Hyphen – Page 2

Column: Modern schools should focus on real learning

by Sanae Ittu

High school is a place of education for teenagers. A place filled with opportunities. A place that provides time for self-discovery. And a place to become more marketable for college. However, there are mixed opinions if high school is slowly losing its purpose or not.

Students are focused more on passing classes than actually taking the time to learn. It’s absurd how normalized it is for students to cheat to escape failure instead of using failure as a chance to grow. The real question is “Why do students feel the need to cheat?”

According to story in edutopia, students feel the need to cheat because either they don’t find any value in certain assignments, they have the fear of losing social status, or just finding comfort with being rebellious.

So how can we fix this problem?

We are living in a society that tells us that how we perform in school can determine our whole future. But aren’t we forgetting that there are successful people living among us that didn’t do well in school academically?

Like Richard Branson, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 but is now a billionaire entrepreneur. Or one of the most famous scientists in human history, Albert Einstein. He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and trained himself for the following year.

We would assume that this can be an easy fix. Like increasing strict punishments and surveillance, focus more on grades and testing, and assigning group works. These so-called solutions may sound promising but it will not work in the long run.

Harsh punishments and intense surveillance can make students feel mistrust, leading to secretive cheating.

Harvard University’s website explains,“Students assigned to high-suspension schools are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated later, and less likely to attend a four-year college.”

Focusing more on grades and testing can limit sutdent’s creativity and critical thinking and increase stress and anxiety, leading to more cheating.

According to Queens University, “When students are mainly motivated by getting good grades, they tend to focus on memorizing information instead of deeply understanding new concepts…”

Assigning group work does not address why students cheat or lack passion, students can use it to rely on others to do all the work.

High school senior Yun F. Zheng shared on the Education Week website, “Assigning only individual work outside the classroom removes the risk of group members being overly reliant on others.”

To avoid any of these consequences, administrators should focus more on restorative practice, formative assessment and mastery learning, and structured collaborative learning with individual accountability.

According to PowerSchool, formative assessment and mastery learning have benefits, including defined learning goals, increased rigor, and improved academic achievement.

So take this as a suggestion that education should focus more on genuine learning rather than just passing tests or chasing grades. Success can come in many forms. Creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills that matter just much as a test score.

6 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Teens must be protected from unsafe online behavior

by Rain Gresham

On April 21st 2000, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 or COPPA became effective, due to parents fearing the growing internet and lack of online safety. That law should have laid many parents’ fears to rest but today over 25 years later we still struggle with children’s guaranteed protection on the big wide web.

If you were to scroll on TikTok or Instagram for more than a few minutes past the feel good quotes and useless commentary you would likely find someone talking about a personal experience of theirs; it’s not likely anyone dangerous is going see it, so who cares if someone opens up about their personal life?

Except a dangerous person might.

One third of missing children in 2024 were enticed or lured online. Maybe the creeps aren’t in white vans with “Free Candy” painted on the front, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They are the ones liking and saving your videos. The ones complimenting you and asking to be online friends. The ones you trust, posing as innocent.

Other governments outside of America are taking a more headfirst approach to online safety. In Australia children under 16 can’t even access certain social media platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Threads, but is this the right way to go? Young teens aren’t babies and are capable of finding work arounds, often by simply changing their age or not listing it at all on these websites.

So if we can’t take the internet from them, then should we just change it for them? However, even if you were to bubble wrap the entire internet, it would never be a totally safe place — it’s simply too big for that. The real major issue is that in the last few years people have stopped seeing it as what it is – full of strangers.

If I had a penny for the amount of times I’ve heard, “You guys are like my best friends” from an influencer, I’d be rich enough to pay someone to give them online safety lessons. They have fostered an environment where parasocial relationships are the norm. Anything outside of that is seen as strange or overtly paranoid.

This mindset didn’t always used to be the case. The world witnessed a great shift during COVID where anything and everything that could inherently be done online would be done online.

Even when the world did start to open up again, those third spaces that were there previously didn’t. So people both young and old were forced to turn to the only available and free one they had, the internet.

So, how should we ensure online safety for teens?

Well, throughout my life I have seen that the simplest ideas work the best. A simple conversation about the dangers of the internet and all the bad situations that can happen there. Check in on your kids and just who‘s following them if they happen to have public accounts and who is following you on yours as well. You never know. The world is full of creeps.

I find that there are very few problems with children that can’t be fixed with a simple sit down and present parenting.

6 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Extracurricular activities benefit students in a variety of ways

by Breslyn Dozal

Extracurricular activities offer students crucial lessons in teamwork, discipline, leadership, and resilience, helping develop skills outside of just academics.

High school is full of opportunities. Some of those opportunities are extracurricular activities. Most extracurricular activities are after-school activities, but in some cases they can go on during school.

Many students have found that extracurricular activities build up their confidence and decrease social anxiety. They build up many skills such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Extracurricular activities can be sports or clubs.

“Confidence, it helped me through soccer and it made me a better player,” said freshman Jacqueline Escobar, who plays club soccer, not related to school. She added that playing a sport outside of school has helped her with time management with her school work by having to balance practices, games and school work simultaneously.

Senior Kendall Curry agreed that participating in extracurricular events has helped her find balance with not only clubs and school work, but also with working at her job. In all these areas, Curry said that she was around diverse groups of people. Because of this, she learned how to work among a variety of individuals from different backgrounds as hers.

By participating in extracurricular activities, students can also gain insight into fields of interest they may want to pursue in the future.

Curry learned from being a football manager that she will likely pursue a career working in sports.

Freshman Alayla Hickerson learned by being in band that she would like to continue it in college and maybe as a career.

Special life skills can be derived from participation in extra curricular activities as well.

Freshman Eva Harbeson appreciates the marksmanship skills she has learned in JROTC. She said that she likely won’t use those skills in a future career, but she is glad she can protect herself for knowing them now.

Curry, Hickerson, Escobar and Harbeson all described common lessons they learned from participating in extracurricular activities: they gained confidence, time management skills, and the willingness to try new things.

All of these skills are useful in future goals outside of high school, proving how beneficial extracurricular activities can be.

6 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: America was built by immigrants

by Gabriella Kraft

America was built by immigrants. They have built it up from the ground, and then others decided that they had founded the land, even if Native Americans had been there years before them. They were colonizers who decided they could take what they wanted and have no repercussions.

“Nobody is illegal on stolen land.”

It’s becoming a common saying, sadly, to get people to understand that nobody is illegal here, and no one should be getting arrested and killed for their skin color or their accents.

“Nobody is illegal on stolen land.” It is a way of telling most people who are in support of the current administration that nobody is after their jobs. Nobody wants to harm them. Nobody wants to take away their position in life. Just as they are trying to get by in life, so is everybody else.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, “Since returning to office in 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken major steps to reshape immigration policy and enforcement in pursuit of his campaign promise to execute ‘the largest domestic deportation operation’ in U.S. history. As part of this effort, his administration has carried out deportation flights, sometimes to third countries where migrants have no existing ties; ramped up nationwide immigration raids; and granted expanded or new powers to various federal, state, and local officials to enforce domestic immigration laws.”

His whole point in doing this is to do what the rich politicians in the U.S. want right now. He is simply a poorly strung puppet who needs to be held accountable for the lives he has helped ruin and take.

More from Council of Foreign Relations: “In January 2026, the administration’s enforcement push reached a controversial new phase after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in separate incidents in Minneapolis.”

There have been more unaccounted-for deaths and families this administration has ripped apart. Is it so hard to let people live in peace? Most, if not all, of these people just wanted to be here and live their lives when it was ripped from them.

It has turned into such a serious cause that whole schools are having walkouts in support of stopping them, including Hoosier schools.

According to WFYI in early February, “Hundreds of students across Indianapolis and in nearby suburbs walked out of class Monday, bundled in winter coats and carrying handmade signs to join a growing national movement of young people protesting federal immigration enforcement.”

Students have gone through the effort of skipping class, missing a test, and possibly getting arrested for a cause they believe in. Not only does this put pressure on the school system, but also on government officials.

Young adolescent teens understand what’s going on in the country better than most adults. We see what’s happening and want to help stop our country from turning into a warzone, simply because some people don’t like others’ ethnicities or accents.

The impact immigrants have had on America is incomparable; without them, our economy would plummet.

As stated by the Migration Policy Institute,“Immigrants were involved in the development of 30 percent of patents in strategic industries in recent years, and more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants.”

Immigrants are embedded in all types of American culture and food. For example, according to the Food Timeline, nearly all of today’s popular American foods originated in other countries.

This country is so much more than different skin colors and different views, but we can only grow and build on what we have if it has a good foundation. What’s happening in the country right now is destroying that foundation as we know it. So I encourage you to do what you can to help the cause and fight for what’s right.

5 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Floyd Central 72-54 to advance in sectional play

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

Senior Kyndal McCartin cheers on the Red Devils at sectionals this past Tuesday. The Red Devils defeated Floyd Central 72-54 and will play Seymour this Friday. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

4 Mar 20265 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Red Devils begin sectional play tonight against Floyd Central

by Austin Bainbridge

Jeff is looking for a sectional win over Floyd Central tonight, a team they beat with a buzzer beater 49-48 in January.

“We are a better team than we were when we first faced Floyd; it’s not going to take any late game scores to get us the win this time,” said sophomore center Cornelius Weobong

Jeff isn’t the highest ranked team in the sectional, but head coach Sherron Wilkerson said anything can happen in the post-season.

“On paper, I think that we can win the sectional. I know that we were probably third right now, I would say, in the segments. But I would say if everything came together, I think that we can win the sectional for sure,” said he said.

Sophomore Mason Longest looks to pass the ball while being defended at Floyd Central in January. JHS won 49-48 in the closing seconds of the game. The Red Devils play FC in a rematch in sectional tonight in Seymour. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

The Red Devils know the stakes in playing against a rival in a win or go-home game and need to keep themselves in check.

“We have got to mature really fast. I think there are two things that we have to do — number one, we have to understand how much effort it takes to play at this level.  And then I think the second thing that we have to realize is how much we have to control our emotions,” said Wilkerson

The roster has been cut down to just 12 players for sectionals and they are expected to play unselfishly for the team.

“I think it’s really just like the entire team’s going to step up. You know, we’re all going to come together as one and play for the name on the front. There may be some specific players, but I feel like we’re all just going to play for the name on the front, try to get the win,” said sophomore center Demauri Crosby.

Jeff comes in winning both of their last games by 24+ points and expects that momentum to carry into the playoffs.

“Those wins certainly have given us a boost that we can ride through this whole thing to make it back to state,” said Weobong.

For the team it’s business as usual they want to keep everything the same to keep the players in flow.

“Nothing out of the ordinary. Just our normal day-to-day preparation. Our preparation has been the same since the first day that I took the job up until now. We’re preparing to finish these last three games in the sectional, like we prepared to win the state championship,” said Wilkerson.

Head coach Sherron Wilkerson gives the Red Devils the game plan against SIlver Creek earlier in the season. Wilkerson said preparations for sectional and the state tournament remain the same as always. “Our preparation has been the same since the first day that I took the job up until now.” Photo by Malachi Conrad.

3 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Castle heading into sectional play this week

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Mackenzie Stubblefield, and Charlie Perissi. Click on each photo below to view the gallery.

Sophomore Shyne Scruggs shoots a free throw against Castle on Friday during the third quarter of the JV game. Photo by Mackenzie Stubblefield.

2 Mar 20263 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: NBA drop-off means new talent must emerge

by Kaiden Middleton

The dominant stretch of the NBA is coming to end.

Lebron James, the face of NBA for over 15 years, is the all-time leading scorer with 42,947 points; 11,826 assists (which is fourth all time), and 11,930 rebounds (which is 24th all time), but his career is coming to an end because he is in Year 23 of his career.

Stephen Curry enters year 17 in the NBA known as the greatest shooter of all time – 4,233 points, which is ranked number one, as he has shot over 40% from three-point range in his career. Curry is also a four-time NBA champion and a one-time NBA finals MVP. In 2014-15 Curry was the first and only unanimous MVP.

Kevin Durant enters his 19th year in the NBA and is known as one of the greatest scorers to play the game. Durant is a two-time NBA champion and a two-time NBA finals MVP. He has scored 31,862 points, which ranks at sixth-place all-time in scoring.

Russell Westbrook is in his 18th year in the NBA. Known as the king of the triple-double, Westbrook was the NBA MVP in 2016-17.

With these players’ careers coming to an end, NBA viewership has decreased over 50% The game has changed — it used to have fewer 3-point attempts. Now teams are taking almost 40% of 3s and it is not as enjoyable for the because every game is a high scoring shootout.

The All Star game for the NBA is dying as well. The game used to feature some of the best players in the NBA all coming together on two teams. The players would leave it all on the line, but it does not have that same feeling anymore because the players don’t seem to care as much as they have in the past.

The NBA is still in good shape with many rising stars in the league, including Cooper Flagg, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards. In addition, the incoming draft class is reported to be one of greatest draft classes since 2003 when Lebron James,D Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony came into the league.

2 Mar 2026 by jhshyphen

Red Devils battle Castle tonight as they begin sectional play next week

by Austin Bainbridge

The JHS basketball team has their last home game of the season today, and players and coaches look forward to finishing the season right.

“I think a win tonight would really propel us into sectionals with the mindset of winning and really get us ready to go,” said sophomore Cornelius Weobong.

The players are confident in their ability to get a win against a struggling 7-15 Castle.

“I am very confident in what we can do; everyone’s going to be hating on us, but we’ll show them what we can do and just execute our game plan,” said senior Elijah Cheeks.

This season has been a difficult one for Jeff, standing at 8-12, and the coaches are looking for answers.

Coach Sherron Wilkerson gives his team advice and motivates them to win the game. Jeff beat Floyd Central 49-48 in the closing seconds of the game in January. They face the Highlanders in the first round of sectional next week. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

“It’s been really difficult to find our identity. I think that we’ve had certain games where we were comfortable with our personnel, but then I think that for the most part of the season, it’s been a huge hurdle for us,” said head coach Sherron Wilkerson.

The players also look for a connection with each other.

“I think a lot of our chemistry has just been playing together and getting everybody in early in the season against a lot of Indy teams, so we’re able to connect and grow playing those tougher opponents,” said Cheeks.

While the season hasn’t been up to Wilkerson’s expectations, he still sees a good run down the stretch. `

“It’s been a little bit difficult because it seems like every time we take a step forward we take two steps back. Whether it’s an injury, somebody gets sick, whatever the case, it just seems like we haven’t been able to catch a break this year, like we’ve had in the previous years. But moving forward, the last game is moving into the sectional. We kind of feel like we have an opportunity.  We have an opportunity to right the ship after all that we’ve learned through this year,” said Wilkerson.

With sectionals coming next Tuesday March 3, just four days away, this would be a great opportunity to prepare.

“This could be the final test before we open up for the tournament. And I think that people must keep in mind that we’re still going to finish as champions,” said Wilkerson.

The players also have to prepare before kicking off sectionals.

“The main thing is just getting your mind right. People usually think about your body but it’s all in your mind. Putting in enough work (that) I know I can trust myself when the time comes,” said Cheeks.

The Red Devils open sectional play against Floyd Central next Tuesday night. JHS defeated the Highlanders 49-48 in January.

27 Feb 2026 by jhshyphen

Column: Americans live in a state of propaganda

by Ayianna Maddox

Being a civilian in America can be exhausting — constant propaganda, death, and injustice. America is portrayed as a “haven” for all who enter. The “Pledge of Allegiance” is known as a symbol of integrity, loyalty, and respect for America. Still, the shimmering mirage of our Pledge is fading, revealing that the words and their meanings are untrue.

Throughout the U.S. at the beginning of the school day, students are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with their heads held high, standing tall, and their right hands over their hearts. Then, we carry it with us throughout our lives, because we have been conditioned to do so from an early age. We know the words, but have we comprehended the meaning?

The first line states, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.” As we recite this line, we are making a promise to ourselves and our country to uphold important documents, such as the Constitution.

The second line states, “…to the Republic for which it stands.” The Republic is a form of government where supreme power is held by the people and exercised through elected representatives, rather than by a hereditary ruler or dictator. However, currently in our country, our executive and judicial branches of government have forgotten this important detail. The people elected those in power, yes, but those in power are not listening to the people’s cries.

The third line states, “…one Nation under God, indivisible…” This could be interpreted as we’re all equal as a people beneath the “protection of God,” but how I wish in my core that this were true. If we’re all “One Nation under God, indivisible…” then why is oppression still active today despite our history?

The last line states, “…with liberty and justice for all.” Once an eternal promise, that line is now a plea for help. Inside the “land of the free,” the civilians of America are pleading for justice for their loved ones, a rescue through liberation. Citizens of a “justified nation” should not have to beg for something that should have been given beforehand; that’s not what was taught.

With the never ending unlawful acts of President Donald Trump and his administration, the number of nationwide protests against their policies increases.

According to The Guardian News, “There were more than 10,700 protests in 2025, a 133% increase from the 4,588 recorded in 2017, the first year of President Donald Trump’s first term.”

The significant leap in protest participation from 2017 to 2025 justifies America’s cries. The combined protests of 2017-2025 (15,288) are for different reasons, but they are all aimed at the same variables: justice, peace, and hope. The population affected by injustice and constant conflict is rallying together and using their voices to strive for a better outcome.

Recently and more frequently, ICE agents are wreaking havoc to no end – targeting and assaulting defenseless protesters, bystanders, and families. Not only that, but they are attacking schools. Women, men, and children are being taken away, harassed, and attacked with no explanation. No one is safe. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, ICE agents have not only terrorized but also killed people.

On Jan. 7, 2026, ICE agents stormed Roosevelt High, a school in Minneapolis. Reports from MPR News states, “Armed U.S. Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members, and released chemical weapons on bystanders.” This incident occurred just a few hours after Renee Good was killed, approximately three miles away from Roosevelt High School.

Seventeen days later, on Jan. 24, 2026, ICE fatally shot an ICU nurse named Alex Pretti. The New York Times breaks down video footage from a witness at the scene.

The United States of America has become inverted: Rights are being constantly violated, humanity is a myth, and safety is no longer a luxury.

As a teenager in America, I’m watching the colors of my home turn red with bloodshed and the skies grow dark with despair, blocking the hopeful light.

People of America, we are our own light; bendable, but not breakable.

Source: New York Times, Jan. 25, 2026. Graphic by Ayianna Maddox.

25 Feb 2026 by jhshyphen

Science teacher Matthew Bramer reflects on the year that changed everything

by Kori Washington

Chemistry and physics teacher Matthew Bramer made a major life change when he left the tech world to become a teacher at Jeff High.

“My previous work was IT work, and it was fun, but it didn’t feel like it had a big impact,” said Bramer, who worked in technology at Mercer Transportation.

ICP teacher Matthew Bramer goes over student slides and corrects them to put it in a grade. Bramer is happy that the student had finished the work. ”I love being a teacher; I can show them a easy way to do things,” he said. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.

After reflecting on his time in the tech industry, Bramer realized that while he enjoyed his work in IT, he didn’t feel like he had a deeper purpose. This made him want to change his career to something where he could positively impact others’ lives and make them feel like they have a purpose, too.

“I wanted to be a teacher so that I could impact the lives of the students,” said Bramer.

Although Bramer thought he would only impact the lives of students in class, he has also impacted them outside of the classroom as well.

“I like how he’s very patient with the students and also listens to my drama,” said freshman Ariana Smith.

“Patient” and “kindness” are some of the many words that students and staff would use to describe him.

“He’s kind. He definitely is one of the kindest people I’ve met. He doesn’t get stressed out by the situations that every day of teaching can give you. He’s able to keep it cool,” said science teacher James Huffman, who has been teaching for 10 years.

“He’s so enthusiastic and happy all the time. Oh, my gosh. Always has a smile so kind. It’s a really good guy,” said science teacher Hope Rector, who has been teaching for 19 years.

While Bramer is known for his kindness and patience, his first year of teaching has also come with challenges and rewarding moments.

“Classroom management has been pretty hard. And that’s just managing all of the personalities,” said Bramer.

But despite having a lot of personalities in one classroom, Bramer enjoys getting to know all the students and also getting to see them understand what he’s teaching.

“I think seeing the students get it and understand the curriculum was really nice, and it was also really nice to have a lot of students come up to my desk and hang.”

These rewarding moments are one of the many positives that keep Bramer motivated to keep teaching. But one of the most important aspects that has kept him moving forward is the help from his fellow staff members.

Graphic by Kori Washington.

“Ms. Rector and Mr. Huffman have been very helpful,” said Bramer.

Huffman and Ms. Rector’s advice have played a role in Bramer’s growth as a teacher since the start of the year.

“I think when you walk in, like as a teacher, and you have like over 30 kids staring at you, it’s overwhelming for sure. But I’ve seen him grow in his confidence,” said Rector.

“He’s gone from being nervous to and kind of using me and Miss Rector and other teachers that are veteran teachers as helpers; he’s almost doing most of it on his own. He’s asking us for some, like help every once in a while, but he has gotten to the point where he’s creating things and sending them to us,” said Huffman.

After experiencing the challenges of his first year and growing with the help of his mentors Bramer has learned valuable lessons he would like to share with otherothe first year teachers:

“I set aside time for grading, cause coming in, I was like, ‘yeah, I’m gonna grade.’ And then I actually have to grade. And it’s like, ‘oh my gosh.”

25 Feb 202625 Feb 2026 by jhshyphen

Track teams prepare to compete beginning next week

by Marcus Baker

Back again with another year of the Red Devil track team. It doesn’t begin with medals or crowds; it starts with sweat, sore legs, and a belief that this year will be different.

As JHS runners get back into their old routines, they have been having conditioning practice, such as weight lifting, practicing running on the track, jumping mats, pool workouts, and training their legs and form. They prepare before they head back to their actual practice, which began Feb. 9.

Head coach Sam Mull oversees boys’ and girls’ track team members as they stretch to prepare for practice. Track meets for both teams begin in early March. Photo by Marcus Baker.

They use “Sports You” as an app to communicate with their coaches and check for any information that is needed for their athletes.

There are five coaches on the track team. Sam Mull is the head coach. Klarissa Early is the new distance coach. Kim Zink is in charge of the throwers. Carlis Phillips is in charge of the sprinters. And Lucas Couron is the pole vault coach.

Mull’s goals for the season are to continue to grow and develop technical skill sets for his athletes and avoid injuries for their safety. He said his best way to handle a pressure situation is by setting rules and goals for each individual. The workouts vary in discipline, but they all follow the same basic outline, he said.

Early’s goals for this season are to help everyone become mentally tougher and more disciplined as the season goes on. She wants to learn how to use her strategies to help her long-distance athletes get better every day.

Each event group has at least one leader who guides their team: Long-distance group — senior Larry Lucio; girls’ long-distance group — Keira Jackson; sprinter group, senior Elijah Cheeks; girls’ sprinter group Emliy Perissi; and throwers’ group, junior Jomall Owens.

Athletic director A.J. Moye said he plans to help the team by “offering my presence” and being a “servant” for the coaching staff and athletes.

Lucio is most excited to run the 4x800m relay and the open 800m. He is preparing in the off-season by eating well and staying fit for when the season comes.

Lucio started running in middle school and did it for his friends, and when he moved to Indiana from Texas, he just naturally joined the team. He says motivated to keep going when practice gets hard by talking to his friends and teammates.

He doesn’t like to tell himself anything before the start of the race, like instantly, he likes to clear his head and focus on the race while trying to bring his heart rate down.

“Distance running isn’t a race to beat others, it’s about outlasting the voice in your head telling you to stop,” he said.

Jackson is excited to start the 1600s as a new event in her last year of high school. Jackson has been training extra hard with savory fitness and running on her own to prepare for track season. Her parents inspired her to keep pushing, so she doesn’t give up on herself.

Her goal is to “rock this 1600s because I will be good at it.” She said she always looks up at God, knowing that he puts her on this earth to run. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” said Jackson.

Head coach Sam Mull meets with boys’ and girls’ track team members at practice, explaining procedures for the day’s after-school practice. Photo by Marcus Baker.

Junior Jayden Kelly is excited to compete in the 110 mh and 300mh. After his short last season, he is looking to improve and progress to be able to compete and possibly win the state. He’s been preparing by lifting weights and staying in shape during off season while working on improving his hurdle form.

He ran track since elementary school, but the people who really inspired him are his coaches and teammates. His one goal is to compete at state. When practice gets hard, he reminds himself of his goals, and that will take a lot of work and dedication.

Perissi is most excited for the 100s this season. Last year in her sectionals, she false-started and had a terrible moment, but this year she’s ready to make a comeback and prove people wrong. She goes to the gym three times a week and works out to get stronger.

Nizaish Carr and Lyric Steele, a former old trackmate, gave her a perspective to stay motivated through last year. Her goal is to stay focused on her health and push through longer and have her body ready for the end of her track season.

Sophomore Samy Carrlio is most excited for the 400 dash, 4×4, and 800s. She has been preparing herself by eating and sleeping well. She goes to the gym three times a week and gotten mentally strong. Her friend Lila from 6th grade was inspired by her to join the team. She loves it since then. One of her biggest goals is to make it to state or at least get a sub-minute in her 400 dash. She always tells herself that god has a plan and believes in her.

As the Red Devil track team starts, they will develop their skills and improve their capability for the season.

“Every day brings a new challenge, and while we can’t always master those changes, we must have the will and desire to do our best and accept where we end up,” said Mull.

25 Feb 2026 by jhshyphen