Lexington High School Key Club collected pop tabs during the month of February as a fundraiser for a Ronald McDonald House. They delivered 52lbs of pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald House recently. Pictured are the Key Club officers who delivered the pop tabs and had the opportunity to tour the house. They learned this is the largest Ronald McDonald house in the World.

Pictured are Key Club officers Rachel M., Marissa L., Lexi D., and Anna W. They lead a great student group that is actively involved in making a difference in the lives of people all around them.

Congratulations Lexington High School Fire-N-Ice for qualifying to participate in the upcoming State Choir contest! GOOD LUCK!

Lexington High School student, Mason H. was one of three area winners in the 2019 Mansfield Noon Optimist Club Essay Contest. This year's topic was "When All the World's Problems are Solved, is Optimism Still Necessary?" Congratulations Mason!

Lexington Senior Luke K. delivers his Senior Project Presentation at Pioneer. Luke is in the Industrial Diesel lab and his presentation was on changing oil in the diesel truck. Great job Luke!

The Lexington High School Art Department had a great showing at the regional judging of the Governor's Art Show last weekend, as 34 pieces were selected. Those pieces will now go on to be judged again in Columbus. Lexington Senior Kayla L. topped the list by having all 5 of her pieces selected. Kayla has also received a $60,000 dollar scholarship and will be attending Miami of Ohio, majoring in jewelry and sculpture. Congratulations Kayla!

Ten Lexington High School students were inducted into the World Language National Honor Society on Monday night. Criteria was based on a 3.5 GPA, at least three consecutive years of a world language, and a variety of service points outside the classroom promoting language development.

French student inductees are: Montserrat J., William B. and Sylvia G.

Spanish student inductees include: Hannah C., Nathan H., Rachel M., Sarah N., Andrew R., Sylvia T. and Olivia T.

Congratulations to the 2019 World Language NHS inductees.

Lexington Senior Bridget T. is not only our 2018 Homecoming Queen, but also had the opportunity to participate in the last home game for our Varsity Girls' basketball team and scored her first basket ever. Bridget has served as the team manager the last four years. Special thank you to Coach Roush, Coach Doutt and the Lady Lex Team for making this moment possible and also to Centerburg High School coaches, players and administration for the great display of sportsmanship. Great shot Queen Bridget!

Lexington High School Mock Trial teams in competition at the Richland County Courthouse. Congratulations to all our Mock Trial team members for a great competition!

These High School BioClub members participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count at Gorman Nature Center. They walked trails along with other volunteers from the community and from Ashland University to count the number and species of birds at Gorman and the surrounding area. These counts will be a part of the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, the nation's longest-running community science bird project.

Lexington Junior Zoe S. recently created a 10-pound paper dress for a digital art project. The creation is named Pulp-Fiction. This name acknowledges that the dress is made entirely of various papers. The article of paper fashion is tailored to fit Zoe, and it is quite wearable! The inspiration came from her love of the elaborate patterns in medieval fashion. The idea also was sparked by the exaggerated shapes and colors of the costumes in Alice in Wonderland productions. Making a paper dress and hoop skirt entirely out of paper was no easy task; it took five weeks to complete! Zoe's art teacher, Mr. Javurek, gave her a lot of insight and suggestions that led to the final product. He is one of her greatest influences, and she looks up to his artistic talent on a daily basis. Zoe's goal is to enter the fashion industry. She looks forward to creating more fashion pieces prior to graduating next year.

Congratulations to the Lexington High School Varsity and JV Academic Challenge teams for winning the 2018 Mid-Ohio ESC Academic Challenge!

Lexington High School students wore BLUE today in honor of Sadie T. and in support of her family from Ontario.

Bridget T. insists she's not a celebrity. Her classmates may disagree. The students at Lexington High School think so much of Bridget, they voted her queen of the homecoming court. "Because they like me," she said.

The 17-year-old has Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that is the leading cause of intellectual and developmental delays in the world.

Bridget hasn't let that stop her.

She and the rest of the homecoming court entered the high school auditorium on Friday afternoon for an assembly to name the queen.

The first few rows were reserved for anxious family members. There was some down time before students were released to the auditorium. One football player already had his shoulder pads on.

Each candidate for queen wore a blue gown, while their escorts sported tuxedos. Also vying for queen were Isabelle J., Abbie M., Danielle G. and Mackenzie D.

Bridget's escort for the assembly was Cade S., the star football player at Lexington. Cade is one of the top recruits for perennial national power Ohio State. The petite Bridget barely came up to Cade's chest.

As the girls and their escorts walked into the auditorium and onto the stage, a song played in the background. Bridget chose "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Bridget was the last girl introduced. She drew the loudest cheers.

The brief assembly was dramatic. Each candidate received a box with 12 roses. Four of the boxes contained white roses. The queen was given red roses.

When Bridget opened her box to reveal the red roses, the crowd erupted with applause. Bridget stood and waved to her adoring public before speaking from the podium.

"You've made me very happy," she said. "I love you all."

After the assembly, Bridget was beaming with joy. She posed for pictures with the rest of the court, as well as various loved ones.

"That makes me the queen mom," said Charlene T., Bridget's mother.

Bridget sported matching silver shoes and nails. She made her way to the front of the stage to hug her grandmother.

Before a reception for the court, Bridget answered questions from several media members.

When asked how it felt to be queen, she exclaimed, "I love it," before bursting into giggles.

She seemed confident of the outcome, saying she expected to win.

Bridget beat out a strong group of contenders.

Mackenzie is a member of the National Honor Society. She's also a member of the       yearbook staff. 

Mackenzie enjoys going to football and basketball games.

"We (seniors) can stand in the front and kind of be in charge," she said.

Abbie is a member of the swim team. Unlike Mackenzie, Abbie doesn't feel any different as a senior.

"It feels the same," she said. "I have a lot of underclassmen friends, and my sister's a freshman."

Both Mackenzie and Abbie said they were just happy to be on the homecoming court. Both of them also plan to go to college, but they are not sure where.

Danielle plays soccer and is a member of both the Spanish Club and the Spanish National Honor Society.

Isabelle is a leading player for the golf team. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and edits the life section of the school newspaper.

A couple of days before the assembly, Bridget and her mother sat down for an interview with the News Journal.

Charlene describes her daughter as "very bubbly, optimistic, confident, cheerful and determined." She is considered high-functioning.

"She just works really hard," Charlene said. "She tries to achieve things."

Bridget has appeared in two school musicals. She was scheduled to sing the national anthem at Friday's homecoming game against West Holmes.

"She goes around singing that a lot," Charlene said. "We're kind of a patriotic bunch."

Charlene wondered if her daughter would be nervous in front of a big crowd.

"I'm not nervous," Bridget said.

Her mom was a bit incredulous about the claim.

"I'm dead serious," Bridget said.

Maybe she wasn't nervous about her big week, but she was excited.

"We have it on video," Charlene said of the moment Bridget found out she was going to be on the homecoming court. "They gave (her teacher) the heads-up, so she videotaped it for me.

"She wants that crown very badly."

Bridget was scheduled to go the dance with one of her three older brothers, Killian.

The daughter of Charlene and Vince, she was especially close to another of her relatives, her Aunt Anna. Like Bridget, Anna had Down syndrome. She also battled Alzheimer's disease and passed away in May 2017.

"They had the same hair color," Charlene said.

They also liked to sing together.

Because she grew up with Anna, Charlene was somewhat prepared to raise a child with Down syndrome.

But that doesn't mean it's been easy.

"Everything just goes a little slower," Charlene said. "There's a lot of joy, but it's hurtful at times. You get stared at when they do embarrassing things."

Bridget enjoys school and reading. She has always attracted attention.

"When she was in elementary school, everybody would say hello to her," Charlene said.

Bridget would hold up her hand as if to wave them off, noting she had to get to class on time.

Bridget may continue going to school at Pioneer Career and Technology Center after she graduates. Because of her condition, she is eligible to go there until she is 23.

She wants to work in a nursing home in hopes of spreading joy.

"Her biggest asset is how she gives people hugs," Charlene said. 

No one in Lexington was more joyful on Friday afternoon than Bridget. The day belonged to her.

"You did it," a woman told her as Bridget was leaving the stage.

"I did," she replied.

(Credit: Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal)

Holly Cipriani, Assistant Director, Pre-College Programs from Bowling Green State University instructs our dual-enrollment students about BG technology and academic tracking during a recent visit. LHS has partnered this year with BGSU to offer four dual-enrollment courses taught at LHS where those students can receive college credit for the courses without leaving Lex.