All photos by Magdalene Conrad and Parker McCloskey.
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JHS soccer defeats New Albany 2-0
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Allison Clary connects students to history through her Holocaust class
by Areli Hernandez
Allison Clary is an English language arts teacher, whose strong character and passion for teaching has reflected through not only her ELA courses, but also through her Holocaust class where she conveys the importance of history to students.
Clary acknowledges her former students, whose interests and curiosity led to the innovation of the Holocaust class, which was later introduced to JHS in 2007.
“The book Night; I taught that in my English classes; it’s about the Holocaust. It was so moving that my kids asked me if I could teach more around 2004. That’s how the ball got rolling. I give my kids the credit—years and years ago.”
Elie Wiesel’s book Night left a significant impact with its powerful message, creating personal connections among students, including Clary.
“That book specifically is about a teenager who ends up in Auschwitz. The main character was 15 years old. So, I think it was easy for them to relate to that and to think, ‘What if this were me?’ It’s a life-changing book for me — the horrors that they went through and how they survived.
“I felt like my kids could also identify with it.”
Clary relies on years of experience that have allowed her to teach all high school levels, along with teaching more than one course at JHS.
“This is my 34th year and I’ve taught all types of English arts. 9 through 12. Currently teaching 11th. Then, I have all of my elective courses; mythology and Holocaust.”
“History repeats itself; kids need to know what to look for. Kids need to know about the past because they are the future.”
English teacher Allison Clary
Senior Richard Morocho shared his previous experience in Clary’s ELA classroom, which later encouraged him to join her Holocaust class.
“I’ve been in this class since the start of the year. I joined it mostly because I like having her as a teacher last year. Also, because Holocaust is an interesting subject. She had a lot of experience with people whose relatives were in the Holocaust and survivors,” he said.
He highly mentioned Clary’s way of teaching and the reassurance she has given to her students to express themselves freely.
“Her opinions are really expressive whenever it comes down to bad things that people do now and how it’s influenced by the Holocaust. When it comes to freedom of speech, she is really vocal about that and we’re allowed to say what we want about that, too.”
Morocho added, “She gives us more freedom of the things that we can say and put our opinions on.”
He explained that this class has allowed him to learn history from a different perspective and encouraged students to join.
“All I can say is that they’re kind of missing out because it’s a really interesting and fun class to take. It’s not a book class, it’s an experience kind of thing. It’s really interesting stuff.”
Junior Andrew Hampton agreed with Morocho, explaining the significance of being a part of the Holocaust class, while also highlighting the engaging setting of the class itself.
“It’s a really relevant topic that we should be learning about. Her class is also engaging; it is the opposite of a boring class. There’s never been a moment when I’m not paying attention in that class. It’s too engaging not to.”
Hampton described Clary’s positive attitude and the bright influence she has made in her classroom daily.
“She is very happy to be here and that is very helpful. She makes you happy to be here as well. Her energy radiates, making it more engaging.”
Clary recalled moments where she witnessed students from different courses, personally connecting with her lessons and assignments.
“I see that all the time; I’m not going to lie. I do see it in Holocaust often, but I also see it in English. I think kids have connected with some of the stuff we’ve already done in class,” she said.
Hampton has found Clary’s lessons significant to both ELA and Holocaust class.
“For English class I enjoy the topics that she teaches. I enjoy reading the stories. Right now we are learning about Frederick, who was someone I didn’t really know about. For Holocaust class we are watching a movie right now and that movie is fire. It’s called ‘Resistance’. It’s a really good movie, honestly,” said Hampton.
Junior Lizeth Gonzalez is content with Clary’s contribution to help students succeed in her ELA class.
“I feel like she brings out specific people. People who we wouldn’t really mention in class. She tells a story and explains it to us in a way where we are experiencing it ourselves.”
Clary’s lessons have opened an interesting approach towards her ELA students. Gonzalez is satisfied with learning a new standpoint in history.
“I enjoy her lectures because it opens a perspective more whenever we talk about black history. Normally, in history class we talk about it but you don’t get into the depth of the history.”
Hampton emphasized the importance of learning history to avoid repeating mistakes from the past.
“So that we don’t repeat things. Most of our history is not good. I think that is the most important reason. So, that way we don’t keep repeating things over and over, and we become better.”
Clary agreed with Hampton, emphasizing the importance of students studying history to prepare them for the future.
“History repeats itself; kids need to know what to look for. Kids need to know about the past because they are the future.”
Clary’s impactful influence has stood out to many students at JHS, which is rewarding to her.
“There are many days that I feel like I shouldn’t be getting paid to do something that makes me feel so happy. I could’ve retired already and I don’t because I genuinely love doing this.”
She added, “I’m not sure if I know who I am, without being the teacher part of ‘Mrs.Clary’.”
French teacher Dana Schenk brings the world and a sense of curiosity to her students
by Chloe Newton
The morning sun and smoke fill the classroom windows as French teacher and fifth-generation architect Dana Schenk shifts between her desks; her voice carries through the room.
Her voice is full of the life lived between three countries. France has given her a love for language, Romania is where she grew up learning her first language and how to read and write, and America is where she has chosen to take her knowledge and share it with her students at Jeffersonville High School.
She pauses mid-sentence to smile at her students’ careful pronunciation, her eyes lighting up and reflecting the same caring atmosphere that once welcomed her into new cultures.
Schenk has never let anything stand in the way of her dreams. Born in Romania, she moved to France and eventually to the United States, each travel and experience guided by her “spirit of adventure.”
“Living in different countries teaches you a lot about yourself; you become the person who can survive in any environment,” she said.
The countries and cultures shaped her teaching style. When Schenk discusses the history of these countries, she is not just talking; she is drawing from her adventures and experiences, helping students connect beyond the classroom and curriculum.
“Be curious about life and you’re going to get very far. No task or pathway is impossible as long as you’re curious.”
French Teacher Dana Schenk
In her class, learning goes beyond just pencil and paper. She allows students to apply French terms to real-world situations and history. Students complete projects such as building an apartment floor plan or creating personalized crests.
“We try to put together as many skills as we can while we’re learning French, that’s how I make it fun and engaging.”
Her goal is not just to teach a language but to encourage students to “be citizens of the world, open their minds, and take more than just the language from my class.”
Students see that engagement firsthand. French II student Shane Adkins described her as a teacher who keeps lessons very interactive and interesting.
“She talks about her culture a lot, and it feels like a first-hand experience.”
He points out why this class is different from other language classes he has taken because of her unique teaching style and lively feeling she brings to the class.
“She’s just very expressive with her reactions and words. There’s no other way to put it,” he said.
This feeling and expressiveness have also had a lasting impact on colleagues. German teacher Lisa Stumler described feeling nervous when the previous French teacher left and Schenk came in.
“I was worried – would the new French teacher even like me? But, instantly, I thought, ‘She’s wonderful’.”
The two took a trip together to Europe over the summer. The trip lasted two weeks, during which Stumler and Schenk helped each other while seeing all the fascinating places from their cultures.
“She’s influenced me to pause more, to ask questions, to not jump to conclusions.”
Schenk’s philosophy and mindset carry the same courage and clarity she encourages in her students.
“Be curious about life and you’re going to get very far. No task or pathway is impossible as long as you’re curious. I don’t regret anything, I love my choices.”
The impact of this mindset carries beyond the classroom. Schenk recalled a student who once volunteered in Africa and had to rely on French to communicate.
“I felt so proud… he realized the importance of knowing a foreign language, and it just made my eyes light up. ”
In the classroom or abroad, Schenk’s students and peers describe her in the same way: expressive, passionate, and unforgettable. As one student described her, she was likened to a croissant, very layered and one of a kind.
Girls’ soccer defeats Columbus East 4-1
All photos by Malachi Conrad.
Holden Henderson blends positive life advice with language arts lessons
by Jilliann Denbo
Former JHS student Maxine Prickett took English teacher Holden Henderson’s advice all the way to Florida.
Prickett, a former student of Henderson’s said, “Mr. Henderson’s words have carried with me since he told me that he was proud of me while receiving my award for most changed during freshman year. It wasn’t that he said he was proud, it was that he meant it.”
This is how Henderson makes an impact on each of his students.
“I hope that I inspire them to be themselves and to try to make the world a better place,” Henderson said.
Henderson undeniably enjoys his job daily, working with his students.
Most people only look at Henderson as a regular English teacher that has a man bun and wears crazy shirts daily, but that’s not the case. He strives to make sure he understands each of his students no matter what.
“He doesn’t try to be your friend, rather, an adult that you can trust,” said Prickett.
One of Henderson’s favorite parts of his job is to see his students’ success after leaving his classroom.
“It seems a lot of times I see growth over the course of the year, so I hope that it’s from them taking my advice,” he said.
Not only does Henderson make sure his students feel well, but he creates a positive environment for them in his classroom.
“I try to make sure that the decorations represent me and not just school stuff so that they understand that this is, you know, a place where they can be themselves. Then personally I just try to make sure to greet the students with a smile, I try to check on them to make sure that they understand that I care and that they should feel safe here,” Henderson said.
He takes pride in making sure his students feel welcomed.
“Mr Henderson was a caring and fun English teacher and always made sure we were learning something new each day,” said sophomore Reese Dobson.
Even with all the work, Henderson finds ways to pull his students into what he is teaching.
“The stories that I pick as an English teacher, I try to make sure that they aren’t terribly boring and stuff like that, even the ones that are, I try to explain the significance and bring it related to the students so that it’s not as boring because it’s hard to learn when you are bored,” He said.
Henderson takes pride in teaching at JHS, he knew from a young age that he wanted to be a part of the Red Devil community.
“When I was young, my grandparents had season tickets to Jeff games and so I was here a lot. I was kind ofa always proud of the Red Devils. Growing up in Jeff, I want to give back to the community. And by trying to be a positive influence in students’ lives, I hope that I’m making the community a better place,” Henderon said.
Henderson’s words will always carry on with his students, and they will always continue to do so.
“When I did my student teaching, I just fell in love with the school and this is where I knew I wanted to be.”
Cheerleaders earn honors at ‘Fear the Cheer’ competition
by Reese Dobson
Cheerleading is a lot more difficult than it may appear at a regular football or basketball game.
“The hardest part about cheer is probably cheering throughout all the difficulties, like weather conditions, losing, and people being absent,” said sophomore cheerleader Aaliyah Flowers.
Cheer is an all-year-long season. “I don’t think anybody realizes how much we practice. We only get one month off throughout the year, and we practice from April to competing at nationals in February,” senior Kyndal McCartin said.
McCartin said the cheer team practices on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On weekends, cheerleaders compete in competitions and cheer at sports games.
“Going to nationals with my team and competing the routine we have worked so hard on makes it all worth it,” senior Kenzie Keller stated.
UCA cheer nationals is a cheerleading competition in Orlando, Florida, where teams all over the country come and compete for state titles. Teams have to receive a bid to compete in the competition, Keller explained.
However, cheerleading isn’t always about competitiveness. A big part of cheerleading is team bonding and trust, which cheerleaders need to have for each other.
“I have always enjoyed watching others cheer, and I wanted to give it a try. I enjoy the sportsmanship and friendship on the Jeff team, and it keeps me going,” said freshman Kiela Smith.
Coming to practice with a good attitude is important to get through a hard practice, Flowers explained.
Cheer is sometimes debated as to whether it’s a sport or not. “I think cheer is definitely a sport because we practice, train, and perform. We have a minimum of four practices a week, and we have competitions against other teams,” said freshman Eliza Davis.
The Jeff High cheerleaders attended one of these competitions at New Albany High School last Saturday, Sept. 21. They came out in first place for the timeout routine and first place for the game day routine. The awards ended with the title “Grand Champs” for the overall timeout category.
“I’m glad we won because we practiced hard, and I’m glad all the work paid off,” Keller said.
Math teacher Cory Densford combines high standards with humor in his classroom
by Kaylee Borelli
JHS geometry teacher Cory Densford greets his students as they walk into his classroom with a warm welcome and a fist bump.
“I want to form a good relationship with my students,” said Densford
This is Densford’s 13th year teaching at JHS, and throughout those years, he has grown significantly as a teacher and has also learned things that have shaped him into the teacher he is today.
“My first year was terrible because I didn’t know anything,” stated Densford. “Relationships are the most important part of teaching. It doesn’t matter what you say to a kid if they won’t listen to you, and the way you get them to listen to you is by building a personal relationship, especially on the first days of school. Learning their names, what they like, and what they don’t like is probably the most important thing.”
Along with learning throughout the years, he has also had many challenges that he has faced.
“Sometimes there is a personality issue between you and a kid that is always a big challenge, and navigating that when the student and I have different ideas of how class should run, there is always a big challenge,” explained Densford. “Navigating the logistics of a school sometimes and not having enough of a resource or where you get a resource is always a challenge, especially if you’re brand new.
Densford recalls back to his years at JHS and how much his Algebra II teacher, Mr. Clark, influenced and inspired him to go into teaching.
“I knew I wanted to teach when I was a kid. I wanted to go into something that helped people,” said Densford. “I thought I wanted to become a doctor, but that was not going to do it once I got a little bit older. It was my Aalgebra II and calculus teacher, Mr. Clark, who made me want to become a math teacher.”
Densford’s students have mentioned that they have learned a lot in his class and that Densford has truly helped them understand the concept of geometry.
“He teaches very quickly and efficiently and makes sure you understand the material,” said freshman Chloe Kallbrier. “He actually makes me understand geometry.”
Another student also details how Densford has impacted them.
“He helps me when I get nervous during a test,” said freshman Makaylynn Nguyen. “He’ll tell me my score on the test and show me that I did well.”
Other students also describe Densford very positively.
“He’s funny, nice, and he’s also respectful,” said Nguyen. “He’s actually helped me learn.”
Densford explained why he loves teaching at JHS and why he keeps coming back to teach every year.
“Nothing else is as fulfilling as teaching,” explained Densford. “Getting to see people helps a lot, and I have a friend who works at a call center, and he works from home, but whenever we hang out, he’s always jealous that my job is fulfilling.”
Densford wants to ensure that he leaves a lasting impression on his students once they step out of his classroom for the last time.
“I want them to remember the good times we had together,” said Densford. “We did a lot of math, but I’m a pretty goofy guy, and I would love for them to remember the fun that we had along the way.”
Column: Mamdani fights for the future of New York
by Tyler Johnson
In our country, we’ve come to know the news as a cycle of proliferating madness. It can make the most minuscule events seem like the end of the world, and the most dangerous of people seem like strong leaders. Lately, there’s one man that media across the board seem to be going after. Fox News, The New York Times, and The Atlantic, just to name a few, have taken aim at state assemblyman and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
The Democratic Socialist seemingly emerged from nowhere with a strong base of support and the rhetoric to stand against the other Democratic nominees in the New York City mayoral primaries. This is where he first started making waves for those outside of the city. Mamdani stood on stage and grilled Andrew Cuomo on a plethora of issues that plagued the former governor’s reign.
Cuomo’s stint in office was fraught with controversy. From sexual harassment allegations to hospital overcrowding during COVID to misappropriation of city funds for his own personal use, it’s a surprise he even had the courage to run again. In the Democratic primaries, Mamdani was the hardest on Cuomo, calling him out for many of the issues that arise with the idea of another term. It’s this type of aggressive rhetoric that we must show to politicians who have failed us. We can’t settle for corruption to fight corruption.
One of the biggest issues that arose in the primary debate was that of Israel. In the most viral moment of the debate, the candidates were asked where they would go on their first trip outside of the city. Mamdani was the only person to insist he’d remain in New York, while almost every other candidate answered Israel, as well as Canada and the Caribbean.
This may be one of the most pivotal moments in American history regarding our relationship to Israel and the ongoing genocide, especially after Mamdani has come out on top in the primaries. He has been one of the key voices addressing the ethnic cleansing with its true moniker of a genocide. At the same time, he has maintained a good relationship with the Jewish population of New York, even being backed by “Jewish New Yorkers for Peace.”
In a country in which the consensus among politicians is that the conflict is “complicated,” a voice that assesses the situation for what it is might be the change we need. Beyond just this issue, Mamdani is gaining support for his rent control, public transport, and city-owned grocery store policies.
Do not get it twisted. These are Socialist policies, but they are not scary policies. The media and many establishment politicians have critiqued them for being good on paper but not realistic. Of course, we can’t say for sure that this will all come to fruition, but the plan that Mamdani lays out is quite strong.
Taxing millionaires and big corporations is a working-class dream. As we’ve seen across the country, even in Republican areas, people are tired of the 1% hoarding their wealth that they will never be able to entirely spend. This isn’t a baseless claim, either. Senator Bernie Sanders — who paved the way for this generation’s Democratic Socialist s— has been making waves across the country in his “fight against oligarchy” tour.
On the YouTube channel “More Perfect Union”, Sanders was followed around West Virginia as he interacted with the mostly Republican population. The reaction was astounding; the same problems that Mamdani is trying to address in New York are found all over the U.S. Billionaire tax breaks, health care, and child care, all in the heart of Trump country.
Simply raising the taxes on corporations to the same level as that in New Jersey, and putting a 2% tax on every dollar beyond that of a million would be fund many of the policies that Mamdani advocates. The argument here is that it would push corporations out of the city.
In Cornell University Professor Cristobal Young’s book “The Myth of Millionaire Tax Flight: How Place Still Matters for the Rich,” this myth is largely debunked, finding that just .3% of millionaires who do end up moving (which is an astounding 2.4%) do not find themselves in a lower-taxed state.
These types of policies aren’t unpopular; they’re just demonized by the most elite of businessmen and politicians. The clearest sign of the policies not being unpopular is the fact that Mamdani did indeed win the Democratic primaries. Establishment Democrats are scrambling to cope with this. Cuomo and former mayor Eric Adams are both now running as independents against the nominee with a pathetic imitation of Mamdani’s campaign.
They cannot seem to catch on like Mamdani is, and why is this? People do not trust Cuomo or Adams. With Cuomo’s previously mentioned controversy and Adams’ history of bribery allegations, these are not politicians who are known to be trusted. Adversaries of Mamdani say that these two candidates are “more experienced,” but the question is, what are they more experienced with?
Cuomo is shown to not be able to understand the word “no” not just from his sexual harassment scandals, but from his inability to back down when he loses an election. He fumbled the COVID-19 pandemic, understating the amount of nursing home deaths by a whopping 50%, and then using state funds to write a book about how great he handled the situation.
Adams, on the other hand, has been shown to be an incompetent and untrustworthy candidate. In 2024 the mayor found himself indicted on five corruption charges, which would be later dismissed by Trump’s Justice Department. This corruption ended in the resignation of multiple federal prosecutors who had taken on the case.
The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, has little chance of making any real headway in this race — albeit more than Adams. Probably the most absurd out of the candidates, he wears a red beret and insists that putting feral cats in rat infested areas is the solution to the pest problem. Of course, there’s more to him but those two peculiarities sum up the substance of his campaign.
Due to there being four main candidates, the vote may be more split then we’ve ever seen in the city, but frequent polls show Mamdani dominating the field. It seems he represents everything we’ve lost in this country and much we’ve dreamed of.
A government that provides. Not a copy-paste centrist who provides marginal benefits to the working class, while giving the rich more tax cuts. Not a faux-populist who takes advantage of the working class to jumpstart an authoritarian regime. Zohran Mamdani isn’t just the future of New York, he’s the future of America.
While the old guard dies off, remaining more loyal to AIPAC than American people, Mamdani pushes the left forward. He provides a framework for which the new left can emerge. With Governor Hochul’s support it’s clear that Democratic Socialism is going to be a consistent voice in politics. The only question now is if it can get nationwide working class voter support.
Editor’s Note: For an alternate take on this year’s election, check out Parker Vibbert’s column tomorrow.
Red Devils beat North Harrison 3-2 to celebrate Senior Night
JHS choir performs annual Gospelfest
All photos by Malachi Conard.
Floyd Central beats Jeff 34-12 on Friday; Red Devils prepare for Bloomington North and Homecoming this Friday, Sept. 26
All photos by Magdalene Conrad, Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey.
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