THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Senior Publications Spotlight #1: Morgan Blechschmid

By: BHS Staff Profiles

April 21, 2023

Chosen for the first Senior Publications Spotlight is Morgan Blechschmid. She has been a student in the Brooklyn City School District for 13 years, dating back to preschool. Some of her hobbies include hanging out with her dog, Myla, and spending time with her family and friends. One interesting fact about Morgan is that she is a four-year Publications student and was in the initial pilot group for The Return of the Eye.

Q: What made you want to join the Publications class here at Brooklyn?

A: “I think I was just thrown into it as one of my ninth grade classes. I didn’t know what it was. I don’t think there’s any motivation behind it. I do love it, nonetheless. I really found a passion in this class, and Mr. Holko played a big part in this.”

Q: Would you ever want to pursue a career in Publications?

A: “Yes, I would want to do it as a backup plan if something doesn’t go as planned. I was and still am considering doing this.”

Q: What are some of your most memorable experiences throughout high school?

A: “Probably hanging out with friends and going to events like football games. Having fun with my friends and making memories with them is what it’s all about.”

Q: What are your thoughts about graduating from Brooklyn High School?

A: “I’m excited and scared, but I just want to be done because I’ve done my time here. Going out into the real world is kind of scary. And when I go to college, it’s going to be totally different than high school.”

Q: Who is one teacher that you want to thank for helping you get to this point?

A: “Mr. Holko because I was going in blindly as a freshman, and he stepped in as a big reinforcement for me. He kinda helped me and told me to buckle down. He’s like my school dad in a sense as he is for many other students as well.”

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: “I’m going to The University of Findlay. I’m planning to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine.”

Q: What is your dream vacation?

A: “Italy because I am Italian. I feel like I have to.”

Q: If you could only eat one meal a day, what would it be?

A: “Mozzarella sticks with ranch.”

Q: How would you describe yourself in one word?

A: “Persistent!”

Q: What is your advice to next year’s senior class?

A: “Buckle down and take your grades seriously if you haven’t started already. Really try to focus, not just to get things correct but to understand the things that are being taught. Ask questions and be proactive. But also have fun because your last two years of high school are going to be the ones you remember the most, if not the entire four years. You’re going to want to have fun but also balance both your school and home life. If you have the opportunity to meet with counselors who can help you get into college and help with your applications, take advantage of it and ask questions about important things. I also want to add that you need to be involved with your school.”

Good luck Morgan! You will be missed.

The NBA Playoffs

By: BHS Sports Staff

April 20, 2023

The NBA Playoffs have arrived, and basketball fans are excited for what this year’s playoffs have in store.

The postseason began last Saturday and is currently in progress. You can see the full playoff standings here on the NBA’s Main Website.

There have been some entertaining games in these opening series thus far. Let us break down where each matchup stands.

*Eastern Conference

8 Miami Heat vs. 1 Milwaukee Bucks: This series is currently tied 1-1; however, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro broke his hand in Game 1, and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had a back injury in Game 1. The Heat took the opener, 130-117. In Game 2, Milwaukee flipped the switch and got the victory, 138-122, without Giannis.

7 Atlanta Hawks vs. 2 Boston Celtics: The Celtics are the clear favorites in this series, and they have come out winning both games, giving them a 2-0 series lead. The Celtics won both of their games by double digits with a 112-99 victory in Game 1 and a 119-106 victory in Game 2.

6 Brooklyn Nets vs. 3 Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers have been dominating their series against Brooklyn, winning both of their games by double digits and leading the series 2-0. The first game was 121-101 and the second 96-84.

5 New York Knicks vs. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers: Cavs fans brought the energy into Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse as they finally made it back into the playoffs, the first since 2018. However, the Knicks pulled off Game 1, 101-97. But, the Cavs came with force in Game 2 and earned the win 107-90, evening up the series at 1-1 heading into New York.

*Western Conference

8 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 1 Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets were favored to win this series, and so far, they have dominated the Timberwolves, winning both games easily. The Nuggets dominated in Game 1 winning 109-80 and took a step back in Game 2 but still got the 122-113 victory on the backs of a Jamal Murray’s 40-point performance. The Nuggets are up 2-0.

7 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 2 Memphis Grizzlies: The Lakers started off strong in this series, upsetting Memphis in the first game 128-112. However, when the Lakers got to the FedEx Forum for Game 2, the fans and Grizzlies were ready to tie the series. The Grizzlies came back and scored 103 points to the Lakers 93. The series is now tied 1-1.

6 Golden State Warriors vs. 3 Sacramento Kings: The energy in Sacramento was insane because the Kings made the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and they have taken both games thus far despite having no playoff experience, while the hated Warriors have won four NBA championships in the last eight years. The Kings won Game 1, 126-123 and won Game 2, 114-106. Light the Beam, twice!

5 Los Angeles Clippers vs. 4 Phoenix Suns: The Los Angeles Clippers came into Phoenix and started off the series with a Game 1 victory, 115-110. But, the Suns turned it around and got the Game 2 victory, 123-109. The series is tied 1-1.

Since we are such terrific, analytical, and accurate basketball predictors (hence our awful March Madness picks), we will try to redeem ourselves as to who we think will advance to the next round.

*Youssef: Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Cavs / Nuggets, Lakers, Kings, Suns

*Jacob: Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Cavs / Nuggets, Grizzlies, Kings, Suns

*Ayman: Bucks, Celtics, Nets, Cavs / Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, Suns

*Jaiden: Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Cavs / Timberwolves, Lakers, Kings, Clippers

*Mr. Holko: Heat, Celtics, 76ers, Cavs / Nuggets, Grizzlies, Kings, Suns

Who do you think will advance to the conference semifinals? Leave your picks in the comment section below.

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

Cedar Point Opening Day

By: BHS Features Staff

April 19, 2023

One of the most popular, thrilling, and fun attractions, Cedar Point is excited to welcome its guests once again. America’s Roller Coaster Capital of the World is set to open on May 6, a little under three weeks from now.

With its grand opening comes new features. For example, a new roller coaster called the “Wild Mouse” will debut, a ride of cat and mouse.

Next, Cedar Point will also be introducing a new water park with their own Lake Erie monster, Lemmy. Cedar Point Shores Water Park will also be adding new and refreshing rides, slides, and places to eat.

Finally, Cedar Point will be bringing in a brand new part of the park called the Boardwalk with new rides such as the Atomic Scrambler and the Calypso. In addition to these new rides, there will also be new places to dine with a couple of those places being exclusive to the Boardwalk with food and drinks that guests will not find anywhere else throughout the park.

Now, what is the cost to enter the gates? The park has different types of tickets/plans for purchase.

The Platinum Pass costs $350. Out of all the passes, this one is the most expensive; however, this pass includes the waterpark, all roller coasters, and it also includes going to any Cedar Point Fair. This pass lasts for the entire season.

There is also the Gold Pass. The Gold Pass will give you access to the roller coasters and access to the waterpark. The price for this pass is $280.

Cedar Point also has a General Admission ticket for $49.99 or a Daily Admission ticket for $59.99. The park has many bundles as well with the Frontier Festival bundle for $69.99 and the Funday Pass for $105.

The relaxing breeze by the beach, the gorgeous sunlight, the towering roller coasters, the hotels, and the delicious food, Cedar Point is the place to be this Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Get your passes early, and get ready for some Cedar Point fun and memories. America’s Roller Coaster Capital is waiting for you!

Europe Trip & More

By: BHS News Staff

April 18, 2023

Welcome back, Hurricanes! We hope that you all had a wonderful and memorable Spring break and that you are ready for the final stretch.

Over break, some of our BHS students from grades 10-12 went on a school trip to Europe, specifically France and Italy. Our students and teachers have been posting numerous pictures of their day-to-day activities and excursions. The entire group will arrive home this Thursday after an exciting, 12-day trip abroad.

We hope all of the teachers and students finish the trip in a spectacular manner and make it home safely. We cannot wait to hear about it!

On a different subject, as testing continues next week for each grade, here are some testing tips to help guide you to ensure success.

Get plenty of sleep! Stick to your bedtime routines with less time on the TV and phone.
Eat a good breakfast! It is important to eat something prior to testing. Plan your morning ahead to make sure you do not fall behind schedule.
Be on time! Attendance is critically-important on testing days.
Follow directions! Make sure you listen to your teachers for any information that may be useful.
Relax and take a breath! The calmer you are, the better you will do.

During the testing, here are some helpful and useful strategies:

Read the questions carefully. Reread the passage and the questions to make sure you understand the text.
Examine every answer choice carefully before you pick your final answer.
For Math, label your answer.
Always check over your work with the given time.
X-out the answers you know are wrong. This helps eliminate those answer choices that cannot possibly be true. This will help you focus on whatever answer choice(s) are left.

Most importantly, be confident and believe in yourself. Good luck!

Next on the list, there are more and more readers each month in the lower school. Many students are receiving coins when they are seen reading independently. What a great initiative!

Reading is a life-long skill, and the earlier you start, efficiency and proficiency will only evolve and become sustainable. Well done, young Hurricanes.

Finally, here are the two Cane of the Week winners from the first week of April.

Chavon Holton: Track

At the George Gross Invitational, Chavon tied the school record in the 300 meter hurdles (previously set in 1996) at 40.80 seconds, winning the event. He also finished second in the 110 meter hurdles, setting a new personal best at 16.56 seconds. Lastly, he was a member of the 4×100 meter relay team that finished third.

Jenna Young: Track

At the George Gross Invitational, Jenna broke her own school record, winning the high jump at 5’8″. She also won the 100 meter hurdles by more than a second with a time of 16.90. Finally, she finished second in the 300 meter hurdles (53.48) and fourth in long jump (15’11”).

Have a wonderful week, Brooklyn!

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

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Hennings

*Cleaner*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

April 7, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Cindy Hennings. Mrs. Hennings started as a playground monitor at Roadoan (former 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade school). After, she started her cleaning job here in Brooklyn back in the early 2000s. She has been a cleaner in Brooklyn for 25 years. When she is not working, she can be found doing yard work or going camping. She also loves to host parties, especially graduation parties. A fun fact that you may not know about her is that she has a really good relationship with her grandchildren, Lexi and Mason, as well as her other grandkids who recently graduated. She also has a great relationship with her kids. Simply, she is family-oriented.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about working in the Brooklyn City School District?

A: “Meeting so many good people; I’ve watched kids from kindergarten grow up and graduate over the years. My last two grandkids are graduating this year, too.”

Q: What are some common problems you see within the school that you would change?

A: “Probably the respect from students and their overall behavior. I see a lot of it in the lunchroom. The respect has changed over the years. Also the way people dress.”

Q: What is your favorite work task?

A: “Just cleaning certain rooms. I’m friends with a lot of the teachers. So, I look forward to going into the room when the teachers are there, and I also love having conversations with them while I’m cleaning.”

Q: What is your daily routine?

A: “I start at 6:00 a.m. and I usually go right up to the board office. I clean all of the bathrooms up by the auditorium, and I clean the treasurer’s office. Then, I usually go into the auditorium. From there, I go into room 160 and clean that and then usually both of the locker rooms. Then, it’s just little things like delivering all of the supplies for the cleaners. It all depends on what is in the mix for that day. Basically from 10:30 to 2:15 is the lunch area which includes taking out the garbage, sweeping the floor, wiping the tables, etc. And then, my day ends at 2:30.”

Q: What three items would you bring to a deserted island?

A: “Food, water, and clothing.”

Q: What is your favorite season?

A: “Summer because I have a pool, and I’m an outdoors person. I don’t like being inside at all. If I didn’t work, I would probably be outside from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. I just love the outdoors; Summer is definitely my time of the year. I don’t like the cold, and I don’t like all of the rain in the Spring.”

Q: What are you good at?

A: “I think I’m good at my job, and I’m great with plants. I have a really good greenthumb.”

Q: What are your long term goals?

A: “I hope to live a long, healthy life. I also hope to retire in the next two years. I would also like to go to different places, not necessarily travel to different countries but just do more in general.”

Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A: “My weakness is exercising. Although I walk all day long, my doctor says that it’s not exercising. At the end of the day, I usually have about 25,000 steps. I also have a weakness for salty, junk food. I’m not strong enough to say no. My strengths are that I handle stress very well. When I have a lot of pressure on me, I feel like I handle that very well.”

Thank you Mrs. Hennings for allowing us to interview you. We greatly appreciate your hard work and dedication to the Brooklyn City School District. Summer is approaching, and we know that you will take advantage of it.

Huskies Dominate

By: BHS Sports Staff

April 6, 2023

March Madness is officially over, and our brackets were absolute garbage. The mental pain of losing will carry over until next year’s tournament, and we will need a better strategy to pick better brackets. One easy correction for next year: NEVER PICK PURDUE!

Speaking of losing, 63 teams can carry this “badge of honor”. However, the Huskies from Connecticut came through in dominant fashion by winning this year’s tournament and hoisting up the trophy.

So, how did they do it?

The first Final Four game was between 9 seeded Florida Atlantic and 5 seeded San Diego State. In the first half, SDSU was in the driver’s seat early; however, FAU flipped the switch and took the lead. They would keep adding on late in the first half, and FAU had a seven-point lead at the break.

The Owls kept their momentum going in the second half and led by as much as 14 points midway through the second half; however, the Aztecs took advantage of FAU’s miscues, cutting down the deficit to one point with under two minutes left. It would stay back-and-forth, but the Owls were hanging onto a one-point lead. After an FAU miss, the Aztecs had the ball, pushed it up the floor, and Lamont Butler found a shot he liked and buried it at the buzzer.

The Aztecs were going to the National Championship for the first time in program history, despite being down by 14 points in the second half.

The second Final Four game was between the 4-seed Connecticut Huskies and 5-seeded Miami Hurricanes. UConn was the favored winner, and this showed throughout the game.

Throughout the first half, the Huskies dominated as they consistently stayed up by 10 with Adama Sanogo leading the way. Miami could not make a shot as UConn’s defense was quick and stifling.

In the second half, the Huskies did not let up and wanted to clinch their spot in the National Championship, and that is exactly what they did. Miami played the Huskies even in the final 20 minutes, but they could not erase the 13-point first half deficit.

The Huskies prevailed 72-59.

Finally, it was time for the National Championship. Would it be UConn’s fifth National Title or SDSU’s first?

The game started off with the Aztecs hitting two threes in a row and some additional, mid-range jumpers, but this Husky team did not allow them to build sustained momentum. Their defense picked up and started locking down, which led to turnovers and transition baskets. SDSU’s short-lived lead was erased, and the Huskies led at the half, 36-24.

Heading into the second half, the Aztecs attempted to come back, but the Huskies were too much. Their physicality, execution, and team chemistry enabled them to prevail, 76-59. This victory secured the fifth National Title in program history.

The Huskies put on a show this year, winning all six games by 13 points or more. Truly, a dominant postseason from a #4 seed.

With some crazy upsets, unprecedented seeds advancing, and jaw-dropping plays, this year’s March Madness was one for the ages.

In other sports news, Spring seasons are in full-swing right now, so stay tuned for some BHS baseball, softball, and track articles.

Go Canes!

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

Top 2023 Spring Break Destinations

By: BHS Features Staff

April 5, 2023

Spring Break is finally here, and if you are like us, you want to get away, clear your mind, and relax in a destination not titled Brooklyn.

So, if you are looking for a place to enjoy this year’s Spring Break, check out these top four destinations rated by some of the most popular travel websites.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Rated #1 in 2022 for best Spring Break destination
Sandy white beaches and refreshing ocean water
Sunshine State with temperatures in the upper 70’s in March and April
Only a two hour plane ride from Brooklyn, Ohio

Miami, Florida (South Beach)

Warm, sunny days with temperatures in the 80’s
Miami is known for its strong Cuban Influence and great Cuban food
Pristine beaches and some of the best diving sites
Only a three hour flight from Brooklyn, Ohio

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is almost always sunny with some occasional cloudy days.
Daily temperatures upper 70’s / lower 80’s
Beautiful beaches surrounded by an amazing ocean
San Juan is one of the most affordable Caribbean islands with hotels ranging from $150-$300 per day.
San Juan is a six hour plane ride from Brooklyn, Ohio.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is a tropical location with weather ranging from mid-70’s to upper 80’s between December and April.
Cancun provides a fantastic party scene, pristine beaches, local culture, nature, and adventure.
Fantastic, cultural cuisine
Cancun, is about a six hour plane ride miles away from Brooklyn, Ohio.

Since the weather is trending towards warmer temperatures here in Brooklyn, a Summer to remember is quickly approaching. However, you might as well take advantage of the time off now and travel to one of these top four destinations.

If not, go somewhere else. Enjoy Spring Break as it is well-earned.

Stay safe and have some fun!

{Information for this article can be found at USAToday.com and HGTV.com.}

Winter Sports Banquet

By: BHS News Staff

April 4, 2023

Typically, the BHS News Staff produces articles on content related to the Brooklyn City School District that has nothing to do with athletics. However, for this week, we are crossing over to celebrate the many athletic and academic accomplishments of our Winter sports student-athletes.

Last Thursday on March 30, the BHS Athletic Department held the annual Winter Sports Banquet. Many awards were given out to numerous student-athletes, so for today, we will recognize three seniors and one freshman who stood out this year in their respective sports. In addition to providing their honors and awards, we will include a question/answer session with each recipient.

Shariah Gailes – Senior Basketball Player

Shariah placed First Team All-CVC and First Team All-District. She broke four records at Brooklyn High School: Career Rebounds (1,101), Game Rebounds (29), Season Rebounds (388), and Game Points (43).

Throughout her four years, she was able to score 1,020 career points while also maintaining a 3.5 GPA. To top off her awards, she was named Special Mention All-Ohio.

How do you mentally prepare for a game? “I usually spend the whole day watching film and just getting my mind into game mode. Before warmups, I like to listen to music, and I always try to get a productive warmup in.”

What skill would you say improved the most? “My shooting is something that I have been struggling with for four years, and I think this year there was a significant improvement.”

Did you expect to hit the 1000 point and 1000 rebound milestone in your high school career? “I did not expect to hit either of these milestones. I didn’t even think I was close.”

How did you manage school, work, and basketball? What were the challenges? “Balancing my time was the most important part of this past season. Luckily, my teachers, coaches, and boss understood what I had going on and made it so much easier.”

After your last high school game was over, what was your reaction? “After that last game, there were some tears shed in the locker room, but they were a mix of happy tears and sad tears. Sad that the season and my high school basketball career is over. But, I’m happy that I can start looking forward to my next chapter.”

Shariah will continue her basketball and academic career in the Fall. She is still undecided on her college destination but will be making her final decision soon. We wish Shariah nothing but the best!

Jaiden Basinger – Senior Basketball Player

Jaiden is an excellent basketball player, even though his main focus is football. This past season, he had 1,115 total points as well as he was one of the best players in the CVC. Jaiden was awarded First Team All-CVC, Second Team All-District, and Special Mention All-Ohio

How do you mentally prepare for a game? “Napping and then getting food gets all the tiredness and negative energy out and helps me relax.”

What skill would you say improved the most? “People said I wouldn’t be able to dunk, so that’s one thing I can do now.”

How did you push yourself to be better throughout the season? “I was thinking about my last year, and I was like I should go all out but not think too hard about it and just have fun.”

After your last high school game was over, what was your reaction? “I didn’t have any emotion really because I consider myself a football player.”

Did you expect to hit the 1000 point milestone in your high school career? “Yeah I did expect it, just earlier in the season.”

Jaiden will be attending Notre Dame College in the Fall and major in Sports Management. Good luck, Jaiden.

Naomi Tarver – Senior Bowler (pictured right)

The Bowling team came back this year, and the amount of initial success was terrific; Naomi was a big part of it. She won an award for the highest pins average. She accomplished this in addition to her 3.0+ GPA.

Why did you join the bowling team? “This was something to keep me busy and give me something to do. It is my senior year, so I thought why not?”

How have you improved throughout the season? “I improved on my mistakes as well as grew as a player over time.”

What is the hardest bowling skill to learn? “Finding the best way to play that suits your abilities.”

Congratulations, Naomi!

Ryan Hilcu – Freshman Bowler (pictured fourth on the right)

Freshman bowler Ryan Hilcu impressively earned a Gold BHS Scholar Athletic Award for a 3.5 GPA or higher; the Gold award is the highest honor given to student-athletes here at BHS.

Why did you join the bowling team? “I used to bowl a lot when I was a kid, so I just decided to join.”

How have you improved throughout the season? “I practiced more and more, and it paid off.”

What is the hardest bowling skill to learn? “Probably to throw the ball and keep it outgoing where you want it to.”

Great start to your high school career. Congratulations, Ryan!

There was a great turn out to celebrate all of the Winter sports student-athletes, the teams, the coaches, and all of the accomplishments. It was a nice evening with good food (Antonio’s), great families, and numerous honors to prove that hard work, in-and-out of the classroom, does indeed pay off.

We wish all of the seniors the very best in their soon-to-be new chapters. We also hope that the underclassmen continue to have success throughout their athletic and academic journeys.

Great job, Hurricane student-athletes!

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

Staff Spotlight: Dave Scott

*Custodian*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

March 31, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mr. David Scott. Working here as one of the Brooklyn City School District’s custodians, this has been his only job. He has been in this post for 44 years. When Mr. Scott is not working, he can be found spending time with his grandkids. Something interesting about him is that he went to Brooklyn High School and has worked here since his graduation. In total, he has been a part of Brooklyn as both a student and an employee for 58 years. This is crazy, right?

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: “I get to do different things on a daily basis. I don’t always have to do the same things everyday.”

Q: If you come across something that you cannot fix, what do you do in that situation?

A: “I call someone who knows more about it than me, and they can take care of it.”

Q: How do you stay motivated throughout the day?

A: “I just look forward to the end of the day. I keep going, and I know that my day is going to be over soon.”

Q: What are some of the most important skills for your job?

A: “Just being knowledgeable about different areas and being able to work with other people.”

Q: What is your most difficult task?

A: “The most difficult thing to do is working on plumbing.”

Q: What are you most grateful for?

A: “I’m most grateful for my family and my health.”

Q: What is the best piece of advice ever given to you?

A: “Always do your best.”

Q: If you could have one wish granted by a genie, what would it be?

A: “Just to have a healthy, long life.”

Q: What is the scariest thing that you have ever experienced?

A: “The scariest thing I ever experienced was flying on a plane.”

Thank you for letting us interview you, Mr. Scott. You do so much work here to benefit all of the staff and students, and your efforts and dedication are commendable and greatly-appreciated. Happy Spring!

This Has To Be Rigged

By: BHS Sports Staff

March 30, 2023

This year’s March Madness was horrendous for people who thought that they had a chance to win their bracket challenge(s), as nobody in the BHS Sports Staff had any prediction correct for the Final Four. Hopefully, our National Championship predictions will be better, which at this point could not be any worse than our previous predictions.

Now, what actually happened last weekend on this chaotic journey to the Final Four?

Starting off with the West Region, #8 seed Arkansas took on #4 seed Connecticut, a matchup most people expected. The favored Huskies easily cruised past the Razorbacks into the Sweet 16, 88-65. On the other end was the more anticipated matchup, #3 Gonzaga versus #2 UCLA. It did not seem like that in the first half as UCLA led by 13 points heading into halftime. However, Gonzaga flipped the switch in the second half making this game a lot more competitive. It came down to the final shot when Bulldog stud Julian Strawther hit the game winning three to send Gonzaga past UCLA and into the Elite 8. However, Gonzaga’s magic would run out against the Huskies as they would get blown out in the Elite 8 matchup, 82-54. This victory sends UConn back to the Final Four for the first time in nine years.

Getting into the East Region, the #9 seeded Florida Atlantic University Owls were the underdogs, but they pulled off a major upset against #4 seed Tennessee. It was a long night for Tennessee defensively as they could not handle Johnell Davis as he dropped 15 points and secured the victory, 62-55. On the other hand, #3 seed Kansas State was expected to beat #7 seed Michigan State, which they ended up doing by an overtime score of 98-93. Marquis Nowell went for a career night putting up 20 points and dishing out 19 assists, setting a new NCAA tournament record. Finally, it was the underdog Owls versus the favorite Wildcats. And guess what happened? FAU pulled off the upset with a final score of 79-76, earning their first-ever Final Four appearance.

In this Midwest Region, at least this side was not so crazy, or was it? All of the games went true to the seed rankings minus one. The Miami Hurricanes and Houston Cougars faced off in the Sweet 16, and the Hurricanes had no trouble dethroning the top-seeded Cougars by a score 89-75. The Hurricanes were led by guard Nijel Pack who cooked the Cougars for 26 points. In the other matchup, second seeded Texas beat third seeded Xavier to meet Miami in the Elite 8. After blowing a double-digit, second half lead, the Longhorns could not handle the Hurricanes’ momentum down the stretch, falling 88-81. Guard Jordan Miller had a career night for the Hurricanes going for 27 points. They are set to face the Connecticut Huskies in the Final Four. Noteworthy: This will be Miami’s first Final Four appearance in school history.

For the South Region, the #5 seed Aztecs from San Diego State University took on #1 seed Alabama. The Crimson Tide had all the odds going into this one, but senior guard Darrion Trammell had other plans, scoring 21 points leading SDSU to an upset win, 71-64. In the other matchup, #15 seeded Princeton faced the #6 seed, the Creighton Blue Jays. The Tigers had all the momentum going into this one and came to play with a 24-point game from forward Tosan Evbuomwan and a 26-point game from guard Ryan Langborg; however, the Blue Jays were not losing this game, having three players with 19+ points. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner led with 22 points followed by Baylor Scheirerman with 21 points and Trey Alexander with 19 points. For the Elite 8 matchup, the Aztecs battled the Blue Jays and what a game this was. SDSU managed to get it done with a one-point victory and earning their first-ever Final Four appearance.

So with the Final Four matchups set and ready to tip off this Saturday, April 1, it is time for the BHS Sports Staff’s predictions for the National Champion.

*Youssef: Florida Atlantic

*Jacob: Connecticut

*Anthony: San Diego State

*Ayman: Miami

*Jaiden: Miami

*Mr. Holko: San Diego State

And that is a wrap for the Final Four preview, the first ever Final Four in March Madness history to have zero, top three seeded teams. What else could happen?

We are about to find out.

(For up-to-date information and schedules, go to Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.)

Women’s History Month: Chien-Shiung Wu

By: BHS Features Staff

March 29, 2023

Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese American physicist. During the Manhattan Project, she worked at Columbia University, helping to develop the process for separating uranium metal into U-235 and U-238 isotopes by using gaseous diffusion. She also developed improved Geiger counters for measuring nuclear radiation levels. She is believed to have been the only Chinese person and one of the few women working on the Manhattan Project.

Wu was born on May 31, 1912. She grew up near Shanghai, China, in a small city with her mother, Fanhua Fan, who was a teacher, and her father Zhong-Yi Wu, who was an engineer.

During most of her childhood, school was uncommon for women, but this did not stop her from learning. At the age of five, she began going to a school managed by her father who had strong beliefs that girls should earn the same education as boys.

After graduating high school in 1929, Wu went on to college to study Physics. In 1934, she graduated with a degree in Physics from the National Central University in Nanking, China (now known as Nanjing University).

After college, she became a research assistant when her supervisor encouraged her to pursue advanced education in The United States of America. Two years after graduating from NCU, Wu arrived in San Francisco with some financial assistance from her uncle. She enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her Ph.D. in 1940.

In 1942, she married her husband Luke Chia-Lu Yuan, a physicist who she met at UC. They went on to have two children.

Unable to find a research position at a university, Wu became a physics instructor at Princeton University and at Smith College. In 1944, she joined the Manhattan Project at the Substitute Alloy Materials (SAM) Lab at Columbia University, focusing on radiation detectors. Not long after, she was making historical breakthroughs.

In 1956, she conducted the “Wu experiment,” testing the parity conservation theories of fellow Columbia physicists Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang. Wu’s experiment proved their theories correct and contributed significantly to particle physics and the development of the Standard Model. While it was her experiment that proved the theories to be correct, she was not credited for it, and the following year, physicists Lee and Yang won the Nobel prize.

Her work was not recognized until years later. But, Wu continued to work hard, and by 1966, she received at least seven Nobel nominations and won the inaugural Wolf Prize for her role in her initial discovery.

Not only was Wu one of the first women in STEM but can also an advocate for women. Speaking at a symposium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964, Wu said to her audience, “I wonder whether the tiny atoms and nuclei, or the mathematical symbols, or the DNA molecules have any preference for either masculine or feminine treatment.” In addition to speaking out against gender discrimination, Wu also advocated for human rights issues, especially in China.

On February 19, 1997, Wu passed away at the age of 85 in New York City. She lived her whole life following her passion, and she never allowed any challenges to get in the way of her dreams.

Our world will forever be changed because of her.

{Information for this article can be located at nps.gov, womanandtheamericanstory.gov, and atomicheritagefoundation.org.}

What Spring Brings

By: BHS News Staff

March 28, 2023

That is a wrap for Sister Act! The cast, crew, and pit put on a great performance, and the play was well-attended all three evenings. The BHS News Staff is proud of the time, energy, and hard work put into making this play.

There were also a few successful fundraisers during this play for the BHS Drama Club, including Krispy Kreme donuts and 50/50 raffle tickets. All money raised will go towards future productions.

Speaking of future productions, we are anxious to hear what next year’s performance will be. Stay tuned!

In other news, on March 16, the 8th Grade Robotics Team competed at the 2023 Polaris Palooza Robotics competition held at Strongsville Middle School.

BHS students competed against nearly 100 other students from neighboring schools including Strongsville, Olmsted Falls, North Olmsted, and Fairview Park.

So, how did the young Hurricanes perform?

*Mad Grab Event: Students constructed a remote controlled robot that scooped up balls and placed them into containers.

1st Place, Grim Grab: Dennis Harte, Gio Garst, Ryan Howard

3rd Place, The Gripper: Eddie Colon, Austin Adkins, Donovan Johnson

6th Place, Zimbabwe: Aiden Villani, Jayden Torres, Johnny Patta

14th Place, Kie: Ariana Taylor, Kadance Szmahlo, Avalinh Yun

*Dragster Event: The second event required participants to build a car that was measured for distance and accuracy while moving on a course.

5th Place, Barbie: Ariana Taylor, Kadance Szmahlo, Avalinh Yun

10th Place, Martha Stewart: Eddie Colon, Austin Adkins, Donovan Johnson

11th Place, Kerchow: Dennis Harte, Gio Garst, Ryan Howard

13th Place, Sleepy Car: Aiden Villani, Jayden Torres, Johnny Patta

Great job, competitors! You represented BHS in fine fashion, and Mr. Goodwin and Mrs. Romano are very proud of you.

Next, Family Literacy Night is this Thursday, March 30, from 5:30-7:40. This year’s theme is “The Giving Tree”.

There will be a dinner, Hula Hoop Science Assembly, and Activity Stations.

Also this week is “Right to Read Week”. This week is inspired by Shel Silverstein, the author of the popular books Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. Silverstein’s works are enjoyable for young readers as well as adult readers. He is a very well-known, award-winning author as well as a singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and actor.

The purpose of “Right to Read Week” is to continue to encourage students to read as well as help teachers explain the importance of reading, learn different perspectives, and help students see how others think and feel.

Below is this week’s schedule.

*Monday, March 27 is “Colors” – Make yourself colorful head to toe. Go on a color scavenger hunt, write in rainbow, or make a colorful picture.

*Tuesday, March 28 is “Backwards Bill” – Be like Bill and wear your clothes backwards, read backwards, or write a poem backwards.

*Wednesday, March 29 is “Bear in There” – Dress in your favorite animal print or wear animal ears, bring your favorite animal to snuggle with while you read your favorite book, or listen to a guest reader.

*Thursday, March 30 is “The Pirate” – Argh! Dress like a pirate, wear a bandana, read about pirates, or write a pirate adventure.

*Friday, March 31 is “Rock and Roll Band” – Dress like a rockstar, wear your favorite band or music shirt, or write your own song lyrics.

Happy Reading!

Finally, Spring Break will be here soon (April 10-14). However, the Spring OSTs are also quickly approaching. Please keep the following dates in mind: April 3-7 (ELA), April 24-28 (Science and Social Studies), and May 2-5 (Math).

Stay tuned for more updates and testing tips next week.

Have a great final week of March, Brooklyn!

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