Story & Photo by Claire Yoder – Asst. Photography Editor     Every year, to finish off the season, LSN Tennis hosts a student-faculty tournament for some last-minute competition and fun. Aaron Layendecker, tennis coach, both plays in and helps to run this tournament.     “I would say [the student-faculty tournament] is one of my favorite events we have all year,” Layendecker said.    Not only is this a fun opportunity, but  it allows students to connect with their teachers outside of the classroom.     “Even when I’m not playing, I still love the student-faculty tournament. It’s a great way to show appreciation to your teachers and it allows me to see my colleagues in a different light,” Layendecker said.    What teachers play depends on if a student on the tennis team asks them to. This year, Layendecker was asked to play by Maggie Hopkins, 11, and took home the trophy.    “Since I won, this year was obviously a very good one for me, but even when I don’t, it’s always a good time,” Layendecker said.    The student-faculty tournament is a hit every year, and is set to continue for years to come.

Story by Ella Snead – Social Media Editor/Entertainment Editor    Jazzy B’s is a restaurant in Lee’s Summit recently remodeled. In the past, the LSN 901 Jazz Band had visited the cozy Jazzy B’s restaurant to perform after a month-long renovation period.               This restaurant is Kansas City-style BBQ and also is a place to hear great jazz tunes. The once casual food spot is now a fancy high-end restaurant. They made the interior more sophisticated and modern. This renovation period was September 25-29. During this time period, the famous chef Gordan Ramsey has been in Kansas City filming Kitchen Nightmares.    Ramsey visited this new and improved renovated restaurant while he was in town filming Kitchen Nightmares. He hasn’t made any comments on the restaurant so far.    In years past, the LSN 901 Jazz Band has performed at this very restaurant. Two years ago they performed a 30-minute set and then dined with family and friends.     “In the past, the LSN 901 Jazz Band had visited the cozy Jazzy B’s restaurant to perform.” Killian Durate, senior, said. The students hope they can return and visit the renovated version of this restaurant.      The once cozy small-town restaurant is now a renovated, new, and improved place and is even being viewed by cooking celebrities such as Gordan Ramsey.

Story & Graphic by Malaykah Mbeche – Social Media Editor/PR Manager   Community Day is a day that gives students a chance to go to classes they usually do not get to go to and see different communities being built through different activities.    Community Day brings, “An effort to get students plugged in that may not know anybody or have a place that they can call home at Lee’s Summit North,” Jessica Brown, English teacher, said.    Brown recalls a yearbook story about Pancake Club, where students enjoyed getting together and participating in the activity. “I think when students find a club they really like, they can look forward to going to it,” Brown said.    Community Day takes place quarterly, meaning students participate four times throughout the school year. Before, community days took place on the first Wednesday of every month.    “I think it was just a lot to manage for both students and teachers before,” Brown said.    Community Day allows for fun-filled environments and a chance to let a little loose. As for students looking to get more involved, Brown also encourages them to join Social Media Content Creation in the LMC.

Story & Graphic by Emerson Godfrey – Co-Editor-in-Chief Early school year means some captivating events, including the dance that many high schoolers have been looking forward to since the first day of school: homecoming. This year at LSN, students have been voting for homecoming court, and two seniors will be crowned homecoming queen and king this Friday at the LSN home football game.    “I am super excited to be out on the field with my friends and fellow royalty nominees and to cheer on the football team that night also,” Addison Harding, senior and homecoming court nominee, said.    There is much anticipation in the weeks leading up to homecoming because of homecoming court voting. This was Harding’s first time being on royalty for any dances, and that made the time around homecoming seem even more thrilling.    But under the glitz, glitter, and crowns, homecoming court takes lots of behind the scenes preparation to get ready for the enticing weekend ahead.    “I have had a lot of fun decorating my parade car and coming up with a skit for the pep assembly with my friends,” Harding said.    The fun has just begun, and this weekend of celebration will bring the LSN community together as everyone looks forward to Friday night’s crowning.

Story & Photo by Gracie Wolverton – C0-Editor-in-Chief    This week, LSN is celebrating homecoming and showing their spirit by dressing up on theme every day. The themes for this year’s homecoming spirit week are based on the homecoming theme, Night on the Bayou.    “Monday is color wars, so each grade is a different color based off of our theme Night on The Bayou. Freshman are Yellow, Sophomores are Green, Juniors are White, and Seniors are Pink. Tuesday is Swamp vs. Sea, so dress in your ocean outfits such as Hawaiian shirts or your readiness to explore the swamp lands. Wednesday is Wrong Occasion, you can dress in Pj’s, Fancy Outfits, etc. Thursday is Neon Day, so wear your neon clothes. And Friday is Bronco Gear, wear your favorite Bronco clothes,” Neko Silvers, junior STUCO officer, said.    The day that students are most excited for is Wednesday.    “I am most excited for Wrong Occasion day because this is the first time since I’ve been in High School that we have done this theme,” Silvers said.    The Student Council works together to decide upon the spirit week themes.    “Our STUCO members share ideas for theme ideas so we have a wide variety of ideas. We then have our council vote for their favorite four,” Silvers said.    STUCO has worked hard to create these spirit week themes. Dressing up for spirit week is a great way to celebrate homecoming.

Story by Mia Colvin – Features Editor  ROTC is a leadership and development-based course at LSN that prepares students for a future in the military and teaches transferable skills along the way.     Similar to the military, students participate in hands-on activities such as the mile run, volunteering and PT on Fridays, as opposed to a classic classroom setting.     Major Norton, who runs the program along-side Chief Gardner, said, “In our class they learn how to communicate effectively, work as part of a team, manage their time, and set meaningful goals.”     Junior Allison Elliott joined the program last year and said, “Joining ROTC was one of the smartest things I have ever done, because it taught me so much.”    One reason it is so easy for students in the program to meet new friends is, because ROTC is a commitment both in and out of school.     A good example of this is the Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) camp. ROTC students attend CLC at the beginning of every summer. The camp lasts about three to four days and allows the students to use the skills they learned in class to have fun with peers.     “We got to do stuff like obstacle courses, swimming, and on the last day we even had 2 black hawks take us on a ride around the campus which was really cool,” Elliott said.     While the program was originally designed for students interested in pursuing a military position, the class also includes content anyone can participate in.     “Whether they pursue military service or not, AFJROTC gives them a strong foundation for adulthood and every opportunity to be successful,” Norton said.    The key to the welcoming classroom culture the program cultivates is trust from the students and their teachers.     “Everybody in there has your best interest at heart and Chief Gardner and Major Norton always make sure you know you have a home in the classroom,” Elliot said.     Inside or outside of the classroom students can always follow the ROTC creed to bring credit to their school and peer cadets through making a difference in the community.   

Story by Charlie Tamborini – Sports Editor   After placing 2nd in the state last season the LSN girls volleyball team looks to finish the job this time around. The girls have gotten off to a hot 17-3 start on the season and are currently ranked 7th in the state of Missouri. Even with a strong start to the season, having the right people in the program is a big part of being successful.    “My favorite thing about the program is playing the sport I love with my best friends,” Kenzie Huhman, junior, said.    The volleyball program has their annual Pink Out game in support of breast cancer awareness on October 8. The Broncos will travel to Ray-Pec High School to take on the Panthers in this conference matchup. This match is a great chance for fans to come see what the volleyball team has to offer.     Following the Pink Out match, the Broncos have two games remaining, each of which are at home, against Oak Park and Park Hill South. The girls volleyball team has started the year very strong, and as the season progresses, they will look to replicate their historic run from last season.     Photo by Claire Yoder – Asst. Photography Editor

Story & Graphic by Claire Yoder – Asst. Photography Editor    With the increase of social media use in school programs throughout LSR7, new guidelines have been implemented, leading to the need for adjustments and a new awareness of how and what is being posted. Abigail Bovee, junior, and Jessica Brown, Yearbook adviser, have experienced the effects of these guidelines firsthand.     “I use our social media to post stuff like ‘Meet the Staff’, trending content and to spread information and encourage people to buy their yearbook,” Bovee said.    As the social media manager on staff, Bovee had previously been in charge of recording, scheduling and posting all of the content regarding LSN Yearbook. However, in order to follow the new rules put in place, she is no longer allowed to post on the account directly.    “Ms. Brown and I have had to figure out a new way to allow me to do my job while making sure we’re doing everything within the rules. I can still make the content, but she has to post it,” Bovee said.    Although inconvenient, the new guidelines were established for a reason, and in the end have a mostly positive effect on the student body.    “In short, we can keep doing what we’ve been doing just with some much needed safety precautions to protect staff and students when running a social media account affiliated with a public school district,” Brown said.    While these guidelines have caused changes for how school social media accounts have to be run, it has been proven that it is still possible to keep posting and promoting while making safety a priority.

Story & Photo by Ella Snead – Social Media Manager/Entertainment Editor    The Colbern Cup is an annual tennis tournament between Grain Valley and our very own girls tennis teams. The clever name “Colbern Cup” is because both schools are on Colbern Road.  On September 17, they fought to defend their title as the Colbern Cup champions. This year they kept the title and our LSN girls brought home the win.This event is highly anticipated by the tennis community and for some it is even the highlight of the season.    “I am most looking forward to the Colbern Cup. Every year it is so much fun because all the different fall sport teams come onto the court and cheer us on. It is very fun to feel the community and support that the school brings,” Gretchen Cobb, junior, said.   This event helps get people involved with the tennis team and brings such a fun environment to the courts. The cross country team, the football team and parts of the volleyball team came to support our girls tennis program and many other fall sports showed up as well. All the players stayed the entire time and cheered their teammates on to victory. Our varsity and JV tennis girls racked up the wins.