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

Free State orchestra students pose after auditioning for State Orchestra on Jan 13.

NEWS: Dozens of Orchestra Students Prepare for State

Morgan Sponholtz, Reporter February 5, 2024

On Saturday, Jan. 13, 21 orchestra members attended state auditions. The results came back soon after; 11 students from Free State were selected to play and one was selected as an alternate on the harp....

“get out of your winter blues!!” playlist, available on Spotify via the link in story.

FEATURE: Get Out of Your Winter Blues Playlist

Baila Love, Photographer February 1, 2024

Click here to access playlist!       1. Femininomenon - Chappell Roan This song is one of my favorite lead tracks for an album. It encapsulates how it feels to get out of a long slump and I thought...

A sign outside a polling station indicates the voting location for an election.

FEATURE: Election Season Worries

Maura Langland, Reporter February 1, 2024

With the previous caucus in Iowa and the primary in New Hampshire, the 2024 election season has officially begun. Students who will be 18 next Nov. have a lot on their minds when it comes to the election. “Since...

Valedictorians of the Free State Class of 2023 stand proudly as they are honored during the graduation ceremony on May 24, 2023.

NEWS: Lawrence School Board Decides on Latest High School Graduation Requirements

Elliot Skillman, Assistant Copy Editor February 1, 2024

This past Monday, Jan. 22., the Lawrence School Board met in order to decide on what new graduation requirements they are going to implement. Initially, this decision became part of the committee’s...

Crossing the mat, junior Grayson Hagen prepares to shake hands with his opponent from Lawrence High before his wrestling match during the City Showdown on Jan 24.

FEATURE: Haste to History

Thomas Patton, Reporter February 1, 2024

On Jan. 20, Junior Grayson Hagen recorded his 100th win as a Free State wrestler. Hagen joins only five previous firebirds to accomplish this impressive feat. Three of those wrestlers, Matthew Marcum,...

On stage at the Lied Center, candidates react to the announcement of the Youth of the Year winner, La’Ron Williams. This was La’Ron’s second year as a candidate for the award.

NEWS: Youth of the Year Awarded to La’Ron Williams

Maria Mosconi, News Planning Team February 1, 2024

On Jan. 25, senior La’Ron Williams was awarded the 2024 Lawrence Youth of the Year Award by the Boys & Girls Club. This was Williams' second year competing for Youth of the Year which is awarded...

Junior Brayden Wilcox prepares to take on his opponent at the first home boys varsity wrestling meet of the season. The Firebirds came out on top, winning 54-24 overall.

FEATURE: Pinning Their Way Into the History Books

Rakshan Ossen, Reporter February 1, 2024

In the face of fierce competition, the Free State boys wrestling team exemplified their determination to carry the program’s legacy after placing eight as a team and having two wrestlers earn the state...

Taking hold of an opponent, junior Daijah Preston begins to wrestle. As one of the Girls Wrestling captains, Preston played a large role in motivating the team.

FEATURE: Freshmen Fueling Girls Wrestling

Lauren Jackson, Reporter January 31, 2024

While the girl's wrestling team has struggled with numbers in previous years, the team has doubled in size since the 2022-2023 season climbing, from six to 13 wrestlers. Nationwide, girls wrestling has...

Pie chart demonstrating Firebirds preferred caffeinated drinks. Design by Mylie Brillhart

FEATURE: Caffeine Consumption

Phoebe Morris, News Planning Team January 31, 2024

According to Verywell Health, 80% of people consume caffeine on a daily basis of which 73% are children. One energy drink typically contains 500 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to 14 cans of soda....

Teacher Rachel Downs advises senior Chloe Mure-Limburg on a water color project in one of Downs art classes.

FEATURE: Rachel Downs Battling Health Issues While Supporting the Art Program

Nick Sprecker, Sports Editor January 25, 2024

Throughout USD 497, teachers in various departments are large contributors to student success, and take on sizable chunks of responsibility. AP Art and Design and drawing teacher Rachel Downs is amongst...

At the Kansas Thespian Festival Showcase, seniors Natalie Riley and Liz Wyle improvise a conversation. The night before leaving for KTF the theater department held a showcase of the students who would be performing at the festival.

NEWS: Improv Team Becomes Back-to-Back State Champions

Maria Mosconi, Reporter January 25, 2024

After a performance in which the five members of the improv team created an elaborate story out of the prompt Harry in a storage closet, they secured their second consecutive state championship.  However,...

Alumni Marina Kimzey, Angel Waller and Alexa Beaty perform at half time during the 2022 football season. Past their high school career, the three have moved on to perform at a collegiate level.

NEWS: The Superbowl of the Dance Community – UDA Nationals

Arianna Waller and Corinne Kingsley January 24, 2024

During sporting events, we always see the usual. The players working hard and their fans cheering loud. But what if someone told you there is another team at almost every game that often goes unnoticed?  The...

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