Free Press: Issue 2, Edition 19

THE FREE PRESS ISSUE 2

Photo by Rose Arachtingi Cover design by Cooper Mumford and Drake Riner

15 October 2015

EDITION 19

CONTENTS

Page by Adelaide Wendel

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No Tarea en Español Spanish 3 classes take new approach on foreign language Written by Reagan Sullivan print editors in chief online editors in chief

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design editor

Lost Librarian

Helicopter rescues librarian after two nights in the Colorado mountains Written by Elizabeth Patton

photo editors

copy editors assistant copy editor multimedia editor managing editor social media editor business editor senior ad design editor designers

School Board Equity Policy 3 LGBT+ Library 4 New Prairie Shelter 6 Cuts vs. No Cuts Sports 10

STAFF

Sydney Gard Trenna Soderling Maame Britwum Libby Stanford Adelaide Wendel Rose Arachtingi Christina Craig Sam Goodwin Lauren Brittain Hala Hamid Kaya Shafer Jake Clark Haley Van Vleck Elizabeth Patton Sydney Vogelsang Julia Pfannenstiel Sydni Beeley Sophia Bone Tori Karlin Caroline Kelton Cooper Mumford Drake Riner Atticus vonHolten Lane Weis Lacey Windholz

photographers

reporters

multimedia

student info clerks

Ali Dodd Morgan Edman Anna-Maya Hachmeister Kylie Hawkins Alexis Luinstra Nicola Santangelo Klaire Sarver Tierney Thompson Gabrielle Wheeler Madi Engnhel-Thomas Evan Frook Darby Gilliland Maya Hodison Mariah Houston Allie Knapp Juna Murao Reagan Sullivan Margaret Uhler Jackson Barton Aubin Murphy Samantha Spencer Paul Bittinger Nate Strathman Drew Vereen

Editors’ Columns 12 Profiles 20 Reviews 22 Style Column 26 Artists of the Month 28 Photo Essay 32

“Call Me Lane” Transgender staffer recounts his experiences during transition

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Written by Lane Weis

MORE THAN LABELS

In the LGBT+ community, it seems there’s only one universal truth: everyone is different.

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Written by Lauren Brittain, Mariah Houston and Trenna Soderling

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15 October 2015 Page by Tori Karlin

News

EQUITY FOR THE COMMUNITY School board adds new equity goals Written By Madi Engnehl-Thomas

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hen New York Elementary School third grade teacher Morton said. “Equity is more than race. It is more than socio-ecoJohn Bode was in high school, coming out as gay or nomic backgrounds. Our school community is determined to reach lesbian was unheard of. Many of his high school friends out to every student and help every student succeed.” didn’t come out until after graduation, when they felt they would be Although a new equity goal has been added, the district policy more accepted. hasn’t changed “As I became a teacher and started to understand that children “[LGBT+ students] have been in the anti-discrimination policy don’t come into this world with [prejudgements], I felt like that for a long time, so that’s not a recent addition,” Doll said. was another set of prejudices that we didn’t need to pass on to our Math teacher Annette McDonald said all teachers should be supchildren,” Bode said. “I think that making school and the rest of the portive of the LGBT+ community. world safe for them is what everyone else would want.”

“All teachers go to diversity training which allows us to have an Each year, the Board of Education sets goals for “Equity, Exopen mind and understand other people’s stories or their feelings, or cellence and Engagement.” Equity goals in the past have centered where they’re coming from,” McDonald said. around raising achievement for students of different races. SuperWhile McDonald says student choice is important, she also intendent Rick Doll and the BOE ask for input from faculty and believes it is important to respect the parents’ choice regarding sexustaff when setting these annual goals. Bode, along with other faculty, ality and gender of students suggested at a June 3 goal setting meeting that LGBT+ students be “I have to respect what the parent wants,” McDonald said. “Before added to the equity goal.

I make any adjustments as per requested by the

Our school The board plans to “investigate issues related student, I think it’s important to respect the parent, community is determined especially if [the students] are underage.” to LGBT+ students and implement supports as to reach out to needed.”

The school board decided to add the new goal every student and help to ensure students in the LGBT+ community are Some LGBT+ students feel more than every student succeed. welcomed, while others feel they do not fit in. receiving the same quality of education as their - Hilary Morton Despite these difficulties, Lawrence schools have peers and their gender identity doesn’t become a teachers who support their students. One of problem for students in learning environments. these teachers, choir director Hilary Morton, is willing to help any “I always feel that whether it’s sexual identity, race or gender, that student who comes her way. should not impact in any way, shape or form the education that they “I absolutely support LGBTQ to be added to our equity policy,” should get,” Doll said.

“

”

Photo illustration by Nicola Santangelo Every year, the school board sets goals for equity, excellence and engagement. This year, these goals include a look at what the district can do to help LGBT+ students to feel comfortable in the school environment.

For example, the option to use the bathroom for the gender a student identifies as.

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15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

News

P.E. TEACHER ADVOCATES FOR LGBT+ LIBRARY SECTION Authors donate books, visit school Written by Sydney Gard

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“

I just wanted to leave an impression that kids will remember.

- Nancy Hopkins

”

hen gym teacher Nancy Hopkins walks through her Cardio Center in the school, she feels a great sense of pride. After all, she came up with the idea for the center, contacted people from around the country to get items to sell, and held a huge auction to fund it. Now, the center houses six gym classes a day.

Soon, Hopkins will feel the same sense of pride in another area of the building: the library. Hopkins’ new project is creating an area of the library specific to LGBT+ themed-books.

“There really isn’t anything for those kids that’s directed toward them,” she said.

Principal Myron Graber became involved when Hopkins mentioned the idea to him near the beginning of the school year.

“She came in and talked about how we could enhance selections of books for different groups, because the district has an equity goal of providing equal access to resources for our students,” Graber said.

Hopkins also needed to contact Leslie Campbell, the school’s new librarian, about creating room for the books.

“I thought it was a wonderful idea so we discussed it and we’re going to set aside a portion of our special collections area to make it happen,” Campbell said.

The special collections area is located on the low shelves near the circulation desk. Campbell planned on having around 100 books in the section at the beginning, but Hopkins has received positive response and over 250 books.

“I think more are going to come,” Hopkins said. “I’m pretty proud of that.”

Instead of fundraising like she did with the Cardio Center, Hopkins has emailed authors who write about LGBT+ characters or themes and asked them to send her free copies of their books. One author, Bill Konigsberg, came to the school to deliver 50 books and talk to students.

Campbell said some authors have also agreed to give access to their ebooks. “[The ebooks] will just be searchable as all of them are,” Campbell said. “So we’re not going to have a special section in the ebooks.”

Additionally, Hopkins hopes to give duplicates she may receive to the LHS library.

Although she is known as a PE teacher and coach, Hopkins’ presence has spread far outside of the gyms and volleyball courts. She hopes to make a difference and leave a legacy that lasts long after she leaves the building.

“I just wanted to leave an impression that kids will remember,” Hopkins said.

“I’m not looking for accolades, I’m not looking for anything except to help those kids.”

Graber believes she has already done so.

“She’s very good about contacting people and knowing people,” he said. “She just goes at it full speed ahead so that is awesome.”

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15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

News

Reading one of her favorite books, “The Right Side of History� by Adrian Brooks, P.E. teacher Hopkins sits next to just one of several racks that will soon be unpacked into the library. Not only has Hopkins been supported by several famous authors on social media, but there will soon be a new LGBT+ section of the library dedicated to the hundreds of books she has collected.

Photo by Rose Arachtingi

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15 October 2015 Page by Lacey Windholz

News Graphic by Michael Williams’ Drafting 2 & 3 classes Students in Michael Williams’ Drafting 2 and 3 classes designed this open-air shelter for the Prairie Restoration Project. Novice Woodworking classes will help build the shelter once the design is complete.

MAKING SHELTER Students design and build prairie pavilion Written by Sydney Gard

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igh school drafting students might not expect to design a structure actually built on school property. However, when sophomore Darik Dudley walked into his Drafting 2 class during the second week of school, he discovered that was exactly what he would be doing.

Dudley and other Drafting 2 and 3 students are designing an open-air, 50-person shelter by the restored prairie behind the football stadium. The shelter will be made out of wood and steel and house picnic tables.

“It’s going to be pretty cool,” Dudley said.

The Novice Woodworking class, along with the Westar Energy Green Team, will start building the shelter and tables in mid-October.

Science teacher Julie Schwarting said she has been looking forward to the shelter since the project started.

“As anyone who’s been out [in the prairie] knows, sometimes it gets super hot or sometimes the sun comes out or it starts raining when we’re out in the field,” Schwarting said. “It’ll provide us a shelter from the elements so we can organize our supplies and have a place to sit down and contemplate what’s going on … It’ll be fantastic.”

If the shelter is not completed by the end of this fall, it will be finished next spring.

The prairie restoration project started in 2013 to act as an experiment for high school and KU students. Schwarting hopes to also create a paved path to the prairie so more people can access the area.

Drafting and woodworking teacher Michael Williams got his students involved in the creation of the shelter to give them real-world experience.

“It also gives them a taste of something that they can decide if that’s what they want to do,” Williams said. “[If it’s not what they] want to do, they can move on to something else.”

Sophomore Kai Phoenix, a student in Williams’ Woodworking class, anticipates the shelter becoming a popular area.

“It’s going to be another gathering place, like the cafeteria area, for students,” Phoenix said.

All of Schwarting’s classes have been to the prairie to make observations and collect data. She hopes students outside of her classes will also take advantage of the prairie and its new pavilion.

“I’m excited for art or maybe photography students to go out,” Schwarting said. “I encourage anybody to come up with ideas and ways to use it.”

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15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

News

NO TAREA EN ESPAÑOL

(NO HOMEWORK IN SPANISH)

Spanish 3 classes take new approach on foreign language Written by Reagan Sullivan

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ophomore Jackson Mason goes home after a long day of school. He looks at his Spanish homework to see what activity he should do for this week. After deciding to listen to a Latin radio station on Pandora for an hour, Mason puts on his headphones, presses play and earns three homework points.

The type of homework in Amanda Williams’ Spanish classroom is different than traditional educational set-ups. In order to earn points, students must complete activities dealing with the Spanish language rather than complete book work. Students must complete three or more points by the end of the week for credit.

“I thought about different ways I could get students connected with Spanish in their own way,” Williams said. “I did a little bit of research and found other teachers who were exploring different styles of homework too.”

Now, instead of pages of vocab practice, students can complete assignments like reading a Spanish language book for 30 minutes or listening to a Spanish station on Pandora. Mason likes ditching the pages and doing the activities instead.

“It’s a lot easier than paper because I can do it at my own convenience and I can choose what I want to do,” Mason said.

Although Mason is generally excited for this new type of homework, some downsides have arisen for him.

“In the book you’re actually learning Spanish and progressing, but [with the new homework] you’re just taking stuff you learned before that and putting it into real life,” Mason said.

Williams though believes the new homework is not only helping kids with Spanish. It is also helping them apply it to real life.

“Language is everywhere,” Williams said. “It’s in literature, science, mathematics; it’s in everything, so hopefully [my students] walk away from this experience with something they can use for something else.”

In addition to gaining future experience, sophomore Elise Gard believes this type of homework goes deeper by focusing more on the culture of the language than the vocabulary.

“I think it is helpful with getting more knowledge, not with the vocab but about the culture in general,” Gard said. “The activities we can do help introduce us and get us more used to the culture.”

Photo by Gabrielle Wheeler During fourth hour, Williams explains a concept to Spanish 3 student sophomore Kaya Shafer. Williams has created a new homework system for her classes focusing on student activities rather than bookwork.

“I think I will have more knowledge about the culture,” Gard said of the homework.

Photo by Chris Everett

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15 October 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

News

LOST LIBRARIAN Helicopter rescues librarian after two nights in Colorado mountains Written by Elizabeth Patton

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ost trips to the bathroom don’t end with a rescue helicopter ride out of the Rocky Mountains. For librarian Chris Everett, however, that was what happened to her this past July. On her annual Rocky Mountain hiking trip with family and friends, Everett and her son’s girlfriend, Danielle Hohly, were lost for two nights at Mirror Lake in Colorado.

It began at 10,000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. Everett’s group was planning on a six-mile hike to Mirror Lake. The trail was one she had never been on. After a three hour drive to the trailhead, the group started hiking around 11 a.m. Later, Hohly stopped to use the restroom and Everett stopped with her, telling her husband and son to continue. When the two started hiking again, they walked past the turnoff that would allow them return to Mirror Lake.

“To get to the lake you have to hike down, but coming back up, we felt that we had hiked further up than we had hiked down,” Everett said. “[We had] missed the turnoff to get back to Mirror Lake trailhead.”

Everett thought by going up and over the mountain, they would catch the trail on the other side. The women hiked without any worry until the trail started getting narrower, and looked unfamiliar.

The plan may have worked had they not been going in the wrong direction.

Everett and Hohly continued down the wrong mountain, and came across a valley that looked just Mirror Lake, river and all.

“We were walking down, and down, and down, and down, and never came to the two bridges we knew,” Everett recalled.

The women continued to walk, attempting to find the road they had driven upon only hours earlier. When they came over the peak of the hill, there were only mountains as far as the eye could see.

“It was then I started to panic,” Everett said. “It was 5:30 or 6:00 at night and it was starting to get dark.”

The darkness upon them, Hohly suggested they stop for the night. With nothing more than the clothes on their backs and a few utensils in their backpacks, they settled down for the 40 degree evening. They huddled together, trying the retain body heat, and woke up with the sun the next morning, anxious to find a way back to civilization.

The duo then started back up the correct mountain. However, because they were turned around, they ended up in a corner of the wrong mountain. They were in the trees surrounding a meadow When her Rocky Mountain adventure went wrong, Everett and her son’s girlfriend found themselves lost in the wilderness for two nights. Soon after, a helicopter came to their rescue. “It was something I’ll not soon forget,” Everett said.

when they heard the sound of a plane above.

“We just thought, ‘we gotta get to the meadow, we gotta get to the meadow,’” Everett said. “We went crashing down, climbing over and under and around all the dead trees.”

A former Boy Scout Troop Leader, Everett had packed matches, a flashlight, hand warmers, a mirror and a whistle just in case of an emergency. Somewhere between 3 or 3:30 p.m., Everett pulled out her mirror and attempted to signal the plane. She thought she saw a tip of the wings and believed this was an indication they would be rescued.

The women waited for hours in the meadow before finally accepting the plane hadn’t seen them. They were going to have to spend another night in the wilderness.

By day two, Hohly and Everett were both mentally worn. It had rained and hailed on them, and they were covered in bruises and blisters. Shoes and socks soaked from the river, they found a dry spot within the trees, and settled down for the night. Now, their rescue was vital, as they were completely out of food and water.

During the 5 a.m. sunrise, they woke to a frost covered ground.

The cold night produced aching joints and cold limbs. They drank water off the pine needles, stopping and whistling every once in a while as they climbed through the tree line.

After wandering and whistling for two hours, the women heard a call. Looking at each other in disbelief, they started yelling for help.

“We heard ‘Chris and Danielle?’ and Danielle yelled, ‘HELP US!’” Everett recalled.

They soon learned the Search and Rescue team had camped out on the other side of the mountain the night before and had been searching with dogs since 2 a.m. the first morning Everett and Hohley were lost.

The team came down, found the two women and began to assess their state. After the team decided the seven mile walk back to the trailhead was too far for the women, they were lifted in a helicopter back to the main part of the park. There, they were reunited with their group.

“You don’t know how you’re going to react in a situation like this,” Everett said. “Not very many people experience something like this.”

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15 October 2015 Page by Sophia Bone

Sports

CUTS VS. NO CUTS

Coaches analyze pros and cons of selective teams Written by Maya Hodison

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hen sophomore Ashton Rantilla tried out for soccer this year, he hoped to make a team. When he did not, however, he chose a different sport: ultimate frisbee.

“I do want to practice more and try out next year, but I went and joined ultimate frisbee instead, and am now pursuing different opportunities,” Rantilla said.

If a player is “cut,” they tried out for a sport and did not make a team. This year, varsity tennis coach Keith Pipkin decided to have no cuts for the first time. Because this is his first year coaching here, Pipkin wanted to get a feel for the turnout. Because of this, girls’ tennis now has six teams: varsity, junior varsity and C through F teams.

“A pro of having no cuts is that with larger pools of players, each player will face different playing types every day at practice, which is a huge help in developing your game,” Pipkin said. “Cons are that court space becomes pretty crowded and you don’t get the repetitions in that you would with a smaller team.”

The tennis coaches have decided they will start making cuts again next year so the athletes are pushed to train harder during the off-season and regular season.

“If they know everyone is going to make the team, I feel no one is going to work during the off-season,” Pipkin said. “So having cuts

Below: Photo by Morgan Edman Looking across at her opponent, senior Dalma Olvera gets ready to serve at Free State’s dual meet against Mill Valley on September 17. Olvera plays soccer, a cut sport, and tennis, a no-cut sport.

pushes them to work, and that is where true athletes and champions are made.”

Soccer, on the other hand, has cuts every year and only has a varsity, JV and C team. Boys’ soccer had 88 people try out this year, and about 15 players were cut.

“There are three teams and there would just be too many bodies on teams and not enough playing time or development for players,” Varsity soccer coach Kelly Barah said. “It would just be very inefficient”.

Another reason soccer has cuts is finding a fourth team coach would be difficult, according to Barah.

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15 October 2015 Page by Sophia Bone

Sports

“The town is running short of quality coaches that want to coach school soccer,” he said. “The club teams can pay more than high school would.”

Senior Jordan Patrick, a varsity soccer player, understands why cuts need to be made.

“I think sometimes coaches have to make the best decisions for the future of the team,” Patrick said. “As unfortunate as it is, there are times where cuts may need to happen due to too many kids trying out.”

Photo by Margaret Uhler Senior Eduardo Carballido Flores attacks the ball on Thursday, October 1 against Shawnee Mission West. Some would love to have a fourth team for people who do not make C team, JV or varsity. “There’s not enough teams for all the participants and not enough coaches,” head coach Kelly Barah said.

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15 October 2015 Page by Caroline Kelton

Editorial

SUPPORTING THE COURT Editors reflect on recent marriage equality decision

S

everal hours before the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was announced, I tossed and turned. I laid awake in bed and stared at the ceiling. I read a book and endlessly refreshed Twitter. Finally, around 6 a.m. I fell into a deep stupor, unaware of what would meet me when I woke up around three hours later.

June 26 was a little less than one month after my back surgery, so I was still on a few pretty strong prescription pain medications and I had only gotten a few hours of sleep. These less-than-ideal conditions made me fairly loopy when I woke up: as soon as I saw the first news about the decision, I burst into happy tears.

I was met with rainbows. So many rainbows. I saw pictures of couples finally getting legally married and rejoicing on the steps of the Supreme Court. My friends and family who agree with my liberal views showed their support on social media. I continued smiling for the next few hours and proceeded to paint my nails with an array of rainbow stripes.

I know the LGBT+ community still faces a seemingly endless number of challenges. Transgender people can legally be fired from their jobs simply because they’re trans. In some states, businesses can deny LGBT+ people service simply because of their sexual orientations. People like Kentucky’s Kim Davis still garner support for not upholding the Supreme Court’s decision.

Despite all of these obstacles, however, I believe the June 26 decision was a step in the right direction for America. Those who want to deny rights for others will continue to exist, but the number of people supporting and fighting for equality will consistently rise.

I can’t wait to see what changes the people and the government create here in America and around the world. From what I’ve seen, we’re definitely ready for them.

SYDNEY GARD Co-Editor in Chief

T

he first time I heard “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” I was confused. I was even more confused that I had heard it from my then-best friend. My second grade mind didn’t understand that generally kind people can have polarizing and unaccepting opinions.

Because I grew up in Lawrence with fairly liberal parents, was involved in theater from a young age and went to an extremely welcoming church, acceptance was in my upbringing.

Unfortunately, with age, I’ve become more aware of the many negative opinions the world presents us with on a day-to-day basis.

However, much like second grade me, I still don’t understand why topics such as gay rights incite so much fear and hatred in people.

I believe a large portion of the populations of America, Lawrence and even Free State will be on the wrong side of history. Restricting someone else’s life because they are gay is like restricting someone’s life because of their skin tone. Both are non-harmful characteristics of the person in question. Despite these facts, we still have a mass of unchecked discrimination in our society.

These examples demonstrate that there is negativity and a lack of equality. However, the growing acceptance and positivity our society has seen recently is not something to be overlooked. One positive change was the Marriage Equality Act, marking a huge transition for how LGBT+ people are treated by the legal system in our country.

Like the Supreme Court did on June 26, 2015, we as people should strive to occasionally take a step back and examine the ideas that govern our thoughts. Although it’s impossible for the human race to expel bigotry, change can be made, one equal person at a time.

TRENNA SODERLING Co-Editor in Chief

Photo by Sam Goodwin

15 October 2015 Page by Caroline Kelton

Editorial

“ CALL ME LANE ”

13 Written by Lane Weis

Transgender staffer recounts his experiences during transition

I

f you’ve ever talked to me, you probably know I’m transgender. I mention it all the time and unlike the past few years, I’ve stopped trying to keep it a secret. I no longer feel like my identity is something that needs to stay hidden, the way it used to be. Now, I feel free to express myself as much as I want. ...Well, that’s not quite true. Although Lawrence is a very liberal town, I’ve run into some things that have made me far from comfortable with my gender. Well-meaning but uneducated “allies” use insulting terminology. People I’ve considered friends come out of nowhere with transphobic jokes. Teachers don’t understand what the big deal is—if I’m listed in the records as female, shouldn’t they refer to me as such? I’m proud of who I am, but situations like these make me uncomfortable sharing my identity with everyone else.

When I first walked into Free State a little over two years ago, I had decided that I would present as fully male from that point on.

I told people to call me Lane, but didn’t explain why, hoping they’d figure it out on their own (spoiler: they didn’t). My teachers were confused, my friends and classmates were confused, and most of all, I was confused. I had no idea what I was doing—I hadn’t even told my parents that I was going to be “Lane” at school. They knew I was transgender but didn’t really understand why, which made them uncomfortable with the idea of me calling myself by a different name and pronouns. I hoped my actions would pressure them into acceptance.

As you might assume, this plan fell apart pretty quickly. My

friends still used my birth name and she/her pronouns. At parent-teacher conferences, my parents realized what I had been doing, due to comments like “Oh, you must be Lane’s parents!” After this, I explained the situation to them, and together we devised a plan where I would come out as transgender on Facebook. From there, I would allow the news to circulate from there by word of mouth.

On December 11, 2013, I “officially” came out about my gender.

Although this was a huge step, it was a rocky road from there. I avoided all mentions of being trans in public, either in an implicit or explicit way. For instance, if my friends talked about their experiences in boy scouts or girl scouts, I merely said “scouts.” No one got to see old pictures of me—period. I shied away from all things vaguely feminine, from speech patterns and mannerisms to nail polish. It was, as I refer to it now, A Dark Time.

Being open about my identity has freed me up in an astounding way. I’m comfortable correcting people about my pronouns now.

My past isn’t shameful. And this summer after the Supreme Court decision, I painted my nails—rainbow, of course—for the first time in over three years.

Getting to the place I’m at now has certainly been a struggle, but I’m very grateful to have arrived here. My friends, both in Free State and out, both students and teachers, have been immensely helpful to me over the course of these years. Without them I would not have the confidence that I do now in proclaiming to the whole school that I am transgender and I am proud.

Photo by Rose Arachtingi Left: During a trip to San Diego in the summer of 2008, Lane Weis (age 9) visited the Quail Botanical Gardens. Weis recalls how different things were at that time. “As a kid, I considered myself a tomboy; I wore a lot of t-shirts and jeans. I sort of made a game out of seeing how many people thought I was a guy,” Weis said.

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15 October 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford and Drake Riner

Feature

MORE THAN LABELS In the LGBT+ community, it seems there’s only one universal truth: everyone is different.

Written by Lauren Brittain, Mariah Houston and Trenna Soderling

M

ost people wouldn’t picture “The Goonies” when they consider sexuality and identity. However, for senior Ellie Houston, sweaty palms, the scent of popcorn, and that classic adventure movie is what she thinks of as she reminisces on one of her first realizations about who she is.

“The first time I ever thought about [my sexuality] was like seventh grade,” Houston said. “[My best friend and I] were having a sleepover at my house and we were watching the Goonies. We were sitting on my bed, and about two-thirds through the movie I just reached out and held her hand. We just held hands for the rest of the night. Nothing happened, we just fell asleep.”

In 2015, most teenagers have heard coming out stories. The current generation is the first to grow up not only recognizing the acronym, but also to see widespread LGBT+ representation in the media. Things like the television series Modern Family, outlets such as Tumblr and Twitter and new federal rights have brought attention to the meaning of the LGBT+ acronym.

Additionally, the categories, once limited, are now a spectrum that includes gender fluidity, asexuality and much more. Some people, including Houston, who most closely identifies as panromantic and graysexual, still do not believe the labels are enough to encapsulate their feelings.

“I think having labels is really helpful to some people,” she said.

“For me, I feel less comfortable labeling my sexuality because day-today I don’t feel like I fit the same identity.”

Nevertheless, this spectrum, and the identities expanding with it, help many find their place in the world.

“The fact that I identify with a label makes it feel normal,” junior Morgan McReynolds said.

McReynolds hadn’t thought about labels until last summer when she started seeing girls in pop culture and movies differently.

“It’s not that I don’t like looking at cute boys, I just like looking at cute girls also,” McReynolds said.

Over the past couple of years, steps have been taken in the LGBT+ community. Some of these include the Obama administration’s call for global LGBT+ human rights and the legalization of marriage for all couples.

Changes in our federal system have caused more awareness in our local environment. Because of this, the LGBT+ community at Free State is gaining more attention. For some students, advocating for equal rights has now become a part of daily life.

“Everyone [should be] allowed to feel how they feel, and everyone should feel validated,” McReynolds said.

This accepting spirit has led many students to become more comfortable coming out to their friends and families.

“When I told my friends [that I am bisexual], I was kind of nervous about it, but everybody was like ‘alright, cool,’” McReynolds said. “I was taken aback actually.”

Part of this accepting environment may be due to the opportunities the school has tried to provide. One of these resources, the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club, has attracted students of multiple sexualities. Not only does GSA strive to create a space for LGBT+ students to learn about their identities together, it encourages allies.

Allies are students who may not fall in the LGBT+ spectrum, but still wish to provide support for their fellow classmates who are.

Like many others, freshman Chloe Board used GSA to find herself.

“First, I referred to myself as bisexual,” freshman Chloe Board said. “[Then] in GSA club we were talking about the spectrum, and the definition [of pansexuality], and I was like, ‘Well, I fit in there.’”

While the GSA has been a useful resource for many students, others feel there may not be enough opportunities to learn about LGBT+ issues outside of the club or for kids who may be confused at a younger age. Growing up, Houston experienced confusion due to her lack of information about identities outside the terms gay and lesbian.

“There should definitely be more outreach, especially in public schools,” Houston said. “There should just be more education. I never learned about this in sex ed. I learned about this on the internet.”

Because Houston identifies outside the more commonly known sexualities, she has sometimes felt unaccepted in the LGBT+ community. “[How the LGBT+ community treats itself] is really one of the only problems I face every day,” Houston said. “People [assume] you

15 October 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford and Drake Riner

Feature

15

Photo illustration by Rose Arachtingi In promotion of LGBT+, students come together and support the community by holding hands in front of the rainbow flag. There have been many great strides for the community so far in 2015: the legalization of gay marriage, having both names of a same sex couple written on children’s birth certificates, support through school districts, pride parades, awareness days, books being published and much more.

Continued from page 14 have to fit, you have to look a certain way to be trans, you have to look a certain way to be gay, you have to look a certain way to be a lesbian, you have to be butch, or trendy, or not wear makeup, or not shave your armpits, or wear a lot of makeup. I don’t feel like I fit into those categories. I know there are other people out there who feel the same way.”

McReynolds agrees.

“It’s so strange because the LGBTQ+ community wants to be accepted so much, but some people aren’t even going to accept somebody within the community,” McReynolds said.

No matter what category or label LGBT+ students feel they fit under, confusion about their identity and sexuality is something faced nearly every day. “[Realizing I’m gay] was kind of confusing at first,” junior Will Lenz said. “It’s a roller coaster, but I am accepting, and I was accepting of it then. I’m not ashamed of it.”

Over the years, Lenz’s confusion about his sexuality has transformed into acceptance and advocacy.

“You just got to plow through it,” Lenz said. “I’m not going to say it will be okay, because maybe it won’t, but I hope it is.”

Some students have found it difficult to come out, but others, like Houston, feel being open about their sexuality has been easy all along.

“I don’t feel like I should have to come out because I don’t feel like people should assume I’m one way or the other,” Houston said. “I don’t need to tell people I’m not straight because I never told people I was straight.”

The ease some feel when coming out could largely be attributed to Lawrence’s accepting community. Emily Byers felt this support when she decided to come out as lesbian. Although she knew her parents were open-minded, their religious backgrounds caused some hesitation. “[When] I finally talked to my parents, my mom and dad said they knew I was gay since I was five years old,” Byers said. “They were just waiting for me to say something about it.”

Byers parents received the news well; however, she did face some opposition from friends considering her Christian beliefs.

Although she has faced prejudice in some situations involving the church, she’s found her own way of coping. “[Coming out] strengthened my faith,” she said. “For years,

16

15 October 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford and Drake Riner

Feature

15 October 2015 Page by Cooper Mumford and Drake Riner

Feature

Continued from page 15 you’re Christian, gay is the one thing you Hatred has become commonplace for don’t want to be. But it’s taught me that some students. During middle school, Housthere’s more to God than religion.” ton struggled to take care of herself as a result The legalization of gay marriage have of the ostracization she felt. Looking back caused people from differing religious beliefs now, she wishes she would have spoken up. to voice their opinions. Junior Kahler Wiebe “Things just kept getting worse and it is one of those people. didn’t feel like they were ever going to get “I think marriage should be between a better,” Houston said. “And I didn’t even care. man and a woman,” Wiebe said. “Marriage When people don’t even want to try to get goes back to the church… and in the Bible it better, that’s bad. I wish I would have told doesn’t say marriage is between the same sex.” people I was feeling that way. But I didn’t, Contrasting the more traditional interpre- because I was ashamed. I didn’t know that tation of the Bible, senior Mikey Corbett has other people felt that way.” embraced equal rights.

Problems with anxiety, identity and “I was raised in a Catholic family, but I self-confidence are just a few of the many have no qualms with gay marriage,” Corbett challenges LGBT+ students face. said. “I don’t think, just because you’re on one “Having to explain it over and over again side of the spectrum, you should be blindly [has been the hardest part for me],” Lenz said. opposed to something.”

“Having to explain your feelings is hard for Corbett beeverybody ... I’d try to explain lieves extending it better to my closeted self.”

When you’re Christian, marriage equality Many LGBT+ students gay is the one thing you into the federal are scared to speak up about don’t want to be. But it’s laws was a positheir sexualities. Although taught me that there’s tive change. coming out can be a difficult more to God than religion.

“I think so process, many find that being -senior Emily Byers much of what open about one’s identity is we have in law more rewarding than staying is dated, and whenever we can become more silent. progressive, that’s a good thing,” he said.

Byers noted that saying her sexuality “[Marriage equality] is a step in the right to people out loud without shaking is still direction.” difficult, but coming out has made her life Although Wiebe doesn’t agree with same- easier. Houston added that it’s not just about sex marriage, she doesn’t advocate the hatred speaking up. directed at many LGBT+ people. She feels “I want to tell myself that I have value and religious groups that spread their message I have importance and to put myself first,” through negative means are presenting their Houston said. “Take care of yourself. Take a views in the wrong way. shower, wash your hair, breathe, get out of the “It annoys me a lot when Christians are house. If you think your identity matters, if so hateful and rude,” Wiebe said. “That’s not you think you matter, you’ll take better care of showing the love of Christ. You’re doing the yourself and it’s like a cycle.” opposite of what our religion tells us to do.”

“

”

Photo illustration by Rose Arachtingi Juniors Morgan McReynolds and Aubin Murphy are supporters of the LGBT+ community. Murphy says that LGBT+ individuals like herself celebrate their choices to openly live as who they are and celebrate all the advances in the community. “I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who have never made a big deal out of my sexuality,” Murphy said.

17

What does LGBT+ even mean?

LESBIAN:

An individual who identifies as a woman and who is predominantly sexually and romantically attracted to other women.

GAY:

An individual who identifies as a man and who is predominantly sexually and romantically attracted to other men.

BISEXUAL:

An individual who is sexually and romantically attracted to men and women.

TRANSGENDER:

An individual who identifies as a different gender than the gender they were assigned at bir th.

QUEER:

An individual who does not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender but feels more comfor table identifying as “queer,” whic h is commonly thought of as a ter m that is fluid and inclusive of diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities.

QUESTIONING:

An individual who is unsure about his/her sexual orientation and/or gender identity and prefers to identify as “questioning” rather than adhering to a label that does not designate how he/she feels.

GENDERFLUID:

A gender whic h varies over time. A gender fluid person may at any time identify as male, female, neutrois or any other non-binary identity, or some combination of identities.

AGENGER:

An individual who does not identify with any gender.

SOURCE: Inter national Spectr um presented by University of Mic higan

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19

15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

Profiles

BIRD’S WORD

Do you think a government official’s religious beliefs should trump their oath to uphold the Constitution?

Interviewed by Allie Knapp Photos by Rose Arachtingi

“Although I believe in always fighting for what you want, the law is always going to win. I would probably quit my job if it was going against what I wanted.”

-senior Lane Nations

“No. Part of [Kim Davis’] job is to sign marriage licenses for couples. If she doesn’t want to give them out to people, whether gay or not, she should quit her job and do something else.”

-sophomore Mackenzie Aldrich

“No, the law is what you follow and you can’t really break it without consequences occurring. Your opinion matters, but there is a fine line. The whole nation’s feelings and beliefs come into play as well.”

-freshman Derek Hale

“If your beliefs get in the way of your job, you should find something else to do. If you continue to do something betraying the law, then you should be sent to jail.”

-freshman Emma Stanwix

20

15 October 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley

Profiles

Photo by Christina Craig

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE CLUB SEEKS TO PROMOTE ACCEPTING ENVIRONMENT Written by Kaya Shafer

J

unior Stephanie Haverkamp joined Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) last year to find a way to come out as bisexual to her family. At the first meeting she attended, it was only her and junior Lane Weis. After no one showed up for 10 minutes, they left without discussing anything. Now, Weis and Haverkamp are co-presidents with an average of 20 people attending the meetings.

“If you want to come to a safe place and talk about pretty much anything you want to talk about, come here,” Haverkamp said.

GSA acts as a safe environment for LGBT+ students to discuss current events ranging from the Kim Davis issue to more personal problems happening within the walls of the school.

The club hangs posters with meeting times, and members are encouraged to bring their friends to meetings. Because GSA is not exclusive to just LGBT+ students, many of the club members are there as allies to listen to and support their peers.

In addition to supporting each other, the club spends time celebrating LGBT+ holidays such as Bisexuality Awareness Week in September. Additionally, Haverkamp and Weis hung posters and informed students about National Coming Out Day on October 11.

Sponsor and social studies teacher Jordan Boyd is a much appreciated asset to the club.

“I think she adds to the quality of the club,” senior Steele Jacobs said. “With my experience with Ms. Boyd, she has been very accepting and just kind of relatable.”

After being asked to be a sponsor last year, Boyd immediately felt drawn to the cause.

“I felt passionate about LGBT issues for a long time,” Boyd said.

“I grew up in Topeka and it was a pretty unaccepting community where I was, so that made me want to fight.”

Although Boyd is the sponsor, GSA is largely a student-run club.

Weis plans all of the meetings and arranges all of the guest speakers.

Boyd rarely feels she needs to do anything aside from getting GSA in the announcements. However, she has been working to expand the club’s scope outside of the school.

“I’ve been in communication with a few other people in other buildings,” Boyd said. “Right now we’ve talked about what can happen and what we can do if we want to have any cross-building communication or if we want to do any events together.”

The club hopes to arrange a pride parade with the help of the GSAs at LHS and KU in the future. For now, however, the club’s members hope to continue creating a safe space for students.

“I just want other people to feel like they have a safe place to come out and be who they want to be instead of having stereotypes thrown at their face,” Haverkamp said.

Above: Promoting Free State’s Gay-Straight Alliance, junior Will Lenz waves the Pride flag during the Club Fair on August 31.

GSA has been a club since 2005.

15 October 2015 Page by Sydni Beeley

Profiles

21

Photo by Anna-Maya Hachmeister

KEITH PIPKIN & MICHAEL TRUJILLO NEW TENNIS COACHES AIM TO GIVE COMPETITORS “A TOUGH DAY ON THE COURT” Written by Darby Gilliland

T

he only thing that ever kept tennis coach Keith Pipkin off the courts as a teenager was a broken hand. Even then, it was just for a week. “[Tennis] was the only thing on my mind most days,” he said.

“I would literally be in school motioning a forehand in the middle of class.”

Pipkin and assistant coach Michael Trujillo are jumping into action this season, taking the girls tennis team by storm with a form of practicing that focuses less on athleticism and more on perfecting skills.

“The coaches focus more on actual tennis skills than last year when we did a lot of running and conditioning,” sophomore Rebecca Caulderon said.

After Oather Strawderman stepped down as head coach in May to explore new teaching opportunities, a new leader had to step up. Pipkin expects the players to step up as well.

“I’m a pretty easy going coach, but I expect a lot, and I want the athlete to expect a lot out of themselves,” Pipkin said. “My goal with every athlete is for them to gain the desire to be their best.”

The girls’ tennis team has faced multiple challenges this season, including learning how to work with new coaches and teammates. Additionally, the team has second place at regionals and twelfth place at State to live up to.

“The season is going great so far,” Pipkin said. “We have had a

lot of successes and we’ve have all learned a lot.”

The practices and scrimmages the girls are doing seem to be paying off. The sister duo of senior Caitlin Dodd and sophomore Ali Dodd started off the season with a 6-0 record. Freshman Kate Piper has also had a strong season, placing tenth out of 32 in the singles division at the Salina Invitational on September 12.

Senior Dalma Olvera thinks the team’s improvement may be attributed to the prior experience Pipkin and Trujillo have accumulated from working at Jayhawk Tennis Center.

“They know what they’re doing,” Olvera said. “They know how to make a player feel comfortable.”

With new coaches and skills, these girls are on their way to another possible state tournament.

In addition to the state championship, Pipkin hopes to maintain excellence in other aspects.

“I want Free State to be known across the state as having the best students [and] athletes,” Pipkin said. “I want those schools to see Free State on the schedule and be like, ‘that’s going to be a tough day on the court.’ But I want us to do it the right way, with sportsmanship, classiness, all the while maintaining our classroom endeavors.”

Above: At an after school tennis practice, Coach Keith Pipkin serves in balls to the team as the varsity girls prepare to compete at Regionals the following weekend.

22

15 October 2015 Page by Lacey Windholz

Reviews

SHAKING UP TRADITIONAL POP Mass Street Soda manager discusses plans for expansion

Photo by Jackson Barton Written by Jackson Barton

T

o say Mass Street Soda is simply a novelty is an understatement. Mass Street Soda is part of a new wave of innovative and unique businesses to arrive on Massachusetts Street. Not only are these shops interesting, but they are also great additions to the collection of Downtown staples.

Late on a Tuesday night, I hastily typed out an email to the manager of the company asking for an interview at the shop the following morning. The manager, Matt Duval, was quick to reply. We met in the storefront office at the time I proposed the next day. As far as I know, no one buys soda at 10:30 in the morning.

“It all started with one of the owners named Matt [Baysinger], and he had a blog about cream soda, ‘cause he loves cream soda,” Duval said. “He had a huge following from that and people would just ship him bottles of cream sodas to try, and that started his love for soda.”

This passion would grow into what is now Mass Street Soda and the new Kansas City Soda Company located in the Legends Shopping Center.

The shop in Lawrence has over 1,300 different varieties of soda.

Sodas stocked range from big names like Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper to more obscure bottlers, like a century old British dandelion and burdock soda known as Fentimans, which according to Duval, tastes like black licorice. Even the most particular of soda shoppers will find something they like at Mass Street Soda. The hardest thing for me was choosing just one or two out of all of the possible options.

The soda industry has been under fire recently for being the main cause of obesity due to the high levels of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. Duval informed me that not only is the soda industry growing on an independent level, but that these new bottlers are leaving high-fructose corn syrup out of their recipe, and are much more health conscious.

“We try our hardest to not stock anything with high-fructose corn syrup,” Duval said. “It’s just the big guys like Coke and Pepsi that are pretty much the only ones that put that in their soda.”

With the current inventory being incredibly vast and varied, I hardly noticed the high-fructose corn syrup embargo by Mass Street Soda. The Coke, Pepsi, and other large soda brands that have been put on store shelves, are usually paired with a hard to find or classic bottle. A nice touch that helps the mainstream soda brands fit in with their more exclusive and flamboyant neighbors on the rack.

The physical business itself has been improved significantly since the shop’s first opening more than a year and a half ago. The interior has been given a rustic look with a wooden soda-bar and saloon-esque stools.

Another feature of the shop is the handy soda-chilling machine.

If you are lucky they may have one ready for you in the freezer, but nine times out of ten, you’re going to have to wait a few minutes. In my experience, the wait wasn’t unreasonable, and the staff usually has a classic movie playing on the flatscreen to help pass the time.

Near the end of the interview, Duval told me that the company was going to experiment creating its own small brand of soda. After the meeting, I was treated to a Sprecher Cream Soda on the house.

I guess I was right: nobody buys sodas at 10:30 in the morning after all.

Mass Street Soda is here to stay. With a simple, yet attractive, business model, this soda store will likely keep thirsty consumers coming back for many years to come.

Above: Bottles of soda are highlighted by the afternoon sun at Mass Street Soda on 1130 Mass Street. 1,300 varieties of craft soda are displayed on their shelves.

23 EXPECTING MEDIOCRITY 15 October 2015 Page by Lacey Windholz

Reviews

Online editor opines on new CI3T program Written by Libby Stanford

T

hree-Tiered Model of Prevention. It uses a “matrix” that describes how to be respectful, responsible and give best effort in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria/commons, bathroom, activities, parking lot and the bus.

In August, students were presented with the expectations through a series of PowerPoints and then learned about the opportunity to receive tickets or rewards for acting according to the matrix.

With these tickets, students have the ability to “buy” different items such as school supplies or a t-shirt. Students can also put their tickets into a raffle for larger prizes such as good parking spots, fresh baked cookies or a lunch with the principal.

Manners we learned in elementary school we are being rewarded for now. Programs like CI3T have been instituted into schools nationwide, but it feels a little late from the point of view of a high school student.

While I will admit there are some students at this school who need to learn how to behave, the majority have been behaving how they are supposed to for years. It is hard to feel respected when you are rewarded for bringing a pencil to class and saying “thank you” to teachers as you leave the door.

Kindness and respect are important attributes for students to learn, but they should not be rewarded as if they aren’t expected.

Bribing students does not help them behave appropriately. In the

workplace, employees are expected to be on time and do their work as they should. When students are rewarded for behaving as they are supposed to, they will expect a reward every time in the future. This is not realistic and prevents students from being prepared for professional life.

This program is not helping prepare students for the future. If anything, it is teaching them their bad manners are expected and

Photo by Nicola Santangelo Above: During Friday lunch periods, teacher Samantha Newlin gives out prizes to students in exchange for their Talon tickets. Students have the opportunity to earn school supplies or Firebird t-shirts depending on the amount of tickets they turn in.

TICKET TO RIDE Written by Maame Britwum

I

Talon Tickets provide childish, but needed, positive reinforcement

nside my planner, held together by a paperclip, sit five Talon Tickets. When I started receiving Talon Tickets, I wasn’t sure how to feel—although I was pretty sure I didn’t like them.

Around the school, I heard chatter about how useless the tickets are, and all the rant sessions started getting in my head. I was prepared to collect as many tickets as possible and let them sit there as a quiet defiance. I went a solid three weeks as a silent soldier, prepared to fight the good fight against Talon Tickets.

After hearing Mr. Graber and Ms. Boyd explain the point of Talon Tickets it made more sense. The tickets aren’t necessarily meant to keep me and other hard working, dedicated students in line: they’re meant as a “thank you” for doing our job. But for struggling students the tickets are meant to nudge them in the right direction.

Since the Tickets have been explained to me in a different perspective, my stance has softened. Even if we don’t realize it, the

Tickets are supportive, encouraging and affirming. Whether you’re an at-risk student or a part of the majority, we can all benefit from a little positive reinforcement.

I will concede, however, the mechanism in which we receive this reinforcement is very strange. Having to keep an actual stack of tickets reminds me of my sixth grade class where we were given “money” for doing things like completing our homework on time.

Regardless of the whole idea of a physical ticket being odd, I don’t think I hate it.

Now I’m teetering towards approval of the tickets simply because they can help at risk students, plus the stellar parking spots aren’t bad. I’m still not sure what to do with my tickets, so I might just quietly amass a humble fortune for a little while longer before unleashing my Talon Ticket wrath in the raffle. All in all, Talon Tickets are a good addition to our school, even though they’re somewhat childish.

24

15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

Graphics

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15 October 2015 Page by Sydney Vogelsang

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26

15 October 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

Style

MODEL STUDENTS Interviewed by Juna Murao

Q: Where do you shop?

“I get my pants at Kohl’s. I also go down to the Antique Mall or Wild Man Vintage or Arizona Trading Company.”

Q: Any style icons?

“I don’t really think about it that much. No, not really.”

Q: How would you describe your style?

“Vintage preppy.”

Q: What is your favorite clothing item?

“Shoes.”

Q: How does your personality describe your style?

“It doesn’t fit it very much. I’m pretty quiet and introverted but my style is kinda loud sometimes.”

Q: How did you find your style?

“Trial and error.”

Q: What is your favorite color to wear?

“Khaki.”

Q: Spirit animal?

“Dog.”

Q: Hobbies?

“I like to golf and play tennis every once in awhile. [I also like to] write and paint, normal stuff.”

Q: Favorite type of music?

“I only listen to super old music like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. Old people that have been dead for a long time.”

Q: Is there a fashion trend you like?

“No. I think people dress really stupid, most people.”

Q: What is a trend you hate?

“Sweatpants in the grocery store [and] ripped up clothing like shirts, purposefully ripped up. I don’t get that.”

Q: What do you want to do when you grow up?

“Maybe a psychologist.”

Q: Tell us a secret: “I hate cottage cheese.”

junior NOAH MEYER

15 October 2015 Page by Atticus vonHolten

Style

junior RYLEE CLINGINGSMITH

Students show off their personal styles Q: Where do you normally shop?

“I shop a lot at random thrift stores like Salvation Army, [Arizona Trading Company] and Wild Man [Vintage].”

Q: Do you have any style icons?

“I like Naomi Elizabeth’s style and music.”

Q: How would you describe your style?

“Sometimes I look like an infant and sometimes I look like a 87 year old man. Just whatever I’m feelin’.”

Q: What is your favorite clothing item?

“I have this one sweater that has green and black squares like a checkered pattern. It’s very ‘80s and one of my favorites.”

Q: How does your personality incorporate your style?

“What I wear a lot is really random but then I also don’t really wear super bright colors, so I’m emo but happy.”

Q: How did you find your style?

“I stopped paying attention to what was stylish in our school and started wearing what I wanted to wear.”

Q: What is your favorite color to wear?

“Black and navy blue.”

Q: What is your spirit animal?

“Cow.”

Q: What type of music do you listen to?

“Anything that doesn’t make me sound pretentious.”

Q: What fashions trends do you love?

“I really like platform shoes. Those are my favorite things ever.”

Q: What fashion trends do you hate?

“UGG Boots, I hate those so much.”

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I really wanted to be a cryptozoologist for a long time because I wanted to find Bigfoot. Now I’m looking into art therapy.”

Q: Tell us a secret: “This dimple on my cheek is from running into a computer desk. I wasn’t born with it.”

Photos by Rose Arachtingi

27

FEATURED ARTIST senior Jessica Vanahill Artist’s Statement: “As I made them I tried to clear my head. I was not entirely successful so I just tried to respond to the shapes I was making. When I reflected on it after, I think the curved piece (above) represents myself and the other (right), my environment. I can’t really interpret my own pieces, but as I was painting I intended to give emotion to the curly one (above), and to show that emotions build on each other to make your state of mind. With the other piece (right), as it developed, I tried to show how people change over time. I found shapes that I tried to vaguely form into a clock and human figures. I wanted to show how much people develop by deconstructing forms and making the colors contrast, as well as vary from each other.”

15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

29

Artists of the Month

Above: junior Chris Landers Top right: sophomore Severine Green Right: senior Mayzie Herreman

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15 October 2015 Page by Sydney Vogelsang

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Dates To Remember •

•

•

•

October 16 No school October 21 8:30 am Brown Bag Fashion Show October 22 No school October 22 Senior formal yearbook photos

Look for the Free Press on these dates:

Iss #3 �������������������� Th, Nov 12 Iss #4 �������������������� Th, Dec 10 Iss #5 �������������������� Th, Jan 28 Iss #6 �������������������� Th, Feb 25 Iss #7 �������������������� Th, Mar 31 Iss #8 ���������������������Th, May 5

Corrections: In the last issue, a number of original staff members were left off of the list of Free State Pioneers: Darrell Andrew, John Christian, Steve Grant, Lorna Larson and Shelly Thornton. We apologize for this error.

15 October 2015 Page by Adelaide Wendel

FSFreePressOnline.com CHECK OUT WHAT ELSE THE FREE PRESS HAS TO OFFER

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Diagnosed at birth with arthrogryposis, a condition that prevents joints to move as normal, junior Leanne Saulsbury has lived the majority of her life in leg braces.

However, her braces, wheelchair and crutches have set no limitations on her life as a student, friend and teenager. “Sometimes I go through it all day and [at the end] I’m like, “Oh, I got braces on,” Saulsbury said. A regular day in her wheelchair is no longer full of challenges. “It’s not hard at all. It’s easy…I just pretend I don’t have braces,” Saulsbury said. Even as she wheels through school, she does not consider herself any different from her peers. Instead, she asks them to “Just think of me like you.”

A DAY ON WHEELS Photo essay by Christina Craig