Free Press Issue 2 2010-2011

DR. FOR A DAY

HOMECOMING HEROES

Pre-Med seniors explore medical field during KU Med Center's "Doctor for a Day" program

CHAMBER OF SECRETS An inside guide to the little known rooms right under students' noses

2

6-7

4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kansas, 66049

fsfreepressonline.com

Seniors fight for inclusion and get names added to homecoming ballot

5 edition 14 issue 2 september 29, 2010

the

Free Press

"...when i saw that his name was not on [the ballot] I was furious."

5

2

News

September 29, 2010

"...I wrote about how Pre-Med has made me more interested in the medical field..."

Seniors explore the medical field in new Pre-Med class

by allison harwood

From Left: Kyanne Hall, Kara Mishler, Allison Arnold, Amanda Moyer, Chloe Potela, Aly Frydman, Hannah Moore, Ahnawake Hartico, Jaclyn McCullough. Photo Submitted

On September 13, ten seniors attended KU Medical Center’s Doctor for a Day program to help further their knowledge in careers in the medical field.

Students in Jane Rock’s Pre-Med had to write an essay for a chance to go visit KU Medical Center for a day to learn more about medical school admissions, different fields of medicine and to get an opportunity to work in labs. “[Rock] had told us about it and it sounded like it would help me out because I want to be a doctor,” senior Amanda Moyer said. “In my essay I wrote about how Pre-Med has made me more interested in the medical field and how I want to further my education.”

Rock saw the program as a great opportunity for her students.

“It’s supposed to give [the students] an idea about what Medical school would be like,” Rock said.

“It also informs them how they should prepare in an undergraduate education.”

The program started with lectures in the morning and moved on to labs in the afternoon.

I learned that you have to go through your undergraduate, medical school, fellowship and then residency.

“For the most part it was very beneficial,” senior Kara Mishler said. “We went and toured labs, talked to doctors, learned about things we had never heard of and talked a lot about admissions.”

In labs, the students were exposed to things they could not experience anywhere else.

“In one of our labs we looked at a cancerous liver and a regular liver under the microscope,” Moyer said.

For some students, the admissions information in particular proved to be an eye-opening experience.

“I don’t know that I want to go to Medical school,” Mishler said. “They were going through the time line and it is a long time.”

Besides talking in detail about what medical school is like, the people at admissions the best ways to try and get in to medical school.

Dress to impress Seniors: The last two Lifetouch Senior Portrait sessions are Oct 15 and Oct 28.

Sign up in Rm 115 for an appointment time.

Remember: Senior photos cannot be submitted this year. Only Lifetouch photos will be used in the 2011 Talon.

“In admissions I learned where to go and what to do if I want to get into Medical school, so that was really helpful,” senior Allison Arnold said.

The program also taught students about what path they would need to take after high school in order to become a doctor.

“I learned that you have to go through your undergraduate, medical school, fellowship and then residency,” Moyer said.

The Doctor for a Day program was just one of many steps to launching these students’ medical careers.

“I will either go to Baker or KU for undergraduate school,” Arnold said. “If I go to Baker, I will go to their nursing school which is a really great program.

After I graduate, I’ll try to get into Medical School and if I don’t make it in, at least I will have my nursing degree.”

11

Typical number of

years it takes to become a doctor

Cover Photo Seniors Kyanne Hall and David Nichols get into character as they film the Jersey Shore themed homecoming video.

Photo by megan engleman

3

September 29, 2010

Feature

RISING M O R F the ASHES

Q

by allison morte

A lot of work went into developing the Free State Firebird that graces the front of yearbooks, t-shirts and our school today.

In February of 1996, a committee consisting of a Lawrence High student, junior high students, parents, teachers, the assistant principal, and the assistant superintendent was formed to decide the fate of the future Free State mascot and school colors.

Students and community members presented the committee with over 75 suggestions for a school mascot and colors. Suggestions ranged from The Free State Buffalo to The Free State Indians, and many community members had strong opinions; however, the Free State Phoenix and Free State Firebird stood out amongst all the rest.

A

The committee selected 24 mascot representations to appear on the ballot submitted to all seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth grade students living in the Free State attendance area. The future Free State students chose the Firebird as their new mascot.

“The Phoenix (or Firebird) was chosen by the city of Lawrence to symbolize the rising of a determined and resourceful city from the ashes of cruel Quantrill’s raid,” Carol Henderson, who helped research the Firebird, said.

But then the hunt was on for the design of the Firebird. Many drawings and suggestions were sent to then Assistant Superintedant Randy Weseman for consideration.

"The Phoenix (or Firebird) was chosen by the city of Lawrence to symbolize the rising of a determined and resourceful city from the ashes of cruel Quantril's raid."

FIN

ISH

Why the Firebird?

How the Firebird mascot evolved

Illustrations by Zach Hill

1996

75 The year the

The number of mascots and colors suggested

Image Source: Free State Archive

Firebird was born

24

The number of mascot finalists that appeared on the voting ballot

4

September 29, 2010

Clubs

Same Club But a Different Name Courageous conversations, now "Can We Talk," returns for a second year by amani safadi

Can We Talk means more to its members than clubs usually do. It provides a venue for students to de-stress and discuss important issues. For many students this club might not sound familiar because last year this club was known as Courageous Conversations.

Since Courageous Conversations was a name used and copyrighted by the author Glenn E. Singleton, the club’s name had to be changed. Singleton is the founder of the movement to provide guidance for educators and the underserved and often misunderstood African American student population.

“We went to Can We Talk in order to receive grants, and for copyright purposes we had to change the name,” Can We Talk advisor Charles Thomas said.

CWT now meets every Thursday during seminar in room 152.

New This Year...

This year Can We Talk plans to take field trips to Kansas City’s Negro League, jazz and baseball museums, visit local college campuses, and interact

superior to with LHS’s If you have a problem with a “Can women,” teacher you can discuss it, We Talk” junior Raven group, Graves said. ...if you have a problem with along with This your friends, you can come to club is projects.

“This important this group and bounce ideas in the eyes year [the off a lot of other people. of many club] will students definitely get more involved with the community, because it’s a chance for them to regoing to agricultural museums, doing ally open up with one another about community service and doing more relationships, teen emergencies, religion, activities outside [the school],” junior race and their different backgrounds.

Allyson Jordan said.

Seeking Feedback...

It's All in the Name...

“If you have a problem with a During club meetings, students have teacher you can discuss it, or if you have discussions about matters that eventua problem with your friends, you can ally reach everyone in the group. come to this group and bounce ideas off “During our last meeting, one of a lot of other people.You can always get the teachers here, Cris Hunt, was talking a lot of feedback from different types of about her childhood and how it was people,” Green said. different from mine or a person of Cau“In a way [Can we talk] can bring casian race. We talked about different up your confidence because you might things like sex, and how the world views see that it’s not as hard for you. At the women as inferior to men and men same time it’s good because you can

realize that other people might need help or maybe a smile doesn't hurt, it’s good for anyone,” senior Ashleigh Lottinville said.

Ladies Welcome...

An change students may note is a change in membership. Last year Can We Talk seemed to be a club mainly for minority-group males, but this year the club’s include females all races.

“What had happened was last year we didn’t have a female to run it as a facilitator for the group so that's why we had more men than women. As far as the organization starting we got a lot of calls about the subject, so that’s when we decided to let females in, but this year we have three female faculty, [Samantha] Newlin, [Alice] Karakas and Hunt, they are going to be running the female portion of it,” Thomas said.

The next ‘Can We Talk’ meeting is Thursday, October 7, in room 152, and anyone is welcome and encouraged to join.

Discount tickets on sale noW for stuDents!

2010-11 season highlights check out all 23 performances at lied.ku.edu

Punch Brothers featuring chris thile NOT yOUR EVERyDAy BLUEGRASS BAND SATURDAy, OCT. 2 – 7:30 p.m..

Fiddler on the Roof A GLORIOUS MUSICAL THEATRE TRADITION DAy, O DA CT. 21 – 7:30 p.m..

CT THURSDAy, OCT.

Bayanihan Philippine national Dance company

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

CULTURALLy RICH MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

HOW big can yOu get – 100 years Of cab callOWay

FRIDAy, OCT. 8 – 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAy, OCT. 22 – 7:30 p.m.

Turtle Island Quartet 25TH-ANNIVERSARy CONCERT wITH SpECIAL GUESTS CyRUS CHESTNUT AND MIkE MARSHALL

Armitage Gone! Dance tHree t tH ree tHeOries t eOries tH FRIDAy, FRIDA FRIDAy y,, NOV. 5 – 7:30 p.m. y

SATURDAy, OCT. 9 – 7:30 p.m.

orDer toDaY lied.ku.edu 785-864-2787

September 29, 2010

5

Feature

Homecoming Heroes Seniors fight for the inclusion of special education students on ballot

A re-vote that included all eligible students seemed not only necessary, but a natural extension of what we are striving to become as a

united student body.

by miranda davis

Traditions are important to the high school experience.Yet every once in a while a tradition, even one as vital to high school as Homecoming, needs some alterations. During this year’s Homecoming nominations, some students sought to change the tradition and expand the ballot.

“Kids in special education, with lower IQ’s were not allowed to be on the ballot," senior Aly Frydman said. "We wanted to change that so that if the senior class wanted them to be on [the ballot] they could be.”

“I felt that there shouldn’t be discrimination on the homecoming ballot, and that all names should be on it, regardless [of education level],” senior Audrey Hughes said.

Seniors Aly Frydman, Bailey Knowlton and Audrey Hughes led the way to change the ballot when they discovered a close friends of theirs, senior Owen Pharris, a student in special education classes, was not included. They were outraged.

“I met Owen my sophomore year and last year [Audrey and I] took him to Winter Formal. Frydman said. “He’s one of the nicest kids I’ve met; if anyone deserves to be a Homecoming candidate, it’s him.

Owen is the light of my life, he is just the greatest kid, and when I saw that his name was not on [the ballot] I was furious.”

The trio of seniors talked to the Student Council sponsor and to vice principal Lisa Boyd who was running the voting. She did not know why the special education students were left off the ballot, and she did not know how to help in any way. Boyd declined to comment for this story.

Wanting answers, they made petitions and circulated them throughout the school until the end of the day on Friday, September 3. Over 800 signatures were collected from like-minded students. Once they had the signatures, Frydman, Knowlton and Hughes took the petition and their concerns to Principal Ed West, who agreed with the girls, and put the changes in motion.

“I agreed with [the girls],”West said. “A re-vote that included all eligible students seemed not only necessary, but a natural extension of what we are striving to become as a united student body.”

The following Wednesday a re-vote was held, this time with the full ballot.

Some students have been wondering why the special education students were not allowed on the ballot in the first place. While these girls showed great compassion and understanding to those in special education, not every student does. One of the reasons they were left off the ballot in the past was to protect them from cruelty by general education students. Administrators were worried special education kids might be nominated as a joke or a meanspirited prank.

Many people believe that the senior class shown greater maturity and tolerance. They hope that this tradition is one that the student body will sustain.

“It was for all the kids, for all of them to come in future years, those who are at all the sporting events, who support our school, they are awesome kids,” Frydman said. “They should have the same opportunities as the rest of us.”

Top right; seniors Audrey Hughes and Owen Pharris put their acting skills to the test during the filming of the Jersey Shore themed homecoming video. Bottom right; seniors Sebi Schoneich and Reilly Moore strut out of the building while filming the video. Bottom left; 2010-2011 homecoming candidates: Patrick Cartarr, Kelcy Bowers, Audrey Hughes, Owen Pharris, Hayley Francis, Will Libeer, Calvert Pfannenstiel, Erin Ice, Annie Libeer, Cali Brasseur, Devante Green, Jordan Parsons, Steve Norris, Rachel Heeb, Sebi Schoneich, Reilly Moore, Aly Frydman, David Nichols, Kyanne Hall, Lexi Griffith, Cale Nieder, Evan Manning,Tony Libeer, Emma Cormack.

photos by megan engleman

C

6

September 29, 2010

September 29, 2010

The Third Floor

Feature

hamber of Secrets

Press Box

by katherine corliss and austin fisher

As only a single part of the myriad people who have passed through the Free State doors for the past 13 years, one rarely stops to consider how each unseen element of our school comes together to form a single entity. The many components of the building not seen by students consist of dark rooms, stacks of equipment, power generators and even a third floor. Welcome to the Free State “Behind the Walls” field guide.

photo by megan engleman

A part of the anonymous donor’s addition to the football complex offers shelter and a great view of the football field to those important enough not to have to sit in the stands. The press box is accessed via stairs behind the west stadium.

Who has access: Administrative staff, team coaches and local media outlets.

What you didn’t know about the press box: A ladder leads to the roof where camera crews film the games. The scoreboard is controlled from a console inside the press box.

Excitement level: 3/5 photo by megan engleman

Kitchen: The only place busier than the hallways is the school kitchen. The staff also cook and send food to four local elementary schools, the Bert Nash Health Center, the school district building and the All-Star Pizza & Grill The kitchen can be accessed through the hallway adjacent to the auditorium.

Who has access: Administration, janitorial staff and kitchen staff.

What you didn’t know about the kitchen: The kitchen has a staff locker-room and a walk-in freezer. Those cookies served in the cafeteria are made with whole-wheat ingredients.

Excitement level: 3/5

Excitement level: 4/5 October 20, 2010

Firebird Studios

* *

*

Easily the most laid back location in the field guide, the Firebird Productions Studio is located within the Firebird Productions office, Room 134. Miscellaneous rap music plays while film students discuss various responsibilities for school event videos.

Who has access: Firebird Productions students, film staff and janitorial staff.

What you didn’t know about the studio: The room contains lights, a stage, sound systems and a Foghorn Leghorn doll.

Excitement level: 3/5

photo by megan engleman

"Secret Room"

With expansive concrete walls and dusty floors, this rarely seen room wasn’t even known to exist by choir director Hilary Morton until 2009.

The room can only be accessed through a door in the costume closet.

Who has access: Performing arts teachers, administration, tech staff and janitorial staff.

What you didn’t know about the “secret room”: The room contains computer hardware, stacks of broken chairs and a ladder leading to the roof above the auditorium.

Excitement level: 4/5

Feature

This obscure attic of the building houses air conditioners, back up servers and extra desks. Several buildings house these necessities above the second floor classrooms. The third floor can only be accessed by the midhallway elevator. Doors from the main third floor building lead out onto the roof where other third floor buildings can be accessed.

Who has access: Administration, tech

staff and janitorial staff.

What you didn’t know about the third floor: When the temperature rises the asphalt on the roof becomes squishy. Originally the architects of the school planned a green house above the library, it would be accessed by a door in room 244 (?).

The Kitchen

Costume Closet Located above the sound booth via a spiral staircase, the costume closet houses all the clothing used in theatre productions. Hundreds of articles of clothing line the walls and props are strewn on shelves.

Who has access: Performing arts teachers and janitorial staff.

What you didn’t know about the costume closet: The closet offers a locked entrance into the “secret room”.

Excitement level: 2/5 photo by megan engleman

7

8

September 29, 2010

Lifestyle

Diet Substitutions Don't Mean Deprivation by emma machell

During lunch, while most kids have the tough decision choosing between the chicken nuggets and the pepperoni pizza some kids can skip right to the pb&j sandwich and salad bar. Not every student can afford that luxury. Maybe they’re allergic to certain ingredients or maybe they just don’t eat them by choice.

“I’ve been a vegetarian since ninth grade,” senior Victoria Gilman said.

Gilman said the change in her eating habits wasn’t a moral decision but she began to realize how carnal biting into meat felt.

“It felt like I was biting into flesh,” Gilman said.

Many students might think that cutting all meat from their diet would be particularly hard Gilman doesn’t think so, but she does offer some advice for those beginning vegetarians out there.

“Don’t become vegetarian if you don’t want to.” she said.

And while vegetarianism can be pretty tough some people take it one step further. Junior, Serena Farb, has been a vegan her entire life. “[My parents] said I could be whatever I want

4

when I was seven even though I’d always been a vegan,” Farb said. “So I just decided to stay vegan.”

Vegans are a somewhat more hardcore version of a vegetarian. While both reject meat, vegans take it a little further by not eating any kind of animal byproduct.

“It’s really not as hard as it seems. There are a lot of good alternatives, and almost everything has a vegan substitute,” she said.

Instead of eating meat Farb said her family eats a lot of homegrown vegetables and stir-fry, but there are a lot of other alternatives including tofu that tastes like assorted meats.

But while such a diet is a preference for some, others don’t have so much. One such is sophomore Kathy Olcott, who is allergic to corn.

“It’s not too hard [to overcome] I can eat food with traces of corn,” said Olcott, “but I can’t eat regular corn and popcorn.”

Though she states it isn’t too hard to cut corn from her diet Olcott admitted that it has changed parts of her life outside of school.

“Being allergic to popcorn has made going

Quick Tips

For Vegetarian Health

1 Eat dark green vegetables at least three times a week

*These are packed with calcium and iron

2 Eat fruits and vegetables of all colors

*It is easier to get a variety of vitamins and minerals this way

3 Drink lots of water *Water is especially helpful when adjusting to a new way of eating

Q: A:

to the movies a lot less fun and its made me eat a lot more vegetables,” she said.

Other students choose what they eat carefully for reasons other than allergies and vegetarianism.

Some are not allowed to eat certain foods for religious reasons.

“I’m not allowed to consume any pork products or alcohol,” junior Nora Elbayoumy said.

Elbayoumy practices the Islam religion. Not only does she refrain from eating certain meats and alcoholic beverages, she fasts for one month out of the year.

“Sometimes it’s hard to find food that doesn’t have pork or alcohol products in it,” Elbayoumy said. “But it’s not that bad and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.”

A lot of students go through the lunch line grabbing hamburgers sweating with grease, yellow-tinted corn, and frozen cartons of 2% milk, but others who eat differently help make this school more diverse.

Visit fsfreepressonline to see additional content such as videos, polls and photos.

What are some symptoms of food allergies?

The symptoms of food allergies may be easily confused with the symptoms of common sicknesses. Itching, vomiting, nausea, difficulty swallowing and abdominal pain are common signs. If the symptoms last for a long time or continue to show up every so often, see a doctor.

Babysitter Needed -Two girls, ages 6 and 9 -Lawrence residents

4 Take vitamins that contain B12

-Schedule may vary

*B12 is vital in energy production

-On a 'as need' basis, but some set dates *Must have own transportation

Call Carey: 913-980-2161

September 29, 2010

9

Sports

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Course

Runners show enthusiasm because of larger cross country team

by chris allmon

If there is strength in numbers, this year’s cross country team has strength in surplus.

The Free State cross country team is the largest it’s ever been. With over 80 members, the team has more than doubled from its almost 40 runners last year.

The cross country coaches have been trying to figure why the team grew in size. “We’ve been talking, as coaches, about that and we really can’t pin it down as to why so many kids are out this year,” cross country coach Phil Mitchell said. “I think it’s just that the kids we had out last year are very popular people”.

Free State is relatively bigger compared to other teams.

“There are some teams that are very small and there are some teams that have well over 100 people,” Mitchell said.

For many runners, this is their first year doing cross country which leads to the challenge of figuring out how to get so many new runners started without hurting them. Regardless of the large number of newcomers, the season is going great and expectations are high.

“I think we’re going to be very good, with that many kids, we’re going to have some depth,” Mitchell said.

“We’re going to be really good at the junior varsity and c-team races and of course we’ve got a number of good varsity runners so it should be a pretty good year,”

Many veteran runners enjoy the larger team.

“There are positives and negatives to having small and big [teams],” junior Hailey Donley said. “I like it big, though.You have a lot of energy coming from a lot of different places.”

Cross country is a very friendly and social sport. ”You get to talk to people and hang out with your friends,” sophomore Fletcher Koch said. “Other sports like basketball, you’re constantly in practice.You could talk but it would be a lot harder.”

Will this trend continue and lead to an even bigger team next year? “If it is, we’re going to have to get som more uniforms,” Mitchell said.

Pushing Through the Pain

Injured athletes face surgery and therapy to eventually return to their sports by chris allmon

Torn muscles, ripped ligaments, and dislocated appendages are only a few of the injuries Free State athletes have sustained mere weeks into the year.

Junior Tim Turner re-injured his shoulder on September 13 while doing tackling drills at football practice. Last year, Turner did the original damage to his shoulder around the third week into football season when he dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum ligament.

He will be going into surgery at the end of September and will be out of contact sports for six months.

Regardless of the wait, he stays optimistic, “I know that even though it’s hurt and it’s kind of sore right now, it’s going to be repaired and I'm going to be much better in the future and there shouldn't be any problems,” Turner said.

At the first home football game senior Devante Green injured his knee.

Green suffered a complete tear of his MCL and a partial tear to his PCL, both knee ligaments.

“At first, it hurt and I thought it was just another injury,” Green said. “Then I got up and I couldn’t put pressure on it and that’s when I knew something wasn’t right”.

Green started knee rehab and suffered no permanent damage besides that of an easier chance of re-tearing the ligaments in the future. If everything goes according to plan, Green should be back on the field in about three weeks.

While at a gymnastics meet, sophomore Brooke Leslie fell off bars and landed in-between two mats. Leslie’s main neck and back muscle were torn in the process. Leslie had to wear a neck brace for a few days and has been out of cheer and gymnastics for a few weeks.

“We’ve had a couple of nasty breaks, things that just look gross, in the end, they’ve been fine, they’re ok,” certified athletic trainer Anna Manternach said.

Manternach explains that the worst injuries aren't usually the ones that look bad from the outside that most people expect to be really bad.

“If I’ve got kids that lose feeling or function in the extremities and they tell me their back hurts, those are the ones that concern me the most,” Manternach said.

Thankfully, no serious permanent damage has been taken by anyone as of yet and everyone should eventually return to their sport.

2 million

The number of high school sports related injuries accounted for annually

500 thousand

The amount of high school students who visit the doctor due to sports related injuries every year

30 thousand The number of high school students who are hospitalized because of sports injuries each year Information provided by www.cdc.gov

10

Opinion

Free State is not just a building.

It is a community of unique people. Each issue the Free Press will highlight one person and THEIR unique story.

Share the Love

Certain couples should invest in some alone time by bailey schaumburg

I love love. Really, I do. There are so many different types. Toddler love, bromance love, fresh out of the oven love...the list could go on forever. But there is one kind of love that should be banished from Earth for all of eternity: the, “I-might-die-if-I-spendone-moment-away-from-you” love.

For all of you unhealthily dependant couples out there, I just have one question. How in the world do you stand each other? I find it hard to believe that you don’t feel like stabbing one another at the end of the day.

Now, I’m not talking about the common teenage relationship; it’s normal to want to be together often.

Eating lunch together, hanging out a few days a week, walking together in the halls...ok. But there is a line that should never be crossed. Feeding each other, hanging out every minute, signing up for all the same classes...

BAD. BAD!

I don’t want to seem cynical, and I’m definitely not discouraging relationships. However, there’s a point when it can become seriously unhealthy. When you feel yourself becoming a recluse and alienating yourself from friends that have been with you since the beginning of time as you know it, step back to analyze the situation.You have to ask yourself: if this relationship comes to a screeching halt, will I have friends? If the answer is no, then it’s time to

1

One in One Thousand

September 29, 2010

1000 Braden Clements

Sophomore's sense of humor helps others get through

change a few things.

It may seem extremely difficult to deviate from the pattern that you and your boyfriend or girlfriend have unknowingly fallen into. However, there are a few simple changes that can easily make your relationship healthier and more balanced.

Consider taking part in more group activities; even if your other half is around, your friends will cherish any time they have with you.

However, time away from each other is simply necessary. It’s important to occasionally spend time apart in order to reconnect with the people and hobbies that you dropped somewhere along the way.

In other words: share the love.

"People tell me I’m weird.”

For sophomore Braden Clements things have always been a little different.

“I was three when I learned how to use the potty.”

This, however, has not stopped him.

His quirky sense of humor is something he’s always possessed.

“I try to venture from the norm, and not to conform,” Clements said.

His humor, outlook on life and even his ability to rhyme on the spot have led to many successes.

“In the third grade I got a ‘Neat-o Mosquito’ for getting 100 percent on a test.”

But sometimes life isn’t filled with giggles, “When I was five I had a birthday

by katherine corliss

party that I hated because someone stole my musical chair.”

Braden is enjoying being a sophomore and currently participating in men's choir and Hype club. However he's been bringing the hype even before he was a student at Free State.

“In ninth grade I sang 500 Miles in the variety show, and I’m in choir this year.”

Clements can often be seen cracking jokes with friends. “The best thing is putting smiles on peoples’ faces, that’s the most joy out of life.”

After high school Clements plans to go to college, start a family and “keep on truckin.’”

You have to ask yourself: if this relationship comes to a screeching halt, will I have friends?

   





  

 





        



CLASSES FORMING NOW!

BRING A FRIEND & GET $50 OFF!

785-842-6284 4920 Legends Dr. Lawrence

www.educate.com

September 29, 2010

11

Opinion Parking spaces in the senior parking lot are empty from students leaving to go out to lunch.

Staff Vote: How do you feel about open lunch being closed?

78% dont like it 7% like it 14% don't care

STAFF EDITORIAL

Bye Bye Open Lunch?

7% 14% 78%

School board ponders keeping students on-campus by kim carter

The school day is long; we all know it. By the time fourth hour rolls around, the thirty minutes of lunch are our savior. Having the ability to leave the school to run home and eat or grab something we forgot is awesome as well. Soon this much-needed break might be taken away.

On top of the gain of freshmen next year, the school board is studying another huge change: the end of open lunch. The topic has risen more than once, but the reason as to why they would take it away is a little shady. They claim it is for our “safety, nutrition, and even personal finances.”

Well, thank you school board, we’re glad you care so much about us, but seriously? According to the Lawrence Journal-World, no board member or high school administrator can remember one time when a student was injured off-campus while at lunch. There has never before been a problem with open lunch, but now, with freshmen moving up, it suddenly must be changed. Clearly we have proven that we can handle

Q

Should the district adopt a closed-lunch policy?

having open lunch, but the school board says it’s ready for change.

As for taking away open lunch being for our nutrition, that’s ridiculous. The cafeteria food isn’t awful, but a lot of us who do partake in open lunch go home for lunch, where we save money and eat food we choose.

Also, places like Juice Stop and Subway are healthy open lunch options. Isn’t high school about learning what works best for us? If we can’t learn what nutrition and financial choices work best for us before we leave the nest, how will we survive college?

To make it even worse, they’re willing to make it a “privilege” to certain students. Huh. Take away something we are allowed to do and make it something we have to earn.Yeah. That makes sense. That’s really going to inspire us to work harder. Basically, because the school board can, they’ll take away open lunch for the sake of “change”.

A slightly better option, yet still unfair, is making open lunch available only to juniors and seniors. It

"I think that would suck because school lunch is so expensive, and the food's not as good as going out to lunch."

"I think it's dumb because then the cafeteria will be overcapacity."

"It seems like restrictive of freedom."

Dallas Brown sophomore

Sydney McBride-Ramler junior

Haylo Pierciey senior

ryan loecker

reporter

webmaster

They must include the writer's name and telephone numbers. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content.

allison morte

emma machell

chris allmon

reporter

zach hill

miranda davis

reporter

ad editor

business editor allison harwood

reporter

austin fisher

The Free Press is an open forum that encourages letters to the editor and guest writings.

designer

copy editor

managing editor megan engleman

katherine corliss

reporter

designer

trevor bird

kim carter

photographer

editor in chief

2010-2011 Free Press Staff

bailey schaumburg

makes some sense because no freshmen can drive and not a lot of sophomores can, but those sophomores who can drive passed their driving tests. They’re not posing a huge threat.

The school board is attempting to make a smoother transition to a four year high school by taking away open lunch. Honestly, those of us who are going to have to share the school with the freshmen aren’t exactly thrilled, and taking away open lunch isn’t going to make us love them any more. Not to mention the fact that our lunch room is the Commons. It’s not huge. During lunch it can get pretty full, adding an entire grade is not going to be pleasant.

To sum it up, we get what the school board is trying to do, but taking away open lunch isn’t going to help the transition of freshmen into the high schools.

It’s just going to make us mad and prevent us from having the delicious Chipotle burrito bowl we’ve been craving all day and picking up the homework assignment we left at home.

amani safadi

Letters may be submitted to Room 115, sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66049 or submit online at fsfreepressonline.com.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration, nor that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

12

September 29, 2010

photo courtesy of allgoodseats.com

Lawrence Guide

October 2 @ Starlight, Kansas City ($32) Vampire Weekend / Beach House / The Very Best Although most students have heard of Vampire Weekend, I recommend attending this concert just to see the two opening bands. Beach House and The Very Best make it worth the $32, even without Vampire Weekend.

While each band has a very unique sound, chances are if you like one, you’ll enjoy all three. In fact, Ezra Koenig, front-man of Vampire Weekend makes a guest appearance on one of The Very Best’s debut album, “Warm Heart of Africa”.

Each of the three bands newest albums earned the esteemed title of “Best New Music” by music website Pitchfork.com. Beach House played at the Granada earlier this year, but there was some confusion as to whether or not there was an age restriction.

Rest assured, this is your chance to see them as this is definitely an all ages show.

Lawrence Guide

Looking for something to do?

Here is the guide for upcoming events in and around Lawrence by ryan loecker

September 4 - October 17 @ Bonner Springs Renaissance Festival ($15.95 adv)

Hark now, methinks I do hear the sounds of the Renaissance Festival. Each of the seven weekends of this festival has a different theme, so even if thou hast already been, there’s bound to be something new each time ‘round.

With live jousting and free belly dance lessons in the same venue, thou cannot go wrong. I am most looking forward to the Highland Games on October 2-3. This will include spear, axe and stone throwing. This festival has over 16 stages to fulfill all thy musical needs.

Hark teachers and students above the age of 18: thy search for the perfect venue to marry thy loved one ends here. From the Queen’s Tea Room to the Pub Deck, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival has a total of four magical settings for thee to choose from. If that isn’t enough, the festival includes over 100 artisan booths and is also pet friendly.

October 2 @ Downtown Lawrence Scion Garage Fest (FREE) Scion is holding a free music festival at four of the downtown Lawrence music venues.

There will be a total of 28 bands playing at the Jackpot, Bottleneck, Liberty Hall and Granada.

A few of these artists include Best Coast, Times New Viking, The Raveonettes and King Khan & The Shrines. Although students might not be aware of the bands performing, there isn’t anything to lose as this is a free music festival.

The only catch is that entry is not guaranteed. RSVP for this event has closed, so show up before the first band starts at four.

Late Arrival Special Buy

Walk-in Special

842-1212 Valid at 1601 W. 23rd St.

2 smoothies, Get

1 FREE pretzel

Free State Loyalty Reward

$4.00

for a 10” one-standard topping Pizza

812 Mass. St. 23rd &Required Kasold Coupon  No Photo Copies  6th & Wakarusa Expires: ________________ October 20, 2010

75¢ value

Mention coupon when ordering  Pick-up or Dine-in Only Offer Expires 9/30/2010

812 Mass. St. 23rd & Kasold 6th & Wakarusa Offer Expires 9/30/2010