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September 3, 2025
Citrus High School Booster Club Hosts
Annual Kickoff Fundraiser
At Citrus High School, sports and extracurricular activities play a vital role in creating a memorable and enriching high school experience. Supporting these programs is the mission of the Citrus High Booster Club — a dedicated non-profit organization comprised of parents, alumni, and community members who volunteer their time to raise funds that sustain the school’s events, programs, and cherished traditions.
On September 4th, the Booster Club will host its Annual Booster Club Kickoff, a community-focused fundraising event. Attendees are invited to purchase dinner tickets and enjoy a meal, with all proceeds directly benefiting Citrus High School's extracurricular programs.
The event will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the County Fair Auditorium, and will also feature a variety of fundraising activities, including silent auctions, raffles, and door prizes.
Community support is essential to the success of this event and the continued growth of Citrus High’s student programs. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Booster Club at info@citrushighboosterclub.org.
New Principal Brings Fresh Vision to Lecanto High School
By Harlan Smith – Lecanto High School - 12th grade
LECANTO — As students returned to Lecanto High School this August, they were greeted not only by familiar faces but also by a new leader at the helm. Principal Troy LaBarbara, introduced during the first week of school, has already begun setting an optimistic tone for the year ahead.
A seasoned educator with over 33 years of experience, LaBarbara has held roles that have ranged from classroom teacher to assistant principal to district administrator. He is known for a leadership style grounded in open communication, collaboration with families and faculty, and an unwavering commitment to student success. His vision for LHS emphasizes academic achievement, personal growth, and a safe, supportive environment.
“We're going to be an A school. My vision is that we will be ‘Achieving Success, Every Panther Every Day.’ I expect every single student to make at least one year's worth of growth,” LaBarbara said. “I want kids to feel this is a safe place where their principal and teachers care about them, and where positive, professional relationships are fostered. Kids should know me, know who I am, and know this school is about positivity.”
From the first bell on the first day, students and staff noticed his hands-on approach. Whether greeting students at the door or chatting with teachers in the hallway, LaBarbara has made his presence felt.
“I feel like he cares deeply about the Panther community,” senior Caleb Fuqua said. “He really shows his true spirit and cares about the high school. He seems genuine and represents The Panther Way well.”
Among LaBarbara’s top priorities are setting clear expectations, ensuring a respectful and safe school culture, and strengthening communication with families and staff. He emphasizes collaboration, often pointing to the Professional Development Room as a model for listening and learning together.
“Another strategy I’ll tell you is, I listen. You can’t do it alone—it takes everybody together. That’s why my motto is, ‘There’s no end to what we can do together,” LaBarbara explained, quoting the Paul McCartney lyric that he adopted as this year’s theme.
Communication has also become a hallmark of his early leadership. LaBarbara has committed to providing weekly updates for families, whether through video messages, emails, or posts on the school’s Facebook page, featuring LaBarbara’s Log. With Lecanto shifting to the ParentSquare platform, he hopes to streamline communication among teachers, students, and parents.
“The key is the more communication the better. And the clearer it is, the better off we are,” he said.
While his vision includes ambitious goals, LaBarbara stresses that success will be built on relationship trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose.
As Lecanto High School enters a new academic year under his guidance, the message is clear: positivity, communication, and unity will shape the Panther community moving forward. ‘There is no end to what we can achieve together because we are achieving success for every Panther, every day. It is THE PANTHER WAY.
Crystal River High Welcomes “One-Eyed Willie” – The Green Turf Tank
The Crystal River High School Athletic Department has taken another major step forward in innovation and efficiency with the introduction of the Green Turf Tank, a state-of-the-art robot designed to paint athletic fields. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community and alumni, the robot has officially been named “One-Eyed Willie” after nearly 500 people participated in a spirited vote to give the new Pirate addition its identity.
The Green Turf Tank will paint lines, numbers, hashes, and logos with remarkable accuracy, speed, and efficiency—all while using less paint. Sports across the board will benefit, including football, soccer, baseball, softball, track, and flag football. For coaches, this is a gamechanger: instead of spending valuable hours striping fields, they can dedicate that time to what truly matters—developing their players and leading their teams.
The impact of this new technology reaches beyond just athletics. It represents the power of alumni and community involvement. The acquisition of One-Eyed Willie was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Fusion Welding Institute, driven by two proud Pirate alumni, Carmen Willard and Austin Morton (Class of 2008). Their support demonstrates how former students continue to invest in the growth and success of Crystal River High School.
The Green Turf Tank not only enhances efficiency but also symbolizes Pirate pride. With its presence on campus, One-Eyed Willie will serve as a daily reminder of what can be achieved when innovation, alumni, and community come together.
Crystal River High School is excited for this next chapter as athletics continues to grow stronger, smarter, and more connected to the community it serves. The Pirates will continue to search for ways to invest in technology to better students athletically and academically. We are excited about the journey! Anchor Up!
