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

The Spotlight

Seniors Bradie Ward and Samantha Packard hold the 6A first place trophy with their teammates around them. As of this Saturday, both Packard and Ward are back-to-back state champions. Photo contributed by Free State Swim and Dive.

Girls Swim and Dive Wins Second Consecutive State Competition

Thomas Patton May 22, 2023

Girls swim and dive secured back-to-back state titles on Saturday, May 20. The team held first place from start to finish, winning by 132 points over the next closest team. The team never strayed away...

After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”

NEWS: Judy Erpelding Announces Resignation

Lilly Wall May 11, 2023

After serving as the Director of Orchestras program for 11 years at the school, Judy Erpelding has announced her resignation, effective May 26.  With this position being her first teaching job, she...

Picking up a box of juice, JustFood warehouse manager Wayne Briggs collects donations of leftover food from the cafeteria. Briggs picks up extra, unopened food from the kitchen twice a week. These donations, often at least 50 pounds, are taken to the pantry, where anyone can take food free of cost.

FEATURE: JustFood Receives Leftover Food Donations

Lilly Wall May 4, 2023

During April, 855 pounds of leftover lunch food from both public high schools were repurposed to feed the community through just one partnership. Starting in the fall of 2022, USD 497 looked locally to...

Photo by Addie Driscoll

Beyond the Rivalry

Nate Ankenbauer, Sports Reporter November 8, 2021

In response to overcrowding in 1997, a third of Lawrence High students transferred to the newly founded Free State High School. From then on out, Bob Billings Parkway would split Lawrence in half,...

News Brief: School Board Election Results

Nisa Khosh, Copy Editor November 3, 2021

  On Nov. 2, voters went to the polls to choose their candidates in the USD 497 Board of Education election. Eleven candidates ran for three positions on the board, with Andrew Nussbuam,...

Turning a New Page

Jake Hedges, Reporter October 26, 2021

This year the library staff has gained a new face: Marisa Hegeman, a librarian and media specialist.  Previously, Hegeman was staffed at Cordley Elementary School as the school librarian.  She also...

A Fresh Face for Freshman

A Fresh Face for Freshman

Olivia Roderick, Reporter October 4, 2021

This year, Katie Brandau is welcomed as the new 9th grade counselor. Brandau moved from Durango, Colorado, where she was a high school counselor for five years.  Brandau said “[she] knew she always...

Photo by Emma Hardesty

Students sing the praises of new choir teacher

Cici Hunter, Reporter October 4, 2021

Joshua East is the latest addition to the fine arts program. Working beside Olivia Henning , East co-teaches the performance choirs and is the lead teacher for Chamber choir. East started his career...

Consultant Tajma Stetson (Michael Tolbert) applies lipstick to Angela Mansbury (Scott Ireland) to prepare for the evening gown contest. There’s a women inside of us all Stetson said. Some of us get lucky enough to put them on stage.

Bringing on the Men

Jackson Barton, Online Editor in Chief February 6, 2018

Following rapturous cheers, the curtains open, revealing only a single grand piano stage left. For a drag competition, it’s a remarkably modest set. Immediately, assistant choral director Scott Ireland,...

Tyler Ruzich adresses an audience member while answering a question. Ruzich describes himself as a Republican because his parents were able to go to college without government assistance.

Tyler Ruzich

Sam Mohanty, Reporter November 28, 2017

Tyler Ruzich, a conservative Republican, is campaigning to bring new ideas into the state government. “Those ideas are something that we really need right now,” Ruzich said. “We need cooperation...

Standing at the podium, Dominique Scavuzzo talks about his views. He is a moderate conservative running as a rebublican.“We need cooperation and not moving left or right, but moving forward.” Scavuzzo said.

Dominic Scavuzzo

Sam Mohanty, Reporter November 18, 2017

Dominic Scavuzzo is a moderate Conservative running as a Republican. “I believe that my message overall is creating better dynamic,” Scavuzzo said. “By creating a youthful point-of-view, I could...

Ethan Randleas stands before the crowd at the assembly on October 19th. He is a libertarian running on a republican ticket. “Not a lot of people are going to agree with me, and I am okay with that.” Randleas said.

Ethan Randleas

Sam Mohanty, Reporter November 16, 2017

Ethan Randleas is a Libertarian running on a Republican ticket. “They call [my ideas] very ‘out there’,” Randleas said. “Not a lot of people are going to agree with me, and I am okay with...

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