[00:00:01] **Announcer:**
It's time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. From the latest school and district news updates on various district hot topics and opportunities to meet all of those that help make LPS great, *In the Loop with LPS* is here to provide yet another opportunity for us to stay connected with you.

[00:00:23] **Announcer:**
So let's get started and send you to the longtime Director of Communications with Liberty Public Schools and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

[00:00:33] **Dallas Ackerman:**
We welcome everyone back to *In the Loop with LPS*. It's the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools. And last week we had a chance to talk to our friends at Liberty High School as they were in the midst of their homecoming activities and had a great week with the Blue Jays.

[00:00:55] **Dallas Ackerman:**
And this week, all attention shifts to our friends up north — that being the Liberty North High School Eagles — as they are now right in the middle of their homecoming activities as well. And this week we're fortunate enough to be joined by a student from North, that being senior Emery Lauber, who is an executive officer on their student council. And then, of course, we have to have the principal, Dr. Rosemary Camp.

[00:01:19] **Dallas Ackerman:**
So kind to join us. And Emery, just before we went on, I told you that I would lead off with you, you being our student. And I know you're so active and involved at Liberty North. You mentioned to me that you feel like you've kind of hit big time being on *In the Loop*.

[00:01:37] **Emery Lauber:**
Yeah, I mean, I feel famous. I’m like pretty much Taylor Swift on the podcast here.

[00:01:44] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You know, we're not going to have any problem filling time, because I've heard Emery on the airwaves and she has no problem filling it.

[00:01:53] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
Emery has this covered. I am absolutely certain she’s the professional in the room on this one and totally can defer to her on all things related to homecoming.

[00:02:02] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Well, we're going to talk about homecoming as we move along, but I did want to lead off just by introducing the two of you. Emery, we'll start with you. I mentioned you're a senior, you're on student council, you're involved with many things. Could you introduce yourself?

[00:02:21] **Emery Lauber:**
Yes. Hi, I'm Emery Lauber, and like you said, I'm a senior at Liberty North, and I am an executive officer for student council. I'm one of four, and we've got a great team. And then I'm also an executive producer for our Advanced Sports Broadcasting program, which is so cool and so much fun. I also play soccer and basketball at Liberty North, which has been an awesome experience being a student and an athlete.

[00:02:45] **Emery Lauber:**
And I'm involved in a lot of clubs you can name up there — Kindness Club, Stronger Together, Females Empowered, and FCA. So I'm all over the place, and I love it.

[00:02:58] **Dallas Ackerman:**
So how do you fill your time doing all that?

[00:03:01] **Emery Lauber:**
I mean, I have no problem filling it.

[00:03:04] **Dallas Ackerman:**
You know, it's always interesting. And I want you to also share your thoughts about this, Dr. Camp, but something we talk about with our own kids is the importance of getting involved as a high school student. You've obviously done that. When did you make that decision, and how important is that?

[00:03:24] **Emery Lauber:**
Yeah, I had a ton of people my freshman year — I'm the oldest of my three siblings — telling me to do it all because you can always drop something if it's not the right fit. And it's helped me find my people and my community. Liberty North is so big, and getting involved helped me feel connected to students beyond just athletics.

[00:03:58] **Dallas Ackerman:**
I saw a lot of head nods as Emery was talking.

[00:04:01] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
I agree completely. Four years of high school goes by so quickly. In a large school like Liberty North, we’re blessed with so many opportunities. There’s a niche for everyone, and finding that place where you belong matters so much.

[00:04:53] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Well said. Emery, we often have teachers and staff listening, and they love hearing from students. Can you share your journey through LPS and give some shout-outs?

[00:05:16] **Emery Lauber:**
I started in kindergarten at Warren Hills and went there through fifth grade. I loved that building and those teachers. Then I went to Heritage Middle School and was part of the first HMS by Design group. Now I’m at Liberty North, and I’ve loved every step of my journey.

[00:06:03] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Listening to you, I need you in my office all the time. Dr. Camp, hard to believe you're in your third year as lead principal, but you've been with LPS a long time.

[00:06:32] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
It goes back to the late ’90s for me. This is my thirteenth year at Liberty North and my twenty-seventh in the district. It’s been quite the journey, and I’ve loved every step.

[00:07:12] **Dallas Ackerman:**
That student-administrator relationship is so important. Emery, from the student perspective, what’s that like?

[00:07:34] **Emery Lauber:**
It’s awesome. Student council has me in the office a lot, working with administrators, counselors, and staff. They really listen to our ideas and want what’s best for students.

[00:08:20] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
I love hearing that. We want students to feel welcome and comfortable coming into the office. If you don’t ask, we don’t know how to help.

[00:09:24] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s talk about the school year so far. It’s already October. How are things going?

[00:09:52] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
It’s busy, but in a great way. Academics are strong, and there’s positive energy around activities, athletics, and clubs.

[00:10:36] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Emery, from a student perspective, how fast is this year going?

[00:10:52] **Emery Lauber:**
It’s flying by. I’m trying to stay present and enjoy it because it really does go fast.

[00:11:58] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Let’s jump into homecoming week. The theme is “Cruisin’ Into Homecoming.” How did that come about?

[00:12:22] **Emery Lauber:**
Our exec team of four worked on it over the summer. We landed on *Cars* because it was fun and different, and it gave us so many creative options.

[00:13:32] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
Homecoming is exciting and busy. We’ve got Nest Fest, the parade, the game, and the dance. It’s a big week.

[00:14:40] **Emery Lauber:**
The anticipation has been real. Now we’re in it, and it’s been so fun to finally experience everything we planned.

[00:15:13] **Dallas Ackerman:**
With all your roles, what does Friday night look like for you?

[00:15:28] **Emery Lauber:**
I’ll be on the homecoming court this year, so I’m stepping back from broadcasting and just enjoying the moment.

[00:16:20] **Emery Lauber:**
A couple weeks ago, two female students announced a football game on ESPN Plus, which was a really cool experience.

[00:17:26] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
I’m so proud of our students and excited for the rest of the year. Being present and finding joy every day is so important.

[00:18:12] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Emery, what advice would you give younger students preparing for high school?

[00:18:42] **Emery Lauber:**
Get involved. Even if it’s scary, take the risk. That’s how you find your people.

[00:19:51] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Have you thought about what’s next after high school?

[00:19:51] **Emery Lauber:**
I want to attend a four-year university and study business, communications, or marketing, possibly working in media.

[00:20:25] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Your future is bright. Thank you both for joining us, and best of luck during homecoming week.

[00:21:01] **Emery Lauber:**
Thanks for having us.

[00:21:03] **Dr. Rosemary Camp:**
Absolutely. Thanks for having us.

[00:21:05] **Dallas Ackerman:**
Thanks for listening to *In the Loop with LPS*. We’ll talk again next time.

[00:21:19] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend a few minutes with us and getting in the loop with LPS. This has been a production of the Liberty Public Schools Communications Office.

[00:21:46] **Announcer:**
For more about this podcast and all you need to know about LPS, visit our website at lps53.org.