Skip to Main Content
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

Feature

To commemorate the final day of Fat Bear Week, biology teacher Sara Abeita presents the bears in the championship matchup. After learning about the factors that cause brown bears to gain weight, her students each voted for their favorite bear. “It’s a cool way to connect with wildlife that’s not here in Kansas,” Abeita said.

FEATURE: Katmai National Park’s 2023 Fat Bear Week

Jayne Landers, News Managing Editor October 24, 2023

Alaska’s Katmai National Park has hosted an annual competition on their brown bear population's “fatness” since 2014. Katmai’s Fat Bear Week is not a scientific tournament -winners are decided...

Standing in the rain, Band Director Eric Bradshaw watches the marching band show during halftime. New to the district, Bradshaw set a lot of goals for the program. "Getting the performance at the first home game with everything being so new," Bradshaw said. "That was a big goal for the program."

FEATURE: School Hires New Band Director

Eli Roust, Photographer October 17, 2023

After former band director Randall Fillmore announced his retirement last year, Eric Bradshaw was hired to take over the program. Since starting Free State, he has added newer music and marching patterns...

Two hands exchange money, signifying the Writers Guild of America and their strike for increased pay and improved working conditions.

FEATURE: The End of the Hollywood Writers Strike

Claire Heinritz, Reporter October 12, 2023

The almost 150 day long writers strike is coming to an end after the settlement agreement on Wednesday, Sept. 27.  The Writers Guild of America [WGA] boundary was seen outside of Paramount, CBS, Netflix...

Monitors around Free State feature Character Strong messages and logos.

FEATURE: Character Strong

Elliot Skillman, Reporter October 12, 2023

For students around the globe, building a relationship with both their peers and teachers is an important aspect of developing as a person. According to their website, Character Strong wants to help with...

Photo: Free State Brewery

FEATURE: The Taylor Swift Effect

Chloe Cook and Mallory Thompson September 29, 2023

What would you do to get a glimpse of your favorite artist, athlete or public figure? Swifties around the country will do just about anything to see her. This was especially evident in Lawrence on Monday,...

At the Club Fair, senior and president Jaelizza Garcia promoted the Animation club. At Animation Club, they watch cartoons, animes, and other animated shows. They also play games, eat snacks, and discuss topics relating to animated shows. They have some big things planned this year, including trunk-or-treat, a bake sale, and a trip to the theaters. “My favorite memory from the club was our trip to Tous Les Jours last year,” Garcia said.

FEATURE: Annual Club Fair Sparks Student Interests

Claire Heinritz, Reporter September 26, 2023

The overwhelming number of clubs provided at school offers a variety of interests but it also can be stressful to look through. To help students looking for clubs to join, the annual club fair showcases...

Waiting for a treat, school service dog Wayne smiles at the camera. During school, students such as freshman Rae Humphrey enjoy visiting Wayne to improve their mood. “[I like to come see Wayne] because when I’m having a bad day, he boosts my serotonin,” Humphrey said.

FEATURE: Wayne’s Impact: How Therapy Dogs Impact Classrooms

Maura Langland September 25, 2023

Students have a number of resources offered to them at school, and a new addition to these resources is the school's therapy dog, Wayne. He first came to the school two years ago, and has been helping...

 Awaiting regular maintenance, the auditorium stage piano sits in the alcove of the auditorium. The school owns one grand piano, and a few upright pianos, which like this one are often out of tune. “Sometimes you just have to make do with what you've got a little bit longer than you'd like to,” choir director Joshua East said.

FEATURE: Budget Cuts Hit on Performing Arts

Maria Mosconi, Reporter September 21, 2023

Over the past few years, USD497 has made significant budget cuts to extracurriculars. Students from kindergartners to seniors have been affected by the district’s cuts, but previously underfunded programs,...

Evie Chancy, and her friends, Baila Love, Megan Green, and Claire Heinritz shared the experience of viewing “Barbie'' in theaters for the first time. This movie has united women all around the world, whether it may be just dressing up in pink, or wearing something that nurtures self-expression, or just overall embracing one’s inner “girlhood”. Photo collected from Evie Chancy.

FEATURE: Students Can’t Get Kenough of Barbie

Evie Chancy, Reporter September 11, 2023

This summer, the world famous doll, Barbie, made her debut on the big screen in her very own movie. The “Barbie” movie, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, dominated summer trends and reached box...

While working clay into shapes, ceramics teacher Jacob Lewis demonstrates rolling slabs. Lewis enjoys seeing his students succeed in the studio. “My favorite part of teaching is what I call the ‘AHA Moment.’ It is when they put the pieces together independently, and realize their own power to succeed and rely on their knowledge and experience to express themselves creatively,” Lewis said.

FEATURE: New Ceramics Teacher Jacob Lewis

Emi Stone, Reporter September 1, 2023

In August, teacher Jacob Lewis molded his way into the school’s ceramics position after being an elementary school teacher for nine years.  When Pickney and Broken Arrow  closed down, he came back...

Listening to his students, ceramics teacher Byran Lloyd helps them pick a color for their project. “Something that’s been very rewarding is hiring about students going into art education or knowing that students have a great sense of satisfaction from making with with clay,” Lloyd said.

FEATURE: Farewell Lloyd

Nick Sprecker May 24, 2023

In schools throughout the country, teachers hold a significant, sometimes lifelong impact on their students. Whether that impact is positive or negative, teachers can help mold a student's attitude, self-esteem...

Senior Ben Williams and Keith Popiel are going to be working in the pool cleaning business once again this summer. After Popiel joined his family's pool cleaning business he invited Williams along the way.

FEATURE: Students Prepare for Summer Job

Emi Stone May 17, 2023

When nice weather comes out and pools open up, seniors Keith Popiel and Ben Williams come in. For the past four years, Popiel has been working for a family pool business and invited Williams along the...

Load More Stories