Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
A new statewide policy bars transgender girls from girls’ sports, but the Lawrence school district is still evaluating what compliance will look like and voicing support for trans and gender-nonconforming students and employees.
Free State High School senior Matthew Marcum has earned a national championship title, becoming the first Lawrence wrestler to do so, according to his coach.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Supporters of the Lawrence school district’s gymnastics team showed up at the Sports Pavilion on Sunday to honor their high school seniors and take stock of the program they fought to save.
Rhonda LeValdo / Contributed Photo
The 16th-seeded Haskell Indian Nations University women’s basketball team will face No. 1 seed Thomas More University in Kentucky at noon Friday in the NAIA Championship opening round.
The Lawrence school district has moved to cut high school gymnastics, but the coach, parents and athletes say they’ll fight to keep the program and its “unmatchable” team spirit around.
The Lawrence school board will consider approving a permaculture garden for Free State High School, sports for 7th graders and more at its meeting Monday.
Contributed
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.
As Lawrence school district leaders struggle to deal with current budget problems, challenges related to a nearly two-decades-old shortfall persist. Citing inequities, parents and coaches are voicing frustrations about limited athletic options for 7th grade girls this fall.
Mac Moore / The Lawrence Times
Eleven candidates for Lawrence school board found consensus on the importance of better pay for frontline staff, namely teachers and paraeducators, during the Douglas County Democrats forum Saturday morning. However, the candidates gave a variety of ideas for how to get there.
