Lake Forest High School athletes climbed 110 flights of stairs alongside local firefighters to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Senior Emmet Lee, the men's lacrosse captain, organized the event after sending an open call to LFHS coaches earlier that week, The Forest Scout first reported. Lee ran the same stair climb in 2025 with fellow senior Ollie Seiner and decided to expand it this year to the broader LFHS athletic community.
Multiple boys' and girls' sports teams gathered at Varsity Field by 6 a.m. They were joined by Co-Athletic Director Ronnie Wilcox, Lake Forest Fire Department Chief Andy Rick, Battalion Chief Eric Farr and Deputy Chief Chris Roberts.
The 110 flights represent the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers that New York City firefighters climbed on Sept. 11, 2001.
One moment stood out. Sophomore Spencer Morgan completed all 110 flights wearing his late grandfather's Highland Park Fire Department jacket. The school's official Instagram account called it an especially meaningful tribute.
Wilcox said the tribute carried extra weight because a student drove it. He praised Lee's vision for bringing students, the school and the community together, telling The Forest Scout it was "exactly the type of student leadership we want to encourage and celebrate at Lake Forest High School."
Junior Gracie Pruett, who participated in the climb, told The Forest Scout that the physical challenge reshaped how she understood what first responders faced 25 years ago. She called seeing their perspective and how much they risked "the most memorable part."
"It was so difficult to run 110 flights of stairs, but it was really cool to attempt it and work together as a group," Pruett said. "It was really eye opening."
Lee, who has committed to play Division I lacrosse at Cornell University, first ran the stairs last year as a smaller effort with Seiner. This year's expanded version drew athletes from across the school's programs and brought Lake Forest fire officials onto the field beside them.
