Free Press: Issue 4, Edition 21

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Free Press Issue 4 • 14 December 2017 • Edition 21

Discussing

Open Lunch Staff Editorial:

Restorative Justice Sneak peak of

Winter Sports

Table of Contents Issue 4 • 14 December 2017 • Edition 21 Art

News

Featured Art........................12-13

Comfortable in Your Own Stall...4-5

Photo Essay

A Day in the Life of Graber....23-24

Team STEAM.....................14-15

Review

Raising the “Barah”..................6-7

Wonder(ful).........................26-27

Sports Feature

Bridges to Burn...................16-19

Winter Sports Preview.......28-29

Profiles Got Games?.........................10-11

Style Style Icons............................20-21

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Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

Entertainment

Editorial

Seeing Double......................30-31

Restorative Justice.....................22

Where ToVacation Next?...........32

This Issue...

Print Co-Editors in Chief Maya Hodison...........................................................

Juna Murao...............................................................

Design Editor Goldie Schmiedeler...................................................

Copy Editor Erin Liston.................................................................

Photo Editor Mackenzie Bickling...................................................

Sports Editor Will Cook..................................................................

Business Editor Carly Oliver...............................................................

Designers Emma Milburn.........................................................

Evan Cornell.............................................................

Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman....................................

Reporters Sam Mohanaty..........................................................

Hayden Robinson.....................................................

Jax Egan....................................................................

DeeDee Zolner..........................................................

Photographers Katy Coats.................................................................

Nicholas Burket.........................................................

Paige Kirkpatrick......................................................

Grace Mechler...........................................................

Naomi Soderling.......................................................

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Comfortable in Comfortable in Your OwnOwn Stall Stall Your School adds all-inclusive gender-neutral bathroom

Story by DEE DEE ZOLMAN and ERIN LISTON

A

s our society is rapidly evolving, terms such “I am really open about it and I feel like it helps as “gender neutrality” are calling attention to the school and myself feel more comfortable here,” the issue and the sophomore Celeste Smith said. stigma that is surrounding it.

Before the gender neutral On October 23, the girls bathroom, students felt as if they restroom in the math hall didn’t have a place for themselves. became the school’s first “I don’t feel comfortable gender neutral bathroom. using the female bathroom, but By changing the sign on I am not allowed to use the male the outside of the restroom, bathroom, so there [wasn’t] people of any gender really a bathroom I could use,” identity and sexuality can freshman Scout Branden said. use it.

Getting accustomed to the Last year there was new bathroom is a struggle for controversy about why a people of all identities. new gender neutral restroom “It’s a little weird because I was needed and when and am still not quite used to it, but where the school would add I think it’s good to get used to one. Senior Jack Theisen things that you don’t normally has changed his opinion see,” Smith said. since the addition of the Privilege can produce different bathroom. opinions on the gender neutral “If you would have asked bathroom. Junior Jake Zenger me this last year, I probably explains since he is a white male, would have said I was not people assume that he doesn’t a fan and [the gender support the new bathroom. neutral bathroom] wasn’t “I think it’s completely fine Scout Branden is an advocate for having a gender neutral bathroom. “I think that having a gender neutral bathroom is necessary, but I’ve seen because I don’t see an issue with an important part of our school. [Not having one] alienates a people go in and it’s not as group of people,” Branden said. making students comfortable,” Photo by GRACE MECHLER bad as I expected,” Theisen said. junior Jake Zenger said. “If they don’t feel comfortable Others feel as if the gender neutral bathroom benefits in all the other bathrooms, why not give them a place to students who didn’t feel safe or comfortable to use any of make them feel good about themselves?” the restricted gendered bathrooms.

Pages by EVAN CORNELL

Some people don’t support the gender neutral restroom because of religion or political beliefs.

“I know [some] people are opposed because of their religious affiliations and they feel that it’s not natural and it will endanger people,” Smith said.

Students feel as if the teachers should be advocates in this situation.

“I really feel like [teachers] being open to change would help students understand that it’s okay to have differences like this,” Smith said.

More changes are happening in this generation to become more inclusive of every race, gender, sexuality and more. The gender neutral bathroom is a change that affects everyone, not only the people who feel more comfortable using it.

Photo by GRACE MECHLER

The gender neutral bathroom sign displays four different silhouettes and has replaced the “women’s bathroom” sign.

Photo by GRACE MECHLER

The gender neutral bathroom on the second floor math hallway is open for anyone to use.

Photo Illustration by MACKENZIE BICKLING

Raising the “Barah” Coach introduces intensive training for young athletes Story by HAYDEN ROBINSON

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lready renowned for his intensive summer workouts and ability to push others past their limits, soccer coach Kelly Barah has added a new element to his training programs. Ubuntu Performance, the name of his athletic training brand, is a high intensity program for young athletes and adults.

Barah is using his experience to critique and strengthen those he trains. To complete the full experience, he has teamed up with Free State alum and fellow trainer Austin Hoag.

“I decided to team up with a long time trainer in town in this business venture to help provide a high profile training environment for athletes,” Barah said.

Ubuntu Performance is open to high school and college athletes during the day and to adult workout groups in the morning and night. For young athletes looking for

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Pages by GOLDIE SCHMIEDELER

something different than going to the local gym or taking a weights class, Ubuntu Performance provides hands-on strength, speed and agility training.

Barah has worked out numerous athletes before, highlighted by former Free State-turned college football starters Scott Frantz and Bryce Torneden. He used “Ubuntu,” a term meaning ‘I am who I am because of who we are’, in his teachings to his players, and again with Ubuntu Performance.

With future plans to expand the facility’s space, partnering with Hoag has worked seamlessly. Intensive training for young athletes “A former student of Free State with his passion, love, and dedication has made this venture very rewarding so far,” Barah said.

Kelly Barah over looks the trainees in the gym while they begin their rigorous workout session. Barah has had the gym for two months now.

“I think that they’re a lot of athletic people in this town and I want them to maximize their potential.” Barah said.

Training for basketball season, LHS Junior Trey Quartlebaum pulls weights while running. He has been coming to Barah’s gym for about month.”This was my second time meeting him. I met him here, my friend had recommended me [the gym] to me who was on the basketball team.” Quartlebuam said.

Kelly Barah and trainer Fred Roll discuss how long they have known one another. Fred Roll was a former weights and conditioning trainer for the University of Kansas from 1989 to 2002. “I have known Mr. Barah for probably 10 years.” Roll said.

Photos by NICHOLAS BURKET

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Got Games? ?

Game-maker Isaac White Story by ERIN LISTON

Creating a game is not as easy as it looks. For sophomore Isaac White, he takes it seriously by forming ideas that become apps that everyone can play.

Isaac has been making apps since fifth grade and publishing them on the Apple app store. His interest sparked through a passion for animation.

“I’ve always had an interest in doing creative stuff,” Isaac said. “I started animation in fourth grade and then I realized I wanted to do more than just animation. I wanted to make my own games.”

Senior Thomas White supports his younger brother.

“Isaac has been into making his own things since like third or fourth grade and now he has a bunch of apps on the app store,” Thomas White said. “I definitely support what he’s doing because it’s something he’s very passionate about and something I can definitely see him doing as a career when he’s older.”

Isaac White creates games anyone can play, because he wants people to be interested in games as much as he does.

“I make pretty simple games, nothing too complex,” Isaac said. “[The games are] easy enough that pretty much anyone can pick it up and play.”

Motivation can be a struggle at times for Isaac, but when

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Pages by Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman

an idea comes to him, he acts upon it.

“I generally have these bursts of motivation where I spend hours every day working on a game,” he said. “After I publish it, I just take a few weeks or a month to take a break and let the new ideas come to me naturally.”

Isaac created his favorite game with some of his friends at a convention called Global Game Gym. “The game I’m most proud of is called Submerge, a submarine adventure game, and I actually had help with it from a few friends,” Isaac said. “We made an underwater submarine game which I then worked on after the Game Gym to make it into like a full mobile app on iOS and Android devices.”

His older brother believes what he does is fascinating.

“When he’s making a game it’s like he’s completely absorbed in what he’s doing that he can spend hours and hours nonstop without food or taking a break or anything,” Thomas said. “It’s quite impressive.”

Isaac’s success in the game-making business has satisfied him, but he would like to go even further.

“I think all of the games that I have on the app store have over 2,000 downloads, which I would consider pretty successful, but I would like to improve that,” Isaac said.

Part of making a game is testing it out with other people and getting feedback.

“Generally [I get] good feedback, although a lot of times I get requests to add new stuff to my games, which I always take into account,” Issac said. “I enjoy any feedback I can get, as long as it’s constructive.”

Being a supportive older brother, Thomas plays Isaac’s games to help him create the best product possible.

“I play all of them,” Thomas said. “He uses me as not really a guinea pig, but I kind of test the beta versions of his games and give him feedback and tell him what I think he could add.”

Isaac explains he is the best player at all of his games, except for one person, senior Jared Lieberman, who has beat most of Isaac’s high scores.

“Froggy Hop is my favorite game of his because it is the

pinnacle of perfection,” Lieberman said.

Isaac wants to continue creating games.

“I think it would be really cool to be in an indie game studio,” Isaac said. “Indie games are independent, like you’re your own publisher. I feel like I’d get more out of it in a small studio with a small amount of people making our own games, publishing our own games and just doing everything ourselves.”

Isaac is proud of the outcome of creating apps. It has changed his life for the better.

“It’s cool to be able to say ‘Hey I’ve made a few games and published them on the app store.’ so I guess it’s like cool bragging rights,” Isaac said. “I really enjoy talking about the games I make, especially with people who are interested in them. It’s had a pretty positive impact on my life.”

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Featured Art

senior LEAH WETHINGTON

junior JORDAN HAUBER

senior SOPHIA BONE

sophomore OLIVER PEPIN

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Pages by EVAN CORNELL

Studio 205 Artist of the Month

Teagan Ryan

“My favorite part about art is that it’s just a good outlet for my creativity. I can take ideas from my head and display them in different ways than speaking or writing a paper would.”

senior ALI DODD

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Team STEAM*

Helping repair a robot after a match, junior Caleb Hubbard talks to his fellow teammates to try to fix the malfunctioning machine. Hubbard has been in Robotics Club since freshman year. “It’s quite difficult actually. It takes basically six weeks with about 30 members all working on it. We meet for four hours for the entirety of the six weeks.”

Lawrence robotics team hosts first ever Kansas Cup Story by DEE DEE ZOLMAN and MAYA HODISON

Competing since 2013, the Lawrence robotics team consists at the competition,” sophomore Elaine Landers said. “Esof creative and skillful prodigies. The Lawrence Robotics sentially, each team has a pit where they keep their robot and Team, calling themselves Team STEAM, normally only gets members fix it when it breaks. Most people go into the gym one chance to compete per year, but that will soon change. and sit in the stands to cheer on their team. Meanwhile the “Two years ago we expanded to an all-district team when drive team competes and there’s like two engineers in the pit this base was built and we moved out to the College and Ca- ready to fix the bot.” reer Center,” Walton said. “We kind of just invited everyone For this competition, the team created a robot that drops to join the first team Free State had started.” off gears and climbs a rope. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out Team STEAM includes many members, all from different exactly like they planned. schools. Students from Free State, Lawrence High, Bishop “We did not do well because our radio was messing up that Seabury Academy, the Lawrence Virtual School and homeday,” Landers said. schooled kids make up one team.

Malfunctions are normal, but they don’t stop them from “It’s kind of hard to get a great estimate [of how many creating intricate robots. members we have] because not everyone shows up to every “We built [a robot] last year, and it’s name was Jeeves,” meeting,” sophomore Charlie Johnson said. “We usually have Johnson said. “That’s the one I spent the most time working about 30 kids at a meeting, so I’d say there’s about 40 kids on on, so that would probably be my favorite. The competition the team this year.” requirements last year were to place gears on a peg and shoot The team hosted the Kansas Cup, a competition where balls, so that’s what Jeeves can do. It can also climb a rope.” robotics teams in Kansas can come and compete. There are When they compete they have to redo all of their robotics no judges, but there are set rules and each team can earn a designs. They start from scratch to rebuild the robots because specific amount of points. The team who’s robot earns the each competition is different. When they rebuild, they somemost points in multiple rounds, advances and eventually wins. times take parts from old robots to create new ones.

Every team makes one robot within the building season, Not only do they build creative robots by hand for fun, but which is eight weeks long. they also use them as a new way to raise money. The team “Each team comes with [a] robot they made during the earned money from fundraisers or receives donations from building season and then performs whatever function it has parents and supporters.

“We have to build our robots with things that we raise [money for] almost entirely,” Walton said.

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Pages by EVAN CORNELL

Continued On Page 15

It costs a lot of money to build robots, so holding the Kansas Cup takes a lot of contributions. Before the tournament, they had to raise money.

“For the past couple of years, we have had to go through emails from our sponsors and some tech companies around the area,” Walton said. “We talk to them about sponsoring our team and putting their tech name on our robots and stuff. We usually go out to talk to their company and show them a presentation and then we see what they [can] do.”

One competition per year is simply not enough for these ambitious and eager engineers. They want everyone to get multiple chances to improve on their skills.

“We are redoing the competition because most teams only get one shot per year,” sophomore Rheanne Walton said. “We’re hosting an event that does the commission from last year again so that teams get another chance.

The robots are lined up before the beginning of a round in the competition. The competition was a steampunk theme in which the robots were designed to collect gears and fuel for the airships in the center of the arena. The Robotics Club has been at Free State for four years and counting.”

Working on the robotics software, LHS freshmen, Christian, and Free State senior Emaad Gerami get ready to begin the first match of the competition with Team STEAM. Gerami has been on Team STEAM since his freshman year. “Of course [Robotics Club] was a lot different from what I had expected, but once I had gone to my first competition and I had taken apart in my first build season the amount of fun I had and how much I enjoyed it kind of cemented my decision to stay on the team for the rest of my high school years.”

Photos by NICK BURKET

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Students have recently expressed concerns over the negative eects of open lunch periods and the school board is listening. One concern is open lunch is an opportunity skip school and commit illegal activities.

Photo Illustrations by MACKENZIE BICKLING

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Pages by CAITLIN MCANDREW-BECKMAN

Bridges to Burn* Possibilities of closed lunches arise due to tardiness and drug related issues Story by SAM MOHANTY

Sophomore D’Artagnan Pardun had heard rumors and gossip about the bridge in front of Free State and what students use it for.

“After I went there a couple of times, it just became a place to hang out and make new friends,” Pardun said.

While for many, the bridge is just a place to be social, most others associate it with disciplinary issues.

One of the main problems people seem to have with open lunches is kids going by the bridge and never returning to class or coming back late.

This problem was highlighted by Gloria Davis, a representative with Ray & Associates, who gave a report to the school board in November. The report from Ray & Associates was the wishlist students, parents, district staff and community members have for the new superintendent.

Davis said she was informed by the students at both high schools of their concerns about open lunch. According to Davis, students reported they want their school to be “top notch” and this was not contributing to it.

Sophomore Nyasha McVay, says students come into class late and distract you because they ask you for food.

“It’s a distraction to themselves which in turn is a distraction to others,” Mcvay said.

Another perceived problem with students coming in late is that the smell of food and other substances can be distracting.

“They have that smell,” sophomore Saul Ortiz said.

“When they get to class late, it distracts me especially when you can smell it on them and it stinks up the whole class and I can’t even concentrate because of the smell.”

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Smoking a cigarette, a student sits under the bridge across the street from Overland Drive. Students often smokes under the bridge, during lunch or before and after school.

Rumors of activities at the bridge are not new. Many students learn about the infamous “bridge” before their freshman year.

“Everyone talked about it in my middle school,” junior Mason Fowler said. “My sister always said, ‘Mason, when you go to high school don’t go near the bridge there’s a lot of stigma around it.”

Fowler feels it is really inconvenient for everyone else as it is the main point connecting the school to other shops.

This inconvenience is further enhanced because teachers supposedly don’t do anything about it. Instead of just brushing it off, students think teachers should try and fix the problem.

“I think if we wanted to do something about it, disciplinary actions,” junior Ruth Gathunguri said. “Like community service or something like that would minimize people coming to school drunk or high.”

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Pages by CAITLIN MCANDREW-BECKMAN

Teachers give some students detentions occasionally, but the students “aren’t afraid of it.”

These students can be a distraction to the rest of the class which can cause a break in their education.

“If they just said ‘leave my class’ or ‘go home,’ that’d be a lot easier instead of ignoring it,” Ryan said.

Various students proposed solutions to this problem including: checking students’ tardies and taking the privilege of open lunch away, mandatory community service for a particular amount of tardies or absences, bringing in dogs for drug searches, stationing a city police officer by the bridge and more.

It is dificult for the administration to take action because the bridge is not on school property and therefore the authority to enforce consequences does not land on the school.

“It’s the gray area of authority due between the landowner and the school is the reason why this issue is not discussed

Open Lunch Lunch how many days a week do you use open lunch?

much.” principal Myron Graber said.

Safety and tardiness on the other hand is taken care by the school by placing the SROs by the doors at lunch.

“The school wants to have to safest environment possible,” security resource officer, Mike Evans said. “We’re placed here so that we don’t let anyone who does not go to this school in.”

Tardiness is recorded by “sending students straight to the main office if they come in late.”

“In general, open lunches can be beneficial,” sophomore Leslie Cruz said. “It gives students options because maybe they aren’t able to eat all the food in the cafeteria and be a little more free and not just be limited to the school.”

Biting in to a Whopper at Burger King, senior Orson Becker enjoys his lunch. Becker is able to leave campus during lunch to eat at many different restaurants near school. “My favorite part of going out for lunch during school is getting to not eat bad food,” Becker said.

Photos by MACKENZIE BICKLING

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Graphic By ERIN FAGAN

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Style Icons

Senior

Asayiel Alhajeri Where do you shop?

H&M and whatever store looks good to me ASOS What inpires your look?

Exploring all styles no matter how different or lazy they may seem How do your describe your style?

I like to dress up some days, but today I just really didn’t care and went for a more casual look.

How does you personality influence your style?

My mood is reflected on my outfit choices. If I feel really good I better present my outfits.

What is your favorite clothing item?

These flowy mustard yellow pants. I wear them for party occasions.

What music do you listen to?

Really whatever my spotify accounts allow me to. I run out of skips a lot. I really love Christmas music right now.

Why is fashion important to you?

It allows me to express how I am and allows me to present myself in the most authentic and raw way I can be.

What fashion trends do you hate?

Camo What fashion trends do you love?

Leaopard print fur coats What is your dream job?

Any job that allows me to help my community and make the world a better place.

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Pages by EMMA MILBURN Photos by GRACE MECHLER

Freshamn

Elsa Fair Where do you shop?

The goodwill and the sale section of Urban Outfiters What Inspires your look?

Things that stick out to me and are different. Sydney Carlson inpires me because I like her unique style.

How do you describe your style?

Girly but I also like to incorporate styles from past generations, like the ‘80s and ‘90s.

How does you personality influence your style?

I like being unique. I don’t want to just fit in with everyone else’s style.

What is your favorite clothing item?

My skirts and hoop earings. I wear them almost everyday.

What music do you listen to?

Rap and hip hop Why is fashion important to you?

It lets me express my individuality What fashion trend do you hate?

Birkenstockes What fashion trends do you love?

Checkerboard and unique sneakers What is your dream job?

A celebrity hair/makeup artist

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RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Should peers be allowed a say in issues at Free State?

Staff Editorial: A staff editorial reflects the general opinion of the staff who creates the publication. The Free

Press has every staff member write a short opinion paragraph on the prompt given. A reporter then writes the editorial representing the opinions of majority of the staff.

V

ictims of harassment, bullying, and violence either get the closure they want or they don’t. Students could be helpful to these harmful situations by voicing their opinion on the matter.

Restorative justice is a system in which there is a jury of students who are faced with a victim and perpetrator issue. They get to hold a discussion between the victim and perpetrator to try and find the root of the problem between the two. Victims of bullying, harassment, hate speech and more are able to receive closure on what the perpetrator did was wrong.

Using the word “justice” in the recent political climate can be taken the wrong way.

Using a restorative justice system starting at a younger age would decrease the amount of children who end up in jail later in life. Children who get into trouble at a younger age go through harsh discipline that can continue to make them act out for the rest of their lives.

This is a way for students to not just be punished by administration, but by their peers who may relate to the situation better and make them feel more comfortable.

A restorative justice system would lead a pathway to change in our school system. It aims to teach the perpetrator that what they did was wrong.

This system is an option that could better our school environment and could potentially really help some people.

As of right now Central Middle School in Lawrence is using this system.

There is also a system being formed at Free State called Firebird 2 Firebird that embodies all the ideals a restorative

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justice system would have.

It would also include a social worker which is professional help which would be beneficial to work out problems and resolve an issue.

Some believe that this system would benefit Free State if it is done the right way, but there needs to be an application process if this system is used. Applicants should understand what decides if a student is guilty or not.

“Having this system could cause more of a problem than a solution.”

If this board would be put into place, students with different political alignments should be represented within it. Along with having different political backgrounds, members should be diverse in race, gender, social status, and their personalities. Participants should be educated on school policies and rules to make sure that there’s guidelines, but students should not be able to make the final decision. Board members would need to make sure that every student’s voice is represented and that no one is being silenced.

Although if it is just a student ran jury, the perpetrator and victim might not take it seriously and the jury could be biased. If this system is put into place we have to make sure that it is fair. If the system is biased, the punishment could be more harmful towards one side.

Victims and perpetrators would get a more personalized approach to the issue, which is more beneficial than

having a harsh punishment.

Students would rather explain to the perpetrator what they did wrong than to punish them.

High school students all have different groups, so punishments that the students conclude on and the conversations may not be fair.

Problems could arise when deciding what students get to have a part in the jury. This could send an indifferent message to students and peers who don’t have a say in the matter and who don’t get to have a spot on the jury.

The administration still has a say in the matter, so some ask ‘what’s the point’? Since the student body is a younger generation they have different opinions, the point is to show administration that students are capable of making these decisions too, and communicate how we would solve the problem, which could influence their thoughts on the incident.

Having this system could cause more of a problem than a solution.

This type of idea in a high school setting may not really work because it cannot always change everyone’s opinions on a certain matter, a majority of the student body would not take it seriously.

Perpetrators and victims could go to the restorative justice meeting just to avoid getting harsher punishment and not really listen to what the other is saying.

Using a restorative justice system at Free State could be a make or break situation, but the school system won’t know how effective it is until we try it out.

OurSponsors: MassageEnvy

@fsjournalism

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A Day in the Life of Graber

Photographer Katy Coats shadows Principal Grabe

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5 Checking his emails at his desk, Myron Graber sends out a message to all of the teachers in the building. He gets emails from surrounding schools and teachers in the building. “I get tons of emails everyday, and if I don’t check them and respond to them then I’ll fall behind and teachers won’t be able to get their jobs done,” Graber said.

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Standing in front of the eighth graders at Corpus Christi, principal Myron Graber shares a presentation with the soon to be high school students. He is telling them about the way Free State and Lawrence High generally operate. “I normally tell the kids that are coming in to high school a little bit about the public schools in our district,” Graber said.

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Checking his phone, Myron Graber meets with the faculty in the building. Faculty members chose which of the three meetings they come to. “These meetings are normally really boring but we need to talk about how the school is going to change in the near future,” Graber said.

Pages by CAITLIN MCANDREW_BECKMAN

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Pointing to his right, principal Myron Graber shows where certain things are going to be in the near future. He is telling the other administrators the changes that are planned. “We want to make the library be above the cafeteria,” Graber said.

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Pausing for a drink of water, principal Myron Graber refreshes himself in the middle of a meeting.

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Principal Myron Graber is discussing how the school is going to change in the next years to come. He was with teachers from other districts around Free State. “We are planning on changing the school’s main area quite a bit,” Graber said.

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Talking to an administrator from Blue Valley West, Myron Graber is getting ready to show her around Free State.

“Our school has different types of classes in certain places of the building,” Graber said.

Getting ready for a meeting, principal Myron Graber is walking from his office to the conference room for a meeting with surrounding district’s administrators. This was the first meeting in his day. “I usually bring a bottle of water, my computer, and my phone,” Graber said.

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Wonder (ful)

A Review of a Feel Good Movie Story by JUNA MURAO

“Wonder,” a film directed by Stephen Chbosky, based on a New York Times bestseller novel in 2012, is a story that follows August(Auggie) Pull-

becomes more than just his facial deformity, he reveals his love for science, space and Star Wars.

The performance of Julia Roberts as Isabell

man, a young boy with a facial deformity that

Pullman, Auggie’s mom, was very believable.

ventures out into the new world of middle school.

Her acting reminded me of my mom and similar

For most of his academic life, Auggie had been

things she had said to me when I was down. Owen

homeschooled by his mom, causing him to have un- Wilson’s character of Auggie’s dad was full of light derdeveloped social skills. Auggie meets Jack Will,

hearted and funny scenes, making the two of them

who reluctantly agrees to show Auggie around the

a compelling team.

school. As Jack Will discovers how normal and fun

It was an emotional, funny and uplifting story

Auggie can be they start to develope a friendship.

that many people of different age groups can enjoy.

While seeing Auggie struggle with making

I instantly sympathized with Auggie and his family.I

friends and trying to fit in despite his unique facial

became more emotionally invested as the movie

features, the audience discovers subplots within

continues. There were many times where I was

the different characters. We get to know different

about to lose it, seeing how Auggie and the people

characters and their struggles throughout the movie. around him grow and mature.

Theres Via, Auggie’s older sister, who feels left out

The movie shows that stories about disability

of her family’s and her best friends lives, Jack Will,

don’t have to be sad or depressing.

who feels conflicted between his friendship with

I thought it was a good

Auggie and his popularity in school, then there is

movie to watch with

Miranda, Via’s best friends, who desires Via’s family your family during the dynamic.

As the story progresses we see Auggie become more confident in his ability and he ends up with many groups of friends who support him. Auggie

26*

holidays.

Overall

25% It 7% Blade Runner 42% Get Out 26% Wonder W H A T WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF 2 0 1 7 ?

Illustrations by MACKENZIE BICKLING

27*

Winning in Winter* Teams are ready to live up to high expectations

L

Story by JAX EGAN

ead by Head Coach Sam Stroh and senior point guard Garrett Luinstra, the Firebirds are ready to return to state after finishing 3rd last year.

Luinstra is the only returning starter, but the Firebirds have added key transfer players such as Zach McDermott, Bansi King, Reece Downing, and Noah Butler.

“We have high expectations for this year but we have to work hard and be focused everyday in order to meet those expectations,” Luinstra said.

The Luinstra-led Firebirds tip off the season at Liberty High School on December 2nd.

This season, girls basketball Head Coach Ted Juneau hopes to get his squad to state.

The girls team returns a number of players with varsity experience, including junior Sam Lawrence.

“Our expectations as a team would be to build on each others strengths and weaknesses to become a good team,” Lawrence said.“I’m looking forward to getting in the gym and playing with the new team.”

Juneau and the girls tip off the year on November 30th at Blue Valley West.

28*

Pages by EVAN CORNELL

Preparing to dive into the pool, freshman Riley Sirimongkhon-Dyck is about to swim the 100 breast and 3 other races. Riley came 1st overall with a time of 1.07.45. I have been swimming since 3rd grade and joined the Free State team to keep up my sisters reputation, Sirimongkhon-Dyck said.

Photos by PAIGE KIRKPATRICK

After losing two allstate caliber swimmers last year Jordan Portela and Evan Yoder, the boys Swim and Dive team hopes to maintain a high quality team, both in top end talent and depth.

“I think we will be more of a team this season,” senior Evan Eskilson said. “Because of that I expect to have guys really pushing each other at practices and meets.”

As for the dive team, Eskilson said, “Jordan Hauber is the best diver on the team by far. He’s gonna carry everyone on the dive team.”

Wrestling against Olathe East senior Isaiah Jacobs has his opponent in a power half . During the first game of the season we went up against Olathe East and Bishop Miege. I have been wrestling for 8 years and I followed my club coach to Free state where I have played varsity for 4 years, Jacobs said.

The boys open the season here at Free State on November 29th for a varsity invitational.

Going into the season with an impressive eight wrestlers ranked at their individual weights, including returning seniors like Tate Steele and Gage Foster, the Firebird wrestling team expects to contend for the state title.

“Last year we didn’t do as well as we should have, but I think if everyone meets what they are capable of we have a shot at a state title,” sophomore Lou Fincher said.

The wrestling squad opens the season on November 29th away at Olathe East.

Led by new coach Chuck Law, and only one returning varsity bowler, junior Bayn Schrader, the bowling team hopes to improve throughout the season and develop their skills.

“I am excited to have Coach Law as a coach this year,” Schrader said. “I’m excited to work with him for the next two years to develop both of our skills and get this team back to state in the near future.”

The bowling team opens the season on January 11th up at Royal Crest lanes.

With teams set to contend for state titles, and others ready to improve throughout the season, all sports teams are prepared for a great winter season.

During their first game of the season, junior Sam Lawrence tries to pass the ball. The Lady Firebirds lost their first game against Blue Valley West with a score of 43-34. “I moved to Free State last year and had been playing basketball my whole life so I had to join the Free State team,” Lawrence explained.

At the first basketball game of the season junior Noah Butler, takes a free throw. The game was played at Liberty High School in Missouri on Saturday December 2nd and ended with 75-73 to Free State. I felt ecstatic after the win on Saturday but the team still has a lot of work to do, Butler said.

Bowling for her second time, junior Gabrielle McCurdy aims for a spare.

Gabrielle used to bowl with her family and started in the pee wee league.

I decided to try out as I thought it would be a great way to make friends, especially with my being new to Free State, McCurdy said.

29*

SEEING SEEING DOUBLE DOUBLE **

Students

Michelle Salmans Collette from Ratatouille

Stu Strecker Stanley Tucci

Benjamin Pope

Do you have any Dopplegangers?

“I think I have about 10 doppelgängers in Lawrence. There are lots of tall bald guys with mini beards and black glasses in this town.”

Shia Labeof Sarah Jessica Parker

30*

Pages by CAITLIN MCANDREW-BECKMAN Photos by PAIGE KIRKPATRICK

Debby Ziegler

Who are you usually compared to?

“Teri Garr or Lisa Kudrow”

matched teachers with their celeberity look-a-likes

Amanda Frederick

“I wasn’t Do you ever get sure at first, but I looked up compared to some pictures of someone else her with darker hair famous? and now I can kind of see it. In any case, I’m flattered-she seems adorable. “

Jayma Mays

Laura O’Neil Do you ever get compared to someone else famous?

Anne Hathaway

“Sometimes Rachel Maddow”

Justin Hartley

Taylor Stuart

31*

Where should your next Vacation be?

Quiz by JUNA MURAO

T A K E

T H E

Q U I Z

Its date night, where would you go? a. A nature hike b. Dinner and a movie c. Art gallery opening Which word describes you? a. Adventurous b. Laid back c. Cultured What would you bring to a zombie apocalyse? a. Hiking boots b. Something comfortable c. My Gucci bag

Pick a dish a. Salad b. Pizza c. Quinoa salad What is your favorite outdoor activity? a. If I could live outside, I would b. Sleep c. Driving Pick a dream home a. Log cabin in the wods b. Contry Estate c. Vineyard in Tuscany

Mostly As

Mostly Bs

Mostly Cs

You’re the kind of person who never wants to see the same thing twice. All you need is a backpack and the right hiking loop to make this vacation epic. You’re self-sufficient, adventurous, and always prepared. Loops to hike include the North Circle Route in Glacier National Park, circling Mont Blanc in Western Europe, the Sierra High Route in California, the Snowman Trek in Bhutan and the Oregon Desert Trail.

You’re laid-back and basically the easiest person to travel with ever. A vaction for you is all about sitting back, relaxing, and letting everyone else do the work.

All you need is a warm beach, a nice drink, and luxury all around you. Try Cancun, Hermitage Bay in Antigua, Hayman Island retreat on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or Mii amo Spa in Sedona.

You love the more expensive things in life.

Material things fill you with joy and satisfaction.

People may call you pretentious but you know what you like. Places like the Galeries Lafayettein Paris, New York and Seoul.

A Backpacking Trip

Page by EMMA MILBURN

All-Inclusive Resort

High-End Bougie Vacation