THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Senior Spotlight: Gibran Boukzam

By: Reymon Carrasquillo

October 5, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Gibran Boukzam. Gibran is adventurous, full of excitement, and warm-hearted. He has been in Brooklyn all of his life and stays busy with soccer, hockey, indoor soccer, and indoor track. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching movies, driving, and doing the things he loves. Gibran currently works at TJ Maxx but is looking for a Business Internship. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year college with an undecided major as of now.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment during high school?

A: “The growth I’ve made. I wouldn’t say there’s one thing that defines anyone, but I’m proud to say you wouldn’t recognize me if you looked at a picture of me freshman year.”

Q: What is something you wish you had taken more seriously in high school?

A: “Grades my junior year. Freshman and sophomore years were so easy for me, so I didn’t feel the need to take junior year as seriously.”

Q: What are you looking forward to most after graduation?

A: “Finding myself and who and where I want to be.”

Q: If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would you choose?

A: “Knowing when to say something. I’d say my biggest mistakes aren’t what I do but how I handle them. If I went back, I would watch my actions more and the effect they have.”

Q: If you could relive one day of high school, which day would you choose?

A: “I wouldn’t. I’m happy with how everything went and where I’ve come. Honestly, I’m scared of time travel and its fictional effects.”

Q: What is something you learned in high school that wasn’t taught in a classroom?

A: “Everything takes time. Don’t rush anything or push for the next thing right away. You’ll miss out on enjoying things that were right in front of your face.”

Q: What is one thing you could talk about for hours?

A: “The environmental and political state of our world right now. But really, it’s mostly the decisions. I enjoy talking about what would have or could have happened with the people involved. I always learn more from an argument than an agreement.”

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

A: “Mr. Urig. He isn’t my favorite, but from being someone I made fun of as a child to someone I now respect and the lessons he taught me outside of the book will go on to last forever.”

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Gibran. Good luck with college, your future career, and everything that comes next!

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Schwendeman

*Brooklyn High School English Teacher*

By: Grace Paul

October 2, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Ms. Schwendeman, a first-year English Teacher at Brooklyn High School. Ms. Schwendeman previously taught at Northwood Middle School in Elyria as a seventh grade teacher. An interesting fact about her is that she likes to go for hikes.

Q. What made you want to become a teacher?

A. “I became a teacher because I love reading and want to help my students discover the same joy in it. I also love working with kids and watching them learn, grow, and experience those exciting ‘Aha!’ moments. Being able to help students build confidence and develop a love for learning is what makes teaching so rewarding to me.”

Q. What is your favorite part about your job? What’s the most challenging?

A. “My favorite part of my job is reading stories with my students and watching their reactions to how those stories end. I especially enjoy doing novel studies and watching my students fall in love with books they would have never picked up off the shelf. The most challenging part is definitely making sure that I am meeting the needs of all my students and finding the right way to teach them.”

Q. What do you hope your students remember most about being in your classroom after they graduate?

A. “I hope my students remember my classroom as a place where they felt cared for, supported, and confident in who they are. I want them to remember how they grew as readers and learners, the confidence they built, and the fun we had through our novel studies. Most of all, I hope they remember that they were valued and believed in.”

Q. What is your morning routine before the first bell rings?

A. “Before the first bell, I enjoy starting my morning with a cup of coffee, checking my emails, and listening to my audiobook. It’s my little bit of quiet time before the day gets busy.”

Q. What is your favorite activity to do outside of school?

A. “My favorite activities outside of school are spending time with my daughter, binge watching my comfort shows, reading, and hiking.”

Q. What current student trend/slang completely confuses you?

A. “The current student trend/slang that confuses me is when the kids tell each other to ‘touch grass.’ I just don’t get it, haha.”

Q. What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?

A. “The best piece of advice that anyone ever gave me is to not take life too seriously; it’s all about balance. Work hard, take those moments to relax, and live in the moment. Don’t stay stuck in the past or worrying about what’s happening in the future; be present.”

Q. What’s your favorite animal?

A. “My favorite animal has always been a tiger; they’re just so enamoring and graceful.”

Thank you for your responses, Ms. Schwendeman. I wish you all the best in your first full year in the ELA department here at Brooklyn High School.

Heartbreak and Tension

By: BHS Sports Staff

October 1, 2026

Beyond the final score, the Homecoming football game captured the ultimate high school experience with school spirit, proud traditions, a rowdy crowd, and a memorable evening.

From the opening kickoff, the energy under the Friday night lights was electric. Fans packed the stands in blue and gold, eager to celebrate Homecoming weekend with another decisive division win. However, what was supposed to be a picture-perfect Homecoming Friday night turned into an emotionally-charged showdown as the Brooklyn Hurricanes fell short against the Beachwood Bison in a dramatic 14-12 loss.

Brooklyn came into the game with a record of 1-4, while Beachwood stood at 2-3.

The first quarter was a defensive battle as both teams could not sustain any offensive rhythm. After one, neither team put up any points on the scoreboard.

However in the second quarter, the Hurricanes came out aggressively, driving down the field behind a solid rushing effort and an Alejandro Perez touchdown run to take an early lead. Even with a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Hurricanes continued to dominate defensively and headed into the locker with a six-point lead with 24 minutes left to play.

In the third quarter, the Bison answered back quickly, taking a one-point lead and setting off a back-and-forth battle that kept the student section on their feet throughout. Both defenses delivered crucial stops in the quarter, forcing fumbles and shutting down each other’s passing game. After three, the Bison had a one-point lead, 7-6.

In the fourth, the Hurricanes regained the lead at 12-7 on a Mason Vega quarterback sneak. Unfortunately, the Bison responded with a touchdown of their own, taking the lead back, 14-12. With under two minutes left on the clock and trailing by two, the Hurricanes mounted a final, desperate comeback. They did indeed push into Beachwood territory, setting up a dramatic fourth-down attempt with seconds remaining. However, a stand by the Bison defense broke up the final pass, sealing the game for the visitors as time expired.

The intense rivalry and narrow margin of victory caused emotions to boil over immediately following the final whistle. Words were exchanged between players during the handshakes, leading to a brief scuffle on the field. Coaches, referees, and field staff acted quickly to separate the players and to restore order before the teams headed to their respective locker rooms.

Despite the tough finish and the post-game tension, the Hurricanes demonstrated physical play and resilience throughout the high-stakes game.

The Hurricanes will look to channel that intensity productively as they regroup ahead of their next matchup as they host the Chagrin Falls Tigers tomorrow evening.

Below is the October schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.

October 1: Girls Soccer vs. Shaw
October 1: Boys Soccer vs. Shaw
October 1: Volleyball vs. Fairport
October 2: Football vs. Chagrin Falls
October 5: Girls Soccer vs. Brookside (Senior Night)
October 5: Boys Soccer vs. Brookside (Senior Night)
October 6: Volleyball @ Richmond Heights
October 8: Boys Soccer vs. Independence
October 8: Volleyball vs. Fairview
October 10: Football @ Trinity
October 12: Girls Soccer @ Barberton
October 13: Boys Soccer @ Berkshire
October 13: Volleyball @ Cuyahoga Heights
October 15: Volleyball vs. Trinity (Senior Night)
October 16: Football @ Wickliffe
October 23: Football vs. Independence

Go Canes!

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

Someone—or Something—Recognizes You

By: Camille Samilton

September 30, 2026

a close up of a person's face in front of a computer screen

Dear Camera, don’t you recognize me? Don’t you scan my face everywhere I walk?

You walk into a store, a camera blinks (almost absent-mindedly) at you, but you look away and think nothing of it. Still, that circle keeps zooming in on me.

Facial recognition (FRT) scans your face, analyzing your features in a similar way police might take your fingerprints. But unlike fingerprints, the process can happen without you realizing it to be unnoticeable.

This technology is commonly used to unlock phones, to check passports, and to track people when they enter a place, which is especially common in retail stores.

According to Auror, retail stores scan faces based on a pre-made (biometric) template of a criminal’s face and compare it to the one that walks through the store. The scan is passive, immediately deleting non-match data after confirmation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to significant advances in facial recognition technology. WGU tells us that when AI scans someone’s face, they measure the 3D face vectors and skin texture analysis, along with a newer addition: Thermal cameras, which record the size and shape of the head, ignoring accessories such as earrings and glasses.

The AI used determines a confidence score. If it’s high enough, that’s when a human steps into the scene. Because of this technology, Auror says it has stopped 42 percent of repeat offenders.

As technology advances, those same cameras zoom in on faces, but pieces of data can turn into bias.

a close up of a person's face next to a ball

According to the MIT Media Lab, a study of commercial AI facial-analysis systems found error rates as high as 34.7 percent for darker-skinned women compared with a maximum of 0.8 percent for lighter-skinned men when classifying gender.

The consequences can stretch beyond being misidentified by the pattern recognizer. Research and documented cases have raised flags of concern about Black people being incorrectly identified, entered into databases, or subjected to increased targeted, police monitoring.

Auror extends this with continuous research that cites Black people starting to be arrested for minor crimes, planting their faces in databases, along with an abundance of these facial recognition cameras in Black and Brown neighborhoods.

In addition to this, the Innocence Project has reported that Robert Williams was the first documented case of a wrongful arrest in 2020 due to facial-recognition technology. He was charged with stealing Shinola watches worth thousands of dollars.

The ACLU argues that certain uses of facial recognition raise Fourth Amendment concerns (protects against unreasonable searches) because of the risk of innocent victims being searched. The ACLU has also argued that facial recognition technology is starting to cause people not to exercise their First Amendment rights. Some people have been scared to protest, afraid they will be documented by this technology if they do so.

The camera continues to blink at you—your figure reflecting on the screen—and your mind twists, wondering what exactly it sees.

Homecoming Huzzah

By: BHS News Staff

September 29, 2026

Welcome back from our free-trial of Fall weather. It was a treat, but it seems we will be heating up over the week (Thursday in particular). Oh well, what do we expect in Northeast Ohio?

Brooklyn had a jam-packed weekend, starting with the senior luncheon and pep rally last Friday, followed by the Homecoming dance this past Saturday.

First off, the senior luncheon was eventful as always with thousands of calories consumed and a well put-together photo wall. Along with this, the brunch menu items were a big hit with minimal leftovers when all was said and done. A big thanks to all of the parents who brought in food and served the Class of 2027.

Only just a few hours before the revealing of the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen, all of the candidates competed in the annual Homecoming pep rally. Before this, however, the band, Hurricettes, and cheer team all graced the student body with pre-game performances.

The first game of the pep rally was Tippy Cup, where each contestant tried to knock their opponents’ cups off the top of their pool noodle without dropping theirs or stepping outside of the circle. Benjamin Denovchek was the victor at the end of this contest; he would not be denied!

The second competition was tough, called “Finish That Lyric”. The queen candidates won without a doubt. The King candidates, renamed to sore losers, demanded a rematch which these lovely ladies won as well.

The third and final game, arguably the funniest of them all, was a game of pairs. The kings covered their heads in shaving cream, and the queens did their best to throw and land as many cheese balls as they could into their partner’s shaving cream. While an entertaining competition, it was such a waste of delicious cheeseballs.

Later, the Homecoming football game against Beachwood on Friday was…eventful, to say the least. The main event was not the postgame “fireworks” but instead the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. The race for the crown was a close one; however, Blake Ullrich and Gianna Kos won in the end.

Congratulations, Blake and Gianna!

Now onto the Homecoming dance, which started at 7:00 sharp, with over 180 students in attendance, this was a spectacular time. Along with the dance floor in the cafeteria, there was a booming photo booth in the hallway as well as a snowcone machine, which were both a hit. Simply, Rio at Sunset was a night to remember.

Unfortunately, this year’s Homecoming festivities are officially in the books. A big thanks to everyone involved for making last week a special week.

Here is the calendar for September into October:

September 29: Hockey Interest Meeting
September 30: Parent Internet Safety Information Night
October 3: SAT Retakes
October 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 9: NEOEA (No School)
October 22: End of the First Quarter
October 27: Picture Retake Day

Have an amazing, toasty week, fellow Hurricanes.

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

Senior Spotlight: Grace Paul

By: Reymon Carrasquillo

September 28, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Grace Paul. Grace is optimistic, empathetic, and driven. She has been a student in Brooklyn since seventh grade and stays busy with competitive dance, Hurricettes, and musical theatre. She is also involved in Drama Club, Key Club, and First Ring Leadership. Over the Summer, Grace worked at the high school through the technology internship. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university to major in Exercise Science in hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist. A fun fact about Grace is that she has performed as both Wednesday Addams and Glinda in two school musicals.

Q: What is one moment from high school that you know you’ll never forget?

A: “Definitely performing on stage in the school musicals as Wednesday Addams my junior year and Glinda my sophomore year. It is such an unreal feeling performing in front of an audience with all my friends.”

Q: What is your favorite Hurricettes memory?

A: “My favorite Hurricette memory is either performing at Disney World or our trip to New York City. Along with that, it would just be meeting some of my best friends.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman-year self?

A: “Stop being so nervous and embarrassed about the little things and take all the opportunities given to you. The four years go by so unbelievably fast, so you really have to soak up your time in high school and make the best of it!”

Q: What are you looking forward to most after graduation?

A: “Starting college to pursue my passion for a medical career.”

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: “Definitely traveling the world and the second would be meeting a seal in person; they are my favorite animal!”

Q: Would you rather have unlimited money or unlimited free time?

A: “Probably unlimited money; if I had a lot of money, that would probably end up giving me a lot of free time.”

Q: What is something you learned in high school that wasn’t taught in a classroom?

A: “I learned that not everyone is going to be kind to you, but your attitude and kindness towards others really go a long way.”

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

A: “I have two, Miss Cramer and Mr. Roeigers. They are both so supportive and have helped me throughout high school tremendously, even if I did not always have their class. But someone who I can always count on and go to no matter what would definitely be Mr. Black. Even though he’s not a teacher, he has always been there for me and supported me since seventh grade, especially during Hurricettes, the musicals, and work over the Summer.”

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Grace. Good luck with college, Exercise Science, and pursuing your goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Burke

*Brooklyn High School Math Teacher*

By: Grace Paul

September 25, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Ms. Burke, a first-year Math Teacher at Brooklyn High School. Ms. Burke earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Utica University. An interesting fact about her is that she has one pulmonary artery.

Q. What made you want to become a teacher?

A. “I always enjoyed working with people, and math came naturally to me throughout high school. So I thought, why not combine those two! Teaching allows me to work with people while sharing a subject that I’ve always enjoyed.”

Q. What makes Brooklyn different from other school districts?

A. “The administrators are extremely supportive and caring. I appreciate that Dr. Caleris and Mrs. Deliz host the Hurricane New Educator Series, walk the hallways, and check in on me to ensure that I am adjusting well. I’ve had such a positive experience in my new journey so far, thanks to everyone in the district.”

Q. What is your favorite part of your job? What’s the most challenging?

A. “My favorite part of my job is getting to know my students, watching them grow, and teaching them skills that they will (hopefully) use later in life. For a while, the most challenging part of my job was learning everything I needed to know about working in a new school and a new state. There were so many websites to bookmark, procedures to learn, and policies to remember. I think I have things mostly figured out now.”

Q. What do you believe makes a teacher truly successful?

A. “I believe a successful teacher is someone who can teach the content in a way that students can understand. Many people are good at math, but not everyone can effectively teach it to others. A successful teacher is flexible and can adjust a lesson on the fly to meet the needs of students.”

Q. What is your favorite activity to do outside of school?

A. “I have two: Reading and going for walks with my dog. Every year, I set a goal to read 100 books, and I’m currently on book 70.”

Q. When you were young, what did you want to grow up to be?

A. “It was always between being a teacher and an architect. I initially explored the idea of going into architecture and took every technology course my high school offered. I loved learning how to use 3D design software and enjoyed the thought of creating and designing homes. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience in the architecture program at the college I originally attended. That’s when I decided I was meant to be a teacher and switched my major.”

Q. What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?

A. “I’ve received a lot of great advice in my lifetime, but the best advice was probably to just keep going and remember who I am and my why. This is particularly important on hard days. It reminds me to never give up, finish my day as strong as I can, wake up the next day with a clean slate, and continue to be a great role model for my students.”

Q. What is your favorite food and favorite color?

A. “Remember a few years ago when the baked feta with tomatoes and pasta recipe went viral on the Internet? It’s still one of my favorite dishes, but I love adding jalapeños to the dish. And, my favorite color is definitely green.”

Thank you for your responses, Ms. Burke. I wish you all the best in your first full year as a math teacher here at Brooklyn High School.

Saddle Up for Victory

By: BHS Sports Staff

September 24, 2026

Finally, the taste of victory!

The football team earned a long-awaited victory last Thursday against the Fairport Harbor Harding Skippers, 20-16. Rallying behind a strong second-half performance, the team secured a hard-fought victory, driven by relentless defense and timely offensive adjustments.

So, how did the game unfold?

It was a slow first quarter on the gridiron as both teams punted twice. However, the Hurricanes were finally able to connect for their first touchdown of the game with a pass by junior Mason Vega to fellow junior Bentley Cox, giving the Canes a 6-0 lead. The two-point attempt failed.

The second quarter was a defensive battle, but the Skippers were able to get on the scoreboard and convert their two point conversion. Heading into halftime, the visitors led the Hurricanes by a score of 8-6.

Heading into the third quarter, the Hurricanes offense sparked a turnaround with a quick touchdown coming out of the break, another strike from Vega to Cox (two-point attempt failed again). The defense, meanwhile, continued to maintain constant pressure, sending aggressive five and six-man blitzes that ultimately forced a desperate throw by the Harding quarterback, which was intercepted by junior Matt Kenderes. After three, the Hurricanes had a slim 12-8 lead.

It’s never easy, is it?

Even with an Enrique Perez touchdown run, a successful two-point conversion, and a 20-8 lead, the fourth quarter tested the resolve of the Hurricanes with a fumbled snap in the endzone, which the Skippers recovered for an easy touchdown (followed by another successful two-point conversion). The visitors then set up to recover an onside kick, but the ball was recovered by Cox. After the Skippers later got the ball back with three minutes remaining in the contest, Kenderes intercepted his second pass of the evening, securing the win for the Blue and Gold by a final score of 20-16.

This victory sets the tone for tomorrow evening when the Hurricanes host the Beachwood Bison for the Homecoming football game, looking for two straight in the win column. Securing their first win passes a major hurdle and builds confidence with a tough remaining schedule.

Congratulations, football team!

Below is the remaining September schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.

September 25: Football vs. Beachwood
September 28: Girls Soccer vs. Ellet
September 28: Volleyball @ Parma Valley Forge
September 29: Volleyball @ Beachwood
September 29: Boys Soccer vs. Horizon Science Academy
September 29: Boys Soccer @ Ellet

Go Canes!

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

Appetite for Atrocity

By: Camille Samilton

September 23, 2026

Woman leans on vintage television with static screen

Actors dance, positioning themselves as murderers or victims, to entertain the people staring at the glass screen.

Today, true crime is at its peak form of entertainment with 84 percent of the U.S. population consuming True Crime media. This genre accounts for about 14 percent of podcast revenue and is expected to grow in 2026 as its popularity increases worldwide.

For example, My Favorite Murder earned $15 million in one year. More specifically, Netflix is the top platform for consuming true crime with a 65 percent engagement rate.

According to SSRS, people who consume true crime prioritize their safety, invest in home security, feel more fearful of their surroundings, feel more anxious, and take self-defense classes. Others are just interested in the intricate minds and thoughts of killers. One-in-three people who have been unfortunate victims of a crime have reported that watching true crime has better prepared them for the incident that fell upon them.

While seen as entertainment, the true crime industry has a legal loophole many people don’t know about. In the U.S., companies do not have to ask permission from the victims to profit from the trauma that they have experienced.

For example, when Netflix released Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Rita Isbel, receiving her perspective on the situation.

“I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it,” Isbel stated.

Sadly, she had to watch the actors play out how her brother was brutally murdered, bringing up all of the emotions from that unfortunate day decades ago.

While millions of people have the appetite to go on their streaming platform to consume true crime media, the real-world victims choke.

Homecoming Prelude

By: BHS News Staff

September 22, 2026

Brooklyn, welcome back to a cool-temperatured week, commemorating the first day of Autumn.

Today, we have some additional information pertaining to Homecoming; however, we’d like to first call attention to the boys basketball program.

On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Brooklyn High School’s very own boys basketball program took the time out of their day to go to Edgewater Park and place flags and medallions as a patriotic remembrance to those who had fallen during the terrorist attacks. The boys also took part in learning about a variety of careers, including the FBI, firefighting, and the police force. Two former FBI agents who actually experienced 9/11 spoke on their own stories from that horrific day.

May we never forget the historical terrorism that plagued our nation on that day, and may we never forget the heroes who sacrificed their own lives to save and protect others.

Now, back to Homecoming.

The Meeting-of-the-Court assembly occurred last Friday, and the entire high school had the pleasure of seeing each court member and hearing their bios. Senior emcees Jayden Drummond and Caleb Hinkle did a wonderful job introducing all 10 candidates.

Reminder, voting will take place this week. Once the votes are tallied, the king and queen will be announced before this Friday’s football game against Beachwood. Additionally, the theme for the student section is Brooklyn Pride, so please wear as much Brooklyn apparel as possible. Show up and show out this Friday!

Please be aware that tickets for Saturday’s dance will conclude being sold this Friday. Guest passes are also being sold this week. Please pay all of your fees, and fill out your final forms before purchasing a ticket.

Every annual Homecoming week includes Spirit Week. Mrs. Bader along with input from the student body have put together this year’s version of Spirit Week. Below is the flyer with each day’s theme.

Finally, there will be a luncheon held from 10:30-12:00 in the high school gym this Friday for all seniors. Brunch is what’s on the menu, so come hungry. Senior Polaris students will leave later than normal to participate in the senior brunch and will also come back earlier to attend the afternoon pep rally.

This is going to be a fun and memorable week, so enjoy each day, show school spirit, and enjoy the festivities.

Here is the calendar for September:

September 21-25: Safety Week/Spirit Week
September 24: Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
September 25: Senior Luncheon
September 25: Homecoming Pep Rally
September 25: Homecoming Football Game vs. Beachwood
September 26: Homecoming Dance

Have an amazing Homecoming week, fellow Hurricanes.

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

Senior Spotlight: Jack Schultz

By: Reymon Carrasquillo

September 21, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Jack Schultz. Jack describes himself as intelligent, adaptable, and outgoing. He has been a student in Brooklyn since fourth grade and currently works at Pet Supplies Plus. He is also involved in soccer and track. After graduation, Jack plans to attend college, most likely Ohio State, with an undecided major as of now.

Q: In what ways do you think you’ve changed since your freshman year?
A: “I’ve become more confident and social.”

Q: What is one thing you could not have made it through high school without?
A: “I couldn’t have made it through high school without sports.”

Q: If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: “I would choose to eat pizza because it is one of the most versatile foods and can be prepared in so many different ways.”

Q: What is your favorite school event or tradition?
A: “My favorite school tradition is soccer team dinners.”

Q: What is the most difficult class you have taken?
A: “The most difficult class I have taken was AP Biology during my junior year.”

Q: What’s your favorite soccer memory?
A: “My most fond memory from soccer is my junior year game versus Independence. I was playing right midfield, and I stopped nearly every throw-in they had.”

Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “My biggest influence has been Mr. Grigson, my soccer coach. He has helped me grow, not just as a soccer player, but as a person, too. He taught me how to be more responsible, work through difficult situations, and carry myself more like a man.”

Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Jack. Good luck with soccer, attending college, and all of the exciting opportunities that await you after graduation.

Staff Spotlight: Mr. Kronenberger

*Brooklyn High School Administrative Assistant*

By: Grace Paul

September 18, 2026

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mr. Jonathan Kronenberger, first-year Administrative Assistant at Brooklyn High School. Mr. Kronenberger graduated from Miami University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and then Ohio University with his Master’s in Fine Arts. Something interesting about him is that he has a background in Theatrical Arts, directing many productions.

Q. What does a typical day as a school secretary look like?

A. “Hectic. As with most things now, you need to be able to multi-task while still maintaining focus on getting each of those things completed (or at least moving forward). There is also something new to learn every single day here, which can slow you down, but it is good to keep learning new things.”

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

A. “Honestly, the people. The staff, faculty, and students here are really great – very helpful, welcoming, and patient. Prior to this, I worked for a few years from home, which has some great perks, but you lose a lot of opportunities to socialize and interact, which takes its toll over time. It always helps to be where the people are.”

Q. What is the most challenging part of your job?

A. “Not knowing everything I need to know yet. This is my first start of the school year here, and there is always something new that someone needs that I have to ask for help on or figure out how to recreate. However, Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Paul (from the Brooklyn School) have been especially helpful with teaching me and/or exploring together to find it. Mrs. Bir and Mr. Ross are fantastic sources of information and advice, too. That said, literally everyone has been wonderful as far as sharing what they know and helping with this transition from the skills I already have to getting the additional skills I need.”

Q. What is something people might not realize about your job?

A. “That it is more fun than you might think. We keep ourselves entertained.”

Q. What do you like to do outside of school?

A. “I should say something inspirational but mainly watch movies and television and play stupid games on my phone.”

Q. What is your favorite hobby?

A. “I have a background in theater, so I still direct shows at local theaters.”

Q. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

A. “Have more confidence in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask about what you don’t know.”

Q. What is your favorite color and food?

A. “I am going to have to say purple for color and pepperoni pizza for food. I’m not fancy.”

Thank you for your responses, Mr. Kronenberger. I wish you all the best in your first full year as Administrative Assistant at Brooklyn High School.