Free State Journalism

With the conclusion of the first quarter and the beginning of November, fall sports have wrapped up for all programs. The Firebirds left their mark on the 2023 season, and now is a great time to highlight and recognize these teams and athletes before the upcoming winter season.

SPORTS: Fall Sports Highlights With the conclusion of the first quarter and the beginning of November, fall sports have wrapped up for all programs. The Firebirds left their mark on the 2023 season, and now is a great time to highlight and recognize these teams and athletes before the upcoming winter season. FOOTBALL: Down on the...

As an avid lover of music, Lawrence is the perfect music hub. With venues like The Granada to see smaller artists, multiple spaces to see local bands, and all in close proximity to Kansas City to see bigger artists at the T-Mobile Center, Lawrence is a wonderful place to live if you love to see artists live like I do.

OPINION: Concert Culture Shifts As an avid lover of music, Lawrence is the perfect music hub. With venues like The Granada to see smaller artists, multiple spaces to see local bands, and all in close proximity to Kansas City to see bigger artists at the T-Mobile Center, Lawrence is a wonderful place to live if you love to see...

This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events.

FEATURE: Hang12 Brings Art to the Community This year, Hang12, a teen curatorial board, gave art accessibility and youth perspective to their art shows and other events. Throughout the year, the teens worked with emerging artists to put on shows and develop their art and business skills. Senior Felipe Reina-Salas is Hang12’s social media co...

Dirty Dough, an innovative cookie store on Wakarusa and Bob Billings, had its grand opening on Nov. 17.

REVIEW: The Scoop on Dirty Dough Dirty Dough, an innovative cookie store on Wakarusa and Bob Billings, had its grand opening on Nov. 17. Since starting in 2020 in a college dorm, the franchise has opened 21 stores since. The franchise knows what’s on the inside is what counts; their six cookies are each filled with unique filling...

High school songwriters often feel they are able to add components that many other professionals can’t speak on.

FEATURE: Classroom Melodies High school songwriters often feel they are able to add components that many other professionals can’t speak on. Not only do their lyrics defer from those at a professional standpoint, but it also incorporates their student life. Taking advantage of a creative outburst, senior Nataile Riley and se...

The components of fantasy sports are quite contradicting; they use stats from real athletes in real time to build make-believe teams that fill leagues across America. It conjoins casual players with serious players, contributing to the lucrative industry that is Fantasy Football.

OPINION: Fantasy Football The components of fantasy sports are quite contradicting; they use stats from real athletes in real time to build make-believe teams that fill leagues across America. It conjoins casual players with serious players, contributing to the lucrative industry that is Fantasy Football. What is supposed to...

Liberty Memorial Central Middle School [LMCMS] celebrated its 100th anniversary of the building on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.

NEWS: Central Centennial Liberty Memorial Central Middle School [LMCMS] celebrated its 100th anniversary of the building on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. The building was originally a high school constructed as a WWI memorial, and completed in 1923, but was later changed to a junior high school in 1954. It wasn’t until 2011 t...

As of Sept. 13, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted 42-17 in favor of extending the baseball season to 26 games, after rejecting the proposal in a vote last spring.

SPORTS: KSHSAA Baseball Increase Games As of Sept. 13, 2023, the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted 42-17 in favor of extending the baseball season to 26 games, after rejecting the proposal in a vote last spring. Many are curious as to how that will shape the season and how it will flow into the post...

After a long-awaited eight to ten years, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie came out on Oct. 27. Many fans had mixed reviews over the film, some liked it, and some did not. As a Five Nights at Freddy’s [FNAF] fan myself, I had to say I didn’t love it, but I did not hate it.

REVIEW: The Five Nights at Freddy’s Movie After a long awaited eight to ten years, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie came out on Oct. 27. Many fans had mixed reviews over the film, some liked it, some did not. As a Five Nights at Freddy’s [FNAF] fan myself, I had to say I didn’t love it, but I did not hate...

“Having a therapy dog in our hallways brings smiles to lots of faces,” counselor Julia Johnson said. “He goes on walks with students and spends time with them when they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.”

Security guard Dee Kemp adopts a new puppy to add to the therapy dog roster.

FEATURE: Dog Tales On Oct. 16, Marlo was brought to school by security guard Demetrius Kemp. Students have enjoyed this newest addition to the school and hope to see a lot more of Marlo. “Having a therapy dog in our hallways brings smiles to lots of faces,” counselor Julia Johnson said. “He goes on walks with st...

SENIOR ADS: Ready to reserve your yearbook senior ad?

1. Complete senior ad order form here: https://forms.gle/8ESg5FXnJxTtbPP68

2. Submit payment online at http://yearbookordercenter.com (school code: 12781)

3. Submit pictures through http://hjeshare.com, code: firebird

“I follow in the footsteps of outstanding educators and artists that have impacted many individuals, students and educational institutions around the community and world,” Melissa Smith, assistant band director said.

Smith received the Lied Center's Impact Award this year in recognition of her time as a music educator at both Free State and West Middle School over the years.

FEATURE: Impactful Individual Every year, an exceptional teacher is awarded the Impact Award from the Lied center; this year, assistant band director Melissa Smith won the award. The award has been given to educators and musicians in the community for over 20 years. Smith, who works at both Free State and West Middle School was....