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The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

Archives 2022-2023

NEWS: School Closure Proposal Nears Final Decision

NEWS: School Closure Proposal Nears Final Decision

Cici Hunter and Natasha Torkzaban February 25, 2023

One year after the USD 497 Board of Education reached a consensus that no schools would shut down in light of budget cuts, a newly drafted proposal will put three schools on the chopping block. "Closing...

Senior Ashanti Riccardo draws on an iPad using a pen. Next year, students will be given a pen along with their iPad to allow similar functionality.

NEWS: Trading MacBooks for iPads

February 23, 2023

For six years, USD 497 high school students have been provided with MacBooks for school; however, the school board has opted to transition to iPads next year. The board made the decision on Jan. 23,...

Members of the Unity Step Team perform at the 2021 Firefest hosted by Student Council. Photo archived from Addison Driscoll.

FEATURE: Performative Activism and It’s Effects

Simon Williams February 22, 2023

Q: How do you see performative activism negatively affect Black History Month? A: “It is important to not only acknowledge the accomplishments and impacts of cultures during specific times of the...

Leitel smiles while watching the girls tennis team warm up before a match.

FEATURE: Remembering Adam Leitel

Olivia Nagel February 21, 2023

Free State High School U.S. history teacher and coach Adam Leitel died on Feb. 3 at 41 years old due to an unexpected medical emergency. He taught for 11 years at Free State and coached girls' tennis...

Milton's cafe sign located at the corner of Ninth St. and New Hampshire.

FEATURE: Milton’s Cafe: A Local Spot

Maura Langland February 20, 2023

During Black History Month, there are many ways to show your support for Lawrence’s black community, such as supporting local black-owned businesses.  One of many local black-owned businesses is...

Sophomore Merrit Hale was frustrated with the problems surrounding Ticketmaster when trying to buy tickets for her favorite artist. "Its super frustrating because of how fast they sold out and how expensive they are, and Ticketmaster didn't help with that," Hale said.

NEWS: Ticketmaster? More Like Ticket Disaster.

Emi Stone February 20, 2023

On Nov. 15, tickets for Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" went on sale on the website “Ticketmaster” which allows users to purchase tickets for concerts. Fans who bought tickets noticed that the process...

Senior Wendo Kimori reads to children. Photo submitted by Wendo Kimori.

FEATURE: NAACP Youth Council is Revived and Helps Promote Equity

Maria Mosconi February 19, 2023

High school students are ready to take action for equity; therefore, after 30 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP] developed a youth council branch in Lawrence...

Senior Evan White edits news spread on Adobe InDesign while looking at newspaper planning website.

EDITORIAL: iPads: An Equity Issue

Allison Mayhew, Editor-in-Chief February 19, 2023

Although the recent decision by the USD 497 school board to switch from MacBooks to iPads is estimated to save $4 million in capital outlay funds and $600,000-$750,000 in general fund repair costs over...

On Dec. 17, 2022, Free State's 4-Speaker state debate team won second place, winning 12 out of 16 ballots, losing only to the reigning champions, Washburn Rural. The team consisted of junior Sophie Racy, seniors AJ Persigner, Emma Stanmeyer, Emma Hefty and freshman alternates BReahna Randall and Lena Hasiuk. Racy, who's been on the debate team sicne freshman year, is especially grateful for the relationships she's made while a part of the team. "I really enjoyed getting to spend a lot of time with my teammates," Racy said. "It felt like a great bonding experience that I don't always get with my team."

FEATURE: Debate Places at State

Phoebe Morris February 19, 2023

On Jan. 13 and 14, varsity debate students ended the season placing at state. The 4-speaker team placed second with debaters senior AJ Persinger,  senior Emma Hefty, senior Emma Stammeyer, and junior...

In order to prevent the spread of disease, sophomore Lola Stuhlsatz washes her hands. Stuhlsatz started taking extra precautions to avoid illness after contracting COVID-19 ahead of finals. “Hand washing is very important, you have no idea what was on the surface you just touched,” Stuhlsatz said.

FEATURE: Flu impacts midterms

Simon Williams February 18, 2023

For many people, exams create feelings of stress. Oftentimes, this stress can be chalked up to something as simple as nerves or mere procrastination. However, the spread of seasonal illness in school communities...

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