Panther Print
"What kind of person do you want to be today?"
2nd Edition of the 2021-2022 BAMS Panther Print, Volume 15, Issue 2
Musical Theater Returns to BAMS... Seussical Jr.
By: Eleanor Starbuck
"Oh, the thinks you can think!” This year, BAMS drama made a stunning return with Seussical Jr.! The musical chronicles the story of three beloved Dr. Seuss books: Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. In it, we learn to be true to ourselves and care for each other, because “A person’s a person no matter how small.” BAMS was lucky to have nearly forty people in the cast and almost twenty people in stage crew! In this article, I will be interviewing our lovely leads.
Q: What is your experience in musical theater?
A: Grace Jurgs, Cat in the Hat, 8th grade - “I have been doing theater since I was 6 years old and have been in more than 20 shows. I have just finished a production of Newsies and am so happy to be a part of this musical.”
A: Sophie Powell, Mayzie La Bird 8th grade - “I was cast as Olaf in our school's production of Frozen Jr in sixth grade, and in seventh grade I was part of the Addams Family ensemble at Dance With Me over the summer.”
A: Layla Pouncy, Mrs. Mayor, 8th grade - “I have no experience in musical theater. This is my first show!”
A: Brooke Burstein, Bird Girl, 8th grade - “This is my fourth show, with having two theatre camps in years past, along with year-round theatre this year.”
Q: Why do you like theater?
A: Max Folmer, Horton the Elephant, 7th grade - “I would say I do theater because it is sort of freeing. My brothers did theater, and I thought it was very cool and inspiring so my brothers sort of made me like theater.”
A: Megan McCashland, Gertrude McFuzz, 8th grade - “One reason that I love theater is that you develop a wonderful bond with all of the other people. I have met some of my best friends through theater.”
A: Andi Serio, Sour Kangaroo, 7th grade - “I like theater because I get to become someone else, and I get to experience other people's perspectives. I also get to perform an make people happy.”
A: Adeline Bogert, Bird Girl, 8th grade - “I love the costumes and the dancing, and I love being able to sing in front of an audience and act as different people with different life stories.”
Q: What is your perception of your character? Do you relate to them in any way? If so, how?
A: Mary Kate Bowden, Jojo, 7th grade - “I mean my character doesn't get heard, and I sometimes feel that way too.”
A: Maxton Folmer, Horton the Elephant, 7th grade - “I would say Horton is a sensitive elephant, but he will stand up when he is needed. I would say I relate to him because I believe everyone deserves to be treated equal like Horton does.”
A: Alice Morrison, Wickersham Brother, 7th grade - “My character is really mean and picks on Horton all the time. I find the acrobatics part of the role to be really fun, but I feel bad for being mean towards certain characters.”
A: Rose Wagner, Wickersham Brother, 6th grade - “I think that this monkey is EVIL!”
Q: What is your favorite song in Seussical Junior?
A: Megan McCashland, Gertrude McFuzz, 8th grade - “All For You because it is super over dramatic.”
A: Adeline Bogert, Bird Girl, 8th grade - “I adore How Lucky You Are.”
A: Brooke Burstein, Bird Girl, 8th grade - "Solla Sollew.”
A: Alice Morrison, Wickersham Brother, 7th grade - “Alone in the Universe.”
Q: What is your dream role in any musical production?
A: Grace Jurgs, Cat in the Hat, 8th grade - “My favorite role to play is Regina George in Mean Girls. She is such a sassy character and not afraid to speak her mind. I also love to belt, which is a form of singing and the character Regina George has a lot of that in her songs.”
A: Andi Serio, Sour Kangaroo, 7th grade - “My dream role is Belle in Beauty and the Beast. I love her songs and her character. I think I could do it really well and it would be really fun.”
A: Sophie Powell, Mayzie La Bird, 8th grade - “Definitely Christine Daae from Phantom of the Opera! I love all of the songs she performs as well as her character. No, I'm not a high soprano at all, and my voice has yet to mature, but a girl can dream, right?”
A: Liz Hammond, Wickersham Brother, 8th grade - “Moana. The reason I want to play Moana is because I have her energy and I like to work towards my dreams like her.”
Q: If you could say anything to the entire cast a crew, what would you say?
A: Megan McCashland, Gertrude McFuzz, 8th grade - “Thank you for this amazing experience. I had so much fun working with all of you. I have made so many great friends. I was worried that I might not have an 8th grade show due to Covid, so it's really amazing to be able to be a part of this production. This show is really fun with so many amazing songs and characters. Thanks again for making me a part of this production.”
A: Grace Jurgs, Cat in the Hat, 8th grade - “I would say there are no small roles only small actors. Make your character your own and let it shine.”
A: Layla Pouncy, Mrs. Mayor, 8th grade - “I have had an amazing first experience in theater with you all, I loved working and doing Seussical with you guys. Hopefully I´ll see you guys in more musical productions 😊"
A: Rose Wagner, Wickersham Brother, 6th grade - “Good job!”
Q: What was your favorite part of being part of the musical?
A: Maxton Folmer, Horton the Elephant, 7th grade - “I think meeting new people because without this I would not of met most of the cast and stage crew.”
A: Mary Kate Bowden, Jojo, 7th grade - “Meeting new people.”
A: Liz Hammond, Wickersham Brother, 7th grade - “I get to choreograph a song with my friends.”
A: Adeline Bogert, Bird Girl, 8th grade - “I enjoyed the creative freedom that came with my character when it came to choreography!”
The Story of BAMS
By: Victoria Klipner
As we all know, Bel Air Middle School is part of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). We are known for our mascot, the panther, and the great spirit we hold, as part of the Panther family. BAMS is recognized for our many clubs, sports programs, and musical programs. BAMS neighbors its parent school, Bel Air High School, where most BAMS students attend after middle school.
Bel Air Middle was founded in 1960, set on track to become one of the largest schools in the county at the time, population-wise and school size-wise. To this day, the school holds 1,324 students as of 2017! In 1999, BAMS was recognized as the Blue-Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education, which is the greatest award a public school can earn. During this past decade, BAMS has been a part of the Hoops for Heart Program, a fundraiser that raises money for children with heart diseases. In the time BAMS has been a part of this program, the school has raised over $200,000!
A few decades after BAMS was founded, the school decided to try having an assistant principal and a counselor for each grade. This way, the school stays more organized than ever, and the students get a good amount of attention if they need anything. This plan was a remarkable success; as of now, the school is extremely organized, and students are happier than ever.
Currently, Bel Air Middle is doing great. The school is clean, students are happy, and it has a great staff. Test scores are even better, proving how great BAMS’ teachers are. In the future, BAMS may get a renovation, keeping it up-to-date.
Welcome to Bel Air Middle School Mr. Ritz!
By: Pragnya Jagarlapudi
Mr. Ritz is the new seventh-grade assistant principal here at BAMS. Mr. Ritz answered questions ranging from his past experience, all his inspiration, and more personal facts. We wanted to give you all the opportunity to get to know him a little better and become more comfortable with him!
Q: What do you enjoy the most about Bel Air Middle School?
A: "The sense of community - people pitching in for one another."
Q: What grade level do you enjoy working with the most?
A: "Mine - 7th grade"
Q: If you weren´t working in a school, what else would you be doing?
A: "Coaching or working in the sporting industry"
Q: What other schools have you worked at?
A: "Magnolia Middle School, Bel Air High School, Edgewood High School, and Aberdeen High School"
Q: What do you miss the most about the last school you worked in?
A: "The people - students and staff"
Q: If there was one change you could implement what would it be?
A: "Make social media disappear"
Q: What´s the most important thing to know in order to succeed in your job?
A: "People come first. When people feel valued, they work harder for the cause."
Q: What inspired you to pursue this career?
A: ¨My parents were both educators, and I loved working with kids.¨
Q: What´s your favorite thing to do outside of school?
A: ¨ Relax on the beach, play golf, cook, and eat.¨
Q: Have you ever had a student interaction that left an impact on you?
A: ¨Yes¨
Q: What was the student interaction?
A: ¨A student I had not seen in years recognized me in Wegmans and introduced me to her whole family as the teacher who made her recognize she had an aptitude for science. She had just graduated from the RN program at HCC and was looking to pursue a career and become a nurse practitioner.¨
Q: How long have you been an educator?
A: ¨18 years¨
Q: What other jobs have you had?
A: ¨Bus washer, car detailer, lacrosse camp counselor, golf course maintenance, Costco meat cutter, high school soccer and lacrosse coach, soccer official¨
Our Takes on Growing Up
By: Amelia Mason, Pragnya Jagarlapudi, and Aminah Hussain
While in our English class, we were introduced to our new unit. This unit mostly discusses growing up and when it is the right time to grow up. Jobs, parents, life in general, what is growing up really? This quote is said to describe the journey that teenagers take when beginning to grow into adulthood. ¨When you become a teenager, you step onto a bridge. . . . The opposite shore is adulthood.” -Gail Carson Levi
The following are our thoughts on the quote:
Amelia: Growing up varies from person to person, there is not one set way for someone to grow up. Although the quote does an adequate job of describing the journey of growing up, there are more variations to that “bridge”. The bridge can be longer for some, meaning they grow up at a slower pace, short for others who grow up fast. In some cases, it can even start earlier than when you start physically maturing. For some, it could also start later as there is no need for them to start growing up. This also brings into question what being an adult means, the moment you end maturing physically? When you live by yourself, when you graduate, when you can fend for yourself? The very notion of adulthood is the fact that you can be an independent individual, but does that also mean that you just stop growing up when you can be an individual? To me, I don’t think you ever really stop growing up, I think even my own parents still have some growing up to do. You can always learn something new. One thing that I do think the quote does well is the description of a type of uncertainty to being a teenager. As a teenager myself, everything does feel very confusing. You are constantly being told what the best path is to take, which does also help with the bridge metaphor, as it could be the path that the adult figures in your life want you to take. Ultimately, this metaphor does a decent job at providing a useful metaphor for teenagers to use when talking about the journey to adulthood.
Pragnya: One thing I think the metaphor does well is that in a way the restriction of being on a bridge and the uncertainty that the bridge could collapse is very representative of the experience of being a teen. You are constantly told what to do and stopped from coming into adulthood in your own unique way. When you´re on a bridge, there is no way to get off. The metaphor is also flawed because it makes it sound like once you reach adulthood you´ve finished with the uncertainty or limitations in life. The bridge is also meant to represent the journey of growing up but you never really stop learning and growing up. To rectify this, it would make more sense to say that once you reach the end of the bridge you enter adulthood and you enter a jungle or a forest. You´re given more freedom as an adult and you have less supervision and guidance, but the uncertainty of life never goes away which can be represented by the vast danger of a forest or jungle. Additionally, the bridge doesn´t represent the different ways people grow up, emotionally/mentally, and physically. Physically yes everyone has to go down this bridge but many never start maturing mentally. The metaphor works as a broad generalization of growing up but fails to account for the challenges of adulthood and the intricacies involved with everyone's individual experience with growing up.
Aminah: Growing up is something that is different for everyone. Some may describe it as a bridge, some may not. However, before you can really answer the question of what growing up is like, you need to know what it is. What is growing up? What is considered “grown up.” According to the dictionary definition, being “grown up” is being an adult. Ok, so what is an adult? The dictionary says, “a person who is fully grown or developed.” What does this tell us? Nothing. So, what really is growing up? Since there is no genuine answer, it is up for interpretation. Some people never really feel like they are grown up, and some feel like they have always been. A bridge takes you from one place to another. In this quote he says that once you step off the bridge you have reached adulthood. Truthfully, you never stop growing up. There is no drop off on the other side. More accurately growing up is like a journey. The journey you chose to take is up to you and is different for everyone. Some journeys might never end. Describing growing up as a bridge is too clear cut. While the quote may be relatable to some, it will not be for everyone.
Overall thoughts: From what we discussed, all of us agree that the metaphor is decent. As it helps give an easy definition of what teenagers go through as they grow up, and gives a decent metaphor about what the journey to becoming an adult is. But there are many ways that this metaphor does not apply. Mostly, it depends on what your personal experience is. Some people need to grow up faster, some do not feel the need to, and some just do not know what is going on. All are valid, but all are vastly different experiences that do not relate to the metaphor. Overall, the path to adulthood can vary from person to person, it just depends on who you are and where you come from!
What Makes “Spider Man No Way Home” One of the Best Movies of All Time? (Massive Spoilers!!!)
By: Ivo Louvado
Spider-Man: No Way Home was released on December 17, 2021. It scored a 98% score with audiences on rotten tomatoes. The movie opens up the multiverse allowing for anything to be possible. Spider man deals with the aftermath of his identity being revealed and he goes through lots of problems. This movie is absolutely filled with fan service. First, Charlie Cox reprises his role as daredevil (Matt Murdock) from the marvel Netflix shows. He is helping Peter Parker get through the massive amount of legal trouble he is in from supposedly murdering Mysterio. Peter’s friends Ned and Mj have also been very negatively affected by his identity being revealed. All three of them are unable to get into college.
As a result, Parker seeks the help of doctor strange. Strange casts a spell that is supposed to wipe everyone's memories, but it causes the multiverse to burst open bringing in villains from other universes. This movie brings back Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, and Thomas Haden Church to reprise their roles as Doc Ock, Green Goblin and Sandman! Yet that is still not it with this movie, it also brings back Rhys Ifans and Jamie Fox. They continue to play the roles of the Lizard and Electro! Peter captures all these villains and with the help of Aunt May tries to cure them of all their... issues.
After all of Peter's efforts, he fails to cure all the villains which results in the death of Aunt May. The continuation of the villains' stories and characters, and some of the best performances from Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are nothing compared to this. What made the hype for this movie astronomical was the fact that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield have indeed reprised their roles as Spider man...And the fan base... EXPLODED!!!!!!!!! This movie pleased everyone who saw it.
I kid you not based on all my research, all the reviews I have heard nobody has said that this was a bad movie... because it is not. This movie is not simply good because it is a caravan of fan service. It is also good narratively. Especially with the returning characters, instead of their backstories being completely forgotten they are continued and made better. This movie also perfectly represents Peter Parker as a character. Curing the villains is the exact thing Peter would do if he thought there was a chance. It shows him using his great power responsibly. This movie gets an absolute 10/10. Anybody who wants to see it should. It is worth it. If you are a fan of Spiderman, if you are a fan of superheroes, then you will certainly be able to find something to enjoy in this movie.
What Does BAMS Think About Disney's Encanto Songs?
By: Kimberly Mallon
At the end of March, I sent out a form to all the students at Bel Air Middle School. The reason that I sent this form out was so that I can get feedback from students here at BAMS about their thoughts on Encanto. Here are the results from each grade level.
6th Grade Song Ratings:
The Family Madrigal: 3.78/5
Waiting On A Miracle: 3.09/5
Surface Pressure: 3.81/5
We Don’t Talk About Bruno: 4.33/5
What Else Can I Do? : 3.48/5
All For You: 2.79/5
Two Oruguitas: 2.83/5
Columbia, Mi, Encanto: 2.89/5
7th Grade Song Ratings:
The Family Madrigal: 3.70/5
Waiting On A Miracle: 3.04/5
Surface Pressure: 3.94/5
We Don’t Talk About Bruno: 4.29/5
What Else Can I Do? : 3.49/5
All For You: 2.83/5
Two Oruguitas: 2.99/5
Columbia, Mi, Encanto: 3.09/5
8th Grade Song Ratings:
The Family Madrigal: 3.49/5
Waiting On A Miracle: 2.96/5
Surface Pressure: 3.54/5
We Don’t Talk About Bruno: 4.30/5
What Else Can I Do?: 3.15/5
All For You: 2.66/5
Two Oruguitas: 2.94/5
Columbia, Mi, Encanto: 3.05/5
58 other students also either didn’t like Encanto or haven’t seen Encanto.
Edible Plants you Can Forage for in the Maryland Region
By: Olivia Manns
Have you ever been in nature and seen wild berries? Despite what many of our parents have said, not all plants, berries, and mushrooms found in the woods are poisonous! Lots are easy to find, easy to identify, and delicious. In this article, I’ll go over three of my favorite things to forage in our region in the current season, or upcoming one. When foraging, watch for areas that have been sprayed with pesticides, and always wash your finds before eating. Happy Hunting!
Disclaimer: Neither I, nor BAMS is responsible for any foraging-related incidents that occur after reading this article. Please be responsible while eating wild plants.
Wineberries (Rubus phoenicolasius)
This species of wild raspberry is my personal #1. It is tangy, sweet, sticky, and a little sour. It is an invasive plant, native to Asian countries such as Japan, China, and Korea. It is extremely easy to identify with no poisonous look, notable by the size of the plant, red buds, bright green leaves, thorny red stem and of course, bright red berries. This plant can be found nearly anywhere. There’s even some growing around our school! They ripen from June-July. They're very abundant and grow in large clusters. These berries are completely harmless to eat. In fact, it's actually beneficial to the environment to eat them. Since this plant is incredibly invasive, you’re doing our land a favor by eating it. Since the seeds are held inside the berry, eating them prevents the berry from growing on the ground. If you decide to try wineberries this summer, make sure to wash them in case of bugs.
Morel Mushrooms (Morchella)
Morel mushrooms are a forager's delicacy. They’re quite rare, but easy to find if you know how to look. They can be incorporated into many recipes such as stews and sautés. Morels grow from mid-April to mid-May. Morels are native to North America and Europe. They sprout only when the ground is damp, and when the air is humid but not too hot. Eating morels is generally harmless but be sure to cook them before eating to improve flavor, and to avoid any health issues. As usual, wash them to get rid of any bugs. Watch for false morels because they can be poisonous. True morels have a white or tan tinted stem, while false morels have a reddish or purple hue. They tend to be stockier and flatter. Make sure to be careful while foraging for any mushrooms you plan to eat.
Wild Blackberries (Rubus moluccanus)
Wild blackberries have a similar taste and texture to regular blackberries. However, something about them just tastes better than regular blackberries. They ripen from July-August. They are native plants to North America. Wild blackberries grow in clusters. When you find them, choose the darkest and biggest ones. They ripen from a bright red to a deep purple. Don’t eat the red ones. They aren’t ripe and taste bitter and disgusting. Wild blackberry clusters grow on green, skinny stems with small leaves and thorns. The bushes usually can be found in an overgrowth. The clusters often hang. These berries are commonly mistaken for wineberries, but neither are dangerous.
Let’s Set the Record Straight- Is Endurance a Good Skill to Have?
By: Amelia Mason
Endurance is valuable in an athlete, due to the protection of the body and the pressure that athletes need to be able to handle. Therefore, endurance can protect athletes' bodies from stress. According to Dr. Kreb, “When athletes get tired or fatigued, their biomechanics and form can change...As their form breaks down, it places new stresses on their tendons...” This proves to be true in many sports as overuse and weak body parts can be helped if not solved by conditioning, which is endurance training. Endurance is a “mindset of struggling.” Athletes with this mindset train harder, making players last longer in endurance sports. Coaches look for this in an athlete when choosing starters, making endurance unbelievably valuable in an athlete throughout all sports. Endurance protects athletes' bodies from the stresses that sport has to offer, like throwing a softball or jumping in basketball.
Although these sports are vastly different, these stresses show across many sports, making it extremely easy for injuries to arise. This can leave either irreversible damage or constant pain for athletes. Additionally, reaction forces can be exceptionally large. Athletes need a strong set of muscles and a long-lasting endurance to withstand these forces. McNitt-Gray, a former gymnast, and current biomechanics researcher states, “These forces can be very large, and the athlete requires muscle strength and endurance.” Endurance is so important in an athlete, otherwise a player would constantly need breaks from these forces causing them to not last the whole time in the sport.
Athletes require a strong set of attributes, and endurance can also be a mindset. Endurance can be used outside of athletics too; an athlete must endure many things life throws their way. As we all know, life is not easy, and athletes can endure more as they have the mindset of endurance already instilled in them. A strong endurance is the base of an athlete, speed and agility come after. In contrast, many people may argue that endurance is not important. As substitutions are quite common in sports, this claim makes sense. Technically, coaches can substitute for a player when the competitor gets tired or worn out. But this makes endurance even more important. If an athlete needs to constantly get subbed out, that can interfere with time in the game, and can interfere with the players on the field.
Say the forward in soccer is amazing at dropping back and recovering, suddenly take that force away, then the defense becomes weaker than the quarter before. By staying in the game, the coach maintains balance on the field. Speed on the other hand is more valuable in short burst sports like softball, baseball, or even swimming. But in sports like field hockey, soccer, or lacrosse, the athlete needs to last long in a game. Athletes should be able to last in long endurance sports without having to get substituted out. Causing endurance to become a pertinent trait in a reliable athlete. Ultimately, when looking at athletes the most successful have these endurance mindsets. An athlete needs to be well rounded. By learning the skill of endurance, that athlete is already ahead of the people around them. Playing the short game and taking short cuts is not always valuable, by taking the long and painful road a competitor opens themself to many opportunities across an athlete's life.
It’s Never Too Late to Welcome a New Science Teacher at BAMS...Mr. Adamowski
By: Ivo Louvado
Introducing...Mr. Adamowski!! He started teaching at this school in 2021. He teaches 8th grade science. I have had the pleasure of being in his class this year and am very excited to conduct this interview.
Q: Mr. Adamowski, what made you want to become a teacher in the first place?
A: “Just having great teachers growing up made me realize that education is important. It also taught me that not everyone learns the same way; and me being one of those, I wanted to make sure that I could educate everyone.”
Q: What was your reason behind becoming a science teacher?
A: “I like that science is able to explain pretty much everything, or at least lots of different things; like being in the world and making sense of what's going on.”
Q: What's been your favorite part of BAMS so far?
A: “Having a diverse group of students. Getting to work with some great people and continuing to teach what I love, Science! It’s been a great first year here at BAMS.”
Q: Have there been any struggles in your teaching career?
A: “For the years that I have been teaching I taught five different grades and five different subjects in a short amount of time. So, I have not been able to truly gain “Expertise” or mastery in my subject area. I have switched from fourth to sixth to seventh to eight.”
Q: What age group of students have you taught in the past and where?
A: “I had a lot of military students when I was at a private school in Aberdeen. And I had a lot of students from a higher socioeconomic class in Annapolis. For example, during Covid I had several students who were zooming in for class from their boats or yacht not necessarily even in the country.”
Q: Have you found any videos or activities that you want to carry over to your next group of students?
A: “Yeah being new here, I’ve gotten to work with several great science teachers. I believe students love the car crash activity and thermos activity, but in my opinion all labs are fun.”
Q: Have any experiences from this school year left an impact on you?
A: “Definitely... This is my first year where I truly get to teach students from all walks of life. It makes me feel better as a person that I have an impact on the community around me.”
Q: Since the year is coming to an end are there any moments from the year that you will fondly look back on?
A: “Having great students, a great A+ team. Having great coworkers and administration in general.”
Q: What were your goals for this school year, and did you achieve any of them?
A: “My goals for the school year were to treat everyone with respect, be fair to everyone, show all students that their teachers care, and not get or give Covid to my pregnant wife. I think I did good on that last one.”
Q: Can you share a little bit about yourself, like do you have any hobbies, etc.?
A: “When I'm outside school I enjoy playing hockey. I played hockey for 22 years. I play games at Ice World 2 times a week. I enjoy playing with my dogs, preparing for my little girl to make her arrival, and hanging out with friends.”
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that we do not know about you?
A: “School was not the easiest for me until I realized the importance of education. I have played hockey, baseball, volleyball, football, and basketball. I played hockey through college, and I'm particularly good at most shooter video games.”
Ivo: Well, everyone, I hope this interview helped you to get to know Mr. Adamowski better. Maybe if you’re as lucky as me you will have his class next year.
Mr. Adamowski: Thank you very much Ivo for the interview! I would say it was great for your first one, and I’ve enjoyed reading all contributions from members of the Newsletter club!
Uncharted Movie Review
By Addison Kuester
The Uncharted movie came out in February of 2022, it only got 40% rotten tomatoes. And I feel that is because it’s a movie based on a video game. They don’t do very well in general, take Sonic and Detective Pikachu. This is awful considering how good the movie itself was. It’s filled with action and adventure. The kind that has you on the edge of your seat. I cried twice, to be honest with you. The plot is so good, and the humor is prominent in the film despite it having generally a serious mood. Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg did a spectacular job portraying their characters and a special shoutout to Rudy Pankow for making me freak out at the beginning. There are a few things I felt were off about the film, as someone who has played the uncharted game, Tom and Mark don’t feel like Nate and Sully. The vibes are just off, but I still think they did an amazing job, and I applaud them for touching the hearts of other fans with the way they portrayed the lines. They really gave Nate the parkour techniques of Spider-Man? Just because Tom played our beloved spider-based super, doesn’t mean that he needs to do all the same parkour moves. I felt like I was watching a Marvel film. There’s nothing wrong with that, I love watching Marvel films. But I would’ve loved to see Tom trying something fully new, and I think it would’ve been refreshing for the other fans as well. But aside from that, it was an overall great movie in my opinion.
Combating Climate Change in Your Own Community
By: Pragnya Jagarlapudi,
"That's what I consider true generosity: You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing." - Simone de Beauvoir. A plague has been set upon our society. It is not one we see or feel, but one we hear and speak. This plague is ignorance and the spread of lies. These lies have cost more than a reputation; they have cost lives.
One of the many things that comes with global warming is natural disasters. As these calamities become commonplace, we have to learn to adjust to the many repercussions of this ongoing situation. One thing we need to consider, the financial impact. Luckily for the cities that aren't used to dealing with these natural disasters, CNT (Center of Neighborhood Technology) has programs that can help. They help neighborhoods bounce back from disasters by working with local officials to improve urban infrastructure. They have well-developed solutions to help with poverty. They understand that there are millions of organizations that help with poverty, but theirs are designed to not only help the poor but address the root causes of poverty. They not only donate to the poor, but they also help them rebuild their lives.
All in all, CNT is there for you and your community. They help millions and make the world a better place for the next generation. Global Warming is something we need to address; it won't fix itself. So, help CNT do what they do better and make a donation today.
Sports Buzz with Chance Block
By: Chance Block
Hello everyone, my name is Chance Block from the NLC (Newsletter Club) and today we will be talking about Baseball. Baseball is back, and we will briefly talk about the Oriole's season so far, Ravens draft, and basketball and hockey. Enjoy!
Baltimore Orioles
18-26
4th place
Baltimore, MD
Camden Yards
Hey O’s Fans! The Orioles have been on a 3 game winning streak and have moved up a spot for 4th place while the Sox’ have taken 5th place. The Orioles vs. the Cardinals and won their first game and are trying to sweep them with Spenser Wakins pitching 5/11/22. Good luck to the Orioles.
Orioles' website:
Radio station: 97.9 rock
Washington Nationals
14-30
5th place
Washington D.C
Nationals Stadium
Hey Nat’s fans! Not a great season to start off with. Great offense and defense but they cannot play the hottest in baseball games. Nat’s last win was against the Brewers (5/25/22). The Nat’s vs. the Dodgers with a demolished record against the Dodgers on an 8-2 loss. Hopefully, they can pick up a win in the next game.
Nat’s website:
Radio station: 106.7 the fan
Thank you so much for reading the Sports Buzz with Chance Block, and I hope you have a great rest of your year.
Last updated: 5/25/22
What Really Happened to The Great Movie Ride
By: Kimberly Mallon
What was The Great Movie Ride?
The Great Movie Ride is a ride that was located in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The ride featured scenes from classical Disney movies like The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and Casablanca. The finale of the ride was a montage and not only included Disney movies, but also Hollywood movies. Something that happened along the way, a depression-era gangster or a Western villain would step out of a movie scene, hijack the vehicle, and replace the tour guide. Eventually, the hijacker would meet a grisly fate, and the tour guide would triumphantly return.
When and where did it appear at the park?
The Great Movie Ride appeared on opening day in 1989. It was located inside Hollywood Studios replica of Graumans Chinese Theatre, one of Hollywood’s most famous movie places.
When and why did it leave the park? Did it get replaced by anything?
The ride left the park on August 13th, 2017 and was the last ride from opening day to leave the park. The ride was getting outdated, and the animatronics were starting to age. The ride also got replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway which opened on March 4th, 2020. This was only 12 days before the parks close due to Coronavirus, and the ride did not open back up for about 4 months after that.
What happens during Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway?
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is a family friendly ride that is located where The Great Movie Ride used to be. The ride has its own exclusive character and song. There is a merchandise store at the exit of the ride where you can get souvenirs exclusive to the ride. The ride is trackless and the conductor (Goofy) gets disconnected from the rest of the train. All the cars that are connected to each other also get disconnected from each other. The cars go into sections of the ride that are themed differently. The order of the rooms that they go through are the park, the tunnel, stampede, carnival, twister, waterfall, big city, dance studio, factory, and finally picnic. All the cars connect again right before they enter the picnic. Different things happen in all the different rooms. My personal favorite is the dance studio.
List of all movies in The Great Movie Ride here.
https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/10950629
If you would like to see the full The Great Movie Ride, please click on this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZJXGia90vQ
For the full Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway Ride experience click this link. https://youtu.be/UOEdsupEr5Q
The Zety... Mr. Foulks
By: Chance Block
Hello, I'm Chance Block. I did an interview with Mr. Foulks. Last year and this year I'm in his class. He was a full-time sub for my Science teacher (Mrs. Malooly), and he decided to come to the History class of 7th grade. Now for the interview. Enjoy.
Q: Why did you become a teacher?
A: “It is something that has always appealed to me, but I did not know I wanted to become a teacher until back in 8th grade. I had a math teacher for two years in 7th and 8th grade (Mr. Dunphy) who made me interested and enjoyed Math class for a change (Math was not one of my favorites). I really liked the way he took the time to make sure everyone understood the material. He made it fun. Not only did he do a really good job with teaching, but he was also interested in things that his students did outside of the classroom and would attend a lot of the school sporting events that not only me, but other students at the school did. He is really someone I try and model off of for how I do my job when it comes to how I interact with my students. Having a role model like that, not just for one year but for two, was a big influence on me and still is to this day. I would say he is the main reason I went into teaching.”
Q: What is’ your fav subject?
A: “I have always been a fan of history obviously, but in middle and high school it was both History and Language Arts.”
Q: What do you like about BAMS? Why?
A: “I like the sense of community that the school creates. It’s quite unique. It’s not like any other school that I have worked in with the long-term sub jobs that I had for three years before being hired at BAMS. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the BAMS family this year and seeing all the good things that have occurred at the school throughout the year.”
Q: If there was anything you could change in the school, what would it be?
A: “I don’t know if I would change anything about the school honestly. Between the students and staff, I truly believe we have something great within our school and we do a great job making sure everyone gets recognized for all the accomplishments that occur.”
Q: What are you most proud of? Why?
A: “I would have to say my military career. I come from a military family (father, both grandfathers, etc.). It is something else that I have wanted to do along with teaching. I have been in the Air Force Reserve for 11 years now and have done a lot during that time span. It has enabled me to travel the world (two deployments to Kuwait, have been to England, and many other places in the US). Not only that but it has also helped me get to where I am with BAMS. Extremely proud and grateful for all the experiences it has given me during that time span.”
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: “I am an avid runner. I used to do track and cross country in high school. It is the thing I like to do the most to help relieve stress. I love reading (either a book along with comic books), watching tv shows/movies, hanging out with the family and friends. I love watching and attending sporting events (Yankees, NY Giants and Capitals) and am a big music person. I have seen about 36 bands in concert so far. There are many more I want to see and add to the list. Best one I have seen was Billy Joel.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? Why?
A: “Would have to say at this point in my life, going through the two deployments. It is a very hard thing to do: to drop everything you are doing (both personally and professionally) and say you will serve and defend your country. It is not something a lot of people do. I take great pride in my military career, and how it has been for these past 11 years and counting, and I love every minute of it.
Additionally, each deployment has taught me something about myself whether that was something big or something small. Those life lessons I carry with me everyday whether that is something I am doing outside of school hours just for fun, or if I am at BAMS teaching a lesson about Egypt or Rome. I am grateful for everything the Air Force has done for me. I wouldn’t change a thing. It has quite literally helped get to where I am today here at BAMS.”
Q: Star Wars or Marvel? Why?
A: “Marvel without a doubt. Think for anyone who walks into my classroom will know that just from pictures I have and the screensaver you see from my computer. The reason why though, is because of the way that people connect to the different superheroes there are, and how different people see themselves through those different characters is a pretty unique thing that a lot of TV/films do not have. There is an appeal or connection somehow and its awesome. Its more than just a good vs. evil storyline, and I find it fascinating (however I do like Star Wars for the record just not as much as Marvel).”
Q: If it was the end of the world and you needed 3 people to help you out, who would it be? Why?
A: “My mom, my dad, my late grandfather. They are some of the toughest/strongest people in the world that I know, especially my mom. I know they know what it means to be there for people especially through hard times, and all three of them have taught me what you do for family and friends. I would not want anyone else to be there for me, regardless of whatever situation it is. They have been true role models in my life, and they would be the people I would want in a bad situation.
Q: What was the most aspiring thing that you have seen from a student, and what did the student teach you?
A: “I don’t know if there has been a single moment I can recall to pinpoint for this question, as this is really my first year as a full-time teacher. I have been a long term sub for 3 years, and it’s a little different. You have a different type of interactions, and you don’t get to be with students all year long.
However, I absolutely love working with students and being apart of my students lives, trying to make a difference, and being that positive role model. I will have to say that the things my students have taught me this year specifically is how important the role of a teacher truly is. It may seem like a simple answer, but I love when students want to tell me things that are going on in their lives outside of school and making those connections. Whether its talking about the latest Marvel movie, which Hogwarts house you are in, what happened at a soccer game, baseball game etc. Going to see my students perform at the Chorus/Band/Orchestra concerts, school play, or other things of interests that isn’t Social Studies, is also great.
Like I said before, I learned the importance a teacher has on a student. It is not just one individual student who has taught me that though, it would be all the students that I have this year. I couldn’t be more thankful either.
Breaking Down the Best Batman Movie
By: Ivo Louvado
Released on March 4, 2022, The Batman hit theaters starring Robert Pattinson as Batman. This is the latest of many Batman reboots. The last version of Batman was Ben Affleck’s who starred in Batman V Superman, Justice League, and Justice League the Snyder Cut. This new Batman gets rid of all flaws the previous portrayals had. The movie showed Batman’s detective side as opposed to being a crime fighting vigilante. Even though there are a lot of scenes revolving around exposition there were still incredible action sequences in this movie. The hand-to-hand combat in this movie is very impressive, same as the sound effects and music. When Batman walks out of the shadows you hear the floor crack beneath him. You hear every raindrop that touches his armor. It makes the world feel real and gives you a grasp on elements from the movie. This is also the darkest Batman movie to ever be put on film. At some points in the movie, it is hard to see what is going on but that does not affect the story. The information given is enough for the audience to understand what is going on. Then there are the performances in this film. Colin Farell’s performance as The Penguin was phenomenal. This movie completely changed perception on who The Penguin is. Danny DeVito (Penguin actor from Batman Returns 1992) portrays the character as a disgusting creep who lives in the sewers and talks to penguins. In the new film, The Penguin is a feared crime boss and is much more realistically designed compared to the 1992 counterpart. Other standout performances include Paul Dano as the Riddler, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle and Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon. Yet you are still wondering, what makes this the best Batman movie? First, this movie is fun to watch as is any good film. It is a mystery thriller story about batman hunting down a serial killer. When you watch this movie, it will remind you of an old time Hollywood noir film. The film also stays true to who Batman is as a character. Batman does not kill one person in this movie which is phenomenal because the previous Batman played by Ben Affleck was very brutal and went against the characters moral code. This new adaptation of the franchise has so many ways it could go, it keeps fans waiting for the inevitable sequel. So many villains and other characters are teased it allows for so much expansion in this world. Now that the movie has arrived on HBO Max all fans of Batman can experience this film and the more accurate perception of the character. If you have ever been upset or disappointed with previous versions of Batman then give this movie a try. It might just redeem the character for you.
The Plastic Problem
By: Eirabella Tapia
Recently, I have noticed posters going up on the walls of our school standing up against plastic. In the pictures, animals are dying, and plastic is shown to be the cause of it all. This is bad, as we rely on these animals for lots of things, like keeping the ocean ecosystem running smoothly, feeding other animals and humans, and keeping the balance of nature in check. If we continue to ruin these fragile ecosystems, they may disappear for good. So, what can you do to help solve the plastic problem?
1. Cut Down on Plastic Use
There are many ways to lessen the amount of plastic you use every day. Americans alone use around 100 million plastic bags annually. That’s a LOT of bags. To try and stop using so much plastic, you can do some of these things.
Use a reusable cloth bag instead of getting new ones at the store
Use a reusable water bottle instead of getting the cheap plastic ones
Try to buy things with less plastic packaging
2. Reuse and Recycle
You can reuse and recycle plastic to lessen your footprint when it comes to waste, and it can even save you some money. For example, you can reuse plastic bags to hold waste in place of new garbage bags from the store, things to hold groceries or items in, etc. Here are some things you can reuse plastic waste for.
Old plastic water bottles = plant pots
Milk jugs = water containers
Clothing hangers + some glass bottles = wind chime
Only 9% of plastic in the world is recycled, and all plastic ever made on Earth still exists. That’s a lot of waste. If you recycle, you can prevent plastic from getting into places like water supplies, animal tummies, landfills, and other places plastic really shouldn’t be. You can recycle most types of plastic, but make sure to read the packaging before trying to recycle something. You never know! Plastic can be made into...
Clothes
Backpacks
Carpets
Water bottles
T-Shirts
Yarn
Construction material
Lumber
Tables
Curbs
Benches
Pipes
Pallets
And the list goes on. Recycled plastic makes up more stuff than you might think, which is even more reason why you should recycle and raise that percent higher.
3. Pick Up Plastic
While you have heard of ways you can control your plastic use, what about plastic that’s already out in the street or the water? You can do something about that, too. It’s easy to find plastic in places like the sidewalk, the beach, etc. All you have to do is pick it up and put it in the nearest garbage can or recycling bin. It’s not that hard, yet it makes a change.
Plastic litter often ends up in the ocean, where animals like fish, birds, turtles and whales eat it, mistaking it for food, and die from the chemicals in their stomach or blockages that don’t allow them to digest food and take in nutrients. If you want, you can join a group of people who pick up this garbage and make an even bigger impact with people helping you.
Those are just 3 ways you can reduce your plastic usage and get rid of other’s as well. But there are so many more ways you can help that I haven’t covered here. You can research online if you want to help even more, and I strongly recommend you try one of these as well. Fortunately for us, the plastic problem has a solution.
Plastic in Our World
Plastic Clothes
Recycled plastic
Yum, Food! What is your Favorite?
By: Paige Cherry and Olive Evans
Food is something we need to survive, but it also is something we enjoy. Whether cooking, decorating, or just plain eating, it’s a big part of our life! The Newsletter Club conducted a survey on the favorite foods of staff and students at our school. Here are the results!
Q #1: What is your favorite drink?
A: In 1st place with 88 votes, we have other!
A: In 2nd place with 60 votes, we have coffee!
A: In 3rd with 46 votes, we have iced tea!
Q #2: What is your favorite dessert?
A: In 1st place with 57 votes, we have ice cream!
A: In 2nd place with 34 votes, we have cheesecake!
A: In 3rd place with 32 votes, we have brownies!
Q #3: What is your favorite condiment?
A: In 1st place with 80 votes, we have Ketchup!
A: In 2nd place with 66 votes, we have other!
A: In 3rd place with 45 votes, we have guacamole!
Q #4: What is your favorite fruit?
A: In 1st place with 65 votes, we have strawberries!
A: In 2nd place with 53 votes, we have watermelon!
A: In 3rd place with 31 votes, we have mangos!
Q #5: What is your favorite vegetable?
A: In 1st place with 70 votes, we have corn!
A: In 2nd place with 49 votes, we have cucumbers!
A: In 3rd place with 44 votes, we have broccoli!
Q #6: What is your favorite side dish/appetizer?
A: In 1st place with 147 votes, we have french fries!
A: In 2nd place with 42 votes, we have nachos!
A: In 3rd place with 36 votes, we have tater tots!
Q #7: What is your favorite main dish?
A: In 1st place with 42 votes, we have sushi!
A: In 2nd place with 33 votes, we have pizza!
A: In 3rd place with 30 votes, we have crab!
Well, there you have it! The results of the favorite foods! Something that we must have and something that we all love! Did your food win? What is your favorite food? Thank you to all who helped by giving feedback!