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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

Junior Adam Ziegler and anthropologist Donald Blakeslee are recognized in front of the Kansas House of Representatives. The site near Arkansas City was recently recognized by the state.

Student’s discovery leads to location of second largest Native American city

Jackson Barton, Editor in Chief May 7, 2017

“I never thought I would make archeological discoveries,” junior Adam Ziegler said. “Especially not when I was 15.” What Ziegler uncovered in April 2015 was the first evidence of the location...

Cook and Newsome pose as Firebirds. The duo's campaign slogan was "We mean business."

Letter to the Editor: Student body co-presidents address their experiences, priorities

Charlie Newsome and Will Cook April 27, 2017

Will Cook I came to Free State from a small middle school and was very nervous about how I would do at such a big school. Free State was very accepting and treated/has treated me very well through my...

Junior Nicole Ahn, junior Juliana Wilches-Merchan, senior Abena Peasah, senior Lane Weis, senior Meredith Shaheed and senior Ella Spillman listen to club captains during the first meeting.

New club focuses on equity, student action

Darby Gilliland and Jackson Barton April 14, 2017

Despite being in her last quarter of high school, senior Sonal Soni refuses to ignore injustices she witnessed at Free State. “I faced a lot of harassment, bullying,” Soni said. “It all culminated...

Interfaith group Justice Matters presents solutions to racial injustice in schools

Chris Pendry, Reporter April 10, 2017

Photos of tonight's meeting will be included as soon as they are available.  On March 30, the Lied Center was packed with local religious leaders, churchgoers and curious students and adults, all...

Native American students reflect on experiences, mascots

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 31, 2017

After recent controversy surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Shawnee Mission North mascot, the Native American has made it their goal to discuss these issues and make the experiences of Native...

High fiving her teammate, Sapphira Knight celebrates after bowling a strike. Knight is on the girl’s varsity bowling team this year and has been bowling through Free State for three years now. “I think meeting new people [is my favorite part about] each tournament we go to. There’s like six people on each team, so you get to meet six new people you bowl with,” Knight said.

Bowling team places seventh at State

Will Cook, Reporter March 28, 2017

The boys bowling team placed seventh at the state tournament Friday, March 3 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita. Senior Alex Jiminez led the boys team who placed fifth individually. The boys team members...

Clubs team up to fundraise for DAPL protestors

Clubs team up to fundraise for DAPL protestors

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 16, 2017

The Environmental Club and Young Democrats Club have teamed up to spread awareness about the Dakota Access Pipeline and raise funds to help arrested protesters with legal aid. The pipeline was proposed...

As senior Aaron Funk winds up, he prepares for the pitch. Funk has been a part of the baseball team for three years. "I think we have a solid chance on making another run at the state championship," Funk said.

Spring sports preview

Will Cook, Reporter March 13, 2017

Starting for Free State, junior Garrett Luinstra scored 8 points in Wichita at the semifinals. "After a tough loss we gotta move on and worry about the next game. We always play to win," he said. He has high expectations for next year's season.

Firebirds fall to Huskies in tough semifinal loss, finish strong against Blue Valley North for third place title

Jax Egan and Will Davis March 11, 2017

[nggallery id=37 template=carousel] As the student section’s “Thank you seniors” chant rang out in Koch Arena as a memorial to the the boys’ past four years, the future of the program played...

Senior Cameron Clark warms up before the game. "Playing hard, smart and together is one of the mentalities we keep in mind," he said. With teammate Garret Luinstra's help the two players scored 18 of the team's 23 points in the first half.

Firebirds advance to state semifinals for second time in school history

Jax Egan, Will Davis, Kaya Shafer, and Sam Spencer March 9, 2017

As senior Jacob Pavlyak dribbled out the clock with Firebirds leading the Wichita South Titans 48-42, he looked to his right to see the Free State bench celebrating their quarter-final win in the Kansas...

Civics teacher Laura Henderson gives a lecture to her Civics 9 class. "[Civics is] a mix of a bunch of different things and it's based out of the state government standards." Henderson said.

AP Environmental Science evaluated, Civics no longer required

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 7, 2017

From offering reduced scheduling to underclassmen to new career pathways, many things are changing in USD 497 high schools. Starting next year, civics will not be a required course for freshmen; it will...

The Supreme Court ruling was announced Thursday afternoon

KS Supreme Court rules school funding inadequate

Jake Clark and Darby Gilliland March 3, 2017

Yesterday, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that state funding to the district’s schools is inadequate and the Legislature must rework the s finance formula by June 30. “The state’s public financing...

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