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Speaking Out on “The Poet X”

By Lacy Blanton, Guest Journalist

“Even with the tambourine and festive singing, these days, church seems less party and more prison” is one of many quotes and themes from the ingenious book “The Poet X” that simply took my breath away through amazement.

“The Poet X” is a 2018 young adult novel written by Harlem-based author and poet Elizabeth Acevedo, published by “HarperTeen”.

The story follows fifteen-year-old Dominican girl Xiomara Batista living in the vibrant city of Harlem, New York. A land home to thousands of Afro-Latino identities, and its culturally rich street life that her overprotective Mamí shields her from. Xiomara (who also goes by “Xio” or “X”) hides the beautiful talent of her writing in a notebook. In it, she lyrically pours out her thoughts and documents the struggles in her daily life. These struggles include frequent sexual harassment from men, questioning the authenticity of her birth-religion and Mamí making that freedom of choice difficult for her, and her confused feelings after a blossoming crush on a boy at her school. X discovers and is captured by the Black-based culture of slam poetry, which she begins to explore within her notebook. Living in a world where people try to keep her silent, X learns the power of her poetic words and fights for them to be heard.

A feature that makes this novel compelling is how it is written from an in-verse perspective. Each chapter is reminiscent of a page from a notebook, and almost every chapter is a poem that documents X’s life. Each poem or “entry” has a style that is easy-to-follow. They’re typically short but powerfully clever nonetheless. (A huge plus for those who struggle paying attention when reading.) Other details are that each chapter is dated to a month and a day of the week. All of this helps create an atmosphere that you’re truly immersed into X’s world, that you really are reading the notebook of an impressionable but talented teenager. And with that, rooting for the main character feels essential. The shockingly realistic plot and brutal honesty is also an immense factor to the novel’s merit. The summary given above are just several of the many heavy topics that the story tackles, but all are dealt with in a respectful and believable fashion. The novel is loaded with memorable quotes that’ll make readers’ fingers snap and go “mmm” with their mouths, most likely linked to the straightforwardness. As X and her family are Latinx, there are several chapters or phrases completely written in Spanish. Additionally helping the novel contain a piece of realism and have the readers feel even more immersed in the protagonist’s culture. Above else, the message of speaking out was the true shining star. Acevedo didn’t just write this book, she made this with true love and passionate words.

I, like many reviewers that have marveled over this book, are touched by this story. X’s passions, struggles, and life holds a mirror to mine. Not only as a person of color, high schooler, and twin, but also as a writer and poet wishing for my work to be heard.

Since its release, many schools across the US have outright banned the book for its inclusive themes of sexuality in adolescence, and claims of it being ‘anti-religious’ and having ‘alternative beliefs’. What these schools fail to realize is that “The Poet X” was not written for controversy, spectacle, or shock. It is a daring book that tells the real lives and situations of numerous individuals. From a current teenager’s coming-of-age to a grown adult who had similar experiences to X’s growing up. Acevedo’s central message about the power of voice alongside the art that is slam poetry within this story is a message for all to hear. It is absolutely going to save and inspire many.

6 Mar 20236 Mar 2023 by jhshyphen

TOP 5 SHOWS THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH

By Luke Whobrey

1 – Breaking Bad

Though often heralded as an oft crime thriller, “Breaking Bad” has had a resurgence in popularity with the release of a spinoff, “Better Call Saul” (an equally nefarious-themed acquaintance), as well as a variety of internet memes chronicling its main character, Walter White’s mouth-agape expression in response to a tragedy. The show, focusing on themes of disparity as well as chronicled events of impending doom, present a narrative meant to show that while action is a gripping feature, there is more to be presumed within what we perceive as “Illegal.”

2 – The Sopranos

A crime drama starring New Jersey’s finest James Gandolfini, the “Sopranos” focuses on an Italian-American mobster who attempts to reconcile his family life with his infidelities as well as the numerous amounts of punches, gunshots, and kicks he has to throw to get people his way. Running for seven seasons, David Chase presents a narrative acquainted with that of oldie-goldies in cinema, reminiscent of “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”, and “The Untouchables”.

3 – The Walking Dead

A post-apocalyptic horror show with elements of the Western genre, especially that of Spaghetti Western, “The Walking Dead” chronicles in its first few seasons the life of a certain Rick Grimes, a police officer who awakens in a hospital after having been shot by a criminal. While asleep, the world around him collapsed to hordes of flesh-eating monsters that the characters in the show refer to as “walkers.” Delivering horror with a slice of standoff, “The Walking Dead” provides enough entertainment in both its catalogue of weapons as well as its production of acquired nuances, a feat seldom accomplished in mainstream media.

4 – The Last of Us

Despite only recently coming out and having four episodes total as of writing this, “The Last of Us”, like “The Walking Dead”, focuses through both flashbacks and interactions on a world destroyed by both firebombing from a desperate military as well as the undead who brought it upon themselves. The show echoes themes of affection and bewildered morality, as well as the unfortunate alliances and sacrifices needed to be made to fight against a foe, in this case one mutated with a large appetite for brains.

5 – Futurama

While a wild suggestion with its two-dimensional landscape compared to the previous shows, “Futurama” serves as one of “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening’s finest works, coming elements of comedy with surrealism, non-sequiturs, and futuristic vendettas, all held together by a stream-of-consciousness format explored in the character of Philip Fry, a despondent salesman who finds himself sent 1,000 years into the future in cryostasis.

17 Feb 202317 Feb 2023 by lukaswhobrius

School Lunches

Written By: Bradley Prather

Jeffersonville High School’s lunch is not the best thing in the world. I have heard many things about their lunch, and many say it’s equivalent to prison or jail food. I believe that JHS can improve their lunches in many ways. So in my article, I will be sharing my, and others, opinions on how they can improve their lunch. I will also talk about the price of lunches and why everyone’s lunch should be free.

One big issue with the food that they serve us students is the overall quality of the food. To start off, the chicken patties that they serve are very dry and bland. Secondly, the fries they serve us are usually half frozen still and undercooked. And the biggest problem, the food is either undercooked or overcooked. Though, not all things are bad about their food, their pizza is one of the better things they serve, and seems to be one of the more popular things amongst students. Finally, we serve the same thing everyday, except for the experimental kitchen line, but they serve the same thing in that line as well.

Now, I’m going to share some opinions of students, and my own on how they could really improve what they do and make. For me, I think if they actually paid attention to how long they keep things in their ovens, the food would turn out a whole lot better. One of the things people told me was to add variety, one of the foods people said they wanted to see a lot more was chicken nuggets and tacos, which I can agree on. Cainen Skaggs, a sophomore said, “Use fresher ingredients and food.” This is a very great idea, since many people complain about the food being bland, adding more seasoning and such would greatly improve the food. A fellow friend of mine, Cooper Pickles, said, “Adding more lines, so food can get to us faster.” One main problem is how long the pizza line can take, and many people on Monday are eager for Papa Johns, so having maybe 2-3 lines for pizza would be amazing. A senior I questioned said, “Letting students sell our own snacks” Letting students sell their own snacks would be cool, it could tie along to having more variety of what you can eat, and students would really like it.

“Lunches are equivalent to gas prices” this quote describes the price of lunches best. A lot of students in the school are enraged to say the least about lunches costing more. For some students in the building, lunch is the only meal they may get to eat, and they may not have money to pay for their food. I know that some students get their food for free, but why can’t EVERYONE get their food for free in school?

13 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

The Absence of Middle School

Written By: Nathaniel Edwards

(Pictured Above: Kaydee Merrifield)

An integral part of childhood development is the knowledge and skills acquired in middle school. In elementary school, you are exposed to a small group of students, separated heavily by the grade you are a part of. However, once you hit middle school, not only are you exposed to students from various elementary schools in your district, but students in all grade levels interact with each other. This melting pot creates an environment that forces students to interact with one another, and create the social skills necessary for the real world. This integral part of development was shattered in 2020. Desks began to spread, masks blocked faces, interaction was minimized. The freshman in 2022, the class of 2026, were stripped of their entire middle school experience. For Kaydee Merrifield, this has created an issue in her freshman experience.

Kaydee Merrifield is part of the class of 2026 and a former River Valley Middle School student. For her, the Covid-19 pandemic has halted her social skills and academic knowledge. Covid-19 started, for Kaydee, during her sixth grade year. Everything went online, and she would not be back in school until July of her seventh grade year. Although, coming back to school would not be any more advantageous to these social skills and academic knowledge than staying at home. At lunch, Kaydee expected to be able to make a big group of friends and socialize with them daily, but it became impossible due to the rule of three to four students per table. Class was not much better either; desks were spread so far apart that it was impossible to turn to a neighboring desk to talk or give simple remarks. “I was really crossing my fingers to make more friends in middle school but I did not make as many as I wanted to because I could never get around people.”

Suddenly, Kaydee was a freshman in high school. “Coming to high school, it’s like somehow I got whiplash. Suddenly there’s a lot of stuff.” Everything she grew to know as normal in middle school was now irrelevant. The normal became the standards expected from Freshman three years ago. Teachers expecting these standards is detrimental to the success of the Freshman class. “My math teacher expects us to know certain things, but I didn’t get a chance to learn them.” It is not just math that has this expectation, it is almost every Freshman class. Kaydee was never a science person, but her Biology Honors instructor expects so much from her class that she is now getting constant C’s. This pressure for reaching an academic level that you did not build to efficiently is suffocating individuals’ mental health.

“I definitely became less social during Covid. I like talking to people; it takes me an hour to leave a party because I keep getting stuck in different conversations. Now, it takes me a lot longer to even introduce myself to people.” It is intimidating to come to a brand new school where you get to interact with a large assortment of people, but given that you could not socialize consistently with your own middle school classmates, Freshman year is that much more difficult.

Kaydee Merrifield has to pick up the pieces she was not taught quickly, but she is doing it successfully. She is making tons of new friends, and she has established a wonderful relationship with a new friend group. Although this year will be difficult, she continues to show that it is possible to make this situation work. All Class of 2026 Freshman are struggling with their academics and socialization, but as the year progresses, we hope all Freshman can work as hard as Kaydee Merrifield is.

13 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Stranger Things Season 4 – Review

Project | Stranger Things, Season 4 - Rodeo FX

Written By: Samuel Broady

The popular Netflix original series known as “Stranger Things” fully released its fourth and latest season last July and fans all over the world are still talking about it. Everybody loves a great sci-fi horror story about a group of kids stopping supernatural forces; and, personally, I believe that the show deserves all the views and love it has received. Of course, the newest season isn’t without its flaws, but it did revive the show and there’s a lot of reasons for that.

The main improvement with the fourth season is that the original elements of mystery and horror have returned. It’s safe to say that a mysterious story is all about revealing one piece of information after another, until each piece fits together perfectly to reveal the whole story. On a horror basis, this season really cranks it up. It embraces the Stephen King vibes and it increases the brutality. With the introduction of the villain Vecna, it’s a refreshing take on the genres that made the show magic in the first place.

Another thing that has always driven this show is the characters. Eleven is always interesting; Hopper remains a strong fighter; Steve’s development is amazing; and Eddie is amusing. However, in Season 4, Max has the best arc. She blocks out her friends because of her depression and trauma. But when she’s faced with the risk of death, she uses her happy memories to escape the darkness. What seemed like an apathetic lifestyle turned into an instinctive embracing of friendship and life. As a social commentary, I believe that her struggle is the best aspect in the new season.

There are a lot of other positive aspects in this season. The emotions are all over the place. Building off of our attachment to the characters, there are several heartbreaking scenes.

Additionally, the scope of the story is huge, the production design is off the charts, the filming locations are stunning, the special effects look convincing, the cinematography is showcased in spectacular use of dramatically colored lighting, the action doesn’t fail to entertain, and the performances rock. Sadie Sink (Max) and Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) especially shine in this season. Finally, the music is awesome. The biggest example is “Running Up That Hill”, a song from the 1980s by Kate Bush, which topped the charts on Spotify this year after its revival on the show.

There are negative aspects, unfortunately. The biggest issue is how overstuffed the episodes are. Too much happening can make one get lost and some subplots are more engaging than others. They should remove characters because some have no need in the show anymore. Also, the amount of plot armor and untied loose ends is somewhat underwhelming.

Needless to say, “Stranger Things” Season 4 improves on a lot of things. It’s not perfect, but it certainly proves the possibility for blockbuster television. All we can do now is wait for Season 5 and hope it’s even better because the future looks bright. According to the Duffer Brothers, we’re headed into a time jump that will only take place in Hawkins with no new characters. And that sure sounds promising.

All in all, Stranger Things Season Four deserves a 9/10.

13 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – Review

By: Sam Broady

2022 was a good year for movies. With “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Batman,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Bullet Train,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” cinema was back. Oddly enough, there was one other film in theaters that nobody asked for, nobody expected it to be good, and nobody hated it. That film is “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Out of all the possibilities for a sequel, “Puss in Boots” turned out to have one and it happened to be amazing. I was blown away in theaters. I have a good memory of it and I look forward to re-watching it because it may be my favorite Dreamworks film. “How to Train Your Dragon” held that title for a long time.

The best thing about this film is by far the animation. In all honesty, it is the best animation I have ever seen. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is well known for its top notch animation, but while its visuals have the highest highlights, I think this film has better visuals overall. The action looks especially good. I love how the frame rate slows down in all the fight scenes. My favorite scene is the fight between Puss in Boots and Death because the color scheme looks amazing. I adore the use of colors and lighting in this film.

Another thing I love about this movie is the characters. I think it’s really important for a film to prioritize its characters if it wants to be memorable; luckily, that’s what happened. I highly enjoy Puss in Boots in this film. I don’t remember anything about the prequel but it doesn’t matter. Antonio Banderas gives the character such energy and he keeps his vibrant personality among the challenges he faces. I like his reunion with Kitty: she gets the job done. Perrito the dog is a funny addition. He brings love and comfort to the story. Goldilocks and the three bears are a delight to see and I didn’t expect them to be so fun. However, my favorite character is the wolf. His name is Death and he is the coolest character in fiction. Every time he’s on screen, he gives me the creeps.

Surprisingly, the themes are conveyed with more depth than I expected. This film explores the fear of dying, which many can relate to. With Puss in Boots being on one out of nine lives, he is running for his life for the first time. His objective in the story is to make a wish for more lives so he can be the legend everyone knows him as. But, in the end, he realizes one life is enough when he gets to spend it with the people he loves. Or should I say animals. Everyone else cancels their wish as well when they learn to appreciate what they have. Having someone to trust, having a family, having friends; there’s a heartfelt message about sticking with what you have in life and it’s done in a rather subtle manner that complements the characterization of our protagonist.

Extra aspects that I enjoyed are the voice acting, the humor, and the music. I don’t know why Dreamworks went so hard on this film, but I am so glad they did. We need more animated masterpieces like these; films that specialize in the telling of a story and the style of animation rather than serving as a formulaic cash grab that intends to sell merchandise and teach kids nothing. You can feel the passion that went into every frame of this film. I cannot feel anything when watching films produced by Illumination like “Minions”. The difference in quality between Illumination and Dreamworks is unreal. By all means, I think it’s safe to say that “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is the best animated film of 2022 and I am very thankful for its release.

Tim Curry: The Life and Legacy of an Icon

by Aurora Grisham

Movies, music, and voice acting: Tim Curry was a multi-talented actor and singer who tragically passed away on August 25, 2026.

After suffering from a stroke in 2012, he was wheelchair-bound and slowly recovering over the next 14 years. Most people know him as the outlandish and cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But what was his life truly like?

Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Warrington, United Kingdom. His father was a chaplain in the Royal Navy, and his mother was a secretary for a school. As a child born into a military family, his childhood included many moves, including to Hong Kong.

He began his musical career in the church, where he sang as a boy soprano. During his young adult years, Curry studied drama and English literature at Birmingham University. His early-stage work included conventional classic roles in Shakespearean plays.

In 1978, Curry played Shakespeare in the British drama series Will Shakespeare, where Curry would fully disappear under the prosthetics and makeup, allowing him to play his startling and terrifying characters.

Curry would play the Lord of Darkness in the epic 1985 film Legend, starring Tom Cruise. In 1990, he was covered in white face paint to play the evil clown Pennywise in the horror movie IT.

Relocating to the USA in the 1980’s gave Curry many opportunities for movies, including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Scary Movie 2. He also kept his ability to terrify by playing the serial killer Billy Flynn in Criminal Minds.

Despite the major stroke he experienced in 2012, he still kept performing, voicing characters in a multitude of works like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Transformers: Rescue Bots.

Though he died fairly recently, his works are still appreciated by people around the world. Through his cult classics and musical talents, people all over the world have appreciated his talents for decades. He may have died, but his legacy will forever live on.

by jhshyphen 24 Sep 2026

Prosser offers real world experiences

by Gabriella Kraft

Prosser is a Career Education Center where Southern Indiana students can go to receive additional education or a degree for free through high school without attending college. Those who apply and get accepted excel by learning skills in their desired field. Prosser offers many classes and pathways, and students apply because their high school doesn’t offer a specific class for that pathway, or it isn’t in-depth enough.

Business Academy counselor Shelby McCorkle said Prosser offers many different programs.

“They offer 20-21 different programs, and they each have dual credit attached to them. It’s a little different depending on what program you’re in. You can apply as a sophomore, you need a letter of recommendation, a goal statement, to be on track with your credits, and good attendance. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience, but it’s not for everybody,” she said.

Junior Graciela Sanchez studies Cosmetology and finds Prosser a great opportunity to better her education and get her life ready after high school.

“I can get my cosmetology license and go straight into work while I also still plan to go to college and study elementary education,” she said.

Life at Prosser isn’t the same for everybody. Most people love it, and some people do not, but the opportunities teens get while there exceed everything — the good and the bad, according to junior Jaylianah Burris.

“I love it. I like all of the different opportunities I am able to have. I plan to become an orthodontist, so Dental is a huge staple while at Prosser,” she said.

Prosser not only supports career choices; it also helps prepare students for higher education and real life. For example, junior Samantha Carillo studies Early Childhood Psychology.

“I’m going into early childhood psychology and not education because I want to help kids with their social-emotional learning more than their education. Prosser helps teach me how kids are affected in their early years and how to help/prevent certain childhood problems,” she said.

Prosser students prepare for a variety of careers; for example, junior Lorelei Darling studies Culinary Arts, junior Jacob Fifer studies Automotive Mechanical, and junior Brayden Bachman studies Constructional Electrical Trades.

“I love my Prosser class because I get to learn how to cook; it has exceeded my expectations. I want to be a private chef, so it’s very beneficial for my career choice,” Darling said.

“It’s very easy managing my time since I finish my homework in class,” added Fifer.

Additionally, Bachman said, “Prosser is great — I love how it’s hands-on, and you meet tons of people. It’s easy to manage your time as long as you stay on top of your work.”

Life at Prosser is a logical choice for students who want to stay ahead of the game. It may not be for everyone, but it is a great opportunity that prepares teens for careers after high school.

by jhshyphen 24 Sep 2026

Digital Dispatch Sept. 23,2026

Spanish teacher Margarita Mackle teaches pronouns to the class. “I’ve been teaching for 10 years and I like teaching because when the student understands and being able to say it back to me, that makes me feel happy,” she said. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.

by jhshyphen 24 Sep 2026

Choir entertains community during annual Gospelfest

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Parker McCloskey.

Senior Sire Minggia sings at Gospelfest last Thursday. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

by jhshyphen 23 Sep 2026

Championship Victory

Red Devils defeat New Albany 2-1 last night to win Hoosier Hills Conference

Photos by Malachi Conrad and Parker McCloskey. Additional reporting by Austin Bainbridge.

Junior Dylan Ortiz listens to Coach Colin Bell’s speech before the first half. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

by jhshyphen 23 Sep 202623 Sep 2026

Behind the Scenes

Drew Davis uses soccer to teach life lessons

by Louis Stifler

Junior varsity soccer coach Drew Davis crouches down on to the ground to discuss the product of the half with his team. He describes how their Evansville Reitz opponents play and the weakness his players may leverage for their success and what they might improve on in the next half.

“He tells me what to do and we just win games and that’s what it’s all about,” said freshman Ryan McKinley, a JV soccer starter.

Not only does he help them on the field but he teaches them other lessons, especially off the field.

“It’s teaching them to work with others and learning that you won’t win everything, but if you stay the course with the right game plan you will be successful in life,” recounted Davis. “It teaches discipline and responsibility in that you sacrifice stuff for others.”

Coach Davis has been in the soccer program for 13 years. He has also coached at several other schools and played during his high school years.

“I would say when I started to get to high school and would watch games with friends it was more than anything I could really imagine,” remarked Davis.

Out of all the years, though, Coach Davis said that this year is different for the soccer program.

“I think that this team from top to bottom is the best team since I have been here. It’s a marriage of skill and belief,” stated Davis.

Junior varsity soccer coach Drew Davis instructs freshman Ryan McKinley during the Providence game. Photo by Louis Stifler.

This team seems to have something different to it that both the coaches and the players see.

“It is a lot more accepting and a lot more people have come out,” said sophomore JV player Ryland Prichard.

The atmosphere of the teams signifies that there is a different fire this year. Over the years it was building up. The coaches can feel it, and so can the players.

“My goal would one day to be fighting for a state title. You do that by not just winning games, but getting good grades, being a leader,on and off the field, and just being a role model,” stated Davis.

This soccer program has improved under all of those who support it.

Davis said the JHS soccer success has been special, especially in “the years when JV had an undefeated season — which I never thought I’d do — and the varsity season last year as we went as far as I did as a player.”

Coach Davis has brought this program back up higher than ever and he plans to bring it even higher as a teacher, a leader, but especially as a coach.

“I love coaching because I enjoy giving back to others and watching them enjoy the experience I got out of the sport and being a part of a building project, watching it grow and get.”

Freshman Camron Bell chases his soccer dreams

by Javian DeLa Luz Garcia

Freshman Camron Bell listens intently as head coach Drew Davis instructs the players on what to do during practice.

“I look forward to scoring a lot of goals and making it to sectionals and regionals,” said Bell. He is a part of the junior varsity JHS soccer team. He hopes to be a regular starter in junior varsity, and eventually be a part of the varsity soccer squad.

“I’m proud of how far I made it in soccer, because the level I am at is extremely difficult and hard,” said Bell.

He is a normal kid. He goes to school and he hangs out with his friends; however; one of his main aspects in life is playing soccer. His main passion in life is playing soccer.

“I strive to go pro because it is my dream. It is my passion, I love this sport and I want to go pro in it,” said Bell.

Though he strives to go pro now, he has always had a passion for soccer from an early age.

“When I was three years old, my mom wanted me to try out a sport, so I chose soccer.”

After choosing soccer Bell has fallen in love with the sport of soccer ever since. His coach, Davis, is the one who trains Bell and the JV team.

“I think that he is not someone who tiptoes into challenges. He throws himself into challenges. He puts 110% effort in all factors of the game,” said coach Davis.

Freshman Camron Bell. Photo by Mason McGuire.

Freshman Cayden Stolte, Bell’s teammate, agreed with Davis, describing him as a good goalscorer for the team.

Although his life mostly consists of sports he also gives effort into school. Bell has to be on top of his school work to be able to play in this soccer team. The school has requirements to be able to play in a school team.

“Nothing below a D and if you have a D you have to have no missing assignments,” said Bell.

Having to deal with both his school and athlete life, Bell finds himself sometimes being overwhelmed by the pressure.

“Balancing them both is hard… because you have to get good grades and study and sometimes they interfere. I study at home, get good grades, and go out and play on the field,” said Bell.

It’s this philosophy that drives Bell towards success in the sport of soccer.

“Never give up, chase your dreams no matter the setbacks. And that life will get hard, just never stop trying.”

by jhshyphen 23 Sep 202623 Sep 2026

6 Feb 20239 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

In Remembrance Of: Prominent People Lost in 2022

By: Madison Pritchard

Vivienne Westwood: 1941-2022

Vivienne Westwood was a force to be reckoned with during her successful career in fashion. She got her start in 1965 after meeting and moving in with Malcolm McClaren. Together, they opened a vintage fashion stall called Let It Rock. Here, Westwood began to design and create clothing based off of ideas McClaren had. The designs were representative of the “normal” style of the time, which often included very bold and promiscuous slogans or graphics. These articles of clothing were immensely successful within the punk youth demographic in Britain, however, they garnered negative attention from the more conservative right-wing reporters.

Eventually, Westwood and McClaren parted ways in 1986 and Vivienne began her own brand, Vivienne Westwood, which stayed true to her unique and extravagant roots. Here she became a household name because she was never afraid of being too bold or too brazen with her designs. Her influence on the fashion world is forever remembered as an important one for the strides she took to make a difference.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss: 1982-2022

Over his lifetime, Stephen “tWitch” Boss developed impressive skills in acting, producing, choreographing and dancing. In 2008, he was on the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and ended as the runner-up contestant. During this season, he performed a dance titled “Mercy” with fellow contestant Katee Shean that earned them a choreography award nomination from the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. In following seasons of SYTYCD he participated as an All Star dancer.

He became the guest DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014, and then in 2020 became a co-executive producer of the show. He also starred in the “Step Up” movies of 2010, 2012 and 2014 as character Jason Hardlerson. Then in 2015 he acted in “Magic Mike XXL”. In death, he leaves behind his wife, fellow SYTYCD contestant Allison Holker, their three children, and a loving fanbase who know him as a lighthearted, hardworking, and devoted man.

Irene Cara: 1959-2022

Popular songstress and actor from the 80’s, Irene Cara worked on a multitude of projects that earned her claim to fame. One of her most popular songs being the title song “Fame” from the 1980 musical film of the same name, where she played Coco Hernandez. The song rose to number 1 on music charts from multiple countries, earning her a spot in mainstream music. Then in 1983, she sang the song “Flashdance… What A Feeling” from the film “Flashdance”. This performance won her an Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Later in life, she voiced Snow White in the unofficial sequel to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Happily Ever After, and also appeared as Mary Magdalene in the musical tour for Jesus Christ Superstar. After these jobs though, she never was able to go back to the level of success she had once reached, and began to slowly drift away from the limelight.

Takeoff: 1994-2022

Kirshnik Khari Ball, or more commonly known from his professional name Takeoff, was one-third of the critically acclaimed rap trio, Migos. Made up of his uncle, Quavo, and cousin, Offset, they first hit the hip hop scene in 2008. But only in 2013 did they begin to garner attention for their work after the release of their single “Versace”. Their first number 1 hit “Bad and Boujee” was what really pushed them to the forefront of the rap genre.

Migos’ second and third studio albums “Culture” and “Culture II” both debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200. Soon after in 2018, Takeoff announced an upcoming solo album titled “The Last Rocket”. In October 2022, as his final project, Takeoff released a collaborative album with Quavo named “Only Built for Infinity Links” in the month leading up to his death.

Because of his important contributions and impact he had on the hip hop genre, the public commemoration of his life entitled “Celebration of Life” amassed over 20,000 attendees.

3 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Meander Into the Manosphere

Clawing for meaning gets people scratched

by Tristan Darvin

Internet star and former kickboxer Andrew Tate.

“What colour is your Bugatti?”

That was a rhetorical question said by Andrew Tate. Rhetorical questions such as this one serve as jabs at the logic or moral fiber of an opponent. With the question of money and cars being used as a moral criticism, the question is based on the idea that money is morality and greed is good. In being based on such an idea, it brings a lot of questions about those who are asking it.

What created this void of meaning that’s been filled by this nasty materialism, who is this void in, and how is it better filled?

To take a look at the father of the aforementioned rhetorical question to get some insight, the phrase was coined by internet celebrity, kickboxer, self described misogynist, and likely human trafficker Andrew Tate. Tate was raised on an estate in Luton, England by his chessmaster father and his catering assistant mother, with Tate gaining television and kickboxing fame; Tate’s fame was short-lived due to a leaked video of him beating a woman with a belt. But Tate clawed out of his exile as the rising star of the online ‘Manosphere’.

An online coalition of disenfranchised men known as the ‘Manosphere’ has raised a myriad of pro-male figures into stardom from Andrew Tate to Jordan Peterson. The members of this coalition dwell in their own world, rejected by all else, that even has its own slang and lingo. These men often cite unfair rejection and mistreatment from others, especially women, for their behavior of sexual harassment and sexism. Whether or not those complaints are valid or a strawman is debatable.

The manosphere often leaves the internet to affect the material world. Elliot Roger, killer of six and self-described “supreme gentleman”, subscribed to these defeatist ideas of loneliness and despair and used them to justify his rampage. However, his behavior as described by himself and others had shown him not as a lonely soul, but one who drives others away while blaming them for leaving him behind. This demonstrates not the state of victimhood these men describe, but a state of hostile misogyny that makes everyone miserable and these men hateful.

However, with all of this in mind, one thing escapes us: how do we solve this?

Andrew Tate, just like the entire subculture he dwells in, spreads via shocking and rule breaking content. They take hold on the minds of men via scandal and unleashing repressed desires. They take hold, but they can be shaken off. We can be better, but we have to do some things.

Just like romance, communication is key in deradicalization. By unsealing the lid on these emotions by normalizing conversations about loneliness as opposed to ‘tolerating masculine solitude’ we may give these feelings an escape valve that isn’t as dangerous as when they come bursting out directed by muscled misogynists. Just as one can be pulled in, one can be pulled out by openness and acceptance of the other. And thus, the other may cease to be so terrifying and the hate may be quelled in the end.

3 Feb 202310 Mar 2023 by T. R. Darvin

The Weird Obsession with Marilyn Monroe

Written by Madison Pritchard

T-shirts, mugs, blankets, posters, figurines, and dolls. These are all merchandise items you can find with Marilyn Monroe’s name, face, or features plastered all over them. She has dominated the pop culture scene for well over seven decades, and there seems to be no sign of stopping that trend anytime soon. But what really prompted her ever-lasting popularity and her staple reign in pop culture?

Marilyn, born Norma Jean Mortenson, was your classic rags-to-riches story. She was born in Los Angeles and in her early life she went from foster home to foster home. Marilyn married her first husband at sixteen and started her first job. While working, she was scouted and began a new career as a pin-up model and acted in a multitude of short-films.

The public’s fascination with Monroe began back in the 1950s with her iconic roles in the films “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, “The Seven Year Itch”, and “Some Like It Hot’’. Along with her feat of becoming Playboy’s first cover girl, and being crowned the “Sexiest Woman of the Century” by People magazine. She is also widely known as a leading and revolutionizing sex symbol of the fifties.

Her original boom was her cover on Playboy Magazine. What many don’t know is that this was a non-consensual act on owner Hugh Hefner’s part. She had originally posed nude for a calendar company out of “desperation” in which she made reportedly $50. The photos were eventually sold to Hefner for $500 dollars, which kickstarted his Playboy empire while Marilyn got none of the profits.

Marilyn is one of the most successful examples of using an on vs. off screen persona. So while these two personas were different, they shared a lot of the same qualities. Like her sense of literal humor. This prompted critics to claim that she was just acting as herself, instead of stepping into a new character. Her roles in Hollywood were consumed by the “Blonde-Bombshell” typecast and sexist stereotypes. In most of her movies she is depicted as a young ‘hopeless’ girl who eventually gets with a wealthy and sophisticated man. Marilyn’s acting career was often looked down upon by critics who criticized her for relying on her attractiveness, rather than acknowledging the fact that Marilyn was actually an intelligent and professionally trained actress who would make fun of the characters she played.

Into her personal affairs, Monroe was married three times, divorced three times. It was also highly speculated that she was in some sort of relationship to former president John F. Kennedy. This only added more allure to her persona. It left many people wanting to know more about this public, but also private figure.

Unlike many golden-age Hollywood starlets like Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, or Eve Arden, Monroe never had the chance to grow old and age. So, fast forward to her untimely death in 1962, when she was in her mid thirties. She passed, and was left forever-36, a young and beautiful woman frozen in time, never to grow out of the image people already had of her.

Her early death plays a huge role in her long-time fame. It left people able to dehumanize her, because she, physically, never changed. Just an unaging sex symbol. It begs the question of morality in the case of famous figures. She also never seems to have been able to rest, even after death. She also was never given credit for her incredibly successful career.

After her death, her estate was given to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, who eventually passed, and then the estate was given to his then wife, Anna Strasberg, who is assumed to have had no connection to Marilyn other than through Lee. Anna eventually sold Marilyn’s estate to CMG Worldwide in 1994, which is how large corporations gained access to the ability to create merchandise and make immense profits off of Monroe.

Despite her career, most people have seen or known about Marilyn before even watching her films. Her face is plastered on merchandise and is included in in random advertisements that have no connection to her or what she stood for. Popular moments that reference or imitate Monroe span from even the earliest moments after her death to now, in 2022. For example, the 1980 Chanel No. 5 perfume commercial where Carole Bouquet literally turns into Monroe is a little freakish to watch. Or Madonna’s recreation of Monroe in “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” for her 1984 “Material Girl” music video that hit the nail right on its head. And even to the 2017 burial of Hugh Hefner next to Monroe, even though they never actually knew each other, as Hefner revealed in a 2012 interview with CBS News, stating that he felt a connection to her because of her significance to the popularity of Playboy. Or even most recently, the controversy surrounding Kim Kardashian wearing Monroe’s “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress to the 2022 Met Gala.

Even now, people still want more of her. The biopics and biographies, merchandise, or recreations of her work in film are still copied and multiplied year by year. Ironically, she is likely more scrutinized now than she was when she was alive. People need to leave her alone, and let her rest. Let the fascination of Marilyn Monroe die with her, one last time.

Nov. 2022

25 Jan 202325 Jan 2023 by jhshyphen

Facebook Has Got a New Name

Two weeks ago, a rumor of a name change for the social media company Facebook was spreading fast among internet users. Facebook has been around since February 2004, and it has developed and changed quite a bit. The name, however, has remained the same. Back in 2003, the original intention of the social media app was a “hot or not” style website, originally called Facemash, where students at Harvard University could rate the faces of their classmates. While it got shut down two days later, founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg aimed to redesign the website, giving it its new purpose – connecting people. In early 2004, it was re-released as the Facebook we know today.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, Facebook announced the new company name as Meta Platforms, in reference to the metaverse (a fictional future vision of the internet.) According to CNBC, the change comes after the company faced scrutiny over the spread of “hate speech” and “misinformation” earlier this year.

In relation to the name change, the company will still remain in control of the other social media platforms such as Instagram, Oculus, Whatsapp, etc. and they will become what is known as subsidiaries, which means they will be less of a focus for the company but still important nonetheless.

“The best way to understand the metaverse is to experience it yourself,” Zuckerberg said in his announcement. “It doesn’t fully exist yet.” He hopes this name change will give a fresh face for the embattled company.

12 Nov 2021 by chloeytrinkle

Lamb: A Mind-Bending Icelandic Film

Foreign films are nothing new to the United States. Most of them are Bollywood productions from India or horror films from Japan and Korea, like the Oscar award-winning ‘Parasite’ released in 2019. But now, with the release of “Lamb,” Director Valdimar Jóhannsson may be making Icelandic film history.

The trailer for “Lamb” left many wondering about the film, and soon theories started to form in the comment section of the trailer’sYouTube video. The film is rated R and is advertised as horror. However, “Lamb” will most likely be seen more as a thought art-house film than a horror film to the American audience. The movie has very little dialogue, leaving much of the plot for the audience’s brain to figure out. And the ending is so abrupt, viewers will be shocked it’s over. For an hour and 46-minute movie, it leaves a lot for the brain to ponder.

The film takes place in the mountainous lands of Iceland. The two main characters are sheep farmers who live a typical life until one of their ewes gives birth to a lamb with a significant abnormality. The lamb is half-human. She resembles a lamb from her head to her right arm, and the rest of her is human. We can assume our two main characters, Maria and Ingvar, are desperate for a child due to their immediate acceptance of bringing the lamb child into their life. They name the little female lamb Ada. The name has a special meaning to the film, but that is for the viewers to find themselves. When Uncle Pétur shows up, their lifestyle with Ada is challenged. Not only by Pétur but also by something far more sinister.

The characters are well-rounded but also mysterious. To the viewer, they can either be seen as protagonists or antagonists, depending on their perception. Their outfits are typical modern-day Icelandic sweaters that help them keep warm in the freezing climate of Iceland. One big question from fans is how Ada’s character was formulated? When asked how he approached Ada’s look, Valdimar Jóhannsson highlighted patience. “The actors were also very important because we used lambs, children, and puppets to shoot those scenes, so shooting took a long time, and they had to be very patient,” he said to Screen Daily.

When asked where the inspiration came from, Valdimar Jóhannsson said, “I was inspired by so many things: films, folklore, books, paintings, images. I started to create a sort of sketchbook with some elements of the story and drawings…” he said to Screen Daily.

“Lamb” is an intriguing humanity versus nature story that will keep you trying to figure out the plot for the entirety of the film and keep you engaged throughout the movie. If bizarre and abnormal concepts are your thing, “Lamb” is the movie for you.

12 Nov 202112 Nov 2021 by mscholl252

How to Properly Eat Oreos

Story by Lydia Church

Everyone eats food differently. Some of us eat the conventional way, then there are those of us with questionable methods for eating various foods that the rest of us judge…but never discuss. What if you were asked how you eat a certain food? Would you believe this is how everyone should eat it? Today, one of the hottest debates in food consumption will be put to rest: What is the proper way to eat Oreos?

When given the question–“How do you eat your Oreos”–there were many like-minded people with similar responses. Most people responded: “with milk.” Yet many were not very detailed in their responses other than Senior Nick Goss who replied, “I drown it in milk with a fork until all of the bubbles in the milk are done.”

Along with the milk, there were a lot of “like a normal cookie” responses. Nothing special, just like a cookie. “I eat them the way they come because I’m not a psychopath,” says Abby Napper, also a senior.

Although there were many repeat responses, there were also a few unique responses too. Kirati Kiviniemi on Instagram says, “I enjoy scraping off the middle and only eating the cookies if I’m not feeling lazy.” Taking a sixth grade dissection project approach in this case, his form closely relates to the also common separation technique in which you separate the cookie down the middle, creating one cookie that is plain and one with all the cream.

The most intense debate was deciding whether the cookies should be eaten as a whole or separated into halves. Separate being eating one side before the other. 65%of those who answered said whole, while the other 35% replied separately. For those who chose to eat separately, another question was posed. Should you eat the cream side first or the cookieside? 52% said they would go for the cookie side first, the other 48% said they would chow down on the cream. And for the final question there was a decisive winner. When asked whether to eat Oreos with or without milk, 82%sided with milk, while 18% thought the glass of milk should be left out of the equation.

After interviewing the students at Jeff High, including in decisive students, the proper way to eat an Oreo was finally determined: You should eat an Oreo as a whole cookie with a cool glass of milk. Though on days when you feel that you should take that risk of separation, eating the plain cookie side before the cream cookie side is recommended in order to save the best for last. This is unless you are Evan Cawthorn, a senior, who had strong opinions when asked about eating Oreos saying, “I don’t. I hate them”

22 Oct 202122 Oct 2021 by lydiac04