![Sophomore Mary Kirtley holds her Dressember Foundation button. The buttons are passed down to the new STL Spark executive board members each year and they are encouraged to place them on their backpacks to help raise awareness about human trafficking. My sister, [Class of 2020 alumni] Grace Kirtley, started STL Spark when she was in high school and she would have people carry it on after she graduated, Mary said. Last year I got invited to join the board again with my sister, senior Patty Kirtley, and so weve been working on carrying her legacy a bit. Its become somewhat of a family project.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5696-e1700061260167-1200x800.jpg)
![During FACS Department Chair Becky Lawrences 5th Hour Baking and Pastries class on Nov. 17, juniors Jack Dolle and Armani Turner eat the pies they made during their previous class. Because they cant use the water in their classroom, they also cant run their dishwashers. So, Lawrence had her students use paper plates and plastic utensils. Luckily I had disposable things on hand for them to eat with, so they used that. And then, the pie plate and server I’m just going to throw in the other [classes] dishwashers in between classes and hopefully I can keep up on it, Lawrence said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0008-1200x800.jpg)
![After their State victory on Nov. 4, the volleyball team celebrates on the court. The team defeated Francis Howell in straight sets, 3-0. Everyone was out-of-this-world excited. [Winning back-to-back] was something that hasnt happened in awhile, Nelson said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-State-championship-point-rushing-court-e1699295686646.jpg)
![Sophomore Mary Kirtley holds her Dressember Foundation button. The buttons are passed down to the new STL Spark executive board members each year and they are encouraged to place them on their backpacks to help raise awareness about human trafficking. My sister, [Class of 2020 alumni] Grace Kirtley, started STL Spark when she was in high school and she would have people carry it on after she graduated, Mary said. Last year I got invited to join the board again with my sister, senior Patty Kirtley, and so weve been working on carrying her legacy a bit. Its become somewhat of a family project.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5696-e1700061260167-300x200.jpg)
![During FACS Department Chair Becky Lawrences 5th Hour Baking and Pastries class on Nov. 17, juniors Jack Dolle and Armani Turner eat the pies they made during their previous class. Because they cant use the water in their classroom, they also cant run their dishwashers. So, Lawrence had her students use paper plates and plastic utensils. Luckily I had disposable things on hand for them to eat with, so they used that. And then, the pie plate and server I’m just going to throw in the other [classes] dishwashers in between classes and hopefully I can keep up on it, Lawrence said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0008-300x200.jpg)
![After their State victory on Nov. 4, the volleyball team celebrates on the court. The team defeated Francis Howell in straight sets, 3-0. Everyone was out-of-this-world excited. [Winning back-to-back] was something that hasnt happened in awhile, Nelson said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-State-championship-point-rushing-court-e1699295686646-300x200.jpg)
The 2023-2024 school year is Jillian Flores’ first year as a language arts teacher at LHS.
However, she’s familiar with the school. In fact, Flores is a Lafayette Class of 2007 alumni.
Going into high school, Flores’ goal was to make the most of it.
“I always loved school. I always loved being in class and learning. I felt like Lafayette had so much to offer in terms of getting involved,” she said.
She achieved her goal, attending as many sports games as she could and taking advantage of every opportunity given.
“Freshman and sophomore year, I played basketball, and I ran track all four years that I was at Lafayette,” Flores said.
Flores was also the secretary of Student Council, and was also involved in National Honor Society, photography, and Key Club.
However, one of her most memorable moments during her time at LHS was her senior Homecoming.
Flores says she remembers every detail of that day.
“I wore a black dress. It was kind of mid length and the bottom was tulle. I wore red high heels with it,” Flores said.
She was on the Homecoming Court with multiple close friends, which made the experience that much more memorable. The fall of 2006 was the first time that Homecoming King and Queen was announced at the dance, not before the dance, so the suspense had built up all week, leaving Flores extra shocked when she found out she won.
“It was surprising, exciting, humbling, but still shocking, all at the same time.”
Based on her experience, Flores recommends putting as much effort as possible into high school.
“Like anything else in life, the more you put into high school, the more you’re going to get out. Just get involved,” she said.
Flores believes participating in school activities and showing school spirit is the best way to make the most out of the four years.
“Make school a place people want to be at,” Flores says.
