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October 29, 2025
“Corporal Nicholas Oliver- US Marine (Pictured above)
ESE Department Creates Moving Veterans Day Display at Citrus High
Student Writer: Delaney Laurence
The ESE Department at Citrus High School is proudly showing its appreciation for America’s heroes this November by transforming a hallway into a heartfelt Veterans Day tribute. Students worked together to create red, white, and blue decorations honoring veterans from all branches of the military.
The hallway is filled with patriotic designs and handmade artwork that showcase students’ creativity and gratitude. Each display serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country.
Adding to the celebration, members of the United States Marine Corps visited Citrus High to speak with students, sharing personal stories of service, dedication, and patriotism. Their visit provided an inspiring and meaningful connection between students and the heroes they worked so hard to honor.
Students and teachers are encouraged to walk through the hallway and take a moment to reflect on the men and women who have fought for our freedoms. The ESE Department’s project stands as a shining example of how creativity, compassion, and community can come together to honor those who have given so much to our nation.
A special visitor comes each year as described by Mrs. Oliver,
He comes in to visit each year to speak with students on his journey over the past three years as he is now ready to start his journey towards becoming a veteran of the military. On days he comes home, he comes to help students with work, listens to their needs, and interacts with them. He listens to what they want to do post-secondary and helps them get to where they want to go by doing research with them. If they want to enlist in the military, he talks more one on one with them about what they want to know before they enlist. He looks forward to coming each year through the month of November to celebrate Veteran’ s day.”
An Evening of Recognition:
The Lecanto IB Hoodie and Pinning Ceremony
Student Writer: Jan Amadeus Solis
After an afternoon of steady rain, the skies cleared just in time for one of Lecanto High School’s most meaningful traditions, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Pinning and Hoodie Ceremony, a celebration of perseverance, scholarship, and community within Citrus County’s most rigorous academic program.
The Lecanto High auditorium filled with proud families, teachers, administrators, and district officials as IB juniors and seniors from both the Diploma Program (DP) and Career-related Program (CP) took their seats. The ceremony began with the LHS ROTC Color Guard, composed of IB CP students, presenting the colors. Reflecting the IB’s international focus, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in both English and Spanish, followed by a stirring performance of the Star-Spangled Banner.
IB Coordinator Dr. Ashley Shidner, Ph.D., welcomed the crowd, thanking students, families, and staff for their dedication and teamwork in sustaining a thriving IB community at Lecanto. “This ceremony is not just about recognizing academic excellence,” she said, “it’s about celebrating growth, resilience, and the pursuit of a global education.”
The keynote speaker, Kiah Frink, a Lecanto IB alumna and daughter of School Board member Ken Frink, reflected on her own journey through the program. Frink shared how determination and hard work through the challenges of IB paid off beyond high school. Holding up her own IB hoodie from years ago, she playfully reminded students, “Don’t forget to wash your hoodies!”
The highlight of the event came when IB juniors received their official hoodies, a symbolic mark of progress from the Pre-Diploma years, and seniors received their pins, representing their readiness to complete the final phase of the program. Each junior crossed the stage to cheers and applause, receiving their hoodie from Superintendent Scott Hebert and Principal Troy LaBarbara, who was attending his first IB ceremony since becoming principal.
Junior Anushya Padala shared that receiving her hoodie “felt like a reward for the hard work so far and a motivation to keep going.” The ceremony also included the traditional transfer of leadership as the IB Senior Council concluded their service and the IB Junior Council took the stage to recognize the outgoing seniors.
Senior Ronnie Ho was pinned by his younger brother, Tobey, drawing smiles across the auditorium. “It’s a memory we’ll both share,” Ho said. “This pin doesn’t just represent academics, it represents the personal challenges I’ve overcome on this journey.”
In closing remarks, Principal LaBarbara compared the IB students to “Jedi guardians of peace and justice,” encouraging them to use their education to better the world. “One of you may be the one to cure cancer,” he said, underscoring the boundless potential of the IB learners.
After the formal ceremony, students and families gathered for photos, refreshments provided by the LHS Culinary Department, and warm conversations between teachers and proud parents.
More than just one ceremony, Lecanto High’s IB Pinning and Hoodie Celebration stood as a testament to the dedication, intellect, and heart of its students, a hallmark of excellence in Citrus County education.
IB Senior Council onstage before the beginning of the ceremony (From bottom left, clockwise: Council members Devin Jones, Amy King, Amadeus Solis, Rafe Nichols, Addison Otten, Alexandra Moskes, and Charlotte Opall) (Photo courtesy of Amadeus Solis)
Lecanto High IB teachers, school administrators, school board officials, and IB Senior Student Council on stage (Photo Courtesy of Ms. Hollie Dutcher)
Kiah Frink, guest speaker of the evening (photo courtesy: Ms. Hollie Dutcher)
Senior Ronnie Ho with his youngest brother Tobey after being pinned (courtesy of Ronnie Ho)