To fundraise for her mission trip Ball is selling threads of hope bracelets. The cards some of the bracelets come on were made by Balls friend, Olivia Ruckriegel. Photo by Sophie Ball.

While other seniors were applying for colleges, Sophie Ball was applying for a nine month mission trip around the world through The World Race. The World Race is a Christian based organization that connects college age students with mission trips around the world. “I had it in the back of my mind since my sophomore year of high school,” said Ball, “but I officially decided this would be the path for me after an experience I had working at a YoungLife camp over  the summer.” On the trip, Ball will be traveling to eSwatini, India, Nepal, and Guatemala to participate in different service activities. In eSwatini Ball will be working with children in schools and churches; in India educating women, and in Guatemala there will be different opportunities.

During her nine month trip, Ball will not be able to come home unless there are severe circumstances. “My parents are a little bit nervous about me being gone. But my parents understand that this is what I want. My mom was a foreign exchange student in high school so she understand the need to explore,” said Ball.

While traveling, Ball will be uploading her blog as a way to keep family, friends, and donors updated on her life. Her blog can be found at www.sophieball.theworldrace.org.

To fundraise for the trip, Ball has been selling bracelets called Threads of Hope for $2, $4, and $6. Ball is also asking for people to partner with her financially to fund her trip, or you can visit her blog and click the donate link to make a tax deductible donation.

Although Ball is taking a gap year, she can still get college credit through The World Race program. “I won’t even be that far behind,” said Ball. After the end of her mission trip Ball will study special education at an undecided university.

Featured image provided by Meghan Premuda photography.

Photo by Jaime Diaz

The Spanish club took their annual trip to Chicago, Illinois on the 19th and 20th of April. This trip was planned by Spanish teachers, Megan Johnson and Gina Schuetter. “The students had a great trip to Chicago. They were a wonderful group. They were able to experience some of Chicago’s main attractions, authentic Spanish and Mexican cuisine, language, and culture in the big city,” said Johnson. Schuetter and Johnson made sure that students learned more about Spanish and Mexican culture. They attended the National Museum of Mexican Art as well as The Field Museum, which included displays noting the history of the Ancient Americas. “There are other relevant cities that hold a rich Latin-American US History, but Chicago is the closest. Perhaps we can make it to another destination in the future, like San Antonio or St. Augustine. . . who knows” stated Johnson. The club members were also able to visit a historically settled neighborhood, called Pilsen Village. It became a Spanish speaking neighborhood after the migration of many Mexican Americans. Being able to take educational but fun trips such as these is creating more interest in clubs around our school.

Featured image provided by Jaime Diaz.

Senior Sarah Monesmith warms up with her fellow teammates at the Jasper High School tennis court before a match. Both Junior Varsity and Varsity played against Bonneville that afternoon.

On Sunday, April 29th, Jasper High School senior Sarah Monesmith and junior Amelia Kiefer got invited to Indianapolis for the IndyStar Sports Award. Sarah Monesmith was honored for her achievements in tennis and Amelia Kiefer for bowling. The awards ceremony honored hundreds of high school athletes across Indiana with 28 awards for specific sports, such as the male and female athletes of the year. These were all for students of the 2017-2018 school year. The keynote speaker of the event was the former Colts receiver Reggie Wayne.

Picture of Mel Kiefer provided by Robert McCarty photography.

Monesmith received two complimentary tickets: one for her and one for a guest of her choice. Kiefer was offered the same thing, and she has been bowling since 6th grade, since she was three years old. She was named a finalist for Girls Bowling.

Kiefer did not attend the event due to a bowling tournament. She was wishing to go, but due to being a finalist, the game had to be played as a top priority.

The tennis nominees were all recognized, but the winner will not be announced until July when the sport is over, as this is the same with all spring sports. Both the tennis player and the bowler claimed that they were very happy to be nominated. Kiefer claimed that she has been nominated for bowler of the week two times of her three years playing at Jasper. Kiefer claimed, “I feel like I had a really good season this year and it felt good to be commended for that. I am also good friends with Kennedy Craig, the recipient of this years IndyStar High School Bowler of the Year, and I could not be happier for her and the year that she had!” Kiefer is planing to further her bowling career at the collegiate level for a NCAA DI or DII school. Both Kiefer and Monesmith were happy to be nominated for this award and appreciated everything that had happened.

Every image that is featured on the blog has been taken by Caroline. This blog is a way for Millie, as well as Caroline to express themselves through things they are passionate about. “Fashion has always been a huge part of who I am and I am definitely going to pursue a career in this industry. I don’t know where it will take me, but that is the beauty of fashion,” expressed Prechtel.

“Do your thing. Don’t waste your time concerned with what other people think about you. Be secure with yourself and know that you are good enough,” shared Barry.

Forty high school seniors from throughout Indiana came together April 27, at the Indiana Academic All-Stars (a program of the Indiana Association of School Principals) luncheon in Indianapolis to be honored for their academic achievements. Amongst these forty students, was senior class president, Jacob Barry.

Barry was selected from a field of 266 outstanding nominees from the state’s private and public accredited schools. Academic All-Star recognizes seniors who excel in the classroom first, but who are also actively involved in their schools and communities, and take on leadership roles in those activities. Though many think the Indiana Academic All-Star is a scholarship, it actually isn’t. It’s more about the recognition. 

“I’ve gotten scholarship letters from colleges who heard about this [academic all-star],” stated Barry. Learn more about the Indiana Academic All-Star at http://www.iasp.org/dsp/allstars/.

In addition to being student council’s senior class president, Barry is also part of the speech and debate team, student council, ping pong club, and four out of the five bands sponsored at our school (marching, jazz, pep, and symphonic).

“It [student council] has been fun because I get to interact with all kids of cool people who learn how to lead, make executive decision, etc,” explained Barry.

Barry will be continuing his education at Purdue University this fall. At Purdue he will be studying actuarial science and building his love for music.

Noodles, rice and chicken from their appetizing meal.

Glenn Beuchlien set up a new way to let students and staff associate and get to know one another a little more. For the first time this year, using a randomizer, three students from each grade level, along with four of the staff, were selected. Kyla Beier, culinary and child development teacher, had her third period culinary class make all the food for the bunch. The food included fried rice, egg rolls, noodles, chicken, and fruit pastries. This program to get the campus closer in subjects other than school was hosted by Beier in room 513 Thursday. Brian Wilson, Joe Shelton, Dr. Traci Lori, Zoe Biggs, Kayla Fuhs, Gabby Eck, Lexi Korn, Luke Hopf, Judy Hubster, Katie Wininger, Deb Schum, Tisha Peraza, Cole Taber, Jade Gress, and Grant Sanders all were chosen and sat around a table. It started off with stating names and some facts about themselves. The group shared lots of humorous and personal stories. They also talked about future plans, as well as plans staff had made back then. The staff politely let the students go first when getting their buffet of food. Everyone’s nervous giggles changed into heartfelt connections.After everyone had their fill, the chatting kept on going across the table. The conversations went on about Netflix TV shows that everyone suggested, recent movies that they have watched with their ratings on it, popular issues on the news, current sports and their favorite team’s scores along with the best players. Shelton got a ton of recommendations, he even admitted that he binge watches on Netflix shows all the time. There was times where people grouped off and talked only to people around them and then they would all join back together as one conversation that everyone was in. The circle ended their meal with fortune cookies, and shortly after they got sweet mints.

Wilson asked the students if there were any suggestions to make the meet up better. He suggested himself that next time they should use name tags, not only on shirts, but to put people in a certain order, rather than choosing who to sit by. Shelton commented on the way people sat closer to their peers, rather than the staff. “You guys migrated to your comfort zone”, he joked to Lexi, Tisha, and Jade. Tisha and Jade admitted they sat next to each other only because they were friends with each other out of the group.

Everyone agreed that this eventful meal was exciting. They all learned something from one another after this experience. “It wasn’t as terrible as I thought it was going to be, just a bit awkward at first.” Katie confessed.

Senior Ashley Whitsitt (L) and junior Olivia Hedinger performed a duet together during the production of Freckleface Strawberry April 22. “It took a new level of dedication because of how many more lines and songs I had,” says Whitsitt, who is used to being part of the supporting cast. “Everyone was so supportive and it made the process easier and fun.”

Theatre students took the stage April 22nd for their production of “Freckleface Strawberry”. A musical about embracing each other for our differences and loving ourselves the way we are, “Freckleface Strawberry”

was a student run musical by seniors Emma Grow (director), Morgan Decker (music director), and Kiara Abelar (choreographer).

“It was a lot of fun working with everyone, but it was challenging for me to transition from the competitive dancing I do to the theatrical dance,” expressed Abelar, whose been competitively dancing for five years. “Overall, I was amazed and proud of how the whole production turned out.”

Grow has been in theatre since middle school and has starred in many musicals since. She plans to continue her love of theatre in college, pursuing a career in musical theatre.

The musical starred senior Ashleigh Kleiman, junior Kylie Krempp, and freshmen Lydia Grow, Ethan Fritch, and Amos Buschkoetter, as well as senior Ashley Whitsitt, who took the main lead as Strawberry.

“In the past, the most I’ve had was a supporting role, so experiencing a new side to performing as a lot of fun,” enthused Whitsitt. “I learned a lot through the process, and I’m grateful for the experience.”

Claudia Hernandez, junior, holds her “#enough” sign up during the walkout. Although she was never asked to speak during the walkout, Hernandez spoke about what the walkout meant. “I’m really glad that she took charge,” said Wiseman. 

On the 19 anniversary of the Columbine shooting, students participated in a walkout to protest for common sense gun laws. The walkout lasted 17 minutes in honor of the 17 students who were killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Students were unable to join the national walkout on March 14, the one month anniversary of the Parkland shooting, because of a previously scheduled eLearning day.

The walkout was organized by junior Sydni Wiseman through her Instagram account @jhsgunviolencewalkout. Through the account Wiseman gave updates on where to meet, what to wear, and how students could participate.  “I’m like not very social in real life, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me to get my voice heard without actually having to speak to people,” said Wiseman, “I was scared of getting hate for it, I was scared that it would be a complete fail.” Andrew head, sophomore, helped Wiseman with her account, and Tara Eckman, a leader of One Dubois County, offered to help Wiseman make signs.

Leading up to the walkout Principal Brian Wilson sent out school wide emails notifying students of additional security measures that will be enforced at the school. The new measures include: regular drills, a second social worker, opaque LGI windows, increased entry supervision, an addition of a bullet proof film on the windows at the front entrance, and remodeling the main entrance to lead directly into the main office. A new section will also be amended in the student code of conduct for the 2018/2019 school year. This section will outline the Right of Expression for students who wish to propose future protests.

Photos by Emily Huddleston.

Jasper’s dream team put their preparation and skills together to try their best during the competition. “I think we’re going to win,” comments Senior Justin Persohn.

April 13, 2018 marked a special moment in history for the culinary program as they hosted the first ever Dubois-Pike Chopped competition. “I thought ‘let’s get the schools together like a sports team,'” said Kyla Beier, the culinary teacher. Beier had

Pike Central’s team works hard to get their bread toasted and sausage cooked. “It was good, stressful, but it worked out in the end,” commented Pike Senior Taylor Deffendoll.

been planning for months.

The teams consisted of Pike Central, Southridge, Forest Park, and Jasper. Jasper’s team was voted on by the students. Team members were seniors Shelby Roach, Dustin Bayer, Adi Welp, Caden Dugan, Justin Persohn, and Olivia Yarbrough. Originally Rachel Fleck was on the team, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it, so Yarbrough stepped in. The team designed their own aprons for the event. An apron they all signed also hung in their purple kitchen.

Before the competition, there was tons of stress as the teams prepared themselves for the revealing of the secret ingredients. Every team had to look around their kitchens to find out where everything was. Jasper, having the home advantage, had the least amount of stress with the kitchen, but a lot when it came to them wishing to prove themselves in the competition. “As a disadvantage, I gave them the purple kitchen because it has a broken sink, so they had to go to yellow kitchen to wash their dishes,” added Beier, trying to keep things as even as possible. That wasn’t the only stressing moment. Mr. Elrod live streamed the entire event throughout the school. “It felt scary on the live,” claimed Southridge student, Nora Reyes. “I’m just nervous” added Cole Oeding, from Forest Park.

The secret ingredients were finally revealed to be pineapple, avocado, and sausage. Students rushed to begin cooking as they went from cupboard to kitchen for all they needed. “We’re working together

Senior Dustin Bayer hurriedly scrambled to get their dish plates on to the Judges table with the help of his team.

with no phone for a recipe,” said Pike freshman, Charlotte Dudenhoeffer. The Jasper students worked together with the rest of the teams doing the same. Everyone was hard at work cooking within the given time crunch desperate to finish on time.

As time closed in with less than five minutes on the clock, students placed their plates onto the judges table, with Jasper placing their plate last minute. The judges, Chef Brian Mendenhall from Sullivan University; Shirly Messmer, former JMS FACS teacher; and Mason Herzog, former JHS ’16 Grad and

’18 Sullivan Grad looked upon the food to begin judging them based on not only looks, but taste and preparation as well. ” All the dishes looked amazing,” said Herzog, gazing upon the dishes in front of him. “I liked Forest Park’s food,” commented Chef Brian as he judged the dishes. “The crunch was a shocker,” added Messmer. As the judges finished up, the students went to clean up their kitchens before the final verdict was announced.

Soon, the judges were ready to say their final comments. Herzog took the giant Chopped Butterknife and stood by the school ribbons. One-by-one, teams were eliminated. In the end Jasper’s ribbon was left, making them the first Dubois-Pike Chopped champions. “I think we did a good job working together,” exclaimed Adi Welp. Beier hopes to have more years of competition with winners from all over.

The students, supervised by Mrs. Bell, a Spanish teacher, and Mrs. Luebbehusen, the theater teacher, cleaned up the entrance to the school all the way down through the cafeteria. They took down curtains, folded cloths, stripped decorations from the walls, swept the floor in the cafeteria, put lunch tables back, removed cardboard cutouts for the students, and just generally cleaned the entire area until it was spotless.

The students who attended the cleaning received ten bonus points in their English class for helping out during their weekend. Overall, the students all finished cleaning on time and you could barley tell there was anything going on in the school by Monday morning. The students had a great time hanging out with their friends and helping out the school and the Jasper High School students and staff.