October Issue 2022 by LHS Statesman

Statesman

joanna azevedo: worlds apart ARIAHNA WELLS headlights theater REESE DUNCAN meet the fall sports seniors CLARA BINSTOCK & BERGEN QUELLO lhs conspiracy theories FISHER MEYERINK

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by Gabe Schmit ISSUE NO. 1 OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE

LHS counseling welcomes Jacob McDonald- ANNA ANDERSON

Heard in the halls- ELLEN MERKLEY

Joanna Azevedo: Worlds apart- ARIAHNA WELLS

A Holiday worth celebrating- KATIE JENSEN

LHS fresh faces- VANESSA TIMAT

LHS students take on Europe- CLARE HEUPEL

CTE Academy: A learning opportunity- MORGAN SANDNESS

What LHS staff did this summer- DANIEL VALENTINE

LHS Writing Center- EMMA FORSTER

Rise up 2022- ADIE THEOPHILUS

Josiah’s Coffeehouse a simple smalltown breakfast- ELLA DUBOIS & ELYSSE WEBER

Meet the freshies- KINLEY FREESE & JOSIE TOLLINGER

What the LHS teachers should dress up as this HalloweenDELANEY GRAMLICK

Grubs after dubs- CLARA BINSTOCK

Statesbuds: Coffee edition- LUCAS HIATT

Headlights Theater: Bringing modern dance to Sioux Falls- REESE DUNCAN

Best Fall TV- KATE MATTHES

Spooktacular stories- ADRIENNE REVIER

Fabulous Fall fashion ‘fits’- BETSY HAFT

What do you fear?-- ELANA BISHOP

Teams take on TikTok- KADENCE DEAN

Next up, 5’7” RS/OH: Blom- ELYSSE WEBER

Meet the Fall sports seniors- CLARA BINSTOCK & BERGEN QUELLO

Soccer’s new stage- CAROLINE HUGHES & RAINA MARTY The main event- GABE SCHMIT

PAPER

Starting strong- LAURA HECKENLAIBLE

Taylor is Swifty killing the environment- ZOE LARSON

LHS conspiracy theories- FISHER MEYERINK

Why work?- LAURA HECKENLAIBLE

Maybe reading isn’t all that bad- JADA SANDVALL

Dear Class of 2026- EMMA SOUTHWICK

Let’s just ‘BeReal’- SARAH BOMHOFF

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Sarah Bomho , Morgan Sandness & Jada Sandvall ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Emma Forster & Kate Tollinger FEATURE EDITORS Anna Anderson & Vanessa Timat ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS- Delaney Gramlick & Emma Southwick PERSPECTIVES EDITORS- Laura Heckenlaible & Clare Heupel SPORTS EDITOR- Lucas Hiatt NEWS EDITORS Reese Duncan & Kate Matthes SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS- Raina Marty & Ellen Merkley STAFF WRITERS Clara Binstock, Elana Bishop, Kadence Dean, Ella DuBois, Kinley Freese, Betsy Ha , Caroline Hughes, Katie Jensen, Zoe Larson, Fisher Meyerink, Natalie Nolan, Bergen Quello, Addison Remme, Adrienne Revier, Gabe Schmit, Adie eophilus, Josie Tollinger, Daniel Valentine, Elysse Weber, Ariahna Wells, ompson Wake eld, Reagan Wulf ADVISER: Katie Kroeze Statesman 4 5 6 8 9 10 12 15 16 18 19 20 22 24 26 28 29 30 34 36 38 40 41 44 45 46 32 31 47 33 42 23

“He looks like he goes to school.”Sunday

“I’m like your wolf boyfriend.”

“The cult meeting in the bathroomE-wingtoday was very exciting.”

BY ANNA ANDERSON

For nearly 13 years, LHS has been home to the same counseling crew. Students and faculty have gotten used to the same familiar faces, until this year. Some may know him as the fresh face in the counseling department or the guy with positive affirmation pencils in his office. Jacob McDonald is the newest member to LHS’ counseling team and has so much to benefit and help grow the counseling department. McDonald has previously served as the former President and is now current Treasurer of the South Dakota School Counseling Association and has spent the majority of his career as a counselor at WHS for 12 years.

“Sometimes you need to uproot yourself when you get too comfortable,” said McDonald. “I loved Washington, but I started to feel complacent.”

Because of his previous experience and knowledge of the Sioux Falls School District, McDonald hopes to bring inclusion and new additions to LHS that will benefit the student body and the overall environment of LHS.

“I love running group programs,” said McDonald. “I used to run a culture group at WHS where we bring students from different cultures and backgrounds together to talk about and share their experiences for others to hear. I’m hoping to continue that over here.”

While still maintaining the desire to work in a schooling environment, McDonald was introduced to the counseling program at WHS that was hiring at the time while he was student teaching a PE class. In his high school days, school counselors were nothing like they are today with the majority of their focus on test coordination.

“A lot of things have changed since then, like now having mental health as one of the main focuses of this career,” said McDonald. “I went back to USD and decided to go for the position. If your heart is telling you to go a certain way you should do it, and I’m glad I did.”

As many know, a transition from something that one has grown accustomed to can be very difficult, but McDonald remains confident that he made the right choice in making the switch.

“There’s more of a trust and freedom with students in regards to scheduling that we can do here,” said McDonald.

“There’s a lot more creativity here that I’ve always been very intrigued with.”

Throughout his own high school and early college years, McDonald had his goal set. He wanted to be a coach. Having skill in running track and field throughout his childhood, he admired and looked up to the people in his life that constantly motivated him to be better. However, as he grew to learn his own personality and career style, he realized that path was not for him.

“I remember that it hit me like a ton of bricks towards the end of college during my student teaching,” said McDonald. “I love sports, but not as a career.”

Possessing the core essence of a good mentor, McDonald’s love and drive for students to succeed in their adolescent years remains as his driving force for what he does on a daily basis.

“I remember that time of my life [high school] I had some adults that took a special interest in me and helped me out immensely,” said McDonald. “When you look back, you begin to realize how important these people were in your life, and I love being in a position to do that for other people.”

“I mean this in the nicest way, you look like ****.”

“You put the L in LOL.”

When walking the halls with the other1,856 students that attend LHS, it is inevitable to overhear a conversation; however, some are a bit more head-turning than others. Here are a couple of the best heard so far this year:

“Your dad’s hot.”

“I’m not going to be alive in 2026. That’s not a real year.”

“Sorry I flirt with girlfriend…your she's hot.”

“If God is so cool, how come I’ve never seen him do a kickflip?”

“It’s my nose’s time of month.”

“Aye find a cage for those dogs.”

“Take your hood off… take your hood off. Take your hood off… sir take your hood off. Thank you.” *puts hood back on after turning the corner*

“I made a fish tree for you.”

by EllEn MErklEy

DESIGN BY JADA SANDVALL

“SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO UPROOT YOURSELF WHEN YOU GET TOO COMFORTABLE,” SAID MCDONALD. “I LOVED WASHINGTON, BUT I STARTED TO FEEL COMPLACENT.”

ARTWORK BY JADA SANDVALL 4 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

artwork

Merkley design

Ellen Merkley OCTOBER ISSUE 5

by Ellen

BY ARIAHNA WELLS

With the start of a new school year comes many fresh faces full of unique experiences. While some of us have only had the chance to visit other wonders of the world, others have had the chance to live in these places and fully immerse themselves in the culture that place has to offer.

Joanna Azevedo, a senior at LHS, has lived on all sides of the globe, giving her a rare glimpse into how people of different countries live their lives. Because all countries have different cultures and ways of living, it introduces many new skills needed in our society.

“I became a lot more open minded and learned to accept others due to the many cultures I encountered throughout my life,” said Azevedo.

While Azevedo now calls the U.S.

home, there are a few other countries that also hold a special place in her heart. From being born in Brazil, then moving across the ocean to Canada and finally landing in Sioux Falls, SD, Azevedo’s life already is more multifarious than the average senior in high school.

“Throughout my life, I’ve lived in three different countries, them being Brazil, Canada, and the U.S.,” said Azevedo. “I was born in Brazil but moved to Montreal, Canada when I was 12 years old. At the age of 15, I moved to Sioux Falls, SD where I currently live.”

Not only has Azevedo become more open minded to the rest of the world, she has also had to adapt to the different languages spoken in these countries. Learning a new language takes plenty of work, making it

almost unfathomable to imagine how difficult it is to learn four different languages in the span of 17 years.

“I currently speak four languages,” said Azevedo. “My first language is Portuguese, the native language in Brazil. Then, after moving to Canada, I had to learn French because the Canadian system forces immigrant students to go to French speaking schools and during my time at school I learned English by talking to friends. Lastly, I learned Spanish by listening to friends speak it.”

Just like the languages that are primarily spoken in all of these places are different, so is the style of school. Many people are used to the freedoms given in choosing what classes fill their schedules each year, allowing them to explore their interests and career fields, but that is not the case

for students around the globe. In many countries around the world, there is a set number and type of classes one is required to take each year, which greatly limits their ability to explore the different career fields present in their everyday life.

“At first, I was very surprised to find out that in America, high school students get to choose the classes they wish to take and have the opportunity to learn many different skills during their time at school,” said Azevedo.

While living in the U.S. has many opportunities, it is hard being so far away from friends and family. Many people know the struggles of long distance relationships, whether that be with friends, family or significant others, but few people know the struggles that present themselves when the people one loves are thousands of miles away. Luckily for Azevedo, the wait is almost over to reunite with her loved ones.

“I’m going on a family trip to Brazil this winter to see my family and friends,” said Azevedo. These unique life experiences are what shape one into who they are, which is necessary to the world. Whether home is spread out all over the word, or home has always been in one place, these experiences help guide us as we grow.

DESIGN BY ARIAHNA WELLS

6 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 7

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOANNA AZEVEDO

As students rush through the LHS hallways, all one will hear is the loud roar of conversation happening throughout every group lling each square foot of the hall. Many students do not take into consideration how lucky they are to have a simple conversation in the hallway uninterrupted without di culty or confusion. Julie Holiday works with students who may not be this fortunate.

Holiday is a Speech-Language Pathologist at LHS and BRMS. Many people may not be familiar with this name because they do not encounter her on a daily basis; however, Holiday does a lot for students at LHS. She comes once a week for direct speech therapy in order to help with their communication skills. Holiday works with students who are limited in their ability to communicate with words, have di culties knowing how to respond in social situations and have de cits in language abilities including vocabulary. She helps make sure students are reaching their full potential in their education by consulting their teachers to understand how the student is communicating in class or if it is hindering their academics or social functioning.

Holiday’s job does not stop outside of the classroom, she also works with parents in order to educate them on ways their students’ communication skills can improve outside of school.

Although Holiday is working hard throughout the entire school year at both BRMS and LHS, the limited time at LHS can be challenging. Not only is it more di cult to make connections with the students and teachers, but it is harder to know what the student needs to reach their full potential.

“Since I am only at LHS one day a week… [it] makes it challenging to really know what students would bene t from in regards to my services. I have to make the most of my time when I am there,” said Holiday.

However, the bene ts far outweigh the negatives of her job. Holiday experiences these bene ts when she sees how her work has helped students grow or communicate something that they could not before. She sees these moments when students use a communication book, use an output device to tell someone their needs and wants or make a social story to let someone know how they can be successful in social situations.

“ e most rewarding part of my job is when a student is able to communicate something that they have not been able to say or do before due to something that I put into place,” said Holiday.

Holiday worked very hard to get where she is today. In high school, her love for English classes led her to want to be a therapist in college. Although she did not know what kind of therapist yet, a er taking Kinesiology, which is the study of the mechanics and anatomy of human movement and their roles in promoting health and reducing disease, she switched from physical therapy to speech-language pathology and developed a love for it. A er graduate school, Holiday started out in geriatrics. She then continued to work at LifeScape with adults with developmental disabilities for 12 years. A er returning to geriatrics for 10 years, she eventually made it to the school district. rough her long journey of continuously helping people throughout her career, she is very thankful to be where she is today.

“I love the students, the schedule and the camaraderie of working with teachers! I am very fortunate,” said Holiday.

Holiday has been helping people as a speech-language pathologist for 25 years, while still being a wife and mother to ve kids. rough big and small actions, Holiday is making changes and helping LHS students for the better every day.

LHS FRESH FACES

BY VANESSA TIMAT

Position: Patriot Post, Freshman Volleyball Coach, Freshman Girls Basketball Coach

Why they came to LHS: “I have had family members teach here and heard a lot of good thing

Fun facts: “I am an amateur disc golf player. I love Dirt Track Racing. I was born in California.”

Position: Biology teacher

Why they came to LHS: “I was ready for a change. I went from teaching all the science classes in a small school to teaching one in a big school. I was looking for more opportunities.”

Fun facts: “I like listening to music, riding my Harley, KC Chiefs, fishing, watching movies with my family and camping. I have three kids, a cat, a dog and three salamanders and we all just moved to Sioux Falls.”

Position: School counselor

Why they came to LHS: “Because of the amazing students and staff!”

Position: Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher (Child Development & Interior Design)

Why they came to LHS: “I have a friend from college who is an alumna of Lincoln, and she could not say enough great things about having gone to school here!”

Fun facts: “I have visited two other continents outside of North America. I can name 197 countries of the world. I can name the monarchs of England/UK in order from 1066-present day.”

Yoana Vega

Fun facts: “I graduated high school in Dallas, TX (2002), ran track and cross-country at USD, favorite subject is Psychology, worked at WHS for 12 years, INFJ (Myers-Briggs), married to my wife Meghan and I recently built a mini-castle for my dog, Penny!”

Mondon (JF)

Position: Latin teacher

Why they came to LHS: “The people who interviewed me seemed like the kind of people I would like to work for. Also, the Latin program sounded rather strong.”

Fun facts: “I like driving and have driven to 48 states. I used to be an avid cyclist (bike, not motorcycle) but that was tough to do in ND (insane wind and lots of dirt roads), so I hope to get back into it here in SD.”

Katie Tirrel

Position: Spanish teacher

Why they came to LHS: “I decided to come to LHS because I wanted to work with the Spanish Immersion classes.”

Fun facts: “I like to hula hoop. I am proud to say that I participated in the very first Spanish Immersion Program in South Dakota.”

Position: Head Volleyball Coach

Why they came to LHS: “I graduated from LHS in 2009 and when offered the opportunity to coach varsity volleyball back at LHS it was a no-brainer.”

Fun facts: “My family consists of my husband named Allen, one year old boy named Jack and a dog named Duke. I played volleyball and basketball at LHS years 2005-09, and now I am back to coach! I am a pediatric nurse at Avera in SF.”

ENSEN

8 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIE HOLIDAY

DESIGN BY KATIE JENSEN

Zak Fogle Kali Sloup

Amber Comp

Jean-François Jacob McDonald

DESIGN

OCTOBER ISSUE 9

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LHS OFFICE

BY VANESSA TIMAT

HEUPEL

This last summer was an especially exciting time for some of LHS’s foreign language learners who got the opportunity to travel to the countries that they have been studying over the school years.

Spain

10 LHS Spanish students went on a trip to Spain from June 22 to July 1. Over those 10 days the group visited a total of five cities, including Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville and Barcelona. Visiting sites like La Reina Sofía Museum of modern art and Antonio Gaudi’s architectural works of La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell presented chances for the students to learn or recognize some of Spain’s history. Other activities like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in Barcelona or watching a Flamenco show at La Alhambra in Granada were chances for the group to experience Spanish culture.

The students had an exciting travel experience where they were also able to use the conversation skills from their classes to communicate with fluent Spanish speakers.

“In one of the cities we went to we had to do a scavenger hunt where we just went out into the city and we had to talk to people in stores and find our way around by ourselves completely,” said LHS senior Rikhav Thakkar. “The conversation skills that we learned in class were super useful in getting around and asking people for directions.”

Traveling to a foreign country like Spain is a great way to showcase how much of a language a person has learned and to experience how useful it can be to speak fluently in a second language.

Germany

The German trip took place just a week after school got out in May, with 12 German students traveling on the 14 day trip. The group started out their journey by landing in Berlin, and then staying in the cities of Potsdam, Munich and Frankfurt over the following days. From exploring castles like the Sanssouci and Neuschwanstein, to viewing historical sites such as the Berlin Wall and the Dachau concentration camp, the students were able to gain a thorough understanding of many aspects of German history and culture. They went on city tours through Berlin and Munich, and also visited the Berlin zoo, the STASI museum and cathedrals along the way.

The group gained a wider understanding of German culture while walking on tours, ordering at restaurants and traveling on the many modes of public transportation. Some parts of German culture were more unexpected than others. LHS senior Maxwell Danielson can attest to one of these surprising aspects.

While something like this may not seem super significant, it does lead to the question of what other small differences between cultures can contribute to an overall greater cultural contrast. The best way to satisfy a curiosity like this is to travel to other countries like these students.

“One thing that I thought was different there was the water. If you asked for water it would most often be sparkling, which was hard to get used to because you would have to work pretty hard to seek out still water,” said Danielson. While something like this may not seem super significant, it does lead to the question of what other small differences between cultures can contribute to an overall greater cultural contrast. The best way to satisfy a curiosity like this is to travel to other countries like these students.

Italy

Around 25 Latin students went on a 10 day trip to Italy at the end of June. The trip took place in many Italian cities, some of which include Rome, Sorrento and Capri. Most days consisted of visiting a museum or touring the local area, enjoying lunch at a restaurant and exploring the multitude of shops and markets within each of the cities. The group saw their fair share of architecture and historical sites when visiting places such as the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pompeii and Herculaneum. They also got to see many islands, where they viewed some of Italy’s famously beautiful beaches.

The students were able to notice the aspects of Italian culture that make the country known for its beautiful scenery, such as the high expectations of people’s daily attire. They also discovered that when being compared to American food, Europe has more options for healthy, fresh meals on most streets. LHS senior Meredith Kolb found this a charming quality that was present in Italy.

“I loved all of the casual lunch places,” said Kolb. “There was always a place to grab something fresh. It was quick and easy, but healthy.”

Italy is definitely an ideal travel destination for people who enjoy unique architecture, quality fresh food and beautiful scenery in general.

Italy is definitely an ideal travel destination for people who enjoy unique architecture, quality fresh food and beautiful scenery in general.

France

From June 4 through June 12, eight LHS French students started on their trip to the European country of France.

Arriving in Paris, the students were first able to learn and view works from many historically significant artists in museums such as the famous Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and L’Atelier des Lumières. They also got to see some impressive architecture at places like the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur Basilica, the Luxembourg gardens and L’Hôtel des Invalides. While on a day trip to Nîmes, the students also gained some knowledge of Roman history when visiting a Roman arena and antiquity museum. The following days of the trip, which took place in Nice and Monaco, they continued to learn about France and French culture while exploring the cities.

From June 4 through June 12, eight LHS French students started on their trip to the European country of France. Arriving in Paris, the students were first able to learn and view works from many historically significant artists in museums such as the famous Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and L’Atelier des Lumières. They also got to see some impressive architecture at places like the top of the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur Basilica, the Luxembourg gardens and L’Hôtel des Invalides. While on a day trip to Nîmes, the students also gained some knowledge of Roman history when visiting a Roman arena and antiquity museum. The following days of the trip, which took place in Nice and Monaco, they continued to learn about France and French culture while exploring the cities.

Throughout the trip, students were able to use their knowledge of the French language in a variety of ways. They were able to order for themselves at restaurants and utilize introduction and conversation skills when meeting locals. Moments such as these displayed how different cultures can be in regards to how you interact with strangers.

“They value saying ‘hello,’ but only once because if you say it twice it’s considered rude,” said LHS senior Jackson Parker. “So, you have to be careful at remembering faces because otherwise someone will think that you forgot about them.”

This rule for engaging with people in French culture once again shows how beneficial it can be to travel to other countries like these students, who were able to learn a little more about different ways of life.

EUPEL DESIGN BY CLARE HEUPEL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KRISTINA OROS, SARAH BOMHOFF, HANNAH BERKHOF SASKIA EDWARDS & HEATHER COOMBS

10 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 11

The colors around each photo correspond with the location in each heading. DESIGN BY CLARE HEUPEL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KRISTINA OROS, SARAH BOMHOFF, HANNAH BERKHOF SASKIA EDWARDS & HEATHER COOMBS

10 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 11

The colors around each photo correspond with the location in each heading. EUPEL DESIGN BY CLARE HEUPEL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KRISTINA OROS SARAH BOMHOFF HANNAH BERKHOF, SASKIA EDWARDS & HEATHER COOMBS

10 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 11

The colors around each photo correspond with the location in each heading. BY DANIEL VALENTINE

LHS students do many activities over the summer, like attending camps or scrolling TikTok, but our staff has to make the most of those three months, too!

A lot of our LHS staff went on sightseeing vacations and traveled to other countries! A few went to watch sporting events and others participated in some artsy activities. Let’s get a closer look at how the staff uses their down time.

Kim Bowman (Counseling Secretary) - “My husband and I traveled to Canada [on a round] trip of 3,889 miles and used $500 worth of gas. We saw the beautiful Moraine Lake in Banff National Park and hiked many trails off the Iceland Parkway. Some of the hikes increased our elevation, so views of the many glaciers were spectacular. We also saw Canada’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils at the Royal [Tyrrell] Museum of Palaeontology.”

Rogene Brown (Head of LHS Music Dept.) - “I overhauled an upright piano into a coffee bar/desk! It was a labor of love: wanna buy it???” Brown has this desk for sale on her Facebook page, if you are interested.

Tanya Bjerke (SpED Teacher) - “Started geocaching with my friends (so fun!), hiked in Gitchie Manitou parkbeautiful scenery, did a lot of kayaking with my family on Lake Osakis in Minnesota on our annual family vacation trip!”

Roxanne Harte (Social Studies) - “I went to Italy, France and Spain as a chaperone with two of my best friends and 24 kids from Chanhassen High School and came home with the worst souvenir--COVID. I went to The Lumineers concert up in the Cities with one of my friends in August. I spent a [lot of time] at my mom’s lake house with my nieces and nephew.”

Martha Winklepleck (English Teacher) - “I traveled to Minneapolis and Door County, Wisconsin, and I acted in a musical called ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.’”

Sara Klawonn (English Teacher) - “Lakecation - an annual week-long gathering at a MN lake; golf, golf and more golf; adopted a naughty yet lovable Husky named Mika.”

DESIGN

WHAT LHS STAFF DID THIS SUMMER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 5. 6. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY L HS STAFF OCTOBER ISSUE 15

BY DANIEL VALENTINE BY EMMA FORSTER, EDITOR IN-CHIEF

Hundreds of LHS students are currently enrolled in classes that require extensive writing, many of whom struggle to find time with teachers to go over outlines, essays or even grammatical questions, a problem that the new LHS Writing Center hopes to remedy.

The concept of a writing center is foreign to most high school students, as the centers are commonly found on college campuses. Most writing centers, including that of LHS, offer help with proofreading, drafting outlines, analyzing assignments and more. The LHS Writing Center can be found in the unmarked room in the library, formerly the Chromebook office, and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and during

WIN time.

The LHS Writing Center was created by a group of current LHS juniors including Delaney Gramlick, Leni Olson, Elsa Friesen, Laura Ge and Audrey Weiss. Perhaps the biggest problem these students aimed to solve was the lack of one-on-one writing assistance available at LHS.

“Some teachers just do not have time to look at each student’s work oneon-one,” said Freisen. “[We saw] that need and [knew] other students could really benefit from this.”

Oftentimes, direct feedback and guidance throughout the writing process is necessary to enhance writing capabilities. At LHS, these needs were not always being met by teachers because of the sheer number of students one teacher has.

anyone who wants it.”

For many students, feedback and guidance are not the number one issue, but rather the feeling that they are not able to write in the ways they wish to, or are not happy with the writing they produce.

“Our mission is to provide peer support for the writing process to anyone seeking extra help and to reinforce confidence in writing ability,” said Ge.

To receive help from the writing center, scan their QR code, which can be found below, to make an appointment or simply walk into the writing center during their operating hours.

5 REASONS TO GO TO THE WRITING CENTER

Scan to make an appointment with the LHS Writing Center.

“We knew that English teachers have so much on their plates with reading and grading writing assignments [that] they can’t always provide specific feedback that students would like,” said Ge. “We thought we could try to help alleviate some of that by creating a student-led organization that could help

Whether it is by the simple correction of a grammatical error or through the complete revision of an essay outline, the students running the writing center are here to instill confidence in writing, relieve the workload of teachers and help create and foster students’ passion for writing within LHS.

1. Create a writing plan. 2. Formulate a thesis statement. 3. Identify strengths & weaknesses in your writing. 4. Identify & select sources 5. Develop revision & editing strategies.

FACTS FROM HERZING UNIVERSITY DEISGN BY EMMA FORSTER 16 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

by Adie Theophilus

a simple smalltown breakfast

BY ELYSSE WEBER & ELLA DUBOIS

JOSIAH’S ICED COFFEE:

A simple refresher to wash it all down. It had the perfect coffee to cream ratio. This drink was not too sweet and had a reasonable amount of ice.

FRENCH TOAST:

This dish was ordered as a “build your own platter.” The french toast comes with powdered sugar and fresh berries on top. The bread was fluffy, moist and cooked to perfection. You can add the syrup on the side to satisfy your sweet tooth, or better yet, the platter comes with two pieces.

FRESH BLUEBERRY MUFFIN:

A simple pastry to satisfy your taste buds. It was soft, moist and well baked the day of. The blueberries were fresh, just like the muffin itself.

EGGS, AVOCADO TOAST AND FRESH FRUIT:

A basic meal that will fill you up. The bread was soft, organic, fresh and topped with homemade avocado spread. The avocado spread was a tad lemony and the eggs were runnier than asked for; however, the fruit was beyond fresh and perfectly ripe.

EGG BENEDICT WITH SALMON:

Looking for something savory? This dish would fit the part. It came with two soft english muffins topped with grilled salmon and sunny side up eggs. Also, this meal comes garnished with a delicious tangy hollandaise sauce and chives. The salmon was cooked just right, and the eggs were the perfect addition to make this dish delicious.

JOSIAH’S BREAKFAST SANDWICH:

The bread was too much, and it overpowered the overall flavor of the sandwich. However, the egg was very well cooked, as well as the bacon. There was the perfect egg to bacon ratio, and the sandwich would have been overall outstanding with half the amount of bread.

HIBISCUS TEA WITH ADDED STRAWBERRY FLAVORING:

A Josiah’s waitress recommended this drink as the sweetest tea they had; it was not. The tea was bland and tasted like plain water. Considering that this drink had added flavoring, we would most likely not order it again.

phoTos

Theophilus

design by Adie Theophilus

by Adie Marshell Byrd, Louis Lambert and Caleb Waldner Bryan Richards and Rhonda Lambert

18 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

LHS student, Kaden Kittams

PHOTOS BY ELYSSE WEBER & MOTARR COM DESIGN BY ELYSSE WEBER

OCTOBER ISSUE 19

BY JOSIE TOLLINGER & KINLEY FREESE

Freshman, Hazel Hughes, has enjoyed her first few weeks at LHS and is glad that she has gained more independence than she had back at middle school however, the homework is definitely a bit overwhelming. Hughes loves her study with all her friends and enjoys the little break from learning. Spanish class probably her most challenging class, so she will be excited to get her language credit over with. Hughes is the only freshman on the LHS dance team and has enjoyed looking up to her fellow upperclassmen on the team. Hughes hopes to have a big friend group and end all drama during her time at LHS.

BY JOSIE TOLLINGER

Freshman, Jude Timat, has been enjoying the easy transition from middle school to high school. He looks forward to being able to go home earlier than he could last year. Timat is currently involved in the LHS Orchestra program, however he is excited for basketball season to start up. If Timat had to pick his favorite part of his day besides lunch and study, it would have to be accelerated geometry with Mr. Jansen. Timat has tried his best to follow his older sister’s advice by keeping quiet at LHS, however, he hopes to make new friends and get as much out of his short high school experience.

DAPA actor Ender Hosie-Wood, is a stellar student with interests all over the school. He plays the cello and is involved in the LHS Orchestra program. He aspires to spread his wings and join the Poetry club and Drama club. The transition from middle school to high school is “Freeing and much more independent,” said Hosie-Wood. Accelerated English and theater are undoubtedly his favorite classes and happen to both fall at the end of his day.

Colin Lunders is a linebacker for the LHS freshman football team. Lunders has enjoyed the laid back high school life so far and is thrilled he no longer has to attend middle school. Lunders looks forward to second period Algebra with teacher Mr. Stacey but dreads attending Debate. In the next few years, Lunders hopes to meet new friends and have as much fun as possible.

Freshman tennis star, River McKenzie, is loving the non boringness of high school. Accelerated Geometry with Mr. Jansen is easily McKenzie’s favorite class. His last class of the day is hard for him to keep his energetic self entertained. McKenzie has been involved in the Spanish Immersion program since he was in kindergarten, but will be glad when he does not have to go to Spanish class anymore after high school. “I want to become more involved at LHS and eventually be on Student Council,” said McKenzie.

Freshman, Eloise Geraets, is the number one player on the LHS Girls tennis team this season. She transferred to LHS from HHS to dominate on the court and in the classroom. “My favorite class is Accelerated Chemistry with Jaws (Mr. Jarovski) because he is so interactive with all his students,” said Geraets. Geraets hopes to attend as many football and volleyball games as she can along with maintaining a 4.0 GPA during her freshman year.

DESIGN

PHOTOS BY

TOLLINGER 20 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 21

KINLEY FREESE

JOSIE

English BY DELANEY GRAMLICK BY DELANEY GRAMLICK

As Halloween approaches, it is impossible to suppress anticipation for arguably the best part of the holiday: dressing up. With Halloween right around the corner, it is time to begin planning costumes. Halloween costumes are often based on actual physical resemblance, puns, like-names or interests; for the teachers of LHS, these are some ideas for their Halloween costumes they should consider…

BY CLARA BINSTOCK

For the students and players who always feel stuck with empty stomachs after a long game of cheering and playing, here are some of the best and most common places to go for a late night grub.

GILIBERTO’S

game

TACO BELL BUFFALO WILD WINGS

There is perhaps no singular quality that ties AP statistics and Precalculus teacher Brian Kocer to the Magic Eraser advertising Mr. Clean, but the similarities are irrefutable. Maybe it is the hair (or lack of), or the dress code Kocer seems to follow of plain t-shirt and belted pants, similar to Mr. Clean’s outfit.

Personally, I think it is the eyebrows, maybe the similarly ringing names, Mr. Kocer and Mr. Clean; whatever it is, Kocer should think about purchasing a Magic Eraser for this year’s Halloween costume.

STEGEMAN JAMES JAROVSKI BRADEN BRADFIELD

TONY

Mr. Clean Fred Flintstone Gru dressed up as a princess Shark

Possibly the only acceptable Halloween costume for chemistry teacher James Jarovski, nicknamed “Jaws” out of convenience: a shark.

Fred Flintstone is a perfect fit for Anthony Welter, the LHS speech and debate teacher. Welter totally encompasses the fictional Flintstone, matching his jet-black hair and style, along with his posture and overall demeanor.

The resemblance between Kyle Stegeman, biology teacher, and Gru from “Despicable Me” is undeniable. Any “Despicable Me” fan will remember the scene where Gru dressed up as a princess for Agnes’ birthday; this image is almost spot on for Stegeman’s future costume, capturing his physical resemblance to Gru and his dainty princess energy.

Vampire

This one is unexplainable, but Braden Bradfield unequivocally resembles a vampire. Specifically, the generic cartoon drawing ones, the first one that pops up in your head, with short black hair and poorly drawn cheesy fangs.

Starting with the Mexican taco shop that is open 24 hours a day, Giliberto’s is one of the most popular places to go after a late game. Whether it is a volleyball, football or basketball game, the odds of seeing people coming from the same place and dressed in the same theme are pretty high. While it is very convenient to be able to go at any time of the day, the food is also pretty affordable. Gilibertos serves a good variety of Mexican food, such as tamales, seafood, burritos, tacos and much more. They also have a few dessert options, one of them being churros. Giliberto’s is never a bad option, and at times, it is the only option.

Fries

Since Mexican food seems to be the best move, no one can ever go wrong with Taco Bell. While your stomach might complain about it later, sometimes a $2 taco is the only thing that seems satisfactory. This fast food restaurant is not only affordable, fast and open until 2 a.m., their food is also pretty sufficient and tasty. A perfect meal at Taco Bell could consist of a few tacos, an essential frozen Baja Blast, and to finish it off, some delicious cinnamon twists. After a meal at Taco Bell, the LHS players will not be the only winners of the night.

Lastly, if someone is not a fan of Mexican food, there are always other options, including the one and only: Buffalo Wild Wings. After an exhausting night, some nice and flavorful wings are perfect for a refuel. Not to mention, the Blazin’ Wing Challenge will guarantee to wake anyone up. There are also many other food choices, like burgers and sandwiches. Buffalo Wild Wings does not close until 1 a.m., so it is the perfect place for a post-game get-together.

most popular item: Mexican Pizza most popular item: Honey BBQ Boneless Wings

DESIGN BY

PHOTOS & ARTWORK BY DELANEY GRAMLICK

DELANEY GRAMLICK

BRIAN KOCER TONY WELTER KYLE STEGEMAN JAMES JAROVSKI BRADEN BRADFIELD Vampire Mr. Clean Fred Flintstone Gru dressed up as a princess Shark

22 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY LHS STATESMAN ARTWORK BY ELLEN MERKLEY

OCTOBER ISSUE 23

DESIGN BY

PHOTOS & ARTWORK BY DELANEY GRAMLICK

DELANEY GRAMLICK BRIAN KOCER WELTER KYLE

22 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

BY LUCAS HIATT

Coffee is such an essential part of everyone’s day, and Sioux Falls has many extraordinary local businesses who serve coffee across town. Coffee lovers from the area have various local favorites they regularly purchase drinks from. Some of these stores include Coffea, The Source, The Breaks and Cappuccino Cabin. All of these shops are worth a stop to purchase an energizing coffee in the morning and support your local Sioux Falls businesses.

The Source is a favorite Downtown location which doubles as a taproom. It is a sit-in style cafe with a very inviting atmosphere and a nice seating area. The Source is very similar to Coffea in almost every way. This shop is only a few blocks down the road from the Downtown Coffea and they serve a similar menu as their competitors. Their prices are generally a bit high but they serve very high quality coffee which makes up for it.

Their iced Americano was nothing too special and very strong compared to most I have had in the past. Not only this, it was not nearly as energizing as other Americanos I have had. I do not necessarily recommend this drink to coffee drinkers who do not prefer the strong coffee taste. However, the vibe of the store and the hospitality of the employees make it a great experience and worth the try.

This drive-thru style coffee and espresso shop is great for when you would like to get a quick coffee to take on the go. However, depending on the time of day, it can be quite the wait before you get to the window. That being said, their coffee is always super tasty, affordable and the perfect temperature for drinking right away. The owner is super friendly, and if you purchase enough coffee, he might even memorize your order. With only one location on the northeast side of Sioux Falls, it may not be convenient for most LHS students, but it is worth a stop if you are in the area and in the mood for a coffee. Consequently, as a Sioux Falls east sider, it is a go-to spot to get on the way to school or while out and about.

The vanilla latte I had was energizing and flavorful and as a bonus was not very expensive compared to some of the other stores. This drink is always a great choice if you would like a high quality and low-priced hot drink. While their coffee is amazing, I also recommend trying one of their yogurt smoothies in case you stop by later in the day. These smoothies are super refreshing and are one of my favorite smoothies in the city.

Coffea is a local chain in Sioux Falls with three locations across the city that roasts their own coffee beans. Their locations are on the east side, west side and Downtown. This makes it very convenient for those on every side of town. These shops have incredible seating areas that enhance the coffee drinking experience. They also serve muffins, scones, biscottis and other morning treats to pair with your coffee.

The drink I had was an Americano. Adding cream and sugar makes it the perfect mix between that strong coffee flavor and the bit of sugar we all need to compliment it. I recommend getting this drink iced as the hot Americano was far too hot to drink right away. This drink was also extremely stimulating as the caffeine rush lasted longer than any of the other drinks from any other store. Coffea is a very great way to start your day and will keep you going all the way through the afternoon.

The Breaks is another Downtown favorite with a very unique atmosphere and environment. This cafe definitely has one of the best locations of all of the shops as it is not necessarily on the busiest part of the Downtown area. The cafe itself is built very uniquely with a great outside seating area to enjoy your favorite drink.

One of their most popular drinks is the Barista’s Choice which is a latte that has a flavor of the barista’s choosing. The flavor I received was the Raspberry Vanilla, and it was so delicious, I could barely put it down. It was also the perfect temperature, and I was able to drink it right away without burning myself. It may not be the drink to keep you going in the early morning with its minimal caffeine effects, but it is definitely one that you can purchase later in the morning while in the area. The appeal of this drink is exceptional since you will rarely get the same flavor twice, which is why The Breaks is definitely the cafe that I will be returning to more often.

4.5/5 4/5 4/5 3.5/5 PHOTOS BY LUCAS HIATT DESIGN BY LUCAS HIATT 24 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 25

BY REESE D

“One of my biggest challenges is [that] I am not based in Sioux Falls. I live in New York and I fly back to Sioux Falls for Headlights and to see my family,” said Elliott. “It’s not the easiest running a company in a different state.”

On top of this, finding space for Headlights Theater performances proved to be difficult due to a public unfamiliarity with the idea. Many businesses had never experienced the show; therefore, they were hesitant to lend their parking lots.

“When we first started, getting people to let us use their parking lots was very challenging because we were new and people didn’t quite understand the whole thing

Despite these challenges, Headlights Theater just finished its third season on Sept. 17. The summer-long series consisted of four performances with different musical talents each time. One of these performances was at the local Sioux Falls music festival That Sounds Decent, allowing a larger audience to watch their performance. After all of these shows, Elliott has gotten to know the Sioux Falls arts scene even better.

“When we first started, getting people to let us use their parking lots was very challenging because we were new and people didn’t quite understand the whole thing

it been

“Art brings people together in a special way. And for Sioux Falls in particular it has been incredible to see how the arts scene has helped shape and evolve this small town into a city,” said Elliott. “Without our art community, Sioux Falls wouldn’t be as special of a place as it is.”

As for the future, Elliott is not completely sure what Headlights will be experimenting with next season, but she does know that it will continue to grow within the

BY D

“There are so many different and wonderful things that I believe Headlights has the potential to do for Sioux Falls and other communities,” said Elliott. “All I can say is Headlights Theater isn’t going anywhere.”

Three years ago, Madison Elliott was scrolling through Instagram and came across a video of her friends dancing in a parking lot, illuminated by the headlights of a car

Three years ago, Madison Elliott was scrolling through Instagram and came across a video of her friends dancing in a parking lot, illuminated by the headlights of a car behind them.

Elliott, a New York-based professional dancer originally from Sioux Falls, conceptualized a fresh idea: a modern dance collective with unique and accessible pop-up shows in parking lots across her hometown. This was an especially alluring idea considering it was the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown, an event that immediately halted so many art communities worldwide.

“So many things were being sacrificed at that time to keep everyone safe and I didn’t believe that art should be one of those things,” said Elliott. “I wanted to create something that would keep everyone safe while bringing people together to uplift our arts community.”

Hence, the Headlights Theater was created, and crowds came to experience exhilarating dance performances with live music from various artists in a safe and inviting environment. The locations of the parking lots were the way, including for Elliott herself.

STATESMAN.COM

As for the future, Elliott is not completely sure what Headlights will be experimenting with next season, but she does know that it will continue to grow within the

And things

announced just an hour before each performance, adding a sense of mystery and spontaneity. Right away, Elliott found that the dancers had just as much fun during the performances as the audience.

friends,

“It started out as a fun thing I did with my friends, and as the company has grown and developed, the friendships are still there,” said Elliott. “We just got a group of people together who believe in our mission and the rest is history. As we grow and expand, so does our team.”

Even as COVID-19 restrictions became more relaxed, Elliott found that these performances brought the people of Sioux Falls together in a way she had never experienced before. She found no reason to stop these performances, for they had already brightened the nights

“As years went on, we loved how parking lot shows are accessible to everyone and allow participants to experience high-quality art in a much more intimate way,” said Elliott. Even then, many challenges presented themselves along the way, including for Elliott herself.

loved high-quality

ADA SANDVALL 26 LHS OCTOBER ISSUE 27

ARTWORK BY JADA SANDVALL 26

PHOTOS BY REESE

DESIGN BY REESE

OCTOBER ISSUE 27

The

DUNCAN

BY KATE MATTHES

During the month of October as fall begins, now is the perfect time to cozy up with a blanket and some popcorn to watch a movie or TV show that will put you in the mood for the autumn season. Here are some suggestions for some fall screening that will have you ready for the cool weather and the spooky season.

Building” will have you hooked.

By far the best time of year to have a Harry Potter movie marathon is October. Whether you choose to watch just one or all of these movies, you will be sure to get into the autumn spirit. Each of the eight movies in this series is full of magic, mystery and lovable scenes between the three main characters: Harry, Ron and Hermione. The wizarding world of Harry Potter is sure to offer an entertaining story with spells, mythical creatures and the occasional near-death experience. If you are looking for a strong dose of nostalgia, this is the choice for you.

characters. 80’s trends, hairstyles, slang and pop culture make this show feel like a blast from the past. If you like “Goonies” or “E.T.,” you might like this show.

This TV show focuses on the charming mother-daughter relationship between Lorali Gilmore and her teenage daughter Rory. Their fast-paced humor and quick wit make them a dynamic duo that is always fun to watch. The show takes place in a fictional small town in Connecticut named “Stars Hollow.” There are tons of characters to love in this close-knit town including Luke, who runs the local coffee shop, and Sookie, a clumsy yet charming cook. This show will make you long for a cozy small-town atmosphere and wish you could be friends with Rory and her mom.

by Adrienne revier

Fall is the perfect time for reading. Crisp air, cozy blankets and delicious candles, it all screams: wrapping up with a good book. Make the most out of this fall season with these five “spooktacular” books.

“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides

“The Silent Patient” is spooky, thrilling and all around a good read for this time of year. This book follows main character Alicia Berenson after she unexpectedly shoots her husband five times and then never utters another word. Alicia is transferred to criminal psychotherapist, Theo Faber, as he diligently attempts to get Alicia to talk and uncover the mystery of why she shot her husband.

For those looking to be kept on their toes from beginning to end, this book is definitely a fantastic choice!

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” series by Holly Jackson

This series consists of three books total: “A Good Girls Guide to Murder,” “Good Girl Bad Blood” and “As Good as Dead.” All three books follow a similar plot line, each one surrounding main character, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, as she investigates various crimes around her hometown. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” the first book in the series, kicks everything off as Fitz-Amobi re-opens a closed case for a high school project she is working on. While investigating, she begins to uncover many jaw-dropping secrets leading her to an unhealthy obsession of true crime. This obsession continues into the second book, “Good Girl Bad Blood.” In this book, Pippa hosts a true crime podcast and investigates a missing person case the local police refuse to delve into. In the final book, “As Good as Dead,” the tables turn when Pippa searches for a killer after someone none other than herself. The stakes rise as Pippa is suddenly the one in danger. This series is a perfect young adult, murder mystery series adequate for the fall time.

“The Perfect Marriage” by Jeneva Rose

This Netflix original show is a science fiction horror series that takes place in the 80’s. The show follows a group of young boys as their friend Will goes missing unexplainably. Dustin, Mike and Lucas meet a young girl named Eleven who has escaped from the Hawkin’s lab, has powers of telekinesis and seems to know where Will has gone. The boys take Eleven in as their friend and throughout the show they learn more about her powers and the alternative dimension they call the “Upside Down.”

While it is a horror show, “Stranger Things” has many funny and lovable characters. 80’s trends, hairstyles, slang and pop culture make this show feel like a blast from the past. If you like “Goonies” or “E.T.,” you might like this show.

This Hulu original TV show follows the adventures of three neighbors who live in the Arconia, an apartment building in New York. Charles, Oliver and Mabel all have one thing in common: their obsession with true crime podcasts. When a fellow resident of the Arconia is murdered in his apartment, the trio teams up to try and solve the crime, recording a podcast about it along the way. Starring Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin, this series is full of comedy, plot twists and cliff hangers that leave you with more questions than answers. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not as they seem; “Only Murders in the Building” will have you hooked.

What better movie to watch in October than “Knives out?” This film has everything you want in a murder mystery: a great detective, plot twists, foreshadowing and a big creepy mansion. If you love Agatha Christie or a good old fashion whodunit, you will love this movie. After wealthy writer Harlan Thromby is found dead, his family all become suspects as detective Blanc works to find the person responsible. This proves to be a difficult task as we discover everyone in the family has something to hide, including Thromby’s nurse Marta. “Knives Out” features tons of memorable actors including Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana De Armas, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

DESIGN BY KATE MATTHES

The contrast of a highly successful defense attorney and struggling writer, makes for one rocky relationship. Struggling writer, Adam, begins to grow tired of his wife Sarah’s constant need to attend to her work. Slowly but surely, Adam begins to spend the majority of his time at the couple’s second home on the lake. Here he developed an affair with Kelly Summers. Adam has done a remarkable job hiding this secret from his wife, until one day he winds up being framed for Kelly’s murder. This led to Sarah defending her own husband in a case where he allegedly killed his mistress.

This book is full of plot twists and will keep the reader questioning everything until the very last page.

“The Ex Hex” by Erin Sterling

For those who love to get lost in another world when reading, pick up this book for a splendid time. “The Ex Hex” is the story of one heartbroken young witch. After being dumped, what else should she do other than cast a curse on such a man who broke her heart? All seems to be said and done… until this curse comes back to haunt Vivienne, the young witch. Vivienne is forced to set her feelings aside and work as a team with her ex. The two are tasked with the mighty job of saving their cozy little home town, which is suddenly under attack.

Looking for a cozy romance for the fall time? Then this book is the one for you.

“Verity” by Colleen Hoover

Last but certainly not least, “Verity” is a thrilling romance and mystery all wrapped up into one. Best-selling author Verity Crawford is unable to complete her popular book series when she is suddenly injured. Jeremy Crawford, her husband, then hires Lowen Ashleigh, struggling author, to help wrap up said series. Lowen agrees and temporarily moves in with Jeremy in order to complete the books. When searching through Verity’s old notes, Lowen stumbles upon an autobiography Verity was in the middle of writing. This autobiography is full of shocking secrets about Verity’s private life. Lowen choses to keep these secrets from Jeremy, as her feelings for him begin to grow. This all may sound nice, but Verity is not such a comforting soul to live alongside with. This book is a fantastic thriller that is nearly impossible to put down. Readers need to get their hands on this book before the season ends.

Do not let spooky season end without having read at least one of these thrilling stories.

DESIGN BY KATE MATTHES

1. Harry Potter

3. Stranger Things

4. Only Murders in the Building 5. Knives Out

28 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

2. Gilmore Girls

Marta. “Knives Out” features tons of memorable actors including Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana De Armas, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that things are not as they seem; “Only Murders in the

28 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

design by Adrienne revier

OCTOBER ISSUE 29

Artwork by Adrienne revier BY BETSY HAFT

Fall in love with these exciting fall fashion trends. What is out: crazy color combos, extreme patterns, ugly sweaters and floral patterns. What is in: straight leg denim, clean lines, solid colors, school girl preppy, coastal granddaughter and LBD (long black dress). At the moment, clean girl aesthetic is popular but now people are adding a pumpkin spice twist. Straight leg denim we are over skinny jeans, extreme baggy jeans and jeans with holes. Jeans that fit just right are what is in. To elevate your fall wardrobe, wear a perfect fitting pair of light washed, high waisted, straight leg jeans. You can pair these with a plain turtleneck, layered with a fashionable crewneck. To complement the outfit, wear white sneakers or Converse with gold jewelry and a shoulder bag.

high waisted bottoms. Complete this outfit with a solid colored shirt, silver jewelry, a small hand bag and kitten heels. Solid colors last year was filled to the brim with a lot of colors mixed and mashed together. This year, simple and sleek is in, using as few colors as possible in each outfit. A simple way to create this look is to wear a solid colored dress. To accent the dress, tie up your hair with a hair scarf, throw on some shades and you are ready to go.

and lighter colors. To dress to this theme, wear a looser fitting light steel blue button down, with cream colored shorts and a dark brown belt. Pair this outfit with a rattan bag and sandals, and you are ready to lounge on the beach.

O·DON·TO·PHO·BI·A

Fear of teeth

THAL·AS·SO·PHO·BIA

Fear of deep water

Clean lines last year was all about the messy, organic shapes. This year everything should be clean, straight and stylish. Although an oversized shirt still looks stylish, maybe run over it with an iron before throwing it on. One easy way to make clean lines is to wear a pantsuit that is made up of a cropped blazer and

School girl preppy: school girl preppy consists of plaid skirts, cute boots, sweaters, polo shirts and headbands. This outfit style is based on the stereotypical private school uniform but with a sweet twist. In this picture, the model pairs this school girl outfit with a camel colored, duster trench coat. She is wearing knee high white boots and a pearl headband to balance out the colors. This outfit is the perfect chilly, fall outfit.

Coastal granddaughter: a popular look is carefree, calm and golden. Coastal granddaughter focuses on the dressy casual outfits you would wear if you lived on the shoreline. This means a lot of blue and white, lighter fabrics like linen, cotton

LBD the perfect dress does exist, and it is a long black dress. For decades, the little black dress has been a wardrobe necessity, but this fall, this clothing item changed a little. The long black dress not only highlights your silhouette, but it also lengthens your body and is a blank canvas to accentuate. It is the perfect outfit for a night out that looks good the whole time. To dress the outfit up, you can wear a long black dress with tall heels, a cute clutch and a slicked back ponytail.

“I broke my front teeth in 3rd grade and they broke again last year, so now I’m super paranoid about it happening again to my other teeth.”

Annika Kvale (10)

A·RACH·NO·PHO·BI·A

Fear of spiders

“I absolutely hate spiders. They are so gross and scary. Some can be hairy and have fangs, they have way too many legs and they are just disgusting to look at. Even daddy long legs give me the creeps. Any type of spider I hate with my whole heart.”

Hannah Baron (9)

“I have a fear of drowning because when I was in swimming lessons I thought the drain in the pool was going to suck me in. It’s ironic now because I am a lifeguard.”

because

Jillienne Loss (12)

COC·CIN·ELLI·DAE·PHO·BI·A

Fear of ladybugs

“They are not afraid to land on you and are terrifying in how they look.”

Katherine Mickelson (12)

EM·ET·O·PHO·BI·A

Fear of throwing up

“I think the thought of throwing up may be even worse than throwing up but I refuse to hopefully never do it again. Most people admit that it feels better after they do it, which can be true, but I still remain worried and grossed-out if I do it. The thought, look and sound can drown my brain in these gross thoughts and it is sometimes hard to forget about it once someone does it.”

Anna Leuning (11)

SCOLO·PEN·DR·PHO·BI·A

Fear of centipedes

“They have too many legs. It’s freaky.”

Naomi Jespersen (9)

DESIGN BY BETSY HAFT PHOTOS PROVIDED BY @NXHEREXK @WANDERVOYAGE LOLAOLSEN @NEW LOOK S @LICHI COM @AFNAN

30 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY

BISHOP OCTOBER ISSUE 31

ELANA BISHOP ARTWORK

ELANA BISHOP & VANESSA TIMAT

ELANA

In recent years, the social media app TikTok has climbed up rankings to become one of the number one platforms out there, competing with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. TikTok has found its way into most everyone's lives, and at this moment, the athletic teams of LHS.

LHS volleyball, one of the first to hit everyone's feed, has shown how the involvement in a social media account as a group has encouraged team bonding and fun while participating in the school sport. A few of the videos have been pretty popular, hitting 261.78k views, meaning even people outside of Sioux Falls have seen he account.

Bonding through different outlets is important to the success of the team as a whole, LHS volleyball shows that through the use of TikTok.

“It has made our team have more fun together, and it's kind of brought us together in that way by being positive,” said senior libero Claire Brown.

On the other hand, the LHS football team has had a different experience with TikTok.

Although having some of the most viral videos within the LHS Athletic Department, hitting over 157.3k likes and 573k views, their TikTok page has been deleted. The boys used the TikTok page to hype the team up before games and spark a newfound confidence. Although, the coach had a different perspective on the TikTok account, highlighting the negative impact of having TikTok for a team.

“We didn't want to put a target on our back, and we didn't want to look cocky,” said coach Jared Fredenburg.

BY KADENCE DEAN BY ELYSSE WEBER

Compared to many of the other athletic TikTok accounts out there, the LHS cheer account is run by head Coach Elizabeth Plucker. Plucker has been the cheer coach for eight years. The page has had many videos hit the “For You” page, the most popular hitting 362.5k views.

“TikTok is the new frontier of the social media world… It’s fun to be on trend and do silly videos or showcase our skills with our friends near and far that we are connected to via the app,” said Plucker. “We continue to learn and work together as coaches and athletes to achieve a social presence that we feel is putting our best out into the digital world.”

Another LHS sports team that has hit the “For You” page is the girls soccer team. The videos encourage humor and allow for an amusing break from working hard pursuing success in their sport. The page, although pretty new, has had a few videos hit over 3,000 views.

“The soccer team has had a really good connection this year and the TikTok has been another fun way to spend time with each other… It’s a good way to involve the underclassmen,” said senior teammate Cassidy Jennings.

Middle school volleyball is now officially over for LHS freshman Julia Blom. She is striving doing one of the things she loves most at a more advanced level.

Blom began finding interest in volleyball when she was nearly 12 years old, during her sixth grade year. She attended many summer camps and that eventually branched into a true connection with the sport.That same year, she was newly introduced to the well-known club, Kairos Elite volleyball.

“I started playing volleyball in 6th grade when I was 12. I just attended camps and when club season came around I tried out for Kairos and have been playing for them ever since,” said Blom.

Blom dedicates a lot of time to volleyball. She does extra practice on her own time to become better and stronger, which shows her overall commitment to the sport. While Blom attends her regular practices, she also spends more time at home improving.

“I jump train at home using a box, and I also do jump training lessons during the summer,” said Blom. I also lift 3-4 times a week at Avera along with an extra day of conditioning once a week. I also do speed drills and wall passing outside of regular practices.”

Blom was greeted by the LHS volleyball program at the beginning of the summer with open gyms. She was showing advanced skills which scored her a spot on the

JV team. She later on began getting varsity reps.

“The first time I came to open gym I was really happy because middle school volleyball was kind of all over the place, and it felt good to have a well-structured organized practice,” said Blom. “I’m actually very confident when I’m on JV, but when I serve on varsity, I definitely get nervous and just don’t want to mess up. But as soon as I get on defense I am in the zone and confident.”

Blom receives support from many different people, including her parents, her teammates and most importantly, her coach.

“My parents are always cheering me on,” said Blom. “My mom helps me with a lot of things specifically, but my dad is one of the wisest people I know, so he helps me a lot when I have a bad mindset. Coach is really good at letting me know what I need to fix. She’s also just very aware if I’m having a bad day and she’s always there to help me through it.”

Overall, Blom has been loving her experience so far in the LHS volleyball program. It truly brings out the love she has for the sport.

“I’m very focused and serious when it comes to volleyball, and when I come to Lincoln everyone just kind of has fun,” said Blom. “So, when I walk into the gym, it really just reinforces me to know the love I have for the sport.”

design by Kadence Dean photos by Kadence Dean & Clara Binstock

32 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY LHS STATESMAN PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIA BLOM OCTOBER ISSUE 33

With the new school year starting, fall becomes a busy time of the year. On top of classes, athletics being add ed into the schedule makes it difficult for students to keep up. After four years of mastering this skill, seniors have become pros at juggling school with sports and have made a lot of memories along the way. Let’s meet some of the seniors.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite memory on the team?

2. Did you prefer being younger or older on the team?

3. What is your pregame snack?

Ali Bainbridge Girls Cross Country

1. “Going to Minneapolis for the Roy Griak meet. The bus ride up, staying overnight and being with the team is really fun”

2. “Older because I wasn’t here when I was younger”

3. “Any granola bar”

Chase Henderson Boys Cross Country

1. “Running with the team and passing people on the trails”

2. “Older because it lets me become more of a leader and encourage the younger kids”

3. “I normally don’t eat up until four hours before the race”

Mariah Siem Girls Soccer

1. “Team meal at Jerzi Kool’s house when we threw each other in the pool”

2. “Older, so I can mentor the younger kids”

3. “Pretzels, I make my own smoothie, a Gatorade and an orange”

Rikhav Thakkar Boys Soccer

1. “Bus rides to Rapid City my freshman and junior year”

2. “Definitely the older side for a lot more opportunity and leadership”

3. “A good #6 from Jimmy Johns”

SENIORS

Samantha

Volleyball

1. “Getting excited for the game and celebrating together”

2. “Older because you have more of a leadership role”

3. “Bagel Boy. No, actually, GOLDFISH”

Elliott Renville Football

1. “Going to places after the game and bonding with the team”

2. “The younger side because I was still developing as a player”

3. “We have protein bars that we split in half. The chocolate ones are the best.”

Azzy Brunz Cheer/Dance

1. “Bus rides because we have a speaker and we always sing and get ready for the comps”

2. “I like being older because you know the coaches better and you build a relationship with them.”

3. “A nice solid Bang”

Emma Derynck Girls Tennis

1. “Going to my lake cabin as a team”

2. “Younger so you can go with the flow and follow the others”

3. “Goldfish”

John Mathison Boys Golf

1. “Last year at State we went to Bennett Geraets’s house and got all our presents and vests to get ready for the State tournament.”

2. “It’s nice to be older because you get to be in control.”

3. “We always have Oreos in the cooler that are pretty good.”

Zeeck by bergen Quello & Clara binstoCk design by bergen Quello & Clara binstoCk photos provided by lhs student athletes

34 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 35

by Raina MaRty & CaRoline HugHes

When it comes to playing sports outdoors, there are advantages and disadvantages. LHS now has the opportunity to play in a safer and more at-home environment on campus by providing not only a bigger space to play, but a

The first idea people have when they hear about the new turf is football. Although, football is not the only sport that has this new advantage of practice space and game playing. Boys and girls soccer also obtain their playing time under the bright lights.

The boys and girls senior team captains have trained and played on grass more than they have on turf for most of their high school career and even before that. These athletes see and feel the impact the turf has had on them personally and the team as a whole compared to years prior.

“The new turf has been a great addition. We don’t get to practice on it too much because football is on there, but it’s super nice to be able to play at home in front of a few more fans,” said girls team captain and senior, Mariah Siem.

Players will always enjoy hearing and seeing the fans that come to watch, but now the players have that relaxing feel and a sense of comfort, giving them an extra adrenaline boost.

“The occasional practices have been great to have a smooth game-like surface to use. For games, it’s been great because it feels more like a home environment and people are likely to show up for games because of the accessibility,” said boys team captain and senior, Simon Woods.

The turf is not only safer for the players, but it makes the game more fair with the consistent smooth surface.

“We do not get to use the new field as much as we would like to, but we play significantly better on the turf than we do on grass. With the surface being so much more consistent, the ball takes less unexpected bounces, which really helps us keep our passing smooth

and free flowing,” said boys team captain and senior,

The teams’ captains are some of the most trusted people because not only are they looked up to on the team, but they also have more experience in the sport than others and were chosen team captain for a reason.

“A team captain is someone who can overcome adversity, someone who brings positivity to a team and can represent Lincoln soccer in the best way possible. With a lot of the players being close friends with both captains this year, it really creates chemistry on the field and makes us a better team as a whole. I personally love both of our captains because of their mental capacity and character on and off the field. I love the new turf because of how much easier practices can be, and the thrill of playing at your home school and field is unbeatable,” said boys soccer player and sophomore, Max Hilgenberg.

The team captains understand how to be mature role models towards their peers. Having a good relationship with what makes the captain is really coach. He echoes keeps his head in big moments and constantly encourages. I think I’ve been around the game of soccer a long time, and Coach Alex and I have a very good relationship. But in reality, it has less to do with me and more to do with the guys around me. They trust me and I trust them which makes my job a whole lot easier,” said

With that, the girls team has spent the beginning of the season tossing around a few ideas with what the turf should be named. But it seems like the boys and girls have a little bit different ideas on what it should be called.

“I came up with the ‘Battle Field’ but everyone thought that was dumb, so I think the girls named it the ‘Patriot Pitch.’ We all call it the ‘PP,’” said Lily Dahler. The field’s name is still in the works, but the boys have a good idea of what they think fits best.

“We started calling it the ‘Patriot Palace,’” said both Woods and Thakkar.

design by Raina MaRty pHotos pRovided by MaRiaH sieM & s Mon Woods 36 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

by Gabe Schmit

Despite their loss to JHS, the LHS Patriots remain positive on their outlook for the rest of the football season.

The 31st annual President’s Bowl, located at Howard Wood field, brought in hundreds of local high school students eager to cheer on their own teams. This year, the LHS Patriots took on the JHS Cavaliers, entering the game with tensions raised.

“You gotta go into the game with confidence,” said Gabe Gutierrez, a senior at LHS. Gutierrez , who is number 32, plays linebacker and running back for the Patriots, alongside his fellow teammates. “Playing with them and having the student section behind us is always a great feeling.”

Although many speculated it to be a quick game for the Patriots, the opposite was true, with the Cavaliers dealing considerable damage to the Patriots in the first and second quarter, holding up 30 to nothing with no apparent forces. After halftime, neither team scored in the entirety of the third quarter, but the Patriots were able to rack in 13 total points close to the end of the fourth.

LHS’s outlook for the remainder of the season is still going strong, with games against other opposing teams set for the rest of the fall.

Ice cold!

LHS student section before the game

Rocky parts the red sea, circa 110 ad

Coach Fredenburg detailing his course of action

Looking fresh in that Chick-fil-a drip! Lets get fired up! “Ayo murph, can I get a shot?” A performance to remember Behind the scenes

“This pic hits hard.” deS Gn by Gabe Schmit photoS by Gabe Schmit 38 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 39

Tate Schafer takes a quick breather on the sidelines during the game

A rare appearance from the man himself

BY LAURA HECKENLAIBLE BY LAURA HECKENLAIBLE

Since school commenced a little over a month ago, teens have already been thrown back into life as a student. The days have become overwhelming, once again.

On top of a seven-hour school day, LHS students have extracurriculars, jobs, mounds of homework and the desire to have a social life outside of school-affiliated activities. Due to this constant busyness, many students come up with goals to help keep them working towards what they want. Like a New Year’s resolution, these goals are just baselines, they may work out and they may not; either way, these goals made by students help them remain focused on what matters to them. These goals could be centered around their education, social life or personal wellbeing. Whether it is written out on a sticky note, printed in their planner or just a little thought in the back of their minds, each goal is unique and essential. Here are some goals fellow LHS students are striving toward during the 2022-2023 school year:

BY ZOE LARSON

As the world quite literally melts and burns, it’s comforting to see that the wealthy are doing their part to help save it, well, some of the wealthy that is.

In recent years, private jets have been put under the spotlight due to their effects on the environment and their impractical use.

Travis Scott, for example, has an average flight distance of just seven miles, equating to about a one to two minute flight time. By car, that would take only 7-15 minutes, and that’s not even including the time it takes to board the plane, fly to the destination and get off of the plane. Scott has been found to have the shortest average flight time, but his carbon emissions have nothing on Taylor Swift’s.

In a recent study conducted by Yard, “... Swift’s total flight emissions for the year come in at 8,293.54 tonnes, or 1,184.8 times more than the average person’s total annual emissions.” Swift tops the list by a long shot when it comes to her environmental impact, dumping 1216.74 more tonnes of Co2 into the

air than Scott. As of July 20, 2022, Swift has taken 170 flights with each one being an average of 80 minutes long, a fact that is astonishing considering that she is not currently touring. The evidence points to Swift being the leading celebrity when it comes to environmental impact, but she, along with her representative, commented on these claims.

A representative for Swift said in a quote to The Rolling Stone, “Taylor’s spokesperson issued a statement in which they insisted that the popstar had ‘loaned’ out the aircraft to others. Taylor’s jet is loaned out regularly to other individuals.” Some agree that this is reasonable and that Swift should not be receiving hate. On the other hand, others believe that no matter who’s on the plane, it still belongs to Swift. The same spokesperson continues, “To attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect.”

The shift of blame made some fans uneasy, but Swift still remains strong in her position. Nevertheless, the facts are undeniable, making Swift the number

one celebrity Co2 polluter thus far.

When traveling via airplane, it is easy to lessen your carbon footprint.

Swift, if you are reading this, take notes. The first step to take towards a lower carbon footprint is to not fly to nearby destinations.

If it is feasible, try to drive by car. Cars have less carbon emissions than air planes. The next step you can take is to book nonstop flights. To do so, any easy option would be to fly out of a larger airport rather than a small one, so you don’t have to make as many stops. The last step you can take, which is arguably the cheapest, is to fly economy. Higher classes on planes tend to have larger spaces between seats, therefore lowering the amount of people who can fly, which makes more planes a necessity.

Following these steps will ensure your carbon footprint becomes less and less. Although Swift still needs to take these steps into consideration, only you can ensure the impact you have on our environment is not as extreme as hers.

(As of July 29, 2022)

Tonnes are a unit of measurement commonly used to measure the amount of Co2 in the atmosphere. One tonne is the equivalent to 2,204.6 pounds.

1. Taylor Swift at 8,293.54 Tonnes

2. Floyd Mayweather at 6,981.3 Tonnes

3. Jay-Z at 6,981.3 Tonnes

4. A-Rod at 5,342.7 Tonnes

5. Blake Shelton at 4,495 Tonnes

6. Steven Spielberg at 4,465 Tonnes

7. Kim Kardashian at 4268.5 Tonnes

8. Mark Wahlberg 3,772.85 Tonnes

9. Oprah Winfrey at 3,493.17 Tonnes

10. Travis Scott at 3,033.3 Tonnes

DESIGN BY LAURA HECKENLAIBLE 40 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

DESIGN BY ZOE LARSON OCTOBER ISSUE 41

BY FISHER MEYERINK

LHS. Built in 1965, our high school is the oldest in our district, and naturally, the most secretive. Although a relatively simple school on the surface, there are a wealth of questions left unanswered, if you only go looking for them. That’s what this article is for. Taking a second to acknowledge the enigmatic elements of LHS and trying to solve some of its mysteries. Why do couples par ticipating in PDA consistently go unpunished? What is the story behind the Lincoln statue in the foyer? Is there really a pool in the basement? All these questions and more will be addressed and just maybe finally put to rest.

Lincoln is built on a graveyard

You are not likely to make it two weeks at LHS without hearing claims of the paranormal. Be it the phantom who allegedly haunts the auditorium or the various ghost sightings in the bathrooms, LHS is seemingly a hotspot for the otherworldly. One explanation for these occurrences could be that our very school is built on an ancient burial ground. Maybe the excess of energy coming from the great beyond is to blame for the school’s bad reception. Until there is concrete evidence to the contrary, I believe the only rational explanation is the graveyard theor y

: PDA is not against the rules

This theory speculates that PDA is in fact the Lincoln way. Although these frankly gross public displays of affection are allegedly against the rules, you’re far more likely to hear teachers demanding hoods be lowered than yelling, “Please stop breeding our school is already overpacked.” This lack of enforcement could be for many reasons. Perhaps the dopamine produced by these lovestruck couples is somehow harvested and used as an energy source. Or maybe the kids who perform PDA are undercover cops, trying to normalize these moral-mucking, spitchucking, lip-sucking antics until actual students start to join in, at which point they crack down on them. Until an official investigation occurs, we are only left to speculate the reason for LHS’s greatest eyesores.

: The Pool

Arguably the most well-known conspiracy at LHS is revealed in what I like to call ‘Pool Theory’. This theory refers to the possible existence of a pool at LHS. Most theorists speculate that this pool is located somewhere in the basement of the school, though any visits by students to the basement have not resulted in any pool sightings. Some students believe that the pool was built along with LHS to fulfill a requirement for a swim team, before being filled with concrete, or mentions of a pool are really refering to a sewage pool present in the basement. Others believe in the existence of tunnels underneath LHS completely separate from the basement. The speculated entrance to these tunnels is not well agreed upon, but who knows, maybe at the end of one of these tunnels lies LHS’s mythic pool.

: Abe Lincoln’s body is inside the foyer statue

This juicy theory speculates that the body of our school’s namesake is not in fact buried in Springfield, Illinois, but is instead the center of his statue in the foyer. Abraham Lincoln was a man who was passionate about education, so it would make sense for him to be cemented as a part of our great school. Additionally, his body may explain the frequency that the foyer and surrounding areas smell. The main question that this theory raises is whose body is inside the statue of the boy looking up to Lincoln? Perhaps this school has a darker history than we previously imagined.

: REDACTED

Unfortunately, some secrets are so tightly kept that I don’t dare publish them here. But if you want to know LHS’s greatest secret, check all of the colored letters in this article. Maybe then LHS’s most twisted conspiracy will finally be exposed.

Honarable mentions:

• The office blocks service

• Mr. Welter is a Russian Spy

• Mr. Morrison has ties to the Alien Empire

• The Lincoln Theater gnome is cursed

• Mr. Bogart isn’t real

• Joe Biden lives in the basement

• Gabe Gutierrez has been a senior for four years

• Half of the kids who hang out in the foyer before school don’t attend LHS

• The Statesman isn’t dope

• Mr. Bogart is real

• The school doesn’t recycle

• Mr. Grimm never left

:

DESIGN BY FISHER MEYERINK 42 LHSSTATESMAN.COM OCTOBER ISSUE 43

BY LAURA HECKENLAIBLE

As a junior in high school who has two jobs and is constantly working, I am always asked “why?” To people’s dismay, I don’t do it solely for the paycheck or how it would look on a transcript. So, why do I work and is working really as bad as it’s made out to be?

When I started high school, the main concern that loomed over my head was the question as to how I was going to afford major factors like college as well as wants like money for clothes and activities with friends. It was hard to imagine I would ever have a balance between the two.

My nerves eased slightly when I got my first job. I had heard all the horror stories about first-time employment: the crazy coworkers, terrible hours and embarrassing moments that made many quit within the first month. I was lucky enough to get connected with my first job through a friend who also worked there. I am not going to lie and say that my work has always been easy. Still to this day I mess up and embarrass myself a little. With every job, there will be a learning period. At the beginning of a new job, it will take time to adjust and get used to the new environment. It is scary to not know what to do all the time but instead of giving in, I stuck to it, and here I am almost two years later still at my first job. There have been many times that I have wanted to just go home and lay in my bed, but I toughed it out and continued to go back the next day. In the long run, the benefits outweigh any doubt.

Having a job doesn’t have one set advantage. Working provides multiple benefits. Some days you’re just working for the paycheck and that’s okay, but other days,

at least for myself, I work for an escape. When I’m at my job I don’t worry about the mounds of homework or struggles in my own life. I’m able to put all my energy into those around me and any tasks I am given. I am fortunate enough to have found a place where I feel accepted as a coworker. I am still employed at my first job because the second I walk in I’m greeted with big smiles and wonderful people.

To reap the total benefits from a job, you must find a place you enjoy and are willing to go to multiple times a week. Having a job allows for a safe space and a place where younger generations can connect with people their age as well as those younger and older.

As I prepped to begin my junior year this past summer, I began looking for another job. I am heavily involved with cross country and track during the school year thus making it difficult for me to work during the week at my first job. At the start of my junior year, I started a second job where I mainly work on weekends.

I started working two jobs for a more obvious benefit. I knew what I wanted for my future. This meant that I needed to start becoming serious about saving money for a future institution. Having even just one job helps with necessary finances all teens will have to begin paying when high school ends. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, data has shown an increase of 14-15% for those in their 20s if they had worked a job as a teen. Whether the earned money is used for tuition or just necessities, a job is an essential part of teaching responsibility and successful money management.

After only working a few shifts at my second job, I knew that I had found another place that I loved. Not only did I have one

job that I looked forward to going to but I was lucky enough to find two. In no way do you need to go out and get as many jobs as humanly possible. Find what works for you and your schedule. Do not forget to take time to rest and do the things you love. Teens can have a social life and a job. So, go to that football game or concert but also apply for that job and sign up for the long shifts. Being employed as a teen is not only good for mental health as it allows an escape from reality but it is also extremely important for ensuring a prosperous future as life continues and growth takes place.

So, why do I work two jobs and why do I do so much? It is true, sometimes I miss big school events and I do have to nap for a solid four hours after a shift, but for me, I have found a second and third home. Working is a hobby of mine. I love the feeling of getting ready early in the morning for an eight a.m. shift. I cherish the moments when I have a wholesome interaction with a customer and as odd as it may sound I kinda like the achiness in my feet after a long shift, because it tells me I did the most while still having a good time. At the end of the day, the paycheck is just a bonus.

FACTS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL JOBS

The median weekly salary for a teenage worker is $497.

18.7% of all food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2020 were held by teens between the ages of 16 and 19.

In 2000, teens made up 2.25% of the full-time workforce versus 1.21% in 2020.

30.8% of teens had summer jobs in 2020.

In 2020, 1.336 million teens between the ages of 16 and 19 had full-time jobs.

by Jada Sandvall, Editor-in-Chief

When I was younger, reading books was my favorite pastime. From “Junie B. Jones” to “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” I could spend countless hours turning pages and studying how each author crafted their pieces. Now at 17, I never realized how my perception of “reading for enjoyment” would change as time went on.

In hopes to kickstart my education, my parents had implemented books into my life for as long as I could remember. I loved watching “Little Einsteins” every Saturday morning with my dad, but the experience I remember most is reading the paper with my mother every Sunday. With a coffee in hand and me in her lap, my mother would point out the steals of the week at Target and Hy-Vee. Although it was something that now seems insignificant, from a young age it connected words to pictures and my three-year-old self’s imagination into the real world.

Since I went to elementary school all the way on the other side of town, there was no better way to pass the time in the car than to read. Every day on my way to and from school, my nose would be in a book. As I got older, the books grew thicker with heavier plots and more advanced vocabulary. However, the one element that still remained through my six years of 25-minute car rides to school was my purple reading light.

I received the light as a gift from my grandparents who would take me to the public library every weekend to check out new books. However, as my schedule became busier and the trips to the library became more and more sparse, reading was pushed farther and farther out of my brain. Looking back, I blame myself for never taking time to continue to read the books I once loved. Now, not only has that purple reading light been physically lost but metaphorically lost within the abyss of my childhood memories.

As new opportunities to play sports or go out with friends became more and more enticing, reading was seen by seventh grade Jada as only something

MAYBE READING ISN’T ALL THAT BAD

you do in school. Something you only do when you are that bored. Something you do because you have to have enough hours on your reading log. Something you are forced to do. In English classes, the books integrated into the curriculum are not always the most interesting, which made me believe that all literature was bad; however, I never really did appreciate what good literature looked like.

Although my days reading the Sunday paper with my mom are long gone, my love for reading is now definitely not. By changing my mindset from reading being a chore to it being a source of entertainment, I have been able to find a way to escape from the insanity of my everyday life. When I flip the pages, I am able to immerse myself in the words and their meanings that provoke the same strong storylines I fell in love with in elementary school with my purple reading light.

DESIGN BY LHS STATESMAN

44 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

FACTS BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR PEW RESEARCH CENTER STATISTICS & PEW RESEARCH CENTER

OCTOBER ISSUE

design by Jada Sandvall artwork by Jada Sandvall

OCTOBER ISSUE 45

design by Jada Sandvall artwork by Jada Sandvall

let’s just

The transition from middle to high school is nothing easy and requires a lot of changes in order to adapt to the new way of school. Classes get harder, more nights are spent doing homework until an unreasonable hour and your stress levels reach an all time high. Luckily, there is an entirely different and much better side of high school that makes the stressful and “educational side” of school well worth the struggle. As a senior, I have had plenty of experience with both ‘sides’ of high school and know exactly how the new freshmen are feeling. Here are some of the pieces of advice that I have gathered throughout my years of high school that will hopefully help the class of 2026 adjust to the new environment high school has to offer.

#1:

Take school seriously

While this piece of advice may seem obvious, you would be surprised at the amount of negative influences that will surround you. There will be people who will try to convince you that school does not matter or call you a “try hard” for putting effort into your classes; however, these people are wrong. Putting your best effort into your classes is one of the smartest decisions you can make for yourself. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it. By no means does this mean you have to take super hard classes if you do not want to, however, challenging yourself with a difficult class can be very rewarding. As long as you try your best in whichever classes you take, you will strive in high school. Even though it is not going to be something you will want to do every day, do your homework and take good notes in class. I promise it will pay off.

#2:

Have school spirit

If you did not participate in your middle school dress up days, that is completely understandable. However, you have to learn to go all out for spirit weeks in high school. Many incoming freshmen tend to believe that it is ‘uncool’ to participate in dress up weeks; however, in high school it is the opposite. There are not many days when you get to dress up as something like a minion or a cowboy at school with no shame, so I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the different dress up weeks at LHS. Aside from spirit weeks, going to the various LHS sporting events is a great way to display your school spirit and get involved, even if sports are not exactly your “thing.” Being in the student section is such a fun and unique experience, and it also serves as a great way to get to know your classmates. However, keep in mind that every student section is organized by grade, so just know that the freshman section is at the top of the bleachers. Do not be discouraged though, you will slowly make your way closer to the front just like every senior did. Most importantly, be loud! The student section is never quiet, so make sure to be a real Lincoln Crazie and contribute to the noise.

#3: Do not take these years for granted Believe it or not, right now you are in the “good old days” without even knowing it. These four years will fly by way faster than you could ever imagine, even though it may not seem like it at the moment. The key to making the most out of your time in high school is literally just doing the two things I advised to you above: take school seriously and have school spirit. It really is that simple. Make new friends. Go to the games. Wear that costume during spirit week, no matter how crazy you think it is. Do your homework and put in your best effort into it. It sounds cheesy, but just make sure to have fun, make memories and never take these years for granted, as your high school career will be over before you know it.

Best of luck,

BY EMMA SOUTHWICK BY EMMA SOUTHWICK ARTWORK BY EMMA SOUTHWICK by Sarah bomhoff, Editor in-ChiEf

It is no secret that social media tends to only show the most glamorous beautiful moments of life and more often than not, they are plastered with filters, photoshop and other enhancements.

The trending BeReal app presents a new, unheard of form of social media by subtracting the harmful aspects of social networking out of the equation entirely.

The BeReal app was created in 2020, but its popularity skyrocketed exponentially in the Spring and Summer of 2022. The app allows users to snap a photo with their front and back camera at a random time once a day when prompted with the notification “Time to BeReal.”

Given only two minutes to “Be Real,” this tactic allows for a more authentic social media experience, showing exactly what one is doing in real-time and making it difficult to capture a flawless photo in such a short amount of time. No filters. No likes. No follower count. If users do not post their BeReal within the two minutes, they are then posting a “Late,” which has more recently been coined the term of a “BeFake” by BeReal users. The absence of features that would typically

be found on a social media platform is the key to this more “real” social media experience. BeReal users are also able to react to their friends’ BeReals with comments and photo reactions and see BeReals from people all around the world. This concept is truly one of a kind and its uniqueness is intentional.

The intent of BeReal was originally to have a more authentic social media presence and steer users away from spending hours upon hours scrolling through the platform, but instead, going back to the roots of social media which was made to make our world more connected. Through BeReal, the connectivity aspect is preserved, but is gone about with a more realistic approach due to the absence of filters and other enhancements. These typical features, more often than not, lead to social media platforms only being a “highlight reel” of users’ real lives. The issue with unrealistic social media platforms is that viewers are quick to compare themselves and their lives to the posts that they see online, often leading to insecurity. Unrealistic societal expectations and the culture of comparing our realistic “lows” to everyone else’s “highs” which we see on social media. Florida-based pediatrician, Dr. Ana M. Hernandez-Puga

considers how the toxic social media norms have an effect on an individual’s mental health, primarily in teenagers. “Everyone seems to be a perfect person living in a perfect world,” said Hernandez-Puga. “... they often become deeply insecure over the perceived imperfections of what is theirs. This is a recipe for worsening teenage insecurities.”

A question that arises from the far more casual design of BeReal is why BeReal? What is the point of “being real?” Social media has become the root of many users’ insecurities because of the common nature to compare ourselves to others. The benefit of a more realistic social media platform is presenting less opportunity for insecurities, which encourages people to feel good about who they are, which is one of BeReal’s main goals. Because of BeReal, the social media world is steering away from the edited version of life that we see through a screen. So, let’s just BeReal.

46 LHSSTATESMAN.COM

photoS by Sarah bomhoff

OCTOBER ISSUE 47

dESign by Sarah bomhoff

Statesman

OCTOBER

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL ISSUE NO. 1

2022 ISSUE