Free Press | Issue 4 | Feb. 2024

THE FREE PRESS Issue 4 | Feb. 1, 2024 | Edition 27 Photo by Mallory Thompson

%#*!

“Everyone is annoyed with each other and there’s a lot more road St. construction leads to rage.” Sixth discussions on safety (Pg. 4-5)

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The Free Press

FSFREEPRESSONLINE.COM

FOR BREAKING NEWS AND MORE CONTENT VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

contents.

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opinion

Pg. 3 Are We Using Technology, or is Technology Using Us? Pg. 6 Nonsensical Nominations Pg. 10 Super Bowl of Dance Pg. 11 Recycle Reboot

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news

Pg. 4 Buckle Up! Pg. 14 Improv Champs Pg. 17 TikTok Stop

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infographic

Pg. 15 Caffeine Consumption

a&e

Pg. 7 Ins & Outs Pg. 14 Gypsy Rose Birds Word Pg. 18 What are they choosing?

4700 Overland Dr, Lawrence KS, 66049

feature

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sports

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photo gallery

Pg. 8 Tickets Breaking the Bank Pg. 9 College Commits Pg. 9 College Football National Championship

Pg. 7 Squishingtons Pg. 12-13 Winter Sports Recap

Pg. 16 Balancing Act Pg. 18-19 Free Press website

news staff.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Allison Mayhew Lilly Wall MANAGING EDITORS Ember Klein Jayne Landers ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Simon Williams

CAPTIONS EDITOR Elinor Russo SPORTS EDITOR Nick Sprecker SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maile Hickman COPY EDITOR Stella Mosier

DESIGN EDITOR Sarah Masterson

ASST. COPY EDITOR Elliot Skillman

ASST. DESIGN EDITOR Geneva Sabatini

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Katie Campbell

socials. @fsjournalism

PHOTO EDITOR Mallory Thompson Chloe Cook NEWS PLANNING TEAM Evie Chancy Phoebe Morris Maria Mosconi REPORTERS Eli Roust Emi Stone Claire Heinritz Isabella Bobey Grant Lincoln

PHOTOGRAPHERS Amelia Wiles Anders Benson Isabelle Prô Keat Hockenbury Rachel Bruffett Elinor Russo DESIGNERS Ainsley Linhos Allison Mayhew Katie Campbell Mylie Brillhart Luna Hu

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.

The Free Press

Design by Sarah Masterson

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ARE WE USING TECHNOLOGY, OR IS Technology addictions can be broken down to a science

TECHNOLOGY USING US? Story by Nick Sprecker

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odern day smartphones can be an amazing tool to get work done and help us connect with important people in our lives, but it also comes with drawbacks. With billion dollar companies developing algorithms designed to keep users on their platforms for as long as possible, smartphone use has skyrocketed.

Per data collected by Statista, in December of 2023, users spend on average four hours and 30 minutes on their phones daily; when extrapolating that number over a lifetime, that’s around spending 20 years of your life staring at a six inch long glass rectangle.

SMARTPHONES ARE BECOMING REMOTE CONTROLS FOR OUR LIVES, LEADING TO A LARGER QUESTION FOR ALL: WHY IS IT SO HARD TO DETACH FROM OUR PHONES? The existence of this habitual addiction is not foreign to large tech companies, as massive corporations are tactfully lulling humans onto their platforms and keeping them there for as long as possible. A person will hop on Instagram briefly to search for a friend and wind up scrolling for hours on end, or maybe they’re shopping on Amazon and find advertisements for the items they browsed for on Facebook; this is not by mistake. The companies are simply looking for profit.

Lots of our personal data is collected through our phones every day, and we do not have a lot of control over it.

Whatever we purchase with a credit card or search for online can be used to influence what we see on our screens. YouTube, Facebook, X and more, now with the help of AI, deliver personalized recommendations that stem from thousands of data points gathered from users.

It is important to understand that increased phone usage didn’t sporadically occur; it happened gradually, sprouting from a tiny molecule in the human brain known as dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and is what makes us feel good, and many things can trigger it.

When considering phones, our deep rooted habits of continually checking our phones subconsciously spikes our dopamine, causing the brain to increasingly become distracted inside of devices.

Whether it is checking a notification, getting on social media even without reason to, or bluntly feeling the need to be on a device, dopamine is released as these notifications activate it. The desire to be social is human nature, and smartphones serve as a launchpad for our innate connective habits.

These tactics are optimized to keep us on these platforms for long periods of time, profiting the company; it does not optimize for our well-being. Unfortunately, there is no federal law protecting data privacy, and efforts from the American legislature have not yet gained much traction.

While large amount of phone usage is alarming, it is in the end, a habit that can be controlled. With tools like Focus Modes implemented on the iPhone, turning on grayscale to reduce the visual attraction of a screen, and setting your phone in a different room while working on homework are all ways to fight the urge of constantly checking your phone.

Although the user is ultimately in control, the power influence of intelligent companies and their schemes aim to make it hard for users to gain control and make progress. At the core of the subject, pushing for data privacy laws at the federal level and finding a way to make sure of it is needed in America and around the world. Regulating unhealthy amounts of screen time is an issue that will not slow down any time soon, but it is a battle that the user can overcome.

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BUCKLE The Free Press

Construction on Sixth St. leads to discussions over safety Story by Eli Roust

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very day, more than 1,200 students get out of school at 3:10 p.m. By 3:30 p.m., hundreds of them are still sitting at stoplights or at a standstill in traffic. According to a poll sent out on the @fsjournalism Instagram account, it takes 30-35 minutes to get home on average. Two months ago, that number increased.

On Nov. 27, 2023, the City of Lawrence started construction on W Sixth St. The construction, part of the 2023 Street Maintenance Program, stretches through most of W Sixth St., causing longer travel times. However, it won’t be done anytime soon. The project is anticipated to end in summer 2024.

“It’s definitely made driving a lot longer and I have to leave a lot earlier to get to school,” junior Delaney Bayliss said. “[It took me] five minutes to get home, now it takes 40.”

Communication and Community Engagement Specialist for the COL Michael Leos explained that the maintenance work will make the roads safer by improving structural capacity, skid resistance, drainage and ride quality. It will also replace an existing 12 inch waterline near Monterey Way that is currently severely corroded with at least seven main breaks on the lines.

“The existing waterline in this area is severely corroded and has had escalating failures. We’ve at least seven main breaks on these lines,” Leos said.

“In many cases, the waterline is within 6th St and breaks are severely disruptive to traffic. The street asphalt pavement is in need of resurfacing.”

One stretch of the construction, located between Wakarusa Drive and Kasold Drive, has raised safety concerns for parents. Free State parent Christopher Chancy expressed his frustrations with having the construction so close to the school.

“[There’s] more potential for accidents, especially as people try to rush,” Chancy said. “Everyone is annoyed with each other and there’s a lot more road rage because of it.”

As the construction spreads, more and more people are looking for alternate routes to get around town. Although living close to Free State, Bayliss has found herself traveling through nearby neighborhoods to avoid as much of the construction as possible.

“I’m right [by the school],” Bayliss said. “ One day it was fine and then the next day the streets were torn up.”

In addition to parents and student drivers, those who rely on the bus are seeing differences as well.

As a bus driver, Leasha Omeasoo conveyed her concerns with having to drive a larger vehicle through the construction.

UP “We’re supposed to be clear behind another vehicle for so many feet and then [other drivers] cut right in,” Omeasoo said. “It’s very dangerous that way.”

As of right now, there are some temporary traffic control solutions put in place by the city. They include putting up various signs, cones and detours for the driver and workers’ safety. Omeasoo has found that it can only do so much because there are so many students.

“[Having] more traffic control here would be nice,” Omeasoo said. “Until then we just have to work on getting the kids home safe.”

30-35 minutes to get home on average.

(@fsjournalism Instagram poll)

Scan for additional information about future road work.

The Free Press

Design by Luna Hu

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The Free Press

NONSENSICAL NOMINATIONS

2024 Grammy Nominations represent how The Recording Academy needs to diversify

Opinion by Phoebe Morris

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ith over 25 fields of music covered and 84 awards presented at the 2024 Grammys, the same demographic of artists continue to get nominated. Since the Grammy’s establishment back in 1959, only 11 lack recording artists have won Album of the Year.

to only pick songs that their audience will appreciate; many less popular or even people of color will not be recognized for their achievements. For example, Snoop Dog has won two VMA’s but the academy hasn’t given him a Grammy despite his 17 nominations.

Now in order to join the academy, applicants need at least two peer recommendations from well known music artists.

On Nov. 11, The Recording Academy released this year’s Grammy nominations. The most known awards being Song of the Year, Best Record of The Year, Best Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

Dominating the list, the Barbie soundtrack secured a miraculous 11 nominations. Phoebe Bridgers held seven nominations, Miley Cyrus with six and Taylor Swift with another notable six.

While all musicians deserve to win each and every award, a theme starts to occur. Majority of the nominated artists are White.

While they are all being recognized for their immense talents, is it truly necessary to pick the same artists multiple times?

Many critics have described the academy to be an exclusive group of wealthy artists using their power to override the system.

But, in 2022, the academy invited over 2,700 new members to join in hopes to expand and diversify.

The Recording Academy tried answering any questions referring to this major increase by vaguely stating that 56% “belong to underrepresented communities.” Statistics show that black artists received only 26.7% of nominations while they represented over 38% of all artists on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from 2010 to 2020.

Hopefully their inclusive act n o will diversify the system s p m ry Tho o l and change the outcome for l a M ic by h p future nominees. a r G

To vote for a nominee, entries are primarily submitted by outside record companies and academy winners. The Recording Academy then narrows down the options by having their members’ vote by a series of ballots.

Though over time, it has become apparent that they favor mainstream songs over anything. The academy seems

While each nominee deserves to be selected, there are plenty of other artists to include in the picture. The Recording Academy needs to embrace other artists, not just the household names.

The Free Press

Design by Katie Campbell

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SQUISHINGTON’S

Pictures from the vibrant new candy store in downtown Lawrence

Decorated for the holidays, Squishington’s displays Christmas candies. Photo by Elinor Russo

In a festive apron, Squishington’s co-owner Jhami Guffey scoops chocolate for a customer. Guffey and his wife, who also own Jungle House, opened the candy store on Nov. 22, after it had been Guffey’s lifelong dream. Photo by Elinor Russo

Filled with candies from the past, an old-fashioned boat sets the scene for customers as they walk in the door. Squishington’s has a nautical theme complete with an octopus mascot, Squish. Photo by Elinor Russo

FREE STATE INS AND OUTS Ins

Getting over seven hours of sleep every night Making your own coffee/tea at home Listening to podcasts Taking a mental health walk

Collecting sticks for Wayne’s dog stick library

Volunteering (get those NHS hours) Writing letters/cards for loved ones Thrifting, buying second hand

Collected by Amelia Wiles

Outs

Littering in the parking lot High screen time Missing Encore 2024

Not participating in class conversations Coming to class without water Walking by Wayne and not giving him a pet Writing on the bathroom stalls Being quiet in the student section

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The Free Press

S T E TICK ING K A E BR K N A B E H T

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by and Story Heinritz re Clai hancy C Evie

High prices for local sports affect teenagers and fans

hen you walk into a University of Kansas game, you are smacked with a sea of red and blue and roaring cheers from every direction. For an increasing number of students, it’s becoming out of the budget to go to memory-making local events as prices rise to inaccessible levels.

The local community that surrounds KU shapes a special experience for some students. But, the price increase in the last two years has made tickets inaccessible causing many to miss out.

“It is a super fun experience to go and watch a sports game live and support your favorite team and be there with everyone else,” junior Cayman Barnes said. “It is definitely taking away some good times.”

Some students are reevaluating whether making the effort to go to games is worth it with the higher price tag.

Some fans, like sophomore Hank Walter, feel like their experience at the game is affected negatively.

“It’s more of a hassle because I have to plan everything ahead of time. I can’t just go pay for it and have fun,” Walter said.

“My family has not been able to go to as many KU games.

We used to tailgate like every game like the football games, and now we’ve gotten to one this year and the basketball.

I think because we’re finally doing good consistently with both basketball and football,” senior Hannah Hayes said.

Despite difficult ticket prices, some fans still make the effort to support the team due to the community built around KU. Sophomore Meera Lala still tries to go to a few games even with the high prices.

“It’s fun to see the community and it’s fun to be a part of it,” Lala said.

“But then at the same time, it’s just too expensive.”

On top of the raised prices, KU sporting events have had increased ticket demand since the National Championship win for the men’s basketball team and standout success for the football team. This year the football team sold out four times for the first time since 2008.

Fans cheer on University of Kansas football in their game against Texas Tech on Nov. 11. Photo by Chloe Cook

The Free Press

Design by Sarah Masterson

COLLEGE ATHLETE COMMITS FIONA VANDYKE Volleyball

HANK FUCHS

JACK RANDALL

Football

Golf

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Collected by Grant Lincoln

KINLEY VANPELT Tennis

Manhattan College

Indiana State University

South Dakota State University

University of Kansas

“I chose Manhattan because they genuinely wanted me on their team and I love the team environment the coaches created.”

“It has been my dream to play college football since I could think.

Now it is a way I can get a college education for free.”

“Since I was able to swing a golf club my goal was to always play professionally. Playing Division I golf at SDSU is a step closer to that goal.”

“I’ve played tennis my whole life so it’s always been one of my goals. It’s playing for my [hometown] college which is kinda hard to turn down.

Photos by Amelia Wiles

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Michigan Wolverines Claim Their 10th National Title Monday Night, Defeating the Huskies 34-13

Story by Nick Sprecker

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he undefeated BIG10 Champions Michigan Wolverines re-established themselves as a dominant in college football with a commanding victory over undefeated PAC12 opponents, the Washington Huskies, during the CFP National Championship Monday, Jan 8.

Michigan Quarterback junior JJ McCarthy finished 27-1 as a starter during his tenure, securing a title and writing himself off into the history books along other Michigan greats; while McCarthy played sharp, the battle was won on the ground for the Wolverines. Running back tandem senior Blake Corum and junior Donovan Edwards broke off for two touchdowns apiece, totaling 134 and 104 rushing yards respectively.

The five-man front for the Wolverines simply overpowered the Huskies, and Michigan claimed the line of scrimmage on both ends for the duration of the game.

Cornerbacks Mike Sainristil and sophomore Will Johnson each collected interceptions, encapsulating what was a superior performance from the Michigan defense.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was in trouble

all night long as the Wolverines were relentless upfront, sending pressure and blitz packages from all over the field.

Washington’s proven, eccentric offense came to a standstill for most of the game as they could not seem to find their rhythm, in part again to the Michigan defense.

Penix finished with 255 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, almost 200 yards less than the show he put on in the semifinal against Texas.

Highly touted junior wide receiver Rome Odunze and company had limited production as a flaming hot Michigan secondary neutralized Penix’s explosive agenda.

Both teams will see off considerable talent to the NFL next year, and both will look to be back on this stage with the new twelve-team CFB playoff taking place in the 2024-2025 season.

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The Free Press

SUPER BOWL

OF DANCE

Story by Ari Waller and Corinne Kingsley

Alumni Marina Kimzey and Angel Waller perform at halftime during the 2022 football season. Past their high school career, the two have moved on to perform at a collegiate level. Archived photo by Lady Ortega-Perez

Spirit programs do more than just cheer on the sidelines

Opinion by Ari Waller & Corinne Kingsley

uring sporting events, we always see the usual: the players working hard and their fans cheering loud.

But what if someone told you there is another team at almost every game that often goes unnoticed?

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compete and put out their best performance but at the same time every team has so much respect for each other and is constantly supportive no matter what.”

The team that leads cheers and chants, who often performs at halftime, with the stand out uniforms called the dance team.

Although a lot of sports fans think they are just there to “spirit and look pretty,” that isn’t the case. Free State Dance Team alum Angel Waller now dances for Texas Tech University’s dance team.

Many overlook the vigorous practices and preparation that go into the halftime performances and dances seen all over their TikTok For You Page. Many college dance teams practice multiple times per week, including during school sanctioned breaks. Leading up to State and Nationals, teams spend up to 56 hours ensuring their jazz, pom and hip hop dances are practically perfect.

“We cheer at multiple sports across the year,” Waller said. “We go unnoticed for how much hard work we put into our season as well.”

The Universal Dance Association is a program hosted by the company Varsity Spirit. UDA began in 1980 and has grown tremendously since. The process to compete at their Nationals is lengthy and competitive, but competing isn’t the only thing that makes UDA special. UDA gives teams an opportunity to connect with their teammates and support other dancers also competing.

“This year was unlike any other,” University of Minnesota Dance Team member Sophia Hedlund said. “The environment at nationals is crazy because everyone is down there to

“We typically practice three days a week for four hours and lift two times a week for an hour,” Hedlund said.

“During winter break we start ‘two a days’ where we are practicing twice a day every single day until we leave for nationals.”

The hard work that teams across the country put into a three day event proves how difficult and intricate being on a college dance team is. Although, there is an ongoing debate on whether dancers should be considered athletes because it’s often considered a hobby, Waller disagrees.

“People should step in our shoes for one day,” Waller said. “Fans just see us as pretty girls, and not girls that are athletes. We are athletes.”

The Free Press

REBOOT I

n the corner of each classroom sits a blue bin, full of recyclables, waiting to be picked up. Some staff say their bins are left untouched, while others say groundsmen come to pick them up. The overall consensus: no one knows for sure where their recyclables are landing.

With the lack of a consistent recycling system at the school, bins are often left full and mismanaged. Although the bins are picked up almost daily, some staff suspect recyclables have been dispensed in the trash all year because of the loss of a well-established system.

As of November, a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from processed materials assembled by today’s people; recycling and repurposing waste is crucial to extending Earth’s lifetime. While these numbers represent the worldwide impact, they are seen at the school level as well.

Hundreds of pieces of paper are printed daily in the building, and with the immense number of materials students consume from companies like Starbucks or McDonald’s, classroom bins fill up quickly—often within a day or two.

“We create a lot of waste and a lot of it is recycling – the good stuff that could be reused. It also allows the whole community to see that we care about it, and that students care about it, and that we care about our future and we want to be one of the greener schools,” Environmental Science teacher Julie Schwarting said.

The need for a steady recycling habit in school is more important than ever.

Design by Allison Mayhew

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Lack of established school recycling system sparks needed conversation Editorial by Lilly Wall This semester, some individuals have brought it upon themselves to develop a much-needed process.

In previous years, recycling was picked up by a program made up of students involved with the work experience program, supported by Work Experience and Career Transition & Development teacher Melanie Smith. However, because of staffing issues, the program dissolved in fall 2022. With Smith seeing the need for a consistent system, she said she hopes on re-starting the program this semester.

Along with the work experience class, Schwarting is pushing for a sustainable system using the school’s Green Team. She said she hopes to implore students to start spearheading campaigns, sharing information and educating the community.

Led by senior Elsa Carillo, waste audits will be conducted to figure out what is recyclable, compostable and trash. Following the research, a steady recycling program will be put in place.

“Our goal is to create a consistent recycling program at the school, making sure that recyclable materials are put in the recycling and not just thrown in the trash as it is now.

It is important because it will reduce the amount of materials that are headed to landfills and incinerators,” Carillo said. “It will bring awareness to other people about their habits when it comes to recycling, that they could then translate into their daily life at home or in the community.”

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The Free Press

WINTER SPORTS

GALLERY 49.2 Avg. Points Per Boys Basketball Game

33.8 Avg. Points Per Girls Basketball Game

Holding the ball, junior Hadley Lonnberg looks to pass it to a teammate. Girls varsity basketball played on Dec. 15 against Shawnee Mission West and lost 24-55.

Photo by Rachel Bruffett

Senior Dash Johnson protects the ball against a player from Shawnee Mission West on Dec 15. Photo by Chloe Cook

On the mat, junior Daijah Preston focuses on pinning her opponent from Washburn Rural. At the Dec. 12 girls wrestling meet, Preston won both of her matches, improving her record to 15-1.

“I have worked really hard and it’s great to see such a great outcome,” Preston said. Photo by Elinor Russo

The Free Press

Design by Geneva Sabatini

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Arms in the air, sophomore Ari Waller performs with the dance team during halftime at a basketball game. Photo by Mallory Thompson

Junior Olivia Hemker sends the ball down the lane at a home bowling meet on Jan. 11.

Photo by Mallory Thompson

Sophomore Nathan Friedman glides underwater during Boys Swim and Dive practice on Dec. 8 Photo by Keat Hockenbury

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Boys Wrestlers ranked in top six of their weight category in 6A Kansas Junior Gabe Swoyer prepares to wrestle his opponent from Dodge City at the first varsity wrestling dual of the season on Dec 9. Photo by Chloe Cook

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The Free Press

IMPROV CHAMPS Improv Team wins state championship second year in a row Story by Maria Mosconi someone calling for her team to come back; another school forfeited giving the team a chance at finals.

“We were like, ‘Oh no. We lost. What a bummer’,” Riley said.

“As I was leaving the doorway, they called me back.”

In both the finals and qualification rounds, each group was assigned an improv game and given a location and a name.

In the finals, the improv team was given Harry and a storage closet. It was up to sophomore Owen Börk, the team’s caller, to make this prompt exciting enough to win.

At the Kansas Thespian Festival Showcase, seniors Natalie Riley and Liz Wyle improvise a conversation. The night before leaving for KTF the theater department held a showcase of the students who would be performing at the festival. Photo by Anders Benson

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fter a performance in which the five members of the improv team created an elaborate story out of the prompt Harry in a storage closet, they secured their second consecutive state championship.

However, the state champions didn’t think they would even be competing in the finals. In the qualification round, the team didn’t place in the top three, meaning that they thought they had lost and wouldn’t be competing in the finals.

However, as senior Natalie Riley was leaving, she heard

“It’s amazing what he can do,” junior Kiefer Bullock said.

“Just being able to make an elaborate story out of nothing.”

While Börk narrates, the rest of the team acts out his story.

To bounce off and compliment each other’s performance, they rehearse weekly and spend time together to pick up each other’s tendencies.

“It’s about being funny as a group, not just being funny personally,” Riley said.

With several members returning next year, the team hopes to maintain their champion title. Because they’re the ones to beat, they hope to continue improving their improv.

“We have a lot of underclassmen this year,” Börk said. “Those people are only going to continue to get better.”

BIRDS WORD: GYPSY ROSE

Collected

by Isabella Bobey

How has she inspired you?

“She has inspired me that even if your life goes really wrong, you can always pick yourself back up and work on your future.”

Sophomore Sophie Halton

“She has been through the most unimaginable things and it’s so interesting to me how she still seeks to find the good in the world.”

Junior Elle Cormaney

“She’s a good person that made the most out of a horrible situation, which is inspirational.”

Junior Sacia Edie

The Free Press

Design by Mylie Brillhart

CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION

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Students across the country resort to caffeinated drinks to get them through stressful times

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ccording to Verywell Health, 80% of people consume caffeine on a daily basis of which 73% are children. One energy drink typically contains 500 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to 14 cans of soda. Although, health officials recommend teenagers to have no more than 100 mg per day.

Researchers identified 92 reported deaths due to caffeine overdose in 2018. The main cause of death being cardiac arrest. While death by caffeine is unusual, research shows that drinking six or more cups increases the chances of having a cardiac arrest by 50 times.

Caffeine is recognized as the most used drug in the world. Especially, since 29% of the population does not know the safe consumption amount.

On average, high school students spend around two hours on homework each day.

With school taking up eight hours of the day, students could feel overwhelmed from the workload and tend to rely on caffeine to get them by.

Caffeinated drinks are easily accessible for teenagers who are trying to get through a stressful school week leading to possible unhealthy practices.

a

ite Caffein r o v a

bi

F i re

Soda 28%

Energy Drink 24%

Info collected from https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-caffeine-on-teenagers-4126761

Coffee 31%

Tea 16%

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of people consume caffeine on a daily basis

d in k

80%

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Dr

rd

Teenagers are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. This would increase the chance of long term issues such as increased anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, acid reflux and sleep disturbance. And in some cases, caffeine has even resulted in death due to overconsumption.

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Story by Phoebe Morris

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The Free Press

BALANCING ACT

Rachel Downs keeps art program in motion despite personal health issues

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Story by Nick Sprecker

hroughout USD 497, teachers in various departments are large contributors to student success, and take on sizable chunks of responsibility.

AP Art and Design and drawing teacher Rachel Downs is amongst them, helping students to grow in their art skills while simultaneously assuming the role of Head of the Arts Department.

Downs has continually battled significant health issues during her time in the school. Some of her complications have included kidney cancer, a hysterectomy and related surgeries, mental health struggles and five toe surgeries.

person, and she can figure out a way to teach any person anything, which I think is very unique. She’s given me community and a place of belonging,” Elliott said.

Additionally, sophomore Mimi Wood, a member of Downs’s drawing class, mentioned how Downs has fostered her confidence as an artist.

“I’m not always very good about feeling good about my art. I notice the flaws and I end up not liking my piece. Ms. Downs is always like ‘no, that’s not allowed.’ I start to notice the things that I like about my art, and she’ll tell me ‘build off of that, it’s better.’ She is so supportive and she makes everything so important,” Wood said.

Despite her various roadblocks, Downs said that she has found ways to help manage the emotions of her health and continue to be the best version of herself in her classroom, Downs said she makes it her priority impacting the arts in positive ways each day. to care for the students’ needs, and wants her students to know that she is in it to win it. She encourages her students to do what they can with what they have, and to continue to strive for achievement.

“Certainly with my health, I’ve had to compartmentalize. It’s just a matter of day by day kind of reinventing yourself, so every morning I wake up with a new strategy,” Downs said.

Through her engaging and welcoming teaching style, students around the school have gathered an interest in the arts.

Senior Tea Elliot said that he is thankful for Downs’s class, and appreciates that it is a warm and safe space.

With a full class load, around 180 students, and many responsibilities as Head of the Arts Department, Rachel Downs has done a lot for her school, the district, and students during her 12 year tenure. Through the lens of teaching and the experiences of her health and life, Downs said she has examined her profession in the context of clarity and opportunity.

“These people are my life — I don’t have biological children, I could never have any physically. So these students are my life. They’re my children, and I refer to them as such. I try to provide for them as much as I can and be a safe space for “She gives us the opportunities that we need to grow as artists. She is a very flexible as many people as I can,” Downs said.

The Free Press

Design by Geneva Sabatini

TIKTOK STOP Story by Emi Stone

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hroughout the past 10 years, fast fashion has evolved tremendously through the use of websites like Shein, Wish, Temu and now TikTok Shop. According to research expert Stacy Jo Dixon, TikTok generated 3.8 billion U.S. dollars in consumer spending in 2023.

TikTok Shop launched Sept. 12, 2023 and allows users to buy products they see on the app without leaving the app.

The app typically presents products that are cheap and popular like chamoy pickle kits a basket full of Mexican candies, to influence sales.

“I was on TikTok and I searched for pickles. A whole bunch of pickle kits popped up on TikTok Shop that were cheap,” junior Daisiana Douglas said.

“The quality was terrible, the package was ripped on my porch and you could see what was in the package.”

The products on TikTok Shop can range from off brand ‘’dupes” of popular products to homemade crafts and more, and are usually cheap. Whatever is trending in the world of TikTok can be pushed onto For You Pages to influence the product on TikTok Shop.

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“I bought some Ugg dupes off TikTok because they were only $10,” sophomore Taryn Jones said.

“I saw them on my “for you page” and they were cheap so I bought them.”

Many users of TikTok Shop have reported scams, and some small business owners have expressed they don’t have full control over sale aspects like discounts and shipping fees. A small business owner named Kate Doan came forward about her experience selling

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How TikTok shop is contributing to fast fashion and consumerism

products on a review site called trust pilot.

“They gave customers free shipping and then deducted money from sellers. After the item is delivered, they calculate the actual shipping fee ($99) minus TikTok shop shipping discount ($33) equals shipping charge ($66.)

They ask the seller to pay $66 while the item is only $25,” Doan said.

The shipping costs that the sellers have to pay has shown poorer developed products so it’s cheaper. Because of this, many reviews about TikTok Shop were given one star and warned to not waste time on the site.

16% of Free State students have bought items off of TikTok Shop

According to an Instagram poll on @fsjournalism.

BILLION

USD generated by TikTok in consumer spending in 2023 According to research expert Stacy Jo Dixon

Seniors Allison Mayhew and Mallory Qualseth taste test the trending chamoy pickle while filming a TikTok. “Death by chamoy pickle,” Qualseth said.

Photo collected from Allison Mayhew

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NEWS: SECURITY GUARD STARTS NEW STICK LIBRARY Demetrius Kemp collaborates with students to build new library Story by Maura Langland

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The Dog Stick Library provides a unique and fun way to entertain Free State’s therapy dog Wayne. Along with leaving one, students can take a stick home for their dog or pet. With this library, students can have a smile and give their pets one too. Photo by Keat Hockenbury

NEWS: DEBATE TAKES STATE Debate and Forensics team competed in the state debate tournament Story by Corinne Kingsley

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In the 4-Speaker State Debate Tournament, Free State finished with a 9-5 record and in 3rd place. Pictured from left to right are the competitors: sophomore Oliver Fredrick, junior Cooper Hefty, senior Sophie Racy, senior Connor Brown, junior Gilly Falin, and sophomore Olive Minor. Photo contributed by Free State Speech and Debate

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Entertainment About Advertise Contact Us NEWS: LAWSON GARCIA AWARDED MISS INDIAN YOUTH OF LAWRENCE Senior Lawson Garcia explains the election process and the significance of her election to Miss Indian Youth Story by Simon Williams

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REVIEW: QUIET UP AND LISTEN DOWN Movie Review on the newest Wonka movie starring Timothée Chalamet Story by Ava Talbott

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N.A.S.S.’s Miss Indian Youth of Lawrence isn’t a beauty pageant – it’s an event where we select the young Indigenous leaders who will encourage the continuation of Indigenous cultures and serve our students for the upcoming year.

Photo Contributed by Molly Adams for Native American Student Services

IF YOU REALLY KNOW THEM, WHICH WOULD THEY CHOOSE? Collected and designed by Ainsley Linhos

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