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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 2023-2024

Senior Jake Loos and other members of the track team run during practice. Archived photo from Addie Driscoll.

SPORTS: Run Firebirds, Run!

Emi Stone, Reporter April 1, 2024

Since its 68-member team in 2004, the track program at Free State has experienced remarkable growth, currently boasting a roster of over two hundred athletes. Although there are several events to help...

Archived photo by Chloe Cook

FEATURE: Kicking It Into Gear

Arianna Waller, Reporter April 1, 2024

Following the loss to Garden City in overtime last year, Girls Soccer is heading back into the game. The girls are focusing on their strength, resilience and leadership to bring a new look to the program.  Senior...

Due to excessive snow days, the school fell short of educational requirements, creating a modified schedule. Students fought back against the schedule, wanting the first semester schedule to stay. Photo by Elinor Russo. Design by Allison Mayhew.

NEWS: Fourth Quarter Schedule

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief April 1, 2024

After uproar following the district's new schedule release aiming to offset this year's snow days, Director of Field Education Kelly Jones called a special meeting of the USD 497 Board of Education at...

Placed off to the side of the commons, a fiddle-leaf fig resides to beautify the school.

FEATURE: Plants Beautify the School

Jonah Frye, Reporter April 1, 2024

What started as a way to create space in the greenhouse has become a source of beauty, collaboration and health throughout the halls. During first semester, students noticed plants starting to pop up around...

A student scrolls through Instagram while hiding their phone in a book. Many students employ similar tactics to get out of reading.

FEATURE: No One Reads Anymore

Meredith Shryock, Reporter April 1, 2024

There is an increasing concern in The Student Library Advisory Board about declines in reading among teenagers. According to a study done by the American Psychological Association, less than 20% of high...

At the front of the class, math teacher Annette McDonald teaches AP Calculus BC to sophomores, juniors and seniors. McDonald prepares students for the AP exam by giving them practice tests and review problems. “Mrs. McDonald encourages us daily to try new strategies to study and prepare,” junior Adele Buren said. “She always lets us ask peers for help if we need it [too].”

FEATURE: Lock In

Morgan Sponholtz, Reporter April 1, 2024

As the school year comes to a close, many Advanced Placement [AP] students find themselves changing the ways they study for the end-of-year exam. Although the thought of retaining and recalling a year’s...

SPORTS: Sunflower Showdown

SPORTS: Sunflower Showdown

Nick Sprecker and Thomas Patton March 29, 2024

  University of Kansas In head coach Bill Self’s introduction speech to the press in 2003, when speaking about other decorated basketball programs, said “those places are great, but...

With a bigger location comes a bigger kitchen, and Executive Chef Ross Petrozz expresses excitement over bringing in new foods and focusing on Ramen Bowls original dishes. " I am most excited to work on the original menu, go back to our classics and bring in new food that is on par with it. I feel like the sky is the limit with this kitchen," Petrozz said.

FEATURE: Ramen Reboot

Ava Talbott, Reporter March 29, 2024

Ramen Bowls is a popular Lawrence restaurant, bringing in many people every week. They recently closed their doors on Mass St. and on Feb. 29 reopened its doors at a new location about twice as big.  This...

Digital Illustration by Luna Hu

OPINION: Lunch Crunch

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief March 29, 2024

Dragging through a seven-hour school day is taxing on the mind and body, students work through test taking, writing notes or participating in class discussions for hours on end. For most students, lunch...

Illustration by Allison Mayhew.

FEATURE: Rise in Instagram Reels

Allison Mayhew, News Editor-in-Chief March 29, 2024

What started as an attempt to mimic popular app TikTok’s continuous short-video platform style has now gained its popularity– According to LinkedIn, 30% of the time spent on Instagram’s platform...

With the large quantity of games during March Madness, restaurants and bars schedule workers more to account for the influx in customers March Madness brings.

FEATURE: Working Through March Madness

Claire Heinritz, Reporter March 29, 2024

During March Madness, sports bars and restaurants fill with customers eager to watch their favorite teams play.  With long waitlists at sports bars, working high school students rush to clear tables...

Illustration by Geneva Sabatini.

EDITORIAL: Age Cutoff for Political Office

Evie Chancy, Phoebe Morris, and Maria Mosconi March 29, 2024

When the new generation of voters make their way to the polls and step into the voting box, the few names printed onto their ballot will all be over half a century older than them.  Despite the average...

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