April Issue 2025 by LHS Statesman

S

Online

Sports

Perspectives

Staff

Paper Editors-In-Chief: Eloise Geraets, Lucas Hiatt, Naomi Jespersen, Josie Tollinger

Editors-In-Chief: Vivian Kiesow-Knudsen, Leah Mannes, Grace Miner

News Editor: Ellie Quinn

Feature Editors: Mason Dean, Joseph Tunge & Elysse Weber Entertainment Editors: Lily Gruber & Bobby Parker

Editors: James Plorde & Cooper Schultz

Editors: Laila Miller & Nadia Schneider

Social Media Coordinator: Stella Sonnichsen

Writers: Abby Anderson, Sam Barnett, Ellie Boehrns, Syri Castilleja, Khloe Dillman, Kinsley Ernster, Griffin Etrheim, Will Hansen, Julia Hedrick, Lucy Hennies, Ruby Hennies, Ashlyn Hoffman, Quinton Hollan, Hudson Holman, Bethany Jespersen, Berkeley Newell, John Quello, Alonso Ramirez, Maddox Raph, Trey Raph, Addison Remme, Emerson Roberston, Logan Sanborn, Selah Seymour, Porter Stangeland, Chris Tao, Dena Tarrell, Adeline Theophilus, Jacob Wessels, Bethel Woche, JD

photo by Mason Dean

Lucas Hiatt, Naomi Jespersen, Josie Tollinger

Editors-In-Chief: Vivian Kiesow-Knudsen, Leah Mannes, Grace Miner

Editors: Mason Dean, Joseph Tunge & Elysse Weber

Editors: Lily Gruber & Bobby Parker Sports Editors: James Plorde & Cooper Schultz

Editors: Laila Miller & Nadia Schneider Social Media Coordinator: Stella Sonnichsen

photo by Mason Dean

Grace Miner News Editor: Ellie Quinn

Feature Editors: Mason Dean, Joseph Tunge & Elysse Weber

Editors: Lily Gruber & Bobby Parker Sports Editors: James Plorde & Cooper Schultz Perspectives Editors: Laila Miller & Nadia Schneider Social Media Coordinator: Stella Sonnichsen

Staff Writers: Abby Anderson, Sam Barnett, Ellie Boehrns, Syri Castilleja, Khloe Dillman, Kinsley Ernster, Griffin Etrheim, Will Hansen, Julia Hedrick, Lucy Hennies, Ruby Hennies, Ashlyn Hoffman, Quinton Hollan, Hudson Holman, Bethany Jespersen, Berkeley Newell, John Quello, Alonso Ramirez, Maddox Raph, Trey Raph, Addison Remme, Emerson Roberston, Logan Sanborn, Selah Seymour, Porter Stangeland, Chris Tao, Dena Tarrell, Adeline Theophilus, Jacob Wessels, Bethel Woche, JD

photo by Mason Dean

by Grace Miner, editor-in-chief

Tduringduring the Everybody Reads initiative through the Sioux Falls School District, Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls and Siouxland Libraries. The program involves a goal of books for participants to read each year, including audiobooks. If they meet that goal, the program donates $1,700 to REACH Literacy, a program that provides books to those who do not have access.

the Everybody Reads initiative through the Sioux Falls School District, Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls and Siouxland Libraries. The program involves a goal of books for participants to read each year, including audiobooks. If they meet that goal, the program donates $1,700 to REACH Literacy, a program that provides books to those who do not have access.

the Sioux Falls School District, Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls and Siouxland Libraries. The program involves a goal of books for participants to read each year, including audiobooks. If they meet that goal, the program donates $1,700 to REACH Literacy, a program that provides books to those who do not have access.

This year, the program’s theme is “Reading is Sweet,” inspiring all participating libraries to decorate with sweet themed designs. Notably, a paper gumball machine is used as a visual tracker to mark the number of books read throughout March.

“Each library location was challenged to decorate their branch by using a gumball machine poster, along with candy décor. The community can visit their local branch and ask for a gumball sticker to put on the gumball machine. If anyone is not able to make it to their library,

they can give us a call at 367-8700, and we can get their books logged for them,” said Nicole Norton, a librarian for Siouxland libraries.

At LHS, the program is in its fourth year and has had resounding success. Students participated by filling out slips of paper provided by the library to state what books they are currently reading either in ad room or anytime in the library throughout March. These slips get added to a wall in the library to showcase the novels students have read throughout the month.

“Each year we’ve reached our goal of having students read. Last year it was 300,000, and we surpassed that, and this year it’s 350,000, so they’ve just set it higher. Each year they’ve increased that goal and we’ve been able to meet it,” said Mary Peters, the librarian at LHS.

In addition to achieving its goals, the program is beloved by students, as they are given a chance to be recognized for their reading accomplishments and share stories they love. This year, Peters hoped for more student

participation and encouraged students to take the time to fill out the slips of paper to share what they have read.

“I’ve always had a lot of students participate like they’ll fill out a slip of paper so I can put it on the wall, and then I have the ad rooms do one Friday in the month of March that we’ll read. I’m hoping more ad rooms will actually fill out slips of what books they read because last year I knew kids were reading but I didn’t get a lot of slips back saying what books they were reading during ad room time,” said Peters.

Despite the program’s numerical goals, its true goal is to foster a passion for reading in students and provide them with an equal opportunity to develop this passion. It allows students to be celebrated for their reading accomplishments. The Everybody Reads program sets out to accomplish this goal through partnering with REACH Literacy.

“I hope it really shows kids that reading is something that they will take with them forever, and it’s something they can always do. Also, by doing this we can help other people get books in their hands just by promoting what reading does for people,” said Peters.

In addition to fostering a passion for students at LHS, the Everybody Reads program aims to ignite this flame for students in Sioux Falls elementary schools. Here, it celebrates the books students have read, and it incorporates games and activities to excite young children.

“Students get to use a paint dabber to add their name

program and are motivated to participate. Kids started participating at home with their families. It’s been awesome,” said Becker.

enthusiasm for reading. Students now recognize the program and are motivated to participate. Kids started participating at home with their families. It’s been awesome,” said Becker.

Ultimately, for everyone with the ability to read, reading provides both the possibility to reach an endless number of stories and the ability to enhance literacy skills needed for success.

“While reading is important for fun, we also use it in education from our early years, college, socially and in our careers. We want our community to be successful in their endeavors,” said Norton.

The Hawthorne Elementary Library has a “gumball” machine set up, with each gumball representing students’ reading accomplishments.

At LHS, a gumball machine adorns a wall in the library, where students can add gumballs with the books they have read duirng March.

Siouxland Library has decorated their building with gumball machines, candy and sweet sayings.

Each gumball represents a book a member of the community has read at Siouxland Library.

When entering Siouxland Library, members of the community are met with sweetthemed designs. 4

The Hawthorne Elementary Library has a “gumball” machine set up, with each gumball representing students’ reading accomplishments.

the library, where students can add gumballs with the books they have read duirng March.

Siouxland Library has decorated their building with gumball machines, candy and sweet sayings.

Each gumball represents a book a member of the community has read at Siouxland Library.

When entering Siouxland Library, members of the community are met with sweetthemed designs.

The Hawthorne Elementary Library has a “gumball” machine set up, with each gumball representing students’ reading accomplishments.

At LHS, a gumball machine adorns a wall in the library, where students can add gumballs with the books they have read duirng March.

Siouxland Library has decorated their building with gumball machines, candy and sweet sayings.

Each gumball represents a book a member of the community has read at Siouxland Library.

When entering Siouxland Library, members of the community are met with sweetthemed designs.

THRIFTS AND TREASURES

THRIFTS AND TREASURES AT THRIFT HEAT

AT THRIFT HEAT

At 22 years old, young adults are often just leaving college and still figuring out where to work for the rest of their lives. Class of 2021 LHS alum Owen Monahan, however, has already struck his dream job of running a vintage thrift store in Downtown Sioux Falls.

Located just off of 8th and Railroad, Monahan runs Thrift Heat in a second-floor space with rooms for storage and fitting. This is the store’s second location, the previous being located across the street as part of the Crane Centre. Now, Monahan has made this store his own with a loud, colorful aesthetic and a wide variety of decorations.

What makes Monahan’s store truly impressive, however, is the hard work behind it.

“A lot of people jump into this and think that they’re gonna find stuff on the daily, or sell stuff on the daily, or their content is just gonna blow up on the TV and it’s really just trial and error,” said Monahan.

Monahan’s entrepreneurial journey started as early as his freshman year of high school and he has had plenty of time to grow since. First, he sold all online, but with COVID-19 hitting his junior year, he had the chance to open a personal appointment store. Then, after two years he was able to open his Crane Centre location and just about a year and a half ago he opened his current location.

“Actually opening it up was, you know, enlightening to see everyone coming,” said Monahan.

Despite the ongoing expansions, though, Monahan has always been the sole operator of Thrift Heat.

“It’s a lot, but I enjoy each and every part of it, you know, from the shipping, the curating, the selling and like the displaying,” said Monahan.

Starting so young takes a lot of grit and bravery, but Monahan had plenty of inspiration. A collection of sports memorabilia and t-shirts from his father gave Monahan an appreciation for the style, as did the YouTube videos of Paul Cantu.

“His scheme was, like, very colorful, very bright, very vibrant and mainly 80s, 90s stuff. And that’s kind of what I copied,” said Monahan.

Cantu’s videos consist largely of hunting for valuable thrift finds, which makes up a large chunk of Monahan’s time nowadays. Scanning through thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and even Facebook provides plenty of sources for Monahan’s store. In-person sales and trades have become a significant part of the business too.

“One thing I strive on, and I try to mainly curate, is going to be the display pieces that you typically aren’t going to see around here,” said Monahan.

Monahan has some notable finds of a Michael Jordan cologne display, a Shaquille O’Neal cut out and a constantly running VHS setup, among many other trinkets. Even the practical aspects of Monahan’s store ooze with character, with retro sports cards being used as price tags and vintage shoe mirrors lining the store’s corners.

“I buy off the average buyer that buys here. If you know, they bought something, they want to bring it back, I’ll buy it again,” said Monahan.

Sometimes Monahan even makes trips to events in cities like Omaha or Minneapolis, but the large majority of his stock is thrifted and hand-sourced. Despite working solo and being just 22, Monahan has been wildly successful in setting up shop his own way. The opening and one-year anniversary of Monahan’s new store have been monumental landmarks, but with his work ethic, it seems these will only be topped with time.

“There’s a lot of businesses, you know, struggling that first year,” said Monahan. “And now pushing into my second year, [I’m] just living the dream day by day.”

A CRT TV runs a rotation of old movies and shows.

aesthetics for the decorations and clothing alike.

Top left: Multiple shelves are set up to display and organize shoes by size.

Middle: The walls of Thrift Heat are lined with retro figures and plush toys.

Top right: A CRT TV runs a rotation of old movies and shows.

Bottom right: Thrift Heat prioritizes the 80s and 90s aesthetics for the decorations and clothing alike.

Top left: Multiple shelves are set up to display and organize shoes by size.

Middle: The walls of Thrift Heat are lined with retro figures and plush toys.

Top right: A CRT TV runs a rotation of old movies and shows.

Bottom right: Thrift Heat prioritizes the 80s and 90s

Top left: Multiple shelves are set up to display and organize shoes by size.

Middle: The walls of Thrift Heat are lined with retro figures and plush toys.

Top right:

Bottom right: Thrift Heat prioritizes the 80s and 90s aesthetics for the decorations and clothing alike.

by LaiLa MiLLer

impact on the pupils of LHS and will continue to for years to come.

When teens with a shared passion work together to make a positive impact on others, the possibilities of what can be accomplished are endless. Fine Arts for Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA4FA), is a non-profit, student-run organization in Sioux Falls that performs musical productions during the summer to help raise money for Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). FA4FA was founded in 2015 after a group of students came together to help former LHS student and musical theater performer Raena Brendtro, who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) in 2013. These thoughtful students aspired to raise awareness in a way that was unique and different from the usual bake sales or car washes; the students came up with the idea of raising money by incorporating their shared passion for theater.

FA, according to the FARA website*, is a rare, debilitating, genetic neuromuscular disease. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, difficulty balancing (ataxia), scoliosis, diabetes, fatigue, vision and hearing impairments and heart conditions. Unfortunately, people with FA have a shortened lifespan and there is currently no cure. However, students involved in FA4FA devote an immense amount of their time and effort to help raise money to support organizations looking to find a cure for FA. Last year, this group accomplished an incredible feat by raising $16,000, which is provided through generous donations by members of the community. Additionally, FA4FA holds auctions at shows, sets up bake sales, sells FA4FA merchandise and donates the money made from ticket sales.

LHS senior Jonah Boyd became involved two years ago after he saw a poster for FA4FA in the choir room.

“It is such a great environment to be a part of as everyone involved is giving up a large amount of their summer to be together, working towards a great cause and showing how positive and impactful fine arts can be,” said Boyd.

Former LHS student, Lucas Schreck has been involved in FA4FA for eight years, with this year being his final year in the program. He has been a part of the leadership committee for five years.

“The leadership committee covers a variety of tasks, from finding sponsors, booking venues and social media, to directing/teaching vocal parts, set building and acting in our productions. Pretty much anything behind the scenes and on stage is a product of the leadership committee,” said Schreck.

Anyone is able to be involved in this incredible cause by either donating to the GoFundMe or by auditioning to be a part of the shows. This summer, FA4FA will be performing “Shrek the Musical Jr.” from June 6-9. Following the musical, FA4FA will have a cabaret

performance in July. A considerable amount of work goes into the preparation of these shows. First, they have to start planning early, usually in the fall of the year prior to the performances, in order to find the funds for their performances, license the musicals, book venues and look for sponsors. Then throughout the summer, leaders and performers spend hours each day working towards getting the musical and cabaret ready for the public.

“We rehearse and put together the [musical] in three weeks, which includes learning the music/harmonies, choreography and blocking; only one of those weeks is actually in our performance space, where then, we add all of the technical elements, like the set, microphones and lights. It truly takes a village to put the musicals together; there are a lot of long nights and early mornings, but it’s always worth it,” said Schreck.

The dedication of these teens, who collectively share a passion for theater and for helping others, shows how much can be accomplished when one puts in the time and effort to make a difference in their community.

“When FA4FA was started, there were really no treatments for the disorder; however, in 2023, the FDA approved the first medication to help slow the effects of FA. It is truly the most fulfilling thing to know that the $100,000 we’ve raised over our program’s history has contributed to these medical advancements in real-time,” said Schreck.

*The FARA website is a great resource to better understand FA, hear stories of those with FA, find information on how to donate and much more.

Trashketball began in the 2020-21 school year in an effort to provide an activity that students could still participate in while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Student Council and DuBois had an idea that was the perfect opportunity, a game in which players gain points from tossing a paper ball into a recycling bin. Since only one person can be on the line at a time, Trashketball checks the social distancing box that was on everyone’s mind in 2021. The allure of tossing a paper ball into a bin, along with appeasing the rules of COVID-19 was an attractive idea. Trashketball, the remedy to COVID-19 guidelines ruining student activities, was born.

outside and their teacher’s name isn’t on it, they’re gonna be like ‘What happened?’,” said DuBois.

The game has had a significant impact on LHS students. Every victory brings excitement for the students as their name moves further toward the center of the bracket. Last year’s tournament winner, Regan Meyers’ WIN time, demonstrates just how impactful the winning

The competitive edge that Trashketball provides paved the way for its longevity, coupled with the simple fact that no one would forget the opportunity they were provided to still have an activity despite the halted world around them in 2021. All activities, such as Homecoming and Prom had been canceled, leaving students saddened, yet Trashketball was the light to keep them going.

“[The students] wanted to do an activity where we could still do something as a school, but we wouldn’t have to all be [so close] together,” said DuBois.

Trashketball has evolved since the age of COVID-19, still prevailing despite a decrease in restrictions. WIN time usually consists of students either rushing through homework or procrastinating, but when March rolls around, the bracket play of Trashketball lights up WIN times. Trashketball has a hold on students that is not easily explained; maybe it is the competitive edge and the urge to be better than another WIN time. Whatever the reason may be, Trasketball’s hold on LHS is incredibly obvious.

can be. During the championship, the ecstatic energy from the competitors, as well as the students watching in the gymnasium, is unlike any other. Whether it is the golden first-place trophy or the excitement of making the gamewinning basket, the impact Trashketball has on LHS is unmatchable.

“That little Trashketball tournament makes everyone so excited for the second semester and who their WIN teacher is gonna be and who is in that WIN period class,” said DuBois.

So, what about the long run? Trashketball has asserted its place in the walls of LHS, but will it continue to go on, evoking the same excitement year after year? The truth is, the game is not something that pupils of LHS will accept the loss of. It is hard to imagine a time will come when Trashketball is not a fact of life at LHS. The game has become so ingrained in the lives of students that it has a form of immortality akin to Homecoming and Prom. Trashketball will reign forever.

photos by JAcob Wessels design by Alonso RAmiRez & JAcob Wessels

ARtWoRk by cAnvA

Jennifer DuBois hands a trashketball to Rice’s team.

Eric Rice’s student, Kierra Lubovich, shoots a crucial shot for her team.

Griffin Fischer shoots for his 6th point.

by James Plorde

As of 2020, there were a total of 1.9 billion Muslims in the world, making it the second largest religion on the planet. The holiest month for Muslims is Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, so Ramadan can happen at various points during the year, but usually earlier. During the month of Ramadan, which starts the morning of March 1 and ends on the evening of March 29 this year, Muslims fast (no drinking or eating anything) from sunrise to sundown, and break their fast with a meal called “iftar.” The purpose of this fasting is to eliminate distractions and grow closer to their God, Allah, by understanding how it is to be less fortunate and by renewing their faith and seeking forgiveness. The end of Ramadan comes with the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which was on March 30 this year.

Because of the variety of times that Ramadan can happen, some months are easier than others. For example, in 2016, Ramadan went from June 5 to July 4, where the sun does not set until between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. This year is considerably easier as the sun sets between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Ramadan does not really affect me [at school], because I’ve grown into it and because the time span [for fasting] is shorter than the last couple of years,” said Ali Mire, who is Muslim and a sophomore at LHS.

“Last year it affected me the most because you couldn’t eat for a while, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., but this year has been easier,” said Awab Eltayeb, a Muslim and also a sophomore at LHS.

Many Muslims during Ramadan wake up before the sun is up to eat and drink before going on with their day of fasting.

“This morning, I woke up at 5 a.m. to eat, and then at 5:40 a.m. I had to stop eating. We pray in the morning and usually pray five times a day, although, since we’re in school, it’s hard to do that. And then, between 6 and 7 p.m., we pray and then eat, and we can eat whatever we want until the next morning,” said Eltayeb.

Others go about their day of fasting differently.

“I usually don’t wake up to eat, because I’m too tired to wake up, so usually I just wake up to pray and go back to bed, go to school, go home and pray after my football lifts, and then eat [when it’s time to break my fast],” said Mire.

Despite the U.S. having a majority Christian population, and South Dakota even more so, there is still a vibrant Muslim community here.

“[Ramadan is] a special sacred month to show respect to your religion and culture,” said Eltayeb. “[Fasting during Ramadan] is a good deed to get you into Heaven.”

“The religious part [of Ramadan] is to show guilt,” said Mire. “It’s a month that you can show pride and happiness for your religion.”

Awab Eltayeb’s meal at KPOT Korean BBQ for iftar on March 19.

Awab Eltayeb’s relatives preparing to break their fast on March 19.

RISE

(Reaching Independence through Structured Education) is LHS’ special education program aimed at helping students with cognitive disabilities achieve greater independence. The school also hosts Best Buddies, which is a club that allows RISE students to participate in activities with other students like basketball or show choir. One student who has benefited greatly from this program is Eli Tornow. The story of Tornow’s transformation is not one of a single person or activity but interwoven in the support of a welcoming school community, tailored guidance from the RISE program and meaningful friendships.

The staff involved in the RISE program are not only there to help fellow students in the program succeed, but they also find joy in getting to know each student and their unique personalities.

“Eli is a very quiet kid who just enjoys life every day. He finds joy in everything, whether it’s a big thing or a little thing. He loves to hang out with his best buddies at school and loves the Best Buddies program with the basketball team and the Unified Show Choir,” said Deb Tornow, Eli’s mom. Students involved in the RISE program are faced with various challenges that often require a great deal of effort and support to overcome as time goes on. This can sometimes seem like it will stick around forever, but the RISE staff does a great job of challenging students to push past their boundaries and exceed expectations.

by Joseph Tunge

“When Eli came in as a freshman, he didn’t always have the confidence to assert himself in certain situations,” said Mary Alexander, teacher at LHS. “Anytime we would ask him a question the answer was always an automatic ‘I don’t know.’ But once he learned that ‘I don’t know’ was not going to get him anywhere, he started blossoming.”

From a teacher’s perspective, the RISE program is different because it allows students to learn at their ability level. In practice, this means that some students receive full-day support while others receive a mixture of classroom learning and real-world experiences. They have practical methods of helping students learn over time.

“We use a lot of repetition because sometimes when we teach a concept to our students, it’s pretty common that they don’t remember it the next day. So, we use a lot of repetition and structured schedules because a lot of our students do better with a structured routine, so they always know what’s coming next,” said Alexander.

While the approach to learning varies from student to student, the natural desire for life-giving connection and friendship applies to all students, regardless of whether they are in the RISE program or not.

“In Lincoln, every little gesture, from saying hi in the hallway to working alongside local businesses, teaches our

students essential social skills,” said Alexander. “Each one of our students is really like a normal teenager. They all crave friendships. They all want the same things.”

Staff help students in the RISE program to grow in their capacity to make social connections with others and cooperate, especially through certain students who volunteer in the Best Buddies Program.

Rhea Petersen, who joined Best Buddies after hearing an invitation during the school announcements, is one of Eli’s best buddies. While her schedule does not allow her to participate in Unified Basketball or Unified Show Choir, she spends as much of her time during the school day with Eli as she can, along with some outside-ofschool hang outs.

“We do try to encourage hanging out outside of school, maybe getting their number, their parents’ number just so you can communicate that way. And if that’s not possible, then that’s totally understandable. There’s other ways to hang out at school, whether it’s through our meetings or even just saying hi in the hallway,” said Petersen. “We all hung out one time for his birthday party at Thunder Road. I could just tell he was really just having a great time, smiling so much, he seemed really happy.”

“For Eli, the social skills he learned in high school are as much or more valuable, even than some of the academics that he will learn. For him to meet Petersen and some of the other best buddies has been wonderful,” said D. Tornow.

For a program that started when Eli

was a freshman, Best Buddies, along with Unified Show Choir and Unified Basketball, has had a profound impact on him. While it may be nerve-racking for new students to join, especially if they do not really know anybody in the club, it is a great place to meet new friends.

“I hope [the Best Buddies students] find out that trying it may be something new and exciting and giving kids in the RISE program an opportunity to form a friendship and to do something different means the world to them, even if they aren’t able to express that to those students,” said D. Tornow.

Looking ahead, the community remains optimistic about Eli’s future path after his time at LHS.

“We hope that Eli finds the most meaningful, exciting job that suits him. Whatever that may look like. We just hope that he has the most enjoyable future with finding things that make him happy every day and finding lifelong relationships with others.”

As Eli continues on his path, his transformation is not just a personal victory, but a testament to the impact of consistency, encouragement and the unwavering support of those who believe in him. With every step forward, Eli is building not only skills but also a future where he can truly thrive.

This will help him get familiar with the

and lower the risk of

design by Joseph Tunge

phoTos by Mason dean

The Unified basketball team practices during WIN time. They start and end every practice with a breakdown.

Eli Tornow practices a “dry run” of raising and lowering the car lift.

controls

injury.

Eli Tornow learns about the teamwork required to safely lift a car in his auto repair class.

design by Joseph Tunge phoTos by Mason dean

The Unified basketball team practices during WIN time. They start and end every practice with a breakdown.

Rhea Petersen and Max Baumgarten are two of Eli Tornows’s best buddies. It is Baumgarten’s first year and Petersen’s second year being involved in the club.

Eli Tornow practices a “dry run” of raising and lowering the car lift. This will help him get familiar with the controls and lower the risk of injury.

Eli Tornow learns about the teamwork required to safely lift a car in his auto repair class.

BY STELLA SONNICHSEN

After35 years of teaching and five years with the Sioux Falls School District, Dr. Jane Stavem is retiring from her role as superintendent and passing the torch to Dr. James “Jamie” Nold. Nold has been a very popular prospect for the position due not only to his experience, but also his care for the students and faculty of the district. Employees and community members are all eager to welcome the new superintendent and are enthusiastic to see what plans he has in store for the district.

“I am blessed to continue to work with deeply dedicated students, staff, families and community stakeholders,” said Dr. Nold.

As Dr. Nold steps into this role, his vision is to build upon the strong foundation that Stavem established while also introducing new strategies that address the evolving landscape of education. His focus is to ensure that the district not only meets academic standards but also prepares students for future success outside of the district.

“Students should be able to find the exact program or course that meets their needs to prepare them for their future… We will continue to challenge ourselves to create ways to meet the needs of students,” said Dr. Nold.

In addition to educating and preparing students for the real world, his mission is to collaborate with educators and administrators to foster an environment where students are given a nurturing and safe space to learn. He believes that students should be put first, and to make this possible, it is necessary to equip staff with the tools and support to give students the best education possible.

“We must recognize that our staff, who interact with students daily, are the ones that will help us the most to fulfill our mission. We will provide professional development and resources to allow staff to be effective in what they are called to do,” said Dr. Nold.

Dr. Nold has worked in the School District for nearly 30 years, six of those working at LHS, serving as a teacher for one year and as an assistant principal for the other five. He was also the head coach of the wrestling team. While at LHS, he worked under Val Fox as assistant principal which was instrumental in the discovery of his passion for administration.

“Val Fox gave me the opportunity to collaborate with her and the staff at LHS to learn and grow…I built so many relationships over the years from my time at LHS that I will continue to cherish,” said Dr. Nold.

Following his time at LHS, Dr. Nold went on to serve as principal at WHS for 10 years and then as assistant superintendent for the past nine. During those years, Dr. Nold contributed significantly to the School District. He helped found and support programs such as Teacher Pathway, which allows high school students to explore teaching careers throughout the district. He worked on creating and implementing the freshman academies at high schools and the Attendance Liaison Program, which aids some middle schools and elementary schools to improve attendance. Programs like these have helped our district greatly, and Dr. Nold hopes to continue to improve these programs along with the many other initiatives he has worked on as assistant superintendent.

Dr. Nold also had the opportunity to work under many amazing supervisors throughout his time as assistant superintendent. He worked closely with the three prior superintendents and was grateful that he was able to not only learn from them but grow as an administrator and help the district in many ways.

“I have been inspired by Dr. Homan, Dr. Maher and Dr. Stavem in so many ways… I have worked the most closely with [them] and have learned a great deal from [them],” said Dr. Nold.

Given the large number of responsibilities held by the superintendent, it is imperative that Dr. Nold has support and a dedicated staff behind him.

One of these most noteworthy positions is Nold’s former position, assistant superintendent. This job is to be filled by the current JHS principal, Daniel Conrad.

Conrad, like Nold, has an extensive history in the district and specifically at LHS. Beginning his teaching career at LHS, Conrad was able to learn from many LHS teachers and learn the importance of collaboration among educators.

“When I first started teaching it was difficult to get into the Sioux Falls School District, and I was grateful to have an opportunity. I also learned so much from the veteran LHS teaching staff who took me in and helped to ensure my success,” said Conrad.

After his time at LHS, Conrad spent 11 years at WHS before spending the past five years as principal of JHS. Conrad is grateful for the experiences and knowledge he has attained during his time so far in the school district. He has seen the commitment and passion that students and educators alike have for learning.

“I have learned that regardless of where you attend school, everyone loves their school; student’s love their school, teachers love their school, parents and community members love their school,” said Conrad.

“Dr. Stavem and Dr. Maher have allowed me to start several initiatives and programs over the years that I want to keep working with,” said Dr. Nold.

Along with teaching, Conrad has also helped to coach several sports teams throughout his time in the district. He was the head baseball coach at LHS and assistant football coach, coaching the team to a championship in 2008. His roles coaching various teams allowed him to connect with students outside the classroom. Sports are often an extension of the classroom as they teach students teamwork and perseverance.

“I enjoyed seeing students not only excel in the classroom, but also excel in the activity they pursued,” said Conrad.

Conrad and Nold are both eager to fill their new positions in the school district and are excited to play a larger role in the city’s community. They acknowledge that running a school district is an important responsibility and they have to be united as an entire staff to support the students.

“To fulfill our mission and make the Sioux Falls School District the best, we need everyone to be united in working towards our goals,” said Dr. Nold.

The two also recognize the value of community support in the district. It is important to have a community that prioritizes and invests in public education. It is vital to have a strong connection between the education system and the people around it. Conrad and Nold hope to strengthen this connection throughout their time together and continue to develop strong relationships within the districts.

“What I have learned along the way is that we are fortunate to live in the Sioux Falls School District where the community values and supports public education,” said Conrad.

As Nold and Conrad enter their new roles in the district, they carry with them a deep understanding of our district and its values. The community and educators in the district are eager to see them fill the roles of superintendent and assistant superintendent. The two have a goal to make sure every student not only meets the educational standards but also feels supported and has the opportunity to learn in a nurturing environment.

t would be difficult to deny that the band department is one of the most well-regarded and accomplished programs offered at LHS. While it might be easier to attach this success to a string of good luck or to a timely fluke, the program’s proclivity to success can be attributed to an established culture of hard work and ambition. Decorated with extensive trophies and plaques (and most often teeming with students) the band room itself is a perfect testament to the program’s emphasis on diligent work. As a result of these efforts, this most recent All-State Band season has seen more LHS acceptances than ever before in school history.

An annual tradition for high school bands across South Dakota, All-State Band is the culmination of months of tedious practice and individual effort. This year, the event itself

BY VIVIAN KIESOW-KNUDSEN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

is scheduled for March 27-29 in Watertown, SD. It consists of two days of rehearsals and is rounded out by a final “grand concert.” The process to reach this final concert; however, is not so simple.

“It really starts right after the auditions from last year end,” said LHS band director Drew Balta. “The kids who make it in are the ones who don’t cram the last couple of weeks. They’re [the ones] working all summer long.”

All students auditioning for All-State Band are given the same music. From a set of scales, an etude, a prepared solo and a sight reading section, students are advised to make the most of their time leading up to the audition—this music is not easy by any means.

“The material gets handed out about three months in advance of the audition date,” said LHS junior Henry Oppenheimer. “The day it got handed out was the day I started preparing.”

Aside from the personal victory of being accepted, the culture created during the All-State Band season only reinforces the value of such time and effort.

“We put so much emphasis on All-State because of all the life skills it teaches,” said Balta. “The time management and work ethic can apply to everything that they do at our school.”

Not only does the auditioning process give students a sense of responsibility and drive, but it can also create a uniquely conducive environment for consistent personal improvement.

“The motivating factor of making All-State and the inevitability of the audition gets me to focus more on practicing and start thinking more deeply about what I can do better,” said Oppenheimer. “I [don’t] believe that I improve as much at any point as I do when [I am] preparing for All-State.”

Of the 104 students that auditioned this year (roughly half of all band members), a record 48 were accepted. This also means that LHS students

alone account for 27% of the total All-State Band participants.

“Regardless of whether or not you make it in, you’re still going to spend all those hours preparing and practicing,” said Oppenheimer. “Any amount of practice will make you better, and if you audition for All-State, you have to practice. No question.”

While not required, participation is highly encouraged and is not limited to any particular group.

“When you’re in concert band or symphonic band, all the people there are good—and they want to get better,” said LHS freshman Liam Haugan. “You have a good community [to] get better with and it’s fun.”

One of just four freshmen accepted this year, Haugan practices his trumpet five to six times a week and will continue to challenge himself in this way during the years to come.

“The end goal is how much you’re going to improve by the process,” said Balta. “So, if that’s the philosophy, then every single person—regardless of their ability— is encouraged to try it because you’re going to get better from it.”

As for Oppenheimer, All-State Band has been a marker for all three years of his high school career. While he secured first chair on alto saxophone this year, he has been first chair for All-State Jazz Band for the both of the past two.

“Getting to spend time with my instrument working hard for the audition allowed me to grow a deeper appreciation for it and allowed me to enjoy playing more than I already do,” said Oppenheimer. “The more you do something, the more you’ll enjoy what it is that you’re doing. Practicing can feel like a pain sometimes—like something that feels like a chore or homework—but if you consistently practice, it turns from a bore to a hobby.”

Oppenheimer will be first chair alto saxophone this year at All-State.

2025 All-State Band members: Henry Oppenheimer (11), Derick Allen (10), Dorian Ness (12) and Melanie Nyberg (12).

For most All-State band members, practice begins months prior to their audition.

DESIGN BY VIVIAN KIESOW-KNUDSEN

storytime

BY BETHANY JESPERSEN

The dinner table is cleared, the bath is drained and brightly patterned pajamas are on hand. What’s left? The long-awaited bedtime story and every kid has a book that is their perpetual first choice. Whether from the early years of school or home life, this book piques their curiosity with detailed illustrations, an exciting climax or amusing rhymes. As youth becomes adolescence, the story continues to spark comfort and nostalgia. Here is a quick review of LHS students’ favorite children’s books and the reasons behind their fascination.

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff

“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura

“The mouse was cute, [the] cookies [were] great, and the book just kept going on and on with connections that made less and less sense,” said an LHS student.

If you give a mouse a cookie, what will happen? That is the question so many children, and some high schoolers, are eager to answer as they dive into Laura Numeroff’s creative story. The plot is a ceaseless chain reaction. A needy mouse builds off of his request for a cookie, needing a glass of milk, then a straw, a napkin and so on. Young readers, especially ages four to five, stay engaged with the book’s progressive absurdity and intricate drawings by Felicia Bond. Laura Numeroff has expanded this “what if” storyline into other works, such as “If You Give a Moose a Muffin”, “If You Give a Pig a Pancake” and countless more.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle

“The color scheme was fire, bruh. Like, goodness me,” said an LHS student. This short and simple picture book chronicles a caterpillar’s coming of age. The little caterpillar can never seem to satisfy its hunger, and by the end of the story, the caterpillar is not so little anymore. Readers witness the caterpillar’s dramatic transformation into a beautiful butterfly. A key element of this book is the captivating rainbow palette used in the illustration by the author Eric Carle. Additionally, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” incorporates educational aspects, like the days of the week. This is the perfect read-aloud for children around the age of two but is also loved by the LHS student body.

“If I Built a Car” by

Chris Van Dusen

“If I Built a Car” by Chris Van Dusen

“It made me feel like I could do anything, the [drawings] were perfect. I read it every night before I went to bed and it was perfect,” said an LHS student.

Any individual who has opened this book’s inspirational and vibrant pages has most likely read it front to back. “If I Built a Car,” written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, epitomizes imagination. From a crash-absorbing exterior to a pool hidden in the flooring, an instant snack bar, and its ability to fly overseas, this story describes the extravagant car designed by a boy named Jack. Each portion of the entertaining car is explained using clever rhymes, ideal for readers near the age of six. However, when it comes to this book and its sequels, “If I Built a House” and “If I Built a School,” age is truly just a number.

“Clifford the Big Red Dog” by Norman Bridwell

“Clifford the Big Red Dog” by Norman

Bridwell

“It made me learn that friendship is the best gift no matter what,” said an LHS student.

Commonly known for the spin-off PBS Kids TV series, “Clifford the Big Red Dog” is an iconic tale. The world of Clifford came from the talented mind of the late Norman Bridwell, an author and cartoonist. In the original book, Emily Elizabeth, a school-age girl, introduces the reader to her unusual dog, Clifford. His fur is unmistakably red, and he is almost the size of a house. Nevertheless, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford experience boundless fun together. Children anywhere from three to seven years old can enjoy the numerous adventures of Clifford and have been since 1963.

Numeroff

BY KINSLEY ERNSTER

Falls Park/Downtown bike path

“It is super nice in the summer, and it looks cool, especially with the new steel district in the background.”

Good Earth State Park

“I love it because the feel of the place. The trails are so fun to hike, and it is a great place to get away from the world and experience nature.”

Oshima Sushi

“It has a great atmosphere, great food and I have very fond memories of going there with my pals.”

Inca

Riverdale Park

Back around 2000, teacher

Sioux Falls is full of amazing places to go, parks, restaurants, local businesses, shops, the Empire Mall, Downtown and many more places. Sioux Falls is an amazing place to live, where you can find new places to go every day. If you do not get out much or explore new places, I highly encourage you to start.

The Book Co-op

“It is my favorite place because when I have a lot of homework, I put my headphones on and I do homework for hours.”

Murphy’s

nelle Wooledge had some strange experiences while working after school hours in her previous room, A405. Her first few encounters with the ghost that is now referred to as “Fisherman Bob” were all in the evening, when he only revealed himself through sounds. The school was vacant, other than for her and the custodians, while she graded papers in her room and heard shoes squeaking in the hallway. When she looked, there was no one around. Another time, the lights were on as she worked on her computer and started to hear more unusual noises. “I was at my desk, and I heard coins shaking in a tin can [and] keys rattling directly in front of my computer,” said Wooledge. Sometimes, she would hear a humming sound that would be described as coming from a young boy.

“I live close to it, and it has pickleball courts.”

“Delicious food, good service and very nice people.”

“Their burgers are so gas and the house sauce is so good!”

Orpheum Theatre

“It has cool vibes, and I like the old-timey architecture; the theatre vibe is cool.”

Bagel Boy on East 26th Street

“Great food, nice workers, nice atmosphere and it is overall a nice place to eat, chill or study.”

Not only would Fisherman Bob make sounds by Wooledge, but he revealed himself to her by messing with objects that she was physically able to see. When no one was around, computers randomly turned on, papers were shuffled and blinds shifted up and down. Every once in a while, she would see his shadow moving behind a window, and she knew it was him because of the characteristic khaki

hat that always sits atop his head.

spine. Symptoms all too familiar in a typical ghost encounter. The experience is indescribable and unfeasible, yet people cling to an unwavering certainty that spirits from the past linger in the present, bringing misfortune to those who cross their path. If you have ever found yourself questioning whether you are a victim of a ghost’s haunting at school, it might be time to confide in teachers who have wandered the halls long after the final bell. When the building is left to lone teachers and custodians, the unsettling presence becomes harder to ignore and at LHS, several spectral encounters still haunt those who have seen and heard what should not be there.

the upper

Harte. Unlike the late-night spooking of Fisherman Bob, Miner 49er does not seem to care if he reveals himself with both students and staff around. The first time this ghost made his presence known in Harte’s classroom was about two years ago, while discussing the miners during the California Gold Rush. The students were focused on their lecture when all of a sudden the Christmas lights in the room fell down without a warning.

Since the incident with the Christmas lights, Miner 49er has only become more comfortable in Harte’s classroom. Over the past couple years, many abnormal events have happened inside E227. “Items disappear only to reappear the next day, and lights [will] randomly flicker,” said Harte. But these are not the most unsettling things that have taken place when it comes to Miner 49er. Even though he often shows up with students around, he decided to take a visit one recent evening when Harte was alone in her classroom. Slowly, a drawer in her desk closed when no one was around, and Harte claims that there is no way this drawer could have just shut on its own.

fisherman’s

E-wing, a different ghost currently haunts history teacher Roxanne

BY NADIA SCHNEIDER & CHRIS TAO

Charnelle

Christmas lights hang in E227 after Miner 49er made a visit.

Although he may not have ever fished a day in his life, Fisherman Bob is called this name because of his hat.

BY SELAH SEYMOUR

Intense heat, vigorous exercise and tons of fun: all can be associated with a first-time experience of hot yoga. Most people are familiar with the standard practice of yoga as a relaxing way to stretch and strengthen. Hot yoga, however, is very different from the typical slow, calming experience. Generally, hot yoga takes place in a studio with sauna-like temperatures, the heat cranked up and the humidity high. Regular yoga flows are traded for anaerobic exercises such as squats, planks and various arm workouts, making the workout much more challenging.

Although the temperature and workout environment may seem intense, hot yoga provides a multitude of benefits for the mind and body. The mental advantages include helping to clear the mind and reducing stress and depression. After a hot yoga class, you are likely to feel refreshed and rejuvenated, making it a great way to start a day. Another great perk associated with hot yoga is increased muscle mass and flexibility. The workouts involved help strengthen your core, quads, glutes, biceps, triceps and more. This can improve balance and make everyday activities easier. Another key factor in hot yoga is stretching, as this improves your overall flexibility which can reduce your chances of pulling a muscle or injuring yourself in physical activity. Other benefits include increased cardiovascular, respiratory health and better bone mass.

Walking into the studio for the first time, I was full of excitement and intrigue for what was to come. The air was hot and felt like a vacation from the cold South Dakota winter. The atmosphere was light and happy; everyone seemed to be excited for the impending class. After a few minutes, the room settled down and the class began. The music played loud, and the instructor led us through a yoga flow to get started. After that, we moved on to more intense workouts. It was not long before I found myself sweating and in need of a water break. The class ended with a short section of cardio and core work. In total, the class lasted 45 minutes and to my surprise, I left the studio feeling refreshed and energized rather than exhausted. In the following days, I experienced some soreness from the class, however, it did not affect my daily physical activities in any way.

BY SYRI CASTILLEJA

1. What awards did you receive at the Augustana University High School Art Invitational?

2. How long did it take you to complete your work?

3. Is there anything you would change about your finalized product?

4. Is there a story behind your art?

5.Looking back at your piece, what are you proudest of?

1. Third place

2. Around 30 hours

In Sioux Falls, there are many different places that offer hot yoga classes, which include AMT (Amy Miller Training), Ignite Infrared Fitness Studio, Revolution Yoga & Cycle Studio and Form Fitness Studio. Each studio has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it all comes down to personal preference when choosing the studio that is perfect for you.

Hot yoga is a great way to get in some physical activity while also having fun. It prepares you mentally and physically for your day or week and also provides many physical benefits. If at any time you feel lightheaded or too tired, take a break if needed; there is no shame in stepping out for a minute. It is always important to put yourself first and listen to your body during the class. Most of all, enjoy the experience.

submit

Over 15 different high schools had the opportunity to participate in the Augustana University High School Invitational, which had over 80 individual pieces submitted. The gallery was open to the public starting on Jan. 16 and ending on Feb. 7, 2025. Students could submit any medium and could participate if they were in grades nine through 12. Students could submit any form of art, such as clay work, paintings and photography. Three LHS students were recognized and awarded for their immense dedication to their art pieces.

3. For some of the symbols, the positive and negative space is off, so I wish I had balanced that out more evenly throughout the background.

4. I made this piece for my AP Art Sustained Investigation, in which I am exploring the theme of self-destruction through texture. This piece represents perfectionism and the fear of failure. Sometimes it is more comforting to just fail yourself before others have the chance to do it for you. It saves the embarrassment of others seeing you fail unintentionally and gives you this false sense of control to determine your own fate.

5. The carving on the girl’s stomach and the shading to make it look 3D.

1. Both works tied with each other for second place.

2. 2D: 30-ish hours 3D: 25-ish hours

3. 2D: I would not change anything about this piece. If I was not 100% confident in my work, I would not have entered it into a show in the first place. 3D: I would only make it larger if I would do it again; however, I do not think its size takes away from the work.

4. 2D: In this piece, two subjects look down at a humanoid bug, symbolizing mental health, with judgment and disdain. 3D: It is representative of a bomb, something often seen as threatening. My goal was to add a fun spin on something that is commonly seen as scary.

5. 2D: I am most proud of the perspective and detail. 3D: I am proud of how well the overall composition works with the colors.

1. Honorable mention

2. It is super hard to know since I took it home to work on, but I would estimate 25 hours.

3. I would redo the one letter that is a bit messy.

4. I am doing a portfolio on censorship and thought a nod to household shushing was the perfect opportunity to engage [in] language censorship. My piece is a crossword puzzle with clues referring to scenarios when your mom might’ve cussed and put money in the swear jar.

5. I really love the shape; it is super fun.

Amy Miller Training Studio after their Hot Sculpt X class.

Anyone who has turned to the Arts section of the New York Times has likely tried out the senile hobby of crosswords. This page contains three LHS-themed puzzles inspired by the puzzles found in the daily newspaper. Some of these puzzles may require investigation unless one has extensive knowledge of LHS trivia.

ACROSS

1 “Learning ______” online classes

4 Name of the 2025 spring play

6 “____ and fun” Mr. Jarovski’s description of chemistry

7 Name for when a class is not in person on a given day

8 “____ from Tara” Ms. Paclik’s calculus advice

DOWN

1 “Murphy’s _______” LHS Cafeteria

2 AP Chemistry teacher, Mr. Jarovski’s nickname

3 “____ the math” Mr. Rice’s advice for understanding precalc

5 “Skin of our _____” Mr. Pastrano’s band name

Parking Lot

A wing Bagel Boy Patriots Yearbook

Hudson Cisar’s journey to becoming the 2025 class A state champion proves that dedication and hard work can take you anywhere. His perseverance, along with support from his coaches and teammates, is what ultimately drove him to become the state champion.

Cisar began wrestling at a young age and has not been able to stop since. His LHS wrestling career started at five years old when he began wrestling for Lincoln Youth. After that, Cisar began wrestling for the high school team in seventh grade. His experience and passion for the sport have only grown due to the extensive opportunities provided through LHS wrestling.

In the past, Cisar placed seventh his freshman year and fifth his sophomore year, falling short of victory. This year he was committed to making his lifelong goal of becoming a state champion come true, no matter what it took.

“I trained harder, wrestled a lot of tournaments in the off-season and just believed in myself more. Confidence is a huge part to success, and I think about halfway through the season I started to really believe in myself and my ability,” said Cisar.

As his confidence grew, Cisar began to dominate in his matches. He came closer to the state tournament and his excitement rose, but so did the pressure.

“The hardest part of winning state was not letting the pressure get to me. The state tournament is one of the biggest tournaments of the year and I felt there was a lot of pressure on me to do [well]. I tried my best to not let that pressure get to me and to wrestle stress free,” said Cisar.

One way he let go of the pressure was by listening to his coaches and teammates’ guidance. LHS head wrestling coach, Mark Ernster, and assistant coach, Mike Long, pushed Cisar to improve every day and were there for him whenever he needed a boost.

“My coaches were a huge part of this. They saw the potential in me and worked with me every day to get better. When I had a tough loss at the region tournament my coaches and teammates made sure to tell me that I was still going to win state and that they all still believed in me. I definitely could not have done it without the coaches and teammates that I have,” said Cisar.

The hard work did not come without great reward. After years of pushing himself to get stronger and stronger, Cisar finally dominated Alex Oedekoven and took the title of state champion.

“It felt amazing. I am still trying to take it in. Everything I have ever done in this sport has been about winning state, so when it finally happened there were so many emotions,” said Cisar.

photo by Kinsley ernster | artworK by lucy hennies | design by lucy hennies by lucy hennies

LHS COMMITTED

by Josie Tollinger, ediTor-in-Chief & elysse Weber

As the 2024-2025 school year wraps up, LHS seniors begin navigating their new career paths as well as discovering their passions. A handful of LHS students have dedicated the beginning of their journey by entering into athletic programs throughout the country. We asked questions to a few of the many athletes who are continuing their athletic careers after high school.

1. What are you committed to and how long have you participated in this sport? What do you plan on majoring in?

ILEE

ILEE NEEMEYER

NEEMEYER

ILEE NEEMEYER

Read box below to see the full list of LHS committed athletes who are continuing their athletic careers beyond high school.

Samuel Bratkiewicz

University of Jamestown

1. What are you committed to and how long have you participated in this sport? What do you plan on majoring in?

2. Where are you committed to and what were the ultimate reasons as to why you committed there?

3. What excites you for this new chapter after high school?

1. I am committed for soccer. I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. I am planning on majoring in business administration or finance.

University of Jamestown

1. I am committed for soccer. I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. I am planning on majoring in business administration or finance.

University of Jamestown

Kenya Harris

College of St. Mary’s

4. What are some worries you have walking into this experience?

3. What excites you for this new chapter after high school?

4. What are some worries you have walking into this experience?

5. Who helped motivate you, and why?

2. I am committed to Northern State University. I committed there because of its amazing sports facilities. Northern is close enough from home that I can go back when needed, but far enough away to make it feel like I’m on my own. Another deciding factor was that the coach has high expectations of me for when I go.

College of St. Mary’s

Tatum Bell

Augustana University

5. Who helped motivate you, and why?

6. What are your primary goals?

3. The thing I’m most excited about after high school is being on a team that is driven and motivated in the same ways that I am.

Jamir Byrd

3. The thing I’m most excited about after high school is being on a team that is driven and motivated in the same ways that I am.

Jamir Byrd

Mount Marty University

GRIFFIN FISCHER

1. I am committed for track and field, specifically sprints and this year will be my 4th year running. I plan on majoring in Human Biology and to later go to medical school.

2. I'm committed to South Dakota State University for a couple reasons, one being their education, especially in the medical field, they have some of the best around. Second, everyone there is so nice. People on the track team were all really welcoming and were really easy to talk to.

3. I’m most excited about competing at a higher level in track and field. I think it will push me to be a much better athlete and run faster in all of my events. I’m also excited to meet new people and learn new things.

4. My biggest worry would be getting an injury that prevents me from competing in collegiate track in the future.

5. My biggest motivators are both of my parents. They encourage me to run fast and to train harder in the offseason. Anytime I have an injury, they’re both there to help me get better and I’m very thankful for that.

6. My main goals are to make sure that I’m ready for college next year academic-wise and athletic-wise, as well as beat my previous records that I set in track last year.

6. What are your primary goals?

KIERRA LUBOVICH

1. I am attending Augustana University to play softball and major in nursing! I’ve been playing softball for basically my whole life since I was 6 years old.

4. Some worries that I have walking into this experience is knowing that there are some girls who have been doing this for four more years than I have. Also, I’m worried that since I’m playing at a new level, I’ll start to get in my head about small things.

Mount Marty University

Reuben Diehyee

University of Jamestown

5. My club team and my parents have helped motivate me. I joined club soccer three years ago and since then my teammates have helped me grow as a person and player, and my parents have been there for me through all my ups and downs.

6. My primary goals for college are to just get better at the sport I love, learn new skills and be a better leader.

University of Jamestown

Connor Gray

Mount Marty University

6. My primary goals for college are to just get better at the sport I love, learn new skills and be a better leader.

Mount Marty University

Griffin Keller

KIERRA LUBOVICH

1. I am attending Augustana University to play softball and major in nursing! I’ve been playing softball for basically my whole life since I was 6 years old.

2. The reason I chose Augie over other schools that offered me, was because it felt like home as soon as I got on campus. The coaches were amazing.

1. I am attending Augustana University to play softball and major in nursing! I’ve been playing softball for basically my whole life since I was 6 years old.

2. The reason I chose Augie over other schools that offered me, was because it felt like home as soon as I got on campus. The coaches were amazing.

3. I’m excited to get to know more people and continue a sport that I love.

JOSH MYERS

Griffin Keller

University of Jamestown

Cole Knudtson

3. I’m excited to get to know more people and continue a sport that I love.

4. I’m scared about how college is going to go because it will definitely be harder than high school as I’ve heard, but I know that I can trust in the Lord.

1. I am committed for football. I started playing in 7th grade.

4. I’m scared about how college is going to go because it will definitely be harder than high school as I’ve heard, but I know that I can trust in the Lord.

5. My dad has definitely been there for me since day 1 and has helped me stay motivated and positive with my athletic journey. Nothing came easy for me, but he never left my side.

2. I am committed to South Dakota State University. The reason I committed was to stay close to family, but they also have a great football program with amazing coaches.

Cole Knudtson

Mount Marty University

Kasen Christiansen

Winona State University

Brayden Olson

Iowa Western Community College

Luke Krempges

South Dakota State University

Avery Dorman

Minnesota State - Mankato

Paxton Dekkers

Minnesota State - Mankato

Lydia Soldatke

2. I am committed to South Dakota State University. The reason I committed was to stay close to family, but they also have a great football program with amazing coaches.

Lydia Soldatke

Oakland University

Marie Horsted

5. My dad has definitely been there for me since day 1 and has helped me stay motivated and positive with my athletic journey. Nothing came easy for me, but he never left my side.

6. My primary goals in college are to get my nursing degree, do the best I can for my team so we can make it as far as we can in the tournament and also to make lifelong memories and friends.

3. I am excited for college football and to ultimately learn things in college that I can apply to my life. I plan to major in finance or architectural engineering.

4. I have no worries.

Augustana University

Matai Gaede

Augustana University

6. My primary goals in college are to get my nursing degree, do the best I can for my team so we can make it as far as we can in the tournament and also to make lifelong memories and friends.

5. My family has been the biggest support. My mom has pushed me to be the best I can be, supporting me in everything that I put my mind to.

6. While being a college athlete I hope to inspire other kids to achieve their dreams and show them that anything is possible.

Augustana University

Liam Van Roekel

6. While being a college athlete I hope to inspire other kids to achieve their dreams and show them that anything is possible.

Liam Van Roekel

Saint John’s University

As the seasons change through the school year, each boys sport has its spotlight. In fall it is football, in spring it is baseball and in winter, it is basketball. LHS staff and students live for the season, going to games, eating popcorn, keeping stats and cheering on the boys. The roster consisted of 16 players, four of which were seniors. LHS boys basketball sat at the number one seed for the AA class throughout the majority of their season, ending the regular season with a 19-1 record and the entirety of the season with a 21-2 record. This record did not come easy and included games faced with adversity, challenges and heartbreak. But there were also many games with victory, athleticism and elation.

Luke Hannemann, boys

by Adeline Theophilus

basketball head coach, had a victorious first year at LHS. This is his 11th year coaching basketball at the high school level, previously coaching at RHS for 10 years before bringing his talents to LHS. Hannemann has done a fantastic job of reshaping the program and fullfilling a goal of building a team that works extremely hard, has fun and also wins games along the way. Hannemann has built a close bond with his athletes and believes defense should encorporate communication and offense should entail accurate shooting stats. Despite the winning streak that kept up for 10 straight games, when the Patriots lost to MHS, Hannemann made sure the team stayed motivated by occasionally switching up practice plans and finding something unique about their next opponent to focus on. Hannemann can walk away from this season with the game against WHS as his most memorable moment.

“Everyone was on fire! It was so much fun to see the players playing at such a high level,” said Hannemann.

The state basketball tournament took place in Rapid City, SD at The Monument Arena. The tournament was hosted from Mar. 20-22 and was three extremely intense days for the players. The top four placing teams were 4th: HHS, 3rd: LHS, 2nd: MHS and 1st place: BVHS. The LHS student section traveled over four hours to cheer on the Pats and dressed up each day wearing “green out” attire to the first game, state shirts to the second game and on the final day they wore USA colors.

Luke Krempges just ended his fourth season with the program and his second year on varsity. Krempges is listed at 6’4” and plays center for the Patriots. In sports, pressure is a privilege, and Krempges has learned how to deal with pressure by slowing down and remembering the time and preparation the team has put into the game before each game. During games, Krempges believes it is important to remain calm and talk over things with teammates and coaches. Heading into state, Krempges had one goal in mind: to end this season

VARSITY ROSTER

Sam Ericsson (11)

Owen Duffy (11)

Sam

Deondre Painter (10)

making his last basketball memories the best ones possible. To close off his fourth season, Krempges has advice for any underclassmen players.

“Don’t take your time for granted, and have fun because it goes by fast,” said Krempges.

Sam Ericsson is a junior on the team, listed as a 6’3” guard and one of the team’s biggest three-point threats. Ericsson has been with the program for three years and just finished his second season on varsity. His family has been the most motivating and influential people for Ericsson, giving him the confidence he needs to succeed on the court. Even with an impressive record, some games were as close as 10 points. Playing intense games is overwhelming; Ericsson deals with pressure by using losses as motivation to rise above and best he can. Ericsson claims that the most intense game so far has been the regular season Mitchell game.

“Even though we lost, I felt like it was the best thing for our team because now we are even hungrier to beat them at state,” said Ericsson.

Headed into state, Ericsson had the goal of trusting his off-season preparation.

“I just want to leave everything I have on the court and take my game to another level with one mission in mind,” said Ericsson.

His favorite memory of this season was

“

Everyone was on fire! It was so much fun to see the players playing at such a high level.

“

HEAD COACH, LUKE HANNEMANN

“beating Washington badly on their court 80-39.”

The Patriots played YHS in the SoDak Sixteen, which is the bracket that makes teams eligible for state. After winning 46-26, the Pats were headed to Rapid City. Thursday, March 20 was their first game against Spearfish HS, and they faced an exciting win with a score of 55-35. This game allowed them to advance to the semifinals and play MHS. This game was packed

The Monument Arena and had the crowd off their seats. The Pats ended the first half down by five points. With the parents cheering loudly, the student section going crazy and players staying locked-in, the Pats unfortunately lost to MHS.

“I keep waking up throughout the night thinking it was a nightmare and not a reality. My heart hurts for the players on this basketball team. There is such a small margin between success and failure in a basketball game. Sometimes the best team does not win it all. I wanted us to come out in the third game and prove to everyone that the second game was a fluke.

The boys responded and played well,” said Hannemann.

The team played in the third-place game HHS and had a phenomenal last game of the season. In the fourth quarter, all four seniors got at least a minute of playing time and were recognized as they walked off the court for the last time. This game ended with a Patriot win and a score of 81-52. The team ended the tournament with a 2-1 record, placed third and headed home Sunday night. “One basketball game does not define them, and they are winners and will continue to be winners because of their character and work ethic,” explained Hannemann. 2014 was the program’s most recent state basketball title, the coaching staff and players from next season will continue to work hard and maintain the program work ethic. There are many people to thank for such a spectacular season, filled with many wins and two losses, but most importantly, teamwork and sportsmanship. This season has set the program up for success, and the hope is that the program only continues this incline for years to come.

Edison Noll (12) Isaiah Teer (12)

Justin Bilal (11)

DeGroot (11)

Brody Schafer (10)

Jaden Haley (11) Everett Starks (10)

Lucas Honner (11)

Landon Munk (10)

Brody Nour (10)

Luke Krempges (12)

Spencer Schramm (12)

Isaac Krempges (10)

went 23-0, securing them a first seed spot at the state tournament. Followed by winning the Class AA championship. While this team possesses impeccable talent among players, it is their familylike bond that truly sets them apart.

“The best teams are always playerled. One of the things we talk about is the idea that programs have DNA just like families do. Each class passes traits down to the classes below them, so think about what you want to leave to this program when your career is over,” said head coach Trent Dlugosh.

This year the Pats will have around 40 players, nine of them being seniors. Those seniors include Paxton Dekkers, Avery Dorman, Ella DuBois, Reese Husman, Kierra Lubovich, Aubree Pickner, Aubrey Poncelet, Ella Rima and Adeline Roths. Three of them

and Kierra Lubovich) will continue their softball careers in college next fall. This impressive group of seniors is believed to play an important role in leading the team to yet another state championship.

“As seniors, we know how everything is done and what the coaches expect so we show that to the younger players. We try to lead by example and create a family-like culture,” said senior Reese Husman. Not only does this team perform well, but they also demonstrate admirable behavior. In fact, last season, an opposing coach was so impressed that she asked for permission to video the dugout. She wanted to show her team what an engaged and involved bench looks like, highlighting the importance of

of everyone on the team that is rare, and that sets this team apart,” said Dlugosh.

During the off-season, some of the girls participate in club softball, while others choose to continue their training by working in open gyms. They also have recently held meetings as they look ahead to the challenges and excitement that will lead them to success.

““We have been fortunate enough to have had a lot of success recently, so we know that every team we play will give us their best shot..” said Dlugosh.

The girls will kick off their regular season on April 1, and it will run until late May. Be sure to keep up with girls’ softball as they enter their season and prepare to defend their title as state champs.

The day-to-day of a regular student is packed. When you add up hours spent in school with homework, you already have half the day booked. So, when someone comes along and adds sports on top of that, it can be boggling to imagine just how they do it. What does the day in the life of these student-athletes look like?

Micheal Roche, better known as Mikey, is a junior at LHS. Roche is no better example of what it means to be a student-athlete; he is heavily involved in football and track, training for each throughout the school year.

“I just like competing and having fun with my friends,” said Roche. Roche starts his day around 7 a.m. His morning routine is simple but effective. Roche’s first task is brushing his teeth and getting ready for school. From there, he heads over to the LHS cafeteria. For breakfast, Roche eats donuts from the school along with chocolate milk for some extra protein.

“I drink a lot of milk because it’s got a lot of protein and calories,” said Roche.

Having a full schedule means that at 8:20 a.m., like most students, Roche begins his school day. Maintaining his grades allows him to go home for open lunch, which he utilizes by preparing his own meals. Roche tries to incorporate as much protein as possible; his food usually consists of some sort of meat along with eggs and, of course, milk.

“I just try and stay on top of everything,” said Roche. Depending on the day, Roche can be found in a few different places. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Roche joins in on winter lifts, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays he does speed training.

Roche is an excellent athlete and works hard to maintain his fitness. Being on varsity since his sophomore year for football and freshman year for track does not come from just sitting around. Roche puts extra work into his workouts, going as far as lifting separately from the team at the Sanford Field House with coach Brady Bonte, whilst also doing individual exercises at LHS.

“Lots of times I stretch, and on the weekends go to the track,” said Roche.

After his workout, Roche goes home to enjoy a much needed break away from school and practice. He has two cats, Kevin and Tinky, that he loves to keep company with. Besides spending time with his feline fellows, Roche prioritizes the time he has with his family. Making sure to spend much of his evenings with his parents means Roche attends most dinners at home. Although this means he is less able to plan out his dinners, Roche still values his protein intake and ensures he is hitting his goal by drinking plenty of milk.

“I try to eat with my family as much as possible,” said Roche. Around the end of his day, Roche focuses on relaxing. Like many of his peers, he enjoys scrolling on social media as well as watching TV. Lately, Roche has been making his way through “Invincible,” a classic superhero show about fighting villains and defending the common good. During the show, he makes sure to stretch in order to promote his body’s recovery from a hard day’s work. Rounding out the evening with his phone and his cats, Roche tries to get to bed around 10 p.m. This ensures that he gets a full nine hours of rest so he can do it all again the next day.

by Logan Sanborn

Mikey Roche’s favorites that help him get through a busy day: at-home gym, Premier Protein Shake, eggs, Kevin (grey cat), Tinky (orange cat), banana, ground beef, milk and water with electrolytes.

The LHS bowling team did not have an easy season this year. The competition was steep, and there were a number of very talented teams with experienced players. The team was still proud of what they achieved and felt that they had fun despite the setbacks. The boys varsity team placed 12th overall after a 13-week season consisting of one game a week. The girl's varsity team placed 13th overall at the end of the season. The team does have some promising underclassmen, such as sophomores Josiah Van Roekel and Lincoln Schuring, who are hoping to bring the team back to being a competitor for the State title.

“More players, more commitment, more time in the alley, all things that could be improved upon to have a better season,” said junior Lucas Svec, a member of the bowling team.

by Sam barnett

Lauryn Gohl seen sticking the landing after a complex routine.

The LHS gymnastics team has made incredible progress since the previous season. Last year, the team did not make it to the State championship, placing 9th, which was one spot away from making it to State. This season, the team made it to State and placed in the top five, which is a major improvement.

“That’s unheard of, to go from ninth place to fifth place in one year… It just went a lot better, and we improved a lot as a team,” said Jackie Erickson, a junior and member of the team.

The team had a lot of new, younger gymnasts that helped the team place so well, including eighth grader Lauryn Gohl, who placed fourth in the AllAround and also made the All-Tournament Team. These young gymnasts make everyone hopeful that the team can place even higher at State next year.

The LHS wrestling team, led by head coach Mark Ernster, had a respectable season this year, with multiple individual wrestlers giving outstanding performances. At the State championship that was held from Feb. 27-March 1, some notable placements included senior Joseph Tunge who placed 6th in the 175 lbs weight class, junior Carlos Rodriguez who placed 6th in the 285 lbs weight class, senior Kishmar Eberline who placed 3rd in the 190 lbs weight class and junior Hudson Cisar, who was the wrestling State champion of the 132 lbs weight class, a very impressive achievement. These upperclassmen led the way for the team and were great role models for the younger wrestlers.

“We got hopes for next year. We got a lot of young kids that are gonna get a lot of mat time here in the off-season, and we are looking forward to growing those guys and the wrestling team altogether,” said Ernster.

The girls varsity team also had a fair season. Led by the brand new head coach Abby Berke, the team mostly consists of freshmen and is still very young.

2025 has been the first year South Dakota has offered e-sports as a high school activity. League of Legends and Rocket League are the two games that schools can compete in, and LHS has already made its mark in the history of South Dakota e-sports by winning the League of Legends State championship. Held in Aberdeen, LHS faced Dakota Valley in the finals match.

“We expected to place high in the tournament, but did not know if we would win against Dakota Valley as they had beaten us before,” said Jonah Paul, a senior e-sports player.

LHS ended up defeating Dakota Valley after a very hard-fought match and became South Dakota’s first-ever League of Legends champions.

The team was mostly made up of seniors, all of whom were very experienced in the game and had been practicing for hours every week. The team will lose several of these great players and will be looking to recruit and rebuild to try and once again take home the trophy.

Both the girls and boys powerlifting teams had a great season this year. The boys team ended up placing very high in the recent South Dakota State “AA” Powerlifting Championship. Isaac Hansen, a senior, performed exceptionally well, squatting 515 lbs, benching 285 lbs and deadlifting 550 lbs. These lifts were able to place him second overall at the meet. The boys team also has a lot of exceptional younger players who are prepared to take the mantle after the upperclassmen graduate, such as Jacob Wessels and Oswaldo Haro.

The girls team also did well at State, despite not having a bunch of lifters. Many of them placed, including Melanie Nyberg and Lily Gruber, who both gave an amazing performance and scored the team a lot of points. The girls powerlifting team is growing bigger every year but always needs more lifters.

“We especially want to grow so we have more lifters. We can only bring 12 to State, but having more lifters can really ensure we are bringing the best 12 to State,” said Nyberg, junior and member of the team.

The girls basketball team faced many challenges this year but still was proud of what they accomplished. The team is very young, with many sophomores and freshmen, and so they are still trying to establish what and who they want to be as a team.

“There were lots of ups and downs, maybe more downs than ups, but we made the best of it,” said junior Feath Kpeayeh.

The team has a lot of hope for next year though, and the team plans to put work in the offseason to be able to reach their true potential.

For information about the boys basketball team, a more in-depth recap can be found on pages 30 and 31.

Hudson Cisar and the LHS wrestling team after State.

Powerlifter Lily Gruber attempts a deadlift at the girls Powerlifting State Meet.

LHS sophomore Lincoln Schuring seen using a two-handed technique to throw his ball.

The LHS E-Sports team consisting of five varsity players after winning the State tournament.

Powerlifter Oswaldo Haro prepares to attempt a squat PR.

The LHS girls basketball team huddles with their new coach, Zach Wessels.

ACT. These are the three letters that every high school student dreads hearing. It is an exam consisting of four tests including English, Math, Reading, Science and optional Writing. Each section varies from 40-60 minutes and 40-75 questions. The exam begins at 8 a.m. and typically ends five hours later, with a small break between the math and reading sections. Recently, the ACT added an online version for testing and will soon have the option to eliminate the science test. The scoring is a composite of the four categories based on 36 points. Each category has an assigned score that correlates with the number of questions missed. When it comes to preparation for the exam, there is a surplus of options for studying. One possibility is through the ACT website which offers textbooks for purchase or online tutoring. Luckily, here at LHS, there is a prep course available to high school students striving for a specific score that correlates to their academic abilities.

“We offer the LHS ACT Prep course in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who sign up for the course will be required to attend the four Saturday sessions,” said LHS’s counseling department head, David Myers.

In two of the sessions, students complete a practice ACT exam, while the other two are taught by teachers Sara Klawonn, Jodi Penn and Jenn DuBois. On average, students will notice a one to twopoint improvement after completing the course. The higher a student scores on the ACT the greater chance they have of receiving scholarships to postsecondary universities.

“[The] best resources for students preparing for the ACT is to take challenging courses at LHS, take the LHS ACT Prep course and use the students SDMyLife portal for a program called Mothodize,” said Myers. Each of these leading to one’s most successful score on the ACT.

The ACT is used on applications for postsecondary education and can be used by many colleges and universities to make admission decisions.

While it is not necessary for students to submit an ACT score, it is proven to help admittance into elite colleges.

A new change coming to LHS is that sophomores will be required to take the pre-ACT from April 2, 2025, through April 4, 2025. Then, the 2025-2026 school year will change to the juniors participating in the ACT instead of Junior Testing.

Now, what is the point of

BY ELOISE GERAETS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

the ACT?

I struggle to understand the meaning behind this test. Sure, it does test your ability to perform under pressure and in academic situations. However, does it truly display your academic potential?

“Obviously, the test does reflect academic ability to some extent, but I also think it reflects your ability to work hard. So much of it is just sitting down and making yourself practice. I think that students struggling in school are still able to achieve good scores if they put in the time,” said an anonymous LHS student.

The purpose of the ACT is to give colleges and universities an idea of how prepared you are for college-level work. It is such a minor part of applying to colleges that it feels unnecessary.

Many colleges are not only searching for individuals who will strive in a classroom, but also for the

uniqueness that comes with one’s application.

“Knowing everything that is going to be on the test is nearly impossible, but being able to answer quick, critical thinking questions is what you need to be good at,” said a junior LHS student.

Clearly, time will need to be set aside to practice full-length ACTs. Having testing stamina is vital because it becomes much less overwhelming when you know you have already completed a fulllength test. While having a good score matters to some extent, it is also necessary to stand out from other applicants in other ways. My best advice is to not stress over a score because it doesn’t limit your capabilities. Rather, dedicating time to work hard will help in the long run.

PHOTO BY MASON DEAN

DESIGN BY MASON DEAN

known secret: The prestigious basement swim team, which students swear has absolutely nothing to do with access to actual water.

The swim team was formed by a diverse group of angsty teens who couldn’t make the varsity basketball team. With four state records, their training consists of robust dry land and in-water exercises, consisting of tying bricks to their feet while swimming, shadowboxing and lying on the floor pretending to paddle furiously while listening to ocean waves on Spotify. Over the past 20 years, there have been many debates over the validity of the LHS swimming pool. Is it real? Well, let’s hear from LHS’s very real swim team, Murphy’s Mermaids!

“Legend says Abe Lincoln swam there himself,” said Brynn Townsend, fact-checked by Gabe Schmit.

When it comes to practice, the Mermaids don’t do it like your typical sports team.

It’s actually quite chaotic.

One of the team’s biggest challenges during practice is the language barrier between Saez and the players.

“Usually, I just run the drills and tell everyone what to do and we pretend to know what Saez is saying; no one has the heart to tell her we have no clue what she’s talking about,” said Reagan Lovrien.

*“A veces les digo que hagan un ejercicio pero hacen algo diferente, pero solo me importa que estén haciendo ejercicio,” said

tried to speak back to Saez in Spanish, but instead of communicating with Saez, the team believes they may have communicated with something, or someone, else.

“Yeah, that was a bad idea because ever since we did that, we hear these weeping sounds at one end of the pool; it’s freaky,” said Nathan Thompson.

“So, I did some research, and I believe it’s La Llorona, so that’s fun,” said Schmit.

Besides conjuring ghosts, the team struggles with locking in during practice and seems to get distracted easily.

“Lately no one has been able to drag Gabe away from his typewriter. He spends all of his practice sitting there typing. We even tried to bribe him to get in the pool once, but nothing worked,” said Lovrien.

“I’m not here to swim,” said Schmit. Schmit isn’t the only teammate who gets distracted during practice.

“Yeah, they literally spend any ounce of downtime being all weird and cuddly, but when they aren’t doing that, they are in the midst of a scuffle,” said Townsend about Reagan and Nathan.

“Once those goggles go on, it’s grind time,” said Townsend.

Besides having a seemingly disorganized way of practicing, the team has gone on to win multiple state titles and has even caught the eye of the USA Olympic swim team.

It is rumored that Todd Desorbo, the head coach for team USA said, “The Mermaids have been on our radar for a while now, we are really impressed with their hard work and dedication.”

“I have absolutely no clue how we managed to grab the attention of DeSorbo but it’s whatever I guess,” said Thompson.

At the end of the day, the team recounts how even though they have had to overcome challenges with practice and language barriers, they still persevere and have grown as a team and hope to inspire other students who may be interested in being a part of the LHS swim team.

BrynnTownsend practicesher straight positiondivewithher fashion-forward flippers.

“Please, we are down bad for swimmers. Three-fourths of the team graduates this year so we are screwed if people don’t join, I will offer generous compensation for people to join, trust. I’m being so for real right now,” said Townsend.

English translations for Saez:

“Sometimes I tell them to do an exercise, but they do something different, but I only care that they are exercising.”

“There was one time they started yelling about what movie they would watch that night, it’s ridiculous.”

Coach Andrea Saez ruthlessly instructs upon faster backstrokes and more majestic butterfly strokes.

Nathan Thompson harnesses his inner charke in preparation for the swim meet.

Reagan Lovrien stretches her ligaments before heading down to the LHS basement for competition.

by Addison Remme & PoRteR stAngelAnd

Lincoln’s notorious mascot, Murphy, is the pride of the school. Many students wish to be like him, but all fall short of the glory of Murph. He tends to cause extreme body dis”murph”ia for the student body of LHS, so an analysis of his features was a must.

His luscious locks- Murphy’s haircare routine must be extensive as his hair glistens and curls just right into his ponytail.

Murphy’s height- Murphy is a whopping seven feet tall, unattainable for anyone else, yet it works exceptionally well for him. His stature may be intimidating to some, but to others, it inspires them to excel and improve their posture. Murphy towers above the rest of us, further displaying his power in the hierarchy of LHS’s history.

Murphy’s stunning facial hair—his mustache and beard—tries its best to hide his snatched jawline but fails horribly. The beard further accentuates his perfectly balanced face. It perfectly adds to his head, disproportionately more prominent than the rest of his body. Yet somehow, it works and adds to Murphy’s holiness.

Everyone can dream of attaining his massive biceps when hitting arms.

number of core muscles.

His massive dumpy- Murphy’s gluteus maximus is, in fact, maximus, practically breaking the seams of his patriotic pants. Rumor has it he has a BBL, but when asked if this is true, Murphy responded, “It is entirely natural.”

His quads are the size of the new gym- These thundering thighs are another part of Murphy that pushes the seams of his trousers. LHS’s new gym is no match for these bad boys.

His calves are more defined than his jawline- Have you seen them? Because they are impossible to miss. Alongside his cutting jawline, Murphy’s calves are one of his most defined features.

Students make much effort to attain a look even close to the glorious Murphy. When asked what his most unattainable feature is, students responded:

-His beautiful diva-snatched hourglass bod

-His MASSIVE glutes.

-That fabulous hair

-His giant head

-His mustache. It’s too glorious for words.

-Thick, luscious hair on his face and head.

-Perfect Jaw

LHS also has worked hard in unique ways to get the chance to look like Murphy, including:

-Grow a mustache- I’m a girl

-Act patriotic to remind others of him

-BBL

-I have sacrificed everything to the gods so I can be blessed with the look of Murphy

-I got a BBL.

-Worked out 40 hours a day in the LHS gym -Get buff.

For some it is “free time,” but for Anthony Welter (an alleged Russian spy), it is “call Mr. Putin time.”

-Gone to the gym every day over the last four years to look like him

Who is Murphy? Many students speculate who could be this year’s mascot, but nobody knows. “For sure, Bo Bergan,” said one anonymous student. Others have “No idea.” Or believe it to be “a senior for sure.”

Travis Aukerman enjoys playing LEGO in his free time. An added bonus: It gives him a chance to feel tall.

James Jarovski (Jaws) is a master at secret multitasking. Here, he simultaneously “recruits” middle school track stars and performs a lab.

BY NAOMI JESPERSEN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Most LHS staff and students have something in common: very little leisure time. Of course, it is well established that students use every spare minute to study, socialize and exercise kindness. Teachers, however, are mysterious. What do they do with their free time?

We grabbed a camera and decided to find out.

How does Xavier Pastrano have such a large arsenal of voices? Practice. Lots and lots of private practice.

Sipper or chugger? Scott Amundson is both.

Unsurprisingly, Jared Jansen fills his spare minutes with math.

Jennifer DuBois’ triceps do not build themselves. During each passing period, she aims to squeeze in a few hundred reps.

His chiseled abs- Often covered by his patriotic ensemble, Murphy hides an astonishing 25-pack set of abs. Often unheard of, Murphy has a record

BY ASHLYN HOFFMAN

PHOTOS EDITED BY ASHLYN HOFFMAN DESIGN BY ASHLYN HOFFMAN

BY ELLIE QUINN

Hey upper e-wingers, it’s Gossip Murph here. It’s been 60 years, Patriots, but as long as I’m here, the LHS gossip keeps coming. Everyone knows that students are full of juicy news, but teachers are no exception; they’re just better at covering it up. But I’ve got eyes everywhere you go. Watch out, staff; an apple a day won’t keep Gossip Murph away. XOXO - Gossip Murph

I hear a make-up call is in order. Spotted! Xavier Pastrano and Kathy Ferguson went out for coffee after their massive fight over which genre of music should be heard in the classroom. All I know is their fight was music to my ears. Till next time, XOXOGossip Murph

Everyone knows Amy Eckart would rather golf than grade, but this just in: Eckart was spotted with a pen in hand. Will her students finally benefit from some constructive feedback? We will just have to wait and see, May is just around the corner. See you soon, AP tests. XOXO - Gossip Murph

Uh oh, Mr. Jones. Do you ever wonder why the school store never has cookies left for you? This just in: Michael Jones and each one of those DECA kids are taking them for themselves. I am just as shocked as you are, upper e-wingers. Come out, come out wherever you are. Gossip Murph is hungry. XOXOGossip Murph

It’s a bird…It’s a plane…Is it a student? Oops, sorry, it’s just Maggie Peterson. I apologize, Peterson. Everyone makes mistakes. XOXOGossip Murph

Oof, we all know the LHS hallways never smell pleasant, but recently, it smells like something is on fire, and it isn’t just the ego of the football team; the news is burning, and so are the muffins in Emily Roberts’s classroom. General Foods has never been more exciting. XOXO - Gossip Murph

Tik tok tik tok, Jacob Noordermeer. Your time at LHS is running out, but little does the rest of LHS know that you are moving to NYC to pursue your dreams of being TikTok famous. It’s a good thing I am here to spread the good news for you. Being famous is a rough gig; be careful what you wish for. Even in NYC, I will always have your back. Say hi to Gossip Girl for me, and just remember, I am always watching. XOXO - Gossip Murph

Spotted! Ken Doyle is cutting in front of hungry kids in the lunch line. Again? Let the kids eat! XOXO - Gossip Murph

Faculty, Framed

Well, well, well, I hear the pot is being stirred between these two teachers. There’s no need to fight, ladies; nobody likes math that much anyway. Sharing is caring, but maybe not with these two. Let’s see if Heidi Dykstra and Jodi Penn can finally share their love for algebra, or maybe not. We’ll have to see, till next time. XOXO - Gossip Murph

In a daring departure from their usual academic rigor, our esteemed faculty have ventured into the whimsical world of department store photography, a genre defined by forced grins, questionable fashion choices and an unsettling yet endearing embrace of staged intimacy. Behold: educators in matching stances, department heads brought together in an unholy piggyback arrangement and music teachers posing themselves with unnerving sincerity. This collection is not merely a showcase of regrettable poses, but a tribute to the faculty’s willingness to sacrifice dignity in the name of humor, camaraderie and collective discomfort.

Andrea Saez clutches Saskia Edwards’ leg in fear of the school day to come.

Steve Blankenship, Travis Aukerman and Matthew Daly kneel to take a ponder on the present state of Social Studies.

Drew Balta and Dan Carlson take time out of their busy day to grow their friendship and partake in some silent, brotherly moments of peace and contemplation.

Tia Tolk and Jennifer DuBois loll in the hallways during lunch hour, a brief respite from the woes of teaching.

Eric Rice, Luke Hannemann, Jared Jansen and James Jarovski take a break from the rigors of math and science to lounge in fellowship.

photos by bobby parker

by bobby parker & Mason Dean