As Free State High School is turning 30 years old, the Firebirds are celebrating their inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The hall of fame was the brainchild of a teacher-led committee focused on school spirit, Firebird Nation. Principal Amy McAnarney said in March that since the school opened in 1997, the teachers thought it would be a great way to ring in 30 years.
Eligible nominees include student alumni who graduated 10 or more years ago, as well as administrators, faculty, staff and coaches/sponsors/directors of activities who have worked at the school for at least 10 years. Staff could include folks in food service or paraprofessionals, as an example, McAnarney said.
Here are the first five inductees into the Hall of Fame and why they were selected, with information from the Lawrence school district:
Cheryl Nelsen “was a founding member of the Free State faculty, establishing and leading the school’s journalism program when the school opened in 1997. Under her guidance, The Talon yearbook and The Free Press newspaper earned numerous awards. Nelsen was inducted into the Kansas Scholastic Press Association Hall of Fame and received the Jackie Engel Award for outstanding high school journalism advising. Her greatest impact, however, can be seen in the generations of students she mentored and inspired to approach journalism — and life — with integrity, compassion, and responsibility.”
Dr. Lasé Ajayi, Class of 2000, “was a deeply involved student at Free State, participating in basketball, cross country, track, and theater, managing the volleyball team, and graduating as valedictorian. She went on to become a distinguished physician specializing in pediatric palliative care and has built a career centered on leadership, research, advocacy, and compassionate patient care. She currently serves as Chair-elect of the Board of the American Medical Association and previously made history as the first Black woman to serve as President of the San Diego County Medical Society.”
Steve Grant, “Free State’s first athletic director, played a foundational role in establishing the school’s identity and traditions before its doors even opened. He helped shape Free State’s mascot, colors, and athletic traditions while fostering a welcoming culture of community and pride. Through his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator, Grant was a trusted and approachable presence, who left a lasting impact on generations of Firebirds.”
Chief Kyle Schreiner, Class of 2007, “distinguished himself as a student-athlete at Free State before continuing his basketball career at Ottawa University. He later joined the U.S. Navy and became a Navy SEAL, building a career defined by perseverance, leadership, and service. Through multiple deployments and leadership assignments, Schreiner has served with distinction and earned promotion to Chief Special Warfare Operator. His career exemplifies Free State’s values of excellence, leadership, and service to others.”
Dr. Craig Rosenstengle, Class of 2008, “graduated from Free State as valedictorian while participating in football and basketball. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Kansas and complete advanced training in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology. Today, he serves as a transplant hepatologist at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, where he cares for patients facing life-threatening illnesses. His career reflects a commitment to compassion, service, and improving the lives of others.”
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee was composed of the principal, current and retired staff, and a community member, according to McAnarney.
Lawrence High School’s Lawrence Lions Alumni Association launched its Hall of Honor in 1994 and selects new inductees annually. See our coverage of previous inductees at this link, and find more on the association’s website at this link.
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