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.
“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.
Head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson scans the hallway by the lunchroom, looking for problems to solve. Most students know him as the coach behind the game plan for JHS players.
“I coach basketball to teach kids and get to help them and teach them the things teachers and others don’t really get to teach them,” said Wilkerson.
Wilkerson played basketball at Jeff High before he ever coached here, as he was on the 1993 state championship team. He has carried what he learned from playing in that game through college and now to his players.
“Everything I learn from college I teach all at the high school level to show them what it takes, because if you’ve never been there before, you don’t know what it takes to be there.”
Those who know Wilkerson describe him as a good person and role model, saying the way he chooses to teach his players is a view of his character.
“Sherron cares a lot about the kids, making sure to teach them life lessons and put them on the right path in life. People just see his intensity, not how much he cares and helps the kids, and the kids that come back after graduation, he still helps them,” said safety and security officer Brian Mitchell.
Junior and varsity player Shyne Scruggs agreed. “Coach Wilkerson is very serious and a hard worker when it comes to basketball and very smart and intelligent.”
Wilkerson wants his players to succeed on and off the court. He also supports them when they leave for college.
“He is always thinking about coaching when he’s not coaching, also making sure the kids are good and taken care of at home and if they need something to let him know,” said Mitchell.
Wilkerson demonstrates the ability to bring out the best in every athlete, pushing them to reach their full potential and setting them up for success for success in the way he views losses.
“We don’t judge off our losses; we judge off performance and growth.’’ said Wilkerson.
Boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson. Photo by Natalia Martinez.
Any eligible child can now receive voucher, regardless of family financial status
by Parker Vibbert
The Indiana Choice Scholarship, commonly known as a school voucher, was created in 2011 in an effort led by former Governor Mitch Daniels, R-IN, with the goal of providing lower and middle-class Hoosiers the opportunity to attend Private Schools.
Daniels advocated for the program and signed it into law to help Hoosier students.
“My intention was to give low-income citizens the same range of choices for their children’s education as their wealthier neighbors have,” Daniels stated in an email interview.
Daniels was also critical of the mandate that students must attend specific schools.
“We don’t tell them where they must buy their groceries or where they have to get their haircut, but in this most crucial of life decisions we had been telling them that their kids will attend a specific school, even if they found that school unsafe or of poor quality,” he stated.
With that goal in mind, the vouchers opened the door for students in poor or failing schools to attend private, often religious, schools whose tuition they otherwise could not afford.
It quickly grew into the largest school voucher program in the United States, with 76,000 Hoosier students using school vouchers in the 2024-25 school year.
Daniels served as president of Purdue University from 2013 to 2022, and has again served as interim president since July. No stranger to helping students and their families financially, he froze the tuition at the university for 11 straight school years during his prior tenure, and it has continued into the 2026-27 school year, reaching the university’s 14th consecutive year of frozen tuition.
Daniels says this is a priority because he has seen the financial burden Hoosiers face in their daily lives.
“I arrived at Purdue after 10 years of daily personal contact with the people of Indiana, and I was highly conscious of the pressure high college costs were imposing on our low- and middle-income families. I thought it was especially important for our public universities to prioritize affordability, and Purdue, the state’s land-grant school, most of all. In business and government, I had found again and again that large bureaucracies will always charge more if they can get away with it.”
Despite the annual tuition freezes, Daniels said Purdue never wound up with a deficit, which was enough for the practice to continue.
“When we broke the annual increase pattern, and found that we could still break even, I was able to persuade our board to do it a second time, then a third, and the success became self-reinforcing,” Daniels said.
Now, Governor Mike Braun, R-IN, and the Republican supermajorities in both houses of the Indiana General Assembly have removed the $220,000 yearly income cap for a family of four on the voucher program, allowing any eligible child to receive a voucher, regardless of financial status.
State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, D-Jeffersonville, criticized the move, pointing to data showing the average yearly income of a school voucher recipient is around $102,840, nearly 50% higher than the average annual Hoosier income of roughly $70,000.
“In the 2024-25 school year, more voucher dollars went to families earning over $100,000 than to families earning less,” Dant Chesser said.
Dant Chesser also criticized the method in which the income cap was removed, being included in the state budget.
“The income cap change was included in the 2025 state budget bill instead of being passed as standalone legislation. I voted for the state budget because of what it did for our community, including funding for skilled trade education. If removal of the income cap had been its own bill, I would have voted against it.”
Critics argue the state is now giving money to families who don’t need it so their children can attend an elite private school at little to no cost to them.
Daniels rebukes that argument.
“The duty of the state is to provide for children’s education, not to dictate where, or what form that education should take. Regardless of their income, parents are simply directing tax dollars they have paid to the schools they believe [are] best-suited to their children.”
Louder Than Life is one of the largest rock and metal festivals in America. Every year, thousands of people travel to Kentucky to watch their favorite band perform in the cooling days of September. However, it wasn’t always as popular as it is now. The history of Louder Than Life is quite a rich one.
Louder Than Life started in 2014 in Champion’s Park, founded by Danny Wimmer Presents, and debuted as a two-day event with their headliners being Judas Priest, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, and Limp Bizkit.
In 2015, the WWE COO Triple H announced that Louder Than Life would feature in-ring WWE NXT Superstar matches, selling the show out. The headliners that year were Rob Zombie, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Godsmack.
A few years later, in 2019, the event extended into three days and was moved to the Highland Festival Grounds after flooding the previous year. The headliners then were Slipknot, Guns N’ Roses, Disturbed, and Marilyn Manson.
In 2021, the event expanded again into the four-day event we now know. Additionally, that year, Snoop Dogg canceled his appearance at the festival and was replaced by the band Falling in Reverse, with headliners being Korn, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Machine Gun Kelly.
In 2023, Louder Than Life broadened their music genre based on fan-requested headliners, dipping more into the alternative and punk lineup, with the headliners being Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, and Green Day.
2024 was the celebration of the 10-year anniversary since Louder Than Life opened, with a record of over 140+ booked bands. The headliners that year were Slipknot, Mötley Crüe, Korn, and The Offspring.
In 2025, the event relocated again, now to the Kentucky Exposition Center, expanding the footprint to 2.8 million square feet, with festival passes now including free rides at the adjacent Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. The record attendance was broken for a second time, totaling about 240,000 fans. The headliners that year were Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, and Bring Me the Horizon.
Louder Than Life happened on Sept. 17, 18, 19, and 20th, so what did people think of the show?
It was sophomore Braylen Martin’s first year going, saying, “I went for the fun of it and that; if given the chance, I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite band to see because of my love for music.”
Senior Gabe Collens said that it was also his first year going and that his favorite band he saw was BABYMETAL.
“The mosh pit was crazy, and their music is incredible,” he said.
Collens went because his friend had a free ticket for him. He said that he would want to see Mom Jeans if given the chance.
Junior Grace Bentley is a repeat goer. Out of all the bands she’s seen at Louder than Life, her favorite was Weezer.
“It made me very emotional; it was really good. It sounded like the studio recording. It changed me,” said Bentley.
Bentley went to see My Chemical Romance, and she would want to see the band Norma Jean.
English teacher Patrick Wentworth did not go this year, but he’s been going to Louder than Life for decades.
“While I like Shinedown, Slipknot, all those bands, I got to see Kiss on their final tour, and it was electric. They have great showmanship,” he said.
He skipped this year because of the previous year, describing it as getting “a little rough during Bad Omens” and “no longer the local experience.” He added that it’s also gotten expensive. Though if he had to choose a band to see, he would want to see either Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin. He said that Led Zeppelin has more music he’d choose from, but Pink Floyd is a band he’d constantly put on.
Despite the expenses being raised and the experience no longer being a local one, Louder than Life is a concert experience that everyone can appreciate and find something enjoyable in it. With all the years that have gone by, there’s always something for people to appreciate; whether it be the lineup or the food, there’s something for everyone.
Walking past science teacher Chris Bradley’s classroom, students would see a room full of dinosaurs.
“Earth and space are important, and it’s something we deal with every day,” stated Bradley.
Walking around JHS or to class, students might see Bradley or his classroom. Not many underclassmen would know him, but most upperclassmen do.
For example, junior Shyne Scruggs stated, “His class is enjoyable, and it’s good to know about fossil fuels, and it’s also an easy class, and I love an easy class.”
“I think upperclassmen are more mature, and they know what they want to do in a classroom and outside of school,” said Bradley. “They’ve become more dependent on technology. They’re more willing to ask questions.”
Bradley enjoys the students he teaches, and he finds the subject interesting.
Bradley’s wife, Jodi Bradley, who teaches PE, stated. “I do think this is his dream job because he likes kids and dinosaurs.”
Bradley somewhat agreed with his wife.
“I don’t know if it’s my dream job, but I do enjoy it. I like the kids, and what I teach is interesting.”
Bradley’s main class is teaching dinosaur science as an elective; he was teaching earth and space science at first, but after a while he was also able to teach his dinosaur elective class.
“Earth and space science is what I’m certified in, but I teach dinosaurs because it’s an area of interest for some students.”
Students in his classes say Bradley adapts the subject to keep it interesting and understandable.
“I adapt to Bradley’s teaching style by listening to what he says in class, and I read and look over notes,” stated Scruggs.
Upperclassmen continue to come back to take Bradley’s class because of his teaching style and his expectations for his students, which Bradley finds rewarding.
“Seeing kids after I taught them and seeing what they do with their lives makes me feel that I did something right,” he said.
Administrative assistant counselor Jennifer Mitchell does work on her computer. “I’m proud to be a JHS graduate and work with fantastic staff. I enjoy watching the students grow and develop into mature adults through their high school careers.” She started at River Valley Middle School, then transferred to JHS in 2020. But she was a 1989 graduate and worked in the front office. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.Administrative assistant counselor Jennifer Mitchell
The sixteenth-century Spanish card game, Ombre, has shaped the style of card games as we know it within Western society, from its revolutionary Entrada and Vuelta bidding mechanics to its exact, unforgiving calculation of cards needed to win. These aspects of Ombre have influenced other well-known classics such as poker, blackjack, and even newer card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh.
While students aren’t able to find Ombre within the walls of JHS, they’re still able to find many other popular games that have derived from it at Games Club, including Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, and even Yu-Gi-Oh.
JHS math teacher Cory Densford takes note of his younger and older students’ insights and interests, which were used to create Games Club.
“13 years ago, I was teaching an Algebra I class, and we had a ton of free time at the end of the year,” said Densford. “A student brought in the card game Yu-Gi-Oh and asked me to play. I instantly found it extremely fun! So when the next year came around, we started what’s now known as Games Club.”
Math teacher Cory Densford talks to sophomore Maxwell Semones and sophomore Elijah Hatfield during Games Club. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Densford said the best part of the club is getting to know students better.
“My favorite part of Games Club is getting to know the kids in a non-classroom setting and getting to understand them on a better level. We don’t have a whole lot of downtime while in class, so I feel like this is a great way to connect with them more.”
Games Club is a friendly and inviting environment. Densford is always looking for more participants. Students who may be just starting or have been involved in these games for years are welcomed. Many students already involved in this club enjoy getting to know their peers outside of a classroom and making friends with similar interests.
Junior Samuel Stifler, who is a one-year veteran at Games Club, gave his insight into the nature of the club.
“I love that it allows aspiring gamers to come together, play games as a group, as well as learn about other games. I do wish there were a little more game variety, but that is a change planned for the future.”
Stifler said the club interested him from the beginning.
“As a freshman, I noticed that the club was an option through the school Pride Slides, and I was instantly interested. I had a group of friends that wanted to start a DND session, and now I can easily contact the group and play a game of our choice. Games Club provides a perfect place to meet with friends outside of school and build a world that we can all be a part of.”
Junior William Ponsford, who’s a former Games Club member, stated the club helped him meet fellow gamers.
“I joined Games Club because I wanted to meet new people and socialize through games; I find it very enjoyable to game, and I can socialize with my peers around me while expressing myself through gaming.”
Ponsford said the atmosphere of the club is a bonus.
“What I personally like and find the most enjoyable is how much game variety there is. You’re able to be very open-minded, express your ideas freely, and there were a lot of different people with unique personalities. I loved Densford as a teacher and president of Games Club because he is a very kind and warm person,” he said.
Ponsford said the club helps members be more creative, too.
“My favorite part is that it’s a place where many people, no matter their social status, are able to meet up, have fun, express creative ideas, expand game culture, socialize, and really open people’s minds to different games in general,” said Ponsford.
Junior Kenneth Norton, who’s in his second year of Games Club, agreed that Games Club is a wonderful place to meet new people.
“I love that this club allows me to play games with the people that I like, as well as people that I haven’t ever met before,” said Norton. “I’ve gotten to learn and experience games with other amazing students that I didn’t know very well beforehand.”
Junior Kenneth Norton plays Magic The Gathering during a Games Club meeting in the media center. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
