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The School Newspaper of Lawrence High School.

The Budget
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The School Newspaper of Lawrence High School.

The Budget
The School Newspaper of Lawrence High School.

The Budget
Emily Kruse

Emily Kruse, News Photo Editor

This is my second year on staff and my second year as news photo editor. I am always busy and photography takes up my whole life. Barb won’t let me leave <3 Contact me at [email protected].

All content by Emily Kruse
Senior Pierce Saturday shoots water gun while volunteering at the river clean up. Saturday is a member of Environmental Club, who participated with the River Restoration Project, run by Friends of the Kaw, on April 10th.

[Photo] Environmental Club Volunteers with Friends of the Kaw

By Izzy Hedges, Yearbook Copy Editor
May 6, 2019
Freshman Ryan Hardie returns the ball during tennis practice on April 4. “You have to practice and learn you will make mistakes and you got to learn from your mistake,” Hardie said. “Getting down the mental toughness that you need to play tennis, like if you make a mistake you got to power through it. That’s the one thing you can’t practice and have to focus on that.”

[Photo] Expanded boys tennis team starts season strong

By Daniel Davidson, Sports Editor
May 2, 2019
Senior Jared Coté practices “Careless Whisper” for his solo during Showtime rehearsal on March 29. “Doing things with the people that you care about and love is pretty incredible,” Coté said. “Showtime is definitely jammed pack with things to do. If rehearsals are late, I will go home about 9:40. That’s the latest I’ve ever gone home.”

[Photo] Showtime is back and bigger than ever

By Freeman Spray, Webmaster and Copy Editor
May 2, 2019
Sophomore Anthony Racy gives an authorship for congressional debate about the abolition of the TSA. “I like congressional debate because it is a good place to discuss and debate U.S. economics and politics at a competitive level,” Racy said. “I am looking forward to debating with some of the best people at congressional debate in the nation and beating them.”

[Photo] Students plan to travel to a new national forensics tournament

By Zora Lotton-Barker, Staff Writer
May 2, 2019
Junior Jordan Ott releases balloons at the We Got Your Back suicide awareness walk on March 23. Ott planned the event in memory of his older brother. “To me, it was a dream come true,” Ott said. “We had over 300 people come and just like everybody there all supporting the cause. I think it was really powerful for our community, all standing together for something that’s really big that goes unnoticed, which is suicide. ...Everybody was positive even though it’s such a negative topic. Everybody was there and willing to listen. I felt like really proud of it. It really brought tears to my eyes when I gave my speech and the end of the event and just seeing everyone wearing the shirt.“

[Photo] Student organizes suicide awareness walk, fundraiser

By Freeman Spray, Webmaster and Copy Editor
May 1, 2019
Rows of tables await juniors in the west gym the morning of April 2. Juniors spent the morning taking the ACT while other students attended classes. The original plan had been for underclassmen to complete pre-ACT prep during the test date, but those plans changed after the initial test date was canceled because of bad weather.

[Photo] Juniors take ACT for free

By Kennedy Bigham, Staff Writer
May 1, 2019
Smiling, junior Rylie Stellwagon works with english teacher and theater director Jamie Johnson replacing batteries in flashlights that will be used for the upcoming play in May. Stellwagon and Johnson are close and have a strong teacher-student relationship because of Stellwagon's involvement with the theater department. "She's definitely one of my favorite teachers," Stellwagon said. "I'm glad I have her."

[Photo] Staff work to create positive relationships with students following safety threats

By William Yanek, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 24, 2019
Kate O’Keefe poses after the Topeka conference for Model UN on Feb. 25 and26. This was O’Keefe’s first year as an officer, in the role of secretary.

[Photo] Freshman takes on leadership role of secretary at Topeka Model UN

By Freeman Spray, Webmaster
April 3, 2019
Science teacher Andy Bricker sits with other participants at the Community Conversation on Feb. 21 in the Lawrence High cafeteria. The district gathered input at the meeting about how to improve school safety.

[Photo] Lawrence community brainstorms ways to improve school safety

By Connor Schmaus, Editor-in-Chief
March 22, 2019
USD 497 Superintendent Anthony Lewis speaks at the Community Conversation meeting in the Lawrence High cafeteria on Feb. 21. The meeting collected perspectives from the community regarding school safety and provided information on how to be a smart gun owner. Lewis will lead the next community conversation on March 26 at Free State High School.

[Photo] District works to improve emergency communication and discipline

By Macy Landes, Editor-in-Chief
March 22, 2019
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[Photo] Student musicians form bands in their spare time

By Emily Gordon-Ross, Staff Writer
March 6, 2019
Senior Baxter Spielman sits and listens to the speakers at the Community Safety meeting on Feb. 21. After two firearms and a taser was found on Lawrence High campus the week before, this community meeting was held to receive community input on how administration can improve student safety.

Junior Oscar Schmidt looks at the floor as fellow students, staff and parents within Lawrence Public Schools discuss the weapons brought to school, and possible solutions to improve student safety at the Community Safety Meeting held on Feb. 21.

Lawrence High science teacher Andrew Bricker sits with LHS parent during the Community Safety Meeting to discuss questions on how to improve student safety within Lawrence Public Schools on Feb. 21. Held in response to two firearms and a taser being found on campus the week before, discussions focused on what was being done well to enforce safety, and what needs to be better.

Interacting with students, Superintendent Anthony Lewis gets input from those who attended the Community Safety Meeting addressing weapons brought on Lawrence High campus on Feb. 21. Lewis' goal of the meeting was to reassure parents that the safety of staff and students was the most important.

Former speech and language pathologist Deborah Boatright gives a presentation from the organization BeSMART. BeSMART is a nonpartisan group advocating safety and common sense education regarding firearms.

In harmony, senior Tiffany Smith and junior Jack Malin stand side by side during the finale of the winter musical, Spamalot on Jan. 25. The wedding scene closed out the show for the last time and wrapped up the story of King Arthur and his search for the Holy Grail.

Holding a torch, junior Noah Stussie rides an imaginary horse during the winter musical, Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 25. Stussie was a knight of the round table and accompanied King Arthur on his quest to find the Holy Grail.

Expressional, senior Jerod Cote gets carried off stage by senior Davis Reed during the winter musical, Spamalot. Cote and Reed play French mimes during the "Trojan Bunny" scene along with Napoleon Bonaparte and various French artists.

Standing tall, senior Simon Wenger screams "Ni!" at the knights of the round table while in the forest during the winter musical, Spamalot, on Jan. 25. Wenger plays one of the "Knights Who Say Ni" and demands a shrubbery from the round table knights who want safe passage through the forest.

Grinning, senior Julian Weslander and junior Jack Malin dance during the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," during the winter musical, Spamalot on Jan. 25. Malin played King Arthur and Weslander played Arthur's trusty servant. The two travelled far and wide in search of the Holy Grail for two almost sold-out nights, making Spamalot the highest attended musical in five years.

Playing the part, senior TIffani Smith holds onto junior Jack Malin in the winter production of Spamalot. Smith played the character Lady of the Lake while Malin played King Arthur. "It’s was a lot of hard work and a big time commitment. You really had to balance your time out and priorities always came first," Smith said. "I really enjoyed getting to know the cast. Most people I didn’t really have classes or activities with so I made lots of new friends."

Stealing the spotlight, senior Tiffany Smith sings a solo during the song "Knights of the Round Table," at the winter musical, Spamalot, on Jan. 25. Smith played "The Lady of the Lake" and was featured in several musical numbers.

Senior Keaton Hoy embraces his sexuality during the musical number "Lancealot" featured in the winter musical, Spamalot on Jan. 25. Hoy falls in love with junior Liam Sheely's character, "Herbert" after finding him trapped in a tower and slaughtering the guests and guards at the castle.

Being praised by his trustworthy adversaries, junior Jack Malin urges his men to travel to Camelot during the winter musical, Spamalot on Jan. 25. The cast missed several days of rehearsals due to snow and below freezing temperatures but still managed to put on a royal performance.

Arms outstretched, junior Noah Stussie stands front and center during the finale of his song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway if You Don't Have Any Jews," during the winter musical, Monty Python's Spamalot, on Jan. 25.

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[Photo] School can create obstacles for practicing religion

By Doha Maaty, Guest Editorial
February 25, 2019
Superintendent Anthony Lewis meets speaks during a community meeting at Lawrence High School on Thursday night to address school safety issues.

[Photo] Community gathers to discuss school safety

By Connor Schmaus, Newspaper Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2019
Sophomore Salvador Good approaches the end of the board at diving practice. Good is in his second year of diving for the Lions.

[Photo] Divers bring added support to swim team

By Daniel Davidson, Sports Editor
February 21, 2019
Senior TIffani Smith holds onto junior Jack Malin in the winter production of Spamalot. Smith played the character Lady of the Lake while Malin played King Arthur. “It was a lot of hard work and a big time commitment. You really had to balance your time out and priorities always came first,” Smith said. “I really enjoyed getting to know the cast. Most people I didn’t really have classes or activities with, so I made lots of new friends.”

[Photo] Spamalot the musical

By Freeman Spray, Webmaster and Copy Editor
February 21, 2019
juniors Alan Sanders and Bryce Smith celebrate after making a basket in the Unified Sports scrimmage at Pack the House on Nov. 19. Unified Sports is one of the activities featured in Pack the House that currently cannot receive a letter. Students involved have been advocating for their lettering privileges.

[Photo] Unified Sports looking to letter

By Zora Lotton-Barker, Staff Writer
February 21, 2019
Students come and go from the main building to the annex in freezing temperatures. “It would be more efficient if they were connected, especially in bad weather.” senior Hasiya Asuku said. “I know when it rains I hate having to go outside and get my outfit wet, and it would save time during the passing periods to get from the annex to the main building.” After the construction of Lawrence High School, the main building and annex will finally be connected and end student worries.

[Photo] New building plans excite students and staff, raise safety concerns

By Macy Landes and Connor Schmaus
February 13, 2019
Senior Zuzu Melchor prepares for practice on Nov. 8 after joining the team following October tryouts. While this is Melchor’s first year on the pom team, she has several previous years of dance experience. “It’s super fun being on the team, not only because of the dancing, but also the people,” Melchor said. “I mostly do contemporary dance, so pom is very different than what I’m used to, but that’s what’s so fun about it.”

[Photo] Pom squad adds new members

By Zora Lotton-Barker, Staff Writer
November 28, 2018
Juuls have popped up throughout the LHS student body. The trendy e-cigarette uses nicotine salts and comes in a variety of flavors targeted towards teens. The FDA is calling the use of Juuls among teens an epidemic.

[Photo] Juul epidemic hits Lawrence student body

By Sophie Kaufman, Staff Writer
November 16, 2018
Junior Abby Afful smiles while doing a routine on the balance beam. The Lions gymnastics team placed first at the Lawrence High invitational on Sept. 27. “The most challenging part of gymnastics is trying to get new skills on bars.” Afful said. “It’s scary jumping from bar to bar and having to think about how if I have a little bit of bad technique, I could fall and break a bone.”

[Photo] Girl’s gymnastics season starts off strong

By Daniel Davidson, Sports Editor
October 29, 2018
Hannah Stewart leaps with other members of the LHS volleyball team as they near the end of their second set against Blue Valley High School. The Lions dominated the first day of play at the state tournament in Salina.

Lions dominate first day of state tournament

By Emily Kruse, Photo Editor
October 26, 2018
Seniors Abby Monroe and Brooke Wroten reach for the ball during the state volleyball tournament on Friday in Salina. The Lions beat Gardner-Edgerton in two sets.

Victory edges Lions closer to state semifinals

By Emily Kruse and Nola Levings
October 26, 2018
Senior Baylee Unruh cheers a Lions point during the state volleyball match against Blue Valley West on Friday morning in Salina. The Lions took the first match against West, 2-0.

[Photo] Lions win first game in two sets at state volleyball tournament

By Daniel Davidson, Sports Editor
October 26, 2018
Seniors Zuzu Melchor, Lex Moulton, Emily Guo and Aidan Pierce (not pictured) were awarded the National Merit Semifinalist distinction this year.

[Photo] Seniors awarded National Merit Semifinalist distinction

By Anahita Hurt, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 18, 2018
Sophomore Beth Brandt competes in the Free State Invitational last month.

[Photo] Sophomore gymnast takes in varsity experience

By Iris Sherron, Reporter
October 9, 2018
New head football coach, Steve Rampy, calls a play from the sideline during the annual fall sports Jamboree. Rampy, who is entering his 40th season of coaching, was hired this past spring following the retirement of former coach Dirk Wedd.

[Photo] Leader of the Lions

By Emily Gordon-Ross, Staff Writer
September 28, 2018
The Volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point against Shawnee Mission North on Sept. 11. The Lady Lions won the match two sets to none (25-8, 25-9).

[Photo] Setting up for state

By Daniel Davidson, Sports Editor
September 26, 2018
Senior Jillian Wilson looks back as students evacuate during the crisis drill Sept. 14. There will be nine crisis drills over the course of this year.

[Photo] New requirements for crisis drills put into effect

By William Yanek, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2018
Junior Chris Kogan gets help from Rachel Smith and Steve Wilson, who work tediously through stacks of laptops to get them all checked out and running as soon as possible. Wilson said it took a lot of work and lacked some organization but is confident that next year the process will run smoothly.

[Photo] Laptop redistribution causes more problems than anticipated

By Macy Landes, Editor-in-Chief
September 19, 2018
Supporting the cause, community members of all ages gather to support teachers on Sept. 6 outside Liberty Memorial Middle School. Parents, teachers and students from across the district stood together on what was supposed to be Liberty’s open house night, a night teachers aren’t specifically paid to attend. “It’s a hard place to be when you’re a teacher, because they care so much about our kids, their jobs and their professions and doing what’s right,” said Jenny Skillman, the leader of the initiative.

[Photo] Teachers say lack of info hurts safety

By Nikki Aqui, Managing Editor
September 20, 2018
Members of the community gathered in support of teachers outside Liberty Memorial Central Middle School on Sept. 6.

Community rallies behind teachers during Central’s open house night

By Nadia Sanburn and Emily Kruse
September 8, 2018
Carter Lynch takes a dive for Mud Volleyball at the 2018 tournament.

[Photo] Mud Volleyball tradition continues

By Hailey Alt, Writer
May 22, 2018
JOYFUL — Rachel Dirks enjoys conducting the orchestras at the February concert. She will begin her new position as director of orchestras at Kansas State University this fall.

[Photo] Conductor Says Goodbye

By Izzy Hedges, Online Editor
May 16, 2018
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[Photo] LHS Latin students compete at Kansas State Latin Convention

By William Yanek, Online Co-Editor
April 30, 2018
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