Free Press Issue 1 2010-11

SNACK ATTACK

THE LAWRENCE GUIDE

Because of state government citations, it may be the end of Snickers, Taco Bell and Diet Coke in class

NEW YEAR, NEW SCHOOL

2

6-7

4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kansas, 66049

12 edition 14 issue 1 september 8, 2010

Free Press

the

fsfreepressonline.com

Along with a new group of sophomores, the 2010-2011 school year brings a set of new teachers, programs and rules

First date? Going out with friends?

The Free Press Guide to all the best in Lawrence

9 "The camaraderie that we have I think is what keeps us together," -Kelly Barah

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September 8, 2010

News

Healthy Habits

Tougher snack policy enforced to keep schools from losing funds by amani safadi

Newer, tougher snack regulations have had students buzzing.

Lawrence schools are no longer allowed to sell carbonated beverages or those with high sugar content before 2 p.m. This affects sales at the Bird’s Nest, lunchroom, or in any of the vending machines.

As far as snacks, the school can only provide healthy items that can have a maximum of 200 calories, a maximum of eight grams of fat and a maximum of eight grams of sugar. The main rule is if school’s want to sell one unhealthy item, they have to have one healthy item available according to Bird’s Nest adviser Phil Roth.

Some students say this new regulation will not change their eating habits.

“It will probably not affect me as much because I don’t necessarily eat those kind of things,” junior Hana Arch said. ”Nothing will really change about my everyday lunch at school.”

Last year the school was allowed to sell as much

photo by megan engleman

soda and snack food as they wanted. Students were also allowed to eat and drink soda in classrooms. This year even the teachers aren’t allowed to have soda on their desks.

“The rule for teachers states that any place that students have access to has to be free from carbonated beverages,” principal Ed West said.

The main reason for these changes the threat of the federal government no longer paying for school lunches. If representatives of this government agency were to come to the school and find the snack policy unchanged then the school would end up losing the two million we would normally get to pay for school lunches according to West.

Many students are wondering why this policy is in place.

“It’s part of the government’s policy towards improving the health of students, which means they are mostly worried about childhood obesity,” Roth said.

Many students feel the new snack policy is unfair.

“I don’t think [childhood obesity] is a very good reason for cutting soda and snacks because it’s the students choice to eat it, and if it makes them obese then it’s there choice,” junior Guin Toalson said.

Many sophomores who were looking forward to the old snack policy felt cheated. ”I can imagine the snack policy was pretty awesome being able to eat whenever you want, [but] I can understand that people might not want snacks all the time because it can be disrupting,” sophomore Sam Boatright said.

Next year the snack policy will be even more restrictive. The school will not be allowed to sell any snacks or soda throughout the whole school.

A Sign of the Times

Birds Word

Students challenge to graduate posted in Commons by ryan loecker and austin fisher

Students who are committed to graduate deserve a bright green neon sign.

Over the summer, Principal Ed West and Associate Principal Ted Berard found a way to promote the Commitment to Graduate program that the school became a part of last year.

“The vendor is a company out of Baldwin City,” principal Ed West said. “The cost will be in the range of $1600-$1800.”

Students will get more information about Commitment to Graduate at an assembly on September 23rd.

“When I walk into school and see a big sign that says ‘Commitment to Graduate’ it doesn’t make me want to graduate. It doesn’t have a negative effect, it just doesn’t have any effect,” junior Stephen Bowman said.

Confusion surrounds the neon sign, including the

silver class letters and numbers.

“This cost includes the custom made neon sign along with all of the silver letters and numbers that will carry us through the year 2030,” West said.

Many students have asked why “Class of 2010” is on display, but West said it was a mistake. The display will soon only consist of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Schools across the nation are participating in Commitment to Graduate; one school in particular held a graduation-like ceremony in which freshmen wore caps and gowns, signing their names in a promise to graduate.

The administration believes this program will remind students of the importance of graduating.

“To walk in there everyday and see my name somewhere on there among all these other people, it could be a daily reminder,” West said. photo by megan engleman

What do you think of the new snack policy?

Isabella Rantner sophomore

"I understand the point of it, but it's just not cool. I guess it's a good idea, but it's gonna suck."

Devin Wilson junior

"I mean my opinion is why are they doing that? That's basically all I've got to say is that's stupid. Really just stupid."

Connor Caldwell

senior

"My opinion is by the time you're in high school you should be able to make your own decision on whether you want a Coke. And you can leave to get it at lunch anyway."

Want to be featured in the next issue of the Free Press? Go to fsfreepressonline.com and your comments could be in next issue's page two.

Attack the Attacker

3

September 8, 2010

Feature

In a dangerous situation, the best way to escape can be to fight back. Karate instructor Jimmy Golden and school resource Officer Halsted give their advice on how to defend yourself

by allison morte

Jimmy Golden's advice: 1. Never try to punch someone, because it increases your risk of breaking your wrist.

2. Mess up his vision. Put your fingers in his eyes and claw.

3. Striking the nose is very, very effective. All you have to do is push straight

Officer Halsted's advice:

forward with your palm.

4. If you ever have to tell someone more than two or three times to get back, then that means you're in danger and need to defend yourself.

5. Be confident and aggressive, scream and stare attackers directly in the eye.

1.You have to make the decision: am I going to survive this or am I going to be a victim?

2. People are so engrossed in their cell phones and texting that they're not seeing what's going on in the world around them. The way to stay out of a bad situation is awareness.

3.You have to be able to fight and have that drive in you to survive.

4. Everybody has a fight or flight reflex, and your body does different things in a fight.You have to think about your reactions to things.

"You have to be able to fight and have that drive in you to survive."

To see a full-length video of all of Golden's self-defense tips go to fsfreepressonline.com

Watch out for: The One Handed Wrist Grab- This is one of the number one ways people are attacked.The attacker will often attempt to grab the victim by the wrist in order to force him or her into a car.

Turn your hand sideways and pull forcefully toward your chest, away from the attacker.

The Two Handed Wrist Grab- Similar to the one handed wrist grab, but the attacker uses two hands for a stronger grip on the victim.

The weak spot of your attacker's grip is where his or her thumbs are.

You want to reach through, grab, and lift straight up against the weak spot.

The Choke-The attacker goes for the neck with two hands, and often pushes the victim against a wall with this method.

There is a radial nerve right above where the elbow bends. Strike in that spot to loosen the attacker's grip.

photo of Jimmy Golden by Katherine Corliss

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Clubs

September 8, 2010

FYI club strives for positive school environment and community improvement

For Your Information: by emma machell

“For your information” is probably what many students think of when they hear ‘FYI’ or maybe they think about Tony Shaloub’s line in ‘Galaxy Quest’ but that’s not what Free State FYI Club is about. FYI is a club that meets every Tuesday night and works to make the school a more positive environment.

This year, with Student Council backing off from traditional events FYI is helping out the school in more ways.

“FYI participated in a number of school wide activities [in August] including: Green Machine Week, Sophomore Parents Night and a Fake ID 101 campaign with posters that include info about what a fake id is and what the penalty is,” FYI sponsor Peggy Nelson said.

Returning this year are the Festivals of Trees, Great American Smokeout and the Hallway Movie Night. There are also many new events joining the line-up in the FYI including the Tobacco Fear Factor the Game Show in November, Finals week survival guides and National Alcohol Awareness Month in December, and even a “Show the Love” singing telegrams in February. Currently their main project is the Pepsi

Refresh Project.

“It’s a contest we were in to get more funding, about $50,000 to keep some of our programs,” junior Kelly Kristiansen said. “We told everyone we knew and they could go online and vote once a day.”

Though it won’t effect the club itself if they don’t get the money it will effect the pure education benefits like when students go into classrooms to discuss the Bullies to Buddies program.

While there are new events planned for this upcoming year there are still some classics returning from previous years.

“We’re going to do Mud Volleyball again,” junior Alexia Jadlow said.

“We’re sponsoring the Homecoming dance this year,” Nelson said. “We’re looking at doing a haunted house for children, and we’re doing It’s Good to Be Green.”

The next FYI meeting is on September 14 in Room 226 and anyone is welcome to join.

“Just check out the FYI door [room 226] and you can sign up for activities and there will be notices

posted for meetings to join. All you have to do is be there and smile,” Nelson said.

Also, if the benefits of helping out the community isn’t enough for, there are scholarships given away at the end of every year. Last year nearly $1,500 in scholarship money was given out to the graduating seniors involved in FYI and a majority of that money is purely student funded.

photo illustration by megan engleman

September 8, 2010

5

Feature

The DOs and DON'Ts of Facebook may be a cause of communication issues among teens

acebook

by allison harwood

In this day and age, experts and adults alike say teenagers are losing their face-to-face communication skills because of Facebook and other social networking sites.

Failure to communicate isn’t the only complaint, though. Fights are fought out via status’s so that all 986 Facebook friends know exactly what is going on, people are dumped through chat and messages and boyfriends are writing wall posts on their girlfriend’s profile that make everyone else want to vomit.

Some say young people are putting too much information up on Facebook and are using it to avoid difficult situations.

“I had a boyfriend and I thought

It's

things were going well, but then I got home and opened up my Facebook account and there was a message and it was from him. It started out bad and then ended in him dumping me,” junior Kitty Tootle said. “It would have been nice for him to do it in person and talk to me about it first.”

Even when break ups are not handled on Facebook, the reactions can be expressed inappropriately through status updates.

“I broke up with my girlfriend who I had been dating for quite awhile,” senior Nolan Frank said. “I was expecting a vague status such as ‘I’m sad’. I was not expecting ‘f--- you, Nolan Frank’. It

led to a lot of comments from people who didn’t like me but those negative comments led to comments from my friends sticking up for me.”

It’s not only the content of the posts, but also their length that seem to cause controversy.

“When people have entire novel length wall posts or they post 200 [Photo Booth] pictures of just themselves, I think it’s a little excessive,” senior Kerian Thompson said.

Small and insignificant situations can be blown up into a bigger deal than they actually are if shared on Facebook.

“My friend Kathy and I got into a fake fight on Facebook and were

changing our status’s to mean things about each other jokingly and people freaked out because they thought it was real,” sophomore Jacob Spain said.

The main thing to keep in mind when logged onto Facebook is discretion. When posting a status update try to remember how many people are going to be able to read it and how it could potentially affect them. Also, what kinds of things need to be put in a message instead of a wall post because it is TMI. And, lastly, even if handling something over Facebook may seem easier, it will usually have a better turnout in the end if it is handled in person.

ok to:

Post song lyrics in your status unless its Green Day.

Write funny, short wall posts

you will look extra cool if you use more than five inside jokes.

Upload pictures of your vacation in Colorado unless you have a thousand

Write on someone's wall for their birthday nothing says "Happy Birthday" quite like 99 notifications

It's

not ok to:

Break up with or ask someone out

Photo Illustration by Shawn Knighton

No, adding an emoticon does not make it ok

Post anything you would not want the police or you grandma seeing

everything you say, can, and will be used against you

Target someone you are mad at via wall post or status update it's not as vague or sneaky as you think

Upload inappropriate or excessive pictures

Just because you have PhotoBooth doesn't mean people want to see your nose supser sized

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September 8, 2010

September 8, 2010

Feature

7

Feature Nathan Fink Science Teacher

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Dress to impress

Feature

The final Lifetouch School Portrait session for underclassmen is September 23. Every student who missed having their photo taken at Enrollment will be assigned an appointment time.

Freshman Move-Up

Scheduled appointments will be posted outside of the Main Office starting Sept 10.

Open Lunch?

Walk-in Special

2

0 We took a poll on new items and upcoming issues that Free State students found interesting or important. We asked wich was more important out of Freshman move- up, possible loss of open lunch, the neon commitment sign and the new snack policy.

Senior Picture Changes For The Yearbook When:

Sept. 23th Oct. 15th Oct. 28th Dress Requirements: No: t-shirts, graphic t-shirts spaghetti straps, tank tops, or hats Men: collared shirts Women: dresses, blouses, or sweaters *Only LifeTouch photos will be accepted for publica tion* -

New Changes At Free State New Coaches:

Coach Kelly Barah New Room Changes: Mrs. Hunt-240 Mr. Duncan-148 Teachers Who Left Over The Summer: Mrs. Brahler Mr. Hunt

CHECK OUT THE SNACK CHANGES ON PG. 2!

Commitment Sign

Snack Policy

842-1212

Linda Graverholt FACS Teacher Previous: South Jr. High

All Thin gs

By Kim Carter

The applause was deafening. The teachers were cheering. The students were moaning. School had arrived.

After last year’s budget cuts and class cuts, some departments found themselves a few staff members short. But the months of summer proved a sufficient time to hire new staff members.

Foreign Language

In the foreign language department, Friedemann Eisert has returned (after previously working here from 1999-2001) to teach German. Eisert has been teaching German since 1972, and in the US since 1977. The past seven years he has been the German teacher at Southwest Junior High and Lawrence High School. He enjoys the change from school to school.

Family & Consumer Science

“I think it’s good to change schools sometimes,” Eisert said.

“It keeps you flexible.”

Family and Consumer Sciences Joining the family and consumer sciences department is Linda Graverholt as the new FACS teacher.

Previously Graverholt taught at South Junior High, but she has enjoyed the transition.

Don Stevanov 3D- Art Teacher Previous: Central Jr. High & South West Jr. High Photo Teacher

Valid at 1601 W. 23rd St.

Free State Loyalty Reward

$4.00

for a 10” one-standard topping Pizza

812 Mass. St. 23rd &Required Kasold Coupon  No Photo Copies  6th & September Wakarusa 28, 2010 Expires: ________________

75¢ value

Mention coupon when ordering  Pick-up or Dine-in Only Offer Expires 9/30/2010

New

“Everyone is very welcoming here,” Graverholt said.

“It’s great. Like any new situation, I’m just trying to see how things are done, meet new people and try to remember their name.“

Performing Arts

Eisert and Graverholt aren’t the only new staff members joining our halls. In the Music Department Meghan Hardy is taking over as the assistant band instructor. In the Career and Technical Education Department Luke Lang will be teaching automotive as well as the welding classes.

As with every new school year changes have been made but the tradition of excellence still remains.

Kelly Barah Head Soccer Coach, Para Previous: Assistant Coach

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September 8, 2010

Lifestyle

Protective Precautions

One staff member knows the importance of taking skin cancer precautions by miranda davis

About a year ago I saw a mole on my arm and I didn’t really pay any attention to it,” attendance secretary Becky Browning said, “because it was very small and it didn’t have irregularities as far as I could tell.”

Browning knows first hand what it’s like to discover skin cancer.

Skin cancer can occur when the skin is overexposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays and the cells of the skin mutate and reproduce rapidly.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology this causes strange moles and irregular spots to appear on the skin. Some of these can be harmless, some, however, can become very serious when they are not checked.

Her daughter then pushed her to get it checked, when the results came back, she discovered she had melanoma.

There are three different types of skin cancer cells, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell

carcinoma, and melanoma. Each one is named after the type of cell that mutates. Basal and Squamous Cell make up the most cases, and is the most treatable, with a 90% cure rate for both, according to the Kansas Medical Clinic’s website. Melanoma, however, is more rare, only about 32,000 Americans are diagnosed annually.

If not caught early, this type of cancer also has the highest death rate.

“I didn't use tanning beds unless I was going on a trip, to get a base tan, which I now know doesn't help,” Browning said.

Tanning outside and in tanning beds can be a cause of skin cancer. People who are naturally fair, with light hair and light eyes are more at risk. Skin cancer also may be hereditary, so if one of someones parents have had it, they have a greater chance of getting it. Getting a base tan before going out into the sun is a tanning myth.

While this may help a small amount, it does not

compare to sunscreen.

Browning has learned a valuable lesson from her skin cancer experience.

“For the past four years I have been very good about wearing sunscreen and wearing a hat.

However, I remember getting a severe sunburn as a child and... not always being careful about sunscreen,” Browning said.

But there are ways to help the odds. Wearing sunscreen outside is the best preventative measure, and wide brimmed hats for long days outside.Unless there is an ice age, the sun is shining and can burn even when its cloudy.

Tanning beds have also been found to be very harmful to the skin. Avoiding them is a good way to avoid cancer. Those who tan say its a great source of Vitamin D, but daily amounts of Vitamin D can also be achieved through a healthy diet including fish, certain dairy products and supplements.

The A, B, C, D, and E's of Moles

"Both natural tanning and 'fakebaking' can be very

harmful to health

and appearance in the long run."

E D

A- Assymetrical, if a mole is assymetrical it needs to get checked out.

B- Border, if the border is

ragged or uneven get it checked.

C- Color, Color variations in a mole is bad sign

D- Diameter, bigger than a pencil

eraser? Get it checked.

E- Elevation, if it is rased above

skin level it needs to get checked.

Babysitter Needed -Two girls, ages 6 and 9 -Lawrence residents -Schedule may vary -On a 'as need' basis, but some set dates *Must have own trasportation

Call Carey: 913-980-2161

September 8, 2010

Making More Than Players

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Sports

New coach believes soccer is more than just a game by austin fisher

Drills and keep-away aren’t the only activities preparing soccer players for their time on the field. Kelly Barah, the new head coach of the soccer program, is making some important additions to what it means to be a soccer player.

Barah started coaching to be a positive influence on kids. Currently in his sixth year of coaching overall, he was an assistant coach under Jason Pendleton last year. While he enjoyed his time as assistant coach, Barah is looking forward to the leadership position.

“It’s awesome because now it’s my voice and I can do things a little differently.”

One of Barah's is differences is in a whole new method of warming up for soccer practice: yoga.

“I started thinking what better way to make my players work harder, than to make them stretch more?”

By practicing yoga before a workout, he found he could do more in the days following the workout. Barah has incorporated into the soccer program with the help of a team parent who is becoming a certified yoga instructor.

The coaching structure gives Barah the freedom to work with three assistant coaches, each with the responsibility of either c-team, junior varsity or varsity.

“I have them all still participating in some

Bottom right: Junior Jake Walter and senior Diego Gonzalez during the game against Bonner Springs; bottom left: Senior Tony Libeer; top right: Coach Kelly Barah watches the varsity soccer team; top left: New head coach Kelly Barah.

form on the varsity team.”

Barah also asserted coaching the soccer program is identical for both genders.

“The expectations are going to be the same across the board.”

Most players are taking the change of coaching styles in stride. “Barah has some good ideas, I think it’s gonna be a good year,” senior Nathan Bowman said.

“Barah definitely knows what he’s doing on the fitness and soccer sides," senior Rachel Hodison said. "I think we’ll all benefit from him.”

Soccer players take on a model set by Barah by garnering leadership amongst the more senior members of the teams and mentoring younger members to help them develop important skills to play well. This intermingling of different age levels brings cohesion among team members.

“The camaraderie that we have I think is what keeps us together," Barah said. "If we did not have that, that would tear us apart really soon, really quickly."

But Barah feels what soccer players do off the field is more important. This season, each member of the program must participate in a community service project.

“My whole philosophy is, you don’t just make players. What we’re trying to do is get better people coming out of our soccer program."

Ask Hillary Yoder!

Q: What about your soccer experience do you think is different from last year?

HY: "I think Junior Varsity and Varsity teams will be more coherent."

Q: Are you good at yoga?

HY: "Yoga helps with flexibility, I can't do it.

But it will be a good team bonding experience.

Q: Are you super excited for the service project?

HY: "The service project will benefit the community and will be meaningful if we get to choose our project."

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September 8, 2010

1

One in One Thousand

Opinion

Fight the Power Parents still just don't understand

It is a community of unique people. Each issue the Free Press will highlight one person and THEIR unique story.

1000 Erin Riley Junior travels world and finds herself back in familiar territory

by bailey schaumburg

Let’s face it: adults hate teenagers.

Their general discontent for everything “teen” is obvious. We’re too loud, too inconsiderate, too sexual...in their eyes, we are the assassins of all things pure.

For example, is anyone else having a ridiculously hard time finding a job? It’s the same routine every time - plaster a smile on your face and strut confidently into the store, only to hear the same words the last place told you: “umm...well...we’re actually not hiring right now...”

Sorry to break it to you, but what they’re really saying is: “umm...well...we don’t want to hire YOU...” I know.

It’s frustrating, and honestly, quite sad. Don’t they realize what we have to offer?

They think we’re loud, when really, we’re only trying to express our feelings. They say we’re inconsiderate.

Translation: we’re honest, and who doesn’t appreciate honesty in a person?

Most importantly, they think we’re too sexual. But look how beautiful we are! Sometimes, we just can’t help it...

There must be some explanation behind the insanity. I don’t think adults try to hate us; they just don’t know how to understand us.

“I was your age once!”

Yeah. Ok. I can’t even remember how I felt yesterday. How can they possibly remember how they felt 30 years ago?

But the truth is, adults were 17 once, and they know that teen years

by katherine corliss

are the prime time to mess up. They recognize the need for rebellion and budding sexuality from somewhere, but they can’t pinpoint it exactly.

What they don’t realize, or maybe just don’t want to admit, is that their fear comes from a legitimate place: themselves.

When you ask your mom if you can go to that late Friday night concert, the only thing she can picture is a young version of herself dancing wildly at a show in the ‘80s.

Unfortunately, the vision she has of herself slowly begins to morph into a vision of you.

In the end, it all comes down to trust. Adults want the best for us, but often have a hard time trusting us enough to let us learn from our mistakes; and we as teenagers need to trust their advice enough to at least consider it.

There will always be teenagers and there will always be adults. We are forced to coexist on this planet, so why not try to do it peacefully? In the end, we’ll all have to learn to be a little less stubborn in order to understand each other.

My advice: Teenagers: • Tip at restaurants.

• Give firm handshakes.

• Tell the truth.

• Respect everyone.

Adults: • Let loose a little bit.. I promise, it won’t kill you.

Art and Design Matter Free State's first Art Career Fair is Sept 22 from 7-9pm in the Commons.

Come talk to creative people who earn a living doing what they love.

Local professionals from more than 25 art-related professions will have demonstrations and examples of their work on display. Professionals will talk about their work, their education, and answer questions.

Free State is not just a building.

For every student Free State is at some point new, new building, new teachers, new social groups; but for junior Erin Riley starting at a new school is nothing new. Riley’s family moved to Lawrence this summer from the Republic of Georgia.

“I’ve grown up in a military family, so I’ve moved around a lot. I have had to put up with speaking new languages, trying new foods, I’ve been to a lot of international schools,” Riley said.

But Riley feels this has had a positive impact on her life.

“I feel like I can go to a new place and it’s not scary because I can meet people without many problems and blend in well.”

Lawrence, however, is a change of pace for this world-traveler.

“This is so different from my old school. My last school had seven people in my sophomore year and one hallway, so I’m getting a little lost here. I’ve never been in an environment where I meet someone new every day.”

For Riley her love of musical theater makes it easy to fit into new places.

“I’m obsessed with theater. I am a singer, dancer and actress: it’s like oxygen to me.”

Riley is a member of Thespian Club, Women’s Choir and Black Box Theater. She hopes to one day be in a Broadway musical.

$15 student tickets*

SEPT

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*includes $1 service fee

7:30 p.m.

N e i l B e rg’ s

100 Years of

BroadwaY A FANTASTIC REVUE OF BROADWAY’S BEST

lied.ku.edu 785-864-2787

Staff Editorial:

Sex

September 8, 2010

11

Opinion

When is it going too far?

Staff Vote:

Marriage: 4 Commited Relationship: 4 Casual: 6

Wait Until Marriage

Does it really Matter?

Just Be Committed

My first encounter with someone I knew my age having sex happened in the seventh grade.

Since then, it has become more and more normal. In the past five years I have watched many people I know, including some of my best friends, make the decision to have sex.

There have been varied outcomes; I know some people who have no regrets and thought they were ready. Others, however, have either broken up with the person they had sex with or just had a bad experience.

Having observed all of these different situations, I decided that it would be best to wait until marriage to have sex. That’s not my only reason, but I really want to make sure that I don’t regret my first time.

I personally feel like, especially at this age, too many things can go wrong. Condoms can break, birth control can fail and the guy (or girl) can turn out not to be the right one.

Personally, having sex is a big enough decision that I don’t want to regret it.

Some people lie about it, some people brag about it, and some people hide it.

Sex is different for everyone, and everyone has different experiences and reactions to it. While it is an extremely personal decision when and whether to have sex, I personally believe in having sex while in a committed relationship. If teens are protected and know their partners well I don’t see many detrimental effects from having sex.

The notion that teens having sex will affect their grades or cause them to become addicted to drugs is ridiculous. Sure, you are making yourself vulnerable and opening yourself up to heartbreak, but aren’t you doing the same thing by having a relationship in the first place? That’s what intimacy is all about.

As far as having sex outside of a relationship, that’s just like asking for heartbreak. It would be hard not to get attached to someone you have a sexual relationship with, and to be “just friends” with that person would be very difficult emotionally. While I would not go so far as to wait until marriage to have sex, I would not have sex without a committed relationship either.

As a high school student, sex is everywhere.

Whether you’re having it or not, it’s hard to miss.

Personally, I think that sex is all right outside of a committed relationship as long as it’s safe and not with eight people at a time. It’s a personal decision and every situation is different; but as long as you use protection and know what you and your partner are getting into and the emotional side affects, it’s all right.

Having discussed it first and knowing what you’re getting involved in, there’s no reason as to why having sex would affect your school life or grades. Teenagers are capable of being in a sexual relationship without letting it play a part in other aspects of their lives. Even though we’re teenagers our maturity levels aren’t minute, and neither are our raging hormones.

Having sex is an important choice and as long as you discuss it with your partner and are ready for it I see no problem with having it outside of a committed relationship.

Editor's note: each issue the Free Press staff picks a controversial topic, takes a staff vote, and writes a brief reaction from different viewpoints.

How do you feel about this issue's editorial? Tell us your thoughts on fsfreepressonline.com.

2010-2011 Free Press Staff

bailey schaumburg editor-in-chief

kim carter managing editor

trevor bird designer

megan engleman photographer

katherine corliss copy editor

austin fisher reporter

allison harwood business editor

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allison morte webmaster

chris allmon designer

ryan loecker reporter

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The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writings. They must include the writer's name and telephone numbers. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Letters may be submitted to Room 115, sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66049 or submit online at fsfreepressonline.com.The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration, nor that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

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September 8, 2010

Lawrence Guide

Lawrence Guide by ryan loecker

Art Career Fair - September 22 @ Free State cafeteria Like art? Like money? If you do, from 7-9 p.m. on September 22, Free State will host the first ever Art Career Fair. This is a great opportunity for students and their parents to talk with working professionals and see how it is possible to make a career out of art. The Art Career Fair will also educate students about what they need to do now, and in college to prepare for a career in art. There will be 25 different professionals attending this event, including: a furniture designer, comic book artist, computer game designer and an architect.

Girl Talk -- September 10 @ Crossroads, Kansas City

Girl Talk, pretty much a concert for everyone. The best way to describe Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk)’s music is to compare it to an all-youcan-eat buffet. There is something there for everyone. He takes snippets, or samples, of many different artists and mashes them all up into a song.

For example, in his song called “Play Your Part (Pt. 1)”, he samples a total of 26 artists including: Jay-Z, Rage Against the Machine, Roy Orbison and Pete Townshend. While some people may say what he does isn’t music, it will be a great show no matter what you want to call it. Girl Talk shows are notorious for crazy people, lots of confetti, toilet paper cannons and ending with the majority of the crowd onstage.

Banff Mountain Film Festival September 10 & 11 @ Liberty Hall Don’t you just love outdoor activities such as rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and white water rafting? And don’t you just love that we can do all those activities right in our backyard? Oh wait, this is Kansas. Well now, thanks to the Banff Mountain Film Festival, we can experience all those activities and more without leaving Lawrence.

Even if you aren't an outdoor enthusiast, the Banff Film Festival is a great way to learn about remote cultures and places most people will never travel to. This festival travels to 30 countries, reaching hundreds of thousands of people and is a great opportunity for all ages.

Even though it’s a reunion show, there still have been few times I have been this excited for a concert. On Saturday September 11, the indie-rock group Pavement will perform at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City. Pavement had been on hiatus for 10 years before they announced this reunion tour. Although we were very young when their music was most popular, they are still very influential and have inspired many modern bands, including The National (also playing at the Uptown on the 29). I would not recommend missing this show.

Photo courtesy of www.onethirtybpm.com

Photo Courtesy of www.wired.com

Pavement -- September 11 @ Uptown, Kansas City