Currently Browsing: Staff
Chris Allmon, Designer
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Chris Allmon is a junior on our staff and is a designer!
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Megan Engleman, Photographer
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Megan Engleman is a junior on our staff and is our photographer!
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Allison Morte, Webmaster
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Allison Morte is a junior here at Free State. She is the Webmaster of this website.
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Allison Harwood, Business Editor
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Allison Harwood is a junior on our staff and is the Business Editor.
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Miranda Davis, Advertising Editor
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Miranda Davis is a junior on our staff and is our Advertising Editor!
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Katherine Corliss, Copy Editor
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Katherine Corliss is a senior on our staff and is our Copy Editor!
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Currently Browsing: Staff
Kim Carter, Managing Editor
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Kim Carter is a senior on staff and is our managing editor!
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Farewell Free State
Written by sydney sims
When I first entered Free State last March I was extremely nervous. I had no idea how I would fit in and what it would be like compared to my old high school in Illinois. I had hoped this school would be similar and it would be easy for me to adapt. I soon learned that it was completely different. Each school has its own set of traditions, rules and customs that make it special. If they were all the same it would be extremely boring. Having moved around a lot throughout my childhood, I have experienced a ton of diversity and seen a lot of variety in the American education system.
There are many things about Free State I have enjoyed and there are other things I did not enjoy, but each experience has helped me grow to be a better person with patience and the understanding of others.
I think the students here are unique. I like that each individual has something special about them that they can contribute. I learned that diversity is not just about race, but that it can stem from other areas such as religion, political ideas and even fashion choice. I think this school accepts and embraces the diversity in these categories. I met a lot of good people and learned a lot from the students here.
One of the tough things is learning from your experiences. I learned that sporting events are run differently here. I learned that everyone has their own traditions and rules. I learned that you might not agree with some of those traditions but you need to respect them anyway because they can be important to others.
This is a beautiful school with a great staff. All of the teachers I had were great. Students here are lucky to have teachers that care about their development. Every student has the potential to leave with a solid foundation of knowledge to help in their future. Everyone should make the best of the opportunity and get the most out of their three years of high school.
Even though I am hanging up my green and silver gear and moving on to a new high school and putting on their maroon and white colors, I hope when I look at the photos of Free State events on Facebook I will see my fellow Firebirds having fun, wearing their school colors proudly and enjoying their classmates and their school! I want to hear that this is the school with a bunch of tradition and school spirit! I know it can happen and I hope it does.
I will miss many things about Free State and I will miss friends that i’ve made. I wish Free State students the best of luck and I will not forget the experiences that have happened to me since coming to this school.
Farwell Free State,
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Money Money Money
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Written by katherine corliss
Money seems to be everywhere. On the news talking-heads discuss the plummeting stock market and at school teachers remind students that each white board marker costs 75 cents. But it appears the slowing economy is not slowing student spending. According to a recent survey of three sophomore, three junior, and three senior seminars the student body is able to spend an average of $50,000 dollars per week.
The median student expenditures each week total $26-75 and most of that is spent on food or drinks, the Free Press survey found.
Many are concerned for the Lawrence economy because consumers can travel a short distance to Kansas City or Topeka for greater shopping variety. Our survey shows, however, that most of the $50,000 spent per week seems to be staying in Lawrence. Of the 100 students polled, 60% said they shopped locally, 12% in Kansas City or Topeka, and 7% shopped online weekly or more often.
The high school years may be the easiest part of life financially. For most students, rent is paid, food is provided and every time a check bounces parents are there to cover the student’s financial faults. Sixty-eight percent of students, even those who have jobs, stated that a majority of their income came from their parents. Students represent a vital part of the economy: those who can spend freely without worrying about the consequences.
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Concerto Concert Soloists
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Written by emma machell
Emily Paulsen
To some a broken instrument on the first day of band might be taken as a sign that playing an instrument was not for them, but it only encouraged senior Emily Paulsen to keep trying.
Paulsen began playing in sixth grade on a clarinet, but things took an unexpected turn.
“My best friend broke [my clarinet] on the first day of band,” Paulsen said. “so I went to the pawn shop, and all they had was a flute so that’s why I play flute.”
Now, six years later, Paulsen is playing a solo for the Concerto Concert on February 23. She is performing “Suite in B Minor” by Bach.
”It’s just a great experience to get out of playing with the band, and you get to go play with the orchestra,” she said.
Paulsen also plays small ensembles like trios and quintets.
“But solos are fun,” she said.
She began practicing for her upcoming solo about six months ago, and she had to sign up and audition in front of a panel of judges. The music she will play at the February concert is also the audition music for state band, but for now she’s focusing on the concert.
Jenny Loewen
While you may not know the song by name many people have heard at least the beginning lines to the first movement of “Concerto in A minor” by Vivaldi. Senior Jenny Loewen will play it on violin in the Concerto Concert.
“[Playing solos] is what I love to do,” Loewen said. “Although it can be scary up there, it’s just being able to express in the form of music I think is so neat.”
Loewen has been playing violin since third grade. Her family is very musical and they always encouraged her to play. She says her sisters inspired her the most.
“A couple of my sisters started to play the violin because of school and I wanted to join after they did,” Loewen said.
To prepare, Loewen plays her solo over and over and she focuses on trouble spots in the music.
“After getting it memorized and getting all that and the notes ready I kind of just work on expression and the other details,” she said.
This is not Loewen’s first time performing a solo in the Concerto Concert and she knows it definitely won’t be her last time soloing in a concert.
Peter Lesslie
Experts say the cello is the closest instrument to the human voice. Senior Peter Lesslie will solo on this instrument in the Concerto Concert.
”It’s my senior year so I wanted to do something special,” Lesslie said.
Lesslie has been playing the cello since sixth grade. He chose that particular stringed instrument due to his mother’s encouragement.
“She likes the sound of [the cello] and I liked the sound of the cello so that’s why I chose [to play it],” he said.
He has been practicing for this solo for a year to get the sounds of “Haydn’s Concerto in C major” just right.
Lesslie was basically taught as a soloist but he says that he also enjoys playing in chamber groups.
“I enjoy chamber music. There’s more intimacy in chamber music: it’s more of a conversation,” Lesslie said.
Liesel Reussner
Junior Liesel Ruessner plays the oboe as well as the mellophone and the piano.
“[The mellophone] is like a marching french horn,” Ruessner said.
Ruessner has been playing the oboe for eight years and will solo in the Concerto Concert this month. She is performing “Gabriel’s Oboe” from “The Mission”.
“I thought I’d give [the solo] a try. It could be kind of fun.” she said.
Ruessner chose the oboe in fourth grade because she liked its mellow sound.
“I knew I was going to play an instrument because my family’s really musical, but I just liked the sound of [the oboe] a lot,” she said.
She practices about 15-20 minutes a day with her mom, who is accompanying her on piano.
“You have to work hard but everyone gets to hear you,” Ruessner said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
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