Free Press: Issue 1 Edition 18

Free Press the

Issue 1

Edition 18 28 August 2014

cover by Darian Koenig

Minor Setbacks Student rights limited

on school grounds pg 12

Firebirds Fly at AAU Junior Olympic Games pg 10

DeďŹ ning Feminism pg 4

Champion Artists of Free State pg 16

2Free Press Page by Sydney Vogelsang

28 August 2014

Table of Contents

12

56 18

5 Coming Full Circle Editor in Chief (finally) addresses 2011 column Written by Kyra Haas

Jobs 6Summer Support Spending Student job experiences

Written by Hala Hamid & Lauren Brittain

12Feature Minor Setbacks

Student rights limited on school grounds Written by Fiona McAllister & Libby Stanford

19 21

22

18 Bird’s Word

Students define “Feminism”

Interviewed by Kyra Haas & Ryan Liston

19Booking It

Introducing a modern Lawrence Public Library Written by Kaitlyn Foster

21Artists of the Month Featuring Firebird art

22 Upcoming Concerts September concerts in the KC/ Lawrence area

Story by Maria Carrasco & Trenna Soderling

Follow us @fsfreepress on Twitter or Free State H.S. Free Press on Facebook for Free State news & information!

2014-2015 Free Press Staff #YesAllWomen Editors

Kyra Haas Ryan Liston Maria Carrasco Catherine Prestoy Darian Koenig Kristina Foster Fiona McAllister Kenneth Palmer Nick Popiel Kaitlyn Foster

Designers

Caylee Irving Sydney Vogelsang

Reporters

Evan Frook Hala Hamid Trenna Soderling Libby Stanford

page by Sydney Vogelsang

3

From tragedy to Twitter

Editor in Chief Online Editor in Chief Social Media Editor/ Print Co-Managing Editor Online Co-Managing Editor Design Editor Assistant Design Editor Co-Copy Editor Co-Copy Editor Photo Editor Business Editor

Drake Riner Addie Wendel

Juliana Hill Maddie Birchfield Lauren Brittain Erin Friedrichsen

Photographers Mary Brady

News Briefs 28 August 2014

Sam Goodwin

Written by Kaitlyn Foster

One day after school let out, Elliot Rodgers, 22, woke up in Isla Vista, Calif. knowing that he was going to kill people.

After murdering six persons and injuring 13 more, Rodgers committed suicide.

Rodgers uploaded a video to YouTube in which he detailed his motivation for the attack—to punish women for not being attracted to him and sexually active men for having better lives than him. He also emailed a 107,000 word manifesto giving the same details to about a dozen family members and acquaintances. The average novel has around 64,000 words.

Once the story hit the news, women took to Twitter to share their daily experiences with harassment and fear using the hashtag #YesAllWomen. By summer’s end the hashtag had reached 1.5 million tweets and more than 1.2 billion people worldwide. Stories about #YesAllWomen appeared in the New York Times, People and Time, among others.

Ferguson in Uproar after Brown Shooting Written by Erin Friedrichsen & Juliana Hill

Our Mission

The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writings. They must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Articles may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content.

Letters may be submitted to Room 115 or sent in care of Free Press to Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administration or that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

On Aug. 10, Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18 year old Michael Brown, an unarmed African-American male.

According to police Brown was a suspect in a robbery at a local Quik Trip, although Wilson was not aware of that when he stopped Brown. Wilson said Brown and an acquaintance were “walking in the middle of the street blocking traffic.”

Some eyewitnesses contradict police accounts of what happened. Witnesses say the two young men complied with the Wilson’s instructions and were attacked, while police report Brown pushed Wilson into his car, tried to take Wilson’s gun and “physically assaulted the officer.” The autopsy results were inconclusive showing a variety of possibilities of Brown’s position during the confrontation.

After the Brown shooting, Ferguson erupted into chaos, with nightly protests. Some of which ended in confrontations with local law enforcement.

Stores were looted and police resorted to using tear gas and flash grenades to break up crowds. SWAT teams were brought in an attempt to keep the city under control.

Reporters from The Washington Post and The Huffington Post who were covering the story were arrested and a reporter from aL Jazeera America was attacked with tear gas.

US Attorney General Eric Holder issued an editorial (op-ed) in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch promising an investigation and a federal autopsy of Michael Brown. Holder called for an end to violence.

About 40 FBI investigators were set to “conduct an independent investigation of the scene of Michael

photo by blue cheddar

Brown’s death.”

Governor Jay Nixon sent the Missouri National Guard to Ferguson in an attempt to keep the city under control after setting a nighttime curfew from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. to bring order to Ferguson.

4 Free Press page by Sydney Vogelsang

28 August 2014

fem· i· nism noun \fe-m -ni-z m\ e

e

: the belief that men, women should have equal rights, opportunities

M

Opinion Kenneth Palmer & Maddie Birchfield discuss the current face of feminism Photo by Nick Popiel

Written by Maddie Birchfield & Kenneth Palmer

addie Birchfield: I am a feminist and a humanist. For some reason, the idea has risen that one can’t be both.

This is due to the muddling of the meaning of the word

“feminism.”

I am a feminist because feminism is the belief that women and men are equal, and should be treated as such. It scares me to think that the movement has become something women are afraid to join.

We have been given a bad reputation, and I want to try to correct this, if only in the minds of the Free State student body.

Celebrities, such as Shailene Woodley, Taylor Swift and Madonna, say that they aren’t feminists—they label themselves as humanists because they are apprehensive to associate with feminism, even if it means exactly what they believe. These powerful female personas, along with most women, want females to have strength against our patriarchal society.

This strength is not an uprising of lesbians out to kill off the male gender and take over the world in a “Planet of the Apes” type scenario.

We just want to be treated as humans, seeing as that is what we are.

I am a feminist because when I grow up, I will work hard at my job, but I will never work hard enough to earn the pay of the man in my same position.

I am a feminist because I love cooking and cleaning, but I love doing those activities to please myself, not a man.

I am a feminist because I respect my body, and I wish to see every woman have the same confidence I do.

I am a humanist because I see no difference in the makeup of myself and the boys walking by in the hallway.

I want my children to grow up believing they do things well and can express themselves in any form they want. Children should not be taught that they “run like a girl,” or that “boys don’t cry.” We are all people, and we should all try to be whole people, exploring every inch of whom one can be.

Now, society has limited itself to gender specific roles and obligations. In doing so it hurts the population’s ability to become full of whole humans.

Being anti-feminist not only sets back the rights of women, but it sets back the human race as a whole. ##### Kenneth Palmer: The debate around feminism today is full of tumult, mostly due to misunderstanding of the philosophy itself.

People often claim feminism is too extreme or that it has nothing to offer them. This is especially true of boys, and I would like to explain exactly why that stance is so detrimental. continued on next page

Coming Full Circle

28 August 2014

Editorial

5

page by Sydney Vogelsang

Editor (finally) addresses 2011 column

Written by Kyra Haas

A

ugust 2011. My freshman year and the first year in USD 497 history ninth graders were crammed in with the tenth through twelfth graders at the high schools. Even though Free State was new and exciting, by the second week of school, I was already bored enough in my sixth hour Algebra class to attempt an inconspicuous read through of the student publication in the back of the classroom.

My eyes caught on the lead of the Editor in Chief’s column: “Dear Freshmen, I’m one of those seniors. The kind who will probably not like you. The type who will be irate if you go to prom. And may God help the freshmen that sits in front of me at a football game. Yep, I’m one of them. I’m sure plenty of you are really nice people but in all honesty I don’t want to get to know you.”

Wow, welcome to high school.

I don’t want to say I spent the last three years rising slowly through the ranks of the Free Press and the grade-based social hierarchy just so I could respond publicly to an editor’s column I read at the beginning of ninth grade with one of my own. But, that is exactly how things seem to have turned out. So, here goes.

First off, showing such disdain for a group of about 380 people with whom the author had

never spoken is all too common, disheartening nonetheless. A mindset of “I’m older; therefore, I’m superior” thrives in the breeding ground of insecurity we call high school.

And, as soon as the bell rings after the last final exam in May, the vicious cycle of degradation renews again in full force, fed by the burning desire to avenge last year’s wrongs. New seniors turn on new juniors, who turn on new sophomores, who turn on new freshmen. Well, let’s be real. Everyone turns on the freshmen.

A few year’s age difference doesn’t magically make someone less human. One can make many decisions in his or her life, but age comes at its own pace.

Putting a group of people in a box and labeling it with stereotypes isn’t healthy for anyone involved and only feeds the problem.

The remedy is simple, with respect—as always— being key. Evaluate people on an individual basis before passing judgment. Be nice. Follow the golden rule. All that jazz. Remember the treatment endured as an underclassman and strive to prevent younger students from experiencing the same. I will, too.

So welcome, freshmen. I promise I won’t kill you for going to prom. In fact, as long as you refrain from excessive PDA, loud noises and general uncouth behavior, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.

fem· i· nism continued from page 4

First, let us be clear about what feminism really is and why everyone should feel safe discussing it. While feminist theorists often extend the implications of the definition, the focal point of feminism is equality.

Treating feminists as extremists isn’t accurate. It is like refusing to differentiate Christians from our friends at the Westboro Baptist Church.

Feminism aims to ensure equal rights— let us remember the United States has yet to pass an Equal Rights Amendment— not a tyrannical matriarchy. Men will not be silenced, and ideally oppression should see a considerable reduction overall.

The very fact hearing the “f-word” mortifies so many men and women is indicative of the current state of affairs. The fear is based on the reality women are still oppressed in

both in the United States and elsewhere.

Some men genuinely worry if women gained social empowerment, men may face the same oppression as women.

Yet, focusing on giving men solace about what they will retain if gender equality finally arrives is not productive. To pretend men are the only opponents of feminist ideology is simple-minded.

Both genders perpetuate patriarchy. Uh oh, I just alienated 75 percent of my audience who do not dare to think beyond Urban Dictionary’s first definition of the term “Feminist:” “A term coined by feminists, to blame men for all their problems.”

This definition, while intended to be humorous, is fundamentally false and dismisses feminism as solely a women’s issue. The reality of patriarchy is that men don’t solely cause sexism and women aren’t the only victims.

“ Feminism aims to

ensure equal rights ... not a tyrannical matriarchy.

The problem with patriarchy is it harms men AND women because it takes traits anyone can have and confine these behaviors to a single gender. Men are encouraged to be confident and strong, and only females are allowed to be nurturing and gentle.

These roles are not the result of a some inexorable biological process. Sure, there are predispositions, but the influence of those factors are minimal compared to the social imposition of gender roles.

I envision a world in which assertiveness is not an outlier for females and kindness is not purged from boyhood. A world in which we collectively reject the notion violence is just “boys being boys” and trepidation is just a practical expectation for girls.

Maybe confidence and kindness, along with the whole array of other human qualities, can someday simply be chalked up to “children being children.”

6Free Press page by Caylee Irving

28 August 2014

Summer Jobs Support Spending Students share job experiences Written by Hala Hamid & Lauren Brittain

W

News

Senior Elyse Boxberger perches at her post as a lifeguard at the Lawrence Outdoor Pool.

Photo by Nick Popiel

hen she isn’t flipping chicken nuggets or taking orders at Wendy’s, junior Maame Britwum tends to her least favorite part of work, cleaning the bathrooms.

“You’ve never felt real pain until you have to clean the men’s bathroom after lunch rush with a bunch of construction workers,” Britwum said. “I’m a germ freak, so going into a bathroom that has dirt in the sink and food wrappers in the trash makes me really sick.”

From cleaning dirty men’s restrooms at Wendy’s, to serving up platters of bacon at the Big Biscuit, many students put on their uniforms and pinned on their nametags this summer to work hard, meet new people and make some money.

For senior Megan McReynolds, working as a waitress at the Big Biscuit this summer was good money management practice.

“I would give 50 percent to my savings account, 40 percent to spending and then 10 percent to giving (to charity),” McReynolds said.

Junior Tanner Hockenbury, a cook at Tad’s Pizzeria, is less stringent when it comes to divvying up his paycheck.

“I’m in high school; I don’t really need to save too much,” Hockenbury said. “Spend it while you still can. That’s my advice to you … Because when you get older, you’re not going to have that luxury.”

While she enjoys making money, Britwum sees other reasons for working.

“I have my job to learn work ethic more than anything,” Britwum said.

She does, however, enjoy making money independently.

“My favorite part of working is the money,” Britwum said. “If I see a top I really want, I don’t have to ask my mom. I can just open my wallet.”

In addition to the paycheck, McReynolds also enjoyed her coworkers’ company.

“They made you feel like family,” McReynolds said. “Everyone there was really kind and we got along well with each other … It was a tight knit group of people.”

Sophomore Kara Krannawitter also enjoys her coworkers and the familiar atmosphere as a deli girl at the Clinton Lake Marina.

“There’s probably 12 summer staffers. So off the bat we all just kind of bonded very well,” Krannawitter said. “We’re in a tight space for long hours, so we just kind of have to get along, even if we don’t want to.” continued on next page

News

Tips and Tricks

1

2

Students give job-getting advice

Know what you enjoy, but don’t be too picky

“

I’d just advise other students to really enjoy and put a lot of thought into what they want to do.

-sophomore Kara Krannawitter

“

Don’t keep your mind set on one place. Don’t be picky because it’s a lot harder than it seems to get a job.

4 “

Research the business

“

The Big Biscuit asked me what do I know about their history ...

I had no clue. If you didn’t know anything, that could totally catch you off guard and make you seem disinterested in the business.

-senior Megan McReynolds

28 August 2014

page by Caylee Irving

7

3

Talk to the Manager

“

Always, ask for the manager.

Then the manager will talk to you when you give it (your application) to them and ask you a couple questions. They’ll most likely give you a call (afterward).

-junior Tanner Hockenbury

-junior Tanner Hockenbury

Understand your limits

For a job, I think it’s just knowing your priorities. Like, if you have time to get a job. If not, don’t overbook yourself. I often over commit and to have a job is a big commitment. Just make sure you’re ready for it.

Check out... fsfreepressonline.com for online goodies and extra stories

-senior Megan McReynolds

Summer Jobs continued from page 6 While students had time to work during the summer, the school year creates more obligations for students and less time for work.

“I decided (to quit at the beginning of August because) it didn’t really fit into my schedule,” McReynolds said. “I wasn’t able to commit all of my weekends to having a job … (I) just decided that my outside commitments for school were more important.”

Even though her hours will be limited, Britwum plans to continue working during the school year.

“I plan to work during the school year, but my parents have a rule that we can’t work during the school week, on Sunday and a few weeks leading up to important exams like the PSAT, SAT and finals week,” Britwum said.

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Hockenbury has worked for nine months, and while it’s tough at times, he has been able to find a balance that works for him.

“It’s definitely a lot of late nights,” Hockenbury said. “I work ‘til midnight a lot of the school nights, so I will get up at seven and go to school, go to practice, go straight to work and get off at midnight and do it all the next day.”

Senior Elyse Boxberger, lifeguard at the Lawrence Public Outdoor and Indoor Pools, believes the benefits of having a job as a teenager outweigh the sometimes tiresome work. “...It’s going to be hard now, but I think it’s worth it,” Boxberger said. “Having a job just prepares you for the real world and managing time and having responsibilities.”

@fsfreepress and tell us YOUR summer job stories.

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8 News

page by Caylee Irving

28 August 2014

Summer Studying Students sharpen academic skills in summer programs Written by Catherine Prestoy & Maddie Birchfield

W

hile her peers lounged by the pool, “I literally just had this data set, and they senior Abby Ilardi sat, studying female were like, ‘Study whatever you want with this,’” Olive baboons furiously, in a cramped Ilardi said. “We felt like real scientists, looking dorm room on the breezy Carleton University at an issue that had never been published before, Campus. and it felt like we were doing real science.”

Like Ilardi, other students traveled to While some churned out papers over break, universities and colleges across the country this others like senior Adam Strathman used camps summer looking to push their mental capacity to as an opportunity to find future occupations. the limit.

“I have no idea what I want to do in college,” Senior Kenneth Palmer Strathman said. “So I participated in the Telluride thought that a camp like Association Summer Program at this would help me see the University of Michigan. The what engineering was program was a “a six-week educalike and whether I would tional experience for high school like it as a career path.” juniors that offers challenges and Ilardi found the rewards rarely encountered in camp rekindled her love secondary school or even college.” of science, and she decid“Over the period of six weeks ed she might pursue the senior Abby Ilardi we wrote 12 essays, around two subject in college. a week,” Palmer said. “We read “I realized how from anywhere around 30 pages to 200 pages a much I enjoy being in that scientific research night.” group environment,” Ilardi said. “I love being Palmer attended, “Identity and Belonging around so many smart people who are passionate from Primates to Post Humans,” had many group about science, and it helped me realize that I discussions covering social issues. really do want to go into that.”

“We explored … just about every social issue Though spending the summer studying might from sexuality and (sexual) identification to class not sound appealing to everyone, these educato race to anything,” Palmer said. “It’s good to be tional programs proved beneficial to students able to critically analyze things and being able to involved. The opportunities gave these seniors analyze the biases behind something, especially exciting academic experiences in a surprisingly about human nature.” enjoyable environment.

On another educational summer schedule, “Anything that you think is fun or anyone Ilardi attended the Carleton Summer Science thinks is fun, it just is; you’re driven toward it,” Institute, a program that encourages hands-on Palmer said. study of scientific labs and experiments.

“We felt like real

scientists..., and it felt like we were doing real science -

News 28 August 2014

9

page by Kristina Foster

Arab-Israeli Conflict Persists Peace Talks Advance Fitfully Written by Kenneth Palmer

T

he battling between Israel and Palestine is part of a religious divide spanning thousands of years, but the focus of the contemporary conflict lies more with the politics following World War II than the ancient religious conflict.

The Zionist movement aimed to establish a holy land around Jerusalem before WWII, and when Hitler took power in Europe, the Jewish population in Palestine rose along with tensions. In 1947, the United Nations partitioned Palestine and created an Israeli state with half of the land. Israel took more land and control in the ensuing wars of the next few decades.

The US allied with Israel and tried to improve Arab-Israeli relations, but the Intifada, meaning uprising, in Palestine in 2000 and the reoccupation of Gaza in 2002 by Israel undermined hopes for continued peace.

In 2006, Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization, won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Authority, the ruling body of Palestine. Israel launched new economic measures, restricting swaths of farmland, fishing areas and trade and affecting Palestinian quality of life. Hamas used this to cultivate a strong anti-Israel senti-

7,065 were Palestinian 1,101 were Israeli photo by: Chesdovi on Wikimedia

ment.

In the spring of 2014, more economic restrictions and Israeli settlements in the West Bank began in response to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s negotiation with Hamas in April.

Some argue these actions led to the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers, the tipping point for renewed clashes. After much fighting, both sides eventually met in Cairo in August to begin negotiations during a three-day ceasefire.

Israel abandoned talks claiming Hamas had broken the ceasefire, but on Aug. 10, Palestine offered a new ceasefire proposal that would last for 72 hours, showing the pressure Palestine is under to end the conflict that has left nearly 2000 Palestinians dead. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said talks are impossible while rockets were being fired.

The two sides conducted talks and ceasefires intermittently since the offer, but Israel’s designation of Hamas as a terrorist group and the powerful influence of Hamas in the Gaza Strip mean Israel and Palestine will need to overcome considerable obstacles in order to achieve real peace.

people 8,166 totalkilled each

represents 100 people courtesy of: http://www.ochaopt.org/

10 Free Press page by Caylee Irving

28 August 2014

Firebirds in AAU Junior Olympic Games Track athletes compete, learn valuable lessons Written by Ryan Liston

W

ith her earbuds in and her spikes laced up, senior Kiara Clark listens to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and tries to calm her nerves before the announcer calls her to lineup for her first Junior Olympics race of the day.

From July 26 to Aug. 2, track athletes, Clark, senior Gabbi Dabney, sophomore Avin Lane and junior Ronald White, competed in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

Each athlete participated in a different set of events. Clark in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4x400 relay and heptathlon. Dabney in the 100 hurdles and heptathlon. Lane in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay. White in the 4x100 relay. Dabney also qualified in high jump, but sat out due to calf pains.

While they all ended up at the Junior Olympics this summer, each competitor took a different route.

Lane got involved in AAU track at White’s suggestion. Since Lane is passionate about sprinting, he was onboard.

“I like running the 200 mainly because it really has to do with heart,” Lane said.

Like Lane, Clark joined an AAU track team because of a teammate.

After Clark finished seventh grade, Free State alumnus Alexa HarmonThomas asked Clark to join her summer team in Kansas City.

“Looking back on it now, it just wasn’t even a thought,” Clark said.

“I was so in love with track back then, and so I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to do more of this.’”

Dabney, on the other hand, chose to compete in AAU this year because the USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympic Regional Meet was further away than her mother wanted to travel. Dabney has gone to four AAU national meets as well as qualified for four USATF national meets; however, she has never been to a USATF national meet.

Preparing for AAU nationals requires rigorous training, and practices are built around an athlete’s specific event(s). continued on next page

Sports Avin Lane prepares for one of his many races in the AAU Junior Olympic Games. photo used with permission

by Hakeem Bello, Bello Photography

11

Sports 28 August 2014

page by Caylee Irving

Olympic Games continued from page 10 “My coach was in the NFL and played for the Miami Dolphins, so he knows what he’s doing,” Clark said. “... He knows what’s really gonna push us without sending us over the edge.”

Competing on the national level taught the athletes lessons they hope to implement in the rest of their track careers. “... When you’re competing at such a high level, you have to learn to be more mature and more focused on yourself than what someone else is doing,” Dabney said.

“You’re thinking about what you need to get done, so you can perform at your best ability.”

Head track coach Jordan Rose notes several qualities that help these athletes take on challenging meets.

“All of those kids have some high expectations for themselves and set very achievable yet high goals for their times and their races that they’re competing in,” Rose said. “Most of them are very coachable.

They’re able to fix issues and work on problems that may be holding them back

somewhat.”

As Clark continues her track career, she plans to hold herself to these high expectations regardless of the competition. “(I’ve learned) to do my best every race and treat every race like it is nationals, so I can get a PR (personal record) instead of just going through the motions every time until regionals and State when it really matters,” Clark said.

Setting the Pace

Athletes’ final standings reflect hard work

Kiara Clark

Draft Pick Academy

Avin Lane 365 Blazers

100--Preliminaries: 10th, Semifinals: 10th 200--Preliminaries: 16th, Semifinals: 6th, Finals: Fifth 4x100--Preliminaries: 10th

100 Hurdles--Preliminaries: 30th 400 Hurdles--Preliminaries: 19th 4x400--Preliminaries: 19th Heptathlon--Finals: 27th photo by Jody Willmott

photo used with permission by Hakeem Bello, Bello Photography

Gabbi Dabney

Unattached

100 Hurdles--Preliminaries: 34th Heptathlon--Finals: 18th

photo by Amanda Schaller

Ronald White 365 Blazers

4x100--Preliminaries: 10th photo by Bret Watson

12 Free Press page by Darian Koenig

Minor Setbacks continued from page 12

28 August 2014

Minor Setbacks

Students’ rights limited on school grounds

A

Written by Fiona McAllister & Libby Stanford

t a Friday night home football game in October, the student section is full, with some students noticeably drunk. One takes a swig out of what appears to be a bottle filled with water. The look on her face as she drinks says otherwise.

Drinking at a school event seems risky, especially with security guards, administrators and police officers milling about. It’s not difficult to smell the alcohol coming off students’ breath. However, only the school officials can get students in trouble. This excludes student resource officers.

“I can arrest you if you’re holding it (alcohol) or have it, but once it’s in your system, there’s really nothing I can do,” SRO Ty Scheibler said.

While the 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines verdict decreed that “students don’t shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates,” in 2014, with advances in technology, gender-equality and courts, the boundaries of students’ rights are often blurred.

Social Media and Freedom of Speech

Feature

Some believe one of their First Amendment rights, freedom of speech, allows them to say what they wish on social media without fear of retribution.

However, this is not entirely the case.

“Anything of a bullying nature or a school threat that comes along is stuff that you can get in trouble,” associate principal Steve Heffernan said. “It doesn’t matter when or where you do it.”

Whether students post on social media during school or at home, depending on the nature, the school can reprimand students for the content according to the student handbook.

Senior Alder Cromwell disagrees with this policy.

“I don’t really feel like they have much of a right to dictate the things we do outside of school,” Cromwell said.

Additionally, students have no right to privacy on school computers. Under the Child Internet Protection Act, the school district must filter the Internet system and monitor for potentially inappropriate activity. This applies to both staff and students using the district Internet. The district may prevent access to certain websites.

“Not allowing us on Youtube and social media—I think that’s pretty overbearing,” sophomore Sabrea Platz said.

If a student or faculty member uses the Internet system inappropriately, then USD 497 investigates the issue and responds accordingly. The district considers the use of its computers a privilege, not a right, and can revoke access at any time according to the district acceptable use policy.

“One must distinguish between rights and privileges,” said David Cunningham, director of human resources and legal services for the district. “...there are certain rules and regulations that you must follow.”

In 1969, the Supreme Court ruled in Tinker v. Des Moines that if the school district could not provide substantial evidence that the speech was causing a disruption, then, under the First Amendment, the speech was protected.

This court decision still stands to some degree. The First Amendment still protects students, however to a lesser extent based on recent Supreme Court cases. While students are entitled to their own opinions, if these cause a disruption in the classroom, the school can interfere.

“The ability to maintain an educational environment in that case would supercede the individual’s free speech rights,” Cunningham said.

Some students see these policies as overly harsh, making it possible for the administration to abuse their authority.

“I feel the school is intended to teach us how to think, but in the recent years, the administration has tried to teach people what to think as opposed to how,” senior Isaac March said.

Searches of Property/Students

When law enforcement conducts a search, they must have probable cause, and, in most cases, a warrant. However, if the administration wants to search a student, locker, car, backpack, etc., all they need is reasonable suspicion that “district policies, rules or directives are being violated.”

Because reasonable suspicion is much less than probable cause, it is much easier for the administration

photo illustrations by Mary Brady

to conduct a search of a student or property.

“If you come in and you say, ‘Ty, see that girl over there? I’m pretty sure that she was talking about having drugs in her locker,’ (then) that’s enough reasonable suspicion for Mr. (Ed) West to search her backpack, her locker, anything,” Scheibler said.

The principal conducting the search must tell the student why he or she is being searched and try to contact the student’s parent. In most searches the SROs are present. If a student refuses to cooperate, the principal can ask law enforcement for assistance.

Searches of property like lockers and cars follow similar guidelines.

However, lockers are subject to random searches, and the principal does not have to give notice of a search.

The student handbook states that “students shall have no expectation of privacy in any school locker.”

For March, this is expected.

“You shouldn’t bring anything there that you wouldn’t take on an airplane,” March said. “I feel that people are entitled to the privacy of their car and, to a certain extent, their backpacks, but your locker is fair game.”

Likewise, if a car is on school property, the administration has the right to search it.

“On the campus, the Free State campus, your student rights are severely hinged just by the fact that you are on school property,” said John Frydman, a criminal defense lawyer. “They don’t need to have probable cause to search your lockers or your property because of safety concerns that

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Feature 28 August 2014

page by Darian Koenig

are different than in your home.”

While the administration can easily search a locker or a student’s property, law enforcement must have a search warrant to do so. The principal must also give permission and be present for the search.

The Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

It may seem like the school’s policies violate students’ Fourth Amendment rights. However, in the 1985 New Jersey v. T.L.O. case, the Supreme Court ruled that students should have lowered expectations of privacy in school, and that allows administrators to search without probable cause. continued on next page

12 Free Press page by Darian Koenig

Minor Setbacks continued from page 12

28 August 2014

Minor Setbacks

Students’ rights limited on school grounds

A

Written by Fiona McAllister & Libby Stanford

t a Friday night home football game in October, the student section is full, with some students noticeably drunk. One takes a swig out of what appears to be a bottle filled with water. The look on her face as she drinks says otherwise.

Drinking at a school event seems risky, especially with security guards, administrators and police officers milling about. It’s not difficult to smell the alcohol coming off students’ breath. However, only the school officials can get students in trouble. This excludes student resource officers.

“I can arrest you if you’re holding it (alcohol) or have it, but once it’s in your system, there’s really nothing I can do,” SRO Ty Scheibler said.

While the 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines verdict decreed that “students don’t shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates,” in 2014, with advances in technology, gender-equality and courts, the boundaries of students’ rights are often blurred.

Social Media and Freedom of Speech

Feature

Some believe one of their First Amendment rights, freedom of speech, allows them to say what they wish on social media without fear of retribution.

However, this is not entirely the case.

“Anything of a bullying nature or a school threat that comes along is stuff that you can get in trouble,” associate principal Steve Heffernan said. “It doesn’t matter when or where you do it.”

Whether students post on social media during school or at home, depending on the nature, the school can reprimand students for the content according to the student handbook.

Senior Alder Cromwell disagrees with this policy.

“I don’t really feel like they have much of a right to dictate the things we do outside of school,” Cromwell said.

Additionally, students have no right to privacy on school computers. Under the Child Internet Protection Act, the school district must filter the Internet system and monitor for potentially inappropriate activity. This applies to both staff and students using the district Internet. The district may prevent access to certain websites.

“Not allowing us on Youtube and social media—I think that’s pretty overbearing,” sophomore Sabrea Platz said.

If a student or faculty member uses the Internet system inappropriately, then USD 497 investigates the issue and responds accordingly. The district considers the use of its computers a privilege, not a right, and can revoke access at any time according to the district acceptable use policy.

“One must distinguish between rights and privileges,” said David Cunningham, director of human resources and legal services for the district. “...there are certain rules and regulations that you must follow.”

In 1969, the Supreme Court ruled in Tinker v. Des Moines that if the school district could not provide substantial evidence that the speech was causing a disruption, then, under the First Amendment, the speech was protected.

This court decision still stands to some degree. The First Amendment still protects students, however to a lesser extent based on recent Supreme Court cases. While students are entitled to their own opinions, if these cause a disruption in the classroom, the school can interfere.

“The ability to maintain an educational environment in that case would supercede the individual’s free speech rights,” Cunningham said.

Some students see these policies as overly harsh, making it possible for the administration to abuse their authority.

“I feel the school is intended to teach us how to think, but in the recent years, the administration has tried to teach people what to think as opposed to how,” senior Isaac March said.

Searches of Property/Students

When law enforcement conducts a search, they must have probable cause, and, in most cases, a warrant. However, if the administration wants to search a student, locker, car, backpack, etc., all they need is reasonable suspicion that “district policies, rules or directives are being violated.”

Because reasonable suspicion is much less than probable cause, it is much easier for the administration

photo illustrations by Mary Brady

to conduct a search of a student or property.

“If you come in and you say, ‘Ty, see that girl over there? I’m pretty sure that she was talking about having drugs in her locker,’ (then) that’s enough reasonable suspicion for Mr. (Ed) West to search her backpack, her locker, anything,” Scheibler said.

The principal conducting the search must tell the student why he or she is being searched and try to contact the student’s parent. In most searches the SROs are present. If a student refuses to cooperate, the principal can ask law enforcement for assistance.

Searches of property like lockers and cars follow similar guidelines.

However, lockers are subject to random searches, and the principal does not have to give notice of a search.

The student handbook states that “students shall have no expectation of privacy in any school locker.”

For March, this is expected.

“You shouldn’t bring anything there that you wouldn’t take on an airplane,” March said. “I feel that people are entitled to the privacy of their car and, to a certain extent, their backpacks, but your locker is fair game.”

Likewise, if a car is on school property, the administration has the right to search it.

“On the campus, the Free State campus, your student rights are severely hinged just by the fact that you are on school property,” said John Frydman, a criminal defense lawyer. “They don’t need to have probable cause to search your lockers or your property because of safety concerns that

13

Feature 28 August 2014

page by Darian Koenig

are different than in your home.”

While the administration can easily search a locker or a student’s property, law enforcement must have a search warrant to do so. The principal must also give permission and be present for the search.

The Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

It may seem like the school’s policies violate students’ Fourth Amendment rights. However, in the 1985 New Jersey v. T.L.O. case, the Supreme Court ruled that students should have lowered expectations of privacy in school, and that allows administrators to search without probable cause. continued on next page

14 Feature page by Darian Koenig

28 August 2014

Minor Setbacks continued from page 12 Bullying

handbook as, “any activity expected of a member of a group that humiliates, Bullying, along with hazing, is degrades, abuses, endangers or risks strictly prohibited according to district physical or emotional harm regardless of policy. While bullying can be subjective, the person’s willingness to participate.” the student handbook provides a When boys get their heads shaved description: “Including, but not limited during senior week and are sent home, to derogatory comments, jokes, slurs, it is often because the administration spitting or remarks or questions of a considers such an act hazing and a class harassing or intimidating nature.” disruption.

According Law enforcement to the Youth officers are limited in Risk Behavior what they can do when Surveillance it comes to bullying—the System, in school district has more 2013, nearly bite in that respect. Law 20 percent of enforcement or SROs will high school often be brought in when a students threat is involved. experienced “Criminal threats—if bullying. kids are like, ‘I’m going The district to kill you’—I can act on SRO Ty Scheibler takes bullying those,” Scheibler said. seriously, but But milder forms of abuse are more it can be hard to identify. difficult and complex to address, causing “So, how do you define what’s many to go unreported. harassment? It’s kind of decided by the person receiving it,” Heffernan said.

Because bullying is often subjective, Discrimination According to Title VI and Title IX, the district evaluates each situation on schools officials can not discriminate a case-by-case basis. Most of the time against students based on sex, color, the victim decides what is bullying. But race or national origin. the district can also take action if it Discrimination against a person feels the situation is inappropriate. The person involved doesn’t necessarily need because of their disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity is to feel bullied. also banned. The same guidelines apply School district officials say hazing to harassment. may be more of a disruption in class The district investigates all reports than bullying. Hazing is defined in the

“Criminal threats— if kids are like, ‘I’m going to kill you’—I can act on those.

-

of discrimination and harassment and may take disciplinary actions based on the result. This may including job termination or expulsion from school.

If a student feels discriminated against or harassed, they should report the incident to the superintendent.

Grade Posting

According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA),schools must have written permission to release a student’s grades.

“We publish honor roll,” Cunningham said. “That’s one of those areas that evolved a little bit. There were some cases that said that would be a violation of FERPA.” Honor roll differs from general grade posting because it does not reveal a student’s actual grade. It is considered directory information that the district may release unless a student tells them otherwise.

FERPA also allows students to grade each other’s work as long as the instructor has not already evaluated the assignment.

Additionally, teachers may show examples of student work as long as they do not name the student.

FERPA restricts many grade-related issues. For example, teachers are not allowed to leave graded work where students can see it. They also cannot talk to other teachers about a student unless necessary. continued on next page

Test your student rights knowledge on the next page

continued from page Police Rights

Compared to rights within school, students have more rights with the police. Police must follow Constitutional guidelines, while the courts have ruled that schools don’t in order to maintain a safe environment.

“I think most kids don’t realize that they probably have less rights in school through the administration than what they have with law enforcement,” Scheibler said.

However, encounters with police may be more intimidating than with school administrators. It’s important for students to know their Miranda rights from the start, rather than wait until they get arrested.

Miranda rights help protect citizens’ Fifth Amendment right, the right not to answer incriminating questions. This includes the right to remain silent and speak only with an attorney present.

“You have absolutely no obligation to talk to the police at all,” Frydman said. “You have to give them your name sometimes and your driver’s license if you’re driving, but you don’t have to submit to any tests, (and) you don’t have to consent to any searches.

You don’t have to answer any questions like, ‘Where are you going?’

‘Where have you been?’”

Remaining silent may be the best measure to keep students out of trouble if they are found in a criminal situation.

“I very rarely see a student or a person who helps themselves by talking to the police,” Frydman said.

“Generally, it does not get better if you talk.”

Conclusion

From classic problems such as underage drinking and drug use to new issues like misuse of social media, students need to be aware of their rights (or lack of) and possible ways to prevent abuse of their rights.

A balance between the administration and students is key to protecting students’ rights.

“I think there should be some level of trust between us,” Platz said.

15

Feature 28 August 2014

Do YOU know your rights?

Take the quiz and see if you know how to address these situations appropriately

1. You are speeding on Sixth Street and a cop pulls you over. After giving you a ticket, she asks to search your car, without a warrant.

Your rights allow you to: a. Say “no.” b. Do nothing. You have no choice. She can search your car. c. Speed away.

2. A teacher confiscates your phone because she believes it contains inappropriate content. What rights does the teacher have? a. The teacher can demand your passcode and look through the phone if they have reasonable suspicion. b. The teacher can give the phone to the administration. c. The teacher can destroy the phone.

3. A teacher wants to share a student’s paper with the rest of the class. What is the teacher allowed to do in this context? a. Share the paper, including the student’s name and grade they received. b. Share the paper, including the student’s name, and allow others to grade it. c. Share the paper, not including any of the student’s information.

4. A female student wants to be on the football team. The coach doesn’t want her to play because he thinks it will distract the boys. What should the student do? a. Accept this and go home. b. Try and get the coach fired. c. Report the situation to the superintendent.

5. Administrators decide to search a student’s locker for drugs. What can the student do to prevent the search? a. Demand that the administration needs a warrant. b. Call his or her lawyer. c. Do nothing because the locker is school property

page by Drake Riner

6.The star quarterback raped a female student at a party. When she reports the rape to the SRO, the SRO tries to keep her quiet so that the football player can keep his full ride scholarship. What should the girl do next? a. Report this to the superintendent, get her parents involved and file a police report. b. Agree to stay silent. c. Key the football player’s car.

7. A student is throwing a party when the police show up. The cops say someone reported a noise complaint. How should the student protect himself?

a. Leave the door wide-open so the cops can see the alcohol. b. Decline if officers ask to enter. c. “Run” and start a good old-fashioned police chase.

8. Student A repeatedly calls Student B an offensive name on Twitter and threatens to egg B’s house. What can Student B do?

a. Ignore it. b. Egg Student A’s house. c. Tell her assistant principal, even though it happened over the weekend.

9. A group of students wear armbands to show their support for gay marriage. The administrators attempt to force the students to remove them. What do the administration’s rights allow them to do? a. Leave the students alone as long as they are not causing a disruption. b. Give each student three days of ISS for ignoring school officials. c. Call the students’ parents and tell them to talk some sense into their children.

10. Senior football players force a underclassman to shave his head.

The student was reluctant and felt uncomfortable. What should he student do?

a. Tell his principal that he feels bullied. b. Accept that this is a just a part of being on the football team. c. TP all of the seniors’ houses and hope he doesn’t get caught.

Answers: 1. a, 2. b,3. c, 4. c, 5. c, 6. a, 7. b, 8. c, 9. a, 10. a

Minor Setbacks

16Free Press page by Drake Riner

Champion Artists of Free State

28 August 2014

Seniors show off their praiseworthy art Interviewed by Trenna Soderling

T

Profile

Above: Photo of Peyton Townsend’s art that won her Champion Artist.

Below: Photo of Preston Nye’s art that also won him Champion Artist.

Photos by Nick Popiel and Sam Goodwin

his month, two students were selected as Champion Artists of Free State. Given to two Lawrence High (LHS) and two Free State artists, the Champion Artist Award recognizes outstanding artists at a gathering of Art Department sponsors.

Trenna Soderling: So what is that (Champion Artist Award)? Can you describe it?

Peyton Townsend: Man, I don’t know. I just heard about it yesterday, actually.

Well, they say that there’s this big huge gathering for people who raise money for art departments in our Lawrence Public Schools, and they choose two Free State artists and two LHS artists to be recognized (and they’re usually seniors) that are excelling in the art program at Free State and at LHS and I was chosen to be one of them. I was lucky enough.

Trenna Soderling: So, when did you really start getting into art?

Peyton Townsend: When I was really, really young I always looked up to my brother, and my brother was always an artist so when I was like, five-years-old, I was like, “Hey, Ian! Teach me how to draw!” So we started working together, and we actually still draw together a lot...

Preston Nye: I started drawing in about fifth grade. And I started writing poetry and music in sixth grade. And then they kinda mixed together. And, when I came to high school, me and Ms. (Rachel) Downs met, and then she liked the way I mixed it— it’s like a mixture of music and art that I just put on paper.

Trenna Soderling: (Preston), how did you decide to put these (music and art) together?

Preston Nye: … I get influenced by musical artists, mostly—that’s where I get a lot of my motivation … Common, Blu and Exile, Currency. There’s a lot of artists. Kanye West, obviously. Jay-Z. I’m not necessarily influenced by the top people, but the people who just kinda have relaxing musical sense.

Trenna Soderling: How has it affected you throughout your life?

Peyton Townsend: I didn’t think it would do this much. I won this award, which was pretty amazing. I’ve had my art at the Lawrence Arts Center, and I’ve also gone to so many art shows and it’s helped me through a lot of stress and hard times. I actually want to grow up and be a tattoo artist and so I want to use it in my career.

Preston Nye: Generally, my favorite thing about art is the people. They’re just kinda open, and they’re not judgmental. There’s a lot of weird people in art, but it’s cool.

Trenna Soderling: What’s your inspiration?

Peyton Townsend: Oh, man. That’s probably the hardest question. I draw a lot of women actually. They’re bodies are very interesting to me, and I also draw a lot of cats … I love drawing animals and I love also doing it to draw awareness for animals... I also do it for rescuing because they’re so sweet. I draw women and stuff because of like the nature and motherhood really interest me and the way their bodies are shaped are really circular, and men are really square.

Trenna Soderling: You talked a little bit about how you want to grow up and become a tattoo artist. How else is art going to continue to affect your life after high school?

Peyton Townsend: I’m going to continue to draw everyday. I’m hopefully going to take some art classes at JuCo. I would go to art college, but it’s really expensive. But, yeah. I draw everyday, and my best friend’s an artist, too, and we want to open our shop together... I don’t know but just draw everyday and I live with my brother now so there will be a lot more drawing and I paint on my walls all the time. Just silly stuff like that.

Trenna Soderling: What do you want to do when you grow up?

Preston Nye: I mean, I’ve always had a dream of being a rapper. I’ve performed and I write music and I’ve produced music. That’s like, the dream. But, for a normal job, I want to go to art school—that’s the one thing I really want to do— but if I don’t go to art school, I’d like to go to business school.

17

Profile 28 August 2014

page by Kristina Foster

Road to Recovery

Teacher’s condition post-bicycle accident improves Interviewed by Evan Frook

O

n Friday, May 2 at 10:40 p.m., history teacher Jason Springer suffered severe injuries in a bicycle accident at the corner of 8th St. and Monterey Way.

No witnesses were at the scene, and when fire-medical officials responded, they found him unresponsive. He was then life-flighted to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

How are you?

“I’m doing pretty good. I’m about 80-85 percent healed, I’ve got some nerve damage that I’m still working through, but I’m just taking it one day at a time, and things are going okay.”

Has this affected your return to teaching at all?

“No, Mr. (Ed) West and the school district have been very accommodating and very helpful as far as getting me back into teaching, and I can’t thank them enough.

I’m very lucky to be here.”

Besides them, is there anyone else in the Free State community who’s helped you through?

“I would say my colleagues, all the teachers here at Free State, they really helped me through. They definitely made me feel like where I work is not just a place of work, that it’s actually like a home that supports a person, and makes you feel like part of a family. Also, I had numerous students who wrote me thank you letters and thank you cards … That was very supportive as well.”

726

bicyclists died from accidents in 2012 and

49,000

bicyclists were injured

courtesy of: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/

What about communities besides Free State?

What about the donation fund?

“There was, but that was by former Free State students.”

Are you returning to biking?

I will whenever I can do it, once I heal enough to get back on the bike, I will.”

What would you say to other bikers?

“Wear your helmet. Saved my life, it can save yours. Wear your helmet, turn your lights on, on your bike.”

And to other drivers?

“Pay attention to the road. Share the road with people on a bike.”

Any final thoughts? “... I’m just glad to be back at work. I’m just kinda glad to be slowly putting my life back together.”

91%

of bikers who did not wear a

helmet died in an accident in 2009 courtesy of: http://www.helmets.org

18 Profile

page by Darian Koenig

28 August 2014

? d r o W hose

W

Bird’s Word

The Free Press staff sought out random student opinions on the question:

What does the word “Feminism” mean?

Interviewed by Ryan Liston & Maria Carrasco Photos by Nick Popiel & Mary Brady

“It’s rights for women. We actually learned this last year in social studies. They were like, ‘If anyone asks you what feminism means, it’s rights for women.’ It’s not a bad thing; it’s a good thing.”

“Something that a woman would do, but a guy wouldn’t do.

Something along the lines of that.”

-freshman Blake Nations

- freshman Piper Rogers

“Like, women characteristics.

It seems to me that it just involves being a woman.”

-sophomore Brandon Wall

“I think it’s like a body of people, obviously females, who want more rights for women, although I do believe that it gets a little extreme, and so, I don’t think that’s right, … If we’re going to make a change, we’ve at least got to be nice, and not be like, ‘Oh, men suck,’ constantly because that’s what some do.”

-sophomore Chantel Guzman

“A bunch of really like, stuck-up chicks trying to make themselves feel like they’re better than everybody else … I just think it’s silly.”

-junior Indigo Bahn

“When it comes to like, guys, guys are like, not dirty, just more masculine, and feminism is like, not like “weak”— it’s more like innocence of—they’re softer. You know what I mean? They’re clean; they’re smart, and guys are like, on the other scale of that.”

-senior Preston Nye

“Equal rights within females or women.”

-junior Logan McKinney

“It means not so much the realization that women are better than men, but the idea that we’re equal and should be allowed equal opportunities.”

-senior Sophie Westbrook

19

Graphics

Booking it Modernized Lawrence Public Library opens

28 August 2014

page by Darian Koenig

written by Kaitlyn Foster

On Nov. 2, 2010 Lawrence voters approved an $18 million bond to renovate and expand the Lawrence Public Library as well as build a new parking garage.

About two years later, the library moved to the vacant Border’s as a temporary space. Throughout the construction process, library staff provided

photo by Mary Brady

TheTeenZone

updates via social media.

On July 26 of this year, the new, orange-sided and glass-paneled building opened its doors to the public. The 20,000-square-foot expansion doubled the Children’s Room and meeting room space, and it features several upgrades to the Teen Zone.

• 48” TVs for video games • 16 computers for homework, gaming and more • iPad station • Craft table with supplies • Cafè tables for socializing, reading magazines/books, doing homework and more • Teen collection (fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, audiobooks, graphic novels and more) • Teen study room - quiet space with glass walls, a 48” TV and marker board for individual studying or group projects

• ALL FREE!

photo by Sam Goodwin photo by Sam Goodwin

photo by Nick Popiel

20Graphics page by Darian Koenig

28 August 2014

World Famous Tweets Tweets from the World Cup Every four years, 209 soccer teams compete to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. This year’s finest competed in a ferocious battle for the golden trophy. During this sporting jubilee, the world cheered on.

Through the madness, people typed tweets, posted pictures and created appreciation accounts.

Here are some of the best:

Artists of the Month

Above

Top Right

Below

Bottom Right

Senior Alexa Malik

Senior Samantha Lenz

Free Press 28 August 2014

page by Darian Koenig

21

Sophomore Madison Piper

Junior Cierra Campbell

Want to have your art featured? Tweet a picture of your art with your name and grade @fsfreepress.

Arts and Entertainment

22A&E

Page by Darian Koenig

28 August 2014

September concert schedule

2

Ed Sheeran theyoung1s.co.uk

Written by Maria Carrasco & Trenna Soderling

lyrics, creating an intimate atmosphere even in Madison Square Garden-sized venues.

Lately, Sheeran has experimented with his music, incorporating rap and electronic elements which work beautifully with his soulful voice. This is especially noticeable in his song, “Take It Back.” Despite the slight change in sound, Sheeran still maintains his signature cozy yet powerful vibe.

Buzz Beach Ball 2014

5

$50 per ticket All Ages Friday, Sept. 5 Show Starts: 3 p.m.

Sporting Park 1 Sporting Way Kansas City, Kan. 66111

Buzz Beach Ball 2014’s lineup is sure to be a hit. Headlining the show is legendary alternative rock band Arctic Monkeys, noted for their incredible rock concerts that make everyone get on their feet.

Arctic Monkey’s singles, “Do I Wanna Know,” “R U Mine?” and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?,” have soared on their latest album, “AM.” Reputable publishings, the Guardian and NME, recently recognized lead singer Alex Turner as “One of the Greatest Lyricists in the 21st Century.”

Rock band Weezer and indie rock band The 1975 will play alongside Arctic Monkeys on stage one. Started in 1992, Weezer has sold about 17,525,000 albums

worldwide. Their music is known for its subdued guitar notes and catchy beats. The 1975 is an up-and-coming indie rock band from England. Their hit single “Chocolate” landed them spot 19 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart.

Their music has an electric vibe, while maintaining elements of rock.

Other stage one acts include: rock band J Roddy Walston and The Business; alternative rock band The Mowgli’s; and indie rock duo Broods. On stage two, singersongwriter Meg Myers; electronic band Big Data; indie rock band Bear Hands; rock band Ume; alternative duo Thumpers; and indie rock band the Griswolds will perform.

Cake

5

$36.50 per ticket All Ages Friday, Sept. 5 Doors Open: 8:30 p.m.

Crossroads 417 E. 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. 64108

twenty one pilots $29.15 per ticket All Ages Sunday, Sept. 14 Doors Open: 7 p.m.

Show Starts: 8 p.m.

Uptown Theater 3700 Broadway Road Kansas City, Mo. 64111

14

afterdarkpresents.com

$52 per ticket All Ages Tuesday, Sept. 2 Show Starts: 7:30 p.m.

Sprint Center 1407 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, Mo. 64106 One of the most famous singer-songwriters in Hollywood is making his way to Kansas City.

Sheeran’s hit single “The A Team” gained critical acclaim, landing him a Song of the Year nomination at the 2013 Grammys.

His latest singles, “Sing” and “Don’t,” are topping the Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart.

Sheeran’s shows are quiet and personal. He silences his audience with his soft melodies and touching

Alternative duo twenty one pilots has received critical acclaim for their innovative sound, especially with their hit single “Holding On To You.” Not only does their music contain rock instrumentals, but it also features talk-like vocals and electronic beats, notably in their single “Car Radio.”

As for their performances, twenty one pilots start uproars at their shows. Members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun often do backflips and other crazy stunts on stage, invigorating the crowd.

Demi Lovato

23

$29.50 per ticket All Ages Tuesday, Sept. 23 Show Starts: 7 p.m.

Sprint Center 1407 Grand Blvd.

Kansas City, Mo. 64106

Don’t see any of your favorites?

Tweet us @fsfreepress to let us know about your upcoming concerts

A&E:Reviews 28 August 2014

page by Darian Koenig

23

You Won’t Have to Pretend to Like Jenny Lawson’s “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” Written by Trenna Soderling

her childhood was terrifying, she begins to discuss her adulthood. She recounts how she met her husband, married him, revealed top-secret HR information, had a kid, visited her parents in rural Texas, realized her deep affection for small taxidermied animals and more. But throughout the jokes and stories Lawson interweaves serious, real struggles as she battles her severe social anxieties and multiple miscarriages. Moving past mere social awkwardness, her fears are almost paralyzing, and at many times she creates situations so unpleasant that no one can stand to be in them. As Lawson takes you through her troubles, you can see how her disability negatively affects her daily life.

“Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” is a great balance between real problems and hilarious stories that seem too good to be true. Lawson’s unbelievable tales will keep you wrapped up in her book from beginning to end. She is unapologetically herself as she discovers how unfortunate moments truly shaped the person she is today. Anyone looking for a break from the usual Young

Adult Best Sellers should pick up a copy.

Lawson’s book isn’t for the easily offended, but it will leave you in stitches with a deep sense of relief that you haven’t been in her shoes.

The Black Keys’ “Turn Blue” Turns Down for What

cover by theNerdPatrol

I

t’s easy to get swept up in the latest dystopian fiction trend that has enveloped the nation’s teenagers in books like Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” or Veronica Roth’s “Divergent.” Granted, this type of fiction can keep you wrapped up in its fantasyland for hours, but sometimes a step into the world of a real person can be just as entertaining. Jenny Lawson’s autobiography “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” is just as fascinating as teens fighting each other to the death.

Lawson is straightforward right from the beginning, “straightforward” meaning she lures you in with the promise of an infant arsonist and keeps you wondering through several paragraphs if someone so small could actually be a pyromaniac. Hint: she can. She then relives her traumatizing, yet hilarious, childhood as she points out numerous reasons why her upbringing is unique and tells story after story about her crazy father. Seriously, a side-by-side comparison will rid anyone of the fear that his or her own dad is a lunatic.

After convincing the whole world that

artists’ pain and suffering.

The drum lines accompany it perfectly.

“Gotta Get Away” is classic rock. The beat and guitar riffs just scream Americana.

The guitar solo makes me want to dance in a 1950’s poodleskirtwearing teen kind of way.

Overall, I give the Black Keys’ “Turn Blue” a 9.5/10. While I’ll never love it as much as “Brothers,” this album is fantastic and well worth a listen.

cover by hitthefloor.com

Written by Maria Carrasco

Ever since their album, “Brothers,” I’ve been a pretty big fan of The Black Keys. “Brothers” is still my favorite of their albums, but their newest, “Turn Blue,” is a close second.

Duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have produced music since 2001. But it wasn’t until 2011 that they gained critical acclaim from a widespread audience.

The Black Keys’ music makes me feel like I can take on the world.

Filed under the “Rock” genre on iTunes, The Black Keys can better be classified as a limbo between jazz, rock and punk because of Carney’s fast-paced drumming and Auerbach’s jazzy vocals and guitar. While the combination may seem odd, The Black Keys make it work.

“Turn Blue” maintains these elements but has a psychedelic vibe, which is especially noticeable in “Weight of Love” and “Fever.”

My favorite“Turn Blue” tracks are “Fever,” “10 Lovers” and “Gotta Get Away.”

“Fever” is “Turn Blue”’s hit single, and with good reason. The track is catchy and memorable with electric keyboard beats, guitar and drums creating the ultimate rock-out song. The hit is similar to their original garage band sound.

“10 Lovers” brings a sadder vibe, focusing on love and passion.

The guitar melody makes the song. Through it one can hear the

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