Articles celebrating academic excellence in Lawrence and Douglas County, KS.
Have a story to share? Please let us know.
Latest
Free State students use shop skills to replace Little Free Library at Pinckney Elementary
A new Little Free Library will go up this week at Pinckney Elementary thanks to the contributions of Free State High School students and an out-of-state donor.
Lawrence students take state championships in Speech and Drama; Free State takes 3rd consecutive title
Students from Free State High School, Lawrence High School and Bishop Seabury Academy all have state champions to celebrate following a successful weekend.
Free State High School student’s photo wins Great Shot contest
Addie Driscoll, a senior at Free State High School, has won first place in a national photo contest for a joyful photo of her lemon beagle, Maizie Jo.
Sunflower first-graders design unique jewelry for auction to benefit injured, orphaned wildlife
First-graders in Jessica Brown’s class at Sunflower Elementary have named the muses that inspired the colorful jewelry they’ve crafted. Now it’s time for the public to place bids.
Students cross finish line with confidence in Lawrence school district’s adaptive triathlon
The time he spent pounding the track’s pavement during the adaptive triathlon Wednesday at Lawrence High was the funnest part for Richard Outcalt. That, and the Southwest Middle School eighth-grader envisioning himself attending LHS in the fall.
Contributed Photo
Fifth grade teacher set to leave Lawrence schools bolstered Indigenous studies curriculum
A fifth-grade teacher at New York Elementary, who has left her mark helping students and even her colleagues better understand Indigenous history, is leaving Lawrence Public Schools following a difficult school year occupied by uncertainty.
Free State High School students and lifelong theatre buddies nominated for Blue Star Awards
Two students at Free State High School have been nominated for prestigious Kansas City-area theatre awards.
@LFSHS4N6andDB8 on Twitter
NATIONAL CHAMPS! Free State debate duo wins big tournament
Free State High School seniors Serena Rupp and John Marshall won the final round of the Tournament of Champions late Monday on a 2-1 decision, becoming national champions.
Firebirds and Lions earn top awards, qualify for national competition during weekend speech and debate tournament
Twenty competitors from Free State and Lawrence high schools are heading to Kentucky in June for the National Speech and Debate Tournament.
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Olympic champion Billy Mills encourages youth at Lawrence school named in his honor
Two special lunch guests and a small entourage visited Billy Mills Middle School on Tuesday. Billy Mills himself, and his wife, Patricia, greeted students and educators at the Lawrence school named after the Olympic gold medalist.
Courtesy of Milo Bitters
Student-led group Hang12 curates shows with goal to elevate young Lawrence artists
Hang12, a student-led curatorial board run out of the Lawrence Arts Center, plans and runs art shows and art-centered community events with the goal of elevating young artists from the Lawrence area.
University of Kansas / Contributed Photo
KU junior majoring in behavioral neuroscience earns Newman Civic Fellow honor
Abeer Iqbal, a junior at KU, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow, “an award that recognizes student leaders who demonstrated an investment in their community through service, research and advocacy.”
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
West Middle Schoolers organize 5K, carnival to fund marquee
Members of West Middle School’s Student Council will launch a new tradition this spring while raising money for an outdoor sign.
Via Future City website
Southwest Middle School students earn several honors at Future City competition
The students of Southwest Middle School’s Future City team have earned top honors, including best essay in the nation.
Contributed Photo
Free State High School director of orchestras honored as educator of distinction
Judy Erpelding, director of orchestras at Free State High School, has been selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction.




