The LuHi Pod

High School Time Machine: Hard Work and Hidden Potential

This week’s theme explores what happens when accomplishment is about more than just achievement. Mr. Jaramillo shares how he once considered himself a “bad math student” — until a geometry teacher explained proofs in a way that finally made sense. Something clicked. Not only that, but she began sending students to him for help — turning the quiet student in the back row into an unexpected tutor. He didn’t ask for that role.  But because someone saw his potential, he began to see it too. Today, he’s a geometry teacher himself. LuHi senior Dane shares a different kind of accomplishment. His robotics team worked tirelessly all season — not even sure they would qualify for State. After a snowstorm and a tournament where everything seemed to fall into place, they scored the highest they ever had — punching their ticket to State. From the outside, it looked like luck.  But in reality, it was teamwork, preparation, and countless hours of hard work behind the scenes. Together, these stories remind us:  Accomplishment isn’t always flashy.  Sometimes it’s someone believing in you.  Sometimes it’s showing up again and again. And often, it’s both. This week's reflection questions are:  * What part of the student accomplishment stories stood out to you? * Have you ever had a teacher (or other adult/person/friend) see your potential, even when you couldn’t? * Dane shared the value of teamwork and showing up - no matter if you’re the one front and center or in the background. Which role do you gravitate towards more: front and center or background teammate? Why? Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/support] Our intro, outro, and segment music were written and recorded by Mr. Matt Zoeller. You can find us on most of the socials under the Lutheran High School handles. If you have a question you want answered on the Pod, we do Q&A episodes each season! Submit questions anytime to podcast@lhsparker.org. You can find chapters for each episode and transcripts here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322 Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing with your friends!

High School Time Machine: Vulnerability

This week’s theme is Vulnerability — and our two storytellers take it in two very different, but equally powerful, directions. Mrs. Homami shares a story from her own high school experience. When her English teacher opened up to the class about a difficult season she was walking through, something shifted. That moment of honesty broke down a barrier. For the first time, she was able to see adults not as distant authority figures — but as real, trustworthy humans who struggle too. LuHi senior Chace explores vulnerability from another angle. She shares how asking questions, putting herself out there, and being willing to have real conversations opened the door to evangelism opportunities — including a moment where she was able to share encouragement and remind a tattooed former gang member that Jesus loved him. Together, their stories remind us that vulnerability isn’t weakness.  It builds trust.  It deepens connection.  And sometimes, it creates space for faith conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise. This week's reflection questions are:  * What part of the vulnerability stories stood out to you? * For students: Do you think adults are as confident as they seem? What changes when someone admits they don’t have it all figured out? * Chace ties the idea of being vulnerable with evangelism. Why do you think vulnerability makes conversations about faith more real? Has someone ever shared something personal about their faith that impacted you? Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/support] Our intro, outro, and segment music were written and recorded by Mr. Matt Zoeller. You can find us on most of the socials under the Lutheran High School handles. If you have a question you want answered on the Pod, we do Q&A episodes each season! Submit questions anytime to podcast@lhsparker.org. You can find chapters for each episode and transcripts here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322 Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing with your friends!

High School Time Machine: Friendships

This week’s theme is one that can shape your entire high school experience: Friendships. High school friendships can be joyful, complicated, and sometimes deeply painful. They can anchor your sense of belonging — or shake it. LuHi junior Josephine shares what it felt like when her solid group of friends slowly drifted apart. What once felt secure became distant. She describes becoming what she calls a “floater friend” — known by many, but not quite belonging anywhere. Mrs. Buchholz reflects on a different experience. She shares how she never really found “her people” in high school. But when she left for college and looked back, she didn’t feel regret. Instead, she felt peace — trusting that while she only saw a small piece of her story, God saw the whole path. And not having deep friendships in high school has made her more grateful for the friendships she has now. Together, their stories remind us that belonging doesn’t always look the way we expect it to — and that God is present in seasons of loneliness just as much as in seasons of connection. This week's reflection questions are:  * What part of the friendships stories stood out to you? * Can you relate to what Josephine called being a “floater friend?” What does that feel like? * Christian community deeply matters at any age. Where have you experienced real Christian community and what made it different? OR When have you felt genuinely known or included — and what made that possible? Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/support] Our intro, outro, and segment music were written and recorded by Mr. Matt Zoeller. You can find us on most of the socials under the Lutheran High School handles. If you have a question you want answered on the Pod, we do Q&A episodes each season! Submit questions anytime to podcast@lhsparker.org. You can find chapters for each episode and transcripts here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322 Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing with your friends!

High School Time Machine: Parent Sacrifices

This week’s theme is one every student and parent can relate to:  The sacrifices parents make for their kids. Our two storytellers share strikingly similar memories — separated by decades. Mr. Black reflects on how his dad drove him 20 miles to school every day… then to a separate location for basketball practice… then to games… and countless other high school activities. The hours in the car added up. But so did the conversations. Sometimes they’d even stop for ice cream. LuHi junior Evan shares a similar story. His dad drove him to practices, showed up to every game, and traveled all over so Evan could play on competitive baseball teams. And just like Mr. Black’s dad — sometimes those long drives ended with French fries. In both stories, it’s not just about the miles driven. It’s about showing up.  It’s about presence.  It’s about the small, steady acts of care that students don’t always recognize in the moment. The time in the car mattered.  But even more than that — the consistency did. This episode invites students to look again at the everyday ways their parents support them… and invites parents to reflect on how those sacrifices shape more than we realize. This week's reflection questions are: * What part of the parent sacrificing for their students' stories stood out to you? * Think back to your high school years. What are some things your parents did for you that you didn’t recognize as a sacrifice at the time, but now see that it is? * Ask your student when they feel most supported by you or what’s something that you do - as the parent - that they know you do because they care, even if it is annoying to them in the moment? Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/support] Our intro, outro, and segment music were written and recorded by Mr. Matt Zoeller. You can find us on most of the socials under the Lutheran High School handles. If you have a question you want answered on the Pod, we do Q&A episodes each season! Submit questions anytime to podcast@lhsparker.org. You can find chapters for each episode and transcripts here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322 Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing with your friends!

High School Time Machine: Being All In

Our two storytellers share two very different sides of what it means to fully jump into high school. Julia Henkart tells the story of taking a risk as a freshman — stepping out, auditioning for Worship Band, and going for it. That decision opened the door to friendships, leadership, and now, as a junior, being part of Worship Class. Mrs. Maas reflects on the opposite experience. She shares how her high school years looked different — how she hesitated to get involved and later felt the regret of missed opportunities, lost time, and friendships that could have been. Together, their stories ask an important question: Is it riskier to try and fail… or never try at all? Whether you’re naturally a “go for it” person or someone who tends to hold back, there’s a lot to reflect on in this episode. Here are this week's reflection questions: * What part of the “all in” stories stood out to you? * Can you relate more with Julia’s story of going for it and trying something new? Or Mrs. Maas’ story of not being all in and regretting it? * Ask your student if there’s something they are hesitant to commit to joining. Do they think it’s riskier to try and fail or never try at all? As always, we hope that you take the conversation home to your student and your family! Send us your thoughts at podcast@lhsparker.org We'll be back next week with a new topic: The Sacrifices Parents Make for Their Kids Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322/support] Our intro, outro, and segment music were written and recorded by Mr. Matt Zoeller. You can find us on most of the socials under the Lutheran High School handles. If you have a question you want answered on the Pod, we do Q&A episodes each season! Submit questions anytime to podcast@lhsparker.org. You can find chapters for each episode and transcripts here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228322 Thanks for listening, subscribing, and sharing with your friends!