Friendships and feeling connected: among the most important aspects of the school experience and children rely heavily on their close friends during these formative years. In fact, sociologists note that the influence of peers can be even stronger than family during the teen years.

We understand the importance of students developing close relationships. It’s very normal for them to depend on friends for fun, guidance, advice, and even inspiration.

I am amazed by how LCC friendships tend to grow, blossom and carry on. In fact, endurance tends to be a notable quality of LCC friendships. They begin with sharing classroom experiences and a host of activities. Our students enjoy countless hours of social time together and share incredible stories about competitions, tournaments, and memorable field trips.

What we witness in our graduates—“young,” “old” and somewhere “in between”—is that experiences as teenagers at LCC are more than formative; they often define core friendships that last a lifetime.

This coming weekend we host our annual LCC homecoming event, LIONfest with more that 250 graduates returning to campus for dinner and festivities. At LIONfest we focus on the graduates celebrating anniversary years—10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 years—and they will come in large numbers, and many will travel great distances to return “home.”

In fact, our two oldest living graduates are going out of their way to attend this event as they both feel a strong connection to LCC. Both 96 years of age and from the Class of 1932, they are excited about returning to campus, to see “their school.” One is even travelling from as far away as Vancouver with his son, who is also an alumnus.

This takes the significance of friendship and connection to school to a completely different level. In addition to providing an excellent academic foundation, LCC helps students form relationships that will last a lifetime. What a great privilege for us all! —Chris Shannon, Headmaster (Pre-U ’76)