Villeage Voices: New Ideas for a New Era

By Eli Lacey ’25

Eli Lacey ’25 is this year’s Lawrenceville School President. He is a captain of the Big Red varsity football team, co-founder of the Mixed Martial Arts Club, writer for The Lawrence, varsity wrestler, and has performed in Periwig Club productions for three years.

As Tsai Field House began to open up last spring, my friends and I would often roam the new facility. While we admired the new architecture and cutting-edge sports facilities, there was a sense of excitement amongst all of us. This growing sense of excitement wasn’t just felt between my friends and I, instead it was a shared feeling all throughout campus.

From the COVID-19 pandemic to the construction of Tsai Field House, Lawrenceville has been rebuilding. But, as we witnessed Tsai getting slowly pieced together, we were constantly reminded that we were at the beginning of a new era. At the last all-school meeting in May, the student body collectively sang “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers, and I could feel that we were welcoming this new era of Lawrenceville with open arms. Nearly everyone I have asked has expressed their excitement for the 2024-25 school year. With the promise of both a new academic schedule and facilities, it is easy to see why. But what brings me the most anticipation for this upcoming school year isn’t the shiny new basketball courts or the brand new field house, rather, it is seeing the connections and culture our student body will collectively create.

Last year, I saw our student body come together countless times, from the Fall Dance Series to the Spring Play and at countless sporting and community events. Now, with a new schedule that structures time in the day for students to take a break from class and spend more time with each other,  I can’t wait to see what ways our community will spend this extra time together.

How many intense pickleball, basketball and volleyball games will be played at the Big Red Park during community time? How many good conversations will there be? How many new friendships will emerge in just this hour and a half? But ultimately, these questions can only be answered by one person: you. 

An ideal community is a machine with many moving parts, and everyone gets the opportunity to contribute their part to create this beautiful collection of individuals. In the Lawrenceville community, you get out what you put in. The only way for you to really feel a part of Lawrenceville’s community is by getting involved in it.

My advice to both incoming and returning Lawrentians is to get as involved in the school’s community as possible. The more you contribute to our community, the more you will see just how amazing it is. Whether you love dance, theater, sports, or music, Lawrenceville has got a place for you. So write a Lawrence article, audition for Winterfest, play a sport, or run for office and I guarantee that you will fall in love with this community more and more.

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.