JHS students can now participate in dance class for 2026-27. This class offers an open learning experience for students of all backgrounds. Whether students have been dancing for years or are completely new to it, they will find a welcoming time in this class.
Dance class helps students have a brain break throughout their day and be more physically active. The class is designed to teach fundamental dance styles and build a strong foundation in choreography. Beyond learning routines, dancers also have opportunities to join the color guard.
Dance instructor Sidney McDonald teaches her dance class. The class was added to the curriculum this year to provide a creative outlet for students. Photo by Raven Baker.
Senior McKenzie Stubblefield said the opportunity to express herself led to taking the new class.
“I love the dance class so far this year,” she said. “I decided to join because dance is a good way to express your feelings and it’s fun. So far, we’ve learned a lot of the basics.”
Stubblefield described the class as a creative environment.
“By the end of the year, I hope to be able to create my own dance and help others who struggle with it,” she said.
Dance instructor Sidney McDonald personally requested the class because she has experience in the subject. She hopes to connect her dancers to color guard and teach the building steps to dance.
Bringing 17 years of personal experience to the subject, she has a well-rounded outlook on what students need to learn. By the end of the year, she wants her students to be able to give a confident performance and create strong choreography.
McDonald said her dancers will develop and present original dance pieces. This allows students to experiment with their own ideas and build confidence in their abilities, explore movement without the pressure of competition and to learn more about dance as an art form.
All photos by Malachi Conrad, Isaiah Stewart, Mason Ridge, and Reilly Davis.
Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval walks onto the field during warm-ups. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Sophomore Jafet Benitez-Rubio warms up for his game at goalkeeper on Tuesday night against Seymour. Photo by Mason Ridge. Sophomore Joao Beya warms up before the game against Seymour on Tuesday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Cortlin Merkley listens to his coach talk about the game plan. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Freshman Ryan McKinley and sophomore Dominic Cummings play a possession drill before kick-off at Tuesday’s match against Seymour. Photo by Reilly Davis. Sophomore Dominic Cummings listens to head coach Colin Bell before the Seymour game this Tuesday. Photo by Reilly Davis. Junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes lining up for the national anthem at Tuesday’s game. Photo by Reilly Davis. Sophomore Austin Spears lines up for the national anthem before the Red Devils’ game against Seymour. Photo by Reilly Davis. The varsity boys soccer team stands in line for the national anthem to kick off their first home game against Seymour on Tuesday. Photo by Mason Ridge. The JHS student section cheers at the boys’ varsity soccer game while up 2-0 over Seymour Tuesday night. Photo by Mason Ridge.JHS and Seymour line up before the match to show off their starters. The Red Devils (5-1) went on to beat Seymour (0-4-1) 2-0 on Tuesday night by scoring a goal in each half. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Giovanni Sanchez Cruz dribbles past the Seymour defenders. Photo by Mason Ridge.Junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes dribbles around a Seymour defender. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez celebrates with his Red Devil teammates after scoring against Seymour. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval dribbles the ball trying to find an opportunity to score against Seymour. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes dribbles the ball during Tuesday night’s game against Seymour. Photo by Reilly Davis. Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes receives the pass as the Red Devils battle Seymour Tuesday night. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Head coach Colin Bell and assistant coach Drew Davis give a speech during halftime to invigorate the team. The Red Devils defeated Seymour 2-0 on Tuesday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Bryan Juarez De La Luz runs onto the field after halftime. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Sophomore Joao Beya runs down the field with the Owls defense on him. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Oscar Osorio-Mendez waits for the referee to stop play so he can substitute into the game. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes, senior Alan Lopez, and junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes all celebrate the second and final goal from Tuesday’s game. JHS defeated Seymour 2-0. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes swiftly dribblies the ball towards Seymour’s goal. Photo by Mason Ridge.Sophomore Jafet Benitez-Rubio waits for Seymour to get past Jeff’s tough defense while up 2-0 against Seymour. Photo by Mason Ridge.
July 30, 2026 ushered in a new school year at JHS. Along with hundreds of new students, there is a new policy here and in all Indiana high schools: no cell phones.
The Indiana State Senate passed Senate Bill 78 in February, instituting a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban in every public and charter school in the state.
Before SB 78, the Indiana Legislature passed Senate Enrolled Act 185 in 2024, which banned cell phone use during instructional time during the 2025-26 School year, but set clear exceptions for education, emergency, health care needs, and disability-related accommodations. However, it did not address how schools were to enforce the bans, nor did it address lunchtime or passing periods.
Under SB 78, cell phones are banned bell-to-bell, with minimal exceptions for health reasons. At JHS, teachers and staff confiscate student phones and turn them into the front office in yellow envelopes; students and eventually parents must pick confiscated phones up at the end of the school day or after school.
Teachers and staff place confiscated cell phones in yellow envelopes for student or parent pick-up at the end of the school day. The change in cell phone policy is a result of legislation passed in Indiana and signed into law by Governor Mike Braun. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
German Teacher Lisa Stumler said the ban is necessary and beneficial.
“I’ve noticed people looking each other in the eye more now, and in the hallway, they’re paying attention to where they’re going, and they’re not all looking down,” Stumler said.
“It’s easier in class to not be paranoid, ‘Are they just on TikTok?’ I don’t have to think about that at all,” she added.
Previously, the policy regarding phones at JHS was largely at each teacher’s discretion, with most simply forbidding phones during instruction, but allowing them after.
Stumler allowed students to use their phones during non-instructional time, or as a substitute for a Chromebook. Unfortunately, Stumler said they would often become distracted.
“They’d just want to scroll.”
English teacher Justin Linde is “not during instruction” policy worked for a short time, he said, but it ultimately fizzled when students stopped putting their phones in calculator pouches.
“After a couple of weeks, it became ‘I don’t have a phone,’ and I couldn’t accuse someone of not having a phone. It got to the point where everybody was on their phones. Regardless of it being an honors class or a regular class or AP,” Linde said.
The new legislation has significantly impacted media classes, designed to train future journalists to properly use technology.
Radio and broadcasting teacher Fred Cowgill said the statewide ban has heavily affected WJHI’s operations.
“The entire business of broadcast and communications and information, every major news organization is using smartphones. Our entire workflow from the moment we took over two years ago was using our students’ personal cellphones,” Cowgill said.
Cowgill said WJHI was unprepared for the outright ban.
“When we got wind of it this summer that the state was going to implement this bell-to-bell ban of phones in schools, we were told we’d get a ‘hall pass’ to still use them, but around July 1, we were told ‘No’.”
Cowgill’s words were echoed by principal Pam Hall, who said she was unaware the ban would be outright.
“When they were still talking about putting it into law, they talked about giving schools the autonomy to come up with their own plan on how to do it, whether that would be to allow phones in curricular classes. When the law was enacted, they took that away,” Hall explained.
Cowgill, Hall, Linde, Stumler, and freshman counselor Andrea Schedler all agreed the ban was necessary, but differed on the scope of exceptions.
Stumler, Schedler, and Linde said students should be allowed to have phones during lunch.
“If they can handle it, I think lunch should be a time when they can have it. It gives you downtime,” Schedler said.
Seniors Joshua Hassan and Ke’moni Mitchell play Uno during B lunch. Students are not permitted to use their cell phones during the school day as a result of new state legislation, including at lunch time. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Linde agreed. “I think the bill went from one extreme to the other. I don’t understand how you could regulate them in the hallway, or at lunch, and I think students should have access to their phones at those parts of the day.”
Juniors Evan Floyd, Kenneth Norton, Harrison Cortez, Landon Russell and Gabriel Cecil socialize during B lunch. Public school students may no longer use their cell phones at any time during the school day, including at lunch time. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Cowgill said student journalism should have been exempt from the ban for curricular reasons.
“The State of Indiana barring smartphone use from its high school communication classes sends the wrong message. We were using them as tools, not as an entertainment device. What better way to teach the correct use of personal smartphones than by giving us the opportunity to do that?”
Hall added that the ban puts an unnecessary burden on emergencies and worried parents.
“I’m one of those parents; my advice to kids is to put it in your purse or in your pocket, turned off or silent at all times, in case something happens, and you have to get out. But don’t have it out. I think it’s important that students, in case of an emergency, have a way to communicate.”
As JHS wrestling enters its 70th season, the program continues to demonstrate why it has remained a cornerstone of the school’s athletic tradition. Through decades of change, the sport has endured and continues to shape the lives of student-athletes both on and off the mat.
Head wrestling coach Danny Struck. Photo by Isabella Stewart.
Head Coach Daniel Struck, who also serves as a middle school football coach and teaches Sports Performance, reflected on the impact wrestling has had on his life.
“Wrestling and coaches in general made me who I am today,” Struck said. “Wrestling literally means ‘to struggle’, and learning to wrestle teaches you how to handle all the struggles of life.”
The program’s 70th anniversary carries special significance. While many sports have rich traditions, Struck emphasized wrestling’s unique place in history.
“Anything that can last this long, through wars, different presidents, different administrations, depressions, and more is special,” he said. “Wrestling is 3,500 years old. It is the world’s oldest sport and the only sport mentioned in the Bible. It has lasted millennia.”
The impact of wrestling extends beyond the mat. Assistant coach and English teacher Evan Myers credits the sport with shaping nearly every aspect of his life.
“It has improved every single area of my life because many of the lessons I’ve learned have carried over to my personal and professional life,” Myers said. “The discipline you learn in wrestling helps you everywhere.”
“Wrestling literally means ‘to struggle’, and learning to wrestle teaches you how to handle all the struggles of life.”
Head Wrestling Coach Danny Struck
As the program prepares for a new season, coaches have spent the offseason developing themselves as leaders. Myers attended coaching conferences, read books on leadership, and networked with other coaches and mentors to gain new perspectives. Struck similarly invested in his growth, reading nearly 30 books, attending six conferences, and recently visiting the Olympic Training Center.
This year’s team will look much different than last season’s. According to Struck, the program has grown significantly, featuring 12 seniors compared to just three a year ago, along with more than 20 incoming freshmen.
“Every year is different,” noted Struck. “Every team brings a different look and dynamic to the struggle.”
United State Marine Corps Recruiter and guest Jolbert Cameron instructs first-hour sports performance students on the mile they are about to run. The class includes several athletes from various sports, including wrestlers. Photo by Isabella Stewart.
The increased experience has coaches optimistic. Last season, JHS surprised many by advancing further than expected despite being a relatively young team.
“None of us thought sectionals would be as close as they were,” Myers recalled. “We were young, despite having experience and intensity. Now we have more experience, and I think our varsity teams could be great this year.”
One of the program’s proudest accomplishments last season was having all 14 varsity starters qualify for regionals, a milestone that reflected the team’s depth and dedication.
Senior wrestler Jak Rose knows firsthand how much effort goes into reaching that level. Wrestling has taught him lessons that extend beyond competition.
“It’s taught me discipline, how to deal with losing, and the value of work ethic,” Rose explained. “If you want something, you’ve got to work for it.”
Rose’s offseason looked different than most. After dealing with injuries, he focused more on learning and refining technique than chasing victories.
“My offseason was mainly about learning rather than winning,” he said. “Getting back from injury helped me focus on technique.”
The lessons learned from adversity have fueled his motivation entering his final season.
“Last season was very humbling,” Rose said. “It was my first year on varsity and my first year dealing with injury during the season. It gave me motivation to give everything I’ve got this year.”
As he begins his senior campaign, Rose has ambitious goals.
“I planned to get in the best physical condition I can,” he stated. “I’m really set on being a sectional champion and making it to state this year. I’m going to leave it all on the mat.”
Among the program’s other senior leaders is Abi Lemon, who is looking forward to enjoying every moment of her final year as a student-athlete.
“I’m very excited to see how sports will go,” Lemon said. “All my clubs with my friends and teammates, especially this being my last time.”
Lemon said wrestling and other extracurricular activities have helped build her confidence and character.
“Participating in all these clubs has made me better as a person,” she explained. “I feel more confident because I did them.”
Like Rose, Lemon has both competitive and personal goals for the season.
Having previously competed at the state level, Lemon understands the challenge that comes with wrestling against Indiana’s best athletes.
“My goal for this season is to go far, obviously,” she said. “As a girl, I want to have as much fun with my teammates and coaches as I’ve known since freshman year.”
“Competition is definitely a lot tougher at state and more serious,” recalled Lemon. “It was a bunch of hard-working girls, and I felt very honored to be a part of that group.”
Balancing athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities remains one of the biggest challenges for student-athletes, but Lemon credits her support system for helping her succeed.
“It’s definitely difficult,” she said. “It’s great to have friends in both because even when I struggle in one, I have a great support system to help me.”
Looking back on her experience, Lemon encourages younger students to make the most of every opportunity available to them.
“Do as much as you can while you can,” advised Lemon. “Experience is very valuable because you can learn a lot of things and have fun.”
The coaching staff also has ambitious goals for the future. Myers hopes the team can contend for sectional titles while continuing to strengthen the growing girls wrestling program.
“I hope we push for sectional titles this year,” Myers said. “I also hope to see the women’s wrestling program continue to grow. I think it has developed a legacy, and I’d like to see that continue.”
As JHS wrestling celebrates its 70th season, the common theme among coaches and athletes remains clear: success is built through hard work, resilience, and a willingness to embrace struggle. Whether it is a coach learning new leadership skills, a wrestler overcoming injury, or a senior preparing for one final season, the lessons of wrestling continue to shape those who are part of the program and ensure its tradition will carry forward for years to come.
Freshman Theo Hatfield takes a break after a 40-yard play during Saturday’s game against Seymour. The junior varsity Owls defeated the Red Devils 8-0. The JHS varsity team won at Seymour the night before 20-14. Photo by Mason Ridge.Freshman quarterback Carter Dean during the Saturday junior varsity match-up with Seymour. Photo by Mason Ridge. Sophomore Colin Kennedy pushes through the defense to make an opening for his running back. Photo by Mason Ridge.Sophomore Easton Spaulding takes a water break after a big play. Photo by Mason Ridge.Senior Torian Knight runs past all of the defenders. Photo by Mason Ridge.
JHS academy coach Natalie Woods works on the senior interns’ new sign-out process to leave for work. “Students don’t know what they don’t know. It’s up to us to show them how to get to where they want to go.” Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.JHS academy coach Natalie Woods. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez looks at Coach Colin Bell right before the first half of Saturday’s game in Franklin. The Red Devils won 6-0. JHS concluded a five-game road stretch and improved their record to 5-1.Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Joao Beya rushes with the ball during Saturday’s road game against Franklin. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Angel Juarez-Lira kicks the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval watches as his teammates score a goal in Saturday’s 6-0 win over Franklin. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez listens to coach Colin Bell’s halftime speech. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devils huddle up before the second half against Franklin. JHS won 6-0. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Joao Beya defends with the ball against Franklin on Saturday. The Red Devils won 6-0. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval defends the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez and junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval celebrate after a goal. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez and Xavier Santiago Cortes celebrate after a goal. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
JHS (1-1) hosts Bedford North Lawrence this Friday
All photos by Parker McCloskey and Isaiah Stewart.
Sophomore Devaughn Walker steps off the field after a defensive stop against Seymour Friday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Nation Roe-Mcbroom tackles his Seymour opponent on Friday night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Braylon Gray rushes after a kickoff. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Jaylen Howard rushes toward the end zone after his Seymour opponent unsuccessfully tries to tackle him. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Braylon Gray and Nation Roe-Mcbroom celebrate after a play on Friday night at Seymour. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Braylon Gray celebrates a play with teammates on Friday night. JHS defeated Seymour 20-14. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Abigail Lemon kicks the ball on a field goal against Seymour Friday night. The Red Devils defeated the Owls 20-14 for the first win of the season. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Jaylen Howard rests after scoring the first touchdown of the game on Friday against Seymour (0-2). The Red Devils (1-1) defeated the Owls 20-14 in coach Nick Cotner’s first JHS victory as head coach. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Michael Hockersmith screams and celebrates after a successful defensive play on Friday night at Seymour. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Nation Roe-Mcbroom celebrates after forcing an incompletion on defense. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Kemari Smith kneels on the sideline after the Red Devil offense scores a touchdown. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Nation Roe-Mcbroom rushes with the ball on Friday night as the Red Devils defeated the Seymour Owls 20-14. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Nation Roe-Mcbroom waits for the Seymour to get set. JHS won 20-14 on Friday night and hosts Bedford North Lawrence this Friday at 7 p.m. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Braylon Gray celebrate after a successful rush against Seymour on Friday. The Red Devils defeated the Owls 20-14 for the first victory of the season and host Bedford North Lawrence this Friday. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Braylon Gray lines up before the ball is snapped during Friday’s game at Seymour. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Braylon Gray speeds off the line of scrimmage on offense. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Junior Cooper Spaulding runs to the play to tackle the Seymour running back on Friday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Darryl’ron Guy Jr. pauses after a play on Friday night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Juniors Malcolm Monts and Larry Sherman celebrate after a defensive play. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Darryl’ron Guy Jr. gets emotional after a close finish against Seymour. JHS won 20-14 and hosts Bedford North Lawrence this Friday. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
The football team takes on Seymour on the road after getting defeated 67-20 by Lawrence Central in their first contest of the season last Friday.
The Red Devils go into tonight’s contest at Seymour expecting a tough match-up.
“Seymour’s a good team in my opinion. We’re going to have to play good football to win. If we go there and don’t play our best, we will lose,” said head coach Nick Cotner.
A new face on the varsity team, junior running back Jaylen Howard, picked up steam against Lawrence Central in his first varsity start and looks forward to more against Seymour.
“For my first varsity start, I thought it was really good. I had like 80 yards with a touchdown, so pretty good. I’m ready to do even better against Seymour, though,” said Howard.
Senior Jomall Owens defends for senior Cordell Thomas against Lawrence Central last Friday. The Bears defeated the Red Devils in the season opener 67-20. JHS plays Seymour tonight. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
One of the main components of the loss to Lawrence Central was special teams giving up 21 points, and Cotner isn’t ready to let it happen again.
“This loss is on me. Twenty-one points on kickoff alone is unacceptable, and that’s on me for not preparing us. Even with me coming into the job late, we need to be better. We’re going to be more in-depth in practice to be ready for Seymour,” said Cotner.
The team has identified some other parts of their game that need to improve as well.
“The d-line and special need to be better; along with that linebackers just couldn’t fill holes,” said sophomore linebacker General McLain.
The Red Devils have spent the week preparing for the Owls.
“We need to watch a lot of film and get better so we know exactly what we’re doing out there,” said junior Brayden Bachman.
The theme of better practices throughout the week is echoed by other players.
“Staying focused in practice is essential. If we do that, we’ll come out with the win,” said junior linebacker Cooper Spaulding.
The team has addressed their faults against Lawrence Central and are ready to take on the rest of the season, starting with Seymour.
“I think we did a lot of good stuff on offense through the air and ground game,” said Cotner. “If we could be a little more consistent, we definitely would’ve had a closer game. I think we can take a good week of practice and come out with a win.”
All photos by Malachi Conrad, Shelby Keesee, Isaiah Stewart, and Logan Vidt.
Sophomore Audrey Cheshire high-fives her teammates. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Sophomore Charlotte Hatfield runs onto the court after being introduced as a starter in last night’s game against Rock Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves the ball during last night’s game against Rock Creek Academy. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves an ace last night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart. Junior Jaylianah Burris hits the ball over the net trying to score in last night’s game against Rock Creek. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Joslin Wilson and sophomore Audrey Cheshire attempt to block a shot in the first set against Rock Creek. Photo by Logan Vidt.The Red Devils huddle and talk about the last possession during the match-up against Rock Creek last night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.The Red Devil bench cheers in support of their team winning a rally during last night’s game. Photo by Logan Vidt.Senior Mattie Barker celebrates the Jeffersonville point. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Aome Crowdus prepares to serve the ball. Photo by Shelby Keesee. Coach Wes Briscoe talks to junior Kylee Doehrman about her recent play. Photo by Isaiah Stewart. The JHS bench celebrates the point their teammates just earned against Rock Creek last night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jaylianah Burris waves goodbye as the Red Devils celebrate their win against the Lions. The Red Devils defeated the Lions 3-0 last night. Photo by Shelby Keesee.
A new school year has begun, and while many students are continuing to adjust themselves to a new routine and environment, JHS staff are doing so as well. This includes Health Service Academy counselor Austin Caswell and Public Service Academy counselor Megan Snyder, who began their first year at JHS with a set of goals and responsibilities.
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