THE FREE PRESS ISSUE 8
5 May 2016
EDITION 19
Photo by Ali Dodd Cover design by Drake Riner and Juliana Wilches
CONTENTS
Page by Sydney Vogelsang
STAFF
print editors in chief online editors in chief design editor photo editors copy editors
multimedia editor managing editor business editor designers
multimedia student info clerk
Mariah Houston Adelaide Wendel Jackson Barton Samantha Spencer Drake Riner Ali Dodd Gabrielle Wheeler Darby Gilliland Maya Hodison Juna Murao Aubin Murphy Kaya Shafer Sydney Vogelsang Simon Larspers-Qvist Atticus VonHolten Juliana Wilches Jake Clark Jordan Hauber Will Cook
photographers
reporters
Sophia Bone Rebecca Calderon Christina Craig Morgan Edman Sam Goodwin Anna-Maya Hachmeister Kylie Hawkins Alexis Luinstra Nicola Santangelo Klaire Sarver Tierney Thompson Chloe Board Lauren Brittain Madi Engnehl-Thomas Evan Frook Sydney Gard Hala Hamid Trenna Soderling Reagan Sullivan
Science Olympiad 3 Security Systems 8 Editor’s Columns 12 Summer Breakups 13 Bird’s Word 19 Profiles 20 Reviews 22 Summer Trips 24 Style Column 26 Artists of the Month 28
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New in Town
New co-editors in chief discuss year to come Written by Mariah Houston and Addie Wendel
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SAYING GOODBYE, SAYING HELLO
End of school year means beginning of new experiences Written by Mariah Houston and Maya Hodison
Senior Goodbyes Seniors say their last goodbyes before graduating
Building Blocks
Students from Free State, LHS work to build school in Haiti Written by Trenna Soderling
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5 May 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
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SCIENCE IS A SPORT Science Olympiad team discusses tournaments, importance of supporting science Written by Mariah Houston icture this: a gaggle of science-obsessed high school students, who have practically absorbed caffeine into their bloodstream, sprinting across a college campus, attempting to reach their events on time. This image is a reality for the Science Olympiad team when they compete throughout the school year. The team prepares for written tests and building events with the help of their sponsor Michael Colvin. Preparation aids the competitors as they participate in various tournaments. The team’s dedicated efforts of both independent and collaborative work allowed them to compete and place twelfth in the State tournament. “If one does well enough at State they can go to a National tournament, but the main thing about State for the Science Olympiad team [was] to have fun,” junior Edward Reyes said. The enjoyment experienced at tournaments is primarily due to the family atmosphere of the team, according to Reyes. “Science Olympiad is very much a family, [and the] upperclassmen [are] like older brothers and sisters to us,” Reyes said. The competitive events at tournaments range from building bridges to building model planes, and the Olympiads are always excited to try something new, according to junior Finn Dobbs. “I’m [competing in] Launch a Vehicle, and I’m going to build a
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vehicle powered by battery that has to stop itself,” Dobbs said. “Another [event] I’m doing is making a turbine blade.” Efficiency and engineering is a focus of Science Olympiad, but the topics of events stretch farther than building. “I like the astronomy [event] the most,” Dobbs said. “I have always loved astronomy, and it fascinates me.” Although the Science Olympiad team is praised for their competitive success, the team values much more than just their trophies and titles. The team appreciates the time they spend together, learning and appreciating each other’s ideas. “Science Olympiad gets a lot of people who enjoy STEM together,” Reyes said. “It’s a great creative experience because you get all these super intelligent people together, and they just bounce ideas off of one another.” Supporting STEM studies is an important part of education to the Science Olympiads, and a large part of supporting science is showcasing it to the student body, according to Dobbs. “[Science Olympiad] is important because it’s a place for me and other people who enjoy science to have a little community,” Dobbs said. “It’s important to promote science as more than just a class.” Photo courtesy of Maame Britwum Above: Last year’s Science Olympiad’s Regionals team poses for a photo and celebrates a sixth place finish and advancing to State. In the past year the Science Olympiad team qualified and competed at State. “The goal of the team is just to do as well as we can,” junior Finn Dobbs said.
4 SENIOR GOODBYES 5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
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Senior staffers say their last goodbyes before graduating
Maame Britwum Photos by Morgan Edman
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hen I was eight, I started a family newspaper called the “Britwum Times” and by 11 had my own blog, but I was too scared to share my work. My junior year I joined the big leagues when l created a new blog and advertised it on my social media platforms. Last year’s editor Kyra Haas read some of my posts and encouraged me to join the journalism staff. It took me all of eight years to build the courage to share my writing, and after joining staff I really found a place where I felt comfortable. Although I was only on staff for three semesters, I’ve really grown. My one regret is not joining earlier. The time I have spent writing on staff has brought me a wonderful group of friends, great memories and a better understanding of journalistic writing. Next year, I’m moving to New York for college and I’m unsure of where I will fit in or how it will be. I’m a bit scared about starting on my own journey halfway across the country, but I know I will always have a place in room 201. When I joined I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I’m glad I took the plunge, so for that: thank you to everyone who has made my time of staff what it was.
Madi Engnehl-Thomas
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came to Free State second semester of freshman year. After being at LHS for a semester and being bullied, pushed around and made fun of, I decided that FS was a better option for me. I walked in on my first day and I was bombarded by people saying hello and willing to walk me to class. I felt welcomed. I felt like people wanted me here. I went through my freshman and sophomore years with terrible grades and I didn’t take the time to do my homework. All I wanted was to hang out with friends and do my own thing. I also wanted to constantly impress the people around me. I wanted people to think that I was someone that I wasn’t. Finally, I realized that my grades matter and that I actually need to try. Going into junior year, I finally got my life together. I stopped taking the antidepressants that my doctor put me on and I started to feel like myself. I went to class every single day, I tried my hardest to keep my grades up and I stopped allowing myself to have missing assignments. Besides my physics class, I was doing really well. I didn’t realize how much my grades actually mattered. Going into senior year, I had the best grades I’ve ever had. I didn’t have a very big friend group. Actually, my friend group was two people. I lost a lot of friends over the years. I also found out that being alone isn’t all that bad. Sometimes, being yourself and getting everything done that you need to is better than wasting time with your friends. I never wanted to go to work, I never wanted to sit at home and do homework, but I did. I worked my hardest, and I got accepted to the college that I wanted to go to and I’m really proud of
who I’ve become today. The major thing I learned while at FS is that it’s okay to be alone. It’s okay to stand out. You don’t have to impress everyone. You don’t have to look like everyone else. I spent my first two years of high school thinking that I had to look like everyone else, that I had to have money like everyone else, that I had to wear makeup like everyone else. I haven’t worn makeup in two years. I haven’t tried to really look like anyone. I just looked like myself. I let everyone think what they wanted. But don’t go through high school thinking you’re always completely alone. There’s always someone who will be your friend if you just talk to them. Always remember to just be yourself. That’s what I did.
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5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
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Christina Craig
t’s odd having to deliberately say goodbye to something, especially when the thing you’re trying to say goodbye to has caused you equal amounts of stress and gratitude. To be honest, I don’t know how to say goodbye to journalism staff. Do I give it a longing goodbye kiss while fat tears roll down my cheeks? Or should I briskly brush the memory of it off, not waiting to see how fast it falls because my eyes are too focused on this terrifyingly big future ahead of me? I could say goodbye to my time on journalism staff through a collection of Christina’s top ten memories in Room 201. Or I could recount how hard it is to run through a muddy field with a heavy camera. Or I could say goodbye to journalism by recognizing all of the extraordinary people I got to work and become friends with. But now that I think about it all, I’m not really saying goodbye to journalism. Ha - gotcha! Yes, I won’t be on newspaper or yearbook staff next year, and I’m not planning to major in journalism when I go to college. But I’ll still be surrounded by stories that need to be told, or want to be told, or just are funny or beautiful
or tragic. And I’ll still read and care deeply about events in the news. And, of course, I’ll still have my camera. The lessons I have learned in journalism, about ethics, about the need to capture something meaningful, about the presence a story can fill, and the change it can propel... well, I will never be able to shake those lessons off. The appreciation I have gained for the power of journalism will carry through my life and hopefully spread into others’ as well. Plus, I didn’t want to give journalism a tearful kiss goodbye anyway. Journalism taught me that would be too cliché.
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rom the day I walked into room 115 (Rest In Peace), trembling from nerves for my interview to be on staff, to the day I published my last story, I have loved the Free Press. This collection of perfectly nerdy, perfectly sarcastic people has brought me joy and endless life lessons. Through journalism I have gained the ability to talk to people, writing skills and a level of responsibility never presented to me before. Without journalism I’m not sure I would have been as happy as I was in high school. The first story I wrote was about social media and approximately one fourth of it was my writing while the rest was that of my partner. Nonetheless, I was so unbelievably proud of it. Seeing my writing published for others to read is both wonderful and unbelievably nerve-wracking at the same time. I gained a sense of confidence and self assurance from interviewing and investigating. I wrote stories on everything from my levels of stress to the Confederate Flag, and I enjoyed everyone of them. Each story has been an accomplishment, and each one has taught me something new about myself and my abilities. I can’t say enough how happy I am to have been involved in journalism. The level of experience and skill I have gained from this program will last me a lifetime, and I know I will be enabled with the tools and the drive to be successful when I go to the University of Missouri to pursue journalism next year.
Libby Stanford
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5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
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Elizabeth Patton
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reshman year, I took Laurie Folsom’s 21st Century Journalism and promised my fellow freshman comrade, Evan Frook, I would join newspaper staff the next semester. In an unfortunate turn of events, my schedule filled up, and I wasn’t able to follow through with that promise until second semester junior year. It was one of my best decisions ever. Originally homed in Room 115, joining the journalism staff was kind of like joining a big, loud family who really likes to eat. Coming in second semester, I only worked under former editor in chief, Kyra Haas, for a few issues before the lovely seniors Trenna Soderling and Sydney Gard took the reins. And if you haven’t noticed, they have done an incredible job. As we transitioned into our new room in 201, our staff and roles transitioned as well. We merged staffs, and took leadership roles within our three publications. The journalism department is something I feel honored to be a part of. Not only do we constantly have food in the room, but I’m surrounded by intelligent, hard working and enjoyable people who share the ultimate goal of informing the public. Journalism is probably not the career path I am going to go down;
however, journalism has better equipped me for my career path. Journalism teaches you how to be a competent and contributing worker. Deadlines (which are still a work in progress), communication and teamwork are necessary in Room 201, as well as the real world.
Alexis Luinstra
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picture is worth a thousand words.” Capturing moments for people who are going out and getting involved with their school is something I will never forget doing. When I first applied for journalism staff, I was a reporter. I quickly learned that writing was not one of my strong suits and applied to be a photographer for the next two years. Photography was something that I could do to show what was going on around Free State or show people’s passions visually. I expressed myself through photography by adding my own pizazz to my photos. Photography made me get out of my comfort zone in many ways: getting in the way of many parents, going in the doug out during baseball games and breaking personal space between the lucky ones to get their pictures taken. I could not imagine high school without being on journalism staff. Journalism staff came together as one big family, and I am honored I got to experience this for the past two and a half years.
Evan Frook It was alright. - Evan Frook
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5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
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Sydney Gard
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o be honest, I only joined newspaper because I couldn’t fit the civil engineering class into my schedule. The staff was pretty desperate for people and I’d always enjoyed reading the Free Press, so I decided to just apply on a whim. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Newspaper taught me a lot about editing and writing, but it taught me way more about myself. I’m not one to just join random organizations the second semester of my junior year, so I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. I learned who I am as a leader, how to manage time and work with others and more. I joined staff expecting to go to college for engineering and will be leaving staff prepared for the same, so the Free Press didn’t change my career path or anything, but I think that’s okay. I loved being a temporary journalist; however, I don’t think it’s something I could handle, or would enjoy, for the rest of my life. I’m beyond excited to study civil engineering at KU next year and read the UDK while reminiscing about my time here. Despite all of our eight hour sessions “putting the paper to bed” and sleepless nights wondering how the heck we were going to get an issue done, being on staff was an incredible experience. I wasn’t even able to go to camp in Dallas last summer, but I still have so many memories from other experiences. It’s pretty hard to find a
better (and weirder) group of people than those in room 201. Since I’ll be in town next year for college, I’ll definitely be stopping by to pick up future issues of the paper, which will undoubtedly be incredible thanks to Addie and Mariah, two of the coolest/ smartest/most capable people I’ve ever met. Good luck next year and try not to lose your minds. Everyone else on staff will continue to be great with helping you out. Every senior is going to be so successful, and I love all of you to death. I became even closer to Christina and Maame and thankfully had the opportunity to know Hala, Libby, Elizabeth, Madi and especially Evan. To my partner in crime: Trenna, you beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox, thank you so much for putting up with me and existing. I probably would have died a slow, painful papercut-induced death without you by my side. After I leave staff, I know I’ll miss writing and editing and putting something awesome out each month for everyone to read, but I’ll miss the wild people on staff the most. You are all the best. Goodbye.
Trenna Soderling
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enior year. It’s been filled with a multitude of memories and learning experiences. While I’ve enjoyed (pretty much) every minute of it, one of the things that stands out the most is my time in the journalism room. I’ve learned a lot while I was here, like how many dark chocolate covered pretzels I can eat in one Saturday, who I can rely on to run passes and how much time I can spend typing up interviews before I lose my mind. More importantly, I’ve learned valuable skills about writing, leadership and teamwork. With all those skills came getting to know a group of incredible people. Thank you to everyone on staff for doing such an amazing job writing stories, taking pictures, designing pages and creating a project we should feel proud of. We’ve managed to brave the storm that was figuring out 32 pages, and I think we can say that we made it out alive with minimal damage. While everyone deserves ongoing praise, there are a couple people it seems I could never thank enough. On all those eight hour Saturdays it seemed like we would never get the paper to the printer on time, I always had Fols, Addie, Evan and Sydney by my side to weather the storm. Fols, thanks for giving up your Saturdays to come in and help us, and for being willing to answer my questions almost all the time. Also, shoutout for the food. Addie, thank you for putting up with Sydney and I’s lack of graphic design skills, and also for creating such a lovely paper. Seriously,
those covers? Brilliant. Sydney, thank you for everything else. You’ve somehow managed to put up with me for eight (or more) hour periods at a time, you’ve come up with some brilliant ideas and you’ve helped to fuel my oxford comma addiction, even if AP style doesn’t. No matter where life takes us next year, you will always be the Leslie Perkins to my Ann Knope. This kind of felt like a monologue I would write on my deathbed, but you know what? “Newspaper is dying.” Just kidding. Newsies for life! Now, don’t let this fool you and make you think I’m going to be a journalist. I’m not. But mad respect for the people that are, you know? Addie and Mariah, you wonderful, talented people, good luck next year, not that you’ll need it. Well, maybe you will. Those Saturdays are pretty long. Who cares! You’ll be great.
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5 May 2016 Page by Juliana Wilches
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STOPPING TARDIES, NOT ATTACKERS
A deeper look into new security system makes important flaws clear Written by Juna Murao and Elizabeth Patton
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aiting, waiting, waiting. Finally, the click goes off, and admittance to the entire school is given. The new front door security system is in the seventh month of its novice year, and different pros and cons continue to emerge. Part of a $92.5 million bond issue approved in April 2013, front door security is being implemented across the district. “Our district made a commitment with its construction through the bond issue to secure entrances in schools,” assistant principal Mike Hill said. “They are happening all across the district with the grade schools and Lawrence High.” As Free State is the first high school of USD 497 schools to have the new system installed, Lawrence was behind the national curve in implementing tougher security standards. However, 45 minutes down Highway 70, the Shawnee Mission School District is also in the first year of a tougher security system. With its $20 million system,
Shawnee Mission takes a different approach. The Shawnee Mission schools have 100-125 digital cameras at each of six high schools, as well as door alarms for propped or unlocked doors, all of which are monitored during school hours at a control center. High school students are required to scan their student IDs upon entrance to the building, and all visitors must present and scan their photo IDs as well to keep record of who is in the school and when, according to a FOX 4 KC report. At Free State, however, students and visitors are allowed in without identification until 8:05 a.m. and throughout the entire lunch block. When students and visitors attempt to enter during the locked hours of the school, they are automatically admitted by receptionist Lynette Lottinville. “There’s no official training, in essence what it has been is that the door’s locked,” Hill said. “[The receptionists] have a buzzer, they
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5 May 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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Continued from page 8 have to identify the person and let them in, and then they have to vet the person when they come in. So there’s been no specific training for that.” So who decides who enters the school and who doesn’t, without profiling, or any form of communication other than a visual glance? For SRO Ty Scheibler, it seems like a last minute decision is the only way to prevent a suspicious person from gaining admittance to the rest of the school. But the suspicious visitor would already be in the office, past the only usable locked doors. Former Assistant Superintendent and the 2016-2017 Superintendent, Kyle Hayden acknowledges this flaw. “Unfortunately, the district hasn’t offered any formal training for receptionists. Building administration should provide guidance with how they want their staff to manage the check in process. School Resource Officers can also provide support and guidance with the process.” After the initial entrance, the secondary door to the school was not able to be used for lockdown because there was duct tape over the lock until it was updated over spring break. Automatically locked, the doors connecting the Commons and the office were jimmied for convenience. The receptionists now have to push the button for every visitor, whether inside or outside the school. While some logistical flaws raise concern in the effectiveness of the security system in protecting Free State students and staff, Hayden is pleased with the attempts the district is making. “The construction of secured entries is a significant step in the right direction but there is obviously still work to do. There are high tech solutions out there that can help with vetting visitors but we have not aggressively pursued these options,” Hayden said. “My director of facilities tells me they intend to install an intercom system in the secured vestibule to allow two way communication. Staff will work with building administration to determine whether or not a video camera is needed.” The second hand effect of the system is its aid in the fight against tardies. Junior Cody Payne believes the new security system is a good way to inspire students to respect the attendance. “I think [the security system is] a good motivator for ‘I don’t want to walk all the way around the school in the morning, that’s going to be tough to deal with, so I guess I’ll just hurry now in the morning,’” Payne said. Security guard Charles Thomas, however, believes the security system does not change the students’ initiative to not be tardy. “The door will not stop them from being tardy,” Thomas said. “We still have people trying to come in the south entrance and they’ll stand there and stand there expecting that something will change.” It is clear that there are both pros and cons to the new and expensive system. With time, future plans, similar to removing duct tape from the second door, could improve the system’s effectiveness and the school’s safety.
Photos by Tierney Thompson Above: After missing the 8:05 a.m. bell students have to go through the attendance office to enter the school. Visitors and students entering through the office during off-peak hours was one of the updated security features added this year. “The key is to create a secure environment which is a goal of any new construction,” assistant principal Mike Hill said. Opposite page: In the attendance office, Stephanie Kema buzzes the door in the office entrance to let students and visitors in. In the past year, a new security system was istalled to ensure safety. “It’s good as far as implementing something immediately to ensure safety just even more hours in the day,” junior Cody Payne said.
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5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
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BUILDING BLOCKS
Students from Free State, LHS work to build school in Haiti Written by Trenna Soderling
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hile $30,000 may seem like an impossible goal for a group of high schoolers to raise, students at both LHS and Free State have collected about $27,000 through multiple fundraisers. The lofty goal has been set to fund a project in conjunction with buildOn, a charity group sophomore Maddy Johnson heard about while attending a Girl Scout national leadership conference. “buildOn is an organization that really promotes people working through community service,” Johnson said. “They have a lot of programs where high school students and college students can create a chapter, raise money and then travel to a third world country to build a school.” Through many debates and pro/con lists, the chapter has decided to travel to a village in Haiti, one of the seven different third world countries buildOn works with. “We all decided that Haiti is [a country] that really needs a lot of help, especially with the earthquake that happened a while ago,” Johnson said. While the group will be traveling without their parents, they won’t be entirely without familiar faces. Barbara Nitz, a teacher at Southwest Middle School, decided to accompany the chapter to
Haiti after they asked for her help over ice cream. “These are kids who are truly committed to making a difference in the world,” Nitz said. “How could I not help support the ambitions of young people to show a very impoverished part of our world that people care about them, their children and their education?” Additionally, the group will have trek supervisors throughout their week and a half trip, although they haven’t met them yet. “We’re going with our sponsor, but then we’ll also have a cook, two translators and a trek guide with us,” Johnson said. However, the group believes the support they will find will not be solely from buildOn. “We’ve heard from other treks, apparently they get there and the entire village is there waiting for [them],” sophomore Emily Low said. “The rest of the time we’re there we’re with a host family in the village, so we’ll be staying with them. Yeah, we won’t be able to communicate very well but we’ll definitely form bonds with them.” The bonds formed will extend from the hospitality shown to the group. The community will work alongside buildOn and the students to help create the school. “A lot of Americans, at least a lot of privileged people want to Photo courtesy of Barbara Nitz
5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
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News
Photo courtesy of buildOn.org
do something really good so they come in, build something, give businesses. money and then leave and then it doesn’t really get used,” Johnson “It involves a lot of fundraising, because none of us have $30,000 said. “That’s what we’re trying to address. The community has been to donate to ourselves,” Johnson said. contacted in the village we’re going to...they’re having to work on it Once the money has been raised, buildOn will help the group and do just as much work as we’re doing.” with the final steps in securing the means to actually build the Additionally, there are contracts in place to make sure the school school. has enough supplies and is fair. “BuildOn has given us the whole outline,” Low said. “We give “As part of the commitment of the village and the them the money we’ve fundraised, and then How could I not help Haitian government, they sign a pledge to make sure they buy our plane tickets for us and they’ll support the ambitions of the school is completed, children are enrolled in the supply us with stuff for the school once we get young people to show a school and teachers are hired to teach,” Nitz said. very impoverished part of there.” These checks the school has to undergo have our world that people care Johnson believes the work that has gone been a large assurance for Johnson. The schools about them, their children into making this project a reality has drastically serve almost 250 kids at a time, but Johnson believes affected the outlooks of the group members. and their education? their impact will stretch much farther than that. “Sometimes when you’re in high school, - SWMS teacher Barbara Nitz “The schools stay there for decades,” she said. it’s hard to have perspective on things because “BuildOn has built almost 800 schools and they’re all still being you’ve got this homework assignment or the test coming up, but we used.” are having to put in a lot of work to raise $30,000,” Johnson said. The community may be excited, but without necessary funds the “We’ve done a lot of research on the problems in Haiti. It really school will not be built. In total, the group will need over $30,000 shows there’s a lot that needs to be done, but we still have the power to finance the project. The group has raised money in a variety of to make a difference. That’s changed a lot of people’s perspectives.” ways like garage sales, bake sales, selling coffee and reaching out to
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Opposite page: Students, including sophomores Carly Oliver, Maddy Johnson and Anna Bial, choose to work with an organization called BuildOn to help them on their mission trip to Haiti. The group raised enough money to set off on the trip and assist the village’s teachers at school. “I thought this would be an amazing way to make a positive impact on the world,” sophomore Maddy Johnson said.
Above: BuildOn was founded by Jim Ziolkowski in 1991, then called Building with Books. The nonprofit organization focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through service and education.
1 2 NEW IN TOWN 5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
Editorial
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y approach to journalism is simple: be true. Whether I am being true to facts, or true to my opinion, this approach has aided me in becoming the new co-editor in chief of the Free Press. So with that in mind, I will truthfully tell you that I am beyond excited to be spewing my thoughts into this column every issue for the next year. My words are ready to hit the press, and I am honored to be able to print them for you all to see. As co-editor in chief, I hope to bring you laughter on some days, reality on most days, and creativity every day. With Addie by my side, I can do it all and more. I know this change in democracy is drastic, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mariah Houston. I am a melodramatic poet, a very enthusiastic friend/French horn player, I dabbled in taekwondo for about seven years, and I am probably the love child of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Although I am ready to be a senior, I am devastated to see the current seniors go. I know they are “going to better places” and “fulfilling their destinies” and what not, but watching some of my best friends and most influential leaders move away will lead to an inevitable sob-fest. Sydney Gard and Trenna Soderling have been wonderful and witty with their stories, columns and personalities. I hope to one day fill the gaping hole that their graduation will leave in all of your hearts. My appreciation for journalism and the English language has stemmed from some extremely inspiring people to whom I will give a warm, loving mention right now. Thank you to the Louder than a Bomb slam poetry team for helping me learn to appreciate a goodass story. Thank you Kylee Wright for always having faith in my writing. Thank you to my best friends for helping me become a person I am proud to be. Finally, thank you to the Free Press staff for always giving me a story to tell. Journalism is important. Barack Obama has done well. Gas prices are falling. Thank you for reading, and thank you for appreciating the truth with me for this issue and for issues to come.
MARIAH HOUSTON Co-Editor in Chief
New co-editors in chief discuss the year to come
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s I look back on the two wonderful years I’ve spent on the Free Press staff, I realize how different I am now. When I joined newspaper, I was a quiet little sophomore who liked graphic design and needed to fill an elective space. I thought I was only going to stay for a semester, but I loved the environment and the people, so I stayed, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This year as design editor has helped me become more assertive, responsible and involved, and I’m very excited to grow and learn more this coming year as co-editor in chief. My personal development has made me think about how much people can change over a few short years. Time is such an elusive concept, and, though I easily recognize that I am not the same person I was two years ago, it’s difficult for me to accept that I won’t be the same person I am now in the future. It’s possible that I won’t always like art museums or randomly browsing Wikipedia, and that’s a little strange to me. However, since we’re all going to change, my advice to you all would be to enjoy what you like while you can. Dye your hair pink or exclusively read Proust. Embrace your individuality because life is so fleeting, and soon you’ll realize that the individual you are now isn’t the individual you will always be. With that in mind, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to express my momentary self to you for the next year. Many thanks to Sydney and Trenna, who have been the best mentors, role models and friends anyone could ask for. Thanks and apologies in advance to Mariah for when I inevitably stress out during our seven-hour finalizing days. And, of course, my utmost respect for every member of the journalism staffs who have come before me and for those who have yet to realize their passion for this program. Thanks, and best of luck for the year ahead!
ADDIE WENDEL Co-Editor in Chief
Photo by Ali Dodd
5 May 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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Editorial
DON’T BREAK UP, BREAK OUT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP RUT Summer breakups more common than they should be Written by Lauren Brittain
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’m scared. Next year, we’ll be 500 miles away from each other, and, uh, I just. Well I don’t think this will work.” That is the worst sentence in the world. Wherever it is said, whether it be sitting in a car, lying in green, May grass, or at your favorite restaurant, it will never stop being the worst sentence in the world. You won’t be able to go that restaurant for months. All summer, that grass won’t remind you of the gorgeous summer day ahead, but that moment. Weighing the pros and cons of breaking up before summer is important. Every couple goes through the process of waking up after winter and wanting to reassess who they are. Maybe some want to do that separately. Maybe college is an elephant in a room that just keeps getting smaller. Maybe breaking up before summer seems like the only option. While I would never accuse someone of making the wrong choice, I disagree with the summer break up. To me, summer means best friends. If I am still in love with my best friend, I want them to be right next to me for those three months. They’ll be sitting next to me in the car, not saying the worst sentence in the world, but driving to Bloomington Beach. We will lay in grass at midnight, because it never gets cold in July. We will eat our weight at festivals and in backyards and inside movie theaters, and run it off as we chase each other through our hometown. To me, summer means the cracked, brick sidewalks of downtown Lawrence that twist and wind and never end. They do end, somewhere. But I want to walk them all summer with you, until it’s over. You will know when it’s over. If it is getting bad, if it is getting abusive, if it is not for you anymore, then get out. But if it’s fear holding you back, then senior couples and couples in general, this is one choice you can afford to put off. August will come, and maybe they drive away from you, and you will keep waving until you can’t
Lauren Brittain has been on staff for two years and plans to continue being a reporter for the 2016-17 school year. see their car anymore, and you will be wearing cutoff jean shorts, and you will think, “this is the hardest thing I have ever done.” Yes, it is, but you have three months worth of memories in your back pocket. Let them fill your hungry, lonely belly in the days to come.
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5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten and Juliana Wilches
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SAYING GOODBYE, SAYING HELLO End of school year means beginning of new experiences Written by Maya Hodison and Mariah Houston
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eniors toss graduation caps into the air and lucky pennies towards their futures as they say goodbye to the high school they have come to know so well. Siblings are going their separate ways, teachers are reaching retirement and some people are
saying goodbye to Kansas completely. Goodbyes can be difficult to overcome, but there is always a ‘hello’ on the other side, waiting for the cap to be thrown, the lucky penny to land heads-up and the next leg of the journey to commence.
Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister
Photo by Klaire Sarver
Photo contributed by David Johnson
Smiling outside of the school, senior Drew Tochtrop gives sister junior Kenzi a piggyback ride. This year is the last the siblings will attend school together. “I will probably just miss having him around to just hang out with me,” Kenzi said.
Holding up a photo of his younger brother, junior Will Benkelman won’t be the only Benkelman to be walking the halls of Free State next year. As the 2015-2016 school year ends, students prepare for next year when their younger siblings enter the high school scene. “I’m just excited because I can see him in the halls,” Benkelman said.
Senior Lauren Johnson and sophomore David work together to better each other. From carpooling to helping with homework, Lauren has David’s back. “She’s made me hang out with the right people and made me not go to the wrong events,” David said.
5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten and Juliana Wilches
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Siblings Come and Go
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he next leg of senior Lauren Johnson’s journey will take place sense that attending the same school as his older sister has enabled at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. After spending friendships that might have been nonexistent otherwise. 15 years with his older sister, sophomore David Johnson will “Knowing Maggie, she has opened the door to all of her friends,” have to make adjustments as he becomes the only child left in his Teddy said. “A lot of her friends have become my friends.” household. On the opposite side of the spectrum, junior Will Benkelman will “There [are] a couple perks to growing up with a sibling,” David become the inspiration to his younger brother Jack when he starts said. “You always have someone to hang out with, and it would be his freshman year next fall. kind of boring [living] with just your parents.” “My relationship with Jack is just a lighthearted mess around,” David expressed his appreciation for attending high school with Will said. “I just do things to make him laugh.” his sister, and he credited her with keeping him out of trouble. Will has reaped the benefits of growing up with a sibling, and he “She [has] made me hang out with the right people and...not go appreciates the humbling effect it has taken on his personality. to the wrong events,” David said. “She has just made me a better “[a perk of growing up with a sibling is] just not getting all the person.” attention in the world and not being spoiled,” Benkelman said. Similar to David, junior Kenzie Freeman appreciated her older “[Growing up with siblings] really teaches you a lot, plus you always sister Lexie’s presence throughout her high school years. have somebody there for you if you need them.”Although the older “I know more people in [my older sister’s] I talk to her every single sibling is usually credited for teaching the grade, and I’m friends with a lot of her friends,” day. Losing a person who I younger one, sometimes people can learn a thing Kenzie said. “It was kind of comforting to have interact with on a daily basis or two from those who they try so hard to guide. another friendly face in the halls.” “[Jack] has furthered my knowledge of the is going to be pretty weird Although Lexie plans to live in downtown world,” Benkelman said. “He’s kind of into and hard to adjust to. Lawrence, Kenzie is saying goodbye to someone astrophysics, so I get to talk to him about that. - sophomore Teddy Carttar she has encountered at the breakfast table all her life. He has taught me something.” “I’ve been with her for 16 years, and I’ve never been apart from While Benkelman has learned about astrophysics from Jack, her,” Kenzie said. “Now she’s leaving.” sophomore Sam Six has learned new things about himself from his Sophomore Teddy Carttar will also be saying goodbye to incoming freshman brother. someone who doubles as an older sibling and a best friend. Senior “[Henry] is a lot more introverted than I am, and I think that I am Maggie Carttar plans to attend Smith College in Northampton, also becoming a little more introverted in high school,” Six said. “He Massachusetts next fall. really enjoys just sitting down and doing something for himself for “I talk to her every single day,” Teddy said. “Losing a person who I three hours on the weekend, and I have started to try and do that.” interact with on a daily basis is going to be pretty weird and hard to Whether it be singing a concerto duet at an orchestra concert, adjust to.” golf carting near a lake, or simply beating a level on a video game Teddy has spent his childhood looking up to his sister. Watching together, siblings all have memories that remind them to love one her attitude towards life has affected his own. another. “Seeing her friendliness and kindness has impacted the way I “I love that [Henry is] really true to himself,” Six said. “No matter act,” Teddy said. “My interpersonal skills come from my sister and what situation you put him in, he is always going to be Henry. He is watching how she interacts with people.” always going to be kind of shy but funny and sarcastic at the same Teddy has had a similar high school experience to Kenzie in the time.”
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Photo by Caitlin Dodd Family members sophomores Teddy and Amelia, and seniors Isabel, Katie and Maggie Carttar gather together for a group photo. All of them shared an interest in music. “I think that my favorite memory with my sister is having the opportunity to be in marching band with [Maggie],” Teddy Carttar said.
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Above: Surrounded by her students, teacher Laurie Martin-Frydman gives her Creative Writing class instructions for the next project. This year was Martin-Frydman’s last as a teacher. “As much as I love teaching, I look forward to setting my own agenda,” MartinFrydman said.
Opposite page: Marsha Poholsky has taught photography since Free State’s opening. This year, Poholsky has said goodbye to her full-time teaching career to focus on other aspects of her life. “I hope to do my own artwork, sub a little and play with my granddaughter,” Poholsky said.
Teachers Move On
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eniors aren’t the only ones leaving. Multiple teachers will be cleaning out their classrooms as they get ready for retirement or simply a change in occupation. This has been English teacher Laurie Martin-Frydman’s last year at Free State. She plans to explore her interests and take steps towards her goal of being a writer. “I will miss teaching very much,” Martin-Frydman said. “Quitting was a difficult decision, to be honest, but I always told myself I would quit while I still loved it. I still love it, so leaving this job will feel very strange. [Teaching is an honor and a privilege.” Martin-Frydman’s fellow English teacher Ashley Sollars will also be leaving Free State when the year comes to an end. Instead of teaching high school, Sollars will be teaching her one year old son the ways of the world. “I am excited to watch my son grow and develop,” Sollars said. “I’m going to miss my amazing students and colleagues. The teachers here have traditionally had a lot of room to teach creatively, [and] this is a special place.” Although some teachers will be parting ways with Lawrence, Martin-Frydman will be staying in the town she fell in love with as a teenager. “My family had moved from New Jersey to Olathe, where I attended high school,” Martin-Frydman said. “I was unhappy in
Olathe, and never fit in. The first time I came to Lawrence was for a debate tournament. We ate at Cornucopia, a hippy restaurant, and they were playing Lou Reed on the stereo. I had found my people. I moved to Lawrence in 1979, early in the morning on my eighteenth birthday. I love our open-minded, liberal, accepting and compassionate community.” The Lawrence community has also taken an effect on Sollars. Although Sollars does not reside in Lawrence, she has been impacted by the people who do. “The people of Lawrence are committed to education and the arts in particular; therefore, these values were reinforced within me,” Sollars said. Connecting with students is the best part of the job, according to Martin-Frydman. Although she identifies as a teacher, over the years her students have taught her irreplaceable lessons. “My students have knocked me off my feet so many times over the years, with their resilience, critical thinking skills, wisecracks, poetry, rapping, writing, philosophizing, guitar playing, art work, fake French accents, questions, theories, observations, short stories, honesty, insights and kindness. They have been a source of inspiration and energy,” Martin-Frydman said. “I’ve learned to respect and admire [my students], to never write anyone off, to see them as individuals, as valued members of our community. I don’t feel any better than them,
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just older and more educated.” “[We will] lose lots of great, experienced people,” Graber said. Through teaching, Sollars has also been able to develop “They understand the culture of the school and how it works. All memorable connections with students and those who teach beside the experience they bring to the table is amazing, and [their leaving] her. will definitely be an impact. We’re sorry to see them go, but we “[Teaching] is the only thing I’ve persisted with in life. I’m a bit understand that life changes. [O]ur goal when someone goes out is to obsessed with the constant refining teaching requires. It constantly bring in the best possible person in place of that.” challenges and rewards me,” Sollars said. “The relationships built Graber feels confident in his choices of incoming teachers, and through this process are lasting. I like knowing that everyday I’m he has worked together with department chairs to hire the best pouring myself into something positive for the future.” replacements for those who are leaving. Although leaving the ever-exciting job of teaching will be a “I’m pretty particular, so we to look for candidates that have difficult transition, Martin-Frydman is outstanding credentials, that had a good I’ve learned to respect and admire experience prior to being here, and that beyond excited to discover new passions [my students], to never write anyone might bring a certain strength to the and recreate her identity as a writer. off, to see them as individuals, as “I really want to be a writer now,” position,” Graber said. “I feel like for the valued members of our community. Martin-Frydman said. “I was a graphic positions so far that we have filled, we have - teacher Laurie Martin-Frydman designer for fifteen years, a teacher for 15 found those people.” years and now I want to be a writer for 15 years. Then, maybe, retire.” Students and faculty will being saying goodbye to several Along with Martin-Frydman and Sollars, several other teachers astounding teachers and faculty members, according to Graber, but are leaving, including Linda Bass, Danielle Geronymo, Cody he hopes the student body will welcome the incoming replacements. Janousek, Meg Lyles, Karen Musacchio, Marsha Poholsky, Carol “There are challenges [the incoming teachers] will have to get Spring, and Ron Swall. used to because every school operates a little [differently,] so we want Saying goodbye to teachers is bittersweet for the entirety of to support them so they can be successful here and have a great Free State, and while Principal Myron Graber will miss those who experience here,” Graber said. “It’s nice when you have different are leaving, he is also excited to welcome those who will take their perspectives and different ideas come in because it challenges us all places. to think and grow a little bit.”
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Seniors Face Their Futures
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enior Olivia Boldridge will spend the next few years of her life earning her undergraduate degree at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Making the jump from a place as liberal as Lawrence to a conservative town known for Cashew Chicken and waving the confederate flag will be one of the most challenging aspects of college, according to Boldridge. “Lawrence is unlike any other community,” Boldridge said. “Dropping myself in a whole new place…it’s challenging, but hopefully I’ll be able to acclimate to it.” Boldridge will be studying communications at Missouri State University next year, and although the thought of leaving her friends and family is daunting, she is ready for a change. “I’m excited to become a little more independent and meet new people,” Boldridge said. “We get stuck in the same routine of being around the same people and going to the same school for years. It’s hard to break out of that, but once you do it’s a good thing.” Forming new routines is an aspect of college senior Nick Popiel will also experience when he drives 18 hours to his new home in Bozeman, Montana. Beginning his studies in the engineering program at Montana State University next fall, Popiel is excited not only for the academic side of MSU, but also the change in scenery.
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Continued from page 17 “I’ve been in Lawrence for six years now, and this is the longest The accepting community of Lawrence was also a benefit for I’ve ever been in one place,” Popiel said. “Although I love Lawrence, I senior Sam Skwarlo as he was growing up. think life is too short to not see as much of the world as you can.” “I feel like Lawrence is a ‘be whatever you want, do whatever you Popiel has lived in four different states, and due to the constant want’ town,” Skwarlo said. “It has made me more open minded.” fresh starts, he feels accustomed to change and is not intimidated by Skwarlo plans to dedicate his college experience to the Kansas the 1,200 mile move to Montana. University football team, while he studies either biology or exercise “I’m excited to live in a really beautiful place, so I can continue science. to pursue my love for photography,” Popiel said. “I love being in the “[When choosing a college] football was my deciding factor,” mountains, and there’s just a sense of clarity with Skwarlo said. “I really like the staff at KU, and it’s like I truly think every- a family there.” being closer to the outdoors that I really enjoy.” one has a place at Although Boldridge and Popiel cannot wait to While Skwarlo anticipates sticking to his routine Free State; you just sport, Edmonds anticipates sticking to her routine gain new independence in college, the people and have to do what you independence. community of Lawrence they will leave behind is a love, and the rest goodbye that will be hard for them to bear. “I’ve been pretty independent for a very long will fall into place. “[I will miss] my family and friends,” Boldridge time,” Edmonds said. “It has just been me and my said. “Being away from them will be challenging.” -senior Nick Popiel mom since my siblings and dad left, [and] I’ve been Popiel agreed that the parts of Lawrence he will making my own food and doing my laundry. It will be miss the most are the close friends he has acquired during his six sad to not see [my mom’s] light on in her room when I come home years here. after a long day.” “18 hours is a long drive. I won’t be able to see the friends I’ve High school is a place to find routines, and college is a place made here very often in the future, which makes this all a little to face the scariness of creating new ones. While Skwarlo found bittersweet.” friendships and familiarity through his football family, Edmonds Unlike Boldridge and Popiel, senior Sarah Edmonds plans to found a home in the music department. stay close to home when summer rolls into fall. Studying education “Over the last four years, I’ve made all my friends in band and at Kansas University is the future for Edmonds, and she couldn’t be choir, and I’m going to miss seeing them everyday and making music happier about her decision. with them,” Edmonds said. Some of the in-town-perks for Edmonds are staying near family, Similar to Edmonds, Popiel also found friendships through keeping her car, and taking a few free classes at Johnson County music. Community College where her mother is a professor. “The music and photography programs have been where I’ve “[Lawrence] is such a unique place. [My mom and I] did a lot of felt I belong, and I’m thankful for the teachers and students that are searching...when we first moved, but there’s just no place like this parts of them,” Popiel said. “I truly think everyone has a place at Free in the world,” Edmonds said. “There’s a sense of community even State; you just have to do what you love, and the rest will fall into though it’s a large town, and the people here are special.” place.”
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Photos by Christina Craig Left: When senior Sarah Edmonds moved from a small town to Lawrence, she liked the experience of living in a larger, more diverse community. She has decided to attend the University of Kansas after taking an online college interest survey that matched her up with KU. The results reinforced her love of Lawrence. “I came [to Lawrence] from a little dinky town in Kansas.” Edmonds said. “But once I came here I was exposed to more ideas. My friends had differing opinions on religion and all sorts of cool things.” Right: Although Popiel has expressed his love of Lawrence and will miss it greatly, he is excited to begin his college experience in Bozeman, Montana at Montana State University. “[In Montana,] there’s so much to do in the summer and winter if you love the outdoors, and I think I will be very happy living in such a beautiful place next year,” Popiel said. “I can’t wait.”
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Profiles
BIRD’S WORD What will you miss about this year? Interviewed by Maame Britwum Photos by Nicola Santangelo and Sophia Bone
“Probably some of my classes. Probably some of my friends that are going to move away.” - freshman Keion Brown
“I’m going to miss all the teachers that I currently have and I’m going to miss all the seniors that are graduating.” - junior Laura Phillips
“Probably the classes that I’m taking and what won’t be available next year, and that I’ve missed out on this year … like certain classes that I won’t be able to take as a junior.” - sophomore Morgan Gardner
“I think the thing I’m going to miss most, is not having the friends I grew up with since elementary and middle school, that I’ve become so close to. And not having them with me next year. And just the fear of growing apart from them.” - senior Logan McKinney
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Profiles
POETRY CLUB
SLAM POETRY TEAM PLACES SECOND AT NATIONAL COMPETITION Written by Maame Britwum
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t the start of March, Poetry Club began Slam Season. On Mar. 8 the slam poetry team traveled to Kansas City to compete in the nation’s largest youth slam poetry competition, Louder Than A Bomb. Club sponsor Brandon Wolak first heard about Louder Than A Bomb while working in Kansas City with a sponsor from the event. “[Paul Richardson] kept reaching out to me after I moved to Free State, saying ‘you guys should make a team, you should come compete at this competition.’” The team participated in Louder Than a Bomb for the first time in 2015. Although anyone can participate in Poetry Club, only a certain number of poems are selected to compete on the club’s Slam Team. “I wish it was just more about the club and people just coming in and sharing,” Wolak said. “But on the other hand … I think in a way, that competition makes for accountability and better poetry.” This year, the Slam Team selection process was changed from a guest panel choosing to a more poet-oriented system. “The poets decided what they wanted to do was that anybody who wanted to audition also got a vote … and whoever got the lowest score at the end wins,” Wolak said. “You want to get all ones.” Freshman Mia Peters was selected to compete on the team’s four-person group piece and solo. “[Poetry club] held a tryout where we would all read a poem and then we chose the top four poems,” Peters said. “We ended up taking five soloists this year and they just [switched] in each bout.” Peters’ writes poems chiefly about her anxiety, however the solo she performed at Louder Than A Bomb had a different focus. “My poems are mostly personal,” Peters said. “My poem for Louder
Than a Bomb was about an eating disorder, but I’ve written political poems before.” The four-person group poem tacked a controversial topic and did well in competition. “The group piece was about gun violence, specifically in schools,” Peters said. This year the slam poetry team placed second in finals, one place away from qualifying to Brave New Voices, an international slam poetry competition. Freshman Kenzi Dowdell, an alternate, watched his team place second in finals. “I think Free State did very well,” Dowdell said. “Even making it to finals is hard because competition is super difficult once you reach semifinals.” Dowdell joined Poetry Club after watching junior Rowen Plinsky perform her poem for his English class. “Rowan Plinksy … came into my English class and slammed her competition piece last year ‘180’,” Dowdell said. “It got me really inspired and I came and started writing and I just got better.” Although Dowdell was an alternate this year, next slam season he plans on preparing a solo. As the club improves each year, Wolak is confident that in the coming years, Poetry Club will continue to prosper. “The growth of our freshmen has been key, especially freshmen that are really eager to want to compete and also incredibly talented. ” Photo by Gabrielle Wheeler Above: Standing under the spot light, junior Rowan Plinsky, recites her poem “This Is Not a Best Friend Poem.” The past two years the poetry team has attended the Louder Than a Bomb poetry competition in Kansas City. “I think it was a really awesome season, and I am proud of how well we did,” Plinsky said.
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CHANG LIU
CHINESE PROGRAM LOSES BILINGUAL PROCTOR WITH BUDGET CUTS Written by Elizabeth Patton
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he US State Department classifies Chinese as a Category III language; languages that are exceptionally difficult for native English speakers to learn. Already difficult enough, imagine attempting to learn Chinese with a language barrier. This has been a recurring challenge for students enrolled in electives Chinese 1, 2, or 3. The Chinese language classroom has two teachers: a proctor physically present in the room and a teacher who works over video chat. The proctor typically doesn’t speak Chinese, and the teacher doesn’t always speak fluent English. When technological issues occur or homework questions arise, the students are left with an inability to communicate between either teachers. This changed this year however, when Chang Liu became the 2015-2016 proctor for Chinese 2 and 3, as well as an in-class teacher for Chinese 1. Liu’s presence in the classroom eliminated the frustration students felt with the language barrier. Liu is fluent in both Chinese and English, giving her the ability to communicate with the students as well as their video-chat teachers. However, with impending budget cuts, Liu’s position as a part time teacher ends for the upcoming school years. For the 23 students Liu teaches, this is a loss. “A lot of Chinese students, including myself, rely on her to help us out in the class” junior Corinne Ngyun said. “This is really hard for us.” Junior Erin Scherl, also a Chinese 3 student, created a petition in
attempt to persuade the administration to keep the job. The petition garnered over 170 signatures, but when given to Principal Graber, he explained there was no other option because of budget cuts. “When I first heard she wasn’t going to return next year, my initial thought was that the school just didn’t understand how vital she was to the Chinese students,” Scherl said. “I just hoped to bring some attention to the situation, because it seemed like an arbitrary and thoughtless decision on the part of the school.” The reality is schools across Kansas are finding as many possible corners to cut with the decreased funding. This corner, however affects Chinese 1, 2 or 3 students’ ability to learn. “Next year’s Chinese classes are going to suffer a lot,” Scherl said. “Without someone in the classroom who’s fluent in Chinese to communicate with the Confucius [video chat] teacher, it’s incredibly hard for students to fix technology issues or speak to their own teacher in English. That language barrier is really bad for a learning environment, as I know from experience.” While her time physically at Free State was short, Liu said she “was sure it was the right decision to teach [at] Free State” and has “had the best students ever!” Luckily, Liu may return as a video chat teacher, keeping her connected to her students even if it is through a computer screen. Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister Above: During her first hour Chinese 1 class, Chinese teacher Chang Liu instructs her students on the singular and plural of ‘book.’ Because of cuts in funding for schools in Kansas, she will not be returning next year to teach. “When I first heard she wasn’t going to return next year, my initial thought was that the school just didn’t understand how vital she was to the Chinese students,” junior Erin Scherl said.
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Reviews
“THE FIREBIRD” SOARS Editor reviews Arts Center ballet
Written by Sydney Gard
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et me start this review out by saying that I know pretty much nothing about ballet. I’m maybe a little more informed about dance in general, but that’s just from Dance Moms, so yeah, I know pretty much nothing about dance either. Thankfully, I saw “Emergence” with Addie Wendel, who is very cultured, understands a lot about ballet and dance and seemed to know half the girls in the Arts Center’s ballet company. While I was expecting to just see Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” what I actually saw was an Encore-esque mashup of different dances before intermission and an hour long rendition of “The Firebird” after it. I hadn’t been to a ballet since seeing “The Nutcracker” at the Arts Center when I was younger, and I probably appreciate it more now since the dancers are my age and obviously way more talented and dedicated than I am. The show started with some pretty classical run-of-the-mill ballet dances. The highest number of consecutive turns I counted was 12, but that was only because it took me a while to realize I should probably count how many consecutive turns I saw. In addition, there were leaps, lifts and tiny, quick steps. After the classical ballet were several
contemporary dances. “Emergence” made me feel really bad about myself, but in the best possible way. I was so impressed that these people could do everything so gracefully, while I can barely make it from my room to the fridge without tripping over something. I understand the company has hours of dedicated practice, but I have plenty of practice getting to my fridge too, so I’m going to assume the dancers are also just extremely talented at what they do. After the intermission, “The Firebird” started. The music was awesome, the dancing was incredible and the story was perfect. The ballet would have of course been better with live music, but it would be impossible to fit a large enough orchestra into the Arts Center, and the recording was good, too. I am still impressed by everything and listening to the ballet as I type. I understand that this review is too late for anyone reading it to see this year’s “Emergence,” but the Arts Center hosts a similar showcase for its ballet company each year. It would be worth the time and money of anyone, even a ballet newbie like myself, to go next year. There’s no way anyone could be disappointed by “Emergence.”
Photo by Nicola Santangelo Dancing the role of the Tsarevna, junior Annie Olson catches a golden apple in the Lawrence Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Firebird.” “The Firebird” was one of several performances in the Lawrence Art Center’s annual show “Emergence.” “I dance because it’s my life,” Olson said.
5 May 2016 Page by Drake Riner
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Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister
TRY SOME THAI Editor reviews Lawrence’s newest Thai restaurant Baan Thai Written by Mariah Houston
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hen I set foot in downtown Lawrence’s newest Thai eatery for the first time, my initial reaction was a smile. Baan Thai’s beautiful venue is full of wooden tables, seating groups from two to 14. Paired with the tables are vibrant chairs and pots of flowers. Shortly after eyeing the chairs, I noticed the lack of people sitting in them. When compared to Jefferson’s next door, Baan Thai seemed deserted; however, the delicious meal left me questioning the lack of customers. My family and I were seated quickly, and were offered drinks immediately. Having service in a timely fashion was a delightful surprise, considering how one can spend hours waiting for a table and some food at a busy restaurant. Baan Thai’s menu allows people to take it easy on the pocket book or be big spenders if they choose. Traditional Thai meals range from $9.95 to $18.95, and in the “American Offerings” section of the menu, one can buy a burger for $7.95. Before any food was placed on my table, my Thai iced tea was
set in front of me. The rusty-orange colored beverage had a sweet, vanilla taste. My family and I decided to order Spring Rolls and Fried Tofu as appetizers, and they were both satisfyingly warm and came with sweet and sour dipping sauce. For a main course, I ordered some classic Pad Thai. Being one of the cheapest dishes on the menu, I was surprised at the amount of food I was served. Out came a steaming plate of rice noodles, tofu, and green onions, coated in a sweet peanut sauce. I definitely got my money’s worth, and I went home with a full belly and a box of leftovers. Eating dinner with my family in a beautiful venue with large windows, looking out on Mass street was a lovely use of my evening. I highly recommend giving Baan Thai a go if you love great service and a wide variety of Thai food (including a few burger options.) Hopefully, when I return to Baan Thai, the tables won’t be so empty.
Lawrence’s newest Thai restaurant Baan Thai opened in early November of 2014. The restaurant offers authentic Thai beverages and desserts to go along with the customers meal.
Canada 3.1%
Alaska .3%
Pacific Northwest 5.2%
Mountain States 11.2%
California 5.6%
Texas 1.7%
Mexico 2.2% Central America 1.7%
South America 1.1%
175 students surveyed
Mid-Atlantic 2.2%
Staying Here 10.8%
Southwest 2.8% Hawaii .7%
Midwest 12.5%
Great Lakes 11.8%
Northeast 5.6%
Southeast 12.2%
5 May 2016 Page by Adelaide Wendel
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OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
Students share summer vacation plans Europe 5.9%
Asia 1.7% Africa 1.7%
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5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
Style
MODEL SENIORS senior WILL LAUFER Do you have any style icons? I couldn’t name someone, but I follow some men’s fashion accounts on Instagram and I look at that. How would you describe your style? Trying to care but not caring. What’s your favorite clothing item? I have a pair of pants I really like. You can never tell what color they are, it just depends on the day and the lighting outside. They’re a little stretchy but I just like how they fit me and I can wear anything I want with them and it looks good. How do you think your personality influence your style? I’m pretty laid back and so I’m not out there making a statement with my style but I’m also not blending in. How did you find your style? My older sister helped a lot. When I was younger she gave me some tips… She kind of molded me. She’s moved out, so now I have to do this on my own, but it’s okay. What is your spirit animal? Everybody says I look like Sid the Sloth on the soccer team. What kind of music do you listen to? I listen to a lot of Kanye, a lot of Chance the Rapper. I listen to some alternative . . . and then I listen to every single Encore song. What fashion trends do you love? I like no socks, or socks that aren’t visible. I like crazy socks. I don’t have any, but on all the Instagram accounts I follow they have these loafers, but they’re not old man loafers, because they’re like stylish, European loafers. I want a pair but they’re like $500. What fashion trends do you hate? I don’t really like it when someone [mixes styles]. If you’re going to wear Sperry’s don’t wear them with a hipster t-shirt. Some people do some really clashing things and I’m like ‘yikes.’ But it’s your style, you can do whatever you want. What is your dream job? Being a team physio for a professional soccer team in Europe, not in the United States. That’d be awesome, but it’s probably not going to happen. Tell us a secret. I condition my hair with two different kinds of conditioner, and I use Moroccanoil.
5 May 2016 Page by Atticus vonHolten
Style
senior ISABEL CARTTAR
Students show off their personal styles
Where do you shop? I shop at the Gap a lot. They have jeans that actually fit me. Plato’s Closet is always good. Do you have any style icons? I always admired my cousins style from afar, but I’m like ‘wow,’ I could never pull that off. Sometimes I try to do little incorporations, but mostly I just see somebody around school and I’ll just wear it the next day. How do you think your personality influence your style? It’s pretty safe. I am outgoing sometimes, but normally I’m more guarded, and my style is pretty guarded too, but I like little things with bright colors. What is your favorite color to wear? Blue, for sure. Any type of blue. What is your spirit animal? Hedgehog. They’re just super cute, and what better [animal] to be than a hedgehog. What kind of music do you listen to? I listen to a lot of rap, which is a little weird because everyone is like ‘really?’ But yeah, I really like rap music and bluegrass too. What fashion trends do you love? I like how glasses are becoming a thing again because . . . it’s okay to wear my glasses all the time, because I actually need them. I like crop tops and high waisted jeans, that’s super cute. What fashion trends do you hate? I’ve never really been a fan of turtlenecks. Also the whole frat boy type thing is like ‘uhhh.’ What is your dream job? Chiropractor. Tell us a secret. I’m scared of pooping. Like it terrifies me.
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5 May 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
Artists of the Month
Top left: senior Eliot Eckersley Top right: senior Cadence Learned Bottom right: senior Monica Wilcox
senior Kieran Inbody Artist’s Statement: “My art is dealing with consumption and the idea behind identities being formed by the things you do or how you act. My art reflects my emotions that I don’t really show to most people, so by looking at my art people see the true me, or what have you. I really enjoy the process of creating [a] piece from start to finish.”
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5 May 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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5 May 2016 Page by Sydney Vogelsang
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