Lakewood High School hosted its annual “LHS Showcase” on a rainy Thursday night, Oct. 7. The event served as a one-stop shop for all extracurricular activities and academic courses. It aimed to help incoming high school students find their interests and connect with current students and staff.
School counselor Abigaile Drost explained the primary goal of the showcase. “I think the goal is to promote Lakewood City Schools and how amazing our high school is, and just showcase everything that we have to offer here,” Drost said.
Lakewood educator Dr. Charles Greanoff, who gave a tour alongside seniors Maya Trempe and Abriana Heinz, emphasized the importance of the promotion. “LHS has the richest curriculum of any school in Northeast Ohio, and we should never miss an opportunity to showcase it,” Greanoff said. He also credited the middle school principals for doing a “fabulous job advertising the event” and indicated that the school is planning even more for next year.
The event drew a strong turnout, attracting more than 1,000 students and their parents. The doors opened at 6 p.m., and the cafetorium quickly filled with awe and excitement. Attendees included eighth graders, parents, high schoolers from all grade levels, educators, and counselors.
The showcase featured diverse offerings, ranging from volunteer programs like H2O to various sports, including lacrosse, soccer, football, and cheer. Clubs such as Model UN, History Club, and Mock Trial were also represented. As the ceremony continued into the night, the room fell silent as the LHS Marching Band performed its crowd-pleasing rendition of “Carry On Wayward Son.”
Incoming students attended the showcase to explore opportunities as future Rangers, among them was Garfield eighth grader Derek Schwab. “I came to the showcase to really see what the high school has to offer—and for the ice cream, of course,” Schwab said. “I came here for mainly football, but I’m also interested in soccer.”
Current high school students staffed the booths, serving as mentors for the incoming class. Sophomore Jake Jablonowski, a tri-sport athlete, represented the Lakewood boys soccer team. “I’ve been doing this sport for two years now, and it’s been nothing but amazing,” said Jablonowski. “I mainly joined soccer because my friends were playing it, and it really is a great time.”
Seniors Maya Trempe and Abriana Heinz gave a tour to interested incoming students. Heinz noted that connecting with the younger class was the highlight of the event, reinforcing the cycle of mentorship. “Meeting the upcoming freshmen gave me such a great perspective on how much time had truly passed since I had been one myself,” Heinz said. “There was a group of girls who had been waiting to ask Maya and me some questions about high school and what high school life would look like for them. It was so inspiring to see them so excited and encouraged; it reminded me of myself when I was also eager to start high school.”
Trempe and Heinz shared details about the clubs, classes, sports, and jobs they participated in over the past four years. Heinz added that it was a great way to reflect and connect with the younger class. The next day, she received an email from one of the girls with more questions and lots of “thank yous.” For Heinz, meeting the students was the best part of the showcase. “It continues to be a way to connect us all and help us remember what it was like to be their age and to see how much we have done,” she said.
The LHS Showcase was a huge success, not only because it highlighted Lakewood High School’s clubs and activities but also because it fostered a sense of community where students, staff, and families come together to inspire, connect, and grow.
Each year’s event plants the seeds for new friendships, leadership, and lifelong memories. Here’s to another year of showcasing the best of Lakewood High and to the bright futures that lie ahead for all our future Rangers.
