Lakewood Ranch High

🎉 The EEA Prize Patrol made their next surprise stop at Lakewood Ranch High School! Congratulations to Kristen Martin, Registrar, on being selected as a Manatee County Educational Support Employee of the Year Finalist! Her dedication, organization, and Mustang pride keep LRHS moving forward every day. We’re grateful for you, Kristen! 🌟 #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews #DiscoverExcellenceSDMC #GoodNewsEEA2026

Last week, Lakewood Ranch High School celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new College & Career Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony! Under the leadership of College & Career Advisor Vito Bavaro, students were invited to explore the new space — a hub designed to connect them with scholarship opportunities, jobs, internships, colleges, technical schools, and military options.

The center offers something for every Mustang, whether they plan to attend a 4-year university, 2-year college, technical college, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce after graduation.

A special thank you goes out to Career Pathways Coordinator Erin Koerper-Novarro for sharing this #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews and to Vito Bavaro and the entire LRHS administration team for their dedication and hard work in making this resource a reality for students.

The School District of Manatee County is closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to proudly honor and thank all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation.

We join together to celebrate our graduated students, teachers, staff, families, and community members who served in the Armed Forces. Thank you for protecting our freedom and strengthening our community.

Happy Veterans Day from the entire School District of Manatee County family! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

ESE Agency Fair on November 19th! Join the School District Of Manatee County as we welcome families of students with disabilities to explore support and services within the community, designed to help meet the needs of the ESE population. The ESE Agency Fair is taking place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 5:30-7PM, at Harllee Center, 6423 9th Street East in Bradenton. More than 45 vendors from the community will be available to meet with parents and caregivers, including agencies, therapy providers, and specialized services targeting students with special needs. There will be resources, prizes, and fun as we also celebrate the grand opening of The Soar Lab - a a special place, built for all young learners (primarily ages infant to 3rd grade) and their families to grow. #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2025 Advanced Learning Expo! Join us at Manatee Technical College (Main campus) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6–7:30PM, for a glimpse into the advanced learning programs and opportunities for K-12 students across the district. Come check out the elementary school interactive, hands-on, learning stations. Visit with staff and student representatives from every middle and high school showcasing their advanced academic programs, clubs, and extracurricular opportunities. Connect with many community partners ready to challenge and engage your student! There is undoubtedly something for everyone to explore at the Advanced Learning Expo! This informative and interactive family event takes place before the school choice application window opens for the 2026-27 school year, offering an opportunity for families to engage with school-based teams and explore the K-12 gifted programming and advanced learning opportunities available. Don’t miss the Advanced Learning Expo…it’s not just for gifted students anymore!

LRHS College and Career office plans a variety of activities for Homecoming Week 2025

Today marks one month since Dr. Laurie Breslin officially stepped into her role as Superintendent, and we’re proud to recognize this milestone!

In just a few short weeks, Dr. Breslin has already begun building strong connections, listening closely to school communities, and championing the success of every student and staff member. Her commitment to excellence shines through in every conversation and decision.

As we look ahead, we’re excited about the vision, experience, and heart Dr. Breslin brings to our district. Please join us in celebrating this first month of leadership and welcoming the many great things still to come.

#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

MSTV Game of the Week (Football)
Lakewood Ranch High at Palmetto High
Scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Watch live at https://youtube.com/live/arA7hIPAkow?feature=share

We’re proud to share that Lakewood Ranch High School is one of only three FFA chapters in Manatee County to earn national recognition through the prestigious National Chapter Award Program!

This 3-Star distinction, the highest level awarded, is a testament to the dedication, leadership, and passion of the students, advisors, and the entire Mustangs' agriscience program.

As Ms. J, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor, put it best:

“Earning recognition as a 3-Star National FFA Chapter is an incredible achievement. Our FFA chapter is an extension of the agriscience program, where classroom instruction in horticulture and animal science comes to life through leadership, hands-on experiences, and career development. This honor from National FFA validates the countless hours of hard work our students have poured into planning and executing impactful events, and it highlights the strength of agricultural education here at Lakewood Ranch High School.”

Congratulations to the LRHS FFA chapter for continuing to grow leaders, build community, and strengthen agriculture right here in Manatee County! #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

Here's what's in store this week from the LRHS College and Career Advising Office

Game of the Week - Volleyball

Manatee High at Lakewood Ranch High

Scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Watch live at this link: https://youtube.com/live/zgRUsyNLoNw?feature=share

On Tuesday, Superintendent Laurie Breslin and the School Board recognized Sydney Suppa, an athletic trainer at Lakewood Ranch High School and a valued member of our District for nine years. She was recently honored with the Life Saver Award by the University of South Carolina.

Last fall on the sidelines, Sydney's quick action and lifesaving CPR saved the life of Coach Jerry, one of the Mustangs' assistant and volunteer football coaches (also pictured in below photo).

Sydney's actions exemplify the absolute best of our District: dedication, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of others. Thank you, Sydney.

#ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

In a heartfelt tribute to the heroes who serve and protect our community, Buffalo Creek Middle School hosted their annual event to commemorate the events of September 11th and to honor local first responders and veterans. The reception, led entirely by students, highlighted the power of remembrance, gratitude, and community connection. Mr. Baker's Global Perspectives students paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military veterans. The event featured speeches, handmade thank-you cards, goodie bags, and the installation of 2,977 flags near the school marquee, to honor those who lost their lives in the attacks 24 years ago. It's more than just a history lesson. It’s an opportunity for our students to engage with the real heroes of our community and to say thank you in their own words and actions. Students had the unique opportunity to speak directly with first responders and veterans to learn more about their lives, experiences, and careers. Mr. Baker's students unknowingly extended their gratitude beyond Buffalo Creek. We surprised a few school safety guardians, many of whom served in NYC and police departments nationwide, with their heartfelt thank you cards and care packages. These heroes, now protecting our schools in retirement, were truly touched by the unexpected show of appreciation today. Pictured are guardians from Lakewood Ranch and Southeast High Schools. A huge shoutout to our Hawks for leading with kindness and inspiring us all to do the same! 💫

Congratulations to Samantha Biggs of Lakewood Ranch High School, who has been recognized as a recipient of the 2025 Yale Educator Award. Only 61 educators and 26 counselors were honored worldwide. She was nominated by 2025 graduate, Addison Shea. Read more at www.manateeschools.net/goodnews #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews

From the grab-and-go window to the lunch line, the dedicated School District of Manatee County Food and Nutrition Services team at Lakewood Ranch High School is always ready to serve the Mustangs with a smile! Meet Kim Newman and Carol Gorman — two incredible "lunch ladies" with a combined 18 years of service to the School District of Manatee County. Their favorite part of the job? The polite students, the occasional side hug, and the unexpected moments that make it all worthwhile.

Kim, a proud Southeast High alum (Class of 1982), still dreams of the days when milkshakes were on the menu. And while today’s most popular lunch picks include popcorn chicken and orange chicken bowls, it’s the students who leave the most lasting impressions. From being gifted a football jersey by LRHS grad CJ McRae, to a former student offering a discount on an oil change... these everyday heroes are making connections that go beyond the cafeteria.

Thank you, Kim, Carol, and the entire LRHS team, for the care, connection, and consistency you bring to The Ranch each and every day.

Today’s #ManateeSchoolsGoodNews Day in the Life at Lakewood Ranch High School began and ended with two familiar faces of safety: School Guardians Tim and Danny. Tim, a retired NYPD detective who also served on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and Danny, a retired Bradenton police officer who previously served as the School Resource Officer at both Manatee High and Sugg Middle, now dedicate their expertise to protecting Lakewood Ranch students. Alongside their SRO colleagues from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, these school safety guardians ensure that every student walks onto campus — and heads home — with safety and peace of mind. 💙