Free Press: Issue 3, Edition 21

Free Press Issue 3 • 21 October 2017 • Edition 21

Who

am I?

Staff Editorial:

Sitting in on

Free Speech

KUStigma Shining light on the

Pages by GRETA HAYDEN Photos by LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Table of Contents Issue 3 • 21 October 2017 • Edition 21 Art

Featured Art........................12-13 Champion Artists...............14-15

Opinion Free Press Feedback...................3

Sports Budgeting Pays Off................26-27

News Boo Hoo KU............................4-5

Feature

Who am I?...........................16-19

Review

“It” Was Okay.........................28-29 Firebirds Spitting Fire............6-7

Style Outfits of the Day...............20-21

Photo

Profiles

The Hidden Stories.............22-23

Reaching for the Sky...........10-11

Editorial

Sitting in on Free Speech.............24

Entertainment DIY Cupcake Toppers.................30

What Halloween movie are you?.......32 This Issue...

Print Co-Editors in Chief Maya Hodison...................

Juna Murao........................

Design Editor Goldie Schmiedeler............

Copy Editor

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Erin Liston..........................

Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

Photo Editor Mackenzie Bickling............

Sports Editor Will Cook...........................

Business Editor Carly Oliver........................

Reviews Reporters

Designers

Adam Elhamoudeh............ Sabrina Castle....................

Brooks Hartsock................. Will Davis...........................

Greta Hayden..................... Grace Porter.......................

Photographers Madison Goeser..................

Emma Harris......................

Paige Kirkpatrick................

Emma Pravecek..................

Nicola Santangelo..............

Free Press Feedback Anonymous students discuss issue two

“It seemed so biased, we need more alternative viewpoints. Editors seemed to push that all alternative viewpoints are bad.”

“The issue was very biased against people who happen to be Caucasian. Diversity and equality is a great thing, but if you alienate white folks from your cause by labeling them as “privileged” among other things, you are dismissing a lot of people who could support your cause. The issue also expressed hypocrisy when it talks about not assuming things about people based on the they look, then does a 180 and assumes all whites are privileged people.”

“GET MORE LGBT+ PEOPLE INVOLVED” “Good representation of POC” “I love the color schemes and graphics you have been using this year.” “good mix of fun and silly topics and more serious deeper issues” “Good Job.” “I wish the stories were more exciting.”

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Boo Hoo Story by GRACE PORTER

P ro K U

Senior Megan Donner has applied and is already planning to attend the University of Kansas.

“It’s part of who I am. I grew up here. I’ve been to games here. This nothing about this town that would make me hate it,” Donner said.

Donner’s future major is part of her choice to attend KU. “I want to go there for business, KU has a pretty good business school,” Donner said. “The business school is right across the street from Allen Fieldhouse, it’s pretty fantastic.”

Donner describes that part of Lawrence’s appeal of being her hometown, she is able to move around town.

“I can’t remember street names. If I go to another town or state, I will not know where to go. I can not be lost. I would die.”

One of the reasons Senior Haley Glover decided to attend KU was her parents.

“I had a big influence from my parents. They would rave about how great KU is and tell me if I would go anywhere else they would be really sad,” Glover said.

She also knows KU has a good program for her major. “[My future plans] do make me want to go to KU because I want to go into social welfare and they have a high rank,” Glover said. “They also have a one year masters program.”

She loves the campus and is looking forward to attending.

“I like the community and just the feeling when I walk on campus like ‘this will be my new home.’”

Smiling, senior Haley Glover holds an acceptance letter to the University of Kansas. Glover has been planning on going to KU since middle school. “I was raised a Jayhawk and it would feel weird to go anywhere else,” Glover said.

Photo by NICOLA SANTANGELO

KU

The pros, cons of staying close to home

Throwing away a KU information packet, senior Skylar Williams is not interested in KU. Williams moved to Lawrence her freshman year. “I think it will be really cool to just get out of Lawrence on my own and experience new people, places and cultures,” Williams said.

Photo by NICOLA SANTANGELO

Ant i K U

Senior Sue Onslager does not want to go to KU purely based on the atmosphere and the size of the school.

“It’s not the best environment for me,”Onslager said. “I really don’t like large lecture halls.”

Onslager wants to go into business and accounting. She is in the process of choosing between the colleges she’s been accepted to.

“I’d rather be taught by a professor that actually knows things instead of a [teaching assistant],” Onslager said.

While she does consider KU to be a respectable college, Oslager is in search of a university that better fits her needs.

“I believe that KU has a semi-decent program, but I still believe I can find something better elsewhere,”Onslager said.

Senior Skylar Williams considered going to KU, but she wants to get out of Lawrence.

“I want to go somewhere else, be on my own and not be able to come back,” Williams said She likes KU as a school because she grew up in the environment, but still doesn’t want to go there herself.

“Whenever I think of KU, I think of tradition and I think of home, even though I don’t want to go there,” Williams said. “It reminds me of where I came from and it feels safe.”

She knows there are other colleges she can go to where she’ll be able to get away and be more independent.

“I want to explore new places because every city is different and after living here [Lawrence] for four years, Lawrence doesn’t feel new anymore.”

Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

SoundCloud is a way for artist to upload and promote their music. Senior Jackson Mason started creating music on May 18, 2016.

"I do it for the culture," Mason said.

Photo by NICOLA SANTANGELO

Firebirds Spitting Fire Talking with student

SoundCloud Rappers Story by SABRINA CASTLE

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Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

W

hen a person thinks of a rapper, they typically picture someone spitting skillfully written verses in a professional recording studio, but that image is changing. Nowadays, making and producing music is something that can be done by anyone with a smartphone.

Thanks to the free app SoundCloud, the world’s leading platform for new artists, rappers can upload new music and have it listened to by anyone at any time. This easily accessible exposure is revolutionary to the rap industry, as artists can have their songs shared with the world in a matter of seconds.

Free State is home to quite a few young rappers who upload their music to Sound Cloud. The app gives these students a creative outlet in which they are able to share their music with anyone.

Writing, senior “SoundCloud is a Jackson Mason shows his process good chance for milin creating his lions of different artists raps. On average, he works on his to get their music out music six hours there for all genres, a day. "I love the feeling you and it’s free, so anyget when you body can listen to it. create a final project," Mason You don’t have to pay said. to use it. A lot of artists Photo by NICOLA get started there and SANTANGELO it’s a great platform.” sophomore Chance Barrett said.

Between homework, sports and other extracurricular activities, it is hard to understand why these students put in the time and effort to make music.

For some, rapping is simply a fun hobby that provides entertainment.

“I don’t think it’s seriousl,” senior Reece White said. “I’m more of a basketball player, so I’m hoping to go somewhere for basketball. [Rapping] is just kind of a hobby of mine. When I’m not playing basketball and I’m just laying around the house, I can always go down to the studio and rap instead of laying around like a bum.”

For others, rap is a serious craft they hope will someday provide an income.

“I’m definitely serious about it,” Barrett said. “It’s not something I joke around about. I take a lot of time to make music and I’m not just doing it for fun.

I love doing it and that’s why I’m doing it, but it’s also something I want to pursue. If I had the chance to live off my music, that would be a dream.”

However, with the rap genre being heavily associated with topics such as gun violence, gang affiliation and drug usage, the kind of influence the rap industry can have on young artists is sometimes questioned.

“There are different types of rappers,” Barrett said. “Some are bad; talking about drugs and alcohol. But they’re fake, what they talk about is not really art.

There are also people who are real, so I think there can be good parts of it, too.”

As well-known artists discuss important issues such as suicide, police violence and politics, the image of the rap industry is shifting. Once seen as a brand promoting rebellious behaviors, rap has become a widely respected art form.

As a hobby or profession, rapping is a unique way to express creativity and voice opinions. Whether they are hoping to make money off of music or are simply looking for an activity to fill their time, each of these artists is inspired by the idea of and having their music heard by listeners everywhere.

“I like rap music and I listen to a lot of it,” senior Jackson Mason said. “Imagining someone else listening to my music, I think that is what inspires me.”

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sky

Aiming for the Story by GRACE PORTER

S

enior Breanna McCracken is a cadette leader for the Civil Air Patrol in Lawrence and vice chairman for the Kansas Civil Air Advisory Council.

Cadettes are 12 to 21-years-old. McCracken joined the program because she was curious and wanted an opportunity to gain confidence and leadership skills. She credits the program with helpeing her come out of her shell.

“It’s still definitely about the leadership and helping myself grow, but now that I’m such a big part in the state of Kansas there’s a lot of people who look up to me,” McCracken said.

Counselor Ken Hile, who has a military background, talked about what the Civil Air Patrol Program is in correlation with the Military “A lot of kids go into the military to make sure they can pay for their college,” Hile said, “The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary unit.

It’s a preparatory program... and a way for kids to realize either ‘wow this is something I really want to do’ or ‘I don’t really want to do this.”’

McCracken has several duties.

“Within Lawrence I’m in charge of the cadettes here and teaching them leadership, team building and being responsible,” McCracken said. “At the state level, I assist in creating events for the state.”

Training is key to developing cadettes.

“As a cadette that’s where all the major learning happens,” McCracken said.

She personally doesn’t know what she

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wants to do in the future, but she knows other cadettes want to train to be in the military.

“Some people use it as an avenue to get there, it’s like ROTC at a younger level,” McCracken said, “Some people, especially Missouri, has a lot of home school kids and they do it because it socializes them past just sports.”

The training is a mix in between physical activities, reading and experimenting.

“It’s definitely a lot of self-training in the beginning, but it’s a lot of book work and working with people,” McCracken said. “We take what we read in the books and then we have groups of people that we work with and put it to use and learn from those experiences.”

Outside of book work, the cadets do things like rocket building, learning about physics and team building activities. People in the program also have the opportunity to work with planes.

“A basic lot of the teachings revolve around planes,” McCracken in said. “Everyone five the program gets plane, chances to fly a own. but not on their co-pilot They’ll be in the

Senior Breanna McCracken is a member of the Civil Air Patrol. McCracken has gained greater leadership skills since being a part of the Civil Air Patrol. “I like the leadership it teaches us and the responsibility,” McCracken said.

Senior Breanna McCracken is a member of the Civil Air Patrol. McCracken has gained greater leadership skills since being a part of the Civil Air Patrol. “I like the leadership it teaches us and the responsibility,” McCracken said.

Photo by EMMA PRAVECEK

Pages by GRETA HAYDEN

Student cadette shares her experiences in Civil Air Patrol

seat with a certified pilot, but they still get to fly the plane.”

McCracken recalls how she felt the first time flying.

“I was definitely very anxious and kind of scared because you’re thousands of feet in the air, if you screw up that’s a long way to fall,” McCracken said.

Her perception of being a pilot has changed since starting the

program.

“It’s not as easy as ‘Oh I can just get it off the ground,’ even something as small as humidity can effect how you fly,” McCracken said.

There are both upsides and downsides to people looking up to her.

“I got my first rank within two weeks and most people take two months.”

She is sometimes embarrassed when she gives the wrong directions.

“There’s definitely times where you think you know what you’re doing and you tell people and then someone comes in and it’s completely wrong.

What’s to keep them listening to me?”

McCracken said.

Her uncertainty about pursuing a career in the military stems from how it may effect her life later on.

“I think it would be a great opportunity to build my character, but the cons come later in life with a family,” she said.

Overall, she credits the program with changing her for the better.

“When I first started I was shy, but now I’m fairly well-spoken.”

McCracken said.

“I try to be a person that anyone feels like they can ask for help.

Civil Air Patrol has made me try to be the best me I can be everyday.”

In full uniform, senior Breanna McCracken stands at a fundraiser for Civil Air Patrol. McCracken is confident when representing the Civil Air Patrol in uniform. “It represents our program and that’s what’s going to be shown to our community and how they think of our program,” McCracken said.

Photo by EMMA PRAVECEK

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featured art

senior Kaleigh Merrill

freshman Calder Inbody

freshman Ryan Mallory

senior Jess Merritt

junior Noel White

sophomore Harper Kalar-Salisbary

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sophomore Sabrina Gudenkauf Pages by ADAM EL-HAMOUDEH

freshman Connor Howell

artist of the month sophomore Corinne Mikulik

C h A RTISTS m p i o n

Students win award for artistic talent and community changing attitude Story by SABRINA CASTLE

M

any awards are given out to high school students all over the Lawrence school district for accomplishments in areas such as athleticism, academic excellence and community service.

Among these is the School Champion Award, which is given to students who achieve artistic excellence and use their talent to improve their community. According to art teacher Rachel Downs, “It is a recognition of students who excel in not only creativity, but effort and helping the community; taking art past the classroom and integrating it into their everyday living and expanding it into our school and the community of Lawrence.”

The award is given out annually, and each Pages by GRETA HAYDEN year two students from

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Both seniors Goldie Schmiedeler and Simon McCaffery received their School Champion Awards Lawrence School’s Foundation breakfast in September. About 300 people attend the annual breakfast to raise money for Lawrence schools. “It’s cool to see my work being talked about,” McCaffery said. “It also motivates me to keep working hard.”

Photo by SARAH PODRASKY

Free State are chosen to receive it. This year’s winners were Goldie Schmiedeler and Simon McCaffery. Nominated by Downs and art teacher Sarah Podrasky, Schmiedeler and McCaffery are both involved in the art community at school.

Schmiedeler takes multiple art classes and is a design editor for the student newspaper; the Free Press. McCaffery also takes multiple art classes and has been featured in the Free Press for his work. Both are members of Art Club.

However, the School Champion Award is not just about making art during school hours. To receive this award, one must take their creativity outside of the classroom and implement it into every aspect of their life.

“I feel like everything I do in my free time and at school is geared towards art, so I’m just working really hard specifically in that area,” Schmiedeler said.

Nominees are expected to put effort into not only their artwork, but also their academics.

While self-expression is extremely important to a person’s well-being, so is their education. The winners of this award are supposed to be able to recognize the value of being an informed, knowledgeable individuals.

“My art wouldn’t be what it is today without my education,” said McCaffery. “If I wasn’t educated on what is going on in the world, then I couldn’t make art about it.”

This award benefits those who win. Along

with being an eye-catching accomplishment to add to their college resumes, this honor gives students confidence in their creativity and reminds them being an artist is worth the hard work.

“It feels great [to win] because it shows that my art is being shown to people that haven’t seen it,” McCaffery said. “It’s cool to see my work being talked about. It also motivates me to keep working hard and progressing in art, because it will pay off.”

Seniors Goldie Schmiedeler and Simon McCaffery won the School Champion Award. The School Champion Award is recognition for students who excel in creativity, effort, helping the community and taking art past the classroom and integrating it into their everyday lives. Schmiedeler said this award is important to the school because “it represents an underrepresented group of people. There’s so many athletic awards, specifically, which I think are all welldeserved, but the artists of the community don’t get recognized enough.”

Photo by EMMA HARRIS

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Who am I?

Students and staff share hidden aspects of their lives Story by ERIN LISTON

Sarah Podrasky

Jane Craig

P

hoto and humanities teacher Sarah Podrasky has been doing art as long as she can remember; art has influenced her whole life.

“My entire life has been one crazy artmaking experience after another,” Podrasky said. “I’ve been drawing/painting since I was old enough to hold a pencil/brush, I began taking photos with my first camera when I was about eight, and I pursued art school immediately after I graduated from high school.”

Podrasky uses her experience in the artistic field to help influence her students to create art that makes them happy.

“I try to think about the issues I faced as a student in graphic design, as an assistant photographer in a photo studio, as a freelance photographer taking photos for a wedding or concert, as a grad student preparing my portfolio, and as an artist working on community projects to enact social change,” Podrasky said.

“Each phase of my artistic career has influenced my teaching.”

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C

ustodians can be people students look past. They may not be as appreciated as some of the faculty at school, even though they do demanding and stressful work to better the school.

Jane Craig, one of day time the custodians wishes students understood they can be helpful in her job by just being kind.

Sweeping under a table in the cafeteria, custodian Jane Craig works on keeping the Commons clean. Outside of school, Craig spends her time resting or helping others. “I really don’t have too many hobbies anymore,” Craig said.

“I had a lot of hobbies when I was younger, but the older you get the less you have.”

“[I wish they understood to] just start picking up when we tell them to and being nice about it,” Craig said.

Adding on to the stress of her job, Craig also has the stress of keeping herself financially stable.

“I am by myself now and I gotta work to live,” Craig said. “You don’t have a choice.”

Anna Riley

J

unior Anna Riley is involved in both sports and arts, which provide her a mental break from her daily school life.

“Running helps me with stress in school and choir is really nice if I’m having so many hard classes,” Riley said.

“Choir is still hard, but it’s hard in a different way so it makes me think in a different way and it gives me a chance to not be sitting down doing schoolwork all the time.”

In addition to running and choir, Riley has also been involved in

countless musicals.

“I’ve done a lot of musicals which I think are really cool,” Riley said.

“They’re all different and all equally interesting, but I think that’s one of the things that I’ve actually created through the things that I’ve liked to do.”

Riley is uncommonly different from others in that she has moved to Germany and back a handful of times.

“My dad’s in the military so ... I’ve lived overseas for 11 years and I lived in Germany for nine years, so that’s given me a really different perspective,” Riley said.

“That’s probably the biggest thing that sets me apart from most people.”

Nearing the end of a race at Haskell University, junior Anna Riley runs varsity cross country. Riley has run for six years in several different countries. “[Coach] Heffernan talks a lot about running giving you adversity and the ability to deal with difficult things in life,” Riley said. “Because you run even when it’s difficult. Which I definitely agree with.”

Continued On Page 18

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Playing his guitar, science teacher David Reber smiles during the Foundation Follies show at Liberty Hall. Reber has been playing the guitar for about 40 years. “Art helps people communicate and be better people,” Reber said.

David Reber

S

ome people may share certain interests and hobbies, but that doesn’t make them the same. Everyone is different in their own way.

Science teacher David Reber plays guitar in a band outside of school, he enjoys this hobby because it is something unlike the work he does all day.

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“It [music] is very relaxing,” Reber said “It uses a totally different part of my brain than what I use all day at work.”

Even though Reber is involved in music, he does not utilize it in his classroom.

“I don’t [incorporate art], much. Sometimes I share some YouTube videos of my rock-star adventures just for

fun,” Reber said.

Reber uses music to escape his teaching job and have a low stress activity he can put his creative energy into.

“Art [playing guitar] was never a career to pursue; just a hobby,” Reber said.

Pages by GRETA HAYDEN Photos by MADISON GOESER AND LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Who Am I? Charlie Bermel Continued From Page 16

T

here are many activities offered inside and outside of school for students.

Senior Charlie Bermel is involved in many of those, yet he is also engaged with the art community at school.

“Why I really like taking [art] classes here ... is you get to meet a lot of people who don’t really judge anyone for anything” senior Charlie Bermel said. “It doesn’t have to be serious. You just have

to make something that you enjoy making.”

Even though Bermel focuses on other activities that are of higher priority, he still enjoys creating art with his peers.

“Art has never necessarily been my strongest suit,” Bermel said, “I’m pretty good at other classes like math and science and that kind of thing, I play different sports and all that, but I really enjoy art because you don’t have to

Rheanne Walton

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ome students have a unique set of activities they participate in.

“I think [what makes me different than others] is just kind of the overlap of all of the things I do,” sophomore Rheanne Walton said. “Not many other people do theater, and Robotics and music.”

Robotics has helped Walton become a stronger

leader in that she is the CEO of the club.

“I think Robotics sometimes helps me contextualize what we are learning,” Walton said. “Like this is what this would look like. It also helps with communication.”

Playing a piece on her mellophone, sophomore Rheanne Walton practices for marching band. Walton has been playing the mellophone for two years, and she played the French horn for four years before that. “I think it’s important to get involved at your school no matter what you are interested in,” Walton said.

be good at it...it’s not really a priority for me, but it’s an activity that I value and it’s a hobby that I really enjoy.”

Art is unlike other classes students are required to take, it uses a whole different side of their brain. Bermel enjoys having a creative outlet in school to put that artistic energy into.

“It [art] is still engaging and it drives me to be more creative and be more expressionistic,” Bermel said.

Being able to pursue her passions has never been an issue according to Walton.

“I am lucky because my dad is really interested in a lot of stuff that I’m interested in,” Walton said. “I’ve gotten to try doing engineering, and doing theater, and doing music and not being told that those things are mutually exclusive.”

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Outfit of the Day Junior

Seth Williams Where do you shop?

I primarily go to places like Ditto, Plato’s, Kohl’s and Old Navy.

What inspires what you wear?

I kinda dress like a skater. I go for comfort. I just go for what looks and feels right.

How would you describe your style?

Skater.

How is fashion you?

I think that it’s a really good way to express yourself. It’s a way to show people who you are without talking to them: good haircut and a good sense of style.

What fashion trends do you hate?

I really hate pants that are wide at the bottoms; boot-cut jeans.

What fashion trends do you love?

I really love obscure t-shirts with a flannel or a denim jacket on top.

How does your personality influence your style?

I have to have something that I What’s your dream job? can move in, something that is put Astronaut. together, but not too put together.

What is your favorite clothing item?

Flannels.

What music do you listen to?

I mainly listen to alternative rock, indie rock and acoustic covers.

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Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

Sophomore

Matilda Learned Where do you shop?

I mainly shop at Urban Outfitters, ATC (Arizona Trading Co) and Forever 21.

What inspires what you wear?

Trends I see other people wearing, or on Instagram.

How is fashion important to you?

I think it’s fun to be wearing clothing you enjoy. It makes going to school more enjoyable.

If I’m wearing something that is cute or I look good in I have a better outlook on the day.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as laid back and casual.

What fashion trends do you hate?

I don’t like Sperry boat shoes, low waisted pants or basketball shorts.

How does your personality influence your style?

I think I am a fun person, so I like to wear fun things.

What fashion trends do you love?

I love oversized jackets or sweaters and wrap shirts.

What is your favorite clothing item?

Probably a denim shirt.

What music do you listen to?

Alternative and chill rap.

What’s your dream job?

Probably a photographer or something to do with psychology. I have always wanted to be an architect.

Photos and Interviews by EMMA HARRIS

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THE HIDDEN

stories

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lthough school has many sports, some people enjoy competing with out-of-school teams. One such student is freshman Lauren Sinclair, who is a competitive cheerleader with G-Force Athletics in North Lawrence.

Sinclair’s winning instinct generates a fear of losing. After falling out of a tumbling pass last year, she felt like she’d failed and let her team down. By the end of last season though, she knew her team’s hard work had paid off when they won first place against four other teams.

Some of Sinclair’s biggest challenges are learning new skills and feeling confident enough to throw them. Even though Sinclair does competitive cheerleading, she doesn’t dream of being a cheerleader. She wants to go to college for premed.

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Pages by BROOKS HARTSOCK Photos and stories by PAIGE KIRKPATRICK

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eeping his grades up so he can get into culinary school is more important to senior Devin Gyder Maakorey than having a job. In an attempt to start a career in singing, in 2015 Devin tried out for The Voice and was accepted although his audition never aired on TV. In his spare time, Devin can be found doing archery, but he favors singing and baking. In 10 years, Gyder Maakorey hopes to own a musical bakery with performers and musical outbursts from the crowd. This combines two things he loves to do, singing and baking. Devin’s passion for music means he is open to all genres.

Students share their ‘hidden’ talents, hobbies

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hen freshman, Austin Burke isn’t in class, he can be found playing football or at Rock Chalk Park working out. Austin plays safety, running back, corner and wide receiver, but he dreams of becoming an NFL scout like his cousin who scouts for the LA Chargers. Austin would like to go to university as an NFL scout intern for UCLA, KU or San Diego State. He sees his biggest challenge as competing against people with the same goal proving he wants it more.

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Sitting in on Free Speech

F

ollowing offensive comments on a Lawrence High School senior group message last month, students had a sit-in outside their school offices. The administration allowed the students to hold the sit-in for the entire school day.

The involvement by football players in sending transphobic comments was duly noted. The sit-in was not only to protest what was said in the GroupMe, but it was also a call action against the bullying and harassment of LGBT+ students.

People were hurt, angry and did not feel safe. According to the most recent issue of the LHS student newspaper, The Budget, LGBT+ students were called slurs and threatened in the halls after the sit-in.

We feel it is the administration and staff’s role at BOTH high schools to make sure students feel safe. If someone is called a racial slur or threatened, they should know authority figures have their back. Students need to know they have people they can trust and count on to stand by their side.

At Free State, we have staff members who have made their classrooms safe spaces. We encourage every staff member to do the same, so we can work toward the whole school becoming a safe space.

Many times the administration claims they are doing everything possible to help, but that they can’t disclose information about it, so it seems like they’re not doing anything.

Other times they say they just can’t do anything.

We understand our administration has to consider everyone, and with over 1,700 students, that can be difficult. But it shouldn’t take a sit-in or the threat of a sit-in for the administration to listen to students and enact change.

To tackle the issues at hand, we propose a civil discourse with the entire school to discuss problems in our school, like racism, homophobia and overall disrespect toward each other.

This discourse should begin with our principal sending

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Staff Editorial:

Student free speech critical A Staff Editorial reflects the general opinion of the staff who creates the publication. The Free Press has every staff member write a short opinion paragraph on the prompt given. A reporter then writes the editorial representing the opinions of majority of the staff. a firm message on the school’s intolerance toward disrespect, similar to the message given by Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria to the U.S. Air Force Academy. After five black cadets were targeted with racial slurs written on their dorm room whiteboards, Gen. Silveria assembled all cadets and employees at the USAFA’s prep school and Academy to say under no circumstances would racism be tolerated at the Academy. His powerful message caused the video of his speech to go viral last month.

If the administration wants us to buy into their new focus on respect, responsibility and excellence, they must start by defining respect and taking a firmer stance on consequences when disrespect occurs.

Sit-ins and other peaceful protests are rights that us students should take great advantage of. As the youth of America, we have a wide variety of opinions and values that should be expressed to better the school system and make this a safe place for those who feel marginalized.

Pages by BROOKS HARTSOCK Story by the Free State Journalism

Dates To Remember Nov.3..... Senior Picture Make-Ups Nov.5..... Daylight Savings Time End Nov.8..... Senior Ad Design Night Nov.22-24..... Fall Break

Check Out Our New Location!

1116 W. 23rd (next to Domino’s) platosclosetlawrence.com

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Budgeting Pays Off Sports budget keeps programs competitive Story by WILL DAVIS

Athletic director Mike Hill works on administrative duties including the sports budget. The sports budget has been successful in recent years due to steady funding.

“Our revenue streams include gate receipts, a stipend from the district office and supplemental fundraising by the various sports programs,” Hill said.

Photos by EMMA PRAVECEK

E

veryone can see running back Jax Dineen bulldoze his way into the endzone, and everyone can see quarterback Gage Foster throw a five into the air to celebrate a touchdown. Everyone can see results, which for the wildly successful football team can be pretty good.

However, not many acknowledge the other side of high school athletics, though. The side that happens before the season.

Sports budgeting is an important job for every high school athletic department. Without it, the sports teams would be without new uniforms,

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Pages by ADAM El-HAMOUDEH

officials to call the games, improvements to the playing field and more.

“I meet with each coach and ask for their needs and wants,” athletic director Mike Hill said.

“The school does all it can to purchase needs, and hopes to help out with wants. We spend large sums of money on officials and entry fees. Those costs are established by the Sunflower League or respective schools.”

Income must be generated in order to give the teams things necessary to compete, or as Hill calls them, “needs.”

“Our revenue streams include gate receipts, a

Taking a break from the game, varsity football players refresh themselves with water. The football budget has always been more due to the equipment required for the sport. “I meet with each coach and ask for their needs and wants,” athletic director Mike Hill said.

Photos by EMMA PRAVECEK

stipend from the district office and supplemental fundraising by the various sports programs,” Hill said.

Fundraising can be beneficial to a team.

Whether it’s the volleyball team selling cookie dough or the soccer team using a website called Snap Raise, all revenue created by the team stays with the team.

“It plays a significant role in that it allows programs to derive extra revenue our budget cannot

substantiate,” Hill said.

The revenue streams are not equally divided out to each team, meaning one sport is going to get a larger percentage of the budget based on their needs.

At Free State, the football team is provided with the most amount of money. It can cost anywhere from $400-500 just to suit up one player in pads, a helmet and uniform according to Hill.

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“IT” was Okay Review of new Stephen King movie Story by JUNA MURAO

T

he movie starts in the perfectly eerie small town of Derry, Maine in the late 1980s. There’s a strange occurrence in Derry, where children are going missing every 27 years thanks to a shapeshifting clown named Pennywise.

He scares these kids half to death by manifesting into their worst fears.

The first scene grabs your attention as Pennywise tears off little Georgie’s arm and abducts him.

The rest of the movie follows Bill, Georgie’s older brother, Beverly the girl, Richie the funny one, Eddie the germaphobe, Stanley the Jewish one, Ben the chubby one and Mike the outsider. The group’s stereotypes are completed by naming themselves the ‘Loser Club.’ Each member is faced with their own issues at home from sexual abuse and violence to neglect, and having to cope with bullying from the Bower gang. The group has to face Pennywise, who is all of their fears rolled up into one.

At first glance Pennywise appearance shakes the audience, but the sixth or tenth time he shows up, the novelty wore off.

Pennywise is the star of the whole movie, with his stylish outfit, iconic makeup and a mysterious backstory he is the boyfriend that we all wish the Babadook had. But the whole movie just reminded me of a more

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Illustration by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER Photo by MACKENZIE BICKLING Pages by BROOKS HARTSOCK

scary version of the Goonies. The movie was predictable, from the plot, lack of a plot twist and the ending, where the group successfully rescue of Georgie and the other kids who were abducted.

The movie fell flat. The characters were two-dimensional, with not much depth in the plot or the characters. It relies too much on jump scares and standard special effects. “It” is not the first movie to exploit the fear factor, nor the last. When I watch the scenes where limbs were twisted every which-way and Pennywise is chasing the group, it was cheesy and predictable.

I did enjoy the hints of a subplot like Beverly’s experience of sexual abuse and how she deals with it throughout the movie. The scene where the group just enjoys being kids during summer is a much needed break from the Pennywise and his shenanigans. Overall I think ‘It’ would be a perfect movie to watch with your friends on Halloween, not that scary but still entertaining.

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DIY

spooky eyes

cupcake toppers

you need...

• mini marshmallows • round colorful candy • knife

Carefully cut the marshmallow in half on its side so that there’s two round pieces. Using frosting, carefully adhere

• cutting board • frosting

the colorful candy to the flat side of the marshmallow.

creepy spiderwebs

you need...

• • • •

white chocolate melts piping bag small piping tip microwavable bowl

• frosting of choice • cupcake of choice • spoon

Place a half cup of white candy melts into a microwavable bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir.

Heat again for 10 seconds and stir again. Repeat heating for ten minutes and stirring until the chocolate is completely melted. Drop the piping tip into the bag.

Next, transfer the melted chocolate into the piping bag. Lay the wax paper flat and so the wax

part is facing up. Carefully draw spiderwebs onto the wax paper. If you need help drawing, use the web on the top corners. Place the paper under the wax paper and trace the web.

Once done, place the webs into the fridge until completely hard (usually three hours.) After they’re completely hard, carefully remove the webs from the wax paper.

eerie spiders

you need...

• Oreos • mini pretzel sticks • frosting

Half the Oreos and use the knife to scrape off the cream. Using a knife, smear frosting onto the bottom of a halved Oreo. With four on either side, place the pretzel sticks sticking out of the

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• toothpick • melted white chocolate • knife

Oreo using the frosting as an adhesive. Flip over and use the toothpick to dab small dot on the cookie with frosting to form eyes.

sweet statistics Favorite Halloween Candy? candy corn 18%

survey taken from 22 students

Kit Kat 23% Reece’s 9% M&Ms 13% snickers 4% Heath bar 4% other 29% “I ate them [M&M’s] a lot when I was younger and I always loved how colorful they were.” sophomore Mina Dailey

“Kit Kats are delicous and exquisite treats that warm my heart on a chilly Autumn evening.” senior Maggie Ziegler

Pages by GRETA HAYDEN

“When I was little, I never got to go trick-or-treating because I was always sick. I always ate them along with watching my favorite movie Halloween Town.”

junior Hope Wheeler-Halsted

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What Halloween movie are You? Quiz by JUNA MURAO

When making plans with your friends for Halloween, you o Suggest the usual horror movie night at your house o Demand you go to a fun party o Tell ‘em you should go trick-or-treating! Who cares if others say you’re too old?

On Halloween, you’d most likely show up at school wearing a(n) __________

o Traditional witch costume o Freaky alien costume o Food item costume Your go-to colors are o Neutrals (black, brown, white, etc.) o Primaries (red, blue, yellow) o Pastels

What’s your favorite Halloween ritual? o Carving pumpkins o Picking a unique costume o Dressing up with your pals

The best Halloween-themed song is o ‘Monster Mash’ o ‘Thriller’ o ‘Ghostbusters’

Mostly A’s: Hocus Pocus Like the movie your a traditional

Page by ADAM EL-HAMOUDEH

Couples Halloween costumes are o Fun if you could think of something original o Lame! o Only cute if you’re taking part in it

Your fave Halloween candy is o Candy corn o Starburst o Chocolate

The day after Halloween, you usually o Invite friends over to eat candy o Post your pictures on the gram o Start planning for next year!

Mostly B’s: Scream You love to be the center of attention (just like the killers in Scream — but let’s not focus on that part). Halloween lover.

Mostly C’s: Casper Just like Casper, you’re known for your friendly demeanor.