Free State High School was honored Friday with a banner from the Special Olympics, recognizing the school for cultivating an inclusive space for students with and without intellectual disabilities.

Free State is one of three Kansas schools selected for the Class of 2025 National Banner Unified Champion Schools.

Free State “has earned National Banner Recognition for creating an inclusive environment where students with and without intellectual disabilities learn, play, and lead together, meeting 10 standards of excellence in Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership, and Whole-School Engagement,” according to information provided by Erin Campbell, Free State special education teacher.

The recognition came between the girls and boys basketball games Friday evening. (See LawrenceSports.com for game coverage.)

The other two Kansas banner schools this year are Fredonia Junior Senior High School and Olathe East High School. Lawrence High School was recognized with the honor in 2020.

Campbell was recognized in 2021 with the district’s Dedication to Education Award, presented annually to a teacher or paraeducator who “goes the extra mile to help kids who need it most.”

“Erin is passionate about her job, the students and families she works with,” a peer wrote in nominating her for the award. “She has embraced working with students who have inconsistent behaviors, uneven growth and many battles to fight. She embraces the successes each of her students has and works to build on those successes.”

Nathan Kramer (he/him), a multimedia student journalist for The Lawrence Times since August 2024, is a senior at Free State High School. He is also a news photo editor for Free State’s student publication, where he works as a videographer, photographer and motion designer. See more of his work for the Times here.

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