Free Press: Issue 7, Edition 18

Free Press the

cover by Sydney Vogelsang

photo by Kyra Haas

Game On March, South Park Rally

advocate for public education

pg 4

Teachers, Assemble! pg 19

Too Cool for (High) School

Students explore college credit opportunities pg 12

Issue 7

Edition 18 9 April 2015

2

Free Press page by Drake Riner

9 April 2015

Table of Contents

4 12

3 10

16 17

3

Sprouting Up

4

Game On

Natural grocery store under construction across street Written by Maria Carrasco

March, South Park Rally advocate for public education Written by Kyra Haas

12Feature Too Cool for (High) School

Students explore college credit opportunities Written by Trenna Soderling and Sydney Gard

10 16

21 Kicking the Odds

Young varsity girls soccer team set to defy expectations Written by Darby Gilliland and Kyra Haas

Students Seek International Perspective

Model United Nations competes in junior politics

17 21

Written by Hala Hamid

A New Chapter

FFA sponsor, agriculture teacher announces resignation Written by Ryan Liston

Review: Harold’s Fried Chicken & Donuts

Follow us @fsfreepress on Twitter or Free State H.S. Free Press on Facebook for current information about school happenings!

2014-2015

News Briefs

Free Press Staff Editors

Kyra Haas Ryan Liston Maria Carrasco Catherine Prestoy Darian Koenig Kristina Foster Kenneth Palmer Sam Goodwin Kaitlyn Foster

Designers Caylee Irving Sydney Vogelsang Lane Weis

Reporters Evan Frook Hala Hamid Trenna Soderling Libby Stanford Sydney Gard Kellie Stofac Darby Gilliland

Editor in Chief Online Editor in Chief Social Media Editor/ Print Managing Editor Online Managing Editor Design Editor Co-Design Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Business Editor

Drake Riner Addie Wendel Atticus vonHolten

Juliana Hill Maddie Birchfield Lauren Brittain Erin Friedrichsen Maame Britwum Jake Clark Elizabeth Patton

Photographers Jessica Merritt Margaret Uhler

Klaire Sarver Gabrielle Wheeler

Our Mission

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 or sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kan. 66049.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administraion or that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

9 April 2015

page by Drake Riner

3

Sprouting Up

Natural grocery store under construction across street Written by Maria Carrasco

S

enior Andrea Coleman goes out to eat for lunch almost every day, frequenting Starbucks, Subway and Chipotle. Meanwhile, junior Christina Craig brings her organic lunch from home. While both students have different eating habits, both are interested in the new natural grocery store being built across the street.

“Sprouts is the grocery shopping experience that makes healthy living easy and affordable,” said Victoria Fernandez, Sprouts public relations representative. “We offer a wide selection of healthy products, including high-quality produce, at affordable prices.”

Sprouts will open for business July 1, everyday from 7 a.m to 10 p.m.

Next school year, with Sprouts directly across the street from Free State, students will be able to purchase

grab-and-go lunches and ready-made sandwiches in the deli.

Additionally, Sprouts has approximately 100 job openings for which students can apply. Applications are available at sprouts.com/careers.

According to Fernandez, the store’s goal is to educate the community on the benefits of eating organic and healthy.

“We believe everyone deserves access to healthy choices, and we aim to inspire healthy living for all,” Fernandez said. “People come to Sprouts to get more than healthy food. They come to get education and inspiration to help them make healthier choices.”

Nancy O’Conner, director of education and outreach for The Merc Co-op, questions whether whether Sprouts will be a favorable addition to

the town’s selection of natural foods.

“I mean, it sure is close to Free State, and if students go into Sprouts and explore what they have, it may have a positive impact,” O’Conner said.

“But having said that, it takes more than just opening a store and calling it natural.”

The Merc is a locally owned co-op, meaning there is only one Merc, while Sprouts is a natural food store corporation with over 40 stores across the nation. “[The Merc is] 41 years old this year,” O’Connor said. “We have a huge commitment to our community through education and outreach ... It takes a long time to build those type of relationships. When a corporation comes in outside from another state, they don’t know Lawrence like we know Lawrence.”

ones that may still suggest something new and fresh, instead of just what’s popular,” DJ Jazzy Jeff said in a quote for the event website.

In preparation for the mass of people trying to snatch up these oneof-a-kind releases, Love Garden has organized a numbering system for the holiday. Before the stores open at 10 a.m., customers will be given a number respective to their place in line.

There is also a five-item limit on Record Store Day releases until all numbered customers have been given a chance to shop. In addition to the cool finds, store merchandise will be 25 percent off.

This event is nationwide and largely supported by those indie artists whose albums started off only being sold in the small hometown stores. Rapper Aaron Dontez Yates,

also known as Tech N9ne, started his career in Kansas City this way.

“As a result, with the indies help, you have now heard of me throughout the US,” Tech N9ne said. “They gave my music an opportunity to be heard, and now with the fans support, I have become the largest truly indie rapper.”

Tech N9ne’s success is proof of the significance in supporting local music and businesses.

“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, guardians and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people that look up to them to a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is,” musician Jack White said, as quoted from the event website.

Record Store Day National holiday sparks interest in indie music Written by Maddie Birchfield

A

s the rise of hipsters and counter-culture nonconformists causes a surge of interest in all things retro, the local record store has repopulated with new listeners.

To celebrate the rebirth of vinyl, the third Saturday of April is annual Record Store Day. Local independent music stores, such as downtown’s Love Garden Sounds, have come together to have a day filled with exclusive new releases and special deals.

“People should go to their indie record store and find out what is happening,” singer-songwriter Regina Spektor said in an interview with Record Store Day officials.

From The 1975, to A$AP Rocky, to Johnny Cash, artists from all genres are putting out unique versions of their albums to be released only on April 18. “[Record Stores] are the only

4

News page by Caylee Irving

9 April 2015

Game On

March, South Park Rally advocate for public education Written by Kyra Haas

T

wo years ago, on her first march from Kansas City to Topeka, Heather Ousley, member of Game On for Kansas Schools, spent much of the 60-mile journey alone, aside from friends bringing her food.

One major exception was her trek through Lawrence, which happened to be on St. Patrick’s Day. “I was walking down Mass, and they had me come and be in the parade, and the parade announcer announced me, and everyone in Lawrence was like, ‘Yay! Public schools!’” Ousley said.

Ousley and Game On for Kansas Schools have since made the march an annual event, aimed at raising awareness for funding and issues related to Kansas public schools.

What started as a Game On for Kansas Schools-supported one-man mission has expanded to a group of about 30 at any given time during the march, with 15 walking all three days, and the rest joining for portions of the journey.

“Game On was an organization, but we were much smaller and we were just trying to raise awareness and get people involved,” Ousley said.

“We thought we could walk and do that. And it turned out that, yeah, we could.”

This year, Ousley and her group were greeted by about 200 Kansans in South Park in downtown Lawrence on Saturday, March 28, on day two of their three-day walk. Lawrence’s Rally for Kansas Schools—organized

Participants in Lawrence’s Rally for Kansas Schools hold signs in protest of recent legislation, such as the block-funding grant, which will cut an estimated $1.98 million from the Lawrence school district. “I think this has been really great to spread awareness,” Johnson County resident Erin Heger said.

Photos by Joseph Anderson of the LHS Budget

by local legislative advocacy group, “I’ve got to say, that I’m kind Educate Lawrence—coincided with of sad that, in the 21st century, the march as both groups looked to in Kansas, we have to spend our garner support in opposition of recent Saturdays rallying for public legislation. education,” Wilson said.

Local teachers, students Sloan also voiced his concern and parents attended the event, about the situation in Topeka, with many clad in red “I support the recent passage of a block-funding public education” shirts, some grant that will significantly cut school carrying signs that sported funding across the state. slogans like “Brownbackwards” “I don’t know any employer who and “Brown(Back) vs Board of wants a dumb workforce,” Sloan said.

Education.”

“And if there are, they need to make For Lawrence High junior themselves available because they’re Miranda Doores, attending the rally going to get it.” as a student was her opportunity to Compared to the expected funds advocate for her education and that of from the previous formula, Lawrence her peers. will lose around $1.98 million under “We are the people who are the block grant bill, according to going to be going up in the world and estimates from the Kansas State controlling Department of things and Education. being a “Never before part of the have I seen so much society, disrespect and outright so we contempt from our should get state leaders for the education excellent work our Rep. Tom Sloan like teachers and our everyone else,” Doores said. public schools do every day for our Candidates for the recent school children,” said Shannon Kimball, board election, as well as current school board president. members, were in attendance, and Johnson County resident Erin Lawrence state representatives Tom Heger, who walked the second leg of Sloan and John Wilson spoke to the the march, found herself upset with crowd. the funding situation in Topeka and In his brief remarks, Wilson wanted to help do something about it. lauded current efforts of teachers and She heard about the march via social concerned citizens, but wished such media and decided to participate. action wasn’t necessary.

“I just wish more people would

Too many “people are apathetic.“ -

get involved,” Heger said. “I think this has been really great to spread awareness.”

Several teachers from Lawrence High, Free State and local middle schools set up tables around the park, demonstrating how current funding was used for science projects, clubs and the arts.

Free State teacher Danielle Geronymo and her Lawrence High counterpart Ashley Ferguson used the rally to spread awareness about their class, Jobs for America’s Graduates.

While JAG is grant-funded, Geronymo and Ferguson wanted to support teachers who faced potential cuts due to the new funding.

“We just want to support our colleagues and we just want a better results for kids,” Geronymo said.

While attendance was more than Ousley expected, Doores noticed an absence of local high school students.

“I was kind of shocked,” Doores said. “ … I expected a lot more people to show, really.”

While commending those present, Sloan commented on the disinterest of the general public and its implications for education.

“Too many people are apathetic,” Sloan said. “Too many people may look at a newspaper or listen to the news and think we should do something, and they don’t.”

News 9 April 2015

page by Caylee Irving

5

Next year’s counselor office sits empty while workers are at lunch. “Anything new is exciting,” counselor Ken Hile said.

“Hopefully, the new setup will give the students more privacy.”

Photos by Gabrielle Wheeler

Secure Construction New office space intended to increase security, classrooms Written by Kenneth Palmer

T

he bell rings at 8:05 a.m., just as freshman a comprehensive construction plan that would Ava Cormaney’s mother pulls her car into the mitigate safety problems. circle drive on the south side of the school.

“It’s a pretty open environment, and that’s This year, running a few minutes late generally not what we prefer,” Hill said. “Everybody’s calls for a quick stop by the attendance office. Next cognizant of what’s going on across the country year is a different story. in terms of school-related shootings, and trying “At 8:05, the north doors and south doors to secure the building to the best of our ability is will be locked; nobody will be able to enter the paramount.” building, visitor or student, without visiting the Freshman Sapphira Knight agreed the office,” assistant school would be safer principal Mike Hill because of the new said. security, but resented The attendance the possible hassle it office will move to presented for tardy the north doors, and students. after tardy students “I think it’s a safe and visitors pass idea, but also a dumb through the first set one at the same time,” freshman Sapphira Knight of doors, they will Knight said. be required to check In addition to in with attendance secretary Donna Madl. Since updating the security protocol, the new offices there will be no office on the locked south side of will include a more student friendly student the building, students like Cormaney will have to services area. enter through the north side if they arrive after “There will be tables and work stations in 8:05 a.m. there that will allow kids to do work on their The new security procedure is only one schedules while they are waiting to meet with part of the ongoing office renovation project, and counselors,” Hill said. “There is newer furniture Hill says the change was prompted by trends so that people can rest comfortably while they’re of national school violence. The administration waiting.” worked with the district and architects to create The financial services office will also be

“I think it’s a safe idea, but also a dumb one at the same time.

-

“

updated to include an easily accessible window for students and staff.

Some students question where their lockers will be next year, as signs were posted on many lockers in the lower north hallway warning of relocation.

“I know that the construction would’ve moved my locker during spring break, but that did not happen,” sophomore Laura Quackenbush said.

Hill stated that despite confusion and panic surrounding locker removal before spring break, there will ultimately be no fewer lockers.

Some lockers will be moved to accommodate the doorways and windows of the new classrooms.

No lockers are expected to be placed in the middle stairwell area.

Journalism teacher Laurie Folsom, photography teacher Marsha Poholsky, film teacher Scott Smith and career and technology teacher Matt Gudenkauf will occupy the four new rooms. These shifts will aid in making more space available for new classrooms in the rest of the building.

Overall, Hill expects the changes to make things more efficient and effective in the classrooms and the office, and he believes the construction should be finished by the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.

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9 April 2015

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Opinion page by Addie Wendel

9 April 2015

Internet Influence

Web’s modern-day implications examined Written by Libby Stanford

F

eb. 26, I opened my Twitter account to find a Buzzfeed post about a dress that was baffling the world. I was in awe over this strange phenomenon and proceeded to message everyone I knew and ask them what colors they saw on this clearly white-and-gold dress. I looked back again at my Twitter feed to see what other people thought, and it seemed as if the whole world blew up.

Everyone from celebrities to my distant relatives were talking about this dress. My grandfather, a man completely oblivious to social media of any kind, made a Twitter account to tell people to “stop worrying about that dress.” Politicians used the dress to seem more relatable.

Comedians mocked the public for being so ridiculous. I was in awe; it felt as if the whole world suddenly joined a club. I was part of the club.

In that moment, I felt more connected to strangers than I ever have before.

The next morning, however, it completely went away. I heard small tidbits here and there, but for the most part it seemed as if the dress had died. No one cared anymore.

Everyone moved on, and I felt as if I missed something. The chaos of the

night before was completely wiped away.

The power the Internet had, in this situation, baffled me even more than the color of the dress. For eight hours, the whole world was connected by one slightly ugly dress, and then it completely disappeared.

Social media gives people the ability to spread information faster than ever before. In this case, the information was a dress in an overexposed photo that resulted in an optical illusion. Just imagine if the information was actually useful.

“I think [the ability to spread news senior Kayla quickly is] good,” senior Kayla Clark said. “But I think it’s not good that it happened with something as trivial as [the dress].

Pressing news issues in the world, like the girls that were captured by Boko Haram not many people knew about that. Important things like that that need attention.”

Using the power of the Internet to gain awareness for people who need it is far more important than a debate about a dress. According to Internet Live Stats, 40 percent of the world population has some sort of Internet connection. This means that every post you send out is available to 40 percent of the world.

This statistic seems frightening, but the power it holds is incredibly exciting. In 2011, a phenomenon called Arab Spring erupted. Countries from all over the Middle East were overthrowing their corrupt governments.

They would not have been able to accomplish this without the help of the Internet.

Earlier this year, Michael Brown was Clark shot by a police officer, and the town of Ferguson, Mo. was in an uproar. Protests were erupting on every street corner, and the world was able to watch. A murder that would have otherwise been categorized as “Ferguson’s problem” was now a nationwide dispute.

The hashtags, “Hands Up Don’t

we’re “stillI think connected

with people, but we’re connected in a different way.

-

“

Shoot” and “Black Lives Matter” were trending everywhere. Videos of the protests were littering Twitter and Facebook. People were outraged, and it made a difference. Despite the unfortunate court ruling, in some ways, Michael Brown and his family still received the justice he deserved.

I have often heard people complain about our generations addiction to the iPhone. They claim we are losing the ability to connect with people in our real lives, but they overlook the difference the Internet can make.

“I think we’re still connected with people but we’re connected in a different way,” Clark said. “It’s so easy to get in contact with someone now, but at the same time the faceto-face contact, I don’t think we’re really missing it. I see the point of the adults who say that, but I don’t agree with them.”

People who did not have a voice, now have a voice. Social media and the Internet holds the ability to change lives, governments and societies faster than ever before.

This can be frightening, but the capabilities it holds are exciting.

Keep Kindness Trending

Reporter direct messages hateful accounts Written by Hala Hamid

L

ogging onto Twitter a couple weeks ago, I saw many of my fellow classmates mentioning and tweeting about a new account called LKnudes. The account has since been suspended, but during its short-lived reign, it was significantly harmful to those involved.

During its time on Twitter, the anonymous account asked for direct messages of naked photos from its followers with messages about how attractive the pictures were, along with the notorious wide-eyed heart-eye emojis. The account degraded and shamed those whose pictures were posted, as they were spoken of like pieces of meat.

Along with LKnudes, similar local accounts have sprung up asking users to direct message anything they want to say about a person to be

posted anonymously. Most of the time, these tweets are profane and mean.

My question is why do people choose to spend their time creating outlets for people to bash others? There are no need for such accounts to be created. Whether it’s fueled from hatred or pure boredom, there’s better things to do with one’s social media use, such as bringing people up with encouragements or compliments—tweets that don’t require anonymity to be posted comfortably.

“I think (people start the accounts) just because of the attention they get,” junior Garrett Swisher said. “I honestly feel like social media nowadays is a place for people to hide, and so when it’s an anonymous Twitter that’s getting all those tweets, it makes the person who runs it feel good

because they’re in control of something.”

The accounts are sustained by the people who follow them. Without the followers and without attention, the accounts would quickly peter out.

“Just one person saying something against it [can stop the accounts],” Swisher said. “… Once you take the support away from it then there’s no point in doing it anymore.”

Editorial 9 April 2015

Power in Poetry

page by Addie Wendel

9

Spoken word joins audience, performers Written by Kyra Haas

O

n March 28, stepping into English teacher Brandon Wolak’s room, ticket in hand, I quickly decided I knew why the group was “Louder Than a Bomb.”

A hip-hop music video played on the projector, full blast, and groups spoke at increasing decibel levels to be heard above the others, crowded around tables covered in cookies and Gatorade.

After 15 minutes of standing quietly, trying to convince my brain it wasn’t over-stimulated and this was fun, I joined the enthusiastic swarm, out the door and onto the bus, headed to Louder Than a Bomb Poetry Finals at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, Mo. We arrived at the venue a full two hours before the scheduled start time and snagged seats in the first few rows. A DJ began rocking out louder than a bomb on stage, and I worried my hearing would leave me before I heard the first stanza.

Thirty minutes after the time written on my ticket, a man jumped up on stage holding a flat-billed hat full of paper, introduced himself and called one member from each of the

four schools represented to draw for the order of the first round.

Free State started the evening in the second spot, and halfway through our first poet’s poem, I began the nightlong struggle of keeping my mascara from trickling down my face.

Having only experienced slam poetry through YouTube, I wasn’t ready for the emotional rollercoaster of heavy poems and cheerful transitions. After each poet, the host would bound to the front of the stage, unaffected by the pouring out of the teenage soul, and offer a silly question to the crowd while the judges tabulated results.

It went like this: Poet passionately expresses the hardship of growing up poor with an abusive father. Crowd cries. Host asks, “Skittles or Starburst?” Crowd roars. Poet speaks of a constant struggle with body image. Crowd sniffles. Host asks, “Kanye or Jay-Z?” Crowd laughs. Poet describes the way her sister sexually abused her while saying they were just playing house. Crowd sobs. Host asks, “Oreos or Chips Ahoy?” Crowd cheers.

At first I thought the host was being incredibly insensitive, but

halfway through I understood the need to keep the energy in the room.

The poets and crowd kept to their slogan, “The point isn’t the points— the point is poetry.” Even in finals, the teams cheered as loudly for their own as they did for other schools— snaps reverberated around the theater after an especially poignant line, standing ovations were frequent and genuine and when judges gave distasteful scores, members of all teams shouted, “Listen to the poem!”

While the final results were figured, students from all schools danced on stage—I’m talking break-dancing, with backflips and handsprings. Even though Free State placed fourth and will not move on to the international Brave New Voices poetry event in Atlanta, the smiles and laughter followed us to Winstead’s Diner for midnight burgers and fries and all the way back to the school. The team still has several events planned for the remainder of the school year—from radio appearances to performances at Free State’s Coffeehouse Jams—and even bigger prospects for next year.

After the event, Wolak told me one couldn’t quite explain what to

Photo By Lindsey Pratte

expect at these type of shows and YouTube could only offer a taste.

He’s right. I could go on about the apparent cathartic value of disclosing one’s darkest hours and struggles to a room full of peers and parents.

Or about joining the crowd in reaching arms outstretched toward the speaker, willing him to find his words, but that’s something you’ll have to experience yourself.

Bystander Effect

Editor lays out approach to in-school fights Written by Catherine Prestoy

Y

ells and shouts are heard from across the Commons. The students turn, and it’s like someone pointed a remote at the lunchroom and hit pause. As the first punch is thrown, everything goes into fast forward. The room erupts into motion as people crowd around the fight to get a better look and whip out their phones.

Within minutes, the video makes its way around the school, rapid-fire tweets fly onto the Internet, and security guard the story is told and dramatically re-enacted from countless perspectives.

I am as confrontational as a little bird creature chilling in a forest. In the rare instance I find myself in a conflict, I try to forge a common understanding rather than act forcefully or with aggression. I call my approach realistic.

The innate reflex to use physical violence to expel a problem has alway been a part of human nature. In the moment when a conflict reaches its

peak and a group of kids start chanting, “Fight, fight, fight!”, it’s so much easier to let loose a punch than to walk away.

“The last instance that we had [a fight] here, we talked to a lot of people that were around and said, ‘Why didn’t you guys stop it before it escalated? This is your school. These are your peers. Let’s keep control,’” security guard Charles Thomas said. “If you’re not throwing any punches, if you’re not the aggressor, Charles Thomas you’re not the one to get punished. Look at all the cameras we have around here. When a fight happens, we go back and we review the tapes.”

Promoting violence for the sake of entertainment goes to show some teenagers just don’t react well to a sudden fight.

“It immediately becomes very animalistic, kind of tribal,” in-school suspension paraprofessional Lucas Johnson said. “There’s enjoyment in seeing it—it’s just human nature.

best advice I can “The give is walk away. “ -

Something about violence can be fun to watch, sadly.”

However, peer pressure does not only impel students to begin a fight, but it also encourages the students cheering from the sidelines.

“The moral thing to do is to try to split it up, but it may not be realistic,” Johnson said. “When you got 50 kids going, ‘Do it! Do it!’, it takes a lot of bravery to stick your neck out and try to split it up. If there’s that many people watching a fight and they want it to happen, it’s probably going to happen.”

It’s easy to say that someone should be the hero and intervene before conflict begins, but in reality it takes a lot to muster up the courage and do something. However, that doesn’t mean that intervening is impossible.

“The best advice I can give is walk away,” Thomas said. “[Fighting] is inappropriate. It is not the way to resolve an issue. After they sit down and get away from the other people egging them on, they come to a conclusion. This is not worth it.”

10

Sports page by Atticus VonHolten

9 April 2015

Leading warm-ups (from left), junior Mika Schrader, senior Hannah Reussner, junior Allie Knapp, senior Lindsey Wethington, sopomore Goosie Zicker, juniors Marcela Ellabracht and Sidney Zavala run laps around the football field during practice.

Photo by Margaret Uhler

Kicking the Odds

Young varsity girls soccer team set to defy expectations Written by Darby Gilliland and Kyra Haas

W

ith an assist from freshman Maya Hodison, senior Hannah Reussner scores a goal to win the game, securing an unexpected victory in the season opener.

“We want to prove other people wrong,” sophomore Goosie Zicker said. “We’re not expected to win anything, not even a single game.”

The team has already overcome this prediction, beating Shawnee Heights in double overtime. While they lost the second game of the season 1-6 to Shawnee Mission East, coach Kelly Barah maintains a positive perspective.

“We are trying to get away from the mentality that we are rebuilding

and just get back to winning soccer,” coach Kelly Barah said.

Last year, the girls varsity soccer team lost 12 graduating seniors. This season, Barah is looking for new players to step up and lead the team to victory.

“The practices are rough but Barah is considering what he has to deal with, and he’s doing a good job,” Zicker said.

There are now 22 girls on the team: five seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and eight freshman. The team has many young athletes and even a first-year player. While they feel little is expected of them for this season, the team remains optimistic.

“We’re really underestimated

this year,” freshman Emma Perez said.

According to several players, Barah’s strategy is to treat this team the same way he does every year. If the girls can get the basics down, they can work their way up. “[Barah] is just so knowledgeable about the game, but he’s also working to make us better people,” Perez said. “And so, I think that when he works with us at becoming better people, it helps us on the field.”

For some freshman players, going straight to varsity was intimidating.

“It was [intimidating] at first, but they’re all just so welcoming, so it just made me a lot more comfortable,” Perez said.

For Zicker, practicing with a predominantly underclassman team has greatly changed the dynamic from the upperclassman heavy team of last year. She says the girls don’t know each other as well yet, and it’s much quieter.

“Well, considering half the team is freshman, it’s quiet,” Zicker said. “The seniors and juniors are really loud, and the freshman are

quiet.”

While still adapting to the atmosphere of high school athletics, Perez and her teammates look forward to the rest of the season and its learning experiences.

“I’m really excited to be able to play and learn from the other players,” Perez said. “It’s definitely something I have to work hard at because [the returning players] are a lot bigger and they’ve been playing a lot longer.”

Junior Sidney Zavala joined varsity this year, and she has faith this team will succeed.

“It’s a good balance,” Zavala said. “We’re getting to know each other when we see how our teammates play.”

Ultimately, the players’ main goal is to bury the idea that this team will not do well because they lost seniors.

“We’ve been doubted like, ‘Oh, you guys aren’t gonna do anything’ because we did lose a lot of seniors last year, but I think we’re just gonna try to do the best we can, and we’ll see where that gets us,” Zavala said.

Biology teacher Kelly Barah has coached the girls soccer team for five years.

“We are trying to get away from the mentality that we are rebuilding and just get back to winning soccer,” Barah said.

Photo by Margaret Uhler

11

Sports 9 April 2015

page by Lane Weis

Life in theNew Fast Lane sprinting coach Joanna Romito’s experience promises success Written by Ryan Liston

Science teacher Joanna Romito coaches sprinting for Free State. “I want to make sure we all feel like we are a team, and that no one’s out there doing anything individually,” Romito said. Romito succeeded previous coach Kyle Ellis after he took a job at Washburn Rural.

Photo by Sam Goodwin

S

triding across the football field, new sprinting coach Joanna Romito works to reach the track’s finish line and shout out times as the sprinters complete a workout.

“I ran track and field in high school, and then I went on to KU and ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, so it’s something I’ve been a part of since I was very young and have continued to be a part of as I’ve gotten older,” Romito said.

This year, Romito took over for former sprinting coach Kyle Ellis, who accepted an administrative position at Washburn Rural High School.

While Romito attended KU, she student-taught at Free State for associate principal Steve Heffernan in the science department. Head track coach Jordan Rose student-taught at the same time as Romito.

“We were friends; we were in some of the same classes together before we got our teaching certifications,” Rose said. “... When she came in for the interview, I knew that she had some of that background knowledge that would assist her as far as coaching our kids go.”

Along with her personal experiences in the sport, Romito was eager to apply for the job because Rose is the head coach.

“I think very highly of her,” “We didn’t have a lot of coaches Romito said. “She is an amazing (in Tucson) who could be specific person and coach and leader and has to a certain event, so I’ve coached been very successful, and I am honored everything,” Romito said. “This is the to be a part of this program and first year that I’ve specialized basically coaching with her.” in one thing.”

Romito has experience in several Senior June Brooks began track event areas in track and field, so she for the first time this season and was comfortable coaching sprints appreciates Romito’s guidance. even though she focused on distance “She’s not too lenient, but she’s running in college. not too strict, so she’s just right,” “I Brooks was middle said. “And distance then I and then think she’s more just overall distance in a cool college,” person.”

Romito Coach Romito said. “I did do some sprints Romito in high school. I ran the 100 actually also describes her coaching style as a a couple times in some meets, and it’s moderate one. kind of weird for a distance runner to “For the most part, I think I’m be running some sprints, but I did. And pretty relaxed, but I do want to see then I also did try some pole vaulting kids working hard, and if I don’t see in college until I broke my hand.” them [doing that], I’ll push them if After Romito received her they’re not able to push themselves,” teaching certification, she taught and Romito said. coached for three years at two middle Senior Laura Kennard, who has schools in the Catalina Foothills been on the team since her sophomore School District in Tucson, Ariz. before year, was used to Ellis’ familiarity with taking nine years off to be a stay-atthe team, and noted Romito is still home mom. learning about the athletes.

“I’ll push them if

they’re not able to push themselves.

-

“

Romito’s top priority is ensuring the sprinters work together.

“First of all, I want to make sure we all feel like we’re a team, and that no one’s out there doing anything individually,” Romito said. “We’re just all rooting each other on and building a team and camaraderie first, and then I want to see kids improving and succeeding in whatever events they’re in.”

Although the team increased in size this year, Rose is confident Romito will handle her job with ease.

“Having a big group of kids that are going to come in with a lot of different skill sets, I knew that she would be really good at being able to kind of differentiate her coaching for those different kids,” Rose said.

Romito’s years of involvement with track and field and cross country speak to her passion for the sports.

“In general, I’m pretty passionate about track, and it’s kind of in my blood,” Romito said. “I love cross country, I love track, I love the atmosphere of meets as teams are gathered around screaming for their teammates—there’s just something really cool about that. And I love being a part of teams where people are just all supporting each other, and it’s a really fun sport to be a part of.”

12

13

Feature

Feature

page by Sydney Vogelsang

9 April 2015

9 April 2015

page by Sydney Vogelsang

The Lawrence College and Career Center is nearing its completion date of Fall 2015. The construction firm expects to start Interior work within the next month.

Too Cool for (High) School

Students can earn credit towards JCCC in high school. “We have classes like journalism, accounting, business, graphic design classes, health and photography,” said Ginny Naglic, director of the career pathways program.

“And if you get an A or a B in those classes at your high school then we give the equivalent of the JCCC college class for free.”

Photos by Sam Goodwin

Students explore college credit opportunities Written by Trenna Soderling and Sydney Gard

T

he 2015-16 school year marks many changes in the USD 497 school district. The new learning programs to be offered include the College and Career Center and classes for college credit offered through KU. Additionally, the long-standing Johnson County Community College Career Pathways program will continue to offer high school graduates college credit at JCCC for specific high school courses. While different, these three programs strive to provide broader college and career options for high school students in the district.

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

The sounds of nails being hammered and metal being sawed echo around the framework of the CCC as the August construction deadline looms nearer.

Over the clanking, Career and Technical Education Director Patrick Kelly explains the mission of the CCC, which will open to nearly 200 Lawrence juniors and seniors next year.

“We wanted to expand opportunities for students in a number of different curriculum areas,” Kelly

understanding of multiple topics.

“I’m hoping to gain experience in the subjects and … gain some college credit,” Jesse said. “I’m using this to explore my options.”

Although the center provides definite college experiences, college credit is not a given.

“It’s hard to predict which credit will work and which won’t,” Kelly said.

“But I do think that if you are planning to go to college … and you’ve taken some courses—though I can’t guarantee they transfer—clearly, you were doing college work.”

Junior Rose Arachtingi believes school board vice president Vanessa Sanburn that in addition to the center’s credit benefits, the they call a ‘real college course,’” Kelly increase in options will be a positive said. “Working with business and change. industry—having a project that they’ve “Free State hasn’t had a lot of worked on—can differentiate you from other students when it comes to college good opportunities for career and technology-based classes,” Arachtingi applications.” said. “I think it will open up a lot of Junior Sean Jesse, who will take new opportunities for kids to learn several classes at the CCC, plans to use about things that they haven’t been the center’s courses to help determine his future, as well as enjoy a new able to before.” said.

Kelly stated the anticipated benefits of the center include learning in desired content areas, building relationships with real businesses and taking college courses for which students can earn credit.

“We have really good AP courses at our high schools, but our students also said they wanted to take what

“I think a lot of students -

are hungry for these kinds of hands-on opportunities...

“

The classes being offered at the center were chosen in a unique way.

Community involvement and feedback has been a big part of the project from the beginning.

Arachtingi had a say in the courses at the center through her participation in Robotics Club. The club has already seen results from working with Kelly, including Robotics classes at the CCC, as well as new sponsors and more publicity for the team.

Kelly mentioned while he sees many benefits, the center may have its tradeoffs. To him, one of the biggest downsides is the time commitment that must be made in order to fit the desired classes into a student’s schedule. In order for students to take any class at the center, they must dedicate three hours of their day to the class, including travel time. Students may choose to go on a school bus or drive their own cars.

While there has been general support for the center, some concerns have been raised that because of the schedule restrictions, the CCC will decrease enrollment in the arts at Free State.

Although orchestra director Judy Erpelding hasn’t seen a huge change

time to spare, Kelly says that the in enrollment, she predicts the center center may not fit everyone’s learning will take its toll on future numbers. style.

However, her attitude regarding the “There’s a different way of CCC remains optimistic. teaching and learning “I guess out here,” Kelly said. the one thing Top 5 Classes for “It’s not for everyone, that I worry College Credit at JCCC but for students who about is the are really looking for opportunity offered at FS via survey of 165 students it takes away a deep relationship with business and from students industry, or who as far as are looking to try a performing college course, taught arts goes because by college faculty.”

While some it’s not like students may like they’re going the current set-up, to have an others, like juniors abundance of opportunities Chris Porter and Brianna Burenheide, after high school,” believe that the real-world format Erpelding will provide valuable said. “I’m concerned, experience for their but at the futures.

“I think it looks good on a same time I also see that it could be resume that you took a college class,” a wonderful thing for some kids who Burenheide said. “I want to go into aren’t involved in fine arts or kids who are involved in fine arts and find a way the medical field, so that’ll be nice to have.” to balance them both.”

Although the enrollment totals However, even if students have

1.

2.

Photography

3.

4.

5.

Business

Intro to Health Careers/Pre-Med Journalism

Graphic Design

almost 200 in its first year, school board vice president Vanessa Sanburn noted there were risks involved in creating a program of this nature.

“I do think it’s a bit of a risk to take, because if there isn’t student interest, then we have a center that isn’t going to be utilized,” Sanburn said. “But I don’t think that will be a problem because I think a lot of students are hungry for these kinds of hands-on opportunities and experiences. Hopefully, it will be wellused.”

CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Senior Jake Keary plans on attending Johnson County Community College this fall, where he will study athletic training. Keary could have earned credit hours toward his college education during his years at Free State, but he was unaware of this before enrolling at JCCC. The Career Pathways program enables future JCCC students like Keary to gain credit for classes they took in high school, and Keary said he would have taken advantage of the program had he known about it.

“I would have, to make college

a little bit easier, so you don’t have to take that extra class,” Keary said.

Senior Eli Schneck will attend JCCC with Keary and had heard of the program. However, his exposure to this option is recent, and he wishes he would have known about it earlier in high school.

“I just feel like if some of these were promoted a lot more, maybe when you’re enrolling in the classes … I would be more inclined to take some of these classes,” Schneck said.

Career Pathways program director at JCCC Ginny Naglic explained that students enrolled in career and technical education classes such as journalism, accounting, business, photography, graphic design and health could potentially earn college credit.

“If you get an A or a B in those classes at your high school, then we give the equivalent of the JCCC college class for free,” Naglic said.

Naglic said once a student has enrolled, the program lets the student know what credits they have earned.

However, if a student wishes to transfer from JCCC to a different college, the awarded credits may not be upheld.

12

13

Feature

Feature

page by Sydney Vogelsang

9 April 2015

9 April 2015

page by Sydney Vogelsang

The Lawrence College and Career Center is nearing its completion date of Fall 2015. The construction firm expects to start Interior work within the next month.

Too Cool for (High) School

Students can earn credit towards JCCC in high school. “We have classes like journalism, accounting, business, graphic design classes, health and photography,” said Ginny Naglic, director of the career pathways program.

“And if you get an A or a B in those classes at your high school then we give the equivalent of the JCCC college class for free.”

Photos by Sam Goodwin

Students explore college credit opportunities Written by Trenna Soderling and Sydney Gard

T

he 2015-16 school year marks many changes in the USD 497 school district. The new learning programs to be offered include the College and Career Center and classes for college credit offered through KU. Additionally, the long-standing Johnson County Community College Career Pathways program will continue to offer high school graduates college credit at JCCC for specific high school courses. While different, these three programs strive to provide broader college and career options for high school students in the district.

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

The sounds of nails being hammered and metal being sawed echo around the framework of the CCC as the August construction deadline looms nearer.

Over the clanking, Career and Technical Education Director Patrick Kelly explains the mission of the CCC, which will open to nearly 200 Lawrence juniors and seniors next year.

“We wanted to expand opportunities for students in a number of different curriculum areas,” Kelly

understanding of multiple topics.

“I’m hoping to gain experience in the subjects and … gain some college credit,” Jesse said. “I’m using this to explore my options.”

Although the center provides definite college experiences, college credit is not a given.

“It’s hard to predict which credit will work and which won’t,” Kelly said.

“But I do think that if you are planning to go to college … and you’ve taken some courses—though I can’t guarantee they transfer—clearly, you were doing college work.”

Junior Rose Arachtingi believes school board vice president Vanessa Sanburn that in addition to the center’s credit benefits, the they call a ‘real college course,’” Kelly increase in options will be a positive said. “Working with business and change. industry—having a project that they’ve “Free State hasn’t had a lot of worked on—can differentiate you from other students when it comes to college good opportunities for career and technology-based classes,” Arachtingi applications.” said. “I think it will open up a lot of Junior Sean Jesse, who will take new opportunities for kids to learn several classes at the CCC, plans to use about things that they haven’t been the center’s courses to help determine his future, as well as enjoy a new able to before.” said.

Kelly stated the anticipated benefits of the center include learning in desired content areas, building relationships with real businesses and taking college courses for which students can earn credit.

“We have really good AP courses at our high schools, but our students also said they wanted to take what

“I think a lot of students -

are hungry for these kinds of hands-on opportunities...

“

The classes being offered at the center were chosen in a unique way.

Community involvement and feedback has been a big part of the project from the beginning.

Arachtingi had a say in the courses at the center through her participation in Robotics Club. The club has already seen results from working with Kelly, including Robotics classes at the CCC, as well as new sponsors and more publicity for the team.

Kelly mentioned while he sees many benefits, the center may have its tradeoffs. To him, one of the biggest downsides is the time commitment that must be made in order to fit the desired classes into a student’s schedule. In order for students to take any class at the center, they must dedicate three hours of their day to the class, including travel time. Students may choose to go on a school bus or drive their own cars.

While there has been general support for the center, some concerns have been raised that because of the schedule restrictions, the CCC will decrease enrollment in the arts at Free State.

Although orchestra director Judy Erpelding hasn’t seen a huge change

time to spare, Kelly says that the in enrollment, she predicts the center center may not fit everyone’s learning will take its toll on future numbers. style.

However, her attitude regarding the “There’s a different way of CCC remains optimistic. teaching and learning “I guess out here,” Kelly said. the one thing Top 5 Classes for “It’s not for everyone, that I worry College Credit at JCCC but for students who about is the are really looking for opportunity offered at FS via survey of 165 students it takes away a deep relationship with business and from students industry, or who as far as are looking to try a performing college course, taught arts goes because by college faculty.”

While some it’s not like students may like they’re going the current set-up, to have an others, like juniors abundance of opportunities Chris Porter and Brianna Burenheide, after high school,” believe that the real-world format Erpelding will provide valuable said. “I’m concerned, experience for their but at the futures.

“I think it looks good on a same time I also see that it could be resume that you took a college class,” a wonderful thing for some kids who Burenheide said. “I want to go into aren’t involved in fine arts or kids who are involved in fine arts and find a way the medical field, so that’ll be nice to have.” to balance them both.”

Although the enrollment totals However, even if students have

1.

2.

Photography

3.

4.

5.

Business

Intro to Health Careers/Pre-Med Journalism

Graphic Design

almost 200 in its first year, school board vice president Vanessa Sanburn noted there were risks involved in creating a program of this nature.

“I do think it’s a bit of a risk to take, because if there isn’t student interest, then we have a center that isn’t going to be utilized,” Sanburn said. “But I don’t think that will be a problem because I think a lot of students are hungry for these kinds of hands-on opportunities and experiences. Hopefully, it will be wellused.”

CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Senior Jake Keary plans on attending Johnson County Community College this fall, where he will study athletic training. Keary could have earned credit hours toward his college education during his years at Free State, but he was unaware of this before enrolling at JCCC. The Career Pathways program enables future JCCC students like Keary to gain credit for classes they took in high school, and Keary said he would have taken advantage of the program had he known about it.

“I would have, to make college

a little bit easier, so you don’t have to take that extra class,” Keary said.

Senior Eli Schneck will attend JCCC with Keary and had heard of the program. However, his exposure to this option is recent, and he wishes he would have known about it earlier in high school.

“I just feel like if some of these were promoted a lot more, maybe when you’re enrolling in the classes … I would be more inclined to take some of these classes,” Schneck said.

Career Pathways program director at JCCC Ginny Naglic explained that students enrolled in career and technical education classes such as journalism, accounting, business, photography, graphic design and health could potentially earn college credit.

“If you get an A or a B in those classes at your high school, then we give the equivalent of the JCCC college class for free,” Naglic said.

Naglic said once a student has enrolled, the program lets the student know what credits they have earned.

However, if a student wishes to transfer from JCCC to a different college, the awarded credits may not be upheld.

14

Feature page by Sydney Vogelsang

Poll Results from 165 responses

9 April 2015

Yes

15.8% I’m not attending JCCC.

57.6%

Were you aware you could get credit through the Career Pathways program?

Photo by Sam Goodwin

Snow Hall, pictured above, is where high school students currently take college math classes. Junior Lexie Freeman is enrolled in Math 101 next year, which will be taught at Free State. “I just thought it was easier and not as expensive in high school," Freeman said. "So why not do it?”

“You’d want to check with through JCCC, are a unique whatever college you’re going to go commodity. to after you transfer to see if those “The fact that you can explore classes transfer to that school or in high school and then those classes not,” Naglic said. “That’s not up to are eligible for college credit is us.” something that’s pretty rare across Kelly, who also directs the the country,” Naglic said. “It’s a Career Pathways program for both really great way ... to explore different Free State and Lawrence High careers and find what you like and Schools, explained that the school what you don’t like.” district has connections with many COLLEGE CLASSES colleges across Kansas.

THROUGH KU “Our purpose of these is that At the beginning of next school students have a connection, or a year, junior Cali Byrn will not take what we call a bridge, from their one of the senior English classes high school courses to their college that have been available in the past. courses, so that … you can ease into Instead, along with around 30 other that turn a little better,” Kelly said. students currently enrolled, Byrn will Counselor Ken Hile stated if try a new option: English 101. a potential The JCCC student semesterknows about long class the Career is offered Pathways through KU, program, but taught by it is a good a Free State opportunity teacher. to earn The course -Ginny Naglic, credit before focuses on graduating.

Career Pathways program director at writing and “It’s composition.

JCCC almost like Byrn’s getting a discount,” Hile said. goal was to complete a semester However, Hile added that of college English before actually credit received through the program graduating high school, but she appears on the a college transcript as currently knows little about the class. a pass only and does not factor into “I just signed up for it,” Byrn the college GPA. Hile said this may said. not present a problem for all students, The other new class offered is but it may concern students worried Math 101, a year-long class. about their GPA. “They’re the same number of Additionally, Hile noted some credits, even though they’re differing areas of study require multiple high lengths, and they’re the same school classes in order to earn credit, cost, even though they’re differing and whether or not the credit is lengths,” counselor Joel Frederick awarded is up to JCCC officials. said.

According to Naglic, career Although junior Lexie Freeman programs, such as the one offered

[This program] is “something that’s

pretty rare across the country...

“

No

26.7% has limited I’m a senior/freshman who Yes cannot take classes at information about CCC. 10.9% Math 101 and English 101, she 29.1% decided to enroll in both.

“I just Do you plan to take a thought it was class at the College easier and not as and Career Center expensive in high school, so why not this upcoming year? do it?” Freeman said.

Math 101 I don’t know covers college No 11.5% algebra. Around 48.5% 15 students are Freeman feels that in addition currently enrolled, to the subject matter, the class itself including junior Ethan Donley. While will have a different environment and Donley knows this will be a collegeultimately be worth her time. level class, he thinks the difficulty “I feel like the atmosphere is will be worth it. going to be different, and there’s “From my understanding, it going to be more of a connection helps get rid of a prerequisite that one on one with the teacher and the you need for college, so it helps with students, versus a bigger classroom that whole process,” Donley said. setting,” Freeman said.

Participating students will receive one credit for the class upon CONCLUSION completion. Each class costs $300, The three programs are not about one-third of the price of the all new, nor do they all provide the same course at KU. same benefits for students. While Frederick said while the classes the CCC and the KU-backed classes are a great way for students to are in their inaugural year and aim automatically earn credit toward their to provide more diverse chances to future education, some may consider learn for high school students, the the price expensive.

Career Pathways program has existed Additionally, some schools for years and gives credits to recent allow students to either skip a class graduates who plan to attend JCCC. or get credit for it if they do well on However, all three share a common standardized tests like the ACT or goal: to expand opportunities SAT. If a student takes English 101 and increase Lawrence students’ or Math 101 in high school and gets possibilities to be successful. scores that enable them to take a “I think it’s a great way to be higher-level class instead, the credit exposed to the opportunity to be in earned in high school does not count. college while still in high school,” “If you’ve taken the 101 class counselor Tina Mitchell said. “So, it’s here and you didn’t have to, it’s kind just opening their eyes to what they of frustrating,” Frederick said. have to look forward to.”

ADS 9 April 2015

page by Kaitlyn Foster

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16

Profiles page by Lane Weis

9 April 2015

Model UN members from around the nation gather in DC early this February. The students prepared for months to represent their country for many other schools. Sophomore Seamus Ryan said his first year at Chicago differed greatly from Topeka.

Students Seek International Perspective Model United Nations competes in junior politics Written by Hala Hamid

I

n mid-February, the Model United Nations team braved snowy conditions in order to attend their annual Chicago conference.

There are two Model UN teams, one competing in Topeka and the other in Chicago. The Topeka conference includes schools mainly from Kansas, whereas the Chicago conference is much larger with schools from all over the country.

For sophomore Seamus Ryan, his first year at Chicago differed greatly from Topeka. “[At Topeka] there’s already pre-set bills,” Ryan said. “Whereas at Chicago you debate for a little while, and then you write a resolution, and then you talk about that resolution.”

The style of debate in Chicago was also different, starting with 10 minutes of speeches, then 10 minutes of unmoderated caucus.

“Unmoderated caucus … is basically where delegates walk around the room talking to other delegates about your ideas,” sophomore Ja-Ja Wang said.

After the caucus, there are more rounds of 10 minute speeches.

Junior Linda Liu, who competed at the Topeka conference, served as an officer for the first time in her three years on the team. As an officer, Liu ensured the chambers followed the proper rules during debate.

“I wasn’t delegated to a certain country because I was on officer,” Liu said. “The delegates make speeches

Photo by Paul Rosen

about resolutions … The officers basically ran the parliamentary procedure that is required in the chambers,” Liu said.

Wang joined Model UN in middle school with the help of some supportive teachers. He became interested a while ago and hasn’t given up since.

“Since about sixth or seventh grade, I’d read my parents’ Time magazines,” Wang said. “ … And I’d think, ‘How can I apply the news I read at home to something I do at school?’ and Model UN is a great outlet for that.”

Despite the long days in Chicago, the opportunity to debate and learn outweighs potential fatigue.

“Every day at Free State, I have

the same routine,” Wang said. “But at Chicago, it all changes. It’s a very different experience … I wouldn’t say it’s better than Free State, but it really breaks up the uniformity.”

Ryan enjoys Model UN because it allows students to view broad issues in different ways.

“I thought it was a really interesting thing to talk about and get a perspective of and take on a role of a different country,” Ryan said.

Liu would recommend students join Model UN. “Model UN is really great to see that kids break out of their comfort zone,” Liu said. “In Model UN there are people that are not necessarily used to public speaking, so it’s good to see those kinds of kids participating in it.”

Oh, the Humanities!

New Club discusses membership, plans for next year Written by Evan Frook

H

umanities Club stemmed from a simple coincidence. Sophomore Lila Alvarado was reading “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and the author Margaret Atwood was visiting Lawrence in early February.

Interested in attending Atwood’s talk, Alvarado met with English teacher Kylee Wright.

The discussion became a book club, and the book club became a broader discussion of humanities.

The shift to a club focused on the humanities encouraged a varied, interdisciplinary discussion at the meetings.

“The humanities kind of encompass everything, even soft sciences like anatomy,” sophomore Claire Yackley said. “Fine arts are basically all humanities.”

Like a book club, the members read, view or study a material, then attend meetings to discuss it.

“We would meet and bring discussion questions about the book we’re reading,” Alvarado said “Each time we’ll have someone talk about some music or art connection.”

Music and art are essential to the study of humanities, and members of the group bring and play pieces of music for group discussion. Club member sophomore Addie Wendel, for example, shared music.

“Addie had us listen to The Planets Suite of music by [Gustav Holst], and it was really interesting, and then she talked to us about what it was inspired by and analyzed it,” Alvarado said.

While members lead discussion, Wright acts as an advisor, prompting students with discussion questions if the conversation lags and ensuring the group stays on topic.

“Usually one person thinks up something they

want to present or show, and then they’re kind of in charge of that meeting,” Yackley said.

The group also participates in events outside of weekly meetings, such as Read Across Lawrence, and plans to take field trips to experience art, music and literature, as they did recently on a trip to the Spencer Museum of Art. Read Across Lawrence is a city-wide effort to encourage community members to read similar books in the pursuit of knowledge. Humanities Club plans to participate again next year.

The club hopes to recruit more members for next year and expand on current practices.

“I’m hoping we can get some more people to join … then we can cover a lot of topics,” sophomore Lily Kenn said. “I like going, I think everyone in the group has well-voiced and well-informed opinions.”

Profiles 9 April 2015

A New Chapter

FFA sponsor, agriculture teacher announces resignation Written by Ryan Liston

F

or the past eight years, agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America sponsor Laura Priest worked to advance Free State’s FFA chapter and break down stereotypes regarding agriculture, but now she’s moving on.

“I’m going to miss it,” Priest said. “But you know what? When one chapter ends, another one begins, and that’s why it’s time to go.”

Since she will get married this summer and her fiancé will work in Manhattan, Kan., Priest will resign from her position at Free State at the conclusion of this school year.

“The goal is to get a teaching job,” Priest said. “I have applied at several schools in the district [in Manhattan]. I’ve also applied for a few positions at K-State ... I’m not going to be a sit-at-home, I don’t know what I’d do if wasn’t working.”

Priest plans on teaching middle school or high school science; however, she doubts she will be able to continue involvement in FFA. “That’s what’s really gonna suck the most: if I can’t do FFA,” Priest said. “... It’s just kind of an integral part of what I do. But, I’m excited to also get into a traditional classroom, do some science, because you can still be very active in that as well.”

Senior Morgan Gantz and sophomore Ethan Schraad were

both surprised to hear of Priest’s resignation.

“She announced it [as a possibility] to some of us when we went to Kentucky on a trip, but we never really thought it would come true,” Schraad said. “And then when I heard it from an office lady and I asked her about it, she said that,

I feel like she “teaches with a love. “ sophomore Ethan Schraad

‘Yeah, it’s happening.’ It was just immediate shock, and then like, ‘Okay, what’s going to happen next year?’”

Despite the uncertainty, Schraad remains hopeful that the coming years hold success.

“I think that a new mind will be real help for the ag. education and FFA, and I think that it’s going to put a lot of pressure on the students and next year’s officer team to step up and keep everything going,” Schraad said.

This is not the first time Priest has considered leaving Free State.

After a few years, Priest considered searching for another job.

“When I was younger, I hit that five-year wall, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to leave. I’m so over this,’

page by Lane Weis

17

During an animal science class, students lean in toward agricultural science teacher Laura Priest, who will resign at the end of this year. “I’m going to miss it,” Priest said. “But you know what? When one chapter ends, another one begins, and that’s why it’s time to go.” Priest plans to move to Manhattan, Kan. with her fiancé and find a teaching position.

Photo courtesy of Laura Priest

but then I kind of powered through it, … and that’s why I’ve made it eight years,” Priest said. “Honestly, I thought I was going to be a lifer.”

One of Priest’s tactics for garnering involvement in FFA was clarifying some common misconceptions about agriculture and the types of people involved with FFA. “I always tell kids, ‘Give it a year, and the worst thing you’re out of are a couple of days gone from school [for contests] and 20 bucks,’ because that’s the membership fee,” Priest said.

Once in the program, Priest ensures that members are given the help they need to be successful.

“She’s really good at helping people stay after school and really doing anything you need her to do,” Gantz said. “... She also knows a whole bunch about FFA, she’s an alum, and so it’s really helpful to have someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Priest leaves knowing she helped FFA gain recognition locally and nationally.

“I have had kids go very far from being in my program, from being in my FFA chapter,” Priest said. “... I guess my legacy is I helped put us on the map. Hopefully whoever comes in next year will keep it on the map.”

Under Priest’s leadership, FFA members have earned numerous awards.

“My kids have done well contest-wise,” Priest said. “I’ve

had kids qualify for state contests.

They’ve gotten state degrees, American degrees. They’ve won state proficiency awards. I had a national finalist.”

Although the majority of Lawrence is urban, Priest never lacked support from students or the community.

“Lawrence actually has a very rich FFA history, a very agricultural community for as urban as we are,” Priest said. “And for me that’s what I play to, like who’s my community, who are my kids and how can I make them successful with FFA.” Priest’s passion for agriculture and dedication to her students have defined her career.

“I feel like she teaches with a love,” Schraad said. “She comes across as she cares about her students, and the students really catch that up. So it’s not just some lady sitting up at the front teaching you about cows and stuff like that, it’s someone who genuinely wants you to learn and wants to care about you.”

Moving forward, Schraad believes members of FFA and agriculture students must be willing to adapt to change.

“So far a lot of us are just used to Ms. Priest and her way of teaching, but the next person that comes in might not be exactly like her, and so we need to keep our mind open and understand that there are different ways to teach agriculture,” Schraad said.

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Profiles page by Kristina Foster

9 April 2015

? d r o W hose

W

Bird’s Word

What do you think about the College and Career Center?

“I think it’s a step in the right direction, just because it provides the hands-on learning and the career and technical aspects that some people want at a high school age. It will definitely be helpful for some people.”

- junior Brett Carey

“It’s cool. It would be fun to get college credits in high school.”

- freshman Paxton Brittingham “I think it’s a good idea. I wouldn’t like to not have any of my electives, but I think that it will be very helpful for a lot of people.”

- junior Bayli Bowen

“I think that it is a useful opportunity for students.

I like that you get the college hours by doing it, and you can learn about the kind of stuff that you want to learn about.”

- sophomore Laura Neff

“I think it’s a good idea. I wouldn’t like to not have any of my electives, but I think that it will be very helpful for a lot of people.”

- junior Bayli Bowen

“Well I don’t really know what that is, but it sounds pretty sweet. It sounds like something I would want to do.”

- freshman Paxton Brittingham

Show your

SCHOOL SPIRIT!

“I think that the College and Career Center is a great thing. We can start getting our college credits before we get out of high school. I actually plan next year to go to the College and Career Center for the first three hours of the day.”

- sophomore Chad Bourdon

Use your Free State Spirit Debit Card from Truity Credit Union and give back to your school with every swipe!

We’ve donated over $17,000 to Lawrence high schools

“I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know much about it. I think it could be helpful if you have free time during the day.”

- senior Hannah Shoemaker

since 2009. Learn more at TruityCU.org/SpiritCards.

3400 W 6th St | 1300 W 23rd St 2221 W 31st St | TruityCU.org 785.749.2224 or 800.897.6991

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9 April 2015

Teachers, Assemble!

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Fabiola page by Darian Koenig

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ADS page by Kaitlyn Foster

9 April 2015

Order Online: Sandbarsubs.com

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Reviews 9 April 2015

page by Kristina Foster

21

‘Morning Phase’

Grammy award-winning artist enters new stage Written by Maddie Birchfield

A

s the name suggests, “Morning Phase” perfectly compliments the image of a relaxed awakening on a warm summer day. Musician Beck Hansen, known by the stage name Beck, has created a smooth folk album that reflects on his life thus far.

The album’s music makes you feel the shift Beck made into a more relaxed style compared to his early days of psychedelic grooves layered over hip-hop beats. More mellow than “Mellow Gold” ever was, “Morning Phase” sounds like a follow-up album to his 2002 “Sea Change.”

Both seem to deal with reflections on relationships Beck has had in his life through more exposed music.

Although I relate more to Beck’s earlier sound, the musicality that he exhibits on the album is undeniable.

Working with his father, famous composer David Campbell, the number of instruments featured in itself is

impressive, but how the father-son duo works to manipulate the different voices into one complete thought is one-of-a-kind.

In listening to this work, it is important to play the songs in order.

By not following the track listing, you lose an essential piece of the album, the flow through the story. Each song moves to the next, like chapters of a novel, revealing more of Beck’s reflection with each metaphorical lyric.

More than one song on the album refers to an emptiness having of nothing left, like Beck has reached his mid-life crisis, forced to rethink what he has done to help him see what is left to do.

It is strange to think the same punk kid who threw his shoe in an interview with Thurston Moore in 1994 could release an album filled with such relaxed and calming musicality.

Harold’s Fried Chicken & Donuts

photo courtesy of Evan Moss

Donuts, chicken culminate in glazed, greasy goodness Written by Ryan Liston

D

riving by, it would be easy to pass 3300 West Sixth Street and assume it was a simple gas station, but a small sign located in the upper righthand corner indicates otherwise.

A Grilled Glazer with a side of mashed potatoes from local restaurant, Harold’s Fried Chicken and Donuts. Harold’s Fried Chicken and Donuts is located at 3300 West Sixth Street.

Photo by Gabrielle Wheeler

in euphoria, and I could not control my ravenous desire to shove the rest into my mouth. I topped off my greasy binge by devouring my side of fries and ordering a maple-glazed donut.

The Grilled Glazer probably canceled out my earlier six-mile run; Harold’s Fried Chicken & Donuts nonetheless, I had no regrets. The opened recently in the Miller Mart maple-glazed donut was delectable too, on Sixth Street. The restaurant is but if I were just craving a donut, I owned by Ingredient, a downtown would order from elsewhere.

Massachusetts Street restaurant.

About a week later, my step dad Harold’s, shockingly, sells fried brought home an order of fried chicken chicken and donuts along with a and a half-dozen maple-glazed donuts host of sides including fries, mashed from Harold’s. potatoes and chicken noodle soup.

The fried chicken was better According to the man at the cash than any fried chicken I have had in register, their most popular item is the Lawrence, and when you throw it on Grilled Glazer, essentially a donut/ a sandwich it’s even better. Again, fried chicken sandwich with cheese the donuts were satisfying, but not as and (gasp) their secret sauce. mind-blowing as those found in other When I perused the menu, the donut shops around town. words of the wise cashier echoed in my Now Lawrence residents can stop head—I had to try the Grilled Glazer.

by Miller Mart and get two types of After just one bite into the fluffy, gas: diesel and maple-glazed. crunchy wonder, my mouth cried out

22

A&E page by Kristina Foster

11

The University of Kansas’s student-run radio KJHK is hosting an album release party for the experimental groove pop group, Pink Royal. The album, Taps, features the single “Give Me Something Real” and can be pre-ordered through Indiegogo.

Apr. 21 Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland Kansas City, Mo. 8 p.m. $40 per ticket; All ages

Sufjan Stevens Sufjan Stevens, a Brooklyn based folk artist, is touring his recently released album “Carrie & Lowell.”

Released on March 31, the album features the singles “Should Have Known Better” and “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross.”

, 2” X 2”

9 April 2015

April/May concert schedule

Apr. 11 The Granada Lawrence, Kan. 9 p.m.

Free show; All ages

Written by Maddie Birchfield

Pink Royal

photo courtesy of Pink Royal’s Facebook

The band formed in Lawrence, and other local musicians, such as Spencer Mackenzie Brown, will play at the free show.

Apr. 28 Liberty Hall Lawrence, Kan. 8 p.m.

All ages; $40 per ticket

Neutral Milk Hotel

21

Some might know Neutral Milk Hotel as the favorite of Aubrey Plaza’s “Parks and Recreation” character, April Ludgate. Having released two complete albums in the late ‘90s, the rock band has only recorded an EP

Go

785-764-2214 GoDrivingLawrence.com

Janice & Walter Olker

entitled “Ferris Wheel on Fire” since then.

Following their reunion tour in 2013 and 2014, the band states this is their “last tour for the foreseeable future.”

photo courtesy of Joe Lencioni

This new album continues Stevens’s lyrical verses filled with both stories from his life and home, and the fantasies of religion.

May 1 Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland Kansas City, Mo. 7:30 p.m.

Free Show; 18 & Over

Afentra’s Prom

Driving School

28

photo by Abraham Oosten

Featuring Vance Joy, The Kooks, Joywave and Hembree, radio personality Afentra from 96.5 the Buzz is hosting a prom in Kansas City. The 12th annual show is free to anyone 18 or older.

1

photo courtesy of Neon Tommy

Students can practice their moves at this event the night before Free State’s own prom, May 2.

Artists of the Month

A&E 9 April 2015

page by Darian Koenig

Show Light

freshman Elijah Denmark Freshman Elijah Denmark took his untitled photo for a lighting assignment for his Photography 1 class. While looking for photo opportunities, he stumbled upon the scene and snapped the shot.

“I literally was just standing at an angle and I just saw it and was like, ‘Okay, this looks pretty cool,’ and I took it,” Denmark said. “It ended up turning out better than I originally thought it would be.”

The Shift

senior Cadence Learned

Cubism Eye

senior Summerrain Hooper

On the Bright Side

freshman Heather Buckingham

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