Latest news with #JeffersonHighSchool
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jefferson wins class ‘AA' state softball title
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Jefferson high school softball team won the class 'AA' state championship Saturday, earning a 4-0 shutout win over Washington. Whitney Portner got the scoring started in the first inning, thanks to a two run double. Brooklyn Herrera added a run in the second inning, thanks to a solo homerun. Tya Devericks singled in a run in the fifth and that was plenty of run support for the Cavs. Portner and Devericks combined to throw a complete shutout. They allowed six hits, while striking out seven. 'It feels really good. Last game for me, so it was really fun to go out with these girls and end on a win,' Whitney Portner said. 'Coming into the season, you have one goal with your team and that's to make it to the state tournament. Coming this far and working together with your teammates is very, very, very special,' Tya Devericks said. The win marks Jefferson's first softball state title. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local students help pass more legislation in Tallahassee
The Brief Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. TALLAHASSEE - Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program has been in Hillsborough County Schools since 2004. On Monday, Rep. Susan Valdes announced the passage of two Florida House bills that were crafted with the help of students from Hillsborough County high schools. What they're saying "You can simulate civics all day, but putting kids in a position where they can live civics, they can learn how to address their local representatives, they can find out that these representatives are people who are interested in the things that they see as important and are willing to listen," Tony Pirotta, the project coordinator of Ought to be a Law and a teacher at Sumner High School said. Valdes says HB 1105 and HB 1255 were signed into law last week. She says HB 1255 includes proposed legislation from other bills. "Students from Jefferson High School created the language in House Bill 1261, which requires the mandatory financial literacy course to cover post-secondary expenses, like how to apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. The students said they shared input about issues they noticed with their peers firsthand. "There are so many kids that we know that don't even know what a tax is," Genesis Salcedo Lima, a student at Jefferson High School said. "They don't even know what a tariff is. They don't know these simple economic things." PREVIOUS: Hillsborough students help propose legislation to help kids abused in foster care Big picture view The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. "We think it's very important for these students to gain this education before they graduate high school, because it's the only way we can ensure that they will make it and be successful and are able to sit in these important seats as they grow older," Laraina Fernandez, a student at Jefferson High School said. Valdes says the new law addresses a plethora of education matters, including opportunities for children of military members. "We said, 'What issues in our community are we facing? How are these military students struggling?' And as we hear stories from kids who don't share the same backgrounds as us, I'm not a military student, none of our team members are military students, but we see that these children have these problems," Kaitlyn Chin, a student at Sumner High School said. The students said this program opened their eyes to different issues happening within their communities. "It inspires me to continue doing that and helping my peers know that they're not going unheard and that their worries and concerns are actually being listened to," Yeny Espino Vasquez, a student at Sumner High School, said. Valdes says the high school students were heavily involved in coming up with the legislation and moving it forward. "Students from Sumner High School created language for Senate Bill 1528 and their amended language saves the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children from repeal," Valdes said. The students visited Tallahassee with lawmakers to gain hands-on experience and learn how the legislative process works. "It's different than just filling out a worksheet on how a bill gets turned into a law," Grace Siderio, a student at Sumner High School said. "I actually sat there, and we watched the press conferences, and we watched the meetings, and we got to go up there and testify on the floor." Valdes says HB 1105 also addresses a number of matters, including requiring the Department of Education to implement a workforce credential for students with autism or on a modified curriculum. She says it also removes the certificate of completion that is given to students in place of a diploma. She says the certificate is a "phony diploma" that acknowledges a student's completion of school in the public school district, but it's not equivalent to a diploma. "This particular certificate does not allow the students to even go to the military, go to trade school, go into college, even apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. Valdes says the encompassing pieces of legislation steer away from a one-size-fits-all education model. "We're learning how to be able to cater to children," Valdes said. "How to be able to educate children and meet them where they are." The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kylie Jones. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jefferson High School says goodbye to class of '25
FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP — On Thursday evening, May 29, Jefferson High School bade farewell to its class of 2025. After a performance by the high school band, Superintendent Amy Gee was the first to speak, growing emotional as she addressed the class of 99 students. "The class of 2025 was the first group of students I had the honor of serving as superintendent from start to finish," she said. "Over the past year, we've grown together. I've watched you learn, lead, and rise, not just in academics, but in spirit and character." Salutatorian Joel Bezeau and valedictorian Lindsey Gennoe stepped up to the podium to address their fellow graduates, congratulating them and giving them words to carry them into their futures. "This evening, I hope that I can encourage to continue self-reflection and that we pursue our growth individually and as a group," Bezeau said. "Whether our future includes college, a trade, or the workforce, we all share the same goal of doing great things and making a difference in the world," Gennoe said. "While we may never achieve something as grand as finding a cure for cancer or traveling to the moon, we can make our corner of the world a better place through our small acts of kindness and love." After each student received their diploma and the crowd began to disperse, the graduates were in various states of elation, hope, and exhaustion. Derrick Grybas, who hopes to be an electrician after college, and Caleb Brimm, who hopes to be a diesel technician, were on opposite ends of that spectrum. "I feel like the world is mine, I feel like I can do anything," Grybas said. "Pretty tired and very hungry," was Brimm's response. Gennoe was relieved after her speech, but excited about having graduated. She'll be attending Eastern Michigan University to study nursing. "We've been very fortunate because, it sounds like we're bragging, but this is our third valedictorian in a row," said her father, Gene Gennoe. Bezeau plans to go to University of Michigan, get a degree in biology or biochemistry, and then apply to the dental school there. "We're thrilled; we finally got one into Michigan," said his mother, Megan McCaffery. — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Jefferson High School graduation sees 99 get their diploma
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Karoline Leavitt didn't organize fundraiser for janitor at her old high school
Claim: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reconnected with and organized a fundraiser for her old high school's elderly janitor. Rating: A rumor circulating online in March, April and May 2025 claimed White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reconnected with and organized a fundraiser for her old high school's elderly janitor. For example, on April 25, the manager of a Facebook page named Animals & Pets posted (archived), in part, "Karoline Leavitt Discovers Her Old High School Janitor Still Working at 80—And Her Next Move Leaves the Entire Town Stunned!" The post received over 92,000 reactions. An article featured under the post hosted on the website tells the story of Leavitt reconnecting with a janitor named "Mr. Reynolds" at "Jefferson High School" in Concord, New Hampshire. According to the story, Leavitt organizes a fundraiser for Reynolds, receiving a total of $137,492 in donations, allowing him to purchase a new car, "fully paid apartment," health insurance and "freedom to visit his grandchildren without worrying about rent." (Animals & Pets/Facebook) However, the story of Leavitt and her old high school janitor was false. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no reports from news media outlets about this matter, including from conservative political blogs. The White House has not yet responded to a general request asking if they wished to share comment about this story. Multiple sources reported Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts — not a "Jefferson High School" in Concord, New Hampshire. A search for a "Jefferson High" found no school by that name in Concord. Further, the photo of "Mr. Reynolds" displayed in the Animals & Pets post matched a picture previously featured in a rumor making similar false claims about NBA great Michael Jordan reconnecting with his old high school janitor. In the weeks prior to the Animals & Pets Facebook page's post, as well as posts on other social media pages, YouTube creators first promoted the rumor in videos. For example, in early March, the Gentry Stories YouTube channel's video (archived) and Ikonic Stories channel's clip (archived) received 88,000 and 55,000 views, respectively. Both videos featured generative artificial intelligence (AI) scripting, visuals and voice narration, as well as the shared title, "Karoline Leavitt Discovers Her High School Janitor Still Working at 80, Her Next Move Stuns Everyone." Such made-up stories — often featuring inspiring stories about famous people from the worlds of entertainment, politics and sports — drive social media engagement, potentially with the goal of Facebook page managers or YouTube creators one day selling their pages or accounts after earning high follower or subscriber counts. The content also possibly allows for monetization, whether through the ads on a website or directly included with YouTube videos. For further reading, a previous fact-check article claimed Leavitt was kicked off "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after a confrontation with host Jimmy Kimmel. Attridge, Margaret. "Where Did Karoline Leavitt Go to College?" BestColleges, 9 Apr. 2025, Costa, Jamie L. "Taking Flight: Karoline Leavitt's Rise from Atkinson to the West Wing." The Derry News, 28 Nov. 2024, Holman, Jim. "Karoline Leavitt Open about Her Catholic Faith." California Catholic Daily, 19 Nov. 2024, Wazer, Caroline. "Don't Fall for This Story about Michael Jordan Reconnecting with His High School Janitor." Snopes, 5 Mar. 2025,
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rockford Public Schools look to train the next generation of pilots
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Students at Marshall Middle School could have the chance to simulate flying high in the sky in the comfort of their own campus. The donation of the flight simulators to Rockford Public Schools came after Project Lead The Way Teacher Stacy Wallace was taking aviation lessons, and (SIA) encouraged her to apply for a flight simulator donation. Students at Jefferson High School already have access to an aviation simulator. Students lined the halls to try out the brand-new flight simulator during lunch on Wednesday. 'I mean, this flight simulator from day one, it was installed first thing in the morning on a Thursday,' said Jefferson High School Engineering and Computer Science Teacher Craig Stenberg. 'From the next hour and every day, this has been getting lines of students to fly.' Many of the students most interested are part of the school's aerial robotics club. Thanks to the simulator, club members can graduate from flying drones to seeing what it is like to pilot an aircraft. 'As the weather gets a little bit warmer, we'll be heading outside, and you know, after they've done a little bit of [flying] on the flight simulator, they'll be able to try flying,' said Stenberg. 'You know, one of our little model airplanes out out of the backfield.' One flight instructor said he wished he had the opportunity to do the same when he was a student. 'I think if there's one regret I were to have, it would be that I didn't get started at an earlier age,' said Poplar Grove Airport flight Instructor Tevor Connors. 'So getting the opportunity to start at the age of 15, 16 and 17 just kind of helps speed up that process overall.' Even if a student is not interested in flying an aircraft, there are tons of other opportunities available. 'We have a maintenance team and a shop that we're standing in right now. There's pretty much a million different things you can do in aviation,' said Connors. 'You could be an airport manager. There's tons of opportunities, even if the flying portion isn't for you.' The donation of another flying simulator for Marshall Middle School was in committee on March 1st, and the vote to approve the donation will be held on March 15th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
