Reviews – Page 4

Review: ‘A Complete Unknown’ paints a picture of Bob Dylan’s life

by Lola Mays

Bob Dylan was someone who until now had never had much of an impact on my life. The film “A Complete Unknown” painted a new picture in my brain of what it was like to rise to fame in the 1960s as a folk singer.

Bob Dylan who was portrayed by actor Timothee Chalamet showed the bigger story behind so many important things in life. Through the simple times of living in New York in the 60s, it was interesting to see how much life has changed and how one person can make such a big difference in so many people’s lives.

The movie begins by showing Bob arriving in New York City to visit one of his idols, Woody Guthrie, who was in the hospital at the time for Huntington’s Disease, which severely affected his nerves and brain. We also get introduced to Pete Sagar, who started Dylan’s singing career by helping him play at new gigs and showing him the ropes by taking him to one of his shows. It was very interesting to see Pete be so kind to someone he would have barely known at this point.

Seeing how rapidly Bob’s life jump-started in just a few years of playing small shows was astonishing. As someone who is always on the outside of fame, I enjoyed the route they took for the viewer to understand and comprehend how fame truly feels and how overwhelming it can be.

Bob eventually gets a girlfriend he meets at a church he was playing at, and she ends up being a big part of his early career. In the movie her name was Sylvie Russo; however, in real life Bob’s girlfriend at the time was Suze Rotolo, and it is projected that this change was made because Bob Dylan requested to have her name altered.

In the movie Sylvie is a main/side character. While she is actively dating Dylan she seems to really get tossed to the side by Bob and is often treated unfairly. Something that is often referenced are Bob’s feelings for singer Joan while he has a current girlfriend, even going as far as cheating on Sylvie when she is out of town and while Joan had no clue about Sylvie. It was disappointing to see how Bob’s character seemed to also change as he gained more traction. He is perceived as a man with a very large ego in the film just by the way he treats a lot of the staff and his partners in the movie.

Another thing that caught my eye was even as Dylan was growing and getting more money from his hit records, he continued to keep his original small apartment in the city, as is shown several times even later in his career. A big side plot in the film is when Dylan decided to change his music from when he was known for folk music, making a drastic switch to adding more rock and a sense of punkyness in his songs that many fans did not appreciate.

Throughout the film a concert venue was shown many times; it was the Newport Folk Festival that Bob Dylan and many others played at over the years. A very small side plot I enjoyed in the film was Bob’s relationship with singer Johnny Cash, played by Boyd Holbrook, where they were pen pals and then finally met in person at the festival.

One important aspect of this festival was how for a couple of years in a row Joan and Bob would do a duet on the stage that fans seemed to enjoy. The mid-end of the movie walks through more of the changes Bob made when he was changing his music to more rock and using electric guitars instead of a classic one and ended up having people playing with him rather than just playing solo.

After we see how they perform together we get slightly introduced to some of the people playing with Bob. Towards the end of the film, we see how upset Bob’s management and fans are when they hear how he might be switching his music. Bob believed that making this switch was important to his style and that the people would change with him. In the end, the people were not a fan of this change.

In the end, I enjoyed this film and would recommend it to anyone who would be interested in seeing the music industry. “A Complete Unknown” was truly unknown to me, as I have never been a fan of Bob Dylan and haven’t been up to date on the impact that he had made on our society.

Bob Dylan wasn’t afraid to be different or change the norm; he was able to take something and make it his own just with his raw talent and the people around him. I think that all the actors in this movie, especially Chalamet, were excellent in the execution of portraying their characters.

All of this said, my point of view was changed, and I think that’s about all you can ask for in a film. So next time you’re having a rainy day, sit down with some people you love and give this film a try, even if it may be out of your comfort zone because, after all, it might be just what you needed.

24 Jan 202528 Jan 2025 by jhshyphen

Review: The Thriving Tradition of Winter Fantasy

by Sam Ottinger

“This is one of the most treasured traditions, I can’t iterate enough, that we have here at Jeffersonville during the holidays,” choir director Kyle Broady said.

He continued, “Personally, I think this is the best ticket in town.”

These words were spoken last Thursday night near the end of the concert, and there is much to agree with.

Winter Fantasy was a joyous event that was able to truly capture the holiday spirit with roughly 230 students, and with the other teachers involved, making it about 10% of the whole school involved. Broady’s choir and musical theatre class; and the band taught by Briston Hatchell and Sidney McDonald; led to a wide variety of takes on many different traditional holiday themed songs.

The band gathers on stage at the beginning of Winter Fantasy, the annual holiday musical program that combines the talents of many JHS musicians. Photo by Elliot Swincher.

The performance consisted of 15 songs. The very first, sung by the chamber choir, was a very faithful, calm, and quiet performance of the classic “Carol of the Bells.”

Following this piece was “Silver Bells” sung by The Devil’s Advocates and The Devils Horns Jazz Ensemble. This piece was played with a more upbeat and funky style that was elevated by the jazz and great singing. The song went down the same path of being a faithful adaptation, yet as it neared the middle and ending of the song, there was its own JHS personality that shined through.

The pattern continued as the next song “Who is He in Yonder Stall,” as sung by the men’s chamber choir, was more of a soft and intentionally quiet song that allowed us to notice a harmony between the choir’s voices and the band’s instruments.

The whole band did a fantastic job at keeping everything in tempo throughout, but this skill was clear in the song “”Winter” from The Four Seasons.”

Sophomore Bradley Lynch was the one in charge of playing the jingle bells for this piece. He was able to refrain from falling into the errors of playing the notes too quickly, as is a typical problem that can be heard in nonprofessional bands, leading to his piece flowing perfectly into the rest of the band and giving it a more professional feeling.

“Children Go Where I Send Thee,” sung and played by both the choir and band, was a personal favorite, and one that got many in the audience involved. This song was more energetic, being of the gospel music genre, starting with a loud hit of a drum.

Nearing the middle of the song, many members of the audience clapped along with the beat. The energy wasn’t just in the lyrics; it was also found in the choir members’ movement between pauses in their singing. It would be a disservice to exclude the inclusion of a rap section in the near middle of the song. Many counted it as an interesting inclusion, yet I believe it fit the energetic feeling well, and didn’t truly take anything away from the overall song, even if a few people felt it was a bit unexpected.

Song number six was “Celtic Carol,” performed by the concert band. It had more of a serene feeling to it in the beginning due to the chimes with the mix of flutes. Yet this is contrasted as the song progressed and it gets more of an intense tone, due to the increasing volume of the drums. As it progressed more, the sound continues to fluctuate between the two tones. There were some small squeaks from certain instruments, but overall it didn’t affect my listening too much, as this well performed piece was still enjoyable.

The last piece before intermission was “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” sung by The Devil’s Advocates. This piece was very fascinating to listen to. There was no inclusion of a band, which they had already done earlier in the night, but this piece was different due to the way they were able to add in their own instruments, in a way, by using their own voices. This matched perfectly with the whole feeling of this song. The tone was soft with a sort of enchanting feeling due to the addition of the small bits sung to support the actual lyrics.

Band students with conductor Sidney McDonald perform during Winter Fantasy. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

After a 15-minute intermission, they started Act II off with a classic performance of “Sleigh Ride.” Timing once again was a strong piece in the success of this song. Senior Collin Crouch and Hayden Smith were able to play the iconic slapstick clap and the wooden block trotting with perfect timing. Even when the hitting of the wooden block purposely sped up near the end, Crouch was able to match Smith’s block timing to ultimately pull it off. Junior Cameron Guzman and sophomore Tristan Cooley were able to pull off the just as iconic horse whinnying with their trumpet, nearing the very end of the song.

Following this piece was “That’s Christmas to Me,” sung by The Devil’s Advocates. This one was another soft piece, which gave off a sort of warm feeling like you’d get on a late winter night. The piece also gave off a similar sound to Matthew Hall’s “When Christmas Comes to Town,” which only helped to expand that warm feeling. This piece also added vocal sounds that helped add more additional music.

“Winter Wonderland,” played by The Devils Horns, was next. It gave off just as much joy as the very first rendition of this song.

Another classic that followed was “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” sung by the Chamber Choir. It first started off as the typical piece, before it surprised many by transitioning into a more hip hop and beatbox focused version. This one, like “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” was another personal favorite, and also included parts where the audience would be invited to clap along and join in on the fun.

Continuing the classic song trend, the next piece was “White Christmas,” performed and sung by the wind symphony. An enjoyable take where junior Alice Haynes sang while the rest of the symphony played along. What was fun about this piece was the way the instruments would finish Haynes’s lyrics, making it a sort of duet with the instruments.

The third to last song was “A Christmas Story,” performed by the musical theatre. It was a very sweet song, yet this piece showed the one problem with this event, the mics.

There were quite a few moments in this song, and a bit in “Silver Bells” and in the back section where the choir would be, where the mics would not truly project the voices towards the crowd, making some parts get covered by music or technical interference.

Yet the singers in “A Christmas Story” were able to push through it and make the parts that could be easily heard be fantastic in harmony and tone.

The second to last song was “ Hallelujah Chorus,” performed by both the choir and band. The mixing of both groups and melodies was a nice path to go down as the event started to wind down.

Yet the final song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was able to make this combination of choir and band be the cherry on top to a great closing piece.

This song wasn’t just on theme, but the harmony with the choir was breathtaking in a way, and truly had the feeling of holiday joy all throughout.

And this piece wasn’t just important to fit the Christmas genre; it also helped aid the deeper theme of tradition.

Each year this song is a special time for the seniors involved in choir. Every year they include this piece, and those seniors are able to have their own front row spot to perform this wonderful closing song as the big day approaches.

In this performance, these seniors were Sylvana Sandoval Camacho, Ella Motluck, Luna Guyse, and Layelle Plemons.

Band instructor Briston Hatchell directs the performance of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” at Winter Fantasy. Joining Hatchell are seniors Layelle Plemons, Luna Guyse, Ella Motluck, and Sylvana Sandoval Camacho. Photo by Sam Ottinger.

Winter Fantasy is fantasy turned real each year it comes around. It’s a tradition that supports the arts department in getting its name out there while showing off the wonderful students involved.

Broady wanted to talk of how important the presence of the arts is, as he commented before the second to last song, “…it really is important that we keep this going, and it really is important that we support the arts, fund the arts, and that we create the space for arts to happen.”

He continued, “Music gives life, and it gives life in so many ways. And without music, honestly, where would we be?”

18 Dec 202423 Dec 2024 by jhshyphen

Review: Old Spaghetti Factory offers renewed kind of taste

by Elliot Swincher

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.

16 Dec 202418 Dec 2024 by jhshyphen

Review: Creed’s Top 5 songs reveal why the band connects with fans

by Emma Parker

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.

6 Dec 20246 Dec 2024 by jhshyphen

Review: Animated fantasy ‘Coco’ emphasizes importance of love, memories

by Areli Hernandez Romero

It’s that time of year again: “Dia De Los Muertos” Day Of The Day, 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.

6 Dec 20249 Dec 2024 by jhshyphen

Review: Meet Your Maker Arts Festival Review

by Sam Ottinger

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.

4 Nov 202413 Nov 2024 by jhshyphen

Review: Wonders of Gospelfest create a moving, energetic musical event

by Sam Ottinger

“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.

1 Oct 202422 Nov 2024 by jhshyphen

Speaking Out on “The Poet X”

By Lacy Blanton, Guest Journalist

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Mar 20236 Mar 2023 by jhshyphen

Stranger Things Season 4 – Review

Project | Stranger Things, Season 4 - Rodeo FX

Written By: Samuel Broady

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – Review

By: Sam Broady

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

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

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

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

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

JHS defeats Castle 52-45

The Red Devils play Carmel this Saturday at Johnson Arena.

Photos by Gabrielle Watkins.

The Red Devils high-five each other during a timeout called from Castle. Photo by Gabrielle Watkins.

by jhshyphen 10 Nov 2026

Red Devils, Broady host musical cabaret tonight

by Nora Horton

A musical cabaret is a form of varied performances for the audience. It can feature music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. Tonight is the latest example of this unique kind of musical experience.

JHS has a musical cabaret of its own. Choir and musical theatre director Kyle Broady has directed and organized the event to highlight the talent in his students in Musical Theatre.

Student performers explain some of the details behind tonight’s music.

Senior Presley Inzer reveals her work on “Let Me Be Your Star” from S.M.A.S.H. with fellow performer junior Vivienne Diehl.

“It’s about heartbreak and leaving the past behind. Vivi and I have sung a duet since her freshman year and my sophomore year,” said Inzer.

Junior Ayden Hunter is performing “Therapy” from Tick Tick Boom as a duo part and highlights their personal impact.

“Therapy is important to me because I remember watching the Tick Tick Boom movie with my late grandma,” he said.

Broady refers to how important it is expressing creativity, saying “our musical theater students really enjoy the chance of letting themselves shine.”

“They can choose things they are passionate about – it really gives them a chance to show their capabilities as actors, singers, dancers, and more,” he emphasized.

Students will be performing at the JHS auditorium tonight at 7 p.m. The entree fee is $8, it covers homemade desserts and the show. Desserts will be catered by Jeff Chefs.

by jhshyphen 10 Nov 202610 Nov 2026

Boys’ wrestling team prepares for 26-27 season despite losing three seniors

by Carter Glotzbach

Last year’s boys’ wrestling team took a hit to their roster, losing many key seniors. However, team members and coaching staff think they can fill those spots easily.

Head coach Danny Struck is confident they can thrive again this season.

“Losing three starting seniors from our regional lineup was definitely a big hit. I’m still confident that we have people to replace them. This is our largest class of seniors in a few years, and that gives us options to fill our gaps in the lineup,” said Struck.

Junior wrestler John Steele agreed with the coaching staff.

“We lost Quintin Smith, who was a sectional champ and the regionals runner-up for his weight class,” said Steele.

“Losing Quintin Smith is a big hit,” agreed junior Cooper Spaulding. “but I’m confident that we have the people to replace him.”

With so many lost seniors, the coaching staff is looking for underclassmen to step up and take the place of graduates.

“One of the wrestlers that I’m looking to step up is Logan Vidt; he worked very hard in our off season, and I expect to see a lot from him,” said Struck.

Other wrestlers agree with coaches about the up-and-comers.

“Someone who I’ve seen a lot in the off season is Logan Vidt; he’s been putting in a lot of work,” said Steele.

Other wrestlers like sophomore General Mclain have different people in mind that might be up-and-comers.

“Someone who I think has a lot of potential is Brandon Mazariegos Roblero; he’s a very good all-rounder, and I expect some good things from him this season,” said Mclain.

Wrestlers are not only looking at themselves, but others when it comes to preparing for the season.

Junior John Steele submits his opponent last year. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

“My goal is to remain wholly dedicated to the team and give 100% in practice every day” said Steele.

Most wrestlers agree with Steele, including Spaulding.

“I want to show up to every practice and give all that I can to the sport,” said Spaulding.

Others agree with Steele and Spaulding about dedication to the sport, but give more insight on what it takes to get there.

“I want to train hard every day and not slack off, but I have to get the proper amount of sleep and eat enough every day,” said Mclain.

With the big hit taken to their lineup, wrestlers have differing opinions on their likelihood to make it back to regionals.

“I don’t think that we’ll make it back. Charlestown is a real powerhouse, and I worry with all of the open spots in the lineup,” said Spaulding.

Mclain agrees with Spaulding, stating, “My hopes aren’t as high for making it back as they were last year. Charlestown looks really strong, and we’re missing key people in our lineup that we had last year.”

Some wrestlers are still confident that they can pull through.

“I think we still have a good chance to pull through even though we’ve lost a few key slots,” said Steele.

Coaches have one final message for anyone who’s interested in the team.

“If you or anyone you know is looking to wrestle, we’d love to have them. A few key spots we’re missing are 103, 113, 132 and our heavyweight, so encourage them to join if they’re close to those weights,” said Struck.

by jhshyphen 6 Nov 20267 Nov 2026

InterACT Club returns to connect with local community

by Kori Washington

Every club starts somewhere, and for the InterACT Club, it all started with two women being approached.

What started as a conversation at Homecoming eventually led to the return of the InterACT Club.

“It was at Homecoming, actually, when we got approached by some community members to see if we had any interest in starting this club. This club had previously been at JHS about five years ago,” said InterACT Club co-sponsor Chloe Merkle.

Although the club was absent from JHS for years, community members wanted to bring it back and create new experiences for students.

“The main purpose of the InterACT Club is to help strengthen the bonds that build a community, and to get students invested and involved in the world around them,” said InterACT Club co-sponsor Francesca Hernandez.

Along with the goal of getting the students to be more involved with the community, the club also hopes to make a name for itself.

“We hope to be well-known in the community as helpful hands willing to assist anywhere we’re needed,” said Hernandez. “We have already made some strong connections with the local Parks Department, animal shelters, nursing homes, food banks, and GCCS schools in our first active month.”

Both the sponsors and the student members have goals in mind for the club moving forward.

“I hope the InterACT Club will give me skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and time management,” said senior Tyrone Whitten.

Other members have similar goals and hope to use the club to better themselves.

“I hope to gain a sense of community within my new environment,” said senior Evelyn Harwood.

“I hope to develop leadership and community working skills from this club,” added freshman LaRon Robinson.

Although the students look forward to what they can gain from joining the club, they also look forward to what the club will do for the community.

“I hope the club will make a difference in my community by always having someone out there helping in some shape or form. I think uplifting others makes the community stronger and ten times better,” said Whitten.

Beyond the club goals, community service plays an important role in teaching people not only to think about themselves but also to think about others.

“Students will learn important lessons in responsibility, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork. It not only helps them grow as people, but helps the community grow in a way that fosters a wide sense of belonging,” said Harwood.

Beside teaching students the importance of helping others, the sponsors encourage students to develop more skills that help them in the future.

“We hope students foster the skills of just being kind to others, less phone time, being on time, being present, and, like, following through with what you said you were going to do,” said Merkle.

While the sponsors hope to help students develop skills that will benefit them in the future, their reasons for wanting to sponsor the club go beyond teaching.

“I want to help bridge the gaps that might prevent students from going out and interacting with their community. There are so many fantastic local organizations and opportunities that need assistance, and service is so significantly helpful no matter how small. Impact makes ripples that can be seen throughout the whole community,” said Hernandez.

As the club continues to grow, its sponsors hope that the students’ efforts will help make more people want to get involved in helping out the Jeffersonville community.

“Walls separating students by gender, grade level, social status, or even academic performance are dissolved in InterACT. If you want to make Jeffersonville a better place, you are welcome here,” said Hernandez.

by jhshyphen 6 Nov 2026

Girls’ wrestlers begin their season as the sport grows statewide

by Isabella Stewart and Mahalia Smith

Girls’ wrestling team has begun the new season with a blend of returning wrestlers and newcomers, creating excitement and fresh opportunities for growth. With more wrestlers joining the team and gaining valuable experience, the program is continuing to build a strong foundation for success.

Head wrestling coach Danny Struck. Photo by Isabella Stewart.

“There are many more new people on the team this year with a lot more experience and willingness,” said coach Danny Struck.

As more athletes join the team and gain experience, girls’ wrestling continues to attract attention and grow. The sport is creating opportunities for females to compete and improve their skills, becoming a part of a rapidly-expanding athletic program in the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Specifically, there were 13 girls on last year’s girls’ wrestling team, and this year, the amount has doubled with 26 on the team. The girls’ wrestling team is growing faster than the boys’ team.

As coach Joe Sommerville said, “Girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing IHSAA sport.”

For new wrestlers, joining the team can be exciting; they’re building confidence and forming strong connections with teammates. The welcoming atmosphere helps newcomers feel comfortable as they begin their wrestling journey.

Sophomore Jocelynn Gluth said, “I’m really glad I joined the team because everyone seems to really get along.”

The girls’ wrestling team’s strengths come from the athletes’ willingness to learn, improve, and support one another. Their positive attitudes and dedication help create a strong team environment where every wrestler can grow, according to Struck.

“The biggest strengths these girls have are their coachability and enthusiasm,” he said.

Struck explained that coachability is important because it allows wrestlers to learn from their coaches, correct mistakes, and continue developing their skills. When athletes are willing to listen and apply feedback, they can reach goals they may not have thought possible.

“Teaching girls is like seeing a new light, pushing them to where they want to be,” Sommerville said.

For returning wrestlers, the new season brings an opportunity to improve, set higher goals, and challenge themselves in new ways. Their previous experience gives them a strong foundation, but continued effort and determination can help them become even better this year.

Junior Justise Clubb-Leon, a returning wrestler said, “I want to push myself to be the best this year, and I’m excited for new challenges.”

As the new season continues, the team’s mix of experience and fresh energy gives each wrestler a chance to learn, improve, and contribute. With their coachability, enthusiasm, and support for one another, the girls are ready to take on new challenges and keep building the future of the growing program.

The girls’ wrestling team will have their first tournament match on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

by jhshyphen 6 Nov 2026

‘Hocus Pocus’ brings magical fun to Halloween

by Jada Belser

“Hocus Pocus” is a 1993 family-friendly fantasy-comedy directed by Kenny Ortega and is an iconic Halloween movie.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the story follows a teenage newcomer named Max Dennison, who accidentally resurrects three 17th-century witches: the Sanderson sisters (Winifred, Sarah, and Mary).

On Halloween night, Max, his younger sister Dani, his crush Allison, and an immortal talking cat named Binx must work together to stop the witches from consuming the life force of the children of Salem before dawn.

The stars of the movie who played the Sanderson sisters are Bette Midler (Winifred), Sarah Jessica Park (Sarah), and Kathy Najimy (Mary), and they stole the show. Midler plays the leader with natural theatrical energy; Park plays the quiet beauty of the trio who transforms the mood in the movie with her captivating silent songs, and Najimy plays the goofier character of the trio, adding to the trio’s comedic chemistry that drives the film.

I think “Hocus Pocus” is an entertaining, family-friendly movie that combines comedy and fantasy and Halloween fun. The best part of the movie has to be the Sanderson sisters; the combined personalities they bring to their characters make the story memorable.

The costumes and spooky setting really take the viewer to the world of Salem; it’s the perfect Halloween atmosphere. The movie’s mix of humor and magic makes it enjoyable for all ages.

One of the strongest parts of the movie is the chemistry between the three sisters. Each character has a different personality, which makes their scenes even more entertaining to watch. The music and special effects also help bring the magical aspect of the story to life.

However, some parts of the movie can be predictable. I wish their backstory had more depth, but it’s still a good watch. The actors bring a lot of personality to their characters.

I would recommend “Hocus Pocus” to anyone who enjoys Halloween movies. It is a good choice for people who enjoy funny stories with witches and magic.

Movie Title: Hocus Pocus

Directed by: Kenny Ortega

Released: July 16, 1993

My Grade: B+

by jhshyphen 6 Nov 2026

6 Feb 20239 Feb 2023 by jhshyphen