If given a magic wand, Lawrence seniors said they’d use it to break down social and academic barriers at high school.

But one Lawrence High School senior, Kelsey Mellard, said during graduation practice Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse that gold dust in her wand would reverse the biggest break in her life.

“Change one thing? Not breaking my leg would have to be it,” said Mellard, who needed a rod and three screws to repair a right-tibia fracture sustained six weeks ago playing soccer.

Several of the 760 LHS and Free State High School seniors nearing Sunday’s graduation at Memorial Stadium were asked what they’d change about high school. They talked academics, relationships and food.

Free State senior Tess Wisler said she’d create a new course schedule. Classes should meet less frequently for longer periods.

“It should be structured more like college,” Wisler said.

Kyle Fowler of LHS said he thought he had a timely idea, too.

“We should get out earlier from school, say 1:30,” he said.

“And add another day to the weekend,” said LHS’ Jamie Peterson.

On the contrary, said LHS senior Jessica Turner. She said she wished at least one class  automotive technology  was a more rigorous down-and-dirty experience.

A high-octane classroom environment was the ticket for Free State senior Richard Windheuser-Beebe.

“I’d change the amount of time you have to sit there and do nothing,” he said.

LHS senior Andrea Perdue said she’d resort to black magic to delete a rule that punishes students absent from class.

“We should be able to miss as much as we want as long as we have good grades,” she said.

Free State senior Leah Tacha would use her magic to convince students to make more friends outside their cliques.

“The amount of separation of people in the school bothers me,” agreed Julie Thomas of LHS.

LHS senior Haylee Potter said her peers missed fertile territory for reform  cafeterias.

“They should cook the pizza all the way through,” she said. “It’s raw in the middle.”

Free State graduation ceremonies begin at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. LHS graduation follows at 4 p.m.