THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Black History Month

By: BHS Features Staff

February 1, 2023

For the past 53 years, America has used the month of February to honor the history and culture of African-Americans, also known as Black History Month. This month is the annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time to recognize their crucial role(s) and contributions in the United States.

Over the next month, the BHS Features Staff will use this time to honor and recognize the impact that three African-Americans have had on this country. However, before we recognize these three individuals in the upcoming weeks, let us acknowledge the real history behind Black History Month.

The story of Black History Month actually began in 1915, a half century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. In September of 1915, Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other individuals of African descent.

Not long ago, Black History Month was confined to a week in February, and it was not until 1976 that President Gerald Ford declared it to be a national holiday and a month-long celebration. Since 1976, other countries around the world have devoted a month to honor and celebrate Black history as well.

Over the next month, the BHS Features Staff will be highlighting some of America’s most talented and influential African-Americans.

Next week will be Kobe Bryant. After Bryant will be Victor J. Glover. To conclude the month will be Kizzmekia Corbett.

Stay tuned as Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant will be next week’s Black History Month feature.

{Information and references can be found on Black History Month.}

Power of the Pen

By: BHS News Staff

January 31, 2023

This past Saturday, January 21, Brooklyn’s Power of the Pen had a writing competition at Columbia Middle School. It was their first district competition in-person, as previous competitions were virtual.

In all of the Power of the Pen competitions, there are three levels of tournaments: District, Regional, and State. This program has been in the Brooklyn City School District for eight years, and in six of the eight years, the Hurricanes have had a State qualifier.

Since the students were in-person this year, they were able to meet other writers from the numerous schools competing.

During the pandemic, students did not travel to other schools to compete. Everything was virtual and had to be typed online. This year, they were able to write on carbon paper.

Brooklyn funds all aspects of Power of the Pen, and this is unique because students usually have to pay for the extra expenses such as team t-shirts that the students design.

The Power of the Pen team practices every Wednesday after school, and this routine has assisted in their long-term success..

Mrs. Kathleen Mack, 8th grade coach, loves coaching these young writers: “Power of the pen is a wonderful way for our Brooklyn students to engage in creative writing. It also offers our students the opportunity to meet students from other grades. It’s more outside of an academic setting.”

Freshman Malak Chafki, one of our BHS News Staff members, was a former member of the team, and she was fortunate to reach the state tournament.

“Being able to write stories based on prompts kind of gives you a creative way of starting your story. Writing is really important for other subjects, and even though it’s creative writing, it’s helped. I think it’s easier now to write theses and essays because you have something to start with. It’s made journalism class a lot easier to write these articles, too. What helps the writing is the ability to read. I think that it’s important to read a lot of books to get a better vocabulary. Also, learn creative ways of thinking. Having cultural backgrounds helps you succeed because you can write about those experiences,” stated Chafki.

This is a great program, and each year, more and more students come out for it. If you can write, Power of the Pen is for you.

Good luck to the Hurricanes’ Power of the Pen regional qualifiers.

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

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Bruzek

*Attendance and Records*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

January 27, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Anita Bruzek. Mrs. Bruzek has been working in the Brooklyn City School District for 10 years and currently works in the Brooklyn School alongside Mrs. Laura Paul as an Attendance Secretary. In her freetime, she likes to go to the beach, likes to spend time with her family and friends, and simply enjoys the little things in life. A fun fact about Mrs. Bruzek is that her whole family, including herself, her husband, and both of her kids, graduated from Brooklyn High School.

Q: How do you prioritize all of your position duties?

A: “I have a system, a schedule, and a daily routine. My daily routine helps me get everything done that needs to be done. My team really helps me get things done as well.”

Q: What are some of your favorite aspects about Brooklyn?

A: “I would say interacting with the kids everyday. Another thing is the amazing coworkers I have.”

Q: What is the importance of organization to you?

A: “It keeps the stress level low if you stay organized. You also tend to get things done in a timely fashion.”

Q: What interests you the most about working in this district?

A: “I graduated here, so being able to come back to the district and watching it grow, seeing the changes, and just being a part of it in a different capacity.”

Q: Who is your favorite person to work with?

A: “I love working with the entire staff.”

Q: Do you see yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

A: “An extrovert: Being a secretary, you have interaction with the students, staff, and parents on a daily basis.”

Q: What advice would you give to the senior class of 2023 as they approach graduation?

A: “The past is gone; today is a gift. Be the best you can be, make the memories, and don’t worry about what you cannot control.”

Q: Where do you like to travel to?

A: “Hilton Head, South Carolina.”

Q: Favorite memory?

A: “My son Kyle’s senior year when our hockey team took the Blue Division South Championship.”

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies right now?

A: “Gardening and shopping in all the little stores around my town.”

Thank you for taking time out of your day to let us interview you, Mrs. Bruzek. It was great to meet you and to know more about you.

Mr. Holko says, “Go Blue!”

Winter Sports Recap

By: BHS Sports Staff

January 26, 2023

The Brooklyn Hurricanes are over the halfway point in their Winter sports seasons.

The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams have played really well thus far. The hockey and wrestling teams, on the other hand, have not had too much success in their seasons; however, both teams are improving and continue to work hard.

A special highlight from last Friday night was when the girls and boys played a double-header against Wickliffe to honor the passing of former student-athlete, Sean Acierno. Money from the ticket sales from this double-header will be going to Sean’s first annual scholarship, which will be awarded to two senior student-athletes at the end of this school year. In honor of Sean, both the boys and girls won their games, with the boys winning 86-75 and the girls prevailing 61-46.

Girls Basketball

The girls’ basketball team currently sits with an 11-5 record (5-2 in the CVC).

On Monday, the Lady Canes defeated Brookside, 79-24. In this game, senior Shariah Gailes broke the school record for most points in a game with 43. The ladies also had impressive, double-digit victories over Crestwood and Lutheran West, too. With five regular season games remaining, the Lady Canes are preparing for the playoffs that are right around the corner.

Boys Basketball

The boys’ basketball team currently sits with a 9-6 record.

The boys took on their rival in the CVC Metro Division, the Lutheran West Longhorns two days ago. It was a tough night for the Hurricanes as the Longhorns got the win on their senior night, 75-42. However, the boys have been playing solid basketball and will travel to Crestwood tomorrow night. This fast and athletic squad is ready for the final stretch and the upcoming postseason.

Hockey

The hockey team has not had the best of seasons, but they have been working really hard and improving. They also had the awesome opportunity to play at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse earlier this season. On top of this, they also had a home game in which the Cleveland Monsters mascot, Sully, was in attendance.

Senior Adam Geballa on his performance thus far: “Some things I am doing well are getting more chances at shots, covering the players in front of our goalie, and setting my teammates up for open shots. Some things the team is doing well is communicating and making sure they’re in the right spots. I think that we are all improving all-around offensively and defensively.”

Wrestling

The wrestling team has been working very hard this season as the CVC conference championships are coming up.

The team is led by juniors Dylan Smith and Isaiah Perez. Smith has a varsity record of 10-5 and a total record of 17-10. Perez has been working hard to get down to his natural weight class and looking to get back into districts after qualifying his freshman year.

Sophomores Blake Baker and Vinny Williams have stepped up a lot this season. Baker doubled his wins from last year and finished second in the challenging Strongsville JV tournament. Williams has been building up confidence and got his hand raised twice so far this season.

Freshman David Beane has been working hard this season and is looking to learn and improve. The only female wrestler is sophomore Angela Amores who is just as tough as any boy on the team and has been hanging tough against other boys in the division. She has also had some very impressive wins this season against opponents heavier than her.

The team is training hard and getting ready for the postseason in less than a month, starting with the boys sectional tournament on February 25 and the girls district tournament on March 5.

Keep up the great work, wrestlers.

The Winter sports teams have been great this season, and we cannot wait to watch their seasons unfold. It is a great time to be excited for Hurricanes’ sports.

Go Canes!

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

Cuyahoga Falls Chocolate Walk

By: BHS Features Staff

January 25, 2023

Need an excuse to eat more chocolate? Probably not!

Here is your opportunity to take the quick trip South of here to Cuyahoga Falls for their annual Chocolate Walk.

On Saturday, February 4, stroll through the scenic downtown and collect a chocolate surprise from each of the participating businesses. Each attendee will receive a wristband, a map of the participating companies, and a goodie bag to collect all of the decadent goodies.

Each business will be selecting its own unique chocolate or chocolate-based product. The full list of participants will be posted on the final day of January, which is next Tuesday.

The Chocolate Walk is a ticket-only event. Tickets can be purchased online here. Ticket holders must check in with the DTCF partnership on the day of the event between the hours of 12:00-2:00. This is a rain-snow-or-shine event as tickets are non-refundable.

Chocolate collection is from 12:00-6:00, giving everyone plenty of time to explore the sights, hang out with friends, and have yet another excuse to consume chocolate.

For more information or questions regarding this event, go to events@downtowncf.com.

Walking downtown Cuyahoga Falls and collecting chocolate surprises is a “sweet” way to celebrate an early Valentine’s Day.

Be sure to get your tickets before it is too late, and remember, there is no reason to feel guilty.

Honoring #34

By: BHS News Staff

January 24, 2023

Last Friday, January 20, Sean Acierno, a former BHS student-athlete, was honored at half-time during the boys varsity basketball game.

Sean Acierno, class of 2011 and basketball star, tragically passed away in the Spring of 2021.

His family came to both the girls varsity and boys varsity games and were given flowers in his honor. There were many tears and hugs on this emotional night.

This year, Brooklyn is starting a scholarship in Sean’s name, and a portion of the money earned from the ticket sales from last Friday’s double-header against Wickliffe will be awarded in May to one senior male and one senior female student-athlete who embodies outstanding character and values being a part of Hurricane Nation.

Mr. Holko, one of Sean’s basketball coaches, had this to say: “It was nostalgic. I coached him as a freshman, as a sophomore, and as a senior. It just brought back a lot of memories, and it’s surreal that he’s no longer physically with us. He and I were very close, a special coach-player bond. He was one of those kids who just loved basketball and loved being a part of something special. He had a smile that lit up a room.”

Above is a mural painted in memory of Sean located in Mr. Holko’s classroom. Sean Acierno will always be remembered here at Brooklyn High School.

Gone but never forgotten!

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

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Baker

*Superintendent’s Secretary*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

January 20, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Laura Baker. For the past 20 years, Mrs. Baker has worked in the Brooklyn City School District in various roles. Currently, she is working as the Superintendent’s Secretary. Prior to working in this district, she worked at the YMCA as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons to younger kids. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her two dogs, reading, going to the Metroparks, and visiting the Cleveland Zoo. Something you might not know about Mrs. Baker is that she actually attended Brooklyn High School and was also a majorette in the marching band.

Q: What are some of the most important jobs that you have throughout the day?

A: “I’m a secretary to the superintendent, so that entails a lot of different things. I wear many hats throughout the day, depending on what is needed from administration. One of the big things I do is I register new students, so anyone moving in through the district is through me.”

Q: What are some of your favorite aspects about working in the Brooklyn City School District?

A: “I live in Brooklyn, and the school is a vital part of the community. I love that I’m a part of that. It was something that I always thought of before I was even employed here. We are a small community, and I love to be a part of that. I also like that we are a smaller school as well, so you really get to know everybody and make lasting relationships.”

Q: How do you keep yourself organized?

A: “I use stenopads, and I write all of my notes in there in order to prioritize. There are three other secretaries here, so in a sense, three more bosses. They can usually tell me what they need done, and I can jot it down quickly on my notepad. I can’t live without it. I also use my google calendar and post-it notes a lot. I have post-it notes everywhere!”

Q: How do you stay busy during the day?

A: “I don’t know how I can’t be busy. It’s the board office, so there is always work to do. A lot of visitors come here. We have the main phone line in there and four other administrators. There’s always something happening here; I’m never not busy.”

Q: If you could make one change to the Brooklyn City School District, what would it be?

A: “There are so many great things happening in our school, and I truly believe that. I think we’re always striving to be the best we can be and always trying to improve on what we have done in the past. Due to that, I’m not sure that I would change anything. But in a dream world, I would add a Starbucks to the campus!”

Q: What keeps you motivated?

A: ”My family, my co-workers, and the students. I love to see the students. I don’t get to interact with them a lot because I work in the Board Office. So I love it when I get the chance to see them. Sometimes, the teachers in the preschool bring the kids up here for a little break, and we get to say hello and see how their day is going. I also love to read articles from the school newspaper to see how students are excelling and see how they are doing in school. So, that’s always fun and motivating.”

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A:”When someone is inconsiderate of another person’s feelings.”

Q: If you were stranded on an island and you could only bring three items, what would you bring with you?

A: “I kind of cheated in my answer, and this was thought-through very thoroughly. I would bring a fully charged cell phone, a helicopter with a full tank of gas, and a pilot to get me off the island.”

Q: If you could visit another planet, where would you go?

A: “I would never travel to a different planet. I would be scared to death! I don’t even like flying in a plane, so I would never go in a spaceship to a different planet.”

Q: What makes you the most happy?

A: “Spending time with my family.”

Thank you for allowing us to interview you, Mrs. Baker. It is an honor to have someone like you representing our school district.

These Cavs are Fun to Watch

By: BHS Sports Staff

January 19, 2023

The Cleveland Cavaliers are just over the halfway point of the season, currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 28-18, the Cavs have time to climb in the standings and to put the rest of the NBA on notice.

With Ricky Rubio returning after he suffered an torn ACL last season, the Cavs are getting a lot more help on the bench that has not been as productive this season. Hopefully, Dean Wade comes back soon, too.

The Wine and Gold have had some very entertaining games this season. One of those nights was January 2 when superstar Donovan Mitchell dropped a career-high and a Cavaliers’ franchise high 71 points against the Chicago Bulls. He had an insane play when the Cavs were down by 2 with 4.7 seconds left on the clock. Mitchell was shooting his last free-throw. Similar to what Luka Doncic did earlier, he hit the rim on purpose and got a put-back to tie the game at 130-130. Mitchell then led the Cavs to an overtime win, 145-134. Mitchell’s 71 points is the most since Kobe Bryant scored 81 in 2006.

On November 18, the Cavs took on the Charlotte Hornets. The Cavaliers were up by 10 points with under a minute left in the fourth quarter; however, the Hornets shocked everyone sending the game into overtime. The Cavs were down for almost all of the overtime, but Vanderbilt product Darius Garland hit two clutch three pointers to send the game into double overtime. Although the Hornets struck first in the second overtime, the Cavs went on a 12-0 run to win the game 132-122.

Exciting games thus far, for sure. So, what is the Cavs’ schedule going forward as they look to ascend in the Eastern Conference?

Teams that will be a challenge for the Cavaliers are (to name a few) Milwaukee, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Denver, Boston, and of course, Golden State, the defending NBA Champions. The Memphis Grizzlies are a scary team for the Cavs as they have been on a rampage, winning 10 straight games before they played the Cavs last night. Now, their winning streak is at 11 games as they edged the Wine and Gold, 115-114.

Donovan Mitchell is currently day-to-day after leaving Monday’s game against the Pelicans with a groin injury. He was out for the game last night against the Grizzlies and is questionable for tomorrow’s night game against the Golden State Warriors.

Also, the 2023 All-Star Game is coming up and will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Make sure to vote at the NBA All Star Voting Website for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and the rest of the Cavs to go to Utah and represent Cleveland.

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers have had some ups and downs this season, they are a young and exciting team to watch, and their best is still yet to come.

Go Cavs!

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

Cleveland Pierogi Week

By: BHS Features Staff

January 18, 2023

Cleveland’s annual pierogi week is making a return. From January 30 through February, downtown Cleveland is paying homage to everyone’s favorite Polish dish.

With over 20 participating restaurants this year, each restaurant will get a chance to bake their own spin on perogies, from family favorites to secret recipes to specialty menus for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s participating restaurants are plentiful. All of the information that you need can be found on Pierogiweekcleveland.com.

All restaurants will be serving three perogies for an $8 special. No admission or tickets are required, but it is recommended to come as early as you can to ensure parking and food availability. All restaurants will be opening and closing at normal operating hours.

To keep up with the latest pierogi news, download the Cleveland Pierogi Week app. The app will allow you to plan out your week, try new restaurants, challenge yourself, and share your pierogi week experience with hundreds of other pierogi lovers. You will even have the opportunity to win a $250 gift card when you sign up.

Mark your calendars. Don’t miss out on the chance to eat some of Cleveland’s best pierogis.

You will not regret it!

What is Coming Up?

By: BHS News Staff

January 17, 2023

It has been a busy and exciting new year thus far for students, athletes, and staff here at Brooklyn High School.

First, the Hurricanes Hockey team played Twinsburg last Thursday, and the game was streamed live on YouTube by the Cleveland Monsters hockey team. The game was played at the Brooklyn Recreation Center, and the Monsters’ mascot Sully was in attendance mingling with all of the fans. Although the Hurricanes did not bring home the victory, the experience was entertaining and memorable.

Second, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was celebrated yesterday. Dr. King’s words and actions changed this country’s laws, morals, and minds for the better regarding discrimination. He was a Baptist minister and prominent leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. People today continue to be inspired to fight for equality for people of all colors, and he is a main reason why.

Moving forward, Midterm Week has officially started. This week is only three days with the schedule as follows:

Tuesday, 1/17: Tuesday will be a skinny day with all classes lasting 40 minutes.
Wednesday, 1/18: Wednesday will be the regular Blue day schedule for midterms.
Thursday, 1/19: Thursday will be the regular Gold day schedule for midterms.

Midterms have quickly approached, and studying for them is very important. Here are some known tips to help in preparing for them:

Manage your Time – Break your subjects into limited time blocks. This way, you will be able to narrow your focus.

Catch some Z’s – Make sure you sleep well! The energy you receive from sleeping is essential to making sure you do well.

Make Flashcards – Studies show that using flashcards improves retention rates.

Join a Study Group – Teaching and speaking are great ways to learn information from others.

Treat Yourself – Occasionally, reward yourself for the accomplishments that you are making during your studying sessions.

Your semester grade is based on a system of whether you performed well in your classes in the first and second quarters. Hopefully, you passed all of your classes with flying colors. If you do not do well on your midterm exams, you will have your quarterly grades to lean back on to pass the semester. However, do your best on all of your exams this week.

Finally, on Friday, January 20, there will be no school for students. Teachers will have an Inservice Day for meetings as well as to grade the midterms and finalize second quarter/first semester grades.

Enjoy the short week, and good luck to all students on their midterms!

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

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Vukmire

*Student Monitor*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

January 13, 2023

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Ms. Melanie Vukmire. Being a Brooklyn High School alum, she has numerous roots connected to Brooklyn outside of her job. After working at the Cleveland Clinic, she returned to this school district as a student monitor and has been working here for the past 15 years. Some hobbies that she likes to do in her free time is work the sports games for the high school, knit, garden, and yard work. A fun fact about her is that she has a lead foot while driving.

Q: What inspired you to work with students who have disabilities?

A: “It really wasn’t my intention, actually. I was asked to do it once, and I didn’t do it because I figured it would take someone special with a lot of patience to work with them. But then, I eventually did it, and I loved it!”

Q: What is your funniest teaching moment?

A: “I was with Mrs. Meeks, and we were putting a book together. We had all of this confetti, so I just took the whole box and dumped it over her head!”

Q: What are some of your favorite activities to do with your students?

A: Last year, I was working in the high school, and the kids put on the Groovy Granola Cafe, where they would make breakfast for the teachers and deliver it to them. That was very fun for them; they really enjoyed that.”

Q: How do you feel when you reflect on the growth of your students?

A: “It’s incredible! To see a light bulb go off in their head and see them grow is just an amazing feeling.”

Q: What accommodations do you offer for your students?

A: “I’m always there to listen.”

Q: How do you go about spreading kindness and positivity?

A: “That’s a big thing for me. I always try to smile at everyone and do things as simple as saying, ‘Good morning!’. I try to give people lots of compliments because a kind word truly goes a long way.”

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

A: “For everyone in my family and my boys to be successful. I would also get rid of hate.”

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: “Top Gun Maverick: I watched it several times over the Summer. It is really good.”

Q: What is your #1 pet peeve?

A: “Unkindness and disrespect!”

Q: Orange juice or apple juice?

A: “Neither…Iced tea!”

Thank you for being so kind and for allowing us to interview you. You truly are a remarkable woman with kindness and patience, and your students are blessed to have you in their lives. We wish you the best throughout the year.

Basinger Shines in Brooklyn Blowout

By: BHS Sports Staff

January 12, 2023

The boys’ basketball team (7-5, 1-3 CVC) hosted Lincoln West (5-4) after playing six consecutive games on the road.

After coming off a tough loss against the undefeated Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves on Tuesday, the Hurricanes looked for a big win against the Wolverines to jump start the second half of the season.

The Wolverines started off the first quarter with a strong 18-6 lead over the Hurricanes. The hosts started to chip away at Lincoln West’s lead at the end of the quarter, but the Wolverines stayed steady and finished the opening period with a nine-point lead, 22-13.

In the second quarter, the Wolverines’ lead did not last long as the Hurricanes went on a 15-0 run, led by multiple three pointers from senior Jaiden Basinger. However, Brooklyn was not finished; they kept increasing their lead, playing great defense, and knocking down their shots. At the half, momentum was completely in Brooklyn’s favor. The Hurricanes headed to the locker room with a season high 46 points at the half, as they led Lincoln West 46-32.

In the third quarter, the Hurricane Express kept moving, outscoring Lincoln West 23-18 as the lead grew to 19 for Brooklyn. After three, the score was 69-50.

The Hurricanes’ starters were subbed out in the fourth quarter as the game was intact and the scoreboard lopsided.

Final score: Brooklyn 83, Lincoln West 58.

With win number eight on the season, the boys are getting hot at the right time with tournament-play nearing.

Basinger led the way with 31 points and has truly shined this season with multiple 20-point games. He has been an essential and game-changing player for this senior-laden team.

Great game, boys!

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