LCS Northern Lakers Program

The gym fell silent except for the sound of sneakers on hardwood. Then the cheers erupted—not just from Curve Lake families, but from dozens of LCS students celebrating together. At that moment, I knew the Northern Lakers Program had become something extraordinary.

The Northern Lakers Program just completed its third year, and I’m grateful to have been entrusted with a leadership role. What began as Maureen Hodnett’s 2024 grassroots vision—connecting communities through basketball—has grown into a powerful program that brings people together through shared values, learning, and belonging.

At its core, Northern Lakers is about more than just the game. Over six weeks leading up to our culminating event, LCS students worked closely with youth from Curve Lake First Nation to build basketball skills, develop confidence, and grow on and off the court. Each Thursday night, the team ran stations focused on shooting, defense, ball-handling, and teamwork, while also incorporating reflection and relationship-building. These weeks were the heart of the program, offering consistent mentorship and creating a space where growth and connection could thrive.

This year, we focused on recognition—shining a light on the beauty of the Northern Lakers program and the incredible young people at its heart. Our new event, Northern Lakers Thursday Night Lights, created a powerful space where the kids could showcase their talents and passion for basketball with LCS students and staff playing alongside them. Seeing them on the court, cheered on by their families, fellow LCS students, staff, and campus kids, was a moving reminder of the program’s impact and the importance of the relationships it fosters.

We’re excited to continue building on that energy by inviting more community members into the program next year. This will help ensure its long-term sustainability while giving LCS students more opportunities to hear, understand, and uplift the voices of the wider community we share.

A huge thank you goes out to all the students who made this year possible. Special recognition goes to Henry and Cari, whose dedication and leadership were essential in keeping the program running smoothly. To our volunteers—Graeme ’25, Titus ’25, Addie ’27, Audrey ’25, Kaan ’26, Leon ’27, Jordan ’27, and Kenzie ’26—your time and commitment made a huge difference every Thursday night. Thank you.

A massive thank you to the school as well for its continued support—especially for making our first-ever Thursday Night Lights event a reality. It took tremendous planning and coordination, so thank you truly to all the staff who played a role in making this new event possible. The event was a huge success, and we were able to raise $755, which has been donated to Curve Lake First Nation. Each year, Curve Lake plays a vital role in the success of Northern Lakers, organizing transportation, promotion, and so much more. This donation—now part of a new Northern Lakers Fund—will help support their continued involvement and may also contribute to equipment for their new sports court facilities.

This year, the Northern Lakers leadership team also had the incredible opportunity to visit Curve Lake First Nation in person to see firsthand the place where our impact is felt. We were amazed to see the beautiful new outdoor basketball court, a fresh soccer field, and the exciting construction of a massive outdoor rink. It was a powerful reminder that what we’re doing together matters, and that our partnership is helping fuel real growth, joy, and opportunity.

One moment that stood out to me was seeing the smiles on parents’ faces during the final game night. They couldn’t believe how many LCS students were cheering on their sons and daughters! Their smiles were contagious and made running the event a true honour.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this year, and I’m even more excited for where the program will go next.

Myers Mbonda ’26