Arts & Culture

Red Devil Writers: Jeff High teachers write, publish their own books

by Sophia Waldridge

Everyone has a past that’s different, but English 10 teacher and wrestling coach Evan Myers, sports performance wrestling coach Daniel Struck, and English 9 teacher David Kummer all have similar backgrounds.

All three Red Devil teachers are published authors.

English teacher Evan Myers holds two of his two books, Dusk on the Western Range and The Cottage at Prince Lake. Photo by Raven Baker.

Myers said he has been writing for six years. He began writing in 2011. He went to Purdue University and got his bachelor’s degree, and when he was in the Army he did three years of military journalism from 2015 to 2018.

During his years he went to Fort Meade Defense Information School and latre worked at Greenfield Daily Reporter in Greenfield, Indiana. Myers says he started writing and got interested in it because of the Superman comics he read during his teen years.

I started loving writing because of the way Clark Kent wasn’t only helping people by being a hero, but also by telling them stories and the hard truths.”
English Teacher and Author Evan Myers

“I started loving writing because of the way Clark Kent wasn’t only helping people by being a hero, but also by telling them stories and the hard truths.”

Myers has some pieces of wisdom for journalists about interviewing and writing.

“When writing make sure you know spelling, punctuation and titles, because if not it could turn disrespectful. As for interviewing, making conversation, and connecting with your source makes it feel less like an interrogation and more like a conversation; it establishes trust.”

Myers has written three books: Dusk on the Western Range, The Oldest Sport, and The Cottage at Prince Lake.

Wrestling coach and weight room supervisor Danny Struck holds his book Climbing for Gold. Photo by Raven Baker.

Struck started writing his book in 2023 and it took him two years to complete. He described the process of writing his book as “a good decision” because he thought of it while attending the Olympics and felt as if a travel book for coaches would be a good read.

He read Myers’s first book and really enjoyed it because it was fantasy and loved the second book because it was about a wrestling program like theirs. Struck said Myers pushed him to be a good writer and publish his book, Climbing for Gold: See the World Through Wrestling, so he did.

He has really good advice for upcoming writers: “Start with journaling. It helps with practice and seeing how you do with first drafts, and also write one liners. I spent 30 years working with one liners because they help spark my memory for when I’m ready to write a full book.”

English teacher David Kummer holds his book The Misery House. Photo by Raven Baker.

Kummer wrote as a kid but took writing more seriously in high school and has been writing ever since. “I’ve been writing so long that I feel old, but not as old as Myers,” he joked.

After he graduated he made local connections so he could be able to publish. Kummer believes that people who want to write should read as much as they are able, and writing the first draft matters.

“Once you start writing the first draft you can go from there.”

Kummer has published three books: The Silent Forest, The Band, and The Misery House. The final book in the Silent Forest trilogy, The Empty Room, will be published later this fall.

25 Aug 2025 by jhshyphen

Column: Music-sharing platforms can be ethically questionable

by London Williams

Daniel Eks’ recent investment of $702 million as the founder of Prima Matra in the German AI military combat-defense company, Helsing, has sparked considerable controversy among several artists, starting discussions on what our art is funding and the moralities of using platforms that fund programs such as war technology. Many artists have responded with a boycott, and it has made people reconsider their methods of streaming music.

San Francisco band Deerhoof was the first to leave the platform over this; they first announced their departure on June 30, 2025. Deerhoof stated that they didn’t want their music contributing to “AI Battle tech” and that, “We don’t want our music killing people.”

Deerhoof isn’t the only band that responded to the boycott; Xiu Xiu announced on their Instagram page just after Deerhoof: “We are currently working to take all of our music off the garbage hole violent armageddon portal Spotify.” They followed by encouraging fans to cancel their Spotify subscriptions.

King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard followed suit, and so have other smaller artists. Godspeed You! Black Emperor just recently announced their departure from all streaming services this August 17. This problem certainly has the potential to spread to other streaming services.

It seems that many bands have been looking for excuses to leave the platform, claiming the pay isn’t worth it and that the main benefit to Spotify is its “discoverability.” Some artists believe this takes away from the experience as it’s overly accessible, and on the go isn’t the way music was intended to be appreciated. Spotify isn’t a friend of the music industry. It impacts traditional music sales and is by no means a sustainable income on its own. On average, artists make 0.004 cents per stream. That’s 1 cent for every 25 listens.

Jamie Stewart, the frontperson of Xiu Xiu, put it bluntly: “There’s no amount of money that would make us want to participate in a company that is trying to murder people.”

Spotify is the only in favor of this, artists are gaining no benefit. Listeners want their favorite artists getting paid. For example, freshman Sophie Ellis said, “The money should be going to the artists, and the people that actually run Spotify,” and freshman Rowaan Stephens agreed.

This isn’t new news. Daniel Eks’ interests in Helsing go all the way back to 2021. In February of 2021, he vowed to invest over 1 billion through venture capital firm Prima Matra. At this time he made his initial investment and joined the company’s board. Since he has become the founder of Helsing, he claims that his donations are important for Europe’s technological defense, and that his firm’s decision is “right for Europe” and that he is unconcerned with the backlash, emphasizing the importance of AI development and its use on the battlefield.

The majority of bands are against their art funding war in any way, and so are many of listeners. After asking students, it is clear where the moralities stand on AI and Daniel Eks funding.

“It’s scummy,” said junior Kaylee Austin after hearing about the controversy. “AI takes away from art, it helps people be lazy.”

Spotify is the world’s most popular music streaming service. AI being such a big part of it is bound to start discussion. Daniel Ek’s interest in AI goes beyond Helsing; AI is all over Spotify. It’s in our daylists and our DJ, it’s in the weird four-minute video that was at the end of our yearly recap. It’s the mind behind all of our recommendations. Data is being directly put into this AI algorithm; listeners are the product. It seems to be a good idea to switch platforms, and many people do use other platforms.

After asking several students what their alternatives were, it is still clear Spotify is in the lead. But Apple Music, Pandora, Soundcloud, YouTube music are still relevant.

Senior Ciara Lee is a listener of Spotity, but after hearing the news she said she “might not continue.”

Many people online recommend alternatives, but they aren’t exactly perfect either. Many musicians feel putting their music on these platforms is a necessary evil. However, there are many ways to directly support artists. Bandcamp is a great alternative, as artists get to keep 82-85% of their sales. Buying tickets and seeing shows, and making visits to local music shops is also a perfect way to support the minds behind the music.

25 Aug 2025 by jhshyphen

International Showcase gives students the chance to share their cultures

Senior Sarah Baloucoune and freshman Yanda Mafoua explain the South African and Senegalese cultures to interested students at the International Showcase during third hour. Photo by Emelyn Gantulga.

19 May 2025 by jhshyphen

The Last Word: Innocence to Reality

Editor’s Note: Journalism I students who have published on the Hyphen website this school year were given the opportunity to write and publish a final message to readers on a topic and with a style of their choice.

by Ayianna Maddox

To be naive once again.

The world out here is cruel.

To not see crystal clear, but to see a cartoon.

To see the world bright and colorful again, instead of bland and dull.

How I miss hearing the ice cream truck’s tune.

Now I wake to a snooze alarm.

To not have a care in the world.

To yearn for the newest toy, not an extra 5 minutes.

The years passed by, believing they’d last forever.

The memories slip away, but small fragments of nostalgia remain.

Excavated memories and treasures.

Innocence to reality.

The world has never looked the same.

Looking back is realizing that every day that naive child is still present.

That naive child lives in my heart, where she’s always been since the start.

14 May 202515 May 2025 by jhshyphen

Column: Bleak generative AI cannot replace genuine handmade media

by Sam Ottinger

AI has had an ever increasing prevalence since OpenAI’s introduction of DALL-E in January of 2021, and ChatGPT in November of 2022. It has been a popular addition to company websites, search engines, and social media platforms.

The presence of artificial intelligence is nothing new, for Tik Toks “For You” page is able to be what it is due to the use of AI to personalize recommendations for each user. This is similar to X, formally known as Twitter, that also uses this same type of algorithm-based timeline, starting all the way back in 2016.

Yet the current use of generative AI, now not just relying on analyzing existing data, but instead using this data to “create” text or images, is more invasive than it has ever been.

It’s hard to go onto any major platform without running into generative AI being implemented within it. Search engines like Google have Gemini, website creators like Squarespace have Squarespace AI, and social media companies like Meta have Meta AI.

Many of these inclusions come with a lesser known contract to those that use it. For some companies, this use of AI features gives them permission to use the users data to train their AI models.

Even those that don’t use these tools, or specifically opt out of this use, can still have their work used against their will.

This has been a major problem for many creatives, especially with the presence of popular generative AI websites like DALL-E 2, Midjourney, Craiyon, and recently ChatGPT. Each using datasets, often scrapping images and artworks from artists and photographers all over the internet, in order to produce images that try to replicate their human creation.

Generative AI isn’t just used by a subset of individuals; it’s also found its home through different social media trends.

Some have participated in generating turnarounds from an image, also known as the microwave trend, while others have used it to turn themselves into dolls, mimicking the style and packaging of Barbies or classic action figures. Yet most recently there has been a trend of turning images into the style of Studio Ghibli, using ChatGPT.

This latest trend has caused the most controversy. Hayao Miyazaki, a co-founder of the aforementioned studio, has been outspoken of his dislike of AI since all the way back in 2016. In a documentary called “Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki,” he comments on an AI-generated demo shown to him, stating that AI’s use is “an insult to life itself.”

This dislike of the technology producing these images has caused many Ghibli fans to be concerned about the disrespect of using AI to copy the hand drawn and intricate style of the real Studio Ghibli – only producing a cheap soulless copy.

The hate on generative AI isn’t only for the stealing from others’ works; it’s also the way its presence has been used to put down the creatives that made it. Many who swear by AI-generated images boast about the quick generating speeds and how it puts out near “perfect” products in that shorter time frame, ignoring the true meaning of creating something through your own living hands.

Without genuine human creation in the world, there would be no data for these AI models to rely on, showing the hypocrisy of this belief that generative AI will somehow ever replace the value in handmade media.

13 May 2025 by jhshyphen

Review: The Doors’ debut album achieves perfection from top to bottom

by Tyler Conley

Before the release of the first album, way before the legacy and creation that The Doors became, no one, not even the band themselves, would realize the lasting impact they would have on the music industry and rock and roll as we know it today.

The Doors first got their kicks of being a band in 1965, playing small venues, with nervous frontman Jim Morrison turning his back on the audience as he sang to avoid stage fright. Also included were Ray Manzarek at the helm of keyboard bass and organ, Robby Krieger laying down chords and bluesy solos, and John Densmore putting down rhythms unmatched and unheard of at the time. This lineup would stick together until the eventual breakup of the band.

When 1967 struck, it was time to record the first record. For 10 thousand dollars a 4- track recorder was purchased. With the help of Paul A. Rothchild, the band began their sessions for their self-titled debut. Rehearsal outtakes were recorded of songs that would appear on later records, but the first actual songs recorded were “I Looked at You” and “Take It as It Comes.”

With the combined power and input of all band members, the band completed recording. “Light My Fire” became an instant success, reaching #1 on Billboard charts, along with “Break on Through (To the Other Side.)” At the time The Doors arrived, rock was in absolute infancy, especially when compared to today’s standards for what “rock” is. With a mixture of blues, soul, rock, and everything in between, this album is a gem for anyone a fan of those genres.

Morrison’s lyricism is a big factor in what makes the music magical. His outlook on life, his expressions of feelings and ideas are perfect. The final song on the record, an 11-minute epic, details fighting past trauma and getting over the past. Most of the love songs the Doors would write on this record and many more are about Morrison’s longtime girlfriend, Pamela.

Over Morrison’s life, controversy has played a big part in how people perceive him. People label the singer as a drunk, and stupid. But behind those bad, vulnerable moments is a person who was caring and compassionate. Back in the 60s, mental help wasn’t as easily accessible as it is now.

This album changed my life when I first heard it. The beautifulness of “The Crystal Ship” And “End of The Night,” and the killer tunes of “Break on through (To the Other Side)” and “Twentieth Century Fox.” These songs, and much more, make up one of the best debut albums of all time.

And if that alone isn’t enough to pique your interest, artists like Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill have sampled The Doors’ music in their works. The Doors are respected by every genre, and heavily influential.

The Doors are engraved into the heart of rock and roll, and the music industry as a whole. Jim Morrison, and all members respectively, are like cosmic brothers, and their music is there for the listener whenever they need it. When people are strange, music will always be waiting with open arms, and this album is no exception. Top to bottom, perfection.

12 May 2025 by jhshyphen

For many students, music is the soundtrack of their lives

by Aaliyah Flowers

From the rhythm of a heartbeat to the melodies of a symphony, music is fed into the very souls of human existence. Music impacts our language, culture, emotions, shaping memories and influencing our behavior in ways we often don’t realize.

But how exactly does this seemingly art have such a profound influence on us?

“Music is my life. I listen to music everywhere I go no matter how I feel. I never thought about how the lyrics can affect me as a student. I tend to listen to rap and the words aren’t the best, but they are very catchy,” said sophomore Josiah Whisenat.

These catchy beats and rhythms in music can overpower lyrics.

“As a person who loves music and even got into playing an instrument myself, it does have an influence on my everyday life. I’m constantly listening to music, whether it be while working during class, in the car on my way home, or just while practicing playing the guitar. Music is all around the world and one of the most popular forms of entertainment and escape. Music has always been my favorite hobby to do,” said junior Ubaldo Pille Jaremillo.

Music is a part of people’s lives and has a hold on them.

“As a teen, I usually listen to worship. Not many people, let alone teenagers, listen to worship, but it gives me peace. The words are always so powerful and meaningful. It makes me better as a whole,” said freshman Chelsie Jean.

Listening to music with meaningful lyrics can impact people as a whole, especially since music taps into people’s memories.

“Music is a memory reminder for me. There have always been songs that remind me of special times of life. My family loves to listen to music everyday in our house. Music transports me back to specific times and places in my life. It rekindles memories and emotions that might otherwise be lost,” said junior Ashly West.

Music has always been art in some way; it just depends on how the artist makes it.

“I listen to Rap and RnB on a daily basis. I don’t really listen to the lyrics, but the way it sounds is what I like about it. Now that I think about it, when I sing my music it’s not so good,” said freshman Marcus Baker.

Paying attention to the lyrics in the music we listen to could change our perspectives. So, the next time you listen to your favorite song, take a moment to appreciate the profound impact it’s having on your mind, body, and soul.

Music is more than just entertainment; it’s the soundtrack of our lives, shaping who we are and how we experience the world.

18 Apr 2025 by jhshyphen

Review: Billie Eilish changes the music industry

by Ricky Cummins

Every artist has demons that they fight. Billie Eilish is no exception. Her music captures her raw emotion as she is feeling it. Her songs “bad guy,” “Happier Than Ever” and “Bury a Friend” are all examples of such songs.

Billie Eilish has been an inspiration all my life. Ever since I was little, her song ”bad guy” played in the background. My mom found it and became obsessed with it. Some lyrics that stood out to me the most are “I’m the bad guy, Duh” and “I got bad thoughts, I got bad vibes.” These stick out to me because I grew up with mental illnesses in the family, so I could relate to the lyrics specifically.

Musically, Eilish blurs the lines between pop, alternative, and electronic, often favoring whispery vocals over minimalist, sometimes eerie productions. Her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019) was a cultural reset in the music industry. Eilish was fearless when it came to singing about topics of mental health, fame, and identity. Songs like “bad guy” and “Bury A Friend” showcased her versatility, while tracks like “i love you” highlighted her emotional depth.

What sets Eilish apart is her authenticity. She doesn’t chase trends—she sets them. From her distinct fashion sense to her refusal to conform to traditional pop aesthetics, she brings a punk emotion to mainstream music. Her 2021 follow-up album Happier Than Ever showcased her growth, trading some of the earlier darkness for reflective ballads and a more mature sound, while still maintaining that signature Eilish vitality.

Billie Eilish is the voice of the anxious, the sensitive, the misunderstood. She’s reshaping what it means to be a pop star in the 21st century—providing that quiet can be as powerful as loud, and being true to yourself is the boldest move of all.

Studio Albums	Popular Songs
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go	xanny, all the good girls go to hell, bad guy, you should see me in a crown
Happier Than Ever	Happier Than Ever, NDA, Therefore I Am
Hit Me Hard And Soft	L’AMOUR DE MA VIE, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, LUNCH

18 Apr 202518 Apr 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS musical theatre presents ‘Matilda the Musical’

“Matilda the Musical” takes center stage later this month, presented by the JHS musical theatre.

Dates are April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., and April 27 at 2 p.m.

13 Apr 2025 by jhshyphen

Kummer self publishes his latest novel, The Band

by Ifrah Daber

Creating a book is a tall task, from coming up with an original idea, making a draft, editing through the draft, making a cover, and then the actual publishing process. Despite how long the process can take, an estimated 2.2 million books are published yearly.

Joining these 2.2 million books is The Band, a book being published by English teacher and club Creative Writing Club adviser David Kummer.

Kummer has been writing since he was a kid – he recounted writing his own stories as young as the age of 9. He would fill notebooks with his own stories, showing them to his father, with youthful drive.

It shouldn’t be shocking then that Kummer started publishing as young as 15 with his first novel She. Kummer has continued to self-publish a number of original stories. Inspired by authors like Mark Edwards, Kummer’s books “leans towards horror, mystery, thriller, and young adult fiction.” This leads to his books often being filled with twists and turns and morally in-depth characters.

The specific inspiration for The Band was Kummer’s visit to West Virginia where he went and saw a musical festival, which is a direct connection to the plot, as the main characters in the book are a traveling cover band.

Another large part of inspiration for the book is Kummer’s wife, who drew illustrations for the book, as well as helping him throughout the writing process.

However, unlike Kummer’s fun summer trip to West Virginia, the book goes in a more tragic direction. following a main character who feels in the shadows, falling in love with a bandmate, while dealing with a possible murderous end. For those who are lovers of thrillers, this book is handcrafted for them.

When Kummer isn’t working diligently on his books, he works as an English teacher and as the Creative Writing Club adviser, a club meant to help students self-publish and grow confidence in their writing and put it out there. Many young people aspire to become authors, producing stories for the world to read and enjoy but are shackled by fear to put their work out there actively.

“The best way to grow confidence is to start by showing your work to friends, family, or even teachers,” he said.

He also advised starting with something small and writing shorter stories before doing a larger project. Kummer talked about how experimentation with short stories is a great way to try to figure out your “core writer voice.

“Throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks,” he stated.

Kummer stated that a large part of writing is for writers to throw themselves into it and find their wings as they go. He said writers can’t be scared of being good or bad; they simply have to try if they wish to improve.

“Don’t be afraid of the first draft,” Kummer stated. He said that most first drafts are rough – they won’t be the best, but something is better than nothing.

To conclude, Kummer’s book is available for preorder on his website, davidkummer.com, and on Amazon. For those who want to read it, the first two chapters are also free on his website.

English teacher David Kummer presents his newest book, The Band. Photo by Ifrah Daber.

9 Apr 20259 Apr 2025 by jhshyphen

Review: Adele provides inspiration through her music

by Ricky Cummins

Adele has been a positive influence on me for my entire life. Ever since I was little, her music was all over the place. My mom would play Adele’s music when she was cleaning, cooking, sewing, pretty much anytime that there was a chore to do. Of course, there was other music, too. Adele stuck out the most.

Adele is an inspiration to people all around the world. She encourages individuality, finding our voices, and staying true to ourselves. She has been a trailblazer in promoting body positivity and self acceptance.

Adele is a 36-year-old English singer-songwriter who is known for her soulful vocals and sentimental songs. She has one son, Angelo, whomich she and her ex-husband share joint custody over. They even live across the street from each other in LA to do “what is best for Angelo.”

I appreciate her music so much and\ there are some songs that just put me in a trance-like state. They make me forget about things even if it’s for three and a half minutes. So many of her songs are playful and catchy and enlightening. And some are slower and have a deeper meaning.

Some songs that stick out to me the most are “Rolling In The Deep,” “Hello,” and “Oh My God.”

“Rolling In The Deep” sticks out to me for the reason that she sings about the displeasure and heartbreak of a past relationship. Adele sings about her anger and feelings of betrayal in the lyrics: “There’s a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark.” She creates a feeling of realization when she sees him “crystal clear,” as she doesn’t see him how she did previously. I believe that “the dark” she refers to is the disillusionment of the relationship.

Adele’s “Hello” broke the record of most views in 24 hours. At 27.7 million views, she even surpassed Taylor Sswift’s “Bad Blood” at only 20.1 million views.

“Hello” speaks about regret and guilt. Adele admits her wrongdoings when she sings, “I must have called a thousand times, To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done.” She speaks up to honesty and boldness.

Adele sings about feeling dismissed or ignored when she sings, “To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart, But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore.”

When I first heard “Oh My God,” I imagined Adele in a room full of mirrors, walking around and searching for an escape from herself. The lyrics “I’m a fool, but they all think I’m blind, I’d rather be a fool than leave myself behind-,” reveal an internal struggle of whether or not her choices are selfish or if it’s okay to put herself first. She has the same effect when she sings, “I am a grown woman and I do what I want to do.” It’s another unfolding of her journey, a part where uncertainty pervades everything.

Adele has had a great impact on me and countless others. Her soul and jazz music captivates many audiences all around the world.

Albums	Popular Songs
19	“Day Dreamer,” “Chasing Pavements,” Make You Feel My Love”
1988	“Chasing 1988: The Intro,” “First Love (Remot remix),” “Melt My Heart To Stone (kickdrums remix)”
21	“Rolling In The Deep,” “Rumor Has It,” “Turning Tables”
25	“Hello,” “Love In The Dark,” “All I Ask”
30	“Oh My God,” “I Drink Wine,” “Easy On Me”

10 Mar 202510 Mar 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS Theatre presents ‘The Nightmare Story’ the next two weekends

JHS Theatre brings nightmares to the stage in the next two weekends.

The Nightmare Story is the tale of a boy who ventures into the unknown to find a cure for his mother’s rare disease before it’s too late.

The one-hour performance features inspiration from Eastern European folklore and old world cautionary fables, as the audience is guided by storytellers under lamplight.

Boy sets off across the countryside seeking a cure for his mother while encountering frightening nightmares in a musical that includes action and folk-style adventure.

The Nightmare Story features live instrumentation through ukulele and percussion, along with a variety of puppetry, foley work, and theatrical sequences.

Please be advised that this production contains loud noises and flashing lights.

The show runs this weekend and next: March 7, 8, 14 , and 15 at 7 p.m.; and March 9 at 2 p.m.

6 Mar 2025 by jhshyphen