A person’s clothing style can say a lot about them. It can tell you what their interests are, where they’ve been, and what they like to do. Jeff High has a lot of different styles showcased by its student body, so what inspires students when it comes to their style?
Sophomore Sophie Ellis would describe her style as cute, fluffy, and pink.
“A lot of it is myself and wanting to feel like myself. I’m inspired by Japanese fashion online and my Pinterest.”
Sophomore Sophie Ellis shows off her pink and “cutesy” style. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
“My mood in the morning determines what I end up wearing,” said junior Parker Grubbs. Grubbs thinks of his style as comfy, lazy, and kawaii.
Junior Parker Grubbs, showing off his laid-back style and look. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Sophomore Rain Gresham describes her style as fall, desaturated, and earthy. Gresham says she gets most of her style from her mother.
“When I was little, I was always inspired by my mom’s clothes.”
Sophomore Rain Gresham, presenting her earthy inspired outfit and style. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
“I like to wear lots of bright colors, so I base my outfits off of that,” said senior Blessing James Vonsenden. “I think if you look good you feel good.”
Vonsenden feels her style is a mix of being retro, colorful, and girly.
Senior Blessing James Vonsenden, showing off her retro-inspired style. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
“It came from being insecure but changed to my own style. I care now about how people see me and how I carry myself,” said sophomore Xavier Bridges. Bridges describes his style as casual, different, and oversized.
Sophomore Xavier Bridges, showing his take on a more “casual” outfit. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
Students at Jeff are proud of their own unique sense of style. From retro to kawaii, a person’s sense of style can be a way for their personalities to shine.
From blood-filled elevators and “One Wish Willows,” to that feeling of anticipation and caution, wondering what’s going to happen next, horror movies can be a crowd favorite to some or a nightmare to others.
Art by Jeremiah Rogers.
Horror films have been around for many years and have also changed with how fear is portrayed and what the generations consider scary. So how did this all start, and how do horror films continue to evolve and frighten people?
The first horror film ever made was “Le Manoir du diable,” known in English as “The Haunted Castle” or “The House of the Devil,” in 1869 by George Méliès. The film included cauldrons, bats, skeletons, and ghosts, things that someone in 2026 wouldn’t be as scared of.
The first popular, full-length horror film was “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” Other iconic classics include “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, about a scientist named Henry Jekyll who, when testing out a potion, becomes his beastly alter ego, Mr. Hyde, terrorizing and killing the people of London.
Everyone knows and loves the classic films, such as “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and “Carrie,” but new movies are constantly coming out, like “Obsession” and the newly-released “Other Mommy.”
Everyone has their favorite horror movie, and there are many to choose from. Let’s see what movies students and staff prefer.
Junior Kai Helton, who says he prefers the more classic horror movies, said his favorite horror movie is the 1996 “Scream.” Helton said that, if he had to spend a full day in a horror movie, it would be “Silence of the Lambs.”
Helton said, “If I wasn’t a main character, I don’t think anything would happen to me.”
“The Silence of the Lambs,” released in 1991, follows a young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, as she hunts for a serial killer, “Buffalo Bill,” and seeks advice from the brilliant psychiatrist and insane cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The movie is a psychological horror, full of moments of fear and suspense.
On the topic of psychological horror movies, sophomore General McLain finds that psychological horror movies are interesting. The movie McLain would want to be in was the 2005 movie “The Descent,” a movie about a group of friends going on a gone-wrong cave-diving expedition. McLain said that he prefers classical movies, with his favorite being “The Conjuring.”
With classical movies, APUSH and government teacher Robert Russell said that his favorite is “The Silence of the Lambs.”
“I think it’s the most realistic horror movie I’ve seen,” Russell said.
Russell responded to what movie he would prefer to be in with The Silence of the Lambs, for the reason of finding FBI profiling to be very interesting and their process of finding serial killers. He said that he prefers classic horror movies like “Halloween” and “Carrie.”
English teacher Grant Vance said, “I’m a huge fan of the original ‘Halloween,’ and I did my college English thesis paper on ‘Scream.’”
Vance felt that, if he had to spend a day in a horror movie, he would pick “ Buddy,” a new movie released in August of this year. “I think it would be a fun one,” he said. The story follows a group of kids trapped in a “Barney and Friends” style world with an orange unicorn named Buddy, who takes a dark turn from the typical kids’ show.
Most everyone likes horror films, with horror being a universal theme. From psychological to thriller, horror is an undying genre that is being constantly revamped and the standards are constantly changing. From “Le Manoir de diable” to “Obsession,” there’s always something for everyone to watch.
From the lights, to the set, to the props, to the costumes. The technical aspects of any performance are extremely important, and take time. There are so many parts and pieces that go into a theatrical performance.
At JHS, there are many opportunities for arts to shine. Under the stage lights lit by the crew, performances benefit from the tech department, which is student led and full of different ways to help light up the stage.
Photo by Raven Baker.
“I see it as a way to supplement what actors do on stage. They’ve done all their prep work leading up to the show and then tech comes in that last week to make sure all their work is seen and heard,” said senior Tristan Cooley, who has done tech for shows both at JHS and in the community.
Cooley said his favorite show he’s worked as a tech for is “All Shook Up” performed at Clarksville Little Theatre.
“It was my first show I got to design lights for, and I was really proud of that,” said Cooley.
Cooley said his favorite moments of a show are often when the set is completed prior to the performance.
“After all the set is made and everything is ready, I love walking into an empty theatre and feeling the space, it’s peaceful and magical,” he said.
Junior Lindsay Austin, who has worked as part of the tech crew since her freshman year, said a lot of work goes into building the sets.
“You have to be a very dependable person in tech because every rehearsal counts,” she said, explaining her favorite show to work on was “The Ballad of Little Jo.”
“I also enjoyed making the bed for ‘Once Upon a Mattress,’ said Austin. “That’s when I first met some of the now sophomores and became friends with some of them. It was also one of the last shows I got to do with a former senior, Cheyenne.”
Senior Blessing James Vonsenden, who has worked tech and acted on stage, said she enjoyed being the stage manager for “The Ballad of Little Jo” “because I was so involved — I got to know a lot more people and see the whole scope.”
Lighting is an important part of any performance. “I did the light board for “Once Upon a Mattress” last year and I really enjoyed that,” said sophomore Nataly Barragan.
Theatre teacher and director Derrick Ledbetter said tech work brings shows to life on stage.
“I think it’s like the backbone of a live show. It brings the story to life. It’s often invisible when done right,” he said. “Tech also can help build self confidence. Sometimes there are students that don’t shine physically or academically, but tech gives them that chance to shine. I think it creates a diverse extracurricular ecosystem, and it’s a place where people can explore, make friends, and feel welcome.”
Country music singer and songwriter Dolly Parton sadly passed away on August 25, 2026. She was 80 years old. Parton was so much more than a music icon; she was a philanthropist, an inspiration, and a true treasure to the world.
Dolly Parton’s Life
Born Dec. 19, 1946 as one of 12 children, Dolly Rebecca Parton lived in the Smoky Mountains in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. The family lived in poverty. Throughout the 1950s Parton starred on different radio stations and television programs as well as publishing her first single “Puppy Love” and making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at just 13 years old.
Into the 60s Parton signed her first record deal with Monument Records. In 1966 she married her husband Carl Thomas Dean, and the two were together for six decades. A year later Parton released her first album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” with her country single, “Dumb Blonde.”
In 1970 Parton was nominated for Best Country Performance in Duo or Group with Porter Wagoner for “Just Someone I Used to Know.” In November of that same year “The Best of Dolly,” Parton’s first Greatest Hits album, was released. Throughout the rest of the decade Parton earned her first Solo Grammy Nomination, as well as releasing some of her most iconic songs, including “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Into the 1980s, Parton released the album “9 to 5 and other Odd Jobs,” as well as starring in her first film “9 to 5” as Doralee Rhodes. The film was later turned into a musical in 2009. She also starred in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “ Rhinestone,” where she starred alongside Sylvester Stallone. Parton also starred on Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest. On June 14, 1984, Parton earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On May 3, 1986 Parton’s theme park, Dollywood, opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The park was a huge hit and is still around today.
In 1988, Parton started the Dollywood Foundation, which initially was to offer scholarships to high school students. She also created the Imagination Library, where children up until past the age of 5 could receive a free book monthly. The library expanded and is available to children across America, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. She was also a huge advocate for human rights throughout her life.
Parton’s Influence
The news of Parton’s passing affected the community, and fans discussed her music and contributions.
AP U.S History teacher David Russell said he was introduced to Parton’s music as a child.
“I think she’s an all around good person who wanted to do good things; I like her music.”
Senior Wyatt Clements agreed that Parton was an icon.
“As an ex-Kentuckian, you can’t escape her music. I never got to visit her park when she was alive,” he said.
Sophomore Bella Roman described Parton as inspiring, adding, “My whole family listens to her.”
And after hearing of Parton’s passing, junior Kristopher Bonilla said, “I didn’t believe it at first, but the more I heard about it I was pretty upset.”
Principal Pam Hall said Parton’s legacy extends beyond her music.
“I love everything she stood for,” said Hall. “She was an advocate for women’s rights and human rights. She also donated millions quietly, I think that really speaks to her character.”
It is safe to say that Parton’s legacy has inspired many people of different generations. Her kindness and creativity were truly unforgettable. She was a music icon and continues to make people happy through her music, style, and positivity.
Whether it’s on the radio, on their phones, or live right in front of them, music is a part of people’s lives. It’s been around for centuries, entertaining and teaching people.
There is such a large variety of styles of music. The Swedish band ABBA just celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of their most popular songs, “Dancing Queen.” The song has become such an iconic tune with its high energy and catchy lyrics.
What do the students of Jeff High think of “Dancing Queen,” and what type of music do they enjoy?
Senior Lily Morrill gave “Dancing Queen” an 8.2 rating: “I love this song; it reminds me of being carefree and spending time with friends.” When asked, her favorite song right now is “The One” by Taylor Swift.
“I like how the melody was layered to create a peaceful vibe,” said junior Jose Silva Garcia when asked about “Dancing Queen”, who said his favorite song right now is “Øutro” by Tezzus.
“It’s (“Dancing Queen”) very groovy; I give it an 8.5,” said sophomore Roberto Castro. His favorite song right now is “100 Sleepless Nights” by Pierce the Veil.
Freshman Evan Austin, whose favorite song right now is Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” gave “Dancing Queen” an 8.5, saying, “I like the start and rhythm as well as the notes.”
Resource Officer Tyler Robinson said, “I’m going to have to give it (“Dancing Queen”) a solid 6; it doesn’t excite me as much as others.” He added that his favorite song right now is “God I’m Just Grateful” by Chandler Moore.
Basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson said he thinks “Dancing Queen” is a classic and gave it a 7. His favorite song right now is “Faith Under Construction” by Holy Disciples.
It’s easy to say that the people of Jeff High have quite the taste for tunes.
We want to hear from you!
In the survey below, please choose which song you want to see reviewed next!
For years, the JHS Theatre Department has presented two shows per year. Each show is usually an opposing genre, but this season, they are similar. They’re both set in a high school setting around students and their experiences.
This season’s shows are Mean Girls, the Musical, a musical where a girl moves from Africa and attends a public high school and befriends the popular girls. Throughout the show, the main character, Cady, goes from an awkward new kid to hanging out with the most popular and powerful girls in school.
Our Play is about a group of high school kids from different backgrounds putting on Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, a new show, published in 2025 by Jessica Moss.
Theatre director Derrick Ledbetter. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
“I think that they are the right fit for our students,” said theatre director Derrick Ledbetter. “I think it’s shows they can relate to.”
Ledbetter said he chose these two shows with similar themes for a reason – the appeal they have for young audiences.
“I think it goes back to how the shows are in closer experiences to our students,” he stated.
Beyond the theme-related performances, Ledbetter said he has some more ambitions for this season, saying, “I hope we have a lot of people come out. I hope we get a lot of new experiences for people.”
Ledbetter also said these audiences will appreciate the performances of these two shows, stating, “I think it has to do with choosing authenticity over popularity.”
Theatre students are already preparing for the performances this season.
Junior Kahlani Hunt said she definitely has a favorite show this season.
“I’m most excited for Mean Girls. I’m hoping to do tech this year.”
Sophomore Lucas Dimmitt agreed, saying, “I’m hoping to get a bigger role. I’m most excited for Mean Girls.”
Senior Jalen Nifong said, “I want to accomplish something I’m proud of. I’m intrigued to see Our Play because it’s a lesser known show.”
The message for the Theatre Department is for teens to be their authentic selves and not to conform to social norms. Ledbetter said he selected these plays not only for entertainment, but also to send an important message to the audience.
Seniors Jalen Nifong and Wyatt Clements act during Derrick Ledbetter’s fourth-period black box theatre class. Photo by Ashton Walcott.
