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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

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...

Varsity Boys Basketball head coach, Sherron Collins joins in with Cortez Overstreet and Zeek Brown in the traditional Alma Matter celebration played after the first home game win against Gardner-Egerton. Starting the season, one of Collin's biggest goals was to connect with the players off the court on a personal level.

FEATURE: Sherron Collins First Year Coaching

Nick Sprecker January 28, 2023

When former Kansas standout Sherron Collins was announced as the boys’ basketball head coach, it sent a wave of excitement throughout the Firebird fanbase. The start of the season aroused curiosity throughout...

Members of Dance Hues Studio’s STAMPP [Shine Through Adversity Move Past Prejudice] Performance and Competition Company performed choreography by Paris Spotted Tail and Azia Gambrell to “Cry Your Heart Out” by Adele. The four performers at Ovation are in the company’s pre-professional track which consists of ten or more hours of training per week as well as other learning and advancement opportunities.

FEATURE: Ovation! USD 497 Performance for Students

Lilly Wall January 27, 2023

Ovation!, an annual district-wide talent show including student dancers, musicians and more took place on Jan. 22. at the Lied Center. Students from local high school and middle schools took the stage,...

NEWS BRIEF: Reported Bomb Threat at West Middle School

NEWS BRIEF: Reported Bomb Threat at West Middle School

Natasha Torkzaban January 26, 2023

Editor's note: This story has been updated as new information comes to light. Earlier today, the USD 497 district evacuated students from West Middle School as a safety precaution after receiving...

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