Illustration by Lucas Smith
Turn to page 12 to read about homelessness in Lawrence
NEWS STAFF CONTENTS
FEATURE
Pg. 4 - Debuting the Band
Pg. 6-7 - No Holiday Left Behind
Pg. 15 - Wrapped Up With Haig
NEWS
Pg. 5 - Winter Court
Pg. 8 - Girls Wrestling Relocated
Pg. 12 - Lawrence Opens Doors for Winter
Pg. 13 - Homelessness Increase
Pg. 16 - FAFSA Under Fire
OPINION
Pg. 17 - Department of Education No Longer?
Pg. 18-19 - Unchecked Power
A&E
Pg. 3 - Crossword
Pg. 10-11 - Photo Gallery
Pg. 22 - Dear Santa
Pg. 23 - Boba Breakdown
SPORTS
Pg. 14 - Climbing the Ranks
ABOUT THE COVER
This cover is meant to represent our package stories. In Lawrence, 212 people were identified as homeless for the year of 2024. These numbers are collected by the Point in Time survey. As the cold months roll in, numerous community organizations are working to keep the unhoused warm and safe. Flip to page 12 to begin reading about homelessness in Lawrence. Design by Lucas Smith
SOCIALS MISSION STATEMENT
Curious Free State journalists will amplify voices, gather superior sources and tell pivotal stories of our community in a visually creative way in order to serve our audience and foster quality scholastic journalism in Lawrence, Kansas.
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Lilly Wall
Nick Sprecker
Phoebe Morris
MANAGING
Evie Chancy
DESIGN
Geneva Sabatini
PHOTO
Mallory Thompson
CAPTIONS
Elinor Russo
SPORTS
Rakshan Ossen
COPY
Elliot Skillman
Maria Mosconi ONLINE
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Simon Williams
Ember Klein
Baila Love
SOCIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Katie Campbell
ASST. SOCIAL
Delaney Bayliss
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Addison Powers
Anders Benson
Eden Weber
Elinor Russo
Julia Velasco
Lilly Wall Miles Beaty
Nathan Friedman
Nathan Kramer
REPORTERS
Arianna Waller
Avery Smiley
Claire Heinritz
Delaney Bayliss
Olive Minor
Jonah Frye
Katie Campbell
Meredith Shryock
DESIGNERS
Abbie Veeder
Allison McCall
Amanda McCall
Evie Chancy
Harper Finck
BUSINESS
Ainsley Linhos
Lucas Smith Neylana Haque
Willow Marable
Zoë Kaul
Amanda McCall Piper Northrop
CROSSWORD
DEBUTING THE BAND
Story by Meredith Shryock
Winter formal launches a live band to spotlight student musicians
In an effort to encourage student involvement, the Student Council debuted a live student band at the winter formal on Saturday, Dec. 14. The idea was first pitched by junior Willow Marble to her friend junior representative Julia Velasco. Velasco then presented the idea to StuCo and reached out to her musically inclined peers to bring the concept to life. This was quickly followed by auditions and rehearsals.
The addition of the live band garnered excitement and curiosity within the student body. Sophomore Tenley Ginavan said that she and her friends were more excited to attend this year’s winter formal, noting the live music could enhance the atmosphere.
“It’s a good idea because at the last two dances, the DJ wasn’t as popular, and it’s a more genuine feeling for a better experience.” Ginavan said.
Because of these positive reactions to live music, the Student Council felt that if all goes well, this could establish a new tradition for future Student Council events. Sophomore representative Quinn Schroeder said she anticipated that the band would amplify the energy of the dance and potentially draw in a larger crowd.
“With live music, you’re so much more connected to the dance. It brings more joy, and it’s very impressive what people can do with their instruments. It includes more people,” Schroeder said.
One of the performers, junior Kianna Ayala, said she was excited about the opportunity to showcase her talents. Ayala, a seasoned musician with over a decade of experience, writes music available on Spotify under KiannaMusec. She said she hoped this performance will spotlight her music and also inspire those interested in music or performing.
“It’s a good experience for the audience and the performers themselves, and hopefully it’ll bring more students into the music community,” Ayala said.
By showcasing students involved in the arts, senior Student Council Co-President Elle Cormaney said she believes that it provided the student body a rare opportunity to appreciate the passion that goes into each performance.
“[The musicians] work so hard, and they are important to the Free State community. They always perform well for our school,” Cormaney said. “Bringing more attention to them and having students realize the amount of time and effort they put into creating their music and their passion is a really cool thing.”
Anders Benson Pryce Brinkerhoff
Emmet Roenfeldt
Baila Love
Gillian Simon Jackellyn Zeferino Policarpo
Kianna Ayala
Student Council implements a winter court
This year, Free State shook up its traditional winter formal celebrations by introducing a new Winter Court. Unlike the typical student-elected Homecoming or Prom Court candidates, this new initiative saw teachers taking the lead in nominating and selecting the initial pool of court members.
Senior representative Karsen Chapman said she wanted the court to be more inclusive to students who wouldn’t normally be noticed in a typical homecoming or prom student body vote.
“[Student Council] felt that [prom and homecoming courts] weren’t enough recognition because only 20 students get picked a year when we have over 500 in a grade,” Chapman said. “We thought that formal was a good opportunity since a lot of people go to the dance.”
Pitched by Student Body Presidents Elle Cormaney and Kinsey Lake, Winter Court winners were crowned on Dec. 14.
Senior Representative Liv Brack said that to suggest a new idea like winter court, StuCo gives the pros and cons of said event and then each member votes on it.
“Everyone in StuCo comes from a different area of Free State, so we all represent a different group or a different organization,” Brack said. “Voting is a good way to really represent the school.”
The voting process involved teachers nominating students for the initial round, followed by students voting to select the final two royalties.
Many StuCo members said they believe the response will be positive, including senior representative Kinley VanPelt, who said that the approach StuCo is taking aims to ensure inclusivity and recognize both academic and social success.
“The teachers elect three people, and then there’ll be a final nomination list sent out to teachers, and they’ll choose their top seven. That will create the seven members on court,” VanPelt said. “Those seven will be sent out to Free State students, and then [the students choose [their] two royalties.”
By involving both teachers and students in the nomination and voting process, VanPelt, Chapman and other StuCo members said they hope to recognize a broader range of student achievements and foster a greater sense of community participation in school events.
With the winter court ceremony integrated into the formal dance, StuCo members said they hope the new aspect of the dance attracted more students to the event and generated excitement around the crowning of the royalties.
Story by Arianna Waller
“Oftentimes in homecoming or prom, there are patterns. Athletes or people who are crazy involved in school activities [are often chosen]. Now there’s a chance for diversity,” Brack said. “I hope everyone likes it and welcomes it. It’s a big change, but hopefully this can be a new tradition that we introduce.”
Yes
63%
No
37%
Do students like that the winter court was selected by teachers? from an Instagram poll with 175 responses
Collected by Olive Minor
Recognizing diverse holidays during the winter season
DEC. NO HOLIDAY LEFT BEHIND
KWANZAA
Celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa is a week-longPan-African celebration. Kwanzaa is a cultural holidayandthewordmeans “firstfruits”inSwahili.Eachday of celebration is dedicated to a particularprinciple,suchasunity, faithandpurpose.Theholidaywas createdbytheactivistMaulanga Kaurengain1966asawaytounify andempowertheBlackcommunities duringtheCivilRightsMovement. Familiesoftenlightcandlesona kinaraandthrowlargepartiesto celebrateeachyear.
AccordingtoNational Geographic
Kwanzaa
Aimmediatelycelebrationneight-dayPosadasprecedingChristmasDay,Las originatingisaCatholictradition inMexico.ItmarksandthejourneyoftheVirginMary JosephtoBethlehembefore alongthebirthofbabyJesus.Processions streetsledbyachilddressed asanangelaresupposedtosymbolize thegoodnewsofJesus’birth.Evening afterpartiesandachurchservicefollow piñataseachprocession,andchildrenhit shapedlikestars.
Snowflakes by Kouri Demelash
RHANUKKAH
unning from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2, Hanukkah is an annual Jewish holiday. This celebration remembers the reclamation of Jerusalem from the Syrians and rededication of the Holy Temple in 168 B.C.E. A new candle on the menorah is lit every night, which symbolizes a one-day supply of oil lasting eight days in the Holy Temple. Recipes also revolve around the idea of oil; Jewish people often eat latkes or sufganiyot, a kind of jelly donut, with loved ones while celebrating the holiday.
DEC. 25
AccordingtoReformJudaism.org
BABODHI DAY
odhiDayhastwodates—the secularversionoftheholiday (celebratedonDec.8)and Buddhistthelunarversion(Jan.7,2025).The holidaymarksthedaythat Buddhaachievedenlightenment.Originally anisolatedprincenamedSiddhartha Gautama,Buddhaventuredoutintothe kingdomtofinditwasriddledwithpoverty andsickness.Confusedandupsetbythe discovery,Buddhasatunderatreeand meditatedfordays.Whenhefinished,hehad discoveredthe“fournobletruths,”which guidemodernBuddhistpractices.Followers chantprayersandstudytheDharma,the teachingsofBuddha.
According to Bodhiday.org
ZARTOSHT
NO-DISO
solemn event on Dec. 26, Zartosht No-Diso is a Zoroastrian holiday that commemorates the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra. Zarathushtra claimed to receive a vision from the supreme god of an ancient Iranian religion, Ahura Mazdā. Zarathushtra created Zoroastrianism based on the belief that Ahura Mazdā was the only god, which defied the original polytheistic religion. Ceremonies are usually confined to fire temples or the home, and prayers are offered in remembrance of the Prophet.
YULE
. 8
CelebratedasaPaganholiday, Yulesignifiesthewintersolstice GermaniconDec.21.Yulewasoriginallya andNordicfestivalthatwas partiallyincorporatedintoChristmas duringtheninthcentury.Amoderntake ontheholidayinvolvesarolledcake decoratedtoresembleaYulelog,which wouldbeburnedfortheentiretyofthe festival.Plantslikehollyandmistletoeare intertwinedinevergreenwreaths,hung inhomesforprotectionandtosymbolize nature’sundyingforce,evenduringthe coldestmonthsoftheyear.
GIRLS WRESTLING
REL CATED
Story by Jonah Frye
The girls’ wrestling team began its sixth KSHSAA-sanctioned season on Dec. 7. However, their practice location is being moved off-campus after not getting priority practice time. The team will practice at Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu for the first time since the program began.
During past seasons, on every school day, the girls practiced at 5:30 a.m. at Free State and again at 5:30 p.m. at LHS. While the new arrangement allows this team to practice right after school, team members have said it has several complications.
One of the main issues for girls on the team is the extra drive time. As a freshman-heavy squad, some of the team members have said they are concerned about the transportation issue. Sophomore Olivia Storey said the team only has four members who aren’t freshmen.
“It’s a small team, so not a lot of us can drive. It will give us stronger bonds because we have to drive a lot of the freshmen around,” Storey said. “But some of the returning members are upset about it.”
Head Coach Carl Springer said that while
this situation isn’t ideal, the practice arrangement offers the best chance for his team’s success. He also added that while the travel is inconvenient, he doesn’t anticipate it harming turnout.
“I am glad that we were able to find a facility that had mats already down and ready to practice … I have trained with the Ground Theory team for 10 years, and they have done a ton of work helping ensure the girls have a successful season,” Springer said.
On another note, Springer and other girls wrestlers said there weren’t any equality issues at play because the boy’s team is more established and the girls have fewer athletes which
Girls wrestling moves practice location to Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu
makes it easier for them to travel. Springer said that there simply isn’t room in the wrestling room to accommodate both teams and having the girls travel was the simplest solution. He also said he has had three daughters wrestle in Kansas and he is very aware and conscious of equality issues in girls wrestling.
On the other hand, junior Mars Pierson and Storey said they thought there were some equality issues with the boys’ team getting priority practice times.
“I think [the equality issue] is mainly because of the lack of knowledge of girls wrestling as a high school sport … we fight all the time for representation and growth for our sport, which starts at a community level. The more girls wrestling grows in popularity and appreciation, the more seriously we can be taken as a team and as a sport nationwide.” Storey said.
While the inconveniences may be problematic, senior Daijah Preston and junior wrestler Del Earl said the season should be fine because they enjoy the company of their teammates and the sport.
Senior Z0e Milburn practices takedowns at Ground Theory Jiu Jitsu on Nov. 20.
Photo by Elinor Russo
HIRING IN PROGRESS
School board hires organization to find permanent superintendent
During the summer, the Kansas Association of School Boards helped hire interim superintendent Jeanice Swift at no charge.
Now, the non-profit organization will aid USD 497 again in its search for a permanent superintendent.
On Nov. 11, the Lawrence school board voted 6-0 to approve a contract with the KASB to conduct the permanent superintendent hiring process for the 20252026 school year.
KASB search team members Britton Hart and Michelle Hubbard will conduct the search, which is estimated to last four months.
The firm goes through five phases to hire a superintendent: creating a timeline for the search, developing desired characteristics, conducting interviews, hiring of the new superintendent and supporting the board and superintendent in establishing goals and expectations for a successful transition.
Throughout the process, Hart said that the firm will work side by side with the
school board committee as they develop timelines, marketing tools and begin the search.
“We will be giving period updates to both the board and board selection committee. The board and the board selection committee will play a vital role in identifying the next superintendent for Lawrence Public Schools,” Hart said.
According to their website, the KASB’s mission is to “provide board members and
Story by Lilly Wall
school district leaders with the support, expertise and resources they need to help every Kansas student succeed in school and life.”
For school board member Bob Byers, the relationship between the KASB and school board was a reason they chose the firm to assist with the search.
“We have an ongoing relationship with them as the district is a member of the association. In addition, they worked with us on hiring the interim superintendent,” Byers said.
Interim superintendent Jeanice Swift is contracted to serve until the end of the school year. The search will likely last until March.
Vacant
PHASES OF HIRING:
Phase I - Announcement and creating a timeline for the search Phase II - Developing desired characteristics for the next superintendent. This will include a large number of stakeholders representing the community
Phase III - Interviews of potential superintendents
Phase IV - Negotiations and Hiring of the next superintendent
Phase V - Supporting the Board and new superintendent in establishing Goals and Expectations for a successful transition
PHOTO
Onstage at coffee house jams, seniors Amitav Bhattachan and Raphael Queiroz perform a freestyle rap. The event was held by student council on Dec. 2. Photo by Nathan Friedman
Speaking at the Veterans Day assembly on Nov. 7, Gunnar Naughton talks about his experience serving in the military. Photo by Addison Powers
Releasing the ball, junior Meghan Kostohryz bowls in the Unified Bowling state competition on Nov. 19 at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka. Photo by Nathan Kramer
RECAP
Reaching the finish, senior Cayman Barnes races in the annual Thanksgiving 5k on Nov. 28.
Photo by Julia Velasco
WheelWright, a musical artist from Phoenix, AZ, performs at The Granada on Nov. 24. Photo by Lilly Wall
Making an attempt on the ball, senior Steve Krise competes in a recreational adult futsal league match on Nov. 24.
Photo by Nathan Friedman
Laughing, choir director Joshua East enjoys his breakfast provided by Tri-M Music Honors Society on Nov. 20.
Photo by Anders Benson
LAWRENCE OPENS DOORS FOR WINTER
City prepares shelters in preparation for winter weather
Exposure to low temperatures is associated with deadly risks like hypothermia or frostbite, which, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, kills over 700 unhoused people a year.
When Douglas County Emergency Management determines the weather is dangerous, members of the city’s Homeless Response Team make sure all individuals at known campsites are given the opportunity to stay at one of their shelter locations. The Lawrence Community Shelter expands the number of beds in their facility from 140 to 190 and opens temporary shelters holding 25 beds set up at agreed-upon churches across the city.
Misty Bosch-Hastings, director of the Homeless Solutions Division, said the city sets up overflow shelters to ensure that all of the estimated 350 unhoused residents of Lawrence are not subjected to life threatening conditions when beds in their main shelters come up short.
“Our emergency overflow shelters ensure that even when the primary shelter [LCS] reaches capacity, no one is left without a safe, warm place to stay,” Bosch-Hastings said. “This reflects our community’s commitment to caring for all residents.”
To coordinate this and fully staff the shelters, many volunteers beyond the trained Homeless Response Team are required. During the colder months, a majority of volunteers, like junior Taryn Jones, help with the preparation and distribution of food to guests.
“It was definitely a valuable experience for me,” Jones said. “It opened my eyes seeing how many individuals came into the shelter to get warm food.”
Previously, the city used recreational buildings for overflow shelters but has recently made the switch to partnering with churches that can house people to free up those community spaces and more comfortably accommodate the unhoused.
“By partnering with local churches for overflow shelter space, we’ve been able to offer shelter services without disrupting recreational activities, benefiting both shelter guests and the broader community,” Bosch-Hastings said.
To make things as easy as possible for the churches, the city provides all the basic materials needed and has its own emergency shelter staff process and transport the individuals.
Representative for the University Community of Christ Linda Loving said that the help to prepare has allowed them to be ready and on stand-by for a weather emergency at any time.
Story by Evie Chancy
“We found it was a blessing for us to make our space available to those in need. The city and other agencies are so organized and made it really simple for us to provide this needed space,” Loving said.
Since all of the basic materials are provided, the churches can focus on the details to make their guest’s stay as comfortable as possible.
The congregation hand prepares meals, as well as setting up games and movies aside from just the beds.
“Our goal is to make our guests feel loved and welcomed,” Loving said. “We are honored to be able to help our brothers and sisters in a time of need.”
Rise of homeless population in Douglas County
HOMELESSNESS INCREASE
Story by Phoebe Morris
How can you help some of the people when you can’t help all the people?”
Executive Chief Officer of Lawrence Community Shelters James Chiselom said this when discussing the increase of homelessness within Douglas County since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, 414 people were identified as struggling with homelessness in Douglas County — this number has increased by about 18% since 2023, according to the Point In Time [PIT] survey collected by City of Lawrence officials.
Throughout Douglas County, there are nonprofits such as Bert Nash that specialize in the mental health aspect of homelessness. They take PIT data to build supportive housing that ensures personalized care depending on the individual’s condition.
Bert Nash Housing Director Matthew Faulk asks the community to understand their efforts in expanding supportive housing.
“The problem isn’t that we need to go build a bunch of housing. The problem is we need to build the right type of housing that’s operated in the right way and is owned by the right agencies and organizations,” Faulk said.
Additionally, Faulk said around 30% of homeless individuals come from outside the county. Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire said the increase is largely from many surrounding areas sending people to Douglas County for the available resources.
“We have adopted a policy that the city and county will provide temporary respite for homeless individuals and be returned back to their respective counties to identify resources,” McGuire said.
The Lawrence Community Shelter is a nonprofit organization offering an array of programs for Douglas County citizens. As the shelter leader, Chiselom said there is a prevalent culture he witnesses within the local homelessness population.
“There is a culture that says, ‘We like to live outside of the grid,’ or ‘We don’t necessarily want to be homeless, but we like the freedom that comes with some of the things.’ If that means coming into the shelter where we have rules and structure, some people might say, ‘Well, I can stay at the camp with my friends and not have people telling me how to live,” Chiselom said.
Because of the lack of control many homeless people experience regarding their life structure,
Chiselom said he feels the local homeless community has normalized refusing care to separate themselves from the shelter’s framework.
“Everybody should have a right to what they need, as long as they follow the law. I’m going to house anybody that’s willing to come into the program and follow the rules at a minimum,” Chiselom said.
Faulk, Chiselom and McGuire all said they wish organizations could help homeless people before resorting to local downstream resources. McGuire said he hopes more support and attention will go into helping individuals with chronic homelessness.
“The vast majority of homeless people are people just like us. They don’t want to be homeless. The kindness you see in the Lawrence community shelter and other community areas is inspirational. They deserve to be seen and heard,” McGuire said.
The game quickly piqued his interest, and he soon started playing pickleball beyond just recreation.
Fast forward to now, and freshman Potter just finished playing in his first Professional Pickleball Association [PPA] Junior World Championships in Dallas, Texas. He said he frequently travels to Kansas City to train and compete, as well as making stops around the country for the PPA tour.
Although early in his career, Potter said he has steep ambitions as he continues his pickleball journey.
“Obviously there’s a lot less players [in pickleball] than other sports, so it’s pretty realistic that I can become a professional player in the future,” Potter said. “That’s my long term goal, and that’s what makes it pretty cool.”
Potter recently announced his sponsored partnership with NXTgen Sports, a pickleball paddle company in Ontario, Canada. NXTgen sponsors Potter through sending him paddles and gear that he in turn plays with and promotes on his social media.
“[NXTgen paddles] were exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to sign with them,”
me a huge amount in my pickleball journey, including paying for tournament gear, so they’ve been really helpful [to me].”
Along the way, Potter met his coach, Claudio Quiñones, a Spanish professional pickleball player and two-time tennis All-American during his time at Ottawa University. He is currently ranked inside the top-100 globally for both singles and doubles in men’s pickleball. Quiñones said that he notices the drive that he possesses as an athlete.
“From the first moment, Tennessee did not seem to me like a typical 13-yearold,” Quiñones said. “His motivation and work ethic are crazy for his age. Anything I tell him to do on the court he does, regardless of if it was a fun exercise or something more difficult, like doing sprints.”
Additionally, Quiñones said he recognizes Tennessee’s ability and potential as a
opponents, which gives him an advantage in the kitchen as he is able to reach more balls in the air, …” Quiñones said. “We are also working with Tennessee on his footwork and being more patient on the court.”
Potter said the World Championships were a good measuring tool for him, and he is prepared to put in the work to become successful at the highest junior levels.
“I didn’t exactly get the results I was hoping for, but it was a big learning experience,” Potter said. “I was competing against the best junior players in the country — it showed me what I need to work on.”
With his time in the junior category concluding in the next one-to-two years, Potter is determined to win junior tournaments across the country. Quiñones said he believes this goal will become a reality for Potter so long as he continues his striving efforts as a pickleball player.
“Tennessee has an incredible future ahead of him. His talent on the court is impressive for a 13-year-old, and if he is able to put in the hard work that complements that talent, in the next few months he will be among one of the best junior players in the world,” Quiñones said.
Lunging for the ball, freshman Tennessee Potter practices pickleball at Rock Chalk Park on Dec. 4. Photo by Eden Weber
Collected By Delaney Bayliss
WRAPPED UP WITH HAIG
How trainer Kaarin Haig keeps the Firebirds healthy and fit
What is the most common injury in each sport?
Q: Q: Q: A: A: A:
“Football wildly varies. Soccer tends to be lower body, so like ankle sprains, knees, ACLs, that sort of thing. Basketball, same sort of thing. A lot of knees and ankles, plus some shoulders. Swimming and volleyball is all going to be upper body and shoulders for the most part, usually mostly just like muscle strain. Yeah, and then concussions are going to be probably the most common. “
How did you begin as a trainer?
“When I originally got to college, I was a microbiology major. When I decided to change majors, I combined my love of sports and medicine and landed on athletic training. Once I graduated and passed my board certification test, I started as a certified and licensed athletic trainer, and I’ve been working with high school athletes for the last 10 years.”
What is your favorite part about your job?
“Getting to know the athletes in and out of their sport, or watching an athlete step back onto the field for the first time after recovering from an injury.”
How many rolls of tape do you use in a year? Q: A: 450
Photo by Anders Benson
Athletic Trainer Kaarin Haig scrapes a football player after practice. Haig has been the trainer for three years at Free State.
Concern for future of FAFSA and it’s funding grows
FAFSA UNDER FIRE
Story by Claire Heinritz
After news of Donald Trump’s presidential win in the 2024 election, questions arose about many of his possible policies. One topic of speculation for many Americans was the potential closure of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA].
FAFSA is a federally funded program that last year awarded 120 billion dollars in grants, work-study funds and low-interest loans to 13 million students through the Department of Education and shows students what eligibility they have for certain grants and scholarships.
“FAFSA is important as it lets students (and schools) know their eligibility for aid in forms of grants, scholarships, etc. Having these opportunities be more accessible ensures that students aren’t held back by their financial situation as much as they would be if FAFSA weren’t in place,” senior Adele Buren said.
According to CNN, Trump stated that one of his first orders of business is to remove the Department of Education, putting all the power in the state’s hands for things like student aid funding. Since the Department
of Education controls the largest amount of funds for FAFSA, many believe without it, the available funding will decline.
For some students, this could seriously alter plans for after high school, as attaining financial aid would become much harder. There would still be grants and scholarships available, but students would need to look for them on their own without the help of FAFSA. Counselor Julia Johnson mentioned the efficiency that FAFSA offers students when applying for scholarships.
“The nice thing about FAFSA is that those financial aid packages come sort of all at once, so you get to see what kind of grants and scholarships you get and what kind of loans you could be offered,” Johnson said. “Those things could still be available to students
[without] FAFSA, but they would have to do all of that work individually.”
Without access to the larger amount of federal financial aid provided right now, some students might have to pursue alternative paths after high school instead of attending a college or university. Buren expresses concern for her peers regarding a decrease in financial aid as college is potentially a near future for them.
“If FAFSA were to shut down or minimize its influence in any way, I know it would force a lot of Free State’s students to seek other methods of paying for college, or possibly have to give up that idea altogether,” Buren said.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITEDSTATES OFAMERICA
Because Trump will not assume office until Jan. 20, many of these speculations likely will not be confirmed or denied until then.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NO LONGER?
Sprecker
What will happen if Trump closes the Department of Education Opinion by Nick
In a 2023 video posted by Donald J. Trump, he unveiled a ten-point plan to aggressively reshape American education. His final speaking point — an intention to “close the Department of Education and bring the power back to the states” — was made on the basis that the federal education apparatus is indoctrinating kids with inappropriate material.
The U.S. Department of Education [ED], created in 1979, is administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education. With a budget of $68 million, its primary function is to provide financial disbursement to public education in America. A combined $32 billion dollars are sent to low-income and disabled students.
The ED is also responsible for legal enforcement of education laws passed by Congress as well as data collection to provide policy guidance to lawmakers. They
are not, however, tasked with creating state curricula, a responsibility held by states.
If the ED were to close, it would inevitably disrupt access to federal funding for public schools, affecting two main groups of students: low income students and students with disabilities.
The ED’s Office for Civil Rights enforces federal laws protecting students with disabilities, like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. The ED is the sole authority responsible for enforcing this, meaning that without it, disabled students would lose their guaranteed educational rights.
While it’s possible that these states independently will protect these laws and mandates, based on the vitriol of certain states surrounding public education, this happening would be unlikely. Removing the ED without a replacement would severely harm the quality of life and education for children with disabilities, such as those needing IEPs and 504 plans.
Higher education would also be affected. Federal student loan borrowers would be crushed, as all loans become privatized in the absence of the ED, removing direct,
unsubsidized, grad plus loans, Pell Grants and the FAFSA process for students in need. Shifting to the private sector would decrease options available for student loan borrowers and hinder those who are still paying off their current student loans. Private student loans would come at much higher interest rates, taking significantly longer to pay off a college education.
The ED closing is only the tip of the iceberg. This proposal is not about reform; it’s about control.
Trump’s plan coincides with his desire to bring prayer back into schools and promote a nationalistic curriculum, defunding public schools until Christian nationalist trade schools take their place.
This would also allow for financially incentivizing school districts to fire teachers “whose performance is unsatisfactory.”
To be blunt, this truly means firing and hiring teachers based on whether or not they’re aligning their curriculum with the Trump agenda, not based on if they help meet student expectations.
Under this plan, we would be living in a nation whose education system — or lack thereof — would not be serving all of its citizens, and that is entirely unacceptable.
UNCHECKED POWER
Throughout his campaign, Presidentelect Donald Trump promised his supporters that if elected, he would “take over the horribly run capital of our nation … and clean it up, renovate it, rebuild it.”
Trump has remained true to his promise of a takeover. He will return to the White House alongside vice president pick J.D. Vance; the GOP [Republican party] will also gain majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, giving the party full control over congress.
During his previous term, Trump appointed three of the six current conservative Supreme Court justices, all of whom played a vital role in abolishing federal protection of abortion, restricting voting rights, and reinforcing presidential authority in immigration matters. If Trump appoints just two more justices, he will have appointed over half of the Supreme Court — a scenario that is not entirely unrealistic given the ages of the current judges.
With the GOP in control of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, Trump is in position to implement policies with minimal pushback for the next two years. The president-elect has suggested policies that go beyond just conservative; they are instead downright dangerous to women, minorities and the vast majority of citizens excluded from the nation’s wealthiest.
Opinion by Maria Mosconi
With Republicans gaining control of all three branches of government, their power is in danger of becoming unrestrained
This consolidation of power leaves a campaign that is focused on undoing the progress America has worked toward and returning to oppression of marginalized groups.
In a country that is built off the ideas of equality and opportunity, how are the majority of our supposedly “representative” officials dedicated to restricting the rights and damaging the lives of their citizens?
Trump’s presidency isn’t only a threat to human rights, but also the American democracy he will and has taken an oath to. At his rallies, Trump assured his supporters
that the 2024 election will be the last time they ever need to vote: “Get out and vote, just this time,” he said. “You won’t have to do it anymore. Four more years, it’ll be fixed.”
He has repeatedly extended a friendly hand to ruthless dictators Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. He has warned those who speak out against him about the day he’s in back power.
Trump has all but said that he’s a threat to American democracy; however, unlike his previous term, the other branches of government are set up to support him.
Through many recent rulings, the Supreme Court has demonstrated their unwavering support for Trump’s policies and power. If congressmen opt to unanimously support Trump, his power will stand unchecked.
In Trump’s upcoming second term, will the American government continue to act as a limit to authoritarianism, or will separation of powers merely become a formality?
REPUBLICAN PARTY CAPTURED ALL SEVEN SWING STATES
of Americans say the government is “not at all” a representation of the nation.
AMOUNT OF VOTES NEEDED IN EACH DEPARTMENT TO WIN A TWO-THIRDS SUPERMAJORITY
OUT OF 9 JUSTICES
290 OUT OF 435 REPRESENTATIVES
from YouGov *1 dot = 10 reps.
67 OUT OF 100 SENATORS
NORTH P ELO LIAM DEAR SANTA,
The
journalism
staff’s
holiday
wishlist
Collected by Evie Chancy & Maria Mosconi
Graduation Trip
Simon Williams
Amelia Wiles
Dorm Bedding
ATC gift card
Skillman
Kitten
Addison Powers Vbucks
Shryock
Harper Fink Broadway tickets
Punching Bag
Marable
Cartilage piercing
Addison Powers, 10
Harper Finck, 10
Willow Marable, 11
Allison McCall, 10
Maria Mosconi, 11
Owen Gerrish, 11
Meredith Shryock,11
Avery Smiley,11
Amanda McCall, 12
Simon Williams, 12
Amelia Wiles, 12
Elliot Skillman, 12 Headphones
Broadway tickets Punching bag
Makeup
Dr. Pepper
V-Bucks
Jellycats
Adidas Sambas
Cartilage piercing Graduation trip
Dorm bedding ATC gift card
Review by Ember Klein
BOBA BREAKDOWN
Ranking of boba spots in Lawrence
*All drinks but HiTea and Presotea are black milk tea with boba, the least amount of ice offered and regular sugar*
BOBA & BEYOND
There were no customization options for ice or sugar level. Boba pearls were not cooked consistently; some were almost completely raw and others were over cooked. The base is good with a strong tea flavor and little milk but there was no ice which was a little off putting.
YOLO TEA
The black milk tea is good but average. There is nothing to really make it stand out. The regular sugar makes it a little too sweet for my liking. Boba pearls are smaller than most places and have a harder texture.
HITEA
They did not have a basic black milk tea so I went with their closest alternative, the Red Jade milk tea. HiTea’s version has a stronger tea taste to it, making it less heavy and sweet. Boba texture is not too soft but not too firm; it’s the perfect amount of squishy.
BUBBLE BOX
Bubble Box’s black milk tea has strong tea taste with a perfect boba texture. Boba has sweet brown sugar syrup but isn’t overpowering. The milk they use is different than other boba places on this list making them stand out.
PRESOTEA
According to the staff, the closest thing to a classic black milk tea was the pearl milk tea. Their boba consistency was on the chewier side but still good. Base is milk forward but did not turn out too sweet.
Illustration by Geneva Sabatini
WHERE’S FREDDY? WHERE’S FREDDY?
Inspired by “Where’s Waldo,” find our mascot in the drawing
Design by Neylana Haque