LVHS Weekly Newsletter

Viking Family,

As we approach the end of the school year, I find myself reflecting on change, growth, and the bittersweet moments that come with both. One of my favorite films, The Shawshank Redemption, has a quote that captures my feelings perfectly:

“I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright, and when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone. I guess I just miss my friend.”

These words have echoed in my mind lately as we prepare to say goodbye to two very special parts of our school family—our graduating seniors and our beloved assistant principal, Mr. David Hilsenteger.

Mr. Hilsenteger has been a steady and compassionate leader, a true champion for students, and a trusted colleague. His retirement marks the end of an era for Lago Vista High School. While we celebrate his next chapter with joy and gratitude, his absence will surely be felt. I can’t imagine doing this work without him. I already miss my friend.

And to our Class of 2025 parents—this is your moment too. You’ve walked this journey with your children, through highs and lows, through uncertainty and celebration. Now, as they stand at the edge of new beginnings, I know your hearts are full. These bright young individuals are ready to spread their wings, and while the halls of LVHS may feel quieter without them (especially after last night), the world is about to be made brighter by their presence.

Let us all remember: some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their potential is too vast, their dreams too bold. Whether they are retiring from a long career or graduating into new adventures, their departure is a testament to the powerful impact they've had—and continue to have—on this community.

Thank you for trusting us with your children, for partnering with us in their growth, and for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to bright feathers, brave flights, and the beauty of what lies ahead.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Janda Castillo

Proud Principal of Lago Vista High School

Monday, May 19

• A Day
• **3rd & 4th Period Finals**
• FFA Banquet- LVHS MAC- 6:30pm

Tuesday, May 20

• B Day.
• **8th & 5th Period Finals**
• Powder Puff Football @ LVHS Stadium- 5:30pm

Wednesday, May 21 **SENIORS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL**

• A Day
• **2nd & 1st Period Finals**
• Powder Puff Volleyball @ LVHS Main Gym- 4:30pm

Thursday, May 22

• B Day
• **6th & 7th Period Finals**
• Seniors Legacy Walk and Graduation Practice (See information below)
• LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Friday, May 23

🎓 GRADUATION DAY FOR THE CLASS OF 2025! 🎓

NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO CHECK OUT A STUDENT AFTER FINALS.

ONLY THIS FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED.

• Your student is allowed to sign out ONLY after they have completed BOTH of their semester exams for the day.
• If students don't check-in for an exempted final, they will lose the exemption and receive an incomplete for the semester.
• Students under 18 must have parental permission to sign out. This form acts as parent permission.
• One form works for all final exams. One form per student.
• Questions- please reach out to Ms. Kinslow.

SENIOR FINALS SCHEDULE:

• Friday, May 16: Finals for 6th & 7th (Seniors Only)

• Monday, May 19: Finals for 3rd & 4th

• Tuesday, May 20: Finals for 8th & 5th

• Wednesday, May 21: Finals for 2nd & 1st (in that order)

Thursday, May 22: Legacy Walk and Graduation Practice

• Students should be at school by 9:00am wearing their caps and gowns and be ready to board the bus to the Intermediate, Middle, and Elementary schools. Students may not drive themselves.

• **Parents who want to attend this event will need to check in at the front office of each campus to follow safety protocol.**. Approximate times- Intermediate- 9:45am, Middle School-10:00am, Elementary- 10:30am

• If you did not order a cap and gown, please see your counselor as soon as possible.

• After the Legacy Walk, we will return for Graduation practice. Graduation is scheduled to be held at the Stadium, but there is a contingency plan for the gym in the case of inclement weather. We will practice both possibilities on this day. You will be free to go after we complete graduation practice.

Friday, May 23: Graduation Night- Viking Stadium 7pm

**Students should arrive at 5:30 pm.**

The LVHS AVP team is creating a slideshow highlighting the Class of 2025's journey. Please USE THIS LINK to send us:

• A baby photo (for that adorable "then" picture)
• A senior photo (the impressive "now")
• Any school-appropriate photos and videos that capture your memories.

We appreciate all submissions, and while we may not be able to use every item, they will all be reviewed. Please direct questions to Coach Baugh at jbaugh@lagovistaisd.net. Thank you, LVHS AVP Team

Seniors, before you can receive your physical diploma, you must make sure that you don't owe the school any money- cafeteria fees, technology fees, NHS dues, etc. Please take care of these things NOW so that you can walk away with your diploma in hand on May 23rd!

To preorder your graduation photos, please visit this link: https://vando.imagequix.com/Z9FTB93?keyword=LAGOVISTAGRAD25 or scan the QR code below.

Graduation is a joyful, but formal, event. It is a celebration of the entire class and its accomplishments, as well as those who have supported you to this point. Thus, student AND spectator behavior should be celebratory but respectful- focused on ALL of the Seniors and not any one individual. Respectful behavior and decorum is expected.

• ARRIVAL

• Students report to the Competition Gym no later than 5:30pm.

• The gates will open at 6:00pm for guests.

• DRESS & DECORUM FOR STUDENTS

• Dress for the event is business casual.

• For example, slacks, a collared shirt, dresses, skirts/pants with blouses and appropriate footwear. Boots are allowed.

• Dresses & skirts should not be longer than the gown. NOTE: Heels are tricky on the football field! Choose your footwear carefully!

• Students may decorate their caps with a pre-approved design. If students' caps are not pre-approved or are deemed inappropriate, we will have extra caps on hand to trade out, if needed.

• NOT ALLOWED: Shorts, jeans, hats, tennis shoes/sneakers, flip flops or chewing gum.

• Cap & Gown Tip- Do NOT iron the gown; a steamer is fine. Do NOT put it in the dryer.

• GUEST PROCEDURES

• The gates will open at 6:00pm for guests.

• Please refrain from using noisemakers during the ceremony to ensure a peaceful and dignified environment for the graduates. Thank you.
• If the weather cooperates, the event will be held in Viking Stadium and there will be NO LIMIT on the number of guests Seniors can invite.

• In case of inclement weather, each senior will receive EIGHT wristbands to distribute to family members. These eight guests will be able to attend the ceremony should we have to move to the competition gym.

• There will be a livestream option available in the PAC and online no matter where the event is held for those that are unable to make it down to the football field or into the gym.

• There will be a professional photographer taking pictures as each graduate crosses the stage and receives his/her diploma. An order form is available above. It will be emailed to you and a form will be included in your diploma packet after graduation.

• FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY

• Graduates should meet their families in Victory Plaza (entrance to the stadium) immediately following graduation.

• Students will trade in their cords and stoles for their cell phones before they leave the stadium. If students have paid all fees and dues, they will receive an envelope containing their diploma, final transcript, and an order form for pictures.

Each year we celebrate our outstanding Seniors during the Blue & Gold Ceremony. The incredible generosity of our North Shore community was on full display as thousands of dollars of scholarships were awarded from numerous local non-profits. Our top performing Seniors were also able to honor their favorite teachers with the Shining Star Awards. It was a special evening for the Class of 2025!

Superintendent, Mr. Webb with Salutatorian, Madison Kassell and Valedictorian, Ellie King

Natalie Vaquera & DeAndre Holcomb with members of the North Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce

Coach Phillips with Madison Kassell and Swayde Griffin

BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

This week we celebrated 4 of our Seniors who will be continuing their athletic endeavors after graduation. Congratulations to:

• Henry Sisemore- Basketball at East Tennessee State University
• Cole Meyers- Football at Texas Lutheran University
• Hanna Simmons- Cross Country at University of Dallas
• Sheamus Horton- Swimming at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

We are so proud of our teammate, Lea Wray, who was nominated by her colleagues for this honor. Mrs. Wray is a dedicated educator who works tirelessly for her students. She also leads our UIL Debate Team and serves at the English Department Team Lead. We are so thankful for Mrs. Wray and how she embodies the "WE ALL ROW" attitude at LVHS!

Here at LVHS, we are so thankful for all of the substitute teachers who help us make it through each week, but we are especially thankful for these 4 women who regularly step up and take on the tough but indispensible role of of SUPER SUB!

Each year the Senior class works with the principal to plan a Senior prank. This year, the Class of 2025 planned a slumber party in the gym, had a nice campfire outside the cafeteria, turned the cafeteria into a club and "rearranged" furniture throughout the building. It's a fun tradition that creates a lasting memory together!

The Spanish department held its first annual Latin Legends Museum to celebrate the impact that Latin Americans have had on history and culture over the years. The museum was open to faculty and students as well as the community who were able to vote on their favorite project. The winner was Hector Martinez whose artwork of soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured above. All of our students did a wonderful job of celebrating the greatness of the Latin community!

LVHS Soccer had its own "awards banquet" where the boys could be on the pitch together one last time. Congrats to Daylan Sharrock on receiving MVP (pictured right with Coach Sharrock). Extra special shout out to the Seniors who helped establish the program! (pictured below) Great job, Vikes!

We've got such a good start! We'll accept cereal through the end of the school year.

Let's do this, Vikings!

Junior Jumpstart was all about preparing you and your 11th grader for Senior year. There was a lot of information presented, and we don't want you to miss a thing. You can watch the entire presentation here or you can go through the slides we presented. Still have questions, please reach out to your counselors, Mrs. Lara Clark or Mrs. Whitney Read.

Dr. Christie's Algebra 2 students had a fun and educational time building extremely strong and durable bridges with nothing more than store-bought toothpicks and Elmer's School Glue.

All six bridges had amazing durability as bridges that weigh 1-3 ounces and supporting load weights of 15-25 pounds. That's a ratio of 300 or 400 to 1. First period was our winning class (pictured above) and will have a pizza party on their final day!

Lucy Rees and Allisen Shipp were honored at Congressman McCaul's office in Bee Caves. Allisen is going to have her artwork on display in the Austin offices and Lucy will have her artwork displayed in Washington DC! A huge "thank you" to Sarah Mangum at Vista Framing & Art here in Lago Vista! Without her help, we would not have been able to meet the strict timelines for framing! Go see her for all of your framing needs! She does beautiful work!!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The Booster Club needs your help! Please consider signing up to help out at the concession stand.

WE ALL ROW!

Graduation Ceremony Concessions:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-56089281-2025#/

GoldStar Transit is hiring school bus drivers for Lago Vista ISD!
- Starting at $20.50 per hour
- $1,500 sign on bonus w/experience
- Bring your kids to work, no daycare needed.
- No experience necessary....training provided!

Submit your application online today at https://ridesta.com/careers/.
Please contact (512) 267-8300 x1508 with questions.

Principal, Janda Castillo- jcastillo@lagovistaisd.net

Assistant Principal, David Hilsenteger- dhilsenteger@lagovistaisd.net

Assistant Principal, Dusty Kinslow- dkinslow@lagovistaisd.net
Website: https://www.lagovistaisd.net/page/lhs.Home

Phone: 512-267-8300 ex.5500