Spark

2021-22 Issue 1

October 29, 2021

Lakota removes masking requirement for in-person learners and staff

Mia Hilkowitz • October 29, 2021

STORY MIA HILKOWITZ | ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS WUDIE AMASLU | PHOTOGRAPHY FAIR USE Friday Oct. 29, Superintendent Matt Miller announced to Lakota community members that masks will no longer be required for...

Little Hawks on the Big Court

East Volleyball teams are collaborating to create a workshop for elementary kids in hopes of building the program beyond its GMC leadership.

Mary Barone • October 27, 2021

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY MARY BARONE Amid the chaos of balls flying over the net and kids chasing one another, East girls’ varsity volleyball coach Jen Dreher prepares herself for the two-hour clinic...

The New Trend

Mary Barone • October 22, 2021

STORY MARY BARONE | PHOTOGRAPHY CALEB VANATTA With paper towels strewn across the floor, hand soap smeared on walls, and faucets torn from sinks, Lakota East bathrooms fell victim to a TikTok trend titled...

A Gateway for Kindness

Kien Vu • October 22, 2021

STORY KIEN VU | PHOTOGRAPHY FAIR USE Designed to help Lakota students and families in need of supplies, the Neighborhood Bridges Group’s “Gateway for Kindness” program has been continuing to support...

A Loss of Respect

With politics at an all time high nationwide, monthly board meetings are tense and thus have been straying from educational topics. Feature editor Marleigh Winterbottom reflects on her experiences attending these meetings.

Marleigh Winterbottom • October 21, 2021

COLUMN MARLEIGH WINTERBOTTOM PHOTOGRAPHY OLIVIA RIGNEY I sat speechless as a man walked confidently up to the stand, with 30 seconds left in the public comment section, closing out the night at a Lakota...

Boiler Up, Hammer Down

East senior Charlie Kenrich received 21 college offers but selected Purdue University as his new home.

Ben Stowe • October 21, 2021

STORY BEN STOWE PHOTOGRAPHY RILEY HIGGINS INFOGRAPHICS EVIE COLPI AND MARY BARONE The scoreboard reads 27-27 with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. The East Thunderhawks possess the...

Time and Time Again

Culture Editor Andie Madding reviews the sci-fi classic novel Dune ahead of its movie-adaptation theatrical release. Rating: 3.5/5

Andie Madding • October 21, 2021

REVIEW ANDIE MADDING ART EVIE COLPI Revered as one of the most influential science fiction books to ever grace the shelves, Dune has sold more than 12 million copies since its release in 1965, and has...

Tech But No Support

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the ways technology is utilized in the classroom and workforce.

Natalie Mazey • October 21, 2021

STORY AND INFOGRAPHIC NATALIE MAZEY PHOTOGRAPHY RILEY HIGGINS Donovan Sweeten was thrilled to be taking Honors Chemistry, a class full of experimentation and hands-on learning. When the East junior checked...

The Doctor is Logged In

Mia Hilkowitz • October 21, 2021

STORY AND INFOGRAPHIC MIA HILKOWITZ PHOTOGRAPHY RILEY HIGGINS Usually when Megan Davis turns on her school-issued Chromebook, it’s to complete her AP homework or to check her schedule for marching...

The Mask Debate

After mandating masks for the Lakota 2021-2022 school year, the Lakota district has been met with an even split of support and protests.

Mary Barone • October 21, 2021

STORY, PHOTOGRAPHY AND INFOGRAPHIC MARY BARONE Nearly 200 concerned parents and community members cram into the dimly-lit cafeteria of Plains Junior. A broadcast of the Lakota School Board meeting in...

Beyond the Cinder Block Walls

The sudden lockdown Spring of 2020 caused a shift in educational practices. Online and remote learning imposed new challenges for students.

Marleigh Winterbottom • October 20, 2021

STORY AND INFOGRAPHIC MARLEIGH WINTERBOTTOM PHOTOGRAPHY RILEY HIGGINS For the first 10 years of her education, East senior McKenzie Watson spent everyday in her familiar school desk and chair, listening...