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The Student News Site of Liberty High School

The Live Wire
The Student News Site of Liberty High School

The Live Wire
Kaelyn Rickels

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief

Kaelyn is a senior at Liberty, and this is her third year on the Live Wire staff. At Liberty, she participates in NHS, garden club, SEA club, and softball. She is an avid bird enthusiast, Roblox player, and wearer of cool shoes.

All content by Kaelyn Rickels
I rate “A Minecraft Movie” three out of five stars.

Kaelyn’s cut: “A Minecraft Movie”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
April 10, 2025
I give “The Only Good Indians” four and a half out of five stars.

Kaelyn’s cut: “The Only Good Indians”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
April 1, 2025
I give “A Little Life” five out of five stars.

Kaelyn’s cut: “A Little Life”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
March 14, 2025
I give "I Who Have Never Known Men" five out of five stars.

Kaelyn’s cut: “I Who Have Never Known Men”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 21, 2025
Title IX gives girls the opportunity to participate in athletics at their school. Programs including the Liberty Softball Team exist due to this legislation.

[Photo] The impact and future of Title IX

Amelia Marquardt, Reporter
February 20, 2025
I rated this film five out of five stars and gave it a like on Letterboxd.

Kaelyn’s cut: “I Saw the TV Glow”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 14, 2025
I give this book four and a half out of five stars.

Kaelyn’s cut: “Tender is the Flesh”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 6, 2025
I rated this film 4.5/5 stars and gave it a like on Letterboxd.

Kaelyn’s cut: “A Complete Unknown”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
January 14, 2025
Three new AP courses will be added for next school year: AP Seminar, AP English Language and AP Physics C.

[Photo] Liberty expands AP course offerings for the 2025-26 school year

Avery Riehl, Managing Editor
February 4, 2025
College-bound students looking to receive government aid must fill out a FAFSA application for each year of college.

[Photo] How-to: financial aid for high schoolers

Amelia Marquardt, Reporter
January 31, 2025
Liberty High School’s baton girls preparing to take the field at a Liberty football game.

[Photo] Liberty’s baton girls: conquering the field

Ashley Sabin, Reporter
December 12, 2024
The 2023-24 winter was exceptionally warm, with the exception of a cold period in mid-Jan.

2024 weather recap, what to expect

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
December 4, 2024
Former President Donald Trump will begin his second term in Jan. 2025.

2024 Election: what happens now?

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
November 11, 2024
Approximately 95% of animals used in scientific research are rodents, according to Stanford Medicine.

Animal testing: is it ethical?

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
October 29, 2024
In order to cheer on the Bolts, students need to fuel their bodies during sporting events.

[Photo] Liberty High School concessions

Emerson Townsend, Reporter
October 18, 2024
The North Liberty Food Pantry is currently constructing a new building, which will help serve the growing population of those in need.

[Photo] Food insecurity in Johnson County

Amelia Marquardt, Reporter
October 17, 2024
Cooper Estenson looks forward to playing football at Liberty when he is in high school.

Liberty Football Kid Captain Night

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
September 27, 2024
Zeus at a Liberty High School pep rally on the first day of school.

[Photo] Liberty’s new mascot

Allie Motley, Reporter
September 25, 2024
According to VOA News, 97% of kids use their phones during school hours.

[Photo] Phone banning: Liberty’s alternative

Emerson Townsend, Reporter
September 20, 2024
The summer of 2024 saw the release of many notable films.

Exploring a summer of movies

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
September 5, 2024
New AI policies are planned to be implemented in the ICCSD by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

[Photo] New educational policies emphasize the difficulty of regulating AI

Avery Riehl, Managing Editor
September 4, 2024
Critics and music enjoyers alike believe that the conflict between Kendrick Lamar and Drake will go down in rap history.

Drake and Kendrick feud: a timeline

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
May 10, 2024
This time of year, many students are overwhelmed by their classwork and tests.

Testing season survival guide

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
April 24, 2024
Students chromebooks show the amount of time left in their pass.

Thoughts on SmartPass – one week in

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
March 22, 2024
Bly celebrates her first career win at the Liberty Girl’s Invitational, hosted at Liberty on Dec. 18, 2023.

Jesse Bly: defying limits

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 29, 2024
The Liberty Speech team has a record-high number of students participating, with many students trying speech for the first time.

Liberty Speech: a record-setting season

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 2, 2024
Liberty students walk out of fifth period classes in protest of school shootings.

Liberty students organize walkout protesting gun violence

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
January 11, 2024
Iowa is one of nine states that will be holding a caucus, as opposed to a primary election.

Iowa Caucus 2024: everything you need to know

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
December 21, 2023
The Groovy and Bright Winter Family event is taking place on December 3, from noon to four.

Difference Makers Groovy and Bright Winter Event

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
November 29, 2023
Giving gifts is an important tradition during the holiday season.

[Photo] Festive finds: the ultimate holiday gift guide for every wishlist

Madelyn Johnson, Editor-In-Chief, Social Media Chair
November 27, 2023
From a young age, girls are taught that they have to stand out from other women to gain approval.

I’m not like other girls

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
October 26, 2023
For this experiment, I drank 175 ounces of coffee (about 1.4 gallons) and I spent 47 dollars and 82 cents in total.

The coffee comparison

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
October 11, 2023
Seven states have passed laws limiting gender identity in public schools. Florida passed one of the more prominent bills, titled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

[Photo] Exploring the controversy: The push to limit pronoun usage and gender expression

Madelyn Johnson, Editor-In-Chief, Social Media Chair
September 18, 2023
Liberty students and staff are taking many precautionary measures to avoid getting sick.

COVID-19 outbreak hits Liberty

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
September 15, 2023
Many former "Dance Moms" stars have come forward to expose the dark secrets behind the show.

“Dance Moms”: Uncovered

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
May 26, 2023
On social media apps such as TikTok items and brands can quickly gain popularity and become trendy.

Consumerism and Social Media

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
May 11, 2023
Lake Macbride has activities for all ages, year-round, including hiking and boating.

10 Must-Visit Places to Get You Outdoors

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
May 3, 2023
Liberty’s SEA Club is celebrating the Earth with crafts, education, music, and food.

SEA Club’s Earth Day Celebration

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
April 19, 2023
Across the country, school materials are being censored by legislators.

The Impact of Book Banning

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
April 14, 2023
Social media is filled with bad news and negative information. Luckily, there are ways to break the cycle of scrolling.

Stop the Scroll

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
March 31, 2023
Starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ takes place in a post-apocalyptic society, after humanity has fallen to a pandemic.

“The Last of Us”: Review

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
March 7, 2023
Sunday, February 26, from 12-4, LHS Difference Makers are hosting the 'Dance For A Difference.'

[Photo] Dance for a Difference

Jenna Noel, Foundation’s Reporter
February 23, 2023
Tigerhawk, a male Peregrine Falcon, eats a meal in his enclosure.

The Iowa Raptor Project

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
February 8, 2023
In 1978, the pride flag was popularized as a symbol for LGBTQ+ members. It continues to represent the community today.

[Photo] Iowa School Voucher Bill Passed

Piper Kearney, Copy Editor
January 25, 2023
Period products are availibe in the health office for anyone who needs them.

[Photo] Project Period

Madelyn Johnson and Megan Quinn
January 27, 2023
Iowa's LGBTQ+ community is threatened by proposed House Files 8 and 9.

Proposed Legislation Will Put Iowa LGBTQ+ Youth At Risk

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
January 20, 2023
Kensi Steele, 11, raises her arm after winning her match against Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

Liberty’s New Girls’ Wrestling Team

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
December 7, 2022
The stance of serial killers in society has been changed throughout the years with the influx of shows and movies that picture them.

The Ethics of True Crime Media

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
November 17, 2022
Mariah Rollins, 11, sets up the ball for her teammate to hit.

2022 5A State Champions

Kaelyn Rickels and Jordyn Smith
November 9, 2022
"Taylor Swift" https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Taylor_Swift_%286966830273%29.jpg (CC BY 4.0)

Taylor Swift’s New Album: “Midnights”

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
October 24, 2022
Schyler Sterk's freshman English 9 class playing a game of Kahoot.

Overflowing Classes and Overworked Teachers

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
October 11, 2022
Men's Mental Health

[Photo] Men’s Mental Health

Jordyn Smith, Reporter
September 23, 2022
An infographic showing weird laws from different continents.

[Photo] Worldwide Weird Laws

Addison Pirkl, Website Manager
September 15, 2022
Makayla Beachy, 9, and Harper Johnson, 9, in science class during the first week of school.

Freshman First Impressions

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
September 6, 2022
Our generation is key when it comes to reversing climate change. This list has 10 simple solutions for you to do your part. (Creative Commons image)

10 Things You Can Do To Save the World

Kaelyn Rickels, Editor-In-Chief
March 11, 2022
Former Liberty student and member of the girls basketball team, Keiko Ono-Fullard, getting ready to play.

Gender Inequality in Sports

Kaelyn Rickels, Madelyn Johnson, and Tatum Stille
November 24, 2021
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