Harmony amidst the chaos: Rogene Brown KINSLEY ERNSTER
Chernock’s contribution: A welcome addition in the LHS hallways
LILY OSMUNDSON
What is LHS’ EL program?
ELSA BASEL
Student chefs of LHS
JOHN QUELLO
Final Destination: South Dakota
SARA MATHISON
Life in the F.A.S.T. lane
CHRISTIAN BOOTSMA & QUINTON HOLLAN
More than math: Growing toward a new challenge
MASON DEAN
The Gaga Grant: A new life for Rainbow
Project Sioux Falls
CHRIS TAO
Summer of the scrapbook BETHANY JESPERSEN
‘Sing Darkly at the Night:’ A local author’s new book
SAM REILLY
Tapped in: Student screen time revealed
OLIVER VAN BEEK
Senior signout
LOGAN SANBORN
Curing summer boredom
ALICE GERAETS & LILY STATEMA
“Summer” reading list ANNA BERGAN
2026 summer playlist
Father’s Day gift guide MALLORY SCHNEIDER
The inside scoop IZZY BOEVE
Makers Exchange: More than a store REGAN VAN MEETEREN
Caffeine crash: The hidden risks of energy drinks DENA TARRELL
A cut above par: Klawonn begins her coaching career LAUREN STATEMA
Passion and pressure: The reality of club sports OSCAR ERICSSON
A trip down memory lane JULIA HEDRICK & LUCY HENNIES
Eight down, zero to go NAOMI JESPERSEN
The third place dilemma HANNAH HILGENBERG
PAPER EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Quinton Hollan, Bethany Jespersen, Berkeley Newell, Dena Tarrell
ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Alice Geraets, John Quello
NEWS EDITORS: Brielle Kolling, Lauren Statema
FEATURE EDITORS: Isabel Gillespie, Lily Osmundson
SPORTS EDITORS: Sam Barnett, Jacob Wessels
ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: Hannah Hilgenberg, Lily Statema
PERSPECTIVES EDITORS: Izzy Boeve, Oscar Ericsson
STAFF CARTOONIST: Charli Fickbohm
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS: Khloe Dillman, Moa Hein
STAFF WRITERS: Elsa Basel, Anna Bergan, Ellie Boehrns, Christian Bootsma, Mason Dean, Kinsley Ernster, Eloise Geraets, Makayla Hamm,Will Hansen, Julia Hedrick, Lucy Hennies, Hazel Hughes, Naomi Jespersen, Catherine Jerstad, Vivian Kiesow-Knudsen, Sara Mathison, Harper Maziarz, Ellie Quinn, Ingrid Ready, Alonso Ramirez, Trey Raph, Sam Reilly, Logan Sanborn, Mallory Schneider, Nadia Schneider, Chris Tao, Ava Thompson, Oliver Van Beek, Regan Van Meeteren, Will Van Schepen, Bethel Woche
Adviser: Dr. Katie Kroeze
by ElliE boEhrns
Sioux Falls, SD has many healthcare facilities to choose from. While most people are arguing about whether Sanford or Avera is better, some do not have the luxury to afford them. To fill this gap, Midwest Street Medicine offers a helping hand.
As of 2026, there are 605 people living on the streets of Sioux Falls, and 43 of those are unsheltered. Midwest Street Medicine saw this problem and took action, entering the streets with medical and harm reduction supplies such as vaccines, condoms, Tylenol and Motrin that are common needs for humans. They also provide tests for diseases and medications that unhoused individuals may not have access to. Co-founder Dr. Melissa Dittberner, or Dr. Mo, sees this need for help when going out onto the streets of Sioux Falls.
“Often we were just someone trusting and caring who could help them set goals and a treatment plan,” said Dr. Dittberner. “Healing doesn’t start with a prescription. It starts with showing up.”
After having an interaction with a man on the streets with a missing leg, Dr. Dittberner saw the need for medical care; she
brought medical supplies, tests and even a prosthetic leg for the man. Midwest Street Medicine started as just a few people bringing supplies and has now turned into a non-profit organization with medical professionals eager to help the less fortunate. Showing up for the unhoused helps patients gain confidence to ask for help when needed instead of waiting until an ER is needed.
“You can be that person for somebody else who might really need you,” said Dr. Dittberner.
“Healing starts with human connection, and that’s something we can all give just by seeing the unseen.”
Unhoused people all around the world are walked past countless times a day with no one stopping to ask if they need help or love. A common stigma surrounding them is that they can easily get a job and pick themselves up, but this could not be further from the truth. It is not realistic to get a job when someone is lacking basic human necessities like food and shelter. Employment usually requires additional items as well, such as a phone, ID, bank account and home address. Trying to find a job without these may seem impossible. Through Midwest Street
Medicine, unhoused individuals can find support to stand on their own feet again. Instead of being scared, they are met with compassion and being seen for who they are, not their housing condition.
“You cannot pull yourself up by your bootstraps if you don’t have boots to begin with,” said Dr. Dittberner.
Midwest Street Medicine has gone beyond the streets of Sioux Falls, with Vermillion, Rapid City and Aberdeen all pitching in their support. Additionally, USD Medical students in Rapid City have volunteered to help and offer medical and addiction care to the streets of South Dakota.
Volunteers for Midwest Street Medicine gather to help the streets of Sioux Falls.
Volunteers for Midwest Street Medicine sit down and talk to a person in need.
During the snowy months, volunteers for Midwest Street Medicine still go around and help the unhoused population in Sioux Falls.
by Isabel GIllespIe
As of 2025, 17.5% of people living in South Dakota have reported experiencing substance abuse. That is almost 40,000 people, most of whom struggle to find the type and level of help they require. For behavioral health issues in South Dakota, there is a need for increased specialized health care, and The Link is here in Sioux Falls to fill the gap.
In the past, people who were found intoxicated were usually taken to emergency departments or jail, often facing criminal charges and occupying hospital beds needed for people with acute medical emergencies. There was a gap in care options for people with substance use disorder (SUD), such as alcohol and drug addictions, leading many of them to avoid seeking care at all for fear of incarceration or charges. Recognizing this gap in health care, the City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, Avera Health and Sanford Health have partnered to create The Link.
Established in 2021, The Link is a community triage center in downtown Sioux Falls that aims to help people struggling with SUD or nonviolent mental health issues and provide a safe and easy entry point into the behavioral health system.
“Our mission is to empower individuals to seek care and provide a link to the services that will help them thrive,” said Natasha Sundet, the current director of The Link.
The establishment is open 24 hours a day; no appointment is needed. Individuals usually stay three to five days and are medically supported and worked with by
staff to ease the transition to a treatment facility, if they wish. The Link also provides a safe short-term place for the intoxicated with 11 sobering beds. Intoxicated patients usually stay around six hours, and the beds are an alternative to an emergency room, jail or the street. Patients receive clean clothes upon arrival and their original clothes are laundered. In addition, they are offered safe rest, food, a shower and a talk with staff about support needs or treatment options.
By creating an environment centered on safety, respect and compassion, the Link can meet each patient where they are and focus on their unique needs to take the first step towards healing.
“[The Link’s] role is to ensure individuals receive the right care, at the right time, in the right setting,” said Sundet.
The Link provides care to adults of any ages. Many children and young adults know someone who is affected by SUD or mental health disorders, whether a family member, friend or trusted adult. Attaining knowledge of The Link and its services is a powerful tool to support and care for the community of Sioux Falls.
“By increasing awareness of The Link, youth gain confidence in knowing where to refer someone in crisis,” said Sundet.
Awareness is the first step to action. The Link is a resource available to anyone who needs support through mental health and substance abuse, and a place where that first action step can be taken in the right direction towards a community of healing.
by brielle Kolling
Frank Olson and Kuehn are two of the Sioux Falls public pools, serving as popular summertime locations for decades. As the facilities are aging, both will be undergoing major renovations. These exciting upgrades are expected to benefit the Sioux Falls community by providing advancements and new indoor spaces for all ages to enjoy.
After 50 years of the pool being open, Frank Olson is set to have the biggest park investment ever on the east side of Sioux Falls, totaling $47 million. The project was recently approved by the City Council in Nov. 2025 and is set to begin in the spring of 2027 with an estimated open date of sometime in 2029. After surveys and public engagement showed that there was heavy public interest in a year-round facility, city employees hope it will
be well worth the wait and investment.
“Frank Olson Park has been a cornerstone of the east side for more than 50 years and this investment ensures it will continue serving Sioux Falls for generations to come,” said Park Development Specialist Tyler Landry. “We’re not just replacing aging infrastructure, we’re creating a year-round destination that supports wellness, play and community connection for people of all ages and abilities. From indoor amenities, this project reflects what residents told us they want and deserve — modern, accessible spaces close to home.”
This new Parks and Recreation facility will give
Sioux Falls an indoor space that is not offered anywhere else. With access to an indoor pool, play areas and more, the new project gives the community much to look forward to. Not only are there major updates coming to the east side, but those on the west side have renovations coming their way as well, taking place at Kuehn Park. After 40 years, the Kuehn Park pool no longer meets safety codes, making renovations a necessary next step. The pool is getting a makeover, transitioning from a simple lap pool to including waterslides and a lazy river.
“The Kuehn Park project reflects the community’s priorities and creates a modern recreation
destination for Sioux Falls,” said Park Development Manager Mike Patten. “From the expanded aquatics complex with lap lanes, a lazy river, waterslides and a zerodepth leisure pool, this facility provides something for everyone.”
Whether on the east or west side of town, major changes are coming to Sioux Falls that all ages can look forward to. After decades of summer days spent at the Frank Olson and Kuehn parks, the community is finally getting some long-awaited upgrades that will serve the city for years to come.
LHS Jazz coLLective:
tHe purSuit of perfection
by Sam barnett
This April 7, 2026, the LHS Jazz Collective, the highest of the three jazz ensembles, received what might just be the best news possible: an invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. This achievement made history and is an immense honor that a South Dakota band has not received in decades.
The LHS Jazz Collective has tried for about three years now to get invited to the clinic. The audition process is simply recording a video of the musicians playing three different pieces of varying styles and sending it in. Then, a committee reviews every band’s submission and picks the top four bands to
perform at the clinic. This is a prestigious honor for the Jazz Collective to be invited to the Clinic, and it has only ever happened one other time, when Cresbard made the clinic in the 70s for concert band.
“It is the highest honor we can receive, because it is validated amongst the entire world…and here we are, a public school from South Dakota, getting to represent our program on that stage. I don’t think it could mean more than what it does,” said Drew Balta, the director of the Collective.
Now, at the peak of their recent success, they have performed well on the national level at several competitions, such as the Basically Basie Competition
at the Kansas Jazz Summit, and are well-known throughout the Midwest as one of the top jazz programs. The Collective puts in numerous hours of individual practice outside of rehearsal and extra rehearsal practice to achieve this level of excellence. They have always worked extremely hard toward attaining perfection.
“We’ve auditioned the last couple of years… we kind of just wrote it off as something we couldn’t get. We almost didn’t even send in our audition this year because we didn’t think we had any chance. I was surprised by the news, and I didn’t think Lincoln would ever be able to achieve this,” said senior trumpet player Ethan Ohling.
This will truly stand out as a significant moment in the LHS band’s history and will forever be engraved in not only the program but the school’s memory. The clinic will take place in December of 2026, which involves a conference of band and orchestra directors from around the world. The Jazz Collective will play an hour of music for a crowd of band students and directors. The students are really excited about this opportunity and are proud that their hard work paid off.
The LHS Jazz Collective is seen rehearsing during the 4b lunch period.
photo
by berkeley Newell, editor-iN-Chief
LHS is well known for its outstanding academics, sports and, of course, band program. From marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade just two years ago to competing annually at regional and national level competitions, the marching band is renowned across the country. However, just as award-winning is the entirety of the band program, which is looking forward to a rather large advancement in the 2026-27 school year.
Dan Sailer, the current instructor of percussion at Augustana University and assistant director of the Viking Marching Band, will be joining Daniel Carlson and Drew Balta as one of LHS’s band directors. Sailer specializes in percussion, making him the perfect fit for a program with an ever-expanding number of percussionists.
“Mr. Carlson and I are both brass players. We’re both very below-average percussionists,” said Balta. “We can help them to a certain level, but beyond that, our brass players are getting far better instruction than our percussion players are. And we wanted to attack that [issue] and fix that for those kids.”
In addition to being a percussion and band director, Sailer is also an LHS band alumnus and marched with Phantom Regiment, a world-class competitive drum corps, and was even a member when they won a world championship in 2008. Later, he was a staff member for Phantom Regiment. With his worldclass percussion experience, Sailer will be able to expand and improve the LHS percussion program, helping the 60-plus percussionists currently in the program to continue growing their musical skills. However, the directors are also taking precautions to ensure students do not burn out.
“Something new we started this year was that every single band period also had a percussion ensemble. And so that will continue next year, and then that’s where the percussion concerts are derived from. So, it’s a lot going on,” said Balta. “The first step [next year] is enhancing what we have… We’re very, very cautious not to burn students out, and we want to make sure we get as close to that line as we can without crossing it. So, in the immediate future, nothing will be expanded… As [Sailer] comes in and evaluates what we have and what we do, we’ll make a calculated decision of what is next.”
However, adding a new band director does not come without any challenges. In the already-crowded fine arts wing, one of the main questions is where Sailer will teach and have his office.
“We’ve had to deal with tight spaces forever here at Lincoln, and this is not a new issue to us, but it is a concern,” said Dr. Laura Raeder, the principal of LHS. “The ensemble room could go back to being used as a space. We also have a very beautiful auditorium that is empty most of the day. And so [the question is] what can we do with that space?”
While there are certainly challenges that come with adding a new teacher, the collective hope is that having a new perspective and an additional, very talented set of hands will bring the LHS band program to new heights.
“Percussion is literally the drumbeat and the heartbeat of the organization,” said Dr. Raeder. “So if we can get some support there, I think that’ll just elevate everything.”
Hwondered who keeps the band, choir and orchestra from crumbling into utter chaos? Well, tucked quietly in her office, within the ensemble room, sits none other than Rogene Brown, the mastermind behind scheduling, finances and all that is needed to keep the musical organizations at LHS running.
Though some may think it is a small job, it is anything but. There is an immense amount of time and effort put into this job. It is almost impossible to plan each musical organization’s events without overlapping schedules. So, to ensure that this will not happen, Brown plans months in advance. In her office hangs a monthly calendar that is color coordinated in order to keep everything organized.
Brown’s typical day work day is different than most. Since she is in charge of organizing band, choir and orchestra, her days vary greatly. Some days she may be making music copies for choir and others she is spell-checking the programs for the band concert.
“There is no typical day, because every day, there’s something that’s different,”
said Brown.
Brown takes on all of these responsibilities so that the directors have less to worry about and can focus on teaching their students. Because she is planning and scheduling for three different groups, there can be confusion.
“We just double-check things over and over,” said Brown.
Communication is key for this position. It can be hard to communicate with every director and all the students involved. When
students are involved in more than one of these groups, they have to make sure Brown knows so she can plan accordingly; it is not easy to make schedules that do not overlap for choir, orchestra and band. It can get confusing and impossible at times.
“We mark the calendar and just make sure everybody has the same information. Then, if they have questions that I can’t answer, at least I can direct them the right way to go,” said Brown.
With this position comes an extreme load of stress that can be overwhelming. To deal with the stress, Brown takes on tasks one step at a time and goes from there. If something urgent comes up that needs to be done that day, everything else gets put on the back burner for the moment.
“I like checklists, so as soon as I get something done, the post-it note goes in the garbage so I’m done with it,” said Brown.
For Brown, there is nothing she would change about her job, other than the fact that she wishes it were year-round. There is so much to be done in the nine months she has. With the marching band starting in July but her not starting work until late August, there is a whole month to catch up on.
Many pros and cons come with any job, but in this case, the pros greatly outweigh the sliver of cons. One of Brown’s favorite parts of her job is that there is something new every day and that it is never the same.
“It’s always something new and interesting, and I get to work with the kids as far as [my office] is the ensemble room,” said Brown.
ForDane Chernock, becoming a full-time school resource officer (SRO) at LHS is more than a change of scenery; it is a new adventure and a step into living his lifelong dream of being a police officer.
“It’s kind of tacky, but growing up, my dad was a police officer. He worked nights, and when he was home, I just remember how much I admired what he did. I knew the lifestyle, and I decided it was such a great profession. I like the idea of teaching people things, and that’s where my calling ended up,” said Chernock.
After graduating from Wayne State College in 2016, Chernock set his sights on becoming a police officer in Sioux Falls and began the rigorous, nine-month hiring process.
“It’s physical testing, academic testing, psych evaluations and polygraph testing. A lot goes into it,” said Chernock.
He then completed 16 weeks in the police academy, followed by 15 weeks of on-the-job field training. After those were completed, he stepped into his position as a patrol officer for six and a half years. Two and a half years ago, he accepted the position that brought him to LHS.
“I’ve been off and on at Lincoln for the past two years as the rover school resource officer. I was the substitute SRO, if you want to call it that. My job was to bounce around town, helping out other SROs who had primary
spots, like middle and high schools. I would assist Officer Drummond if he had something going on,” said Chernock.
Chernock was offered a permanent position at LHS starting in February and has been making his mark since. Since he has been an SRO for almost three years, he has four years of eligibility left, as specialty units—including detectives and park officers—have a seven-year limit.
“Once seven years hit, we have to go do something else; [we can go] back to the streets or we can promote. It forces us to change, which is fine with me! I want to give somebody else a chance to try this because this is a very rewarding role,” said Chernock.
Although he has only been in this permanent position for a few months, his ability to connect with students has already shone throughout LHS; his perspective towards enforcing safety in the school prioritizes connection and mutual respect.
“My favorite part is seeing kids, seeing the youth, not at their worst moment. Before I was an SRO, I worked five years on nights. Anytime I ran into a kid at night, it was probably the worst night of their lives or when they’re doing something they shouldn’t be doing. Here, this gives me a chance to see you guys at your normal,” said Chernock.
Being an SRO comes with huge responsibilities, including ensuring the safety of students and staff. However, it also comes with great opportunities to make an incredible impact on countless lives.
“I think it’s truly what you make of it. You can sit in your office all day and type away on the computer, or you can get out and meet kids and teachers. I’ve seen kids get involved and grow into good human beings that are going to go back to society,” said Chernock.
by LiLy OsmundsOn
Imagine moving to a foreign country, one with a new language, a new culture and a new climate, all of which are unfamiliar. This is the case for the majority of students in the English Language Development (ELD) program at LHS, also referred to as the English Learners (EL) program. The EL program helps teenagers who are new to the American culture and language learn English, alongside other academic studies. It consists of sheltered courses such as Sheltered Basic Math and Sheltered Basic Science but also provides opportunities to take more advanced courses in the program based on merit. Sheltered classes combine each subject’s traditional curriculum while simultaneously developing the student’s language acquisition skills. The classes are taught in English, with a specific focus on vocabulary and grammar, which helps to develop abilities efficiently.
and material they may struggle with due to a language barrier. In the coming years, a goal for the program is to shift its focus to more integrated classes, rather than classes with only Spanish speakers.
“It will be less sheltered courses…they will take all the classes that everyone else does, but they’ll still get that language support from the [EA],” said ELD teacher Ellie Geier.
This will allow students to be more involved in school activities outside their sheltered classes.
Similar to how students learning Spanish need to pass the STAMP test in order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy, English learners need to score above a five on the English version of the STAMP to reach proficiency. Last year, around 10 students proved proficient and graduated from ELD classes.
inspires me to want to
Students who are less proficient in English start with an emergent schedule, in which all those enrolled take the same classes. As they advance, their schedule becomes more personalized. Often, Spanish speakers who attend higher-level classes are accompanied by an English assistant (EA). They help the student understand content
Along with LHS’s EL program, there are programs similar in SFSD elementary and middle schools. However, at these facilities, kids in the program are more involved with the rest of the school, the direction LHS’s program is aiming for. Especially in elementary school, English skills are developed in small-group settings, so younger learners are not overwhelmed with everything at once.
Not only does the
program focus on academics, but it also focuses on the social and emotional challenges these students face. It can be overwhelming to balance an entirely new language and culture on top of the already stressful course load of a high schooler. However, the amount of education an individual had before coming to LHS can vary tremendously. In their previous home, some students attended class regularly, while others’ education was relatively limited. A number of the
adolescents involved in the program came from challenging backgrounds and migrated because of safety concerns or in hopes of better opportunities. Returning to school can be very overwhelming, due to their interrupted learning, especially in a different environment than they are used to. However, despite these challenges, students are passionate about their learning.
“You can tell that education is important to them, and they want to do their best. That inspires me to want to be a good teacher,” said Geier.
With an enrollment of over 100 people, the EL program helps not only their language skills, but also other aspects of learning. The teachers strive to be the best they can be, and the students reciprocate their efforts. While overcoming challenges, the students are invested in their learning and motivated to succeed.
Haveyou ever thought you are the high school equivalent of Gordon Ramsay because you made macaroni and cheese without looking at the box? Some LHS students have even more culinary skills than that.
Harper Martin is a freshman at LHS and began her cooking journey after being inspired by her grandmother.
“She came up with a lot of recipes for my parents’ wedding, and I use those recipes,” said Martin.
School also played a role in her development as a chef. Martin first learned how to dice and chop fruits and vegetables in her seventh-grade family and consumer science (FACS) class.
”I could not chop things for the life of me,” said Martin.
One of Martin’s favorite meals that she has made is shepherd’s pie, which is a pie crust filled with meat, green beans, corn and tomatoes,
topped with mashed potatoes. At times, though, making an extravagant meal is just not in the cards, so one of Martin’s go-tos is spaghetti.
by John Quello, editor-in-Chief
Taliyah Vazquez is a freshman at LHS, and began cooking after being inspired by her parents. One of her strongest dishes is her ceviche, which has rave reviews from fellow students. Fitting enough, it is also one of her favorite meals to prepare. Not all of her culinary know-how is natural, though.
“[A skill I have improved is] mixing good flavors and learning what goes well together,” said Vazquez.
Not all meals need to be extravagant, though. One of her gotos for a simple meal is either a ham or chicken quesadilla.
Declan Battey, a senior at LHS, was first introduced to cooking by helping his parents out when he was little. Another source of inspiration for
Battey was his decision to take both General Foods and Advanced Foods at LHS.
“[One thing I learned is] to be organized when you cook,” said Battey.
One of his top picks to make is baked ziti, which is a casserole-style pasta dish with marinara sauce, cheese and a meat of choice.
Emily Pillatzki is both the General Foods and Advanced Foods teacher at LHS. Pillatzki believes that there are a few staples that all LHS students should know before graduating.
“Tacos and spaghetti are good, easy meals to make that are delicious, especially in college too. Those are really easy meals that are also cheap,” said Pillatzki. “Cooking really allows you to take pride in what you eat… and be proud of what you make when you know what’s going into it.”
by Sara MathiSon
When walking around LHS, it is easy to assume that every student has lived in Sioux Falls, S.D., their whole life; however, that is not the case. More commonly than not, the majority of students at LHS come from a different background, country, religion, belief and culture. LHS is full of diversity. Of the hundreds of students who come from different communities that attend our school, here are just a couple who want to tell their story of how they ended up roaming the halls of LHS and their rating of Sioux Falls.
Leo Prunuske started his first year of high school here at LHS; however, he moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., in June of 2025. He and his family moved from Weston, Wis.. Unexpectedly, Prunuske says the move was less complicated than a typical move, mentally and physically.
“Life was pretty similar [in Weston, Wis.]. It was an odd feeling knowing that I was going to move, but I was never very sad that I was leaving. I was looking forward to new opportunities,” said Prunuske.
The reason for his family’s move was job opportunities for his parents; they both took positions at the new USD Medical School. After moving here, Prunuske joined the LHS basketball team, where he found new teammates and created new friendships. While playing basketball and attending school sporting events, he encountered the strong sense of school pride at LHS.
“My hometown was pretty similar to Sioux Falls; the main differences have been more people here and a stronger sense of school pride,” said Prunuske.
Unlike any other individual who moves away from their hometown, the thing he misses the most is his old house and the friends he made back in Weston, Wis..
Emerson Kurkierewicz is currently a senior at LHS, but initially started attending school in the Spring of 2025. The reason for her move to S.D. was a job opportunity for her father, Jason Kurkierewicz. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Jason took the new ROTC instructor position at LHS, requiring his family to follow him. So not only did Emerson begin a new school when moving here, but so did her father.
“I lived on the very edge of North Fort Worth, bordering Saginaw, Texas, which is where I went to school. It was very busy, as it was a part of the DFW metroplex, and there were always new people mixed in with the generations that have lived there for their whole lives,” said Kurkierewicz.
Kurkierewicz traveled around 800 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to arrive in her new hometown, Sioux Falls, S.D.
“Before I moved to South Dakota, I was very involved in a lot of sports, like powerlifting, track and field and cross country… I had sports practice every day. When the seasons would overlap, I had practice twice a day,” said Kurkierewicz.
Besides spending most of her time jumping from one practice to another, she loved hanging out with her best friend. Kurkierewicz and her best friend only lived a couple of minutes away from each other. They would hang out for the majority of the week and even be allowed to have sleepovers on school nights. In fact, her best friend is the thing she misses most about living in Fort Worth.
Ashlyn Doering is currently a sophomore at LHS and has been living in Sioux Falls, S.D., since 2021. The reason for her move to the U.S. was for two reasons: her parents’ jobs and the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I moved to South Dakota because of COVID-19 in China and the fact that it was really bad, and the government was threatening to close the borders,” said Doering.
Doering previously lived in Shanghai, China.
“Before South Dakota, I lived in a really urban city, completely different from Sioux Falls. I went to an international school, so there was a lot more diversity. Additionally, I would walk or bike around the city much more than driving around since cars were rare to own in Shanghai,” said Doering.
She found herself always wandering the city, walking from place to place because there was always something to do. Although she misses the urban-ness of Shanghai and the traditional food, Doering loves the sunsets and the friends she has already made here.
“I think Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is really calm, but there isn't much to do, and you need a car to get anywhere in the city,” said Doering.
BeforeSioux Falls had an established mountain bike scene, it had a few dedicated riders who felt the city could offer more. These riders then organized the nonprofit, Falls Area Single Track (F.A.S.T.), trails built by the community, for the community. F.A.S.T has been shaping the outdoor recreational experience in Sioux Falls since 2010.
F.A.S.T.’s first project, Leaders Park, served as a proving ground. Ben Bloomberg, F.A.S.T. board member and former president, stated that the park was an opportunity to show the city what F.A.S.T. was capable of achieving. Through volunteers and community support, the trail system was completed and continues to be maintained today. This project showed the organization’s commitment and reliability, leading to their continuous partnership with Sioux Falls Park and Recreation.
“All these other properties open the door for Great Bear because we proved that we could maintain all these other trail systems,” said Bloomberg.
After a prolonged fight to add a new trail to their system, F.A.S.T. has taken on its biggest project yet, Great Bear.
After Great Bear is completed, they will foster around 10 miles of multiuse trails. These new trails and their complexity have intrigued older riders and new riders alike to get back into their outdoor activities. As for the goal of this new trail, F.A.S.T. wants people to get outside and enjoy
their trails as much as possible. Great Bear will add a new and exceptional trail to get F.A.S.T. one step closer to their goal.
“It is cool to see how the sport has
grown in Sioux Falls. I would also say that on opening day last year. A lot of the old-school riders in Sioux Falls that disappeared for the last 20 years showed up,” said Bloomberg.
Since then, F.A.S.T. has continued to build and maintain trails around the Sioux Falls area. Some of their locations include Tuthill Park, Legacy Park and Yankton Trail Park. Instead of utilizing tax funding, the organization depends on volunteers and donations to continue its work. Its mission remains to provide highquality trails that are accessible to the public while strengthening the biking community.
The riders, runners and walkers have been key to the success of that mission. Bloomberg says that the best ways to contribute are to simply use the trails, bring friends and family along and donate when possible. Every participant helps to validate the continued investment and growth of these trails. F.A.S.T. is continuing to build something special, and they are not slowing down anytime soon.
by Christian bootsma & Quinton hollan, Editor-in-ChEif
A “coming soon” sign for the next phase of the F.A.S.T. trails.
More than Math
growing toward a new challenge
Eight years, one classroom, over 1,000 students taught, 270,000 minutes spent teaching class, countless memories, one proposal, one wedding and one baby. Freshman math teacher Taylor Stacey has, in his own words, “truly grown up” at LHS. And now, he is choosing a different path where he can grow even more. On May 26, six days after the last day of school, Stacey will begin his new job as a data analyst at Poet.
by Mason Dean
Why teaching?
While both of Stacey’s parents were teachers, he entered college unsure of his future but sure of what he was passionate about.
“When I went to college, I wasn’t too sure. I knew that I loved math, I knew that education was a potential path, I knew that I enjoyed people, and [I] felt a purpose to make a difference,” said Stacey.
Finding that purpose through coaching baseball is what pushed Stacey toward education. An ardent player through high school and a lifelong Yankees fan, Stacey coached baseball both in Watertown and at WHS.
“It wasn’t until I coached baseball, seeing that connection with kids and feeling like there’s an impact there, [did I decide] I do want to try [teaching],” said Stacey.
After graduating from Augustana University in 2018, Stacey immediately interviewed at LHS.
“I was just drawn to LHS [because it’s] the gold standard in this area. What really made me feel at home were just the teachers and the administration—the people,” said Stacey.
Stacey began teaching at LHS in room A118 in the fall of 2018 and has stayed there, teaching four classes of freshman math and Freshman Academy, every year since.
Why data analytics?
While attaining his first master’s degree in mathematics, Stacey wrote his thesis on the statistics of baseball.
“My area of interest was baseball statistics, doing data analysis and writing models. That’s when I became aware that that’s a career and a direction that I could go.
That’s when I started getting interested,” said Stacey.
The problems and challenges Stacey faced in writing his thesis fascinated him in the years to come, so much so that he attained a second master’s degree in data analytics, the key that unlocked a career. Stacey has taken a job at Poet, a sustainable bioproducts industry in Sioux Falls. He will face the same challenges he faced while making his thesis and face them every day. He will face a whole new set of challenges to overcome using his passion for math. It is a big change in his life, but he is taking it one step at a time.
“I’m just gonna try this. That’s how I’m viewing this career change. Just a new challenge. I’m openminded—I’m just gonna go try something different here, and we’ll see how it goes,” said Stacey.
Eight years
“Hopefully the most important part of class was truly never the math,” said Stacey.
In his eight years at LHS, Stacey has become a staple teacher at the school. As both a freshman math teacher and freshman academy teacher (meaning he has a dedicated class period to tailor academic plans for freshmen), as well as an active helper with just about anything around the school, most students at LHS will have met or interacted with Stacey in some capacity by graduation. Beyond what students see him doing at LHS, Stacey has also taught at the University of Augustana University, currently teaches at Southeast Tech and Lake Area Tech, attained two masters degrees while teaching, and recently had a child. In the classroom, he is
known for making otherwise boring algebra lessons engaging. He did all this with the intention of building meaningful relationships with his students before even mentioning math.
“The math was important, but it was secondary to hoping that [my students] felt like they could show up every day and have fun and learn. [I hope] that I showed I cared about [them], and I wanted them to do well, and I cared about them as people and who they were,” said Stacey.
Stacey’s emphasis on forming purposeful relationships with his students translates into what he sees as one of the hardest and most important jobs of a teacher— motivation.
“It’s not the math [that is hard]. It’s getting [my students] to believe in themselves that they can do the math. [Teaching is just] part motivating, it’s part believing in kids,” said Stacey.
By focusing on not just teaching students math but teaching them how to believe in themselves, Stacey strives to raise test scores and change mindsets—and he has done it.
“Coming into freshman
year, I thought algebra was not a fun class, but [Mr. Stacey] changed my mindset. [I] actually like math now,” said freshman Elijah Arriolacolmenares.
The invaluable relationships Stacey has made at LHS do not end with students. The rapport with the people he has worked with for eight years, the people he has “grown up” with, has been just as worthwhile.
“Taylor’s just a great guy overall. He is a good friend. He’s loyal. He’s trustworthy. [I’m going to miss] just talking baseball with him. Talking sports with him. Being able to go down the hall and just pop in anytime and share ideas or talk about things and complain about students,” said fellow freshman math teacher Jared Jansen.
Stacey’s time at LHS was meaningful and impactful, not just for the students he taught and the friends he made, but for himself as he grew into the friend, teacher, husband, and father he is today, confidently and boldly facing a new challenge.
“I wouldn’t have done anything differently,” said Stacey.
“It’s been the perfect first job.”
-Taylor Stacey
“You can count on one hand how many LGBTQ+ organizations are here.”
In Sioux Falls, that blunt statement is not a complaint but rather a diagnosis. According to the Trevor Project’s 2024 national survey of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people, 39% seriously considered suicide in the past year, and nearly half expressed a need for mental health care but could not get it. As the political climate in the U.S. gets more intense with state and federal legislation targeting marginalized groups, the need for safe spaces has never been sharper.
For the Morales family, however, the need was always there.
What started in 2023 as Gabriela Morales’s Girl Scout Gold Award project has now grown into a family-run nonprofit dedicated to creating spaces of inclusion geared towards mental wellness and belonging for marginalized youth, including both the LGBTQIA2S+ community and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). The catalyst of this project did not initially originate from the community, but rather something much closer to home.
“[Gabriela] started [the Rainbow Project] because she saw the lack of safe spaces that existed for queer people — because I’m queer,” said Angelica Morales, Gabriela’s sister. “I had come out to the
community, and there weren’t a lot of places for me to feel the safety I did at home.”
Using the word “difficult” to describe building something new in an environment that resists the unfamiliar is an understatement. Shortly after being incorporated in 2023 as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit and gathering initial partnerships with local community organizations like the First Congregational Church and SD Voices for Peace to host early events, they entered a period of dormancy throughout 2024. However, following the results of the presidential election at the end of 2024, the organization relaunched at the start of 2025 with heightened purpose and greater necessity.
“Because of what’s going on in the world in 2025, we told ourselves that we have to come back with this vengeance and that we’re needed,” said Florángel Morales, Angelica and Gabriela’s mother. “Safe space events for our organization don’t just mean fun and engaging things. It’s also that resource and support — the hard stuff as well.”
This reinvigorated passion transpired into a frenzy of action: recontacting old partners, applying for numerous grants and building toward something bigger in the community. However, just as the organization began to hit a rhythm, its primary financial lifeline disappeared.
by Chris Tao
“I lost my job,” said Florángel. “And then the finances stopped.”
This sudden blow was sharp enough to do something that a year of dormancy couldn’t manage; it forced a decision. For a small, family-run organization operating entirely on its own, there were no safety nets to fall back on.
“Our family is what you see; it’s just the three of us,” said Florángel. “We have no other support.”
However, financial footing was not the only odds stacked against them.
“The finances were only part of it,” said Angelica. “We weren’t receiving a lot of support from the community. I don’t know if it was because we were new… but engagement was difficult since it seemed like [people] knew each other and felt more comfortable staying within the groups they were familiar with.
By November 2025, a combination of financial pressures and difficulty breaking into the community led to a decision that was seemingly made.
“I said to [Angelica], ‘We’re just going to shut it down in December,’” said Florángel. “We’re going to write this letter saying, ‘Thank you very much, but it’s over.’”
Then, right before the year came to a close, a miracle happened: the Born This Way Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded
design by KaTie Kroeze
by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, awarded the Rainbow Project a Kindness in Community Fund grant that guaranteed their organization’s funding for another two years.
“The Born This Way Foundation grant made our decision for us, and [they said] ‘Hey, you’re not going anywhere,’” said Florángel.
Although funding was imperative towards the Rainbow Project’s trajectory towards success, only half of their problems were solved by it, but turns out, the grant had more to give than just money. Recognition from a nationallyaccredited organization changed how the city saw it, and suddenly doors that were not just closed but seemingly did not exist at one point opened through partnerships, local grants and more.
been taken for granted, as the Rainbow Project has undertaken expansive plans to incorporate in Sioux Falls, building out mental health initiatives that are rooted in the belief that wellness does not have to look clinical. This approach has taken shape in numerous forms, from yoga and meditation at The Joy Collective to a queer creative writing workshop at the Book Coop and other art and music programming events.
“We want to tailor what we’re doing to
taking care of yourself by moving your body and taking care of your mind, whether that’s through doing art, writing or music.”
During this period of seemingly endless possibilities, the next step for the Rainbow Foundation is a home. They have recently partnered with the House of Marsha, a new grassroots advocacy space co-founded by Jack Fonder, vice president of Sioux Falls Pride, and Amanda Kendall, owner of Painted Lady Tattoo. For the first time, the organization will have a space to call its own.
what the community wants, not what we assume they need,” said Angelica.
“We were being denied for local grants, but with a national grant behind us, we had so much more credibility within the community,” said Florángel.
This newfound credibility has not
• Ice Cream Bar/Social
• Cupcake/Cookie Decorating
• Game Night, Movie Night
• Arts and Crafts
• “Sleep Over”
• Spoken Word, Karaoke
In a culture where mental health is still often stigmatized, treatments and remedies that extend beyond traditional methods are that much more important.
“When you think about mental health, you think about therapy, and that can be really intimidating,” said Angelica. “But mental health is so much more — it means
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Art Therapy
• Reflective Writing paired
• with Meditation
“At the core of our mission, we are a safe space organization,” said Florángel. “But where we were weakest was that we couldn’t provide our own individual space.”
Weeks ago, the Morales family was writing a goodbye letter. Today, they are expanding faster than ever, driven by the quiet yet persistent proof that the community they were looking for was always there.
“There is community out there, and we’re finding them,” said Florángel. “Slowly.”
• Rainbow Sharing - For LGBTQ2S+ youth, teens and young adults.
• Transcending Binary - For transgender and gender non-conforming youth, teens and young adults.
the past; summer ‘26 is on its way with a colorful awakening. “Scrapbooks,” “junk journals,” “memory manuals,” “artsy albums”–however one labels a compilation of tangible memorabilia and photos–are the ultimate approach to documenting your sunny season joy. But how do you start your analog archiving journey?
It is true that social media has taken over this originally tactile hobby. Pinterest boards replaced magazine cutouts for inspiration, and an Instagram “story” is the modern equivalent of a scrapbook page. Though for summer ‘26, let’s bring scrapbooking back to its roots. The first step is finding your binding, otherwise known as a scrapbook album. A standard album has 12-by-12 inch pages held together by a spiralbound spine or three rings. This simple contraption of dead trees will soon become a capsule of summer sidequests, so purchase thoughtfully.
Next up: putting the “scrap” in a scrapbook. The necessities of curating a scrapbook include adhesive (a tape runner for flat aspects
espersen , editor -in-Chief
paper, scissors and printed photos (four by six inches or three by four inches). Each page of your scrapbook should have a specific mission, a story that can be told in one to four pictures. Do not overwhelm yourself with material— pick some pics, choose a color palette (pull from your pictures or select two to three main hues), determine your decor (stickers, souvenir movie tickets or old letters) and assign a title to each page.
From there, set your inner artist free…within the realm of reason. Begin by trimming a “background” solid-colored cardstock to the size of a page and fastening it in place. Then, plan your layout by placing the largest element/ photo moderately off-center (not dead center) and test out potential positions of the other elements around it. Also, decide how you will display your title (letter cutouts, handwriting, etc.). Depending on the mission of your page, a journal entry or written recap may help document the memories. When you’ve locked in your layout, finalize the page with your adhesive of choice.
bybethanyJ
design by bethany Jespersen artwork used with permission by Canva
‘SiNG DARKLY AT THE NiGHT’
A local author’s new book
by Sam Reilly
Everybodyknows Abby Berke, the freshman English teacher and girls’ soccer coach. But while she has made a name for herself at LHS, her husband, Chris (C.C.) Berke is paving his own way through writing books.
By day, Berke is an independent web developer who was born and raised in Sioux Falls. He attended the University of South Dakota, where he obtained a business management degree, and met his future wife. He is an avid soccer player, has two cats and is expecting his first child this summer.
By night, Berke is an awardwinning and self-publishing author. He has published three books over the span of six years. He runs his own company, Sodak Publishing, LLC, which has allowed him to write when he wants. His love for writing began in middle school, when he was given a blank hardcover book and told to create his own story. That moment would eventually compel him to start writing.
“I was always a big reader, and when I was allowed to write, I said I’ll just go for it,” said Berke.
His first book, “Man, Kind,” was released in December 2020 and would go on to win the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. The short synopsis reads like this: “The climate has changed. Pollution has sterilized the human race. Few stragglers remain.” His next story would be “Destination
Earth,” published in May 2022.
“Earth is a strange and alluring place,” read the short synopsis. Berke predominantly writes about speculative fiction, and his new story certainly does not hold back in that regard.
“Summer, 1971. Special Agent Kim Riley has been dispatched to a small mining town in Appalachia in search of three missing children. Alone. What she uncovers may run deeper than coal... and thicker than blood.” That is the outline of his new book, “Sing Darkly at the Night.” The book is about the first female FBI agent ever, whose first task is to find three missing persons. With the small mountain town against her, as well as some unnatural surprises, will she find the children before her supervisor runs out of patience?
These books are just the start of what Berke hopes is a long and fruitful hobby and possibly even a full-time job. And while the dream is to become a writer so that he can have an excuse to rent a cabin in the middle of Alaska to write, what keeps him going is the feedback he gets.
“I have a lot of good ideas, I love the process and I love the nice messages I get from people [about my stories],” said Berke.
“Sing Darkly at the Night” was released in April 2026.
Have you ever closed an app and then reopened it out of muscle memory? Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority of us have. For many students at LHS, smartphones are a big part of their lives. Texting friends, scrolling through social media, watching videos or doing homework are all parts of the modern screen time epidemic, but what does student screen time actually look like? A survey of LHS students reveals how much time they spend on their phones, which apps dominate their screens and the surprising habits behind their daily scrolling.
by Logan Sanborn
Graduation is fast approaching, and with it, a new wave of graduates will leave LHS behind. Seniors will split off into new directions, embarking on the journey that is adulthood. What they leave behind is a legacy of academic excellence, extracurricular leadership and school pride. Seniors set the tone for a school; they define its culture. Now, that responsibility is being passed down and the class of 2026 is signing out!
Education is important, but so is ordering the correct Starbucks drink.
In case I don’t see ya, good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night.
Nobody cares if you eat in class.
It really was never that serious.
I came here as someone unsure, and I leave as someone becoming. Jeremiah 29:11
Pick up your cross, not the world.
I’m not quite sure what I’m doing with my life. - Everyone
Don’t be afraid to try new things and always try your best. Never give up and believe in yourself and achieve your dreams.
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Tung Tung Tung SahBYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Get involved. That’s how you make lasting friendships and memories for a lifetime.
A heart’s a heavy burden.
It’s clocking to me.
If your friend tells you to join the wrestling team, turn back!!!
The cake is a lie!
I want that diploma.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you have to. Stay true to yourself and cherish every moment you have.
As the countdown to summer begins, people face the prospect of having nothing to do. Many resort to their phones and the comfort of their home on beautiful days, but not this year. Summer is the perfect time to rest, try new things and get ready for the upcoming school year. Here are some exciting, entertaining ideas to try with your friends and family this summer instead of doomscrolling on your devices.
This first book in a trilogy follows an East Coast summer and the developing romantic tensions between a group of childhood friends. The main character, Belly, is unable to decide which brother, Jeremiah or Conrad, her heart is leading her to. With such success as books, the trilogy was adapted into a show. This book leads to a whirlwind, back-and-forth plot that is tastefully written and will make your summer feel infinite.
This book tells the story of Persephone “Percy” and Sam, childhood friends who have had an intense secret kept them apart for the past 12 years. One cozy weekend with a messy reunion will set up their chance to resolve the past, but that is easier said than done. With extreme popularity, this book is soon to be released as a TV series. Add an unforgettable spark to your summer by reading this novel.
Centered around a massive game of “Assassin” played on a family vacation home, a week-long tradition paves the way for Meredith to partner with Wit Witry and form a secret alliance. Lying low and fooling around, secrets are uncovered and their pact starts to waver. How can two broken people come together? Narrated by Meredith, this story creates an escape to a fun-filled, adventurous summer of self-discovery.
Taking place in New York City, this story follows a screenplay writer, Elle, and Parker, a tech billionaire. Elle is facing a massive writer’s block when she moves in next to the billionaire bachelor. When the twos’ issues both have a common solution, the two quickly create a pact. But when their opposing personalities clash, but their moments create a connection, can it be ignored? This novel is refreshing and will bring the “city sparkle” to your summer.
by ava thompson
Music is a universal language, a go-to conversation starter and an ever-evolving and changing topic. Whether you are with your closest friends or someone you met just five minutes ago, music is a way to connect with people from all different walks of life. Having a playlist for every occasion and event is easily one of the most important factors in forming memories that will last a lifetime. From pool days to late-night drives, here are some must-listens to add to your summer playlist.
It can sometimes be difficult to come up with ideas for Father’s Day gifts when it seems like all they do is yardwork, housework and managing finances. Even though as a child, Father’s Day might seem like a joke, it is a day set aside to honor and appreciate everything they have done for you and your family. Here are some thoughtful gift ideas you could get your dad this Father’s Day as a way of saying thank you.
New watch
A watch is something he can wear all day, every day, meaning it will constantly be a reminder of your appreciation for him. Whether he prefers something sporty, modern or classic, you can choose the watch that best matches his style.
New clothes
Tools
For any dad who enjoys working on projects, fixing things or building something new, tools are the perfect gift. They can support his hobbies, help with everyday repairs, and make tasks a little easier.
Most men do not like to shop, so getting him new clothes is the perfect way to give his wardrobe a little upgrade. Whether it is a hoodie, a work shirt or something to relax in, buying him new clothes is a simple way to show gratitude.
Hot tub
This gift gives dads the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind after a long day. It can help them enjoy a quiet evening, while soothing muscles and creating a space for comfort and stress relief. This is also something the whole family can enjoy together.
Grill accessories
Family time
As kids get older, they tend to have busier schedules and spend less time with family. An easy, priceless gift to give is family time, like watching a movie, playing cards or board games, or cooking together.
If he has a grill or plans on getting one, getting him some accessories for it is a great way to upgrade their grilling skills. It also gives you the experience of trying new flavors and different types of meat from his experimentation. Some examples include BBQ rubs or spices, spatulas or new types of meat.
Gift cards
Homemade cards or gifts
Homemade cards or gifts are a great way to show thoughtfulness, effort and appreciation in a personal way by taking the time to create something original. Handwritten notes, drawings or handmade crafts can become meaningful keepsakes that dads can hold onto for years.
Gift cards are an easy, simple gift because they give dads flexibility to choose something they truly want. You can buy one for his favorite restaurant, store or hobby.
New car
Grill or griddle
A grill or griddle is the perfect gift because dads can enjoy it all summer long while doing what they love, cooking for family gatherings. Whether it is making breakfast, cooking chicken or trying new recipes, it will elevate the cooking experience for him.
A new car is thoughtful and practical for everyday life. This is a great way of showing appreciation for everything he does because he can use it for work, different activities, and family travel. It can also provide reliability and safety, making his daily routine run a little bit smoother.
This is one of the best gifts you could give your father because it focuses on spending quality time together. It provides a chance to slow down, talk and get the family together to show appreciation for him.- restaurant dinner Restaurant dinner
by Izzy boeve
2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sat: 12 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- 10 p.m.
Cost:
$0.60 per ounce soft serve
During the summer months in Sioux Falls, the average temperature is 83° Fahrenheit. Many people enjoy cooling off in a pool with a cool drink in hand. Others enjoy meeting friends and family at ice cream parlors. Here are the top three local ice cream shops preferred by LHS students during the summer.
The third favorite ice cream joint in Sioux Falls is Sweet Cheeks, located on 69th Street and Louise Avenue. They offer a variety of treats, including ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato, madein-house cotton candy and ice cream cakes for special occasions. Inside, Sweet Cheeks is very chic, clean and simple, making it a relaxing, elevated environment as soon as you step in. One of the main reasons LHS students choose Sweet Cheeks for their ice cream outings is the aesthetic that radiates from the building and its treats.
Cost: $4.25 for a single scoop
Coming in second, Stensland Family Farms Ice Cream is favored for its distinct flavors from its natural, pure ingredients. Every batch is made fresh daily and is family-owned by the Stensland family. Although they used to have three locations across Sioux Falls, they are now down to one location in the strip mall on 41st street across from OGHS; however, they still pride themselves on how different their ice cream tastes from other shops in Sioux Falls, and it does not go unnoticed by certain high school students. LHS freshman Madeleine Call delights in the fact that Stensland’s natural flavor does not make her feel as bad as other ice cream shops do, since she is lactose intolerant.
“Even if you are not lactose intolerant, a lot of the ice cream options have a lot of preservatives that make them taste like chemicals and make it not as enjoyable,” said Call. “Natural ice cream is also better because it is usually local, and it is good to support local businesses.”
Finally, the most popular ice cream joint among LHS students is B&G Milkyway. With locations all over the Sioux Falls area, they make themselves accessible for any high school student looking for a place to spend time with friends during their seasonal hours. Milkyway has a variety of foods, ranging from classic American fast food to tasty treats such as slushies, malts, dipped cones and their fan-favorite Avalanche ice cream. Along with their extensive menu, B&G Milkyway offers a nice place to sit, talk or sometimes play games. All locations feature an outdoor seating patio; however, only one location, 69th Street and Cliff Ave, offers large outdoor games on turf, such as Connect Four and cornhole. LHS sophomore Maggie Miller enjoys spending time at B&G for its atmosphere and the joy it brings her.
“This is my favorite [ice cream shop] because in the summer, it is a very fun place to hang out with friends. I also like to go to the one on 69th and Cliff Ave. because a lot of my friends work there, and every time I go, I see someone I know,” said Miller.
by Regan Van MeeteRen
Makers Exchange is a marketplace located in Tea, SD, that is changing what it means to shop local.
Just off the Tea exit, Makers Exchange is located not far behind Casey’s gas station. It is a large barnlike building that is clearly visible from the interstate, making it easy for both locals and travelers to stop by. Once inside, customers will be greeted with a variety of goods made by 100+ local businesses. Each stand displays its own unique style, and they can vary from home decor to boutique clothing to specialty foods.
Makers Exchange was built to give a home to small businesses that may struggle to get their work in front of the public. It gives them a chance to sell their products while also connecting directly with customers.
According to their website, “Our hope is that these local goods bring joy, beauty, comfort and spread goodness to the everyday life of the small business owners who have a community to sell their
unique and authentic creations and products.” This mission is very apparent in the marketplace. Throughout the marketplace, customers realize that not one stand is the same. Each booth reflects its owner’s personality and creativity. Some vendors specialize in reclaimed wood furniture, turning materials from old barns into new or functional art. Others sell handmade jewelry, clothing or vintage-inspired items. Many of these businesses started as hobbies before growing into full-time careers, and Makers Exchange was used as a launching pad for their businesses.
snacks while shopping or use the lounge area to sit down to catch up with friends. Popular menu items include the waffle flight, lattes of any flavor and the soup of the day. Another part of the cafe is the produce section. This section highlights locally produced items like meats, cheeses and other farmgrown goods. The combination of shopping and dining makes Makers Exchange different from most retail stores. Instead of a crowd of people all shopping for one thing, Makers Exchange invites everyone and lets them shop at their own pace. They are encouraged to stay, connect and explore.
In addition to the shopping part of Makers Exchange, there is also a cafe for shoppers to rest and refuel. The cafe menu includes items from coffee and smoothies to delicous waffles. Shoppers can enjoy their
Makers Exchange has become more than just a place to shop; it has made a real impact on the Tea community. By supporting small businesses, bringing people together and creating a welcoming place, it has helped strengthen connections within the town and given local entrepreneurs a chance to grow.
by Dena Tarrell, eDiTor-in-Chief
Getting through the school day can be challenging. Waking up early and going to bed late after extracurriculars does not allow for sufficient sleep. The only solution, or so it seems, is to have an energy drink in hand, supplying the caffeine one needs to function throughout the day.
The students of LHS are no strangers to these delicious caffeinated drinks, as almost everyone has a drink in hand on a daily basis. Alani, Bloom, Bubbl’r, Monster and Red Bull are all popular brands that one can see every day, but do students know the health risks associated with such a habit?
Some energy drinks have high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients that can cause gut and heart issues. When choosing the energy drink best suited to boost your focus, finding one with minimal added ingredients is key. Most energy drinks contain both vitamin B6 and B12, which help improve your metabolism and cognitive function by reducing the effects of fatigue. Another thing to look out for in your energy drink of choice is the sugar content. Red Bull and Monster both contain higher amounts of added sugar, with Red Bull having 38 grams and Monster having 54 grams per can. They also contain sucralose, along with Alani and Bloom, although they do not technically contain any sugar. Sucralose is an added sweetener that can cause metabolic disruptions. An additional harmful ingredient is Red Dye 40, which can be found in Alani. This ingredient is used to enhance the color, but it also causes gut issues, which is why many countries have established restrictions on its use. The cleanest energy drink, without any added sugar or dyes, is Bubbl’r. It contains zero grams of sugar and does not use sucralose, instead claiming to use all-natural ingredients.
The amount of caffeine in an energy drink also determines its health. The suggested limit of caffeine for teenagers is 100 milligrams per day. For reference, the typical energy drink has double the suggested amount, at almost 200 milligrams. Bubbl’r is the perfect drink, as it contains only 69 milligrams of caffeine. Oftentimes, people will have multiple energy drinks in a day, which can become harmful and cause various health issues.
The caffeine in energy drinks, especially Alani, can cause increased heart rates and high blood pressure, ultimately leading to cardiac issues.
Despite the health risks associated with energy drinks, they remain popular among a large portion of the population. This is due to the marketing tactics these companies use to appeal to their target audiences. Companies like Alani and Monster have a larger appeal to the younger generation. They use brightly colored cans and different color combinations to draw attention to their product. The various flavor names for Alani, Bubbl’r and Bloom create intrigue into what different combinations will taste like. In addition to visual appeal, companies
risks that teens experience are insomnia, nervousness, mood swings and headaches. Minor issues like these can mark the beginning of more harmful conditions, such as cardiovascular issues like atrial fibrillation, seizures and pancreatitis. Since teenagers are smaller in size than adults, and their brains are not fully developed, the effects of caffeine have an easier time settling into their bodies. This means that teens should be more cautious and aware of the amount of caffeine they consume each day.
Alternatives to energy drinks that still provide energy, but with fewer side effects, can help teens transition away from the need for an energy drink every day. One popular option is matcha, a finely ground green tea powder.
use slogans, like Red Bull with their iconic line “Red Bull gives you wings.” This strategy creates a sense of familiarity associated with the brand, establishing trust with consumers. Furthermore, the new era of marketing with social media has caused a 240% increase in energy drink sales. Ads can easily be seen by teenagers as they scroll through various social media apps. Companies have seen an increase in energy drink sales and have started to adapt to the new market. Scooters and Caribou serve energy drinks that are popular among teens, and Starbucks is following suit with its new Energy Refreshers. New adaptations appeal to teens and contribute to increased interest.
Teenagers specifically have a harder time resisting the clever tactics used by these companies, as the decisionmaking part of their brains has not fully developed. The effects of caffeine and energy drinks start to develop with a consistent intake of 100 milligrams a day. Teens often have drinks with over 200 milligrams of caffeine, which accelerates the effects. The most common health
by Lauren Statema
Sara Klawonn just began a new journey as the assistant coach for the LHS girls’ golf team and is gearing up for a successful first season.
Klawonn teaches AP English Literature, Teacher Pathway and online English at LHS. She was approached by head coach Scott Amundson and asked if she was interested in assisting the team. She accepted the role and is quickly finding her place. Between practices and meets, Klawonn has already become a key part of the team.
“The players, parents and Amundson have been so warm and welcoming. I am having such a great time,” said Klawonn.
She began golfing as a child alongside her mother, who also played and inspired her to take up the sport. Her parents set up drills in her backyard, where she would regularly practice her short game. She began to take golf more seriously in seventh grade and played on the varsity
golf team throughout high school. Although Augustana University, where she attended college, did not have a varsity girls’ team at the time, she continued playing and still golfs today.
With new leadership comes infinite opportunities for growth within the team. Players are given someone to look up to and learn from, whether that be on or off the course. Moreover, Klawonn will bring a fresh perspective, energy and strategy to the team. She is hoping to provide a sense of optimism and love for golf to a game which can easily feel frustrating and defeating.
“Golf is a lifelong game, and it has so many ups and downs from one tee box to another. It’s a lot like
life. I hope that this team and future teams find joy in playing even in times of frustration and adversity,” said Klawonn.
Teaching and coaching go hand in hand, as they require many of the same characteristics and abilities. Patience, positivity and an ability to understand others are crucial to teaching and coaching alike.
“I think being a good coach requires many of the same qualities of being a good teacher: patience, encouragement, knowledge, analysis and passion,” said Klawonn.
Since Amundson and recently retired Jeff Halseth have partnered as coaches for both the girls’ and boys’ teams for many seasons, there will definitely be a change in the team. Coach Klawonn’s entry into the team offers a new perspective on the game. Change is a positive thing, and Klawonn will surely prove that to this team.
“[She has brought] a different feel [to the team] for sure. She is really excited to be there, so it has been a good thing,” said Amundson.
Klawonn is already integrating herself nicely into the team. Whether it is showing up for the players with advice at practice or just creating a positive team atmosphere, Klawonn is already an essential piece of the golf team puzzle.
“She has been very involved, trying to help kids with things, trying to encourage all the kids to get practice and get something done, so she has been really helpful,” said Amundson.
Not only will Klawonn inspire this year’s team, but also many teams to come. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious and will certainly lead the LHS girls’ golf team forward.
by Oscar EricssOn
High
school: a story lived by many, all in their own ways. In four years, people create memories that last the rest of their lives. Sporting events, weekend functions and dances are all contributors to the high school experience. As club sports see growing numbers of high school athletes, however, those who participate could be seeing that experience fade. Are club sports necessary to the student-athlete, or should school sports remain dominant?
Time is an essential resource for student-athletes, but as the number of practices and tournaments grows, so do factors such as burnout, anxiety and other negative mental health effects. Oftentimes, clubs have tournaments far enough that athletes and parents have to fly to, taking large chunks out of time for whole families and adding substantial expenses on top of the cost of playing for a team.
Piling practices and tournaments on top of everything that school brings takes a toll on the young mind. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 91% of student-athletes balancing athletics with academics
experience some sort of stress, 58% of whom experience moderate to severe stress levels. Given these alarming numbers, only about 10% of athletes seek professional help.
The growing success of club organizations provides various drawbacks for student athletes, but like all sports, they also offer many advantages and experiences to learn from on and off the playing field.
For someone trying to play a sport in college, the goal of youth sports is to gain recognition. Because club organizations mostly have year-round seasons, it makes it very easy for athletes to improve their skills while giving recruiters more opportunities to recognize and evaluate their game. Competitive tournaments also provide players with advantages in recruiting, as they commonly bring them out of state and give them environments to prove themselves in.
Spring is usually a busy time for volleyball athletes. LHS Sophomore Taysia Blom is no exception. She typically has practice three nights a week, each one taking about three hours. On top of her practices, seven out of her 10 tournaments in the spring season will bring her out of
state. Through hard work, her four years playing club volleyball have been very productive.
“My overall experience with club volleyball has been very good,” said Blom. “I have learned and grown a ton as a person and a volleyball player.”
According to an NFHS survey, over eight million students were involved in high school sports as of 2025, 90% of whom were also involved in club sports. This high participation rate begs the question of which program student-athletes would prefer. When comparing the school and club seasons, Blom has a distinct approach to each but ultimately prefers the club season.
“I enjoy club [volleyball] because I learn and grow as a player,” said Blom. “We have a very structured and skilled program that develops highly skilled volleyball players, but school [volleyball] is very fun and more of a family-like culture since we are together every day.”
Though highly demanding, club sports provide many opportunities for student athletes that school sports do not, but are also the cause of other substantial issues for both the players and families involved.
by Julia Hedrick & lucy Hennies
As freshmen, everyone told us these were the fastest four years of our lives. At the moment, you do not realize how fast it is going to go until two weeks from graduation, and all you can do is look back at all the memories created. With only a couple of days left, here are our favorite memories, lessons learned, advice and everything in between. Walking into LHS during the fall of 2022, I am sure we were all a little nervous. Whether the big, scary seniors
were walking next to us or we were just attending our first football game, we did not realize how fast and how important these memories were coming at us.
In our freshman year, all the firsts were the most memorable part: the first high school sports season, the first time in the high school choir/ theater, the first time in the student section and the first high school dance.
By the end of Sophomore year, LHS students accomplished
many things to help us remember the year: winning State football, boys soccer, baseball, softball, boys tennis, girls tennis and the One Act winning Superior play.
Junior year brought many new things to remember the year: the addition of the Homecoming dance, getting a main parking lot pass, taking the ACT for the first time, the marching band traveling to perform at the 2024 Macy’s Day Parade, traveling to Rapid City for the boys basketball
tournament and taking home two state titles in boys soccer as well as track and field.
In our senior year, we will remember running the school! We now get to sit in the front of the student section, attend shortened school days, experience senior sunrise/sunset, go to prom for the first time and attend the senior class party.
Each year taught us countless lessons and gave us irreplaceable memories.
Have as much fun as you possibly can. Go to everything; you never know what you might have thought you wouldn’t like, but you actually love. Make as many friends as you can; time goes so fast. Do not waste your time and energy in the wrong places; high school is the perfect place to learn and grow. Take those hard classes; challenge yourself because you might be surprised by what you can accomplish,
Always be who you are and do not try too hard to fit in. For example, do the activities you want to do, go to the events you think are cool and be friends with the people you want to be friends with. High school is a great opportunity to spread your wings and figure out who you want to be, so take it! Make the most of these moments before it is too late because you will remember them for the rest of your life,
by Naomi JesperseN
Last week, when I strolled into the foyer to pick up my cap and gown, it hit me: My time at LHS is coming to a close. I am neither dramatic nor overly sentimental, but something about completing high school has stirred a reflective spirit in me. And while I am far from an ‘expert,’ here are eight profound lessons I learned during my eight semesters at LHS.
At the start of my freshman year, I made it my mission to blend in. As a formerly homeschooled ‘nerd in hiding,’ I was constantly self-conscious about the way I looked, things I said and activities I joined. Very quickly, I discovered that wearing the same clothes, using the same fake tan and listening to the same music as everyone else doesn’t make life any more interesting. Stay rad and do what you want to do. After all, it is your life.
This may sound cliché coming from me (someone who has slightly too much in common with Buddy the Elf), but smiling is incredibly underrated. Even on the days when it feels like a chore, smiling not only illuminates others but also changes your own mood from the inside out. Feeling happy? Smile. Trying to be nonchalant? Smile anyways. Sad? Force a smile. You will never regret it.
it safe, I decided I would go out of my way to ask questions. Two years and one biomedical research project later, I can testify that questions take you places. Not only do they lead to answers, but they unlock opportunities. Trust me on this
Like asking questions, leaning into ambition seems daunting. There is already external pressure almost every time you try to achieve something, so why add ‘pressure’ from yourself? As an underclassman, I was far from ambitious. One day during my sophomore year, however, I flipped a switch. Suddenly, I wanted to attend a far-away college, study science and push until I became a doctor. To this day, I am driven by this ambition — an ambition that has already helped me achieve two of these goals. Don’t be ashamed of your ambition — harness it.
all exercise for health reasons. While that time was hard, it was also incredibly gratifying. It made me appreciate my body, mind and free time in countless new ways. Don’t be embarrassed by rest — use it to enhance your productivity.
When I had a chance to eat a baby octopus in Little Italy? Yet again, YOLO.
fingertips. However, taking time to be curious — to ask weird interesting. Is it possible to start a clothing drive with zero your AP Biology teacher. How is sourdough made? Just join Bread Club. At some point in high school, I asked these exact questions; they led to fascinating conversations, invaluable experiences and zero regrets. Moral of the story: be curious.
In the final months of my senior year, it is hitting me that come August, I will be completely separated from my family and closest friends. Ouch. While nothing can change this difficult fact, I now realize how much I value the high school memories I have made with people. Before you get wrapped up in individuality, smiling, asking questions, ambition, rest, YOLO-ing or curiosity, ensure you are spending intentional time with family. Take a break from studying and do random shenanigans with friends. Skip the basketball game and get dinner with your grandma. When all is said and done, the most memorable parts of high school will be the experiences you had with others. Make them count.
Somewhere for after work but before returning home, to connect with current friends and meet new ones and a place to relax yet engage. Within recent years, it is clear that third places are more important now than ever.
The term “third place” was first coined by American Psychologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book “The Great Good Place.” Simply put, a third place is an area separate from home (the first place) and work or school (the second place), that stimulates social connections. In order to be accessible to all, the sites should be situated locally and with minimal cost but ideally with free access. These places are highly community-oriented; newcomers should feel welcome and be able to build their identity through the connections they discover. The third place dilemma has become a topic of discussion within recent years, particularly because of the decline or the lack thereof. Since
the COVID-19 pandemic, social connectivity has transitioned to almost purely online, overall causing a decreasing interest in in-person interactions. Because of the pandemic’s financial hardships, local, small businesses closed and the opening hours in remaining businesses were shortened. In general, this has discouraged people from visiting places after work or school. In the years that have passed since the evident decline of third places, teens and young adults have been longing for a space to socialize. But for most, finding a suitable place is challenging. The unattractive yet unavoidable qualities of public spaces are often what push people away from finding a comfortable and inviting setting. Loud, busy spaces make it hard to settle in and engage in conversation. Prices of seemingly simple items or entry fees have risen dramatically. Unfortunately, these conditions have
tainted the quality of third places and the incentive for teens and young adults to pursue them. Coffee shops, for example, arguably contradict the fundamentals of the third place, despite being the most common model. Typically, buying a coffee upon arrival is an unsaid condition, like an entry ticket. To visit consistently becomes taxing for many, proving the importance of a truly costfree third place. Luckily, Sioux Falls offers options for both free and minimalcost third places.
by HannaH Hilgenberg
by HannaH Hilgenberg
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble’s warm and welcoming atmosphere is an idyllic place to slow down and unwind. This site is open until 9 p.m., meaning it is accessible after work or school. Inside is a conjoined Starbucks where visitors can chat with friends, page through books or focus on to-do lists. During the day, they host several community-building events for readers of all levels. Bookclub meetups, local author signings and children’s storytime readings are all things to participate in with friends and family. The towering bookshelves supply readers with their interests, spanning from romance to philosophy to cookbooks. Barnes & Noble is a great third place option because of free/minimal costs, late hours and the many outlets provided to connect with readers of similar interests.
McKennan Park
Public parks are a classic model of a third place. There is freedom for a variety of different activities, weather willing, of course. With summer just around the corner, McKennan Park is perfect to establish as a third place. McKennan spans over 54 acres with an abundance of open green spaces for hammocking, picnics or frisbee; all are accessible and free to the public. Located in the center are a public pool and playground, an inviting setting to bond with family and friends. Nearby, the tennis courts are a great option for friendly competition and exercise, available day and night for pickleball or tennis.
Cafes
Welcome to Central Perk Cafe, a famous coffeehouse from the American sitcom “Friends.” Here, the baristas know the group by name, they often see familiar faces and the group can meet regularly and reliably, as it is local to their neighborhood. This fictional cafe is often referred to as a prime third place example. Sioux Falls has its share of parallel coffeehouses to check out. Larger chains such as Starbucks and Scooters are dependable for finding nearby locations. Starbucks, for example, has 22 locations in Sioux Falls and has been keeping the community in mind. In late December of 2024, Starbucks released its “Back to Starbucks”
plan, which rethinks and emphasizes the concept of its coffeehouses as a third place. Since then, customers may have noticed their efforts to write specialized notes on cups, offer ceramic dishes and silverware for in-house visits and improve their already welcoming atmosphere. Local coffee shops, however, can be a friendly alternative to the sometimes busier chains. In Downtown Sioux Falls, charming coffee shops are abundant. Josiah’s Coffeehouse, the Source and the Breaks are wonderful places to relax, socialize, study and support the local community.
