By Janie Jansen
When it comes to using their brains, Megan Kolman and Andrea Caspary don’t limit their intelligence to the classroom.
In addition to having unweighted grade point averages above 3.80, the Leon duo invariably outwits its opponents on the tennis court.
It was those smarts which enabled Kolman and Caspary to lead the Leon girls varsity tennis team to the 2010 state championship, the first ever by a team from the entire Panhandle region.
Their mental prowess was never more valuable than on the final day of the state tournament, when they …

By Janie Jansen
Sophomore Delaney Dye did not start diving until this year, but she’s already making a splash on a national level.
On the weekend of April 10-11, Dye traveled to Ohio for the National Competition, competing in the 16- to 18-year-old division.
Dye placed 20th in her age division, which she qualified for by winning first place in the FHSAA state competition. Dye was one of six competitors from Florida.
Dye felt she could have placed higher if it hadn’t been for her injury during warm up.
“I was in the middle of …

By June Lee
Why do we join clubs? The primary motive would be our actual interest in getting involved.
There are other reasons, too.
We might want to show colleges what they want to see: having a life outside of academics. Or, we can’t stand being alone for one lunch when our friends are obligated to be at a meeting.
Unfortunately, we end up too ambitious, joining many clubs without limitations.
The participants in clubs are ultimately the same core group of people.
As a result, not as many students are involved in clubs as they …

By Blanche Brown

Step One: Familiarize Yourself

For those who are not yet hip enough (you will be if these guidelines are followed) to know, indie is a modern sub-culture that extols individuality and whose members have a certain contemptuous air that makes them desirous to all.
Indie is short for independent, originally taken from the Independent Music genre. It has developed into a concept of rebelling against mainstream culture, especially in regards to music and fashion, and its rules must be strictly adhered to.

Step Two: Attire

Examine your wardrobe. Did you find any …

By C.C. Smith
The Latin state competition was held in Orlando from April 14-17.
Out of 43 schools, Leon was one of three to finish with over 400 points.
Leon High finished third in the Academic Sweepstakes, third in the Overall Sweepstakes and sixth in Certamen.
“We held our own. Everyone placed in both of their contests and all of our Certamen teams made it to the semi-finals.” – Jeffrey Satriano
The Leon Thespians received only the highest scores possible, ‘excellent’ and ‘superior,’ for their performances at the state level.
Leon took home Best Small Group …

By C.C. Smith
Economics teacher Mohanlall Birbahadur, commonly known as Mr. B., is retiring after this school year as this is the end of his fifth year in the Drop Extension program.
“It’s a unique class. Not just anyone can teach it. He’s going to be a tough teacher to replace.” -Principal Rocky Hanna
Hanna will go outside the school faculty to find a replacement.

Next year, Assistant Principal of Curriculum Billy Epting will be Principal at Canopy Oaks Elementary.

By C.C. Smith

 On April 24, Leon sent out a group of students to participate in the Habitat for Humanity’s construction of a home to be donated to a family in need.
Seniors over the age of 18 were a part of the concstruction. Members of Future Business Leaders of America brought breakfast and stayed on site to help.
Principal Rocky Hanna, Athletic Director Mark Feely and social studies teacher Betsy Fisher were also on site participating in the creation of the home.
“It was rewarding seeing the students communicating outside the classroom with …

By Taylor McMahon

 On April 15, Governor Charlie Crist vetoed a bill that had inspired more passionate opposition from Floridians than almost any other issue in his term.
Later that day, Leon hosted a press conference on the hill in front of the school for Crist, and he spoke about his decision to not pass the bill.
Marching bands from city-wide schools joined Leon’s Marching Redcoats to perform for the governor and the press in celebration.
Senate Bill 6, or the “teacher merit-pay bill,” proposed to link teacher salaries to student scores in standardized …