive force in the world, and if I can do that, even if only in the cumulative effect of small actions, then I think I can do myself proud.”

“The secret to the clarinet is silence.”

“Today, most people seem to feel threatened by those who question ‘the way things are.’ Yet, looking back on history, most people celebrate those who fought to change ‘the way things were.’ History should teach us to be skeptical, not accepting, of the status quo. We should challenge what we know and resist the inertia of the familiar. We need to disobey those who tell us that we’ve come far enough, that we’ve reached the end of progress. Stand up! Raise hell!”

“Acceptance is the best gift you can give.”

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so do what you love and let no one hold you back.”

“ ‘Be the change’ - Gandhi”

“We met and have been friends since fourth grade. I still remember that she had these ruby studded glasses that I absolutely loved.”

“The friends and memories we’ve made are the most valuable aspects of our experience at LHS, and we are cherishing every moment together now that our time here is winding down.”

“After four years at LHS, I’ve learned one important fact: don’t sweat the small stuff. Really, it sounds so cliché, but everything will work out in the end.”

“I am truly thankful to have spent my academic years at LHS. This wonderful community is filled with such great, kind people who strive to reach their goals and I’ve learned a lot from them. I love this town, and always will.”

“Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”

“Thug life.”

“It’s so easy to get lost in grades and college, even when you’re only a freshman. Sometimes I forget about what I really like to do and why I enjoy it... but then again that’s what I have procrastination for.”

“I have synesthesia, which means I see letters and numbers in color. A lot of people ask me if it’s distracting or annoying, but it’s pretty great; it’s like seeing rainbows every time I read.”

“Sometimes, miracles can occur when you just change your mindset. A little tweak in the way you think.”

“Find something you love to do, and do it.”

“People like to ask me if I’m feminist, and usually I’ll say that I’m feminist by necessity, not by choice. In the fields I spend a lot of time in, aviation and robotics, if you don’t stand up for yourself you’ll get chased out before you even realize you’re the only female there. Engineering is less than 10% women, and aviation less than 6%. So basically, I became a feminist because I want to be who I am and dress how I want without getting treated any differently.”

“Be happy and enjoy robotics!”

“I love you 5ever.”

“If I were to gel my hair in a spike, I could be a rhinoceros.”