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S THE STATESMAN OCTOBER ISSUE 2026 pg. 20 Brush out LILY osMuNDsoN pg. 46 seNIors paINt the paveMeNt DaNIKa BoerBooM DesIgN BY BethaNY JesperseN

CONTENTS OCTOBER ISSUE 2026

S STATESMAN STAFF

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: Lily Osmundson, Isabel Gillespie

NEWS advantage of advice: 4 The LHS’s new college career

FEATURES compassion shapes 8 When community: A week at

advisers GEORGIA POINT formula for filling 6 The gaps PAIGE STOKES

Pine Ridge HANNAH HILGENBERG a new stage: 10 Setting Fresh updates from the LHS theater department MAKAYLA HAMM From first-year 11 Oleson: teacher to playwright MOA HEIN

Learning beyond the classroom BRIELLE KOLLING

bicentennial buzz 14 The ISABEL GILLESPIE the new LHS staff 15 Meet ARELY GARCIA

A taste of something new: Zest Social House TAVIA BOWMAN & TENLEY MARTY

Not just an acronym 18 FCCLA: CHARLI FICKBOHM out 20 Brush LILY OSMUNDSON employee, first-time food 21 Full-time truck owner ALICE PERRY

Freshly freshman KINLEY DILLMAN & BREA STEELE

A future in medicine 24 HOSA: LILY STATEMA

Farmers: The backbone of America TATUM GOFF

the top 100 26 Beyond EVIE BOHL & ASHLYN DOERING Hours on 8th Street’ 28 ‘24 SAM BARNETT & OSCAR ERICSSON

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

photo dump 30 HOCO IZZY BOEVE &

40 P.A.R. ALICE GERAETS

LAUREN STATEMA

Smells like team spirit HARPER MAZIARZ

the same way you 33 Ending started

start of something 41 The new

GREYSON DEELSTRA

Schellpfeffer: 42 Coach Serving up success

KATE WILSON

INGRID READY

photos 34 SENIOR JOHN QUELLO

new voice on the 43 Asidelines

or teacher?: What 35 Trick LHS staff should be for Halloween KATE SCHMIDT

goes around comes 36 What around

WELLS BATCHELLER & PAIGE TOLLINGER

of summer 38 Soundtrack KENLEY BERNING

REGAN VAN MEETEREN

PERSPECTIVES

the drinks 45 Ditching CHRISTIAN BOOTSMA & QUINTON HOLLAN

paint the pavement 46 Seniors DANIKA BOERBOOM

The chronic issue of absenteeism DENA TARRELL

Entertainment Editors: Hannah Hilgenberg, Lily Statema Sports Editors: Sam Barnett, Jacob Wessels

Perspectives Editors: Izzy Boeve, Oscar Ericsson

Photography Editor: Christian Bootsma

Social Media Coordinators: Khloe Dillman, Moa Hein

Staff Cartoonist: Charli Fickbohm

Staff Writers: Elsa Basel, Wells Batcheller, Yahir Beltrand, Anna Bergan, Kenley Berning, Danika Boerboom, Evie Bohl, Tavia Bowman, Koad Chuol, Isabella Clayton, Greyson Deelstra, Kinley Dillman, Ashlyn Doering, Arely Garcia, Tatum Goff, Makayla Hamm, Ellie Hedrick, Catherine Jerstad, Maddy Kendall, Tenley Marty, Harper Maziarz, Alice Perry, Georgia Point, Alonso Ramirez, Trey Raph, Ingrid Ready, Kate Schmidt, Mallory Schneider, Brea Steele, Paige Stokes, Paige Tollinger, Regan Van Meeteren, Kate Wilson Adviser: Dr. Katie Kroeze

by georgia point

he transition out of high school is a crucial point in the lives of all students. Despite this, the majority of students have little to no knowledge of how to begin researching and applying to schools and programs that suit their demands. This is where LHS’s college career advisers step in. The two new additions, Emma Olson and Chrissy Mulder, are

pioneers of the Sioux Falls School District’s new position of college career advisers. Olson and Mulder primarily focus on helping seniors determine their after-school plans, whether it be a 4-year university, a 2-year technical college, a military pathway or going straight into the workforce. Counselors are assigned alphabetically, with Mulder handling the beginning and Olson managing the end. Exploring colleges, programs, scholarships and financial aid is challenging and time-consuming, which is why students need someone to hold them accountable while guiding them through this crucial process. College career advisers are such valuable

additions to high schools because they are knowledgeable about the opportunities available to students based on their interests and needs and understand the procedure of applications, as well as the significance of deadlines and the vast variety of scholarships, financial aid and career prospects accessible to students. One way Olson and Mulder aid students is by having them explore careers in the form of lunch-andlearns, job shadowing and the CTE academy. Providing students with these inexpensive forms of education and information helps them narrow down what they want to pursue in the future. For example, lunch-andlearns create a secure and positive atmosphere for students to socialize with people in the work field they find intriguing, making it easier for them to discover if they will be satisfied in said career, and if so, what schools and majors will set them up for success in the future.

photos used with permission by Lhs yearbook | artwork used with permission by Canva | design by georgia point

“[Take] advantage of our lunch-and-learns,” said Olson. “We’re going to be bringing in professionals from the community, and we are going to be providing free lunch.” Additionally, job shadowing provides students with handson experience, putting them in situations that allow them to properly analyze what they find attractive and off-putting about a job. It is also another way to meet with professionals and learn firsthand about lesser-known aspects of a career, simply by filling out a form that Olson and Mulder provide. “We’re going to be rolling out job shadowing... so students have the opportunity to see the career

[they are interested in] before they commit to paying thousands of dollars to go to college,” said Mulder. The CTE academy is another resource students can use to get ahead of the curve and learn about a wide assortment of jobs. CTE’s programs and classes are an excellent opportunity for students to acquire school credits while also researching careers ranging from business to health services. “You walk away with a bunch of things that make you look more attractive to an employer...” said Olson. “... If you can make those connections in the industry that you’re interested in, you will be opening yourself up to greater opportunities.” After students discover what career they want to pursue, the next step is deciding what university or program they want to apply to. Olson and Mulder assist students by helping them research schools and programs that fit a student’s preferences. Then, they sit down with said students and eliminate or select programs that the

student finds fitting, narrowing the selection down by helping students discover what they like and dislike about a college and its programs. However, this decision is greatly influenced by scholarships and financial aid schools and institutions provide for students. With such a wide variety of scholarships available, it is challenging for students to discern what they are eligible for and how to distinguish what best fits their needs. Olson and Mulder walk students through the application process, providing them with information and guidance while taking into consideration a student’s demands when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. If you are unsure of where to start in your preparation for college or the workforce, visit Olson and Mulder down in room E116D. Take a look at their scholarship board to learn about the numerous scholarships you could apply for, talk to them about what career path you wish to research and discover the university or institution that checks all your boxes. If you have further questions, contact Olson and Mulder through their emails: Emma.J.Olson@k12.sd.us and Chistina.Mulder@k12.sd.us.

NEWS

by Paige StokeS

LHS math teachers are deviating from their regular schedules and taking on a new challenge: Algebra I. This change comes with positives and negatives for Heidi Dykstra, Brian Kocer, Mike Magnuson, Alicia Klaassen and Eric Rice. A new school year always comes with obstacles, but for some LHS math teachers, a whole new challenge arises. Teachers who normally teach Acc. Algebra II and AP Statistics are now also teaching Algebra I. They are facing the repercussions that come with the lack of a planning period. Although this can be seen as a negative, it is also a chance for teachers to get to know more students at LHS than they may have before. This change occurred due to a vital Algebra I teacher leaving LHS right before the school year started. On Aug. 18, teachers were given the chance to volunteer to teach an overload schedule, which removes

their planning period, but they are given additional pay. A few days later, teachers came to LHS to begin preparing for the new year, and Aug. 27 was the first day of school, showing how little time teachers had to plan. “I’ve been coming in each weekend for at least three hours,” said math teacher Dykstra. Dykstra teaches Acc. Algebra II and Applied Math at LHS. Dykstra is not just a teacher; she is also a mother. Most parents devote their weekends to their children, but when there is also the expectation of grading assignments and making lesson plans, it becomes difficult. “I’m creating and trying to figure out the class as I teach it,” said Dykstra. Since Algebra I is an introductory class for math, prior knowledge of the subject is limited. The information she is teaching is brand new to her and students, compounding the hardships teachers and students are facing.

deSign by Paige StokeS | PhotoS by Paige StokeS | artwork by Paige StokeS

“My other classes are more advanced than Algebra I, but I find that many of the students in the upper-level classes make the same mistakes on basic algebra problems consistently, so it shows how important the basics of math can be in high school,” said math teacher Kocer. Kocer teaches Acc. Pre-Calculus and AP Statistics. Algebra I is a required course for high schoolers, while AP Statistics and Acc. Pre-Calc are seen as advanced courses and are not required. “I have a great group of Algebra I students, so it has opened me up to more students in the high school, so I really like that,” said Kocer. Since he only teaches juniors and seniors in his other classes, teaching freshmen has given him a new perspective and opened him up to more of the high school experience.

by HannaH Hilgenberg

Wacántognaka is one of the Seven Sacred Lakota Values; it represents generosity and supporting others mentally, physically and spiritually solely through the compassion from one’s heart. LHS junior Roque Voll dedicated one week to implementing just this. In early July, members of Sioux Falls’s Rustic Hills Church (as well as others) committed one week to serving the residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, more specifically, in Allen, South Dakota. Here is a vibrant and culturally dense community, mainly home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST). The OST has been active for nearly 140 years and represents the majority of the Lakota nation. The reservation begins in

southwest South Dakota and reaches down to the northern Nebraska border, covering close to 3,500 square miles. The desire for outside support began after neighboring economies began booming a century ago, whom Pine Ridge was geographically isolated from. Since then, the Pine Ridge Reservation has continued to face many economic hardships, thus encouraging mission trips and students like Voll to participate. According to the 2024 census, 52% of Pine Ridge residents live below the poverty line, 54% of which are under 18. Raising the younger generation is a key element in supporting the future of the reservation’s success. So, after traveling five hours to Pine Ridge,

Voll prioritized spending meaningful time with the youth – in which both parties found it equally rewarding. “We spent a lot of time with the youth of the community because a lot of the youth didn’t have a father figure, nor did they have many parents… and we’d spend a lot of our time just playing basketball with them and hanging out. We would also cook them food and take them through a Christianity class of things they could relate to,” said Voll. The group often stayed busy with various jobs, arts and crafts and community activities. Alongside these projects, the group pastors also taught Christianity classes. Their goal was to spread Christian ideas while still recognizing and incorporating

current Lakota beliefs. In the spare moments they had to themselves, the group spent time doing Bible studies, journaling and reflecting on their experiences. Day after day in the early July heat, the group woke up eager to make a difference; and Voll found himself particularly devoted to the construction team. “We made a back porch for the elders of the village. They were a super highly respected couple, [and] the goal of that was just to show how these [Christians] are here to spread love and kindness. We also built a gazebo in a sacred ground area, and we wrote a bunch of scripture on the foundations of it… They could go there and mourn, which is part of their culture,” said Voll. Hundreds

of missionaries and support groups have partnered with Pine Ridge in hopes to forge a new society for the residents. However, while many groups have helped to uplift the community, the root causes of their economic hardships have taken decades of effort to dissolve. Alcoholism, poverty and suicide are among the direst components that many Pine Ridge residents face in one way or another. Regardless of having an alcohol ban on the reservation for nearly a century, eight in 10 families are still impacted by alcoholism, according to KevinMD. com. Futhermore, suicide is also something that has plagued the reservation for years. The OST previously declared a state of emergency in regard to suicide, and although the rates have decreased since the 2020 pandemic, it still remains one of the leading causes of death at Pine Ridge, specifically in teenagers. Both of these components contribute largely to the Oglala Lakota County’s national low in life expectancy: 66.8 years. Whether it was setting a steady example for the youth or grounding

themselves in front of well-regarded elders, respect flowed from the group through their service. Voll worked to reflect the Lakotan values of community, kinship and responsibility. He mirrored these as he interacted with the local families and through his effort in construction, thus earning him deeper connections and sound trust as the week progressed. “There was this group of older kids, say in seventh grade, [and] I remember the first day I came there; I went out and introduced myself to play basketball with them, and they were super closed off. But by the time it was the seventh day, they were super sad we were leaving. We built a nice relationship and bond throughout the days,” said Voll. Experiencing Pine Ridge, or any foreign location, through a mission trip is an extremely beneficial way to broaden one’s perspective and make a lasting difference on the community they visit. Although opportunities to physically serve on Pine Ridge can be limited, alternative options are available so anyone can

help make a difference in the lives of our Lakota neighbors. Organizations such as Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation, ReMember and One Spirit are remarkable resources to help aid the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Lakota community and nationwide Native tribes. If one is willing and able, it is considered their moral responsibility to offer support to those in need. No one should ever have to walk through hardships alone, especially our own neighbors. By serving on the Reservation, volunteering or simply donating items, the OST and the Lakotan community can better advance towards economic and societal prosperity. “If you haven’t been on a mission trip, you should go on one, [regardless of] your beliefs, I think it’s really eye-opening and it can impact you in a positive way,” said Voll.

design by HannaH Hilgenberg | pHotos used witH permission by roque Voll

FEATURES

by Moa Hein

by Makayla HaMM

ast year, widely known productions such as “Our Town,” “A VHS Christmas Carol” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” were all performed by the LHS theater department. They plan to continue their strive for excellence this year with their productions of “Ada and the Engine” and “Oklahoma!” While every year is different for the theater department, regarding performances and cast, there are some greater changes for the program as they enter the 2026-2027 year, starting with the new auditorium. Last year, the auditorium was under construction as they were extending the

stage forward to create more space. The orchestra will now have a dedicated performance space, or a pit, and technological advances have been made to level up the performances. Another major event is the introduction of a new director, Mikennah Oleson. Oleson is a fresh graduate from Augustana University and is the latest addition to LHS theater. She will be helping out with the fall play, “Ada and the Engine,” as the head director. This story follows Ada Byron Lovelace, a math genius, as she navigates life in the Victorian era in England. There is conflict within her relationship with her father as well as an exploration of Ada’s deep intellectual connection with inventor Charles Babbage. Succeeding the fall play is the One-Act play. OneAct plays are a competitive theater entry performed by high school students. This year’s performances will be Feb. 4-6 in Mitchell. The show has not been

decided, although it will be announced later this year. Finally, the theater department is finishing up the year by performing “Oklahoma!” for the annual spring musical. “Oklahoma!” is a 1943 musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It takes place in the year 1906, soon before Oklahoma becomes a state. The musical follows cowboy Curly McLain and his love interest Laurey Williams as they navigate social tensions. Senior Zoe Stevenson is the vice president of the drama club and has played various roles for LHS theater. She hopes to do more acting and behind-the-scenes

artwork by CHarli FiCkboHM | pHotos by Moa Hein | design by Makayla HaMM & Moa Hein

work this year. “The reason I keep coming back each year is that it’s a great community. Everyone is so nice, and you get to meet new people. I’ve made some of my best friends from that, and it’s just a really fun activity,” said Stevenson. “You can act like someone you’re not and have fun with it, and it helps with public speaking.” Theater teaches students to interact and connect through making new friends and meeting a variety of people. It is also a great way to connect with audiences and improve acting skills, performing in front of an audience and working with others to create something bigger. When people care about what they do, they put in more effort and work harder to reach their desired outcome. “We do pretty well performing; we’ve gotten so much good feedback,” said Stevenson. “We get judged at One-Act and tend to do very well there; everyone is very excited and passionate about their roles.”

hough Mikennah Oleson began teaching at LHS in the fall of 2026, she has already begun putting down roots in the Sioux Falls community. This year, LHS welcomed a new addition to its crew: first-year teacher and director. Oleson teaches English II and English III and is a recent graduate of Augustana University. While she is helping direct the upcoming production for LHS, Oleson is also preparing for the premiere of a play she wrote, which will be produced by Augustana’s theater department at the end of October. Oleson’s passion for theater began in high school. Growing up in a smaller town, she tried a variety of sports, but nothing clicked for her until she started theater. Oleson continued pursuing that passion at Augustana University, where she majored in English Creative

Writing, with a minor in Theater. Although theater was a minor for Oleson, she remained fully immersed in the theater department throughout college. Her love for writing plays developed with the encouragement of her professors, Dr. Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons and Dr. Patrick Hicks. “I designed, I acted, I directed, I stage managed, then I started writing, and that was where even further things started clicking,” said Oleson. With her inspired passion for writing, Oleson wrote a play this past year. The idea for her project “Straw Boy” sparked in April of 2025, then came back to Oleson in late November. From there, she began diligently writing her piece for the next few months; she wrote for about three hours every day at a local coffee shop in Sioux Falls. After a thorough process

of previews and revisions, Oleson’s life, and she is an integral part of that Oleson’s professors at community. In her next Augustana eagerly asked act in life, she hopes to to buy the rights to her encourage her students who play, with the intention of have a passion for English bringing “Straw Boy” to and to help students the Augustana stage. The production is in full swing showcase their talents. “In the end, it’s all about and rehearsing to premiere passion, so I want to get from Oct. 22-25. Oleson ideas from my students and attends rehearsals once a week to help out and watch what they have to offer,” said Oleson. her writing come to life. While Oleson’s play at Augustana is brewing, she is also directing a play right here at LHS. This year LHS is performing “Ada and the Engine,” a biographical play about the mother of code. Rehearsals started for the LHS students in September, and the piece will be performed in the Little Theater from Nov. 12-14. Oleson has her work cut out for her with long days of teaching and hours of rehearsal; she believes it will all be worth it to put on a play that LHS will be proud of. Theater and English are a continuous part of

FEATURES

by brielle Kolling

ave you ever dreamed of traveling abroad and learning about all that overseas countries have to offer? Over the summer LHS world language students had the oncein-a-lifetime experience of traveling abroad to immerse themselves in the language and culture they have spent years learning about; nine students traveled with Heather Coombs and Roxanne Harte to France and Germany, while 22 students got to travel to Germany with Saskia Edwards. France and Germany are full of countless breathtaking views, but for LHS senior Gemma Oppenheimer one special sight stuck out in particular on her trip to Germany. “We went to

Neuschwanstein which is the castle that the Disney castle is based off of. It was a long ride there and then we had to hike up to it, but it was so cool on the inside. It was really pretty,” said Oppenheimer. After learning about Notre Dame in class, a major highlight for those on the French trip was getting to see the progression on the building since the fire. “I really enjoyed seeing the progress of Notre Dame. I remember watching the fire and then to see how far they had come in the restoration because we were able to go inside and walk through it [was incredible]. It was just gorgeous, breathtaking, just to know where it had been four years ago,” said Harte. This year’s trip was

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Coombs’ third year taking students to France, and she loves to share her favorite parts of the country with her students. This year she experienced something new: getting a tour of the World War I cemetery. “The tour guide gave the tour in the lens of one specific soldier and told us about his life story and what led up to him being buried there. Every year, the people of the surrounding area… clean off all of the gravestones. Then, in order to re-etch people’s names, they actually bring sand from the D-day beaches and wipe it into the headstones so you can read it better. Our tour guide asked if anyone wanted to learn to do that and I had the opportunity to wipe some of the D-day sand into

the headstone. It was really meaningful,” said Coombs. Not only did the students and teachers get to see incredible landmarks and create unique memories, but for Edwards, the best part of the trip was watching her students discover everything overseas has to offer. “I like the whole trip because it is fun to see students experience the things that we have talked about in class during previous years. It is fun for me to see when they try the food or [when] we go to certain places that we have talked about in class. Their experience is fun for me to watch,” said Edwards. Another one-of-a-kind opportunity students had while traveling was the ability to create and build

German students visit the Bundestag, headqu artered in the Reichstag Building in Berlin.

design by brielle Kolling | photos used with permission by heather Coombs and sasKia edwards | artworK used with permission by Canva

relationships with people they never would have met before. A unique aspect of the Germany trip was living with a German host family, giving students the privilege of learning and seeing firsthand the culture they have studied in class. Not only was this an amazing learning experience, but students were also able to build relationships with their host families. “[My host family and I] would play card games at night, and they just took really good care of me. They were really sweet; I liked spending time with them,” said Oppenheimer. Edwards recognizes the fact that it is an exceptional opportunity for students to see that what they learn in the classroom is tangible and real, especially with the reality of being immersed in the home of a host family. “I think it is a reality thing – [seeing] that what we learn in class is actually a real thing. Obviously when we are here [in Sioux Falls] it seems really far away, and we don’t use it on a daily basis. When they were there

they saw it was really true,” said Edwards. “It is great to just see other cultures and other countries. We have an exchange unlike the other programs, so there are a lot of friendships that are being made that carry on even after the trip.” During the French trip, friendships were built not only with each other, but also with students from a Utah school that the group traveled with. A favorite memory for both Coombs and LHS sophomore Leo Prunuske was a special dinner where both adults and students built connections, by sharing laughter and conversation. “Over my trip I had my birthday. That night we went to a really good Italian restaurant, and I met three boys from Utah. We all had a good time eating pizza there,” said Prunuske. By taking this trip, the students were able to discover the differences between the cultures in France and Germany and see what it is truly like to live there. Something Prunuske noticed was the difference in

which it the Eiffel Tower, French students vis every s ist ur to on lli mi ven welcomes nearly se year.

life at night. “[It surprised] me how active the cities were at night. [When] walking down the street, it was very cool to see everyone hanging out with family and having a good time,” said Prunuske. Another favorite memory for French students was playing a unique game that is not common in America. “On our last day in Paris we went to a park and played pétanque, which is a game basically like curling, but you are in dirt with balls, and it was really fun,” said LHS junior Zoe DeGroot. On the trip students practiced their French skills and tested them in real-life scenarios rather than just in a classroom setting. “When we were in Strasbourg I got to order sorbet, and I used my French skills and ordered it entirely in French. That was probably one of my favorite things,” said DeGroot. Students will never forget their adventure of traveling to foreign countries and proving to themselves all they have learned and accomplished, as well as

the independence they gain through the experience. “I think it is great. It is an opportunity to have some independence… Negotiating the language and the money and understanding different cultures and customs. It helps build that independence and a love of traveling,” said Harte. The experience of traveling abroad brings countless life lessons and valuable learning experiences that can only be found through the immersion in the culture and language skills students have spent years exploring. While enjoying amazing views and unique experiences, lasting memories and relationships were created for every student and teacher. “Not only do you get to learn about another culture, but you also have the chance to see yourself from the outside in. I think it gives you a good internal experience of who you really are and it really can open up a lot of opportunities that you wouldn’t have any other way,” said Coombs.

The Basiliq ue Montmartr du Sacré-Cœur de e in Paris, France, wh famous Ro ich is a man Catho lic church.

FEATURES

by Isabel GIllespIe

here are milestones in life that have clear feelings attached to them: the excitement of getting married or the grief of a death in the

family. Then, there are the mixed-feeling milestones like graduation, changing jobs or what seems to be common at LHS this year, turning 50. The multitude of bicentennial babies walking the halls this school year is intriguing. History teacher Roxanne Harte, counselor Matt Meyers, chemistry teacher Jim Jarovski (Jaws) and English teacher Sara Klawonn, among others, celebrate the milestone with another glorious year on the LHS faculty. This phenomenon reveals the perfect opportunity to tap into the curated wisdom of seasoned teachers. Besides, what else do 25-plus years of experience in education have to offer, other than unlimited spirit wear and cabinets full of 20-year-old curricula?

Teaching styles grow as a teacher grows; they go from trying to figure it out to knowing how to push their students in the right ways. “I’ve raised my

expectations of what I expect from kids,” said Jaws. “I hold them accountable. I make them work hard.” “I was just figuring out how to teach, and now it’s more of making sure that it’s relevant and done in a way that students

photos by Isabel GIllespIe & Mason Dean

enjoy, but also learn from,” said Harte. Over the years, these teachers understand something that newer staff might not: each student has their own circumstances and needs. “I’ve become more understanding that treating every kid the same is not treating every kid fairly,” said Jaws. “I think my classroom is student-centered—more than it was at the start of my career. Students today face different challenges than the generation before them,

and so on, and so on,” said Klawonn. Because every student has their own perspective, learning style and goals, it is important for a teacher to recognize that

| DesIGn by Isabel GIllespIe | artwork useD wIth perMIssIon by Canva

not all students will walk the same path. “When I have a parent and a student in my office, I’m talking with the student rather than the parent. Because, ultimately, it’s the student’s life, not the parent’s,” said Meyers. Teaching a class’s material while guiding students along their specific path to success is a skill that can take time to develop, especially as the definition of success is different for everyone. “We grew up learning that you can’t be ‘successful’ without going to college,” said Meyers. “But my definition of success now is if you have a job that you enjoy that allows you to lead the lifestyle that you want to live. To me, that’s success. And that path doesn’t necessarily walk you through college.” “Making a difference for someone else and helping others define a successful life for me,” said Klawonn. It is safe to say that success changes with maturity as well, from wide-eyed high school students growing to ambitious young adults to whatever it may look like to be content at middle age. “I think you spend a lot of time in your late 20s [and] early 30s trying to figure out what you want versus what all your friends want,” said Harte. “When I was 25 or 30, I think I was more worried about financial things and monetary things,” said Jaws. “Now I realize that it’s all about relationships.” No matter what success might look like in the future, being surrounded by people who care will make a life worth living. “Be present in the moment. Don’t worry about the past. Don’t worry about the future,” said Jaws.

by Arely GArciA

Each year, new teachers and staff step in to carry on the tradition of excellence at LHS. Get to know the fresh faces joining our halls, and find out their favorite foods!

This is Rens’ first year being an Education Assistant. Her favorite food is enchiladas.

Sailor has taught in Guyana, South America, at George McGovern and Whittier Middle Schools, University of North Texas, Dordt University, Northwestern College and Augustana University. He loves spicy garlic buffalo wings.

Kaufman has taught for 12 years, including three years at LHS and eight years in Michigan. He loves pizza because he can make breakfast pizza, Detroit style pizza (the best kind) or desert pizza.

This is Freeman’s first year in education. She loves ramen.

This is Oleson’s first year as a teacher. Her favorite food is mac and cheese.

LHS is Van-Hill’s first education job, and her favorite food is pasta.

LHS is Olson’s first education job. Her favorite food is carne asada.

LHS is Verschage’s first education job. His favorite food is beef.

Ryswyk has been teaching or in the education system for “a long time.” His favorite food is pizza.

Smith worked as an EA in the RISE program at LHS in 2019.He enjoys French fries.

Juarez-Andres has taught for three years in an English academy in Spain, interned at Edison Middle School and taught at Lakes international Academy in Minnesota. He loves Pizza or tacos, since they are very flexible with ingredients.

This is Mulder’s first year as an educator. She loves pizza since there are so many varieties. such as breakfast, taco, veggie, Hawaiian, thin crust and pan crust.

Thompson taught 17 years in Woodbury, MN. She loves tacos.

Kalda has been a nurse for 13 years at Sanford and Avera, and this is her first time as a school nurse. She loves pasta.

desiGn by Arely GArciA

| photos by christAn bootsmA & Arely GArciA

FEATURES

by Tavia bowman & Tenley marTy

anelle Whempner opened her own restaurant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota earlier this summer, but what was the motive behind it all? Whempner had recently been teaching culinary arts at the Career and Technical Education Academy (CTE). Starting a restaurant can be a big challenge for anyone, but it can also create many opportunities. This past June, Whempner officially opened her own restaurant, the Zest Social House, located on the west side of Sioux Falls. While still small, Whempner likes to help out other small businesses as well. “We like to support small businesses throughout the community so that people can hear and learn about them through us,” said Whempner. When entering the Zest Social House, the atmosphere is immediately warm and welcoming. When it comes to the menu, it is not like a normal shop with ice cream; Zest Social House really puts the Zest in the name. The vibrant colors and preparation of the ice cream take it to the next level. The flavors range from regular vanilla to cotton candy to "Generous." The most popular scoop is called the “New Zealand Style,” which includes a mix of three scoops of berries and the customer’s choice of flavor, and blends it... It is nearly the same as a smoothie! Zest Social House does not serve just ice cream but also pastries, toast and chocolate chip cookies. In terms of chocolate chip cookies, the employees do not come to play. Whempner had a previous student who had been trying out different ways of making chocolate chip cookies. One certain recipe had spiked everyone's taste buds. This new recipe came about to be the company's new way of making their cookies. These cookies are made up of chocolate chips, with sea salt sprinkled on top. The Zest Social House is most famous for its New Zealand Ice Cream. Typically,

customers start with the most common type of ice cream, being the sweet cream. Then, the customer can customize the dessert by adding flavor. They can choose between strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. After choosing the combination, the ice cream is put into a blenderlike machine, then pushed out into your cup, creating the perfect,

smooth ice cream. It is not just the food that is spectacular; it is the people that make the place: the employees. The employees do not just do their job; they make customers feel welcome and make them feel like they have been best friends for years. As customers enter the building, they are greeted by many smiles and friendly comments. Coming in and not knowing how or what to order, the employees know exactly how to help, giving customers the best combination of items for their meal. “We want all of our customers to feel comfortable and welcome as soon as they walk in,” said employee Hayden Schaff.

design by Tavia bowman & Tenley marTy | arTwork by Tavia bowman & Tenley marTy | arTwork used wiTh permission by insTagram/@zesT_socialhouse

FCCLA: not just an acronym by Charli FiCkbohm

Every year at LHS, freshmen are greeted with a list of acronyms: DECA, HOSA, SALSA and so on. One of these acronyms is FCCLA, and some students go their entire four years without learning what it stands for. For those unaware, FCCLA stands for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Founded in 1945 with the objective of creating a nationwide organization for students involved in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS or FACS) classes, it differs from ordinary clubs because it is intracurricular—it operates within the school system, presenting academic opportunities from middle school to college. The organization is divided into local chapters, which use classes, competitions and community outreach to explore careers from baking to finance. This July, three students from the LHS chapter

traveled to take part in the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference, an annual bonanza comparable to a spelling or civics bee, if spelling or civics bees had dozens of competitive events instead of only one. While there were also challenge testing and school demonstration events, seniors Emmi Ness, Emily Lowrey and Emma Gaffney competed in STAR (Students Taking Action through Recognition) events, in which they needed to identify an issue, create a project to address it and pitch the result to a panel of judges. Ness and Lowrey teamed up for their project. It was not their first time working together; the previous year, they read to kindergarten classrooms as part of an initiative for childhood literacy. This time, they went the digital route, creating a website for the LHS

FCCLA chapter, which had previously only relied on a Canvas page. Canvas was not ideal, since the only people that can see Canvas pages are those already signed up for the activity in question. So, prospective members were excluded from information about what FCCLA was doing in their area, or what it even was, putting the program at a disadvantage. The old system had other issues as well, according to Lowrey. “We have a Canvas page, but it’s not really detailed, it doesn’t have a lot of photos… it’s a lot more complicated. But the website was really accessible,” said Lowrey. After four months of work, Ness and Lowrey submitted their site to the statelevel judges, who examined it, wrote feedback and gave a verdict. “We got the results back in March that we qualified for nationals, which was really exciting for us,” said Lowrey. In July, the two students went to D.C. and were given 10 minutes to present their project on a big screen in front of an in-person panel of judges. The conference lasted four days, and when it was over, they came home not only with gold medals, but also with other souvenirs, each representing a connection formed with someone from a different part of the country. “My favorite part about [nationals] was probably trading pins. Every state

gets their pin, and then they trade it with people, and you’re trying to collect all 50 states,” said Ness. Gaffney, an aspiring fashion designer, created four different dress designs and a brand label for her state-level project, earning second place. At nationals, she competed in the fashion sketch event, where she was given 45 minutes to create six different designs on paper: men’s and women’s clothing in plus, medium and child sizes. The designs needed to be summer-themed, relevant to current events and presented with a brand name and market analysis. Gaffney ended up winning 24th place in the fashion sketch category. She was also chosen to represent Arts and Design careers in the FCCLA national newspaper. “I have made so many friends. I met so many people from all over the country,” said Gaffney. However, with all the success Gaffney has achieved through FCCLA, she has run into obstacles outside of the organization. She originally planned to attend SDSU, but the university shut down its fashion program. Though a thriving industry in large urban centers, fashion design—and design in general— tends to be sidelined in South Dakota, in the professional as well as the academic world. Gaffney is aware of this situation, and is now communicating with South Dakota politicians in order to fix it. “For my internship that I did over the summer, I had to go to local businesses and practically beg them to start internships, because they didn’t have any… so I’m working on advocating for that,” said Gaffney. As evidenced by Gaffney’s story, FCCLA not only opens up opportunities which may be hard to find anywhere

Emma Gaffney at a photoshoot for the FCCLA newspaper. else, but also allows and encourages students to go forth and make those opportunities for themselves. In a time when scores of college freshmen are declaring their major as “undecided,” FCCLA provides a way for students to narrow down their plans in life. At the same time, its holistic approach (Family, Career and Community) helps to develop skills and experience that are impressive both in the real world and on paper. “It’s really a great opportunity to improve your public speaking… and…it really helped me get into NHS, because that’s where I got most of my community service hours from,” said Ness. Ness’ project partner much easier,” said Gaffney. also cites the importance of It follows, then, that all three national FCCLA in encouraging diligence. “It’s good to have to follow a rubric, representatives from LHS are involved with and then get your feedback… because making the program and its ideals more public. Ness and Lowrey’s website improves those are skills you’re just going to communication between current and have to have,” said Lowrey. prospective members. Gaffney is working Still, every program comes with to revive South Dakota’s fashion industry. expenses needed to get it off the Other members are busy advocating for the ground—sometimes literally off culinary arts, environmentalism, marketing, the ground, as in the case of a plane law, technology, etc. ticket to Washington D.C. According “If you have a hobby, if you’ve ever to Gaffney, these expenses can be a taken a fine arts class or even a personal problem when coupled with a lack of finance class, you’ll be able to do so much awareness. with FCCLA. And not only does it look “A lot of us have to pay a lot of good for scholarships, it gives you the money, practically out-of-pocket… interpersonal skills that you need to if we were more visible and people basically live life,” said Gaffney. actually knew what we did and what we stand for, traveling would be so

Emily Lowrey (left) and Emmi Ness (right) at nationals in Washington D.C.

design by Charli FiCkbohm | artwork by Charli FiCkbohm | photos used with permission by emily lowrey, emmi ness & emma gaFFney

FEATURES

fter working a seven-to-four for nine months straight, handling numerous students, some gracious and some difficult, as well as balancing outside life, most teachers are ready to check out and enjoy their well-deserved summer vacation. However, for Brian Bechard, Scott Embry and Eric Rice, summer is when the paint brushes come out. The art of painting houses is a craft Embry has been mastering for decades. “I started in high school working for a friend of my dad that started a painting company. It was a good summer gig that paid well.

I worked for professional companies for about five to seven years through high school and college. Honestly, my very first summer after teaching, I wasn’t going to work because I’d done all this stuff [at school]. It lasted about two weeks, and you realized all you do is spend money if you’re not keeping busy,” said Embry. He found that painting freelance brought freedom to choose his schedule and the lack of an overbearing boss, allowing it to fit in well with his career of teaching. The side hustle began to evolve as more teachers became involved. “I realized that I could

work less and make the same amount of money working with friends, and I’ve always had friends that have helped me off and on throughout the year. [Rice and Bechard were] looking for summer jobs, and both of them had done a little bit of [handywork] before. We set our own hours, so if they’re going to take a fishing trip or I’m going to drive to Montana to see family, we’ll just schedule around it, and we’re not checking in with the boss anywhere,” said Embry. The three teachers have experience in a spread of handyman tasks; Bechard even runs his own business, BB Home Maintenance. “We’ve done some handyman stuff before; I’ve built spec houses with Bechard and James Jarovski, but we got away from doing that. We’ve built decks, roofed houses, but we’ve always come back to painting. I’ve done it since I was 17,” said Embry. Painting anywhere from three to six houses a summer, usually taking two to three days each, the three teachers have acquired quite a routine when it comes to turning out houses. “On a typical painting day, we will arrive at the customer’s house around 8 or 8:30 a.m. Rice is usually late because he’s dropping off his kids, and we all start prepping the house by masking off anything that needs to be covered, scraping peeling paint and caulking where needed,” said Bechard. “Once we have a portion of the house prepped and Rice has told Embry five-six times to get the sprayer going, Embry usually starts spraying paint as Rice and I continue to prep.

We will typically go until late afternoon or early evening until we are at a good stopping point to shut it down for the day.” But the business is more than a way to generate some additional income; it is an opportunity to provide personable and quality service to family and friends—the majority of their clientele— as well as a chance for the teachers to connect with each other. “My favorite part is probably just getting outside and working with a couple of good friends and making a little extra money. It’s about as simple as that. Honestly, the most challenging part for me [is] probably that I’m afraid of going too high on ladders,” said Rice. Beyond the revenue and social aspect, running a business teaches the three colleagues important lessons, and proves once again that honest, hard work pays off. “Don’t cut corners, don’t cheap out, just do the best you can. I always treat every job like you’re doing your own house. Don’t be afraid to work hard. If you do [that], the people you work for will see that and you will see more jobs,” said Rice. “Our goal is not to paint as many houses as possible in the summer; we want to make sure our customers are happy and be able to have a flexible schedule while making some extra money,” said Bechard.

by LiLy OsmundsOn

artwOrk used with permissiOn by Canva

by Alice Perry

thing, and I have always loved doing it,” said Ramstad. HS Discipline Clerical Jessica While a food truck may seem like Ramstad decided to stop waiting an unpopular selection for a culinary and follow her passion this summer, business, there is a tremendous amount opening the JR Kitchen Co. food truck. of freedom that comes with getting to Ramstad has had a vast amount of manage and create a business. cooking experience, graduating from “I have kind of had all the roles; line culinary school at Mitchell Technical cook, prep chef, I have done it all. [It is College and then working in several freeing] to have my own thing and make culinary settings afterward. However, after a lot of moving around and getting it mine, not somebody else’s menu. It is my menu; I can do what I want,” said to experience some unique job settings, Ramstad. she decided to switch gears and come to The food truck’s menu captures a work at LHS. variety of foods with a unique selection Ramstad opened the JR Kitchen Co. of toppings, as well as a kid’s menu with food truck this May with the help of her the basic essentials. husband, four children and an incredibly “I have two specialties. I do what supportive community. we call street burgers. It is either a “I grew up cooking from scratch; I have always loved it. We were actually at traditional burger, Mediterranean my brother-in-law’s wedding last January, beef burger or Mediterranean chicken. I smash them with a tortilla and my husband was like, ‘What are you on the grill, grill both sides and then waiting for?’ It has always been a dream for me. Cooking is my do the toppings for them. I [also] do two specialty tacos. I do a pulled pork, pineapple, salsa taco and then a smoked chicken [taco] with pepper coleslaw,” said Ramstad. One can only imagine the difficulty of running a side business while still maintaining a full-time position. However, Ramstad makes it work by operating fully in the summer and any chance she gets on weekends or breaks during the school year. “It is hard because I make everything from scratch, so I cannot just take a day to prep for an event. I have to plan accordingly to make sure that my stuff stays fresh enough,” said Ramstad.

It is safe to say that Ramstad has fully leaned into her dream, and the JR Kitchen Co. will be progressing for many years to come, as the business has been doing extremely well. The truck brings both more financial stability and joy to Ramstad and her family. “It is that adrenaline [of] being on that grill and just watching people once they take that first bite; you can just see their face light up. That is everything,” said Ramstad.

phOtO by Christian bOOtsma design by LiLy OsmundsOn design by Alice Perry | Photos used with Permission by JessicA rAmstAd

FEATURES

by Kinley Dillman & brea Steele

Remember the first time roaming the LHS halls? A lot of freshmen feel frightened by the large adjustment from middle school to high school, while others are excited and see the change as a new opportunity. It is always entertaining to hear a freshman’s first thoughts on the high school experience.

Dagim Kassaye has loved high school so far because of all the fun, new opportunities LHS offers. This year, Kassaye has enjoyed LHS events in and outside of school. “Events [are my favorite part] for sure, like football games,” said Kassaye. Kassaye is excited about future LHS activities as he is planning to be on the basketball team, the debate team and even DECA. Kassaye believes that compared to middle school, high school goes by faster because of the 8:20 am start. LHS is easy for him to navigate after he realized the school has just two main hallways. The new students and teachers at LHS have positively impacted Kassaye’s experience by giving him a fresh start and new community.

Several students were expecting a harsh awakening when starting at LHS, but in reality they were surprised at how easygoing and laid-back high school really is. “[I was surprised] how willing they [the counselors] are… to change your schedules around,” said Rilyn Schilling. “In middle school you didn’t really get the option.” Schilling enjoys the freedom and ability to make more decisions in high school and she believes that high school is not as scary as it seems.

Sawyer Ellingson is having an overall positive experience at LHS, but also believes that high school challenges him more than middle school. His classes are harder to get to, as passing periods can be crowded and his teachers expect more from him as a student. In his experience, the workload has increased compared to middle school, but he is still thriving and having fun throughout his day. Ellingson’s favorite class is sports and fitness because it helps him release his energy and focus his mind for the rest of the day. “I like sports and fitness because I get my heart rate going for… the rest of the day,” said Ellingson.

Stella Allen is involved in LHS competitive dance and FCCLA. The main contributors to Allen’s positive experience at LHS are the people. “At first, I was bummed, because I didn’t have a lot of classes with my friends. But after a while, I got to meet new people and now we hang out after dance and in class,” said Allen. Allen was nervous for the first day, but it ended up being surprisingly easy to get into the groove of high school. She believes that teachers expect high schoolers to get more done in class, but the work itself is not hard. Certain teachers expect a lot from her while others are more lenient. Allen previously went to Patrick Henry, where she had to carry around a binder in place of a backpack. The newfound freedom in backpacks helps Allen stay more organized.

Is high school really that big of a change? Sully Bolger is involved in LHS football and is on the basketball team. Bolger is in Spanish Immersion and attended Edison Middle School, which only had around 300 students in the class of 2030. Students in Spanish Immersion grow up with each other due to taking many of the same classes, so when Bolger came to LHS, he was able to interact with and meet many new people. “[High school] brought me closer to other people like Patrick Henry [students],” said Bolger. Although Bolger went into high school, thinking it would be much different than middle school, his view changed quickly. “I thought [high school] was going to be a big, big difference, but it is kind of just the same as middle school,” said Bolger.

Although many freshmen come into high school preparing to go through a maze between each class, almost everyone gets the hang of the halls within the first couple of days; Eunice Ocegueda went through a similar struggle. “High school is a lot larger than middle school and it’s kind of hard to find classes… for the first week at least,” said Ocegueda. Ocegueda walked her schedule on Patriot Pride night, which helped her navigate her way through the halls, and she would recommend it to other students.

It is important to get an idea of how the freshmen at LHS are adjusting to high school so that they are understood and supported. No matter how a kid feels about starting high school, it is a whole new experience. It seems our freshmen are enjoying their year and are ready to be a part of the LHS legacy.

DeSign by Kinley Dillman & brea Steele | photoS by Kinley Dillman & brea Steele | artworK uSeD with permiSSion by Canva

FEATURES

ountless students are drawn towards the medical field and have a passion for helping others but get overwhelmed by the scope of fields and specialties available. HOSA - Future Health Professionals is a club at LHS that introduces students to a future in healthcare and helps them explore different careers. The club teaches students real-world skills for healthcare and offers opportunities for their futures. HOSA was established in South Dakota in 2012-13. It continued to grow as LHS established a chapter in 2020-21, and there are 1,100 total members statewide currently. Adviser of HOSA at LHS, Joni Bushfield, believes that the club helps students narrow down their future career choices and sets students up for success. “HOSA can help students discover which healthcare fields they are most interested in, they can learn hands-on skills and there are networking opportunities through the career and college fairs at the state conference and mentorship programs,” said Bushfield. The club generally meets twice a month, with guest speakers, skills practice or planning and information about the upcoming events. Students can learn about various professions through the guest speakers and discover new occupations. Another highlight of the club is the State Conference, which includes over 80 different events.

State medalists in the Biomedical Debate event and qualifiers at the HOSA International Leadership Conference. (Left to right: Harper Maziarz, Naveya Vostad, Merik Deffenbaugh.)

LHS alumni Madison Landon teaches HOSA members how to suture.

Students may choose which events to compete in based on their interests. President Shafiyan Pervez believes that the conference in April provides members with the opportunity to perform their skills and explore their interests with the vast amount of events. The events range from testing written knowledge, hands-on and practical skills to teamwork and leadership abilities. “[HOSA] gives students a lot of experience in the medical world, especially at the conference at the end of the year,” said Pervez. A common difficulty for high school students is the decision of what career path to follow, and it is overwhelming. This choice is particularly challenging in the medical world, where the possibilities seem endless and it can be hard to pick a specialty. “You can just come and explore different fields in the medical world,” said Pervez. “Students gain a lot of knowledge about fields they want to explore and also may find out new information about different jobs.” The main goal of HOSA is to prepare students for a future in healthcare, specifically in South Dakota. The club brings in local medical associations to teach the members important skills and get to know medical opportunities in their community. “We’ve learned hands-on skills like suturing from USD medical students and micropipetting from Sanford Promise instructors,” said Bushfield. “[The goal of HOSA is] to help students explore different healthcare careers and inspire them to become future health professionals for South Dakota.”

by TaTum Goff

HS junior Sabrina Luschas and her family know what it looks like to keep America standing. On Oct. 12, National Farmers’ Day, the world celebrates the farmers of our community, those who keep our economy stable and our society fed after the end of a major harvest season. It is a day to honor and acknowledge the work they do to support each person’s everyday life. Luschas and her family are also worth

celebrating, as they provide corn and chickens through their local chicken business in Brandon, South Dakota and their 120-acre farm in Iowa. The demands of hard work, perseverance and sleepless nights make farming a job not everyone is willing to take on. That is to say, Luschas and her family deal with busy harvest seasons, the uncontrollable and the pressure to keep everything in line. Luckily for her and her family, they sell by word of mouth, so inflation does not deter them from selling smoothly.

Cows graze on Sabrina Luschas’ farm.

However, that does not mean problems do not arise. For them, if they lose a crop of corn or if their chickens get killed by unwanted predators, there is no direct solution, just another rerouting they have to figure out. They have to make sure everything is in line not only for their own benefit, but also for the businesses that rely on them, including Cherry Rock. Cherry Rock is another farm that provides land for the Luschas’ chicken farm, where they mutually benefit from one another: the chickens fertilize Cherry Rock, and the Luschas receive land in return. If they are having issues with their chickens, problems arise not only for them but for others as well. All of that to say, Luschas and her family exemplify why a national day like this was created so farmers like them can receive the acknowledgment their hard work has earned. For the Luschas, going on vacation does not mean they can just pack up and go; they have to figure out how to take care of their farm while they are gone. “The last time I took a vacation was this last Christmas because we have

friends back home who like to take care of our chicken farm,” said Luschas. Unexpected factors like these illustrate what makes farming hard. Not every solution will work; it is trial and error, which highlights the resilience farmers need to persevere despite setbacks. “Recently, our biggest issue has been minks. They come into our farm and eat or kill our chickens. We’ve tried setting up traps, but they haven’t worked; we’ve only caught raccoons and possums,” said Luschas. During their busy season, farmers work for hours on end to finish on time while also dealing with unpredictable weather. “In the peak harvesting seasons, it is always go-gogo; farmers have to work 24/7 because there are so many crops to harvest and very little time,” said Luschas. Farmers are the ones who, despite the long hours, busy seasons and unpredictable conditions, continue to show up and work. These farmers, like Luschas and her family, are among the many that we choose to acknowledge on Oct. 12 because without them, America would not be what it is today.

by LiLy Statema deSign by LiLy Statema | photoS uSed with permiSSion by Joni buShfieLd

desiGn by TaTum Goff | phoTo by TaTum Goff | phoTo used wiTh permission by sabrina Luschas

FEATURES

Another student who values music is Olivia Boakai, a senior at LHS. She was born in Worthington, Minnesota, and grew up listening to Christian music on Life 96.5 with her parents, both from Liberia. Since she grew up in an ethnic household, she also listened to African gospel and hip hop music. “[Now] my favorite genre of music would probably be R & B, and I think my favorite song currently would be ‘The Feeling’ by Steve Lacy, which I’m going to be seeing him in a couple weeks,” said Boakai. It is important to spread diversity through LHS, to make sure every student feels included. “I think we should explore other genres from different parts of the world. I think all music is good, and I would recommend something by Beyoncé [like] ‘Cut it,’” said Boakai.

by EvElyn bohl &

Ashlyn DoEring

Music is what defines who a person is from the heart and soul. At LHS, over 1,900 students each have a unique story to tell through their favorite music.

It can be hard to accommodate every student’s music preference, especially at a large school such as LHS. Ranging from Western pop to reggae to the blues and more, music is what can motivate and bring joy to students, making a typical day at school more exciting through the passing period music. Abby Lauck, a junior at LHS, grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, but her taste in music evolved over time. “I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, and listened to a lot of my dad’s music, [such as] country and hip-hop. My favorite music genres right now are R & B and rap,” said Lauck. “I think the passing period music should be more diverse and shouldn’t be only one specific genre of music, but it should have more music that younger people listen to.”

Robinson Reynoza, a junior at LHS, grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, but comes from a Mexican background, which changes his cultural experiences. Not only did he listen to the classic 2000’s music such as Bruno Mars, but he also enjoyed getting together with his relatives and listening to Spanish music. “I think that my music taste has definitely changed in some ways from when I was younger, such as branching out to other music styles, but sometimes I do go back and listen to some Latin artists,” said Reynoza. For the hallway music dilemma, Reynoza thinks Western music is fine, but adding more variety rather than the same popular songs would add some excitement to students’ days. “We need someone smoother like Drake or Michael Jackson to listen to,” said Reynoza.

All around the world, there are different music genres that even those at LHS have never heard of. In Mexico, where Cristopher Navarro Herrera, a junior at LHS, was born, he shares a liking for Latin music. For Navarro Herrera, in Mexico, he favored cumbias and corridos, which are types of Mexican ballads. Even with the change to living in the U.S., he both still embraces his culture every day by listening to the same, if not similar, music to what he listened to in his home country. Music is an important way of celebrating and learning about different cultures. For these Navarro Herrera, changing the passing period by adding some Hispanic music is a step toward embracing that. “I would say it should be more diverse because at times, I hear the same song over and over, like the ‘Barbie Song’ last year,” said Navarro Herrera.

Change can happen in many ways, and Filippo Corradini, a foreign exchange student at LHS born in Venice, Italy, shares his experience of change in music shaped by moving to a different country. “My favorite Italian rap artist is Sfera Ebbasta. But now, in the U.S., I really like to listen to Travis Scott or Drake,” said Corradini. Back in Italy, his parents heavily influenced his taste in music, ranging from Italian music artists to American rock bands. “My father is very passionate about rock music, but I listen to various music types like trap or rap. Growing up, [I listened to] AC/DC for rock; my father was a big fan. Also, maybe some Italian artists,” said Corradini.

Growing up, one’s influences often come from family and traditions. This is true for Soobin Seo, a junior at LHS who was born in Seoul, South Korea, whose family watched many K-dramas. Because of that, the music she often listened to was by Korean artists, specifically in the ballad genre. “I got into that type of music when my family and I used to watch K-dramas together; I remember liking one of the songs from a K-drama, so I continued listening to songs similar to it as it felt comforting to me.” This love for Korean music and entertainment continued when she moved to the U.S. At her middle school, she would listen to a Korean indie rock band, Jannabi, on repeat throughout her day. Though moving to the United States did not change her music taste, age did. Now, Seo plays indie pop and jazz, her favorite song being “Charm” by Clairo. “I think the influence from Western culture came when I got a phone and hopped on social media,” said Seo.

Expressing culture and learning about it is important, especially to Spanish teacher Yoana Vega. Coming from Colombia, she shares her experience with change in culture and cultivating it. “I was born in Colombia, and I grew up listening to pop music, folkloric music and salsa music. You know, Latin America is very lively, so that kind of music is for parties,” said Vega. Even with the countries being in vastly different locations, there are still similarities that two different cultures can connect with and understand. For Vega, there has been change, but that did not stop her from finding the similarities that bring groups of people together. “Yeah, it has changed, but I have found similarities as well. For example, I like country music. In Colombia, my country, we have that too. Not as much as here, but it is a genre I really love. I think when you are getting older, you appreciate the music that your parents listen to. Because I’m teaching culture, I have had the opportunity to reflect on different aspects of music,” said Vega. One way for those at LHS to celebrate and learn about one’s culture is to be exposed to it. At LHS, that can be through music played during passing periods. Vega is very connected with her students and wishes to share what they cherish with the rest of LHS. “Shakira or Camilo, but I try to think of my students and what they would like to listen to. As a teacher, I would like my students to listen to something slow as well that regular Spanish learners can enjoy, not only the Hispanic community,” said Vega. “Listening to music is a very good way of learning a new language, so I think we could do a lot of things with music.”

photos by Ashlyn DoEring DEsign by EvElyn bohl & Ashlyn DoEring

FEATURES

’ by Sam barnett & OScar ericSSOn

On Aug. 10, 2025, filmmaker Everett Palmer and his film crew hit the 8th and Railroad area of Sioux Falls with one goal: to obtain a glimpse of the homeless experience. Just over a year later, “24 Hours on 8th Street” premiered at the State Theatre, providing that same glimpse to a bigger audience. In early 2025, Palmer attended a networking event at USF, where he graduated with a media studies and entrepreneurship degree. There, Rudy Navarette, the film’s executive producer, overheard him discussing his media work. Upon overhearing Palmer, Navarette approached him with the project idea. They would spend a whole day and night around Sioux Falls’ 8th Street, documenting their experience while asking those involved in the homeless community about theirs. Palmer accepted the project. In the following months, they gathered a crew, including a director of photography, a co-editorproducer and LHS graduate Sean Baker. This project would eventually be seen through to become “24 Hours on 8th Street.” The filmmaking process can be a tedious and extensive one. For Palmer and the rest of the crew, “24 Hours on 8th Street” was no exception. During filming, the crew interviewed nearly 30 homeless people, service workers and police officers about their experiences in the community. “To figure out how to tell a story that wasn’t too overwhelming, that wasn’t too long, and that connected from one stage to the other with so many interviews was a big project,” said Palmer. “I’ve never done anything like it.” Many hours were spent editing the film to maintain adept pacing while still showcasing many of the different people interviewed. Editing sessions ranged up to 43 hours for Baker, who would eventually pay a visit to the hospital for sleep deprivation. “My eyes were bloodshot; it was terrible,” said Baker. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.” While the team never lost track of the story they were trying to tell, their creative visions for the film altered as more insight was shared by those who are directly involved in the homeless community.

The cast and crew interviewed nearly 30 people throughout production. Each interview required a carefully articulated setup of lights, cameras and microphones.

“24 Hours on 8th Street” premiered on Aug. 24 at the State Theatre, the ticket sales going towards the Glory House. Included in the documentary were accounts of local business owners handing out water and blankets to those who need them, shelter workers explaining the process of how to help someone struggling get back on their feet and homeless people explaining where they are in their recovery process. “The goal was to help the community understand what’s out there in Sioux Falls and also how difficult that [recovery] process is,” said Baker. Though the documentary provided the crew with new information and perspectives, the charity work was nothing new for them. Palmer and Baker have volunteered and created promos for over six years at The Banquet and other community events benefiting those in need. “24 Hours on 8th Street” premiered at the Sioux Falls State Theatre on Aug. 24, 2026, being the first of five showings until Sept. 6. Each showing of the film would donate the ticket sales to various community service organizations around Sioux Falls, including the Glory House, South Dakota Urban Indian Health, The Banquet Sioux Falls, Southeastern Behavioral Health and the Union Gospel Mission. Using the documentary, Palmer hoped to encourage viewers to try to make a difference in the community, no matter how big or small. “If we get enough people doing these simple things, that actually amounts to a large amount of change,” said Palmer. “So, we’re just hoping that we inspire people [to do so].” Though the options can be overwhelming, there are countless ways to participate and help in the film’s cause. Various services, such as the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and the Union Gospel Mission, offer volunteering opportunities where a day or even an hour can be spared. Furthermore, donations are always accepted in places like the Glory House and the St. Francis House, where items like clothing, moving boxes and food are used to help people recovering from homelessness. For cases like “24 Hours on 8th Street,” however, helping out can be just as simple as buying a movie ticket. “It can be you choosing to donate $20 and see a movie, and those funds go to a nonprofit, or maybe you’re going to sign up for a volunteer shift at the banquet,” said Palmer. “With me and Sean, we chose to use art to try and make a difference.” phOtOS by everett palmer & OScar ericSSOn | deSign by Sam barnett & OScar ericSSOn

by Lauren Statema & Izzy boeve

photoS by Lauren Statema & Izzy boeve | artwork by Izzy boeve photoS uSed wIth permISSIon by LhS yearbook | deSIgn by Lauren Statema & Izzy boeve

ENTERTAINMENT

by Kate Wilson

by Harper Maziarz

chool chants from the crowd, the sweet smell of kettle corn and teens from across Sioux Falls all in one place. Presidents Bowl is the annual football tournament taking place each fall since 1992. The tournament is named to honor the four presidential schools that compete: JHS, LHS, RHS and WHS. This is usually the only weekend game for schools and is highlighted by tailgating, food, tradition and, of course, football. The most anticipated part of Presidents Bowl begins far before the kickoff, early in the day; upperclassmen, led by the seniors, begin the day of festivities. The tailgate is typically held in the Howard Wood parking lot, where students start the day with ample amounts of food. Many bring tents and chairs to lounge on, and the lot is packed with students. The day is filled with yard games such as cornhole or pickup basketball. The tailgate typically lasts for a few hours, and as kickoff approaches, the crowds of students slowly make their way into Howard Wood Field. While the tailgate is a main source of food for many students, Howard Wood Field is known for its vendors, with various options for food. The most popular snack, whose sweet smell can be noticed anywhere in the venue, is kettle corn.

design by Harper Maziarz | pHotos used witH perMission by noaH blotske

The snack is freshly made throughout the day and is the perfect finger food for game days. The other contender for most popular snack is the South Dakota State University ice cream. The rich dessert is perfect to cool down in the heat of halftime. Any Patriot would know that the most important aspect of a football game is the attire. At games, high school students are all dressed the part. Whether they are decked out in school colors or jerseys, Patriots spread the word and fill the stands dressed in the dedicated theme, ready to cheer. For years, the image of Presidents Bowl has been the classic white out. From freshmen in the back to seniors up front, a wave of white shirts supports the Patriots. This tradition is one of the most iconic aspects of the weekend. Clothes are not the only aspect that makes true Patriots stand out; the chants known across grades that fill the stadium leave an impact. Led by cheerleaders, with arms around each other, “Let’s get fired up!” gets the whole student section up and moving as one. “P.A.R.T.Y.” is another fan favorite chant that highlights each grade individually, starting with freshmen, ending with seniors and finally the whole school together. The weekend is not only fun for high school students, but for kindergarten through middle school students alike. The Presidents Bowl committee hosts a kids’ cheer camp before the games, led by cheerleaders across the four schools. Kids spend the morning learning cheers and then perform them before the game. The real tradition of the Presidents Bowl is the community. Having true team spirit at Presidents Bowl is cheering on your team as one. Go Pats!

or many seniors, backto-school shopping isn’t complete until they pick their senior backpack. Having a senior backpack puts you back into your little kid’s shoes. When walking through the halls during a school day, you notice how almost every student has a backpack. Most backpacks are simple and solid color. But one grade sticks out from the rest. A senior backpack is when a senior picks childish backpack that meant something to them as a kid, or a fun character that represents their childhood. Some popular choices for the 2026-2027 seniors are princess characters, SpongeBob, SpiderMan and Dora the Explorer. These are popular because these were some of the most popular shows when the current seniors were little. Some other kids use the backpack that they had in kindergarten as their senior backpacks. People choose to do that because they are using the same backpack that they started school with 13 years ago and are leaving with it now. It is a fullcircle moment. It also shows how far you have come from the last time you put that backpack on before school. Senior backpacks started as most trends start now, through TikTok. It was July 28, 2021 when the 18-second video of seniors showing off their colorful, childhood-like backpacks went viral on social media and many more schools started doing senior backpacks for the 2022 seniors. Now it is

design by Kate Wilson | photos by Kate Wilson

a senior tradition to get senior backpacks. The trend became super popular for the 2022 seniors. Before that, there were a couple of smaller schools that did senior backpacks dating back to the early 2000s. Some seniors pick to wear senior backpacks as a way to show their individuality and at the same time unify them as the graduating class. Many students from every grade anticipate seeing what that year’s seniors have on their backpacks. It is a way for underclassmen to see the memories that the graduating class has from their childhood. Many seniors get their senior backpacks from budget-friendly places such as Walmart, Five Below and Target. The average price for senior backpacks is $15-$50. These backpacks are known to be smaller and inexpensive, but the memories they hold are far greater than anything else. Another fun experience with senior backpacks is going shopping with some of your best friends. Some seniors are going backpack shopping with people who were with them for their first childhood, backpacks others go with people they have met throughout their journey of growing up. While, preparing for the first day of kindergarten and the first day of senior year are completely different; one thing stays the same: picking a childhood-like backpack with one of your favorite characters on it.

ENTERTAINMENT

by John Quello, editor-in-Chief

School is full of milestones, one of the most prominent being senior photos. That being said, it is important to get it right, so why not learn from those who have done it already? Sarah Winterscheidt, the LHS photography teacher, preaches the importance of lighting. She recommends using soft lighting whenever possible, as it is more forgiving, such as a sunset where the light seems to wrap around the subject’s face. “It eliminates if you didn’t have a good night’s sleep, those little dark shadows, or maybe an imperfection on the skin,” said Winterscheidt. This, combined with a short conversation with your photographer beforehand, can help you feel more comfortable around them, thus helping your authentic personality shine through. “[I think aspects of these photos people should try to emulate would be to] capture the personality of the person and maybe activities they’re interested in,” said Winterscheidt. What people choose to wear can also date the photo; electing to wear something more classic like a suit or a collared shirt can make it timeless.

heidi dykstra

sCott amundson

tara paClik

heidi dykstra

sCott amundson

tara paClik

steve blankenship

design by John Quello | photos used with permission by lhs teaChers

steve blankenship

by Kate Schmidt

With Halloween coming at the end of the month, there is no better way to celebrate than to dress up some LHS staff !

Are donuts really an officer's favorite food? Even if they are not, a donut could be an iconic Halloween outfit for Chernock.

Harte’s red hair definitely demonstrates why this is her recommended Halloween outfit, plus her fun, outgoing personality really gives off Jessie.

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is the perfect fit for Stegeman. They are both iconic characters and of above-average height.

You can usually find these two basketball coaches together, just like PB&J! deSign by LhS StateSman | artworK by Kate Schmidt | photoS by chriStian bootSma

They both share the signature platinum blonde and trendy style. DuBois and Barbie are an excellent match for this upcoming Halloween.

ENTERTAINMENT

Basic-cut tops have been taking a step back to allow different shapes and styles of shirts to be revived. With fall approaching, mockneck sweatshirts are adding a clean, polished, 90s look to simple outfits. Mocknecks offer the framed look of a turtleneck, with a more relaxed collar, making them the perfect sweatshirt for everyday relaxing or dressing up for a nice event. Along with the mockneck, boatneck cut-tops create a classy, vintage vibe. This provides a wider silhouette that adds to basic outfits. Both mocknecks and boatneck tops are viral trends today, becoming the face of storefronts and headliners when it comes to fashion. by Wells batcheller & Paige tollinger

Hair trends from the past are making a comeback, with blowouts and French pins coming back in style. Blowouts, known for their bouncy and “chic” look, have returned for everyday hairstyles. French pins are also coming back, providing people with an easy way to put their hair up without too many accessories. While these styles may have been popular years ago, they are becoming big hits in today’s fashion.

As you roam the halls, you might see chunky sneakers or flip-flops on students’ feet. Flip-flops were huge in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Chunky sneakers also became popular around the same time and were often worn with baggy jeans or casual outfits. Now, both styles are being seen again, giving current outfits a throwback look while still fitting into today’s fashion.

Experiencing a similar shift, experimental cuts like jorts, capris and fold-over pants are all resurfacing from the 1990s and early 2000s. Denim has gone oversized, with jorts barely passing the knee, bringing a skater look into daily style. Alongside them, AND1 shorts have turned heads away from traditional, tailored shorts. While both jorts and AND1 shorts create a casual vibe, they are now deliberate fashion trends rather than the loungewear they used to be. Joining them, capris have returned to offering a sharp, cropped alternative that transitions smoothly from a pilates class to productive errands. Ultimately, the most dominant trend of all is low-rise. Whether it is applied to jorts, track pants or capris, letting the waistband sit effortlessly on the hip creates a throwback look, making any outfit stand out.

Photos used With Permission by abby olsen, instagram/@luxegen_official, maddieinboston617, lenoties, createddivine_, niezvintage & basecamP_beuty | Photos by Wells batcheller | design by Wells batcheller & Paige tollinger

ENTERTAINMENT

by Kenley berning

ummer 2026 was packed with artists touring across North America. According to PearSource’s data, concert ticket sales went up 12.3% compared to 2025. Popular artists like Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande, Olivia Dean, Lady Gaga and Benson Boone all had more than 20 shows nationwide. With the large amounts of artists going on tour, concerts became a popular way for students to spend their summer. Fans of these artists traveled to different cities, waited in long lines and fought for tickets to see their favorites live. Shows were performed in stadiums and during various music festivals, all drawing large crowds all over the nation. The average concert ticket price was $132.62, according to CNBC. Some attendees paid over $1,000 to see a concert in a stadium. In past years, music lovers have seen ticket prices get more and more expensive. Artists like Noah Kahan and Olivia Dean made sure to implement what is called Exchange Face Value for people buying tickets off of Ticketmaster. Exchange Face Value allows people to sell your ticket only at the original price that you paid. This restricts resellers from upping the price by thousands of dollars to allow others the opportunity to attend without spending too much. For teens, concerts are way more than just music. It is a way to connect with others; make memories and experience something nobody will forget. Multiple LHS students attended concerts this summer. Junior Dom Curry went to Shinedown in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Shinedown is a rock band that is most famously known for holding the all-time record for singles in Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay history. “The initial experience wasn’t great. We got the Early Bird VIP package, but it was kind of a rip-off. You got a cheap gift bag, and then you stood in a line… The openers were both great and high energy, and the crowd was amazing. Shinedown’s set was amazing (except the lead singer was kind of a let-down). At the very end, all the members (except the lead singer, again) came down and signed stuff and took pictures. I got to talk to the bassist, Eric Bass, and he was a really cool guy,” said Curry. For concertgoers, sometimes normal tickets are not enough; VIP packages make the experience run smoother and come with some perks, but sometimes they tend to be misleading.

Junior, Elliana Bill attended more than five concert this summer. “For MCR, every seat in Target Field was sold out, and it was insanely crowded. The lines to get in were insanely long because people had waited since 8 a.m. for good spots in the pit,” said Bill. With the increase in ticket sales for summer of 2026, a sold-out show is very common, but it comes with some complications. When a show sells out, stadiums try to pack thousands of people into one venue. If artists market their shows, people get excited and start waiting hours before the show even starts. This makes lines long and areas crowded, which can add lots of stress for those attending. Whether people end up spending extra on VIP packages or deciding to wait in long lines at a stadium, summer concerts are a big commitment; the increase in popular artists going on tour and ticket sales have reached an all-time high. Fans were excited to see their favorite bands or musicians live. Despite the large crowds and steep cost, concerts continued to be people’s favorite ways to spend their summer.

photos used with permisson by wiKipedia & dom Curry |artworK used with permisson by Canva|design by Kenley berning

by Alice GerAets,

editor-in-chief

he LHS boys golf team has had major changes: two new coaches and a new motto. The team has a history of success at LHS; they have won multiple state titles, won qualifying meets and achieved numerous top-10 finishes at the state tournament. This year they have come back stronger than before, ready to prove what they can do. But what makes them even more preP.A.R.ed than previous years is the acronym P.A.R.. P.A.R. stands for Patience, Acceptance and Resilience. This acronym was chosen through a lot of research by head coach John Vining; it captures every aspect of the game and is explained in just three words. These values are important in playing golf because although you are on a team, it is a very individualbased game. Each player is competing with other people on other teams and also against their own teammates. They are playing sometimes for more than five hours without any social interaction except for maybe two people from a different competing team. This impacts the athlete’s mentality, so it is crucial to have a strong mental game. P.A.R. is a way for players to keep their focus strong through these long tournaments. The first letter in P.A.R. is Patience; this means waiting for events to happen and practicing delayed gratification. This is key for playing golf because the

Senior Yusuf Mire, assistant girls flag football coach, takes the lead while head coach, Marshell Byrd, is absent.

Girls flag football team celebrates their win with a facetime video to head coach, Marshell Byrd, while he was on vacation.

slightest change in a swing can be the difference between the ball going into the trees or in the center of the fairway. This can heavily affect the mentality of a player. The second letter is Acceptance, which means accepting the outcomes that have happened during a competition, what the players do not have control over and what they do, and how to accept those outcomes on the golf course. This is also key in golf because players have to accept that everything might not go the way they want. The last letter is Resilience; being resilient means bouncing back after a bad outcome of a shot

and not letting it affect the player’s game. “Being resilient cannot happen if you are not being patient or accepting,” said Vining. Head Coach Vining and Assistant Coach Jared Jansen have made changes to the golf team’s practice by structuring it differently and having meetings before tournaments. They have changed the aspect of the practices to be more competition-based. “It is more game-oriented with competitions, which I think has benefited everyone by building a more competitive atmosphere,” said senior golfer Max Krenik. Before every competition, Vining will meet with the boys who are competing, and they

study the courses to know what to expect. They map out the course to ensure the best possible round they can. With it being the same team from last year, the players are able to understand each other more and push to create that competitive atmosphere. With Vining’s past experience as a golf coach at USD, he knows what to prioritize and the best way to do it. “In my coaching career, I have learned the most important thing is to strive to improve as humans, managing the mental and emotional side,” said Vining. With a strong new foundation of experienced players, the LHS boys golf team is well equipped to have another successful season with P.A.R. helping them through.

desiGn by Alice GerAets | photo used with permission by brAd shuck

arshell Byrd started a new journey at LHS this year; he is now the girls flag football head coach. He is not just coaching for the fun of it; he is here to win it all. Byrd is an Education Support Professional at LHS. He has always been a part of football and currently has a son, Jakobe Byrd, who is a defensive back for the LHS football team. He fits right into this coaching position due to his prior experience as a State title LHS high jump coach. “[I] just [have] a passion for football in general. I thought it was a cool opportunity to take on something new and show them… the ins and outs of the game,” said Byrd. He began this year with only one thought in his mind: being the best. Now we all know what it truly takes for one’s team to become the best: hard work, dedication, countless hours and so much more. At LHS, sports are taken very seriously; no one joins an activity to not become a champion. Everyone can see this in all sports offered at LHS, and Byrd sees it every year while coaching a part of the all-star track program. “[My goal for this program is to be] like every other sport at Lincoln: Champions,” said Byrd. Sometimes when joining a team sport, athletes have no idea what position or spot they will play, especially when it is someone’s first year playing a sport. There are several players on this girls’ 7-on-7 team that are in other LHS sports and

DesiGn by Greyson Deelstra | photos by Greyson Deelstra

Junior Sophie DeGroot lines up ready to stop the touchdown and help win the game, making them 3-0 on the day.

activities. One of these players is Sophie DeGroot. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing wide receiver, but we haven’t had many practices, so I’m not sure how it will go in the first game, but I trust that coach Byrd will help our team be successful,” said DeGroot. Numerous times in sports coaches can also have a heavy impact on their team and players. With hard work as one of their main goals, they can have great success in everything they do on and off the field. The team has spent time not only working on drills and plays but also spending time with each other and developing chemistry. “I wanted to [build chemistry in] the same way, build family trust and respect for each other,” said Byrd. All athletes should have goals. These goals may look different from athlete to athlete, but that is the best part. Leaders and their teammates are able to help each other work up to the goals they all have set in their minds. “My goals are to have fun and enjoy learning something new. Also to help my team do the best we can,” said DeGroot. This team is going to have challenges throughout the season as they play other high schools in Sioux Falls. They will not only strive to become successful, they will also become a family as they do it.

by Greyson Deelstra

SPORTS

by IngrId ready

Sophomore Lauryn Gohl and freshman Momo Welch Okawa high fiving after getting a point in their doubles match.

lison Schellpfeffer is not only a mother and a lawyer, but also the new LHS girls tennis head coach for the 2026 season and hopefully many more to come. Schellpfeffer started playing competitive tennis when she was a junior in high school and played all through college. She wanted the head coaching job because she knew what the experience of being a high school tennis player was like, from the nervousness during a close match to just having an off day. “I understand the highs and lows that players experience on the court because I have been in similar situations in the past. I have been in slumps, been nervous and choked during close matches, and have had to battle through matches when I could barely hit a forehand,” said Schellpfeffer. Schellpfeffer has also had the opportunity to work with many coaches in her career who taught her many important lessons that she would also like to share with the girls on the LHS girls tennis team. “She is a great coach; she focuses both on the body of the team and getting us all to collaborate and communicate with each other,” said senior tennis player Alahna Noble. Schellpfeffer’s favorite part about coaching the girls is the fact that they all have different and unique ways to contribute to the team. Some organize dress-up days, others help lead warm-ups and show up to important matches to support their teammates. “Recently, a couple players cheered on and brought a smile to one of their teammates who was in a competitive and important match. I really think the outcome of the

match could have been different if they had not, in their unique way, encouraged and supported their teammate,” said Schellpfeffer. Schellpfeffer likes to think of practices as a collaboration. Since many of the varsity players practice year-round, she is able to tell what they need to work on in order to improve for the next match. Schellpfeffer normally has a list of skills to work on during practice, but if a player is looking to work on something that is not on the list, she is happy to incorporate it into practice to make the team better. “While we like to have fun as a team, when on the court, I believe it is important to stay focused and keep high intensity because how you show up in practice is frequently how you show up in a match,” said Schellpfeffer. In the past, the LHS girls tennis players have gained the reputation of being fair, hard-working, composed and courteous. Schellpfeffer is continuing that tradition by making sure the team has fun while remaining focused at practices. She believes in holding quality practices over quantity and that each day is an opportunity to improve as a player. “Most of all, I want to create a culture where these girls show up for and support each other both on the court and off. Knowing that people around you have got your back is such a gift,” said Schellpfeffer.

Coach Allison Shellpfeffer watching Momo Welch Okawa and Lauryn Gohl play in a doubles match against JHS.

artwork used wIth permIssIon by Canva | photos by IngrId ready | desIgn by IngrId ready

ven after traveling around the world and visiting over 15 countries, Anezka Szabo finds herself back in Sioux Falls, SD, as a coach rather than a player. After a sucessful collegiate and professional volleyball career, Szabo begins her first season as a high school volleyball coach at LHS. “I first tried volleyball in middle school and loved it immediately,” said Szabo. Following middle school, Szabo began her high school volleyball career at LHS. She then went on to play collegiate volleyball at the University of Nebraska for three seasons. During her freshman year at Nebraska, the team won the National Championship. Concluding her third season at the University of Nebraska, Szabo transferred to the University of Kansas to finish out her college career. After college, she played professional volleyball in Switzerland for two years. “I wanted to come back to Lincoln to coach because I loved being a part of Lincoln volleyball and track,” said Szabo. For Szabo, returning to LHS is more than just starting a new coaching position. It is an opportunity to give back to the community that played such an important role in her own athletic journey. After having great coaches throughout her career, she wishes to provide her athletes with the same positive experience her

Anezka Szabo coaching Liv Langenfeld and her JV team against WHS.

coaches gave her. She has also coached with the current head coach, Nikki Nyhaug, and enjoys working with her coaching style. “One thing that is very important to me is building relationships off and on the court,” said Szabo. Szabo aspires to bring an uplifting attitude to the team and be a playerfocused coach. As a former rightside hitter, one of her favorite skills to coach in volleyball is blocking. Helping a player break down the different parts of a block is almost second nature to Szabo. She would also like to build strong connections with the players and give them new perspectives. “The game of volleyball moves so fast; as a coach, you can break it down and see things that are easy to miss as a player,” said Szabo. Although Szabo spent many years playing on the court, being on the sideline has allowed her to see the game from a different point of view. Instead of focusing on her own responsibilities, she can now focus

on the entire team and help individual players work on small details. These details may seem small at the moment, but they can lead to big outcomes later in the season. “I hope to bring a lot of energy and excitement to the team,” said Szabo. Along with bringing many years of experience to the team, Szabo also aims to play a big role in player development. She intends to accomplish this by bringing lots of energy and support from the bench and creating a fun and welcoming environment for the players. Every game day, she looks forward to the packed and energetic LHS gym. As the season gets underway, she is excited to trade her spot on the court for a place on the sideline and help the next generation of players grow. by Regan Van MeeteRen

design by Regan Van MeeteRen | aRtwoRk used with peRMission by CanVa | photo by anna beRgan

SPORTS

i i r k g d i ch n s

n Dt F

or years, alcohol has been more than just a drink in American culture. It has an overlooked place in celebrations, holidays, entertainment, social gatherings and even religion. But for Gen Z, that dynamic might be changing. Young Americans are still drinking, but national research shows that alcohol is becoming less desired in the lives of young adults. But this poses a bigger question: why are young people who grew up surrounded by drinking culture choosing to drink less? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 47.5% of Americans aged 18-25 reported alcohol use within the last month. That means young adults are still drinking, but not nearly as much; a study from Monitoring the Future states the peak of young Americans consuming alcohol to be around 91.9% in the 80s and 90s. Another study from Monitoring the Future found that alcohol use amongst Americans aged 19-30 has been in steady decline for the last decade. This same study also found that binge drinking was

by Christian bootsma & Quinton hollan, eDitor-in-Chief

at an all-time low for emerging adults but increasing for people aged 35-50. This steady decline shows a significant change in the role alcohol is playing in most societies, as historically it has acted as a kind of social lubricant. Alcohol’s first appearance of consumption, according to the Smithsonian magazine, has been dated back 9,000 years to China’s Yellow River bed. From this moment, humans fell in love with the feeling of being intoxicated and being intoxicated with each other. Drinking with another person actually has a psychological backing. When a person is inebriated in the presence of another, their brain releases endorphins that they associate with that person; laughing, singing, dancing and even talking with friends feels much more rewarding. At the same time, participating in the same activity as a group of people creates a sense of unity among that group, according to a study led by Professor Robin Dunbar at the University of Oxford exploring the social mechanics of drinking. These social effects led humans to want a place to participate in the activity easily, so naturally the first bar was built. According to the Washington Post, archaeologists unveiled the first bar and dated it back around 5,000 years ago. This tavern was found in modern-day Iraq, which could have possibly been the Sumerian city-state of Lagash. Since then, alcohol has found its way into almost every community across the globe.

So, why is Gen Z starting a change if it is so normalized? Alcohol’s downsides are well known and very visible to this generation. The World Health Organization reports that around 178,000 deaths in the U.S. alone are related to alcohol. Internationally, 2.6 million deaths can be tied back to alcohol. Leading causes of alcohol related deaths include, but are not limited to, liver disease, heart disease, kidney failure, intoxicated car crashes, stroke, poisoning and even just falling. It is very common for someone in Gen Z to be affected by alcohol. One in four kids grow up being affected negatively by the misuse of alcohol. All of these factors have contributed to the trend of Gen Z choosing not to participate in the use of alcohol, but one thing stands out the most. Drinking does not feel mandatory anymore. For previous generations, drinking was less of an option and more of an expectation when socializing. Gen Z’s social space has also changed centers, from being focused on meeting people at social events, where alcohol was pressured, to communities building online away from the bottle. So, is Gen Z drinking? Yes, but they have shown a steady declining rate of alcoholism and overall alcohol consumption. Young Americans have a large pool of reasons to choose not to drink, prioritizing health, finances and negative childhood experiences, or maybe they simply do not feel like they have to.

artwork by Dena tarrell | artwork useD with permission by Canva & eDiteD by ChatGpt | DesiGn by aliCe Geraets & Quinton hollan

PERSPECTIVES

Design by Dena Tarrell | arTwork useD wiTh permission by Canva

by Danika boerboom

igh schools across America let their senior students paint and reserve a parking spot of their choice. LHS, however, does not participate in this memorable tradition. For many seniors, reserving and personalizing a parking spot is a long-awaited and exciting opportunity. Seniors often use this space to express themselves, customizing their spot by writing their name and graduation year, adding their favorite colors, interests and activities. Additionally, schools may use this activity as a senior class fundraiser, charging each senior a fee for the privilege of painting and reserving their spot. Many seniors at LHS feel that this is an attainable goal and wish that they could paint their own spot. “I think we should [paint spots] so seniors get seniority over the parking spots,” said LHS senior Yusuf Mire. Not only would this program enable seniors to choose and reserve a spot just for themselves, but it would also allow them to show their classmates who they are and their interests. “[Painting parking spots] just shows who we are outside of school. We could paint different things and share our personalities,” said LHS senior Alexis Norberg. There are a multitude of ways seniors could utilize their spaces, showcasing their talents, values, activities and hobbies. “I would probably incorporate elements of my activities into my parking spot, like soccer. Also, I’d probably paint something with ‘Lilo and Stitch,’ the TV show. I’d make it very tropical,” said Norberg.

LHS’s very own principal, Dr. Laura Raeder, would choose to paint her spot by incorporating the school colors, her graduation year and, obviously, a Patriot. While she sees the value in this program, she also realizes the challenges LHS would face. With only 525 student parking spaces and the need to ensure that no other students park in the reserved spots, this activity might end up costing the school more funding than students realize. “Every single design would have to be approved before you did it, and then I would have to pay someone because, while I have a parking lot person that goes out and checks, this person would have to check every hour,” said Dr. Raeder. However, funding is not the only issue. The logistics and rationalizing the spots would cause difficulty as well. “A problem with parking is that we just don’t have enough spots, so when you’re not here, somebody else needs your spot. And sometimes kids go to CTE or something like that, and they’re not here for part of the day, so they don’t need to take a spot for the entire day,” said Dr. Raeder. While this fun tradition might not be an option for current LHS seniors, they can still participate in senior activities such as Senior Sunrise, Senior Sunset, Senior Assassin and many more. Even without senior parking spots, LHS appreciates its seniors.

very student has wished they got paid to attend school. It’s five days a week, seven hours a day and most certainly feels like a full-time job. Public schools in Detroit are giving students what they want. High schoolers get paid $100 a week if they have perfect attendance, with the ability to earn up to $1,000 per year. This program has decreased chronic absenteeism by 10% while also providing financial support for families and giving an incentive to students. But not every school district can launch such an initiative, so why come to school for free when others are getting paid? Joshua Smith, LHS’s Freshman Academy Coordinator, works with teachers to ensure that students are finding the motivation and assistance they need to succeed in school. Missing days of school make it hard for students to catch up on work. Falling one day behind can create a gap that only worsens the longer students are absent. Last year, 95% of LHS freshmen passed all of their classes and moved on to be sophomores. The

common trait among the remaining 5% is chronic absenteeism. Missing only 17 days is 10% of the school year, and those who have chronic absenteeism are missing much more than that. Students who are missing more school find themselves having a harder

In addition to missing out on classwork, absences can take students away from other opportunities. Last year, LHS counselor Matt Meyers and English Learner (EL) teacher Emily Koo started Futbol Fridays, a chance for students to get active during the

time catching up on work and keeping their grades up. Smith’s goal is to keep students from missing too much school and avoid creating more work for themselves. “When you miss little things here and there, you miss the connections… It creates gaps that you would be able to fill if you were present,” said Smith.

school day. On Fridays, EL students who are passing and are not skipping their classes can play soccer during their lunch and study period. Furthermore, with the introduction of district-wide ACT testing, seniors who did not meet the original requirements for semester test exemption have a second chance; students who miss two or

fewer periods for each class and have a 70% or higher will be exempt from their semester tests. As the school year continues, absences rise and students become burnt out from their course loads. Smith emphasizes the importance of continuing to show up and stay involved to ease the monotony of school. Enriching yourself in an activity, whether it’s a class, club or sport, provides benchmarks to look forward to throughout the day. Going through high school without being involved can put a hardship on mental health. Activities and clubs can also help build relationships and prepare students for future relationships. To prevent absences from accumulating, finding a niche at school will also allow students to find the support they need to continue their education. Battling chronic absenteeism can become easier with the support system one needs to succeed. “In your relationships, you have to show up for people. You gotta work hard to keep those relationships going. You gotta work hard at work,” said Smith.

by Dena Tarrell, eDiTor-in-Chief

Design by Danika boerboom artwork useD with permission by Canva

PERSPECTIVES