THE
FREE PRESS free press
Issue 5 | 14 February 2019 | Edition 22
In This Issue... Editors
Erin Liston Editor in Chief Nick Burket Photo Editor Greta Hayden Design Editor Jax Egan Sports Editor
Reporters
Alexandria Brown Jack Bellemere Corinne Scales
Designers Spencer Farrell Chloe Stafre Emma Nelson
The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writing which must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Letters may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Submit letters to Room 201 or send to the Free Press in care of... Lawrence Free State High School 4700 Overland Drive Lawrence, KS 66049. The opinions expressed in The Free Press are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration or that of USD 497 Board of Education.
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Table of Contents News
One of 800....................................4-5 Movie Review................................6-7 Employing Testosterone................8-9
Entertainment
Valentine’s Day Fun......................10-11 Featured Art..................................14-15
photo by Maya Pavlyak
Feature
Going for Gold..............................16-19
Fashion
February Style...............................20-21
Opinion
Is Dating a Thing of the Past?......22-23 Bird’s Word...................................24-25 Lessons with Liston.......................26-27
Sports
Coach Stewart...............................28-29
photo by Maya Pavlyak
photo by Nick Burket
Photos
Valentines Day Mood...................30-31 Monthly Recap.............................32
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One
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of 800,000
story by JACK BELLEMERE and ALEXANDRIA BROWN photo illustration by MAYA PAVLYAK pages by GRETA HAYDEN
Repercussions of Government Shutdown
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n December 22, almost 800,000 federally employed workers, many of whom had to support their families, learned that they would have to go without a paycheck for an indefinite period of time. This is the longest government shutdown in US History since 1996, lasting 35 days. A government shutdown happens when nonessential government offices close due to congress failing to approve the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Though it is only a partial shutdown there are major repercussions. Airport security screeners could quit, federal courts can stop hearing civil cases, city busses can stop running, and a lack of money for food stamps will leave 38 million Americans struggling and hungry. “Shutdowns don’t get bad linearly; they get bad exponentially” Sam Berger, the senior adviser at the Center for American Progress said in an interview with Bloomberg last month. The shutdown began late last year because President Donald Trump and the Democrats of the House failed to come to an agreement about the border wall. President Trump requested the addition of $5.7 billion to the new federal spending legislation. The legislation needed to be passed before the December 12, when the previous one expired, but the democrats of the house loudly opposed the demand. The shutdown went into effect the next day due to neither side agreeing to give in. After 35 days, on January 25 President Trump signed a bill to temporarily reopen the government until February 15. This will result in the government paying the approximate 800,000 workers who have been continuing their occupations without pay. The bill states that the money will not come from the funds for the wall and follows nearly the same plan that President Trump was initially against.
The shutdown doesn’t only affect government workers, It can affect students as well. Junior David Stuart whose father works for the FBI, says while his mother did most of the work managing the family’s finances during the shutdown, he still had to cope directly with one part of the shutdown that frustrated him the most: “Knowing that… [not getting paid] upsets him... and that he still has to go to work and not get paid,” Stuart said. Another effect Stuart experienced was on his personal finances. “I eat out a lot less often when the government is shutdown,” Stuart said. Stuart believes trying to avoid these shutdowns is best. “[Preventing shutdowns is] just one more thing they [the government] could do a better job at,” Stuart said. He does wish lawmakers would focus on the budget instead of playing a game of passing bills before emphasizing the budget. “There are lots of people not getting paychecks because the government is shutdown,” Stuart said. Stuart says his family is lucky relative to what other families have experienced. “It was only one month of a paycheck, so it wasn’t too terribly bad,” Stuart said. In fact, when asked if he thought other families were affected more, he responded with one word: “Absolutely.” However, Stuart also says the shutdown ended just in time for his family. “Anything past a month would be pretty rough,” Stuart said. The Stuarts may have been able to get through the shutdown relatively smoothly, but many others weren’t so lucky.
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Review On the Basis of Sex Movie
pages by SPENCER FARRELL story by CORINNE SCALES
Ginsburg's Story Empowers Women
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eading women to feel empowered while working in the law is what Ruth Bader Ginsburg strived to do. The movie ‘On The Basis of Sex’ is based on the true story of Ginsburg and her fight for equality in the law. We saw women empowerment and the progression of women. I enjoyed watching this movie and the message it conveyed, but in the end it was nothing special. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg deserves a knockout biopic about her life. Instead she gets... a serviceable, but by no means extraordinary origin story” Adam Graham, Detroit News said. You know when you see a film and you think it was good, but could have been executed better? Well that was how I felt. I know I am no film connoisseur,
photo by Focus Features Production Company
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but I have seen enough films to know they did not do their best work to portray her life on this film. Don’t get me wrong the message is amazing and her story is amazing. I just wish the movie would have done her more justice. “The formulaic film doesn’t carry enough heft for consideration as a must-see Oscar contender,” Mara Reinstein, US weekly said. Rating the film a 72%, Rotten Tomatoes seemed to agree with Reinstein and Graham also. I understand as to why people would enjoy this film because her story is uplifting and phenomenal. But in the end what Ginsburg did is much more powerful than most movies could display. ‘On The Basis of Sex’ will influence young women to follow their dreams and work for what they believe in.
Ratings
photo by Focus Features Production Company
photo by United States Supreme Court
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Employing Testosterone
story by CORINNE SCALES
Transgender teen continues his transition journey
E
xogenous testosterone is used in trans- Being able to feel confident in your own body is imgender men to induce virilization and supportant especially in high school and everybody deserves press feminizing characteristics,” to feel this way. The National Center for Biotechnology “I feel more confident in my body,” Branden said. Information said. Scout is not the only person who notices this confiSophomore Scout Branden is taking dence in his life. Many people close testosterone injections, which shows "Scout has been my student for to him have also seen this change. positive results physically and psyfive years now, and I have and “Scout is gaining more confichologically to those who take it. always will support his dence daily with his voice,” choir “[In more simple terms it’s] authenticity." teacher Scott Ireland said. “In choir, Scott Ireland, choir teacher the process of taking either a pill or he sings out with great enthusiasm injections or patch, there’s a couple and energy and we’re excited to see ways to do it and basically just replacing the hormones where his voice settles.” in your body. I started on pills,” Branden said. Being one of the only students your age who is tran Some hardships he has faced medically have been sitioning can be difficult, especially when some people guiding his doctors with his needs. do not understand it. “It’s kind of difficult like even just getting the “All of my friends are okay with it I haven’t had hormones and kind of being the teacher of your own trouble with that… meeting new people is kind of difdoctors,” Branden said. ficult,” Branden said.
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photos by MAYA PAVLYAK pages by CHLOE STAFRE
"Being able to feel confident in your own body is important, especially in high school and everybody deserves to feel this way."
For Branden his friends and family have been accepting and understanding of him. It has even brought him and his sister closer together. “He spends more time with me… I wasn’t surprised, I mean we have a pretty open-minded family… I’ve gotten a lot closer with him lately,” freshman Iris Branden said. Ireland, who is Branden’s choir teacher, has also been supportive of him throughout the years.
“Scout has been my student for five years now, and I have and always will support his authenticity,” Ireland said. He is now able to be confident in his own skin and this has improved his life and relationships. “His range is constantly widening and it’s exciting to see what’s going to happen daily,” Ireland said.
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Valentine’Day s Fun Hit it solo or go with your boo
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pages by EMMA NELSON
Chill at Well’s Overlook Stroll downtown Picnic at Watson Park Pet animals at Pet World Binge your favorite series
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Catch a movie at Liberty Hall Grab burgers at The Burger Stand Ice skate in Crown Center Swim at the Indoor Aquatic Center Grab coffee at Java Break
Dine at the Eldridge Hotel Shop at the Legends Paint at Pinot’s Pallet Eat Dinner at Kobe’s Go for a Night out on the Plaza
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Valentine's Day Specials The Indoor Aquatic Center offers a Sweetheart Swim! (2 entrances for the price of one) Liberty Hall is showing the Princess Bride! ($10 per ticket) Pinot’s Palette offers a Valentine’s Day painting that includes gourmet chocolates! ($40 per person) photo from 20th Century Fox
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#livenaismith
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Art
Featured
junior, Riddhi Duvvur
freshman, Essie Dunn
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freshman, Karsen Ponzer
pages by SPENCER FARRELL
Artists
of the Month
Liam Hoey-Kummerow, room 205 Isis Norris, room 816
senior, Liam Hoey-Kummerow
senior,Liam Hoey-Kummerow
Want your art to be featured in the next issue of The Free Press? Scan the QR Code to submit your artwork.
freshman, Isis Norris
freshman, Isis Norris
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Gold
Going for
Thespians receive top awards at State Festival story by ERIN LISTON
P
erforming at the Kansas Thespian Festival for the first time was special for theater students. Over winter break they attended festival to perform their show ‘Wait Until Dark’ by Frederick Knott. “The Kansas Thespians Festival is a three day event held at Century II in Wichita each year,” theater teacher Ericka Waller said. “At the conference, students compete in performance, technical theatre, and playwriting competitions.” Festival is not only for performances, it’s also an opportunity to learn about all aspects of theater. “You get to have a feel for what acting in Kansas
Thrilled to perform their show ‘Wait Until Dark’ at Kansas Thespian Festival, thespians set up for the show. They were accepted to perform out of 17 troupes. “In order to be selected for Kansas Thespians, both adjudicators must recommend the show,” theater teacher Ericka Waller said. “This year, since only three schools were selected, those selected for the festival had to score in the top three overall for all categories combined.” photo submitted by Emily Bial
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really is,” junior Bella Otter said. The thespians won multiple awards for their performances, showing that they have the talent it takes to win. “We won the Gold Honor Troupe award, our show “Wait Until Dark” was selected as a state show, and was also selected for presentation at the International Thespian Festival,” Waller said. “These are the highest honors that we can receive.” Inspired by the performance he was casted in last year at festival, senior Colton Smith wrote and won the playwrights contest of Kansas.
Standing with the trophy, senior Eliza Haase-Divine embodies excitement over the festival. Haase-Divine had the task of being a technician during the performance. “Throughout most of high school I have been mainly an actor,” Haase-Divine said. “Working as a technician...allowed me to really see how much work goes into every aspect of every show.” photo submitted by Emily Bial
Jenna Gaston
Helena All
Colton Smith
Gold medal superior for Musical Solo Performance
Gold metal superior for Costume Design
1st place in Playwright Competition
“I wrote an original, thirty minute, one act play,” Smith said. “I submitted it for the contest and out of twenty of them I was the one who got selected to work with the director to produce the show.” Being able to direct a show was very rewarding for Smith, as he had the dream to do that since the previous year. “I’m so glad to have been a part of something like that,” Smith said. Performing her solo in a musical competition, sophomore Jenna Gaston won an award as well. “I participated in the Solo Musical Division and got a Superior rating, qualifying me to participate in the Individual Event at National Thespian Festival in Nebraska,” Gaston said. After directing for 11 years, Waller submitted a show she felt confident would make the state competition. “It was a long, stressful process, however I think that it was an excellent opportunity for out students, vand really put Free State Theatre on the map,” Waller
said. “The students and I were overwhelmed by the thunderous standing ovation that the show received, many of us were brought to tears by the support for our program.” To be selected to perform at the Kansas Thespian Festival, the thespians had to go through a judging process. “The adjudicators evaluate every aspect of production: performance, sound, lighting, scenery, properties, costumes, special effects, publicity, make-up, hair, directing, and stage management,” Waller said.
Winning multiple awards, the thespians bring home gold. The troupe won the Gold Honor Troupe award for their outstanding performance. “To see something we put so much work into performed in front of such a large audience was incredibly rewarding,” senior Eliza Haase-Divine said. photo submitted by Emily Bial
pages by EMMA NELSON
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Being selected was a very significant achievement for the group, due to the fact that so many troupes competed. “We were one of the three shows selected out of seventeen were judged,” senior Brynn Kelly said. “It was very awesome.” Cast members of ‘Wait Until Dark’ found out they were accepted into festival shortly after the production of ‘9 to 5’. “We did [make it in the festival] and we screamed in amazement and then we planned out a couple of rehearsal days to do,” Smith said. “We rehearsed about ten times after we found out that we made state.” Once the thespians were accepted, they had to work on the play all over again and relearn their whole set. “We just kept running the show because for me and Colton and Rheanne we all were leads in 9 to 5 so we had to forget those lines, relearn these lines and
just redo a show that we did,” Kelly said. “We just kept running the show because for me and Colton and Rheanne we all were leads in 9 to 5 so we had to forget those lines, relearn these lines and just redo a show that we did,” Kelly said. The whole group spent a full day of the festival setting up and preparing for the show instead of going to conference. “With adjudication it’s very different because a whole day is spent working on the show...and getting it ready to be performed,” Kelly said. Being part of the sound crew was a change of perspective for Otter. “Usually I’m on stage, but for this show I said I would tech if I didn’t make it in,” Otter said. “Getting to see how the actors interact from an outsider perspective and knowing all the technical stuff behind it that was pretty cool.” The thespians have been preparing ‘Wait Until Dark’ since August.
Looking over some letters, Junior Myles Hollie plays Mike. This was Hollie’s first theatre production that’s he’s been in. “He’s superstitious,’ Hollie said. “He wants to do the right thing, but he know what he has to do to get where he wants to be.” Photo by Cheyenne Fisher
In character as Gloria, sophomore Jenna Gaston hides with a doll smuggled with heroin. Gaston was optimistic about the show. “Our set and technical design is amazing,” Gaston said. “Our costumes are amazing, and our actors are phenomenal. I enjoyed working with every one of them.” Photo by Cheyenne Fisher
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Photo by Cheyenne Fisher
AUGUST
Auditions
SEPTEMBER
Showings Adjudication
Photo by Cheyenne Fisher
“We spent so many hours on Wait Until Dark, it’s honestly uncountable,” Gaston said. “Having a small cast and crew, most of us needed to be at rehearsals all the time.” The main show was selected to be performed at the International Thespians Festival, yet the group decided that it wouldn’t be worth it to perform only part of the show. “As we looked more into what we would be doing at international, we realized that it just wasn’t worth it to have to pay that much and only have a fortyfive minute slot for an almost two hour show,” Smith said. “Getting to state thespian festival was already an amazing achievement.” Many members of the group commented on the fact that the best part of festival is being around the people who attend. “Anywhere you go with theater there’s always a great community,” Smith said. “With the state thespian festival have that tight knit, loving community and multiply that by a hundred.” This unique opportunity gave thespians a way to show off their talent to the state of Kansas. “It was so, so worth it,” Gaston said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.”
Rehearsals
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Selection DECEMBER
Rehearsals
JANUARY
Festival
pages by EMMA NELSON
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FebruaryStyle story by ALEXANDRIA BROWN
Harper Schoenfield, senior Where do you shop? “I tend to shop at Plato’s Closet and sometimes Target” How do you describe your style? “I would say, Starting like junior year I just kind of stopped caring what other people thought and just started wearing what I thought was comfortable and enjoyed and like stuff that makes me happy.” What is your favorite clothing item? “I would say I have some little like bootie rainboots, they’re called sloggers, they’re yellow and have chickens on them. They’re my favorites.” What fashion trend do you love? “Definitely high waisted pants. Because its time to leave low rise behind.” What fashion trend do you hate? “Denim shorts and cowboy boots... Is that bad?” What’s your favorite animal? “Cats. I like Cats.” Tell us something interesting about yourself. “My cars name is Nancy.”
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Lauren Schoepflin, junior Where do you shop? “I mostly shop at either Thrift stores or online. I don’t have like a specific go-to place its kinda just a collection from random stores.” How do you describe your style? “I would describe my style as artistic and comfortable. Trying to mix like fashion with still being like functional.” What is your favorite clothing item? “My favourite clothing item is probably my Andy Warhol converse.” What fashion trend do you love? “I like colours and then also how more people are starting to wear like second-hand clothes now. Like worried about the environment, how that’s becoming a focus in fashion now.” What fashion trend do you hate? “I hate Yeezy’s. They’re Awful. Just anything Kanye West. He’s a terrible designer I don’t like when people try to hard to be a Hypebeast. When they wear head to toe Gucci and like expensive clothes to have the clout, rather than try to put together a good outfit.” What’s your favorite animal? “My favorite animal is a puffin” Tell us something interesting about yourself. “I make art. So that’s what I spend most of my time painting and sewing.”
pages by CHLOE STAFRE photos by ISABEL JANSSEN
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IsDatinga Thing of the Past? A staff editorial reflects the general opinion of the journalism staff. Staffers submit their opinions to inform the writer
I
s dating a thing of the past? It is seen as an outdated term that isn’t crucial in all relationships. The terms ‘having a thing’ and ‘talking’ are thrown around all the time to describe someone’s relationship status. Dating can function as more of a ‘business’ now. There are different ways that people can be together, using social media is one of them. Dating websites can connect teens to a broad spectrum of people, but it is less genuine than interaction in person. Dates have changed due to technology. People don’t always go out anymore. Sometimes they stay in and watch Netflix, which is something that previous generations didn’t do. Teens have evolved dates for what is fun for us. Sometimes that can mean going out to dinner, or sometimes that means staying in to watch tv. Technology can get in the way of some relationships though. If it is used as the main source of communication it can harm the real connection somebody has with their partner. Yet, it keeps us connected to each other so easily, that we often find ourselves having most of our conversations through texting. It can be positive though, if you have a long distance relationship or just want to talk to somebody whenever you want, that option is always available to us. People used to date with the expectations of marriage. We don’t necessarily do that now. More
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people focus on building the relationship, rather than the future of it. Even though it’s harder to see in the digital world, people still date and take it seriously. The terms may have changed, but the roots of dating are still ingrained in society. People still want someone that they can trust and count on everyday. Being in a relationship can teach teens a lot about themselves. Learning to find a balance between love and self care is important for teens. Whether you’re single, talking to someone, have a thing with someone, or you’re dating someone, you should make sure that you are happy.
Dating Terms: What they meant then, and now Little Black Book
Wooing
Dear John Letter
Original Meaning: A little book used to write all of the names and numbers of those you could potentially have a realtionship with. Modern Meaning: Tinder.
Original Meaning: Taking someone on dates in order to impress them. Examples could include going top dinner, going to the movies, etc. Modern Meaning: Texting one of your crushes with the goal of striking a long lasting conversation.
Original Meaning: A break up letter. This term originated from break up letters that were sent to soldiers from their significant others during war. Modern Meaning: A break up carried out over text.
Original Meaning: A young man would give their crush his school pin to make their relationship public.
Getting Pinned
pages by SPENCER FARRELL
Modern Meaning: Announcing your relationship on social media.
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Estella Grove Freshman “It’s a good idea if someone… need[s] more friends at lunch.”
Emily Merritt Freshman “I honestly thought it was kind of weird at first… but I think it’s kind of cool how they were able to kind of combine… what people like in a person and they just kind of match it up with another person.”
Ethan Harris Sophomore “This just shows similarities… [not] whether or not two people are actually compatible.”
Adam Baker Sophomore “It’s a good idea.”
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Bird’s
ISABEL JANSSEN JACK BELLEMERE pages by EMMA NELSON
photos by
Word
story by
What's your take on the Matchmaker quiz? Megan Gannaway Juinor “It’s a good idea… if someone likes someone and they’re nervous about it, they can get an idea who they like from the Matchmaker.”
Kelsey Davis Senior “It’s cool because it’s just fun to do.”
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Liston
Lessons by
Division within America story by ERIN LISTON
"It seems that every day we can scroll through our phones and see evidence of discrimination in all forms and how far we still have to go."
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photos by ISABEL JANSSEN pages by SPENCER FARRELL
D
arkness cannot drive out darkness; only light with them, which brought about a calm according to can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only Marcus Frejo, a member of the Pawnee and Seminole love can do that.” said Martin Luther King Jr. tribes, and then the high schoolers left. In light of recent headline grabbing After both of these instances happened I had a incidents locally and nationally involving discussion with my mom, who expressed frustration. teens, we could all learn from Dr. King’s words. She said she had always hoped that future generations Former Blue Valley Northwest student Camille would be more accepting and have less hate for others. Sturdivant filed a civil lawsuit against the Blue Valley Racial injustices have occurred throughout time, and Unified school district, her principal, her dance coach for a while it felt like America was making progress. and a dance mom. She was being discriminated But then there was a backlash against this progress, against for the color of her skin. Her coach told her and now it seems that every day we can scroll through she couldn’t be involved in some dances and sent a our phones and see evidence of discrimination in all series of racist text messages against her. forms and how far we still have to go. I hope we as Students from Covington Catholic High School a community take a look at these incidences and use allegedly mocked Native Americans at the March them as learning moments. Such as Frejo used song to for Life rally. Before that, an altercation had bring a sense of calm to the chaos he was experiencing. occurred between a group of Black Israelites shouting profanities and homophobic comments, the Native Americans, and the high schoolers. Reports stated that the high schoolers were chanting to build a wall. Some critics put blame on president for his bad influence on young Caption from USA Today adults. Yet, at one point “In this image made from video provided by the Survival of the rally they started Media Agency, Nick Sandmann, center left, stands in front of to sing a native song, the Native American activist Nathan Phillips on Friday at a rally in high schoolers joined in
Washington, D.C.”. (Photo: Survival Media Agency via AP)
Caption from Vox: “Black Hebrew Israelites are in the news after a January 18 video showed members of an unidentified sect interacting with students from Covington Catholic.” (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Stewart Breathes Youth Into Football Program New football head coach gets acquainted JAX EGAN
story by pages by CHLOE STAFRE
A
fter former football coach Bob Lisher announced his retirement at the end of last season, athletic director Amanda Faunce knew she had a tall task in front of her in replacing him. Lisher was the only head coach in school history, spending 22 years on the sidelines. On January 14th, after a two month long search, Kevin Stewart was announced to be the next head coach of the Firebirds. Stewart spent last season as the defensive coordinator of 2018 Kansas 6A runnerup Blue Valley North. “Even though he is already a resident of Lawrence, we are excited to officially welcome Kevin Stewart to the Firebird community to serve as our strength and conditioning teacher and head football coach,” Faunce said in an official release. Stewart brings a new sense of youth to the football program, and his contagious energy has already rubbed off on the players. “I think we needed a young face to revamp the program and bring some new ideas,” junior Kyle Flaschbarth said. “As a person, he seems enthusiastic and determined.”
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Stewart has already held meetings and made phone calls to parents of players, hoping to get involvedwith his new team as quickly as possible. “He told us in our first meeting we’d run a spread offense and keep our current 3-4 defense,” sophomore Andrew Theisen said. Even though he lacks head coaching experience, Stewart brings a record of success to Free State, having spent time with Blue Valley North and Wichita Northwest, two schools who have seen success in recent years. “He was chosen for his previous success and love for the game,” Theisen said. “I like how passionate he is.,” Stewart has also claimed many times to have a good defensive gameplan to beat Derby, a school that has ended the Firebirds post-season in three out of the last four seasons. Stewart’s defenses have had success against the Panthers in the past. “I’m most excited about potentially beating Derby,” Theisen said. “Because he says he has a great strategy and gameplan to do so.,”
photo by Riley Boehle
Football players' thoughts on the new coach: "Having coach Stewart on board is slightly different than coach Lish. Coming into this season will be rough getting the chemistry down with the new formation and schemes." -Malik Berry, Junior "It will be exciting having a new coach, having a younger coach will bring excitement to the team and a lot of good change." -Tyler Bowden, Sophomore "For us to be successful we'll have to allow room for new changes and we have to accept coach Stewart." -Devon Buck, Junior
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Valentine’s Day Mood
pages by GRETA HAYDEN
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Monthly Recap pages by GRETA HAYDEN
At a home game against Seaman on December 5, freshman Damani Cleveland leaps to score a layup on the opposing team. “The reason why I stand out is probably because I can find my way to get to the basket and outhustle my opponents,” Cleveland said. “I started playing in second grade because my friend wanted me to play along with him.” photo by Isabel Janssen
Being supported by her friends, Junior Meron Hayden balances in a cheer pose for the Freestate vs. Lawrence High pep assembly. Hayden has cheered for five years. “My favorite thing about cheer is being able to perform in front of people at games! I love getting everyone excited,” Hayden said. photo by Maya Pavlyak Senior Preston Mallett, looks accross at his opponent. Mallett has been involved in wrestling for five years, and does not plan on wrestling in college. “Wrestling takes up a lot of my time for work and homework, but its worth it,” Mallett said. photo by Katy Coats
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