Griffin March 2022

Our mission: to enlighten and to entertain

the griffin

March 10, 2022

Dulaney High School Timonium, Maryland

Volume 63 UKRAINE

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The Rise of Students Controlling Their Own Time

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TEENS

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WINTER TEAMS FEATURED IN OUR SPORTS RECAP SEE PAGE 3 FOR MORE

PIZZA

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sophia paranzino, editor-in-chief he opportunity to leave school early would certainly be one relished by many high school students. At Dulaney High School, students can do just that, with seniors having the ability to take a reduced schedule, only being in the school building for part of the day.

With registration for next year having recently occurred, more juniors than ever have chosen to take a reduced schedule, reflecting the growing trend of students with early release over the past years.

School counselor John Komosa said, “it’s safe to say that about half the class is doing some sort of reduced schedule scenario with senior year, so it’s popular.”

The number of students choosing early release has been steadily increasing, largely due to desires by students to be in control of their own schedules.

Senior Karolina Akelaitis said, “I chose early release time because it gave me extra time to get volunteer and job experience, as opposed to filling my schedule with additional classes I wouldn’t

Senior Prom - A Return to Normalcy

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michelle wang, staff writer ulaney’s Class of 2022 Class Council has been hard at work planning this year’s prom. Senior prom will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

Jenna Welsh, the class of 2022 president, said that prom will be “on the top floor, and it overlooks the water, it’s really pretty.”

The hotel, located in the Harbor East District, overlooks Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Dulaney has previously held prom at the Marriott Hotel in 2018, before relocating to The Grand, a venue in Baltimore, in 2019. With 2020’s prom being canceled due to Covid-19, and the 2021 prom held in Cockeysville’s Valley Mansion, this year’s prom is highly anticipated.

“The main concern is that in Baltimore City, it may be crowded. I would say leave early so you don’t hit the traffic,” said Welsh. Regarding parking, Welsh said, “there’s a parking garage that connects to the Marriott” to allow for easy accessibility.

Another concern is that prom is the same day as Preakness 2022 which may compound traffic con-

gestion. Some safety concerns pose challenges for prom; however, mask mandates remain to be seen and may be determined based on any Baltimore guidelines.

An in-person prom seems to be on a full go; however, in the event that transmission rates increase, modifications may need to be made. An update from principal Samuel Wynkoop on Jan. 23 stated that “If the Covid related cases continue to decrease below the high transmission rate… it appears that our prom, awards ceremonies, end of year activities, etc., will go on… However, in the event that our metrics rise to an unsafe level, our advisors and classes are going to be working on a ‘Plan B’” that may include outdoor events.

Despite the chance of Covid limiting prom, planning is still occurring. While the class council is still developing plans for senior prom, regarding a prom theme, the Class Council has decided on “A Night to Remember.” Pricing has not been determined yet; however, the class council is planning various fundraisers in order to raise funds for prom.

“We still have to see how much more money we can raise before we come out with a price tag for

graphic by sophia paranzino not pick up in school or in other jobs.”

While internships provide invaluable experience to students and allow for the exploration of different career paths, they are not accessible to the whole student population.

“Transportation is critical. You need to have transportation to be able to get somewhere farther than Pot Spring Elementary,” said Carlson.

This inequality is slightly remedied by the recent addition of internal internships. Students can intern at the Dulaney tech help desk, as well as in English 10 and Algebra classes. These internal opportunities give students interested in education or technology the valuable hands-on experience of an internship while remaining in the school.

Other ventures, like taking CCBC classes as an extension of courses offered at Dulaney and working in order to financially contribute to one’s family, are also seen as positive to competitive colleges.

Komosa said, “However you are using that release time, use it in a positive and constructive way.”

our prom tickets,” said Welsh. The class council is planning fundraising ideas such as a bowling night, as well as using revenue from spirit wear sales in order to fund prom.

“An in-person prom seems to be on a full go; however, in the event that transmission rates increase, modifications may need to be made.”

Tickets will be distributed several months leading up to prom, and Dulaney students have the opportunity to bring guests from outside of the school as long as they buy a ticket. Be on the lookout in the next few months for more information about prom!

Prom, a quintessential American tradition, gives the Dulaney Class of 2022 the ability to celebrate their high school memories. Welsh encourages all Dulaney seniors to attend prom in order to complete their high school experience.

FYI: March 18

3 hour early dismissal for students and staff

@dulaneygriffin

have been very interested in.”

Students tend to use this free time for work, classes at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), internships and free time. While the opportunity to take fewer classes is very enticing to many students, it is important to recognize that the decision to take reduced credits can impact college prospects. “[College] is a competitive venture, so if you’re not here in school you need to have a strong narrative about what it is you’re doing instead of being here,” said Komosa.

One way students productively use this additional time is through Dulaney’s vibrant internship program. At Dulaney, 50 seniors have external internships, leaving school early to go to various places and experience different careers.

Students take these internships through the school as either one or two credits.

Internship advisor Jessica Carlson said, “[Internships] give students the real hands-on experience of being in the workplace. They learn all those employability skills that they may or may

March 24 - 26 Spring Musical

April 1

Third marking period ends; 3 hour early dismissal for students

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

April 9 - 18 Spring Break

April 22 Art Fest

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news the griffin

Another 1/2 credit of health?

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lily hemmeter, staff writer ecently, Baltimore County Public Schools announced a change to their health credit requirements for graduation. Students will now have to take a half credit of health in freshman or sophomore year in addition to the half credit in junior or senior year. This will first go into effect for the class of 2025.

Rather than alotting more time to go through the current health curriculum, this additional class will introduce new topics.

According to health teacher Jessica Szymanski, “it will have more of a focus on mental and emotional wellness.”

As it turns out, the effects of the pandemic may

have been a motivating factor behind this new curriculum. The county is aware that many students have been struggling with mental health over the past two years, largely due to COVID, and hope this extra course will help mitigate the problem. While it is still uncertain what exactly will be taught, the class will likely provide high schoolers with effective coping skills to improve their mental wellness. The hope is that this will also destigmatize the topic of mental illness, allowing students to feel more comfortable seeking the help they need.

When asked whether she agreed with the county’s decision, Szymanski said that she thinks it will be beneficial for health education to begin

erin patterson, editor brooke ellis, staff writer f someone pulled up to Dulaney High School at 7:15 a.m., they would most likely be stuck in traffic, waiting to get a good parking spot. If they pulled up any later, they would see an abundance of new drivers pulling in and out trying to find the best spot possible; as more junior students obtain their licenses, the problem only increases.

At Dulaney, there are three options for student parking: the senior lot, the road in front of the soccer fields and the spots parallel to Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. There is no parking allowed on Treherne and in front of any residential housing. The lack of options are causing seniors to lose their spots and juniors to leave before 7:00 a.m. to get parking. A survey released to the Dulaney population showed that 39.7 percent of drivers said they leave before 7:15 a.m. to get a spot.

A frustrated student said, “I keep having to get to school earlier and earlier so I can get a spot that isn’t super far away from school.”

Students have to come to school earlier to try and get a spot, contributing to the loss of sleep.

In contrast to people who drive themselves to

school, 79.4 percent of non-drivers arrive after 7:15. Is it worth the loss of an hour of sleep for a mediocre spot?

After the return from winter break, not only juniors were experiencing issues. Multiple seniors and teachers have experienced limited parking due to juniors stealing the spaces. The origin of this issue is the ratio of parking spaces to students who drive to school. If you are caught parking in the Senior Lot without a pass, you will not be allowed to hold a parking pass senior year. One effect of this problem is late arrival seniors have no spaces available after the first period.

Not only is parking an issue, but as seniors try to leave the senior lot, parents are picking up their kids in it. This blocks the entrance/exit which causes traffic and congestion, and makes it harder for the seniors to go home. Some solutions would be to have parents pick up their kids on the opposite side of Padonia Road or have them park in the lot so it is not jammed and seniors can get out.

As a proposed solution, a student said, “a traffic director outside the senior lot would also be beneficial by allowing cars to exit more efficiently.”

March 10, 2022

NEWS LINE prior to junior year, as it is important for this content to be introduced before it is too late for students to really learn from it. She also expressed how relevant the subject is to teenagers and their development.

It is currently unclear how the new requirement will affect students who choose to take health outside of Dulaney–such as on the weekends or through CCBC. The finer details of the shift will be worked out as implementation starts.

Hopefully this change will benefit students by expanding their health knowledge in a time when this is more essential than ever.

Parking Pressure

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NEW BUILDING County Executive Johnny Olsezewski announced Feb. 1 Dulaney is officially getting a new building.

Check out Esha Singhai’s online exclusive detailing this announcement.

SAT Dulaney’s free in-school SAT will take place on Tuesday, April 26. Juniors should come to school well-rested and ready to test!

ONE LOVE One Love club is running in the Move for Love 5k on May 15 to raise awareness on the importance of education on relationship health. Sign up and run with the members of One Love! To get more information, go to the one love website or a club meeting.

GAS LEAK On March 8 students were evacuated from the school due to a natural gas leak in room 225. There was no danger involved but standard operating procedures for gas leaks were put in place.

photo by brooke ellis The stress level of arriving and leaving school has grown with little solution in sight. Due to the location of Dulaney in a neighborhood, there is no space to build a parking lot or find CCBC more parking spaces. New drivers will continue to face the added stress of parking at school ev- CCBC Early College Access eryday.

Program (ECAP) will host an informational meeting on April 5 at 9 a.m. in the library. This meeting is open to sophomores and juniors tate why they use drugs. One student even cited only, to learn about dual enschool as a reason they participated in drug use. rollment with CCBC. Regis“The main reason [for using drugs] is because ter through the Sign-Up Geof school, since you guys chose to also take our nius by April 1. home hours away by sending us home by three, expecting two hours of studying and homework, SEQUEL plus outside activities. Drugs help give me an acCalling all creative performtual break and clear my mind,” said one anonyers and artists Dulaney Semous student. quel is holding an ArtFest on It’s also important to note that the majority of April 22nd from 3:30 - 5:30. students, precisely 73.3 percent, feel like drug use If you wish to be part of a has a negative impact on the Dulaney communi- performance, auditions will ty. be held on March 28 after Put plainly, one student says, “I hate to see school in room 116. Check out the Sequel Instagram @ people do it.”

Drug use impacts both individuals and the dulaneysequel to scan the QR codes for signing up. community in negative ways. It harms everyone involved, whether they are the user or bystandAPPLY ers. That much is clear with the consequences the Dulaney admin has enforced. Everyone should The Griffin is looking for be encouraged to stay away from harmful sub- new writers! If you love stances. However, help is always available if writing, collaborating, and needed, from the school or other resources pro- working at your own pace, apply to be part of the 2022 vided in the Griffin’s newsline.

- 2023 staff today. Applications must be submitted by April 1. See Mrs. Hatter with questions! https://forms.gle/dFgbNgw5CbKbkPio9

Drug Use at Dulaney: A Negative Narrative

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jackie sibila, editor een drug use and abuse is a nationwide issue that has not escaped Dulaney High School. Recently, bathrooms have been locked due to smoking, among other things, and an occasional heavy cloud of marijuana has not escaped the notice of students, faculty and staff.

It is easy to draw conclusions about teens using drugs; however, the issue is not as superficial as it might seem.

According to a recent survey of 86 Dulaney students, 14 percent of those students reported having ever used illegal drugs. In addition, 41.9 percent of the students surveyed reported having friends who participate in illegal drug use.

But how does this compare to the rest of the teen world?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 percent of high school students have reported having tried cigarettes and around 50 percent have reported having tried marijuana. While the most recent Griffin survey indicated that the students who use drugs are not the majority at DHS, in the United States

as a whole, the amount of teens who have participated in drug use reflects a much larger proportion of teens.

“The main reason [for using drugs] is because of school, since you guys chose to also take our home hours away by sending us home by three, expecting two hours of studying and homework, plus outside activities.”

That leads to the question, why do teens in the United States and at Dulaney High School use drugs? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many teens use drugs to fit in or to alleviate stress-related disorders or depression.

When it came to why the small number of students who actually use drugs, use drugs, the results demonstrated a frightening narrative. Most agreed that peer pressure, emotional reasons/ mental health issues, boredom and/or fun dic-

UKRAINE: “There is no purgatory for war criminals.

They go straight to hell.”

cassie weymouth, editor This situation is currently developing and some information may be outdated.

Feb. 24, 2022: Air raid sirens sounded for the first time since World War II in Lviv, Ukraine. This is due to the currently ongoing large-scale invaRESOURCES sion Russia has launched. There are many differing and often conflicting threat of bombing. The response from Ukraine? “Go f*** yourself.” OrigiIt’s okay to not be okay. reasoning for this. One may be Ukraine’s desire to join the North Atlantic nally all soldiers were presumed dead and were to be rewarded the title of Treaty Organization (NATO) being the catalyst for Russia’s military attack. Hero of Ukraine posthumously; however, there are tentative reports that • Crisis Text Line: Text In addition to this, Putin has stated in the past that Ukraine as an indepen- the 13 soldiers have been taken as prisoners of war.

Sunflowers: A Ukrainian woman is hailed for her bravery after her con- HOME to 741741 for free 24 dent country is an ‘artificial construct’ and in a 2005 speech to Russians hour support stated that the breakup of the Soviet Union is “the greatest geopolitical ca- frontation with a heavily armed Russian soldier. She offered him sunflower • Maryland Suicide and Criseeds so that ‘when he died, they might bloom.’ tastrophe of the century.” sis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009 President Volodymyr Zelensky: Ukrainian President Zelensky becomes • Baltimore County Crisis Heroes of Ukraine Despite the horror of the situation, individuals’ actions have become a symbol of hope and defiance as he turns down the U.S. ‘s offer of evacuaResponse: 410.931.2214 a shining beacon in the dark and have become definitive of Ukrainians tion instead stating, “The fight is here: I need ammunition, not a ride.” He • The Trevor Project: has been fighting on the frontlines along with his fellow countrymen and 1.866.488.7386 strength and love of country. or text Zmiinyi (Snake) Island: Feb. 24, a Russian warship approaches Snake has defined true leadership and bravery.

START to 678678 continued at dulaneygriffin.org Island, a Ukrainian Military Outpost and asks for surrender under The Griffin welcomes story ideas, commentaries and letters The Griffin’s mission is to enlighten and entertain. editors-in-chief anna albergo, sophia paranzino to the editor. These may be brought to room 113, placed Dulaney High School, 255 E. Padonia Rd. Timonium, MD 21093 editors esha singhai, jackie sibila, in Cassandra Hatter’s mailbox in the office or emailed to dulaneygriffin@bcps.org (410) 887-7633 erin patterson, cassie weymouth dulaneygriffin@bcps.org. All submissions are subject to Student population: 1,878 Staff population: 163 advisor cassandra hatter Find previous articles, previous editions and online-exclusive content at http://dulaneygriffin.org March 2022 Volume 63 A Columbia Scholastic Press Association member

the griffin Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

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.

march 10, 2022 the griffin sports

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Olympics: competition and controversy athletes to watch:

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madelena lapinski, staff writer he month-long, extravagant yet controversial sports event the world anticipates every two years: the Olympics. The 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing featured many wipeouts, unfinished races and outstanding victories of which the differences between these outcomes is determined by only a few hundredths of a second. The pressure was on for these international competitors, both physically and environmentally.

The USA won its first gold medal on Feb. 9 when Lindsey Jabobellis, 36, sped through women’s snowboard cross. The next day, Nathan Chen won gold in Men’s Free Skate and Chloe Kim championed the Women’s Snowboarding halfpipe. By the conclusion of the games, The USA team won five other gold medals, 10 silver medals, and seven bronze medals.

Unfortunately to avid fans dismay, Shaun White will leave his last Olympic games without gold, having fallen on his last pass of the Men’s Snowboarding Halfpipe. The accuracy of the scores, however, are being put into question considering the conditions in which the athletes are competing that are making them prone to injury.

The 2022 Olympic games are the first to be 100 percent supported by artificial snow. To compensate for the absence of snowfall in Beijing, there are 400 snow generators consistently in operation that are estimated to have consumed almost 50 million gallons of water by the end of the games.

Not only do these machines, provided by TechnoAlpin, threaten China’s water supply and biodiversity– which they already struggle with due to climate change and de-

pletion of underground reservoirs– but the artificial snow puts the athletes at a higher risk of injury.

Although necessary if the games are being held in Beijing, the hard, icy ‘snow’ is significantly more dangerous than natural snow.

In an article published by The Science Times, Tiffany Winfrey said, “Falling on synthetic snow is like landing on concrete because it lacks the inherent composition of snow to keep its shape and avoid melting quickly.”

Luckily, the athletes have a stunning view of giant smokestacks to admire as they fall down icy artificial slopes. Behind the Shougang Big Air venue lies a peculiar, dormant iron and steel production mill that has been repurposed since it’s shut down in 2010. The concrete frames of the disconcerting towers, which are plastered with Olympic games logo, have raised concern from athletes and fans.

However, the once rampant mill has been urbanized and industrialized, so it is not threatening or disruptive to the athletes or venue staff besides creating a rather unappealing background. photo by megan puente Despite the controversy, viewers all over the world never megan puente, staff writer s the 2021-2022 Dulaney JV boys basketball season fail to tune into the captivating Olympic games. Through has come to an end, sophomore Travin Lane has rain or shine, real or fake snow, steel mills or not, there will made a good name for himself. This hardworking always be more outstanding athletes to watch every four player is an outside guard for the Dulaney boys JV basketyears at the Winter Olympics. continued at dulaneygriffin.org ball team. Lane is averaging 14 points, three assists and three steals per game.

Lane’s love for the sport has been non-stop since he picked up a basketball. Starting at 11 years old, Lane has been playing basketball. Besides playing basketball, Lane was a part of Dulaney’s JV football team. He is now a captain for the JV boys team.

“Travin is the smooth, calm and cool player who’s creativity and grit has been huge for us this year,” said head coach James Dickey.

Through all the ups and downs including inclement when the two face off on April 4. weather issues and COVID restrictions, the team has manHe makes it clear that he plans to coach Dulaney for aged to stay strong. Over the past 3 years, this year is the many years going forward, which is relieving to hear for best JV has ever done. They are sitting at 18-1 including their the young players, considering the upperclassmen have had two scrimmages. The chemistry the team has is tremendous, three different coaches in their high school career. The base- everyone is always cheering and encouraging one another. ball team is well known across the state as a top program, When asked on how he wants to improve his season, Lane and McElroy plans to continue that legacy. There has been said, “I want to become more of a leader and prepare myself doubt county-wide about the upcoming performance of the for a bigger stage you know for varsity too.” baseball team, considering their starting lineup last year On February 24th, Lane started in the JV boys county was extremely senior heavy, but the promising new coach championship game. The boys played against Towson High is well aware.

School. He had an incredible game once again. Helping con“I am aware last year’s team was full of seniors. But we tribute to get the win, Lane had 18 points, 11 rebounds, five still have loads of talent and I’m excited to use it,” McElroy assists and four steals. added.

McElroy not only showed signs of being a promising players’ coach, always pushing to improve his players, but he also showed a good balance of intensity and integrity.

Second year varsity player, Matthew Dow, likes what he heard at the meeting.

Dow said, “He knows what he’s doing. I think we’re gonna be a successful team with Coach McElroy as our leader.”

With the sudden loss of two very experienced coaches, the Dulaney baseball team still feels confident in their future success with this, yet another, new coach. Maybe another deep playoff run in the near future?

Travin Lane

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Third Time’s a Charm

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liam gaumont, staff writer ith the upcoming baseball season, players on Dulaney baseball are preparing to compete, but with an extra stressor to think about. On Jan. 19, 2022, the former baseball coach, Andrew Fava, stepped away to put attention towards his rising business.

Fava had one full year of Dulaney baseball under his belt, leading the team to a deep semi-finals run, with past hopes to repeat that this year. The sudden news of a missing coach for the young team left them in a scramble.

Just a week later, players received relieving news. Former Junior Varsity Gilman baseball coach, Zach McElroy, was announced as the new head coach for Dulaney. McElroy, growing up just minutes away from Dulaney, is more than excited to create a bright future for our baseball team.

In a recent meeting with his new team, McElroy made it clear that winning will be happening.

McElroy said, “I’m a players’ coach for sure and I want to win. And we can win a lot.”

McElroy is a proud alumni of Gilman, but his sister is a very avid alumni of Dulaney. Growing up, he said that the Dulaney baseball program was always that program every team strived to beat. When given the opportunity to coach the team, decades later, he could not pass it up. McElroy, being a coach and an alumni, will always support his former school, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to win

Anna Jones

Winter Sports Recap

megan puente, staff writer kate lakatta, staff writer

Cheerleading The Dulaney Varsity cheerleading team’s hard work has paid off. Normally they would perform at high school games but that has changed this year.

Varsity Coach Kim Bettencourt says, “unfortunately we haven’t cheered for games since the new year with the attendance restriction from Baltimore County.”

But besides performing at games, the team competes in county competitions. At the winter competition, the varsity team hit zero, meaning they didn’t get any deductions on their routine and brought home a third place medal. The JV team had their county championship a couple weeks ago, and had a great performance with zero deductions.

Wrestling The Varsity Wrestling team is 7-6 this year. Due to Covid the tournaments were unfortunately canceled, but the dual meets were still on. The team is led by captains Justin Sweeny and Sarah Sunday.

“Sarah is the defending girls state champion and Justin is leading the team,” said Scott Asher, head coach.

The JV team this season was led by Chris Shorter and Jason Cantemiry who both won the JV county championship for their respective weight classes. Angelo Schuler, Cruz Maltos and Darius Evans placed fourth.

Boys Basketball As of right now the boys varsity basketball team is 5-5.

Due to inclement weather cancellations and COVID, lots of games have been postponed But that hasn’t affected the boys at all.

Varsity Head Coach, Matthew Lochte says “They all get along really well on the court and off the court. You know

when you’re spending as much time together as we are you know you’ve gotta get along to have success.”

The JV boys headed in the right direction for this season. photo by kate lakatta The team has managed to stay strong and is sitting at 18-1. kate lakatta, staff writer On February 24th, JV took on Towson High School for the irls JV basketball has had a successful season; big game of county championship. they would not have been able to do it without Head coach James Dickey said, “there isn’t just one their captain, Anna Jones. Jones is quite a characplayer to watch, we have a few. We are a team of 15 that ter on and off the court, consistently displaying the qualities play as one unit.” necessary for a teammate and captain.

Jones has been playing basketball for about 10 years but Winter Track took a temporary two year break and decided to make her Even though it’s cold outside, that’s not stopping track. comeback on the Dulaney team. Though basketball is only On February 11th, the teams headed to regionals located at her side sport, she is able to absolutely own the court and the Fifth Regiment Armory. The girls came back with a win contribute lots to the team’s unity and energy. for the 4x8 and the boys won regionals. At the same location Jones states that at the beginning of the season she didn’t states occurred on February 18th. For state’s Senior, Gavin have many friends on the team but is thankful for the fact Shaffer won the 55 meter hurdles and high jump. Ty Dailey that, “everyone was just really welcoming and came togethwon the 800. Shaffer, Dailey, Adam Yang and Tristan Forby er really quickly and easily.” won the 4x4. To end the season the boys were state runner As Jones greatly appreciated each of her teammates, her up and girls got fourth in 4x8. teammates also greatly appreciated her.

“Anna is a great leader; she contributes massively to the Allied Bocce Ball team with intensity and is just a good captain overall! I can This year Dulaney was able to participate in Allied bocce confidently say that Anna has been the best overall player ball. 11 Athletes and 24 buddies are part of the new experiand has a great attitude on and off the court,” said Emma ence. As of February 9th there have been three matches and Center.

Dulaney was able to win 1 out of 3.

Because of the team’s success, Jones cherishes each game.

Coach Shaw says, “We have had a lot of fun learning a We all hope to see Jones make a return next season as a Dunew sport and making new friends this season.” laney Lion but she is still uncertain. For now, she enjoys the time she spends with her current teammates.

Girls Basketball Jones believes basketball has helped her build team The girls finished the season 9-9 with many wins against chemistry because “it’s five people on the court so you have Baltimore County teams. In late January, they had a four to really build trust with those people.” game winning streak, beating Loch Raven, Garrison Forest, Along with that, this season has helped her improve her Owings Mills and Parkville. They ended the season with a sprinting and leadership skills. Without Jones’ leadership, playoff game against Parkville. the team would not have the successful season that they had this year.

Find Find us us at at http://dulaneygriffin.org. http://dulaneygriffin.org.

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opinion the griffin

Does Toxicity Run in Your Family?

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natasha aragon, staff writer veryone’s heard the phrase, “you have to cut out the toxic people in your life.” The problem is no one explains how, especially when those “toxic people’’ are your family members. I agree with cutting off those that harm you mentally, physically, emotionally and all the inbetween.

Life is short, you shouldn’t live it in a dreadful state even when it comes to family members.

The word “toxic” is thrown around casually, jokingly or seriously with no clear definition. Having a toxic family member means someone who treats you in a harmful way: this can be physical or emotional abuse. Gaslighting, degrading comments and any behavior that makes someone question their well-being is behavior exhibited by a toxic person. It’s a constant, repeated behavior by the person. People have bad days, so ensure whether you are reading their behavior properly. Choosing whether to part ways with family members, or who to part ways with, isn’t possible for everyone. So, the first question to ask yourself is whether your family or family members are toxic.

To mask or not to mask

laura pohl, staff writer ashlyn hoffmann, staff writer he Omicron variant is the latest culprit for the spread of COVID-19. In late December 2021, cases significantly picked up after the variant hit the East coast and began to surge across the country. It peaked around Jan. 9, 2022 with 17,252 new cases in Maryland-nearly five times the previous peak in Dec. 2020. Since then, numbers have drastically dropped in not only Baltimore county, but across Maryland.

Many students and staff of Dulaney High tested positive with the new variant over winter break, resulting in Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) to reconsider the safety of in person learning. Lifting the mask mandate began to feel so far out of reach. Despite this, masks are now optional as of March 1, 2022.

A lot has changed since we returned to school after winter break and a week of virtual learning. Students and staff grew concerned if we would be returning virtual for longer. Surprisingly, BCPS was able to keep their overall case count down and just two months later, the mask mandate was removed. As of Tuesday, March 1, 2022, all BCPS staff and students are allowed to choose whether or not to wear their masks.

Many students are happy about the mask removal and the hope it shows for moving towards our post-COVID lives, whereas others are concerned that it might be a little too soon.

Although the mask mandate has been taken away, it doesn’t mean students are not allowed to wear masks. Masks are still effective in reducing the spread of COVID and protecting your classmates’ high risk family or friends. We know of families that are high risk and although vaccinated and boosted, COVID still poses a substantial medical threat to them. For the people that are concerned that it might be too soon, continue to wear your mask until you feel the cases are low enough.

Since everything is still up in the air with cases and the severity of the virus, there is a chance that with the removal of masks, cases could spike again, resulting in the return of the mask mandate. We don’t know what the future will hold for COVID progressions, but it’s important that everyone knows that the virus is still out there, and masks should still be worn if you are in a high risk situation or think you might be infected.

Although it is important to keep COVID cases down, it is also important that as a community, we move towards a future without pandemic stresses once again. So now the question becomes, is it too soon or is it time to begin moving forward?

Only time will tell.

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Toxic behavior stems from needing control and projecting anger off on others. While it’s normal for families to suggest what they believe is of best interest to you, there is a limit.

A toxic family sets unrealistic expectations making all your achievements small and flawed, in turn making you feel incompetent. Due to stereotypes given to teenagers, like being lazy, toxic families may ask questions like, “are you doing something with your life?” A toxic person also downplays your emotions and worries, for example saying, “it’s not that big of a deal.”

Going through a toxic relationship can be extremely detrimental to a teenager’s health. Acknowledging this behavior and understanding that you are not alone is the first step to moving forward. Most toxic behaviors are carried out unconsciously, so it is best to first bring up the issue and set boundaries. Confronting them and voicing your feelings can help bring awareness to the issue. After talking, not arguing about the behavior, observe whether your family or family members become mindful of your request. You may need to talk to your family members more than once, but someone who cares for

your boundaries will reflect on themselves and make a change.

On the other hand, maintaining boundaries requires your enforcement. You know what you want and need, so you must communicate that to others. Creating boundaries will be relatively new for everyone, being uncomfortable and vulnerable will happen. When experiencing this, communication is key and remembering the reason for your boundaries is important. Even so, if no difference is noticed, consider cutting ties. You can physically shut out someone or start to detach yourself. You are in control of what you talk about. Decide whether or not you want to hold conversations about certain topics with them.

Having a toxic family is possible and extremely common.

Due to teenagers confusing this behavior for parenting and discipline, toxic etiquette goes unnoticed. Preventing this issue starts with acknowledgement and support. Talking to those around you is a great way to get through times like this. If you don’t feel entirely comfortable talking with your friends, know that the counselors are always an option. Finding comfort and safety in others can help and you will get through this no matter what.

Growing Up in the Age of Technology cassie weymouth, editor olivia morris, staff writer oday, technology has become an integral part of society with people rarely leaving the house without their phone. And that’s just the start of it. Now it is rare to find someone without their own laptop, smart watch or whatever else is on the market, ourselves included. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Phones have made life a lot easier. But at what age is too young to receive a phone or something similar?

It’s not uncommon to find a small child sitting at a high chair completely engrossed by the iPad in front of them. And to be fair, it’s an effective way to keep your kid quiet and occupied so that parents can relax and enjoy their dinner. But, are children being deprived of a childhood when they are handed a tablet or iPad? It makes you think that all the jokes surrounding iPad kids have merit.

Remembering back when we were kids, the first iPod touches had just come out, but technology still felt like a distant and adult thing, something I’m incredibly grateful for today. I got to see the world around me before watching things happen thousands of miles away. No video or game will be able to

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replace afternoons outside with friends, running, biking and all around being kids.

Kids in the younger generations seem to know about the next trend, who is dating who, and all the drama in social media more than they do about their own lives and families.

In a lot of ways social media has replaced the innocence and simpleness that childhood used to be..

Not only this, but technology is highly addictive and it clearly shows. I’m sure many have seen the temper tantrum that often comes along with a parent trying to take away a beloved video game or social media platform. Most adults and teens- who for the most part didn’t receive their phones till middle school or older- already struggle to not constantly check. Introducing technology at younger and younger ages may only make the dependency worse.

Going outside and playing with anything that you found outside was not only fun but taught us how to deal with life.

We toughened up from scrapes and bruises, learned not to run into a busy street and perhaps most importantly how to be independent. It is time to put our phones down and truly experience the world and all it has to offer.

Online Exclusives @ dulaneygriffin.org • • • • • • •

From staff writer Laura Pohl: “5 Destressing Alternatives to Screen Time” From staff writers Natasha Aragon & Liam Gaumont: “Another Stressful Time of Year” From staff writer Ryan Tiedemann: “Lit Review: Pachinko” From Editor Esha Singhai: “Olszewski Plans to Build New Dulaney (Again)” From staff writer Michelle Wang: “Going Virtual: A New Era of SAT?” From staff writer Ryleigh Bernhardt: “Ring or No Ring?”

From staff writer Gabrielle Cassini: “The crowd doesn’t go wild...”

The Truth Behind Those Teenage Stereotypes gabrielle cassini, staff writer The intense eyeliner, loud angry music and slamming doors. These stereotypes have continued to develop for years through the media. Today, movies including “The Breakfast Club’’ and “Mean Girls” have shaped our visions of the “typical teenager.” When hearing the word “teenager,” it often already comes off as problematic. Most do not understand, through the teen years, teenagers are figuring out their own identity, relationships and future plans of who they want to become. Many Parents continue to ask questions like, “What is wrong with them? Such a teeneger!” It is important to remember they could be dealing with something very significant in their life you are unaware of. It is time to look past the teenage stereotypes, and consider the deeper meanings.

Teens are described in many ways such as being called “sleepyheads,” “moody teenagers,” or “glued to the screen.”

From falling asleep in their first period class, or coming down to the kitchen around 12 p.m., there is more reasoning than the repetitive word teens are called “lazy.”

According to the US. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, “Teens need more sleep because they are in a time of very fast physical, intellectual, and emotional growth.”

Additionally, the sleep they are lacking results in doing poorly in school, or being moody/irritable.

In an anonymous survey sent out to Dulaney students, 87.5 percent say they are called “too attached to your phone”, and 83.3 percent are consistently called “lazy”.

As far as being glued to the screen, most people assume teens are playing nonsense games, when in reality, they could be doing something creative or important that you are not aware of. It is not their fault they were born into a society of social media. On the other hand it is arguable that social media has many negative impacts on the human brain.

“Teens who use social media are at greater risk for negative self-image, higher rates of anxiety and depression and declines in life satisfaction,” Jessica Hackmann, a psychologist at Dulaney High School, says.

Furthermore, when teens are experiencing these factors, they are immediately stereotyped regardless of what is going on deeper inside.

Hackmann also mentions, “Teenagers today are living in a world that no other generation has ever experienced. COVID-19 has altered every facet of our lives and teens are not immune to this. As a result, we have to assume that teen behaviors are going to be equally impacted.”

Adults may have similar emotions, but the adolescent brain does function differently.

The prefrontal cortex (part of your brain behind the forehead) is still maturing. This area is responsible for decision making, organizing, time management and emotional regulation.

Adults create environments for younger children that support them with problem solving, work completion and goal attainment.

Hackmann says, “As teenagers, more independence is exFind us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

pected.”

Teenagers often are unsure of what people expect from them.

In the anonymous survey, one student agrees that teenagers are stereotyped and says, “We are expected to be like adults, but are treated as children.”

Adolescents are also often accused of having risky behavior, which is actually a normal part of development. It instead reflects on a process for acquiring experience, and preparing oneself for complex decisions you will need to make as an adult. Nevertheless, teenage behavior isn’t just raging hormones, it is simply an imbalance in development of the brain.

Research also shows adolescent feelings often come across as invalid. The survey demonstrated that 84 percent of students feel adults assume, and do not actually understand how they are feeling. Likewise, it is proven parents and guardians often try to “fix” their teens, rather than understand them.

Another anonymous student said, “ …A lot of parents tend to be blind to the stress and work their children do, making teenagers often seen in a negative light. Teenagers look for an escape through their phone or other methods, but this usually is all parents see.”

Despite the fact that parents automatically treat teenagers as ungrateful, emotional and temperamental human beings, they often forget what falls behind those adjectives. During the grueling times of COVID, people are more vulnerable than before. It is important to disregard assuming, and instead start to consider others and their feelings.

the griffin opinion 5

Dresscode: The Subtle Art of Not Sen-ior-itis (n.)

Showing Your Shoulders esha singhai, editor

Sen-ior-itis (n.): A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors.

Symptoms include: a lack of studying and repeated absences. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation.

Source: Urban Dictionary

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jackie sibila, editor over up. Put something over that. You’re being distracting. Go home. Want to avoid the comments, being dress coded? Want to keep someone else’s eyes on your eyes? Want to avoid the whistles, the claps and the catcalls? I will now share with you the subtle art of not showing your shoulders.

Number one, no tank tops. You don’t want to be distracting.

Number two, nothing too low cut. Too much showing. Number three, absolutely do NOT show your bra strap. You don’t want anyone to get ideas. Number four, always carry a sweatshirt. Just in case. Number five, dress for success. You can’t possibly learn if you’re wearing a crop top and short shorts.

Number six, remember, it’s not actually what is revealing, but how it looks on your body specifically.

To the girls with their shoulders showing, to the girls, with their bellies out, to the girls, who have been dress coded. This one’s for you.

While I understand that there are things that are appropriate and not appropriate to wear to school, there has to be a hard line drawn. Students wearing crop tops or having shoulders showing succumb to punishment not befitting of the crime, oftentimes being removed from classrooms. In Georgia, an eighth grader was dress coded for a rip in her jeans higher than her finger tips. She had to miss her first period. In Nevada, a sixteen year old was escorted out of the classroom by police officers to the office for an in-school suspension because she was showing her shoulders. Another instance of a missed class. But what exactly is the crime?

It is rare to hear a case when a boy is dress-coded for skin

photo by anna albergo showing. What’s even more infuriating is that reasons cited for dress codes being enforced are oftentimes because something is deemed distracting, to a certain audience. This results in class time being taken away from young girls, so that they can change into more “appropriate” clothing. What message does this send to young girls? That what they wear is more important than their education? Because that’s what it feels like when you are sent out of a class to change; That it’s your fault that you are sexualized.Thats what it feels like when you are penalized for a little bit of cleavage.

Some argue that dress codes are meant to protect young girls. That they should dress modestly to not “invite sexual harrassment.” But again, what does this teach young girls?

That it’s their fault they were the recipient of unwanted attention? That they were asking for it?

As the recipient of catcalls, honks and whistles. As the recipient of being dress coded, I can assure you my shoulders are not the problem.

So, let’s change the narrative. Number one, why am I responsible when someone else gets distracted. Number two, why am I penalized for a natural part of my body? Number three, keep your eyes to yourself. Number four, it’s hot. I don’t want to wear a sweatshirt. Number five, I am successful, even in my crop top. Number six, two friends were wearing the same exact outfit. One got dress coded and one didn’t. It just so happens that their body types differ. Coincidence?

Number seven, number eight, number nine, all the way to infinity. Stop sexualizing us. Stop targeting us. Stop devaluing our education based on what we’re wearing.

Every day, a new student is affected by the unforgiving reigns of Senioritis. Unable to study, do work or at the very least–care, they are overtaken by bouts of extreme exhaustion and lack of motivation. Senioritis lives in all corners of the school, attaching itself to seniors from the beginning of the year and slowly building until it peaks during the second semester.

However, despite this being a very real problem, it is not taken seriously. Senioritis is viewed as a poor excuse for laziness–an issue that can be fixed with a simple step-by-step solution. In fact, the New York Times, NBC News and wikiHow have written articles on how to stay motivated during your senior year. While wikiHow takes a softer approach, telling students to keep daily checklists and “practice working hard to prepare for next year”, NBC News openly tells students that their Senioritis could cost them their college acceptance. While there is truth in the latter, these occurrences are incredibly rare.

Scaring students into working is not the correct approach in mitigating the issue at hand, especially when it stems from a place much deeper than laziness.

From my experience, Senioritis often occurs for the following reasons: The overhyping of college decisions.

From the minute students step into high school, they are burdened with the idea that every choice, every grade, and every activity will impact their ability to get into a reputable college. For this reason, high school becomes an inescapable burden meant to outshine peers and become the “ideal” student, causing students from grades 9th-11th to work off purely extrinsic motivation. When these students get to the secondsemester of senior year, they no longer have the extrinsic motivation of college weighing on their shoulders. This feeling culminates into a lack of care for school, which only snowballs as the year comes to an end.

The lack of relevant coursework being taught.

Despite having to transition from the isolated bubble of high school to the stresses of college, students are given little to no resources to assist them. We are expected to decide the course of our professional careers at 17, but are still given filler work to occupy our time at school. It is especially disheartening, considering a majority of the students are unaware of how to manage real-world situations. A notable example is that a vast percentage of students do not know how to do their taxes or manage their money efficiently.

The overly-strict expectations being set.

Senioritis is a concept that has existed long before this article. Teachers and parents have gone through it themselves, which is why it is especially important to create a better atmosphere for younger generations. Regardless, the workload writing quality, which was extremely beneficial for college esonly seems to increase after college applications are submitted. says and scholarships the following year.

Late work policies get more strict and seniors are being asked Research: You can research any topic of your choosing. to stay motivated because the finish line is “just so close”. OfChinese 5: This course is somewhat teacher-specific, as lanten, the lack of leniency in school further contributes to stuguages are open to variations between schools and instrucdents’ lack of motivation. tion. Mr. Lovett gives students the opportunity to learn both the language and culture through his assignments, an incredThough Senioritis is not the most critical issue affecting ible opportunity. students, acknowledging the impacts it can have is incredibly important to ensure that seniors have a smooth transition to My bottom four are as follows: college. Senioritis affects everyone, and with the immensely Human Geography: This curriculum jumps between subjects difficult experiences that this year’s graduating class has had far too quickly and with seemingly no relevant connection. to go through, it is tough to take the blame for these actions.

Statistics: Needing to justify and memorize every single condiBut, we will get through this together! tion or mathematical operation is unnecessary and irritating.

Every AP Class I Didn’t Take (Meaning Seminar, ChemisSincerely, try, Music Theory, and Other Word Languages): This should A student suffering from Senioritis speak for itself.

Physics C: I also didn’t take this course, but quite a few people currently taking it requested that I rank it first. As a result, therefore, it is ranked last, and would be lower if possible.

AP Classes: A subjective ranking ryan tiedemann, staff writer The goal of this article is to rank AP classes in order of the enjoyability of their curriculum (with my own bias EXTREMELY prevalent).

My top six are as follows: European History: This class is unbelievably enjoyable. The curriculum contextualizes the majority of modern European geopolitics, and the parallels you can draw throughout history are mesmerizing.

Biology: I took this class with Mr. Stranathan, but the curriculum should remain the same. Despite not enjoying most sciences, the Bio curriculum excellently informs you of relevant processes and historical development in the field.

U.S. Government and Politics: This course is ranked highly based on relevance; no other curriculum can compete with how important it is for students to know the functions of the U.S. Government, which AP Gov summarizes quite well.

English 11: The books you read in this course are not my favorite, but I believe that its curriculum vastly improved my

Four Day School Week = Mental Stability

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olivia morris, staff writer n the Baltimore County Public Schools 2020-2021 virtual school year, each week consisted of four days with synchronous classes and the fifth day being an asynchronous work day. Since then, there have been many discussions about permanently changing the school week to four days with a fifth day for independent study.

A survey given out to Dulaney students showed 95.3 percent of students want a four day school week. A four day school week could be greatly beneficial for many students who find an extra work day their only way to keep up with the abundance of assignments that are given to them. A week with an asynchronous work day would also give teachers an opportunity to meet individually with students who require additional assistance. Students are given an extensive amount of homework and many are also involved with different clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities. Changing the

school week to four days would give students a day to catch up on their work, sleep, extracurriculars and social life.

There is an immense amount of pressure to become a well rounded student by participating in a variety of activities to create the “perfect” resume. This kind of pressure on high school students leads to burnout and constant stress which is not healthy for anyone. Overwhelming stress has become an increasing problem for many high school students who struggle with meeting the ever increasing demands placed on them at school and at home. Finding a balance which allows students to achieve and be successful is important to healthy development.

High school students find themselves committing hours of time away from school doing homework after completing a six hour school day. Additionally, students involved in sports or clubs after school have even more difficulty finding time to accomplish all of the work assigned to them. Students should Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

have some homework in order to have extra practice to study for their classes. But, the quantity of work that is given in many cases is too much, allowing very little time for students to relax and have their own time to do things that they enjoy.

It is extremely important that students have time to do things that they enjoy and make them happy. High schoolers carry the unfortunate burden of spending a majority of their time stressing over the next test, competition or time they can see friends even when they are not in school.

Mental and physical health and well being go hand in hand.

Adults, for the most part, are limited to a 40 hour work week.

Students should not be required to do more or be held to different standards than their parents. Six hour days, plus homework and extracurricular activities quickly run higher than 40 hours. A four day work week would allow students to spend a solid day independently focusing on their studies and health, without compromising our school’s core curriculum goals.

6 features the griffin

Black History Month

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ryleigh bernhardt, staff writer hen we were younger, Nickelodeon or other cartoon channels would promote Black History Month on TV. Channels would play commercials or shows educating viewers on landmark events or African Americans who shaped history. Watching these channels was a big influence on our mindsets concerning Black History Month. There were no outside influences or sources that would’ve taught us more because it wasn’t shown or talked about enough. So let’s learn about it.

Black History Month is a month to honor the successes and struggles of African Americans and to honor important influences. Historian Carter G. Woodson created this celebration, and it started off as only a week in the month of February. This week later turned into a month-long celebration in 1976 and has been celebrated annually since.

One of the most influential black leaders is Martin Luther King Jr. who was an important activist for the civil rights movement. He became one of the most important spokespersons and led many speeches fighting for civil rights when no one else would. In Dec. 1955, King along with Rosa Parks and other activists planned a bus boycott in Montgomery.

This lead to the end of all forms of discrimination on buses.

Parks was a huge feminist and social activist. She gave courage to so many people. Sitting in the back of the bus even when it wasn’t allowed made so many differences in our society. Simply sitting in the back of the bus as an African American woman took strength and determination, and

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it inspired others who wished to do the same. This also led to the boycott held in Montgomery with King.

Although Parks and King are the figureheads of civil rights, there are many lesser known activists who did just as much like Fannie Lou Hamer and John Lewis. and plenty more. Hamer was an African American woman who started fighting for civil rights just when she was six years old. She worked to abolish racially-biased voting in the South, 1962.

Hamer traveled along with many other African Americans to a courthouse to vote despite dangers surrounding the idea. It got her fired from her only job, but only increased her strength, along with many other supporters. Though Hamer was influential, so was Lewis. Lewis was not only an American politician but also a civil rights activist. He was arrested many times after participating in non-violent protests as segregated lunch-counters. After helping with the March on Washington in 1964, the Civil Rights Act became law.

There are a countless number of activists who have fought for civil rights for African Americans, many who are unknown despite their achievements like Lewis and Hamer.

This is why we continue to celebrate Black History Month and remember inspiring African American activists because no one knows about these activists who risked everything to make a change. It’s time to speak up, teach about these activists in our classes during the month of February. Even if it isn’t in the curriculum, Black History Month should be taught in our history classes. This month was created for a reason, so let’s celebrate it.

Pick One: Grades or Sleep

lily hemmeter, staff writer leep. Sweet, elusive sleep. Something teenagers desperately need but rarely get enough of. To us, dedicating eight full hours of the day to rest seems near-impossible. Sleep deprivation has become the norm, and contrary to popular belief, telling us to just “go to bed earlier” is not helpful. At all.

In a recent survey conducted to gather data on sleep habits of Dulaney students, about half of respondents admitted to getting only five to six hours of sleep on the average school night, and another 20% get just three to four. These findings are shocking compared to the CDC recommendation which states that teenagers should get eight to 10 hours per night. Unsurprisingly, 64% of students in the survey said that they do not feel awake or alert during the school day, and 62% have fallen asleep in class before. It is clear that this is an extensive issue and one that will not be solved easily.

There are a number of factors that keep high schoolers from having healthy sleep routines. Homework, stress and insomnia were the most common responses regarding this.

Many students also play sports and don’t get home from school until about 5 p.m. Trying to juggle school work, jobs, friends, hobbies, household chores and mental health is no easy task for teenagers, yet they are expected to just “figure it out.” To meet all of these demands in life, sleep is often the

first to be sacrificed. When given the option between staying up past midnight to study and going to bed at a reasonable time, many students will prioritize their schoolwork.

Despite our unbreakable connection to technology, teenagers are not robots, and we need breaks too. It is unreasonable to expect us to go to school for seven hours, participate in clubs and sports, complete hours of homework and go straight to bed at nine o’clock. While this may work for some people, the vast majority of us need some time to unwind between the school day and homework time. According to Cornell Health: “taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.”

With my frequent lack of sleep, I am certainly in no position to offer advice on this subject, but I will anyway.

Spreading out your homework over both days will reduce the amount you need to do each night. On days where you don’t have as much homework, spend your extra time sleeping rather than scrolling on TikTok. Start prioritizing your sleep over studying for hours straight; being well-rested will probably help you do better on a test than cramming all night.

Hopefully, we will figure out how to break this cycle of sleep deprivation soon. In the meantime, please don’t tell us to go to bed earlier.

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photo by katherine schutzman

sophia

suggests sophia paranzino, editor-in-chief How can freshmen get through our first year of high school?

I have good news for you: you have already completed the majority of your school year. High school is a weird time, you are suddenly gaining more independence and everyone is still growing and hitting milestones at different times, including you. In these constantly changing times, you can feel a lot of pressure about fitting in and discovering who you are. But the best part about high school is that you do not have to know. You can try out a bunch of different clubs to find which activities best interest you. You can get to know a wide variety of people in your different classes and activities and find people you like to hang out with. This is a really unique time in your life that you will only get to experience just this once.

Make the most of all high school has to offer and don’t spend too much time worrying about the future, which will ultimately inhibit you from enjoying the present.

I have trouble communicating with my dad out of fear of how he will respond to anything. How can I fix this?

Parental relationships can be some of the most important kinds for teens, yet can also be incredibly frustrating.

As we get older, some parents grapple with the fact that we are no longer children, and as a result can often belittle and talk down to us, many times unintentionally. In this case, it is important to firmly tell your dad how his actions make you feel. Using “I statements” while speaking with him to show the impact his words have on you while also minimizing blame. If he does not attempt to change his communication with you, I would suggest seeking help, perhaps from our school’s counseling group or a trusted teacher. Ultimately, you cannot control his words, but you can control how you perceive them. If he is speaking down to you, acknowledge that his words are not an actual reflection of yourself and do not define who you are.

Resources to contact for additional information: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/young-people (Dial 211; call/text your zip code to 898-211) Childhelp.org (National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800422-4453)

I have a crush on a guy that I am friends with but don’t want to get rejected. Should I tell him?

This is definitely a difficult position for you to be in. I would first ask you to assess the strength of your relationship with him. If the worst case scenario happens and he rejects you, would your relationship be strong enough to withstand the awkwardness or would it just be too much?

If telling him your feelings could destroy your friendship, think carefully about the decision to tell him how you feel. With that being said, if you care for him enough that you think jeopardizing your relationship is worth it so he McMaster was seriously injured and rushed to Universi- knows how you really feel, I say go for it. Life is too short ty of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, from which he was to sit around and wonder what might have happened if later released on Jan. 27. Sadler and Lacayo were also recov- you had been bold enough to speak your feelings. ered from the scene and taken to UMD Shock Trauma Center, where they were later pronounced dead after suffering Submit any issues you need advice on using the link in the from cardiac arrest. By 11:45 a.m., the roof had completely Dulaney Griffin Instagram bio or email your question to ducollapsed. Butrim was found later that day and pronounced laneygriffin@bcps.org. If you want to read more, check out The dead at the scene.

Griffin website to see all of Sophia’s advice.

37-year-old Burtim began his training in 2005, joined the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2006 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2016. He was honored by Firehouse Magazine in 2015 when he found an unconscious child in an of the departed firefighters spoke about Lacayo, Sadler apartment fire and performed CPR until other emergency and Butrim. services arrived. Butrim was a fan of baseball, hockey and Following the service at the convention center, the fuNASCAR; he was a devoted father to his late son, Nolan, neral procession traveled to Dulaney Valley Memorial Garand a loving husband and son. dens. The procession consisted of police motorcycles, the 33-year-old Sadler started at the Baltimore City Fire loved ones of the deceased firefighters and fire trucks carDepartment right out of high school in 2006. She met her rying fallen firefighters, followed by more fire trucks, amhusband, Brandon, in 2015, and had a strong bond with bulances, and police cars from all over Baltimore County her step daughter, Mila. Sadler was a loving daughter and and surrounding areas (Bel Air, Fallston, Wheaton, Annapsister who always prioritized her family. She was a strong olis, Providence, Kingsville, Baltimore City, etc.). The casket hugger with a determined personality, and she loved DIY of each firefighter was wrapped in an American flag and projects, party planning and animals. She was acting lieu- placed on the bed of a firetruck to make the journey to their tenant the day when she was called to the house fire, and final resting place. in her honor, the Baltimore City Fire Department promoted People gathered along the overpass on Seminary Road her to lieutenant after her death. alongside fire trucks and firefighters to watch as the funeral 30-year-old Lacayo became a firefighter in 2012 and a procession made its way up I-83. An overwhelming numparamedic in 2014. He began his service with the Whea- ber of vehicles honked in support as they went under the ton Volunteer Rescue Squad and joined the Baltimore City overpass. The funeral service at Dulaney Valley was limited Fire Department in 2014 after receiving the Rescue Squad’s to only family and close friends of the firefighters, but othaward for paramedic of the year in 2016, as well as multi- ers gathered outside of the cemetery to show their support. ple other citations for his extraordinary work as a firefighter Every day, firefighters and other emergency responders and paramedic. Lacayo was a devoted son, brother, fiance go to work knowing they may have to put their lives on the and uncle, and his family remembers him as a “kind, hum- line to save a stranger. And every day they show up, fully ble, gentle soul who put others before himself.” committed and willing to sacrifice themselves for others, A memorial service was held for the firefighters at the just like Butrim, Sadler and Lacayo did. These firefighters Baltimore Convention Center at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, should still be alive today, but they will forever be rememFebruary 2. Firefighters from outside of the city came to Bal- bered as heroes who fought to protect their community. timore to cover for the members of the Baltimore City Fire Department, allowing them time to grieve and pay respects to the fallen firefighters. The families and loved ones of each

Baltimore Pays Tribute to Fallen Firefighters katherine schutzman, staff writer n Jan. 24, 2022, Lt. Paul Raymond Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Renee Sadler and Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Antonio Lacayo were killed as a result of a house fire in a vacant three-story row home in the 200 block of South Stricker Street in Baltimore. The firefighters arrived at the scene at around 6 a.m. Monday morning and began battling the fire, soon rushing into the house in search of anyone who may have been trapped inside.

Soon after, the roof of the building partially collapsed. At first, it was believed that three firefighters - Sadler, Lacayo and EMT-Firefighter John McMaster - were trapped inside.

However, word was received by 8:50 a.m. that a fourth firefighter, Butrim, was also inside.

march 10, 2022

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

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features the griffin march 10, 2022

One Bite: Pizza Review

brooke ellis, staff writer Growing up in Phoenix, Maryland, pizza night was always from Strapasta. It wasn't until I came to Dulaney that I heard of a new place, Maria’s, located in Timonium. To find out what will be my (and maybe your) new go to for pizza night, I’ve decided to try and rate them based on the crust, sauce and overall taste.

Cheese: Strapasta had a good distribution of cheese and at first glance Maria’s seemed unappealing and burnt.

Sauce: Strapasta sauce was bland and almost bitter while Maria’s was sweet and tangy, overall elevating the flavor of the pizza.

Crust: Strapasta lacked a strong flavor with the cheese and sauce while Maria’s had great seasoning that pairs well with the sauce.

Overall Taste: I rated Strapasta a seven on the crust, five on sauce, and taste a six and half making the score 18.5 out of 30. I gave Maria’s a six on the crust, seven on the sauce, and taste an eight making the final score

a 22 out of 30.

A poll sent out at Dulaney showed that 30 percent of the people that voted have had both Maria’s and Strapatsa and 65 percent of them like Maria’s better–I don't disagree. To the 41 percent who have never had Maria’s, I think it would be worth trying for the explosion of flavor. Lastly, I think the 30 percent of the people who have only had Maria’s, should try Strapasta to enjoy a new type of pizza.

I think Strapasta had the better “pizza” look but Maria’s had much better flavor. It’s also important to note that a 16 inch pizza at Strapasta is $11.95 and Maria’s is $14.95, so if you don't mind splurging the extra three dollars, then Maria’s is not a problem. Another factor that might deter your pizza preference is location. Strapasta is only five minutes from where I live while Maria’s is 20, so it makes more sense to get the pizza that is closer.

Trying Maria’s was one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. Now every pizza night will be from the best local pizza shop– Maria’s.

ashlyn hoffmann, staff writer “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” is a heart-warming movie about an alien, later named E.T., that got stranded on Earth. He was soon discovered by 10-year-old Elliot and developed a physical and emotional connection with him.

This classic 115-minute Steven Speilberg film, released on June 11, 1982, has made over $793 million in profits over the past 40 years. The movie starred Henry Thomas as Elliot, Drew Barrymore as Gertie, Robert MacNaughter as Michael, Dee Wallace as Mary and Pat Welsh as the voice of E.T. One of the most successful aspects of the film was the incredible music. All music present in the film was composed by famous composer, John Williams, who also composed the iconic music to some other classics such as “Jaws,” “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter.”

The movie came out 40 years ago as of 2022, but is still watched and loved by millions. Watchers love the immediate connection they get with the adorable alien and how that grows throughout the movie. Another aspect of the movie that made it really successful was the ending. The actors and film crew did an amazing job of expressing the many emotions felt by the characters as Elliot says goodbye to his new best

friend. Additionally, watchers of all ages can appreciate the humor aspect the movie offers.

For the movie’s 40th anniversary, the film crew is setting up movie screenings, customer products and digital campaigns. According to an article about E.T. film fests on the website Variety, “Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg and producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will be on hand to kick off the 13th annual TCM Classic Film Festival with a special presentation of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.’ The screening, set for Thurs. April 21, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the beloved family sci-fi film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.”

There is still more to be discovered as to what this amazing film crew has in store for their anniversary and E.T. fans will anxiously await these celebratory events to honor their favorite film.

What exactly makes this film so special? Ben Mankiewicz, TCM primetime anchor and the TCM festival host said, “I was 15 years old when ‘E.T.’ came out and what was true then remains so today; the film continues to speak to both children and adults.”

Regardless of what made this film a family favorite, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable film and if we might be seeing the little creature again.

Happy 40th Anniversary, E.T.!

Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org

Harry Potter Reunion Review

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anna albergo, editor-in-chief n Jan. 1, 2022, HBO released “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” to celebrate and reminisce on the legendary film series. Eight movies were created between November 2001 and July 2011 after the release of the seven-book series

by J.K. Rowling. The reunion episode featured interactions between cast and crew as well as previously unreleased footage. The combination of familiar faces, flashbacks from the films and tributes to actors who have recently passed created the perfect nostalgic sensation for “Harry Potter” fans.

After introductions, the reunion episode was structured chronologically, by describing each movie starting with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and ending with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” I felt that this structure was a good choice, but disliked how they spent varying amounts of time discussing each movie instead of equally reviewing the movies. For example, I found that they overlooked “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and spent far too much time covering “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Although the “Deathly Hallows” was broken into two movies and marked the end of the series, there was no need to devote a large chunk of time to it in a series where all movies exceeded expectations.

Looking back on the reunion episode, I am still amazed at all the new insights I’ve acquired. Since first reading the books and watching the movies in elementary school, I have reread and rewatched the series countless times. Because of my previous knowledge, I went into the reunion episode doubtful that I would learn new information, but I was quickly proved wrong. The reunion episode offered me a new perspective on the series by incorporating lesser known information including the fact that Emma Watson, the actress who played Hermione Granger, considered leaving midway through the series. It was also interesting to get a new perspective on the scenes I have watched so many times. In particular, I enjoyed hearing Emma Watson and Rupert Grint talk about the awkwardness behind certain scenes and seeing the many failed takes of them.

While the new knowledge presented provided impressive insights, the most meaningful aspect of the reunion episode was seeing the impact that the “Harry Potter” movies had on the actors and actresses involved. While watching the movies, it’s easy to get caught up in the characters and forget to realize that their story was only made possible by real people. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson shared how they struggled to find an identity outside of “Harry Potter” once filming ended. The reunion episode sparked appreciation for the decade of hard work and dedication that was required to create the films that shaped the lives of millions around the world.

The reunion episode gave “Harry Potter” fans an experience similar to looking through Dumbledore’s pensieve. They were able to go back in time to experience what they haven’t before, making “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” a truly magical experience.

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features the griffin

march 10, 2022

scene at dulaney: administrators in action Missed Faces at Dulaney

photo by sophia paranzino

On Feb. 17 a pipe burst in the second floor boys bathroom in the main building. As a result, water poured from the first floor ceiling, flooding the ground near the main staircase. The transition between classes was temporarily halted as school staff worked to fix the crisis. One such staff member was Principle Samuel Wynkoop, as seen in the above photo, mopping the water as it rained down in an attempt to prevent the flood from spreading.

No Knock, No Accountability

madelena lapinski, staff writer People of color all over the country are forced to confront yet another example of an all too familiar topic: police injustice against minorities. On the morning of Feb. 2, 22-yearold Amir Locke was shot and killed 10 seconds into the commencement of a no-knock warrant in Minneapolis, Mn. Temporarily, no-knock warrants are prohibited and the officer responsible for killing Locke, Mark Hanneman, is on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.

Locke and his family are being represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who worked with George Floyd’s family in the same city only two years ago.

In 2020, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey passed legislation banning unannounced entries. Despite this, St. Paul police requested Minneapolis SWAT to execute a no-knock warrant to enter the apartment of Mekhi Speed, Locke’s 17 year old cousin. Locke was not listed as a suspect on the warrant, yet he was fatally shot before the team could even identify him, as he was covered by a blanket. Body camera footage shows the team discretely opening Speed’s apartment door with a key before entering, then shouting and killing Locke who was resting on the couch, all in 10 incomprehensible seconds. Officer Mark Hanneman fired three fatal shots-- two to the chest and one to the wrist-- after seeing that Locke was in possession of a gun that his mother later confirmed was purchased legally, responsibly and safely as protection against situations exactly like this one.

In a press conference on Feb. 4, Interim Chief of Police, Amelia Huffman said that it is still uncertain how Locke

is related to the case since they have no evidence connecting him to it. This makes his murder even more egregious, considering that even the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) did not name Locke a suspect or even someone merely connected to the case before fatally shooting him.

Lawyer and justice activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who was asked to work as a co-chair on the investigation, recognized and exposed this absurdity during the press conference.

Armstrong was disgusted by the lack of transparency shown by the MPD: “We’re tired of being killed. We’re tired of the cover-ups. We’re tired of the excuses,” she said.

According to the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, these excuses that Armstrong references have allowed police violence to become the sixth leading cause of death for young black men. It could be anyone, but it should be no one.

During the conference, Armstrong said, “I saw a picture of Amir. He looks like a boy. My son is 17 years old. He has slept on his friends couches for sleepovers. So, we cannot sit here and whitewash this and pretend that it’s okay.”

It is unclear through the shouting whether the officers told Locke to drop the firearm, but what is clear is this: Locke, other than being related to Speed, had no connection to the case. He is a victim of a no-knock warrant, which was issued under questionable and unclear changes in policy made by the city and state legislature.

Any life lost is a tragedy. He was only 22.

Artist Among Us: Pan Explores Photography

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kathrine schutzman, staff writer here are endless forms of art with which one can express themselves. For senior Payton Pan, using photography to capture the beauty of the world around him is how he enjoys filling his free time. Pan began to discover his love for photography a few years ago when he received a camera from his cousin. He enjoyed experimenting and learning how to use his camera, and started taking photography classes at Dulaney in his sophomore year.

Pan is currently taking AP Photography. His main area of interest where photography is concerned is nature and environmental scenery. However, Pan noted that he’s always open to expanding his horizons.

“It’s always fun to experiment with new things,” Pan says. “There’s always genres that I can push the limits and try new things.”

Pan enjoys sharing his work for others to see. He has his own website, https://www.paytonpan.com, that features multiple collections of his photos. He also occasionally teaches classes and enters his work into shows.

“I think it can be inspiring for all parties,” Pan says.

Outside of photography, Pan enjoys other extracurricular activities. He is a scout and a member of the Dulaney tennis team.

As for continuing photography in the future, Pan says he may go into the journalism field, where he could pursue other interests alongside his passion for photography.

photo by payton pan Find us at http://dulaneygriffin.org.

erin patterson, editor Almost everyday Dulaney High School (DHS) students pass by their administrators without recognizing who they are or their role at Dulaney. DHS has five administrators: Samuel Wynkoop, Latonya Wallace, Constance Dean, Bob Murray and Christopher Parker. All five are in charge of different duties to make Dulaney run as smoothly as possible.

The voice you often hear on the announcements for testing passes is Murray. Murray’s duties at Dulaney include supervising the ninth grade, testing and the Spark Program.

The Spark Program is for students who need extra help with summer school or afterschool programs. The biggest job he has is testing; Dulaney completes state testing almost every month. Whether that be fall testing, winter state testing, spring state testing, MCAP, HSA, MISA or WIDA-ESOL, Murray has to schedule times and students to take these tests. Due to COVID, students are taking two years worth of tests to try and catch up.

Murray said, “There are a lot of facets to it that you have to look at from a lot of angles…to try and perfect the logistics because you are taking a school of 2,000 students and running them through exams.”

Murray began receiving his degrees when he graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelors in history.

Then he received a theology degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Murray was originally interested in becoming a priest but then changed his mind and went to Towson University for a teaching certification. Afterwards he obtained degrees from Johns Hopkins, Loyola University and Seton Hall. The degree from Seton Hall was especially important since that is where he received his Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) degree. “[the PhD] was more of a personal thing, a challenge to myself, since only 1% of the population has a doctorate and I wanted to see if I could do it. Plus, I was interested in the topic and possibly teach college courses…” said Murray.

DHS’ administration puts forth hours of their time to help make Dulaney the best it can be. Whether their jobs be more logistical work or lunch duty, the administrators help support students and staff to uphold Dulaey’s positive reputation. photo by erin patterson

Senior Spotlight: Olivia Kahn

Senior Olivia Kahn is using her time outside of class to gain practical experience in the field of political science through Dulaney’s internship program. Editor-in-chief Anna Albergo sat down with Kahn to learn more about her experiences.

Q: Where is your internship?

A: I intern with Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. I’m at the District Office right at Padonia.

Q: Why were you interested in doing that internship?

A: I want to do something with political science. I thought I was just going to do an internship at a law firm but Ms. Carter and Ms. Carlson who run the program said I could intern at a Congressman’s office and I thought that sounded better.

Q: How often do you intern?

A: I do six hours a week, Mondays and Tuesdays 2-5.

Q: What is a typical day like at your internship?

A: I answer the phone and people are constantly calling.

I sort through the mail and distribute it.

Q: Do you have any other duties and responsibilities?

A: Our office just started doing hybrid because of COVID so not everyone’s there all the time. So, I do more office things that you can’t do at home like sending copies to people and faxing things.

Q: Who do you generally interact with?

A: My supervisor. Her name is Payton. We get a lot of calls about immigration issues so I’m working with the guy who handles immigration law.

Q: What have you learned at your internship?

A: I learned what members of Congress actually do. Before, I just thought they voted on laws but they actually do so much more. They help the constituents with whatever they need and whatever we can help them with. What I’ve learned the most is the division between state, local and federal politics. Every time people call I either have to refer them to the county executive, state senator or I help them if it’s a federal issue.