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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

2024-2025 Staff

Ember Klein
Online Co-Editor in Chief

Ember Klein

Ember is one of the Online Editor-in-Chiefs for 2024-2025. In school, she is a part of the forensics team, National English Honor Society, and is a football manager. Outside of school, she loves to paint, read, and collect crystals.

Simon Williams
Online Co-Editor in Chief

Simon Williams

Simon is one of the Online Editors in Chief for the Free Press Online. Outside of journalism, Simon is an NHS officer, a member if NEHS, the Free State Writing Center, LINK Crew, and serves on the Leadership Board for Speech and...

Lilly Wall
News Co-Editor in Chief

Lilly Wall

Lilly is a senior at Free State and an Editor-In-Chief of the Free Press News Magazine. Outside of journalism, she is involved in volleyball, StuCo, the Free State Writing Center, Honor Moon Foundation, and NHS. You can find her...

Nick Sprecker
News Co-Editor in Chief

Nick Sprecker

Nick Sprecker is a senior at Free State and is one of three News Editor-in-Chiefs. He is the varsity soccer captain, a member of NHS, NEHS and spikeball club. Outside of school, he enjoys traveling, spending quality time with lov...

Phoebe Morris
News Co-Editor in Chief

Phoebe Morris

Phoebe Morris is a junior at Free State and a News Editor-in-Chief for the Free Press NewsMag. Outside of journalism, she is involved in Choir, NHS, Link Crew, and is a NEHS officer. She spends most of her weekends dancing with...

Katie Campbell
Social Media Editor in Chief

Katie Campbell

Katie is a Junior and the Social Media Editor in Chief for the 24-25 school year. She is also involved in NHS, NCL, and works at J. Wilson’s. She is interested in graphic design, fashion, and social media marketing!

Richard Li
Yearbook Editor in Chief

Richard Li

Richard Li is a senior at Free State and the Yearbook Editor-in-Chief. This year, his goal is to make a Pacemaker-winning yearbook. Outside of journalism, he is involved in StuCo and too many clubs and organizations to count.

Baila Love
Online Managing Editor

Baila Love

Baila Love is a junior and the managing editor for the Free Press Online. Outside of journalism, she is involved in theater, improv, forensics, and Finer Things Club. Outside of school, she enjoys listening to music, playing guita...

Maria Mosconi
News Managing Editor

Maria Mosconi

Maria Mosconi is a junior and the News Managing Editor for Free State Journalism. It is her third year on staff. Otherwise, she spends her time doing ballet, hanging with friends, and learning to parallel park.

Evie Chancy
News Managing Editor

Evie Chancy

Evie Chancy is a junior and the managing news editor for the Free Press. When she's not in journalism, she's reading for the Finer Things Club or working on hair and makeup for Free State's theater program. Outside of school, sh...

Delaney Bayliss
Assistant Social Media Editor

Delaney Bayliss

Delaney Bayliss is a senior and the Assistant Social Media Editor on staff. She has been a member of the Free State choir program as well as the girl's soccer program for 3 years. Outside of journalism, Delaney enjoys reading,...

Morgan Sponholtz
Co-Yearbook Managing Editor

Morgan Sponholtz

Morgan is junior and reporter for FSJ. She is also a managing editor for the yearbook. Outside of journalism she is involved in choir, theatre, NHS, and Link crew.

Claire Heinritz
Co-Yearbook Managing Editor

Claire Heinritz

Claire Heinritz is a junior at Free State High School and the Yearbook Managing Editor for journalism. At Free State, she is involved in girls golf and track. Outside of school, she likes to travel and hangout with family and...

Ebi Hegeman
Yearbook Copy Editor

Ebi Hegeman

Ebi is excited to be in journalism! She enjoys choir, theatre, and her many clubs! Outside of school, Ebi loves reading, thrifting, and trips to sonic!

Elliot Skillman
News Copy Editor

Elliot Skillman

Elliot Skillman is a senior and the news copy editor for the Free Press. Outside of journalism he is involved in NHS, art club, wind ensemble, and is an NEHS officer. You can find him traveling, listening to music and spending ...

Lauren Rosen
Assistant News Copy Editor

Lauren Rosen

Lauren is a junior at Free State High School and is a reporter. She is involved with soccer, MUN, and NHS. Outside of school she works at Tous Les Jours and enjoys hanging out with friends....

Meredith Shryock
Assistant News Copy Editor

Meredith Shryock

Meredith Shryock is a junior and the Copy Editor of the Free Press. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and scrolling through Pinterest.

Geneva Sabatini
News Design Editor

Geneva Sabatini

Geneva Sabatini is a senior at Free State and is the design editor for the Free Press. She runs track and cross country and loves to spend time with friends and family. Outside of school, she paints, reads, and loves to watch...

Willow Marable
Assistant News Design Editor

Willow Marable

Willow Marable is a junior at Free State High School and a news designer for Free State Journalism. At school she is involved in Free State Track and Field and the occasional club. Outside of school, Willow is a member of Hang1...

Avery Smiley
Yearbook Design Editor

Avery Smiley

Avery Smiley is a junior at Free State High School and the Design Editor of the Talon Yearbook. She is apart of Key Club and National Honor Society. Outside of school she is involved in National Charity League and works at J. W...

Jaehee Kim
Assistant Yearbook Design Editor

Jaehee Kim

Jaehee Kim is a junior and a designer for Free State Journalism. She is also involved in NHS, Link Crew, and Girls Tennis. Outside of school she loves to go shopping, watch movies, and bake.

Julie Kong
Senior Ads Editor

Julie Kong

Julie Kong is a senior Designer for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism, she's involved in numerous clubs and plays violin and piano.

Rakshan Ossen
Sports Editor

Rakshan Ossen

Rakshan Ossen is a Junior at Free State and is the sports editor for FSJ. At school he is a member of the Track and Field program, Team STEAM robotics, the Writing Center, LINK Crew, NHS and NEHS. Outside of his academic life,...

Mallory Thompson
News Photo Editor

Mallory Thompson

Mallory is a senior and the News Photo Editor of the Free Press Newsmagazine and Online. This is her third year on staff and outside of journalism she is involved in National English Society, NHS, and LINK Crew. You can find ...

Nathan Kramer
News Photo Editor, Video Team Co-Manager

Nathan Kramer

A junior, Nathan is excited to be co-leading the video team. He is a current member of the Free State Color Guard and Philharmonic Orchestra. He trains at the Lawrence Arts Center School of Dance, focusing on ballet, jazz, modern;...

Julia Velasco
Assistant News Photo Editor

Julia Velasco

Julia is a junior at Free state and a Photographer. Outside of journalism, Julia runs track and cross country. She’s involved in choir, NHS, NEHS, Model UN , Tri-m and Stuco . You can find her reading or baking.

Anders Benson
Co-Yearbook Photo Editor

Anders Benson

Anders Benson is a junior and one of the photo editors for the Yearbook! He is involved around the school in band, choir, and theater. Outside of school, he enjoys singing, playing music, and learning about life.

Eli Roust
Co-Yearbook Photo Editor

Eli Roust

Eli Roust is a senior and one of the yearbook photo editors this year. Alongside journalism, they are one of the Co-Vice Presidents of Speech and Debate, involved in choir, NHS, NEHS, LINK Crew, Friendly Firebirds, History Club,...

Arianna Waller
Co-Yearbook Mods Editor

Arianna Waller

Arianna Waller is a junior and a reporter and on the social media team for the Free State Free Press. Outside of journalism, she is involved in Dance Team, Choir and NEHS. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing and hanging out...

Nathan Friedman
Co-Yearbook Mods Editor, Video Team Co-Manager

Nathan Friedman

Nathan Friedman is a junior at Free State in his second year on staff as a photographer and video team co-manager. He is also involved in swimming, theatre, and baseball. Outside of school, Nathan enjoys being outdoors, cooking,...

Elinor Russo
Captions Editor

Elinor Russo

Elinor is a senior photographer and captions editor. She is also involved in chemistry club, fiberbirds, NHS, and LINK crew. Outside of school she enjoys photography, crocheting, gardening, and playing piano.

Piper Northrop
Business Team Editor

Piper Northrop

Piper Northrop is a junior and helps as a business team member of FSJ. She is involved with theater, NHS, and Link Crew. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Kinsey Lake
Digital Illustrator, Podcast Team

Kinsey Lake

Kinsey is a senior and this is her second year on staff. Kinsey is involved in choir, student council, soccer, NHS, Hype club, Fashion club, and LINK crew! Kinsey enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with her...

Emi Stone
Reporter, Podcast Team

Emi Stone

Emi is going to be a junior this year. She is on podcast and also does reporting. Emi loves to bake!

Griffin McDonnell
Reporter

Griffin McDonnell

Freshman Griffin McDonnell is a reporter for Free State Journalism. He plays basketball for Free State and is a huge sports fan of KU and the Chiefs. When Griffin graduates, he hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Penny Coleman
Reporter

Penny Coleman

Penny Coleman is a freshmen reporter for Free State Journalism. In school, she is involved in Girl’s Tennis, Sending Luv Club, and Debate/Forensics. When she’s not in school she enjoys hanging out with friends/family, listening...

Aleia Kemp
Reporter

Aleia Kemp

Aleia is one of the reporters for second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. In school, she is a part of Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers, National Honor Society, and she participates in both cross country and soccer. Outside...

Odelia Colvin
Reporter

Odelia Colvin

Odelia Colvin is a junior and a reporter for the Free State Free Press. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing and reading.

Dylan Tenbrink
Reporter

Dylan Tenbrink

Dylan is one of the Reporters for the Free Press 2024-2025. Dylan is a part of the Cross Country team, Track team, and Swim team. Outside of school, she loves to read, spend time with family, and stay active.

Eula Heriford
Reporter

Eula Heriford

Eula Heriford is a sophomore at Free State and is a reporter for FSJ. It is her first year on staff. Outside of school she loves to write, swim, and spend time with her family.

Jonah Frye
Reporter

Jonah Frye

Jonah Frye is a junior at Free State and a second year reporter on the FSJ staff. Outside of school he spends the majority of his time pursuing his dreams in the sport of track and cross-country. However, when he isn’t running,...

Logan Dinges
Reporter

Logan Dinges

Logan Dinges is a senior at Free State High School and is a reporter on journalism. He also runs cross country and participates in Speech and Debate for Free State. Outside of school he enjoys golfing and spending time at the...

Nate Willems
Photographer

Nate Willems

Nate is a freshman and a photographer on staff. In school, he is a part of the forensics team and drumline. Outside of school, he likes to cook and take photos.

Addison Powers
Photographer

Addison Powers

Addison is a sophomore and a photographer for the Free State Free Press. Outside of journalism, she is involved in choir. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and reading.

Sydney Brozik
Photographer

Sydney Brozik

Sydney is a photographer for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism, she is part of the Volleyball team and Track & Field. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, sports, hiking, and traveling.

Chloe Cook
Photographer

Chloe Cook

Chloe is a Senior and a Photographer for the Free State Free Press. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, thrifting, and nature photography.

Ceci Bennett
Photographer

Ceci Bennett

Ceci Bennett is a sophomore at Free State and a photographer for journalism. She is involved with track and field and cross country, along with multiple clubs. Outside of school, she spends her time playing the piano, binge reading,...

Amelia Wiles
Photographer

Amelia Wiles

Amelia Wiles is a senior at Free State and is a third year photographer for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism, she is on the girls soccer team, is a member of chamber choir, and is involved in NHS. You can find her...

Liam Butler
Photographer

Liam Butler

Liam Butler is a sophomore at Free State and is a photographer for Free State Journalism. This year, he is devoted to getting breath taking photos that make people smile. Liam also loves music, he loves playing the electric bass,...

Eden Weber
Photographer

Eden Weber

Eden Weber is a junior photographer at Free State High School and it is her first year on staff. She is also involved in the Free State orchestra where she plays the cello. Outside of school she plays and teaches the piano, and...

Miles Beaty
Photographer

Miles Beaty

Miles Beaty is a junior at Free State and a photographer on staff. He is also involved in drumline, jazz band, wind ensemble, and tennis. In his free time, he enjoys talking to people, and listening to music.

Kinley Gigous
Photographer

Kinley Gigous

Kinley Gigous is a sophomore and a photographer for Free State Journalism. She is also involved in theatre, forensics, and Finer Things Club. Outside of school, she enjoys playing guitar and hanging out with her friends.

Owen Gerrish
Videographer

Owen Gerrish

Owen Gerrish is a junior and a Videographer for Free State Journalism. In and out of school, Owen is involved in Theatre and Choir.

Maya Friedman
Social Media Team

Maya Friedman

Maya is a part of the Social Media Team for the 2024-2025 school year. In school, she is a member of the wrestling team, the tennis team, and plans to join softball in the spring. Outside school hours, she likes to spend her time...

Elle Bisby
Digital Illustrator

Elle Bisby

Elle is one of the illustrators for the journalism team at Free State! Outside of journalism, she participates in NEHS, NHS, Art club, history club, tutoring at the writing center, and is a co-editor and illustrator of the Free State ...

Lucas Smith
Digital Illustrator

Lucas Smith

Lucas is a junior and a digital illustrator for the Free State Free Press. Outside of school, Lucas likes to play video games and draw.

Kouri Demelash
Digital Illustrator

Kouri Demelash

Kouri is a junior at free state, and a digital illustrator/designer for FSJ!! When he isn't doodling, he's singing in choir, acting in theatre, or hanging out with his friends. Kouri is very excited for the year, and hopefully...

Zoe Kaul
News Designer

Zoe Kaul

Zoe Kaul is a sophomore and a designer for Free State Journalism. She is a member of the Lawrence Ballet Theatre and loves watching movies and baking!

Abbie Veeder
News Designer

Abbie Veeder

Abbie Veeder is a sophomore and a designer for FSJ. She is also apart of the school soccer team. Outside of school Abbie loves to spend time with her friends and family.

Harper Finck
News Designer

Harper Finck

Harper is a very involved student who spends her time doing theatre and reading. She is avid reader and artist. She also enjoys writing in her free time!

Neylana Haque
News Designer

Neylana Haque

Neylana Haque is a senior and a designer for Free State Journalism. Neylana is involved in NHS and Girls Free State Soccer. In her free time she enjoys running, traveling, baking, and hanging out with friends.

Allie Linder
Yearbook Designer

Allie Linder

Allie Lindner is a senior and a yearbook designer for Free State Journalism. She is involved in National Honors Society, Link Crew, volleyball, and soccer. Outside of school, she enjoys shopping and hanging out with friends and...

Ava Talbott
Yearbook Designer

Ava Talbott

Ava Talbott is a junior at Free State. She is involved in choir, theater, and tennis. She enjoys being with friends and painting.

Gabi Coozennoy
Yearbook Designer

Gabi Coozennoy

Gabi Coozennoy is a junior and a designer for Free State Journalism. She developed an interest of design when she took 21st Century Journalism. She has a loving addiction to energy drinks.

Bella Lylo
Designer

Bella Lylo

Bella Lylo is a sophomore and a designer for Free State Journalism. She is the president of the Graphic Design Club, a member of the Biology and Art Club, and a player on the Tennis team. Outside of school, she likes to play video...

Allison McCall
News Designer, Business Team

Allison McCall

Allison is a sophomore and a first year news designer for journalism. She is involved in cross country, track, choir and Project Pickup. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her and friends and family, as well as fr...

Amanda McCall
News Designer, Business Team

Amanda McCall

Amanda is a senior and a first year member on journalism. She is a designer and apart of the business team on staff. At Free State she is involved in Tennis, LINK Crew, NHS, and Project Pick Up. Outside of school she enjoys hanging...

Ainsley Linhos
Business Team

Ainsley Linhos

Ainsley Linhos is in her senior year and this is her second year on staff. She was a designer but it's now on the business team. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, volleyball and spending time with her family and friends.