THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

By: BHS Features Staff

September 7, 2022

This year, Playhouse Square will be hosting the Broadway hits The Lion King, Aladdin, and Frozen. These Disney masterpieces are cannot-miss events for the whole family, regardless of age.

Currently until September 11, Frozen favorites Olaf, Elsa, Anna, Sven, and more will grace and entertain the audience for roughly two hours.

“You can’t marry a man you just met.” – Elsa

Ticket prices range from $40-$195. For more information, check out Playhouse Square. Show times are also available online along with other aspects to make sure that your experience is memorable and first class.

“But the thing is, she wore the gloves all the time. So I just thought, maybe she has a thing about dirt!” – Anna

As this Disney musical travels around the world, make sure that you and your family find some time before Sunday to check out Frozen in beautiful, downtown Cleveland. Who would not want to see Sven anyway?

“So I’m made of snow, and I’m walking on snow. That’s kind of weird.” – Olaf

“FROZEN is an unforgettable, magical adventure, which Newsday calls, ‘A serious megahit with amazing special effects, eye-popping costumes, and incredible performances.’ It’s a theatrical experience like no other, so let yourself go.”

Welcome Back, BHS!

By: BHS News Staff

September 6, 2022

The 2022-2023 school year is going to be filled with excitement, new additions, many memories, and a lot of success. This is the year of the Hurricanes!

For instance, there have been new improvements to the high school. To start off this year, new furniture has been added to most of the classrooms, which gives a fresh and modern appeal.

In addition to the new furniture, the stadium track is getting resurfaced. Within the next couple of weeks, the track will be fully paved and ready to go.

Equally noticeable, as you walk in through the main entrance, you will find a brand new TV with daily information and motivational quotes. You will also see a collage of pictures for the class of 2023.

A new aspect for “Cane of the Week” this year will be two student athletes being featured on a bulletin board in the hallway by the office.

According to Miss Veronica Bacci, the new Athletic Secretary, “There will always be one girl and one boy to be nominated. If you do get nominated, you will receive two food gift cards. To be nominated as Cane of the Week, your coaches need to nominate you.”

You get nominated for Cane of the Week by being a good team member and a great leader, having a good statistical week, or by breaking a record.

Hungry? Make sure you get your spaghetti dinner tickets to assist the school in fundraising. Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in the main office.

Finally, Homecoming is approaching fast, so stay tuned for updates in the upcoming weeks!

Hurricane Nation, have a great start to the new school year.

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

BHS Prom 2022

By: Morgan Blechschmid

June 3, 2022

Last Friday, Brooklyn High School hosted Prom 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland. This was an all-around positive experience for many, leaving those who attended with great memories for years to come.

This year’s prom committee worked extra hard to provide the guests with an unforgettable experience themed as “A Night at the V.I.P. Lounge”.

When asked how much help she received from the senior class in organizing this year’s prom, Mrs. Jacalyn Holko, Spanish teacher and prom committee advisor, shared this: “This year’s prom committee was small but mighty! Despite having a small prom committee group, our senior leaders were very active in the preparation and planning for prom.”

Since the recent COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s prom was definitely different and was also considered to be “a breath of fresh air” (quite literally) for many, if not all high school students and staff members.

“We were back at FirstEnergy Stadium, so our students got to have the downtown experience. We also had the largest amount of students purchase tickets that we’ve had in a long time, so we had a big crowd. The students were very excited to have a normal prom after the COVID prom last year,” stated Holko.

Not only did the students have a positive experience, but the staff members who attended this year’s prom also had positive experiences as well. Our staff members got the opportunity to let loose and relax, while celebrating the accomplishments of this school year. As bittersweet as it was for many of the staff members, they had the special opportunity to bond with our senior class one last time before the final farewell tomorrow at graduation.

Some of the highlights of prom this year included that of the theme, the music, the downtown experience, the food, and the venue. It was a great event all-around, and BHS principal Mr. Brian Hare was in full agreement.

“I’m happy the kids were able to celebrate it and have a good time. I’m also glad that they were able to enjoy the positive moments and memories as well,” stated Hare.

The students who attended prom had a very fun and positive experience to remember.

Senior Oliva Howard chimed in: “I had a lot of fun. I got to see all my teachers, and I got to meet new people as well. Everyone was very much in the moment, rather than being distracted on their phones. It was so fun to be able to dress up and dance with everyone. I had tons of confidence on prom night.”

Amongst all of the fun in the prom experience was the tradition that came with hosting prom, the crowning of the prom court king and queen.

The candidates on the court for this year’s prom queen were as follows: Tiana Hall, Savannah David, Daylun Armstrong, Lexi Smeznik, and Alyanna Benz.

The candidates on the court for this year’s prom king were as follows: Byron Maldonado, James Trunkett, Evan Chong, Jason West, and Yariel Camacho Cora.

Once the court was announced, the big announcement immediately followed which crowned Daylun Armstrong as this year’s prom queen and Evan Chong crowned as this year’s prom king.

This year’s prom was very successful, and we look forward to having many more in the future.

A big thank you to all who helped make this moment come true, and a big shout-out to all of our newspaper followers. We hope that you enjoyed our content throughout the year in The Return of the Eye.

We will return in August after taking some time to relax and to have some fun over the Summer.

Peace out, Brooklyn!

Final Staff Spotlight: Mr. Black

*Technology Director*

By: Chloe Rojak

June 3, 2022

Chosen for this year’s final staff spotlight is Mr. Robert Black. Mr. Black is the Technology Director here for the Brooklyn City School District. He has been a Hurricane for the past eight years. He also graduated from Brooklyn in 2003. In addition to working here, he also works at Cinemark and has for the last 17 years. Mr. Black really enjoys traveling, working with the Hurricane band, and of course, pizza!

Q: What inspired you to choose this career path?

A: “I like working with technology.”

Q: What’s your favorite part about your occupation?

A: “I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do. So, I kinda just went with it and never looked back. I enjoy diagnosing and fixing computer problems.”

Q: What advice would you give to the class of 2022?

A: “Time will fly, so take time to be in the moment.”

Q: What are your plans for summer break?

A: “We have to fix and clean all of these chromebooks. We have lots of projects here in the school. I don’t get time off like everyone else does. I work all year round. Maybe fit in a vacation here and there.”

Q: Are you interested in traveling?

A: “I do like traveling. I have never been to Europe, so I would probably travel somewhere there.”

Q: What’s your go-to meal?

A: “Pizza is pretty easy and always available.”

Q: What is your favorite memory from your childhood?

A: “Camping with my family or the vacations we went on.”

Mr. Black, thank you for all of your hard work preparing all students with the technology of the times. Even though you will be working a lot this Summer, take some time for yourself because you have earned it. Happy Summer!

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.