April issue 2022

NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL

211 PYLESVILLE ROAD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132

410-638-3650

VOLUME 43 ISSUE 8 APRIL 29, 2022

Earth, Ag Heritage Day makes return to North Harford SUMMER GRACE News Editor “A few years ago, we combined our Earth and Ag day. Now, all of the Ag students present their big year-long projects that they have to do,” science teacher Laura O‘Leary explains. Each individual kid constructs a booth to introduce their projects. According to O’Leary, students are required to inform their classmates, but also present an activity that engages them.

She understands the presentation can be a little bit of a challenge for “non-teachery people,”’ but O’Leary says they do a really good job with coming up with creative ideas to get their peers interested in their topic.

“Here’s the thing, April and May are full of standardized testing, which is absolutely positively no fun. I like to be a little beacon amongst the drudgery of normal school,” she shares. One of many issues organizers have encountered in planning Earth Day this year is a nesting situation where the event usually

takes place. glass and extra field trips and making club, and sold them at Drama teacher Nancy Green to support the art program,” art Earth Day. believes it’s one of North Senior Kayla Smith Harfords greatest tradiwas one of the stutions. “I’m really happy dents helping to sell to see it back because it’s the club's homemade one of my favorite days of jewelry.

“They’re the whole year. I love bemade out of recyclaing outside and it’s so imble materials such as portant for the kids to be sea glass and differoutside,” Green says. ent crystals, as well “I love Earth Day, I as string and wire,” think it’s so exciting,” she explains. she says. Green thanks Voices of Equiscience teacher O'Leary ty is another one of for making this event the clubs that had a happen, and says it’s booth. Senior memawesome that after everyber Kylie Redding thing we lost during the believes it was espandemic, this event is sential for the club to finally coming back. make an appearance Students crowd around the FFA flora“I’m really happy to because, “at [NHHS] culture booth. They were instructed on how to see it back because it’s there isn’t really one of my favorite days make their own boutonnieres. enough representaof the whole year. I love PHOTO CREDIT: JENNIFER CHANDLER tion for the LGBTQ+ being outside and it’s so community.” important for the kids to teacher Lisa Campbell explains.

According to Redding, the club be outside,” she says.

Campbell says her students designed a game with seven difThis year, the art department were able to create their own ferent pride flags, and students held a jewelry making booth. necklaces, earrings and rings had to match the flag with the “We sold our jewelry to supply through the after school jewelry type of community. “We wanted

to educate people in a fun way.

People asking about the flags have already started so many conversations,” she explains.

In honor of prom season, Malinah Jerscheid and the rest of the FFA flora-culture teams booth allowed students to make their own corsages and boutonnieres.

“Everybody can take flowers and learn how to make their own boutonnières. We wanted to educate people about our super cool team and floral design,” she shares.

The Nursery Landscape CDE table, run by junior Abigail Sheets, instructed students to match up the names of different plants to their owners. “They had to match up white pine, redbud, southern magnolia,” she explains.

Similarly, junior Emma Stoffels' project was working with the American Chestnut Trees.

“I started collecting them at our current plot that is affected by light. I’ve been collecting them since March,” Stoffel says. She hopes that in a few years, there will be more happy and healthy trees.

Organizers working on planning, establishing goals for upcoming prom;

Students buy formal wear, preparing for night of glitz, glam KIMBERLY EDGAR Reporter Junior and senior Prom is a go for students and it will be held on April 30 at Valley Mansion in Cockeysville according to Family and Consumer Science teacher Mrs. Megan Fries and secretary Mrs. Kim Iddings.

The school sponsored Prom will offer food and drinks included with the price of the ticket, says Fries. A DJ will be at Valley Mansion and Prom court will happen this year as well.

“Students will vote like they have done in the past for Prom court,” states Fries. Tickets for the Valley Mansion Prom are $85, says Iddings. “This year our ticket price increased because we have not been able to do any fundraising or have been given money towards Prom from other clubs like they have in the past,” adds Iddings.

Junior Alyssa Dunn is planning on attending the Valley Mansion Prom and chose to invite someone from another school. Dunn explains that each student holds a different reason for going to Prom that is important to them and adds, “[going to Prom is] important to me just because I can't see the person I'm

bringing as often as I'd like. Prom ing to the HCPS Prom because it gives me a chance to see him out- seems so much bigger and genside of after school activities.” uine compared to the Geneva Senior Rosmery Rivas Flores Farm dance,” says Lewis. Dunn adds “it is one of the most mean- agrees with Lewis, “it is nice to ingful events where you are able have an option but I believe more to dress up and have a wonder- people will go to the HCPS Prom ful night with friends one has instead,” says Dunn. met.” Senior Gavin Lewis agrees.

Rivas Flores chose “Prom is really expensive and time consuming but it is also really fun.” Lewis explains that “It is one of the suit shopping and dress shopping gives students and peers most meaningful events an opportunity to “spoil where you are able to dress themselves or be spoiled by up and have a wonderful someone else.”

Rivas Flores describes night with friends...,” her experience preparing -Rosemery Rivas Flores, for Prom as “an adventure” and that finding the perfect senior dress was “not an easy task.” She explains further that there were “so many different types” of colors to choose from for her dress. to go to HCPS “I wasn’t sure what I was looking Prom because she wasn’t infor, it took many dresses to find formed of the school dance at the color and style that I wanted. Geneva.

When I finally found my perfect She believes the option to dress, it makes me feel comfort- go to either one is “cool” but, “I able and confident but I have no don’t think I would choose that clue what I will do about hair, ac- one because I don’t really know cessories, makeup, and jewelry,” many people that are going to it. I adds Rivas Flores. chose the HCPS one since I know Lewis also chose to go to my friends are going and I didn’t HCPS’ Prom like Dunn. “I’m go- want to miss the opportunity of

dressing up and creating memories,” says Rivas Flores.

Dunn elaborates that her goal for this year’s Prom is to have a good time, “I'm really excited because most of my friends are going to Prom.” Dunn also remarks on past dance experiences, “I don't [want to] have to sit in the corner of the cafeteria like I did at homecoming,” says Dunn.

Lewis describes his goals as “becoming Prom King” and “dancing with a cute girl.” He explains that he just wants to have a good time and that he expects it to be a “night to remember.” The senior also adds that he believes Prom is a “crucial and pivotal moment in [student’s] career as it is a thing they can only get during this time.”

Rivas Flores says her goal is to have an “unforgettable” time at Prom and that she wishes to feel her best in her dress, “I don’t want to feel nervous at Prom, I really want to enjoy time with my friends and have lots of fun.”

The junior has big expectations that this year will be different and that everyone will enjoy themselves. “Who doesn't love a good old fashioned school dance?” asks Dunn. Iddings and Fries also have

high hopes.“We hope everyone who comes to Prom this year enjoys themselves,” says Fries and Iddings.

Another non-NHHS sponsored dance is also taking place on May 28 at Geneva Farm Golf Course, says substitute and organizer of the non-school sponsored event Melissa Hahn. The tickets for the Geneva Farm non-sponsored school dance are $30, says Hahn.

According to Hahn, this nonschool sponsored school dance at Geneva was organized as a backup just in case HCPS canceled Prom. Hahn is “so glad that HCPS is doing their Prom this year” and will continue to host this Prom so that students have a chance to have another fun time.

“I think students feel a little more relaxed at the non-school affiliated Prom because the rules and restrictions that school enforces are more strict,” adds Hahn.

Hahn believes events like these are an important experience for students. “I know that mentally a lot of kids were struggling last year,” says Hahn. “If giving them an opportunity to get together and have fun with friends and a little bit of normalcy could help, I would do it.”

Cry of the Hawk

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April 29, 2022

EMT shortage puts patient health at risk; Independence for America Additional funds, training necessary to increase staff EDITORIAL

cy response times around the country. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already a high turnover rate among EMS workers. But the pandemic has drastically increased the shortage with some workers leaving the industry from burnout, and dwindling recruiting numbers.

Money also plays a pivotal role in the number of EMTs in an area. Training takes time and money, and most people who desire to become EMTs pay for the training out of their own pockets. Severely taking away from the draw of being an EMT. North County Public Radio (NCPR) states, “A 2020 National EMS Assessment found that of over a million certified EMTs in the US, only about a fifth are paid…And even paid positions offer very low wages - $14-$18 an hour, or a yearly salary in the $30,00 range.”

WIth low wages, extensive training, and excessive working hours most people do not have the desire to serve their community through the service of being an EMT. If government institutions do not start advocating

An EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician, responds to a magnitude of different emergency situations such as fires to decontamination and care for firefighters. As well as medical care for the public population by stabilizing patients before taking them to a medical care facility.

The main duties of EMTs include treating patients who are sick or injured, transporting patients to hospitals, driving emergency vehicles safely, responsibly and quickly responding to calls made by dispatchers, according to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

EMTs have the ability to make a meaningful impact in the community in which they serve by helping people in dire situations and saving lives. In many cases, EMTs are responsible for keeping patients calm in very highstress situations. EMTs serve as the first wave of care and treatment in emergency situations.

A shortage of EMTs and paramedics is threatening emergen-

and adding EMTs to improve their numbers, the number of EMTs will continue to fall.

These low numbers of EMTs will negatively affect the communities in which they intend to serve by prolonging response times and availability of these people. With slower response times, the number of patient mortalities will drastically increase.

The majority of EMTs work full time or more than 40 hours per week. Because patients can need assistance at any point in time, EMTs work overnight, during the day, weekends and holidays. Shifts typically range from nine, 12 and 24 hours.

During the midst of the pandemic EMTs and paramedics were taking time to serve other families and members of their communities, but in return, sacrificing the health of their own families. With so many people quitting and getting ill during that time, they were also being put onto mandatory overtime, leaving them with little time to spend with family members.

Seeing issues in eyewear industry;

Vexing prices paid for quality vision VIEWPOINT An optical industry trade group called The Vision Council estimates that around three-quarters of adults in the United States use some sort of vision correction.

Regardless, the average cost of eyeglass frames is still 231 dollars.

This is the price 126 million people must pay to see.

This price tag might be understandable if glasses were still made the old-fashioned way, which was by hand using leather, wood, copper, or occasionally animal horns to make heavy frames that people would have to hold up or perch on their noses.

Obviously, this isn’t the case– glasses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to match different personalities. Also, manufacturing has come a long way.

Glasses are no longer made by hand or crusty animal bones, but rather using sophisticated machines and plastic. Logically this should mean that glasses can be bought relatively cheaply, right?

After all, the true cost of acetate frames (three pieces of plastic and some metal pieces) is just ten dollars.

Well, no. Apparently, people needing to see and an automat-

ed manufacturing process just aren’t enough to convince EssilorLuxottica, the company that owns every major eyeglass brand and the second-largest vision insurance company in the United States, to lower the prices.

Sounds an awful lot like a monopoly, right?

Essilor is able to reap the main benefit that comes from having a monopoly on an industry without technically being one: they can set whatever prices they want because, well, people can’t exactly help the fact they quite simply cannot see. They have no choice but to buy eyeglasses at whatever price they set, forcing them into spending an abundant amount on money, just to be able to acheive the vision of many others.

Furthermore, if a consumer is insured by Eyemed and they buy frames by Essilor, then the company has made the glasses, sold them at the prices they set, and paid themselves part of the money through the insurance company they own. Sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it?

Former CEO of EssilorLuxottica Andrea Guerra claimed that at least half a billion people are wearing glasses by the company at any given moment. This is

Cry of the Hawk 211 Pylesville Road Pylesville, MD 21132 (410) 638-3650

EDITORIAL

Food shortages. They are a real thing and can very well happen even when people least expect it.

According to InforMEA, a food shortage is when food supplies within a bounded region do not provide the energy and nutrients needed by the region's population. Food shortage is most easily conceptualized as a production problem, but constraints on importation as well as storage can also cause or contribute to food shortages.

Will food shortage become a problem, or will the farming costs cause prices to rise? March 28, Biden announced food shortages.

“Yes, we did talk about food shortages, and it is going to be real. The price of the sanctions is not just imposed upon Russia, it's imposed upon an awful lot of countries as well, including European countries and our country as well.”

Maybe if this country were not so dependent on other countries, we would not have a problem with food shortage or any other problem we have, including other countries that we depended on for products, etc.

This country needs to have some more independence. We need to stop depending on China for clothes or furniture or things along those lines. We are capable of producing those things our-

selves.

Now I am not saying we should not be dependent on China at all, because it is okay to be somewhat dependent on them. But we can also just do those things ourselves.

Now for depending on countries for food, America is more dependent on Canada and Mexico but that is not just it. We rely on many countries for our food.

Which partially is understandable because we may not have the right climates to produce the kind of food that can be grown somewhere else, but isn't technology becoming more advanced now?

Can’t we make a greenhouse where it is the perfect climate and perfect area for the foods to grow that we can not just naturally grow in our climate?

Yes, that may be a bad idea. But it is ten times better than not getting food at all because there is a war or a transportation problem.

Whatever it may be that causes a food shortage, anything that we can do to prevent that is better than that.

There are many different ways that our government could go about this food shortage. This country can not rely on other countries for as much of the stuff that we already do. This country is supposed to be independent right?

Then why doesn’t it seem that way?

because the company turned a medical tool into high fashion by making frames for brands like Prada, Chanel, Dolce Gabbana, and Versace. Their reach also expands into sunglasses, as the company also owns Sunglass Hut–the largest sunglass chain in the world.

While the company does have some competitors like Walmart Vision and Glasses as well as online companies, Essilor still influences their eyewear and prices.

If a company makes frames, they need their frames to be in Essilor’s stores. If a company wants to sell frames in their stores, they need Essilor’s frames in their stores. This is why glasses end up costing so much, even locally.

People who wear glasses certainly didn’t ask to have to pay an excessive amount just to view the world in the same way that everyone else is able to.

People who want to wear effective sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays shouldn’t have to pay a ridiculous amount just to ensure they won’t face the consequences.

The way a few people behind a company take advantage of people’s needs is sickening, and it needs to stop.

News Editors: Summer Grace, Kris Gray Opinion/Editorial Editor: Kylie Redding, Hannah Krizek Features Editor: Evan Kuzemchak IDR Editor: Jessica Fannin Society, Students & Culture Editor: Meghan Kalck Video Editor: Jackie Bultman, Andrew Hartlove, Silvia Martinez Copy Editor: Ben Iampieri, Layton Hillier Social Media Coordinator Grace Feldbush

Health and Science Editor: Marissa Altenburg Entertainment Editor: Alexa Falls Sports Editors: Greer Strine Business Manager: Kensi Boyanich Reporters: Noel Bailey, Kimberly Edgar, Danny Gallo, Matthew Ledford, Reese Showalter, Liora Tolliver, Chloe Ward, Lillian Weatherman, Bella Arist, Caroline Barquin, Mekenzie McCann, Gabrielle Moxham, Delaney O’Neil, Brookelyn Priebe, Mackenzie Scott, Benjamin Sersen, Ghost States, Riley Stoneback Announcements Tech Victoria Hanna

The Cry of the Hawk newspaper is published 10 times a year by North Harford’s Journalism II/III class.

All editorials and viewpoints express the feelings of those on the staff and not necessarily those of fellow students, administrators, or teachers. Please do not hesitate to submit letters to Advisor Jen Chandler in room D207. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, must be signed, and may not contain vul-

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Cry of the Hawk

April 29, 2022

Dismantling of America’s democracy;

Canceling “cancel culture”

They are losing their livelihood because of “cancel culture.”

In today’s society the line that The motivation behind this divides people between their movement is to control the opinopinions is more defined than ions of certain groups in society ever. and to radicalize America.

There is a large part of sociBut not everyone is going to ety that takes it personally when accept the consequences of being someone does not have the same canceled for their opinions. There opinion as they do. are people who are going to fight A movement that has devel- back for their freedom of speech. oped from the popular notion Another large part of this that everyone must be on the movement is erasing the history same side of an issue is, “cancel of America. culture.”

Many protests recently have When people in society say led to the tearing down and vansomething others do not like or dalizing of statues of significant is deemed unacceptable, a com- historical figures. Members of somon response is ostracizing them ciety have decided that if somefrom everyone else. one was not a perfect person It can be easy for people to get throughout their life that they worked up about a topic when should no longer be honored for they do not see eye to eye with their contributions to this counothers. try.

But there is a difference beAndrew Jackson was a war tween having a healthy debate hero who represented the fact and having a heated argument. that anyone could become presPeople need to be aware of the ident. Orphaned as a teenager fact that the person they may be and coming from no money, he disagreeing with is still an indi- worked his way up to a position vidual with thoughts and feel- of influence in America. ings.

But because he was not a A majority of the information perfect person and made some spread about current topics cir- wrong choices in his life, Jackculates through social media. son’s contributions to American People consume this news history no longer matin short burst of inforter as critics want mation that does to remove him “If society not tell the whole from the twencontinues to let story. It is easy ty-dollar bill. for people to Andrew people think they can form quick Jackson’s enforce consequences on opinions, igrelocation others for having a differ- of the Naniting fire’s on their ent opinion, whether it is tive Amerphone. icans in wrong or right, America the Trail People are a lot bravwill likely see the dis- of Tears er behind a a painmantling of its de- fulwaspart virtual screen, of mocracy.” where they can our history, attack someone for but there is no what they believe bepresident who nevcause they’re just talking er made poor decisions to a screen. and there never will be one. That Having respect for others is does not mean they were bad something that many people presidents. have been lacking in recent years.

There is not a single person It is no longer an option to “agree Andrew Jackson can be replaced to disagree.” The reality is, not with on the bill that will have a everyone is going to agree with flawless life. each other.

This is the United States of The need for some people to America. Citizens have the freeshut others down for their opin- dom granted by the constituions or actions can also come tion to say what they want. But from a deeper motivation. When “cancel culture” is an oppressive people don’t have a reason to movement that restricts peostand out, they validate them- ple’s abilities to have their own selves by attacking others for thoughts. their beliefs.

It is an attack on democracy.

Some people feel in order to be If society continues to let peoimportant in society they need to ple think they can enforce condraw attention to other people’s sequences on others for having problems. a different opinion, whether it There is a very real danger is wrong or right, America will behind the movement of “cancel likely see the dismantling of its culture.” When silencing some- democracy. one if their opinions are unpopScaring people out of expressular is normalized, it leads to a ing their opinions are the charactoxic cycle. teristics of a dictatorship where This cycle includes no one there is little tolerance for difever feeling safe to express their ferent points of view. If “cancel thoughts, while other people culture” continues, Americans feel empowered to inflict conse- can expect to see this form of quences on someone who says government in the future. If we something they do not like. truely love this country, we need People are losing their job be- to stop finding our identity in our cause they expressed their opin- opinions and letting them effect ion and someone did not like it. how we see others.

EDITORIAL

Abusive tendencies in homes Pandemic revealed true colors

EDITORIAL

Studies recently came to light showing that abuse cases in homes tripled for children ages five and older during the pandemic. Stressed parents led to harmful situations for young children.

Recent studies had highlighted that child abuse has increased due to the pandemic.

Because of the increased stress related to the pandemic, this could have put more parents on edge and put more pressure on already struggling parents.

U.S News says, “stressful situations can be a trigger for poor judgment and impulsive reactions," the article continued by saying “there was a great deal of economic stress, job insecurity, and loss of housing potential during this time frame along with the closing of schools, which can be a reprieve for parents and kids."

While many reports show that abusive tendencies increased, an article written by Tufts Now says, “we think that during the pandemic families were given enough support that they never got to that edge.” While that may be true, not enough was given to these struggling families.

The people who were doing decent throughout the pandemic and had enough support from their jobs and other family members could still have struggled

behind closed doors just as much.

Just because they were given some support, it does not mean that they were not struggling.

Tufts Now also said, “we have known for a long time that supports for families—food benefits, utility assistance, all those things—decrease child abuse.”

And while helping these families can help decrease stress throughout challenging times, people could still have underlying issues making them more stressed than the average person, or people could be going through other things other than financial issues.

With people going through other stressors unrelated to finances, the help given such as the things Tufts Now listed could have helped some people, but this does not mean their stress was always related to their financial difficulties. They could be dealing with loss, due to COVID-19 claiming many lives, feeling loneliness, and depressing feelings because of a lack of socialization and their regular routine being interrupted.

The lack of children in school getting out of abusive homes could have been more difficult and there was no abuse being reported by teachers since they were not in school.

Children and even teens were suffering from physical and emotional abuse that they most likely had no way of escaping. According to the New York Times 7705

high school students took a survey and “55.1 percent of teenage respondents said they suffered emotional abuse from a parent or another adult in their house in the preceding year, and 11.3 percent said they suffered physical abuse.” The New York Times said “in the survey, emotional abuse was defined as swearing, insulting or belittling; physical abuse was defined as hitting, beating, kicking or physically hurting.

According to the website Childwelfare.gov, “Aside from the immediate physical injuries children can experience through maltreatment, a child’s reactions to abuse or neglect can have lifelong and even intergenerational impacts.”

Physical and emotional abuse can cause issues such as “addtional difficulties, low self-esteem, depression, and trouble forming and maintaing relationships” in both kids and teens.

Additionally, physical abuse can also leave children harmed for their future as their injuries can take up to months or years to fully heal.

While the pandemic could have left many parents getting closer to their children due to their amount of free time, it could leave some parents feeling frustrated with their kids and unable to discipline them in a healthy way. Those kids need our help and understanding the trauma they have faced is critica

April 29, 2022

Seeking justice for survivors;

Importance of supporting victims VICTORIA HANNA Studio Manager

It’ll ruin their life, we say.

They’ll lose their scholarships, we say. It’ll be on their record forever, we say. The second they chose to sexually assault another person; a life was already ruined.

With April being sexual assault awareness month, we should be reminded that bringing light to the victims’ stories and encouraging and supporting them is the number one priority in these situations.

So often, when an accusation is made, society is more focused on whether the accused is guilty

or not rather than supporting the victim.

I get it though, it’s difficult to know what to say or do when someone you know has been sexually assaulted. Most times, the best thing you can do is to make yourself available to talk and let your friend know that you believe them.

It’s also important to remind them that what happened was not their fault and nothing they did or said means they deserved it. More times than not, I’ve witnessed survivors of sexual assault blame themselves.

Remaining calm about the situation is very important, you should listen to what they have to say without having any emotional or physical outbursts as this can worsen their state. Instead, just remind them that you will always be there for them, especially in times of need.

Another thing to avoid is making threats toward the perpetrator, this might seem supportive but it will likely increase the victims’ stress level.

Being a victim of sexual assault is a mentally draining situation to endure, so it’s important to be mindful of this and respect any new boundaries that may have arisen during this hard time.

It also might be hard during this time to not try to seek justice for your friend. However, you must remember that it is not your story to tell. Sharing details of the situation without permission is unacceptable, let the victim decide who to tell about the assault.

As you would any other time a friend is going through a rough patch, ask them how you can help. Not everyone heals the same, so this may look like listening to them, staying with them for a few nights, or helping them seek justice.

Unfortunately, we’re not all licensed therapists. No matter how much you want to help your friend, it may be out of your control. Encouraging your friend to tell a trusted adult or counselor could help them heal, just be careful not to push too hard and leave the decision up to them.

Truckers banding together EDITORIAL In response to Canada’s recent mandate that required Canadian truckers crossing borders to get vaccinated against COVID-19, peaceful protests have been ignited in Ontario, Canada. Along with required vaccinations, the new mandates also enforced unvaccinated Canadian truckers to quarantine once they have returned home.

Truckers across Canada banded together and protested by blocking off roads. Harold Jonker, a truck driver, told BBC news, “we want to be free, we want to have our choice again, and want hope -and the government has taken that away.”

Prior to the mandates, BBC News reporter, Jessica Murphy stated “truck drivers working the cross-border routes had previously been exempt from mandates,” as they were considered essential workers.

The frustration of the trucker community could be seen when they blockaded the Ambassador Bridge which connects Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. Their hopes were to get the attention of the government and show their opposition to the new mandates.

Since the beginning of the pandemic many citizens have experienced more control from their government than they ever have before.

At the start of the pandemic, the government’s response with a lockdown and mandates may have made sense because they did not know what they were up against.

Now we are familiar with the

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Cry of the Hawk

virus and know the risk it poses.

So we need to adapt our methods to suit the seriousness of the situation. The fact is, COVID-19 is not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be.

According to reporter Myah Ward, protest organizers have raised about “$10 million Canadian dollars, or $7.8 million U.S. dollars, through GoFundMe.” Police claimed there was dangerous and unlawful activity during the protest, so GoFundMe shut down the campaign and little money was dispensed.

This is dangerous territory that GoFundMe is entering. They are using their authority to censor the groups that are allowed to raise money for themselves.

Even though there have been plenty of fundraisers in the past for protests that were not entirely peaceful, they did not get shut down.

Since GoFundMe does not agree with the purpose of the trucker protest they have been disabled from receiving any of the money they raised.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labeled the movement and the participants as a “small fringe minority.” Murphy also stated, “over 80% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.”

Despite the majority of the protest being peaceful, the Canadian police became concerned that the event would attract violent demonstrations. So, Justin Trudeau declared the truckers to be “domestic terrorists” and announced Canada to be in a State of Emergency.

20-year-old Vizi, was a truck-

er who was ordered by the police out of his truck during the protest. There is footage of him peacefully exiting his truck. On Fox News, Vizi talked about how they dragged him in the street and laid him down on his belly.

He claimed he did not “remember how many were on top of […] [him].” In the video footage, it shows multiple police officers swarming Vizi and taking turns kneeing him in his stomach. Vizi said he “expected to be arrested, but not attacked by cops.”

Vizi went on to state, “they broke […] [his] body a little bit, but not […] [his] spirit.”

Another video from the protest, shows 78-year-old Gerry Charlebois, wrestled to the ground and cuffed after honking his car horn in support of the “Freedom Convoy.”

New York Post reporter, Lee Brown, explained that “Charlebois- who is double-vaccinated and not one of the protesterssaid he was ultimately given a $118 bylaw ticket for ‘unnecessary noise.’”

“I meant no harm” Charlebois , a great-grandfather of 11, told the Canadian paper.

The Canadian government and police’s response to citizens protesting for what they believe in resembles the control of a dictatorship. At some point we have to go back to reality and start living freely again.

The effectiveness of vaccines is not evident and has caused health issues for many people who have taken it. Forcing people to get a vaccine that they do not feel safe taking no longer makes sense.

Ending of tax holiday

EDITORIAL

The end of April brought the end of the gas tax holiday, which removed the 36.1 cents per gallon of gasoline, and 36.85 cents for diesel tax. The Maryland Comptroller’s advocated for a 90-day hold on the tax, but a 30-day holiday was placed into effect in mid-March.

The holiday was different from sales tax holidays because of how taxes on gasoline work, typically the tax is “paid by the retail owner/ seller as soon as he/she receives the gasoline in their tanks. In essence, that tax is pre-paid by the station owner before you even fill up your tank!” According to the Comptroller of Maryland.

The holiday, which ended on April 16 at 11:59 p.m., marked the end of Maryland’s state gas prices being around $3.722, as it was on average for regular gasoline on April 12, to $4.05 average for regular gasoline on April 21. Under the holiday, the state saw a 39-cent drop in the average price of gasoline, according to the Baltimore Sun. Unfortunately, Maryland’s House of Delegates did not pass an extension, with an “amendment to extend the suspension for another 45 days defeated 47 to 82,” according to Delmarva Now. Del. Brenda Thiam (R-Washington) was one of the lawmakers who advocated for the amendment of Senate Bill 215, which would have extended the holiday, according to WTOP News. “Many are still struggling,” Thiam said. “Though we know this is a short-term relief, it’s a necessary relief.” The amendment did not pass.

The state is forced to walk a slippery slope between relief and maintaining the state. “We want to give the public relief. However, it is costing our transportation fund that takes care of highway projects and bridge projects $100 million a month,” Delegate Steve Johnson of District 34A said.

Maryland’s Comptroller and governor candidate, Peter Franchot defended the holiday in an Op/Ed in Maryland Matters. He stated “Maryland has a historic $7.5 billion surplus; the price tag of a 30-day gas tax holiday is $100 million. Clearly, it’s a present-day investment that doesn’t have long-term fiscal consequences.”

Despite the record amount of surplus the state had at the time, Maryland had used part of this surplus to “backfill the Transportation Trust Fund so that transportation projects would not be delayed,’ said state delegate Eric Luedtke said. But because the General Assembly already passed the state budget, it cannot backfill the fund again and another extension would create a shortfall.” According to WTOP News.

Stop glorifying killers LIORA TOLLIVER Reporter

We treat death too lightly.

I like true crime as much as the next person. Maybe even more than the next person. Honestly, I really really like true crime.

Maybe too much. But through some magical force (Or maybe the near-impossible skill of human decency) I manage not to be weird about it.

I don’t make dramatic nightcore edits of serial killers. I don’t talk about how I “wish I was (insert victim.)” I don’t make excuses about how so-and-so the violent mass murderer wasn’t really that bad of a guy, or how if he just knew me he’d never have done those awful things.

It’s really easy to not do stuff like that - certainly easier than it is to do it. So why do people struggle so much with this? The TCC (Or, ‘true crime community’) is a catch-all term for people who enjoy true crime. Some people like the psychology of it, some people enjoy it out of a morbid curiosity, some people like the horror that comes along with knowing stuff like that happens

in real life. I, as a writer, research it to better emulate those sorts of people in my work.

Then there’s the weird ones.

The WEIRD ones. Like bad weird. The ones that make completely genuine tumblr posts about “hot” Ted Bundy was. (I’ll let you in on a secret: He literally wasn’t.) The ones who, entirely unironically, write love letters to the (very dead) Columbine shooters. (I don’t think I need to explain what’s wrong with that.)

It’s easy to just chalk it up to edgy teenagers trying to be cool. You know who I’m talking about… the ones who think their “dark humor” makes them more mature than you, the ones who think they’re so angsty and nonchalant. It would almost be understandable at that point, almost everyone has some cringe phase in their life that they’d love to put behind them. Keyword: Almost. Not quite.

The issue is that it isn’t just aloof teenagers. Actual literal human adults do it too, and this isn’t a new phenomenon. Back when Ted Bundy was on trial for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of at least thirty young women (including 12-year-old Kimberly Leach) there were hundreds of love letters sent to him in prison.

These victims aren’t characters, they’re real people who lost their lives. Their killers aren’t misguided storybook villains just waiting for the right person to come along and change them. Get it together guys. Stop crushing on murderers.

April 29, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

Page 5 - News

Miss Fire Prevention takes on responsibility FFA students grow, raise plants; MEGHAN KALCK SSC Editor

ride in parades like “Christmas parades and Fourth of July parades.”

She also gets to attend any open houses that they have during fire prevention week. She will also

gets to compete for the Maryland title.

Senior Abbey Huneke was To become Miss Fire Prevenelected to become Miss Fire Pretion there was really no qualifivention for Harford County on cation to meet you just have to Nov. 7, 2021 and has been busy “know fire related trivia,” because with the job since. they are asked multiple fire Being Miss Fire Prevention related questions on stage comes with a lot of responand they “have to go to a sibility such as “spreading private interview with the awareness about fire safety judges,” Huneke says. and fire hazards throughout “It is just by age group,” the county,” Huneke says. she also says, there is Little She adds that she goes to Fire Chief and Little Miss almost every event at every Fire Prevention which are firehouse within the county for ages “four-eight [she] such as banquets and open thinks,” and then there is houses.

Junior Miss Fire Prevention Everytime Huneke goes to which is for “[she] thinks an event at a firehouse, she ages 10-12 or 13 year olds,” gives a little speech giving and then there is Miss Fire a fire prevention tip and to Prevention for the “older spread awareness. people.”

She enjoys being Miss On top of being Miss Fire Fire Prevention and the Prevention, Huneke is an thing she enjoys the most EMT at JVFC, she “gets to Senior Abbey Huneke standing on ride the ambulance, go on is “being able to go to all the different firehouses Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company’s calls, spend the night there and how it is different ev- engine as Miss Fire Prevention. She was on Friday nights and work erywhere,” because she is elected in Nov. 2021 to become Miss and overnight,” she says. She is used to the company that has taken on the responsibility since. also able to take all sorts of she volunteers at which is PHOTO CREDIT: Abbey Huneke classes like Fire Fighting Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire classes or even a Hazmat Company. class if she wanted to on Every year each fire department get “invited,” to events like com- top of being Miss Fire Prevenin HarCo has a banquet and she is pany bingos and she also gets to tion but as of right now she is not able to attend every banquet that go to Ocean City in the summer planning on taking any additionis hosted, she also gets to walk or for Fire Convention Week and al classes.

Peers work at sale in NH greenhouse GABRIELLE MOXHAM Reporter The spring plant sale is happening from May 7-13 or until they are sold out. There will be two “first look” days, May 2 & 6. May 2 is open to Future Farmers of America members ONLY. May 6 is the official first look day for students and staff. “It’s an early dismissal and we are hoping that it will draw people to want to shop at the greenhouse when school is over at 11 am,” comments teacher Ms. Erika Edwards.

Edwards claims FFA holds this spring plant sale because “it’s our biggest fundraiser for our part of the magnet program. It generates some revenue for us to be able to give students the opportunities that we have, mainly field trips, like Longwood Gardens, and The Philly Flower Show.” This fundraiser can also benefit the group’s travel expenses.

This fundraiser isn’t just about money though, according to Edwards. These students go through a very tedious process with the plants, and hands on learning. They grow the plants from just seeds, and price the plants. Edwards says “we also tie in the business part of things, so not just learning how to grow the plants but also how to successfully market the plants as well.”

A lot of their sales are made to people around the community, or locals who just want to support the cause, and further help students with their education. Edwards hopes that knowing this sale gives back to the students rather than a larger scale local business will help draw people's support.

This process is a huge part of the AG program’s curriculum especially in the case of plant science but Edwards thinks the process of knowing how to grow plants can help anyone, especially homeowners. “This can benefit people for the rest of their life” she says.

Edwards believes this experience also creates a fundamental trait, responsibility. “They know they are responsible for the plants, and if you don’t follow the instructions you're given then they won’t grow and you’re not going to be able to sell them. It’s the same thing when we work out there every day, like if you are carelessly rough-housing and you knock something over then it’s throwing away our hard work.”

Journalism staff hosts Mr. North Harford; Boys prepare for return of annual pageant STARS club outlines for change SILVIA MARTINEZ Reporter

Lights. Camera. Action! Mr. North Harford, NH’s pageant for guys returns this May after pandemic restrictions limited school activities last year. The event will take place at NH on May 6 from 7:00 to 9:30 p. m. So far, 16 boys have signed up to compete.

The show will include the following six categories in order: formal wear, active wear, talent, group dance, spirit wear, and a question and answer segment.

Competitors will put on their best performance for each category, and be scored by staff members serving as judges.

This year’s hosts are seniors Summer Grace, Greer Strine, and junior Riley Stoneback. Seniors Chloe Ward and Benjamin Sersen will also help host the event by providing behind-the-scenes input from the competitors, as well as asking audience members for their opinions during the event.

Grace went to see Mr. NH two years ago when she was a sophomore. She “loved seeing the boys dance on stage, sing, and do skits” and believes it was very entertaining to watch. She is looking forward to hosting the event and is excited for it.

Mr. Brian Dougherty agreed to be a judge again this year, feeling very intrigued by the entire event. “Where else can [people] see unexpected displays of talent? Especially from students,” and states that teachers aren’t always aware of how much talent and creativity their students have. He looks forward to seeing

what the contestants will bring to the stage.

Mrs. Nancy Green also plans on being a judge. Green is excited that Mr. NH is back after “a too long hiatus” and believes it is one of the best traditions at NH. She looks forward to seeing all the school spirit on display, the excitement from the audience, and the “all out amazing performances from NH’s finest young men!”

Green’s favorite aspect of the show is “how supportive and wonderful the boys are to each other,” even though it’s a competitive event. “It takes guts to go all out, but the support of the other contestants gives everyone the confidence to shine,” says Green.

Sophomore Corbin Peacock will be doing a talent act with 3 other boys. He signed up because “it seemed like a fun time,” and he wanted to participate in a school activity to keep himself busy.

He’s looking forward to having fun performing with his friends on stage. Peacock hopes their formance will “put [him] and [his] friends out there” and come off as “super cool and popular.”

Senior Solomon Brundridge will return to the stage this year.

“There was some peer pressure my sophomore year to compete. I felt like a fun time was awaiting so I signed up,” he states. Brundridge believes the audience enjoyed watching him, therefore he signed up to compete again so he wouldn’t regret it after he graduated.

Brundridge was considering playing Careless Whisper on

the saxophone and singing again this year, but states he “has better ideas.”He is excited about his song choice, and believes it is something that will “definitely excite the crowd.” He hopes his “good looks and charm” will win the judges over.

Peacock thinks he and his friends have a good chance of winning. “The competition? Absolutely crushed. No shot for anybody else,” he explains. He believes his loud and clear personality will help win over the judges.

Green states she will be looking for the “fun factor” in her judging this year. She believes that if the boys themselves have fun, then the audience will have a fun time watching them. “Be confident and a little bit silly–don’t take any of it seriously–and have the best time,” she recommends.

She also hopes the boys choose to be bold and unforgettable.

Dougherty advises the competitors to “practice, practice, practice–don’t just wing it.” Peacock believes his group will receive a lot of support because they’re “the best, funny, and unusual in the good way.” Meanwhile, Brundridge doesn’t see why the public wouldn’t support him. “A man, a sax, what could go wrong?”

Returning contestant, senior Griffin Hevesy, is looking forward to competing in Mr. North Harford for his second year in a row. Hevesy advised the audience to have fun and “ enjoy the show (and not boo) because it can be nerve racking to be on stage but cheering can always help that.”

KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager

Aside from countless real life bodies in the hallways, NH has recently added the outlines of bodies on the floor in certain hallways. Some of these include the pair found in the atrium named ‘Cecelia’ and ‘Aubrie’ , a sign informs readers that Cecelia decided to leave the party with her drunken friend…Cecelia and Aubrie never made it home.

STARS (Students Taking a Responsible Stand) is the head of this initiative to bring awareness to this issue. President of the club, senior Grant Maxa, says the club, “has many events or activities throughout the year.”

They usually have a meeting once a month and during which, they discuss plans for the year.

Maxa said the “Tape the Space,” initiative was supposed to resemble a sudden death in the community. He added that displaying the outlined body and the scenario above it, “shows how the person passed. This shows students what the right thing to do is and the consequences of the bad decisions.”

Some of the bodies have causes of deaths ranging from driving impaired to not wearing your seatbelt. Junior Ava Grabowski, like many students has noticed these outlines, “I think it is important to send these messages to students. It is a very real thing that happens to many people.”

Grabowski feels the outlines “make you stop and think about some of the decisions you make

and where you can end up because of them.”

“The STARS club members and I are trying to inform the North Harford community of the risks/ dangers of drug use and alcohol use,” states Maxa. Advisor of the club Lori Rake states how, “The students come up with many of the ideas.”

Senior and member of STARS, Violet Kazi says, “We preach anti-drug and alcohol to students.

Drugs and alcohol are harmful and should be avoided. We are just trying to get this message across to students and make them think about their choices.”

Maxa talks about the things that can be expected when you join the club, “When joining the STARS club, you are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate and brainstorm events, and participate in the events.”

According to Maxa, officers of the club take a bigger role by directing the meetings and organizing the events.”

Kazi also adds that the club is, “a nice group of students and a great environment to discuss ideas and to help others.”

Junior Sierra Mcmanus has another reaction to the outlines found in the hallways. “I was confused by it at first to be honest. I wasn't sure why there were outlines of people but once I saw what it was promoting I thought it was a good idea,” she says.

“Many students don’t think especially in these kinds of situations and it leads to bad decision making,” continues McManus.

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April 29, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

North Harford student competes Community support local family in fundraiser ALTENBURG in Ninja Warrior Competition MARISSA they were in second grade and Staff, butterfly scrapbook makH/S Editor KRIS GRAY News Editor

obstacle course racing team with “40+ competitive Ninja Warriors On April 2, junior Jeremy Jestel who range in age seven to 51.” participated in the Ninja WarThe team participates in Recrior competition. As an employee reational Ninja as well as the at Kinetic Ninja Warrior gym, he NNL. NNL explains the differlearned about the opportunity ence between national and recreand decided to join. ational competitions: The NNL is American Ninja Warrior Na- an elite series of Ninja Competition states that in the television tions while the RNL is a series of show, American Ninja Warrior, beginner Ninja competitions. men and women compete against According to KNW, the team each other by completing intense is “coached by Scott Morrison, obstacle courses without failing. The Kinetic Ninja, as well as PauWith each level, the difficulty in- la Morrison, Matthew McPhee, creases and more are eliminated. Logan LeJeune, Mason TrautThe last person standing claims man, and Clark Trautman.” the title of American Ninja WarThe junior became involved rior (ANW). in the competition because he According to NNL, the Na- “train[s] and work[s] there.” tional Ninja League was created He says he entered the course by former competitors of ANW, and eventually “went to World Chris and Brian Wilczewski. The Championships in North Carobrothers’ motive was to encour- lina.” age participants and fans to stay The athlete explains the course engaged through an off-season consisted of “parkour, gymnasleague. The League became offi- tics, and calisthenics.” Jestel decial in 2015. tails, he has “been training for five Kinetic Ninja Warrior (KNW) years now.” is a National Ninja League (NNL) The student claims to “work gym in Bel Air where Jestel trains. out” in preparation for the coursKNW has over 100 obstacles es. “I had a great time! I ended and some of them consist of the up getting 12th place out of 116 guys.”

He said this is an experience that he is looking forward to competing in next year.

The event took place at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina.

The venue is an entertainment and sports complex.

The bout that took place was organized in the same manner the show is.

There were three stages.

If competitors finished stage one, they had the opportunity to engage in stage two. These people must have finished as the top 35 percent in order to move on. This continued up until stage three, where the final winners were announced and recJeremy Jestel trained in prepa- ognized.

Overall, KNW claims ration for the Ninja Warrior Competition. Anyone who is interested to be dedicated to “recan visit their website: kineticnin- cruiting athletes with a strong work ethic, team jawarrior.com. spirit, and positive atPHOTO CREDIT: Cindy Malloy titude, who never give up and keep trying their Warped Wall, Salmon Ladder, best.” Jestel and the other team Devil Steps, and Wing Nuts. The members’ “competitive goal is to gym has their own competitive conquer all obstacles!”

On Saturday, April 10, senior Malinah Jerscheid helped to coordinate a fundraiser, Boots Out For The Butterfly, which supported a member of the NH community who is battling cancer.

Jerscheid, Harford County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador, said, “The Boots Out for Butterfly movement began when Leila Roland, a 6-year-old dairy farm daughter, was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She wore her barn boots to the hospital the day she went in and received her diagnosis. Her mother, Amy, posted these boots with the caption “these boots don’t belong here.”

Prior to her diagnosis, Amy was conservative about her child’s identity on social media, calling her “butterfly” whenever she referred to her.

Following that initial post, people began to start the #BootsforButterfly trend, where they posted their own boots in the fields of their pastures, all waiting for Leila to come home from the hospital and beat cancer.

The hashtag was started with a picture of two lambs and a pair of boots. The post was made by Robin Corzatt, a North Harford alumna. Corzatt has been friends with Leila’s mom, Amy, since

through 4-H. ing courtesy of the NHHS YearCorzatt says, “after seeing book staff, and live music by the Amy’s first post about Leila be- Mayo Family Band. ing in the hospital my heart sank.

Jerscheid has known the My best friend’s little girl has the Vaughn family “since I first met “C” word! I knew I needed to do Amy because she is a North Harsomething to be there for her. Af- ford FFA Alumni Association’s ter calling her sister Missy, they Treasurer. Later, I started voluncame up with an idea to create teering with Amy at The Farmthe hashtag #bootsforthebutter- yard in Parkton, teaching youth fly.” agriculture classes. Jerscheid The Boots for the Butterfly talks about her experience creevent was open to anybody in the ating the event saying, “I worked community and only asked for with her a lot on making different a donation towards Butterfly’s connections between the high treatment as an entry.

The event included vendors like Hilbetty Bliss selling butterfly shirts and an open boutique trailer, Baby G’s Place with butterfly magnets, a selfie kiosk, The Harford County Master Gardeners with a bluebird nest box raffle, butterfly face painting by North Harford High School Advanced Art Students, Harford County 4-H with Boots for the butterfly event was outdoor activities, held at The Grove on April 10. All of story time by North the funds will go to support Leila RoHarford FFA, Brooms land on her recovery from cancer.

Bloom Ice cream sold PHOTO CREDIT: Malinah Jerscheid

by NHHS Journalism

Decoy Museum hosts annual festival REESE SHOWALTER Reporter The 40th annual Havre de Grace Decoy and Wildlife Art Festival is happening April 29 through May 1. This event celebrates the show that Jim Peirce started 40 years ago according to the website.

The museum is located on the banks of the historic Susquehanna Flats, the Havre de Grace Decoy museum houses collections of working and decorative Chesapeake Bay decoys.

The museum was established in 1986 as a private, non-profit institution existing to preserve the historical and cultural legacy of waterfowling and decoy making on the Chesapeake bay, according to the museum website. “This festival represents the single largest fundraiser for the Havre De Grace Decoy Museum and features vintage as well con-

temporary waterfowl decoys of all types and makers,” according to the Decoy Museums website.

Also according to the Decoy website, “Wildlife artists also present a myriad of flat art offerings. Carving, Gunning Decoy, and the J. Evans Mckinney Old Decoy contests lure folk artists from every talent level.”

On Friday, April 29 from 6pm9pm, Carver’s Reception is occurring. On Saturday, April 30 from eight am to six pm, exhibitions and competitions will take place. Lastly on Sunday, May 1 from 10am-4pm, again the exhibitions and competitions are taking place.

Food and drinks will be available at the festival for guests.

The tickets will cost $10 for the weekend. Junior Maddie Rutch said, “My family used to visit the decoy museum, I have not been to the museum in a while. I heard

about the 40th anniversary of the festival through a friend.”

Rutch added, “I remember going to the museum when I was younger and thinking it was so fun. Now looking back it does not seem like something I would have been interested in, but I definitely enjoyed it.” Rutch said she loved that the water was right outside. She would go out to the water and that was definitely her favorite part about visiting. She also states, “When I went to the museum my goal was to look at all of the decoys and pick out my favorite.”

Junior Reilly Holmstrum “visited a few times when [she]was young” and also more recently.

[She] spent the day in Havre de Grace and visited the museum while [she was] there.” She said that it was a lot of fun spending time with her family and just having a fun day.”

New book club for teachers established; Members share love for reading ALEXA FALLS Entertainment Editor As many North Harford High School students know, there is a book club here at North Harford that students can join, but special education teacher Monica Nolan and English teacher Meagan Neyens have started a book club exclusively for teachers.

The club had its first official meeting on March 31 of this year and there are meetings held on the last Thursday of each month.

Neyens says, “we [her and Nolan] begin each class with SSR,

and we often share our thoughts on the novels we are reading.

Ms. Nolan thought it would be really fun to invite others into our conversation. The idea to start a book club was hers.” Nolan says, “Mrs. Neyens and I both have a love for reading. We are always discussing our books that we are reading and thought other people who love reading might also want to discuss!”

Nolan mentions, “I love the community and I love talking about books. I have always had a love for reading.” The first book

that they chose to read was The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley.

Nolan says that this book is for those who enjoy reading murder mysteries, she herself loves mysteries and autobiographies. Neyens mentions, “[in the meeting] we talked about everything from [the] author’s craft to character development to what we liked and disliked about the novel.”

English teacher Joanna Dallum, member of the club says, “We found each other in the halls and tested our theories about who murdered whom. Such fun! In the

end, we were wrong and we were right.”

They are currently reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Neyens explains, “book club is a gathering that includes interesting conversation and delicious snacks!

We sit in a circle and talk about the novel we read that month.”

Nolan adds, “We plan for every month to have members choose a book. Then, we all read the book and later come together and discuss our thoughts.”

English teacher Kathleen Lem-

ke, member of the club say’s “it is fun to talk with other people who have read the same book as you.”

She adds, “it is also a relaxed way to get to know each other better.”

Her favorite genres are family drama and historical fiction.

Dallum says, “The members of the book circle are the best part!

We see things differently, but we find common ground in the motifs of the text.” Neyens is looking to recruit more members for the club as well, “we strongly encourage others to join and attend!

We are super fun!”

April 29, 2022

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Banghart walks her own musical path; Little decisions make extraordinary experiences JESSICA FANNIN IDR Editor

What started as a chore quickly became a lifetime of unforgettable musical experiences. Martha Banghart, the conductor and artistic director of the Deer Creek Chorale, grew up with a love for horses. In order to keep her horses she had “to do chores, and one of the chores included playing the piano.”

She received her education at “Skidmore College, which at the time was the number one horse back riding program in the country.”

Banghart went on to teach at “North Harford and was in charge of the choral program.”

When she first came to North Harford “there really was no musical program and [...] [she] was given a piano that did not work.”

Despite the troubles that came

with it, Banghart was able to build up the program at the high school and eventually started organizing reviews.

What inspired her to conduct reviews rather than putting on musical plays was, she “always believed everybody is a star no matter what.”

She came up with the idea of “taking a theme and finding music that fit the theme and hiring a choreographer. The choral parents would do the costume and the art department would do the sets.”

Banghart claimed “it was a whole school endeavor but, what was important was it was not a part of the curriculum and there were no after school rehearsals so that people in sports and other activities were able to participate.”

The former NH teacher be-

The chorale prepares new performance for their upcoming trips; Banghart’s musical career was sparked at a young age.

PHOTO CREDIT: Deer Creek Chorale lieved that “musicals only focused on four stars that got most

of the attention.” She dedicated her experience at NH to making everyone a star that shined in their own ways.

Around the time Banghart was going to retire “the school was being renovated.” But she ended up staying and she taught her music lessons “out of a trailer for five years.” Through Banghart, North Harford students got to go on trips to places like ” Carnegie Hall and China during the Olympics.”

Despite it being “a huge challenge at the end of ones career, it was well worth it.” NH “got an invitation in 1986 to bring a choir to Wales.” On her first trip she took “46 singers, none of whom had ever been on a plane. That is where […] [they] did the exchange with Oakdale youth choir.

They also worked with the di-

rector, Nigel Jones who […] [they have] actually done 27 trips with since.” From their endeavors, Banghart “made tons of friends who came to the U.S.. [they] went back and forth about three different times but, all together took eight trips.”

Banghart also got to take her students to “the Czech Republic, Prague, Austria, and Vienna in Salzburg, and then to Italy. [They also] sang at the Pope’s mass at the Vatican.”

She was “grateful […] [she] did not leave the school at the time because it was the most enriching five years.”

After leaving North Harford, the musical instructor continued to spread her knowledge through the Deer Creek Chorale. This is a local musical group that has traveled all over the place to perform for different audiences.

Alumna receives NASA internship; NH students travel to National Leadership Conference

Starting life in California GRACE FELDBUSH Event Coordinator

mous vehicles that are propelled with a rotor and blades. “I’m not Alumna Emmie Catrambone exactly sure what I will be doing has received an opportunity to go yet, specifically, but I am hoping to California for a NASA intern- to continue working on Mars Heship, her start date being June 6, licopter research,” she says. Mars 2022. She says she is nervously Helicopter research is what she is anticipating the start of this new currently working on at Univeropportunity. sity of Maryland and she explains Catrambone says working for she would love to continue workNASA was something she has ing with helicopter blade design wanted to do since she was in and testing. middle school. She explains to “In terms of rotorcraft knowlget this opportunity she applied edge, my research with Dr. Anubfor multiple internships all over hav Datta has prepared me more the country. “The professor I than I could have ever asked for,” conducted research with sug- Carambone says. With Datta, she gested that I apply to the Rotor- has had experience working with craft Aeromechanics internship, tools like carbon fiber. which just so happened to be at Catrambone is hoping to go NASA Ames in California,” she to graduate school after she gradsays. uates next spring, and is considCatrambone says after apply- ering getting a PhD as well. “I ing the waiting period is very would love to continue working long because NASA tends to take with NASA for as long as I can. I a long time to get back to can- am also very interested in defense didates. “The Mars Helicopter work, so applying for jobs at deresearch first piqued my interest fense contracting companies like in rotorcraft, so I was very excit- Northrop Grumman and Locked to pursue the opportunity at heed Martin will definitely be in NASA Ames this summer,” she my future as well,” she says. states.

According to Catrambone, Catrambone explains she will “The Aeromechanics Office is be working on different rotor- responsible for aeromechanics craft vehicles which are like he- research activities that directly licopters and unmanned autono- support the civil competitiveness of the U.S. helicopter industry and the Department of Defense.” Branch programs address aspects of the rotorcraft which influence the vehicle’s performance, structural, and dynamic response, external acoustics, vibration, and aeroelastic stability.

“At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will prepare a final report and either make a final presentation or participate in a poster day,” Catrambone says.

“I’m very nervous to live so far away from home, Emmie Catrambone excitedly await- but I know that it will be a ing to get to California. Nervous to great experience that I can start a new life away from hometown. build upon for the future,” PHOTO CREDIT: Emmie Catrambone Catrambone states.

LAYTON HILLIER Copy Editor Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) recently received their results for the state competition. Two students from North Harford will join the winners from other states and territories in Chicago, Illinois this summer.

“This year a record number of students competed all over the state so having a student place in the top ten is awesome,” according to Paraeducator and FBLA advisor Mrs. Victoria Bridges.

With the number of students who placed, North Harford became one of the only two high schools in Harford County that placed, the other being Aberdeen High School, says Bridges.

The results of students who placed at states included senior Silvia Guevara-Martinez, who got first place in Accounting and qualified for Nationals, as well as sophomore Braxton Victor who got second place in Intro to Business Concepts and qualified for Nationals as well.

Other students who placed at States but did not qualify for Nationals include sophomores Caleb DeHart, Kyle Difilippo,

Caitlyn Travagline, as well as juniors Kyle Hoy, Piper Wright, and seniors Jessica Fannin, Jackie Bultman, Grace Herron, and Alex Lavitz.

Learning about the news, “I was pretty excited, it’s a pretty big deal and I didn’t know it existed prior to this year. It’s good to know that I’m capable of this kind of thing against a decent number of pretty smart people,” Victor explains.

Victor was not the only person excited about their qualification. Martinez says, “I was really surprised to find out I got first, I didn’t expect to get this far in the first place and felt really intimidated by having to compete against people all over the state who have been in FBLA or learning about business longer than I have.”

FBLA is also holding an awards ceremony as well, to recognize the achievements of the FBLA students. “The reason we’re doing the Awards Ceremony is because our kids have placed at regionals and state competitions. They are getting certificates for those who are placed.”

A record-breaking number of students placed during the previ-

ous FBLA events this year, “19 of our students placed in the top ten at Regionals, and then 11 out of 15 students placed in the top ten at States. We’re going to reward these students and seniors will receive their cord,” says Bridges.

Preparing for Nationals, which take place in Chicago, Illinois from June 29 to July 2, is on the horizon for the two FBLA members representing North Harford.

“I really just prepared by paying attention in the business classes, because that’s what we’re tested on, the concepts we learned over the past two years. In the future, I might study more with the concepts that will be involved,” says Victor.

Martinez is looking forward to the event, “I’m not expecting to do as well as I did in regional and states because it’s Nationals, but I’m still planning on studying and doing my best to see what happens. I’m looking forward to the experience and the different events they’ll have there. I don’t know a lot about what nationals looks like because it’s my first year going, but I am excited about the fact it’s happening in Chicago because that’s where I’m going to college.”

Creative Writing 2/3 class creates children’s books CAROLINE BARQUIN Reporter

In a recent Creative Writing 2/3 unit, budding authors created children’s books that would eventually be read to North Harford Elementary School (NHES) students.

The process to create these books started with students drawing inspiration from the novellas (short novels) they were previously working on. Senior Courtney Warns explained that they also had to “study children’s literature before starting by analyzing the concepts and focuses of other children’s books.”

Similar techniques were utilized in the creation process.

Senior Annika Peterson used

a “rhyme scheme and let that guide the story.” The rhyming technique was popular among the students. Senior Clare Cummings utilized this technique each line because “the rhythm helps the kids to stay focused and interested.”

Inspiration for these stories were drawn from many sources.

Warns said she drew inspiration from a previous poem and Peterson drew inspiration from “the little bears on the celestial seasonings sleepy time tea boxes.”

Peterson’s book was about a little bear that wakes up to find his mother sick in bed and decides to help by making a cup of tea, so he travels the world to find the perfect one. The bear struggles to

find tea and returns home empty handed. “But in the end, the mother bear is totally chill and is only concerned with hearing a story of his journey,” said the author.

When the students traveled to NHES to read their books many enjoyed displaying their finished products to the young readers.

Warns describes, “we also asked the kids to tell us a story which was interesting to hear how they interpret the world.”

Cummings enjoyed the involvement of the kindergarteners, and they did “a great job listening and asking questions.” Peterson adds that it was “heartwarming to see them get so excited over our little handmade stories.”

April 29, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

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April 29, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

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April 29th, 2022

Cry of t

Seasons s,

s,

s,

10-11 - Features

the Hawk

DID YOU KNOW?

Fun Facts About the Seasons - Science News (weebly.com) In St. Petersburg in Russia, from mid-June to mid-July the sky stays bright, which is called White Nights.

HANNAH KRIZEK On the Arctic Circle, there are only two Op/Ed Editor seasons which are summer and winter. The sun only rises and sets once each year.

In Svalbard, an island off Norway, the sun doesn’t set from April 19 until August 23, and the sun doesn’t rise from October 26th until February 15. On the Arctic Circle the nighttime is called the ‘Midnight Sun,’ because the sun shines for 24 hours a day during their 6-month summer.

In Alaska, they play a game of baseball that starts at 10:30 pm on the Summer Solstice. It sometimes lasts until 2 am and is all played in daylight.

by:

:

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Hawk celebrates life with instruments Carnivale presents to class; ANNIE FINHOLM Reporter

MJP Guitar Tuition states that playing the guitar will allow you to “develop your ability to accurately express and release your emotions through playing, which can be very therapeutic.”

Herron began her journey during quarantine, a time where everyone was stuck indoors and had to find different methods of entertainment. While she “knew how to play the double bass and the bass guitar,” she believed that “learning the electric guitar seemed like a new and difficult experience” that she wanted to give a try.

The senior says that playing these instruments brings her tremendous joy, including when her dog Lucy would hear her play. She says that every time she brought out her guitar, Lucy would “lay near [her] and listen.” Unfortunately, Lucy has since passed, making Herron have newfound “bittersweet emotions” when she plays.

The senior’s playing is “connected very closely to [her] dog, for [she misses] her a lot.” She said her furry friend was there to watch her grow into the musician she is today, often making

her practice sessions sentimental and emotion-filled.

Another major influence on the musician’s will to play is her older sister. Herron’s sibling lives in Ireland and has recently started to pick up the guitar. This created an even stronger bond between the two, since they play a lot of music together. Getting to share this passion with her sister is “so refreshing,” according to Herron.

As the artist has progressed in her abilities, she said she has studied barré chords, which are musical chords where one finger presses down multiple strings at once. Learning this aspect of guitar has been her greatest hardship, since they “hurt [her] fingers a lot.”

Having three instruments under her belt is not enough for this student. Herron said she wishes to pick up “the accordion and concertina” because they “look like so much fun.” Since string instruments are her favorite, she would also enjoy the opportunity to learn the harp.

When looking for songs to master, Herron typically turns to Rush, Hers, The Smiths, and Garfunkel, since their songs are “strongly bass and guitar cen-

tered,” which makes grasping their tabs for bass and guitar “a fun challenge.” The School of Rock reports that tabs are “a method of notating music that empowers beginner guitarists to learn songs quickly and easily" by labeling when to change chords.

If there’s a student who’s looking to pick up any type of instrument, Herron says that they should “just do it[.]” The guitar player declares that the experience is “extremely rewarding and opens up a whole new path of musical possibilities[.]”

The Musical Arts Center of San Antonio states that in addition to the amusement of learning a new instrument, there are several other benefits to doing so, such as relieving stress, building patience, and improving memory. When music is heard, our blood pressure and heart rate are reduced, making us feel “more relaxed and happy,” adds the arts center.

Whether it’s intentional or not, reading chord tabs and remember different chords “stimulate your brain,” which will make it “more accustomed to learning[.]” The group claims that this will “make a big difference for your memory in the future.”

love the lyrics to it.”

Junior Brynn Hoffman is also a Harry Styles fan, while she also was a One Direction fan when she was younger too. Hoffman became obsessed with Styles in the past two years. “I was in physics and I literally dropped to the floor and cried,” Hoffman said.

The album is going to be a “soft/indie rock album” according to Hoffman. The fan was more shocked than surprised when she heard about the news on the album since “there had been rumors weeks before.”

Hoffman listens to his new song on “repeat at least once a day.” She was not expecting the new song. “It sent me into a full panic when it released because I was not ready.” Hoffman “definitely thinks the album is going to be a little different but with the same Harry Styles’ flair of emotion and powerful lyricism.”

She believes that the new

sound and the long release date is going to bring in new fans, along with ‘As It Was’ bringing in new people in the fandom. “Overall I'm really excited to experience it,” Hoffman said.

Freshman Alexis Gott has also been a Harry Styles fan for the past year and was in algebra when she found out about the album. “I started freaking out and I had to try and not scream in my chair.”

Gott knew the new album was around the corner but “didn't know exactly when so I was caught off guard when I heard.”

According to Gott, this album is going to be as popular as the other two “if not even more popular.”

She said his new song has a “different” style then his past ones, and she adds, “I love it so much and it's amazing for a lead single.” Gott also adds “I like hearing different sounds from Harry, it’s refreshing to hear something different.”

Styles breaks records with new single NOEL BAILEY Reporter

Harry Styles came out with a new song after not having any music out for the past three years.

Also, along with a new album, Harry’s House release date is May 20, according to Harry Styles’ Instagram account.

‘As It Was,’ a lead single from the new album, debuted on April 1 and made it to the top of the charts placing number one a few days after its release. It became Spotify's most streamed song in one day. The singer has been around since One Direction and has made two previous albums since the hiatus of his boyband days. Fine Line is the most recent one in 2019 and his debut album, HS1, was released in 2017.

Junior Rileigh Crawford has been a fan of Styles for three years. She feels like “his new album is going to be more of a pop and calm/healing album”. Crawford was surprised when he came out with the release date for the album but also not because she was “suspecting it because of the ‘You are home’ instagram account.”

The account is run by someone on Styles’ team who posts a picture of a door with it slightly open with a new picture in it everyday to hint things out about his new album. Crawford believes that this album will be bigger than his other ones. “He’s gotten so many new fans over quarantine and from ‘As It Was,’” she adds.

“Harry is so talented and he never disappoints,” Crawford said. Her reaction to his new song was that “it's really catchy and I

Young journalists inspired BEN IAMPIERI Copy Editor

Abbey Carnivale, North Harford alumna, and Ohio University graduate is now a sports reporter for Spectrum News 1. Before her new job, she worked for ESPN and Sports Center.

Carnivale spoke about her job to Mrs. Jennifer Chandler’s journalism class on April 1. “She talked about how her career took off from ESPN to where she is now,” sophomore Stella Manns says. “She wants her future to be in the journalism Reporter Abbey Carnivale pictured world.” Manns does on Spectrum News. Aluma shares not think she will go journalism experience with students. into a journalism caPHOTO CREDIT: Spectrum News reer, but found this quarterly presentation to have been the men, like working for ESPN,” she most interesting of the three. “It says. “She was being really honest might have just been because she about everything.” was a female and I am too, so it Carnivale spoke about how was more interesting to me.” people would sometimes not atSophomore Emily Johnson was tribute her to her work. “They there for the presentation too. would be like ‘oh somebody else “[Carnivale] went over things wrote that,’ or ‘you didn’t do that like when she graduated, what by yourself,’ when she writes all college she went to, her major, her scripts,” Moffitt explains. “I what she’s doing now, [and] thought that was kind of upsetgrowing up how she always ting that she didn’t get any credit loved sport and how that influ- for it. enced what she wanted to do as “The fact that she got to work a career,” she explains. Johnson with a lot of UFC fighters and has thought about a journalism NFL players like Tom Brady and career and says she “would love Conor McGregor was interestto do something within media ing because of how fast she got and broadcasting.” to that point in her life,” Manns She is uncertain if it is her pas- says. “She was really nice and it sion, but she says Carnivale’s pre- was cool that she remembered sentation piqued her interest in the teachers that came in and saw it. “I thought she was very enthu- her.” siastic and I liked her personality Johnson found it most interestand she has a broadcaster voice. I ing how often Carnivale moved liked it a lot.” around. She also admired how Freshman Claire Moffitt was she decided to try something othalso able to view the presenta- er than sports to decide if that tion. “[Carnivale] was talking was really what she wanted to about how it is to be in a work- do, then ended up going back to force that is mostly dominated by sports.

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Manie Musicale 2022 concludes Oscars’ results spark opinions, disagreements; LIORA TOLLIVER Reporter

French is an important language, spoken by millions of people across the world. While not vital to everyday life in the US, many students choose to learn the language for a variety of reasons. Some of these students take French classes at NHHS. Like many language classes, students learn the basics and some everyday phrases, things that one would generally want to know should they ever find themself in France. But they also get to participate in more fun, less structured things as well. In this case, the “thing” is Manie Musicale. According to the Manie Musicale website, “Manie Musicale Collaborative is a [...] nonprofit that works to promote the French language and culture through music.”

“It was created by two French teachers in Maine (USA) who wanted to do a fun music competition similar to “March Madness” with basketball.

They choose 16 current songs

by Francophone artists and pit them against each other in a “Sweet Sixteen” type of bracket,” said Mrs. Larissa Arist, French teacher.

Students and teachers get to vote on French songs they enjoy, and hope the ones they like win, and the songs are narrowed down until the winner is announced via video.

The 2022 winner was just recently announced. Corneille won with his song ‘Nouveau Monde.’

“We’ve been doing Manie Musicale in my classes for the past 4 or 5 years, but this is the first year I’ve been able to participate in the national voting with students. [L]ast year we did too, but since we were virtual, there wasn’t much excitement built up. Now, when we watch the “Reveal Video” (who won the previous Match Up), students have strong verbal reactions if it’s someone they like (cheer) or hate (boos). Love it,” Arist said.

Manie Musicale has been running now for a few years, each year gaining more and more schools joining internationally.

“It started small in 2017, but has grown over the past years due to it being shared on social media.

Now, there are over 3,000 schools (in the US, Canada, Australia, & other places) that participate in the vote,” said Arist.

The website states “Manie Musicale includes participation from 3,395 schools from all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and territories except Yukon, and sixteen countries.”

Arist said “My favorite part is when students tell me that they like a particular song by an artist and then tell me that they follow their Insta account.”

She adds, “they are being exposed to new music in another language… plus, they are learning lyrics in French!”

64th annual Grammys premiered REESE SHOWALTER Reporter

The 64th annual Grammys took place on April 3 at 8 p.m. and were hosted by Trevor Noah at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The 2020 show had the smallest audience in over a decade, according to statista.com These awards recognize the best music released from September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Some of the artists that attended the Grammys were Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipia, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X, and many more.

‘Leave the Door Open' by Silk Sonic won record of the year, ‘We Are’ by Jon Batiste won album of the year, and Olivia Rodrigo won best new artist, along with many other artists winning other awards.

Many people were shocked

by Silk Sonic winning record of the year. North Harford Middle School Student Lila Barnaba said, “I really wanted Olivia to win. I thought she deserved it, I never would have guessed that silk Sonic would have won. I am glad that she won three other awards.

She definitely deserves those, she had an amazing year.”

Barnaba added, “I wanted her [Olivia] to win but I felt like since she didn’t there were other artists that would have deserved it more. I read that Silk Sonic was

even shocked that they won that award.”

Out of all of the artists Jon Batiste won five Grammys, he won the most awards this year.

Many artists also won their first Grammys this year including Olivia Rodrigo.

Sophomore Caitlyn Travagline said, “I enjoy watching the Grammys for the red carpet. I love looking at all of the different dresses and suits that they wear. Even though sometimes the dresses don’t look good.”

Junior Madison Gann said, “I really only enjoy the performances at the Grammys. That is really the only reason I watch them.

The only time I pay attention to the awards is if I really like one of the artists.”

She added, “This year I did watch a little more of the Grammys because there were a lot of artists that I enjoyed listening to there.”

Travagline said, “I usually watch the Grammys every year, this year I wasn’t as excited as normal to watch them, I don’t really know why. I did still enjoy them though.”

Another notable event from the evening, Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine gave a speech about the war occuring between Russia and Ukraine. He urged people to use their platforms to help support in their time of need.

Controversial slap leaves many surprised ALEXA FALLS Entertainment Editor

The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, were recently hosted on March 27 of this year. The award ceremony had viral moments that left many shocked.

The 94th Oscars consisted of many awards given to talented actors and actresses. The winner for actor in the leading role was Will Smith, with his role in the film King Richard. Junior Julia Eakes says, “I think everyone did so well and all the awards were justified.” She adds, “I would've liked to see Andrew Garfield win best actor for tick, tick...BOOM!” Eakes mentions, “He literally learned to sing for that role, and he was amazing.”

Garfield was one of the nominees for best actor in leading role, along with Javier Bardem, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Denzel Washington. Junior Lundyn Prinz says, “I personally think that West Side Story should’ve won

best costume design over Cruella.”

She adds, “West Side Story just had costumes that fit the story line and looked very realistic while the ones with Cruella looked like every average Disney movie costume design.” The other nominees for best costume design included films Cyrano, Dune, and Nightmare Alley.

As for the actors and actresses who were nominated and who won awards, many showed up red-carpet ready. Eakes says that actor Simu Liu was the best dressed of the night. Similarly, Prinz said “Simu Liu and Penelope Cuz” were best dressed.

Eakes’ favorite part of the Oscars was, “Ariana Debose’s speech and the ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ performance.” She adds, “also seeing all the outfits [was one of my favorite parts].” Prinz says that her favorite part was “probably when the hosts did a skit and dressed up as their favorite movie.”

There was one incident at the

show that also got attention and it had nothing to do with winning an award. The Will Smith and Chris Rock incident left many with opinions of their own. Comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Smith’s (Will Smith’s wife) hair. Jada Smith didn’t like the joke and Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in response to the comment.

Prinz said, “I personally feel the slap was scripted but Will Smith screaming was not, and his emotions took over.” She says, “But either way, it was not handled well at all and people in the industry know that they need to be able to take hits from people.”

Eakes says, “I think it’s overshadowing the other accomplishments that happened that night.

If Will hadn’t done anything, no one would’ve remembered the joke but now there’s even more attention being shown to it.”

She adds, “But Chris Rock also shouldn’t have joked about Jada’s medical condition.”

Motivational books inspire NH employees; Staff shares stories that inspire them GRACE FELDBUSH Reporter

perini’s childhood prepared him for the hardships he faces in his later life. It also shows how he develops into an Olympic runner.

This also shows how determined Zamperini was even as a young child.

Ott explains he was inspired

is one of my favorites,” O’Hare states. She explains that she saw Have you ever considered readthe book on Tik Tok and so she ing a self-help, motivational, or decided to read it. just an uplifting book wonderO’Hare says the book is foing if they really help? Wonder cused on creating good habits to no longer, see what these North improve your everyday life. She Harford students and staff think. explains it has helped her create Media specialist Mr. Bob healthy habits in her own life Ott has explained he has nevas well as her friends' lives. er read a self-help book but “This book also helps peohas been inspired by a person ple break their bad habits in a book. for good,” O’Hare says. She Ott states the book that encourages anyone to read it inspired him the most was who needs a little sunshine. entitled “Unbroken” writEnglish teacher Mrs. ten by Laura Hillenbrand.

Christine Allred shares that He explains the book is a she believes motivational biography of World War books can help readers keep two veteran Louis Zampera positive outlook on life. She ini. Zamperini was a former explains the books often proOlympic track star that survide advice that is simplistic, vived a plane crash in the but reading it can encourPacificTheater. age others to make healthy Zamperini was a gold changes. medalist at the Olympics.

“Reading these types of “He was a short guy, kind of a books can help people gain tiny little fella,” Ott explains. confidence and help you Ott says Zamperini was an achieve things in your life air force pilot who got shot you have been working todown during the war. wards,” Allred says.

Ott’s favorite book “Unbroken.”

Ott explains Zamperini Allred explains her senior survived a long sea journey The book is available in the school English classes are reading on only a raft. He also suf- library.

The Last Lecture by Randy fered years of cruel treatment PHOTO CREDIT: Grace Feldbush Pausch. “I like to read this when he was a Japanese priswith seniors near graduaoner. tion to try to get them really He adds when Zamperini thinking about where they finally returned home, he strug- by Zamperini in this book be- are coming from, what experigled with “war demons” as well cause of how courageous he was. ences make them who they are, as alcohol abuse. Zamperini final- He looks up to Zamperini and and where they are headed, and ly found a light in someone, Billy hopes he can model the bravery what they might need to change Graham, who showed Zamperini Zamperini carried with him. or do to achieve their goals and that religion could save him.

Senior Ryley O’Hare explains create the legacy they desire,” the Ott explains the book is about she has found motivational books teacher claims. humans needing to survive, serv- that seem to make her day brightAllred believes everyone needs ing others, and how humans put er and put her in a better mood a road map and so many things in pain onto other people through when she makes time for herself life contribute to that roadmap. cruel acts. to read every day.

“Motivational books are just one The book shows how Zam“Atomic Habits by James Clear more tool to help develop our

Page 14- Student, Society, and Culture

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April 29, 2022

Senior takes stage; Grzymala working her way to victory MARISSA ALTENBURG H/S Editor

Williams stencils meaningful family tattoos CAROLINE BARQUIN Reporter

Junior Allie Williams is in the process of getting her second tattoo, a flower with a quote attached to it. Her tattoos are dedicated to her family and remembering them for their true personalities.

For adolescents under the age of 18, wanting to get a tattoo requires parental consent, as is the case with all body modifications like piercings.

According to Williams, her parents are very supportive of her tattoo journey, and she said “they are okay with whatever I want to do to my body.”

The inspiration for her tattoos come from her family and relate to events in the past. She hopes to have enough tattoos one day to remember all of her family members and to always have them be a part of her and be physically reminded of them on a daily basis.

Although she has plans for a large number of tattoos, she be-

lieves its placement is very important.

She feels that she should “get a tattoo in a spot that isn’t too noticeable because it’s important for future careers.” According to the workplace website 42% of people believe visible tattoos are inappropriate in the workplace and 55% of people believe body modifications are inappropriate as well.

There is a common notion among people that when someone gets a tattoo young, they are going to regret it in the future.

Williams disagrees with this notion.“If they are properly thought out then in the future you should have no regrets.” She adds, “be happy with how you spend your time, money and pain.”

When deciding to get inked, she added that it’s important to do proper research on the tattoo shop, the tattoo artist, and proper pricing. William shares her guidance with people aspiring

to get tattooed. “Definitely look into it first and get something that is meaningful because it’s something that’s permanent and not easily taken off of your body,” said Williams.

According to the Adv Dermatology website, 35% of people get impulsive tattoos and end up regretting them immediately after receiving them.

The StillWater Medical Spa describes the procedure of laser removal for tattoos typically costs around $200-500 per treatment, they often are incredibly painful.

Williams agrees, “laser removal for tattoos should not be someone’s backup plan for a bad tattoo, I’ve heard that it's insanely painful and definitely something I never want to do.”

The price of tattoos fluctuates greatly, from as little as 10 dollars to thousands. In Williams’ experience, they have been very pricey but Williams said she works a lot at her part-time job making it possible for her to get the tattoos.

Student artist delves into animation;

Illustrations come alive CHLOE WARD Reporter

How does an artist turn a flat digital image into a multidimensional piece of art that is capable of telling a story without even using words? While the world of animation differs from illustration, some North Harford student artists have taken the plunge into the media.

The 2022 second annual Hawks Handmade Film Festival brought the talent to light, due to the contributions of several talented contestants including junior Emma Cieri, who won second place for her film “Defying Gravity”.

As a child, Cieri developed a fascination with animated media because of YouTube. During the mid 2010’s, “animatics”, a term for animated storyboards, were becoming increasingly popular tools for life storytimes, visualizing songs, telling short stories, etc.

“Now, I see it as a genuine hobby with a lot of effort put into it, but as a naive child I really just wanted to hop on a trend and get famous like them,” she says.

Cieri has a story oriented process: She gets the ideas down first, then focuses on animation later.

For her, drafting the story itself

relies heavily on inspiration from other media in the early stages.

“I basically take little detailed, tiny bits of stories from music or shows and then mold them together to create a semi-original story,” she says, “eventually it develops and leans further away from its original sources.” She often will generate these inspirations from a song in her head, hyperfixate on the meaning, and incorporate her original characters into a story inspired by the lyrics.

Storyboarding is an essential part of the animation process, where an artist takes their ideas and translates them to a rough visual form– it can be thumbnail drawings, diagrams, or rough animations that include notes for expanding on details.

“Personally, I do at least two storyboards,” she says, “One where it’s basically a bunch of scribbles…to shove my ideas down and not worry about quality.” This is a method called scamping according to boords. com, and while messy and raw, is “storyboarding in its most essential form”.

The next step in creating an animation is going back and “[fleshing] out what happens and [adding] movement,” Cieri continues.

She then goes back to edit each frame, asking for feedback from others and watching it repeatedly until the frames flow together.

From an animator to an artist who is intimidated by animation, Cieri explains the importance of simply beginning a project and diving right in. Every animator experiences frustration, and it’s a long, tedious, and confusing process, she says. The difficulty is what kept her from animating for so long. “But are you ever gonna feel the relief of finishing the product, the enjoyment of seeing your characters come to life, if you never start? No, you won’t.

So just start.” Tackling a small project is completely appropriate for a beginner, and she advises to not take on too big of a project to prevent being immediately discouraged.

Finally, Cieri suggests YouTuber Ethan Becker, who provides advice to animators on common mistakes.

“He isn’t afraid to give you the hard truth, or give you some well needed pointers,” she says. Becker also analyzes good examples of animation to determine what makes it well done, and how even easy techniques can make the motion and art seem polished.

would be shocked to know about “how long our competitions and Leap. Jump. Spin. Senior Beth- rehearsals are. For the week, I any Grzymala spends her time spend 32 hours in the studio inoutside of school at the dance cluding classes, rehearsals, privates and assisting. For compestudio.

The dancer says that she has titions, we have dances at 9am been performing for 15 years, and with award ceremonies at 11pm, she got into dancing because of we’re practically there the whole day, physicalher older sisly and mentalter. Grzymala ly exhausted. says that when It is a struggle it came to conto try and fit tinuing, it was schoolwork her choice “to in all of this start taking especially on dance more secompetition riously at the weekends, age of 8 and but somehow start working we all manage hard on a comto get the job petitive team.” done.”

She adds her Preparation “favorite part for a compeabout dancing tition isn’t is how unique just the week every style of dance is.”

Grzymala rounding out leading up to it, the whole On a typical weekday, Gr- her last competition season, dance season zymala goes competing weekly. The dancer prepares them to school from has been working for 15 years for competition. Grzyma7am-2pm, goes on the craft. home, grabs PHOTO CREDIT: Desiree la has rehearsals three times something a week every quick to eat, Ortman Photography. week since and dances from 4pm-9:30pm. On the week- September, plus extra rehearsals ends, dance is typically from once a month, and solo privates 8am-3pm. Grzymala adds “to be weekly.

“Personally, I also cross-train a well rounded dancer is something a dancer strives for. You and workout in my free time to have to be able to look at each make sure my body is healthy individual style and find ways enough to withstand the physyou can incorporate your own icality of dance, not to mention movement quality whether it’s the stamina it takes to make it jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, through all 12 of my competition dances,” says the dancer. musical theater, etc.”

Grzymala’s favorite group Grzymala says that another favorite part about dancing is dance she has done is their conthe “relationships you form as a temporary dance this year. It dancer are also one of my favorite was choreographed by a guest parts about dancing. From teach- choreographer, Dee Caspary. Her ers to students and even dance favorite solo she has done is her self-choreographed solo that she moms, it’s like a second family.”

Grzymala says that the public created this year.

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“Turning Red” gets mixed reviews BELLA ARIST Reporter

On March 11, 2022, Pixar released Turning Red. Since then, it has gotten a lot of attention, both positive and negative, on social media. Critics warn that this PG movie has some controversial topics about womanhood.

The movie features a 13-yearold girl, Mei Lee, starting her journey through adolescence.

Critics of the film say the movie features scenes where she lies to her parents, sneaks out, and a host of other behaviors that are less than ideal.

Many parents are concerned that the film promotes negative behaviors when kids don’t get what they want from their parents. There have been tweets, posts, and articles popping up all over social media that suggest this is not a film appropriate for its target audience.

After parents viewed the movie, the reviews came out and the

average was recommended for kids over 10 years old. The film is based around a girl getting her period and maturing through it.

The reason for this age group is so kids can appreciate and understand the movie.

POC Culture, an organization dedicated to celebrating different backgrounds, has been responding to those tweets supporting Turning Red and the choices in how the movie was executed.

The go-to-source for today's information and updates on new movies, Cinemablend’s managing director Sean O’Connell posted a review giving this movie two and a half stars. He explained his rating in a tweet where he said, “I recognized the humor in the film, but connected with none of it.”

The critic mentioned how parents might be surprised and uncomfortable with their child watching it. He explained “There’s an audience out there for Turning Red... In my opinion,

however, that audience is relatively small, and I’m not part of it.”

There has been a lot of controversy about this Pixar film, but the students at North Harford think differently. Sophomore Sara Ford said she “liked how it had a cultural background and allowed young girls to be able to express their emotions and relate to it.”

Ford mentions she thinks it’s “good for girls to learn about growing up and experiencing the world.” Sophomore Kate Deily felt this movie was “a nice representation of going into womanhood and also the mother and daughter relationship, especially in Asian households.”

Another sophomore Cara Dyke said, “the movie was good, but kind of weird. Some of the actions the kids were doing threw me off.” She explains “it could offend people who want to be different.”

Window for prom shopping closing;

Students rushing to get dressed up

BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter

Students are gearing up for prom, which is scheduled for April 30. Seniors Ethan Jourdan, Tiffany Williams, and Emily Messick have spent time chasing after their dream prom dress/suit Williams says, “I spent about $300 on my prom dress and for alterations I spent $175 and then my shoes I already have had but they were about $100 when I got them.”

Jourdan says, “I actually intended on going to a few proms, so I went with the budget of ‘bougee on a budget’, and so I really tried to go for what I had but I wanted to go a little bit more intricate with my suit and dress wear.”

“I bought my dress for about $500, and my alterations were like $200 and my shoes I already had but they were only like $20 when I got them,”: said Messick.

She said she got her gown at Cecil's Boutique. “ I only shopped there for my dress and got it the first time I tried it on because I just fell in love with it,” said the senior.

Jourdan says, “I am someone who does not spend a lot of money on a lot of things, but I really like fashion, so I spend a lot of my money on fashion, so I have a few suits that I have bought in the previous years in preparation.”

He continues, “I spent a few hundred dollars on different suits. But my actual shirt was very expensive, the same as my tie.”

Williams says, “I'm planning on actually getting my hair, nails and make up done for prom and the place I go to for my nails, it is only like $40 for a full acrylic set.”

She also mentions “ for my hair and makeup place, they aren’t extremely expensive, only like a hundred dollars and they do a good job.”

Messick says, “I am only going to get my hair done and do my makeup and nails myself. For hair, I go to Jordan Thomas and that only costs like $100.”

Jourdan says, “I don’t go out and get my hair done because my mom is really good at hair, so I have her just do it for me. But I like to use firm holding products because I don’t want to mess up my hair when I'm jumping around and dancing.”

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Hyperbaric chambers may aid in Alzheimer’s disease Microplastic particles found in blood; KIMBERLY EDGAR Reporter “Exposure to high amounts of oxygen also has been shown to improve short-term memory in people who have had strokes and those with Alzheimer’s disease,” says Science News in an article posted in 1972. Science News revisited and reuploaded the article and added that 50 years later, scientists still aren’t certain if this is a solid treatment.

According to The National Library of Medicine, the absence of sufficient oxygen levels in tissues of the body is one of the contributing factors to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, “therapeutics like hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which improves tissue oxygen supply and ameliorates hypoxic conditions in the brain, may be an alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s and amnestic mild cognitive impairment,” says The National Library of Medicine. The National Library of Medicine’s research and tests led them to conclude that hyperbaric treatment can be used as an alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases.

Senior Damien Thomas believes that the possibility of this

treatment helping to improve the memory of Alzheimer’s patients could benefit future discoveries.

Thomas also mentions that if it does lead to a cure of these diseases, it would be an “incredible feat”. Thomas adds, “hopefully, these people with Alzheimer’s will be able to get the help that they need [with hyperbaric therapy] and remember their families and live longer lives.”

Another study performed by Tel Aviv University suggests that oxygen therapy can “see those symptoms improve, and even reverse,” says The New York Post.

The university’s work was also published in The Journal of Aging.

The New York Post summarizes the treatment tests that the university demonstrated. “The treatment prescribed to the six trial participants included five, 90-minute sessions per week for three months, in which patients inhaled pure oxygen through an air mask while within a pressurized chamber.”

Junior Riley Richardson disagrees with the treatment because of the possibility of extreme danger to the patient if a fire were to get into the chamber

somehow, “it would spread super fast due to the oxygen with no time to put it out.” Richardson explains that being in a chamber for hours at a time under pressure is not pleasant. “That sounds like solitary confinement but worse.

Personally, I don’t care if it might help with memory loss. I’d rather try anything else before I step into a hyperbaric chamber.”

The New York Post explains that the goal of hyperbaric treatment is to increase the amount of oxygen for normal organ function and tissue repair. The volunteers that participated in the university’s study claim, “a straight shot of oxygen to the dome was enough to see significant healing in the brain by allowing a more robust and efficient flow of blood to the brain, the lack of which is linked to the onset of dementia.”

“Elderly patients suffering from significant memory loss at baseline revealed an increase in brain blood flow and improvement in cognitive performance, demonstrating hyperbaric oxygen therapy’s potency to reverse core elements responsible,” Tel Aviv University professor Uri Ashery told The Telegraph this week, according to The New York Post.

Scientists continue to theorize whether hyperbaric treatment will be used as an alternative therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. 50 years ago scientists were introduced to the possibility of pure oxygen possibly reversing symptoms of memory loss. PHOTO CREDIT: Mayo Clinic

Perfectly preserved dinosaur fossil found; Dinosaur hit by asteroid 66 million years ago DANNY GALLO Reporter Scientists around the world are still researching the so-called Chicxulub asteroid which according to them hit earth 66 million years ago, way before civilization became what it is today.

According to Phillip Manning, professor of natural history at the University of Manchester, scientists believe that they have been given an “extraordinary view,” of the last day of the dinosaurs.

A fossil of an animal, a preserved leg, has been found and accurately dated back to the time of the Big Bang, which, according to scientists, struck the Earth with extinction.

This fossil, a leg, even includes “remnants of the animal’s skin.”

Manning shares his opinion, “it’s absolutely bonkers.” The thescelosaurus leg discovered at the Tanis dig site in North Dakota was the “ultimate dinosaur drumstick,” according to Manning.

BBC documentary The Final Day with Sir Dad Attenborough showed when the dig took place.

The professor said that when

“Sir David looked at [the leg] he smiled and said ‘that is an impossible fossil.” Manning agreed.

The team was able to track this leg back to the Chicxulub through the debris that rained down immediately after the asteroid struck. It matches what is on the leg. Man-

“Sir David looked at [the leg] he smiled and said ‘that is an impossible fossil.”

-Phillip Manning, professor of natural history at the University of Manchester n i n g shares his excitement, “it’s absolutely gobsmackingly beautiful. I never dreamt in all of my career that I would get to look at something so time-constrained and beautiful,” explains Manning. Tiny “glasslike” particles of molten rock in the gills of fish fossils found at the site were “kicked up by the

asteroid’s explosive impact,” as was shared on BBC News.

Robert DePalma, a graduate student from the University of Manchester led the dig. He explained to BBC News, “You look at the rock column, you look at fossils there, and it brings you back to that day.” Furthermore, Anthony Fiorillo, research professor at Southern Methodist University called the leg “beautifully preserved.” He explains that the fact this leg is intact with soft tissue is extremely unusual in fossils. Especially, as he says, because when a corpse deteriorates it is ground down to the bone.

Liz Freedman Fowler, assistant professor, shares with USA Today that she is waiting for more evidence, since finding preserved fossils in the same place is unusual. She and her team want to do “3D scans of the site.” Fowler wants to see “that leg in the ground and how it was lying relative to the fish fossils that were there.” She further explains that they would like to see the big picture of how the pieces fit together.

Unknown effects may exist long term CHLOE WARD Reporter Environmentalists have warned the world of the consequences of pollution and the mass amount of waste that humanity generates, but trash has recently traveled far beyond rivers and train cars– in human blood.

While older living beings having plastics in their blood is concerning, one of the larger concerns is that traces of dyed plastics were found in the placenta of an unborn baby, which the researchers said was “a matter of great concern”. Likely, it was Microplastics that mothers breathed in and consumed, and all examined particles were dyed vibrant colors meaning they came from packaged personal care products or makeup.

Researchers have concerns that microplastics being found in children will lead to adverse effects such as mutations, and will be “no longer composed only of human cells, but a mixture of biological and inorganic entities,”according to Antonio Ragusa, director of obstetrics and gynecology in Rome (The Guardian).

He uses the term “plastic cyborg children”. The speculation is on the extremist side, but there is no evidence to confirm nor deny the statement.

Animal science teacher Mr. Brady Green says this discovery “isn’t surprising,” considering the amount of plastic we accidentally consume. While he does not believe in the cyborg theory, he does note the sheer amount of plastic we consume without knowledge.

“They say you should never use water bottles that have been in a hot car because it leeches the

plastic into the water,” he says, “and the same goes for frozen bottles.”

The same plastics are being found in anonymously donated organs, as well as embedded deep in the lung tissue of about a dozen patients awaiting surgery (NBCNews). Plastics are now becoming a frequent material in human blood, and the consequences and long term effects are still unknown.

According to Green, “I think the best thing we could do is try to reduce the amount of plastic we use, and I just don’t think that is ever going to happen.” It is possible, however, there remain poor cities and countries in the world that have no access to proper garbage disposal.

Most of their trash gets thrown into rivers where it is never seen again, except by the wildlife that live in the ocean, and then eventually by scientists under a microscope who find it in human tissue.

Green lists the simple ways to gradually reduce plastic waste without major life changes.

Switching from water bottles to a thermos is a healthy solution for both the body and the earth. Water bottle packaging companies don’t keep bottles chilled, and whenever they get hot, the plastic melts, causing the consumption of plastic particles.

Buying food in bulk rather than individually packaged products helps as well, according to iberdrola.com, because it reduces both plastic packaging around food and nonbiodegradable waste that will only contribute to the massive garbage dumps around the world.

Did you know?

MATTHEW LEDFORD Reporter

* A Bluetooth device uses radio waves instead of wires or cables to connect to a phone or computer. A Bluetooth product, like a headset or watch, contains a tiny computer chip with a Bluetooth radio and software that makes it easy to connect. * In the beginning Bluetooths range was not very large but with technological innovations, today its range is much bigger than it used to be. Where the furthest limit of its range used to be 10 feet to the newer Bluetooth devices that can communicate up to 100 feet. * In 2008, only 5 percent of mobile devices were Bluetooth-enabled. Compare that to today’s capability, when roughly 95 percent of mobile devices support it. * Bluetooth is named after a Danish king. Harold “Blåtand” Gormsson, who was the king of Denmark in the tenth century, it is known that he loved blueberries so much that his teeth were perpetually blue. Bluetooth is simply a changed version of his nickname. * The symbol is a combination of the Nordic runes for H and B, which refer to king Harald Bluetooth. It was meant to unite devices the same way Harald Bluetooth united the tribes of Denmark into a single kingdom. * There are five different versions of it. The first version was called 1.1, which was followed by 1.2, 2.0 plus EDR, 3.0 plus HB and version 4. They are backwards-compatible with Bluetooth devices.

Sources: Insider.com

April 29, 2022

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Keeping track of stats; Managers play role in team organization MEGHAN KALCK SSC Editor Playing a sport requires commitment and a lot of hard work but, being a team manager is the exact same.

Junior Gigi Dellarose manages the boys varsity lacrosse team and she loves what she does. She has managed once in the past during her sophomore year and will continue managing throughout her senior year as well.

“Being a lacrosse manager you have to do things like take stats and go to all the games,” Dellarose says and also getting to know all of the players on the team and also the coaches.

One of Dellarose’s favorite things about being a manager is “just being there,” at the games

and also being able to spend time and more as well,” and they also raisers and they also help pass with some of her “best friends,” help organize and coordinate the out uniforms and get any necessary forms in that the who are the other players need. managers she works Bultman likes being with. a manager because “it The other managers is a way for [her] to for the boys varsity labe involved in a spring crosse team are seniors sport without actually Jackie Bultman and playing the sport.”

Marissa Altenburg Altenburg is the Bultman has been a “head manager,” for the manager for four years varsity boys lacrosse and she loves being a manager and just like Seniors Jackie Bultman and Marissa Altenburg, team and the jobs are Dellarose, she likes and junior Gigi Dellarose sitting at the managers slightly different than that of the other manhanging out with her table at Northeast Senior High School. The agers like helping most friends who are also managers are looking forward to the rest of the of the parents and she the managers. lacrosse season. PHOTO CREDIT: Erin Tracy does most of the things “Being a manager with the off season you keep track, specifically in lacrosse, of penalty time, “office work,” which is stuff for such as organizing uniforms.

“A good amount of the job inground balls, saves by the goalie events like senior night or fund-

volves talking and yelling and making sure that the boys are in line,” Altenburg says.

She enjoys watching her brothers play and also seeing the field from a different perspective because “it’s different watching the game on the field then in the stands.”

Junior Kaley Mullhusen is the manager for the girls varsity lacrosse team and she loves being a manager because it is very enjoyable for her and she loves being with the team because the team is “all of [her] friends.”

This is her first year of managing and she plans on continuing through her senior year as well because she enjoys doing what she does just like the other managers.

‘Loving’ time on court; Players creating friendships, memories with new team KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager With the spring sports season starting to pick up the North Harford tennis team has hit the courts. “[She] really love[s] all the people,” says senior Megan Mannlein, “[They] have a lot of great underclassmen who [she] really admire. [They] also have some fantastic upperclassmen who have shown great improvement and continue to be great role models.”

Junior Yoyin Ogunyemi talks about the team, “We get along really well. [She] really appreciate[s] how we all get along and how many friends [she’s] made while being on the team.” The team also talks about their best competitors so far into the season. “My best competitor so far is a bit cliche but it was the mixed doubles team at Fallston. They were the best mixed team so far in the division and we had such a tight game,” states sophomore

Stella Manns.

Sophomore Cara Dyke says, “The best competitor so far would be C. Milton because the two girls I went up against had very good placement and it would help them get easy points.” Sophomore Emily Johnson agrees with Dyke on this stating for herself, “The best competitor I’ve played was at our first match against CMW[…]The girl I played had good and quick serves and knew exactly what she was

doing. It was definitely difficult but it taught me alot, such as the importance of staying on your toes, and I even scored a few points on her!”

Dyke also talks about her best moment on the court. “I was at the net and I slammed the ball down the alley and the girl couldn’t return it. When I would serve the girl couldn’t return the serve and it would just go up into the air.”

“The highlights are being able to show your skills

and learn how to get better through competing in games.”

Ogunyemi states.

To read more about the tennis team, scan the code!

Gaining muscle through discipline Junior commits to play Division I soccer;

BEN SERSEN Reporter

The Hawks finished their 2020-21 football season with a record of 5-5 and to the juniors on the team like Marquis Porter and Scott Sowards, this wasn’t good enough. Porter said, “We had a good team, even through injury we held our own and made the best out of what we had, showed a lot of promise for next season.”

Sowards agreed with Porter’s claim stating, “Beating Fallston at the end of the season alone showed me that we could be a dangerous team, it made [him] feel like we had a lot more in us than we showed throughout the season and that only made [him] want to push [himself] this off-season.”

The two juniors have taken to the gym during the off-season to keep in shape and ready for the season and they are far from alone, states Porter, “We have players like Conner Ballard and Giavanni Barbarino who are in the gym nearly everyday. Seeing how a large portion of our team all collectively decided to take the jump to the next level genuinely makes it easier to keep pushing [himself].” The defensive end added, “ the team wants it and it's in everyone’s mind that next season is our last, we need to make it count.” “[He’s] very excited for this season,” claims Sowards. “We have one last ride with all the

players who’ve grown up playing together since they were six years old and this time everyone is taking it seriously. We have a good chance to be a playoff team next year with how hard everyone has been working.” “...[He] has a few good friends [he] works out with and [he’s] seen the progression [they’re] making. We weren’t weak before but we’re on a new level now.”

Porter stated as he gave insight on his mindset this off-season. “[He] has never hit weights the way [he] have this season. Working out has always been natural to [him] but working out with others that will push [him] further than [he] even thought [he] could go has just shown [him[ that [he’s] limited only by my mind, [his] body can go so much further if [he] let[s] it.” “[He] think[s] it’s bigger than football. [He] think[s] it started as something to make us better at football but it’s made us better as people along the way,” stated Sowards regarding weightlifting, “[He’s] noticed a large increase in people in the gym and it seems like everyone has decided to start hitting the gym the last few months, it’s not just the players.

[He] think[s] everyone woke up because of the pandemic, [he] truly believe[s] it showed the world the benefits of keeping a healthy and disciplined routine and that’s a lesson we learn well in football.”

Lavin sets goals for post-high school career RILEY STONEBACK Reporter

for three years. She competed on STARS at the Arena Club, then went on to play at Pipeline for the boys team. She now plays for the Pipeline girls team.

Lavin says, “[She’s] learned a lot from my coaches. [She] think[s] that part of it is work ethic and

and put her sisters into soccer, Lavin followed in their footsteps.

On Feb. 2, 2022, junior Finley “[She] think[s] [she] stayed with Lavin announced her verbal comit because it was a place that mitment to play Division I soccer [she] always enjoyed,” says Lavin. at the University of Memphis.

“And [she] think[s] it’s still that Lavin says that it “feels really place for [her]. It’s [her] place to nice. It’s a lot of stress that just escape everything, which is just got released.” really important for According to mem[her].” phis.edu, the UniverThough soccer is sity of Memphis is a a major part of her public research unilife, Lavin says she is versity in Memphis, also going to MemTennessee, founded phis for her schooling. in 1922, and has an Hoping to become a enrollment of around physical therapist or 22,000 students. health scientist, Lavin As a junior, Lavin says, “[She] would say says, “Committing is studying is just as if definitely a risk that not more important you take, but in the than soccer because end it's the right desoccer can end anycision for recruiting. time with one injury.

Spots get taken really Picking a school with fast. The University Lavin poses after announcing her commitment. good academics was of Memphis team alon the top of my list She decided to play DI soccer while studying to ready has two other when [she] was decidbecome a physical therapist or health scientist. commits at the same ing.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Finley Lavin time as [her] and [she] When talking think[s] they’re takabout her goal, Lavin ing three more. [She] would just knowing that you can’t give up, said that playing DI soccer was say that it’s good to know that but at the same time having con- important. “With the amount [she] has a spot already.” fidence. [She] used to have no [she’s] traveled and how much Lavin has been playing soc- confidence, even beginning this time [she’s] put in, D1 was [her] cer her whole life beginning with year. But each of my coaches has goal. I would like to play in Eurec ball in Jarrettsville. From helped [her] learn more, grow, rope or just play professionalthere she went to the Northern and become a smarter player.” ly, but that’s honestly just the Elite Soccer Club, playing there After her parents played soccer dream.”

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Cry of the Hawk

Varsity baseball ‘strikes’ back; New coaching staff adjusts to team GRACE FELDBUSH Event Coordinator Varsity baseball has slid into their 2022 season. Coaches Jeffrey Burrows, Justin Martinek, and Tucker Fries are leading the team.

Martinek explains he has coached the team for nine years now. He said he got into coaching baseball because “baseball is a completely different mentality than football,” and he likes that change.

Prior to coaching, Martinek played baseball for 17 years, which gave him the experience to start coaching. He believes he brings a lot to the team like, “knowledge of the game and how it should be played.”

When making cuts at tryouts, Martinek says he ranked players into three categories which were fielding, throwing, and hitting, and he made his decisions from there.

“Winning the 2021 Regional Championship has been my most successful moment as a coach,” Martinek says.

“When athletes are struggling, [he] just tries to get them to clear their heads,” Martinek explains.

He says when people struggle in baseball it is usually a mental block.

Martinek is focusing on the mental aspect of baseball right now.

“Baseball is 90% mental, [he’s] focusing on making them think about what they are going to do with the ball when it is hit to them and how to get the best outcome from the play,” he says.

Senior Vance Haire (#6) up to “The parents shouldn’t be bat. They have hoped to improve proaching a the ones apcoach about their hitting this year. PHOTO playing time, the athlete CREDIT: Dawn Haire should be.

“Playing time comes from the production at practice that gives the coach confidence that you will perform in the game,” Martinek states.

Head coach Jeffery Burrows has been coaching high school baseball for 22 years. “This is my first year as the varsity baseball head coach at NH, [he] assisted coaching with Mr. Larrimore for 19 years prior to this,” he says.

Burrows says making decisions on who is part of the team is always tough. He explains the grade, their position, and how many players also play that position all go into consideration when making cuts at tryouts.

The coach explains he is a very competitive person and is hoping it will help the team want to improve and get better. “Winning isn’t everything, but putting the work in and trying your best as an individual and as a team is in my opinion,” the coach states.

Burrows says he wants players to know that “it is their team and they have to put the work in to have a successful team.” He explains it is difficult to have success as a whole, when coaches want to improve more than the players do.

According to Burrows it is extremely important for players to advocate for themselves, rather than parents do it for them. “[He] doesn’t talk to parents about playing time, [he] speak[s] to the players if they have questions,” he states.

Burrows is currently working on keeping the athletes consistent.

He believes that since many of the players are young they do not play with the same level of energy and focus that is needed.

The head coach states that the team is great to work with and they keep improving every day. “[He] like[s] to give back to the next generation of athletes like [his] coaches did for [him],” the coach says.

April 29, 2022

Kansas, South Carolina upset UNC, UConn GREER STRINE Sports Editor On Apr. 3-4, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s and Women's Basketball National Championship games took place.

The teams playing for the title for the men, the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kansas Jayhawks, for the women, the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies.

To get into the tournament, the NCAA states, “An automatic bid is awarded to any team that wins its conference tournament championship. There are 32 of these available. An at-large bid is awarded to any team chosen by the Selection Committee for its performance during the season.”

According to CBS, based off the wagers, they added, “Bettors name Gonzaga (17 percent) as their favorite to win the tournament, followed by Duke (12 percent), and Kentucky (11 percent).”

Of a poll of 137 students, 45 percent said they follow March Madness, and many make brackets including juniors Mason Dyckman, Lillian Duffy, Wyatt Ralph, and freshman Cody Deak.

Deak says he has been making brackets for around five years

big dance. Deak had Auburn, Dyckman had Gonzaga, Duffy had North Carolina, and Ralph had Kansas.

Dyckman and Ralph among a group of their friends made brackets together, competing against each other. Out of their group, Dyckman states that out of the group, Ralph did the best. “[He] made multiple bracket.

For [his] best bracket, [he] was in the 96 percentile of all brackets and by the end, thinks [he] accumulated over 1,000 points,” said Ralph.

Both Deak and Dyckman agreed that their brackets this year did not go as well as they had planned, especially because of the many upsets that occurred this season.

Deak was the only one out of the four who had St. Peter’s upsetting No. 2 Kentucky (UK) in the first round, which broke the other’s brackets right off the bat. “[He] thought that [St. Peter’s beating Kentucky] was pretty cool. [He] never heard of the school, so [he] had UK beating them, but turns out they had a great season. [He] had most of his picks correct in the first round, but when it came to the second round, [his] bracket took a dive,” according to Dyckman.

Kansas Jayhawks beat the North Carolina Tar Heels for the NCAA National Championship 72-69. The team won the title for the first time since 2008. PHOTO CREDIT: Gerald Herbert now and decides to because “they are fun, and you can make money and bet with your friends.” Deak stated that fellow classmate Mollie Fialcowitz and him both got quite competitive between their brackets this year.

Out of the four students, each had a different team winning the

Junior Bella Southard didn’t make a bracket, but followed the tournament and stated, “[She] doesn’t think that many people had UK losing in the first round, but it was really cool to watch them go as far as they did. Especially because no 15 seed has ever seen the Elite Eight until now.”

Girls lacrosse starts strong; Both JV, varsity teams remain powerful against rivals DELANEY O’NEIL Reporter Spring sports are underway and both JV and varsity girls lacrosse have played multiple games and scrimmages, including their rival, Fallston.

With a new group of girls, “Right now, we are trying to get to know everyone and work together,” according to freshman Mollie Fialcowitz.

As of now, the girls need to work on the basics, such as throwing, catching and connecting as a team, says freshman Mckenna O’Neil. Specifically, fresh-

man Madelynn Bishop states, “In our Fallston game, we needed to focus on our skills and the little things, like keeping possession of the ball, and talking more.”

On a more positive note, Bishop says, “Fallston was the most nerve wracking, but we played best under pressure.” Another highlight was their John Carroll (JC) game where freshman Madyson Pullen-Staiger says, “we had good transfers in defense and it was a really good game overall because they are a challenging team.”

For the varsity girls, freshman

Lena Rockhill says, “Everything is going pretty well and we have a good team chemistry where we have a lot of fun practices and games. Even if we are not playing the best, we find ways to cheer each other up.”

Thus far, the girls have a 4-2 record. Junior Kendall Fortune states, “[Her] favorite game was Fallston because it was not only under the lights, but they are our rival. In this game ,we had a good comeback, so there was a lot of energy.” In this game, Fortune got a hat-trick, scoring three of the four goals.

In the JC game, “Our defense played very well and the ref complimented our playing,” according to Fortune.

In upcoming games, the varsity girls will be playing CMW, where Fortune says, “We are anxious for the CMW game because they have a really strong team this year, but [she] also know[s] some of the players, so [she’s] excited to play with them.” Many of the girls were also anxious about the Fallston game and Southard says, “they are our rivals and it was a hard game, but we didn't do too bad.”

West Chester adds junior to woman’s lacrosse team RILEY STONEBACK Reporter Junior Kendall Fortune verbally committed to playing Division II lacrosse on Mar. 17 at West Chester University (WCU) .

According to wcpu.edu, West Chester University is a public research university in PA. It is the largest of the 14 state universities in the PA State System.

Fortune has been playing lacrosse since she was about five years old. She has played recreational lacrosse her whole life and started playing club for TLC in seventh grade. She switched to Skywalkers Lacrosse Club in eighth grade and has been with them ever since.

She has been on the varsity lacrosse team since she was a freshman and is a captain as a junior. She also has played varsity field hockey since freshman year, where she also became a captain as a junior. “[She] was inspired by my cousin, and [she] wanted to be like her, so [she] signed up for rec,” says Fortune. “And then [she] just stuck with it because [she] loved it and it gave [her] me a place to be [herself].”

Fortune says that she picked WCU because “[she] wanted a competitive lacrosse program while also getting strong academics. [She] also wanted a strong school with [her] major, which is exercise science. Another big factor was the distance, and [she] thought that WCU was the perfect distance away from home.”

Though there were a few other schools that appealed to her, she said, “After weighing the pros and cons of each school, [she] realized that [she]could see [herself] at WCU and that it was the best fit for [her].”

Fortune says, “[High school lacrosse] been great. It’s a different situation than club, not necessarily more relaxed, but [she’s] surrounded by [her] friends. It’s nice not always being pressured to the point of breaking, but also still being challenged.”

“Being committed is honestly just a lot of relief and excitement,” says Fortune. “[She] don’t really feel anxious at all because [she] feel[s] like all [her] hard work has paid off and led to where [she] is now.

[She’s] just anticipating a great season and start to college.

[She] know what to expect, but feel relieved that [she] has a home somewhere after high school.”

Before committing, she researched WCU and decided to go to a few prospect camps. She also reached out to the coaches. She says, “After meeting all the girls and the coaching staff [she] could really see [herself] fitting in and [she] knew that [she] could see [herself] living there after high school.”