Ranch Reflections are articles written by students who want to share their experiences, thoughts, and concerns. This is a great opportunity for students to branch out beyond traditional news stories.

Channing Jackson – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – I’m a sophomore cheerleader at LRHS, but I’ll be switching to Braden River High School on Monday, March 2.

It’s going to be really weird switching from one great rival to the other. I have some friends there, but I’m still nervous about going, especially in the middle of the year. I’m mostly worried about lunch. I’m not going to know where to sit.

It’s harder to start at a new school in the middle of the year, because everyone else there already has their group of friends and sort of knows what’s going on around the school.

I’m going to miss my LRHS cheer family the most, and going to the Pirate cheer team is probably going to be awkward at first but I think I’ll be fine.

My little brother will be an upcoming BRHS freshman next year, and my parents wanted me to go there with him.

I wish I didn’t have to go in the middle of the year, I would rather wait until next year, but because I cheer, I have no other choice. I want to continue cheering at Braden River, and I have to switch mid year because in order to tryout for cheer, you have to be attending that school at the time of tryouts. The tryouts for Braden River are on March 25.

It’s been a really hard decision to leave LRHS. My parents and I have had a number of talks about it, but they decided that Braden River is a better fit for me. Seeing maroon and black instead of green and black around the school will definitely be strange, and some part of me will always be a Mustang at heart.

Ashley Barr – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Like so many people across the world today, Mustangs are fueled up over the so-called “color changing dress.” Some students see the dress as black and blue, and others see the dress as white and gold.

The rivalry has been rocking classrooms at the ranch.

Freshman Jessica Benninghove said that the dress is “without a doubt” blue and black, and thinks that anyone who see’s the dress differently is looking at an edited picture or is color blind.

Alex Dietz, freshman, argues to say that the dress is white and gold while looking at the same picture as Benninghove.

Sophomore Brienne Ried looked at the picture and said that it was blue and black, and even pulled up her own picture for reference.

After looking at both pictures, however, fellow sophomore Sam Hester says that the dress is white and gold in both pictures.

LRHS english teacher Michael Johnson looked at both pictures and claimed the dress was white and gold. Meanwhile, Carina Ferrari said that she saw the dress as different colors depending on the picture.

Junior Ryley Sheibler said that the dress is blue and black and doesn’t think that anyone that sees the dress as white and gold is being truthful.

Junior Tyree Rome thinks that the dress is blue and black but thinks that the dress is “deceiving” and something “everyone sees differently”.

Senior Brittany Abate sees the dress as white and gold in the picture that she was shown, but in her own picture she sees black and blue.

Senior Tristen Melichar sees black and blue but said, ” The dress must look different depending on the angle or lighting.”

Selena Gomez – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – When was the last time you saw a guy at LRHS go out of his way to hold the door open for a girl?

Once, it was normal to expect a man to have manners or chivalry. Opening the door for a girl, asking them to go on dates, giving up their seat, not talking about money, not eating like a slob or talking about themselves were all common courtesies.

In todays society either women are lowering their expectations or men are just becoming lazy. According to researchers in Britain, only one in seven men will offer their seat to a woman on a train or bus.

Junior Sophia Masterson believes these “old fashioned” gestures should still be important.

“In our parents’ times, those simple things like holding the door open for a girl, buying dinner, and offering your seat to a girl, were important,” she said, “and today they aren’t because men have no class and women don’t expect that from men so it’s easier to get girls nowadays. Chivalry is dead.”

Studies say only 7 percent of women view chivalrous acts as patronizing.

Junior Danielle Campbell said it’s not really important.

“I think some of those manners are too much,” she said, “but I do notice when a guy simply holds the door for me when i’m going to class.”

Without a doubt, chivalry is less common than it has been in the past but that doesn’t mean all men have forgotten this etiquette.

Senior Jonah Ferber says, “It’s just the polite thing to do, I always go out of my way to hold the door open for girls.”

Shelby Haskins and Alison Sporer – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The annual LRHS Student Government Association (SGA) Dodgeball Tournament was successful.

“For TOPSoccer, a local charity, we were able to raise over $500,” said SGA adviser Kent Ringquist.

Fourteen teams competed in the event including an all teacher team made up of Brett Holte, Ryan Kennedy, Sarah Kruysman, Maggie Feix, and Matt Farhat.

“We also want to acknowledge Craig Little, Valencia Lowen, and Mick Koczersut for coming to support the tournament,” said Ringquist.

This years winners were the Cowboys, mostly members of the LRHS baseball team.

Emma Stock – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Circus Sarasota, an annual celebration of the city’s big top heritage, ended last weekend. Famed high wire artist Nik Wallenda joined a collection of acrobats, jugglers, clowns and other performers in a one-ring tent show near University Town Center.

The show gave LRHS freshman Haille Bogumil a chance to join the show, volunteering Feb. 21-22.

“My job was to usher people to their seats along with set up the autograph tables,” said Bogumil. “I worked four shows and earned 16 volunteer hours.

“Being a volunteer I had the ability to watch all the shows. It’s cool because I can see the differences between the shows. I could tell whether the performer messed up or planned it to make a miraculous come back.

“After the shows concluded I was able to meet the performers. I plan on volunteering next year.”