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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

Sadie Bograd

Sadie Bograd, Writing Editor in Chief

Hi! I’m Sadie Bograd, and I’m a senior at Dunbar. This is my second year on Lamplighter staff. I’m now one of the program’s Editors-in-Chief. Along with Brooke Abell, I lead our writing, photography, and website. This year, I hope we can produce consistently high-quality reporting that keeps our readership informed and engaged.

When I’m not writing or editing articles, I love reading The New Yorker, listening to podcasts while I walk my dog, and baking gluten-free desserts (I make a mean plum crumble). I’m also part of Dunbar’s speech and debate team. 

I hope you enjoy what our team creates!

All content by Sadie Bograd
In 1990, Kentucky's School-Based Decision Making Councils were established to give more power to schools and stakeholders.

The Impact of the School Based Decision Making Council

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief May 10, 2021

This week, parents and teachers will have the opportunity to vote for candidates for Dunbar’s governing body, but many in the Dunbar community don’t know what that governing body is or what it does. All...

Junior Jackson Williamson receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

How Students Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief April 12, 2021

Under Kentucky’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution guidelines, some students may be eligible for a vaccine. Kentucky is currently in Phase 1c of its distribution plan. In this phase, designated essential...

Representative Steve Sheldon (R) sponsored the bill, which originally included students and teachers on the Board.

Legislators Threaten Student and Teacher Roles on State Board of Education

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief March 11, 2021

On Thursday, members of the Kentucky legislature’s Senate Education Committee attempted to remove the teacher and student non-voting members from the Kentucky Board of Education. The Board of Education...

Students will need to bring computers and wear masks when they return.

FCPS Students Prepare to Go Back to School

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief February 25, 2021

Fayette County Public Schools announced on Feb. 23 that students in all grades will be able to return to the school building within the next month.  After announcing on Feb. 16 that students in grades...

The winter weather left ice on trees, roads, and sidewalks, making travel dangerous.

Dunbar Students Get a Snow Day

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief February 16, 2021

After weeks of cold and snowy weather, FCPS decided to cancel school on Tuesday. Meal services were also canceled.  The snow day delayed the start of in-person classes for many students, as FCPS...

FCPS Homeless Education Liaison James Hodge describes the McKinney-Vento program in a video on the FCPS website.

Homeless Students Face Heightened Challenges

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief February 16, 2021

Most students have found online learning difficult, to say the least. But for homeless students, the challenges are much greater.  “If you are living in the elements, it's kind of hard to have access...

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show friends and family you love them with a small gift.

You Should Love Valentine’s Day

Vanessa Alonso, Staff Reporter February 13, 2021

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show friends and family you love them with a small gift.

If you're trying to be more environmentally friendly, the best thing to do is to reduce the amount of plastic you use. But if you need to use plastic jugs like this one, be sure to recycle them when you're done.

Camille’s Sustainability Tip: The Plastic Problem

Camille Radhkarishnan, Staff Reporter February 15, 2021

If you're trying to be more environmentally friendly, the best thing to do is to reduce the amount of plastic you use. But if you need to use plastic jugs like this one, be sure to recycle them when you're...

The FCPS School Board has been using the five-stage COVID-19 In-Person Learning Matrix to determine whether it is safe to return to school.

FCPS Considers In-Person Return

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief February 3, 2021

In a letter to parents on Tuesday, FCPS acting superintendent Marlene Helm said that students in grades K-2 will likely be able to return to school in two weeks, on Feb. 16.  The board made the decision...

Although the leaves and flowers are gone for the year, snow-covered gardens still provide a beautiful sight.

Dunbar Enjoys a Snowy Day

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief February 2, 2021

Keeping track of your goals in an agenda or calendar can help you stick to your resolutions.

How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

Vanessa Alonso, Staff Reporter January 8, 2021

Keeping track of your goals in an agenda or calendar can help you stick to your resolutions.

Biden became the 46th president amidst a series of economic and social crises.

Joseph Biden Sworn in as President

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief January 21, 2021

On Wed., Jan. 20, Joseph Biden was sworn in as the United State’s 46th president, and Kamala Harris became the nation’s first female vice president.  Biden Chief Justice John Roberts administered...

The switch from December to January is often a period for reflection and retrospection.

A New Year, A Fresh Start

Emma Daman, Staff Reporter January 19, 2021

The switch from December to January is often a period for reflection and retrospection.

The music video for Olivia Rodrigo's latest song shows her driving at night in her new car.

Olivia Rodrigo Tops Charts with “Drivers License”

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief January 17, 2021

I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for Olivia Rodrigo’s musical career. Knowing nothing more than that she starred in Disney’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” I assumed...

Although many attendees did not know Caulk personally, they still felt compelled to attend the vigil and honor his life. "I felt his presence all over the school, just in his diligence and his grace," emcee Taylor Galavotti said.

Students Lead Candlelight Vigil for Manny Caulk

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief December 11, 2020

On Friday, a few dozen families gathered outside the FCPS building on Main Street to honor Superintendent Manny Caulk after his recent death.  Attendees held flameless candles, laid flowers at...

Superintendent Manny Caulk passed away unexpectedly on Friday. "Manny was devoted to ensuring that all students found a pathway to their unlimited potential," according to the FCPS website.

FCPS Superintendent Passes Away

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief December 5, 2020

Fayette County Superintendent Emmanuel “Manny” Caulk passed away on Friday, school board chairwoman Stephanie Spires wrote in an email.  Caulk became Fayette Superintendent after working in Portland,...

Dunbar's current grade distribution, emailed to staff last week, shows an increase in the total number of F's and decrease in the total number of A's from a typical school year.

Grades, Attendance Still a Concern for Administration

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief December 5, 2020

When Dunbar transitioned to remote learning last spring, classes were asynchronous and grades were fixed, giving students flexibility as to when (and whether) they did their schoolwork.  This semester,...

More than 100 of Kentucky's 120 counties are currently in the red zone. Unlike in previous days, none of Kentucky's counties are in the "yellow zone," which indicates community spread but not accelerated transmission of COVID-19.

FCPS Cancels In-Person Services, Athletics

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief November 16, 2020

Three days after Fayette County public schools asked students to choose between in-person and online learning during the spring semester, FCPS Superintendent Manny Caulk announced that all FCPS schools...

If and when students do return to the school building, they will be expected to wash their hands and sanitize their belongings frequently.

Planning a Return to In-Person School

Vanessa Alonso, Staff Reporter November 13, 2020

If and when students do return to the school building, they will be expected to wash their hands and sanitize their belongings frequently.

The school was built in 1970 on land in northern Fayette County formerly owned by historian Winston Coleman and his wife, Burnetta. "Winburn" is taken from their first names.

Students Disappointed by Winburn Principal’s Controversial Social Media Post

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief November 9, 2020

On the evening of Nov. 4, President-Elect Joe Biden continued to pull ahead in the polls, Principal Mike Hale of Winburn Middle School took to Facebook.  In a post that has since been deleted, Hale wrote,...

Analysis suggests an increase of as much as 10% in youth voter turnout – with particularly high engagement in 11 key battleground states. That may have been game-changing for Joe Biden, who had the support of 61% of people aged 18-29.

First-Time Voters Share Their Experiences

Brooke Abell and Sadie Bograd November 8, 2020

As of Oct. 27, young voters, identified as being from ages 18 to 29, are coming out in record numbers. More than 7 million young people have already voted in the 2020 election, either early or absentee,...

Mason Marrs

Mason Marrs

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2020

Normally, most Kentuckians vote in-person on Election Day, with a few sending in absentee ballots. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, voters this year had a third choice: voting early in-person. Senior...

Nancy Zhang

Nancy Zhang

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief November 8, 2020

Although senior Nancy Zhang voted for the first time in this election, she’s believed in the power of the youth vote for a while. “I feel like young people make up a huge portion of the population,...

Kentucky Democrats were generally pleased with the results of the presidential election but dissatisfied with the outcome in the Senate. "I just need the Democratic Party to stop running moderates," senior Sanaa Kahloon said.

Kentucky Election Results Include Few Surprises, Local Changes

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief November 7, 2020

On the national stage, many elections took days to be decided, as states like Pennsylvania and Nevada continued to count mail-in ballots. It was only on Saturday, Nov. 7, that media organizations like...

A Halloween haunted trail with many jumps and scares.

Must-See Halloween Decorations

Jack Naehr, Photo Editor October 30, 2020

A Halloween haunted trail with many jumps and scares.

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!

While the Common Application can seem scary, these tips can help reduce stress.

A Guide for Your College Application Adventure

Max He, Staff Reporter October 29, 2020

While the Common Application can seem scary, these tips can help reduce stress.

Paying It Forward: A Cup of Commonwealth Offers Coffee and Community During Pandemic

Alex Gonzalez and Sadie Bograd October 19, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have had to get creative with how they handle customers and in-person business interactions. In a city with over 500 restaurants and a state with the most fast-food...

Online services like meditation apps and virtual therapy can help students struggling with isolation.

Mental Health Looks Different in Online School

Max He, Staff Reporter November 6, 2020

Online services like meditation apps and virtual therapy can help students struggling with isolation.

Staff artist Dylan Stern explains how to register to vote and cast a ballot in this year's elections.

Students’ Guide to Voting in 2020

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief October 2, 2020

Students who will turn 18 prior to Nov. 3 can register to vote at GoVoteKY.com. Those who have already registered to vote can confirm their registration and update their address on the same site. There...

Kentucky is continuing to release daily updates on the number of new COVID-19 cases in each county.

Fayette County Reaches “Red” COVID Incidence Rate

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief September 23, 2020

In an email to FCPS families on Wednesday, Superintendent Manny Caulk revealed that a delay in “data entry” led to underreporting of COVID-19 cases on the state’s “COVID-19 Current Incidence Rate”...

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

Staff Artist Dylan Stern's portrait of Justice Ginsberg bears one of her most famous quotes--a meaningful statement for women of all ages.

May Her Memory Be a Blessing

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief September 19, 2020

The tragic passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an especially severe blow to the Jewish community. The death of the first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court coincided with Erev Rosh Hashanah,...

During NTI, many people have spent more time reading. Here's a few top suggestions from Dunbar teachers.

Dunbar Teachers’ Reading Recommendations

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief September 16, 2020

 

Protesters taped a handmade banner outside the FCPS building on Main Street.

Parents Protest, Want Option for In-Person Instruction

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief September 15, 2020

On the evening of Sept. 14, a group of around 50 parents and children gathered outside the office of Fayette County Public Schools to protest Fayette County’s virtual learning policy. The protest...

Ms. Rains sent messages by mail and email to Dunbar families.

Back-to-NTI

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief August 22, 2020

In a message sent to students and families on Aug. 10, Principal Betsy Rains explained the structure and schedule for non-traditional instruction this school year. On Aug. 17, she sent another message...

Dunbar teachers are making online learning work despite unprecedented challenges.

Virtual Learning Creates New Challenges for Teachers

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief August 10, 2020

When the FCPS School Board announced plans to start the school year virtually, many Dunbar teachers said that they were already expecting the announcement.  “Since the numbers were going up so dramatically...

The proposed change would alter Dunbar's longstanding A/B block schedule.

Dunbar Considers 4×4 Schedule

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief July 29, 2020

The abrupt transition to online learning in March was a hectic one: teachers choosing between seemingly dozens of online platforms, administrators scrambling to put together some kind of schedule, everyone...

The recent outrage over police killings of black Americans has led thousands of people to sign petitions like this one.

Students, Policymakers Call for African American Studies

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief June 12, 2020

As many students take to the streets to protest police violence, two Dunbar graduates have taken a different approach: addressing how racism impacts school systems. Kaden Gaylord and Olivia Geveden,...

Protesters gathered outside Lexington Courthouse before marching down Main Street.

Lexington Protests against Racism and Police Brutality

Sadie Bograd, Editor-in-Chief June 4, 2020

The world is in the midst of history in the making. Americans and others across the globe are collectively using their voices to attempt to right the wrongs that have persisted for centuries. Time and...

While students who took the ACT on March 10 are getting their scores, those who missed the original test date will be unable to take the exam for months.

COVID-19 Pandemic Prompts Universities to Adopt Test-Optional Admission

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter April 18, 2020

Elizabeth Moore, a junior at Henry Clay, woke up sick on the morning of March 10.  “I had a GI bug and was throwing up the night before,” she said. “We thought it might pass and I would be able...

The Vaping Epidemic isn’t Over

Nimi Bala and Sadie Bograd April 3, 2020

Teen smoking is not a new problem, and over the years, proof of addiction has been heavily documented. According to the Center of Disease Control, in 1988 around three-fourths of people who were considered...

Netflix has countless comedy specials to watch during your time at home.

Comedy Specials for Quarantine Season

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter March 23, 2020

It’s hard to find the perfect film to get you through the panic and boredom of quarantine season. Typically perennial teen favorites like Clueless or Mean Girls remind me too much of the school I’m...

Why Do We Have Leap Years?

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter February 25, 2020

Most of us are familiar with the concept of leap years, but unless you're an astronomer. Mr. Scot Gill, a Dunbar science teacher helps students understand the reason why we add a day every four years. "Day...

This flyer advertises "Halfway to Burger Week" and the restaurants participating in them.

The Best of Lexington’s ‘Halfway to Burger Week’

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter February 10, 2020

Burgers are widely recognized as the quintessential American food. And what better time to eat them than summer? ‘Tis the season of cookouts and grills, after all. A new Lexington event, however,...

A tweet about controversial blogger Kaitlin Bennet's visit to UK's campus caused a stir among students.

UK Student Applauded for Response to Campus Visit from “Gun Girl”

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter January 27, 2020

The new semester can be full of surprises with difficult classes and unpredictable weather. But University of Kentucky students returning to campus after winter break found one more surprise: they’d...

WPLD Jan. 21 Broadcast

January 21, 2020

This week we covered the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as well as a guest speaker, hosted at Dunbar by Leaders in the Making. We also took a look at PLD's Orchestra and finally, we checked...

Dunbar's metal detectors are a fixture of the school's entryway.

Getting to Know PLD’s Security Ambassadors

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter January 8, 2020

You see Carl, Antoinne, and Ricky every morning. They’re a fixture of school life, yet many students probably don’t even know their names. Carl Beatty, Antoinne Priddy, and Ricky Kirby, alongside...

Orchestra Creates a Family of Musicians

Nimi Bala, Staff Reporter December 13, 2019

Four instruments, one conductor, and sheet music on an open stage with a full crowd. They’re surrounded by many musicians playing melodic, classical music, and the way it bounces off the walls make the...

Applying to college requires you to be familiar with numerous websites, from the Common App to FAFSA.

How soon should you begin the College Application process?

Drew Pennington, Staff Reporter November 15, 2019

Applying to college requires you to be familiar with numerous websites, from the Common App to FAFSA.

Dunbar Students Gear Up for Halloween

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter October 31, 2019

Around the city, kids of all ages are gearing up for the holiday which is being celebrated on Nov. 2 this year. Halloween means different things to different age groups from adorable toddlers dressed up...

Why Elections Matter Even if You Can’t Vote

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter October 30, 2019

For many years, I thought of Election Day as nothing more than a day off from school. I’d sleep in late, watch TV or YouTube videos all day, and let my parents tell me whether our government had been...

Respect the Library

Logan Moore, Staff Reporter October 10, 2019

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Library is quite literally the core of Dunbar, located in the center of the building. Librarian Mrs. Summer Perry and library assistant Mrs. Hazel Compton are the friendly faces...

The winter break allows the school halls to recover after a continuous effort to create chaos.

Lockers at Dunbar a Waste of Space

Sadie Bograd, Staff Reporter October 5, 2019

Walk through Dunbar’s jam-packed halls and you’ll see them arranged in endless lines, fairly identical, seemingly immobile. No, not the students--the lockers. Lockers are such a quintessential...

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