Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Hugo Barillas. Hugo is nonchalant, smart, and kind. This is his first year at Brooklyn, and he works part-time at Decades. In his free time, he likes to go out with his friends and hoop (play basketball). A fun fact about Hugo is that he can whistle a whole song for a long period of time.
Q: Where do you think is the best place to go for a Summer vacation?
A: “Florida because I love the beaches and the hot weather.”
Q: What do you think was the hardest part of your high school career?
A: “Seeing how people and things change over the years.”
Q: Favorite activity outside of school?
A: “Hanging out with friends.”
Q: Plans after graduation?
A: “I want to pursue a career in HVAC.”
Q: What was the best year of high school for you?
A: “Senior year because it’s less work, and it prepares you for life after high school.”
Q: What show do you like and keep returning to the most?
A: “All American because it shows the determination of a high school athlete who is managing grades and sports.”
Q: What is your most nostalgic memory?
A: “Basketball Senior Night this year.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Shepherd because he was a great coach for basketball, but he also guided me on-and-off the court.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Hugo. Good luck in your future HVAC career.
Two weekends of March Madness are complete, and now, only four teams remain. Let’s recap how the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games unfolded for each region.
*South Region: This region saw three B1G teams advance to the Sweet 16 with Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, along with the Houston Cougars out of the XII conference. Iowa versus Nebraska saw a high-scoring first half, and the Cornhuskers held the lead for the majority of the game. However, in the final minutes, the Hawkeyes rallied, led by Alvaro Folgueiras, who hit a clutch three-pointer when Nebraska only had four defenders on the court. How does this happen? Anyway, the Hawkeyes advanced, 77-71. The second matchup saw the higher seeds Illinois and Houston. A strong defensive half with a combined 46 points, the Fighting Illini came alive in the second half, led by David Mirkovic, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Fighting Illini advanced to the Elite 8, knocking off the Cougars, 65-55. Now for the Elite 8 matchup between two B1G teams. The Hawkeyes continued their run by holding a four-point lead at halftime, but their Cinderella story had no gas left, as Illinois rallied to advance to their first Final Four since 2005.
*West Region: This region saw the top two seeds, Arizona and Purdue, make it to the Sweet 16, plus Arkansas and the lowest seed, Texas. Arizona has had one of the most dominant offenses of the tournament, and they continued their onslaught by putting up 109 points against the Razorbacks with six players in double figures. On the other hand, Texas and Purdue was a close game with the Boilermakers holding a small lead for the majority of the contest. However, the Longhorns grabbed the lead late into the game, and with things going back-and-forth, it came down to the final seconds with the game tied at 77. Purdue had one final possession and scored the game-winning tip-in with 0.7 seconds left to escape and advance to the Elite 8. For a chance at a trip to the Final Four, the top two seeds faced off, and Purdue held a seven-point lead at the half over Arizona. Things were looking good for Purdue; however, the Wildcats rallied in the second half, outscoring the Boilermakers 48-26. Arizona was heading back to the Final Four with a decisive 79-64 victory.
*East Region: This region had the top teams advance (Duke, UConn, Michigan State) to the Sweet 16 with the exception of Kansas, who was replaced by St. Johns. The Red Storm and Blue Devils played a very competitive, back-and-forth game with both teams getting multi-possession leads, but the game came down to the wire. The Blue Devils survived 80-75 off the backs of Isaiah Evans’ 25 points and Cameron Boozer’s 22 points and 10 rebounds. UConn and Michigan State saw the Huskies grab a 19-point lead in the first half but later dropped to eight at the break. In the second half, the Spartans tried to spark a rally, but their big first half deficit was too difficult to overcome, as the Huskies advanced with a 67-63 win. The top two seeds in the region had arguably the best game of the entire tournament. The Blue Devils had a 19-point lead in the first half, and it seemed like things were going to go similarly to the Spartans-Huskies Sweet 16 matchup. With a 15-point lead at halftime, Duke was in good position to advance. However, the Huskies started to rally, and a costly turnover by Cayden Boozer in the final seconds with Duke up two led to UConn’s final possession and a Hail Mary heave by Braylon Mullins with 0.3 seconds left to stun the Blue Devils and propel the Huskies to the Final Four.
*Midwest Region: Lastly, the Midwest Region consisted of Michigan, Iowa State, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide seemed in control in the first half against the top-seeded Wolverines as they held a one-possession lead with 20 minutes in the books. However, Alabama’s offense in the second half took a big hit as the Wolverines gained control and defeated the Crimson Tide 90-77 to advance to the Elite 8. On the other end of the bracket, the Volunteers and Cyclones went back-and-forth in the first half with the lower seeded Volunteers clinging to a one-point lead at the half. In the second half, Tennessee came out strong, looking to knock off Iowa State, and sure enough, the Vols showed up and got the 76-62 win. The Elite 8 matchup between Michigan and Tennessee saw utter dominance by the Wolverines, who had a 48-26 halftime lead. They continued their assault in the second half, led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 27 points, and earned the dominating victory, 95-62.
Now with the Final Four all set, who will prevail? Below is the current leaderboard plus championship picks from The Return of the Eye sports staff, Mr. Holko, and Mr. Urig.
Reese – 14: Arizona (One healthy leg and a one-point lead for the sophomore.)
Mr. Holko – 13: Michigan (Go Blue!)
Mr. Urig – 13: Arizona (Bandwagon pick.)
Jacob – 11: Arizona (Should probably consult Mr. Abramovic for future brackets.)
Nicolle – 10: Arizona (10 is the current number of points on her driving record.)
Will it be Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, or Michigan? We will find out on Monday evening when the champion is crowned in Indianapolis.
Here is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
Who doesn’t love a classic meal consisting of pizza or pasta? These simple concepts can be customized with a variety of ingredients, originating from the heart and soul of Italy.
Stancato’s Italian Restaurant has been serving classic Italian dishes to the greater Cleveland area since they opened their doors in 1971. With numerous options to choose from, every menu item provides an authentic taste that you won’t find anywhere else in Parma, just a short 10 minutes away from Brooklyn.
They also have dietary-friendly options that are inclusive to those with food allergies, lifestyle-related choices, or even religion-based restrictions. Along with their friendly options, the kitchen’s ability allows customers to adjust and customize their meals to ensure their comfort while still preserving their signature flavors, making it unique and open to everyone. Doesn’t this sound delightful?
So, what exactly are they known for? Starting off, you can enjoy the taste of their delicious meatballs, seasoned with Italian herbs and their very own Sunday Premier Sauce. Additionally, try their homemade pizza, pasta, and wedding soup.
Simply, Stancato’s brings a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can choose your meal from an extensive menu with some good Italian music in the background as well as authentic scenery. Why not enjoy the taste of Italy right here in Parma, Ohio?
With Spring Break just three days away, this is the final news article until April 14, so let’s wrap up this week with some important highlights.
Today, English II OST begins and part two will take place this Thursday. To prepare, make sure to review important items, charge your chromebook, eat a good breakfast, and get a good night of sleep. Good luck to all students taking the ELA II OST. Do your best, so you do not have to take it again.
Moving along, if you are looking for a change around BHS, it is already here. Junior Kendall Lewis, a student in Mr. Kaspar’s Murals II class, has delivered on her product with purpose and creativity.
Inspired by Spongebob and overall cleanliness, Lewis took the liberty and creative direction with her mural that is located by the school clinic. Her mural has been received with praise as she recently stated, “I’ve only heard great things from the faculty.”
With allergy season in full-swing, the nurses told Lewis that they wanted something that promoted cleanliness and proper hygiene. She added the idea of including Spongebob, as she believed everyone loves the comedic, little sponge.
A big thanks to Kendall for adding to our school’s vibrant and colorful community. Now please, wash your hands!
Now onto something a little more emotional. The historic auditorium and music wing are all being renovated, a massive project that just began last week. Everything has been taken out and relocated. For some, this can be seen as a loss of memories, but for others, this can be seen as moving forward with modern-day innovation. The auditorium will, hopefully, be completed for reopening in March of 2027.
Next is the hot-button topic of attendance. A recent research study found that only 32 percent of Brooklyn High School students have satisfactory attendance this year. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances or just a lack of motivation. One aspect that could help with motivation would be joining an extracurricular activity or a club.
Speaking of clubs, the show choir is practicing during W.I.N. Block for An Evening With performance at the new preschool venue. With Mrs. Cipriani having the students choose their own songs, the guys selected boy bands, and the girls chose girl groups. If you are interested in joining the show choir next year, please contact Mrs. Cipriani for more information.
To wrap up, we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and entertaining Spring break. When everyone returns on Monday, April 13, lock-in and finish the final lap of school to the best of your ability. Summer is coming!
Here is the upcoming April calendar.
April 2: ELA II OST – Part II
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday
April 6-10: Spring Break
April 13: School Resumes
Have an outstanding week, fellow Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Gianna Garcia. Gianna is quiet, smart, and empathetic. She has been in Brooklyn since kindergarten and works part-time at Panera Bread. In her free time, she likes to go out with her friends and shop. A fun fact about Gianna is that she has earned college credit hours in multiple subjects.
Q: Describe your biggest motivation?
A: “My biggest motivation would probably be my parents and just wanting to succeed in life.”
Q: What tactics do you use to maintain steady grades?
A: “I try my best to stay organized and to make sure everything gets done on time.”
Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: “Math.”
Q: How do you avoid senioritis?
A: “Um, I don’t.”
Q: Would you rather be too cold or too hot?
A: “Too cold. Being too hot is uncomfortable.”
Q: What is your favorite song?
A: “I can never have one favorite song, as it changes all the time.”
Q: What is your dream Spring break vacation?
A: “Italy.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mrs. Sullivan. She motivated me to take CCP English, and she has just always been there when I needed it.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Gianna. Good luck in your future Nursing career. We hope you stay away from that senioritis and have a great finish to the school year.
Is your bracket busted after the first two rounds like most of ours? Now is the time for redemption.
With the first weekend of games fully in the books and 48 teams out of the 64 eliminated, it is time to recap how each region’s first two rounds unfolded to see which 16 teams remain.
*South Region: #1 Florida and #9 Iowa got through their first round matchups, but when it came time to face each other, the Hawkeyes ended up knocking off the top-seeded and defending National Champion Florida Gators, thanks to a game-winning three from Alvaro Folgueiras. This is Iowa’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The next two matchups saw #5 Vanderbilt beat #12 McNeese State, and #4 Nebraska won their first ever NCAA tournament game. Nebraska and Vanderbilt had a 40-minute battle in round two, and the Commodores nearly hit a game-winning half court shot as time expired, but the Cornhuskers survived. This will be Big Red’s first Sweet 16 appearance ever. #11 VCU had the first upset in the region, knocking off #6 North Carolina, and #3 Illinois cruised past their first opponent. The Fighting Illini continued their dominance by ending VCU’s Cinderella run in the Round of 32. Lastly with #10 Texas A&M and #2 Houston, the Cougars knocked off the Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16.
The South matchups are set: Iowa vs. Nebraska and Illinois vs. Houston.
*West Region: #1 Arizona dominated their first round matchup against Long Island, and #9 Utah State got past #8 Villanova. The predicted upset for this region was #12 High Point taking down #5 Wisconsin, while #4 Arkansas defeated #13 Hawaii. The Panthers run came to an end after the Razorbacks hung on in a back-and-forth tilt. The #11 Texas Longhorns, after their first four victory, took down #6 BYU, and #3 Gonzaga beat #14 Kennesaw State. The Longhorns kept their run going, taking down Gonzaga in the second round. Lastly, #7 Miami (FL.) defeated #10 Missouri, and #2 Purdue dominated in their opening round. The Boilermakers kept their winning streak going, knocking off the Hurricanes to advance.
The West matchups are set: Arizona vs. Arkansas and Texas vs. Purdue.
*East Region: #1 Duke and #9 TCU barely escaped their first round matchups, with the Blue Devils overcoming a 13-point deficit in the second half to defeat Siena, and the Horned Frogs scored a game-winning layup with only four seconds left to beat #8 Ohio State. In the second round, Duke continued to struggle, but nonetheless, they rallied again to defeat TCU. Rick Pitino’s #5 St. John’s cruised past #12 Northern Iowa by 26 points and advanced to the second round, playing #4 Kansas, who defeated #13 California Baptist. The Red Storm came out victorious with the buzzer-beater win, knocking off the Jayhawks. Elsewhere, #6 Louisville defeated #11 South Florida but nearly blew a 23-point-lead, and #3 Michigan State knocked off #14 North Dakota State. In the second round, the Spartans knocked off the Cardinals to advance. Finally, #7 UCLA escaped #10 UCF, and #2 UConn avoided a near upset against #15 Furman. The Huskies kept things alive, knocking off the red-hot Bruins to advance.
The East matchups are set: Duke vs. St. John’s and UConn vs. Michigan State.
*Midwest Region: #1 Michigan and #9 Saint Louis dominated their first round matchups, but when it came to the second round, the Billikens were no match as the Wolverines continued their dominance, advancing to the Sweet 16. Next, #4 Alabama dominated the game against #13 Hofstra, and #5 Texas Tech held on against #12 Akron, but the Crimson Tide destroyed their second round matchup, too, over the Red Raiders. #6 Tennessee and #3 Virginia each won their first round games, but the Volunteers upset the Cavaliers to move on to the Sweet 16. Lastly, #7 Kentucky and #10 Santa Clara arguably saw the wildest finish of the tournament so far with Santa Clara hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with two seconds left, but the Wildcats’ Otega Oweh hit a midcourt three to send the game into overtime, and ultimately, the Wildcats prevailed. #2 Iowa State cruised past their first round matchup and later defeated Kentucky in round two to advance to the Sweet 16.
The Midwest matchups are set: Michigan vs. Alabama and Tennessee vs. Iowa State.
Now that every bracket is completely destroyed, it is time for The Return of the Eye Sports Staff, plus Mr. Urig and Mr. Holko, to make their final four picks.
*Nicolle: (10) – For spending a lot of recent time talking to a local judge, her picks weren’t that bad. However, if her next picks are anything like her driving record and early softball season results, she will quickly find her way in the basement with these picks.
South: Houston
West: Arkansas
East: Michigan State
Midwest: Tennessee
*Reese: (12) – How is this even possible? She thought Central Florida’s abbreviation was UFC. Apparently, she has fighting on her mind, but low and behold, her reign at the top will not last long, similar to the strength in her right knee.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: Duke
Midwest: Michigan
*Jacob: (11) – I have to give him credit. His early picks shattered his early picks from last year, but everyone knows that he won’t be in contention after this weekend. Him going the distance in this pick ‘em is like him hitting a ball past the pitcher’s mound. Simply, it’s not going to happen.
South: Houston
West: Arkansas
East: Duke
Midwest: Iowa State
*Mr. Urig: (12) – I have more faith in Coach Urig leading this challenge more than I do in Reese. However, Mr. Urig just made the turn, and the back nine will not be so friendly to him, especially picking St. John’s as the East representative.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: St. John’s
Midwest: Iowa State
*Mr. Holko: (11) – Not great yet not terrible early picks from the fearless leader. Everyone knows he’s going with the Maize and Blue to win it all, so his mood throughout the duration of this tournament will lie with Dusty May and battle-tested Michigan Wolverines.
South: Houston
West: Arizona
East: Michigan State
Midwest: Michigan
The games will resume tonight with the Texas Longhorns battling the Purdue Boilermakers with tip-off at 7:10. You can check out the rest of the Sweet 16 schedule on the March Madness website.
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics:
With the last couple of months focusing on entertainment and exhibits, we decided to switch it up a bit and highlight some authentic cuisine. Who doesn’t like a good meal now and then? The next couple of weeks will feature different and diverse restaurants to those who are willing to expand their taste buds.
The first spotlight will be El Palenque, a casual restaurant that offers a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine. With their savory recipes and fresh ingredients, El Palenque brings out the flavors of Mexico right here in Brooklyn, Ohio.
This restaurant is most loved for its authentic Mexican cuisine, specifically the Mexican Street Tacos, Quesabirria Tacos, and Fajitas. Beyond these favorites, customers love the diverse, specialized, and signature flavors on the menu. New menu items should be something to look forward to, as well.
With El Palenque being so close, it is very busy with people ordering their famous Stone Molcajetes, which is a hefty portion of Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas, along with an eight-ounce certified Angus Beef Rib-Eye Steak. Like any other dish, it comes with rice, beans, and guacamole salad.
Don’t feel like dining in the restaurant? All of these delicious food items can now be delivered to your home with Uber Eats. Options are plentiful, so take advantage.
If you are open to trying new dishes, El Palenque should be the first place to try. With its authentic taste, it will deliver a rich flavor of Mexico that you will not find anywhere else.
Last week had a “shaky” start with the meteor coming down in Northeast Ohio. Students were in class ready to learn, and then around 9:05 during second period, we could feel and hear the meteor break into the Earth’s atmosphere. It was pretty cool and historic, but now, let’s “break” into this week’s news.
To start, prom deposits are due to Mrs. Holko by this Friday, March 27. Please see your grade level Google classroom for more information. Be responsible!
Who is ready for Spring break? With Spring break right around the corner, the news group takes grades very seriously. Let this be a reminder to stay on top of any and all assignments, study for any quizzes or tests, and ask for some tutoring. Spring break should be a fun and relaxing time away from school, not full of academic regret.
The annual 8th grade Washington D.C. trip is currently being finalized. Students attending this trip from May 20-22 will visit the Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum, IMAX, and the Marine Corps Museum. This trip is a great learning experience, grounded right in our nation’s capital. For more details, contact Miss Cramer.
Moving along, with the club spotlight disappearing for a while, it is time to bring it back. Welcome to the Esports Club with their season recently concluding. This team came to Brooklyn a while back, but this was the first year for varsity competition. Esports is led by Mr. Jones and his three student leaders: Landon Blankenship, David Beane, and Captain Gaven McCanelley. If you are interested in joining Esports next year, please see Mr. Jones for more information.
Finally, keep an ear out for upcoming Ohio State Testing dates and times. Prepare accordingly and do your best. One and done!
Here is the upcoming March/April calendar.
March 26: Literacy Night
March 27: Prom Deposits Due
March 27: Hurricane Food Pantry Pickup
March 31: ELA OST – Part I
April 2: ELA OST – Part II
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Easter Sunday
April 6-10: Spring Break
April 13: School Resumes
Have a great week, Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this week’s senior spotlight is Kelvin Santiago. Kelvin is charismatic, fierce, and faithful. He has been in Brooklyn for three years and works part-time at Texas Roadhouse. In his free time, he likes to play video games and sleep. A fun fact about Kelvin is that he can bench press 230 pounds.
Q: What is your best high school memory?
A: “Doing a backflip during the Homecoming dance.”
Q: What mindset do you have during difficult times?
A: “Never give up.”
Q: Where do you eat out the most?
A: “Raising Canes.”
Q: What place would you love to travel to?
A: “Tokyo or Kyoto, Japan.”
Q: Did you ever feel incomplete during high school?
A: “I wasn’t able to do as many sports as I wanted, and I wish my grades were better.”
Q: What was the hardest high school class for you?
A: “Algebra II.”
Q: Do you have any secret talents?
A: “I can do a backflip and a walking handstand.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Verba. I’ve had so many memories with him, and I just personally think he was just such a fun teacher.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Kelvin. With only one quarter left of high school, finish strong and get your future plans ironed out.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 