THE RETURN OF THE EYE

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

May 1, 2024 

Chosen for this week’s second senior spotlight is Mustafa Al-Baghdadi. Mustafa is energetic, passionate, and caring. He spends his free time at the gym, playing soccer, or playing games with his friends.

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

A: “Don’t get distracted by the obstacles and by the things that won’t matter later on.”

Q: What are your plans after high school? 

A: “I’m planning on attending Cleveland State University to earn a degree in Biology, followed by Medical School to become a doctor.”

Q: Is there anything you regret or wish that you did differently in your four years of high school? 

A: “I wish I did more activities and included myself with more people.”

Q: What is your perfect meal? 

A: “My idea of a perfect meal would include a meal prepared by my mom, while my whole family is present.”

Q: If you were to move out of Ohio, where would you go?

A: “I would go to Texas or Florida because of the weather and the amount of things you can do there.’’

Q: Do you have any bad habits that you simply refuse to change?

A: “I don’t get good sleep because I sleep late at night. I don’t want to change it because I’m a night person, and I enjoy doing stuff at night more.”

Q: Finish this sentence: “I could not live without…”

A: “I could not live without my family.”

Q: Do you have a special place where you go to be alone?

A: “I usually go to the local park and walk on the edge of the running water because I have so many memories with a special person in my life there.”

Q: What is usually the first thought in your head when you wake up in the morning? 

A: “I usually just think of what plans I have for the day.”

Q: If you had to choose a sport to play that is not soccer, what would it be? 

A: “I would pick track because I enjoy staying in shape and achieving greater speeds and records.”

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

A: “My biggest influence this year was Mr. Holko. He has motivated me and directed me so much to become a better person.”

Thank you Mustafa for taking the time to answer these questions. We hope that you have an amazing rest of your senior year. Best wishes at CSU.

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

May 1, 2024 

Chosen for this week’s first senior spotlight is Alyssa Grow. Alyssa is calm, kind, outgoing, and determined. She currently works at Pet Supplies Plus, and in the Summer, she will be working at Memphis Kiddie Park. She loves reading, hanging out with friends/family, and being outside.

Q: Will you be attending college after graduation?

A: “I’m going to attend Kent State University, which is my dream school, to study Exercise Science.”

Q: What is one thing that you will forever remember about BHS?

A: “All of the friends I’ve made and how much my teachers have helped me succeed.”

Q: How have you grown since your freshman year?

A: “Freshman year, I was very shy and didn’t talk to most people. Now, I’m in a good place in life and have found some true friends.”

Q: What is the most significant lesson that you have learned in high school?

A: “Don’t let anybody tell you how to live your life. Show up, and be proud of who you are.”

Q: What weird habit do you have when you are nervous?

 A: “When I get nervous, I tend to bite my nails, and it’s been going on since ninth grade.”

Q: What is your favorite learning environment?

A: “I find that I work best by myself in any place with not a lot of distractions.”

Q: What would you say is the biggest problem in high school? 

A: “Trying to fit in and finding people who make me feel like myself.”

Q: Are you a morning bird or night owl? 

A: “Night owl, 100 percent!”

Q: What is your favorite quote? 

A: “‘There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t,’ by John Green. Sometimes, your mind can be your own worst enemy, but you can’t give up hope.”

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

A: “Mr. Holko because he has helped me achieve my goals and has helped me grow as a student, all throughout high school.”

Thank you Alyssa for answering our questions. Good luck in your final month of high school and in your future at Kent State.

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

April 24, 2024

Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Steven Bartczak. Steven is outgoing, nice, and determined. He spends his free time playing baseball, video games with friends, going to the mall, and working at Taco Bell.

Q: Who is your hero?

A: “My hero is my mom. She always shows up for me and my friends and helps me in so many ways that I don’t even realize.”

Q: What is the most challenging task as a senior?

A: “Being a student-athlete and trying to balance school, sports, and the personal life, such as friends and family.”

Q: What class do you find the most enjoyable?

A: “Gym class because it’s the only class where you can be out of your seat and move around. Also, playing basketball during class is fun.”

Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during your time in high school?

A: “I learned that I needed to keep an organized and consistent schedule in order to succeed.”

Q: What do you wish was different about your time in high school?

A: “I wish that I would have played more sports because I enjoy the time with my friends and the competition; I know I’m going to miss it once I graduate.”

Q: What friendships or connections have been the most meaningful to you during high school?

A: “Some meaningful friendships I made were with Miguel, Aidan, Rocco, and Isaiah.”

Q: What is something that you will miss about high school baseball at BHS?

A: “I will miss doing LIVE at-bats in baseball practice. The competitiveness between the guys is unforgettable.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere for a month, where would it be?

A: “I would go to Los Angeles because there are a lot of famous people there, and I would love to meet them.”

Q: What does success look like to you?

A: “Success to me is having a high and stable income, having a wife and kids, and being good at whatever I do in my life.”

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

A: “Definitely, Mr. Holko! Mr. Holko wants to see you succeed, and he not only says it but makes sure that you’re on the right path. He knows how to take a joke and is not a snowflake.”

Thank you Steven for taking the time to answer these questions. We hope that you have a great rest of your senior year and future ahead as a firefighter/EMT. 

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

April 17, 2024

Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Anisha Monger. Anisha is talented, kind, artistic, and funny. She likes different types of art such as digital art, painting, and drawing. After high school, she plans on attending Gallaudet University or the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). She is undecided on a major, but she knows that she wants to do something related to art.

Q: How does the Nepali culture include the deaf community?

A: “We definitely celebrate many different holidays in Nepali. We don’t really have an interpreter at the temples, so my mom would sign and help me understand. My sister knows some sign language but not all the meanings. Most of the time, it’s very easy to explain to her.”

Q: What is your favorite class?

A: “My favorite class would be Screen Printing and Murals.”

Q: How do you usually spend your free periods?

A: “Sometimes, I get caught up on other work, especially my art work. I also like helping with the crew whenever it’s needed.”

Q: Have you ever had to juggle multiple responsibilities at once?

A: “At school, I don’t have many responsibilities, but at home, I help take care of my sister and help as much as I can around the house.”

Q: How do you recharge your energy when you are feeling drained?

A: “When I’m overwhelmed or stressed out, I draw or paint to calm down.”

Q: Have you ever had to deal with gossip or rumors about you? How did you handle it?

A: “I had problems on social media because some people make hateful comments, so I just end up blocking them, so I don’t have to deal with the negativity because I don’t know who they are.”

Q: How do you deal with distractions when you need to focus?

A: “It’s a bit difficult because it’s very easy for me to get distracted. If I’m working and I have negative thoughts or if things are going on around me, I find it hard to focus. Also, in the office, there’s a place called John’s Safe Space that I find very helpful just for me to calm down.”

Q: Do you find it helpful to talk to others about your challenges, or do you prefer to process them alone?

A: “I definitely think it is helpful to communicate with people when dealing with problems.”

Q: Where is one place that you always wanted to go for vacation?

A: “I wanna go back to Nepal because my mom and family always talk about how beautiful the cultures are there. I would also like to see my mother’s and grandmother’s old jobs.”

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

A: “Mr. Kaspar has been very helpful with my art. He is very willing to expand his knowledge in order to communicate and work with me.”

Thank you, Anisha! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in your future. You are truly an inspiration to many; never forget this.