Free Press Issue 4 2010-2011

FACIAL FASHION The fanatics and followers of the facial hair trend

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW SCHOOL STEREOTYPES

Take a look at the upcoming winter sports season

Jocks and preps and hipsters, oh my! An inside glance at common high school stereotypes

4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kansas, 66049

BEND AND SNAP BEND SNAP New clubAND quickly grows in popularity as it introduces students to the beneďŹ ts of yoga.

edition 14 issue 4 november 10, 2010

Free Press

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November 10, 2010

Cover

Members of Yoga Club learn a new pose. photo by nora elbayoumy

Moving Forward by kim carter

Free State has its fair share of unique and smart students. From the debate team to the sports teams, this school is full of gifted kids. Recently two students’ academic ingenuity earned honors.

Senior Paige Robinson, a member of the tennis team and Chamber Choir, recently received an Outstanding Participant award.

She scored within the top 3% of African-Americans on the PSAT in the United States.

“I feel great about it because I’m black and I’m smart,” Robinson said regarding receiving the honor.

“My parents are even happier than I am.”

After high school "If I hadn't of gotten [the award] I wouldn't Robinson plans on going to college, although she be able to go to because my hasn’t chosen an instituparents can't afford it." tion yet.

“I’ve narrowed it down to four schools which I may be



college



News

attending, but I don’t know which one I will choose yet.”

Another senior, Daniel Gonzalez, was also recognized for his PSAT score.

Gonzalez recieved the National Hispanic Scholar Award.

The award goes to Hispanics with PSAT scores above a certain level, and that level depends on each area of the United States; their grade point average is taken into account as well. The reward is a big relief to Gonzalez, who, like every other senior preparing for college, is looking for a way to pay for it.

“If I hadn’t of gotten [the award] I wouldn’t be able to go to college because my parents can’t afford it,” Gonzalez said.

Next year he plans on staying in town and going to KU to study engineering.

The National Merit competition recognizes the overall success

of a student body, shown by the number of commended students, semi-finalists, finalists and scholars awarded each year. The National Merit competitions also include recognition for different racial groups such as African-Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Principal Ed West is proud of Robinson’s and Gonzalez’s achievements.

“Paige and Daniel demonstrate that Free State students can compete among those groups,” West said. "I am especially pleased that we have representation in both the African-American and Hispanics/ Latino categories given our commitment to providing increased support for and a voice from all students."

“Success creates momentum, and the achievement that these two individuals earned should create confidence for our students and staff.”

November 10, 2010

3

Feature

Are you interested in dissecting cats? Would you rather spend your days writing stories?

Check out the Free Press Hallway Guide and figure out where you can explore your academic interests

compiled by miranda davis

Math and Sciences This hallway is full of future engineers and rocket scientists. It is known to have a distinct smell after an experiment conducted by the chemistry classes has gone awry or a particularly nasty animal dissection by the AP Biology students.

This hallway is also unique because it contains the Mandarin Chinese class. In this hallway there is a small teachers lounge for the math teachers.

Social Studies, Foreign Languages and Computer Classes

During the AP politics elections, this hallway was full of election posters, wall hangings and more. As a quick walk through this hallway will tell you, every room is different. Jason Springer’s room is full a variety of posters while Cris Hunt’s room houses a couch. At the end closest to the Commons, it tends to remain quiet being that the computer classes do not produce much noise outside of the clicking of keyboards.

Upstairs

stairs

^

^ stairs

Film Media, English, library and Special Education Due to the quiet library and the English classes mixed with IPS classrooms this hallway has a combination of IPS excitement and peace and quiet.

Students with video recorders can also be seen congregating in this hallway, due to the production room and film office for broadcast, film media and FSTV located in this hallway.

Downstairs

^

stairs

stairs Journalism, Arts and Family and Consumer Sciences

The "150" hallway: band, choir, orchestra, debate and acting; also career and tech ed classes This hallway is one of the most unique at the school. The musically talented inhabit this hallway, reviewing the latest episode of “Glee,” and discussing the music for the latest orchestra concert.

During Marching Band season, the smell of sweaty band kids fills this hallway after sixth hour. Unknown to some of the school, at the end of this hallway there are Plant, Animal and Agriculture science classes and shop classes.

stairs

^

This hallway is a favorite for hand-holding couples and the creative and artistic students at Free State. It also houses one English classroom (Karakas) and the Pre-Med class. The attendance, finance, guidance and nurse’s offices are all at the beginning of this hallway. The ISS room, Tech room and computer lab are unique to this hallway. During first and fifth hours, the best people in the world (aka the journalism department) can be seen rushing in and out with call slips and digital voice recorders.

stairs

Check out fsfreepressonline.com for extra content, and tell us what you think about Issue 4

4

Clubs

November 10, 2010

Examples

Childs Pose

From

Class

Tree Pose

Savasana Pose

New Club Posing to EXPAND by zach hill

photo by nora elbayoumy

Yoga club has taken root this year and is growing fast; in fact, yoga club is exploding. Students are flocking to experience something new. Weekly free sessions are offered on Wednesday from 4-5:30 p.m. Due to the growing popularity of the club, the club has had to change locations. For upcoming sessions, the yoga club will be meeting in the orchestra room to accommodate any new or returning participants.

Chris Everett, library media assistant, had no reservations when a student asked her to sponsor the club. Junior Khaliah Caldwell had heard from a staff member that Everett practiced yoga and asked Everett to lead a student class.

Caldwell says she herself had dabbled in yoga prior to starting the club and thought it would make an interesting and interactive club in the school.

Everett has been practicing yoga for three years now. Last year, she participated in a regional yoga competition, taking third place alternate, and then went to Los Angeles, California to compete in the nationals.

Yoga is something most people have heard of but not many people have experienced.

“It’s something different, and it’s something that can be for everybody,” Everett said. "You don’t have to be an athlete.You

could be a couch potato: it’s really for everybody."

When attending the yoga sessions this is apparent. The diversity within the club spans the entire social system of the school; however, most students probably have a friend who has attended or is planning to.

Yoga originated in India, but it has spread across the world.

In the U.S. it is practiced predominantly for stretching and exercise. The poses Everett runs through work the body in many ways.

“There’s just so many benefits to it, because it not only works and stretches your muscles, but you’re also working your internal organs, lungs, and joints,” Everett said. "It is just good for everything."

Yoga club is sure to stick around and possibly grow out of the orchestra room if the number of newcomers per session keep skyrocketing. The meetings are enjoyable and get the endorphins flowing.

“Yoga club is really fun and really relaxing, and I’m gonna go back next week,” senior Xan Richardson said.

Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., yoga club is free and open to all interested participants. Anyone who decides to show will have an interesting and active time.

12/16/2010 12/16/2010

November 10, 2010

Rena... What?

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Feature

by chris allmon

Everyone has seen the effects, but very few actually know the cause. Student of the week, student of the month, the neon sign hanging in the Commons; all fruits of the Renaissance program.

The Renaissance program was introduced last year by Principal Ed West and the faculty WIT committee as a way to recognize students for achievements that would normally get lost in the noise of honor scholars and athletic trophies.

Achievements like academics, the arts and the day-to-day improvements in grades, GPA, attendance and class participation are the things that the Renaissance committee is trying to recognize with their program. While introduced

by West, Student Council sponsor Jason Springer leads the program. It is driven by both students and faculty.

“The Renaissance program really works best when you have both voices,” Springer said.

Though its name might not be well known, the program has set out to make sure students know their successes are noticed and valued. ”The biggest difference I'm probably seeing is the student of the week program,” Springer said. "I hear students talk about it quite a bit. I’ve seen students really appreciate when teachers nominate them."

“A lot of my friends and students I don’t know came up to me and said congratulations,” sophomore student of the month winner T.J. Cobbs said. "I felt really good about that."

The Renaissance committee is planning more endeavors. So far plans to relocate the "Standard of Excellence" banners above the north entrance

have begun. The committee plans to add color in the Commons and halls. A teacher of the month competition is also on the way. This will give students an opportunity to recognize and show their appreciation to faculty and staff members.

“That would be really good,” junior Jevan Bremby said. “Because we do appreciate them [teachers].” ”We also have just gotten the green light to take a big family group photo of everyone in the building, all students, all faculty members. We’re going to do that in the spring, we have a date set for that,” Springer said.

“That way we get a photo that represents not just a certain class or certain group of people but everybody that makes up this building as our community”.

Facial Hair : No Shave November by emma machell

Few things separate the men from the boys in the world; how capable one is in growing facial hair is one of them.

This month gives those who have not yet participated in this art a chance to grow that sweet mustache they’ve always wanted free from judgment. Or perhaps they can grow that full Albus Dumbledore beard, Elvis Presley side burns or any other type of whisker by not shaving for the entire month of November for No Shave November.

The name is pretty self-explanatory, during November men (and some women) do not shave at all. However, some feel that they can not participate in No Shave November because not shaving will make them look too hairy.

How quickly hair can sprout from a man’s chin or lip can factor into whether or not they participate in the tradition.

"If I don’t shave for a whole month I start growing facial hair everywhere and it just looks really trashy," sophomore Zade Safadi said.

Others feel obligated to let their hair down, or grow in this case.

“Of course [I’m participating],” junior Ian Patterson said. “My brother started [participating] and I got really into it

because Patrick brought it up.”

Some faculty had already started growing facial hair before the No Shave November craze hit. “[My beard] won’t come off until probably next spring when it gets warmer,” film teacher Scott Smith. “Everyone will say ‘who’s that guy?’”

Many students had also already started even before November.

“I always wanted a Teddy Roosevelt mustache,” Patterson said who’s mustache currently isn’t Teddy Roosevelt material. "It looks like the most cuddly and the most fun to grow.”

Influenced by famous historical figures, like the past president whose facial hair he strives after, Patterson really began growing his mustache in his sophomore year. As of now Patterson hasn’t grown his goal mustache but he is definitely on his way.

“I just decided I wanted to see if I could do it or not,” Patterson said.

However, as many males can say, some grow facial hair quicker than others.

“It took me a month, maybe two, to grow my beard,” Safadi said. “I grow facial hair pretty quickly so that’s not a problem.”

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November 10, 2010

Feature

logan hassig sophomore

Jock

What about you fits this stereotype?

I spend most of my time doing athletics so it is a big part of my life.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype?

I do not really see any, because I feel like there is not anything bad about being a jock.

What about you defies this stereotype?

I am in choir and I can be sort of a bookworm sometimes.

How would you stereotype yourself?

Jock

If You Really Knew Me From “Mean Girls” to “The Breakfast Club,” stereotypes are the backbone of almost every teen movie. For the most part, high school students in these movies fall into one stereotype, and they fulfill that stereotype completely.

Stereotypes are a natural part of high school. As teenagers, we are trying to find our place in the world, so we conform to other teenagers who have similar hobbies and interests. However, high school students

Theater

sophie laufer sophomore What about you fits this stereotype? I love theater.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? I’m interested in a lot of other things besides theater.

What about you defies this stereotype? I’m a hipster because I really like fashion and I like dressing differently than everyone else. I try to most of the time. Sometimes I slack off. I don’t specifically try to be different but I try to have my own style.

How would you stereotype yourself? Hipster

may fit more than one stereotype, none at all or completely defy the stereotype that people give them.

At Free State, seven common stereotypes are found like jocks, preps, hipsters, country kids, music nerds, theater kids and stairwell kids. Each of the following students feel they are put into one of these stereotypes by their peers. Some agree with the stereotype assigned to them. Others categorize themselves differently.

November 10, 2010

Feature

Prep

matt mcreynolds sophomore What about you fits this stereotype? I wear a lot of Ralph Lauren, drive a Volvo, like to play golf and my family is pretty preppy so I live that sort of lifestyle.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? That I listen to really mainstream music, which I definitely do not.

What about you defies this stereotype? I feel like most people think preps are really uptight and not open to anything that is not preppy but I am open to pretty much anything. I will also do really random stuff like going to listen to an indie vocal artist or watching a weird movie at Liberty Hall.

How would you stereotype yourself? Prep

Country Kid

cheyenne patton junior

Stairwell Kid

alden slote junior

What about you fits this stereotype? I wear black.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? That I am a total jerk, when I feel like I am really nice.

What about you defies this stereotype? I feel like stairwell kids get the stereotype of smoking and sleeping around and I do not do either.

How would you stereotype yourself? I do not have a stereotype for myself.

What about you fits this stereotype? I am from the country, my favorite pair of shoes are my cowboy boots, I ride horses, go mudding and am in FFA. What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? That country music is my favorite, when I actually do not prefer it that much.

What about you defies this stereotype? I am from McLouth and the kids there do not have the greatest education, while I try to strive for a higher level of education.

How would you stereotype yourself? Country kid

Hipster

colin bain senior

What about you fits this stereotype? I do not listen to mainstream music.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? That I judge people and think less of them if they go with the crowd.

What about you defies this stereotype? I am really fond of cowboy boots and cowboy hats, I bale a lot of hay, and I love spending the weekends in my garden.

How would you stereotype yourself? Country kid

7

Music Nerd

nolan frank senior What about you fits this stereotype? I am in Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers and Marching Band. I just do all music stuff and I do not do anything else.

What is a common misconception because of your stereotype? That I, and music kids in general, only focus on music at school when really we make up a big part of what Free State is as a school.

What about you defies this stereotype? I am on the swim team.

How would you stereotype yourself? Music nerd

photos by megan engleman

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8

" Oh No! Late Again Lifestyle

November 10, 2010

I know that school isn't always fun, but if you want to be

successful in life, [school] is

"

where it starts.

by ryan loecker

Although it takes six tardies before a student can get suspended, and it’s acceptable to be late or absent a couple times a semester, the only person hurt is the student missing class.

Chances are, a student who misses enough school, they will end up in Danny Speicher’s ISS room.

“It’s understandable [to be absent],” Speicher said. “I know that school isn’t always fun, but if you want to be successful in life, [school] is where it starts.”

Speicher feels that he is more lenient if a student is in his room a couple times, but says there is no excuse for being in ISS repeatedly.

Both Speicher and junior Will Evans feel that the reason students are frequently late is a matter of character. If students can’t show up

to class on time, what will happen to them in the real world when they have a job?

“You have to start making good choices now, so you can make good choices later,” Speicher said.

Evans and Speicher agree that being absent or tardy is only acceptable every now and then.

Sophomore Ruthie Willmott is late to school often, but doesn't think it should matter to anyone else. She feels that school starts too early for her to focus and that class isn't any different regardless of whether or not she is in class.

“I haven’t gotten in trouble for missing school, and my grades are fine,” Willmott said.

For Willmott, there doesn’t seem to be any motivation to be to school on time as her parents don’t

mind, and “the teachers are pretty cool about it."

When students get a sixth tardy, they are assigned an in-school suspension.

Basically, students are given all the homework they will miss for that day and have all day to do it.

Students don’t see an out-of-school suspension until they are tardy eight times.

“Everyone should stay in school, because school is pretty important,” Evans said. “You don’t want to be ignorant all the time.”

Speicher’s general rule is that being absent is understandable every now and then, but “there is always enough time to get to class.”

Future employers will not be as lenient as the school system is.

The Tardy System 1ST TIME OFFENDER Warning

2ND TIME OFFENDER 15 Minute Detention

3-5 TIME OFFENDER

45 Minute Detention

6TH TIME OFFENDER

ISS & A meeting with assistant principal

6TH TIME OFFENDER

ISS & Loss of privileges

7TH TIME OFFENDER

OSS & Further Disciplinary Action

Discount tickets on sale noW for stuDents!

2010-11 season highlights

The Real Dr. Strangelove

Legally Blonde The Musical

STaRRING JOhN GETz The Social NeTwork, Mad MeN, NciS

BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE

FRIdaY, NOV. 12 – 7:30 p.m..

TUESdaY, dEC. 7 – 7:30 p.m..

$11 student tickets

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interpreti Veneziani

Jim Brickman, pianist and songwriter

ChamBER mUSIC wITh YOUThFUL ExUBERaNCE, aLL-ITaLIaN BRIO

15th-aNNIVERSaRY hOLIdaY CONCERT

SaTURdaY, NOV. 13 – 7:30 p.m..

SaTURdaY, dEC. 11 – 7:30 p.m.

$6 student tickets

$21 student tickets orDer toDaY lied.ku.edu 785-864-2787

Winter Sports Preview

November 10, 2010

9

Sports

by amani safadi

Winter sports face new advantages and challenges coming into the 2010 season The spreading cold of the winter season isn’t stopping winter sports from heating up. Memories of disappointing seasons past and hopes for a chance to reach state-level drive our athletes to improve.

All of the sports begin on November 15, except for bowling which begins November 29, so come out if you’re interested.These sports are not only important to the people playing on the team, but also extremely important to the lack of boredom for student fans.

Boys Basketball

All the basketball players are excited for the start of the season so that they can play the sport they love.

“The reason I chose basketball for my main sport is because it’s a chance to have total freedom on the court and it’s a chance to show myself doing my best,” junior Georgi Funtarov said.

“Something that is going to be different this year than last year is that the team will hopefully be much faster, and shooting and controlling the ball better,” coach Chuck Law said.

The first basketball game is Dec. 7, at Topeka Seaman, and the team is excited to see their classmates cheering them on, so come out and support your favorite tall boys.

Girls Basketball

Returning players are expecting to have a pretty good season this year.

Something to look forward to this season is

the performance addition of strong underclassmen.

“I think a lot of the sophomores will be key players. They came in as freshmen last year but they’re really going to get the hang of things this year, and there’s players like Kennedy Kirkpatrick, and Chelsea and Abbey Casady, so they will all be key players this season,” junior Jackie Garcia said.

“Some team changes will include the fact that last year the team was post-dominated and this year they will be more guard-oriented,” coach Bryan Duncan said. The first girls basketball game is Dec. 3.

Show your true firebird colors and come cheer at the game.

Bowling

The returning bowling teammates are pumped to get the season started.

“I’m looking forward to start bowling again with my buddy Justin, and take regional’s first place again,” senior Nick Conrad said.

Some challenges this year are going to include new rules, and new leadership set by this year’s seniors.

For most bowlers, bowling is more than just a sport, it’s a tradition.

“My family has always been into bowling, so I kind of fell into it and actually enjoyed the sport,“ senior Justin Walthall said.

The first bowling tournament is on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 8:00 am at Royal Crest Lanes, so be there and support, support, support.

Wrestling

Wrestlers are excited to see what the new players will be contributing to their team.

“Some important players returning this year are Chase Fraser, Jake Brown and Phillip Bradshaw.

They were all pretty good from last year, and there’s also going to be a really good sophomore joining the team, Spencer Wilson,” senior Mitch McCune said.

Challenges this year include a new coach and seeing how practice will be different than last year, according to McCune.

The first wrestling match is on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Gardner- Edgerton at 9:00 am, so show your firebird spirit and watch the match.

Boys Swimming The returning swimmers are excited to get into the water and start the season off right.

“I’m most excited to see and hang out with my teammates from last year and just having as good a season as last year,” sophomore Nick Becker said.

Most of the players on the team decided to swim because they either had a family member involved in the sport or they decided it would be a good challenge to try.

“My dad and friends always wanted me to try swimming, so I decided to go out for the team, and actually enjoyed it,” sophomore Kyle Freese said.

The first meet is here on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 3:30, so try to be the first one on the bench.

Getting off to a great start Come out to support Free State varsity teams at their first home games of the season.

For the rest of the sports schedule, visit www.myhighschoolsports.net

Boys Basketball Friday, Dec 10 @ 7:30 pm vs. Shawnee Heights High School Girls Basketball Friday, Dec 10 @ 6:00 pm vs. Shawnee Heights High School Bowling Saturday, Jan 1 @ 8:00 am, Free State Invitational Wrestling Wedensday, Jan 26 @ 6:30 pm vs. Lawrence High School* Boys Swimming Wedensday, Dec 1@ 3:30 pm, Free State Invitational *At Lawrence High School

10

Opinion

C'mon kiddos!

Graduation is more important than it can seem by bailey schaumburg

So, all of a sudden we have this “commitment to graduate.” Okay sure, we need to graduate so we can get a job and support ourselves, blah blah blah. We hear it every day from the adults around us, but what does that even mean?

Unfortunately, the adults are right (again). As tempting as it is sometimes, it would be irresponsible to pack up and walk out just because it seems like the easier thing to do. However, I think the adults forget how hard it is.

In a perfect world, we would simply attend class, do our homework and pass, stress-free. Even though the key to passing truly is attending class and doing homework, the outside factors make it exponentially more difficult.

At a recent ‘Can We Talk’ meeting, KU Associate Athletic Director Chris Howard said that “we’re all ninety percent insecure.” As a kid, a lot of that insecurity comes from school.

We have the pressure of getting through the classes that are tough for us, the pressure from our parents and teachers to go in a certain direction and worst of all the pressure of figuring out what to do next.

Sometimes getting out of bed to go to school seems impossible.

We have families and friends and jobs that can seem to push school responsibilities to the end of the list, but seriously people, we HAVE to graduate. We are all branching out on unique paths, but a high school diploma is pretty much mandatory for all of us to do the things we want to do, and even the things we don’t even know we want to do yet. Sure, there are tons of people who are successful without high school diplomas but, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to fall back on?

Most people don’t sit down one day and decide not to graduate.

"

2 1000 One in One Thousand

November 10, 2010

Free State is not just a building.

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

Catherine and Emma Norwood Sophomore twins are mirroring confusion by katherine corliss

When school seems to get harder it’s more difficult to go, and we don’t all have parents who force us to attend. A couple of tardies can lead to a detention, which somehow often leads to missed detentions which can lead to suspension. Suspension means missed work, which means POOF! All of a sudden, grades start to drop. It’s a steep and slippery slope.

We’re not all the same; we are all faced with completely different situations. Some people will graduate and some people won’t, it’s just how it is. But no matter what, hearing adults tell us over and over that we need to graduate in order to fulfill all of our wildest dreams isn’t always completely convincing.

I guess what I’m saying is, we all need to really try to finish it out.

Not for the happiness of our parents or teachers, but because we’ve been in school since kindergarten.

KINDERGARTEN! We’ve come from learning to tie our shoes and counting to ten, to solving algebraic expressions and writing college essays. Don’t you feel the slightest bit proud for making it this far? Seniors, it’s only a few more months. Sophomores and juniors, I promise the time will fly. Why quit now?

Oh and by the way, it doesn’t hurt to try and enjoy it a little. We’re young.

Let’s have fun together…and graduate.

We have families and friends and jobs that can seem to push school reponsibilities to the end of the list...

"

Identical twins: it’s easy to assume they’re so much the same that it’s difficult to tell them apart.

But for sophomores Catherine and Emma Norwood, there are plenty of ways to distinguish the two.

“I have a scar above my left eyebrow, and we part our hair on different sides,” said Catherine, who parts her hair on the left.

“I’m more outgoing. Emma gets embarrassed by me really easily because I’m usually the one making really weird faces and making people feel awkward.”

One time even Emma’s own boyfriend couldn’t even tell them apart.

“In seventh grade my boyfriend went up to her and started talking, thinking she was me,” said Emma.

“Boys still had cooties to me, so I was like ‘Woah there, it’s a boy talking to me,’” Catherine said.

Often when people don’t know

which Norwood twin they’re looking at, they simply look the other way.

“I don’t want people to not talk to me and Catherine because they don’t know which one is which,” Emma said.

“I’m so used to being called both Catherine and Emma; it’s a good conversation starter,” Catherine said. They both also suggest simply being called “Norwood.”

However, being a twin does have its perks.

“In junior high and grade school we used to switch classes. We totally got away with it in junior high on April Fools Day,” said Catherine. “No one knew that we switched except for our closest friends.”

“If you’re in a really awkward situation you can just look at each other and she’ll know exactly what I’m thinking,” Emma said.

Twins Emma and Catherine Norwood are mirror images.

See past columns and other stories at fsfreepressonline.com Also online: pictures, videos and web exclusives

November 10, 2010

Staff Editorial: Fred Phelps

Opinion Staff Vote within rights: 13 breaking the law: 1

Free Press weighs in on whether controversial statements should be constitutionally correct

When an American soldier takes an oath to protect and defend our nation and is killed while upholding that oath, the last thing his father should suffer at the funeral is messages defaming his son, his God and his country.

However, no American citizen should be denied the right to free speech. In the United States, the right to free speech held by everyone trumps an individual’s moral code.

Albert Snyder, father of the late Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, arranged a private Christian funeral for his son at a church in Westminster, Maryland in 2006.

Kansas preacher Fred W. Phelps, Sr., head pastor of Topeka’s Westboro Baptist Church, arranged to protest the funeral. Snyder later sued Phelps, members of his family and Westboro Baptist for intrusion into a secluded event, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy.

Snyder won a $5 million verdict, which was later overturned when a federal court said the protesters were protected by their right to free speech.

We believe that Phelps and the

members of his church are morally wrong in their hateful actions towards almost every social group in America except their own.

The group is watched by the AntiDefamation League and categorized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Many have asked if their religious views are actually hurting the image of Christianity.

The church’s primary web site asserts that every tragedy in the word has a direct link to society’s tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality, and that homosexual acts should be met with capital punishment.

Despite our passionate opposition to this group, their statements and actions, we believe that Phelps and his constituents (or brainwashed lackeys, you decide...) are legally justified in that they have the right to express their views.

The Snyder v. Phelps case raises the issue of the First Amendment rights of protesters at a funeral and whether they are liable for intentionally inflicting emotional distress on grieving families.

Moral standards aside, we think

that Phelps is protected by the Constitution just as every other American citizen should be. If his right to free speech and protest is taken away, then the same can be done to everyone else.

While we disagree with Phelps’ opinions, we also see the importance of minority opinions in the United States.

Opinions should not be silenced just because they are considered wrong now: the future of these views must be taken into account. Fifty years ago, racial segregation was believed to be morally right by the majority of American citizens.

The minority opinion that racial segregation is morally wrong led to a shift in majority opinion.

The questionable logic and morals of Phelps’ arguments, including his conclusions pertaining to religion and sexuality, have sparked controversy.

Fortunately for him, everyone in America has the right to free speech.

I look forward to a member of his church, hopefully the “man” himself, exercising that right by sending me some correspondence.

We Ask You

Q

"Yeah, everyone has the right to say what they want. But if it offends people, I think they should keep it to themselves."

Grant Taylor-Ahlbers

Should Fred Phelps be protected by the First Amendment despite his controversial actions?

"Absolutely."

Carolyn Bandle

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1988 Due to dislike of Vice President Al Gore, membersof the Westboro Baptist Church protest 1991 Phelps and his followers Gore's father's funeral kick off the "Great Gage Park Decency Drive," 1992 beginning pickets of a Largely in response park where homosexuals supposedly met to Phelps' and his followers' harassment homosexuals, the 1993 of Kansas legislature passes WBC's picketing of an laws regulating funeral AIDS victim's funeral prompts a Kansas City, 1997 Mo., funeral picketing law The WBC puts up its first anti-homosexual web site; the site will become the infamous 1998 www.godhatesfags.com Bearing signs attacking homosexuals, WBC members picket the funeral of Matthew 2000 Shepard, bringing Phelps' church As Phelps and WBC bring international notoriety Topeka more and more notoriety, the Topeka City Council adopts an anti-hate resolution

"It's legal, but it is also immoral."

2010-2011 Free Press Staff

bailey schaumburg

Timeline

"Legally I guess he's protected, but I don't think he should be."

junior

sophomore

11

amani safadi

Submissions may be turned to Room 115, sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66049 or submitted online at fsfreepressonline.com.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration, nor that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

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November 10, 2010

The Lawrence

Lawrence Guide

Guide compiled by ryan loecker

Yoga Club - Wednesdays @ Free State Yoga Club is the place to be. Besides the fact that there isn't much to do after school on Wednesday, yoga is a form of exercise for everyone. It incorporates both intense workout and forms of meditation.

This is the perfect way to relieve any stress you have built up from the school day.

TIM & ERIC - November 15 @ The Midland ($25) Tim Heidecker and Eric Warehein are two comedians with an awkward sense of humor. On November 15, they will take their sketch comedy television series to The Midland in Kansas City.

Their show, which has been referred to as the “nightmare version of television” will also feature a performance from stand up comedian Neil Hamburger. It is hard to explain what to expect at a live version of one of the most bizarre television shows I’ve ever seen. The New York Times says, ”If you think corny greeting cards are funny, you’ll laugh out loud.” Even though I haven’t seen Tim & Eric live, I can guarantee this will either be one of the funniest or most awkward events of your life.

Dollar Bowling - Monday and Wednesday @ Royal Crest Lanes Whether it’s preparing to be on the Free State bowling team, or a way to kill some time, bowling is an activity for everyone. Every Monday and Wednesday, every game at Royal Crest Lanes is a dollar. This is an activity perfect for this time of the year as it is starting to get cold outside. Besides Yoga Club, what else is there to do after school?

QUICKLY BECOMING FIREBIRD FANS’ FAVORITE PLACE FOR BURGERS.

BRANDON FLOWERS - November 20 @ Liberty Hall ($25.50)

Go Firebirds!

LAWRENCE: 4801 Bauer Farm Drive (6th & Wakarusa) Open 10am - 10pm Daily

Firebird Special - $7 1/3 lb Classic smashburger with smashfries and a drink.

Just show your Free State I.D. to receive this special offer. Available to students, faculty and staff.

Valid only at Lawrence location. Original offer must be surrendered at time of purchase. May not be combined with any other offer. Taxes not included. No cash value unless prohibited by law, then cash value is $.005. No substitutions. Void if copied or transferred and where prohibited. Limited Time Offer.

SB_FreeStateAd_0810

smashburger is perfect for eating in or having a better burger to go, a quick workday lunch, the weekend burger and shake, date night, a family dinner, or with the team after the game. smashburger has something great for everyone.

Although the alternative rock group, The Killers are pretty main stream, the frontman, Brandon Flowers’s solo work is less famous. In support of his album “Flamingo”, Flowers will take the stage at Liberty Hall on November 20.

His electro-pop music would be the perfect concert to bring a date to. This is also a great opportunity for a Killers fan as they usually perform at giant music venues like the Sprint Center.