The Soarer - Issue 2

TheSoarer

The latest LHS Publications news, views and announcements

First and Foremost...

Thankyouforreadingourfirstvolume oftheSoarer!Weareexcitedtoannounce thatTheSoarerwillnowbeanannual publication Ourteamissteadilygrowing andwearethrilledforthechancetoadd thisnewtraditiontoourrosteramongour otherpublications

You,dearalumni,haveworkedhard(in andoutofourprogram),andwewantto acknowledgeandsharethat Bycreating TheSoarer,we’restrivingtogivealumni therecognitiontheydeserve,andcurrent studentsachancetoseewhoheldthe torchinpreviousyearsandtheirsuccess afterthefact

Toreiterate;thankyou,reader,forjoining usonthisjourney Wearesteadfastly growingintowhatwecanonlyhopeisa timelessadditiontoourprogram We hopethatyoucontinuetoenjoyThe Soarerforyearstocome Lookforusin yourinboxagainnextfall!

Withlovealways, KayCopeland&AbbieLuker

Editor-in-Chief&AssistantEditor

Alumni

Spotlight:

Eleanor McCrary

Class of '18

Inacitylikenoother,fourseniors, fourjuniors,threesophomores,and afreshmannavigatedthroughthe streetsofSanFrancisco’stenderloin district Onthistrip,LHSPublications memberslearneddifferentways theycouldimprovetheirpublication classesandprogramoverall

LillyFister’s(11)favoritepartofthe conventionwas,“Learninglotsof newsocialmediatechniquesto takehometooursocialmedia team”

Throughattendingsessionsheld bybothstudentsandother publicationteachers,otherswere abletolearnnewwaystousesocial media,changeupabroadcast program,designabetterworking website,usecreativethemesand modswhiledesigningyearbooks andjustoverallfindthebestwaysto haveacooperativepublication team.

photobyS.Davis

TalonYearbookEditor-in-ChiefRhettCunningham(12) celebratesholdingthePacemakerFinalistawardwith WeeklyContentEditorAlixQueen(12).“Ihavegiven mylifetothisprogramforthelastfouryearsandIamso proudofhowfarthisstaffhascome,”Queensaid.

NSPABestofShow

Yearbook/32-252pgs

TalonYearbook

SecondPlace

FeatureBroadcastStory

MeganGeisler

FifthPlace

EditorialLeadership

RhettCunningham

FifthPlace

IndividualAwards

SportsWriting

SydneyDavis

HonorableMention

FeatureWriting

LillyBrown

HonorableMention

ReviewWriting

MeganGeisler

HonorableMention

cont on next page

EleanorMcCrary,a remarkablealumnaof LibertyHighSchool Publications,having embarkedonan extraordinarypathin theworldof journalism Fromher beginningsasa studentgrappling withchoosing betweenherpassion forwritinganda potentialcareerinthe medicalfield,toher currentroleasa climatefact-check fellowatUSATODAY, McCrary'sjourneyis oneofdetermination, growthanda steadfast commitmenttothe powerofjournalism

Enteringthe UniversityofMissouri asaWalterWilliams Scholar,McCrary foundherself surroundedbylikemindedindividuals andimmersedinan environmentthat fosteredhands-on learning Fromher freshmanyear,she beganpublishingher workatreputable outletssuchasthe ColumbiaMissourian, KOMU,KBIAandthe GlobalJournalist

"Thisisoneofthe incrediblethings abouttheUniversityof MissouriSchoolof Journalism-youlearn bydoing,"McCrary details."Iwasableto walkawayfrommy undergraduate degreewithsomany differentstoriesonmy portfolio."

Assheprogressed throughherstudies, McCrary'sinterests expanded Taking advancedclassesand workingasahigher educationreporterat theColumbia Missourian,she unexpectedlyfounda deeppassionfor

reportingon education

Furthermore,she expertlyweavedher scientificcuriosityinto herstories,resultingin uniqueand captivatingangles.

"Formysenior capstonein investigativereporting, Ichosetospendfour monthsexamining theconditionsof LGBTQ+healthcarein mid-Missouri.Itwas incrediblyrewarding andmademerealize howmuchIloved healthreporting" McCrarydetails,"Since then,I’vecontinuedto trytocombinemy passionsforscience andjournalism,which hasbeenamazing!It’s crazytothinkbackto mytimeatLiberty whenIfeltlikeIhadto choosebetweenthe two It’stotallypossible tocombineyour passionstogether instead" McCrarywouldgo ontoenrollinMizzou's 5-yearMasterofArtsin journalismprogram, choosingtospecialize indataand investigative journalism Her journeytookanother significantturnwhen sheinternedatthe CourierJournalin Louisville,Ky asanews reporter.

Currently,McCraryis onafellowshipatUSA TODAYasaclimate fact-checkfellow

providedbyE.McCrary

EleanorMcCraryonthered carpetattheWhiteHouse Correspondents’Dinneron April29,2023.

Publicationsstudentsposetogetherwiththeir NSPAawardsaftertheceremony.

photobyLHSPublications

TheSoarer

cont from last page

IndividualAwardscont. Newswriting

GavinBlock

HonorableMention

VideoPackageEditing

BradenAltrup

HonorableMention

JEAQuizBowlFinalistParticipants

LillyBrown

LillyFister

GavinBlock

ParkerSethaler

LHS

by Zoe Snell, Reporter

BoardofEducationcandidatesDavid Lewis,DavidBiesenthalandBradWelsh participatedinastudent-ledtownhall forumonMarch28intheauditorium

Eachmemberwasgiventhe opportunitytosharetheirplatform throughthelivestreamedforum

ExecutiveproducerRhettCunningham hasbeenparticipatingthetownhallall threeyears Cunninghamemphasized thatourfullystudent-ledforumis importantbecausewearetheonlyschool thatdoesitanditgivesusandour candidatesachancetoconnectwithour community

Thetownhallisafullystudent-led forum,providingcandidateswitha platformtointroducethemselvesand presenttheirvisiontothecommunity.LHS Publicationsdevotedweeksputtingthisall together,meetingseveraltimesaweek andpostingontheWSDBOETownHall Facebook

“Iamextremelyproudofhow everythingturnedout,everyoneworked reallyhard,”Cunninghamsaid

KayCopelandalsoservedasan executiveproducerandstressedthe importanceoftheeventforthe communitymemberswhoheadtothe pollstovoteTuesday,April4

“Itallowsustoensuretransparency withinourcommunityandbridgethegap betweentheschoolboard,parentsand constituentsoftheWentzvilleSchool District,”Copelandsaid

Thenightbeganwithmoderators MeganGeislerandAnumithaVaka welcomingviewers Afterthat,each memberwasgiven60secondsto introducethemselves Afterthat,thefirst roundofgeneralquestioningbegan

Thefirstthreegeneralquestionswere constructedbytheresearchteamusing communityresponsestoaGoogleForm sentoutearlierinthemonth The questionsaskedpertainedtostaff shortages,curriculumconcernsand financialresponsibilities Eachcandidate wasgiven90secondstoanswereach question.

Duringa10-minuteintermission, viewerswereabletosubmitquestionslive throughaGoogleFormwhilethestudent teamattheeventchosethreequestions toaskourcandidates Questionsasked wereaboutschoolchoicelegislation, creatingsafeenvironmentsforour students,andthefinalquestionwasabout politicaldonations

What's Up, Caleb?

CalebWoodsisa formerLHS Publications memberwho graduatedbackin 2019.Eversince,he's beenkeepinghis journalismcareer going Woodsnowhosts twopodcaststhat heruns; one entitled"WhatThe FAQ!".Ashe explains,"That podcastisessentially aboutwhatever comesoutofour mouths It'slikethe '90ssitcom,Seinfeld Apodcastabout nothing.Inaddition, Iamthehockey beatwriter Which meansIcovermost homegames(men's andwomen's)and interviewthe coaches,theplayers, etc.justlikeyou wouldseein professionalsports"

Woods'other podcastisknownas "CultureShock"He's alsobeentoa journalismmeeting wherehisjournalism programat Lindenwoodwon awards,thosebeing: MarkOfExcellence, andBest IndependentOnline StudentPublication forregionsevenof Missouri Hesayshe wasn'tpartofthe journalismprogram atthetimethough Woods'alsohad someopportunities suchas gettingtobe onthecollegeradio, "Itwasablast," expressedWoods Heexplainedhe's alwayslovedradio sincehewasreally young Woodshas donesomuchsince he'sleftLiberty,andin hopeshecan continuetodomore

Publications Hosts 3rd Annual Town Hall

Readmore aboutthe conferenceon LHStoday.org

TheTownHallteamandcandidatesBradWelsh, DavidBiesenthalandDavidLewisstandtogether followingthecompletionoftheevent.

photosbyS.Davis

by Taylor Koehnemann, Reporter

ModeratorsMeganGeisler(11)andAnumithaVaka (11) askquestionstothecandidates

photobyE.Mason

(2018)J-Dub,CalebandLawsondoasegment for"J-DubsintheMorning."

TheSoarer

Publications to Attend Journalism Camp

MediaNow!isajournalisticcamp takingplacethisJuly,providingstudents enrollingorcurrentlyenrolledintoa journalisticclasstoimprovetheirskillsets

Thecampoffersmanyopportunities andclassesthatrangefromimproving journalisticstyletoleadershipclasseson howtohelporganizeanddirectastaff team

LillianFister(11)willbeattendingthe campoverthesummerassheistaking theroleofCo-Editor-in-Chiefofthe Libertyyearbookforhersenioryear

"I'mreallylookingforwardtothecamp thissummer Iamgoingtobetaking someleadershipclassestohelplearnon howtomanagethepeopleI'llhaveon

The Ledger Staff: What Now?

by Cade Goins, Reporter

Mayishere,andschoolisalmostout! Yet,afewweeksstillremain TheLedger hasallfourissuescompletedandnow thestaffpreparesfortherestoftheyear, andwhatcomesafter TheLedgerstaff consistsofnineamazingandtalented students However,sixofthestaff membersareallseniormembers,leaving threejuniorstotakethetorch

Theyearof2022-23wasagreatyearfor themagazineinprospect Throughout theyear,multipleawardshavebeenwon bythemagazineandstaffcommending theirefforts GavinBlock,oneofthecoeditors-in-chief,wonaBestofSNOaward earlyintheyear,markingtheremainder oftheyearforgreatness

AtMizzou’s100thannualJ-Day,The Ledgeralsohadgreatsuccesses Someof theaccomplishmentsincludedAbbie LukerwinningBestofShowfor NewspaperInsidePageDesign,Elaine ThimyanandKayCopelandforExcellent In-depthFeature,GavinBlockforNews Feature,KayCopelandforhonorsasan All-Statejournalist,andallLedgerStafffor ExcellentOverallMagazine.

The2022-23Ledgerhasalsotakena uniquepaththisyearfordesign Thestaff decidedtomakeallissuesforthisyear morecohesivetogether,matchingthe coverswithsimilarcoverstylesaswellas keepingtheboldstyleformatting throughouteverycopyandhavingthe overarchingthemeofthecardinalvirtues: fortitude,justice,temperance,and prudence Havingallthesethemes broughtthemagazinestogetherand helpedpickoutthestoriescontained withineachoneofthem

courtesy of Media Now

by Cade Goins & Chloe Stenger, Reporters

thestaffsowecancontinuetopushthe bestqualityyearbooksthatLiberty knows Thecampisareallygreat opportunityforallsortsofpeopleandit's encouragingtotakeitbecausethe buildingforitisrightnexttohereinSt Charles!"Fistercomments.

ZoeSnell(9)willalsobeattending Sheistakinganeditorialpositionin broadcast. “I'malwayslookingtolearn morewhenitcomestopublications,I wanttobethebestIcan WhenIsaw thisopportunityIjustwentforit.Whenit comestolearning,it'sallyoucando, takeeveryopportunitythatcomesto you,"Snelldetails.OnJ-dayIsawthe posterandwentstraighttomymom aboutit”

LibertyHighSchool

2275SommersRoad LakeSt Louis,MO63367 6365610075ext 28039

Itisimportanttoseeyoursuccessesand beproudofthem,takeprideinyour achievementsandbeproudofyourself However,itisalsocrucialtolooktoyour future,whereyourpathwilltakeyouand whatyouwanttodowithit AbbieLuker, TaylorKoehnemannandBryleighConley aregoingtobetheseniorsinMagazine nextyearandcontinuetheexperienceand knowledgetheteamhasbuilt TheLedger staffisproudofwhattheyhave accomplishedandwhatthey’llbeableto teachnewreporterscomingintotheclass Whenthe2023-24schoolyeararrives,itis undoubtablethatTheLedgerwillcontinue tobeagreatmagazineforallofLibertyand giveengagingstoriesthatcoverallof Liberty'sfavoritetopics Weloveand appreciateallofthepublicationsstafffor whattheyhaveprovidedthisyear,and whatthefutureyearsholdasthe generationsmoveforward Wehopethat you,thereaders,willcontinuetoenjoy themjustasmuchaswell

jonathanhall@wsdr4org

Editor-in-Chief KayCopeland

Reporters

AbbiegailLuker(AssistantEditor), CadeGoins,TaylorKoehnemann &ChloeStenger

Contributors

LillyBrown,SydneyDavis& ZoeSnell

TheSoarerisapublicationthat releasestwoissueseachyear, distributinganengaging newsletterregardingLHS Publicationsthatisrelevantto theprogram'salumni

WanttobefeaturedinThe Soarer?Haveastoryoropinion you'dlikepublished?

Allletterstotheeditor,questions, comments,suggestions,or concernscanbeaddressedto JonathanHall, jonathanhall@wsdr4org

@LHSjourn

@lhs.publications

@lhsstreaming

JuniorstaffmembersBryleighConley,Taylor KohnemannandAbbieLukersitinfrontofa wallshowcasingeveryeditionofTheLedger.

photo by C. Goins

LHSPublicationswillattendtheMediaNowhighschool journalismcamp fromJuly10-13atDrakeUniversity in DesMoines, Iowa.