This year, Lafayette opens its doors to 20 new staff members. New teachers are assigned a mentor to assist and help in any way that they can.
Veteran science teacher Ginny Colombatto is a mentor to new teacher Kathryn Antonelli.
“My honor as a mentor is to make Kathryn feel welcome, feel like she is an vital integral part of the science staff at LHS and support her new innovations and contributions to the science staff at Lafayette. Kathryn will add insightful ideas and perspective to our teaching staff,” Colombatto said.
As for the new year, Colombatto has advice for the rookies: “Work hard and play hard. Live your passions at work & at home.”
New staff members include:
Kathryn Antonelli – Science
Marcus Christian – In-School Suspension
Jennifer Conner – SSD
Caroline Denson – SSD
Lisa Donavan – Langauge Arts
Nancy Hendricks – Library Aide
Adam Hicks – Physical Education
Scott Holtman – Science
Terisa Koehler – SSD Aide
Brandon Lococo – Hall Monitor
Crystal McDowell – Science
Erin Miller – Art
LuAnn Most – A+ Secretary
Nisha Patel – Associate Principal
Shari Sevier – Counselor
Marianne Stuart – Counselor
Julie Weitzel – Part time World Language
Joe Wier – Science
Christy Wills – College Specialist
Joanna Wokurka – SSD Nurse

![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)








