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

2023-2024 Staff

Lilly Wall
News Editor-in-Chief

Lilly Wall

Lilly is a junior at Free State and an Editor-In-Chief of the Free Press NewsMag and Online Website. Outside of journalism, she is involved in volleyball, the Free State Writing Center, Honor Moon Foundation, Project Pick Up,...

Allison Mayhew
News Editor-in-Chief

Allison Mayhew

Allison Mayhew is a senior and is an Editor-in-Chief of the Newsmag and Online website. Outside of journalism, she participates in NHS and KU Environmental Studies. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and...

Hannah Stone
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Stone

Hannah is the 2023-2024 Editor-in-Chief of the Talon yearbook. Aside from journalism, she is involved in the school's Girl's Golf team, Women in STEM club, Key club, and NHS. She also enjoys being with friends and listening to...

Ember Klein
News Managing Editor

Ember Klein

Ember Klein is a Newspaper Managing Editor on staff this year. Outside of journalism, they are involved in theatre and are a football manager. In free time, they love to paint and read.

Jayne Landers
News Managing Editor

Jayne Landers

Jayne Landers is a senior at Free State and is a Managing Editor for the Free Press Newspaper. Outside of journalism, she is the Vice President of NHS, and involved with Free State Swim and Dive and KU environmental studies. In...

Olivia Nagel
Yearbook Managing Editor

Olivia Nagel

Olivia Nagel is a senior and is the Managing Editor of the Talon Yearbook. Outside of journalism, Olivia is involved with NHS, the swim team, and the writing center. Olivia enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and eating...

Emma Wiley
Yearbook Managing Editor

Emma Wiley

Emma Wiley is a junior and this is her second year on staff. She is a Managing Editor for the yearbook. Inside of school, she is involved with volleyball, journalism, softball, NHS, and pre-med club. Outside of school, she enjoys...

Sarah Masterson
News Design Editor

Sarah Masterson

Sarah Masterson is a senior at Free State. This is Sarah's second year on staff and she is the Design Editor for the newspaper. Outside of Journalism, she is involved on the volleyball team, swim team, NHS, and Model UN. Outside...

Richard Li
Yearbook Design Editor

Richard Li

Richard Li is a junior at Free State and is the Yearbook Design Editor for journalism. He is involved in robotics, student council, NHS, Key Club, Asian Culture Club, Math Club, Science Olympiad, Scholars Bowl, and tennis. Outside...

Mallory Thompson
News Photo Editor

Mallory Thompson

Mallory Thompson is a junior at Free State. This is her second year on staff and she is Photo Editor for the Free Press Newspaper and Online. Outside of journalism, Mallory is involved in LINK Crew, National Honor Society, and...

Chloe Cook
News Photo Editor

Chloe Cook

Chloe Cook is a junior at Free State and is one of the News Photo Editors. This is her second year on staff. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and being outdoors.

Eli Roust
Yearbook Photo Editor

Eli Roust

Eli Roust is a junior at Free State High School. This is their second year on staff as a photographer and they are excited to be back! Among journalism, you can find them involved in Speech and Debate, tennis, choir, NHS, and...

Isabelle Prô
Yearbook Photo Editor

Isabelle Prô

Isabelle is a senior and is involved in cross county and track. Outside of sports, she is the Photo Editor of the yearbook. At home, she loves to hangout with her dog.

Stella Mosier
News Copy Editor

Stella Mosier

Stella Mosier is a senior at Free State and copy edits for the Free Press. Outside of journalism, she is involved with choir and NHS. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and listening to music.

Greyson Heiman
Yearbook Copy Editor

Greyson Heiman

Greyson is a senior reporter and has been on staff since fall of 2022. He has experience covering yearbook and news. Greyson was promoted to copy editor in spring of 2023.

Nick Sprecker
Sports Editor

Nick Sprecker

Nick Sprecker is a junior at Free State and is the Sports Editor on staff. Outside of journalism, he is a member of the boys football and soccer program. He is involved in multiple clubs, LINK, and NHS.

Maile Hickman
Social Media Editor

Maile Hickman

Maile is a senior at Free State High School that plays tennis and loves fashion and writing. Outside of school, she enjoys collecting CDs and going to flea markets and thrift stores.

Katie Campbell
Assistant Social Media Editor

Katie Campbell

Katie Campbell is a sophomore and a designer on the Free State Journalism staff. In school, she is a part of Key Club and the girls soccer team. Outside of school, she is apart of NCL.

Jonah Frye
Reporter

Jonah Frye

Jonah Frye is a sophomore at Free State and is a reporter for Free State Journalism. He also runs track and cross country for Free State. Outside of school he enjoys running, exploring nature, traveling, and trying adventure spo...

Rakshan Ossen
Reporter

Rakshan Ossen

Rakshan Ossen is a sophomore at Free State and is a reporter for FSJ. He devotes himself to the Free State community by being involved with many clubs at school. Outside of his academic life, he finds himself being an enthusiast...

Delaney Bayliss
Reporter

Delaney Bayliss

Delaney Bayliss is a junior and a reporter on staff. She has been a member of the Free State choir program as well as the girl's soccer program for 3 years. Outside of journalism, Delaney enjoys reading, writing, and spending...

Morgan Sponholtz
Reporter

Morgan Sponholtz

Morgan Sponholtz is a sophomore reporter and it is her first year on staff. She is also involved in Theatre, Choir, Hacky Sack and Sending Luv club. Outside of school she enjoys hanging with friends, baking, and hiking.

Corinne Kingsley
Reporter

Corinne Kingsley

Corinne Kingsley is a sophomore at Free State and a reporter for Free State Journalism. She is on the Free State Dance Team and competes on a competition dance team outside of school. In her free time she likes to hangout with...

Lauren Jackson
Reporter

Lauren Jackson

Lauren is a sophomore at Free State High School and is a reporter. She is involved with soccer and MUN. Outside of school she enjoys working out and hanging out with friends.

Mason Lester
Reporter

Mason Lester

Mason Lester is a senior at Free State and writes as a reporter for the Free State Journalism program. He is a three time varsity member of both soccer and baseball, as well as a member of LINK, NHS, and SALT. Outside of school...

Thomas Patton
Reporter

Thomas Patton

Thomas is a second year member of the journalism staff. He is Student Council co-president, an NHS officer, and a member of the student-athlete leadership team. Thomas loves to play sports in his free time.

Nomso Enyinnaya
Reporter

Nomso Enyinnaya

Nomso Enyinnaya is a senior at Free State High School and a reporter for Free State Journalism. She’s been apart of the Free State Tennis team for 2 years and the Free State Track team for 4 years. Outside of Nomso’s school...

Maura Langland
Reporter

Maura Langland

Maura Langland is a senior at Free State High School. She is involved in National Honor Society, LINK Crew and is a reporter on the FSJ staff. Outside of school, she dances competitively and enjoys spending time with friends and...

Grant Lincoln
Reporter

Grant Lincoln

Grant is a senior this 2023-2024 school year. It is his first year as a member of Free State Journalism. He is involved in track, football, NHS and is a member of the NAACP.

Ava Talbott
Reporter

Ava Talbott

Ava is a sophomore at Free State and is a reporter for Free State Journalism. She also participates in choir and tennis. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends.

Conrad Hill
Reporter

Conrad Hill

Conrad Hill is a sophomore and a reporter for Free State Journalism. He is involved in forensics, choir, and does some theatre work. Outside of school, he often reads and listens to music.

Meredith Shryock
Reporter

Meredith Shryock

Meredith Shryock is a sophomore at Free State and a reporter for Free State Journalism. She's involved with cross country and track and field. Outside of school, Meredith enjoys reading, listening to music, and hanging out with...

Claire Heinritz
Reporter

Claire Heinritz

Claire Heinritz is a sophomore at Free State High School and a reporter for journalism. At Free State, she is involved in girls golf and track. Outside of school, she likes to travel and hangout with family and friends.

Arianna Waller
Reporter

Arianna Waller

Arianna Waller is a sophomore at Free State. She is excited to be returning for her second year on the journalism staff as a reporter. Outside of journalism and school, she is a competition dancer at her local studio, ‘Dance...

Emi Stone
Reporter

Emi Stone

Emi is a sophomore and a second year reporter on the FS Journalism staff! She's active in three school sports during the school year and likes to bake.

Abbie Veeder
Designer

Abbie Veeder

Abbie is a freshman this year and is a designer. She has 2 cats and 2 dogs she loves to spend time with. Outside of school Abbie loves to play soccer and hang out with friends.

Kouri Demelash
Designer

Kouri Demelash

Kouri is a sophomore, and designer for the Free State Journalism team. He is also involved in school with choir, theatre, and graphic design club! outside of school, you'll probably catch Kouri listening to music, playing DND, or just h...

Luna Hu
Designer

Luna Hu

Luna is a senior at Free State and a designer on the journalism staff. She was involved in orchestra, and currently participates in Asian Culture Club and NHS. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing piano, painting, and spending...

Lola Cloud
Designer

Lola Cloud

Lola is a senior at Free State. She is a designer for Free State Journalism and is involved with the theatre program at Free State. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and listening to Bruno Mars.

Liv Hazlett
Designer

Liv Hazlett

Liv Hazlett is a junior at Free State. She is a designer for Free State Journalism and is on the soccer team. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, sailing, and running.

Haley Schrader
Designer

Haley Schrader

Haley Schrader is a sophomore at Free State and is a designer for Free State journalism. She is on the girls swim team and she enjoys traveling, baking, and hanging out with friends and family.

Julie Kong
Designer

Julie Kong

Julie Kong is a junior at Free State and is a designer. She’s involved in orchestra, robotics, NHS, and many clubs. Outside of school, she likes to take walks and practice violin, piano, or guitar.

Allie Lindner
Designer

Allie Lindner

Allie Lindner is a junior and a designer for Free State Journalism. She is involved in National Honors Society, Link Crew, volleyball, and soccer. Outside of school, she enjoys shopping and hanging out with friends and family.

Mylie Brillhart
Designer

Mylie Brillhart

Mylie Brillhart is senior at Free State and a designer for Free State Journalism. She enjoys drawing, painting, and photography as well as listening to music.

Lola Stuhlsatz
Designer

Lola Stuhlsatz

Lola Stuhlsatz is a junior at Free State high school and a designer for Free State Journalism. She is an avid fan of true crime and enjoys baking. In her free time, she loves to read, make art, and spend time with her friends.

Nathan Friedman
Photographer

Nathan Friedman

Nathan Friedman is a sophomore at Free State and it is his first year on staff as a photographer. He is also involved in swimming, theatre, and baseball. Outside of school, Nathan enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and traveling.

Kinley Gigous
Photographer

Kinley Gigous

Kinley Gigous is a freshman and a photographer for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism she is involved in theatre, soccer, forensics, and Finer Things club. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting and hanging out with...

Baila Love
Photographer

Baila Love

Baila is a sophomore and a photographer for Free State Journalism. She spends most of her time listening to music and making crafts for her friends. Outside of journalism, she focuses on debate and forensics.

Amelia Wiles
Photographer

Amelia Wiles

Amelia Wiles is a junior at Free State and a photographer for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism, she is a member of the girls soccer team and is involved in NHS. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends,...

Anders Benson
Photographer

Anders Benson

Anders Benson is a sophomore and a photographer for Free State Journalism! He is involved around the school in drumline, choir, and theater. Outside of school, he enjoys singing, playing music, and learning about life.

Keat Hockenbury
Photographer

Keat Hockenbury

Keat Hockenbury is a senior at Free State and is a photographer on staff. He is a member of the XC, track, and swim team and is also a part of choir and band. Outside of school he enjoys cooking and late night drives with friends.

Gregory Mayhew
Photographer

Gregory Mayhew

Gregory is a senior at Free state and is a photographer for Free state Journalism. Outside of school he likes being outdoors, playing volleyball, and trumpet.

Rachel Bruffett
Photographer

Rachel Bruffett

Rachel Bruffett is a senior and a photographer for Free State Journalism. She is involved in tennis, track, LINK Crew, National Honor Society, Pre-Med Club, and Fiberbirds. In her free time, she likes to travel, cook, play with...

Nathan Kramer
Video Production

Nathan Kramer

A sophomore, Nathan is excited to be joining journalism this semester. He is a current member of the USD497 Robotics Team, the Free State Color Guard, and Concert Orchestra. He trains at the Lawrence Arts Center School of Dance,...

Kinsey Lake
Digital Illustrator

Kinsey Lake

Kinsey is a junior and this is her first year on staff. Outside of journalism, Kinsey is heavily involved in Free State Choir, Student Council, soccer, NHS, and LINK Crew. In her free time, she enjoys singing, shopping, sleeping,...

Elliot Skillman
Assistant Copy Editor

Elliot Skillman

Elliot Skillman is a junior and reporter for the Free Press. Outside of journalism he is involved in NHS, art club, and wind ensemble. He enjoys traveling and listening to music.

Willow Marable
Senior Ads Editor

Willow Marable

Willow Marable is a sophomore at Free State High School and a designer for Free State Journalism. At school she is involved in Free State Track and Field and the occasional club. Outside of school, Willow is a member of Hang12...

Evie Chancy
News Planning Team

Evie Chancy

Evie Chancy is a sophomore and a reporter for Free State Journalism. Outside of journalism, she is involved with debate, forensics, the writing center, and many clubs. When she's not in school, she loves dressing up and making...

Maria Mosconi
News Planning Team

Maria Mosconi

Maria Mosconi is a sophomore reporter for Free State Journalism and it is her second year on staff. Otherwise, she spends her time doing ballet, hanging with friends, and learning to parallel park.

Avery Smiley
Assistant Design Editor

Avery Smiley

Avery Smiley is a sophomore at Free State and is a designer for Free State Journalism. She plays girls soccer and is involved with Key Club. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends.

Simon Williams
Online Managing Editor

Simon Williams

Simon Williams is a junior at Free State and a reporter on staff. In school, she is apart of LINK Crew, NHS, and Speech and Debate where she serves on the NSDA Leadership Board. Outside of school, Simon enjoys volunteering, nature,...

Elizabeth Hare
Assistant Social Media and Podcast Editor

Elizabeth Hare

This will be senior Elizabeth Hare’s second year on the journalism staff, this year as the assistant social media editor. Elizabeth is involved in athletics like soccer and outside of school, enjoys swimming and spending time...

Elinor Russo
Captions Editor

Elinor Russo

Elinor Russo is a junior and photographer on staff. She is involved in NHS, Link Crew, and Fiberbirds. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, cooking, playing piano, and gardening.

Phoebe Morris
News Planning Team

Phoebe Morris

Phoebe Morris is a sophomore at Free state. This is her second year reporting on staff. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing at the Arts Center or watching horror movies with a bowl of ice cream.

Geneva Sabatini
Assistant Design Editor

Geneva Sabatini

Geneva is a junior at Free State. She is a photographer and designer on journalism staff. She runs track and cross country and is apart of NHS and LINK. Outside of school, she loves to spend time with friends and family.