LHS is known for its academic intelligence. With some of the highest AP and standardized test scores in the state, our reputation is high. But we did not get there by sticking with the same routine; implementing new teaching strategies and trying different activities in the classroom helps LHS keep its edge.

LHS English teacher Sara Klawonn is doing just that in her classroom this year. She has implemented a program called Genius Hour to help students focus on projects that are important to them. Modeling it after a business strategy where Google allowed their employees to have Friday to work on a project that interests them, with the only requirement being that they had to learn something, and they got really good results. In fact, Gmail was developed because of Genius Friday.

LHS sophomore Rachel Overstreet is using the class time given to her to pursue a project on social media.

“For my genius hour project my goal is to understand why humans all gravitate towards viral content,” said Overstreet. “The first part of my project is that I create a Twitter account and post to try to get people to follow it. Unfortunately it’s very hard to go viral so I currently have around two followers. What I’m trying to do is cater my posts so that they are appealing to teenagers.”

Overstreet has studied what has made posts in the past go viral and has tried to make some of her own.

“One of the hardest parts about going viral, in my opinion, is that in order for people to see your account you have to already have a significant number of followers, so many social media sites make it even harder to develop your own following,” said Overstreet.

Genius hour will continue until the end of the school year, with students working on their passion projects and hopefully seeing the results of all their work, continuing the legacy of LHS.

“Also please follow me on twitter @honeybutterchi2 so I don’t sound like I’m making this all up,” said Overstreet (in a final request).