By Brionica Jackson

Patterson High School students took a 3 day trip to Annapolis from Saturday, April 27 through Monday, April 29 to participate in the Maryland Youth in Government program. They were able to stay at Hotel Annapolis for the weekend.

The students had choices to participate in one of the following activities: court, press, Senate , House, or delegate. They were able to act out the different roles of our government. Students were able to vote: electing the next Governor, Secretary of State, and Lt. Governor. They were able to exercise their opinions on the bills that they put out, sign petitions and more. Students wrote bills, fought for them, and helped bills get signed by their elected Governor.

The students even dressed professionally for their acting roles. Attendees were able to go to a banquet where the seniors in the program were awarded a graduation gift for being a senior and being in the program for two or more years. The seniors of Patterson who went on this year’s trip include John Dingzon and Brionica Jackson. The students received a red, white and blue ribbon. When I asked John Dingzon ” How did it feel to be graduating from Maryland Youth and Government after all this time?” he responded with “I was proud of myself!”

Kayla Holeman is a freshman and it was her first time going to Youth and Government. Although she didn’t have time to speak on her bill she enjoyed her time there. She said that next year she can’t wait to do it again. She enjoyed the atmosphere of the program and meeting new people. It looks like Kayla will be the next senior graduating from Youth and Government from the Patterson High School delegation!

Brionica Jackson

Students in the Jonathan Club went to the number one school in the nation, Princeton University, on April 5.

The club traveled two hours and thirty minutes to Princeton, New Jersey, to visit the school. When the students arrived there, they ate pizza in the cafeteria while some students even brought food from the school. During the trip the students walked around the school and got a tour.

Coach Kelley, Academic Coach and teacher adviser for the Jonathan Ogden Club said, “it was great to expose our students to an Ivy League College and show them how hard they have to work to get accepted.”

Ms. Edler set up the trip and brought some juniors to see where they could be in the future if they apply themselves.

Kumatchu, a junior here at Patterson, says, “It was great to see a school like that. Before, I didn’t even know what Princeton was. When I get my SAT Scores back I might even apply there.”

The trip to Princeton has inspired students to think harder about their goals for after high school and what they need to do to achieve them.

By Brionica Jackson

Why are students not doing so well in school? Why is it that Senior year is the year that students’ GPA tends to drop? Why is it that some students struggle with more behavioral issues than other students?

One reason is depression.

I conducted a survey for students at Patterson High School, and it turned out that out of the four different grades, Seniors are the ones who are facing depression the most. Based on this short survey, 53% of the students are stressed due to family issues. Things that are going on at home are causing the students to be upset.

Most issues that students develop come from how the students were brought up and how their living situations are in the home. The things that happen at home are what is causing kids to act out. When it continues or the problem expands, students began to feel numb to the feeling of loneliness. They start to feel nothing and that causes them to become depressed. When that happens, they begin to lose interest in things. Stress and pressure leads students into a depressed state of mind.

Seniors are going through more stress and pressure as they worry about meeting graduation requirements, getting into college, and preparing for the transition to adult life. That is one of the main reasons why seniors tend to be more likely to become depressed than the lower grades.

If you are feeling depressed or stressed out, see the school psychologist, Ms. Gaither, in the Media Center or other staff members for support.