Lafayette High School news. Student-run.

The Lancer Feed
In the renovated school store, junior Mahanth Samala purchases a protein shake from a parent volunteer. WiFi problems prevented card transactions from working, but LPO hopes they will be up and running soon.
Lancers Landing remodel brings new look, changes to operation
Currently serving as the Dean of Mathematics and Sciences at St. Charles Community College, Mara Vorachek-Warren was appointed to fill the position of Director for the Rockwood BOE May 30. She will be sworn into the position June 6.
New Board Director appointed, to be sworn in at June 6 meeting
Don Kreienkamp, Varsity baseball Assistant Coach, and Junior Michael Callahan walk together at the District Final game May 18. The Lancers won the game 3-1 and became District Champions.
Lafayette to welcome two new head coaches for 2024-2025 school year
For the first time since the Pandemic, a new mural was painted by the AP Art and Design underclassman. The mural was requested by science teacher Craig Wideman, and painted by art teacher Lauren Sakowski, junior Anna Matheus, and sophomore Michelle Chen.
Elmo inspired mural marks first major art project since pandemic
Early on Monday morning, multiple regions of the school had air conditioning and power outages, causing some classes to move periodically for the 1st Hour final block.
Power outages affect multiple schools in Wildwood area, parts of Lafayette building
At the LivingWord Church cross-country meet, Class of 2024, Jack Robeson runs through the race course. Robeson was the team's fastest runner last season, coming 5th in the State meet. "We lost a few good runners, but we have many new guys looking to step up and compete," Head Coach Sean O'Connor said.
Boys cross-country looks to make State with new runners
Sophomore Alexis Sandberg runs in the Festus Bowles Invitational, Sept. 16, 2023. Sandberg and sophomore Kelly Archambeault will be players to watch this season, according to Coach Harmon.
Despite losing key senior runners, girls cross-country expects to place higher at State meet
Senior Lila Dantuano swings at the Lindbergh Invitational, September 6, 2023.
Girls golf aims to improve this season, send more athletes to State Tournament
Senior Avery Brown dribbles down the field against Eureka, September 13, 2023. Last season, Brown was awarded with 3rd Team All-Metro and 1st Team All-Conference.
Field hockey prioritizes positive attitudes, aims for Rockwood Tournament win
Junior Mia Yin and sophomore Mary Sublette talk to each other during the State Tournament. As a double, Yin and Sublette placed 5th at State, October 21, 2023.
With one Champion last season, girls tennis hopes to send more athletes to State
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
Festival celebrating Japanese culture to visit St. Louis Botanical Gardens Aug. 31-Sept. 2
At the end of the night, varsity football players huddle with Coach Boyd Manne. The Lancers first game is at 7 p.m. Aug. 30, at Parkway North.
Back to School Bash features performances, scrimmages with Lancers of all ages
10 certified-professional staff members have joined the Lancer community for the 2024-2025 school year.
Lafayette welcomes 10 new staff members for 2024-2025 school year
After receiving 7th place at Nationals with Varsity Escadrille, Raymond poses with the trophy in front of the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex globe. "I felt a rush of everything. All the feelings, all the hard work just rushed through my body," Raymond said.
Last Time I Was Proud of Myself: Kaili Raymond
Graduating seniors who previously attended Rockwood Valley Middle School pose for a group picture in front of the school.
Seniors celebrate graduation by walking through previous schools
CARTOON: The evolution of the first day of school
CARTOON: The evolution of the first day of school
Officially releasing on April 16, Starbucks came out with their new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers: Spicy Dragonfruit (left), Spicy Strawberry (middle) and Spicy Pineapple (right). What makes these drinks unique is the addition of the Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend which gives the drinks that hint of spice combined with the fruity, tropical flavor of the lemonade. (photo illustration by Zosia Paciorek)
Sips of Summer
In front of her TV, junior Maddy Cox stares at the opening screen of the docuseries Quiet on Set. The docuseries featured Nikelodeon cast and crew members talking about abuse they went through while working on and off set.
Child Actors, Adult Problems
In Irish Wish, Maddie Kelly (played by Lindsay Lohan) makes a wish that changes her life. In the end, Kelly is forced to decide between two guys she has feelings for.
Irish Wish offers charming romance, lacks overall plot depth
The animated version of Avatar: The Last Airbender first aired on Nickelodeon while the live action version is available for streaming on Netflix. Both series featured the same characters with similar storylines.
Netflix remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender lacks personality shown in animated version
Graduating seniors who previously attended Rockwood Valley Middle School pose for a group picture in front of the school.
Seniors celebrate graduation by walking through previous schools
Sophomore Luke Hinton, belongs to the member community at Wildwood Green Arts. The studio helps members try sculpting and various forms of pottery.
Pottery studio gives community opportunity to explore new techniques
Julia Woody signs along to a song played by the Ac-Lab Country Band. For the first time ever, The Lafayette Guitar Festival featured ASL interpretation by students.
Guitar Festival features student ASL interpreters
Lafayette students meet before athletes arrive in the commons to go over plans for the day. The buddy meeting was designed to help students paired with the athletes, learn about their partners.
Lafayette hosts Special Olympics for student-athletes, community
Jessica Guan who is representing China, is talking about her stand. International Day featured many booths for different countries.
Lafayette’s International Day aims to celebrate diversity within school community
At the end of the night, varsity football players huddle with Coach Boyd Manne. The Lancers first game is at 7 p.m. Aug. 30, at Parkway North.
Back to School Bash features performances, scrimmages with Lancers of all ages
LHS participates in National Bring Your Kid to Work Day for the first time
LHS participates in National Bring Your Kid to Work Day for the first time
The poster for Guitar Olympics hangs over the whiteboard in the guitar teacher Traci Bolton's classroom. Although this was the first year of the event, Bolton said the idea started last year. "We were stacking our footrests, and we thought we should make it a competition. Then we thought, what else could we do? We could do cable wrapping and getting picks out of the guitar. We started thinking about all the things we do in class, so we started making events," Bolton said.
Guitar Ensemble brings Olympic spirit to Fine Arts
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.
Jazz Festival displays talent from Rockwood schools
Later in the night, junior Kaitlyn Helm sings and plays her original song, "Find Me." In her first run of the song, Helm's microphone was off and she needed to start the song over. "I feel like the first time weirdly gave me a way to get comfortable in the space. I’m definitely someone who has struggled on stage with nerves in the past and on that second try I got to go in a lot more confident. I know what I’m doing, I know what things I want to tweak and I was one of the only people who could’ve heard it," Helm said.
Coffee House features variety of performers
Pi Day celebrates the mathematical symbol of pi. People like math teacher Kevin O'Gorman have celebrated by eating pie and pizza on March 14.
Pi Day offers opportunity to learn more about symbol, eat pie
March 1 is National Compliment Day. A theory taught in AP Psychology mentions the benefits of both giving and receiving compliments.
Listen In: Giving compliments provides benefits for giver, receiver
Throughout her house, junior Jessica Guan has decorations for the Lunar New Year. Her favorite are the fish, which promise auspiciousness.
Listen In: Lunar New Year celebration holds tradition, culture
Class of 2011 graduate Charles Zimmerman (middle) is paired with Bonne Bedingfield (left) and Rabiha Sami (right) to form the Sugar Bandits, a culinary arts team on Holiday Wars. Team Sugar Bandits went into the finale and finished 2nd out of nine teams.
Listen In: Competition show builds friendship, learning opportunities
To introduce kids to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, gifted teacher Shannon Batt put together a display. She is a certified Choctaw artist and was able to teach gifted students at Lafayette the art of beading.
Listen In: Native American Heritage Month offers gifted teacher opportunity to teach culture
Lafayette High School news. Student-run.

The Lancer Feed
Lafayette High School news. Student-run.

The Lancer Feed
Zosia Paciorek

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief

As a member of StuPub, I get to pursue my writting passion and work with like-minded people. Being part of StuPub has taught me a lot about not just writing, but leadership skills, critical thinking, and being able to problem solve!

Grade: Junior

Pronouns: She/Her

Years on Staff: 3

Hobbies: Tennis and music.

Favorite Quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”- Oscar Wilde

All content by Zosia Paciorek
10 certified-professional staff members have joined the Lancer community for the 2024-2025 school year.

Lafayette welcomes 10 new staff members for 2024-2025 school year

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
August 21, 2024
Zach McDaniel is a new social studies teacher located in Room 131. This year, he will teach AP Government and Politics and World History.

Nate Korteum is a new physical education teacher at LHS. This year, he will teach Personal Fitness and Wellness, Strength Training, Aquatics, Health and First Aid. He is also the new head coach for the boys and girls Swimming and Diving.

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Officially releasing on April 16, Starbucks came out with their new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers: Spicy Dragonfruit (left), Spicy Strawberry (middle) and Spicy Pineapple (right). What makes these drinks unique is the addition of the Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend which gives the drinks that hint of spice combined with the fruity, tropical flavor of the lemonade. (photo illustration by Zosia Paciorek)

Sips of Summer

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
May 23, 2024
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[Photo] New Spicy Lemonade Refreshers

May 21, 2024
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[Photo] New Summer Starbucks Refreshers

May 20, 2024
During 4th Hour, Personal Fitness and Wellness walks in the Gym. This class is offered over the summer.

Total of five courses to be offered during summer, two in-person

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
May 10, 2024
LHS participates in National Bring Your Kid to Work Day for the first time

LHS participates in National Bring Your Kid to Work Day for the first time

Abby Scott and Zosia Paciorek
May 1, 2024
To kick off the day, donuts were offered in the Library before school for staff members and their kids. Social studies teacher Tim Yeargain brought his two daughters, Maddie and Ellie. "I'm excited they get to finally see [my] day in the life," Yeargain said.

Language arts teacher Donald Kreienkamp brought his two sons, Isaiah (left) and Ari (right) to Lafayette's first annual Bring Your Kid to Work Day. Secretary Amy Danner also brought her son Ryan (middle). Ari said he was excited to miss school because he didn't have to take the MAP test.

For the last activity of the day, kids had the opportunity to watercolor paint again in Room 211 with art teacher Emily Benner.

At the beginning of 6th Hour, PE teacher Megan O'Connell helps lead a game of scooter soccer in the Back Gym.

Following the read aloud, staff members and their kids were given different Hershey Kisses to rate. Some of these flavors included milk chocolate, dark chocolate and strawberry shortcake.

During 4th Hour librarian Jane Lingafelter reads a book about the history of Hershey's Chocolate. Following the read aloud, families were given different Hershey Kisses to rate. Some of these flavors included milk chocolate, dark chocolate and strawberry shortcake.

Math teacher Emily Pestka paints with her son, Jackson. "It's fun for [him] to get to see what my day is like and for him to help me a little bit," Pestka said.

During 2nd Hour, staff members and their kids painted with watercolors in Room 209 with art teacher Megan O'Donnell.

O'Donnell's daughter, Zoey, painted a rainbow eye and a red cloud. “I was going to make [the cloud] like a brain but then it kind of looked like a cloud so I did a red cloud,” Zoey said.

Social Studies teacher Steve Klawiter will have his AP World History class take the digital exam this May. He said he looks forward to seeing how his students will perform on the exam. “It's been very clear they're moving towards digital. Since the pandemic started, they've been putting the pieces in place to go digital," Klawiter said. “I think that ultimately it’s going to be more beneficial because with systems like Canvas and Google Classroom, students are used to more digital activities and less handwriting activities.” 

Nine AP exams will transition to digital format in 2025, additional six in 2026

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
April 11, 2024
With his eyes locked on the ball, senior Lucas Tran rises for the kill. Tran was 1st Team All State last year.

Boys water polo win tournament, many spring sports prepare for season

Eshwar Murali, Zosia Paciorek, and Rishit Sohaney
March 25, 2024
Recently opening the second shop in Missouri, owner and store manager April Baker established the Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. with her son because she was always surrounded by their products when she lived in Mississippi. She has been using the products for 5 years now and said she likes them because they don’t contain any toxic or harmful ingredients. “When we found that they were franchising, we thought this would be a business model that the community would appreciate because a lot of the people out here are health conscious and health minded,” Baker said

Out and About: Magnolia Soap & Bath Co.

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
March 11, 2024
The World Bird Sanctuary primarily takes in birds with flight inuries, lead poisoning and vision issues. "Any bird our on exhibit that people can walk around and see, are birds that are non releasable," exhibit manager of the World Bird Sanctuary Tess Rogers said.

Jumping off the springboard, junior Lucia Tenny performs a back dive. Tenny won the Yellow Pool Suburban Conference Meet in diving.

Boys wrestling finishes undefeated in duals, girls swimming finish 5th in Conference

Eshwar Murali and Zosia Paciorek
February 5, 2024
Hidden Valley has officially started its winter season Jan 15. The opening of Hidden Valley was originally supposed to happen Jan 12 but it got rescheduled due to the weather.

Winter wonders

Zosia Paciorek and Rishit Sohaney
January 23, 2024
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Out of the drinks pictured, Celcius has the most caffeine, with 16 mg. per ounce. Monster has 10 mg. per ounce, Red Bull has 9.5 mg. per ounce and Sparkling Ice Caffeine has 4 mg. per ounce. Celcius has over four times the amount of caffeine present in Coca-Cola, which has 3 mg. of caffeine per ounce.

Think about that drink

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
December 19, 2023
Performing "We Made It" during the 2023 Faith in the Future world tour, Louis Tomlinson performs in Forest Hills, New York on July 29. Science teacher Elizabeth Overcash attended and said it was her all-time favorite concert. photo courtesy of Elizabeth Overcash

The Best Concert I’ve Ever Been To: Elizabeth Overcash

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
December 18, 2023
At the Winter Market on Dec. 3, vendors set up booths along Foundry Way. Papa Bear Popcorn set up their booth at the beginning of the street and sold holiday themed popcorn along with some of their best selling flavors including movie butter and caramel popcorn.

Festive finds

Samantha Haney and Zosia Paciorek
December 8, 2023
After winning all three training level tests at the National Dressage Pony Cup, senior Grace Miltenberger hugs her horse, Bentley.

Senior plans to part ways with horse to save for college

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
December 8, 2023
While volunteering at Anthology Senior Living in Town Center, sophomore Sakhi Lal with her sophomore team members Christina Boniface and Michelle Chen play Halloween Bingo with the elders. Lal said that the reason she started her nonprofit organization, Serving the Seniors (STS), is because she used to volunteer in senior homes and saw how much support they needed. “I used to volunteer at Anthology of Town and Country and I realized that the residents need a lot of support financially. They're pretty sad and depressed there and they feel really trapped. That really got to my heart and I want to get as many people to volunteer at these senior homes to help these elderly people to where they don't feel alone and they feel like they have someone that is there to support them,” Lal said.

Nonprofit debuts at craft fair Dec. 2

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
November 29, 2023
At a Town Hall Meeting Oct. 17 at Lafayette, Director of Finance Dan Steinbruegge explains the upcoming Prop 3 bond issue. Voters will decide on the issue during voting on Nov. 7.

Rockwood voters will decide on fate of Prop 3 Tuesday

Rishit Sohaney, Daniel Carrillo, Zosia Paciorek, Audrey Keller, and Sonya Sud
November 6, 2023
Rising with the ball, senior Alyssa Nelson sets to senior Ellie Emms in their last game against Marquette. In this last game against Marquette, Oct. 5, the Lady Lancers swept them 3-0. The Lady Lancers will play the Mustangs at Nerinx Hall, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m in the District Final.

Tennis places at State, Volleyball advances to District Final

Eshwar Murali and Zosia Paciorek
October 23, 2023
At the entrance to El Nopal, junior Nicolas Kuehnel wears a traditional sombrero. Kuehnel is a waiter at El Nopal.

Nearby Hispanic restaurants offer various authentic cuisines

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
September 29, 2023
Junior Ethan Tran serves the ball in a game against Seckman High School on April 6. They swept Seckman 3-0, with Tran leading the team in aces and serves. Overall, the Lancers placed second in the State Championship last season.

Boys volleyball becomes official sanctioned sport

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
August 24, 2023
Gifted education teacher Paige Hartley, Assistant Principal Dr. Kirti Mehrotra, special education teacher Sharon Luedloff and physical education teacher David Witter are leaving after the 2022-23 school year. They have been making plans for after retirement that include time with family, volunteering and traveling.

Retiring staff members reflect on time at Lafayette, share plans for future

Ammu Lanka and Zosia Paciorek
May 26, 2023
In an effort to help out, freshman Jack Schoening holds the door open for students as they walk into the building. Schoening has done this whenever he gets the chance since 7th Grade.

People Of Lafayette: freshman holds door open most mornings to help peers

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
April 25, 2023
Standing in their finishing positions, Mic Drop members rehearse Break Free by Ariana Grande. Mic Drop's first concert will be April 27.

Showstoppers

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
April 24, 2023
StuPub reporter Zosia Paciorek stands by the Stifel Theatre on Feb 18, 2022 after watching the incredible Shen Yun performance

Entering the realm of Shen Yun is a delightful experience

Zosia Paciorek, Lancer Feed Asst. Editor In Chief
April 12, 2023
On the back of a Marquette wrestler, junior Maddie Johnson pins her opponent. Johnson will be going to the State Tournament on Feb. 24-25.

Boys hockey advances to Wickenheiser Cup quarterfinals, three divers advance to State Tournament

Eshwar Murali and Zosia Paciorek
February 13, 2023
At the Forest Park Festival on Sept. 10, Lafayette varsity girls cross country senior Grace Tyson runs a long course. She placed first, with a time of 18:30.40 and Lafayette placed second overall in that meet.

Lancers recognized for athletic achievement

Rishit Sohaney and Zosia Paciorek
February 3, 2023
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