From the tightly packed hallways to joining new sports teams and clubs, freshman year is all-consuming. Luckily, a handful of freshmen get to see a very familiar face in the halls and at sports practice- their upperclassman sibling. Being together so often might put a damper on some sibling bonds; however, others thrive at the opportunity to compete with or against one of their best friends.

Tensions rise occasionally between LHS junior Kaleb Dobbs, and his brother, LHS freshman Sam Dobbs. Spending so much time together results in knowing the strengths and weaknesses of their greatest tennis teammate and opponent.

“When Sam and I practice, Sam always tries to get in my head and if it gets really bad I always start hitting balls at him. He’ll win a point and just call me names and I’m usually not in the mood for it,” said Kaleb Dobbs.

On the other hand, the Dobbs brothers have just as many positive moments together. The expectations for one another are eminent and they push each other to accomplish those goals and perform to their best ability when it matters most.

“It [competing together] has helped because it has made me a better tennis player. I get to play with him and he’s good competition to practice against,” said Sam Dobbs.

LHS senior Kassie Kolbeck, and her sister, LHS freshman Josie Kolbeck, have a different dynamic than the Dobbs’. Rather than competing for the top spot on varsity tennis, they dance together representing LHS as well as dance for a private studio, Balleraena. The dancers work in unison to improve the team as a whole and eventually produce a solid routine to present for the judges and the LHS fans.

“I think, actually, Josie pushes me harder because she has a spiteful personality and I’m scared of her, so I don’t correct her very often. We’re siblings so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said Kassie Kolbeck, senior.

Josie Kolbeck views Kassie Kolbeck as her role model and finds it easier to listen to her older sister than anybody else on the team. Kassie Kolbeck’s long history with dance makes her a respected veteran especially to the younger, newer girls on the team.

“It’s fun to have such a good leader like my sister Kassie to look up to and to lead the team. It brings us closer together because sometimes we act more like friends than sisters,” said Josie Kolbeck, freshman.

LHS senior Lee Ransom and LHS freshman Nolan Ransom may not play on the exact same level of football, but being involved in the same sport still affects their relationship both at home and school.

“She [my mom] always mixes up our stuff and jerseys when she washes them. They also don’t know who to watch because our schedules are so different,” said Lee Ransom.

Nolan Ransom and Lee Ransom come in contact with many of the same people like coaches, teammates and fans. Having an older brother who is so successful in football has made Nolan Ransom’s high school experience different from other freshmen.

“I think I get treated different because people know my name, so they don’t really have to get to know me and my talents as much,” said Nolan Ransom.

The time these three sets of siblings spend together while attending school together and also playing a sport together adds up to amplify their brotherly or sisterly love. Overall, the upperclassmen sibling intends to build up the new high schooler and make their younger sibling reach their potential.