LHS takes care of its own

For 83 LHS families in need the holiday season will be a little brighter.

Food baskets and gift certificates were distributed to these families, benefiting a total of 94 LHS students.

Much of the food was collected in the annual Student Council sponsored food drive in Student Enrichment Block (SEB) classes. The classes gathered a total of 1,974 pounds of food, plus 11 extra turkeys that were donated by interested community member Joe Linde.

Although the food drive brought in 2,641 pounds of food last year, it was able to feed twice as many families this year.

"Contests to see which SEB can raise the most food always gets the students going on the food drive," said student body president Kaelee Aegerter.

The winner of this year’s contest was Tim Daniels’ SEB with a total of 197 pounds, winning a pizza and Pepsi product party. Second place was Misty Ryan’s SEB with 185 pounds, winning a doughnut and Pepsi product party. Cory Scimeca’s SEB was third with140 pounds, winning a Pepsi product party. Fourth place was Tammy Schroeder’s SEB with128 pounds.

--T.J. Kotby and Mary Beth Schott

"Make a Change" raises $1,009



A total of $1,009.18 was raised in this month’s "Make a Change" contest.

This amount weighted over 96 pounds and exceeded last December’s total--$579.02—by $430.16.

Earlier this month the sponsor of the contest—Multicultural Group—distributed donation cans to seventh block Student Enrichment Blocks and asked students to give their spare change even it was a small donation. They were then responsible for collecting and counting the money that was later added to the Holiday Helpers totals.

--Tenae Mascarenas

Helpers organize food drive

The faculty Holiday Helpers committee was in charge of organizing the distribution of the food collected by Student Council and the money collected by Multicultural Group.

The faculty group also donated holiday turkeys and hams for LHS families in need.

Cash collected was used to purchase additional food and gift items for the LHS families.

The Holiday Helpers distributed the food baskets and gift certificates to the LHS families in need the week of Dec. 15.

Faculty members enjoy singing

Six to ten LHS faculty members gathered during lunch on Thursdays to sing Christmas Carols.

For the past two weeks the staff members have gathered in Sandy Steele’s music room to sing Christmas Carols, laugh and have some fun. "We are working on improving our vocal capabilities through Christmas music," said Tim Daniels when asked to comment. Daniels and Steele came up with the idea to invite all interested faculty members to the event.

When asked what the purpose of this was Daniels responded, "Oh, it’s just for fun, just trying to spread around a little holiday cheer."

--Kyle Gore

Holiday concert enjoyed

Students from the choirs and orchestra breathed a sigh of relief after their combined concert Dec. 16 in Van Blair Auditorium.

"All the groups, especially the Guys, sounded great," commented orchestra member Nafisah Ula. The choirs sang a number of songs, as well as the orchestra. They combined at the end of the concert to sing, "Joy to the World."

The next choir concert will be in the spring. It will be a riverboat show, complete with singing and dancing.

--Kyle Clark

Speech team competes at East

At what speech coach Patty Smith called the first big tournament and the first tournament varsity were allowed to compete at, LHS faced 35 different teams from four different states Dec. 12-13 at Cheyenne East.

The nine members who competed all had a successful tournament.

Senior Heather Moore debated to a third place finish in Lincoln Douglas. Senior Tiffany Wilson finished tenth in Lincoln Douglas with a 3-1 record and reached semi-finals in extempt.

Junior Mandy Smith and sophomore Kayleigh Cook went 2-2 in policy debate, while juniors Max Rerucha and Matt Shaw finished 2-2 also. Sophomores Josh Skinner and Charles Galey went 3-1 in policy’s novice division.

Coach Smith also commented on the success of junior Jesse Lenard’s oratory selection.

LHS will be off during the holiday break but will be back in action at Cheyenne Central Jan. 9-10.

-- Nathan Jones

LHS 25 years ago recalled

This column will feature a brief summary of a bureau article that originally appeared in the Boomerang during the 1978-79 school year.

The bureau scrapbook from those two years serves as a source.

Dec. 23, 1978: Food boxes, Christmas caroling and intra-school Christmas cards all put LHS students and faculty into the Christmas mood this past week at LHS.

The annual food box competition was divided into two categories. Third period classes with 24 or less students qualified for the small-class size group, while larger classes were placed in the larger classes were placed in the large-class group. Winners in the small group were Tim Collins, first; Gwen Cruickshank, second; and Paul Soriano, third.

Top winners in the large division were classes taught by Donna Thompson, Pete Vasek, Lynette Walthall and Keith Smueles.

Social studies teacher Keith Smueles won the Spanish Club piñata raffle.

Student Council has been busy this week with intra-school Christmas cards and singing Christmas carols. Council members also went caroling Monday evening at the Ivinson Home.

On Dec.19 the music department presented its Christmas concert. The Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, Plainsmen Singers, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band and Symphonic Band all performed, with the mass-bands, orchestra, and Hallelujah Chorus as the finale.

Classes at the high school will resume Jan. 3 following the 13-day vacation.

--Angela Pisciotti