LAES Newsletter - Winter 2026
HS Basketball Athletes of the Week:
Senior captain Emma Russell is the Lady Trojans player of the week. During the Ellicott game, she showed off her tough
defensive double teaming skills. She also hit a couple of key baskets to keep the momentum going. Keep it up, Emma!
Boys Basketball - Raymond Hernandez - Raymond has been a leader in practice and on the court. He is a fantastic court
general and always does a great job of extending the leadership to teammates. Keep working hard Raymond!
Senior captain Emma Russell is the Lady Trojans player of the week. During the Ellicott game, she showed off her tough
defensive double teaming skills. She also hit a couple of key baskets to keep the momentum going. Keep it up, Emma!
Boys Basketball - Raymond Hernandez - Raymond has been a leader in practice and on the court. He is a fantastic court
general and always does a great job of extending the leadership to teammates. Keep working hard Raymond!
JH - Melonie Medina -Melonie is just an amazing individual all around. She has represented Las Animas schools and
our community all over the country this school year. She has thrived as a student, and she has a very positive and bubbly
personality. She treats her teachers and peers with respect. She is also proven to be a very talented athlete. She recently
participated and won the Softball national championship in Florida. Melonie is an excellent example of how to be
HECTOR at Las Animas schools."
HS - Jadann Eck --> Dealing with an injury isn't easy and Jadann has not let it slow her down. She has maintained a
positive attitude as well as completing all classwork. She continues to strive for improvement in the weightroom doing
everything that she can while following the restrictions that were given to her. Jadann remains active with her team while
side-lined and continues to be a role model and true team leader. Jadann is the definition of HECTOR.
Staff - Katie Lockhart. Katie works tirelessly with the cheerleaders and is always willing to go the extra mile to help with
athletic events. She has a great rapport with her students in the classroom and creates a positive, supportive environment
for learning. Katie consistently gives her time and energy to support our programs and plays a major role in our athletic
success by preparing the squad to enthusiastically cheer on the Trojans.
our community all over the country this school year. She has thrived as a student, and she has a very positive and bubbly
personality. She treats her teachers and peers with respect. She is also proven to be a very talented athlete. She recently
participated and won the Softball national championship in Florida. Melonie is an excellent example of how to be
HECTOR at Las Animas schools."
HS - Jadann Eck --> Dealing with an injury isn't easy and Jadann has not let it slow her down. She has maintained a
positive attitude as well as completing all classwork. She continues to strive for improvement in the weightroom doing
everything that she can while following the restrictions that were given to her. Jadann remains active with her team while
side-lined and continues to be a role model and true team leader. Jadann is the definition of HECTOR.
Staff - Katie Lockhart. Katie works tirelessly with the cheerleaders and is always willing to go the extra mile to help with
athletic events. She has a great rapport with her students in the classroom and creates a positive, supportive environment
for learning. Katie consistently gives her time and energy to support our programs and plays a major role in our athletic
success by preparing the squad to enthusiastically cheer on the Trojans.
Jan 12 JH/HS Announcements:
Mrs. Linenberger recognized her top Pacer participants at the assembly this morning. The PACER test (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) is a multi-stage fitness test that measures aerobic capacity (heart and lung fitness) by having participants shuttle run back and forth across a 20-meter space, keeping pace with beeps that get progressively faster, ending when they miss the beep twice, and is a core part of the FitnessGram program used in schools to promote physical health.
Reminder: if you have a student that attends Las Animas School District in the grades 2nd - 12th - come by the bus lane behind the Jr. High (1021 Second Street) today from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. for a FREE basket of food.
Freshman claim the BIG A for December for having the highest attendance rate in the JH/HS - 96.67% 👍
JH & HS December HECTOR of the Month Students 🎉
Congratulations to the JH/HS students who had Perfect Attendance in December!
Our big Las Animas School District Year-End Spirit Wear Clearance Sale closes this weekend! Save $5 on all tees, $10 on all hoodies, and $15 on all jackets through January 11th. Prices start at just $18.49, with FREE shipping on orders $85+. Don’t miss out—and don’t forget—part of every purchase supports our school! https://1stplace.sale/16092
Here are the themes for the High School Basketball Games! JH/HS students who dress up get in FREE and adults who participate will be placed in a drawing for a prize!
High School Girls JV Basketball Tournament @ Springfield on Friday, Jan. 9th.
CONCESSION STAND: A full concession stand, provided by the Booster Club, will be available for the entirety of the event. Please advise your fans that only popcorn and water is allowed in the gym.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults $5.00
Students (K-12) $3.00
Sr. Citizens FREE
CONCESSION STAND: A full concession stand, provided by the Booster Club, will be available for the entirety of the event. Please advise your fans that only popcorn and water is allowed in the gym.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults $5.00
Students (K-12) $3.00
Sr. Citizens FREE
FREE FOOD BASKETS FOR LASD FAMILIES
Las Animas Jr. High & High School Teen Council members in conjunction with the Bent County Extension Office are assembling food baskets for district families!
📅 Thursday, January 8
⏰ 4:30–5:30 p.m. (or until they are gone)
📍 Bus Lane behind JH/HS
1021 Second Street
🚗 Please enter traveling east
👨👩👧👦 Who can participate?
Families with students in 2nd–12th grade attending Las Animas School District - ONE BASKET PER FAMILY.
🧺 What’s included?
Each basket contains three recipes and all the ingredients needed to make them
🤝 Made possible by:
A grant received by the CSU Bent County Extension Office
Las Animas Jr. High & High School Teen Council members in conjunction with the Bent County Extension Office are assembling food baskets for district families!
📅 Thursday, January 8
⏰ 4:30–5:30 p.m. (or until they are gone)
📍 Bus Lane behind JH/HS
1021 Second Street
🚗 Please enter traveling east
👨👩👧👦 Who can participate?
Families with students in 2nd–12th grade attending Las Animas School District - ONE BASKET PER FAMILY.
🧺 What’s included?
Each basket contains three recipes and all the ingredients needed to make them
🤝 Made possible by:
A grant received by the CSU Bent County Extension Office
LAES Students kicked off their New Year with Pride Stations. They reviewed PRIDE in the library, playground, cafeteria, with substitutes, hallways and bathrooms.
Here is the link to the January SHP Newsletter:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGxF5IjeYk/_yTOwF0Txlh5vII7HgtAfg/view?utm_content=DAGxF5IjeYk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h00eb0df858
HECTOR of the Week
JH - Ben-Ben Chambers has stepped up his game as a student. He is taking his time and re-checking his work a lot. He
has found a groove in his classes. Ben is very respectful to his teachers and follows instructions. He is maturing as a
student and a citizen. We are all very proud of the way that Ben displays HECTOR in our school."
HS - Dahlia Lane is a focused and outgoing student with a wicked sense of humor and an interesting perspective on
everything. She always has a good joke or a funny story to share and we can always count on her to get her work done on
time and to the highest standards. Dahlia IS Hector!
Staff - Our AD, Ernie Vigil, for Staff Hector of the Week. His work ethic during break was praised for how he kept
things running despite the time off for the holidays. He has done a great job scheduling games, refereeing (when needed),
doing everything else required for his position, and, most importantly, ensuring our student-athletes can enjoy the great
experiences that come with HS sports.
JH - Ben-Ben Chambers has stepped up his game as a student. He is taking his time and re-checking his work a lot. He
has found a groove in his classes. Ben is very respectful to his teachers and follows instructions. He is maturing as a
student and a citizen. We are all very proud of the way that Ben displays HECTOR in our school."
HS - Dahlia Lane is a focused and outgoing student with a wicked sense of humor and an interesting perspective on
everything. She always has a good joke or a funny story to share and we can always count on her to get her work done on
time and to the highest standards. Dahlia IS Hector!
Staff - Our AD, Ernie Vigil, for Staff Hector of the Week. His work ethic during break was praised for how he kept
things running despite the time off for the holidays. He has done a great job scheduling games, refereeing (when needed),
doing everything else required for his position, and, most importantly, ensuring our student-athletes can enjoy the great
experiences that come with HS sports.
JH/HS Announcements for Jan 6:
Special meeting of the LASD Board of Education:
LAES Top AR readers for Nov & Dec
Mr. Montoya's Jr. High Advisory Class will start collecting items for military care packages! Items may be dropped off at the high school office (after Jan 5th) OR at the High School Basketball game vs Holly on January 22.
Thank you for supporting our service members! 🇺🇸
Thank you for supporting our service members! 🇺🇸
