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

Top Stories

The American Civil Liberties Union's logo.

ACLU requests suspension of LEAP Ambassador Program in violation of Title IX

Hala Hamid, Reporter • March 4, 2015

On Jan. 29, USD 497 Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll received a letter from the American Civil Liberties stating that the new LEAP Ambassador Program violates Title IX. Title IX states that the school may...

Junior Donovan Young and sophomore Arlo March, students selected to be in the Ambassador Program, get to know their business partners before the start of the programs's second meeting. The students were selected based on counselor recommendations.

Male students, community leaders partner in pilot program

Kyra Haas and Fiona McAllister • February 7, 2015

As sophomore Diallo Jackson walked down the hall to the office with a pass from assistant principal Keith Jones in his hand, Jackson worried he might be in trouble. Before winter break, Jackson and...

At the beginning of the semester, the administration divided two freshman English classes into three single-gender classes. In January, the ACLU questioned the change, and the classes were promptly rearranged to be coeducational. "It [was] kind of different, I know that, but it [was] fun because it [was] with my friends and everything," freshman Tannner Cobb said.

Single-gender English 9 classes result in ACLU intervention

Kyra Haas and Maddie Birchfield • February 7, 2015

When freshman Aidan Dietz entered their seventh hour English 9 classroom on the first day of second semester, they were met with confused stares from their classmates. “At first people were looking...

Looking out into a sea of smartphone cameras, President Barack Obama addresses a crowd of about 7,150 at Anschutz Sports Pavilion on KU Campus on Jan. 22. Obama’s speech reiterated and expanded on several topics mentioned in his recent State of the Union: child care, community college and middle class economics. “I’m a Kansas guy,” Obama said.

#BarackChalk: President Obama speaks at Anschutz Sports Pavilion

Kyra Haas and Ryan Liston • January 22, 2015
On Jan. 22, President Barack Obama spoke at KU in Anschutz Sports Pavilion, calling on Congress to address the need to provide childcare, free community college and equal pay for women...
The American Civil Liberties Union's logo.

ACLU requests discontinuation of single-gender English classes

Ryan Liston, Online Editor in Chief • January 14, 2015

On Jan. 12, Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll received a letter from the Kansas American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Legal Director Doug Bonney and Cooperating Attorney Amy Katz regarding the introduction...

Science teacher Brad Simon takes his 8th grade class on a field trip in 1989. Simon died on Dec. 13 due to "heart problems."

Former students mourn physics, chemistry teachers death

Juliana Hill, Reporter • December 19, 2014

Free State High School physics and chemistry teacher Brad Simon died on Dec. 13 at the age of 53. The cause of his death is uncertain, but it is speculated that it was a heart attack. He had taught for...

Later School Start Times Prove Beneficial

Maria Carrasco, Managing Print Editor • November 15, 2014

It’s midnight and I’m writing a Common App essay, reading Hamlet, taking AP Government notes and studying for an AP Statistics test while brewing another cup of coffee. Because school starts at...

November Midterm Elections close on all fronts

November Midterm Elections close on all fronts

Kenneth Palmer and Libby Stanford, Copy Editor and Reporter • October 27, 2014

The Kansas midterm elections are approaching like a storm. This is atypical— considering Kansas is usually a safely Republican state—especially in the Senate contest in which a non-Republican has a...

Seniors Jacob Allen and Joel Spain help a teammate to his feet during the varsity Homecoming game against Leavenworth.

Free State athletes recount concussions, close calls

Maddie Birchfield and Lauren Brittain • October 27, 2014

Hoping to secure a spot on the varsity team, senior Briceson Junge plays hard on the last day of soccer tryouts. As Junge goes for a hitter, the goalie’s fist collides with his face. Junge immediately...

Senior Sydney Moreano and sophomore Payton Gannaway jump to block a spike from Bishop Miege during a match on Oct. 15.

Renovated gym meets KSHSAA standards despite rumors

Fiona McAllister, reporter • October 27, 2014

Walking into the large gym for the first home varsity volleyball game on Thursday, Sept. 25, it’s easy to understand why one might be impressed. With a refurbished floor, polished and professional,...

Varsity soccer player places the ball for a penalty kick at a home game during the fall season.

High school and club team commitment varies

Trenna Soderling, reporter • October 14, 2014

Surrounded by friends, junior Peyton Brown feels the adrenaline course through her. Her softball teammates huddle close in the dugout, surveying the opposing team as they prepare for competition. For...

Candidates Ryan Liston and Morgan Noll await the announcement of King and Queen.

Homecoming candidate discusses personal satisfaction

Ryan Liston, Online Editor in Chief • October 14, 2014

On Friday, Aug. 29 while sitting in a dorm room at Washington University in St. Louis as part of a college visit, I saw my phone light up with a voicemail. Hitting play, I heard a jumble of excited voices...

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