Articles celebrating academic excellence in Lawrence and Douglas County, KS.
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Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence garden projects help youth cultivate their futures, serve community
Amid the lush leaves and neatly arranged rows of plants and trees, the orchard and gardens at West Middle School grow a bounty of food. The smells of clematis and lavender float through the air, and wherever you turn, you’ll see colorful fresh fruit and vegetables. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll also find the project grows people.
Lawrence Public Schools / Contributed Photos
Douglas County boasts 12 National Merit Semifinalists
A dozen students of Douglas County high schools have earned the prestigious title of National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, according to a news release from the organization.
Contributed
Longtime occupational therapist earns grant for learning path at Quail Run Elementary
As Lawrence school district staff prepped indoors for the new school year, Occupational Therapist Karen Lassman painted a vibrant outdoor classroom on Quail Run Elementary’s east playground.
NAJA media release
The Indian Leader, Haskell’s student newspaper, selected for prestigious Free Press Award
Just a week after announcing a haul of 14 National Native Media awards from the Native American Journalists Association, the staff of the Indian Leader has announced that it has won another — this one for its “commitment to upholding freedom of the press, information and transparency in Indian Country.”
Contributed
Social worker, coach weaves life experiences into empowerment lessons for Lawrence youth
Audrey Trowbridge sits in her basement surrounded by glitter, wood, paint cans and her favorite crafting supply of all time — pipe cleaners. Her craft room serves as a retreat, and during remote learning, the Free State High School social worker took her video conference calls there.
Behind her, a painting of a glowing Black woman wearing a bejeweled crown draws attention. When asked if she painted it, Trowbridge says one of her sisters gifted the piece to her. Its placement is purposeful. She wants others to see it in the background, but she also hopes to glean inspiration from it when she glances at herself on screen. The powerful art serves as a self-affirmation and a reminder while advocating for herself and her students.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
Student journalists of Haskell’s Indian Leader earn 14 awards, including general excellence honor
The journalists on staff of the Indian Leader, the student news publication of Haskell Indian Nations University, earned an impressive haul of 14 National Native Media awards for their work over the past year.
Screenshot
Free State High School student wins Equal Justice Initiative essay contest
“A Black body is the most disposable body in America. America has proved this time and time again,” Free State High School student Ryan Brown read from her prize-winning essay Tuesday.
Contributed
Cordley teacher wins grant to teach first graders hands-on math with blocks
Sarah Rand’s first graders at Cordley Elementary School will get to learn math in a new blocks center with tactile learning tools, thanks to a grant the teacher won.
Contributed
Free State High School student earns superior rating from International Thespian Festival for short film
A Free State High School junior’s short film earned a superior rating Tuesday evening at the Virtual International Thespian Festival, her teacher said.
Kelly Thompson
Free State speech and debate students earn prestigious award as a top 10 school nationwide
A debate duo and a speech student competed as national finalists, and Free State High School earned the School of Outstanding Distinction Award, given only to the top 10 programs nationwide, their coach said Saturday.
Free State High School debate team takes 3rd place at nationals
The Free State High School debate team of Ethan Harris and Aiden Basore took third place in the National Speech and Debate Association’s national tournament Thursday night.
Contributed
Bishop Seabury students find passion in helping others, raise $3K for refugees
A group of sixth-graders at a Lawrence private school has collected money to help people fleeing war and violence across the world.
Carter Gaskins
Free State graduates celebrate triumph over pandemic adversity
The Lawrence Free State High School class of 2021 donned mortar boards and face masks under cloudy skies for their commencement Wednesday night.
Carter Gaskins
Lawrence High graduates persevere despite pandemic
Amid a backdrop of basketball lore and behind face masks, the students of Lawrence High School’s class of 2021 celebrated their commencement Tuesday evening in Allen Fieldhouse.
Lawrence High teacher redesigns art lessons with help of Free State alum, puppeteer
After a tense summer that included the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and protests against racial injustice, Lawrence High School art teacher Deena Amont approached the fall of 2020 with a determination: to reinvent her entire curriculum.
