Author: Alexis Engelson, editor in chief, 2026-27
-
What was Period Advocacy Day?
At any given time, over two billion people around the world are actively menstruating, but like anything, access to period products are dependent on a person’s social status. In the United States, 1 in…
-
How to Survive Junior Year
After 185 days of junior year, I can confidently say that junior year is hard. Everyone hears the stereotypes that junior year is the hardest year of high school because of standardized testing, but…
-
Will hantavirus be the downfall of the class of 2027?
Two weeks off from school felt like a dream, but it was truly the start of a global health emergency. No one needs to be reminded of the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, but the class…
-
Recap of 8A Men’s Tennis Regional Tournament
On May 1 and May 4, 2026, the Leesville Road High School Varsity Men’s Tennis team competed in 8A Individual Regionals. The 8A East region consists of Leesville, Rolesville, Corinth Holders, Wakefield, Millbrook, Enloe,…
-
How do small goals lead to success?
In high school, students are beginning to learn the basic skills of project management. Students must learn how to manage their academics, social life, and goals. Big goals are hard to achieve for…
-
How does changing your classes works at LRHS?
As we approach the first in person, full week of the second semester, students are beginning to settle into schedules. While many students are satisfied with their classes, a large number will attempt to…
-
Review: Raising Cane’s — Just Not That Good
On January 27, 2025, Raising Cane’s opened up a new Raleigh location on Hillsborough Street. The new location, just a minute from NC State University’s bell tower, rivals Franklin Street’s UNC location. Raising Cane’s,…
-
What is a workaholic?
The term “workaholic” comes from a parallel between a person’s uncontrollable need to do work and alcoholism. Both the need to be busy and alcohol can turn into addictive habits despite many negative consequences…
-
The Art of Letting Go
“Goodbye” might be one of the hardest conversions that two people must have, often signifying not just the end of conversation, but an entire relationship. Goodbye can come in many forms: a hug, a…
-
The Importance of Sports Social Media
Everyone knows social media brings a sense of community and access to information at undeniably quick rates. The importance of social media has been debated and beaten into the bush time and time…
-
Sabrina Carpenter is only popular because of the way society reacts to women sexualizing their bodies
“Have you ever tried this one?” is one of Sabrina Carpenter’s most famous song lyrics. It is viral on Spotify, TikTok, and most importantly, in the minds of the American people. Such simple words…
-
I gave up AI and I suffered
Chatbots are Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s new best friend. Chatbots are a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that allow for students to have a personalized, human-like conversation with technology that has access to…
-
Leesville Hosts Toys for Tots December Drive
On December 3-12, Leesville Road High School is hosting a toy drive for Toys for Tots. Donations will be accepted in the media center. Students can earn up to two service hours for donating…
-
Society is desensitized to violence
In the United States, constant access to information exposes people to violence on a daily basis. The media floods us with reports and recounts of “another bad thing” that took place in society on…
-
Is Junior Year Hell Year?
As the first quarter of a new year ends, students feel pressure to wrap everything up. But there are some students that are struggling to “wrap up” because their workload feels like it never…
-
How are my Honor Society Dues Being Spent?
With a new school year comes new inductees for high school honor societies. Many high schoolers join honor societies to build their college resumes, get involved with the school, and extend their interest in…
-
Who Won Leesville 2025 Powderpuff?
Leesville’s Powderpuff game is an annual tradition during Homecoming spirit week. The girls play in a flag football game while boys coach and cheer. On October 6, 2025, the first day of spirit week,…
-
Leesville SNAC Club Hosts Their First Meeting
As the school year begins, Leesville’s Special Needs Awareness Club (SNAC), is in full swing. SNAC is a club where students and students in special needs programs are given an opportunity to socialize. On…
-
Leesville Women’s Tennis Suffers a Tough Loss Against Millbrook
On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Leesville Women’s Varsity Tennis Team traveled to Millbrook High School and suffered a tough 2-7 loss. Going into the match, the Leesville team knew they would have to…
-
Questions Charlie Kirk’s Death Begs America to Answer
With the unfortunate death of Charlie Kirk, America must take a moment to reflect on the culture of the country. Is this a place where freedom of speech is valued over everything else? Is…
-
The Six Stages of Back to School Grief
All Wake County Public Schools that follow the traditional calendar have officially begun. Last week marked the start of another school year for over 160,000 students — including the 2,500 Leesville students forced to…
-
What high school gossip really does to teenagers
Have you ever gossiped with your best friend, overheard a rumor, or even found yourself at the center of one? This is Rumorville — a social environment that is constantly driven by spreading misinformation.…
-
Starbucks Shut Down Due to Students “Studying” for Exams
Starbucks locations in Wake County are overwhelmed by the mass amount of students using their stores as a library. There is not enough espresso in the world to fuel the “studying” of these students.…
-
lRHS baseball won on may 6 after 11 innings
Leesville Road High School’s Varsity Baseball Team won in an 11 inning game on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 against Richmond High School. For the first time in 9 years, the Pride has survived round…
-
The Benefits Socratic Seminars can provide for students
Leesville students aim to get more communication during class. Collaboration and participation can make a major difference in a student’s learning experience. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engleson)
-
What is the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge?
Leesville Students participate in the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge by posting an Instagram Story and completing an ice bucket challenge. The ice bucket trend has caught the eye of thousands in the name…
-
Why is Individualism Important to Students?
The Leesville Road High School Dance Ensemble expresses themself through movement and sound. Each student has the freedom to develop their dance style in correlation with their personality. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
The Power of Night, by Ellie Wiesel
Night by Eliezer Wiesel is taught to 10th graders in an attempt to understand a day in the life of a Holocaust survivor. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
Incorporating outdoor classes at leesville
As the seasons begin to turn, students want to be outside more. Above, Leesville students are walking outside, getting some fresh air during class changes. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
Class Registration Begins for the 2025-26 school year
Counselors are meeting with students in room three to discuss class registration for the 2025-2026 school year. Students will receive a pass from their first-period teachers. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
The start of leesville’s spring sports season
The LRHS field will be home to spring sports such as Women’s Soccer and co-ed Track and Field. With rain on the way, outdoor sports must be flexible. (Picture courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
The Super Bowl is more than just football
Super Bowl LIX (59) is a match-up between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9. Every year, football fans around the United…
-
How do Brain Breaks Benefit Students?
The school day can be a big source of stress for high schoolers, with 61% of teens reporting feeling significant pressure when trying to meet academic goals. The stress continues beyond high school as…
-
Potential snowfall in Raleigh on the weekend of January 10
Central North Carolinians should be preparing for 1-3 inches of snow over the weekend. ABC 11 reported a Friday storm mixed with night time temperatures in the 20’s will result in snowfall through Saturday. …
-
Social Justice in the Eyes of Luigi Mangione
On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson — the CEO of UnitedHealthCare — was shot and killed on the streets of New York City. Thompson’s alleged murderer, Luigi Mangione, was arrested at a McDonalds in…
-
The Power of Spotify Wrapped 2024
Every year since 2016, the first week of December is filled with buzz surrounding Spotify’s year in review– Spotify Wrapped. It has become one of the most momentous events in today’s pop culture. Spotify…
-
Leesville High School Key Club’s First Holiday Toy Drive
Leesville’s Key Club is hosting their first toy drive until December 19. Kids in Western NC, who are still feeling the effect of Hurricane Helene, will receive the collected toys. The gifts should be…
-
Leesville Basketball plays exciting season opener against Cary High School
On Tuesday, November 19, Leesville Road High School took on Cary High School in an intense basketball game. The game opened the 2024-2025 basketball season. From the first jump ball, Leesville and Cary went…
-
Teacher Spotlight: The Legacy of Coach Jake Jones
Jake Jones is a teacher at Leesville Road High School and head baseball coach. For the last eight years, he has been working at Leesville as a physical education and health teacher. Every spring,…
-
Does the Christmas season start too early?
Over two billion people celebrate Christmas every year. It has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. People celebrate Christmas — the birth of Christ — through acts of giving,…
-
How do kids celebrate Halloween around the world?
In America, Halloween is not just one day — it is a whole season. October is about pumpkin, horror movies, decorations and celebrations to make lasting memories. Halloween in America has become a highly…
-
The interesting past of the NC State Fair
The NC State Fair is an annual event that North Carolina residents look forward to. Each year food vendors, farmers and entertainers come together to put on an iconic event. The Fair will run…
-
What are the lasting effects of the “COVID Years?”
March 14, 2020, marked a historic day in every student’s life — Governor Roy Cooper announced a two-week shutdown of all NC schools. Little did students know, the shutdown would last over a year. …
-
Leesville Launches New Principal Advisory Team
Mrs. Jacobs, Principal of LRHS, has created a Principal Advisory Team: a diverse governing body of students to collaborate with her and other administrators during the school year. In her second year, Mrs. Jacobs…
-
Leesville vs Gibbons Tennis Match recap
Mia Caruanna, senior, and Maren Hauge, freshmen, continue to practice their doubles strategy and win their court against Gibbons. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
Leesville Sports Pre-Season Workouts
Leesville Road High School’s Varsity baseball started workouts for their spring season during the fall of 2024. The team begins to prep the field for play. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Engelson)
-
Changes in Graduation Requirements
In August 2024, the Wake County School Board voted on changing graduation requirements for high school students. Instead of 26 course credits, high school students will only need a total of 22 credits to…