Humans of LCHS Humans of LCHS highlights untold stories of people throughout the building. This can include life lessons, inspirational stories, and hidden realities, diving deep within the individual.
Humans of LCHS
LEAP founder Sarah Truslow smiles while talking about her company and her goals. (
Olivia Hall )
“I have a therapeutic horse farm called Lisa Equine Assisted Programs, also known as LEAP. That horse farm works with people with special needs, and people with PTSD. My legacy, when I pass away, will be to leave LEAP for the next generation.”
Senior Sydney Mullen performs her floor routine to the judges.
Courtesy of Sydney Mullen
“I had The University of Maryland in my head but didn't think about exploring further into it. I was looking at other colleges. After junior year I had a visit to The University of Maryland and I loved the supportiveness for the staff and coaches. They continuously showed that they were very interested in pursuing me. I felt loved and they were thinking about what's best for me. It was so exciting. It's cliche to say but, stepping on to the campus I knew I was supposed to be there. I just pictured myself and my life for the next four years there.”
Chemistry and Forensic Science teacher Lindsay Woodward sits at her desk during her planning period. (
Amara Comfort )
"I set a goal at the beginning of the school year to try and be a more positive teacher [by] encouraging positivity from my students, and make sure that even if I am having a bad day that the kid won't know that. I also want to make their experience in my classroom a positive one instead of a negative one. Even though they are dealing with a tough topic like chemistry, by creating a fun more inviting environment to make them want to be here and make them want to try hard things."
English 11 teacher Kate Fletcher talks about her love for running and her passions. (
Karleigh Lundy )
“Im always motivated to run by personal reasons and the Lion Pride Run, so im running for myself as well as the students, “ said English 11 teacher Kate Fletcher.
“To tell the truth, the students of Louisa County inspire me to run, but i'm often inspired by people who are strong and have overcome obstacles, because that part of them is the same part that’s in all of us that we can use to do whatever we’re passionate about, for me it just happens to be running.”
Junior thrower, Jayden Thompson standing in the hallway after being interviewed. (
Jonathan Jarvis )
"Two weekends ago, I threw a personal record of 47 feet and eight inches, and that puts me a foot and a half off of the school record. I think it's pretty cool because my dad threw a 49 when he was in high school and he was two inches off the school record. I think he won't be upset if I do manage to beat his personal record. He'd be happy for me because I feel like it would be cool to have your own son beat your record. To finish the season my goal is to break the school record, but next year as a senior I'm going to have to work hard and try to go for the state record."
Attendance specialist, Adrienne Harris talks about her goals for students at LCHS. (
Tegan Moss )
“[My goal is to make sure] I'm following all of my dreams and touching the lives of young children because that's what I went to school for. So being able to see the growth of the kids each day is really important. [The people who impact me most] would be my kids, and the reason why is because they push me to be a better person each day and not to give up."
Rodney Redd talks about how he enjoys working in the high school. (
Emma Ryan )
“My favorite part about working here is the students, and the relationships I have with them, and the relationships that I have with the faculty, staff, and the people that work on our campus. Whether they work in the school or the department of transportation or maintenance, I really enjoy all the relationships and how everyone works hard together. I think that it's important to make sure that you do something that you enjoy for a living so that you can give it your all and never feel like you have to work a day in your life.”
Shaun Woody, pictured here in his office, reflects on his path to becoming an administrator.
(
Carlee Hicks )
"Initially, I began my teaching career in 2004. I was an Earth Science and Ecology teacher and coached three sports. I coached golf, basketball, and baseball. I obtained my master's degree to become an administrator because I wanted to impact more students than just the students I taught in my classroom."
"As the assistant principal of 9th and 11th grade, you can speak to and work with roughly 800 students in the building. That was my drive, in terms of transitioning from a teacher to an administrator. Having that larger impact on a school and being able to work with more students to hopefully guide them in the right direction."
"I think one of the focuses of my job here is to help students overcome obstacles that they face every day. Whether it be conflicts with other students, academic struggles, or personal struggles in life — I think that's one of the main parts of my job. When students are in my office, [I get to] talk to them about life—talk to them about overcoming their struggles and hardships, guide them, and give them advice to head down the right path. Even when that path may have been curved a little bit for that student at that time."
Technology Assistant April Pekary, talks about her mom. (
Amara Comfort )
“My mother is the most hardworking woman. She never stops, always keeps going, and has a great attitude. She shaped not only the mother I am today, but also the person I am today.”
“I went to a LaShawn Merritt camp earlier in the summer, and not only did we get to work with him, but other coaches that he had brought in. He taught me a lot about running, and how to keep yourself going out there. I mean he kept saying that learning [responsible running] is something you have to learn yourself. He gave me advice about running, but mainly for the 400m. That’s not really my race, but I took what I could from that. A piece of advice I'd give is that over the summer, to help motivate yourself, in the morning just get it over with, and run with friends, they always make runs more fun.”
Neveah Kegley poses for a picture after explaining how softball has impacted her as a student, athlete, and individual. (
Cheyenne Henderson )
“My biggest hobby is playing softball; I play for the school team and a travel team based out of Richmond. Softball has taught me the importance of balancing work, school and having a strong work ethic; these qualities have helped me grow as a student and an individual. My motto that I live by in my day-to-day life is to keep going, no matter what. If something's hard, you must work through it; it doesn't matter. In school, if the work is hard, you have to ask questions, you have to get help, and you have to work through it, no matter what.”
Economics and Personal Finance teacher, Alexander Morton, poses in front of two pictures taken with teachers that have supported him.
(
Brooklyn Nemec )
“I have taught at Louisa for one year, but I’ve been teaching for nine years total. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a student because of previous teachers that have supported me. My seventh grade teacher, Mr. Collins, made lessons really engaging before engagement was really seen in school classes. My history teacher helped me start thinking more about becoming a teacher, and helped me throughout that process. I was also really close to a professor at Longwood that I played chess with, and he has donated lots of books to help advance my dream as a teacher.”
Ms. Barnes is at her desk editing an article from one of her students while they watch Of Mice and Men. (
Elliott Moreno )
“So I was a student here, and I guess it was in Miss Weddle’s English class that I kind of got the true love for English in particular. Then I went off to college, and I really, really loved English literature. Studied that all four years. I had a really good friend in college who was doing the education program, and just kind of seeing her experience it kind of ignited an interest in me. I started doing it and then I really enjoyed it.
“I did middle school for a while and I really liked it. I know that people come and they're like, oh my gosh, middle school is so hard. I found them kind of, you know, sweet, but then I took on high school once I got hired here. And I also really, really like it here.”
“My grandma has had a really important influence on me. She has taught me so many things about life and how to raise my little boy. She’s taught me how to cook and how to love unconditionally. I’ve learned that life is too short. Don’t hold grudges. Spend time with your loved ones. Cherish every day because it’s a gift.”
“What legacy do I want to leave behind? What you do in life, or whatever path that you choose, remember to always be kind to others and be a good person in life. When you smile, other people smile, and you may make a difference in someone else’s life by being kind.”
Senior Cole Harkey said, “Becoming a state champion in acting is probably my best success thus far. I have always wanted to be an actor, but I have been shunned away from it until I came to Louisa. It's such a positive environment and I was encouraged to pursue acting, outside of school, I like to hang out with my friends, I’m a lifeguard manager, and a model with Model Logic Incorporated.”
“I would like to set a path for up-and-coming freshmen and sophomores to show them you can do good in school and in life and still be cool and have fun.”
