“The World We Can Change”; Freshman writer wins award

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.”

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.

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.” 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-

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 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.

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

“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.”