Free Press: Issue 1, Edition 25 by FSJournalism

h T

Th eS

how Mu

st Go On, pg 18

P e r e e r s F s e

man Year: Tak Fresh e2 ,p g2 0

Wor king

Towa rds Unit y, pg 10

“Being around people and interacting has been a lot weirder since I haven’t been in a classroom setting for awhile.” sophomore Mallory Qualseth

Issue 1 October 14, 2021 Edition 25

“I just wish we had more [ILT] or a more structured time where we knew where we had to go.” junior Lolly Hindman, pg 8

“Students, educators and staff deserve the time, resources and information to have equitable experiences within our school district.” Kay Emerson, school board candidate, pg 16

FSJ STAFF PHOTO & MULTIMEDIA Gracie Coleman Emma Hardesty Maya Lee Lady Ortega-Perez Isabelle Prô Caroline Börk EDITORS IN CHIEF

DESIGNERS Devon Janus Lily Ye Madison Base

ILLUSTRATOR & CARTOONIST Gus Cordova

Isis Norris Maya Pavlyak

PHOTO & MULTIMEDIA Baya Burgess Karmina Douglas Addison Driscoll

REPORTERS Jake Hedges Cici Hunter Olivia Roderick Natasha Torkzaban

EDITORS

COPY EDITORS Mary Kate Shultz Nisa Khosh DESIGN Hannah De Guzman

BUSINESS Lauren Tao Keren Perry Jack Randall

Table of Contents Singing Praises

Fiberbirds take Flight

Schedule Shake Up

10 14

Working Towards Unity Extending Our Ecosystem

16 25 Candid Candidates

The Show Must Go On

Custodians Wiped Out

26 Style 28 Birds’ Word 30

Firebird Art

Freshman Year: Take 2

Jammed Up

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 203 or mail to the Free Press in care of... Lawrence Free State High School 4700 Overland Drive Lawrence, KS 66049 FSJournalism@USD497.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MK’s Book Corner TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

PAGES BY HANNAH DE GUZMAN

g in

h Jos

s i e a r s P ing

m a r g o ir pr o h c in s o j ast aE

Story by Cici Hunt er

Raising his arms, choir teacher Joshua East conducts the sophomore tenor bass choir, Apollo, as they rehearse. Just like many of choir members have spoke of him, East spoke highly of his students. “I’d say Free State has one of the strongest traditions in the state for choir,” East said. “This is a wonderful place to be.”

Since arriving, East said he has had a s the latest edition to the fine pleasant experience getting adjusted arts program, Joshua East, “It always to the new schedule, adding the only is working beside choir felt like this space difficulty for him and his students teacher Olivia Henning. was super safe to make have been the overlaps. East co-teaches the performance Another challenge East has choirs and is the lead teacher for mistakes. He helps us had is getting his students used to Chamber Choir. figure out how we can being back in person after a year of After starting his career online choir. teaching choir in the Blue Valley improve without being “Our expectations for what choir school district, East earned his condescending.” should be were challenged during that masters degree from the University of time,” East said. “At least we’re back. I Connecticut. He arrived in Lawrence for have really high hopes for what’s next.“ his tenth year of teaching.

PHOTOS BY EMMA HARDESTY

PROFILE PROFILE PROFILE

to make mistakes. He helps us figure out how we can improve without being condescending.“ Both students said they look forward to working with East for their last year of high school. “I can’t wait to get to work with [East] more this year and get to learn more about him and his experiences in choir,“ Roecker said. In the future, East hopes students who are afraid to join choir take a chance and try something new. “You don’t have to know anything, we can teach you,” East said. “That’s our job. We love when students have the spark of wanting to learn how to sing. That’s what we’re here for.“

PROFILE

It looks like East isn’t the only one with high hopes. President of Chamber Choir Ezra Joseph thinks East is doing a fantastic job. “[East’s] energy, along with [Olivia] Henning and Mr. Piontek, has been really great,” Joseph said. “He’s very talented and obviously very good at what he does. I’m super excited for next year.“ His positive feelings were echoed by senior Aurora singer Molly Roecker. Aurora is the junior/ senior treble choir. East can be encouraging and students can always tell he’s smiling under his mask according to Roecker. “Choir can be a pretty vulnerable activity,” Roecker said. “It always felt like this space was super safe

PROFILE

Sitting at the piano, head choir director Joshua East smiles as he talks with associate director Olivia Henning. In the short time he’s been here, East has made many connections with his colleagues and students. “This is a wonderful place to be: supportive students and great staff,” said East. “[Olivia] Henning and Piontek are wonderful.”

East demonstrates how he wants the choir to sing with his hands. East has been able to mentor students as they develop a sense of musicality and encouraged students of all skill levels to join choir. “We have something for everyone,” East said.

PAGES BY HANNAH DE GUZMAN

Freshman Anwen Williams works on a crochet project. Williams joined Fiberbirds because she enjoys crocheting and knitting and she thought it would be fun. “ It’s a really chill environment,” Williams said. “You can just focus on your work or socialize with your friends.”

Fiberbirds Take Flight

Fiber arts club stitches together a new community Story by MK Shultz

tudents can be found all around campus after school: running laps on the track, rehearsing songs in the auditorium… and more recently, knitting to chill music in the photography room. “I learned how to crochet over quarantine, and I realized how many people my age are crocheting these days,” Johnston said. She and junior Perry Bonner have co-founded Fiberbirds, the new fiber arts club. “School was coming up and I’ve never really been part of a club before. Starting it was really fun.” Quarantine Tik Tok-watching seemed

to be a common starting point for many members of Fiberbirds. “A lot of my family does stuff with textiles, so I’ve quilted and sewn for a while now,” senior Sylvia Waechter said. “But I saw crocheting on Tik Tok and it looked like a lot of fun.” Currently, weekly meetings consist of working on projects, teaching new members and socializing, but sponsor Sarah Podrasky expressed the student’s larger goals for the club. “A lot of people were interested in making hats, scarves and mittens that we can donate

PHOTOS BY ADDISON DRISCOLL

Senior Margaret Bhattari helps teach other club members how to crochet. Fiberbirds is open to members of all experience levels.

FEATURE

“We have a lot of great experienced crocheters and knitters and so on that are able to help out and teach,” Johnston said. “Everyone’s welcome to join.” “The biggest goals for this club are mostly to hang out and have fun,” Waechter said. However, members are happy to simply get together and share their passions. “It’s just fun to see what other people are making and share some time together,” Podrasky said. To join the Fiberbirds GroupMe for information, students can reach out to Podrasky, Johnston, Bonner or English teacher Anna Koppes.

PAGES BY HANNAH DE GUZMAN

FEATURE

during the winter months,” Podrasky said. “Or, we might choose a community organization and donate proceeds of things we sell at school. We have lots of ideas for what we’d like to do. We’re just getting started.” Podrasky has her own passion for textile arts and encouraged those new to the activity to give Fiberbirds a try. “This is actually a really great place if you’ve never done it before, because we’ll help show you how to do it,” Podrasky said. “I encourage people to not be intimidated by the medium and to check it out and get a feel for it.” Club members echoed this sentiment.

FEATURE

sponsor Sarah Podrasky

FEATURE

“We have lots of ideas for what we’d like to do. We’re just getting started.”

FEATURE

Working away, junior Perry Bonner needle felts a green hat. The club gives students a space to work on fiberbased projects of all kinds.

by Jake Hedges Story

pectives and opinions have s r e p y n a m , n g o es o r edule h c s d o a m x e l f w e n e h t g n i e d n u y o r r l hoo eveloped su c s d the s A

ith school back in session and the a teacher’s classroom or the library. However, new Flex Mod schedule in play, selecting classes to spend ILT time in is very the beginning of this school year limited, as only a certain amount of students are allowed in each space. is very different. Some students have taken issue The new Flex Mod schedule “I’d rather have with this policy. As spaces fill consists of 20 modules 21 minutes long, during which students are short Wednesdays and up, some students are forced to in classes ranging from 42 to 126 just do homework at repeatedly change locations during their ILT. minutes. Independent learning time home.” is also built in throughout the day, “When you have to get up and where students are free to complete move all the time, that’s definitely work, study and meet with teachers for a little bit annoying because when I’m wanting to work, I want to be able to sit in one help. This time varies for every student, as everyone’s schedule is different. place and work,” senior Isa Evans said. Students select locations for each module ILT was implemented to help students finish the to attend ILT in. Locations available vary from school day without as much homework as they

Instagram Poll:

Do you like the new Flex Mod schedule?

Yes No

August 23, 2021 based off 128 responses

“A lot of positives and negatives.” @mortalgar

“ILTs are nice, but the overlap of classes is messy and confusing.”

54%

@maya_d33_

FEATURE

October 7, 2021 based off 161 responses

“The farther we get into the year, the more productive it becomes.” “It has helped me learn to be more efficient with my time.”

29% 71%

@willoughby.lam

FEATURE

PAGES BY MADISON BASE

FEATURE

have had in the past. As students become junior Lolly Hindman said. adjusted to ILT, teachers have noticed some On the other hand, many students still of those habits forming. prefer the old schedule and wish to “It’s definitely helped [students] complete work at home instead of having extended periods of free learn a little bit about time “I just wish management,” biology school. we had more [ILT] time“Iatfeel teacher Daniel Hissong said. like I’d rather have While ILT is designed to or a more structured short Wednesdays and just do benefit students, some find it time where we knew homework at home, because I feel like I can still talk and ask still has room for improvement. where we had to “I just wish we had more [ILT] teachers questions,” sophomore go.” or a more structured time where Leonard Bass said. we knew where we had to go,”

FEATURE

@abbyychappell

FEATURE

46%

d r a w o Working t U ni t y r nte u ici H C y b Story

Stepping in front, junior Cierra Rivers performs at Firefest. Rivers has been a part of the Step Team since her freshman year and stayed due to the community she found in it. “Everyone has each other’s backs,” Rivers said. “We can all have fun.” Photo by Addison Driscoll

Step team tackles changes, challenges

“It was always the hope to have one team, s students return to it just took awhile for all the pieces the building of the puzzle to come together,” after a year coach Audrey Trowbridge of online said. school, clubs and Since rebooting the sports begin to club in 2017 after a drop in reflourish. The Unity participation, Trowbridge Step Team has come said one of the group’s back to life with new biggest setbacks has been changes and activities. oa rid funding. Since the group is ch b Once known as the Audrey Trow officially labeled a club by the district, Free Steppers of Free State, the they are responsible for their own finances. Unity Step Team took a big leap last year in Trowbridge said she’s taken on most of the combining the group with Lawrence High School financial burden, paying for uniforms and making participants.

“We have sustained it together. No handouts.”

FEATURE FEATURE

FEATURE

of people think it is just making sound with your body, but it’s a workout. It’s really exciting to do.” She isn’t the only one; senior Cierra Rivers has been in the group since her freshman year. She has had nothing but positive experiences with the group for the last three years, which she credits to Trowbridge. The coach’s efforts in balancing both her personal, work and step life hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by the team. The group’s only hope moving forward is the school notices her hard work as well. “Step is a place where people can feel welcomed and heard, where people can be comfortable in their own skin and find their voice,“ Rivers said. “[Audrey]Trowbridge helps with that.”

FEATURE

the shirts herself. “We, the kids and I, created this opportunity together,” Trowbridge said. “We have sustained it together. No handouts.” Despite the challenges of a lack of funding, the group has kept spirits high. With participation increasing and an impending performance at LHS, senior captain Dumebi Enyinnaya has high hopes for the season and members of the group. Enyinnaya’s goals for the team include winning their upcoming competition. She also hopes to continue the activity in college and is excited about her last year on the team. “It’s a great experience,” Enyinnaya said. “A lot

FEATURE

Sophomore Nomso Enyinnaya performs alongside her teammates during Firefest. Photo by Baya Burgess

ADS

Join the

FIVE STAR TEAM today!

Offering part-time positions. We are looking for caring, qualified individuals to serve our senior adults in a professional manner.

12 12

APPLY IN PERSON Human Resources: 501 Inverness Drive Lawrence, KS 66047 EOE/ Drug Free Workplace APPLY ONLINE http://careers.fivestarseniorliving.com Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer: MIN/FEM/VETS/DIS

ADS ADS ADS ADS

More information at

https://www.smore.com/ytu18 ADS

Managed by Courtney Masterson, a group of volunteers help conduct the prairie burn. Masterson has partnered with Free State since 2013 and helped students grow plants from seeds collected at the prairie.

Extending our Ecosystem

Prairie creates learning opportunities for students across town

Science teacher Julie Schwarting brings her environmental science class outside to watch the prairie burn. The Free State Prairie is a long-term prairie restoration experiment that provides opportunities for Free State students to engage in ecological explorations with University of Kansas researchers. “This is the best burn we’ve had since we began the project in 2013,” Schwarting said.

PHOTOS BY KARMINA DOUGLAS

FEATURE

A voluntary burn conductor walks alongside a strip of the flaming prairie.

Courtney Masterson explains the process of conducting a prairie burn to volunteers.

FEATURE FEATURE

PAGES BY HANNAH DE GUZMAN

FEATURE

combined with Alexander’s students’ research. Data collected in the prairie has been published by three scientific journals according to Alexander. “It was cool to see the research we were doing [and] how that would contribute to [Alexander’s] research,” senior Chaney Finkeldei said. As part of her AP Environmental Science class, Finkeldei took part in the annual research. However, the prairie is not just for learning and studying purposes. It also benefits native animals, insects and the students who visit. “As a society, we care about our past,” Alexander said. “We preserve buildings, archaeological sites, etc. I also think we should preserve the landscapes people evolved with.” Schwarting recognizes the importance of students spending time in nature. “Maybe in the beginning, [students are] a little hesitant [in the prairie], but once they get out there and they realize this space and just all the cool things that are out there: all the bugs and the plants,” Schwarting said. “It’s cool.”

FEATURE

tarting in 2013, new opportunities sprouted from the remains of a practice football field. A tallgrass prairie was created on campus that presents unique learning opportunities for students across Lawrence. Science teacher Julie Schwarting, along with Helen Alexander, a University of Kansas ecology and biology professor, started the prairie restoration. “We came up with a plan and then and then we harvested some seeds, grew some plants in our greenhouses and then in 2014 we planted,” Schwarting said. The field is divided into 18 sections, with each section having one of three different ratios of grasses to wildflowers. Alexander uses the varied sections to monitor plant growth. Students in Schwarting’s classes collect data by walking through the prairie and counting how many of each plant grows. This data allows students to track how the vegetation has changed over time. The data collected by Schwarting’s classes are

The 2021 school board election has 6 final candidates each

running for a spot on the USD 497 Board of Education. The election takes place November 2, 2021.

Kelly Jones

rew d n

What are your three biggest goals for your school board term and why? 1. Increase certified and classified wages in the 2022-23 academic school year so educators feel valued, supported (through resource allocation, board policy and advocacy) 2. Educator and student proposals to improve academics and socialemotional health 3. Apply an equity lens to all policy, budget and governing decisions before the board.

What are your three biggest goals for your school board term and why? My goals are to 1. encourage diversification of governing structures 2. support equitable pay for classified staff 3. prioritize marginalized students in decisions affecting the development and implementation of policy.

What qualities set you apart from the other candidates? I believe in the power of the lived experience and the value it brings to governing structures. I am originally from Lawrence and have the experience as both a student and parent.

sbaum Nus

What are your three biggest goals for your school board term and why? 1. Redistribution of resources away from the top, such as the ballooning of six-figure salaries of district admin to certified and classified staff actually in our classrooms alongside students -- as we fight for living wages for all our USD 497 staff. 2. Prioritizing actual people in our district over PR from our district -- telling the truth about our schools and advocating alongside special education students, staff and families. 3. Reimagine what safety and be-

What qualities set you apart from the other candidates? Currently, I am the Director of Field Education and an Associate Professor of Practice at the KU School of Social Welfare. I have the great pleasure of assisting social work students and over 300 community partners, including area public schools. As a social worker, I have spent my 25+ year career advocating on the behalf of a broad segment of marginalized community members.

h S te p t e b a z i l E

hens

longing can look like and feel like for our marginalized communities through a deeper engagement with restorative and transformative justice principles and practices. What qualities set you apart from the other candidates? My plan is to prioritize our students and families by understanding our certified and classified staff working conditions are our students’ learning condition.

TOPIC

n - R o ss

TOPIC

rd o

TOPIC

students, outcomes and staff by linking every policy or financial decision we make back to some aspect of that plan.

TOPIC

What are your three biggest goals for your school board term and why? 1. To continue moving the district forward using our Strategic Plan as our guide, 2. to address our budgetary issues, we need to really examine what we can take and incorporate into our policies and practices going forward that will positively impact kids 3. we need to stay the course and keep moving in the directions we’ve set to impact

FEATURE

What are your three biggest goals What qualities set you apart from for your school board term and the other candidates? why? If you’re looking for a 1. Marketplace Readiness. We candidate who truly must ensure that our students understands the complexity learn skills which help them of leadership, cares deeply after secondary school. about the community, has 2. Mental Well-Being of Teachers upstanding character and and Students. We’ve all been who can lead an organization through a very difficult year and through a global catastrophe a half, and if we want to recover while still taking care of the orsches te M as a society, we have to support staff, then I’m your candidate. a N mental health efforts. 3. Financial Sustainability. USD 497 is in a budget crisis, and we need to increase our staff wages significantly in order to do the right thing. What are your three biggest My commitment is to elevate n o s r goals for your school board term your voices and give you space me E . and why? for choice in career pathways E y 1. Opportunity, students, to be explored and supported. Ka educators and staff deserve the time, resources and What qualities set you apart information to have from the other candidates? equitable experiences. The skills that I bring to the 2. Access, knowledge is table are the management of power and Lawrence is a federal/state funding, business city that is filled with skilled negotiations and decision-making experts and resources that at the state and federal levels. collectively contribute to the amazing work. 3. Choice in Learning, public schools need secure compensation and resources.

What qualities set you apart from the other candidates? Being able to continue the work we’ve started will be important and to implement what we’ve learned over the last 12-18 months will be faster based on my understanding of how the systems work.

PAGES BY MADISON BASE

Musical theatre in the age of COVID-19 Story by Jake Hedges

During a rehersal, senior MK Shultz practices a dance routine. “Making art and connections with my peers [is my favorite part of musical theater,]” Shultz said.

fter the challenges 2020 threw at fine arts, the program has been able to resume in-person productions. However, there are still many challenges in trying to safely put on a show while following COVID-19 restrictions. This year, students are putting on a production of the musical “All Shook Up.” Actors have only been able to participate in theatre virtually for the past two years, so the transition back to in-person theatre has been difficult. “It has been really hard to only have been doing online theatre [last year], it was just nowhere near the same and it really sucked,” junior Julia Ruddy said. While the ability to participate in in-person productions is now possible again, masks still are required on and off stage. “It has been very challenging to find the right mask that works for the performance we are creating,” director Brian Percival said.

Members of the cast and crew are still adjusting to adhering to COVID-19 protocols while performing in front of a live audience. “There is always still a slight feeling of apprehension, at least for me, when it comes to COVID and wearing [or not wearing] masks,” senior Olivia Evans said. Other cast members have noted the physical restrictions brought on by wearing masks. “The masks have been pretty difficult, especially when playing a role that you need to sing a lot in,” junior Anna Kober said. “Belting can be difficult when trying to get enough air.” While there have been limitations along the way, the theatre community has been able to work together as difficulties arise. “I like the students’ creativity and [how they] are always coming up with ideas and solutions,” Percival said. With two school years affected by COVID-19,

PHOTOS BY GRACIE COLEMAN

Students shake up the blackbox with dances from the upcoming musical.

FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE

Senior Walter Morgenroth and choreographer Kristina Haas learning the dances for All Shook Up.

performers feel there haven’t been many eyes on the theatre community and the work put into the productions created. “The talent and hard work is sometimes looked over, but despite that there isn’t any sway in the dedication put into projects here at Free State,” Evans said. As rehearsal for the final production of “All

Shook Up” continues, actors and crew continue to work within restrictions of COVID-19 to put on the best show they can. “I’m just excited to see people performing on a stage again and to see people dancing and singing again and to finally have a real audience,” Ruddy said.

PAGES BY LILY YE

Sophomore decribes her experience as a fully remote student during the pandemic; and its effects

Story by Natasha Torkzaban

nloading groceries on March 17, 2020, Mallory Qualseth heard the news her eighth grade year was cut short due to a deadly virus. At the time, Mallory had no idea how much further this would affect her life. Her freshman year was about to be virtual, leaving her home alone and attending class online for an entire year. “Freshman year, I feel like there’s things I didn’t get to experience, or meet new people that I hadn’t met,” Qualseth said. “I basically only knew people who I went to middle school with.” Things would constantly change: mandates were established, schools reopened and closed and statistics determined everyday life. Despite the uncertainty of her freshman year, Qualseth became

involved with gymnastics and pole vault. She soon befriended many people and found a community of students with the similar experiences. Though she found social interaction through activities, it was difficult to communicate with teachers and manage the lack of interpersonal communication. Kylee Johnston, one of Qualseth’s teachers, also shared the same issue. “We wanted to be with our students and had to relearn how to teach in this environment,” Johnston said. “So certainly, it was challenging. My brain just felt exhausted at the end of every day. Teaching was more like keeping track of the chat comments.” Mollie Qualseth, Mallory’s mother, felt like

PHOTOS BY ISABELLE PRÔ

Sophomore Mallory Qualseth strikes a pose in the Free State hallway. Qualseth is finally able to return to school after being almost fully online for almost a year and a half.

PROFILE PROFILE PROFILE

PAGES BY LILY YE

PROFILE

a bit, we were able to get the groove of things and have everyone where they needed to be.” Virtual school was a challenge for most, unfamiliar for all. Qualseth was just one of hundreds of freshmen introduced to their high school community over a screen. Two years in, the students are still adjusting to the drastic learning transition. “[This year] was really difficult at the beginning,” Qualseth said. “Being around people and interacting has been a lot weirder since I haven’t been in a classroom setting for awhile. I didn’t know where anything was. I really don’t know [if online or in-person] was easier.”

PROFILE

Qualseth’s freshman year was as good as it could be, considering the unprecedented times. “It was an unusual year, but I think she made the best of it,” Mollie said, “Ideally, it would have been a normal year. But under the circumstances, I think we did as good as we could as a school.” Mollie felt Qualseth was staying adequately connected with her peers because of her involvement with gymnastics and track. She also felt finding different workspaces for her children was hard; using a house as a school, home and gym isn’t the most ideal. “Finding different workspaces for everyone in the house was difficult at first,” Mollie said. “After

A long line of cars waiting for a green light at Champion Lane and 6th street.

Jammed Up

Traffic Causes Outrage, Distupts Students’ Schedules

Story by Olivia Roderick n the first day of classes, students encountered problems before even walking in the building: getting caught in traffic. Every morning, hundreds of cars jam intersections on the way to school. After classes get out, students and parents in the pick-up lane sit in a slow-moving line to head home. Cars in the parking lot have two exits to get to Overland Drive, where the pick-up line enters and exits. It can take upwards of 15 minutes for students and parents to exit the campus “It’s irritating after a day of school and everything, having to sit in that line for at least 15 to 20 minutes,”

senior Noah Dittmer said. For junior LouAnn Landau, the traffic interferes with work. “It’s really annoying, because by the time I’m out of the parking lot, I have to go straight to work,” Landau said. “I don’t have time to stop off at my house.” She has had to push her shifts from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., meaning Landau has to work later on school nights. The administration is taking steps to manage the traffic. “We’re trying to have everyone in the west exit turn right and east exit turn everybody left,” Principal Myron Graber said. “That way we don’t have a lot of crossing

PHOTOS BY KARMINA DOUGLAS

FEATURE FEATURE

traffic. It makes the traffic go smoother and [safer] was going to work,” Dittmer said. “But then for all the students that cross the street in again, that’s also on us… everybody front of the school across Overland just wants to get out at once and “Everybody just Drive. They don’t have to worry people don’t realize that’s not about as much traffic going wants to get out at once going to happen.” through there.” While parents and and people don’t realize Graber also noted the school students are frustrated, that’s not going to has enlisted a traffic engineer Graber assures the traffic will sort itself out. to monitor the situation. happen.” “Be patient,” Graber said. “I Students are unsure this is know that’s not great advice, but actually impacting travel times, it doesn’t take that long. Usually, though. on the front side, within 10 minutes “I appreciate the thought, but I just don’t think it’s working out like they thought it after school we have about everybody out.”

FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE

PAGES BY LILY YE

K MK’S BOO

READ READ READ READ READ

E R N R O

MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE

ritten in beautifully sharp prose and capable of changing your perception of the world, This is How You Lose Time War is truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. The story follows two agents of opposing sides of a war that spans time and space. They are rivals, but both alienated from their respective communities. The two begin an unlikely correspondence of hidden letters, slowly progressing from bitter enemies to allies to something more. Their relationship has the potential to put an end to the war… or destroy themselves. I will warn that Time War is not an easy read. The first chunk of the book is very abstract, without much context or explanation. I found it difficult to keep reading at points—but I’m glad

BOOKS This is How You BOOKS Lose the Time War BOOKS By Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone CW: mature themes, gore BOOKS Rating: 4.75/5 BOOKS I did. If you read Time War, it’s okay to turn pages without understanding every word said. The emphasis of this book is never the technicalities. It will make enough sense by the end—just keep reading. It’s worth it. As mentioned, for a book about time travel, a very small portion of the word count is allotted to explaining how time travel actually works in this universe. At first, I found it a bit frustrating. Most sci-fi and fantasy books spend most of the exposition on world building. But, my questions kept me turning the pages, and by the end, the story was so good I was okay with not having answers. In fact, it was refreshingly vague. The reader is given just enough metaphor to speculate and keep reading. The focus is always the two main characters and their experiences, emotions, and humanity—not the technicalities of

how their world works. Time War challenges convention on several other fronts as well. Most notably in the way it was written. It was co-written by two authors, who later explained that each wrote one of the two main characters. They handed their laptops back and forth, with each “character” having a genuine reaction to the preceding chapter. Because of this, the characterizations of the two narrators are fantastic, each with clear voice and personality. My mouth was agape for the last quarter of Time War. This sapphic novella comes together in a gorgeous expression of love, tragedy, war, humanity and the power of words. A little existentialism goes a long way in This is How You Lose, making you realize how valuable every small action you take is and how significant your life is, even if it may not seem so.

Column by MK Shultz

R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE

PAGES BY HANNAH DE GUZMAN

COLUMNS

Column by Steve Craven

the people who go to this school, all across Douglas County, across Kansas and across the country. You can’t mandate or make other people [have respect], it’s something that you have to cultivate within yourself. And if it’s something that you do, it improves your life and it affects other people in a positive way. Not making a giant mess at lunch, picking up your stuff, throwing it in the trash. These are things you basically learned in grade school, right? It’s like, “criss cross applesauce and put your toys in the cubby.” It’s just now, at the high school level, it’s, “don’t trash the place.” Treat people nicely and it makes it easier for those of us who are here long after the building is empty. Working at night, pulling trash, cleaning restrooms, doing all the stuff that we have to do when everybody is practicing that respect, responsibility and excellence, it makes our job easier. If only by a little bit. And that little bit helps right now.

COLUMNS

ou know the school motto. There’s posters up, they’ve been up since I started. I’d see those posters and hear the announcements and they’d be, you know, respect, responsibility and excellence. Three simple words, but it’s exceedingly important to really think about that because it’s not just some kind of silly phrase or something that the adults are saying. It goes a long way, having respect for the building. You’re spending a tremendous amount of time of your lives surrounded by 1,800 of your peers for four years of your life. It’s important to have respect for where you are spending that time and for the people that are around you. Not just your peers, but the faculty and food service. Because when you maintain that idea of respect, responsibility and excellence, it’s going to go with you after you graduate. Once you get out into the real world, once you have a job, [start] paying bills and doing all that stuff, that is coming for every single one of [you]:

COLUMNS

Transcript of an interview with Building and Grounds Lead Steve Craven

COLUMNS

Custodians wiped out

COLUMNS

R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE R E S P E C T RESPONSIBILITY EXCELLENCE

Image of Item

Annabel Hurst

junior

Response collected by Natasha Torkzaban

How would you describe your style? I would say fun and random.

Who inspires your style? Probably my family members, especially my mom.

PHOTOS BY BAYA BURGESS

STYLE

What are your go-to pieces of clothing? I love vintage dresses a lot, and like really patterned skirts.

STYLE STYLE

What’s your favorite place to shop? WildMan vintage

STYLE STYLE

PAGES BY DEVON JANUS

e Trea c n “Honestly, de

erena Rup p n Karsen Ch a hm

ma ap

“I guess it’s better. It’s more fun. I get to see my friends and stuff.”

COLLECTED BY EMMA HARDESTY

“It’s different. I’m glad to be around my friends and be back in the debate room working on things. I’m definitely more focused in class, and I feel like I’m learning more this year.”

“I’m excited. I mean, I’m still a little nervous because of Covid, but I really like being able to see everyone.”

fr e

Ka sophomore

rS o i n

junior Alicia

um ar

I like it a lot being back at school again because I finally get to be in my classes, and I get to see people and be with my friends which is really amazing.”

“Like physically? I’m pretty excited, I guess, to get to know the building finally and just do stuff with friends.”

om o

sophom or e

Br er

yan Lloy d

“I feel great. It’s awesome to be in the studio and work with students in clay. I love it.”

tea c

“It’s great. I can actually like see people [...] And not be at home.”

PAGES BY MADISON BASE

BIRDS’ WORD BIRDS’ WORD BIRDS’ WORD BIRDS’ WORD BIRDS’ WORD

r Burdick e t Pe

rtiz

“[I’m] relieved that I don’t have to do online school anymore.”

hman Asht s y re

soph

x Silkiner a M

Firebird Art

Elia Mast Senior

This was our mini to massive project that we worked on and finished last week. The first picture is my model sculpture made out of paper strips and the second is my zoomed in view of a section of that model. I used colored pencil for the background and oil pastels for the sculpture itself. I used orange and red pastels to act as my shadows and the lighter blues as my highlights. I purposefully used complementary colors to make my piece seem more vibrant and alive.

ART COLLECTED BY JAKE HEDGES

Rowan Glendening

Freshman

ART

I originally made the drawing as a gift for my friend and the drawing is of her and all the things she likes. I also wanted to experiment with something new and I wasn’t planning for it to actually turn out well, but I’m glad I did try it because it turned out great.

ART ART ART ART

Anamaria Taylor

Sophomore

PAGES BY LILY YE

Photo Finish A. Senior Josiah Nash and junior Gavin Blanchard discuss gameplay after Shawnee Mission South calls a timeout. The Firebirds beat the Raiders 49-14 on September 10. Photo by Karmina Douglas B. Freshman Sydney Stejskal prepares to spike the ball at the sophomore volleyball game from September 20. The volleyball team won against Shawnee Mission South and Gardner Edgerton at their tournament. Photo by Gracie Coleman

C. Teacher Nolan Henderson runs across the football field with his son, Grit, on his shoulders. Fans at the varsity football game dressed in gold to support Grit in his battle against cancer. Photo by Baya Burgess

E E. The varsity soccer team cheers on their fellow teammates as they prepare for their game. They beat Olathe Northwest 8-0 on September 14. Photo by Isabelle Prô

D. Junior Wendo Kimori hits the ball to an opponent during a varsity tennis match on September 23. Kimori has been playing tennis for four years. “I like being able to play people from my school and surrounding schools,” Kimori said. Photo by Addison Driscoll

Free Press: Issue 1, Edition 25

Articles inside

Freshman Year Take 2