The LHS Close Up students are seeking to raise money for their trip to Washington D.C. in the spring of 2027 by selling Easter eggs and playing the role of Easter Bunny! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Halie Straight or Kari Odenbach at 605-374-3762.
Link for registration: https://forms.gle/ERyGSa1M5mXoJM2j7
Link for registration: https://forms.gle/ERyGSa1M5mXoJM2j7
And let it begin…
South Dakota State Wrestling Championships!!
Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Our group of Cowboys and Cowgirls will be competing over the next few days!
On today’s schedule: Session 1 kicks off with the first round (9 a.m. MT), followed by tonight’s Session 2 featuring the quarterfinal matches (3 p.m. MT).
Leif and Dani made the trip and will be broadcasting live on our local radio station, KBJM.
You can also catch the action live on South Dakota Public Broadcasting or follow along on Trackwrestling.
Let’s go, Pokes!!
SDPB: https://www.sdpb.org/hsactivities/sports/wrestling/
SDHSAA: https://sdhsaa.com/activity/wrestling-championships/
2025 Yearbooks are on sale NOW!
Congratulations to Mrs. Renae Gebhart, who has been selected as the District 8 Golden Owl Award recipient. Mrs. Gebhart received this honor on Monday and was presented with a check from Nationwide.
What is the Golden Owl Award?
Presented by Nationwide, the South Dakota FFA, and the South Dakota FFA Foundation, this annual award recognizes outstanding agricultural educators for their dedication to preparing the next generation for successful careers in agriculture. From October to December, students, faculty, and community members were invited to nominate deserving teachers. This year, the award received 187 nominations representing 44 South Dakota agricultural educators. A selection committee then reviewed nominations and chose finalists, including this year’s honoree. The Golden Owl Award also highlights and supports educators who invest countless hours—and often their own resources—into positively impacting their students.
History of the Award
In its first year, the Golden Owl Award recognized agricultural educators in just two states: Iowa and Ohio. Now, eight years later, the program honors an Agricultural Educator of the Year across 15 states. Finalists in each state receive $500 and a plaque, while the overall winner receives an additional $3,000 and the prestigious Ag Educator of the Year trophy. Nationwide also contributes $5,000 to the South Dakota FFA organization through this program.
Why Mrs. Gebhart?
Mrs. Gebhart’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She consistently goes above and beyond to support her students and community. When a community member faced significant medical expenses, she organized fundraisers to help. During homecoming, when a student could not afford a costume for the parade float, she stepped in to ensure the student could fully participate. Students describe her as patient, kind, and always willing to help—someone who will “drop anything” to support them and serves as a strong role model.
She has also built meaningful relationships with local producers, businesses, and organizations, creating opportunities for mentorships, work-based learning, and service projects. Her efforts have strengthened agricultural literacy and fostered pride in the local agriculture community.
Her impact is evident in the students who leave her program with direction, skills, and a passion for agriculture. Her dedication, innovation, and heart make her truly deserving of the Golden Owl Award.
What's Next?
Mrs. Gebhart is now in the running for the Golden Owl Award grand prize, representing District 8 alongside other district honorees across South Dakota. One finalist will be selected by the state committee to receive the overall award, which includes the Golden Owl trophy and a $3,000 prize to support continued educational efforts. The winner will be announced during the fourth session of the South Dakota State FFA Convention on Wednesday, April 22nd at 8:00 a.m. at First Bank and Trust Arena on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings.
What is the Golden Owl Award?
Presented by Nationwide, the South Dakota FFA, and the South Dakota FFA Foundation, this annual award recognizes outstanding agricultural educators for their dedication to preparing the next generation for successful careers in agriculture. From October to December, students, faculty, and community members were invited to nominate deserving teachers. This year, the award received 187 nominations representing 44 South Dakota agricultural educators. A selection committee then reviewed nominations and chose finalists, including this year’s honoree. The Golden Owl Award also highlights and supports educators who invest countless hours—and often their own resources—into positively impacting their students.
History of the Award
In its first year, the Golden Owl Award recognized agricultural educators in just two states: Iowa and Ohio. Now, eight years later, the program honors an Agricultural Educator of the Year across 15 states. Finalists in each state receive $500 and a plaque, while the overall winner receives an additional $3,000 and the prestigious Ag Educator of the Year trophy. Nationwide also contributes $5,000 to the South Dakota FFA organization through this program.
Why Mrs. Gebhart?
Mrs. Gebhart’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She consistently goes above and beyond to support her students and community. When a community member faced significant medical expenses, she organized fundraisers to help. During homecoming, when a student could not afford a costume for the parade float, she stepped in to ensure the student could fully participate. Students describe her as patient, kind, and always willing to help—someone who will “drop anything” to support them and serves as a strong role model.
She has also built meaningful relationships with local producers, businesses, and organizations, creating opportunities for mentorships, work-based learning, and service projects. Her efforts have strengthened agricultural literacy and fostered pride in the local agriculture community.
Her impact is evident in the students who leave her program with direction, skills, and a passion for agriculture. Her dedication, innovation, and heart make her truly deserving of the Golden Owl Award.
What's Next?
Mrs. Gebhart is now in the running for the Golden Owl Award grand prize, representing District 8 alongside other district honorees across South Dakota. One finalist will be selected by the state committee to receive the overall award, which includes the Golden Owl trophy and a $3,000 prize to support continued educational efforts. The winner will be announced during the fourth session of the South Dakota State FFA Convention on Wednesday, April 22nd at 8:00 a.m. at First Bank and Trust Arena on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings.
Third Grade students created “Mad Script” Puppet Shows during their Library class. They presented to the Kindergarten students!
Thank you to our food service ladies for the wonderful snack cups they made yesterday!
🤼 Sioux Falls Bound – State Wrestling!
Let’s give our wrestlers a great send-off as they head to Sioux Falls!
📅 Wednesday Morning
After our school walk-through, the team will take a stroll down Main Street at approximately 8:20 AM.
Come out and show your support—let’s send these kids off the right way! See you there!
Let’s give our wrestlers a great send-off as they head to Sioux Falls!
📅 Wednesday Morning
After our school walk-through, the team will take a stroll down Main Street at approximately 8:20 AM.
Come out and show your support—let’s send these kids off the right way! See you there!
🏀 Region 8 Basketball at the FJ Reeder Gym – Tonight!
Lemmon is hosting an exciting evening of basketball—don’t miss it!
Game Schedule:
⏰ 5:30 PM – McIntosh vs. Dupree
⏰ 6:30 PM – Cowgirls vs. Faith
🚪 Doors open at 5:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: $4 Students / $6 Adults
⚠️ Note: LMC/School passes will not be accepted
Come out and support these girls—let’s pack the gym! See you tonight! 🙌
Lemmon is hosting an exciting evening of basketball—don’t miss it!
Game Schedule:
⏰ 5:30 PM – McIntosh vs. Dupree
⏰ 6:30 PM – Cowgirls vs. Faith
🚪 Doors open at 5:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: $4 Students / $6 Adults
⚠️ Note: LMC/School passes will not be accepted
Come out and support these girls—let’s pack the gym! See you tonight! 🙌
Welding projects from Mr. Barnes' 8th grade class.
The 2026-2027 district calendar was approved at the February School Board meeting. The Friday, September 18th early release date may change depending on when homecoming is scheduled (which depends on the 2026 football schedule that may be not finalized by SDHSAA until late spring).
Wishing the Wrestlers, Girls Basketball and Boys Basketball teams good luck in their post seasons!
Events this week-
HSGB SDHSAA Regional Basketball-
Tuesday/Thursday
Lemmon will be the host site for the SDHSAA Girls Region- No Passes will be accepted for this event.
5:30 pm - McIntosh vs Dupree
6:30 pm- Lemmon vs the winner between Takini/Faith
*See Picture
*Thursday Night Pending
Results from Last Week-
February 17 – Tuesday
JH & HS Basketball @ Faith
7th Grade – Loss
8th Grade – Win
JV – Win
Varsity – Loss
February 19 – Thursday
HS Basketball vs. Bison
JV – Win
Varsity – Win
February 20 – Friday
HS Girls Basketball vs. McIntosh
JV – Win
Varsity – Win
HS Girls SDHSAA Region 4 Wrestling
Team placed 4th (5 State Qualifiers, 1 Alternate)
Quinn – 1st Place
Lainee – 1st Place
Natalie – 2nd Place
Sam – 3rd Place
Darla – 4th Place
Briley- 5th Place
TJ Bartell – Region 4 Girls Coach of the Year
February 21 – Saturday
HS Boys SDHSAA Region 4 Wrestling
1 State Qualifier
Retro – 3rd Place
HSGB SDHSAA Regional Basketball-
Tuesday/Thursday
Lemmon will be the host site for the SDHSAA Girls Region- No Passes will be accepted for this event.
5:30 pm - McIntosh vs Dupree
6:30 pm- Lemmon vs the winner between Takini/Faith
*See Picture
*Thursday Night Pending
Results from Last Week-
February 17 – Tuesday
JH & HS Basketball @ Faith
7th Grade – Loss
8th Grade – Win
JV – Win
Varsity – Loss
February 19 – Thursday
HS Basketball vs. Bison
JV – Win
Varsity – Win
February 20 – Friday
HS Girls Basketball vs. McIntosh
JV – Win
Varsity – Win
HS Girls SDHSAA Region 4 Wrestling
Team placed 4th (5 State Qualifiers, 1 Alternate)
Quinn – 1st Place
Lainee – 1st Place
Natalie – 2nd Place
Sam – 3rd Place
Darla – 4th Place
Briley- 5th Place
TJ Bartell – Region 4 Girls Coach of the Year
February 21 – Saturday
HS Boys SDHSAA Region 4 Wrestling
1 State Qualifier
Retro – 3rd Place
Ag structures projects from Mr. Barnes' class!
FFA Ag Olympics were fun for all!
Congratulations to Mr. Retro Benson on qualifying for the State Wrestling Tournament!
Retro placed 3rd today at the Region 4B tournament in Hill City. He will join the girls who qualified yesterday as they head to Sioux Falls next week.
Kaleb Ellingson also had a strong performance, placing 6th.
Great job, Cowboys!
South Dakota has adopted the ACT as the 11th Grade state test. LHS juniors will be taking the ACT on Wednesday, March 11. For user information and practice tests, see the links below:
Taking the ACT:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/TakingTheACT-StateandDistrict.pdf
MyACT User Guide for Students:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/pdfs/MyACT-User-Guide-for-students.pdf
Preparing for the ACT:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf
MyACT Practice Test:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/ACT-Test-Prep-ACT-Practice-Test-2-Form.pdf
Taking the ACT:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/TakingTheACT-StateandDistrict.pdf
MyACT User Guide for Students:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/pdfs/MyACT-User-Guide-for-students.pdf
Preparing for the ACT:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf
MyACT Practice Test:
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/secured/documents/ACT-Test-Prep-ACT-Practice-Test-2-Form.pdf
A highlight for the FFA members during FFA Week is to teach the elementary students about agriculture. Each grade covers a different topic that includes a hands-on project for the students to enjoy.
Good Luck to our Crew Today in Hill City at Regional Wrestling. 9:30 Start.
KBJM has the radio!!
Go Cowboys!
Congratulations to our girls today!
Individual Results:
• Briley Gebhart — 5th Place
• Darla Barnes — 4th Place (SQ)
• Lainee Gebhart — 1st Place (SQ)
• Natalie Dreiske — 2nd Place (SQ)
• Quinn Butler — 1st Place (SQ)
• Reva Barnes — 6th Place
• Sam Dreiske — 3rd Place (SQ)
Lemmon placed 4th as a team.
Congratulations to Coach TJ Bartell on being named Region 4 Girls Coach of the Year! 🎉
Mr. Barnes' 7th Grade class projects!
