Graphic by Kaedyn Bowers.
Author: jhshyphen
We are the student newspaper of Jeffersonville High School.
Behind the Red Curtain: Students benefit from Tungate’s Saturday welding sessions
All photos by Liliana Castellanos.
Red Devil volleyball begins Round 1 of Sectional, playing tonight against Providence
Art Club allows students to explore their creative sides
by Isaac Raymer
JHS has many after-school events that cover all sorts of hobbies, sports, and interests. One of these events is, of course, an art-based club that meets every Wednesday sponsored by art teacher Jennifer Beckman.
Beckman said that previously she was a photographer before she became a JHS teacher who would photograph areas for companies, such as their factories, mines, and other important shots for whoever she worked for at the time.
This photography job eventually led her to a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design and study to become a teacher, and then get a job as a JHS art teacher.
Right as Beckman joined JHS she started to notice that there were a lot of students who wanted to get into art class, but just did not have the room in their schedule or weren’t in the right academies to be able to join art class. So, she said that pushed her to host Art Club in her first year of teaching.
Since Art Club is completely self funded, she has a fair amount of creativity. Every week she does a different type of activity such as drawing, painting, clay, sculpting, and many more unique concepts that she likes to rotate as the week’s main activity. Generally $5 per project allows student artists to use all of the resources they need for their current project.
Even students not interested in the main activity at the weekly meeting can join their friends creating projects.
There are also special activities that happen every so often, like field trips to art-related events such as museums, art shows, and anything that gives students the opportunity to grow as artists and just as people in general.
Beckman has said that her favorite part is seeing the community the Art Club makes from kids of every grade and how it feels like a family when they’re together, making for an “amazing environment.” for anyone who comes to join.
Students reminded of Picture Day Wednesday and Thursday this week
Graphic by Ifrah Daber.
Cross country teams driven by unity, focus
by Isabella Stewart
The cross country team has grown significantly this year, starting with the size of the team. Coach Sam Mull, who also coaches track, has seen growth from runners this year and encourages each runner to run track for the spring.
This year’s cross country team has a fair amount of the same team as the previous year; the only major difference is that this year’s girls’ team is slightly larger than in past years. Coach Mull is always welcoming more.
Cross country is a coed sport. Team members practice everyday from 2:45 to 4:30, and the girls and boys practice and then attend meets together.
Freshman Marcus Baker described the intensity of running for a high school team.
“As a student who went to Parkview Middle School, I can say this is a different experience than back in middle school. I feel like I have run better this season than any other, and I think the reason is the coach.”
Mull said, “The best part about coaching is watching kids who don’t believe in themselves do something they thought they couldn’t.” That’s something that motivates him everyday because he loves to watch them grow significantly as a person and as a runner.
Senior Isa Santos Moore is in his first year of running cross country, and his brother, junior Ari Santos Moore, is the reason he got into it. Isa stated that running cross country is a team sport that requires a mental focus.
“Journaling and talking to myself really help me run because focusing on my mentality is what is going to get me through the race with the help of my teammates.”
Senior Brian Juarez said unity is an important part of the cross country team’s success.
“What makes a great team is their loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and always being there for each other holding each and everyone accountable,” he said.
Coach Mull added, “Cohesiveness as a group: a group of kids who all get along and then from there cross country is based on discipline as a runner and strength.”
The cross country teams head into a Hoosier Hills COnference tournament tomorrow at Columbus East.
Struck shares deeper understanding of JHS weight room for students and athletes
by Sarah Baloucoune and D’Zyiah Moore
Training is essential for athletes who wish to progress in their sport, but also for people who want to be in good shape and live long. With that said, the JHS weight room plays a key role in making any Jeffersonville high schooler improve their abilities with the help of the coaching staff.
Coach Danny Struck is a professional in weightlifting and wrestling. He dedicated his life to sports and helping people reach their full potential while training. His students from all grades play different sports, from volleyball to wrestling, and even bowling and track. Everyone could use a bit of help from the weight room, he said.
The National Institute of Health shows how the use of weight rooms can improve strength and dexterity, making it good for anyone.
The weight room, renovated 15 years ago by Struck, is a refuge for students hungry for power and training. The funds and donations raised by the wrestling coach helped him turn it into a multifunctional room in which students can practice weightlifting, speed training, and yoga on a daily basis.
With that being said, the weight room is a source of help and support for physical, mental, and psychological health, as it makes student-athletes push their limits and unwind from the stresses of the day, while also staying active and focusing on their health. It is good for injury prevention and power training, which is an aid when living an active life.
According to Struck, the room isn’t only beneficial for athletes, but for anyone, as it helps anyone in everyday life, such as running, lifting objects like groceries, walking a long time without getting tired, and keeping a clean and fresh mind.
Struck said the weight room is open to all students, as long as they respect the materials and other people using it with them. He added that he wants the weight room to be more inclusive by opening it to more female students.
Accessing the weight room is easy – students just need to be a student of Coach Struck’s classes or be in one of the school sports teams with a coach who uses the weight room as training.
More than a class, the weight room is like a second family that helps each other and wants to see each person improve and become a better version of themselves.
There you have brothers, sisters, friends and allies as “the best part of the weight room is supporting each other,” according to senior Mekhi Cooper, a member of the wrestling and tennis teams.
It’s also a “non-judgmental group with nice people,” according to senior Emily Bailey, a member of the bowling team.
Students who are interested in using the weight room should talk to their counselor, as Coach Struck is always open to new members.
Boys’ tennis defeats New Albany, advances to play Providence for Sectional title Friday
A behind-the-scenes look at the JHS boys’ tennis team as they faced off with Borden High School.
Update: The Red Devils began Sectional play Thursday against New Albany at the Mark Reilly Tennis Center and defeated the Bulldogs.
They play Providence Friday at the Mark Reilly Tennis Center for the Sectional championship at 6 p.m.
Football team builds up for a year of redemption, prepares to face rival New Albany Saturday morning
by Ifrah Daber
Recent JHS football teams haven’t been known for their wins, especially with their 0-10 record in 2023. Since the beginning of the school year, however, many JHS football fans have noticed the team’s growth. As of Sept. 28, the varsity Red Devils are 4-2, with wins against Seymour, Bedford North Lawrence, Louisville Fern Creek, and Silver Creek.
This new school year is a chance for redemption for the Red Devils, and they have taken this challenge with pride.
First-year head coach Joe Washington leads these players and has shaped them for the season. He spoke about discipline and the importance of focus, along with prioritizing the fundamentals, when discussing the team’s success this year.
“Our biggest strength is our defense, and our biggest weakness is likely that we are new on offense,” Washington stated. He elaborated that the team was newer to some offensive plays and going by the book.
“It’s a rival and all records go out the window. It’s us versus us this week.” Washington stated about how he and the team viewed the upcoming game against New Albany.
Despite the challenge of learning and perfecting an offense with his team, Washington still shows confidence. He stated that the players are excited and have been playing well. The positive sentiment is not just believed by the coach, but also by many of the teammates.
One example is senior running back Dayzir Hughes, who has just begun his third year on the team. Hughes attributed the coaching staff’s dedication to the sport to the team’s improvement.
“They put heart into it; the coaches take the time,” Hughes stated.
Senior Glorie Tshimanga, a main tackle on the team for the last three years, described the biggest team weakness as their running game but also said the Red Devils have greatly improved in areas of defense.
He, too, credited the team’s improvement to the coaching of Washington and their other coaches, along with the team’s strong improvement in defense.
“All about a winning mindset, and showing that the team is capable,” stated sophomore Bryce Treat, an offensive guard who recently joined the team.
Despite Treat being newer to the team, he has great trust in his teammates.
Even some student managers chose to speak up about their faith in the team, including freshman Kendall Washington. Coach Washington’s daughter and football team manager stated that the team’s biggest strength is their camaraderie and brotherhood.
She stated that team discipline and a professional approach are the keys to the team’s success. She said that the Red Devils will do well if they keep it together and do not fall back into bad habits.
The team wants to take this year as a new start for JHS football. The words of the team and the coach show that they are focused and ready for more wins down the road.
“Jeff is back and better,” Treat stated, letting students know to look forward to the coming season.
JHS faces local rival New Albany (3-3) in a rare morning home game this Saturday at 11 a.m.
JV soccer team works together to strengthen skills
by Isabella Wemes
Junior varsity girls’ soccer coach Phoebe Bauer Watson meets with the junior varsity athletes to explain what drill they will do first. “We are sharpening our dribbling skills and one-on-ones,” said Watson.
To Watson, the athletes have worked hard and put in much effort.
“We have improved on defending, dribbling, and passing with each other to make a shot.”
From these drills at practice, the athletes feel they have improved at their positions.
Freshman Ivy Romine-Wykoff said, “The drills have helped me find my strengths, which are blocking somebody and passing.” Romine-Wykoff plays left defense.
Sophomore Zoey Johnson plays full back and center midfield. She, too, thinks that the drills have helped her improve. “The drills are fun and have helped me better my ball control and have a good pace.”
With the efforts of the athletes working together and becoming better at their positions, comes with how they stay fit during the off-season.
Romine-Wykoff stayed fit by doing basic core training, running on the treadmill, and weight training. Johnson stayed fit by playing soccer year-round.
With this, the athletes feel like the season is going well, even though they haven’t won a game yet.
“I think the team has been hard-working, and the season will go up from where it’s at,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I think we’re doing pretty good and are on track to do sectionals,” said Johnson.
The athletes’ goals also play a big part in getting them to where they are or want to be.
“I’d like to improve on basic skills, build up my endurance, and play different positions on the field,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I want to score a goal on varsity,” said Johnson.
Overall the team thinks they are doing well. Since the end of the season is approaching they are trying their hardest to win a match.
The varsity Red Devils begin sectional play next week.
Girls’ soccer carries optimism into sectional play
by Sarah Jacobs
After warming up, the girls’ soccer players are split into teams to play a game of keep away. They practice their passes during a heated game. Head coach Julie Deuser advises the girls as they play.
“I think the soccer department is really going in the right direction,” said senior Jovie Golko as she reflected on her years playing soccer at JHS. She cited the new coach as a key factor as to why she is feeling optimistic about the current season.
Deuser has a history with coaching soccer, having coached and played during her college years.
“I want to have a winning season and build the team back up,” Deuser said. She believes the team has a strong core group who are familiar with one another.
Sophomore Zoe Johnson cited the team’s positive attitude as a key strength. “I think our defense is our strongest point,” said defensive player Golko.
Strong as the team may be, it’s not perfect. “We really need more girls to come out and play,” Deuser said.
Golko and Johnson believe the team’s ability to get control of the ball is its greatest weakness. If they can’t take control of the ball, it becomes harder to get scoring opportunities.
Training drills help improve these skills, though. The team trains in a variety of ways during the off season. The entire team does conditioning, but individual players have more variety in their routine. Johnson and Golko play indoor soccer separate from the school. Junior Aubrey Cummings does wrestling.
Johnson, Golko, and Cummings said their goal for the team this season is to win sectionals. With a unified goal in mind, the team, joined by their new coach, is working hard this season to achieve that win.
Soccer sectionals begin next week.
thehyphennews.com 