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

Top Stories

One approach that Free State’s administration has taken to encourage better attendance among students is to turn it into a competition between the grade levels.

NEWS: School District Addresses Chronic Absenteeism

Lilly Wall, News Editor-in-Chief August 28, 2023

Tonight, the Lawrence school board will hear a report created to inform members on truancy and chronic absenteeism, along with potential solutions to these issues. According to the Unified Insights,...

Celebrating the 20th anniversary, Starbucks released their fall infamous pumpkin spice latte to rejoice in two decades of their fall menu. The new flavors dropped Aug 24. and many students were excited to get a taste of their favorite drinks once again. “I was very excited to try the pumpkin spice latte because I’ve never tried any of the fall flavors before,” senior Keat Hockenbury said.

REVIEW: Starbucks Fall Drinks Menu

Jayne Landers, Managing Editor August 28, 2023

Starbucks, the infamous coffee franchise, with over 16,000 locations in the United States alone, gains much attention each year with the release of their Fall drink collection.  Since the Pumpkin Spice...

Running the halls, the cross country team practices inside due to a rising heat wave. Having to practice inside isn’t new to the cross country team, according to coach Steve Heffernan. "We're used to having to make up some stuff to fill in gaps when the weather's just not accommodating,” Heffernan said.

SPORTS: Record Breaking Heat Disrupts Fall Sports

Nick Sprecker and Lilly Wall August 25, 2023

Lawrence, KS, one of many midwest cities currently trapped inside a heat zone, has broken its own heat index record twice in the span of a week with index temperatures reaching up to 135 F. Small, everyday...

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...

Many brands put an eye-catching color or design onto their products, such as bags, to make people stop and look at the cheap things to buy. They make each product trendy so it can catch on to other people feeling influenced to buy from them.

EDITORIAL: Consumerism’s Contributions

Allison Mayhew, Editor-in-Chief May 17, 2023

Gallons of water, miles of transportation, hours of labor and a variety of materials exhausted to manufacture one simple product– just to repeat the process all over again, creating an endless loop....

After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”

NEWS: Judy Erpelding Announces Resignation

Lilly Wall May 11, 2023

After serving as the Director of Orchestras program for 11 years at the school, Judy Erpelding has announced her resignation, effective May 26.  With this position being her first teaching job, she...

Picking up a box of juice, JustFood warehouse manager Wayne Briggs collects donations of leftover food from the cafeteria. Briggs picks up extra, unopened food from the kitchen twice a week. These donations, often at least 50 pounds, are taken to the pantry, where anyone can take food free of cost.

FEATURE: JustFood Receives Leftover Food Donations

Lilly Wall May 4, 2023

During April, 855 pounds of leftover lunch food from both public high schools were repurposed to feed the community through just one partnership. Starting in the fall of 2022, USD 497 looked locally to...

Many new opportunities have opened for students with the newly free city bus fare. The new price has made it possible for more people to get to school, social events or school activities.

FEATURE: Free Ride?

Conrad Hill May 1, 2023

On Aug. 16 2022, the Lawrence City Commision approved the Fare Free Pilot Program which includes free rides on all Lawrence transit services all throughout 2023. According to public transit and parking...

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...

Load More Stories