Articles celebrating academic excellence in Lawrence and Douglas County, KS.
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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.
University of Kansas/Contributed Images
All 5 nominated KU juniors win Goldwater scholarships, a university record
Five KU juniors have been awarded a prestigious scholarship that recognizes their academic excellence and involvement in undergraduate research.
Sarah Hoadley/Contributed Photo
Lawrence student wins state spelling bee; will head to national bee in June
An eighth grade student at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School took home the title of state spelling bee champion over the weekend, and he’ll compete at the national bee this summer.
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Free State junior awarded 2022 Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Soledad Edison, 17, has been inspiring conversations of equity in the classroom since middle school. Now a junior at Free State, he has a passion for connecting with diverse people and finding solutions to issues facing marginalized students.
Contributed images; background photos via Unsplash
Douglas County educators advance to Kansas Teacher of the Year honors
Educators across the state, including four from Douglas County, will vie this weekend to advance to the final round in the Kansas Teacher of the Year awards.
Andrea Albright / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence student robotics club brings STEAM heat to regional competition
Team STEAM, the Lawrence area schools robotics club, qualified seventh out of 28 teams and then was eliminated in the quarterfinals Saturday at the Heartland Regional competition, but they still brought home awards.
Kelly Thompson / Contributed Photo
Photo: Free State debate duo win school’s first Round Robin tournament
The Free State High School debate team of John Marshall and Serena Rupp, both seniors, have added another first to the school’s résumé with their latest tournament win.
University of Kansas/Contributed Images
KU juniors nominated for Goldwater scholarships recognizing academic excellence, STEM research
Five KU juniors are up for the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship — the “premier undergraduate award to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.”
Contributed and file photos
Lawrence High School journalism adviser named Kansas Master Teacher
Barb Tholen — “life-changing” journalism adviser and graphic design teacher, whose classroom students call “a magical place” at Lawrence High School — has been named a Kansas Master Teacher.
Courtesy of Kenna McNally/The Budget
Lawrence High newspaper editor credits staff after being named state journalist of the year
High school senior Cuyler Dunn might appear to be just starting out on a career in journalism, but those who know him best were not surprised this week when the Kansas Scholastic Press Association named him the state’s Student Journalist of the Year.
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Lawrence school district alum returns, hopes to spark BIPOC students’ interest in education
In addition to an enthusiastic passion for history, first-year teacher Tori Mitchell offers Black students something she didn’t have as a student in Lawrence schools — a teacher who looks like them.
David McDermott/Contributed Photo
Lawrence high school students outperform competitors in forensics, debate
After a weekend of success, it’s hard to argue that Lawrence’s high school debate and forensics teams aren’t among the best, both regionally and nationwide.
Julie Boyle / Contributed Photos
Sunset Hill’s Amanda Atkins wins counselor of the year award for serving as ‘child’s rock’
Sunset Hill Elementary’s Amanda Atkins has landed 2022 Kansas Counselor of the Year honors. “She is my child’s rock, and she needs to be recognized for it,” a parent said in nominating her.
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Lawrence’s high school debate teams compete at State, reflect on season
Lawrence high school debate teams recently competed at the State tournament, completing the season and another year of remote competitions.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence youth, mentors and advocates honored with awards at One Dream MLK event
A night of cultural performances and honors for equity advocates, students and educators capped off a week of Lawrence school district tributes to Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday.
