Issue 2, The Budget, Lawrence High School

The Budget

Lawrence High School Lawrence, KS Volume 131

Culinary class fire raises questions Small fire in classroom sparks discussions over ventilation Page 10-11

Bad air quality

Wildfires in Canada pose threats to local student, staff health Page 12-13

Issue 2

November 2023

The Budget News

IN THIS ISSUE

4

New Hall of Honor inductees reflect school’s diversity

12

22

24

The Budget

Lawrence High School Lawrence, KS Volume 131

Issue 2

November 2023

Attendance concerns ‘White’ label doesn’t Mishandled prompt district effort fit people from Middle construction proves to get students in class East, North Africa problematic

WE’VE GOT MORE ONLINE FOLLOW @lhsbudget Culinary class fire raises questions Small fire in classroom sparks discussions over ventilation Page 10-11

Bad air quality

@lhs.budget

Unified Sports kick off new season

Meet the newly elected school board members

Hate speech at school events harms us all

Wildfires in Canada pose threats to local student, staff health Page 12-13

Fire and smoke have been an unfortunate theme recently, whether it be fires erupting from a stove in the culinary room or wildfires spreading in Canada.

Graphic by Lily Norton

Writing for the

MASSES

English teacher writes new book about poetry

BY DELANEY HAASE REPORTER

“The midlife is because I am in midlife.

It’s just time to accept that,” Johnson said.

“And Abecedarian is the name of my favorite poetic form, which is a 26 line poem and ’ll suffer through the poetry,” each line is the next letter of the alphabet.” is exactly what went through Johnson’s favorite poem in the book, Melissa Johnson’s head at “How dare anyone say I don’t know the start of her creative love” is rooted in the societal pressure writing class in college.

“I fell in Now, she’s an AP Literature teacher love with surrounding women to have kids.

“It’s kind of a love poem to my husand a two — soon to be three — time poetry band, but it’s specifically about the fact poetry book-published writer. and it’s that we’ve chosen not to have kids, and Johnson wrote poetry for fun and in been my how often I’ve gotten some version of journals until she decided to publish BIGGEST somebody telling me that they feel bad some of her poems. Her first book, PASSION for me because I don’t know what real “While the kettles on,” is a Nelson Poever love is because when they knew love etry Book award winner, and it wasn’t they looked in to their child’s eyes,” even her idea to have it published. since.”

“My first book was actually pub—Melissa Johnson said. “And we’re quite fulfilled.

We don’t really feel like anything’s lished by that high school teacher of Johnson, missing.” mine who made me want to be an teacher When “Midlife Abecedarian” is English teacher,” Johnson said. “It released, Johnson plans to promote it changed my life, them doing that, at the Raven Bookstore.

I honestly don’t think it ever would have “I’ll definitely have a book launch, I’ll occurred to me to enter this world.” have readings at The Raven, and I’m hoping Now, Johnson is set to release her third to get other readings, too,” Johnson said. “It’ll book, “Midlife Abecedarian,” in April. The be very fun and exciting.” title of her book has a meaningful backstory.

“I

2 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Sama Abughalia

Editing and revising, teacher Melissa Johnson works with a student to edit their essay. Johnson prefers editing face-to-face as she finds it more personal and effective. “Whenever possible I love doing it in person,” Johnson said. “It’s better because I don’t ever want to just impose my will. I want to make suggestions and see what they think and have a conversation about it so it’s more of a team thing.” Photo

by Lydia Folks

The Budget News

CHECK IT OUT

SAVE THE DATE

Journalism editors-in-chief, take on podcasting in their new series, “The Budget Banter.”

12/05

Club photo day in the gym

12/07

Arrowhead stadium’s own

LOVE BIRDS

Students give their insight on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s new love

BY RUBY FLANNER REPORTER

Retired teacher luncheon 11 a.m. in the Learning Commons Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium

12/12

Dolce Decembre orchestra concert at 7 p.m. in the auditorium Girls varsity basketball versus BVW at 5:30 p.m.

Boys varsity basketball versus BVW at 7 p.m.

12/14

How long do you think they’ll last?

What do you think about them?

What have you heard about them?

“Let’s give it three years, five months and days.”

—Cooper Grant, junior

“I think it’s cute, and I like the recognition that Kansas City is getting from it. I think that Travis is a good guy from what I’ve heard.”

—Grace Sanders, junior

“I heard that Travis asked Taylor Swift if she could go to one of his games after he saw her in Kansas City at the Eras Tour.”

—Grace Sanders, junior

“Probably a couple years and then there will be an album.”

—Danica Craig, junior

“I think they’re cute, but I think people just now finding out about Travis Kelce is a little sad.”

—Danica Craig, junior

“I don’t think they’ll last very long.

He’s in the NFL, she’s a big-time artist. They could both go their separate ways and be pretty good.”

—Isaiah Shorter, junior

“I think they’re cute together. I just don’t want Taylor to get stuck in a bunch of drama because apparently Travis is kind of a player.”

—Sophia Montrose, junior

“I heard that Taylor Swift and Travis could possibly be dating and that Taylor Swift has been showing up to all of his games.”

—Sophia Montrose, junior

“Depends how long their fame lasts being together. Celebrity couples usually get together so they’ll get more fans.”

—Cameron Schavee, junior

“I think Travis Kelce could do a lot better. You look at his brother Jason, Kyle Kelce, she’s D1 genetics.

I don’t think Taylor’s got that for Travis.”

—Elijah Mann, junior

“It doesn’t seem like something that would be very long.”

—Brycen Newberry, junior

“I heard that Travis Kelce is dating this little popstar, and she really just made her debut off of him.”

—Elijah Mann, junior “I heard my mom fangirl-ing from the other room about it.”

—Cameron Schavee, junior

Designed by Sama Abughalia

Winter prelude concert at 6 p.m. in the auditorium and cafeteria

12/15

Thespian Festival at 5 p.m. in the blackbox

12/19

End of second semester

THIS WEEK AT LHS

NOVEMBER 2023 3

The Budget News

NEWS

HALL OF HONOR The Hall of Honor research project

Check out the full story online

As their legacies await to join the Hall of Honor, new inductees Debra Ann Green, John Hutcherson Spearman Sr, and Robby Steinhardt’s photos rest on display for patrons to look at. Green was a former LHS math teacher, Spearman was a civil rights activist, and Steinhardt was a famous violinist from the rock band Kansas. Photo by Maya Smith As emcee at the Hall of Honor ceremony, Principal Quentin Rials hands the plaque honoring Robby Steinhardt to Glen Caristinos. Steinhardt was a well-known violinist from the rock band Kansas. “I told them I’d love to do it because I was a former LHS student, and I like to give back to my community,” Rials said. “Seeing former LHS students on the wall makes you wonder if you’ll ever be there.” Photo by Maya Smith

4 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Emily Hurd

The Budget News

Diverse group of influential Chesty Lions

HONORED School’s latest inductees include two recognized in special reporting project

BY ZANA KENNEDY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A

fter more than a year, the work of Lawrence High students fighting for representation in the school’s prestigious Hall of Honor has paid off.

In 2022, reporters from the LHS Budget undertook a research project to uncover hidden stories about people of color who deserved to be recognized. On Oct. 1, Debra Ann Green and John Hutcherson Spearman Sr., two people covered by this project, were officially inducted into the Hall of Honor along with renowned musician Robert Stienhardt.

The recognition of Green, Spearman and Steinhardt meant a great deal to many, including Lawrence High and Budget staff alumna Tessa Collar, who submitted their names to the Lawrence Lions Alumni Association.

“I think the start of the coverage that we did was recognizing that we didn’t have very much diversity in the Hall of Honor and that that really needed to change,” Collar said. “It means a lot to me that they were able to get the recognition that they deserve.”

Each inductee made significant contributions to the school community during their time at LHS. Debra Green was dedicated to education at LHS for the majority of her life. After graduating in 1969, she returned with a master’s in mathematics to become a math instructor in 1976. She taught for 31 years, retiring in 2007. Known for her determination to reach students through education, she was introduced by Francis Holt, her former colleague, who emphasized the importance of recognizing her accomplishments, especially as a woman of color.

“This thing she accomplished as a Black woman during her times are phenomenal,” Holt said in

her introduction of Green during a local band in Lawrence under the ceremony. “While teaching at the name White Clover in 1972, Lawrence High School, Deborah was which grew to fame after adopting fully committed to nurturing and the name Kansas. Glen Caristinos, developing the skills and talents of a founder of the Robbie Stienhardt all students that would be necessary Foundation, says Steinhardt was one for college and career readiness.” of the first to explore these comGreen always went bined genres. above and beyond for her “Robbie, to be noted students and colleagues. at his school where he “I hope that “It moved me to tears grew up, was important there’s some because I knew her,” Holt so that people know that comfort in said. “I knew what she did this came out of Lawrence, knowing that for students. I knew how Kansas,” Caristinos said. she went all out. Not only “But more importantly, everything that for students, but anybody Robbie introduced classithey have done that needed help.” cal violin to rock and roll, in their life is John Hutcherson to bring progressive rock still part of us, Spearman Sr. was not as we know it today beand PEOPLE only an avid activist in the cause of a classical violin.”

Lawrence community, but Although all of the ARE STILL the first African American REMEMBERING inductees have died, many to serve on the USD 497 of their relatives, friends THEM.” Board of Education from and colleagues were in —Jessica Larson, 1969-1975. He also served attendance to honor them president of the on the Lawrence Human for their accomplishments.

Lawrence Alumni Relations Commission “I know that it’s unAssociation Board from 1966 to 1969 and usual this year that we’re of Trustees was involved in a variety honoring people that have of other local organizagone before us and I know tions. His grandson, John there’s nothing that the Harrison Spearman, spoke about friends and family would love more his numerous contributions to the than to have them here today,” said community.

Jessica Larson, the president of the “His activism didn’t just focus Lawrence Alumni Association Board on African Americans but equality of Trustees, addressing the audience and inclusion for all citizens and at the induction ceremony. “I hope residents of Lawrence and the Unitthat there’s some comfort in knowed States,” Spearman said, speaking ing that everything that they have at the ceremony. “Additionally, he done in their life is still part of us and was a relentless advocate for low people are still remembering them.” income housing for residents here in Lawrence as well.”

Reconnecting, LHS alumna Tessa Robert Steinhardt, known to Collar embraces Michael Spearman, close friends as Robbie, graduated son of new inductee John Spearman. from LHS in 1968. He was an acCollar initially worked on a project to complished violinist and an original honor some of the inductees. “I had founder of the rock band Kansas. originally submitted Deborah Green Sitting as concertmaster of the LHS and John Spearman, to the Hall of orchestra after training in Europe for Honor the end of my junior year of most of his childhood, he had equal high school,” Collar said. “I was just passion for classical and rock music. very glad that they were choosing to He explored these styles after joining recognize them.” Photo by Maya Smith

Designed by Emily Hurd

NOVEMBER 2023 5

The Budget News

Vaping among students remains a

PROBLEM

Following lawsuit against Juul, vaping continues to pose health risks

BY AVERY SLOYER REPORTER

Vaping and nicotine have various damaging health effects. E-cigarettes have carcinogens which cause long term lung damage, which can be irreversible.

Nicotine, which is found in nearly all of these prodaping at LHS has become a serious risk ucts, is a highly addictive drug and it is difficult to quit. for the health and safety of students.

The anonymous student said high schoolers While both admin and students recognize the issue, the problem “It’s more of know the risks of nicotine, but believes they don’t care. persists in bathrooms, outdoor spaces and that process “I think people are just influenced by it even hallways. of showing because it’s everywhere in our culture,” the Apart from the easy access that vapes allow, their friends student said. “I feel I got influenced by people vaping has become prevalent at schools due HOW COOL and then I just kind of got addicted to it.” to its lack of smoke or scent, which is one of they are and Administrator Mike Gillman said these many reasons students tend to use e-cigarettes over regular cigarettes. One LHS student, who how they can students are making adult decisions when asked to remain anonymous, said e-cigarettes get away with deciding to vape.

“I think kids just think they’re cool,” Gillare more convenient, which is why they are it.” man said. “It’s more of that process of showing common.

—Mike their friends how cool they are and how they “You can hit it basically anywhere,” the Gillman, can get away with it.” student said. “People hit it in class, people hit it assistant While the district has not made plans on in the bathrooms, people hit it in their cars. You principal what to do with the Juul settlement funds, can’t do all that with a cigarette.” or planned how to spend it, these funds Lawrence High nurse Carol Casteel is aware are designated for education on youth subof students vaping in the building, and says students stance use and addiction. With that being said, have been found vaping everywhere, including the Gillman does not believe education would nurse’s office restroom. significantly lower the amount of students “They could do it right there in the classroom, too, who vape. when teachers aren’t looking,” Casteel said. “It’s easy.”

“There’s always going to be somebody There are many reasons why vaping appeals to that breaks the rule or somebody that young people, which is in part because of the brands tries to one up the system or try to hide that sell them. This led USD 497 along with many other it,” Gillman said. school districts to file a lawsuit against Juul, a large The anonymous student said e-cigarette company, for its advertising to minors. there should be an alternate The district is eligible to receive about $284,000 method of vaping education. under a settlement the district signed off on earlier this While they also believed vaping year. It’s part nearly $3 billion the company has agreed can’t be completely prevented, to pay in connection to lawsuits. they have set a big goal for Casteel supported the district’s lawsuit, and felt themselves. as though vape companies specifically target teens “I think I am going to try and through their variety of flavors. quit at the end of this year,” the “They’re like cotton candy, candy and fruity and student said. “It doesn’t make you all those,” said Casteel. “That kind of lures teenagers feel that great after a couple years of and younger kids even easier than back when I was a doing it.” teenager just having cigarettes.”

V

6 NOVEMBER 2023

Source: 2022 CDC study “E-cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students”

Designed by Presley Hoesch

The Budget News Vaping can heighten symptoms of ANXIETY and DEPRESSION.

STUDENTS WHO VAPE Students who don’t vape, 85.9% Students who vape, 14.1%

FAVORED BRANDS Blu, 6.5%

TYPES OF VAPES FAVORED

Hyde, 7.3% NJOY, 8.3%

Don’t Know, 12.8% SMOK, 13.5% Tanks/Mods, 6.7% JUUL, 22%

Pre-filled/refillable, 25.2%

Vuse, 23.6%

Disposable, 55.3% Puff Bar, 29.7%

More than 1 in 4 students VAPE

More than 4 in 10 students

USED A VAPE ON 20 OR MORE of the last 30 days

EVERY DAY

Vaping creates a higher risk for heart diseases

Vaping puts you at higher risk for lung diseases

PICK YOUR POISON

69.1% used fruit flavors

38.3% used desert/ candy flavors

29.4% used mint flavors

26.6% used menthol flavors

7

The Budget News

Cooking, senior Henry Keeler puts food into the oven. “The toughest part of cooking is definitely being timely,” Keeler said.

“Our group almost always finishes late.”

Photo by Piper Journey Taste testing, senior Brandt Wollesen tastes their newest culinary recipe. The culinary classes make all different kinds of food, but Wollesen didn’t seem to have a desired choice of food. “I’ll eat anything,” Wollesen said. “That’s one of my favorite parts of that class.”Photo by Piper Journey

8 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Alaa Abourkis

The Budget News

Culinary fire impacts

COOKING Architectural oversights temporarily limited the options for culinary students

BY OWEN ACKLEY REPORTER

A

grease fire earlier this semester in culinary teacher Rose Barry’s classroom revealed an oversight in the school’s recent reconstruction.

For about six weeks, culinary students were limited to baking and boiling while the district sorted through questions about whether it complied with fire codes.

The problems began when Barry’s Culinary II students were heating oil in their pans to stir fry when seniors Henry Keeler and Dylan Alverado’s pan caught on fire.

“We started freaking out,” Keeler said. “It was probably like a foot or two from my face when it shot out, and it was sick.”

Senior Jonah Lyles was working with his own group when the incident happened and noted the intensity of the fire.

“It was like an explosion,” Lyles said. “All of the sudden the kitchen on the far side is on fire.”

The fire was quickly contained

by Barry and nobody was hurt, but the real danger was the smoke that remained. Due to the lack of vent hoods in the classroom, a typical requirement of commercial kitchens, the smoke did not dissipate, forcing the class to evacuate. The classroom also lacks windows that open. Meanwhile, the culinary kitchens at both the College and Career Center and Free State have ventilation systems.

After the September fire, Barry was told that her class would no longer be able to cook with oil in order to meet fire codes. When the state fire marshal had received word of the fire, the district was issued a deficiency and ordered to rectify the issue or face a fine, said Tom Lauts, USD 497’s maintenance and con-

struction supervisor. some students were concerned about This restriction limited the class what the future could hold for their to only baking things in the oven, culinary classes. boiling and steaming, even though “I feel like it kind of defeats the the class “is not a baking and pastry whole purpose of culinary class,” class,” according to Barry.

Keeler said. “Ninety percent of things Notably, the Free State High you’re going to cook on a stove, you School kitchen is equipped heat it up and put something “We with vent hoods, which in the oil.” cannot call particularly annoyed Barry.

Barry continued to seek a The LHS kitchen was moved ourselves A solution, expressing concerns and constructed as part of the CULINARY to the district about the new recent bond issue overhaul of limitations.

CLASS if LHS, but ventilation wasn’t “We cannot call ourselves we cannot included. a culinary class if we cannot cook on the cook on the stovetop,” Barry “It is not fair for the stovetop.” students who signed up to said. “Hopefully, I get some — Rose Barry, answers in the near future. learn about culinary arts to culinary then switch them to only a I would hate to not be able teacher baking class and they can take to teach these things to my culinary classes at Free State students.” or the College and Career Center,” After weeks of baking and boiling Barry said. and talks of possibly retrofitting the She worried that besides the room with ventilation, Barry got the class not being what students signed OK to cook with oils again. In an up for, this limitation would have email, she was told that her classprevented the culinary program from room was compliant with codes after reaching learning benchmarks and all. Because the residential stoves retaining corporate sponsorships. weren’t being used for a commercial Multiple high school culinary purpose, they didn’t require ventilabenchmarks refer to methods of tion hoods. cooking that require oil.

“I was reading the email while “All of your dry cooking methods students were working independentare going to require some kind of ly, and I freaked out,” Barry said. “I oil or fat,” Barry said. “It is just not was so excited I stopped the class, possible to do it without it.” and I was reading them the email Other benchmarks require the use letting them know we could cook of convection cooking. again.”

“That only happens on the stoveGetting the timing right, senior Bethany top, and if we can’t use oil, we’re Davis removes her group’s lemon menot using that type of heat transfer,” ringue tartlets from the oven. Students Barry said. had to bake more often when they were In addition to not reaching these limited from using oils on the stovetop. “I benchmarks, certain corporate want to pursue culinary when I get older, sponsors would not be sustainable in so missing the aspect of using the stove an oil-free kitchen. Every year, Barry top because of the improper building of receives $400 for the purchase of the culinary room weakens our knowlbeef products from the Kansas Beef edge of how to use stovetop materials Council. and prevent fires,” Davis said. Photo by Beyond benchmarks and funding, Kennedy Glasgow

Designed by Alaa Abourkis

NOVEMBER 2023 9

The Budget News

Pushing through the

SMOKE Low air quality in Kansas affects teachers and athletes alike

BY RHUBARB BRUBACHER REPORTER

Ball is an avid cyclist outside of school and said she has been lucky enough to have dodged the air quality’s most treacherous points, but without an effective way to cope, s the jet stream brings cooler the best course of action may be avoiding the weather over from Northern atmospheric toxins altogether.

Canada, it also presents the “If we had poor air quality, I would probrepercussions of an unprecedented spike in wildfires.

“It was just ably second guess riding outside,” Ball said. “I’d probably ride my spin bike The resulting decline in air quality, SMOGGY indoors.” coupled with extreme heat earlier this and your Athletes aren’t the only people imyear, has posed an especially harsh lungs pacted by this aerial threat, the debris challenge for athletes starting their definitely that causes such poor air quality puts season in the late summer and early anyone and everyone at an increased fall. felt “It has been an issue I’ve nosomething.” health risk.

“All that particulate matter can ticed. There were a few points at the —Xavier aggravate respiratory issues or lead beginning of the school year where it Klish, to development of things like asthma was pretty bad,” junior cross country junior and bronchitis just over time,” Ball runner Xavier Klish said. “It was just said. “We’ve seen huge spikes in asthma smoggy and your lungs definitely felt somein children as air quality has decreased in thing.” cities.”

Weather app warnings of bad air quality Science teacher Zachary Casey agreed rarely resulted in any cancellations or alterthat air quality can not only provoke existing ing of the athletic schedule. asthma and develop new cases, but cause an “Honestly, you’ve just kind of got to deal increase in more mild, everyday symptoms. with it,” Klish said. “I wish there was another “It triggers a lot of the same immune reway to get around it, but you just got to go out actions that pollen does. So people’s allergies there and run with it.” are going to get worse,” Casey said.

The internet provides resources, however, On a larger scale, the ecological implito help athletes avoid the excessive carcinocations of these fires are concerning, with gen exposure. their influence expanding far beyond human “We have air quality maps you can look affliction. at, and they’re actually fire maps as well,” sci“Not only are those fires releasing carbon ence teacher Lisa Ball said. “So if it looks kind dioxide, they’re also releasing other greenof hazy outside and I want to figure out where house gases,” Ball said. “So in general, they’re it’s coming from, I can check that fire map to kind of changing the whole environment for see what the closest fire is, or I can check the all of us living organisms out there.” air quality map to figure out what’s causing The crisis is by no means exclusive to what I’m seeing outside.”

A

10 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Brandon Parnell

Canada, which affects this region most directly as of late. Unintentional climatic fires are predicted to continue their path of destruction, from Spain to South America to right here in Kansas.

“I think this just drives home, finally, that stuff is happening,” Casey said. “We need to be really, really good about trying to take care of the earth to the extent that we can from here on out.”

Under hazy skies, sophomore Tristen Allen controls his breathing during a difficult race.

Throughout the season, the cross country faced bad air quality that challenged the athletes.

“Thankfully the air quality didn’t have much of an impact on me, but I know it definitely slowed down some of my teammates,” Allen said. Photo by Fin Tholen

The Budget News

WILDFIRES IN NUMBERS 6,132

412

Number of fires burned as Number of wildfires that of Sept. 5 are controlled or being held as of Sept. 29

7

Number of territories with wildfires still burning in Canada

488

16.5

Number of uncontrolled Millions of hectacres of wildfires still burning as of land burned in Canada Sept. 29 from wildfires

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Designed by Brandon Parnell

NOVEMBER 2023 11

The Budget News

Walking through the door, students enter the building during the early hours of the morning. While student attendance rates have decreased, these students are to arriving early to get to class on time.

Photo by Sama Abughalia Rushing inside, students head to their morning classes. Photo by Sama Abughalia Watching traffic, a student gets ready to cross the street to enter the building.

Photo by Maya Smith

12 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Arabella Gipp

The Budget News

District wages war on

TRUANCY

School district renews push to get students to school on time as year starts

BY JONAS LORD NEWSPAPER MANAGING EDITOR

W

hether you’re an administrator, teacher or student, attendance has been a constant issue in education.

However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues have increased throughout the United States. In fact, the national chronic absenteeism rate reached a height of 30% during the 2022 school year, according to an analysis

by Attendance Works. This percentage is concerning to those in education, especially when compared with the rate in 2019 (16%). Increased absences after the pandemic at LHS in particular are further confirmed by assistant principal Mark Preut.

"Some people were completely remote," Preut said. "I think people got used to the flexibility, the openness of doing school without being in school in a classroom and all of that," Preut said.

Although there are many reasons why students could be chronically absent, it still has a wide variety of ripple effects.

“The primary impact on students is that missed classes is a missed opportunity to learn and often leads to less learning and lower grades,” assistant

principal Greg Farley said. “The impact There are also longer-term impacts on teachers is increased time spent for students brought about by chronic working with students who have missed absenteeism. class on learning the course content.”

“The long-term impact on students However there are some instances is that some students may not graduate, when absences are out of students' conor may not have learned/developed the trol, according to social worker Lynisha skills/knowledge needed to compete in Thomas. a competitive job market,” Farley said.

“We try to be preventative, try to talk LHS administrators plan on to the students prior to it getting too responding to the attendance issue bad and figure out if there’s any barriers quickly. involved, if there’s transportation “A lot of it is emphasizing it,” Preut issues, maybe they’re taking said. “Emphasizing it with care of a parent or helping “If [the students] staff to get accurate attentake care of the younger dance, emphasizing it with aren’t actually siblings and getting them to students, making it a focus, physically in the school as well,” Thomas said. looking at the data and building, “That might be the reason disaggregating the data by WE CAN’T DO why they’re tardy or unexour subgroups to see which cused or not in the building.” subgroups are more likely to ANYTHING.” This can occur because be absent compared to other —Lynisha Thomas, of outside responsibilities or subgroups, and then trying to social worker health issues, and one LHS understand why that is and student described the impact how do we address it.” of these circumstances.

Thomas is hopeful for more consis“Attendance and truancy has always tent attendance, but is concerned about been a really big problem for me the challenges that administrators may because I have things that make me face. sick,” said Chandler, an LHS student “I feel like they can only do so for whom The Budget isn't using their much,” Thomas said. “If they’re absent, full name because of the nature of the they can’t do anything. The teachers story. “So when I get sick, my body likes can’t teach and neither can the admin to shut down, therefore I have to stay so if they aren’t actually physically in home.” the building, we can’t do anything.”

ATTENDANCE RATES

Lower attendance rates are focus of school district. Here's how they've changed:

95% 84% 93% 89% 85% 87%

2018 building attendance

2019 building attendance

2020 building attendance

2021 building attendance

2022 building attendance

2023 building attendance

Source: Kansas State Department of Education

Designed by Arabella Gipp

NOVEMBER 2023 13

The Budget Features

PETS OF LHS

Critters make their home in classrooms across school Reporting by Channing Morse

FRIDA THE BOX TURTLE “I’ve noticed a lot of kids walk by the window and watch her for a while. I think it’s kind of calming to just go and watch animals.”

—Emily Markoulatos, ceramics teacher

SHELDON THE CORN SNAKE “I needed [Sheldon] for a lab that I was doing 10 or 15 years ago. I borrowed him from a friend, and he would never take him back.”

—Marci Leuschen, anatomy teacher

Encouraging her teammates, junior Kylee Chee stands alongside the cross country course. This was Chee’s first year competing on the team. “I feel like I grew a lot over the season and became a lot better of a runner,” Chee said. Photo by Selah Wolfe

VARIOUS ANIMALS “Sometimes we use non-alive specimens and sometimes we get access to the alive versions or eggs or something depending on what we’re working with.”

—Rachel Landers, agriculture teacher

14 NOVEMBER 2023

Cheering, junior Kylee Chee preforms on the sidelines of a football game. Being a multi-sport athlete, Chee spends a lot of time practicing at school. “I am always busy,” Chee said “But I love cheer a lot and put a lot of time into it hoping to continue into college.” Photo by Maya Smith

Designed by Elise George

The Budget Features

FEATURES Working hard to show up and

INSPIRE

The unstoppable junior Kylee Chee gets involved

BY ASHLYNN TELL REPORTER

Chee, it seems, is unstoppable.

“I want to look back on my high school experience and not have any regrets,” she said. “I want to be able to try and do hen Kylee Chee was a fresheverything, it just makes me really happy.” man, she remembers lookHer peers also notice her drive. ing up to former LHS student Vivian Podrebarac and real“She brings energy to everything she izing how cool it was to be involved. does,” junior Elise Rathmel said. “In color “She did literally everything, and I was guard, she has a super bubbly personality like ‘Oh my God, I want to do everything,’” and gets everyone motivated and excited. said Chee, now a junior.

In student council, she brings a lot of fun She is now living that dream. Conideas and helps us think outside the box sider her routine at each home football more.” game: it’s crazy. In a single night, Chee believes being involved she’s performing cheer routines, is the key to establishing a thriv“I want to look ing environment within LHS. color guard choreography and back on my clarinet pieces. She may even be Her ambitions as junior class high school memorizing a line or two for her president reflect that belief. next theater performance if she experience “I want to make the most out catches a break. and not have of high school for everybody,” she “It’s really funny,” Chee said. said. Her vision is to create an enANY “For parade, I do my clarinet, and vironment where everyone wants REGRETS.” then I throw my clarinet to the to participate in school dances, —Kylee Chee, side and grab my flag. And then spirit weeks and other aspects of junior after pregame, I march off with student life. my flag and throw it to the side “Those are the things that and run out and do my tumbling. And make up high school,” Chee said. “I want then I cheer. Then during halftime, I put to make it as fun as possible.” my band shirt on and do my flags.”

Mike Jones, her band director and More importantly, she loves it. student council sponsor, observes the “It’s a little stressful, but I am just impact she has in the classroom and on really happy,” Chee said. “It’s probably my the field. favorite part of the year.”

“Anytime you can have a person who She’s risen from the ground up in has a positive attitude and is a leader, it her activities. In cheer, she entered high makes things better,” Jones said. “It’s a big school with little experience, yet has room, and she influences more than she become an important leader on the team. probably knows.”

She began theater performances in sixth grade, and has played a role in every single musical and play offered since then.

Spinning a flag, junior Kylee Chee performs She qualified for state choir the same year the halftime show during a football game. she joined, in 2022. This was her first year Unlike other activities, color guard practicrunning cross country, which she says es first hour every morning. “It’s a fun thing was the most out-of-her-comfort-zone to wake up to, even though sometimes I am activity yet. But she medaled in the last a little tired still,” Chee said. Photo by Sama Abughalia four meets.

W

Designed by Elise George

NOVEMBER 2023 15

The Budget Sports

SPORTS Lions topple Free State on the court and field for

DUAL WINS

Football and volleyball teams record wins in City Showdown match-ups

BY MAYA SMITH AND JACK TELL EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

L

eading up to rivalry games against Free State, nerves were high for both the volleyball and football teams.

Volleyball was coming off of a three-year loss streak, and football was going up against an undefeated team.

But both teams prevailed, bringing home two wins against the Firebirds.

“I’ve never once heard our players have anything but positive comments when our backs are against the wall,” football coach Clint Bowen said. “They just keep coming out and believing and fighting and staying together.”

For volleyball senior Isabelle Waisner, scoring the winning point in the final set was indescribable.

“Winning the game senior year and on senior night was so amazing,” Waisner said. “In past years we’ve lost to them by a lot, so it felt good to actually compete this year. Going into the Free State match, we knew it would be a tough battle.”

Lawrence won the first set, with Free State tying it up in the second set. As the third set came to a close, Waisner scored the game-winning point, ending with the crowd of LHS fans erupting in cheers.

“It was really important actually, because we haven’t beaten them in three years, since my freshman year,” senior Seenane Brewer said. “I kind of just wanted to get that final hurrah.”

On the football field, most predicted the Lions would lose to Free State. LHS students and spectators packed the away stands in support of the team.

“It was packed,” senior Malcolm Paul said. “It was just a good atmosphere to be in.”

The game was tied with 1:17 left on the clock, bringing the game into overtime for the second year in a row.

“There were a lot of penalties, it really wasn’t a clean game,” Coach Bowen said. “Both teams didn’t handle the emotional focus as well as they needed to. Those things are realities for high school football players, and every year, that keeps this game pretty close.”

Hitting, senior Isabelle Waisner tips the ball over the net to help secure the win for LHS against Free State on Oct. 5.

“You can’t get caught up on the mistakes you’ve you made, you just have to look ahead and try to get the next point,” said Waisner, who went on to score the winning point against Free State. Photo by Maison Flory Fighting a tackle, sophomore Tahj Edwards, runs the ball to the end zone in overtime. LHS beat Free State with a final score of 31-24. “We had great plays that kept us in the game, and it felt amazing to beat State,” Edwards said. Photo by Maison Flory

16 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Declan Patrick

The final overtime score of 31-24 had the student section and sidelines in disbelief. According to Paul, the game helped set up the Lions for the postseason.

“The win will help us get ready for those playoff games where every down matters and everything matters,” Paul said. “Just sticking together and having hope. Never giving up.”

While soccer fell to Free State with a score of 0-1, the volleyball and football ins helped boost student camaraderie and excitement for the rest of the fall season.

“It was so loud, a lot of people came out to support us,” senior captain Brecken Ostronic said. “Our main goal was to beat them, and we did just that.

Now we’re ready to keep the season going strong.”

Celebrating success, sophomore Jaxon Becker hugs coach John Ely after their victory against Free State. “The team was really excited to beat Free State,” Becker said. “It was a thrilling win for all of us.”

Photo by Maison Flory

The Budget Sports

FALL RECAP CROSS COUNTRY

Senior Emma Roman Nose finished in regionals at 27th. Freshman Oliver Schwartz and junior Xavier Klish finished in regionals in 27th and 28th, respectively.

BOYS SOCCER

Boys soccer advanced to the regional tournament. They lost to Mill Valley 3-1. Their seasonal record was 8-9-0

GIRLS TENNIS

Juniors Morgan Moeckly and Harper Jay both advanced to their second matches at regionals.

Celebrating, junior Harper Dye cheers on junior Maddie Crawford after she gets a kill at the home game against Free State on Oct. 5. Dye had played alongside her senior teammates for two years. “They mean so much to me,” Dye said “We have really, really great senior leadership.” The Lions beat Free State 25-20 in the third set. Photo by Lydia Folks

GIRLS GOLF

Seniors Kaelyn McClorey, Lily Fisher, Shea Rowley and sophomore Abril Guereca Palacio competed at regionals.

Designed by Declan Patrick

NOVEMBER 2023 17

The Budget Sports

Snapping, senior Emily Brandt does a floor routine to The Addams Family theme song during a gymnastics meet on Sept. 9. New coaches and members of the team made this year special for Brandt.

“Our team is doing better this year, which has made it a lot more fun,” Brandt said. “Our new coaches have also improved our mood overall.” Photo by Sama Abughalia

Balancing with precision, senior Meara Kingery mounts the beam to begin her routine. Kingery placed second overall at the LHS home gymnastics meet on Sept. 9. “My teammates are my favorite part,” Kingery said. “We’re all friends so it just makes it all fun.” Photo by Sama Abughalia

18 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Oliver Reynolds

The Budget Sports

Leaping all the way to state

FINALISTS

Gymnastics team posts impressive results despite small team size

BY DANNY PHALEN ONLINE EDITOR IN CHIEF

“It’s pretty exciting just because the whole team is cheering, and they are all excited, which makes it fun,” Kingery said.

The varsity team consisted of only seven he gymnastics team leaped to a strong athletes, but they bonded together this season finish, ending the season with a secand worked hard as a group. ond-place state trophy.

“The smaller group helps just beLed by senior team cause we are always with each other, captains Ivori Jones and Charlee “We have all and we have team dinners sometimes Burghart, the Lions started off hot, just had our so that keeps us bonded,” Kingery winning their first meet as a team at EYES ON THE said. home with a team score of 102.6.

PRIZE of state.

The Lions went into the state “Starting off the season strong and We have just competition ranked as the fourth best winning our first meet was kind of an worked together team in the state and pulled out new eye-opener that we do have a chance to have the best skills to propel them to a second-place at doing well at state and other meets finish. and that we do have a lot of potential,” outcome.

For many, state marked their last senior captain Charlee Burghart said.

—Charlee gymnastics meet as Chesty Lions.

To finish high in meets throughout Burghart, senior “It felt really nice and was definitethe season, the team relied on a deep ly the cherry on top,” Burghart said. roster, including Burghart, Jones, junior Provi Fowler, senior Emily Brandt, junior Haley Belanger, senior Sophie Wirth and senior Meara Kingery — all of whom received medals during Leaping through the air, senior Provi Fowler the season. participates in the Sept. 9 home meet. For Fowler, Kingery medaled at every meet this year. gymnastics was about having fun. “It’s hard when you put too much pressure on it,” Fowler said. “If She competed all around at every event and you just think of it as a fun little game, it’s much placed first overall at the team’s first home more enjoyable.” Photo by Sama Abughalia meet.

T

TOP FINISHERS

The gymnastics team was lead by these students, who finished in the top 20 at state, helping the Lions to a second-place overall finish

ALL AROUND Meara Kingery, 5th Provi Fowler, 18th

VAULT Meara Kingery, 9.350, 5th Haley Belanger, 9.225, 7th Sophie Wirth, 9.1, 9h

BARS Haley Belanger, 8.125, 10th Sophie Wirth, 8.075, 11th Meara Kingery, 8.000, 12th Ivori Jones, 7.575, 16th

BEAM Meara Kingery, 9.025, 6th Provi Fowler, 8.600, 16th

Designed by Oliver Reynolds

BARBS Haley Belanger, 9.300, 5th Meara Kingery, 9.100, 8th Provi Fowler, 8.775, 14th Emily Brandt, 8.575, 20th

NOVEMBER 2023 19

The Budget Opinion

The district makes neglectful decision to cut

CH IR STAFF As the school year settles into place, the choir program sees effects from budget cuts

20 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Bea Johnson

The Budget Opinion

OPINION

BY BEA JOHNSON RED & BLACK MANAGING EDITOR

T

he music department has been a longtime pride for Lawrence High School, but staff cuts have left a

gap in it.

From the band driving our school spirit at home games to the orchestra and choir programs winning awards at state contests, this department and its staff have been a source of success for our community.

In April, the district announced it would eliminate high school teaching jobs as it increased class size ratios. Angela Loganbill, the assistant choir director at the time, was one of those staff members.

“She was essential to treble choir,” junior Adele Erickson said.

“Choir is still fun, but she really made it an interesting, educational and accessible place.”

Loganbill was a central part of the lower level treble choirs in particular, connecting deeply with all of the students and making a lasting impression.

The day Loganbill announced her position was being cut, junior Cooper Grant created a GroupMe in an attempt to protest the district’s decision, providing the choir members with the emails of district leaders.

“Trying to email district staff was something very important to me,” Grant said. “And everyone else in

choir as well.”

Many students in lower level choirs emailed a selection of district staff. In response, the students were told of the importance of “high quality staff to serve the students,” informing the students who emailed them that some cuts were to begin a nine-month program that would raise competitive salaries among teachers.

This showed an obvious lack of awareness when approaching the choir program, especially the awards it brings home. Before the music cuts, there was a Bellissima and Concert choir for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Bellissima was for treble voices while Concert was for tenor and bass voices. These served as a middle ground before the higher-level choir, A Capella.

But, on their own, these choirs were very accomplished. After the cuts to staff, Bellissima was eliminated and combined with Concert choir to make one of mixed voices.

Before it was cut, Bellissima choir traveled annually to the Blue Valley West festival where choirs from across Kansas performed. Instead of giving younger treble voices this opportunity, Chorale, Lawrence High’s highest-level choir will perform there instead.

Apart from lost opportunities, the smaller music staff could present a new set of challenges during the busy contest season.

“Contest season is just a logistical nightmare,” Grant said. “There is so

much going on, I mean especially in the choir program where I think we have our biggest performance of the year right then.”

State contests happen yearly, and last year LHS brought three choirs to the state large ensemble festival, and four to the state small ensemble festival. Many soloists attended and got outstanding marks as well.

By reducing the help that Loganbill provided, the district also reduced the amount of awards the choir programs can take back.

“Until we live through it, it’s hard to say,” choir director Dwayne Dunn said of possible effects. “It may impact how many students or choirs we take to state large ensemble festival. It certainly limits the number of before- and after-school rehearsals that can be managed.”

The loss of these opportunities for students is devastating, and once the spring season rolls around, the way choir works will shift, even with events like Showtime. While Dunn has been attempting to minimize the impact on students, the effect is still there, even if it isn’t an obvious change.

“I think he needs help running a class of 50 students,” Erickson said.

“It’s very unreasonable that he’s being asked to do that all by himself.”

Directing, assistant choir director Angela Loganbill led students during the Winter Prelude in 2022. Her job was eliminated at the of the school year. Photo by Eliza Naumann

Designed by Bea Johnson

NOVEMBER 2023 21

The Budget Opinion

OPINION My race needs to be seen and

RECOGNIZED

Middle Easterners and North Africans are not getting the representation they deserve

BY NATASHA TORKZABAN EDITOR IN CHIEF

the Obama administration aimed to change the way we ask questions about race and ethnicity by adding MENA as an option to the 2020 US Census. et out of here, sand n*****.”

But when time came to prepare for the That’s what an elderly 2020 US census during former President man yelled at me while I Trump’s administration, the proposal sat on was hunched over in exthe desks of the White House Office of Mancruciating pain, walking into the Lawrence agement and Budget. This ultimately led to a Memorial Hospital emergency room. lack of decision making, muffling the efforts I walked past him into the lobby and that were taken to bring visibility to people of was handed a form that asked me to idenMiddle Eastern and North African descent. tify as one of these: White, Black, AmeriNot only did they disregard the can Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, proposal, but they went as far as to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific “See what add in fine print below the white Islander. None of which I am. we have option “German, Irish, Lebanese, Flash forward three years. I was been Egyptian, etc.” walking down the school hallway We are not white. We are not “etc.” when a freshman called me a “stuthrough.

This is a low blow to people facing pid Mexican.”

Understand invisibility.

I know I’m not stupid. And I that we This issue doesn’t only affect the know I’m not Mexican. He was DESERVE identity of Middle Eastern or North wrong about both of those, but at TO BE African people, but it also determines least he knew I wasn’t white.

SEEN.” the way people allocate resources, As a Middle Eastern woman research health trends in communiand a person of Iranian descent, ties, and other important issues that demand my experiences align with people of color. accurate statistical information.

I have grown up facing racial discrimination, I don’t doubt there are many Middle being called a terrorist, told to “go back to my Eastern or North African people who prefer country,” and patted down by TSA officers to pass as white. During a time where being while my white friends could go through the white-passing means you get let off the hook security detector. more easily by law enforcement, don’t get I am a person of color. I know I am. But looks when you speak a foreign language in the census doesn’t count me as one. public, and get to walk through an airport When I fill out a form that asks for my without the fear of someone making a 9-11 race, I am forced to put down “other.” It pains comment toward you, it’s understandable. me to see that although I am counted, I am It makes sense why someone would rather forgotten. I am just some “other” race. All 3.5 avoid all of those struggles and live their life million of us of Middle Eastern or North Afrithrough a lens of privilege. But that doesn’t can descent are just some “other” race. mean that preferring to be discounted instead Without the option to check off MENA of validated is optimal. It’s a survival tactic.

[Middle Eastern or North African], our voices A month ago, my school counselor introare lost in the sea of white people who make duced me to The Gates Scholarship Program, up the majority of the United States populaa “last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, tion. minority, high school seniors from low-inIt seemed like things would change when

“G

22 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Emily O’Hare

come households.”

The scholarship is nationally recognized as this financial resource for minority students. All over its website are photos of students of color that won the scholarship.

It wasn’t until I got to the second page of the application that it asked for my race.

I took a long, hard look at it and — once again — didn’t see MENA there. After lengthy conversations with my counselors, I decided to put down Asian. After all, Iran is in Asia.

I thought, “There’s no way this million dollar organization that aims to provide financial aid to students of color, has a whole convention building dedicated to it, hosts a huge award ceremony every year for the winners, and accepts donations for its “cause” doesn’t see me, right? There’s no way.”

It took me to another page that listed numerous countries — ones they counted — in Asia. I scrolled through the list over and over again and finally accepted the fact that the whole Middle East and West Asia wasn’t on the list.

I didn’t know that they had a deficient definition of “person of color.”

My counselor and teacher emailed them.

The responses avoided the issue and pointed them to some back page of their website that didn’t address our concerns.

I have experienced this issue my whole life. I have refused to fill out documents because they required me to pick an option that doesn’t fit me. I have left doctors offices because their forms asked to use me as an inaccurate label. When people aren’t seen, communities can’t understand their needs and reflect what resources they require.

Notice our identities the same way you notice our differences. See what we have been through. Account for our unique history.

Understand we deserve to be seen.

The Budget Opinion

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please Regardless of your answer to the prior question, plea indicate how you identify yourself. (select one or more) indicate how you identify yourself. (select one or mo American Indian or Alaska Native American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Asian Black or African-American Black or African-American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White White Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please Regardless of your answer to the prior question, plea indicate how you identify yourself. (select one or more) indicate how you identify yourself. (select one or mo American Indian or Alaska Native American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Asian Black or African-American Black or African-American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White White Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please Regardless of your answer to the prior question, plea indicate how you idetify yourself. (select one or more) indicate how you idetify yourself. (select one or mor American Indian or Alaska Native American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Asian Black or African-American Black or African-American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White White Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Yes No

Gipp Designed by EmilyGraphic O’HareBy Arabella OCTOBER 2023 23

The Budget Opinion

OPINION

rton Graphic by Lily No

24 NOVEMBER 2023

Designed by Arabella Gipp

The Budget Opinion

The safety of students get teachers

FIRED UP Small fire in the culinary room points to issues with construction

BY FINN LOTTON-BARKER EDITOR- IN-CHIEF, @LHSBUDGET

teacher Todd Poteet has had to cut back on using certain materials.

Most teachers don’t have the bandwidth to fight to have their classrooms fixed. They’re too busy adapting to awrence High’s building is an insufficient the issues that come up during the year, some of which are and ill-equipped facility for the children caused by the building. and teachers it is meant to serve.

Plenty of rooms don’t have ample seating or desks for Between the poor equipment, poor layout the classes they are meant to house, causing teachers to and poor visual appeal, this building is inadequate. find ways to accommodate and properly equip all of the Aside from the constant drips of brown goop raining students in their classes. The sizing of rooms wouldn’t be down from the ceiling and the occasional electrical failsuch an issue if the additional spaces provided ures, there are glaring issues in the way this buildwere more effective, yet they haven’t really been ing functions. One of the more recent examples of In short, as useful as advertised. such flaws came from the culinary classroom. because Learning pockets are meant to be suppleA couple months ago, the culinary room of poor mental learning spaces shared between two had a small fire that — if the room was properly classrooms that both classrooms have access to. A equipped for a cooking class — wouldn’t have planning, number of them are mis-used, abandoned been a problem. However, the lack of proper EVERYONE large or are left to the hallway truants. One of the ventilation made the small flame create a massive LOSES. pockets in the math hallway has been derelict and amount of smoke, which built up in the room, yet condemned since last year. A quick peek behind didn’t trigger the fire alarm. the black curtain enveloping the space will reveal a pipe After the incident, culinary teacher Rose Barry was contraption leading to a bucket filling with suspicious forced to cut back her curriculum almost entirely, being ceiling stew. told the extent of cooking they could do was boiling. Their The unreliability of the learning pockets means that entire year was almost hijacked due to this change, most teachers can’t rely on them as spaces for their preventing almost every unit they had planned. Weeks students, and the complete lack of supervision means later, they finally got the go-ahead to cook again mis-use is commonplace. They tend to look like a herd of without an expensive ventilation system being elephants has passed through. added.

This also ties into the most egregious issue with the My question is why on earth wasn’t a class building: it’s an excessively gray, brutalist, Kafkaesque, with more than a dozen ovens fully vendepressing, cultureless, corporate warehouse. I’m slightly tilated to start with? Why didn’t the fire exaggerating, but the majority of the building is an indusalarms go off when the culinary room trial eyesore, and poorly represents the history and culture filled with smoke? Why do other stuthat Lawrence High represents. dent kitchens at Free State and the The monochrome-dreary-steel-and-glass of the walls College and Career Center have and halls of this school tend to make this building look less ventilation? like a center for learning and more like a penitentiary. If it In short, because of poor weren’t for the addition of the odd red wall or the beautiful planning, everyone loses. And murals, this building would be absolutely unbearable. this isn’t the only way the buildThe absence of necessary resources in the building ing’s flaws have impacted classes. and the lack of thoughtful planning and equipment have Similar issues with ventilation caused major inconveniences for students and staff, which have prevented art classes from in addition to the terrible visual appeal, make this building participating in planned cura sham of a school. riculum. Drawing and painting

L

Designed by Arabella Gipp

NOVEMBER 2023 25

The Budget Opinion

WEIGHING IN:

"A common phrase you hear everywhere is that, ‘Voting is your civic duty.’ It’s right. One vote can make so much of a difference. So many elections in history have come done to just a few votes, and one of those votes could be yours. As soon as you can when you turn 18, it’s critical to sign up to vote.”

—Bea Johnson, Red & Black managing editor

“The importance of local elections stems from the proximity they have to our day-to-day lives. A local election’s direct results will affect how our lives are lived, how roads are built, how schools are funded, how the little things work, and those little things add up very quickly.”

—Declan Patrick, social media coeditor-in-chief

Why is it important to vote in local elections?

"Local-level politics will have the most impact on you and the people around you, which is why it’s so important to research and support candidates who have your best interests in mind. Protection and representation of your community starts at the local level.”

—Finn Lotton-Barker, social media co-editor-in-chief

“Local government is the foundation of American democracy. And as messy as it is, it is critical to for all citizens to participate in it because that is the best way to make their voices heard.”

—Jack Tell, lhsbudget.com co-editorin-chief

Letter from the

EDITORS

Student voices matter in local school board elections

BY ZANA KENNEDY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I

t can be hard to grasp the vast impact that voting can have on a community as a high schooler.

Figuring out how to integrate into the world of adults is challenging enough without having the additional responsibility of making decisions that might completely reshape our society.

But this is the system we live in.

In recent years there have been many significant decisions made that directly affect young people, from cases like Roe V. Wade to the overturning of affirmative action. While it is not possible to change these nationally-issued rulings, it is possible to make an impact on a local level.

26 NOVEMBER 2023

Recently The Budget hosted a student-run election forum, where our staff members were able to question candidates about how they would contribute to student needs, including student technology, mental health, and the district’s budget management. All of these issues directly affect high school students, and this is an example of young people getting not only informed but involved in local politics.

While not everyone has the facilities to host a board forum, everyone of age has the ability to vote. As journalists, we consistently report on local, state and nationwide issues that affect this community. Voting is a chance for everyone to have Natasha Torkzaban, Zana Kennedy and Sama Abughalia, a say in these issues, and we believe it is a editors-in-chief of The Budget chance that anyone who can should take.

Designed by Brandon Parnell

The Budget Opinion

CANDIDATE FORUM

Student hosted candidate forum

“Making your voice heard through voting is one of the touchstones of American democracy, and it’s important to keep that going, especially at the often misunderstood local level of governance.”

—Jonas Lord, The Budget managing editor

"It is important to vote in local elections because those are the people that will be making decisions that affect you directly. They make smaller decisions that have a closer connection to you. It is a chance for you to make your voice heard.”

—Lydia Folks, lhsbudget.com photo editor

Check out the full live stream online

“Voting in local elections helps keep everyone involved and informed on the government that is helping make decisions for the world you live in. Every person’s vote will make a difference, and it’s so important to register as soon as you can to make sure that the decisions most directed towards you have your voice considered.”

—Maeslyn Hamlin, Red and Black co-editor-in-chief

THE JOURNALISM STAFF MISSION STATEMENT

The Budget is committed to providing the Lawrence High community with objective, inclusive news that ensures relevance to its readers.

The staff devotes itself to the exercise of First Amendment rights and upholding the highest of journalistic standards. While the paper is a tool to publish student voices, it works to help students grow as journalists and help readers access information.

ABOUT US

The Budget is published every six weeks and distributed free of charge to students and faculty at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana, Lawrence, Kan. The Budget is produced by students in the Digital Journalism and Digital Design and Production courses with occasional contributions from 21st Century Journalism and guest columnists. The newspaper’s goals are to inform, entertain, and present a forum of expression for students, faculty, administrators and community members. The newspaper is financed through advertising and fundraising.

The editorial staff is solely responsible for

the content of this newspaper, and views expressed in The Budget do not necessarily reflect those of the administration of Lawrence High School or USD 497.

Natasha Torkzaban.................. Co Editor-in-Chief Jonas Lord................................... Managing Editor Brandon Parnell............................... Design Editor

STAFF

Danny Phalen......................... Co-Editor-in-Chief Jack Tell................................... Co-Editor-in-Chief Lydia Folks......................................... Photo Editor Kellar Musser.............................. Managing Editor Jean-Luc Esperance ���������������������308 Connection Manager

Alaa Abourkis, Aaminah Ahmed, Ridley Beard, Jada Big Eagle, Sara Bointy, Rhubarb Brubacher, Silas Brush, Caleb Carver, Alexis Clark, Ruby Flanner, Andie Garrett, Elise George, Arabella Gipp, Kennedy Glasgow, Ellie Goans-Heinz, Delaney Haase, Ethan Hanratanagorn, Presley Hoesch, Emily Hurd, Piper Journey, Aminah Kaeser-Wadud, Aaliysah Lanning, Jack LaRue, Ava Lee, Andrei Lefort, Neva Livingston, Sparrow Mock, Channing Morse, Eliza Naumann, Lylah North, Lily Norton, Emily O’Hare, Juliet Outka, Malcolm Paul, Nyasia Ramos, Oliver Reynolds, Mimi Rosado-Schmitt, Morgan Salisbury, Avery Sloyer, Audrey Stock, Ashlyn Tell, Fin Tholen, Dylan Wheatman, Cymone White, Selah Wolfe, Anne Woolverton

THE BUDGET EDITORS

Sama Abughalia....................... Co Editor-in-Chief Zana Kennedy.......................... Co Editor-in-Chief

LHSBUDGET.COM EDITORS

RED & BLACK EDITORS

Maeslyn Hamlin...................... Co Editor-in-Chief Maya Smith............................. Co-Editor-in-Chief Maison Flory...................................... Photo Editor Bea Johnson................................ Managing Editor Koen Myers................................Senior Ads Editor Owen Ackley.................................Captions Editor

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS

Declan Patrick.......................... Co Editor-in-Chief Finn Lotton-Barker.................. Co Editor-in-Chief Bryndal Hoover...................... Video/Photo Editor Barbara Tholen ������������������������������������������Adviser

Designed by Brandon Parnell

NOVEMBER 2023 27

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Dressed for Halloween, senior Ellie Goans-Heinz demonstrates use of a dry ice launcher during Chesty’s Haunted House, a science fundraiser that featured spooky science demonstrations.

The dry ice launcher created ghost-like vaper. “It was fun seeing the kids get so excited about something so small,” Goans-Heinz said. Photo by Sama Abughalia.