![For the Japanese Festival Opening Ceremony, performers play Taiko drums. The event is hosted in the Botanical Gardens due to having one of the largest Japanese gardens in the United States. "The garden [has] cherry blossoms, Japanese palm trees, a beautiful lake and a bonsai, very Japanese style. There’s a lot of Japanese related events because of that," Webster University instructor Hitomi Salini said.
Photo Courtesy Of Nathan Kwarta](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Taiko_Opening_Ceremony_Nathan-Kwarta_230902_031-1200x800.jpg)
![Sophomore Ezra Leslie stands and plays "Pete's Groove" on the trombone at the Rockwood Jazz Festival in front of other bands and parents. Leslie has enjoyed being in the jazz band because of the unique style of music he has been exposed to. “The articulations and patterns are just fun to play [on the trombone],” Leslie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ezra-900x600.jpg)
Take it From Me: Matthew Waeckerle
Social Studies teacher urges students to enjoy high school experience but take advantage of opportunity to learn important skills
photo courtesy of Matthew Waeckerle
Class of 2015 graduate Matthew Waeckerle smiles in front of a Lancer logo in the Gym. Waeckerle was involved in multiple sports though his high school years and has now returned as a history teacher.
November 17, 2021
Matthew Waeckerle, Class of 2015 and current social studies teacher, believes it is important for students to focus on their happiness in life.
“Enjoy your life, have fun, get involved. It’s a long ride,” he said.
While attending Lafayette, Waeckerle was very involved with sports. His favorite sport was football, and he was involved in lacrosse, wrestling and The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Waeckerle went to the University of Saint Mary, where he majored in history. After graduating college, Waeckerle returned to LHS as a teacher.
Waeckerle now is a social studies teacher and dedicates his free time to being a football coach.
Looking back on his time in high school, he regrets not focusing as much on classes that could have helped him with his success.
“Personally, I wish I had paid more attention to language arts. As a history student, the writing process must be ironed out as much as possible. History and language arts are comparable to one another. The better I would’ve made my writing, the easier classes would’ve been,” Waeckerle said.
Waeckerle said there was one key to his high school success: time management. He suggests students focus on that skill now.
“Manage your time well. Don’t get caught up in schoolwork. Live your life. Have fun. Do the work and then when it’s done, do what you love because the students and teachers are amazing. It’s a great environment to be in and be a part of,” he said.
