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Student Spotlights

student playing guitar

Getting to know Jez from Brookline who started LPS in December of 2020.

 

 

What is your favorite class or subject and why? 

My favorite class is P.E. because I love playing sports and being active.

 

Who is your favorite teacher and why? 

My favorite teacher is Jon W. because we're reading interesting books and because we also read one of my favorite stories, The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe.

 

Do you have a favorite memory from LPS? 

My favorite memory from LPS was when I was in the middle school drama club and I had a solo for my part.

 

Tell us about an accomplishment you are proud of. 

An accomplishment I'm proud of is making it half way through High School.

 

What do you like about LPS? 

I love the LPS community, my friends, the after school programs and the subjects.

 

Can you share a time that something was really hard but you overcame it? 

Something that was hard for me was when my pet bunny Fezzik passed, he was like my best friend and part of my family and it was hard to move on from it but knowing that he's still watching over me gave me faith to move on.

 

Can you share a book or story that you love? What do you like about it? 

My favorite story is called The Goose Story, it's about teamwork and helping others when they need it. 

 

What advice would you give to younger students about school? 

Advice I would give to younger students is to not give up, as you go through Middle School to High School the work may be hard but to complete it feels like an accomplishment.

 

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people may know about you? 

A fun fact about me is that I love to sing.

 

What is your favorite activity/hobby/sport that you do in or outside of school? 

My favorite hobby is creative writing and my favorite sport is basketball.

 

Do you have a favorite animal or a pet at home? Tell us about them. 

My favorite pet is my cat Pixie, she's a tabby cat that loves to hangout with people and always runs to the door to greet me when I come home from school.

 

Tell us about any community service or volunteer activities you have or currently participated in. 

I am currently working at The Food Project, which is is a non profit organization that helps to get people the food they need. 

 

Tell us about your family. 

I have a sister, mom and dad. My dad works from home, my mom volunteers at the Brookline Food Pantry and my sister is a High School senior soon graduating to Emerson College.

 

What is your favorite food or snack? 

My favorite food is grilled salmon and my favorite drink is Pepsi.

 

What are your goals for the future? 

My goal for the future is to become a well known singer.

2 girls standing at taylor swift concert

Getting to know Reese from Natick who started LPS this past August 2023.

 

What subject is your favorite and why?
PE - I like exercising, running around and having fun.

Can you share a time that something was really hard but you overcame it?
Transitioning from my old school to LPS, specifically because I had a very close relationship with my psychologist and it was hard not being able to see her. 

Can you share a story that you love? What do you like about it?
My favorite personal stories are my family New York Yankee trips - I get to talk to our family friend on the team, who is the pitching coach. Because of those trips, I like watching baseball now.

What do you want to be when you grow up, or what are your big dreams for the future?
I want to be a preschool or kindergarten teacher because I’ve always liked being around and working with kids, specifically little kids. 

Do you have any talents or hobbies you're proud of?
Soccer. I’ve been playing soccer since I was 2 or 3 years old. I just love soccer!

What is your favorite activity or game to play?
I went to the Taylor Swift concert and sometimes like rewatching the concert. I like to listen to her music too. I also like to listen to Tate McCrae and I went to her concert last September and just got tickets for this August to go again.

Do you have a favorite animal or a pet? Tell us about them.
Dog because I’ve always wanted a dog and I’ve been begging my parents since I was 3 to get one. I just love dogs. 

What is your favorite food or snack?
Starbucks - Strawberry Acai Lemonade

 

student holding citizen of the week certificate

 

What subject is your favorite and why?

My favorite subject is Art because I love making art.

 

Do you have a favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

My favorite teacher is Susan Sward because she is so nice.

 

Can you share a book or story that you love? What do you like about it?

I am currently listening to “Mouse and the motorcycle”.  I love listening to a chapter each night.

 

What do you want to be when you grow up, or what are your big dreams for the future?

When I grow up I would like to be an author, game-maker and artist.

 

Do you have any talents or hobbies you're proud of?

I love making art.  I like to sketch and have many sketch pads.  I also like to write stories.

 

Do you have a favorite animal or a pet? Tell us about them.

Some of my favorite animals are eagles, snake, and sloths because I find 

learning about them are very interesting.

 

What is your favorite season or holiday, and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get presents and things I like.

 

What is your favorite food or snack?

Two of my favorite foods are pasta and fish sticks.  My favorite snack is pretzels.

October Panther Profile, Mauricio Feloney Grade 11

 

What is your favorite class or subject and why?

P.E. – We play a lot of fun games like wacky kickball home run derby.

 

Who is your favorite teacher and why?

My counselor, Rachel – She has helped me a lot through tough times. And Dana – We read a lot of interesting books with her last year, like Tell-Tale Heart.

 

Do you have a favorite memory from LPS?

Meeting my friend, Matteo, during the new student orientation in the conference room. The first thing we said was “hi” to each other and the next thing you know, we exchanged numbers and our parents started talking, too. Our first hangout was fishing in a canoe with my dad.

 

Tell us about an accomplishment you are proud of.

Making new friends, like Cameron, Azar, Ryan, Davin and Brody.

 

What do you like about LPS?

They have great teachers and they are very supportive.

 

Can you share a time that something was really hard but you overcame it?

I used to play baseball and I was very scared of getting hit by the ball when I was younger; I wasn’t as strong. I overcame getting hit by the ball by going to the gym, getting stronger, and taking deep breaths before games. In our final game, I hit the ball and almost got a home run!

Can you share a book or story that you love? What do you like about it?

I read most of the Harry Potter series – it has a lot of action and entertainment.

 

What advice would you give to younger students about school?

It’s okay to be nervous; I was nervous when I came here. Take a deep breath and it will be okay. Don’t worry because we have great staff who can help you if you need help. If you need help, you can ask a student or staff member.

 

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people may know about you?

I go to the gym – I do arms, legs, back, shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps, etc.

 

What is your favorite activity/hobby/sport that you do in or outside of school?

Hockey – I’m on two hockey teams. I also love to hang out with friends.

 

Do you have a favorite animal or a pet at home? Tell us about them.

I want to get a dog one day.

 

Tell us about any community service or volunteer activities you have or currently participated in.

I had a job over the summer (paid) teaching kids how to skate.

 

Tell us about your family. 

My family is supportive and kind.

 

What is your favorite food or snack?

My favorite food is burritos. 

 

What are your goals for the future?

My goal in the future is to play college hockey and hopefully go to college.

 

Do you have a role model? Tell us about them.

I have a role model and my role model is my cousin because he has helped me start going to the gym and also he has been to one of my hockey games and he has been the best cousin I ever had.

September Panther Profile: Makayla Brasier, Grade 5

 

What subject is your favorite and why?

Everything because I like to learn.

What do you like about LPS?

I love swinging on the swings at recess.

Do you have a favorite memory from LPS?

One time, me, Nadine and Jen K. watched Simon Cats videos on Youtube.

Describe a friend or teacher who has been especially helpful or kind to you?

Everyone is kind!

Are there any talents or hobbies you're particularly proud of?

I go to Tumbling now every week and I’m learning how to do backflips! 

Do you have a favorite animal or a pet at home? Tell us about them.

I have a dog, her name is Ellie and she is an Australian labradoodle. She is about medium sized and we adopted on Thanksgiving Day! She is very friendly, loves people. I help take care of her every day.

What is your favorite season or holiday, and why do you love it?

Christmas! I love it because my birthday is around the same time, and I have two other cousins whose birthdays are also in December so it’s fun all being together. The best part of my birthday is making cake - I love strawberry cake with pink frosting. Last year I had a unicorn cake topper!

What is your favorite food or snack to eat?

Pizza crust. 

How do you show kindness to others and make friends at school?

Let out your light for other people to see and always “hi” to people in the halls.

11th grade student dakota flood headshot

 

Dakota Flood is a multi-talented 17-year-old 11th grader at Learning Prep who joined our school community in September 2020. Dakota travels from their hometown of Belmont to West Newton each day and is easily recognizable at drop off because of their latest vibrant hair color and anime-inspired fashion and accessories.

Dakota is a three-season athlete and participated in LPS Interscholastic Soccer, Special Olympics Basketball, and LPS Volleyball this year. Dakota is a strong competitor and looks forward to continuing in a leadership role on their sports teams next year. Dakota sees their participation on the sports teams as “a good way to meet other people” including middle school students.

Dakota is a member of LPS’ After School Anime Club which allows them to share their vast knowledge of anime, manga and cosplay. Dakota attended last year’s Fan Expo in Boston and looks forward to returning to the three-day expo as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle, Yuri from Yuri on Ice, and either Hinata from Haikyuu or Childe from Genshen Impact this August. 

Dakota started dancing as a toddler and took jazz, tap, contemporary and Hip Hop. During the COVID pandemic, they changed dance studios and decided to focus on Hip Hop. Dakota not only participates in Hip Hop classes two days a week, but also takes Ballroom dance and participated in a recent showcase with their instructor. Dakota is already developing ideas for their next showcase theme later on this year. 

Over the February vacation week, Dakota traveled to Panama with their youth group to complete community service work in tough physical conditions. A highlight of the trip was visiting the Emberá tribe which was “cool because we got to learn their style of dance.” Also, “everything they sell, they make on their own.” 

Dakota is a versatile artist whose talents can be observed in their contributions to the LPS Art Book, fuse bead artwork, as well as several resin projects they’ve created this year. Following the Student Council games event in March, Dakota observed that there were several students interested in playing chess and a limited number of chess sets at the event. Dakota then created an entire chess set and board out of resin over the April break for their counselor’s office to ensure that other students who want to learn or play have access to do so.

We look forward to welcoming Dakota back to our community this fall as a senior at LPS!

May's Student Spotlight: Alexa Domow, Grade 5

Alexa Domow is a 11 year old 5th grader at Learning Prep. Alexa is a new student this year only having joined our community in September 2022, and travels from Chelmsford every day. 

Outside of school, Alexa's big passion is dance. Since the age of 3, she has been dancing at Dancing Center Unlimited in Chelmsford and dabbles in all types - everything from tap, ballet, jazz and acro. Her favorite type of dance is jazz because she loves her teacher Ms. Maggie, and because she loves to dance barefoot! According to Alexa, the best part of dance is "being able to take a break from school and relax". Just last month her team performed at Disney over the April break (see photo), and she competed and earned the second highest ranking! Alexa is gearing up for her upcoming spring recital where she is excited to show off her Princess and the Frog-inspired Jazz costume. She will also be competing in Nationals on Cape Cod at the end of June. Some of her biggest fans include her cat, Charlie and her dog, Tessa; who will be cheering her on from home!

Outside of dance, Alex enjoys Girl Scouts, cooking, singing, and acting. While Alexa is new to Learning Prep this year, she has made great progress, and says she feels the most proud of being able to ask for help when she needs it. She also says that the best part of LPS is her counselor, Nadine.

LPS 12th grader student spotlight Hannah Pogoda

This month we’re excited to spotlight Hannah Pogoda!

Hannah is an 18 year old 12th grader here who joined our school community in 2013 and has been an LPS Panther for almost 10 years now! She travels from her home in Boston every day (but not before saying goodbye to her malti-poo pup, Lucy!)

Hannah is a big anime fan and has been a member of the LPS Anime Club since it first started last year. She is also an avid reader and enjoys walking to Newbury Comics after school to pick up new manga books, often stopping to get boba tea along the way.

Hannah enjoys outdoor activities, especially sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter. While discussing these hobbies, Hannah recalled a time when she was skiing and accidentally ran into a tree! She says this experience did not deter her from the sport and that she continues to love skiing each winter, such dedication! In addition to sailing in the summer, Hannah also attends Beyond Akeela, a sleepaway camp she’s been going to for the past two years. She is very excited to be returning this summer for her third and final year.

Hannah also participates in the Dual Enrollment program at LPS, a program that allows seniors to take a college course through Landmark College. Although the class is challenging, Hannah appreciates that it is giving her a glimpse into what college is like. This is especially beneficial since Hannah is currently deciding on which college she will be attending next year.

Hannah has been a hard-working, responsible, and dedicated member of our school community since she was in third grade and we are excited for her to take the next step in her academic career!

February's Student Spotlight: Cameron Sheerin, Grade 6

This month we’re excited to spotlight Cameron S! Cameron is a 12 year old 6th grader here at Learning Prep. Cameron joined our school community in August of 2022 and travels from his hometown of Cohasset, MA.

Cameron is not just a great student, he has a love for WWE and his family. Cameron is very active in afterschool activities.  He currently participates in the LPS After School Sports Club, takes Jitsu lessons, and recently began taking an improv class.  Watch out world! I am sure we will see Cameron’s name in lights someday!