It was on a chill day in Louisville, KY when my mom, step-sister, and my nephew went to The Old Spaghetti Factory. I hadn’t gone in quite some time to actually dine-in and it was really cool at the parking garage across the street. There is a system in place to where you type in the license plate number to pay to park. We walked into this adventure through the heavy and beautiful gold doors of the restaurant.
I was incredibly pleased by the flexibility after I was at a ribbon-cutting prior to my arrival at the restaurant allowing me to cancel a later reservation for 7:15 p.m. after I arrived at 6:15 p.m. The establishment of two different reservations I believed would cause confusion to ensue but they actually understood.
Our waiter, Daniel, was very cordial and had well developed manners, and acknowledged both our needs, time constraints, and what food we wanted.
I ate at the restaurant with my mom, nephew, and half-sister. We all ordered the Spinach Artichoke Dip as an appetizer and it was much like a cheese dip with vegetables in it.
Their food was very good according to my family members. Hot and well seasoned. I ordered their Famous Baked Lasagna and it was very creamy and had a leveraged taste as usual, which is why I always order this there.
As a commodity, water is served aside from your ordered drink. Usually water is on my list of most despised beverages but the water that they served was delicious, albeit I usually don’t like Kentucky wWater. The first time I had Kentucky water was at a Steak N Shake and left a bad rap for me.
The main drink that I ordered was the Vanilla Italian Cream Soda, which tasted like the strength of the taste a McDonald’s Sweet Tea has in the context of tea or the strength of the taste a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha has in the context of coffee but this was in the Cream Soda department.
I was incredibly pleased that my nephew had to use the restroom because this way I got to review everything about the restaurant. The dining room walkthrough on the way to the bathroom reminded me of a scene out of the movie “The Color of Money,” super cool as a major movie lover.
The bathroom itself was gorgeous and was very clean and spacious. I should add that the actual restaurant and trolley that we ate in was very clean but the trolley was not spacious as it reminded me of being at the Golden Corral. The tables were basically clanking together and people’s voices were booming off each other.
Overall, the service was fantastic, food was delicious, and the staff was so cordial and friendly.
Creed’s music has long been defined by its unique blend of hard rock, introspective lyrics, and themes of hope, resilience, and redemption. Since emerging in the late 1990s, the band has produced hits that delve into universal struggles—relationships, purpose, and spirituality—resonating deeply with fans worldwide.
Each of the top five Creed songs captures a different aspect of this journey, showcasing the band’s signature sound and reflective lyrics. In exploring these tracks, we gain insight into why Creed’s music continues to connect with listeners personally, offering both powerful anthems and soulful introspection.
1. “With Arms Wide Open”
This song is a tender exploration of fatherhood, reflecting Scott Stapp’s experiences with his son’s birth. Its lyrics convey a mix of hope, awe, and vulnerability, capturing the universal anticipation and responsibility of being a new parent. Known for its emotional depth, it earned Creed a Grammy Award, helping the song become one of the band’s most recognized and cherished works.
2. “My Sacrifice”
“My Sacrifice” became a staple of Creed’s discography, offering an anthemic quality that resonates with themes of redemption and self-reflection. Its lyrics convey the sense of reconnecting with one’s best self or mending a relationship after difficult times. The song’s powerful guitar riffs and passionate vocals have made it a favorite among fans who appreciate Creed’s raw, honest approach to rock.
3. “Higher”
Known for its memorable chorus, “Higher” taps into a longing for peace and escape from life’s trials, inspired by lucid dreaming. The dynamic progression of this song mirrors the aspiration for transcendence, while its upbeat tempo offers an empowering feel. This song played a key role in defining Creed’s sound and expanded their reach, contributing to the album Human Clay’s massive success.
4.“One Last Breath”
In this reflective ballad, Creed delves into themes of regret and survival. “One Last Breath” is hauntingly emotional, with Stapp singing about hanging onto life amid despair. The acoustic intro and emotionally charged lyrics create a reflective, somber mood, making it one of Creed’s most impactful songs for fans who relate to its message of resilience
5. “What’s This Life For”
Written after the death of a close friend, this song tackles themes of purpose and loss. It’s raw and reflective, with Creed’s signature grunge rock edge, offering a deep exploration of life’s meaning. The song became an anthem for those seeking solace during hard times and stands as a testament to the band’s ability to confront serious themes with honesty and empathy.
It’s that time of year again: “Dia De Los Muertos” DayOfTheDay, celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2. My family is excited to set up our altar to bring back the memory of our loved ones once more. All memories come rushing back, the sweet scent of cempasuchil flowers and sweet bread being placed at our altar. All this excitement brings my family back and it only takes a few seconds to teleport to “The Land of the Dead” in the movie “Coco.”
The animated fantasy “Coco” was released on Nov. 22, 2017, and has been an ultimate favorite. The animated fantasy, a blend of comedy and drama, was produced by Pixar Animated Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.
Twelve-year-old Miguel’s passion for music is well beyond his family’s expectations. His curiosity leads him on a journey to find his Idol, Ernesto De La Cruz. He is transported to ‘The Land of the Dead,’ where he awaits the acceptance of his passion, but little does he know of what he will be encountering instead.
As you click play, a story is being told by Miguel, which explains the history of the “Rivera Family” and the history they have with music that plays a big role in the life of Miguel. Something unique is, how the story is told throughout “Enrramadas” or (Banners), which are used as a decor on altars. They include a variety of images and colors that represent different meanings.
Throughout the movie, we can notice different types of cultural references, which is perfect for young audiences. Miguel spends the first half of the movie in a pueblo (small town). We can immediately notice a variation of traditional and colorful objects. For example, stands where people sell foods, toys, and decorations; traditional dishes like sweet bread, tamales, and mole, which are also placed on altars. The dressing style is very much casual and simple, which is really accurate to what we see in real life.
Whenever Miguel is teleported to ‘The Land Of The Dead,’ it’s a different universe where he reunites with his past ancestors. ‘The Land Of The Dead’ is a beautiful place where we get to learn about how the dead live in the after life. It can be described as vibrant and full of life even though the name might make us think otherwise. It’s very much interesting how the story flows and how every setting carries a memory. One important detail is ‘The Marigold Bridge,’ which carries a significant meaning to the dead that only can be crossed when a frame of a loved one is placed on an altar. Once Miguel stays in ‘The Land Of The Dead,’ he is able to experience the life of the dead and different challenges later on.
Miguel is able to give us an important lesson like the importance of chasing our dreams. His character is loving, authentic, and easy to understand throughout the film. Miguel, apart from being determined to be heard for his passion of music, also has a loving heart and continues to show it throughout the movie.
For me this movie has brought many memories, and I loved how the mood of the story changed throughout the film. It not only develops humor but also conveys to sadness and strong emotions that touch the viewer’s heart. I loved how the movie brings out many cultural references. The 3D effects are really interesting, and fun fact — Easter eggs are found throughout the film — which makes it even more exciting.
“Coco” reminds us that those whom we lose will live in our memory and hearts forever. Not only that, but it also tells us the importance of the love we should have for our families and the importance of the memories we hold of one another. I cannot wait to sit back and enjoy this movie once more.
One of the prides that Hermitage Farm takes is how they offer a diverse selection of unique crafts from an equally diverse vendor selection.
And this was certainly the case when I attended the Meet Your Maker Art’s Festival on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Meet Your Maker was able to supply visitors with a great variety of items. This ranged from jewelry, like those found at the Love is a Seed booth ran by Amanda Mathews; clothing, like those found at Mojo Quilts and More ran by Angelique Shah; paperworks, like those found at Lion Palace ran by Liz Morely Glenn; or paintings, like those found at Makara Thach Sernett ran by a vendor by the same name, just to name a few of the crafts.
Amanda Mathews and her booth, Love is a Seed, standing next to Angelique Shah and her booth, Mojo Quilts and More. Photo by Sam Ottinger.
The wide range of items may seem like it would be an overwhelming experience, but in reality I found it to be one of the more peaceful arts festivals I have been to.
In addition to Hermitage Farm choosing a wide area for all the booths, making it feel open enough to not overwhelm but not empty to where it seemed that there was extra space, the multiple items left room for disinterest.
In many events, hearing of the presence of disinterest can be a very negative thing, but for an art event with a little over 100 vendors, it is essential to prevent feelings of missing out and rushing through.
There was enough of one type of craft to be affordable to the buyers to get something from each, while also leaving room for other types that were others’ favorites.
One aspect that does need mentioning is the accessibility.
Due to this event taking place on a farm, there were not as many accommodations as a more leveled festival may have.
The parking was located on the top of a large declining hill, yet offered handicap parking nearing the front of the lot. In order to get to the area, guests could then walk down the hill and over another smaller hill. Yet another way guests could get to the main event was on one of the two tractors for a seasonal hayride.
The first vendor area, closest to where guests entered, was unpaved, which could make it harder to navigate with those who rely on non-powered wheelchairs. However, the second vendor area, the one past the top left corner of the first area and near the petting zoo, was in a circle of paved road at the entrance of each booth.
One of the joys that came with this event is that not only did guests have an enjoyable time, but the vendors were given space to be able to enjoy it just as much.
Due to the openness of the physical area, there was room for these business owners to be able to talk more about their story behind the art they produce.
Morley Glenn, the artist behind the Lion Palace booth, commented, “Once you start creating, you never want to stop” in describing what pushes her to continue this artistic business.
Makara Thach Sernett, who managed the Makara Thach Sernett booth, shared the story of her beginnings as an artist.
After growing up in a Thai refugee camp, Sernett focused not on studying any artistic field, but on law. Yet this career path wasn’t based on passion, but on survival.
Sernett’s life always came with worldly troubles that would prevent the transition in careers, like expectations of being the oldest in an immigrant family and the negative perceptions that come with the title of ‘refugee.’
When she met her husband, he asked her a profound question. “Now that you don’t have to fight to survive, what do you really want to do?” Her answer was painting.
“In [that] world I didn’t know what art was, but I felt the joy and whimsy it could bring,” Sernett commented.
After years of being self taught, she came to Meet Your Maker to use her landscapes and story to inspire others. Seeking to connect with others, even if they may not relate to her life.
Makara Thach Sernett stands inside her booth, Makara Thach Sernett, holding one of her pieces labeled “Vibrant Birch.” Photo by Sam Ottinger.
And Mathews, the main vendor of Love is a Seed, found her love for making jewelry when given kits for her birthday and other holidays.
“I found it to be so fun and satisfying to create quick little projects that I could wear,” Mathews said, describing her progression from kits to her own creations. She would share this fun activity with her soon to be husband, Harley Mathews, after graduating high school.
“The key to making something more your own is to follow your creative curiosities, create things that make you feel good, and have fun!” Mathews added, “Don’t be afraid to reinvent pieces you may already have, mix and match, and make it more personal. You can always create special pieces of jewelry out of just about anything!”
Just as the kits were given to her on the holidays, she then decided to gift her finished jewelry to others during these times of year. Even during other times she would still get requests for unique pieces.
Mathews saw the potential, and after working more on increasing her skills through practice and some college courses, she and her husband started to look into the future of getting her art out into the grander world.
They would go to art markets and visit their friends, finding a match to respark their inspiration, Amanda Mathew’s asking “What if this is something we could do, as our life and our creativity?”
The Mathews started looking into participating in a market like those they visited. And during these looks, many would require more official business info.
“This was intimidating at first, but we were up for the task. We wanted to do this so we dove in head first!” And after talking to other vendors, friends, and family, they felt the support and founded their business, Love is a Seed, in the summer of 2014.
Hermitage Farm’s Meet Your Maker back in summer of 2022 caught Mathews’s eye when looking for more fall events. She saw the fun family fall event and applied. “It has become a place where I meet dear friends who are also amazing artisans and is my favorite event to do every year,” she commented.
Amanda Mathews inside her Love is a Seed booth, located near the entrance of the main vendor area. Photo by Sam Ottinger.
Meet Your Maker did not only allow me to purchase wonderful handmade crafts, but it also allowed me to be able to meet and connect with these business owners, of which I may not have even known about before attending, and learn more about the love of creation that fills many in our community.
Their stories not only connect us, but they also act as a light at the end of the tunnel for those who want to throw their hat in the ring and be one of these vendors, finally being able to turn their passion into an equally enjoyable work career.
“Welcome to one of the most exciting nights of music anywhere in the Kentucky Indiana area,” choral director Kyle Broady commented last Tuesday night. And, he was absolutely right.
Gospelfest was a fantastic, moving, and very energetic event. The concert style worked perfectly to create an environment of connection among those in the audience. The singing along of audience members would typically be one of irritation, yet somehow they were able to make it feel as though it belongs among the singing voices of the choir.
Choir director Kyle Broady and Dr. Roosevelt Escalante direct all of the choirs at the annual Gospelfest on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Photo by Sam Ottinger.
The performance consisted of eight songs. The very first, sung by the chamber choir of JHS singers, started off slow with a soft piano sound of “I Believe,” yet it soon grew into an energetic piece as the sizzles of a cymbal joined, and the audience was encouraged to clap along.
Following this piece was a favorite among the crowd, as well as one favorite of my own, known as “He Heard My Cry.” Senior Luna Guyse began with a solo accompanied by similar soft piano notes and then transitioned into a harmony and cymbal climb. The crowd cheered nearly after every other lyric.
The next two songs, “You Should Know” and “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord,” were sung by the gospel ensemble, with solos from Guyse, freshman Vivienne Diehl, sophomore Presley Inzer, junior Nairah Jadusingh and junior Joshua Broady.
A very special quality that I noticed during Gospelfest was not just the opportunity of connecting with our community, but also being able to connect with our own family. During “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord,” Roosevelt Escalante invited a surprised Broady to come up and sing alongside Broady’s son.
“He [Dr. Roosevelt] wanted to do it so I could sing with my son, which was pretty special,” Broady said when asked how he felt at that moment.
Before the final song, “The Blood Still Works,” Dr. Escalante was able to perform with his daughter.
Both pieces didn’t just have beautifully sung vocals, but also the warmth of family being able to share the joys of singing together. The way Dr. Escalante’s daughter’s performance flowed into the final song felt as though that warmth was reaching out to encapsulate the audience with it, as the song once again allowed the audience to join along in clapping to the melody.
When going back to the song after Broady came up to sing, “Going up a Yonder,” there is another very special quality. This Gospelfest did not just include JHS choir students but also two other choirs, including the Southern Indiana Children’s Choir.
This was a brand new organization, performing for the very first time, consisting of children in second to fifth grade in Clark and Floyd County. They were selected from their elementary schools by their music specialist or teacher and had rehearsal only once a week.
This in itself made it special for how talented these young kids are, but the conductor who helped teach them their skills is none other than Leslie Gabhart, who used to be a choir teacher here at JHS, and she even was the choir teacher for Broady.
The other choir that combined forces for this Gospelfest was Borden Junior- Senior High School. All three choirs joined together to perform the jazzy piece “Bless the Lord.” Each choir was able to be powerful, yet not overwhelm the others.
“Bless the Lord” had to be my favorite piece for the whole concert. Throughout the song everyone just seemed to work well with one another. The live band, the JHS choir, the Borden choir and the Southern Indiana Children’s choir really showed off their talent with this piece.
The following piece, “No One Like You” – sung by the JHS and Borden choirs – returned to a slower, softer start. This song may not have been the most energetic one, but that does not mean it was even close to being boring. As a soloist started the lyrics off, there was a really captivating way that they performed. For after the third line the singers were able to raise their pitch on the word “me” to this enchanting sound.
For something that started more than two decades ago, the emotional energy created in that auditorium was as young and thriving as ever. The love that could be felt in that room, for the people and for the music, was something I haven’t felt after any other school event.
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!
Ashleigh Bacon works to register JHS students to vote on Oct. 2. Bacon said, “I think young people should realize they have a voice. Having a voice is important. Stuff needs to change.” Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Ashleigh Bacon talks with junior Kahlani Hunt about voter registration during lunchtime on Oct. 2. Photo by Isaiah Stewart. New world history teacher Frank Newkirk works to register JHS students to vote on Oct. 2. Photo by Gabriella Kraft.
Senior Abi Lemon attempts to gain possession of the ball against her Salem opponents. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Senior Abi Lemon and sophomore Jackie Escobar celebrate after Lemon scores a goal against the Salem Lions last night. The Red Devils defeated the Lions 5-1. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Senior Madison Grogan kicks the ball in hopes of scoring a goal against Salem last night. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Freshman Maria Leonardo-Juan gains possession of the ball after downing an opponent during the first half of last night’s game against Salem. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Sophomore Anny Ramirez kicks the ball in last night’s game against Salem. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Senior Laela Rudicel throws the ball during the Red Devils’ game against the Lions. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Sophomore Sonnie Darku claps after her teammate scores a goal against Salem last night. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Junior Chimamanda Chidi-Okorie rushes with the ball. Photo by Shelby Keesee.Senior Laela Rudicel smiles while walking towards the center of the field. Photo by Shelby Keesee.
Birthday: May 6, 1999 Hometown: Corydon, Indiana Favorite sport: Softball Favorite food: Pasta Favorite movie: “Iron Man“ Favorite music genre: Pop music Hobbies: Reading, arts and crafts Time spent teaching: Two years.
Biology and PLTW Human Body Systems teacher Karson Cecil sits at her desk, checking emails and grading assignments as the students in her seventh period Human Body Systems class work, constructing an origami diagram of a bone. A Louisville Police badge sits on her desk in a case.
One may walk past Cecil’s classroom without a second thought, just thinking that she is any ordinary science teacher; however, that isn’t the case here.
At a first glance, no one would know that she once worked as a crime scene technician for the Louisville Police.
“My experience as a crime scene technician was fantastic; it was a fulfilling job and it was always something new each day. I left that position due to the schedule being too chaotic,” Cecil said.
However, one may wonder why she would take up such a job, with so much danger and unpredictability.
“I just applied and showed up. But the biggest influence is ‘Criminal Minds’, the show,” Cecil stated.
After quitting her job as a crime scene technician she took her career in a completely different direction.
“I chose science because my degree is in science, and it’s my favorite subject,” she answered.
Despite the troubles and annoyances of being a teacher, she has still decided to stick with this career as a science teacher.
“I like getting to help students find something that’s interesting to them and discover that science can be pretty fun.”
Cecil had to take various different classes in high school and then college in order to be able to pursue her career in teaching, biology, and human anatomy.
“In high school I took Advanced Science classes and then in college I took a lot of biology and chemistry classes. I also took an education class, not with interest in teaching, just to fill a space, but then I went to grad school and took anatomy classes,” Cecil said.
Cecil is still a new teacher, at least compared to others, having chosen to teach at JHS for a simple reason.
“Yeah, because it’s close to my home and they were looking to hire a science teacher,” Cecil stated.
Her students have had many positive impacts on her life.
“My students impact my life by brightening my day and they always keep me learning too, they teach me new things which are important. They teach me slang, and I’ve learned some TikTok dances,” she said.
However, Cecil has also had impacts on the lives of her students as well.
“I say she’s taught me a lot and helped me learn a lot of information I need to know for my career,” said sophomore Haylee Schwarz, a student in Cecil’s PLTW Human Body Systems class.
Cecil has also been an inspiration for her students.
“She inspires me to be a better person because of the way she teaches,” stated sophomore Layla Dizdar, another PLTW Human Body Systems student.
Cecil thinks that science is a very important subject, especially in today’s world.
“Science explains the world and how it’s always changing. It is also important that people are able to keep up with new information,” she stated.
Some may find biology and human anatomy to be boring, so one may wonder how Cecil keeps her class fun and interesting.
“I try to incorporate different styles of learning and different games,” she said.
But, do her methods really work at all?
“I find it fun because I like learning the stuff but I find it interesting because of the people,” said Schwarz.
Cecil also has a way to motivate her students to work efficiently.
“Knowing we can have fun after our work is done is a big motivator for everyone,” said Dizdar.
Many people seem to have a positive opinion of Cecil as well.
“I think she’s a very funny and kind individual,” stated Dizdar.
Despite Cecil having a rather chaotic history, and teaching such an important and complicated subject, she has one, very simple goal in her life.
“My biggest goal in life is to have a small hobby farm with miniature cows.”
Principles of Biomedical Science and Biomedical Innovations instructor Charles Patton works hard to teach a wide range of scientific material in his classroom. Patton uses his genuine persona to engage his students.
“The way he teaches is understandable, and he goes into detail and makes things make sense,” said freshman Gem’maica Hunter-Lawrence.
No one would have guessed that Patton had prior work experience in science before teaching it.
“I worked in various healthcare systems in the Atlanta healthcare market for about 15 years, and four years prior to teaching, I was with a healthcare startup system called VillageMD,” said Patton.
Patton has been teaching for two years; he is currently in his third year.
“You kind of grow and learn and make changes in real time. Changes as needed,” he stated.
Patton keeps a healthy classroom environment and uses patience.
“I try to be as approachable and honest as possible.”
Patton actively works to build a relationship with each student. He uses the students’ work as a way to learn, understand, and even help them.
“There’s a lot of depending on how the day goes; there is no set schedule,” he stated. “Some days are more controlled than others.”
Patton conducts his classroom based on the behavior of the students in it. He prefers to work with the students rather than against them.
“He’s nice and seems like a genuine person,” according to freshman Elise McCormack.
“I love science. I think that science is something that brings us tons of experiments and some sort of truth at the end.”
Principles of Biomedical Science and Biomedical Innovations Teacher Charles Patton
Patton sees his students as more than just students; he sees them for far more than what they write down on a paper.
“I like that he is bubbly and lights up a room. He listens and tries to put his feet in your shoes,” said freshman Harmoni Staton.
Because Patton cares so deeply for his students, he intends to welcome them with the same warm, welcoming personality every day.
“Everyday is what you make it, and the positive feedback from the kids keeps me going,” he stated.
Seeing the impact he makes on the students during the duration of teaching keeps Patton eager and ready to come back and work. He has a deep love for science and hopes to share a little of that scientific truth with his students.
“I love science. I think that science is something that brings us tons of experiments and some sort of truth at the end.”
Sophomore Joao Beya warms up before Monday’s game against Silver Creek. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Seniors Alan Solorzano Lopez and Xavier Santiago Cortes show Oscar Arredondo’s jersey to the crowd, as he was not available for Senior Night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Bryan Juarez De La Luz balances a ball on his head. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez stands in the middle of the huddle waiting to talk to the team before the game against Silver Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.The Red Devils huddle together before the game against Silver Creek. JHS won 2-0 on Monday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.The student section cheers as the starting lineup is announced for the JHS-Silver Creek game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Jaxon Parker misses his first shot on goal and is shocked. The Red Devils defeated Silver Creek on Monday 2-0. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Jaxon Parker celebrates after his goal. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez takes a free kick. He would later score during the possession against Silver Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Seniors Alan Solorzano Lopez and Jaxon Parker celebrate after scoring the team’s second goal against Silver Creek on Monday night. JHS won 2-0. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Alan Solorzano Lopez celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against Silver Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Junior Kevyn Santiago Cortes ties his shoe during a break in play on Monday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Bryan Juarez De La Luz listens to coach Colin Bell following the win against Silver Creek on Monday night. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.The Red Devils celebrate after their 2-0 win against Silver Creek, ending the Dragons’ three-game winning streak. This win extended the Red Devils’ winning streak to seven games, bringing their overall season record to 13-1-1. Photo by Parker McCloskey.
Senior Laela Rudicel fist pumps as her name is called during the starter callout in last night’s game against Floyd Central. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Jacqueline Escobar sets the ball into the right spot before the opening kick against Floyd Central. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Makalynn Grogan fights for the ball early in last night’s game. Floyd Central defeated Jeffersonville 9-0. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Alianna Brown walks back into her spot as JHS prepares to kick from the goalpost. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Abi Lemon kicks the ball in the first half against Floyd Central. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Khloe Garcia plays defense, trying to take the ball from her Floyd Central opponent. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Alianna Brown dribbles the ball with a Floyd Central defender on her. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Cross country team adjusts to recent coaching change
by Isaiah Gatton and Elijah Lahrman
The foundation of the cross country team was established as a strong program, but the team has had to adjust to recent coaching changes.
The team is now under the guidance of Coach Carlis Phillips, who has a background in sprinting and hurdles, bringing a new perspective to the program and enhancing it with the experience he has accumulated throughout the six years he has worked at Jeff High.
“I’ve been coaching for some time. I have been at Jeff for the last six years, working as the sprint coach for 4-5 years. I have a sprint background, hurdle background; I’m up for the challenge to try and build our little distance and cross country team to be as competitive as our sprinters,” he said.
Cross country coach Carlis Phillips gathers the team at the Silver Creek Invitational on Sept. 22 to discuss times that they need to hit to get into the running mindset. “If you see someone, pass them,” said Coach Phillips. Photo by Isaiah Gatton.
His goal for the rest of the season is to get the cross country team in a competitive mindset, having the hunger to push past limits and barriers.
Phillips has also introduced new expectations for the team, including recommending runners purchase watches to track their mileage and implementing mile warm-ups and cool-downs. He views the season as an educational journey as he continues to guide the team.
“It is an educational thing, what a high performing cross country team looks like,” he said. “Just recently I recommended that they should invest in a running watch. Tracking is a big part of running. There are some foundation pieces that I’m implementing as well. Giving them information and knowledge about what a successful cross country runner looks like. I’m going to coach everyone in here like a champion. I do want them to be challenged, feel the tug and pull of what a successful runner looks like.”
With the change in coaching has come a change in training. Compared to previous seasons, runners have noticed more intervals, sprinting, and strength-focused workouts.
“We do a lot more intervals instead of just long-distance runs,” sophomore varsity runner Micah Nef said. “A lot of it is just focusing on speed work instead of distance.”
For some runners, the new training has been challenging but has provided an opportunity to develop different skills. Senior varsity runner Nathan Scovanner said he likes the balance between speed and endurance.
“I like that part, because we do need to build up some speed,” Scovanner said. “If we mix in both speed and endurance, we’ll become better runners overall, because we’ll have that speed and still be able to keep our speed going through our races.”
Junior Marcus Baker has also started to enjoy the new sprint-focused workouts. Having previously run sprints in middle school, Baker said the new practices have brought back something he enjoyed.
“I feel like every day when we’re on that track, he pushes us,” Baker said. “It feels good running sprints.”
However, not every runner has found the transition easy. Some athletes said they preferred aspects of former Coach Sam Mull’s approach, particularly his emphasis on endurance and the mental side of running. They are adjusting, though.
“I think it’s weird having a different coach, but it’s good to learn different things from multiple people,” Nef said.
Nef said her times felt faster when the team focused more on endurance training, although she acknowledged the new training has been more challenging.
Senior runner Lizeth Gonzalez said she sees value in both coaching styles.
“I like both of them,” Gonzalez said. “Whenever you do compete in a 5k, you do need the strength to push yourself. But at the same time, when you do long mileage, the three miles start becoming easier in a way.”
For Gonzalez, one of the biggest differences between Mull and Phillips is how they approach athletes mentally.
“Coach Mull taught us in more of a mental type of way, but also physical, and Coach Phillips is more of a physical type of coach,” Gonzalez said.
She said she would like to see the strengths of both coaches combined.
“I would enjoy having, of course, Coach Mull back, and have both of them as coaches,” Gonzalez said. “I know both of them could allow us to become better athletes because they both can focus on our weaknesses and strengths.”
The coaching change has also affected some of the traditions and activities that helped bring the team together. Nef said Mull was known for organizing additional activities that were not necessarily required but helped create connections among teammates.
“He was really good at getting things done and doing extra things that weren’t necessary,” Nef said, referring to activities such as a 24-hour relay that has been recently canceled.
Despite the changes, Nef said the team has remained close, with the team captain helping maintain that connection.
“We still have a good team captain, so we’re still close,” Nef said.
Other runners are looking toward what Phillips’s experience could bring to the program. Phillips’ background in track has given him experience working with athletes who specialize in speed, something that some runners believe could help the cross-country team develop.
“I do think so,” Scovanner said when asked if Phillips’s reputation would help the program. “I think it will bring some more people to the team, possibly. He also does have some experience, but cross country is a new thing to him, I’m sure that’s not going to affect him.”
Gonzalez also believes Phillips’s experience could bring more recognition to the program.
“I believe we are going to get more support,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like Coach Phillips has a good history with training athletes, sending them to state, and being able to train them. And I believe it will allow us to get a little bit more recognition as a team.”
For Scovanner, the transition has been a process. As a senior running cross-country for his second year, he said he initially had concerns about what the coaching change would mean for the team.
“At first, I was a little skeptical,” Scovanner said. “I didn’t know how everything was going to play out. I had a lot of doubts in my mind.”
As the season has progressed, however, Scovanner said he has become more comfortable with Phillips’s approach.
“I had faith, and so far, everything’s turned out really well,” Scovanner said. “I really like everything that’s been going on.”
While athletes have different opinions about the new direction, the team is continuing to adjust as the season progresses. Phillips’s emphasis on speed, strength, and competitiveness has created a different training environment, while runners continue to carry lessons from previous seasons.
Cross country head coach Carlis Phillips and coach Kim Zink team up during the Silver Creek Invitational on Sept. 22. “We’re here to be competitive, start off strong and finish stronger,” said Phillips. Photo by Elijah Lahrman.
As Friday morning begins, students gather before school, ready to start their day off with breakfast, games, and conversations about their faith.
For members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), these Friday mornings are more than just a way to start the school day. They are an opportunity to connect with their peers and grow closer to God.
“FCA means quite a lot to me. It’s a time for me to connect with my peers, play games, eat breakfast, but it is also so much more. I’m able to grow closer to God even at school, and I look forward to every Friday morning for this exact reason,” stated senior Macyn Jackson.
Through games and discussions, FCA gives students opportunities to grow both as athletes and in their faith.
Main sponsor Pamela McCoy shared, “FCA is about athletes being able to come together to practice teamwork and commitment. Being able to have a space to gather together, pray, and learn about Jesus is important. We meet as a group for FCA, but the hope is that it will go out to the teams. FCA’s goal is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.”
On Sept. 4, 2026, sophomore Alyssa Anderson talks about loving one another and putting differences aside to come together at a morning meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the library. Photo by Lorelei Bingham.
Although FCA centers around sports and faith, every student has a different reason for being involved.
Freshman Eli Smith said that joining FCA has helped strengthen his relationship with God while helping him become a better person.
Jackson shares a similar reason for joining FCA. “I joined FCA because this is a community of people I can always have for support, and I’m there to support them too. I also knew joining would help me grow to be a better person all around.”
Student leaders play a big role in FCA. They grow in their faith while helping others grow theirs.
“Being a student leader is challenging, but I love it,” said junior Clara Theriault. “I go through my Bible, make devotionals, and questions from scratch, so it really tests my knowledge, but I get to share that with my fellow peers who may not know what I’m talking about. That part makes it all extremely rewarding.”
The student leaders contribute to making FCA meaningful for its members.
“My favorite part of FCA is getting to hear our high school leaders talk about my religion and what it means to be Christian. It’s so meaningful to hear people my age or younger speak about the Bible and the connections we can make to our high school life. It shows me that even at school, I can be living through Christ,” Jackson shared.
Members also encourage their peers to attend, saying they can experience the community and learn about their faith.
McCoy explained, “At FCA we want to try and invite others to come to know more about Jesus and to form a community of peers that can join together and share their faith with each other.”
For some members, Friday mornings have become a meaningful part of their week.
Theriault said, “My favorite part about FCA is being able to devote every Friday morning to God and spreading the gospel.”
FCA allows students to strengthen their own faith while encouraging them to share it with others.
McCoy hopes that message continues beyond the Friday morning meetings.
“I hope that they come away knowing that Jesus loves them and that they can take that and share it with other students,” shared McCoy. “I also hope that they invite others so they can know more about Jesus as well.”
Dr. Bonnia Fouts roams around the classroom, watching as her students work on their volcano project and rushing to anyone in need.
Most people would assume that Fouts is merely a normal science teacher if they did not know her story.
However, this is never the full story.
Few would look at Fouts and assume that she had two degrees.
“I had part-time jobs, but most of them involved teaching. My first job was a P.E teacher. I have two degrees — one is in physical education and health, and the other one was speech and drama,” she said.
Fouts dreamed of being a teacher as a young girl.
“I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was 8 years old. I actually started teaching my neighbors and helped them with their homework, and I loved it.”
Fouts then admitted that she had originally retired but came back after some time.
“Well, I actually retired in 2012 but I came back and this is now my 41st year of teaching. I got the ExCel award for best teacher of the year in Greater Clark County like Mr.Santry did. In 2005 I was the runner-up when I competed for best teacher of the year,” stated Fouts. “I got a bunch of neat stuff.”
Fouts loves working with students in the classroom and motivating them.
“I try to build a relationship with them and get to know them because you can’t motivate them if you don’t know them much,” she explained. “I will do anything for a student.”
Science teacher Bonnia Fouts presents a lesson to her fifth-hour students. Photo by Erin Osterhout.
Sign language interpreter Angela Liebert said Fouts makes her lessons fun and interactive.
“Mrs. Fouts is very hands on with her lessons; she makes them come alive out of the book. The textbook is the resource, but the way she teaches allows the concepts and things the students learn about come alive. She cares about the students and she cares about her job and profession. She really takes it to heart.”
Liebert said Fouts’s personality mixes into her lessons and interactions with colleagues.
“Mrs. Fouts is a very compassionate person. She is my friend. I can honestly say that Mrs. Fouts is my coworker and friend. We shared a lunch together. She’s always checking on you, and she is an example of a true true friend.”
Senior Breayden Eugene Duncan also described Fouts as as someone who genuinely cares about her students in the classroom. She has been helping him succeed for two years.
“Last year I learned ICP I was in there specifically for physics, and this year I’m learning earth/space. She always kept me focused in class and basically kept me concentrated and focused on work,” Duncan explained. “Honestly (she is) great at explaining and doing notes and stuff like that. Does easy assignments and overall is really nice and has helped me all last year and this year.”
Fouts’s ultimate goal is to help her students succeed. As she said, “I am an advocate for my students.”
Shelby McCorkle strives to help her students every day
by Anicko Griffin
Counselor Shelby McCorkle greets her students with a smile, answering questions they and others may have for that day.
“Hey girl! How can I help?”
McCorkle carries herself like any other person at Jeff High. Most people would never notice the hundreds of students’ pain, dilemmas, and anger she carries with her every day.
Although it seems difficult, McCorkle completes her job with a positive demeanor.
Some may see McCorkle as just another staff member. It’s invisible to the blind eye that she has been a school counselor for just over 14 years, finding her job the most enjoyable and important thing to her after her two kids.
“I love working with kids. It’s never boring, and you all bring something new to the table every day. Are there things I would change about it? Yes, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” stated McCorkle.
McCorkle plans on being a JHS counselor until retirement.
“I genuinely want to help every student who comes through my door and help change their life for the better.”
McCorkle’s father was in education as well. She also took the counselor career path.
“Now more than ever, a lot is going on with family, school, and teachers, and it’s important for everyone to have their safe space,” said McCorkle.
Her students appreciate her dedication.
“She always makes my day better,” said junior Brooklynn Weston. ”No matter what the topic is, she always knows what to say.”
McCorkle is always trying to gain students’ trust and give them a safe space. She genuinely values her job, and helping students with their next big step is a priority to her.
“I love helping students figure out what path they want to take when they get out of high school. The person they are changes so much between 14 and 17, and I love being able to be there every step of the way.”
Science teacher Francesca Hernandez works to make biology meaningful and fun for her students by connecting what they learn in her classroom to the outside world.
“I think science is important, and if I can help others to understand the world around them more, then that’s a win in my book,” said Hernandez.
Her interest in biology started when she was in high school and had a teacher who made learning fun for her.
“I loved biology in high school. I had a fun teacher who took us on a bunch of field trips, and I wanted to be just like her. Shout out Ms. Lyvers,” said Hernandez.
Because of her own experiences as a student, Hernandez believes students should be able to learn science in ways they can remember.
“I’m a hands-on person. If I hear something, I forget it; I try to make sure my lessons have some level of hands-on work so that it sticks in their brains.”
Science and biology teacher Francesca Hernandez helps a student on a map for the class assignment on Thursday. “I’ve been teaching for six years and I love getting everyone interested and involved in their environment and natural world,” she said. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Her teaching also focuses on helping students understand the environment around them and their responsibility toward it.
“The hardest part is getting students to understand that everything is relative; every action we make influences our world in some way. It’s up to us to choose how we handle that responsibility.”
Her students learn this sense of responsibility during her lessons
“She makes biology interesting by applying some of the real-world experiences to the science she teaches,” said freshman Akiya Flynn. “She breaks down the topic and puts it into more understandable terms for her students.”
“I describe her teaching as she shows everything on her board and helps us understand things we need more help with by shortening it into easier forms for us to understand,” said freshman Rhaya Nord.
Environmental science is especially important to Hernandez because she believes students can better appreciate the world when they understand it
“People can’t care for the world if they don’t understand it, and they can’t understand it if they don’t know it exists.”
Hernandez also enjoys having a new classroom this year where she has more room to teach through activities and labs.
“I love my new classroom. I have windows, and I also have more space to do more labs.”
Hernandez wants her students to see that biology is more than just a class they have to take at school.
“I want the readers to pay attention to their science classes because I promise it applies to them in some way.”
Chemistry teacher James Huffman walks behind his desk, capturing everyone’s attention with his voice. He flips through the slides on the board until he stops at a conversion equation; the students focus on him, waiting expectantly for him to demonstrate how to convert the units.
For Huffman, problems like these are more than just a chemistry lesson. He enjoys working through problems himself, but he also enjoys helping others find their way through difficult questions.
“Yeah! I like solving problems, and I like to help other people solve problems, specifically in chemistry but life in general,” Huffman said.
His approach to problem-solving is something his students notice in the classroom. Rather than just giving students an answer, he encourages them to understand how to arrive at it step by step.
“He taught us to remember formulas and learn how to do problems by putting them into steps,” junior Danna Lopez, a former student, stated.
Junior Rachel Santos also remarked that Huffman encourages students to approach difficult problems in different ways, especially when working with stoichiometry or other smaller subjects where they can’t seem to grasp the idea.
“He taught us to break down problems and try different methods, especially with stoichiometry,” Santos said.
Being a teacher isn’t what he always wanted; it wasn’t his first goal. Being an engineer was his first goal, but he wanted his life to revolve around helping people, no matter the problem.
“I would probably be an engineer. That was my first goal as a student, or I would be going the exact opposite, like I do now and be a social worker, like helping people with their problems, like life, versus solving problems as an engineer, which you know is much different.”
Graphic by Zihan Lin.
Although engineering was once Huffman’s goal, his interest in chemistry led him towards working with chemicals rather than engines. His experiences in his chemistry class, particularly the hands-on labs, helped him realize what he enjoyed most about the subject.
“Had an awesome teacher; I loved the labs. I loved being able to prove something with chemicals. I wasn’t as much—I don’t like to work on engines. I like to work with individual chemicals. I found that out from my chemistry teacher from high school,” he said.
His high school teacher not only helped shape his interest in chemistry, but also influenced the way he approaches teaching with his own students.
“I would say mostly due to the awesome teachers I had as a student. I had some really good teachers, and because of those good teachers. I want to do the same thing as they did.”
In Huffman’s classroom, every problem has a solution—and sometimes, the solution is simply to keep trying.
New art teacher Hayleigh Gnagie instructs her fourth-hour class on shading and showing value in their artwork.
She has been making art her whole life and has always wanted to teach and help other students express their creativity and emotions through art.
“Yes, art is something I have been passionate about since elementary school, and I want to share it with everyone else,” said Gnagie.
Because of Gnagie’s strong passion for art, she intends to share it with her students.
For example, junior William Ponsford shared what he has learned in art because of Gnagie, specifically, “how shading and hue can give art more depth perception and detail.”
Gnagie’s background includes experience with children of various age groups.
She substitute taught for several months, including for GCCS at Jonathan Jennings and Charlestown Elementary before working at Franklin Square Elementary as a specialist. Now she teaches at JHS.
“Elementary kids don’t know how to handle their feelings as well as high school kids know how to communicate their feelings well and show if they don’t understand the assignment and how I can help them understand it more,” she stated.
“By passing down art to future generations, we help ensure the human creativity, history, and ability to imagine a better world are preserved and celebrated.”
Art Teacher Hayleigh Gnagie
Gnagie also had influences growing up who helped her pursue her career and motivated her to pursue art.
“My high school art teacher made me see that I can pursue my career.”
Her students have also had a positive impact on her life.
“They make my day better by showing me different perspectives of life,” she said.
However, Gnagie has also had an influence on her student artists.
Junior Danna Lopez, an artist in Gnagie’s fourth-hour class, appreciates “the way she explains techniques, like how to grab a pencil correctly for shading.”
Art is not just a subject in school; it is a way to express and understand the world. It allows people to share their feelings, ideas, and experiences without always needing words. It can bring people together, tell stories, show different cultures, and inspire others. Gnagie said makes art more than just drawing or painting — it is a way of communicating and connecting with others.
“It’s the easiest way to express yourself without talking; also, you can use color to express your emotion,” she stated.
Since Gnagie is new this year, students shared their first impressions and what they think of her as a teacher.
“The energy I got when I first met her was that she was going to be a very creative and calm teacher,” said Ponsford.
Lopez added, “She seemed outgoing and chill.”
Gnagie feels that art is dying, so she wants to teach it to the youth so it does not.
“By passing down art to future generations, we help ensure the human creativity, history, and ability to imagine a better world are preserved and celebrated.”
Gnagie has been creating art her entire life and hopes to inspire future generations on how important art is.
“If I could give young artists one piece of advice, I would say each artist’s journey is unique – embrace yours and keep growing.”
Red Devils play Providence on Thursday in week of formidable opponents
by Austin Bainbridge
The JHS girls’ volleyball team snapped an eight-game losing streak against Madison and now faces Floyd Central today.
The Highlanders have not lost a game in over two weeks — to the same team JHS plays Thursday: Providence.
“I do feel a little underprepared, but I’m hoping we can get a win in at least one win of these two games. If we do that I’d call it a success,” said sophomore outside hitter Audrey Cheshire.
On Thursday’s sweep of Madison, the sole senior on the team, Mattie Barker, had her own student section and was thrilled about it.
“I loved my Senior Night. It was so cool seeing everybody show up just for me. It felt really special and amazing,” said Barker.
Barker, one of the most trusted backrow players on the team, is going to have to handle spikes from Floyd’s Georgia Tech commit Macy Sorg.
“That’s going to be a hard one. I just have to do my best reading her and hope for a little help for some tips or blocks up front,” said Barker.
The team expects outside hitter Jayli Burris to continue the tear she’s been on, including a 10-kill performance against New Albany.
“I think I’m going to keep it going. I don’t know why it took so long to get going, but I’m going to keep it going,” said Burris.
Even principal Pam Hall has her attention on the program this week and what a win could do for the team.
“Well, to be the best you have to play the best, and I really hope we can get one this week. That would be really big for these girls and I’d love to see it,” said Hall.
Both Floyd Central and Providence are formidable opponents, and coach Wes Briscoe is aware.
“They’re both such strong teams. Floyd is one of the best teams in the region, and they’ve really only lost to Providence around here, so this is going to be a tough one this week.”
Jeff plays Floyd Central at 7:30 p.m. at Jeffersonville.
Junior Jaylianah Burris hits the ball over the net trying to score against Rock Creek. The Red Devils face Floyd Central and Providence this week. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
From the lights, to the set, to the props, to the costumes. The technical aspects of any performance are extremely important, and take time. There are so many parts and pieces that go into a theatrical performance.
At JHS, there are many opportunities for arts to shine. Under the stage lights lit by the crew, performances benefit from the tech department, which is student led and full of different ways to help light up the stage.
Photo by Raven Baker.
“I see it as a way to supplement what actors do on stage. They’ve done all their prep work leading up to the show and then tech comes in that last week to make sure all their work is seen and heard,” said senior Tristan Cooley, who has done tech for shows both at JHS and in the community.
Cooley said his favorite show he’s worked as a tech for is “All Shook Up” performed at Clarksville Little Theatre.
“It was my first show I got to design lights for, and I was really proud of that,” said Cooley.
Cooley said his favorite moments of a show are often when the set is completed prior to the performance.
“After all the set is made and everything is ready, I love walking into an empty theatre and feeling the space, it’s peaceful and magical,” he said.
Junior Lindsay Austin, who has worked as part of the tech crew since her freshman year, said a lot of work goes into building the sets.
“You have to be a very dependable person in tech because every rehearsal counts,” she said, explaining her favorite show to work on was “The Ballad of Little Jo.”
“I also enjoyed making the bed for ‘Once Upon a Mattress,’ said Austin. “That’s when I first met some of the now sophomores and became friends with some of them. It was also one of the last shows I got to do with a former senior, Cheyenne.”
Senior Blessing James Vonsenden, who has worked tech and acted on stage, said she enjoyed being the stage manager for “The Ballad of Little Jo” “because I was so involved — I got to know a lot more people and see the whole scope.”
Lighting is an important part of any performance. “I did the light board for “Once Upon a Mattress” last year and I really enjoyed that,” said sophomore Nataly Barragan.
Theatre teacher and director Derrick Ledbetter said tech work brings shows to life on stage.
“I think it’s like the backbone of a live show. It brings the story to life. It’s often invisible when done right,” he said. “Tech also can help build self confidence. Sometimes there are students that don’t shine physically or academically, but tech gives them that chance to shine. I think it creates a diverse extracurricular ecosystem, and it’s a place where people can explore, make friends, and feel welcome.”
Nursing assistant Frank Marshall has dedicated much of his life to helping other people. Even though he is already retired, Marshall continues to work as an assistant nurse at JHS.
Marshall decided to continue working because he enjoys helping people and building connections.
“Since I started to work with JHS, I really started to have good connections with students and staff here. I just really enjoy working here,” he said.
He said being a nursing assistant is more than taking care of someone’s physical needs — it’s about listening to people, understanding them, and making them feel comfortable when they need help.
“Listening to students more and actually listening to them makes a small difference in how you can help them,” he said.
Working at JHS allows Marshall to interact with many different students every day. Sometimes students come to the nurse’s office because they are sick, injured, or simply not feeling their best.
“I like being able to connect with students and help them, whether they’re sick, hurt, or just having a bad day,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s friendly attitude is one quality that makes students feel less nervous while visiting the nurse.
“Marshall helped me feel more comfortable speaking up and not being afraid to say what I’m thinking,” said freshman Noah Sparks.
Even though Marshall is retired, he does not see his job as something he has to do. Instead, he sees it as something he enjoys doing. He likes having a reason to get up and come to work, and he appreciates being able to stay involved in his community.
“I enjoy coming to school every day. It gives me a reason to get up, stay involved, and continue helping people,” said Marshall.
Nurse Frank Marshall. Photo by Eva Harbeson.
His experience as a nurse assistant also allows him to help students and staff in ways that come from years of working with people.
RN Julie Simones said that Marshall’s presence and work have added to the health office this year.
“He is amazing. I’m very happy to have him as part of our nurses’ staff here at Jeff. He is really good at what he does. He has been great from the beginning,” said Simones.
His dedication has not gone unnoticed, especially by those who work alongside him in the health office.
“He is very respectful. He always knows how to help me when I need it the most. He is very, very honest as well. He is a very good nurse, he belongs here,” said junior Harper Ward.
For many students, Marshall is more than just a member of the nursing staff; he is someone they know they can count on.
“He was very good at helping me whenever I was in pain. He was calm but very patient with me. Frank has always been there for the Football team at all times. He puts his needs aside for his students. He’s amazing,” said Senior Ke’Mari Smith.
Marshall’s passion for nursing is also something he shares with his wife, giving them something special in common.
“My wife is also a nurse, so we bond over being nurses,” he said.
Their careers give them something they can talk about and understand together. Marshall said, “We understand each other. We can talk about our experiences, share stories, and support each other.”
Having a wife who is also a nurse has helped Marshall appreciate his career even more. He said nursing can be challenging, but having someone at home who understands the job can make those challenges easier.
“My wife understands what it’s like to be in nursing, so when I have a tough day, she knows what I’m going through. We can relate to each other and help each other through it,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s decision to keep working after retirement shows how much he cares about helping others. He could have chosen to spend his retirement doing something completely different, but instead he decided to continue working with people.
“I enjoy helping students so they can become better and get help quickly,” he said.
Minecraft is a game full of creativity and wonder. Released on May 17, 2009 and fully released on Nov. 18, 2011, Minecraft records show that there are “212.32 million monthly active players in early 2026, with more than 350 million copies sold across all platforms since its 2011 launch. The daily active users average 31.96 million,” according to QuantumRun Foresight.
My family and I are among those statistics.
I’ve been playing Minecraft for as long as I can remember, and it holds a deep place in my heart. Growing up, I played it with cousins — when I got a turn, of course. Before I knew it, I had a copy to call my own, and I was playing with my mom.
As the years went on, we both got better at the game: designing buildings, coming up with creative ideas, and creating furniture. Each time we played, we figured out our style and evolved from it. Eventually, it became routine that I’d come home from school, find my mom playing, talk about the buildings she built, and the ideas she had while I was away. One time, I made a world for us, and I woke up to a village she built overnight.
Throughout the years, Minecraft has always been a factor. I taught my little siblings at a young age, and they started teaching each other. Now, after I’m done with school-related work, I’ll come upstairs and find them building incredible things. My brother even built an airplane.
With each update, movie, mini TV series, and add-on, I became more obsessed.
Photo by Ayianna Maddox.
Villager News is a comedic animated series created by Element Animation that I watched on Amazon Prime Video, and eventually on YouTube. Recently, Minecraft added Villager News as an add-on feature, making villager interactions more comedic.
When I discovered this, I squealed, “Finally!”
Minecraft is a wholesome, family-fun game for all ages, whether to express creativity, obtain all trophies, or to battle and see who’s the strongest in survival.
Red Devils face Floyd Central Tuesday in Hoosier Hills Conference showdown
by Layney Derricott
The Red Devils soccer team enters an important Hoosier Hills Conference match with Floyd Central tonight at 4-5-1 (1-3-1 in the HHC). Both teams look to add another win to their resumes, making this an exciting matchup.
Coach Rachel Foster shared that challenges are something the team will have to face and overcome while battling the Highlanders, currently 9-5-1 and 5-0 in the HHC.
“We will need to keep up our speed of play. Floyd is a fast team, and they move quickly. We will need to move just as quickly as them, beat them to the ball, and be ready when they’re attacking,” Foster stated.
Floyd Central is a high-speed team. JHS will not only have to keep up with their speed, but their attitudes as well. Senior and team captain Abi Lemon said tomorrow’s game will be a mental challenge.
Senior Abi Lemon keeps control of the ball against Jennings County. The Red Devils won 8-3. They battle Floyd Central tonight at 7 p.m. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
“Our team will have to overcome the stigma. Have the ability to deal with people commenting on the differences between the two teams, not letting negative words knock us down. Holding our heads up high with good morale,” Lemon said.
Foster said preparation for a team in an intense rivalry game is important.
“We’ve been getting the formation down, being sure to move the ball quickly. Move just as fast as Floyd will. Every year we have a new team, new people to work with, and get accustomed to.”
As the Red Devils prepare for the pace of the game, staying focused, and counting on each other, their focus now shifts to executing that preparation.
Sophomore Haylee Alvarenga said once the game starts this focus must include “making sure to stay on defense for the first half. Along with keeping up a positive attitude, to not get discouraged early on. Keeping a defensive team.”
This defensive mentality affects the team as a whole, but leadership from individual players can make just as much of an impact.
Sophomore Jacqueline Escobar mentioned one person who can be trusted to hold everybody accountable while displaying a positive attitude.
“Abi Lemon knows how to work well with everyone. She’s always available when needed, gives good advice, and knows how to bring you back down when things get intense,” Escobar stated.
Senior Laela Rudicel celebrates her third goal of the night against Jennings County, achieving a hat trick. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Senior and team captain Laela Rudicel said the Red Devils are prepared mentally and physically for the challenging game with the Highlanders.
Being mentally and physically ready is only one part of the challenge; the team will mainly rely on its communication throughout the game, according to senior defender Alianna Brown.
“Communicating, along with being there for each other,”said Brown. “Being able to call on anyone; specifically sophomore Sonnie Darku, to switch positions with me. Letting others know when there’s someone approaching or coming for the ball.”
Red Devils soccer takes on the Highlanders tonight at 7 p.m at the JHS soccer field.
“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.
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.
For Coach Daniel Struck, coaching is about more than sports. Struck has said, ¨It is about helping students become stronger, more confident, and better versions of themselves.”
Struck has spent many years working with athletes and coaching different sports. He spent 28 years as a teacher and 30 years as a coach. During his time as a coach, he has worked with wrestling and football. His experience has allowed him to work with many students and help them reach their goals.
Sophomore sports performance athlete Braylen Martin said, “Coach has helped me reach my goals in track and field, allowing me to become such a stronger version of myself, and I thank him for taking that time with me.¨
Head wrestling coach Danny Struck. Photo by Isabella Stewart.
One of the main reasons Struck coaches is that he wants to see kids become stronger and healthier. He said that training can help athletes both physically and mentally. His goal is not simply to make students better at their sport, but to teach them lessons they can use outside of athletics as well.
Junior wrestler John Steele said, “Struck is serious but very caring and is determined to help. Struck has helped redirect me when I’ve needed it and always reminds me to focus on myself.¨
Student athletes who have worked with Struck describe him as someone who cares about the people around him. Martin, for example, sees him as someone who is encouraging.
¨Struck’s humor helps make training more enjoyable and motivates me to be more active. His willingness to help students learn their rhythm shows that he focuses on individual athletes instead of treating everyone the same,” he said.
Other athletes have noticed the same qualities. Sophomore swimmer Charlie Frakes described the coach as someone who cares about his students. He added that working with him through sports has helped him become stronger and overcome challenges.
Sophomore sports performance athlete Rylan Humphreys described Struck as welcoming, understanding, and supportive. According to Humphreys, “Struck’s guidance has helped me become faster and stronger while also showing me I can accomplish difficult things when I put my mind to them.”
For Struck, the relationships he builds with his athletes appear to be just as important as the training itself. His years of coaching have given him the opportunity to influence athletes and help them develop confidence, discipline, and perseverance.
The classroom is filled with conversations about strategy, business, and the future as business teacher Laura Solomon pushes her students to think beyond the walls of JHS.
For Solomon, teaching is more than simply giving students information. Her goal is to show them how what they learn in class can be applied to their futures.
“I have a passion for what I’m trying to teach, and I hope that my students can see that passion,” said Solomon. “I can connect these topics to the real world, and I hope that helps you guys understand what we’re doing.”
Solomon teaches marketing fundamentals, strategic marketing, and finance and investments, as well as classes and programs connected to the Centra Credit Union and the Devil’s Den. Through these courses, she gives students opportunities to explore the business world while developing skills they can use after high school.
Her connection to JHS is also an important part of why she enjoys teaching.
“I think I have a pretty decent relationship with Jeff as a whole.” she said. “There is a community here because you can see students’ desire to be a Red Devil and what that means to them.”
Solomon said JHS gives students opportunities, especially through programs such as the academy system.
“This school gives you a foundation and helps you build on your future,” she said.
Business teacher Laura Solomon plans what to provide in the Devil’s Den with her finance and investment class. Photo by Isaiah Guzman.
Inside the classroom, Solomon describes herself as straightforward. She sets high expectations for her students but tries to make sure those expectations remain achievable.
“I try to set high expectations so the students are pushing themselves to be better, but not so high that they can’t do it and feel defeated,” she said. “I feel as if students don’t have enough expectations for themselves.”
She also holds her students to the same standards she would hold her own children to.
“I wouldn’t expect anything out of them that I don’t expect out of my own children,” said Solomon.
Junior Braelynn Leavell experiences those expectations firsthand. She said the class challenges her while preparing her for the future.
“It teaches me a lot about strategy and how I can apply these skills in the future,” Leavell said. “I feel as if this class is preparing me for the future.”
Leavell chose the class because she believes the skills she learns can help her achieve her goals in the real world.
“I feel like this class would help me build my business and improve my skills in the business world,” she said.
The challenging environment is something Leavell appreciates.
“I have high confidence and expectations for myself, and this class helps me challenge that,” she said. “My brain is always running in this class.”
For Solomon, keeping students engaged starts with helping them understand why the information matters.
“I think engagement is increased when the students can see the relevance in what they’re learning and why they’re learning it,” she said. “I show how these things can be helpful in the real world.”
Senior Darryl Cordova, another student in Solomon’s class, said that connection to the business world is one of the reasons he enjoys being there.
“I like this class,” Cordova said. “This is where I go to focus on the business world.”
Like Leavell, Cordova chose the class because of how he believes it will help him after graduation.
“I want a good-paying job in the future, and I think this class prepares you for that and more,” he said.
While the work can be challenging, Cordova said the class gives students opportunities to actively interact with what they are learning.
“I’m pretty confident in this class,” Cordova said. “I feel like the work isn’t stressful when you actually get to interact in a class.”
However, Solomon’s impact reaches beyond marketing and business. Both students described lessons they have learned from her that go beyond the curriculum.
“Mrs. Solomon has taught me that the real-life world isn’t scary,” Leavell said. “You just have to be willing and open-minded to it.”
Cordova said Solomon has helped him think differently about his own future and the effort he puts into achieving his goals.
“She taught me that I can either do the bare minimum for credit or do the most for my future,” he said.
Students also believe Solomon’s honesty is what separates her from other teachers. Leavell described her as realistic and willing to listen to different perspectives.
“Mrs. Solomon is real,” Leavell said. “She’s realistic. She’s able to take all opinions into consideration, and she makes points on all sides.”
Cordova shared a similar perspective.
“Mrs. Solomon is a great teacher, and she’s willing to be honest and real and raw,” he said.
Solomon’s honesty and high expectations come from her desire to help students become successful. Even when she disagrees or “bumps heads” with a student, she continues trying to build a relationship with them.
“I like being around you guys,” Solomon said. “The students I even bump heads with, I try to build relationships with and reach them. Sometimes I can’t, but I don’t stop trying.”
Before returning to education, Solomon worked in the business world. However, she eventually chose to come back to teaching because mentoring students was what she truly enjoyed.
“I left the business world to come back to teaching because this is what I enjoy,” she said. “I enjoy being a mentor and hearing from my students after they’ve graduated so I can see how they’re using my class in life after school.”
For Solomon, the lessons taught in her classroom are meant to last far beyond a grade or graduation. Through real-world experiences, high expectations and honesty, she hopes her students leave her classroom prepared not only for the business world, but for whatever future they choose to build.
Senior boys’ tennis player Camden White gets out of his car while grabbing his supplies for the first tennis match of the season. As he grabs his racket and water, he waves over to his friends that are calling him over. He realizes that this is going to be the first match to start off his last year playing tennis.
“I think after my full four years I am just done with the sport. It takes a lot of time and I want to be able to focus on my education more,” said White.
Even though White will not continue playing tennis after high school, he still has his senior year to play.
“I am most excited for overnight tournaments, because it is good team bonding and the tournaments are very competitive, so it makes them a lot of fun.”
However to White, tennis is more than about fun times.
“Although tennis is a team sport it comes down to you individually and how you win and how you play reflects on the whole team. You have to rely on yourself mentally to handle the situations.”
He’s been handling these situations since his freshman year when he started playing and has continued to rely on his mentality during tough times of the sport.
A teammate of White’s, senior KJ Westbay, said, “Camden brings good energy every day and is always positive, like always brings my attitude up when I’m feeling down.”
This shows not just how good of a tennis player White is, but a contribution to the JHS tennis team. Even with all of White’s tennis practices throughout the week he tries to make some time in his free time or hanging out with his friends. During these times, White will play pickleball with friends, and loves to golf. Though his schedule may be very busy, White loves the sport and has grown from when he started playing.
“Camden is a good leader; he’s a good leader of the sportsmanship we want to see on the team and he’s a good leader on the off season. Like I mentioned earlier he puts a lot of time in the offseason working on his game, it is a good example to the underclassmen,” said assistant coach Emma Ellis.
White has loved playing tennis for his high school career and even though he won’t be playing when he goes to college, he will always remember the skills and mindsets that the sport has given him.
“People can learn how to handle their emotions more because it puts you under a lot of pressure by yourself and it shows how you handle certain situations.”
Seniors begin planning, facing responsibility, and making decisions for their futures after high school, but throughout it all, anticipation for exciting plans continue as this school year progresses. With the help of class officers and sponsors, they hope the year will be memorable for everyone.
Class and Vice Presidents
Fourth-year class officer Camden White lists his goals that encouraged him to run for class president.
Class President Camden White reflects on personal goals. “I want to live in the moment and enjoy my high school experience as much as possible. It makes me feel very nervous that I’m graduating and that I will be stepping out into the real world,” he said. Photo by Areli Hernandez.
“I wanted to be able to take charge and make sure we had good things going on for us. I also wanted to come up with ideas for events that students would be excited about and be involved in,” he said.
As class president, White will represent the class of 2027 during graduation. He finds this responsibility both exciting and intimidating.
“I’m excited and I also think it’s kind of scary. I think it is scary having to talk in front of a lot of people but I will also like to share my experience with everyone,” he said.
Senior vice president Blessing James finds leadership in her involvement as a class officer. Her goal is to make this year exciting for all of her peers.
“I think it’s fun to be a leader of something and I also want to have a positive impact on the class and make sure everyone enjoys the things we do,” she explained. “I want people to walk away from senior year and be able to say they enjoyed it.”
James gives her advice to students who are looking to be leaders like her. She explained that it’s important to be confident and just “go for it.”
“Don’t be scared to do it. You get to know a lot more people and it’s cool to have a say in things your class will be involved with. Don’t think that the events we plan don’t matter, because they do make an impact on the class,” she advised.
Class Officer Sponsors
Through it all, commitment doesn’t only come from students but also from the contribution of sponsors. Class officer sponsor Michell Densford explained the connection she has with the students. Together, they brainstorm ideas and decide on events.
“I like planning the activities with the class officers and I get to know different students every time. We help set up events like Powderpuff and Homecoming. Students get to decide the themes for certain things and I’m the facilitator,” said Densford.
2027 Class Officers: Maddie Chandler, Camden White, Blessing James Vonsenden, and Linette Vega Sanchez. Row 2: Mattie Barker, Yanqi Liang, Macyn Jackson, and Katie Nord. Row 3: Grace Lantrip, Cort Merkley, Stella Siewert, and Lily Morrill. Sponsors, Michell Densford and Stephanie Niemi. Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Densford’s involvement also includes sharing responsibilities with her class officer partner, Stephanie Niemi. With their involvement, they’re able to facilitate a flexible schedule for events.
“Stephanie Niemi and I have been class officer sponsors before, and she encouraged me to join her. We are really good at splitting the responsibilities and we share who is responsible for each event. That way we make sure to get things done,” she said.
Niemi agreed with Densford’s view on managing students’ ideas during the school year. She explained how the students plan the events and the sponsors take care of paperwork.
“A lot of times we have to help with coming up with themes. Sometimes we have to step in with what they want to do. Densford and I do the behind the scenes stuff like: DJ, food, setups, venues, and contracts. We handle the money aspect and make sure we are staying on budget,” she said.
Niemi said she enjoys helping the class officers plan events and allows them to take the lead when planning activities.
“I like getting to help with the senior activities like Senior Sunrise and Senior Formal, and I’m excited for Powderpuff since we last did it four years ago. I like to give the officers freedom to choose those things,” she said.
Class Officers
The class officers enjoy planning events and having the freedom to make decisions, especially class secretary Linnette Vega, who voices her and her peers’ opinions.
“I wanted to have the opportunity and have a say on certain topics. I wanted to make decisions that affect the class as a whole and also wanted people’s opinions to be voiced,” she explained.
Vega anticipates future events of her senior year. She’s excited to attend high school activities and see where her friends end up.
“I am looking forward to finding out where we will be going. Seeing my friends become the people I think they can be, enjoying band events like Winter Fantasy, Anchor Club, and Prom. Overall, enjoying our youthfulness before graduation,” she said.
Class Treasurer Maddie Chandler, Class President Camden White, Vice President Blessing James Vonsenden, and Class Secretary Linette Vega Sanchez. Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Executive board member Lily Morrill intends to make this senior year fun by working hard with her fellow class officers.
“We really want to make senior year as fun as possible, so we already did the work to plan Senior Sunrise, and we’re going to work hard on other events like Senior Formal,” she said.
Morrill looks forward to the events of senior year. She values having fun and spending time with her friends.
“I’m really excited for Prom, because it is our senior prom so it’s even better than last year. I’m just excited to spend as much time as I can with friends before we all go in different directions.”
Niemi is proud of her graduated students and who they’ve become after high school. She has high expectations for this year’s class officers as well. She hopes that they give back to their community and continue to be leaders.
“I’m very pleased with where many past students are now. I’ve had a lot of interaction with the Class of 2024. I like seeing them give back to the community and coming back to the community,” said Niemi.
Niemi hopes White follows the important values and responsibilities of being a class president in his future.
“Speaking out and having communication skills are very important. People who are dependable, work ethical, and responsible are great traits that embodies the characteristics of a good leader. I hope Camden White is a demonstration of those qualities in the future,” she said.
White said that persistence is an important trait for someone in a leadership position and gives his advice to underclassmen:
“I would say to apply yourself, be involved, speak out your ideas, and keep fighting for what you want, be persistent,” he said.
Movies, music, and voice acting: Tim Curry was a multi-talented actor and singer who tragically passed away on August 25, 2026.
After suffering from a stroke in 2012, he was wheelchair-bound and slowly recovering over the next 14 years. Most people know him as the outlandish and cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But what was his life truly like?
Curry was born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Warrington, United Kingdom. His father was a chaplain in the Royal Navy, and his mother was a secretary for a school. As a child born into a military family, his childhood included many moves, including to Hong Kong.
He began his musical career in the church, where he sang as a boy soprano. During his young adult years, Curry studied drama and English literature at Birmingham University. His early-stage work included conventional classic roles in Shakespearean plays.
In 1978, Curry played Shakespeare in the British drama series Will Shakespeare, where Curry would fully disappear under the prosthetics and makeup, allowing him to play his startling and terrifying characters.
Curry would play the Lord of Darkness in the epic 1985 film Legend, starring Tom Cruise. In 1990, he was covered in white face paint to play the evil clown Pennywise in the horror movie IT.
Relocating to the USA in the 1980’s gave Curry many opportunities for movies, including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Scary Movie 2. He also kept his ability to terrify by playing the serial killer Billy Flynn in Criminal Minds.
Despite the major stroke he experienced in 2012, he still kept performing, voicing characters in a multitude of works like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Transformers: Rescue Bots.
Though he died fairly recently, his works are still appreciated by people around the world. Through his cult classics and musical talents, people all over the world have appreciated his talents for decades. He may have died, but his legacy will forever live on.
Prosser is a Career Education Center where Southern Indiana students can go to receive additional education or a degree for free through high school without attending college. Those who apply and get accepted excel by learning skills in their desired field. Prosser offers many classes and pathways, and students apply because their high school doesn’t offer a specific class for that pathway, or it isn’t in-depth enough.
Business Academy counselor Shelby McCorkle said Prosser offers many different programs.
“They offer 20-21 different programs, and they each have dual credit attached to them. It’s a little different depending on what program you’re in. You can apply as a sophomore, you need a letter of recommendation, a goal statement, to be on track with your credits, and good attendance. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience, but it’s not for everybody,” she said.
Graphic by Jessalyn Stolte.
Junior Graciela Sanchez studies Cosmetology and finds Prosser a great opportunity to better her education and get her life ready after high school.
“I can get my cosmetology license and go straight into work while I also still plan to go to college and study elementary education,” she said.
Life at Prosser isn’t the same for everybody. Most people love it, and some people do not, but the opportunities teens get while there exceed everything — the good and the bad, according to junior Jaylianah Burris.
“I love it. I like all of the different opportunities I am able to have. I plan to become an orthodontist, so Dental is a huge staple while at Prosser,” she said.
Prosser not only supports career choices; it also helps prepare students for higher education and real life. For example, junior Samantha Carillo studies Early Childhood Psychology.
“I’m going into early childhood psychology and not education because I want to help kids with their social-emotional learning more than their education. Prosser helps teach me how kids are affected in their early years and how to help/prevent certain childhood problems,” she said.
Prosser students prepare for a variety of careers; for example, junior Lorelei Darling studies Culinary Arts, junior Jacob Fifer studies Automotive Mechanical, and junior Brayden Bachman studies Constructional Electrical Trades.
“I love my Prosser class because I get to learn how to cook; it has exceeded my expectations. I want to be a private chef, so it’s very beneficial for my career choice,” Darling said.
“It’s very easy managing my time since I finish my homework in class,” added Fifer.
Additionally, Bachman said, “Prosser is great — I love how it’s hands-on, and you meet tons of people. It’s easy to manage your time as long as you stay on top of your work.”
Life at Prosser is a logical choice for students who want to stay ahead of the game. It may not be for everyone, but it is a great opportunity that prepares teens for careers after high school.
