Story & Graphic by Isabelle Flood – Editor-in-Chief  A brand new club at LSN was started by Lena Scofield, Addison Harding, and Emily McEwen called Club Psych. This club meets every third Friday of every month in Ms. Hood-Johnson’s room.     Club Psych was created to help people learn about psychology and make projects surrounding the topics they learn about.     “Every month is focused on a different topic. We first learn about what we are focusing on that month, then do a fun activity correlated with it. For example, since October was mental health awareness month, we made a bulletin board called “take what you need” and added little slips of paper with inspiring quotes and sayings to help with any negative mental topics,” Lena Scofield, junior, said.     The main goal behind Club Psych is for students to get more involved in the school community without it being too overwhelming.     “It is very good to be involved, but sometimes being involved gets overwhelming and stressful. Club psych is a way to be involved but in a calming and educational way,” Scofield said.     School can get stressful and demanding at times, so having a place to relax and have fun within the school community is very important.    “We are here to spread positive vibes, a great way to be involved, and such a great way to meet new friends,” Scofield said.     If you are interested in finding out more about Club Psych, talk to Ms. Hood-Johnson or one of the founders of the club to learn more. 

Story & Photo by Kay Haas- News Editor/Copy Editor  On Wednesday, October 29th, select LSN art students had the opportunity to go to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Students in IB Visual Arts, Portfolio, and a few hand-picked students drove three hours to have a private tour of some of the galleries. This field trip doesn’t happen every year, so it is very exciting when it does happen.    Holly Winer, senior, is an IB Visual Arts student who went on the field trip.    “I wanted to go on this field trip because I’ve heard from friends and family how amazing [Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art] is,” Winer said.     This museum is unique in that it is located on 120 acres of Ozark Forest. The museum offers a variety of walking trails around the property, featuring sculptures along the way. This museum also only features art from America. Their collection features a Kehinde Wiley, Dale Chihuly, and an original portrait of George Washington that Alexander Hamilton once owned.    “My favorite part of the field trip was definitely seeing their different selection of paintings and how it ranged from older pieces to much newer,” Winer said.     The museum is undergoing massive renovations, and half of it is currently closed, limiting students’ ability to tour the entire museum. But, Crystal Bridges gave each student a free pass for themselves and up to six other people to access any gallery that requires a ticket. This ticket also never expires; it can be used as long as the museum is open. Safe to say that these art students will be back.

Story & Photo by Morgan Hill – Asst. Editor-in-Chief/Sports Editor   The Mane Steet Station, or commonly known as the school store, is an LSN staple.    From a quick snack break to enjoying the comfy ambiance that the school store has to offer, it is essential to LSN. With its variety of snacks and apparel, everyone enjoys what the school store has to offer.    It also provides great marketing opportunities that help LSN business students gain workplace experience, and it is a good hands-on learning tool.    “I love working at the School Store because it allows me to hang out with my friends and is something fun to do during my school day,” Kenna Caton, senior, said.    The school store has many benefits to students and is one of the many things that make LSN so special.

Story by Reagan Hill – Staff Reporter  This past week has put the LSN Girls’ Tennis season to a close, with several accomplishments from everyone on the team.     “We won a lot of dual matches and tournaments that we usually don’t, and overall had a great record this season,” Nikki Wright, junior, said.    The team has been presented with many challenges, and consistently overcomes them with camaraderie and the love they have for the sport and their teammates.    “My two favorite memories of this season were winning the Colburn Cup back and winning the individual district championship with my partner, Claire,” Wright said.    In preparation for next year’s season, several members of the team are taking advantage of their time off and utilizing it as a period for growth and improving their skills.   “My offseason plans for tennis are to continue training daily so I can come back even stronger and more prepared next year!” Wright said.    With big plans for the future and lots of determination, these girls are sure to follow this year’s successes with many more in the coming years!   Photo by Emerson Godfrey

Story by Malaykah Mbeche – Staff Reporter    When you get to know English teacher, Olivia Vella, you’ll find an extraordinary side that you’ll want to know more about.      “I started teaching this August, but I substitute taught for two years prior to that,” Olivia Vella, English teacher, said.    Ms. Vella started teaching because of her love for being able to build relationships with students and watching them grow in their confidence and their ability to be great inside and outside the classroom.    “I really love interacting with kids and also getting to see them grow into people who truly understand, honor, respect themselves, respect their intelligence and their worth,” Vella said.    She used to attend Lee Summit North, and she loved it so much that she couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else.    “Whenever I moved back from Chicago, it only made sense for me to come back here. I knew that I would be supported, and that I loved the environment, and I loved the people here. I wanted to help create a space in the space that helped me so much,” Vella said.    In addition to being an English teacher, she has a love for animals, particularly her dog, Achilles.    “Achilles is three years old, he just had a birthday this week, and he is a mutt from KC Pet Project. I adopted him in August of 2023,” Vella said.    Vella spends her leisure time surrounded by people and things she loves.    “I’m really into music, and if there’s ever a chance to go to a concert, I usually love to go to concerts in my free time, or I just love spending time with the people I love,” Vella said.    She loves Stevie Nicks and Phoebe Bridgers; however, she also enjoys The Rolling Stones.    “I was randomly gifted tickets while working another job to go see The Rolling Stones final concert of their farewell tour, so me and my friend drove three hours impulsively to Southern Missouri to see them perform last summer,” Vella said.   Vella started working here because she wanted to make sure she helped someone in the space that helped her, and that is exactly what she’s doing. Photo courtesy of LSN Website

Story & Graphic by Emerson Godfrey – Staff Reporter Last Saturday, October 11, Bronco Stadium was filled, the Field house was loud, parking lots were packed, and the energy was high. Band fans from 19 different schools came here for the Lee’s Summit North Marching Invitational (LSNMI).    “It’s just a really cool event!  This year, we had about 2500 students joining us from 19 different schools, and bands everywhere from 25 students to 250,” Grant Fischer, band director, said.    With so many schools and audience members, it is a great fundraiser for the LSN Music Department.    “It allows us to support the marching band, concert bands, jazz band, and winter guard programs at a competitive level while trying to keep costs reasonable for students who participate,” Fischer said.     The competition included both indoor and outdoor performances. Despite lots of town-to-town rivalry, the competition always remains positive.    “Because we don’t really go head-to-head in marching band competitions, I find they are often a very positive environment, which is different from a lot of sporting events these days,” Fischer said.    Lee’s Summit North Bronco Marching Band performed in a non-competitive exhibition after all other bands performed. But even with no schools to beat, the band did a great job.    “Probably our best run of the year so far.  We’ve got some key moments to clean up, and some impact moments to make even more impactful, but overall we are in a good place,” Fischer said.    The process of getting the band where it is today required a lot of commitment, rehearsals, and passion.    “I hope all students, from all schools, come away from the event feeling good about the effort they have put in and encouraged to strive for even greater excellence!” Fischer said.    Now that LSNMI is complete, it is full steam ahead for their final competition of the season: the UCM Festival of Champions.  

Story & Graphic by Gracie Wolverton – Staff Reporter Over the weekend, the LSN Bronco Marching Band attended the Smith-Cotton Invitational. The Bronco Marching Band placed in 2nd place in their class at the competition.    Overall, marchers feel they had a good performance, but they believe that there is always room to improve. After a competition, each individual will take feedback and apply it to make a positive change for the entire band.    “That is the beauty of the art: we take those mistakes and practice to fix them,” Amelia Hughes, sophomore, said.    Competing is about more than just a score. Competing is about building bonds and seeing hard work pay off.     “I think the most enjoyable part of the competition is getting to spend the day with my friends, enjoying an activity we all put so much work into together,” Hughes said.    The Bronco marching band had a successful and enjoyable competition at the Smith-Cotton Marching Band Invitational.

Story by Malaykah Mbeche – Staff Reporter    KC Pet Project provides services such as adoption, foster care, and lost and found pet support.    “This non-profit organization is the city shelter for Kansas City,” Jennifer Belmore, chemistry teacher, said.     She tries to make a difference one pet at a time.    “I adopted my first dog from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah 12 years ago. When I returned to Kansas City, I wanted to give back to my community by helping our local homeless animals,” Belmore said.    She has worked with KC Pet Project for 10 years.    “I am currently fostering my 50th foster dog. Her name is Ms. Bowen, and she is an 11.5-year-old pitbull,” Belmore said.    She has a dog of her own that she adores as well.    “Zef, 13-year-old pitbull, adopted from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah,” Belmore said.    She has a certain compassion when it comes to the animals.    “Animal shelters and rescues are in crisis with the number of animals needing assistance, and need all of the volunteers they can get,” Belmore said.    If you are interested in making this difference, the places to start are https://kcpetproject.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/ and kcpetproject.org           Photo courtesy of Ms. Belmore

Story & Photo by Morgan Hill – Assistant Editor-in-Chief/Sports Editor     At LSN, the student section leaders, known as the Crimson Crazies, decide the game themes for all football games and other sporting events.    They also lead the student section in chants and unite all grades of Broncos through chants and cheers.    Crimson Crazies are hand-selected by administrators and are chosen by who has the most school spirit and Bronco pride.    The Crimson Crazies love their jobs and take pride in their school spirit.    “I can be very energetic and hype, and no one will judge me about it,” Payton Breece, senior, said.    As Crimson Crazies, they love to plan for games by painting banners and communicating game themes on social media; they also love leading chants throughout the student section.    The Crimson Crazies plan to make their senior year and this school year very special by creating the most Bronco spirit.