With present-day technology, it can seem like there is a constant flood of negative information in headlines, articles, social media and various places all throughout the internet. But it is important to remember the great aspects of life as well. The LHS students and staff below were willing to share the happiest moments in their lives to serve as a reminder of the beautiful and heart-warming events in this world. The stories from the students were gathered on an online form, while the response from Mr. Linden was collected from an in person interview.

Matthew Holmes: Grade 12

What was the best moment of your life?

I didn’t know it at the time, but meeting my girlfriend (Lauren DiPietro) was certainly the best moment of my life.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

It took place just before school started, at our workplace (Mariano’s). I was 17.

How did this event impact you as a person?

I feel, overall, I’ve become a much happier person. I also just feel so much more energetic and willing to push myself to become better. I thank the powers above each and every day I am with her; she completes me like nobody else ever could.

Jennifer Short: Grade 11

What was the best moment of your life?

Sitting in a family room at a friend’s house and laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

It was last year; I had just turned 16.

How did this event impact you as a person?

I had a very rough 2017 for various reasons, and my New Year’s resolution was just to be happy and make my happiness a priority. It was February and I wasn’t meeting that goal…it was in [this] moment that I knew I could be happy because I found people who also put my happiness as [their] priority.  

Emma Bloom: Grade 11

What was the best moment of your life?

…When I was volunteering at the WISH dinner by bringing the presents to the families’ cars and the father was so overjoyed about the two bicycles he received for his kids that he started crying. In that moment I really felt like the world was a good place filled with people that deserve the best.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

This was my sophomore year at LHS.

How did this event impact you as a person?

After that, I’ve been so excited about WISH and volunteering to help others. I love the feeling of doing good things for other people.

Alexander Michael Griffith: Grade 10

What was the best moment of your life?

The best moment of my life was on a school field trip as the sun began to set. My brother, a friend and I got on one last ride and strangers got on with us. I was nervous at first, but we had so much fun [that] we went with the same strangers a second time… all I can remember was having fun and an uncanny sense of friendship.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

This event took place at Six Flags during the last day of school, if you could even call it that. I was around 13-14 years old.

How did this event impact you as a person?

…Because it made me realize a few things. By doing a fun activity with strangers, it was my first tap into the idea of trusting strangers more as an introvert. By the friendly way they acted towards me, it made me realize that I was good enough for other people, no matter my lack of confidence and ample discomfort at the time. The final thing that I took away from it was that life was full of surprises and if I lived my life with spontaneity, I would find myself happier and maybe even give other strangers a similar experience. I will never forget it.

Larisa Slesers: Grade 10

What was the best moment of your life?

…Going to Latvia for the first time to see what my culture is really like and where I came from. I got to see so many beautiful churches in Riga and we drove around the whole country with 30 other kids from the U.S. and also Australia. We went to countless museums including a bread museum, an art museum and even a museum solely dedicated to the time when Latvia was under the Soviet rule. It was really cool to meet other Latvian kids my age from Australia that I share the same culture with.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

…The summer before my freshman year — I had just turned 14.

How did this event impact you as a person?

It has changed my perception on my ancestry and culture and made me realize how lucky I am to be a part of such a small and unique culture.  I have a deeper understanding of what my culture is really like and how I play a role in my culture.

Mr. John Linden

What was the best moment of your life?

The best moment of my life probably was the birth of our first son because my wife was in labor for like 24 hours. They sent us home twice from the hospital saying she wasn’t ready and then when he finally arrived, it was amazing.

When did this event take place? How old were you?

I was 32.

How did this event impact you as a person?

Well, once you have children, your whole life changes so the focus of our lives became not as much on each other as all of the sudden there’s another critter living in the house…Once you have children, they become the focus of your life. That changed everything.