MARCH 2023

NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL 211 PYLESVILLE RD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132

410-638-3650

VOLUME 44 ISSUE 7

MARCH 21, 2023

Iampieri, Amrhein nominated for Cesky award;

Seniors recognized as student-athletes GABRIELLE MOXHAM Reporter According to alcesky.org, the Al Cesky award’s purpose is to “preserve and keep visible the values reflected in the life and work of Al Cesky, with special reference to his contributions to the spiritual, emotional and intellectual development of youth and his role in fostering community life.”

This year’s nominees include Ben Iampieri and Jenna Amrhein. However, they have more to do, as they are NHHS’s nominees but no countywide winner has been selected yet. They have already won $2,000 to go towards their college tuition, but if selected as the overall winner, they would win $3,000 more.

Iampieri commented, “I was informed about the scholarship by the Athletic Director, Justin Martinek. He pulled me out of class to tell me I was nominated for the Al Cesky scholarship. I had never heard of it until he explained it to me. I then received an application outline that I needed to send to him in a few weeks.”

According to Iampieri, the application holds five categories: academic achievements, athletic achievements, school related extracurricular activities, “service

to others,” and a small essay written about the overall significance of sports participation in your personal growth.

He claimed he was “not sure if [he’ll] receive the big $5,000, because there is some amazing competition throughout the county, but [he is] just very grateful for the opportunity and $2,000 [he has] already won. College is costly, and every bit [he] can get helps.

Iampieri thinks that someone who is “on top of their athletics and academics, and portrays sportsmanship and fairness” is the type of person who should win the fund. He and Amrhein are working together to help improve the other’s application for their chances of winning the grand prize.

Amrhein also heard about the scholarship when she was told by Martinek that someone had nominated her. She commented about the process “I had to apply after I was nominated by someone to then compete against my peers who also got nominated in order to be the overall North Harford girls scholarship nominee.”

She thinks that it is difficult to pin-point whether or not she will win for the entirety of HarCo, “I think I have just as much of a chance as the other nominees

to win the award, we all excel in our own ways at athletics and academics.

Amrhein believes the winner should “excel in the classroom and on the sporting field, value sportsmanship, be a good community member, and be a role model for others.”

According to its website, the foundation is entirely volunteer based and targets HCPS student seniors who “excel in both athletics and academics, and who best demonstrate the values reflected in the life of Al Cesky.”

There are 30 members of the scholarship fund who serve threeyear terms and can serve more than one term.

The foundation reports 10 members get selected from the HCPS Board of Education, 10 members get selected by the Chamber of Commerce, and the last 10 are chosen by the Cesky family.

Seniors Ben Iampieri [left] and Jenna Amrhein [right] are the winners for the 2023 award. Both have been working together to help the other’s chance of winning the award.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gabrielle Moxham

Jestel nominated for Teacher of the Year KRIS GRAY News Editor The Harford County Teacher of the Year program kicked off on February 6, with one nominee from each of the district’s 54 schools. Harford County Public School’s Office of Organizational Development continues to collaborate with the Office of Communications and Family Outreach to annually recognize influential educators of the community.

Out of the 54 nominees, 33 remained. This is due to the different options that teachers have.

According to science teacher Mrs. Christine Jestel, “you have a choice to either go forward with the nomination process, or just feel honored that you were nominated.” So, all in all, there were 21 educators who remained uninvolved, while the others decided

to continue on with the applica- for the award and wondered who nominated her. tion process.

Later in the process, they shrunk the number of nominees down to five. The list was eventually released in late February. Many of the teachers “The judging panel had a are leaders in the science difficult and unbelievable department such as Mrs. Michele Barrie of Abtask again this year, with erdeen Middle School, many outstanding teachMrs. Susan Hoy of Edgewood High School, and ers nominated for the Mr. Joshua Weeks of Bel prestigous award.”

Air High School. The other two candidates are Mrs. - HCPS Traci Frey, a fifth grade teacher at Jarrettsville Elementary School, and Mr. Michael Brogley, a social sciences teacher at This was her first opporC. Milton Wright High School.

Out of the initial 54, Jestel was tunity to receive recognition for one of the teachers recommended. the award. The educator felt that, She “was pretty surprised” when “since a student had nominated she realized she was nominated [her], that [she] needed to at least

complete the application process.” The application involved essays and write-ups explaining how the teacher is involved in their school community.

While Jestel was shocked at the opportunity, she credits it to the “energy [she] gives off teaching science.” She is happy that “some students who might not find their home in a sports team or a club [can] find their niche in science.” The educator focuses on making her students “feel like they are heard and that [she] will help them personally understand [the material].” While Jestel did not make it to the top five, she is grateful for the nomination and opportunity.

The school district claims that, “the judging panel had a difficult and unenviable task again this

year, with many outstanding teachers nominated for the prestigious award.”

Last year’s recipient of the award was Ms. Ashley Gereli. Gereli is a Special Education Teacher at Churchville Elementary School. According to HCPS, she is a “proud product” of the school community.

The educator was enrolled at the Teaching Academy of Maryland Program at C. Milton Wright High School in 2012 and attended Harford Community College to study Elementary Education, Special Education, and Psychology where she earned her Associate of Arts.

She later earned her Bachelor of Arts at Towson University. She will eventually recive her Master of Arts in Transformational Educational Leadersip at Towson University.

Cry of the Hawk

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March 21, 2023

‘iPad Kid’ generation becomes problem Crystals cause false hope;

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter Every generation thinks the generation after them is the worst of the worst. The iPad kid generation, or Gen Alpha, is frightening, to say the least.

A lot of these kids have little to no manners. I’m talking about throwing tantrums in stores and just being flat out rude. Some parents today don’t even watch their kids. I’ve seen parents at events with a glass full of alcohol while their little Tasmanian dev-

il runs around. “Oh, kids will be kids,” says some parent of a snotty-nosed kid screaming about not getting their way.

In life, we can’t simply get what we want, but how will they learn if there’s no discipline?

How can children learn social etiquette and common manners if they don’t spend time in social situations? I don’t mean to sound anything like, “Back in my day, I had to walk in the cold, over mountains, and fight a bear all just to get to school.” I’m just saying that kids don’t go outside as much as they used to. I remember playing fairies and pirates with my friends or neighbors. Being a kid meant being creative and coming up with your own world.

Now, kids are fed these ideas of bright colors and plotless stories.

Where is their room to think?

They are constantly told how to think and who to be.

From day one, kids today are

born with the world at their fingertips. If you have younger brothers or sisters, you can probably see that they are glued to a greasy iPad. According to the CDC, kids from eight to ten years old have an average of six hours of screen time a day, when it's recommended to be at less than two hours a day. It’s a problem. Many of my peers, older adults, and even myself, use the internet for hours upon hours to escape from school or work. What are kids escaping from? The tough world of the playgrounds?

In a serious key, though, the internet is very harmful to everyone, especially kids. I would even argue that kids are being forced to grow up faster because of the internet.

We are so advanced in technology today that there is no turning back, but imagine what it would be like if kids could just be kids again.

New terrible Netflix change put in place;

Cracking down on password sharing EDITORIAL Netflix is planning on cracking down on password sharing. Their profits are falling, and it’s no wonder–they keep making awful changes.

The most recent offender–as said above–is their attempt to stop password sharing. As of the end of 2022, Netflix had 230.7 million subscribers, over 100 million of which share passwords.

However, this is by Netflix’s definition of sharing. “A Netflix account is meant to be shared in one household (people who live in the same location with the account owner),” Netflix says.

This is an awful definition. It fails to account for the millions of people who share passwords within the family but have divorced parents and two houses,

or even people who move off to college but continue to use their family’s Netflix login.

Sure, there is actual password sharing, but that has never been a problem. Netflix even tweeted in 2017, “Love is sharing a password.” Now all of a sudden, since Netflix’s profits are down just a little bit, they decide to swoop in and claim money from the (alleged) 100 million people stealing subscriptions! In reality, they are punishing millions of people with families that don’t live together or travel often.

Netflix originally explained the change by stating, “we are going to offer the ability for borrowers to transfer their Netflix profile into their own account, and for sharers to manage their devices more easily and to create sub-ac-

counts (“extra member”), if they want to pay for family or friends.”

After the absolutely genius business decision was announced, Netflix (obviously) received an astronomical amount of backlash. This led to them reversing their decision in a statement that said these rules were never intended for the United States.

Even though these changes have only been present in Latin American countries, it’s only a matter of time before it leaks into other areas.

What does this mean for Netflix? They probably think it means they are going to get 100 million more subscribers real soon. However, what it really means is that people finally have the last push to boycott and unsubscribe from the service.

Flawed treatments taking money

KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor Manifestation has become a tool of self-help in order to make someone’s wish come true. This concept has become popular across social media, typically being associated with “healing crystals.”

It does no harm to have faith in something, nor does it do any harm to believe that “manifesting” something is actually accurate. But really, when it comes down to it, it is all in your head.

In reality, rewriting a certain phrase or wish that you want to come true on a page will not make it happen. That is foolish to believe, it is simply in place as a motivator.

There are no scientific findings that simply thinking positively leads to positive things happening for you. Manifestation is different for every person because it is something made up in order to trick your mind into being motivated. It doesn’t manipulate fate and it doesn’t materialize your true destiny.

In addition, some may believe that crystals have extreme healing capabilities. The company Goop believes that crystals are, “critical in the pursuit of health, wellness, and deep spirituality.”

It’s a rock. The only power that it holds is the power that people give it. According to highsnobiety.com, scientific evidence proves that crystals have

absolutely no power besides a placebo effect.

A placebo effect is “when a person's physical or mental health appears to improve after taking a placebo or 'dummy' treatment,” says the Better Health Channel. “Placebo is Latin for 'I will please' and refers to a treatment that appears real, but is designed to have no therapeutic benefit.”

The same idea can be applied to “smart” stickers that are meant to heal or aid in sleep.

There are people that are dead set on believing a sticker is a form of medication.

Himalayan salt lamps are another form of mindfulness, and they do absolutely nothing.

They are said to improve your mood and air quality while provoking sleep. In reality “the way that salt crystals are chemically constructed means that the only way to get the crystals to produce these ions would be to heat them to 816 [degrees celcius],” says highsnobiety.com. “Given that level of heat would most likely burn down your house, you are unlikely to experience health benefits from generating ions that way.”

It is sickening how easily social media can drive foolish ideas. All it takes is an influencer to support it or a celebrity starring in the advertisements for it. Stupidity becomes genius through the millions of social media posts in the matter of minutes.

All of these “wellness treatments'' do absolutely nothing.

From writing a phrase a million times on paper to slapping a sticker on your wrist, it doesn’t matter. It is all a joke and nobody is laughing. Open your eyes and face reality instead of blindly listening to people you don’t even know.

Boys need to stop sticking their noses into other people's business VIEWPOINT When someone hears the word “drama,” they most likely automatically think of teen girls as if drama only revolves around them, correct? Apparently, girls involve themselves more than boys in other people’s business when they don’t need to be involved at all. Now, is that so?

Because, quite frankly, that’s arguable. There are many boys just in this school that don’t know how to mind their own business. Boys that ask questions about sex in relationships

as if it’s their business. And, when they don’t get an answer to their question about sex, they make it a point to bother that singular person about it even when they are told to stop. They don’t respect it, because it’s all they care about for some dumb reason.

And it’s not even drama all the time; it’s also just the disgusting things that they say.

Like how do they even think to themselves, “Hmm, this is good to say, let me just say it real quick in hopes I get a laugh”?

And then they do get a laugh from their friends, who are no

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

better than them.

Boys that love to pry in girls’ friendships and then step back from it and let the girls do their thing. Boys that can’t keep their mouths shut when someone tells them something.

That is what starts drama.

That is problematic.

That is involving themselves in things that they don’t need to be involved in at all.

Yes, girls are involved with drama, and they make it publicly known, but somehow when guys are involved, they can just fly under the radar and it goes unknown that they

News Editors: Alexa Falls, Kris Gray Opinion/Editorial Editors: Noel Bailey, Mackenzie Scott Features Editor: Isabel Kropkowski IDR Editor: Emily Johnson Society, Students & Culture Editor: Meghan Kalck Video Editor: Matthew Ledford Copy Editors: Ben Iampieri, Lily Corcoran Events Coordinator: Bella Arist

started that drama, or just nobody even knows that the drama is a thing.

According to stuff.co.nz, a U.S. study has found that gender plays no role in whether or not a person has a need for drama in their life. Some people just crave drama, and it’s not always girls. The word drama needs to untie itself from girls.

Not all boys are like this, though.

There are many in this school who are respectful to people, and some who just keep to themselves and don’t try to get involved with everyone else’s

Health and Science Editor: Mekenzie McCann Entertainment Editor: Kimberly Edgar Sports Editors: Reese Showalter, Stella Manns Social Media Coordinator & Business Manager: Kensington Boyanich Reporters: Kimberly Allen, Emma Cornman, Alexis Gott, Riley Herold, Gabby Moxham, Jack O’Connor, Brookelyn Priebe, Brianna Seiser, Sarah Welzant Announcements Tech: Meghan Kalck

business but their own.

We need more boys like that. Ones who don’t crave the attention from girls. We need more boys who don’t base their personality off of drama. We need more boys who are understanding of others and who don’t push other people’s boundaries. We need more boys who don’t go to their friends and immediately tell them everything and keep others personal information to themselves.

This school would be a better environment without all the unnecessary drama.

The Cry of the Hawk newspaper is published 10 times a year by North Harford’s Journalism II/III class. All editorials and viewpoints express the feelings of those on the staff and not necessarily those of fellow students, administrators, or teachers. Please do not hesitate to submit letters to Advisor Jen Chandler in room D207.

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

Cry of the Hawk

March 21, 2023

Separating art from its artist is harmful;

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Too many services at ridiculous prices

Fans willingly stay ignorant, take no accountability

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

What is the deal with the millions of streaming services that are on the market today? If you want to watch a movie, you first have to find out where it’s located. Is it on Netflix? No. Hulu?

Nope. HBO Max? Not there.

Oh, found it. It’s listed on Prime Video for 3.99 to rent.

All these services, and the movies you want to watch aren’t even on them. Even if you were to pay for at least five or six services, you’re going to be paying at least $100 a month to watch a movie or show every now and then. The prices have only been rising, too. At this point, it might be better to pirate media.

Just kidding, don’t do that.

It’s illegal.

There’s one thing that Hulu does that is so frustrating. Google will tell you that this show you are looking for is available on Hulu, great! Actually no, it’s on a Showtime add-on that you have to pay extra for. They bundle themselves with Hulu, but you still have to buy it.

Unless you are an avid watcher of a TV series or movie, it’s not worth it to buy. Sharing the service with friends or family members is a way better option, and makes it cheaper for yourself and others.

To merely separate the art from the artist is to turn a blind eye to Imagine you have a friend who someone’s harmful behavior. As is being bullied. They may be atsaid by writer Melina List, “Pretacked for their race, religion, tending that the ideals of the cregender identity, a disability, or ator can be removed from their something else. You try to help creation isn’t doing anything prothem out since you don’t want ductive: it’s making yourself feel to see them being harassed for better about liking something such a dumb reason. Then, you that, like all human creations, has go home and listen to your fathe potential for flaws while igvorite song, whose creator just noring that fact simultaneously” so happens to share those same (Medium). opinions as your friend’s bullies.

Of course, it’s hard to digest It’s okay, right? You don’t really the fact that an artist you like agree with the person, but you is harming people, and it’s very just have to listen to their music. hard to stop liking something Just ignore the artist and enjoy that you’ve loved for years. Howthe content. ever, you cannot just push “The truth is that we The described situation is need to be honest with our- problematic behaviors to the far more complex than that. side without acknowledgselves about whether our con- ing them; accountability Separating the art from its artist does more dam- nection to a controversial artist’s needs to be taken in some age and occurs more often way. than one may think. For work is greater than the gravity of According to Commonexample, fans of Harry wealth Times, “The truth is the things they’ve done.

Potter have been forced that we need to be honinto the hot seat by author est with ourselves about ~Commonwealth Times J.K. Rowling, who stunned whether our connection to many in 2020 when she proa controversial artist’s work claimed her transphobia on is greater than the gravity of Twitter. the things they’ve done. Instead Now, this isn’t the first time of avoiding these uncomfortRowling has faced backlash; tals to a b o u t able truths, we should face them from directly including the “500 million people,” which head-on.” most stereotypical characters means about one in 15 people So, this isn’t to say that you in her books (i.e., the greedy in the world own at least one must immediately stop reading bank tellers that match up al- Harry Potter book (AltPress). So your favorite books, or stop lismost perfectly with harmful many people find Harry Potter tening to your favorite songs, or Jewish stereotypes) to plain old to be comforting, from the nine- stop watching your favorite movpoorly-named characters (Cho year-olds of today to your friend- ies because of someone’s actions.

Chang, a Ravenclaw girl who’s ly-neighborhood English teacher. If that’s what you take away from name is made up of two Asian Finding comfort and solace in this editorial, then you should last names, and Kingsley Shack- something from your childhood read it again. lebolt, the only Black character is perfectly fine. However, simply The point is, acknowledging in the series, who’s last name dismissing the fact that someone the fact that a public figure you clearly alludes to slavery), the is discriminatory and ignorant love may not be such a great perauthor is no stranger to being just because you like their con- son is better than shrugging off a called out for being problemat- tent is, in fact, an act of ignorance. person’s clear insensitivity. ic. Multiple people have called the author out for all of this, but Rowling and many of her fans choose to ignore issues simply because Harry Potter brings them a sense of nostalgia.

Now, that is understandable to a degree. When something has been such a huge part of your life for so long, it’s hard to let it go, especially since the Harry Potter fandom is so exceptionally large. According to Pottermore, the fanbase of the series about wizards and witches to-

Basketball:

Facing off against justice; where to place limits in sports fame

VIEWPOINT

According to Harris’s mother in a Facebook post, one of the men accused in the shooting “took my baby’s life because she wouldn’t talk to him.”

Jamea Jonae Harris is a mother of a 5 year old son that was killed because she didn’t want to talk to the guys. Because of that her son will grow up without a mother.

It has been reported that Miles texted Miller asking him to bring Miles’ gun to him, and one of the two vehicles was Miller’s car. Now he didn’t do the actual killing and the killing might not have been at first intention, but he did bring the gun to Miles and Davis. That should account for something.

According to Suhre & Associates, LLC, an accessory to a crime is anyone who helped someone else commit the offense. Accessories before the fact provide assistance before the crime is committed, which Miller did do. He delivered a gun to Miles and Davis. That gun was used to kill Harris.

Miles has been charged with capital murder even though he did not fire any shots. Davis is alleged to have fired multiple shots into the victim’s car and

Right now, the mix of justice and fame is on the line. People are choosing to win basketball games over convicting someone. Even if the person didn’t do the exact crime, they still had a part in it.

If you don’t know what happened, on Jan.15, a fatal shooting occurred, killing 23-yearold Jamea Jonae Harris. Former Alabama basketball players Darius Miles, who plays small forward, and Michael Davis who plays center, have been charged in her death. Meanwhile, Brandon Miller, who plays forward, is free of charge and continues to participate in basketball games.

According to police testimony, Miller dropped Miles off at a club, but did not stay because the line was too long. Harris and her boyfriend stopped at a nearby grill to get something to eat, which is where they encountered Davis. Miles and Davis walked away from the Harris’ Jeep, but later returned with a gun and two vehicles trapping the couple. An argument resulted in violent ends for Harris.

is charged with capital murder. Miller, on the other hand, is not charged with anything, even based on the allegations of his delivery of the gun to Miles and the placement of his vehicle to prevent the victim’s car from leaving.

While the other two are not playing basketball anymore, Miller continues to play. But, why? He had a hand in the crime. He gave the gun to Miles and Davis, which should account for something because now that little boy does not have a mother anymore. Even if he’s a great basketball player, he should be held accountable for transporting a gun. It would be different if that gun wasn’t used to shoot Harris, but it was. If that gun was never there in the first place, she might have been alive still. Miller transporting that gun would mean either life or death.

But, you never know the outcome; it could have ended differently, but it didn’t. This is why Miller should be charged with something. He was a part of the crime, even though he technically didn’t do it. Why should he not be charged?

Did you know that there’s over 50 streaming services in America alone? They should just put all these services together into one. About 87% of American households use streaming services as of 2022, according to sportspromedia.com. That’s an insane amount of people. About nine of ten households own a streaming service.

Sometimes people will be talking about some crazy good show but since you don’t own this specific program, you have to miss out. It’s nice to be able to watch a show or movie every now and then, but needing to look through so many programs just to find something to watch is boring. Sometimes, it will ruin the mood of even watching anything at all.

But the thing is, having services where we can just find some TV show to watch and being able to finish them in one day is kind of a blessing. You couldn’t do that before, unless you had the show on DVD. But now you can just pick out a random show that interests you and watch it, and if you don’t like it, you can just drop it and find something else in a few minutes.

It’s crazy that we have to pay so much for this, but everything is just so convenient. Why should picking a movie be so frustrating sometimes?

I would never want to be stuck in crowds

MACKENZIE SCOTT Op/Ed Editor Imagine you’re walking in a crowded public space. People are flocking to the nearest main entrance or exit, but it’s so backed up with people rushing out. You hear the piercing screams of small kids as their parents are trying to rush them out to avoid the bleeding ears of everyone else in the room.

Everyone’s at a standstill while there’s so many people trying to fit through the two sets of double doors and you’re just following the masses.

Who are you? Where are you going? You’re not sure, but if everyone is going that way, it must be right. Right? Oh, how you would be so very wrong.

You’re overwhelmed by the smells of the food court and the bright overhead lights, and you’re just trying to escape.

Now let’s think about Option B. You walk over to the dictionary and map and see the bright red You Are Here sticker that was haphazardly placed, and you happen to find another exit. So, you turn in that direction and go your own way.

It may be on the other side of the building, so you’re taking

much more time but you’re going at your pace, not stuck behind large groups of people, in the overwhelming environment. You’re no longer following what everyone else is doing just for some false convenience.

You keep walking and find your exit. You walk through by yourself, completely calm since you don’t have the stress of trying to be like everyone else.

I used to follow the crowd.

I would go under any idea of security and just keep going.

Never questioning anything, like a brainless robot whose legs were programmed to play follow the leader. I wish I would have asked myself the question, who are you? Until I found my exit. I honestly believe you’ll have to take the long route or be stuck behind the crowd. It’s how it’s going to go. When I was 12, I bought my first branded shirt. It was a popular brand that everyone else wore. It was a long sleeve shirt that was navy in color...

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Cry of the Hawk

March 21, 2023

Sexual assault trending; Your disapproval makes no difference to celebrities TikTok influencing men negatively EDITORIAL Disgusting is the only word for this. Absolutely and unbelievably disgusting.

TikTok's April 24 trend mocks National Sexual Awareness month. A group of six men have made this date a day to applaud those who are sexual assaulters.

Parade says “Notably, April is actually Sexual Assault Awareness month, which is dedicated to advocating, educating, preventing, and healing from sexual assault.” Though the day is not an official ‘holiday,’ it has still been recognized and celebrated, and it is unclear if the trend is a joke.

Abuse and assault are not funny, and it’s not something to joke about. It’s the kind of thing that shouldn't happen to anyone, ever.

And it’s incredibly sad that nothing has been done to stop it from happening. Every day, girls and women all over the world are assaulted.

USA Today says “The predominant narrative is that a group of six men recently created a TikTok video in which they encouraged others to commit sexual assaults on April 24.”

The trend is yet another reason for girls to be scared to go out, now many are staying in on April 24.

It’s even more sad that these women are scared to say anything and feel like they need to hide and not share their stories because of what people will say and think.

This trend is not making it any

easier for women to come out and feel safe and supported. The trend targets them to make them feel small, unimportant, and like they need to stay in the dark about what they’ve been through.

Throughout the decades, society has listened to stories, but it has not made girls feel any safer when they’re walking down the street after a night out. It doesn’t make them feel any safer when they walk into a room full of men they don’t know, and when they start cat-calling them with the goal of making them uncomfortable just to boost their ego and get a laugh out of their friends.

And now they have to watch what they wear because - Oh, yeah, right; they’re asking for it?

No one asks for it, and no one deserves it. It doesn’t change the fact that they are too scared to leave their drinks out and open in a public setting.

It’s not enough that if a sexual assaulter is caught, then what happens? They get 20 years of jail and put on a sexual offender list?

It’s not enough, and it never has been.

People have no idea how it feels unless they experience it and live through it.

So, to see these egoistic socalled “men” go around and once again take away from women is gut-wrenching. They once again feel the need to be in control and have the power.

We have to take back this date, this month, and our lives. For us and all the young women after us.

ALEXIS GOTT Reporter So, I don’t know about you, but I watched the Grammys last month and ended up falling asleep halfway through. But when I woke up, I opened TikTok to find fans absolutely livid that Harry Styles got booed and shamed when he won an award for Album of the Year.

Styles approached the Grammy’s stage to give his acceptance speech, but he was suddenly rudely interrupted by an audience member. The interupter was not another celebrity, but someone who was believed to be a reporter.

The reporter shouted, “Beyonce should have won,” from their seat, and clearly this person yelled loud enough because multiple videos from Style’s acceptance speech picked up on the line.

Now, my first initial thought to this situation circulated back to Taylor Swift, and how the same incident happened to her all the way back in 2009. However, it happened a bit differently compared to Styles.

At the 2009 VMAS, Swift was interrupted by rap artist Kanye West during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video.

Kanye barged onto stage, took the microphone from at the time 19-year-old Taylor, and spoke the infamous lines “Imma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.”

The audience then began to boo Kanye, but unfortunately Swift thought at that moment that the crowd was booing her, as she explained in her Netflix documentary, Miss Americana.

And then I got to thinking.

Why do people feel the need to bring down successful celebrities?

It’s literally the most unnecessary thing ever. Like, I really don’t understand it. What do you gain from comparing them? Do you feel proud of yourself for bringing down other people’s accomplishments?

You can have your own opinion all you want. Obviously, it’s fine that you may prefer one artist’s music over another’s, but you don’t have to be rude about it, especially directly to the artist’s face.

I’ve seen SO many hate accounts on TikTok that are specifically made for hating a public figure, comparing them, etc.

One time I saw someone compare Ariana Grande to Mariah Carey, and instead of making a TikTok that’s like “I like Mariah Carey’s music more than Ariana’s,” they instead bashed Grande for her singing and per-

formances instead of just respectfully sharing their opinons.

Sometimes, usually a lot more frequently than you may think, this stuff finds these celebrities and it affects them.

Taylor Swift seemingly dissapeared for a year because of her very public dispute with Kanye and Kim Kardashian because opinions became too much for her. Ariana Grande stopped posting as frequently for the same reason, because the internent became exhausting.

All I’m saying is you can, of course, have your own opinions on anything. Specifically in this case, you can like a celebrity and dislike a celebrity, but remember that these people are human.

They are real, and they can see the things we post.

I think a lot of people fail to realize that celebrities have feelings, too. It’s not fair for them to get discredited and hated for doing nothing wrong. It’s not Harry’s fault for getting Album of the Year, and it’s not Taylor’s fault for getting Best Female Video in 2009.

There is no valid reason to deliberately go out of your way and make content or leave a hate comment on anyone’s posts. Leave your opinions to be talked about when you and your friends want to catch up on some celebrity drama.

Moral of the story, just don’t make your hateful opinions public! You don’t have to like every famous person, but you also don’t have to hate them and bring them down online... or at award shows.

Vaping isn’t as cool as you think; Reading isn’t “nerdy” anymore Teens show signs of addiction, health issues

LILY CORCORAN Copy Editor Generally, I’m not one to judge.

If you think something is cool, then I won’t say otherwise.

As long as it doesn’t do damage to yourself or others, it’s all good.

However, in the case of vaping, it’s different.

Vaping can quite literally kill you, and nobody seems to care about that fatal consequence.

It’s not a new fact that vaping is harmful.

According to clevelandclinic.org, vape juice (the liquid used in vapes) can contain a multitude of chemicals, including carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer), “acrolein, diacetyl and diethylene glycol.”

Which are chemicals that cause lung disease, “heavy metals” such as nickel and lead, and more.

Now, if you want to put metal in your lungs, then go for it; I can’t stop you.

However, is the ‘thrill’ of vaping worth losing your lungs for?

In 2017, a then 17-year-old Daniel Ament made national headlines for being the first person to receive a double-lung transplant due to the consequences of vaping, according to Time Magazine.

Before this, doctors had not seen the damage that vaping could cause.

According to Dr. Hassan Nemeh, a thoracic surgeon at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital, “[Ament’s lungs] were so scarred they didn’t even deflate.

It was definitely a different kind of damage than we usually see. This lung was literally solid as if it was made out of truck-tire rubber.”

If not for the hospital’s quick access to an organ donor, Ament would have died.

Not only is the act of vaping itself dangerous, but the way some people conduct the act is downright gross.

The other day, I watched a girl in the bathroom come out of a stall and hand a vape to another girl, who then went into the same stall to vape.

Really, you guys? Are you that desperate for a hit that you’ll share a vape for it?

Not even the anti-vaping ads you see on Instagram stoop to that level.

That just goes to show how addictive these vapes are. According to hopkinsmedicine.org, “Nicotine is the primary agent in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and it is highly addictive.

It causes you to crave a smoke and suffer withdrawal symptoms if you ignore the craving.”

We all know how frequently people leave class to go vape in North Harford.

The number of times people have been caught vaping in the bathrooms is so high that Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Harward called it out during their skit at the talent show.

That is why the vaping phenomenon needs to end here. Not only does it possess the capabilities to end the lives of teenagers (who seemingly do not know nor care about the risks), but the people who do it aren’t even that slick.

People can see you, and it’s a miracle that most people don’t care enough to snitch.

So, while you may think you’re getting points for being “cool,” or “grown-up,” please know that all you’re gaining from vaping is the ridicule of all the adults in the building, as well as a nicotine addiction.

Make it like Mrs. Chandler sang at the talent show, and go easy on that vape.

VIEWPOINT

In the past, reading has been viewed as a somewhat “nerdy” hobby. However, it has more recently become scientifically proven that reading makes you smarter. So, why do people hate on this hobby so much?

Well, let’s unpack this issue, shall we?

According to Oxford Languages, a nerd is someone who is “characterized by great enthusiasm for and knowledge about a particular subject.” People often associate readers with being nerdy and knowing everything about every imaginable subject.

However, some read just for entertainment, and for the positive benefits that come with the hobby.

According to healthline.com, reading has numerous benefits to our brains.

These benefits can include improving vocabulary, strengthening your problem solving skills, expanding knowledge of current events, and more.

Reading is also a great way to escape into our imaginations, rather than scrolling on social media. It engages our minds and can act as a distraction to our problems.

Other health benefits of reading include lowering anxiety and stress, and improving readers mental health, according to webmd.com.

They stated that a study in 2009 proved that “reading was able to reduce stress levels by 68%,” which made it more effective than listening to music or going on a walk to relieve stress.

Reading is something you don’t have to practice to be good at, to enjoy. It’s a skill that slowly progresses over time. Honestly, just pick up a book and start! There’s a plethora of genres out there, and anybody could find a book about something they are interested in.

Now, for the social aspect of it. Social media is more encouraging than ever about this popular hobby. For example, many TikTok users will find themselves on BookTok occasionally; this is the side of the app where users can find book reviews, recommendations, and discussions. It’s like its own little community.

Being part of these communities gives you a sense of belonging, and you get to engage with others who spend their time with their nose in a book.

Finally, reading is a great way to expose yourself to other cultures and ways of life that you may not have learned about in English or history class. In this day and age, knowledge is power.

So the next time somebody throws out an insult about this subject, just remember that you’re having fun while expanding your knowledge. That person probably can’t say the same about their hobby of Snapchatting.

March 21, 2023

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Rehabilitating farm animals; Gray nominated for award Student explains 3D printing prosthetics KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor

Freshman Katherine Vanarsdale and her family started a 501c3 farm animal rescue about a year ago. They specialize in helping the “perfectly imperfect” animals, which are animals that have been neglected, abused, have disabilities, or have deformities.

Chickens and ducks are the most common animal that is surrendered to them for having disabilities or deformities. A certain hen in particular has gathered some attention due to the

both her feet,” says Vanarsdale.

“Due to the severity of it, she lost both her feet.”

Unsure of what to do, Vanarsdale’s mom researched ways to help Wrecking Ball and found out about 3D printing prosthetics for the hen. This was the more appealing option since the most common way was to kill them and “[we] didn’t want to do that due to our mission being giving every animal a fighting chance, no matter what disabilities they have,” says Vanarsdale.

It was Vanarsdale’s idea to recruit technology teacher Mr. An-

Wrecking Ball the hen is currently being made prosthetic legs to be able to walk again. The first three designs failed, but this isn’t the end of Wrecking Ball’s story.

PHOTO CREDIT: Katherine Vanarsdale way Vanarsdale and her family is treating the hen.

Wrecking Ball is the name for this hen who was surrendered to them with another hen because the breeder didn’t like their bloodline. “When we got that brutal cold snap a few months ago, she got severe frostbite on

drew Thompson to the cause for creating 3D printed prosthetics for Wrecking Ball. Unfortunately so far, none of the prototypes have worked correctly. “Our first design was too big, our second design was smaller but too heavy.

Our third design was the smallest one so far but still didn’t work.

Each design gets closer and closer to being the design that works.”

Vanarsdale explains that the process has been difficult because both Thompson and herself believe they have made a good design. They are planning “on removing parts that Wrecking Ball isn’t using the way it’s intended and try to remove as much weight as possible off of the prosthetic,” adds Vanarsdale. According to Vanarsdale, there have been a couple of difficulties with the newest design staying upright in the printer since it doesn’t have a large base like the rest of them.

She explains that she expected the first prototype not to work but then the third one failed as well so “Mr. Thompson and I are doing the most drastic changes to the design since we started this project,” says Vanarsdale.

The purpose of these prosthetic legs is to “help Wrecking Ball be able to stand up and walk forwards instead of frantically flapping her wings and going backwards,” says Vanarsdale. “ “Before this process, I wish I had known how difficult it would be to find the right design to make a prosthetic that Wrecking Ball would be able to use properly,” says Vanarsdale. She adds that no matter how difficult it gets, she will never stop trying to help Wrecking Ball so she can walk again as quickly as possible.

There is a story behind Wrecking Ball’s name: when she first got frostbite she had to be picked up and put into the coop every night

by Vanarsdale and her family. But every morning the hen would go to the top of the ramp and “she would try to walk down the ramp but would lose her balance part of the way down and end up rolling down the ramp,” says Vanarsdale. “If any other chickens were on the ramp, she would knock them off the ramp as she

BREEZY SEISER Reporter

is incredibly powerful to see her transition into a prominent leader after all of those experiences The Women of Tomorrow she has had in her past. award is a yearly opportunity to Gray said of being nominated, recognize young women under “I was really honored and sur18 who are devoted and compas- prised. I always think of myself sionate to the communities in as a leader, but I didn’t realize I which they live. It is a compe- might get an award for it.” tition to recognize and identify “And that someone who is a the female leaders of the future. mentor to me, someone who I Women of Tomorrow says, was working with on the council “The Women of Tomorrow mis- saw that I should be recognized. sion is to inspire, motivate and I was grateful for it; I hope that empower at-risk young women I win, but If I don’t, it’s fine. I’m to live up to their full potential happy to serve my community, through a unique group it’s just a big opportunity.” mentoring program “Over the last 25 with highly acyears thousands complished of high school “I was really honprofessionstudents al womhave acored and surprised. I en and complished always think of myscholarsuccessship opful and self as a leader, but I portunirewarddidn’t realize I might ties.” ing lives Junior through get an award for it.”

Kris Gray our Womwas nomien of Tomor- Kris Gray, nated for the row Mentor junior Leading Wom& Scholarship en of Tomorrow Program,” says award by Mrs. Meredith Women of Tomorrow.

Heldt, who is an advisor on the A person must be a Harford Superintendent’s Student Advi- County native to be nominated sory Council. for the award. and they need a Heldt said she nominated her recommendation, which Gray because she thought Gray was got from English and journalism a “leading woman who took teacher Mrs. Jennifer Chandler. initiative.” They have worked Gray was also invited to a together on the council, focus- Banquet on March 15, where she ing on bullying, harassment, and was allowed to bring six people, intimidation. including Chandler.

Gray filled out an application The Harford County Comanswering two paragraph ques- mission for Women and the tions, where she provided her Department of Community Serextracurriculars, grades, why vices honors the Leading Womshe wanted to be a leading wom- an of Yesterday, Violet Ripken, an, what she thought a leading the Leading Woman of Today, woman is, and a woman she ad- Claudine Adams and Leading mires.

Women of Tomorrow in grades Gray chose actress Viola Da- seven through twelve. The orgavis as the woman she admires; nization is “Changing the world, the junior said Davis is honest one young woman at a time,” says and open about her struggles as Jennifer Valoppi, Founder and a black female actress growing President of the Women of Toup in poverty, and Gray said it morrow program.

Juniors selected to represent local small business NOEL BAILEY Op-Ed Editor

One well known photographer for senior pictures is a woman named Mrs. Desiree Ortman. She is a Harford County citizen that made her business living here.

According to Ortman’s website, she focuses on taking senior pictures and pictures for dancers. She has been having students who are current juniors become her “reps,” which is what she calls them on her Instagram, @ desrieeortmanphotography.

This year, she picked 23 different juniors from across Harford County to become one of the representatives that get free senior pictures and other portraits.

Out of the 23 girls, five juniors from North Harford were selected: Paige Rhoten, Korynn Simms, Emma Hammond, Bella Tucker, and Caitlyn Travaligne.

An application was needed to be entered to be able to become

one of the reps. About ten girls from North Harford High School sent them in, but only five were picked.

“The first step is filling out a form with basic info[rmation] a b o u t yourself, and then more ind e p t h questions,” said Rhoten. Any number of people can fill out an application in the time Ortman has it available. It is also only available to juniors who are going to be seniors

next year.

She selects certain people to make “a video that was inspired by her 2023 ‘Instagram takeovers,’” Rhoten said. After Ortman made her selection from the

videos, she had a five-ten minute interview over Facetime with each of the girls separately, to know who to pick from there.

As a rep, students get a free senior portrait shoot with Ortman.

“As a rep, we are expected to promote her company and represent it in a good light,” said Simms.

They also get first access to the senior pictures.

All 23 of the girls have not met up in person at the same time yet, but they do have a planned day for all of them to meet and to meet Ortman with her business.

“When we do this, [we will] launch a huge photoshoot where all girls meet and get group pictures and they’re all headshots,” said Travlinge.

Throughout the year, the girls will have a set time when they have to meet Ortman for free pictures to be taken where they would like them.

Incoming juniors for next year should take this and think about if this is something they should do. The option of representing a small business while getting free pictures can sound ideal to some sophomore out there for next year.

March 21, 2023

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The Nest celebrates what FFA is all about; Students become involved in community STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

National FFA Week was Feb. 18-25. The Hawk’s chapter of FFA hosted a week full of interactive activities for the community to be involved.

Junior FFA President James Ortt said that FFA is hosting events including, “Greenhand Degree, community service, scavenger hunts, social events online, and spirit days.”

Last year the FFA club held similar events. However, this year is different, because according to Ortt, last year they had “specific times and dates for activities to take place. This year, the members can take part and do as much or little as they would like throughout the week.”

Sophomore FFA sentinel Dakota Bonaccorsi said that last year there “were different spirit days.”

“Texas Roadhouse Fundrais-

ers” will also be an event surrounding National FFA Week, according to junior co-Vice President Cole Hellwig. “Greenhand Degrees” are also available at this time “for freshmen who are more interested in being involved in FFA,” Hellwig added. He also said that in White Hall, MD, students are hosting an event for “donations for the Humane Society at Southern Sol.” In past years, the club has “volunteered at Tractor Supply to raise donations for National FFA,” the junior expressed.

Senior Chaplain Maggie Layman said that during FFA week students were to participate in spirit days. “Tuesday was career day, Wednesday is dress like a farmer day, Thursday is ‘step into FFA day’ and Friday is official dress/gold and blue day.”

Around the school, students who have FFA jackets could be seen “giving them to teachers for the week,” sophomore FFA re-

porter Waverly Iriarte said. Similarly to her fellow officers, she said that freshmen were being encouraged to get their Greenhand Degree during FFA week.

During this celebratory week, the FFA social media pages run by the school make posts about each officer. The posts have a picture of the student accompanied by their SAE, CDE and LDE. “An SAE is a Supervised Agricultural Experience.

A CDE is a Career Development Event. An LDE is a Leadership Development Event,” according to Ortt.

All agriculture classes use SAE to “persuade a student’s passions for a topic in the working world,” Hellwig explains. He also said that a CDE is “where students compete in teams under a certain topic of agriculture against other schools.” Finally Hellwig added on the definition of an LDE by saying that though it is very

similar to a CDE it is an “individual student” activity where they “compete by themselves in different topics.”

Sophomore FFA secretary Grace Bauer said that students plan their SAE “project at the end of their freshman year and this project goes all the way through” their junior year. Students are “required to get 40 hours per year” according to Bauer.

Ortt’s SAE is “growing different varieties of soybeans.” His CDE is “agronomy,” and his LDE is “Senior Extemporaneous Public Speaking.”

Each student can have different versions of these three activities.

Hellwig’s SAE is “researching different dog breeds at Miller’s Farm Market,” his CDE is “Poultry Judging and Evaluation,” and his LDE is “Senior Prepared Speaking.”

Throughout senior co-Vice President, Elisabeth Holmes

years in FFA her “SAE has involved growing and Chrysanthemums.”

As she is in her senior year the senior is focused on her capstone project where she “researched how adding biochar to the soil affects how Chrysanthemums grow.” Holmes plans to take her SAE one step further.

Iriarte has different activities than her other officers as well.

Her SAE is “showing and working with a gilt on North Harford’ Show Team.” Her CDE is “forestry,” and Iriarte has worked on the LDE’s of “Creed Speaking and Junior Prepared Public Speaking.”

Bauer is “hoping to compete in Vet Science” for her CDE and public speaking for ehr LDE. Layman’s SAE is “about determining if trap color affects how many crayfish each trap catches,” with her CDE being “agronomy,” plus an LDE in “extemporaneous speaking.”

Earth day is making its way back; Harford Glen in need of counselors ALLEN Students, teachers anticipate activities KIMBERLY Reporter RILEY HEROLD Reporter

Earth Day is right around the corner. This year, Earth Day takes place on Saturday, April 22. So, what about the big outside event?

Well, there is good news: the Earth Day celebration will still be happening. It will take place on Friday, April 21. Environment teachers Mrs. Laura O’Leary and Mrs. Aimee Densmore are still in the early stages of planning so more information is to come.

Sophomore Kylee Niederberger stated, “ I love Earth Day because you get to go outside all day and have fun with your friends, while also learning about the environment and animals. But, [you] also just get to see all the animals.”

According to EPA History, “Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. So, in spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda, incorporating students all over

the world.”

Densmore stated, “We put together this big celebration for Earth Day in order to bring awareness on how important the environment is and how important it is to protect it. We also want to spread the word on how agriculture and the environmental parts of our facility work together to help each other out.”

This year for Earth Day, the barns will be open. All the animals will be out, including the recent new addition of the baby pigs. There will also be a whole array of tractors and student displays outside. The ag students' yearlong SAE projects will also be on display.

O’Leary stated, “This year, we are hoping for a couple community organizations, like Eden Mill Nature Center and the Estuary Center, but all the details aren’t fully announced. But, we are trying to get the goats back this year.”

O’Leary also stated, “We're going to attempt to prevent the goose from building a nest at the

pond this year so that we can go down there. Due to their nesting at the pond, we were unable to last year.”

There are also rumors that North Harford Elementary School might come over and participate in Earth Day with us this year.

English teacher Mrs. Emilie Philips said, “Yes, I will be taking the students out to Earth Day. I feel like students gain a positive experience because they get to learn about the different agriculture programs that we offer here, and take a look at various booths that feature club opportunities.

They overall gain a whole rounded experience.”

Chemistry and physics teacher Mrs. Christine Jestel will also be taking her students out for Earth Day. She stated, “I think it’s good for students to see all the different programs that are going on here at school. One, it broadens the horizon; and two, it gives them a chance to see the opportunities that are out there for them.”

Earth Day is all about celebrating our agriculture culture within the school. Last year, there were many activities that students could participate in.

PHOTO CREDIT: Shutterstock

added that, "When I volunteered at Harford Glen, we got to help guide the fifth graders through Do you have a dream of be- activities as well as help out the coming a camp counselor? Do teachers in the classrooms. I think you want to share your love for that I was able to learn many new nature and the world around you? skills as well as connect with othWell, Harford Glen might be er counselors. I really enjoyed the right place for students who just [being] able to get away from would like a small break from the school for a couple days and have stress and work of school to teach some fun.” elementary It is volschoolers unteer work, about the so student’s wonders time spent is of nature not paid for, at Harford but they can Glen. get service Located hours for at 502 W their work.

Wheel Rd, Students Bel Air, should not MD 21015, let volunteer Harford work scare Glen is them away an envifrom becomHarford Glen was built in ronmental ing a camp 1806. Counselors demonstrate education c o u n s e l o r, responsibility ethics to their comcenter. Stubecause it munity. dents who can be realPHOTO CREDIT: Harford Glen visit the ly rewarding camp are if they stick taught sustainability and respon- with it! Becoming a camp counsibility. It is important to stay selor is a great way to improve in touch with the environment. communication skills, as well as The curriculum at Harford Glen help with teamwork and leaderfocuses on understanding and ship, according to the American learning about different factors of Camp Association. the natural world. Students from Shore also adds that Harford HCPS take turns going to Harford Glen taught her many valuable Glen in fifth grade. lessons just from becoming a Sophomore Joy Shore said, counselor. She said, “being a “Ever since I went to Harford Harford Glen counselor taught Glen in fifth grade, it was some- me how to be patient, kind, and thing I thought about wanting to a compassionate leader.” These do. When I got the opportunity, I are traits that will look good in took it!” the future on resumes for jobs or She plans to continue her jour- colleges. ney as a Harford Glen counselor Students can now apply to be again this March. Harford Glen is a camp counselor online on the an experience you’ll just want to Harford County Public School do again and again, according to website. Stay educated about the Shore. environment. Visit or join the Fellow sophomore Deana Zipp Harford Glen community.

March 21, 2023

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Cry of the Hawk

English Honor Society impacts young minds “The World We Can Change”; KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager portunity to make a difference The National English Honors Society (NEHS) has begun to help third graders further their reading skills and strategies to assist them in their future academic endeavors.

Senior Marissa Struhar has been a part of this initiative.

“Working with third graders is especially important because that is a key moment in a child’s reading/English education that overall determines how that child will develop as a reader for the rest of their lives.”

Struhar continues, “That being said, if a child struggles and doesn't receive enough help to overcome their challenges, at that point, they will never be able to catch up or recover.”

Senior Tyler Huneke adds, “Working with third graders is important to establish good reading skills and habits in their young minds.”

“The program is both an op-

on younger lives and an effort to improve the lives of future generations around us, stopping any reading struggles before they can get out of hand,” Huneke continues.

The NEHS is headed by English teacher Mrs. Joanna Dallam and special education teacher Ms. Monica Pattinson. “When Mrs. Dallam told me that she was

creating the first NEHS program at our school with Ms. Pattinson, I was so excited about all the interventions and tutoring that we would be doing this year with the elementary students,” Struhar says. Huneke states the main goal of this initiative is, “fo-

cusing on nonfiction research, so taking the important information from sources and knowing how to most effectively gather that information.”

Struhar talks about her experience with meeting the students at first: “Being there, I noticed how they all seemed a little nervous seeing all these new faces, but once they got comfortable and asked questions about what we will be doing, I noticed they all began to break free from their shell, and be more comfortable with us around.”

“We haven't begun working with the students yet, but we are expected to do so in the very near future.”

Struhar mentions.

Huneke adds, “We haven't worked with the kids yet, but I’m sure there will be plenty that will stand out in the future. I wanted to participate to get out of my comfort zone by working with children and in new environments.”

County reacts to Bel Air Athletic Club closing;

Coppermine replaces 40-year-old fitness center ALEXA FALLS News Editor Earlier this year, on February 16, the Bel Air Athletic Club officially closed. The permanent closing has impacted many in the community since it was a club that was used by people across Harford County.

The club was built over 40 years ago, back in 1979. The BAAC was a spot where people in the community could interact and participate in many activities.

Some of the things that the club offered were a main gym, a women's only gym, a pool, different fitness classes, a preschool, and so much more. The BAAC is being replaced by Coppermine, which

is “Maryland’s largest and most prestigious destination for youth sports, active-lifestyle adults, and families,” according to Coppermine’s official website.

There are currently 16 locations, including the one being put in place of the BAAC, and they plan on expanding further across the state in years to come.

Coppermine offers “youth and adult classes, clinics, camps, leagues, and tournaments, nationally competitive club teams, first-rate before and after school programs,” and more according to their website.

Senior Noa Blanken says she has used the BAAC since she was in “third grade, and then in fifth

BAAC has aided its community for over four decades.

Old members hope Coppermine will be as beneficial to them as the BAAC. PHOTO CREDIT: WMAR

grade, my mom became one of the program managers.” Blanken adds, “She worked there and we were members until my sophomore year of high school.”

Bel Air High School senior Emma Gohlinghorst started going to the BAAC “with [Blanken] when her mom worked there, but wasn’t a member.” She adds, “In eighth grade, my family became members for only the summer then every year after that we just had a summer membership.”

Blanken and Gohlinghorst say they used the pool and sauna most when at the BAAC; they also played racquetball at the center, did yoga classes, and used the gym. Blanken says that she feels good about the BAAC being replaced by Coppermine.

“They kept marketing to the older community and probably lost so many customers to the Arena Club or places that marketed to young athletic families, like [Gohlinghorst] and I.” Gohlinghorst says, “I’m glad that it will still be the same type of thing as the BAAC, and hopefully it will maybe have a more organized way of running the business [...] It’ll be better.”

Both say they will be joining Coppermine once they are able to join, as long as “they don’t make it more expensive or if we can’t get a summer membership or something,” Gohlinghorst mentions.

Freshman writer wins award

ALEXIS GOTT Reporter Freshman Katie Vanarsdale submitted an entry in the Harford County level of the Reflections Competition, submitting in the Literature category. She won the Award of Excellence on March 8, 2023.

The writer shared that she was excited and shocked when she had learned that she won.

Shockingly, she found out about her win through her mom via Facebook.

Vanarsdale mentioned that it had “been a while since the competition, so [she] just assumed [she hadn’t] placed.” Now that the original surprise of winning has surpassed, the student acknowledged that she now feels “happy and proud of [her]self.”

However, the initial “shock” and “excitement” is still there.

Vanarsdale explained that the first time she really remembers writing outside of school was “in the third grade,” and she also recalls the first time she began writing for contests was in the third grade as well.

The Reflections Program allows “students to express themselves through their gifts & talents in the arts,” according to the Harford County Council of PTA’s website. The program gives Maryland students an opportunity to express themselves in six different arts areas. One winner is chosen from each category, and Vanarsdale won the Award of Excellence in the category of Literature.

This is not the first time Vanarsdale has won and submitted

for the reflections contest- the freshman comments that she has been doing the contest since elementary school, and “[She] always enjoys doing it, though that may be because [she has] won multiple times,” she shared with a laugh. “I’m on the lookout for [the competition] each year. I initially saw a paper for it in the English hallway, [and] heard about it on the announcements.”

The prompt for this year’s reflections contest was “Show your voice,” and as Vanarsdale explained, it was “difficult to initially come up with an idea [to fit the prompt].” However, the writer eventually created her award -winning essay, “The World We Can Change.”

“I tried to think of all the things wrong in the world that I’d talk about with other people, and [I] just started writing about things I’d seen or heard or concerned me.” She explains as her inspiration for the winning piece. The writer also commented that she hoped she would “encourage others” through her essay, “even if nobody else would read it.”

Vanarsdale finishes with a word of advice to aspiring writers, or those who are already writers. “Don’t force it,” she starts. “The words will come to you, but trying to force the words won’t help.”

She also adds, “Just start writing. Stop thinking about making your writing perfect and just write whatever crosses your mind. You don’t have to write something perfect the first time; get your thoughts down and then review it afterwards.”

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March 21, 2023

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By Authority: Friends of Chad Shrodes, Taylor Gomez, CPA – Treasurer

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March 21, 2023

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Page 10/11/ Features

he Hawk

Cause behind normal dreams vs nightmares

s e r tma

EMMA CORNMAN Reporter Your eyes open, heart racing, and goosebumps layer your arms. After just waking up from a nightmare, have you ever wondered why you experienced that scary dream instead of a ‘normal’ one? The causes of nightmares vs normal dreams vary.

Everyone dreams, yet not all people remember them.

“An average person has over 1,460 dreams a year, which is about [four] dreams every night,” according to Winston Medical Center.

The same article mentions how “when we go to sleep and enter REM (Rapid Eye Movement), our bodies become completely paralyzed as areas of the brain that control movement are deactivated.”

The National Cancer Institute defines REM as “the phase of sleep in which most dreams occur. During rapid eye movement sleep, a person’s brain activity, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure increase, and the eyes move rapidly while closed. The muscles in the arms and legs become temporarily unable to move. Rapid eye movement sleep is thought to play an important role in memory and learning. The muscles in the arms and legs become temporarily unable to move.

Rapid eye movement sleep is thought to play an important role in memory and learning. During normal sleep, a person goes through four to five sleep cycles that last about 90 minutes each and include both rapid eye movement sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep (light to deep sleep). Also called REM During the sleeping period, “REM sleep is triggered by a specialized set of neurons that pump activity straight into the brain’s visual cortex, causing us to experience vision even though our eyes are closed. This activity in the visual cortex is presumably why dreams are pictorial and filmic,” describes an article on TIME. Sophomore Lena Rockhill explains how she remembers her dreams, “most of the time.” Rockhill mentions what influences having a dream versus a nightmare. “[It] may be just what you’ve done throughout your day, or what you think about before bed.” “Not often” does Rockhill experience nightmares. She suggests that the reason why a person dreams may be because of “built up brain activity that has nowhere to go.” And that nightmares may happen due to “stressing about something or scared about something that’s going on in [someone’s] life, or just having a rough day.” After a nightmare, Rockhill explains that she’ll probably just go on [her] phone” to calm down.

HEARTTHROBS Source: hopknismeicine.org

Lauren Nicholson, freshman

Leland Dilworth, sophomore

Cry of the Hawk

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March 21, 2023

films, TV; Taking the stage: Dancers express freedom Celebrating Award shows honor talent ALEXA FALLS News Editor

to do.” Contemporary dance includes ballet, modern jazz, and lyrical dance styles.

The reason Grove started dancing was because “my parents put me in dance when I was very little and I liked it enough, so I kept doing it.” She says, “I’ll probably continue [dance] in college,

formance and I had to keep going.

It was stressful in the moment Students are often involved in a but it all worked out.” lot of activities outside of school Glenn also participates in including volunteer opportunidance and dances for Rage Box ties, sports, and even employDance Center. She has been dancment. And some students, like ing for ten years and competes as sophomores Tessa Grove and Lowell. She says “I really enjoy just relai Glenn are involved in dance. exploring my body and challengGrove has been ing myself to move dancing for 11 years, in different ways.” and she dances for Glenn adds, “I also Supernova Dance love performing and Company. One of having the audithe things she enjoys ence feel something about dance is that, through watching “I like getting to our [dance team’s] see all of my friends movement and stoand being able to rytelling.” do something out of She has been to five school with people dance competitions that don’t go to my and her favorite one school.” She adds, as of now was the “I also like being Lorelai Glenn performing her solo at the competition at Monable to express mysters Dance Conself in a way that’s IN10SITY competition earlier this year. Glenn vention. She says not talking, because says she hopes to continue doing dance for the she recently went, sometimes it is hard rest of her life. although she didn’t to say certain things compete. “I got to PHOTO CREDIT: Lorelai Glenn using words.” watch dances from Grove explains my studio and other that, “dance has been studios,” Glenn exreally fun for me. I really enjoy hopefully if I go somewhere that plains. She adds, “everyone at the it, especially with the different has a good program for it.” She event was so supportive and just types of dance.” She adds, “each explains one of her favorite danc- had such a fun energy.” She also [type] is different, so you get to es was two years ago when she got to take classes from “many learn so many new dances with performed “a Mary Poppins in- amazing teachers which I really different people.” Her favorite spired dance where we used um- enjoyed.” At the IN10SITY dance style of dance is contemporary, brellas and other props, so that competition in early February, and she says “it is the most free was really fun.” One of the most she performed her first solo and form of dance since you get to stressful moments in her dance placed third as well. She says that choose what you want to do and experience was when “my music “in the future, I want to be a proyou aren’t given a specific dance stopped in the middle of my per- fessional dancer.”

Hippodrome Theater announces shows; World premiere performances take place KENSINGTON BOYANICH position contains The Triumph of Business Manager Constructed on the site of the old Eutaw House, a luxury hotel built in 1835, the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore has been showcasing plays since Nov. 23, 1914.

Designed by Thomas W. Lamb, the Hippodrome represents “one of the last opulent designs from his early period and is an outstanding example of early 20th century theater design,” states the Hippodrome Foundation.

“More than 30 major theaters used to thrive on Baltimore’s west side; only three remain, including the Hippodrome, the Town on Fayette Street, and the Mayfair on Howard Street. The Hippodrome is the largest, the most ornate, and the most intact of these,” says historic-structures. com.

Some students have seen various performances by the theater.

Senior Genevieve Sudbrink has seen two shows including Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera. “One of the things I most remember was the mural on the ceiling.”

The Hippodrome Foundation talks about the mural, “Painted in 1914, the mural is the hallmark of the theater. It is 26 feet high and 45 feet at the base.” The com-

the Performing Arts, a collection of Greek goddesses.

Sudbrink talks about the shows she has seen. “I went to

The Hippodrome has been putting on shows since 1914.

Two plays will be premiering this year making Baltimore the first audience in the world to see them.

PHOTO CREDIT: Keith Weller see Hamilton when I was in middle school because I was a raging theater kid. I saw Phantom of the

Opera with my dad because we both really love that musical.”

She adds, “I enjoyed my experience, it’s a really pretty theater and the shows were good!”

The Hippodrome has released the list of shows for the 2023 season as well. Ron Legler, president of France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, states, “Two of the shows...Baltimore will be the very first audience to see them in the world.”

These premiering shows are, Peter Pan and The Wiz. Some other shows that will be showcased include Beetlejuice, Mrs. Doubtfire, Mamma Mia, Book of Mormon, and Les Misérables.

“Our biggest show of the season is Moulin Rouge, and when I tell you spectacular, spectacular.

That set is going to fill the stage. The costumes are amazing. So much new music. All of the music you love, but then they’ve updated the music,” Legler states.

Netflix is set to shoot their first worldwide live stream of comedian Chris Rock at the Hippodrome. “We’ve got Lewis Black…Trevor Noah for four performances…and then Chris Rock…He chose Baltimore of all the cities in the world,” continues Legler.

REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

“All the girls in my family watch the Oscars together. It’s so much It is officially the season of fun, we have ballots we fill out on award shows! These include the who we think will win each catGolden Globes, Oscars, SAG egory, and whoever guesses the awards, and more. These awards most correctly gets a prize. We celebrate the films and television also have a bingo card to watch for things that happen during the of the year.

Many actors, actresses, direc- show. We also get a prize if we tors, and filmmakers get to cele- win the bingo” She added, “My cousin Zoe brate their hard work from the says that it is the best day of the previous year's work. year, better than Christmas.”

All three of these award shows As for the Golden Globes, they honor the top films and televitook place on Jan. 10. For films, sion that were released in 2022 The BanThe shees of O s c a r s I n i s h e r i n (Academy lead with Awards) the most are taking wins, which place on included March 12.

Best MoThe nomtion Picinees for ture.

This Best Picyear's Goldture are Top en Globes Gun: MavThis will be comedian Jimmy was hosted erick, Women Talking, Kimmel’s third time hosting the by comediE v e r y t h i n g Oscars. The last time Kimmel an Jerrod Carmichael.

Everywhere hosted was in 2018.

The SAG All at Once, PHOTO CREDIT: The Gold A w ards The Banshees Knight (Screen Acof Inisherin, tors Guild Triangle of Awards) Sadness, The took place on Feb. 26.

They don’t Fabelmans All Quiet on the Westfront, have a set host; they have differAvatar: The Way of Water, Elvis, and ent actors and actresses present Tár.

This year the host of the Acad- the awards. They were held at emy Awards is going to be Jim- the Fairmont Century Plaza. The movie Everything Everywhere All my Kimmel.

The ceremony will be held at at Once won four of the five catethe Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles gories they were nominated for, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.. This will which broke the record for the be the 95th celebration of the Os- most wins for a single film. These cars. The Academy Awards is the wins included Cast in a Motion oldest award show; it was first Picture, Male Actor in a Supportbroadcast over the radio in 1930 ing Role, Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and Female Actor and was first televised in 1953.

Freshman Lila Barnaba said, in a Leading Role.

March 21, 2023

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Cry of the Hawk

Longest-running musical says goodbye after 35 years Student travels to Katsucon; KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor

Cosplayer showcases creativity

story is important and the acting comes together to tell the story, but it’s the lushness of the score that’s the draw.”

Drama teacher Mrs. Nancy Green has seen The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in New York City and felt that it was “undeni-

Even with recent news of its departure from Broadway, Green feels that it is time for Andrew Lloyd Webber's The it to be shelved. “Phantom has Phantom of the Opera is the lonbeen running for a long time. In gest-running Broadway show in fact, I am surprised that it has history, its first showing in 1988. lasted so long. Truly, it is iconic After 35 years of showings, the and a beautiful love story, but I final date it will be shown - as of think despite its longevity now - is April 16, 2023. on Broadway that it is time The play was originally to shelve it for a while,” says set to close on February 18, Green, “[at least] until fewer 2023 but was extended an people know it since it has extra eight weeks accordsort of had a long life span as ing to newyorktheatreguide. it is and by now most people com. The Phantom of the Opera have seen in live or at least has won over 70 major theseen the movie.” ater awards including “three Although Phantom is closOlivier Awards, an Evening ing for now, Green does beStandard Award, seven lieve it will come back in the Tony Awards including future, “I predict once it has Best Musical, seven Drama gone away for a while they Desk Awards, and five Outwill eventually take it back er Critic Circle Awards,” out when it is new again and states thephantomoftheopera. then revive it.” com.

Green finds that people The story is based on tend to love it or feel indifferthe book by French author ent towards the play, “I find Gaston Leroux and focuses there are generally two types on the lead, Christine Daae, of people. Those who love and the mysterious PhanPhantom and become Phantom (the disfigured music genius) who haunts the ParThe Phantom of the Opera is of- tom fanatics or those more like me who are somewhat is Opera House and takes ficially leaving Broadway on April indifferent to Phantom deChristine in as his music spite its enduring populariprotégé. The Phantom falls 16. The show had been running for ty.” She goes on to say that in love with Christine and 35 years with over 70 major thethis play is not her favorite she has to choose between ater awards.

Broadway performance. “I the art benefactor, Raoul, PHOTO CREDIT: Playbill think you either love it or and the Phantom. The fear don’t. And I think you have of losing Christine ends up causing the Phantom to grow ably amazing.” Green mentions to be somewhat of a hopeless mad and create a scheme to keep that the acting and singing were romantic to love it, which I am “top-notch” due to the fact that not.” Green’s favorites include her by his side.

Jamie Johns was the music Broadway is home to the “best Les Misérables, Come From Away, and director for the North American live performers in the world.” Dear Evan Hansen.

She believes that it most liketour of Phantom of the Opera, and he She adds, “the show opens with believes that the music present- the swinging chandelier which ly depends on the type of genre ed in this play is one of the main swings out over the audience’s people enjoy and that, “if you reasons it is the longest-running head and comes crashing to the like mysteries or romance, or sushow on Broadway. “The music is stage, then the special effects of per special effects on a live stage, positively operatic in nature, and the glass lake and the Phantom’s you should definitely try to see like an opera, the music takes lair, in the end, are all spectacular [The Phantom of the Opera] before it closes.” precedence,” Johns says. “The highlights as well.”

Freshman Mia Siegel drew out her very first design for a tattoo. She got the opportunity to create something that will be imprinted on someone's body forever.

Designing permanent pieces of art BELLA ARIST Reporter The freshman explained, “This guy, Jay, who works for my dad, asked me to design a tattoo for

Freshman Mia Siegel designed and completed a full sleeve for her dad’s worker. She incorporated different band symbols in the tattoo.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mia Siegel

him because he loves getting them all over his body.” There is a rock band named Incubus that is very important to Jay and his family. Siegel shared, “he wanted to incorporate this band into an arm sleeve because it is the band that he and his wife got married to, and basically how they met.”

She said, “He had a bunch of random ideas of how he wanted to put the symbols of the band on his arm, but had no idea of how to put them all together.” Siegel only designed a portion of his arm currently, which was the under forearm, but is now designing another art piece for his upper bicep.

The artist explained, “the one I just did was a combination of a bunch of album covers from the band. For example, there was a little icon of a heart with spikes on it from one of their more recent albums, but there were also little designs from the older ones as well.”

Siegel shared, “when I got asked to design a tattoo, it was a crazy experience because I wasn't expecting it at all. Tattoos are permanent, so it was super cool that someone trusted me and liked my art so much that they would want it imprinted on them for the rest of their life.”

As for some people, drawing can be more of a difficult skill to learn. For this artist, “drawing came naturally to [her].” She said, “I have been drawing as early as I could possibly hold a pencil. Art is my passion.”

This student is “definitely planning on going into art school.”

She also mentioned that she “enjoys working with little kids, so a perfect job would be an elementary school art teacher.”

She shared, “Recently, I was talking to the tattooist who tattooed Jay and he said that when I am 18 years old, I could possibly be an apprentice, which is really cool and something I am very interested in.”

LILY CORCORAN Copy Editor From Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19, people traveled far and wide to attend Katsucon, an anime convention held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, MD. Many go to this convention to meet up with friends, cosplay as their favorite characters, and buy or sell merchandise relating to a series.

According to epiccosplay.com, cosplay is defined as, “the act of dressing in a costume to recreate the appearance of a character from a work of fiction. Popular forms of cosplay involve donning the outfit of popular anime, video games, or comic book characters. Cosplay is not limited to this, however, and can involve non-character specific costumes like maid or school uniforms.”

Cosplay began in Japan in the 1970s, when “college students would dress up like their favorite manga and anime characters at sci-fi conventions. The term ‘cosplay’ was first used in a June 1983 article by Nobuyuki Takahashi in My Anime magazine,” says Wonderopolis.

Sophomore Liz O’Brien attended this convention as a cosplayer.

O’Brien prepared four cosplays: Raiden Shogun and Scaramouche from the game Genshin Impact, Sigma from Bungo Stray Dogs, and Mimiko from Jujutsu Kaisen. According to O’Brien, their favorite cosplay they did was Scaramouche because, “[they] love his hat, which [they] made, and cosplaying villains is super fun.”

O’Brien continues, “we spent a lot of money, especially in Artist Alley, but I don’t mind because I love supporting artists. We met voice actor Kaji Tang, who was in Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Bungo Stray Dogs, and more. We also went to a cosplay meetup and just met a lot of other cosplayers.”

They added, “My group isn’t a huge ‘going to all the events’ kind of group, but conventions always have all sorts of panels and other events.”

O’Brien started cosplaying in October of 2021. “My sister wanted to be a Demon Slayer character for Halloween, so I decided I’d match with her. While doing some research into getting the costume, I was introduced to the cosplay community and it looked super fun, so I ended up not just using the costume for Halloween, and I made the sword.”

O’Brien recommends that people go to a convention at least once, even if they do not want to cosplay. “There’s more to a convention than just the cosplay aspect,” they explain. “In my experience, the conventions I went to all had an Artist Alley where you can buy directly from artists, a vendor hall where you can find all sorts of merchandise from different fandoms, voice actors you can meet, panels, and other events, and there is usually a gaming room.”

So, if there are students who like to dress up, interact with people, and have a good time with friends, they “should definitely try attending a convention,” says O’Brien.

Crunchin’ on critters, ingesting insects

BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter

According to everydayhealth. com, “bugs are an excellent source of protein, with the nutrient accounting for between 20 and 76 percent of their dry weight.”

FOT teacher Mr. Brian Dougherty is a part of the percentage of people who do eat bugs. He says, “when I traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, I noticed that bugs were eaten over there as snacks and street food and stuff like that.”

Dougherty continues, “I was intrigued by why they did it, so I looked into it, and I realized the reason they did it is because protein over there - meat is expensive and not as common as over here so a good protein source is bugs.”

Bugs aren’t only eaten as a whole, but also “ground up and used in flours and powders.”

He continues, “I always show that because there are farmers in this country as well as other countries now doing this, and a lot of the protein powders are being used in dog foods and stuff like that because it is a very cheap and inexpensive form of protein.”

“Cows are very very harmful

to the environment for what you get – even though I love meat – but insects are not, and it is one of the things I cover when we do the unit in foundations of technology.”

His first time eating a bug was when “in a restaurant over [in Cambodia], [he] noticed that there were fried tarantulas on the menu for appetizers so [he] tried those, and they were pretty interesting and good.”

He says, “the legs were crunchy, and they had this teriyaki kind of glaze on it and a dipping sauce, but the abdomen was kind of weird. It had a consistency of almost chewy, but it wasn’t bad. I wouldn’t order it again, though.”

Dougherty always introduces “the concept of eating bugs for protein” during his food unit around the world. “They’re not as gross as you think, they’re actually quite good.”

If someone were to challenge Dougherty to eat a bug, he says he would do it. He adds, “If I was starving out in nature, I sure would do that. I would definitely eat bugs if that was my choice, but if I had a choice between steak or chicken or bugs, I’m definitely going to choose the steak.”

Page 14/Student, Society, and Culture

Hawks

Happenings

Cry of the Hawk

March 21, 2023

4/3 - 4/10

3/31

3 hour early dismissal

Spring break beigins: schools closed

4/11

Girls Lacrosse VS. Patterson Mill @6:45pm

Hawks mourn loss of community member

KRIS GRAY News Editor

Mr. Ronald “Ron” Sadtler departed from his family at the age of 60 on February 9, 2023. Born in 1963, the former coach, teacher, and businessman left a legacy in his wake.

Sadtler was the son of Allan Phillip Sadtler, Jr. and Edna Lorraine Walter. Born in Montgomery County, he was a student-athlete at Damascus High School involved in football, baseball, and track and field.

He then went on to enroll in Towson State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

After this, Sadtler moved to Minnesota and attended Mankato State University to pursue a Master’s degree in experiential and outdoor education.

From 1988 to 1990, he was em- creation of the fitness lab and the regionally through the National ployed as the school programs disc golf course. This was also Archery in the School Program director at Joy Outdoor Educa- seen through his introduction (NASP).

Sadtler was also a coach at the tion Center in Clarksville, Ohio. high school for varsity boys volLater, returning to Maryland, he leyball and junior varsity tennis. began working as a local physiAccording to the Baltimore Sun, cal education teacher at Harford “his passion for learning and County Public Schools. experiential opportunities was Some of the schools he taught evident in both his professional at were Lisby Hillsdale Elemenand personal lives.” tary School and North Harford Outside of the school buildMiddle School. ing, he had his own landscaping While at the elementary business called Sadtler Lawn school, he was the creator of Care. many activities for students.

Through home renovations Some examples are the annuand projects, his imagination al Sports Day and the Hoppin’ was even more illustrated.

Hawks jump rope team.

Sadtler eventually retired afThe team is competitive and PHOTO CREDIT: Kimberly ter 32 years in June of 2022. The continues to compete now. They Sadtler Baltimore Sun describes how in have even previously competed 2011, “he committed his life to in national tournaments.

At the middle school, his cre- of archery to the school which Christ.”

He even participated in local ativity grew even more with the allowed students to compete

and international outreach programs which were beneficial to his faith.

Mrs. Patricia Murdy is a physical education teacher and coach at the Hawks Nest and was “very sad to hear of his passing, as it was so sudden.”

The two P.E. teachers would casually see each other in passing and taught “each others’ children in P.E.,” reports Murdy.

The educator also coached his daughters in lacrosse. Murdy is grateful for “all he has done over the many years of teaching and coaching.”

She emphasizes her admiration of his “‘matter of fact’ personality and how he would always say hi and ask how my kids were doing.” The teacher is confident that “he definitely cared about people.”

The third season of Outer Banks was released on Friday, Feb. 3, and has been getting Dates, disasters, delights: millions of views within days. There have been many mixed reviews on this season, and

Teachers recall prom memories has attracted a wide audience.

SARAH WELZANT Reporter It's about time for the exciting memories of high school prom!

North Harford is hosting their junior/senior prom on April 29, 2023. Going to this special event can be a fun memory to take along with the rest of your life. It's important to make the most of it.

Government teacher Mr. Mark Filiaggi stated, “I had a really good time. I went with a bunch of my friends and was glad I was there.” Originally, Filiaggi decided he did not want to go since he “had not been seeing anyone at the time,” but is “glad that [he] did” and would have “regretted not going.”

Filiaggi’s prom took place at Martin's West, a venue in Baltimore used for things like banquets or weddings. He states, “My school had only a senior prom, not like a junior/senior prom. There were somewhere around 300-400 people who attended.”

English and yearbook Mrs. Carla Harward believes her prom was “not a great experience,” she states. “I didn’t really have a boyfriend at the time, but I went with somebody that had asked me. He was kind of a jerk to me.” It was held at Martin’s Eastwind, a venue outside of Baltimore which is unfortunately closed. Somewhere around 500 people attended, according to Harward To pick out a dress, Harward went with her mom to the Harford Mall. She explains, “Back in the day, we went to a shop in Harford Mall that was like a

floral shop. My mom and I went there because that was where everybody went.” She picked out a “powder blue dress that was off the shoulder with ruffles,” but looking back on it now, she laughs, saying “it was ugly.”

Tech and business teacher Mr. Brian McCormack went to the Bel Air High School prom. He states, “when I went to Bel Air, there were about 2800 students, so it was huge.” It was hosted within the high school building.

McCormack does not look back very fondly on his outfit.

He states, “I wore a stupid ugly white tux” along with green ruffles since “the girl that [he] was with told [him] that since she was wearing some green, [he] had to wear green.”

He firmly suggests, “the young men should wear a James Bond looking tux. White shirt, black tie, black suit. That’s it.”

Science teacher Mrs. Christine Jestel went to her prom along with her boyfriend of six months at the time. It was hosted in a “hotel with a fancy ballroom,” according to Jestel. It was only a senior prom, Jestel states, “maybe around 300 people attended” since her graduating class consisted of about 375 people.

Jestel looks back on her memories from that night. She states, “A bunch of friends and I got together to take pictures at a local lake, [and] we all used limousines to go to the prom. I remember all of us taking turns standing with our heads out of the sun roof of the limousine before we left and everyone had fun singing.”

Outer Banks, paradise on Earth; New season released, buzzing around BELLA ARIST Reporter

but were still dating in the show.

Averella thought, “it was weird that after they broke up in real Junior Mason Adelhardt life they barely talked anymore in claimed, “out of all the season, the show. They were, this one has definitelike, the main power ly been the worst couple, but after breakso far.” He later exing up, it just offset the plained “they are vibe of their relationrunning out of plot ship in the show.” ideas, which makes This watcher’s fathe show really hard vorite twist was “the to watch. If you introduction of John don't have a good B’s dad because of how plot, it isn't an inintriguing his charactriguing show.” ter was.” At the end of Adelhardt said season two, there was the problem wasn’t a short clip of John B’s the actual problem dad, which gave viewin the season. “The ers the hint that his acting was actually Filming takes place on Barbados at the character would be a really good and very Bathsheba beach. This was when the charpart in the following impressive on how acters were all stuck on an island, picking up season. the actors kept up Averella said, “this with their roles, even where season two left off.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jackson Lee Davis show was not expectin the later season.” able at all because of The student how many different claimed, “my favorite part was definitely when JJ Along with Adelhardt, senior twists and weird plots that were and Jie started to get together. Abby Averella’s favorite season mixed within each episode.”

Sophomore Cole Shultz disIt was something all of the fans was also season one. She claimed, have been hoping for, so I am “my favorite character was defi- agrees with Averella, as he said, glad the producer incorporated nitely JJ, because he is such a sad “the ending was very [expected] that into this season.” All over character with a devastating past and wasn’t a very powerful move TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and that it just makes viewers need to to end with.” He explained, “as I was watching, the plot stayed more, watchers have been vocal- love and support him.” izing their wants on having those In real life, main character John pretty solid all the way throughtwo characters get together.

B (Chase Stokes) and Sarah Cam- out the entire season.”

Shultz's favorite character this For Adelhardt, “season one eron (Madelyn Cline) dated and was my favorite, because this had a very public relationship. season was, “Pope, because he season they didn’t do a great job Before the production of season has changed so much personaliwith keeping on track of the plot. three, they broke up in real life ty-wise and was very outgoing.

I didn’t like how they brought so many new characters and different little stories during the big story.”

Cry of the Hawk

March 21, 2023

4/17

Softball VS. Fallston @3:30pm

4/18

Tennis VS. Patterson Mill @3:30pm

Springing forward; Saving time, energy KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter Daylight Saving Time, often mistaken as Daylight savings, is ticking!

This year daylight savings time started on Sunday Mar. 12 at 2 am and will end on Sunday Nov.5 at 2 am.

The clocks “spring forward” and then “fall back” when they reset in the fall.

Sophomore Nolan Clark said, “Personally, I don’t like Daylight Saving Time. It throws off my whole schedule, because I am not used to the time change.”

Fellow sophomore Calvin Marron said, “I don’t think there is a real need for Daylight Saving Time. I still think it's not the worst of ideas.

I’m sure that there are some benefits.”

This change of time has both benefits and drawbacks, so Daylight Saving Time doesn’t only bring bad things! One reason people like Daylight Saving Time is simply because the sun will be out and shining for a little longer. One other plus of daylight savings is that it saves energy, and saving energy saves money. According to UCLA Health, some people even feel happier when it's bright out and they can enjoy the natural sunlight.

In colder weather some people get something called seasonal affective disorder, also known as ‘seasonal depression.’ This happens because it’s not as nice outside, and people are often stuck inside due to the weather. People can still get seasonal affective disorder in the summer, but it is more common in the fall and winter season (Cleveland Clinic).

According to WebExhibit.org, Daylight Saving Time originated from World War 1 in Europe and America in order to save fuel to produce more electrical power. On Mar. 19, 1918, Daylight Saving Time started to be used in the United States. However, it did not stick around for long, and ended up becoming optional to states.

Later on, The Uniform Time Act was passed in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson. This law was to make it so everyone followed a similar time. Not all states had to follow this act - they could make their own law on Daylight Saving Time to get out of this. Most states today use the Daylight-Saving system except for Hawaii and some parts of Arizona.

Not everyone is a fan of this time change. Many states have tried to make laws to not use Daylight Saving Time in the past couple of years.

Page 15/Students, Society, and Culture

4/24

Baseball VS. Rising Sun @3:30pm

4/28

3 hour early dismissal

Get your dresses, suits prom ready NOEL BAILEY Op/Ed Editor The start of prom season is already here. Students are shopping around for their dresses and suits, or already have them.

Some are also figuring out if they are going with or without a date.

NH’s prom is on April 29 starting at 7 p.m. It's held at Valley View Mansion.

SGA presidents Mrs. Kimberly Iddings and Mrs. Megan Fries are the adults in charge of this year's prom and are in the process of putting it together.

This year's theme is “Puttin on the Ritz,” which was determined by our juniors on SGA. The theme means “old Hollywood,” according to Fries. The color of the theme is red, black, and gold.

Dressing up to match the theme is not needed; the reason why we have a theme as a school is to coordinate how to decorate Valley View for photo ops and just for show.

According to Fries, “they have been having prom at Valley View Mansion since I was in school.”

A lot of students are starting to, or have been, stressing over prom, worrying about what to wear, who they are going with, where they are taking their prom pictures, etc.

The build-up is exciting but stressful, especially for the juniors or students who haven't been before.

Junior Katrina Wrinkler said, “I got my dress from Windsor.”

Junior Sara Ford got her dress from a Windsor store as well.

The closest Windsor to North Harford High School is in Towson Town Center.

Another popular place to visit is The Teal Antler in Forest Hill.

Students who purchase their dresses from this store, provide their name, their school name, and the dress name.

Senior Janie Evans got her dress from Teal Antler. Janie said, “I liked my experience there; it was a very welcoming environment.”

Other students have gone far for their dresses.

Junior Lily Evans went out to Delaware to a store called Cecile Boutique.

According to shothotspot.com the top five spots in Harford County to take prom pictures are Rock State Park, Susquehanna State Park, Maryland Susquehanna River Bridge, Marina Pier, and the Amtrak Bridge.

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Cry of the Hawk

Go Green!

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Cry of the Hawk

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Cry of the Hawk

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Drug shortages becomes harmful;

Medical care impacted

KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist “A drug product shortage is defined as a supply issue that affects how the pharmacy prepares or dispenses a drug product or influences patient care when prescribers must use an alternate agent,” states ASHP, Pharmacists Advancing Healthcare.

According to the FDA, 191 drugs are in shortage or are in the process of being restored in the market, including Adderall, anesthetics, cancer treatments and many other pharmaceuticals.

The ASHP has stated, “several hundred drugs sold in the U.S. have been in short supply in every quarter of the past five years.”

“Drugs in short supply often include sterile injectables and potentially life-saving oncology (cancer) treatments,” states drugs.com. The website continues, “Besides the lack of effective drug treatment, many other areas of medical care can be impacted, including medical procedure delays, treatment protocol delays, rates of medication errors, patient health outcomes, and cost.”

42% of drug shortages occur because of an unknown reason, according to The University of Utah Drug Information Service.

The other two leading causes include supply/demand and manufacturing issues.

“This is an issue that we have been managing in America’s healthcare system since 2011.

There are a ton of medications that health providers are always watching intensely,” states

and assistant professor of orthopedics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The FDA states that in order for a drug to not be considered in shortage anymore, they often “need new production lines approved or need new raw material sources approved to help increase supplies.”

In December of 2022, a large majority of the drug shortages included amoxicillin and children’s Tylenol.

Elliot comments, “Drug shortages have been plaguing this country for years across the board. Now it really hits home because it’s little kids being affected in aisles of grocery stores and pharmacies.”

Senior Tatiana Gonzalez works at Walgreens and has had first hand experience with this issue. “I haven’t noticed any shortage of controlled substances but we are consistently always out of children’s medicine.”

“One time a guy came in at around 9:30 because his daughter was running a fever and we didn’t have any childrens ibuprofen for him so I had to send him to another store,” Gonzalez continues.

Dr. Joseph Varon the Chief of COVID-19 at United Memorial Medical Center talks about what to do when you can’t find medication.

“You can enhance your immune system with vitamin D, zinc, and melatonin. Simple things you can find in most pharmacies.”

Tragedy occurs in Ohio BELLA ARIST Reporter Explosions. Chemicals. Danger. On Feb. 4, smoke rose from a cargo train that went off the tracks in East Palestine, Ohio.

The train accident sparked a huge fire and resulted in sending out evacuation orders. There were chemical toxins exposed to the area.

Insider gave more insight into the accident. It was reported that near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, there were “no injuries or fatalities” after the train went off the tracks. The train was shipping cargo from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania.

A woman who lived in North Lima, about eleven miles away from the accident, reported to have “checked on her chicken coop three days after the crash.”

She ended up finding her “five hens and rooster laying lifeless, with no sign of a predator entering their enclosure.”

While the domesticated animals suffer from the toxic exposure, “locals have reported seeing streams full of dead fish in recent days.”

There was an official with the Ohio EPA who “confirmed toxic

material had entered the waterways after the burn and killed fish but reiterated that drinking water is safe and air contaminant levels are not currently cause for concern.”

On the train, there were highly flammable hazardous materials including, “vinyl chloride, used to create a polymer that forms a popular plastic. Worried that the materials could explode, sending deadly shrapnel flying up to a mile through the air, officials conducted a ‘controlled release’ of the chemicals and burnt them, sending a toxic cloud of a black smoke into the air.”

Even though the animal deaths alarmed the residents, now there are more reports that human health issues are starting to appear.

Along with Calland, junior Aidan Cordner says, “I feel very safe in Maryland because of how the governor runs things.” He also explains “I feel bad for them because they were probably very sad since the chemicals ruined their land and home. It destroyed everything and caused them to lose things they love, they are most likely going through a hard time.”

March 21, 2023

On Jan. 28, 2023, a balloon was spotted in the air in U.S. territory traveling across many sensitive military sites. But, this was no ordinary balloon: it was a Chinese surveillance spy balloon, according to Sky News.

Possible threat occurs in airspace;

Chinese surveillance spy balloon spotted, destroyed RILEY HEROLD Reporter The U.S. defense and military officials said the balloon entered the U.S. Air Defense zone north of the Aleutian Islands and moved largely over land across Alaska, and then into Canadian airspace in the Northwest Territories on Monday, Jan. 30. It crossed back into U.S. territory over northern Idaho on Tuesday, Jan. 31, the day the White House said president Joe Biden was first informed of it.

According to Sky News, The Chinese government denied using it as a spy balloon; they said the craft was being used for weather research. China then accused Washington D.C. of sending its own espionage balloons over its territory, which the U.S. denied also.

At around 2:39 p.m. EST on Feb. 4, an F-22 fighter jet fired a missile at the balloon, puncturing it while it was about six nautical

miles off the coast near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This order was given by Biden after it had crossed into the country’s territory.

U.S. officials said the military was constantly assessing the threat and concluded that the technology on the balloon didn’t give the Chinese significant information beyond what it could already obtain from satellites, though the U.S. took steps to mitigate what information it could gather as it moved along.

The Pentagon also acknowledged reports of a second balloon flying over Latin America. “We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement. Officials said the balloons are part of a fleet that China uses for surveillance, and they can be maneuvered remotely through small motors and propellers. One official

said they carry equipment in the pod under the balloon that is not usually associated with standard meteorological activities or civilian research.

Tech and marketing teacher Mr. Brian McCormack stated, “Spying goes on all the time: the United States used spy balloons for years, so we shouldn’t expect the Chinese to not do the same.

China has been our competitor for so long.”

McCormack also stated, “During late 1900, there was turmoil in China, which the West exploited because they could. China was weak, so it was easy to exploit it. But now they think they should be the dominant power in the world because they were the middle kingdom. They think the whole world revolves around them. But they simply sent the surveillance spy balloon because they just don’t like the United States.”

Climate change: Scientists, environmentalists MEKENZIE MCCANN H/S Editor

concerned about future problems

fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity.”

“Climate change can affect our health, ability to grow food, housing, safety, and work,” according to The United Nations. People living on small islands are at a higher risk of climate change, due to conditions such as sea-level rises and saltwater droughts putting those people at risk.

Emissions come from everywhere in the world, but they

ribute 68 percent,” according to The United Nations.

“Climate change refers to longScience teacher Mrs. Laura term shifts in temperatures and O’Leary comments, “the facts are weather patterns,” according clear, that we are in the midst of to The United Nations. “Since the climate changes, global warming.

1800s, human activities have been These are a result of human acthe main driver of climate chantions. We have to do something ge, primarily due to burning fossil about them. We have the technofuels like coal, oil, and gas.” logy. We just do not have the poThe website continues that litical willpower, and the science burning fossil fuels generais clear.” tes “greenhouse gas emissions Climate change solutions can that act like a blanket wrapped improve our lives and protect the around the Earth, trapping the environment. Global frameworks sun’s heat and raising and agreements to guitemperatures.” de progress include “the Greenhouse gas Sustainable Developemissions have caument Goals, the UN Frased issues such as mework Convention on carbon dioxide and Climate Change, and the methane. The UnitParis Agreement.” The ed Nations says that three organizations are “these come from taking action on “cutusing gasoline for driting emissions, adapting ving a car or coal for to climate impacts and heating a building, financing required adfor example. Clearing justments,” respectively, land and forests can states The United Nations. also release carbon “Switching energy dioxide. Landfills for systems from fossil fuels garbage are a major to renewables like solar source of methane or wind will reduce the The map above shows the temperature emissions driving climate emissions.

Energy, industry, transport, change in the last 50 years. If nothing is done change,” says The United buildings, agricultu- about climate change, extinction will eventu- Nations. re, and land use are ally occur.

The United Nations among the main emit- PHOTO CREDIT: Wikepedia finishes, “adapting to ters.” climate consequences Over the years, the protects people, homes, number of emissions has risen, as affect everyone. Some countries businesses, livelihoods, infrathe Earth is about 1.1°C warmer produce more emissions than structure, and natural ecosysthan it was in the late 1800s, ac- others, according to The United tems.” cording to The United Nations.

Nations. ”Adoption will be required eveAs the website states, “the con“The 100 least-emitting count- rywhere, but must be prioritized sequences of climate change now ries generate three percent of to- now for the most vulnerable include, among others, intense tal emissions. The ten countries people with the fewest resources droughts, water scarcity, severe with the largest emissions cont- to cope with climate hazards.”

March 21, 2023

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Cry of the Hawk

Setting new PR’s, Girls basketball: back on, Indoor track States: New school records Looking successful season MEKENZIE MCCANN H/S Editor JACK O’CONNOR Reporter On Feb. 21, six girls attended the meet competing in the pole vault, shot put, and the 4x800 Relay.

Athletic Live reports junior Anna O’Leary competed in the shot put, placing eighth, throwing 29.5 feet. At regionals, O’Leary “was the Regional Champion and set a school record,” Mr. Jimmy Cachola, the indoor track coach, says.

Junior Korynn Sims competed in the pole vault, placing sixth, clearing nine feet. Sims finished second at regionals, according to Cachola.

The 4x800 relay team, consisting of sophomore Eden Hussung, freshman Kendall Chandler, senior Sierra Weaver, and senior Jodylynn Cadden, ran an 11:11.35, placing ninth. The team placed “second at Regionals, and ran a season-best” at States, according to Cachola. Cachola comments that “it is an accomplishment to make States, [and the girls] did have a great season.”

He also states that the girls “all performed very well, and [he is] proud of them.”

To make it to States, the girls “had to qualify at a highly competitive regional meet to get there. Only the top four from an event qualifies for States,” says Cachola. “Preparation for States started in November. [The team]

NOEL BAILEY Op/Ed Editor

Junior Korynn Sims talks to coach Cachola before competing in her event. Sims took sixth in states, clearing nine feet.

PHOTO CREDIT: Rachael Sims has a formal practice three days a week and they also ran on their own. [O’Leary] and [Sims] worked on their events, shot put and pole vault, with their specific coaches to help with technique and other drills to get them to throw further or jump higher,” Cachola says.

Many students like Hussung believe that the drive of individual athletes and the excellent coaching is really what brought the indoor track team as far as states. Hussung participated in the 4x800 relay at states. “There were around 20-25 teams including all of 1A and 2A, but we still

Tennis season in full swing

EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor

The tennis team’s 2023 season has begun, and students from all grades tried out for the teams. There were no cuts made. Both teams also have new coaches as well.

The teams practice every day, from 3pm to 5pm. They begin with running a mile, either around the school property or on the track.

Then, they stretch their muscles and begin drills. Each day, they work on different things, such as backhand or forehand, serving, and volleys.

Players can also challenge the person that is ranked one spot higher than them during practice, in an attempt to move up the ladder.

Junior and foreign exchange student Baptiste Chone has been playing tennis for five years, and has missed playing since the beginning of his year in the U.S. “ [He is] really excited about the tryouts” and is also excited to play matches against other schools here. Chone usually plays singles as opposed to doubles, because he “doesn’t like to rely on someone else” when playing. “[He] is best at backhand and volleys,” but isn’t always consistent in plays. At the moment, he doesn’t have any expectations for the team, but still wants “everybody to try their best, even if it doesn’t bring a win for the team.” Chone also played soccer and occasionally ran back in France.

Sophomore Emma Clayton played on the varsity team last year, and will be joining them yet again. She was ranked number five. She hopes that the team will continue to improve their skills over the duration of this season. Clayton is “nervous for tryouts but definitely excited for the season.” She normally played third girls singles, but occasionally played doubles as well; she prefers singles between the two. “Looking at the schedule, [she thinks] we will have nine wins and five losses this year.”

Varsity coach Mr. Bryant Siegfried has played tennis since he was 14, and coached “on and off since [he] was a junior in college” as well.

He also created a co-ed tennis club at Shippensburg University. This is his first year coaching at North Harford. His favorite part of coaching is “watching a player develop in their skills and abilities.” He believes it is “extremely rewarding” when their hard work pays off.

The varsity team will have an assistant coach as well, Mr. Carey Webb. The JV team will be coached by Mr. Mike Francis.

Siegfried commented that next year, the team will have many returning players.

showed up and showed out,” said Hussung. O’Leary described her experience this year. “For the most part, it was a really tough year; the coaches really pushed, almost to our breaking point, but did so in a great way and I really saw a lot of improvement throughout the team this year and am not surprised that we made it to states.”

Though now that the indoor track season is over, many of its participants are looking forward to regular track. Hussung says, “indoor track was a great learning environment and I think it really helped prepare me for this

upcoming track season.”

Members of the indoor track team say it is a great place to train, compete, and meet new people.

O’Leary explains that the players are “a supportive and tight-knit team that strives for the team to succeed.” The athlete adds that “indoor track is a wonderful group of people, all hardworking and all pushing you to be better.”

“Hoping to make states there as well, with just as much perseverance and hard work. Not to mention the excellent coaching,” says Hussung, who wishes our Hawks well and is excited for up-andcoming seasons.

The Hawks girls basketball team made it all the way to states, being ranked one of the highest and best teams in the region for girls basketball. The girls were close to making it to states this year.

They made it to the regional playoffs, but they did not win that game against Fallston to pursue into the next round.

The team only consisted of three seniors: Jenna Amrhein, Marissa Struhar, and Lillian Duffy.

There is only one junior on the team, Caroline Nicholson.

They had different sophomores and freshmen coming up throughout the season to play varsity for different games.

The girls had a long and a “hard earned” winning streak, according to Struhar. The team “deserved everything we won,” said Struhar. Their record for this year was 17-4.

The girls started off their season with two big wins against C.Milton Wright (47-20) and Fallston (43-23).

Freshman Payton Dawson made the varsity team this year. Her experience on the team was “amazing, and [she] made lots of new friends while bonding over the game,” said Dawson.

Dawson’s favorite game she played in was “the Patterson Mill game, because we went into double overtime...they also had a big student section which made it all more fun.”

The team had lots of time and memories together, but Dawson’s favorite memory was “the game against Rising Sun, because they were the number one team, but [she] liked that game because [they] got hyped all before the game and it was exciting.”

The team had a close bond with each other. “We all had fun this season,” said Struhar.

The three seniors on the team, Amrhein, Struhar, and Duffy, were the captains of the team.

“This is my favorite sports season, and this team made it all even better,” said Struhar.

“I thought my senior season was great and it was such a fun year with the coaches and the girls, and we had a great season, great record, and overall just great,” said Stuhar.

The girls team won against Harford Tech 45-39.

“Beating Tech was probably my favorite game because it was very intense and a very close game, but we ended up pulling through to the win,” said Struhar.

“Being a team and friends, going out to eat and hanging out, or just being around each other,” is what made the team feel special to Struhar.

Cry of the Hawk

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March 21, 2023

Boys lacrosse ready for tough Athletes compete in regionals, States to end season; battles this spring The NH swim team went to regionals and States, where the boys placed sixth and the girls placed fourth. Overall, the team placed fifth in regionals. The boys got 15th in States, and the girls got 24th.

MANNS Swimmers relish opportunities to dive into action STELLA Sports Editor BEN IAMPIERI Copy Editor “I was really proud of how the team did at Regionals. It was super cool to see the hard work from the season pay off for everyone,” freshman Kendall Chandler says. “The practices leading up to regionals were very focused and it was so clear that we had each put so much effort into doing everything we could in the time we had to perfect our strokes.” The freshman added, “Personally, I was frustrated with my performance because I did not swim my goal time, but it was still a PR and I managed to get sixth in the region, so it was a solid way to end my season.”

Starting with regionals, for the 200 freestyle, junior Michael O’Leary placed first in the men’s and junior Val Angulo placed sixth. “Regionals was fun,” O’Leary says. They both qualified for states and went on to place seventh and 18th, respectively. “States was a lot of fun,”

he starts. “I really liked the pool at UMD and hanging out with the team between events.”

Senior Ben Iampieri placed fifth in the 50 freestyle and sixth in the 100 freestyle, qualifying for States in both events. Sophomore James Cassidy placed seventh in 100 freestyle, qualifying as an alternate in States. Iampieri placed 16th and 23rd in the 50 and 100.

Angulo placed fifth in the 500 freestyle to make States, then went on to place 19th. “I felt like regionals were probably my worst performance of the season, but somehow I made it to states, and at states I had the best performance of the season,” Angulo explains. “I had the chance to PR in all my events, and I did.”

The men's 200 freestyle relay of Cassidy, junior Kyle Difilippo, O’Leary, and Iampieri placed third, securing a spot in states.

They placed ninth in states.

The women’s 200 freestyle relay consisting of freshman Sophia Bonincontri, senior Jenna Reed, junior Jordyn Bell, and Angulo,

placed fifth to go to states. “Regionals was fun and exciting, I dropped time in most of my events,” Reed comments. They placed 14th in States.

“What I liked most about [states] was socializing with my friends and getting hyped up with them,” Angulo says.

O’Leary got a regional record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01.87, then went on to place fifth at States. The men's 400 freestyle relay of the same swimmers placed second to secure another spot at states. The girls 400 relay, also of the same swimmers, placed third to secure a spot at states. They placed 10th and 16th. “I enjoyed the states,” Reed starts. “This year was my first time actually swimming at States and I was very nervous, but both of the relays dropped time.”

“Meeting swimmers from other teams was also a really cool aspect of the meets, especially the ones towards the end of the season,” Chandler explains. “As you lined up in the clerk, of course

everyone had the same nervous but excited energy that made it super easy to talk to them and make cool connections.”

Chandler said that her “favorite part of the meets was probably being surrounded by [her] team and being able to cheer other swimmers on. The team is so sweet and supportive and because of it, all our meets were super fun and high energy,” she says.

“I’m pretty happy with the season,” O’Leary says. “I wish I had done a little better in my 100 breast, but overall it was good.”

“This season was really good,” Reed says. “All my times dropped a lot from last year. I loved being able to hang out with friends this season and cheer them on.”

“I am content with this season because I improved from my last and tried out different events,” Angulo says. “I am so ready for next season to start because I want to improve again, and I also just like swimming.

Girls lacrosse springs into season Junior participates in MMA; REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

well when we get into the groove of things.”

She added, “Any time I am on Spring sports conditioning is coming to an end, and regu- the lacrosse field, it’s always a lar season is shifting into gear. good time and spending it with The season officially started on my teammates makes it that March 1, and tryouts are not far much better.” Fortune is continuing to playing next year for West behind for our athletes.

Girls lacrosse tryouts began Chester University.

Senior Reilly Holmstrom said, March 1 and ended March 4. The “I am so excited for this girls will have 14 games season. Senior year this year, including in itself is already “ A n y six home games and exciting enough, eight away games. time I am on but to be able Their first game the lacrosse field, to finish it is on March 10 and their last it’s always a good time out with the girls you love regular season and spending it with like family is game will be my teammates makes it s o m e t h i n g on May 2. so special.

Senior Piper that much better.”

Talentwise, Wright said, I just can't “Tryouts are wait to see pretty good. ~ Kendall Fortune, how our already I am glad to be senior incredible talent back with all my grows.” friends again, and She added, “I hope we are having a lot of to have fun and become fun.”

Senior Kendall Fortune said, stronger before college lacrosse “Tryouts are going well. The first starts.” She is planning on conday is always nerve-racking, but tinuing her lacrosse career next everyone has done well even year at Stevenson University.

Wright said she is excited for with that factor. I am feeling excited for the season but always the upcoming year, even though a little nervous for tryouts. I am it's going to be her last season excited for our season to start, playing for the Hawks. Wright is also planning on continuing her though.”

Wright added, “I am hoping career at Hood College next year.

Fortune wants to refine her that we can go pretty far this season, as in going to regionals skills this season and become or advancing farther into the re- more creative with plays and improve on her zone defense. gional tournament.”

“Overall, I am hoping to have Fortune also said, “I am super excited for this season, not only a successful and enjoyable seabecause it is my senior year, but son with my team, especially bebecause of the well-skilled team. cause it will be the last time I'll We have a lot of potential on our play with girls I have known for team and I think we will play years,”

Webb fights ‘til the finish

SARAH WELZANT Reporter

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact sport that combines elements of strength and cardio together. The sport uses techniques in striking, like kicks or punches, or grappling which includes different types of holds or throws.

MMA combines a variety of different scenes of martial arts and combat styles.

This includes boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, kickboxing, Taekwondo, wrestling, Karate, or Kung-Fu. A match usually consists of two fighters. A match will end with a submission, knockout, disqualification, or a stop on the fight.

Junior Preston Webb finds himself training about four days a week at Method MMA. He states, “I just work on the bag and do a lot of ground fighting like sit-ups and doing push-ups to help with speed.” MMA incorporates all different types of combat techniques. Webb will sometimes train with “[his] friend Noah who also goes here,” and train at the same place.

Training for MMA can be quite

difficult since it requires focus on many different aspects. MMA training can teach your body to perform at a high level. According to evolve-mma.com, this training has many other benefits as well like coordination, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.

MMA is a closer representation of a real fight compared to any other martial art according to evolve-mma.com.

Matches will typically have a set of rules held in place to be able to keep the fighters in a safe and fair fight.

Some techniques can be deemed ‘too dangerous’ for the sport.

Webb has been a part of MMA for almost his entire life.

Webb states “I’ve been doing this since around third grade.

I stopped for a little while, but got back into it.” Having something fun to do is what motivated Webb to take part in MMA. MMA is a very popular sport to be broadcasted as there are many different organizations based around the sport. Popular organizations include UFC which broadcasts on ESPN and Bellator MMA, which broadcasts usually on Showtime.

Famous mixed martial artist Connor McGregor in action. This match occurred on July 11, 2021.

SOURCE: People Magazine

With sixteen games to look ahead towards, the Hawks boy’s lacrosse team is ready for the season. The first five games of the 2022-2023 season will be at the Nest, followed by four away games in a row.

Senior captain Kian Pucher (offensive/defensive middle) has high hopes for the season. He is “excited to play Bel Air this year” because it is “always a fun game to play in.” Pucher is also wanting to play Fallston because of the rivalry between the Hawks and the Cougars. The Hawks will play Bel Air at home Apr. 14 at 6:45 and Fallston on Mar. 24 at 6:45. Both games will be held at the Nest.

“After going to a state championship for soccer,” Pucher “wouldn't mind going back there for lacrosse.”

Senior Jackson Deibler (defense) has been playing lacrosse since elementary school and has played for the school since freshman year. Deibler is most ready for the game against C. Milton Wright. He hopes the team can “go undefeated this season.” On Apr. 26 at 6:45 the team will play at C. Milton Wright.

The season will consist of games in Harford County, but also with teams from Carroll county, Baltimore county, Cecil county and Anne Arundel county.

After losing key players from last season, senior Kyle Hoy (defensive- midfielder) is hoping to “get good chemistry this year.”

Hoy hopes the team can come together and “improve on” working as a team “and be formidable.”

Hoy is most excited to play Patterson Mill because last season according to Hoy the team “didn't play the greatest against them” losing by two. The Hawks will be at Patterson Mill on Mar. 29 playing at 5:00. Preseason conditions made it easier for underclassmen and juniors joining the team to bond according to Hoy as well.

Junior Blake Howell (goalie) is hoping the team can “win regionals, and maybe go further depending on how the season goes.”

Howell shares the same excitement as Pucher did when it comes to playing Fallston. Pre-season conditioning has helped Howell “a lot, considering how much” they run.

Since third grade, junior Preston Webb (midfielder) has played lacrosse. Webb hopes for the team to “advance through the first round of regionals.” He is most excited to play “Fallston, C. Milton Wright and Bel Air,” because they are rivals of the Hawks.

Pucher, Hoy, Deibler and Webb all shared the same memory from last year. Their favorite memory from the past seasons has been when the Hawks were “down to South Carroll the whole game and ended up coming back and winning with 18 seconds left in the pouring down rain,” according to Pucher. Webb remembers the game ending in “overtime with an 80 yard pass down the field.”