Arts & Culture

New directors highlight band goals

by Isaac Steven Raymer

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.

29 Aug 202430 Aug 2024 by jhshyphen

Barbie (2023) Review

By: London Williams

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!

National Honor Society inducts new members

All photographs by Jackson Anderson. Click on each image to view the gallery below.

Junior NHS members get congratulated and gifted with the National Honor Society certificate. Photo by Jackson Anderson.

by jhshyphen 22 Apr 2026

JHS defeats Oldham County 16-1 last night

Red Devils face rival New Albany tonight at 7 p.m., play Bedford North Lawrence and North Oldham this weekend

All photographs by Malachi Conrad; click on each image to view the gallery below.

Red Devils talk before starting the second inning. JHS (5-6) beat Oldham County (10-9) 16-1 yesterday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 22 Apr 2026

First year of high school provides challenges, lessons for freshmen

by Liddia Waterbury

Freshman Eden Stewart sits down at the lunch table. She puts her belongings and lunch box down, then proceeds to take her food out of the box. While eating her food, she takes out her computer. She starts working on homework or missing assignments while eating.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I usually prioritize finishing easier work in classes and taking more time to complete my harder work. This means doing work during lunch, advanced band, Spanish, and any other time I can. It’s really hard to do homework at home with all my band activities, but I usually manage my time well,” said Stewart.

High school can feel overwhelming at first, but freshmen learn how to adapt and succeed. Their experiences reveal why the lessons they learn in their first year truly matter.

For many freshmen, the transition to high school comes with challenges, but it also leads to growth. Stewart shares how they adjusted to this new environment and why it will help them to succeed.

“It was really hard. High school was really difficult to get into the flow with, especially because of my constantly full schedule between marching band, winter percussion, and all advanced classes. I’m still adjusting to it, and I know that with all the struggles this year, it will be easier next year. I will be able to have fun without a lot of stress,” said Stewart.

Although the transition can be difficult for many students, teachers support freshmen by making it easier and less overwhelming.

Math teacher Alyssa Jones helps freshman student Onah Barns with work during class on April 9. “To support freshmen, I listen to their problems and help with anything they need. Just caring about them and giving them extra time if they need it,” said Jones. Photo by Liddia Waterbury.

“It’s important to help freshmen adjust to high school because when you’re in middle school, you’re not really used to switching classes. Then, if you fail a class in high school, you have to retake it, and they’re not used to that either. To support freshmen, I listen to their problems and help with anything they need. Just caring about them and giving them extra time if they need it. Especially because you can get really behind on school work from seven classes if you don’t have that support,” said math teacher Alyssa Jones.

Support isn’t only about helping students adjust. It’s also about motivating them when they feel overwhelmed. Teachers play a crucial role in helping freshmen stay focused and confident during stressful times.

“If their lack of motivation is because they’re overwhelmed, then what I try to do is make it more manageable. I help them look at their grades in class and in other classes. I help them pick the most important grades and push to make sure they stay focused on them. They are the assignments that are going to help their grades the most. If they can just narrow their focus to one thing at a time, and get that done, they can make progress,” said English teacher Holden Henderson.

This shows how teachers help students feel less stressed by breaking work into smaller steps. While that support is important, students also need to find other ways to get motivated on their own.

“How I usually stay motivated is when I think about graduation. I usually end up thinking about how, like, if I don’t finish this, I won’t be able to succeed. I also stay motivated by thinking about how I want to make my family proud with good grades. This influences my hobbies and stuff because after putting in that much effort, they feel more relaxing. I look forward to doing my hobbies and other things,” said freshman Onah Barns.

Students motivate themselves through their own goals. At the same time, teachers can strengthen that motivation by building supportive relationships with their students.

“I just try to be myself, be relatable, and share my interests. I know that my interests overlap with a lot of yours. I feel a little bit more in touch with social media and modern media than other teachers. I just try to be relatable and make sure students know that I care about them as people and not just the numbers in my grade book,” said Henderson.

“It’s really important to have a good relationship with a teacher because you’re more likely to pay attention to what they say. If you don’t have a good relationship, you’re more likely to tune them out and do the bare minimum and not learn what they teach you,” said Henderson.

Strong relationships with teachers can impact how much students engage in class. When students feel comfortable, they are more likely to listen, learn, and reach out for help when they need it.

“To ask for help with school, I raise my hand, go up to the teacher, and ask questions. I know that they are here to help me and help me succeed. When I ask the teacher about work, they help me to understand it better. This also gets rid of a lot of stress when the material is important and I don’t know how to do it,” said freshman Madisyn Maratty.

Asking for help is important, and it also shows something bigger. Teachers are there to guide students and support them when they struggle, making help a key part of their role.

“Remember, there are so many trusted adults in this building who want to help you succeed, so find one and develop a relationship with them. Talk to your teachers about topics or things you may be struggling with. They are here to help you and truly appreciate hearing from you over hearing from a guardian or another adult.”
Freshman Counselor Andrea Schedler

“Remember, there are so many trusted adults in this building who want to help you succeed, so find one and develop a relationship with them. Talk to your teachers about topics or things you may be struggling with. They are here to help you and truly appreciate hearing from you over hearing from a guardian or another adult,” said freshman counselor Andrea Schedler.

Support from adults doesn’t stop at just being available when students ask for help. Teachers also take an active role in guiding freshmen, helping them build skills and habits they’ll need to succeed throughout the rest of high school.

“I make sure freshmen understand what is expected, that there’s certain behaviors that are not acceptable. I make sure that they know that teachers have deadlines to get work done. At first I try to push and guide them, then I get stricter, if they are still lacking in maturity,” said biology teacher Joe Somerville.

The freshman experience includes challenges, growth, and support. Students build habits and maturity while teachers continue to guide and push them towards success.

by jhshyphen 22 Apr 2026

JHS defeats Shawe Memorial 3-0 in volleyball last night

All photographs by Malachi Conrad. Click on each image to view the gallery below.

Senior Joel Ramirez sets the ball up in the first set. The Red Devils (7-6) defeated visiting Shawe Memorial in William S. Johnson Arena on Monday, April 20. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 21 Apr 2026

Floyd Central defeats Red Devils 15-2 in softball last night

All photographs by Malachi Conard. Click on each image to view the photo gallery below.

Senior Sarah Masingo bats against Floyd Central last night as the game neared an end. FC (11-6) defeated the Red Devils (1-6). 15-2. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 21 Apr 2026

Freshmen share tips for succeeding in the first year of high school

by Kaylee Borelli

The school year coming to an end, and throughout the year, freshmen have learned to adapt to the new environment of high school.

Teachers and counselors at have noticed how this year’s freshmen adjusted to the rigors of high school and how they’ve grown over the school year.

“Some of this year’s freshmen have adjusted well to the rigors of high school. I have witnessed growth in attendance, getting to class on time, balancing the workload of seven classes, becoming more confident in themselves, and learning how to handle conflict and minor issues on their own,” said freshman counselor Andrea Schedler. “I have also witnessed a lot of students grow in their involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities.”

Adjusting to the challenges of high school does not always happen easily, though.

“Overall, as a freshman class, they haven’t adjusted very well to high school,” said freshman college and career teacher John Moody. “Some have figured out how to live outside of middle school and have been mature, while others have been immature and are still stuck in middle school.”

Moody shared some tips on how future freshmen can prepare themselves for high school and adjust to the rigor of JHS.

“What you’re going to experience here is going to be much different. You’re going to be expected to meet deadlines. You’re going to be expected to work on things you don’t know, and you’ll have to ask questions,” said Moody. “You just need to be as prepared as you can be. Make sure things are turned in on time because some teachers won’t even accept late work. Also, don’t fall behind because if you don’t fall behind, you won’t have to worry about catching up.”

Freshmen Cherish Brown, Lauren Beck, and Arianna Black work on a Coca-Cola group project in Michael Moody’s college and careers class. Photo by Kaylee Borelli.

This year’s ninth graders have also detailed some advice for incoming students next year.

“I would definitely just be yourself so you can find more people that are like you,” said freshman Donnie Muncy. “I feel like that’s a big part of it, being around people like you helps you be yourself and be happy. But overall, just being around people like yourself will make your overall high school experience better.”

Similarly to Muncy, freshman Sophie Ellis also detailed a way to make friends as a freshman.

“Go to all the events, even if you don’t think they’re going to be fun,” said Ellis. “It’s a great way to make friends and bond, and you get to see the school community.”

In addition to the students sharing their tips, some freshmen shared how they succeeded in their first year of high school.

“This year, I never let my work slip and was able to turn in my work on time,” said freshman Katie Higdon. “I just made sure I didn’t procrastinate and got my work done before the due date, so I wasn’t stressed the day before an assignment was due.”

Freshman Kaden Eurton said organization made school less stressful.

“Instead of stressing over my work, I would stay organized and balance my work and free time so I never fell behind,” said Eurton. “I would say as long as someone stays organized and stays up-to-date with work, high school will be more enjoyable and not as stressful.”

Regular attendance is another suggestion that freshmen shared with their peers.

“You really can’t miss much school because of how much work there is,” detailed freshman Parker Vibbert. “It takes a while to get caught up, but as long as you have good attendance, school will be much easier.”

by jhshyphen 21 Apr 2026

Spring brings JHS musicians to the stage to perform annual concert

All photographs by Malachi Conrad. Click on each image below to view the entire gallery.

Band director Briston Hatchell addresses the audience before the show begins. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 20 Apr 2026

Anchor Club seeking applicants for next school year

by Areli Hernandez

Anchor Club is excited to announce its upcoming 2026-27 season. Applications are now open for interested students and officially close May 6. Click on the QR code for more information or contact Anchor Club sponsors for any questions.

Anchor Club sponsors:

Michell Densford- mdensford@gccschools.com

Chloe Merkle- cmerkle@gccschools.com

Francesca Hernandez- fhernandez@gccschools.com

Judy Brooner- jbrooner@gccschools.com

by jhshyphen 17 Apr 2026

JHS defeats Sacred Heart 4-1, will play at Columbus North Saturday

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Gabrielle Watkins, and Macaleb Conrad. Click on each image below to view the gallery.

Junior Arianna Adams and freshman Engelina Beach welcomed Sacred Heart, showing sportsmanship before the game yesterday. JHS defeated Sacred Heart 4-1 and will play at Columbus North tomorrow at 10 a.m. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026

Red Devils compete against Columbus North in dual track meet, will face New Albany next

All photos by Magdalene Conrad. Click on each image below to view the gallery.

Sophomore Steven Lucas starts off a race for JHS. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by jhshyphen 15 Apr 202617 Apr 2026

JHS faces Henryville tonight in softball after 6-4 loss to Providence on Monday

All photographs by Magdalene Conrad and Malachi Conrad. Cick on each image in the gallery below to view photos.

The Red Devils group together after getting a Providence player out. Providence won against Jeffersonville 6-4 on Monday. JHS plays Henryville tonight and Seymour Friday. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 15 Apr 202615 Apr 2026

Red Devils make memories at Saturday’s annual prom

Photos by Magdalene Conrad and Malachi Conrad. Click on each image below to view photographs in gallery.

Prom attendees grab from the selection of food set up by the workers hosting the event. Photos by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 15 Apr 202615 Apr 2026

Red Devils defeat Columbus North 3-0

The Red Devils huddle and prepare for the game. Jeffersonville went on to beat Columbus North 3-0 last night in Johnson Arena. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 10 Apr 202610 Apr 2026

April Print Issue

Click on the link below to view and/or download the April print issue, distributed on April 9, 2026.

Issue 2 April 2026 Download

by jhshyphen 9 Apr 20269 Apr 2026

Baseball team wraps up trio of games, will face Columbus North tonight

All photos by Parker McCloskey and Magdalene Conrad. Click on each image to view each photo in the gallery below.

Senior Evan Shelton pitches during the Red Devils game against Carroll High School on Friday. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

by jhshyphen 8 Apr 2026

JHS defeats New Albany in volleyball last night

Red Devils face Columbus North Thursday

All photos by Malachi Conrad. Click on each image in the gallery below to view the photograph.

The Red Devils huddle before the game against local rival New Albany. JHS defeated the Bulldogs 3-0. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 7 Apr 2026

High caffeine energy drinks linked to negative health effects

by Jackson Anderson

While energy drinks have been popular among students, side effects have been a concern for teachers, nurses, and parents.

The popularity of high caffeine and sugar drinks worries many parents and teachers, including nursing assistant Donna Poole, who described the side effects she sees working in the JHS health office.

“All of these things can be side effects — high blood pressure, mental health. You can have anxiety, irritability, restlessness — all of those things can be affected by too much caffeine,” she said.

Poole said these side effects can be activated by consuming energy drinks on a daily basis. This excessive amounts build up a negative dependency in human systems.

“If you drink them on a daily basis, you are building up a dependency. So then if you don’t have them, like I said, you’re going to get side effects — headaches, not feel good. You’re going to be lethargic,” she said.

Abusing the consumption of these drinks can highly affect children’s growth, restricting bone acquisition and causing hormonal imbalances due to the high caffeine and sugar levels that energy drinks carry.

“It’s better if you can just not get to that situation, where you are dependent. Everyone has to make their own decisions about that; we just need to be educated on what it’s doing to us,” said Poole.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns these drinks can be harmful and addictive, increasing the risk of excess weight gain, cavities, heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease.

These energy drink companies just market their products as fun drinks with bright colors with trendy styles and formats, designed specifically to attract teenagers, according to The Guardian. Poole described these advertising techniques as a negative way to hook teenagers.

“They package them to target kids; they make them look good. They make you want them, so I mean it’s just that we need some healthier alternatives.”

Sophomore Makenzi Middleton said she drinks energy drinks, listing a variety of flavors, and described how the brand Alani listens to their consumers.

“One reason why I really like that brand is because they listen to people’s ideas a lot, like people will talk about ideas they like, and then you might see it coming out. Like the cotton candy energy drinks were limited, and people wanted them back, so they brought them back, as well as two other flavors,” she said.

The company Alani creates new flavors based on consumer recommendations. However, Poole finds even these tactics to be a problem — “tricking teens” to buy their product that is advertised to be positive and give a “quick boost of energy,” but still doing damage.

“I just hate to see the damage that’s being done by energy drinks. Personally, I don’t think kids should be allowed to buy them, but they’re going to get them anyway. I mean that’s how kids are, we always find a way, doesn’t matter if you’re supposed to or not,” she said.

Poole explained that educators and health officials still make it known that energy drinks carry dangers and the effects that they can cause, especially to young audiences.

“You live and learn. I do know everybody here is concerned and knows the dangers, the teachers and the staff know the dangers for kids,” she said.

There is no federal legal age requirement for teens to purchase energy drinks in the United States. While no national law exists, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recommend that adolescents from ages 12-18 limit their caffeine consumption to 100 milligrams per day.

These drinks hold a dangerous level of caffeine, all the way up to 200-plus milligrams. For comparison, the average cup of coffee is 80-120 milligrams. That’s about less than half the usual energy drink

It is highly recommended for consumers to drink one a day maximum, considering the average intake of caffeine in a day should be around 100 milligrams, which is far less than many cans hold.

AP biology teacher Melissa Brewer supported limiting caffeine, saying, “You’re not supposed to have that much caffeine maybe in a whole day, but I see kids drinking two or three of those a day.”

Coffee may be better slightly statistically than an energy drink, but Brewer said teens must be wise with the amount and consistency they drink to avoid addiction.

Poole agreed. “I like my coffee a lot, but your brains are still developing, so it affects you all more. A lot of these kids, they drink so much of it, they really feel the effects of it, so I mean everybody has to use their own everything in moderation.”

For senior Natalie Hollins energy drinks are something she can control on a daily basis.

“I consume energy drinks because they give me a boost through days that I’m tired or having a bad day, but I don’t drink them as often as I used to, so l’d say maybe twice a week.”

Freshman Dakota Jent drinks an Ultra Blue Hawaiian Monster energy drink, which is a zero-sugar, low-calorie energy drink containing 150 milligrams of caffeine. Photo by Mackenzie Stubblefield.

While some teens control their energy drink intake, others avoid the drinks altogether.

Sophomore Ethan Jenkins said, “I don’t consume energy drinks because it can ruin your sleep schedule, it’s unhealthy and for some even unsafe for your heart and blood sugar levels. I wouldn’t try one — it seems too dangerous and not worth it at all.”

Sophomore Dana Romero Regalado said she has noticed these side effects, too.

“At times, I have experienced side effects such as feeling jittery, an increased heart rate, and difficulty falling asleep if consumed later in the day.”

At the end of the day, research links energy drinks and caffeine to negative health effects, which is why JHS does not sell them at lunch and stocks vending machines with lower calorie drinks that are all zero sugar.

by jhshyphen 3 Apr 202616 Apr 2026

Trinity defeats JHS 3-1 in boys’ volleyball

All photos by Malachi Conrad. Click on each image in the gallery below to view photographs.

Senior Jordan Rogers celebrates his point over Trinity in the first set. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

by jhshyphen 1 Apr 2026

Arts & Culture, Reviews

12 Sep 20234 Feb 2025 by jhshyphen

“Elemental” Is a Mix of Vibrancy and Heart

By Lacy Blanton

“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.

17 Aug 202327 Sep 2023 by jhshyphen

The Repetition of Star Wars

by Sam Broady

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.

9 Mar 2023 by jhshyphen

Speaking Out on “The Poet X”

By Lacy Blanton, Guest Journalist

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Mar 20236 Mar 2023 by jhshyphen

TOP 5 SHOWS THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH

By Luke Whobrey

1 – Breaking Bad

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

2 – The Sopranos

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

3 – The Walking Dead

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

4 – The Last of Us

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

5 – Futurama

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

17 Feb 202317 Feb 2023 by lukaswhobrius

Stranger Things Season 4 – Review

Project | Stranger Things, Season 4 - Rodeo FX

Written By: Samuel Broady

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – Review

By: Sam Broady

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

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

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

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

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

Column: Indiana basketball needs a shot clock

by Marquel Garner

How would implementing the shot clock in Indiana high school basketball affect teams and players?

The ‘shot clock’ shall refer to the timing device that displays a countdown of the time within which the team in possession of the ball must attempt a field goal.

Thirty-two states have implemented a 35-second shot clock in high school basketball, and 18 states have not or said no to implementing a shot clock.

After the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association announced the results of a survey that said 68 percent of coaches polled favored a shot clock, a proposal went before the IHSAA at its Feb. 20 executive committee meeting for a 35-second shot clock. The proposal, if passed, would be implemented for the 2026-2027 or the 2027-28 schoolyear.

Some advantages of having a shot clock include increasing the pace of the game and preventing teams from holding the ball for minutes at a time to protect a small lead, a tactic often disliked by fans and players.

Source: IHSAA
Graphic by Marquel Garner.

Having a shot clock will make a faster-paced game, resulting in more possessions; more scoring opportunities; and higher-scoring, more exciting games, which can boost spectator attendance.

The shot clock will also help with player development, helping players learn to handle time-management pressure, make quicker decisions, and play at an uptempo pace, better preparing them for college-level basketball.

The last advantage of having a shot clock is that teams will have to practice to execute their offense better and more effectively within a timeframe than relying on holding the ball to win. It also prevents the “end-of-game stall” where teams play keep-away for the final minutes, forcing competitive basketball until the buzzer.

Some cons would be the cost of installing it and maintaining the shot clock, and it requires an extra, trained operator for varsity, and potentially for junior varsity and freshman games.

With a shot clock, less talented teams wouldn’t be able to slow the game down and reduce possessions to pull off an upset. The shot clock would favor more talented teams by giving them more opportunities to score.

Other issues would be teams playing zone defense because they would only need to play defense for 30-35 seconds. And some coaches may argue that a shot clock leads to rushed, poor-quality shots and more turnovers for less experienced teams, rather than better gameplay.

I feel adding a shot clock would be good for Indiana basketball. The main reason for me is that teams are eating up the clock with a small lead. When they play “keep away” with a small lead, it forces the other team to foul, and as a spectator, that is not fun to watch. Also, as a player, I think it could force players to develop skills, such as playing at a faster pace, managing time, and reading defenses under pressure

by jhshyphen 1 Apr 2026

Red Devils face Trinity tonight in volleyball

All photos by Magdalene Conrad. Click on each photo in the gallery below.

The volleyball team huddles before their match against Carmel this past Saturday. The Devils play Trinity tonight at 7:30. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by jhshyphen 31 Mar 202631 Mar 2026

JHS theatre presents ‘Cerano de Bergerac’ during the next two weekends

by Aurora Grisham

Cyrano de Bergerac will take to the Jeff High stage this weekend to try to romance Roxane.

Show dates include:

Friday, March 27 — 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 28 — 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 29 — 2 p.m.

Friday, April 3 — 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 4 — 7 p.m.

On-stage performers include Blessing James, Finn Matzek, Jayden Trevell, Jackson Fried, Sarah Proctor, Jalen Nifong, Tristan Cooley, Lucas Dimmit, Wyatt Clements, Sophie Ellis, Jude Polete, Roberto Castro, and Natalie Creagh.

Behind-the-scenes crew members include McKayla Hannan, Parker Grubbs, Kira Timberlake, Elianna McCurdy, Shiann Spalding, Nataly Barragan, Lindsay Austin, Ada Morrill, Hailey Littrell, Bella Roman, Chloe Kallbreier, Zoe Schwieman, Kenzie Stone, and Sage Mace.

Sophomore actress Natalie Creagh said, “We take a more modern take on the original story of ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’.”

The advice Creagh has for those who want to take theater is to keep believing in themselves even though it’s a lot of hard work.

Theatre arts teacher Derrick Ledbetter said, “The story behind Cyrano de Bergerac is, in a war-ridden France, there is a love story that takes place that is very complicated.”

Ledbetter said he’s most excited to see the students act out the script, since it’s his most complicated one yet.

Tickets are free for staff — and general admission tickets are $10, according to Ledbetter.

Tickets can be purchased through the Jeff High Theatre website.

by jhshyphen 27 Mar 202627 Mar 2026

Spring Break Photo Gallery

All photos by Shelby Keesee. Click on each image below to view.

by jhshyphen 24 Mar 2026

Annual showcase allows students to share highlight their cultures

JHS students participated in the annual Multicultural Showcase on Thursday, March 12, sharing their cultures through presentations, dance, food, and dress with their fellow students and staff in the auxiliary gym.

Click on each photo in the gallery below.

A proud group of dancers performs a traditional Honduran dance. Photo by Areli Hernandez.

by jhshyphen 24 Mar 2026

Review: Influence of ‘Twin Peaks’ lives on

by Abigail Hall

Twin Peaks (directed by David Lynch) – an eerie, surreal show about Agent Dale Cooper working to solve the murder of Laura Palmer, a high school girl in the logging town of Twin Peaks.

The show is considered groundbreaking and it is still world renowned for its impact on the television industry. It brought a cinematic and supernatural program to TVs in the 1990s. Twin Peaks combines themes of supernatural activity, police and crime, and horror to create its iconic status.

It continuously asks the question of “Who killed Laura Palmer?” while incorporating the town’s stories. The show is known for diving deep into the world of traumatic evil in the form of Laura’s tragedy. It starts out as a straightforward, typical murder mystery, but it quickly transitions into something deeper psychologically.

Twin Peaks moves slower than other shows being aired, but its pace allows the town to settle into the viewer, making it seem more suspenseful and dreamlike.

Laura Palmer and her story has stuck with many watchers of the show, integrating herself into the fanbase like no other. Her youth and experiences reflect that of her viewers, making her an important character to millions of people. Her complexity adds many layers, including her loveability because of her trauma and the way she handles it. She is not painted to be a saint like many victims in horror shows.

She is not the first loveable character that David Lynch has brought to life, though. Lynch is known for his directing style, mixing themes of surrealism and horror with a unique charm. He has directed many other iconic films and television shows, including Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, and Eraserhead.

While all of his work is widely regarded as memorable and fascinating, Twin Peaks seems to have latched itself into his fans’ lives, as well as other directors and film-makers.

The series has influenced many other famous shows, including the likes of X-Files, Stranger Things, and Lost. The show proved that fans would follow complex characters and dark storylines, allowing these other shows to follow suit.

Lynch introduced genre blending through Twin Peaks, mixing a sense of comedy with the small town’s uniqueness with the horror of Laura’s mystery.

Twin Peaks sparked some controversy with its mixture of comedy and heavy themes, like drug abuse, assault, and murder, without romanticizing the trauma. However, this creates an air of surrealism that drags people in.

Lynch has a specific style of cinematography that many people link with Twin Peaks, as well. Featuring wide shots, darker colors, muted lighting, and unconventional camera angles to make his episodes feel more like a hand-crafted masterpiece than anything.

Twin Peaks has wormed its way into many people’s hearts, as well as the film industry. Television and films will never be the same, whether they’re inspired subconsciously or not.

by jhshyphen 24 Mar 202624 Mar 2026

6 Feb 20239 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Lamb: A Mind-Bending Icelandic Film

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Nov 202112 Nov 2021 by mscholl252

How to Properly Eat Oreos

Story by Lydia Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 Oct 202122 Oct 2021 by lydiac04

Purrfect Day Café: A local cat café that has helped 5,000 cats get adopted

Story by Marni Scholl

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!

22 Oct 2021 by mscholl252

How to Walk in the Hallways / Tips to avoid hatred from peers

Story by Max Fisher

After a year of quarantines and online learning, the Jeff High hallway crowds are back again, and students have taken notice. “The hallways are so crowded it makes no sense,” said Miles Harper, a Jeff High student. While others like Toby Kauchak echoed similar concerns, saying, “They’re very crowded and loud.” Year after year, students clustering together in crowds during passing and blocking movement in the hallways and stairwells have become a hallmark of the Jeff High experience. While some congestion is inevitable, here are a few tips to make your hallway experience and that of your peers much easier.

– There is never a reason to talk in a circle. There is nothing worse than walking down the hallway and being stopped by a group of people talking in a circle. If it is that serious–and it probably isn’t–please at least try to find a more spacious area such as the commons. And if you can’t do that, feel free to discuss in a more compatible shape such as a line or a condensed oval.

– No Public Displays of Affection. The love of your life will still be there after the hour and a half class, and, no matter what you think, people do not want to see that. Your friends definitely mock you for this behind your back.

– Walk on the right side of the hallway. There is no reason to walk on the left unless you are heading to a locker or a class. Please stick to the right.

– The main stairs are actually not the best place to have a meaningful conversation. Despite what you might think, your conversation is most likely to be heard by the 50 people who walk by you. If you really need to talk, just know that literally anywhere else in the school is a better spot.

– Don’t run. You are at school, it’s not worth running. However, an exception can be made for light jogs to the lunch line? Especially if heading to the sandwich line to avoid waiting for food for over half your lunch.

Hopefully, these tips will help create a better hallway experience, and if not, it’s at least nice to complain about this perennial problem.

22 Oct 202122 Oct 2021 by Max_Fisher