Cry of the Hawk

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

410-638-3650

VOLUME 44 ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER 9, 2022

Russia-Ukraine war persists;

Ukrainians make progress despite Russian attacks BELLA ARIST Reporter In February of this year, Russia invaded Ukraine and there has been chaos since. Ukraine is a free, independent, united country. Their neighbor, Russia, wanted to come in and demilitarize the country.

According to NBC news, Putin, the leader of Russia, shared that the Ukrainian government ‘supported’ Nazism, which is his justification for starting this quarrel.

Putin calls what he is orchestrating a “special military operation,” not a war. Ever since the beginning of this ‘special military operation,’ the Russians have been trying to take over Kyiv, which is the capital of Ukraine.

To date, they failed to do so.

After failing, the army moved up to the eastern part of Ukraine and have been fighting there for many months. They have decimated the cities in the east, have targeted civilian populations, and have been killing people of all ages, including children.

As the Russians are bombing schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings, Ukrainians still stand strong and fight. The Ukrainian army has successfully prevented the Russians from taking over the capital and pushed them out of other parts of Ukraine.

According to CNN, they are actively fighting in the east as of right now. Lately, Russia said

the Ukrainian people's resolve is not to let the Russians come in and just let it happen.”

Maryland resident Mr. Bohdan Bulawka also is Ukrainian. Both his mother and father were born in Ukraine in a province called Volyn. Bulawka says, “they lived in Volyn until World War II, until the Germans came in and basically kicked them out. After the war, they came to America around the 1950’s.”

Bulawka was born after the war, in a southern part of Germany called Aschaffenburg. He mentions he’s been to Ukraine, “about 10 times [his] whole life.” He thinks, “what's goMissile strikes Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on October 10; crew ing on right now is searching for missing people and putting out fires. The buildings a terrible tragedy were demolished, which caused a lot of loss. for the people, but PHOTO CREDIT: Brendan Hoffman for the New York Times the army, with the help of the United States and Europe, has turned the momentum of the French teacher Larissa Arist fantasies of taking over Ukraine. war around.

They seem to be on has Ukrainian heritage and has He's undemocratic, he has nuthe offensive now.” been following the war since it clear weapons at his disposal Along with Arist, Bulawka happened. If she were in Ukraine and threatens to use them when would choose to “stay and fight, right now, Arist said, “I probably things don’t go his way. It is hard risking [his] life.” He added, “I wouldn’t be actively fighting, but to predict what he’s going to do think it is going to be a longer I definitely would help in what- next, especially because he seems war.

I think the Russian army ever way I could.” According to to be losing right now. However, they are annexing large pieces of Ukraine, around 20%, which is illegal. They have strong soldiers and a lot that have been forced to fight, but the Ukrainian army has done very well by pushing them out. They are starting to retake their territory back.

CNN, all men are required to stay and fight if they are over the age of 18, and many women have also chosen to stay and fight for their country.

Arist talks more about her predictions of the war. She says, “Putin is unpredictable. He has these

will collapse because they have people that don't want to be fighting, have terrible equipment, and are beaten badly. The army will collapse just like the Russian army collapsed in World War I.” Bulawka explained, Russians like to pretend that they are the source of civilization, when in reality they are not. Christianity came to that part of the world because of Kyiv, located in Ukraine.

Moscow, Russia, was founded much later than Kyiv, meaning that Russia is not the source of civilization.

Junior Kalyna Lloyd has family and friends who live in Ukraine.

She says, “I feel very heartbroken about what's going on right now and I know people who live there, so it tears me apart to think about it.”

If she were in Ukraine right now, Lloyd would “stay and fight by making homemade grenades to throw in the Russian headquarters.” Based on how the war is going right now, Lloyd predicts “Ukraine will come out on top and defeat Russia and their sick ideas.”

In the latest development, according to the BBC, 143 countries in the United Nations General Assembly voted to condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukrainian territory. This is an overwhelming global statement that condemns the Russian government for their actions.

Food for America continues for over 30 years KIMBERLY EDGAR Entertainment Editor “So many people do not understand where their food comes from, so this is showing the students firsthand,” says animal science teacher Mrs. Aimee Densmore. “Food for America is an event where second grade students from across Harford County are invited to come to our school farm to learn about all aspects of agriculture.” Students will take a tour around the school with the objective to learn where their food comes from.

Densmore explains that this fall, there will be several schools attending the event, “Norrisville Elementary, Homestead Wakefield, Riverside, North Bend, Emmorton, and Fountain

Green. This Spring we will have Ring Factory, Church Creek, Bel Air, Forest Hill, North Harford, Bakerfield, William S. James, Churchville, and Jarrettsville.”

The event took place on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 and each tour lasted approximately 90 minutes, says Densmore. “The students visit approximately 20 stations around the school farm and aquaculture lab.” Food for America has been around for 30 years, and according to Densmore, “many of the students (and adults that chaperone) have never gotten to see a farm animal up close, things we take for granted.”

Junior Cole Hellwig presented information at a station during the event. “I like giving information to the youth, not everyone

knows where their food comes from and it is important to understand [that] aspect of agriculture,” he says. He explains that many children come into Food for America thinking that their food is simply coming from supermarkets and that learning the specific ways food makes it to their tables changes that belief.

“The students go station by station learning about different subjects such as the animals in the barns, but it isn’t just information, we play games with them too.” Hellwig ran a game of Simon Says during the event. “We prepare by understanding what we are presenting,” says Hellwig, “I did this last year and it went really well. Reading isn’t going as well as we thought it would,

kids seem to understand better with hands-on activities instead of listening to [the] information being given.” He also mentions that Densmore is the leader of this event and that, “she does it all,” adds Hellwig.

“What I talk[ed] about here is the tilapia in the tanks [in the aquaculture lab] and how different fisheries grow tilapia to be used for food,” says sophomore Jacob Jestel, who presented during the event. In addition to Jestel and Hellwig, junior Katrina Winkler took part in the event.

“We have the leaf rubbing station, we have collected leaves and we show the kids how to trace it,” says Winkler. “We flip the leaf upside down, put it under the paper, and have them run a

crayon over it.” She explains that her station is mainly for fun and that the entire event is focused on environmental elements and that this nature fun is beneficial for the kids.

A teacher from Homestead Wakefield, Mrs. Nicole Fannin, chaperoned a group of second graders during the event. “The first station the students went to was the seed planting station, and they’re currently doing the leaf prints. They seem super excited for the tour,” says Fannin.

She adds that the kids were really looking forward to learning specifically about the farm animals and that they had a lot of fun.

“They were asking a lot about the cows and the horses before we came here today,” adds Fannin.

Cry of the Hawk

Page 2/ OP/ED

Reminder for coaches;

November 9, 2022

Gun laws: Taking aim at real issues, Wordwide affects seen

Athletes need criticism, not to be disregarded

EDITORIAL

NOEL BAILEY Op/Ed Editor

On October 6, over 30 lives were lost in a deadly shooting at a child daycare center in rural Thailand. This isn't the first time, and it won't be the last. There is one question that is continued to be asked: Why is this still happening?

Should the child center have been better secured?

Should the shooter’s background have been better checked before selling him a gun?

The shooter, a former police officer, killed 24 children and 11 adults. He shot his way into the childcare center where the children were taking their naps, killing 22 children and two staff members.

He continued to shoot people from his car, killing two children and nine adults outside of the child center. When he arrived home, he killed his wife and child before ending his own life.

Witnesses say the staff at the daycare locked the door, but the gun man shot his way in. A single locked door is not enough to protect a child from tragedy.

According to the Associated Press, Thailand has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership in Asia, with 15.1 percent per population, 0.3 percent in Singapore, and .25 percent in Japan.

These, however, are all lower compared to the United States’ rate of 120.5 per 100 people.

Schools and other learning spaces must be a safe space for children to learn, play, grow, and a place to laugh, make friends, make memories, and feel safe. It should not be a place that they are afraid to be in, or that reminds them of the friends they lost or the things they saw.

At an early age, children

There are amazing coaches who get it.

They regularly communicate with all of their athletes, not just those who are starters. They work hard to create a positive learning environment for all athletes and they see the danger in playing favorites.

Every coach, whether they're a high school coach, club coach, travel coach, or even a rec coach, should always have the best interest of the team at heart, not the best interest of a select few athletes.

When this doesn’t happen, resentment happens.

Frustration builds. And the love for the sport goes away.

Good relationships between coaches and athletes on a team isn’t an in-

surance policy for success, but it certainly adds to the likelihood that a team will do well.

Clearly constructive criticism is needed because coaches can't ignore or lie to their players and say, “you're doing really good” during practice and then not give them a chance in games. But, coaches who only communicate with the starters or favorites are missing valuable opportunities to grow a stronger team as a whole. What happens is that you’re setting individual players up for failure before they ever have a chance to prove themselves.

And before you wonder if this is just about minutes on the field, it’s not.

This is about the minutes athletes spend worrying and wondering what they can do better so they can improve and those same athletes never finding out.

It's like having actors and understudies. The understudies know all the lines and know exactly what to do and when to get on stage because they were coached well and provided feedback about what was expected of them. Obviously if you don’t teach them how to do the role and the night of the show the main actor

gets sick, of course your understudy isn't going to do well; you didn't teach them anything. That's what some coaches do with their players, so it’s no wonder an athlete without guidance is overwhelmed on the field.

Obviously coaches need to be confident in who they are putting out. Even if it's someone who's not a starter, the coach should have enough confidence in ALL their players. They should be coaching them all to work towards the same level of skills just as the starters.

Sometimes it feels that some coaches forget that players are people and not machines without feelings. Sometimes they forget that we play this sport because we love it and we want to get better and feel like we are contributing.

Coaches, the end of fall sports is near (if they didn't already end), and the beginning of winter sports is coming. Athletes are coming onto your teams because they want to play the sport they love.

This is the perfect opportunity to provide them the feedback they need to succeed.

Worldwide firearm ownership

https://www.vox.com/

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

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

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, Bryn Cespedes, Deane Conway, Emma Cornman, Alexis Gott, Riley Herold, Gabby Moxham, Jack O’Connor, Brookelyn Priebe, Lilly Schisler, Brianna Seiser, Sarah Welzant Announcements Tech: Meghan Kalck

should not be exposed to violence and death.

Someone should only own a gun if their job requires it, and if their job or personal life puts them in immediate danger. When people are stressed, upset, or angry and have access to weapons, violence is an easy outlet.

People often act out and do something they later regret.

One study shows that many individuals in the United States have anger traits and possess a gun or carry a gun outside of the house.

The National Library of Medicine reports that, “pathological impulsive anger, as a personality trait, conveys some inherent risk of aggressive or violent behavior, which can become lethal when combined with access to firearms. There is also evidence that anger can mediate the relationship between symptoms of mental illness and violent behavior.”

The Sandy Hook Promise, established to commemorate the lives lost during the Sandy Hook shooting, asks people to wear orange on National Gun Awareness Day. However, wearing orange one day out of the year doesn’t prevent shootings.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 19,411 gun related deaths in 2020, and 30, 492 injuries.

There is nothing being done to stop shootings from happening.

Even with metal detectors and security guards, guns still find a way through.

Shootings are discussed very frequently, but people always shrug their shoulders, promise to give their thoughts and prayers, and move on with their lives.

Something needs to change.

The question is, are we willing to live in a world where guns have more control over our future than us?

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.

Page 3/ OP/ED

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Are aesthetics on social media being taken to far?

VIEWPOINT

Gilmore Girls on repeat, pumpkin spice candles are lit in every room known to mankind in our homes, and “autumn leaves are falling down like pieces into place,” as Taylor Swift would say.

Autumn is known for being the perfect season for this scenery and its cozy atmosphere.

It has also been deemed as the perfect time to romanticize our lives, according to the social media app, TikTok. Romanization has been done on social media for ages.

Posting the parts of your life you want others to per-

ceive you as is natural, and romanticizing, according to The Britannica Dictionary, is “to think about or describe something as being better or more attractive or interesting than it really is.”

Examples of romanticizing are as simple as reading outside, studying, or even taking a walk.

However, when romanticization is taken way too far, examples can include crushing on a literal serial killer, promoting mental health disorders, and even encouraging unhealthy eating habits.

Obviously, these examples took a drastic turn.

But, how?

The answer to that ques-

tion is chronically online teenagers who don’t understand that their actions have consequences not only for themselves, but also for everyone else.

Drinking a coffee, reading the latest trending book, and posting small clips of doing so allows these actions not to go unnoticed. It permits these actions to not be taken for granted.

Doing these acts does not affect anyone. If anything, it uplifts mental health, granting time to unwind, relax, and even reflect.

But what does influence everyone, is the glamorization disguised as romanticizing on social media.

Teenagers on TikTok

and other social media platforms alike constantly romanticize having mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

People do this because they assume it makes them cool and different, but it doesn’t. It just makes them look like what they are: Ignorant.

On TikTok specifically, there have been multiple cases of romanticizing things that should not be romanticized by any means.

Recently, a small group of individuals who express their femininity through the “coquette aesthetic” (an aesthetic that has been circulating TikTok that

consists of “embodying all things that are idyllic, feminine and dainty,” according to fashion journalist Elaine O’Brien) have been promoting eating disorders, such as bulimia. One user on TikTok commented on a video, saying “They told me to throw up and take laxatives after every meal.”

This is a problem. The idea of fitting the stereotype of this aesthetic is so important to these girls that they literally tell others that they need to do these extremely harmful things to succeed in fitting the stereotype.

Doing this affects people so much, whether it’s recognized or not.

Working hard or hardly working; Affirmative action demotes qualified candidates MATTHEW LEDFORD Video Editor

Across America, talented and intelligent high school students wish to pursue higher education. However, these adolescents can face discrimination in the workforce, and in higher education systems, due to affirmative action, which can alter their probability of acceptance into universities and jobs in the future.

This outdated practice should not determine or control the futures of those individuals.

Affirmative action is defined as, “The practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups regarded as disadvantaged or subject to discrimination.”Affirmative action was initiated by the administration of President Lyndon Johnson to improve opportunities for people in minority groups.

For example, in April

of 2021, United Airlines tweeted, “Our flight deck should reflect the diverse group of people onboard our planes every day. That’s why we plan for 50% of the 5,000 pilots we train in the next decade to be women or people of color.”

An article was then written by journalist Terresa Monroe-Hamilton of BPR News about that tweet saying, “The announcement was met with heavy criticism by those that felt hiring new pilots on the basis of gender and race instead of talent and qualifications was not only a discriminatory policy, but a dangerous one as well.”

Personally, I don’t care about what gender, race, or who you identify as a person. If you can take off and land planes safely, that is all that matters.

When it comes to a job that requires skill and knowledge that ensure the safety and health of others, like a pilot or a doctor, I want to know that I am in the hands of someone who was trained properly and hired because they had the skills to earn the job, not that their skin color or gender earned them the job.

Think about it this way: if you needed medical treatments, who would you go to? A doctor who is notori-

ous for their skill, precision, and knowledge, regardless of their ethnicity or gender?

Or would you rather find a doctor who was hired to meet a quota? I’d pick whoever would be best for the job.

Let’s go back to talking planes. Former US Airways pilot Chesley Sullenberger had taken off on what he thought was another ordinary flight, carrying 153 passengers. Midflight, Captain Sullenberger faced a bird strike, which caused him to lose both engines. In his flight path, the captain couldn’t make it back to the airport without crashing into the Manhattan skyline, so he made the brave decision to land in the Hudson River.

Now, this had never been done before. However, to save himself and all of the passengers on board, he made this tough decision.

You know what? He landed it. Not a single person died. He had faith, he considered every other option, and he trusted himself and his co-pilot enough to pull off the unthinkable.

Now, if you were on that plane, would you rather be flying with Captain Sullenberger, a US Air Force Academy graduate with grades placing him into the 99 percentile, and a decorated fighter pilot in the Air

Force, or would you rather someone that just “meets the quota?”

All I want to say is with affirmative action, there are a lot of factors being taken out of consideration. It can hurt people more than it helps and can even mean more discrimination.

People are trying to fight for equality; when the outcome is that it puts some groups at an advantage, leaving others behind, it just reverses the whole point of the act.

Opponents of affirmative action have argued that it is a form of discrimination and that it tends to benefit the most privileged within minority groups at the expense of the least fortunate within those groups.

Some have said that affirmative action is a program of opportunity and not a program of discrimination.

Although it might be a program of opportunity, it only gives opportunity to a select few. If it would give everyone the same chances, affirmative action would be a good program, but it’s not.

It selects certain people to receive the upper hand.

Affirmative action is basically a justified policy that makes it sound reasonable to participate in racism. It violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Equal opportunities denote that no one is

to receive special consideration based on ethnic background, but by affirmative action, people of color get a head start in the selection process. Ultimately this act insinuates that people of color are inferior, and therefore cannot compete with someone that already holds that position.

No matter the color of someone’s skin, or gender, civil rights were fought for, for a reason. It states that everyone is created equal.

Affirmative action doesn’t reflect those who fought for equality.

You are taught to be the best you can be. That doesn’t mean that your hard work, dedication, skill, knowledge, or talent should be put on the back burner because you don’t meet the physical standards someone may want.

When you are applying for a school, scholarship, job, or whatever the case may be, your goal is to present yourself in the best way possible and show all that you can offer someone. Do you want someone to disregard all that due to a quota? I sure don’t.

Affirmative action should not be the reason someone doesn’t get something they deserve. Everyone deserves the same chance for success.

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Page 4- Op/Ed

Teachers don’t always know best; Student’s habits help more than harm

BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone thinks that they know someone better than that person knows themselves (and when people don’t have common decency, but that’s beside the point). How can someone even think that?

It’s crazy actually because teachers here think that way.

Students have certain things like listening to music, fidgeting with something, drawing, and more to help them focus during a lesson or while they work. Mine is listening to music. It helps me focus and blocks out every other little noise that distracts me.

It could be dead silent in the class and I still couldn’t focus unless I had music because that's just the way I work.

But, for some odd reason, some teachers decide that they know me better than I know myself–which is absolutely crazy–and tell me that “you can’t listen to music because it will distract you,” or “it’s impossible to read and listen to music,” or something dumb like that. In reality, it has never once distracted me. When I tell

a teacher that something helps me focus, I feel like they should want me to do that since I'm here to learn, and listening to music helps me do that.

I understand doing something like that doesn’t always help students and does distract some students, but that’s not how it is for everyone. If you listen to music or do something during a lesson that truly does help you focus, you should be able to do it. It is helping you, and what’s wrong with that?

Teachers need to stop acting like they know what is best for us because they really don’t.

They barely even know us; they see us every day but just about only know our names and maybe a few things about us that we decide to share, and that’s if we do decide to share

Prioritize living in the moment, but don’t sacrifice concert etiquette in the process

MACKENZIE SCOTT Op/Ed Editor Concerts are something we all know and love, right? Well, some people are just taking it to an extreme and causing it to be unbearable for others.

I love concerts. They bring fans together and I love being surrounded by people who are like me and enjoy the same things as me. I’ll be the first to admit that I would like to do anything to get that perfect photo or get as close to the stage as possible.

However, it’s not about the photos or where you are in the venue. It's about enjoying your time there. Other people have made that difficult with their lack of self-awareness or being unprepared for what to expect at a

metal or rock show.

I’ve experienced people who will hold their phones up above their heads for an extended period of time. Like, dude, you’re blocking the view of everyone behind you. The general rule I’ve always followed was hold your phone at your eye level so it's not blocking others' view. If you’re going to hold it up above your head, then don’t hold it there for the entire set. Just keep it there for a minute or two. This problem especially applies to people who try to hold their phones up and live stream shows. Why should people viewing from their couch have a better view than the people actually there?

Also, this one’s common sense, but if you have floor seats in a large venue, don’t stand on the seat. I was at a concert recently and the lady in the row beside me decided to stand on the chair for her videos and was ignoring people when they were yelling at her to get down. If you want a better view, buy more expensive tickets to get closer to the stage or just be appreciative of the live music.

Be grateful that you are actually able to see your favorite band live

instead of trying to capture memories.

A problem that has been arising recently that I’ve been seeing with newer or younger fans is the complaining of moshing or intense crowds. When you go to a punk, rock, or metal show and have been in that music scene, you should expect some intense crowds. You should expect moshing, crowd surfing, headbanging and people jumping around. If you don’t think you can handle the intense crowds, maybe opt for seats or stand in the back of the venue. People shouldn’t have to stop having fun just because newer people to the scene aren’t prepared.

Overall, be respectful. If you don’t arrive at the venue until the doors open, then don’t go shoving your way to the front to get to the barricade when people have been waiting all day to get to that spot. Don’t stand in the center of the venue if you don’t want to be involved with moshing. If someone falls down, you pick them up.

Help each other, stay hydrated and don’t try to make the experience miserable for others by prioritizing yourself.

something about ourselves.

But besides that, they know very little about us, so how can they say that doing something specific won't help us focus?

According to edugage.com, “Music helps you concentrate by blocking out distracting noise. It acts as a stimulus that engages the brain, which modifies your mood and provides

a rhythm that keeps you alert.

This serves to make the task at hand more engaging, less dull, and easier to concentrate on.”

It's proven that music can help you focus, so I hope some teachers change their minds about what they allow their students to do, especially if the thing the students want to do helps them.

Stop romanticizing psychotic killers; Movies, TV shows are not real life

MEGHAN KALCK SSC Editor/Studio Manager Ted Bundy killed and confessed to murdering over 30 people. Jeffery Dahmer cut people up, ate them and also fed them to other people. Yet I hear in public all the time “Oh my god, Jeffery Dahmer is so attractive,” or “Ted Bundy is so funny,” like it is a good thing.

These are just two of many serial killers that have been romanticized because of shows and movies that have been released about them, literally explaining, in detail, the horrible things they have done.

In a recent series that came out on Netflix, Jeffery Dahmer is played by Evan Peters, who is notorious for his role in American Horror Story, where in many of the different seasons he also played a killer. Yes, he is attractive as an actor, but in the shows I just don't understand how people can think he's attractive when he is actively cooking someone's heart like it's a piece of steak.

Peter's roles in both of these shows actually messed with him as well because he wanted it to be so real and in the process of doing this he actually messed with his own mental health and I don't think any role, no matter

what show or movie, should mess with someone's head like that.

In the movie and in the actual trials of Ted Bundy, he was seen by many girls as “attractive” and some even called him a “dreamboat” because he looked so handsome in his trial. They acted like they were on a spring vacation fantasizing over this killer.

Think about it, put yourselves in the shoes of the families of their victims, going to the courtroom to watch the guy who killed your son or daughter get his punishment and go to prison and get sentenced to death to pay for what he did, and the courtroom is filled with girls laughing with him, calling him cute and acting like they could fall in love with him.

Same thing goes for today.

Some of the families of the victims did not want the new show Dahmer to come out because they didn't want to relive one of the worst moments in their lives; they questioned why there is a need to humanize and dramatize such a person and how its is all just a media grab to make money. Some of these families didn’t even know this series was going to exist.

People think that they are very quirky and messed up because they are, and I quote, “in love with a serial killer,” and they act like they are proud of it because their friends will support them and say things like “I don't blame you” and laugh.

I hate to say it, but you’re not misunderstood and in love with a killer, you are in love with the actor that is supposed to portray them and if you do think you are in love with a serial killer I am worried for your well being.

Stop causing hallway traffic; Keep moving forward

LILY CORCORAN Copy Editor Are there aliens bursting through the windows to the glass hallway? Did a dinosaur suddenly pop its head out of the French

room? I mean, there must be something amazing happening in the hallways if you’re seeing something that will stop you right in your tracks.

If you haven’t gotten the memo, here’s what I mean: I and many, many others get immensely frustrated with the people who feel the need to become one of the statues from Easter Island (those are called Moai) in the middle of a busy hallway.

We get it; you saw your friend and want to say hi to them. You saw your significant other and want to give them a quick hug or kiss (or...whatever y’all do).

Cool, that’s fine. But is a kiss that

you can give later or a hi that you can text worth taking up others’ time? This is a huge school! People need to get from class to class with enough time to stop at their lockers or the bathroom, and you’re not helping.

Not only is this a problem in school, but think about what happens in public. The people who stop in the hallway to talk or stare at their phones are going to grow up to be the adults who see their co-workers in Target and proceed to have an hour-long conversation in the middle of the office supplies aisle, leaving their poor children to fall asleep from boredom (sorry, Mom).

Now, if you need to stop and ask a question about last night’s homework, that’s okay. If you see a teacher in their room and want to drop in to have a conversation, good on you for being social and kind. However, kindness only goes so far when you’re stuck in the middle of a hallway behind a bunch of students giggling at some TikTok that probably isn’t even that funny.

It’s not just the hallways, by the way. I’m sure we all know the frustration of getting stuck in the grand staircase while a bunch of clowns stand by the railing, chucking food and stationery down to the first floor.

I’ve watched students get yelled at in class and given detention slips for being seconds late to class. In most cases, it was because of hallway traffic and the large groups of people that like to congregate by a single locker while everyone else is expected to maneuver around them with ease. Really, you guys? It’s not even being social at this point.

It’s ignorance and a lack of manners.

So, next time you decide to plant your feet in the ground next to some random teacher’s room, don’t expect everyone to yield to you. Move out of the way, or get run over.

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Page 5 - News

Students make differences around school STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

a drug bust.

Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized on October 23-31.

Many students at NHHS are However, STARS will be celemembers of STARS, or Students brating it October 24-28. Last Taking A Responsible Stance. school year during the 2021 Red STARS is an organization deRibbon Week, students enrolled signed to prevent drug, tobacin STARS handed out red ribbons co, and alcohol use among high to students during lunch. schoolers.

The ribbons Junior Stella were meant Manns is the for students to president of write what their the club, while ‘anti-drug’ is. sophomore NaThey also got a talie Barndt is piece of candy the vice presafter writing on ident. STARS a ribbon. is advised by Expect to see Spanish teacher STARS again Mrs. Lori Rake. this Red Ribbon For the past two Week in the cafyears, STARS eteria, accordhas been trying to get up and STARS club members discuss meeting plans for the ing to Barndt.

Many new running, accord- month of November. They will be hosting a Red Ribmembers have ing to Barndt. bon Week Activity the third week of October. joined the club.

STARS has They plan to open member- PHOTO CREDIT: Stella Manns take an active ship, which role in the club’s means they acFor the 2022-2023 school year, purpose as well. Freshman Olivia cept new members throughout the school year. According to Barndt is excited to start getting Bloom signed up for STARS club, Barndt, “You can join the STARS the student body involved in ac- “because it seemed like a good Remind by texting @starsclub to tivities. Recently, STARS has way for her to get involved in the 81010.” Once a student joins the considered collaborating with school.” Bloom did not feel like an Remind, “they will receive meet- other clubs to host events. The outsider when she joined a club ing reminders and invitations,” most recent event STARS is plan- that had upperclassmen in it. ning to host is Red Ribbon Week.

Senior Julia Blondell decided says Barndt.

Even though Barndt is only The commemorative week began to join the club for her final high a sophomore, she chose to run in honor of an undercover police school year to “represent the stufor vice president because she officer who was shot and killed in dent body.” “thought it would be a good way to help the community and [her] school.”

The club officers and advisor are still working to select a secretary for the 2022-2023 school year. Candidates submitted a paragraph and will be selected anonymously.

Ag program receives livestock trailer; New opportunities provided ALEXA FALLS News Editor Earlier this month, a new livestock trailer was given to the animal science students here at NHHS as a donation from the Harford County government. It will be used to display and care for farm animals.

Junior Madalyn Caiazzo, an agriculture student, says, “the trailer will be used to transport all our livestock to places like [the] Harford County Farm Fair, and other shows. She adds, “The program has been needing a trailer for a while, so it’s a great addition.” Before receiving the trailer, the agriculture program had to borrow trailers from local farms in the area.

Magnet program director Gregory Murrell says, “North Harford would like to acknowledge the many local farmers and staff who have provided their trailers and/or trucks over the past ten years to transport the animals.” The trailer will be showcased as part of the Food for America (FFA) program which “welcomes approximately 2,000 HCPS second graders to North Harford each year and to potentially travel to schools and share our animals at other campuses,” Murrell says.

He also appreciates the “Harford County Government, Harford County Public Schools, the North Harford staff, the Agricultural Advisory Committee, and FFA Alumni group who have been working for several years to make this dream come true.” Murrell is also grateful for the detailing of the trailer which was also donated generously by the Harford County Government, the HCPS Central Office, and the Office of Career Technology Education (CTE).

Murrell says, “The Agricultural Programs and FFA at North Harford High School [are] excited to receive their new livestock trailer.” County Executive Barry Glassman states, “We were proud to fund this addition to one of the best magnet programs in the state.” He adds, “Having a trailer on campus every day will help Harford County students develop skills and better prepare them for agricultural science careers in a vital industry.”

As the trailer will be used to transport animals to shows as Caiazzo explains, Murrell adds, “students will also learn proper maintenance of farm equipment, hauling rules and regulations, and proper trailering of animals to ensure health and safety of the livestock.” The trailer will be used in courses such as “Foundations of NRAS, Agricultural Science 1, Animals Science 1, Animal Management, Equine Science and Research in NRAS,” Murrell states.

New guidance counselor joins the Nest;

Behler added to NHHS staff RILEY HAROLD Reporter

NHHS recently gained a new counselor, Mrs. Jen Behler. She is the new counselor for anyone with the last name DO to KN or anyone who just wants to talk to her.

She is so excited to be at the school. Behler says she is ready to meet new people, get to know students, and just find her groove and place around the school. So, when you have time, just come by and say hello.

Behler has been a school counselor for six years. She was inspired to be a counselor because she always wanted to help people.

She said, “I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I wasn’t very sure where I wanted to go from there. So, I explored a couple different options and landed on counseling, and I’m glad I did.”

Before she was a school counselor, she did therapy in schools for four years, which is similar to being a counselor. However, the two jobs are also very different.

Behler said, “It’s different because I was jumping from school to school, so I had a few students at each school. I was running around to different places every day.

She adds, “you get to know people a little bit more because you spend a lot of time with them, which you can do because you have a bunch of fewer students you’re working with, but you get to know them a little bit more in depth like what they’re working on, what’s troubling them and you get to help them on that.”

If a student is wondering what makes Behler a good counselor, she said, “I think I listen pretty well. A lot of times I found out that sometimes people just need to vent, and they don’t always need a solution to things.”

She adds, “I think just being able to meet the student where they are to help them with what they need to is important even if they just want someone to listen.”

Behler is here for everyone even if you just need her to listen.

She has had plenty of hard cases throughout the years of her being a counselor. She said, “I think there is always room for us to learn and grow from them because everybody's experiences are different.

She adds, “I learn from just meeting new people, listening to their stories and trying to figure out where each person is in life.

No one has the same exact story, so that’s kind of been a learning experience for me. It’s kind of

like every new person is a new learning experience you come across.”

For people who might want to pursue a career as a counselor or someone in that field, Behler has advice for them.

She says, “I would say it can be a really tough job because you are taking on a lot of people’s emotions, so you need to be kind of good at separating yourself and your emotions from other peoples.”

If you want to find out more information about being a counselor, go visit her in the counseling office.

Behler has a dog, an Australian shepherd lab mix, as well as a calico cat. Sadly, the dog and the cat aren’t friends, according to Behler.

The dog likes the cat, but the cat doesn’t like the dog.

She also has a two-yearold son, so they spend a lot of time outside, like playing on playground and more.

Overall, Behler said, “I am here to help, so don’t be afraid to come see me even though I’m new to the school. I would like to get to know everybody and want to help as best as I can.”

Mrs. Jen Behler is the newest school counselor at North Harford. Prior to working at the school, she worked as a school therapist.

PHOTO CREDIT: Riley Herold

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Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Student picked for leadership role; Envirothon teams get ready for 2022-2023 Taking on new responsibilities with position

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

NOEL BAILEY Op/Ed Editor

Envirothon is a competition that tests the knowledge of environmental science of high school students. It is held county wide, state wide, and internationally.

Last year, Envirothon’s A and B team won first place in Harford County. The A team later went on to place third overall at the Maryland competition over the summer.

Regarding this year’s envirothon plans, senior Julia Eakes said, “We plan to win the county and state competition. We like to keep a very optimistic outlook.”

Sophomore Madison Spangler said, “I joined Envirothon last year to learn more about the environment. I really enjoyed the club, so I joined again. This year through Envirothon I plan to enhance my knowledge of the world around me, and of course

Gray said. She “felt [she] could excel in this role more due to the support of other students,” and On Friday, October 21, the Su- that the council met in virtual perintendent’s Student Advisory meetings, which was easier for Council accepted a new member. her schedule.

Junior Kris Gray from North For Gray to be a part of the Harford High School was the council, she had to fill out a form that was sent out to them, “I had to answer questions about my intentions on the council and what I will contribute,” she said.

Gray also got recommendations from journalism t e a c h er Mrs. Jennifer Chandler and govPhoto credit: Kris Gray e r n m e n t teacher Mrs. Mestudent who was elected to be lissa Winters. the newest edition to council.

In Gray’s senior year, she has The job she earned consists the goal of becoming a student of helping to “make recommen- member of the board of educadations for students throughout tion. It will allow her to get more [HCPS],” Gray said. The council of a “prestigious role.” ] reflects on things that need to Gray is hoping to move up be improved and situations that in her roles, but her goals might are problems in Harford County change. If her goal doesn’t hapschools. They make campaigns, pen “[She] will always be grateprojects, and other things that ful for this opportunity and the get their message across that they chance to contribute to my comare trying to fix. munity,” Gray said.

The student member of the Gray’s goal for the future is to board of education, senior Noa become an attorney and possibly Blanken, gave Gray the idea to get into politics. She feels “this run for the position. position will give [her] experiGray was interviewing Blan- ence on problem-solving and inken for an article for The Cry of fluence which could help [her]in the Hawk when, “she was talking the future.” to [her] about her experience Gray is ready to fight for on the Board and interactions what she believes in. “Anyone with some important people in who knows me knows that I was the county and [she] felt really raised a leader and I am extremedrawn to it,” Gray said. ly confident when it comes to Gray received an email about doing what’s right and defending joining the student advisory my beliefs,” states Gray. council which she reached back Gray originally wanted to be to that person to try and join. She a student member of the board of met with the group of students education, but she “didn’t know and they had the “council of if [she] could handle all the reHCPS students make recommen- sponsibilities that came with it dations and give their remarks on because of [her] involvement in things happening in our schools,” other clubs,” Gray said.

beat Harford Christian.”

Eakes added, “I think the biggest challenge we face is the Harford Christian Team. They have been our biggest competitors for a while.”

Spangler said, “Beating Harford Christian might be a challenge, but we can do it! I am preparing for this by taking notes and studying for the club outside of school.”

According to Eakes, “In the club, we prepare by holding weekly meetings that become more frequent closer to the presentation day and testing day, and we often go outside and conduct stream surveys of our stream behind the school or take soil samples and do hands-on training.”

“I think that we have a lot of positives on our side,” said Spangler.

“We have the Ag program,” Eakes continued. “We’ve got a whole crew of students who take

classes and do FFA projects that are about the exact topics that we compete in. We have lots of resources and students from a wide variety of environmental science backgrounds, so we’re able to really specialize in each one of the topics.”

Spangler said that “I am keeping a positive mindset for this year. We put in a lot of effort, so I will be proud of whatever outcome we get.”

Similarly, to Spangler, Eakes said “we keep a very positive outlook. As far as we’re concerned, we have won this competition already. Whenever we practice, we say stuff like ‘we’ll need that in Canada,’ which is where the international competition is happening...where we would go if we win Harford County and Maryland.”

If competing in Envirothon sparks an interest in any student, contact O’Leary.

FFA Vet Science teams places second KRIS GRAY News Editor

office.”

According to Conklin, the team participates in a “series of competitions and events that [they] go to, which is, basically, testing [the members’] vet knowledge through hands-on activities, a vet skills test, a math test, and

From Thursday, September 15 to Sunday, September 18, the Hawks Nest’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) Veterinary Science Team traveled to the Big E fair in Springfield, Massachusetts, for a regional competition. \ The team is made up of seniors Noa Blanken, Kyla Bolton, junior Grace Conklin, and sophomore Maddie “‘[...] and when[they] got Koehn. to second place and they The team is advised said our team, everyone

by Agriculture/Horticulture teacher, Mrs. stopped writing, we were Aimee Densmore. so excited and it Blanken explains that it is “a career develwas awesome.’” opment team.” There are ~Noa Blanken, multiple “options of teams senior you can join and then test into,” according to the student. identiBlanken describes that, “once fication of vet instruyou are selected for the team, you ments.”

The team was able to have practices where you learn move onto the regional competibreed identification of small animals like dogs, cats, reptiles, tion in Massachusetts due to them birds, a few other rodents and getting “second place at the state horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and competition in Maryland,” Conklin disclosed. goats.”

Blanken believes that “the Blanken adds that in prepatrip was so fun.” The team met ration for the competitions, “you at “the Maryland House Travel have to learn around 250 matePlaza in Aberdeen, took a bus to rials, parasites and practicums, Massachusetts, went to a hotel which are realistic situations that and the next day, went to the Big could happen in a veterinarian’s

E, which is a huge state fair,” the senior added.

As they arrived at the fair, Blanken describes how they “wore [their] official dress” as they competed which entailed identifying “a bunch of pictures on the tables, then [they] did practicums and math problems relating to conversions of dosages.”

After their testing, Blanken and the team “hung out the next day, waited for the other teams to test, and [attended] the banquet” where the scores were released.

At the banquet, Blanken states that they “all had these papers where [participants] wrote the scores of each team.”

She remembers how the announcers “started from fifth place, fourth place, third place, and when [they] got to second place and they said our team, everyone stopped writing, we were so excited and it was awesome.”

Conklin explains that the team “placed second in the Big E, which is pretty good.”

The junior adds that if students are interested, they can sign up for the team and must “take a pre-written exam and the top four students with the highest scores are accepted onto the team.” This is not the only competition members of FFA compete in this year.

Page 7/ NEWS

November 9, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

Damage from Hurricane Ian leaves many homeless; SGA hosts HCRASC meeting

Florida, Carolina’s living in inches of water MEGHAN KALCK SSC Editor/Studio Manager

the storm.

North Harford alumna Tori Hanna moved down to Florida during June of this year and lives in an apartment in Winter Park, right outside of Orlando.

Where she is, there is “debris all over the road,” and it has also flooded the roads of the complex.

The winds were strong and the rain was heavy, but she didn’t evacuate her complex because “they didn’t call for it in [her]

her roommate. “[She] grabbed her cat and went outside where Hurricane Ian hit landfall in there were other confused resithe United States starting early dents,” Hanna says. on September 28, causing mass There ended up being no fire at flooding and destruction in the her complex and the alarm conFlorida area. tinued going off in her complex, Many residents in Florida had “until 6 a.m.” evacuated in order to keep away Fort Myers, Florida is one of from all the destruction that the many areas that suffered Ian had caused including masthe most damage from Ian. “Desive floods and disfigurement bris littered the beaches, boats to homes. The storm had hit the washed ashore and some buildland in the ings vanished comcountry of pletely,” according to Cuba at The New York Times.

4:30 am on Many homes and Tuesday buildings have been “killing at gutted and filled with least two water and some have people and been swept away plunging completely. the entire After hitting Florisland of ida, Ian moved up 11 million north to the Caropeople into linas, causing mass darkness,” flooding. Ian was accorddowngraded to a ing to The The flooded streets of Tori Hanna’s apartment complex tropical storm on FriWashingday, September 30, hours after Ian hit. Many have their homes filled with ton Post. hours after hitting water and some have no home at all.

Nearly South Carolina as a PHOTO CREDIT: Tori Hanna all of Florcategory 1 hurricane. ida has felt “The hurricane the impact of the heavy winds of area,” she says. center said Ian made landfall Ian, as the reported 155 mph had Hanna felt pretty safe and se- near Georgetown, South Carolicaused President Joe Biden to de- cure in her apartment because na, just after 2 p.m. Friday, with clare a “major disaster,” accord- by the time Ian had reached her maximum sustained winds of 85 ing to The Orlando Sentinel. area, it had been downgraded to mph,” according to cbsnews.com.

On Thursday, September 29, a category one hurricane. “If [she] Ian had ripped apart piers and Ian was downgraded to a tropical wanted to evacuate, [she] would flooded streets as it moved across storm but was “still dumping re- have gone to stay with [her] the state. The heaviest rainfall cord amounts of rain,” according grandparents in Deland.” was over the Charleston area. to The Orlando Sentinel. Power Once Hanna had started seeThe death toll is still rising outages across the state were “in- ing stories on the news about Ian, in Florida and the Carolinas tense.” she began to worry. She was also and there are many still without “Historic Hurricane Ian has scared when she went to check power and without homes. There already killed ‘hundreds’ of peo- outside and she could, “barely are many ways to help the vicple in Florida, a sheriff in the stand up straight.” tims of Ian such as donating to hardest-hit region revealed early The night of Wednesday, Sep- give.helpsalvationarmy.org and Thursday,” according to nypost. tember 28 at approximately 3 also to redcross.org to help those com. The death toll is expected to a.m., Hanna’s fire alarm was go- who have lost their homes and rise as they clean up debris after ing off and she went to wake up loved ones.

MEKENZIE MCCANN H/S Editor

clubs, and also figured out how [the club is] going to raise money On Oct. 13, the first Harford for next year’s prom and homeCounty Regional Association of coming.”

Student Councils (HCRASC) Blondell states that after “commeeting of the year took place ing back from COVID...everyand was hosted here at NHHS. body [at the meeting] participatTo prepare for the ed, and everybody was meeting, the memnot afraid to voice bers of the Stutheir opinions” dent Govdespite the “At the meeting ernment lack of she ‘learned [a lot] about Association meeting (SGA) numbers colleges and applications, created last year. [...] learned a lot from postHuss ers, set s t a tes counselors, [...] and learned up the that the how the general meeting auditowhole worked.’” rium for m e e t the guest ing “went ~Keegan Huss, speakers, well [and] sophomore and prepared it was realthe cafeteria ly successful.” with the snacks.

Huss said that she Keegan Huss, freshhas never “been to an man, comments that she helped HCRASC meeting, so [she] did to set up the cafeteria, but she not know the standards [that also helped set up the auditorium were trying to be met], but it was for the meeting by getting “table- a great meeting and [she] learned cloths” and “pulled out chairs a lot.” and moved some tables around.”

At the meeting, Blondell says NHMS’s SGA members also that they “talked about volunhelped with the preparation. The teering, fundraising, and just members stood outside the cafe- how [all the other organizations] teria, greeted the other school’s are going to be able to communimembers, and directed them on cate together because there was a their way to the cafeteria. lack of communication last year, Before the meeting, many other and [she] feel[s] that a lot was school’s SGA’s were brought to not getting done.” the school on buses to attend the The students that attended the meeting. As the other school’s meeting listened and “gained a club members arrived at the lot of information about applying school, they were brought into to colleges and being more confithe cafeteria. Students were of- dent with [their] decisions about fered donuts and water, and cof- [their] future, being more supfee was offered for the advisors. portive of each other, and whethWhen the meeting began, er or not if [the students] actually the President of the SGA, senior want to commit to something [or Julia Blondell, commented that not],” comments Blondell. she “discussed what [the] plans Huss says that she “learned are for this year, whether [the [a lot] about colleges and appliclub is] doing any fundraisers, cations, [...] learned a lot from if [SGA] want[s] to do anything counselors, [...] and learned how fun involving activities and other the general meeting worked.”

Voices of Equity starts the year off right; Mental Wellness Awareness Month KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter “Educate not hate,” is a slogan used by Voices of Equity, or VOE. VOE is a group that works towards true change in our school and community. They do this by talking about issues around the school and take action where needed.

The club partners with school administrators and district-wide leaders to make a difference in schools. Voices of Equity discusses race and ethnicity, gender identity, mental and physical

abilities, sexual orientation, work experience, religion, and many more topics. Voices of Equity is a safe space for all opinions.

Sophomore Jenna Roh said, “The supervisors of the club are really accepting and willing to listen. It creates a safe space to talk about issues in our school that might be troublesome. The members of the club are also very understanding and just want to help in some way.”

VOE works to amplify student’s voices in the community.

In the past, VOE has organized

things like a voluntary day of silence as well as a presentation to teachers addressing hate speech in the school.

This month, VOE is covering the issue of mental wellness, titling this month Mental Wellness Awareness Month.

Roh said, “This month is about spreading awareness about mental health issues so we can help reduce the stigmas surrounding them. It is also a way to share resources with people who might need them.”

Fellow sophomore Jada Felton

said “We are making posters this month with facts about mental health issues and ways to get help. I want to make students feel more comfortable and provide people with accessible resources.”

Roh said ,“With just our club, it’s hard to reach as many people as possible. If our county or school covered this issue it would make it more widespread, and it would seem more important. Last year our school had a Wellness Day, and I think another day like this would be good to

promote the mental wellbeing of people.” Roh also adds that “In school we learn about a lot of the same mental illnesses, it would be a good way to break the stigma to widen the variety of what we are taught.”

Felton added,“It’s important to have an understanding about mental illness because it impacts so many people. This month we are shining a light on the darkness of the struggles of mental health. There are resources and you are not alone if you are struggling.

Protecting the health of your home and your family.

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November 9, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

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November 9, 2022

W

10-11 - Features

WACKY AND WEIRD

Cry of the Hawk

Page 12/ ENT

November 9, 2022

New movie creeping into cinemas; Eating up reviews of new Netflix show Smile creates thrilling promotion REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

ie.

Many students have not seen New to the theaters is the hor- the film yet but said that they ror movie Smile. The movie was were planning on seeing it and released on September 30 and is were excited about it. rated R for strong violent content Senior Valorie Radel said, “I and language. The film is a little haven't seen the movie yet, but under two hours, and it is direct- I am planning on seeing it with ed by Parker Finn and distribut- friends. I don't think I could see it by myself. I would be too scared, so I will definitely be going with a few friends.”

She added, “I watched the trailer recently, and the ending scared me, so I'm guessing the movie is going to be just as scary. I am kind of nervous.”

Junior Matthew Siedlecki said, “I really like scary movies. I wasn't sure if I was going to see Smile though. I didn’t think I was going to like it, but it was actually pretty good.”

Radel commented on the actors that went to sporting events saying, “When I first saw the actors I was New Smile movie in theaters confused. I didn't know what they were for because now. The movie was released I hadn't heard of the movie. in late September just in time It was definitely an interfor October. esting way to promote the movie.”

Siedlecki agreed with ed by Paramount Pictures.

Radel, “I think that they promotThe movie is based around a ed the movie kinda weird. I've woman who experiences some- never seen a movie promoted like thing traumatic and then starts this. I saw [the actors] being covexperiencing frightening events ered on a lot of social media so I afterwards. The slogan of the mean it worked for promoting movie is “Once you see it, it's too the movie.” late.”

Fans of the film have commentTo help promote the movie, ed that Smile had a very interestactors were hired to go to sports ing and different promotion. It events like baseball games. The got the attention of many news actors sat in fans seats and stared outlets and it was all over social at cameras with a creepy smile media. Along with their scary across their faces. This promotion commercials. Radel said, “One of technique was largely covered by their commercials actually gave news outlets which achieved the me a jumpscare. It really got my goal of helping promote the mov- attention, though.”

Taylor Swift teases Midnights KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

Sing-songwriter Taylor Swift won best music video of the year, as well as best longform video for her song All Too Well at the 2022 VMAs. Swift took this opportunity to announce her new album, Midnights.

Junior Sarah Ford said that she is, “excited for her new album to drop, because it's been almost two years since she put out her last album.”

Ford said “We have no school that day, so [she] can stay up and wait for the album to drop.

[She] also can listen to the album during the whole day!”

Swift said that there will be 13 songs in this soundtrack, each of which describe a sleepless night in her lifetime.

Sophomore Hannah Arnold said that, “[She has] a lot of confidence that this album will be amazing. She also commented that “[She] is most excited about the song Karma.”

Both Arnold and Ford said they listen to Taylor Swift for the purpose of nostalgia. According

to Arnold, “[Her] love for Taylor’s music has only grown, and [she] enjoy[s] listening to every song.”

Ford added that “Taylor Swift has a variety of songs that fit different moods,” and that she “is most excited for the songs Anti-Hero, Karma, and You’re on Your Own, Kid.” She said that “Taylor Swift has a beautiful way with lyricism, and every Swift song is so catchy.”

Sophomore Zoë Barnes said that she “really enjoys Taylor Swift's lyricism” and even goes as far as calling her a “lyrical genius.” Barnes said that “One of the reasons [she] listens to Taylor Swift is because every song has a storyline. One of her best songs is No Body, No Crime because it follows an entire story.”

Sophomore Mia Sbodio said “[She is] most excited for the song Snow on the Beach because it features Lana Del Ray. [She] thinks that this is an iconic duo, and [she is] so happy to see this collaboration happen.”

The album will be released at midnight on Friday, Oct. 21.

Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter

As of September 21, 2022, the show Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has become one of the most well-known shows on Netflix.

According to biography.com, Dahmer was an American serial killer who took the lives of 17 males between 1978 and 1991.

Over the span of more than 13 years, Dahmer would pick out men at gay bars, malls, and bus stops, and lured them home with promises of money or sex.

When they

he confessed to committing. In February 1992, the jury found him sane in each murder, and he was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences.

In his jail time, Dahmer caught on a lot of fame and would get a lot of fan mail. On November 28, 1994, Dahmer was beaten to death by Christopher Scarver, a

ty scary and weird. I don’t know why someone would want to eat humans.”

Junior Bella Brockmeyer says she has seen the show before, and s h e knew about Dahmer before the show was made.

Brockmeyer says, “Evan Peters played Dahmer amazingly. I think that they couldn’t have found anyone better to play that role. Especially because horror is his thing and Jeffery Dahmer [was] one of the most disgusting people in the world.”

She continues, “I also just loved how realistic it is. It was disgusting but so cool, it was just great.” She added, “I’ve seen documentaries about him before, but this one was good just because the outline of it from him getting caught and then rewinding to finding his first victims and going up was good, the timeline was just really good.”

would arrive at his home, he would give the guy a drink that was laced with drugs and then proceed to strangle them until they were no longer alive.

Dahmer was finally arrested on July 22, 1991. According to history.com, he entered a plea of guilty but insane in 15 of the 17 murders

fellow inmate.

Soph- omore MeKenna Scott says, “I watched the show, and I really liked it, but I didn’t know about him before the show. I could finish the show, but it was pretty gross in some parts, like when he was cooking the body parts.”

Scott continues, “It was pret-

Flower Club:

Blooming with opportunities

SARAH WELZANT Reporter

for students to grow, learn fees.

Junior Rylee Branagan who is in floral design said that “Mr. Stewart is the one who decides what we do for our arrangements. We make Flower Club’s arrangements during class time.”

This year, the new Flower Club is blooming with business again.

This organization is a subscription-based program where those who sign up will receive a flower arrangement each month for a set price.

Mr. Todd Stewart, plant science teacher, is the advisor and he also teaches the Floral Design course.

In the floral design course, students learn the principles of designing floral arrangements for many different occasions. Students learn things like balance, proportion, and harmony when designing a flower arrangement, while also familiarizing themselves with the tools needed to be a florist.

The Flower Club allows for students in floral design to use and explore their newFloral designs look like this one. ly learned skills and techniques while also cial themes for other months. providing beautiful arPHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Welzant rangements for our students and faculty.

In order to join such an op- Branagan added that “Sometimes portunity, you must commit to if something is looking a little purchasing the arrangements for gross, I think that if you add Baeither the full year or with a pay- by’s-Breath flowers into the mix ment each month. After ordering, it can really fix that.” arrangements are typically ready As a special surprise, Stewto be picked up on Wednesdays art mentioned that, “the first ten or Fridays in Stewart's room, people who had signed up for the C203.

Flower Club this year [for OctoFor the year subscription, it ber] got a special arrangement, will cost $21.87 per arrangement, where there is a pumpkin, and plus tax and fees. But, if you want they put the floral arrangement to pay monthly, each arrange- on top of the pumpkin.” ment will be $25, plus tax and He added that it was a neat

idea that was made up by his students.

Along with October’s special theme, there will also be different themes for other months.

Stewart mentioned that, “There will be a unique design for each

Flower Club organized spe-

season. For example, Thanksgiving will be like a Thanksgiving centerpiece.” He also mentioned future plans for a holiday-themed December arrangement, and an arrangement for Valentine’s Day during February.

People who are signed up will receive emails with the specifics for each theme for each month.

There is also a place to commission an arrangement for any special event. To commission a piece, please reach out to Stewart.

Page 13/ ENT

November 9, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

Don’t Worry Darling released in theaters Young writer pens first book; ALEXA FALLS News Editor On Sept. 23, Don’t Worry Darling was released. The film has mixed reviews, but some students shared their honest opinion on the psychological thriller.

The film is set in the 1950’s, where main characters Alice and Jack Chambers live in a community called Victory, where men work on confidential projects at work while their wives stay in the community with the other women. During her time at home, Alice notices things happening in Victory that have her questioning what Jack and the others are really doing away at work.

Director Olivia Wilde starred in the film as Bunny and casted Harry Styles to play Jack Chamber and Florence Pugh as Alice Chambers.

The film also features actor Chris Pine and Gemma Chan who played husband and wife in the movie.

Pugh has starred in other films such as Midsommar, which is also a thriller like Don’t Worry Darling. Pugh has acted in Black Widow, Little Women, and other films as well. Senior Brynn Hoffman says, “I think Florence Pugh had beautiful acting in the movie.

The emotion was raw and felt so real.” She adds, “I was interested in the movie because I love Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, but also because I was curious to see what the plot twists were.”

Senior Tati Gonzalez also says she loved Pugh's performance and that she was, “incredible.

She’s such an amazing actress and her facial expressions and

body language were so amazing.”

Regarding Styles’ performance, “Harry was so good too. I really liked seeing him in a more serious role where he was given a lot of mystery,” Gonzalez comments.

Similarly to Hoffman, Gonzalez says, “I love Harry Styles and Florence Pugh so much, so I was excited to see them work together.” She adds, “I also really like psychological thrillers, so that made me really excited too.”

The end of the film, “could have been better, maybe tie up a few loose ends or plot holes from the rest of the movie” Gonzalez adds. Hoffman agrees, saying “I think the only thing I would change is the ending. It was sort of fast paced, but it wasn’t poorly filmed at all.” Hoffman continues, “I think it was so rushed because it was a moment of intensity and it added to the shock factor.”

Gonzalez states, “If you’re into psychological thrillers that make you think I completely recommend it.” Hoffman agrees, “I would recommend people to see the movie, I rate it a 9.8 out of ten.”

Annual event taking place in Bel Air;

Barbeque Bash kicking off fall REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

nah Ellis performed live.

Many students attended the event with their families and friends. Senior Cole Younger

Bel Air and knew it was going on, so we just decided to go. It was Downtown Bel Air’s annual really random but we had a lot of Barbeque Bash festival started off fun.” fall the right way. The Freshman Lila event was held on FriBarnaba said, “I day, October 14 from went with my fami4 to 10 pm and Saturly last year. My dad day, October 15 from heard about it from 12 to 10 pm. my cousin and we The bash was a decided to all go as street-style festia family.” val held throughout Barnaba agreed downtown Bel Air with Younger, “The where over 50 teams music was my facompeted for the vorite part. I realMaryland state BBQ ly like live music, championship. They the food was really competed for a cash good though, it was prize, along with the definitely a close title. second.”

Admission to the Younger said, event was free. Activ“I’m probably going ities that were hosted to go back this year. included various food It was a lot of fun trucks, escape rooms, last year, so why a mechanical pig, a not go again? It will beer cart, and the give me something state barbeque comto do that weekpetition. There was end. I'll probably even a tailgate chalgo back with my lenge on Friday! friends again.”

Annual BBQ Bash taking place in DownThere were two Barnaba said, competitions: the town Bel Air. The festival has events, food, and “My cousin works KCBS Championship activities for all ages. at a radio station for “the professional” that participates in barbeque enthusithe Barbeque Bash, asts, and the Tailgate Challenge, said, “I have actually gone to the so we usually go to see her as well which was more for the average event a few times. I had a lot of as the other activities. She is alfun when I went. I really liked the ways excited to see us. Every year backyard-barbequing fan.

On Friday, they had Mark Bray live music and all the food ven- she convinces us to go see her.” & The Steel Soul Cowboys and dors. The barbeque is also really She added, “[Her cousin] realRyan Griffin performing live mu- good.” ly enjoys the event. She is always He added that he went with his so excited, so it kind of makes me sic. On Saturday The Route 66 Band, Chasing Fridays, and Han- friends to the event. “We were in excited to go back.”

Hartlaub releases debut novel BRYN CESPEDES Reporter

Freshman Lincoln Hartlaub is a young writer on the rise. The ninth grader had an early start in writing, and he says he began writing a short story during 2020 while still doing online schooling. Hartlaub felt like he “wasn’t doing anything productive,” so he started writing.

He states, “It started out as a short story, but just kept going.”

This short story ended up turning into a full novel.

Hartlaub's book is titled The Novus, which is a dystopian novel based in a fictional world.

The book’s setting is in Pura City, where citizens’ lives are determined by a test. Depending on their scores they will either be a slave, a regular citizen, or a member of the “all powerful Magna Council,” says Hartlaub. The main character, Alice, finds herself with a perfect score, meaning she is now a part of the council.

Alice is unhappy with this result but she realizes her best friend’s score is worse. “[Alice] discovers her best friend, Amica, managed to take last place in test scores, which forces her into a life of slavery,” says Hartlaub. Alice can’t live with the fact that her friend is a slave, so she takes it upon herself to free her by “bargaining with the megalomaniac leader of Pura City,” Hartlaub states.

“I’ve always wanted to write a story,” Hartlaub says. According to Hartlaub, the novel took a whole year of writing and editing. Six drafts later, he published The Novus on July 1 2022. He feels “relieved and happy” that he has successfully written a full novel.

But even after finishing the writing part, he still had to publish The Novus and think about profit. “I have been trying to get into marketing, but it is difficult with school,” he says.

Lincoln's friend, freshman Ben Grabia, is reading The Novus for his English class. Grabia said, “I like it a lot.

I think it is really well thought out, especially considering he is so young.” He is almost finished with the novel and claims “it has pretty much had my attention the whole way through.”

When looking at reviews on The Novus, Mr. Jack Servello gives the book a five-star review. In Servello's review, he wrote, “This book holds your attention all the way through. I’m very impressed with the author considering he’s only 14! He’s got a great future ahead of him. This book is a must read!”

If this interested you, you can read The Novus online on Kindle Unlimited, or purchase a paperback copy on Amazon.com.

Halloween Ends: Finale in 44 year long series finally comes to close MACKENZIE SCOTT Op/Ed Editor Halloween Ends, released on Oct. 14, is the final film in the Halloween franchise and will be bringing all the movies together for a long-awaited ending.

Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode, and finally is retiring from the role. The cast also includes James Jude Courtney as The Shape (Michael Myers), Andi Matichak as Allyson, Rohan Campbell as Corey, and directed by David Gordon Green.

Laurie has been the babysitter, the crazy lady who caused Michael Myers or “The Boogeyman” to come back. Previously, Halloween Kills (2021) ended with unanswered questions and in this final film, Laurie is now a loving grandmother, trying to live her life and write her memoir to tell her story. This quickly gets disrupted because things in Haddonfield, Illinois never seem to be calm.

Junior MK Friedel said, “I personally thought that it was good, definitely not what I expected.” According to Rog-

erebert.com, “Halloween Ends'' is barely a Halloween movie.

Rather than directly end what was set up in the previous film, it introduces a new antagonist, and spends way too much time on a half-baked young love story, but it has to come back to Laurie Strode.”

Friedel thinks this movie had a good ending, although it was not exactly living up to the expectation because “the first few minutes were really confusing.

Then it got into the plot, and it was definitely worth it.”

The movie brought new elements that lots of fans were not expecting. Friedel thinks the movie could have been improved by not “[introducing] new potential killers like Corey and let Michael shine one last time.” Rogerebert.com explains, “[Corey] discover[s] Michael Myers in a sewer, where the two become BFFs.” On Rotten Tomatoes, “Halloween Ends packs a few slasher thrills, but many fans will be disappointed by the way it concludes Michael Myers' gory saga.”

Page 14/Student, Society, and Culture

Hawks Happenings

Nov. 4 3-hour early dismissal

Cry of the Hawk

Nov. 5 Renaissance Festival 11am-5pm

November 9, 2022

Nov. 8 Election day, Schools closed

Sophomore spikes way into nationals;

Reaching 3,724 miles across Atlantic sea

Shrodes receives bid for tournament KENSINGTON BOYANICH Business Manager

Shrodes talks about, “I enjoy beach/sand volleyball so much Sophomore Alayna Shrodes re- because it's a mental game of only ceived a bid recently, inviting her two people playing. Since it's 2v2, and her doubles partner, Zoe Va- rather than playing with six peolan, a Patterson Mill sophomore, ple in indoor volleyball. Zoe and to compete in the National Tour- I just really like being right on nament for the beach, beach voland we love leyball. the environShrodment and es started the people.” playing Shrodvolleyball es plays as about six a setter for years ago. her club “I started team, but playing plays as a club volhitter in leyball beach volin sixth leyball. grade for Valan I n te n sity plays as the volleyball setter. club for “My douone year; Alayna Shrodes and her doubles bles partner then I partner Zoe Valan pose after receiv- and I enter s w i t c h e d ing their bid. Shrodes has been play- t o u r n a to Apex ing volleyball for 6 years. ments all volleyball summer.

PHOTO CREDITS: Alayna Shordes club,” she The most says. recent tour“I started playing volleyball nament we entered was a USA because my dad played it, and beach tour national qualifier. At his love for the sport rubbed off that tournament, we placed and on me. He signed me up for a rec received a bid into a national program when I was young. Ever tournament,” Shrodes states. since then, I loved it and have “The bid we received is for the grown more competitive in the open division, which is the highsport.” est bracket you can be in,” Shrod“I really enjoy volleyball be- es continues. cause it's so different from any “The national tournament other sport, and the amount of takes place next summer in July. talent you get to see is reflected I’m just overall excited to see on the court because there are how we dominate in a new enviless people in the game,” Shrodes ronment with different levels of explains. play.”

She continues, “The sport is “I’m really excited just to be just an extremely cheerful en- at a different beach,” Shrodes vironment and it just motivates says. “I usually play at Ocean you to want to do the best you City, New Jersey or the Virginia can, and that's really important beaches. The opportunity is realwhen you play a sport that is that ly exciting because we get to play big of a mental game.” with people all across the world.”

Nov. 11 3-hour early dismissal, First quarter ends

EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor

Art Guild hosts first meeting,

plans for year ahead BRYN CESPEDES Reporter The Art Guild is a club that does behind the scenes decorating for the school, and they meet every other Tuesday after school.

Currently, the group has plans ways to work with different departments to incorporate art with learning.

A few years ago, they painted murals in the school atrium. Last year, they did face painting fundraisers for Earth day and a cancer benefit, according to senior Ren Kramer.

Art teacher Mr. Jason Blevins said this year, they are planning to make new murals for all the academic departments, so be on the lookout for fresh artwork around the school.

Blevins is the advisor for this organization and he was in the group when he went to North Harford, and they made wooden panels for each subject department.

In the past, they have teamed up with the English department to “combine art and learning,” according to sophomore Elizabeth O’Brien.

Making learning more interesting with art is a great way to keep students involved with their classes.

This year, they want to collaborate with the technology department and use the power tools to make cut out designs that they can sell to students, teachers, and parents.

Senior Elyse Friedman joined the Art Guild. Friedman said this year, the art guild has already started working on a logo for the Hawk’s Care Closet.

Kramer, the president of the club last year, said that the art guild was “one of the best things [they] did last year.”

Kramer also said that it is a very, “hectic, fun, caring, and energetic environment.”

To go along with this, O’Brien says, “It’s nice and welcoming, everyone gets along very well and it’s just a nice space to be in.”

The art guild is a great way to make new friends and meet new people, according to O’Brien.

Kramer agrees with this statement and quotes, “Some of my closest friends are in the art guild.”

Sophomore George Feldbush states, “I think the art is cool to look at...I didn’t know that there was a club that made the art for the school.”

Sophomore Cody Deak added, “I like the art. I think it’s nice.”

If you love art and want to do more than just classes, join the Art Guild. The club gives lots of opportunities to “show off skills, talents and artistic abilities, and publish your work around the school, online, and in magazines,” according to Kramer.

If a student decides that the Art Guild is something that they would enjoy, they should see Mr. Blevins about sign- ups and teacher recommendations.

Google states that it’s 3,724 miles from Pylesville to San Sebastian, Spain; so it’s a good thing students in Mrs. Mary Capellan’s Spanish III class are emailing and not walking. These students started a pen pal exchange with students in Spain, and the first batch of letters have arrived.

In Capellan’s Spanish III class, students review and study past tense and irregular verbs, along with higher level vocabulary.

However, oftentimes we must dumb ourselves down to make forming sentences and communication easier.

Capellan has been doing this project for “three or four years with Spanish.” She also did another pen pal exchange with a German school.

The Spanish teacher’s favorite part of the exchange is “both the students and me learning about a different place.” She stated that she has not only learned about the Basque Country from what the Spanish students tell her students, but from what the other teacher tells her as well.

Junior Logan Shum is one of the students participating in the project. He explained that the hardest part of the exchange is “trying to use the correct grammar,” but that it’s interesting to see how well the students in Spain speak English.

In the letter he received, his pen pal talked about “what she did in the summer,” her favorite study spots, and music she enjoyed listening to. Meanwhile, Shum discussed what sports he plays, what the weather is like here, and what he did over the summer.

Another junior, Julianna Chaney, stated that the hardest part of the letters is “trying to answer their questions and trying to make it understandable.” Chaney also enjoys seeing how their culture differs from ours, especially sports-wise and what they do for fun. In the letters she received, her pen pals “talked about where they went for vacation, the sports they play, and their families.”

Similarly, Chaney mentioned her family and summer vacation in her response letters.

When asked if they would like to visit Spain, Shum, and Chaney, both agreed they would.

The pen pal students live in the Basque Country, which is on the border between France and Spain. It has a distinctive culture from the rest of Spain, and their language, Euskera, is totally isolated from any other language in the world. The country is not only known for their language, but also for their food and cuisine.

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Nov. 14 Second quarter begins

Nov. 12 Cross country states

Nov. 23 3-hour early dismissal

Baptiste Choné: French exchange student Q- How have you tried to get involved in the school so far?

A- I tried to take part in the cross-country team but I broke my wrist, so I joined the French club.

Q- Who do you stay with?

A- My host family is the Endres, and I stay with them the whole time.

Q- What is the hardest thing you’ve had to go through so far?

A- The most difficult thing is the adaptation and language barrier.

Q- What is the easiest and hardest class you're taking this year?

A- The easiest class is food prep and the hardest[is] German since I’m trilingual.

Q- What do most people ask you about?

A- My culture back home and what happened to my arm.

Q- Do you have a lot of friends/is it easy to talk to other students?

A- I have a lot of friends because they are fascinated by my culture. At first, it’s intimidating talking to people, but then it gets easier.

Q- What is your favorite thing about America?

A- So far, it is the school system, it’s very easy compared to France but the {American] food isn’t the best.

Compiled by: Bella Arist

2011 alumnus working in media STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

job of the weekend, evening, and noon meteorologist. This means he forecasts, “the weather for the TJ Springer, a 2011 alumnus, Susquehanna Valley, and [he] is a meteorologist for WGAL, reports the weather if need be, located in Susquehanna Valley, whether that be out in the field Pennsylvania. This is the closest live or in studio.” to his hometown he has been in Springer was most prepared to seven and a half years. go into the broadcast journalism Springer is “beyond excited” to industry because of Mrs. Jennifer be working close to his alma maChandler's journalism class. In ter. He attended Millersville Unithat class, he versity outside “learned to of Lancaster, shoot, write, PA. WGAL is and edit,” in the Susquewhich is hanna Valley. what his job This makes asks of him WGAL, “feel daily. like a home For anyaway from one wanting home” for to go into Springer. the broadHis curcast journalrent station is ism business, the “number “you must one station in love it,” says the market,” Springer.

In which is one this field, reason he enSpringer made a forecast of the evening weather. He goes live “climbing the joys working on WGAL frequently. ladder might at WGAL. PHOTO CREDIT: TJ SPRINGER be a little Springer's more true second job in than other” careers.

He said his by far one of [his] favorite things Sioux City, Iowa at KTIV was, career began in smaller markets to do.”

German teacher Mr. Rus“one of [his] favorites” because of sell Blake said that “TJ [was] al- farther away from his hometown. his news team.

However, now, “business is In high school, Springer holds ways fascinated” with the weathchanging and younger people are er. fond memories. One of his favorstarting out in bigger markets.”

He recently signed a two-year ites is, “going to ABC 2 with Mrs. Even though the job can be contract with WGAL. “Most Chandler and our broadcast jourcompetitive, newcomers in the [contracts] are two-three years nalism class.” He enjoyed being business need to “be strong, work long,” according to Springer. a part of the choir and was even hard, and love what [they] do.”

At WGAL, Springer has the crowned prom king his senior year.

Springer “decided to pursue a career in Broadcast Meteorology because [he] was into it at a really young age.

[He] loved the weather and was always fascinated by it. [He] loved the tv side of it as well.

[He] thought it was so cool to see meteorologists reporting on the weather, out in the weather. It’s

Page 15/Students, Society, and Culture

Nov. 24+25 Schools closed, Thanksgiving

Nov. 29 Games start for winter sports

Effects of understanding your mind,

Improving mental health ALEXIS GOTT Reporter As a student in high school, attending school for five days out of the week, completing homework and attending extra-curricular activities can leave little to no room for yourself, and unfortunately an abundance of time for stress.

According to recent studies from Princeton Review, “over 50% of students reported feeling stressed.” Stress is a factor that is bound to happen sometime in everyone’s life, along with feelings of anxiety and depression. Feeling these emotions is a part of life.

But for some, these emotions become overwhelming and take over one’s life.

However, mindfulness can manage and aid these feelings from getting to the point of spiraling.

Sophomore Deanna Zipp explains how she, “sometimes feels overwhelmed trying to stay ahead of [her] schoolwork and trying to find time for [her]self to relax as well.”

Sophomore Corrin Turner also commented on her struggles regarding school, stress, and anxiety. “I have a lot of anxiety due to school,” she explains, “When [I’m] taking a test or doing a project, I’m overthinking everything I do, hoping it’s good enough.”

The sophomores, however, both practice mindfulness. “[Mindfulness is] focusing on your thoughts and the present and trying to think through your thoughts and feelings.” Zipp explains.

Mindfulness can be practiced in various ways. It can be done as easily as “focusing on your breathing,” and to “live in the moment,” and even meditating, according to Mayo Clinic.

Research suggests that “meditation improves anxiety levels 60% of the time.” Meditation can be done in various ways, such as listening to a meditation podcast, practicing breathing exercises, and more.

Turner shares that “At first it was hard for me to find the time for me to practice mindfulness. I first started with a journal, which I still use today.” The sophomore also describes her method of journaling as “a way for [her] to escape.”

The way in which mindfulness works is based in psychological science, individuals participating in mindfulness “intentionally place [their] internal focus of attention in mindfulness practice,” and “with repetition, this intentionally-created state can become an enduring trait resulting in long-term changes in brain function and structure.”

Essentially, controlling and understanding your thoughts and emotions allows “the brain [to] change in response to experience,” reports Mindful Organization.

Zipp finishes believes, “students should all attempt mindfulness.

There are so many pros to being mindful, especially as a student when you’re prone to stress. Mindfulness definitely helps manage those feelings.”

Page 16/ IDR

Cry of the Hawk

Sweet Treats!

November 9, 2022

Cars!

Foods!

Proposals!

And more!

Page 17, IDR

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Cry of the Hawk

November 9, 2022

Page 18/ H/S

Caffeine poses threat to consumers; Addiction showing symptoms of withdrawal MATTHEW LEDFORD Video Editor

ever, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they break it down, according to the FDA. Senior Julia Blondell comments, “Since [caffeine] offers so many benefits, it plays a crucial role in [her] life. If [She] ever need[s] a pick-me-up to get into a more pro-

a couple espresso shots in [her] coffee. When [she] doesn’t get Caffeine is a drug found natuenough sleep at night, [she] ocrally in the leaves and seeds of casionally just need[s] a little many plants. It’s also made artiboost like caffeine. [She] would ficially and added to some foods still be [herself] without cafand drinks. According to betterfeine but wouldn’t be as driven health.gov, caffeine is a stimulant, or as energized all the time.” which means it can aid activity The negative side of caffeine in the brain and nervous system. is that it can be very addicting.

Caffeine also increases the Senior Abbey Saltzer comments, circulation of chemicals such “Caffeine addiction is the excesas cortisol and adrenaline in the sive and harmful use of caffeine body. In small doses, caffeine over a period of time, such that can make a person feel refreshed it has negative effects on your “Since [caffeine] offers and focused. Betterhealth.gov health, social interactions, also states, “Caffeine is used or other areas of your life.” so many benefits, it plays as a cognitive enhancer, “Regular caffeine a crucial role in [her] life. If increasing alertness and drinkers become accli[She] ever need[s] a pick-me-up mated to the wake-up attentional performance.

Caffeine acts by blocking to get into a more productive effect that the substance binding of adenosine to produces and gradually and concentrated attitude, it’s require higher amounts the adenosine A1 receptor, which enhances to achieve the same “cafa terrific outlet.” release of the neurotransfeine fix.” Similar to other ~ Julia Blondell mitter acetylcholine. Found in drugs, people who abruptly more than 60 species of plants stop drinking caffeine after proacross the globe, caffeine comes longed use, will start to suffer from the seeds of coffee beans, d u c from withdrawal symptoms and cacao beans and Kola nuts; the tive and concentrated attitude, experience cravings. This causleaves and buds of tea.” it’s a terrific outlet. Fortunately, es many individuals to relapse For normal healthy adults, the [she] doesn’t have a caffeine adwhen attempting to quit and FDA has cited 400 milligrams a diction, but occasionally, before resume drinking caffeine, reday, which is about four or five a long day at work or school gardless of the health problems cups of coffee as an amount not since [she] knows [her] body associated with chronic caffeine generally associated with dan- will be under a lot of physical use,” explained by an addiction gerous, negative effects. How- and mental stress, [She’ll] take center.

When freshman Meaghen Suman went into surgery to remove a benign aneurysmal bone cyst on her spine, she wasn’t expecting to come out of the surgery paralyzed below the wasit.

Student recovers from paralyzing surgery DEANE CONOWAY Reporter

However, during the spinal fusion, the surgeon struck a nerve in her spine, causing her to lose movement capabilities below her waist.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen.

It was supposed to be a routine surgery,” says Suman, who was kept at Johns Hopkins for a week after the surgery was over. Christine Suman, her mother, says, “We were absolutely devastated and angry.

We could not understand how or why this was happening. We felt helpless and terrified.”

After Meaghen was moved to Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, she started her recovery journey, with the hopes of returning to her normal movement capabilities.

Still, her family said her future was uncertain, and her recovery journey was arduous. “She spent five to six hours a day in therapy while in the hospital and nine hours a week in therapy at Kennedy Kreiger after she returned home.

Even when she was exhausted and wanted to give up, she gave one hundred percent every time,” attests Christine. She adds, “She should have been on vacation, going to the beach, doing the things she loved, not going to physical therapy every single day.”

Yet, as Meaghen continued her outpatient physical therapy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, improvements to her movement capabilities truly began, said her mother.

Over the summer, she had regained most of the mobility she had lost due to her paralysis.

“I got out of my wheelchair

and started walking around the middle of May,” says Meaghen.

“I started cheering again in August.”

Despite the odds of her injury permanently making her incapable of participating in any physical activity, Meaghen is currently on the cheer team. Her mother shares that “We are amazed by her recovery, and we feel beyond blessed that she has recovered as quickly as she did. Her strong will, determination, and positivity have got her to where she is now. Meaghen has exceeded every goal set by her therapists and continues to amaze us.”

Despite her triumph and current success, the trials that Meaghen says she faced as she recovered have had a great impact on the way she sees the world. “I’ve realized that I’m a completely different person than I was the morning of my surgery. I still feel like there’s a part of me left at Hopkins,” confesses Meaghen.

Meaghen cites the never-ending support from her parents and friends as a reason for her constant determination.

She acknowledges her support from the community by saying “I was accepted into the cosmetology program at Harford Tech, but after my injury, I realized that all my people are here, and I’ve been with them since kindergarten. I decided to stay here, and I’m happy with my decision.”

Changes to health curriculum EMMA CORNMAN Reporter Graduation requirements first starting for the class of 20242025 students and later, now require a full credit in health.

Prior to this change, only half a credit was mandatory.

Information in this article was quoted from the Maryland Comprehensive Health Education Framework: Pre-Kindergarten Through High School, written by the Maryland State Department of Education in July 2022.

This recently added curriculum, Health II, or Health in Action, is a course aligned with the 2020 MSDE Comprehensive Health Education Framework.

Students taking Health I in freshman year has always been necessary for Harford County Public Schools. Now, a second half-credit of health will take the place of one of a student’s electives in one of the other three years in high school.

In this recently added curriculum, students will learn “the essential concepts for promotion of health and disease prevention in the regulations: mental and emotional health; substance abuse prevention; family life and human sexuality; safety and violence prevention; healthy eating; and disease prevention and control.”

Health in Action teaches “students [to] analyze the influence that family, peers, culture, and media technology have on health behaviors” and helps to “demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health” within a classroom.

The framework of this new curriculum is designed “on the requirements of the health education and equity educa-

tion (COMAR 13A.01.06) regulations and reflect statutory changes in health education, anti-bullying and harassment, and ensuring educational equity.”

Likewise, “the family life and human sexuality component of the regulation and framework represents all students regardless of ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”

To adopt a new curriculum, it must pass an approval process. Health in Action’s framework was “developed with the input of a task force including MSDE, the Maryland Department of Health, local education agency health education supervisors, teachers, students, national subject matter experts, and stakeholders.

MSDE updates the framework as required by changes in legislation and regulation.” The approval process first examines all course content which must align with the frameworks/ standards of the Nation and State. It also must be approved through the GCC, or the General Curriculum Committee.

This curriculum was added to further student education and knowledge of information on this topic and to promote anti-bullying.“The laws, regulations, and MSDE framework ensure students have access to scientifically and medically accurate information and that all students are treated equitably and with dignity and respect.

Students have the right to educational environments that are safe, appropriate for academic achievement, and free from any form of harassment.” An additional half-credit of health in a high schooler’s career will allow students the opportunity to learn this added information.

Students in Mrs. Williams class learning and taking notes. The recent change to the curriculum is now currently in place.

PHOTO CREDIT: Emma Cornman

November 9, 2022

Page 19/ Sports

Cry of the Hawk

Taking home victories, JV football finishes winning season

Field Hockey: Season coming to close

MEKENZIE MCCANN H/S Editor

The field hockey team is currently 7-5 during the regular season, including a tournament the team participated in. The Hawks have faced teams in the county and out of the county, including Notre Dame Prepatory School, Hereford, Delany, Liberty and Maryvale Preparatory School.

Sophomore Mollie Fialcowitz is one of the two sophomores that made the varsity team, and she has played field hockey for eight years. She comments that the team “works really well together on the field because it is not only how talented [the whole team is], but it is also the bond that [the team has].”

Junior Amber Kozlowski, who has played for seven years, comments that the team works well with each other, and the team “communicates with each other as well.”

Captain Kendall Fortune, senior, has been playing field hockey for six years, and comments that “in the beginning of the season, [the] team lacked confidence and had to learn a lot of new skills and formations[,] but now that we have reached the near end of our season, our team trusts one another and is confident in our play.”

Fialcowitz says that the team also works well off the field together as well, “because [the team] has a good bond, and there is no drama on the team as well.”

Kozlowski states that everyone on the team is “super friendly.”

Captain Grace Underwood, senior, has been playing since seventh grade and says that she “loves building bonds with [her] teammates, they [the team] really [does] become family as you are with them everyday.”

Coach Carla Harward feels that the team has “definitely begun to

The field hockey team celebrates their 1-0 win against Bel Air in double overtime. This game made the girls 3-1.

PHOTO CREDIT: RILEY GROSS work better together, connecting as a team, passing to each other, and have been really connecting on the field and off the field.”

Underwood agrees with Haward that the team has been working better together. Underwood also comments that the teams “confidence has increased [and the team] puts so much effort into [the] game, and it really does show.”

“Our team is great at transfers and looking up for the open pass.

Our midfield and defense does a phenomenal job of sweeping the ball across the field to switch sides in order to open up a lane for our offense to get it in the circle,” says Fortune.

Underwood states that she is “looking forward to these next few games. The end of the season is approaching, if we stay focused and continue to play our game, we have the potential to go far.”

Harward states, “The best time

of the year is playoffs. It is very exciting, and [she] believes that [the school has] a very good team that is motivated and wants to play all the way to the end.”

“The end of the season is always bittersweet because it is amazing to see the progress and improvements we have made from the beginning to end[,] but it’s always so hard to have a season come to an end and not play with your teammates,” states Fortune.

An important part of being able to play well is for a team to be able to get along well, Harward comments that the team “gets along, they are close friends, they like to be around each other, [and] that is something that is not there every year.”

Underwood comments that the team has, “a lot of talent[,] we just need to utilize it. We can do such great things!”

The team is the 2022-2023 UCBAC champions.

=

BELLA ARIST Reporter The Hawk’s JV football team is 5-1 as the season is coming to a close. Coaches Barry Debelius and Charlie Dawson have led the team to their victories this year.

Freshman Nathan Shutt has been playing football for 8 years. The position Shutt plays is corner and quarterback. As a player, he said he can improve on “coverage in [the] corner.”

As for the team, the athlete thinks their “communication is very solid and [they] have a lot of chemistry.”

Sophomores Austin Hahn and Gavin Herr are also a part of the JV football team. Hahn’s position is right guard for offense and right tackle for defense. He has been playing for four years now. Herr is an outside linebacker and has played for ten years.

As an individual, Herr believes he can improve on “communicating with the team better,” while Hahn can improve on “moving [his] feet more on the field.” They were both on the football team last year.

Hahn says, “the interaction with the team is fun and like a family.”

Herr added, “[His] favorite thing about the season so far is making new friends and learning more about [him]self.” The team has practice every day after school and games every

week. At practice, Hahn says they, “learn to work together more and run plays until they are solid.” Herr and Hahn both shout out QB1 Holden Young, sophomore, for how well he has played this year.

Other sophomores Micah Wagner and Demetrious Densmore have been on the team for two years. Wagner is the running back and defensive linebacker and Densmore is the wide receiver- when uninjured.

Densmore hurt his shoulder at the beginning of the year during practice and has been playing for 8 to 9 years. Wagner has been playing football for 2 years. After the season is over, Densmore is going to work on his shoulder injury and go to physical therapy.

The athlete says, “I want to get my arm back to how it was before the beginning of next season to be a strong asset to the team in the future.”

During the off-season, Wagner says, “I want to work on getting faster and going to the weight room more to get stronger.” He mentions that he gets a lot of playing time on JV, and is “excited to see what next year brings.”

Both players want to shout out head Coach Debelius for making the season positive.

Wagner explains, “He is the best coach ever!” The Hawks finished the season with good spirit.

Doubling up: playing two sports in one season;

HCPS makes monumental change to athletic policy EMILY JOHNSON IDR Editor Which game should people go watch? Football, or soccer?

Volleyball or the cross-country meet? While you can’t always watch two sports at once, it’s now possible to play two sports in the same season for HCPS students.

This decision was made by the athletic legislative committee, that of which is made up of high school athletic directors and principals. It was proposed last March and finalized in May. Senior Finley Lavin is currently the only NH student that participates in two sports throughout one season. In the fall, she participates in cross country as her main sport, and soccer as her secondary sport. Lavin plans to attend University of Memphis to play D1 Women’s Soccer. She

Finely Lavins races to get a ball against North East. The Hawks came out on top in this game.

PHOTO CREDIT: CINDY SHUM begins at Univeristy of Memphis the fall of 2023.

According to Lavin, “be(ing) able to play two sports I love at one time.” is her favorite part of being a dual athlete. Howev-

er, she has found that “A decent amount of meets and games have conflicted…” making it difficult to play soccer. Lavin believes that while she enjoys playing both sports at once, it is important to

consider the stress that is put on the athlete’s body.

Lavin’s soccer coach, Mrs. Ora Cummings, commented on the athlete, stating that “On our team, the response has been very positive.”, and that they have quite a bit of respect towards her.

While Lavin attends soccer practice just once a week, the orthopedic physical therapist believes that it is “…imperative that coaches and the player respect the idea of proper rest and recovery…” to avoid not only physical injury, but mental unwellness too.

Cummings believes that “… there has to be a clear expectation by all parties involved…” and that communication is key, when participating in two sports. She

does not feel it is for everyone, and that any dual athlete is “… more than likely someone who is a dedicated and coachable team player…” and can balance a busy schedule as well.

Athletic director Mr. Justin Martinek stated, “I really like the idea of athletes being able to play two sports in a season.” Martinek also said that he had proposed this change to the Athletic Committee for Harford County, to create more opportunities for student athletes.

Our county is behind, due to other counties across the state of Maryland already having made this change.

However, there are specific requirements, Martinek said, that must be followed, such as the athlete signing a contract and “… the coach from each sport must agree.”

Page 20/ Sports

Cry of the Hawk

Runners break personal records BEN IAMPIERI Copy Editor On Sep. 27, the cross country team went to a Harford Invite at the Churchville Rec Center.

The girls came in second overall, with senior captain Finley Lavin leading for the team in tenth place with a time of 21:11.

Next was sophomore Eden Hussung in 13th place with a 22:01. In third for the team was junior Ava Carberry in 15th coming in at 22:16.

The boys placed fifth overall, junior captain James Ortt leading in third with a time of 16:53.

Next was junior Austin Parry in seventh with a 17:41. Third was junior Blake Carberry, who came in at 19:18.

This was Parry’s favorite course because “it is flat.”

This was also junior Valentina Angulo’s favorite course because “[she] ran JV and was able to win the race.” She was coming out of a tendonitis injury. “I had to do a lot of preparation like warm and massage my leg and then I took a couple of supplements to help my endurance,” she explains.

The Hawks boys and girls cross country teams won their first and final home meet on Oct. 4.

First for the girls' team and second overall was Lavin coming in at 23:57. Behind Lavin was freshman Kendall Chandler, who got a 24:20. Next, coming in fourth was Carberry with a time of 24:54.

First for the boys’ team and second overall was Ortt, finishing at 20:03. Following him was Parry with a time of 20:18.

In third for the team and sixth overall was Carberry with a 21:08.

Eight teams returned to the Churchville Rec Center for UCBAC Chesapeake Championships on Oct. 11.

Coming in second as a team, the girls had Lavin leading in 12th with a time of 20:57. Right behind her with times of 21:05.5 and 21:05.9 were Chandler and Hussung, respectively.

The boys came in seventh, Ortt placing sixth overall finish-

ing at 16:34. Close in second for the team and 13th overall was Parry with a time of 17:19. Third and 39th overall was senior captain Ben Iampieri with a time of 18:57.

The runners' next meet was at the 10th annual Gunpowder Falls Invitational on Oct. 15.

First for the girls was Chandler with a time of 21:53, followed by Hussung, getting 21:55. Third for the girls was Lavin finishing at 22:01.

Ortt led for the boys with a time of 17:40. Second for the boys was sophomore, Justin Collins, with a 20:50. Close in third for the team was sophomore Caleb Kerr with a time of 20:58.

Then, on Oct. 18, the team heads to Harford Tech for a trimeet.

In first for the girls and third overall was Hussung finishing at 22:00. Behind her was Carberry with a time of 22:08. Following her was Angulo with a 22:29.

In first for the boys was Parry getting 18:54 and placing sixth.

Next was Iampieri with a time of 19:36, coming in ninth. Third for the boys was Collins, in 14th with a 20:28.

UCBAC Championships occurred on Oct. 26. The runners returned to Brantwood Regional Park for their last meet before regionals.

The girls, placing second overall, were led by Chandler, coming in at 21:04. Next was Hussung with a time of 21:30 and Lavin directly behind with a 21:30, too.

The boys placed eleventh overall.

Parry led with a time of 17:29.

Second was Collins coming in at 19:28, followed by Iampieri at 19:48.

Parry does not have any particular method for running other than hoping his competition gets tired faster than him.

Angulo, on the other hand, does. “I like to take it easy on the first mile to see if I could keep my pace, and then after I decided I could do [a certain time] easily, I pick it up,” she says.

Volleyball: BELLA ARIST Reporter On Oct. 19, the boys and girls varsity volleyball teams battled it out in a co-ed game. According to those who participated, the match was a team bonding experience. The overall winner was the black team with three wins.

The girls' head coach, Mrs. Barbara Matthews, directed the co-ed volleyball game. She said, “as far as I know, co-ed games have been going on for at least ten years.” She is continuing the tradition created by former coach Mrs. Wendy Feight-Edmonds and has been keeping it up for the past three years.

Matthews also stated that “there are no rewards for the winners and no consequences for

November 9, 2022

Teams spiking against each other in annual event the losers. The players play solely for fun.” She adds that the game has a profoundly positive impact on the players. Most are excited from the very start of the year and are looking forward to it as the highlight of their season.

The coach explained, “the athletes get hyped about it every year! They bug me at the beginning of the year asking about it.”

The players voluntarily join and contribute to the game.

The teams were picked by two girl captains and two boy captains.

Each varsity captain picked three girls and three boys for their mixed-gender team, then they all got together and strategized. There were four teams in total and each team was color coordinated by black, green, red,

and blue. Matthews said, “there was one special rule; we lowered the net halfway between the girls’ and boys' height of the usual net to make it fair.”

Sophomore Nick Chaney played his first co-ed game this year.

He said, “this was a great way to integrate strength and see who comes out on top.” After the teams were picked, he thought “the draft was very balanced and even, making it a toss-up to who the winner might be.”

Chaney explained, “my expectations for game day were lots of noise, fun, and everyone coming together to have fun which is what happened.” His plan and strategy were to pass, set, and hit, which is “the basic but best way to win.”

Girls, boys soccer teams net successful season

BROOKELYN PRIEBE Reporter

This year boys’ varsity soccer is 5-1 and the girls’ varsity soccer is 6-3-2. Junior Ben Wardle says, “we already have more wins than last year, so I do think we are doing pretty well this year.”

Captain of girls’ varsity soccer, senior Riley Stoneback, says, “we definitely started out really strong, but in the middle of the season we kind of just hit a slump. But, our game against C. Milton Wright, we kind of got out of that slump and played a really good game and got the energy back for it.”

Junior Emma Hammond says, “[The] team has improved during the season with our sportsmanship and the ability to work together. We have won some and lost some games but even during our losses, we keep a positive attitude and we don't stop cheering for our players.”

Junior Mason Barker says he likes how his team is just full of energy and how Wardle loves to

Girls soccer team celebrates there seniors on Oct. 19 Mr. Mike Borns parent of Junior Haley Borns dressed in Hawk costume.

PHOTO CREDIT: Michele Amrhein “jam out to Katy Perry” before practices because it gives the guy’s energy.

Wardle says, “I’d say the hard-

est thing about soccer is the running. It just gets tiring and the full 80 minutes is just hard to run.”

Junior LB Salamone says, “I’d say the hardest thing is containing the defense so they can’t score but also keeping spirits and energy up.”

Junior Aubrey Heise says, “I think our team is doing pretty well, I wouldn’t change anything about it and our practices are going good. We also are all close and we work well together.” Both boys and girls soccer said that their goal is to win states this year.

Senior Colin McDermott says, “as a team, we’re going to work hard and try and stay motivated to be able to win states.”

Hammon says, “I am very proud of the way we are able to work as a team and I love our team dinners. It's definitely a great way for us to bond.”

Connecting on, off the field; Athletes bond during team events STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

High school sports teams have about three weeks to gel as a team, starting in August before regular season play begins in September. By the time regular season play starts, the teams want to be ready to take on their most difficult rivals and come out on top.

Many teams elect to host team dinners at teammates’ homes and team breakfasts in the gymnasium hallway. Squads use these get-togethers as their way to get to know one another and build strong bonds.

Both varsity and JV girls’ soccer teams have been hosting team dinners and breakfasts. The girls attended a dinner hosted by members Haley Borns, junior, and Zoe Shum, freshman. Senior Riley Stoneback has loved the recent get-togethers. She particularly enjoys the team breakfasts, “because [the team] all get a chance to see each other

on game days in the mornings before school.” Stoneback does think that while bonding events achieve their purpose of bringing the team together, it brings them closer “as friends, too.”

Varsity field hockey has also been getting together to bond as a team. Junior Amber Kozlowski enjoys the team dinners. She says they are a “very good bonding experience” and the team “always has a lot of fun.” The most recent team dinners have been hosted by senior Abbey Saltzer and junior Korynn Sims. Kozlowski expressed that “no matter what” at bonding events, they all “make everyone feel welcomed.”

JV field hockey also participates in team bonding experiences. Sophomore Sophie Deibler has been attending all her team's dinners. She says they “normally just eat and sometimes play little team bonding games.” This helps their team “bond because [they] all sit together and everyone gets

along,” says Deibler.

Cross country has also been taking part in team bonding activities. Co-captain James Ortt, junior, says the team has recently started doing ice baths together. The baths “were originally a joke,” but the team “had a great time.”

Recently they all got together at senior Jody Cadden’s house to have a pool ice bath event. Ortt says everyone got to “hang out and get close” with one another. Ortt also went to the team's taco party where they “played Wii tennis and JustDance.” Most of the team attended and “had a good time” according to Ortt.

The Lady Hawks volleyball team has had team bonding experiences.

Junior Kailyn McCoy said she likes attending the events “because you get to know more things about one another and you get to see who some of the members truly are.”