Free State Journalism

11/30/2023

With the conclusion of the first quarter and the beginning of November, fall sports have wrapped up for all programs. The Firebirds left their mark on the 2023 season, and now is a great time to highlight and recognize these teams and athletes before the upcoming winter season.

With the conclusion of the first quarter and the beginning of November, fall sports have wrapped up for all programs. The Firebirds left their mark on the 2023 season, and now is a great time to highlight and recognize these teams and athletes before the upcoming winter season. FOOTBALL: Down on the...

11/30/2023

As an avid lover of music, Lawrence is the perfect music hub. With venues like The Granada to see smaller artists, multiple spaces to see local bands, and all in close proximity to Kansas City to see bigger artists at the T-Mobile Center, Lawrence is a wonderful place to live if you love to see artists live like I do.

As an avid lover of music, Lawrence is the perfect music hub. With venues like The Granada to see smaller artists, multiple spaces to see local bands, and all in close proximity to Kansas City to see bigger artists at the T-Mobile Center, Lawrence is a wonderful place to live if you love to see...

11/30/2023

This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events.

This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events. Throughout the year, the teens worked with emerging artists to put on shows and develop their art and business skills. Senior Felipe Reina-Salas is Hang12’s social media co...

11/30/2023

Dirty Dough, an innovative cookie store on Wakarusa and Bob Billings, had its grand opening on Nov. 17.

Dirty Dough, an innovative cookie store on Wakarusa and Bob Billings, had its grand opening on Nov. 17. Since starting in 2020 in a college dorm, the franchise has opened 21 stores since. The franchise knows what’s on the inside is what counts; their six cookies are each filled with unique filling...

11/30/2023

High school songwriters often feel they are able to add components that many other professionals can’t speak on.

High school songwriters often feel they are able to add components that many other professionals can’t speak on. Not only do their lyrics defer from those at a professional standpoint, but it also incorporates their student life. Taking advantage of a creative outburst, senior Nataile Riley and se...

11/30/2023

The components of fantasy sports are quite contradicting; they use stats from real athletes in real time to build make-believe teams that fill leagues across America. It conjoins casual players with serious players, contributing to the lucrative industry that is Fantasy Football.

The components of fantasy sports are quite contradicting; they use stats from real athletes in real time to build make-believe teams that fill leagues across America. It conjoins casual players with serious players, contributing to the lucrative industry that is Fantasy Football. What is supposed to...

11/30/2023

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School [LMCMS] celebrated its 100th anniversary of the building on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School [LMCMS] celebrated its 100th anniversary of the building on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. The building was originally a high school constructed as a WWI memorial, and completed in 1923, but was later changed to a junior high school in 1954. It wasn’t until 2011 t...

11/14/2023

As of Sept. 13, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted 42-17 in favor of extending the baseball season to 26 games, after rejecting the proposal in a vote last spring.

As of Sept. 13, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted 42-17 in favor of extending the baseball season to 26 games, after rejecting the proposal in a vote last spring. Many are curious as to how that will shape the season and how it will flow into the post...

11/14/2023

After a long-awaited eight to ten years, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie came out on Oct. 27. Many fans had mixed reviews over the film, some liked it, and some did not. As a Five Nights at Freddy’s [FNAF] fan myself, I had to say I didn’t love it, but I did not hate it.

After a long awaited eight to ten years, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie came out on Oct. 27. Many fans had mixed reviews over the film, some liked it, some did not. As a Five Nights at Freddy’s [FNAF] fan myself, I had to say I didn’t love it, but I did not hate...

11/14/2023

“Having a therapy dog in our hallways brings smiles to lots of faces,” counselor Julia Johnson said. “He goes on walks with students and spends time with them when they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.”

Security guard Dee Kemp adopts a new puppy to add to the therapy dog roster.

On Oct. 16, Marlo was brought to school by security guard Demetrius Kemp. Students have enjoyed this newest addition to the school and hope to see a lot more of Marlo. “Having a therapy dog in our hallways brings smiles to lots of faces,” counselor Julia Johnson said. “He goes on walks with st...

11/13/2023

SENIOR ADS: Ready to reserve your yearbook senior ad?

1. Complete senior ad order form here: https://forms.gle/8ESg5FXnJxTtbPP68

2. Submit payment online at http://yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 12781)

3. Submit pictures through http://hjeshare.com, code: firebird

11/13/2023

“I follow in the footsteps of outstanding educators and artists that have impacted many individuals, students and educational institutions around the community and world,” Melissa Smith, assistant band director said.

Smith received the Lied Center's Impact Award this year in recognition of her time as a music educator at both Free State and West Middle School over the years.

Every year, an exceptional teacher is awarded the Impact Award from the Lied center; this year, assistant band director Melissa Smith won the award. The award has been given to educators and musicians in the community for over 20 years. Smith, who works at both Free State and West Middle School was....

11/10/2023

The Lawrence Youth Symphony program has been in place since 1969; the program halted its activity this fall semester since they weren’t able to provide the necessary insurance the school district requires fast enough.

The Lawrence Youth Symphony program has been in place since 1969; the program halted its activity this fall semester since they weren’t able to provide the necessary insurance the school district requires fast enough. During mid 2022, after the departure of the former Lawrence Youth Symphony [LYS]...

11/10/2023

After the record-breaking success of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, Swifties moved on from flooding stadiums to flooding movie theaters. The tour’s large-scale success resulted in ticket prices, averaging at $1,607 for resale, beyond the price range of most fans. To rectify this, The Eras Tour movie was filmed and edited to be a completely immersive experience, mimicking what it’s like to be at one of her shows.

After the record-breaking success of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, Swifties moved on from flooding stadiums to flooding movie theaters. The tour’s large-scale success resulted in ticket prices, averaging at $1,607 for resale, beyond the price range of most fans. To rectify this, The Eras Tour mo...

10/18/2022

Claire Berquist finishes 2nd at the 6A Girls Golf tournament in Salina. Berquist shot a 72 on day 1 and a 78 on day 2 finishing with an overall score of 150. With a final score of +10 Claire fell 1 stroke behind 1st place. Great job Claire!

📸: Dru White and Raelynn Keefer ( )

10/15/2022

Sophomore Kinley Vanpelt just won the 6A singles state title! Vanpelt finished her season with an undefeated record of 29-0. Junior Maya Lee finished 7th in the singles state competition. Congrats Firebirds!!

📸: Eleanor Roust and Maya Lee

10/09/2022

Following Kansas University’s dominant 5-0 start to the season, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network [ESPN] chose KU to be the host “College GameDay” before their game against Texas Christian University [TCU] Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. The show took place at “The Hill” on KU’s campus and coverage was from 8 to 11 a.m.

“It’s big for the town and big for the university,” Lance Leipold’s son Landon Leipold said. “It kind of shows that everything is really coming back together”

Read more at link in bio.

📝: Greyson Heiman
📸: Olivia Nagel

10/06/2022

While any job has its own set of challenges, a poll from the nation’s largest teachers union said 55% of teachers are hoping to leave education earlier than planned.

“As a society we haven’t really decided to value education,” Landwehr said. “There’s a lot of lip service [about] valuing education, and valuing students, learners, and valuing teachers. But unfortunately, when it comes time to resourcing education as a pursuit, we just generally don’t do it.”

Read more at link in bio.

📝: Alicia Narum
📸: Keat Hockenbury