THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Leaf Me Alone

By: BHS News Staff

February 24, 2026

Geez snow, thanks for coming back; you can permanently leave now. However, colorful leaves and green grass will soon be back, so this is something to anticipate as March rolls around this Sunday.

Now, onto the news.

The program under the spotlight for this week is the First Ring Leadership Institute. This group specializes in meeting with other local schools to figure out solutions to consistent problems occurring with high school students and education, in general. Senior Ryan Hilcu is a part of First Ring and has a great opportunity coming up.

“At the end of last year, I presented research on the teacher shortage in Ohio with the First Ring Leadership Institute. This is a collaboration with Greater Cleveland schools. The presentation group consisted of myself and students from Lakewood and Richmond Heights. Recently, our research was selected to be presented at the annual summit of the American Educational Research Association in Los Angeles, California. The project I am presenting on is about the teacher shortage in Ohio and why students don’t want to become teachers,” stated Hilcu.

He also mentioned what an honor it is to be a part of First Ring.

“I was invited to be a part of First Ring at the start of my sophomore year. It’s a great opportunity to improve communication and public speaking skills, as well as meeting and talking to new people.”

Congratulations to Ryan and everyone involved with the First Ring Leadership Institute. Keep up the good work.

Next, the upcoming play (The Addams Family) has gone through some twists and turns, but the set is finally ready. The cast and crew started working together this week to make the play great. The performances are March 6 at 7:00, March 7 at 2:00 and 7:00, and March 8 at 2:00. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for kids.

Come out and see these amazing students in action.

To conclude this week’s news, parents, be sure to stay alert with Parent Square for Parent/Teacher Conferences scheduled for Thursday, March 5. Teacher sign-ups have been posted to schedule a time for a meaningful conference. Take advantage of this one-on-one opportunity.

Here is the upcoming schedule for early March.

March 5: Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
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 final week of February, fellow Hurricanes.

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

Senior Spotlight: Abdulrahman Alhalmoushe

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 23, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Abdulrahman Alhalmoushe. Abdul is funny, kind, and smart. Outside of school, he works as a manager at his family’s restaurant Ola Chicken in Warrensville Heights. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer. A fun fact about Abdul is that he can speak two languages.

Q: How do you manage to push through something extremely difficult?

A: “I just pray.”

Q: What is an opinion you are willing to stand alone for?

A: “Family is everything.”

Q: What job industry do you want to work in after high school?

A: “Finance Manager.”

Q: Out of your high school career, which year was the best for you?

A: “Senior year because I met my best friend, Justin Lewis.”

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?

A: “Being the manager at Ola Chicken, my family’s restaurant.”

Q: What TV show do you like to watch?

A: “Nobani Show.”

Q: Did you ever need to take a class that you never liked?

A: “Yes, English because I speak Arabic.”

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

A: “Mr. Roegiers and Mr. Holko. I want them to see this, so they can raise my grade.” 😂

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Abdul. We wish you the best of luck in your future Finance Management career. By the way, both Mr. Roegiers and Mr. Holko saw this and decided to lower your grade instead.

Rapid Fire: Miss Cramer

*Social Studies Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 20, 2026

Q: Have you ever won a bet?

A: “Yes!”

Q: What was your major in college?

A: “Psychology and Business.”

Q: What is one thing you regret spending money on?

A: “Impulse buys.”

Q: What dish do you cook best?

A: “Different pastas or soups.”

Q: What is your hidden talent?

A: “Baton swirling and horseback riding.”

Q: What never fails to make you laugh?

A: “Friends.”

Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?

A: “Elsa.”

Q: Expensive presents or homemade presents?

A: “Both.”

Q: Beach vacation or mountain retreat?

A: “Mountain Retreat.”

Q: Love or friendship?

A: “Love.”

Stay tuned for weekly rapid fire interviews and future podcasts. Have a great weekend, Hurricane Nation.

Senior Night Sweep

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 19, 2026

Last Friday, the boys basketball team (10-9) hosted their senior night against the Wickliffe Blue Devils (3-16). This would mark the final home game of the season for the boys, looking to end on a high note against a Blue Devils team coming off of a win over St. John.

The junior varsity game was the appetizer before the main course, as it was an intensity-filled matchup that went into overtime. In the end, the JV boys hit clutch baskets down the stretch to pull off the win, setting the tone for the varsity game.

In between the games, Winter sports seniors were recognized.

Basketball: Devin Hardwick, Jordan Carden, Hugo Barallis
Bowlers: Adam Cowper, Ryan Hilcu, Jacob Barrett, Amara Zibrin
Cheerleaders: Nicolle Thomas Garcia, Amanda Ortiz Rosario, Ashlee Rich, Jamira Tate, Samadhi Holton
Indoor Track: Jarianny Dominguez Calderon, Malak Chafki, Jamira Tate, Kelvin Santiago

As for the game itself, the excitement from the crowd carried over from the JV game, as the Hurricanes jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. The Hurricanes offense continued to dominate the first, as they closed the first eight minutes with a 20-11 lead.

They maintained a steady play on both ends of the floor but took a step back on the offensive end. Despite this, the Hurricanes held a 34-26 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, the hosts showed their dominance, as their lead started expanding with made shot after made shot. By the end of the third, the Hurricanes led 53-37.

Feeding off of the crowd’s energy, the Hurricanes continued to dominate the remainder of the game, even bringing in sophomore Adam Chafki to play the final minutes. He even logged his first varsity rebound.

Nonetheless, the Hurricanes earned the victory in their final home game, 73-47.

Hardwick led the way with 17 points, freshman Shaddai Givens added 16 points, Barallis tacked on 11, and junior Jose Mateo put up 10 points.

Congrats, boys!

Up next for the boys will be a road trip to Cortland Lakeview tomorrow night to conclude the regular season.

We in the Sports Department would like to congratulate all of the seniors from every Winter sport for their dedication.

Best of luck to the bowling team as they travel to Oberlin for the District Tournament tomorrow morning, looking for a chance to head to the State Tournament.

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:

February 19: Girls Basketball @ Rootstown – OHSAA Playoff Game (7:00)
February 20: Bowling OHSAA District Tournament (10:00)
February 20: Boys Basketball @ Cortland Lakeview (7:00)
February 21: Wrestling @ Mayfield Heights Tournament (9:00)

Go Canes!

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

Edgewater Park

By: BHS Features Staff

February 18, 2026

Are the snow and cold finally gone for this year? We certainly hope so!

With the weather starting to warm up with Spring vibes in the air, why not take advantage of a beautiful Cleveland hotspot, Edgewater Park?

Edgewater Park is a place to relax, play, exercise, and picnic. Pets seem to enjoy it, too. There are also many different attractions to view and participate in, so start planning your day with March just 12 days away.

*Paddling: Want to paddle/canoe on Lake Erie? This excursion offers paddling that treks along the rocky area of Edgewater Park. The water may still be a little chilled from the Winter, but at least this will not be a polar plunge.

*Fishing Pier: For those who love to fish, for the recreational activity or for the food, Edgewater gives outdoorsmen the opportunity to fish on the pier. It also has an amazing view and a cool breeze.

*Beach Life: The sand is gorgeous to visit with family and friends to have fun, play some catch, or even admire Cleveland’s skyline. This is a great picnic area, too.

Brooklyn is located 15-20 minutes away from Edgewater Park. It encompasses so much that excites the locals. So as the sun becomes more frequent and the thermometer continues to rise, it is a good idea to refresh yourself with a nice, relaxing swim.

Do not miss out, though, for no one knows when it will snow again. Fingers crossed that it will be next Winter.

{Information for this article sourced from Edgewater Park.}

Heritage Celebration

By: BHS News Staff

February 17, 2026

With Heritage Week, Valentine’s Day, and a three-day weekend all in the past, it is time to recap some of the memorable events from last week.

Last week was Heritage Week, and there were numerous students and staff who represented their families, countries, and backgrounds. There was also a special parade on Friday afternoon for anyone who wanted to show the school district their heritage spirit.

Additionally, the elementary school students participated in the parade as well. This allowed students to form relationships with those of the same or different cultural backgrounds. The high school students and elementary school students bonded very well during this time.

To conclude Heritage Week, there was a special panel of students and staff who discussed the struggles that their families faced when immigrating to The United States of America. The discussion fostered empathy, understanding, and appreciation across the student body, teaching all that every story matters.

A special thank you to seniors Jarianny Dominguez Calderon and Nicolle Thomas Garcia, freshman Kehbeh Dolo, and staff members Mrs. Culliton and Mr. Hasrouni for sharing their impactful stories.

Simply, Heritage Week was a great success.

Moving along, the club under the spotlight this week is the Pit. With the play almost two weeks away (March 6-8), those involved behind the music are working everyday to make sure everything is to perfection. Yesterday for the first time, the pit rehearsed with the cast to put together certain parts of the show. Good luck to everyone in the cast, pit, and crew as crunch time nears. The Addams Family is right around the corner.

As February is nearing its end, there will be much more news coming that details everything going on in the month of March. Stay tuned!

Here is the upcoming schedule for February.

February 20: Cleveland Art Museum Field Trip
February 21: Night at the Races

Have an amazing short week, Hurricanes.

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

Rapid Fire: Mr. Karl

*Math & Science Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 13, 2026

Q: Are you more of a thinker or a doer?

A: “I’d say thinker.”

Q: What movie, book, or TV show changed your life?

A: “Above the Line by Urban Mayer.”

Q: Summer or Winter?

A: “Summer.”

Q: Fresh food or fried food?

A: “Fried food.”

Q: What is your favorite store?

A: “I don’t do the shopping, so I don’t really have one.”

Q: Favorite high school memory?

A: “Playing basketball or any sports.”

Q: What is your go-to snack?

A: “Protein bar.”

Q: If you were a superhero, what would your name be?

A: “Flash. I went by the nickname Flash back when I used to race.”

Q: Cookies or crackers?

A: “Cookies.”

Q: Best sport?

A: “Stock Car Racing.”

Stay tuned for weekly rapid fire interviews and future podcasts. Have a great long weekend, Brooklyn. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cavaliers En Fuego

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 12, 2026

This season has been up-and-down for the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, but things are going very well for them now as they sit with a record of 34-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference.

The Wine and Gold had been struggling with injuries and consistency, ranking them 7th in offensive efficiency and 13th in defensive efficiency. Last season, they had the best offensive rating in the league and the best record only to have a second round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Simply, the time for the core four of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen was running out.

Despite hovering around .500 for the majority of this season, they have had strong contributions, especially with Mitchell having the best season of his career, averaging 29 points per game with four rebounds and five assists per game as well. Mobley has not quite taken the next step to become a superstar as of now, but he is still putting up 18 points and eight rebounds per game.

But, this is a team that is striving to bring another championship back to Cleveland, so they needed to shake things up before last week’s trade deadline. First, they traded De’Andre Hunter, who they acquired at the trade deadline last year, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for veteran Dennis Schroder and heavily-respected defensive guard Keon Ellis. Another move was salary dumping Lonzo Ball and clearing his $10 million contract.

While those trades were key, the biggest move of the deadline, arguably in the entire NBA, was trading Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for James Harden, breaking up the core four and bringing in a veteran superstar presence.

Harden has averaged 25 points per game this season and has made an immediate impact, hitting clutch shots in his first game against the Sacramento Kings and second game against the Denver Nuggets. He is also distributing the ball very well.

Cleveland will now have over a week off because of the All-Star break to prepare for the final stretch of the season.

Here are the upcoming schedule for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Is this the year the Cavs win it all and give us a 1.5 million attended championship parade similar to 2016? Only time will tell.

Go Cavs!

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:

February 12: Girls Basketball vs. Valley Forge (6:30)
February 13: Boys Basketball vs. Wickliffe – SENIOR NIGHT (6:45)

Go Canes!

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

Love Buzz

By: BHS Features Staff

February 11, 2026

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about what you may want to do with your Valentine, platonic or not. This month is the perfect time to show your love and gratitude to your loved ones.

Or, if you are not a fan of this holiday, practice self-love and treat yourself because you are the most important person in your life.

That said, here are five places to consider visiting during the “Season of Love”.

*Valentine’s Dinner at the Arcade: While Valentine’s Day is coming up, come on out to the Hyatt Regency for dinner. If you would love to come on February 14, purchase your tickets in advance. Do not wait for the last minute, and remember, this wonderful night can be had by all.

*Swolemates & Soulmates: For the athletic couples, a couples workout may be thrilling to you. With the tickets costing $15 per person, grab your partner or someone you love and spend some time together at Recreation Lane (Avon).

*Love & Canvas, A Valentine’s Day Paint n Sip: While having dinner, you can also let your artistic minds go to work and paint or draw whatever your heart desires. This event is in Garfield Heights on February 14 from 7:00-11:00.

*Love Stinks Valoween Pop Up: For people who find Valentine’s Day stupid, a spooky, anti-love themed event may be for you. With the more spooky aesthetics of this event, there will be an opportunity to get a professional picture kissing a fake skunk rather than a significant other. Tea, tarot readings, and performances will also be available for entertainment. If you are interested, visit Madison Avenue in Lakewood from 3:00-7:00.

*Galentine’s Girl Dinner: Get all of your girls and go out to dinner and have a wonderful time, no need for a man. This event is at Vault on Tuesday, February 17, from 6:00-9:00.

No matter if you are showing love to yourself, a parent, a partner, or another loved one, it is always important to remember who makes us happy. Showing someone that you care will most definitely lighten their mood and make their week full of joy.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

{Information for this article sourced from Cleveland Bucket List.}

A True News Kiss

By: BHS News Staff

February 10, 2026

With Valentine’s Day coming up this Saturday, it should be the BEST DAY, and you should LAUGH a lot with many SMILES. Remember, it is the day of TRUE LOVE, a day to SHINE. Whether single or taken, may true love awaken.

Ok, enough of this mushy nonsense. Time to segue into the news.

Since it is February, it is only right that we honor the cultural heritage of both the students and staff. This week, students and staff get to represent their history by participating in Hurricane Heritage. They can dress up like tourists or represent their origins by wearing all types of unique clothing.

It has been a great week thus far, and we anticipate even more excitement and entertainment, culminating with the Parade of Nations on Friday.

Speaking of entertainment, last Friday’s Winter Olympics had many fun games and activities. The seniors took first in bobsledding and curling, and the staff won speed skating. A big shout out to Mrs. Bader and Student Council for organizing these competitive games.

Interested in College Credit Plus? On February 18, there is a meeting to talk about CCP. Attendance is mandatory if you are planning to apply for CCP classes, so mark your calendar.

Moving along, the club under the spotlight this week is the up-and-coming Drama Club. The performance of The Addams Family is in three weeks, and it is a very stressful time for the cast. The cast has to be off book (no script) by this Friday, and on Monday, they are meeting with the pit to work on the vocal performances.

With the set being close to completed, a special thank you to Mrs. Cipriani, Mr. Cipriani, Mr. Kasper, and Mr. Sullivan for leading this program. Also, a special thank you to all of the amazing leadership by students such as Grace Paul, EJ Velez, Morgan Cummings, Gaven McCanelley, Austin Adkins, Marissa Kenderes, Ben Denovchek, and more for their dedication to this musical. Make sure to come out and see their performance.

Here is the upcoming schedule for February.

February 12: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Field Trip
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 16: Presidents’ Day (No School)
February 21: Night at the Races

Have a great week, Hurricanes!

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

Senior Spotlight: Delaney Burke

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 9, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Delaney Burke. Delaney is positive, driven, and caring. Outside of school, she works two jobs at the Brooklyn Recreation Center and at Southwest General Hospital as a PCA intern. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball and shopping. A fun fact about Delaney is that she is attending Miami University (Ohio) next Fall to become a nurse.

Q: What is the difference in being a senior compared to any other grade?

A: “You have to figure out what you want to be for the rest of your life.”

Q: If you could change one thing about BHS, what would it be?

A: “People are not interactive, more school spirit.”

Q: If there was something you could fix in your past, what would it be?”

A: “I would want to change past relationships and choose friends more wisely.”

Q: Have your goals changed from the beginning of your high school career?

A: “Yes, I wanted to be an interior designer, but as I went on, I now want to be a nurse.”

Q: What is one thing you wish teachers understood better about students?

A: “Students learn differently.”

Q: If you won $5,000 tomorrow, what is the first thing you would buy/do?

A: “I would buy a new car or take my sister on a shopping spree.”

Q: What is a movie that everyone loves that you do not?

A: “KPop Demon Hunters. I have a little niece who loves it, but I really don’t.”

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

A: “Mrs. Chzran. She was my sophomore Biology teacher. She is now my senior mentor and always gives me future advice.”

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Delaney. We wish you all the best on your long journey in becoming a nurse. Try not to blow all of that nursing money on shopping sprees, though.

Rapid Fire: Mrs. Bader

*ELA Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 6, 2026

Q: What is your go-to lazy dinner?

A: “Chicken nuggets in the air fryer.”

Q: Cat or dog?

A: “Dog.”

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: “Cheating, plagiarism.”

Q: What dish do you cook best?

A: “Scones, just ask all my coworkers.”

Q: How do you usually answer the telephone?

A: “If it’s Meehan, it’s ‘Whatttt?’ If it’s Urig, ‘Yessss.’”

Q: What is a dare that you would never back down from?

A: “Harassing Dr. Caleris about snow days.”

Q: Book or Movie?

A: “Book.”

Q: What was your least favorite class in school?

A: “Math.”

Q: If you were a fruit, what would you be?

A: “Pineapple.”

Q: What movie do you enjoy quoting the most?

A: “Dirty Dancing, Titanic, or Sandlot.”

Stay tuned for weekly rapid fire interviews and future podcasts. Have a wonderful weekend, Brooklyn!