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🤖✨ Our amazing robotics students Lexi and Naomi are absolutely CRUSHING it alongside teacher Andrew Schuetze and Dr. Lucretia Fraga from @UniversityoftheIncarnateWord!
🌟 What's happening:
The collaboration between our program and University of the Incarnate Word through FIRST Access is opening doors and building bridges across communities. #ISTE2025 #Robotics #STEMEducation #FIRSTRobotics #ProudTeacher #GlobalConnections #UniversityoftheIncarnateWord #FIRSTAccess
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Lutheran High School of San Antonio senior, Alexis, is coming up to the finish line of her transformative experience as a scholar in the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund Biomedical Research Academy (VBRA), an immersive biomedical research, educational and college preparatory program for San Antonio high school students at UT Health San Antonio.
As Alexis reflects on her time in the program, she describes it as nothing short of extraordinary. "Coming to the end of my Voelcker Experience, I look back and wish I could tell freshman me that it is the experience of a lifetime," she shared. "I've had so many opportunities, met amazing people, made so many connections, and discovered the career I want to pursue!" Meanwhile, another Lutheran High School student is just beginning her own journey in this prestigious program. Sierra, who recently started her internship at Voelcker, is already embracing the program's emphasis on community engagement and mentorship. "I don't have much information on a project yet. But right now we are interviewing for mentors, and volunteered at the food bank!" she shared, demonstrating the program's commitment to developing well-rounded future scientists who understand the importance of service to their community. The Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy partners the very best rising sophomores from a broad array of San Antonio school districts with outstanding biomedical scientists from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, creating an elite learning environment typically reserved for college-level students and beyond. Alexis's Advanced Research Alexis's research focused on the complex world of amino acid metabolism, specifically studying tryptophan and its biological pathways. Her work explored the delicate balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective branches of tryptophan metabolism—research with significant implications for understanding neurological health and disease. "My projects have been based around Tryptophan (an amino acid) and its metabolism (breakdown)," Alexis explained. "Along the tryptophan pathway, there is a neurotoxic branch and a neuroprotective branch. The neurotoxic branch can cause negative effects, including loss of learning and memory, mood symptoms, and contribute to aging." Her research utilized genetically modified mouse models to study the effects of deleting KMO, a neurotoxic enzyme. This sophisticated approach allowed her to investigate how removing this enzyme might protect against the negative neurological effects associated with the neurotoxic pathway. The breadth of Alexis's laboratory experience demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the Voelcker program. Her work included:
Publishing Scientific Research The quality and significance of Alexis's work is evidenced by her contribution to the scientific community. "Over the years, I have been involved in many different studies and will be published in 2 different papers," she proudly shared. This achievement places her among a select group of high school students who have contributed to peer-reviewed scientific literature—a distinction that will serve her well in future academic and professional endeavors. About the Program Created as a pipeline for careers in biomedical sciences, the program was established in 2009, enabling highly competitive high school students to be introduced to biomedical research by accomplished scientists as mentors at UT Health San Antonio. The program's selectivity and prestige make both Alexis's accomplishments and Sierra's acceptance particularly noteworthy. As Alexis prepares to graduate from Lutheran High School, her Voelcker experience has not only provided her with advanced research skills but has also clarified her career aspirations. Sierra's journey is just beginning, but her early engagement with mentorship opportunities and community service suggests she, too, will make the most of this extraordinary opportunity. Lutheran High School congratulates both students on their participation in this remarkable program and looks forward to following their continued success as they pursue their passions for biomedical research. To learn more about the Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy, visit voelckeracademy.uthscsa.edu Lutheran High School of San Antonio is proud to announce that two rising juniors, Katie and Ziyun, have been selected for mentorship opportunities with Alt Bionics, Inc., a San Antonio-based company specializing in accessible prosthetics technology.
The mentorship opportunities arose following a robotics team tour of the Alt Bionics facility, where both students connected with CEO Ryan Saavedra about potential collaboration opportunities. Impressed by their backgrounds, clearly defined interests, and experience in STEM through their work on the LHS robotics team, Saavedra extended mentorship invitations to both students. Katie and Ziyun's passion for creating equal access among families of different income levels aligns perfectly with Alt Bionics' mission to develop high-quality prosthetics at sustainable prices for all walks of life. Both mentorship programs will be self-paced and project-driven, allowing the students to pursue their own research interests while building foundational skills through the Arduino starter kit project book. This approach will prepare them for more advanced work in electronics and signal processing. The mentorships will be conducted remotely, through the school's Innovation Hour and Genius Grant initiatives. The school's support team, including staff members who manage Innovation Hour and oversee the Genius Grant selection process, is collaborating to create a structured plan that will ensure both students' success in their remote mentoring experiences. This approach follows the precedent set by previous students who have successfully completed Genius Grant work off-campus with mentors. As part of their mentorships, both students will have the opportunity to specialize in specific aspects of prosthetics development, including:
Beyond the immediate learning opportunities, these mentorships will significantly enhance both students' resumes and scholarship opportunities. The real-world research experience will provide compelling material for college essays and demonstrate their commitment to STEM fields to admissions committees at top-tier institutions. Lutheran High School of San Antonio is proud to announce that rising senior Aiden Martinez has qualified for the Junior Olympics in track and field, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career.
Aiden ran the 200m in 22.11 seconds, which was a personal record (PR). He also PR’d in the 400m this meet and missed qualifying for Junior Olympics by 1/10th of a second in the 100 meter. We are so proud of him, as this is his first club track season, and he’s competing with the best of the best (one of those being fellow LHS track star Andrew Wright). Aiden's humble approach has him not yet ready to consider himself as “one of the fast guys.” He is especially grateful for his teammate Andrew and Coach Brook Wright, as their support and guidance have been crucial in his pursuit of excellence and reaching his potential. The Junior Olympics represent one of the most prestigious competitions for high school athletes across the nation, bringing together the best young talent from coast to coast. Aiden's qualification comes as the culmination of a stellar track season that has showcased his dedication, talent, and pursuit of excellence. Throughout the season, he has consistently demonstrated the perseverance that sets apart truly exceptional student-athletes. Lutheran High School is thrilled to announce that we have received an EXCELLENT rating from the Lutheran School Accreditation Commission for our 2024-2025 annual report. This outstanding recognition reflects the dedicated efforts of our entire school community and our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional Christian education.
This recognition validates our school's commitment to:
This EXCELLENT rating serves as both a celebration of our current achievements and motivation for our continued pursuit of excellence. We remain committed to providing our students with an education that prepares them not only for academic success but also to lead lives of impact in their community to the glory of Jesus Christ. We thank the Lutheran School Accreditation Commission for their thorough evaluation and recognition of our efforts. Most importantly, we thank God for His continued blessings on our school and the opportunity to serve Him through Christian education. Sometimes the best teachers are those who've recently walked in their students' shoes. That's exactly what's happening in Lutheran High School's Make Lab this summer, where 2024 graduate Josh VanDeest is leading a specialized robotics course designed to give our current team members a competitive edge before the new season begins.
Just over a year after receiving his diploma from LHS, Josh has returned to Lutheran's halls after a year of mechanical engineering studies at LeTourneau University. His Tuesday and Thursday sessions, running from 10am to 12pm, aren't just about keeping students busy during summer break—they're about building a foundation of advanced robotics principles that will serve the team well when competition season arrives. "While most of you already have experience and knowledge in robotics, I want to expand and add to it," Josh explained to the team members. His curriculum covers essential topics including basic build principles, lift designs, chassis structure, intake design, and gear ratios—all critical elements for competitive robotics success. With the official FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) game reveal not scheduled until September 6th, Josh took initiative to create an engaging challenge that would keep students' skills sharp during the summer months. Drawing from his own competitive experience, he developed a custom game using elements from a past VEX competition he participated in as a student. The challenge centers around scoring hollow plastic balls—6.3 inches in diameter from the VEX game "Change Up"—into designated bins. While it sounds simple, Josh has incorporated strategic restrictions that mirror real competition conditions: robots can only carry one ball at a time, and teams must work within specific size limits, motor counts, and additional build requirements. The program's structure encourages both collaboration and healthy competition. With enough participants, Josh plans to divide students into two teams, each designing and building their own unique robot for the challenge. The culmination will be a mini-tournament to determine which team's design and strategy proves most effective. Not content to simply observe from the sidelines, Josh has built his own fully functional robot according to the rules he established—investing about eight hours in the project. "I didn't want to miss out on the fun," he noted, and his robot will compete directly against the student teams, providing an additional benchmark for their designs. The summer program is already showing tangible results. Students are actively disassembling previous robots to harvest parts for new builds, including completely taking apart the girls' varsity robot to maximize available components. This hands-on approach to resource management mirrors the reality of competitive robotics, where teams must often work with limited materials and budgets. This summer initiative represents more than just technical preparation—it's a testament to the lasting impact of Lutheran High School's program and the character of its graduates. Josh's willingness to return and invest in current students demonstrates the kind of leadership and service that the school's robotics program aims to develop. As the team prepares for the upcoming FTC season, they're doing so with enhanced skills, practical experience, and the guidance of someone who understands both the challenges they face and the strategies needed to overcome them. When September 6th arrives and the new game is revealed, Lutheran's robotics team will be ready to hit the ground running—thanks in large part to one alumnus who chose to give back to the program that helped shape his own path. Students interested in joining the summer robotics course can attend sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am in the Make Lab. For more information about Lutheran High School's robotics program, contact Head of School Andrew Eickstead at [email protected] Lutheran High School has always believed in nurturing students who pursue excellence in all areas of life, and this weekend in Eugene, Oregon, that belief is being validated on one of the biggest stages in high school athletics. Andrew Wright is competing at the prestigious Nike Outdoor National Championships. On Friday, Andrew demonstrated perseverance and competitive spirit, finishing 10th overall nationally in the 400-meter dash. Competing against the fastest high school athletes from across the country, Andrew's performance placed him among the elite runners in the nation and showcased the dedication and training that have brought him to this moment.
But Andrew wasn't finished. He had an even greater triumph as he anchored the 4x100 relay team to a national championship – not just winning, but setting a new meet record in the process. Running the crucial fourth leg, Andrew demonstrated the composure and speed of a champion. The weekend isn't over yet. Andrew is also set to compete in the 200-meter dash and anchor the 4x400 relay, giving him multiple opportunities to continue to shine. Andrew's success reflects more than just athletic talent. His journey to Eugene represents the same "succeeding within the box" mentality that drives everything we do at Lutheran High School. Working with the resources, coaching, and support systems available, Andrew has maximized his God-given abilities through dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. At Lutheran High School, we believe that pursuing excellence – whether in the classroom, on the stage, or on the track – is about more than personal achievement. It's about using the talents God has given us to make an impact and bring glory to His name. Andrew's performance this weekend embodies that mission perfectly. As we watch Andrew compete at the highest level of high school athletics, we're reminded that the foundation built during a student's time at Lutheran High School extends far beyond graduation. The character, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence that define the Mustang community travel with our students wherever their journeys take them. Congratulations to Andrew Wright on his national championship and meet record! We are incredibly proud to call you a Mustang, and we'll be cheering you on as you continue competing this weekend. Your success reminds us all that when we nurture faith and pursue excellence, extraordinary things are possible. LHS Students Gain Real-World Experience at St. Mary's University's Greehey School of Business6/12/2025 Abraham (junior) and Rehan (sophomore) spent the last week participating in an entrepreneurship and innovation program at St. Mary's University's prestigious Greehey School of Business. This intensive, one-week experience was designed specifically for rising high school juniors and seniors, providing them with invaluable insights into the world of business and entrepreneurship. The program offered our students hands-on experience in generating and validating business ideas, creating solutions to real-world problems, and developing the entrepreneurial mindset that drives today's most successful business leaders. With lunch provided daily, students could focus entirely on absorbing the wealth of knowledge being shared.
"We about entrepreneurship, sales models, how to pitch, and entrepreneurial thinking vs managerial thinking," our students reported. "We learned about stories of companies such as Redbox, Airbnb, and Tesla. We also talked about business plans and steps to creating a successful startup." The curriculum covered essential entrepreneurial concepts that many business students don't encounter until college. Our students explored:
We're proud of our students for taking the initiative to be involved in this exceptional opportunity and representing Lutheran High School so well. Their participation in St. Mary's University's entrepreneurship program demonstrates the caliber of students we're developing and their readiness to tackle challenges in higher education and beyond. Programs like these reinforce our belief that experiential learning extends far beyond the traditional classroom. We encourage all eligible students to seek out similar opportunities that will expand their horizons and prepare them for success in an increasingly entrepreneurial world. LHS Junior, Christian, is living out the LHS mission by pursuing excellence and being involved this summer by participating in the prestigious Texas Boys State program this week at the University of Texas at Austin.
American Legion Texas Boys State, an 85-year-old program, is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. From June 8-13, 2025, over 1,200 of the best-and-brightest male students from across Texas gather to experience hands-on government and civic leadership. Christian's selection represents the caliber of student-leaders that Lutheran High School develops through our commitment to nurturing faith and pursuing excellence. His participation exemplifies our school pillars in action—demonstrating integrity in his academic work, showing perseverance in his leadership development, maintaining a servant heart through community involvement, and truly being involved in shaping his future and that of others. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to an intensive week-long program that challenges students to actively participate in mock government structures, from local to state levels, fostering the leadership skills and civic knowledge essential for tomorrow's leaders. Christian follows LHS class of 2025 graduate, Aubrey, who attended Texas Girls State last summer, and adds to Lutheran High School's growing reputation for developing well-rounded, students who are pursuing excellence as they form a firm foundation to make meaningful impact in their community to the glory of Jesus Christ. to society.  At Lutheran High School of San Antonio, we believe in fostering creativity, practical skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. A shining example of this commitment can be found in our Innovation Lab, a dynamic space where ideas come to life through hands-on learning. Innovation Lab is a hub for problem-solving, design thinking, and collaborative projects. This past spring, a group of our talented students, who chose the Cricut Craft section for their Innovation Lab time, put their skills to an incredible cause: creating unique, custom items to sell at our annual Field Day for 3rd through 5th graders!
The Cricut machines, beloved tools for precision cutting and design, became the centerpiece of this exciting venture. Our students dove into the design process, brainstorming fun and engaging items that would appeal to the younger students. This wasn't just about making pretty things; it was a real-world lesson in:
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