![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
The Lafayette publications staffs took 12 members to the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association National Fall Journalism Conference in Kansas City, MO, Nov. 11-14.
The students were given the opportunity to compete in a national write-off contest in a variety of areas of newspaper and yearbook journalism.
Of the 1,963 total contest participants, 642 won awards. Among the recipients were seniors Caleb Cavarretta, Chelsea Coleman, Maddie Johnson and Lauren Parker.
Cavarretta, Image opinion editor, received an excellent rating for his piece of commentary writing.
Editor-in-chief Coleman was given an honorable mention in feature writing.
Johnson, Image feature editor, was awarded an excellent rating for her story in the newswriting category.
Parker, people editor for the Legend earned an excellent rating for her work in the caption/copy for clubs category.
In addition to the individual success, the Legend earned 10th place in the Best of Show at the convention in the category of yearbooks with 325 pages or more.
“Overall, it was a great weekend and an impressive showing for the publications staff,” Parker said. “I was so glad to be a part of it.”
