[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From district news updates to opportunities to meet those who make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* keeps us connected.

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to the longtime Director of Communications and your host, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:36] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Hello again, everybody. Welcome back to *In the Loop with LPS*. I’m Dallas Ackerman, Director of Communications. Hard to believe, but we are quickly winding down the 2023–2024 school year.

We thought it would be a great idea to invite a couple of members of the LPS **Class of 2024** — one from Liberty High School and one from Liberty North.

Joining us today:

* **Jackson Zimmer** – Liberty High School
* **Alyssa Lee** – Liberty North High School

Thank you both for being here!

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## **SENIOR YEAR REFLECTIONS**

[00:01:52] **Alyssa Lee:**
Leaving Liberty North — and Liberty Public Schools in general — feels surreal. I didn’t know what to expect when I got to this point. I’m just trying to soak up every minute now because it all went by so fast.

[00:02:29] **Jackson Zimmer:**
I already told Ms. Kaiser today — I’m going to miss high school. I’m going to miss Student Council, helping Dr. Sharp, being involved. But it’s time to move on to the next step, the next growing thing.

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## **STUDENT JOURNEYS THROUGH LPS**

### **Alyssa’s Journey**

[00:03:12] **Alyssa Lee:**
I started kindergarten at **Warren Hills** — amazing teachers and peers. Then I attended **Heritage Middle School**, which is such a family-oriented place. I loved P.E. because of the community the teachers built.

At **Liberty North**, I’ve been heavily involved in **dance team**, **Student Council**, and clubs. I’ve grown a lot over the past four years, and every day I realize new things about how special North has been to me.

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### **Jackson’s Journey**

[00:04:47] **Jackson Zimmer:**
I started at **Shoal Creek Elementary** with Mrs. Ketcher — great memories. Early on, I was diagnosed with an IEP-related developmental reading/writing challenge. Liberty teachers — especially **Mrs. Williams** (3rd grade) — noticed it and supported me.

At **Discovery Middle School**, everything got harder fast — but in a good way. Then at **Liberty High School**, with principals Dr. Adams and Dr. Sharp, I got involved in **Student Council**, **orchestra**, and **tennis**, eventually becoming **Student Body President** my senior year.

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## **BEST MEMORIES**

[00:07:57] **Alyssa Lee:**
Dance gave me many great memories, but the best ones came from my **Practical Leadership** class. The energy, the community, the freedom to be myself — that class shaped my personality and my confidence.

[00:09:27] **Jackson Zimmer:**
Hands down — performing at the **Kauffman Center** with orchestra, band, and choir. An unforgettable experience.

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## **ADVICE FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS**

### **Jackson’s Advice**

[00:09:56] **Jackson Zimmer:**
**Be yourself.**
No one cares how “cool” you are — they care who you are as a person. Put in the effort, do the work, be kind. That’s what gets you through high school. If someone doesn’t accept you for who you are, they’re not your people.

### **Alyssa’s Advice**

[00:11:09] **Alyssa Lee:**
Middle school is tough. You start comparing yourself to others. Don’t.

Stay true to yourself, and put in the extra effort — academically, personally, in your activities. Your future self will thank you. Growth comes from consistency and small steps.

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## **ON STUDENT STRESS**

[00:13:26] **Jackson Zimmer:**
Yes — stress is very real. High expectations, heavy workloads, many commitments. Last week I had multiple tests and assignments each day — everything hit at once. Balance is important, and we can do better at pacing things out.

[00:15:29] **Alyssa Lee:**
I’ve had my most stressful year yet. But something Mr. Davis taught me in Psychology stuck with me:
**“There will always be stress — you just have to learn the strategies that work for you.”**
I take things day by day and stay focused on the moment I’m in. And the support system at LPS has helped me so much.

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## **IMPORTANT TEACHERS & ROLE MODELS**

### **Alyssa’s Influences**

[00:16:25] **Alyssa Lee:**

* **Ms. Witt (now Mrs. Ninemire)** – my 5th-grade teacher; so compassionate and uplifting.
* **Ms. Lang** – my 6th-grade art teacher; I still meet her for ice cream.
* **Mrs. Plaster** – my Student Council advisor; she shaped who I am and has supported me endlessly.

### **Jackson’s Influences**

[00:17:30] **Jackson Zimmer:**

* **Mrs. Williams** – identified my learning needs and changed my trajectory.
* **High School leaders:** Dr. Adams, Dr. Sharp, Ms. McGee, Mr. Fairchild, Ms. Davis.
* **Student Council mentors:** **Mrs. Kaiser & Mrs. King** — we learned side-by-side how to build a community and lead effectively.

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## **THE MOMENT IT “HIT” THEM**

[00:21:03] **Alyssa Lee:**
After spring break. My friends and I realized, “This is it.” We started counting down weeks. Everything suddenly felt real.

[00:21:40] **Jackson Zimmer:**
Today.
I was walking through the school as Student Body President, handing things off to next year’s leaders, and it hit me:
**“I’m almost out of here. My job is done. My impact is what remains.”**

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## **WHAT’S NEXT**

### **Alyssa Lee**

[00:24:34]

* Attending **Kansas State University**
* Trying out for the **K-State Dance Team**
* Majoring in **Human Development & Family Studies**
* Considering careers in counseling, social work, child life services, or teaching (maybe returning to LPS someday!)

### **Jackson Zimmer**

[00:25:14]

* Attending **Purdue University**
* Majoring in **Aerospace Engineering**
* Minoring/double-majoring in **Political Science**
* Dreams of designing aircraft *and* entering public service someday
(*Dallas jokes he may be the first President who builds his own airplane.*)

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## **SENIOR WALK EXPERIENCE**

[00:27:21] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Did you participate in the cap-and-gown elementary walk?

[00:27:39] **Alyssa Lee:**
Yes — at Warren Hills and Heritage. It was emotional, seeing the kids and remembering myself at that age.

[00:28:20] **Jackson Zimmer:**
At Liberty High, the walk started the emotions for everyone.

Walking Shawnee, Liberty Oaks, Shoal Creek — seeing little kids look up at us — it hit me how big that moment is. I even saw my cousin. It was powerful.

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## **CLOSING THOUGHTS**

[00:30:45] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We can’t thank you enough. You represent LPS so well. Best of luck to you and the entire Class of 2024.

[00:31:14] **Jackson Zimmer:**
Be yourself — whether you’re a student, teacher, parent, or staff member. Things will work out. It might take time, but they will.

[00:31:55] **Announcer:**
Thanks for listening to *In the Loop with LPS*. Stay connected through our website and social media platforms.