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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

Top Stories

A student holds a board stating "0 days since a mass shooting." According to the Gun Violence Archive, as of April 19, the number of mass shootings in America exceeded 140 for the year of 2023.

EDITORIAL: Mass Shootings, Massive Failures

Natasha Torkzaban April 28, 2023

Firearm deaths occur five times more than drownings. Instead of teaching your child how to swim, you might consider firearm defense training and school shooter drills.  According to CNN, there have...

Preparing to bat, varsity baseball player runs through some swings. Free State is currently ranked 9th in the weekly PBR ratings. (Photo by Isabelle Pro)

SPORTS: Swinging Through Adversity

Nick Sprecker April 27, 2023

The boy’s varsity baseball team has hit the ground running to start the season with only three losses to their name. The squad has found success both hitting and on the mound, and have slotted themselves...

Starting her dive, junior Mallory Qualseth jumps off the diving board. Although it has a competitive aspect to it, Qualseth has found that diving competitions are often much more fun than aggressive, “You always want to help out because our scores contribute to the overall score,” Qualseth said. “But, everyone’s just really nice and not super competitive.”Photo by Eleanor Roust

SPORTS: Compete to Repeat

Thomas Patton April 11, 2023

Girls swim and dive has started this year's season as a heavy favorite to repeat as state champions.  “I’m really excited to compete for back to back state championships,” junior Liza Engelbrecht...

Junior Yael Gillath speaks about her project to fell students at the Women in STEM Showcase hosted at Free State on April 5, 2023.

FEATURE: Smarties in STEM

Maeve Nichols April 10, 2023

When co-presidents juniors Hannah Stone and Yael Gillath started the women in STEM club last year, their goal was to work together to get people to feel more comfortable in STEM. Through this, the women...

FEATURE: Test Optional Policies Spark Debate

FEATURE: Test Optional Policies Spark Debate

Lauren Tao April 7, 2023

Standardized tests have long been a required part of the college admissions process, with students spending months beforehand studying and even taking classes to help prepare. But now it seems that almost...

The Kansas City Royals paying their respect on MLB Opening day, March, 30. 2023 in remembrance of a local officer who lost his life.

MLB: Season Opener

Elizabeth Hare April 3, 2023

The Major League Baseball [MLB] season is an exciting time for many students, staff and people in the community, not only for the fact that the Royals play right here in Kansas City, but also for the fact...

FEATURE: March Madness

FEATURE: March Madness

Greyson Heiman March 31, 2023

The NCAA’s March Madness tournament is always a major event in the world of sports. With 64 Division I schools out of 324 competing, only one team becomes the national champion. This leads to highly...

Student poses with a transgender flag during a student-organized walkout. Students from across the district walked out from class on March 28 to voice their opinions on the introduction of anti-trans bills in Kansas. ““[Trans] rights should be like anybody else’s rights: being protected, and being valued, because they are human rights, obviously,” event organizer junior Adriana Cazares said.

EDITORIAL: Talk around Trans Bills

Lilly Wall March 31, 2023

For many students, school sports are a central source of stability and a safe space to feel valued among peers. On April 5, Kansas legislature voted to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of House Bill...

OPINION: March Madness—The Ultimate Bracket Buster

OPINION: March Madness—The Ultimate Bracket Buster

Nick Sprecker March 31, 2023

Around 60 million Americans fill out their March Madness brackets annually, many of them joining bracket competitions. Whether it's serious or for fun, everyone gives their best shot at predicting as many...

REVIEW: Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

REVIEW: Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

Allison Mayhew, Editor-in-Chief March 30, 2023

Lana Del Rey’s music career has been marked by success and controversy. “Did you know that there is a tunnel under Ocean Blvd'' is a deeply personal album that gives Del Rey’s introspect on religion,...

During their opening song, “Lift You Up,” the cast sets the energetic atmosphere with the upbeat number.

FEATURE: Encore Lives On

Phoebe Morris March 30, 2023

On March 23, 24 and 25, upperclassmen choir students performed the 25th Annual Encore. With help from choir teachers Joshua East and Olivia Henning, the Lawrence community looked forward to seeing these...

NEWS BRIEF: Students Walk Out For Trans Rights

NEWS BRIEF: Students Walk Out For Trans Rights

Conrad Hill and Allison Mayhew March 28, 2023

Students walked out of schools throughout the district on Tuesday, March 28, to voice their opinions on the introduction of anti-trans bills in Kansas. “It is more than just a political issue,...

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