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.