How Garrard County High School Uses Daktronics Displays to Bring a Small Kentucky Community Together

Lancaster, Kentucky, Showcases the Importance of Community

Lancaster is a town of just over 4,500 people, the kind of place where generations stay, neighbors know each other by name, and Friday nights are a shared tradition. When Garrard County Schools secured bonding capacity in 2020, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Stull saw a chance to improve facilities in a way that would benefit the entire community.

Daktronics came in with the best bid. But more important was the relationship. When we reach out, we know who we’re talking to. And they know us. That consistency has been huge.

That sense of trust became the foundation for a district‑wide refresh of their athletic and activity spaces.

How One High School LED Video Board Sparked a District‑Wide Transformation

The first upgrade – a new LED video board for the football and soccer complex – made such an impact that the district didn’t want to stop there.

“Once we saw what the board did, we were like, we’ve got to keep going,” Stull recalled.
And they did. Garrard County added Daktronics displays at their baseball and softball stadiums, and in their shared middle‑school gym.

Game days quickly shifted from simple events to immersive experiences, complete with creative content, animated graphics, and enhanced lighting.

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mark Scenters described the transformation. “We went from three people in the press box to a full production on Friday night. It feels professional now.”

The Golden Lions stepped into a new era, powered by student involvement and small‑town pride.

One Connected Display System That Serves Every Student and Every Event

Garrard County needed a display system that could support everything their schools host – football games, graduation ceremonies, Special Olympics events, pep rallies, assemblies and more. What made that possible wasn’t just the technology itself, but the consistency and confidence that come from working with one trusted partner that schools can rely on.

With Daktronics, the district now has a unified system that feels familiar no matter which venue they’re using, making it easier for staff and students to create meaningful moments across every campus space.

Public Relations Director Sydney Ray says the displays have changed the district’s approach to celebrations.

Our Daktronics system impacts more than athletics. We use it for graduation. We use it for Special Olympics. We get to highlight students who aren’t on teams, but now their families see them up on the board. It’s really special.

Daktronics video boards now support:

• Football Friday nights
• Soccer games
• High‑energy pep rallies
• Special Olympics events
• All‑school assemblies
• Graduation ceremonies
• Movie nights
• Student‑produced recognition pieces

Students Are Running the Show and Shaping the Future of Golden Lion Productions

Garrard County students aren’t just watching the displays. They’re running them. Thanks to a DakClassroom, the new class centered on production and creative content, students are learning:

• Video board control
• Lighting and sound operation
• Live event direction
• Graphics and hype‑video creation
• Game‑day timing and workflow
• Venue‑level storytelling

Students are working behind the scenes to create memories and excitement for the school community. Senior Crystal Garcia explained, “We learn how to control the boards for whatever field we need. We control the lights, sound, everything.”

I’m excited to go to college and pro games and recognize what they’re doing on their boards and apply it back here,” says senior Madilyn Combs.

Landon Hatmaker says it’s fun to enhance game night. “Seeing people’s faces light up when they see the big video board and the content we make, that’s the best part.”

Stull says, “We don’t have any kid – even if they’re not an athlete – who doesn’t say, ‘This makes me so proud.’ It’s fun to be part of an environment that highlights who our students are.”

Ray echoed that sentiment, “I want people to come to Garrard County and say, ‘Wow, they’ve got it right.’ I want them to see our boards and want to be like us.”

In a small Kentucky town, the Daktronics displays have become a symbol of what’s possible when a community invests in its students and its stories.

Watch the Full Garrard County Story

Garrard County’s story shows what can happen when a small community invests in something big. Their LED video boards aren’t just displays – they provide a new way to celebrate students, elevate local traditions, and bring Lancaster together.

And see how other schools are writing their own chapters in Stories Beyond the Display, featuring high school video boards that are transforming student experiences across the country.