April Issue

USF presses play on new esports program

ELLIE QUINN

Splitting Spanish Immersion KHLOE DILLMAN

Ditching Downtown: Smithfield’s move

STATESMAN STAFF

PAPER EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Eloise Geraets, Naomi Jespersen, Vivian Kiesow-Knudsen, Ellie Quinn

ONLINE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Nadia Schneider, Chris Tao

NEWS EDITORS: Sam Barnett, Logan Sanborn

FEATURE EDITORS: Kinsley Ernster, Berkeley Newell

SPORTS EDITORS: John Quello, Jacob Wessels

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: Ellie Boehrns, Dena Tarrell

PERSPECTIVES EDITORS: Will Hansen, Bethany Jespersen

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Mason Dean

STAFF CARTOONIST: Charli Fickbohm

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS: Lucy Hennies, Bethel Woche

STAFF WRITERS: Elsa Basel, Anna Bergan, Izzy Boeve, Christian Bootsma, Khloe Dillman, Oscar Ericsson, Alice Geraets, Isabel Gillespie, Makayla Hamm, Julia Hedrick, Moa Hein, Hannah Hilgenberg, Quinton Hollan, Hazel Hughes, Catherine Jerstad, Brielle Kolling, Sara Mathison, Harper Maziarz, Lily Osmundson, Ingrid Ready, Alonso Ramirez, Trey Raph, Sam Reilly, Mallory Schneider, Lauren Statema, Lily Statema, Ava Thompson, Oliver Van Beek, Regan Van Meeteren, Will Van Schepen

Adviser: Dr. Katie Kroeze

program is envisioned to hone players’ mechanical, strategic, problem-solving, leadership, collaborative and communicative skills both online and in the real world.

The program has plans to launch teams to compete in five different games, but USF is open to feedback from students and prospective players to launch additional teams for games beyond the current selection. Currently, the games en route to be offered are League of Legends, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2, Rocket League and Valorant.

“Games are chosen based on popular interest, competitive feasibility and their team-based emphasis. If students want to play a game together and there is collegiate conference support for it, we want to provide that opportunity to get engaged as much as possible,” said Libby Franken, the team’s coach.

Franken was asked to coach in Jan. 2026, given her background in esports. While in school, Franken served as the Team Captain of esports at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA, and now serves as USF’s Head Coach.

“I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the lessons esports taught me,” said Franken.

The program is currently in the structured growth phase of development, meaning the team has administrative backing, a dedicated practice space on USF’s campus and the necessary hardware for proper performance. Franken and administrators have started the initial processes of recruiting interested and prospective students. Getting the program on its feet has taken time and the help of

by Khloe Dillman

multiple departments at USF beyond Franken’s efforts, including Information Technology (IT), Student Life, Faculty and the Executive team.

“Our primary effort now is building our roster and our team identity, establishing who we are, what we do and why we do it,” said Franken.

While still competitive, esports offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps on campus. The program has the ability to engage students of many different skill levels, majors, involvement and interests. Being a part of this club sport will offer students the freedom to engage in a competitive community without the physical or social barriers of other sports.

“Increasing campus engagement and enrollment is always a priority, but more than that, we want to create a place of belonging for gamers and non-gamers alike,” said Franken.

Franken hopes to see more incoming freshmen seek interest in the program by increasing connections with Sioux Falls high schools to increase the visibility of the esports program and USF as a whole. Interested students are able to contact Franken directly through email: esports@usiouxfalls.edu, or by filling out the interest form found on the USF esports website: usiouxfalls.edu/esports.

“I want people in the Midwest to say, ‘USF is building something serious in esports.’ We’re not just here to participate. We’re here to compete, represent the University of Sioux Falls with pride and with skill, and build a respected program with deep roots and even deeper commitment to its community,” said Franken.

recently informed the younger generation that starting in the 2028-29 school year, the immersion program will expand, with more schools adding it to their curriculum. As the years go on, LHS sees more and more students, making the school considerably fuller, thus the addition of immersion programs coming to other schools. The future generations will continue to enter elementary school together at Sonia Sotomayor, but they will be split up based on districts in middle school, with Ben Rifle Middle School and George McGovern Middle School adding a Spanish Immersion program, while Edison Middle

WHS, JHS and RHS will also be gaining a Spanish Immersion program.

“It’s sad it will no longer be niche,” said LHS junior Austin Loween. To some LHS students who are a part of the immersion program, this news is heartbreaking, while others think it will be beneficial. Numerous immersion students state that the program

“I’m honestly upset that they are splitting immersion up. I feel like they are ripping apart friendships that should last until at least high school,” said LHS junior Elena Schellpfeffer.

Multiple students have taken an emotional route to this big change. With the expansion of Spanish Immersion, many students will experience the feeling of having most of their friends from kindergarten still around, in their day-to-day school lives, with most students referring to their classmates as family, not just friends.

“I’ve always considered everyone in the Spanish Immersion program as family. Not only have we all been with each other so long, but everyone in the program has always been so inclusive and supportive, and they’ve helped me grow as a person throughout the years,” said LHS junior Francis Bearden.

It is evident how impactful the Spanish Immersion program has been for thousands of students through the years. Several immersion students have felt that the program has helped

them find their forever friends. Not only will this change be hard for students, but also for the school system to find dozens of new teachers who are experienced in the skills needed to be a successful Spanish Immersion teacher.

But not all of this is bad; with the school district expanding the program, more kids will get the opportunity to learn Spanish and become bilingual.

“I am glad they are expanding the Spanish Immersion program to more than just one school. It’s giving more kids the option to learn Spanish,” said LHS freshman Malachi Wright. Not only is it impressive and convenient to be bilingual, but it also provides multiple possibilities for students after high school. While many have mixed feelings about this new change coming to the Sioux Falls School District, it will open a new chapter and countless opportunities for the future generation.

Rocket League is a game where players use rocket-powered cars to hit a giant ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Marvel Rivals features an extensive roster of Marvel superheroes and villains.

by ElliE Quinn, Editor-in-ChiEf

Design by Khloe Dillman photos useD with permission by lhs stuDents

While strolling around downtown Sioux Falls, most residents anticipate the acrid smell of Sioux Falls’ infamous meat-processing and packaging plant: Smithfield.

On Feb. 16, a press conference was held in Sioux Falls where the CEO and President of Smithfield Foods, Shane Smith, announced the construction of a brand new Smithfield plant in northwest Sioux Falls that would replace the century-old plant currently residing within the downtown Falls Park area. Also in attendance at the press conference were Sioux Falls mayor Paul TenHaken and South Dakota governor Larry Rhoden, who discussed the economic and social impacts of the move on the city and state.

by Lauren Statema

Since 1909, the John Morrell and Smithfield plants have operated in Sioux Falls and have become vital to South Dakota’s economy in the process. The current plant provides $200 million in wages to 3,200 employees in the Sioux Falls area and supports farms and farmers across the region. “[Agriculture] is king in South Dakota. So, when agriculture succeeds, our whole economy in South Dakota succeeds,” said Rhoden.

The new Smithfield plant will be strategically located in Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls.

Situated between major interstates I-90 and I-29, the plant will be far more accessible to workers and deliverers. The state-of-the-art plant will be the best and most advanced of its kind in the United States. It

will feature 1.1 million square feet of production space and be the largest combined packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Smithfield’s network. “When the new facility opens, our employees will be coming to work in the most modern and technologically advanced facility in the entire country,” said Smith.

Construction of the new plant is set to begin in 2027, although no plans are concrete. The company hopes to begin production in its new plant in 2028. Smithfield has proposed a $90 million tax increment financing district, which would help absorb the costs of building a new wastewater treatment plant. On March 4, this permit was approved along with a conditional use permit. Due to the plant’s proximity to residential areas,

the choice is not popular among nearby residents.

Smithfield’s withdrawal from this area will vacate a 120-acre space in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls.

T. Denny Sanford, known for his philanthropy in South Dakota, has donated $50 million to the project. This money will allow the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to take ownership of the evacuated land. Deemed “The Sanford District,” there is major potential for this space.

“We plant trees under whose shade we will never sit. We are planting the trees today for future generations,” said TenHaken.

The relocation of the Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls represents a large success for the economy of South Dakota. It will provide new business opportunities in the Sanford District and will provide new job opportunities for South Dakotans. This project represents a major win and prosperity for the state moving forward. “Well, we’ve worked with Smithfield for 115 years; my hope is that we have another 115 years ahead of us in a new chapter,” said TenHaken.

hat began as a personal taxidermy collection in the 1940s and eventually became a prominent Sioux Falls attraction has found a new home at the University of Notre Dame.

The Delbridge Museum of Natural History, founded in 1984 and open to the public until August 2023, was the home of over 100 mounts featuring animals from six continents. The pieces were procured by Sioux Falls businessman Henry Brockhouse on hunting expeditions beginning in the 1940s, which he continued until his death in 1978. The collection was displayed at Brockhouse’s West Sioux Hardware store until it was purchased by Sioux Falls attorney C.J. Delbridge in 1981 and donated to the City of Sioux Falls.

When visible wear on the collection became apparent in the summer of 2022, the Great Plains Zoo took steps to assess the condition of the specimens.

“We were looking at what kind of investment we would want to make this a more modern museum experience,” said Great Plains Zoo CEO Becky Dewitz.

Testing revealed, however, that 80% of the collection contained detectable levels of arsenic on its exterior — a substance which was used to ensure preservation of the hides. The presence of potentially harmful chemicals called for action, both to protect the safety of visitors as well as the specimens themselves.

“It's not so much that having arsenic is an issue; it’s having the protection,” said Dewitz.

To maintain the collection, the zoo would have had to invest over $1 million to put up the necessary barriers around the specimen. And, with some of the animals having been in the museum for upwards of 80 years, money would also need to be allocated towards their reworking and upkeep. Using heat mapping and cell phone technologies, the zoo was also able to conclude that only about 3% of zoo visitors were spending at least seven minutes in the museum.

“If less than 3% of our population is using it, can we justify that as a return on investment — especially using potentially philanthropic and public dollars to support that?” said Dewitz.

According to her, the total investment would have come out to roughly $6.8 million. A decision made in collaboration with the City of Sioux Falls and the Great Plains Zoo closed the museum in August of 2023.

Shortly after, Mayor Paul TenHaken called an ad hoc committee made up of members representing a range of community focuses to determine the by ViVian

Kiesow-Knudsen, editor-in-Chief

“It was a very open and unbiased group,” said Dewitz. “We actually did some work in terms of understanding the quality, the significance and the educational value of the specimens.”

From there, the committee partnered with AM Art Conservation to evaluate the potential future and utility of the collection.

“From that assessment, we really learned that about two-thirds of them were deemed to be quite valuable and important for educational

With this in mind, the committee opened up a public RFP process that extended across the United States as well as directly into the state of South Dakota. To be eligible to acquire the collection, possible recipients had to meet at least two requirements: they had to be a nonprofit organization, and they had to commit to maintaining the educational

It was not until February of 2025 that a City Council vote officially decided on the Museum of Biodiversity at the University of Notre Dame as the new home for 117 of the Delbridge animals. The remaining 33

“I really respect the nostalgia and the love that so many had for the collection. The reality is that we had this collection in our community for upwards of 80 years, and they needed investment to continue,” said Dewitz. “While they may no longer be alive, those animals deserve to be

On campus, the specimen will be used for future studies and instruction. “We are in the process of creating interdisciplinary exhibits across public spaces on campus using these specimens, as part of a decentralized museum,” said Museum of Biodiversity Curator Joanna Larson. “Each exhibit will include natural history information about the animal(s) but will also feature a complimentary aspect from a different field of study, such as art history or medieval studies, in collaboration with researchers

The animals in the Delbridge collection are specifically valuable because they were collected before the passage of the Endangered

“There are things to be learned about these animals and about the time that they were harvested — an indication of habitat health and what's changed from when they were first harvested until

These specimens will offer a unique opportunity for scientific

“Natural history collections are an invaluable and irreplaceable window into the past,” said Larson. “Each specimen represents a unique data point from a place and time that can never be replicated. Scientifically, they allow scientists to ask innumerable questions about the past, present, and future. From a science communication perspective, these specimens are engaging and memorable vehicles for disseminating

A homage is also being created to acknowledge the impact of the collection within the Sioux Falls community. With the now-empty space left by the museum’s closure, the zoo plans to build a new butterfly garden, an aquarium featuring jellyfish, sharks and a modernized penguin habitat, as well as an expanded Education Center. They have raised roughly $46 million of their goal of $70

“People believe in this vision, and they want this vision,” said Dewitz. “It's really just bringing the zoo and aquarium forward for the future generations that are going to come after.”

Walk into almost any varsity debate tournament in South Dakota, and one thing becomes immediately clear: There is no LHS debate team in sight. This absence is not due to chance or skill, rather choice — one based on longstanding beliefs about what debate should be.

Competitive debate has deep roots at both the state and national levels. Specifically in South Dakota, there are two types of SDHSAA-sanctioned debate: public forum, a partner event and Lincoln-Douglas, an individual event. Both varieties are ingrained in state history, with 2026 marking the 24th year of public forum competition and the 46th year of Lincoln-Douglas competition, according to data from SDPB. Missing from this list, however, is policy debate, which would have celebrated its 112th year in South Dakota if it had not been de-sanctioned approximately five years ago. This, however, does not stop LHS from making policy debate a priority.

“So this year we brought back policy debate, and I think that is very much at the center of a lot of the differences of opinion…between different coaches or different debaters in the state,” said Anthony Welter, the head coach of LHS’s debate team. This shift to policy debate not only produced varying reactions but also points to a broader trend in debate. Specifically, in most states outside of South Dakota — which are members of the national circuit — a shift from traditional to progressive debate is occurring. Traditional debate — a broad classification that includes the public forum style — emphasizes slower speaking, persuasiveness and accessibility. On the other hand, progressive or technical debate — which includes policy debate — is centered around fast speaking, nuance and critical argumentation. These stylistic differences are at the heart of LHS’s individuality.

“The big, novel difference between Lincoln and the rest of the state is technical versus traditional debate,” said Grant Wiessner, a senior debate team leader at LHS. “Lincoln chooses to debate more on the technical side than the traditional side, which means we speak a lot faster; we do a lot more critical argumentation.”

For Wiessner and his partner, senior Callaway Weeks, this move towards progressive policy debate occurred just last year. After competing in public forum debate for three years — and even earning a bid to the University of Kentucky’s Tournament of

flaws seen in traditional debate. For one, in progressive debate, it is common for teams to publicly share their evidence before rounds begin — a practice that Welter believes and the benefits it holds comes at a cost — literally. In order to compete in progressive national circuit tournaments, LHS prioritizes out-of-state competitions, which add up fast.

To offset this, the team debates virtually for tournaments in Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C., and travels by bus to Iowa and Nebraska. Still, a heavy virtual schedule is not ideal for the team.

“That’s not a sustainable solution because you’re not traveling, and travel tournaments are a pretty big part of the whole experience,” said Welter. “The other thing that helps is we actually save money…by not doing a fair amount of the tournaments in state, which is also a source of controversy on its

Controversy is a central theme in LHS’s transition from traditional to progressive debate.

South Dakota takes pride in its public forum debate, which many see as an next generation of public speakers. Not only that, but the state-wide unity around traditional debate creates connections across county lines — connections LHS is giving up.

“With debate, we traveled to places like Milbank and

Brookings and Vermillion and Rapid City and Aberdeen,” said Kidus Hiruy, a junior debater at JHS. “And not only did I get to explore more of my home state, but I got to see how people were in these different cities.”

Along with choosing to compete primarily out-of-state, LHS must also continually wrestle with how they are viewed by the broader debate community. In Weeks’ opinion, he is confident that most schools respect LHS’s unique version of success.

Wiessner is still aware of the division LHS’s actions have brought up.

doing: moving to policy, arguing more critically, speaking faster, debating more technically,” said Wiessner. “There’s some schools that I think dislike us personally for that and choose to dislike us. There are other schools that we still have connections with.” In the wake of moving to policy debate, Welter has had a similar experience as a coach. “We’ve gotten a mixed reception so far. We’ll be able to show some people that policy debate isn’t actually the same boogeyman that the state has feared for the last decade, but that fear won’t go away overnight,” said Welter. Prioritizing policy debate, however, does not mean the LHS is completely opposed to public forum debate. In fact, Welter sees policy debate as a means to improve the quality of public forum in South Dakota.

by Naomi JesperseN, editor-iN-Chief

“There are some schools that definitely don’t like what we’re

“The existence of policy debate also helps keep public forum valuable and distinct,” said Welter. “Public forum doesn’t need to be policy debate — or vice-versa — when students have the opportunity to choose either.”

Although the debate community’s reaction has not been entirely positive, Welter, the LHS debate team and others believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Specifically, LHS and RHS have begun to incorporate policy debate into the tournaments they host — exposing other South Dakota high schools to progressive debate. For debaters like Hiruy, this is a valuable learning experience.

“So Roosevelt and Lincoln…have been starting to stay in state more and more,” said Hiruy. “And I think that’s fixing a lot of the problems that we used to have about this divide over national circuit debate and traditional debate, where now we’re kind of coming together as a community now. We aren’t thinking that Lincoln’s polarized.”

Regardless of what other schools believe, Welter and the LHS debate team will continue to pursue their version of excellence, setting their sights on national circuit tournaments while increasing awareness for progressive debate in South Dakota.

“I would describe it as friction. It’s because there’s movement, there’s change, there’s things that have to happen, there’s discussions that won’t go away,” said Welter. “But hey, I think there’s just a certain amount of discomfort that always is gonna have to be there to hopefully push things in the right direction.”

EEventually, his kids graduated, but Wegner’s enjoyment of working in the district never left, leading to him getting hired at LHS, where he has worked for the past six years. His formal job covers the parking lot and clerical tasks, which translates to covering the large and fast flow of students, vendors and meeting attendees in and out of the building. With all these tasks, safety is at the forefront of Wegner’s conscience.

“School security is number one. Sounds cliche but I couldn’t be more serious,” said Wegner.

However, during parts of February and March, Wegner seemed to have disappeared completely from daily life, leaving many students wondering why he had disappeared. Wegner abruptly left due to a total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery from the anterior side, caused by a rare disease called Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP). LCP is a lack of blood flow to the femoral head of the hip joint. The cause is unknown, but the femoral head of the hip bone becomes softened and misshapen, causing pain. This would result in Wegner being dependent on crutches for three years in elementary school. While doctors would eventually clear him, his problems would not be fixed. LCP carries risks of future complications, the most common being arthritis in old age.

by Julia Hedrick

Have you ever walked through the halls and yelled your friend’s name, but someone else turned around? How many times do you hear the same name while the sub takes attendance? Curious, here are the most common male and female names at LHS, and the faces behind them.

very faculty member at LHS is there to help the school day run smoothly. While everybody knows positions such as an AP Chemistry teacher or the principal, one that is underappreciated is that of Doug Wegner, the man who runs the welcome window. Whether checking people in or patrolling the parking lot in his John Deere, Wegner is here to keep LHS up and running. Wegner was born into a family of school faculty, with his mother working at a Sioux Falls elementary school throughout his childhood. After his college education, where he earned a degree in mass communication and broadcasting, Wegner would have a multitude of jobs, from television commercial production to electronic/mechanical technical jobs to clerical to retail management. He would eventually be hired at WHS in 1999 and would work there for eight years.

“Hip replacements were not much of a thing in the 1970s, so at some point they said ‘good to go’ and turned me loose,” said Wegner.

“[My mom’s] schedule matched our family school schedule when we were growing up. My wife and I opted for the same environment for our kids when they were in school,” said Wegner. “When my children were still in school, I started work at WHS. I was off in the summer with them, and it was a great fit!”

Luckily for LHS, Wegner’s surgery was a success, and he is optimistic about his return to the halls. With a recovery time of around six months and physical therapy exercises making walking much easier for him, he is itching to get back to being the first face you see at LHS.

“It would be next to impossible to do my job without enjoying positive interactions with students and anyone else who happens to visit,” said Wegner.

Now that elections for Student Council have wrapped up, please take the time to meet the new LHS Student Council members.

Questions:

1. Why did you join LHS Student Council?

2. What are you most excited about?

3. What is one fun fact about you?

4. What committee would you like to be a part of?

1. I joined Student Council because I think being involved in my community is important, and through the council, I can volunteer, plan events and help with other fun activities at LHS.

2. I’m most excited about having a positive impact on students here at LHS because of how much Student Council plans. I really hope people will be able to come up to me and tell me what we can do as a group to improve our school.

3. I love music! I listen to music 24/7, and if you find me anywhere, I probably have my AirPods in.

4. I really want to be a part of the dance committee.

1. I decided to join Student Council to get more involved. Because I go to as many events as I can, I thought it would be fun to help make behind-the-scenes decisions. I also have friends who have enjoyed being a part of the council, so I thought I would join them.

1. I joined Student Council because I had siblings that had a lot of fun in Student Council and told me it would be a good way to have a positive impact at LHS and meet new people.

2. I am looking forward to meeting new people and going on fun trips with my peers.

3. I have been stung by a jellyfish.

4. [I would like to be a part of the] dance committee.

1. I joined Student Council to make the school more fun.

2. I am excited to meet new people and for the events.

3. I am a Packers fan.

4. I would like to be in school service.

1. It sounded fun, and I wanted to be a part of something at school.

2. I am most excited about Homecoming week.

3. A fun fact about me is that I moved here from Las Vegas in 2021.

1. I joined Student Council because I was told it would be a fun way to get to know people and become involved with my school.

2. I am very excited to be a part of planning and participating in school events.

3. A fun fact is that I can ride a unicycle.

4. I am not sure what committees there are, but I’m not afraid to embarrass myself.

1. I wanted to experience being part of Student Council and all the things they do is a large part of LHS. I also wanted to learn more leadership skills and see how I could help others make Lincoln the best it can be for its students.

2. I am most excited about all of the events we will put on, specifically Mr. LHS and Homecoming! I am also excited to see up close the impact Stuco has on LHS

3. I absolutely love Colorado and winter!

4. I would really like to be on any of them, but probably the school service committee!

4. I do not know any of the committee positions, but I would like to do any.

1. I joined Student Council to help as many people as possible and contribute as much as I can to the school.

2. I am super excited for Mr. LHS and for all the future events that I can help with.

3. I play seven instruments!

4. I would love to be on the dance committee!

1. I joined Student Council dually to bring new ideas into the council but also to raise the standard for myself.

2. I am most excited about getting to be a part of the behindthe-scenes of many events here at Lincoln as well as the traveling events yet to come.

3. One fun fact about me is that I have over 50k trophies on Brawl Stars.

4. I would like to be a part of the school service committee.

1. I joined Student Council because I want to be a voice for my grade and ensure that everyone’s ideas are heard.

2. One of the things I am most excited about is helping make decisions that will impact my classmates and me. I want to be a leader among my classmates and stand out as a person that people can come to for help or just be friends with.

3. One fun fact about me is that I have played baseball for almost my entire life, and I hope to play for the school again this year after having recovered from an injury. Also, as much as I love to play baseball, I find it equally boring to watch.

4. I don’t know what each committee is responsible for, but I think being part of the school committee and helping out with events or service would be fun.

2. I’m most excited to host fun events and be a part of them.

3. A fun fact about me is that I think yogurt is gross.

4. I would like to be on the student services committee.

1. I joined Student Council because I want to serve the community and be a role model to other students.

2. I am most excited about the events we plan for.

3. I was born in the Philippines and came to America when I was seven years old.

4. Any committee will do.

1. I joined Student Council because I wanted to be more involved at Lincoln and help create a positive environment for everyone. I enjoy working with others and helping plan events that involve the whole school.

1. I joined Student Council to help the school be a better place for all kids.

2. I’m most excited about doing all of the fun activities that Stuco does.

3. A fun fact about me is that I have met Kobe Bryant.

4. I would like to be a part of either the school or community service.

1. I joined Stuco because I wanted to have a full grasp of what goes on in our school and how most events are planned out, creating an opportunity to put forth my own perspective and input to help create an environment that represents us, Lincoln Patriots.

2. I am most excited about the friendships and memories that I now have the chance to make while joining this great group of students, participating in group trips, events within the school, and a helping hand around the community.

3. One fun fact is that I’ve never been on a plane.

4. I would like to be a part of the student services committee or the dance committee.

2. I am most excited about working with new people and helping plan school events that students enjoy.

3. A fun fact about me is that I love traveling for school activities and have been to several states because of band and choir.

4. I would love to be a part of the community service committee.

1. I ran for Student Council because I have always wanted to take a step into a leadership position and be more involved. I also wanted to have a say on different events that happen throughout the school year.

2. I am most excited about creating new connections and helping plan different events.

3. I have a huge obsession with Buc-ee’s gas stations…

4. I would like to be a part of the community service committee because I enjoy volunteering and helping out around Sioux Falls.

by Mallory Schneider

Buddies & Co. is a nonprofit organization that was created as an opportunity for all abilities, giving all employees proper support and the chance to display just what they are capable of.

This coffee and snack shop, located in Brandon, SD, opened in July 2024 and was founded by Carin Griffith, Krista Halseth, Kristin Knutson, Victoria Orren and Sarah Andera, each with their own personal mission in the opening of this company. These founders and board members had one commonality: they were all involved with young adults with disabilities. Many of them had graduated from high school and were ready to join the workforce, but they noticed that with disability often came a lack of opportunity. That is where the mission began: to create a safe work environment where they could build their skills, gain confidence and be a part of something bigger than a title they were born with.

As this business opened, the mission was to not only give disabled people an opportunity, but to put something unique into the community.

“Our community has truly embraced Buddies & Co. From the very beginning, people have shown incredible support,

encouragement and enthusiasm for what we are doing. Customers come not only for the drinks and treats, but because they believe in our mission and want to be part of creating a more inclusive community. We have been so grateful to see people show up, spread the word and celebrate the abilities and contributions of our employees,” said the board members of Buddies & Co.

Community members have also embraced the mission. Customers choose to return not only for the coffee, but for the welcoming environment created by the staff.

“I choose to support because I believe in them and they support each other in the community and really care for each other,” said Sherry Natoli, a customer at Buddies & Co. Along with giving them an opportunity, the board members enjoy watching their employees grow in every aspect of the job.

“We have seen our employees grow in confidence, independence and social skills. Many have become more comfortable interacting with customers, learning new tasks and taking pride in their work. It has been rewarding to watch them build friendships, develop job skills and gain a stronger sense of belonging and purpose in their community,” said the board

members.

For many workers, the experience goes beyond just earning a paycheck.

“I like working at Buddies & Co. because I love meeting new people every day, and I like my coworkers because they help me out when it is a stressful day,” said Tristin Maier, an employee at Buddies & Co. By providing meaningful work opportunities, Buddies & Co. hopes to change the way people view employment for individuals with disabilities.

“What we hope customers take away from visiting Buddies & Co. is that we are more than just a place to grab a drink or a snack. We want people to leave with a greater appreciation for the abilities, talents and potential of all individuals with disabilities. Our shop is built around the belief that when people are given the right support, opportunities and encouragement, they can accomplish so much. The individuals who work here bring joy, dedication and pride to what they do every day. We hope that when customers walk through our doors, they not only enjoy great drinks and treats but also experience a sense of connection and community. If someone leaves realizing that people with disabilities are capable, hardworking and valuable members of our community, then we have accomplished something meaningful,” said the board members.

As customers leave, the impact of the shop becomes clear. For the employees behind the counter, Buddies & Co. is not just a workplace; it is a place where confidence grows, proper support is given and opportunities are created every day.

Top photo: Buddies & Co. is located in Brandon, SD on 1309 E. Cedar St.

Second photo from top: Several businesses and community members have donated and sponsored Buddies and Co., which are listed inside the cafe.

Third and fourth photo from top: Buddies & Co. offers open seating for customers, along with board games, colors and merchandise.

Finding the right gym can be stressful. A lot of the time, the discomfort has to do with the feeling of not fitting in.

Revolution Yoga and Cycle (RYC) is a gym in Sioux Falls, SD that offers different classes such as cycling, yoga, TRX and meditation. RYC first opened a little over eight years ago after owner Braden Bradfield moved from New York City back to Sioux Falls.

“I was going to work for a company called SoulCycle, but I didn’t get the job as a cycle instructor, and I said, ‘Screw that, I’m going to open up my own,’” said Bradfield.

Bradfield, still wanting to pursue his dream, decided that he wanted to bring a big-city feel to Sioux Falls.

“I wanted it where people felt like it was a cool place, not only aesthetically but also just have a different, wide variety of classes that people could do,” said Bradfield.

Revolution takes pride in its diversity, not just in its classes but

also in the different types of people that are a part of the gym.

“We have a wide variety of ages, sexes and career-oriented people that make our gym special,“ said Bradfield.

“But I’m going to give a shout out to one of my foreigners; her name is Regina George, or that’s what I call her. She’s been a loyal member for over eight years now, and it’s people like her that make our place so special.”

Revolution also has many Sioux Falls high schoolers who are dedicated members. Many from LHS are regulars; however, RYC does get a

lot of drop-ins.

LHS junior Bethany Jespersen has attended RYC since she was in eighth grade.

“I would say our studio is the most filled with smiles of all studios in Sioux Falls,” said Jespersen. “I would recommend Revolution to any person who is looking for a welcoming workout community.”

With some gyms, finding a sense of belonging can be very difficult.

Revolution is a great place to find a like-minded community.

“Finding a place where you’re comfortable working out — to some people — is very intimidating, and it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Finding a place where you feel accepted [and] where you know some people makes working out fun; it should be a fun experience,” said Bradfield. “And I feel we have some of the best instructors in the city… they make our members feel safe, accepted and noticed.”

by Izzy boeve

As Mayor Paul TenHaken finishes his eighth and final year as the mayor of Sioux Falls, it is time to look ahead at our next mayoral candidates. From the director of Downtown Sioux Falls to state representatives, these five all have competitive qualities, with one overarching attribute: a love and care for the city of Sioux Falls. This coming June, the citizens of Sioux Falls will cast their votes to determine who the next mayor will be. When deciding who to vote for, it is important to think about party, background, experience and core values. Here is a look at the mayoral candidates:

Party: Independent

Experience: Joe Batcheller is the former president of Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF). During his nearly 10year tenure, Batcheller ran DTSF with the community in mind. He cultivated support for local businesses during and post-COVID and led a decade of remarkable increases in foot traffic, investment and growth. Batcheller instituted the Ambassador program, which essentially allowed for different “ambassadors” to partner with the local community and ensured that every single dollar went to improving the safety, cleanliness, and beauty of Downtown. “I want to bring that same energy and opportunity to the whole city,” said Batcheller. Background: Batcheller was born and raised in Sioux Falls. He attended both the University of California, Irvine and the University of Sioux Falls. He graduated with a degree in business administration and Urban and Regional Planning.

Core Values: Batcheller wants to show all of Sioux Falls the growth and progress that he led in DTSF.

Why you should vote for him: He is running a grassroots campaign, which is a community-oriented campaign that is run purely with the interests of the citizens of Sioux Falls in mind, essentially starting “from the ground up.” With nearly a decade of experience under his belt, he offers a sound and transparent vote, where you know and can understand exactly who you are voting for.

Party: Independent

Experience: This is David Zokaites’s third attempt at running for mayor. He is very involved in the community, having presented roughly 200 times at city council meetings. He is well-rounded with experience in an important area: working with those he disagrees with. “During my long and successful professional career, there have been many situations when I worked to correct poor decisions. This has taught me the value of diplomacy, tact, providing information and persistence. These techniques have allowed me to work with other people to improve what would have otherwise been a troubled project. When people are informed and have a common understanding, it becomes much easier to reach consensus,” said Zokaites.

Background: Zokaites earned a Bachelor of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. He has had a career working in scientific computing, digital imaging and database management.

Core values: Zokaites advocates for increased homeless shelters, improved affordable housing and police reform. He cares deeply for those who are homeless and hopes to help through housing and shelter causes. “Homelessness is often also an addiction problem…but before we can help solve some of these root causes, housing and shelter are first. Not just night shelter, but also day shelter. Sioux Falls has shelters, but apparently, they do not fit the needs of the homeless people we see wandering around town. In addition to the compassionate choice, helping is also the frugal choice because homeless people cause a lot of expensive emergency calls,” said Zokaites. He will also work to improve community safety through drug prevention and police reform. “Probably the biggest driver of crime is alcohol and drugs. Since the nation’s alcohol and drug policy is so involved with crime, it should be clear that policy needs major revision,” said Zokaites. “We need to keep citizens safe, but that doesn’t mean we need to hurt prisoners. Sleep deprivation at the county jail needs to stop. Police should be honest with suspects. We need to change from dangerous, mean handcuffs to safer restraints. We need to extend police training so that officers are more understanding of constitutional rights.”

Why you should vote for him: With your vote, Zokaites pledges to care for all people, no matter who they are. “I’m a firm believer in practical, caring, honest government…caring about people should be our main priority in life and government,” said Zokaites.

by AvA Thompson & brielle Kolling

Party: Republican

Experience: Erickson has served two terms on the city council and previously served as a district 11 representative. She is also the president of the Automobile Dealers Association and the South Dakota Trucking Association.

Background: Erickson attended the National American University in Rapid City, where she received an associate’s degree in business administration. She also attended the University of Sioux Falls later, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business management.

Core Values: Erickson is running her campaign on connection, focusing on reaching out to, meeting and talking with the citizens of Sioux Falls. She is focused on public safety and progress. She is committed to listening to the citizens of Sioux Falls regardless of party or views. Erickson has also concentrated on rehabilitation for those out of prison, making sure that they do not go back.

Why you should vote for her: Erickson is determined to refocus the purpose of the government to serve the people. “I’m running because, like many of you, I’ve experienced the incredible strength, growth and community spirit that is Sioux Falls,” said Erickson when announcing her candidacy.

Party: Republican

Experience: Jamison has previously run for mayor two times. He has served as a Republican member for the 12th district in the South Dakota House of Representatives since 2021. He is also a former city council member.

Background: Jamison is a Commercial Real Estate Broker Associate

Core values: He feels the biggest issue is public safety. “Anybody who wears a bulletproof vest to work deserves the appreciation of the community, the respect from us, a pay that warrants their work, all of that. That energy that needs to be put into public safety needs to be continued,” said Jamison.

Why you should vote for him: Jamison is running to put public safety first, ensure fiscal discipline with your tax dollars and manage the city’s growth with the common-sense balance it deserves. “From the floor of the State House to the hall of City Council, and as a local small business owner for over 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when the government loses its way and what’s possible when it works,” said Jamison.

Are you able to vote in

Party: Democrat

Experience: Jamie Smith has been a regular face in politics in South Dakota for a while. In 2022, he was the Democratic Party’s nominee for governor, and he is currently a senator for District 15. Smith has done more than this, though, as he was a teacher for some time as well.

Background: Smith was born and raised in Sioux Falls and attended Augustana University, an in-state college.

Core Values: He believes in criminal justice reform and strongly supports health-related issues, such as drug addiction resources, focusing on addiction as a disease rather than a personal failure. Smith also believes in advances for women’s healthcare. He is pushing for better and more housing development, economic growth and opportunity. He believes that the role of mayor and jobs associated with being the mayor need to be re-evaluated and refocused on the community and everyday people.

Why you should vote for him: Smith’s approach to accessible leadership and his dedication to making sure that every citizen can feel not only seen but also heard and taken seriously.

Although most are not yet old enough to vote in the upcoming election, many high school students feel it is important that their voices are heard. “I want to see more programs for the youth in our city, as well as someone who supports the local businesses rather than the large corporations,” said an anonymous LHS student. Another student said they hope to see the city use the Smithfield space downtown to create a place where the community can come together. When asked in a survey, 35.7% of students said that they would vote for Jamie Smith. “He is very connected to the people and wants to hear people’s opinions and help implement what the people want the city to become,” said an anonymous LHS student.

by Nadia SchNeider, editor-iN-chief

Youhave probably experienced the weightless sensation before — that very short period of time when you are going over a hill in your car and feel yourself get lifted off the seat. But that feeling goes away almost as fast as it came: instantaneously. In the G-Force One aircraft, you have the opportunity to experience weightlessness for around 30 seconds straight, 15 different times. All for $8,500.

Back in March 2022, a lucky LHS parent won a giveaway from Uplift Aerospace and boarded one of these planes, all-expenses-paid. Derek Dillman learned about this opportunity on Discord, where he was joining several different groups in search of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that he might be able to make a profit on or gain information from. He came across this group called Space+, which Uplift Aerospace started. This company wanted to spark interest in people to learn more about space, and

to give away trips and open opportunities to help make that happen.

“Their first giveaway [was] given to three people picked at random from their Discord group, before they even launched their NFT. It was an all-expenses-paid trip to fly to Austin, Texas, to ride in a zero-G plane,” said Dillman.

Only 10 days before the trip, Dillman was notified that he had won the giveaway.

Knowing it was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity, he accepted. When he arrived in Texas the next week, he met with several team members from Uplift Aerospace, as well as the other two people who had won the trip. They had dinner together and became acquainted with one another the night before the experience and then were shuttled to the area by the plane on the day of the flight. Throughout their time together, they were also accompanied by astronaut José M. Hernández.

“José was awesome, kind of

On the inside, there are just 30 seats in the back, and then the main cabin is empty aside from the padding on all sides that provides protection throughout the flight.

like a celebrity on the plane,” said Dillman.

The giveaway winners and the astronaut were not the only ones who boarded the plane, as 24 others were there because they had spent the $8,500 required for the experience. There was a group of teenagers, their parents and then several other people who were just there to have fun.

“I spent a lot of time chatting with one man, who is now a full-time travel vlogger,” said Dillman. “[He] had inherited an oil empire, and now he just travels the world by himself, going to cool places and enjoying neat experiences.”

Right before the flight, the passengers were assembled and instructed on the process. On these zero-G flights, the plane moves in parabolic motion, which is what allows passengers to feel weightless. After each parabola, the people must drop and lie on the ground, waiting for the next one to come and to be sent floating off the plane

floor again. While this might not sound fun to some people, this was the experience of a lifetime for Dillman.

“I am generally an easygoing thrill seeker by nature, so these kinds of things really excite me,” said Dillman.

“[And it was] cool to be able to do something like that, that I would never pay for, for free.”

Before boarding the plane, Dillman was not nervous at all because he understood that the staff in charge of the plane were experts at operating it.

The company owning it, Zero Gravity Corporation (Zero-G), had spent 11 years perfecting the aircraft and its flight. Due to the immense number of timing, engineering and piloting challenges involved, even NASA stopped its program and switched to contracting with Zero-G.

This Zero-G plane was created from what was initially a commercial Boeing 727 aircraft. The plane had to be heavily modified in order for it to be suitable for taking the steep inclines and nosedives.

“They had warned us how we would basically not have much control of our bodies, because when you are floating mid-air, you can’t control where your body is going,” said Dillman. “It was so strange to not have any control of your body. The natural instinct is to push off of something or someone, [which is] troublesome because in zero-G, the tiniest push from your pointer finger on the ground could send you to the ceiling very quickly and cause you to kind of smack into it.”

The aspect that surprised Dillman the most about his experience was how difficult it was to control his movements around the cabin while in zero-G. The passengers were told not to flail their arms or legs, because doing so does not help them move in any certain direction and just poses a risk to themselves or someone else getting hurt. Even so, Dillman admits that he and the others were doing this just because of the unfamiliarity of the experience.

“That first parabola, myself and everyone included, were kicking and flailing everywhere!” said Dillman.

Throughout the 15 parabolas, the passengers felt varying amounts of gravity. The first one imitated gravity on Mars, the next few were like gravity on the Moon, then it was zero gravity and the last one was something called negative gravity. Dillman’s favorite was negative gravity, because it was like gravity pointed upwards, and they just floated off the ground. It was the only one that required no effort to feel weightlessness.

These different levels were achieved from the plane freefalling towards the ground and then smoothly catching everyone inside at the bottom. At first, it was difficult for Dillman to tell that they were not experiencing Earth’s gravity anymore.

“We didn’t even know that we were weightless until the first person would put the smallest amount of effort into moving, and then we would all do the same, and we were shocked to find we were floating weightless around the cabin,” said Dillman. “It [was] easily one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world.”

Thankfully for Dillman, he did not have any motion sickness on the flight. Several others did, though, which is unfortunate considering the cost that they paid for the flight.

“Imagine paying $8,500 for you to [go on] the most intense airplane you will ever ride on, just so you can sit in the back and feel sick,” said Dillman.

Since the plane ride is intense and can make passengers feel as if they are on a carnival ride, Dillman advises people to only consider going on the Zero-G plane if they do not get motion sick. If a person is safe from that and is given the same opportunity that he was, it is one that should not be turned down. Dillman was able to meet many people on his trip and got to experience something that most people never will, even if he does not know if it is worth paying $8,500 for.

“If that sounds like a trivial amount of money to someone, I say go for it!” said Dillman. “If you can afford the experience or are fortunate enough, like me, to win one, you will not be disappointed!”

The three giveaway winners stand alongside astronaut José M. Hernández in front of the Zero-G plane.

The passengers lay flat on their stomachs, in preparation for the zero-G cycle that is about to start.

Derek Dillman steps out of the plane after getting to experience zero gravity.

Derek Dillman and two other passengers float in the air as the plane falls through the sky.

deSigN by Nadia SchNeider

by Makayla HaMM

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, some of the LHS staff will be wrapping up their time here at LHS. Due to new opportunities and significant life changes, five beloved teachers will be moving on and taking their next steps in life. Regardless of whether they are moving to be closer to significant others, retiring or taking advantage of new career opportunities, we wish these teachers luck in whatever comes next in their journeys.

Amber Comp:

As a teacher with experience teaching Biology I and II, Chemistry, Basics of the Human Body, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Astronomy and Meteorology, Comp is leaving LHS after four years of hard work. During her time teaching, she has also influenced students as the adviser for the Astronomy club and as a co-adviser for the Environmental Ingenuity Club, which she helped to get up and running last school year. She is moving back to Presho, SD after some time away, as her oldest child has graduated and her younger children are in elementary school and can be raised in a smaller town.

Pablo Simone:

Since October of 2024, Simone has been teaching Spanish I, Spanish III and Spanish Language and Culture. He is moving to Spain to be closer to his girlfriend, who he plans to eventually move in with. Simone hopes to potentially work on offering a foreign exchange program with LHS to give Spanish-learning students an opportunity to visit Spain for a couple of weeks.

Maggie Peterson: Peterson is wrapping up her five years at LHS as a Geometry and Applied Math teacher and the teacher adviser for Patriot Pride. She is moving to Fargo, ND, as she is getting married to her fiancé. Peterson hopes to continue her career as a math teacher once she is settled in Fargo.

Xavier Pastrano:

After a whopping 17 years of teaching, nine of which were at LHS, Pastrano is choosing to try out a new career. During his time at LHS, Pastrano has been the teacher adviser for Poetry Club, DND Club, Riff Club, Coffee Club, taught English I and II, Accelerated English I and II, Contemporary Literature and Creative Writing. He has also played a role in pep rallies and announcing awards at assemblies. He enjoys occupying his time with art, music and writing, and recently those aspects of his life have taken off. These creative components will suit the new role he will be stepping into as a senior writer with an advertising agency.

“The students and the fun activities we do during Ad room and HOCO.”

- Mrs. Comp

“The student-teacher relationships.”

- Señor Simone

“The students and the other teachers. I’ll [also] miss all of the fun events with HOCO, music and sports.”

- Miss Peterson

“The community here, which largely stems from the students. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here and the incredible staff. LHS is the first place where I felt I truly belonged; it felt like home.”

- Mr. Pastrano

by Oscar EricssOn

Along with discos, blockbuster movies and hippies, the 1970s brought with it the rise of the occult. Prominent cults of this time included the Manson Family and Jonestown, but as atypical religions and beliefs grew in popularity, their influences inspired cultish uprisings in the most unexpected places. Sioux Falls is quite the stranger to strange activity, but in 1973, the tranquil city became the origin of a dark movement.

Each night, First Baptist Church would host a group of young adults looking to worship. They would sing,

the University of Sioux Falls into a church and school. The name “End Time” refers to their belief that they were the only ones who were going to survive God’s judgment. Meade also taught his followers that healthcare was never the answer because God would heal them. This would lead to the death of at least six members, including a student at LHS. Reports from religiouschildabuse. blogspot.com show families blaming the group for tearing them apart, claiming their manipulative recruitment methods were corrupting the minds of their high school and college students.

read scripture and listen to the words of a middleaged preacher by the name of Charles Meade. Gary Cooke, the group’s “leader,” came to know Meade while attending Northwestern College in Iowa. Cooke recruited many of his college friends — as well as high school students — and grew Meade’s influence on younger minds. The group met in various places to worship, including hotels, living rooms and garages. Meade and his followers eventually christened themselves “End Time Ministries” and converted a building sandwiched between Augustana University and

For End Time Ministries, Sioux Falls was just the beginning. In 1984, Lake City, Florida, saw the arrival of Meade and about 100 followers. According to a 1998 New York Times article by Alex Heard and Peter Klebnikov, Meade was told by God that Lake City was the only place where his people would survive His wrath. Around

2,000 believers across the country eventually migrated to Meade’s bomb shelter, where they lived off of scripture and daily bread. After moving, the End Timers established over 75 local businesses, which in 1996 helped them construct a $14 million worship center in the shape of Noah’s Ark, a Biblical ship that saved animals and people from a flood brought by God.

End Time Ministries

brought all types of skepticism to Florida. Through observing their beliefs and behavior, locals quickly realized they were not the average congregation. Meade did not allow members to interact with locals in a neighborly manner, as it was seen as sinful. Other restrictions included limits on makeup and technology. The group’s arrival not only affected residents of Lake City, but those within the cult as well. Meade demanded large portions of members’ income, sending many into financial trouble. Many were forced out of their homes, and one case involved a member’s alleged suicide, likely over missed payments to the IRS.

In 2012, two years after Meade’s death, the FBI released over 700 investigative pages on him and his ministry. His corrupt leadership methods were exposed, including debt collection and illegal possession of automatic weapons. Soon after the files were released, multiple women came forward accusing Meade of assaulting them from when they were teenagers up until their late 20s.

Today, the End Time Ministries still resides in its multi-million dollar compound, continuing to alienate itself within Lake City. What was once a small gathering of college students is now a 2,000-member denomination whose grim roots and influence reach families across the nation.

ily Yan is a junior at LHS. Her childhood companion is a lovely pink poodle named Pinky. Pinky has been in her family since her mom received it in college; her mom passed it down to Yan’s siblings, and then it was finally passed down to her.

“It really reminds me of my childhood and just playing with my siblings,” said Yan. Pinky has been there since her siblings were born, and also when Yan was born. Because of this, Pinky brings back memories of being with her siblings and the memories that they made together.

“I love [Pinky’s] color, it is

Heather Coombs is the French teacher at LHS, and her companion is named Lion. Lion, a stuffed animal lion, was a gift given to her when she was a child Lion is very special to her because he provided her with comfort and would help her sleep when she was younger.

“I love that it is a snuggly toy and it is nice and soft,” said Coombs.

Coombs loved how comforting Lion was, especially on plane rides. Lion went on a vacation with Coombs to Disney World and was able to meet some of the well-known characters. He now has the special honor of being the companion of her daughter, Violet-Anne. Although his original name was Lion, Coombs’ daughter has decided to call him Tiger.

Oppenheimer’s childhood companion, is a pink stuffed animal dolphin named Winter.

Oppenheimer received Winter when her family went on a vacation to Florida and saw the dolphin from “Dolphin Tale,” which was her favorite movie. It got the name Winter because the dolphin in the movie’s name is Winter. She took Winter everywhere with her, even to New York, where she accidentally left him there, but luckily, the hotel mailed him back. Winter meant a lot to Oppenheimer because it provided her with relief and perseverance during her childhood.

“I would thank it for encouraging me to keep going in hard times,” said Oppenheimer.

Alice gerAets

eghan Finch, one of the English III teachers at LHS, has a stuffed animal brown bear named Bruno as her childhood companion. Bruno has been with her for 42 years and counting. Receiving Bruno was very special for her because it was the very first gift she received from her step-grandparents on Christmas day; she viewed the gift as being accepted into their part of the family.

“I would thank him for being squishable and going with me everywhere and always being huggable,” said Finch.

ElijahVetter is a freshman at LHS. His childhood companion is a stuffed animal cat that he called Grumpy Cat.

Grumpy Cat is special to Vetter because it is what sparked his love for cats. Vetter received his companion as a Christmas present when he was three years old.

“[I would thank Grumpy Cat] for just being so cute and helping me through tough times,” said Vetter.

CatLHS. Her childhood companion is a purple stuffed animal monkey named Owen. Owen has been with Pliska since she got it from her mother on Valentine’s Day 13 years ago. Her mom gave it to her so that when they were not with each other, she would always have a part of her mom with her. When Pliska goes to camp or on a vacation, Owen comes with her because it reminds her of her mom.

Bruno was able to accompany Finch throughout college in the late 90’s and when she went to Salzburg, Austria, for a year.

Bruno has always been there for Finch and continues to do so even today. Her favorite feature about Bruno is how easy he is to transport, which allows him to go with her everywhere.

“[I would want to ask Bruno] what was the hardest moment he had to watch me go through as a child,” said Finch.

Grumpy Cat was very comforting for him, especially during his childhood. Something unique about Grumpy Cat is how he has gotten to go to California a few times to their family’s house there.

“It was the most fluffy stuffed animal I have had, and it provided me with a lot of comfort,” said Vetter.

“I would thank my monkey for being there when I am sad and always being something that brings me joy and comfort,” said Pliska.

When she was in fifth grade, Pliska was going through her stuffed animals, and somehow her purple monkey was placed in the donation pile. Thankfully, she realized her mistake when she was going to bed because she sleeps with him every night.

“My favorite thing about my purple monkey, Owen, is his pink bowtie because it makes him special compared to a normal monkey,” said Pliska.

Flowers $15-20

Time to herself/family time

Though you should be doing it year-round, getting chores done or letting your mom relax is especially important around Mother’s Day. Let her have some time to do her own hobbies or slow down for a few days to spend extra time with her family.

A simple but meaningful gift, flowers are a classic for Mother’s Day. Buy her favorite flowers and write a card to show her how much she means to you.

Candle Warmer $20

A candle warmer melts candles without an open flame. Simply put the candle under the lamp, and it will release its fragrance. Many moms love to keep their house smelling good; a candle warmer reduces fire risk, prevents tunneling and helps the candle last longer.

From changing their babies’ diapers, bringing them to their first day of school and raising them to be successful on their own, mothers really do it all. Mother’s Day presents an opportunity to give back to mothers who have devoted their lives to their children’s well-being without expecting anything in return. It is important to make mothers feel appreciated, but it can be hard to come up with ideas when they constantly say, “I don’t need anything.” Here are some thoughtful and useful ideas for your mom this year, with recommendations from LHS teachers.

Nodpod $38

Nodpods are weighted eye masks that help reduce stress and anxiety while improving sleep quality. This item could be beneficial for many moms who want to add relaxation to their night and wake up well-rested.

Homemade gifts

A gift made by one’s children often means more than any store-bought item. This Mother’s Day, make something to show your mom how grateful you are for her. A drawing, note, card, picture frame or handmade craft show effort and love.

Breakfast in bed

Hydrojug $40

A new, must-have water bottle, the Hydrojug has grown in popularity lately and is both functional and cute. If your mom has had the same water bottle for years, it may be time to buy her a new one, and this Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion.

Giving your mom a relaxing meal in bed to start their Mother’s Day is a great idea, and cooking them breakfast will show how much you appreciate them.

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment $20

If your mom will not buy anything for herself but loves to be pampered from time to time, this lip treatment is a must. It is perfect for on-the-go and would become a staple in her morning routine.

Cooking meals/ cleaning the house

Towel Warmer $80

A towel warmer is a luxury moms will love and a gift that will last. Put a towel in the warmer before showering, and once you are done, a warm, clean towel will await you. Towel warmers are also versatile and can be used to dry damp swimsuit and warm up robes as well.

Kindle Paperwhite $160

If your mom likes to read and does not have a Kindle yet, this is the perfect gift for her. It is a digital library where books are stored on one device, making it more convenient to read many books. Also, it is very easy to transport and bring on vacations, and it also has customizable font sizes, brightness

Slippers $20

Most moms just want a break from having everyone in the family rely on them to keep the house clean and the kids fed. It is especially important around Mother’s Day to give your mom a break. Remember: effort is free.

Gift cards $5-100

Sometimes, moms just want to have a shopping day or pick out gifts themselves. Gift cards are always a good idea if you are unsure about what to get, though a note to go along with them would make them more meaningful. Gift cards to Target, Scooters, Starbucks, Amazon or a spa are all essentials.

A comfy shoe to wear around the house, slippers are amazing for moms. They are a gift she can use forever, and since many moms end up on their feet all day, they offer a reprieve from the aches that come with that.

Favorite snack $1-10

If you want to add something small to your gift, add on your mom’s favorite snack or treat. Show that you know her by picking specific snacks that she loves.

by Lucy Hennies

Micah

Strain:

1. “I made new friends and found myself a bit more. I found out what I want to do in my future.”

2. “Talk to people, go to events (inside or outside of school), do your homework, but remember school is not everything. It sounds cliche but it does go by fast, so

Aiden Wigg:

1. “When I was a freshman, I was a lump of anxiety and bad time management. Now that I’m a senior, I’m a lump of anxiety, bad time management and facial hair.”

2. “You don’t need to do excessive academics. Just because schools pride themselves on programs doesn’t mean you should. At the end of the day, a little number or a cool little cord on your graduation cap doesn’t define who you are. Find real value in experiences with friends and family.”

Kaleb

Ricks:

1. “My face changed, I grew out my hair, got rid of my glasses, updated my clothing/ fits and fixed my personality.”

2. “Take more important classes like APs and stop worrying about getting a lower grade than an A.”

Caroline Zeeb:

1. “I’ve started getting more involved within my community and the school, and [try]to be authentically myself.”

2. “Don’t cheat on all of your homework... you’re doing it for a reason. Just because you don’t agree with someone’s beliefs doesn’t mean you can’t get along with them.”

Allison Huwe:

1. “I have become a lot more confident and less shy.”

2. “Try your best, show up, try new things, set goals, do homework and study.”

Charlotte Desmond:

1. “I’ve gotten glasses and have an entire new friend group, and I’m actually involved now doing theatre, choir and oral interp.”

2. “Everyone says it but seriously get involved. And talk to your seat partners, no matter who they are. They could become your new best friend.”

by John Quello

There are a multitude of options for Mexican cuisine throughout Sioux Falls. A hidden gem to most is known as Antigua Taco House. Antigua has a history much longer than just the year it has been open to the public. The owner, Leslie Reyes, is the daughter of Jacky Vanloh. Vanloh was the founder of Jacky’s restaurant, which used to be located in Antigua’s current location. Reyes is not running this restaurant alone, though; one of her partners is Roberto Lopez. Lopez is from Honduras but has lived in Sioux Falls since 1999. He has

gained experience by working in the Mexican restaurant business since his arrival and later started working for Vanloh and alongside Reyes in 2014. This partnership between Lopez and Reyes has flourished to help create the welcoming atmosphere of Antigua.

The restaurant does not just contain a fantastic atmosphere; it also has truly flavorful dishes at reasonable prices. One of the most popular entrees is birria tacos, which are customer favorites for a reason. The tacos are very tasty and are accompanied by a consommé

that is so delicious it is drinkable, and not to mention, three tacos are just $12.

Another classic is the wet burrito, which is also quite tasty. It comes with the choice of red or green sauce, a choice of meat and rice, accompanied by beans, lettuce, sour cream and pico de gallo. The burrito is very filling and costs just $14. It is a great value option.

Though some of the dishes are simple, as Lopez says, “We use very good quality products; everything is fresh.”

One of Lopez’s favorite meals is yucca fries with carnitas, which are very delectable.

One customer said that those

carnitas were the best meat they had ever eaten. At just $15, it is another excellent option.

Additionally, taquitos are a staple of the restaurant. They are fried rolled tacos filled with the choice of chicken or shredded beef, topped with cheese and served with red and green sauce. An order of four taquitos is just $13. In the future, Lopez hopes for the restaurant to be a gathering place for more people and a place where customers can go for a mouthwatering delicious meal.

by elsa basel

According to LHS students, Raising Cane’s is overwhelmingly the most wanted fastfood chain in Sioux Falls. Popular for its signature Cane’s Sauce, Texas Toast and crispy chicken strips, Cane’s is a staple for much of the youth. Although Cane’s does not have any South Dakota locations, it does have multiple restaurants in surrounding states, including Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa.

“I’ve never had Cane’s before, but online, it looks so good, and I want the chance to try it,” said LHS sophomore Jacob Becker.

Often, teens visit Cane’s multiple times while in other cities since they do not have access to the restaurant at home, so there would definitely be plenty of business if one were to open in Sioux Falls.

Coming in second place is Dunkin’ Donuts. This coffee and donut shop, originating on the East Coast, gains support from its fast, affordable and high-quality coffee, paired with its large assortment of donuts. In addition to sweet treats and caffeinated drinks, Dunkin’ also offers breakfast sandwiches and bagels. Many Sioux Falls customers have grown tired of other coffee chains, such as Starbucks, and are yearning for a change. Dunkin’ would offer Sioux Falls a reasonably priced coffee shop, with flavorful drinks and snacks perfect to start

Trader Joe’s, a grocery store featuring whole foods and unique treats, is yet another company that LHS students want to bring to Sioux Falls. Its most popular product is the “Trader Joe’s Takis,” which are chili lime-flavored tortilla chips rolled into cylinders. Other best sellers include Peanut Butter Cups (similar to Reese’s), Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese and Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings. In addition to food, Trader Joe’s flowers are highly sought after for birthdays and anniversaries. Sioux Falls does not have a store similar to Trader Joe’s, so this unique type of market would be a great addition.

Another highly sought-after franchise is Cava, which offers Mediterranean-style bowls, salads and pita wraps. Its fresh, clean ingredients attract customers looking for a healthier alternative when eating out. Kenley Statema recently tried Cava for the first time and shared

“I went to Cava on my trip to Chicago, and it was honestly life-changing. It has variety and is another healthy option for students, especially athletes,” said Statema. Its nutritious yet delicious menu items keep customers coming back time after time.

In the minds of LHS students, The Cheesecake Factory, a sit-down restaurant offering a large menu with many options — its most popular being its desserts — is needed in Sioux Falls. The Cheesecake Factory offers a wide range of choices, making it a safe decision for families with picky eaters or for customers looking for more diversity. It also serves its food in large portions at a relatively low price, making it a financially smart decision for customers. But most importantly, The Cheesecake Factory’s biggest draw is its famous cheesecake. Served in massive slices, its rich cheesecakes are a necessity for its supporters.

“Pressure is a privilege,” said River McKenzie, an LHS senior tennis athlete. After being told this piece of advice, McKenzie shifted his mindset during matches and perceived pressure as a positive impact that would develop his skill set. McKenzie has played tennis throughout his entire high school life and has had quite the success.

McKenzie has been a prominent leader throughout his legacy at LHS. While partaking in football and tennis, he has watched upperclassmen lead throughout the season.

“I have had multiple leaders to look up to, [and] now that I’m a senior, I feel comfortable taking on that role myself,” said McKenzie. McKenzie’s personality is quite laid back, but intense on court. He is deemed to be honest, confident and humble.

“River is one of the most incredible human beings I know. I have never seen him blow a call or take a point that he didn’t earn. He treats all his teammates, opponents, coaches and parents with respect,” said Tom Krueger, head LHS boys’ tennis coach.

Tennis is one of the few sports where students can participate as early as seventh grade. Throughout his years on the LHS team, he has been committed to making his teammates better. Every time he steps on the court, McKenzie plays with heart and integrity. All of his effort is exerted with each match, whether it is practice or the state tournament.

“River knows he is still growing in the game and takes every piece of advice he can to become a better player. Every time I go out to talk to him on the court, he does what I ask him to do. When he finishes a match, and we’re talking about it, he is fully engaged, willing to talk about what he did well and what he needs to improve on,” said Krueger.

The definition of a humble leader who shows strong passion for track and field would be senior Ella Termaat. Her work ethic is top-notch, and she leads by example daily at practice. She has been a thriving athlete since her freshman year and continues to put in effort during the off-season.

“She has that ‘want to drive’ that doesn’t rely on continuous praise to keep her going. Ella puts in the work to make gains for the upcoming season and ultimately be placed where the team will be most successful come May,” said Kaaren Huber, head LHS track and field coach.

Termaat strives to become stronger physically and mentally. All of which is not possible without a balanced diet. She understands the importance of nutrition to perform at such a competitive level.

“She understands how to fuel her body with good food and not to just grab something fast and easy. This is truly a mindset of someone who understands performance comes from how you fuel your body for success,” said Huber.

Due to her hard work outside of training on the track, Termaat competed in the 100-meter dash during her freshman year and placed second next to the champion, Ellen Merkley.

“It was pretty much the coolest thing ever,” said Termaat.

Her subsequent seasons were marred by hamstring issues that limited her ability to compete. Fortunately, Termaat has taught herself not to find her identity in sports. After experiencing highs and lows, it has shaped the way she views life and her own worth.

“My dad told me there are two things I can control: my attitude and my effort. I think about this when I’m frustrated [with outside factors],” said Termaat.

Termaat works hard in and out of her track season. She is a true student-athlete at LHS. Termaat takes pride in her GPA, as well as her performance on the track.

“Ella has always loved track and field, and to see her grow into a leading contributor for the team has been fun to witness,” said Huber.

“Hayden is what Lincoln Softball is all about,” said Trent Dlugosh, LHS’s Softball coach.

Hayden Kok, a senior softball athlete, was part of the 23-0 state champion team her sophomore season and has continued her success in track and field and volleyball.

“Since being a freshman, I have matured a tremendous amount. Every year has taught me new lessons, and I have been able to learn and grow from those,” said Kok.

Kok is an outgoing athlete and a tenacious competitor who does everything to win. Athletes can be taught several skills, but their competitiveness is not one of them.

Injuries are not uncommon in the world of athletics. Unfortunately for Kok, she experienced a torn hamstring. “I was forced to miss almost all of my [junior] softball and track season. Going to physical therapy three times a week and trying to overcome my injury was for sure the hardest thing I have ever had to do,” said Kok.

While dealing with a nagging injury, Kok reminded herself of the advice that was given to her in her freshman year by Dlugosh.

“You don’t have to be the best, just better than yesterday,” said Kok. That phrase truly stuck with Kok throughout the last few years. Keeping her focused on the process rather than the outcome, along with improving every day, is the most considerable part.

“She is a great person, a great student and a great softball player. She works equally hard in all aspects of her life and is a great representative of Lincoln High School and Lincoln Softball,” said Dlugosh.

With Kok entering her final season of high school softball, she reminisces on the relationships she has made. Softball has never taken away from her ability to live a typical high school life.

“I have met my best friends through my sports, and I can’t imagine my life without them,” said Kok.

Mikey Roche, a senior track and field athlete, not only sets records, but also sets a good example for younger athletes.

“Mikey is the most driven athlete that I have encountered in my 28 years of coaching,” said James Jarovski, head LHS Track and Field coach.

Roche’s competitiveness sets him apart from all. Whenever placed on the track, he has the confidence to win, and his determination to be the best feeds into his focused, driven and consistent mindset.

“[Mikey] has worked to make himself one of the most elite sprinters in school history,” said Jarovski.

Fortunately for Roche, a big injury has never impacted his ability to perform. But there are always those nagging pains.

“The small yet persistent [injuries] that never leave can be very frustrating to deal with during practice or game time on a daily basis,” said Roche.

The best way to prevent such injuries is to recover. Growth has come from understanding that workouts are not meant to overwork one’s body, but to focus on the small gains from a particular exercise.

Whenever ultra-focused on his next big race, Roche reminds himself to relax. “I find that if I worry too much about the result, it will lead to mistakes, but if I play more carefree, then I can flow far easier,” said Roche.

While some of Roche’s success comes from natural talent, his work ethic has brought him the farthest. Roche is a team player and understands that whatever the best choice is for the team is the right choice.

“He is a team-first guy, Mikey will do almost anything to help the team win… a big part of the reason for the program’s success is Mikey’s selfless personality to run whatever events for the team to be successful,” said Jarovski.

by eloise geraets, editor-in-Chief

After competing for the last six years on the LHS Girls’ Golf team, senior Abbie Westra continues to play with grace and forgiveness. Westra has placed in the top 25 for the past two years and is hoping to put up a lower score once again.

With long practices and constant delays due to rain, Westra is still grateful for the team bonding it has provided.

“The year we played state in Pierre, we made a trip there earlier in the season, and our round was delayed by rain. We were able to tour the capital and spend extra time together as a team, which was really fun,” said Westra.

Westra has put in countless hours during the off-season to continue her progress over the past several years. Not only has she shaved off several strokes since she first joined the team, but she has also changed her attitude in crucial moments.

“A big disappointment for me is underperforming when I know I can do better. Last year at state, it started rough for me, and I was frustrated with myself. At the turn, I was able to completely flip my golf game around and still pull a decent score,” said Westra.

Her mental toughness allows her to bounce back from a bad hole or bad shot and turn it into a good round, which definitely shows Westra’s resilience.

“Abbie isn’t afraid to ask for advice or what one of us is seeing while she’s playing. Her ability to accept coaching and maintain a level head speaks to her understanding of the game and her maturity as a person,” said Head Coach Scott Amundson.

Westra’s adaptable personality allows younger kids to see what a solid golfer looks like. She demonstrates an impressive practice and competitive mentality. Westra is exceedingly approachable and is always willing to offer advice.

“She’s one of the kids that I will look back and smile about having the chance to work with,” said Amundson.

Imagine it is senior night. The fluorescent lights of the school are shining brightly, the people are watching intently as the coaches are giving heartfelt speeches about each of their graduating players. It is a heartwarming moment shared between the seniors. A chance for them to recount the memories made and to look forward to the next

For many LHS senior athletes, this is exactly how senior night goes. Now imagine that same scenario, but instead of a group of smiling teenagers on show, there stands only one person. A lone senior, brought up in front of the crowd, without the presence of teammates to accompany them. How would that change things, to have only one senior on a team? Or to be the only senior? Well, for LHS senior Serena Graff, she lives that reality as the girls’ basketball team’s only senior. But for such a large school, having only one upperclassman is quite uncommon. It begs a lot of questions

Q: What made you want to join basketball your

A: “I was playing in middle school, but I took a break freshman year, so I wanted to come back sophomore year,”

Q: Was there anyone who helped inspire you to join

A: “Dalaney [Downham]. I played with her in 8th grade, so I wanted to play with her again in high school,” said Graff.

Q: “What made you decide to stay on the team despite the other girls in your grade leaving?

A: “I really liked the sport, so I didn’t want to quit. I feel like I [have] other friends on the team that I still want to

Q: How has basketball influenced your high school

A: “It [has] made me more confident and a better person, working with a team and other people,” said

Q: Do you feel like being the only senior has impacted your final year at all?

A: “It is definitely hard being the only senior because I feel like it’s awkward. I was the only one out there on senior night. I’m the only one who’s older than [the other girls]. I feel like I should’ve been more of a role model for them. But it’s hard to be the only one,” said Graff.

Q: Do you find your team supportive?

A: “Yes, they’re really supportive, and they’re all really great,” said Graff.

Q: What is your favorite memory from basketball?

A: “Definitely during Christmas time. We played some games as a team, and we got to open presents together. The coaches got them all, but we played a game where we rolled a dice, and we got to pick one,”

Far from roaring student sections and blasting marching bands, a few LHS students trade the sting of sweat during a 90-degree August practice for the sting of chlorine before sunrise. Swimming, a year-round sport, often goes unnoticed in the shadow of more popular, school-sanctioned sports such as football, basketball and volleyball. South Dakota is one of the few states that have high school swimming, resulting in only a select group of athletes pursuing it. In fact, LHS only has seven swimmers: seniors Samuel Reilly and Courtney Ulrich, junior Moa Hein, sophomores Christian Jerstad, Andrew Miller and Cameron Ulrich and freshman Willow Pesola. These sparse numbers are not just because swimming is a club sport but also due to the intensity of its training.

“We have [practice] every single day after school, and also Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:30 and then a Saturday practice… They’re all really intense, so it gets kind of hard,” said Jerstad.

However, despite the difficulty and frequency of practices, missing even one is never an option for a swimmer who wants to be successful.

“Swimming is a sport where if you miss one day, it takes two days to catch up to where you were,” said Pesola.

With taking time off never being an option, swimmers are forced to find a balance between homework and swimming.

“What I usually try to do with schoolwork is after I come home from swimming, I just instantly shower and eat, and then just get straight to my schoolwork. And also, getting done as much schoolwork as you can during school time, like during WIN and study, also helps a lot,” said Jerstad.

by Mason Dean & saM

In the face of all this commitment, many swimmers feel unrepresented at LHS as their dedication goes unnoticed in the face of school-sanctioned sports.

“It would make me feel happy [if we had a swim team]. We’d get more recognition, and people will start talking about [swimming] more,” said Miller.

A school-sanctioned swim team would be difficult to add to South Dakota’s high school athletics due to its cost and facilities, yet it would significantly expand access not just to swimming but also to

the lessons that only a year-round, ninepractices-a-week, never-miss-a-day sport can teach.

“The most important lesson I learned from swimming is to stay consistent, because if you don’t stay consistent, in swimming, you’re not gonna do well— you’re going to feel tired and you’re not gonna be able to do well at meets. I keep that mindset in school with my schoolwork and other things in life,” said Jerstad.

The LHS girls basketball team’s lone senior, driven by the game she loves.

and create a multitude of hypothetical situations. When posed with theoretical instances specific to our school, many LHS students were torn in casting their vote.

Get posted on the barstool with your ex talking stage

Flip your car in the school parking lot

Get knocked out by the choir door

Trip down the E-wing

Ride Rice’s horse

Take Amundson’s Jeep for a joyride

Break the chair off the lunch table

Break a seat off the bleachers

Get stuck in an elevator with Mr. Morrison

Trip in front of the school at the Patriot Pride assembly

Be a tree in the school play

Get called out by a lunch lady for getting doubles

Go to O’Gorman

Go to Brandon Valley

Be forced to join the track team as a NARP

Join the e-sports team as a non-gamer

by LiLy OsmundsOn

Tattoos are a lifetime commitment. Thought, planning and significance are all integral to designing one’s first tattoo. Many people choose tattoos that represent either their personality or a moment in their life. The teachers here at LHS share the special moment of getting their first tattoo. Some may have regrets, some may not, but they all have an experience worth sharing.

Everyone goes through phases throughout their life, some more extreme than others. Mike Bossman, the assistant choir director at LHS, has experienced this firsthand. In his senior year of high school, Bossman got a skull tattoo when he was going through a rebellious phase against his parents, which was caused by too many choir activities. He was fed up with the countless hours of choir practice and private lessons, so one day after school, he marched into the tattoo shop and got his first tattoo. The next week, he attended All-State Choir, per his parents’ demand.

Brian Kocer, LHS’s Precalculus and AP Statistics teacher, is known to be a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but not many know the true reason as to why he loves them so much. Back in high school, Kocer was a varsity baseball player, and he would have gone pro, playing for the Dodgers, if he hadn’t torn his ACL in his senior season. To commemorate his love of baseball, he got a baseball tattoo after his final game senior year to forever hold the memory with him.

Our furry companions are always by our side, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Roxie Harte, LHS’s AP U.S. History teacher, is especially familiar with this feeling. Recently, Harte acquired a tattoo of her dog, Arlo. Parting with him is too difficult for her, so now she can take him everywhere she goes. This cute, little, white dog is full of energy, so having a tattoo is much easier than trying to cart around the ball of chaos. Anytime she misses him, she can just look at her tattoo and see his face. Her love for Arlo goes deeper than the needle used for her tattoo.

Regan Meyer, the AP Human Geography teacher at LHS, could not decide on just one tattoo, so she has collected a variety over the years. From animals to hearts, Meyer has got them all. Students say she will talk for hours about the meaning behind each tattoo. Some of them were designed to conceal the burn scars she received during her time at culinary school. It’s refreshing to know that someone out there still puts thought into tattoos. We do not need any more cringy Harry Potter or Twilight designs that most millennials rashly got in their freshman year of college.

Everyone hopes to love their job when they grow up. They want it to be exciting and keep them entertained. Taylor Stacey, the Geometry teacher at LHS, definitely loves his job. He enjoys seeing his students every day and making them prove why a triangle is, in fact, a triangle. To show his love for his job, he chose to have his favorite shape, a crown, tattooed on his arm. He also did it to remind himself that he is a king. Don’t ask about it, though, or he might make you find the measure of each angle.

Who is the most positive person you can think of? That’s right, Scott Amundson, LHS’s online teacher. Every day, he is sure to greet you with a smile and a corny dad joke. Sometimes Amundson forgets to be positive towards himself; that’s why he decided to tattoo a dinosaur saying “you’re dino-mite,” to remind him he deserves to feel the same love. He hopes that whenever anyone sees his tattoo, they will feel just as inspired as he does.

by Harper Maziarz

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, students are hit with the sudden realization that AP test season is upon us. The stress of preparing for tests can be overwhelming to even think about. There are three main steps to make sure that you are prepared for the weeks ahead. As an avid procrastinator who has definitely not even begun to think about the multitude of tests ahead of her, here is a step-by-step guide to ensure that tests come and go stress-free.

A good night’s sleep: while most will recommend that the best way to ensure mental focus on test day is a full night’s rest, this could not be further from the truth. As you lie in bed the night before the test, reviewing material you have never heard of before, make sure you take some time to scroll through TikTok. Sure, the algorithm is highly unlikely to give you AP subject material or to help you sleep. However, the dopamine from watching ASMR videos will get you pumped for the two-hour exams in a way no full night’s sleep can. Make sure to send those videos to your AP classmates, too, as they will want the competitive edge that only three a.m. doomscrolling can give.

Don’t cram: while scientists and teachers are believers in long-term studying and learning, the real competitive edge comes in high adrenaline, “I’ve never seen this before,” cramming. And of course, the shorter the term, the better. That last 15 minutes right before the exam is your key to a perfect five on AP exams. Try to get at least 80 percent of your cumulative study time crammed into this quarter hour. Just remember that a 140 beats per minute heart rate pounding in your ears is a great sign that you are prepared!

Pick the right pencil: the morning of, nerves are at an all-time high as you shuffle desperately through the folders in your backpack looking for the testing ticket you were given weeks ago and told explicitly not to lose. After finding the crumpled testing ticket at the bottom of your school bag, the second wave of stress appears as you look for an appropriate pencil for the test. The choice between a half-chewed wood pencil and a mechanical pencil with no eraser could determine the fate of your FRQs. It could also make or break your post-testing doodle session. Showing up a few minutes after you were supposed to arrive surely isn’t a big deal, and the added pressure of eyes watching you find your desk will help your brain move faster.

While the fate of AP tests may be stressful and mentally demanding, sticking to the three most important parts of test preparation is sure to keep the testing season running smoothly!

by isabel gillespie & Trey raph

In the early hours of a school morning, on your way to your first period, you hear a faint buzzing noise; you look to your right, and three students are getting bleached buzzes in the hallway. This is usual, so you continue with your day, only to see five couples holding hands, hugging and kissing completely out in the open. Why are these things normalized? We need a reset here at LHS, and it starts by calling out the oddities that are overlooked at our school.

The LHS buzz trend has gotten so out of hand that nearly half the young men have buzzes, many of them bleached and featuring animal prints or designs. No matter how many JROTC and wrestling kids join the trend, it does not get any more normal. According to our calculations, we are projected to run out of hair to buzz at LHS by 2027.

The frequent routine for many freshmen and sophomores is parking in the main lots in the morning and after lunch, causing a shortage of parking for upperclassmen. This is very inconsiderate and disrespectful; parking in the main lot is an exclusive right of passage due to limited space. The “admin guy,” Doug, tries his best to enforce parking passes, but he can’t do it all. Taking advantage of Doug and his recent hip surgery will not be tolerated.

You may have seen the cross country kids running outside in -40°F, rain or snow. Their weekly mileage is probably higher than that of the average car. Why have we never questioned this? Their close-knit group must be hiding a secret. Reliable sources have reported seeing a group of them cross-training at 5:30 a.m. at the pool. Willingly. Why are they up so early? What is Jelen hiding behind that smile? Possibly an underground bunker? Human intelligence network? Or, is their brotherhood a cover-up for Illuminati operations? Suspicious behavior such as this should not be overlooked

A common experience many LHS sophomores and juniors face is the AP Chemistry culture. Jaws is known to have a questionable student following and a group of at least 10 students in his room every morning. This is not normal; kids are too obsessed with this class and need to get a life instead of loitering at Jaws’s desk all day.

There is a time and place… that place is not the hallways when students are trying to mind their own business and get to class. Being overly touchy and exchanging saliva in a public place is something nobody wants to see. Please learn to control your passions for the sake of fellow students, teachers and faculty. If the urge is uncontrollable, please find a more intimate place.

by Kinsley ernster

Have you ever had a message all typed out and your finger hovering over the send arrow, but for some reason couldn’t find the courage to actually hit send? So instead, the words just stay there unsent and leave you wondering what would have happened if you had hit send.

by Charli FiCkbohm

Greetings everyone! I’m Charli, a junior at LHS. You may have seen some of my goofy little drawings in the paper already, but this is something new: my comic strip, Penny Gazette! Some very nice people (maybe against their better judgement) have taken me on as the Statesman’s staff cartoonist.

Check out lhsstatesman. com for more cartoons, which update each week with this QR Code!

design by ViVian kiesow knudsen

artwork by Charli FiCkbohm

by sara Mathison

Teachers at LHS may be great at delivering information to students, creating an educational environment and helping the next generation succeed, but some instructors hide their second occupations.

JODI PENN BUSINESS OWNER SQUIRREL REHABILITATOR

While Jodi Penn may be a mathematician by day, her heart lies with animals in need. Penn opened a rehabilitation center in 2013 in memory of her beloved pet squirrel, Kevin. The rehab center specializes in finding wild flying squirrels and helping them take steps to live on their own again. This center had been a crucial part of the conservation success of the flying squirrel population, and it’s all thanks to Penn’s unconditional love for animals.

During school, you can find Jared Jansen in room A112 teaching accelerated geometry and investigative algebra. On top of his job as a math teacher, Jansen also has a job as a missile engineer. As a result of his incredible math skills and creative thinking, Jansen was recruited to design and test a variety of missiles for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). At the MDA, Jansen gets to fire live missiles to find weaknesses and improve the missiles for combat. Recently, he helped engineer and coordinate the successful combat debut of a precision strike missile.

Ken Doyle may be an excellent history teacher during the day, but after school, you can find him at his secret pastry store. Founded in 2009, Doyle’s Bakery has been producing sweet treats for just under two decades. His bestsellers include his macarons, buttery croissants and tiramisu. Doyle says that this has been his passion since he was a kid and learned to bake with his grandmother.

Jessica Schmit-Moeller might be an amazing counsellor at LHS, but she doesn’t tell anybody about her confidential job. Schmit-Moeller has been working in the FBI for the last decade as an ethical hacker. Her job involves setting up simulated cybersecurity attacks on networks and applications to identify vulnerabilities in these devices. Her work in cybersecurity has exponentially increased the safety of banks, government agencies and large technology firms. Thanks to people like Schmit-Moeller, everyone can trust that their information is

photos by sara Mathison

by sara Mathison

JESSICA SCHMIT-MOELLER COMPUTER HACKER

KEN DOYLE PASTRY CHEF