Every down of every play, right in the center of the field, ready to snap the ball is the senior Brian Lanning.

At first sight, Lanning might not be the biggest or the strongest on the offensive line, but he most definitely has the heart of an outstanding football player and an amazing person, size was not a problem.

“I just wanted to play football!” Lanning said.

Brian remembers the beginning of his football passion starting at a very young age.

“My dad and I were playing baseball at the LCP fields, and there was a uniform fitting for the LCP youth football league. They let me try on their uniforms, and I remember thinking, I want to do this!” he said

Since then, Lanning has played football for the freshman and JV teams at LHS.

“I played center, and a little bit of linebacker for my sophomore year. I worked so hard and my junior year I was pulled to varsity, but I never played.”

This year Lanning was placed on varsity as the starting center. This surprised him considering his size and weight weren’t as big as the rest of the offensive line.

“He was out-weighed by 100 pounds more than once,” said Lanning’s position coach, John Contrucci, “but it didn’t matter; he also had about 25 pancakes.” (when one player lays another player on his back)

Lanning has played in every game this year, but to him it’s not all about playing.

“I love the atmosphere; it’s empowering, and I’ll never get friends like the ones I have made in football again,” Lanning said.

In Brian’s free time he is usually hanging out with friends and family whether  it’s watching a Disney Pixar movie or just “Bro time,” he said.

   Over the years, the competitive aspect of college acceptance has been on the rise. Fortunately, LHS offers a variety of options to help its students prepare, including Dual Credit courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

   Dual Credit allows students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. These classes are offered on the LHS campus, the ACC campus, or even online. The on-campus courses are taught by college instructors, and while textbooks must be paid for, there is no charge for tuition. Scholarships are available.

   Students have the opportunity to take up to twelve Dual Credit courses, which could amount to about thirty to forty course credits earned free of charge. Regular ACC students pay $816 to earn a mere twelve credit hours, and at UT, twelve hours amounts to $5,021. In order to take Dual Credit classes, students must be a high school junior or senior and achieve college placement scores on the ASSET, COMPASS, PSAT, SAT, or ACT. However, Dual Credits may not be accepted nationally.

   Advanced Placement is accepted on the national level and should appeal to those looking at colleges and universities outside Texas. There are 21 AP courses offered on the LHS campus, and students may pick and choose which they want to take out of art, language, computer science, and the core subjects. In this way students are allowed to accentuate their areas of strength.

   Deciding to take an AP class, which has open enrollment, shows initiative to seek more challenging courses, and initiative is something that colleges like to see in their applicants. Each AP course is taught by specifically trained AP teachers and ends in May with a culminating exam. Although students must pay $56 per exam, reduced rates are offered to students with free or reduced lunch.

   AP exams offer students a chance to earn college credit should they score high enough. The amount of credit given varies from institution to institution, though typically a score of 3 or higher (out of 5) is accepted.

   For students that want to seek an internationally accepted education, there is the International Baccalaureate program. IB is whole curricular and takes place during a student’s junior and senior year. IB courses are taught by specifically trained IB teachers and have an open enrollment. Four years of a foreign language is required to achieve the diploma, though certificates for partial credit may be given.

   In Texas, IB diploma carriers are eligible for up to 24 hours of credit at any public college or university. In the Leander School District, IB is unique to the LHS campus, which is one of 41 Texas schools that host the program. IB exams are taken at the end of either one or two school years and require a $65 fee, but as with AP, a reduced rate is offered for those eligible. College credit can be earned from scoring at least a 4 (out of 7) on an IB exam.

   With so many options available, LHS students are extraordinarily fortunate during these tough times.

By Makenna Williams

   Any spotlight could shine on her and would not take her by surprise.  With such confidence it is no wonder that Lydia Hutchison is so comfortable in front of a camera.  The beautiful 5’10” blond with a generous, down to earth personality is a model for Wilhelmina, a top notch, world famous modeling agency.

   The LHS junior has been modeling since October 5, 2010 “I remember the date and even walking into the agency!”  Lydia said.  She even noted that one of the craziest modeling jobs she had to do was stand on top of a trash can in the middle of Austin.

   “I’ve even worked with Ron King (a hair stylist who does hair for President Obama and other famous people), Celestino Couture, and Bodoir Queen,” she said.  Lydia will be moving to New York to possibly sign with a bigger agency to fulfill her dream of becoming an internationally traveling model.

   Lydia still attends school when her job allows it.  “In the modeling world it’s cut throat and going to the student world is a relief; it’s relaxing,” she said.  Even though Lydia is a junior, he sense in style clearly shows that Lydia is ahead of the game.

   “I feel like my style is a bit more mature than others; I have a stylist who gives me tips.  I like having my own style rather than following my friends,” Lydia said.

   Because Lydia is a successful model at such a young age, she was forced to grow up fast.  “I try to hold on to the simplicity of being a child,” she said.  Lydia even tried to keep her modeling job on the down low at first.

   “I didn’t want to be JUST Lydia the model, but it makes me, me.”  Lydia’s best friends, Kayleigh Alsheir and Isaac Tubonenni are always there for her.  “I love having friends over; it helps me relax.”

   Anyone who knows Lydia can easily say that she is very down to earth, but as a model it’s also easy to stereotype.  “The stereotypes go half and half.  I see modeling as art, and some see it like that too.  Others just see me as stuck up,” but no matter what is said Lydia remains positive.  “It’s who I am; I’m not scared of judgment,” Lydia said.

   Lydia’s day doesn’t end at modeling and school.  “I dance for ballet Austin; I like hiking, and sometimes doing yoga,” she said.  With a very busy life Lydia still puts people before herself.  “I really care about the world; I can’t sleep at night knowing that there are people in need.”

   “I’m here for a greater purpose; not to just fulfill my dreams, but to fulfill others too!” Lydia said. 

   Successful, beautiful, smart – Lydia Hutchison to real deal.

   Bright lights blare down onto a stage; an audience watches an actor’s every move. It seems intimidating, but not for Ian Blake. He may only be a freshman, but he’s proven that he’s got the talent to snag a lead role in the school’s production of The Three Musketeers.

   There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Ian Blake. He may seem like your average freshman but there’s so much more considering that he’s in the Lion Heart Choir, ROTS and theatre both in and out of school.

   Ian started out his theater career at the age of six after being forced by his mother, “At first I didn’t really like it, but then as time went on, I got more into it,” he said. From the small stage to the Broadway stage, Ian has experienced both. He’s tried out for a Broadway play. “Trying out wasn’t as nerve racking as I thought,” he explained.

   One would expect that with this kind of experience everything would be perfect. But “nobody’s perfect” as he admits himself. When messing up lines happens, “I don’t let it show by improving,” Ian said.

   As Flight Commander of Echo Flight, Ian wants to continue his high school ROTC career into the military after college, “Both of my grandfathers were in the Navy, so I want to follow in their footsteps,” he said.

   He also is a member of Lion Heart Choir which he describes as hard but fun. He’s been in choir since middle school, “I started out in choir at Henry Middle School and knew that I was going to do it in high school,” said Ian.

   As a freshman he has also snagged the role of d’Artagnan in the school’s 2011 production of The Three Musketeers. “It was an awesome feeling seeing that I won the role, considering that I had originally read for a different role,” Ian said.

But behind all those extracurricular activities there’s a regular boy who likes to listen to Sabaton and who’s favorite sport is hockey, who likes action movies, and whose favorite kind of music is metal, who like any other boy enjoys watching football. “My favorite football team is the Patriots,” he said.

   Ian also has other aspirations like getting his IB diploma and his learner’s permit when he turns 15, especially since he was zoned for Vista, “I was originally supposed to go to Vista, but my mom wanted me to come to Leander for IB. I also liked Leander because they have a great theater program,” Ian said.

The opening date for The Three Musketeers is Nov. 3, 2011 and is playing until Nov. 6, 2011. Get your ticket information at: http://www.leandertheater.org/

   Tall and tan with long blonde curls—this is not the stereotypical image of an intelligent, dedicated woman. However, Hailey Stevenson has all of these characteristics and inspires us daily. Not only is Hailey a four-year varsity swimmer, student body president, active member of C², and this year’s Homecoming Queen, but she is also a considerate, caring person with high values and strong Mormon beliefs.

   Her positive aura brightens everyone’s day and her excellence makes her the perfect role model. Hailey strives to be the best and has very high standards. “I want to be an effective leader and change the world,” she said.

   To be a teenager and have dreams of leaving the world a better place is truly impressive.

   During an interview, Hailey explains her daily routine. She starts by waking up at 4:50 a.m. every morning in order to attend a group seminary at 6:00 a.m. From there she races to swim practice, where she is permitted to be thirty minutes late every day. Then she helps the JV swimmers at their practice. After all of this she begins school. When school is over she attends student council meetings.

   Not only does Hailey handle these endless tasks, but she sings, dances, acts, swims, and much more. There is nothing this girl can’t accomplish when she puts her mind to it. As student body president, she’s already initiated music in the hallways during passing periods, and now she wants the school to host a movie night every Friday to help raise money for That’s What Friends Are For, a school fund set up to benefit Leander families in need.

   She admits that she does occasionally get tired of all the work she has to do, but that doesn’t stop her. 

   “I have a goal to impact the world for the better,” Hailey said. She thinks becoming student body president is her first step to reach her goal.

   One of Hailey’s long-term goals is to follow in her parents’ footsteps and attend BYU. She is undecided about her major but has thoughts of practicing law, politics, or teaching.  Yet another goal of hers is to travel to third-world countries in order to help those in poverty by building schools and improving their education system.

   What inspired her to want to help third-world countries was her family trip to Jamaica. “There were people living in boxes and some didn’t even have that,” Hailey said. She clearly has high standards for both herself and the world, and she doesn’t seem to settle for less.

   Although Hailey is herself an inspiration, her own role models are her mom and Helen Keller. She admires their persistence, dedication, and similar goals. She specifically admires her mother because of their closeness and likeness in achievements.

   Hailey is not a typical teenager. She’s generous, charitable, gorgeous, and determined.  She’s part of C², loves hanging out with her friends, and listens to Adele. She is exactly what this school needs to create unity and harmony. As Hailey sees things, this is the first step to changing the world and reaching her full potential. “Leadership is not just a position; it’s how you act and the actions you take,” she said.

  When the Friday night lights begin to heat up, Katie Scanlon is there. When the band is called for practice at 7 a.m., Katie is there. And when the middle podium is set up for the halftime show, Katie is on it.

   Originally from Jonestown, TX, Scanlon is a senior and head drum major at LHS. In everyday life, she describes herself as happy, funny and laidback.  Once on the podium, however, Katie is all business.

   “I’ve been in band since sixth grade. I wasn’t involved in anything else and decided to give band a try,” Katie said. In high school, playing a variety of instruments, her friend Kelsey Blanscet suggested she try out for drum major. She took Kelsey’s advice, went through four different phases of competition and was then named head drum major.

   During performances she confesses there is room for error. “I watch the snare captain’s feet (J.R. Alberto). If he’s off, I’m off, my section is off, the whole band is off. It can be very hectic,” she said.

   Katie claims that she acquired her leadership skills in band. “Being thrown into this position, I developed leadership skills quickly. It also means being the last one to leave, making sure everything is back in place,” she said.

   “I get this face; the audience can’t see it, but band members can. I look at the person who is messing up, and send a (mental) message for them to get it right,” Katie said. Getting things right is extremely important to Katie. She strives to make the band the best that it can be.

   Even though band is a major part of Katie’s life, there is one thing she won’t miss about the hectic schedule.  “I wish practices were every other day; it is very time consuming. Sometimes I don’t get home until 7:30 or 8:00 p.m.,” she said.

   Home is on the lake front of Lake Travis where she lives with two sisters,  loving parents and a recently adopted black kitten she named Bagheera, after a Jungle Book character.  She attends Christ Episcopal Church and plays alto sax in a community band.  Katie’s boyfriend, Jordan McConkey, a tuba player in the LHS band, got her involved in The Band of the Hills.

   “Playing in this band has given me the opportunity to improve on the saxophone. I really like the traditional music we play,” Katie said.

   Her love of music reaches far. “I have an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, snare drum, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and keyboard. I dabble with them all,” she said.  Katie’s playlist includes Flobots, CAKE, Regina Spektor, and she listens to anything on 101X, alternative station.

   She also loves playing video games, although she does not consider herself a gamer.  She enjoys World of Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed. “No zombie games, I hate zombies,” Katie said.

    After high school, Katie plans on at least seven years of college. And although she is not quite sure where she wants to attend, she is considering Texas Tech, UT Austin, and other colleges in and around Texas. She hopes to become a dentist, and still has time to decide which dental school to apply to.

   Katie admires several people, but her friend Kelsey Blanscet takes top honors.  “I learned a lot about being a drum major from Kelsey. She makes herself happy. And I want to make myself happy too,” she said.

    Her performance on the podium appears to be flawless; if it’s not, the audience doesn’t notice. All they see on center podium is a confident young lady taking on her role with strength and pride.

Five guys from LHS are taking their garage band Parker to a new level as they perform at downtown Austin venues and around the Texas area. The band consists of Noah LeGrand, lead vocalist, Albert (JR) Alberto, drums, Matthew Bigger, bass, as well as Clayton Koch and Richard Perez, guitarists.

Each has an upbeat and positive “mojo.” Parker draws musical influence from bands like Blink-182, Man Overboard, Four Year Strong, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the past, they’ve played at Austin venues such as The Beauty Bar and Red Eye Fly.

The boys have made it clear that they don’t play for money or fame, but better yet for the love of music. As they said in reference to their fans, “We don’t care what types of people come out to our shows as long as they come with a good vibe and a love for music.”

Keep an eye out for Parker,  homegrown and fame bound musicians!

Download the song here!

“One hundred and sixty thousand students stay home from school every day due to bullying”.  Bullying has become a growing problem in schools throughout the nation, though statistics show that “in schools where there are bullying programs bullying is reduced by 50%”.  Here at Leander High School students are taking a stand through the club C².  C² started in 2010 with nine students and it has grown to an astounding 300 members.  More importantly, this concept has spread through the LISD, surrounding districts, and has even received attention from colleges wanting to start their own C² type of club.  C², which stands for coalition of clubs, takes student from all different clubs and groups to stand together against bullying.

On Friday, Oct. 7, members and sponsors of the Leander C² came together to host their annual Fall Forum.  The C² Forum invites many schools from elementary to high school to LHS to show them what C² does and how it can change and affect our school.  Though no elementary schools were in attendance this year, Running Brushy, Cedar Park, Wiley, and Four Points Middle schools, as well as Leander, Cedar Park, Vista Ridge, Rouse, and Mable Falls High schools were attended.  Some of these schools already have anti-bullying programs in place while others came to see how to create one for their school.

The Forum started off with Leander coming out to share with the other schools what C² is, what we do in our school, and why it was started.  The schools participated in activities to think of ideas in how to stop bullying in their schools and promote kindness.  The students from all schools were put into random groups to get to know people from other schools and make new friends. The day’s activities weren’t all serious. There was an exciting dance party/dance off, pizza for lunch and when the forum was over, cake was served.

In the end, the forum was filled with fun, laughs, dancing, and “SWAG”.  C² is definitely making a positive change in our school, but you do not have to be wearing the yellow shirt to stop bullying or to help those who are victims of it.

Statistics found at http://behavioral-management.com/bullying-statistics.

   It’s said that movie remakes never live up to the original, and while many will come to see a remake in honor of its predecessor, that same nostalgic factor can lead to a viciously negative reception. A mere rehashing of old material just doesn’t cut it and to create a successful remake is to enter into an ambitious fight against the odds. For that reason, many wonder what was going through Craig Brewer’s head when he settled into the director’s chair and set out to remake the 1984 cult classic Footloose.

   As a musical movie that features the trials of teenagers in between sequences of song and dance, Footloose is today most comparable to Glee or High School Musical. The story follows Ren McCormack as he moves from Massachusetts’s urban jungle into the ultraconservative town of Bomont and rebels against the community’s restrictions on music and dance.

   Back in ’84, as a city boy that often visited his extremely southern family, Brewer felt a special connection to the movie and to Ren’s plight as a fish out of water. For Brewer, it was inspiring to “see some guy stand up for his individuality… in a world that’s brutal.” To take on the remake and to work with the original film’s writer and producer, Dean Pitchford and Craig Zadan respectively, was a dream come true.

   In addition to personal motivation, Brewer has a taste for musical complement, what’s necessary to make any musical movie successful, and a strong handle on the themes of sin and redemption, both of which play into Footloose. Brewer had every reason to take on a project he’d wholeheartedly adore.

   For the lead role of Ren, Zac Effron and Chace Crawford (of Gossip Girl fame) were each prospective actors, but both fell through and an entirely new actor was brought in. Coming onto the project, Kenny Wormald was better known for his dancing career—which spans various genres and has taken him around the world—than for his acting. Footloose is his first big film, and for a movie with so much stress on the right to dance, he and his impressive talent was perfect.

   According to Brewer, he and Wormald were “the only two guys that could have done it.”

   In order to remake Footloose, Brewer knew that the original context had to be updated for the modern audience and its new generation of teens. New songs were added to the soundtrack and many of the original’s songs were revamped.

   In order to heighten the sense of contrast between Ren and the town of Bomont, the fictional small town was moved from Utah to Georgia. The move brought out the distinction between Red State and Blue State in addition to better fostering Brewer’s creative affinity for the south. That same affinity can be found in other films of his such as Black Snake Moan and Hustle & Flow, both of which did well to portray a real south and for sure Footloose has followed suit.

   Also resulting from the move to Georgia was the logical addition of color to the cast, primarily in the form of Ren’s friend Woody, the local high school’s African American quarterback. The addition served to break down the stereotype of a racist south.

   Although the remake’s main conflict remains the same, the chief motivation that drives the controlling adults was shifted from a traditionalist nature to a parent’s heartfelt care, a care that at times can be taken much too far.

   Footloose is set for release on October 14^th, and given all the hard work and thought put into it, it should be more than worth the ticket price.

[updated on Friday, October 14th]

1. House of Torment

This year they’ve done it again. House of Torment has two new themes, Cursed and the Reckoning. The Reckoning is a future Apocalypse theme that takes place where visitors experience a war zone in which most of the human population is enslaved, captured, and tortured by Nemesis, the commander of the Soul reapers.

Cursed, a new addition to the House of Torment is a pirate theme where visitors encounter cursed pirates, bloodthirsty savages, and an ancient evil that has all men tempted.

Located in 523 Highland Mall Blvd Austin TX 78752 north east corner at the Highland Mall parking lot across the street from the Sailboat shop. Open at 7pm-midnight. General admission is $19 + Tax.

2. The Horror Haunted House

Austin’s newest haunted house, this is their first year. Explore and old dreaded house with secret passages where zombies and cannibals wait for their next meal. Then there is the Dementia Haunted Asylum, where horror is the new therapy. In this miserable place the most psychotic mutants and fiends reside in the walls of the Asylum.

Located on 12617 Ridgeline Blvd near Lakeline mall. Open 7pm-midnight. Tickets are $13 for single attraction and $18 for a combo pass.

3. Cabin of Fear

Cabin of Fear is a camp themed haunted house, viewed as Cedar Park’s scariest haunted house. It’s at the YMCA Camp Twin Lakes on 204 E. Little Elm Trail, and open Friday through Saturday at 7-11pm. Tickets are $5 each.

4. Scare for a Cure

Scare for a Cure is an Austin-based nonprofit organization that raises money for local cancer charities one scream at a time. Each year, they produce a full length interactive haunted house and this year’s Carnival of Lost Souls will chill you to the bone.

Tickets are $25 for regular admission and $30 for Red-level admission. Red-level tickets are for those brave enough to experience a more intense challenge that gets messy with fake blood as participants run and crawl. Scare for a Cure is different from other haunted houses because it is a theater performance that takes place on 26 stages in three minute acts and includes audience participation.

The haunted house is located on 7400 Coldwater Canyon Dr. and opens every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 pm.