Lowell Whiteman School

Janis is the third from her family to attend LWS. Her sisters Britt and Hawley were boarding students at LWS so it’s kind of a family thing.

“I have been coming here to visit since I was like 5,” Janis says. “I knew I was coming cause I saw all the great experiences my sisters had.”

She didn’t mind the academics. “I spent some time on AP (Academic Probation) but soon figured out how to get my homework done. The better you do in school, the more time you have to yourself.” Janis likes life in the dorms; she says she’s never bored, “There is SO much to do. I mean, look around. It’s beautiful here.”

Janis hikes, bikes, hangs with her buds, goes to the student lounge, and practices her art in the Art Studio. (She is a very good artist and has produced two covers for yearbook.) “I skateboard in the half-pipe, too.” she admits. “But, wow, the bruises you can get.” The park is a very popular place to be on sunny days. And in winter, the small ski hill with rails behind the school is full of daring students. “I have avoided the rails so far,” she laughs. “Maybe someday.”

Janis is a snowboarder but also is becoming a tele-skier. Jim Linville, one of her favorite teachers has been helping her “free her heel.” She is willing to try new things and so, is a favorite student to have along on foreign trips. When it comes to student life, Janis is a leader in “fun.” If there’s an obstacle course, she’s there. Even if it involves crossing the pond on a rope (a bit of a wet experience.) She is also the most enthusiastic Halloween participant and dresses up for Spirit Week where PJ day is a favorite – see photo. She is rumored to be the culprit in a number of harmless and funny pranks but we really have no proof of that, to speak of.

If there is climbing or kayaking to be done, Janis is there. It is not uncommon to see a whole group of boys involved in some activity and Janis. Like Paintball, for instance.

At left, Janis and Becca Lakin show off the beautiful fence they helped build during the LWS Horse Program. Skill building is OK with her. “Never know when this might come in handy in life,” she laughs.

Janis is also not afraid of the more challenging camping trips There was that Desert Week trip where it rained and rained and the only way out was to kayak. “Oh well, you just paddle,” Janis says. She smiled the whole time and had great fun, often raising the spirits of her fellow campers.

“That’s not challenging,” she quips. “Once, we even had to drink the dish water on a trip because there was no safe way to bury it – I think I ate a whole pot of leftover spaghetti that night. We couldn’t pack it out!” That’s a challenge, apparently.

Speaking of being able to beat the boys at things, Janis is involved with Student Council and led the charge with a “Fear Factor” activity involving pickled pigs feet. She won. “Yuck, but hey, it’s all in your mind as to whether or not you can stand something.” She was quite disappointed when she was not picked for the pie eating contest. “I would have won that one, but I had a pretty good breakfast. Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t win the draw.”

She is quick to make jokes and we love to have her around. The only sad thing is she has no younger siblings.