Free Press Issue 3, Edition 23

December 18, 2019 edition 23 issue 3

Age of Technology, The Free Press has a theme for every issue. Age of Technology focuses on the ways technology has enhanced and changed today’s school community.

FSJ Staff, Designers

Editors

Photographers

Erin Fagan, yearbook editor in chief Madison Goeser, managing editor Maddie Day, yearbook design Spencer Farrell, yearbook photography Isis Norris, yearbook photography Isabel Janssen, assistant yearbook photography

Emma Nelson Lauren Malik Angel Singhal Baya Burgess Emma Hardesty Elana Ho Delaney Rockers

Sports

Nathaniel Ankenbauer Anthony Barberena Chase Overton Ben Shryock

Reporters

Jack Bellemere Cameron Bringle Brooke Burgess Ridwan Firman Vivian Moriarty Mary Kate Shultz

Business

Bianca Nieto

Multimedia Alek Prather Evan Sutton

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Greta Hayden, newspaper editor in chief Nick Burket, newspaper photography Emma Milburn, newspaper design

Sabrina Castle, online editor in chief Alex Decker, social media Maya Pavlyak, online photography Emily Zeller, online design Alex Brown, head copy Emma Holsclaw, assistant copy Suzanna Ingram, assistant copy Ethan Wood, assistant copy Renna Folsom, business & marketing

The Free Press is an open forum that accepts letters to the editor and guest writing which must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Letters may be edited due to space limitations, libel or inappropriate content. Submit letters to Room 203, FSJournalism@USD497.org or mail to the Free Press in care of...

Lawrence Free State High School

4700 Overland Drive

Lawrence, KS 66049.

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

Contents

pages by Emma Milburn

Gaming Gains...........................................................4-5 Finding balance: addiction vs. productivity

photo by Delaney Rockers page 25

Studying Work.........................................................6-9 Local businesses serve as extended “Classroom”

Keeping the Peace............................................10-11 Letting go of frustration toward referees

Taking a Final Plan into Action .........14-15 Sophomore builds cabin in lieu of semester final Staff Editorial

What Not to Wear...........................................16-17 New district dress code policy long overdue

Digital Diary..........................................................18-19 Column

New Coach, Same Goal............................20-21 Athletes reflect on first season with new coach

Body Modifications...............................................22 Tattoos, Piercings: Youth & life-long commitment

Not Just Jewelry........................................................23 Special meanings behind what we wear

Bird’s Word....................................................................24 How would you describe first semester in a song/ movie title?

Gone Fishing................................................................25 New technician proves to be a necessity

Art Gallery.............................................................26-27 Photo Essay..........................................................28-29

photo by Baya Burgess page 23

Inside look at filming the Morning Announcements

Infographic.............................................................30-31 Nostalgia Network

Student Coloring Page.......................................32

photo by Delaney Rockers page 22

photo by Baya Burgess page 4

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page by Lauren Malik story by Emma Holsclaw photos by Baya Burgess

Gaming Gains

Finding balance: addiction vs. productivity

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any students will go home today to play video games in their spare time: Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and Rainbow Six Siege, just to name a few that are popular among students.

Students buy $60 games, $500 consoles and numerous in-game purchasesand then play for... in many cases, more than four hours a day.

Students can go on for hours about the positives of playing video games. Some studies have shown it can help with brain development. It’s now possible to help pay for college scholarships via esports scholarships. For some it leads to a career path. Finally, it’s as a way to connect with friends and family.

Plus, it’s just plain fun.

Many gamers like Tate cover their own expenses that come with this unique hobby. “I pay for everything unless we are near a holiday,” said Alexander. “When my parents will either partially cover or fully cover my expenses.”

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“I get to talk to my cousins that I never get to see, and I get to talk to my friends a lot,” sophomore Trey Shanks said. “It’s a good way to communicate.”

However, there’s a dark side.

The conversation about video game addiction is very controversial, but many people are starting to accept it.

“I believe it’s real, but just playing for a few hours a day isn’t bad,” sophomore Rider Martin said. “It’s truly an addiction when you only have the will to play video games and your hours of playtime reach the teens every day.”

Video game addiction is real for Junior Tate Alexander who has people in his life suffering from it with few positive impacts.

“It’s very real, and it’s a problem that a lot of people don’t see and a lot of parents [do] see, but they kind of misuse that. They think their kids are addicted when they really

For junior Tate Alexander, gaming exclusively for fun. “Other people say it ‘heightens your senses’, but that makes no sense to me,” Alexander said. “It’s just a game unless you go professional.”

News

aren’t,” Alexander said. “People are underplaying it, and people are overplaying it.”

Although it may not be an addiction for everyone, students struggle to balance their school and home lives with video game play.

“When your friends want you to play [video games] all the time, it’s just hard to find time for homework,” Shanks said.

Shanks agrees balancing time for relationships and school is difficult.

“A lot of times it’s hard because students don’t see it as a problem until it starts affecting grades or relationships,” school social worker Meg Lyles said.

If students find themselves struggling to put down the controller, Lyles suggests stepping back and reflecting on how it affects their life.

Hand under his chin, junior Tate Alexander focuses on his game. Tate uses gaming as a way to connect with others. “My hobby… allows me to be social without having to leave my house under extreme weather conditions,” Alexander said.

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Local businesses serve as extended “Classroom” Senior Brandon Hunkele is meticulous as he wraps biscuits at a coffee house on Mass. The work experience program is for students who receive special education services. “My goal with all of our students in Work Experience is that they actually wind up working in the community,” said Patrick Dipman, work experience coordinator.

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pages by Lauren Malik story by Brooke Burgess photos by Baya Burgess

Work

“We focus on teaching them skills that they can realistically pick up quickly and enjoy doing...,” Stancliffe said.

Editorial Note: The names of some student are left out to protect their educational privacy.

students are volunteer interns, that we’re supposed to be getting our students out in the community so businesses can change their perception of people with disabilities and give people a chance,” Dipman said.

By getting these students into the community, they learn important job skills that help them after high school.

Not all student are ready to be placed in a community work experience.

“If we just put a student out into the community that doesn’t know how to do the task or what workplace expectations are, then the community placement will not be a success. It might also cost future students opportunities at that placement.

We have to be mindful that businesses have employees working, so we have to come in with some basic skills, otherwise we are just a distraction and learning is not taking place,” Dipman said.

One student goes into the community every morning to run a trash route at the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center on Haskell Avenue. Senior Ellie Hill works...

FEATURE

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atrick Dipman leads the Work Experience program which provides internship opportunities to students who receive special education services. His students intern at places like Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, Aimee’s Cafe and The Merc. They also work learn basic job skills around the school.

“Our goal is that all of our students wind up working in the community,” Dipman said.

“For some students, we need to build routines and expectations into tasks to enhance our chances at a successful work placement.”

Dipman’s goal is to transition students into the working in the community as well as help educate the community.

“Part of what our role is, because our

continued on page 9

Senior Wyatt Hutchinson spends much of his morning at The Merc. The Merc has been a great partnership for the program due to the positive atmosphere and meaningful work available to our students. “I do stocking shelves and packaging,” Hutchinson said.

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Wrapping biscuits at Aimee’s Cafe and Coffee House, senior Brandon Hunkele takes on his first class of the day. Three of Hunkele’s are a part of the work experience program. For Hunkele, the people at Aimee’s are the best part about the job. “It’s fun,’’ Hunkele said.

During first hour, senior Wyatt Hutchinson attentively adjusts groceries. Learning work skills in a community environment is all a part of the Work Experience Program’s curriculum. “It’s fun,” said Hutchinson.

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continued from page 7

...with a student after lunch doing similar tasks at school, but with variations that allow him to be successful in his community work experience. “[Doing this work] teaches him a routine and he’s learning to know which trashcan to go to next,” Hill said. “It gives him a chance to have that responsibility and it’s something that he loves doing.”

A common misconception of high school students is college the only path for future success, but senior Abby Stancliffe believes the students in this program are fully capable of being successful without going to college. Stancliffe, whose mother is a special education teacher at Langston Hughes, works with students who are sometimes in

FEATURE

“It gives him a chance to have that responsibility and it’s something that he loves doing but also something that helps out [the school] ,” Hill said.

Work Experience while in her Inter-Personal Skills class. “[In IPS] We focus on teaching them skills that they can realistically pick up quickly and enjoy doing,” Stancliffe said.

One Work Experience student works as an intern at Ace Hardware and thrives in her position. She stocks inventory as part of her internship.

“A vast majority of the students here (being FSHS students) would struggle with stocking screws, bolts and nuts,” Dipman said. “But she knows it and she’s good at it.

She’s better at it than I am.

These students’ path to success looks than some, they show signs of significant steps toward skills that are leading to their future ability to gain and keep employment.

Carefully rearranging, Wyatt Hutchinson stocks The Merc’s shelves. This is Hutchinson’s favorite part of the job.

“Stocking, that’s what I like to do,” Hutchinson said.

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Keeping the

page by Lauren Malik story by Ben Shryock photos by Delaney Rockers

Peace

Letting go of frustration toward referees

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aybe not this year. Maybe not next year. Maybe not when your kids are in high school sports.

But it will happen eventually,” Brad Hallier said in an article

by VYPE magazine. “There will be games that will be postponed or canceled because of a referee shortage.”

High school referees have become harder and harder to find in recent years, and the trend isn’t predicted to stop. There are reasons for the shortage of referees; some have trouble getting off work from their 9 to 5 jobs, some age and have to retire, but the main reason is that it’s just not worth it anymore.

Referees already require tough skin to do their job, but high school referees in particular often are on the receiving end of harassment from spectators and coaches.

“Sometimes if a controversial call is made and parents start to harass you about it, it can lower a referees confidence in their call and affect calls later in the game,” LHS junior Adam Walther said.

Walther has been a soccer referee for Kaw Valley.

Fewer referees to choose from leads to lower Not only does cheering for your team effect how they play, but also how the opponents play. “You can certainly notice a difference in the opponent’s effort if the team has a good atmosphere,” head football coach Kevin Stewart said.

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quality referees who negatively affect games with their officiating. Referees aren’t the only ones affected by a harmful environment at sporting events; a toxic atmosphere makes it less enjoyable for players and spectators as well.

“Momentum plays a huge role in determining the outcome of a game, especially in high school and college,” head coach Kevin Stewart said. “The crowd can help build momentum.”

Fans and spectators who spend their time being upset–may it be with officials for a bad call, with the opposing team for a cheap hit on the quarterback, or with the coaches for not putting their child in the game–cause it to be less enjoyable for others around them, and they will most likely have less fun themselves.

However, the opposite is also true; a healthy, excited environment can help provide a better atmosphere for spectators and participants in the game.

The home-field advantage can help the home team or hurt the away team, but as long as the atmosphere is safe and not harming anyone, it makes the game more enjoyable for players and fans alike.

SPORTS

A positive crowd can lead to better game for everyone, “Overall I think we have a good atmosphere. We have good attendance, a great stadium, a great student section and a great band,” head football coach Kevin Stewart said. “I would like to continue to establish some pre-game rituals / routines.”

Players need the crowd around them for support, they need a school with a student body to represent them the second they put on their jerseys. Support from other students gives the players motivation and pride. “I think it helps the players to know that the school is involved,” senior David Stuart said.

“Especially the students that are there supporting them and being involved.”

Spectators and fans are a critical part of sports; it wouldn’t be the same without fans cheering for the players or an audience the players can compete for.

Referees shouldn’t be seen as people who simply quiet the crowd and punish fans or parents for getting upset with them.

Walther said, “I feel that it’s kinda natural for fans and players to just be extremely enthusiastic about the game, and [they] can sometimes forget that the refs are people too.”

The solution is let go of that moment of frustration towards the referee and accept that everyone makes mistakes. The key is to move on and enjoy sports just as they were intended to be: fun for all.

Just cheering at a game may seem like it has no effect on the out come but according to senior David Stuart it can make a difference.

“The student body is really important at a lot of the games because it helps motivate the team and really just creates a home field advantage for us a lot of the times,” Stuart said.

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photos by Emma Holsclaw pages by Emma Nelson story by Emma Holsclaw

Taking a Final plan into

Action

Sophomore builds cabin in lieu of semester final

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ith most students overwhelmed by finals and barely getting by, it’s uncommon to do more than the teacher assigns this time of year.

The final for Woodworking for the Novice was to come up with a service project, write the plans for it and make blueprints.

“You tell them exactly how you build the project, but don’t actually build it,” sophomore Matthew Heidewald said.

He had a different idea for his final. Heidewald asked his teacher, Amanda Torbett, if he could actually build something for his final, and she agreed. He asked two of his friends, sophomore AJ Baker and sophomore Drake Khatib, to help him build a cabin out of recycled pallets.

“They were really anxious to try making it as cheaply as possible, so they’re using completely reclaimed material,” Torbett said.

For this project students normally just write up design plans for birdhouses, little libraries or bus benches. Torbett said what these students are doing is way beyond her expectations for the assignment.

“I honestly think that making something and showing people what you can do speaks louder than just writing something down,” Baker said.

They are making a 9-foot by 11-foot cabin out of recycled pallets.

“These guys really love what they’re doing,” Torbett said. “They come in every single morning, they’re here at 7 a.m. and then after school, they’re staying until 5 p.m.”

Removing the supports so he can install rafters, sophomore Matthew Heidewald has exceeded the expectations for his Woodworking for the Novice final. He is building a 9-ft by 11-ft cabin out of recycled pallet wood. “I’m just gonna have it,” Heidewald said. “I can have friends in it and put a stove in it, just hang out in there.”

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Steadying the nail gun, sophomore AJ Baker secures a spacer into the door frame. He believes showing people what you can do speaks louder than just writing something down. “The experience is worth more than something you can just write down,” Baker said.

“Because if you are going to college or something, saying you built a cabin is cooler than saying you wrote about a cabin.”

The first obstacle they encountered was finding places that would give them wood for free.

Westlake Ace Hardware and Waterfront Pool and Spa gave them extra pallets. Also, each of the three students working on the cabin has invested $40 into buying sheet metal roofing.

The next obstacle they stumbled upon was the weather. It was windy when they started putting the walls of the cabin up, so they had to try to make sure nothing fell on them and that no one got hurt.

“Other than that it’s been pretty smooth sailing, we’ve had a good plan going into it,” Baker said.

There is also a lot of messing around that goes on while they’re building.

“We found this little cart and we took it out and we put a bunch of our scrap lumber on it, and because we have a bunch of stuff laying on the ground it’s going over all these bumps. So we gave it a name and an acronym; It’s the All-Terrain Scrap Lumber Cart. And we have this little theme song, it’s the ATSLC right, so

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Cutting off screws on an old board, sophomore Matthew Heidewald sends sparks flying. The assignment he was given was for a written plan, but he wanted to test his woodworking skills and actually build something. “I’ve seen things like this online when people build a cabin out of pallet wood,” Heidewald said.

“I was like shoot, if they can, I can too.”

whenever we push it around it’s kinda like the Batman theme song, so its like nanananaATSCL!” Baker said.

“It always gets us smiling.”

When they are finished with the cabin, they are going to take it out to Heidewald’s property and use it for camping.

They finished the cabin using only about $175. If they were to have used purchased materials the cost would be in the thousands.

“I think that’s the biggest thing, to show that you’re not restricted to how much money you can put into something,” Baker said. “And you can do more than what school assigns to you.”

“I feel like school should only be a baseboard for jumping off into something you really want to do,” Heidewald said. “Because it’s pretty structured toward the exact same thing over and over and over so it’s nothing special really. That’s why I like doing this, taking the curriculum and kinda saying ‘what if I make it work for me?’”

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Staff Editorial

Re-Styled Dress Code: Board moves in right direction

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f you’ve been anywhere on social media in the last decade, you’re bound to have seen hundreds of headlines condemning school dress codes for being too strict, too harsh, and, most commonly, sexist.

The newest update to the USD 497 dress code cannot be described as any of those things.

In fact, the new dress code is anything but rigid. While the previous dress code, albeit not as restricting as some, stated that “student clothing that has the potential to cause a disturbance in the educational program of a school shall not be allowed,” it is clear that USD 497 has made a giant leap in making sure that every student feels comfortable expressing themselves at school.

The updated USD 497 dress code states, “The student dress code and administrative enforcement of the student dress code should not create, reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, gender identity or cultural observance.”

While an active change in enforcement might not be noticeable, the act of officially changing the dress code is a huge step in the

pages by Emma Milburn photos by Nicholas Burket

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right direction to make sure students of all walks of life feel welcome.

However, the new dress code isn’t a freefor-all of student expression. Students still may not wear clothing promoting violence or drugs, clothing that can be considered dangerous or clothing that obscures the face, except in religious cases, for safety reasons. The new dress code also forbids clothing that exposes a student’s genitals or underwear.

Even with restrictions, the updated dress code is still considerably more lax than before. It specifically states unless the violation has created a substantial disruption, students are not to be removed from class if they do happen to violate the new code. Teachers and staff are also encouraged to avoid dress-coding students in front of other students.

The Free State Journalism staff agrees with the updated dress code. We believe since the update clearly defines our rights of personal expression as students, there will be less of a chance for conflict in the future.

As our school aims to be a place that welcomes everyone, and a welcoming dress code is surely a great place to start.

Staff Editorial:

Our staff editorial reflects the general opinion of the Free State Journalism staff. Staff members submit their opinions anonymously to inform the writer on the topic.

A folded Coors Light shirt sports a classic Coors design that would still violate the new district dress code because it highlights a product that it would be illegal to possess.

Editorial

Follow the QR code to see the official district policies on the Free Press Online

Junior Henry Allen sits quietly on a bench in the 200 hall sporting a shirt he was dress-coded for wearing. Allen described the experience as awkward and out of nowhere. “[The teacher] told me to go to the bathroom and change it, but I didn’t have anything else so a friend lent me their sweatshirt,” Allen said.

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etting rid of things isn’t my strength. My family can attest to that. Whenever I’m supposed to give away clothes or other belongings, I always get the feeling I may need it later.

Sure, those feelings can be valid with tangible things. My ever-growing pen and hair tie collections both come in use often, less so with my mugs and nail polish. They all have a defined use.

What about my digital items? On paper, they don’t serve any use; my many pictures just sit in my gallery looking pretty.

Deleting things off my phone has always been a struggle. My photo gallery is a collection of identical pet pictures and selfies without purpose. There are many apps within my phone I seldom use, if ever. What if I suddenly have a change of heart? Do I really need Buzzfeed Tasty if I only browse it twice a year? That’s a solid maybe. So many songs litter my Spotify favorites and playlists I don’t like anymore. Again, what if my mind changes?

My social media accounts are no different. I haven’t deleted many posts since middle school. My high school experience is publicly documented online. It could be seen as a memoir of sorts, if you’re into cheesy stuff. Is there a reason I need a picture that consists only of just rocks up on my page?

Not particularly, but I can’t bring myself to

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story by Greta Hayden pages by Greta Hayden photos by Greta Hayden

delete it. It’s stuck around all this time. It seems pointless to archive it now.

The root, I believe, is nostalgia. There is no denying I am a very sentimental person.

Seeing pictures of my late cat and pictures taken while traveling fill me with such undefined emotion. Joy, possibly?

The past isn’t something I want to forget.

Writing about my daily feelings and events keeps me sane. Many of my thoughts are recorded digitally so I don’t have to wait to grab my notebook; I can write my thoughts down as they occur.

While all these memorabilia can make me happy, there is also a sadness that comes with them . Pictures of people I’m no longer friends with appear, and strong emotions flood in. Wistful longing of what could have been mixes with emotional stings and emptiness.

I can always delete everything, but those pictures are a part of me. I can’t just disregard everything in the past that didn’t go in my favor. Nor should I dwell.

Happy reminiscing and sorrowful brooding is a line I often carefully tip-toe across. Other times, I run blindly to the other side, though it may be dark.

I write this as I procrastinate deleting the thousands of pictures saved on my phone.

Maybe I’ll get around to it one day when I’m not living in the past. A full future is ahead of me, after all.

Is there a reason I need a picture that consists only of just rocks up on my page?

Not particularly, but I can’t bring myself to delete it

“

“

My photo gallery is a collection of identical pet pictures and selfies without purpose

“

Column

Growing dependance on technology documents day to day life

Columns are pieces written expression the opinions and thoughts of the writer, the columnist. Unlike the editorial, the column reflects the view of the writer, not the overall staff.

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“

,

New coach

pages by Lauren Malik story by Anthony Barberena

same goal

Athletes reflect on new coach’s first season

B

eing reluctant in the face of a challenge was never been an option for the football program. Players have been motivated and conditioned to compete from off-season until the last game of the year. With former head coach Bob Lisher having retired after 22 years at Free State, including a 148-85 record, the program and community were focused on who would fill the role. This season the Firebirds were tasked with proving their commit-

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ment, grit and coachability in ways never seen before. On January 16, 2019, the buzz was silenced with Kevin Stewart introducing himself as the new head coach of the football team.

This year was Stewart’s first season as a head coach, but his experience and knowledge initially began during his high school career at McLouth High School, just 20 minutes north of Lawrence.

He later played in the collegiate level at Pittsburg State and eventually transferred to Ottawa

Speaking to some varsity players, Coach Stuart emphasizes how he wants the next play to be done. Stuart cares for all of his dedicated players and hopes that being on the team gives them opportunities that they would not have been able to pursue otherwise. “Every year to me it’s not just about the seniors, but the players who stick around and have a senior year,” said Stuart. “They should have a chance to graduate, have a chance to go to college if they choose to, and have a chance to play football somewhere.

They should have the opportunity to reflect and say that was a good experience.” Photo by Emma Hardesty

said. “I like that he brings the juice every day to practice; he’s always energetic and always fun. If everybody’s being lazy walking around, he makes sure we all got that juice.”

The Firebirds battled through the season, finishing with a record of 9-2. Their year was cut short due to a loss against Manhattan High in the second round of the playoffs. Although the program did not reach their ultimate goal of a state title, players still remained hopeful and trusted in Stewart for better luck in future years.

“The program has always been good, but I think he could definitely lead us to a championship eventually,” Eddis said. “A lot of things he did for the team helped us get closer. We really came together in the middle of the season.”

As for Stewart, his enjoyment of the season came from the team’s forward progress during the year.

“I enjoyed the day-to-day interaction with the players in the team, and seeing them grow and develop,” Stewart said. “You start off in the summer, you’re really not that good at anything, and by the end of the year you’re pretty good at a lot of different aspects of the game.”

Kevin Stewart and Mike Gillman look onto the field while waiting for the play to start.

Stuart enjoys watching the team grow and develop throughout the year. “I think that it’s hard to leave players that you coached,” Stewart said.

Photo by Emma Holsclaw

Profile

University. Interested in education, Stewart attended the University of Kansas in his twenties.

“I was going to college at KU working on my education degree,” Stewart said. “But I was coaching up at McLouth High School. That’s where I am from. I’d go to class all morning and coach practice every day.”

Stewart was the defensive coordinator/ assistant coach at Blue Valley North for three seasons. Within those seasons, he aided in a 2017 6A state championship and 2018 runner-up, with the records of both years being 9-4.

The players’ reactions to a new head coach varied; overall, they consisted of optimism and determination.

“He brought new styles in,” junior cornerback Ryley Wheat said. “It was a whole learning process for a new coach.”

As practice began and athletes adapted to new schedules, the relationship between Stewart and his players strengthened.

“He was really easy to get along with and he had a good schedule–it just made it a lot easier to connect with him because he was a more up to date with us,” senior linebacker Joey Eddis

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Body Modifications Tattoos, piercings mark a commitment

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bout 38 percent of adolescents have a tattoo and 25 percent have a piercing on their body other than their earlobe.

This percentage continues to increase with numerous teens wanting to express themselves in a unique way.

Most people go through the procedure of getting a tattoo or piercing through a professional, but this wasn’t the case for senior Beatrice Von Holten.

“When I figured out that I could do that myself, I was like, ‘Okay, this is awesome! I have to do it all the time,’” Von Holten said.

“I started when I was 12, for my tattoos and piercings.”

She is not the only person to experiment with modifications at a young age, with 49 percent of people getting a tattoo or piercing at an age younger than 18.

Sometimes having a facial piercings can come with some complications. “I tried to like take it out or flip it up when I first got it done cause I had like a job interview. But then it made me queasy and I almost passed out,” junior Ryan Brown said.

pages by Greta Hayden photos by Delaney Rockers story by Anthony Barberena

People’s unique modifications may tell a story or just serve as a fashion item. When asked about the confidence it gives them, junior Ryan Brown expressed her piercings are a way to separate herself from the everyday crowd.

“I get a lot of compliments on it because not a lot of people have it,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t change anything, maybe different colors.”

The confidence displayed from modifications even gives inspiration. For instance, Von Holten was able to profit off of her artistic abilities.

“I’d say [tattoos] gave me a lot of confidence because people compliment me on them a lot and asked me for tattoos,” Von Holten said. “I’ve kind of started a little business out of it.”

The reasons why student decide to get a tattoo are as unique as the person. “I see the body as like a blank canvas and then whatever you change about it says something about you,” senior Beatrice Von Holten said.

Style

Not Just Jewelry

story by Ben Shryock photos by Baya Burgess

Special meanings behind what we wear

sr. Nirali Patel Can you tell me a little bit about the charm bracelet?

It’s from my sister. It was my birthday gift when I was 16. She started adding charms to it, so whenever something important happens in my life we add a charm to it.

Why is it special to you?

It’s just a reminder of significant events

that happened in my life. I have four charms: one for family, one for my sister, something with my birthstone on it and then a sweet 16 charm.

Do you plan to keep adding on to it?

Yeah. When I graduate, I will probably add another charm to it or something.

so. Kaylen Flachsbarth

sr. Kyra Martin

Where did you get your anklet?

I got it from my friend Jenna. She took a trip to South Africa and brought it back to me.

Where did you get your ring?

My mom asked my neighbor to make a ring which has the coordinates engraved on it for my birthday Why is it special to you?

These coordinates are from my hometown in New Zealand. So after about one or two years of living in the United States, my mom was like, “Oh, I can get you a ring to remind you of your hometown.”

Do you ever take it off?

When I first got it, I took it off, on and off, but then since she moved, I’ve basically kept it on the whole time.

I might get another ring with the coordinates of Lawrence, Kansas on it later, but I don’t know when.

How long have you had it?

Two or three years.

fr. Perry Bonner Can you tell me about your bracelet?

It stands for ‘what would Jesus do?’ and my friend got it for me.

We have a youth group and we all bought them, and it kinda represents our religion and what we believe. It’s just a daily reminder, and it’s also a conversation starter for anyone who wants to join Christ or

wants to be introduced to God. For me, it kinda just [represents] my religion and what I believe. So it’s special, because it’s just meaningful.

How long have you had it?

I got it like a month ago, it’s kinda just a new thing.

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Bird’s

page by Emma Nelson story by Brooke Burgess photos by Delaney Rockers

word

How would you describe first semester in a song/movie title?

Henry Allen, jr “Titanic”

Annabelle Moore, sr “Friday Night Lights”

Ben Brown, fr “Friends”

Harper Anderson, jr “Friends by Marshmello”

FSJ says...

Angel Singhal designer

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Elana Ho

photographer

“The City is at War” “We Didn’t Start

by Cobra Starship the Fire”

by Billy Joel

New technician proves a necessity

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The hardest part of his job is constantly working to fix problems “I guess you could say that the entirety of my job is involved when things aren’t working the way that they’re supposed to,” compute tech Matt Fish said.

After working at the Lawrence Public Schools for a little over four years, He learned what computer problems happen most amongst students and after a while he saw the same problems and was able to identify the problem quicker.

“As you can imagine, with tech, there are issues that happen all the time,” Everett said. “If he wasn’t here, we would be in trouble.”

Before being hired by USD497, Fish studied at Johnson County Community College, and then worked for various websites, warehouses and a couple of other schools.

“I had some friends that had a position like this,” Fish said. “They recommended it as well.”

Although Fish works in a school, no educational background was required for the job, but he did have to learn certain safety procedures that could be used in the case of a student emergency.

“There are certain trainings regarding CPR and what to do if someone’s bleeding that most people do for public schools,” Fish said. “Those kinds of things that are required from HR, they do that at the time that you’re hired.”

With coursework becoming more and more paperless each year, having an in-school computer technician has become more essential. Both students and staff seem to be thankful for his presence in the building for any issues that could emerge.

“He’s definitely has to be at the high school level,” Everett said. “It was very smart of the district to have tech help housed in the buildings.”

Profile

f there’s one staff member throughout all of school that every student has visited at least once, it would probably be our resident computer technician, Matt Fish.

Fish has been a building technician for a little over four years, who recently set up shop in a small corner of the new library reserved just for him.

Students are welcome to come to him at any time for issues with printing, misplaced passwords or computer viruses. Anything that can go wrong with a computer, Fish can usually fix.

“The entirety of my job is involved when things aren’t working the way that they’re supposed to,” Fish said. “You really get started by having to figure things out for yourself, because generally when problems happen, they’re happening for the first time.”

Junior Rose Morland visits him about once a week with computer problems.

“My computer’s just always malfunctioning,” Morland said. “I come to him with all my computer problems and he usually fixes them with a positive attitude.”

Others seem to agree with how much Fish has benefitted the school. Library media assistant Chris Everett works with Fish in the library, and sends students to see him if they need help with computer issues.

Bird’s Word

Gone Fishing

page by Emma Milburn story by Suzanna Ingram photos by Delaney Rockers

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Ashlyn Merrill

Aylssa Crum Stella Eddinger

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Art

Keagen Hiatt

pages by Emma Nelson

ARTof theMONTH Alaysia Hall

Mason Dickenson

Ashlyn Merrill

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Behind the Scenes Inside look at filming morning announcements

Dressed in suits, juniors Cole Huang and Mattew Reimer film of Free State Today. According to Huang and Reimer, the suits were essential in bringing some character to the video. “Matt and I just felt like the announcements were missing a little bit of razzle dazzle and we thought we could turn it up a notch,” Huang said.

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Junior Riley Bredemus records junior Cole Huang as Huang reports the announcements. After production and digital design classes, Bredemus has a good feel for filming and editing. “I thought the announcements would be a very fun project to use the skills I have doing what I enjoy and to contribute something to the school,” Bredemus said.

photos by Baya Burgess pages by Emma Nelson

Photo Essay All cameras on them, juniors Matthew Reimer and Cole Huang film for the next morning. Soon, all eyes will be on them, which was stressful at first for Reimer. “At first it was a bit nerve-racking,” Reimer said. “But, since Cole and I are dressing for success, we have no issues.”

As Cole Huang and Matthew Reimer report, the filming and editing crew scrolls through the script. Video teacher Scott Smith finalizes the script after club sponsors and other staff submit their messages. For junior Riley Bredemus the tight time constraint is new. “The most difficult challenge is most definitely the limited time we have to film and edit,” Bredemus said.

Speaking to the camera, junior Cole Huang recites his lines for the morning announcements. Free State has recently introduced a daily video rather than an intercom announcement. Students in front of and behind the camera put in a lot of work every day to write and film the videos. “Filming, editing, and publishing the announcements in a 40 minute time frame is tough,” said Huang.

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Nostalgia Network Recapturing the decade’s memes

2010 #DealWithIt

GIFS featuring sunglasses being dropped with the caption “Deal With It” became popular. It was a comeback after being shown disapproval, later becoming mainstream on Twitter in 2011 as a hashtag.

2011

2012 Grumpy Cat

Conspiracy Keanu

Zuckerberg Note Pass x Nyan Cat

2013 Doge

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Doge gained popularity on websites Tumblr and Reddit. Later on, doge became internet jargon to refer to a dog.

Doge is easily identifiable by the colorful comic sans internal dialogue by the dog.

pages by Greta Hayden

*sips tea*

2014

Infographic

Possibly originally dubbed on Instagram, “But that’s none of my business” has been tied to Kermit’s image. It’s used to mock questionable behavior by one’s peers. The meme took off on Twitter and Tumblr.

Variations of Kermit pictures remain popular today.

Left Shark

2015 Arthur Fist x Harambe

Pizza Rat

2016

2016 saw rise to Arthur being featured in memes, a trend that continues today. One of the most popular was the balled fist, showing subtle frustration. Harambe was a gorilla in the Cincinnati Zoo that many felt was unjustly killed, thus sparking internet outrage. There was also a boom in “Wholesome Memes.” Previously, many memes had edgy tones. These memes would feature feel-good content.

2017

Distracted Boyfriend

Wholesome Meme Tide Pod Challenge (do not attempt)

Monkey Haircut

I’m telling my kids that x is y Personal FBI Agent

2018

2019

Baby Yoda

coloring page submitted by Gus Cordova, fr

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