The Senior Issue May 15, 2025 | Edition 28
Illustration by Neylana Haque
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
FEATURE
Pg. 6-7 - Senior Superlatives
Pg. 8 - Alternate Routes
Pg. 9 - Teacher Appreciation
Pg. 12-13 - Senior Destinations
Pg. 14 - Despicable Majors
Pg. 15 - Senior Soundtrack
Pg. 16-17 - You’ve Got a Friend in Me
NEWS
Pg. 4-5 - News of Senior Year
OPINION
Pg. 3 - Letter From the Editor
Pg. 22-23 - Diary of the Senior Editors
A&E
Pg. 18-19 - Photo Timeline
Pg. 20-21 - Photo Timeline
SPORTS
Pg. 10-11 - Senior Commits
SOCIALS
TikTok: @freestatejournalism
MISSION STATEMENT
Curious Free State journalists will amplify voices, gather superior sources and tell pivotal stories of our community in a visually creative way in order to serve our audience and foster quality scholastic journalism in Lawrence, Kansas.
ABOUT THE ISSUE
By the Senior Editorial Staff
We walk across the stage in less than seven days. After spending four years together at Free State High School, it is important to remember all the unforgettable moments that took place, including each iconic year of powderpuff, Encore 2025, Forensics winning state again for the sixth year in a row, Friday Night Lights and even ILT freshman year.
To commemorate all the Class of 2025 has been through, our Free State Journalism graduating seniors created a speciality issue to honor the
Sincerely,
The Free Press Senior Editors
class moving on to the next chapter of their lives.
Throughout the pages, we themed the issue with nostalgic childhood movies; some of our favorites — “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Finding Nemo” and “Cars” — are represented from page to page.
In the next chapter of our lives, whether it’s college, trade school, the military or a gap year, we wish you the best. Flip to read about all the news from senior year.
SENIOR ISSUE STAFF
Lilly Wall News Editor-in-Chief
Simon Williams Online Editor-in-Chief
Nick Sprecker News Editor-in-Chief
Eli Roust Yearbook Photo Editor
Amanda McCall News Designer Business Team
Ember Klein Online Editor-in-Chief
Richard Li Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
Neylana Haque News Designer
Mallory Thompson News Photo Editor
Elliot Skillman News Copy Editor
Julie Kong Senior Ads Editor
Logan Dinges Reporter
Geneva Sabatini News Design Editor
Delaney Bayliss Asst. Social Media Editor
Elinor Russo Captions Editor
Amelia Wiles Photographer
NEWS OF SENIOR Y
“DIDDY” WAS ARRESTED SEPT. 16, 2024
After accusations of Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulting and grooming numerous people, a grand jury indicted Combs, leading to his arrest in a Manhattan hotel room.
A District Court in New York charged Combs with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
PRESIDENT ELECTED ON NOV. 5, 2024
Donald Trump was elected 47th President of the United States, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s second run faced obstacles from his previous term, such as two impeachments and a criminal conviction, and two assassination attempts while campaigning. He earned 312 electoral votes and nearly 50 percent of the popular vote.
HEALTHCARE
CEO BRIAN THOMPSON WAS MURDERED ON DEC. 4, 2024
Luigi Mangione, who allegedly had grievances against the healthcare industry and corporate America, was charged with shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the back as he walked into a hotel. The charges included four federal crimes and eleven state crimes. If convicted on federal charges, Mangione would be eligible for the death penalty.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES BEGAN ON JAN.
7, 2025
Beginning in early January, the Los Angeles wildfires wreaked havoc on a large part of California, killing approximately 30 people and displacing more than 100,000. Although the official cause of the fires has not been determined, scientists believe that weather and climate patterns played a part in this destruction.
EAR
Collected by Logan Dinges
THE FIRST TARIFFS WERE IMPOSED ON FEB. 1, 2025
After months of discussion and threats of tariffs, Trump declared a national emergency and imposed a ten percent tariff on all imports from China and 25 percent tariff on all imported goods from Canada and Mexico. All three countries promised retaliatory measures after the tariffs were imposed.
THE SUPER BOWL OCCURED ON FEB. 9, 2025
Super Bowl LIX took place in Caesars Superdome, located in New Orleans. The game was played between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite predictions for a close game, the Eagles took a commanding lead early and kept the game out of reach for Kansas City, denying them their third consecutive Super Bowl win.
CORY BOOKER SPEECH SETS A NEW RECORD ON APRIL 1, 2025
U.S. Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey made history on the senate floor when he spoke for 25 hours and five minutes, breaking the previous record for the longest speech in the history of the senate. Booker used this time to speak out about Trump’s executive orders and policies. The previous record was held by U.S. Senator Strum Thurmond of South Carolina from a speech in opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
TRUMP TALKS WITH ZELENSKY ON APRIL 26, 2025
After paying their respects to Pope Francis along with a number of other political leaders, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky sat across from each other and discussed the three-year long war. The aftermath of the conversation sparked a new hope in Ukraine, as Trump’s criticism of Putin after the meeting with Zelensky was the strongest it has ever been.
SENIOR SUPERLATIVES
Design by Mallory Thompson
Anwen Williams Everett Essman
Vivi Riffel
Elle Cormaney Amelia Wiles and Lilly Wall
Photos by Eli Roust & Elinor Russo
ALTERNATE ROUTES
Stories by Ember Klein and Simon Williams
Seniors Jay Wisler and Nikolai Smith choose paths other than college
JAY WISLER NIKOLAI SMITH
By Simon Williams
Senior Jay Wisler plans to spend the 2025–2026 academic year working and managing his family’s property before attending Johnson County Community College in Fall 2026. Wisler — who plans to transfer to the KU School of Business after attending JCCC — said he hopes to use this opportunity to build on his entrepreneurial interests and family history.
“[I want] to have my own business, whether it be renting out rooms [at my family property] or whatnot. My dad owned an IT company. My grandfather owned his own law firm. My aunt owns her own salons. I just want to carry on a family business,” Wisler said.
Wisler said that the opportunity became available after his father decided to move away from Lawrence and agreed to let Wisler use the house and property in exchange for paying the property’s expenses. Wisler said that this is an opportunity for him to learn business experientially.
“College might be really hard for me, but I still want to learn,” Wisler said. “The best way for me to learn is to experience things, and like I said, I want to rent out this property and learn business.
By Ember Klein
After graduating from Free State, senior Nikolai Smith intends to join the military to work on jets in the Air Force.
“I have a passion for jets and I’ve always wanted to work on one. It just seemed like a good fit,” Smith said.
Smith said that college didn’t seem like the right fit for him, leading him to look at enlisting.
“I haven’t been the best academically in school, so college isn’t a great option for me,” Smith said. “It has a lot of good benefits. I’d still be able to go to school online and get my degree.”
Smith said that alongside the college and healthcare benefits, he sees the military as a route for personal growth.
“It’s just going to help me become a better person, discipline-wise and structure myself,” Smith said.
TEACHER APPRECIATION
Students express gratitude for their teachers
Collected by Nick Sprecker
To Mr. Juneau
By Abbi Last
Ican’t imagine going through high school without Mr. Juneau. He is the most welcoming person you have ever met, and I loved being his TA. I always looked forward to our daily chats and laughs. Thank you Juneau for everything to help me succeed at school and in life.
To Ms. Coen
By Gage Monse
You have made the last four years so enjoyable! Thank you for giving not only me, but other seniors a place to go and have fun. Some of my favorite memories at Free State are with you. Any student to have you as a teacher is lucky. Please keep being your goofy, caring self.
To Mrs. Herron
By Aspyn Roundy
It has been amazing having you as our orchestra director this year. You’ve motivated us to be a best we can and have helped accomplish amazing things together. Thank you so much for your hard work and care!
Photos by Nate Willems
Collegiate sports commits and where they are going
Cayman
Landon
Isaiah Wiedeman Ottawa University Baseball
Jocelyn Wilson
South Dakota St. Univ Swim
Kira Shepard Baker University
Kacia Kite Oklahoma State Univ. Dance
Yusef Iskandrani Butler CC Football
Jeremiah
Peighton Stewart Kansas State Univ. Dance
Delaney Bruhns Neosho County CC Softball
Kendall
Aiden Graff-Hannah Crowder College Golf
Hiram Kahungura Baker University Football
The Free Press Design by Nick Sprecker
Class
of 2025 graduation map
SENIOR DESTINATIONS
University of Alabama
Kelsey Johnson
University of Arizona
Liv Brown
University of Arkansas
Everett Essman
Zoe Milburn
Avila University
Daijah Preston
Baker University
Havea Hafoka
Austin Drewry
Jeremiah Jones
Hiram Kahungura
Kira Shepard
Amelia Wiles
Barton Community College
Cayman Cook
Gabe Swoyer
Benedictine College
Andrew Zimmerschied
Butler Community College
Yusef Iskandrani
Brigham Young University
Abbie Hansen
Abbi Last
University of Central Missouri
Blaine Larkin
Coffeyville Community College
Bralin Preston
University of Colorado, Boulder
Merrit Hale
Colorado College
Simon Williams
Colorado School of Mines
Anna Bream
Colorado State University
Hazel Powers
Eli Roust
Cornell University
Marlena Zuo
Creighton University
Greta Barnett
University of Denver
Lila Gotto
Doane University
Grayson Hagen
Drury University
Cayman Barnes
Emporia State University
Bailey Boesche
Fort Hays University
Josie Morris
Fort Scott Community College
Cole Wright
Georgetown University
Anwen Williams
Haskell Indian Nations
University
Landon Gillman
High Point University
JJ Zheng
Highland Community College
Kendall Feurt
University of Iowa
Hugh Kneidel
Iowa State University
Maggie Gabrielson
Johnson County
Community College
Brylee Burns
CJ Christwell
Ellis Daniels
Dominic Davis
Ava Falleaf
Theo Fowler
Desiree Philbert
Brookelyn Shepley
University of Kansas
Caleb Alexander
Tobi Allen
Ember Alvarez
Boston Baker
Mara Batterman
Delaney Bayliss
Parker Bentley
Amitav Bhattachan
Brooks Bischmann
Braiden Blanchard
Mridula Boopeshkumar
Kiefer Bullock
Adele Buren
Selma Burton
Liv Brack
Zoe Cachiguango-Latta
Karsen Chapman
Kiley Chartrand
Angie Chen
Chloe Clossen
Chloe Cook
Yael Correa
Asher Dee
Logan Dinges
Lily Dixon
AJ Eason
Sacia Edie
Cooper Elo
Gilly Falin
Lacey Farrar
Rowan Glendening
Aidyn Guy
Henry Hanrath
The Free Press Design by Amanda
Neylana Haque
Lindsay Hayes
Cooper Hefty
Olivia Hemker
Adam Hemker
Preston Hosler
Olivia Iverson
Marvin Kapfer
Michael King
Krish Kulkarni
Kinsey Lake
Ainsley Linhos
Levi Lichauer
Grant Lichauer
Hadley Lonnberg
Dylan Mackie
Ari Mattes
Connor MacFarland
Amanda McCall
Allie Mickel-Lindner
Isabel Miller
Gage Monse
Eden Morrison
Neely Morrison
Katherine Oliverius
Julietta Otter
Megh Patel
Raphael Queiroz
Liam Ray
Vivi Riffel
Hudson Robinson
Mallory Rogers
Aspyn Roundy
Elinor Russo
Somjai Sengchan
Kaitlynn Sedich
Parker Simon
Nick Sprecker
Asa Smith
Sydney Stejskal
Halle Swearingen
Henry Swinburne Romine
Bess Tejada
Mallory Thompson
Aubrey Tuthill
Kinley VanPelt
Avery Voss
Ryan Weishaar
Emma Wiley
Dru White
Soheyla Zang
Asher Zelvy
Kansas State
University
Anne Cross
Dakota Cronemeyer
Addyson Crum
Kendall Dobski
Halas Kober
Gia Miele
Kylie Skeen
Andrew Smith
Reagan Stephenson
Peighton Stewart
Ryan Turk
Preston White
Liberty University
Brooke Huttman
Macalester College
Max Ruland
University of Miami
Sean Ruddy
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Elliot Skillman
Missouri State University
Elle Cormaney
University of Missouri
Hannah Kring
Nebraska-Kearney
Landon Leipold
Noah Rupp
University of NebraskaLincoln
Aj Maginnis
Maeve Nichols
Fiona Wynn
Neosho County Community College
Delaney Bruhns
University of New Hampshire
Kara Unckless
North Carolina State
Liv Hazlett
Northwestern University
Nathan Peltier
Lois Xie
Occidental College
Mason Toevs
Ohio University
Wesley Cupps
University of Oklahoma
Grace Lichauer
Oklahoma State University
Kacia Kite
University of Oregon
Ember Klein
Geneva Sabatini
Lilly Wall
Ottawa University
Josiah Smith
Isaiah Weideman
McCall
Pittsburg State University
Isabella Lieneman
Rice University
Gayla Gao
Richard Li
Seward County Community College
Korbin Dowdell
South Dakota State
University
Jocelyn Wilson
Southern Illinois University
Quinton Hice
Tabor University
Hannah Goertzen
Temple University — Tokyo, Japan
Isaac Lala
Texas Christian University
Aaron Humphries
University of WashingtonSeattle
Malcolm Karman
Washburn University
Ohene-Amoako Danso
Kennedy Migchelbrink
Lillie Outcalt
Lola Stuhlsatz
Lena White
Washington University in St. Louis
Kathryn Hale
Wayne State College
Taylor Woods
Williams College
Noah Pultz-Earle
Wellesley College
Gillian Sellet
Wichita State University
Luke Roberts
Vassar College
Amaya Gab
DESPICABLE MAJORS
Unique majors of students going to college
Collected by Delaney Bayliss & Ember Klein Statistics
Film
Reagan Stephenson Ami Bhattachan
Juliana Wamelink
Dylan Mackie
Noah Pultz-Earle
Gage Monse
Halas Kober
Lola Stuhlatz
SENIOR SOUNDTRACK
Seniors share songs that describe their high school experience
Klein
God Turn Me Into a Flower Weyes Blood
This Is Nowhere The Black Keys
Ptolemaea Ethel Cain
Suggested by Lila Gotto
Suggested by Aaron Burgess
Suggested by Kara Unckless
The Spins Mac Miller
Suggested by Sacia Edie
Collected by Ember Klein
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME
Long-time friendships at Free State
Somjai Sengchan and Steve Krise
Friends for years 13
Friends for years 14
Sean Ruddy and Kiefer Bullock
Collected by Delaney Bayliss
Photos by Elinor Russo
Friends for years years
Friends for
The Free Press Design by Geneva Sabatini
Gwen Fowler and Isabella Lieneman
Liv Brown and Braiden Blanchard
FRESHMAN YEAR
Photo recaps of each school year
Collected by Amelia Wiles
1. High fiving an astronaut, Elle Cormaney participates in Trunk or Treat on Oct. 28, 2021. Archive Photo by Emma Hardesty
2. Lifting Grayson Hagen into the air, the Class of 2025 participates in the class dance battle during State Night on Nov. 30, 2021. Archive Photo by Addie Driscoll
3. Looking in a microscope, Kinley VanPelt collects data for a lab in Biology class on Jan. 19, 2022. Archive Photo by Emma Hardesty
4. Presenting to the class, senior Anwen Williams performs her informative speech. Archive Photo by Isabelle Prô
5. During LINK Crew freshman orientation on Aug. 18, 2021, former principal Myron Graber takes a selfie with the Class of 2025. Archive Photo by Addie Driscoll
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Free Press Design by Mallory Thompson
6. Holding a sign, Eden Morrison smiles at a protest for trans rights. Archive Photo by Lady Ortega-Perez
7. Playing the cello, Milo Ovsak and Mason Toevs perform with the Orchestra at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 7, 2023. Archive Photo by Lady Ortega-Perez
8. Waving, Neylana Haque steps forward during the announcement of the lineup before a girls varsity soccer game on April 6, 2023. Archive Photo by Elinor Russo
9. Screaming, Landon Leipold and Parker Moore celebrate after winning a point during the annual Voll-He-Ball. Archive Photo by Amelia Wiles
10. Getting advice from their coach, the sophomore Powderpuff team gets ready for another play during the annual StuCo event on Sept. 8, 2022. Archive Photo by Mallory Thompson
11. Writing in her notebook, Gillian Sellet crafts an award winning poem. Photo by Archive Chloe Cook
JUNIOR YEAR
1.
2.
3.
After participating in Great Green Help on April 19, 2024, Steve Krise, Mavin Kapfer, Everett Essman, Grayson Hagen, Elliot Skillman and Nick Sprecker pose for a photo. Archive Photo by Lilly Wall
Drawing in chalk, Mridula Boopeshkumar smiles at the camera before school as a part of the Friendly Firebirds Club. Archive Photo by Eli Roust
Sorting tickets, NHS members Avery Voss and Sham Nassar volunteer at the Raintree Fall Festival on Oct. 14, 2023. Archive Photo by Elinor Russo
4. Gesturing, Cooper Hefty performs with Kiefer Bullock at Improv on Oct. 27, 2023. Archive
Photo by Eli Roust
5. Laughing, Addy Crum and Kinley VanPelt jump into freezing water at the Polar Plunge on April 11, 2024. Archive Photo by Chloe Cook
Illustration by Willow Marable
SENIOR YEAR
7.
a
8. Masquerade masks on, a group of seniors pose for a photo during prom at Abe and Jake’s on April 11, 2025.
9. Arms around each other, senior Choir members sing “I’ll Always Remember You” by Hannah Montana as the senior song during “Encore!” Photo
6. Standing front row, Wesley Cupps, Parker Simon, Luke Cast, Andrew Smith and Marvin Kapfer cheer during the Gold Out football game on Sept. 6, 2024. Photo by Anders Benson
Running through
banner, the Class of 2025 prepares to compete in the annual Powderpuff football game. Photo by Anders Benson
Photo by Nathan Kramer
by Nathan Friedman
10. Conducting the band, drum major Gage Monse leads a halftime performance on Sept. 6, 2024. Photo by Nathan Friedman
11. Flowers in hand, senior Maeve Nichols and her parents walk out on to the field during the girls soccer senior night ceremony on May 1, 2025. Photo by Nathan Friedman
Design by Mallory Thompson
DIARY OF THE
Richard Li
Yearbook
Editor-in-Chief
Lilly Wall
News Editor-in-Chief
Simon Williams
Online Editor-in-Chief
Geneva Sabatini
News Design Editor
I would not be everything I am today without journalism and its community. It was the reason I became so involved within Free State. I’ve had so many unique experiences and made so many close friends that I will miss dearly. One of my favorite memories ever was the national journalism convention in Kansas City, which was three days of running around hotels, making jokes and having fun with no supervision.
I joined journalism at the beginning of high school, having no clue what this extracurricular would do for me. Free State Journalism has provided me with the three most transformative years of my life -- this publication will forever be special to me. To my jerds, thank you for always putting your all into FSJ. Continue to be curious, passionate and committed journalists.
Journalism has helped me grow in more ways than one. I am a better writer, reporter, leader and teammate because of this program and everyone in it. It has given me confidence in my voice and faith in the power of storytelling and student journalism to make an impact. I will carry and use the skills and lessons I have gained from this program and community throughout my personal, professional and academic life.
During my last three years on journalism staff, I’ve taken countless photos and designed dozens of spreads. I wasn’t always sure that my work would be impactful, but now I know it was worth it to see classmates smile when they flipped the page to see themselves or a friend featured in a photo or quoted in a story. I’ve made so many new friendships and have done my best to guide the younger staff members in the right direction.
SENIOR EDITORS
Nick Sprecker
News Editor-in-Chief
Mallory Thompson
News Photo Editor
Ember Klein
Online Editor-in-Chief
Eli Roust
Yearbook Photo Editor
The journalism community, specifically the talented members of FSJ, has given me so much to be thankful for these past three years. I walked into 203 for the first time having no idea how powerful and wonderful of a culture I would become a part of. To all of my brilliant jerds, continue to make memories and allow this program to be a light in your life all while giving your most to it!
After three years in Free State Journalism, I can say that I have found a passion that matters past me. I have been grateful to capture all the student body’s most significant memories, ranging from the football playoff games to intensely rehearsed choir performances. This passion has also allowed me to work with the most talented, kind and determined community of students.
I joined journalism in my freshman year of high school. When I started, I was a horrible writer, but in the last three and a half years, I have grown not just in my writing, but as a person. Being in journalism has helped me make some of my best friends and has given more opportunities than I can count. This program has changed me in ways I never could have imagined. To the jerds, thank you for all of the fun times and inside jokes; I will miss you all so much.
Journalism has grown to be an important part of my high school career. I am so thankful for all of the memories I’ve made on staff and have been constantly impressed with the work we’ve put out. To my jerds - I’m so proud of you!! You are phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what you create next.
We hail thee Lawrence Free State. Our Alma Mater true. With courage and with honor We give our hearts to you. We’ll always cherish memories Of good times with our friends. We hail thee Lawrence Free State, Your legacy will never end.
Illustration by Neylana Haque