All photos by Magdalene Conrad and Elliot Swincher.
Click on the photographs in the gallery below. More photographs and coverage of Saturday’s state title win will be posted throughout the week. Keep checking back.
All photos by Madison Pritchard.
Click on the photographs in the gallery below. More photographs and coverage of Saturday’s state title win will be posted throughout the week. Keep checking back.
by Ja’Shia Mathews
As JHS moves into spring, students may notice some new faces in campus security.
Brian Mitchell, the new safety and security director for Jeffersonville schools, said the security team is dedicated to protecting students, teachers, and staff from potential threats such as violence, bullying, vandalism, and unauthorized access.
However, Mitchell does much more for us than just that.
Mitchell retired from the police force earlier this year, moving from his previous position as a student resource officer at JHS into his new job. Because of his presence in the halls and at school events, students recognize and appreciate him, especially JHS athletes, as he significantly supports their sports.
Principal Pam Hall said Mitchell is an important part of JHS.
“I am thankful he is in our building. I am learning from him, and he’s very good with kids,” she said, adding, “No matter how hard his job is, he always finds a way to make us laugh. You can talk about things other than school, and he is a very good listener.”
Effective communication between staff and students positively impacts the creation of a healthy learning environment and reduces the risk of mental health issues in students.
For this reason, Tyler Robinson was hired as the new resource officer when Mitchell retired, working to be highly professional. His presence helps ensure a safe and secure learning environment.
Many people at the school appreciate Robinson’s presence.
Sophomore Kylie Allen said, “At many of the other schools I’ve attended, they never had well-trained officers. Knowing that Jeff High has one makes me feel safe.”
Overall, both individuals set the standard for what school officers should be.
by Austin Bainbridge
With Saturday’s state championship game drawing ever closer, I was able to interview head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson. He detailed the pressure the players are under and how his experience gives him a unique insight into the biggest game of the year.
How would a win on Saturday affect this team’s legacy?
“They would be in the conversation for being one of the best teams to come through the program. I currently think that our ‘93 team was the greatest to come through here, but if these guys get it done, they’ll be in the conversation for one of the greatest teams to ever play for this program.”
Does being a player on the 1993 state championship team affect how you coach and view this game?
“Yes. I think it’s one thing to describe an event, but it’s one thing to feel that event with emotions. Those emotions are what bring it alive, so to actually be in the moment and to feel it is a unique feeling, so I think it’s something you have to go through to understand. Along with that, the experience of being a player is invaluable.”
How has the team’s style of play changed since the first game of the season?
“I would say that we are more patient. Our maturity has allowed us to understand what ball movement equals, and if you can understand what ball movement equals, you become more patient, and then you can take advantage of defensive breakdowns.”
Are you treating this game like it’s any other game in the season?
“Nah, this is something all on its own, and this is completely different. That’s because there will be no other game throughout the season where there will be this much pressure. So for the folks that say, ‘Ah, this is just another game,’ I just don’t think that is the case.”
Do you think the players are feeling that pressure to perform in a big game like this?
“I do think our players are feeling the pressure to perform, and I think that’s a good thing. Pressure busts pipes. So if you’re not in the situation to have the skills to deal with pressure. then you can’t compete.”
Does Fishers do anything in particular that sets them apart from other programs?
“There are two things they do really well that others don’t. Number one, they pressure you 84 feet in both directions. They pressure you 84 feet offensively, and they pressure you 84 feet defensively, and that’s very rare at this level. And the other thing I think they do really well at is they share the basketball really well. They have four players averaging double figures, and they have two averaging 8 or more.”
You have been saying all year you have two goals, to get players scholarships and to win a state championship. Now that those are both in reach, how do you feel?
“Blessed, truly blessed. That’s our goal every year as we start the season. We have two goals — those goals are getting guys to play at the next level to get a free education, and the next thing we set out to accomplish is to win a state championship. And I think if you can do both of those in one year, that is divine intervention at its finest.”
What do you expect from the players in this game?
“This is something these guys have been preparing for their whole lives. I expect the beginning of the game to be a little sloppy because they’re going to be so excited, and then once the emotion wears off, I think that we’ll settle down and we’ll be able to compete.”
What do the players need to do to win this game
“The first thing they need to do is they can’t get intimidated by the moment. I think that’s the most important. And when you asked me about if it’s any other game, no, it’s not any other game. The atmosphere, the fact that it’s on TV, the fact that this is the first game we’re going to have media timeouts — just all the variables that play into the equation of making it different. They can’t get distracted by it.”
JHS will play defending state champions the Fishers Tigers this Saturday at 8:15 p.m. for the 4A state championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. More information here on the Jeff High Athletics website.
All photographs by Magdalene Conrad.
Click on photographs in the gallery below to view images.
Photos by Madison Pritchard.
Click on the photographs in the gallery below to see regional and semi-state coverage.
All photos by Magdalene Conrad.
Click on photographs in the gallery.
by Sarah Yves-Baloucoune
When politics starts touching social life, it doesn’t always turn out well.
From his Jan. 20 Inauguration to the writing of this article, Donald Trump has signed 75 executive orders, primarily focusing on government reform, immigration, border security, and more.
His policies started with the legal recognition of only male and female genders by signing executive orders proclaiming that only birth assigned sex matters. Ever since the beginning, he had the idea and opened a manhunt for immigrants, even citizens if they have no proof of citizenship on them at the moment, but also Native Americans because the tribal IDs don’t count as proofs to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
His actions were questionable, like firing and un-firing nuclear workers, but in this article, let me present to you one of the lesser known but still present realities of people being put at risk due to the cutting of funds.
In a society built on money, we will always find a group in need of support. In a world built on international relations, we will always find a country that is overlooked, such as the less rich and popular developing countries like mine, Senegal, but also more famous ones like Argentina.
The funds given by the government were financing non-profit organizations like Child Protective Services, as well as scholarships and grants.
Cultural grant students are students chosen by the host country to share their cultures and impact their local communities in order to create bonds and make friends and families around the world.
However, exchange students are in great dread.
The funding cuts have affected the lives of thousands of students in high schools and colleges. The system of grants for students depends on government funds.
“Cultural grant students are students chosen by the host country to share their cultures and impact their local communities in order to create bonds and make friends and families around the world.”
They create bridges between countries and communities, opening people’s minds to diversity and helping people know and discover the unity of each culture and take the best of each to make life better.
What if these bridges didn’t exist?
The world would be doomed. In a world like ours, making peace with everyone is the only way to survive.
What if a country with a lot of resources decided to collaborate with a country that has a lot of knowledge? Two spirits making one strong body is the best way to improve and make life easier.
The development of the world would have been pretty much slower if the relations between countries weren’t as good as they are now. As an example, people around the world have access to plastic, which was created in Belgium, or petroleum, which is from Saudi Arabia.
Without these diplomatic exchanges between them all, there would be no long and cheap conservation of products with plastic containers, no fuel for the cars and machines with petroleum, nor a lot of small objects we all have in our lives like scissors, gardening tools and sewing equipment.
But with the new policies, nothing is sure. The kids who were supposed to be connections between two lands and create a friendly bond between the two countries might never come.
As a result, the home country and host country might not work together again and, even worse, stop acknowledging the existence of one another.
Until today, the future of the grant student programs is unknown, and this may be the last time we will see grant students in the U.S.
by Ifrah Daber
The Jeff Alumni Association was a strong tradition at JHS. Starting in 1994, they were able to raise over $67,000 in scholarships for students that attended and graduated from Jeff.
The organization was disbanded in 2016, but now, after eight long years, with the help of many, including but not limited to special education coordinator Rebecca Shafer and retired teacher Nancy Molnar, the Jeff Alumni Association has come back with blooming plans for the future.
The alumni association has many purposes, from funding scholarships to supporting the school and connecting graduating classes. Its goal is to bring connection to the school and community.
“Our mission is to provide scholarships for graduating seniors, create alumni events that foster connection, and support JHS in meaningful ways. We take great pride in ensuring that the legacy of our alma mater lives on for generations to come,” said Molnar, the coordinator.
There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes; multiple alumni have come together in a united goal, and for the last two years, they have worked diligently and have made many plans for the future.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Shafer, the president of the organization.
Jeff Alumni now has a website created by Nick Stewart and is taking 10-dollar commissions from members that go to scholarships for students likely in the year of 2026.
Another plan that we will possibly see in the future is the “Hall of Flames,” a celebration to honor outstanding alumni, again to show a sense of community and memorialize those who have made a standing difference for the school and community.
This mission is important for many, but specifically for Molner and Shafer due to their long-running connection to Jeff High. Both were students and teachers here at Jeff.
“Simply put, the love for JHS. It’s in my blood! As a proud graduate, lifelong supporter, and former teacher of 37 years, I have always believed in the power of our alumni community. JHS has shaped so many of us, and now it’s our turn to give back,” said Molnar.
Shafer shared similar emotions over wanting to give back to the school she attended and works at.
“It’s important to give back,” she said. The organization is a nonprofit, meaning that every dollar that they receive is used to benefit the school and students.
Shafer also stated that with how new the organization is and its dependence on funding from donations, its current goal is to get more people involved and aware of their efforts — they’re “just trying to get the word out.”
Alumni interested in joining can go to the website at jeffalumni.com or reach out to Molnar or Shafer.
Molnar best summarized the organization’s goals when she stated, “Our goal is simple: bring Red Devils together, from every generation, so we can keep this incredible school strong. We welcome any alum who wants to join us in making a difference. Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil!”
by Romier Hunter-Lawrence
Two JHS swimmers will swim in international waters in April.
Senior Margad Pagva and junior Jaga Pagva have been invited to participate in Mongolia’s 18 and Under Junior National Championship Swim Meet from April 9-12.
This swim meet could possibly allow for one or both of the brothers to compete for Mongolia internationally down the road.
Both sat down to answer some questions about the upcoming international experience.
What are you most excited about when swimming in Mongolia?
Margad: “I’m excited about being able to compete with other Mongolian swimmers and to make new friends.”
Jaga: “I’m excited about swimming in a pool on the other side of the world where I can meet new people and make new friends.”
How excited are you to go to your parents home country for the first time?
Margad: “It’s going to be great because my parents have told me many amazing things about Mongolia, so to be able to experience it myself will be great.”
Jaga: “I’m very excited because we have never traveled abroad across the globe before, so it will gives us a new perspective over the sport of swimming and the competition like in Mongolia.”
What events are you swimming and what are your goals?
Margad: “I’m swimming a multitude events from freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and IM. I want to place high and swim well.”
Jaga: “I’m swimming multiple events such as freestyle, IM, and breastroke; my goal is to place high and swim well.”
Have you ever swim short course meters in a meet before?
Margad: “This will be my first short course meters meet.”
Jaga: “Nope, it will be my first SCM meet .”
What are some words of wisdom for people who want to swim at a national level?
Margad: “Train hard and don’t give up.”
Jaga: “Never give up and chase your dreams.”
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