Spring is almost here, and with it comes the realization that for Lehigh Valley Academy seniors, the school year is winding down and it's time to begin reviewing for the International Baccalaureate Exams, which occur in May. These tests are a culmination of the two-year Diploma Program that the seniors began at the start of their junior year and have worked hard and long to pass. Even those who opted out of taking the approximately $800 exams will be taking a version of the tests, as their final exams will consist of outdated versions of the assessments. Along with these exams, seniors are required to complete Internal Assessments in each subject, along with a 4,000-word paper entitled the Extended Essay and 150 hours of community service, to graduate.

Plans for the junior/senior prom have been in the works since the commencement of the school year and have begun to be finalized by the Prom Committee, which consists mainly of LVA seniors and is advised by Andrew Hall, a DP teacher. LVA's junior/senior prom will be entitled, "All Around the World" and will occur at the Hotel Bethlehem in the Mural Ballroom. As of the moment, the Prom Committee has decided on 12 countries to be represented at the event: Argentina, Egypt, England, France, Greece,India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Morocco, Spain and Thailand. Two fundraisers for the event have been organized, the first being March 21 at the restaurant Prime in Bethlehem, and the second occurring at a Five Below store, the date for which has yet to be announced.

LVA is having a Coffeehouse night to raise money for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome Program. Organized by the LVA HS Choir and Miss. Black, the music instructor, this coffeehouse night will feature performances by the LVA Choir and Dance Team. Members of the choir are Rayn Feeney, Rachel Luce, Eryka Sanderson, Jamie Vogler, Mercedes Smith, Eslyne Collado, Kimberly Batista, and Naiomy Hernandez. Solos and duets will also occur, sung by: Azairea Bronson, Rayn Feeney, Jamie Vogler, Naiomy Hernandez, Naomi Wilson, Ryan Kellum, Eliot Korb, August Koehler, Yismeiry Plasencia and Aleah Grimshaw.

Kimberly Bachert and Quanesha Johnson, LVA's guidance counselors, are organizing a Cinderella' Closet, which encourages staff and parents to donate new and slightly used dresses in an attempt to alleviate the cost of prom for the students at LVA. This event will occur March 15 from 1:30 to 4 in the LVA Fitness Room, where all donated dresses will be free and available for any high school student who needs a dress or accessories for prom. A make-up artist will also be present to advise students on hair and make-up ideas for prom night. Any garments which are not used during the day will be donated to another dress donation program.

LVA is hosting a blood drive, organized by members of the National Honor Society and run by Miller Keystone Blood Center, March 18. LVA is also participating in a Socks for Smiles campaign, where students, teachers, and administration can bring in brightly colored or characterized socks or personal items to donate to the Northampton Foster Care Program in an attempt to brighten up the lives of children in the foster care system. This event at LVA will span all LVA schools and is organized by LVA student Becca Busby.