THE RETURN OF THE EYE

2021 Student Leadership Program

By: Valery Warner, Ariana Rojak, and Aiden Nelson

March 19, 2021

Last Friday, the Brooklyn High School Leadership Program conducted a meeting with 12 students who represented grades 8-12.

Students for this schoolwide, leadership program were recommended by staff, who were encouraged to select students that they felt displayed leadership qualities. These qualities are displayed in the classroom, on the field/court during athletics, or in extracurricular activities such as theater, band, or other various student-focused activities.

This program was started as an opportunity to speak up at meetings about issues that many students are facing today.

Scheduling regular meetings to allow student voices to be heard is what this administration wants in order for positive changes to occur.

In a statement about the vision of this program, Assistant Principal Mr. Matthew Larson stated the following: “The vision of this program is to create a lasting avenue for student leaders to refine their leadership skills and to use these skills to better the school and our community. We want our students to know they have a role in shaping the future of the district, and this council provides us with a way to ensure that the future is successful.”

A big thanks to the administration for piloting this very important program. This is the type of communication that makes our school district come full circle. Voices must be heard, and solutions must be creatively and passionately implemented.

So, from the entire student body, thank you Dr. Caleris, Mr. Hare, and Mr. Larson!

March Madness 2021

By: Ella Fowler, Kelsey Bruzek, Tyler Elzholz, and Jaiden Basinger

March 16, 2021

One year ago, March Madness was cancelled due to the current pandemic. College basketball fans have long-awaited the return of tournament play, and this year’s bracket will be very exciting.

We broke some of the teams up into three categories: Favorites, Second-Tier Favorites, and Sleepers.

Out of 64+ teams, there are definitely a group of teams that outshine the rest, Gonzaga and Baylor.

*Favorites*

Gonzaga has a very impressive record at 26-0. To add to their accomplishments, they are the number one seeded team and the leading scoring team in the nation at 92.9 points per game. They are also winning games by an average of 23.5 points per game. Their offense is led by George Kispert at 19.2 points per game and Drew Timme at 18.7 points per game. This team is the favorite to cut down the nets in early April.

With Baylor being the other favorite, they are the number one seed in the South Region. They are also the Big 12 champions. Baylor’s offense is second in points per game, 85.3, and also leads the nation in 3-point percentage. Jared Butler (17.2) and MaCio Teague (16.1) are the leading scorers for the Bears.

*Second-Tier Favorites*

Michigan is at the top of the list for the “next group” and are the seeded number one in the East region. After dropping three recent games, Michigan is still dangerous on both ends of the floor. They are led by coach Juwan Howard, who many say could be the National Coach of the Year. The leading scorers for the Wolverines are Freshman Center Hunter Dickinson (14.3) and Senior Forward Isaiah Livers (13.7).

Illinois is number two in the Big Ten and the final number one seed (in the Midwest Region). They are led by Center Kofi Cockburn who is arguably the best big man in the nation averaging 17.3 ppg and 9.6 rpg (rebounds per game). They also have one of the best guards in college basketball in Ayo Dosunmu, 20.9 ppg and 5.2 apg (assists per game).

Alabama is the number two seed in the East region. They secured three wins to close out the year and are top-five in 3-point shooting. Many are worried about Alabama’s defense this year, but with their high-tempo offense, it is easy for teams to put up a lot of points against them. They are led by Jaden Shackleford (14.4 ppg) and John Petty Jr. (12.8 ppg).

Iowa had a good year and is seeded second in the West Region. They closed out the year with three straight wins (before the B1G tourney) and have hit triple digits four times this season. This team is very capable of running up a scoreboard. The main pieces to this team are Senior Center Luka Garza, who has been phenomenal this year and averages 23.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 1.6 bpg (blocks per game). They are also led by Joe Wieskamp who averages 15.0 ppg.

With Ohio State ending their regular season with three straight losses, many people are concerned about what the Buckeyes can do in the tournament, but they are the second seed in the South Region. Leading scorers for the Buckeyes are E.J. Liddell (16 ppg) and Duane Washington (15.3 ppg). Hopefully, they can find their groove so they do not turn into an early-upset.

*Sleepers*

Teams who have great sleeper potential are Oklahoma State and Loyola of Chicago.

Oklahoma State is the four-seed in the Midwest Region and have a great chance at winning it all this year. With the potential first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft, the Cowboys’ offense is led by Freshman Cade Cunningham. On the season, Cunningham averages 20.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.6 ast, and is shooting 45.4 percent on the year. The Cowboys have beaten Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, and West Virginia. They look to make a nice run as a potential sleeper.

Do not count out Loyola of Chicago, either. Three years ago, they had an amazing, Final Four run led by Sister Jean, who is now 101-years-old. After beating the one seed (Virginia), they eventually carried all the momentum until losing in the Final Four to Michigan. The Ramblers have not forgotten that moment and look to make a deep run this year. The Ramblers’ leading scorer is Cameron Krutwig, who was a key player in that 2018-run. He averages 15.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg.

Powerhouse, blue-blood programs Duke and Kentucky will not be a part of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. This will be the first time that both teams will not make an appearance since 1976.

Due to the pandemic, March Madness will be played solely in the state of Indiana. Ironically enough, the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller due to Indiana not making the tournament for four years straight.

We are just days away from the first four scheduled games that will take place on Thursday, March 18airing on TruTV and TBS. Get your picks in before it is too late! The schedule listed below:

5:10 p.m. Texas Southern vs. Mount St. Mary’s – TruTV

6:27 p.m. Drake vs. Wichita State – TBS

8:40 p.m. Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State – TruTV

9:57 p.m. UCLA vs. Michigan State – TBS

The wait is finally over. March Madness is back and better than ever!

Women’s History Month: Jennifer Doudna

By: Alisha Bains, Brittney Corrado, and Laila Schwin

March 16, 2021

Jennifer Anne Doudna was born February 19, 1964. Doudna is an American biochemist known for her pioneering work in developing CRISPR gene editing. She, along with Emmanuelle Charpentier, who she worked with on the development of CRISPR, were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Doudna was born in Washington D.C., and shortly after, her family moved to Hawaii where she became interested in the biodiversity of the beautiful islands. Her father encouraged her to learn about science which sparked her interest in what would later become her lifelong career. She eventually studied biochemistry at Pomona College in California, graduating in 1985, and then received her PhD in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School in 1989.

She is best known for her discovery of CRISPR. The CRISPR-Cas9 system made it possible for scientists to alter DNA to fix genetic defects in animals and to modify DNA sequences in embryonic stem cells, an advancement opening the path to germ-line modification in humans. She discovered (CRISPR) by investigating unusual, repeating sequences which are found in the DNA of some bacteria. These genes help fight off invading viruses. Doudna and her team, along with Charpentier, figured out how CRISPR works.

Her work with CRISPR has been used in developments for potentially ending many diseases and genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and HIV. It uses RNA that will move or remove the “junk” from cells and is a major advancement in being able to eradicate and prevent diseases right from the beginning.

She also has focused-work on understanding the development and patterns of the Hepatitis C virus in order to help the development of more treatments that cause less harm to patients.

Among her work, Doudna has also founded and co-founded multiple companies focusing on the work of CRISPR such as Caribou, which has allowed commercialization of the process. Scribe Therapeutics, which developed the CasX version of CRISPR to more efficiently cut DNA, was also co-founded by Doudna. Equally impressive, in 2017, she founded her own company, Mammoth Biosciences, which focuses on improving access to bio-sensing tests which address challenges across healthcare, agriculture, environmental monitoring, biodefense, and more.

Doudna has received many honors and awards for her discoveries. Along with her Nobel Prize, she also received the Gruber Prize in Genetics (2015) and the Canada Gairdner International Award (2016), both shared with Emmanuelle Charpentier.

Overall, Doudna’s work, especially her developments for CRISPR, are valuable and have contributed greatly to modern medical developments and the constant strive toward expanding the human lifespan by curing diseases.

{Editor’s Note: Information for this article was retrieved from Britannica.com.}

Opening Night: Freaky Friday

By: Valery Warner and Aiden Nelson

March 12, 2021

It is show time!

After five, long months of hard work and preparation, the cast and crew of Freaky Friday finally was able to get on stage and perform this classic, Disney musical.

Play/Musical Director Mrs. Kim Cipriani was super-pleased with how last night’s opening performance played out.

“It could not have gone any better. It all came together, the kids were sharp, and the leads were awesome! Now, we have to keep going with this momentum, both tonight and tomorrow.”

Freshman Daniela Jones shared similar thoughts.

“Despite this year’s challenge and unknown obstacles, everyone really stepped up to make this such an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Opening night was a great success!”

As mentioned by Mrs. Cipriani, Freaky Friday is not over, and there are two more days/nights of performances that you can view on the Live Stream.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s play possible, and good luck this weekend!

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Bir

*Guidance Counselor*

By: Morgan Blechschmid

March 12, 2021

Mrs. Annie Bir is a Guidance Counselor at the Brooklyn School. She works with Brooklyn’s 4th-7th graders and has a variety of different ways to meet the needs of her students. Bir is typically all over the place throughout the day. When she is not in her office, she is most likely in one of the classrooms at the Brooklyn School teaching her students about the importance of social and emotional learning and how both are necessary for success. She can also be found at our school’s sports events as she is an avid sports-lover. She is best known for the connection that she makes with her students, as she makes every student feel that they matter. Mrs. Bir is great for the Brooklyn City School District!

Q: What is it like being a Guidance Counselor for younger students?

A: “Typically, I work with students on their social and emotional needs. I teach lessons to each grade level monthly, I lead groups, and I do lunch-bunches throughout the year.”

Q: Why did you decide to become a counselor?

A: “I decided to become a counselor when I was a Health and PE teacher at the high school (BHS). Many students would come to me for advice and guidance, who I had formerly in class. I enjoy talking to students in small groups and individually. As I was going through the program to become a school counselor, I knew that I chose the right career path.”

Q: What is one piece of advice that you give to students, regardless of the situation they are in?

A: “The number one piece of advice I give to students is no matter what situation, they must trust their instincts and believe in themselves.”

Q: What are some of your interests?

A: “Things that I am interested in are sports and traveling. I love all kinds of sports and enjoy traveling to different areas to learn about their culture and food.”

Q: What are your favorite sports to watch and/or play?

A: “My favorite sport to watch is football, and my favorite sport to play is softball.”

Q: What is your favorite part about working as a guidance counselor for the Brooklyn School?

A: “My favorite part about working as a school counselor at Brooklyn School is really getting to know my students and their families. I have had several students’ parents when their parents were in high school. I really enjoy watching my students mature and grow into successful, young adults.”

Q: How do you deal with a stressful situation as a guidance counselor?

A: “I deal with a stressful situation by exercising and talking to my family, friends, and colleagues about the situation.”

Q: How would you describe yourself using only three words?

A: “I would describe myself as caring, friendly, and hardworking.”

Thank you, Mrs. Bir! We are so grateful to have someone like you to represent our school.

Jenna Young Shines at State Tourney

By: Ella Fowler, Kelsey Bruzek, Tyler Elzholz, and Jaiden Basinger

March 9, 2021

This past Saturday, BHS sophomore Jenna Young competed in the OATCCC indoor track, state championship representing the Blue and Gold.

Young finished second in the high jump out of the 24 girls who were competing across the state.

She and her newest rival, who placed first, have been competing against each other since eighth grade. Even with the rivalry, finishing in second place as a sophomore is a feat that she is proud to have accomplished.

Although she did not meet her personal best, she still beat all of the competition, minus one competitor.

After finishing her indoor season, she plans on taking part in this Spring’s track season, which is right around the corner. Aside from increasing her jumps, she is looking forward to helping the newcomers on the track team and mentoring them as they grow in their own skills.

Young stated that she wants to be a high jumper in college and continuously follows her motto for success: “Don’t sike yourself out; do what you can, and be confident in yourself.”

Congratulations, Jenna! We are excited to watch you and the rest of your BHS teammates compete this upcoming season.

Go Canes!

Women’s History Month: Shakira Ripoll

By: Brittney Corrado, Laila Schwin, and Alisha Bains

March 9, 2021

Shakira Ripoll is a Colombian singer and songwriter. She was born on February 2, 1977, and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. She gained a passion for music and performing at a young age as she was influenced by her family and from multiple, cultural musical and dance styles. She was also influenced by her father, who often wrote stories. She used this as encouragement to write poetry and to get a typewriter in order to further her craft. Much of her poetry would later become an inspiration for her songwriting.

Shakira is known as the Queen of Latin Music, and despite a rough start to her musical career, she has achieved international success. She made her musical debut under Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13. Her first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), were failures in terms of commercial success, but these setbacks did not deter her drive.

In Hispanic countries, she started to gain popularity for her next two album releases, Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). Shakira then began catering to a wider audience as she released her first English album, Laundry Service, in 2001. Laundry Service sold over 13 million copies worldwide and led Shakira toward a career of international success.

Shakira at the 7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards | LatinGRAMMY.com

Who is the female, Latina artist with the most-sold albums? Answer: Shakira! She has also received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, six Guinness World Records, and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the early-to-late 2000s, she was named as the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade by Billboard on two different occasions.

At 18-years-old, Shakira co-founded the Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) Foundation, which is currently providing education and nutrition to more than six thousand children in Columbia; this foundation is spreading to other countries, as well. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been since 2003. She was chosen to become ambassador because of her great involvement and passion towards global issues and her commitment to helping children.

Shakira has used a lot of her fame and money to help others. She also donated forty million dollars to Nicaragua for the Hurricane ETA Relief Fund.

Overall, Shakira has had an extremely successful, musical career and has used her fame and money from this career for extremely good purposes. She has defined a generation of music and diversity within musical styles in a way that most artists have not been able to do.

Just last year (2020), she performed the Super Bowl LIV halftime show with Jennifer Lopez, and if you watched it, you will know that her “Hips Don’t Lie”.

{Editor’s Note: Information for this article was retrieved from Biography.com.}

Staff Spotlight: Mr. Jones

*Teacher: Interventionist*

By: Morgan Blechschmid and Danielle Shehee

March 8, 2021

Mr. Jeffrey Jones is an intervention specialist here at Brooklyn High School. He is best known for his ability to help students better understand what they are learning, especially in math. He knows how to have fun while learning but also knows when it is time to get straight down to business. Jones has been an intervention specialist here at Brooklyn since 2009 and continues to greatly-impact the students he works with on a daily basis. Being a great advocate, these are just a few of the many reasons why he was chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight!

Q: Why did you decide to become an intervention specialist?

A: “When I was in school, I struggled throughout my education. Fortunately, I had an excellent support system with family and friends to help push me in a good direction. I knew I wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until I was at the Ohio State University when I realized I wanted to be an intervention specialist. Ultimately, I wanted to be that support system for students that I had and show them that achieving their goals can be done.”

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: “I always wanted to go to the Ohio State University. I didn’t have the grades and accomplishments to enter my freshman year. The Mansfield branch for OSU was set up similarly to a community college, and I had recognition as a student at Ohio State. I did this for my first few years but ultimately transferred to The University of Akron as the intervention specialist program at Ohio State was highly competitive and only accepted 30 students per year.”

Q: What is your favorite subject to teach?

A: “Math. As I said earlier, I did not do well in math when I was in school. I struggled, and I love being an example for students that even though it seems hard, you can keep trying and get better in it with practice and getting help. I was too immature in high school to realize this, though. I hope students can learn from my mistakes when I was their age. Since I struggled with math, I also feel like it gives me a better understanding of how to connect and teach students who do not love math or feel like they are not good at it.”

Q: What is your life like outside of school? What are some of your hobbies?

A: “Honestly, I have a very simple life outside of school. I have been married for six years to my wife, Jessica; she’s a superhero and high school science teacher. I actually met her at Brooklyn High School in 2010 as she was completing her student teaching for college. We have two sons: Cooper (five- years-old) and Harrison (four-years-old). Most of my time outside is spending it with my family. We walk our chocolate labrador, Darwin, ride bikes, go hiking, and camp. When I’m not doing things with my family, I enjoy golfing, playing video games, exercising, and learning new things (coding, home construction, etc.).”

Q: What is your favorite type of music to listen to and why?

A: “Hip-Hop/Rap. Growing up in the 90s, the hip-hop culture became mainstream. I loved sitting in my room at my stereo, disconnecting in the lyrics with hearing about struggles and how people overcame them. Even though I grew up in the suburbs, my family had to hustle to make a better life. There are many positive lessons (Unfortunately, they get overlooked by other messages.) within the music that you can apply to your life, and I have always loved that aspect of it.”

Q: If you could listen to one musician/singer the rest of your life, who would it be?

A: “This is pretty much impossible to nail down as one musician/singer. I guess Drake just because of his versatility. He’s not even my favorite artist, either.”

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration? Why have they inspired you?

A: “My parents and family have been the biggest inspiration for me. They helped provide the necessary resources and taught me important lessons that helped mold me into the man I am today. I also am very thankful for my friends and colleagues who I have been surrounded by and the positivity they bring.”

Q: How do you deal with a stressful situation in school?

A: “I like to disconnect and be productive. When time passes and the stressful experience is over, at least I made progress with something I want or need to do.”

Q: If you had the opportunity to fly out of the country, where would you go?

A: “Without a doubt, I’m flying to Spain.”

Thank you, Mr. Jones, for spending some time answering these questions. BHS loves having you on board as you are great for students.

By the way, Mr. Holko has an equation for you: Tupac > Drake.

Music Preview: Freaky Friday

By: Valery Warner, Ariana Rojak, and Aiden Nelson

March 8, 2021

Last week, we previewed everything that Mr. Kaspar’s crew was preparing for the upcoming musical, Freaky Friday.

Today, we will preview the musical aspect of Freaky Friday with band director Mr. Sean Sullivan.

To set a timeline, similar to the crew and cast, this year’s musical pit has been rehearsing for a little over five months. With the play being performed at the end of this week, there is much excitement for all of the practice and preparation to pay off.

Sullivan is no Spring chicken when it comes to preparing his pit for shows, but his energy level and expectations consistently remain high.

“I say the same thing every year. I am the most excited about the process of getting from day one to opening night. Watching and hearing the improvement over time of musicianship, character development, set construction, stage/lighting design, vocals, acting, etc., is what really makes this exciting. It’s all about the process of getting the show up and running.”

In a year of expecting the unexpected, Brooklyn High School’s drama and musical departments rose to the challenge yet again. Teachers and students, alike, had decisions to make, and because of these decisions, hard work, and commitment, the group persevered and is ready for opening night this Thursday, March 11.

The musical pit is ready to perform the music from Disney’s Freaky Friday, and Sullivan believes that they are ready for the bright lights.

“This week is our final preparation, but we are ready. It’s an exciting week when all of this comes together.”

It is time to hear the pit rock out to Freaky Friday classics such as, “I Got This” and “Today and Everyday” along with many more hits.

This musical debuts on Thursday, March 11, and concludes on March 13. In-person viewing is limited, but Freaky Friday will be streamed live online.

Good luck, Mr. Sullivan; your pit will do great. Now, rock out!

Spring Sports Preview

By: Ella Fowler, Kelsey Bruzek, Tyler Elzholz, and Jaiden Basinger

March 2, 2021

This past week, the baseball, softball, and track teams have been putting their teams together and starting up practices in order to get ready for their upcoming seasons.

The sports department, here at The Return of the Eye, reached out to the Spring coaches and asked them a few questions regarding their seasons ahead.

*Baseball*

Head Varsity Baseball Coach Kevin Sedlacek is heading into his ninth year at the helm, and after last season getting shut down, he is super-excited about his team and their progress.

“I’m most excited about having a season. There is no place better to be than at a baseball game on a warm, Spring afternoon in front of students and parents. Our primary goal is to learn about the game. We also need to master the art of swinging and hitting like a baseball player. We are doing a lot of teaching and mastering of the fundamentals.”

Coach Sedlacek constantly reminds his players that mistakes are not always bad just as long as they learn from them. The team is young but explosive with potential from a very strong, sophomore class.

*Softball*

First-Year Head Varsity Coach Nicolette Kunnath is excited to be a part of the Hurricane softball family.

“I am most excited to be a part of Brooklyn softball this year. This is my first year as a coach, and I am excited to work alongside Coach Field and Coach Joe. Play, practice, dedication, and a positive attitude will put you above and beyond your competition. Our softball team [currently] works hard in practice to make those key plays that matter on the field.”

One of the team’s goals this year is to have a dedicated group of girls who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the game and most importantly to treat each other like family. Culture will determine their on-field success, and Coach Kunnath is determined to establish this chemistry early.

“For me, personally, building connections with our players is where I truly shine. It takes building connections and having trust in our players, and the players having trust in me will bring out the best that our team can be.”

*Track*

With the track season quickly approaching, Head Coach Kyle Akins is eager to get back into the flow of things.

“With it having been two years since we’ve competed, we’re excited to see all the improvements our upperclassmen have made as well as all the new faces in their first year of high school track. We plan on spending the early part of the pre-season getting in shape and getting the basics down with the extra number of first-time participants this year. Then, after initial pre-season training and conditioning, we will work with our athletes at an individual level on techniques and instruction to maximize their abilities. Being more individually-focused than many sports, we strive to help each of our athletes enjoy the sport while maximizing their individual potential.”

Having Spring sports canceled last year, it sure will be nice watching these Hurricane athletes competing again on the diamond and on the track. All seasons are scheduled to start at the end of March/early April, so be sure to check the Athletics page on the school website for updated schedules.

Good luck to all Spring coaches and athletes.

Go Canes!

Women’s History Month: Naomi Osaka

By: Brittney Corrado, Laila Schwin, and Alisha Bains

March 2, 2021

Naomi Osaka is a Japanese tennis player who, in the last few years, has created a professional record that sent her straight to the top of the tennis ranks. She began her professional career in 2013 at age 15, skipping over junior tournaments and going straight to professional tours.

Osaka was born in Osaka City, Osaka, Japan, on October 16, 1997. Her parents, Leonard Maxime Francois and Tamaki Osaka, met in Sapporo, Japan, in the 1990s. Naomi grew up in The United States but holds Japanese citizenship and represents Japan on the tennis court. She started playing tennis at the age of three-years-old along with her sister, Mari. She was the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam title and became the first Asian tennis player to hold the world’s #1 ranking.

Her father was inspired by Serena and Venus Williams’ performance at the French Open in 1999 and decided that he wanted his children to follow the same path. Both Mari and Naomi played tennis from the age of three, coached and taught by their father, Leonard Francois. Naomi has remarked on how the greatest moment of her career was when she was finally able to beat Mari in a tennis match after losing to her so many times during their childhood.

Right-handed Osaka is currently 23-years-old and is five feet, eleven inches tall. As of February 22, 2021, her world ranking was #2. Equally impressive, in 2020, she earned $37.4 million which earned her the richest sportswoman of 2020. Playing tennis and having sponsorships with Nike and Mastercard helped her to accomplish this feat. Osaka has consistently been one of the highest paid female athletes in the world for several years now.

Naomi had her first major win at a World Tennis Association (WTA) tour event in Indian Wells, California, in March of 2018. Shortly after, in September of 2018, she won the U.S. Open, making her the first Japanese tennis player to have a Grand Slam title. She then went on to win the Australian Open in January of 2019, becoming one of the first players to win back-to-back major titles. Her win at the Australian Open gave her the #1 ranking in the world for women’s tennis, a first for any Asian tennis player, male or female.

Overall, Naomi Osaka has created an amazing reputation for herself at a fairly young age and is bringing a completely new level of tennis to the WTA. Her reputation is sure to be an inspiration for many young girls who aspire to learn the sport of tennis.

Would you want to return a Naomi Osaka serve clocked at 120 miles per hour?

{Editor’s Note: Information for this article was retrieved from Biography.com.}

Crew Preview: Freaky Friday

By: Valery Warner, Ariana Rojak, and Aiden Nelson

February 26, 2021

This year’s Brooklyn crew squad is relentlessly-working on the set for the upcoming play (the week of March 8), Freaky Friday. They have been working hard and building the sets since the beginning of November, which is later than usual as they awaited a final green light that there would be a performance this academic year.

By limiting the number of students per session, the crew has been under a lot of stress with meeting deadlines, but crew leader Mr. Chris Kaspar believes that this group will be ready because of their ability to perform under pressure and because of their determination to persevere.

“We are a much smaller group than in years past, but this group is special and is determined because of the leadership provided by over 15 seniors,” stated Kaspar. “They are the glue that holds us together.”

This year’s Freaky Friday sets will resemble a classroom, a backyard, a kitchen, and a counselor’s room; there will also be a scene in a high school hallway surrounded by lockers.

After last year’s cancelation of Newsies (on opening night – March 12, 2020), Kasper is very excited for this year’s play to be performed in front of limited audience members as well as online. He believes that every set, neatly and creatively built, will be ready to go.

“Having to shut down last year’s play on the day that it was to be performed was a punch in the gut. But, that was last year, and this year, we are ready and excited to present Freaky Friday.”

Thank you Mr. Kaspar and all of the crew members for dedicating your time to make this year’s play happen!

Now, break a leg, not a set.