Free Press

Multimedia
Photo Gallery: Senior Parade
May 27, 2020
Baya Burgess, Isis Norris, and Emma Holsclaw

Multimedia
Photo Gallery: Staff Quarantine Break Activities
April 9, 2020
Maya Pavlyak, Social Media Editor

News
Superintendent Lewis outlines continued education
March 23, 2020
Jack Bellemere, Reporter
During an online meeting on Wednesday March 18, Free State journalism editors interviewed USD 497 Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis about the district’s plans for the remainder...

School board discusses reopening precautions, met with protests

Isis Norris, Print Editor in Chief

July 14, 2020

On Monday night, the USD 497 School Board held a meeting to discuss how the district will adapt the 2020-21 school year to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the newly-established Kansas for a Safe School Reopening organization formed a protest outside the district offices. At the meeting, the Fall 2020 Planning Task Force presented their plans for opening...

Administration delivers food to students

Brooke Burgess, Reporter

April 26, 2020

When schools closed, many students’ access to steady food supply was cut off. During the past weeks, administration has developed a plan to provide for students in need. “Our goal is to operate a safe program as long as we can and serve as many students as possible, the best meal possible,” Executive Director of District Services Paula Murrish said. Murrish...

News Brief: School board relaxes graduation requirements

Jack Bellemere, Reporter

March 23, 2020

After a school board meeting earlier today, USD 497 Executive Director of Communications Julie Boyle announced the school board will reduce the number of credits required for students to graduate high school from 23 to 21. The decision follows a request by Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson for officials across the state to make graduation easier in light of...

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Feature

Hy-Vee closing affects student employees

Vivian Moriarty, Reporter

December 16, 2019

With students constantly searching for a means to make money, many joined the Hy-Vee staff for its convenient location and supportive team. In light of its closing, former...

Native American Perspective on Thanksgiving

Mary Kate Shultz, Reporter

November 28, 2019

Often, the story of Thanksgiving taught in schools nationwide is a romanticized version of Native Americans and colonizers coming together to share a feast. Despite its fairytale...

Young Democrats Club promotes voter education

Brooke Burgess, Reporter

November 12, 2019

Students this year are more involved in politics than ever before. The Young Democrats Club gives them the opportunity to discuss local and national elections, as well...

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Videos

Spooky Stories 2019

Evan Sutton, Kameren Prather, Videographers

November 1, 2019

Discussion of In-School Racism 2019

Sabrina Castle, Editor-in-Chief

October 30, 2019

Next meeting: November 7

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Sports

Boys Basketball Season Preview

December 21, 2019

Coach Sam Stroh and the varsity boys basketball team have tipped off their season in the Hays City Shootout, placing third out of eight teams. They...

Playoff Prep: Football team makes progress towards state

October 21, 2019

Free State’s varsity football squad kicked off the season with six wins and one loss, ranking them tied for second in the Sunflower League. Currently,...

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Opinion

Movie Review: Joker

October 28, 2019

First teased last April, the film "Joker" has since been surrounded by extreme curiosity from movie enthusiasts. The movie serves as an origin story for...

Movie Review: Detective Pikachu

May 17, 2019

Every year, there is a definitive movie seen as the start to summer. It always comes out in May, it is almost always an action or comedy film (however,...

Movie Review: Us

May 10, 2019

In 2017, Jordan Peele shocked the world with the film Get Out, which earned him an Oscar and instantaneous status as one of the most exciting new horror...

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