The student news site of Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas

WINGSPAN
The student news site of Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas

WINGSPAN
The student news site of Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas

WINGSPAN
Leaving Liberty at the end of her junior year, editor-in-chief Megan Lin is pursuing her career in music by attending the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief

Megan is a junior who joined Wingspan her freshman year. In her free time, she likes to eat and sleep (not at the same time) and cry at the amount of work she hasn’t done yet. She laughs a little too much at the stupidest things and besides that, she sometimes pretends to be a musician.

Contact Megan: megan.lin.833@k12.friscoisd.org 

All content by Megan Lin
As growing young adults with four periods a day filled with rigorous courses and stress, students and teachers reflect on their sleep schedules. “Sleep consistency is important because you are training your brain to know when it is time to get tired or wake up,” Tatum said. “That clear internal body clock helps you feel better throughout the day," math teacher Kristen Tatum said.

[Photo] Bring back nap time

Isabelle Engles, Guest Contributor
January 21, 2021
Guest contributor Kanika Kappalayil weighs in on the changing dynamics of media in America.

[Photo] Opinion: media maintains its value

Kanika Kappalayil, Guest Contributor
May 31, 2018
Leaving Liberty at the end of her junior year, editor-in-chief Megan Lin is pursuing her career in music by attending the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Leaving early

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 30, 2018
Campus Connections takes a look at some of the newest staff members on campus.

2017-18 academic awards announced

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 24, 2018
Carter BloodCare has teamed up with the school for Wednesday's Blood Drive in the main gym. To donate blood, a person must be 16 years or older with parent permission.

Drive to save lives

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 23, 2018
Public school teachers in Texas, such as English teacher Kacie Smith, would receive a one time pay raise of $5,000 if Senate Bill 3, proposed by Sen. Jane Nelson (R) is passed and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R).

Staff incentive pay up for vote Wednesday

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 16, 2018
AP testing room and seat assignments are hanging in the rotunda in front of the Counselor's Office.

Testing week reminders

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 7, 2018
Organizer and junior Aarti Poduval makes remarks while students listen.

Students join forces for national school walkout

Megan Lin, Kasey Harvey, and Brooke Colombo
April 20, 2018
Students gather in room C152 to attend a gun reform debate where senior Parker Butler and junior Chris Yu, hash it out.

Gun discussion draws dozens of students

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
April 18, 2018

TED-Ed club hosting gun control discussion Wednesday

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
April 17, 2018
foreignlanguages

[Photo] Spanish may reign, but French finds its place

April 11, 2018
Leading a presentation on bullying, freshman Sasha Cornelius is one of the dozens of students who have volunteered to lead Redhawk Rants this year.

School safety Redhawk Rant recap

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 28, 2018
A student scrolls through the Explore section of Snapchat. Texting and social media language has been said to effect how students talk and write in school.

[Photo] Opinion: Take a break from cyberspace

Isabella Escobar, Guest Contributor
March 27, 2018
When teachers like AP World History teacher Jeff Crowe are called in to fill in due to a shortage of substitute teachers, they will now get paid $21.50 more than what he is holding in his hand.

[Photo] When short on subs, school to pay teachers

Lucas Barr, Staff Reporter
March 20, 2018
With stacks of flyers detailing the student led walkout scheduled for April 20, senior Parker Butler, along with juniors Dena Assad and Amina Syeda discuss their plan for handing out the flyers and raising awareness for the event.

Plans for student led walkout underway

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 19, 2018
As the 2017-2018 school year ends and the senior class graduates, 8th graders from feeder schools are preparing to enter high school for the first time.

School safety in Frisco ISD: An interview with Superintendent Dr. Waldrip

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 20, 2018
(from left to right) Juniors Shobha Melukote, Merlyn George, Elana Breslav, and Ria Bhasin placed 5th at the area competition for Biomedical Debate.

4 advance to HOSA state competition

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 12, 2018
ISM applications are now available for rising juniors and seniors interested in shadowing a mentor in a field of their choice.

ISM applications now available

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 8, 2018
Junior Melody Tavallaee plays the coloring game Sandbox during her free time.

[Photo] Review: Sandbox takes art to a digital level

February 2, 2018
With the semester ending Jan. 12, contact counseling secretary Shannon Webre(webres@friscoisd.org) should you have any questions regarding logging into HAC.

Semester end and PreAP/AP drop

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
January 4, 2018
Over the course of two weeks, the school raised nearly $4,000 through a donation drive held primarily in 2B classes. The money is being donated to the Samaritan Inn and Small World.

Nearly $4,000 raised in holiday donation drive

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
December 15, 2017
Band and orchestra students admitted into the 2017 All-Region orchestras pose after performing in the concert.

Venue change doesn’t quiet All-Region orchestra

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
December 11, 2017
Students and staff were evacuated when a fire alarm sounded at approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday. Standing outside in temperatures in the low 40s, people did what they could to stay warm. The alarm sounded as a result of a water piper breaking in the auditorium.

Water pipe breaks in auditorium

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
December 7, 2017

Teaching students, learning from each other

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
December 1, 2017
The field at the northeast corner of Independence and Rolater is slated to be the future site of homes with grass rooftops after the Frisco City Council approved the developers plans Tuesday night.

Grass rooftop neighborhood next to school proposed

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 29, 2017

The right to report

Wade Glover, Megan Lin, and Divya Murali
November 17, 2017
The FEF scholarship deadline is Friday at 4:00 p.m. Seniors are encouraged to apply. There are over 800 scholarships seniors can get.

FEF scholarship window opens after break

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 16, 2017
Pre-AP Art I students experienced a project that combined artistic elements with principles of physics.

[Photo] Whistling through art

Brooke Colombo, Editor-in-chief
October 19, 2017
Few structures were left without damage as Hurricane Maria is estimated to have cost nearly $100 billion.

Caribbean hurricanes hit close to home for sophomore

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 4, 2017
The counselors will hold informational sessions for students in the lecture hall the first and third Wednesday of every month.

Counselor sessions during advisory

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 3, 2017
art

Show choir auditions results were released Tuesday afternoon.

Show choir audition results

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 19, 2017
Keeping up with tradition, seventeen students on campus were named National Merit Scholar Finalists, the most among all FISD high schools.

17 seniors named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Megan Lin and Avery Nolden
September 13, 2017
Senior Peyton Groves is leading a yoga activity in the competition gym sponsored by Pulse on Wednesday.

[Photo] Stomp out stress with Pulse

Aliza Porter, Staff Reporter
September 12, 2017
The counseling office will be sending an email to all underclassmen providing details on how to submit schedule changes for the 2021-2022 school year. The window to make changes opens Thursday and closes April 16.

Parents get opportunity to meet with counselors

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 6, 2017
dea

[Photo] Dea-Mallika Divi

August 21, 2017
melody

aliza

[Photo] Aliza Porter

August 21, 2017
A large percentage of the student body use the school buses as a means of transportation to and from school.

Changes mark the start of school year

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
August 21, 2017
Rehearsing at the end of the 2016-17 school year, the orchestra placed second in the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition with results announced during summer. The orchestra finished one point out of first place.

Orchestra takes second in TMEA competition

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
August 21, 2017
Last week's protests drew in crowds by the dozens, but Monday morning's demonstration was significantly smaller.

Abortion protests continue

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 22, 2017
With a line of cars waiting to turn into the school's main entrance, students protest in front of the school on the morning of Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Growing number of students protest against abortion abolitionists

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
May 19, 2017
Entrepreneurship students learned about how to start a business through working on an analysis report that will be presented to their classmates.

[Photo] Entrepreneurship dives into Shark Tank

May 15, 2017
DECA took part in the District Career Development Conference competition at Haltom High School in January and sent 73 of 90 competitors to state. From there 24 students advanced to this weekends international conference in Anaheim.

DECA visits California for international conference

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
April 26, 2017

Budget recommendations presented to Board of Trustees

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
April 11, 2017
State lawmakers in Austin are debating a bill that would ban texting while driving.

House Bill 62 would ban texting and driving

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 17, 2017
The Collin Scholarship Foundation is offering a scholarship to high school seniors who are taking the equivalent of six plus credit hours. The scholarships can make it easier for students to graduate with less debt.

School hosting Dual Credit Night Thursday

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 16, 2017
Orchestra students are taking two charter busses to Orlando, Florida.

Band and orchestra break early

Megan Lin and Olivia Kirklin
March 3, 2017
Keeping up with tradition, seventeen students on campus were named National Merit Scholar Finalists, the most among all FISD high schools.

National Merit Finalists announced

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 3, 2017
In both Austin and Washington, D.C. school vouchers are a hot topic. The debate regarding school vouchers has been tumultuous in the scene of public school funding for years now, overtaking several of the Texas Legislature’s previous sessions.

Texas lawmaker declares school vouchers dead in Lone Star state

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
March 1, 2017
By becoming a District of Innovation, Frisco ISD will have greater flexibility in certain areas such as when the school year starts. The 2017-18 school year will start on August 21.

Frisco ISD gains flexibility with innovation plan

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 27, 2017
Due to lack of advertising and drastically lower viewership during this year's Oscar Awards, many consider it to be a fail.

Opinion: Oscars showcase lack of diversity

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 23, 2017
Flute wasn't Sara Jeong's choice of instrument as her mom is the one that picked it, but after years of playing the flute, Jeong is considering a possible career with it.

[Photo] Sara Jeong

Dea-Mallika Divi, Staff Reporter
February 22, 2017
Staff reporter Hallie Winterbauer stresses the importance of buckling up when in a vehicle.

[Photo] Opinion: buckle up to save a life

Hallie Winterbauer, Staff Reporter
February 21, 2017
HOSA will be competing in the area competition Friday and Saturday in hopes of advancing to state.

HOSA competes in area

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 16, 2017
Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Lyon and school board president Anne McCausland sit on the dais during a Frisco ISD Board of Trustees meeting earlier this year. The public portion of Monday's meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Trustees meeting Monday night

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 13, 2017
Facing a multimillion dollar budget shortfall for 2017-18, the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees will meet in a special work session with members of the Priorities-Based Budget Stakeholder Committee to discuss recommendations on how to cut costs next year.

Budget talks for 2017-18 continue Thursday

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
February 9, 2017
Guest contributor Reem Khan shares her thoughts on New Year's resolutions.

[Photo] Opinion: New Year’s resolutions are effective for some

Reem Khan, Guest Contributor
January 17, 2017
In the preliminary progress grades for the state’s public schools issued by the Texas Education Agency, Frisco received relatively higher grades than some other schools in the state, with A’s in student achievement and progress, a B in closing performance gaps, and a C in postsecondary readiness. The new rating system goes into effect in August of 2018.

TEA releases preview of new grading system

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
January 12, 2017
PreAp and AP semester drop forms are now available in the counselors office and must be submitted by 12:40 p.m. on Thursday.

PreAp, AP drop requests now available

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
January 4, 2017
Searching for a video on YouTube, junior Fernando Garcia and the rest of the student body will be limited in the videos they can watch as a result of new YouTube restrictions instituted Wednesday.

District implements new YouTube policy

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
December 14, 2016
Some fine arts organizations receive plenty of attention, but that's not the case for choir writes opinion editor Emma Crampton.

[Photo] Say it Louder: choir deserves better than the silent treatment

Emma Crampton, Opinion Editor
December 8, 2016
With the winter season's arrival, students have a hard time adjusting, especially the athletes.

Arctic blast puts the freeze on Frisco

Megan Lin and Olivia Kirklin
December 8, 2016
Hosting the trophy above his head as the team celebrates, wrestling coach Jason Thurston guided the boys' to 2016 State Dual Championship by defeating wrestling team defeated Centennial 36-27. (Jan. 16, 2016)

Wrestling coach resigns for new job

Wade Glover and Megan Lin
December 5, 2016
Although there were posters made for White Ribbon Week, opinion editor Emma Crampton believes more awareness should have been raised.

[Photo] Say it Louder: White Ribbon Week

Emma Crampton, Opinion Editor
December 2, 2016
When it comes to certain stereotypes about Asians such as intelligence, editor-in-chief Megan Lin writes that it's not biology but culture.

Opinion: raised right, not born right

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 30, 2016
Senior Grace Leung (4-year All-State Orchestra member), juniors Meghan Le and Logan Hong and sophomore Megan Lin, were named to the TMEA All-State Orchestras that will be performing in May at the 2017 TMEA Clinic/Convention.

Four students named to All-State Orchestra

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 17, 2016
The 2016 presidential election is over and editor-in-chief Megan Lin isn't a fan of either candidate but she writes it's time for everyone to help unite rather than divide America.

Opinion: time to move on

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 9, 2016
Nailing each note is the goal of choir singers Rishab Nayar and Andrea Cobos as they prepare to continue the audition process for All-State.

Trying to be pitch perfect

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
November 4, 2016
Although the First Amendment guarantees freedoms not found in other countries, they're not being acknowledged in some issues writes editor-in-chief Megan Lin.

Opinion: A discriminatory free speech

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 27, 2016
Redhawk Rants will be used to raise awareness about drug abuse.

[Photo] No themes for Red Ribbon Week

Melody Tavallaee, Guest Contributor
October 24, 2016
The St. Olaf Orchestra from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN performed on stage Wednesday night as a part of their 2016 Fall tour. The concert opened with Kabalevsky’s Colas Breugnon Overture, followed by Ravel’s La Valse with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 closing the night’s program.

College orchestra hits the right notes

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 20, 2016
Putting off other stuff is sometimes OK, if it means getting enough sleep writes opinion editor Emma Crampton.

[Photo] Say it Louder: sleep should be a priority

Emma Crampton, Opinion Editor
October 18, 2016
PSAT room assignments can be found in the rotunda. Students are advised to know where they are testing before Wednesday morning.

Wednesday is PSAT day for sophomores and juniors

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 18, 2016
Smartphones have become an inseparable part of a teenager's life, but they don't have to be according to opinion editor Emma Crampton.

A recent piece by Fox News’ Jesse Watters is beyond disrespectful writes editor-in-chief Megan Lin.

Opinion: when Watters goes bad

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 11, 2016
A select few orchestra and band students made the bus trip to San Antonio for the 2018 TMEA convention.

No day off for string orchestra members

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 6, 2016

Students explore the school through geocaching

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
October 4, 2016
The CTE Center will be holding weekly informational meetings for students and parents interested in the programs there.

CTE Hub nights continue

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 26, 2016
Students can pick up a preAP/AP drop form starting on Friday with the forms due in the counseling office by 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.

[Photo] The policy behind the procedure

Amber Holt, Guest Contributor
September 23, 2016
Guest contributer Sindhuja Pannuri shares her thoughts on the level of importance SAT scores have on college admissions. However, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges have shifted their focus away from SAT scores.

[Photo] Opinion: Dropping classes is okay

Prachurjya Shreya, Staff Reporter
September 23, 2016
Opinion: candidates need to address domestic issues

Opinion: candidates need to address domestic issues

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 20, 2016
According to Staff Reporter Prachurjya Shreya, the BYOD policy is essential to students' success in school.

[Photo] Opinion: Policy for success

Prachurjya Shreya, Staff Reporter
September 16, 2016
When a student receives a bad grade, teachers will sometimes give the opportunity to improve the grade with replacement work. However, Megan Lin questions whether this has any educational value.

Opinion: replacement work doesn’t replace learning

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 13, 2016
One of the possible consequences of a student failing to serve a detention could be spending some time in ISS (in school suspension) located in room B102.

School seeks stricter detention enforcement

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 9, 2016
A class calendar can help keep students on track and help minimize excuses writes editor-in-chief Megan Lin.

Opinion: calendars keep students on track

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 7, 2016
The FISD Board of Trustees is holding a special session Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. to discuss results from the TRE and to look ahead and where budget cuts may need to be made. Two students that hope to be there are sophomores Robbie Gow and Stephen Blandford who have started a petition calling for another TRE vote.

Two students petition for new TRE

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 6, 2016
Regardless of the grade level, Editor-in-chief Megan Lin thinks students should respect each other.

Opinion: Respect goes both ways

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 1, 2016
Since Liberty's opening, the campus has welcomed many new teachers every school year.

Dozens of new staff on campus

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
September 1, 2016
Cheer watching the team play Wakeland.

Excitement beyond the field

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
August 30, 2016
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For students to change their schedule, they need to stop by the counselors' office. However, there are certain requirements that need to be met.

Schedule change requests

Megan Lin, Editor-in-chief
August 22, 2016
Students often make plans to stay in touch over the summer despite many not holding that commitment.

Opinion: The biggest lie of the summer

Megan Lin, Guest Contributor
June 3, 2016
The FISD board of trustees voted on Tuesday night to approve a tax increase. The decision triggers an automatic tax ratification election within 90 days.

FISD board approves tax increase

Megan Lin and Eilidh McGarva
June 1, 2016
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