LCA Senior Leads the Way with Unique House Program

Dean Hester Video

(September 17, 2025) — Senior Dean Hester is leading the way in a new program that emphasizes friendly competition — but more importantly, service. Coming to LCA from Lexington Latin School, Hester learned early on that the “house system” used at his previous school became one of his favorite parts of his middle school experience.

“I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I got to LCA as a freshman. It kind of started to fester into something I wanted to do,” Hester said.

The house system is divided into six houses: Daniel, James, Joseph, Paul, Peter, and Timothy. The goal is to encourage service through friendly competition, such as seeing which house can collect the most food for the Christian Appalachian Project Hunger Walk — a need that has only grown over the years.

Hester, also an LCA athlete, said he’s seen this program impact younger students in a way that helps the idea of serving stick with them throughout life. He added that it’s also a great way to get younger students involved in campus life.

“It’s that maturity and spirituality that we want them to see. We want them to see seniors taking these leadership roles, being the hands of Christ, and showing them what it means to give,” Hester said.

While Hester said competitive spirit runs in his family, he believes there’s a greater reward than any first-place prize. The true prize, he said, is knowing that this service is making a difference.

“It’s not just ‘Hey, how do I look giving?’ but it’s asking, ‘What can it do for me eternally, and what can I do for others?’ As they see these seniors giving back to their communities, they’ll think, ‘Maybe I can do this. I’m not too small to give back. I’m not too mediocre in any way that I can’t have a massive impact on the community around me,’” Hester said.