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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

Baby Steps

Brooke Burgess April 11, 2022

A day after their daughter’s birth, and in the midst of a postpartum medical crisis, CTE teacher Amanda Torbett and her partner Amanda Peterson began a battle against Lawrence Memorial Hospital, fighting...

Student activists take to social media

Student activists take to social media

Zanna Ingram, Online Copy Editor October 9, 2020

The gay and trans panic defense is used in courtrooms to defend those accused of violent crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Junior Hays Hummel wants to put an end to that practice. Hummel...

Lawrence High Senior Crosby Dold recounts her experiences as a member of the LGBT community during high school. She explained that participating in musicals helped her discover her true identity

School board hosts LGBTQ+ panel, shares plan of action

Rowan Plinsky and Jackson Barton November 2, 2016

LGBTQ+ students in the Lawrence public schools deal with ignorance concerning their sexualities and preferred pronouns. On Oct. 18, nine members of the Lawrence public schools LGBTQ+ community sat down...

Lane Weis, a transgender junior at Free State, transitioned his freshman year of high school. Although it was difficult for Weis at first, he now is more confident with expressing his identity.

Transgender staffer recounts his experiences during transition

Lane Weis, Designer October 29, 2015

If you’ve ever talked to me, you probably know I’m transgender. I mention it all the time and unlike the past few years, I’ve stopped trying to keep it a secret. I no longer feel like my identity...

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

Sydney Gard Several hours before the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage across America was announced, I tossed and turned. I laid awake in bed and stared at the ceiling. I read a book and...

Every year the school board sets goals for equity, excellence and engagement. This year these goals include a look at what the district can do to help LGBT+ students to feel comfortable in the school environment. For example, the option to use the bathroom for the gender a student identifies as.

USD 497 adds new equity goals

Madi Engnehl-Thomas, Reporter October 22, 2015

When New York Elementary School third grade teacher John Bode was in high school, coming out as gay or lesbian was unheard of. Many of his high school friends didn’t come out until after graduation,...

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

When gym teacher Nancy Hopkins walks through her Cardio Center in the school, she feels a great sense of pride. After all, she came up with the idea for the center, contacted people from around the country...

A member of KNEA holds up a sign during a protest at the capitol in Topeka. Sam Brownback's plan to cut school funding resulted in marches and protests.

Brownback’s order sparks discord, protest follows

Darby Gilliland, Reporter March 9, 2015

Sophomore Eli Jost arrived at the state Capitol on Feb. 14 with one goal in mind: change. Standing among a crowd of determined citizens who shared his goal, he and others carry signs, chanted and waved...

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