Every year as the fall months come around, an annual and very special performance comes along with it.
This event is Gospelfest, performed in the JHS Auditorium this Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., with tickets ranging from 5-10 dollars.
“It’s a full on gospel experience, right here in Jeff.”
Choir Director Kyle Broady
The very first production occurred 20 years ago, roughly back in the 2000’s. Contrary to what may be believed, the first Gospelfest was put on at New Albany. JHS was able to join in on this blossoming tradition due to both former choir directors being longtime friends.
Gospelfest is an all choir concert, which is entirely composed of African American gospel music, picked and conducted by a special guest who specializes in Black Gospel and jazz, Dr. Roosevelt Escalante.
“It’s a full on gospel experience, right here in Jeff,” choir director Kyle Broady stated.
And an experience it shall be. The choir consists of 150+ students. In addition to the JHS choir, Borden High School will be performing with the Southern Indiana Children’s Choir. A live band will accompany the singers, while the sound system will be used in full in order to project the combining music towards the audience while in a full concert layout.
“This group, in particular, is going to make it pretty special,” added senior Luna Guyse, currently in her seventh year in a choir.
Gospelfest may be a once-a-year performance, but it has touched many hearts.
The choir director at Borden is a JHS alumnus, joining the Gospelfest last year due to how much she enjoyed it in her high school years. Yet she is not the only one with a connection to past Gospelfests, for the choir director of the Southern Indiana Children’s Choir had previously retired from being JHS’s choir director.
Many can’t wait for the performance, including current choir students.
“We have a really good set coming up. We have a mix of good people returning, and a lot of good people coming in, it’s just great,” said senior Ella Motluck, currently in her seventh year in choir.
The excitement isn’t just felt in one student, for the others are just as enthused.
“I’m really excited! Dr. Escalante picked out some really good songs this year,” said senior Sylvana Sandoval Camacho, who currently is in her sixth year of a choir.
There are many challenges that can come with events like this. “I’m not even sure I remembered everything,” Broady joked when showing off a checklist of preparations. And there are the challenges of keeping everyone on the same page when there is not constant contact.
Yet through that all, the choir pushes through it together, motivated by the knowledge of community that their performances bloom. For one of the most enjoyable parts of being in choir is, as Guyse put it, “Doing something you love, with people who love it just as much as you.”
New director Briston Hatchell instructs band students after school. Photo by Esme Estrin.
JHS has two new band directors Briston Hatchell and Sidney McDonald, who are co-teaching everything music related and like jazz, band, and guitar.
Both band directors have said that they’ve considered themselves friends for a fair amount of years; both having music teaching experience before joining JHS. Hatchell said he has 10 years of teaching band, which includes several years at Floyd Central High School. McDonald has three years of teaching experience at both the middle and high school levels.
It’s definitely clear they both have a passion for teaching music, and music as a whole. Both teachers have had their lives impacted by music.
Hatchell, early in life, said he wanted to be an architect until he realized there’s a lot of math involved. While he “wasn’t good at math,” he was talented with the trumpet, so in middle school he decided he wanted to teach music.
McDonald did not take the same path as Hatchell in high school, as she really liked chemistry and ended up becoming a chemistry major in college for a year. She decided to transfer schools for a music program since she missed music and decided to do drum core, which led to her transferring to Indiana State as a music major.
Both teachers described that they love teaching, and they both put in a lot of work to make sure they are helping all their students the most they can. But it does become a very time consuming job.
An average week of teaching for them normally consists of marching band on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and most Saturdays after school, with an open band room around three days a week so kids can practice if they would like with either of the musical directors.
A school day for them normally consists of AP music theory, guitar and then for the last three periods – 4th, 6th, and 7th – they collaborate and teach intermediate band, a big guitar class, and advanced band.
Even though they are both doing a lot for all of JHS’s music-related activities, there is still much more they want to do with an emphasis on the band program.
Hatchell said, “We want it bigger, we want more kids and, you can put this in print, we have a school of 2,300 kids and our goal over five years is 10% of the school, so that’s 230 kids, so if we get to that then I say we achieved our goal.”
He makes it very clear that they both want to be able to teach the most they possibly can. They also stated that, even though the band is pretty well funded, they do run fundraisers to help JHS music-related classes be the highest quality they can be.
Those interested in marching band can go to https://jeffersonvillebands.org to find every upcoming event involving JHS music.
Barbie has been loved for many generations. She’s the plastic doll we’ve all grown to love. She’s fantastic, and so is this film! ‘Barbie’ came out this past Summer on July 21, 2023. Competing alongside “Oppenheimer” as one of the year’s most anticipated movies. This movie has made over 1.34 billion at the Box Office (for the US) just so far! Barbie jumped out of her box and has been crushing it at the box office ever since the release of this film! The feeling after watching ‘Barbie’ is unlike any movie I’ve ever seen. This movie is so charming and nostalgic. It has you thinking about it long after watching. It manages to have a perfect balance of relatable, real-life issues while keeping its innocent, humorous, and lighthearted approach.
The plot of Barbie is pretty simple; Barbie has an existential crisis and goes to the real world to figure out why her perfect life seems to be falling apart. Ken tags along, and they both go their separate ways in self-discovery. Barbie runs into the mother-daughter duo that has the answers to all her problems, while Ken is convinced that the real world is run by men. (Which of course, makes him go back to Barbieland to make a world full of Mojo Dojo Casa houses and horses.) This movie perfectly handles the topic of equality. After Barbie goes back to Barbieland and sees what Ken has done she is torn and devastated, things didn’t go well in the real world, and now Barbieland is falling apart too. It feels like the “man vs. woman” situation Barbie felt in the real world. The way Barbie feels is clear and relatable for women while being easy to understand and empathize with for someone who couldn’t personally relate.
I believe that the casting for the movie was perfect. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling did a fantastic job capturing their roles. It felt like Barbie and Ken came to life by how their humanization was portrayed. Robbie and Gosling took one-dimensional characters and gave them more depth and life. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are already extremely beloved actors. That’s another reason I think the casting is perfect. Who wouldn’t want to see the latest Margot Robbie or Ryan Gosling film? ‘Barbie’ also features many other well-known actors, including; Will Ferrel (as Mattel CEO), Michael Cera (as Alan), Dua Lipa (as Mermaid Barbie), and John Cena (as Male Mermaid), and that’s just to name a few! The casting for all the Barbies and Kens was epic, to say the least. It felt like every time I blinked there was an actor that I recognized. They even got Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice to create the song “Barbie World”! After that song came out, it was everywhere. I found myself having the song stuck in my head before and after finishing the movie. The release of “Barbie World” was one of the perfect buildups for the premiere of this film. Some would say it was also a “full circle” moment for Nicki Minaj since she frequently associates herself with the character. The song is also great as a standalone track that worked great with the end credits of the film. Who wouldn’t want to see this exceptional movie?
I found the maturity rating for this movie very interesting. It’s definitely PG-13, but I noticed people being confused that a Barbie movie would be rated PG-13 instead of just PG. When I went to see this movie, there was an abundance of very small children walking in. This made me wonder about its advertising approach. This could just be parents assuming it was PG or just not caring if their 7-year-old sees a PG-13 movie; which definitely isn’t abnormal, but I thought it was worth noting. When I mentioned Barbie to a few adults in my life, they actually made comments about how they were surprised about the rating. After actually watching Barbie, it’s clear why it’s rated how it is; one very subtle sex joke, its mentions of death, and its topics of womens rights and equality. It feels like Barbie was in between PG-13 and PG, and they went with PG-13 to be safe.
This movie has many beautiful moments. A notable one is when Barbie is sitting on a bench in the park by an older woman. She tells the woman that she is beautiful, as she is crying. Barbie realizes how beautiful people and the world are. Barbie is seen by a lot of people as a vision of the “perfect woman” who lives a “perfect life”. When Barbie sees the real world it makes it clear that it isn’t true. Nothing is perfect and that is what is beautiful. Things aren’t as simple as Barbie had originally thought. Beauty is all around us, and Barbie makes us realize that. Barbie truly is a beautiful experience you don’t want to miss!
The football team takes on Seymour on the road after getting defeated 67-20 by Lawrence Central in their first contest of the season last Friday.
The Red Devils go into tonight’s contest at Seymour expecting a tough match-up.
“Seymour’s a good team in my opinion. We’re going to have to play good football to win. If we go there and don’t play our best, we will lose,” said head coach Nick Cotner.
A new face on the varsity team, junior running back Jaylen Howard, picked up steam against Lawrence Central in his first varsity start and looks forward to more against Seymour.
“For my first varsity start, I thought it was really good. I had like 80 yards with a touchdown, so pretty good. I’m ready to do even better against Seymour, though,” said Howard.
Senior Jomall Owens defends for senior Cordell Thomas against Lawrence Central last Friday. The Bears defeated the Red Devils in the season opener 67-20. JHS plays Seymour tonight. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
One of the main components of the loss to Lawrence Central was special teams giving up 21 points, and Cotner isn’t ready to let it happen again.
“This loss is on me. Twenty-one points on kickoff alone is unacceptable, and that’s on me for not preparing us. Even with me coming into the job late, we need to be better. We’re going to be more in-depth in practice to be ready for Seymour,” said Cotner.
The team has identified some other parts of their game that need to improve as well.
“The d-line and special need to be better; along with that linebackers just couldn’t fill holes,” said sophomore linebacker General McLain.
The Red Devils have spent the week preparing for the Owls.
“We need to watch a lot of film and get better so we know exactly what we’re doing out there,” said junior Brayden Bachman.
The theme of better practices throughout the week is echoed by other players.
“Staying focused in practice is essential. If we do that, we’ll come out with the win,” said junior linebacker Cooper Spaulding.
The team has addressed their faults against Lawrence Central and are ready to take on the rest of the season, starting with Seymour.
“I think we did a lot of good stuff on offense through the air and ground game,” said Cotner. “If we could be a little more consistent, we definitely would’ve had a closer game. I think we can take a good week of practice and come out with a win.”
All photos by Malachi Conrad, Shelby Keesee, Isaiah Stewart, and Logan Vidt.
Sophomore Audrey Cheshire high-fives her teammates. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Sophomore Charlotte Hatfield runs onto the court after being introduced as a starter in last night’s game against Rock Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves the ball during last night’s game against Rock Creek Academy. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Junior Haliun Otgonbayar serves an ace last night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart. Junior Jaylianah Burris hits the ball over the net trying to score in last night’s game against Rock Creek. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Joslin Wilson and sophomore Audrey Cheshire attempt to block a shot in the first set against Rock Creek. Photo by Logan Vidt.The Red Devils huddle and talk about the last possession during the match-up against Rock Creek last night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.The Red Devil bench cheers in support of their team winning a rally during last night’s game. Photo by Logan Vidt.Senior Mattie Barker celebrates the Jeffersonville point. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Aome Crowdus prepares to serve the ball. Photo by Shelby Keesee. Coach Wes Briscoe talks to junior Kylee Doehrman about her recent play. Photo by Isaiah Stewart. The JHS bench celebrates the point their teammates just earned against Rock Creek last night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Jaylianah Burris waves goodbye as the Red Devils celebrate their win against the Lions. The Red Devils defeated the Lions 3-0 last night. Photo by Shelby Keesee.
A new school year has begun, and while many students are continuing to adjust themselves to a new routine and environment, JHS staff are doing so as well. This includes Health Service Academy counselor Austin Caswell and Public Service Academy counselor Megan Snyder, who began their first year at JHS with a set of goals and responsibilities.
Art has been around since 30,000 BP. It has been a stepping stone to the development of the human race and the world around us. When language failed to tell the story, art was there to turn the page. Today, art plays an important role in how society functions, as well as in the way people express their beliefs as individuals and as a whole.
Art is essential to communities because it allows for expression in the school system. It allows for growth within the mind. Whether it’s poetry or digital design, it is vital to the development of high school students. It must be introduced; it is very important to their development, as it allows them to express themselves and helps them create new ideas and creations. And sometimes, the people behind the scenes help with this creative expression.
Art teacher Hayleigh Gnagie is new this year at JHS; she’s been teaching for about a year and really loves her job. Before teaching at JHS, she was an art specialist at Franklin Square Elementary. She believes that art classes give students a break from busy school days.
“At Franklin it was a space to calm down and find peace of mind, and I want to bring that here,” she said.
Sophomore Anya Bushmann works on carving and stamping clay as part of her art assignment. Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Art is a great influence on students around the school and can help with real-life problems. Gnagie explained that art has helped her students improve problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
Sophomore artist Estella Young agreed.
“Art that takes a long time can improve patience. Not only that, but it can help with attention span and not giving up if you keep making mistakes,” said Young.
Young enjoys digital art. While she isn’t taking any art classes at school, she believes that art is important for high school students.
“Art can be a good creative outlet in case of stress. Lots of teens feel stress, and art is one of the Number 1 ways to get it all out,” she said.
In a world full of high stress, creative activities can also give students a way to escape or take a break. Similar to Gnagie’s peaceful elementary classroom, Young described art as providing a break from stress or bad moods.
“Making art can help give distractions for a bad day. You can draw things that make you happy, and/or you can use it to express yourself,” she stated.
Art is often about emotion, too. Art teacher Jennifer Beckman proves that. She has taught art for 23 years, with genuine love for her students. Beckman doesn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty or to work alongside her class.
Beckman explained that she wants to show her students that art isn’t about being perfect. While technique is important, the process of learning hands-on is the true takeaway.
In order to accomplish great things, artists have to work hard, said Beckman. She said wanted to be an artist since she was young. She got a degree in photography and later got a degree in art and began teaching.
“Art was one of three things I wanted to do as a kid. I wanted to be a photographer, artist, or a farmer,” she said.
Beckman shows that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. She hopes to leave her students in a creative place with open minds; she knows that it will be important for every student to see what art can be when the opportunities to create art are endless and always ready to begin anew.
Art teacher Jennifer Beckman engages with her ceramics students while working on their assignment on August 13. Photo by Areli Hernandez.Junior Leland Lajoie, who is also a ceramics student, gives shape to his blueberry bowl as part of his assignment. Photo Areli Hernandez.
United State Marine Corps Recruiter Jolbert Cameron recruits people for the Marine Corps and provides opportunities for the people’s futures. He was a guest speaker in several classes on Friday, and met with interested students on Thursday. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.United State Marine Corps Recruiter Jolbert Cameron. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Hanover College admission counselor Emma Marzouk, a JHS alumnus, talks to the students who are interested about the campus. ”As a Jeff High alum, I encourage every students to chase their dreams and go for their perfect fit after school, whether that’s college, military, or work — there is something for everyone.” Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.Hanover College admission counselor Emma Marzouk. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Entering school can be nerve racking, especially when students don’t have the support you need at home. When help is needed, most of the time a student goes to a teacher rather than a parent, showing that a strong relationship between a student and a teacher is very important, especially during the school year.
Building a strong relationship with a teacher could genuinely help a student with many challenges, like if they ever need help with their school work. Not only that, but having a trusted adult to talk to can also be helpful.
According to the non-profit organization EdTrust, “Strong relationships between adults and students must include expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power, and expanding possibilities. Importantly, these relationship-building actions must be done with an equity lens, one that supports positive racial, cultural, and ethnic identity development.”
Having a teacher who genuinely loves what they do and wants to share that passion with their students is very important, in addition to wanting their students to have a good time learning the subject.
“I like to learn. I’ve been a lifelong learner, and I think it’s really cool to be able to share my love of books and my love of history. And just my love of learning with students and pass that onto them and watch them get excited about…you know, uncovering things. That makes it worth it,” said English teacher Evan Myers.
English teacher Evan Myers teaches his fourth-hour sophomore English class. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
Having to learn a new subject is hard enough, but also having a teacher to make lessons fun is always a positive. We can see how much they put their heart into it and want kids to have a good time while learning.
According to Jason Learning, a nonprofit education program focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), “Teachers have the unique ability to make students fall in love with subject areas they otherwise may have been intimidated by. Educators can make their students feel like a ‘math person’ or a ‘science person’ by teaching and adapting content in a way that works for students rather than against them.”
Being able to enjoy the class helps a student, especially when that student has fallen in love with the subject that their teacher has taught.
Sophomore Alyssa Anderson said English teacher Holden Henderson provided this kind of inspiration.
“Mr. Henderson impacted my life by, 1. Giving me a new obsession with mythology. Especially ‘Epic the Musical’ and ‘The Odyssey’ and making me happy. I always used to look forward to going to his class; his class was my favorite,” she said. “My favorite subject he taught was mythology and ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Not only did I learn something out of those things, but I also got a few laughs in when I did.”
Sure, a teacher could just teach and grade papers, but a good teacher would not only just teach and move on, but would want to be more involved with their students outside of the classroom.
Math teacher Scott Lowe said his mission, which he includes in his syllabus, “is to build trusting relationships with all students. And it doesn’t mean just in the classroom, just in general. Our main goal is to be professional and to teach our subject. I (also) believe as teachers we should be trying to build relationships with these kids.”
Knowing teachers want to make a safe instructional environment and build relationships with their students is something we really don’t focus on enough. Often we just stress about school and don’t realize that our teachers do want to make an impact in their students’ lives, even if it’s just a small one
As Myers said, “Every single year when seniors graduate, I’m always crying at least once per season because I’m like, ‘I know I’ll never get to see them again.’ Yeah, I think as a teacher and a coach I get to make an impact, at least a little one.”
Senior year has officially started for the graduating Class of 2027. High school seniors are reaching their last adolescent milestone and preparing for adult life. Their emails, messages, and mailboxes are constantly filled with information about college, financial aid, and so much more.
While all of this is a good thing, the downside is the constant reminder that their childhood is concluding, and the trepidation of what lies ahead.
“My biggest fear is ‘what’s next?’ Just knowing the next step is being on my own and leaving everything and everyone I’ve ever known scares me a lot,” senior Harper Hylton said.
Senior Jenna Watts finds there are exciting moments to look forward to.
“I’m excited. I’m so ready for all the senior events to start, and it’s nice to know I’m almost done. Graduation is the goal, and I’m almost there!” Watts said.
Senior Alasia Sims expressed how the end of her high school career and the start of her adult life caused mixed feelings.
“I’m happy to be done with school and everything, then I’m scared because I’m going to have to actually go and do adult things,” Sims stated.
Senior year is commonly associated with balancing life inside of school and outside of school, such as working, volunteering, college, and career searching. As a young adult, all of these activities can impact students’ viewpoints of what awaits them, especially when it’s expected that the student has it all “figured out.”
Senior Sean Dyer takes his BC Calculus test. Photo by Logan Vidt.
“I’m nervous about adulthood. There’s more responsibilities, but that also comes with more freedom. I’m most nervous about money management,” senior Sean Dyer said.
At the end of the day, after four long years of high school, seniors are still kids growing into their adult shoes.
“I feel like I’ve slowly been entering into adulthood the entire of high school,” senior Enzo Magallanez said.
The Class of 2027 has a long, yet short, year ahead of them, but between college, financial, and career responsibilities, they are all kids enjoying their last year of freedom.
Senior Enzo Magallanez takes his BC Calculus test. The desire to do well in classes is just one of the challenges seniors face in their final year at JHS. Photo by Logan Vidt
Chemistry teacher Dr. Bonnia Cook teaches the laws of motion to the class. “I believe in the saying, ‘Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions’,” she said. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.Chemistry teacher Dr. Bonnia Fouts. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Sophomore Haylee Alvaregna waves to the crowd as she is announced as a starter before yesterday’s game. Photo by Malachi Conrad. The team huddles together to discuss the game plan and motivate each other during last night’s game against Jennings County. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Sophomore Jacqueline Escobar looks for the ball while positioning herself for a good attack. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Abi Lemon keeps control of the ball against Jennings County. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Alianna Brown scans the field while preparing to pass the ball in. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Alianna Brown controls the ball while attacking the Jennings County defense. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Alianna Brown throws the ball in after an out of bounds by Jennings County. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Abi Lemon passes the ball to her teammate, initiating a good offensive possession during last night’s game against Jennings County. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.The Red Devils listen to coach Emily Foster during halftime as she gives crucial advice to win the game. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Laela Rudicel celebrates her third goal of the night against Jennings County, achieving a hat trick. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval balances a ball on his head during warmups against Eastern last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Enzo Magallenez walks toward the field as the Red Devils face Louisville Eastern last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.A player prepares to make his next move during warmups. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devil varsity lineup breaks before the first half. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devil starting lineup huddles before the first half. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Ariel Andres-Sandoval rushes the ball toward the goal. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes rushes the ball toward the goal during last night’s game against Eastern. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes and Alan Solorzano Lopez celebrate after they scored a goal last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Sophomore Joao Beya attempts a goal during last night’s game against Eastern. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez encourages his teammates during halftime. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez shares a moment with JHS alumnus Elijah Cheeks. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Teachers year-round struggle with providing for their students. They shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not their students are getting enough supplies for the whole school year.
“Many educators say their districts simply aren’t supplying everything their students need to be engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn,” stated an NEA Today article by Amanda Litvinov in 2023.
The lack of help or funding forces teachers to reach into their own pockets and pay for supplies they shouldn’t have to. No one really understands how much teachers pay for school supplies every year.
“I spend my own personal money on my classroom each and every year. I would say I spend more than 1,000 dollars per year,” said Northaven preschool teacher Michelle Denbo, my mom.
Teachers having to spend this much every year, and it being the bare minimum, is not okay. No one truly takes the time to think about how much support teachers need, and not just from principals or other teachers.
“Every donation turns our classrooms into more learning opportunities; every single donation, no matter how big or small, helps,” said Denbo.
Every teacher and parent knows that it is very hard to be able to pay for supplies, especially in today’s economy.
“Within the past two years, the annual inflation rate has spiked to its highest level in 40 years. That’s made back-to-school shopping hard on many families, and difficult for the educators who are expected to subsidize their classrooms to help their students reach learning benchmarks throughout the year,” stated Litvinov in her article, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Teachers truly go the extra mile to make sure every student has exactly what they need no matter what.
“We didn’t get a budget last year, and I really tried not to spend my own money, but we quickly ran out of a lot of things. We do a ton of crafting and making cute food items, along with holiday celebrations; I normally end up having to come out of pocket,” said Denbo.
While the financial part of being a teacher is full of struggles, these purchases give children an opportunity to fully learn and have complete focus.
“Yes, buying things for my classroom is hard most of the time. But everything is always worth it when I get to see the smiles coming from my students’ faces,” said Denbo.
Support educators like Denbo by taking the time to think about donating and supporting each and every educator.
The classroom of Northaven preschool teacher Michelle Denbo. Many teachers are funding much of their classrooms out of their own pockets. Photo by Jilliann Denbo.
The new school year is always nerve-racking — new classes, new people, and new teachers. The readjustment period is always a struggle after coming back from two months of summer, and it’s been even more so with Indiana’s new phone ban.
But students and faculty persevere and get through by talking to new people, catching up on late work, or reading a book.
Algebra II teacher Greg Bowen was a little intimidated at the beginning of the year, but he is slowly readjusting to all the changes.
“I was a little nervous about how kids would adjust to the new cell phone policy, and they’ve adjusted really well, so yes, now I’m excited,” said Bowen.
The new cell phone policy had all the teachers on the edge of their seats, but students adjusted better than they thought. It’s a different kind of year for everybody, including senior Leighla Perry.
“This is my last year of high school, and although I’ll miss it because of my friends, I can’t be more excited about graduating,” said Perry.
Perry’s also been involved in the JHS community since junior year by being a part of NHS, Anchor Club, and cheerleading.
“I love being involved; it looks good on applications, and it’s nice just helping people and knowing I’m doing a good thing,” said Perry.
Juniors are getting older and racking up college credits and AP classes.
“The year has been pretty good; it’s mostly just me waiting for IUS to start. I expected more out of my classes, especially from my AP U.S. history class,” said junior Kahlani Hunt.
It seems like everybody’s year has been great so far, including sophomore Savannah Valois.
“My favorite part of the school has been my math class; it’s been great. I thought it would be harder this year, so I wasn’t excited at first, but it’s been okay,” said Valois.
As one high schooler’s career ends, another begins.
“The year has been good so far; I’ve found my classes easily; I thought it would be harder navigating,” said freshman Harmony Staton.
Life this school year, although different, has been going better than anybody expected, and JHS is excited for what is to come.
Algebra 2 teacher Greg Bowen gives instructions to his honors class about the daily PRIDE slides on August 11 during fourth-period hour. Photo by Gabrielle Watkins.
Seniors Jomall Owens Jr and Stella Siewart pose in front of their yearbook project, accompanied by junior Aaliyah Flowers and sophomores Sonnie Darku and Isabella Gravely. Seniors anticipate future activities for the class of 2027. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
For years, the JHS Theatre Department has presented two shows per year. Each show is usually an opposing genre, but this season, they are similar. They’re both set in a high school setting around students and their experiences.
This season’s shows are Mean Girls, the Musical, a musical where a girl moves from Africa and attends a public high school and befriends the popular girls. Throughout the show, the main character, Cady, goes from an awkward new kid to hanging out with the most popular and powerful girls in school.
Our Play is about a group of high school kids from different backgrounds putting on Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, a new show, published in 2025 by Jessica Moss.
Theatre director Derrick Ledbetter. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
“I think that they are the right fit for our students,” said theatre director Derrick Ledbetter. “I think it’s shows they can relate to.”
Ledbetter said he chose these two shows with similar themes for a reason – the appeal they have for young audiences.
“I think it goes back to how the shows are in closer experiences to our students,” he stated.
Beyond the theme-related performances, Ledbetter said he has some more ambitions for this season, saying, “I hope we have a lot of people come out. I hope we get a lot of new experiences for people.”
Ledbetter also said these audiences will appreciate the performances of these two shows, stating, “I think it has to do with choosing authenticity over popularity.”
Theatre students are already preparing for the performances this season.
Junior Kahlani Hunt said she definitely has a favorite show this season.
“I’m most excited for Mean Girls. I’m hoping to do tech this year.”
Sophomore Lucas Dimmitt agreed, saying, “I’m hoping to get a bigger role. I’m most excited for Mean Girls.”
Senior Jalen Nifong said, “I want to accomplish something I’m proud of. I’m intrigued to see Our Play because it’s a lesser known show.”
The message for the Theatre Department is for teens to be their authentic selves and not to conform to social norms. Ledbetter said he selected these plays not only for entertainment, but also to send an important message to the audience.
Seniors Jalen Nifong and Wyatt Clements act during Derrick Ledbetter’s fourth-period black box theatre class. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Girls’ soccer team recruits new players, uses positive energy to face the season
by Layney Derricott
The JHS girls’ soccer team has begun the new season with a smaller-than-normal roster, with barely enough players to fill the field or the bench.
The soccer team huddles together before the start of the Silver Creek game last Tuesday. The Red Devils fought the Dragons to a 3-3 tie. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
However, coming off a long summer break and straight into practice, the team is keeping a positive mindset despite the challenges.
“We always make sure to always be uplifting and bring each other up — that’s important,” said senior midfielder Layana Cosby.
After the 2025-26 season, a variety of players graduated, leaving the team depleted; however, the game still goes on. With their first game on August 18, the team prepared hastily. To start the season, they held tryouts August 3-5, resulting in a roster of 19, just enough players to field a team.
Being on a team with fewer players can change experiences, including creating a different environment, demanding more responsibility with individual players and affecting gameplay.
Coach Emily Foster said, “It’s a struggle having to try out new positions, but they are rising well to the challenge of something new. It’s all a matter of time for the team.”
In addition to adjusting to new positions, the smaller roster has also learned the importance of teamwork and patience.
Sophomore center defender Haylee Alvaranga stated, “Having to have more patience helps with being a better team player by allowing you to listen, communicate, and work well with others.”
Smaller teams sometimes mean less help. Players said patience in waiting their turns, along with communicating, thinking of others, and listening, tends to be a key virtue in being a team player.
Senior Laela Rudicel stops the ball from going out of bounds, later scoring with the possession. The Red Devils tied the Silver Creek Dragons 3-3 last Tuesday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior team captain Abi Lemon stated, “facing tough opponents while staying optimistic” will be the Red Devils’ biggest challenge to overcome this season.
Meeting this challenge while struggling under pressure can be hard but effective, according to Lemon. The new players joining the team are both helpful and encouraged.
“It is a great experience to try something new; no matter how good someone is, their talent is needed. Everyone has unique talents and skills that can contribute to the team and make a lasting difference,” said Alvarenga.
The players described a welcoming environment as they prepare for their opponents, and they’re ready for just anyone to join the team. Hoping to be at their their peak by the time they play local rival Floyd Central, the Red Devils have the chance to turn their early challenges into motivation to prove what they can accomplish.
Lemon shared her ways of keeping a positive mindset for herself and the young team.
“Always put God first, making sure to keep your head up. While lifting up the people around you, also allowing them to lift you up.”
All photos by Malachi Conrad, Logan Vidt, and Mason Ridge.
Freshman Emerson Crawford serves the ball. Jeffersonville played an invitational last Friday, winning one singles match out of three. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Jonah Romine-Wykoff returns the ball during last Friday’s game. Photo by Logan Vidt. Senior Austin Gazaway prepares to serve the ball. Jeffersonville placed last in the invitational on Friday. Photo by Malachi Conrad Senior Jonah Romine-Wykoff continues his ongoing rally, returning the ball. Wykoff went on to win his singles match 2-0. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Austin Gazaway prepares to strike the ball and continue the rally. Photo by Logan Vidt.Freshman Harry Owens competes in his doubles match against his opponents on Friday’s invitational. Photo by Mason Ridge. Freshman Maddux Dobson shakes his opponent’s hand after winning the tie breaker match at Saturday’s invitational. Photo by Mason Ridge. Freshman Laron Robinson serves the ball to his opponent during his blowout match on Saturday. Photo by Mason Ridge. Freshman Maddux Dobson continues his comeback run with the serve to send it to a tiebreaker after being down on Saturday. Photo by Mason Ridge.
Senior TJ Knight shares a moment before the game against Lawrence Central on Friday night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devils take the field at Lawrence Central in the season opener on Friday night. The Bears defeated JHS 67-20. JHS will play Seymour this Friday. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Jomall Owens defends for senior Cordell Thomas against Lawrence Central on Friday. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Braylon Gray rushes toward the end zone after a complete catch. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Senior Braylon Gray celebrates after his touchdown against Lawrence Central on Friday night. Lawrence Central defeated the Red Devils 67-20. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Cooper Spaulding hypes his teammates up during a time out. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Sophomore Devaughn Walker sacks the Lawrence Central quarterback on Friday night. Photo by Parker McCloskey. Sophomore Quincy Greene blocks his Lawrence Central opponent. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Larry Sherman blocks his Lawrence Central opponent on Friday night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Nation Roe-Mcbroom rushes with the ball during the game against Lawrence Central on Friday. JHS will travel to face Seymour this Friday. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
“Elemental” (2023) is the newest animated film produced by Disney and Pixar. Although marketed for young viewers, the film has two adult stories to share: one of romance and the other of immigration.
In a world where the four natural elements (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth) are the anthropomorphic inhabitants comes Ember Lumen: A young Fire woman who’s the daughter of “Fireland”-immigrants, living tucked away in Firetown, a district of Element City. Her family and culture mean everything to her – evident through her goal of becoming the next owner of her aging father’s convenience store. Just when she believes her future life is all figured out, Ember meets an unlikely friend (and her very unlikely Prince Charming), Wade Ripple: a young Water man, through certain circumstances. Their relationship may appear to look doomed from the start as the societal belief of Element City is that “elements don’t mix”, but that idea may be challenged as Ember and Wade grow closer as friends, and even a little more than that.
One of the main highlights that can draw any person into watching the film is its animation. Almost every scene was beautifully colorful; from the backgrounds, locations, and character designs. The greatest comparison of its style is of a watercolor painting – vibrant, fresh, yet so calming. Its shimmering flair never grew too overwhelming for the eyes to see and multiple scenes had something new for viewers to see, such as the Lumen’s bustling convenience shop, the ‘Cyclone Stadium’ and Brook Ripple’s (Wade’s mother) aquatic luxury penthouse.
The character designs were remarkably impressive by how much their movements were reminiscent of their real-life counterparts. The artists and animators truly embraced the concept of the characters being their respective elements in scenes of having them display their own unique abilities, to how they can struggle or benefit from another elemental force.
Both stories of Ember’s family, and the love story between her and Wade balance with each other. Impressively, they even intertwine at times. The Lumen family’s struggles and resiliency as Fire people residing in Element City is a reflection of what many real-life immigrants in our everyday world experience. It’s something insightful and inspiring to see.
As an animated movie: was it a rom-com, and was it romantic? Very much so! Wade and Ember had an adorably wholesome relationship thanks to their chemistry, appreciation for each other, and willingness to help lift one another up. Wade intuitively goes out of his way to make Ember happy, and the latter is always attempting to protect him from her parents’ distrust toward Water people. Being of different elements: the couple is a perfect metaphor of an interracial couple – It has its difficulties, but they make it work out of means of true love.
The film had a way of making the audience feel for the main characters. All you wanted was for Wade and Ember to be happily together without any challenges, and for Ember to have the best of both worlds with her parents, career, and her newly found love.
Peter Sohn, the director, was inspired to create “Elemental” based on his own personal experience of being born to Korean-immigrant parents in 1970’s New York City. To hear such an inspiration that originated from childhood is a highly vulnerable yet special thing. When watching the film, you could feel the love that Sohn had poured into it with scenes or background information on the Lumen’s being native to Fireland.
Around the time of its release, “Elemental” received generally positive reception, with merely a few mixed reviews from critics; praising the picture for its visuals but pointing out how the storytelling felt underwhelming – a very unusual detriment for a “Pixar” flick. While it doesn’t live up to the sheer masterpieces of “Wall-E”, the “Toy Story” franchise, “Finding Nemo”, or even “Soul”: “Elemental” is still an enjoyable, heartfelt picture that tells a mixed but balanced story of an opposites-attract romance, the importance of family and their sacrifices they make. No matter any accusations of “underwhelming” storytelling from critics: the vibrant animation, endearing lead characters and their bond, and the director’s inspiration outway such criticism.
As a self-declared “Pixar” fan: this wasn’t a definite favorite film from the company’s collection, but nonetheless, a charming picture that one can hold dear to them for a long time, and that can be most likely said the same for Peter Sohn.
Star Wars has been releasing a lot of content lately. You can watch it all on Disney Plus. But will you enjoy it? Do you like repetitive spinoffs that keep you attached to the past? Or do you like refreshing stories with new characters and expansive lore? I believe the writers should focus more on originality than formula. This was the great mistake of the Disney purchase in 2012. They continue to show their desperate merchandise intentions through all these films, series, games, and more. But Star Wars isn’t the only cash-grab franchise; that term applies to Marvel, Pixar, and the rest of Disney as well.
Let’s start with the sequel trilogy. Whether you enjoy it or not, there’s no denying its similarity to the original trilogy and its reliance on fan service. Disney didn’t plan a storyline, their writing was based on the audience’s reactions to each installment. For example, the amount of backlash that “The Last Jedi” received led to a retcon of everything in “The Rise of Skywalker”. Rey is a Palpatine instead of a nobody; Anakin’s lightsaber is fixed; Kylo has his mask back; and Rose is heavily sidelined. Fast forward to season 2 of “The Mandalorian”. The first season is its own story, but the next one is a festival of cameos from well-known franchise characters including Cobb Vanth, Bo Katan, Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, and R2-D2. Then there’s an animated series entitled “The Bad Batch”, a prime example of one cliche after the other. There are some good episodes, but most of them have no stakes and old characters are thrown into the story on occasion to keep us engaged. Next we have “The Book of Boba Fett” which is literally living in the past. There are cameos everywhere and Tatooine is an overused location that loves smashing familiar sites in your face. Which is one of the problems with the series “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. It’s nothing new; it uses shaky cam too often; and it’s the third time we’ve seen the protagonist care for a child.
There’s a pattern to be noticed here. Disney is relying too much on our familiarity with the franchise in order to get viewers. I think plenty of people would still watch their content if they took a new approach. “The Mandalorian” was the first Star Wars series on Disney Plus and it succeeded because it’s a standalone story with a completely different tone. But people don’t realize that. The final arc of “The Clone Wars” is in the top tier of television. “Andor” is such a bold take on the lore and it doesn’t feel like Star Wars at all. Clearly, Disney isn’t always lazy. “Rogue One” is a great film that tells its own engaging story without the Skywalkers. “Rebels” is a fun series with many meaningful moments such as Ahsoka’s duel with Vader and Kenobi’s confrontation with Maul. The point is that Star Wars needs to be more consistent with its quality. One day, it’s the same old content. The next day, it’s the best we’ve seen in a long time. The reason Star Wars became popular in the first place is because it was something no one has ever seen before. It’s an exploratory adventure with memorable characters and iconic imagery that blew everyone’s minds with the ambition of its filmmaking. Now, they need to continue building off of that.
The other Disney projects have the same issues. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is even more formulaic and I cannot stand how unoriginal the majority of its installments are. They’re typical superhero stories with an overuse of poor CGI. Again, not all of them are like that. It mostly applies to Phase 4 and the amount of content released isn’t helping. They need more time to craft thoughtful and passionate projects. Pixar isn’t necessarily in the same boat, but even their films have a tiring formula at this point. Sure, each installment has its own creative premise and execution. But they all have very similar messages. Whether they’re about life, family, or friendship.
The moral is that people don’t like seeing the same thing over and over. We only pay to do so because we expect something from franchises that we fell in love with. Writers like Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau, and Rian Johnson need to stay in the business because they have bold takes on storytelling in Star Wars. Dave Filoni dove so deep into the lore of the universe; Jon Favreau crafted an original and immersive western story; and Rian Johnson wasn’t afraid to take a trilogy into a new direction. I believe techniques like those are what’s most important.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Hyphen adviser Jim Lang talks with junior Shelby Keesee about her photography work. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.Hyphen adviser Jim Lang. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
New JHS football coach Nick Cotner came into the position in mid-July, five months later than every head coach in the area after former head coach Doug Preston resigned. However, he still feels ready for this season.
New football coach Nick Cotner. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
“We haven’t felt rushed since most of these guys have run spread before; they know the formations. It’s all just a different name. I feel like we’re ready,” said Cotner, who previously coached at Scottsburg.
Cotner knows that coming in so late means he still needs to find a connection with his players to lead to success.
“Players don’t care what you know until they know you care. So I make sure everybody knows I’m here to stay and I want what’s best for them,” he said.
Players said they feel how much Cotner cares and wants success for the Red Devils.
“He really wants to win here and not quit on Jeff. He really wants to build a program here where we can win every year,” said sophomore linebacker General McLain.
The players can also feel the trust their new coach has in them.
“Cotner really helps me to be the best player, he believes in me even though I’m undersized for my position,” said junior center Jacob Fifer.
Junior Darien “DD” Williams rushes with the ball while facing Madison in Friday’s scrimmage. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Cotner wants to be a mainstay at JHS and the local community.
“I’m here to stay. I want to build a real program here. I’ve been to a couple of the middle school practices so they can know who I am. I’ve lived here since 2020, so I really feel like part of a community,” he said.
Even with most doubting the team with Cotner at the helm, the players still have confidence.
“He’s (Cotner) just such a great guy. He really keeps us in check, and I even think with him we could go 9-0 this year,” said junior tight end and defensive end Tristan Newby.
Even in his short tenure as head coach, Cotner has already gained respect from his team.
“He’s really stepped in like a good leader. Everyone has to earn reps, and he often says that small things lead to big things. I think that really helps us stay focused, especially at practice,” said freshman lineman Collin Kenedy.
Cotner still tries to relate to his players to understand what they are going through and how to get them to perform better.
“I think I’m a detail-oriented coach; we hold our players to standards. I think being a young coach – I’m only 36 – they can still see that I’ve played the game, and I feel like they know I care,” said Cotner.
The players don’t have blind confidence in their coach, but also because they’ve seen his success.
“Scottsburg has won sectionals, which we haven’t done. And he’s bringing a winning mentality. Along with giving everyone goals,” said McLain.
Even with all the expectations surrounding the team, Cotner still takes time to reflect on his success.
“Ever since I was 16, I’ve dreamed of being a head coach. So this is truly a dream come true, even if it’s an unconventional way of getting the job, I’m grateful,” said Cotner.
English teacher Justin Linde teaches his fourth-hour sophomore honors class the importance of nouns and grammar. Linde shared his opinion on visuals in the classroom, stating, “I always try to make sure there’s a video, that there’s some sort of visual element to my lesson whether it’s a video or whether we are looking at an image or work of art,” Photo by Aby Lawson.
For some teachers, teaching is something that they have wanted to do their whole lives. For others, it may take a little longer to figure out what they’re really passionate about. That’s the exact situation English teacher Justin Linde found himself in.
From a young age, Linde had always known that he loved English and literature, but once he got to college, that’s when he knew those were not the only subjects that he actually cared about.
“I started realizing that I wanted to study more than just literature. I wanted to study more than just that subject. I did more than just literature. I wanted to study all the aspects. I wanted to know about the history, the historical context. I wanted to know about the cultural and artistic background of literature. And I realized that all of my interests aligned with philosophy,” said Linde.
Although Linde knew he loved philosophy and English, he questioned himself about pursuing his interests as a career path. So he continued taking classes at the University of Louisville, but he had limited time.
“I got a scholarship to attend the University of Louisville, so I went to U of L and declared myself an English major. That was my original major. For the first year or two, I was just taking my general ed classes, but I also took English classes,” stated Linde.
Linde recalls his love for philosophy started when he first began reading books about the subject early in his education.
“So probably in middle school, I started encountering philosophers, but it wasn’t probably until high school that I started reading philosophers and philosophy on my own,” he said.
But the one philosopher who stuck out the most was a German philosopher named Nietzsche, and Linde became interested in him because he felt he could relate to him.
Although Linde had finally found his passion, his journey to pursue it wasn’t easy.
“I was at U of L for five years, and I didn’t finish my degree. And I said, you know what, I’ve spent all the scholarship money, and now I have to pay for things on my own. So I was like, I can’t afford this. I’m going to take a year off, figure things out,” he stated.
During Linde’s year off, he moved to Indiana because his job offered him more pay. While moving, Linde decided that it was time to go back to school, so he transferred all his college credits to IUS, where he majored in philosophy.
“So I transferred my college credits to IUS and took all those missing classes that I needed, and I finally graduated with my bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2013,” he said.
Linde spent years thinking about what his next moves should be after graduating.
“After many plans fell through, I kept working at Meijer, and then finally, one day it dawned on me. Why did I never decide to teach high school? Because sometimes I dreaded going to school, but I loved the teachers,” said Linde.
Linde started taking an online program to get his license to teach, which took him two years, and later went back to get his master’s degree. Although Linde had finally gotten his dream job, his journey still wasn’t over.
“When I started teaching, the challenge was that I hadn’t been teaching, so I didn’t have the experience, and that was challenging because I felt they knew I just started, so they took advantage of that,” said Linde.
Although Linde saw the challenges of starting teaching later than other teachers, others saw it as an advantage because of his different perspective on things.
“Unlike many other teachers, Mr. Linde is fairly flexible about his daily curriculum; he is willing to adjust the assignments or lessons planned to better tailor the class to meet his students’ needs,” said senior Tristan Cooley.
“Something that makes him stand out is how he goes through each assignment step by step and is very patient and understanding with his students,” said sophomore Jonayazia Dickerson.
Starting his teaching career later in life gave Linde a different perspective on how he teaches his students.
“I like to introduce some of the other philosophers to my students. I think that makes me different because I want to teach kids how to think like philosophers and I want them to focus on philosophical big ideas,” he said.
Before making his way into teaching high school students, Linde gained experience that helped him understand how to work with students and their different emotions and personalities.
“In customer service, you often have to deal with angry customers. and I think you have to learn how to deal with conflict and conflict resolution, and that transfers to the classroom. Because when students are struggling or having personal problems that spill out into the classroom. And as a teacher, you have to learn how to manage that,” stated Linde.
While his past job taught him how to handle conflict and work with different personalities, becoming a teacher came with other challenges. Linde also found support from teachers who helped him along the way.
English teacher Allison Clary complimented Linde’s challenging coursework, adding, “He’s quickly learned how to assign that right work for certain students, and he’s so brilliant that now he’s teaching AP and honors and I know that he just really works on it to keep difficult while also being manageable.”
“Ms .Clary really became a mentor for me,” said Linde. “She helped me out a lot. I went to her and I asked her questions and she really supported me and helped me.”
With Clary’s support, Linde had someone to guide him in the right direction as a new teacher.
Clary’s advice helped Linde realize that not all students learn the same way, so he’s been adapting his lessons to meet all students’ needs.
“Students learn differently. So I try to incorporate all types of learning. Some are visual. Some need to write. Some need to speak out loud. So I would say what makes me different,” he said.
For Linde, making learning more accessible is only part of what he wants to accomplish. His main goal is to teach students how to become better thinkers.
After years of searching for a career that felt right, Linde finally found his passion, and now he hopes to leave his students with the reminder to always ask questions and think like a philosopher.
“We’re here because I want students to become critical thinkers. And that’s the goal,” said Linde.
English teacher Justin Linde teaches his fourth-hour sophomore honors class the importance of nouns and grammar. Photo by Aby Lawson.
The Red Devil starters line up before the match against Providence Wednesday night. JHS defeated the Pioneers 3-1. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devils huddle right before the first half. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Giovanni Sanchez Cruz dribbles the ball during last night’s game against Providence. The Red Devils won 3-1. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes defends the ball against the Pioneers. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes performs a corner kick. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez listens to coach Bell’s halftime rundown. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The JHS student section poses for a photo during the JHS-Providence game last night. The Red Devils won 3-1. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez prepares for his penalty kick. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez dribbles the ball while three Providence opponents attempt to deter him. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Erick Ortiz Jarquin defends the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Xavier Santiago Cortes kicks the ball toward the goal as JHS faced off with Providence last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez high-fives and celebrates with the JHS crowd after the night’s 3-1 win over Providence. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
All photos by Parker McCloskey, Malachi Conrad, and Eva Harbeson.
The soccer team huddles together before the start of the Silver Creek game last night. The Red Devils fought the Dragons to a 3-3 tie. Photo by Malachi Conrad.The soccer team huddles together for support before playing their first game of the season against Silver Creek. Photo by Eva Harbeson.Senior Abi Lemon kicks the ball during last night’s game against Silver Creek. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Layana Cosby rushes the goal to the goal as the Red Devils face the Silver Creek Dragons last night. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alianna Brown kicks the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alianna Brown prepares to throw the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alianna Brown defends the ball against the Silver Creek defense. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Assistant coach Emily Foster coaches soccer with an eye for the win. Photo by Eva Harbeson. Sophomore Jackie Escobar strikes the ball and attempts a goal. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Abi Lemon kicks the ball. Photo by Parker McCloskey.From a distance, senior Alianna Brown fights for the ball near goal during last night’s game against Silver Creek. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Red Devils cheer on their teammates from the sidelines. Photo by Eva Harbeson.Senior Laela Rudicel stops the ball from going out of bounds, later scoring with the possession. The Red Devils tied the Silver Creek Dragons 3-3 last night. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Abi Lemon and sophomore Haylee Alvarenga high-five each other. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Haylee Alvarenga hugs senior Laela Rudicel, celebrating her goal against Silver Creek. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Algebra 2 teacher Samantha Poindexter talks to her students about their work for her fourth-period class. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.Algebra 2 teacher Samantha Poindexter. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
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.
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”
Look no further than the Purrfect Day Café for the perfect place to spend a free day. You get the opportunity to play with adorable kittens and sometimes even adult cats. Even if you are not looking to adopt, visiting the cats is still a beneficial activity. It helps the cats become socialized
and friendly to people of any age. 11 a.m. to four p.m. is when children are allowed in with an adult supervisor. Four p.m. to eight p.m. is for anyone over 18.
All of the kitties are from the Kentucky HumaneSociety. For the first time, the Kentucky Humane Society has had more cat adoptions than dog adoptions. Usually, cats only makeup a third of their adoptions, according to Spectrum News. When you enter the café, you can find a scrapbook of all the different types of cats they have been cared for and have been adopted. Their diversity ranges from senior cats to blind cats, all of whom need a loving home. You get an hour in the playroom to bond with acat, and it is advised that you spend 30 minutes before deciding on the cat you want to adopt.
Lots of small businesses had to close during the pandemic but not Purrfect Day Café. Their adoption rate went up because people wanted a furry friend to keep them company while they were at home. “The community made sure we were not going anywhere,” said the manager, who is also known as Top Cat, Robert Mason. The business has been going strong since2018, and it continues to thrive. On Wednesday, the 18th of August, they reached their goal of 5,000 cat adoptions.
This place isn’t just a hang-out space to play with cats, though. It truly is a café with a variety of drinks and treats to enjoy. There is even wine and beer to purchase for an older audience and an outdoor patio called the “catio” where you can enjoy your beverage. Drinks are allowed in with the cats but not snacks. Upstairs you will find a party room where you can celebrate a birthday or other celebration. You can even purchase fun t-shirts, sequin cat ears, and colorful stickers to decorate with and support the business. Some of their merchandise promotes their LGBTQ+ friendly stance.
Often after a good play, the cats will fall asleep in your lap. It’s a great place to bring a friend or to make a friend, human or feline. So what are you waiting for? Head to 1741 Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky, for a day of fun!
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