THE RETURN OF THE EYE

By: Daylun Armstrong 

May 8, 2020

A teacher with such an amazing sense of humor, love, and joy that fills every room he is in, Mr. Abramovic (a proud Kent State University graduate) has been teaching at Brooklyn High School for 16 years in the math and science department. Not only is he an amazing teacher, he also has an amazing cultural background; he and his sisters are first generation Americans (parents immigrated to America from Croatia in 1970).

Mr. Abramovic remembers, “My parents always wanted us to have the opportunities that they did not have,” and that he did, being the first person in his family to attend college. 

Why did I choose Mr. Abramovic, some may ask? Well, if being in a Croatian folk singing and dancing group for 11 years, loving animals (he has two cats – Malibu and Kitty, a betta fish, and of course his class pets, hermit crabs), while also loving to travel and exploring all of what the world has to offer, then I will give you more personal reasons.

Ever since the first day of walking into his classroom (a few years ago), Mr. Abramovic has always made me feel comfortable; he has always been there for me if I had a problem or even if I just wanted to talk. I will never forget the many times that I was having a terrible day, and just by being his authentic self, he would automatically cheer me up. Even the times when I was stressing out about school or maybe even life, he would always be there to comfort me and offer some of the best advice, and for that I am truly grateful that I know him.

Mr. Abramovic does not just make you feel like a student, he makes you feel like a friend. So “Abram,” if you are reading this, I just want to say thank you for everything that you do. You will never know how much I truly appreciate you! 

By: Alaysia Curry

May 8, 2020

Mr. Kelber is a teacher at Brooklyn High School and has taught every level of high school ELA, including one semester of eighth-grade ELA, courses in mass media, media production, literature and film, humanities, speech, and College-Credit-Plus. Kelber also used to run the school’s media program when BHS had a student-run TV studio and produced student programs for the Brooklyn TV channel.  Additionally, he has been teaching at Brooklyn since 1997. Outside of teaching, he was the yearbook advisor for 10 years, coached boys varsity soccer for five years, advised the talent show for six years, and was the English Department Chairperson for 15 years.  Lastly, he worked very hard to earn his master’s degree in Mass Communication Theory and Methodology and his bachelor’s degree in English.

I chose to appreciate Mr. Kelber because he is a really nice person, and throughout the entire year that I have taken his English II class, I have learned so much from him. Kelber has always given his entire class so much respect even when they have misbehaved or even disrespected him. I love getting to read aloud and having chances to earn points. Every time a class walks into his room, you can see the amount of excitement he has on his face, even if you can tell he has had a rough day.

Thank you, Mr. Kelber, for being such a great teacher. I appreciate that you are always very respectful to your students and always making work fun and challenging. I am very happy to have gotten a teacher as great as you. I enjoy working with you, and hopefully, I will get to see you next year.

By: Morgan Blechschmid

May 8, 2020

Mrs. Spuzzillo started teaching at Brooklyn in 1998; beforehand, she did her student-teaching with former teacher Mrs. Shymske in the fall of 1997. Mrs. Spuzzillo has co-taught every grade except for the 11th grade and has also had her own resource social studies, language arts, and science classes in middle school. She also used to have her own resource algebra 1 class at the high school a few years ago. This year, she co-taught two 8th grade social studies classes, one 9th grade world history class, and two English IV classes. Some of Mrs. Spuzzillo’s hobbies include watching her kids play softball/baseball and hockey. Her oldest daughter and her son play hockey; her son is a goalie, and her daughter plays forward. Another hobby of Mrs. Spuzzillo’s is exercising. She has recently started running and is proud to say she has run 125 miles in April! If you know Mrs. Spuzzillo well, you would know she loves her ice cream! Eating ice cream is her biggest hobby; for the past two summers, she has been going on a Summer Ice Cream Tour in which she visits a new ice cream shop every week!

I chose to recognize Mrs. Spuzzillo because she was a former 8th grade teacher of mine, and she has taught me a lot. I have always been one to struggle with math, which has always been my weakest subject and the subject I needed the most help with. I would always get so embarrassed and frustrated because I would not understand what we were learning in class. I was always too afraid to speak up to ask questions. During my 8th grade year, all of that changed.  If I did not understand something that we were learning, Mrs. Spuzzillo always made it known that we were always allowed to come to her office and ask her questions. I soon became more confident in what I was doing; I learned to speak up and ask questions during class, and soon enough, I breezed through math. Having a teacher who is understanding is the best feeling; always having that reassurance that you have someone who can help you is the greatest. As a freshman, to this day, I still ask Mrs. Spuzzillo for help with math!  

Thank you so much for everything you do, Mrs. Spuzzillo! You deserve so much recognition! I really appreciate all that you have done to help me and so many others throughout the years, and I know I can count on you whenever I need extra help in the future.

By: Izabella Hotz

May 8, 2020

Mrs. Cipriani is the chorale teacher for the high school and the intermediate school. She has been in numerous Broadway productions and also leads the cast of our own school musicals. Mrs. Cipriani has a husband, whom she met through her years in acting, and a lovely family. 

She has also provided a wonderful family for the theatre kids at Brooklyn, giving us a home away from home. She is a fantastic teacher and an amazing person. She creates a positive environment for singers and actors of any age and always pushes them to be their best. This is why I chose to highlight her for Teacher Appreciation Week. She helps her students in any way she can, pushes them to try new things, and is always striving for us to be our best selves. Mrs. Cipriani does everything she can to provide us with everything we need as far as experience, opportunity, and community.

I really would like to say thank you for everything you have done, Mrs. Cipriani. Through the years, you have given me hope and fun through your programs. You always made me feel loved and valued. You have pushed me to become better than I have ever been and helped me to realize the potential I have. You never give up on any of your students and that is why I think you are so amazing. Please never stop being who you are because no matter what, I think you are one of the best people I have ever met. Thank you for making my life better every day.

By: Delaney David

May 8, 2020

Mr. Holko works at Brooklyn High School and teaches AVID 9, Journalism, and ELA IV. Holko has taught at BHS for twelve years and Brooklyn Middle School for two years. He also has 19 years of coaching experience, 13 of them at BHS. He coached boys basketball for ten years (six years varsity), two years as an assistant varsity baseball coach, and one year as the assistant varsity track coach.

Holko met his wife, Jacalyn, at Baldwin Wallace University. They got married in 2005 and later on had their son, Jackson, who is now six-years-old. 

I chose to appreciate Mr. Holko as my teacher because he is my all-time favorite teacher. He is my AVID and Journalism teacher, but he has treated me like his own daughter for the past two years. He treats all of his students like his own kids, and everyone loves him like a dad. He can be very serious in class but will add in his jokes that he thinks are funny; sometimes, they are. Mr. Holko teaches all of his students so many concepts and life lessons throughout the school year, and his classes have never been boring. He will always be there for any student who needs his help, no matter if it is for school, sports, family issues, or even if you just need a smile on a bad day.

Thank you, Mr. Holko, for being such a good teacher to me and all of your students. I appreciate you treating me like your own daughter. Thank you for making me laugh and smile on the days I needed it the most, thank you for always making class fun, and thank you for always being there for me. I am very sad that AVID ended early this year because it was my favorite class, and I know all of your AVID kids enjoyed it, too. You honestly are the best teacher ever; thank you!

{Editor’s Note: Delaney was persistent in recognizing me, so I obliged. My colleagues, however, truly deserve the recognition more-so than me.}

By: Serena Barile

May 6, 2020

Mr. Ken Rademaker is an English Language Arts teacher at Brooklyn High School and has taught at BHS for 18 out of his 19-year teaching career. He has a Master’s degree in English from Cleveland State University as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

Rad, the students’ nickname for him, deserves recognition for being the great teacher that he is because he often makes learning fun by cracking jokes and laughing with his students. He does not take himself too seriously, and his laid-back demeanor makes people feel comfortable with him and his teaching style.  If a student is having a bad day, he/she can count on Rad for a good laugh.

Thank you, Rad, for always believing in us as individual students and for making us laugh more times than we can count. We can always expect a fun, interesting, and funny way to learn each time you teach us something new.  You are the most unique teacher that I have ever had, and you have truly made my high school experience beneficial. Thank you!

By: Normeze Rivera

May 6, 2020

Mrs. Bader has been teaching for 10 years at Brooklyn High School. Not only is she the best 8th grade ELA and Creative Writing teacher, but she also participates in many more things to make Brooklyn a great school! She was the Power of the Pen coach for four years, the middle school cheerleading and basketball coach for three years, and a Key Club advisor for four years as well. This is Mrs. Bader’s seventh year doing Student Council and her first year for yearbook. Also, she has been a member of the PBIS team for three years. She has a beautiful family including herself, her husband Jeremy, and her 4-year-old son Benjamin. She also has two chickens and 10,000 honey bees. 

I picked Mrs. Bader for my teacher appreciation because she is one of the teachers that I am closest to. Not only is she a teacher, but she is like a mom at school. She will give her students praise, but if you are messing around, the mom comes out of her and you might get yelled at. Everyone knows it is out of love, though. She tries her best to make sure that her classroom is not a boring place that you have to sit in for 45 minutes; she will try to make her work as fun as schoolwork can be. She pays attention to her students and is there when they need her. Yes, sometimes she will talk a little too much, but we do not mind. Mrs. Bader’s classes are definitely entertaining and fun.

So, Mrs. Bader, thank you for being my second mom outside of home. Thank you for listening to my crazy family stories and helping me throughout these past two years. I appreciate all the times you yelled at me and told me to get it together and all the times you gave me the advice to be a better person and how to deal with my crazy family problems. You are definitely the go-to teacher in the school, and I am so happy that I am able to say I am a student of yours. I am sad that creative writing got cut short this year, but I cannot wait for the yearbook class next year. Again, thank you for being the best teacher, ever! Happy National Teachers Day; the day goes to you.

By: Haley Schaldach, Serena Barile, and Anayah Flowers 

May 3, 2020

During these unique times, most people are stuck at home not knowing what to do. Well, we have the perfect solution for you to have the time of your life! 

We suggest traveling to Orlando, Florida if you want to have the perfect vacation! Since we are all at home spending less money than usual, saving up for a week’s getaway is the perfect solution.

Whether you decide to take a plane (2 hours) or a car (15 hours), this will be the perfect trip to help brighten your mood. 

For a family of four  people, it will cost around $4,000. Usually, the best time to go is between March to May because it has the most ideal weather and affordable prices. 

While you stay in Orlando, there are many highly-recommended hotels to stay at such as the Hard Rock Hotel and Hilton Hotel.

Along with having many spectacular hotels, Orlando is home to many sorts of different attractions, such as Universal Studios.

If you want to have a fun time with your family, try visiting the popular Universal Studios. This theme park also connects to another section of the park called Islands of Adventure. 

If you get hungry, the City Walk is right outside of Universal. It has great places to eat like the Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville, which makes it not only family-friendly but also convenient.

Orlando, Florida is very beautiful with many places to visit, and the weather is often warm. It is a city to make memories that will last forever! 

So, why not take a well-deserved vacation to this gorgeous city!

By: Ella Fowler, Jaden Majewski, and Valery Warner

May 2, 2020

Well, if you are wondering why Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the best vacation spots, here are your answers. 

Not only can you visit the beautiful beaches, but there are many other places to visit, too.

If you are looking to enjoy the summer night, you can go to the boardwalk on the beach, which is a shopping and entertainment complex.  You can also head to the Family Kingdom Amusement Park, which also includes a water park. 

You can also have a fun day away from the beach and visit the Hollywood Wax Museum or Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which includes an aquarium and a museum for the amazing Ripley’s artifacts.

For food, you can visit the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade for countless restaurants that include a family-fun park. With our personal favorite, Joe’s Crab Shack is great if you are looking for a mouth-watering, seafood restaurant. 

Maybe you are a more low-key person and just want to enjoy the amazing beaches. To this, you can enjoy the beautiful view that most of these hotels include, as well as the great ocean that is yours to enjoy. 

{Editor’s note: I highly recommend Compass Cove, formerly know as the Swamp Fox, for luxury, ocean views, and affordability.}

It takes approximately 12 hours (by car) to get to Myrtle Beach, but once you get there, its wide variety of family-fun ensures that everyone will have something they can enjoy to do on this wonderful vacation.

Get down south! 

By: Destiny Cannon, Savannah David, and Izabella Hotz

May 2, 2020

A wonderful vacation spot would be the lovely city of Charlotte, North Carolina. With a rich atmosphere, citywide art, amusement parks and more, this is an amazing destination to visit. 

According to Budgetyourtrip.com, the average cost to Charlotte for one person for a week is $1,267. The average size  family consists of four people, so the costs would roughly be about $5,000. Do not be scared by this number! With proper planning and saving, the price could be much lower.

Charlotte is 514 miles from Brooklyn, which is around a seven-hour and 44-minute drive. The drive to Charlotte includes a multitude of museums, festival locations, and the Buffington Island Battlefield Memorial Park. 

Once you arrive in Charlotte, you can choose to stay at The Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park, which is not only affordable but also quite nice with a number of positive reviews for their customer service. This hotel has a pool, free parking, and is very popular among business travelers and is also located only seven miles from the Charlotte Convention Center and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

While you drive around the city, you can marvel at the amount of sculptures around the city and the colorful architecture. 

A popular restaurant among traveling families is Cowfish. They have a lot of activities to keep kids occupied, not to mention great food. They serve sushi, burgers, and much more.

A few amusement parks in Charlotte are Ray’s Splash Planet, CaroWinds, and Big Air Trampoline Park.

Ray’s Splash Planet is an indoor waterpark that hosts birthday parties, fitness classes, and more. It is also open year-round for swimming, no matter the weather. 

CaroWinds is a roller coaster and thrill ride park! They also host seasonal events like the CaroWinds Winterfest, where they decorate the park with festive decorations for the holiday season and hold unique events.

Finally, Big Air Trampoline Park is a trampoline park with so much more than trampolines. Featuring warped walls, climbing walls, trampoline matrices, the Battle Beam, and an animatronic bull ride, this park is a blast for the whole family.

Check out Charlotte, North Carolina as a vacation destination today!