Articles celebrating academic excellence in Lawrence and Douglas County, KS.
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Lawrence academic researcher selected for prestigious national honor
Jennifer Lawlor, a Lawrence-based academic researcher, has been selected to a prestigious program that recognizes 10 young leaders across the country every year.
Contributed photo
Lawrence High School science teacher selected for international education exchange program
Lisa Ball, a science teacher at Lawrence High School, has been awarded the opportunity to participate in an international education exchange program, teaching and learning abroad.
Lawrence Lions Alumni Association announces 2022 Hall of Honor recipients
The Lawrence Lions Alumni Association has announced a recently retired teacher, a news reporter and an attorney who served President Obama as the three newest Hall of Honor inductees.
Monique Spencer via CASA/Contributed Photo
Lawrence kids take action to support their peers in foster care
Some Lawrence kids have come up with ideas and taken action this summer to raise funds and create art kits in support of their peers who are in the foster system.
Eudora teen with a passion for patient care earns $5,000 college scholarship
Eudora High School graduate Ling Clobes knows the scary feelings that can accompany a child’s hospital stay. Born with a cleft lip and palate, the teen has undergone a dozen procedures, including double jaw surgery.
Lawrence High student wins $10K scholarship to support her dream of becoming a restaurateur
Victoria Bell remembers peanut butter cookies and cornbread as the first recipes she ever made by herself. Now, as a rising high school senior, she can see her dream career of one day owning a restaurant or bakery in close reach.
Young activists across Kansas lead efforts against abortion bans, voter suppression
With just more than five weeks until the Aug. 2 election, these four student-activists and leaders have been mobilizing across the state. Meet Rija Nazir, Chloe Chaffin, Donnavan Dillon and Adriana Cazares.
Contributed Photo
Free State student invited to National Youth Wind Ensemble, prestigious youth band experience
Trumpeter Keith Popiel said he doesn’t usually get jitters before performing, but when he found himself sitting on a historic stage in the nation’s capital among some of the best youth musicians in the country, he realized his musical career had come to a pinnacle moment.
Kansas high school students embrace importance of journalism and voting
Hayden Houts, a 17-year-old from Lawrence who practiced multimedia this week and plans on a career in broadcast journalism, said being able to vote and making a difference would be an “awesome achievement in (his) life.”
Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence Virtual School principals honored with district recognitions
Jared Comfort and Susan Cooper have been honored as elementary and secondary principals of the year in the Lawrence school district.
Molly Adams / The Lawrence Times
Students persevere to overcome obstacles and graduate from Lawrence’s adult education program
A gymnasium filled with friends, families and supporters on Thursday evening celebrated the accomplishments of local students who overcame adversity to graduate this year from the Lawrence school district’s Adult Learning Center and Diploma Completion Program.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
Lawrence High’s 148th class graduates to life’s ‘next chapter’
The sun set Friday evening on the high school careers of 375 Lawrence High Chesty Lions as family members, friends and faculty filled the outdoor stadium to celebrate the class of 2022’s accomplishments.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
Free State High School celebrates resiliency of 2022 graduates
A light breeze Thursday evening blew the tassels of Free State High School’s graduating seniors as some supporters donned winter coats – an unusual site for a late-May ceremony. With temperatures hovering in the high 50s, family, friends and faculty filled the football stadium to honor Free State’s 25th graduating class.
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Free State’s Sam Rabiola wins $10,000 excellence in teaching prize from Lawrence Schools Foundation
Sam Rabiola, English teacher at Free State High School, has won the 2022 Special Award for Excellence in Teaching, also known as the Bobs award.
Molly Adams / The Lawrence Times
Students celebrate graduating from Lawrence Virtual School, ‘where everyone can find a home’
Dozens of Lawrence Virtual School graduates crossed the stage to collect their diplomas Saturday, and dozens of others not present in person were celebrated along with them.




