Mustangs Ahead Podcast

Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) named Social Studies teacher Brian Ross as its Teacher of the Year.  Ross will participate in the Manatee School District's "Excellence in Education" program and has the opportunity to be named District Teacher of the Year in early 2027.  Ross has been teaching at LRHS for 12 years. Ross teaches Advanced Placement (AP) United States History and shares his thoughts on his career and success.

Lakewood Ranch Principal Mike Mullen spoke before a student assembly on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 2001 terror attack.  Read more about the ceremony on "Mustangs Ahead."

This edition of the Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) "Mustangs Ahead" podcast features editors Katelyn Bagshaw and Cassidy Barnhardt interviewing new Principal Mike Mullen.  This in-depth conversation provides everyone in the Mustang community an opportunity to encounter Mullen's personality, goals and values.  It's a terrific opportunity to meet LRHS's new leader and hear about his plans for the future.

In 2023 Mustangs Mariana Alvarez-Cortez and Ava Collins, having just completed their freshman years, recorded a "Mustangs Ahead" podcast offering advice to incoming LRHS ninth-graders.  It was one of the most popular podcasts in the school's history.  This year, as graduating seniors, Alvarez-Cortez and Collins look back at their LRHS experiences, and once again offer advice, this time from their newer, more mature perspective.  They hope new, and current, Mustangs find their thoughts valuable.

The Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) class of 2026 graduated May 18.  Around 600 Mustangs walked across the infield at Bradenton’s LECOM Park into their futures.  This edition of the “Mustangs Ahead” podcast captures some senior memories, thoughts and – maybe most important – advice for future classes.  New podcast editors Katelyn Bagshaw and Cassidy Barnhart caught up with graduating seniors and gave them one last chance to sound off…as Mustangs. 

Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Mustangs are in the fourth quarter of the school year.  For many students that means hard work to finish out the year strong.  "Mustangs Ahead" Podcast Editor Valeria Para speaks with several Mustangs with big plans for the next few weeks involving activities both on and off campus.

Yearbooks are a traditional record of the high school experience.  Students across the country look forward to finding themselves and their friends in photos of classes, social events and sports.  Graduating seniors, especially, appreciate the memories that yearbooks provide of their final years in school.  Many people, however, may not realize the hard work that goes into producing yearbooks.  Gathering and choosing materials, editing copy and producing the physical product takes months of hard work by teachers and students.  This edition of the "Mustangs Ahead" podcast focuses on the efforts necessary to successfully produce the school yearbook.

(LAKEWOOD RANCH) - Lakewood Ranch High School's (LRHS) second semester is underway.  That means seniors are finishing out their final years.  Being so close to the finish line can present very distinct challenges to the class of 2026. Mustangs manage stress, fatigue and maybe even increasing indifference toward their studies now that most of their secondary education experiences are behind them.  This edition of the "Mustangs Ahead" podcast features thoughts and comments from both sides of the teacher's desk, discussing how to deal with impending graduation.

During the holiday season, people across the globe participate in various holiday traditions that shape their families. These traditions can be simple and widespread or unique to individuals. In this edition of the "Mustangs Ahead" podcast, Mustangs share their holiday traditions that are special to them and their families.