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The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

Photo Coverage

Brady Smith (11) performs the song "1,000 years" in the fall band concert.

Band takes the stage for their first concert of the year

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant October 15, 2025

On October 14, 2025, Highlands had its first band concert of the year, the Highlands fall band Spooktacular. This concert was a combination of the high school and middle school bands, opening with...

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Brielle Stanford (9), Vera Knight (9), and Wyatt Anderson (10) wrap up the Bel Canto performance. "My favorite part was hearing everyone combined." Knight said.

Highlands choral students rock the stage

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant October 9, 2025

On Oct. 7, 2025, the chorus students had their first performance of this school year. In preparation for this concert, the students had been working for 7 weeks while also getting accustomed to the...

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Siddhartha Jani (12), Nellie Albritton (12), and Noah Varland (12) prepare for how they will enter the stage at the start of the scene.

Peter and the Starcatcher brings a new energy to the stage

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant October 7, 2025

On Monday, Oct. 29, assistant director; Noah Varland walked the actors through their scenes as they gathered to review and rehearse Act 1 of the Highlands fall play, Peter and the Starcatcher. During this...

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Seniors Madison Barlow, Franny Smith, Avery Barber, Katie Bucher, and Hayden Gessner smile at the camera.  “This year, the ozone leaders are focusing on boosting involvement and school spirit by promoting big games each week. The goal is to make games fun, support every sport, and strengthen school pride,” said Bucher.

Highlands breaks through with a 28-24 win over Ryle

Audrina Trauth, Andrea Suarez Espinosa, and Zac Crawford September 23, 2025

Highlands had a 28-24 home field win over the Ryle Raiders last Friday, Sept. 19. Offensively, Highlands racked up 150 rushing yards while allowing 175, with 76 passing yards, and allowed the Raiders...

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Chamber choir smile to chorale director Chris Eaton during their performance of "Any Dream Will Do".

Eaton and friends take the stage

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant September 22, 2025

On September 18, the chorus director, Chris Eaton, put on a show with some of his students called Eaton and Friends. These students signed up to sing in the show. They could have sung solos or duets. This...

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The starters for the Highlands boys soccer team huddle together before the match begins.

Highlands shows fight in rivalry loss to Dixie 4-2

Andrea Suarez Espinosa September 18, 2025

Highlands boys soccer fell 4-2 to Dixie Heights on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Nick Wilson (12) and Ethan Lang (11) each scored for Highlands with no credited assists.  The Bluebirds managed 4...

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Franny Smith (12) shoots the ball down the field.

Varsity girls’ soccer dominates the field at Dixie Heights

Keira Kobida, Photo Assistant September 18, 2025

On Wednesday, September 17, the Highlands Varsity Girls' soccer team competed against the Dixie Heights Colonels. This match took place at Dixie. The Birds came out victorious, with a score of 2-0.  Goals...

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Macy Hargis (12) takes a shot on the goal.

Highlands Falls to NDA 1-0

Andrea Suarez Espinosa and Zac Crawford September 16, 2025

Notre Dame Academy won 1-0 against Highlands on Saturday, September 13.  Highlands had several scoring opportunities but could not find the net. Ariana Harms (12) and Hope Darnell (10) each registered...

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Kendall Shields (11) and Lylah Doerr (11) discuss what they are grateful for.

Guest speaker discusses student mental health

Alecia Cogsville, Photo Assistant September 15, 2025

On Sept. 11 and 12, Mike Mizer from 1N5 spoke to students about mental health. Mizer works in the field of mental health and strives to help prevent suicide by breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. He...

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Avery Nieporte (12) strikes a pose during the ending of the show. "I enjoy the show this year because it is a chance to show off a higher skill level and choreography than in the past," Nieporte said.

Highlands marching band performs at Beechwood

Edy Hobson, Copy Editor September 11, 2025

On September 6, the marching band performed at Beechwood High School for their first competition. In preliminaries, the band competed in Class 3A, where they swept the awards, achieving outstanding...

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