On Thursday, August 20, 2026, South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) Club LIVAT had their Welcome Back Picnic at Bijou Park. Excited middle schoolers and faculty club advisors had fun playing human tic-tac-toe, Love My Neighbor, and “The Hunger Games” (a laughter-filled water balloon fight).

In September 2024, at STMS, a pep rally was held where retiring teachers were announced and applauded, including a faculty member by the name of Larry Lambdin. He retired after 32 years of teaching 8th graders at STMS. In June of 2026, Lambdin was further honored by having an annual award from Club LIVAT named after him.

Club LIVAT (Lead, Inspire, Volunteer, Act, and Thrive) is proud to be a STMS PTA-sponsored club that guides students to promote a healthy lifestyle, advocating against drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc., and engaging in high-energy activities. In this way, Club LIVAT closely follows the spirit that Larry Lambdin brought to Club Live, which was active at STMS from 1993 to 2025. Lambdin served as the lead advisor for Club Live for all 32 years. After his retirement, he still participated in certain fundraisers and meetings for Club LIVAT, but is no longer always present. 

On June 11, 2026, Club LIVAT held its annual award ceremony for members and leaders to be acknowledged for their work and commitment to the club’s message and activities. It was the first LIVAT awards ceremony, enabled through generous support from the STMS PTA. Although having no official role with Club LIVAT, Larry Lambdin came to help set up the STMS multi-purpose room for the event anyways.

To honor and thank Lambdin for his ongoing commitment and help with everything related to both clubs, the club advisors created a brand new award, titled the “Larry Lambdin Loyalty Award,” which was given out to three student leaders of Club LIVAT to thank them for their loyalty to the club and demonstrate the message of being energetic and lively, as former advisor Lambdin was to Club Live during his many years of teaching at STMS. By doing this, Club LIVAT has shown they are prepared to carry on the legacy of Larry Lambdin and his efforts, inspiration and leadership, even if he isn’t always there to help.

Written by Chaplin Rucker, 8th Grade Club LIVAT Facilitator