THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Guess Who’s Back?

By: Jaiden Basinger

June 3, 2022

{Update: Jenna Young is the Division II High Jump State Champion!}

Guess who’s back? Back again? Jenna’s back! Tell a friend.

Junior Jenna Young is currently competing in the Division II State High Jump Competition at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium located in Columbus, Ohio.

Around this time a year ago, Jenna made it to the state meet. Competing against the best of the best, she placed third in the high jump. Fast forward to now, she is looking to stand on top of the podium.

Head Coach Kyle Akins is excited for Jenna’s second straight appearance down at the state track meet.

“Jenna has become much more consistent with her jumping at the highest of heights this season, and I expect that to be an important factor at the state meet. I believe Jenna will perform her best at the state meet, just like she does meet-in and meet-out. There are a handful of jumpers who have a chance at winning the state title, and Jenna has as good of a chance as anyone,” stated Akins.

Jenna, who has been performing well all year in indoor and outdoor track, shares the same excitement as Coach Akins.

“I expect states to be bigger and better because it is at a bigger facility, and all divisions will be there throughout the day. Just all together is a great experience. It would definitely be nice [to win], but anything can happen on any given day. I know what I am capable of, and I just need to have a good day and compete,” stated Young.

She knows what it will take to win this year’s state meet and that is a jump of 5’7”. She jumped 5’3” at regionals but knows that it will take more than that to claim first place.

On behalf of Hurricane Nation, we are all so proud of you and your success. Best of luck to you today.

Taste of River

By: Valery Warner

June 3, 2022

After a long, two-year hiatus, the Taste of River returns! The Taste of River is a culinary festival that offers the opportunity to try new “eats & treats” offered by excellent restaurants and community food providers. Over ten restaurants, as of now, will be serving food.

This year, the Rocky River community is taking this festival to the streets for an even more epic celebration of the community and its culinary scene.

The event is being held on Saturday, June 25, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at 1250 Linda Street in Rocky River. Admission is free and all are welcome as there will be activities for all ages to enjoy.

There will be live entertainment by Dock Holiday and School of Rock, contests, raffles, and of course, some of the best food in town.

You do not want to miss this food celebration as it is the perfect way to begin the long-awaited Summer.

Be sure to check out this link for more information. Also, check back often to watch the restaurant list grow.

Delicious food, live music, and more; what else do you need?

Happy Summer, everyone! Stay happy, safe, and healthy.

One Last Time

By: The Eye’s Staff

May 26, 2022

As the 2021-2022 school year comes to an end, we would all like to thank our four senior journalists: Daylun Armstrong, Alaysia Curry, Tyler Elzholz, and Laila Schwin. They have all been enrolled in Publications for two years and have made an amazing and lasting impact.

Since joining Publications here at BHS (piloted in the 2019-2020 school year), these four seniors have done an amazing job creating and writing new articles, being great role models to the underclassmen writers, and taking pride in their work. They all showed what true Hurricane Pride is about, and we know that our avid newspaper followers agree.

Senior #1: Daylun Armstrong

*Favorite BHS Memory: “Honestly, there have been too many to count, but I think that as I reflect on everything, I just remember all the amazing teachers and classmates and being able to have deep, meaningful conversations or just talking about funny things and day-to-day life. I think that is also something that I’m going to miss, too, about BHS. I felt so comfortable here, I could be myself, and people actually cared and listened to my thoughts or my millions upon millions of questions.”

*Advice for Next Year’s Seniors (Class of 2023): “Just be your most authentic self and stand up for the things you believe in. I know that on a day-to-day basis, school can seem tiring and stressful, and don’t get me wrong, it is, but there are so many amazing memories and people you will meet that can make your time here so amazing! This definitely is a cliche, but high school goes by quickly, so make sure to make the most of every moment. Don’t worry so much, and just enjoy life.”

*Plans after Graduation: “I plan on attending Cleveland State University to major in Psychology.”

Senior #2: Alaysia Curry

*Favorite BHS Memory: “Painting the rock. It was fun, although I twisted my ankle.”

*Advice for Next Year’s Seniors (Class of 2023): “Never allow others to change your opinion of yourself. Nobody is the same as anybody else, and nobody is perfect, so don’t think you have to be. Always stick out and never blend in because when you stick out, you will shine.”

*Plans after Graduation: “I will be attending Tri-C for an Associate’s degree in Film and Media. Then, I will be transferring to Southern New Hampshire University for a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing.”

Senior #3: Tyler Elzholz

*Favorite BHS Memory: “Senior prank because our whole class had a good time before we took the stage.”

*Advice for Next Year’s Seniors (Class of 2023): “Enjoy it. Enjoy the time you have left because it goes by quickly. Whatever feuds you have, leave them in the past, so they don’t ruin your final year.”

*Plans after Graduation: “I will be attending The University of Akron for Business Management with the intention of receiving a Master’s degree, too.”

Senior #4: Laila Schwin

*Favorite BHS Memory: “My favorite memory would have to be walking back into the school on the first day of my senior year after not being inside for a whole year, realizing everything wasn’t so different anymore. I was glad to be here again, and everything would finally be okay.”

*Advice for Next Year’s Seniors (Class of 2023): “The first one would obviously be to enjoy it while it lasts because it goes way quicker than you think. Also, you need to LEARN HOW to study. Trust me, it’s worth it.”

*Plans after Graduation: “I’m going to finish the second half of my Associate’s degree at Tri-C, and from there, I’m going to try and figure it out.”

We hope each of you goes on to accomplish amazing things in life. No matter what your plans are, remember to reach for the stars. The future is yours, so make sure you work hard, accomplish what you want to, and be confident in yourself. Never get in your own way when it comes to happiness and success.

So one last time, thank you for being terrific writers, great leaders, and most importantly, better people. You all have made Hurricane Nation extremely proud!

Come back to visit!

Staff Spotlight: Mr. Ross

*Guidance Counselor*

By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak

May 19, 2022

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mr. Chris Ross! Early on, Mr. Ross attended Bowling Green State University where he received his music teaching degree. From there, he worked as a music teacher fulfilling his love for music and theater. In the time he spent teaching, he acquired a passion for counseling and later attended Kent State University. Mr. Ross is in year 23 here at Brooklyn High School. He is a wonderful counselor, mentor, and chef.

Q: Who or what inspired you to become a guidance counselor?

A: “My band and choral instructors in high school inspired me to first go into education. The kids I had when I became a teacher inspired me to become a counselor because they would always come to me and ask me questions about certain things that they needed assistance with.”

Q: What do you like most about being a guidance counselor?

A: “When I see my students graduate with a plan, I know they’re going to be a success in life. This is especially true if they had previously struggled with something in the past.”

Q: What is a piece of advice that you would give this year’s senior class as they are about to transition into the next chapter of their lives?

A: “Explore your possibilities and look at life outside of ‘our little bubble’. Don’t be afraid to fail.”

Q: What was your favorite part about playing the role of Miss. Trunchbull in Brooklyn High School’s performance of Matilda?

A: “It was definitely fun to be mean for a change! It was also fun working with the students in the cast because most of them haven’t seen the acting-side of me before. Side note: The costume was definitely my least favorite part!”

Q: Where did you go to college, and why did you choose that school?

A: “I first went to Bowling Green State University because they had a really good music program, and as a result, I received my music teaching degree. After that, I then went on to Kent State University where I got my Master’s degree in counseling. Both were very well-respected programs.”

Q: Describe yourself using only three words.

A: “Approachable, Dedicated, Sarcastic.”

Q: What are your favorite hobbies/activities to do in your free-time?

A: “Theater is one of my favorites. I like to perform in and watch theater. I like cooking and spending time at my family’s cottage in Ashtabula as well.”

Q: What are your plans for the summer?

A: “My wife and I are taking my kids to New York City to see a Broadway show. After going there, I’ll probably just relax and spend time with my family at the family cottage.”

Thank you so much for allowing us to interview you, Mr. Ross. We greatly appreciate all that you do for the students at Brooklyn High School. It truly is an honor to have you as a mainstay at our school. Have a great Summer!

Berea National Rib Cook-Off

By: Laila Schwin and Valery Warner

May 19, 2022

The 23rd annual Berea Rib Cook-Off is this Memorial Day weekend from May 27-30. The cook-off has established itself as one of the most-highly anticipated events in the Cleveland area and promises fun and great food for everyone in attendance.

The cook-off will be held at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds at 12:00-11:00 on Friday, 11:00-11:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and 11:00-7:00 on Monday. Tickets are relatively inexpensive being $10 for adults on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Before 5:00 on Friday, admission is free; following that, it is also $10. Kids under 12 years of age get in free.

Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off draws much attention from the Cleveland area and National Rib Teams competitors. The teams compete for first, second, and third place in a variety of areas: Best Ribs, Best Sauce, and others. This year, there are ten teams competing.

Alongside all of the competitive rib cooking, there will be plenty of other activities and live music. There are several bands for each day of the cook-off and a car show by Corvette Cleveland. There is also a kids area filled with bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, and more. More information about next weekend’s activities can be found here.

If you are looking for a place to eat fresh-grilled food this Memorial Day weekend, consider stopping by the Berea National Rib Cook-Off. You will not be disappointed!

Seniors! Seniors! Seniors!

By: Alaysia Curry and Daylun Armstrong

May 17, 2022

Seniors, our final days at BHS are quickly approaching but not before we can experience some amazing activities and opportunities that our school has in-store.

The last day of classes for seniors is Tuesday, May 24 with finals being from May 25 through May 27; this is unless you are completing the new senior internship program (May 25-26), a program that gives seniors the option to job shadow in a specific field of interest for a potential future career.

This also ties into what the senior College and Career Planning class has been doing with recent mock interviews. Students choose a job that they would be interested in applying for, create a resume, and practice different interviewing techniques. The interview takes place with teachers and administrators for the desired job position.

Tonight at 6:00, seniors will be recognized for their hard work and dedication at the Academic Awards Ceremony. Make sure to check your school email for an invitation. Students who earned academic honors, department awards, local scholarships, and the Ohio Diploma with Honors will be honored this evening.

There are 10 days left until the event that so many have been waiting to arrive…Prom! This year, Prom will be held at FirstEnergy Stadium from 6:00-10:30 with the theme “A Night at the V.I.P Lounge”. Afterprom will then be held at Fun-n-Stuff. It truly will be a fun and memorable night!

Graduation is going to be a bittersweet experience for so many. A time to remember and celebrate our accomplishments throughout nearly 14 years of being in school. But before we do that, there are a few things that we have to do leading up to that day.

June 1 is senior Chromebook turn-in and Cap and Gown distribution day.
June 2 is commencement rehearsal day at the stadium followed by a senior cookout.
June 4 is the big day…GRADUATION with senior check-in at 5:45 p.m. and the ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Senior year has been filled with many different ups and downs, new experiences, connections, memories, and realizations. We are going to miss so many teachers and peers as we all go on to the next journey in each of our lives.

Congratulations and best of luck to the class of 2022!

On the Fast Track

By: Tyler Elzholz, Jaiden Basinger, and Jose Nazario

May 17, 2022

This past Tuesday and Thursday, the Hurricanes track team competed in the CVC Metro Division Track Championships. Many of the Hurricanes reached the metal stand as their hard work paid off on one of the biggest stages.

Junior Jenna Young battled Lutheran West’s Evelyn Albers to win the high jump conference title. They both cleared 5’4” but Jenna was awarded the victor because of her fewer missed attempts. Young also came out on top in the 100-meter dash with a time of 16.39. Additionally, she placed second in the long jump, reaching out to 16’ and 2.5”. As if this was not enough, the junior sensation placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles with a final time of 53.85.

Great job, Jenna!

Junior Chavon Holton was able to set a new personal record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.01 which secured him a second place finish. Also, Holton was awarded Second Team ALL CVC.

Well done, Chavon!

Other notable placers for the Hurricanes were senior Ashley Chong, who placed fourth in the high jump with a personal best of 4’6”. Junior Lexi Fecko placed seventh in the 200-meter dash with a personal best time of 30.62. Junior Alex Chiclana placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.47. To round out other positive performers, sophomore Santana Sammons placed sixth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.49.

Great job to all of our Hurricanes athletes who are constantly displaying what it takes to compete at a high level and who are also willing to put in the time and effort to see personal growth.

Good luck in the upcoming district track meet. Go Canes!

Please be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest schedule changes and upcoming events at Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.

Cleveland Asian Festival

By: Laila Schwin and Valery Warner

May 12, 2022

The Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) is returning this year with a schedule full of events meant to highlight the diverse cultures and customs of various Asian countries. This festival is meant to be a celebration of the month of May (Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month) and the importance of these cultures in Ohio and Cleveland, specifically.

This year, the Cleveland Asian Festival is taking place on May 21-22 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The festival will be held in Cleveland’s Asiatown, located primarily between East 27th Street and Payne Avenue.

Admission to the CAF is free, as is parking.

This year’s festival will host activities such as the Colors of Asia Fashion Show, various food and market vendors/exhibits, and an Asian pop dance competition. There are also wide-spread events to highlight different aspects of Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Nepali, Karen, Burmese, Filipino, Polynesian, and Hawaiian cultures.

The activities and performances focus on different forms of art, dance, fighting, and music. The vendors will also be displaying their cultures through art, information, and different cultural foods. The current schedule for the festival can be found here. Additionally, the list of vendors and sponsors can be found here.

Consider attending this event as a form of education and support for this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There are many new experiences and opportunities to be had to learn about and to admire the history and culture of Asia.

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Bolas

*Intervention Specialist*

By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak

May 12, 2022

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Amy Bolas! Mrs. Bolas is an intervention specialist here at Brooklyn High School and has had much experience in her 19-year career. She has served as a coach-teacher in the four core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies). Outside of school, Bolas enjoys spending time with her family, boating, and traveling. She continues to have a great impact on the lives of many students.

Q: What inspired you to become an intervention specialist?

A: “I worked at a special needs camp my first summer after my freshman year of college, and I really enjoyed working with the special needs kids there. When I returned back to college, I decided I wanted to change my major from elementary education to special education.”

Q: What subject do you enjoy helping students with the most?

A: “Geometry because it just makes sense.”

Q: Describe the highs and lows of being an intervention specialist.

A: “The highs are when you see the ‘ah-ha’ moment, and the students understand the concept and get familiar with what they’re doing. The lows are when you see the students really struggling, and you’re really trying and doing what you can to help them.”

Q: If you could choose a different occupation, what would it be and why?

A: “If I had a choice, I would probably want to be a stay-at-home mom. I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot of my kids’ school activities and the things they like to do just because I’m always working, and I don’t really have much authority to take off just whenever. This was especially valid when my kids were younger.”

Q: What was the most significant life lesson ever taught to you?

A: “My dad always instilled in me not to give up, no matter how frustrated you are. You have to keep going and just know that you will get there, and it will all make sense in the end. Don’t give up, no matter how frustrated you get.”

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: “I like to try new recipes, and I like spending time with my family, boating, and going on vacations.”

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

A: “Probably Paris, France. It’s always been one of my top destinations to go to because there’s just a lot to do there.”

Q: How do you plan on spending your summer break?

A: “Renovating my house and traveling. We are actually traveling to Ireland and London this summer.”

Thank you Mrs. Bolas for all of your work and dedication to the students here at BHS. Enjoy your upcoming trip to the United Kingdom!

Spirit Week in May? Why Not!

By: Alaysia Curry and Daylun Armstrong

May 10, 2022

Today marks two weeks until the seniors last day of classes. Oh my, the end of the year is quickly approaching!

Even with the school year coming to an end, BHS students and staff are not lacking spirit.

This week is the final spirit week of the year, and the days are as follows:

*Spirit Week Calendar:
May 9 – Blue and Gold (School Spirit)
May 10 – Beach Day
May 11 – BBQ Dad vs. Soccer Mom
May 12 – Celebrity Day
May 13 – Color Wars

*Color Wars: 8th Grade – Blue, 9th Grade – Yellow, 10th Grade – Orange, 11th Grade – Red, 12th Grade – Purple, Staff – Black

Friday, May 13 is also a PEP Assembly. It will be announced during the assembly which grade level embodied the most school spirit throughout the entire year. Prizes and a trophy will be awarded to the entire class.

The second half of the assembly is what students and many teachers have been waiting for. Teachers will be in teams based on their departments and will face off against each other in a dodgeball tournament. The trash talk is so loud that we can hear it throughout the halls!

Seniors, enjoy these next two weeks of classes, and everyone remember to show up and show out for the last spirit week of the year.

For Friday, may the best team win!

Canes Take Down Crosstown Rival

By: Tyler Elzholz, Jaiden Basinger, and Jose Nazario

May 10, 2022

The Hurricane baseball team earned a big win yesterday beating Cuyahoga Heights 9-5 on the road. This is Brooklyn’s third win of the season, and they are looking to ride a great week of weather and momentum into the postseason.

There have been numerous rainy days so far this Spring, but as the weather has warmed up, so have the Canes’ bats.

The Canes started off scoring six runs in the first inning and three in the second. The early onslaught of runs was all they needed to secure the impressive CVC victory.

Sophomore Jackson Diller had two hits on the night and two RBIs. Juniors Derek Wrost and Jeremiah Gonzales also each had a hit and runs driven in.

Junior Anthony Starr was the starting pitcher, and he went five innings, gave up four runs, and struck out eight batters. With this performance, he earned his second victory of the year. Senior pitcher James Trunkett came in and closed the door on the Red Wolves.

The Hurricanes will play the Red Wolves again today at home with first pitch at 4:30. Come out and support your baseball team, and enjoy some nice weather!

Go Canes!

Please be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest schedule changes and upcoming events at Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.

Staff Spotlight: Officer Meadows

*School Resource Officer*

By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak

May 5, 2022

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Officer Dan Meadows! Officer Meadows is the SRO for the Brooklyn City Schools and has been working as a full-time SRO for the last seven years. Before becoming a full-time SRO, Meadows shared the part-time position of working in the Brooklyn City Schools alongside a few other Brooklyn police officers. Altogether, Meadows is currently in year 24 of working in law enforcement. Outside of being a police officer, Meadows also works in the television sports industry where he has experienced great opportunities with many of Cleveland’s most-loved sports teams.

Q: What do you like most about working in the Brooklyn City Schools?

A: “What I like most about working in the Brooklyn City Schools is being able to work with our students on a daily basis and to be a positive influence on them. Being an SRO allows a police officer to build a positive relationship with students that may not have, otherwise, been possible. There is no better feeling than when I see a former student who thanks me for encouraging them and says that I was a powerful influence in their young life.”

Q: What inspired you to become a police officer?

A: “I’ve always looked up to police officers. I had two SROs at my high school. In my junior year of high school, I became involved with the local police department’s law enforcement explorer program where I was able to ride-alongside and work with police officers. After seeing what they do on a daily basis, I decided that law enforcement would be my career path.”

Q: What is your favorite part about being a police officer?

A: “Playing with the lights and sirens… (not really). My favorite part of being a police officer is the opportunity to help other people.”

Q: What are the pros and cons of your job?

A: “Of course, in current times, the cons of this job is the constant public scrutiny of law enforcement. People who would never choose to be a police officer judging the actions of a police officer, despite the fact that police officers are only doing their job. Often, people fail to take responsibility for their actions and instead find it easier to blame someone else. That can make being a police officer extremely stressful and difficult. However, the pros include the opportunity to help people, be a positive influence, and build positive relationships. An additional pro would be that no two days are the same, and being a police officer is at times very challenging yet also very rewarding.”

Q: What are your interests outside of work?

A: “A little known fact about me is that outside of being a police officer, I work in the television sports industry. That job has given me opportunities that some people only dream of. In addition to working on the Cleveland Browns sidelines each game, I have worked numerous NCAA March Madness events, the four NBA Finals held in Cleveland, the MLB and NBA All-Star events, NFL Draft, and have been on set with the sportscasters of the NFL Hall of Fall events. My most memorable experience is being at Progressive Field during the pre-game activities during Game 2 of the World Series with MLB Films. Standing ten feet from home plate as the National Anthem was being played, I could hear 45,000 people behind me singing along. It still gives me goosebumps to this day thinking about that experience.”

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: “I am a big sports enthusiast, but the Cleveland Browns are definitely my favorite sports team.”

Q: Where is the ideal vacation spot for you and why?

A: “My ideal vacation spot would be in the Caribbean. Having to deal with the cold and snow of Ohio, there is nothing more that I enjoy than being able to relax on the beach in 80 degree weather when I know that it’s snowing back home.”

Q: Outside of Cleveland, what is a U.S. city that you could see yourself living in? Why should we visit there?

A: “Living outside of Cleveland, I would have to say Tampa Bay (Florida), Houston (Texas), or Las Vegas (Nevada). I have been to Tampa Bay many times and love the area and weather. My best friend lives in Houston, and Houston is just an amazing city. Las Vegas just sounds fun, and I would love to retire and work for a casino doing surveillance and security.”

Thank you for your responses, Officer Dan. We greatly appreciate you and your efforts to keep the Brooklyn City Schools and Brooklyn community a safe environment for all. Go Browns!