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January 5, 2010
“Be ourselves, show love and work hard�
- senior Stephen Jordan Service Learning
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Examining StuCo's Evolving Role Page 3
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Trailblazing New Traditions & Proposed Programs What is Left in the Dust?
Dear Editor:
Free Press Staff
Student Questions Raise the Roof Cancellation Annual Event Represents More Than Just Sports
Jeff Carmody Editor-in-Chief
by Harrison Scheib, senior
Going into my senior year I kept telling myself that it was going to be the best year yet. I'll be front row at all the sporting events, take easy classes, not take finals and maybe even see a musical. So far just about all of these things have happened and it pleases
me, making the first semester of my last year of high school quite enjoyable. Going into the winter season, my mind begins to wrap around the happenings at Free State during this snowy time of year. I think of basketball, praying that there isn’t another freak streak. I think of Raise the Roof, an annual ritual that sits at the top of the list of Free State traditions. It makes me think of guys swimming, hoping they can accomplish what the girls did last spring. I even think of wrestling. Those big dudes in the tight onesies. Oh, man. Enough said. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why is this guy only talking about sports? High school is more than sports!”
Um, sorry, but no it's not. The student body revolves around school athletics and everyone knows it. There is no arguing the attendance of a football game is higher than a theatre production. Trust me, I’ve been to both. Okay, so back to the winter sports stuff. Word has it that Raise the Roof isn’t happening this year. Please refer to what I said earlier:“Raise the Roof, an annual ritual that sits at the top of the list of Free State traditions.” When I heard about the cancellation of one of the biggest traditions at my school, I lost it. I immediately began to question the motives of the new Student Council teacher. I started to ask around ,and to my utter disbelief, was told that the whole Student Council class argued for Raise the Roof and the teacher still rejected it.
According to the StuCo teacher, Free State is too wrapped up in sports. And since Raise the Roof is sports based, it’d be best if we cut one of the schools longest-running traditions. Do you think Lew Perkins is going to end Late Night any time soon? Absolutely not! He would never do such a thing because he knows the truth: KU students love athletics. The StuCo teacher is right though, we are wrapped up in our sports teams. But Raise the Roof was more than just a basketball scrimmage. It's a way for the student body to get involved. A lot of people don’t know this, but Raise the Roof doesn’t mean “party time! RAISE THE ROOF" (palms moving up and down towards the ceiling)”. It stands for putting a roof over somebody’s head. All the donations
and proceeds of that one night go to Habitat for Humanity to help them build a house for a less fortunate person. With the money from Raise the Roof, Habitat for Humanity will literally raise a roof. Having been a school for 13 years now, we're far younger than our friends across town at LHS. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we have lot of time ahead of us as a school. We should be building our traditions, not end,ing them. LHS is packed full of tradition and we can’t compete with them in that category. We can, undoubtedly compete with them on the athletic playing field, but that’s another story. So let's protect and expand traditions. Let's bring back Raise the Roof. It’s a time to get together and be excited about our school. It’s a big pep rally for a good cause. What’s so wrong with that?
Special Edition
It'd be pretty cool to give kids who work hard a little benefit and motivation to do their homework.
Laurie McLane Higginson Fine Arts teacher
It would be a really good way to show appreciation.
Ammon Austin Senior
You would be focusing too much on someone's smartness and not how hard they're trying.
Lindsey Morris Junior
Katherine Berger Sophomore
Birds Word: What would be the advantage/ disadvantages of a student reward program?
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I'd be concerned. If it was a private thing, it would be okay. If it was a public thing, it may make students feel bad. Sometimes GPA is beyond your control.
Nik Brill Reporter
Allison Harwood Reporter
Justin Saathoff
Bailey Schaumburg Managing Editor
Kim Carter Webmaster
Jake Frydman Designer
Emily Johnson Copy Editor
Katherine Corliss Reporter
Miranda Davis Reporter
Emma Machell Jessica Jacobs
Reporter
Reporter
Ryan Loecker Reporter
Sydney Sims Reporter
Photographer
Alex Santos
Photographer
The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writings. They must include the writer's name and telephone numbers. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. 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 submitted 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
Jan 5, 2010
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Losing Your Tradition
Student Council's Role Changing The role of StuCo is to introduce new ideas and programs into the building, according to their sponsor Jason Springer. However, StuCo is giving up responsibility for many of the activities they planned in the past and putting them in the hands of other clubs. As a result Raise the Roof will no longer exist StuCo asked the Booster Club to take on Raise the Roof, but the group was not interested. "Student Council passed [Raise the Roof] to the Booster Club and the basketball teams didn't want to do it anymore," Libby Wiebe, senior StuCo representative said. Chuck Law, the basketball coach disagrees. "I don't think it was really [the basketball team's] decision to not to do Raise the Roof," Law said. "I think it was kind of a school decision. I don't know if anybody really wanted to take the leadership and put Raise the Roof on." To make up for the loss of this tradition the basketball team hosted its own scrimmage a couple of weeks ago in an effort to get canned goods for needy families in town. One other tradition lost was Jamboree, which was cancelled because of the new football field, which remained unfinished at the time of the assembly. Another tradition moving into other hands is Great Green Help.The Service Learning Class is sponsoring will sponsor GGH this spring. Some other traditions have just moved on the calendar. Decorate a Staircase, a class competition,
Jan 5, 2010
One Card, Two Card, Red Card, Blue Card
by Emma Machell
has been moved to the spring time. There are some new traditions to fill the gaps left by cancelled activities. For Example the Earth, Wind and Firebird class competitions. Classes have competed over Homecoming floats and Pippin attendance as part of this new activity. "There are some different activities like maybe a carnival, a casino night or a [beauty] pagent," senior Drue Davis said. "We've got some ideas and one of those will definitely happen." Springer said new activities will "culturize" the student body. "An event has to have something to do with a more unified culture, something that will kind of bring the student body together," he said. Getting rid of some of the past traditions is causing mixed emotions. "I was kinda bummed out, but I understand that it wasn't StuCo's issue anymore," Wiebe said. Even sophomores, who haven't experienced the now lost traditions, are a little upset. "If it's a tradition then I don't think it should be changed," sophomore Lauren Wethington said. For students who are upset about the demise of Raise the Roof and other activities, Springer has this to say: "This is their opportunity to maybe create some change," he said. "Find another club or another organization or start a new one themselves and keep the tradition alive if it's something you really want."
Proposed System Rewards Students for Academic Success by Katherine Corliss
Junior Kelcy Bowers consults with Student Council sponsor Jason Springer on Winter Formal Decorations. StuCo's role in dance decorating is unlikely to change, but the future of other traditions remains uncertain. photo by Jessica Jacobs
The Students of Free State may soon experience a newfound desire to do well in school. The administration is currently considering a program in which students would receive rewards based on performance in school. Last week the Whatever It Takes faculty committee was asked by principal Ed West to look at programs or initiatives to raise student achievement. In one possible program students would earn rewards based on performance in school. West has also approached Student Council to play a role in the program. "It's still in the early stages," StuCo sponsor Jason Springer said. "Mr.West just recently pitched the idea to me; most of the teachers don't even know about it yet." The program could be similar to one sponsored by Josten's called Renaissance. Students would be placed in various groups based on grade-point average, class level, or academic improvement. Each group would be assigned a colored card and rewards would come with each group. In other schools with the Renaissance program rewards range from a free AP test to discounts at local restaurants or even the ability to go to the front of the lunch line. At one of these schools a student with a 3.8 GPA and a heavy class work load is placed in a higher group with more rewards than a student with a lower GPA and a lighter class load. "Students who showed improvement in their grades would be able to move up in groups," Springer said. For sophomore Ryan Loecker, who recently transferred from Salina South High School, the program there was not about labeling students. "It was more of an individual reward than a classification," Loecker said. "It wasn't flaunted who was on Renaissance and who wasn't." Schools that have introduced similar programs have seen improvements in graduation rates and standardized test scores ,according to the Josten's website. Springer says he hopes the same improvements happen here.
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Jan. 5, 2010
Dec 16, 2009
Endless Opportunities Students think about life after high school as deadlines approach and semester ends
Sticking Close to Home
Financial Fixes fill out the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
create a budget and consider all college expenses
don’t automatically assume you won’t qualify for financial aid
call the student affairs office to see if they have estimated monthly student spending guidelines by Allison Morte
There’s strong, and then there’s Army strong. America’s Air Force. No one comes close. The U.S. Navy. Accelerate your life. The few. The proud. The Marines. Slick marketing tactics aside, with wars raging on two fronts, why would a Free State High School student join the military? Of all people, Free State alumnus and Army recruiter Sergeant Daniel Affalter, who served two tours in Iraq, should know these reasons. One of Affalter’s major incentives for joining the Army was the unique opportunity it provided to get paid while learning job skills. He also cherished the pride and importance of helping those in the most dire need. An opportunity to help arose in Afghanistan where children trekked hours under the broiling sun to study without books or paper in fragile tents or unstable war-ravaged buildings. There the simple deliverance of the most basic supplies was something near heroism. “One of the most rewarding aspects of the Army is knowing that I have accomplished something very significant in my life or walking into one of the schools in Baghdad with boxes of school supplies and food for the less fortunate and seeing the smile on the kids’ faces,” Affalter said. And, as Affalter will tell you, joining the military has financial benefits, especially for those planning to pay for college. There are cash bonuses of up to $40,000 for joining the Army and up to $83,448 for college through the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Army College Fund. Education is another strong incentive for many students considering joining the military, including junior Jack Hearnen, who hopes to major in aerospace or aeronautical engineering. “I want to go to the Air Force Academy because you get a really good education and it’s a good stepping stone to getting into NASA and becoming an
Traveling Abroad
Senior Alina Stout has applied to 11 colleges. Five are for schools in the United Kingdom.
The idea of going to college in the United Kingdom has been engraved in senior Alina Stout’s mind since childhood. “When I lived in Europe, everyone applied to schools in the U.K.,” she said. “It was just what everybody did.” She is applying to a whopping 11 schools, five of which are in the United Kingdom: three in Scotland and two in England. Though her list includes six schools in the United States, Stout says she does not really want to go to school in America.
Senior Kendall Goodden plans on staying in Lawrence to attend The University of Kansas.
Defending the Nation
astronaut,” Hearnen said. Hearnen may have his career path mapped out, but he acknowledges that it certainly won’t be easy. “I think one of the harder parts will be getting a recommendation from a congressman because you have to do that to even be considered.” However, some students decide to join more because of their personal ethics. “I just feel it’s necessary that every person should do some kind of national service as an adult,” sophomore Nathan Herrman said. “My grandpa told me stories from World War II. Basically that got me interested. It’s totally different now, but it’s something I’ve thought about doing because of a sense of nationalism and pride. I have family in the military and they’ve devoted their entire lives to [the military].” Larry Wolf, Air Force veteran and gifted teacher at Free State, had similar considerations when deciding to serve on active duty for almost 10 years. “I liked the idea of serving the country, so that was largely my initial impetus.” He also believes young people today might not realize this duty quite as much. “There might be a little bit less understanding of the importance of defending a free society, so in general maybe fewer people are willing to serve that way than there were earlier,” Wolf said. Whatever reasons high school students have to join the military, Affalter believes an education at Free State can lead to success after enlisting. “Coach Pendelton taught me incredible work ethic through my participation on the school’s varsity soccer team,” Sergeant Affalter said. “Our motto when I was on the team was that we were the hardest working team in the state, and I believe we were. I have been and always will be proud to be a Firebird!”
by Emily Johnson
A well-versed traveler, she is eager to experience as much diversity and culture as possible during her college years. “You’re living in a completely different part of the world so you get to learn and do completely different things,” Stout said. “You’ll meet completely different people and be in a much more international environment.” An added advantage is that in England most of the time an undergraduate degree takes three years, as opposed to four years in the United States. Though Stout notes the disadvantage of being so far from friends and family, she feels frequent moving around during her childhood has prepared her. Plus, she knows quite a few of her friends in Europe are applying to schools in the UK. “When you first go to college, it’s a new experience for everyone so everyone is going to have to adapt,” Stout said. “You won’t be the only one. I think it will be the norm that you are a little out of place at first.”
Exploring the US
by Emily Johnson
Senior Lydia Picking needs a change of scenery. “I think it will be good for me to get away for awhile and meet new people because I’ve been here for so long,” Picking said. She is applying to five colleges, four of which are in other states. Aside from wanting change and new faces, Picking feels going out of state will be better for her area of academic interest, textiles and fashion. “Nebraska has a really good program for [textiles and fashion] because they take it more seriously,” Picking said. “The [Kansas] state schools focus more on the agriculture side of it, but at Nebraska it’s more about the
Senior Lydia Picking is going out of state to attend college.
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school and see how he likes it. “I’m going to start out in business school but I honestly don’t know if that’s what I want to do,” Goodden said. “I just know I love to travel, and there are many opportunities to travel in business.” Putting the educational aspect of college aside, Goodden realizes that there will be many “survival” advantages if he remains in Lawrence. “At least I won’t have to worry about food and laundry,” Goodden said. Although Goodden admits that KU isn’t his first choice, he plans to make the most out of his time there. “KU has the hometown thing going on,” he said. “I’ve always liked the Jayhawks.”
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For senior Kendall Goodden, “home is where the heart is” as he steps forward in his adult life and begins his transition into college. Because of the heavy financial stress that college presents, Goodden realized from the beginning that his choices would be limited. “College is getting really expensive,” Goodden said. “I just kind of knew from the start that I would be going to KU.” Fortunately, KU provides many strong programs that Goodden believes will be beneficial to him throughout his college career. “I plan on going abroad to China a lot because we have the Confucius Institute,” Goodden said. Along with taking advantage of the study abroad program, Goodden plans to try business
by Bailey Schaumburg
fine art.” Picking is certainly serious about the art of making things with her hands. “I’m really good at quilting,” she said.“I know that’s nerdy.” Someday, she’d like to own her own fabric store, so she plans on studying business in college as well. Picking recognizes the difficulty of being separated from family and friends. However, she stayed behind in Lawrence for her senior year while her family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for her father’s job, so she knows she can handle the separation. “I’m applying to out-of-state schools, but I’m staying in the Midwest so I won’t be too far from home,” Picking said. There are some things about her hometown that the excitement of a new location can’t make up for.. “I’m definitely going to miss how liberal Lawrence is,” she said.
Jan. 5, 2010
Raking in the Hours Class Projects Benefit Lawrence Groups By Justin Saathoff
When the Service Learning class began at Free State this year, students were assigned places to volunteer. However, as students have spent many hours volunteering, they were presented the opportunity to design their own service project.The class is now giving back to the school community and beyond. Students were givin the opportunity to design their own projects Students were allowed to design projects from five different categories and then implement them with a volunteer force according to senior Harrison Schieb. Some planned projects include hanging out with kids who are in the ESL class (English for Speakers of Foreign Languages), providing lawn service for senior citizens, running a soccer clinic for young children and a salon night for abused women. The guidelines for the project were to "be ourselves, show love and work hard" according to senior Stephen Jordan
Most projects require extensive planning to get volunteers and companies to donate services and supplies. For the salon night, leaders of the project had to find not only a salon to donate services and facilities, but also babysitters for the women who have children. Students sometimes struggled to pull together certain aspects of their projects. "It was difficult to get volunteers and people to sign up senior citizens," Stephen said. The project that benefits senior citizens lasted three weeks and concluded last Saturday. During these work days, students spent time raking leaves and shoveling snow. Normal work days begin at 8 a.m. and last about three to four hours.
JUICE FOR THE JOURNEY
Stephen Jordan
Go Firebirds!! Bring in this coupon for 20% off any size smoothie and pretzel combo.
“Be ourselves, show love and work hard”
Service Learning projects Battered and Abused Women
Sponsoring a salon night/ ladies night out for abused women. Able to workout, get manicures and a spa.
STOP BY FOR LUNCH!! 3 Locations to serve you:
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Service learning projects have been taking place over the past few weeks and help out both in the Free State and Lawrence community. One of these projects benefits senior citizens of Lawrence and helps with yard work for them. To the right, junior KyAnne Hall rakes leaves while below, junior Kelcy Bowers picks them up.
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Freddie's Friends
Benefit for Free State students who speak other languages. Involves spending time and hanging with them.
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$ .95
Only
Help for Senior Citizens
with Student ID
Organizing volunteers to do yardwork such as raking leaves and shoveling snow for senior citizens.
www.tellerslawrence.com
Soccer Clinic for New York Elementary
Free Clinic to teach soccer skills to students interested in soccer who may be unable to afford camps. Photos by Harrison Scheib
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Courageous Conversations
Sebastian Bonner Sr. speaks to the Courageous Conversation group about his life. The group often features guest speakers to address issues of race and success. Other speakers have included Chris Howard, Assistant Athletic Director at KU, amd Dr. Willie Amison. photo by Jessica Jacobs
New Student Group Tackles Race, Dating, Education, Current Events and Life Skills by Sydney Sims
Only seven percent of black sophomore students at Free State are enrolled in an advance courses compared to thirty percent of white sophomore students. In response to this and other perceived achievement gaps, group has emerged called Courageous Conversations. This program is a group of mostly minority males that meets almost every Thursday during seminar to talk about different issues like race, dating, credit, education, history, current events and life skills. Courageous Conversations started because of Craig Butler and Dr. Willie Amison. They wanted a program for the minority males in Lawrence because black males have scored lowest nationally and locally on achievement tests. The name of the program came from a book the administration was reading called Courageous Conversations by Curtis Linton and Glenn Eric Singleton,
which discusses race. "Let's call it Courageous Conversations because that is what we want to have," substitute teacher and coordinator Butler said. On December 1, a bus with a group of about 25 boys from Free State and another 25 boys from Lawrence High School to go on a field trip to KU with the group. Besides Butler, security officer Charles Thomas and principal Ed West went along. The KU tour was the first time the two groups at Free State and Lawrence High had come together. Everyone seemed to feel comfortable and to mesh well as one group on the crowded bus. "It was the first time where it wasn't a rivalry between the two schools," junior Aaron Rosentengle said. "There was a common purpose when we went up to KU."
At KU, the boys watched a clip on the many educational and social opportunities available at the University of Kansas. After the video clip, Butler gave a speech on the importance of this visit. He said being admitted to KU and graduating college is an obtainable goal for each of them. Participants were split up into three groups according to our class. A senior African American male majoring in architecture led my group of juniors on the walking tour of KU. Everyone was engaged in what the tour guide was saying about the University, asking questions about academics and the social life on KU campus. Overall the tour was a success, according to participants. "It was absolutely beautiful," Butler said. The day after the trip, the group met in room 113 to listen to an ex-cop who is now a parole officer. Guest speakers like this are a major component of Courageous
Conversations. "I want the guys to know that there are guys like them that were able to navigate the system," Butler said. "And for them to know that they can achieve and be successful." In the near future they hope to split the boys up into groups of four with a mentor to each group, so there is more one on one discussion. It is not like academic groups like college bound and AVID because Courageous Conversations is a group that build life skills and academics is just one component, as opposed to the entire focus. "Our sessions are open to anyone!' Butler said. "It's not a segregated situation to anyone." "I would highly recommend for everyone to stop by Courageous Conversations during seminar to see what it's about," senior Alex Hall said.
Jan 26, 2010
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Former Student Overcomes Disabilities to Run Her Own Business
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Jan 5, 2010
PAWS PLEAS by Ryan Loecker
Starting a business in today's economy is very risky, especially straight out of high school. But that didn't stop Free State graduate Lisa Willard. For about six months,Willard and her family have been working hard on the new business they call Paws Pleas. Despite having cerebral palsy, Willard is able to make pet products by using switch-operated machines. Because of her disability, she was supposed to receive assistance to help her find a job upon graduation. "With the current waiting lists and budget difficulties, I would have had to wait 2-3 years to get that assistance," Willard said via email. "I and my parents decided that that was not acceptable, so we searched for ideas to fit my abilities." Aware of the limited local assistance she would receive, Willard and her family began to work with the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities for added financial support and help starting the business. Willard has also received help from friends. They have tested products and even provided ideas for new ones. "Opportunities for students with severe disabilities are limited and I think the business that Lisa has chosen is very cool," special services teacher Will Severson said. He worked with Lisa when she attended Free State and is now a customer.The dog bed for Zoey the therapy dog is from Lisa's website www. pawspleas.com. "It's a great opportunity for kids with severe disabilities to be able to be self-employed," Severson said. In the future Lisa hopes to be able to create jobs for others. "We hope to work with local agencies to guide disabled young people towards finding a more fulfilling future for themselves," Willard said.
Above: Lisa works on Paws Pleas products with her helper. Below: Free State’s own Zoey the Therapy Dog sits on one of Lisa’s products photo by Jessica Jacobs