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
All content by Sydney Gard
Vegetarians Trenna Soderling and Sydney Gard pose with tofu.

Editors in chief discuss animal rights; soy-based foods

Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
April 5, 2016

Reminiscing about past brings back elementary, middle school memories

Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
March 29, 2016

Recent Kansas legislative activity involves changes to education

Evan Frook and Sydney Gard
March 16, 2016
Editors discuss what changed their lives

Editors discuss what changed their lives

Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
March 13, 2016

Lack of Oscars diversity leads to concerns, boycotts 

Sydney Gard, Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2016
In 2006, Free State had graduation rates in the 80s. Now that number reaches the mid-90s. Programs such as AVID and Can We Talk have been credited with increasing this number.

Lawrence schools and district hope to raise graduation rates

Trenna Soderling and Reagan Sullivan
February 6, 2016
Prepping for their Valentine's Day carnation sales, junior Katie Lane and freshman Tylee Harrell display their recently finished banner.

Clubs aims to create a sense of community

Allie Knapp and Trenna Soderling
February 3, 2016
Editors discuss complications with online presence

Editors discuss complications with online presence

Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
February 2, 2016
Students can communicate online using a variety of devices. Whether they use phones, computers or tablets, students access social media throughout the school day.

Constant communication affects students, teachers in different ways

Madi Engnehl-Thomas, Sydney Gard, and Hala Hamid
January 29, 2016
After the Firebirds score a touchdown, senior Bryce Torneden celebrates with a fist pump.

Free State senior chosen to play in Kansas high school all-stars game

Jackson Barton and Sydney Gard
January 29, 2016
The end of the semester can feel overwhelming as workloads increase.

Middle of school year affects students in different ways

Sydney Gard and Darby Gilliland
January 23, 2016

Nontraditional areas on political spectrum put students ‘in the middle’

Sydney Gard, Editor
January 23, 2016

Stuck in the middle: students discuss being at a midpoint

Elizabeth Patton, Darby Gilliland, and Sydney Gard
January 23, 2016
Special education teacher Will Severson walks Zoe the service dog up to school. He brings his dog to school every day.

School therapy dog provides support for students

Sydney Gard, Editor
November 30, 2015

Athletes balance practices, games, schoolwork

Juna Murao and Trenna Soderling
November 28, 2015

Curtain opens on biennial musical November 19-21

Sydney Gard and Maya Hodison
November 20, 2015
As students juggle seven or more classes their backpacks overflow with papers, binders and textbooks. People like Brittany Swearingen carry around many textbooks in order to avoid online resources. "I hate reading on screens," she said. "It really frustrates me. I have to be able to touch what I'm reading."

Increasingly heavy backpacks have negative spinal effects

Trenna Soderling, Editor-in-Chief
November 18, 2015
In promotion of LGBT+, students come together and support the community by holding hands in front of the rainbow flag. There have been many great strides for the community so far in 2015: the legalization of gay marriage, having both names of a same sex couple written on children's birth certificates, support through social districts, pride parades, awareness days, books being published and much more.

LGBT+ students discuss what it means to be different

Lauren Brittain, Mariah Houston, and Trenna Soderling
October 29, 2015
Editors Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling are supportive of the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality.

Co-Editors in chief reflect on recent marriage equality decision

Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling
October 27, 2015
Students in Michael Williams' Drafting 2 and 3 classes designed this open-air shelter for the Prairie Restoration Project. Novice Woodworking classes will help build the shelter once the design is complete.

Drafting students design and build a shelter by Free State prairie

Sydney Gard, Co-editor in chief
October 23, 2015
Reading one of her favorite books, "The Right Side of History" by Adrian Brooks, P.E. teacher Hopkins sits next to just one of several racks that will soon be unpacked into the library.

P.E. teacher advocates for new LGBT+ library section

Sydney Gard, Co-editor in chief
October 21, 2015
New principal, Myron Graber, talks to editor, Trenna Soderling, about Free State. "I love this school, it is a very unique environment, I really enjoy being here," Graber said.

New principal opens up on history, plans for the future

Trenna Soderling, Co-Editor in Chief
October 12, 2015
Trenna Soderling is this year's Editor in chief of the Free Press. She is looking forward to her senior year.

Co-Editor in Chief discusses the new changes in senior year and beyond

Trenna Soderling, Co-Editor in Chief
October 9, 2015
Co-Editor in chief, Sydney Gard, poses of a photo in the commons. Gard is looking forward to her senior year.

Editor in Chief shares her opinions on senior year

Sydney Gard, Editor in Chief
October 2, 2015
Lavender,chamomile,honey and lemon create the popular "Garden Party" doughnut, sold at Ladybird Diner in Downtown Lawrence. A new kitchen was made downstairs, where the staff creates the different flavored doughnuts to be put out each day.

Editor visits Ladybird Diner after recent reopening

Trenna Soderling, Editor in Chief
September 30, 2015
A picture of Free State newly built in 1997 is held in front of the newly renovated Free State building.

Teachers reminisce on Free State’s beginnings

Sydney Gard and Elizabeth Patton
September 30, 2015
The Lied Center is often used by middle and high school students to showcase their talents. With the help of Anthea Scouffas, Director of Education and Engagement, The Lied Center is able to once again host events that young adults enjoy. "We're going to go looking for specific artists that we think will speak to middle school aged or to high school students," Scouffas said.

New donations expand middle, high school programs

Trenna Soderling, Reporter
February 10, 2015
Taking the place of Brad Simon after his passing in mid December, new science teacher Mattithyah Tillotson takes over the classes previously taught by Simon. Tillotson majored in chemistry, general physics, and secondary education with a chemistry concentration at K-State University. "I’ve been a teacher assistant for chemistry labs and recitations for three years, I think, so I’ve taught, like, hundreds of college students," Tillotson said.

Recent graduate fills open science position

Sydney Gard, Reporter
February 10, 2015
Senior Sydney Moreano and sophomore Payton Gannaway jump to block a spike from Bishop Miege during a match on Oct. 15.

Athletes reflect on fall season, look forward to winter

Trenna Soderling, Reporter
December 3, 2014

Teach the Free Press: How to act

Catherine Prestoy and Trenna Soderling
November 5, 2014

School snack shop closed due to new policy

Ryan Liston and Trenna Soderling
October 30, 2014
Varsity soccer player places the ball for a penalty kick at a home game during the fall season.

High school and club team commitment varies

Trenna Soderling, reporter
October 14, 2014

“Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by Jenny Lawson

Trenna Soderling, Reporter
September 1, 2014

Champion Artists of Free State Peyton Townsend and Preston Nye

trenna soderling, reporter
August 30, 2014
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