Head boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson scans the hallway by the lunchroom, looking for problems to solve. Most students know him as the coach behind the game plan for JHS players.
“I coach basketball to teach kids and get to help them and teach them the things teachers and others don’t really get to teach them,” said Wilkerson.
Wilkerson played basketball at Jeff High before he ever coached here, as he was on the 1993 state championship team. He has carried what he learned from playing in that game through college and now to his players.
“Everything I learn from college I teach all at the high school level to show them what it takes, because if you’ve never been there before, you don’t know what it takes to be there.”
Those who know Wilkerson describe him as a good person and role model, saying the way he chooses to teach his players is a view of his character.
“Sherron cares a lot about the kids, making sure to teach them life lessons and put them on the right path in life. People just see his intensity, not how much he cares and helps the kids, and the kids that come back after graduation, he still helps them,” said safety and security officer Brian Mitchell.
Junior and varsity player Shyne Scruggs agreed. “Coach Wilkerson is very serious and a hard worker when it comes to basketball and very smart and intelligent.”
Wilkerson wants his players to succeed on and off the court. He also supports them when they leave for college.
“He is always thinking about coaching when he’s not coaching, also making sure the kids are good and taken care of at home and if they need something to let him know,” said Mitchell.
Wilkerson demonstrates the ability to bring out the best in every athlete, pushing them to reach their full potential and setting them up for success for success in the way he views losses.
“We don’t judge off our losses; we judge off performance and growth.’’ said Wilkerson.
Boys’ basketball coach Sherron Wilkerson. Photo by Natalia Martinez.
Walking past science teacher Chris Bradley’s classroom, students would see a room full of dinosaurs.
“Earth and space are important, and it’s something we deal with every day,” stated Bradley.
Walking around JHS or to class, students might see Bradley or his classroom. Not many underclassmen would know him, but most upperclassmen do.
For example, junior Shyne Scruggs stated, “His class is enjoyable, and it’s good to know about fossil fuels, and it’s also an easy class, and I love an easy class.”
“I think upperclassmen are more mature, and they know what they want to do in a classroom and outside of school,” said Bradley. “They’ve become more dependent on technology. They’re more willing to ask questions.”
Bradley enjoys the students he teaches, and he finds the subject interesting.
Bradley’s wife, Jodi Bradley, who teaches PE, stated. “I do think this is his dream job because he likes kids and dinosaurs.”
Bradley somewhat agreed with his wife.
“I don’t know if it’s my dream job, but I do enjoy it. I like the kids, and what I teach is interesting.”
Bradley’s main class is teaching dinosaur science as an elective; he was teaching earth and space science at first, but after a while he was also able to teach his dinosaur elective class.
“Earth and space science is what I’m certified in, but I teach dinosaurs because it’s an area of interest for some students.”
Students in his classes say Bradley adapts the subject to keep it interesting and understandable.
“I adapt to Bradley’s teaching style by listening to what he says in class, and I read and look over notes,” stated Scruggs.
Upperclassmen continue to come back to take Bradley’s class because of his teaching style and his expectations for his students, which Bradley finds rewarding.
“Seeing kids after I taught them and seeing what they do with their lives makes me feel that I did something right,” he said.
Junior Clara Theriault uses discipline to balance swimming and academics
by Lorelei Bingham
With each stroke, junior Clara Theriault makes her way across the pool.
Students might see Theriault in the hallway and assume she’s just like any other student. However, that’s not quite the full picture.
“Being a student-athlete is more challenging mentally than physically. You have to balance everything. You have to have time to swim and time to work. If you can’t find the time, you have to make it,” said Theriault
Despite the challenges of being a student-athlete, Theriault continues to stay motivated.
“Just knowing how hard the practice is on paper, I know I’m going to get something out of it. We can always laugh about it later,” she shared. “The girls on the swim team also help me stay motivated. The environment the team has is just so positive.”
Beyond her dedication to swimming, Theriault is also known for her personality.
Theriault’s former teammate and 2026 graduate Adelaide Bingham describes her as “encouraging, cheerful, inclusive, and always looking out for others.”
Her kindness also has a positive impact on those around her.
“Clara makes me feel like I don’t have to worry about anything. She also taught me to look out for others,” stated freshman Bristol Cain.
Outside of the pool, Theriault faces another important responsibility being a student ambassador.
“I’m a student ambassador because I believe every school should have representation. Having students who are considered some of the best at Jeff shows that we aren’t just a fight school. Yes, there are fights, but having a group of leaders to really show what JHS stands for is important.”
Theriault uses her leadership skills in and out of school. She positively impacts all of her teammates’ lives.
Bingham stated, “Clara has taught me to look out for others and show empathy. She also taught me to be selfless and help others when they are in need. When you are kind to Clara, she never fails to pass it on to another person. She’s like a bubble of joy.”
Theriault’s dedication to her team reflects the life lessons she has learned through swimming, which extend far beyond the pool.
“Swimming has taught me lots of discipline,” said Theriault. “No matter how hard something looks, you can always beat the challenge. It’s just a mental game and stepping out of your comfort zone.”
Through swimming, leadership, and her relationship with others, Theriault is someone who strives to make a positive difference both in and out of the pool.
Graphic by Lorelei Bingham.
Persistence and personality helps freshman swimmer Lily Eaves adjust to high school
by Evangeline Hertweck
As the buzzer goes off, freshman Lily Eaves dives into the pool confidently.
“I love swimming because of how weightless I feel in the water,” Eaves said.
Eaves is ready to jump from the diving board. She looks persistent. She looks excited. She looks ready. She is used to this; however, there are new swimmers at the pool.
“Start slow and practice a lot. You need practice to perfect your moves,” she advised.
Eaves swims through the water effortlessly, making it look easy to beginners. Everyone cheers, but the swimmer’s mother’s voice cuts through the crowd.
“My mom is my biggest supporter because I can talk to her about anything, and she cheers me on the most,” Eaves stated.
Even though Eaves isn’t new to swimming, she is definitely new to JHS. Freshmen must get used to a drastically new schedule, making new friends, and showing up to class on time. For Eaves, this is a change.
“There is definitely a difference in maturity, as people connect in unique ways at different life stages. Maturity influences how we communicate and support one another, affecting the quality of our relationships,” she said.
As the school days go by, Eaves starts to see that JHS isn’t all that different from Parkview Middle School. The familiar dynamics of friendships and social groups make her feel more at ease as she adjusts to this new environment.
“High school made me realize that no one really cares what you do. Be your own person; a good one,” she said.
Graphic by Evangeline Hertweck.
Eaves enjoys high school, especially social studies. The subject’s focus on history and cultures makes learning exciting and fun.
“I love social studies because if you have a good teacher, they make learning more interesting and more fun.”
Freshman Carlee Solomon is one of Eaves’ closest and best friends.
“Lily has always been an amazing friend to me; we’ve been close since we met in first grade,” Solomon said, looking back on their long friendship.
Even on her tough days, Eaves has a special way of making everyone smile. Her cheerful laugh and friendly personality brighten the mood in any room, making people feel welcome.
“Lily is a really good person and a sweet friend. She knows how to make me happy, especially when I’m feeling sad,” Solomon said.
The two friends have shared many laughs and great times together, both at school and outside of it.
“I remember one night I went to her house. We baked a big batch of cookies, and afterward, we danced and sang our favorite songs in her kitchen. It was such a fun night, and it’s a memory I’ll always hold dear,” Solomon recalled.
Eaves has plenty of friends, in and outside of school. She participates in several different activities like Girl Scouts, swimming, and just being outside in general, helping her connect with others who share the same interests, including with freshman Lorelei Bingham.
“I know Lily from school and swim. I don’t have any classes with her, but I would still consider her a good friend,” said Bingham.
Reflecting on Eaves’ influence, Bingham said she has the ability to uplift everyone around her. It’s like she carries a little sunshine with her wherever she goes.
“Lily brings positivity. She will always make you feel better if you’re sad. She will always be your little cheerleader.”
Birthday: May 6, 1999 Hometown: Corydon, Indiana Favorite sport: Softball Favorite food: Pasta Favorite movie: “Iron Man“ Favorite music genre: Pop music Hobbies: Reading, arts and crafts Time spent teaching: Two years.
Biology and PLTW Human Body Systems teacher Karson Cecil sits at her desk, checking emails and grading assignments as the students in her seventh period Human Body Systems class work, constructing an origami diagram of a bone. A Louisville Police badge sits on her desk in a case.
One may walk past Cecil’s classroom without a second thought, just thinking that she is any ordinary science teacher; however, that isn’t the case here.
At a first glance, no one would know that she once worked as a crime scene technician for the Louisville Police.
“My experience as a crime scene technician was fantastic; it was a fulfilling job and it was always something new each day. I left that position due to the schedule being too chaotic,” Cecil said.
However, one may wonder why she would take up such a job, with so much danger and unpredictability.
“I just applied and showed up. But the biggest influence is ‘Criminal Minds’, the show,” Cecil stated.
After quitting her job as a crime scene technician she took her career in a completely different direction.
“I chose science because my degree is in science, and it’s my favorite subject,” she answered.
Despite the troubles and annoyances of being a teacher, she has still decided to stick with this career as a science teacher.
“I like getting to help students find something that’s interesting to them and discover that science can be pretty fun.”
Cecil had to take various different classes in high school and then college in order to be able to pursue her career in teaching, biology, and human anatomy.
“In high school I took Advanced Science classes and then in college I took a lot of biology and chemistry classes. I also took an education class, not with interest in teaching, just to fill a space, but then I went to grad school and took anatomy classes,” Cecil said.
Cecil is still a new teacher, at least compared to others, having chosen to teach at JHS for a simple reason.
“Yeah, because it’s close to my home and they were looking to hire a science teacher,” Cecil stated.
Her students have had many positive impacts on her life.
“My students impact my life by brightening my day and they always keep me learning too, they teach me new things which are important. They teach me slang, and I’ve learned some TikTok dances,” she said.
However, Cecil has also had impacts on the lives of her students as well.
“I say she’s taught me a lot and helped me learn a lot of information I need to know for my career,” said sophomore Haylee Schwarz, a student in Cecil’s PLTW Human Body Systems class.
Cecil has also been an inspiration for her students.
“She inspires me to be a better person because of the way she teaches,” stated sophomore Layla Dizdar, another PLTW Human Body Systems student.
Cecil thinks that science is a very important subject, especially in today’s world.
“Science explains the world and how it’s always changing. It is also important that people are able to keep up with new information,” she stated.
Some may find biology and human anatomy to be boring, so one may wonder how Cecil keeps her class fun and interesting.
“I try to incorporate different styles of learning and different games,” she said.
But, do her methods really work at all?
“I find it fun because I like learning the stuff but I find it interesting because of the people,” said Schwarz.
Cecil also has a way to motivate her students to work efficiently.
“Knowing we can have fun after our work is done is a big motivator for everyone,” said Dizdar.
Many people seem to have a positive opinion of Cecil as well.
“I think she’s a very funny and kind individual,” stated Dizdar.
Despite Cecil having a rather chaotic history, and teaching such an important and complicated subject, she has one, very simple goal in her life.
“My biggest goal in life is to have a small hobby farm with miniature cows.”
Shelby McCorkle strives to help her students every day
by Anicko Griffin
Counselor Shelby McCorkle greets her students with a smile, answering questions they and others may have for that day.
“Hey girl! How can I help?”
McCorkle carries herself like any other person at Jeff High. Most people would never notice the hundreds of students’ pain, dilemmas, and anger she carries with her every day.
Although it seems difficult, McCorkle completes her job with a positive demeanor.
Some may see McCorkle as just another staff member. It’s invisible to the blind eye that she has been a school counselor for just over 14 years, finding her job the most enjoyable and important thing to her after her two kids.
“I love working with kids. It’s never boring, and you all bring something new to the table every day. Are there things I would change about it? Yes, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” stated McCorkle.
McCorkle plans on being a JHS counselor until retirement.
“I genuinely want to help every student who comes through my door and help change their life for the better.”
McCorkle’s father was in education as well. She also took the counselor career path.
“Now more than ever, a lot is going on with family, school, and teachers, and it’s important for everyone to have their safe space,” said McCorkle.
Her students appreciate her dedication.
“She always makes my day better,” said junior Brooklynn Weston. ”No matter what the topic is, she always knows what to say.”
McCorkle is always trying to gain students’ trust and give them a safe space. She genuinely values her job, and helping students with their next big step is a priority to her.
“I love helping students figure out what path they want to take when they get out of high school. The person they are changes so much between 14 and 17, and I love being able to be there every step of the way.”
Science teacher Francesca Hernandez works to make biology meaningful and fun for her students by connecting what they learn in her classroom to the outside world.
“I think science is important, and if I can help others to understand the world around them more, then that’s a win in my book,” said Hernandez.
Her interest in biology started when she was in high school and had a teacher who made learning fun for her.
“I loved biology in high school. I had a fun teacher who took us on a bunch of field trips, and I wanted to be just like her. Shout out Ms. Lyvers,” said Hernandez.
Because of her own experiences as a student, Hernandez believes students should be able to learn science in ways they can remember.
“I’m a hands-on person. If I hear something, I forget it; I try to make sure my lessons have some level of hands-on work so that it sticks in their brains.”
Science and biology teacher Francesca Hernandez helps a student on a map for the class assignment on Thursday. “I’ve been teaching for six years and I love getting everyone interested and involved in their environment and natural world,” she said. Photo by Kayleen Alvarado.
Her teaching also focuses on helping students understand the environment around them and their responsibility toward it.
“The hardest part is getting students to understand that everything is relative; every action we make influences our world in some way. It’s up to us to choose how we handle that responsibility.”
Her students learn this sense of responsibility during her lessons
“She makes biology interesting by applying some of the real-world experiences to the science she teaches,” said freshman Akiya Flynn. “She breaks down the topic and puts it into more understandable terms for her students.”
“I describe her teaching as she shows everything on her board and helps us understand things we need more help with by shortening it into easier forms for us to understand,” said freshman Rhaya Nord.
Environmental science is especially important to Hernandez because she believes students can better appreciate the world when they understand it
“People can’t care for the world if they don’t understand it, and they can’t understand it if they don’t know it exists.”
Hernandez also enjoys having a new classroom this year where she has more room to teach through activities and labs.
“I love my new classroom. I have windows, and I also have more space to do more labs.”
Hernandez wants her students to see that biology is more than just a class they have to take at school.
“I want the readers to pay attention to their science classes because I promise it applies to them in some way.”
Chemistry teacher James Huffman walks behind his desk, capturing everyone’s attention with his voice. He flips through the slides on the board until he stops at a conversion equation; the students focus on him, waiting expectantly for him to demonstrate how to convert the units.
For Huffman, problems like these are more than just a chemistry lesson. He enjoys working through problems himself, but he also enjoys helping others find their way through difficult questions.
“Yeah! I like solving problems, and I like to help other people solve problems, specifically in chemistry but life in general,” Huffman said.
His approach to problem-solving is something his students notice in the classroom. Rather than just giving students an answer, he encourages them to understand how to arrive at it step by step.
“He taught us to remember formulas and learn how to do problems by putting them into steps,” junior Danna Lopez, a former student, stated.
Junior Rachel Santos also remarked that Huffman encourages students to approach difficult problems in different ways, especially when working with stoichiometry or other smaller subjects where they can’t seem to grasp the idea.
“He taught us to break down problems and try different methods, especially with stoichiometry,” Santos said.
Being a teacher isn’t what he always wanted; it wasn’t his first goal. Being an engineer was his first goal, but he wanted his life to revolve around helping people, no matter the problem.
“I would probably be an engineer. That was my first goal as a student, or I would be going the exact opposite, like I do now and be a social worker, like helping people with their problems, like life, versus solving problems as an engineer, which you know is much different.”
Graphic by Zihan Lin.
Although engineering was once Huffman’s goal, his interest in chemistry led him towards working with chemicals rather than engines. His experiences in his chemistry class, particularly the hands-on labs, helped him realize what he enjoyed most about the subject.
“Had an awesome teacher; I loved the labs. I loved being able to prove something with chemicals. I wasn’t as much—I don’t like to work on engines. I like to work with individual chemicals. I found that out from my chemistry teacher from high school,” he said.
His high school teacher not only helped shape his interest in chemistry, but also influenced the way he approaches teaching with his own students.
“I would say mostly due to the awesome teachers I had as a student. I had some really good teachers, and because of those good teachers. I want to do the same thing as they did.”
In Huffman’s classroom, every problem has a solution—and sometimes, the solution is simply to keep trying.
New art teacher Hayleigh Gnagie instructs her fourth-hour class on shading and showing value in their artwork.
She has been making art her whole life and has always wanted to teach and help other students express their creativity and emotions through art.
“Yes, art is something I have been passionate about since elementary school, and I want to share it with everyone else,” said Gnagie.
Because of Gnagie’s strong passion for art, she intends to share it with her students.
For example, junior William Ponsford shared what he has learned in art because of Gnagie, specifically, “how shading and hue can give art more depth perception and detail.”
Gnagie’s background includes experience with children of various age groups.
She substitute taught for several months, including for GCCS at Jonathan Jennings and Charlestown Elementary before working at Franklin Square Elementary as a specialist. Now she teaches at JHS.
“Elementary kids don’t know how to handle their feelings as well as high school kids know how to communicate their feelings well and show if they don’t understand the assignment and how I can help them understand it more,” she stated.
“By passing down art to future generations, we help ensure the human creativity, history, and ability to imagine a better world are preserved and celebrated.”
Art Teacher Hayleigh Gnagie
Gnagie also had influences growing up who helped her pursue her career and motivated her to pursue art.
“My high school art teacher made me see that I can pursue my career.”
Her students have also had a positive impact on her life.
“They make my day better by showing me different perspectives of life,” she said.
However, Gnagie has also had an influence on her student artists.
Junior Danna Lopez, an artist in Gnagie’s fourth-hour class, appreciates “the way she explains techniques, like how to grab a pencil correctly for shading.”
Art is not just a subject in school; it is a way to express and understand the world. It allows people to share their feelings, ideas, and experiences without always needing words. It can bring people together, tell stories, show different cultures, and inspire others. Gnagie said makes art more than just drawing or painting — it is a way of communicating and connecting with others.
“It’s the easiest way to express yourself without talking; also, you can use color to express your emotion,” she stated.
Since Gnagie is new this year, students shared their first impressions and what they think of her as a teacher.
“The energy I got when I first met her was that she was going to be a very creative and calm teacher,” said Ponsford.
Lopez added, “She seemed outgoing and chill.”
Gnagie feels that art is dying, so she wants to teach it to the youth so it does not.
“By passing down art to future generations, we help ensure the human creativity, history, and ability to imagine a better world are preserved and celebrated.”
Gnagie has been creating art her entire life and hopes to inspire future generations on how important art is.
“If I could give young artists one piece of advice, I would say each artist’s journey is unique – embrace yours and keep growing.”
Nursing assistant Frank Marshall has dedicated much of his life to helping other people. Even though he is already retired, Marshall continues to work as an assistant nurse at JHS.
Marshall decided to continue working because he enjoys helping people and building connections.
“Since I started to work with JHS, I really started to have good connections with students and staff here. I just really enjoy working here,” he said.
He said being a nursing assistant is more than taking care of someone’s physical needs — it’s about listening to people, understanding them, and making them feel comfortable when they need help.
“Listening to students more and actually listening to them makes a small difference in how you can help them,” he said.
Working at JHS allows Marshall to interact with many different students every day. Sometimes students come to the nurse’s office because they are sick, injured, or simply not feeling their best.
“I like being able to connect with students and help them, whether they’re sick, hurt, or just having a bad day,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s friendly attitude is one quality that makes students feel less nervous while visiting the nurse.
“Marshall helped me feel more comfortable speaking up and not being afraid to say what I’m thinking,” said freshman Noah Sparks.
Even though Marshall is retired, he does not see his job as something he has to do. Instead, he sees it as something he enjoys doing. He likes having a reason to get up and come to work, and he appreciates being able to stay involved in his community.
“I enjoy coming to school every day. It gives me a reason to get up, stay involved, and continue helping people,” said Marshall.
Nurse Frank Marshall. Photo by Eva Harbeson.
His experience as a nurse assistant also allows him to help students and staff in ways that come from years of working with people.
RN Julie Simones said that Marshall’s presence and work have added to the health office this year.
“He is amazing. I’m very happy to have him as part of our nurses’ staff here at Jeff. He is really good at what he does. He has been great from the beginning,” said Simones.
His dedication has not gone unnoticed, especially by those who work alongside him in the health office.
“He is very respectful. He always knows how to help me when I need it the most. He is very, very honest as well. He is a very good nurse, he belongs here,” said junior Harper Ward.
For many students, Marshall is more than just a member of the nursing staff; he is someone they know they can count on.
“He was very good at helping me whenever I was in pain. He was calm but very patient with me. Frank has always been there for the Football team at all times. He puts his needs aside for his students. He’s amazing,” said Senior Ke’Mari Smith.
Marshall’s passion for nursing is also something he shares with his wife, giving them something special in common.
“My wife is also a nurse, so we bond over being nurses,” he said.
Their careers give them something they can talk about and understand together. Marshall said, “We understand each other. We can talk about our experiences, share stories, and support each other.”
Having a wife who is also a nurse has helped Marshall appreciate his career even more. He said nursing can be challenging, but having someone at home who understands the job can make those challenges easier.
“My wife understands what it’s like to be in nursing, so when I have a tough day, she knows what I’m going through. We can relate to each other and help each other through it,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s decision to keep working after retirement shows how much he cares about helping others. He could have chosen to spend his retirement doing something completely different, but instead he decided to continue working with people.
“I enjoy helping students so they can become better and get help quickly,” he said.
The classroom is filled with conversations about strategy, business, and the future as business teacher Laura Solomon pushes her students to think beyond the walls of JHS.
For Solomon, teaching is more than simply giving students information. Her goal is to show them how what they learn in class can be applied to their futures.
“I have a passion for what I’m trying to teach, and I hope that my students can see that passion,” said Solomon. “I can connect these topics to the real world, and I hope that helps you guys understand what we’re doing.”
Solomon teaches marketing fundamentals, strategic marketing, and finance and investments, as well as classes and programs connected to the Centra Credit Union and the Devil’s Den. Through these courses, she gives students opportunities to explore the business world while developing skills they can use after high school.
Her connection to JHS is also an important part of why she enjoys teaching.
“I think I have a pretty decent relationship with Jeff as a whole.” she said. “There is a community here because you can see students’ desire to be a Red Devil and what that means to them.”
Solomon said JHS gives students opportunities, especially through programs such as the academy system.
“This school gives you a foundation and helps you build on your future,” she said.
Business teacher Laura Solomon plans what to provide in the Devil’s Den with her finance and investment class. Photo by Isaiah Guzman.
Inside the classroom, Solomon describes herself as straightforward. She sets high expectations for her students but tries to make sure those expectations remain achievable.
“I try to set high expectations so the students are pushing themselves to be better, but not so high that they can’t do it and feel defeated,” she said. “I feel as if students don’t have enough expectations for themselves.”
She also holds her students to the same standards she would hold her own children to.
“I wouldn’t expect anything out of them that I don’t expect out of my own children,” said Solomon.
Junior Braelynn Leavell experiences those expectations firsthand. She said the class challenges her while preparing her for the future.
“It teaches me a lot about strategy and how I can apply these skills in the future,” Leavell said. “I feel as if this class is preparing me for the future.”
Leavell chose the class because she believes the skills she learns can help her achieve her goals in the real world.
“I feel like this class would help me build my business and improve my skills in the business world,” she said.
The challenging environment is something Leavell appreciates.
“I have high confidence and expectations for myself, and this class helps me challenge that,” she said. “My brain is always running in this class.”
For Solomon, keeping students engaged starts with helping them understand why the information matters.
“I think engagement is increased when the students can see the relevance in what they’re learning and why they’re learning it,” she said. “I show how these things can be helpful in the real world.”
Senior Darryl Cordova, another student in Solomon’s class, said that connection to the business world is one of the reasons he enjoys being there.
“I like this class,” Cordova said. “This is where I go to focus on the business world.”
Like Leavell, Cordova chose the class because of how he believes it will help him after graduation.
“I want a good-paying job in the future, and I think this class prepares you for that and more,” he said.
While the work can be challenging, Cordova said the class gives students opportunities to actively interact with what they are learning.
“I’m pretty confident in this class,” Cordova said. “I feel like the work isn’t stressful when you actually get to interact in a class.”
However, Solomon’s impact reaches beyond marketing and business. Both students described lessons they have learned from her that go beyond the curriculum.
“Mrs. Solomon has taught me that the real-life world isn’t scary,” Leavell said. “You just have to be willing and open-minded to it.”
Cordova said Solomon has helped him think differently about his own future and the effort he puts into achieving his goals.
“She taught me that I can either do the bare minimum for credit or do the most for my future,” he said.
Students also believe Solomon’s honesty is what separates her from other teachers. Leavell described her as realistic and willing to listen to different perspectives.
“Mrs. Solomon is real,” Leavell said. “She’s realistic. She’s able to take all opinions into consideration, and she makes points on all sides.”
Cordova shared a similar perspective.
“Mrs. Solomon is a great teacher, and she’s willing to be honest and real and raw,” he said.
Solomon’s honesty and high expectations come from her desire to help students become successful. Even when she disagrees or “bumps heads” with a student, she continues trying to build a relationship with them.
“I like being around you guys,” Solomon said. “The students I even bump heads with, I try to build relationships with and reach them. Sometimes I can’t, but I don’t stop trying.”
Before returning to education, Solomon worked in the business world. However, she eventually chose to come back to teaching because mentoring students was what she truly enjoyed.
“I left the business world to come back to teaching because this is what I enjoy,” she said. “I enjoy being a mentor and hearing from my students after they’ve graduated so I can see how they’re using my class in life after school.”
For Solomon, the lessons taught in her classroom are meant to last far beyond a grade or graduation. Through real-world experiences, high expectations and honesty, she hopes her students leave her classroom prepared not only for the business world, but for whatever future they choose to build.
Senior boys’ tennis player Camden White gets out of his car while grabbing his supplies for the first tennis match of the season. As he grabs his racket and water, he waves over to his friends that are calling him over. He realizes that this is going to be the first match to start off his last year playing tennis.
“I think after my full four years I am just done with the sport. It takes a lot of time and I want to be able to focus on my education more,” said White.
Even though White will not continue playing tennis after high school, he still has his senior year to play.
“I am most excited for overnight tournaments, because it is good team bonding and the tournaments are very competitive, so it makes them a lot of fun.”
However to White, tennis is more than about fun times.
“Although tennis is a team sport it comes down to you individually and how you win and how you play reflects on the whole team. You have to rely on yourself mentally to handle the situations.”
He’s been handling these situations since his freshman year when he started playing and has continued to rely on his mentality during tough times of the sport.
A teammate of White’s, senior KJ Westbay, said, “Camden brings good energy every day and is always positive, like always brings my attitude up when I’m feeling down.”
This shows not just how good of a tennis player White is, but a contribution to the JHS tennis team. Even with all of White’s tennis practices throughout the week he tries to make some time in his free time or hanging out with his friends. During these times, White will play pickleball with friends, and loves to golf. Though his schedule may be very busy, White loves the sport and has grown from when he started playing.
“Camden is a good leader; he’s a good leader of the sportsmanship we want to see on the team and he’s a good leader on the off season. Like I mentioned earlier he puts a lot of time in the offseason working on his game, it is a good example to the underclassmen,” said assistant coach Emma Ellis.
White has loved playing tennis for his high school career and even though he won’t be playing when he goes to college, he will always remember the skills and mindsets that the sport has given him.
“People can learn how to handle their emotions more because it puts you under a lot of pressure by yourself and it shows how you handle certain situations.”
2026 Lilly Endowment Scholarship winner, senior Lizty Rubio, is a significant part of JHS and her community beyond Jeff. She is an active member of the swim team, the Anchor Club, the National Honor Society, and represents the school as a student ambassador.
“Litzy is a compassionate, strong, and dependable person. Because she’s in such high classes and she works for so much of what she has, and her leadership positions just show how dependable she can be, and for each of those, she has to be very compassionate,” stated junior Macyn Jackson.
Rubio is known as a leader in everything she does. In her junior year, she served as the co-president of the Student Council, along with representing the Senior Class as vice president this year.
“I feel like being involved in the school allows me to be better prepared for my future. I used to be shy and kept to myself, but my sports and clubs have allowed me to expand on everything,” explained Rubio.
Senior Litzy Rubio displays leadership and friendship in a number of JHS activities, including the swim team. Submitted photo.
Being a student-athlete can make or break a person. They have to have a strong will and determination to succeed, along with balancing the aspects of school, sports, and life in general. But it can also lead to so much more than just medals and trophies.
“Some of my best memories and friendships have come alongside the sports I have done,” said Rubio. “The people are like a second family to me; we wake up early in the morning for practice and leave late at night from meets. I am with them all the time, even during the holidays.”
These friendships could last a lifetime.
“Litzy truly is someone I look up to. She sets an example for everyone, showing that if you really want to do something, you can,” senior Mari Bush explained.
Rubio plans to potentially attend Purdue University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and possibly earn her master’s degree in architecture to become an architectural engineer.
