Citrus County School District

"Where learning is the expectation and caring is the commitment."

The outstanding Theatre Arts Educator for 2023 Ms. Neander!
Written by Lourelai Cavanaugh-Montgomery.

Photo Credit to Chloe Dunn. Ms. Neander in her classroom with her well-earned award.

Here at Citrus High School, we have our Theatre Arts Class, a place that motivates students to develop ideas, insights, and values. It gives students a home to creatively express themselves and find their true colors.

Our school’s theatre instructor is Ms. Neander, she has been teaching theatre for 23 years now.

This October she was awarded Florida Association for Theatre Education’s, “Outstanding Theatre Arts Educator for 2023”.

Well deserved, considering the number of students who claim being in her class was very helpful to them.

Senior Hailey Kell says being in Ms. Neander’s class this year has given her an outlet to express who she wants to be, “it gives students a place to be who they really are, without being afraid to do so.”

Ms. Neander always knew she had love for theatre, she shares that “Although I didn’t excel on stage at first, I found home behind the scenes of it all, working on hair, makeup, and everything before people are set for the stage!”

She eventually got accepted into one of the top theatre programs at FSU knowing that one day she’d end up teaching it to students who enjoyed it as much as her.

She states that being in our theatre arts class can benefit students in many ways. While being in her class students not only learn the skills of what it takes to be in theatre, but they also learn to “respect diversity and differences, find their voice in the world and feel empathy and emotion for others, and if I can help them with that then I am one happy teacher!”

Her class has made a huge impact on students who participate, “Ms. Neander’s class has helped me become more social then ever!” (Jay Walker)

Not only do her students see themselves on stage during class this year, but being in Neander’s theatre class has inspired students enough to go to college and achieve their true dreams as theatre professionals, whether it’s becoming a choreographer, audio engineer, actor, director, or producer, the options are endless.

Fall in love with reading (early)

Written by Titus Theis

At Crystal River High School on September 28, Media Specialist Ofelia Alberto held a reading for the Treasure Chest Learning Center preschoolers.

Treasure Chest Learning Center is an onsite daycare at CRHS, which collaborates with the Early Childhood Education classes on campus for students to earn hours towards daycare certification.

Alberto read the books “Fall Changes” by Ellen Senisi, and “Leaves” by David Ezra. After the reading, the children decorated fall leaves together.

Helping with this activity was about 30 ECE students.

“It was enjoyed by everybody,” Alberto said. “It was a learning experience for the preschoolers and high schoolers.”

The library is in the process of expanding their selection to include material for the preschool students.

“We are purchasing the books at their levels to introduce our preschool students to the library,” Alberto said.

Key Club’s Key to Success

Caption: Key Club members and sponsor raise awareness about Key Club at The Panther Growl during LHS’ Homecoming Week (Photo: Isabelle Sense).

Staria Klemish, Student Writer – At Lecanto High School [LHS], helping the community is a cornerstone of what makes our students and staff unique. Our school motto: Achieving greatness, every Panther, every day. It is the Panther Way that begins with service leadership. Our school’s Key Club’s sole purpose is to open doors and give back to the community.

“I feel that Key Club is all about growing and helping your community with kindness while also gaining great leadership qualities,” said freshman Phinli Royal.

Key Club is a great club to be a part of because it's very community-oriented, and for many years, Key Club has been leaving a positive impact on LHS students and staff. The club is particularly popular with those students who want to volunteer.

“I was introduced to Key Club by my sister since she was a member of Key Club, and I saw how much of a positive impact she and others had on the community,” said junior Adarsh Nagda.

On September 25^th, the Key Club participated in the LHS Panther Growl during Homecoming Week. Panther Growl is an opportunity for clubs and sports to have booths for fundraising and raising awareness, and it welcomes students for a night of games. This year had over 50 clubs represented ranging from National Honor Society and Chess Club to Animal Awareness and Key Club. Many members of Key Club were able to experience what it is like to be a part of the Key Club community for the first time this year at The Panther Growl.

“It was enjoyable! It gave me a much closer bond with the others who were also there participating and helping. I had the opportunity to explain Key Club to many other interested students. We were giving out free candy and snacks and showing off some of the things you could get by joining Key Club, such as T-shirts, pins, certificates, and more,” said freshman Isabelle Sense.

One of the critical requirements of Key Club is participation in community service and a desire to help others. Key Club offers a variety of opportunities for students to be a part of every month.

“My favorite aspects of Key Club are the community service hours you can get for graduation and that you can help out at multiple charities and just give back,” said freshman Yosbel Ramon.