LVHS Band Strikes a Winning Chord at All-Region Auditions

Eight Lago Vista High School band members were selected for the UIL Region 29/32 All-Region Band following competitive auditions held in December. Last weekend, the top musicians from across the region came together to perform a concert after just a day and a half of rehearsal - impressive, to say the least.

Even more exciting, four LVHS students advanced to the Area round of auditions, held January 10 in Waco. Well done, Vikings!

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Jan 15 & 17, 2026

The Lago Vista High School Powerlifting Team kicked off the 2026 season at 2 different powerlifting meets. Our Viking boys and girls went head-to-head with 5A and 6A schools, proving that the hard work, early mornings/late nights, and dedication in the weight room are paying off.

BOYS

• Viking Boys Team – 3rd Place Overall
• Jason Cantu: 1st in the 123 weight class with a total of 860 pounds
• Landon Minjarez: 2nd in the 132 weight class with a total of 1,025 pounds
• Jaxon Clingman: 3rd in the 165 weight class with a total of 1,085 pounds
• Austin Cole: 3rd place in the 181 weight class with a total of 1,145 pounds
• Lucas Jackson: 8th in the 181 weight class with a total of 815 pounds
• Sam Rajski: 2nd in the 198 weight class with a total of 1,215 pounds
• Jace Hester: 5th in the 198 weight class with a total of 1,105
• Zaeyden Merrit: 4th place in the 220 weight class with a total of 780 pounds
• Jon Celcer: 1st in the 275 weight class with a total of 1,335 pounds

GIRLS

• Viking Girls Team – 5th Place Overall
• Marlie Hawkins: 2nd in the 105 weight class with a total of 555 pounds
• Maddy Salazar: 1st in the 114 weight class with a total of 570 pounds
• Haley Kruger: 2nd place in the 123 weight class with a total of 765 pounds
• Jenna Janson: 4th place in the 123 weight class with a total of 660 pounds
• Mitzi Wright: 3rd in the 165 weight class with a total of 635 pounds

Travis County Youth Show

BIG CONGRATS to our students who shined at the Travis County Youth Fair!
With over 400 participants total, from baked goods to woodworking, art to agriculture - our students showed serious talent, creativity, and grit. We’re incredibly proud of every participant!

GRAND CHAMPIONS (All advancing to auction next Friday — and earning money for their projects!)

• Marlowe Coale – Stuffed Horse & Horse Photo
• Sophia Hankins – Sourdough Bread
• Maddy Salazar – Apple Pie
• Josh Ferretiz & Tristan Smith – Playscape

RESERVE CHAMPIONS

• Marlowe Coale – Recycled Fish & Vine Plant
• Sydney Mosser – Quilt
• Anna Heston, Cooper Mills & Brooke Rongey – Quilt
• Ellie Helton, Reed Herring, Blake Meredith & Sydney Mosser – Side Table

RABBIT RESULTS

• Piper Knisely – 29th Place Pen | 5th Place Showmanship
• Taytum Stojanik – 31st Place Pen | 4th Place Showmanship

BLUE RIBBONS

• Braxton Brewer – Plant & Photo
• Hudson Chester – Photo
• Marlie Hawkins – Mosaic
• Seren Mitchel – Photo
• George Poe – Cutting Board
• Bobby Ruth – Recycled Project
• Maddy Salazar – Quilt
• Taytum Stojanik – Recycled Project
• Ellie Helton – Bar Cookies
• Blake Meredith – Rug
• Brooke Rongey – Mosaic

RED RIBBONS

• Emma Blair – Plant
• Brynlea Cox – Mosaic
• Lonna Miller – Painting
• Taytum Stojanik – Cookies
• Asia Valien – Cookies
• Sydney Mosser – Pickles

The hard work, long hours, and creativity truly paid off. Way to represent LVHS and make us proud! 

Taytum Stojanik and Piper Kinsley placed 4th and 5th in Rabbit Showmanship, and 29th & 31st in Rabbit Pen.

Strong Sparks and Steady Hands

Congrats to Blake Meredith on a 10th-place finish at the TCYS Welding Competition!

Smoked It! January 10, 2026

The LVHS Rowin’ Smoke BBQ teams had an amazing weekend.

The amount of time these students commit to making amazing food is incredible - giving up their weekends just to practice. This was the first ever competition for 6 of the 8 team members.

Even though categories are submitted individually, these kids work as a team! This weekend was a wonderful example of that. Wind speeds were 20-30 mph. and stuff was flying everywhere. We had kids holding bowls for each other while making batters and glazes. They were creating human walls to block the wind and even had to hold cutting boards for each other while they were slicing and boxing meat. When things went wrong they were there to help pick up pieces and encourage each other. All 8 deserve much congratulations. 

There were 15 teams competing.

Rowin’ Smoke Blue Team - GRAND CHAMPIONS!
$12,000 in Scholarships, a new drum smoker and an awesome team trophy

Rowin’ Smoke Gold Team finished strong with a 4th place team finish

Individual awards-

• 1st place beans - Lucas Jackson
• 2nd place beans - Olsen Cratty
• 1st place ribs - Graydon Burke
• 1st place brisket - Jenna Janson
• 3rd place brisket - Hudson Chester

Learning Is Sweet!

Senior Economics students were given the opportunity to explore business budgeting by "opening" their own cupcake businesses.

Who knew learning could be so sweet?

3600 Meals!

The Hearth and Heritage Society held a bake sale to raise money for the Austin Area Food Bank. Their monetary donation was enough to provide over 3,600 meals!

We are so proud of these Vikings for their generosity!

LVHS DECA Means Business Dec 15-16, 2025

LV in NYC!

Ensey Cratty and Ainsley Townsend were proud to represent the Lago Vista Valkyries this year dancing in the 99th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.

They were both placed in the front of the formation of hundreds of dancers from all over the US and shined on the national stage with the Spirit of America organization. It is estimated that 35 million people watched the parade on TV, and 3 million people were there in person.

Way to go, Valkyries!

Not Boring At All November 21, 2025

Ag Mechanics/ Structures and Engineering went out to the Boring Company in Bastrop. Students were given a tour of their manufacturing facility, where Tunnel Boring Machines are being developed to ease traffic congestion. Students spoke with Welding Engineers, Machinists, Welding Inspectors, and Civil Engineers. They gained insights into the many Career paths within the industry and what working at the Boring Company is like.

Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA)November 18, 2025

The Valkyries had an amazing performance! They received one Division I and two Division II ratings. Overall averages to a DIVISION II.

Olympic Medalist!

Congrats to Junior Moncada for placing 7th in Special Olympic bowling! 

Superior! October 18, 2025

LVHS Marching Band competed in the UIL Region 32 Marching Band competition on Saturday, earning ALL 1's and a SUPERIOR RATING! They will advance to Area on October 25 @ Pfluger Stadium.

The band had a few fans in attendance...Valkyries traveled to Burnet to cheer on the band as well as Mr. Webb and Mrs. Castillo - we are all so proud!

Yellowjacket Champs!

The Lady Viking Blue Team WON the Llano Invitational (Oct. 15) at Legends in Kingsland!  

On the Blue team this week:
Jenna Janson, Adriana Owen, Violet Wheeler, Grey Henson, Bailey Burlew

• 1st - Lago Vista Blue = 340
• 2nd - Burnet = 344
• 3rd - Mason = 363
• 4th - Liberty Hill = 421
• 5th - Fredericksburg = 430
• 6th - Lago Vista Gold = 460
• 7th - Ingram = 482

Total Takeover!October 9, 2025

LVHS Cross Country teams pulled off a clean sweep at the District meet! Every team - Girls Varsity, JV, and Freshmen, and Boys Varsity, JV, and Freshmen - brought home the District Champion title. The impressive sweep highlights the program’s depth, consistency, and dedication across all levels - a true testament to the hard work of LVHS runners and coaches alike.

Individual winners: 

• Maia Joshua - Girls Varsity (12:52)
• Jolie Mosser - Girls JV (13:55)
• Kinley Deen - Girls Freshmen (16:31)
• Chris Diaz Lopez - Boys JV (20:01)
• Garan Childs - Boys Freshmen (14:14)

1st District Win! September 10, 2025

Congratulations Lady Vikings on their first District win of the season, playing Legacy Ranch Wranglers!