CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER

When brainstorming ideas about who would be the best community member to speak at this year’s Lake Forest High School (LFHS) Foundation spring luncheon, Maureen Fitzgerald and her committee immediately thought of Mar’Quone Edmonds, also known as “Coach Q.”

As owner of Quest Performance Training in Lake Bluff, the Lake Forest husband and father of two has long demonstrated to his clients that confidence building is just as important as body building. His purpose in life and in business is to change lives and make a positive impact in the community he calls home.

“Life for Q is all about creating longevity for himself, and for the members around him to ensure years of wellness and a healthy lifestyle,” explains Fitzgerald, adding that Coach Q is the ideal person to speak at the May 3 Celebrating Excellence in Education luncheon at Knollwood Club.

Like Coach Q, the Foundation has a mission to change the lives of the people it serves. The nonprofit, volunteer-run organization has been working to support, enrich, and enhance the Lake Forest High School experience for students, faculty, and staff for more than two decades.

Last year when taxpayers approved the 20-year bond referendum, the community also committed to a major investment that will benefit the high school and its students for years to come.

“The taxpayer investments are like the bowl and the ice cream,” explains Suzanne Sands, LFHS Foundation’s immediate past chair. “We provide the hot fudge, whip cream, sprinkles, and the cherry on top of the sundae.”

It is these extra “toppings” that have made District 115 such an exemplary place to both learn and teach, especially as the Foundation has been able to fund the purchase of countless tools that help build student confidence and growth through hands-on learning, cultivating creativity, and providing real-world experiences, as well as by supporting student wellness.

From the Promethean smart board and cooking supplies needed to provide Special Education students with important life skills to the industry-grade CRP Enclosed Plasma Cutter now being used in STEAM-focused classes and activities, the importance of the LFHS Foundation’s contributions can’t be understated.

Since 2002, the LFHS Foundation has awarded more than 300 grants across every department of District “By providing students with collaborative learning spaces, cutting-edge technology, and world-class materials across the curriculum—and at every learning level—we help prepare students for their future success” adds Sands.

These real-world experiences have included everything from the original Business Incubator curriculum to the tripods, microphones, and gimbals that help students produce high quality smartphone videos for The Forest Scout student news organization.

The Foundation has also funded equipment that supports the wellness of District 115 students, including multiple fitness room updates, new lifeguard equipment, and Automated External Defibrillator trainers to support the popular lifeguarding course.

Fitzgerald and Sands look forward to raising even more funds for the Foundation grants at the upcoming luncheon—especially with a guest speaker like Coach Q who supports and shares the organization’s vision of promoting growth.

“I chose the name ‘Quest’ for my gym instead of ‘journey’ because the word ‘quest,’ in its definition, says there’s an end goal,” Edmonds said in a 2021 Forest & Bluff article. “There’s a purpose to what we do. I believe that’s why I’m here—to help as many people as I can to be the best they can be.”

The Lake Forest High School Foundation’s Celebrating Excellence in Education luncheon will be held May 3 at Knollwood Club. For tickets or more information, visit lfhsfoundation.org.