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!