Free Press Issue 6 2010-2011

WINTER SOLUTIONS

STANDARDIZED TESTS Information about the

SAT, ACT and PSAT that may help you in the

future

@fsfreepress on Twitter

SKIN ILLUSTRATIONS BEND AND SNAP Students express themselves through body art

FUTURE FIREBIRDS Major changes are taking effect next school year. Find out what

spice up your life during the winter season

to

expect on pages...

6-7

4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kansas, 66049

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edition 14 issue 6 january 19, 2011

Free Press

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Feeling blue because of cold weather? 10 ways to

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Cover

January 19, 2011

News

Preparing for The Seniors Amber Catlett and Jaron Brynds hold up their shirts to show off thier tattoos. See pg3 for more info.

Know the facts on the tests it takes to go beyond high school by miranda davis

36, 2,400 and 240. These numbers may seem meaningless, but inside the walls of any high school, they on the minds of many students. These number describe the top scores on the ACT, SAT and PSAT, respectably. Understanding when to take each test, what they entail and why they are important to your future can be complicated and confusing. However, these tests are crucial to college admittance. What you score on these tests is one of the deciding factors that separates you from everyone else applying to your number one choice school and scholarship competitions.

Hard work, preparation and prior knowledge are all that's needed to master these tests.

The Differences Between the Tests

The ACT is the shorter of the two tests, it is three hours and twenty-five minutes (with the optional writing por-

tion), while the SAT is three hours and forty-five minutes,.The tests are also structured differently. the ACT has four required sections (Reading, English, Math and Science) as well as an optional writing section. The SAT has ten smaller sections, with no science section and an essay. Another big differences between the tests is that the SAT and the PSAT take off for wrong answers, while the ACT does not, according to Kaplan test prep (www.kaplan.com). However, both tests allow you to send in whichever score you prefer, if you take the test multiple times.

What They Mean to Colleges

If you are applying to Midwest state colleges, the ACT tends to be used more for college admissions. If you are applying to more selective or private colleges, you should be sure to check their admittance requirements and make sure they don’t require another specific test.

The PSAT is not essential for any college admittance, and is only used as a practice test and as the qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship competition, which can get you a full ride to college.

The SAT is less commonly used in college admittance (at least in the Midwest region) but many school still require it, so its always good to check. Students should only take the test(s) that are necessary for admissions to the schools they are applying to.

When to Take Each Test February 8, 2010

Students should take the PSAT when it is offered their sophomore year. That way, when it counts junior year, students

will be more prepared.

“We encourage all juniors to take the [ACT] test in the spring because a lot of college admissions deadlines are November first, so it gives them time to retake the test,” guidance counselor Aimee Ziegler said.

Students should also consider taking the test their senior year, if they are not happy with their scores and also because more material is covered in classes that can help prepare students.According the the ACT registration website (actstudent. org) retaking the test does have some benefit, 55% of students who retake the test score higher then their first test.

“The PSAT was very beneficial even besides the scholarship opportunities, just having that experience of sitting through the first standardized exam and working under pressure and under the clock,” said senior Eric Palmquist, one of the students that was selected as a National Merit Scholar because of his PSAT score.

Words of Advice

While becoming overwhelmed by testing and college preparations isn't necessary, like any other school activity or extra-curricular, you should make sure you are adequately prepared. By studying and having confidence you have won half the battle.

“You would never even dream of standing on stage or walking into a varsity game without being prepared.You are essentially on stage for every college admissions officer looking at that [score],” said Ziegler.

*

Important:

photos by megan engleman

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Helpful Resources

ineedapencil.com This was a website designed by a high school student who wanted to make sure all intelligent students, from whatever background had the opportunity to do well on standardized tests. It is free practice and review for anyone. thecollegeboard.com This is the official site for registration for the SAT, The PSAT and the AP exams It also offers lots of online prep and college searches princetonreview.com This site has college searches www.studentedge.com/mystudentedge/ This is a website that the district pays for students to have access to. It also offers finanicial aid tools and career resources.

The school access code is CZCVZEAG

See more content on

fsfreepressonline.com and comment on this issue

Through the school, the test companies offer a waver of fees for students who have free or reduced lunch. See your guidance counselor for details.

Grade:

Laura Rightmeier

Math teacher

Tattoo(s):

Fibonacci numbers, wedding ring, pinball queen, famous ‘50s pin-up girl Bettie Page, and her husband’s artwork of them

Piercing(s):

belly button, gauged ears, lip ring

Date Received:

Piercings: Rightmeier got her first piercing at six years old, then got her belly button pierced when she was 18, and she started gauging her ears at 22.

Tattoos: Rightmeier got her first tattoo at 20 and is still adding today.

Tattoo Location:

Her tattoos are located on back of her

Check out some body art currently walking the halls. by emma machell

Down the crowded hallways it is easy to spot a nose ring, a pierced eyebrow or lip and the occasional tattoo. While some parents and students might treat tattoos and piercings like a Death Eater’s dark mark, others embrace this unique way of being different, and some have other reasons to bare their ink and metal.

Meaning:

Rightmeier is in love with the Fibonacci numbers, she’s even lectured an entire class about Fibonacci numbers. She got her wedding ring tattooed onto her ring finger.

When she was in college she was a big pinball fan and even became known as the pinball queen. She really admires Betty Page, she always thought she was really glamorous and beautiful, and her husband draws many different designs and the people tattooed onto her chest are of them.

Plans for the future:

Rightmeier says she’s done with piercings but she plans on getting more tattoos when she gets the money, since tattoos are pretty expensive.

Amberly Catlett

Grade:

Piercing(s):

Date Received:

Senior None

Not any more

Reasoning:

Allergic to the metal in the earrings used to pierce ears

Plans for the future:

So far she doesn’t plan on getting her ears pierced again and if she does she’ll have to get more earrings since she gave all of hers away.

Jaron Byrnds(12) shows off his tat, which depicts a grim reaper and is located on his left shoulder.

calf, her left ring finger, the two tattoos on her back and her chest.

Lexi Griffi th Tattoo(s): Grade:

3

Feature

A Bod

y of Ar

t

January 19, 2011

Senior

Tattoo(s):

Chinese symbols the week of Dec. 19-25

Location:

her left rib cage

Meaning:

The characters mean “only the strong survive” which signifies how big a part her dad plays in her life.

Plans for the future:

the Grateful Dead bear, but she’s not positive where she wants it

Kelsey Cole Grade: Junior

Tattoo(s):

a treble and bass clef

Piercing(s):

gauged ears, nose

Date Received:

Piercings: ears pierced when she was a few months old, didn’t start gauging them until freshman year, nose pierced on her 16th birthday Tattoos: both on her 17th birthday.

Location: left wrist and right wrist

Meaning:

Both clefs symbolize her love of music but the bass clef represents how much she loves playing her bass.

Plans for the future:

plans on getting an owl head on the tops of her feet, increasing the gauge size, cartilage piercing on her left ear and possibly a lip piercing.

Anita Carlson Grade: Spanish teacher

Piercing(s):

two cartilage piercings and two sets of piercings in her earlobe

Date Received:

first got her ears pierced when she was 12, got lobes pierced again when she was 19, got her cartilage pierced when she was 30

Reasoning:

She followed the trends of her town and really liked the look of the cartilage piercing

Plans for the future:

none. She is done with piercings.

4

Clubs

by austin fisher

January 19, 2011

A unique method of expression

PHILOSOPHY CLUB

People express themselves through everyday actions and words, through the music they listen to, movies they watch, even the clothes they wear. Philosophy Club gives members a chance to express themselves through direct, civil discussion of various moral, political and religious subjects.

Consisting of around 15 members at each meeting, Philosophy Club meets in Jason Springer’s room 253 every Friday after school.

Discussions are centered around topics either presented by any attending member, or based off a movie that the club watches together.

“People come to Philosophy Club to express themselves and to discuss interesting and thoughtprovoking topics,” senior

the subject at hand.

Calvert Pfannenstiel said. Students who come to Philosophy Club meetings are encouraged to freely share their thoughts. Pfannenstiel’s job is to lead discussion in a direction that remains civil and orderly. Although crowded meetings add a little confusion, Philosophy Club would like to find new members to contribute more and deeper ideas to their discussions.

Senior Alex Kong believes that growth within the club will lead to structural changes.

“I can see us breaking off

into smaller groups within the club each week,” Kong said. Many meetings consist of watching a movie and following up with a discussion about its various themes. At one point the club watched the movie Children of Men and had notable discussion about its elements.

The leaders moderate discussion during meetings to ease the flow of ideas for B:10.5” individuals and the group when the occasional mental T:10.5” roadblock or inconsiderate S:10.5” interruption loses focus on

Subjects discussed range from moral issues, to politics and religion. These mature topics aren’t just discussed by senior members of the club.

“Everyone gives the same amount,” senior Elise Loney said. “Sophomores who’ve never even been to a meeting before have all these ideas that they’re excited to share.

They’re still good at shaping their ideas and coming up with something that we can elaborate on and discover together.”

What makes the club remarkable is that it allows free expression for Free State students of all ages and ideologies. A simple thought from anyone can bloom into a colorful exchange of interpretations leaving all involved with a new take on the subject.

In a nut shell...

What?

Discuss moral, political and religious views

Where?

Jason Springer's room (253)

When?

3:30pm every Friday after school

Who?

15 members

DECIDING

A UNIVERSE OF KNOWLEDGE IN A CITY OF OPPORTUNITY. PRE-MED

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN

PHYSICS

EDUCATION

PRE-LAW

ACCOUNTING

COMMUNICATION STUDIES

ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

NURSING

Onthe

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January 19, 2011

Feature

Front Line

Proud students share stories about their military parents by katie guyot

Senior Devante Green’s father may have to travel a long distance to see his son graduate from high school.

Green is one of many students in the country who have a parent in the military, facing the everyday struggles of growing up while their mothers and fathers fight battles for the entire nation.

“It’s not likely he will miss it, but it is possible,” Green said of graduation. “Around that time is halfway for his allotted time, so he will take leave to come home.”

Green’s father is currently serving in Iraq. He was sent to Afghanistan for short periods of time during his son’s freshman and junior years in high school. Though being separated from his father is an unfortunate reality for the younger Green, he understands how demanding a job in the military can be.

“I moved in with him and now he is gone again during my most important year of school,” he said. “[But] you’ve got to take the good with the bad.”

Sophomore Raul Cody can relate to the influence of the military on family life. His father was in the U.S. Navy until he was honorably discharged due to medical conditions.

“He went to war once or twice; he wasn’t really the guy in the field,” the younger Cody said. “He

worked at a computer, like he does now. I’ve always thought it was pretty cool. My dad’s a smart person.”

Smiling, he added, “He’s a tech nerd.”

His father’s career affected him not only in emotion but also in location, since his family moved frequently during those times.

“I’ve been out of the country, across a Middle Eastern island called Bahrain--it’s between Europe and Asia.

I’ve moved to different parts of Florida, different parts of Georgia, here, different parts of Kansas,” Cody said.

His thoughts on these changes are varied.

“Exciting, lonely, different. It’s definitely made me a better person. I’ve met a lot of different people.”

His father agrees that the chance to travel abroad was worthwhile.

“I joined the military to have an opportunity to leave my community and see something different,” former Petty Officer 3rd Class Roderick Cody said.

“The military gave me the opportunity to explore education from a hands-on perspective rather than in a classroom. The U.S. Navy also blessed me with the opportunity to see the world, literally.”

Now retired from the Navy, sophomore Amanda Mast’s father served for 26 years after graduating from Lawrence High School.

UndercoverParents Unusual jobs for

by jacob caldwell

To the right, Khloe Kardashian and Joe Passio pose for a picture after the Lakers game.

“I don’t have a huge memory of it, but I do remember that it affected my mom a lot,” Mast said.

“She would work her extra jobs, but I remember most when Daddy would come home, because we would have huge parties.”

Even at a young age, the absence of a parent was hard on Mast.

“I think the longest that I can remember him being gone was six months, and when he came back, I had no idea who he was,” she said.

Now that he is retired, though, the Mast family receives many benefits from the government, such as the ability to live and shop on military bases.

“That helps us with groceries and stuff, because military stores aren’t allowed to add or lower costs,” she said. “They have to [charge what the goods are] actually worth.”

While careers in the military can strain family relationships, the children of servicemen and women recognize the good that their parents are doing for the nation.

“I am very proud of what he does,” Green said. “I think it takes a courageous, special person to serve. It is an honor I wouldn’t mind someday experiencing.”

Not many people’s dads can say they met Chloe Kardashian after last weekend’s parents of the usual kids Lakers game; senior Joey Passio's can.

There are many people whose dads have odd and unusual jobs that allow them to meet people like Chloe Kardashian.

After being in the shoe business for over 20 years, senior Joey Passio’s dad, does have that opportunity.

Passio’s dad is the Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager at Payless ShoeSource.

“When people are introduced the face is the first thing the other person notices.

Well, my dad always looks at their shoes,” Passio said. He went on to say that his father’s dedication to his work even introduced him to his wife.

“My parents met when my dad was working in his hometown’s Footlocker store. She was one of his coworkers at the time,   “ Passio said.   Both of senior Sam Prososki’s  parents own Yacht Club, the res  taurant.   "[My dad] works until about   three in the morning," Prososki said. Meaning, there are some 



        



days where he will not see his dad all day.

His mom does most of the accounting and menu-creating at home, while his dad does all his work out of the house, so Prososki and the rest of the family see him much less.

Not many people’s dads can say that they deal with hundreds of thousands of dollars daily, either. Sophomore Evan Smith’s dad is Deputy State Investment Officer for the state of New Mexico, where he does a majority of his work. Smith’s dad lives in New Mexico and comes to visit every two months. Smith and the rest of his family are moving to New Mexico as well in July.

“My dad helps out with the economy of New Mexico,“ Smith said.

The investment division of state governments handles financial decisions so the government can make enough money to pay the bills.

Such stories are reminders that students are shaped by their experiences both at school and at home. Some kids only see their parents late at night; others don’t see theirs for months at a time. Parents who work hard and away from home influence their children, who will be just as successful, without the distance from home.

"Not many people dad's can say that they deal with hundreds of thousands of dollars daily..."

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January 19, 2011

7

January 19, 2011

feature

Feature

Mon, Tue, Fri:

Zero Hour First Hour Second Hour Third Hour Fourth Hour Fifth Hour Sixth Hour Seventh Hour

Dec.

Wed & Thurs: What we know...

7:00 - 7:52 8:05 - 8:57 9:02 - 9:54 9:59 - 10:51 Lunch????

12:19 - 1:11 1:16 - 2:08 2:13 - 3:05

Nov.

Wednesday Starts at 9am Ends at 2pm

Thursday

Starts at 8:05am Ends at 2:35pm No Seminar

* Lunch scheduling has not been worked out yet * This is a possible layout for a regular school day which is represented by information currently available to the Free Press staff.

Jan.

V

2011-2012 Schedule

Feb. Mar.

Oct.

Apr.

Sept.

Aug.

V

July

May

June

New Year’s Revolution What to expect in the coming school year

by chris allmon and allison morte

With what seems like a million changes rumored to be planned for next year, things may seem a little confusing. The schedule changes have been finalized and veteran Free State students are in for a change.

With shorter classes and more of them, students will have the opportunity to take more electives.

But be prepared for more crowding. With an extra class of students, and 16 to 20 new staff members, according to assistant principal Mike Hill, everyone will be packed in more tightly.

“Wherever you see open space in the hallways, is probably where you’re going to see lockers [next year],” assistant principal Hill said.

Change for Teachers:

Teachers often won’t have a room of their own, but will have to rotate classrooms throughout the day, according to principal Ed West.

Before Winter Break teachers in the district completed a survey to express where they would prefer to work next year. This will help determine which junior high teachers will move up to the high schools and which will stay at the junior high level. However not all new teachers at Free State will necessarily be transferring from junior highs. Teachers may come to Free State from anywhere in the district, including elementary schools, if they have the right certification.

Scheduling Changes:

Scheduling changes for next year mean classes will be shortened from the current hour to 52 minutes on regular days. This will make the seven-period

day possible without altering the start and end times.

Late arrival on Wednesdays will start a half hour earlier, at 9 a.m. instead of 9:30. Luckily Wednesdays will still be only three classes and end a half hour earlier, at 2 p.m.

Thursday schedules have been changed as well to fit the seven period day.

Seminar will be removed and replaced with the new class period. By replacing seminar, Thursday will still begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.

Zero Hour:

There will still be a zero hour offered next year; however, it will mainly be reserved for those who do not take a seventh period. In other words most students will have schedules from zero to six or one to seven. There may be some exceptions though; for example, students who are in Student Council which is only offered zero hour who also want to participate in a class that is only offered seventh hour.

Ninth Graders:

But despite all the scheduling changes taking place next year, the new class of freshmen in classes, hallways and extra curricular activities will likely have the biggest effect on students.

“I think that having ninth graders in the building changes the dynamics a little bit from a maturity standpoint,” West said. “They will adjust. If we bring them into the high school and they are high school students they’ll act more like high school students, and they’ll have more opportunities as well.”

Student’s Opinion:

Some current Free State students are excited about the opportunity to take more electives while others believe 52 minute classes will be too short.

Junior Michael Guerich is looking forward to having shorter 52 minute classes next year. However junior Katherine Berger disagrees. She feels that 52 minutes for each class might be cutting things short.

Current students aren’t the only ones who have been thinking about what next year at Free State will look like. Eighth graders who will be the first freshmen next year also have to think about what the changes will bring.

Allyson Hertig, an eighth grader at West, is disappointed that she won’t have the chance to be top dog at junior high.

“We don’t get ninth grade formal, and the recognition probably won’t be as good,” Hertig said.

She’s also nervous about coming to high school so soon.

“There’s a pretty big age range between freshmen and seniors in high school,” Hertig said.

But she’s also excited about the new opportunities high school will offer, especially in sports.

With the scheduling changes and new class of students, the dynamics of Free State next year are sure to be different. Some seniors are glad to be leaving before all of the changes take place but for those of us who are sticking around, it should be an interesting experience.

10 by kim carter

8

January 19, 2011

Feature

Ways to Avoid the Winter Blahs

Do something you’ve been meaning to

Have a kid’s night with friends

For example: that huge Humanities project. Whatever it is you’ve been putting off, finally take the time to get it done.You’ll save yourself a ton of stress and be proud of yourself that you didn’t wait until the last minute.

Let’s be honest: who doesn’t love getting together with all of your friends and hanging out? Better yet, recreate a kids night. Get together and have everyone bring a different board game or Disney movie.You can spend the night acting like a kid again, ignoring the freezing cold and generating heat by laughing with friends.

Bake something

Make crafts or an art project

Warm cookies make everyone happy.

That may be a generalization, but taking some time out of your weekend to make some chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes or dinner for your family will cheer everyone up. They’ll be happy you made food, and the process of creating something delicious will make you proud.

Any kind of arts and crafts can clear your mind. According to medical writer Lucy Boyd, turning on the right side of your brain helps with “creativity, intuition and hands-on learning ability.”

Draw a picture, paint something, take pictures of the beautifully iced trees.

Whatever it is, working on something will calm you down and free your mind from the stress of everyday life.

Don't let the snowfall bring you down.

Rearrange your room Re-vamp Your Hair

Girls get their hair done, but even you dudes out there can switch it up. Coloring your hair, getting it cut, even just switching up how you wear it can drastically alter your mood. Just checking out other people’s styles and flipping through a magazine can help you visualize what you want. According to hubpages.com, cute winter trends for women include bangs, layers, retros and bobs. A new look will boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself!

Make more “me” time or go for a walk

I know it’s cold outside, but there is such a thing as a coat. According to healthmad.com, “Enjoying the scenery and the different seasons will help clear your head and make you feel less stressed.You will be able to go back to work or tackle a problem with renewed energy.” Take a step back from all the chaos to be alone with yourself.

Repair a broken relationship

Nothing can make you feel better than fixing up a bruised friendship. Holding on to past a grudge takes a lot of energy, and that energy is much better focused on other things. I’m not saying be best friends, but start up a casual conversation and let someone know you’ve moved past whatever came between you.

Getting lost in a book is one of the greatest pastimes. Ever. Escaping into another world on a cold day keeps your mind away from the freezing rain-snowsleet grossness going on outside and the homework you still have to do. Try reading a book from a genre you don’t usually read or maybe a classic.

Broadening the variety of books you read positively

Add something new to your wardrobe

During the winter it’s easy to get caught up in the jeans-and-a-sweatshirt routine.

Treat yourself to a mini shopping spree and buy a new shirt, skirt, jeans, anything you can afford. Two or three new pieces of clothing can create a ton of new outfits to wear. Stylisheve.com suggests furs and leopard print for girls and jeans and army jackets for guys. Also, try checking out a store you wouldn’t usually shop in.You could be surprised and like what you find.

photo courtesy of nora elbayoumy

Read a new book

Switching up your living space can switch up your mood. If it’s messy, clean it up. Seeing the floor will be a relief, and your parents will be thrilled. Move your bed to a new space or rearrange where your desk and dresser are.

Changing the make up of your room can change how you live in that room.

Hubpages.com suggests visualizing your empty room, then putting in your furniture and belongings in order of importance, to help with organization.

The Rundown on How NOT to Get Run Down

1 2 3 4 5

Do something you've been meaning to

Bake something Repair a broken relationship Have a kid's night with friends Make crafts or an art project

6 7 8 9 10

Read a new book Re-vamp your hair Make more "me" time or go for a walk Rearrange your room Add something new to your wardrobe

CLASSES FORMING NOW!

BRING A FRIEND & GET $50 OFF!

785-842-6284 4920 Legends Dr. Lawrence

www.educate.com

January 19, 2010

9

Sports

Athletic seniors say goodbye to their school sports and teammates

Senior Cale Nieder played during his last season of football this year.

by amani safadi

Entering high school as sophomores students have a chance to try out for as many sports as they want. Many seniors realize their attachment to a part of their high school experience they have dedicated so much time to that may soon be coming to an end.

It’s a lot easier to be involved in sports and activities in high school than in college because the competitive athletic opportunities become more difficult.

For many seniors they have been playing their sports for many years and it has become a beloved habit that they will not want to leave.

“I plan to use basketball to get myself a scholarship to college, so I definitely want to play basketball as long as I can, and once I get older I might coach,” senior Eric Watson said.

However, for many seniors, this will be the last time they are able to play their sport competitively with their team mates.

“I want to go to KU and study international business and Spanish,” senior Cale Nieder said. “I wanted to focus on something that was more realistic than football and something I could actually see my self

doing in the future.”

Regardless of their future plans, seniors are getting ready to leave their beloved sports and friends.

“It’s really sad that [gymnastics] is over actually because three of the girls on the team are graduating,” senior Aly Frydman said. “We’ve been doing gymnastics since we were really little so it’s sad to finally be done with everything.”

It’s a big change for seniors because sports has been, in many cases, the highlight of their high school careers. Many seniors have enjoyed the fact that most everyday they had the chance to play a sport they loved with their best friends, while making new memorable friendships along the way.

“I will probably miss Evan Manning and Eric Watson,” senior Austin Hoag said. “They’re my closest friends on the team and then Brett Frantz and Tyler Self for the juniors.”

This is an emotional time for the seniors because they are starting to cope with the fact that next year will not be the same. They will go from seeing their best friends non stop to going to a place with a completely different atmosphere and new faces to

Photo by megan engleman

see around the college campus.

The seniors, however, are not the only ones who are sad.

“I will miss the seniors because they led all the chants and pre-game activities, pretty much everything, and they always told us to play our hardest so that once we become seniors we could play on varsity,” sophomore Riley Buller said.

For underclassmen many seniors weren’t just people who knew more than them but also a group of students willing to help with their problems. It will be a sad time when doors open on the first day of school next year.

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Seniors Aly Frydman and Kelcy Bowers both participated in competitive gymnastics for the last time this year.

Photos by Taylor Beals and Mary Cairns

10

January 19, 2011

1

One in One Thousand

Opinion

Focus on the...

Bears in the Backyard

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...it seems selfish to me now to waste time being upset, especially when I have no reason to be.

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

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Brooke Fox

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Find ways to make the most of every day by bailey schaumburg

Last year, my grandma found out that her best friend’s son committed suicide. I decided to travel with my aunt, mom and grandma to Colorado Springs to attend the funeral even though I never met the man; I didn’t realize how strange and awful it would be.

I sat in the church and looked around at all the grieving strangers: the dark-haired sister with sunglasses on; the young and confused daughters; the mother and father. I quickly realized that everyone there shared at least one thing; they were feeling the worst kind of pain.

After the funeral, we went to the family’s house for a more private and casual memorial service. Leaving the church relieved some tension, but the anguish was still clearly visible on the faces of his loved ones.

I stood on the back porch with Ned, the man’s father. The Colorado air was crisp and cool and their backyard smelled like flowers; most people were probably outside enjoying the day. I couldn’t help but feel angry that this beautiful family was unable to enjoy the beautiful day because of such an unexpected tragedy. As if he could read my mind, Ned suddenly started speaking. It startled me; I wasn’t sure I’d heard his voice yet.

“We have bears back here all the time,” he said. “I came home one time to find one right in the foyer of the house.”

Free State is not just a building.

I laughed and immediately wondered if it was inappropriate, but I looked over to find him chuckling too.

His eyes were watery and swollen, but I could see the sparkle in them; I understood that there was still a living, breathing man behind the sadness. I could tell that he would be okay, even if it took a long, long time.

My grandma’s best friend called her almost every day in the following months to check in. She told her that every day for the rest of their lives would be difficult, but that they were finally moving on. Ned was still seeing bears in the backyard, and her youngest son was going to have a baby. They were learning how to live again.

The entire situation made me rethink the way that I walk around in my daily world. We all face adversity, and grieving is completely natural.

However, sometimes it's best to think about the bears in the backyard instead of focusing on the sadness.

Meeting this family also made me realize that every day is important.

I never want to let a headache or a rude comment ruin my day again; it seems selfish to me now to waste time being upset, especially when I have no reason to be.

So, I think life is about being happy, or at least content. Why? Because there's air to breathe, flowers to smell, and bears to find in the foyer... might as well make the most of it.

Junior's curiosity drives her to contact biological father and learn more about her past

by katherine corliss

Junior Brooke Fox only recently found out she was Dutch.

“I finally know what nationality I am: Danish.”

Over winter break Fox met up with her biological father whom she hasn’t had any contact with since she was three-years-old.

“Now is the perfect time in my life for this kind of thing,” Brooke said.

Her mother married Brooke’s adoptive father when Brooke was four and she has always considered him her “dad.” Although some may consider him her “step dad,” Brooke considers him her “real dad."

“He’s my dad, he raised me. We have a really good relationship,”she said.

She first became curious about her biological father around the age of ten.

“It was kind of like finding out about Santa Claus, I had a feeling my dad wasn’t my real dad. It was a little suspect.”

Her biological father never played a role in her life until now. Except when she would occasionally visit him as a toddler.

“I would like to have a relationship with him,” Brooke said. “Not so much a father-daughter relationship; but more like what you would have with an aunt or an uncle."

For Brooke, it was about finding out about who she was.

“I felt like I could learn about myself and my past. He was able to

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explain better why he wasn’t in my life growing up.”

At first her parents weren’t on board with the idea.

“It makes my parents uncomfortable,” Brook said. “It was a hard time in my mom’s life. But I did get their permission, they understood why I wanted to talk to him."

Her dad was even the first to contact her biological father. When Brooke was younger, her mom kept his contact information, but it was no longer accurate.

“I Googled him, it felt a little creepy. Then my dad called him, so he would know I was trying to contact him and not freak out when I called him out of the blue.”

Brooke says her best advice for someone who is seeking a relative is to have someone else contact him or her first.

“Let them know you’re trying to contact them so it isn’t a super big shock and they don’t say anything they don’t mean.”

However, for Brooke, this has been a positive experience.

“It’s really cool knowing that you have one more person in your life that cares about you.”

It's really cool knowing that you have one more person in your life that cares about you.

Check out fsfreepressonline.com for extra Yes, we are now on Twitter! Follow us at content, and tell us what you think about Issue 6 @fsfreepress for news updates

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January 19, 2011

Is What You Say Punishable

Staf f Vote

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staff members voted in favor of a school's right to punish kids over online posts

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Recently, a student in Florida was suspended from school for making a Facebook group, about her English teacher. The group was a forum for people to discuss how much they did not like this teacher and included comments from different students about her. Even though no threatening remarks were made, the student who created the group was suspended. The student took her school to court and won a $15,000 settlement.

According to school resource officer Ryan Halsted, there is no official policy detailing how to handle situations involving Facebook and other social networks at Free State. Disciplinary action comes on a case-by-case basis. Such a response is understandable; however, we feel that the school should make students more aware of potential punishment. Not to mention it is rumored that someone on the school staff has a Facebook account under a fake name and has access to some students’ profiles.

When setting up their Facebook page for the first time, many teens choose to have privacy settings that allow only their friends to see their profile. What many students do not know is that while their parents, whose friend request they are still ignoring, might not be able to see their information, their information is in no way private.

Conducting a simple Google search of someone's name can bring up wall posts, pictures or anything else on the Internet that contains their name. And once something posted on Facebook is out on the Internet, it is out there for good. What even more students do not realize is that they can potentially be punished for what is said on Facebook and other social medias, even if it does happen outside of school.

Say someone’s English teacher hands out a pop quiz that he was not prepared for, or his history teacher puts questions on a test that were not on the study guide and the he becomes upset about it. Then this student goes home and writes on a friend’s wall ‘I was so mad at Mr. So-and-so I could have punched them’. Now imagine the SRO finds out about this wall post and tells the teacher, who feels genuinely threatened. The student is looking at some potentially serious consequences over a threat they most likely did not mean and had no idea would get back to the school.

Too many students at Free State are not aware that other people can see their posts even if their profiles are on private. Even more are unaware that they could be subjected to punishment by the school.

There is nothing in the school handbook about Facebook or other social media. We feel that it is unfair that there is any justification for punishment without first warning the students.

for things they say on Facebook?

Chloe McPherson senior "It depends on what they say."

Jason Springer social studies

Miles Stevens sophomore "No."

"No. As long as it happens outside of school it is within the student’s freedom of speech."

Share your opinion.Vote on the Bird's Word at fsfreepressonoline.com.

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bailey schaumburg

line Campus?

by allison harwood

Question: Should the school be able to punish students

"No, it’s none of their business."

staff editorial

students' online posts may put them on the hook at school

staff members voted against a school's right to punish kids over online posts

Calee Cruse senior

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jacob caldwell

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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January 19, 2011

Lawrence Guide

Lawrence by ryan loecker

Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk 1 / 20 / 11 @ Replay

Guide

David Hasselhoff on Acid 1 / 27 / 11 @ Bottleneck

Students who have been to Wakarusa Fest will probably recognize this experimental-funk jam- band. As if the name isn’t convincing enough, their music sounds like an alien spaceship landing on our planet from outer space. “We immerse people in

the music until the show is done and the crowd wakes up from the reality we just put them in,” one of DHOA’s band members said according to Lawrence.com. This performance is sure to be out of this world.

Urban Book 2 / 14 / 11 @ Lawrence Arts Center

In the Urban Book art class, “students will take an urban expedition of downtown Lawrence, noting the environment through photographs, drawings, the written word,

and collected materials” according to lawrenceartscenter.com. Students will create a book compiling all the work done in this four-week class.

This experimental rock band is one of my favorite local bands. Their live performances consist a small drum set, multiple guitars, a whole mess of pedals to put weird effects on those guitars and an occasional keyboard. According to Lawrence.com, some of BBDDM’s influences are: “chocolate milk, birthday parties and waterguns that look like alligators.” Formed in 2004 in Kansas City, Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk don’t seem to have a set lineup of musicians and they often perform in the apartments of their friends. With that being said, every performance is very unique, and anyone who has already seen them is sure to hear something new.

Tiny Furniture @ Liberty Hall

Coming soon to Liberty Hall, “Tiny Furniture” is a movie about “new friends who share a lot of old memories.” This film, which looks like the perfect date movie, won jury awards for best feature-length documentary and narrative at the SXSW Film Festival. The main character Lena Dunham plays a college graduate who lives in the same house as her mother, 17-year-

old sister and a man named Jed who gives her relationship advice. According to Entertainment Weekly, Dunham, who is not only the star, but writer and director, is “a storyteller of gigantic charm and subtlety, and a filmmaker of exciting feminine originality.” This movie seems like a must-see for any “Juno” fan.

New Release Movie Reviews - TRON Summary/Review by Critic Zach Hill

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“Tron” attempts to make a metaphor or statement about human society but doesn't fully achieve this. Some aspects of the film go over one’s head, but when paying attention, not much of it has any ground to it. Either way, “Tron” is straight up entertainment and an awesome movie to watch with some borrowed scenes from past block busters.

“Tron” is definitely a movie you should see in theatres, and a sweet sci-fi adventure any age will enjoy.

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

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Disney’s latest 3-d adventure, “Tron,” is action packed, visually captivating, and well directed. In the film, Sam, the son of an inventor of sorts who vanished on the brink of unveiling a revolutionary advancement in technology that would “change the human condition”, ends up back in his dad’s old office where through a series of events gets transported into the world of “Tron.”

Sam’s father (The Big Lebowski) has been trapped within the computer world for twenty years. Following suit with recently released movies, “Tron” is a visual revolution. The three dimensional animation leaps from the screen and Tron is and acute vision of a

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