• Juniors: Mark your calendars for the SAT on Wednesday, March 5!
The Student News Site of Emerson High School

The Charge

The Charge
The Student News Site of Emerson High School

The Charge
Ardyn Lessner

Ardyn Lessner, The Charge Staff Writer

Ardyn is a sophomore at Emerson High School, who currently serves as a Staff Writer for her first year on the Charge. She has prior experience writing articles, fiction, and short stories, but she aims to develop her skills even more. Ardyn has been the subject of news articles herself with her aerial circus performances, which she enjoys practicing outside of writing. She also loves dancing, and is on the Emerson Majestics Drill Team, as well as leading the literary team on Emerson’s Literary-Art Magazine. Her cats are her fur babies, and often cuddle her when she’s taking some well needed alone time at home.

All content by Ardyn Lessner
On the right side of the shop, display cases with sliding doors feature bakery items that customers can pick out using a pair of provided tongs and bring to the counter for purchase.

Paris Baguette: Commendable self-serve bakery

Ardyn Lessner and Julianna Sweatman
February 27, 2025

Paris is the heart of France, where street cafes meet blooming flowers, and love is hovering in the air. The picturesque avenues and charming architecture are enticing to many tourists, although distance...

Continue Reading
The Majestics pose with their trophies at the American Dance/Drill Team competition awards ceremony.

Majestics American Dance/Drill Team Competition Recap

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
February 13, 2025

The Majestics Drill Team participated in the American Dance/Drill Team competition on Feb. 8 at Plano Senior High School under the direction of Amanda Burch and Holly Whitfield. The team performed a jazz,...

Continue Reading
Addisyn Wimberly, 11, receives the "Above and Beyond" award from Make-a-Wish North Texas.

Addisyn Wimberly inspires hope one child at a time

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
January 29, 2025

Addisyn Wimberly, 11, has been a part of many organizations aiming to benefit children in our local community and around the world. She was recently featured on WFAA Good Morning Texas with leadership...

Continue Reading
Ava McCall, 12, cheers for the Emerson Mavericks at a football game.

Senior Spotlight: Majestic Ava McCall

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
January 16, 2025

Behind stunning leaps, graceful extensions and sky-high kicks is a passion for dance, nurtured for many years. Ava McCall, 12, can be seen on football fields, stages and gym floors, performing with...

Continue Reading
A decorated Christmas tree can bring light and festivity to previously dull spaces, as well as act as a great source of entertainment.

Winter season reflections

Ardyn Lessner
December 19, 2024

Continue Reading
Aaron Burden, Unsplash

Fall season reflections

Fall was a time for warmth, laughter, and time spent with loved ones. Before transitioning into the winter season, it’s important to reflect on autumn as a faceted season that can be explored through many perspectives.
Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
December 5, 2024

Continue Reading
Christopher Hammer stands in front of his second period GT Humanities class. He’s able to use all of the knowledge gathered over the years to provide a better education for his students.

Honoring Emerson’s special gifts on National Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
November 24, 2024

On Nov. 24, people around the world start rolling their tongues, juggling swords and contorting their bodies in extraordinary positions. On National Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day, these oddities are...

Continue Reading
Chloe Gill, 12, Bailee Howell, 12, and Saniya Allen, 12, volunteer at the PALs booth.

Club fair showcases students’ creativity

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
November 18, 2024

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the annual club fair was held in the quad, featuring student-run club booths on either side of the school entrance. The event provides clubs an opportunity to advertise and recruit...

Continue Reading
Olivia Kim, 12, serves the ball over the net during the game against Liberty High School.

Inside look into Emerson’s varsity girls volleyball team off the court

Ardyn Lessner, Staff Writer
October 30, 2024

The varsity girls volleyball team has been through its ups and downs but always prioritized stable, close relationships with one another. Led by coach Lauren Wright, they had a fluctuating season, with...

Continue Reading
Sahana Narasimhan, 10, diligently studies for the Academic Decathlon competition that takes place in November 2024.

Academic Decathlon participant looks forward to the upcoming competition

Ardyn Lessner
October 10, 2024

Academic Decathlon, where students are given opportunities to proudly represent Emerson through answering a series of knowledge-based questions, kicked off the school year with a lot of preparation for...

Continue Reading
One of Salata’s creative wood panels depicting their ordering process hangs on the wall next to their bright green counters. This contributes to an efficient flow of customers and prevents a traffic jam, as the customers are prepared before they enter the line.

Salata: New era in fast food

Ardyn Lessner
October 7, 2024

It’s hard to find fast food restaurants that are simultaneously delicious and healthy, but luckily, Salata offers many options. It first opened in 2005 in Houston, Texas by Berge Simonian, and soon expanded...

Continue Reading
Salad and Go is recognizable by its bright colors painted on the outside of the restaurant.

Salad and Go: A healthy option for the almond moms

Ardyn Lessner
September 26, 2024

Located off the corner of Custer and Stacy Rd., Salad and Go immediately catches the eye of any wandering passerby, with its bright orange and lime trims against the smoky gray walls. The drive through...

Continue Reading
Counselor Jamie Manley discusses college options with a current junior. She dedicates her time to serving the students and making life easier for them.

College week: Counselors guide students toward success

Ardyn Lessner
September 12, 2024

College is an exciting time for young adults to explore who they are without living in the shadows of their parents. They must learn to thrive independently, which can be a struggle for some students....

Continue Reading
Christian Lyons, 12; Kelton Wafer, 12; Nate Leal, 12; and Agape Lawrence, 12 hype up the crowd in anticipation for the Aug. 29 game against McKinney.

First pep rally launches fall sports and names Make-a-Wish awards

Ardyn Lessner
August 29, 2024

Maverick Leadership hosted the very first pep rally of the school year on Aug. 22, featuring performances from the Majestics, band, color guard, cheerleaders, and band. Flag runners welcomed the football,...

Continue Reading
Emerson’s new dance teacher Holly Whitfield lights up the stage

Emerson’s new dance teacher Holly Whitfield lights up the stage

Ardyn Lessner, Guest Contributor
May 7, 2024

The sound of blaring music, feet hitting the hardwood floor, and echoing laughter are some evident signs that a new dance instructor and assistant coach for the Majestics, Holly Whitfield, has come to...

Continue Reading
I ordered the caramel apple cronut, which was the size of my face.

Parlor Doughnuts: McKinney’s new sugar spot

Ardyn Lessner, Guest Contributor
March 18, 2024

Parlor Doughnuts, which recently opened in McKinney, Texas, is known for their pastries that are a blend of soft doughnut and flaky croissant. Founded by Darrick Hayden in Evansville, Indiana in 2019,...

Continue Reading
Creative Commons

Regifting: Acceptable, or abominable?

Ardyn Lessner and Julianna Sweatman
December 19, 2023

Continue Reading
Ardyn Lessner

New Maverick: Mr. Porter

Ardyn Lessner, Guest Contributor
October 16, 2023

The students of Emerson High School welcome a new math teacher, Michael Porter, who will use his past experiences to ensure perseverance and respect in his classroom, while also making it an...

Continue Reading