THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Senior Spotlight: Yahya Hattab

By: BHS Staff Profiles

March 14, 2025

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Yahya Hattab. After graduation, Yahya plans to attend Cuyahoga Community College to study Automotive Technology. In his free time, he likes to hang out with his friends and family and play soccer. A fun fact about Yahya is that he is very competitive.

Q: Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?

A: “I would go to Japan because of the cities, the views, the people, and the food.”

Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Automotive Technician because I get to work on cars. It’s something that I love to do.”

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: “Burgers!”

Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give to the incoming freshman next year?

A: “High school is fast, so stay on top of your classes.”

Q: If you could play soccer for any major franchise, who would you play for?

A: “Real Madrid because it’s been my favorite team since I was a little kid.”

Q: What will be your fondest memory from Brooklyn High School?

A: “When everyone was watching the 2022 World Cup in class and in the lunchroom.”

Q: What is your biggest fear?

A: “Slacking off or losing my relationship with my religion.”

Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration or influence?

A: “Mr. Verba because he’s funny and is always positive and keeps fighting.”

Thank you for letting us interview you, Yahya. We hope that you get to pursue your passion with cars and someday make it to Japan!

It’s Tribe Time

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 13, 2025

The weather is starting to warm up, and baseball season is right around the corner.

After their major success last season in which they went 92-69 and were three games away from a World Series appearance, the Cleveland Guardians have made some changes to this year’s roster and are poised for another successful run in 2025.

Right after the heartbreaking loss in Game 5 of the ALCS last year against the New York Yankees, the Guardians got right to work for the beginning of a crazy offseason. The first move the Guardians made was sending Platinum Glover second-baseman Andres Gimenez and relief pitcher Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays for second-baseman Spencer Horwitz, who later flipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates for starting pitcher Luis Ortiz and two other pitching prospects.

The Guardians’ next trade was shipping first-baseman Josh Naylor, who contributed 31 homers and 108 RBIs in 2024, to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance pick. Minutes later, Cleveland countered this move by bringing back hometown favorite Carlos Santana on a one-year deal.

Cleveland did lose big postseason contributors Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb to free agency, but they returned Shane Bieber and Austin Hedges for another year and signed relief pitcher Paul Sewald and starting pitchers Jakob Junis and John Means.

So far in Spring Training, the Guardians record hasn’t looked the best as of Wednesday at 7-10, but some players have stood out early.

First baseman Kyle Manzardo, in 26 at-bats, is hitting .385 with a 1.140 OPS, tallying two home runs and five RBIs. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio is continuing his huge postseason success into the Spring with a .391 average in 23 at-bats. A guy trying to earn the starting second base job is utility man Tyler Freeman, who is hitting .381 in 21 at-bats.

As for the pitching staff, Gavin Williams is looking for a bounce-back season, and so far through eight innings this Spring, he has only allowed one run while striking out 16 batters. Another starter looking for a bounce-back season is Logan Allen, who has been excellent this Spring, giving up just one run in 10.2 innings.

The Guardians are projected to hover around .500, but this team is still loaded and loves the underdog role. A potential opening day lineup includes Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, Lane Thomas, Jhonkensy Noel, whoever wins the 2B job, Bo Naylor, and Brayan Rocchio.

The starting pitching staff will more-than-likely begin the season with Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz, Ben Lively, and Joey Cantillo, plus the best bullpen in baseball featuring Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, and Hunter Gaddis.

To stay up-to-date with the Guardians throughout the year, visit the Cleveland Guardians Website.

Let’s pack Progressive Field this Summer. There is nothing better than a ball game at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Go Guardians!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

Shamrocks and Parades

By: BHS Features Staff

March 12, 2025

Many people (Irish or not) celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every year on March 17, the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century.

For over 1,000 years, the Irish have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day as a religious holiday. Many families attended church in the early morning and danced during the evening, along with partaking in traditional feasts.

Saint Patrick lived in the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland, and is the national apostle. St. Patrick was born in Britain, but he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He escaped from his enslavement and returned to Ireland. Upon his return, he was credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish.

Centuries following his death, which was believed to be on March 17, the myth surrounding his life was ingrained in Irish culture. The most well-known is the Legend of St. Patrick in which he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of the native Irish clover, otherwise known as the shamrock.

St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated during the ninth century, and the holiday was observed as a religious feast. The first ever St. Patrick’s Day parade was recorded in 1601.

The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day eventually flourished in the United States. Irish patriotism prompted the rise of “Irish Aid” societies such as Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. These groups held annual parades, featuring bagpipes and drums.

In 1851, several of New York’s Irish Aid societies merged their parades into one big parade. This became the official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade is still going on to this day as the oldest and largest civilian parade in the U.S.

The parade brings in three million people each year with 150 thousand participants. Boston and Chicago are other cities that host big parades, too.

Many people of different backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Although America may have many people who celebrate, it is celebrated worldwide. Many eat Irish soda bread, corned beef, cabbage, and mashed potatoes in locations further away from Ireland.

In the mid-1990s, the Irish government thought that St. Patrick’s Day would be a great opportunity to allow tourists to experience Irish culture in Ireland.

So, how did the leprechaun originate?

The original Irish name for leprechaun is luchorpán, which is thought to mean a small-bodied fellow (This could explain Notre Dame’s football team.). Leprechauns were believed to stem from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who were magical and used their powers for good or for evil. In folktales, leprechauns were told as cranky souls who were responsible for mending shoes for other fairies. Although they are minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for being mischievous and protective of their fabled treasure.

Whatever your background may be, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is a lot of fun. Just wearing green or seeing the Chicago River dyed green is a great way to celebrate.

Of course, a good corned beef sandwich doesn’t hurt either.

{Information for this article is sourced from The History Channel.}

Cast Preview: The Wizard of Oz

By: BHS News Staff

March 11, 2025

Welcome back to another action-filled week on the “Yellow Brick Road”. Coming off of a three-day weekend with another one coming up, it is easy to enjoy this time of year.

To start will be our final preview for the Drama Club’s production of The Wizard of Oz. This week, the Cast will take center stage.

Drama Club Director Mrs. Kimberly Cipriani loves watching the Cast grow into their characters. With her excitement, though, comes the nerves with finalizing everything before opening night.

“Everyone pretty much knows everything, but putting everything (Cast, Pit, and Crew) together and keeping everything on track is the hardest part. Also, trying to have everyone on the same page and doing what they need to do to match up with everything else is even harder. It is pretty much all coming along, though. I am excited to get these students on stage,” stated Cipriani.

The Drama Club performed The Wiz years ago, but there was different music and different dialogue. This year’s production is new, but all involved are up for the challenge.

One of the students who is ready is senior Miley Kegley. She has been in the cast for one year, and her role in this year’s production is Professor Marvel/Oz.

“I love the people in this year’s musical because it is fun being around like-minded people, and it makes for a fun environment,” exclaimed Kegley.

Next Thursday, it begins. Come on out and show your support for all of those involved and for all of their hard work. “Break a leg!”

Moving on from The Wizard of Oz, the Winter Sports Banquet is tomorrow. It starts at 5:45 and will be held in the main gym. Congratulations to all athletes who earned awards.

Next, a friendly reminder that the end of the third quarter is quickly approaching. The quarter ends this week on Thursday, March 13. Make sure your grades are as high as they can be and that all assignments are turned in. No regrets!

Remember, there is no school on this Friday, March 14. Make sure to shut off your alarms and enjoy the second-consecutive, three-day weekend.

Finally, here is the schedule for the remainder of March:

March 12: Winter Sports Banquet
March 13: End of Third Quarter
March 14: No School / Teacher Records Day
March 17: Start of Fourth Quarter
March 20-22: Drama Club’s Production of The Wizard of Oz
March 31-April 4: Spring Break

Have a great and productive week, fellow Hurricanes!

{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, click here.}

Senior Spotlight: Belma Veljak

By: BHS Staff Profiles

March 7, 2025

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Belma Veljak. After graduation, Belma plans on attending Cleveland State University to major in Psychology. In her free time, she loves shopping, hanging out with friends, and reading. A fun fact about her is that she is bilingual.

Q: What has been your favorite class in all of high school?

A: “My Cosmetology class at Polaris. I have learned a lot, both in the Cosmetology field and a lot about myself, too. There were very humbling moments but also moments where I felt very proud of myself.”

Q: Finish this sentence: I could not live without…?

A: “Love! I would say love because in a world full of hate, love is important. I couldn’t live without love because being full of it brightens my day and can brighten someone else’s day, too.”

Q: Describe senioritis. Do you have it?

A: “Lack of motivation to go to school, and yes, I have it. I struggle with my tardies a lot.”

Q: What is your ideal Prom meal?

A: “If I was in charge of this year’s prom meal, the first course would be gyros. Then for appetizers, I would include hummus and bread, and for dessert, I would want crepes with chocolate and strawberries.”

Q: Using only three words, how would you describe yourself?

A: “Hardworking, Confident, Angelic.”

Q: What is a rule/motto that you live by?

A: “Don’t be afraid to be open to change. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and new experiences.”

Q: How do you plan to spend your upcoming Spring Break and Summer?

A: “I’m going on the Europe trip during my Spring break with my best friend, and I’m super excited to make these amazing memories with my friends that I have gone to school with my whole life. I also plan on traveling to Bosnia and visiting my family back home and enjoying time with my cousins and family in the Summer, as well as hanging out with friends and enjoying my last Summer before college.”

Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration or influence?

A: “My Polaris teacher Mrs. Barry. She inspires me and pushes me to do my best, while also making learning fun. She is also very kind and is always there for me.”

Thank you for your time, Belma. We hope that you have a great time on your upcoming trips, and best of luck at CSU.

Spring Sports Preview

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 6, 2025

Winter sports are officially over, and now, it is time to turn the attention to Spring sports. Baseball, softball, track, and flag football have been practicing and are ready for the weather to break favorably for some intense competition.

Baseball

Leading off our previews is the 2025 Hurricanes baseball team, which returns eight core players from last year’s squad. These returners include starting catcher Jadyn DeLuca, second-team All-CVC second baseman Gio Garst, and shortstop/pitcher Aiden Starr, who was voted First Team Northeast Ohio by local coaches. Other returners include junior Zander Rolon and seniors Collin Flanagan, Phil Banaszak, Shamus Harper, and Blake Baker.

Last season, the Hurricanes finished 6-12 (1-7 in the conference) beating Oberlin in the first round of the playoffs, only to lose to Norwayne in the Sectional Final.

Head Coach Kevin Sedlacek believes that the experience of this team will pay dividends.

“Our strength this season will be our experience playing varsity baseball. We also need to rely on the talent of Starr, who had a fantastic 2024 season and is looking to improve this Spring. Last season, he had a .520 batting average and a .650 quality at-bat average. With his leadership and an experienced team, we hope to have an exciting 2025 season,” stated an optimistic Sedlacek.

The goal is for the Hurricanes to earn splits against the top two teams in the conference, Lutheran West and Independence. This would give the Hurricanes a quick start and a bright outlook for this season.

The Hurricanes will face Rhodes in the battle of Biddulph at Brookside Park on Saturday, March 29.

Good luck, boys!

Softball

Next up is the softball team. With plans to have two teams this year, varsity and junior varsity, the hopes are high with experience and talented youth.

This year’s key players for the Lady Canes will be two varsity pitchers, Abi Cruz and Audrena Vega. Both have made great improvements since their first year and will look for continued growth to become two of the best athletes in the Chagrin Valley Conference.

Another standout star this year for the Canes will be freshman pitcher Alexa Chin, who has been tearing it up in the off-season, exceeding expectations with a chance to solidify her role in the starting lineup.

The team was able to pick up three wins last season but was also very competitive in many other games. They plan to build off of last year and improve each day on and off the field.

What is the goal? Head Coach Sarah Young emphasized it as follows: “I expect to beat our rival, Cuyahoga Heights!”

They start their season on March 27th and will host their CVC rival Cuyahoga Heights with a 4:30 start time.

Best of luck, girls!

Track

Up next is the track team, which has grown to over 60 players for this season.

Head Coach Megan Barrow is pleased with how things have been going so far.

“I’m excited to see the growth of our athletes, both individually and as a team. For track, I’m looking forward to seeing our athletes push their limits and set personal bests. After wrapping up our first-ever indoor season, I’m confident many of our returning athletes will continue to compete at a higher level this spring.”

Her team will be led by seniors Ema Bencova and Camilla Gordillo Aguliar and juniors Jarianny Dominiguez, Bella Simpson, Jamira Tate, and Kelvin Santiago. There are also more outstanding athletes returning along with some newcomers that will make an immediate impact.

“It’s exciting to see more students getting involved. Track and field is one of the most well-rounded sports a student can participate in. It helps athletes develop speed, endurance, strength, explosiveness, and coordination. This is why so many professional athletes—from NFL players to Olympic sprinters—have a background in the sport,” Barrow stated.

Good luck, track team!

Flag Football

Lastly, flag football is a new sport introduced this year. It started in Ohio in 2021 with only two teams but grew to over one hundred teams for this upcoming season. The plan is for girls flag football to become an OHSAA-sanctioned sport in the future.

Coach Barrow coaches track and flag football and is looking forward to seeing how the team grows.

“For flag football, I can’t wait to see how the team comes together, develops strategy, and competes in a growing sport. Flag football is gaining momentum, and we’re looking forward to being part of that movement. Not only is flag football growing rapidly at the high school level, but it’s growing at the collegiate level, too. More colleges are offering scholarships for female flag football players, and organizations like the NFL and RCX Sports are supporting athletes with funding.”

Her team will be led by senior Rayanna Cogburn, junior Jamira Tate, sophomore Gianna Kos, and freshmen Reese Alonso and Elisabeth Jackiewics.

Crush it, girls!

Best of luck to all Spring sports teams!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

Influential Women

By: BHS Features Staff

March 5, 2025

Every year, starting on the first day of March, Women’s History Month is celebrated. We all know a woman in our lives who helped shape us into who we are today.

In the 1970s, women’s history was generally unknown because it was not taught in schools or to the general public. To bring recognition, the Education Task Force of Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women initiated a week-long celebration for women’s history.

By 1986, 14 states declared March as Women’s History Month. In 1987, Congress declared that March would be Women’s History Month. Due to this, a special Presidential Proclamation is given to honor the achievements of American women.

Knowing the history and background of this important month, the Features Staff interviewed five female staff members about the influential women in their lives.

*Mrs. Holko (Grandmother): “My grandmother overcame a lot of difficulties as a young woman, and as an older woman, she dealt with a lot of physical difficulties and was in a lot of pain, but she still managed to be happy and wanted to spend time with her family.”

*Miss Field (Katherine Johnson and Pat Summitt): “Katherine Johnson was the first African woman to work for NASA and helped get a man into space. Pat Summitt was the women’s basketball coach at The University of Tennessee and showed that women could compete against men, paving the way for women to coach sports.”

*Mrs. Chrzan (Mom): “My mom has always been so strong, and whenever something happens, she always finds a solution and never lets it get her down. She looks at the best in things and has inspired me to be strong and resilient, just like her.”

*Mrs. Berg (Mother and Clarissa Pinkola Estés): “My mom taught me that when there’s a will, there’s a way and to never give up. She is an amazing force, and she relentlessly pursues what she is passionate about, and she passed that to me. Clarissa is a Mexican-American writer who wrote a book titled The Women Who Run with the Wolves and uses folklore to show that women need to listen to themselves and their ‘wildishness’ to be connected to other women and to resist.”

*Mrs. Bir (Mom and Grandmother): “Obviously, my mom raised me, and my mom and grandmother were influential to me because they were hardworking. They both had full-time jobs to help support their family. My grandmother lost her husband when she was only in her 20s and had to raise my father and uncle, solo. My grandmother had a lot of loss in her life but kept looking at the positive aspects of it.”

Judging by the statements above, women are a crucial part of many people’s lives, whether they know the person on a personal level or they know the person from the media.

Women are loyal and will always be here whenever needed, so show them some extra love because they deserve it. ❤️

{Information for this article is sourced from National Women’s History Alliance.}

Pit Preview: The Wizard of Oz

By: BHS News Staff

March 4, 2025

Welcome back to another action-packed week.

This week, we will be previewing two seniors who will lead the pit for the Drama Club’s production of The Wizard of Oz.

First, Band Director Mr. Sean Sullivan is excited about this year’s musical but explained the challenges in perfecting the music involved.

“The song called ‘Muchkinland Musical Sequence’ is the hardest one to rehearse because it switches directions from slow to fast, and it changes time signatures frequently. It is also a very long song, 11-minutes. Additionally, the most challenging part of combining the pit and crew is making the music feel comfortable and for the cast to sing, so it does not feel like we are walking a tightrope,” stated Sullivan.

One of his favorite aspects about the productions is, “What it is at the beginning versus what is at the end because it definitely makes a difference. It takes a lot of rehearsals to put it all together, and the fact that people end up paying to see everyone’s hard work is a cool feeling,” Sullivan concluded.

So, how do the two senior pit members feel about their final production?

“Matilda was my first musical. I loved the music, and the cast was great. The cool part was that I played two trombones, a bass trombone, and the regular trombone. For this year, I am excited to see the set and see the cast’s performance,” stated Florin Socol.

He said he will always remember the friends he has and the experiences throughout his four years.

Lastly, Isabella Lottig is also excited for this upcoming performance, along with reflecting on her high school career.

“My favorite thing about being in the pit is getting to watch how quickly everything comes together at the end. We have our first on-stage rehearsal (or in-pit rehearsal) about two weeks from opening night every year, and it looks like it is not going to come together. Everything is so disjointed, and it is a mess, but then, it all comes together and turns into an actual musical; it is so fun to be a part of. Sure, it is never perfect, but the growth from the beginning to the end is incredible, and it is my favorite part of being in the pit.”

She also added that she is most excited to see all of the special effects and how they come together with the music this year.

“There are so many little songs that are meant to go with different things going on, not just singing. During the tornado, we will play a song called ‘Cyclone’. I cannot wait to see what the cyclone looks like on stage and how it goes along with the music.”

Mr. Sullivan, Florin, Isabella, and pit members, thank you for your hard work. We cannot wait for this year’s production.

Aside from the tremendous hard work for The Wizard of Oz, there is also some other news that needs to be mentioned.

This is the final reminder for all juniors. The SAT is tomorrow, March 5. Make a checklist, and be sure you are here on time with a charged chromebook. Also, get plenty of sleep tonight. A good SAT score could earn you scholarship money for future college plans. Good luck, class of 2026!

Moving on from testing, this Thursday is Parent-Teacher Conferences. Make sure your parents know their time slot, so they know when to come to meet the teachers.

Here is the upcoming March Schedule:

March 4: High School Band & Chorus Concert
March 5: SAT (Junior Class)
March 6: Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 7: No School
March 12: Winter Sports Banquet
March 13: End of Third Quarter
March 20-22: Drama Club’s Production of The Wizard of Oz

Have a fantastic week, fellow Hurricanes.

{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, click here.}

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Kerpics

*Classroom Assistant*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 28, 2025

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Erin Kerpics. Mrs. Kerpics is a classroom assistant, her first year in the Brooklyn City School District. Prior to Brooklyn, she worked as a caregiver. In her free time, she likes to do a lot of reading. A fun fact about her is when her son’s friends are over, she likes to make them do fun and silly tasks.

Q: If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose?

A: “I would have grown up in the 1930s because I liked that form of life back then.”

Q: If you could choose another profession, what would it be?

A: “I would be a Pediatrician.”

Q: What is a work memory that stands out to you?

A: “I love seeing residents get better and achieve their goals.”

Q: If you could go back in time to tell your younger self something, what would it be?

A: “Don’t worry so much. Slow down!”

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your working environment?

A: “The most challenging part of my job is to keep a schedule and to keep things going as planned on a daily basis.”

Q: What do you like most about working in Brooklyn?

A: “The kids are always nice.”

Q: What was the most significant life lesson ever taught to you?

A: “Not everyone is your friend.”

Q: What is your favorite sport to watch or play?

A: “Baseball!”

Mrs. Kerpics, thank you for letting us interview you. We hope that you have an amazing first year in Brooklyn. Go Guards! ⚾🧢

Four Nations Face-Off

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 27, 2025

All-Star game ratings in all four major sports have been dropping significantly over the years, so the NHL decided to switch up their format and create the first annual, Four Nations Face-Off. The four countries involved were Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States.

This new format saw massive ratings across North America with the goal of continuing to grow the game of hockey, worldwide.

This tournament started off with a thriller between Canada and Sweden, as Canada won 4-3 in overtime. After the initial contest, the United States faced off against Finland, and the Americans dominated, en route to a 6-1 victory.

The next batch of games matched Finland against Sweden, and the Finns secured a 4-3 overtime victory. However, the real face-off of the tournament came between the United States and Canada, a game played in Montreal, Canada, at the Bell Centre.

To start, the United States made a physical statement winning two out-of-three fights in the first nine seconds of the game. Three fights in nine seconds? This gained national attention as this game was bound to be a thriller with national pride on the line.

This early physicality by the United States led to a 3-1 victory over Canada with Tampa Bay Lightning star Jake Guentzel scoring two of the three goals.

With this win, the United States secured a spot in the championship game, and Canada needed a win over Finland to advance for the rematch. Sure enough, Canada cruised past Finland 5-3, while the shorthanded United States fell to Sweden in a meaningless contest, 2-1.

The championship game was set between Canada and the United States, this time in Boston at the TD Garden.

In the first period, the Canadians struck early with a goal by Colorado Avalanche star, Nathan MacKinnon. Later in the period, the United States struck back to tie the game with a goal by Ottawa Senators star, Brady Tkachuk.

The United States took the lead in the second with a goal by Senators defenseman, Jake Sanderson. However, the Canadians responded back with a game-tying goal from Florida Panthers center, Sam Bennett.

With the score deadlocked at two, both teams were unable to score in the final period, sending this championship game into overtime.

Eight minutes into overtime, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid gave Canada the championship victory with a wrister goal, winning by a final of 3-2.

There were no fights in this championship face-off, but the entertainment value of an overtime thriller did not disappoint.

The point leaders in this tournament consisted of Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski of the United States, leading the way with six. Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby and McDavid both tallied five points each for team Canada.

This new All-Star format was a huge success for the NHL, and fans believe that this should be a year-round tournament to continue to grow this great game. NFL, MLB, and NBA, take note of what the NHL did.

To wrap up for Hurricanes athletics, in bowling, junior Adam Cowper competes in the state tournament this Saturday in Columbus. The tourney starts at 9:00. Good luck, Adam!

Go Canes!

{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}

Remembering the World Trade Center

By: BHS Features Staff

February 26, 2025

On February 26, 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed. Today marks the 32nd anniversary of this attack.

A terrorist bomb was planted in the basement-level parking garage of the World Trade Center, and it exploded at 12:18 in the afternoon. This explosion caused mass destruction of the building, including a multi-story crater and seven collapsed floors.

The terrorists may have failed to critically damage the structure of the buildings; however, six people were killed and over a thousand were injured. The World Trade Center suffered 500 million dollars worth of damage. After the attack, 50,000 people had to be evacuated from the building, most of them suffering from smoke inhalation.

A multi-day manhunt began, looking for the suspects responsible. Within days, several of the terrorists were arrested. In March of 1994, Mohammed Salameh, Ahmad Ajaj, Nidal Ayyad, and Mahmoud Abouhalima were convicted for their roles in the bombing, and all were sentenced to life in prison. A Palestinian named Salameh was arrested when he went to receive the deposit that he made on the van used in the bombing. Ajaj and Ayyad were arrested for the construction of the bomb, and Abouhalima was arrested in Egypt after he fled from Saudi Arabia as it was discovered that he helped purchase and mix the explosives used in the attack.

The FBI investigated the bombing almost instantly after the attack. The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force were tracking down the Islamic fundamentalists for months, and they knew that this was an act of terrorism. Within only one day of the attack, the FBI searched through the wreckage and found multiple parts of a damaged vehicle that completely exploded. They then found a great amount of clues about the terrorists responsible. One of the clues was a vehicle information number, which was traced back to the van that had been stolen the day before the attack.

The bombing of the World Trade Center caused a new Islamic terrorism phenomenon that directly impacted the United States. The leader of this attack, Ramzi Yousef, told the FBI that he planned to have the two towers crash into each other, which would kill roughly 250,000 people.

Yousef remained on the run until February of 1995. He was arrested in Pakistan; previously, he was in the Philippines. He left a computer behind with plans that included plans to kill Pope John Paul II and a plan to bomb 15 planes in 48 hours. He claimed that he was the mastermind behind the attack on the World Trade Center and that he was also the one who set the bomb. He said his only regret was not causing the towers to collapse into each other.

This bombing was just the beginning of something much worse; it was the tragic foreshadowing of September 11, 2001, when a group of Muslim extremists achieved Yousef’s goal of the two towers crashing into each other.

The 1993 attack is often overshadowed by the events of 9/11, but it shows that the World Trade Center was always a hot target for these attacks.

One day, hopefully, world peace will be the norm.

{Information for this article is sourced from The History Channel and The History Channel (7 Facts).}

Crew Preview: The Wizard of Oz

By: BHS News Staff

February 25, 2025

As February comes to a close, we know that March will be showtime for the Drama Club’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. This week’s preview revolves around the crew, led by Mr. Kaspar and junior Riley Cummings.

Even though the sets are under construction and moving along well, Mr. Kaspar knows that the next four weeks will be a challenge.

“Getting everything organized in a timely fashion is the hardest. It is difficult because everything has to be organized. We started this project back in December, and we have spent so much time working on it,” he stated.

Time-consuming, absolutely. However, he added that he has tremendous leaders and that everything will come together because of their leadership.

“Something else to know about The Wizard of Oz is that every year, there are always returning crew members, and they are kind of the ‘leaders’. It is nice to see the younger classmen step into that role, too.”

Everything works better when there are dedicated people involved, and Cummings is the glue for this year’s crew. She echoed Mr. Kaspar’s thoughts on the time it takes to build the sets correctly.

“The biggest pieces take the most time. They are more difficult, and they are also very time-consuming. Plus, having everything done by the deadline is already sort of stressful. Another stressful thing is making sure everything is ready, including the cast and crew. Making sure everyone knows their lines and making sure everything is where it is meant to be. We started building in December. At the beginning of the year, we stayed until 4:30, but as it gets closer to go-time, we all stay until 6:00-7:00 in the evening, five days a week,” she explained.

Cummings stated that she loves seeing the hard work pay off and that the time involved is worth it.

The Return of the Eye is excited to see the sets and want to thank all of the crew for their tireless energy and work to get this production up and running.

Aside from the crew’s hard work, there is other news as well.

Did you sign up on Google Classroom for the PBIS Incentive Movie Day? If so, you are in luck. The movie day is tomorrow, so see Mrs. Bader for your time slot and movie selection.

Additionally, this is a reminder to anyone who participated in the Malley’s Chocolate Prom Fundraiser. All money is due to Mrs. Holko by this Friday, February 28.

Finally, the SAT for the junior class is next Wednesday, March 5. Make sure to be here on time with a charged chromebook. A good-to-great SAT score could warrant significant scholarship money for future college. Juniors, do not miss out on this opportunity. Do your best!

Here is the late February/March Schedule:

February 26: PBIS Movie Day
February 28: Malley’s Prom Fundraiser Money Due
March 5: SAT (Junior Class)
March 6: Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 7: No School
March 12: Winter Sports Banquet
March 13: End of Third Quarter
March 20-22: Drama Club’s Production of The Wizard of Oz

Have a fantastic final week of February, Brooklyn. Enjoy the “heat” wave.

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