NORTH HARORD HIGH SCHOOL
211 PYLESVILLE RD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132
410-638-3650
VOLUME 43, ISSUE 10
JUNE 13, 2022
Valedictorian, Salutatorian named at Senior Awards Assembly; Graduating Class celebrates top students KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor The highest achievement for most people in their high school career is to be named valedictorian or salutatorian during their senior year. The winners were announced on June 1 during the senior award assembly; this year Jamie Kavanagh and Nick Spigler were awarded, respectively. Jamie Kavanagh said she has made school her priority since freshman year. “I had to make choices like putting school above my social life and work, which was difficult,” says Kavanagh. “But I’m hoping my school work ethic will help me out during my career.” Kavanagh is attending the University of Maryland’s Honors College. She is majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology. “I chose UMD because I was selected as a Banneker/Key scholar and won a full scholarship. I’m very excited to study biology from a neurological perspective and for the research opportunities UMD has to offer,” says Kavanagh. Right behind her at second in his class is salutatorian Nick Spigler. Spigler explains that preparing the speech and being recognized as salutatorian was stressful. “I finished school, but I still had other commitments outside of school like work, summer swim-
pirations for colleges and a good GPA can help applicants stand out,” Kavanagh mentions. Although Kavanagh was surprised she wasn’t tied with anyone, she was excited for the opportunity, “I didn’t get as nervous as I expected; I was excited,” says Kavanagh. Spigler believes that being salutatorian means he needs to “fill” that role of alJamie Kavanaugh, Valedictorian most being at the top of his class. “There ming, scholarship applications, and college housing forms to fill are certain expectations, like out the same week the speech giving the speech, and being needed to be done,” says Spigler. the typical ‘salutatorian’ perHe describes it as feeling son,” says Spigler. “Being salutatorian to me “strange” because it didn’t feel like something new; it was still a holds no more value than being piece of writing he wanted to be in the top five percent because GPA is roughly the same and proud of. “This award is an honor be- everyone who has a GPA that cause it’s a representation of all high has worked hard to get my hard work, and it is an honor there.” “Going into high school, to speak at graduation,” adds Kavanagh. She explains that she al- it’s always a thought in everyways strived to have a high GPA body’s mind [to be valedictorian for colleges. “I knew I had big as- or salutatorian]. As time went on,
I realized I would have to give a speech whether I was first or second and that I didn’t even know if it was feasible,” says Spigler. AP Physics had Kavanagh struggling. She explains that she is more of a chemistry person and physics doesn’t come as naturally to her. She explains that AP Chemistry was a “huge help” to her since her college major is chemistry heavy. In ad-
challenged my writing skills and forced me deeper into literature than any other class,” adds Kavanagh. Spigler gives his thanks to teachers Laura O’Leary, Christine Jestel, Jennifer Chandler, Joanna Dallam, Gregory Murrell, Brady Green, and Shelly Sparks. “All [of them] were enthusiastic, encouraging, and compassionate teachers who encouraged me to challenge myself,” says Spigler. Along with Spigler, Kavanagh mentions teachers Jestel and Dallam, who teach science and English, respectively. “Mrs. Jestel helped me realize how much I love science and Mrs. Dallam inspired me to question the world around me,” says Kavanagh. Science teachers Michael Knoll and Kristian Jones-Knoll also helped Kavanagh. “They were both very encouraging in my pursuit of a STEM career. I Nick Spigler, Salutatoriam am so thankful for how they always showed how much dition to AP Physics, “both AP they believed in me,” states KaEnglish Language and Literature vanagh.
New year, new career for educators; School says goodbye to two teachers
NEAH SHAW Reporter
Next school year will look a little different in the science and agriculture departments when two of its members will be leaving to pursue another career related to their field. The plant and science teacher Ms. Erika Edwards and the physics teacher Mr. Doug Heeter will be saying goodbye to North Harford. Heeter will be teaching at two of the different planetarium buildings for HCPS. He will be teaching astronomy to K through 12 students. Heeter states that “the chance to work at the planetarium is a real dream for me. When the opportunity came up, I knew I could not let it pass and had to apply. It is great being a Hawk and I will miss a lot about NHHS, but a position like a plan-
etarium director is a rare one.” Heeter appreciates his friends in the science department that he has made over the years. Mrs. Kristian Jones, the forensics and biology teacher, says, “Mr. Heeter is going to be missed, he was a great asset to the science department, but this is a fantastic opportunity for him. He loves astronomy and is very knowledgeable about the subject, so I know he is going to do a wonderful job as a planetarium director.” Since Heeter was able to teach several subjects, he has had the opportunity to meet different students. One of those students is physics student Emily Per-
suhn. The junior would like to the thank Mr. Heeter for “being s o helpful and
“The teacher says that she is ‘sad to leave North Harford but is looking forward to the new opportunity and new students.” ~ Erika Edwards, teacher enthusiastic with his teaching. It helps make the class really interesting.” Heeter would like to encourage next year’s teacher to get in-
volved and see all that NHHS has to offer, don’t be afraid to ask for help, we have an amazing group here that will be happy to help in any way they can.” Next year Edwards will be working at Hereford High School as a teacher. She will be teaching intro to animal science, and animal science, and she will be the FFA advisor at the school, a role she also had at The Nest.. Edwards made the decision to leave because she is “taking life’s next steps in the kind of job and the [new] house. It all kind of aligned at the same time. So, it’s a bittersweet change.” The teacher says that she is “sad to leave North Harford but is looking forward to the new
opportunity and new students.” Edwards hopes that the next students are really invested in learning like the students she has now. Khalil Butler, in the plant science program, would like to say thank you to Ms. Edwards for “being my mentor, always helping and guiding me in class.” Mrs. Aimee Densmore, the small animal teacher, wishes Edwards “all the best” and adds that if Edwards needs help with anything, she “will always be here for you.” After teaching at North Harford for seven years, Edwards has developed advice that’s helped her throughout the years and hopefully the next teacher that might take her position. She states that “this job is very rewarding but it’s also a lot of work. You need to create a balance and just enjoy the time with students.”