The shared community between Lawrence High School and KU athletics
Pages 3-4
Lions beat Free State in rivalry soccer game for the first time in eight years
Pages 5-6
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The connection between LHS almuni and KU Athletics
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Boys soccer finds victory over Free State in heated game
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A look back at fall sports’ most exciting moments
The Budget is committed to providing the Lawrence High community with objective, inclusive news that ensures relevance to its readers. The staff devotes itself to the exercise of First Amendment rights and upholding the highest of journalistic standards. While the paper is a tool to publish student voices, it works to help students grow as journalists and help readers access information.
BY JULIET OUTKA & RUBY FLANNER CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEFS
Th is fall, we are excited to carry on the tradition of producing a joint issue for the rivalry football game, collabrating with the Free Press. Last year, Free State editors Lily Wall and Nick Sprecker approached The Budget about collaborating on a limited-edition issue that celebrated the uniqueness of our schools amid a season of heated competition.
As a new tradition began, neither staff knew how the final product would be perceived. This year, we wanted to solidify the new tradition and improve upon our work from last year. Despite the competitive nature of the crosstown rivalry, we were grateful to collaborate with the talented journalism staff from across town, and create a mini-issue that celebrates the vibrant stories of Lawrence High School.
The Editors-in-Chief of The Budget for the 2026 School Year, Juliet Outka
Highlighting new beginnings, the LHS football team navigates changes in their program with the introduction of a new head coach and new team leaders stepping up. This year, LHS rewrites its story and creates a new foundation for years to come.
Cover by Ronan Kemme
Peter Buller, Tessa Sanders, Thurston St. Onge, Naima Zaragoza Rodrigeuz, Chelsea Oparaji
THE BUDGET EDITORS
Juliet Outka....................................................
Co Editor-in-Chief
Ruby Flanner.................................................
Co Editor-in-Chief
Willow Marable.............................................
Design Editor
Sydney Rhodeman........................................
Assistant Design Editor
Selah Wolfe....................................................
Print Managing Editor
Ronan Kemme..............................................
Arts/Graphics Editor
Karen Cruz-Santos.......................................
Copy Editor
Carter Kingery..............................................
Photos/Captions Editor
Piper Journey...............................................
Social Media Editor
THE RED & BLACK
Aminah Kaeser-Wadud................................
Senior Ads Editor
How well do you know your
Match the answer to the canidate!
Q: What are three things you’d bring on a desert island?
A: My cat, nine lip glosses and an ocean water sonic slushie?
Q: Favorite song?
A: Anything Limp Bizkit ya’ll!
Q: What cartoon character is most like you?
A: Courage the Cowardly Dog
BY MIMI ROSADO-SCHMITT YEARBOOK CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Football season is a meaningful time at Lawrence High. The high school season isn’t the only thing special this time around – just seven minutes away from our home stadium is a place that holds significance in the hearts of many at Lawrence High.
Established in 1998, the David Booth Memorial Stadium has undergone ongoing renovation since December 2023. The stadium is named after LHS and KU alumni David Booth, who has maintained connections with the city of Lawrence since moving away.
“Even though I haven’t lived in Lawrence for over 50 years, I still have good memories of going to high school there and KU,” Booth said. “I just had my 60th high school reunion and there’s still a nice spirit of the people with fond memories of the school.”
This year, Booth donated $300 million to the KU athletics department. This contribution will not only help strengthen the school spirit at KU, but also will generate more crowds at games.
many who moved away and although they didn’t attend KU, they still feel a strong connection because the university, and particularly athletics, are so intertwined with the experience of growing up in this town.”
Booth currently resides in Texas as co-founder and executive chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors. However, his name is recognizable to any KU fan, and he cherishes the city of Lawrence. Booth has been vocal about the effect of sports in the alumni community
“When you’re a part of a community, everybody has to give a little bit.”
David Booth, LHS and KU alum
“David has been a longtime generous supporter of Kansas Athletics,” KU Deputy Athletic Director Kristen Toner said. “His latest commitment is transformational for our athletics department and the entire university.”
The environment of KU athletics directly reflects the Lawrence High community. A majority of LHS parents decided to live here because of their alma mater, instilling the Jayhawk spirit in their children from a young age.
“Plenty of our KU students, staff and alumni are Lawrence natives, including David and I, so that creates an obvious connection between the two schools,” Toner said. “But I also know there are
Students share perspectives on Spirit Week
REPORTING BY CHELSEA OPARAJI
If you were able to choose any Spirit Week themes, what would you pick, and why?
“I think I would pick Frat vs. Sorority because it’s funny.”
— Cayla McCrary, sophomore
“When you’re a part of a community, everybody has to give a little bit. It’s the best part about community spirit,” Booth said. “If you feel like you’re part of a community, you want to be charitable.”
Booth carries on a long tradition of notable LHS and KU alumni, including star athletes such as Devin Neal, Zeke Mayo and Danny Manning.
Soon to be among that list is senior and KU football commit Josh Galbreath. Because of his family, Galbreath grew up as an avid KU football fan.
“KU football is where it all started for my family — my dad met my mom there when he was playing football back in the 90s,” Galbreath said. “So it truly is a special place for my family because without it, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Alumni are a major part of the Lawrence community. Sports, both Lions and Jayhawks, bring this college town together.
“I feel like my Lawrence High pride translates to KU pride by following along the footsteps that others have laid down previously before me,” Galbreath said. “Lawrence is a special place and my goal is to help spread that throughout the nation.”
If you could pick any spirit week theme, what would you pick?
“I’d definitely pick Meme Day, and maybe like, a Throwback or Decades Day.”
Why would you pick Meme Day and Throwback Day?
“ Meme day just ‘cause it’s really funny, honestly, like people dressing up as memes, wearing six-seven on their shirts or dressing as Quandale Dingle.”
— Niyah McCray, junior
BY CARTER KINGERY CAPTIONS EDITOR
The Chesty Lions back on top! For the first time in eight years, boys varsity soccer took down Free State in the rivalry showdown. The Lions won with a score of 2-1 and senior striker Patrick Sandefur was responsible for both of the team’s goals.
“All things considered, I think it was great,” Sandefur said. “We came out great, we finished great. We showed a lot of grit, and we proved a lot that game, a lot from the leaders and a lot from the young players.”
The team gives credits their hard work and leadership skills for the win against the Firebirds.
Both the team leaders and young players stepped up to the occasion, playing with confidence and tranquility. The team won with teamwork instead of getting irritated in tough times.
“I think there were a lot of times where it was scrappy, but sometimes even if the game is scrappy, you still got to hang on to it and stay focused,” Sandefur said. “I don’t think we ever lost our heads and lost control of emotion, even in such an emotional rival game.”
“I don’t think we ever lost our heads or LOST CONTROL OF EMOTION, even in such an emotional rivalry game.”
Patrick Sandefur, senior
“I was so proud of the team because of the amount of hours we put in, and the amount of frustration we’ve had because of how we lost to them every year, even though we knew we were a better team,” junior Oscar Paden said.
Paden assisted Sandefur with a game winning goal in the second half pushing the Lions up to a one point lead.
Another factor to the team’s success was keeping the Firebirds away from the LHS net. Goalie senior Murphy Nowak assisted in the win.
“Without him, we get mercy ruled. So we obviously owe him a lot,” Sandefur said about Nowak.
Nowak was responsible for 11 saves against Free State and held them to an unlucky penalty kick. Nowak credits the support he received from defense players.
“We stopped a lot of their crosses defensively,” Nowak said. “For my outside backs, they played an amazing game, shutting down their wingers, who are some of their best players. So that definitely contributed to less shots from them.”
While celebrating the win, the Lions are focused on improvements for next year’s team to continue the winning streak.
“We could have won by a lot more if we just executed some of our chances,” Paden said. “If we could have all of our guys healthy that will be perfect.”
With upperclassmen leaving the team next year, the team may be smaller, but some players said they believe they are still in good hands for future rivalry games to come.
“I think that we have a lot of solid players after we leave,” Nowak said. “I think that even if [Free State] wins, it’s gonna start being back and forth instead of a streak.”
BY NAIMA ZARAGOZA RODRIGUEZ
REPORTER
“Everybody shares the SAME VALUES throughout the schools, in soccer and in general.”
Gavin Hayes, junior
“It’s A LOT OF FUN. You get to play with some new guys you don’t usually play with.”
Jasper Piepergerdes, junior
“You get to CONNECT with more people and build better relationships with people across soccer in Lawrence.”
Sullivan Leitch, junior
Flip issue upside down to begin reading The Budget rivalry issue...
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I get really hyped for sports and other events, and in marching band this is almost an expectation. We dance, cheer, sing and play with contagious energy. In the regular stands, I feel like I wouldn’t be able to do all of these things to that extent,
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My favorite part of the student section is the themes that we do each week. By being loud, it shows the [teams] that we are in support of them, so they feel the energy that we give them,
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The main thing I enjoy about football games is being able to show off all of our hard work to a greater audience. I enjoy being able to dance and spin alongside so many of my close friends as well, senior Davis Boedeker said.
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A common misconception is that it’s easy. I understand why it’s hard to see that because you just see standing on the sidelines... We’re always doing something and it’s a lot of work, but people don’t realize that in the moment,
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Early into the game, the football team pushes forward to try and score a point against their opponent Olathe East on Sept. 26.
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We always talk about hard work and discipline and consistency and teamwork and putting something above yourself, like football and all the other activities [at the field] fall in that same category,
Football Player
Sports Admin Jason Schroeder said. “ “ senior Nello Allegrucci said.
When I’m out on the field I have to do my best to not think about anything and just be in the moment each play in order to play my best,
