THE RETURN OF THE EYE

So Close

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 22, 2024

With the conference title up for grabs, this boys basketball season literally came down to one game with the winner being crowned as CVC Metro champions.

Last Friday, the Hurricanes traveled to Fairview in a winner-take-all matchup. The Canes have not won a conference title since 2005, and that was in the old MAC 8. So, this was a huge game for them.

The Hurricanes came into the contest as winners of their last six games, while the Warriors were coming off of a loss to Clearview.

Right out the gate, the Hurricanes knocked down multiple three-pointers, but the Warriors quickly responded with buckets of their own. The hosts played great defense in the first quarter and played well on both ends of the floor in this back-and-forth tussle. Senior Jaiden Ramos then knocked down a three in the final seconds to put Brooklyn within one possession.

After one, Fairview led 14-11.

In the second quarter, the Warriors jumped out to a 7-2 run, but multiple threes by junior Tyler Cox got the Hurricanes back in the game. With just a few seconds left before halftime, Ramos threw down a fastbreak dunk to get the Brooklyn faithful pumped up.

Heading into the locker room, the Hurricanes had the momentum, only trailing by two, 25-23.

With one half to play, who would cut down the nets?

The answer was Fairview as they started off the third quarter on an 18-3 run. The Hurricanes struggled on both ends of the floor, and the Warriors led by as much as 17. The visitors, however, did not stop fighting and clawed their way back, erasing the 17-point deficit to eight points.

After three, the Warriors led 45-37 with the final quarter to come.

In the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes kept battling as they brought the lead all the way down to four, but they could not come back down the stretch as Fairview locked up the Metro Title, their fourth championship in the last six seasons.

Final Score: Fairview 63, Brooklyn 53

With the loss, the Hurricanes dropped to 13-8 overall (5-3 in the conference), but the regular season is not over as they play host tonight against Max Hayes at 6:45.

Even though the loss to Fairview stings, the boys still have a lot to play for, beginning next Tuesday as they host the Independence Blue Devils in the OHSAA Sectional Semi-Finals. Tip-off is at 7:00, so come on out to root the boys on as they look to advance in the postseason.

Finally, the girls basketball team travels to Chippewa on Saturday for their Sectional Final matchup. Tip-off is at 1:00. Good luck, Lady Canes!

Go Canes!

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

Senior Spotlight: Jaiden Ramos

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 21, 2024

Chosen for this week’s second senior spotlight is Jaiden Ramos. Jaiden is outgoing, determined, and athletic. His hobbies include basketball, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. He has been involved in basketball for almost 11 years, now.

Q: What is one rule that you live by?

A: “Strive for greatness!”

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: “I plan to attend Toledo University to major in Exercise Science and to play basketball.”

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of your senior year?

A: “The most challenging thing for me is probably coming to school on time, everyday.”

Q: Do you think high school has prepared you for the real world?

A: “Yes, a lot of the teachers are true about the real world.”

Q: What would you do if you won $10 million?

A: “I would go to every Lakers game, courtside.”

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world with anyone, who would it be?

A: “I would go to Cancun with LeBron James because he is my idol, and I would love to spend quality time with him.”

Q: What is your go-to meal?
A: “Chicken tenders with fries, BBQ sauce, and sweet tea.”

Q: Describe senioritis.

A: “It’s the motivation to not come to school because the end is so close.”

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

A: “I would say Mr. Holko because he always keeps it real with me and always keeps me on track with school, especially my senior year.”

Jaiden, good luck with your future plans at Toledo. In the meantime, finish off your high school career in a dominant fashion.

Senior Spotlight: Ashlyn Dyson

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 21, 2024

Chosen for this week’s first senior spotlight is Ashlyn Dyson. Ashlyn is generous, athletic, and caring. In her free time, she enjoys working out, trying new food spots, getting acai bowls, and going to parks, especially to watch the sunset. Ashlyn has been playing basketball since fifth grade beginning with the Junior Canes and is now breaking her own records at BHS.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: “I’m going to Marietta College to major in Psychology and to play basketball.”

Q: Who inspires you the most?

A: “My little brother, Cameron, because he always has a positive attitude throughout anything, and he always stays true to himself, no matter what.”

Q: What advice do you have for next year’s incoming freshmen?

A: “My advice is to build your own path; don’t follow all of the trends and what’s popular because what’s popular is not always what’s best. Stay true to yourself, and do what makes you happy.”

Q: What is your dream vacation?

A: “I would say Colorado because I’ve always wanted to see the mountains and the landmarks that they have there. The weather seems nice, too.”

Q: How do you manage your time with school, work, and sports?

A: “I prioritize what’s important to me. I make sure school stuff is handled and then work on basketball. After that, I fit work into my schedule.”

Q: What was your favorite memory during high school?

A: “I would say the beginning of my senior year because my peers and I did a lot of senior activities, which brought us closer together. It was also nice to get to know some people I wasn’t as close with.”

Q: Have you ever predicted an event and then it happened?

A: “It happens all the time. It’s hard for me to narrow down just one time.”

Q: Describe senioritis.

A: “It’s kind of like an unmotivating motivation because you’re motivated that you’re at the end of your required schooling, but at the same time, you’re so close that you just want to jump to the end.”

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

A: “Mrs. Raglow from Brunswick because she always kept it real with us and was a mother to her students. She was funny, inspirational, gave life advice, and supported our futures.”

Ashlyn, we hope that you have an amazing rest of your senior year. We are blessed to have you here at BHS. Best of luck at Marietta and beyond.

Honoring Our Own

By: BHS News Staff

February 20, 2024

Hello, Brooklyn!

Typically every week, the BHS News Staff provides our loyal readers with information on upcoming events and dates. This week, however, will be different as a notable Hurricane alum takes the spotlight after celebrating her 75th wedding anniversary.

Last Thursday, we had the exciting opportunity to interview an extraordinary Brooklyn alumni. Irene (Novak) Wootton is from the class of 1947. She was her class’s salutatorian, a varsity cheerleader, a member of the Honors Society, and had perfect attendance for all four years of high school.

She was also a cheerleader for the first football game at Brooklyn High School in 1946 and the first Brooklyn Queen during both her sophomore and junior years. In our interview with her, she said that school spirit was very high when she was a student, and football games and other events had school-wide participation.

Novak was definitely a busy student, both in-and-out of the classroom. So, how did she manage her time?

“I don’t know, everything just kinda flowed. It just seems like a long time ago. We didn’t go anywhere and had no phones, so school was everything. I loved school and was always involved in everything. I jumped hurdles, and I played basketball. My mother worked in the cafeteria, so for money, we would do the dishes to help out. We would go to the store after school for ice cream with our earnings. Life was good and simple.”

Novak fondly remembers growing up in Brooklyn, which she referenced as a very close-knit community.

“I grew up in a farmhouse down on Biddulph Road. Growing up in the Great Depression, we fed a lot of people from our garden; we had four cows and sold milk, along with eggs and vegetables. My mother sewed all our clothes throughout our younger years. Growing up, I babysat down the street for a dollar. I had four brothers, and one of them passed at 13-years-old. Our town was so small that everyone came to the funeral, so people remember it to this day. That’s how everything was with our town, though; we were just a small village with a graduation class size of 28 or 29 students. We all knew each other and did everything together from Sock Hops in the gym to just hanging out. For Christmas, we would get popcorn or oranges, and we were in heaven! We were poor, but we didn’t know it.”

After high school, Irene Novak became Irene Wootton, as she married her husband and later became the mother of four children. Outside of family, she drove the Parma School Bus for 45 years. She enjoyed the kindergartens along with having the Summers off.

When asked about her family, she was very excited to share her lineage.

“My whole family went to Brooklyn, including my husband. My husband and I just celebrated our 75th wedding anniversary. He was a surgical technician in the service, and when he got out, he started working at Republic Steel. I met him when we went Polka dancing one night at the Homestead. He came and picked me up, and we danced all night, and after that was history! We dated for about nine months and then got married in 1949 and had our first girl in 1951. We have four kids, all currently in different job fields. When the kids were growing up, we went seasonal camping as a family. We played Bocce, square-danced, and went swimming. Great memories! I also have nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Having such a big family, there is always something to look forward to.”

Currently in her 90s, Wootton has not slowed down, and she does not plan to slow down any time soon.

“My husband and I watch TV, we go on the computer, and we read the newspaper. We don’t have a lot of friends left with us anymore, so we meet with some of the people still around. I do my housework. I like to iron, and I cook three meals a day which I hate because I don’t like to cook! The kids come over a lot, and we have lots of parties because we party for everything. I still drive occasionally to run some errands, and tomorrow, I am going to the hairdresser. My daughter won’t be happy, but what can she do about it?” 😂

In such a fast-paced society with a busy daily calendar, it is refreshing to hear from someone who came before us and how proud she is to have grown up in Brooklyn. Listening to her tell stories about her past, her fond memories, and her family was a breath of fresh air.

Simply, it was an honor to interview Mrs. Irene (Novak) Wootton. She is Brooklyn and makes Brooklyn proud. In her own words, “Brooklyn will always be my forever home!”

Happy 75 years of marriage! May you two be blessed with many more celebrations.

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Lee

*Preschool Teacher*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 16, 2024

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Sarah Lee. This is currently her third year teaching third grade in the Brooklyn School. Previously, she taught first grade for seven years at Westpark Community Elementary in Cleveland. Mrs. Lee likes to travel with her family, along with camping, hiking, and swimming. A fun fact about her is that she lived in Australia during college, and she got to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

Q: What do you like most about being a preschool teacher?

A: “I love the laughter that comes from all of the kids, daily. I also love all the singing, playing, and art. These little ones remind me to enjoy the simple things in life.”

Q: What are the key responsibilities in your job?

A: “You have many responsibilities as a preschool teacher. You are a child’s first teacher. You make a big impression, a difference, and impact the lives of their families. We focus on their social skills and how they interact with each other. We focus on the basic academic skills that set them up for success in Kindergarten, and we focus on serving families and introducing them to the school environment.”

Q: What do you think is one of the most challenging issues facing young children today?

A: “I think children are required to learn a lot more than they are ready to learn at such a young age. I also think children are spending too much time on screens and not enough time outside. Basically, after years of teaching, I think kids need to play more.”

Q: What does your classroom look like on a typical day?

A: “We are very routine in preschool. We have circle time, gross motor time (which is either outside or in the motor room), brain time, story time, snack time, and most importantly, play time where children can choose their centers and where they want to play. I love art, so we always have fun art projects going on, and there is always something fun at the Dramatic Play Center. Right now, it is a Donut Shop. We teach in themes in preschool, so we change our centers to fit our themes, and the children love that.”

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: “People driving too slow on the highway, so I am normally running late.”

Q: Spring break plans?

A: “I plan on taking my kids to Great Wolf Lodge.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: “I would go to Bali; I want to stay in one of those really small beach huts right on the clear, blue water. I love the ocean.”

Q: If you won the lottery, what would you do with your money?

A: “If I won the lottery, I would build myself a big house in the country, but I would also want to build one for everyone in my family. I know I would try to help as many people as I could. I would also go to as many concerts as possible.”

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Mrs. Lee. We wish you all the best throughout the rest of the year and wish you a great Spring break. By the way, scuba diving in the Great Barrier is awesome!

Lady Canes Destroy The Wolverines

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 15, 2024

On Tuesday, the girls basketball team had their regular season finale against Lincoln West. The Lady Canes had a record of 4-17, while the visiting Wolverines came in winless at 0-9. This seemed like it was going to be an easy victory for the Hurricanes, but the girls knew that nothing comes easy in any sport, so preparation and focus were key.

Before the game, senior standout Ashlyn Dyson was recognized for scoring her 1000th point of her career. This occurred on Monday on the road at Clearview. Congratulations, Ashlyn!

Very early in the game, both teams traded three-pointers to start off. After that, the Lady Canes went on a 21-0 run to end the first quarter, ending the frame with a 24-3 lead. Every Hurricane was knocking down buckets early on with Dyson leading the way with 10 points.

The second quarter was much of the same. The Wolverines got an early basket, but the Hurricanes went on another large run, this time 18-0. Heading into the locker room, the Hurricanes led to 42-5.

The running clock was added on in the third quarter as this one was a blowout. The Hurricanes tallied just 11 points in the third but still held the Wolverines to just four points. With one quarter remaining, the Hurricanes led 53-9.

The beating continued in the fourth quarter as everyone on the team was able to score at least one basket. This was a great way to end the regular season as the Hurricanes defeated the Wolverines, 70-11.

Congratulations, girls!

Up next for the girls will be tournament play next week, more than likely traveling to Chippewa High School. Good luck!

In other BHS sports, the boys basketball team travels to Fairview High School tomorrow evening for a HUGE CVC Metro Division battle as the winner takes the conference title. Tip-off is at 6:45, so please come out and support our boys in their quest for a championship!

Also, the hockey team will play their playoff game this Sunday against the Padua Bruins at home. Puck drop is at 6:00. Come out and support the Hurricanes!

Go Canes!

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

Senior Spotlight: Zachary Messeri

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 14, 2024

Chosen for this week’s second senior spotlight is Zachary Messeri. Zach is respectful, smart, and funny. Zach has been involved in marching band, pit band, and jazz band. He spends his free time hanging out with his family, playing video games, and watching as many movies as possible.

Q: Who is your biggest influence?

A: “My biggest influence is my brother-in-law, Willis Cuevas. He and I have a very good relationship with one another, and he is always the person I look up to when it comes to adulting advice.”

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: “After I graduate, I plan on attending Baldwin Wallace University. At the moment, my desired degree is Film Study. Hopefully, I will be able to take part in my favorite hobby as a career.”

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of your senior year?

A: “The most challenging part about senior year are the emotions attached to it. There are so many lasts for all of us. This year is the last time we will all be together, and there’s something so sad but at the same time heartwarming about that.”

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

A: “The very first thing that I think about in the morning is whether or not I really have to show up that day or not.”

Q: Favorite movie?

A: “Picking only one movie seems impossible to me, but if I had to narrow it down, I would have to choose either Interstellar or Whiplash.”

Q: What is your favorite dinner food?

A: “I don’t think anyone can go wrong with pizza and wings.”

Q: What person do you most admire?

A: “The person I most admire is Christopher Nolan. He is the greatest director of our time, and there is so much of his work that I admire.”

Q: What is your go-to song to play in the car?
A: “My go-to song in the car is probably ‘Pink Matter’ by Frank Ocean, featuring Andre 3000.”

Q: Describe senioritis.

A: “Think of it as a type of cancer. Once you get it, it only grows and grows.”

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

A: “The teacher who has been the biggest inspiration for me has to be Bryan Keller. He’s one teacher that is just so down to earth and honest with you. I chose him as my senior mentor this year for College/Career Success III, and it’s been such a good experience. He asks me about me and makes sure that I know who I’m being. He’s a great person, and I suggest that anyone take the time to get to know him.”

Zach, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you the best for the rest of your senior year. Good luck at BWU. Go Yellow Jackets!

Senior Spotlight: Kaitlyn Lenhardt

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

February 14, 2024

Chosen for this week’s first senior spotlight is Kaitlyn Lenhardt. Kaitlyn is influential, athletic, and very outgoing. She has been working at the Brooklyn Recreation Center as a lifeguard for the past three years. In her free time, she likes to work out, eat, and work.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: “Getting a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree and possibly going back to get my Doctorate in Sports Medicine to become a Sports Physician.”

Q: If you were going to open a business, what would it be?

A: “If I were to open a business, I would open a flag football event place for kids who want to become athletes as they get older.”

Q: Would you rather watch Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+?

A: “Disney+ definitely because Lemonade Mouth is the best movie out there, no argument.”

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A: “I love the city, so if I had to pick, it would have to be either Seattle or Las Vegas because I love the hot climate, but I also just love the city and seeing the beauty of it.”

Q: What is one thing from elementary school that you wish they still did in high school?

A: “Most definitely, without a doubt, Show and Tell!”

Q: Describe your senior year so far in three words.

A: “Full, Chaotic, and Short.”

Q: How would you describe yourself to a stranger?

A: “I might be a very social person and a very outgoing person, but I am very kind, and I am the type of person to stick up for you.”

Q: What is a rule that you live by?

A: “Stop comparing myself to others.”

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

A: “Mr. Abramovic because his energy fills my heart up like no other teacher would. He is always happy to see me, and we bond so great together. He is just the brightest person to ever live. Overall, I thrive to be a better person, and I’d never take back taking three of his classes in a row!”

Kaitlyn, we hope that you have an amazing rest of your senior year. Good luck in your next chapter of life!

A Slow but Important February

By: BHS News Staff

February 13, 2024

Good morning, Brooklyn. There are not a lot of events coming up this month, but the ones that are important.

So, let us get started.

We are about halfway through the third quarter, so make sure to be on top of your schoolwork and keeping up with grades and requirements. Remember, the third quarter ends one month from tomorrow, March 14.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in a great Heritage Week! It is always nice to see the many different cultures and backgrounds that are represented in the Brooklyn City Schools. A special thank you, also, to all of the teachers and administrators who made this event possible.

Here are some other items coming up.

First, for those who received notification of the Honor Roll/Merit Roll reward, please make sure to complete the Google form no later than this Friday (February 16) in order to participate next Thursday. For any questions, please contact Mrs. Bader at Jacinta.Bader@bcshurricanes.org.

Next, Volunteer Easter Bunnies are needed! The post-prom committee is hosting an easy job for Community Service hours and a chance to spread joy in the community. If you have time available after 9:00 p.m. on March 30 and are willing to pass out Easter eggs, please contact the names and numbers below.

Melissa Dyson: (440) 472-8828
Michelle Nieves: (216) 526-2384

Want to build your resume and earn money at the same time? Well, the opportunity for a good resume builder and a $100 stipend is here. There are rolling admission openings for those interested in becoming High School Voter Registration Fellows. You will be trained and will help register students to vote.

Here is a statement from Turnup Activism:

“This opportunity is fully remote and will engage students, either individually or on teams, to register voters at their high school. The time commitment is flexible and allows students to tailor their voter registration initiatives to the unique needs of their community. Each student/team is trained by experienced organizers on voter registration, is sent all the materials they need to host a drive and maintains direct contact with one of our staff supervisors throughout the process!”

To register, click here.

Finally, applications for the Ohio PTA scholarships are here. Every year, the Ohio PTA awards $500 scholarships to students throughout the state. There are three different scholarship categories.

1. Academic Scholarship – For students attending a four-year college or university
2. Post-Secondary/Certification – For students attending a two-year college, trade school, or tech school
3. Special Education – For students serviced with an IEP or 504 Plan to attend a college or university

The deadline for the scholarship applications is MARCH 1. They can be completed online or on paper. You can get paper applications from the main office.

If you are applying, you MUST send an email to Mr. Ross in order for your transcript to be formally sent.

To conclude, here are the important dates for the end of February:

February 16: NO SCHOOL (Inservice Day)
February 19: NO SCHOOL (Presidents Day)
February 20: Esports Meeting
February 29: Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 1: NO SCHOOL

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

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Williams

*School Psychologist*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

February 9, 2024

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Simone Williams. This is currently Mrs. Williams’ first year in Brooklyn. Previously, she finished her training to become a School Psychologist in August, and before that, she worked in childcare. She loves to read and spend time with her 18-month-old daughter. She also likes to go for walks around the block. Something interesting about her is that she is obsessed with frogs; she has a big collection of frog stuffed animals.

Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your job?

A: “It involves a lot of teamwork. I need teachers to help, I need the parents to work with me, and I need students to cooperate. It is just a lot to rely on everyone working together.”

Q: What or who inspired you to become a School Psychologist?

A: “I wanted to help students who think that school isn’t for them, it is not a place they like to be, or maybe if school was not set up for them. I wanted to help make school somewhere where students wanted to be.”

Q: What strategies do you use to gain and maintain students’ trust?

A: “I lure them with fidget toys. Students are always excited to come in and see all of the fidgets I have. I also try to get to know them a little bit. When they first come in, I want them to know that I am someone they can trust, and I respect them.”

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

A: “Sometimes, I think about going back and working with babies again, but it does not pay as well. I did love taking care of babies, though.”

Q: What was your favorite subject in school?

A: “English Language Arts because I just loved reading all of the different books.”

Q: Do you have a favorite holiday?

A: “I guess I will say Christmas because it is my husband’s favorite holiday, and I love how excited he gets about the Christmas season.”

Q: Are you more of a cat or dog person?

A: “I like both, but I think I am more of a cat person. Cats are just usually a little more chill.”

Q: When watching a movie, do you prefer Disney or Pixar?

A: “Pixar because I think they have deeper themes. I also think the animations are always good quality.”

Thank you for taking some time out of your day to let us interview you, Mrs. Williams. We wish you a great first year and welcome you to the Brooklyn family.

Finally!

By: BHS Sports Staff

February 8, 2024

It took four years of pain, sweat, tears, and heartache, but the taste of victory takes all of that burn away, and this is exactly the feeling for the hockey team after finally ending their losing streak.

Last Thursday, the hockey team faced off against the Cleveland Heights Tigers in the final regular season game for the Hurricanes.

Coach Mike Wrost came in confident for this regular season finale and had a feeling that this would be a night of celebration.

“Coming into the game, we felt that we were equal teams and that we had a favorable chance of winning. Our previous four-to-five games were solid efforts. The coaching staff asked the team to build momentum, play as a team, and execute what the coaching staff had taught them.”

Early on in the first period, the Hurricanes had possession a lot and were looking to jump in front. Getting shots at the goal was not a problem, but nothing went in. The Tigers would not score either, and after the first period, the game was scoreless.

In the second period, the Hurricanes had multiple breakaways and a couple of close calls from sophomore Zander Rolon and junior Jeff Helmick. However, Helmick later found the back of the net to put Brooklyn up 1-0. Later in the period, junior Phillip Banaszak scored with under a minute left, assisted by junior Nate Hernandez and sophomore Rocco Spiewacki.

With one period to end the losing streak, the Canes were up 2-0 and were 15 minutes away from a lifetime memory.

In the third and final period, possession went back and forth, but Brooklyn’s defense held strong, keeping the Tigers scoreless most of the way. However, with under two minutes to go, the Tigers got on the board to cut the lead in half. But, the Hurricanes would hang on in the final two minutes to secure their first victory in a long while.

Final Score: Brooklyn 2, Cleveland Heights 1

Thrilled would be an understatement.

“The victory was satisfying on a number of different levels. The players have been working really hard and truly earned the victory. The coaches were happy to see progress throughout the year, and the fans deserved the victory for sticking by us all year. Everyone left the rink that night feeling a true sense of accomplishment,” stated a jubilant Coach Wrost.

Congratulations, hockey team! Well-earned and deserved. Good luck against the Padua Bruins in sectionals.

In other sports news, the girls and boys basketball teams both had their senior nights earlier this week. The Lady Canes beat Medina Christian Academy on Tuesday 67-26 behind senior Ashlyn Dyson’s record-breaking 46 points. The seniors recognized were Olivia Callahan, Ashlyn Dyson, Natalie Nieves, Jayla Gilbert, Amerie Williams, and Alice Pham.

Congratulations, girls and seniors!

The boys defeated Lincoln West last night 66-50. Senior Jaiden Ramos led the way with 19 points followed by fellow seniors Anthony Pytel and Santana Sammons with 16 points each. The seniors recognized were Pytel, Ramos, Sammons, and Rio Fields. They also recognized cheerleaders Isabella Hinkle and Madison Orlosky.

Congratulations, boys and seniors!

We would also like to congratulate sophomore Adam Cowper for making All-CVC 1st Team for bowling.

Simply, it was a great week for Brooklyn sports.

Go Canes!

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

We Honor Black History Month

By: BHS Features Staff

February 7, 2024

Every February, we celebrate Black History Month because it creates more focus and appreciation to the contributions of African-Americans throughout the decades.

We honor and pay tribute to those who went through a lot of hardships, all due to the color of their skin. However, they all had one common similarity: Perseverance.

Ever since 1976, every U.S. president has agreed to devote the month of February as Black History Month.

While there are many who deserve honor and praise, here are some of the individuals who we wanted to highlight.

Rosa Parks: On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott by 17,000 black citizens. She is considered the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: In 1957, Martin Luther King, Jr. was elected as president of the Southern Christian Leadership, now called the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King traveled over six million miles and also spoke out over 2,500 times, speaking wherever there was injustice and leading peaceful protests and action. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested more than 20 times. However, his contributions fueled the movement for equality for all.

Harriett Tubman: Harriett Tubman started helping slaves escape their owners in December of 1850. She saved around 300 people and helped them gain their individual freedom. She became the conductor of the underground railroad(s). Tubman also served as a scout, guerrilla soldier, spy, and was a nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. She did amazing things and helped multiple people.

Larry Doby: Larry Doby was one of the first African-Americans to play Major League Baseball. We all know Jackie Robinson’s story and success as the first black, professional baseball player. Similarly, Doby was the first black American League baseball player. In 1948, he led the Cleveland Indians to a World Series championship. Doby was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal. His son Larry Doby, Jr. accepted the medal in his honor.

Kobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant was a famous African-American basketball player who won multiple awards in his lifetime, such as five NBA Championships, 2008 MVP Award with the Los Angeles Lakers, an Academy Award, etc. He was very inspiring, always known for his kindness and dignity. Unfortunately, on January 26, 2020, Bryant died in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, along with several others.

Eugene Jacques Bullard: Eugene Bullard was an American volunteer in the French army and then became the first African-American military pilot and one of only a few African-American pilots that were in World War I. Bullard left home at age 11 to travel the world. By 1913, he settled in France as a prizefighter. When WWI started in 1914, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion and rose to the rank of Corporal. Sadly in 1961 at age 66, he passed away.

As previously mentioned, the names above are just a few of the many contributors who helped level the playing field for African-Americans.

It is important to celebrate February with dignity and respect, while also learning the facts about those who fought for equality.

Happy Black History Month, Brooklyn!