The 2025-2026 school year is four weeks deep, and Hurricane Nation is already recognizing alumni for their excellent accomplishments and contributions to the school district and community.
Last Thursday was the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This took place in the auditorium, where BHS students got to speak and officially introduce the new Hall of Fame inductees. This year, there were multiple inductees who each did extraordinary things to merit their nominations. Each inductee was evaluated based on their accomplishments and contributions in and outside of BHS. Guests were treated to a well-organized ceremony and a nice dinner, catered by Chick-fil-A.
Some highlights from the ceremony included the amazing crowd, the celebration of all of the inductees, and the Honorable Manal Boukzam Saab, who spoke about her life journey and the challenges she overcame. It was a pleasure seeing former Hurricanes students being recognized for their astonishing accomplishments.
These inductees were also celebrated last Friday, prior to the football game. Congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame class.
A big shout out to everyone who supported the new Hall of Fame inductees. Additionally, a special thank you goes out to the Hall of Fame Committee for all of their hard work in putting this amazing event together.
In other news, last Saturday, the marching band, led by senior Adam Cowper, performed at the Medina Band Show, putting on a great performance that rivaled other high school bands. Cowper, senior Riley Cummings, and junior Alyssa Alberino were the dedicated trophy carriers. Nice job, Hurricanes.
Finally, this is a reminder for all students planning to attend the Homecoming dance this year. Guest passes are due on Tuesday, September 23. Please see Mrs. Bader if you have any questions. This year’s theme is “A Night on the Bayou”.
Here is the upcoming September/early October calendar:
September 24: The United States Naval Academy Admissions Forum
September 27-28: Brooklyn’s Home Days
September 26: Homecoming Court Assembly
October 3: Homecoming Football Game
October 4: Homecoming Dance
October 9: Parent/Teacher Conference & College and Career Fair
Have an amazing week, Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this year’s first Senior Spotlight is Ryan Hilcu. Ryan’s plans after high school are currently undecided, but he hopes to go somewhere to study Political Science. What he likes to do in his free time varies between hockey, bowling, working, playing Fornite, and working out. A fun fact about Ryan is that he travels a lot.
Q: What were some obstacles that you had to overcome during your high school years?
A: “It starts with College Credit Plus classes. It is a lot more work than actual classes, especially when taking them online. I find myself a lot at 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday trying to get through all of those classes. Regardless, staying on top of things is an obstacle I hope to overcome before I graduate.”
Q: What is your biggest goal for your senior year?
A: “Get good grades and continue to move up my class rank. I am in ninth place currently, so moving up would be awesome.”
Q: What do you think is the biggest problem facing young people today?
A: “School induces a lot of unnecessary stress. Vaping, also.”
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: “My dad. I get a lot of my own personality from him. I also look a lot like him. He is very nice, very caring, and he does a lot of good things for other people. That makes me want to continue to do good for other people as well.”
Q: What is the one sacrifice you would not be willing to make?
A: “I would not be willing to sacrifice the time I can spend with my friends. I am willing to move mountains to make sure I have some time with my friends. I would never be able to give up the time with them.”
Q: Do you prefer homemade or fast food?
A: “Homemade food. My dad and grandma are very good cooks.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: “I would love to go to Romania. That is where my family is from. I would love to see what it is like there.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Chernushin or Mr. Verba. I have looked up to them the most in school, and they have helped me a lot. They are both very down-to-earth people. I feel like I can trust them a lot. They are nice and are also looking to help others.”
Thank you for your time, Ryan. We hope that your passion for Political Science leads you to multiple and successful career paths.
Last Tuesday, the boys soccer team (3-2-1) faced off against the Beachwood Bison (4-1-2).
Coming into this game, the Hurricanes stood atop the CVC Metro Division after their win last week over Independence, while the Bison were tied for second. The Bison were hungry to show conference superiority after a narrow 2-1 loss to Cleveland Heights.
Prior to the contest, Hurricanes Head Coach John Grigson’s squad was off to a hot start but understood the challenge that Beachwood presented.
“Beachwood is always a hard team to face. They’re known for soccer. Their team consists of players who have had the ball at their feet and played alongside one another since they were in first grade. They have a clear advantage in that department. We used our team dinner/film session this week to watch Beachwood and focus on their tactics. In practice, we have focused on pressing and cutting off passing lanes. If we can take these skills against Beachwood and play connected, we can compete. We anticipate a hard challenge.”
It was a hard challenge indeed.
In the first minute of play, the Bison scored and would score again less than three minutes later to take a quick 2-0 lead. Brooklyn’s defense was strong for the remainder of the half. Offensively, the Hurricanes had a couple of shots to strike back but could not convert as the score remained 2-0 after 40 minutes.
The second half proved to be much more difficult for the Hurricanes, as the Bison maintained possession for most of the half. They extended their lead in the 42nd minute to make it 3-0 and would later tack on two more goals in the 48th and 53rd minutes to blow the doors wide open.
Beachwood remained in control as they scored three more goals in the 69th, 72nd, and 78th minutes to close out the shutout victory.
Final Score: Beachwood 8, Brooklyn 0.
Although this game was difficult for the boys, one game does not define a team’s season. This club has been something special so far with dominant wins over Shaw and Wickliffe, and of course, the big rivalry win over Independence.
Looking to rebound, the boys will be back in action tonight at home, taking on Akron Ellet at 5:15.
Good luck, boys!
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn athletics:
September 11: Boys Soccer vs. Akron Ellet (5:15)
September 11: Volleyball @ Independence (6:00)
September 11: Girls Soccer vs. Beachwood (7:00)
September 12: Football vs. Rootstown (7:00)
September 13: Volleyball vs. Cleveland Central Catholic and Rhodes (9:00 and 11:00)
With September in full swing, there is so much to look forward to from football to festivals. For those of you interested in art, pay close attention as there is an opportunity for you.
The 21st Annual Waterloo Arts Festival, located at the infamous Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, is set to begin this Saturday, September 13. This arts festival begins at noon and ends at 7:00.
One who attends can expect to hear and see a lot of great performances, as well as local handmade art vendors, Cleveland’s iconic food trucks, and an exciting mix of innovative and interactive experiences for all ages
The nonprofit group “Waterloo Arts” organizes this event to highlight various cultures. They do this through exhibits, performances, special events, and educational programs for all.
A good art festival has a lot of art to look at and to buy; Waterloo is no exception. Patrons will be subjected to a wide variety of local and one-of-a-kind art that is available for purchase. There is also an opportunity to collaborate with artists in temporary studios and workshops to create unique and individual art.
Additionally, the Waterloo Arts Fest features multiple stages that display a diverse range of music. This typically draws a large crowd with performances in genres such as Indie, Folk, R&B, Rap, Rock, Classical, International, and more. Who doesn’t enjoy live music?
With 5,000 to 7,000 people attending this festival every year, there are many mouths to feed. This is why local food vendors and food trucks are plentiful, serving tasty items for all palate preferences.
Simply, the Waterloo Arts Fest is a fun time for all. Since it only lasts for seven hours this upcoming Saturday, make your plans now and enjoy this annual experience.
With the Fall season getting closer and prevailing cooler temperatures constant, this school year has started off very well.
This past week was a very eventful one for students and staff, as it was full of positive news.
Last Wednesday, senior Jarianny Dominguez won the Cleveland Browns NFL Latino Youth Honors award. This award recognizes outstanding high school football athletes around the country for their academic and athletic excellence. Jarianny is one of two people who received this award in Northeast Ohio. The award itself is great, but she also has an opportunity to win a competition against other students across the nation for a possible scholarship and/or an all-paid expenses trip to the Super Bowl. We are so proud of you, Jarianny!
Also, last week, students and staff took their yearbook pictures. If students were absent or simply did not like their photo, a picture retake day will be scheduled later on during the school year.
Yesterday, the BHS Hurricane Empowerment Project members teamed up with members from North Olmsted High School to have a very successful discussion about leadership in and out of school. This is the first time the empowerment team joined another high school.
Next, all students and parents will be asked to take the “Stay in the Game” attendance pledge this Wednesday. Students and parents will receive a link to the pledge on Wednesday morning; however, students will have the opportunity to put their name on it and hang the pledge on their lockers during I.C.E. Block.
Finally, this serves as a reminder to all seniors interested in being part of the Homecoming Court. Applications are due tomorrow, September 10. Details can be found in the senior Google Classroom.
Here is the upcoming schedule for September.
September 9: First Key Club Meeting
September 10: Homecoming Court Applications Due
September 11: Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
September 12: Special Gear Up Speaker (8th Grade)
September 27-28: Brooklyn Home Days
Have a great week, fellow Hurricanes!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Chosen for this year’s first Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Annie McGhee. This school year is her first year at Brooklyn High School. Before coming here, Mrs. McGhee worked in Florida as a physical education teacher, and then, she began working with children to focus on dropout prevention. This enabled her to be in different classrooms with 40-60 students on her caseload. After this, she moved to Pennsylvania and did textbook consulting, which involved examining the various learning standards for all 50 states. She then moved to Ohio, where she became the principal at Jane Addams Business Career Center. Then, she went to Independence High School and worked as an athletic director and assistant principal for nine years. In her free time, Mrs. McGhee loves spending time with her family and doing adult activities with her three kids. Also, her family loves sports! A fun fact about Mrs. McGhee is that she has moved 14 different times to 14 different places.
Q: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see at our school, and how do you plan to address them?
A: “For me personally, getting to know the students, the parents, the staff, and the community is the most challenging part about being a new staff member. I do not have anyone in a class, and I do not have those interactions as much with students as the teachers do every day. Being present in the hallways, classrooms, and lunchroom is all-important in trying to get to know everyone. With the seniors, it is hard because I only have one year with them. Being at the Senior Sunrise on Tuesday was fun. Seeing everyone having a good time, seeing the sun rise, and being all together was great. Brooklyn truly has a strong community, and having the two schools connected is also a great thing. Everyone has been very welcoming, so I am happy to be here.”
Q: What challenges do you have as an assistant principal in a small school?
A: “One challenge is how to make time for everyone who wants to be involved in a club, a sport, or any activity someone wants to be involved in. Another challenge would be trying to get everyone involved in something. I do not like to typically tell people no, and I like to figure out a different approach or a different opportunity for the situation that is brought up.”
Q: What is the hardest decision that you have made in your career?
A: “Oftentimes, all adults in the building end up having strong connections with the students. A student brings up a situation that happened, that upset them, made them sensitive, or made them feel a certain way. Being a person that the student comes to for help is hard. As I am new, I am not that experienced in this role yet. So, I end up having that student go to someone else, who may be able to help better. That student may need more of a mental health person or someone with better skills than me. It can be very difficult when a student comes to you and shares something that they obviously trust you with, and you know they need to get more help. So, you are doing it for the right reasons, but being able to tell the students ‘Hey, thank you so much for trusting me with this, but I think you need to get more help from just me.’ That is the hard part. You want students to continue to trust you, not distrust you.”
Q: What are the first three things you would do as a new assistant principal to engage the community with our school?
A: “There are a lot of events that happen. It was very unfortunate that we could not have the back-to-school rally last Thursday because of the weather. I think it is important to have multiple events going on at once because it gets everyone more hyped about what is actually happening.”
Q: Describe a personal goal that you are currently working towards.
A: “I am learning how to be an empty-nester. For the last 22 years, my husband and I have been so center-focused on our kids and making sure they have had the best opportunities that they could have had. A lot of our lives revolved around them. So, learning how to be ourselves and not having to worry too much about them is definitely a change. It’s a little tricky, to be honest. I am excited for this new chapter in life for him and me, though.”
Q: If your life were a movie, what would it be titled?
A: “‘Where in the World is Annie Today?’ My friends and family always ask me where I am because I am always traveling for any chance I get. Every weekend, I am usually somewhere else than I was the previous weekend.”
Q: Where did you grow up, and what is your fondest memory?
A: “I did not grow up in one place. I traveled a lot, even as a kid. Some memories I do have are from Panama City. I think I stayed there the longest. Growing up in a military family allowed me to experience a lot of different things. There were so many different things that were important to me along the way. I am hoping that this Winter, we get tickets and take the kids to Panama City because they have never been there, and we want them to see how beautiful the city is. I lived there two-and-a-half different times, and it feels like a home to me, even if I did not live there for long.”
Q: How did you spend your Summer?
A: “I did a lot of traveling this Summer. My daughter graduated from The University of Arkansas, which marked the start of our Summer. Our family went to celebrate. We then did orientation for my youngest daughter at Kansas State University. My son went to Airborne School down in Georgia, where we got to see him jump out of a plane. He also attended another training program, which was held in Kentucky, where he graduated. We have a lakefront family house in Iowa, so I was also there. To end the Summer, I went to Ireland and missed the first couple of days of school. Ireland has been on my bucket list for years, and I finally got to visit. We also have a house in Chicago, and we visited there all Summer long. So, lots of traveling.”
Thank you for your time, Mrs. McGhee. We hope you enjoy our school district and community. Welcome to Brooklyn!
Welcome back, Hurricanes. Back to school means back to sports!
Last Friday, the Brooklyn Hurricanes (0-1) faced off against the Oberlin Phoenix (0-1). The Phoenix were shut out by Wickliffe in the season opener, 48-0, while the Hurricanes lost a slugfest to Grand Valley, 54-22.
Both teams were looking to tally their first win, but the Hurricanes have had Oberlin’s number recently, beating them in the last three seasons, so the optimism was high.
Head coach Travis Agnew came in feeling confident despite the challenges that were presented.
“Oberlin is a tough team with some really nice athletes. They run a double-wing offense, which can present challenges for our defense; plus, they have big physical athletes on the defensive side of the ball. Coaches and players have put in work this week to prepare, so as long as all 11 players do their job, we should find a lot of success tonight.”
Speaking of defense, it was on display from start to finish from both teams.
The first drive for both teams ended with taking a risk on fourth down but failing to convert. Neither team ended up scoring in the opening quarter as it remained 0-0 through 12 minutes of play.
In the second, the Hurricanes threatened to strike first in the red zone but ended up failing again by a single yard on 4th and 13. However, senior Ray Foster got his first of three interceptions, allowing the Hurricanes to get the ball back and drive down the field. Foster, himself, later got into the endzone with a rushing touchdown to put Brooklyn up 6-0. The two-point conversion failed.
Just before the half, the Phoenix responded with a rushing touchdown of their own to grab a 7-6 lead heading into the break.
In a defensive see-saw battle, who would come out on top in the final 24 minutes?
Midway through the third quarter, Foster intercepted his second pass of the night after the Hurricanes punted away their first drive of the second half. After another failed fourth-down conversion, the Phoenix were threatening to extend their lead. This is when Foster grabbed his third interception of the game, this one he took 85 yards to the house to give the Hurricanes a 12-7 lead. The two-point conversion failed again.
With one final quarter left, both teams punted on their respective possessions, but on Oberlin’s final drive of the game and the energy increasing in the stadium, the Phoenix grabbed the lead with 1:21 to go on a two-yard rushing touchdown. They failed to convert a huge two-point conversion as they led by just one point.
The final chance for the Hurricanes stalled as sophomore quarterback Mason Vega attempted to force a pass to Foster, resulting in an interception to end the game, giving Oberlin the hard-fought victory.
Final Score: Oberlin 13, Brooklyn 12.
After the game, Coach Agnew shared his thoughts.
“Success is not measured by wins and losses, and these seniors have done an incredible job establishing a winning culture which can be seen by our enthusiasm, relentless pursuit for perfection, and growing numbers.”
With this loss, the Hurricanes dropped to 0-2, and Oberlin got their first win in three seasons to improve to 1-1.
Looking to earn their first victory, the boys will travel to Wickliffe tomorrow night to face the Blue Devils. Kickoff is at 7:00.
Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn athletics:
September 4: Volleyball @ Medina Christian Academy (6:30)
NASA has been at the head of space exploration and technology since the early 1960s. Nowadays, they are not flying to the moon and back as often, but they are offering amazing and insightful opportunities for all ages, especially those interested in space.
Discovery Days was started in 2011 and takes place in Ohio due to its importance in space exploration and aeronautics advancements that have brought humanity to where it is today.
Discovery Days takes place from September 12-13 at the Great Lakes Science Center. During this event, people, businesses, and institutions will be recognized for their incredible work and the betterment of the world, from the Glenn Research Center to the birth of the Wright brothers and everything that has followed.
NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams will hold a special presentation at 11:00 a.m. on September 12 to begin Discovery Days at the Great Lakes Science Center’s Dome Theater. This special presentation is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discovery Days is a great opportunity to learn and explore space life. There will also be meet-and-greets with many important figures, such as NASA astronauts and engineers. Additionally, below are some other highlights for this annual tradition.
The Suited for Space (Suits and Boots) exhibit is making its Ohio debut.
See five past, present, and future spacesuits in the Evolution of the Spacesuit exhibit and learn the story of human space exploration and its evolution.
Pick your boots for the next Artemis mission and step into an astronaut’s shoes at the Artemis Boots exhibit.
Try on various spacesuits with an astrosuit virtual demonstration to learn about spacesuit technology.
If you are interested in this event, there is more information at Orbitohio.com.
Hopefully, all of you enjoyed your Summer of fun in the sun with lifelong memories. Additionally, coming off a three-day weekend celebrating Labor Day, we at the News Group hope that everyone recharged the batteries for this week.
Now, onto the news.
Last Wednesday, BHS students kicked off the 2025-2026 school year with cool weather inside and outside of the high school building. This is a great start weather-wise, as students and staff are not sweating prior to the afternoon.
Next, high school can be a stressful time for some, but taking part in school activities with some of your friends can help provide an opportunity to make positive memories to look back on and to relieve some stress. This year, it is encouraged for all students to try a new extracurricular activity to enhance their school experience. There are plenty of options, so sign up now.
Speaking of extracurriculars, this past Friday, the football team had an exciting game against the Oberlin Phoenix at the stadium. BHS students showed up and showed out to support the team and cheerleaders. Additionally, the marching band, Hurricettes, and Junior Hurricettes had a stunning performance during halftime. The next home football game will be on September 12 versus Rootstown. The theme for this game will be “Light Up The Night,” so make sure to wear bright colors.
Earlier today, the senior class started the early morning by watching the sunrise at the football stadium. They were fed donuts and other breakfast pastries, along with a variety of drinks. This event took place from 6:30-7:30 and was hosted by the senior class parents. Thank you to all of the parents for continuing this tradition.
Finally, with the school year just beginning, there will be no shortage of events and updates going forward, so be sure to check out the weekly articles for more information.
Below is the upcoming calendar for September.
September 5: Picture Day (K-12)
September 6: Gold Card Blitz Day Fundraiser
September 11: Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Have a great start to the year, Brooklyn!
{To stay updated with the Brooklyn City School District, make sure to click here.}
Cedar Point, Progressive Field, Blossom Music Center, Edgewater Park, Cleveland Zoo…these are just a few of the venues that we are excited to visit during the Summer, a two-and-a-half month break from Math, History, English, and Science.
Although the Summer excitement will be plentiful, there are some aspects of this school year that will be missed.
With today being the final article of the 2024-2025 academic year, The Return of the Eye’s staff would like to share some parting words with what will be missed, what Summer excitement awaits, and what to look forward to for next year.
Ben Denovchek
“Not only was this year important for me, but it felt more challenging than the previous year, and that has made me a better person. It has been fun living out high school; it was fun, sad, challenging, and weird at times, but that is just what one should expect. This year is quite somber since I’ll become an upperclassman in just around 90 days. That still boggles my mind. Just two years ago, I was an eighth grader stumbling over my Algebra I work. Although the next school year is on its way, we have to get through Summer first, which is usually the fun part (and also the hottest). Summer freedom is something I always look forward to, yet it also makes me very alone, from being filled in classrooms with my friends almost everyday to only seeing them a few days a week. It’s the daily memories and the classroom laughs that make one lonely once they aren’t happening as often; however, that’s when one must put in effort to go seek out friendships instead of them just occurring naturally. My Summer plans are to spend more time with my father and possibly go to a concert or two with him, go on a cruise, play soccer with my friends, and get my drivers license as I currently have my permit. While seeing seniors leave always hurts, I just remind myself that it would be lame if they just stayed in high school their whole life. On a different note, next year will bring many joys and new memories that will be shared, and I can’t wait to see it all spill out on the canvas.”
Rayna Hines
“This school year has been extremely eventful and memorable. There have been many ups and many downs, but I still managed to get through the school year feeling accomplished and proud. One thing that always helped me through everything was my friends. They have always been there, since day one, and have always been my biggest motivation. I know for a fact that sitting at our lunch table laughing together will be missed the most. But to make up for not being able to sit at our lunch table anymore, we will have the greatest Summer. Our plans for the Summer are to go to Cedar Point often, go to as many fairs as we can, have frequent sleepovers, and make sure that we are always outside doing something. I hope that next year will be just as eventful but with even better memories and stories to tell. I also want to make sure that I make the most out of next year and not take it for granted because every high school year has something you will miss and not be able to have again.”
Justin Lewis
“As the final bell is about to ring, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of my junior year. My favorite part of the 2024-25 school year was undoubtedly the football and baseball seasons. Being able to go out every Friday night underneath the bright lights and give it all on that turf is a feeling that is indescribable. Yes, we were a 2-8 team, and yes, we get made fun of by the band kids when we lose, but these reasons just make winning feel 10 times better. Baseball season was just as memorable as I gained a tight bond with many teammates and even hit my first home run. Moving away from school, I am extremely excited for this Summer as it is a much needed break. My family’s plan is to take a trip down to Columbus in July, but other than that, we don’t have any other vacations planned. I am also very excited for the 4th of July. My family loves to have a big party, and there is nothing better than firing up the grill and watching colorful fireworks shoot up in the sky. Once this Summer break ends, it will start up my senior year, and out of everything mentioned above, this is what I am most excited for. I saw both of my cousins graduate, one in 2022 and one in 2024. I cannot wait for them to see me graduate in 2026.”
Madison Mullins
“As this school year comes to an end, some things I will miss are all the memories I made. This year was very eventful. Knowing I will be a senior next year makes me miss this past year more and more. There have been many struggles throughout this school year, but it’s finally coming to an end. Although I will miss this year, I don’t think there is anyone who is more excited for Summer than me. I have a lot of camping trips planned for this Summer, and I cannot wait. Also, little things that I cannot wait to do as soon as our last bell rings are beach trips, Cedar Point, vacations, fairs, tanning, and much more. As expected, Summer will fly by for everyone, but this upcoming year will be a little different as it will be my last high school year. It is hard to believe when the last bell rings on Friday that my classmates and I will be seniors. As it can be sad, I am also so excited for it to be over. I have so many things I want to accomplish next year such as keeping grades high, involving myself in many activities, and just hoping to end the year off right.”
Summer Barnes
“This year has been filled with so many memories that will be missed, but those are the past now, and I will look back on them forever. Some things that will be missed are the countless jokes and laughs that have been shared with Mr. Holko, the outstanding effort that I have put into school work this year, and the closeness that I have gained with my friends. The amount of effort that I have put in this year will always be something that I will look back on. There are so many more things to look forward to and more dreams that will be chased in the future. For now, let’s take a moment to focus on the Summer. Some of the things that I plan to do this Summer are celebrate my little brother’s 13th birthday on June 11, go to as many fairs as possible, make a trip to Cedar Point with my friends again, go to Castaway Bay, and to end my Summer vacation, a visit to North Carolina for a week. Once Summer vacation ends, one of the things that I look forward to is becoming a senior. Being able to look at the results and being able to look forward to being completely done with school will be so relieving. Next year, I hope to focus, stay on task, and graduate with my friends. Next year will be the year of me, my future, and some of my dreams being fulfilled.”
Jacob Collins
“This year has brought me many different memories and paths I never thought were possible. All the laughs and fun stuff from this year cannot even be described fully, as there are so many things to talk about. From the friendships made, the school sporting events, the school work, and playing baseball, these things have created memories for me that will last a lifetime. As for excitement this Summer, it will be filled with Guardians games as I will be getting the ballpark pass. I also have the second year of Summer baseball with the recreation center to continue to get better. As for next year, the final year of high school, becoming a senior will be terrific, but with that comes a lot of confusion as nobody knows what the future may hold. There will be a lot of things to look back on in high school, but it will feel great knowing that there is only one more year until the real world awaits. There are a lot of final things that will happen in my senior year that won’t even be noticed as time will fly by. I plan to take next year day-by-day and enjoy it before it’s gone.”
As we head off for a lengthy break, we would like to sincerely thank all of our subscribers and readers for making this student-led newspaper possible. Our growing audience means a lot to us, so thank you for being avid readers and supporters.
As Summer arrives, stay safe, have fun, travel, make lasting memories, and recharge the batteries.
The Return of the Eye will be back in action come August.
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Karen Valenza. Mrs. Valenza has been an instructional coach in Brooklyn for five years. Outside of Brooklyn, she did various educational jobs, ranging from a curriculum coordinator to teaching eighth grade. Some things she likes to do in her free time are bargain shopping and going to her two daughters’ sporting competitions. A fun fact about her is that she bought herself a JBL Partybox, and she brings it with her whenever she is with friends or family. She ends up getting everyone up and dancing, often playing her favorite ABBA songs. She also met Travis Scott in concert last year.
Q: What is your educational style?
A: “Everything is about the students. No task is too small for me; give me a task, and I will do it. We all need to be working together, too. My main focus is literacy.”
Q: Why did you decide to become an instructional coach?
A: “I enjoy building relationships with people. I think I have a talent or skill at coordinating things. I also enjoy supporting people in improving.”
Q: What does a typical work day look like for you?
A: “There is never really a ‘typical’ day for me, depending on the time of year. My days always look different. The beginning and end of the school year are always the busiest. I meet with teachers and students and do a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work. A typical day for me starts every morning with a cup of coffee.”
Q: What is one of your daily goals? Weekly goal?
A: “To have every student in Brooklyn be the best they can be at reading and literacy. My daily goal is to communicate well with the people I work with and support them with what they need.”
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: “I am always looking at the bright side of things. I would describe myself as ‘The glass is half full.’”
Q: What is a quote that you live by?
A: “Live in the moment and seize the day. You have to have fun.”
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: “I have a super Type A personality. I am very organized and get flustered if what I have planned does not go the way it was expected to.”
Q: What are your plans for Summer vacation?
A: “I hope I can take a lot of little trips and get projects around the house done. My in-laws have a lakehouse in Michigan, and I plan to spend most of the Summer there to soak up the sun.”
Thank you so much for letting us interview you, Mrs. Valenza. We hope you get to do a lot of traveling and continue to do what you love. Enjoy your Summer!
Last Thursday, the varsity baseball team (5-13) hosted its annual senior night against Glenville (1-9). The 2025 season is quickly coming to an end, so the Hurricanes wanted to finish on a high note before the playoffs begin tonight.
Before the game, the Hurricanes recognized seniors Tyler Cox, Aiden Starr, Jadyn DeLuca, Blake Baker, Phillip Banaszak, Collin Flanagan, and Shamus Harper for their hard-work throughout the years and their dedication to Brooklyn baseball.
For the game itself, both teams went down in order in the first inning with Flanagan striking out two in the top half. After a Cox leadoff walk in the bottom frame, he was thrown out stealing, and the next two hitters went down.
However, the second inning would begin the rout for the Hurricanes. After a leadoff single by DeLuca, he stole second base, and an error allowed him to reach third. He later crossed home plate to score the first run after yet another defensive error. After a few walks, errors, and passed balls, the Hurricanes were up 4-0 with nobody out. Cox then reached on an infield single, pushing another run across.
The hits started pouring on with Starr tallying an RBI double and DeLuca also hitting a double. Harper drove in Starr after an error. Then after a Baker walk with one out and a Flanagan strikeout, Banaszak drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 9-0. Junior Dominic Pytel laced a base hit into center field, plating two more runs. Back to the top of the order, Cox knocked an RBI single into left field before the inning came to an end.
The Hurricanes now led, 12-0.
Leading off the bottom of the third, freshman Mason Vega roped a double and later advanced to third on a wild pitch. He would soon score on a Starr sacrifice fly to make it 13-0. This would conclude the scoring for the Hurricanes.
Flanagan continued his dominance on the mound this season, as he pitched a complete game shutout, only giving up one hit and allowing one walk, while striking out 10 batters.
Final Score: Brooklyn 13, Glenville 0.
This win propelled the Hurricanes to 6-13, and with a win against Euclid just two days ago, the Hurricanes finished with a regular season record of 7-13.
The boys will travel to Wooster this evening for their sectional game against Triway, first pitch at 5:00. Good luck, boys!
Another good luck to the Hurricanes track team as they compete in their district meet this evening as well.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 