The food pantry and Connor’s Closet at Jeffersonville High School prioritizes the needs of students and families. As winter break comes to an end, items and clothing are in high demand to help students.
Those interested in donating supplies for the Food Pantry may turn them in to room A225 or in A204. For more information, contact Michelle Houchin.
Michelle Houchin: mhouchin@gccschools.com
Graphic by Daysha Gray.
If someone outside the school is interested in donating items for Connor’s Closet, contact Stephanie Soper or Jennifer Mitchell for further information. Students who are interested in donating, may bring their donations to room C125.
All photos by Malachi Conrad. Click on photos in the gallery below.
Sophomore Timothy Wilkins tries to finish the match against his opponent. JHS competed against Providence Wednesday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Dylan Grismer celebrates his win over Providence. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Dylan Grismer prepares to attach his Providence opponent. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
Junior Rudy Olvera goes against his opponent. Jeffersonville did not lose a match at the event Wednesday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Sophomore Jaylen Howard gets awarded his win by the referee. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Quinten Smith goes head to head against Providence. Smith was one of several seniors honored during Senior Night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
The Red Devils enter a hostile environment tonight against an imposing New Albany team after dropping three out of the last four games.
The environment at New Albany should add to the excitement of the rivalry game.
Head coach Sherron Wilkerson talks to his team in the third quarter of the Lawrence North game on Jan. 3. The Red Devils face New Albany tonight at 7:30. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
“New Albany’s a loud environment that really helps their players along with getting in the opponent’s head,” said sophomore guard Cornelius Weobong.
Red Devil fans are also ready to see Jeff get back to form.
“I don’t think New Albany has the basketball IQ to beat our guys,” said sophomore fan Preston McCombs.
Jeff is looking to get back in the win column by changing their approach.
“I think as a team we need to pick it up in practice and work hard to prepare for this team,” said senior point guard Elijah Cheeks.
The team is also looking for leaders to help get the young team ready to play.
“Me and (Terrence) Nord need need to pick up our leadership in game and practice; we have to get people to give it their all,” said Cheeks
The New Albany team is headlined by stars like sophomore shooting guard Noah Washington, who will be a struggle to stop.
“New Albany is looking dangerous this year — they have some good players, but I still have confidence we can stop them,” said head coach Sherron Wilkerson.
The team is also looking to get out to an early lead and retain it throughout the game.
“We want to come out on fire and not wait until our backs are against the wall to comeback and put up points,” said Cheeks.
Jeff has its own players to watch out for, especially junior Jacob Wilkerson.
“(Jacob) Wilkerson has to keep doing what he’s doing — he’s balling right now; he just has to keep on track,” said Cheeks.
While New Albany seems like an unstoppable team, Jeff sees weaknesses to exploit.
“They don’t play defense and don’t really want to guard the ball; I think with our offense we can take advantage of that and win this game,” said Cheeks.
All photos by Parker McCloskey and Malachi Conrad. Click on photos in the gallery below.
The Red Devils plan out their game plan before the tip off against Lawrence North on Jan. 3. JHS plays at New Albany on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The game was moved from Friday to accommodate the Indiana Peach Bowl game on Friday night. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Jacob Wilkerson takes a mid range jumper during the JHS-Lawrence North game. Lawrence North won 71-53 on Jan. 3. The Red Devils face off with rival New Albany at New Albany High School this Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Aiden Toler scores a layup in the first quarter against Lawrence North. Photo by Malachi Conrad. Senior Cash Whitehead protects the ball while looking for an opening during the Lawrence North game on Jan. 3. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Head coach Sherron Wilkerson talks to his team in the third quarter during a timeout. Photo by Malachi Conrad.
State championship rings handed out prior to last night’s game
All photos by Magdalene Conrad, Malachi Conrad, Parket McCloskey, and Isaiah Stewart. Click on photographs in the gallery below.
Principal Pam Hall prepares to hand out last year’s 4A state championship rings. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Senior Terrence Nord prepares to shoot the ball during warmups before Thursday’s game against Silver Creek. The Red Devils are 2-2 so far on the season. Players and coaches were also presented with championship rings from last season’s state championship before the varsity game. Photo by Parker McCloskey. The JHS student section holds up copies of the Hyphen student newspaper during Silver Creek’s starting five announcements. The special issue highlighted the Red Devils’ run to the state championship last year. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Senior Elijah Cheeks and junior Caleb Jones greet each other during the player starting lineups. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Damauri Crosby leaps for the ball during the opening jump against Silver Creek. Silver Creek won 64-51. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Junior Tre Mitchell takes a shot against the opposing Silver Creek Dragons. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Senior Terrence Nord lays up the ball against the Silver Creek Dragons at last night’s matchup. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Senior Elijah Cheeks takes a moment during last night’s game. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Junior Caleb Jones and senior Terrence Nord perform a handshake during the starting five announcements. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.Senior Terrence Nord protects the ball against his Silver Creek senior Dane Sprigler. Photo by Parker McCloskey.The Jeffersonville pep band performs during halftime of the JHS-Silver Creek game. Photo by Malachi Conrad.The Jeffersonville cheer team goes out during a timeout to perform a routine. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Senior Elijah Cheeks passes the ball during the JHS game against Silver Creek Thursday night. The Dragons won 64-51 and are 6-0 on the season so far. Photo by Parker McCloskey.Sophomore Damauri Crosby attacks the post looking to score. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Head coach Sherron Wilkerson gives the Red Devils the game plan for yesterday’s game. Photo by Malachi Conrad.Junior Jacob Wilkerson shoots a free throw against Silver Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.Senior Cash Whitehead takes the ball up the court during Thursday’s game against Silver Creek. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.
Stephanie Niemi poses with the Christmas candy basket she won as part of the Sophomore Class JHS Christmas shirt fundraiser. The Sophomore Class had a drawing for the gift basket for anyone who purchased a shirt, and Niemi’s name was drawn as the winner. The Sophomore Class thanks everyone who participated. Submitted photo.
The Jeff boys’ basketball team faces one of the top-ranked schools in Indiana, Silver Creek, for their home opener in a big benchmark game tonight in Johnson Arena.
“This is an important game; even though it’s not a rivalry like Floyd or New Albany there is a very good team and a win would be huge,” said sophomore guard Cornelius Weobong.
Silver Creek is looking like one of the best teams in Indiana and is searching for a statement win against Jeff.
“They’re really good at sharing the basketball. They’ve got six guys that could score 20 on any given night. So they do a really good job of moving the ball,” said head coach Sherron Wilkerson.
Graphic by Magdalene Conrad.
Jeff isn’t looking as potent as last year’s state championship team but still sees this as a competitive game.
“Our biggest keys are — Number one, we’ve got to guard for basketball. Number two, we’ve got to rebound. Number three, we have to take care of it, we cannot turn the ball over,” said Wilkerson.
The fans are also looking forward to a competitive game like this early in the season.
“I’m excited to see our guys play at home. I hope that we can come away with a win against a team as good as Silver Creek — that would be a big momentum boost,” said English teacher David Kummer.
To come away with a victory Jeff is going to have to capitalize on opportunities and not give Silver Creek very many.
“We have a lot of time where you get a good cut, get the ball, and then we miss, we give them free possession again… and then on defense we have got to know where we were at and we’ve got to sprint to our spot. We can’t give them easy points,” said Weobong.
Silver Creek is good as a team, but they also have players who shine above the rest.
“Brandon Hunter — he just recently had a game where he had 13 rebounds at the point guard position. When you have a point guard putting up 13 rebounds, that means that he is worthy of being able to get you a triple double, which probably makes him the most dangerous player on the floor,” said Wilkerson.
The Red Devils are looking to overcome some of early year struggles.
“Our mental toughness and our physical toughness is probably our biggest hurdle right now. And I think that once we’re able to correct those two issues, I think then you will start to see us jell into a unit,” said Wilkerson.
This game has been on Jeffs’ calendar for some time and they’ve been preparing.
“We’ve been preparing for Silver Creek since the buzzer went off at Seymour; we’ve been gameplanning and preparing pretty intensely,” said Weobong.
This young Jeff team could put itself on the map with a Silver Creek win, and they’re ready for tonight’s challenge.
“A win would be huge for us because this particular group as a unit has not been through the fire yet. So it would be nice to be able to go through the fire and come out successful. These guys are ready to be recognized,” said Wilkerson.
In addition to tonight’s battle with the Dragons, Jeff players and coaches will be honored with the presentation of their state championship rings from last season.
After 13 seasons Mark Stoops brought historic stability to Kentucky and led four 10-win campaigns in 2018 and 2021. He also showed the team eight consecutive bowl games and two top-25 finishes. But after too many losing streaks and a 41-0 loss to Louisville on Dec. 1, Kentucky fired him. Will Stein is the new Kentucky coach.
Many Louisville fans are happy because they want real change and challenge. Senior Kaeleb Hayes, who is a die hard Louisville fan, said that Kentucky “needed to do it” and that the team would be “better off without Stoops and the team will get along so much better with the leadership and the stability of Stein.”
But others do not agree with Hayes and think that Stoops should not have been fired. Sophomore Eli Tate, “I think that we will have better prospects but at the same time he was a good coach and I don’t think that this one game should have caused him to be fired.”
Sophomore Cali Smith agreed with Tate and is also a Kentucky fan; she said that the team will have to come up with new critical thinking skills and “learn to adapt with a new coach with different teaching styles.”
Freshman Harper Gordon also said that the Wildcats will have to adapt and thinks that it was a good thing because “Stoops has been a bad coach for three years and gave us a horrible season.” She said the new coach Stein is better for the team because he will push them harder.
Kentucky fans aren’t too happy, but most of them are rallying for the new coach and can’t wait to see how he trains the team differently and if they’ll get any better under different and new leadership.
Music has long been a part of human culture for centuries, serving both as a form of expression and a way to communicate. Music plays a significant role in enhancing our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Engaging with music can foster personal growth and improve our overall quality of life.
One of the most notable benefits of music is its impact on mood. According to Right As Rain, listening to music can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. This is why many people turn to music during times of stress or sadness. Playing a favorite song can uplift spirits and provide a deep sense of comfort.
Music allows individuals to process their feelings and experiences in a healthy way.
In addition to the emotional benefits it provides, music has been shown to have several advantages as well. According to PMC, engaging with music can enhance memory and boost focus. Learning to play an instrument requires multitasking and commitment, all of which are skills that can bring good academic performance and problem-solving abilities. APA states that students involved in music education often score better in math, science, and English than their nonmusical peers.
A significant part of music is the social aspect. Music often brings people together, bringing connections. Whether through concerts or just listening with friends, the communal experience of music can enhance social bonds. Collaborating in music also encourages teamwork and communication skills, which are essential in personal and professional environments
Music can have therapeutic effects as well. Music therapy is recognized for its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It can help individuals express emotions that may be difficult to express or articulate. Additionally, music is often used in rehab programs to aid in physical recovery. Overall, the benefits of music highlight its importance as a huge aspect of human experience.
As a kid, I’ve always thought I would be a teacher, or maybe do something with ocean animals. And I always thought I could just change my job whenever and it wouldn’t affect me. I used to have so many goals and different career paths I had wanted. But now all that is just a fantasy.
Kids like me didn’t even know there were many options for careers only because I was never opened up to the idea of ‘different jobs’.
Now that I’m a sophomore, the next two years really impact my career. I’ve always been indecisive on what I want to do or how I want to do things. And knowing I have to make the right choices sometime this year really scares me even though I know exactly what I want to be, I just don’t know where to start.
I never really thought about how much money I’m going to make, or how confusing it would be to pick the right paths for my career. There are always little Google forms about picking classes to help with a career choice , I never know which ones to pick. It always makes me nervous because I don’t have any idea if I chose the right thing or how it will affect me.
Many people like me feel this way too. There is just a never ending pressure about picking our career. Maybe it’s all too soon?
Teachers don’t give us enough opportunities to explore their career, yes we get to move paths only once maybe twice. But what if that isn’t even enough?
Education should focus on more than making us pick a path early, it should equip us with a broad knowledge base, and explore many different possibilities open to us.
Some students mix up degrees and careers, leading them to pick the wrong classes. I feel us students should have a little more of an understanding about exactly what classes to choose for each career.
Yes, picking a wrong career will not ruin anything. But pressure from friends, family, and society make it feel like it will. Even if we know exactly what they want to be, people can push us to pick classes that have nothing to do with our career.
Feeling stressed about a career can affect our mind and body, as well as, a lot of students overthinking options before making a decision.
Teachers can start giving kids more options at a young age by opening our minds to different ideas and pathways.
In all, students shouldn’t have to stress out as badly as they do just because they have zero idea where to start. Education should have more openings into teaching students where to start.
From reading the book The Wild Robot when I was younger to finally watching it in theaters it meant a lot. The Wild Robot was turned into a film focused on nature as well as motherly love. It came out Sept. 27 2024 and I was ready to watch with the books giving me high expectations.
The movie starts off with a futuristic robot named Roz accidentally arriving on an island full of wildlife trying to do its programming and help any person in need trying to complete its task. Roz starts to understand animal language. The animals in the forest have only rude things to say about Roz just because she’s different from them. Roz tries to leave but finds a duck egg by itself.
She found a task to complete which is to care for the egg with the help of a fox who wanted to help for selfish reasons but turned soft after a while. The main conflict in the story is how to raise a duck as a robot and robots like Roz trying to take her back home from the island.
This animated film has great quality with having the animators from Puss in Boots The Last Wish. Roz was Lupita Nyong’o who did a great impression of a robotic voice. Pedro Pascal playing the fox called Fink had a great personality in his voice that was way different from him in person. Kit Connor as Bright Bill was pretty good.
The story was heartfelt, which gives you a fuzzy feeling with a whirlwind of emotions with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 260 reviews, 8.2/IMDb the most talked about detail was their animation and how beautifully they portrayed the book.
Kentucky basketball fans are not known for patience. When you wear blue and white, expectations are always Final Four or bust. So after a slow start to the season, a lot of fans are already worried. But this team isn’t failing– it’s just still building. And with key players like Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe getting back to full health, things could look a lot different by the time conference play really heats up.
Early in the season, chemistry matters just as much as talent. Kentucky has both, but chemistry takes time. New players have to learn from each other, figure out roles, and build trust on the court. When injuries are added into the mix, that process slows down even more. That’s been part of the problem– the team hasn’t been whole.
The good news is that help is coming. Quaintance brings energy, defense, and presence inside. When he is healthy, he changes the flow of the game down low. Lowe adds speed, scoring, and guard depth that Kentucky badly needs.
Fans want wins immediately. That’s understandable. But basketball seasons aren’t movies– they don’t peak in the first act. What really matters is progress. Kentucky is learning how to finish games, how to handle pressure, and how to stay steady when shots aren’t falling. Those lessons hurt now, but they matter later.
Sometimes a slow start is actually a good thing. It forces a team to grow up fast. Nobody feels comfortable. Nobody assumes anything. When adversity shows up early, teams that stick together usually come out stronger on the other end. This is when leadership is built, and roles become clear.
History shows Kentucky doesn’t need to be perfect in November and December to be dangerous in March. The best teams usually don’t run through the season without problems– they survive them. This group still has time, talent, and reasons to believe.
The season is far from over. Once Quaintance and Lowe are back to 100% and the rotation settles in, Kentucky won’t look like the same team from the first few weeks. This is not the end of the story.
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