Free Press | Issue 7 | May 3, 2024

“I would’ve never guessed I was going to win — it’s a great feeling to have before graduation,” senior Tehya Jacobs said.

Issue 7 | May 3, 2024 | Edition 27

THE FREE PRESS

Photo by Nathan Friedman | Design by Allison Mayhew

contents.

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4

On Friday, April 19, Prom was held at Abe and Jakes with the theme being Pocketful of Sunshine. Seniors Nolan Craig and Tehya Jacobs were crowned as prom royalty, noting the senior class‘s final dance. Photo by Nathan Friedman. Design by Allison Mayhew.

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opinion

Pg. 3 - Join the Jerds

news

Pg. 4 - Lewis’s Statement

Pg. 5 - Timeline of Conflict

Pg. 8-9 - Lawrence Crosses Into Wetlands

Pg. 12 - Losing Focus

Pg. 23 - Bird Bistro

photo gallery

Pg. 6 - Plunge to Support

Pg. 12 - Prom Recap

Pg. 18-19 - April Recap

news staff.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Allison Mayhew

Lilly Wall

MANAGING EDITORS

Ember Klein

Jayne Landers

ONLINE MANAGING

EDITOR

Simon Williams

DESIGN EDITOR

Sarah Masterson

ASST. DESIGN

EDITOR

Geneva Sabatini

CAPTIONS EDITOR

Elinor Russo

SPORTS EDITOR

Nick Sprecker

SOCIAL MEDIA

EDITOR

Maile Hickman

COPY EDITOR

Stella Mosier

ASST. COPY EDITOR

Elliot Skillman

ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA

EDITOR

Katie Campbell

7

A&E

Pg. 7 - Get involved

Pg. 11 - Prom Playlist

Pg. 13 - Birds word

Pg. 14-15 - Advertisements

Pg. 23 - Stuck on the Past

10

16

PHOTO EDITORS

Mallory Thompson

Chloe Cook

NEWS PLANNING TEAM

Evie Chancy

Phoebe Morris

Maria Mosconi

REPORTERS

Arianna Waller

Ava Talbott

Conrad Hill

Delaney Bayliss

Hannah Stone

Morgan Sponholtz

Rakshan Ossen

feature

Pg. 10 - Elite Event

Pg. 22 - Cans for a Cause

sports

Pg. 16 - Crisci’s Current

Pg. 17 - Competitions Overlap

Pg. 20-21 - Caitlin Clark Effect

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anders Benson

Nathan Friedman

Eli Roust

Baila Love

Isabelle Prô

Nathan Kramer

Lilly Wall

DESIGNERS

Abbie Veeder

Katie Campbell

Luna Hu

Mylie Brillhart

Willow Marable

ILLUSTRATORS

Kouri Demelash

Kinsey Lake

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.

Editor-in-Chief reflects on the value of joining journalism Opinion by

Allison Mayhew

Filling out the journalism application and then shakily answering interview questions led me to a new community I had no idea existed within the school.

The environment is different from any other school program. Your leaders and teachers are students, your coworkers are students and your audience is made up of students. Journalism connects you to your peers in a way no other program can.

This creates a space, unlike the rest of the school, where your main goal is to pique student interest and share their stories. Most importantly, the work you are doing is more than likely something you or one of your peers care about.

It is essential to have a purpose and a sense of community during high school. During my time on staff, I have been given the space to grow relationships with people I would have never otherwise spoken to.

We are bonded by the shared experiences of the inevitable learning curve, getting the hang of the work, gaining confidence and, my favorite part, the feeling of publishing content that you care about.

Journalism is a place where you have creative control to be a visionary, taking an idea and turning it into an awardwinning design or story. With these successes and opportunities, you will,

over time, develop the skills necessary to become a leader.

In doing so, my schedule allowed me to spend three and a half hours in the journalism room every day this year. What I learned is that Room 203 has a place for everyone; whether you’re into the arts, writing, sports or social media, you can bring something new and valuable to the table.

Creativity breeds in the room, and you are provided with the skill sets needed for your ideas to come to life. Not only are you given the technology to create content, but you are also given a group of 60+ like-minded staff members who are ready to share their ideas and tips.

60+ voices contribute and share the love of covering what is going on around the school. Being on staff is the best way to connect with the student body as a whole.

Not only can you highlight the student body, but you also have space to share your voice. By creating content that you care about, you have the power to tell any story that you feel is important.

I’ve gained countless growth opportunities from this program: confidence, communication, community creativity, competition and what might appeal to many students: a cohesive college application.

FSJ Positions

Designer

Create visually enticing spreads for the Talon yearbook and the Free Press. Place photos, create infographics and tell stories for the student body to see. Become proficient in Adobe InDesign. Suggested pre-requisite: Graphic Design 1

Reporter

Seeks out stories and reports in journalistic style focusing on the people, activities and events that go on at school.

Suggested prerequisite: 21st Century Journalism

Photographer

Capture moments at school events, in the community and around classes to utilize for all forms of publication. Edit photos and become proficient in Adobe Lightroom.

Suggested pre-requisite: Photography 1

Illustrator

Illustrate creative, colorful drawings that pair with stories. See your drawings and express your creativity in the Free Press and social media.

Suggested pre-requisite: Drawing 1 or Graphic Design 1

Photo by Mallory Thompson

LEWIS’S STATEMENT

Superintendent Anthony Lewis releases statement regarding recent anti-trans legislation

Collected by Lilly Wall and Evie Chancy

ABOUT THE BILL

SB233 is a bill banning healthcare from promoting or providing medical transitions for trans youth as well as banning state employees, like teachers, from helping students in socially transitioning. Health care workers and state employees found guilty or doing so will be at risk of fines or loss of their professional licenses. The bill, introduced Feb. 10, 2023 by senator Mike Thompson, has passed both the House, with the vote 82-39 and the Senate, with the vote 27-13. Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the bill on April 12, 2024 and returned the bill to the Senate, where they will attempt to override Kelly’s veto.

Why did you decide to release a video statement regarding the rhetoric that's going on right now in the Kansas legislature?

Dr. Lewis

I thought it was necessary for a number of reasons. We have individuals in Topeka that have for the most part, haven't been in a classroom probably since they graduated, and haven't served a large number of diverse students. Yet still, they are making bills making legislation politically on the backs of students, in my opinion.

If the bill is passed, what does the district plan on doing to make sure that students feel cared for?

Dr. Lewis

I want to make sure that the adults — which we do have some amazing adults in this district — are there to listen to them and to support them, and to just be a resource for them.

Does the district have a message for the state of Kansas and how this legislation will affect our district?

Dr. Lewis

Come visit our schools, come visit our students, come talk to our students before making decisions. Before enacting bills that’s going to affect a community, come out and talk to the students, get to know the students, get to know the families, understand their stories, because I guarantee you if they did that, half the time, they wouldn’t pass some of the bills.

“ “ “

Photo by Eli Roust

TIMELINE OF CONFLICT

Timeline of the recent developments between Iran, Israel and Palestine

Collected by Evie Chancy and Maria Mosconi

1979 Oct. 7, 2023

The end of the Pahlavi dynasty, overthrown in the Iranian Revolution, signifies the end of Iran and Israel’s alignment. The new Islamic Republic of Iran cut ties with Israel and started to denounce oppression, including Israel’s oppression of Palestinians according to Global Conflict Tracker.

April 1, 2024

Two Iranian generals were killed in a bombing of an Iranian Embassy in the capital of Syria, Damascus according to reports from AP News. “This crime will not pass without the enemy receiving punishment and revenge,” Hezbollah, a Lebanese group regarded as Iran’s most powerful armed proxy, said in response.

April 13-14, 2024

Hamas, which is distinguished as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department located in the Gaza Strip, launched a missile attack on Israel assisted and supported by Iranian officials, which was announced a day later by the Wall Street Journal.

March 25, 2024

The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire lasting for the month of Ramadan, and the immediate release of hostages and aid for Gaza. Fourteen out of fifteen votes were in favor, while the United States abstained.

Overnight, Iran launches over 300 rockets at Israel and allies in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon according to CNN. Almost all of the rockets were intercepted by Israel, the U.S., Jordan and Britain. U.S. President Joseph Biden and his National Security Team announced that they would not be taking an offensive stance against Iran. However, the U.S. put sanctions into place restricting Iran’s drone program, steel producers and vehicle companies.

April 19, 2024

April 15, 2024

In official statements, both Israel and Iran state their intention to retaliate against the other according to AP News. Additionally, Israel delayed the ground invasion of Rafah, the capital of Rafah Governorate in the south of the Gaza Strip, previously planned to take place the week of April 15.

After several more days of rising tensions, Israel sends retaliatory air attacks toward Iran according to BBC news. Some Iranian officials have confirmed the attack, but little has been said by Iran; specifically, the kind of weapon used has not been confirmed between drones or missiles. Nor have any casualties been confirmed.

April 23, 2024

April 17, 2024

According to Voice of America News, almost 50 countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Japan, signed a statement condemning Iran’s missile attack on Israel and urging both countries to deescalate the violence and resolve the conflict through Council resolutions.

According to NPR, over 30,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip over the last seven months. While the U.S. and other Western allies have made statements encouraging the countries towards peace, neither Israel nor Iran have made statements toward de-escalating the conflict.

PLUNGE

TO SUPPORT

IPS hosts 2024 Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics

Collected By Lilly Wall

$4,450

$4,450 went towards the Special Olympics, and a small amount stayed with Free State IPS.

WHAT IS SPECIAL OLYMPICS?

Special Olympics is a global organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Jumping into the pool, juniors Addyson Crum and Kinley VanPelt participate in the IPS Polar Plunge. Photo by Chloe Cook

Posing for the crowd, freshman Bryce Carey jumps into the IPS Polar Plunge pool on April 11. Photo by Chloe Cook

After jumping into the pool, Coach Jayme Savage reacts to the cold water. Photo by Chloe Cook

Junior Dylan Groves hugs a close friend during the IPS Polar Plunge on April 11. Photo by Chloe Cook

Participants in the IPS Polar Plunge pose for a group picture. Photo by Chloe Cook

GET INVOLVED. APPLICATIONS OUT NOW!

Collected By Arianna Waller

IPS ROLLING DEADLINE

IPS [Interpersonal Skills] is a class where those who apply get the chance to learn with peers who aren’t in everyday classes. This program helps create bonds with IPS students while also making fun memories. Within that, there are many student aids who help alongside the students who are a part of it. IPS is a great way to meet new people and also become informed on how being inclusive of others can make a huge impact. There is no firm due date. Contact advisor Elaine Hendrickson for questions.

SUMMER CONDITIONING ROLLING DEADLINE

Summer conditioning for sports is crucial for athletes to maintain their fitness level, stamina, skills and prepare for the upcoming season. These conditioning programs focus on all aspects of training to make sure all athletes are getting the most out of it, as well as getting involved with Free State Athletics. To learn more about this year’s summer conditioning programs for particular Free State sports check out the summer conditioning page on the athletics website, Free State Athletics for more information.

STUCO DUE MAY 3

Student Council is run by a group of students who are elected by each of their classes to represent their grades and advocate student ideas. StuCo plans most of the major events, such as formals, homecoming, prom and even spirit weeks. StuCo’s goal is to hear their peers’ voices, advocate for them and also make a positive, inclusive impact on the school. Applications are due on May 3 for representative elections. The Executive Board election will be held during lunch on Friday, May 3, and the Representative election will be held during lunch on Friday, May 10. Contact English teacher Brittany Cummings or math teacher Debra Ziegler for more information.

WATCH OUT FOR THE SENIOR ISSUE!

With the end of the year just around the corner, the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. It will be at the Free State football field, behind the school. At the gate, grab a copy of the Free Press’ Senior Issue, sharing memories and monumental highlights for the senior class.

LAWRENCE CROSSES

City of Lawrence approves New Boston Crossing development that would sit

Before settlers arrived in Kansas, the Wakarusa Wetlands occupied 17,800 acres of land. Currently, only 927 acres remain. On March 5, Lawrence city commissioners approved the proposed New Boston Crossing development to be built between the Wakarusa River and the K-10 highway, filling in the wetlands on this land.

The New Boston Crossing development would include land for commercial and residential use. The development would sit upon a part of the extinction-threatened wetlands biome.

Currently, a portion of the Wakarusa Wetlands are protected by Baker University and Haskell Indian Nations University. They use this land to conduct research and to protect these lands from further harm.

However, according to Haskell researcher Courtney King, the currently protected land is only a small fraction of the Wakarusa Wetlands that once existed.

“The ecologies of the Wakarusa River Valley were once described as a beautiful mosaic of wetlands and tall grass prairies,” King said during the March 5 city commission meeting. “The Haskell and Baker wetlands are only a tiny fraction of the once mighty Wakarusa Wetlands. 0.1% of the original 17,800 Acres of wetlands and wet prairie remain mainly in the Haskell and Baker Wetlands.”

With over 99% of the wetlands being lost, this heightens concerns about the impacts of developments on the wetlands for researchers like Dr. Robert Hagan, the field education coordinator for the environment studies department at the University of Kansas. He expressed the need for connections between waterways for animals to move between waters.

“Areas along rivers and wetlands provide important corridors for animals to move upstream and downstream and in and out of the water. With losing that, you start to lose the connections and create a higher risk of local extinction of particular species,” Hagan said.

The filling of the floodplain and the deconstruction of the wetlands would lead to harsher flooding in the future due to the displacement of the water and the lack of buffer between the river and future developments next to the wetlands and downstream on the Wakarusa River, Hagan said.

The effects of this development and the further shrinking of the wetlands will be seen for the future of Lawrence. Some students, like senior Becky Coston, plan on staying in Lawrence and said she worries about the future effects of New Boston Crossing. After watching a TikTok posted by @KansasHikes to spread awareness about the new construction, Coston said she became concerned about what this new development would mean for the wetlands. For Coston, one of her biggest concerns was the long-term impact of climate change on the wetlands.

“Wetlands are commonly known as the first line of defense [against flooding], but people don’t understand how that works. People say, ‘Oh, well, you can take out the wetlands and just create new wetlands.’ It doesn’t work the same, because it’s not an established wetland,” Coston said. “You don’t have the same plant species that are regenerating every single year, you don’t have the animal species that come back every year, and you don’t have the established waterways and currents.”

Furthermore, junior Cooper Elo said he was disappointed with how this new development affects the public perception of Lawrence.

“Lawrence has built a culture around being progressive, it’s why we adopted LFK, and this would just be a major step against years of hard work for the people around us, and for the future of Lawrence,” Elo said.

INTO WETLANDS

Wetlands

Story by Ember Klein upon Wakarusa

Alongside issues of climate change and its effects on the wetlands, concerns were raised about the history of indigenous children being buried under the Wakarusa Wetlands during the commission meeting.

King said, during the section for public input, that the history of Haskell included its original purpose as a boarding school for indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their homes. She said it is estimated that 500 to 1,000 children disappeared from Haskell enrollment and are likely buried in the Wakarusa Valley to this day.

“I have

yet to hear of efforts to implement groundpenetrating radar studies, which is truly sickening. Children are buried in the Wakarusa River Valley. They deserve justice and the city commission must work to right these wrongs,” King said.

While the city commission has voted in favor of the New Boston Crossing development, due to its floodplain status, FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers will have to survey the area to see if it is suitable to be leveled and for new construction to begin. Bill Strumble, one of the developers of the project, said that he estimates these studies would likely happen in June or July.

ELITE EVENT

For many seniors, prom is the highlight of their high school years. It serves as a symbol of four years of friendship, memories and school spirit. Juniors interested in sharing the prom experience, however, are dependent on being invited by a senior to attend.

While the senior-centered nature of Free State’s prom may leave uninvited underclassmen feeling excluded, that exclusivity is what makes prom so special for seniors.

Junior Gayla Gao, who has attended prom since her sophomore year, said that a junior-inclusive prom would diminish the prestige of the Free State milestone event as it has always been seniors only.

“I like the fact that it’s seniors only; it brings a kind of exclusivity that makes prom exciting. It’s an event that is meant to be a culmination of our four years at high school. Part of its charm is the fact that it’s mostly seniors,” Gao said.

Free State senior Ryan Morgan said she agreed with Gao, and that holding a senior-only prom serves as a “last

hurrah” before graduation. Morgan also said that everyone starts as freshmen at the bottom of the totem pole, so it can be argued that seniors exclusively enjoy this privilege because it’s their turn to do so.

Despite both high schools in Lawrence holding senior-only proms, schools in the surrounding area, such as Kearney High School in Kearney, Missouri, and Liberty High School in Liberty, Missouri, hold proms that both juniors and seniors can attend, regardless of whether they have been invited by a senior.

Kearney High School junior Keanna Baxter said that the junior-inclusive approach to prom at her school has many benefits.

“It is significant for juniors as well as seniors, because it’s the

juniors first time to get dressed up and have the thrill of a fancy night out,” Baxter said.

Morgan, who is a part of StuCo at Free State, said she did not think that adopting the more inclusive model would end up changing much anyway, as many juniors already attend prom as guests of seniors.

Debate emerges over prom participants

Story by Delaney Bayliss

Although the social aspect of prom gets the most attention in this discussion, Baxter said that her school’s “bigger is better” model has other benefits as well. Baxter said that including all juniors in prom increases the number of students buying tickets, resulting in greater resources available for making the event fun and memorable.

On the other hand, schools might prefer the more exclusive approach due to safety issues–both during and after the dance, when schools have no control over the actions of their students.

For Baxter and her school community, the more students at prom, the merrier. Baxter said she views prom as one of the biggest events in high school as well as a monumental night for having fun.

Baxter, Gao and Morgan all expressed a preference for their school’s current prom policy to stay in place, despite their schools’ different approaches. Prom is, after all, an event that draws on school traditions.

For the time being in regards to Free State’s prom, the seniors that attend are in charge of deciding who accompanies them, and any underclassmen wanting a golden ticket will have to rely on befriending a senior benefactor.

Photo by Mallory Thompson

PROM RECAP

Laughing, juniors Addyson Crum and Grace Lichauer hit the dance floor at Prom.

Photo by Nathan Friedman

In shock, senior Tehya Jacobs receives a hug from Lawrence High School senior Aubrie Magnuson after Jacobs is announced as Prom Royalty alongside senior Nolan Craig. Photo by Anders Benson

Walking down the stairs, junior Kathryn Hale and seniors

Cooper Stone, Sydney Smith and Jake Klinger enter Abe and Jakes Landing to join the prom festivities on April 19. Photo by Mallory Thompson

In a circle, a group of seniors dances to “Carnival” by ¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign ft. Playboi Carti & Rich The Kid. Photo by Anders Benson

Senior Nolan Craig smiles as junior StuCo member Kinsey Lake places a crown on his head during the Prom Royalty ceremony in the midst of the Prom festivities. Photo by Mallory Thompson

Singing along, senior Ellie Trummel dances with friends on the dance floor at Abe and Jakes Landing on April 19.

Photo by Mallory Thompson

LOSING FOCUS

Ongoing Adderall shortage harms school and emotional life

Focus medication can pose significant support for students who struggle with concentration levels, especially during taxing, seven-hour-long school days. However, recent Adderall shortages have piled continuous stress and burden on students who rely on this medication to get through the day.

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the educational challenges that followed, ADHD diagnoses rose. Psychiatrist Matthew Masterson said he attributed this to the negatively impacted emotional well-being of children during the pandemic, spanning from social to academic effects.

Furthermore, sophomore Michelle Kirkpatrick said she has experienced the shortage firsthand, and the effects have been concrete. In the last six months, she has gone through week-long periods without her medicine. Kirkpatrick said she feels she has yet to be provided with helpful solutions from healthcare providers or school staff.

“I’ve noticed that it’s caused a couple of grade drops because my attention span is really bad,” Kirkpatrick said. “My teachers don’t seem educated on what is happening and sort of brush it off.”

Masterson said he has seen ongoing struggles to obtain consistent supplies of stimulant medicines that treat ADHD symptoms, including amphetamines, methylphenidate and Vyvanse since the beginning of 2022.

“Being without medications even for a few weeks leads to struggling with performance in school, keeping up with assignments and difficulties in social interactions,” Masterson said. “At times, this is not quickly remedied by a restart of medications, and can have ongoing issues that take time to correct or remedy.”

The impacts are widespread, spanning from trouble at after-school activities to possible anxiety and mood disorders going as far as even potential substance use

Photos by Isabelle Prô

Stra·teg·ic Use

Possibly extending the prescription by not using it on the weekends or on days when school is not session.

“Untreated or undertreated behavioral health issues do impact areas of self-esteem, school performance and relationships with friends and family,” Masterson said.

Without medical professionals available in the school, nurse Shelley Bennett has had students in her office share that with their lack of medications, they’ve experienced difficulty focusing throughout the day.

Senior Emma Harrop said they have struggled to manage these symptoms in their school life and does not see an end in sight. Harrop has had difficulties obtaining their medicine due to the controlled substances not allowing for advanced requests.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,’” Harrop said. “It’s pretty hard to function without it.”

When dealing with patients who are not able to obtain their medicine, Masterson said he has resorted to recommending strategies to deal with symptoms and rationing medicine with strategic use.

However, even with these measures, students are left without their prescribed medication and are feeling the effects.

“Hopefully, the issue will eventually return to normal, but from my viewpoint and interactions with patients, the crisis is not over,” Masterson said.

25

of 263 voters have been affected by the Adderall shortage. (@fsjournalism Instagram poll)

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By Yearbook Editor-in-Chief Hannah Stone

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The Free Press Design by Ainsley Linhos and Allison Mayhew

CRISCI’S CURRENT

Freshman swimmer Ellis Crisci qualified for the Olympic Trials

Amid the Region VIII Speedo Spring Sectional swim meet held in Colombia, Missouri from March 14–17, 2024, freshman Ellis Crisci earned what very few kids his age can claim: a ticket to Indianapolis this July for a shot to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Crisci, who swims competitively for Tsunami Swim Team, a youth club out of Liberty, Missouri has made a splash within the aquatic scene in his time with the program. Tsunami took first overall at the sectionals, and Crisci found himself on the podium in six different events, qualifying in the 1500-meter freestyle, where he clocked a 15:37:69.

The activity inside of Crisci’s days are profuse. The swimmer wakes up at 4 a.m. and travels to Liberty to train before attending Free State High School.

He then takes off to Liberty once more to train in the evening, repeating this process five times during the week as well as Saturdays. Tsunami head coach Tom Kleiboeker said that part of his job as a coach is to help him navigate any struggles that could arise.

“The mornings are a real challenge that he meets every day,” Kleiboeker said. “It’s been impressive to see his family’s commitment and support to help him achieve his goals. We all have to consider his overall recovery and sleep when it comes to planning each week to make sure he can function both mentally and physically at a high level and continue to do what is necessary to keep progressing at an elite level.”

Crisci noted that his teammates make those daily roadblocks easier and that the pool is often an outlet in his hectic schedule, contributing to his natural dedication. After all, qualifying was an experience that he shared with his teammate, Kearney High School sophomore Whitaker Steward.

“[Steward] and I touched the line at the same time, and I hugged him,” Crisci said. “You don’t want to swim alone or do any sport alone. We have a really good team environment, and that helps a lot.”

0.3% of registered USA swimming athletes made the cut

While Crisci is excited for the trials, he is keen to keep his eyes on rising success at the junior levels, and Kleiboeker agrees.

Notably, Crisci has surpassed the 800-meter freestyle times of legendary olympian Michael Phelps and two-time gold medalist Robert Finke in the under-14 boys category.

“His accomplishments speak for themselves, and he is currently No. 1 in the nation as a 15-year-old for the 1500-meter freestyle. It’s a nice feather

Story by Nick Sprecker

in his cap, but my main focus is for him to be at a high level long-term and to keep improving his all-around swimming,” Kleiboeker said.

Kleiboeker also said that what impresses him the most about Ellis is that he is bought into the plan that Tsunami has for him — a mindset that is hard to find in young athletes.

“Ellis wanted to train with other great athletes under a great plan, and that willingness to do what was presented to him, with a group of other like-minded athletes…,” Kleiboeker said. “His hard work has manifested itself in a way where the group cultivates discipline and actions that keep all of them oriented toward their collective goal, which is success.”

With persistent dedication under the guidance of Tsunami, Crisci said that his foremost ambition is clear: the opportunity to one day showcase his talents on the world’s biggest stage.

“I want to go to the Olympics by the time I am done with my career… Now that I’ve seen that I have a chance, the next four years will be all training to try and make it,” Crisci said.

8:21.47 Crisci’s 800-meter freestyle time

COMPETITIONS

Story by Rakshan Ossen

Rule disallows athletes from double committing to school and club sports

OVERLAP

In the realm of high school sports, competition is what brings athletes together to showcase their skills and hard work in a driven environment. While most high school athletes tend to compete with their respective schools according to data collected by the NCAA, a choice between competing for their club or school team is a card in their deck.

Lawrence swimmer and freshman Lucy Velte is a current competitive swimmer for the Empire KC Swim Club based in Lee Summit, Missouri. She was part of Free State’s swim and dive program for only a week and had to leave the team due to her participation in club swimming.

According to a rule imposed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, athletes are not allowed to compete for their non-school team during the particular sport’s athletic season. A student-athlete may only participate in their non-school team if the non-school athletic program is under the jurisdiction of and sanctioned by the national governing body of the sport, and if the student-athlete is in good standing with the school’s athletic governing rule regarding ordinary in-school participation.

A failure to meet these exceptions will result in not being able to participate in both the school and competitive club teams simultaneously.

During her only competition with the school’s team, Velte was able to break the school record for the 200-meter Individual Medley; however, due to her situation, the record could not be held.

Given the circumstance, Velte said she found herself having to choose between competing for a club or school team. She said she acknowledged the issue of what kind of practices and meets competitive swimmers can participate in school, but thinks the ruling should be more compliant towards club swimmers.

“You should be able to practice with your club and maybe do a couple of high school practices a week,” Velte said.

She said there is importance in having the club experience when it comes to competitive sports. Velte also said she thinks that varying with competition and training intensity allows for more opportunities. What led her to

the decision to continue with club swimming over in-school was the option to go up against tougher and faster competition.

“For people who just want to have fun, swim and have a good time, high school is definitely what you should do,” Velte said.

Velte began her competitive journey when she was seven years old and ever since, she has been continuously breaking records for her respective age group at the club level. Last year, 14-year-old Velte broke the Missouri Valley record in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 50.49 seconds.

With her goal of improving herself in long-course swimming, Velte said she felt that club swimming was the right choice to move forward in her career. Despite her situation, she intends to move forward and keep her head up for the rest of her competitive season.

She said she plans to continuously push herself and hopes that her efforts will help her reach the college level someday.

Photo by Nathan Friedman

APRIL RECAP

6A State rank in the 800-meter in Track & Field as of April 22 JAKE LOOS

#1

6

Graduating seniors this year on varsity girls soccer

Senior Elaina Zung steals the ball from a Shawnee Mission North player. Zung plays forward on the varsity girls soccer team. Photo by Isabelle Prô

Head above the water, freshman Helena Mattes competes in the Senior Night swim meet on April 10 at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center. Photo by Anders Benson

Swinging his racket, sophomore Charlie Last plays in a match against Olathe South on April 15. Photo by Nathan Kramer

In character, sophomores Owen Börk and Morgan Sponholtz, as well as junior Gillian Sellet rehearse a scene from the theater program’s spring musical, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Photo by Anders Benson

-3

Boys baseball record as of April 23 (W-L)

Looking through solar filter glasses, science teacher

to hit totality at around 1:50 p.m. on April 8.

Playing the cello, senior Yejun Yun performs with student musicians from West and Southwest Middle Schools in the annual North Area Orchestra Concert on April 4. Photo by Nathan Kramer

Club in the air, sophomore Henry Thompson hits the golf ball at the Justin Silver Memorial Invitational golf meet at Lawrence Country Club on April 15. Photo by Chloe Cook

Sam Gleeson watches and waits for the solar eclipse

Photo by Anders Benson

A group of juniors poses for a photo after volunteering at the Little Prairie Community Garden as their task for Great Green Help. Photo by Lilly Wall

Senior Brandon Sikes smiles after getting out in musical chairs during the Prom Assembly on April 16. The 2024 Prom assembly was held to introduce the candidates along with the spring sports captains and representatives. Photo by Chloe Cook

CAITLIN CLARK

I got kicked out of P.E. class because I was too competitive,”

The Indiana Fever’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark, was not an ordinary child. The day that her older brother learned to ride a bike with no training wheels was the same day that Clark did, because it made her upset that he was doing something she wasn’t.

The nuances of Clark’s attitude and mindset are special, and it categorizes her with a small group of athletes that the rest of us will never quite fully comprehend. Kobe Bryant woke up at 4 a.m. to work out; Michael Phelps swam every day for a five-year period and Tiger Woods woke up at 1 a.m. when preparing for the Royal Portrush tournament in order to adjust to the time zones. Clark is wired this way, and her fierceness on the

The similarity of these athletes — their uber-competitive nature —

Michael Phelps finished his career with 23 gold medals; Kobe Bryant won five championships; Tiger

Clark, although at a different point in her career, has indefinitely revolutionized her sport. She is the alltime Division I scoring leader with 3,951 total points and lead college basketball in points and

assists-per-game this past season.

Clark doesn’t just perform — she does so with an aura.

Clark’s greatness on the court constitutes her even larger impact within sports. The Indiana Fever, in 2023, reported an average ticket price of $60. Less than a year later, the Fever’s 2024 home-opener against the NY Liberty in May are watching ticket prices resell for well over $500 in late March.

Alongside this, the Fever will have 36 out of their 40 regular season games nationally televised next year, whereas this year only one game was nationally televised.

In college at Iowa University, Clark’s spree affected wherever they traveled; Northwestern sold out their first-ever women’s basketball game when Clark came to town, and schools that have hosted Iowa have seen an attendance increase of over 150% compared to their other home games on average, per AP News.

Country music legend Tim McGraw repped a Clark jersey at his concert in Iowa, and Grammy-nominated rapper Travis Scott made the trip to Iowa City to meet Clark and the Hawkeyes in early March.

Games featuring Iowa set and broke the women’s college basketball viewership record four consecutive times, with the Hawkeyes championship game against South Carolina amassing 18.7 million viewers — more than the men’s championship game.

Even people who don’t watch sports know Caitlin Clark. Those who once mocked the women’s game are now enthralled. Clark has turned into a national

Americans wrapped around her fingers — but why?

To put it simply, Clark is good. Really good. We’ve never seen anything like her before.

Since Clark burst onto the scene in 2020, no other collegiate player has recorded a single game with 35 points and 10 assists; Caitlin Clark has done it nine times. This regular season, Clark has had a 40-point game, a 15-rebound game, a seven-steal game, seven three-pointers in a game and a tripledouble. Only one other NBA, WNBA or Division I player has done that in a season in the past 25 years: LeBron James in 2004.

Clark holds five NCAA records, seven NCAA Tournament records, eight BIG 10 records and five Iowa Women’s Basketball records. The truth of the matter, however, is that her largest effect comes from the eye test.

Clark routinely shoots from well beyond 25 feet, and her successful 3-point attempts come from three-to-four feet behind the arc. Between her maneuvers, circus-like shots and killer range, the likes of only NBA guard Stephen Curry come to mind.

She’s an incomparable collegiate player, and people are compelled by what they’ve never seen.

Sports fans all across the world are fortunate to be entertained by great players every year. Great players excel within their domain, sell jerseys and are the face of their city; however, there are certain

Crown jewel draft pick has made women’s basketball the hottest ticket around

Opinion by Nick Sprecker

athletes who constitute more than just greatness and transcend the restraints of their sport. Trailblazers are generational, leaving an impact well beyond their playing days.

If a great player were to be considered a shooting star, then Caitlin Clark, surely, is a supernova.

Clark is transcending the women’s game the same way Michael Jordan transformed the NBA in the 1990’s, or the way Allen Iverson did throughout the 2000s.

Young girls want to be like Clark; they now want to shoot like her, dribble like her and play with style and swagger. Thanks to her pioneering efforts, a new generation of young girls are able to feel a part of the “Clark Effect.”

Illustrations by Kouri Demelash

FOR A CAUSE

Student Council and its board members plan a food drive in combination to a March Madness bracket

Story by Conrad Hill

Student Council, in collaboration with Just Food, hosted a food drive just before March Madness. To add a fun twist, StuCo members decided to combine the participation of March Madness with the food drive.

“Everyone’s watching March Madness. We wanted to have a school competition, and doing that we wanted to help Just Food and help donate what we could and that’s why we kind of mixed those two. The entries are easy, you win a good prize, and you’re doing good for the community,” StuCo junior representative Daijah Preston said.

In addition to combining March Madness and a food drive, they also included discussions for incentives and advertisements. Senior and Executive Board Member Shelby Roberts said they also had a long discussion for prizes.

“We had talked to [Principal] McAnarney about what we were trying to do and she offered to help us pay for a TV as a prize, which is a great prize — it draws so many people in. Once we had secured that, I thought we would start posting about it two-to-three weeks beforehand. We had created posters and hung them in the cafeteria, Instagram graphics, all of that,” Roberts said.

Preston said the event was successful in terms of participation and the amount of donations they received.

“Last year we did it with tissues because the school was running low on tissues, so we just

donated those to teachers,” StuCo secretary and senior Brandon Sikes said. “This year, we’re partnering with [Just Food] for a food drive. Participation is still low because it’s a new event, but it’s increasing from last year and that’s all we can really hope for.”

StuCo Sponsor Brittney Cummings hopes for more projects in a similar vein to the March Madness bracket, including upcoming events and plans for the future of StuCo.

“We have Great Green Help, which is more a focus on the environment, and that’s coming up and it’s open to all juniors. We’re hoping all of our juniors will get involved and sign up, and that’s happening Friday, April 19,” Cummings said. “We’re also going to be attending one of the middle schools and having some conversations around mental health,” … . We’d definitely like to get involved in some more of those projects when we have the opportunity.”

Scan to watch our video with more info on the can drive!

Photo by Nathan Kramer

“My sister gave that to me after I was having a bad test day.”

“My boyfriend's little sister, Mo, has gifts for me every single time I go over to their house. She said that I was kind and I deserve a be kind sticker.”

“Those lyrics are just in my head all the time.”

“I got it volunteering at UMKC Med with my sister.”

“Bird Bistro has been created to offer students a quick, handheld meal.”

Amy McAnarney Principal

Junior Elle Cormaney tells the stories behind where she got her stickers Collected by Lilly Wall

Campbell

Photo by Mallory Thompson

Photo by Baila Love

MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Design by Geneva Sabatini

By the Numbers

Collected by Morgan Sponholtz of those diagnosed with schizophrenia in the U.S. by age 30 are men

90% of men feel more depressed than they admit to people in their lives 49% U.S. men suffer from depression every year

1in10

6+ million Resources

men experience some form of depression or anxiety, but less than half seek treatment

Heads Up Guys

An anonymous resource designed to prevent the erosion of men’s mental health.

Man Therapy

Offers a free and anonymous assessment to screen men for mental health issues and how that is impacting their lives.

1in6

Founded in response to the lack of support and resources for men who have been sexually assaulted in both childhood and adulthood.

Information collected from Mind Wise and the ADAA