Free Press | Senior Issue | May 13, 2026

Opening the fairytale book, a child, who is supposed to represent a class of 2026 graduate during their Pre-K years, is amazed by its content. Throughout this senior issue, which is also our final project for seniors of the journalism program, we decided to illustrate the different books we read as children. As we set the stage for graduation on May. 19, we hope that this last effort put by our staff will help you understand how life full circles. Photo by Miles Beaty and Illustration by Baila Love

Seniors

SENIORS and their GROOVY QUOTES

Final thoughts of the 2025-2026 graduating class

“DON'T LET NIGHTMARES STOP YOU FROM CHASING YOUR DREAMS."

“ADD

MY FARM ON HAYDAY #PCGVJVP9L."

- Lauren Hannah

- Gage Fahrenkamp

“EVERYDAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GREAT DAY, REMEMBER THAT. - PITBULL."

- Fiorella Leistner

"I MISS THE OLD FRIV."

- Dexter Dillingham

"IT'S FINALLY TIME TO CROSS THE T'S AND DOT THE I'S AND BEGIN WRITING THE NEW CHAPTER OF MY LIFE."

- Breahna Randall

"TIME FLIES."

- Brian Lin

“VOTE FOR ALEX KYLE KERR BECAUSE HE WILL TAKE KERR OF YOU."

- Alex Kerr

"THE GLEE VERSION WAS BETTER."

- Rory Scarlett

“YOUR FUTURE IS CREATED BY WHAT YOU DO TODAY."

- Jakobe Jackson

"DON'T

BE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS. MEET NEW PEOPLE, EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS. HIGH SCHOOL IS WHEN YOU DO IT, AND THAT TIME FLIES BY. MAKE THE MOST OF IT."

- Dylan Chong Fleischer

A STUDENT IF YOU GIVE A SPORT...

Some of the student-athletes who have committed to a college for their sport

Collected by Rakshan

Ossen

...THEY'LL PLAY IN COLLEGE

DREAM ON ON

Seniors share their desired career throughout school

Mars Pierson

Elementary School: Teacher

Middle School: Doctor

Now: Marine Biologist

Mosconi

Mallina Dreyfus

Elementary School: Veterinarian

Middle School: Graphic Designer

Now: Animal Physical Therapist

Neel Sabarwal

Elementary School: Pizza Customer

Middle School: CEO

Now: Entrepreneur

FRIENDSHIPS

Collected by Claire Heinritz

Seniors and their uniquely long childhood friendships

FROM THE START

Bailey and Allie

Lily and Breahna

Since the start of kindergarten, senior Breahna Randall and senior Lily Fike have been best friends, seeing each other through every stage of life. Randall said they have always been close and understand each other very well.

“She's always been in my life, so it's already a comfort and a constant in my life. I can't really imagine life without her,” Randall said.

On their first day of pre-school, seniors Bailey Bradford and Allie Shimanek started their 14-year friendship. Although they met in Lawrence and reside here now, they spent seven years as long-distance friends with Shimanek in Florida.

“Every time [Allie] would come to visit, we picked up right back where we left off. It was really natural …,” Bradford said. “We're definitely such different people now, but it's that we've always had that like connection throughout.”

Jacie and Kara

Senior Kara Alexander and senior Jacie Butler were born into friendship due to their mom’s friendship. Through their families and their time in competitive dance, they continued their friendship through every stage of life.

“We know so much about each other, and how we grew up, and our parents have been friends, so we have so many stories,” Butler said.

Photos by Julia Velasco & Nate Willems

INDIANA

DePauw University: Cami Lee

Class of 2026 graduation map

*Infographic does not include every senior. Information collected by FSJ staff.

MISSOURI

ALASKA

University of Alaska Southeast: Maddie Domenella

ARIZONA

University of Arizona: Drew Harrison

Northern Arizona University: Morgan Sponholtz

ARKANSAS

University of Arkansas: Jake Rea Lauren Hannah Libby Easter

CALIFORNIA

University of California, Berkeley: Maria Mosconi Nathan Friedman Neel Sabarwal

GEORGIA

Agnes Scott College: Rivka Paulson

ILLINOIS

Lake Forest College: Bennett Nagel

IOWA

Northwest Missouri State University: Claire Heinritz Draven Samuel University of Missouri-Kansas City: Cleo Dierks

Missouri Western State University: Cara Jeffries

Southeastern Community College: Del Earl University of Iowa: Crosby King Ryan Toomay

Washington University in St.Louis:

Mission University: Eli Berns University of Missouri: Brian Lin Kyle Sikes

MASSACHUSETTS

Mount Holyoke College: Evie Chancy

Berklee College of Music: Owen Börk

The Free Press

KANSAS

University of Kansas:

Aaria Rashid

Abby Cothern

Aleia Kemp

Aleisha Lohfeld

Alex Johnson

Anders Benson

Annah Steele

Annika Lintecum

Anton Funke

Arianna Waller

Autumn Southerland

Ava Talbott

Avery Smiley

Aydin Haque

Bailey Bradford

Ben Tiemann

Brady Johnson

Breahna Randall

Breyer Ross

Brody Migchelbrink

Bryer Hierl

Caleb Huggins

Carter Denton

Cash Nelson

Chloe Perkins

Claire Hull

Colby Stutler

Connor Plantz

Cooper McMillan

Corinne Kingsley

Dexter Dillingham

Ebi Hegeman

Eden Weber

Edison Gwartney

Ella Roberts

Ellie Beightel

Emily Ahern

Emi Stone

Evyn Runck

Ewa Adedipe

Felix McGowan

Felix Mueller

Fiorella Leistner

Gabrielle Coozennoy

Gage Fahrenkamp

Harper Graham

Hope Wellinghoff

Hudson McCullough

Ian Holsclaw

Isabella Bobey

Izzy Havens

Jacie Butler

Jaehee Kim

Javi Grosko

Jonas Lonard

Jonathan Calovich

Jules Clasen

Julius Matthews

OKLAHOMA

Oral Roberts

University: Ben Graves

OREGON

Reed College: Will Pence

PENNSYLVANIA

Bryn Mawr College: Dylan Chong Fleischer

Carnegie Mellon University: Jacob Wang

TEXAS

St. Edward's University: Riley Prier

June McKeel

Kara Alexander

Katherine Stancil

Katie Campbell

Kayla Lock

Kayson Hett

Kennedy Flachsbarth

Kennedy McDonnell

Kianna Ayala

Landry Koester

Laura Turner

Lauren Rosen

Lena Hasiuk

Liam Smith

Lillian Hethcoat

Logan Kimball

Lucas Smith

Madeleine Landry

Mady Whitney

Maeva Vigil

Mallory Oliver

Mars Pierson

Megan Green

Meredith Shryock

Miles Beaty

Mimi Wood

Mira Edie

Morgan Clark

Nicky Johnson

Olive Minor

Oliver Frederick

Owen Gerrish

Piper Bonner

Piper Northrop

Pryce Brinkerhoff

Rakshan Ossen

Regan Bryant

Rian Gonzalez

Sammi Smith

Sara Kumar

Sophia Christie

Sophia Halton

Sophie Willett

Sorcha Keating

Stevie Dean Jackson

Taya Chesher

Taylor Andrews

Taylor Stucker

Kansas State

University:

Allie Shimanek

Brayden Desbien

Clara Houk

Isaac Mosier

Joy Malin

Lily Fike

Nathan Kramer

Nathan Mueller

Ruby Hall

Ty Douglas

NEBRASKA

University of Nebraska-Lincoln:

Annie Pilakowski

Hank Dunham

Micah Ward

Olivia Smith

Zane Shaw

University of Nebraska-Kearney:

Ethan Prescott

SOUTH CAROLINA

Clemson University: Braden Wilmes

STUDY ABROAD

UTAH

Brigham Young University: Taryn Jones

Addyson Tenbrink

Bella Lylo

Meera Lala

Johnson County Community College:

Ashley Tilton-Zwiener

Elinor Bisby

Harper York

Ivan Cullen

Jakobe Jackson

Josh Bryant

Kansey Keough

Keeten Parish

Kenzie McAlister

Laken Halverstadt

Lizbeth Mendez

Maddie Serene

Sydnee Mechaley

Ryan Fowler

Verity Magdaleno

Washburn

University:

Alex Kerr

Caitlyn Estelle

Ellah Lewis

Henry Thompson

Kouri Demelash

Lailah Lewis

Violet Nelson

Design by Katie Campbell

Baker

University:

Meredith Claassen-Wilson

Trenton Cozadd

Barton Community College:

Ashlyn Johnson

Darin Fehr

Nathan Young

Friends University:

Jace Thomas

Coffeyville Community College: Greysen Rawls

Ottawa University: Thomas Futrell

Tabor College:

Addison Fulscher

Claire Weipert

Karson Bowers

Pitt State University

Ethan Lahm

Creighton University:

Evan Landis

Jonah Frye

Central Community College:

Rory Scarlett

North East

Community College: Wittney Bogart

TENNESSEE

Middle Tennessee

State University: Baila Love

GAP YEAR

Annalise Rickey

Fletcher Mack

Gabriela Andrzejak

Galeno Wills

Sydney Brozik

NEW YORK

New York University: Odelia Colvin Pratt Institute: Teddy Hurst

WISCONSIN

University of WisconsinMadison:

Phoebe Morris

Samantha Dillon

Carthage College: Davis Boedeker

TRADE SCHOOL

Missouri Welding Institute:

Reed Schmidt

Washburn Institute of Technology:

Cooper Keefer

Nello Allegrucci

Lawrence University: Jasper Hansen -Terry Julia Velasco Concordia UniversityWisconsin: Eli Stone

Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School:

Brynn Pfannenstiel Even Proffitt

Katalina Cournoyer

CASH C

UNTD WN

How much did seniors spend on their senior year expenses? Collected by Meredith Shryock Shryock

Jacob Wang

College application fees: $1,500

Cooper May

Water warriors water gun: $40

Prom night: $600 Natalie Narum

Kyle Sikes College visits: $750

Mallory Oliver

Senior photos: $450

Chloe Perkins

Grad party: $800

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

What will senior's remember most about their final year?

SENIOR SUNRISE

The class of 2026 gathered for the first time on the football field in the early morning to watch the sun rise over the school.

SENIOR NIGHT

After a long season and four years of dedication to an activity, most sports host a night to honor the seniors on the team.

EVENTS OF 2025

Sept. 10, 2025 - Charlie Kirk assassination

Aug. 13, 2025 - First day of school

Collected by Ebi Hegeman

SENIOR PROM

To celebrate their final year, seniors could finally have their prom experience with the possibility of photos, dinner, dancing and more.

SENIOR PRANKS

As a goodbye to high school, seniors spend their final week pranking the school, starting with a campout on Schroeder’s lawn.

April 1, 2026Artemis II mission launches

2

6 - 02 MeredithShryock

Oct. 1, 2025 - 43-day government shut down begins Dec. 15, 2025 - 7 Brew opens Lawrence location

March 20, 2026 - Cell Phone Ban Bill signed

Jan. 27, 2026Students protest against ICE

SENIOR STATS

Collected by Ari Waller

How many classes do you have?

68% - 1 to 3 classes

32% - 4 to 7 classes

What's your favorite subject in school?

21% - English

17% - Math

10% - Science

52% - Electives

Favorite Free State sport to watch?

10% - Basketball

47% - Football

15% - Volleyball

27% - Soccer

Which hallways do you prefer?

49% - the 200s and 300s hallways

51% - the 400s and 500s hallways

What was your favorite grade to be in?

9% - Freshman

13% - Sophomore

18% - Junior

61% - Senior

What middle school did you go to?

44% - West Middle School

35% - Southwest Middle School

8% - Central Middle School

5% - Private School

9% - Other

BITTERSWEET

GRADUATION

Seniors discuss what it's like to get older

Between triumphs and tears, the end of senior year can be an emotional one.

To end it all off, this group walks the stage at graduation to get their diplomas.

As the date gets closer to the graduation ceremony, senior Kouri Demelash said he feels like his focus is less focused on school and more directed towards the dozens of events associated with being a senior, like banquets, final performances and many graduation parties.

“All these choir performances feel like they're going back to back to back, and I'm not having a chance to breathe,” Demelash said. “It just feels like it's just gonna end and I'm gonna be like, ‘Oh, how'd I get here?’”

With the option to take reduced schedules and very few graduation requirements left, senior Harper York said she is being allotted more freedoms than she’s ever had before. York said this has allowed her more time to prepare for her future, which makes leaving easier.

“You're not worrying about school’s pressures, but more thoughts on who you are and what you're wanting to do. Senior year really highlights who you are as a person, and you start thinking about that more,” York said.

English teacher Brittany Brintnall has been teaching for 17 years and has taught seniors every year. Having worked at Free State for four years, she said the class of 2026’s graduation will be special, because it is her first time getting to watch students she taught as freshmen grow to be seniors.

“There were a few kids that were walking down the hall the other day that I'd

Story by Evie Chancy

had as freshmen, and the way that they were walking, like they just finished a big exam. I just felt like ‘You guys are ready. You guys did it. You're adults now,’” Brintnall said.

Since graduation is the final school event for seniors, it’s also the final time the entire class will be in one place at once. Senior Olive Minor said she admires the growth she’s seen from her classmates.

“ ”

It's crazy how four years, even in the same place, can change people so much. It's definitely making me look back on the people and think I'm never gonna see these people again. I'm glad that I had my time with them and how they shaped me as a person, Minor said.

After graduation, it can be easy to feel sad about leaving peers. However, York said that she prefers to feel happy about the impact that she has made already.

“It’s more of a positive feeling, thinking about what people are going to do and how you've grown up with these people in the very important stages of your life,” York said. “I like to wonder what's going to happen with those people.”

When 78 seniors were asked what they would miss most about Free State, 66% answered: Friends. Scan here to look at moments of seniors and their friends this year.

BLOOMING FRIENDSHIPS

BLOOMING FRIENDSHIPS

Students and teachers reflect on their time together

Taryn Jones and Alyssa Barratt

What teacher has made the biggest impact on you at Free State?

“A lot of teachers, but Miss Barratt the most. I had her for two years of math. She was a great teacher who helped me learn how to take notes and be a good student,” Jones said.

What is a fond memory you have together with Barratt?

“She wouldn't ever give us answers to anything, but she would help us a lot, and I really enjoyed that. She would also always let us come after school to retake tests or get tutoring. And I really appreciate all those times,” Jones said.

If you could say one sentence to Barratt, what would it be?

“Love you, BearBear,” Jones said.

What is one fond memory you have of Jones?

“The best memory I have of Taryn is from ju nior year's math class. To break up the monoto ny of block day, her class would write a story by passing a paper around the room. Each student could only read the single, previous sentence before in order to craft their addition. After ev eryone had a chance to contribute, I would read the completed story aloud. I have a still image in my mind of Taryn's shock when she was includ ed in the story as a character,” Barratt said.

If you could give Jones one piece of advice, what would it be?

“It would be to say yes to every adventure and step outside your comfort zone; that's where you find your grit and your best stories will begin,” Barratt said.

Collected by Morgan Sponholtz

Mars Pierson and Wendy Haas

What is a fond memory you have together with Haas?

“I hear that nobody likes going outside and doing the tree thing freshman year, but I do think she made it enjoyable… she made you want to be engaged, or at least it also was something that interested me. For everybody, she added those extra elements to every assignment that made it not extra work but made everybody want to engage in what we were doing,” Pierson said.

If you could say one sentence to Haas, what would it be?

“This year and sophomore year have been the two years that I haven't taken biology, and I miss it so much. Mrs. Haas has definitely made me look at things in a new way, and I want to thank her for the exploration and the love of finding out new things that she's given me because she always makes you want to dive deeper,” Pierson said.

What is one fond memory you have of Pierson?

“I have so many fond memories of Mars, it's hard to pick one. I know that when I don't have Mars, I miss their confidence, curiosity and sense of hu mor. Mars is a student I could always count on to make me smile and would ask the best questions,” Pierson said.

If you could give Pierson one piece of advice, what would it be?

“Mars — don't ever forget that you have so much to offer those around you. Keep on the lookout for unexpected opportunities and people that make life special,” Haas said.

Photos by Nathan Friedman

ENTER THE SPLASH ZONE

Seniors compete to eliminate each other in annual water warriors game

Collected by Evie Chancy and Baila Love

WHO HAD WHO IN ROUND THREE OF WATER WARRIORS?

First Elimination

Baila Love shot by Jaehee Kim

Final Three

Jaden Clock

Mallory Oliver

Ebi Hegeman

Total Entries

Prize Pool

$640

128

AU REVOIR!

GOODBYE THAT'S FANCY FOR

Photos by Julia Velasco

Letters from a few of the 2025-2026

FSJ editors

Evie Chancy News Editor-in-Chief

ournalism has one unique perk I think you would struggle to find in most other places: meticulously kept records. Dozens of spreads and stories, hundreds of interviews and photos and probably millions of Webex messages — looking back through every paper I’ve worked on now feels like getting to watch myself grow up. That time in between now, editing the last page in my last issue and when I wrote my first tiny little feature story has been the most transformative experience of my life.

Between the graduated editors who still inform my writing, the other seniors that I’ve gotten to work alongside and the newer staff members who I always want to be my best for, journalism was four years surrounded by people I have found utterly inspiring. Still, after 11 issues as editor-in-chief, when I see The Free Press on print for the first time every issue, I'm in awe.

Baila Love Online Editor-in-Chief

’ve tried out a myriad of activities at Free State, but there is no other activity that gives students the opportunity to have their voices heard in the way that journalism does. The best part of being a leader in the J-Room hasn’t been taking charge of a publication to get important news out, but working with my classmates in order to produce a cohesive product.

After three years on this staff, what I’ve recognized as the highest priority for all of past, present and future Editors-in-Chief (including myself) is that everyone has a part to play in the creation of one big final product. The Free Press isn’t separate squares of effort from individuals on staff, it’s a quilt of 70+ different students’ opinions and ideas to create one of the best publications in Kansas. The people in room 203 are some of the most creative, smart and talented people, and I can’t wait to see what they create after I’ve graduated.

Katie Campbell Social Media Editor-in-Chief

On back-to-school night before my freshman year, I walked the halls of Free State, finding my classes so I wouldn’t be lost on the first day. I distinctly remember peeking into the journalism room, admiring the newspapers that were displayed on the shelf outside, and turning to my mom to say, “I can’t wait to be an editor!” Since joining staff the second semester of my freshman year, room 203 has become my home base within our school. Being a jerd has taught me skills such as leadership, collaboration and responsibility, but more importantly, it’s given me the opportunity to meet my best friends and be part of an incredible community. I will always be grateful for this experience, and I know the incoming editors and future staff members will continue to grow, thrive and create amazing work. I love you all!

Phoebe Morris News Managing Editor

would be an absolute fool to say that joining FSJ was not one the most clueless yet impactful experiences of my life. This program has shared so much knowledge, community and love with me that I will never forget. From late night story edits, surprise birthday parties, coffee runs, editor meetings and bistro alarms, I would not be the person I am today without room 203. I am endlessly grateful to have found a career pathway from this program and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. To my cool cat jerds, no matter what road blocks come on your path, keep on driving and give it your all.

Rakshan Ossen News Managing Editor

My journey as a journalist was certainly unexpected. When I first arrived to the States, everything felt unfamiliar, and I was desperate to find a place where I felt I belonged and be amongst a community where I could call family. That’s when I found room 203 and FSJ.

It became a space where I could grow, take risks and find my voice, to be a voice for the people that needed it the most. Every step I made as a journalist was one where I had to step out of my comfort zone, but it also brought me closer to the person I am today.

More than anything, room 203 gave me people who I will never forget. As I walk the stage during graduation, I will carry with me the gratitude for the memory and relationships for the short time I was with this program.

Arianna Waller Yearbook Mods Editor

The sheer impact of Free State Journalism has shifted my entire life in more ways than one. Before joining my freshman year, I was still incredibly unsure about what my future held for me. Journalism gave me a chance to not only advocate for myself, but advocate for others.

I did not yet know my career path, I was getting nervous as I knew that high school went by fast, so when my English teacher suggested me to the FSJ staff, I had a glimmer of hope. There are so many paths that you can take in high school, but I'm incredibly thankful I chose the right one for me. it’ll be something I cherish for years to come.