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the griffin
October 29, 2021
Dulaney High School Timonium, Maryland
Volume 61 LEGACY
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Quick response mitigates auditorium fire damages sophia paranzino, editor-in-chief curtain in the Dulaney High School auditorium caught on fire after school hours on Monday, September 13. The Dulaney Theater Company had been meeting to discuss preparations for their upcoming production when a stage curtain started smoking. The large stage lights were turned on and in less than five minutes the direct heat from the lights ignited the curtain. “Right behind the curtain we have light trees. And so on those light trees are really big lights. The curtain was really close to the bottom light and that’s what was smoking,” said music director Christina Senita. The fire alarm was triggered but school administrators did not immediately recognize the problem. Principal Samuel Wynkoop said, “this particular fire alarm is one that has been fixed many times.”
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“It was just smoking and then as I was rounding the corner, all of the sudden the curtain burst into flame.”
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The frequent issues with the fire alarm system at Dulaney caused Wynkoop and his team to be unsure if the alarm was the result of an actual fire. Fortunately, the custodian Calvin smelled smoke and alerted the administrators that the fire was real. “Mr. Parker and I just sprinted toward the auditorium,” said Wynkoop. Meanwhile, the situation with the smoking curtain in the auditorium escalated. Student Zoe Horn said “it was just smoking and then as I was rounding the corner, all of the sudden the curtain burst into flame.”
AMOUNT RAISED BY DULANEY UNICEF THROUGH THE SALE OF BOO GRAMS FOR THE NATIONWIDE TRICK-OR-TREAT EVENT
PREVIEW
Class of ‘71 vandalizes Dulaney Rocks esha singhai, editor anna albergo, editor-in-chief s the weather gets chillier and the days get shorter, Seniors at Dulaney are thinking about one thing: Paint the Rocks. It’s a coveted tradition that has been passed down since the ‘60s, with many students looking forward to it since their freshman year. As early as sophomore year, the respective class chooses the colors that they will paint the rock in. The class of 2022 chose navy blue and carolina blue. During this event, Seniors wear matching class t-shirts and meet on the athletic field after school. Paint is distributed to each student and chaos follows, as students paint their names on the rocks and throw paint at their friends. This year, Paint the Rocks was especially important to the class of ‘22 who, on top of feeling an early onset of Senioritis, have missed milestone events like their Ring dance, Junior Homecoming and Junior Prom due to Covid-19. When the event finally took place on Wednesday, September 15th, students expressed their gratitude and excitement about finally being able to have a chance
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see page 7 # TO KNOW
$630
AMOUNT RAISED BY DULANEY KEY CLUB THROUGH A COMMUNITY CAR WASH FOR THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS
B U ST or B A S H
see CLASS OF ‘71 VANDALIZES continued, page 2
katherine schutzman, staff writer michelle wang, staff writer s part of Baltimore County, the Dulaney community is doing the best that they can to make this school year safe and successful amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s been a difficult start to the year for many students, teachers and administrators, Dulaney High School is striving to make the transition as seamless as possible.
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Dulaney has been working hard to improve mitigation strategies such as distributing resources to prevent the spread of COVID. Teachers have been provided with materials like hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies to keep classrooms clean, and students have been doing their part by wearing masks and following other safety protocols. Both Stephen Shaw, the science department chair
FYI: Nov. 5
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at a “normal” senior year. The event was a success, with names covering every inch of the rocks and Seniors walking out with paint that would be stuck in their hair for the next few days. However, the class of ‘22 was only able to enjoy their normalcy for two days, until their rocks were allegedly vandalized by reckless alumni from the class of ‘71. Students were saddened to see a large spray-painted “‘71” covering their names with additional smaller “‘71”’s scattered in various places across the rocks. The class of ‘71 also wrote “beep beep” on the rocks in reference to their class mascot which was the road runner. Class of ‘22 advisor, Brian Velten, was notified of the vandalism the next day by several class council officers. “I got a little irritated that, you know, 70-year-olds would drive to the rock and paint it like they did 50 years ago. And then I started thinking, hopefully, they did it not to be spiteful and vindictive,” said Velten.
COVID-19 Update
SCHOOL UPDATE ON COVID
see page 8 FOLLOW
see QUICK RESPONSE continued, page 2
photo by zoe horn
First marking period ends, 3 hour early dismissal for students
photo by esha singhai
at Dulaney, and Robert Murray, one of Dulaney’s assistant principals, commented that students have been doing an excellent job when it comes to wearing a mask. “They’ve done a really good job with trying to be cognizant of their fellow students,” Shaw said. “They’re compliant and willing to be part of the bigger picture.” Regarding COVID cases, as of October 19th, there have been 15 confirmed at Dulaney. This is close to the average of other Baltimore County public high schools with an average of 14.1 cases since the start of the school year. Towson High School and Hereford High School have had 7 and 11 cases respectively. Though some states have had to revert to virtual learning, there is no current talk of a return to virtual school in BCPS. Because of the statewide mask mandate for schools, these other states
Nov. 15 - 19
American Education Week
Nov. 22
Report cards distributed
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are not in as good of a position as Maryland is. However, BCPS is not without its struggles: even though school has only been in session for about two months, state testing has already been thrown into the mix. “It’s almost like they’re trying to make up for two years of missing spring testing,” Murray said. This abrupt addition of state testing has been stressful for students, who need to miss class in order to participate in testing, and stressful for teachers like Murray, who have to organize and assist with it. Another pressing issue in the county is overcrowded buses. Currently, it does not seem like there is much that can be done about the situation because there has been difficulty hiring more bus drivers. see COVID-19 UPDATE continued, page 2
Nov. 25 & 26
Thanksgiving break
Dec. 23 - Jan. 2 Winter break
2 news the griffin october 29, 2021
Quick response, continued
continued from page 1 As the fire department was on its way, the efforts of the present teachers, including theater director Tamara Moon, helped get students safely outside. “Then Parker comes in and starts taking over with the fire extinguisher. He was amazing. Then Mr. Wynkoop comes in. And literally I think it could have been much worse but Mr. Parker, he really was the hero of the day. He emptied the first fire extinguisher and Mr. Wynkoop had gone and gotten a second one and then they were on the second one when the fire trucks pulled up” said Moon. The fire department was able to quickly extinguish the fire but remained at the school to remove the smoke. “The smoke smelled really strong, almost like burning carpet,” said sound chief Johnathan Zhang. The auditorium was closed indefinitely in order to repair the damages from the fire. Wynkoop said, “The ceiling tiles were a casualty of the smoke and that’s really what most of the damage is. If you looked at [the auditorium] physically, you’d see some marks and stuff but it’s not widespread.” The disaster response company SERVPRO was hired to restore the auditorium. Part of their job was to go through and thoroughly tally all of the damage that needed to be repaired or replaced. The auditorium is expected to be open for the fall performances. “I’m feeling very grateful for the teachers that were down there with the kids. They got everyone out of the building. I feel very grateful that I have a team like Mr. Parker and Calvin the custodian who ran toward the trouble to take care of it. I’m very happy about the overwhelming response by the fire department,” said Wynkoop.
continued from page 1 “I know that Dulaney is in very good shape compared to other schools,” Murray said. “Other schools … [are] waiting for their buses sometimes up to two hours after the close of the school day to get picked up because of the shortage of bus drivers and the number of kids.”
STUDENT RESPONSE TO COVID
As school transitions back to fully in-person, questions have emerged about the school and county’s response to maintaining safety precautions in school. Dulaney has implemented numerous COVID mitigation strategies, however, there is a mixed reaction from students. In general, Dulaney students feel safe in school with 62% of students giving Dulaney a favorable score in its COVID response. Regarding the mask mandates, a survey taken by 345 Dulaney students reported that 70% of students at Dulaney believe that masks should be required in school. Despite a generally positive reaction to Dulaney’s COVID response, students have expressed several concerns. First, students feel that Dulaney can do better with enforcing the mask mandate. Numerous students have also expressed concerns about social distancing. Students would like to see more social distancing in schools and less overcrowded hallways and classrooms. Several students have also said that they would like to see things more spread out, especially in the overcrowded middle staircase and cafeteria. As Dulaney moves further into the school year, there is hope that more improvements will be made at the school and county level.
Class of ‘71 vandalizes, continued continued from page 1 Class of 2022 president Jenna Welsh said, “I felt both frustrated and disappointed. It takes time to find the paint, paint the base coat, sell shirts, and plan the senior barbeque altogether... You put so much hard work into it only for your name to be up there for three days.” Many current seniors and community members became aware of the vandalism from pictures depicting members of the class of ‘71 on the rocks alongside their illicit activities. The photographs were then posted on social media platforms including Facebook and Nextdoor which sparked widespread community uproar amongst alumni, parents, students, and faculty. As of now the identity of those who vandalized the rocks remains unknown and no charges will be pressed against them. However, Velten intends to fix the rocks with the class council and donations from the class of ‘71. They have paint ready to go and are planning on repainting a dark blue base coat soon. On September 23, the class of ‘71 issued an “apology letter” to the class of ‘22, in which they cited the reasons behind their actions, one being that they were simply “caught up in [their] own sense of celebration”. The Restitution committee did not take responsibility themselves for the vandalism. According to the apology letter, they were unaware that other members of their class had vandalized the rocks prior to coming to Dulaney for a picture. “Unbeknownst to us, earlier in the day, one of the members of our class had painted a ‘71 in our class colors on the rocks, which covered some of the names of the people in your class,” said the Restitution Committee. The Restitution Committee ended by donating $500 to the 2022 class treasure, in hopes of mitigating the damage they had caused. Despite this donation, the state of the rocks remain unchanged. It is our hope that they are fixed soon
stated that BCPS has done a good job with monitoring cases. According to data from the COVID Data Dashboard, as of early October, BCPS has had 1,424 confirmed positive COVID cases since the beginning of the school year. The cases represent COVID cases of BCPS faculty and staff across the 159 schools in the County. This represents a trend in rising cases in BCPS, placing the school system into the high transmission category under the CDC Threshold. A challenge that BCPS faces is the issue of how to approach students that are out of school, quarantining. “Making sure that those students are staying home so that they’re not spreading COVID-19 and sure that they are still continuing learning and continuing their education and stay up to date on their class materials. Especially those students who have not contracted COVID but have to quarantine and are waiting for test results. Definitely making sure that those still have opportunities for them.” said Thomas. Vaccination has also been a widely contested topic among students and families. Thomas said that,“One thing that we can improve on is definitely getting the vaccination status of K-12 up... there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of vaccination sites in schools and throughout Baltimore County but we really need to be pushing for our youth to be vaccinated.” BCPS has been implementing new measures to control the spread of COVID. Starting on October 11, 2021, BCPS required staff to provide proof of full vaccination and individuals who have not been vaccinated are required to have weekly vaccination testing. Likewise, the staff vaccination rates remain high with less than 9.9% of the staff requiring weekly testing.
so they can serve as a positive symbol of the class of ‘22, like they were initially intended to. Even if they do get fixed, the rocks won’t be how the seniors originally painted them back in September, taking away from the longstanding tradition.
Destruction by Devious Licks
katherine schutzman, staff writer
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he TikTok trend known as “devious licks” emerged in early September of 2021, after one student stole a soap dispenser from their school bathroom. They then posted a video of themself with the soap dispenser on TikTok, calling it a devious lick. The trend took off, with thousands of students stealing random objects from their school, primarily from bathrooms, and posting videos of themselves with whatever they stole. Soap and paper towel dispensers have gone missing in schools nationwide, and many schools chose to close bathrooms altogether in order to prevent students from vandalizing them or stealing anything else. Severe punishments have been promised for any students caught participating in the trend. A few students in Florida went so far as to destroy a urinal and were arrested on misdemeanor vandalism charges. Similar consequences have been guaranteed for Baltimore County students who follow the trend.
COVID-19 update, continued However, the one main difference between these high-risk schools and public schools in Baltimore County is masking regulations. In August of 2021, the Maryland State Board of Education released a statewide mask mandate, and it is currently still in place. This mandate, along with higher vaccination rates, has likely contributed to how BCPS has been able to prevent large COVID-19 outbreaks and avoid returning to virtual learning.
VACCINATION RATES
According to the same survey, approximately 89% of Dulaney students self-reported being vaccinated. While this does seem like a very positive response, Baltimore County as a whole has not been nearly as successful when it comes to vaccination rates. As of September 2021, only 68.4% of Baltimore County’s population has been vaccinated, and only 64.9% of all eligible students in Maryland have been vaccinated. The FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosted vaccination levels back in August, but many people who are eligible to get the vaccine are still opposed to it for reasons such as worries of it being ineffective. There are also people in Baltimore County who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, possibly because of age or allergies.
BOOSTER SHOTS
The CDC has been increasingly recommending Americans to get their COVID-19 booster shots. This urgency comes amidst the rise in the delta variant. Research has also shown that the vaccines have begun to wane several months after recipients receive their first dose. From the current CDC guidelines, booster shots are available for the Pfizer vaccine for those who are 65 years and older or others over 18 who have underlying medical conditions, work in high-risk settings, or live in high-risk settings. Individuals are recommended to get a booster shot if they have been fully vaccinated for at least 6 months.
NEWS LINE FOOD DHS administration has been quick to enforce their “no delivery” policy against popular food delivery programs such as “GrubHub” and “UberEats” as well as regular takeout. No food deliveries are allowed to be made to the school, therefore students must come to school prepared with a lunch or with intentions to recieve lunch from the cafeteria. Failure to follow this policy will result in a referral and possible suspension.
VISITS SGO is in charge of holding tours for both Cockeysville and Ridgely Middle School. On Nov. 11 and 12, both schools will be visiting with their 8th grade students who plan to attend Dulaney next school year. Students in SGO will greet them, give them a tour of the school, show them some important places in the school and answer any questions.
ACA In uniting Asian American students across Maryland, Dulaney’s brand-new Asian Culture Appreciation club (Dulaney ACA) partners with a coalition of schools state-wide to host the student-led 2022 Maryland Asian American and Pacific Islander (MAAPI) conference!
@dulaneyaca
ONELOVE On November 8th and 9th, One Love will be running an escalation workshop to help raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse in a relationship. Juniors and seniors in English classes will be going to the auditorium for a presentation, then will be going back to classrooms to discuss.
@dulaneyonelove
GREEN DHS has been recognized for their efforts in creating a cleaner and greener school with their 4th award in the “Clean Green” movement from the Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge. This year, Dulaney was awarded a grant of $1500 for 2nd place out of BCPS High Schools!
PARKING
The school has recently cracked down on their traffic rules during arrival BCPS RESPONSE TO COVID and dismissal times, by enforcing their “no u-turn” This school year, Baltimore County has implepolicy and parking regmented a variety of COVID mitigation strategies. ulations. Students may In alignment with the Maryland mask mandate, park anywhere on Padonia all public schools require universal masking. SCHOOLS RETURNING TO VIRTUAL while obeying “no parking” BCPS itself is focusing on COVID tracking and signs, and only students LEARNING improved safety protocols. For example, contact with a valid parking pass The return to in-person learning has been Authors’ note: If any students have concerns about tracing has been widely implemented to prevent or parents expecting to pick the spread of the virus by alerting students if they quite an adjustment for most students. Howev- BCPS’s COVID mitigation strategies, the SMOB en- up/dropoff students may have interacted with a COVID positive individu- er, in some states like Mississippi and Georgia, courages all students to share those concerns with the park in the senior lot. These hundreds of students and staff tested positive Board of Education by emailing boe@bcps.org. All of regulations are enforced by al in classes or extracurriculars. Christian Thomas, the Student Member on the for COVID-19 within a week of the first day of the board members review these concerns and would the School Resource Officer, Baltimore County Board of Education said, “For in-person school and had no choice but to return love to hear from students. new signs in front of the school and announcements the most part, the mask mandated has been fol- to virtual instruction. Other states are offering made during the day. lowed and executed very well.” In addition, he in-person options, as well as virtual options. in American history. US involvement in the tempestuous politics of Afghanistan can be dated all the way back to the Cold War, though our timeline will start directly before 9/11. cassie weymouth, editor-in-training The Taliban first arose in the aftermath of Afghanistan’s Soviet- Civil War, being officially No student in Dulaney today has lived through the terror and tragedy of September founded in September of 1994. The Taliban and the al- Qaeda often cooperated with each 9th, 2001, or the aftershocks that ran through the entire nation that day. To high schoolers other, this becoming especially notable when on September 9, 2001 Ahmad Shah Massoud today, 9/11 is an event in history and US involvement in Afghanistan seems like it’s always was assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives. Massoud, a notable commander of the Northern been a constant unchanging thing. However, that is not the case. Alliance, is believed to have been assassinated as the result of a protection deal made with The US ended a nearly 20-year occupancy in Afghanistan as of Monday, August 30 when the Taliban to protect Osama bin Laden. the last evacuation plane left the tarmac in Kabul; this will be the closing of a major chapter
The Lives Left Behind
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october 29, 2021 the griffin opinion 3
Opting for an Inclusive School Calendar
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michelle wang, staff writer he issue of which holidays to recognize has plagued school systems and policymakers across the country. Schools have been compromising to maintain the full 180 days of school while recognizing diverse holidays that are celebrated across their student body. However, in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), which serve a diverse range of students, holidays in many distinct cultures do not receive recognition. BCPS currently celebrates Jewish holidays such as Yom Kippur and Roshannah. The calendar includes days off for students on these holidays. Conversely, other holidays such as Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Diwali, are not recognized in the same manner. These holidays are amongst the most significant in their respective cultures. For example, Lunar New Year, typically celebrated in east-Asian countries, is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture. It is celebrated by around 3.8 million Americans and is marked by festivities, worship, and a chance to visit family members. However, Lunar New Year falls on February 1, 2022 which happens to be a school day which prevents many students from participating in these traditions. A large portion of BCPS students are of Asian descent with a county report finding that in the 2020-2021 school year, 7.3% of all BCPS students are of Asian descent. This accounts for over 8,000 students, with many celebrating di-
S@*! That Hurt!
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verse holidays in their respective cultures such as Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Diwali. For Muslim students, Eid-al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is celebrated by a day full of prayers, feasts, and family gatherings. Asking students to attend school on such an important day undermines religious and cultural diversity. School systems should not strip students of the customs that make up their culture. Hassan Farah, a junior at Dulaney said, “I’d love the opportunity to visit family and just celebrate our culture for a day… In the past few years, missing school for Eid has actively affected my Eid day to be more stressful as I can’t feel fully immersed in a holiday when I know I’ll be struggling to play catch-up for the classes I’ve missed.” Even more worrisome, in 2022, Eid al Fitr falls on May 2, which happens to be the date of several AP exams. Asking students to choose between an important test date and one of the most significant holidays of the year should not be an option. School systems must do better in respecting cultures which comes in the form of recognizing significant holidays from a diverse range of cultures and embracing those who celebrate them. When creating school schedules, educators and policymakers should be cognizant of the value of these holidays, and accommodate them by implementing days off. In fact, other counties across Maryland have already
opted for these changes. In 2016, Howard County Public Schools voted to extend days off for Roshannah, Yom Kippur, Eid al- Adha, Lunar New Year, and Diwali. In addition, Montgomery County Public Schools has acknowledged the importance of recognizing culturally significant holidays. In their 2021-2022 calendar, they have included professional days for teachers and no school for students on February 1 and May 2: Lunar New Year and Eid al-Fitr respectively. With its increasing student body diversity, Baltimore County is behind in the game. Modifying the calendar to be inclusive of more religions should be an indisputable component of diversity. Allowing for religious and cultural inclusivity causes students to feel valued. It is important to recognize these holidays to promote acceptance towards these cultures, embrace diversity, and promote inclusivity for the distinct cultures that make up the Baltimore County student body. It eliminates the need for students to choose between their attendance records or celebrating culturally and religiously important holidays with their families. This is an important issue, not of arbitrary holidays, but of fundamental respect and fairness to students. Baltimore County, along with other school systems, should not have to compromise religions for the sake of status quo.
University of California-San Diego. The fact is, different generations perceive swearing differently. Although it may seem strange, cursing is often used to express pain. Sometimes it is even used to make impressions and build friendships to appear as “cool”. The reasoning for curse words having a shock value in previous generations was because they were often used as gender/ racial slurs. Our generation is very involved in equal rights and being on the same page. Therefore cultural and racial equality is very important.
words whose only purpose is to harm and divide in the most personal way possible,” said Meena Pannirselvam from the Daily Braskan. People seem to mostly react to words that are just used to dehumanize a person. Nevertheless if the word does not have a specific purpose (linked to bullying) it does not come off as offensive, nor have a shock. According to the Federal communications commission, “language so grossly offensive to members of the public who actually hear it as to amount to a nuisance is considered profanity.” By the Federal Communications Commision announcing this, the boundaries of profanity in the media were set. More people are finally realizing the meanings behind the words they speak. Society has always been exposed to profanity, but now curse words are making their way to be acceptable in everyday life without the value they used to have.
gabrielle cassini, staff writer he year is 1970, and the movie theater is crowded with people. The film is halfway through and the audience goes into shock. The American film, M*A*S*H became the first film in the U.S to use a curse word. Curse words used to be reserved to stubbed toes and private conversations, but as time has evolved, people can say otherwise. “Swearing was taboo in the middle ages. It was also generally used by the poorer social class, who were viewed as uneducated, horrible people,” said Melissa Mohr, an English literature scholar. Furthermore, that is a prime example of how current ages, these words are now viewed differently. It is estimated that adolescents use 80-90 curse words a day. Due to the constant use of curse words in daily conversations, movies and songs, they have lost their shock value. “Instead, I think, more of us are realizing that the tru“You play online games, you read Twitter, you’re going to see the f-word 100 times a day before breakfast,” said ly offensive words are the words that attack people based Benjamin Bergen, a professor of cognitive science at the on their skin color or religion or ethnicity or gender. The
Abortion is a Human Right
Trophy Hunting: A National Problem
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olivia morris, staff writer magine being told you were not allowed to make a decision about your own body. The argument whether abortion should be legal is an argument about a person’s right to make such a decision. The prochoice stance supports a women’s legal right to an elective abortion. The pro-life stance opposes abortion and wants to ban it everywhere no matter the situation. Many factors influence people’s views including religious beliefs, morals, and pressure from friends or family. According to a survey one what they can or cannot do with their body. Whether given out to Dulaney students, 76.5% of students are pro- a woman gets an abortion should only be determined by choice, 14.3% are pro-life and 9.2% have no opinion. what that woman thinks is best for her. Throughout hiswomen have not been allowed to vote, go to school, According to a survey given out to tory, or have a job. For most of history, men have been making Dulaney students, 76.5% of students decisions on women’s rights. are pro-choice, 14.3% are pro-life and In Texas, as of September 1, following the Supreme Court’s decision, an abortion bill that Governor Greg Ab9.2% have no opinion. bott signed into law has become effective. The law, Senate Bill 8, bans most abortions after about six weeks which Abortion should be legal in every state; especially in the is before most women even know they are pregnant. Not cases of rape, not being financially or mentally stable, or only are abortions illegal, but aiding anyone who is seekjust not being ready to care for a child. I am pro-choice ing an abortion including giving information about a clinic, because everyone has different reasons for why they need providing transportation even if they do it unknowingly, or want an abortion. What many do not understand about and any citizen involved with the process can be sued. being pro-choice is that it means you support women and I strongly disagree with Senate Bill 8 (SB8) because it is their right to choose even if you choose not to get an abor- not only unethical but it is not anatomically correct. This tion yourself. law requires doctors to check for cardiac activity in the emAbortion is when a pregnancy is ended and does not re- bryo or fetus. Cardiac activity according to The New York sult in the birth of a child. There are two kinds of abortion: Times is defined as “the steady and repetitive rhythmic one which includes the abortion pill, and the surgicial abor- contraction.” That includes the electrical activity in the tion which involves a quick and minor operation. There developing cells that starts around six weeks even though will always be accidental pregnancies, but we could mini- there is no heart at that stage of development. This further mize the amount if women were provided with the correct explains how unreasonable SB8 is and why it should be forms of protection. deemed unconstitutional. While every surgerical procedure comes with risks, aborMost women do not know they are pregnant by the six tion is one of the safest operations. However, due to the week mark because the most common first sign of pregnanlimitations on abortions in certain states, a lot of women are cy is missing a period which is only two or fewer weeks forced to find less safe options. Criminalizing abortion does before that mark. Senate Bill 8 makes it almost impossible not stop abortions, it only makes them less safe. Evidence for women to legally get an abortion. As of October 7, 2021, is shown that abortion rates are higher in countries where a federal court has temporarily blocked SB8. This is a step there is limited access to contraception. In contrast, abor- in the right direction, however, the fight is far from over. tion rates are lower where people, including adolescents, For too long, women’s rights, especially those surroundare informed about sexual education, have access to mod- ing their own body, have been a topic of debate and it is ern contraceptive methods and legal and safe abortions. time for it to end. It is unfair and unethical for a law to be made telling anyFind Find us us at at http://dulaneygriffin.org. http://dulaneygriffin.org.
ashlyn hoffmann, staff writer rophy hunting. This is a sport in which hunters search for, shoot and kill animals in the wild. There is a big difference between hunting for necessities versus hunting as a sport. When an animal is killed in ethical hunting, the animal is used for the resources it can provide, whereas when an animal is killed in trophy hunting, the animal is taken as a “trophy” or just taken a picture with. Even though trophy hunting is doing a lot of harm and no good, it is currently legal in the United States. Although trophy hunting happens all over the world, statistics have shown that here in the United States, we have the biggest problem with trophy hunting. According to World Animal Protection US, America has 260,000 trophies imported each year; the highest amount in the world. The main animals hunted, known as the big five, are elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, Cape buffalo and lions. These are the most prized animals to hunt and have as trophies because they are the most dangerous and hardest to find. Most of the animals on this list are endangered and near extinction because we kill so many of them just to have our trophies. Americans hunt mainly in Africa, even though Africa is working on protecting their animals. It is our responsibility to join with the rest of the world to help protect these animals instead of hunting them, or by the year 2045, many more incredible species will go extinct. Canned hunting is a version of trophy hunting that many people are unaware of. This type of hunting is the process of going to an enclosure where animals are bred and then paying big money to shoot the animal of your choosing. If you think about it, they are making and raising endangered animals. Then, they make money off of them by letting people shoot them when they have no way of protecting themselves. 26 of the 50 U.S. states have banned or are in the process of banning canned hunting, including Maryland, but it’s still present in a lot of the states. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) America has about 1,000 ranches still offering canned hunting. So what can Dulaney students do to help? Many students think that there is nothing they can do to help ban trophy hunting but that is not true. One thing teenagers can do is spread awareness. You can do this by simply telling family and friends about the issue along with posting about it on social media. If you are not comfortable speaking up, just changing your own mindset helps. If you follow or support trophy hunting, take a moment to think about how wrong it is. There is a lot Dulaney students and other teenagers can do to help, so let’s work together. Let’s put an end to trophy hunting all over and bring hunting back to a respectful practice that uses our resources wisely.
4 sports the griffin
athlete to watch:
Eve Fowler
Allied Spotlight: Soccer
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sophia paranzino, editor-in-chief n the first game of their season, Dulaney Allied Soccer competed against their toughest rival, Hereford High School. The first quarter saw Herford up by a narrow lead of two goals to one. Player number eight, Issac Kiggundu, scored Dulaney’s first goal, aided by his offensive lineup of Amanda Torres, Sam Fish, and Cara Beaufelter. The second quarter did not go as smoothly for the Lions. A change in the opposing team’s lineup led to an additional three goals being scored against Dulaney Kiggundu scored another goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop Dulaney from falling behind with a score of two to five at half time. After regrouping during their halftime break, allied soccer went into the third quarter with renewed vigor, which showed in their performance. After beginning the quarter with Dulaney possession, Kiggundu quickly scored two more goals for his team. Defense, made up of Libby DeSantis, Matthew Lewis, Nathan Ossakow and new player Ava Lutz, aided goalie Michael Oakly in keeping the ball away from goal. Oakley made save after save, only letting one goal in for Hereford. The score going into quarter four was four to six. Fourth quarter saw two more goals for the Hereford Bulls. Dulaney was then down by four goals with only minutes left. When it seemed sure that Hereford would make photo by brooke ellis another goal, Oakley expertly stopped the players charging down the field to score. With less than a minute to spare, Oakley made another save, giving Dulaney possession of
The epitome of a player
Back in Red and Black
brooke ellis, staff writer tarting on the Varsity field hockey team, Eve Fowler is a versatile player who gets along with everyone, despite being one of the two freshmen on the team. Something that caught the eyes of the coaches during tryouts was her kindness and encouraging words. She is a coachable player and constantly looking for ways jackie sibila, editor-in-training to get better. he Lions are back and ready to rock and roll this year “She is the epitome of what coaches look for,” said with full in-person sporting events! The long anticiCoach Brittany Jackson, assistant coach of the team. pated wait has paid off for athletes and spectators Dedicating her time to field hockey for 9 years, Fowler alike, with soccer, football, field hockey, cross country, volputs her heart into everything she does. She is aggressive, leyball, badminton, golf, allied soccer and cheerleading in respectful, and a strong player-- mentally and physifull swing. Pep rally this year was a great display of Ducally-- taking control of the midfield when she steps on. laney’s sports spirit with the traditional red, black, and She always listens to the advice given; she can also be seen white handprints painted on athletes and the custom runstaying late after practice, or before practice, working on ning onto the football field, giving a tiny glimpse of the exhow to improve. Considering her position on the field, it is citement everyone felt for the kick off of fall sports this year. important to have good communication with the players . “She communicates great with the older girls, lots of SOCCER good talk, and she’s always in the right spot at the right Dulaney’s Women’s soccer team has been one to watch time,” said Jackson. this season with an impressive record for the Varsity team. Field Hockey is currently undefeated and the Lady The Women’s soccer team boasts a win-loss record of 5-0-3, Lions are starting their journey to playoffs! Fowler has had a clear testament to their powerful team dynamic and their over 10 assists this season, proving that she is a selfless dominance in their league. This year’s team captains, Hanplayer. She feels the team has a strong sense of communah Gobell, Brianna Alvarez, Rowan Burke, and Natalie nity, but sometimes it’s lost when they are down. Crowley all demonstrate strong positive presences on and When asked about how she wants to improve on their off the soccer field. losses, Fowler said “ I think we need to come together and At the Varsity Men’s next soccer game be sure to watch really work together when we are down.” out for Captains Ian Frain and Brett Dickens starting for One of her favorite memories this year has been pepgoalie and center-mid respectively. The Men’s soccer rally, especially getting ready with her team in the morn- team holds a conference record of 2-5 but an overall wining. It was a fun experience that brought her closer with loss record of 6-7 with a great defense anchoring the team. her teammates. FOOTBALL “She’s able to read her teammates, know what they are The Pride’s Varsity Football team has unfortunately not going to do, maybe even before they know what they are been off to as great of a start this season holding a record going to do,” said Jackson. of 0-7 and suffering a loss to Towson during the HomeFowler plans to use her motivation and passion for the coming game. However, multiple players have stood out sport to further her team’s success through encouraging this year for their passion and contributions to the team; words and kind actions. including Kahron Thornton, Nate Nosan, Satya Sharma, Evan Mowbryt, Elias Dixon, and Jackson Cooper.
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CROSS COUNTRY
The Cross Country team has been attending meets since early September, seeing many personal records for runners across the board. The boys varsity team recently won the county championship and the team has had many strong races with individual placers.Anna Albergo (Women’s Team Captain) and Ty Dailey (Men’s Team Captain) are both excited to be running this season and are keeping thier sights set on the rest of the championship season!
The Griffin’s mission is to enlighten and entertain.
Dulaney High School, 255 E. Padonia Rd. Timonium, MD 21093 dulaneygriffin@bcps.org (410) 887-7633 Student population: 1,923 1,923 Staff population: 160 Find previous articles, previous editions and online-exclusive content at http://dulaneygriffin.org October 2021 Volume 61 A Columbia Scholastic Press Association member
the ball. Forwards Fish and Kiggundu took the ball up the field toward their goal and with less than ten seconds left in the game, Fish passed to Kiggundu who was able to score a goal in the knick of time. Although Dulaney didn’t win their first allied soccer game, they played amazingly. Kiggundu scored a total of five goals with photo by sophia paranzino an assist from Fish. Goalie Oakely made a whopping 17 saves, preventing the game from turning further in Herefords favor. The final score was five to eight, Hereford. After the game the Allied Soccer athletes gathered for their annual kick off party. The athletes and buddies at Chick-fil-a while coaches Anita Shaw and Kirstina Korrow announced the buddy-athlete teams that are a hallmark of the Allied Sports program. While Dulaney lost their first game, it was a great day to kick off the Allied Soccer Season.
VOLLEYBALL
Varsity volleyball has attracted many fans to the Dulaney Gymnasium this year to support the team. They have won five out of their six league games so far proving to be a force to be reckoned with. You can find team captains Charlie Vail and Julia Mendel on the court leading their team to victory.
ALLIED SOCCER
Allied soccer has been working hard this season practicing to perfect their game! The season starter was a tough game, with Allied losing 8-5 to Hereford, however there were many amazing plays by the athletes. Goalie Micheal Oakley made 17 saves throughout the course of the game, just one example of an exemplary player on the team. Check out the article “Dulaney Allied Soccer Faces Off Against the Hereford” to get more details.
GOLF
The Golf team is undefeated this year with an impressive six wins and zero losses. In addition, the team are County champions this year, having multiple teammates place top ten individually for the tournament as well as qualifying for the state golf tournament as District 6 Champions for the season.
FIELDHOCKEY
Varsity Field Hockey currently stands with a record of 7-3. The team is 4th in Baltimore County and has high hopes for future games. You can catch team captains Abbey Toohey, Ellie Puente, Emily Snyder, and Sofia Lopez leading the team on the field this year.
BADMINTON
Coach Labbe has led Dulaney’s Badminton team to stand undefeated with ten wins and zero losses this seasson defeating both Towson and Hereford as well as winning the county championships. An impressive feat no doubt.
CHEERLEADING
Dulaney’s Varsity cheerleading team has had their first season back since quaratine but have been pleased with how everything has turned out. The captains said “The routine we put on the mat not only takes progression with certain skills but also with bonding as a family. The team has gone above and beyond our expectations and have given 110% of their efforts throughout. We’re excited and ready to end the season off strong with our competition on October 26th” The start of the Fall 2021 sport season has Dulaney’s athletes and fans on the edge of their seats, both looking forward to competitions to come and good season closings.
GO LIONS!
editors anna albergo, sophia paranzino, esha singhai advisor cassandra hatter
the griffin Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org
The Griffin welcomes story ideas, commentaries and letters to the editor. These may be brought to room 113, placed in Cassandra Hatters’ mailbox in the office or emailed to dulaneygriffin@bcps.org. All submissions are subject to editing and must be signed. The Griffin Editorial Board makes all final decisions regarding content. The staff editorial reflects the thoughts of the Griffin staff, but all other opinon pieces reflect individuals’ views, not the paper’s. Interested in advertising in The Griffin or purchasing any photos seen in this issue? Use the same contact information.
the griffin sports 5
Laser focus on the team win
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laura pohl, staff writer ho better to bring the men’s soccer team together to play hard, win and have fun this season than team captain and starting goalie Ian Frain? Frain is a senior and therefore sets out to play the hardest he can to pull out some wins alongside the Dulaney team. Frain’s Dulaney soccer career started when he made the Dulaney team freshman year. His coach, Daniel LaHatte, said, “It’s just been a steady growth and a steady grit and grind to improve himself because he’s very selfless, looks out for others and the success of the team and is willing to do anything to see that success obtained.” Since Frain’s freshman year, LaHatte says he has continually upped his game every year. In order to achieve this, Frain says he practices the basics: passing, diving and goalkeeping. Frain uses these skills and his laser focus to help push the rest of the team as well. His dedication to the team off the field displays his kind personality that encourages those around him. “I feel that I need to be a leader on the team, on the field and off the field, whether that means it’s academics or
playing soccer” Frain said. It is in this way that Frain has maintained friendly relationships but found a way to speak up and tell his team when they need to put in more effort. Although Frain plays hard and works harder, he wants to give credit to the rest of the team. “I’d say I’ve been playing well but I’d say it’s easy to look good as a goalie when you have one of the best defenses in Baltimore County” said Frain. Frain plans to continue playing soccer everyday in college whether it is at a competitive or recreational level because of his love for the sport. Frain explains that intramural and club soccer are two different recreational options to continue his soccer career. Other than continuing with soccer, Frain currently plans to major in business or finance in college. Dulaney will definitely miss Frain’s team spirit and work ethic which leaves big shoes for the incoming classes to fill. The team and school wish Frain good luck in the remainder of his soccer career at Dulaney. Make sure to keep an eye out for Frain’s future success in sports, academics and wherever else his life may take him!
Fast facts for fantasy football brooke ellis, staff writer liam gaumont, staff writer antasy football is a game in which participants can create a team of players from all different NFL teams, and compete against other fantasy teams in your league. To create a team, you draft quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and defenses. Each week, you go head-to-head with other teams, to try and score the most points.There are two different types of leagues you can play in: Point per reception (PPR) and no points per reception (non-PPR). This means each player will either get a point for each reception or they will not. Points in PPR leagues are determined by how many yards your receivers or running backs get, along with how many receptions each player had and how many touchdowns. In non-PPR leagues, points are just determined by yards and touchdowns. To pick a team, most leagues get together and have a draft. Every year there are popular players for the number one pick. A school wide poll was sent out to find some of the popular top picks at Dulaney this year, which include: Christian McCaffrey- Panthers Dalvin Cook - Vikings Derrick Henry - Titans Alvin Kamara - Saints Aaron Jones - Packers Tyreek Hill - Chiefs
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athlete to watch:
Ian Frain
photo by laura pohl
Week of October 21-24 Updates Through week 7, the top fantasy players have been Derrick Henry, Cooper Kupp, Mike Williams, Travis Kelce, Jamarr Chase, Jonathan Taylor, and Austin Ekeler. Notice how the majority of the first round picks have not been living up to the hype; that’s the beauty of fantasy football, a mid round pick like Cooper Kupp can be the highest ranked wide receiver. Number 1 prospect, Christian McCaffery, is still out from an injury, conflicting with many players because they don’t know whether to drop him or not. The top NFl teams have been the Cardinals, Cowboys, Packers, and Buccaneers in the NFC, and the Bills, Raiders, Bengals, and Titans in the AFC. The highest scoring receivers this week were Cooper Kupp (PPR: 37.6, Non-PPR: 27.6) and Jamarr Chase (PPR: 34.1, Non-PPR: 26.1). The top running backs this week were Damien Harris (PPR: 25.3, NonPPR: 23.3) and D’Ernest Johnson (PPR: 24.8, Non-PPR: 22.8). D’Ernest Johnson remains a top waiver wire pickup after Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt got injured. Fantasy Football can encourage players to invest themselves in the season and create a newfound love for the game. Even people who don’t consider themselves “sports people” will love fantasy football.
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6 opinion & features the griffin october 29, 2021
this just in: The Second Freshman Class natasha aragon, staff writer ryleigh bernhardt, staff writer ophomores are expected to be the leading example for freshmen: they’ve learned the school, understand the rules and overall have a “sophomore” mindset. But what happens when sophomores were mostly online for their freshmen year? How does that change the dynamics of both the school and a student’s mindset? Feeling lost and struggling with school is something that all sophomores have in common this year. Being online, stuck in their rooms all day for a whole year has not only caused their social lives to diminish but their grades as well. The lack of motivation and willpower to actually pay attention and go to class last year has caught up to them. Results from a survey distributed to sophomores show that 60.4% of sophomores feel as though being online for freshmen year has impacted their transition from middle school to highschool. Not only has it made high school harder in general but it has stopped those that are now sophomores from social interaction, participating in school activities, working hard for school, making an effective school routine and simply being prepared for their sophomore year. A big part of being online freshman year is students’ perspectives on mental health, social life, grades, relationships, etc. With this in mind students have been talking about having difficulty focusing for long periods of time, a negative impact on mental health, losing valuable relationships, not knowing information taught during freshman year, grades being impacted both negatively or positively, along with having low standards for both themselves and teachers when it comes to academic ability. Overall there is a horrible impact on students’ mental health, social life, and academic life. Sophomore Andrea Martinez knows both the struggles and benefits of being online for most of her freshman year.
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Early Deadlines Stress Seniors
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anna albergo, editor-in-chief s fall approaches and the CommonApp takes over the lives of seniors at Dulaney, it is clear that the college application season is back again. On top of their senior year course load, extracurriculars, and internships, seniors are feeling the extra pressure of making pivotal life decisions. In recent years, the college application process has increasingly gained intensity with the addition of early deadlines meant to help students gain access to scholarships and enjoy the second half of their senior year. It’s no longer as simple as one January 1 deadline. Although the early deadlines are meant to foster simplicity, they are merely contributing additional stress to the college application process. A survey was given to Dulaney seniors asking what deadlines they are applying at; 23.5% of seniors are applyMaritinez said, “It felt like a continuation of 8th grade. ing early decision and 58.8% are applying to at least one We didn’t really get, you know our coming back, you college or university early action. Early decision is binding know we didn’t get an explanation on how classes are and meaning that if you are accepted, you are expected to atwhere the buildings were.” tend regardless of other acceptances. Early action, the more Having a “sophomore” mindset is hard to obtain when popular option amongst Dulaney seniors, requires early you feel as though you’re still in middle school. Not only is submission of the application but isn’t binding. At many their mindset different but their academic level isn’t where colleges and universities, applicants have a better chance of acceptance if they apply early and are automatically considered for additional benefits such as scholarships and honors programs. For example, at the University of Maryland (UMD) applicants are given “priority consideration” for admission, merit-based scholarships, and honors living laura pohl, staff writer gabrielle cassini, staff writer and learning programs. For seniors, it is evident after perusing through colleges With the 2,000 students being back in person, excitement of interest that early deadlines are the ideal deadlines to and creativity to pursue their interests is definitely carryapply to. The scholarships and honors opportunities make ing into Dulaney’s clubs. Not only does Dulaney offer after early deadlines very attractive for students to the point that school sport and art programs, but also a variety of clubs students feel left behind if they don’t apply early. The sur- relating to student’s personal interests and involvement in vey of Dulaney seniors showed that 65.6% of seniors feel the community. This year, Dulaney students have come together to create two new clubs: Interact and Asian Culture that they are at a disadvantage if they don’t apply early. Their feelings are supported by admission statistics. Ac- Appreciation Club. cording to College Transitions, UMD’s early action appli- Being inclusive of all cultures is important in the comcant pool had an acceptance rate of 59.4% which is signifi- munity and at Dulaney High. Asian Culture Appreciation cantly higher than the overall 44% acceptance rate. Of the club is a newly created club to emphasize and teach students students that chose to attend UMD, 97.3% were accepted at about Asian cultures not taught within the classroom. Members will be able to learn about the different Asian countries the early action deadline. These statistics reflect a problem because they show that and the traditions present in each. early deadlines have become a requirement rather than a “Our main purpose [is] just to have a club where people preference. Although they were originally intended to give can feel comfortable and learn more about different cultures students a chance to get applications out of the way, they that aren’t really accessible or like taught at Dulaney” said are now pressuring the entire applicant pool to act sooner. co-founder of Asian Culture Appreciation, Caroline Lee.
“It felt like a continuation of 8th grade. We didn’t really get, you know our coming back, you know we didn’t get an explanation on how classes are and where the buildings were.”
they want to be. With school being online students felt as though they were teaching themselves. Achieving greatness is impossible to do when feeling entirely alone and having to teach yourself. It’s as though all sophomores are one year behind from where they should and wish to be. So, what are teachers doing to help with this and how has it affected teacher and student dynamics? Understandably, teachers are also struggling with this transition. Students being behind in both mentality and behavior has affected the way teachers teach. “Those in Standard level classes are happy to be back and appreciate that work is easier to complete in person than online... for my GT students, they are getting ‘woken up’ to the true level of work and the expectations of quality now that we are back in school” said Alicia Drechsler, a teacher for GT and Standard English. The vast majority of teachers are seeing a significant change in their Sohpomore’s behavior and performance. After facing an attendance problem due to online school Drechsler hoped for participation and genuine interest in her class with the transition to in-person. However, teachers this year are instead faced with the challenge of having their students in a younger mindset. “All of the sudden you are thrown into AP courses, you know some kids didn’t know how to take scantron tests. Some kids don’t know how to take notes, so it’s like things that I never thought I would have to teach because I’ve always taught high school” said Velten, a teacher for both standard and AP World History and Military History. Although dealing with this struggle period will surely take a lot of time, many teachers have high hopes and plans for helping this transition be less dreadful. A core belief of Velten is that success is achieved over time. Hence, to make this transition easier for not only his AP students but also his standard classes, progress is more important than perfection. “It doesn’t need to be perfect, you just have to get better at the next one; and the one after that, the one after that, and so on,” said Velten. Despite feeling astray, everyone in the building is trying their best to move forward. Many sophomores are feeling alone and isolated despite being surrounded by many people. It’s something students will learn to grow from, and it’s a feeling that will go away. it’s okay to not be okay. Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214 Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 Trevor Lifeline: Text “START” to 678678
New clubs offer new opportunities
In a process that is already stressful for so many students, it is unnecessary to push deadlines earlier.
Have an opinion about our opinions? Write us a Letter to the Editor and send it to dulaneygriffin@bcps.org! photo by madelyn brown Around 40 people showed up to their first meeting, and students seemed to enjoy how interactive the activities were. During the first general meeting, members participated in a series of icebreaker puzzles and trivia games. “The puzzles were general random questions. We would have a crossword with questions like ‘guess which Asian country is known for this food etc.’” said Lee. In the future members and officers hope to hold fundraisers and even collaborate with other Asian culture unions at different schools. Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.
photo by takara wilson Lee will be running the club assisted by a recording secretary, finance manager and a board representative. Lee and her co-founder will soon be holding interviews for people that would like to fill up remaining positions, so be on the lookout. In addition to Asian Culture Appreciation, Interact is another new club at Dulaney. Interact is just a small part of the Rotary International Club that fights worldly issues to create peace in the community. However, at a highschool level, Interact is a service organization to help those around them. The president of the club, Courtney May, says her goal for the new club is to “instill the love of service within the Dulaney students and help them meet their service learning needs.” May has always been one to love service. She desires to spread the love to those who are interested in joining or those impacted by the service projects. To help May run the club, her sister, Kelley May, is vice president and the two of them are in the process of selecting the other officers for lead positions. During each meeting, the club will participate in impactful service projects that can be done in school but still make a big difference. In their next meeting, they will be writing letters to service members. One of Interact’s upcoming service projects is participating in Youth and Peace in Action (YPA). If members choose to participate in small groups they “will learn about peace and conflict resolution… then take what they learn to the community and design and implement their own community service projects”, says May. Interact and Asian Culture Appreciation were both advertised at club rush. If you missed club rush, Interact meets from 2:40-3:15 on every other Wednesday in room 308. Asian Culture Appreciation club meets every Friday from 2:45-3:45 in the satellite cafeteria. Both clubs would love to welcome new members!
7 features the griffin october 29, 2021
Hiaasen keeps legacy alive
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madelena lapinski, staff writer hen the unimaginable occurs, like the sudden loss of a loved one, there is no manual or guide that teaches one how to grieve or heal. Mrs. Hiaasen, an English teacher here at Dulaney High, was confronted with an unexpected tragedy when her husband, Rob Hiaasen, fell victim to gun violence on June 28, 2018, at The Capital Gazette. That afternoon, convicted gunman Jarrod Ramos stormed through the doors of The Capital Gazette and killed 5 employees. Thankfully, a few people collaborated to keep Mr. Hiaasen’s work and spirit alive. Mr. Hiaasen was a gifted journalist and author who wrote and edited for The Capital Gazette and The Baltimore Sun. Before his death, Mr. Hiaasen employed his humorous writing style in columns about unusual or funny topics. “He enjoyed funny and quirky.” Hiaasen said, “He was the master of specific details that are used sparingly, but so precisely that you get exactly the picture, and exactly the emotion.” Mr. Hiassen’s quirky columns were gathered and published posthumously in a collection called ‘Love Punch,'' along with his novella, “Float Plan.” The book follows the life of an algebra teacher, Will Larkin, who has no permanent classroom in his school. Mr. Hiaasen created Will Larkin in the image of Mrs. Hiaasen, who was a ‘floater’ during her first year at Dulaney. “I had to push one of those carts down the hall, and on the third floor there was no air conditioning. I hated it and I would always tell him stories about it, so he created this character who’s a math teacher.” Hiaasen said. The Apprentice House Press program at Loyola University worked closely with Mrs. Hiaasen to publish
“Float Plan.” Mrs. Hiaasen used the proceeds to support a cause that is now more important to her than ever: creating a safer environment by informing people of preventative actions that can be taken against gun violence. An organization that manages gun violence is the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, located in Washington DC. “They really are instrumental in doing studies that get at what works and what doesn’t. They work closely with an outfit at Johns Hopkins University.” Hiaasen said. The Coalition encourages people to report loved ones that they know own guns for violent behavior. Legal measures can be taken to confiscate their firearms and prevent future attacks. Mrs. Hiaasen was pleased with the opportunity to keep her husband’s legacy alive and support a cause that has become a sudden, but significant aspect of her life and identity. “It’s another layer of who I am. I didn’t choose it, but that’s okay.” Hiaasen said. She never suspected that the major shootings she heard about in the news, like the tragedy in Las Vegas in 2017, could be so real and personal. “I think everybody should be aware; you think it’s not going to happen to you, or anybody you know, but the truth is that this is a very dangerous country because of what we permit with guns,” Hiaasen said. Although she doesn’t believe every gun should be confiscated, Mrs. Hiaasen encourages people to be more open to conversations about gun violence, because anyone could become a victim. Looking forward, Mrs. Hiaasen anticipates that she will continue to contribute to her husband's story through writing and speaking, to keep him and his light hearted and amicable spirit alive.
An expert’s ranking of America’s favorite Halloween candy
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lily hemmeter, staff writer t’s that time of year again! The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, leaves are falling, and Halloween is right around the corner. But with this spooky holiday comes many difficult decisions: what to dress up as, what to carve into your pumpkin, and most importantly, what candy to buy. In an effort to solve this dilemma, I have compiled a list of popular Halloween candies. As a self-proclaimed expert taster, I believe I am qualified to offer my own commentary on this serious issue. The official ranking is as follows: #8: Tootsie Pops Coming in last place is the classic Tootsie Pop. Introduced in 1931, this sweet treat certainly holds some nostalgia value. Unfortunately, with its mediocre lollipop coating and hard Tootsie Roll center, nostalgia might be the only thing going for it . #7: Candy Corn This Halloween staple comes in 7th place. Flavorless and waxy, candy corn is quite a unique candy. Some people love it. Most people hate it. I usually have about a handful per year, and that is plenty. #6: Hershey Bars At 6th place is the classic Hershey Bar. This candy is not the best, but definitely not the worst. Hershey Bars just kind of exist. Unfortunately, I have had British chocolate bars, and Hershey’s can’t compare. There is something artificial about its taste, and dark chocolate is far superior anyway. #5: M&M’s M&M’s are ranked 5th on the list. The candy-coated chocolate is a favorite
of many, but I can’t say the same for myself. There is nothing outstanding about these little candies, and the quality of the chocolate is sub-par. However, their colors and shape make them slightly more enjoyable than the plain Hershey bar. #4: Starburst This chewy candy typically comes in 4 flavors: red (cherry), orange (orange), yellow (lemon), and pink (strawberry). The orange ones are commonly regarded as the worst flavor, while pink is the favorite. They also have the tendency to get stuck in teeth. #3: Snickers Snickers occupy the 3rd spot. This is a solid candy bar with a little bit of everything: nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. People love the variety of textures packed into them. I think Snickers are tasty and satisfying. #2: KitKat KitKats are one of the most-loved candies in America, which is why they are 2nd. The crispy layers of wafer produce a very satisfying crunch. While there is nothing extraordinary about their flavor, the texture makes up for it. #1: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups And finally, at the top spot is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Their circular shape along with the ridges on the side are fun details about this candy. Nothing can beat that salty peanut butter filling and how it contrasts with the sweet chocolate shell. Reese’s Cups are without a doubt the best Halloween candy.
the post: Rock Out With Hardcore andAlternative Student Bands
madelena lapinski, staff writer Music was, is, and always will be at the heart of culture, activities, and daily life for people all over the world. Here at Dulaney, many students have taken the leap to create bands with other students and spread their passion for music. Junior Bex Gudis, bassist for “Ulalume” (@ulalume.hc on Instagram), has always had a passion for music, but only began playing the bass in middle school. Then, they joined the hardcore band “Ulalume,” whose inspirations include “Turnstile” and “One Step Closer.” The majority of the bandmates are strong Jewish activists, which manifests itself in their shows where they strive to create a safe and fun environment. “It’s just a very welcoming space,” said Gudis. Come at your own risk, though. Gudis says to “expect madness,” as people dance and listen to the music. The shows, which are usually located at local venues, festivals, or people’s houses, are open invite. Typically, they range from three to eight bands, with setlists averaging at around 15-30 minutes each. In the future, “Ulalume” will be opening for “Combust,” and are planning to host a concert to raise money for the Phoenix Art Yard. All the details for future events are advertised on the band's social media. For an alternative vibe, take a look at senior Rocco Lupo, the artist behind “R SOUL” (@thisisrsoul on Instagram) and singer for “Figurehead.” From a young age, Lupo found himself singing by the TV or in front of the mirror, and began to consider making his own music following his participation in a local talent show. With a setlist of thirty to fifty minutes, “Figurehead” plays a variety of music styles including indie, alternative, and pop punk. Lupo’s unique voice allows him to create a lot of diverse music in his solo act as well. “For my solo music I usually just make R&B, pop, melodic rap, and stuff like that.” Lupo said. You can see “R SOUL” or “Figurehead” perform at local restaurants, festivals, and The Coop. His music is released on Apple music and other streaming platforms for people to follow. Although Gudis and Lupo represent two different artistic styles, they share the same sentiment towards the art of music, agreeing that creating music and performing have been some of the best experiences of their lives. Both students, as well as their bands, are clear in their intent to create a safe space with lots of fun and guaranteed interaction with the band. “Everyone's very respectful of other people there. I would just say it's a good time.” Lupo said. “[It’s] just people dancing along, singing along with us, and then we try to interact with the crowd as well.“ Similarly, Gudis emphasizes interaction between the band and audience, and encourages everyone to bring friends. Gudis says, “bring friends. It’s not hard to get into the community and everybody is really friendly. No one really has [the mentality where] bands sit on a pedestal. With all the bands it’s just like, after they're done performing they just go into the audience just like everybody else.” Gudis and Lupo would love to see you and your friends at a show. Upcoming concert dates are regularly updated on their socials, so if you are looking for a welcoming community with opportunities to meet lots of new people and enjoy amazing music, check it out!
Ryan Jeffery Ditto Tiedemann's Postmodern 21st Century Review of Important Works in the Greater Pantheon of English Literature
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ryan tiedemann, staff writer I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can” James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man How does one’s life shape them? A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the first and most approachable novel of acclaimed Irish author James Joyce, aims to answer this question, or at the very least ask it. Portrait is a bildungsroman (coming of age story), with the main character’s life mimicking Joyce’s own. The novel follows Irishman Stephen Dedalus, from birth to early adulthood, as he experiences a traditional late nineteenth century Irish Catholic upbringing. Although not a required text for school, Portrait is an excellent read, especially when considering the importance of Joyce in the greater pantheon of English literature. Portrait employs a third-person point of view, but
rather than being omniscient the narrator is limited to Dedalus. The reader sees the world through Dedalus’s eyes, language, and thoughts, and as a result the diction matures with Dedalus. As Dedalus grows up, Joyce increases the complexity of his language, from meaningless babble in the first line to complex, introspective prose. While this may be complicated (I certainly had to reread passages), it adds an additional layer of depth to the bildungsroman, and has inspired many other works, including the likes of Harry Potter. Perhaps the most impressive part of Portrait is Joyce’s manipulation of mood and setting. His writing and prose truly manage to transport you into Dedalus’s life. You feel the gothic atmosphere of his Irish Catholic boarding school, meet new people with him, travel and learn with him. Furthermore, the amount of detail Joyce provides to the setting makes various locations in the text feel alive. I can still vividly picture the famous Christmas dinner Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org
scene, and can practically hear the argument occurring, the divisive Parnell being simultaneously attacked and exalted. I would fervently recommend Portrait to anyone up for the challenge. It is admittedly long and difficult, especially considering that I had to constantly check the footnotes simply to understand the 19th-century Irish politics being discussed. However, it was unquestionably worth it. The novel is vivid, imaginative, and influential, while also providing a springboard from which to tackle Joyce’s other works, including Ulysses and The Dubliners. After some deliberation, I would give Portrait an 8.5/10, on a scale where 0/10 is a brick and 10/10 is a book I have yet to read.
7 features the griffin october 29, 2021
Hiaasen keeps legacy alive
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madelena lapinski, staff writer hen the unimaginable occurs, like the sudden loss of a loved one, there is no manual or guide that teaches one how to grieve or heal. Mrs. Hiaasen, an English teacher here at Dulaney High, was confronted with an unexpected tragedy when her husband, Rob Hiaasen, fell victim to gun violence on June 28, 2018, at The Capital Gazette. That afternoon, convicted gunman Jarrod Ramos stormed through the doors of The Capital Gazette and killed 5 employees. Thankfully, a few people collaborated to keep Mr. Hiaasen’s work and spirit alive. Mr. Hiaasen was a gifted journalist and author who wrote and edited for The Capital Gazette and The Baltimore Sun. Before his death, Mr. Hiaasen employed his humorous writing style in columns about unusual or funny topics. “He enjoyed funny and quirky.” Hiaasen said, “He was the master of specific details that are used sparingly, but so precisely that you get exactly the picture, and exactly the emotion.” Mr. Hiassen’s quirky columns were gathered and published posthumously in a collection called ‘Love Punch,'' along with his novella, “Float Plan.” The book follows the life of an algebra teacher, Will Larkin, who has no permanent classroom in his school. Mr. Hiaasen created Will Larkin in the image of Mrs. Hiaasen, who was a ‘floater’ during her first year at Dulaney. “I had to push one of those carts down the hall, and on the third floor there was no air conditioning. I hated it and I would always tell him stories about it, so he created this character who’s a math teacher.” Hiaasen said. The Apprentice House Press program at Loyola University worked closely with Mrs. Hiaasen to publish
“Float Plan.” Mrs. Hiaasen used the proceeds to support a cause that is now more important to her than ever: creating a safer environment by informing people of preventative actions that can be taken against gun violence. An organization that manages gun violence is the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, located in Washington DC. “They really are instrumental in doing studies that get at what works and what doesn’t. They work closely with an outfit at Johns Hopkins University.” Hiaasen said. The Coalition encourages people to report loved ones that they know own guns for violent behavior. Legal measures can be taken to confiscate their firearms and prevent future attacks. Mrs. Hiaasen was pleased with the opportunity to keep her husband’s legacy alive and support a cause that has become a sudden, but significant aspect of her life and identity. “It’s another layer of who I am. I didn’t choose it, but that’s okay.” Hiaasen said. She never suspected that the major shootings she heard about in the news, like the tragedy in Las Vegas in 2017, could be so real and personal. “I think everybody should be aware; you think it’s not going to happen to you, or anybody you know, but the truth is that this is a very dangerous country because of what we permit with guns,” Hiaasen said. Although she doesn’t believe every gun should be confiscated, Mrs. Hiaasen encourages people to be more open to conversations about gun violence, because anyone could become a victim. Looking forward, Mrs. Hiaasen anticipates that she will continue to contribute to her husband's story through writing and speaking, to keep him and his light hearted and amicable spirit alive.
An expert’s ranking of America’s favorite Halloween candy
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lily hemmeter, staff writer t’s that time of year again! The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, leaves are falling, and Halloween is right around the corner. But with this spooky holiday comes many difficult decisions: what to dress up as, what to carve into your pumpkin, and most importantly, what candy to buy. In an effort to solve this dilemma, I have compiled a list of popular Halloween candies. As a self-proclaimed expert taster, I believe I am qualified to offer my own commentary on this serious issue. The official ranking is as follows: #8: Tootsie Pops Coming in last place is the classic Tootsie Pop. Introduced in 1931, this sweet treat certainly holds some nostalgia value. Unfortunately, with its mediocre lollipop coating and hard Tootsie Roll center, nostalgia might be the only thing going for it . #7: Candy Corn This Halloween staple comes in 7th place. Flavorless and waxy, candy corn is quite a unique candy. Some people love it. Most people hate it. I usually have about a handful per year, and that is plenty. #6: Hershey Bars At 6th place is the classic Hershey Bar. This candy is not the best, but definitely not the worst. Hershey Bars just kind of exist. Unfortunately, I have had British chocolate bars, and Hershey’s can’t compare. There is something artificial about its taste, and dark chocolate is far superior anyway. #5: M&M’s M&M’s are ranked 5th on the list. The candy-coated chocolate is a favorite
of many, but I can’t say the same for myself. There is nothing outstanding about these little candies, and the quality of the chocolate is sub-par. However, their colors and shape make them slightly more enjoyable than the plain Hershey bar. #4: Starburst This chewy candy typically comes in 4 flavors: red (cherry), orange (orange), yellow (lemon), and pink (strawberry). The orange ones are commonly regarded as the worst flavor, while pink is the favorite. They also have the tendency to get stuck in teeth. #3: Snickers Snickers occupy the 3rd spot. This is a solid candy bar with a little bit of everything: nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. People love the variety of textures packed into them. I think Snickers are tasty and satisfying. #2: KitKat KitKats are one of the most-loved candies in America, which is why they are 2nd. The crispy layers of wafer produce a very satisfying crunch. While there is nothing extraordinary about their flavor, the texture makes up for it. #1: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups And finally, at the top spot is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Their circular shape along with the ridges on the side are fun details about this candy. Nothing can beat that salty peanut butter filling and how it contrasts with the sweet chocolate shell. Reese’s Cups are without a doubt the best Halloween candy.
the post: Rock Out With Hardcore andAlternative Student Bands
madelena lapinski, staff writer Music was, is, and always will be at the heart of culture, activities, and daily life for people all over the world. Here at Dulaney, many students have taken the leap to create bands with other students and spread their passion for music. Junior Bex Gudis, bassist for “Ulalume” (@ulalume.hc on Instagram), has always had a passion for music, but only began playing the bass in middle school. Then, they joined the hardcore band “Ulalume,” whose inspirations include “Turnstile” and “One Step Closer.” The majority of the bandmates are strong Jewish activists, which manifests itself in their shows where they strive to create a safe and fun environment. “It’s just a very welcoming space,” said Gudis. Come at your own risk, though. Gudis says to “expect madness,” as people dance and listen to the music. The shows, which are usually located at local venues, festivals, or people’s houses, are open invite. Typically, they range from three to eight bands, with setlists averaging at around 15-30 minutes each. In the future, “Ulalume” will be opening for “Combust,” and are planning to host a concert to raise money for the Phoenix Art Yard. All the details for future events are advertised on the band's social media. For an alternative vibe, take a look at senior Rocco Lupo, the artist behind “R SOUL” (@thisisrsoul on Instagram) and singer for “Figurehead.” From a young age, Lupo found himself singing by the TV or in front of the mirror, and began to consider making his own music following his participation in a local talent show. With a setlist of thirty to fifty minutes, “Figurehead” plays a variety of music styles including indie, alternative, and pop punk. Lupo’s unique voice allows him to create a lot of diverse music in his solo act as well. “For my solo music I usually just make R&B, pop, melodic rap, and stuff like that.” Lupo said. You can see “R SOUL” or “Figurehead” perform at local restaurants, festivals, and The Coop. His music is released on Apple music and other streaming platforms for people to follow. Although Gudis and Lupo represent two different artistic styles, they share the same sentiment towards the art of music, agreeing that creating music and performing have been some of the best experiences of their lives. Both students, as well as their bands, are clear in their intent to create a safe space with lots of fun and guaranteed interaction with the band. “Everyone's very respectful of other people there. I would just say it's a good time.” Lupo said. “[It’s] just people dancing along, singing along with us, and then we try to interact with the crowd as well.“ Similarly, Gudis emphasizes interaction between the band and audience, and encourages everyone to bring friends. Gudis says, “bring friends. It’s not hard to get into the community and everybody is really friendly. No one really has [the mentality where] bands sit on a pedestal. With all the bands it’s just like, after they're done performing they just go into the audience just like everybody else.” Gudis and Lupo would love to see you and your friends at a show. Upcoming concert dates are regularly updated on their socials, so if you are looking for a welcoming community with opportunities to meet lots of new people and enjoy amazing music, check it out!
Ryan Jeffery Ditto Tiedemann's Postmodern 21st Century Review of Important Works in the Greater Pantheon of English Literature
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ryan tiedemann, staff writer I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can” James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man How does one’s life shape them? A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the first and most approachable novel of acclaimed Irish author James Joyce, aims to answer this question, or at the very least ask it. Portrait is a bildungsroman (coming of age story), with the main character’s life mimicking Joyce’s own. The novel follows Irishman Stephen Dedalus, from birth to early adulthood, as he experiences a traditional late nineteenth century Irish Catholic upbringing. Although not a required text for school, Portrait is an excellent read, especially when considering the importance of Joyce in the greater pantheon of English literature. Portrait employs a third-person point of view, but
rather than being omniscient the narrator is limited to Dedalus. The reader sees the world through Dedalus’s eyes, language, and thoughts, and as a result the diction matures with Dedalus. As Dedalus grows up, Joyce increases the complexity of his language, from meaningless babble in the first line to complex, introspective prose. While this may be complicated (I certainly had to reread passages), it adds an additional layer of depth to the bildungsroman, and has inspired many other works, including the likes of Harry Potter. Perhaps the most impressive part of Portrait is Joyce’s manipulation of mood and setting. His writing and prose truly manage to transport you into Dedalus’s life. You feel the gothic atmosphere of his Irish Catholic boarding school, meet new people with him, travel and learn with him. Furthermore, the amount of detail Joyce provides to the setting makes various locations in the text feel alive. I can still vividly picture the famous Christmas dinner Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org
scene, and can practically hear the argument occurring, the divisive Parnell being simultaneously attacked and exalted. I would fervently recommend Portrait to anyone up for the challenge. It is admittedly long and difficult, especially considering that I had to constantly check the footnotes simply to understand the 19th-century Irish politics being discussed. However, it was unquestionably worth it. The novel is vivid, imaginative, and influential, while also providing a springboard from which to tackle Joyce’s other works, including Ulysses and The Dubliners. After some deliberation, I would give Portrait an 8.5/10, on a scale where 0/10 is a brick and 10/10 is a book I have yet to read.
8 opinion & features the griffin october 29, 2021
new teachers
erin patterson, editor-in-training zarin mahmud, staff writer Despite being away from school for over a year, multiple new teachers have entered the Dulaney community. From many different teaching backgrounds to inspirations to different hobbies, these teachers are ready to give it their all for Dulaney students. It is the first time in the building for many of them, but they are nonetheless ready to take this year with a storm. Integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) and honors chemistry teacher, Leah Luciana is entering into her second year at Dulaney and 11th year teaching overall. Luciana previously taught in Baltimore City, Howard County and Gilman School after graduating from Willson college in Massachusetts with a major in biochemistry and a minor in philosophy. Outside of her teaching life Luciana is invested in running, painting, reading, yoga and cycling. Luciana said, “I am looking forward to getting to know some more of the staff memes and meeting students in person. I met a lot of people last year but it will be nice putting faces to the dots on the screen”. Also new to the science department is Michael Lashley. Lashley fell in love with teaching partly due to the opportunity to visit the beach during the summer and the connections he made with students after long-term substitute teaching. After growing up in Iceland, Lashley attended Towson University where he originally majored in pre-med to be a general practitioner. He switched career tracks and received a teaching degree through Goucher College. Lashley has previously only taught at middle schools making this year at Dulaney his first real high school experience. Lashley says, “I’m excited to see basketball, football games, seeing the sports and fun activities associated with high school such as prom.” Heather Schaefer, a woman with many talents, is thrilled to be teaching IPC and work as a special educator at Dulaney. She is a volunteer firefighter during her free time and loves to go camping, specifically in Tennessee She expressed her inspiration for teaching when saying , “I had a teacher who was very energetic and passionate who encouraged me to use my love and share it with others leading to education and teaching falling into place”. Schaefer has previously taught at Hereford High School and at the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA). Before teaching, Schaefer fit cattle nationally for different farms, and was a project manager for an electrical contractor. Continuing with new science teachers, Doctor Christopher Newton joined the science department last year. Coming from teaching at Friends School of Baltimore and coaching squash, he is delighted to be teaching at Dulaney.
Newton teaches living systems, anatomy and physiology following his career in research science. Newton described his experience at Dulaney by saying, “the science department is just incredible...the students are a very nice mix of talents and abilities which has been great in the classroom”. First year teacher Callie Stewart joined the Dulaney history department this year teaching 9th grade government and world history honors. Growing up in the Towson area, Stewart attended St. Joseph’s University then returned to Maryland to teach. During quarantine she loved to go on hikes with her dog and practiced running. Stewart has always wanted to become a teacher after watching her mother and father as educators despite the small period of time she either wanted to be a marine biologist or an interior designer; her decorating skills certainly are outstanding based on her classroom decorations. Stewart said, “I think part of the reason why I wanted to be a teacher was because all of my favorite teachers were for the most part history teachers. They found a way to make the content relatable, fun and engaging”. Adam Sutton is happy to be teaching high school coming from teaching at Cockeysville Middle School. Originally from upstate New York, he has been teaching for 12 years. After COVID, this year he has been focusing on staying targeted at work to leave relatively early in order to spend more time with his family. Sutton teaches history after being inspired from one of his strong minded history teachers in high school. “It’s really gratifying to see all of these kids that I knew in middle school...most of the time when you are a teacher you see a brief snapshot but I’ve been able to teach them for a 3rd time now”, Sutton said. English teacher Raquel Dove-Natale would love to be an author, but in her eighth year of teaching, says, “I just always loved English and reading and literature, so that’s what I wanted to do in college and kind of, share my love for the subject with my students.” Growing up in the Harford area, Dove attested to the immense impact her tenth grade English teacher had on her decision to teach; her teachers pushed her to start teaching herself. Throughout her many years of teaching Harford County schools, Dove had loved coaching soccer, but for now, she absolutely loves seeing her students in person. Despite still gauging the norms of this school, she enjoys interacting with her students so closely. In her free time, she relishes spending time with her daughter and watching “Survivor.” She strives in “just choosing happiness and trying to shed that on other people.” A new addition at Dulaney, she lives by this motto and passes it onto her students. Joining us on her first ever teaching venture, English and Special Education teacher Emily Fox is quite the equestrian. After experiencing the virtuous
FOCO: Bust or Bash? jackie sibila, editor-in-training cassie weymouth, editor-in-training he reason Dulaney got a Faux Homecoming (FOCO)? Pure forethought. Thanks to Ms. Reynolds and SGO, Dulaney saw a FOCO Festival. After BCPS’s statement outlining that schools were not allowed to hold a formal Homecoming dance, SGO and Ms. Reynolds were on top of the planning, having already predicted that a normal dance would not be allowed to occur. Did this year’s FOCO measure up? Walking into the senior parking lot in broad daylight in a dress and heels was certainly a new experience. In true DuIaney fashion, the star of the show was the Disaster Recovery Trailer taking front and center in the aftermath of the auditorium fire. The DJ was tucked away in the back corner with a dance circle formed behind the Disaster Recovery Trailer and around a brave few. Unfortunately, due to crowd surfing the dancing got shut down. All we have to say on the matter is “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” A few complaints received when asking for feedback was the lack thereof of sustenance. When asked about the shortage of food options Reynolds said, “So we tried to get multiple food trucks. It just so happens it’s the trifecta food truck festival happening at the fairgrounds on Saturday, so everybody turned us down.”
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knowledge of quite a few English teachers in high school, she turned her passion of being a veterinarian into that of a teacher. Fox obtained her bachelor’s degree in English from Towson and then a master’s degree in the same subject as she grew to realize her love for working with kids. “I started by just peer tutoring in high school, and then once I was in college, I would help others with their work,” revealed Fox, as she described her inclination to teach. Here at Dulaney, Fox is involved with the Asian Culture Appreciation club, which she notes has really been a pleasure to be a part of. In her current year at Dulaney, though she misses spending more time with horses, Fox enjoys interacting with her “kind and excited” students and is beyond excited to gain yet another year of teaching under her belt! Kollette Kaschak joins us from Hereford High to teach Algebra and Calculus classes at Dulaney. Having graduated from college with a mechanical engineering degree and later making a swift career change to teaching, Kaschak has been teaching for over nineteen years, much of them spent in northern Baltimore County. Though she does indicate concern for the fluctuating temperatures at Dulaney, she is absolutely loving teaching kids face to face this year. Describing her goal in teaching, Kaschak states, “I just always loved math in particular. My high school math teachers [were really admirable]. They were adults that made me feel comfortable in their classroom and I wanted to be that teacher for high schoolers.I wanted to be a teacher where kids could come into my room and say ‘I’ve always been horrible at math’ and walk out of my room saying ‘I’m not horrible at math anymore.’” With her “one day at a time” positive attitude, Kaschak is looking to spend her year getting to know the community, as she continues to act as co-sponsor for SPECTRUM. Yet another new face in Dulaney’s mathematics department is Algebra and Geometry teacher Cheryl Muriel. A career changer with a bachelor’s degree in business, Muriel returned to school to obtain a master’s in education to allow herself to better connect to her children. “The teachers I had never paid attention to me, and I don’t want students to feel bad like that. I wanted to make a difference with kids in a way that no teacher has ever made a difference for me,” describes Muriel as she characterizes her journey into teaching at Dulaney. In her sixteen years of teaching, Muriel has taught at Aberdeen High School as well as St. James Academy, ultimately choosing to work at Dulaney due to how welcoming she finds the community and administration. Aside from Dulaney, she also continues to expand on her immense passion for physical health. An animated teacher, Muriel cannot wait to spread her positivity into Dulaney classrooms! With each and every new teacher at Dulaney comes a new sense of place for students, for teachers, and for the school community as a whole. Dulaney is looking forward to spending many more years with our wonderful new teachers of this past year as we transition back into a system of normalcy in the school building!
However, Boss Burger and Kona Ice graciously agreed to serve Dulaney students for the duration of the festival, something I think we all appreciated. In the survey completed by students who attended, a general public opinion was formed. The majority of students set their expectations at four out of ten, ten being the best, with 58% saying that their expectations were met. The two highlights of FOCO polled to be hanging out with friends and the after parties, with some opting to forgo the FOCO entirely, instead skipping straight to the after parties. Those who were in attendance seemed to be there in hopes of some version of normalcy and socialization, rather than for the actual festival itself. While homecoming would have obviously been more fun as a traditional dance, the SGO did the best they could with the constraints they had. In summary, the half-hearted yard games, the bright orange fencing, and the broad daylight didn’t really stand a chance compared to years prior. Regardless, it appeared everyone was having fun. It was especially nice to have a glimpse of pre-covid times where we could see each other’s faces. We’d like to thank SGO and Ms. Reynolds for all their hard work in providing us with this FOCO, especially since we got so much more than other schools.
Beauty standards, helpful or toxic? megan puente, staff writer Imagine yourself looking in the mirror and picking out everything that you don’t like. You think you aren’t tall enough, skinny enough, or don’t have a good waist. Feeling this way is an outcome from beauty standards which have caused many struggles for people. According to an article from Eat my News, “Beauty standard is simple, to look attractive and beautiful in the eyes of one’s self or others.” Some people think they need to look a certain way to please others. Most people use filters and editing, which can change the picture completely. These features can make your teeth whiter, add makeup to your face, or change your body. But in reality the picture doesn’t look like what it did before. You become addicted to changing yourself and think you look “better”. This results in low
photo by erin patterson
self-esteem, body dysmorphia and eating disorders. But in reality, everybody is beautiful; just because you think someone like Bella Hadid or Megan Fox is beautiful doesn’t mean you’re ugly. Now with social media becoming more popular each day, the toxicity of beauty standards has been getting worse and spreading. We try so hard to fit in and get so lost with these apps like Instagram or Snapchat, we often forget who we are. What we should realize is that everything is not truthful. Getting insecure and comparing yourself is what not to do. Realize that real beauty comes from within and in many different ways. to continue reading this story, see BEAUTY STANDARDS at http://dulaneygriffin.org
Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.