Free Press Issue 6, Edition 22

THE

FREE PRESS free press Issue 6 | 21 March 2018 | Edition 22

In This Issue...

Editors

Erin Liston Editor in Chief Nick Burket Photo Editor Greta Hayden Design Editor Jax Egan Sports Editor

Reporters

Alexandria Brown Jack Bellemere Corinne Scales

Designers Spencer Farrell Chloe Stafre Emma Nelson

Photographers Maya Pavlyak Katy Coats Isabel Janssen Riley Boehle

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 201 or send 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 high school administration or that of USD 497 Board of Education.

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Table of Contents News

Sleep Deprivation.........................4-5 Album Review...............................6-7 Embracing Yourself ......................8-9

photo courtesy of Emily Kruse

Entertainment

Product Review.............................10-11 Featured Art..................................14-15

Feature

Speaking Out................................16-19

Fashion

March Style...................................20-21

Opinion photo by Maya Pavlyak

Breaking into Backgrounds...........22-23 Bird’s Word...................................24-25 Lessons with Liston.......................26-27

Sports

Spring Sports Preview...................28-29

Photos

Quilts.............................................30-31 Monthly Recap.............................32

photo by Isabel Janssen

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Deprivation

sleep

of high school students

Students and faculty combat sleep deprivation

N

ational Institutes of Health estimates only nine percent of high school students are actually meeting the recommended minimum of nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation can lead to mental health issues, issues with learning and behavior, substance use and abuse, and a higher risk for obesity. Because teenagers are naturally hardwired to go to sleep later and wake up later, NIH research supports the current 8:00 a.m. start time for school is a leading factor to sleep deprivation in teens.

At a recent school board meeting, senior Caitlin McAndrew Beckman spoke about pushing the start time back. “...Based on a lot of research that’s very credible with sleep habits and amount of sleep students need, it would be in the best interests for the school board to switch the hours so we could have a later start time,” McAndrew Beckman said.

Teenagers have different natural body clocks than adults, which affects their sleep cycles. In her research

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Photo by Maya Pavlyak

story by Alex Brown

McAndrew Beckman focused on Individual Circadian rhythms.

“A lot of the research I [found] was based off of your individual circadian rhythms which is basically your inner sleep clock,” McAndrew Beckman said.

A fair amount of teenagers use the excuse it is possible to run off two hours of sleep efficiently. This is in fact a misconception.

A common concern from students, coaches and parents alike centers around how having a later start time will affect final bell and extracurricular activities.

Opponents point out if the district pushes back the start time, sports practices will start later and will go longer and the “solution” may only add to the problem.

As a member of Student Council and guest board member, senior Jax Egan had an opportunity to echo this concern at a January school board meeting.

“I think they’ll find a way to work around it,” Egan said. “It would make everyone get home a little later, but with going to school a little later, it’s just a sacrifice you have to make.”

McAndrew Beckman, a cross country runner, has proposed the school board look at not only the start time but also unbuckling the two and keep the same 3:10 p.m. end time. Her proposal has merit according to assistant superintendent Jerri Kemble the Kansas Department of Education through it’s school redesign process might allow this.

“If we schedule the school day properly to where you don’t have to stay super super late and you’re still able to go to sports practice around the same time...

It won’t affect them as much as students think it will

Olivia Ferguson sophomore

“I would like a later start time because because even if you don’t sleep in, you could still use the extra time in the morning.”

Kris Daniels

sophomore “I prefer the regular start time because you still have school activities so you’d get home later.”

Lavender Lotion

Sleep Mask

affect them,” McAndrew Beckman said.

Kimball spoke about plans to address this issue.

“This is one of the areas that staff will be investigating further before we make the change so that we better understand the potential impacts,” Kimball said.

Currently the district plans to use the 2019-20 school year to prep for an 8:30 a.m. or later start time in the 2020-21 school year.

“It could be a good idea as long as you allow students to have creativity and work around their extracurriculars,” Egan said. “If you are going to push it back, maybe ...add an extra hour to the end of the day so there are eight available hours so students can

take seven.”

Starting school at 8:30-9 a.m. could help students get closer to the recommended amount of sleep per night. This should affect their mental health, ability to focus on school work and overall productivity. Other districts across the United States have started implementing later start times, and the results show.

“Data from districts that have made this change has shown a positive impact on student achievement, health and safety,” Kimball said. “Seattle is a good example of a district that made this change and then had to go back and tweak some of the changes to better meet student and parent needs.”

Can't Sleep?

Try these!

Sleep Supplement

App: Pillow Photo by Maya Pavlyak

pages by EMMA NELSON

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Next

Album Review: thank u,

Ariana Grande

Imagine

Jax: decent opening track, good vocals but doesn’t really represent an album opener in any way Corinne: I love the smoothness of the music

Needy

Jax: Not one of my favorites, tells a good story but not a lot of energy Corinne: One of my favorites

NASA

Jax: Definitely a favorite, catchiest hook on the album, good bassline, very well written Corinne: Good hype song, makes me wanna shake my as*.

“I’m the universe, you be NASA” “Keep me in your orbit and you know you’ll drag me under” I like how it changes into a more calm song towards the end

Bloodline

Jax: More pop sound, lots of energy.

Corinne: this one is okay

Fake Smile

Jax: good sample, great vocals Corinne: my favorite, good beat and just overall vibe

Bad Idea

Jax: Hip hop sounding beat, good high notes, flow from Ari, beat switch to darker sound, layered vocals Corinne: honestly won’t let myself listen to this one because I dislike the beginning so much

Make Up

Jax: Alright hook, doesn’t stand out as much as

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story by JAX EGAN and CORINNE SCALES

other tracks Corinne: also favorite, makes me feel powerful, it is upbeat

Ghostin

Jax: More experimentation from Ari w/ her vocals, pages by CHLOE STAFRE great atmospheric sound, tells a good story, one of my favorites on the album Corinne: Very emotional, she put a lot into this.

In My Head

Jax: Interesting skit at beginning, more trap-centric beat, nothing really stands out from Ari though Corinne: it’s okay

7 Rings

Jax: ‘been through some bad sh*t turned me to a savage’ is an absolutely awful line. However this hook is incredibly catchy, good difference in energy btwn the chorus/verses Corinne: very empowering, I listen to this while getting ready sometimes and it puts me in a better mood. I like the beginning kind of nostalgic vibes

Thank U Next

Jax:Ari wrote 4 versions of this, one of weakest on album in my opinion though, however it represents a lot to this album as a whole

Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored

Jax:powerful song, fun beat, brave concept and great closer to album Corinne: This one is okay sometimes, theme is tacky but fun, upbeat

Jax

Great theme, you can see her confidence increase throughout the album, ending with buwygfib, beat selection varies enough to keep it from sounding all the same, Ari’s vocals are potentially her strongest yet. Lot of new trap and contemporary r/b influences to go along with her usual electropop sound, Favorites: NASA, Ghostin, Bad Idea, Bloodline Least Favorites: In My Head, Makeup Rating: 8/10 This album takes a couple of songs to find a consistent groove, but once it does, it becomes a really strong EP with more good tracks than bad. The third track, “NASA”, is one of the best on the EP and, followed by “bloodline” and “fake smile”, begins the strongest three song run on the album. These songs showcase the best of what make Grande so appealing: smooth vocals over contemporary electropop beats and lyrics that swing back and forth between fearlessly confident and solemnly introspective.

The following track, “bad idea”, is one of my personal favorites. The trap centric beat varies just enough from the previous songs to make it stand out while still preserving the best of Ariana. The layered vocals and dark beat switch are the first signs of experimentation from Grande. On the 8th track, ghostin’, Grande further experiments with an atmospheric beat while grieving over a past lover, potentially the late Mac Miller.

The album closes with break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored, a catchy track with a powerful concept and theme that close the album with much more confidence than Grande began it with.

Overall, this is Ariana’s most impressive album yet, especially considering she conceptualized and recorded it in the least amount of time than any of her previous albums. Her increase in confidence is evident throughout the album, and the beat selection varies enough to keep it sounding fresh, all while including samples and skits to compliment Ariana’s vocals, which are potentially her strongest yet. The soundscape of this album includes new and well executed trap and R&B influence to go with her usual spacey electro pop sound.

Corinne

You can tell how Ariana has overcome some struggles and still bounced back with this album, I think she puts it quite well when she says “Who woulda thought it’d turn me to a savage?” in “7 rings” because it shows that she is working harder than she ever has and is trying her best to move forward. This album makes me feel like a bad bitch!

Favorites: needy, make up, fake smile, ghostin Least favorites: bad idea, in my head, BUWYGIB Rating: 7.5/10 I personally have just become a fan of Ariana Grande. I never really listened to her until this album, aside from the “Yours Truly” album. The first time I listened, the only songs I liked were “ghostin” and “Make Up”. After listening a few times I grew to appreciate the other songs as well. In the album “thank u, next” the vibes were quite different in each song, but overall they still matched and coordinated.

The first few songs are bops don’t get me wrong, but they are not the strongest on the album in my opinion. “Needy” is one song towards the beginning that I really enjoyed. Arianas vocals are amazing and you can hear the passion in her voice. “Needy” is one of the slower songs on the album and it emphasizes her ability to sing strong, yet soft and wispy notes.

The mix between moods was portrayed very well from “BUWYGFIB” to “ghostin”. “Ghostin” shows a more raw and vulnerable side of Ariana that the other songs do not showcase. Then when you move to “BUWYGFIB” Ariana has gained confidence and is ready to show a more upbeat and pop side. The contrast between these songs covers the spectrum from emotional to optimistic.

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yourself

Embracing

story by CORINNE SCALES

Students open up about eating disorders and body image

E

mbracing the beauty in every difference,” senior Ruth Gathunguri said.

For Gathunguri, this quote is important to remember and repeat often. People are told that to be beautiful, they have to be skinny. This is unrealistic and far from the truth.

Seeing models in the media has a negative effect on insecurities, especially in young people. Senior Seth Williams has overcome an eating disorder.

“Society tells you if you are larger it almost makes you feel you are less worthy of a lot of things and that kind of wears down on you over time,” Williams said.

This false idea of beauty can create unhealthy habits and obsessions. These obsessions can lead to eating disorders if not stopped early on.

Beauty standards can have a major impact on teenagers and young adults to look a certain way.

“It was really hard seeing people in media who were very glamorous,” Gathunguri said. “You just have to come to terms with that isn’t real. There’s so much more about beauty.”

Striving for that fictional “reality” led Williams down a dark path.

“As I started to lose weight people started to compliment me a lot and I developed a very unhealthy obsession with that,” Williams said.

Williams’ struggles started in middle school and carried over into high school.

“In middle school I was kind of a larger kid and it’s something that is part of your identity,” Williams said.

He started to let the idea of losing weight consume him. This obsession is easy to fall into and is something

8

that people can struggle to control.

“It’s definitely a tough process to break and it’s worth it,” Williams said.

Although Williams has mostly recovered, he still continues to feel its effects everyday.

“It was very hard to break and it took a lot of time and there’s still some leftovers from it that I feel with my eating habits and how I present myself,” Williams said.

Williams has grown mentally from his eating disorder and encourages those struggling with an eating disorder or body image issues to take the first step and reach out to those around them for help because everyone has the right to feel at home in their own body.

“I built this complex in my head that I wasn’t deserving of help,“ Williams said. “Initiating that process is something that needs to come from within.”

Gathunguri, a close friend of Williams and somebody who has struggled with body image herself, has seen Williams struggle and recovery.

“He knows he brings more to the table and he is just so much more self confident and I absolutely love that about him,” Gathunguri said.

Having supportive friends can be a game changer to overcoming eating disorders. It is always important to look out for the warning signs.

“It is so much easier to stop it if someone were to reach out freshman year rather than have to pick up the pieces junior year,” Williams said.

Many times unhealthy habits can go unnoticed in young men.

pages by GRETA HAYDEN

Struggling yourself? You are not alone.

Here are some resources to help.

“Eating disorders in men are overlooked and there’s a lot of people who show very unhealthy signs of eating and exercise and weight loss habits, but it goes unnoticed,” Williams said.

Insecurities are something that manifest in everybody and it is important to not let it by allconsuming.

“Once you accept yourself and learn to love yourself nobody can not tell you you’re not beautiful because you are,” Gathunguri said.

Hopeline Network This is a crisis hotline. It's not specific to eating disorders, so anyone can call. You can reach them at 1-800-422-4673 .

National Eating Disorder Association Helpline Open to calls Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm CT. They can provide information, guidance, and referrals to professionals, and treatment options. On their website, there's a chat function for help. If you're in a crisis, you can text NEDA to 741741.

I want people to know they shouldn't be ashamed of it, it is a very vulnerable thing. It is you against yourself, and to open up about that takes a lot of courage, especially while you are struggling and looking back at it now

Photo by Isabel Janssen

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Care

Product Review:

Self

Consider trying these products next time you "treat yo self." All products are journalism tested and approved. all prices do not include tax

Cucumber and Green Tea Facial Spray "My face feels refreshed, it feels like spring in a bottle." Corinne Scales, reporter $5.00, Ulta Beauty, 2727 Iowa St suite f, Lawrence, KS 66046

Rose Sugar Lip Scrub "Made my lips smooth, but dry." Erin Lison, Editor in Chief $5.99, World Market, 3106 S Iowa St Suite 200, Lawrence, KS 66046

Lemonade Bath Bomb "My bath turned green!" Erin Liston, Editor in Chief $4.99, Hy-Vee, 4000 W 6th St, Lawrence, KS 66049

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pages by GRETA HAYDEN

Vanilla Body Lotion "It [the scent] reminds me of when I'm baking and I open up the vanilla." Greta Hayden, design editor $12.50, Bath & Body Works, 3140 Iowa St, Lawrence, KS 66046

Green Tea Sheet Mask "It feels so nice, it's cooling." Erin Liston, Editor in Chief $3.75, Ulta Beauty, 2727 Iowa St suite f, Lawrence, KS 66046

Rose Scented Sugar Body Scrub "Holy crap that smells good!" Erin Liston, Editor in Chief $4.99, Ulta Beauty, 2727 Iowa St suite f, Lawrence, KS 66046

Avocado Sheet Mask "It smells very interesting and my face is definitely very moist and really soft." Greta Hayden, design editor $3.99, World Market, 3106 S Iowa St Suite 200, Lawrence, KS 66046

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www.kandohoops.com Follow us Instagram - kan_do_hoops Twitter - @KANDOHOOPS

“Play Hard, Play Together, And Have Fun”

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Art

Featured pages by GRETA HAYDEN

freshman, Lucia Cloud

junior, Madison Wiley

freshman, Willoughby Lam

senior, Camden Diaz

sophomore, Cole Huang

sophomore, Aidan Kelley

senior, Sophie Johnson

senior, Brooks Hartsock

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Speaking Out Against Gun Violence

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Story by ERIN LISTON Pages by SPENCER FARRELL Photos by EMILY KRUSE

District opens up conversation about gun violence

W

ithin a week, there were three different incidents involving guns or threats towards Lawrence High School. On February 6 and 12 loaded guns were brought to the school. On February 13 a Free State High School student sent a threatening Snapchat to a Lawrence High School student, who then reported it to the school.

After the second incident, executive director of communications, Julie Boyle, sent out an email to inform Lawrence High School staff and students families.

“While the potential for harm exists anytime a weapon is brought on a school campus, neither of these cases involved a direct threat toward students or staff,” Boyle said.

Even though there was no harm towards anyone, many staff members, students and district workers felt the need to try and find a solution to these recurring issues.

On February 21, superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis

held a community conversation open to all community members. The purpose of this meeting was to try and find practical solutions in response to these incidences.

The main goal the district wants to achieve is having each high school student connected with a trusted adult. At Lawrence High School this activity already took place where students would write the name of a trusted adult on a piece of paper. Most students had an answer, but the ones who didn’t are the students the district want to reach out and help.

“In collecting those cards and really looking at those cards that students wrote ‘no one’...we began the process of pairing those students up with a caring adult,” Lewis said.

Having stable relationships between students and staff members can help students in need. When a student thinks about bringing a weapon to school, many things could be going through their mind. But having that trusted adult could make them more hesitant to harm anyone.

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“What should happen as I’m thinking about the weapon and putting it in my backpack, I’m thinking.

‘Ms. Jones would be so disappointed in me’ that’s my caring adult, that’s my champion right?” Lewis said.

“That’s how we prevent some of these things from happening.”

Lewis came to this conclusion after having a conversation with a student who felt threatened and brought a weapon to school. This student had no trusted adult to tell and his parents didn’t listen to his issues.

“Our goal is to ensure every student, every single student, has an advocate,” Lewis said.

Lewis sees openness between administration and students is key for finding solutions. Free State students can identify with this need as well.

“This is a time to have earnest conversations with our student body about how to keep each other safe,” sophomore Violet Amouak said. “It’s obvious administration can’t really do as much as they’d like to by just keeping it a silent thing.”

Even without direct threats towards Free State,

students still feel in danger.

“Last year it was a lot scarier for me towards the end of the year, but this year there hasn’t been as many threats [at Free State],” senior Oliver Pepin said. “It’s still this underlying anxiety at all times that something could go wrong and we have to live with that coming here every day.”

Reaching out to students who are struggling and talking about certain problems and issues that may cause a student to want to inflict harm upon others can help ensure safety.

“These are our fellow students doing this,” Amouak said. “They’re kind of endangering their friends and maybe people that they’re related to. This is something that we need to actually talk to students about.”

On the state and national levels, some believe the way to end school violence is to restrict gun usage.

“I feel like as a country we’ve been letting this go for years and it’s just time for as a state for us to really limit guns unfortunately because at this point we’ve shown that we can’t handle them,” Amouak said.

News and media coverage of gun violence has

In 2018...

94

gun incidents occurred schools nationwide

55

people were killed during a violent school shooting

Statistics from US Naval Postgraduate School

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“Either you become desensitized to it because the violence is so normal or you don’t even realize something happened,” Amouak said. “Ultimately I feel like at least mainstream news sources don’t give it the coverage it needs.”

Having conversations between the two high schools could help the district keep students more safe in their school environments.

“If we brought the two high schools together then there would be a lot of connection and I feel like as two schools we could do a lot more powerful things,” Pepin said.

Lewis’ response will be heard by the school district and possibly strike up conversation between staff and students.

“I’m really hoping Dr. Lewis’s response will

hopefully empower teachers to talk to their students about it and more so empower students to talk to each other about it,” Amouak said. “Yes, you can listen to a teacher, but more students really get things when their peers talk to them about it.”

Lewis encourages parents and adults in the district to listen to students issues no matter what they are, because when an adult doesn’t listen distrust can occur and cause further problems.

“I encourage parents, have those communication methods of communicating with your students,” Lewis said. “Put the phones down, have those conversations.”

As a community we can help diffuse violence by listening and advocating for students.

“Are we really listening to our students?” Lewis said.

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MarchStyle junior,

Katie Allen

Where do you Shop?

“Social Service League and Goodwill and Arizona Trading Company.”

Describe your style

“Pretty casual, and comfortable… mostly oversized sweatshirts and cardigans.”

Favorite clothing item?

“A sweatshirt that has Mickey Mouse on it, and has his butt on the back… I’ve had it for a long time.”

Fashion trend you love?

“I love mom jeans… They’re baggy and you can tuck shirts into them and you roll them.”

Fashion trend you hate?

“I don’t like off-the-shoulder tops.”

Favorite animal?

“Pandas… They’ve been my favorite animal since I was little. They are really fluffy and squishy.”

Interesting fact?

“I play the guitar… It’s a good creative outlet and I like singing.”

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story by JACK BELLEMERE photos by KATY COATS pages by EMMA NELSON

freshman,

Beckett Viets Where do you Shop?

“I just shop at online stores called Golflink and thrift stores. Plato’s Closet, just stuff that’s cheap.”

Describe your style

“Really just ‘90s and what people are wearing now, jeans and vintage T-shirts and stuff like that.”

Favorite clothing item?

“Probably this remake of a bands old school that Ian Conner designed.

It has a lightning bolt on it.

Fashion trend you love?

“Right now, the vintage wave is really cool. Just the ‘90s, ‘80s, ‘70s scene. I just love how it stands out.

Like, especially in Free State. That’s amazing.”

Fashion trend you hate?

“There’s a lot… probably, like the sportswear.

The strictly Nike and stuff like that.

I see a bunch of Adidas jogs and stuff like that, and I just hate that stuff. It’s so basic, you know?

I feel like people have the capability to stand out but they’re too scared to.”

Favorite animal?

“Probably a wolf just cause like, it has so much leadership and so much power.”

Interesting fact?

“I’m really good at judging people.

I can do that really well on personality or on fashion.

Everyone has their own. I can tell where there’s improvement for a lot of stuff.”

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Breaking

into Backgrounds

pages by SPENCER FARRELL

A staff editorial reflects the general opinion of the journalism staff. Staffers submit their opinions to inform the writer.

R

ecently in the media there have been multiple coaches and teachers fired for inappropriate conduct. A voluntary assistant coach for the University of Kansas volleyball was arrested due to burglary of females’ items. How do these types of people get hired into these systems? Is the Lawrence Public School District doing everything it can to ensure safety for our students by hiring staff who have clean backgrounds?

Samrie Devin, the director of HR for Lawrence Public Schools shared the hiring process for staff and “Rule 10” coaches, who are coaches are not otherwise a district teacher.

“We look on KBI public offender registry and then our APP Alert list for the applicant’s name,” Devin said.

Although our hiring process is sufficient, hiring high quality teachers should also be our main concern.

Students tend to be more engaged in learning when their teachers are making that learning interesting and enjoyable.

“When it comes to student performance on reading and math tests, a teacher is estimated to have two to three times the impact of any other school factor, including services, facilities, and even leadership,” according to the RAND Corporation.

Athletes also train harder and perform better with coaches that they trust. Players need to feel like their coaches care about them in order to win.

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“Establishing a positive athlete-coach relationship is critical to achieving effective communication,” according to Northcentral University After a teacher or coach is hired, there is no further checks.

“After the initial checks from answer one we do not do anymore background checks after hire unless there is cause or an investigation,” Devin said.

Having more frequent background checks can ensure that our schools are safe and filled with trusted staff members. Possibly occurring each year, these background checks can keep the district up to date on offenses that have happened.

If an offense were to happen, the school district has to decide what consequences the offense requires.

“We do a full investigation of the allegation and then decide continued employment with the district from the results of the investigation,” Devin said.

Our school district does check every safety aspect before hiring anyone. Doing this proves that they not only care about students safety, but students education as well. Background checks don’t need to be a necessity after a person is hired. Potential teachers, staff members and coaches shouldn’t be punished for minor offenses in their past.

The best way to evaluate a teachers skills is by watching their performance in the classroom, but safety should be the first priority of our district.

"We do a full investigation of the allegation and then decide continued employment with the district from the results of the investigation."

-Samrie Devin

"After the initial checks from Answer One we do not do anymore background checks after hire unless there is cause or an investigation."

-Samrie Devin

Steps during the USD 497 Employment Process Step 1: KBI Public Offender registry is checked Step 2: USD 497's APP Alert list is checked Step 3: Disclosure statements on the application are checked Step 4: If applicant HAS lived in Kansas for more than 10 consecutive years...

If applicant has NOT lived in Kansas for more than 10 consecutive years...

A more intense KBI check is done on the applicant

Fingerprints are taken

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Bird’s

Word

story by JACK BELLEMORE pages by SPENCER FARRELL photos by ISABEL JANSSEN and KATY COATS

What is something popular now that will be embarassing in five years?

Jala Yagadece, Freshman “Worrying about what other people think about you.”

Atrooba Hashim, Sophomore “Fortnite dances will be very embarrassing in the future.”

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Emma Jones, Sophomore “A lot of the new trends and… some of the different clothing that we wear will go out of style.”

Maxwell Huerter, Junior “I have a YouTube channel, and I made it when I was a freshman… there are a couple videos that are… pretty embarrassing.

But… I was pretty proud of them.”

Mili Matthias, Junior “Probably everything about us… But in 20 years it’ll be back in style.”

Dylan Goldstein, Senior “Dad shoes… The big, heavy shoes. Those look cool now, but they’ll be terrible later.”

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Lessons by story by ERIN LISTON

What changed me

W

Liston

ho I am today is not the same person I was a few years ago. Everyone is shaped by their experiences, good and bad. I believe my character has developed most from something that happened my sophomore year. When I was 16, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer.

Having cancer in high school molded me into a different person because of my positive mindset.

I noticed my tumor one day at track practice.

I couldn’t breathe right and my friends noticed a large bump on my neck. Then I called my mom and explained how I felt to her. The next day I got a needle biopsy done, which is where they take cells out of a certain area to test them, then went back home to

26

perform at a concert. I hadn’t heard anything from my parents yet so I went home with my friend after the concert and saw my mom waiting outside for me.

She told me the news and in that moment I didn’t really think it was real. After my initial reaction, I took some time to just think about what was really going on with me. I quickly realized even though surgeries and chemotherapy would be tough and scary, I was going to gain so much more than I was going to lose. I wasn’t going to let cancer beat me. I was going to crush it.

Going through four months of chemo was difficult, but one thing I was happy about was three of those four months were summer, which meant I wouldn’t be missing much school. It made my summer a little

bit tougher, but I didn’t let any of it stop me from running and going out with my friends, normal things you do during summer. Receiving chemo during the school year was hard for me. I had told my friends and my teachers at first, so not a lot of people knew, which I liked because I didn’t want anyone to see me differently. School work was sometimes hard to keep up with, but most of my teachers were very understanding and patient with me. More people found out, which I knew would eventually happen, but most everyone was understanding.

I finished out my chemo over the summer, I would go in to the hospital every week and get treatment every other week. One of my favorite things was I got to spend two hours in the car with my mom every week and we would have the best conversations and sing songs together, she really was my main supporter through it all. I also had great friends with me throughout the entire process that kept me so happy and always had fun with me, even when I needed to stay at home and rest.

On August 24 of 2017, the doctors told me I was cancer free, it was the greatest feeling in the world.

I learned a lot from having cancer and going through treatment. My strength really showed me if I had gone through that, I could do anything I set my mind to. Before treatment, I would complain about small aches and pains I got from running, but now I don’t do that as much because I’m grateful for those aches and pains, they show me I’m working hard.

Running was difficult during and after chemo, but it made me push myself even harder and made me a better runner.

I matured really quickly, because even though everyone around me was remaining strong and supporting me, I realized in the end it was me who needed to be strong and believe in myself. Cancer showed me lows, but it made the happy moments worth more than anything. My perseverance and positive outlook towards the situation helped me go through it in a way I never thought possible.

I knew in my heart something good had to come from cancer, and for me it definitely did. It taught me who I am, how strong I am, and the value of living life to the fullest.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2019

Source: The American Cancer Society

8,000 new cases / year 1,000 deaths / year most common in early & late adulthood

86%

survival rate

most common cancer diagnosed in teens

photos by KATY COATS pages by EMMA NELSON

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Gearup

Spring Sports

story by JAX EGAN pages by EMMA NELSON

Spring sports teams prepare for their upcoming season

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s the weather begins to get warmer, all around Free State, spring sports prepare for their seasons.

While some teams are just looking to improve off of last year, others are aiming to contend for a state title.

Baseball

After deep playoff runs in recent years, the baseball team believes they can legitimately compete for a state title this spring.

“As a team we expect to be one of the top contenders in the sunflower league and in the state,” senior Jack Kallenberger said.

Kallenberger also cited a player who he expects to have a breakout season.

“I think Camden Karlin is going to be a breakout player this year,” Kallenberger said. “He started behind the plate last year and now has some experience under his belt.”

Led by Kallenberger and senior pitchers such as Illinois State commit Jake Zenger and Nebraska commit Ethan Bradford, the Firebirds hope to allow a

Girl’s Swim

After losing a collection of talented seniors, the swim team hopes to be just as strong as a team. Juniors Kasey Dunn and Ainsley Krug are expected to be important contributors. “[We need to] focus on the little things and not the one big goal, and just take the season step by step,” Dunn said.

Dunn also pointed out that a young member of the team is also poised to break a school record this season.

“Payton Krug is really close to the 100 breaststroke school record,” Dunn said. “It would be really awesome if she got it because she’s only a sophomore.”

strong pitching staff to carry them to state.

Track & Feild

With a wide collection of talented athletes, senior thrower Will Byers believes the track team’s potential is limitless.

“I think everyone has the potential to go above and beyond for their team,” Byers said. “We are a very tenacious team that is always giving 164%.”

Senior Emma Hertig has the same level of confidence with the girls team.

“This will be a strong team that will push each other to be better,” Hertig said. “I expect us to fight hard for some wins throughout the season and get as many of us to state as we can.”

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Battling on the field, freshmen Aspen Wilson and Gabby Biel try out for the soccer team. The soccer teams will compete in their first games on March 21. “We want to show in our game the talent on our team and bring home some wins.

Photo by Nick Burket

Golf After losing some talent in the senior class, it won’t be an easy ride back to state for Coach Law’s boys.

However the Firebirds still return elite golfers such as seniors Landon Berquist and Dylan Sommer.

“One of our biggest challenges for this season will be limiting our mistakes,” Sommer said. “We have been know to be inconsistent when it comes to team score.,” Law will need some inexperienced players to step up if he expects to return the same quality as last spring, but there are many who are up for the challenge.

“I feel that Alex Gard may surprise some,” Sommer said. “He has been putting in work in the off season.

Not only this, but he has also come to hit the ball straighter and farther.”

Softball

As reigning state champions, and taking minimal losses from the previous senior class, the Firebirds are seen as favorites to return to state.

“I think now that our name is out there, there will be a lot of targets on our back for sure,” sophomore Sara Roszk said.

With elite young players such as Roszak and pitcher Tatum Clopton, taking down the Firebirds will be a challenge in years to come.

“Our biggest strength is definitely our team bond,” Roszak said. “We all love each other so much and are always there to pick each other up.”

Boy’s Tennis

With a motivated and hungry group of boys, the tennis team expects to have a strong spring season.

“Our biggest strength is we have people who want to succeed and do something special this year,” senior Sawyer Nickel said.

Nickel also cited a senior who has made great strides in his game in the offseason.

“Trey Melvin will surprise some people this year,” Nickel said. “I expect him to be a critical part of our team’s success.”

Nickel said there were some frustrating matches the team shouldn’t have lost last season, but the team hopes to exercise those demons this year.

Girl’s Soccer

After going through the season with a young team last year, Kelly Barah’s girls are now armed with more experience and want to make some noise in the Sunflower League. With seniors like Brittany Hoffman, Emma Yackley, and Cassidy Warden, it’s certainly possible.

“Our biggest strength as a team is our ability to welcome incoming players into our family and becoming close with one another so we can work to improve on the field,” Warden said.

Warden expects junior Meron Hayden to become a vital contributor this season.

“Meron has improved a lot since last season and is extremely aggressive,” Warden said. “She is really going to pull through and benefit us tremendously.,” Stretching before tryouts, freshman Ella Kemp prepares to play against other team members.

The team prides themselves in being open and excepting to new players.

Photo by Nick Burket

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Examining her unfinished quilt, Rita Philippi maps out where she is going to position her pieces on to her quilt. Philippi has been quilting since she made her first quilt for her daughter’s graduation in 2005. “I sometimes donate my quilts or give them to the newborns at the hospital,” Philippi said.

This photo features math teacher Rita Philippi’s holiday quilt. She has made about 60-70 quilts in her lifetime. “Making quilts lets me be creative with both art and math, especially geometry.”

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This photo features a quilt made by Anita Nelson.

The quilt has several books with various subject dealing with school psychology. For Nelson, creating quilts is a family affair which she has shared with her mother and her daughters. “My mom and I just decided we were going to work on one,” Nelson said.

Heritage stitching

photo essay

Bookkeper Shelly Thornton’s Lawrence High School themed quilt. She put this one together for her daughter’s graduation.

“All the women in my family were taught to quilt,” Thornton said.

This photo shows a happy, spring themed creation by math teacher Rita Philippi. She has made quilts for her grandkids, for weddings and just as gifts.

“I’m more of an artsy person than a math person,” Philippi said.

Standing by her own creation, Anita Nelson showcases her Free State themed quilt hung in her office. She has been making quilts since she was fifteen years old. “I just enjoying sewing,” Nelson said. “I started out with garments.”

photos by MAYA PAVYLAK pages by GRETA HAYDEN

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MonthlyRecap

Smiling at the crowd during the Free State versus Lawrence High basketball game, sophomore Courtney Pitts pumps up the girls’ team along with the cheer and dance squad. “There were a lot of community members who came knowing it was Free State versus LHS, so the gym was more full than usual and it was exciting to cheer in front of everyone,” Pitts said. In celebration of the long-time rivalry, spirit squads from both teams choreographed routines together and performed them during halftime. photo by Sabrina Castle Working on the robot, sophomore Kevin Wyle participates in a Team STEAM workday. Wyle took a robotics class in middle school and wanted to continue the activity in high school. “I love building things and constructing things with my own imagination and my own mind, so [robotics] is a really good place for me to be creative and allow my ideas to mix with other people’s ideas to make something really really cool,” Wyle said. photo by Madison Goeser

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