While Friday night's outcome was definitely not what we wanted, and I fear it took years off the end of my life, it was the ending of the most enjoyable football season of my career. From playing, coaching, or now being the principal watching from the sidelines, I have never enjoyed watching football as much as I did this year. The men were a different level this year and that goes beyond big plays on offense and defense. Whether it be watching the team head over to the elementary to greet the students Friday morning, or listening to the brotherhood that they developed this year, there was something different about the team this year. There was a sportsmanship on and off the field that there hasn't been before. I hope this becomes the norm moving forward.

As we went week to week and win after win, it became apparent that we were in for something special this year. This past Friday, while not ending the way we want, saw one of the largest crowds this school has ever seen at a football game. When we took tally, I figured there was over 2000 people at the game. I greatly enjoyed having so many people in the stands. There is something different when you put that many people in the stands. I know we all love to camp out on the hill side, but there is just something different when you are all packed into the stands cheering on the Cobras. The cheers just hit harder.

All in all, there is nothing to hang your head over on this season:

- Undefeated regular season

- Beating the all time Scoring record both regular season and full season

- District, League, and Regional Champions (Banner)

"Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind" The Doctor

From the first day to the last day, It's a great day to be a COBRA!

Derek E. Smith

It has been a privilege watching the 8 of you for the past three years since my arrival at JH. I know Danny joined us last year, but the rest of you have been playing football together since you were pups and you were tackling each other on the practice field during games back in elementary school. You worked hard to get to this point and I am proud to have had the opportunity to witness your growth over the past three years. Thank you for everything you have given. With the 8 of you it has been literal, blood sweat and tears. Broken bones, concussions, and torn muscles/tendons couldn't keep you off the field. You have been warriors in every sense of the word. You left it all on the field of battle. You have been truly dedicated to this school, this community, your families, and most importantly to each other. I am proud to have gotten to watch you play while I have been here.

You will all go on to do amazing things.

To: JW, Kade, Titus, Cash, Josh, Dillon, Daniel, and Max

From: A very grateful Cobra Commander

Thank you. You are the exemplification of what the Cobra Core Values were built on.

This past Monday, our band was invited to ride in the Veterans Day parade in Holton. It was quite the honor to get to play in the parade and the band was amazing as always. They didn't stop playing the whole time and they did us all proud. you couldn't be more happy than I was when they asked us to do it. And we were pulled by alumnus and retire Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Don Askren so it was an extra bit of Jackson Heights pride for us.

Speaking of Honor Flight, we have been ramping up on next years honor flight. i have sent out the guardian applications to students. HF11 will go to DC November 10/11 2025 and we have already started our first big fundraiser. The cooks have started the Pies of Honor for this year. You can fill out the attached google form to order your pie.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo3XyfRVRozFgMJnIGKSyPCtDlB82estF088A0W8PgXa0mPg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Or if you just would like to donate to the cause. you can send a check to the high school to the jackson heights honor flight.

or those of you that are tech savy. you can venmo to @Jackson-Heights-Honor-Flight

Monday:

• MS Girls Basketball Vs. Riverside @ Home 4:30

• Scholars Bowl @ Sabetha High School 4:00

• FFA Horse judging
  

• MS Girls Basketball Vs. Troy @ Home 4:30

• FCCLA @ Holton

Friday:

• NA

• Game Day High School Cheer Showcase @ Topeka

The houses have been taking turns handling the concession stand during the hectic football games these past three weeks. They did a great job of filling in on these games as I feel even using the term hectic was an understatement.

Some spotlight students in each house this week were:

House Corn Fed Cobra: Jaymen Wheeler For his participation in both the veterans salute and the veterans day parade.

House Gold Rush: Ethan Gullotta for stepping up as the lone band member playing the national anthem on his trumpet during the playoff game in the rain.

House Snake Kingz: Korbin Karns For his leadership when Snake Kingz ran the concession stand.

House Triple G: Sean Wilder For donating blood during the blood drive.

So my Italian Daughter is just built a bit different. Here is her from her year in Kansas where she was so excited about dissecting a cow heart. She is now a second year medical student and this is her with her pig heart she is about to dissect. You would think this was a project for school, but no. She just got a pig heart to practice dissecting and suturing. I am so excited that she will be coming to the states over break and I will have my whole crew for Christmas again.

It's a great day to be a Cobra!!

Email: derek.smith@jhcobras.net

Website: jhcobras.net
Location: 12692 266th Rd Holton, KS 66436
Phone: (785)248-4386
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jackson.Heights.USD335

https://www.citylinktv.com/channel/cobra

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0QJd_3uUnHcCppNy4KIttr-i_TO_Q1QcxSKC8PZaHo/edit