Free Press: Issue 1, Edition 22 by FSJournalism

THE

FREE PRESS free press

Issue 1 | 5 October 2018 | Edition 22

In This Issue... Editors

Erin Liston Editor in Chief Nick Burket Photo Editor Greta Hayden Design Editor Jax Egan Co-Sports Editor Hayden Robinson Co-Sports Editor

Reporters

Dearest Students,

Welcome to the Free Press, our student newspaper. This year, our newspaper will be an outlet for everyone to read and enjoy. Our editors this year are editor in chief, Erin Liston; design editor, Greta Hayden; and photo editor, Nick Burket. We want everyone to feel included in our newspaper, so feel free to reach out to us if you have work of your own you would like to share. Please enjoy this year’s newspaper! Sincerely,

Isaac Longren Alexandra Decker

Designers

Juliana Wilches-Merchán Maddie Day

Photographers Anna Riley Cheyenne Fisher Ruthie Mutuku

The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writing which must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Letters may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Submit letters to Room 201 or send to the Free Press in care of... Lawrence Free State High School 4700 Overland Drive Lawrence, KS 66049. The opinions expressed in the Free Press are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration or that of USD 497 Board of Education.

Table of Contents News

Fortnite Fixation............................4-5 Wait Until Dark............................6-7 Worldwide Wonders......................8-9

Profile

Marc Conover: New Counselor....10-11

Art photo by Anna Riley

Featured Art..................................14-15

Feature

Generations...................................16-19

Fashion

Style Watch...................................20-21

Opinion

Fake News.....................................22-23

Entertainment

Ping Pong Club.............................24-25 Lessons with Liston.......................26-27 Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word...................................28-29 Fall Sports Preview........................30-31 Homecoming Recap.....................32

photo by Tatum Clopton

photo by Cheyenne Fisher

pages by MADDIE DAY photos by ANNA RILEY story by HAYDEN ROBINSON

FortniteFixation

Gamers battle "royale" addiction

aking over the world as a gaming hit and a cultural phenomenon, “Fortnite” has made its impact felt all over the school. Fortnite, presently the most streamed online game according to TwitchMetrics, has been monumental since its release in 2017. It is a thirdperson shooter game where players compete in “battle royale” mode to try to be the last one standing. Players gather materials, gadgets and weapons throughout the game in order to fend off other players. One of the most devoted players is senior Ethan Bradford, who said he played the game six to seven hours a day in the summer. “Fortnite is so fun because they keep adding new things every week,” Bradford said. “Then playing with friends against 96 other people is fun.” In the same way the game has smashed the gaming world, it has also made the leap into the pop culture realm. With viral dance moves, constant updates that keep the game fresh and celebrities joining in on the fun, it’s easy to see why the game has over 125 million active players. “I’ve never seen something that’s as culturally popular as Fortnite,” senior Brandon Zeller said. “I’ve seen other games with small niches and

different countries that have ravenous fan bases but nothing as widespread as Fortnite.” Many gamers also stream themselves playing the game on YouTube or Twitch, including senior Ben Holiday, who is currently building a following on his Twitch account. With every new game comes opportunities for creativity, one thing Holiday thinks makes the game so addictive. “Every time you play the game its different, as opposed to other games,” Holiday said. “With the building aspect of it, there’s just so many different strategies you can do and that makes it unpredictable.” Teaming up with friends is one of the aspects Zeller thinks makes the game so popular and addictive. “It’s fun to play with friends,” Zeller said. “There’s different ways to communicate and interact and you’re trying to work together as a team against every other player in the lobby.” Many hardcore gamers only stick with a game for a month or two before they move on to another, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with Fortnite. When asked if Fortnite was the best game he’s ever played, Bradford answered with a resounding yes. “Fortnite, by far, because I’ve been playing for four or five months now, and I usually play games for like 2 or 3 weeks, and Fortnite is just on top of all those other games,” Bradford said.

A student listens to her opponent through her headphones. Some players chose to communicate with the users they’re playing against. Photo Illustration by Anna Riley

A senior hones in on her Fortnite match. Many students spend hours focusing on the game. Photo Illustration by Anna Riley

"I've never seen something that's as culturally popular as Fortnite"

senior, Brandon Zeller

Looking over some letters, Junior Myles Hollie as Mike glares confusingly at her. This was Hollie’s first theatre production that’s he’s been in. “He’s superstitious,’ Hollie said. “He wants to do the right thing, but he know what he has to do to get where he wants to be.” Photo by Cheyenne Fisher

In character as Gloria, sophomore Jenna Gaston hides with a doll smuggled with heroin. Gaston was optimistic about the show. “Our set and technical design is amazing,” Gaston said. “Our costumes are amazing, and our actors are phenomenal. I enjoyed working with every one of them.” Photo by Cheyenne Fisher

Pages by JULIANA WILCHES-MERCHAN

Dark

Wait Until

Play submitted to state festival Story by ISAAC PAUL LONGREN

Being able to perform at the festival would be a great privilege for the cast, and an way to showcase their talents. “Over 2,200 high school theatre students from all over the state attend this festival, so it is a huge honor that we are even being considered,” Waller said. seat.” This play goes above and beyond by having an Senior Brynn Kelly is playing Susy, a blind woman, intriguing storyline. who is manipulated and threatened by a group of “I think everybody criminals. They is going to be on the underestimate her because she is a woman edge of their seats,” Kelly said. and because she is “It’s a lot like Having a cast of disabled, but there is a va rs it y team and JV eight helps to keep the much more to Susy , if one can’t d play more focused on than they realize. o the understu it, dy will the plot line. This year, the play have to step u p” The play is based has a special chance to Assistant dram on a movie, by the perform to a broader a director, Kr istie Mullenix same name, that audience. “The play is being Audrey Hepburn won Best Actress for in submitted for the 1968. opportunity to perform There are many opportunities to go watch the at the Kansas State Thespians Festival in January in Wichita,” Waller said. thriller. With high hopes, theater students are looking Show dates are September 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and September 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.. Tickets will be forward to potentially performing at the festival. available through the finance office and at the door for “There’s a lot of other plays hoping to get in,” $7.00. Kelly said. “So our chances are slim, but I think we have a really good chance.”

$7.00 at the d

oor

$7.00 at the d

oor

hrilling and mysterious, the school play “Wait Until Dark” tells a unique story. The production is coming along well,” theater teacher Ericka Waller said. “It is a suspenseful thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their

photo submitted by Mili Matthias

Worldwide Wonders C

oming from near and far, students with different backgrounds all find a home here. Whether it is permanent or temporary, it leaves an imprint. Some students move here with family, others are part of an exchange. When taking part in an exchange, students don’t always get to choose the specifics of where they go. Junior Sarah Valderhaug is among those students, she ventured from Ålesund, Norway. “I actually don’t get to choose where I go, you only get to choose the country and if you pay extra you can choose to go to a state,” Valderhaug said. For others, having a dual-citizenship grants them privileges to travel amongst certain countries. Getting a dual-citizenship for some is as simple as having parents born in separate countries, yet for others it can be a struggle. “My mom is German, and I was born here so I automatically have dual citizenship and I just have to keep it up,” junior Niels Braaten said. “If you’re born in the United States you get the citizenship, but for Germany I have to go to the embassy every eight

years or so...and renew it.” For some countries, dual-citizenship only lasts for a limited amount of time. Junior Mili Matthias has dualcitizenship with Japan, yet under Japanese law she has to choose one citizenship at a certain point in her life. “I have dual citizenship,” Matthias said. “Once I’m 21, I have to choose which citizenship [to keep] due to Japanese law. As of now, I have both American and Japanese citizenship.” Both students with dual-citizenship benefit from it and appreciate it in many ways. “It was automatic,” Matthias said. “I was born in Japan, but I have a parent that’s American. It’s not really like something I have to sort out and fight for. I’m very privileged in that sense.” Being able to travel all across Europe has been one of the perks of a dual-citizenship for Braaten. “I mean I appreciate it a lot, I think the advantages [of a dual citizenship] are...traveling internationally isn’t a problem and going anywhere in the [European Union] isn’t a problem,” Braaten said. “If you have citizenship in one country in the EU, you can go

What surprised you about the U.S.?

“...how open-minded most people are.” sophomore, Leon Rindlisbacher

photo submitted by Leon Rindlisbacher

“Everything was so big. Germany is small. We have small landscapes, but here everything’s so big. It’s cool, but [on] the first day I felt very lost.”

Exchange students influenced by different parts of the world everyday anywhere else in the EU.” One of the biggest contrasts mentioned by international students was how much the school systems differ in each country. Sophomore Leon Rindlisbach said his school in Switzerland is set up in a complete opposite way. “First its smaller, the grading is different, the whole system is different,” Rindlisbach said. “So we are in one classroom almost most of the time with the same

people, the only thing that changes is the teachers. Our schedule goes through the whole week so we don’t have the same classes everyday.” Everyone comes into school experiencing something different, and everyone has a story and background to share. People who have never traveled to the U.S. before notice many variations of things they experience back home. “It’s quite different, almost everything is,” Rindlisbach said.

junior, Yola Gaetje

“How big the meals are. I could never expect that.” junior, Sarah Valderhaug

pages by GRETA HAYDEN story by ERIN LISTON pictures by RUTHIE MUTUKU

dis?

New Counselor, who

New counseling staff additions

Story by ALEXANDRA DECKER

ringing guidance to Firebirds with last names ranging from Le-Ri, new counselor Marc Conover is saddling up for his first year at school. Before joining the staff, counselor Conover previously worked at Kennedy Elementary School and Billy Mills Middle School. “It’s been different, but in a good way for me,” Conover said. “I have enjoyed working with all ages of kids, but I’m really liking being able to talk to…more mature students.” Growing up in Illinois, Conover came to the University of Kansas, to study business administration and counseling psychology. After KU, Conover got his teaching certification from Baker University. “I got into the counseling business just to help. Anything I could do to just help a student be successful in or after high school.” Having a high school-aged daughter, Conover said working at Free State has helped him relate to her, and understand what life is like for a student. “It’s kinda cool to take the things I see here, and apply them a little bit,” Conover said. “I can help plan for her future more.” There is never a ‘normal day’ on the job as a school counselor. Before working here, Conover asked other counselors what an average day is like at school. “They would tell me it would just kinda depend on the day, there is not just a normal day. Now that I’m here, I can kinda see that’s the case. There is not really a normal day, there is always things that seem to pop up everyday, and each month there are new things that need to be done.” Conover’s colleagues think he attributes positive qualities to the counseling staff. “Mr. Conover is calm, cool and collected,” STAR counselor Tina Mitchell said. “He is a true team player and genuinely invested in helping students and families.” Conover’s first order of business is meeting all of

Mr. Conover is a KU alumni

his students. Though getting to know 400 students may take some time, Conover is looking forward to getting to know all the new faces. “It’s been really fun to get to know these students and hearing them talk about what they want to do,” Conover said. “I can’t wait to meet all my students on my list.” The school’s new counselor hopes to help all his students with their plans in and out of high school. Being experienced in school counseling from kindergarten through high school, Conover has seen the differences between all ages of students. “The staff members have been great. The students have been great. I’m really enjoying it.” Conover isn’t the only change happening in the counseling office. “Big changes have happened in Student Services this school year,” Mitchell said. “Free State was able to add two new counselors to the team. In addition to Mr. Conover we were also able to add Ms. Ednice Metz.” It may be a new environment for Conover, but he is going into this school year with a smile on his face.

Photos by CHEYENNE FISHER Pages by JULIANA WILCHES-MERCHAN

senior, Reganne Young

junior, Bea Vonholten

senior, Ivy Herdon senior, Ruby Logan

sophomore, Amelia Lang

sophomore, Charlie Hughes

Spread by MADDIE DAY

junior, Lily Johnson

sophomore, Maya Sabatini

Featured

ART

sophomore, Sun Rolf

senior, Teresa Wright

senior, Ethan Anderson

Day

Back in my

Teenagers reflect on negative stereotypes of older generations Story by ERIN LISTON

Junior Luca Stockwil

idiculing teenagers for their opinions and progressiveness has always been an issue. Teenagers are stereotyped by older generations. From assuming all teenagers don’t have an understanding of the real world, to thinking some are addicted to their phones. Social studies teacher Chuck Law explains how this is an issue seen with every generation. “Younger generations are always seen as entitled,” Law said. “They always have it ‘much easier’ than previous generations and they never have to ‘work as hard’ as previous generations because they have already been given so much.”

Issues like this can be seen more prominently due because we have technology that can exemplify images of teenagers as being lazy. “Any time there’s an older generation with different values, there’s going to be a younger generation for them to look down upon and they’re going to take that opportunity,” junior Sage Pratt said. “I think it’s just more prominently noticed now because we have ways to record it, and it’s just easier to see.” Recently, teenagers have been focusing on the issue of politics. Sophomore Johaunna Duncan recalls during the Parkland shootings, none of the older people in her life believed she knew what she was talking about. “[They say] we’re teenagers who can’t possibly understand what we’re talking about when we talk about political stuff,” Duncan said. For senior Ruby Logan, her elders seem focused primarily on her future. “I just always feel like they’re talking about college and what I’m doing,” Logan said. “My family puts a lot of stress on my career and if I’m gonna make money, because I’m really into art and music.” Logan wants to be successful doing something she loves, but feels pressured to do something that will result in making more money. “My grandpa was talking to me like ‘I know you like doing these things, but you need to do something that actually makes money’ and it’s just kind of a lot of pressure to be successful,” Logan said. Being seen as over-sensitive is a common complaint from generations to teenagers. Many teenagers have dealt with being called sensitive when talking about Photos by RUTHIE MUTUKU Pages by JULIANA WILCHES-MERCHAN

controversial topics. “A lot of them also think we’re too sensitive,” Pratt said. “Whenever an adult will make a casually racist joke and then you’ll say ‘Hey that’s not cool, you shouldn’t talk about people like that,’ they’re like ‘Oh you’re just too sensitive, take a joke.’ No we can joke about internet memes all day...we just don’t like racism.” Along with stereotypes about how often teenagers use technology, they’re also criticized for making decisions based on emotion. “I think sometimes teenagers can be kinda dumb and can act out of emotion rather than thinking through their actions,” Duncan said. “Generally [adults] kind of stereotype all teenagers like that and they think we can’t act out of logic and facts. Which is not true at all.” Technology is a major factor influencing how older generations tend to view younger generations. “I think that a lot of people who are older and didn’t grow up with technology often think it does everything for us when in fact we actually learn how to do stuff without technology a lot,” Duncan said. Some teenagers see the positive uses of technology within their generation, instead of viewing it in a negative light. “Technology makes our generation really different than our parents’ generations and the generations in the past because we are a more connected generation,”

Logan said. “We have easier ways to spread awareness and for everyone to get informed through social media...there’s a lot of activism in this generation.” Teenagers are seen as privileged to have technology in their lives, because many tasks can be done faster and easier than before. “I think it’s because the older generations weren’t born with technology, it came into existence as they grew up,” junior Luca Stockwil said. “We just kind of had it our whole life, so it seems like it was more handed to us.” Teenagers are often accused of being addicted to their phones, yet they feel older generations use them to the same capacity as they do. “I’d say the seeming addiction to smartphones [is negative], but there are some in my generation that are as bad, if people are being honest,” Law said. Technology also allows for younger generations to have more access to information since unlimited knowledge is at our fingertips. “Technology plays a huge role in younger generations,” social studies teacher Mike Gillman said. “This is where older generations put blame on the lack of attention of younger generations.” A broader acceptance of diverse groups has also been credited to technology and social media. “I mean technology has changed everything and I feel like the way we speak to other people has changed as well,” Pratt said. “People have become more open

“We have a lot of time [to become successful] and sometimes the older generations make us feel like we’re running out of time when in reality we’re just kids we have all the time that we need.”

Senior Ruby Logan Continued On Page 18

more adult selves back to being your age, making it and more accepting, which is very obvious if you look difficult to separate out what we know now from what at the trends.” we did not know then,” Law said. Social media has allowed people to express As life goes on, future generations will continue to themselves in ways they couldn’t before. advance the world in drastic ways. “There’s a lot more acceptance of people of color, “We don’t change, we evolve,” Gillman said. “Each people of lower classes and people who are LGBT,” Pratt said. “A lot of that has changed, just people don’t generation has an opportunity to evolve. It all comes down to when they want care as much if you’re to make that shift.” different.” Looking into the future, A prominent issue teenagers feel confident noticed in younger their generation will help generations is mental the world become more illness. Logan believes connected. part of this is caused by “I feel very positive past generations. about our generation “We’re honestly I think that we a more mentally ill Freshman Sam Coleman because are more together,” Logan generation than any said. “We have a greater generations in the past sense of togetherness than past generations.” because of what the past generations have made our Along with being more connected, teenagers feel future to look like and set up our future to look like, they are beginning to change the culture with greater and I think they see that as lazy,” Logan said. As past generations look back to their teenage years force than ever before. “I believe my generation is making great strides in to try and comprehend what it’s like now, it is hard for American society,” Pratt said. “I feel like we’re tearing them to imagine, since so much has changed. down a lot of the barriers that have plagued us for “It’s hard [to understand younger generations] decades.” because my generation would likely transport our

“I think it’s all to do with the gaps between generations, where there’s not as much understanding because of how people are raised”

Sophomore Johaunna Duncan

Junior Sage Pratt Pages by JULIANA WILCHES-MERCHAN

Decade

Slang by the

1920-1930s

1940-1950s Sitting in the hot seat: Being in a highly embarrasing situation Blockbuster: A huge success Big Brother is watching you: Someone of authority is monitoring your actions Boo-boo: A mistake; a wound

23 Skidoo: To move along Gams: Legs Hotsy-totsy: Perfect The real McCoy: Sincere, genuine Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a monkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uncle: Disbelief

1960-1970s Daddy-O: A man, usually a hipster The Man: Someone of authority Catch you on the flip side: See you later

1980-1990s Bodacious: Beautiful Gag me with a spoon: Disgusting Get jiggy: Flirt; dance Phat: Highly attractive; cool or hip

2000s 2010s Basic: A boring, typical or dull person or thing Fleek: On point Tea: Gossip

Barnie bag: A large purse Rents: Parents Flossy: Stylish; fancy

Erin Mueller senior

Style

How would you describe your style? Baggy and oversized clothes, Vintage and mom jeans. I wear something different everyday. Is there something different about your style from others? I shop a lot at thrift stores and wear a lot of oversized things. Small shirts with big jeans always wear long socks. What or who influences your style? Instagram, YouTube, Musicians.

watch

pages by GRETA HAYDEN story by ALEXANDRA DECKER photos by ANNA RILEY

Joey Taylor junior How would you describe your style? Minimalist Is there something different about your style from others? I really dislike skinny jeans. What or who influences your style? The people I surround myself with helped me acquire my taste.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

There is a vast difference between being

right

and telling the

truth

in journalism . -Free State Journalism Staff

FakeNews

spread by MADDIE DAY

An overused term Free State Journalism Staff Editorial

H “Telling the

truth

is a whole different story.”

earing the term “fake news” is a daily occurance. It’s all over media sites, but what does the term mean to journalists? “Fake news” has been a term brought to popularity by President Donald Trump, and is used frequently by him and others to describe journalism as a whole. Many of us believe fake news is real and it’s put out on a regular basis, but do we think it’s right? There’s a vast difference between being right and telling the truth in journalism. When people want to be right, sometimes they misinform their readers with lies to protect their viewpoint and bias, that is what we would consider to be fake news. Telling the truth is a whole different story. When journalists put out information about the truth, sometimes it can be very straightforward and shocking. The term “fake news” as of right now, is being used to describe some of the most truthful journalists. It’s used because the truth can lead to some people’s downfalls, and they are scared of that so they describe it as “fake.” When, in reality, the news isn’t fake, it’s almost too real because it can strike people the wrong way. Using that term harms journalists and puts them in a negative light. Yet, our job as journalists is to inform the public, we never want to put out false or biased information, so we tell the truth, even when it’s controversial. The term “fake news” is used too often to describe journalistic work. Yet, how can people know what’s true and false when we have free speech in the United States? People rely on sources that seem to be backed up by factual information, but sometimes there really is no way to tell. News is everywhere, we have to be the ones to judge the worth of it.

photos by NICK BURKET pages by GRETA HAYDEN

Sophomore Kevin Wyle strikes the ping pong ball. This was Wyle’s first time attending the club. “I like how it’s just you come and play,” Wyle said. Everyone is always really nice and inviting, and everyone is welcome.”

Ping Pong Club photo essay

Staring intently, senior Alex Krannawitter waits patiently for his opponent to serve the ball. This was Krannawitter’s first attending the club. “The fact that it’s pretty laid back,” Krannawitter said. “It’s competitive enough where you can have fun with [Ping Pong] and it’s a good time with your friends and everyone can play Ping Pong.” While hitting the ball, senior Daniel Sola strikes a pose. Sola had previously played Ping Pong with friends and other racket sports. “I wanted to join Ping Pong Club because I’ve always love playing,” Sola said. “I always have so much fun whenever I have friends over.”

Lessons by Liston The senioritis bug has yet to attack photos by CHEYENNE FISHER story by ERIN LISTON pages by GRETA HAYDEN

"But I don't feel like a senior. Nothing has prepared me for the way this year is supposed to feel." Erin Liston

hen I started my freshman year, I felt the newness of starting at a different school. It was an unfamiliar place that scared me a little bit. Yet, as the year went on I felt myself becoming comfortable with my surroundings, even though I was at the bottom of the pack. After all, transforming and developing is what high school is all about. Then sophomore year came, and I felt acquainted with mostly everything. Yet, there were people I hadn’t met yet and activities that were waiting to be tried out. Like many novices I started my sophomore year thinking I knew it all, only to discover how much more I had to learn, thankfully. The end of sophomore year was the most challenged I’ve ever felt in life, I missed a lot of school due to cancer and had to try and keep up with all my classmates. Yet, that didn’t really stop me from doing things I wanted to do. Sophomore year comes and goes by really fast, yet it was one of the most enjoyable years of high school because of my experiences. Junior year was full of ups and downs, but it was

the year that I learned the most about myself, and how much I could endure and be able to still remain myself through it all. It was also a year that I felt the most comfortable at school. There wasn’t a time when I wasn’t challenging myself to grow. I learned how to manage the hardest things in life and still be happy and involved in things. Junior year is also a year that is academically challenging, and it’s a good opportunity to learn a lot more about the world than I already did. Now, it’s senior year. But, I don’t feel like a senior. Nothing has prepared me for the way this year is supposed to feel. Most of my friends say that they don’t feel like they’re going to leave next year and move on to their lives, yet it’s only eight months away from us. As a junior I heard how easy senior year was and how much fun I would have. They were right about it being fun, but I’m still challenging myself daily with classes and activities because sometimes easy is boring. Seniors always say don’t take any moment for granted because this is the year of lasts. I’m ready to experience everything that senior year has to offer.

“My favorite spot in Lawrence would have to be Rock Chalk [Park], because not only do I get to practice basketball, but I get to do volleyball and soccer and stuff.” freshman, Alexa Kesten

“I really enjoy going to the river and just exploring and venturing around. I like that it is in the middle of the city, but still had a lot of nature and is peaceful. One thing I do there is get logs and build up teepees on the river banks with my friends.” senior, Bayn Schrader

“My favorite place in Lawrence is Clinton Lake because it’s pretty dope out there. I like going down to the shoreline, skipping rocks, cool stuff like that.” junior, Eli Loney

birdsWord

What is your favorite spot in Lawrence?

“I really like watching the sunset at Clinton Lake because I get to go with my friends and see a very pretty place in Lawrence.” sophomore, Kate Pilakowski

“The Sports Pavilion out at Rock Chalk Park [is my favorite spot in Lawrence]. I just go down there all the time and play soccer because that’s what I love to do.” freshman, Max Fagan

spread by MADDIE DAY photos by NICK BURKET, ANNA RILEY, AND KATY COATS

Fall Sports Review

Teams Expected to Compete for State

Story by HAYDEN ROBINSON and JAX EGAN

Excitement is in the air. With multiple sports expected to compete for State this fall, the Firebirds come into this season with high expectations all around. Here is a peek at all of the fall sports programs at Free State.

Boys Soccer

With more experience and a huge boost from a game-changing player, the boys soccer team has higher expectations than ever before. Eyeing a state appearance for the first time in nine years, the team believes they have the players to do so. “We want to eclipse that 2009 team that was the last team to make it to state,” senior captain Landon Sloan said. “It’s been our goal every year to set the bar higher and look to be the first team to do that since 2009.” The added boost the team is receiving comes from senior midfielder Rowan Laufer, who played with the Sporting Kansas City Development Academy last season. “He’s brings a lot to the team,” Sloan said. “I haven’t seen him play much in the last year but he’s just an all around great player and he can do a lot of things well and he’s a great leader.”

Girls Golf

Keeping the atmosphere light-hearted and fun can be hard when it comes to a stern sport like golf, but the girls golf team is already forming a strong chemistry. “We enjoy being around each other,” junior Kennedy Birk said. “I feel like a lot of us really like playing the sport so we have a fun energy when we show up to practice and it’s fun.” The Firebirds return two state qualifiers in juniors Kate Lawrence and Birk. Their common goal is to not only see that pair return there, but to make a state appearance as a team. With a hard-working attitude and confidence in their abilities, the team believes they are capable of competing with any team they face.

Kicking the ball, sophomore Krishi Sabarwal plans to pass the ball to a teammate. This game saw a loss for Free State with a score of 3-2.”I just like we all play as a team,” Sabarwal said. “We all like winning but, it is more important to have fun and work together.” Photo by Nick Burket

Cross Country

As much as a personal sport as cross country is, the team developed on their team chemistry throughout the summer in preparation for the season. “Going into the season the chemistry is great,” junior Charlie Johnson said. “Especially compared to last year, it seems like everyone is getting along even better and it’s been really fun.” The girls side placed 7th at the state cross country meet last year and they return seniors leaders Julia Larkin and Emma Hertig. For the boys, they expect to perform better and go further than last years team, which didn’t reach state for the first time in years. pages by JULIANA WILCHES-MERCHAN

Football

After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the state quarterfinals, the football team used the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season by raising the bar and setting high expectations. An offense loaded with division one talent like Kansas State commit, Keenan Garber, and four star offensive tackle, Turner Corcoran, seem promising to light up the score boards on Friday nights. “I feel like our offense is going to be a strength this year and we have a lot of returning starters,” senior receiver L.J. Mack said. Following last year’s 10-1 finish, the Firebirds are trying to return to the state playoffs and make a further push towards a state championship. “We all know we have the potential to go far. We’re going to try to go undefeated again this year and beat Derby and go to the state championship, but we’re taking it one game at a time,” senior offensive lineman Zach Rasys said.

Volleyball

Screaming at the crowd after a touchdown, Junior Malik Berry is usually found on the field. Playing football since the first grade Malik is very passionate about football. “Just knowing [my teammates] all have the same goal really motivates me” said Berry. Photo by Riley Boehle

Excited to see what they can achieve with strong leadership and a developed chemistry, the volleyball team is eager for the start of the season. “Once the season hit we have gotten really focused and we’ve practiced hard,” senior Rachel Hickman said. “We are experienced and I’m excited to see what we can do this year.” The team is ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by the Kansas Volleyball Association preseason rankings, largely due to returning outside hitters Rachel Hickman and Kaitlyn Hamilton, who are both committed to division one schools.

Gymnastics

Returning more experience this season than they did last, the Firebirds hope to make the jump to the next level. A strong class of returning sophomores including Talia Gay, Mikyla Willams and Savanna Dey are expected to be key contributors on a team of 14 competitors. “It’s going to be a lot different from last year,” Williams told the LJWorld. “Last year, we didn’t have as many people as we do this year.” This season, the Firebirds hope to improve on their ninth place finish at the state gymnastics meet from last year.

Photo by Riley Boehle

Girls Tennis

After an impressive all-around performance last year, the girls hope to keep their momentum and have another strong season. “Last year we came in first at regionals,” senior Andie Veeder said. “So this year we want to keep that standard and keep the reputation that we have now,” The Firebirds hope to get another strong showing from sophomore Keegan Van Pelt, who took sixth at the doubles state meet that season. Seniors Gabby Gorman and Kate Piper are also expected to be top players on the varsity team.

homecoming recap page by GRETA HAYDEN

Senior Arnav Rashid reacts to his name being announced as royalty. Rashid, along with Jaxon Webb, was crowned homecoming royalty. “In that moment, I was surprised, humbled and deeply flattered. Thank you to everybody for that moment and for all the support. I’ll never forget it!” Rashid said. photo by Anna Riley

Congratulating fellow powderpuff players, seniors Emily Raye and Hannah Levy flash smiles because of their big win. “I was really excited that we were able to defend our title as powderpuff champs,” Levy said. photo by Isabel Janssen

photo by Riley Boehle

Sophomore Gage Callahan watches a play in the third quarter. In this moment, Free State was winning. “We played well, but we definitely could’ve played better. That’s what we practice for. In these games, we see what we can improve on, so that in the end we can reach our goal of winning a state championship,” Callahan said. photo by Anna Riley