Skip to Main Content

Panther Press

The News Site of Lawton Chiles Middle School

Panther Press

Panther Press

Calling all 8th graders!

Calling all 8th graders

May 12, 2025

Want an ad published in the Panther Press? Send it to Virginia Brady ([email protected])

The Chicken Jockey Effect

The Chicken Jockey Effect

Alex Wehbe, Business Manager May 3, 2025

With the recent release of A Minecraft Movie, many students have been obsessing over the movie. Its famous quotes have students repeating them over and over. These quotes include classics like, "Flint...

The LCMS Jazz band warms up in the Hagerty High School courtyard.

LCMS’ Jazz Band Performs at Jazz Under the Stars

Chloe Snyder, Editor April 28, 2025

Jazz Under the Stars has been an end-of-the-year concert for the LCMS Jazz band for a long time. Starting around twelve years ago, it has been a tradition for the band to play at Hagerty along with...

The 8th graders look over the 7 Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. Grace Longsworth said, "The view was so pretty. The water was so clear." (Photo by Ms. Heckle)

Pigeon Key Trip

Colton Fitch, Manager April 14, 2025

Over the weekend of April 11-13, Ms. Heckle and Mrs. Richardson took 29 8th graders on a trip to Pigeon Key, Florida. Students participated in a snorkeling trip on a 35 ft catamaran, tide pooling, learning...

Meet Your Designers

Meet Your Designers

Sadie Slater, Design Editor April 11, 2025

When you get your yearbook, you probably don’t think about where it comes from or who designs it. In Yearbook class, there are primarily four designers, and all of the pages get divided among them...

LCMS Thespians laugh at a performance made by Sadie Richmond, an 8th grader at Lawton and Ilse Alysha, an associates graduate from Seminole State College. "Theatre is not only something fun to do, but it's a way to change people's life and that's what I think I like the most about it," said Ilse.

Jr. Thespians attend a Theatre Workshop with Students from Seminole State College

Colton Fitch, Manager April 10, 2025
In April, the students from Mrs. T's Jr. Thespians went to the Black Box and had an improv workshop with college students.
Symphonic band performing on April 10, 2025

Symphonic and Concert Band Perform At MPA

Chloe Snyder, Editor April 10, 2025

Each year, at least one concert band from LCMS is required to perform at a Music Performance Assessment, where the band is graded and judged by professional musicians. Even though only one concert band...

Yearbook students pose in a mirror to help win points for their district. There was a competition between all the districts to see who had the most spirit. “This was our first time attending the FSPA state convention but we had fun and were all in!” Ms. Brady said.

Yearbook Staff Goes to FSPA

Brinley Richardson, Editor April 9, 2025

FSPA is a three day convention that yearbook students can go to learn more about designing, pictures, writing, and more.  A group of 9 students tested out the convention this year to see if it was worth...

Bussin is a staffy mix puppy that's full of energy and ready to be adopted.

Critter Corner

Summer Scott and Sophia Thomas April 5, 2025

Bussin Bussin is a male tan-brown Staffy Mix. He is 5 months old and will weigh roughly 40-50 Pounds when he reaches adulthood. He’s house trained, his vaccinations are up to date and he is also...

Autism Awareness Month

Autism Awareness Month

Talia Babington, Staff Photographer April 1, 2025

What is Autism Awareness Month?  The month of April is Autism Awareness Month, and it is meant to inform people about autism. For those who don’t know, autism is a neurodivergent condition, meaning...

In Ms. Swallow’s Chorus classes, students signed the song “A Better Place”. Students in Chorus not only learn how to sing, but also learn how to sign. Lilia Bennett (7th) says, “My favorite part about this experience was when we were just signing, not singing.” Signing can be super fun at times and learning to sign can be very useful in the future!

This is Chorus

Colton Fitch, Emily Kushnir, and Sophia Hammer February 17, 2025

Chorus is a powerful, beautiful form of self expression that deserves to be spread and shared with people of all ages. Chorus classes, whether you're in Chorus I or Chorus III, capture the beauty of music...

Holidays

When it comes to the holidays Panthers celebrate them in many different ways, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and New Year's. However with each holiday, Panthers enjoy the positive feeling and...

Load More Stories