LPHS FFA held a petting zoo for LPCSC second grade students on the lacrosse field on May 7.

This is the second year that the petting zoo has been held at LPHS and taught visitors that agriculture is more than just animals on a farm. The petting zoo teaches the students about the different kinds of tractors, recycling, seeds, and drones that all make agriculture possible.

At the petting zoo, several different stations were organized and run by students in FFA. The stations were Touch a Truck/Tractor, two animal stations, Purdue Extension teaching about drones, a recycling station to teach the difference between trash and recycling, a forestry and wildlife station where students were taught about beaver dams, a bee station to teach them about bee anatomy, an ag mech station where students were taught about plumbing, a plant and soil station where students were taught about germinating seeds, and a natural resources station where students were taught about getting maple syrup. There were also two calves, two goats, two pigs, a rabbit, three sheep, and a horse in the petting zoo.

All of the equipment/animals that were used in the petting zoo we brought in by FFA members or community members. They were:

•  Dylan Stephany- Cows
• Ava Redlin- Sheep
• Noah Banks- Pigs
• Ophelia Baughman- Horse
• Dakota Kennedy & Bella Galvas- Goats
• Kennedy Fick- Bunny
• Brennen Schau & Spectrum Recycling- Semi Truck
• Sam Metcalf & Metcalf Farms- Farmall H
• Tyler Lambert & Lambert Farms- 4430 John Deere Tractor
• Hayden Lambert & Koehn Farms- 1456 International Tractor
• Jadon Koehn & Koehn Farms- 856 International Tractor
• Ross Esposito- Kabota Tractor
• Jesi Davenport from Purdue Extension- Drones

There were burgers and hot dogs provided by I Street Meats and Sims Meats that were prepared by Mr. Brault and served to the FFA members.

LPHS Art Department and Tri Kappa hosted the Tri Kappa Art Show at LPHS on April 25 from 5-7 p.m.

The Tri Kappa Art Show is an event that displays different forms of art such as black and white drawings, color drawings with pastel and soft pastel, watercolor paintings, oils and acrylic paintings, miscellaneous sculptures, large-scale sculptures, functional ceramics, non-functional ceramics, photography, 3D, and jewelry. Artwork from all LPCSC schools is showcased as well.

There were about 400 people who attended the show, including professional artists from New Buffalo who voted for the winners of each section. The winners are:

• Zoey Obadencio: Best in Show
• Alexis Latronica: Color Drawings, Pastel and Soft Pastel
• Skylar Fettinger: Paintings- Watercolor
• Kirstyn Mosier: Paintings- Oil and Acrylic 
• Zoey Obadencio: Sculpture- Large Scale 
• Elizabeth Wallace: Sculpture- Miscellaneous
• Asher Lower: Ceramics- Functional 
• Micah Mann: Ceramics- Non-Functional
• Zachary Wheeland: Photography
• Stella Eikens: 3D
• Brianna Hunter: Jewelry

The art show has been around for over 25 years, and would not be possible without the art department at LPHS or Tri Kappa.

The Outstanding Students for the 2024-2025 school year were announced at the Top 10% Banquet on April 21.

To become an Outstanding Student, teachers nominate and vote for who they believe deserves the title. In the first round of voting, each teacher will nominate one student per grade. Once the votes are totaled, the students from each grade who receive the most votes are put on a ballot, and each staff member will choose one student from each grade. 

The Outstanding students are Jenna Hertges, Molly Cooper, Anna Beck, and Drew Bush. 

Hertges, the Outstanding Student for the freshman class, is involved in many school and outside-of-school activities. In school, she partakes in Girl Reserves, LPHS Girls’ Track and Field, and LPHS Cheer. Outside of school, she enjoys sewing, walking, and scrapbooking, spending time with friends and family, and being involved in musicals at the LaPorte Little Theatre.

Cooper, the Outstanding Student for the sophomore class, is involved in many arts programs in and out of LPHS. In school, Cooper is involved in Girl Reserves, LPHS Girls’ Track and Field, and Theatre Club. Outside of school, Cooper takes dance classes, is involved in the LaPorte Little Theatre, and plays guitar and sings at open mic nights at The Acorn and the Lubeznik Center.

Beck, the Outstanding Student for the junior class, is involved in a plethora of activities inside and outside of school including Girl Reserves, varsity girls’ track, is the varsity captain of the LPHS Girls’ Soccer team, Student Athletic Council, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she is involved in club soccer, 4-H, traveling and being outside, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Bush, the Outstanding Student for the senior class, is involved varsity boys’ tennis, boys’ basketball as the statistician, Student Athletic Council, and FCA. Outside of school, he enjoys camping and hiking, going to the gym, playing cards and board games, and hanging out with family and friends.

Each student received a plaque and were honored in front of the banquet crowd.

Mrs. Lebo and Mrs. Mendez are holding Say Yes to the Dress at LPHS until May 3.

Say Yes to the Dress is an event that allows students to choose a dress, accessories, and shoes for free for the upcoming Prom.

This event has been led by Mrs. Lebo since 2017, but it was initially started 14 years ago by former board member Amy Jackson.

Say Yes to the Dress has returned to LPHS for 14 years because it positively impacts everyone at LPHS and helps provide Slicers with items they may not be able to afford.

“Say Yes to the Dress is expected to continue annually due to its positive impact on students at LPHS and the community. Over the last 14 years, it has developed a significant following among students. The idea of providing students with free formal dresses for Prom is a positive opportunity for many students,” Lebo said.

Donations from individuals, local businesses, and bridal shops provide all of the dresses, accessories, and shoes. 

The prom will take place at the Civic Auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 3. The tickets cost $ and they are available in the front office

Any students interested in a dress, accessories, or shoes from the collection, visit (AR-1) or (AR-2). For any further questions, contact mlebo@lpcsc.k12.in.us.

*Photo Credit Lindsey Cooper

The LPHS Performing Arts will present Mean Girls: The Musical based on the 2004 film of the same name in the LPHS auditorium on March 14 and 15.

According to Wikipedia, Mean Girls is a rock musical about Cady Heron, a high school student, who transferred to a public school after being homeschooled in Africa all her life. The musical displays the struggles of a social hierarchy and the choice of popularity or loyalty.

The cast and crew have been rehearsing for the musical since January. 

The play will be funny and comical but also display some real-world issues that kids deal with now.

“People should see this show because of the incredibly talented people in the cast!  It also has a great message that is very topical today,” director and LPHS teacher Timothy Hanson said.

There will be four showings of the musical: a preview on March 13 at 6 p.m., opening night on March 14 at 6 p.m., and the final shows will be on March 15 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.1Tickets will be $10 at the door. 

For any further questions, email thanson@lpcsc.k12.in.us or shanson@lpcsc.k12.in.us.

The cast for Mean Girls is:

1. Damian - Nick Oss 2. Janis - Ellie Hopper 3. Cady Heron - Cami Ruiz 4. Regina George - Molly Cooper 5. Gretchen - Layna Hannon 6. Karen - Halyn Pumroy 7. Aaron Samuels - Andy Hayes 8. Kevin G. - Keith Berrier 9. Ms. Norbury - Emily Hunt 10. Mrs. George - Kairah Ohime 11. Mr. Duvall, Martin J. - Christian McGuire 12. Mrs. Heron - Hannah Delaney 13. Mr. Heron, Tyler K. - Felix Goff 14. Sonja Acquino - Elise Eldridge 15. Taylor Wedell - Nev Nelson 16.  Rachel Hamilton - Karsyn Klein 17.  Mr. Buck, Jason W., Glenn C.,  Marymount 3 - Orion McNew 18.  Mathlete Moderator - Alora Moss 19.  Dawn Schweitzer - Anaya Cunningham 20.  French Teacher, Caroline K. - Kirstyn Mosier 21.  Coach Carr, Christian, Marymount 2 - Damion McCrudden 22.  Teary Girl  - Bailey Emerick

The LPHS Student Council will host a Staff vs. Senior basketball game in the main gym to raise money for Riley Children's Hospital on March 11 at 7 p.m.

The Student Council has been holding the fundrasier game for years. LPHS continues to bring back the event because both the students and staff enjoy it, and it helps raise money for a good cause--Riley Children’s Hospital.

The fee to watch the game will be $3 in cash at the front door. For each ticket bought, a dollar of it will go to Riley Children’s Hospital. The rest will go toward the LPHS Student Council for future events.

Student Council will also be selling bracelets and temporary tattoos. The tattoos will be two for $1 and the bracelets will be one for $1. All of the proceeds earned from these will also go toward the Riley Children’s Hospital. Concessions will also be available during the game.

For any further questions, email Lowry at: alowry@lpcsc.k12.in.us

The Play for Jake Foundation is offering free preventative heart screenings for high school students in the small gym at LPHS on March 20 and 21.

The heart screenings would not be possible without the Play for Jake and Zac Mago Foundation. 1The Play For Jake and Zac Mago Foundation travel to different areas to educate and spread awareness about how to protect teenage hearts and the dangers of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). They also hold events to raise funds for AEDs and heart screenings. 

During the screenings, each student will receive a weight and height measurement, blood pressure reading, electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram (ECHO). 

By receiving a heart screening, students may be able to treat any heart conditions that they might have without even showing any symptoms.

“I feel parents should register their child for a heart screening because it’s so important that they know the condition of their child’s heart. With Jake having no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong with his heart and passing every school and sports physical gave me a false sense of security,” founder of the Play for Jake Foundation Julie West said.

Julie West’s son, Jake West, was a student at LPHS. Before passing, he was involved in many sports and school activities. Jake passed away during a football practice after going into cardiac arrest. He had a deadly underlying heart condition, but no one knew because there were no signs. 

Any students under the age of 18 must have parental permission and signatures to register for a heart screening.

To register for a heart screening, use the link below:\ https://preventativeheartscreening.as.me/schedule/4f4e569a/?calendarIds=11278390

While there are many pathways offered at LPHS, one of the most popular ones offered is Culinary Arts. 

This pathway is directed toward students who wish to develop skills both in or out of the culinary industry such as sanitation, nutrition, and other essential life and career skills. The Culinary pathway consists of three classes: Principles of Culinary and Hospitality, Nutrition, and Culinary Arts. 

The first class in the Culinary pathway is Principles of Culinary and Hospitality. This pathway is designed to help students develop an understanding of the hospitality industry and the career opportunities that follow. They will also learn the basic fundamentals of food preparation such as sanitation, service procedures, and safety practices with equipment that are used in the food sevice industry. Students will have 20 food labs and a few projects on fruits, vegetables, herbs and seasonings, and dairy where there are no labs that go with them. They will also complete projects that involve learning about the Culinary/Hospitality industry where students can learn more about different careers in the industry.

The second class in the pathway is Nutrition. This class will teach students the characteristics, functions, and food sources of the major nutrient groups and how to maximize nutrient retention in food preparation and storage. This course will engage students in hands-on learning of nutritional concepts such as preparing nutrient-dense meals or examining nutritional needs of student-athletes. In Nutrition, students will make a nutrients, digestion, vitamins, and minerals board game and MyPlate.

The last course in this pathway is Culinary Arts. This pathway will teach students how to prepare the four major stocks, the five mother sauces (in addition to smaller sauces), and various soups. They will also learn classical cooking techniques and the fundamentals of baking science. These fundamentals are terminology, ingredients, weight and measures, and the proper use and care of equipment. 

The Culinary pathway will help students develop skills that will be extremely useful in the future whether they choose to go into food service after high school or not. 

“Students will explore career opportunities in the food service industry, gain knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating, participate in hands-on projects, and build teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. This pathway is perfect for students who love working with food, enjoy hands-on learning, and want to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality industries,” Principle of Culinary Arts and Nutrition teacher Emily Upp said.

For more information about this pathway visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzzP0GV95fUZAIDWxfsvLX8aHGirYjlddMJNBDUfetE/edit?tab=t.0