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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

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High fiving her teammate, Sapphira Knight celebrates after bowling a strike. Knight is on the girl’s varsity bowling team this year and has been bowling through Free State for three years now. “I think meeting new people [is my favorite part about] each tournament we go to. There’s like six people on each team, so you get to meet six new people you bowl with,” Knight said.

Bowling team places seventh at State

Will Cook, Reporter March 28, 2017

The boys bowling team placed seventh at the state tournament Friday, March 3 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita. Senior Alex Jiminez led the boys team who placed fifth individually. The boys team members...

Clubs team up to fundraise for DAPL protestors

Clubs team up to fundraise for DAPL protestors

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 16, 2017

The Environmental Club and Young Democrats Club have teamed up to spread awareness about the Dakota Access Pipeline and raise funds to help arrested protesters with legal aid. The pipeline was proposed...

As senior Aaron Funk winds up, he prepares for the pitch. Funk has been a part of the baseball team for three years. "I think we have a solid chance on making another run at the state championship," Funk said.

Spring sports preview

Will Cook, Reporter March 13, 2017

Starting for Free State, junior Garrett Luinstra scored 8 points in Wichita at the semifinals. "After a tough loss we gotta move on and worry about the next game. We always play to win," he said. He has high expectations for next year's season.

Firebirds fall to Huskies in tough semifinal loss, finish strong against Blue Valley North for third place title

Jax Egan and Will Davis March 11, 2017

[nggallery id=37 template=carousel] As the student section’s “Thank you seniors” chant rang out in Koch Arena as a memorial to the the boys’ past four years, the future of the program played...

Senior Cameron Clark warms up before the game. "Playing hard, smart and together is one of the mentalities we keep in mind," he said. With teammate Garret Luinstra's help the two players scored 18 of the team's 23 points in the first half.

Firebirds advance to state semifinals for second time in school history

Jax Egan, Will Davis, Kaya Shafer, and Sam Spencer March 9, 2017

As senior Jacob Pavlyak dribbled out the clock with Firebirds leading the Wichita South Titans 48-42, he looked to his right to see the Free State bench celebrating their quarter-final win in the Kansas...

Civics teacher Laura Henderson gives a lecture to her Civics 9 class. "[Civics is] a mix of a bunch of different things and it's based out of the state government standards." Henderson said.

AP Environmental Science evaluated, Civics no longer required

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 7, 2017

From offering reduced scheduling to underclassmen to new career pathways, many things are changing in USD 497 high schools. Starting next year, civics will not be a required course for freshmen; it will...

The Supreme Court ruling was announced Thursday afternoon

KS Supreme Court rules school funding inadequate

Jake Clark and Darby Gilliland March 3, 2017

Yesterday, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that state funding to the district’s schools is inadequate and the Legislature must rework the s finance formula by June 30. “The state’s public financing...

Working on an essay, junior Orson Becker types away on his MacBook Air. “An iPad is very limited in what it can do where a MacBook is more versatile,” Becker said.

MacBooks chosen as technology for 1:1 student access

Mia Peters, Reporter March 1, 2017

Teachers are responsible for much more than just lecturing and assigning homework. It is their responsibility to ensure that their students have the tools necessary in order to succeed. At the start of...

Junior Maddison Smith and counselor Joel Frederick discuss a schedule for senior year. Currently, only seniors are eligible for reduced schedule.

Possibility of reduced schedules for underclassmen

Maddy Johnson, Reporter March 1, 2017

Exhausted after seven semesters of work, senior Justin Siler is excited to have a reduced schedule this spring. “I feel like it’s a right as a senior because you have to wait and get that privilege,”...

Adorned with Wonder Woman and a bright American flag, protestors in Washington, D.C. gather.

Women’s March encourages political activism in community, nation

February 16, 2017

Women and men marched through the streets across the world, carrying signs protesting the violation of women’s rights and the latest president elect. Social studies teacher Jordan Boyd was present at...

Margaret Uhler and Kahler Wiebe harmonize. "You have to work on your range and harmonies," Uhler said. "Like you have to learn how to sing close harmonies around people that you don’t normally sing with."

Singers sacrifice schedules for annual Encore audition

Mia Peters, Reporter February 7, 2017

160 Juniors and Seniors enrolled in the Free State choral program spent the entire month of January preparing solos and ensembles for an audition on Feb. 5th. They auditioned for the annual choir concert,...

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