Loud Light Empowers Kansas Youth to Vote Ahead of Upcoming Election:  

On Nov. 3, Kansans will vote for both national and state candidates. The local political nonprofit organization, Loud Light, hopes to drive home the importance of registering to vote in the ninth-youngest state, so Kansas youth can make their voices heard.  

Founded in Topeka, by President Davis Hammet to tackle low youth participation in civics, Loud Light invites Kansas youth to act by voting. Its website and social media pages answer questions about voter registration and ballots, offer fellowship and volunteer opportunities to those passionate about politics, and cover upcoming deadlines for potential voters to keep in mind.  

JCCC students can use their personal or student emails to register to vote until the Oct. 13 deadline. To inform yourself about the upcoming election, research candidates, find your nearest polling location, and learn about your rights through resources on Loud Light’s Voter Checklist.  

For additional information about the upcoming general election, visit the Johnson County Election Office.  

– Aneesah Jameel  

Upcoming Academic Deadlines

Some important deadlines are coming up soon. Sept. 21 is the last day to withdraw from a class without getting marked by a withdrawal “W.” The deadline is 11 p.m. for drops being completed on the web. To view the deadline date for a student’s specific classes, log into MyJCCC. Be sure to select the current term to view your schedule of classes. To view the deadline for each, select the down arrow on the right side of the course. You will be able to see the deadlines to drop with a refund, drop without a W and drop with a W.  

Students may not drop courses by phone once the semester has started.  Students must drop courses through MyJCCC or by submitting a slip to the Success Center (2nd floor Student Center or [email protected]).  

September 24 is the last day for fall 2026 refunds in the bookstore. The direct deposit financial aid refund will also begin to process on that day. The college will send out printed check refunds starting Oct. 2. It can take three to five business days to receive the funds in your direct deposit account. Refund checks that are mailed may take up to a week to be delivered. Refunds are only sent through direct deposit or paper check. To stay on top of it all, be sure to check the Academic Calendar regularly. 

– Asia Gulley 

Suicide Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Kansas is marking it with a new campaign #MyReasonWhyKS. It’s built by the Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition in partnership with the Kansas Prevention Collaborative.  

The campaign asks people to share what keeps them grounded, aiming to reframe prevention around connection rather than crisis response alone. Survey data cited by the coalition shows most Kansas youth are not seriously considering suicide, but coalition leaders say the monthlong push is about reaching those who are.  

On campus, JCCC counselors say students have more free support available than they realize. The college’s Student Assistance Program offers up to five free sessions with a licensed therapist (913-469-3809; Crisis Counseling Hotline), and students can separately see a Johnson County Mental Health Center clinician on the second floor of the Student Center for up to six free sessions a year.  

During counseling office hours, students in crisis can walk in or call ext. 3560; after hours, JCCC points students to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth, or Johnson County’s mental health crisis line.   

JCCC also offers Ask Listen Refer, an online training that teaches faculty, staff and students how to recognize warning signs and refer someone to help; JCCC’s version is available at Ask Listen Refer.  

For background on warning signs and risk factors, the American Association of Suicidology and the National Institute of Mental Health both maintain public resource pages, and the Mayo Clinic outlines symptoms and copying strategies for anyone concerned about themselves or a friend.   

If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about someone who is, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  

– Jasmine Wols