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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

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...

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...

Members of the Robotics Team come together from Free State and Lawrence High to collaborate at the College and Career Center on how they can improve their coding skills.

FEATURE: Team STEAM Competition Season

Arianna Waller February 18, 2023

As the season begins, the Team STEAM swings into high gear to prepare for regionals starting in March. The team has been successful in previous years, however this year they are returning with senior chief...

EDITORIAL: Top G Behind Bars

EDITORIAL: Top G Behind Bars

Natasha Torkzaban February 17, 2023

11 days after I wrote my “Top G No More” editorial, internet personality Andrew Tate was detained in Romania for a human trafficking and rape investigation.  Tate was originally banned from...

Poet and artist Gabrielle Civil recites part of her book at her performance on Feb. 13

A&E: Poet Gabrielle Civil Comes to KU

Conrad Hill February 17, 2023

Black feminist writer, performer, teacher and activist Gabrielle Civil came to University of Kansas [KU] on Feb 13. to perform a new piece titled “The Déjà Vu”. The piece is specifically an autobiography,...

Senior Matthew Marcum, successfully pins down his opponent from Holton, winning the match on Dec. 1. Achieving the 100 Win Club was just one of Marcum’s goals coming into his senior year. “Most of my goals are pending with Regionals and State still awaiting,” Marcum said.

SPORTS: Firebird Trio Reaches Milestone

Nick Sprecker February 17, 2023

Head coach Randy Streeter had a vision when he was hired three years ago: build a winning culture immersed in camaraderie and brotherhood. Not only has that been accomplished since his arrival, but his...

Archived photo from 2022 spring dive season. Focusing before his dive, junior Elliot Ahlvers gets ready. Ahlvers placed second at State in 2022.

NEWS: Senior Elliot Ahlvers Breaks School Diving Record

Emma Wiley February 13, 2023

Senior Elliot Ahlvers defeated the 1-meter diving school record with a score of 485.8 on Jan. 24. This record had been held previously since 1999. Along with being the new holder of this record, Ahlvers...

Students on the combined Free State and Lawrence High robotics team work on their robot design. The robot is supposed to be designed to finish a short list of tasks, including maneuvering around obstacles and picking up objects.

FEATURE: Team STEAM Prepares For Their Competition Season

Arianna Waller February 10, 2023

As the season begins, the Team STEAM swings into high gear to prepare for regionals starting in March. The team has been successful in previous years, however this year they are returning with senior chief...

Archived photo by Isabelle Pro

KU Beats K-State at Sunflower Showdown

Greyson Heiman and Nick Sprecker February 1, 2023

Last night, No. 8 Kansas University [KU] came out on top over No. 7 Kansas State University [K-State] in a 90-78 victory. With the help of another massive 20 point performance from junior Jalen...

Junior Brynn Cordova, junior Jasmy Mavilla and sophomore Gayla Gao cuts bread. The club served spaghetti and garlic bread at the kitchen.

FEATURE: KEY Club Soup Kitchen

Conrad Hill January 31, 2023

Kiwanis Empowering Youth club [KEY club] was created for students who want to help the community.  Every year KEY club holds an event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a way to serve the community. This...

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