Red & Black
HAPPY HOLI-Jays
What are YOU ICE BREAKER with the Red & Black members... thankful for? My family, friends, pets, and Mrs. Nichols!
My family, my friends, and my pets. My friends, family, and food.
My family, my friends, my cat, my dogs, and my chickens. Food! My friends and family who always encourage and love me. BEANS, RICE, JESUS CHRIST, AND Byron! My family and friends and of course my cat Callie Sprinkles.
Calendar Events
Veteran's Day Did you know that many of our very own JCHS staff have served in the military? Chris Gosche and Steve Walker have served in the Air Force. Nathan Buschman has served in the Marines. Ann Price, Jim Bohannan, Christina DuBois, Charlie Ledgerwood, Madison Washington, and Christopher Herriman have served in the Army. Jessie Hubbs and Kellie Hoots have served in the Naional Guard. Thank you to JCHS' veterans and all veterans for your service to our country and protection of our freedom.
Little Shop of HorrorS JCHS Drama performed the 1986 musical: Little Shop of Horrors. Shows were from November 2-5 at the Miller Center. Take a look at some moments Meyer and from their great musical! By: Kyra Chloe Cash JC's Drama/French students pose with their teacher, Mrs. Sponsol
Left to Right: Jameer Isom, Addison Kaullen, Makailyn Mantle, Eden Whiting, Kyra Meyer Bottom: Foster Dunlap Left to right top: Gaby Green, Renee Berkey, Rylee Irwin, Eden Whiting, Jacob Odell, Harrison Lane Bottom: Kyra Meyer, Mrs. Sponsel, India Lengyel
"[My favorite memory is] probably seeing everything come together...seeing it start from being such a small thing...to it being this big production with the multiple different plants and all the costume changes and all that's been really cool!" -Senior Gaby Green, Street Urchin Left to Right: Renee Berkey, Olivia Walters, Rylee Irwin, Allie Meister, Ava Kersten
Gabrielle Wittenberger, the Director, explained how talented each actor was. "I've seen some incredible growth from kids that have never even been on stage before and have blown the audience's socks off." Mrs. Wittenberger goes on to name students such as Jacob Odell, Miles Sweazea, and Rylee Irwin.
Seymour (Townes Baker) and Audrey (Rylee Irwin) share a touching moment in front of Audrey II (Miles Sweazea).
Food Reviews: Thanksgiving Edition By critically acclaimed eater Zack Shoki
Turkey: A meat amiss
While I know turkey holds a special place in many of your hearts, I feel it must be stated that turkey may not be the ideal meat for your thanksgiving dinner. While a turkey's flavor may be delicious and appetizing, the texture and mouthfeel of the meat can easily be off-putting in most chef's renditions. I urge each of you readers to branch out and experiment with different meats, from ham to rotisserie chicken, and find whichever meat resonates best with you. Do not feel constrained to the social norms and traditions that surround our society, rather, prioritize your taste buds, and choose a moister, more tender meat.
Macaroni & Cheese: The model side
Macaroni & Cheese is a culinary masterpiece. This dish, when prepared by an accomplished chef, can be the most dopamine-activating, toe-curling, finger-licking good dish on your thanksgiving plate. Be sure to use quality cheeses in your dish, as I have had my best experience with aged gouda and sharp cheddar. As for pasta, go for a cavatappi noodle shape to secure the most cheese sauce on each noodle. I recommend a baked macaroni and cheese for your next thanksgiving endeavor, finished with a sprinkle of Panko breadcrumbs. This adds the appropriate crunch needed to offset the smooth, creamy cheese sauce.
Green Bean Casserole: Just eat a vegetable
I often find myself staring into the greasy, cheesy pile of fried onions and green beans and think to myself, "I wish I was eating normal green beans." This dish is somehow a recurring favorite in my household and I always fail to see the appeal. The mushy texture of the green beans accompanied by the savory, creamy soup base do not align with my palette, and while I acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, this dish is just not for me. I can see, however, the vision of having a clean, refreshing vegetable dish contrasting the other meaty or oily dishes on a thanksgiving platter. I have yet to find this dish.
Mashed Potatoes: Amazing if done right
Thanksgiving isn't thanksgiving without a potato dish, and my dish of choice is the classic mashed potatoes. The flavor profile of good mashed potatoes should be savory yet smooth while still chunky, and the addition of chives to enhance taste is always welcome. Mashed potatoes can also act as a partner with other dishes on thanksgiving plates, collaborating with the meat of choice for a perfect bite. I would like to also include a development I have seen recently on food social medias: mashed sweet potatoes. I believe this idea has lots of potential not to replace mashed potatoes but to act side by side with mashed potatoes, adding additional layers to the flavors of your thanksgiving plate.
Pumpkin Pie: The desert we deserve
A chilled slice of pumpkin pie with a heaping dollop of whipped cream slapped on the top rounds out my thanksgiving meal on a very sweet note. What truly makes a thanksgiving meal, however, are relationships you have with the people around you. Sit down with those you love most and enjoy a classic meal with them, whether that means pumpkin pie or pecan, and appreciate all that you have to be thankful for. Happy Holi-jays!
Turkey Pardon By Kyra Meyer
The turkey pardon is a cherished and light-hearted tradition in the United States, typically observed on Thanksgiving Day. Originating from a long-standing custom, the presidential turkey pardon involves the President of the United States sparing the life of a specially chosen turkey that would otherwise end up on someone's dinner table. The event is marked by a ceremony in which the President playfully "pardons" the turkey, granting it a reprieve from the Thanksgiving feast. This whimsical practice has become a symbol of presidential goodwill and has captured the public's imagination, with the pardoned turkeys often retiring to live out the rest of their days in comfort at farms or facilities dedicated to their well-being. The turkey pardon serves as a lighthearted and festive moment during the holiday season, blending humor with the more serious aspects of Thanksgiving.
Flag of the Month By Zack Shoki
The Indian flag, also called the Tiranga, is a symbol of India's history, diversity and aspirations. It was officially adopted on July 22, 1947. It consists of three stripes of equal width. The top stripe is saffron, in color representing bravery and sacrifice. The middle stripe is white, symbolizing truth and peace. The bottom stripe is green, which signifies faith, fertility and valor. In the center of the white stripe lies a navy blue Ashoka Chakra, a wheel with 24 spokes that represents law and duty (dharma) while echoing India's commitment to progress and justice. This tricolor flag reflects the unity among India's cultures, religions and languages by embodying inclusiveness and harmony, qualities that define India.
Holiday Highlight: Diwali Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a widely celebrated Hindu festival in India and around the world. It lasts for five days, and it marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil in the Hindu religion. Families and communities decorate homes with oil lamps and colorful decorations, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. People exchange gifts, share festive meals, and light firecrackers to ward off negativity. Diwali emphasizes values of unity, compassion, and the pursuit of righteousness, and is a time for joy, reflection, and strengthening bonds with loved ones. This year, Diwali started on November 12.
capitol caroling
Capitol Caroling is held at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda and has a mixture of classic Christmas music pieces performed by Jefferson City's High School Band, Choir, and Orchestra.
This years performance is on 12/12/23 at 7:00 pm
living windows
Living Windows is a Jefferson City Christmas Tradition that has marked the beginning of the Holiday Season for JC since 1988. Join the festivities in Downtown JC on December 1st at 6pm to take a look at the singers, dancers, performers, and decorations in business windows.
Top with 10your Christmas editors... Chloe
Ashlynn
Song Last Christmas by Wham! The Princess Switch
Candy Cane/ Peppermint
Movie
Christmas Waltz by Frank Sinatra Santa Clause
Scent Sugar Cookie
Reindeer Cupid
Apple Pie
Donner
Food
Biscuts and Gravy on Christmas Morning
Top with 10your Christmas editors... Chloe
Ashlynn
Gift A Pony!
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Surprise Family Vacation
Monster High Doll House
Drink Eggnog
Memory Decorating the Tree
Ornament Hello Kitty
Turtle Family
Activity Sledding
Building Snowmen
Christmas movie review
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a cute little movie with a big role in many of our childhoods. This movie shines light on Charlie Brown's seasonal depression and skepticism of Christmas, ending a message that reminds us of what Christmas is really all about. I give this classic an 8/10.
Home Alone is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. The plot is extremely creative and lets us live our childhood dreams through the main character Kevin. This movie reminds us that family is everything, and the scene with the old man reuniting with his family at the end never fails to make me tear up. I give this movie a 9.5/10.
1-DEBL
The Polar Express is action packed, filled with adventure, and has an AMAZING soundtrack. The scenery was beautiful, and Tom Hanks did a phenomenal job playing almost every character. My favorite scenes were the hot chocolate and train on the ice scenes, plus this movie has great lore. The overall message is to believe in whatever is important to you, even if others don't. I give it a 9/10.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a beloved movie by many, but I personally didn't enjoy it that much. Several unfortunate events happen to the main character Clark, but none of it comes full circle and the happy ending was Clark getting his bonus money to buy a pool. This movie wasn't very satisfying for me, so I give it a 6/10.
Elf is a fun, silly movie that many consider a classic. Will Ferrell does a fantastic job at playing Buddy and portraying the child like incompetence and innocence of a man who believes he is an elf. It has some good jokes and some heartwarming moments making it an all around solid movie. I give it an 8.5/10.
HOMECOMING RECAP
Student Highlight Rylee Irwin
Hi, I'm Rylee Irwin and I'm a Junior at JCHS. I am the Vice President of Speech and Debate, an Alto in Chorale, and I was recently the female lead in Little Shop of Horrors.
Faculty Highlight Chad Rizner
Chad Rizner is an alumni of JCHS and has been a staff member with JC school district for over 25 years. He currently teaches history classes such as World History and Legislative Seminar. Fun Facts: Rizner is the Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Student Councils and November is his birthday month!
red & black
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Brad Fitzmaurice
BY KYRA MEYER
Brad Fitzmaurice is a 1987 Jaybird graduate. Mr. Fitzmaurice was very involved in JC activities. He played football, basketball, baseball, ran track, and he was a member of the Red and Black staff. Out of all of his activities, Mr. Fitzmaurice says that football was his favorite. In 1984, one of the years Mr. Fitzmaurice went to JC, football won a State Championship title under Coach Pete Adkins. Mr. Fitzmaurice says his favorite teacher was Mr. Mudd, who taught Algebra II and Math Analysis. However, Mr. Fitzmaurice states his favorite class was Creative Writing, which is still offered at JC today! Mr. Fitzmaurice's favorite memory from high school was getting to hang out by the [Missouri] River after football games.
His advice for students today: "Don't take yourself too seriously."
GAMES Word Search
A V L U F K N A H T O C B J P D V N K U F M H FD C H E E R A L U R T G S G L K M P E W I A A D M E I G O V N S N G P Y L P I Q S B T R M F YN A U E N A MO J GS I V L E C N A S Q E F E A S T MZ S
1. Thankful 2. Santa 3. Giving 4. Christmas 5. Turkey
Spot 9 Differences!
6. Cheer 7. Family 8 Tinsel 9. Feast 10. Elf
Red & Black Squad
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE RED & BLACK CLUB? WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU! Contact Callie Nichols by email callie.nichols@jcschools.us or stop by Room 321 for more information.
Find us on Social Media
jcredandblack