Life of a Wildcat

What is Life of a Wildcat?

Life of a Wildcat is our school-wide brand for programs and activities focused on student health and well-being.

What is the history?

In the fall of 2015, a focus group of 40 juniors and seniors, 20 staff members, and 5 parents gathered to learn from performance science expert, John Underwood, founder of Life of an Athlete - Human Performance Project. The driving question of the day was "Do we want to promote this approach to inspiring healthy living and high performance at LHS?" The response was a unanimous YES. 

That spring (2016), a larger audience of juniors and seniors met with Mr. Underwood to understand how focusing on the lifestyle habits of sleep, stress management, nutrition/hydration, and substance free living profoundly influences academic, athletic, and artistic performance.

The summer of 2016, 20 members of the Class of 2017 attended a local conference at the Loyola University Conference Center in Woodstock, IL with three other schools. These students came up with the name of "Life of a Wildcat" as well as the focus of "Happier Healthier, & Higher-Performing" and set forth plans to begin to bring the mission of inspiring healthy choices to LHS.

The Class of 2017 senior class launched Life of a Wildcat information to freshmen in Link Crew, extended their reach to the junior class, and began annual visits to feeder middle schools to prepare 8th graders for how their lifestyle choices can enhance their lives as high school students.

The Class of 2018 launched greater visibility to mental health through Yellow Ribbon Week and to substance-free living through Red Ribbon Week. They also brought performance science to the Paw Street Journal, our bathroom stall newsletter.

Subsequent years have featured expanding awareness of performance science through Freshman Athletic Orientation, Link Crew, 2nd Period Wellness Leaders, the evolving Paw Street Journal, Yellow & Red Ribbon Weeks, middle school outreach, and more.

In 2021, Life of a Wildcat leaders focused on creating 1) Wildcat Summit, a student-led event focusing on Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships, and Healthy Discourse and 2) Wildcats Rise, a wellness-focused club that meets throughout the school year.

In 2023, the Senior Wellness Board voted for Life of a Wildcat to become the "brand" of all things wellness at LHS.