Lakota reflects on 22-23 school year

KANSAS—Lakota Local School has many highlights to share with the community from the past school year—from athletes breaking records, to honors chorus competitions to exciting happenings within the art department, and much more. Athletics During the 2023 volleyball season, the Lady Raider volleyball team finished the season 20-5, which is the best team record since 2010. The team also finished second in the SBC River Division and made it to the state finals. Additionally, 14 out of the 20 wins were accomplished within three sets. This 2023 Lakota volleyball team was the first team to place top two in the league since joining the SBC in 2013. Senior Emma Gregg hit 1,000 digs and broke the career dig record with 1,283 digs, and also finished out her season with a career high 2,326 assists, replacing Jessie Naderer's record of 1,551 assists in a career. Libero Aubrey Vitte hit 1,000 digs this past season and ended with 1,116 digs. During the District semifinals game versus Danbury, Vitte got 40 digs breaking the previous dig per game record of 37 held by Lauryn Tiell. During track season, Braxton Quaintance and Lucas McEwan were congratulated by the Lakota Local Board of Education for their outstanding achievements in qualifying for the state track and field championship last May. Quaintance's performance earned him a seventh place finish in the pole vault, while McEwan showcased his talent with a ninth place finish in the 300 meter hurdles. During the 2023 football season, kicker Brandon Leal received the Channel 11 "Football Player of the Week" for a record-setting field goal on Oct. 6 during a game versus Margaretta. Leal kicked a 56-yard field goal just before halftime, which earned him eighth place on the all-time record board under the Ohio High School Athletic Association longest field goal list. Prior to this kick, Leal held the former record at Lakota with a 43-yard field goal. Before Leal, Ryan Schade held the Lakota record for a 39-yard field goal in 1995. Music The Lakota Middle School students participated in the District II Ohio Music Educators Middle School Solo and Ensemble, hosted by Willard Schools April 15, 2023. The following students received a I (Superior) rating: Corrina Ley (clarinet solo), Zander Burkhalter (saxophone solo), Bryson Clark (xylophone solo) and Jaycee Reinbolt (flute solo). The following students received a II (Excellent) rating: Mya Stoudinger (flute solo), Brody Hansen (snare solo), Avarra Edwards (trumpet solo), Eighth Grade Percussion Trio (Zander Burkhalter, Brody Hansen and Bryson Clark) and Seventh Grade Percussion Trio (Spencer Moyer, Mason Brubaker and Avarra Edwards). Then, on May 1, 2023, six of Lakota Local Schools eighth grade band members participated in Bowling Green State University's Middle School Honors Concert Band. Zander Burkhalter (saxophone), Bryson Clark (percussion), Jaycee Reinbolt (flute), Mya Stoudinger (flute), Reid Dussel (trombone) and Corrina Ley (clarinet) spent all day learning and rehearsing new music that would be performed in concert that evening. All had the honor of playing under the direction of some very renowned professors, musicians and directors. The Middle School Music Department also announced that six students represented Lakota Middle School at last year's OMEA District 2 Honors Festival. On March 18, 2023, they joined over 300 other students from 25 neighboring schools for this concert. Zander Burkhalter (alto saxophone), Bryson Clark (percussion), Corrina Ley (clarinet) and Jaycee Reinbolt (flute) were chosen to participate in the festival band. Isabelle Alge and Parker Eidenour were chosen to participate in the festival choir. The following band students participated in last year's Capital University Honors Band: Alexander Burkhalter, Reid Dussel, Christina Lopez and Hannah Stahl. Art Department On March 26, 2023, high schooler Kayla Tody was identified as talented and gifted in the Visual Arts. Also last March, Lakota's theater department put on "School House Rock Live. Jr." and looks forward to the future shows and musicals to come. Last April, the Lakota High School art department participated in a five-county art show hosted at Oak Harbor High School. Lakota took home 33 awards and winners include Emma Warden, Tyra Stewart, Lindsey Sievers, Jacie Hines, Erin Sampson, Kayla Tody, Morgan Hamilton, Aubrey Vitte, Levi Hoerig, Ross Klocinski, Liza Ebert, Trinity Koppus, Brock Adams, Kaitlin Mohn, Charlee Miller, Vanessa Marker, Jara Hines and Kaiya Parker. May 19, 2023, was the school's annual Fine Arts Festival. The groups involved were the Sixth Grade Choir, Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir, the High School Choir, High School Show Choir, Fifth Grade Band, Sixth Grade Band, Seventh Grade Band and High School Band. Finally, the 2023 Art Departmental award went to 2023 senior, Trinity Koppus. This award represents the culmination of years of hard work, countless hours of practice, and a relentless pursuit of artistic mastery. The recipient of this prestigious award has not only demonstrated immense skill but has also made a lasting impact on the underclassmen at Lakota. Koppus' artwork is said to be a testament to her unique perspective, her ability to see beauty where others may not and her relentless commitment to self-expression. Projects This past year, Lakota has completed several upgrades to their baseball field, including adding new flagpoles to center field, and beginning the process of creating a new batting cage. Members of the community helped to frame the new batting area which took just over 20 yards of concrete poured. Other features of the updated facility include a new batting net, an ATEC Hitting Machine, a large screen, a large cage net, one Z Screen and two American flags. Another exciting project includes Lakota's butterfly garden. Lakota Elementary School has crafted an outdoor learning area for students to indulge in nature, which includes a butterfly garden, flower garden and several plants that grow produce to be used in school lunches. The most important plants in the garden are said to be the milkweeds because they are the only plant the monarch caterpillars will eat. Additionally, last year members of the freshmen class participated in a full day of leadership and team-building activities at Camp Glen in Tiffin. Students learned about different personality types, various leadership styles and numerous methods of communication, while completing a wide array of challenges. They were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and try new things, recognize their strengths and weaknesses and learn to work as a team.