Last Thursday, the softball team hosted its Senior Night against the Lawrence Upper Lions. The girls were searching for their first win of the season and seemed to have the “upper” (Get it?) hand.
Before the official first pitch, the team honored seniors Delaney Burke, Abigail Cruz, Gianna Garcia, Nicolle Thomas Garcia, Hailey Kekic, and Jayrine Camacho Ramos for their dedication throughout the season as well as their high school careers.
Now, onto the game.
The Lady Canes found their way on base via walks, a lot of them. The Lions’ starter walked 14 batters in the first 1.2 innings. By then, the Hurricanes had already scored 12 runs.
Freshman Jocelyn Vega started the game on the mound for the Hurricanes and only gave up two hits in five innings. The Lions, in total, tallied four runs and that was nowhere near enough to steal a road victory.
The free passes kept coming for the Hurricanes with a seventh grader coming in to pitch for the Lions, and she walked 10 batters in 2.1 innings.
In the end, the Hurricanes grabbed their first victory of the season.
Final Score: Brooklyn 21, Lawrence Upper 4.
Side note: The Hurricanes voted for their fellow teammates to receive awards at the end of the season. The team MVP was four-year member Nicolle Thomas Garcia. She displayed hard work and what it means to be a leader. The Most Improved Award went to freshman Raegan Burke. She held down center field for the Canes. Lastly, the Hurricane Award, given to the girl for the most team spirit, was freshman Zoe Schultz. She came every day to practice with a positive mindset to help guide the team.
The softball season came to an end last night in their Sectional loss to Dalton. Nonetheless, we want to congratulate the girls on their Senior Night victory and wish the seniors the very best of luck in their future endeavors.
Here is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.
May 14: Baseball vs. Normandy – SENIOR NIGHT (5:00)
First, the King of Pop. Then, the Galaxy. Now, the Buddy Adventure as our movie preview section continues.
Who doesn’t love a childhood classic where all of the nostalgia is brought back to life? Let’s rewind back a bit and take a look at how Toy Story carried our childhood from then to now.
On November 22, 1995, the first Toy Story movie was released, having a bunch of fans going crazy over it. The movie itself received a Special Achievement Academy Award and is known for being the first animated film to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
In the first Toy Story, Woody feels threatened when his owner Andy brings home a new high-tech Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. With Buzz Lightyear believing he’s a real space ranger, Woody believes that Buzz is Andy’s new favorite toy, leading to jealousy between the two. After Woody accidentally knocks Buzz out of the window, they both are faced with the crazy neighbor Sid, and they both must work together and return to Andy before his family moves away.
With Toy Story 2 having its big release in 1999, fans gave it as much hype as the first one with there being new characters added to the movie and a whole new story with Woody, Buzz, and their friends facing an unfamiliar antagonist.
With Woody being stolen by a very greedy collector named Al McWhiggin, Buzz Lightyear and his friends plan a rescue mission before Woody is sold to a museum in Japan. But, while Woody is kidnapped, he finds out about his past and finds out there are more toys that belong to his own play set. Jessie and Bullseye are a part of his playset, so Woody comes up with an idea of bringing them home to be Andy’s new toys.
Then, we have Toy Story 3. With Toy Story 3 coming out in 2010, fans waited almost a decade for this movie to be released.
In Toy Story 3, Andy is getting ready to leave for college, and Woody and his friends find themselves heading for the attic but mistakenly wind up on the curb as trash. But Woody’s quick thinking saved him and his buddies, and everyone, but Woody, ended up being donated to Sunnyside Daycare. Unfortunately, the kids do not play nice, so Woody and their friends make a great plan to escape.
Released in 2019, Toy Story 4 follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and friends on a road trip with their new owner Bonnie. Woody reunites with Bo Peep and helps a handmade toy named Forky embrace his purpose. Woody ultimately chooses to leave his friends and Bonnie, sharing an emotional goodbye with Buzz Lightyear and the others to become a “lost toy”. He stays with Bo Peep and passes his sheriff badge onto Jessie.
With all the sequences being created and enjoyed by all, it won’t be the last time you get to see these beloved characters. Toy Story 5 will soon be released in theaters on June 19. In the new movie, not only will you see Woody and friends, there will also be new additions, creating suspense and a threat to the original toys.
In the new Toy Story 5 trailer, it gives a little preview about how modern technology is slowly taking over traditional toys, leading the toys to face their toughest challenge. The old toys may be left and feel forgotten, so in order to be remembered, they must compete with screen time for Bonnie’s attention.
Not only is this new release exciting, but it leads to curiosity of how things will go down in the new movie.
It is already mid-May, which means that the end of this school year is very close. However, no one has crossed the finish line yet, so do not stop now.
First off, AP testing will conclude this Thursday. Yesterday was AP Seminar, today is AP Psychology, and Thursday is AP Spanish. Best of luck to all who will be concluding their Advanced Placement classes.
Moving along, this past Thursday, the Concert Band had their final performance of the year with a thematic presence of America as it is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary in a little over 50 days. The night ended with a piece by Robert W. Smith titled, “The Great Locomotive Chase”. This track is based on the attack of the Western and Atlantic Railroad during the Civil War. A big congratulations to all on a show well-done.
Now, the bulk of this week’s news will be devoted to the Class of 2026.
Prom is next Friday, and with 125 students attending this year, it’s expected to be an exciting event at Windows on the River. Be ready to dress formally, take plenty of pictures, dance the night away, and create lifelong memories. At the conclusion of Prom will be Post Prom, so make sure to get plenty of rest the evening before because Fun ‘n’ Stuff is guaranteed to be an exciting yet exhausting adventure into the early morning hours.
Speaking of seniors, the annual Senior Sunset is coming up, too. This event will be held on May 27 and is hosted by the seniors’ parents. Students will have access to the football field and are invited to play games with their friends. Refreshments will be provided as well. This tradition allows seniors to enjoy time with their friends one last time before their names are called to receive their diplomas on Commencement Friday, May 29.
Here at The Return of the Eye, we would like to congratulate all graduating seniors, specifically our senior journalists. Next week, we will have a proper send-off for our senior writers.
Finally, here is the upcoming schedule for May.
May 18: Senior Awards Ceremony
May 22: Prom
May 22-23: Post Prom
May 27: Chromebook/Charger Return & Cap and Gown Pick-up
May 27: Senior Sunset
May 28: Graduation Practice
May 29: Graduation
Have a great week, Hurricane Nation.
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Rocco Spiewacki. Rocco is funny, chill, and entertaining. He has been in Brooklyn since pre-school and works part-time at Culver’s. In his free time, he likes to golf and go to the gym. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in Business Management and eventually own his own restaurant. A fun fact about Rocco is that he has been concussed multiple times.
Q: What is one moment from high school that really stuck with you?
A: “My junior year in Chemistry class. It was a hard class, but there were lots of funny moments.”
Q: What is something you learned in high school that wasn’t taught in a classroom?
A: “How to develop a strong routine.”
Q: In what ways do you wish that you had done things differently in high school?
A: “I wish I focused less on what people thought about me.”
Q: What are you looking forward to the most at the end of the school year?
A: “Graduation so I don’t have to wake up every day at seven in the morning.”
Q: If you could meet anyone in the world right now, who would it be?
A: “It would be ‘Perfect Timing’ to meet Sheduer Sanders.”
Q: Would you rather never be able to play golf again or never be able to cook again?
A: “Never cook again. I can find a new career path.”
Q: If you and Mr. Holko participated in a cage match, would you make it out in one piece?
A: “I got me winning all day!”
{Editor’s Note: Rocco would lose quickly and painfully.}
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mrs. Berg. She gave me valuable life advice.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Rocco. Good luck with owning your future restaurant, as well as the final weeks of your senior year.
The hometown Cleveland Guardians sit atop the AL Central with a record of 19-19. Yes, you read correctly that a .500 record is leading the American League Central Division.
Last season, the Guardians’ offense was the second-worst in Major League Baseball, and while they didn’t make any major free agent signings, their internal pieces have come alive to resurrect the offense.
First, rookie sensation Chase DeLauter has sparked the top of the Guardians lineup and filled a major hole in the two-spot. In 32 games, DeLauter is hitting .308 with 6 homers and 23 RBIs. In the first three games of the season, DeLauter hit four home runs, becoming only the second player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
Cleveland has also heavily-relied on players who have been serviceable for a couple of years, Angel Martinez and Daniel Schneemann. Martinez, a switch hitter, is hitting .270 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs. Schneemann has come up big, batting .284 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. On April 17, in a scoreless game against the Baltimore Orioles in the 7th inning, Schneemann smashed a go-ahead grand slam. Ironically, the Orioles scored six in the 8th inning to win the game.
Another up-and-coming bat for the Tribe is top prospect and 2024 #1 overall pick, Travis Bazzana. Bazzana raked his way through Triple-A Columbus, hitting .287 with 2 bombs and 10 RBIs with a .933 OPS. He has shown great discipline at the plate and hard contact in the zone in 23 major league at bats.
The other bats are still waiting to come around like Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, and Bo Naylor. All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is also struggling a tad, too. A catching prospect to keep an eye on if Naylor can’t find his groove is Cooper Ingle, who is tearing it up in Triple-A Columbus.
On the pitching side, the Guardians rotation has shown signs of promise with rookie Parker Messick leading the way with a 2.40 ERA and Gavin Williams having another nice season with a 3.28 ERA. The bullpen, which is supposed to be a strength, has struggled with a 4.16 ERA.
The young bats have been the story to this point, but can the rest of the Cleveland lineup start hitting and make this offense consistently watchable?
Most people last Monday were greeting others with the common phrase, “May the Fourth be with you.” Therefore, is it safe to assume that many people are Star Wars fans? If you are, keep reading as a new adventure will be on the big screen in a little more than two weeks.
The new release of The Mandalorian and Grogu will bring you along for the ride and adventure that Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu have by hunting down imperial remnants for the New Republic, attempting to stabilize the Galaxy.
The Mandalorian is a Star Wars live-action series, and in the upcoming movie, Din Djarin and Grogu are the central duo. Following their journey as a Mandalorian bounty hunter and his Force-sensitive apprentice, the upcoming film depicts the pair tracking missions together, following the fall of the Empire.
With this series being five years after the Return of the Jedi, there is a high likelihood of the new movie showing characters that are very well-known in the Star Wars franchise known as Luke Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, veteran warrior Bo-Katan Kryze, Boba Fett, and everyone’s favorite, R2-D2.
If you are not familiar with the Mandalorian franchise, the entire series is available on Disney+ and Hulu, and it covers all three seasons, including any other Star Wars movies that you might be interested in.
Want to learn more about this historic and epic franchise and how Din Djarin and Grogu join together to take down the imperial warlords? TheMandalorian and Grogu will be in theaters beginning on May 22.
With May showers already apparent in the Brooklyn community, seniors are down to 13 maximum days until this chapter closes and the next one opens. The week of May 18, The Return of the Eye will highlight all eight senior journalists and send them off with a proper salute.
Now, onto this week’s news.
First, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the BHS staff will be spoiled all week by receiving gifts, food, and letters of gratitude. Remember, we wouldn’t be here without them. Their guidance has led us to the end of the year, so please make it a point to give them some positive words throughout the week.
Regarding the Class of 2026, the annual senior awards ceremony will take place on Monday, May 18. Starting the event, the Honors inductions will be at 6:00 and will include inducting students into the National Art Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society, the National Chinese Honor Society, the National Honor Society, as well as the International Thespian Society. Then afterwards, the second part of the program will reveal the winners for all of the local scholarships, academic awards, and Honor/Merit Roll achievements.
Speaking of seniors, any seniors who do not have Mr. Holko for English IV can learn more about graduation requirements this Friday (May 8) by visiting his room (262) during periods 2, 3, and 5. Mr. Ross and Mrs. Bir will be highlighting important due dates and other important information. Please plan on attending one of these sessions.
Moving along, it is time to talk about prom since it will take place on Friday, May 22. Senior Class and Prom Advisor Mrs. Holko is excited about how prom is coming together.
“Leading the prom committee is fun to hear all the ideas, but it can be stressful trying to put all the ideas together. What’s unique about this prom experience is that participants will be going through the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and appetizers will be served in the aquarium on the way to the ballroom.”
This year’s prom at Windows on the River sounds very exciting, and we cannot wait to be a part of it, building lifelong memories. A big thank you to Mrs. Holko and the group of senior prom committee members.
Finally, here is the calendar for May.
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: Spring Concert
May 18: Senior Awards Ceremony
May 22: Prom
May 22-23: Post Prom
May 29: Graduation
Have an amazing first week of May, fellow Hurricanes. Enjoy the sunshine (hopefully).
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
This week’s Senior Spotlight is Samadhi Holton. Samadhi is interesting, outgoing, and creative. She has been in Brooklyn for 12 years. In her free time, she likes to relax and eat. After graduation, she plans to attend Cuyahoga Community College for Veterinary Medicine and then attend Kent State University for Zoology. A fun fact about Samadhi is that she is double-jointed.
Q: How have your plans changed since the beginning of the year?
A: “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but now, I do. I knew I wanted to do something with animals, but I wasn’t set in stone on what exactly I wanted.”
Q: What made you decide to attend Tri-C and then Kent State University?
A: “I already have roughly half of my schooling done, and I can just stay at home for a little while before I go and live on campus.”
Q: If you could retake any class, what would it be?
A: “Probably Spanish and take it more seriously.”
Q: What has been your favorite senior activity so far?
A: “Participating in the Meet the Court assembly for Homecoming.”
Q: What is your dream school?
A: “Ohio State University.”
Q: What makes BHS different from other schools?
A: “It is very small and not crowded. You know everyone who goes here, and it is easy to talk to people and make new friends.”
Q: If you were in charge of Prom, what theme would you pick?
A: “If I got to pick a theme for Prom, I would make it ‘Night in Rio’.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Holko. He pushes everyone to keep going and to not give up. He tells it how it is, and he doesn’t do any sugar-coating.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Samadhi. Good luck in your future career in Veterinary Medicine and Zoology.
NFL experts said that last year’s Cleveland Browns draft class was very successful, and it seems like General Manager Andrew Berry cooked this year as well.
The 2025 class was highlighted by #5 pick Mason Graham, two second-round picks in linebacker Carson Schwesinger and running back Quinshon Judkins, and two quarterbacks in the later rounds, Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns were scheduled to pick at #6 this year, but they traded down to #9 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cleveland still got the guy they wanted with offensive tackle Spencer Fano out of The University of Utah.
The Browns still had another pick in the first round at #24, and with one offensive need already addressed, they went with another offensive need, selecting wide receiver KC Concepcion out of Texas A&M.
With two offensive needs filled after day one of the draft, the Browns set themselves up for a successful draft in back-to-back years.
On day two, the Browns made multiple trades to acquire later picks and ended up picking in the second round at #39 and the third round at #58 and #86. With their second round pick, they went wide receiver again and selected Denzel Boston out of The University of Washington.
At pick #58, Cleveland stayed in the state of Ohio and selected Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a safety from The University of Toledo. McNeil-Warren was a projected late first-round pick and ended up falling right into the Browns’ laps. With the 89th pick, the Browns selected another offensive lineman out of Florida, Austin Barber.
On day three, the Browns selected two Alabama Crimson Tide players with their first two picks of the day, center Parker Brailsford and linebacker Justin Jefferson. After selecting a tight end out of Cincinnati, the Browns decided to bolster their QB room by selecting Taylen Green out of Arkansas.
With their final pick of the 2026 draft, Cleveland selected yet another tight end, Carsen Ryan from BYU.
Do you think Andrew Berry cooked again in this draft? We sure do as the Brown and Orange addressed offensive areas of need with day one starters and depth. Let us know what you think in the Leave a Comment section below.
Who do you think of when you hear the title King of Pop? Simple, it can only be Michael Jackson.
Known as the King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson was a best-selling American singer, dancer, songwriter, and philanthropist. He is considered to be one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. He influenced generations of artists with his blend of Pop, Rock, and R&B. Jackson’s music videos for “Beat it,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller” were groundbreaking and became MTV staples in the 1980s and are still frequently viewed today.
As a child, Jackson became the lead singer of his family’s popular Motown group, The Jackson 5. He began his professional singing career at the age of five by joining his brothers’ group as a backup musician before emerging as the lead vocalist. Later on after the group began succeeding, Jackson began his solo career while still performing with The Jackson 5. From here, off-the-charts his career went.
Michael Jackson was incredibly successful and is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time.
So, why did we just provide you with background information on the King of Pop? The movie Michael was just released on April 24 and is currently in theaters nationwide.
If you are a Jackson enthusiast or do not know much about him and his life, buy a ticket to see why Micheal Jackson was nicknamed the King of Pop, along with seeing his many accomplishments and everything that he had to persevere through.
Not only are OSTs wrapping up this week, AP exams are coming up faster than you think. Once again, prepare accordingly, do your best, and finish strong. You got this.
Now, onto the news. This past Friday, An Evening With was held at the Early Childhood Center. It consisted of many great swing and Latin tunes from the Brooklyn Jazz Ensemble. Prior to those big band charts, the Brooklyn Chorale performed. The Singing Storm was split into two groups for the evening, and songs byThe Four Tops, The Ronettes, and more were sung beautifully on this night of musical splendor. The Jazz Ensemble followed the singing with their own brilliant performance. A job well-done to all who performed.
Moving along, National Art Honor Society President Riley Cummings created five pieces of art titled Trouble Cleft, Overworked, Unobtainable, Meaningness Wellness, and Director’s Note. Her most revered piece was Overworked, showing her exhaustion throughout high school. She accomplished this with her multi-layering technique, sitting at a lunch table with a gloom all around her. The frame of the photo, however, is glimmering. The inspiration behind this piece was inspired by her exhaustion throughout her life, one which she wanted to express. She wanted to pinpoint what was making her feel this way in a metaphorical way and often being overwhelmed by everything in life. Great job, Riley.
Next, the Student Council is preparing for Teacher Appreciation Week. Next week (May 4-8), students will honor teachers for their hard work and dedication to BHS students. Thank you teachers for all that you do.
Finally, the PBIS field trips are coming up soon. Every student who won Student of the Month is going on a field trip to Swings ‘N’ Things. Additionally, Honor and Merit Roll students, earned from the third quarter, will be having a picnic. The picnic will be held at the stadium this year. Dates for both events will be coming soon.
Good times are upon us with many great activities to come. And who can forget that Summer is quickly-approaching, too? Finish strong, BHS!
Here is the calendar for late April and May.
April 28: Polaris Career Fair
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: Spring Concert
May 22: Prom
May 22-23: Post Prom
May 29: Graduation
Have an amazing final week of April, Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Elias DeLeon. Elias is chill, hardworking, and intricate. He has been in Brooklyn since preschool and works part-time at Sam’s Club. In his free time, he likes to hang out with his friends and play soccer. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in HVAC. A fun fact about Elias is that he has visited four different countries.
Q: How has Polaris affected your junior and senior years?
A: “Polaris has given me good work experience.”
Q: What made you choose the HVAC field?
A: “My grandfather has been doing HVAC for a while now, which made me want to get into it.”
Q: What made your senior year different from your first year of high school?
A: “This year was way easier.”
Q: Give your best piece of advice to incoming freshmen.
A: “Get everything done early in high school.”
Q: What is the latest time that you have gone to sleep on a school night?
A: “Three o’clock in the morning.”
Q: If you had to describe your high school career using one song, what would it be?
A: “Probably ‘DtMF’ by Bad Bunny.”
Q: If you could make your own holiday, what would it be called?
A: “Chemistry Day so that Mr. Roegiers can be happy.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mrs. Berg. She gave good advice on college and future plans.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Elias. Good luck in your future HVAC career as well as the final month of your senior year.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been consistently in the playoffs the last few years, but they have not had much success seeing as they have not made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in this era of Cleveland basketball. In fact, their last conference finals appearance came in 2018. Could this year flip the script?
Cleveland finished the regular season with a record of 52-30, 12 fewer victories than last season. Their final clip earned them the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Their trade deadline acquisitions have made a huge impact with James Harden (20.5 points per game), Dennis Schroder (8.2 points per game), and Keon Ellis (8.3 points per game along with one steal per game).
The Cavaliers first round matchup is a bit of a familiar foe from the 2018 second round, the Toronto Raptors. Our Canadian friends finished with a record of 46-36 and went 4-0 against the Cavs in the regular season.
But so far, the Raptors dominance has not carried into the playoffs. In Game 1 hosted in the 2-1-6, it started off very back-and-forth, but a highlight was Max Strus hitting a buzzer beater lay-up to end the first quarter. At the end of the first half, Cleveland led 61-54.
The Cavaliers continued to do well in the second half as they powered their way to a Game 1 victory, 126-113. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 32 points, Strus had 24 points off the bench, and Harden added 22 points and 10 assists.
In Game 2, the Cavs were led by their big three of Mitchell, Harden, and Evan Mobley. Mitchell had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Mobley had 25 points and 8 rebounds, and Harden poured in 28 points in a 115-105 victory.
With a 2-0 series lead, the Cavaliers are riding high as they shot very well from the field in these first two games and really came out strong defensively in both second halves.
Game 3 will be played tonight in Toronto and will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Tip-off is at 8:00.
Is this finally going to be the year where the Cavaliers get over the hump, like they did in 2016? We sure hope so!
To keep up with the Cavaliers playoff run, click on the Cleveland Cavaliers website.
Regarding Brooklyn athletics, here is the upcoming schedule for the Hurricanes.
From Mexico to Italy to Japan: What will be the final destination? Simple, we will be landing in none other than Puerto Rico.
Sazón Boricua is a casual Nuevo Latino restaurant located on Memphis Avenue in Cleveland, specializing in authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. In a welcoming atmosphere, their food focuses on traditional dishes like mofongo, tostones, and carne frita. Known for its vibrant flavors and generous portions, this restaurant is well-regarded for providing the true taste of the beautiful Caribbean.
With many menu options to choose from, Sazón Boricua is highly recommended for two of its authentic and signature Puerto Rican dishes: Burrifongo and Monfongo.
Burrifongo is a Puerto Rican-style fusion dish that acts as a burrito, using mashed green plantains as the wrapper instead of traditional tortillas.Typically filled with varieties of meat such as steak, chicken, pork, or seafood, it often includes plantain-based mash, peppers, onions, cheese, and mayo-ketchup. It is cited as a speciality and the house’s best-selling dish.
Monfongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made primarily from fried green plantains that are mashed together with garlic, salt, and traditional olive oil or butter. Chicharrón (Latin American bacon) is mashed into the mixture to provide a savory, crunchy contrast with the plantain. At Sazón Boricua, Monfongo is available in several varieties that includes stuffed chicken breasts or shrimp.
Located within minutes of Brooklyn, this is a great spot for those with big appetites and salivating palettes. If you are doubting Sazón Boricua’s quality, just take a look at the picture above.
With the highlights of authentic cuisines coming to a close, give El Palenque, Stancato’s, Tokyo, and Sazón Boricua a try. Support local establishments and enjoy!
April is showering us with news and tests. Many tests will be completed by the end of this month with Science OSTs taking place today and Thursday. Also, today officially marks less than 30 days left of school for everyone but seniors. Seniors have 19 days remaining. Since the end of the year is right around the corner, keep up with grades and complete all assignments. No regrets heading into the Summer.
Speaking of OSTs, with ELA, History, and Government in the books, there are still more to go. Taking time to review and getting an adequate night of sleep will prove crucial to high scoring. Below are the remaining dates for state testing.
Biology: April 21
Science 8: April 23
Algebra I: April 28 & 30
Math 8: April 28 & 30
Geometry: April 29
Moving along, the group under the spotlight this week is the Yearbook class/club. The students in Yearbook go around taking pictures at different Brooklyn events. This varies from sports to other school and community events. Simply, this class is responsible for putting the yearbook together. If you ordered a yearbook from last year, make sure to see Mrs. Bader to get your copy.
This serves as a reminder that Prom money and guest passes are due to Mrs. Holko this Friday, April 24. Prom will take place at Windows on the River on Friday, May 22. Be responsible and anticipate this wonderful event.
Seniors, your local scholarship applications are also due this Friday to Mr. Ross. You can’t win scholarship money if you don’t apply, so get those applications in sooner than later.
Finally, as the cold weather is hopefully behind us, get out and support our Spring sports teams. They would love to see you out in full force.
Here is what is coming up for late April and May.
April 24: Prom Money & Guest Passes
April 24: Local Scholarship Applications
April 24: An Evening With (Music & Art)
April 25: Polaris Field Trip
May 7: Spring Concert
May 22: Prom
May 29: Graduation
Have an outstanding week, fellow Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Lauren Atanacio. Lauren is quiet, smart, and polite. She has been in Brooklyn since preschool and works part-time as a babysitter. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends and play soccer. After graduation, she plans to attend Kent State University and pursue a degree in Nursing. A fun fact about Lauren is that Bad Bunny is her favorite musician.
Q: What is a moment from high school that you will never forget?
A: “Going on the Europe trip.”
Q: What made your senior year different from your junior, sophomore, and freshman years?
A: “It was more stressful.”
Q: What is something about high school that people don’t talk enough about?
A: “People don’t talk about mental health enough. Personally, I don’t think high school is as stressful as some people say, but I definitely think maintaining stable mental health should be talked about more.”
Q: With graduation in about a month, what is your main focus?
A: “Keeping up with my grades and not falling behind.”
Q: If you could relive one day of your life, what would it be?
A: “My soccer senior night.”
Q: If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
A: “Spider-Man. Climbing things and swinging on a web seems so fun.”
Q: If you could have any exotic pet, what would it be?
A: “A monkey because they are cute and small.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “My biggest inspirations/influences have been Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Bader. Mrs. Bader has always been easy to talk to and gives very good advice. Mrs. Sullivan was the best teacher who set me up very well academically.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Lauren. Good luck in your future Nursing career.
On Monday, the Hurricanes baseball team (1-2) took on one of their Chagrin Valley Conference rivals, the Trinity Trojans (0-1-1). The Hurricanes dropped their last two conference games against the Beachwood Bison after winning their season opener against the Euclid Panthers. The Trojans, on the other hand, tied John Hay in their season opener but lost their conference opener to Independence, 43-0. Yes, you read that score correctly.
Senior Zander Rolon started on the mound for the Hurricanes, and the Trojans plated one run in the top of the first after a walk, a stolen base, a passed ball, and an RBI single. In the bottom of the first, sophomore Matt Kenderes walked and stole second, and sophomore Mason Vega drove him in with an RBI double. After Vega advanced to third, Rolon then walked, and Vega scored on a passed ball to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead after one frame.
In the top of the second, the Trojans drew a walk and a hit-by-pitch to lead off the inning. A bases loaded walk then tied the game. In the bottom half after a lead-off walk by senior Nathan Phillips, he advanced to third on a wild pickoff and later scored on a passed ball. After two, the Hurricanes had a slim 3-2 lead.
In the middle innings, the Trojans got their offense going with two runs in the third and two in the fourth, and the Hurricanes’ bats went silent, getting shutout for the next three innings. Trinity held a 6-3 lead after five innings in stunning fashion.
In the top of the sixth, the Trojans tacked on another two runs to make it 8-3, but senior Jacob Collins got the final two outs to prevent any further damage.
When the bats needed to get going, the Hurricanes relied on an unlikely source. Instead of Jobu from the movie Major League, the Hurricanes counted on the fans to get them going, mainly senior softball player Nicolle Thomas Garcia. Freshly off of her recent court appearances, she was present at the ballpark to help spark a rally.
Sure enough, sophomore Bentley Cox belted a lead-off double, Kenderes walked, and both runners moved into scoring position. Both then scored on a Vega two-run single, who later moved to third on a single and an error. This was just the beginning as walks, hit-by-pitches, and wild pitches pushed the Hurricanes in front as senior Ryan Gardner scored the tying run and Phillips scored the go-ahead run. However, this wasn’t it. The Hurricanes added two more runs on wild pitches, and Rolon drove in two more with a single. Just like that, the Hurricanes held a 13-8 advantage going into the seventh and final inning.
Vega went to the mound to close it out, and while he gave up two runs, he was able to lock things down as the Hurricanes completed the comeback victory.
Final Score: Brooklyn 13, Trinity 10.
Rolon finished his start with 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs, while walking six batters and striking out six. Kenderes manned the middle, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up two earned runs, while walking five batters and striking out six. Collins pitched 0.2 innings without giving up a hit or a run and was credited with the victory.
Congratulations, boys!
The baseball team will be back in action today as they travel to Medina Christian Academy. First pitch is at 5:00.
Here is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
April 16: Baseball @ Medina Christian Academy (5:00)
When one thinks of Japan, certain aspects come to mind such as Godzilla, Anime, Pokemon, Shohei Otani, and Mr. Miyagi. Additionally, when it comes to Japanese cuisine, Shinto seems to be the most popular and recognizable restaurant. However, did you know that a local restaurant is receiving amazing reviews for their authentic Japanese food? It goes by the title of Tokyo Japanese Cuisine, located on Tiedeman Road.
Tokyo Japanese Cuisine features authentic and fresh Japanese food. The restaurant opened in 2025 and is a highly-rated, casual spot that offers (to name a few) sushi, sashimi, and ramen. Additionally, many dinners incorporate fresh seafood and flavorful broth.
Open every day of the week except Tuesday, Tokyo Japanese Cuisine provides both dine-in and take-out options, featuring an extensive menu.
One of the most popular dishes is the famous lobster tail. While ordering the lobster tail, one can order a variety of sides from which to choose: Fried rice, grilled vegetables, grilled shrimp, white rice, or sushi. Patrons can also make this a meal, which comes with fried rice, grilled vegetables, and four shrimp.
Their most traditional meal is the custom ramen bowl that can include chicken broth, vegetable broth, or pork broth. To top the ramen, options include egg, pork, seafood stir fry, and a bunch more to choose from. Need to wash down the ramen bowl? Special drinks to quench thirst include their famous milk tea, fresh fruit tea, and cucumber water.
Tokyo Japanese Cuisine provides a little insight into authentic food from the Empire of Japan. Since the drive to this restaurant is within five minutes, why not give it a try and sample it for yourself?
The final stretch is here, and we hope that everyone enjoyed their 10 days off and is ready to finish this school year in a strong and memorable fashion.
Today starts the Post Prom ticket sales for all who are interested. Post Prom this year is at Fun ‘n’ Stuff, and there will be fun activities with laser tag, go karts, mini golf, etc. Post Prom takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 22-23, from 12:00-4:00 a.m. Tickets cost $15 per and will be available during lunch hours until April 30. Remember, you do not have to attend Prom to be a part of Post Prom.
Next, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the music department. As a result of the auditorium renovations, the upcoming “An Evening With” concert will take place at the newly-renovated Brooklyn Early Childhood Center on April 24. It will feature the Singing Storm, the Brooklyn Jazz Ensemble, and also art from the National Art Honor Society. The concert will begin at 7:00. Showing up before the start time is recommended as this event is usually thoroughly-attended.
Moving along, the club under the spotlight this week isn’t really a club but more of an extracurricular class. The BHS band is practicing for their annual Spring concert, which is also their final performance of the year. However, this year’s concert is going to be a little different than prior concerts since the auditorium and band wing are currently being remodeled. This year’s concert will be held in the BHS Gymnasium on May 7. If you are interested in joining the band next year, please see Mr. Sullivan for more information.
Onto something that all students dread for the year: OSTs. Students are going to be finishing up their OSTs throughout the month of April for their core classes. Test-takers, make sure to be prepared by getting a good night of sleep, eating a good breakfast, and making sure that your chromebook is charged. Most importantly, believe in yourself. Good luck to all students.
Below is the upcoming OST schedule.
History: April 15
Government: April 16
Biology: April 21
Science 8: April 23
Algebra I: April 28 & 30
Math 8: April 28 & 30
Geometry: April 29
A special congratulations to junior Ben Denovchek for successfully predicting the winner of Mr. Holko’s annual March Madness Challenge: The Michigan Wolverines. With this achievement, he will be granted a gift card to a restaurant of his choosing.
Finally, there are only 36 days left until Summertime. Seniors, you only have 26 days remaining and that is if you are required to take finals. In the meantime, get those post-graduation plans set in stone. Finish strong!
Outside of the testing dates mentioned above, here is the limited calendar for April and early May.
April 24: An Evening With (Jazz & Art)
April 25: Polaris Field Trip
May 7: Spring Concert
Have an outstanding Spring week, fellow Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Hugo Barillas. Hugo is nonchalant, smart, and kind. This is his first year at Brooklyn, and he works part-time at Decades. In his free time, he likes to go out with his friends and hoop (play basketball). A fun fact about Hugo is that he can whistle a whole song for a long period of time.
Q: Where do you think is the best place to go for a Summer vacation?
A: “Florida because I love the beaches and the hot weather.”
Q: What do you think was the hardest part of your high school career?
A: “Seeing how people and things change over the years.”
Q: Favorite activity outside of school?
A: “Hanging out with friends.”
Q: Plans after graduation?
A: “I want to pursue a career in HVAC.”
Q: What was the best year of high school for you?
A: “Senior year because it’s less work, and it prepares you for life after high school.”
Q: What show do you like and keep returning to the most?
A: “All American because it shows the determination of a high school athlete who is managing grades and sports.”
Q: What is your most nostalgic memory?
A: “Basketball Senior Night this year.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Shepherd because he was a great coach for basketball, but he also guided me on-and-off the court.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Hugo. Good luck in your future HVAC career.
Two weekends of March Madness are complete, and now, only four teams remain. Let’s recap how the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games unfolded for each region.
*South Region: This region saw three B1G teams advance to the Sweet 16 with Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, along with the Houston Cougars out of the XII conference. Iowa versus Nebraska saw a high-scoring first half, and the Cornhuskers held the lead for the majority of the game. However, in the final minutes, the Hawkeyes rallied, led by Alvaro Folgueiras, who hit a clutch three-pointer when Nebraska only had four defenders on the court. How does this happen? Anyway, the Hawkeyes advanced, 77-71. The second matchup saw the higher seeds Illinois and Houston. A strong defensive half with a combined 46 points, the Fighting Illini came alive in the second half, led by David Mirkovic, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Fighting Illini advanced to the Elite 8, knocking off the Cougars, 65-55. Now for the Elite 8 matchup between two B1G teams. The Hawkeyes continued their run by holding a four-point lead at halftime, but their Cinderella story had no gas left, as Illinois rallied to advance to their first Final Four since 2005.
*West Region: This region saw the top two seeds, Arizona and Purdue, make it to the Sweet 16, plus Arkansas and the lowest seed, Texas. Arizona has had one of the most dominant offenses of the tournament, and they continued their onslaught by putting up 109 points against the Razorbacks with six players in double figures. On the other hand, Texas and Purdue was a close game with the Boilermakers holding a small lead for the majority of the contest. However, the Longhorns grabbed the lead late into the game, and with things going back-and-forth, it came down to the final seconds with the game tied at 77. Purdue had one final possession and scored the game-winning tip-in with 0.7 seconds left to escape and advance to the Elite 8. For a chance at a trip to the Final Four, the top two seeds faced off, and Purdue held a seven-point lead at the half over Arizona. Things were looking good for Purdue; however, the Wildcats rallied in the second half, outscoring the Boilermakers 48-26. Arizona was heading back to the Final Four with a decisive 79-64 victory.
*East Region: This region had the top teams advance (Duke, UConn, Michigan State) to the Sweet 16 with the exception of Kansas, who was replaced by St. Johns. The Red Storm and Blue Devils played a very competitive, back-and-forth game with both teams getting multi-possession leads, but the game came down to the wire. The Blue Devils survived 80-75 off the backs of Isaiah Evans’ 25 points and Cameron Boozer’s 22 points and 10 rebounds. UConn and Michigan State saw the Huskies grab a 19-point lead in the first half but later dropped to eight at the break. In the second half, the Spartans tried to spark a rally, but their big first half deficit was too difficult to overcome, as the Huskies advanced with a 67-63 win. The top two seeds in the region had arguably the best game of the entire tournament. The Blue Devils had a 19-point lead in the first half, and it seemed like things were going to go similarly to the Spartans-Huskies Sweet 16 matchup. With a 15-point lead at halftime, Duke was in good position to advance. However, the Huskies started to rally, and a costly turnover by Cayden Boozer in the final seconds with Duke up two led to UConn’s final possession and a Hail Mary heave by Braylon Mullins with 0.3 seconds left to stun the Blue Devils and propel the Huskies to the Final Four.
*Midwest Region: Lastly, the Midwest Region consisted of Michigan, Iowa State, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide seemed in control in the first half against the top-seeded Wolverines as they held a one-possession lead with 20 minutes in the books. However, Alabama’s offense in the second half took a big hit as the Wolverines gained control and defeated the Crimson Tide 90-77 to advance to the Elite 8. On the other end of the bracket, the Volunteers and Cyclones went back-and-forth in the first half with the lower seeded Volunteers clinging to a one-point lead at the half. In the second half, Tennessee came out strong, looking to knock off Iowa State, and sure enough, the Vols showed up and got the 76-62 win. The Elite 8 matchup between Michigan and Tennessee saw utter dominance by the Wolverines, who had a 48-26 halftime lead. They continued their assault in the second half, led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 27 points, and earned the dominating victory, 95-62.
Now with the Final Four all set, who will prevail? Below is the current leaderboard plus championship picks from The Return of the Eye sports staff, Mr. Holko, and Mr. Urig.
Reese – 14: Arizona (One healthy leg and a one-point lead for the sophomore.)
Mr. Holko – 13: Michigan (Go Blue!)
Mr. Urig – 13: Arizona (Bandwagon pick.)
Jacob – 11: Arizona (Should probably consult Mr. Abramovic for future brackets.)
Nicolle – 10: Arizona (10 is the current number of points on her driving record.)
Will it be Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, or Michigan? We will find out on Monday evening when the champion is crowned in Indianapolis.
Here is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
Who doesn’t love a classic meal consisting of pizza or pasta? These simple concepts can be customized with a variety of ingredients, originating from the heart and soul of Italy.
Stancato’s Italian Restaurant has been serving classic Italian dishes to the greater Cleveland area since they opened their doors in 1971. With numerous options to choose from, every menu item provides an authentic taste that you won’t find anywhere else in Parma, just a short 10 minutes away from Brooklyn.
They also have dietary-friendly options that are inclusive to those with food allergies, lifestyle-related choices, or even religion-based restrictions. Along with their friendly options, the kitchen’s ability allows customers to adjust and customize their meals to ensure their comfort while still preserving their signature flavors, making it unique and open to everyone. Doesn’t this sound delightful?
So, what exactly are they known for? Starting off, you can enjoy the taste of their delicious meatballs, seasoned with Italian herbs and their very own Sunday Premier Sauce. Additionally, try their homemade pizza, pasta, and wedding soup.
Simply, Stancato’s brings a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can choose your meal from an extensive menu with some good Italian music in the background as well as authentic scenery. Why not enjoy the taste of Italy right here in Parma, Ohio?
With Spring Break just three days away, this is the final news article until April 14, so let’s wrap up this week with some important highlights.
Today, English II OST begins and part two will take place this Thursday. To prepare, make sure to review important items, charge your chromebook, eat a good breakfast, and get a good night of sleep. Good luck to all students taking the ELA II OST. Do your best, so you do not have to take it again.
Moving along, if you are looking for a change around BHS, it is already here. Junior Kendall Lewis, a student in Mr. Kaspar’s Murals II class, has delivered on her product with purpose and creativity.
Inspired by Spongebob and overall cleanliness, Lewis took the liberty and creative direction with her mural that is located by the school clinic. Her mural has been received with praise as she recently stated, “I’ve only heard great things from the faculty.”
With allergy season in full-swing, the nurses told Lewis that they wanted something that promoted cleanliness and proper hygiene. She added the idea of including Spongebob, as she believed everyone loves the comedic, little sponge.
A big thanks to Kendall for adding to our school’s vibrant and colorful community. Now please, wash your hands!
Now onto something a little more emotional. The historic auditorium and music wing are all being renovated, a massive project that just began last week. Everything has been taken out and relocated. For some, this can be seen as a loss of memories, but for others, this can be seen as moving forward with modern-day innovation. The auditorium will, hopefully, be completed for reopening in March of 2027.
Next is the hot-button topic of attendance. A recent research study found that only 32 percent of Brooklyn High School students have satisfactory attendance this year. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances or just a lack of motivation. One aspect that could help with motivation would be joining an extracurricular activity or a club.
Speaking of clubs, the show choir is practicing during W.I.N. Block for An Evening With performance at the new preschool venue. With Mrs. Cipriani having the students choose their own songs, the guys selected boy bands, and the girls chose girl groups. If you are interested in joining the show choir next year, please contact Mrs. Cipriani for more information.
To wrap up, we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and entertaining Spring break. When everyone returns on Monday, April 13, lock-in and finish the final lap of school to the best of your ability. Summer is coming!
Here is the upcoming April calendar.
April 2: ELA II OST – Part II
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday
April 6-10: Spring Break
April 13: School Resumes
Have an outstanding week, fellow Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Gianna Garcia. Gianna is quiet, smart, and empathetic. She has been in Brooklyn since kindergarten and works part-time at Panera Bread. In her free time, she likes to go out with her friends and shop. A fun fact about Gianna is that she has earned college credit hours in multiple subjects.
Q: Describe your biggest motivation?
A: “My biggest motivation would probably be my parents and just wanting to succeed in life.”
Q: What tactics do you use to maintain steady grades?
A: “I try my best to stay organized and to make sure everything gets done on time.”
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: “Math.”
Q: How do you avoid senioritis?
A: “Um, I don’t.”
Q: Would you rather be too cold or too hot?
A: “Too cold. Being too hot is uncomfortable.”
Q: What is your favorite song?
A: “I can never have one favorite song, as it changes all the time.”
Q: What is your dream Spring break vacation?
A: “Italy.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mrs. Sullivan. She motivated me to take CCP English, and she has just always been there when I needed it.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Gianna. Good luck in your future Nursing career. We hope you stay away from that senioritis and have a great finish to the school year.
Is your bracket busted after the first two rounds like most of ours? Now is the time for redemption.
With the first weekend of games fully in the books and 48 teams out of the 64 eliminated, it is time to recap how each region’s first two rounds unfolded to see which 16 teams remain.
*South Region: #1 Florida and #9 Iowa got through their first round matchups, but when it came time to face each other, the Hawkeyes ended up knocking off the top-seeded and defending National Champion Florida Gators, thanks to a game-winning three from Alvaro Folgueiras. This is Iowa’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The next two matchups saw #5 Vanderbilt beat #12 McNeese State, and #4 Nebraska won their first ever NCAA tournament game. Nebraska and Vanderbilt had a 40-minute battle in round two, and the Commodores nearly hit a game-winning half court shot as time expired, but the Cornhuskers survived. This will be Big Red’s first Sweet 16 appearance ever. #11 VCU had the first upset in the region, knocking off #6 North Carolina, and #3 Illinois cruised past their first opponent. The Fighting Illini continued their dominance by ending VCU’s Cinderella run in the Round of 32. Lastly with #10 Texas A&M and #2 Houston, the Cougars knocked off the Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16.
The South matchups are set: Iowa vs. Nebraska and Illinois vs. Houston.
*West Region: #1 Arizona dominated their first round matchup against Long Island, and #9 Utah State got past #8 Villanova. The predicted upset for this region was #12 High Point taking down #5 Wisconsin, while #4 Arkansas defeated #13 Hawaii. The Panthers run came to an end after the Razorbacks hung on in a back-and-forth tilt. The #11 Texas Longhorns, after their first four victory, took down #6 BYU, and #3 Gonzaga beat #14 Kennesaw State. The Longhorns kept their run going, taking down Gonzaga in the second round. Lastly, #7 Miami (FL.) defeated #10 Missouri, and #2 Purdue dominated in their opening round. The Boilermakers kept their winning streak going, knocking off the Hurricanes to advance.
The West matchups are set: Arizona vs. Arkansas and Texas vs. Purdue.
*East Region: #1 Duke and #9 TCU barely escaped their first round matchups, with the Blue Devils overcoming a 13-point deficit in the second half to defeat Siena, and the Horned Frogs scored a game-winning layup with only four seconds left to beat #8 Ohio State. In the second round, Duke continued to struggle, but nonetheless, they rallied again to defeat TCU. Rick Pitino’s #5 St. John’s cruised past #12 Northern Iowa by 26 points and advanced to the second round, playing #4 Kansas, who defeated #13 California Baptist. The Red Storm came out victorious with the buzzer-beater win, knocking off the Jayhawks. Elsewhere, #6 Louisville defeated #11 South Florida but nearly blew a 23-point-lead, and #3 Michigan State knocked off #14 North Dakota State. In the second round, the Spartans knocked off the Cardinals to advance. Finally, #7 UCLA escaped #10 UCF, and #2 UConn avoided a near upset against #15 Furman. The Huskies kept things alive, knocking off the red-hot Bruins to advance.
The East matchups are set: Duke vs. St. John’s and UConn vs. Michigan State.
*Midwest Region: #1 Michigan and #9 Saint Louis dominated their first round matchups, but when it came to the second round, the Billikens were no match as the Wolverines continued their dominance, advancing to the Sweet 16. Next, #4 Alabama dominated the game against #13 Hofstra, and #5 Texas Tech held on against #12 Akron, but the Crimson Tide destroyed their second round matchup, too, over the Red Raiders. #6 Tennessee and #3 Virginia each won their first round games, but the Volunteers upset the Cavaliers to move on to the Sweet 16. Lastly, #7 Kentucky and #10 Santa Clara arguably saw the wildest finish of the tournament so far with Santa Clara hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with two seconds left, but the Wildcats’ Otega Oweh hit a midcourt three to send the game into overtime, and ultimately, the Wildcats prevailed. #2 Iowa State cruised past their first round matchup and later defeated Kentucky in round two to advance to the Sweet 16.
The Midwest matchups are set: Michigan vs. Alabama and Tennessee vs. Iowa State.
Now that every bracket is completely destroyed, it is time for The Return of the Eye Sports Staff, plus Mr. Urig and Mr. Holko, to make their final four picks.
*Nicolle: (10) – For spending a lot of recent time talking to a local judge, her picks weren’t that bad. However, if her next picks are anything like her driving record and early softball season results, she will quickly find her way in the basement with these picks.
South: Houston
West: Arkansas
East: Michigan State
Midwest: Tennessee
*Reese: (12) – How is this even possible? She thought Central Florida’s abbreviation was UFC. Apparently, she has fighting on her mind, but low and behold, her reign at the top will not last long, similar to the strength in her right knee.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: Duke
Midwest: Michigan
*Jacob: (11) – I have to give him credit. His early picks shattered his early picks from last year, but everyone knows that he won’t be in contention after this weekend. Him going the distance in this pick ‘em is like him hitting a ball past the pitcher’s mound. Simply, it’s not going to happen.
South: Houston
West: Arkansas
East: Duke
Midwest: Iowa State
*Mr. Urig: (12) – I have more faith in Coach Urig leading this challenge more than I do in Reese. However, Mr. Urig just made the turn, and the back nine will not be so friendly to him, especially picking St. John’s as the East representative.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: St. John’s
Midwest: Iowa State
*Mr. Holko: (11) – Not great yet not terrible early picks from the fearless leader. Everyone knows he’s going with the Maize and Blue to win it all, so his mood throughout the duration of this tournament will lie with Dusty May and battle-tested Michigan Wolverines.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: Michigan State
Midwest: Michigan
The games will resume tonight with the Texas Longhorns battling the Purdue Boilermakers with tip-off at 7:10. You can check out the rest of the Sweet 16 schedule on the March Madness website.
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
With the last couple of months focusing on entertainment and exhibits, we decided to switch it up a bit and highlight some authentic cuisine. Who doesn’t like a good meal now and then? The next couple of weeks will feature different and diverse restaurants to those who are willing to expand their taste buds.
The first spotlight will be El Palenque, a casual restaurant that offers a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine. With their savory recipes and fresh ingredients, El Palenque brings out the flavors of Mexico right here in Brooklyn, Ohio.
This restaurant is most loved for its authentic Mexican cuisine, specifically the Mexican Street Tacos, Quesabirria Tacos, and Fajitas. Beyond these favorites, customers love the diverse, specialized, and signature flavors on the menu. New menu items should be something to look forward to, as well.
With El Palenque being so close, it is very busy with people ordering their famous Stone Molcajetes, which is a hefty portion of Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas, along with an eight-ounce certified Angus Beef Rib-Eye Steak. Like any other dish, it comes with rice, beans, and guacamole salad.
Don’t feel like dining in the restaurant? All of these delicious food items can now be delivered to your home with Uber Eats. Options are plentiful, so take advantage.
If you are open to trying new dishes, El Palenque should be the first place to try. With its authentic taste, it will deliver a rich flavor of Mexico that you will not find anywhere else.
Last week had a “shaky” start with the meteor coming down in Northeast Ohio. Students were in class ready to learn, and then around 9:05 during second period, we could feel and hear the meteor break into the Earth’s atmosphere. It was pretty cool and historic, but now, let’s “break” into this week’s news.
To start, prom deposits are due to Mrs. Holko by this Friday, March 27. Please see your grade level Google classroom for more information. Be responsible!
Who is ready for Spring break? With Spring break right around the corner, the news group takes grades very seriously. Let this be a reminder to stay on top of any and all assignments, study for any quizzes or tests, and ask for some tutoring. Spring break should be a fun and relaxing time away from school, not full of academic regret.
The annual 8th grade Washington D.C. trip is currently being finalized. Students attending this trip from May 20-22 will visit the Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum, IMAX, and the Marine Corps Museum. This trip is a great learning experience, grounded right in our nation’s capital. For more details, contact Miss Cramer.
Moving along, with the club spotlight disappearing for a while, it is time to bring it back. Welcome to the Esports Club with their season recently concluding. This team came to Brooklyn a while back, but this was the first year for varsity competition. Esports is led by Mr. Jones and his three student leaders: Landon Blankenship, David Beane, and Captain Gaven McCanelley. If you are interested in joining Esports next year, please see Mr. Jones for more information.
Finally, keep an ear out for upcoming Ohio State Testing dates and times. Prepare accordingly and do your best. One and done!
Here is the upcoming March/April calendar.
March 26: Literacy Night
March 27: Prom Deposits Due
March 27: Hurricane Food Pantry Pickup
March 31: ELA OST – Part I
April 2: ELA OST – Part II
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday
April 6-10: Spring Break
April 13: School Resumes
Have a great week, Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Kelvin Santiago. Kelvin is charismatic, fierce, and faithful. He has been in Brooklyn for three years and works part-time at Texas Roadhouse. In his free time, he likes to play video games and sleep. A fun fact about Kelvin is that he can bench press 230 pounds.
Q: What is your best high school memory?
A: “Doing a backflip during the Homecoming dance.”
Q: What mindset do you have during difficult times?
A: “Never give up.”
Q: Where do you eat out the most?
A: “Raising Canes.”
Q: What place would you love to travel to?
A: “Tokyo or Kyoto, Japan.”
Q: Did you ever feel incomplete during high school?
A: “I wasn’t able to do as many sports as I wanted, and I wish my grades were better.”
Q: What was the hardest high school class for you?
A: “Algebra II.”
Q: Do you have any secret talents?
A: “I can do a backflip and a walking handstand.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Verba. I’ve had so many memories with him, and I just personally think he was just such a fun teacher.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Kelvin. With only one quarter left of high school, finish strong and get your future plans ironed out.
It is the best sports time of the year, especially for college basketball fans. The 64-team March Madness tournament has arrived, so let us give a rundown of the favorites from each region, plus a Cinderella story from each region as well.
*South Region: The #1 seed is the reigning national champion, the Florida Gators, who went 26-7. The #2 seed is the Houston Cougars with a record of 28-6. Remember, the Cougars lost to the Gators in last year’s National Championship game. The #3 seed is from the Big 10, the Illinois Fighting Illini, who finished with a record of 24-8. The #4 seed, also from the Big 10, is the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished with a record of 26-6. The Cornhuskers are looking for their first tournament win in program history. Cinderella Team: Look for the Southland Conference champion and the #12 seeded McNeese State Cowboys to upset the #5 Vanderbilt Commodores.
*West Region: The #1 seed is the #2 overall team in college basketball, who finished with a record of 32-2, the Arizona Wildcats. The #2 seed is the Big 10 tournament champion, the Purdue Boilermakers, who finished with a record of 27-8. The #3 seed is the Gonzaga Bulldogs with a very solid season, who finished with a record of 30-3. The #4 seed is the Arkansas Razorbacks, SEC tournament champion, who finished with a record of 26-8. Cinderella Team: Look for the Big South Conference champion the High Point Panthers to upset the #5 Wisconsin Badgers.
*East Region: The #1 overall team in college basketball, the Duke Blue Devils, finished with a record of 32-2. The #2 seed is the UConn Huskies, who finished with a record of 29-5. The #3 seed is the Michigan State Spartans, who had a record of 25-7. Finally, the #4 seed is the Kansas Jayhawks with a record of 23-10. Cinderella Team: Look for a potential upset with the #11 South Florida Bulls over the #6 Louisville Cardinals.
*Midwest Region: The #1 seed and #3 overall team in college basketball is the Michigan Wolverines, who finished their season with a 31-3 record and won the Big 10 regular season title. The #2 seed belongs to the Iowa State Cyclones with a respectable 27-7 record. The #3 seed is the Virginia Cavaliers, who finished with a record of 29-5. Lastly, the #4 seed is the Alabama Crimson Tide with a record of 23-9. Cinderella Team: We can see a hometown upset with the #12 Akron Zips beating the #5 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Now is the time you have all been waiting for: The Return of the Eye Sports Staff will make our “expert” Sweet 16 predictions. Mr. Urig, this year’s guest picker, along with Mr. Holko will make theirs, too.
*Nicolle:Hopefully, she spent more time on her bracket picks than with her recent court appearances.
South: Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Miami
East: Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State
*Reese:How can we really take her seriously when she believes that soccer is the best sport?
South: Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State
*Jacob:Wild Fire’s picks can only go up from last year where he found himself in the basement of accuracy. He’s striving for more correct picks to match or surpass his current 33 mph fastball.
South: Florida, McNeese State, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Miami
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UCLA
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa State
*Mr. Urig:This “celebrity” guest picker has a tall task ahead of him in that he cannot lose to the students. If he does, he will never live it down, and his daily jokes will turn him into a joke.
South: Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Alabama, Virginia, Iowa State
*Mr. Holko:Greatness, self-explanatory!
South: Florida, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Houston
West: Arizona, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Purdue
East: Duke, St. John’s, Michigan State, UConn
Midwest: Michigan, Akron, Virginia, Iowa State
The games tip-off today with #9 TCU taking on #8 Ohio State at 12:15.
Good luck to everyone with their brackets. As always, don’t overthink it because March Madness makes the smart people feel dumb. Leave a comment below with your Sweet 16 picks.
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
Want to challenge your cognitive skills? If so, there is just the right place for you to test your brain.
The Museum of Illusions is a tourist attraction in Cleveland that features 60-80 visual mind-blowing optical illusions, holograms, and interactive exhibits.
It offers a fun, photo-friendly environment that explores the science behind perception and perspective, designed for all ages. Not only is it a unique experience, it also provides visitors an educational experience that inspires creativity.
Come and enter the fascinating world of illusions to trick your brain into seeing from different perspectives to create a cool illusion. Explore different exhibits to challenge your vision and mind in sync together.
Below are some featured rooms.
*Tilted Room: The famous Tilted Room tricks your mind by using extreme angles to create an illusion that makes the guest feel as though they are defying gravity. This looks exhaustingly entertaining.
*Vortex Tunnel: The Vortex Tunnel is a popular disorientating interactive exhibit that features a rotating cylinder around a flat walkway. Though the path remains stable, it tricks the brain into feeling as if the ground is spinning or tilting causing dizziness. Please don’t fall!
*Reversed Room: The Reversed Room is an inverted exhibit designed to challenge perception by turning a room upside down. By using specific angles, utilizing slanted objects and furniture, visitors can take pictures that make them appear walking on the ceiling or defying gravity. We may need Dramamine for this one.
With many interactive activities, this Museum of Illusions provides many fun exhibits that make the experience enjoyable. Open throughout the week, visit the link below to check out the optical illusions and many more opportunities for a different kind of fun.
Welcome to the fourth and final quarter, one step closer for seniors being free as they leave BHS forever in May.
To start off this week’s news, Mrs. Holko is now taking deposits for any student who wishes to attend prom. The deposit is $60 and can be turned into her, room 271. Also, anyone who does not go to prom can still attend post prom, which will be located at Fun ‘n’ Stuff. See your grade-level Google classroom for more details on both events.
Next, following the upcoming Spring concert, the jazz band will travel to the Tri-C Metro Campus for a day of performance and art. The legendary Count Basie Orchestra will be present with many of its members assisting all of the performing jazz ensembles.
Speaking of the annual Spring concert, which will include performances from the show choir, chorale, and concert band, each student in these groups has been working hard during and after school to make this a special show. Make sure to come and support them as this will be the final concert in the old auditorium.
Moving along from music-related items, any senior interested in seeking to earn scholarship money, make sure to check your Class of 2026 Google Classroom for scholarship opportunities. There are plenty of local scholarships available, ranging from $500-$2,500 each. All scholarship applications are due by April 24.
With the fourth quarter starting yesterday, there is not a whole lot going on as of now, but news will pick-up soon. In the meantime, start this quarter off well, and don’t look back.
Here is this week’s calendar.
March 18: Spring Concert
March 19: Winter Sports Banquet
March 19: Tri-C Jazz Festival
Have an outstanding week, Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Malak Chafki. Malak is confident, caring, and exquisite. She has been a student in Brooklyn throughout her educational career and currently balances her time working, attending college classes, and being a student-athlete. When she does have free time, she likes to read and go shopping. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in the medical field. A fun fact about Malak is that she used to do gymnastics when she was younger.
Q: What kinds of struggles have you gotten past that were difficult to conquer?
A: “Staying motivated through all four years of high school was something that I struggled with a lot. My grades definitely reflected that in my junior year.”
Q: What is something you regret that you didn’t do during school?
A: “I regret not trying harder. I feel like I did the bare minimum when it came to certain subjects when I know I could’ve done a lot better and gotten better grades.”
Q: How did you manage to do college classes while still taking classes at BHS?
A: “Reminding myself what I’m doing all the work for and trying to find a balance with sports, college classes, classes at BHS, and a job. I still struggle with trying to keep up with the load and feeling burnt out, but other times, I feel motivated and energized.”
Q: What is something that you didn’t like about your high school career?
A: “How stressful the environment was. I struggled a lot with navigating friendships and such. But, I learned a lot from the experiences and have grown as a person.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show or movie?
A: “Probably The Summer I Turned Pretty or Grey’s Anatomy.”
Q: Summer or Winter?
A: “Summer, for sure.”
Q: What is something you like to do in your free time?
A: “I like hanging out with my friends, doing puzzles, and watching romantic comedies.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “While I’ve only known her for a short period of time, Mrs. Meeks has been one of the best mentors I could ever ask for. She never fails to make me laugh and reminds me all the time to believe in myself.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Malak. With only one quarter of high school left, we hope you enjoy it to the fullest.
America’s pastime has taken center stage with the World Baseball Classic and also the Hurricanes baseball season coming right around the corner. So now, it is time to give some love to both the Hurricanes and U.S.A. baseball.
Up first is the Hurricanes baseball team, a team which lost a lot of players from last year, specifically seven seniors. However, there are 10 returners, but this season will be a revamped year as they will be counting on a few guys who have yet to play varsity ball.
Head Coach Kevin Sedlacek has a squad that he is counting on to make an impact.
“We will have to rely on returning seniors Zander Rolon and Jacob Collins, plus sophomore Mason Vega to be the foundation of our pitching staff. Another senior returning who we are counting on is Jayden Chin, and we have two first-year senior players, Nathan Phillips and Ryan Gardner. Promising juniors from last year’s team include Jayden Torres and Aron Turbi. The remaining players will be a cast of sophomores who are new to varsity baseball, including Bentley Cox, Alex Gonzalez, Matt Kenderes, and Carson Westerhold.”
As expected with a new-look team, it will take some time to adjust to the faster-paced varsity game, but as the season progresses, confidence and skills will grow to become more competitive.
The first three games for the Hurricanes will be played on turf with the season kicking off on Saturday, March 28, against their “Battle of Biddulph” rivals, the Rhodes Rams. The game will be played at Talty Field. The Hurricanes will also travel to the historic League Park on Wednesday, April 1, to face the John Marshall Lawyers. The first home game will be on Saturday, April 4, against the Euclid Panthers.
Good luck, boys! Have a great season.
Now onto the big stage for the World Baseball Classic, where the biggest stars in the game representing 20 countries are facing off for an opportunity to win the WBC title.
Group A (hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico) consists of Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was the first team to move on, but Canada secured a quarterfinals berth as well.
Group B (hosted in Houston, Texas) consists of the host favorite United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. It came down to the final day for the two qualifying spots, but Italy and the United States moved on after Italy beat Mexico 9-1.
Group C (hosted in Tokyo, Japan) consists of Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, and Japan. The two qualifying teams for the quarterfinals were Japan and Korea.
Group D (hosted in Miami, Florida) consists of Venezuela, Israel, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and the Netherlands. The winner of the group came down to the final game between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, with the winner being the Dominican Republic. Venezuela, however, still qualified.
The quarterfinals matchups will be played tomorrow with Korea versus the Dominican Republic at 6:30 and Team U.S.A. taking on Canada at 8:00. On Saturday, Puerto Rico will battle Italy at 3:00, and Venezuela will play Japan at 9:00.
Seeing baseball back on the big screen is exciting, and this WBC is setting up for a dramatic conclusion.
Aside from baseball, next week is the biggest time of the year for college basketball fans, and do not worry, we will begin our trifecta of March Madness articles and our expert predictions.
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
Continuing our 2-1-6 Tour, the next Cleveland venue to preview is for all of the music lovers out there. If you are interested in music and its history, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is the perfect place to visit.
Since the weather is warming up (sporadically), there is a great opportunity to take a picture in front of the iconic sign without wearing big, bulky jackets.
Now, it is time to start nominating inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With a plethora of inductees, the museum is as inclusive as possible, offering multiple voting options. You can cast your ballot online located in the link below.
The Rock Hall offers all kinds of events, giving visitors many different options to choose from. With over 10 different events to sign up for, guests can really choose what they want to get the most out of their museum experience.
One event offered is “Girls Rock the Hall”. On March 21 from 10:00-2:00, the Rock Hall will shine a light on how women shaped the music industry. This event offers hands-on experiences as well as educational activities.
Also worth the time is the cool “Sonic Connections,” where people can dive deep into the background of their favorite songs, tunes that have influenced music lovers over the years.
Simply, the Rock Hall has numerous exhibits featuring decades and decades of music and musicians.
After visiting all of the exhibits, there are plenty of items at the gift shop, too. After learning about a new musician, you may want to listen to what that musician created. There is plenty of merchandise, ranging from clothing and bags to CDs and records.
No matter if you know a lot about music or only know a little, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more and to become musically-educated. Maybe, you will even find some new artists to enjoy and add them to your playlist.
Music unites all people, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is housed right here in our favorite city, so head downtown for this memorable experience.
{Information for this article sourced from Rock Hall.}
As the lovely three-day weekend is in the past, the Drama Club performed The Addams Family musical very well. Starting the process in November with countless hours of rehearsing, the seniors performed their final play as high school students.
Senior Riley Cummings was a part of the Crew, which specializes in building the set. She shared her favorite moments throughout her BHS Drama Club career.
“Some of my favorite moments were watching the musical from the wings and all the memories at dinner with all my friends. My favorite sets to build were the stained glass in the back made of tissue paper in Sister Act, Little Mermaid was the sister beds, The Wizard of Oz Glinda’s bubble, and for The Addams Family was the graveyard. The person who had the biggest impact on me was Mr. Kaspar. He pushed me out of my shell and helped me learn to make my own decisions. I joined Crew because my older sister joined, and I wanted to do it from a young age because I got to watch her do it. The people I’m going to miss the most are all the friends I have made along the way.”
Senior Amir Green was a part of the Pit, which specializes in playing the music for the play. Here are some of his favorite memories.
“Some of my favorite moments from this year are probably either watching the play slowly come together or the chicken fight during senior circle. My favorite play I’ve done would probably be either Sister Act or The Little Mermaid just because during those plays, I was surrounded by a lot of friends that I knew and cared about. The people who influenced me the most were Mr. Keller, Mr. Sullivan, and Ben Denovchek because when I thought I wasn’t good enough to play the drumset parts, they were all there to either help me or encourage me.”
This play shows how the Brooklyn community comes together as a big team to show up for each other, even if it is just to watch the play. Students showing up for each other is so important, too.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved in bringing this musical to life. Hurricane Nation is proud of all your hard work and dedication.
To wrap up this week’s news, the third quarter ends this Thursday, March 12. Buckle down, work extremely hard, and finish strong with no regrets.
Here is the upcoming schedule for mid-March.
March 11: First Ring Leadership & Yearbook Picture Day
March 12: End of Third Quarter
March 13: No School
March 19: Winter Sports Banquet
Have an amazing week, fellow Hurricanes.
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Division II State Bowling Champion, Adam Cowper. After graduation, Cowper plans on bowling at Indiana Tech University while pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Outside of school, you can find him bowling at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights and hanging out with his friends. A fun fact about him is that he owns 16 bowling balls.
Q: What surprised you the most about transitioning from eighth grade to high school?
A: “Probably the people I was around. Being in classes with mixed grade levels was something I wasn’t used to.”
Q: How do you keep a positive mindset?
A: “I start focusing on what I can do better instead of worrying about the past.”
Q: What is your dream job?
A: “Cybersecurity Analysis.”
Q: How do you deal with adversity?
A: “By keeping a clear mind.”
Q: When did you fall in love with bowling?
A: “I have no clue; it has been forever. Maybe since 2015.”
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: “I don’t have one; I am fearless.”
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give to incoming freshmen?
A: “Get used to the heat. Some of the classrooms are very hot in the Summer.”
Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: “There are so many great foods out there, and I don’t know if I can pick just one. If I had to have something right at this moment, I would have some good Sesame Chicken.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Verba. He always pushed me to do great things and to never settle.”
Adam, thank you for taking part in this week’s Senior Spotlight. We wish you continued success as you pursue your career in Computer Science. Once again, congratulations on your State Bowling Championship!
Jenna Young, 2023 graduate, was the last state champion (High Jump) for the Brooklyn Hurricanes…until last Friday. It was a historic moment for the Hurricanes as a state champion was crowned for Bowling, and his name is Adam Cowper.
Cowper had a historically-great career at Brooklyn, being a three-time state qualifier, a conference champion, participating in numerous competitive tournaments, and signing with Indiana Tech earlier this year to continue his bowling career.
However, none of these accomplishments will ever top winning the state championship. Cowper proved the old saying to be true: “The third time’s a charm.”
He rolled a series of 729 (235-279-215), beating the individual runner-up by 33 pins. His 729 total was 90 pins higher than what he had two weeks ago just to qualify for the state championship.
Cowper knows that consistent practice and great coaching were the main reasons for his state title.
“The amount of practice I’ve put in over the last four years and the coaching from my dad has led me to success, and I’m grateful.”
Athletic Director Mark Zofka points out that this accomplishment is an amazing feat for Brooklyn.
“This is only our second individual state champion in the last few years. It’s a young program, and it’s amazing to see him succeed the way he did.”
As he prepares for college bowling at Indiana Tech, Cowper wants to keep doing his thing with the right mindset, knowing what it takes to be successful at the highest level.
Congratulations, Adam! Your state championship will forever be remembered here at Brooklyn High School. You will forever be a Hurricane.
Now onto other Winter sports.
The boys basketball team, last Saturday, defeated the St. Martin de Porres Lions in their sectional playoff matchup by a score of 54-47. Freshman Shaddai Givens led the way with 17 points, and junior Jose Mateo added 15 points. Unfortunately, their season ended last night with a 63-47 district semifinal loss to Triway. The boys ended the season with a record of 12-11.
Additionally, in wrestling, sophomore Levi Bledsoe finished in third place to advance to the OHSAA district tournament in Independence. Zofka is proud of what Bledsoe has accomplished this season and hopes to see more out of him tomorrow.
“Levi has a great chance of making it to the state tournament, and he’s having a great season. It is amazing to see what he does with his weight, especially competing against upperclassmen.”
Good luck, Levi!
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
Want to get some fresh fruit and vegetables? How about some grade-A quality meat? Maybe even some pierogies?
The Westside Market is one of the best options for food in Cleveland, so make sure to check it out.
Since 1912, the Westside Market has been up and running. With their fresh food, professional chefs, and welcoming environment, many Ohio residents love to visit and purchase goodies from here.
With over 70 different family-owned businesses within the market, it creates a safe sense of community and belonging. These businesses also give you an opportunity to explore the many choices, not leaving you empty-handed or disappointed.
To prove the hype of this market, more than 800,000 guests visit within a calendar year, proving its quality, worth, and impact.
For those interested in history and/or cooking, The Chef’s Cut is a must. Featuring Chef Eric Wells, he will take you through the history, future, and ongoing cooking routines. After learning, Chef Wells will take you through a hands-on experience to cook a fresh, gourmet meal. For those interested in The Chef’s Cut, please do not hesitate to register your visit in the link provided above. No matter if you are a skilled chef or a novice, you will enjoy this experience.
If you are not the type who is sociable or someone who hesitates trying new things in public, the market has just the experience for you. Each Friday from 10:00-2:00, the Westside Market features a chef’s new recipe throughFresh Fundamentals.Once you grab your selected recipe card, you are able to walk around the market to purchase the needed items. Once you get home with your recipe and ingredients, you may view the market’s YouTube page to understand the recipe better and how to properly prepare it.
Do not wait! Head to the Westside Market and enjoy this iconic Cleveland venue. Remember, eat a lot but not too much.
{Information for this article sourced from Westside Market.}
With the end of the third quarter coming up in less than two weeks, the grade push and missing assignments are in full-swing with many students either ready for the next quarter to begin or those who need another month to catch-up. Regardless, the quarter concludes on March 12, so get your grades up, ASAP.
Want some entertainment after Prom? All seniors, please check your grade level Google Classroom and fill out the Post Prom rewards form. This form will help decide what prizes the seniors receive while attending Post Prom, which will be hosted at Fun ‘n’ Stuff, located in Macedonia.
Speaking of Prom, if any student sold Malley’s chocolate for a discounted ticket, the deadline for money turn-in is almost here. All money is due this Thursday, March 5. Be sure to return the money to Mrs. Holko in room 271. Be responsible!
Next, ready for The Addams Family? Time to pull the curtains. The performances are this week on Friday at 7:00, Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00, and Sunday at 2:00. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for kids. To all involved, break a leg!
The club under this week’s spotlight is not just a club but also a class. It also counts as an English elective. The club is Mr. Holko’s Publications/Journalism class. This class teaches students to learn and develop new writing skills, communication, and teamwork. Due to many of our beloved seniors graduating this Spring and some of our underclassmen attending Polaris Career Center next year, we are in need of some new journalists. Please see Mr. Holko in room 262 for more information if you are interested in joining.
Speaking of the school newspaper, senior Jacob Collins of the sports group provided some insight into Publications/Journalism.
“I was interested in sports broadcasting, and when I heard there was a class that allowed me to write about sports, I knew I had to join the class. One of my favorite moments is when during free time, when all of the weekly articles were published, we were playing basketball, and at the time, sophomore Ben Denovchek absolutely baptized graduated senior Collin Flanagan with a poster dunk. In all seriousness, one of my favorite classmates to work with was Collin because I felt we had a good connection in writing sports articles, and we had a good balance of working together. I highly recommend this course to underclassmen,” stated Collins.
Finally, here is the upcoming schedule for early March.
March 5: Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 5: Malley’s Chocolate Money Due
March 5: 8th Grade Registration Information Night
March 5: College Credit Plus Information Night
March 5: College and Career Fair
March 11: Cleveland State University Field Trip
March 12: End of the Third Quarter
Have an amazing first week of March, Hurricanes.
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Amanda Ortiz-Rosario. After graduation, Amanda plans on pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene. Outside of school, she works two part-time jobs at Barraco in Lakewood and at Westlake Dental Associates. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and hanging out with her friends. A fun fact about Amanda is that Spanish is her first language.
Q: What was a class that you wish you never took?
A: “Chemistry.”
Q: When did you realize that you were capable of more than you thought?
A: “When I could handle working two part-time jobs, while cheerleading, without letting my grades fall.”
Q: How did your friendships shape who you became?
A: “Being able to look up to my older friends helped me navigate difficult decisions and overall become a more mature and better person.”
Q: What motivates you in the present?
A: “Always pushing myself to be the most successful version of me.”
Q: What is your go-to snack?
A: “Salt and Vinegar chips.”
Q: If you could switch places with one teacher, who would it be?
A: “My Polaris teacher, Mrs. Halko. I love the people in my class.”
Q: What is one word that describes your high school experience?
A: “Memorable.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mrs. Holko. She is so positive and put-together, and she gives the best advice.”
Thank you Amanda for taking part in this week’s Senior Spotlight. We wish you continued success as you pursue your career as a Dental Hygienist.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 