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The Leelanau Kitchen: Where Family Nourishes Family

The Leelanau Kitchen: Where Family Nourishes Family ABOUT A 3 MINUTE READ –  Each and every morning, when I walk into the dining hall to grab my fork and spoon, I see the smiling faces of Melissa, Katlyn, Alex, Zoe, Kate, or Jen. You can see it in those kind eyes of theirs, they truly love feeding us. Likely because they know they’re not just nourishing our bodies. You see, it’s much more than that. They’re showing us their love by creating beautiful meals which fuel our minds, bodies, and spirits. Whether it’s the predictability of “Half a Waffle Wednesday” or the fun curveballs they throw at us at lunch like chicken tikka masala and chickpea curry, we always leave the dining hall feeling full in more ways than one. A recent hit which served up a homerun was brinner, or breakfast for dinner. Students came in by the droves to scarf down extra helpings of biscuits and gravy, hash browns, and of course, waffles with whipped cream.  The detail the kitchen staff puts into each meal does not go unnoticed. During snack time we get a variety of...

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Alive and Electric: Students Return from Málaga, Spain

Alive and Electric: Students Return from Málaga, Spain ABOUT A 4 MINUTE READ –  “You really have to step out of your comfort zone if you want to enjoy another culture. If you don’t open up, you’ll close your opportunity to learn. When we fear things that are different, people may try to distance themselves. But in Málaga, Spain, you couldn’t do that because you were surrounded by a new experience everywhere you looked. There are things in certain countries you will not enjoy, but if you push through, you’ll find so many that you do,” said Senior David Best.  Ten Leelanau students recently returned from Spain – a trip of a lifetime. While the trip was planned meticulously for them, it’s pretty vital to point out that our students experienced everything so fully because they were open to it. Our hope is that learning and living The Leelanau Way helped prepare our students to do exactly what David said – to get out of their comfort zone to get the most out of life. And it’s the students’ brave leaders, Señora Melissa Ellsworth and Mr. Cris Piña who...

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Once Upon a Time: The Leelanau Story

Once Upon a Time: The Leelanau Story ABOUT A 2 MINUTE READ –  Long, long ago, a small but mighty school was created along the sandy shores and great blue waters of Lake Michigan. Nestled among tall pines and sturdy oaks and hugging the banks of a Crystal-clear river, students traveled from near and far to this magical spot in search of new and creative ways of learning from teachers of great cheer and understanding… Opening up a young learner is much like turning to the first page of a new novel. You know there will be adventure. You expect there will be drama. Twists and turns will thicken the plot, and missteps complicate the situation. You begin to connect with the characters and grow with them throughout the chapters. You hope for an inspiring journey and applaud a satisfying ending. With a really good book, you can’t wait for the sequel.  The Leelanau School has been turning these pages for more than nine decades. Our main characters – faculty and students alike – are rich with intrigue, humor, complexity, and resilience....

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Sensory Memories: Pancakes, Syrup, Cedar, and Love

Sensory Memories: Pancakes, Syrup, Cedar, and Love ABOUT A 2 MINUTE READ –  I stepped into Leelanau’s Student Center for the first time in 1988. I was a counselor at a neighboring school, and I had been invited to visit Leelanau by the admission director, my new friend, and a fellow member of our Midwest Boarding School organization. It was a toasted cheese Tuesday, and to this day, I can still remember the smell of warm, gooey sandwiches and the sound of laughter in the dining hall. I was struck by the comfortable, casual atmosphere and the mix of students and faculty at tables. The room felt like home and gave me an immediate feeling of community. What an honor to dine in this space today as a member of the Leelanau family. This sensory memory of mine popped up last month when Gretchen Knoblock ‘82 shared a reflection with Leelanau’s Board of Trustees and our Facebook followers. “I believe in the Leelanau School, what it stands for, and how it forever changes the lives of the students that pass through its portals. I want that to continue… the...

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From Acorn to Oaks: A Lesson in Gratitude and Growth

From Acorn to Oaks: A Lesson in Gratitude and Growth ABOUT A 1 MINUTE READ –  It’s that time of year when the crimson and gold leaves of northern Michigan have danced to the ground and lie damp on our paths. Pine needles carpet the grass, trails, and boardwalks. As we stroll the campus, our feet crunch acorns because there are so many we simply can’t escape them. Many of these acorns will be devoured by chipmunks, blue jays, or squirrels. But don’t worry, those acorns left on the ground during the darkest months of winter will be busy with purpose and potential. Purpose and Potential… This fall, we rode mountain bikes, waded in the river, played with fire in metals class, created music, read books, and paddled upstream and down. We studied the stars, Spanish, read about the Trinity bomb testing, memorized mathematical equations, examined sustainable living practices, and so much more.  But what we gained this semester cannot simply be measured in activities and classwork. We learned plenty in and out of the classroom. Above all, we...

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