This season, the Patterson Clippers swim team has shown that success isn’t just about speed–it’s about trust. From the first practice to the latest meet, the team has grown stronger by believing in one another and moving as one unit.
Every race, every workout, and every moment of doubt was met with encouragement and teamwork, proving that when we trust each other, we run harder and stronger. The coaches constantly remind players to stay locked in, even under pressure.
One of the most repeated reminders we hear is “Turn to the side. Breathe out of your mouth.” This more than just advice. It’s a symbol of staying calm, focused, and in control when it matters most. That mindset has helped us push through tough races and finish strong, no matter the challenge.
What truly sets the Clippers apart is our bond. We don’t just swim together; we support each other like family. Before every race, our team chant fills the air: “Family on 3, family on me… 1, 2, 3 FAMILY!” Those words remind us that no one competes alone. Every stride is backed by the trust and love of the entire team.
So far this season, the Patterson Clippers have proven that unity is our greatest strength. By trusting each other, listening to our coaches, and standing together as a family, we’ve built something bigger than wins; we’ve built a legacy.
Immigration enforcement has become a global issue that often violates the rights of immigrants, especially Hispanics. Many are forcibly taken and sent back to their home countries. This has led to protests, as immigrants feel their rights are being stripped away, resulting in violence.
A tragic incident occurred on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, when a 37-year-old woman named Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE enforcement officer. This incident quickly garnered widespread attention, revealing the harsh realities of immigration enforcement.
In my opinion, the enforcement actions by ICE are horrific. It’s distressing to witness Hispanic individuals live in fear as agents break down their doors, taking away their rights and essentially kidnapping them, which violates the 14th Amendment. The situation is even more alarming when ICE enforcers target schools, taking Hispanic children in the same way they do adults. The methods employed by these officers are truly frightening. They are typically armed and show no restraint in apprehending Hispanic individuals.
I believe that we need a different approach to immigration policy in this country, one that respects the human rights of immigrants and is guided by compassion and understanding, not fear and hate.
Patterson High School had the honor of welcoming a very special guest on January 9 when Rochelle Ballantyne, a nationally recognized chess player, lawyer, speaker, and advocate for inclusion, paid the school a visit. The event was hosted by the Patterson Chess Team and co-sponsored by the Baltimore Kids Chess League, and it became an unforgettable experience for students from Patterson and across the city.
Rochelle Ballantyne is known not only for her success in chess, but also for her powerful story. She won a high school chess championship while still in middle school, later becoming one of the stars of the award-winning documentary Brooklyn Castle (2012). The film followed five students from a junior high school chess team in Brooklyn and showed how, despite coming from low-income communities, they won more national championships than any other school in the country. Through chess, Rochelle showed how education, discipline, and opportunity can change lives.
During her visit, Ballantyne gave an inspiring TED-style talk where she shared her personal journey. She spoke honestly about her wins and losses, and how chess helped her grow–not just as a player, but as a person. She explained that Brooklyn Castle was about more than personal success—it highlighted bigger issues in the education system and the importance of investing in young people. Ballantyne emphasized that chess gave her a voice, one she does not take for granted, and allowed her to inspire students in communities like ours.
One of the most powerful messages from her speech was about leadership and perspective. Ballantyne explained that chess teaches you to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Every piece has value, just like every person has a story worth hearing. She shared how this mindset shaped her into a better lawyer, listener, and advocate. According to Ballantyne, real leadership is not just about making the right move, but about listening, adapting, and understanding the whole board—both in chess and in life.
After her talk, Ballantyne played against 45 students, taking on 20 opponents at a time, which amazed everyone watching. She did not lose a single match. However, due to her tight schedule and the need to catch her train, she offered draws to Nathan Hernandez, Dominic Robinson, and Brandon Lopez. Special recognition was also given to Kaniya Gardner and Josseling Cadena for their outstanding performance. Many students said they felt inspired and motivated by the experience.
I had the opportunity to interview Rochelle Ballantyne during her visit. When I asked her about her time in college, she shared that it was difficult at first because it was her first time away from home and the academic work was much harder. However, she said college opened her eyes to a new world and helped her discover who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do in the future.
When asked about the biggest challenges she faced, Ballantyne spoke about growing up in a low-income household and helping support her family. She emphasized the importance of community, family, and having people who believe in you. She shared that her mother and grandmother were the first people to truly believe in her and push her to achieve her goals, something she said she will always be grateful for.
Reflecting on Brooklyn Castle, Ballantyne explained that she did not feel pressure during filming because she was very young at the time, but she is proud of the impact the movie had. She believes it helped show how important education is and why it deserves more support. When asked what she would tell her younger self, Ballantyne answered simply but powerfully: “Keep going.” She reminded students that even when things are uncomfortable or painful, there is something brighter on the other side.
The event was truly a team effort, and special thanks go to the Patterson Chess Team members, including Nelson, Amori, Donavan, Devin, Steven, Jaisdel, Jordon, Libny, Rubi, and Roman, who helped make this event possible. Ballantyne herself praised our school, saying, “I was really impressed with Patterson. They are really building something special here.”
Rochelle Ballantyne’s visit was more than a chess event—it was a lesson about perseverance, leadership, and believing in yourself. For many students, including myself, her story was a reminder that no matter where you come from, with determination, support, and vision, you can change your future.
Have you ever seen someone walking around in a shirt that says SWB? If so, they are probably part of one of the Soccer Without Borders teams.
Patterson has more than 90 students playing on one of the three different SWB teams, including a girls team. Soccer Without Borders is an organization that supports newcomer refugee and immigrant youth in Baltimore and across the world — SWB operates in 122 different countries!
The organization uses soccer to help students find a community in a new country, get support with schoolwork, see new places through field trips and practice English.
The spring season will start soon. All teams practice two times each week and play games in different leagues on the weekend. If you are interested in joining one of the teams, or would like more information, please reach out to Ms. Moschelle in room 352.
Ms. Marchewka’s Art 2 students created original artwork expressing a variety of personal themes using charcoal, pencil, and mixed media. Some of these works of art are on display in the second floor hallway and in the Clipper art gallery located near the health suite and the pantry. Below are five selected works by Patterson students.
(estudiante del curso de Español para hablantes de Herencia : cohorte 2028)
La experiencia de mi primer año en Patterson fue un poco estresante porque llegué un poco tarde;ya habían pasado los primeros días de clase. Sin embargo, todos fueron muy amables conmigo. Muchos maestros me trataron muy bien y me ayudaron a entender sus clases. El primer día estaba muy ansiosa y tenía miedo de ver quiénes serían mis nuevos maestros y compañeros,pero me sentí aliviada porque todos fueron muy buenos conmigo y me hicieron sentir cómoda.
La gran diversidad de alumnos que se pueden encontrar en Patterson al principio me atemorizaba, ya que esperaba que pudiéramos llevarnos bien unos con otros. Temía no caerles bien o que no me hablaran, así que me mantuve distante, evitando malas miradas o comentarios. Con el tiempo, me di cuenta de que estaba equivocada; todo eso solo estaba en mi mente. Mis compañeros de clase resultaron ser exactamente lo que necesitaba para sentir que sí encajaba aquí.
En Patterson he tomado la clase de arte porque me gusta dibujar y crear cosas. También formo parte del programa AJROTC porque, si no logro encontrar algo que realmente me guste en mi último año,me gustaría considerar la milicia como una opción para poder ayudar económicamente a mi mamá.
No voy a mentir,cuando llegué, sí tuve algunas dificultades para entender el trabajo. La transición de la escuela intermedia a la secundaria no fue fácil. Al principio me daba pena pedir ayuda, pero cuando lo hice, los maestros siempre estuvieron dispuestos a explicarme y a apoyarme. Ellos me recuerdan constantemente que no importa si uno no entiende algo de inmediato, lo importante es pedir ayuda sin miedo.
A los estudiantes que están empezando la secundaria, les diría que siempre estén preparados, que hagan sus trabajos a tiempo y que no los dejen para el último momento. Aunque dé miedo, pedir ayuda es clave para aprender y ganar confianza. Tampoco tengan miedo de hacer amigos. Sé que no es fácil, pero cuando lo logren, se darán cuenta de que es una de las mejores decisiones, porque los amigos son una parte muy importante de la vida.
Espero aprobar todas mis clases con buenas calificaciones y no perder ninguna por falta de responsabilidad. He vivido muchos momentos hermosos en la escuela,en mis clases, con mis amigos y durante los paseos escolares. A veces, esos pequeños momentos son los que más se recuerdan.
Lo que más disfruto son los paseos escolares. Son muy divertidos y,para poder participar, es importante ser responsable con las clases y cumplir con las expectativas de comportamiento tanto en los salones como en los pasillos. Creo que, para tener una experiencia positiva en Patterson, es fundamental mostrar esfuerzo e interés por aprender.
Nunca me ha interesado practicar deportes ni unirme a equipos deportivos,pero sé que en esta escuela los equipos son divertidos y positivos para los estudiantes que sí desean participar. Unirse a algún grupo les puede enseñar cosas nuevas, como disciplina y responsabilidad,retan a los alumnos y les ayudan a sentirse parte de un equipo y a tener orgullo por la escuela que representan.
En ocasiones pueden parecer duros y estrictos, pero solo es para que seamos buenas personas y pongamos empeño tanto en el trabajo escolar como en los grupos/equipos a los que pertenecemos.
Aún me faltan dos años para terminar la secundaria,pero el tiempo que he estado aquí me ha ido muy bien y espero graduarme de esta escuela, donde todos han sido tan buenos conmigo. Muchos dicen que Patterson es mala o fea,pero yo diría lo contrario porque, a pesar de algunas situaciones, la mayoría de las personas son respetuosas, educadas y hasta cuidan la escuela.
Para terminar, quiero dejar un consejo a quienes llegan este año. Todos merecen sentirse seguros en la escuela. Si en algún momento no es así, hay muchos profesores y adultos dispuestos a ayudar. No tengan miedo de intentar cosas nuevas. Ya sea un deporte, una actividad, una clase o simplemente pedir ayuda, todo suma a la experiencia. Patterson ofrece muchas oportunidades, y cuando uno se da la oportunidad de participar, es más fácil sentirse parte de la escuela y disfrutar el tiempo aquí.
by Julia Vargas Pina (Student of Spanish for Heritage Speakers class – Cohort 2028)
The experience of my first year at Patterson was a little stressful, because I arrived a bit late; the first days of school had already passed. However, everyone was very kind. Many teachers treated me well and helped me understand their classes. On the first day, I was very anxious and afraid to see who my new teachers and classmates would be, but I felt relieved because everyone was very welcoming and made me feel comfortable.
At first, the great diversity of students at Patterson intimidated me, and I hoped we would all get along with one another. I was afraid people wouldn’t like me or wouldn’t talk to me, so I kept my distance, trying to avoid negative looks or comments. Over time, I realized I was wrong; all of that was only in my mind. My classmates turned out to be exactly what I needed to feel that I truly belonged here.
At Patterson, I have taken an art class because I enjoy drawing and creating things. I am also part of the AFJROTC program because, if I don’t find something I truly enjoy by my senior year, I will consider the military as an option to help support my mom financially.
I won’t lie–when I first arrived, I had some difficulty understanding the schoolwork. The transition from middle school to high school was not easy. At first, I felt shy about asking for help, but when I did, the teachers were always willing to explain and support me. They constantly remind me that it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand something right away, what matters is asking for help without fear.
To students who are just starting high school, I would say to always be prepared, complete your work on time, and don’t leave everything for the last minute. Even if it feels scary, asking for help is key to learning and gaining confidence. Don’t be afraid to make friends, either. I know it’s not easy, but once you do, you’ll realize it’s one of the best decisions you can make, because friends are a very important part of life.
I hope to pass all my classes with good grades and not fail any due to a lack of responsibility. I’ve experienced many beautiful moments at school, in my classes, with my friends, and during school field trips. Sometimes, it’s those small moments that are remembered the most.
What I enjoy the most are school trips. They are very fun, and in order to participate, it’s important to be responsible in your classes and meet behavior expectations, both in classrooms and hallways. I believe that to have a positive experience at Patterson, it’s essential to show effort and interest in learning.
I’ve never been very interested in playing sports or joining athletic teams, but I know that at this school, teams are fun and positive for students who want to participate. Joining a group can teach students new things like discipline and responsibility, challenge them, and help them feel part of a team and proud of the school they represent.
At times, teachers and coaches may seem strict, but it’s only because they want us to be good people and to put effort into both our schoolwork and the groups or teams we belong to.
I still have two more years to finish high school, but the time I’ve spent here has been very positive, and I hope to graduate from this school, where so many people have been kind to me. Many people say negative things about Patterson, but I would say the opposite because, despite some challenges, most people are respectful, well-behaved, and even take care of the school.
To finish, I want to leave a piece of advice for those who are arriving this year. Everyone deserves to feel safe at school. If at any moment that isn’t the case, many teachers and adults are willing to help. Don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s a sport, an activity, a class, or simply asking for help; everything adds to the experience. Patterson offers many opportunities, and when you give yourself the chance to participate, it becomes easier to feel like you belong and to enjoy your time here.
Some people believe that technology is the key to our growth or success. However, I believe that it causes us to be too dependent on it. Technology can be a good thing but I think it has caused more problems rather than simply making our lives easier. Many people want to talk about the growth and the good of technology but they don’t list all the problems that come along with using technology.
The University of the People article, “Society Is Too Dependent On Technology,” claims that it is about the negative effects but it doesn’t really go into detail, making it seem like not a big deal. The author states that “Technology can be a powerful tool when used correctly.” I believe they say this to downplay the negative effects and portray them as minor and easy to control. The article also uses innuendo by saying that technology use “can reduce face-to-face communication,” sort of hinting at social damage without arguing about the long-term consequences or effects. Additionally, when the author states, “studies show that technology affects how people think and behave”, the author does not cite any sources–trying to make the statement seem factual without any evidence to back it up.
UA Grantham’s “Technology: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” kind of does the same thing. They also talk about some of the problems technology can cause but considers them as small, manageable, or unimportant. The author describes serious issues such as “privacy loss” and “cyber security threats” but refers to them as “challenges of the digital age”, minimizing the potential harm caused by these problems. This article also uses innuendo when the author states, “society is increasingly becoming more and more reliant on technology”, suggesting that we are too dependent but without fully going into detail about it. Furthermore, I think the author uses a lot of truth surrogates–for example, “Technology has transformed nearly every aspect of our modern life.” This claim has little to no evidence to back it up but people agree with it automatically without calling it into question.
Lastly, The United Nations article, “Impact Of Digital Technologies,” strongly supports technological advancements while limiting the discussions of its risks. While the article does mention unequal access to technology, it goes right back to the benefits, using innuendo, downplayers, and truth surrogates. The author downplays global inequalities by stating that “digital technologies are made to accelerate progress towards sustainable development”, basically treating them as secondary issues. The UN also uses innuendo when it claims that “countries that fail to adopt digital technologies are at risk of being left behind.” This statement suggests that if you don’t improve your technology or follow global trends you’re basically irresponsible. Finally, the author uses truth surrogates, stating that “digital technologies are transforming societies worldwide.” Even though this claim is broad and authoritative, it still lacks evidence as to how technology is transforming different societies worldwide.
In conclusion, while I still think technology is bad and causes more problems than good, many people and companies will have different opinions. While I still think people should talk more about the downsides and actually have studies to back up their claims or reasoning, I think people only see the good in technology since it makes everything easier to manage and do.
Our women’s volleyball team played its first season since the retirement of Coach Leliani Jones, a coach who has mentored these women since 2019. After coaching volleyball at Patterson for six years, another goal-oriented leader by the name of Ms. Waker is attempting to fill Coach Jones’ shoes as Patterson’s new varsity volleyball coach.
Taking on the new role of a leader in these students lives both off and on the court, Coach Waker said, “I’ve always wanted to coach, so it was a perfect opportunity to challenge myself while doing what I enjoy, which is teaching kids to have fun and be confident in their abilities”. The returning volleyball athletes (three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and a freshman) had to readjust to the new coach’s methods to be able to dominate.
A varsity coach who has never played volleyball and a JV coach with little to no coaching experience took charge and finished the season with five wins and seven losses. These coaches learned the rules of the game and each player’s personality within a few weeks, so the team could get back on the court.
A few weeks into September, the coaches tried introducing new rotations in the games so players felt more comfortable. “Lost games were often due to players set in the ways of their past coach and because players lacked stamina from choosing not to condition”, Coach Waker explained.
After a disappointing game against Reginald F. Lewis on September 18, the coaches came to the conclusion that their players lacked discipline and motivation. “I understand it was difficult for players to adapt from prior coaching but I wanted everyone to try their best to have fun and push through the discomfort.”, Coach Waker reflected.
The coaches were open to testing new ideas and learning from the team, and this growth mindset supported the players in their games. “Players were often asking to stay late after practice just to improve the team chemistry, drilling to keep their winning spirits up”, recounted varsity captain Alivia Wallece.
This is what made players realize that restarting doesn’t mean a world ending, it means a new world beginning. “Being more positive as a team will help us win instead of losing because we’re in our heads while playing“, said Sophomore varsity player Briel Gale.
After winning a few games towards the end of the season, the team tried their hardest to keep the winning streak up but found they were still frequently outmatched by the opposing team. The scores were relatively close after each set, but the Lady Clippers were often defeated by the end of the game.
However, the team refused to give up and the Lady Clippers persevered to win the final two games of the regular season, thereby qualifying for playoffs. Revitalized by this accomplishment, they were ready to face those county teams with Clipper pride. The team pushed through all distractions and fears and did their best.
Based on this outstanding late-season performance, the new coaching staff is confident that with more practice and time, the Lady Clippers have a bright future ahead of them. These individuals constantly bring light to the team about the circumstances they face instead of dwelling on them, even though they sometimes felt negative or frustrated themselves.
Even with all their disadvantages and sudden changes, the team still fought hard and made its mark. Our ladies are excited to come back next season, stronger than before, and show the world what being a Lady Clipper means!
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