THE RETURN OF THE EYE

Arcs Brush Off Canes

By: BHS Sports Staff

September 25, 2025

Last Saturday, the Lady Hurricanes soccer team visited the Brush Arcs. The Arcs entered this game with a 6-4-1 record, while the Hurricanes came in at 1-9.

It is an understatement acknowledging that the girls have struggled this year, but head coach Rob Previts is counting on his squad to do all of the little things right to have success and to continue their growth.

“We, as always, count on our senior goalkeeper Madison Gaughan to come up with big saves for us in goal. Our sweeper, senior Olivia Blechschmid, anchors our defense, and our offense is led by senior Lauren Atanacio and sophomore Reese Alonso. We are not that far off from turning this season around.”

Both defenses would play a key role in this contest.

With Brush having the early edge on offense, the Arcs had some shots to grab an early lead, but Gaughan made some nice saves to keep the home team off of the scoreboard.

When the Arcs had breakaways, Blechschmid and senior Kayla Flanagan were able to boot those away. Additionally, sophomore Alexa Chin showed great handles, dribbling through multiple defenders.

With more great defense along with terrific communication, the Hurricanes were able to keep the Arcs scoreless in the first half.

On the other side, the Hurricanes did not have many offensive opportunities, as the score would remain 0-0 after 40 minutes.

The great defense continued into the second half, and the chances were there for both sides to capitalize, but neither team could convert. However, in minute 65, the Arcs got on the board to grab a 1-0 lead. They would tack on two more goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

However, the Hurricanes had a late fight in them as in the 78th minute, a nice pass from Alonso allowed Atanacio to get the Hurricanes on the board. Unfortunately, this was not enough as the Arcs prevailed.

Final Score: Brush 3, Brooklyn 1.

The girls will look to bounce back tonight as they travel to Fairview for this Chagrin Valley Conference matchup. The start time is at 6:30.

Good luck, girls!

Below is the upcoming schedule for Brooklyn Hurricanes athletics:

September 25: Volleyball @ Cuyahoga Heights (6:00)
September 25: Girls Soccer @ Fairview (6:30)
September 26: Football @ Beachwood (7:00)
September 29: Boys Soccer vs. Trinity (5:00)
September 30: Volleyball vs. Richmond Heights (6:00)

Go Canes!

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

Ohio is Haunted?

By: BHS Features Staff

September 24, 2025

Since the calendar will be flipped to October next Wednesday, it is time to start looking for unforgettable scares.

The great state of Ohio is home to some of the creepiest, most exciting haunted houses. Whether you want jump scares around every corner, spooky old buildings with real ghost stories, or just a fun night out with friends, the Buckeye State has it all…if you are brave enough.

Below are three cannot-miss haunted houses that will leave guests with lasting Halloween memories.

First, known for its elaborate acting cast, Bloodview Haunted House is a charity haunted house that has been servicing Northeast Ohio for over 40 years. This attraction has raised over five million dollars throughout its existence and will continue to do so. Highly rated, Bloodview Haunted House received the “Long-Haul Legacy” award back in 2022. Located in Broadview Heights, it is certainly worth the short trip.

It opened for the 2025 season on September 12 and will have its final showcase following Halloween night.

Second, step into the darkness at Fear Columbus, Ohio’s largest and one of the most-terrifying haunted houses, where every corner hides a nightmare ready to strike. From blood-chilling sets to Hollywood-quality monsters, this attraction is not just scary; it is an unforgettable experience designed to make your heart race and your screams echo.

With new themes, massive walkthroughs, and bone-rattling special effects, it is a living horror movie, trapping guests inside. Many dates are already sold out, so act quickly as this chilling venue is worth every penny.

Fear Columbus began this year on September 12 and will conclude right after Halloween on November 1.

Do you have what it takes to survive, or will Fear Columbus claim you as its next victim?

Third and finally, Nightmare Cleveland is in its third year of operation, making it the youngest house on this list; however, it might also be the most convenient location at 7460 Brookpark Road.

Known for jarring costumes, Nightmare Cleveland is a great scare with many terrifying themes and sights.

Nightmare Cleveland also stays open the longest, opening on September 18 and closing on November 8.

Ohio haunted houses are more than Halloween attractions; they are full-scale nightmares brought to life.

So, grab your friends and see if they are brave enough to face their fears. Remember, it is all pretend. Or is it? 👻

Homecoming Traditions

By: BHS News Staff

September 23, 2025

Fall has officially arrived, and the leaves are starting to turn colors. It is most-definitely a pretty time of year and a busy time of year.

Last week was full of good news; however, the news keeps getting better and better.

Next week, BHS will hold its first Spirit Week of the year, a great way to contribute school spirit and pride. All week long, starting next Monday, students and staff will have the opportunity to dress up according to the daily themes. This helps boost morale within the school and cleans up the sometimes tense atmosphere. Be ready to show up and show out every day next week. The themes for next week are below.

Last Tuesday, Student Council and Homecoming Advisor Mrs. Bader made a very exciting announcement. After a long wait, the seniors who applied to be homecoming queen or king were narrowed down to five girls and five boys. The 2025 homecoming court was successfully picked via student body votes, and here are the candidates:

The homecoming court assembly will take place during second period this Friday, September 26. This will allow students and faculty to get to know the homecoming court members a bit more as they will showcase their academic and athletic achievements. Make sure to be there on Friday for the full assembly.

Later that Friday evening before the home football game against the Independence Blue Devils, the homecoming queen and king will be announced.

Congratulations to this year’s homecoming court. We wish each of them the best of good luck.

Also, if students are bringing a guest to the homecoming dance and this guest does not attend BHS, make sure to fill out and submit the guest form by today, or the guest will not be permitted to attend. Additionally, for those who plan on attending the homecoming dance, make sure to have the money prepared, as some of the student council members will be selling tickets during lunch this week and next week.

Finally, here is the upcoming end of September/early October calendar:

September 24: The United States Naval Academy Admissions Forum
September 26: Homecoming Court Assembly
September 27-28: Brooklyn’s Home Days
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.}

Staff Spotlight: Dr. Janet Kubasak

*Brooklyn School Principal*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

September 19, 2025

Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Dr. Janet Kubasak. This is currently Dr. Kubasak’s first year in Brooklyn. Previously, she taught special education in Lorain, was an instructional coach, worked for the state support region, played a role in the Ohio improvement process and strategic planning, and then became a principal in Wellington. When free, she enjoys spending time with family, reading books, going to the beach, and swimming in her pool. A fun fact about Dr. Kubasak is that she is really good at doing hair and loves to try fun hairstyles.

Q: What is your vision for our school’s future, and how do you plan to achieve it?

A: “I would say that my vision is to ensure that we equip every single child who walks through the door with the necessary tools in their tool box to be highly successful in whatever path they choose. I think the way we can achieve that is through focusing on the whole child using strong decision making and supporting one another in professional growth, which will help our kids grow.”

Q: Describe a time you had to adapt to a significant change within a school environment.

A: “It would have to be Covid. Going from in-person learning to online and hybrid, only a couple days a week, and social distancing especially around the littles because they are huggers. Another thing was not being able to show mouth placement because of wearing masks, the way we work with phonemic awareness and phonics when we cannot see someone’s face. There were a lot of changes that went on that we really had to adapt to ensure that our kids were still successful during that time.”

Q: What is your leadership style, and how does it benefit the school community?

A: “I feel that my style is servant leader. I really believe that my job is to remove barriers so our teachers can be successful with our students. We support, grow teachers, and staff to be the best educators that they can be. You do that through supporting so many aspects of educational knowledge and building their tool chest. Also, giving them the resources and materials that they need to be successful in their classroom and even in the way of being observant of how things are going and how you can support not only them but their students. I think that is really important as a servant leader. My goal is to ensure that their day is a little better everyday.”

Q: In your opinion, what is the most important part of being a principal?

A: “Loving your staff and students. I think having heart, granting grace, having high expectations, and supporting their growth to get people there. I think sometimes we have high expectations, but we do not talk to people about what they do to achieve those expectations, so it is important to have that clear communication. It is important to not only communicate clearly but also to support their granting grace moments because we all need those in life.”

Q: Describe your perfect day.

A: “The perfect day would be waking up before the sun gets up. A nice 80-90 degree day with the sun and an incredible book or a great podcast about what is coming down the pipe and education. Laying on the beach, listening, reading, and getting the sun sounds like the perfect day to me.”

Q: If you could live in any time period, when would it be?

A: “The Victorian Era just because I love dresses. I am sure it definitely has a pitbull but just that era of respect and dignity. It is the whole idea that even the way people interacted with each other was so respectful. I loved that and the dresses, clothes, hair, and there was so much to learn. Everyone was learning from each other and growing. It was a beautiful time period.”

Q: Do you have any favorite sports?

A: “Even though most do not consider it a sport, I love gymnastics. It was something that I did when I was younger. It takes a lot of perseverance, determination, and grit. I would say that it is definitely my sport. The amount of work that goes into being a gymnast is astronomical, and the discipline you have to have is incredible.”

Q: What is your life’s motto?

A: “In a while, when we are here in our time, our job is to grant grace because nothing is perfect, and we should never expect anyone to be. I am a firm believer in life that it is about loving one another and granting grace when it needs to be. Life is tough, and we all make mistakes. As long as you are learning from them, it is okay. I believe that your heart is everything, and you have to care about everyone you have encountered because you never know that moment could make the day better for somebody else.”

Thank you for letting us interview you, Dr. Kubasak. We wish you the best during your first year in Brooklyn and beyond. Welcome to Hurricane Nation!

Postseason Push

By: BHS Sports Staff

September 18, 2025

This season has been quite the roller coaster for the Cleveland Guardians, with many highs and numerous lows. Yet, the Guardians remain in the hunt for a playoff spot with 11 games to go, as they sit with a record of 80-71.

They currently trail the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division by 4.5 games and trail the final Wild Card spot by 2.5 games.

What went wrong? For starters, the Guardians have had some unfortunate luck, as they lost starting pitcher Luis Ortiz and star closer Emmanuel Clase for violating MLB’s sports betting policy. These two are still under investigation. Additionally, the Guardians experienced a 10-game losing streak from June 26-July 6, followed by another 1-9 skid in the middle of August.

What has gone well? Cleveland has been red hot recently, as they have won 11 of their last 12, including six in a row. They took three out of four against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals. They followed up those series wins with a sweep of the pathetic Chicago White Sox. In this current series, they took the first two games in Detroit.

The starting pitching has been a huge factor for the last month as the Guardians have had two pitchers throw near no-hitters. On September 8, Slade Cecconi, who was acquired in the Josh Naylor trade last offseason, took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Royals. More notably, on August 6, Gavin Williams took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Mets at Citi Field but fell short on a one-out homer by, of course, Juan Soto, the guy who infamously ended the Guardians’ season last year in the ALCS.

The starting rotation of Williams, Cecconi, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen, and rookie Parker Messick, along with a resurgent bullpen, has sported a 2.47 ERA in September, the best in baseball.

The young hitting has also made a timely impact on a struggling lineup, as recent call-ups C.J. Kayfus and George Valera have come up clutch in their short time thus far. Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, and Kyle Manzardo have been producing strongly all season at the top of the order, keeping the Guardians in this fight.

If this team can remain consistent with pitching and clutch hitting, they will give themselves a great shot at another October to remember.

This afternoon, the Guards will face off against Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal and the Motor City Kitties. After Skubal, Cleveland will travel to Minnesota to face the Twins for a four-game weekend series before heading home to finish the regular season with three games against the Tigers and three games against the Texas Rangers.

You can keep up with the Guardians’ playoff push by visiting the Cleveland Guardians website.

Friends of the Feather, the Tribe is still in this. Believe and Go Guards!

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

National Hispanic Heritage Month

By: BHS Features Staff

September 17, 2025

Two days ago, the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month began. This recognition lasts for 30 days, from September 15 to October 15. Highlights of this month include accomplishments, cultures, and traditions that stem from Hispanic Heritage.

As of 2022, nearly one-fifth of America is of Hispanic origin, with over 60 million citizens being Latino, making them the largest ethnic group to exist in America.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to spotlight the unique voices and experiences of Hispanic/Latino Americans and recognize their history, journeys, and achievements.

Hispanic people not only have their own distinct cultures, but they have also paved the way to Hollywood and to the music industry. Notable names include Bad Bunny, Karol G, Gloria Estefan, Roberto Carlos, Carlos Santana, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pedro Pascal, Jenna Ortega, Danny Trejo, and Michaelal Peña.

Additionally, roughly 30 percent of Major League Baseball players are Hispanic/Latino. Roberto Clemente, Francisco Lindor, Javier Báez, and José Ramírez (born 33 years ago today) are some of the leading Hispanic faces in the MLB. Many Hispanic players have also been inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Names include Juan Marichal, Luis Aparicio, Rod Carew, Orlando Cepeda, and many others.

This month of celebration started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days starting September 15 and ending October 15. It was enacted on August 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402. Each year, the president of The United States has proclaimed the start of this observance as the annual tradition continues.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a celebration; it is a reminder of the lasting contributions, creativity, and resilience that Hispanic and Latino communities bring to America. Their impact can be seen in music, sports, art, and everyday life across America.

By celebrating this month, we not only recognize the past but also support the new generations who continue to shape our future. It is a reminder that Hispanic heritage is an important part of our country’s story.

Happy birthday to the G.O.A.T., Jose Ramirez!

{Information sourced from National Museum of the American Latino and National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers.}

New Hall of Fame Class

By: BHS News Staff

September 16, 2025

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.}

Senior Spotlight: Ryan Hilcu

By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff

September 12, 2025

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.

Bison Blank Red Hot Hurricanes

By: BHS Sports Staff

September 11, 2025

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)
September 13: Girls Soccer @ Lakeside (12:00)
September 13: Boys Soccer @ Lakeside (2:00)

Go Canes!

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

Waterloo Arts Festival

By: BHS Features Staff

September 10, 2025

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.

{Information sourced from Waterloo Arts Fest.}

Hurricane Pride

By: BHS News Staff

September 9, 2025

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.}

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. McGhee

*BHS Assistant Principal*

By: BHS Staff Profiles

September 5, 2025

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!