Editor’s note – This is a roundtable that the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun newspaper holds with seniors ahead of graduation. Lisbon’s graduation ceremony is Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m. in the Lisbon Lions Den.

Students in this year’s senior roundtable include Gage Holub, Kayla Ries, Maddie Flockhart, Wesley Sadler and Tyler Sauser.  Topics covered include favorite activities, favorite memories of their time at Lisbon, advice to younger classmates, teachers and coaches who have made an impact, hopes for the school and community and more.

Favorite activities

Sadler was a member of the baseball, wrestling, cross country and track team during his time at Lisbon.

“My favorite activity was definitely the wrestling duals where I placed at state,” Sadler said.

Holub was involved in football, wrestling, track, student council, National Honor Society, and Business Professionals of America.

“My favorite has definitely been football,” Holub said. “Just that team going up against another team each week.”

Ries was involved in softball, volleyball, track, speech, and the prom committee.

“I really loved being able to help plan prom, and put on an event for the upperclassmen to enjoy,” Ries said.

Flockhart was involved in softball, volleyball, student council and National Honor Society.

“My favorite has been student council, especially our community clean-up day and seeing people’s smiles when we were able to help them out,” Flockhart said.

Sauser has been involved in golf and basketball during his time at Lisbon.

“Golf has been my favorite, as it’s a sport I’m really good at,” Sauser said.

Favorite memories

For Ries and Flockhart – It’s definitely Homecoming week that are their favorite memories.

“It’s a time when we all get to come together as a school and as our class,” Ries said.

“The whole week brings the whole school together,” Flockhart said. “There’s a lot of friendly competition and camaraderie.”

Holub said his favorte memories have been track meets he has attended.

“We’ve had a lot of success in track in my time here, and there’s a lot of freedom to focus on the events you do well,” Holub said.

Sadler said his favorite memories have been wrestling practices.

“I love that there were always people to push me and push me to do better,” Sadler said.

Sauser said his favorite memories include his time riding to many different sports activities.

“It’s just been a great time to have fun and connect with my friends,” Sauser said.

What they’re going to miss

“Probably the close connection we have to each other,” Ries said.

“I’m going to miss the support we’ve had from our teachers and coaches,” Flockhart said. “We’ve had a lot of close knit energy here.”

“Definitely being a part of teams,” Sadler said.

“Just the staff and community here at the school,” Sauser said.

“I’m really going to miss my good buddy, Tiernan Boots,” Holub said.

Advice for younger classmates

Sauser said one of his pieces of advice was not to use ChatGPT for assignments.

“It’s really not worth it to stress about the little things,” Ries said. “Those are things you’re going to discover really don’t matter in the long run.”

Flockhart said figuring out what you want to do with your life and doing it is important.

“Don’t just do something because everyone has been doing it,” Flockhart said. “I didn’t go out for track this year, and it’s made it more enjoyable.”

Sadler encouraged people to get involved in what activities they wanted to pursue.

“It really helps you meet so many people,” Sadler said.

Sauser said participating in as many sports as possible is also a piece of advice he’d give.

“You may not get that opportunity ever again,” Sauser said.

Holub recommended students don’t hold on to any grudges.

“You have your whole life ahead of you,” Holub said. “Learning to move on is important.”

Teachers/coaches who have made an impact

Ries and Flockhart both said Ellen Johanns has been a great teacher for them.

“She’s so down to earth and welcoming to all students,” Ries said.

“She’s just super easy to talk to,” Flockhart said.

Holub said for him, that each sport he has been a part of have seen two different head coaches.

“They’ve all been just great coach who encourage us all to do our best,” Holub said “They are pushing students to do their personal best.” Sadler said the coach who made the biggest impact for him was Brian Hall.

“He encouraged me to give it my all, and I was able to win a state wrestling title,” Sadler said.

Sauser said his favorite coach has been Andy Kahl.

Hopes for the community

“I just hope the community continues to grow and get better,” Holub said.

“This school already has excellent morals and message,” Flockhart said. “It’s one of those that highlights the size of a school doesn’t need to change.”

Sadler and Sauser had no comments on that topic.

Gage Holub will be attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he will study marine biology.

Kayla Ries will be attending Saint Ambrose University in Davenport and major in occupational therapy.

Maddie Flockhart will attend Kirkwood Community College where she will major in business management and administration.

Wesely Sadler will attend the University of Northern Iowa where he will major in accounting and business administration.

Tyler Sauser will attend University of Northern Iowa where he will major in business administration.