Winter 2017
THE PAW PRINT Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Rd. Columbia, MD 21044
Volume 45 Issue I
Gifted Players Accept Early Offers to Play College Soccer
Junior goalkeeper Jenna Hutchison during a varsity soccer game. Photo submitted by Roy Hutchison
By Rachel Henry Juniors Julianna Bonner and Jenna Hutchison have committed nearly a year earlier than the average high schooler to play collegiate soccer. As active, talented, starting members of the girls varsity soccer team since their freshman years, these players represent a growing number of
athletes who are accepting offers to college before their senior years. Early offers to play college sports are becoming increasingly popular according to “ The New York Times,” as colleges scout students as early as middle school. But the players have a lot to consider before they make their choices. Jenna Hutchison, starting goalkeeper,
Howard County Makes Changes to Lockdown Procedures By Jane Hilger
Across the county, schools have tightened up on lockdown procedures, a response to a growing concern for gun violence across the nation. According to “The LA Times,” a gun has been fired on school grounds almost once a week since the events of Sandy Hook. In October of this year alone, gun violence and mass shootings has caused 86 deaths. This has been a cause of concern for many parents and students who are worried about their safety. One such concern according to senior Ethan Lee is that “Wilde Lake has a lot of doors on all sides of the school.” Managing the entry and exit of students, staff, and community members is one problem the administration continually monitors, said assistant principal Mr. Crouse. Mr. Crouse wants people to know that the Howard County lockdown procedures have been changed as a response to these growing concerns. According to Mr. Crouse, the main change is that lockdown procedures have been redesigned to protect students against an active shooter. “The
is currently committed to George Mason “I had spreadsheets, I was tracking University. “You are not given a lot of room schools that had my majors, and looking at to turn complacent and stop working for the highest levels of schools,” she said. it. [The teams]fill up their rosters quick, so Bonner explains she had a similar you have to get on their radar before you course of action to find the best school miss your chance with that school.” possible. Along with the pressure of committing “It’s about finding a college that fits with early, earning a spot on their future teams your academics, and fits with your playing can be difficult. skills.,” said Julianna Bonner, starting Verbal commitment doesn’t give them Striker for the Cats, committed to Lehigh an “automatic in” for the college that they University. choose. Verbal commitment “The process that I took still requires the player to apply “I took my time, to become committed was considered the slow and thoughtful for the and get into the college, though they may have a better chance of offers I had, visited recruiting process,” said acceptance. This commitment multiple schools, Bonner. “I️ took my time, can also be ended on either side and made it clear considered the offers I️ had, of the deal at any time, due to that I wanted to visited multiple schools, and various reasons. commit my junior made it clear that I️ wanted to Junior Lily Dunbar was commit my junior year.” year” verbally committed to UMBC Though these students are to play for their team in college, -Julianna Bonner already preparing for college but in November of 2017, the experiences, the girls agree UMBC coaching staff was replaced. The that having experience on a high school coaches were dismissed, along with her varsity team has helped them develop the commitment to the team. skills needed for college level. “I definitely was not expecting it,” said “I think being a starter since Dunbar. “The coach had a contract with freshman year really helps me and relates the school until 2018, but when the team tremendously to the college aspect,” said played poorly UMBC bought out the Bonner. “You get that team camaraderie, contract and replaced the coaching staff.” and the sense of playing with seniors who While setbacks with these are possible have experience. ” due to loose contracts, Dunbar plans to In the end, a lot of work goes into “keep her options open” and make her choosing the “best” school. For Dunbar, decision from there. who is still looking at offers and colleges, With all of these possible hindrances, “It’s about not freaking out, talking to finding the perfect college isn’t always the coaches and family, considering your easiest task. For Hutchison, it took a lot of options, and trusting that you’ll eventually planning and searching. end up in the spot that’s right for you.”
biggest change is that the police are going to get into the building ASAP to try to confront or find the shooter as soon as possible,” said Mr. Crouse. According to Mr. Crouse, during the school day most doors around the school are locked during the day, with the exception of the two front doors, which are monitored by the front office staff. All visitors who enter through these doors must check in with the front office. This is to limit the number of outsiders and potential threats entering the building. In addition, all Wilde Lake staff have gone through emergency procedures training, and Howard County schools are required to hold 16 emergency drills each school year to make sure everyone involved is well prepared in case of an emergency. Still, Mr. Crouse says that a large responsibility should fall on staff and students. “We should keep our eyes and ears open and report any suspicious activity to an administrator,” he said.
BSAP Focuses on Outreach By Maddie Sommers When freshman Ryan Moment-Stromon won the 2017 Black Student Achievement Program’s essay contest, he was shocked. “It was just amazing, most of the other participants were 11th or 12th graders and I didn’t think that I stood a chance. I was surprised, cheerful, and glad,” he said. “In the beginning I didn’t know if I had enough confidence to participate, but I ended up seeing and realizing how I can do better in life and now I have more confidence to show my talents in the future.” The purpose of the contest was to both familiarize students with political leader and activist Marcus Garvey and to reflect on the importance of confidence in life, said BSAP liaison Mr. Nicks. Wilde Lake welcomed Marcus
Nicks as the new BSAP liaison in 2017. “I enjoy knowing when I get up in the morning that I will be able to impact the lives of African American students in a positive way,” he said. Mr. Nicks plans to focus on outreach and making a positive change in the lives of his new students while getting to know the Wilde Lake community this year. Sophomore Khiera Tuck has already benefited from the empowerment and feeling of community that the Black Student Achievement Program has provided for her. “BSAP has given me an outlet that makes me feel like I can make a change in the world,” she said. “It has given me people I can connect with and relate to. It’s a great way to bring together a group of people.”