LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: News Editors

Message from the 2025-2026 news editors

Nathan Kramer, Maria Mosconi, Phoebe Morris, Rakshan Ossen, Evie Chancy, Lauren Jackson, Ceci Bennett, Lucas Smith, Julia Velasco, and Meredith Shryock

May 19, 2025

Mallory Thompson

Standing together, the 2025-2026 news editor staff, Nathan Kramer, Maria Mosconi, Phoebe Morris, Rakshan Ossen, Evie Chancy, Lauren Jackson, Cecilia Bennett, Lucas Smith, Julia Velasco, and Meredith Shryock, welcome you to their first issue.

Hey Firebirds!

We are writing to you for the first time as the 2025-2026 editorial staff. While the seniors have been working diligently to publish the senior issue, we have been stepping into our new roles and working together to create our final issue for the year.

As we collaborated on this issue, it became evident that while we all share a passion for journalism, each of us had unique opinions on what we wanted to cover in the paper. In the end, we worked to put together a paper where we hope the student body feels seen.

As you flip through these pages, we hope you will find content that appeals to you, whether that be national news, local stories, or a Free State feature. We value your voice too, and we encourage you to share your stories and ideas with us.

Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy the eighth and final issue of this school year!

About the Contributors

Nathan Kramer, News Photo Editor, Video Team Co-Manager

A junior, Nathan is excited to be co-leading the video team. He is a current member of the Free State Color Guard and Philharmonic Orchestra. He trains at the Lawrence Arts Center School of Dance, focusing on ballet, jazz, modern; and he fills in the gaps with theater.

Maria Mosconi, News Managing Editor

Maria Mosconi is a junior and the News Managing Editor for Free State Journalism. It is her third year on staff. Otherwise, she spends her time doing ballet, hanging with friends, and learning to parallel park.

Phoebe Morris, News Co-Editor in Chief

Phoebe Morris is a junior at Free State and a News Editor-in-Chief for the Free Press NewsMag. Outside of journalism, she is involved in Choir, NHS, Link Crew, and is a NEHS officer. She spends most of her weekends dancing with Lawrence Ballet Theatre or watching horror movies with friends.

Rakshan Ossen, Sports Editor

Rakshan Ossen is a Junior at Free State and is the sports editor for FSJ. At school he is a member of the Track and Field program, Team STEAM robotics, the Writing Center, LINK Crew, NHS and NEHS. Outside of his academic life, he finds himself being an enthusiast in Formula 1 Racing, playing sports and taking architectural photography.

Evie Chancy, News Managing Editor

Evie Chancy is a junior and the managing news editor for the Free Press. When she’s not in journalism, she’s reading for the Finer Things Club or working on hair and makeup for Free State’s theater program. Outside of school, she loves to thrift or scroll on Pinterest.

Lauren Jackson, Assistant News Copy Editor

Lauren is a junior at Free State High School and is a reporter. She is involved with soccer, MUN, and NHS. Outside of school she works at Tous Les Jours and enjoys hanging out with friends.

Ceci Bennett, Photographer

Ceci Bennett is a sophomore at Free State and a photographer for journalism. She is involved with track and field and cross country, along with multiple clubs. Outside of school, she spends her time playing the piano, binge reading, discovering new music, and learning to drive stick shift

Lucas Smith, Digital Illustrator

Lucas is a junior and a digital illustrator for the Free State Free Press. Outside of school, Lucas likes to play video games and draw.

Julia Velasco, Assistant News Photo Editor

Julia is a junior at Free state and a Photographer. Outside of journalism, Julia runs track and cross country. She’s involved in choir, NHS, NEHS, Model UN , Tri-m and Stuco . You can find her reading or baking.

Meredith Shryock, Assistant News Copy Editor

Meredith Shryock is a junior and the Copy Editor of the Free Press. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and scrolling through Pinterest.

Mallory Thompson, News Photo Editor

Mallory is a senior and the News Photo Editor of the Free Press Newsmagazine and Online. This is her third year on staff and outside of journalism she is involved in National English Society, NHS, and LINK Crew. You can find her doing graphic design or hanging out with her dog in her free time.

letter from the editor

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