Spark

Center Stage

East sophomore Reina Ryan takes to the stage as she prepares for her role as Cady Heron in East’s production of “Mean Girls the Musical”.

Allie Haucke, Feature Editor • May 16, 2025

East sophomore Reina Ryan is no stranger to the stage. Leading roles are her forte. “I have always really liked to sing,” Ryan told Spark. “I grew up on Disney princess movies, like musicals,...

The Inherited Palette

Aspiring young artist, East senior Lauren Henninger, is motivated by her emotional attachment to the art that she creates.

Maci Brent, Staff Writer • May 12, 2025

Growing up with her adoptive family, East senior Lauren Henninger remained in a close relationship with her birth mother, Lindsay Dunbar. Dunbar notes that in one of the first conversations with her...

Excelling in Everything

East senior Thomas Truong excels in academics and extracurriculars consisting of the Hoxworth Blood Drive, Asian American Association, and East track and field.

Will Huelskamp, Editor-in-Chief • May 5, 2025

Sitting together in seventh grade math, East senior Sarang Back recalled meeting one of her friends and co-club officer for AAA Thomas Truong. “Thomas was always cheerful and very nice,” Back...

Born to Fly

On Feb. 3, 2025, East senior Oliver Panyko received his private pilots license. Becoming the second pilot in the household, Oliver plans to follow in his fathers path.

Sophie Schaller, Feature Editor • May 5, 2025

Checking the runway and clearing his path, a playful voice commands, “Flight 209 this is your captain speaking, we are ready for takeoff.” Adjusting his cap and tightening his tie, he sure looks the...

Seeing Double

East seniors Kaya and Kenzie Lamb share the behind the scenes of being identical twins, while their best friend Hailey Isacson comments on their inseparable relationship.

Sophie Schaller, Feature Editor • April 28, 2025

Sharing a birthday and finishing each other’s sentences, East seniors Kaya and Kenzie Lamb walk the East halls as the hallmark of identical twins. “We like to do the same things, we like to go...

“In Front of the Camera”

East Senior Remi Deupree shares her experiences in the child acting industry, and sheds light on both postive and negative aspects of her career.

Sophie Schaller, Feature Editor • December 16, 2024

Stepping on stage, the spotlight illuminated the 7-year-old as her small yet strong voice carried through the audience. She sang, danced, and delivered her lines with a sparkle in her eye that captured...

Finding Harmony

East student teacher and Miami University student Mason Snyder works with the Singing Thunderhawk Choir program and brings a new energy to the classroom.

Madison Cline, Staff Writer • December 9, 2024

Walking through door 10 of East Main Campus for the first time was an experience like no other. Mason Snyder was amazed at what he saw from high school students rehearsing for their fall concert. “It...

A Flavorful Legacy

East Intervention Specialist Ellen Bowmann has a burger dedicated to her at Ford’s Garage Liberty Center location.

Joselyn Duff, Opinion Editor • December 2, 2024

Arriving at Lakota East High School at 6:00 a.m., Ellen Bowmann gets ready for a lively, unpredictable day. This routine is nothing new to Bowmann, as she has worked in Lakota for 20 years, seven of those...

Beyond the Canvas

East senior Kaleb Watts pursues a lifelong passion of his in the form of drawing.

Claire Rutherford, Staff Writer • November 25, 2024

He glides the charcoal across the textured page, intention behind every motion, outlining his subject’s features. Kaleb Watts, a senior at Lakota East, has a passion for art. His love for art motivates...

Adorned with Care

Local business owner Kara Day describes her work and how she prioritizes her clients over anything else at her medical spa, Adorn By Day.

Annabelle McCarty, Culture Associate Editor • November 18, 2024

Opening the door to 991 Reading Rd #3, Kara Day preps her business for another busy morning at her medical spa, Adorn By Day. Though she manages the spa, Day still makes time for every one of her clients....

The Heart of East

East senior Lily Horton fills just about every second of her time, caring and interacting with the school and community.

Elizabeth Vernon, Staff Writer • October 31, 2024

In over 13 extracurriculars, Lily Horton is an involved part of the East senior class of 2025. Her most notable activities being volleyball, basketball, HOSA, Hope Squad, and National Honor Society. Horton...

No One Would Know

East junior Cecily Hrenko lost her mother due to a cash crash at a young age, but still makes the most out of life everyday.

Annabelle Hammerly, In-Depth Editor • October 21, 2024

If the mountain of casseroles and desserts spilling into the kitchen and dining room did not give away that the family had been going through something traumatic, then maybe the deafening silence of the...