Cate Eschmann – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Seniors are down to only one week of school left and they are more than ready to leave.

“I’m really excited to leave,” said Josh Aptow.

Christian Balos agreed.

“I’m ready to leave and pursue my future education at Florida State University,” he said.

Savannah Carpenter said, “I feel good about graduating. I’m really tired and excited to catch up on sleep.”

“I’m happy. Glad to leave high school and start something new,” said Sienna Cirringione.

Some students are worried about the amount of work they still have to finish.

“It’s really stressful realizing how little time we have left,” said Isabella Ortiz. “I have a lot of online work to do before I graduate and I would like to finish them before prom.”

Kerestyn Kesgiropoulos said, “I’m very stressed out, but the reward of graduating is coming soon.”

Other students can’t believe how close it is.

“It’s a very bittersweet feeling,” said Camryn Wurster. “It’s so weird to think that after all this time of imagining myself being here, I’m finally going to be graduating.”

Paige Venuto – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The LRHS softball team won its district championship Thursday night, 2-1 against Sarasota High School. The game was a tight match until its final moments.

Senior Mackenzie Meyer said, “The game was intense. Sarasota came out ready to play and we were not able to produce runs until late in the game. It was a big win in the eighth inning. Both teams wanted the home field advantage and we fought hard to get it.”

Senior Logan Newton helped lead the team to victory against Sarasota. She pitched a 2-hitter and went 1-3 with a double and an RBI.

Coach Maggie Sharrer said, “It was a hard fought game, but it helped us prepare for regionals.”

The next game will the first round of the Regional Quarter Final Wednesday night against Clearwater Countryside High School at home.

Morgan Lingle – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – After a year of competition, several LRHS Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Orienteering team cadets have won state rankings.  The cadets include –

• Richard Fallocaro is first in the state for male green team.
• Blaze McMichael is fourth in the state for male green team.
• Camron Symonds is sixth in the state for male green team.
• Harley Wickwire is second in the state for female yellow team.
• Kendal Brahler is third in the state for female yellow team.
• Camilla Guerro is fourth in the state for female yellow team.
• Samantha Pecht is fifth in the state for female yellow team.
• Emma Barnes is seventh in the state for female yellow team.
• Nick Limoncelli is sixth in the state for male orange team.
• Andrew Lim is seventh in the state for male orange team.
• Morgan Lingle is second in the state for female orange team.
• Kaley Gee is fourth in the state for female orange team.
• Elsa Fagulha is sixth in the state for female orange team.
• James Pritchard is third in the state for male green team.
• Derick Hadley is fifth in the state for male green team.
• Jennifer Gaffers is second in the state for female green team.

LRHS JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Richard Roller said LRHS built a strong yellow team this year, which means next year they will have a great orange team. Fallocaro is the number one runner on yellow course in the state. Next year he will be on the orange team and be a sophomore at LRHS.

Orienteering requires JROTC cadets to navigate with maps through a wooded area, gaining points by finding certain locations.

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – LRHS senior class adviser Ann Fleury Friday announced the 2016-17 “Lakewood Legends” and graduation speakers.

“Lakewood Legends” are three graduates who exemplify excellence in the areas of academics, leadership, citizenship and community service.

This year’s “Lakewood Legends” are Sam Jackson, Mackenzie Meyer and Denali Schappacher.

This year’s graduation speakers are class president Molly Mendoza, Josh Ghansiam and Ashton Groover.

LRHS graduation is scheduled for May 20 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.