Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence Free State High School | |
---|---|
Song | We Hail Thee Lawrence Free State [1] |
Fight song | Fight On, Firebirds! [2] |
Athletics | KSHSAA Class 6A |
Athletics conference | Sunflower League |
Mascot | Firebird[2] |
Rival | Lawrence High School |
Newspaper | The Free Press |
Yearbook | The Talon |
Communities served | Lawrence |
Website | School Website |
Lawrence Free State High School (FSHS or LFS) is a
Lawrence Free State is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Firebirds". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. Free State's fine arts department received the 2019-2020 KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence award.
History
Lawrence Free State was established in 1997[2] in response to overcrowding at Lawrence High School, the only public high school in Lawrence at the time. Almost one-third of students at Lawrence High transferred over to Free State at the start of the 1997 school year.
Academics
The College Board recognized Free State High with the 2007-08 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement Participation and Performance. One high school in each state receives this honor and a $1,000 grant for math and science education.[2]
Extracurricular activities
The Firebirds compete in the Sunflower League and are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Throughout its history, Lawrence Free State has won fifteen state championships in various sports. Additionally, a small number of graduates have gone on to participate at the collegiate and professional levels.
Athletic programs
From the school's inception in 1997 until 2008, football games were played at
Non-athletic programs
Free State has a strong music program that is recognized as a top program throughout the state of Kansas. The Free State
State championships
State Championships[7] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Season | Sport | Number of Championships | Year |
Fall | Gymnastics, Girls | 5 | 2009 (co-champions), 2011, 2013, 2014, 2020 |
Cross Country, Girls | 2 | 2013, 2016 | |
Cross Country, Boys | 1 | 2020 | |
Winter | Swimming and Diving, Boys | 1 | 2004 |
Debate | 2 | 2007 (four-speaker), 2019 (two-speaker) | |
Scholar's Bowl |
1 | 2017 | |
Spring | Speech |
4 | 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
Baseball | 2 | 2006, 2015 | |
Softball | 2 | 2018, 2019 | |
Track and Field, Girls |
2 | 2013, 2014 | |
Swimming and Diving, Girls | 3 | 2009, 2015, 2023 | |
Total | 24 |
Notable alumni
- Christian Ballard, former defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings[8]
- Cody Kukuk, former baseball player drafted by the Boston Red Sox[9]
See also
References
- USGS; November 3, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lawrence Free State High School - About Us Archived 2009-12-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ High School CEEB Code Search
- ^ a b c "Lawrence Free State High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Benton (August 31, 2007). "Haskell Stadium a house of history". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
- ^ Clark, Makenzie (April 25, 2022). "NATIONAL CHAMPS! Free State debate duo wins big tournament". LawrenceKSTimes.com.
- ^ "State Records & State Champions". Archived from the original (English) on 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
- NFL.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Free State Firebirds Cody Kukuk, Colin Toalson sign with KU baseball". LJWorld.com. Retrieved December 18, 2014.