Geometry teacher Bridget Andrews graduated from LT in 2005. She then went on to study Math and Secondary Education at the University of Missouri. After college, Andrews came back to teach at LT in 2011, where she now teaches at SC.  

Andrews took part in soccer, cheer, and cross country throughout her four years of high school. Math teacher Paul Labatto was her soccer coach, who still teaches here today. 

“LT was much less diverse then than it is now,” Andrews said. “But it was definitely up and coming with diverse groups more than any other schools in the area, which is ultimately why my parents chose to send me here”.

When Andrews attended LT, there was minimal technology. Students had flip phones, and texting was barely a thing, she said.

“I feel like my students tend to be more stressed, and I never felt that way,” she said. “I think that social media and technology definitely plays a huge role in it, and kids are constantly comparing themselves to others which creates a negative cycle that didn’t exist when I was here.” 

Andrews got dress coded quiet often at LT with the stricter code, and she was made to change into her gym clothes, she said. Girls would not be able to show midriff and too much skin in general. 

“It was a tighter-run ship, and not necessarily reasonable,”  Andrews said. “I even once got detention for eating a graham cracker outside the cafeteria.” 

One trend that students in the 2000s followed through and through was the culture around burning each other CDs, Andrews said. Now, there is just a phone and an aux cord to plug into the car.
“You would make a mix on your computer of all the best songs, and you would burn it onto the CD. We did it for every birthday, and for our crushes,” Andrews said. “Nothing beats getting into our cars with a new mix.”

In terms of more serious topic matter, the LGBTQ+ community was not as accepted in the early 2000s. It was generally a lot less talked about. There weren’t many places where students could be out and proud, she said. 

“I love seeing my students now, being so open and honest, and embracing the safe space that LT has become,” she said. 

Andrews isn’t the only member of her family to have attended LT. Her parents did as well. She also plans to have her children join the legacy, she said. 

“I am truly invested in this community. I’ve been in my students’ shoes, and it helps me connect to them better since I went here,” she said. “I am so lucky that I get to teach amazing kids everyday in a great school. I love LT. Being a teacher here is a dream come true.” 

Gallery • 2 Photos

Andrews performs cheer routine with team in NC field house in 2005 (photo courtesy of Andrews).