Cry of the Hawk- February 2023

North Harford staff reflects on legacy left behind; Remembering Mr. Bob Ott, “who saw the good in everyone”

KIMBERLY EDGAR

Entertainment Editor had several good memories there. She described that one of her all-time favorite memories was the crosswords they would do. “Someone would start [the crosswords], and each day we would work a little more on it,” says Winter. “Mr. Ott always used a pen and many times would get the clue wrong, so I always got on him about using a pencil, which he hardly ever did.”

NH staff and students learned that Mr. Bob Ott, the media specialist, passed away unexpectedly in early January. Ott worked at the Hawk’s Nest for 19 years; he also spent time coaching football, wrestling, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

Many people at North Harford have several fond memories of Ott. Administrative support assistant Mrs. Barbara Matthews remembers “eating lunch in the Maryland room” with their coworkers. “We had many laughs during our lunch,” she says. “[Ott] also liked to ask me about how my girls’ volleyball and softball teams are doing each season. He was a huge sports fan.”

Technology teacher Mr. Timothy Pistel had known Ott for almost 20 years and considered him to be a “good man and friend.” Pistel explains that one of his favorite memories was when he participated in Ott’s book club during the pandemic. “He was not the greatest at running Teams meetings, and his exasperation with the technology would be a welcome source of humor,” Pistel says. “Even though he was frustrated, he always powered through because he knew it was important to connect with his peers and students during that time.”

Like Matthews, Pistel enjoyed having lunch with Ott. He states that he and Ott would find themselves on opposite sides of topics quite frequently. “[Ott] was always willing to listen to new ideas that challenged his way of thinking,” says Pistel. “It was nice to be able to talk with someone who disagreed with me and know that it would not affect our friendship. Those relationships are rare and important.”

Media technician Mrs. Bridget Crenshaw describes Ott as “well-rounded” and believes “he could have an intelligent conversation about just about any content area,” she says. Creshaw added that Ott was naturally curious about everything as well.

Social studies teacher Mrs. Melissa Winter was also a part of the lunch crew with Ott and

In addition to the lunches Ott had with several coworkers on a daily basis, he loved a reason to celebrate, describes Crenshaw. She explains that he also hosted luncheons for the Super Bowl, Christmas, Halloween and especially birthdays.

Winter also mentioned that Ott had made a point to personalize things for people he was close to. “He has some strong old-fashioned tendencies, such as writing letters, which most people don’t do anymore,” says Winter, “but he would handwrite letters to people and it made them very special.”

Math teacher Mrs. Emily Johnstone also remembers Ott’s love for crosswords and adds that he enjoyed completing Wordles as well. She also mentions “one of the things that I will always remember about Mr. Ott is how appreciative he was when someone did something for him.”

Crenshaw describes Ott as “a master lover of Stephen King, and his favorite was Mr. Mercedes.” She also mentions that he was a fan of non-fiction as well - military books, in particular. She also mentions that Ott loved riding his motorcycle and occasionally rode with former NHHS principal Dr. Dave Thomas and former NH Spanish teacher Mr. Julio Fernanadez. According to Crenshaw, Ott really loved the outdoors and spent time fishing, camping, and hiking.

English teacher Mr. David Orth agrees with Pistel and says, “ultimately, the thing I’ll miss most about [Ott] is that he was the type of person that, even if we disagreed about an issue and argued it to exhaustion in complete disagreement, we’d just agree to disagree.” Orth describes that he spent a lot of time with Ott over the years. “We’d eat meals together and fish on the weekends.

To me, this is the most tragic loss,” says Orth.

Orth continues with mentions of Ott’s continuous offers to help in any way he could. “He was always willing and wanting to help others,” says Orth. “If there was a resource I needed, he would order it. Every. Single. Time.” He also mentioned that Ott continued to always be there for others on a personal level as well. “If you ever had a bad day, his door was always open. He’d tell you a joke, listen to you gripe–he was just a kind-hearted person.”

Winter agrees with Orth and adds, “Mr. Ott was an incredible man, always there to lend a hand when needed and listen when struggles happened in someone’s life.”

“Bob’s office was open to all - students and teachers; he was a cross between a teacher and a counselor, and a sports analyst,”

adds Crenshaw. “He quietly listened, gave advice, and above all, he gave you his undivided attention.”

She also mentions that Ott was very close with his family along with his work family. “Our ‘lunch bunch,’ as we called it, were devastated to hear the news of his passing. But, like a work family would, we came together and were there for each other during that hard time,” Winter says. “I miss my friend and hope he is at peace.” Coordinator of Apprenticeship, Workforce Development, CTE Programs, and former NH guidance counselor Mr. Matthew Johnstone adds that he also enjoyed talking with Ott. He stated that one of his fond memories of those conversations was that Ott would never let anyone forget his part in the three-time state championship football team at Spring-

brook High School. “In fact, the crowd even had a chant: B-O-B O-T-T Bob Ott!” says Johnstone. “Outside of school, we enjoyed some great rounds of golf and attending University of Maryland games.”

However, Johnstone continues by saying that his overall favorite memory was Ott’s help with students interested in the military, “[Ott] would take the time to explain how the military works and about his time as an Army Ranger. When he spoke with the student you could see the pride he had in serving in the Army, and for that, we are forever grateful,” adds Johnstone.

Like Johnstone mentioned, Ott recommended ROTC to students often. According to Crenshaw, this was because Ott felt that it was “the best way to see the world.”

Mr. Bob Ott’s favorite book is Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, though he also loved reading nonfiction and military-related texts. Ott was the advisor to the NH student Book Club hosted in the library during Hawks Soar.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bridget Crenshaw

Firefighters are “fuming”

VIEWPOINT

Firefighters are the unsung heroes who bravely respond to emergencies and put their lives on the line to protect their communities.

However, their bravery comes with a cost. These heroes are at a higher risk of developing cancer compared to the general population due to exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes during fires.

According to iaff.org, cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, with research showing that they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with certain cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The toxic smoke generated during fires contains a mixture of carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and dioxins, which can be inhaled and absorbed by firefighters.

The nature of their work also exposes them to other carcinogens, such as asbestos fibers, which are found in many older buildings and are released into the air during fires.

This exposure increases their risk of developing lung and mesothelioma cancers.

Despite the well-documented health risks, many firefighters do not have access to the proper protective gear and decontamination equipment, which can help minimize their exposure to cancer-causing agents, According to iaaf.org, many fire departments lack adequate resources for cancer screening and treatment, which makes it difficult for firefighters to receive prompt medical attention if they do develop cancer.

To address this issue, it's crucial that fire departments invest

in proper protective gear and decontamination equipment, as well as provide access to cancer screening and treatment. Additionally, the firefighting industry needs to adopt stricter regulations and standards to minimize exposure to carcinogens during fires.

Preventing firefighter cancer requires a multi-faceted approach.

Fire departments can invest in personal protective equipment and decontamination systems to minimize exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals.

They can also implement regular cancer screening programs and provide access to early detection and treatment options.

The firefighting industry should adopt stricter regulations and standards to reduce exposure to carcinogens during fires, and fire departments should invest in training programs to educate firefighters on the dangers of exposure and how to minimize their risk.

Communities can support these efforts by advocating for better funding and resources for fire departments, and by raising awareness about the need for firefighting safety and health.

By working together, we can protect the health of our firefighters and ensure that they can continue to serve their communities without putting their lives at risk.

It's also important for communities to recognize the sacrifices that firefighters make to keep them safe and to support efforts to provide them with the necessary resources and protection to minimize their cancer risk.

The bravery and selflessness of firefighters should not come at the cost of their health and well-being.

Advocacy is not political; County faces backlash over new policy

VIEWPOINT

Advocacy is something that should not be defined as controversial, and definitely not persuade an entire county to place guidelines to stop a poster from being hung up in their schools.

In schools, teachers should be creating a safe space for all students. Their classroom should be a place that advocates for change, kindness, and respect.

But apparently to some school districts, advocacy can be disputatious.

Like how just recently in January, Philadelphian County named Central Bucks became a hot topic in the district because of their new advocacy policy.

A librarian in the county had a poster hanging up with a quote from the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel reading, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

The librarian was directed to take down the poster as it violated the district’s new guidelines

on neutrality. The policy specifically stated that employees working in the district were not to “advocate” for any “partisan, political, or social policy matters,” to students.

The notion also periodically mentions that this policy was to ban pride flags, blue lives matter flags, anti-abortion flags, and anything else like such because, in theory, all of these symbols represent a form of “advocacy.”

This policy is entirely ignorant.

However it is true, teachers should not- under any circumstances- be sitting in a classroom sharing their own political and controversial opinions with their students.

Teachers should be advocating for students to make morally right decisions, not decisions that are, in the teachers’ opinion, politically right.

The other issue here is that the policy wasn’t even followed properly. The guidelines instruct teachers not to engage in any political matters, but a poster with

a quote advocating to not be the type of person who stays silent and neutral to oppressive issues isn’t political.

It just does not make sense at all. A policy like this makes it extremely hard for teachers to help aid students in understanding morally right concepts in this world.

An even bigger issue is that some students need support. A pride flag in a classroom can help any students who may be struggling. It will help them feel more comfortable knowing they have a safe space.

Getting rid of a pride flag or a poster is not going to help this world. It’s an ignorant move on so many levels.

It’s not going to keep a school “safe” from controversial scandals either. Central Bucks has been under fire for this new policy and specifically for ordering the librarian to take the poster down. And guess what? The district’s policy became a controversial topic amongst the residents. Ironic, isn’t it?

for algae, fungi, cockroaches, and caterpillars.”

So, the cuddly little tree hugger you all know and love is actually just a home for all kinds of bugs and bacteria.

They are also an evolutionary mystery. I mean, they poop once a week, and more than half of them die while doing this task, according to Science Alert. Natural selection has completely failed me on sloths.

pointed.

The Sloth Conservation Foundation talks about this, stating how, “when the environmental temperature drops, so does the body temperature of the sloth, causing the microbes and bacteria in their stomach to die.”

Researchers found that 68 percent of firefighters develop cancer, compared to about 22 percent for the general population, according to firehero.org. This is why departments around the world are adopting new safety standards to help lower this statistic.

PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Dryfoos

News Editors: Alexa Falls, Kris Gray

Opinion/Editorial Editors: Noel Bailey, Mackenzie Scott

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KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager

Sloths. Even mentioning them makes my skin crawl. Their long appendages and slow-moving bodies are something straight out of a horror movie, and I just cannot understand people's obsession with them.

First of all, they are absolutely, disgustingly dirty. Atlas Obscura mentions how “algae grows all over their bodies, in some cases turning sloths a slime-green hue.” Scientific America also talks about their slimy bodies, saying, “Sloths are microbial jackpots because they move so slowly and infrequently and their fur contains microscopic grooves that create a perfect breeding ground

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Everyone I talk to about these creatures mentions how adorable they are and how they just want to hold them, but the Toucan Rescue Ranch strongly advises against this idea. “Sloths are solitary creatures who want to be left alone…they do not like to be touched…they can be deadly and severely hurt people.”

Now imagine four-inch razor-sharp claws digging through your skin as well as their teeth. If left untreated, this wound can become severely infected due to the bacteria the sloth carries, which could potentially cause you to lose a limb.

These demons can also literally starve to death while on a full stomach. Like, what? Bringing up natural selection again, I’m disap-

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The

So, even with a stomach full of leaves, without these microscopic helpers, they cannot extract any of the nutrients. There are also very few ways to get those gut bacteria back into their stomachs. One of which is eating healthy sloth poop. Ew.

They are also just so incredibly slow. The Mayo Clinic states that sloths move around 41 yards per day. To put that into perspective, that is around 0.0233 miles compared to the average human that travels 1.5 to two miles per day.

Although I can appreciate how their fur creates little ecosystems on themselves that can be very beneficial to many insects, fungi, and bacteria, this doesn’t make them any more appealing to me.

So, the next time you look at these creatures that you praise, with your giant stuffed animals and sloth-covered clothes, just think about what they are really like.

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Chandler in room D207. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, must be signed, and may not contain vulgarity.

America is killing us

ture, but is it really healthy?

February 14th is not everyone’s cup of tea;

Valentine’s Day isn’t what it’s cracked up to be

When someone bites into their favorite snack food, like a bag of chips, just think: they're eating little pieces of plastic to go with it. When someone drinks a nice swig of water from their fridge, imagine all the chemicals going into their system as well.

“The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) has been widely reported in human foodstuffs, and their potential negative effects on human health have been brought into focus. Processed foods are more susceptible to MPs as contamination can be introduced during processing and packaging,” according to sciencedirect. com. All of these processed foods that are mostly only found in the U.S. contain these plastics, and not to mention other chemicals infused in things like fruit and vegetables.

There is proof that certain foods that are made in the U.S. are banned in other countries such as milk (only from the U.S.), apples (only from the U.S.), U.S. chicken, Mountain Dew, packaged ground beef, and more.

Bringing light to the U.S. milk situation, out of the ten countries with the lowest rates of lactose intolerance, eight of them are European. “In fact, Americans often find that while they were unable to tolerate dairy in their home country, European milk doesn’t bother them.” according to pedramshojai.medium.com.

BST (Bovine somatotropin) is a hormone that is injected into cows in order to produce more milk. European countries banned this practice in 1990; plus, this hormone can also increase instances of illness for cows.

This is the milk that kids are drinking to grow with their bones and be “healthy” in the fu-

We all know that water is something that is needed to live, but there are many chemicals that flow with it through a person’s bloodstream. “European bottled waters generally contained higher mineral levels than North American tap water sources and North American bottled waters,” according to europepmc.org. Pollution in this country is getting into our water, and then that water with the aluminum and fluoride in it transfers itself into our bodies.

Now let's shine the light on our fruits and vegetables. It’s no secret that certain chemicals are injected into our fruits to make them grow faster or ripen quicker (GMO’s) but, one of the chemicals Calcium carbide (which is used for fruit ripening) can harm eyes and lungs, also causing severe irritating and burning sensation of skin. Also, it may lead to irritation in mouth and throat, and if inhaled can cause both coughing and wheezing.

The question is, why all these chemicals? It’s simple, they put these chemicals to make the food look more appealing to us. We are one of the most unhealthy countries because Americans decide to eat more processed foods with less fiber, nutrients, and the healthy parts that help fight us from diseases.

Rather than banning these clearly harmful and dangerous chemicals and other harmful ingredients, the FDA doesn’t remove dangerous products until they're proven to be risky, after harm has already been done to the consumer.

Something to think about is, is this happening on purpose? Is it pollution? What is the problem?

LILY CORCORAN Copy Editor

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t hate Valentine’s Day. I think it’s nice that we have a day dedicated to the people we love, and if you enjoy it, then good for you! Go have fun with your partner; y’all are probably adorable together.

I’m going to ruin the moment here, though; I can’t get behind Valentine’s Day. The whole holiday is just unnecessary, in my opinion.

First of all, why are we only dedicating one day of the whole year to the people we love? If you love someone, you should be appreciating them all the time, not just on Feb. 14. Why wait for a holiday to tell someone that you love them? You can do that whenever you want.

Also, can we talk about how crazy expensive Valentine’s Day is? Last year, it was estimated that over $23.9 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day, according to Forbes Magazine. If you didn’t notice, that’s a whole lot of money–money that could be used for more important things, such as college, rent, or healthcare. Instead, it’s spent on flowers, expensive dinners, and overpriced gifts. I know you might want to give your significant other

something special, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! However, buying random, expensive gifts–and the pressure to spend accordingly–can cause massive amounts of debt, which is not worth the risk.

Not only that, but the whole “excessive gifts” thing can cause unnecessary, or even unconscious, competition in relationships. People post these overthe-top reaction videos of their Valentine’s Day experiences online, and guess what? People see, people do; people see those videos and think, “Man, I really need to step up my game.” Romance is something to experience and enjoy, not to strain yourself over by attempting to meet ridiculously high standards.

It’s also important to remember that not everyone is in

a relationship. Valentine’s Day has been turned into a couple’s holiday. If they are not yet in a relationship, people may hold a grudge toward anything relationship-related (that is, if they want to be in a relationship at all).

Don’t believe me? Go on any social media platform; you’ll find at least one video of a couple doing something cute (like dancing in the rain or playing video games together), and then a duet of the video with someone yelling, “When will it be me?!” as if they’re dying in agony.

So, here’s the gist: You can enjoy Valentine’s Day all you want; spend a day with your partner, get them unnecessarily expensive gifts, and tell them how much you love them. Just don’t expect to see me joining in on the envy and financial regret.

Students say: Flipping out over Pancakes

Noel Bailey Stella Manns

Defending Waffle House Defending IHOP

Waffle House, an underrated establishment. It's overlooked by places like IHOP, Denny’s, and Bob Evans.

Don’t get me started on IHOP. Nevermind, I take that back, because IHOP is probably the worst place you can go to eat breakfast. I know it's a controversial topic to like Waffle House over IHOP, but someone had to say what we were all thinking.

When I think of IHOP, I think of soggy syrup-covered pancakes that are thin and falling apart. It makes me feel sick thinking about it. It’s a big pile of chunky syrup.

Waffles are just all-around better than pancakes. I know IHOP does have waffles, but they are called International House of Pancakes, so wow - it's not surprising their waffles suck. But if you haven't caught on, their pancakes suck, too. On the other hand, Waffle House has good waffles because that's what they are known for - it's literally in the name.

Have you ever had the option of getting six different kinds of hash browns? No you haven't (Unless you go to Waffle House). Their hash browns are superior to any other restaurant that serves them.

The environment I think of when I think of IHOP is an empty dirty restaurant that is somehow always loud. They attract the families with the loudest screaming kids. The staff I think of is college and high school kids that are over their lives providing bad service. It’s a Chuck E. Cheese for breakfast lovers.

I know fights are known to be happening at Waffle House. But you know what that means: free entertainment. The only entertainment in IHOP is hearing little kids screaming about knocking over their chocolate milk. I would rather see teenagers fist fighting over something like chocolate milk. The entertainment in Waffle House is just the way to go.

But out of all breakfast places you can go eat at, Stella and I agreed Bob Evans is the best place to go.

At the infamous ‘International House of Pancakes’ you can expect to pay a lower price than at your local Waffle House, where you can get access to a crappy waffle. Does this mean Waffle House is better than IHOP?

The simple answer is no. But to believe me, you need better reasoning for that claim.

Starting with the prices, four buttermilk pancakes from IHOP are $12, according to ihop.com. A single dirty waffle from Waffle House is $4, according to wafflehouse.com. Do the math.

It seems like Waffle House would rack up a bill to a greater amount versus IHOP, right? Yes. Paying more money does not always mean better products. Why wouldn't you want to pay cheaper prices for better, fluffy, thick, pancakes?

Now let’s talk about the food itself; at IHOP, you can accidentally pour too much of the four syrup flavors on your pancakes and they will soak it up and still taste just as good, just a little sweeter. Let’s act like we are at Waffle House - you spill the syrup and now you have little pockets of over-saturated sugar.

Have you ever eaten anything but a waffle at Waffle House? (No). Have you ever eaten anything but pancakes at IHOP? (Yes). This isn't just about the battle of pancakes versus waffles anymore.

I really couldn't care less if you like pancakes or waffles more. The only opinion you have that matters is where you eat those foods.

Have you ever seen WWE live?! No? Go to Waffle House. If you are tired of watching WWE over a screen, just drive to your local waffle house and you could get a live performance of a WWE smackdown.

You’re probably thinking, ‘this girl has probably never been to a Waffle House at midnight.’ Trust me, that is not where it’s at.

Final answer, IHOP is better than Waffle House. But, Noel and I can agree that Bob Evans is the place to go.

Students say: The Debate on Stanley Cups

Riley Herold Kris Gray

Stanley Cups won’t give up Yes, Stanley Cups!

The new Adventure Quencher Travel Stanley Cup is a must have. It's definitely on my list - if I can ever find one, that is. All over the world, these cups are being bought by every teenager and their mother. Everyone is trying to get a taste of this new aesthetically pleasing cup. But you know what? I get it, because I want one just as bad as everyone else. I don’t see why anyone would not like this cup. I mean, it is giant, but you know what? It holds a whole day’s worth - or maybe more, depending on how much you drink throughout the day. It also comes in so many different colors, so it's for everyone.

Yes, during this age society is brainwashing people into buying things so they fit in. But what’s the matter with that? Just because I want to be one of those people with the Stanley Cup doesn’t mean I’m being taken over by society’s brainwashing. The Stanley Cup is overall just a cool cup, and I think it deserves the hype.

The Stanley Cup does so many things. It does, in fact, fit in your cup holder, and is big enough for those people that drink lots throughout the day. The Stanley Cup is 40 oz. Knowing just that, I’m already sold on it. But that’s not even the best part. The best part is that the Stanley Cup keeps your hot drinks hot for seven hours, your cold drinks cold for 11 hours, and with ice it makes it two days. I can keep my tea nice and cold all day through school and not have to have a problem unless I drink it all. But even though the Stanley Cups keep your drink cold for two days doesn’t mean I’m going to use it for those two days and not wash it. The Stanley Cup is dishwasher safe. So, I can just put it in there and then be done and use it the next day.

One side note: the Stanley Cup has a handle, so it's easier to carry that giant 40 oz. bottle around. It also has a straw, which personally for me is just easier to take a quick sip when I need to. It’s overall convenient for everyone. It has a handle, a straw, keeps things cold or hot for a really long time, fits in cup holders, is dishwater safe and comes in so many fun colors for everyone. What more could you want from a water bottle? I know I’ll get the Stanley Cup the next time Target, or whatever place, restocks them.

Learning to process grief; Taking steps one at a time

EDITORIAL

Grief is something everyone deals with at one point or another. It’s never anything you can prepare for.

It's natural for people to want things to be predictable, and with grief, you can never know when it's going to hit you or if something may trigger an emotion inside you out of nowhere. Grief comes in all shapes and forms which affects everyone differently. People process things differently. Acknowledging the pain is probably one of the hardest things to do, but it's one way to try and process your grief.

According to helpguide.org, “You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness.” Things like those are very common for people to experience, so don’t feel like you are alone in your journey.

Dealing with any sadness does not only affect your mental health

either. Helpguide.org says, “The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight.” It's hard to not neglect these things while your brain is constantly going back to pain. Remember to not disregard these things. Take time to take care of yourself.

According to ketteringhealth. org, there are three C’s to grief; the first C is choose. “Choose what’s best for you.” The article goes on to explain that you should do what you can for situations you can control and not focus on things that you have a loss of control on. The next C is connect. We are wired for connection, so don’t completely remove yourself from others when you're in a time that often leads to isolation. The final C is communicate. “Communicating however you can to your friends and family will help them know how [to] best [help] you.” Explaining accommodations will best help yourself and others help you.

How many times are we gonna do this? I don’t get it. Are we so bored as a generation that we have to obsess over a literal cup? It’s literally a 30 pound hunk of metal used to maintain iced liquid forwhat the company claims is - 150 hours.

Let me be clear. I’m not questioning the quality of the cup, or the product in itself. It’s a nice product. It’s double insulated with stainless steel; it’s pretty, and can maintain the beverage’s temperature for an inordinate amount of time. But, I just don’t agree with the hype. Why is it that whenever a new product gets released, every person who has it is considered trendy and less than if you don’t? I am baffled as to why everyday people have placed such an important stamp on these kinds of items.

I just cannot, for the life of me, understand why we take random products like shoes or a car and make them such a staple in our lives. If I like something, it shouldn’t matter where I got it from or who else has it. And it should be the same in this situation. This Stanley Cup phenomenon continues to illustrate teenagers’ dying need to fit in. Society will weigh their expectations and preferences down and you, but you can’t give in everytime. If you do, then you are choosing to play into the game of popularity.

And I know that I am not the only one who thinks popularity is overrated. I’ll drink out of what I want to drink out of. Whether it be a Wal-Mart tumbler or a kiddie bottle. I don’t want to drink ice cold water and steaming coffee for two days straight. And that’s just fine.

Seriously, just because Ella and Aubrey have the hottest product the day it’s released, it doesn’t make them a better friend, student, or person. You can be uniquely you. I know, you might be thinking, “It’s just a cup. Why do you care so much?” But, this cup is another example of society’s brainwashing people into fitting into the “cool” box. It starts now, and you won’t realize it until you look like every other 40-year-old “Jenny on the Block” with diabetes because your “Stanley” kept your Coke cold for 26 years. Just kidding.

Making friends online; Risks worth taking

Instead of telling your children not to talk to strangers (when they probably will anyway), it is more important to teach them how to stay safe while navigating the internet.

KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor

“Don’t talk to strangers,” is something that almost every child is told at some point in their lives. Who’s going to tell the parents that new technology and platforms come out every day that make talking to “strangers” that much easier?

Now don’t get me wrong, it is very easy to get into a dangerous situation through talking to new people on the internet. Luckily, the very same platforms that make it easy to chat with people all over the world also make it easy to stay anonymous until you feel safe.

I personally met my two closest friends over the internet and they both live hundreds of miles away. It took me several months to reveal who I was in more detail due to the possibility of being catfished or tricked into something that was dangerous.

I have known both of them for several years now and I plan on meeting them in person very soon. There are many negative views on online friends, but sometimes the person you might be looking for is across the United States and there is nothing you can do about it.

Someone once told me that they aren’t my real friends because I have never seen them in person. My reply is always the same: “I promise you that these two people know me and love me more than a good amount of people that have met me in

person.” If anything, meeting someone online forces someone to know your personality before all of the superficial things like appearance and social status. For introverts or anxiety ridden teens, having online friends opens up a social experience that was never open before. Playing games, watching movies, listening to music, hours spent talking on the phone, and spending quality time are all things you can do with friends in person and online.

Although there are obvious dangers because of how easy it is to lie over the internet, this generation is getting smarter and more advanced with technology. There is no real reason why having long distance friends is a bad thing. Long distance friends are friends. They are real people, and the bonds aren’t a lie. People all over the world go from being strangers to becoming best friends in just a few years. Why take that away? Life is full of risks, and this is one worth taking.

Picking up the slack of others; The world needs to work together

EDITORIAL

In elementary and middle school, hearing the words “group project” would send the whole class into a squabble of excitement and the planning of who will work with who. But, in high school, all that really happens is some whispering and looks shooting around the room. This is because people often slack off, and leave others to finish what they started… or didn’t start, in this case.

Many students can attest to the fact that they ended up completing most of the work

in a group project on numerous occasions. There’s also been times when something bigger than a simple class project is going on, and those who aren’t helping have the audacity to complain and try to change things! If you had really wanted to help and give your input in the first place, it would have saved the rest of us some stress in the long run. You always hear people say, “work together!” or “work it out!” But if half of the class puts forth their time and effort and the other half doesn’t… well… only half of that project is getting finished. Not to mention

those of us who are “perfectionists” and want good grades, who then have no choice but to finish the other half’s work out of fear and habit.

Oftentimes, there’s a stereotype that the “smart” kids will complete the work, and a good grade will be earned. But, if those who think like that learn to apply themselves and put their best effort forth, the results would be shockingly rewarding. Want to talk about some serious dopamine? Imagine getting that chart of project requirements handed back with a 50/50 written on it. It’s a rush, and not in a bad

way either.

This doesn’t just apply in a classroom setting either. Much of the time, many issues wouldn’t exist if others would work together out in the real world. While this is not about politics in any way, it’s frustrating seeing our world leaders cause conflict over problems that could be solved just by compromise and collaboration. That’s what is meant by “Our world needs to work together.” Yes, you can have your opinions, and yes, you can express those ideas, but other times it’s just easier to sit back and hear things from other per-

spectives- it really can open your eyes.

It’s also important to be able to compromise, especially as students make their way out into the real world. Many employers often ask if you work well with others, and lying about skills most likely will not earn you the job.

The ideal of working with others has been taught since kindergarten, and yet there are plenty of us who have not yet mastered the simplicity of the idea. There isn’t much to blame though - oftentimes it’s just a lack of interest, poor planning, or laziness.

Students explore different options after high school; Alumni go into trades rather than university

REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

After graduation, many students chose to attend trade schools instead of college. Many of these students are very successful in their field, whether it's electrical, HVAC, welding, or mechanics.

Some start their trade before they even graduate and start their apprenticeship program after already working in the field. Others wait to get a job in the field until they have started their first semester of school.

Harford Community College (HCC) offers apprenticeship programs for those looking to go into these fields and become certified. These programs are a great option for those that want to go right into work and become certified in the field they are inter-

ested in.

Alumnus Nathan McElwain, a graduate of 2022, works in the electrical field and is currently enrolled in the HCC apprenticeship program.

McElwain said, “College isn't for me. I wanted to go right into work. I knew I would be more successful going into a trade rather than going to a college that I had no interest in and knew I wouldn't do well.”

McElwain started working for Mattingly Electric before the end of the 2022 school year in April. “I started working so early because after my four years of school, I need 8,000 hours of work, so I wanted to get an early start on those hours.”

The apprenticeship program is a four-year-long program with classes twice a week that are

Working hard or hardly working

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

HCPS is presenting a new youth apprenticeship program to students. This program will give students the opportunity to earn money and learn skills that will be helpful in today's job market, but will this new course work out in the long run?

Math teacher Mrs. Shelly Sparks said, “I think it's a great idea for high schoolers to work a job after school. It gives them a chance to make money in their free time. However, I have mixed feelings regarding the apprenticeship program.

She continues, “I think it's good because some students might not be able to work after school. Some students need to make money to help their families, but I think that kids shouldn’t feel pressured to get a job. You are young, enjoy life.”

It’s difficult to know what you want to do in life as a high schooler. There is still so much to learn and experience before you can decide at that age. The apprenticeship program is an option for career discovery. You can see what an industry might be like on sight, and decide if that form of work would be the right fit for you.

To apply for the apprenticeship, you must be a rising junior, junior, or senior, and be at least sixteen years or older. Some other requirements to be eligible for the program include having transportation, having at least one year of related instruction,

having good grades and attendance, and must complete 450 hours of work-based training.

If you stick with the apprenticeship program not only will you be earning a salary while still in high school, but you also earn high school credit for completing the program. This program is a pathway and can also be a completer course. Students in this program have an advantage over people who did not take this course, as they not only gain career skills, they also will have a professional network built.

This course will help you gain important industry skills and give you experience in different work fields if that is something of interest to you. If all standards are met students who take this program will also receive the Maryland State Skill Certificate.

To apply for the apprenticeship program, you will need to have a completed application, cover letter, and resume that you can submit to your school counselor. You’ll have to get a recommendation letter from a teacher that can be given to your school counselor as well.

When applying, make it clear what position/job that you are going to be potentially training for. If all looks well to the employer, then they will reach out to you with information regarding an interview.

If you have any questions please contact Joe Connolly at joseph.connolly@hcps.org, or Matt Johnstone at matthew.johnstone@hcps.org.

three hours long.

He added. “At my job, every day is different, which is what I like. One day I might be putting up lights in a kitchen and the next day I could be running 200 feet of conduit. It is always different, which keeps it interesting. I get bored pretty easily, so the different jobs really keep it interesting.”

McElwain talked about how he narrowed down his choices for which trade he wanted to be a part of. He said, “I like to make things work and fix things. It has always been a hobby of mine. It was mostly personal preference; I just knew when looking at things like welding that just wasn’t for me. Being an electrician actually really interested me and I thought I would be successful in that field.”

He continued, “I always knew I wanted to go into a trade. I was never great at school but I wanted to have a plan after high

school. Going into a trade was a great choice for a student like me. I am so glad that I chose a trade instead of going to college.”

August return scheduled for 2023-24 school year; Reactions are diverse across the board

STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

Looking ahead to the 20232024 school year, students and teachers have mixed emotions about the new schedule.

The new schedule is set to have students return Monday, Aug. 28. This means that all people in the building will return before Labor Day, unlike the past couple of years. The last day of school without inclement weather days is supposed to be Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

23 scheduled closings and nine three-hour early dismissals are on the calendar for next school year. If all inclement weather days are utilized, the last possible day of school will be Thursday, June 13, 2024

In a poll of 114 students, of which were mostly underclassmen, 110 said they would rather return to school in September like past years. A mere four students expressed that they do like the return in August. Students who preferred the Aug. 28 return said it was because we might get out sooner in June.

The 2023 winter break will begin with a half day on Friday, Dec. 22. Students will return to school Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Spring break in 2024 will follow the same pattern as winter break. One half-day on Friday, Mar. 22, returning Tuesday, Apr. 2.

Secretary Mrs. Barabara Matthews is fine with the new HCPS calendar. She hopes that the students “will get out earlier in June and enjoy the summer before coming back.” One thing in question is whether students will be more productive coming back to school early. Matthews

thinks that “this will be the test year” to see if students will be ready to get back to working in school. She is not concerned by the new schedule, as Matthews works year-round.

Junior James Ortt does not really like or dislike the new start date. Since he “is already at school for cross-country practice anyways,” going back in August is not too much of a change. As a student, Ortt thinks that an August start will “not increase productivity.”

As of right now, sophomore Brooke McElwain is “not overly excit - ed about

erts is “kind of bored” and is not bothered by coming back so early.

Juniors Grace Conklin and Anna Gibson share similar thoughts on returning in August. Conklin expressed concern about the upcoming 2023 summer. “It is the last summer before” she “goes off to college” and Conklin is upset because this is her “last real time to hang out with friends before college begins.” Gibson does not think returning early is worth it, she would rather have “a summer to relax,” she thinks that “August should be designated for summer.”

“Spring break should not be a week long, it should be how it used to be,” Conklin adds. “Winter break should be longer than spring break because you work up from the fall semester and get a break,” she expressed.

next year's school calendar.” The summer coming up is “going to be very short.” However, McElwain is “happy to be getting out a bit earlier next school year.” McElwain “thinks that going back before Labor Day might have some benefits connected to productivity.”

As a soccer, basketball, and lacrosse player for the high school teams, McElwain thinks that the new calendar “may affect how many games are played, specifically for fall sports, mainly.”

Not all students are annoyed with the school year change. Junior Raye Roberts is not opposed to returning in August rather September. She is excited to be “getting out earlier” than past years. By the time August comes around over the summer, Rob-

Rising sophomore, Payton Ivy “likes that school will be done earlier” in the summer. Since Ivy plans to play sports in August for high school she is not too worried about being back in the building late August.

English teacher and field hockey coach, Mrs. Carla Harward enjoys her summer however, “on the other end we [students and teachers] will be getting out a lot sooner in June. Mrs. Harward has “mixed feelings” about the topic, she is not “all upset about” the new calendar.

Harward thinks thinks the calendar has reverted back to a past schedule “because once seniors graduate” the “productivity really does decrease for other students because once they [seniors] are out of the building” students are wondering why school is still in session.

“It may be more beneficial to get back a little sooner.”

~ Mrs. Carla Harward, English teacher

Best Buddies encourages lasting friendships; Club members play games, make memories

MEGHAN KALCK SSC Editor/Studio Manager

Best Buddies is a club for people who want to make long lasting friends. They have monthly meetings along with holiday parties, according to senior Andrew Mohr.

“I have been in Best Buddies for close to a year now,” he says. In the meetings, they tend to talk about fun things they are doing at the time while also playing games. “[They] enjoy each other’s company,” and do their best to have as much fun with each other in the time that they can, according to Mohr.

“We have parties for each holiday,” he continues. The club had a Christmas party back in December. They had a “little Hal-

loween get together,” as well.

“We play games that work on life skills and will help each other in friendship,” Mohr also says.

One of the games that they played back in October for their Halloween party was where they had to separate a bunch of skittles into different colored categories. At the end, they ate all of the skittles. “We listen to music and overall just have fun,” he says.

Another game that they played was at their Valentine’s Day get together where they played a “relay race” that taught them teamwork and to encourage each other. Senior Gene Martin is also a member of the Best Buddies club, and she enjoys it because she “likes to hang out with different people” in school. Martin had

Students attend Talent Show

EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor

made a lot of new friends being in Best Buddies, and she encourages people to join as well. Senior Gianna Dellarose started being in Best Buddies just this year and she loves it.

“It’s a great opportunity to hang out and get close to kids with special needs, we plan fun games and activities every month,” Dellarose says. Senior Kendall Fortune encourages other people to join Best Buddies because “you are able to create new friendships and connect to new people. It is super fun at each meeting with games, crafts, and more.”

Through Best Buddies, Fortune has not only been able to grow as a leader and individual, but also reach out to new people and create many more friendships.

Happy Annual Black History Month; Students celebrate culture, tradition

KRIS GRAY News Editor

According to blackhistorymonth. gov, the first acknowledgment of African-American history was founded by Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson. He eventually went on to create the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in order to spread awareness of African Americans’ contributions to society and civilization. The first attempt at acknowledging African-American accounts was the creation of Negro History Week in 1926, dated in February.

This event took root and allowed many other forms of appreciation to spring forth. Many parts of the community participated; the amount of Black history clubs increased, there was a demand for more education, and support from progressive white philanthropists and scholars.

Eventually, the celebration was expanded to a month in 1976 after the initiation of the Civil Rights Movement and increased tolerance of Black people in

America. In an address, President Gerald R. Ford challenged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” And with that, the association (which was renamed), Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH) continues to emphasize the importance of Black peoples’ involvement in American history and culture.

Black Student Union (BSU) advisor Ms. Thandiwe Tembo explains that the club intends to show their appreciation by “supporting local black businesses.”

Also, BSU intends to host a “Family Feud” themed activity. Junior Deola Bamidele is a member of the Union and wants the North Harford community to know that “Black history isn’t just a month. It’s around us in the little things that we do.” Bamidele, along with other BSU members, participated in the Talent Show with a step routine. The African American

Registry records that step, also called Step Dancing, is a percussive dance used to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word and hand-claps. At the show, the students used it to celebrate African-American accomplishments and to urge acknowledgment.

The participants received second place and Bamidele describes how they “felt excited because deciding a step routine was quite hard and [their] practice times were limited. So, [they] felt that [their] hard work paid off.” She adds that the performance “symbolized working together to achieve a goal and working through adversity.”

The British Broadcasting Channel (BBC) identifies another example of African-Americans working through adversity as the number of Black people in Congress has dramatically increased since 1961. In the 87th Congress, there were four total Black representatives in Congress. In 2021, there were 57 in total.

The yearbook staff has worked tirelessly to organize this year’s student teacher talent show, and their hard work paid off. The show drew a crowd of over 400 people and lasted approximately two and a half hours.

Performers ranged from freshmen to seniors, and many staff members as well. The show also included portions of interacting with audience members and judges. The student judges included sophomore Tessa Grove, junior Calvin Rose, and Senior Braxton Rivers. Staff judges included secretaries Mrs. Barbara

participate again in next year’s show as well. As for other acts, he enjoyed Jourdan’s performance, and freshman Connor Maxfield’s performance on the bass as well.

Junior Mackenzie Dunaway mentioned how “it went really well because everybody cooperated,” and their high spirits helped to create a more positive environment.

Dunaway worked as a backstage manager, along with senior Rileigh Crawford. She thought her job was cool, because she “got to put on a headset and talk to the tech crew” upstairs in the sound booth. Dunaway didn’t believe the yearbook staff “did enough

Matthews and Mrs. Jean Grimmel, and science teacher Mr. Robert Lamarr.

The show included 19 acts, including singing and dancing, stepping, skits and more.

Judges chose junior Robert Brooks as the overall winner, the Black Student Union for second place, and senior Ethan Jourdan for third place. For their acts, Brooks played the electric guitar with former Hawk Evan Kuzemchak, BSU performed a stepping routine, and Jourdan played the guitar and sang “Creep” by Radiohead.

Brooks originally began playing guitar around four years ago, after being inspired by Eddie Van Halen. He never expected to win the show, and felt “really good and excited” when his name was announced. He would like to

promoting” for the show, but she quickly changed her mind after seeing a line of people wrapped around the atrium, waiting to purchase tickets.

The yearbook adviser, Mrs. Carla Harward, explained the backstory behind the show, stating that “six years ago, [her] staff came up with ideas about how [they] could raise money” and America’s Got Talent was becoming really popular at that time. Other schools did, but not NH. So, it was a good way to “get students involved and have a fundraiser at the same time.”

Harward also told us that this year’s staff “hit the ground running right after Christmas” to make the show a success. She is “really proud of the staff this year” and exclaimed that everybody pitched in.

From left to right: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and former president Barack Obama. All are considered key figureheads in Black history.

PHOTO CREDIT: Time Magazine

Robert Brooks performs a song by Eddie Van Halen on stage. Brooks brought all of his equipment for the show, including amps and speakers.

PHOTO CREDIT: LifeTouch

Thomson engages in unexpected career; Math, music, engineering inspire him Youth group serves community

BEN IAMPIERI Copy Editor

Tech teacher Mr. Andrew Thomson majored in vocal music education and minored in musical theater at Eastern Michigan University. ”I worked backstage on several theater productions, both at the college and community level, and some of them at the professional level as touring shows came through the college,” he says. “And that’s where all that experience came from and my knowledge from audio and video equipment.”

Thomson had not used his skills in a few years, but now in the interactive media program, he is doing video and audio production there. “Also, getting into the musical now, I’m also helping run lights and sounds and all that stuff for them as well,” he says.

The school he went to had a general music major, vocal and instrument and music education major, performance majors, and a music therapy program–similar to physical therapy but it “adds the music component because music connects so many parts of the brain that other things don’t have the ability to connect,” he explains. At other schools, you might find music

production classes or master’s programs in composition. “There are tons of options out there for prospective music majors, but you have to be very careful about what colleges you go to because they might have a wide variety of different programs.”

When he began college, he wanted to be a math teacher.

“I had this wonderful teacher when I was in high school, Mr. Blanten, that inspired me to be a math teacher,” he says. “He was just a really cool, down-to-earth teacher. So then I went into math education, but I went to community college first because I didn’t want to spend all my money right out of the gate. I found out really quickly that being a math major was boring, so I dropped out of my calc classes and I doubled down on all of my music classes.”

His choir director explained to him that he could be a music teacher if he wanted to. “I took a

couple of years, focused on what I wanted to do, prepared and auditioned for a few colleges, and then chose Eastern Michigan to go to for music ed.”

As for how he is currently teaching engineering, he did not see any positions opening in music, so when a teacher at the middle school retired, he decided to take that spot. “I took a couple of tests to get certified to teach tech-ed.” He has been teaching it for eight years since then.

“I would say don’t close yourself off to options you think don’t matter because math was always one of my big things and obviously that’s a big part of engineering, but I never actually ended up going to school for engineering and here I am teaching it,” Thomson says. “On top of that, now that I teach engineering here at the high school, I’m also in the interactive media program, using all of my computer skills, being involved in the theater program, so I can use those music and theater skills that I had. So don’t discount things that you like as not viable options for a career because they might show up in unexpected ways, sometimes.”

Thomson’s dream is to open up a bakery. “I would love to own a bakery one day,” he starts. “My sister and I, for many years, have been making and perfecting cookies in particular, and we started selling them several years ago on the side from teaching, and it would be great one day to own a bakery and do that.”

The Emory Church youth group is a local group of sixtwelve graders who often help serve their church and community through various projects. The group has been around for many years but has shrunk in size over the last few years due to COVID.

The group is now run by Mrs. Jamie Greer, a member of the church. Other members such as Mrs. Jeanie Tilley and Ms. Jen Galbreath help with events and meetings as well. Normally, the group meets twice a month at Emory United Methodist Church, and they have “lessons about Bible stories, scripture, and how we can be better Christians,” according to Greer. The group is funded by donations from the congregation, and they host fundraisers like a pancake supper and ice cream socials as well.

Recently, the group has partnered with Revive Us Ministries, which helps the homeless in Harford County. Greer said that “on numerous occasions, [they] have packed over 100 peanut butter sandwiches” which are passed out weekly. Some members also packed over 300 hot turkey dinners that were taken to the homeless in Aberdeen and Edgewood. Around the holiday season, the youth group made cookies and packaged them with handwritten notes to go with a Christmas dinner delivery of lasagna.

Each January, kids in the group make blankets for “seasoned” and ill members of the community, and often send birthday cards to “members of the congregation who are 70 years old and up.”

Other projects include packaging Operation Christmas Child boxes. These are boxes that are delivered to poorer children, who often don’t have essential things like toothbrushes or towels. Around 150 boxes full of care items for medical staff were assembled and given out at local hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes as well.

Besides participating in community service projects, the group likes to have fun too!

Each year, they host a lock-in for members, where everybody spends the night in the church. Occasionally, they also go bowling or visit a trampoline park. Greer would “love to participate in a mission trip in the near future” and get involved with other organizations. She mentioned that the church recently purchased new streaming equipment and thinks it would be really great if the youth learned how to operate it to stream Sunday services.

Brody Ivy, a junior at Aberdeen High School, has been a part of the group since the sixth grade. His favorite project they’ve done was “volunteering at the food bank, located at Bel Air Methodist Church.” After he volunteered once, he “ just kept going back. It was fun, fairly easy, and made me appreciate what I have.”

Teaching is in her blood; Mrs. Estevez returns to Hawk’s Nest

Welcome back Mrs. Ginny Estevez to North Harford High School, whereas of right now she is helping in the library. Estevez has worked for Harford County for 32 years full time. She was a Spanish, English, and drama teacher at Havre de Grace high school for 17 years.

In 2004, Harford County created a teacher mentor position, which is where a teacher gets assigned to various schools to sort of help new teachers learn how to be teachers. Estevez did that for 15 years until they eliminated the position five years ago, which then she retired.

Estevez said, “But now I’m back subbing here, because I really fell in love with North Harford high school during my last placement as a mentor.”

When Mrs. Estevez was mentoring, she was stationed at Fallston High School, C. Milton Wright High School, Edgewood High School, Patterson Mill High School, Havre de Grace

High School, and NHHS. However, out of all of them, North Harford was her favorite. One reason is because she loves the Ag hallway, where she could “just live in Mrs. O’Leary’s room” and go out to the barn all the time. But, it’s also because of all the marvelous teachers and students.

Estevez said, “Every school has a certain feel to it and a certain environment, but this school by far in a way is just the warmest, the friendliest, and the homiest - if I could make up a word - of all of them. Like, the minute you walk in the building, you can just feel a certain energy at each school. Fallston High School was cold and I hated it there, C. Milton was too big, and so this place is just my favorite.”

Even though she is retired, teaching is still in her blood. Estevez loves being in a school because of all the amazing people in it. She said, “I just like to make kids smile, and feel good about themselves, but also to try and get them to like school which is hard. I really just try to emit pos-

itive energy to make kids appreciate the opportunity they have. I wasn’t ready to retire and go to the senior center or clean my house all the time, I just wanted to keep the positively going.”

As of next, Estevez is going on a cruise to the Caribbean for 12 days, but at the end of April she is substituting for English teacher Mrs. Emilie Phillips while she is out on maternity leave. To the students of Phillips’ class, Estevez says, “We are going to have a great time. We are going to read good books and have really good discussions, But I do expect you will participate 100%, because I’m going to be giving 100% as well. Overall, we are going to work together and have a great time.”

To the rest of NH, Estevez says, “You guys are awesome. You are in a great school, so take advantage of everything that is here for you. Every person in this building is here for one reason, which is to support, protect, nurture and encourage you to be your best/do your best.”

RILEY HEROLD Reporter

Mr. Thomson began teaching at the high school in 2022. He is in charge of the interactive media program. PHOTO CREDIT: Mekenzie McCann

EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor

“It was fun and made me appreciate what I have.”

- Brody

Ivy,

Aberdeen High, junior

During the mentor program, Estevez mentored Mrs. Philips at NH when she was just starting to become a teacher. Estevez is now substituting for Phillips when she goes on maternity leave. PHOTO CREDIT: Riley Herold

Wild About Wings!

Which flavor??

Parmesan-11% Cajun ranch-2%

Honey-18%

Old Bay-10% Mild- 5% Buffalo-20%

Super Spicy-10%

BBQ-24%

Taking tackles at America’s game; History, origin of Super Bowl

KRIS GRAY

News Editor

The very first Super Bowl was actually called the “AFL-NFL World Championship Game” and took place on January 15, 1967. It wasn’t until the third game that occurred two years later that it was officially renamed by the main founder of the American Football League and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt. Hunt’s son, Lamar Hunt Jr. claims that the idea sprouted from his “Super Ball” toy.

As the premiere professional football championship game, the tension arose from more than just the rivalry between the two top teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers won the first two Super Bowls in 1966 and 1967, being the first to defeat the AFL before the leagues merged.

Fast-forward to 2023, the Super Bowl is the biggest event in American sports culture and arguably, the “biggest event in American culture, period,” according to the Bleacher Report. Stadiums are filled from the parking lot to the nosebleeds. Since there have never been enough tickets to hold all the fans, many spectators watch from the comfort of their own homes through live television and other other streaming services.

Sophomore Nathan Ogle believes that “the Halftime show is what really draws people in.” 1993 was the first time the NFL acquired a famous entertainer, Michael Jackson, to perform during the halftime show. School Safety Liaison Mrs. Renee Ford’s favorite performance was the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. The event took place in Inglewood, California, featuring musical artists such as Mary J Blige., Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.

Like the halftime show, there were many major improvements made over the 55-year span. When bleachers were empty in ‘67, those seats can now reach up to as high as 40,000 dollars. The first champions received a trophy called the World Professional Football Championship Trophy. But, in 1970, the trophy would be renamed in memory of Vince Lombardi, the Packers head coach, after losing his battle with cancer.

The American Interest records that “football is a small-scale, relatively (but not entirely) safe version of warfare.” They explain that the game consists of “two groups of men in uniforms, wearing protective gear” crashing into each other. The older men create plans for the younger ones to enact as if they are generals instructing troops. But, most of all, the Bleacher Report calls it “a fortnight of A-listers and Fortune-500s and everybody who is anybody and anybody who loves football.”

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America’s favorite sports Sunday; Huddle in to learn overview, more

EMMA CORNMAN Reporter

This year, the 2023 Super Bowl falls on Sunday, Feb. 12. The start time is 6:30 p.m. EST and the stadium gates open at 2:30 p.m. EST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game is between the Kansas City Chiefs (16-3), and the Philadelphia Eagles (16-3).

An article on AS writes about how the 2022-2023 football season for both teams “ended the regular season 14-3 and as leaders of their respective conferences.”

This will now be the fourth Super Bowl appearance for the Eagles. In 1980, they lost to the Oakland Raiders, and in 2004, they lost to the New England Patriots. Their most recent Super Bowl appearance was in 2017, at which they got their revenge against the New England Patriots and received their first win.

During the AFC final, the Chiefs won with a 23-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs will be entering their fifth Super Bowl appearance. In 1966, the Chiefs lost their first appearance to the Green Bay Packers. The other three years the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl, they won all against the Minnesota Vikings. Many are wondering, who will come out victorious this year: the Chiefs or the Eagles?

Sophomore Ethan Sullivan states that he is rooting for the Eagles this 2023 Super Bowl, since the “Eagles have a higher advantage in this game. Both teams play very well, but [he] say[s] that the Eagles have the highest advantage.” He goes on to mention how, “the way they play this season has been outstanding,” and that between the two, the Eagles will win. Sullivan plans on watching the game “at [his] house, sitting right down on [his] couch, watching the TV.”

Sullivan goes on to say how between the two, the better team for “defense are the Chiefs, but Eagles have the better offense.” He explains how an injury may cost a win during the big game. “Patrick Mahomes sprained ankle, but the way he played against the Bengals in the championship games, [he] do[esn’t] know.” Sullivan “can’t say which player [he] like[s] the most since [he] can’t be biased at that, but at the same time they’re all equally good, the way the defense and the offense plays on each team is great.”

This year, the National Anthem will be sung by Grammy Award-winner Chris Stapletonl. The same article on AS goes on to mention how “The country music star is part of a pre-game lineup of artists, including R&B singer Babyface, who will sing “America the Beautiful,” as well as actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” 44-year-old Stapleton has won 15 Country Music Association awards and 10 Academic Country Music awards.

Along with Chris Stapleton, American Sign Language actor Troy Kotsur will also be performing. During the anthem, there will also be a Navy flyover with female aviators to celebrate 50 years of women flying in the US Navy. During halftime, singer Rihanna will be performing along with some other “special guests,” to perform with her which she stated in an interview with E! News.

Watch the game this Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. with friends and family. This game between the Chiefs and Eagles may be one worth watching.

Rihanna chooses to ‘shine bright like a diamond’; Barbadian music artist puts on Super Bowl performance

STELLA MANNS

Sports Editor

Football stars Travis and Jason Kelce are not the only two making history at Superbowl 57; Barbadian singer Rihanna performed for the first time at the big game. Other confirmed performers included Chris Stapleton and Babyface.

Rihanna’s setlist for the Super Bowl 57 halftime show included the following, “B- - - Better Have My Money,” “Where Have You Been?”, “Only Girl in the World,” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “All of the Lights,” “Run This Town,” “Umbrella,” and “Diamonds,” according to today.com. This was Rihanna’s first concert since her 2018 Grammys performance. Her outfit was a monochromatic red. She had on a red shirt that showcased her newly revealed pregnant stomach. The star’s red outfit was made by “MM6 Maison Mariela x Salomon Cross High” according to townandcountrymag.com.

Until recently in 2022, the singer had not released music. On Nov. 11, 2022 she released “Born Again,” which was featured in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This song was her first solo song since her album Anti was released in 2016, according to insider.com.

The Hawks have shown interest in her performance. However, some wish that more songs from her past were included in the concert in

Glendale, Arizona, at State Farm Stadium. Junior Marissa Luna wanted to hear “Love on the Brain,” while fellow junior Grace Conklin hoped to hear “Disturbia, SOS, Shut Up and Drive, and Pon de Replay.”

Sophomore Maggie Dawson favored, “Where Have You Been?” Dawson thinks that rapper Kanye West should have been in the “All of the Lights” performance, because, “ it is [West’s] song, too.” She characterized the backup dancers dressed in all white as “interesting, and very modern.” The outfits “fit this century,” according to Dawson.

According to sportingnews.com, Rihanna formed 39 different set lists in preparation for the highly anticipated halftime show. Even though the singer was not paid for her show, she still reaps in publicity from the millions of watchers, according to nbcchicago.com. “They looked like marshmallows!” is how freshman Payton Dinbokowitz described the monochromatic backup dancers.

Fellow freshman Samantha Johnson expressed more negative feelings toward the halftime show. Johnson wanted to see “more dancing” from the star. She also wishes a “more popular artist like Taylor Swift performed” so there could be more common songs sung. She did not like the dancers “all dressed in one color.” Johnson said that it “made the performance bland, as well as the dancers repeating the same moves for every song.”

Pierce the Veil: New studio album, tours; The Jaws of Life released on Feb. 10

MACKENIZE SCOTT

Op/Ed Editor

Pierce the Veil, an American rock band from San Diego, is releasing their fifth studio album after six years of hiatus.

The Jaws of Life was released on Feb. 10, 2023. This album begins the start of a new era of the band as their previous release Misadventures was released back in May of 2016. The band has been around since 2006 and hit popularity with their third studio album Collide with the Sky, which includes the song “King For a Day,” featuring Kellin Quinn, that currently has over 236 million streams on Spotify and the music video having 154 million views on YouTube as of Feb. 2023.

The band released three singles before the album release day, most receiving positive reviews. Junior Cynthia Zamudio said, “I only really liked two of the three songs that were leaked from the album, ‘Pass the Nirvana’ and ‘Emergency Contact.’” Zamudio continues saying, “‘Even When I’m Not With You’ was alright, I didn’t

mind it. It felt like the band wanted to experiment with their sound and it paid off well. It’s a good song but it’s not necessarily for me.”

Junior Emily Vaughn agreed,

music, which is expected because it's been six years and artists change over time.” Fans are expecting older elements to come in as you see that stand out in some of the new songs regardless of them experimenting with sound.

Zamudio says her favorite song off of previous albums is “definitely ‘Bulls In the Bronx.’ The band kind of pays an homage to their Hispanic roots in the bridge of the song, and you rarely see that with this kind of music genre.” Vaughn comments saying she hopes that maybe you will see things like that in the new music as well.

saying “‘Emergency Contact’ and 'Pass the Nirvana’ are the best of the new ones. ‘Even When I’m Not With You’ is not my favorite, as it is pretty repetitive.”

Vaughn says, “The new music is slightly different from their other

Fans are also hoping for an upcoming U.S. tour as headliners, as they recently were a supporting act on the True Power Tour with headliners I PREVAIL, with opener Fit For A King at the end of 2022 and headlining Live in the U.K. in December 2022. According to songkick.com they are scheduled to play across six countries in 2023 and 2024.

HCPS students ‘score’ in music; Best of the best perform together at concert

BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter

2023 All-County has already passed, but it’s not too late to celebrate the accomplishments of the students selected to participate.. According to choir teacher Katelyn Hemling, All-County is “an audition ensemble in Harford County, and so choir students - there’s band and orchestra as wellbut the choir students audition in October, the auditions happen at night at one of the other high schools.”

Hemling continues, “they have to go in front of the judges and sing an accompanied song. They usually have to sing something acapella and then they have to sing do a melodic sight reading, and a rhythmic sight reading and they can prepare ahead of time the song, but they don’t know what the sight reading is going to be when they get there.”

For All-County, the top students are selected to be a part of the ensemble and they only have three rehearsals before the concert. Hemling says, they have “one sectional rehearsal that is led by the high school teachers in the county, they have one rehearsal with their nighttime conductor, and then they

have an all-day rehearsal, and then the concert is the next day”

Paramore to release This is Why

LILY CORCORAN Copy Editor

On Friday, Feb. 10, alternative rock band Paramore released their sixth album, This is Why. The LP is the band’s first album since 2017’s After Laughter. This is Why will be available on all streaming platforms.

Pistel says, “for the audition, I focused a lot on things like clapping out the rhythms of every piece I had to sing, since you are singing on your own during the audition. I also had to brush up on sight reading since it was another part of the audition.”

Freshman Payten Ivy says, “I practiced a lot with Mrs Hemling - the chorus teacher - I worked on the songs a lot that we had to audition for and sing but I didn't really work on sight reading.”

All-County students prepare with an all day rehearsal. It was followed by a performance on the evening of February 4.

Hemling

Senior Aidan Pistel says, “All-County was a great experience. It was a great way to bond with members of my choir who really took singing seriously. As well as a great way to meet members of other choirs who I would normally never have a chance to talk to.”

For some students, they were nervous about auditioning and performing, but Pistel says, “I was really nervous when I first walked in, but putting on a lot of fake confidence seemed to help. There were these rehearsal tracks that they sent out that would help you learn and memorize your part.”

Although he was nervous, he said “the best thing was becoming friends with some people who I barely knew. The worst though was probably the performance of our first song, it just felt very lackluster.”

Ivy says, “I was nervous auditioning but once I got in I was still pretty nervous but after practice I enjoyed it a lot.”

The album was announced via the band’s Instagram with the title track, “This is Why,” being released on Sept. 16, 2022. The next single, “The News,” was released on Dec. 8, 2022. The latest single, “C’est Comme Ça,” was dropped on Jan. 12. The band’s vocalist, Hayley Williams, said of the lead single, “It summarizes the plethora of ridiculous emotions, the rollercoaster of being alive in 2022, having survived even just the last three or four years.”

Freshman Grayson Whaley says his favorite of the three singles is “The News” because “it’s just more upbeat than the rest, more comparative to the older albums which [he likes].”

Whaley continues that he is, “not entirely sure what to expect” of Paramore’s new album; he “just hopes it’s more upbeat,” like the currently-released singles are. The freshman adds that he is “always excited for new music, though.”

According to the band, the al-

bum “weaves in tendrils of rock ‘n’ roll’s past but lodges the band firmly back into the foreground of pop’s present.” This description references the switch in the band’s sound. Although most fans seemingly do not mind the shift in style, there is no doubt that many still love the band’s old pop-punk sound. Sophomore Elizabeth O’Brien says, “I can’t really compare them, but I like how their older music also had a bit more rock to it.”

According to The Atlantic, the band has undergone a “makeover.”

The band’s 2013 self-titled album, “was a masterful poprock reset, and on 2017’s After Laughter, the band experimented with shiny, happy synthesizers.”

O’Brien says they prefer Paramore’s older material since they “just liked a lot of their more angsty songs. Now [they] listen to Paramore for that middle school nostalgia.”

For anyone who is considering getting into Paramore, Whaley recommends the band’s music because, “[He] thinks it’s just good music [that] also has some deep meanings.” Sophomore Corrin Turner agrees with Whaley and says, “I do recommend that people listen to Paramore. It might not be for everyone, but I enjoy their music. It’s very catchy!”

PHOTO CREDIT: Katelyn

From left to right: Paramore guitarist Taylor York, vocalist Hayley Williams, and drummer Zac Farro. The band formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004.

PHOTO CREDIT: Alternative Press

From left to right: guitarist Tony Perry, lead singer Vic Fuentes, and bassist Jaime Preciado. The band has been together since 2006.

PHOTO CREDIT: @piercetheveil on Instagram

The video game series The Last of Us was recently made into an HBO original TV show. The first episode premiered on Jan. 15 and weekly episodes have been released since.

Fans watch game series come to life

ALEXA FALLS News Editor

The Last of Us is set in 2023, 20 years after an apocalypse occurred and caused a global pandemic. The series follows the two main characters, Joel Miller and Ellie Williams, and their journey through the post-apocalyptic world they are living in. Miller is played by Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal and Williams is portrayed by British actor Bella Ramsey.

Sophomore Deanna Zipp says, “I played both of the games last year and I really liked them, so I was excited to see there was a show coming out based on [The Last of Us].” She explains that the show portrays the game well for the most part. “Personality-wise, the two main characters, Ellie and Joel, are played really well.” She adds, “however, I think that the

actor for Ellie looks a bit different than she does in the game. I do think that Bella Ramsey does a great job of acting like Ellie.”

Zipp says her favorite character is “Joel, he has such a sad backstory and I love seeing his relationship with Ellie develop as they get closer.” She also says, “I

It Ends With Us turning into film

KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor BREEZY SEISER Reporter

Turner also played the video games before watching the show.

“I loved the game when it first came out so that’s why I started watching it.” For the accuracy of the show, Turner says, “I mean, there’s some things that aren’t exactly like the game, but I’m not expecting perfection.” He adds, “They’re already doing great and it’s good not to have [the show] the exact same [as the game].”

Turner says that he has two favorite characters. “In the show right now, it’s Joel, but I liked Tommy the most in the games.”

think Pedro Pascal fits the character well.” She rates the show an eight out of ten so far and she says “I really like the visuals of the show and the characters.”

Like Zipp, sophomore Jacob

Tommy is Joel’s brother in the series. Turner rates the show a 10 out of 10 and is eager to watch the new episodes. He says, “even if you haven’t played or watched the games, The Last of Us is a great watch.”

Fashion Week causes uproar; Rubies, lions, more strut their stuff in Paris

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

Fashion Week is considered to be an industry event where fashion designers, brands, or houses display their latest collections in runway fashion shows. These events last about a week and are supposed to influence what we see in the trend cycle and what will be in the upcoming fashion seasons.

Fashion Week is a business event, so the people who attend are usually invited to go. That’s why there are a lot of journalists, editors, celebrities and different variations of the press at such places. The goal is to expand a brand's image and have their work get out to a bigger audience, having influences like celebrities and the press helps reach this goal. Some of these celebrities help keep things like this show relevant in the media and the eyes of the av-

erage viewer by wearing and representing these brands.

Sometimes, the things people who get invited wear can be odd or eye-catching, such as a dress from the Schiaparelli Haute Couture collection that was worn by both Kylie Jenner and Irina Shayk. This dress was so striking because it features a giant faux lion head on the side of a black dress. This dress caught many viewers'

The romance novel by Colleen Hoover, It Ends With Us, is being made into a film with a cast that not everyone was expecting.

The movie will be starring American actress Blake Lively as the character Lily Bloom, as well as the American actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni as the character Ryle Kincaid.

In fact, Baldoni, the actor, read the book in 2019 and heavily promoted it according to Deepti Chadha of Open Media Hub. It was Baldoni who decided to turn this novel into a movie, producing it with his company Wayfarer Entertainment.

Lively is best known for her role in Gossip Girl as Serena van der Woodsen, which is based on the book series with the same name. While Baldoni is famously known for his role in Jane the Virgin, he is also known for directing and producing Five Feet Apart

The plot of the movie will coincide with the plot of the novel since Hoover will be working directly with the production of it according to Chadha. Audiences can expect to have very little differences between the novel and the future movie.

as close to the novel as possible, there will have to be some changes since “Lily is meant to be about 23 years old, and Ryle is not much older than her. At the time of writing this article, Lively is 35 years old, and Baldoni is 39 years old,” says Chadha.

Sophomore Poppy Smith says she heard about the new movie on Instagram, she enjoyed reading the book and she's excited for the movie. Smith says, “I don’t think the casting is good, that’s just not how I envisioned the characters to look like.” The tenth grader added she thinks the movie will be highly watched because a lot of people have read the book.

Additionally, sophomore Hannah Kawaihae was a big fan of the book as well. She was excited to hear about the movie coming out. But she is upset the characters aren't how the book described them to look.

Regardless of fans being shocked about the casting, Hoover describes Lively as “her dream Lily” on the Today show as well as in her Tiktok posts. Hoover also mentioned that as soon as she met Baldoni, that she “immediately wanted him to be Ryle.”

attention, and even had some negative feedback saying that it was promoting animal cruelty.

Sophomore Jenna Roh said, “I’m not completely sure of my stance.

It's not real fur, so it isn’t exactly animal cruelty, but I think that it could be glorifying trophy hunting whether the lion's head is real or not.”

Roh also added, “I use fashion that I see in the media as an inspiration for my style and what I wear. I think it’s kind of cool to see where some of these different inspirations in the media come from.” There are four main locations where Fashion Week takes place: Paris, France, New York, U.S.A, London, England, and Milan, Italy. However, there are many other fashion shows in places just as big, such as Miami, Florida or Tokyo, Japan.

Bigger brands are usually at Paris or Milan Fashion Week, like Dior or Louis Vuitton. Milan features lots of Italian styles such as Versaci, Prada, or anything that is kind of maximalist. London Fashion Week is more experimental, with lots of new names in the industry and more odd pieces. New York Fashion Week is eccentric and is influenced by different cultures.

The story follows the protagonist Lily Bloom as she falls in love with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid after graduating and moving to Boston. Throughout the story you find out about her past love Atlas Corrigan along with her family history and how it affects her current relationship with Ryle. The relationship gets complicated when she finds out Ryle’s past and sees first-hand how he acts in anger.

Although the movie will be

There are no other updates about casting to much of the fans dismay. Kawaihae says, “I’ve always been team Atlas, so I'm anxious to see who will be playing him.”

Atlas is Lily’s first and forbidden love, who suddenly came back into her life. He waited for her, protected her, and saved her. Although he won’t be the main character in this movie, he is an important piece to Lily’s past and will be expected to have a part in the It Ends With Us movie.

Ant-Man and the Wasp:

Quantumania released in theaters

REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the next release in the Marvel cinematic universe. The movie was released on February 17. The film has a run time of two hours and five minutes and the movie is rated PG-13.

Paul Rudd plays the main character Scott Lang (AntMan). Other cast members include Kathryn Newton, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfeiffer, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. Peyton Reed directed this movie - he has directed all three of the Ant-Man movies.

The movie takes a look into the quantum realm. Fans will get to learn more about the realm and what it holds. This film will introduce new characters and a whole new realm.

Senior Cole Younger said he is planning on watching the film when it comes out on Disney+. “I really like the Marvel movies, so I am excited to see it. I’ve heard that it is supposed to be really

good.”

This movie is part of Marvel’s phase five movie releases and show releases.

Ant-Man will be the first movie of the phase five releases ushering in the new phase of films.

Younger said, “I am really excited for what these movies are going to do for Marvel.”

Senior Ava Grabowski said,”I am not a huge Marvel fan, but I saw previews for the movie when I went to the movie theater a few weeks ago and it looked really cool.”

Younger added, “I don't really know what to expect; it's a whole new realm it will definitely be interesting to see. I'm definitely curious about what the movie has in store.”

“I saw the previews and it was impressive. The cinematography and green screens look good. I like when they introduce new things into the movies. It makes things fun to watch,” Younger said.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey pictured as their characters in ‘The Last of Us.’ There will be a total of nine episodes all released by March 13.

Kylie Jenner’s lion dress by Schiaparelli Haute Couture was worn at the 2023 Paris Fashion week. The lion’s head was made of resin and painted by hand.

PHOTO CREDIT: Social Media

Edgewood students share passion for music; Creating new local band together

KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager

Three Edgewood High School students have taken their love for music to the next level by creating their own band, Vote By Mail.

Members include sophomore Jakob Huber, junior Avis Vilayvong, senior Connor Hargis. Huber states, “I love music because I love self expression.

I think the way people show themselves in their art is what makes living worth it.”

Vilayvong adds, “I enjoy music for art, it’s another voice of expression and is something we really can’t live without.”

The band was created because of the trio's passion for music. “The three of us would always play music in the morning before homeroom and wanted to put that into something real,” stated Huber.

Vilayvong continues, “I joined the band after hearing short pieces of songs and was offering to write drum/percussive parts to them.”

He adds, “Another big factor

was our interest in music, we liked some of the same stuff and didn't mind mixing some genres to fit music we liked.”

Hargis states, “Music has been one of my biggest motivational influences. I can’t do anything without having music on; it's how I express myself.”

The band has taken to playing “midwestern emo and post hardcore” music as well as some of their own originals. Huber mentions, “I like playing the originals the most.

bass for the band. “Bass has always been my main instrument,

Avis Vilayvong, Jacob Huber.

They feel the most energetic and natural to me and I feel like they sound better than the covers.”

Hargis talks about playing the

so being able to play within my comfort zone is nice. I like to give the vibrance to the foundation of music.”

Parry swings her way to Cancun Invitational

ALEXA FALLS

News Editor

Q: What tournament did you compete in?

A: It was the Cancun Invitational in Mexico.

Q: How did you qualify for the tournament?

A: We had to be anywhere from a level six to a level ten to qualify, and I am a level eight, so I got to go along.

Q: How long have you been doing gymnastics for?

A: Since I was two, but I’ve been competing since I was nine.

Q: What team do you compete for and what do you enjoy about your team?

A: ACPR Gymnastics, I like the community and how we are all a big family.

Q: What skill is your favorite in gymnastics and why?

A: Probably giants on bars because I just like swinging around, it’s really fun.

Q: What did you place?

A: I was only able to compete on the bars because I was injured, but I made 4th place.

Q: What was your experience like competing in another country?

A: It was really exciting and I wasn’t expecting it but there were a lot of teams there.

Huber talks about their position as a guitarist as well, “I begged my parents to buy me one when I was around eight after I saw this dude in my music class in elementary school play guitar.”

The band has performed one show in Huber’s basement.

Vilayvong says, “we did a funny little show in Jakob’s basement, but it was enough for us to get a taste of playing in front of people whether they liked the music or not.”

The band is planning on continuing on performing with two future potential shows.

“We have a few more lined up

with some other bands. One being in a skatepark, and another being a garage show,” mentions Hargis. “Planning them takes a lot of time and effort,” comments Huber.

“Being able to work with others to create something that once didn’t exist is always magical to me,” comments Hargis.

“Being able to share it with others and express myself it's a feeling words can’t convey, brings a light to my expression.”

Vilayvong expresses, “It’s just like sports and having a team where you can rely on your bandmates and they can rely on you.” Huber adds, “the best part…is just blending all of our creative brains together to make stuff that represents us.”

Hargis adds, “It’s mostly a fun small project but being able to get some traction and play around Maryland would be nice.

We have no intention of being famous, but small bits of recognition would be nice.”

You can follow the band on Instagram @vbm._official.

Vote By Mail performed for an audience at a basement show. The band plans to continue creating and showcasing their music. From left to right; Connor Harigs,

PHOTO CREDIT: Sylvia Marin

Soulmates:

ALEXIS GOTT Reporter

It’s February, the month of love, pink hearts, and mushy romance stories. Most people want to spend the holiday with someone they promise to cherish and love forever, someone who they feel like they’re connected to for eternity - some may call them their soulmate.

However, whether soulmates actually exist has been a question asked numerous times by many people.

Science has attempted to take its stand in the everlasting debate- do soulmates exist or not?

But, unfortunately, there is no way to scientifically tell if soulmates are real.

Concept psychologically toxic science stating facts about love Bringing down carbon emissions

Most psychologists agree that the idea of “soulmates” is actually very toxic. Finding someone who is going to be perfect for you and will click immediately with is a harmful mindset to have.

According to a January Marist 2011 poll, 73% of Americans believe that the concept of a soulmate is true. In research con-

mantic growth have the idea that their ideal S.O should be someone who they can grow and work with. They have more motivation when their relationship goes south because they see it as an opportunity to stay committed, and to grow.

While people who believe in soulmates usually have the tendency to live in relationships where they are ”less committed to a partner, particularly when there are relationship difficulties.”

According to Jermey Nicholson, a Doctor of Social/ Personality psychology.

One different type of soulmate is the “red thread.” In some cultures, people believed that two people were bound together by fate as lovers by an invisible red string.

There is no scientific definition for a soulmate, either. The definition for it varies depending on the person. To sophomore Kim Sawyer, a soulmate is someone that you are “meant to be with,” and the relationship doesn’t necessarily have to be romantic. “It can be platonic, too,” she says. Although there is no biological science that can support a side in the argument, there is psychological research.

PHOTO CREDIT: Isha Foundation

ducted by Knee (1998) where the focus of the research was the impact of the belief of a “romantic destiny” (a soulmate), it was found that people had a divided idea of “romantic destiny.” Some believe in soulmates, the idea that someone is destined for you, and others believe in a concept known as “romantic growth.”

Individuals who believe in ro-

Government and psychology teacher Mrs. Melissa Winter shares that she does not believe in soulmates. She says that people who do are creating a “false notion in their head,” and that the idea of finding a soulmate can be “pretty detrimental,” because “[if people] feel like they [can’t] find that, their life isn’t as fulfilled as it ‘should’ be.”

And because of this, these people usually don’t end up in a long term relationship, and usually find themselves single once more and continue to live a life thinking that someone will just be destined and perfect for them. When in reality, perfect isn’t realistic.

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

Some might think that there is no turning back from the damage already done by climate change and that there is no hope for the future of Earth. However, it is not impossible. According to a report made by the International Energy Agency, we can make sure that by 2050, we reach net-zero carbon emissions.

Scientists are trying to introduce net-zero emissions. What are net-zero emissions, and what will they have an effect on? The main idea is to balance out the greenhouse gasses. This is all energy related, so it is about how we can maintain energy in a reasonable and effective way. In the long run, the plan is to use less harmful gasses to the environment, such as carbon dioxide. Governments stepping up to action can help with this issue as well. For example, the United States Government stepped up with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The purpose of this bill is to invest in domestic energy production, reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, as well as lowering the price of prescription drugs.

Carbon emissions, if worsened, can cause extreme weather and other tragedies. Already we are starting to see the effects of climate change on earth. For example, having a longer allergy season, or the weather feeling colder at a time when it should be warm like spring or summer. These effects can impact your health as well as the health of the planet. According to the CDC, the effects of these extreme weathers can cause some health issues to worsen and heat strokes could possibly become more normal.

To achieve net-zero, it is suggested that we start using ways of energy that are cleaner for the air we breathe, like wind, solar power, and hydropower. Sophomore Madison Spangler said, “there are better ways that we can reduce carbon emissions, but these are certainly great ways that we can lower the emission levels.”

Some ways we already see technologies like these being used are solar panels on roofs and windmills. According to CleanPower.org, using wind power can avoid about three hundred thirty million metric tons of carbon dioxide that is produced annually. Oftentimes the cost of solar power and wind power is cheaper than the cost of gas power. The International Renewable Energy Agency was also able to prove this. 62% of renewable energy and power were cheaper than what was considered to be the cheapest of fossil fuels. If we use more sources of clean energy, major changes can be made.

Origins of Valentine’s Day Not sweet as candy, corny as cards

GABRIELLE MOXHAM Reporter

The very controversial day of love known as Valentine’s Day came from the ancient Romans, and actually is believed by historians to have a crude beginning. According to npr.org, the day started when “Emperor Claudius II executed two men -both named Valentine- on Feb. 14 of different years in the third century.” Later on, this day was celebrated in the church of Catholics and known as St. Valentine's Day.

That being said, as the day spread, it began to develop over the course of time with the help of romanticization coming from Shakespeare.

As the day’s true meaning got lost, new ones were formed, which brings society to its celebratory meaning today: cherishing loved ones.

The holiday now has its pros and cons, of course, which is probably why it is considered so

controversial. The people with partners usually love it, as it is an excuse to not only show how much you care for them but also receive love and gifts.

However, many people go out of their way to top last year's gifts or their partner’s, and end up spending more money than they can afford.

According to thebalancemone. com, around 23.9 billion dollars was spent on valentines in 2022! This revenue is great for businesses, but not so much for a person's bank account.

This year, the Millennial generation will be the ones hurting most after Valentine's Day, as ages 35-44 are predicted to spend the most money this loving season, according to cnbc.com. Then, of course, there are the single people who mostly feel utter loneliness on the holiday, as it is a reminder of how lacking their intimacy is. This being said, they tend to cope with this through

binge spending on themselves for the gifts they are missing out on from a partner while enjoying a sad night in.

As for students' opinions, foreign exchange student Baptiste Choné claims that he didn’t celebrate the holiday in France, and does not plan to in America. “I would celebrate if I had a Valentine, but overall I think it is an unnecessary holiday,” he says. Different cultures celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways.

For instance, across the sea to Verona, Italy, thousands of people send love letters addressed to “Juliet,” and a bunch of volunteers from the Juliet Club reply to these messages. The author of the most touching letter is awarded with the “Juliet Prize” or “Cara Giulietta.”

Whether you believe in the holiday or not, the day is a great opportunity to spread love and kindness throughout the community.

At What Age...?

Preventing health risks in future

MEKENZIE MCCANN H/S Editor

Did you know that the food you eat actually affects your brain and your body? According to Kaiser Permanente, “healthy eating is essential for memory, mood, and focus - the brain uses more than 20% of our [body’s] caloric needs.”

However, “many foods commonly consumed in the American diet contain[s] processed grains, high levels of refined sugars, salad, processed oils and fats, chemical additives, and preservatives, many of which are harmful to both our brain and body,” says Kaiser Permanente Drinks such as sodas, sports drinks, fruit juice, and specialty coffee beverages, “often contain high fructose corn syrup, with a high glycemic index. This means that the sugar is rapidly absorbed by the gut, causing the body to produce a surge of insulin,” according to Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser Permanente also states that most of the sugars that we eat “are not used immediately by the body as fuel, but instead are stored as glycogen or converted into body fat. Repeated consumption of excessive sugars can contribute to obesity and, over time, the body may lose its ability to produce enough insulin, leading to diabetes.”

Also, the excess sugar in the body’s bloodstream “interacts with proteins to form harmful compounds known as AGE’s, or advanced glycation end products, that contribute to inflammation of blood vessels and other body tissues. Over time chronic inflammation leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke,

Public health spiraling in U.S. public schools; Pandemic affects behavior in students

and degenerative brain diseases,” states Kaiser Permanente

When your diet focuses on healthy foods that limit refined sugar and processed foods, and focus your diet onto “fresh, whole plant-based foods [that] can help slow or prevent inflammation and cognitive decline and maximize brain function,” according to Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente says, “Whole plant foods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains, and legumes provide complex carbohydrates and are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which nourish our brain and other organs. When we consume plant-based foods, we benefit from the protective effects of these natural phytochemicals.”

“The fiber present in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains slows the intestinal absorption of sugar, creating less of an insulin surge and a lower risk of developing diabetes and inflammation,” states Kaiser Permanente

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “research shows that the best brain foods are the same ones that protect your heart and blood vessels. These foods include “green, leafy vegetables, fatty fish, berries, tea and coffee, and walnuts,” states Harvard Health Publishing.

Junior Val Angulo states that she eats a lot of “vegetables, fruits, and [she] substitutes meat for tofu.” Angulo eats more food that does not have GMO’s, and she eats food “that is more organic that is grown on farms, and [she] eats healthy by eating vegan, and taking out the stuff in meats like the enzymes,” says Angulo.

EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor

According to many educators, the phrases “Put the phone away please…. No, you may not go to your locker… settle down guys…is anybody paying attention?” are all too common nowadays in classrooms across America.

Post pandemic, public schools across America have experienced increased disruptions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

These disruptions include student misconduct, rowdiness outside the classroom, acts of disrespect towards teachers and staff, and prohibited use of electronic devices. The same source reports that 87% of public schools believe the pandemic negatively impacted the social and emotional development of students.

Science teacher Mrs. Patti Massetti explained that she believes “attitudes and behaviors have changed” post pandemic. “Students came in after the pandemic, thinking school was going to be much like it was during the Covid year.”

Once expectations were raised, the educator thinks they struggled with that. “I think it’s taken us so long to recover, academically, from that.” Nowadays, she doesn’t see as many kids stressing over getting A’s on their assignments and overall grades.

NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr stated in a press release that “students thrive in an environment with effective social, emotional and behavioral support.”

Attending school everyday is important for succeding in school. Around 180 students are absent from school each day.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kensington Boyanich

While researchers are seeing the numbers of these positives decrease, there is also an increase of chronic absenteeism among students. Many educators claim that students who miss class create problems for a variety of reasons. Mrs. Kimberly Harris, another science teacher, remarked that “one of the biggest issues post-Covid is students thinking they can turn stuff in at any time, for full credit.”

Specifically in HCPS, the chronic absence policy was recently amended. According to HCPS.org, the school system defines chronically absent as “a year-to date absence rate of 10% or more, including both lawful and unlawful absences.”

However, student absences aren’t the only issue. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, teacher absences increased by 72% during the 2021-2022 school year. Oftentimes, schools have asked teachers that are on their planning time/ breaks to cover a class. Relating to this, “77% of public schools reported that finding substitute teachers [was] difficult” during the 2021-2022 school year.

According to secretary Mrs. Kayla Harmon, the average number of absences at NH were 180-185 students each day, for the 2022-2023 school year.

Principal Brian Pawlicki stated that “Student attendance data in school has become a growing concern after the COVID pandemic.”

Attendance is a key factor in academic success when a student enters high school, and attending school regularly gives students “the opportunity to participate in classroom activities, engage with their peers and teachers, and learn the material they need to succeed in school and later in life,” according to Pawlicki.

Artificial Intelligence achieves advancements; Microsoft architect speaks on singularity

BEN IAMPIERI

Copy Editor DALL-E] are our best scientists put together, and it’s amazing, but you’re still able to tell it’s a robot. I think it will take a lot longer than Moore’s Law suggests.”

Moore’s Law states that computers will continue to double in power and half in price every two years that pass. Experts claim Moore’s Law will continue to hold for the rest of our lives. Other experts also claim Moore’s Law no longer applies as of 2022. Who is right?

While computers may not be getting significantly cheaper, the transistor count in computers does double every two years, according to Our World in Data.

Matt Chandler, Azure data and AI architect for Microsoft, thinks Moore’s Law is starting to no longer hold. “We are coming to a point where in conventional computing, it’s hard to keep doubling because transistors can only get so small,” he explains.

Recently taking the world by surprise is the recent improvements to AI tools ChatGPt and DALL-E. Does Moore’s Law apply to AI? Chandler does not believe so. “It’s a slow grind. It just takes so long. [ChatGPT and

According to AI News in a video about SINGULARITY, GPT-4–which was just released at the beginning of 2023–will be considered almost as smart as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). By 2026, AGI will be invented and it will have the ability to simulate real human thinking.

Chandler explains how the GPT-4 referred to in the video and claims to be able to take over most human jobs, is just the ChatGPT and DALL-E we have now. “Some of those claims are so far-fetched, I was laughing,” he says. “I would say [the video is] about 20-30% accurate. However, even the parts I believe are accurate, the dates are off and the claims are exaggerated.”

AI News claims that by 2030, AGI will be completely mobile and be able to automate all human tasks and jobs. On top of this, it will

conduct years of research within minutes. After one year, we will have made more technological advancements than we have in the previous 200 years.

Chandler disagrees with this. “Everything we train robots to do in our machine learning is all based on math. The hard part is getting everything that you do on a computer and converting that into real life,” he starts. “Imagine you write the perfect code for a robot to pick up a piece of paper, but when it goes to pick it up, it doesn’t suction. There are all these other pieces to it in the physical world that don’t exist in the electronic world. So that is going to be a challenge for robots taking over human jobs.

“When you look at Tesla, there’s a lot of machine learning there, but it also makes mistakes,” he explains. “2030 is a bit too early for all of that.” That being said, he still thinks people will be amazed by what they “see over the next couple of years in programming, computers, and chatbots.”

Chandler believes we are far

off from AI going mobile. “All of our AI happens on our supercomputers in the back end somewhere,” he explains. “Right now, it’s so resource-intensive just to make simple decisions. We need to get the ability to make those decisions a lot easier so it doesn’t require so much supercomputing power.”

Five years later, according to AI News, no human will be able to keep up with the robots’ level of thinking, and “Singularity” will be achieved. “Is it going to be the end-all-be-all? That’s hard to say. It’s going to be a while out before any of that happens,” Chandler says.

“Where we are right now, is we can have robots that will generate articles, that will write articles, and that can fool you based on its writing style, and it can improve itself,” the architect explains. “I think to say we’ll get to AI singularity where it is beyond the human level of understanding and comprehension, I don’t know, we’re definitely getting there. If you would’ve asked me

five years ago I would’ve said no way. Asking me today… it’s possible. We’re getting there, and we’re in the infant stage of it.”

Senior Jeremy Jestel has been interested in the AI Revolution for two years. “At the current rate we are going, I believe we will hit a point where AI processing will be more efficient and innovative than human capability on nearly every metric,” Jestel states. “ChatGPT’s power caught most of the world off guard. This is a low-level display of capability that I believe will continue to exponentially increase until we hit singularity due to competition between companies as well as countries.”

Jestel is concerned about the growth of AI. “The growth of AI is much more dangerous than most understand and far outweighs the possible benefits,” Jestel explains. “AI will slowly take jobs away from workers, starting with creative-artistic jobs and moving on to every analytical and financial field. This is just the start of a continuous trend of job loss.”

End of swim season; Celebrating seniors, Prepping for counties

BEN IAMPIERI

Copy Editor

Feb. 1 was the swim team’s senior night. Feb. 7 and 8 were boys and girls counties, respectively.

Senior Maggie Layman had fun “getting to hang out with everyone on the team,” during senior night. Junior Kyle Difilippo thought the senior night was good. “I liked seeing all the seniors walk with their parents, it was nice,” he says. “I thought it was very memorable for the seniors. It was sad seeing them leave, but it was a nice send-off.”

Sophomore James Cassidy thought the posters were cool. “I like when they announced the seniors and we got to see them walk. That’s when it hits you that they’re seniors,” he explains. “You feel good for them but sad that they are leaving.”

“I think it was really fun to see all the seniors get recognized and dive off the blocks,” freshman Logan Sealy says.

Junior Michael O’Leary’s favorite part of the night was watching senior Ben Iampieri do a flip. “It was a lot of fun watching as our seniors went off,” he says. “Next year is going to suck because we are going to lose a bunch of seniors… three seniors.” He prepares for counties by swimming almost 10,000 yards a day.

Looking ahead at the possibility of states, “It’s all just the mental part that I am working on: getting hype.” There were a few podium placements at counties. Junior Michael O’Leary placed first in the 200 free and 100 breast at counties with times 1:51 and 1:04, respectively. “My 200 free was solid. It wasn’t the best ever. I came back pretty slow, and then my 100 breast was real bad,” O’Leary says. I swam pretty awful, but it was cool to win.” He is hoping to swim a 1:01 in the breaststroke at regionals in order to get a good heat and lane for states.

The girls 400 relay consisting of senior Jenna Reed, freshman Sophia Bonincontri, junior Val Angulo, and junior Anna O’Leary placed third with a time of 4:23.

Lacrosse gets ready for spring season

JACK O’CONNOR Reporter

With spring sports around the corner, students have been participating in their fair share of preparations, many of which have been attending the pre-season conditioning programs offered by the school.

Boys lacrosse’s conditioning is in full swing. According to sophomore Gavin Herr, “[The team] goes outside for practicing, conditioning, and shooting. We practice running, and then we go play wall-ball for ten minutes. After that, we go inside and do some more conditioning by running around the school and doing wall-sits.”

For the Lady Hawks, senior Kendall Fortune added, “For conditioning, we will run for the first part of our time and then finish with either a workout in the weight room or focus on stick skills through drills and gamelike scenarios. What we run varies each time, but will typically be either a distance run, sprints, sprint recovery, or even a mix of a few different [types].”

Sophomore Jacob Tompkins describes practices as, “relaxing and a good environment to get

back in that lacrosse mindset.” He also describes it as being, “a great way to fine tune your skills and work on new ones.”

While coaches play a minimal role in these practices, they function more like a captain’s practice with some guidance from the coaches. Herr says, “The coaches only really work with workouts inside; when we’re out on the turf, it’s completely up to us what we do and how we do it.” This, combined with the encouraging leadership provided by some of the senior members of the lacrosse team, has played well in helping to build morale and strengthen our teams’ skill for this upcoming season.

Fortune agreed with this and said, “Players are able to get into shape and prepare themselves for tryouts so that they can be on their A-game. Conditioning allows players to prepare months ahead to increase their endurance and become faster, which is all necessary for the game.”

Many drills focused on passing and shooting, with minimal to no contact. These are all drills that strengthened both teamwork and confidence in players, according to Tompkins.

Many players say that the “West Genny” drill was their favorite out of everything. This drill plays out almost like a scrimmage, with three-on-two man-down defense and goals set up opposite to each other. This drill allows players to work on a multitude of skills, such as passing, shooting, dodges, and defense while maintaining a fast paced, fun environment that gives equal playtime to all players. Not to mention the teams’ wall-ball routine that teaches players important stick skills and gives them something new that they can bring home and utilize outside of practice. Tompkins commented, “[Wallball] is one of the most important things we do here at practice.”

Pre-season conditioning is a great opportunity for spring athletes to gain an edge on their competition and potentially pull through with an exciting season. Fortune said, “Conditioning is important to lacrosse players because you are constantly running and moving around in a game. Conditioning also helps with bonding and getting to know your potential teammates which helps with the team’s chemistry overall.”

Exciting wrestling season comes to close; Hawks prepare for last matches

SARAH WELZANT Reporter

North Harford’s wrestlers have been putting their all into their matches this winter. Their most recent and final meet was against C. Milton Wright and faced a tough defeat. However, the team has upcoming matches in UCBAC.

Coach Mr. Tim Ryan states, “Our whole team has had massive growth this year,” as they achieved a fourth place finish at the Tomahawk dual meet tournament. Ryan explains that the team has “continued to grow immensely” and couldn’t pick out just one person who has improved the most.

The wrestling team bears many great performing players. Ryan states, “All three captains, Cruz [Cespedes, senior], Clay [Lawrence, junior], and Tommy [Blankenship, sophomore] have had outstanding seasons.

[Junior] Donald Blackmon has been coming on strong and winning some tough matches. [Sophomore] Ian Lewis and [junior]

Isaac Brown had tough starts to their early season, but have made great improvements as the season progressed.”

Sucessful season, Atheletes look ahead, Regionals come next

ISABEL KROPKOWKSI Features Editor

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the indoor track team traveled to the Baltimore Armory for regionals. With the season coming to an end, the track team continues to run fast for regionals, then to state championships on Feb. 20.

Out of the sixteen teams present, girls and boys placed sixth thirteenth, respectively. The 4x8 relay qualified for states, this included seniors Sierra Weaver and Jodi Cadden, sophomore Eden Hussung and freshman Kendall Chandler.

Junior Korynn Sims also qualified for states in pole vaulting, as well as junior Anna O’Leary, who received first place overall for shot put. O’Leary had her personal best and is headed to championship with the other six runners.

This year, for their final indoor season, Weaver and Cadden headed to the state championships one last time before they graduate this May. Hussung and Chandler head to the championships in their first year of running for the indoor team.

The team competed against many high schools. Distance coach Mrs. Laura O’Leary said they had many personal records for many of the runners, including sophomore Cael Sims and Hussung in the 800 meter, junior Austin Parry in the 3200 meter, Korynn Sims in the 55-meter hurdles, freshman Savannah Picha in the 300 meter, sophomore Allyson Knott in the 500 meter, and freshman Ashley Picha in pole vaulting.

Coach O’Leary said the team did well, with seven runners going to the state championships and with many runners receiving PRs at regionals.

The team uses huddles to build team moral during meets. Pictured above at Elkton High School where their compeptors were the Elkton Golden Elks and the Perryville Mustangs, the Hawks won this meet 63-18.

pletely new to it. But now I’m pretty decent and I know a lot more than when I came in.

With the season coming to an end, Grabia states “It’s been cool, but I’m looking forward to getting some free time back and I’ll be coming back next season even better.

Brown believes “this season has been pretty nice,” and that the team has “been doing the best that it has done in a while.”

In third, Elkton freshman Beau Kammerzelt, in second Bel Air sophomore Colin O’Hare, in first place is junior Michael O’Leary. They will return to Magnolia to swim regionals on Feb. 18.

Freshman Ben Grabia had his first year in wrestling. He explains that he’s been “liking wrestling so far. It’s been a difficult journey but super rewarding.” Grabia has been improving a lot this season. He states, “On the first day of practice, I didn’t know anything and was com-

Wrestling is an intensive sport. Brown states, “I’ve been improving physically, but also mentally.

I believe wrestling improves your mental strength overall.”

Brown enjoys working with the team. He explains, “my favorite part about wrestling has to be the team and bonding together.”

Wrestling can be quite the “mental sport” according to sophomore Jordan Lawson. She states that “[she] gained a lot of confidence in [herself] as well as discipline and staying humble.”

Lawson has been enjoying this season a lot. She explains, “It’s a fun sport where you have to use your brain and your body to succeed, and I just think all the moves we do are really cool.” She is really looking forward to “regionals next weekend for girls wrestling.”

The team is at the end of the season, and the teams are finishing it out by going to UCBACs on the 17 and 18 of February, along with Regionals on the 25 and states on the second, third, and fourth of March.

The indoor season allowed many indoor track school records to be broken. Sophomore Timothy Stike, junior Baptiste Choné, freshman Reese Conklin, junior Blake Carberry, senior Nate Santana, Cael Sims, sophomore Justin Collins, Parry, junior James Ortt, and junior Casey Smith all set new school records.

Women's records were also broken by senior Finley Lavin, junior Sara Ford, freshman Lila Parry, Knott, junior Grace Conklin, Savannah Picha, sophomore Madelyn Smick, freshman Lilliana Fell, Hussung, Chandler, sophomore Reagan Cadden, Ashley Picha, senior Madison Kingsley, Korynn Sims, Anna O’Leary, and junior Mia Coleman.

In addition to personal and school records, many relay records were also broken this season.

The Hawks will finish at states on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 at Prince George’s Sports and Learning complex.

PHOTO CREDIT: Staff

PHOTO CREDIT: Greer Strine

Boys basketball continues to develop; Stays motivated, plays on

guys who work very well together.”

Teams celebrate seniors; seasons coming to close

REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

The winter sports season is coming to an end for many seniors. Wrestling, swimming, and girls and boys basketball have all celebrated their senior nights.

Indoor track does not celebrate a senior night due to where meets take place. It makes it difficult to have a specific night for the seniors.

On these senior nights, underclassmen on the teams make posters and decorate to celebrate the last home game of the season.

Some of these teams will be moving on to their regional championships and possibly states as well to finish off their seasons.

Hawks use confidence to boost scores; Looking forward to successful playoffs

STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

Boasting a 13-3 record, the girls basketball team has left behind a strong season. They hope to finish performing just as well as they began the season.

The Hawks have only been defeated by Havre De Grace (twice) and Rising Sun (once). The Hawks are placed second in the overall record, according to countysports.zone, placed behind Rising Sun (15-2).

684 total points have been collected by the girls, with an average of 42 points per game.

Senior Lillian Duffy describes her season in one word, “successful.” She remembers the Patterson Mill game with the most joy. The game “went into double overtime” and there “was a loud student section,” which was new for the team. Duffy expressed that the “team was able to bring the energy and confidence to win.”

She said that recently, the team has been “amping it up at practice” in order to get ready and perform well in the playoffs. “Man to man is a tough defense to learn and execute” according to Duffy. However, the girls have learned very quickly and performed well with the tactic. This year for JV and varsity, underclassmen have been switching between teams. Students can be moved up to varsity or moved down to JV depending on performance, injuries, or academics.

The Hawk’s basketball team is currently 3-15, and the team is hoping for another win before the end of the season.

Junior Preston Miller comments that he began “playing basketball in fifth grade,” and he plays “shooting guard” for the team.

Junior Ian Fox says that he began playing basketball when he “was five years old.” Fox enjoys being able “to spend the day with his teammates,” and he “loves playing” basketball.

Miller says that he enjoys “having fun and being able to play with [his friends].” He says that he enjoys being able to make “memories with [his] friends” on the team.

Coach Nick Panos comments that his favorite part of coaching the team is watching them “grow as teammates - supporting each other even when [the team] may be struggling. This is a very young team, and we have hope for a successful future.”

The team has had a “rough start” to the season, but it “has never really gotten to” the team, comments Fox. As the season has continued the team has “gotten to know each other better, which has helped” the team, Fox says.

Panos comments the “team is very supportive of each other. [The team has] a great group of

Unfortunately, many players have been injured during the season.

According to Panos, “there have been a few times when [the team was] down to five players during the season. Fortunately, most of [the players] are healing.”

Panos continues that the team has “just had to deal with the injury issues. Everyone has to step up and contribute as well as they could.” Fatigue also became a challenge when the team was down players.

Miller states that the team has struggled with having “a lot of

Girls basketball celebrated on Feb. 9 when they played against Joppatowne and won 46 to 20. Swimming celebrated theirs on Feb. 1. Wrestling's senior night also took place on Feb. 1. Boys basketball will celebrate on Feb. 14 against Fallston at 6:45.

These games and matches are very emotional for our seniors. Senior Lillian Duffy, one of the captains of the girls basketball team said, “It was emotional playing our last home game because nothing beats playing in your own gym.” She added, “The whole team brought the energy and decorated [the gym] so nicely to really help make it a good last home game.”

Duffy is proud of what her team accomplished this year, “with such a new team with underclassmen, normally it takes a bit for the team to flow well on the court but we started off flowing super well.” Duffy is also super proud of the team's record and is really excited for what's to come heading into playoffs.

Playing between two teams, varsity sophomore Emily Signor thinks that the team has “definitely improved” on racking up more points per game. “Something [the team] could improve upon is communication,” according to the sophomore. Communication is “a key part of the game.” It is necessary for “communicating screens and switches,” Signor adds.

“Solid,” is how freshman varsity player Lauren Nicholson sees the girls' season.

She expressed that “the team has done very well with hyping everyone up no matter what happened during games or practices.” Building team chemistry is important; the team has “become really strong” as they “all get along” and are comfortable around one another, Lauren adds. The freshman’s most memorable game in the season was away at Bel Air, when she “hit the griddy on the court” after a play.

Junior Caroline Nicholson expects the team to “perform well and play great as long as” they have confidence in the playoffs. Caroline explained how “the team has improved so much over the year because” they experience mistakes.

Her most memorable game was “beating Fallston because that has been” the team's biggest rival after losing to the Cougars in last year's playoff game.

The only thing Caroline was happy with was how the team has been “building relationships with one another and working together.”

Student makes elite rugby team

GABRIELLE MOXHAM

Reporter

Junior Anna O’Leary is a very avid athlete in the community who also attends our school. She has been playing rugby for outside programs, along with a multitude of other sports while managing honors classes.

tournaments. Players that want to go to travel tournaments must try out again in order to make a specialized tournament team per tournament. The team totals a crew number of forty and only twenty-five are selected to travel.

sides” and that without the sides on the court, it “bites [the team] in the butt.”

Miller says that with the help of a freshman being pulled up to varsity, the team has been able to “work the inside, which helps open up the opportunity for more shots.”

Fox adds that he hopes that during playoffs, the team gets matched “up with a decent team [so the team] has a chance of being able to score a couple of points.”

With playoffs approaching, the players will “focus on a total team commitment with every possession of every game,” says Panos

Miller comments that the team has “fun" and “do not really care about winning.”

Senior Cruz Cespedes, one of the two seniors on the wrestling team said, “I am very proud of myself and my career at North Harford. Senior night was emotional because it is the sport I've been doing my whole life and it is sad that it is coming to an end.”

During his time at North Harford, he hit his one-hundred-win mark and has now surpassed that mark partway through the season

Cespedes added that he is going to compete in regionals and hopefully continue into states.

Senior Jenna Amrhein, another of the captains for the girls basketball team said, “I am very proud of what the team has accomplished this year,”

She added, “It was definitely sad to see our regular season home games come to an end. However it is super exciting that we will have a home playoff game so our games in “the nest” are not over yet.”

She has been playing rugby for around three years and has recently been selected to play for an elite program EGRL Select (elite girls rugby league.)

O’Leary plays as the “tighthead prop” on the field which is one of the three players that make up the front line of the scrum on the right side.

Their job is to push up against the opposing team’s “loosehead prop.”

Although, she can mostly play any position in the pack excluding the “back" position.

She claims she is most looking forward to “just playing with these girls, they are basically insane because they are so good, they are from all of the teams in the league so it’s a diverse group. But also hitting people in a different state.”

As of Feb. 15, O’Leary went to a tournament in Tampa Bay, Florida another tournament is expected to be held in Arizona. However, making this select team is not a free ticket to the

This league is so exciting for O’Leary because it is very official, meaning that many college scouts will be attending matches and tournaments to recruit players considering they made this difficult team.

Teammates who are chosen for the team will play for this club until the end of recruitment season when the team splits.

O’Leary expects the team will do well in terms of getting along considering they all know each other since they all used to be opponents. “It will be a little weird being on the same side but we all get along.”

The team plans to continue bonding to increase fluency on the field by having team dinners and rooming together for tournaments and travel games at hotels.

The upperclassman commented that she is most nervous to play in front of college scouts but has faith that she will do well, especially because she has had a good season so far and has been training for a while along with staying in shape through other sports in the off-season.

MEKENZIE MCCANN

H/S Editor

Demetrious Densmore takes a shot on the basket from outside the circle. The team is heading to playoffs in the next couple weeks.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mekenzie McCann