- Donate -
Lafayette High School news. Student-run.

The Lancer Feed
Anchors Vedha Inampudi and Julia Dean host the pilot of Lancer Feed: Press Play, our new broadcast show talking about homecoming week and sports
Launch of Lancerfeed: Press Play
Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump go head-to-head for this year's presidential election. The 2024 general election will take place Nov. 5.
Lancers’ Election Perception
Wind ensemble, one of the three bands that performed on Oct. 30, plays their final song of the night. Music teacher Brad Balog conducted them.
LHS bands perform in first concert
Phone practices across Rockwood are relatively similar, with an baseline expectation that phones are away during instructional time. While most high schools in the district ask phones be put away completely for the entirety of class, Lafayette is the only school that allows teachers to decide the expectations in their own classroom.
New Phone Practice, Who Dis?
Grooving to Apple by Charlie XCX, Michael Callahan and CJ Campbell dance. Male Escadrille practiced four times before showcasing their new moves for their classmates at Powderpuff and the Pep Assembly.
HoCo Under the Sea: A week of wacky outfits, gender-swapped sports and a landslide win
October Male Athlete of the Month: Ezekiel Hagen
October Male Athlete of the Month: Ezekiel Hagen
Lafayette starts State competition with a dominant victory
Lancers win big over Patriots
October Female Athlete of the Month: Addy Surber
October Female Athlete of the Month: Addy Surber
The Lancers hoist the District Championship trophy after their win against Eureka. The Battle of 109 resulted in a Lafayette win 3-1
Lancers win Districts over rival Wildcats
Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump go head-to-head for this year's presidential election. The 2024 general election will take place Nov. 5.
Lancers’ Election Perception
Decked out in 80's workout gear, the SSD department performs a dance routine that went on to win them the title of 'Best Group Costume'.
Drop Dead Gore-geous
Phone practices across Rockwood are relatively similar, with an baseline expectation that phones are away during instructional time. While most high schools in the district ask phones be put away completely for the entirety of class, Lafayette is the only school that allows teachers to decide the expectations in their own classroom.
New Phone Practice, Who Dis?
Senior center-back Braxton Lawhorn clears the ball toward the offense. After missing his junior season, Lawhorn played in a close 0-1 loss against Eureka, Sept 17, 2024.
‘It was hard to see everybody do something I wanted to do so bad’
During the final dress rehearsal Oct. 16, Elwyn Dignam, who plays Wayne Hopkins, brandishes his wand in LTC's production of "Puffs".
LTC to perform twist on Harry Potter story in Fall Play, Puffs
Fake news online is rampant now that anyone can post anything. It is up to an individual to be proactive and fact check the media they consume.
It’s Time to Face the Facts
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
Anchors Vedha Inampudi and Julia Dean host the pilot of Lancer Feed: Press Play, our new broadcast show talking about homecoming week and sports
Launch of Lancerfeed: Press Play
Grooving to Apple by Charlie XCX, Michael Callahan and CJ Campbell dance. Male Escadrille practiced four times before showcasing their new moves for their classmates at Powderpuff and the Pep Assembly.
HoCo Under the Sea: A week of wacky outfits, gender-swapped sports and a landslide win
Junior, Luke Hinton, working at his studio, Wildwood Green Arts, located in Glencoe, MO. He has been going there for ceramics for a year.
Lafayette junior explores creative side through ceramics
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
Decked out in 80's workout gear, the SSD department performs a dance routine that went on to win them the title of 'Best Group Costume'.
Drop Dead Gore-geous
Lancers don their Lafayette gear for black and gold spirit day
Lancers don their Lafayette gear for black and gold spirit day
Lancers blast to the past for Throwback Thursday HoCo Spirit Day
Lancers blast to the past for Throwback Thursday HoCo Spirit Day
Day three of HoCo Spirit Week has Lancer's setting sail
Day three of HoCo Spirit Week has Lancer’s setting sail
Surfers face bikers for second day of HoCo Spirit Week
Surfers face bikers for second day of HoCo Spirit Week
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
Ammu Lanka

Ammu Lanka, Reporter

I initially joined staff because I love writing and wanted to explore a new style, but over the years I’ve come to love finding unique stories about people and learning about what matters to my community!

Grade: Senior

Pronouns: She/Her

Years on Staff: 3

Hobbies: Singing, creative writing, reading and watching Netflix.

Favorite Quote: “No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” - Helen Keller

All content by Ammu Lanka
Over the weekend, when she doesn't have cross country practice, sophomore Kelly Archambeault restores a vinyl fence in Sunset Hills. " It's a lot to balance," Archambeault said. "And that's another reason why we wanted to make the business. We didn't have much time in our lives and wanted to be able to make our own hours and time for work."

Getting the Job Done

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
October 9, 2024
Linebacker Alex Behl takes an interception to the house for 6 points.

Lancers clinch 23-21 win at first home football game, first Kirkwood win since 2008

Theo Koury, Darby Morel, Ammu Lanka, and Maddie Roberts
September 18, 2024
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

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
August 29, 2024
Teri Klein is a new social studies teacher located in Room 118. This year, she will teach U.S history and Junior Government, she will also coach wrestling.

Ramona Nnakwe is a new language arts teacher located in Room 154. This year, she will teach 10th and 11th grade language arts.

Cade Fluchel is a new language arts teacher located in Room 144. This year, he will teach 9th and 10th grade language arts.

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

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
May 23, 2024
Due to a shortage of ten custodians, custodian Andrew Doyle begins his after school shift after being rehired to Lafayette from Crestview Middle School three months ago. “We are very short handed. It affects us by more than 50%,” Doyle said.

Support staff openings create additional responsibilities for current staff

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
May 16, 2024
Leaping in the air, junior Carl King gets over a hurdle. King finished 1st in the 300-meter hurdle.

Boys track wins at Conference, volleyball begins playoff run

Eshwar Murali, Rachel Emma Saferite, and Ammu Lanka
May 7, 2024
During her 4th Hour ALARP 1 class, language arts teacher Jenny Ingram instructs at the front of the room. Ingram is one of five language arts teachers leaving at the end of this year, and is one of eight teachers who have put in their resignation this school year.

Filling in the blanks

Ammu Lanka and Abby Scott
May 6, 2024
At a North Carolina national park in 2015, junior Megan Pannell first discovered her fear of spiders. Her dad pointed out a spider, which caused Pannell to panic at the sight. “That’s when I think he realized, ‘yeah, you’re definitely afraid of spiders’," Pannell said.

Last Time I Was Scared: Megan Pannell

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
April 29, 2024
After downloading the Here Comes the Bus app, parents can create an account for students with a Rockwood-specific code. Initially, the code will be available for 14 Rockwood buses. "We felt it would provide another layer of convenience, communication and security for our students and families,” Mike Heyman, Rockwood’s Director of Transportation, said.

Rockwood to trial bus tracking app “Here Comes the Bus” in late March

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
March 13, 2024
Ball in hand, junior Patrick Boyette spots senior John Renken calling for the ball. The Lancers won this game against Francis Howell Central 59-37.

Boys wrestling finishes 2nd at State, boys basketball wins at buzzer

Eshwar Murali and Ammu Lanka
February 27, 2024
With a set criteria to evaluate applicants on scholastic abilities, communication, involvement, leadership and interest in field of education, Rockwood National Education Association will select up to four applicants for the RNEA Scholarship and up to two applicants for the RNEA Member's Scholarship.

Rockwood National Education Association offers new scholarship for future education majors

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
January 31, 2024
In order to meet Federal Student Aid application deadlines, many local resources, including Lafayette counselors, are available for one-on-one meetings. "Even if you think your college is paid for, we still heavily recommend going ahead and filing the FAFSA so that you don't lose out on any opportunities," College and Career counselor Alex Dusenberry said. "A lot of four year universities say you can only get scholarships if you complete the FASFA. [Also], it is a requirement that you complete the FSA in order to get A+ credit."

FAFSA deadlines delayed due to congressional push to make changes

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
January 25, 2024
At the 2023 Music State Conference, All-State Concert Band performs for music educators, after concentrated rehearsals throughout the year. All-State Conferences are held in resorts within the state, with the 2023 conference being held at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Competitive state program amplifies opportunities for music department

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
January 2, 2024
Right before the doors open, students gather around the west entrance, in 39 degrees. Since students came back in-person after COVID-19, this practice has been in place--this year it has been much stricter.

Practice of opening school doors at 8 a.m. stems from staffing issues, safety concerns

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
December 20, 2023
In her room, junior Kalie McLaughlin practices the chords of "You're On Your Own, Kid," by Taylor Swift. McLaughlin gets most of her inspiration from Swift during the songwriting process.

Eye on Art: Kalie McLaughlin

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
November 13, 2023
To view the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017, classes evacuate the building using the emergency evacuation procedure. On Nov. 8, Lafayette will follow the same procedure to prepare for emergencies.

Preparing for emergencies

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
November 7, 2023
Holding the tournament bracket, senior and State champion Amber Yin stands next to All-State doubles teammates sophomore Mia Yin and freshman Mary Sublette. Amber won State without dropping a set and the doubles team of Mia and Sublette placed 5th.

Lady Lancer wins State Championship, Football wins in overtime

Ammu Lanka and Eshwar Murali
October 16, 2023
As the Patriot Day ceremony wraps up, AFJROTC walks back to Lafayette with flags. The ceremony took place before school to commemorate lives lost on the attacks of 9/11.

Teachers reflect on the events of 9/11

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
September 11, 2023
Hall passes at Lafayette were implemented last school year in response to students roaming the halls after asking to go to the bathroom. However, with the school still having issues with students roaming, the school will be implementing a new "blackout time" bathroom system.

Administration implements new policies to keep students from roaming during class

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
August 23, 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
David Choate, the current teacher of the year, hands the Lafayette Teacher of the Year Scholarship to recipient Reese Ruppert. Choate was on the committee with former teachers of the year to select the recipient.

Senior Awards Night celebrates Class of 2023

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
May 10, 2023
While Missouri's government aims to allow citizens to carry firearms, the federal court requires states to have proper gun regulation because of the violence caused by them. The current laws that are in place are not enough.

Legislative gun protection puts lives in danger

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
April 26, 2023
While visiting Port Aransus in Texas, sophomore Gauri Kathula holds a fish in her hand. Kathula was on a fishing boat tour that demonstrated the fishing process, one of the many ways she has worked to learn more about detrimental impacts on ocean life.

If It Weren’t For: sophomores research project inspires passion

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
April 14, 2023
While teaching the Guitar Ensemble, fine arts teacher Traci Bolton tells her students to take notes of an audio clip. Bolton recently won the Outstanding Music Educator Award from the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association, along with a Rose Award from Rockwood.

Bolton wins Outstanding Music Educators Award

Ammu Lanka, Reporter
March 6, 2023
Since 2001, Trivia night has been a big hit with a fun night of games, food and raffle items. Though it stopped happening because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was brought back in 2022.

LPO sets $15,000 goal for Trivia Night

Molly Brim and Ammu Lanka
February 23, 2023
Several books written by Black authors are being highlighted during February in the Library. This year for Black History Month, various classes like Art Fundamentals and Black Literature are acknowledging the importance of Black History Month with class projects.

Several classes, book club recognizes Black History Month’s significance

Molly Brim and Ammu Lanka
February 16, 2023
Load More Stories
Donate to The Lancer Feed
$245
$2500
Contributed
Our Goal