GENDER NEUTRAL ATTIRE

president Daryn Berryhill said. “To honor those that pushed through hard times, through the pain, to leave space for us today.”

Gathering to the southside of the library, students, alumni, faculty and community members began a march around the courtyard in honor of the ancestors who attended Haskell or similar schools.

“It really means a lot to me to be here today and honor my grandfather,” freshman Edward Roman Nose said. “He went to a boarding school, and I’m excited to tell him about it. I think a lot of us have family members that we are proud to honor today being here.”

Bellissima gets new outfits, more inclusive options

BY CHANNING MORSE STAFF REPORTER

The Bellissima choir added a gender neutral option for students to wear during concerts.

Bellissima choir is the soprano/alto choir, and up until this year singers didn’t have another concert option that wasn’t a red dress. The new attire options allow the choice of black dress pants and a black shirt.

These costumes were funded by the district, rather than the choir having to raise the money. But students still played a big part in choosing of the attire.

“We created a committee of students who could look at styles and sample uniforms to make a recommendation,” Director Dwayne Dunn said. “Once the sample uniforms came in, students on the committee were able to try them on and discuss how they fit, how they looked, how they might work with different body types.”

Choir members wanted to add this option as a way to help students feel more comfortable.

“One of our main focuses is on being a family and everyone being comfortable,” sophomore Ava Kohart said. “Having this alternative from strictly a dress is really, really important and is helping the choir to start becoming more inclusive for everyone.”

LHS commemorates 100th year of school band with special show

BY AVERY SLOYER STAFF REPORTER

Band at Lawrence High has been bringing students and staff together for many years. But, this year, those connections were truly special: it’s the 100th anniversary of the Marching Lions.

For the past 21 years, Mike Jones has been the band teacher and has helped uphold tradition for the school.

“I really love this school for the reason that we have a lot of tradition we’re standing on,” Jones said. “And it’s just not us and it’s just not me since 2001. I have people that have done this before me and students that have done this before them since 1922, and there have been some amazing things that have happened during that time.”

This anniversary was important for students. This allowed them to learn some of the history and traditions the band has brought to the school. It has had a significant impact on junior drum major Lauren Seybold.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the 100th band, especially as a drum major, one of the people leading it.” Seybold said. “There’s a lot of historical stuff that we’re bringing back to honor that it’s the 100th year, and I think it’s just really cool.”

In Time With The

This year the band’s competition piece titled “Centennial Celebration” brought back different aspects of the band’s history. They celebrated the anniversary by combining new and old music and writing it into one piece.

“It’s a special show that is based on the Lawrence High alma mater and the Lawrence High fight song and we’ll talk through a little bit of the history of the band,” Jones said.

Senior Milo Bitters designed T-shirts which shows the evolution of the band. Bitters went through old yearbooks and showcased the old Chestys and old band uniforms on the shirt.

“It was just this big history project basically and I really enjoyed doing it,” Bitters said.

Band has a history of bringing students together through football games and school activities.

“The band is a big community for everybody,” Seybold said. “But we also get to propel LHS spirit for everybody including ourselves.”

While the band brought music and pride to Lawrence High through games and activities, it also had a major impact on the students in band.

“I just really enjoy meeting new people, learning people’s names, getting to know them and leading them to be great and produce the best music and best show that we can and have a good time,” Bitters said. “I think everybody just wants to have a good time in band, and that’s why we’re here.”

Jones talked to students about the importance of this anniversary and what traditions they were upholding.

“We also talk a lot about honoring the band because it’s been here for so long and we want to do it justice as it has all these past years,” Seybold said.

Jones said he explained to students that teaching at Lawrence High is an honor and how having a small piece of the band’s history is an honor. He wants his students to recognize the importance of this history.

“I want them to understand that what you’re doing right now is important, it’s important for the people that came before you, it’s important for the people who are coming after you,” Jones said. “This is your time now.”

Performing between the gyms, senior Jack Stutler plays at Rally Around the Lion. “Being a part of the band during the 100year anniversary has been cool because I’ve met with alumni, and I’ve heard about the memories they’ve made in band,” Stutler said. “I can’t wait to hear about the memories that future band students are going to make.” Photo by Koen Myers