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Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

Illuminating the News for the Students by the Students

Lamplighter Media Productions

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Ella Williams, Editor-in-Chief

Hi! I’m Ella Williams, a senior at Dunbar and one of the Editors-In-Chief of PLD Lamplighter. I focus on our weekly broadcast, WPLD. I have been in this amazing program since I was a sophomore, and I feel so grateful that I get to lead our staff alongside three other outstanding EICs. 

Outside of Lamplighter, I love to spend time outdoors and read. Some of my favorite books include, Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney and The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. I can’t wait to see what this year holds and I look forward to creating phenomenal content! 

 

All content by Ella Williams

Why Teachers are Leaving and Why it Matters

Logan Justice, Ella Williams, and Victoria Bravo January 4, 2022

It's no secret that the pandemic shook up the American workforce. The "Great Resignation" taking place across the United States doesn't exclude teachers, and some say that without a major effort to rehabilitate...

Disrespect and Abuse

Ella Williams, Editor-in-Chief January 4, 2022

According to many teachers, harassment and disrespect are big reasons behind the increase in educators leaving the profession. “Burnout for teachers is always feeling that we have too much to do,...

The return to in-person instruction has left many students feeling isolated and detached from school.

School Fights and Threats of Violence a Cause for Concern

Ella Williams and Madelyn Justice December 18, 2021

The United States seems to be experiencing a spike of violence that some are attributing to the pandemic. As traumatized students come back to class, many educators say that they are not ready to handle...

The Lady Behind Lamplighter

Ella Williams, Editor-in-Chief December 1, 2021

With recent headlines like Are High School Newspapers an Endangered Species? and Is high school journalism still a pipeline for future journalists?  it seems like scholastic journalism is in danger. But...

WPLD Oct. 20 Broadcast

October 20, 2021

A Mindful Moment with PLD Equity Coach Murray Garvin

September 22, 2021

Coach Garvin will be hosting a series of equity talks at Dunbar. Here's an introduction.

Four of the six boys' bathrooms at PLD have been closed after more than a week of daily acts of destruction and theft.

Devious Licks Cause Schoolwide Destruction

Ella Williams, Editor-in-Chief September 15, 2021

A national TikTok trend has some students vandalizing their schools, and it started impacting Fayette County Public Schools this past week. The trend is a prank called "Devious Licks" which encourages...

WPLD Sept. 1 Broadcast

September 1, 2021

Watch this week's installment to learn more about announcements and school activities at PLD!

WPLD May 12th Broadcast

May 12, 2021

In our last broadcast of the year, we discuss the end of the year announcements and important updates. Have a great summer!

WPLD May 5 Broadcast

May 5, 2021

This week's broadcast features a segment on Dunbar's School Resource Officers and a look at last week's COVID vaccinations at Dunbar last year.

WPLD Apr. 28 Broadcast

April 28, 2021

This week, we celebrate the PLD Swim and Dive Team state win and remind you of important dates.

WPLD Apr. 21 Broadcast

April 21, 2021

We're back with more announcements and a special segment on Dunbar students' responses to the COVID-19 vaccine.

WPLD Apr. 14 Broadcast

April 14, 2021

We're back again with another announcement-filled broadcast! Watch to learn about more updates and club meetings!

WPLD Apr. 7 Broadcast

April 7, 2021

Watch to hear more announcements and updates for the upcoming week!

HB563 proposes an new option to parents for their child'd education.

HB 563 Could Lead To Changes in Kentucky’s Education System

In Kentucky, education is regarded to be one of the most hotly debated topics in terms of legislature. KY House Bill 563 is no exception. HB 563, first introduced by Kentucky State Representatives Chad...

Surprisingly, vegan ice cream comes in many flavors to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Vegan Ice Cream: Not to Be Dismissed

Ella Williams, Broadcast Editor March 4, 2021

As a vegan, it can often be difficult to find a dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth and follows a plant-based ingredient list. Questioning whether or not vegan ice cream would taste as delectable as...

WPLD Mar. 3 Broadcast

March 3, 2021

Watch to stay up to date on the schoolwide announcements and club meetings happening around Dunbar!

WPLD Feb. 24 Broadcast

February 24, 2021

Watch to learn about the events around Dunbar and how you can take part!

WPLD Feb. 17 Broadcast

February 17, 2021

In this edition of WPLD, we hear what students would tell themselves before COVID-19 and we learn about PLD's football team and their upcoming 2021 season.

With the new year comes new drinks from your favorite coffee place!

Starbucks Starts 2021 with New Items

Ella Williams, Broadcast Editor February 12, 2021

With the addition of the Pistachio Latte to their winter menu, Starbucks has given nut-lovers the perfect new item for the new year. At first glance, the drink resembles any other regular iced-coffee....

WPLD Feb. 10 Broadcast

February 10, 2021

This week, we discuss club meetings and more school information!

WPLD Feb. 3 Broadcast

February 3, 2021

This week, we learn about the Future Problem Solvers and changes that seniors have had to make to their future plans due to COVID-19.

WPLD Jan. 27 Broadcast

January 27, 2021

In this edition of WPLD, we discuss the club meetings happening around Dunbar and how you can join!

WPLD Jan. 20 Broadcast

January 20, 2021

Welcome back, Dunbar! We hope you had a great winter break and we are excited to start a new semester!

Tear gas is spread outside as pro-Trump groups storm the U.S. Capitol building.

Trump Incites Violence at Capitol, Leading to Second Impeachment

Ella Williams, Broadcast Editor January 17, 2021

On Jan. 6, 2021, a group of pro-Trump supporters gathered to listen to a “Save America March” speech given by President Donald Trump at the White House. Armed protesters were already outside of the...

WPLD Dec. 16 Broadcast

December 16, 2020

This week, we cover your club announcements. Have a great winter break Dunbar!

WPLD Dec. 9 Broadcast

December 9, 2020

This week, we cover your club meetings and schoolwide announcements.

WPLD Nov. 25 Broadcast

November 25, 2020

This week, we look at the staff at Dunbar that has become our heroes during COVID-19, and our fall sports!

WPLD Nov. 18 Broadcast

November 18, 2020

Welcome back to another week! Here, we learn more about club meetings and announcements!

WPLD Nov. 11 Broadcast

November 11, 2020

This week, we learn about the history of Veteran's Day and a Dunbar student's custom shoe business.

WPLD Nov. 4 Broadcast

November 4, 2020

This week, we introduce a new virtual system for pride bucks and discuss upcoming school events!

WPLD Oct. 28 Broadcast

October 28, 2020

This week, we look back on this year's Spooky Skurry, hear student opinions on NTI, and dive into a world of coffee and community with A Cup of Common Wealth!

WPLD Oct. 21 Broadcast

October 21, 2020

This week, we talk about club meetings and what you can do to stay involved!

WPLD Oct. 14 Broadcast

October 14, 2020

This week, we look at the rising COVID-19 cases at the University of Kentucky and the precautions they're taking, and students working during the pandemic with new changes to the work environment.

WPLD Oct. 7 Broadcast

October 7, 2020

This week, we discuss club meetings and announcements!

WPLD Sept. 30 Broadcast

September 30, 2020

This week, we take an in-depth look at Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and what her passing means for the future of the country, the upcoming Spooky Skurry, and the history behind Hispanic Heritage Month.

WPLD Sept. 23 Broadcast

September 23, 2020

This week, we discuss club and school announcements along with a short message about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.   Music | Sappheiros - Lights fanlink.to/QY3

WPLD Sept. 16 Broadcast

September 16, 2020

This week in our first edition of WPLD for this year, we explore what poor zoom etiquette looks like and how a student at Dunbar has spent his summer exploring a world of engineering.

Activists advocating for women's rights marched from Civic Center Plaza to the Embarcadero on January 18, 2020.

Sexist Slang: A Trend That Needs To Go

Ella Williams and Nimi Bala June 12, 2020

“Go back to the kitchen.” “Make me a sandwich.” “Stop acting like a girl.” Women are often subject to these comments, which imply that they are not good for anything except housekeeping....

At the University of Kentucky hospital, nurses and doctors are risking their lives for the well-being of their patients.

Our Healthcare Heroes

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter April 15, 2020

Since the beginning of COVID-19, doctors and nurses in the Lexington community have worked diligently to take care of patients battling this fast-spreading virus. They have risked their lives every day...

Anita Franklin, hard at work to protest gun violence and advocate for teens.

The Legacy She Left Behind: Anita Franklin’s Effort Against Gun Violence

Ella Williams and Alexis Radhakrishnan February 25, 2020

“Let’s choose to live in peace rather than rest in peace,” said local gun-violence activist, Anita Franklin. Franklin was a force for peace who passed away on February 24, 2020. Franklin’s...

Dunbar’s Literary Magazine Accepting Submissions

Maxwell Rhoads, Staff Reporter February 24, 2020

Incriminating Ink is a collection of short stories, poetry, and art created by Dunbar students.  The pieces published in the magazine range from touching, personal, humorous, to scary in the form of...

WPLD February 24 Broadcast

February 24, 2020

This week we take a look at the swim team, and hear from several of Dunbar's top swimmers. We also cover PLD's literary magazine, Incriminating Ink, and how to enter a submission. Finally, it only comes...

New App Educates Students on Dangers of Opioid

Logan Justice, Staff Reporter February 24, 2020

Mayor Linda Gorton has created an initiative by using the FEND (Full Energy No Drugs) app and is being used to combat the frightening opioid epidemic. This app combines learning activities, videos, and...

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

Alexis Radhakrishnan, Staff Reporter February 18, 2020

Every day we hear about the dangers, violence, and hatred in our country from local and national news sources. When the world’s burdens are weighing us down, small acts of kindness help lift us up. Random...

Scholastic journalism faces censorship, and many students find themselves at odds with administrations that aim to stifle their voices.

Student Voices, New Voices

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter February 14, 2020

New Voices legislation aims to give greater protection against the censorship of school-sponsored publications and news sites. Currently, 14 states have enacted these laws: Arkansas, California, Colorado,...

WPLD Feb. 3 Broadcast

February 3, 2020

This week we covered Dunbar Drama's performance of Anne Frank, an introduction to Black History Month, and what's new at the Booktique. Check it out!

WPLD Jan. 27 Broadcast

January 27, 2020

In this episode we covered a new app that educates teens on addiction, an update on this year's phone policy, and a peek at the meaning of Groundhog's Day coming up this later this week. All this and more!

With thousands of ideas to put on a bucket list, what will yours be?

My Bucket List

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter January 8, 2020

Whether it’s traveling or learning to speak a new language, everyone has at least one thing they want to do before they die. No one knows how long they have left to do all of the things they want so...

Santa enjoys a well-deserved  Christmas music break.

Christmas Music is Superior

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter December 18, 2019

Christmas music has long been (in my opinion) the best type of music to listen to. Here are some reasons why: 1. Christmas music instantly makes you happy with its cheerful beats and rhythm When you...

There is a large variety of vegan food options available.

Being Vegan in a Meat-Eating World

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter October 23, 2019

When I was growing up, eating meat and going to places like Chick-fil-A was a normal, once-a-week type thing. This all changed when I realized how unhealthy it truly is. According to the American Cancer...

Bulldogs Take Down Eagles on Senior Night

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter September 18, 2019

On Sept. 17th, the Dunbar Bulldogs faced the LCA Eagles for Senior Night. Because it was senior night, senior players were mentioned and walked out with their families before the start of the game.  The...

“The Door is Closed” on Marvel and Sony

Ella Williams, Staff Reporter August 16, 2019

With five movies making over $3.7 billion, Spiderman has quickly become one of the most popular superheroes in the Marvel Universe. Much to fans’ dismay, this is no longer the case. It was announced...

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