Lebanon Soccer: Nick Wapelhorst.

The Lebanon soccer program has seen some tough times in the past, but like any team they are working to make a better program. The team has been practicing in the summer before school started, and have greatly improved from past years. The team has over 40 players total which means they will have a strong JV and Varsity teams. The team is looking to improve upon their number of wins and goals this season. Lebanon high school should look forward to their soccer team this year!

A Short Summer Story: Chloe Johnson.

Over the summer my life consisted of family, friends, and softball. My team would go from Arkansas one weekend to Oklahoma the next. While it was all fun and games, I was missing my family and friends back home. Therefore when we'd get home, my mom and I would go visit my great grandmother in the hospital, or any relative who was home. Even through all of the visits, it never made up for my cousins birthday party being missed to play ball. Needless to say, I was excited to start school so I could get a break from it all. Even though there is all the homework, drama, and long nights starting, I've never been more ready. So all I have to say is let's get the ball rolling and do it.

Random Drug Testing: Oakley Banks.

Random drug testing, fair? Let us know what you think. Is it fair that only people that drive and that do after school activities? To me this is utterly unfair. I was just at lunch and happened to sit down and take a completely anonymous interview and the student said that they themselves do smoke illegal substances but do not drive to school and do not attend or do any after school activities. So they said " i cant get in trouble by school, so i dont plan on stopping " how is fair? If it was up to me  everyone would be drug tested. Not just "randomly selected students". In real life (outside of school)  you have to be tested for almost every job you are doing, so why not get kids ready for life? What do you think? Let us know.

Best Day Ever: Austin Belew.

This past summer i went up to St. Louis for Warped Tour 2013. It was from 11 AM to 9 PM. I went there withMason Tidwell, Danny Vasquez, Nick Landreville and 3 other people i didn't know. Once the gates opened we all went to all the tents and got free stuff. Then the bands started playing. I seen 10+ bands and artists but my 3 favorite performances were The Wonder Years, Stick To Your Guns and Bring Me The Horizon. The Wonder Years were the must see for me and they didn't disappoint. The crowd participation was incredible and the band sounded just as good if not better than the album. Stick To Your Guns was just as a good as they are on the album, they had a really small crowd but it was intense and on top of that i seen a guy propose to his girlfriend at the beginning of the song called 'Amber.' Then, Bring Me The Horizon had a most pits and crowd participation as well as the most intense live show of the day for me. Anyway, needless to say it was incredibly fun and I'm going back again next year.

My first day of High School: Saria Collins.

On my very first day of high school ever, I walked into the building with a twinge of anxiety knotted into my stomach. But as soon as I saw the familiar face of my best friend Grace I felt fine. The nerves all seemed to vanish and it made me wonder why I had them in the first place. 

  I sat down In my class looking left and right just to find that not only did I have my best friend Grace in my first hour, I also had other friends also! 

    Not even halfway through first block we got shooed away to Carr Gym to have a little pep talk from the Senior cheerleaders who tried to get us to shake our butts. 

  Finally we made our way to Boswell Gym to be greeted with loud cheers that were erupting out of the Sophomores, Juniors, AND Seniors of Lebanon High School! But seriously, I have no clue why they were screaming!!

    We all did a few cheers that were leaded by cheerleaders (again!) before Mr. Kevin Lowery, our principal, introduced a speaker that had came all the way from California. Eddie Slowikowski.

  He was extremely funny and showed us his extravagant dance moves! Then after his amazing some what speech we all split up to do different things. 

    Now I'm a freshman, so I can't tell you the point of view from a Sophomore, Junior, OR Senior. But anyways, the freshmen all got a talk from Mr. Lowery about school rules until we were led to lunch. Yumm!!

    After lunch we had free ice-cream and even got shirts! Next we all had to go to the rest of our classes which were only 10 minutes each!!! 

    I finished off my first day of High school with a sweaty run in cross country. Bleh! 

  And that was my first day of high school!

Junior Olympics: Wynter Nekola.

In the summer of 2013 I qualified in the 800m to go to the Junior Olympics held in Detroit Michigan. I had worked hard all summer to achieve this goal to move on from just a plain old track runner to a star. Just two weeks before we were supposed to leave I had a track meet in St. Louis and ran the 800m and got my best time of 2.27. Once I had finished my race I had got a sharp pain in my hip and it hurt horribly. I had kept going to practice, but my parents had set up a doctor’s appointment to get my hip x-rayed. I went in two days before I was going to leave for Michigan and found out the worst news I could get at that point in time; I had fractured my left hip. This was not only bad news because I could not race, but also because my freshman year was about to start in 2 weeks, I was devastated. Today I am trying to get through the next 9 weeks and physical therapy to begin my journey for next year. 

My Summer Adventure: Maisey McGinnis.

This summer my family and I took a 18 day trip to Pensacola Beach, Florida. We stayed at a condo right on the beach. While we were there, we went to several different beaches, including Panama City Beach, Destin, and many more. We went snorkeling for sand dollars, saw lots of dolphins, and even got stung by a few jelly fish. The days it was rainy, we spent time at the pool, shopping, Bass Pro Shops, and Putt Putt Golfing! We even found a dead Sand Shark! Sadly the vacation had come to an end so it was time to head home. On our way home we just so happened to make a wrong turn, taking us a completely different route then we were supposed to go, turning our 12 hour trip into a 17 hour journey. The summer of 2k13 was a blast, and I would love to do it again! 

My First day of High School: Braden Moody.

On my very first day of high school i was very nervous, and excited at the same time.. I was very worried that I would not have any classes with any of my friends from the Junior High. When I walked into my Freshman first hour class, I didn't see anyone that i knew, and sat in a random seat. After the pledge Mrs. Latall asked all of us to take turns sharing information with the rest of the class.. It turns out that I have a lot in common with everyone in my class, even my wonderful English teacher Mrs. Latall. After my first hour class, I was on my way to Agricultural science. In the hall I seen all of my friends from last year, and it made me really excited. We took out our class schedules, and compared them. It turnes out that I have classes with everyone!! And I also made some new senior friends in publications class with Ms. Hasty. After my seventh hour class I felt more confident to go back the next day, and I was relieved that I knew some people.. And that was my first day of high school.

My Niece Kynlee: Madison Dame.

When I was fifteen years old someone very special came into my life and changed me of who I am completely. On April 9, 2013 at 11:57am this precious little girl was born. We waited all day and night in the hospital for the "little kicker", we called her, to come out. She was a feisty kid in the womb, kicking her mother every minute of the day. She was ready to come out and meet her family for the first time. The doctors had my sisters pregnancy on an high risk due to her past sicknesses. They told us that her mothers sickness would pass through the placenta to Kynlee's heart and affect her with breathing and many other things to make her unhealthy in the long run. That would also affect her weight to where she would always be a small child. But we all knew she could push through this, and she did.

  I stayed by my sisters side the whole time while she was in the hospital. Never did I leave her. It felt like an honor I was going to be an aunt any hour of the day now. I remember all I thought about was the play dates we are going to plan together and the girls nights we will spend together when she is old enough. It was an honor to see Kynlee be born and to be in the same room when she was welcomed to the world by her family that cherishes her every minute of the day. When everything was done with, the labor was finally over after waiting two days and many hours, the rest of our family came to visit and spent talking about how beautiful and healthy she is. I still never left the room nor my sisters side.

  The first time I held my niece I just sat there crying thanking god every minute for allowing me to have such an honor. An honor that she pushed past all the health issues the doctors said she would have due to my sisters sickness. To have a little girl looking up to me and for me to treat someone with so much dignity and care like she is my own child. She is my world and I will do anything to make the impossible, possible for her. Still until this day I am gratefully honored to have the family members I have and would never change that for anything. Through all the thoughts and prayers, all the doctor trips, all the up all nights with the little kicker kicking her momma, we have something special that came out to be apart of our family.

My Trip to Tennessee: Aaron Shoemaker.

This summer I took a trip to Nashville, TN to watch a weekend of a PGA golf event. My family and I got the pleasure of watching a 14 year old superstar from China play against some of the best golf professionals in the world. I learned a lot from how someone so young can compete on such a level. Also while in Nashville we got to visit Elvis' Graceland and take a tour of his own home. It was very historic and I quickly realized how much Graceland meant to Elvis and his family and what it still means today for the community of Nashville. 

Summer on the Lake: Ryan Mowery.

This summer I had lots of fun! I went to the lake all the time almost ever weekend. I went to my friends lake house for about a whole week and we went tubing and all that stuff. Then I went to a condo and stayed there with my best friend we also went tubing and just had a great time. I didn't get to go on vacation this summer, but I will get to go next summer to Florida. I had to work sometimes but not all the time. I loved my summer it was amazing I hope next summer will be even better.

This Summer's Vacation: Karman Berkich.

This summer was very eventful for me.  Between working every day,cheer practice and two trips to Alabama. Yes I was very busy. This year Oakley and I both got to go on vacation with our families. Expecting to go different places we ended up in the same town both the last week of May and June. Gulf Shores,Alabama is a very laid back relaxing town. The beach was by far my favorite part. As you know siblings will be always a very good source of entertainment. While on our vacations my older sister would not let us go out in the water past our waste, due to her being afraid of sharks. While on Oakley's vacation our beach journey began by Oak throwing a dead fish on his sister. These few weeks were by far the highlight of my summer. Getting to spend a two whole weeks with the people that mean the most to me in my life at a beautiful place was amazing.

My Summer Vacation: Desiree Sherrer.

Over summer I went to six flags. I rode tons of fun rides. Like the Barman and Superman. I also went to my friend allys house. We went swimming  and camping. I also went camping with family and friends. I had church camp too. It was so much fun. I went horseback riding, went to the lake house, rode dirtbikes and had a fish fry. It was tons of fun. Spending time with my family was the best part. I'm exsited for next Sumner. I'm ready to see what this year brings!!!

About my Grandpa: Darrian Dismang.

 I am going to blog about my grandpa because he is a big part of my life. He does so many things for me,and I love him a lot. This summer we found out that my grandpa has cancer. My whole family was very hurt by this. We didn't get down or lose hope, but what we did was encourage him to keep fighting, and to not give up. We gave him courage,hope,faith to keep pushing. When we found out what kind of cancer and how it could be treated, we took action to get rid of it. Cancer is a very serious thing that destroy's family's. It seems that cancer appears so fast. The first thing that came to my mind when I got the news about him getting cancer was..What would I do without him? How did he get it? Why him God? As those things were crossing my mind I thought that he is a strong man,and won't give up. I tried to think positive every trip to the hospital, but it was really hard. He completed his radiation, and now is finishing up his chemo. Most of the time chemo makes you really sick, but not for my grandpa. Every time I went to the hospital with him I felt scared or worried. In the waiting room you sit with other people with cancer, and you see all of them with big smiles and always happy! I always wondered why though because they have this thing inside of them that is causing them to feel pain. So I asked one of the old men in there why he was always happy, and he said he was happy that he has the chance to over come, and if the treatment didn't work that at least he lived his last days how he wanted too. The only thing I could think to say to him was your so thankful and full of nothing but joy. "Our society should be more like people that are struggling who wake up everyday more thankful then they were yesterday",the old man said. Though my grandpa is still fighting, and has a little ways to go, I know he will make it through this because he is strong.  

Regan, A Warrior in the Making: Regan Wilson.

This past summer, I became a warrior by my own definition.

At the start of the summer, I was quickly weighed down by responsibilities that I've never had before. Not only did I have a job at the catholic cemetery, I had to house sit a large house with more plant life than the Amazonian Forest. There were times when I did not think I would have enough time, and I would fail at one of these jobs. However, with the help of my friends, and a lot of time management, I made it through the summer. Luckily, the summer wasn't just work without play. Having a house has its perks for sure. I could listen to music as loud as I wanted, played games as long as I wanted, and eat however much I wanted, so long as it didn't interfere with my home owning duties.

My Grandfather: Briana Robb.

Over the summer my grandpa started having trouble breathing. He refused and refused to go to the hospital and claimed "nothing is wrong" he would always say. He finally came to his senses and went to the doctor. A couple days later he got all his test results back. His results stated that he had a bad heart and has diabetes. He then was told he would have to haveOpen Heart Surgery. It impacted my family a lot being that his health was low. Then the day of the surgery came. Everyone had to be at the Springfield Hospital at 5:30 that morning so getting up at 3 was a struggle! We all arove at the hospital and went to his room. Then we had to say good-bye just in case he didnt make it out of the surgery alive. Everyone got really worried for him but he told everyone not to worry he would be okay. It relieved us all after he said that. It comforted us all. We sat in the waiting room all waiting in hope that he would come back through those doors alive. After 12 hours of waiting we saw his doctor and he took us in the back room and assured us he was doing better and that they had found a hole in his heart in the process. They said they patched it while in surgery too. Later that day we finally got to see him although he was still in amnesia so he couldnt talk or anything. He is currently doing a whole lot better and we are thankful for it!

This Summer: Lacy Messer.

This summer I really didn't do anything but work at taco bell. Working all summer made it go by fast. Also it made this school yet come here so fast to. The best part about working at taco bell all summer I met new people and became friends with them. What I do at my job is I work drive thru. I work counter and I also make the food. The best part about working at taco bell is the employees get free drinks and 50% off all the food on the menus. I thought after I started working there I would not want to eat any of taco bells food. I eat it all the time. More than before, when I didn't work there. I had the boringest summer ever! 

A Week to Change a Lifetime: Denise Elam.

This past June I had the wonderful opportunity to join over 800 other girls (including two from LHS) at Girls State 2013.

Girls State is a program that allows several students from various high schools all across the state (each state has their own program) to come together to create an imaginary government. Upon arrival the delegates are assigned a city and town and party, and soon they are thrown into a world where they can be anything they want to be – literally. Those who aspire to someday be Mayor or Attorney General or even Governor can create posters and slogans and meet new people and reel in the votes. Depending on your title, if you win the election you get to participate in mock trials and debates.

The week I spent at Girls State was a week full of non-stop activities, including a flag raising/lowering each day, a banner parade, a state fair, and, my personal favorite, listening to highly acclaimed politicians and businesswomen give speeches. Former Missouri Governor Roy Blunt was one of the speakers, as well as John Wright of the Missouri House of Representatives, Senator Claire McCaskill, and Governor Jay Nixon. Those interested in asking questions were allowed to do so, and it was a wonderful way to get real answers on the tough issues we are dealing with today. Delegates also have the opportunity to receive college credit from the class of their choosing that they must attend during the program. One day at Girls State felt like more like five, especially if you stayed up until almost three in the morning playing games and eating chips on your last night with the girls in your city.

When I first heard that Girls State would be all about government, I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to do. Sure, I’d learned about it in school, but it just wasn’t something I was interested in at the time. I’m so glad I went because I left Girls State knowing so much more about Government than I ever had before. I even got to sit in the Missouri House of Representatives and debate bills. I left with lifelong friends, one of whom wasn’t even from this country (21 delegates were from China). I also left with a stronger sense of self; a stronger belief that all that I aspire to be I can be.

I’d encourage anyone who wants to have a Week To Change a Lifetime to check out a Girls (or Boys) State program in your area. You won’t regret it.

P.s. FED RED!!

P.p.s. BLAIR FLARES!

This Summer: Roberta Hatmon.

This summer was the best one I have had so far. In the summer of 2013 I have had a fun time hanging out with friends and family, I also had a chance to go to Tennessee to visit my sister and help babysit her wonderful daughters (my neices) Sophia, Semaiah, and Sharon while my Sister Sarah and my Brother-in-law Fred helped with the teens at their church camp. Also while having such a great summer i was able to hold down a job as a crew member at Hardee's of Lebanon. I can honestly say that i absolutely love my job and the people that i work with. Well that sums up my summer, hope you enjoyed yours as well!

Summer Fun: Taylor Blattel.

Over the summer, I had a wonderful time at my friend, Hayley Degraw's house. It was a good time. We were just trying to have a good time, but went wrong. I told hayley to sit inside a cozy coupe car and I tied a rope from the car to the back of the bicycle. We were going down the driveway and we hit a dip from the end of the driveway to the road. I stopped and watched Hayley flew out and landed on her head. She laid there for a minute and I iran to pick her up. She looked at me and said, “Is it bleeding?”, I quickly ran to the house to get her mom. I turned around to see Hayley walking like a zombie, blood gushing down her face. She looked at my with cloudy eyes and said, “My head hurts.” her mom came out and said, “Hayley, are you okay?!” “I dont know.” Said Hayley, Faded. Hayley laid down on the sidewalk. Luckily, the neighbor was over she's a nurse. Hayley went to the emergency room that night. She had a major concussion and a huge knot on the side of her head. She survived although, she was scarred emotionally and developed a fear of kozy koupe cars. She cries at the sight of them now.In the end she was okay and we to this day do not touch a cozy coupe car.

Best Summer Ever: Chance Myers.

This past summer was really fun, I mean I honestly 

could say this was the best summer ever. One of the things that made me really enjoy this summer was that have played so much baseball and football it wore me out. We played so many games and tournaments. And having football the morning before the games just made me tired but it was fun. I also went to Ohio this summer and got to see my baby cousin. It was kindalucky because I found a fifty doller bill and a pair of Oakley`s which was just awesome. But I mean it was really fun and i enjoyed it alot. And cannot wait for next summer.

Summer 2013: Cheyanne Bailey.

Over the summer I and my friend Tiffany had the opportunity to go to the state fair to see Toby Keith in concert. Tiffany had never been and it was a definite memory. We rode rides for half the time. Then the time came and it was time to see Toby Keith. She was so excited. The drive up there she was all jittery didn't know what she was going to encounter, but she was eager. When we walked into the stadium we stood at the top of the stairs and she took in a deep breath and just couldn’t believe she was there. She then started running up to our seats and the anticipation of him coming out took forever. When he came out she couldnt sit still. After the concert was over she didnt have a voice anymore. It was all well worth it.  

My Summer Vacation: Kisha Nelson.

Over the summer, I did a lot of things. But the best thing was going on vacation! We went to Silver Dollar City for 3 days. So Sunday morning we left for our trip, and got to Silver Dollar City. My dad and I rode a lot of rides together! It was good for a family alone time! Dad wanted to ride Outlaw Run, but the line was way too long! I wish we could have rode it tho! I had the best summer in my entire life! I cannot wait to go back again! It was the funniest thing in the world:)

This Summer: Cassandra Moss.

Mostly, I had a very boring summer, but there was one good thing about it that made the rest easy to forget. Oh June 23rd my best friend, my sister, and I all got to go to a Brantlry Gilbert, Tim McGraw, and Love && Theft concert. I mainly went to seeBrantley Gilbert, but the other two were alright. I loved every minute of it. Well, except the heat, and the car ride. The car ride was only supposed to take us about 4 hours, but we got lost. So it actually took us about six. It was all worth it in the end, I got to see my favorite country singer!

Updates from a World Traveler: Kaylee Crawford.

"I love taking japanese photo booth pictures because they're so cute!"

Japan is probably my favorite place in the entire world. I'm awfully spoiled to be able to have gone twice in the last year! I want to live there when I'm older, and I'm confident I have the means to. I probably won't be able to go again for at least 5 years in which I would be
travelling alone--which is awfully nerve-wracking--but I enjoy the times
I've been there so much. I learn new things about the land I want to live
in that make me want to live in it more.
As an aspiring idol, I got to perform in a car to j-pop music. I was surprised at how much the customers liked it, because I didn't think it was
anything special. Maybe it was special to them because I was a foreigner and there's barely any of me over there, haha! I had ladies dancing with me and people singing with me, it was probably one of the best memories of my
life. I also got to visit a lolita shop, and for those of you who don't know,
lolita is a fashion that I absolutely love! I got a brand name dress, which was so expensive but so worth it! I feel like the brand is similar to,
like, Prada here, haha! I also won an alpaca. My sister collects these stuffed animal alpacas, but
I'm starting to steal her collection. So far I just have two big ones,
named Patty and Little Miss Sugar Cakes. Alpacas tie along with bunnies for
my favourite animal. I was sad to go, but happy that I got to learn more, speak a little
japanese myself, and experience things I didn't get to last time. I was
only there for a week, but I know just enough to get me excited to see all
the things for myself I didn't have time to see.
As soon as I finish my senior year, I'll be one step closer to acheiving my
dream! <3