THE HAWK - December 2023

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THE HAWK

Dec. 2023

Christmas is right around the corner – what better way to celebrate then by going to the Christmas parades?

!

N O E D A R PA

by AVA ARNOLD

SDHS students from JROTC, football, and band on Dec. 2 joined Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade.

Many SDHS students, including members of the school choir, joined the Berlin Christmas Parade on Dec. 7.

Photos by Charles Shoemaker

Pocomoke City kicked off its 51st annual Christmas parade on Nov 27. They rocked out to Christmas music with all their wonderful floats. The dance teams were excited and ready to dance the night away to the Christmas cheers.

People were dressed in holiday spirit spreading holiday cheer. The fire departments even participated in the parade, too! Showing their bravery for all they do, they really gathered the crowd’s attention for cheers. To finish their parade with Santa at the end.

The children jumped with joy and cheer.

Maybe you attended Snow Hill’s annual Christmas parade. School bands and teams joined together giving the audience Christmas concerts while on the move. The small town of Snow Hill showed their spirit just as much as Pocomoke, where people cozied up with their families on the cold night with layers of clothes and bundles of blankets Ocean City continued its tradition this year with their annual Christmas parades as well. Starting earlier in the

day, crowds filled the sidewalks on Coastal Highway. Everyone bundled up and was cheering for the floats. Local schools performed Christmas music while on the move. Kids cheered loudly when they saw their friends on spirited floats.

Berlin finished the parades with their annual Christmas parade. The Stephen Decatur Seahawks football team led the parade right behind the Berlin Fire Department, celebrating their big win at the state championships football game. After the football team was the man we all know, Santa Claus. All of the kids were extremely happy, and excited to see Santa.

As floats filled Main Street, the sidewalks became more crowded. The high school bands continued playing their Christmas music, local businesses made floats and walked the streets.

The dance teams from all over Worcester County took part in the parade once again, dancing the night away. Fire departments joined in for the winter cheer as well. Waving and tossing candy canes to little kids, yet again grabbing all the Christmas cheer. 

Dec. 2023

THE HAWK

MERRILY MAR CH I N

by CHARLES SHOEMAKER

Marching Band has been a long-ime tradition of Stephen Decatur High School, spanning decades under the supervision of band director J.D. Foell. This year has been an eventful one, starting all the way back with the football games.

As they do every year, the Marching Band started out playing during football games, cheering the team with their music and playing at halftimes throughout the season. Then came the pep rally earlier this year, where the band was one of many within the school to perform for the crowd of students and teachers at Decatur.

The band’s business only intensified with the success of the football team; their victories as

they tore through their competition paved the way to more and more games, granting the Marching Band even more chances to show off their skills.

Come December, the band had already been showing off their capabilities to all within the school. However, come parade season, and with the further success of the football team, their opportunities and success was only beginning.

With the football team going to states, the band followed, performing far from home during halftime in Annapolis, though this was just one event in an already busy time.

December brings Christmas, Christmas brings parades, and parades inevitably bring the band. Now competing against

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G ALO N G

their fellow bands in Pocomoke and Snow Hill in each parade, the band pushed forward to strive above the competition and come out on top this parade season.

Going up against other bands wasn’t smooth sailing. The Marching Band has had trouble in recent years with recruitment, stemming from multiple problems largely beyond their control. Nonetheless, the band wasn’t fazed by the larger size of their competition. As they had in several parades in years past, they managed to come out on top in parades such as the one in Snow Hill on Dec. 4 where they won best band.

What the band may lack in numbers, they more than make up for in spirit, determination, and practice. Their performances and victories this parade season have made a clear showing of the band’s skill and ability to perform as many prepare for the transition over to Concert Band in the coming semester.

(Above) Members of the Stephen Decatur High School Marching Band performed at the Ocean City Christmas Parade on Dec. 2.

Pictured (L to R): Annalee Holmes, Adam Baker, Chandler Smith, Macey Humphress, Hallie Balassone, Jasper Ridgely, band director J.D. Foell, Aiden Backofl, Joel Ridgley, Logan Cosgrove, Frederick Donahue, Hunter Hudson, Catrina Donmoyer, Nikita Koceruba, drum major Jonah Ridgley. (Charles Shoemaker photo)

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THE HAWK

Dec. 2023

THIS MONTH IN MUSIC WHAT’S IN YOUR

WRAPPED?

by BAYLEY PRICE Spotify Wrapped is when listeners get an overview on their top listening throughout the year.

It gets released every year around the beginning of December. Wrapped measures your top genres, artists, podcasts, and songs and they put together all the data into a slideshow. It also gives you special messages by your top artists and shows you how many minutes you were active.

It looks over everything from that year including things that were popular that year. For example, Best Hip-Hop, Top Hits, or Best Dance Songs. It also includes that year’s top tracks, artists, groups, from all listeners.

My top artists were: 1) The Backseat Lovers, 2) Tyler, The Creator, 3) Mac Demarco, 4v) TV Girl.

Show Choirs students in rehearsal (L to R) Taylor Jacobs, Carly McDonough, Keirra Elliott, Paige Lenz, Kaden Smith, Cloe Kellog, Andre Williams, Mackenzie Jones, Anna Hickman, Zi’Rielle Ballard, Adrianne Snyder, Trista Harner, Kate Slaysman, Kalena Ethridge, and Khamani Smith.

pitch perfect Decatur’s show choir hits all the right notes

by T.J. CURRY

If you want to sing and dance with your fellow classmates, join the Decatur Show Choir.

Performing arts teacher John Gross is looking to expand his Show Choir class for the upcoming semester.

“Show choir is for people that love to sing and dance and aren’t afraid to perform in front of an audience,” Mr. Gross said.

“It’s a great creative outlet you can create your own pieces and do it to the music you like.”

Show Choir does singing and choreography and they did one concert each semester one for Christmas, which

focuses on holiday music, and one in the spring that doesn’t focus on a certain type of music and experiences a bunch of different genres. Each show will have a total of five to seven performances.

You will start learning on the first day of class. The cool thing about the class is that even

though Mr. Gross is the teacher, the students take charge; they will pick the songs and then some students will make the choreography Throughout the semester as you learn the dances and lyrics they have the concerts and they have fun.

Show Choir is open in the Spring during Period 5.

Show Choir students (L to R) Khamani Smith, Paige Lenz, Andre Williams, and Mackenzie Jones rehearse for their Dec. 13 holiday performance. (T.J. Curry photo)

Dec. 2023

THE HAWK

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g n i r u d o d o t Things

K A E R B R E WINT

Page 5 for unlimited fun. Jump passes start at $20, and deals are available for larger parties. Visit altitudedelmar.com for more information.

6. Alley Oops, Ocean City

Over the winter break, there will be days when it seems that there is nothing for you to do, and nowhere to go. But, in our community, there’s always an activity. And some are PERFECT for winter!

With two locations, midtown and downtown, Alley Oops has something for everyone. A large arcade, bowling lanes, a restaurant, VR systems and a shark tank offer a unique experience for all ages. More pricing information at midtown.allyoopsoc. com!

1. Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City

7. Ocean Lanes Bowling Alley, Ocean City

by MAKENNA NICHOLS

Located at Northside Park in Ocean City, there is a wonderful and festive maze of lights to see.

You can ride the train or walk through the park, and there are many opportunities for creative photos.

Winterfest is open everyday (except Christmas Day) from 5:30-9:30 pm, until December 31 (New Years Eve), and proves to be a cost efficient “fan favorite”, as it is free for guests 11 and under, and costing only $6 for guests 12 and older. More info at www.ococean.com.

2. Ice Skating at the Carousel, Ocean City Carousel Oceanfront Hotel and Condos has an ice skating rink open to the public, nearly all year long. They offer skates of sizes youth 8 up to Men’s 15,

Altitude Trampoline Park in Delmar has wall-to-wall trampolines, a rock climbing wall, a video game arcade, party rooms, and a “ninja warrior” course, and more. (Altitude Delmar photo)

to have fun with the whole family. Carousel also offers food and drinks, and there is an arcade on the premises. The cost to skate is $6 for hotel guests and $8 for non-guests. Skate rental is $4 for hotel guests and $6 for non guests. More info at Carouselhotel.com.

3. Laser Tag and Arcade at Game World, Ocean City

Located at 142nd Street in north Ocean City, Game World offers laser tag, arcade games, and mini golf. Game World is open everyday from 9 a.m. to midnight, and offers a snack bar as well as deals and sales for larger parties. The price per

game of laser tag is $12, $17 for two games, or $35 for an unlimited amount of gameplay. More info at Gameworld.com.

4. Indoor Mini Golf, Old Pro Golf and Nicks Mini Golf, Ocean City

Old Pro Golf on 68th Street in Ocean City offers and indoor, ocean themed, mini golf. Prices vary from $12 per person for one game, $8 for unlimited, or $20 for a whole day of play.

More info at oldprogolf.com.

5. Altitude Trampoline Park, Delmar, MD

If you’re up for a short drive, visit Altitude Trampoline Park

Open all week, times varying, Ocean Lanes is a timeless Ocean City tradition offering many party deals and leagues for everyone. Each game is $5.75 per person and shoe rental is $3.50. The bowling alley is complete with a snack bar, and an alcoholic bar for customers 21 and older. Visit oceanlanesocmd.com for more.

8. A Perfect Face, West Ocean City

Award Winning day spa “A Perfect Face” has many different services to chose from, and packages to enhance the fun!

Hair, nails, skincare, massages and more, visit aperfectface. com for pricing and sales!

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PHOTO GALLERY

CHILDREN’S THEATER

Max Fleming, Fay Predmore, Ciera Harkness, Adreana Lathamt

THE HAWK

Dec. 2023

The SDHS Theatre Department from Dec. 1-8 presented its 47th annual Children’s Theatre show, “The Ants and the Grasshoppers.” The classic story was adapted for the stage and directed by Performing Arts teacher Brandon Cater. As has been the tradition for decades, the show is produced for audience of young children, many of whom come to SDHS from Worcester County elementary schools. The show was a sensation!

Molly Hoffman, Sauna Vick, Lylah Pryor

Riley Jones

Abbi Weeks, Elliott Morrison, Milo Stant, Alyssa Monteverde, Lylah Pryor, Erin Lyons, Molly Hoffman, Vivian Shourds, Sarah Johnston, Arabella Camilleri

Grace Kline with a young audience member

Sascha Mete

Cassidy Stott, Adreana Latham, Haley Hays, Sauna Vick

Erin Lyons, Sarah Johnston, Vivian Shourds, Riley Jones, Molly Hoffman, Alyssa Monteverde

Dec. 2023

THE HAWK

PHOTO GALLERY

NAVAL JROTC INSPECTION

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The SDHS Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) on Dec. 5 hosted a representative from the U.S. Navy to conduct the squad’s annual uniform inspections and a Pass-In-Review. The inspector was said to have commented: “Decatur is the best NNDCC (Navy National Defense Cadet Corps) I have seen yet.”

Leadership salutes the JROTC color guard during Pass-In-Review.

Johnathan McCarter

JROTC cadets (L to R) Andrew Corbin, Colby Tyre, Nathan Jackson, and Maddox Mitchell line up for inspection.

JROTC cadets line in formation for their Pass-In-Review. Armed platoon commanded by Tristan Ayars.

Cassidy Stott

JROTC cadet Matthew McGee (center) takes notes as US Navy Lt. Teresa Hicks performs a uniform inspection on cadet Maddox Mitchell (right).

JROTC instructor Dr. Heath Lucas and USMC SSgt. Urbina observe the inspection process.

Emmanuel Urena

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THE HAWK

Dec. 2023

AROUND THE AREA

Winterfest of Lights marks 31 years in Ocean City

by CRISTINA ESCH

Crowds hit the ocean for the annual New Year’s Day Penguin Swim in 2020. (Photo courtesy AGH)

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difficulties. For prices visit Escapomania.com

9. Flagship Premium Cinemas, West Ocean City and Fox Gold Coast Ocean City

11. Penguin Swim, Ocean City To finish out the break, on New Year’s Day, Atlantic General Hospital hosts its 30th annual Penguin Swim at the Princess Royale Oceanfront on 91st beach.

Registration is $30 per person on or before December 30, or $35 per person on December 31 or January 1. You can participate as a team or as an individual, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place win trophies!

Check in on January 1st is from 9-11:30 am, and the swim race is at 12pm. For registration information, go to aghpenguinswim. org or scan the QR code! 

The cold weather is a perfect time to curl up and watch a movie. The best places to see the most recent flicks and receive award winning service is at the movie theater. The best choices are Flagship Cinemas and Fox Gold Coast. Visit flagshipcinemas.com or goldcoastmallocmd. com for more information about pricing and showtimes.

10. Escapomania Escape Rooms, Ocean City With multiple locations around Ocean City, Escapomania offers many escape room themes and

Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, Maryland, celebrates its 31st anniversary in 2023. Thousands of people go to see them every year. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the lights are a fun attraction for locals in the winter.

Held at Northside Park, thereare spots to look at Christmas lights, there is a park for young kids, and hot cocoa with cookies.

All the excitement brings about 100,000 people a year. These family activities are less expensive and offer options.

The tram used to be a big part of the celebration. But

once the COVID-19 pandmic brought an end to a lot of things, Winterfest changed up the rules, and instead of the tram, people walked. Since then, the Town of Ocean City brought back the tram, but continue to offer up the opportunity to walk.

The lights provide a special place, with special memories, for a lot of people. People get engaged, had a place with friends to hang out, and allowed kids to visit Santa.

The different lights, and sights have provided people with joy and happiness, and they really raise spirits.

Decatur students make the trip to Northside Park. Winterfest of Lights is a fun place to hang out with friends over the holiday season in Ocean City. (Cristina Esch photo)

Dec. 2023

THE HAWK

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OPINION

School start time should be later

by JILLIAN DONAHUE

Do you also hate waking up at 6 a.m. every morning to get on the bus and go to school? Tired of being so tired you don’t comprehend any of your morning classes? Do you want to go back to kindergarten so we can have nap vtime? Yeah, me too.

If school started just an hour later, we would be much more alert, decrease tardiness, and perform better in school.

As presented by the Sleep Foundation, the majority of U.S. adults and parents think school should start later too. I think a reasonable time would be to push it back just an hour. That would mean we would start at 9 a.m. and finish at 3:40 p.m.

A lot of people have to be out of the door to catch their bus around 6:45 a.m. Do you know how hard it is to get out of bed every day for 180 days with only three barely week-long breaks in between? An adult who is fully grown and done developing needs around seven to nine hours of sleep. However, teenagers need eight to 10 hours.

In the statistics that I found, most teachers wanted school to start earlier. Obviously, they don’t need as much sleep and can get up sooner. Teens also are quite stressed from being swamped with schoolwork

and changing hormones. You might argue that we should just go to better earlier. I personally go to bed at 9-10 p.m. and get barely eight hours of sleep.

I also find that I need closer to 10 hours to feel fully awake.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, this lack of sleep can lead to being overweight, not engaging in physical activity, depression, unhealthy and risky behaviors, and most importantly not performing well in school.

School claims to want the best for the kids, but in this day and age, not everyone can get as much sleep as they need.

We are not as healthy as we can be and are not reaching our full potential. Not being able to give your full attention to lessons can cause you to fall behind and miss important things. I find that often teachers go quite fast and don’t really repeat much of what they say. I struggle much more in the classes I have in the morning than in the classes I have in the afternoon.

If school started an hour later, that could decrease the amount of tardiness and absences. I hear all the time from my peers, “I’m so tired! I wish my parents could pick me up,” or “It’s too early for all this, I wish I could take a nap.”

They all the time want to miss school solely on wanting even just an hour of extra sleep.

As we get older, school starts later and lessons get harder. It doesn’t make any sense.

Students need to speak out about our concerns with our education.

The superintendent should ensure that we start school an hour later as soon as possible.

The logical thing to do would be to issue it to start next school year, but honestly the sooner the better. Not just for us, but for SDMS and BIS. They are even younger than we are and start so much earlier.

The school system’s start time is destroying our mental and physical health. A lot of this could be fixed with more hours of sleep.  Jillian Donahue is a staff writer on The Hawk and a freshman enrolled in Mr. Shane’s Introduction to Publications course.

The student newspaper of Stephen Decatur High School since 1954 Student Contributors Ava Arnold Beck Allen T.J. Curry Cristina Esch Jillian Donahue Nevaeh Horton Macey Humphress Siday Lowrey Elliott Morrison Makenna Nichols Bayley Price Charles Shoemaker Ben Stallings Teacher Advisors Brian Shane Marie Stevenson Direct all inquires to: decaturhawk@gmail.com (410) 632-2969

@SDHSHawk @decaturhawknews

ON THE COVER Stephen Decatur football players (L to R) Jamien Purnell, Zakari Baker, Nate McDaniel, Davin Chandler, Trybe Wise, and Brandon Hamm celebrate their 21-13 victory over Huntingtown High School in the MPSSAA 2A state championship game on Nov. 30 at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.

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THE HAWK

DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

Dec. 2023

Deck the halls with pride and cheer! Our school’s annual Door Decorating Contest ran from Dec. 14-18. Students and teachers in Period 4 classes decorated the entry to their door – or even across walls and lockers – to celebrate the holiday season. Votes were cast by scanning a QR code posted by each door.