Free Press: Issue 3, Edition 18 by FSJournalism

Free Press the

Issue 3

Edition 18 23 October 2014

photo by Mary Brady

cover by Caylee Irivng

Midterm Elections November races close on all fronts pg 6

Meeting Expectations Renovated gym meets KSHSAA standards despite rumors pg 10

Band Together Sophomores form band, release EP pg 16

Sports Injury Students recount concussions, close calls pg 12

2Free Press page by Addie Wendel

23 October 2014

Table of Contents

6 12

5 18 5

20 Let’s Take A Couple Selﬁes Editor addresses selﬁe epidemic Written by Kyra Haas

Midterm Elections November races close on all fronts

Written by Libby Stanford and Kenneth Palmer

12Feature Take A Knee

Students recount concussions, close calls Written by Maddie Birchfield and Lauren Brittain

22 23 18 20 Artists of the Month 22 Concert Schedule Got Ink?

Students show off tattoos Interviewed by Erin Friedrichsen

This month’s featured Firebird art

Smallpools, Magic Man, the 1975 and New Politics Written by Maria Carrasco

Technology 23 Book, Reviews

‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?’ and iPhone 6 analysis

Written by Kyra Haas and Ryan Liston

Follow us @fsfreepress on Twitter or Free State H.S. Free Press on Facebook for current information about school happenings!

2014-2015

Free Press Staff 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

Editor in Chief Online Editor in Chief Social Media Editor/ Print Managing Editor Online Managing Editor Design Editor Asst. 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

Sam Goodwin

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 numbers. 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, Kan. 66049. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Free Press staff, the high school administraion or that of the USD 497 Board of Education.

News Briefs 23 October 2014

page by Addie Wendel

WRAP Program provides therapeutic intervention

Written by Catherine Prestoy

he walls of April Ramos’ room glow a bright sunshine yellow with bold, black words etched across them, encouraging viewers to “Grow,” “Change” and “Breathe.” “WRAP” stands for “Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities.” The program serves as a way for students to receive social and emotional support during a time of difficulty. However, Ramos, a Free State WRAP worker, does not consider it a counseling program. “Basically what we do is therapeutic interventions,” Ramos said. “We try to ... help them realize what’s going on, what resources are available outside of here ... and what we can do to help their parents if the parents need help. It’s tailoring what I can offer to what they need.” Ramos has helped students confront their difficulties during her eight-years as the school’s WRAP worker. “Every day it’s different,” Ramos said. “Every person that comes through the door, their needs are different. I believe that most of the time we know what’s best for us and what needs to happen we just don’t always know how to get to that information either (from) inside of us or outside resources.” Talking through the students’ problems, Ramos plays “Sherlock Holmes” to pinpoint with what the student is dealing.

“Everyone is individual, but a lot of the issues are very common,” Ramos said. “There’s just some kind of release finding out that you’re not the only one struggling with something. Somebody else has struggled with it and they may have done something different, but they got through it. Just knowing you can get through it often times what gets us through the day.” While the WRAP program benefits students through therapeutic intervention, Ramos finds herself benefitted as well. “This program—social work in general—has made me a better person because I see people at their most vulnerable,” Ramos said. “... Nobody needs to struggle by themselves.”

Marching Band steps to“Incredible” new show Written by Juliana Hill

nspired by Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” the new marching band show focuses on the climatic battle between the Incredibles and the Omindroid. Incorporating the movie’s characters and soundtrack, the show features Syndrome, Mr. Incredible and the younger Mr. Incredible, all played by marching band members. The band’s different formations depict other characters and their “incredible” abilities. Props are representational as well. For example, giant rubber balls are used to portray the Omnidroid. The band hopes the changes will make the show more entertaining for everyone involved. “We wanted to make a show that would be fun for us to put on and be fun for the audience as well,” said senior Anna Patterson, mellophone section leader. Band director Randall Fillmore chose the music because he felt the band could handle a more challenging selection. “My choice in music was based on finding music that was the quality we wanted and had energy and liveliness,” Fillmore said. Fillmore took students’ interests into consideration when selecting the new show. “I think this year Mr. Fillmore took a lot of

The marching band performs new half time show based on Disney’s Pixar movie, “The Incredibles.” Marching band member junior Steele Jacobs played the new and improved “Mr. Incredible” and said while he missed marching, “when Mr.Fillmore asked me if I would be a character, I gladly obliged.” Photo by Mary Brady

student input,” said senior AJ Zarnowiec, saxophone section leader. “He really listened to the students and kind of made everything (in response) to our ideas.” While students appreciated their voices being heard, the resulting show presents an ongoing challenge for the band. “The music is very hard, and then we also have really hard sets,” said senior Hannah Reussner, head drum major. “It takes a lot of time and a lot of dedication from everyone.” Learning to play and step to the new music correctly is difficult for many marchers, but especially for new underclassmen. “We’ve experienced some of the younger members being a little bit stressed out because we have really difficult music to memorize,” Patterson said. “It’s mainly like memorization and putting it with the drill (and) figuring out where you go; that’s always kind of a tough thing for newer members to figure out.” Despite the obstacles that line the path, Zarnowiec believes this show will be the best yet. “It’s a really good show,” Zarnowiec said. “Hopefully, the bar can be set higher for (the underclassmen) as their band career goes on.”

4 Staff Editorial page by Darian Koenig

23 October 2014

We Should Talk Staff discusses crosstown rivalry, relations

Written by Maria Carrasco, Kenneth Palmer and Kyra Haas

n Sept. 18, obscene images and racial slurs were left on the Lawrence High School football field before the city football showdown against crosstown rival, Free State. The event marred relations between the two high schools and sparked heated commentary and harsh criticism from the public condensed into 140-character tweets. The weekend after the football field vandalism, a First Student bus was spray-painted with racial slurs toward Free State, inciting more social media conversation. While the Free Press staff’s opinions are not unanimous, the majority believe these actions are serious and demand a response from the community. Groups like Can We Talk have had “Courageous Conversations” about diversity for a number of years, but more effort should be made to have these conversations with the larger student body, and these conversations should not wait for the next racist, classist act of vandalism. While the recent vandalism is atypical and does not represent the views of either student body, it brings to focus the real tension between the schools based on perceived race and socioeconomic status (SES) differences. While gaps do exist between LHS and Free State regarding average SES, they are not enormous. “... About 40 percent of students at Lawrence High qualify for free or reduced lunches, and about 29 percent of the kids at Free State qualify, if you want to use that as an indication of poverty,” Superintendent Dr. Rick Doll said in an interview with members of both LHS and Free State publication staffs. Skewed perceptions of racial and class-based differences are equally harmful. Negative and apathetic attitudes about this dynamic exist. The choice to use class and race as insults, regardless of how much diversity is actually present at either school, is an indication that some Free State students feel their perceived identity—wealthy, white and educated—is something worth boasting about. “The whole root of racism is that people say, ‘Skin color matters, and, by the way, white matters most,’” Doll said. “It’s about power.” In order to evaluate and potentially change these attitudes, we need to talk about them. That is exactly what the district has started doing in the last five years, in part through a two-day diversity training for staff and teachers. At this point, 250 staff members in the district are trained to conduct “Courageous Conversations,” and Doll expects the entire district to be similarly trained as soon as possible. The measures intend to educate the staffers and create an atmosphere of diversity awareness in schools overall. Additionally, groups of teachers at schools throughout the district are trained to assess issues within their classrooms. One such group at Free State, “The CARE Team,” consists of Principal Ed West and teachers Oather Strawderman, Cris Pittman, Carol Spring, Dana Whetter, Jordan Rose and Laurie Martin-Frydman. Others, such as the Equity Team, involve more staff. However, these measures do not specifically involve students, the population in which the negativity appears most prevalent. Effort to engage more of the student body on a more regular basis should be increased. We agree with Doll that these conversations should happen regularly, regardless of circumstance, in order to prepare students not only for today’s diversity, but the future’s as well. “We want all of our kids—our poor kids, our gay, lesbian kids, our kids of color—to feel comfortable at school,” Doll said. Illustration by Mary Brady

Let’s Take A Couple Selﬁ es Editor addresses selﬁe epidemic

Opinion 23 October 2014

page by Darian Koenig

Written by Kyra Haas

ou’re so vain you probably think this column’s about you. From full-length mirror point-andshoot flash photography to front-facing iPhone snapshots, selfies devour social media feeds— human faces beautifully distorted by Valencia or Mayfair filters. Teenage girls are becoming infamous for Facebook albums with fifty variations of the same shot or Instagram profiles featuring every angle of their countenance. I’m not saying those don’t get annoying (I find them incredibly so), but I think selfies get an undeserved bad rap. No one should hide his or her face under a rock. I am a firm believer in #SelfieSunday. For some, a great deal of confidence feels necessary to post a closeup and declare the image’s decency and suitability for public viewing. Self-confidence is good. By all means, like your face (just don’t “like” it on Instagram—that’s kinda lame). But, selfies are a diverse species. While they can be a form of positive self-expression, when one decides to use selfies continually to self-express

(and express and express and express), then it comes off a wee bit narcissistic. Social media is a wonderful pool in which narcissists can reflect, keeping record of their self-imposed lovliness, sorted in albums cleverly titled “Junior Year <3 <3” or “Summer Fun!” Such self-centeredness can often be marked by song lyric captions imploring the viewers to see themselves as beautiful, too. However, narcissism is not a symptom of every case of “Selfitis.” I blame insecurity for much of the selfiefied behavior that daily suffocates social media users. Some use selfies to test whether others support or reject their view of themselves. But basing one’s self-worth on the number of “likes” received from one post to the next is a slippery slope, one of which I’ve found myself sliding down several times. Step back and see social media the way its creators and early users intended it: as a platform for fostering community, sharing innovation and collaborating with like-minded people—not as an outlet for self-comparison and deprecation. Photo By Lindsey Pratte

Vegetarians Go Bananas

Lunchroom doesn’t ‘meat’ vegetarian standards Written by Hala Hamid

oting the lack of vegetarian-friendly options in the lunch line, junior Grace Eason grabs cheese pizza, tri taters, apple juice and an apple almost every day. Since Eason is a vegetarian and many of the main dishes at school include meat, she struggles to find nutritional foods. The amount of vegetarian options is limited, and the district needs to work to accommodate the needs of students who don’t eat meat by incorporating more vegetarian-friendly meals. “There aren’t a whole lot of options that are appetizing,” Eason said. “Lots of times the vegetarian options feel like they were an add-on; they don’t feel like they were intentionally (vegetarian)-made courses.” While Eason eats at school almost exclusively, senior Marlee Yost-Wolff, also a vegetarian, only grabs a yogurt parfait at school on the rare occasion she forgets or doesn’t have time to pack her lunch. “Having a main dish that doesn’t involve meat once in a while (would add more variety to lunch options),” Yost-Wolff said. Some students say they have attempted to ask for their main dishes without meat but have been declined. “I’ve tried to get food without meat, and they’d put the meat on the side because I think they are Illustration by Mary Brady

required to give it to you as a source of protein,” Eason said. “But I feel like there should be an alternate choice of protein given the number of people who don’t like meat or can’t eat it.” Asking for food without meat seems like a simple task to fulfill. However, the USDA sets standards on what can be served at schools. “A request for meal modification must be filled out by a physician and how that is filled out will determine how we work with the parent and student,” district nutritionist Lindsey Morgan said. With the number of students who don’t eat meat, the school needs to match the supply with this demand. “We have set a goal of looking at the vegetarian options this year,” Morgan said. Incorporating more vegetarian foods can seem like a daunting task, but it must be done. Students with special dietary needs should still be able to have a decent amount of variety at school and should not have to eat the same thing every day. “There are a lot of vegetarian cookbooks, vegetarian options … sauces without meat or dishes that more heavily feature vegetables as the main source of flavor and substance rather than meat,” Eason said.

6News

page by Kristina Foster

23 October 2014

Midterm Elections

November races close on all fronts Written by Libby Stanford and Kenneth Palmer

he Kansas midterm elections are approaching like a storm. This is atypical — considering Kansas is usually a safely Republican state — especially in the Senate contest in which a non-Republican has a real chance of winning a seat for the first time since 1932 when George McGill won a three-way race. The races for the Governor’s seat, the 2nd district House of Representatives seat, incumbent Pat Roberts’ Senate seat and the Secretary of State position are all close and consistently competitive. As Nov. 4 approaches, the gaps in polling close rapidly compared to months prior, and the all competitions are far too close to call at this point. The results will determine the trajectory of the state and nation for many years to come, making an informed decision about these candidates prior to voting imperative.

Congress—2nd District House of Representatives

Democrat Margie Wakeﬁeld gives a rebuttal during the Sept. 6 debate against Republican Lynn Jenkins and Libertarian Chris Clemmons. The midterm election is Nov. 4. Photo by Nick Popiel

The House of Representatives 2nd District Congressional race is between Democrat Margie Wakefield, Republican Lynn Jenkins and Libertarian Chris Clemmons. Each candidate focuses on issues such as education, job creation, agriculture and social security. Republican candidate Lynn Jenkins’ lead is bolstered by the traditional conservatism of the state and her campaign’s financial advantage. Jenkins is sitting on $2 million, according to the Topeka Capital Journal. Jenkins says her top three priorities if she gets elected are listening to Kansans, creating opportunities for Kansans through jobs and repealing Obama’s health care law. According to the Topeka Capital Journal, Wakefield, the Democratic candidate, hopes to create “an environment that attracts good paying jobs and entrepreneurship.” She also hopes to provide better opportunities for working families to succeed and will push to be assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. “A lot of (the campaign) is centered around jobs, whether that’s making sure minimum wage is a livable wage (or) whether that’s making sure that women are paid equal,” said Kyle Gardner, Field Director for Wakefield. The campaign of Libertarian candidate, Chris Clemmons, mainly focuses on abolishing laws such as the Patriot Act, NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), and RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). Clemmons hopes to “reduce the federal budget and lower the tax burden on all Americans.” He believes the growth of hemp, high-growing varieties of the Cannabis plant, is necessary to bring in money for Kansas.

News 23 October 2014

page by Kristina Foster

Midterm Elections continued from page 6 Senate

state, and all parties are making every attempt to ensure victory for their candidate. The Senate race between leading candidates According to RealClearPolitics.com averages Independent Greg Orman and Republican Pat between Sept. 27 and Oct. 7, Orman is polling at Roberts has been a long, controversial contest, 45.5 percent and Roberts is polling at 43.3 percent. garnering national attention. After a series of Roberts also faced a challenging primary in which disputes over Democrat Chad Taylor’s eligibility to he polled under 50 percent against opponent withdraw his name from the ballot, he was finally Milton Wolf, another factor that may hurt him in allowed to leave the race when the the Kansas November. Supreme Court overruled the Secretary of State’s During the Sept. demands. 6 debate in Hutchinson, When Taylor first Orman touted his attempted to remove independent credentials his name, a move which and criticized both parties was predicted to lend a for their inefficiencies significant number of votes while Roberts linked him to Independent candidate to Democratic leadership, Orman, Secretary of State especially Senate Majority Kris Kobach asserted Leader Harry Reid. Roberts Taylor could not do so. proclaimed his loyalty to Kobach contended Taylor Kansas and conservative would need to write he was values while Orman “incapable of fulfilling the grouped Roberts with the duties of office if elected” rest of a flawed Congress. in those precise terms in The two disagreed his letter of withdrawal. Senator Pat Roberts on marijuana policy, Despite Kobach’s gun control and ISIS, but with the exception of argument, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Taylor marijuana laws, the candidates differed primarily could, in fact, withdraw. Kobach then argued with the details. a Democrat had to fill Taylor’s vacancy, but a Roberts argued for complete abolition of gun Shawnee County District Court panel dismissed control while Orman advocated the implementation this claim on Oct. 1. of background checks at gun shows similar to The unusual nature of the election, in part, those faced at a licensed dealer. is responsible for Taylor’s withdraw and Kobach’s Both were critical of national defense and opposition. It is bizarre for a three-term Republican the response to ISIS, but while Roberts stated incumbent like Roberts to face a serious threat President Barack Obama is the cause for the to his incumbency in a consistently conservative

“(Marijuana laws

are) a state issue.

If you want to get

a Rocky Mountain

”

high, go west.

disaster, Orman stated the Congress, the two previous presidents and the sequester are all to blame for the poor response in the Middle East. Orman said the war on drugs has not worked, while Roberts shut down the discussion of marijuana laws with a simple response. “That’s a state issue,” Roberts said. “If you want to get a Rocky Mountain high, go west.”

Gubernatorial

Despite Kansas’ powerful Republican slant, the state’s governor seat vacillates between parties often. Democrat Paul Davis, a leader in the Kansas House of Representatives, is challenging Republican Governor Sam Brownback in an attempt to sway this often contested seat in his party’s favor. The challenge comes at the end of Brownback’s controversial first term, one in which the governor’s conservatism alienated the moderate wing of the Kansas Republican party and led more than 100 current and former Republicans to endorse the more moderate Davis campaign. The Davis campaign ran into its own issues, however. The Coffeyville Journal reported on an incident in 1998 during which Davis, then 26, was in a strip club receiving a lap dance at the time of a drug bust. Davis was not charged of wrongdoing, and he was not married at the time of the event, but the publicity may be damaging to his image in the state. The core of this race is not scandals or intraparty division, but the candidates’ very different approaches to the relevant issues facing the state. Brownback and Davis met on Sept. 6 along with the candidates for the Senate seat at the state fair in Hutchinson for a fiery debate.

District 1:

Kansas Congressional Districts

population: 752,222 median household income: $45,540 major cities: Manhattan, Hutchinson current representative: Tim Huelskamp (R)

District 2:

District 1 Lawrence

District 2

population: 672,102 median income: $37,855 major cities: Lawrence, Topeka current representative: Lynn Jenkins (R)

District 3:

population: 672,124 median household income: $51,118 major cities: Kansas City, Olathe current representative: Kevin Yoder (R)

District 4: District 4

population: 672,101 median household income: $40,917 major cities: Wichita current representative: Mike Pompeo (R)

8 News

page by Kristina Foster

23 October 2014

Midterm Elections

continued from page 7

Each candidate had clear, consistent talking points. Davis focused on Brownback’s “failed experiment,” and Brownback worked to link Davis to the national Democratic party. Both candidates slipped those talking points into most of their answers. Major points of contention were education, the economy and healthcare. Davis has made education a focal point of the 2014 election, and he says the Kansas Supreme Court ruling stating the state’s education funding levels are unconstitutionally low validates his concerns. Brownback claimed much of the lack of funding could be traced back to inadequate federal stimulus money, a problem the incumbent attributed to the president’s actions. Brownback also claimed Davis’ proposed education plan would cause the consolidation of rural school districts. Brownback defended his economic record as a successful effort to bring prosperity and business to the Kansas economy in the face of tough odds. He stated he began with $876 on hand in the Speaking at a Sept. 6 debate, Libertarian candidate Chris Clemmons supports student loan reform and a change in drug policy. Clemmons is running against Democrat Margie Wakeﬁeld and Republican Lynn Jenkins. photo by Nick Popiel

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Kansas government, but multiple sources have debunked this assertion as the budget six months prior to Brownback’s entrance into office. The state actually had more than $200 million on hand when he was sworn in, despite claims. Brownback touted tax cuts and other incentives for business as a plan to strengthen the Kansas economy through free market economics. Davis was skeptical and pointed to the projected $238 million budget shortfall for 2016, arguing the governor’s methods may lead to additional education cuts. Denouncing Davis as the “Nancy Pelosi of Kansas,” Brownback likened his opponent’s support of the expansion of Medicaid to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Davis argued increasing Medicaid would be good for the Kansas economy and could help keep rural hospitals open. He also criticized the KanCare program, which privatized Medicaid. The debate drew fierce applause from both sides of aisle, and the race is still too close to call conclusively. According to a RealClearPolitics.com average spanning Sept. 27 to Oct. 7, the race is tied at 45 percent for both candidates.

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News

Birds Leave Nest

23 October 2014

page by Kristina Foster

Marketing III students negotiate reopening Bird’s Nest snack shop by: Ryan Liston and Trenna Soderling

ith the shutters down and the door locked, a room which used to contain snack items sits vacant near the Commons’ south doors. According to marketing teacher Phil Roth, the school board decided in June to close the Bird’s Nest, the school’s snack shop, this year during and around meal times due to “competitive food sales” last year. The school board set up a new policy classifying “competitive food” as “any food or beverage service available to students that is separate and apart from the districts nonprofit federally reimbursed food service program.” The new policy also states “competitive food” can not be served a half-hour before breakfast or first lunch and cannot reopen until a half-hour after breakfast or third lunch. However, Roth says the Bird’s Nest’s nearly $4,000 profit last year—all of which went to school organizations—did not seem to compete with the district’s $6,246,660 budget for food services. Roth used the Bird’s Nest as a tool to teach his Marketing III students the keys to running a small business. “We had to handle inventory, work with customers (and) advertise new products,” senior Weston Hack said. “Basically everything that a small business would have to do, we did.” Developing these skills was the students’ goal in running the Bird’s Nest. “That’s really one of the missions of the Bird’s Nest—to be a live lab for a learning experience, to learn how to run a small business,” Roth said. “We don’t consider it a concession stand; we really considered it a part of the curriculum for Marketing III.” When the school year started, Roth and his students sought out representatives from the

district office to hear their case. benefitting us, even though it doesn’t really have “We weren’t sure the board realized that the anything to do with marketing,” Hack said. Bird’s Nest was part of the marketing curriculum,” Regardless, the students feel the class has Roth said. “The Marketing III students put together been slighted by the loss of the Bird’s Nest. a presentation that we presented to the District “It’s something we looked forward to as Director of Food Service and the administrator in freshmen, sophomores and juniors so we could run charge of HR and Board Relations to see if we could the Bird’s Nest, and now we can’t because of a silly convince them to intercede with the board.” regulation,” Reeb said. However, senior Savannah Reeb felt the Not only are the Marketing III students and presentation was destined to fail. teacher upset, faculty and students outside of the “(The district representatives) came in marketing program have voiced their concerns as with an answer in mind,” Reeb said. “They just well. didn’t really care about where we were coming “We get questions all the time like, ‘Where’s from, and they didn’t really try to come up with a the Bird’s Nest?” Reeb said. “Or like, ‘We tried to compromise.” buy food from the Bird’s Nest and they were closed. Although their first attempt was not received What’s wrong with the Bird’s Nest? We want the as well as they hoped, Marketing III students Bird’s Nest back.’ That’s all we hear. They want the continue to work on a compromise that will allow Bird’s Nest back.” them to operate the Bird’s Nest during lunch. “We are still in discussion with the District Administration, and (we are) discussing compromise options,” Roth said. The Marketing III students hope that they find a solution, but until then, they work on developing other skills. “We’re working on some Student Checking college prep A starter checking account for ages 12-17. Great for learning stuff, and that’s

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10 Sports

page by Sydney Vogelsang

23 October 2014

Meeting Expectations

Renovated gym meets KSHSAA standards despite rumors Written by Fiona McAllister

alking into the large gym for the first home varsity volleyball game on Thursday, Sept. 25, it’s easy to understand why one might be impressed. With a refurbished floor, polished and professional, and brand-new metal bleachers instead of last year’s crumbling wooden ones, the $250,000 spent to upgrade the 17-year-old gym seems to be well worth it. For the volleyball team, the first game played in the newly renovated gym was even more exciting because of the increased seating availability. “The other night we had a pretty good-sized student section, which we’ve never had before,” said Nancy Hopkins, head volleyball coach. “It would be nice to have a student section like that every time we played.” Despite the newness, for some volleyball players, rumors the renovated gym did not meet Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) requirements for hosting sub-state put a damper on the excitement. “The refereeing stands are legally not positioned correctly and we aren’t allowed to host sub-state because the courts are (only) 5 or 10 feet separated,” senior Paige Corcoran said. “It’s kind of disappointing because they put so much money and work into the gym, and they can’t provide us the necessities that volleyball needs.” However, according to athletic director Mike Hill, the new gym not meeting KSHSAA standards is just a rumor. “We spent a great deal of time making sure the courts were legal and laid out a certain way,” Hill said. “We consulted not only the architect, but also the head volleyball coach.” While KSHSAA requires a 20-foot gap between the volleyball courts in order to utilize both courts simultaneously during sub-state, Free State can still host the event. A less efficient but still workable solution makes this possible. “The only difference is that we have to do one at a time because we don’t have enough space in between,” Hopkins said. After hearing some referees complain about the positions of the refereeing stands, volleyball players questioned if these stands were in the correct place. “The referees like them to be on the inside so that the down ref is on the outside by the score table,” Hopkins said. “We’ve played in places both ways. I don’t think there is a rule that says they have to be that way.” Aside from the alleged sub-state and refereeing stand issues, the renovated gym exceeds sophomore Naomi Hickman’s expectations. “The floors are really nice, and the Firebird in the middle is awesome,” Hickman said. Overall, the logistical issues with holding sub-state and the refereeing stands are nothing more than minor inconveniences according to Hopkins. “I’m the biggest stickler there is about following the rules, and if there was a rule against it, I would be making a big stink about it,” Hopkins said.

Sophomore Abbey Zenger waits for the referee to motion for her teammate to serve the ball during a junior varsity volleyball game on Sept. 25. The game was one of the ﬁrst to be played in the newly renovated gym, which underwent a $250,000 “beautiﬁcation” process over the summer. photo by Nick Popiel

Senior Sydney Moreano and sophomore Payton Gannaway jump to block a spike from Bishop Miege during a match on Oct. 15.

Sports 23 October 2014

photo by Mary Brady

ports icker

October

FS Varsity Volleyball vs. LHS @ Home 6 p.m.

23 Jumping to spike the ball, senior Bayley Witcher-Goscha catches air at the varsity volleyball dual match against Bishop Miege on Oct. 15. Photo by Mary Brady

The varsity volleyball team joins hands in a group huddle at a dual match on Oct. 15. The team lost to Bishop Miege 28-30, 22-25 and 7-25. Senior Sydney Moreano had 8 kills. Photo by Mary Brady

Varsity players prepare to return a â&#x20AC;&#x153;freeâ&#x20AC;? ball from Bishop Miege during an Oct. 15 match.

Photo by Mary Brady

25 Follow us on Twitter for daily updates on school happenings and sports events. @fsfreepress

FS Varsity Football vs. Manhattan @ Manhattan High 7 p.m.

FS JV Football vs. Manhattan @ Home 11 a.m.

FS Boys Varsity Soccer vs. TBA @Home 3:30 p.m.

November FS Boys Varsity Soccer vs. TBA @ Home 6:00 p.m.

page by Sydney Vogelsang

12 Feature page by Caylee Irving

23 October 2014

If Frankian suspects any cognitive damage, At a volleyball tournament in Lee Summit, the player is sent to a physician. The physician junior Allie Knapp felt similar frustration over her then decides whether or not to clear the player, inability to sending him or her back to Frankian for a week of play after being recovery exercises. concussed “It takes four days, … as long as symptoms during the don’t return,” Frankian said. game. However, Frankian notes flaws within the “I just protocol for concussion injuries. didn’t want to “It’s hard to tell because a concussion is a let my team subjective injury, so they have to tell me how they down,” Knapp feel,” Frankian said. “You can’t always see it.” said. “They had Student athletes are well aware they so many games cannot play while concussed, and as a result, … I wanted Frankian says she sees more students withholding to come back information about possible head injuries for a so bad and variety of reasons. play. It was That being said, Hofer did not feel pressure one of those junior Allie Knapp from coaches to play after his injury, and head things where I football coach Bob Lisher agreed safety is a top couldn’t speed concern for the football coaching staff and for up the recovery, you know. It’s my brain.” football teams across the country. Knapp suffered from common concussion “There are rules in place now where they are symptoms: memory loss, blackouts and trying to eliminate a lot of head-to-head contact,” disorientation. Lisher said. “There’s more emphasis on keeping “After making contact with the ball, I hit the the head out of the game (and) just making sure side of my head on the ground, and immediately that the head is for protection, not for a weapon.” it just totally got swollen,” Knapp said. “I However, due to a love of the game and a couldn’t see out of this eye, but I could see in my feeling of responsibility to their teammates and peripherals the big bump. After I hit my head, I coaches, many players admit returning to practice tried to get up right away, and I fell back down. before they fully healed. I opened up my eyes, “You always want and it was just black. I to be tough,” junior blinked, like, five times, Sam Skwarlo said. “I’d and it was still black.” say it was definitely self Knapp continued (pressure). I just told to play after her injury, myself I was going to but quickly realized play.” that she needed to sit A group of out—a decision her defenders stepped on coach supported. junior Sam Skwarlo Skwarlo’s foot during Across the the first football game of the season. What Skwarlo athletics program, injured athletes are supported first thought was a bruise turned out to be a and encouraged to heal instead of forced back into lisfranc tear, requiring many screws and plates to competition before they are ready. fuse his bones back together. He was out for the Frankian agreed coaches have a significant season and utterly devastated. role. After a serious injury, she lets the coaches “I’m not that much of an emotional guy, but handle the players’ emotions so she can focus I was bawling my eyes out,” Skwarlo said. “I can’t on splinting and ensuring they make it to the think of any days that are much worse than that emergency room if necessary. one. It was a pretty big blow.” “Sometimes coaches will actually hold them

Take A Knee

page by Caylee Irving

out longer than I will,” Frankian said. Junior Kierstin Hutfles experienced this support as she dealt with multiple knee injuries and underwent three surgeries due to those injuries in her high school career. Hutfles did not feel pressure from head soccer coach Kelly Barah to return to the field before she was ready. “Barah was amazing,” Hutfles said. “He was more sad for me, so in that sense it kind of made me want to prove to him that it was no big deal, just a little hiccup.” Over the course of two and a half years, Hutfles has undergone multiple surgeries. Not only did her injuries require knee reconstruction, but now she is healing from another surgery after the reconstructed knee broke in half while jumping for a header in a soccer game. Hutfles’ body rejected the pin used to reconstruct her knee, which weakened the joint and caused increased susceptibility to further injuries.

“ I opened up

my eyes, and it was just black. I blinked, like, ﬁve times, and it was still black. -

Athletes recount concussions, close calls

“

Written by Maddie Birchfield and Lauren Brittain

oping to secure a spot on the varsity team, senior Briceson Junge plays hard on the last day of soccer tryouts. As Junge goes for a hitter, the goalie’s fist collides with his face. Junge immediately feels dazed and athletic trainer, Ashley Frankian, comes to test him for delayed reaction and memory loss, common signs of a concussion. With recent studies indicating nearly 30 percent of NFL retirees will get dementia or Alzheimer’s, concern mounts regarding the impact of head injuries sustained in high school sports. In many sports—especially high-impact sports like football—injuries, specifically concussions, are common on the field. Senior Shane Hofer sustained a head injury last year while the Firebird football team battled Shawnee Mission East (SME). “I don’t remember most of the game, or any of it,” Hofer said. “I’ve watched the film multiple times, but I couldn’t find a certain play. I think I got one (a concussion) in the first half and I just kept on playing, and it got really bad.” Those at the game witnessed Hofer’s confusion and distress and were later able to tell him what happened. During the remainder of the game, Hofer’s emotions surged as he tried to understand his surroundings in his altered, muddled state. “I got to the sidelines and started yelling at our trainer because I wanted to go back in,” Hofer said. “... I guess I threw a couple water bottles at people. It was kind of weird, because it’s almost like you’re possessed or something like that.” Senior Jackson Reed also got a concussion while playing football. During the first week of the season, a teammate hit Reed at practice. “I remember going to practice (and) getting hit,” Reed said. “Then, I remember talking to the trainer and going home.” After a concussion occurs, Frankian begins investigating the injury. “(I run) what’s called a SCAT 3 test (on the players),” Frankian said. “It’s a concussion protocol that we follow that tests their (athletes’) cognitive function, their balance Illustration by Kristina Fosterand their symptoms.”

Feature

Sports Injury continued from page 12

23 October 2014

“I’m not that much of an emotional guy, but I was bawling my eyes out. -

“

Have you been injured as a result of playing sports? Yes, but it was minor Yes, and it was a major Injury I’ve never been injured playing a sport

Lisfranc joint complex

I do not play sports Seniors Jacob Allen and Joel Spain help a teammate to his feet during the varsity Homecoming game against Leavenworth. photo by Mary Brady

Other

Source: 163 Free State students responded

illustration by Kristina Foster

12 Feature page by Caylee Irving

23 October 2014

Take A Knee

page by Caylee Irving

“ I opened up

my eyes, and it was just black. I blinked, like, ﬁve times, and it was still black. -

Athletes recount concussions, close calls

“

Written by Maddie Birchfield and Lauren Brittain

Feature

Sports Injury continued from page 12

23 October 2014

“I’m not that much of an emotional guy, but I was bawling my eyes out. -

“

Have you been injured as a result of playing sports? Yes, but it was minor Yes, and it was a major Injury I’ve never been injured playing a sport

Lisfranc joint complex

I do not play sports Seniors Jacob Allen and Joel Spain help a teammate to his feet during the varsity Homecoming game against Leavenworth. photo by Mary Brady

Other

Source: 163 Free State students responded

illustration by Kristina Foster

14 Feature page by Caylee Irvng

23 October 2014

Sports injury continued from page 13 “It’s hard getting around, and it wears you With football, both Hofer and Reed had to wait benefit outweighs potential long-term cognitive out being on crutches, so I’m always exhausted,” until headache symptoms went away before they damage. Hutfles said. “With this straight leg, getting shorts also started a routine of exercise that gradually “I’m willing to take the chance,” Sam Skwarlo up is hard.” worked them back into the sport. said. “... Especially since I’ve always wanted to play Recovering from Even after the recovery college football.” trauma while playing in process is complete, players Even though all sports have risks, Hutfles high school can cause fear reinjury because multiple also believes the game is enough to sway those a large upset in one’s concussions are a cause of fears. schoolwork. Injuries, termination for many athletes. “Your brain is more valuable, but I think you especially to the head, “Sometimes I think about should definitely have the option of playing the can hinder one’s it, going in, before a game, but sport you love,” Hutfles said. “Even if it can cause academic performance. during a game you’re getting hit injury.” “It is hard,” in the head so many times that Instead of keeping students from sports, Hutfles said. “I’ve (getting a concussion) is the last Knapp suggested alternative precautions be taken. missed about a week thing on your mind,” Hofer said. She stressed the importance of a mandatory impact senior Briceson Junge of school now, and I’m “Throughout the week I’ll think test. just getting caught up, about it sometimes, because, you Frankian elaborated on how the test making up tests and homework, especially with all know, if I get one more, I might works, describing the series of the AP classes I’m doing.” never play again.” computerized tests that Knapp also missed a week of school after her Junge uses common evaluate your memory, concussion. sense off the field to decrease reaction time, speed and “I was so behind with school work, and when risk of reinjury. other cognitive functions. I finally came back, I had so much more,” Knapp “I wouldn’t go and try to “All athletes can take said. do something else that would it before their season starts, Knapp faced many restrictions during her get me hurt again, … but and then if you were to get time at home to keep from over-stimulating her when I was actually playing, a concussion you can go brain. I didn’t feel restricted by it,” certain doctors and retake “I could do 10 minutes and then I’d have to Junge said. the test,” Frankian said. stop, just because I didn’t want my brain working, While some athletes If the results from or thinking.” Knapp said. “Even if it didn’t hurt me take precautions, others hang the second test prove to be or bother me, they just wanted my brain resting.” up their jerseys to preserve worse than those of the first, Permanent neurological damage could their health. Skwarlo’s the player will not be cleared result from overworking the brain too early after older brother and Free State to return. an injury. To help with this process, Frankian alumnus, Stan Skwarlo, is Because Knapp hadn’t junior Kierstin Hutfl es assigned Junge a workout regimen that eased him one such athlete. taken the impact test before, back into soccer gently. Although Stan Skwarlo her doctors struggled to “There were some days where I had to skip played football in the past, he make a diagnosis based on one day (of physical therapy) because my head gave it up to pursue his interest in the medical field. her score. started to hurt,” Junge said. “It’s like you can’t He ruled out football after considering the potential “They didn’t know what I would be normally, concentrate really at all, and I was really sensitive for serious brain damage. so it was hard for them to distinguish how bad it to light.” Sam Skwarlo, on the other hand, believes the was,” Knapp said. “I feel like in the future, that

like you can’t “It’sconcentrate really at all, and I was really sensitive to light. -

“

Your brain is “more valuable,

but I think you should deﬁnitely have the option of playing the sport you love. -

“

Medical personnel surround an injured Free State football player during the homecoming football game against Leavenworth on Sept. 26. The game ended with a score of 21-35, LV. Photo by Mary Brady

Is there pressure on injured athletes to resume play before completely healing? Yes, the pressure comes mostly from coaches Yes, the pressure comes mostly from fellow athletes Yes, the pressure comes from the injured athletes No, there is no pressure Source: 163 Free State students responded

Feature 23 October 2014

page by Kristina Foster

Junior Sam Skwarlo limps after his teammates during the varsity Homecoming football game against Leavenworth. Free State lost, 21-35. Skwarlo tore his lisfranc during the ďŹ rst game of the season. He is out for the rest of the year. photo by Mary Brady

Standing behind his teammates, sophomore Zion Bowlin watches the varsity football team play Leavenworth at the Homecoming football game. Photo by Mary Brady

Is playing sports worth the risk of injury? No

Should action be taken to make high school sports safer? No

48%

15% 85%

52%

Yes

Yes Source: 163 Free State students responded

On Sept. 11, senior Buzz Walter assists a teammate during a varisty soccer game against Olathe Northwest. The team lost, 1-2. photo by Nick Popiel

16 Free Press page by Kristina Foster

23 October 2014

Band Together

Sophomores form band, release EP

Practicing sets in a band member’s basement, lead guitarist Max Limesand moves to the sound he and his friends create. The band Obi performs at parties and music venues. They recently released their EP on SoundCloud. photo by Nick Popiel

Written by Evan Frook

athered in their small basement practice space, Obi plays through their show set, afterwards playfully tossing around jokes and profanities. Obi is composed of bass guitarist sophomore Atticus VonHolten, drummer sophomore Sam Allen, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist sophomore Max Limesand and lead guitarist sophomore Henry MacKinnon. Obi may be a high school band, but they have something in common with the likes of Modest Mouse, Cat Power and Snoop Dog: they draw inspiration from animals.The name Obi stems from a unique encounter with a specific animal. “(Obi) was a dog at a party we went to,” VonHolten said. “We weren’t there as the band, ... but we were all attending it.” MacKinnon believes the band formed from boredom combined with inspiration. “(We were just) four guys who had nothing better to do,” MacKinnon said. The band is reluctant to define the music they make, preferring to label it as idiosyncratic. “I don’t even know,” Limesand said. “It’s just weird and inconsistent.” The band formed in elementary school but only recently began seriously producing music. “Max and Sam and I have all been friends since we were in kindergarten, (and) we met Atticus in seventh grade,” MacKinnon said. “(We) were playing Army or something like that, and there was a drum set in Max’s basement, and we started tapping on it. We were like, ‘Hey, we should make a band.’” Originally, they struggled to find musical roles where each member’s abilities could shine. “We went through a bunch of different phases of finding parts for each other; Max was originally the bass player, then we met Atticus,” MacKinnon said. “… (Atticus) originally played keyboard. He was awful.” Obi also enjoys the companionship that comes with being in a band, saying their practices are fun and light and that they hope to stay together. “At a practice, there’s a lot of swearing at each other,” MacKinnon said. “Not in a mean way … We fool around a lot, run our set once or twice and then we’re done. If we find some success, it’ll benefit us that we’re good friends.” They are currently mixing and producing their self-titled EP (extended play) and playing at parties and local venues in between albums. They recently released their EP as a CD and on Soundcloud. The band is already planning their next album. “(We plan to) record more music, write more stuff, try to play more shows. We want to keep going with it, definitely,” VonHolten said.

Proﬁle 23 October 2014

page by Kristina Foster

Navy Strong

Senior Connor Ballenger discusses decision to join Navy, ROTC program

Interviewed by Erin Friedrichsen

1. I heard that you joined the Navy. Is that correct? I’m currently trying to get in, actually.

2. When did you decide that you wanted to join the Navy? It was earlier this year, actually. I’ve been thinking about it a little bit because I want to go for architectural engineering. I was looking at ways to pay for college, and if I join the ROTC program, which would make me an officer in the Navy, they would pay for all of my college. So it would basically being like going to college for free.

3. Did you consider other college options? Yeah, I was going to go to KU anyway and just try and earn a bunch of scholarships.

4. What are your goals in the future with the skills you’d be using from the ROTC program and also in engineering? I don’t know. I mean, I’d like to graduate and then after that travel the world and get to build buildings and stuff like that.

5. Do you know where you’ll be stationed if you’re in the ROTC program? If I do get into the program, I will go to college at KU, and then after that I could be stationed anywhere in the United States or in the world.

6. When do you know if you’ve gotten in or not? … I’ll know early January if I made it in or not.

7. How do you get in? Is there a set criteria you have to meet? You have to fill out a huge application with all of your records from high school education, to your ACT scores, SAT scores and your personal records. So if you were in any clubs, sports and stuff like that. They also really look for community service hours.

8. Do you have to take any sort of physical test? You have to be able to do at least 60 push-ups, around 90 sit-ups or “curls” as they call them, and you have to run a mile-and-a-half in about nine minutes.

9. What’s your backup plan? I’ll probably still enlist and just try to work my way up to becoming an officer.

10. Would you say that the Navy and the ROTC Program is more of just a step along the way to your final goal of engineering or have you always wanted to do both? I do want to do both for the experience. Like, getting school paid for is good, but it’s more about getting out there and seeing the world.

11. Would you want to be stationed outside of the country? Yeah, I think would be pretty cool and a really good experience. Many (troops) are being stationed in Germany right now, and I think that would be really cool. And I’d be getting paid, too. Holding teammate senior Jake Keary, senior Connor Ballenger poses with friends during the varsity Invitational at Rim Rock Farm. The boys cross country team took 9th in the “Gold” 5k. Ballenger has been a part of the cross country team his entire high school career. photo by Ty Hartman

18 Graphics page by Addie Wendel

gotink?

23 October 2014

Interviewed by Erin Friedrichsen

junior Tanner Hockenbury Date Received: June Length of Procedure: 24 minutes Type of Tattoo: It is a flying running shoe on Hockenbury’s left shoulder. Explanation: Hockenbury received the tattoo to commemorate his high school track experience.“I got it because I really enjoy track and it’s kind of what I want to do with my life,” Hockenbury said. “Track is a really big part of my life, and I’d like to remember it even when I’m done.” Most Annoying Question: Hockenbury is most annoyed when people ask him whether he will regret the tattoo.

senior Tye Carter Date Received: Summer before his eighth grade year Length of Procedure: Two hours Type of Tattoo: The tattoo is “Rees” on Carter’s right shoulder. Explanation: Carter got the tattoo to remember his brother, Rees, who passed away when Carter was 12. Most Annoying Question: Carter is often asked about his tattoo’s significance and the person to whom it is dedicated.

Date Received: Sept. 3 Length of Procedure: 5-10 minutes Type of Tattoo: Etched in a cursive font on Winsor’s collarbone,

her tattoo implores viewers to, “Love in such a way that it frees you.”

senior Jordan Winsor

Explanation: Inspired by a poem, Winsor got her tattoo on her 18th birthday. “It’s a quote from a poem that [Laurie] Martin Frydman showed me,” Winsor said. Most Annoying Question: The most annoying questions Winsor

gets about her tattoo are often from her family members. They ask things like, “What’s your tattoo about?” or, “What does it mean?”

Graphics 23 October 2014

page by Addie Wendel

Date Received: September 2014 Length of Procedure: 5.5 hours Type of Tattoo: The ink depicts a samurai warrior on Sharp’s right bicep. Explanation: “(I have) grown up watching samurais that are known for wisdom, and I respect that,” Sharp said. Most Annoying

senior Daulton Sharp

Question: The most annoying questions Sharp gets about his tattoo regard its authenticity.

FSHS newspaper 2014-9, 2” X 2”

senior Summerrain Hooper Date Received: Summer 2014 Type of Tattoo: The tattoo is tribal patterns around Hooper’s upper left arm. Explanation: “(My tattoo) is my cradleboard pattern because I’m Shoshone,” Hooper said. “The bearclaw is because I’m in Bearclan. So, I basically got the tattoo for my family and for my tribe.” Most Annoying Question: “I get asked a lot if my tattoo is real,” Hooper said. “I guess some people think that I draw it on every morning.”

Last chance

Y ESenior A RAd B Design O ONight K is Nov. 14. For more information, Y E A R fstalon@usd497.org B O O K email YEARBOOK

Free State

Journalism Supporters Q: What is a Free State Journalism Supporter? A: Businesses or people that want to support the mission

of the Free Press through a donation. Funds from the supporters go toward staff development opportunities like workshops and contests, printing and any supplies the staff needs.

First Amendment Supporters

Antonio and Mary Andrade Scotch Fabric Care Services Joda and Friends Salon

Go Green Donors Railroad Signal Design Barrister Books Jellystone Park

Fueling the Fire Friends

Thompson Financial Group, LLC

Driving School 785-764-2214 GoDrivingLawrence.com

Janice & Walter Olker

4821 W. 6th St. Phone: (785) 841-5252

M- Canadian Bacon T- Cheese W- Beef Th- Sausage F- Pepperoni M-F- Works and All Meat

Come in for Slice of the Day (M-F only) 1 slice: $1.75 2 slices $3.00

Bring this coupon in for a $1 Dine-in Soda (W/ Free State I.D.) The Proof is in the Pizza

20Photos

page by Addie Wendel

23 October 2014

Artists of the Month

Top Left: senior Lindsay Rapp

Top Right: sophomore Annie Olsen

Bottom Left: senior Lindsay Rapp

Bottom Right: junior Cierra Campbell

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

Arts and Entertainment

Proﬁles 23 October 2014

? d r o W hose

page by Addie Wendel

Bird’s Word

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

Should the Bird’s Nest reopen?

“Yes. My brother was in Marketing III, so he’s part of that, and he really wants it (back). And it seems like a good idea. The school would make money off it, and I would like to buy stuff from there because I get hungry.” - freshman Cole Baker

“Yes, because the lunchroom stinks— it’s nasty, it’s gross and they don’t give you very many options for sides.” - freshman Raechel Atkins

“I think it should because everybody should get something ... It’s a good way to spread the word.”

Interviews and Photos by Evan Frook

“I think the Bird’s Nest should be reinstated… I believe the food provides a good chance for students to eat and drink throughout the day.” - junior Jordan Patrick

“I never went there, so I don’t know. I mean I don’t care; I really never went there.” - junior Natalie Rios

“I think the Bird’s Nest was nice because it allows access to different food that you don’t typically get to eat in the school cafeteria, and it gives people different options. It’s nice because people get to work at it.” - senior Adam Strathman

- sophomore Nicholas Guier

“I’ve never used it, but my friends have used it before, and they used to get those little kool-aid things for their water, so that’s a fun thing.” - sophomore Mariah Houston

“Honestly, it wouldn’t affect me. I never went there, so I am neutral.” - senior Morgan Noll

22A&E

Page by Sydney Vogelsang

23 October 2014

November concert schedule Written by Maria Carrasco

The 1975

$38.09 per ticket All Ages Sunday, Nov. 9 Show Starts: 8 p.m. Uptown Theater 3700 Broadway St. Kansas City, Mo. 64111 On Nov. 4, the 1975 will perform in Uptown Theater. In the fall of 2013, the 1975 released their first selftitled album. The group received acclaim in the United States and the United Kingdom. Their debut album reached No. 1 on the U.K. and 28 on the U.S. charts.

Their singles “Chocolate” and “Sex” hit No. 29 and No. 35, respectively, on the U.S. Alternative Charts. These songs are even more popular on Youtube, with “Chocolate” at 17 million views and “Girls” at around 9 million.

Photo by Jenna Million

Smallpools & Magic Man

10 Relatively unknown indie bands Smallpools and Magic Man will be at the Granada on Nov. 10. Smallpools recently concluded a tour with indie rock band, Local Natives. Now they’ll share the mainstage with Magic Man, a similar upcoming band. Magic Man just finished their tour as an opening act for another popular indie pop band, Walk the Moon.

$9.65 per ticket All Ages Monday, Nov. 10 Show Starts: 7 p.m. The Granada 1020 Massachusetts St. Lawrence, Kan. 66049 Smallpools recently released their four-track self-titled EP. Their single “Dreaming” reached No. 1 on the Hype machine and has 3 million views on YouTube. Magic Man has two EPs, “Real Life Color” and “You are Here,” along with one debut album, “Before the Waves.” Their hit song “Paris” peaked at No. 33 on Billboard’s Alternative Chart. GQ described “Before the Waves” as “12 tracks of alt joy.”

Photo by Justin Higuchi

New Politics

11 All the way from Copenhagen, Denmark, New Politics will perform at the Granada on Nov. 11. New Politics has released two studio albums. Their second album, “A Bad Girl in Harlem,” featured the single “Harlem,” which scored No.4 on the United States Alternative Charts and 34 on the United States Pop Charts. Band Bad Suns will join New Politics. Bad Suns creates unique

$17 per ticket All Ages Tuesday, Nov. 11 Show Starts: 7 p.m. The Granada 1020 Massachusetts St. Lawrence, Kan. 66049 alternative music with just a strum of the guitar. Comprised of Christo Bowman, Gavin Bennett, Miles Kottak and Ray Libby, Bad Suns received accolades for their latest album “Language & Perspective” from several notable music bloggers and professional sites. Their single “Cardiac Arrest” reached No. 15 on the United States Alternative Charts.

Don’t see your favorites? Tweet us @fsfreepress to let us know about your upcoming concert.

A&E: Reviews 23 October 2014

page by Sydney Vogelsang

‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?’ Review Written by Kyra Haas

ollowing Tina Fey’s and Amy Poehler’s footsteps, Mindy Kaling rounds out a vanguard of influential female tv comedians, consolidating much of her quirky charm into a collection of somewhat scatterbrained vignettes in her book, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns).” As Fey seriously jokes in her New York Times Bestseller, “Bossypants,” “Only in comedy does an obedient white girl from the suburbs count as diversity.” If an obedient white girl from the suburbs counts as diversity in comedy, then Kaling truly provides unique comedic perspective. With plenty of parenthetical punchlines, Kaling autobiographically recounts the struggles and joys of growing up as the chubby daughter of Indian immigrants in Cambridge, Mass., interning on the set of SNL, knowing Steve Carell, dating boys and dating men. Written in a similarly self-deprecating style, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” may at first appear to be one of the many knock-offs of “Bossypants” that started lining bookstore shelves circa-2011 when Fey’s book topped Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists. Kaling herself notes the resemblance in her first chapter, expounding the reader’s internal monologue: “This sounds okay, but not as good as Tina Fey’s book. Why isn’t this more like Tina Fey’s book?” “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” holds

its own against its renowned predecessor, however, and, having read both, I would argue Kaling’s book is just as good, if not better than Fey’s. I found the overlap between the two’s material tasteful, and Kaling’s take original. Both devote generous space to worshipping our comedic lord and savior, Amy Poehler (who will release her own book, “Yes, Please,” on Oct. 28). Most anyone who’s seen “Parks and Recreation” can agree with Kaling’s blanket statement that “Everyone has a moment when they discover they love Amy Poehler.” Such declarations—in my mind—deserve endless reiteration, and I think Kaling’s choice of a dead horse to beat was strategic brilliance. Do not read this book in public, unless you enjoy judgemental glares from the hip college students at the adjacent tables at Starbucks. I pride myself on being a tough laugh when it comes to watching Youtube comedians or reading “funny” books, but “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” had me snorting hot coffee out my nose while simultaneously trying to play it cool and act natural. The perfect read to brighten a gloomy day or pull one out of a post-breakup depression, Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” will have you hanging out without everyone so you can appreciate each witty line without the condescending glares of latte drinkers around you who just don’t know what they’re missing.

iPhone 6 Review Written by Ryan Liston

n Friday, Sept. 19, I ripped open a package that I received in the mail. Inside I found my new iPhone 6, the one I had anxiously awaited since last December when I dropped my iPhone 4 on my stairs, shattering the screen and ultimately ruining its functionality. Apple announced the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus during its Sept. 9 keynote, but before the new phones were even announced, I wanted one. Apple’s new products never cease to amaze me, and the iPhone 6 is no exception. The larger size allows for enhanced graphics within its Retina HD displays and improved battery life with larger batteries. The iPhone 6 Plus also features a landscape view like that of an iPad.

While the bigger screens bring some benefits to the phone, many worry they are too big. For me, the size has never been an issue. Apple’s new iPhone design looks sleeker than any other model. The new phones are thinner with the glass screen curving at the edges to connect with an aluminum backing. Now when I pull out my iPhone, people marvel at my new-fangled technology and say, ‘Wow, is that the new iPhone?’ They used to exclaim, ‘Wow, what happened to your phone?’ as I regularly brushed bits of glass off my finger. The new design is strikingly more beautiful than even the iPhone 5s. Additionally, the volume buttons are longer and easier to find than the previously circular volume buttons, and the sleep/wake button is now

iPhone 6:

Dimensions: 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches Wow factor: Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor

on the side for easier accessibility. Loading speeds on the new phones are also better than that of other iPhone models. With a new A8 chip, the phones process higher graphics and more content faster. I can run Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Messages seamlessly. Apple also improved the iPhones’ cameras. The pictures on both are higher quality than previous models. My selfie game has never been stronger. Although Apple’s new iPhones are essentially just larger iPhones, the overall quality and userfriendliness is unparalleled. Initially, I wanted to update to the iPhone 5s, so I could rid myself of my iPhone 4 as soon as possible, but now that I have the iPhone 6, I’m glad I waited.

Photos by Mary Brady

iPhone 4s: Dimensions: 4.54 x 2.31 x 0.37 inches May not recieve IOS 9

Wow factor: update next year