May 26, 2012

Arlington, TX – Five Lago Vista Special Olympic athletes competed at the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games held at the University of Texas at Arlington from May 24-May 27.

The Fab Five, all high school students at Lago Vista High School, competed in a variety of track and field events.

Alex Woodhull brought home a silver medal in the 100 meter dash and a bronze in the javelin throw.

Shalena Osbourn captured a pair of silver medals with second place finishes in the shot put and 50 meter dash. Helen Maclachlan was solid gold in the 200 meter dash and paired that performance with a first place finish in the running long jump. Kara Mayer won a gold medal in the 50 meter dash, accompanied by a fourth place finish in the softball throw. Kaitie Malone recorded a sixth place finish in the 50 meter dash and followed that up with a third place bronze medal in the javelin.

Woodhull, Osbourn, MacLachlan, and Mayer teamed up for fifth place ribbons after their finish in the 4x100 meter relay.

"Our athletes competed well and enjoyed a series of memorable experiences," said Head of Delegation Tracy Wancho. "The opportunity to compete and socialize with their peers in this type of setting is unmatched. We're grateful for the financial support from the Lago Vista community that enabled us to travel and compete against other athletes from across Texas."

Wancho cited Vasara Photography, Domino's Pizza, Security Bank, Highland Realty (all of Lago Vista) and American Water Systems (Round Rock) for each sponsoring an athlete. In addition, Leander ISD covered the athlete's entry fees, T-shirts, and a canopy. Tug's BBQ, Sun Hardware, and Bogies Buggies all kicked in for the cost of the athlete's competition T-shirts.

(Left to right): Lago Vista Special Olympics athletes Helen Maclachlan, Shalena Osbourn, Alex Woodhull, Kaitie Malone, and Kara Mayer pose before the May 25 Opening Ceremonies Parade of Athletes.

♦ Coach Karen Green, Amelia Tate-Looney, Joel Doss, Taylor Weaver, Dylan Wheeler wearing their medals from UIL State Meet!
Joel Doss swept through Science individually with 1st Place Overall, 1st Place Chemistry AND 1st Place Physics.

After taking 1st place at Regionals in Ready Writing, Amy Woodhull proudly wears the Bronze medal for 3rd at State UIL Ready Writing!

May 5, 2012
Caroline Bricker and Amy Woodhull were honored at the 2012 Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Awards Ceremony as state finalists.
Receiving Barbara Jordan medals at the University of Texas at Austin on Saturday, May 5, these ladies were two of the twelve Regional Winners.

Caroline's essay was "The Legendary Legacy of Henry Ossian Flipper." Amy's essay was on WWII hero Doris Miller.

Congratulations, Amy and Caroline...and language arts teacher, Berniece Donnellan!

April 27/28, 2012
Ryan Donahue (pictured with coach Rusty Bookout), placed 2nd in the pole vault and will advance to the State Track Meet (May 11th) at UT Austin.
Congratulations to all the students that made it to the Regional Track Meet.
4x100 Relay-8th Place (Tai Gadison, Colton Schwartz, Seth Lozano, Joey Donahue)
110 Hurdles - Garrett Swann - 5th Place
300 Hurdles - Tai Gadison - 5th Place
4x200 Relay-4th Place (Shyheim Buford, Colton Schwartz, Seth Lozano, Joey Donahue)

April 28, 2012
♦ On Sat., April 28, the Special Olympic AREA 13 Spring Games were held. Over 1,000 Athletes competed, including 7 Lago Vista athletes in Track and Field Competition. Congratulate the following for a great performance!

Alex Woodhull
4x100 Relay- bronze medal
Mini Javelin- 4th place
100 M dash- 8th place
Helen Maclachlan
4x100 relay- Bronze medal
Running Long Jump- Gold medal
200 M run- Gold medal
Shalena Osbourn
4x100 Relay- Bronze medal
50 Meter dash- Bronze medal
Shot Put- Gold Medal
Katie Malone
50 Meter dash- Bronze medal
Mini Javelin- Silver medal
Kara Mayer
4x100 Relay- Bronze medal
50 Meter dash- 5th place
Softball Throw- Bronze medal
Thomas Lopez
Shot put- Bronze medal
Steven Outlaw
50 Meter dash- 4th
Softball Throw- 4th

April 20/21, 2012
The Academic UIL team had a very successful run at Regionals with several students advancing to STATE!:
Science Team of Joel Doss, Dylan Wheeler, Taylor Weaver and Amelia Tate-Looney - Regional Champions/State Qualifiers!
Joel Doss - 1st Place Overall, 1st Place Physics, 1st Place Chemisty (State Qualifier)
Jameson Pitts - 1st Place Editorial Writing and 2nd Place News Writing  (State Qualifier)
Amy Woodhull - 1st Place Ready Writing (State Qualifier)
Madison Cherveny - 2nd Place, LD Debate (State Qualifier)
Kelsey Abbott - 4th Place Computer Applications
Joel Doss - 4th Place Mathematics
Alex Schyer - 4th Place Spelling
Caelen Tapia - 6th Place Spelling
LVHS was the 2nd Place Academic Team in the Region, trailing Three Rivers by only 8 points. Way to go!

April 19, 2012
Congratulations to the following students who were inducted into the National Honor Society on April 19th:
Bryce Abrams, Evan Baranek, Isabella Bortolussi, Jonathan Donahue, Joseph Donahue, Ryan Donahue, Joseph Flores, Grant Guerra, Lauren Guillaume, Michael Gutierrez, Katelyn Hall, Sabrina Hart, Chelsea Hollingsworth, Anaisa Kalita, Cole Kannmacher, Megan Kelley, Ryan McKenzie, Alexandra McKinney, Cameron McMillan, Kristen Meyer, Kayla Outlaw, Marisa Peterson, Alexia Phariss, Liana Polikaitis, Colton Schwartz, Juan Tonche, Evan Wotipka

Matt Canafax's AP Physics class launched homemade boats made of cardboard...to demonstrate that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid...sink or swim.

Congratulations to the following Lady Vikings

District 27-AA MVP

Alex Wolf

District 27-AA Most Outstanding Setter

Hannah Pietz

District 27-AA Newcomer of the Year

Piper Sisemore

First Team All-District:

Kalie Gillham, Senior

Anaisa Kalita, Junior

Second Team All-District

Caroline Bricker, Junior

All-District Defensive Team

Melissa Tully, Senior

Honorable-Mention All-District

Erin Strickler, Junior

All-District Academic Volleyball Team

Caroline Bricker, Junior
Megan Kelley, Sophomore
Anaisa Kalita, Junior
Allie McKinney, Sophomore
Alex Wolf, Junior
Piper Sisemore, Sophomore

District 27-AA Coach Of The Year

Debbie Hansen