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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

Digital illustration by Willow Marable

FEATURE: Art Blooms

Claire Heinritz, Yearbook Managing Editor October 3, 2024

The popular Lawrence tradition of Art in the Park, dating back to 1964, lives on this year with an expected 20,000 visitors. It not only brings together the community of Lawrence but also supports the...

Teacher Rachel Downs advises senior Chloe Mure-Limburg on a water color project in one of Downs art classes.

FEATURE: Rachel Downs Battling Health Issues While Supporting the Art Program

Nick Sprecker, Sports Editor January 25, 2024

Throughout USD 497, teachers in various departments are large contributors to student success, and take on sizable chunks of responsibility. AP Art and Design and drawing teacher Rachel Downs is amongst...

FEATURE: Hang12 Brings Art to the Community

FEATURE: Hang12 Brings Art to the Community

Maria Mosconi, Reporter November 28, 2023

This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events. Throughout the year, the teens worked with emerging artists to put on shows...

Senior Caroline Börk smiles as she works on one of her art pieces on display at the Lawrence Arts Center. Börk began her art journey at a young age by taking classes at the Arts Center Preschool. “Funny enough, that is where the [previous] exhibition was held...so, I both started and ended my Lawrence artist journey at the arts center,” Bork said.

FEATURE: Lawrence Schools Held Annual District Art Show at Lawrence Art Center

Evie Chancy May 12, 2023

Art teachers from across USD 497 curated the best works from their students to be displayed at the annual District Art Show on April 28 at the Lawrence Art Center.  When the art teachers began accumulating...

Photo Gallery: Exodus Art Show 2019

Photo Gallery: Exodus Art Show 2019

Baya Burgess, Photographer April 25, 2019

Construction continues on new additions to the Ninth and Delaware Cultural Arts District. While some residents resists the development, their protests have not hindered the project. "I'm happy to see we can develop older properties instead of just tearing them down," said Patrick Kelly, cultural arts district task force member.

Lawrence Cultural Arts District construction continues

Maame Britwum, Reporter February 8, 2015

When senior Solomon Cottrell walks through his neighborhood in downtown Lawrence, he sees art everywhere. With artistic neighbors, noticing sculptures leaning in yards or artists working on streets isn’t...

Champion Artists of Free State Peyton Townsend and Preston Nye

trenna soderling, reporter August 30, 2014

This month, two students were selected as Champion Artists of Free State. Given to two Lawrence High (LHS) and two Free State artists, the Champion Artist Award recognizes outstanding artists at a gathering...

The Art of Aversion — Blow-off Classes

Evan Frook, Reporter February 2, 2014

According to a sample group, two thirds of Free State students recognize the existence of blow-off classes. In an anonymous student survey, 66 percent said Physical Education or art classes were the easiest...

Sophomore Raegan Koenig feels that she fits in with Lawrence's culture.

Raegan Koenig

ryan liston, co-online editor in chief January 31, 2014

Although it’s not sophomore Raegan Koenig’s first time visiting Lawrence, it is her first time attending school here. During winter break, Raegan moved from Seneca, Kan., where she attended Nemaha...

Jacob Hood

Jacob Hood

ryan liston, co-online editor in chief May 14, 2013

As a cartoonist, Jacob Hood hopes that his artwork helps Free State students find humor in the often dull days of high school. “... I think that if I can give the school something that is carefree and...

Creative Works That Change Lives

maria mckee, reporter December 14, 2012

Tegan and Sara "So Jealous Tegan and Sara’s “So Jealous” is the album that I can come closest to labeling as life-changing. The Canadian folk-rock sisters are able to embrace new-wave fusions...

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