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The school year at Lake Forest Academy began the morning of Aug. 22 with handshakes – a lot of them.

Almost 120 faculty and staff shook hands with 426 students at the All-School Handshake, a tradition now in its 24th year.

“We wish each other well for the upcoming school year,” said Grace Kim, assistant dean of communications. “Some say ‘Happy New Year.'”

The students line up around the Formal Gardens and Head of School John Strudwick flipped a coin to decide whether to start off to the left or right. For the next 75 minutes, everybody is shaking hands.

“Classes officially begin when the event ends,” Kim said.

Lake Forest Academy students, faculty and staff line up around the Formal Gardens for the traditional All-School Handshake.
Lake Forest Academy students, faculty and staff line up around the Formal Gardens for the traditional All-School Handshake.
Student Ian Strudwick hugs his dad Head if School John Strudwickduring the All-School Handshake at Lake Forest Academy.
Student Ian Strudwick hugs his dad Head if School John Strudwickduring the All-School Handshake at Lake Forest Academy.

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