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Patterson AFJROTC attends aviation expo

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Patterson JROTC students arrive at Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

By Jevaughn Taylor

Patterson students from Patterson’s Air Force JROTC program, along with students from Poly Technical High School, went on a field trip to Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Washington DC on October 4th. The purpose of this event was to understand the importance of aviation (flight) technologies and to explore careers that help us to become a better country. Our students were escorted by military personnel throughout this activity.

Some of the students had the opportunity to go to different types of businesses to learn more and see what careers they are interested in. Other students simply went to learn about military aviation.  Students also received free giveaways such as lights, candy and balls. Students also learned about smart ways the armed forces are working to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. A good example is how the military is building a prototype jet that can fly by itself. This way it will be safer for American citizens and soldiers, so they will not be in danger’s way when the clock ticks.

Towards the end of the day our students all marched in an orderly fashion  to have lunch, where they met former Patterson High School Principal Mrs. Laura D’Anna. She was happy to meet our students and she posed for a picture with them to remember them. Afterward, our students broke off and watched presentations by other schools, including marching, a silent rifle drill, and presentations on aviation.

This field trip was organized by the leaders of Patterson High School’s AFJROTC MD-932, including student officers Cadet Major Fernando Brown and Vice Corp Commander Cadet Katie Thomas as well as teacher officers Sergeant Smith and Colonel Nichols. With the help and inspiration of these two teachers, American students will know how to become successful people who accomplish something worthwhile in life.  This field trip has helped Patterson students to understand that when we are united together, we will be successful as a country.

 

Rifle demonstration (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

Patterson JROTC student officers pose with former Patterson Principal Ms. Laura D’Anna (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

 

New salad bar coming to Patterson

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By Brennan Meeks

Patterson is getting a new salad bar for our students, staff and teachers during the week of October 15th-19th . The salad bar will be located in the cafeteria and will be open during lunch period only. Some students think it is a good idea to put a salad bar in the school because it can really help the students stay focused and on task. The salad bar will provide students with a way to eat healthy, gain energy, and get educated. There will be different types of salads to choose from so everyone can enjoy something they like. The salad bar will help our school improve and become healthier.

This is the first year that Patterson has installed a salad bar in the school cafeteria. If you have any questions about the salad bar, please see Ms. Diehl in the Health Corps room (across from the gym) for more information.

Election 2012

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(Photo: CBSnews.com)

By Brennan Meeks

Election Day is on its way. If you are 18 or older, you can register to vote in the 2012 election. Election Day is on November 6,2012 for those who want to vote. In addition to choosing the next President, voters can also select their favorite candidates for state and local government and can vote on a number of ballot initiatives like approving new casinos and legalizing gay marriage in Maryland.

Recently, the candidates of the two major parties went head to head in a presidential debate. President Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, wants to build schools in the nation to make sure students get their education. “Make young people and medicare stronger,” said Obama. The President wants to put a lot of money into schools and create new jobs.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is the Republican candidate. Romney says he doesn’t want to add more taxes. He wants the government to spend less money so that he can lower the taxes. Both candidates say they want to change the world and create jobs to help get people working. The next Presidential debate will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at 9:00 PM EST. You can watch the debate live on all of the major TV networks.

Principal Benton reveals his plans for the new year

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Principal Vance Benton

Mr. Vance Benton, Principal of Patterson High School (Photo: Brenden Williams, Patterson Press)

Interview by Jevaughn Taylor

The Patterson Press sat down with Principal Vance Benton to discuss some of the recent changes that have been made to the school and to keep up to date about more changes that are being planned for the 2012-2013 school year.

Patterson Press: What are your plans for the 2012-2013 school year?

Mr. Benton: To continue to improve student behavior and culture and implement meaningful change, especially to shape students’ lives and to strive  to be one of the top 5oo schools across the country.

Patterson Press: How do you feel about the changes you have made?

Mr Benton:  It feels good. I’m not satisfied with how things are right now but I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.

Patterson Press: How do you feel about feel about the students?

Mr Benton: Some students want this to be an ordinary school but i want it to be an extraordinary school for us. Fights are not acceptable in our school. We don’t let our circumstances shape us! We shape our circumstances.

Patterson Press: Can you share some of the future plans you have for the the school with us, if you don’t mind?

Mr Benton: Our day care should be up and running soon as well as our salad bar and QBA [in-school suspension].

Patterson Press: Some students think that with all the hall monitors, police officers, and resource officers in the school, they are being treated like criminals. What do you think about that?

Mr Benton: You’ve got some students who don’t come to school on time, either in class on time, don’t stay in class, and they steal and rob the other students,  teachers and other staff members who are trying to help them. We need more [officers] in the building, and I am sick and tired of seeing poor students that don’t have an education.

Patterson Press: Can you just give a small word of advice to the students?

Mr Benton: Students need to know how to decipher what’s good and what’s bad. If our students don’t start turning off that music and that television, they are going to self -destruct.

The Patterson Press would like to thank Mr. Benton for his time.

OPINION: School lunch needs serious improvement

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By Qu’Chae Madison

Everyone has different opinions when it comes to Patterson’s school lunch. Some like it, but many do not. I got the honest opinions of some Patterson students and recent graduates via Facebook. In response to my question, “Does anyone like Patterson’s school lunch?”, senior Allyce  Black said,”It’s dehydrated, and not flavorful. They put it in the microwave to make it bigger”. Former Patterson student Shannon K. declared,”I hated it,it tasted like cardboard”. Raymond Partee, another former Patterson student, stated, “I won’t lie–some of it was good, and some of it tasted like straight crap”.

It is clear to me that the quality of our school lunch is simply unacceptable and changes should be made as soon as possible. The new salad bar will be a step in the right direction, but there is much more that needs to be done. One  way I believe we can improve school lunch is to persuade the government to provide schools with better food that is made with higher quality ingredients. Our cafeteria workers can also make a difference by substituting healthier methods of cooking for the unhealthy methods that are currently used. For example, Patterson students are sometimes served fried chicken for lunch.Instead of fried chicken,the cafeteria could have served roasted chicken. I hope Patterson takes these suggestions seriously and makes an effort to improve our school lunches. Until then, my advice is to pack your own lunch. That way, you can control what is in it.

 

 

Community Fair brings school and neighborhood together

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Participants join in a traditional Mexican dance

Participants join in a traditional Mexican dance (Photo: Patterson Press)

By Brennan Meeks

Patterson High School held a Back to School Night and Community Fair on September 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event was held mainly in the cafeteria but spread out into hallways and classrooms because there were so many things to do and see. Many local organizations from the Bayview area came out to support our school and inform students and their families about the services they provide. Among the community partners present were Johns Hopkins University, the Building STEPs program, CASA de Maryland and the Refugee Youth Project. Johns Hopkins Medical Center even sent a giant truck that provided free HIV screening and other medical services. Patterson put its many different resources and programs on display, such as sports, career pathway programs, health programs and much more.

Patterson had many visitors from the community, such as a local McDonald’s, which came to support us by giving away free sandwiches.  There were exciting entertainment acts, including a belly dancer, a hip-hop group and a a group of traditional dancers from Mexico. At the fair, the school also provided meals for teachers, students, staff, and families that were involved in the fair. At the fair, there were prizes that you can win just by completing a task. Also on display were many Patterson clubs that students can join. The Patterson Press table even featured old issues of the school newspaper dating back to the World War 2 era. The school store was open for anyone who wanted to purchase Patterson logo-ed shirts, mugs, pens, binders and much more.

Many Patterson students volunteered to help set up and run the fair, earning community service hours in the process. All of our Patterson family participated in this special event, making this year’s community fair a huge success.  We hope to do it again next school year. We would like to see a lot of family, staff members and students come back next time. Our mission is to make our school one of the top 500 schools in the nation, and this year’s community fair showed that we are well on the way to achieving that goal.

Rayvis Mitchell contributed to this article.

Ms. Diehl from Patterson's Health Corps, demonstrates how to eat a healthy diet. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Ms. Diehl from Patterson’s Health Corps, demonstrates how to eat a healthy diet. (Photo: Patterson Press)

CASA de Maryland

Latino rights organization CASA de Maryland promotes the Maryland Dream Act, which would grant more rights to undocumented immigrants in Maryland.  (Photo: Patterson Press)

Female coaches

Patterson’s female coaches encourage students to get involved in athletics. (Photo: Patterson Press)

belly dancer

A belly dancer performs for the crowd (Photo: Patterson Press)

Nail tech

Ms. Bridgeforth’s nail tech students give hand treatments and manicures. (Photo: Patterson Press)

eating

Students, family members, staff and visitors enjoy a meal together. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Clipper Corner

The school store (now called the Clipper Corner) sells Patterson T-shirts and other gear to students and visitors. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Free medical screenings

Health professionals provide free medical screenings on their mobile trailer. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Patterson student to visit Africa

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Ambar Laboy (Photo: Patterson Press)

Interview by Tekleweyni Asfaha

Patterson student Ambar Laboy has been granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend three weeks in Africa this summer as part of a cultural exchange program called “Black to Our Roots”. The Patterson Press sat down with Ambar to discuss her upcoming trip and what she hopes to gain from the experience.

Patterson Press : Why do you want to go to Africa?

Ambar Laboy: I would love to go to Africa to get out of my comfort zone and explore.

PP: How did you learn about the opportunity to go on this trip and how did you get accepted to the program?

AL: I learned  about this opporitunity in school and and  I went to the program meetings and  workshops.

PP: When will you go to Africa and for how long?

AL: This summer for three weeks.

PP: Where will you go in Africa?

AL: Ethiopia and Ghana

PP: What will you do there?

AL: I will learn about their culture and traditions.

PP: How do you think you think you will feel when you go to Africa?

AL: I will probably feel nervous and uncomfortable at first  but after a while I will feel comfortable.

PP: How do you think this trip will change you?

AL: It will change the way I look at the world.

PP: Do you have any relatives  in Africa?

AL: No.

PP: In what ways do you think African cultures are different from your culture?

AL: [As a Puerto Rican] I really don’t think there a difference; Probably there is a difference between African or Puerto Rican culture and American culture.

PP: Have you heard any statements about what Africans are like, and if so, do you believe these statements to be true?

AL: Yes, people  have to told me that Africa is really hot with a lot of animals and all poor people, etc. I don’t believe that’s true. I have to see to believe.

PP: Have you ever heard people talking  badly about Africa?

AL: Yes, I have heard people talking  badly about Africa but I really believe that it is all lies.

The Patterson Press thanks Ambar for her time and wishes her the best of luck on her upcoming trip to Africa.

Special Print Edition of Patterson Press Now Available

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A special year-in-review newsprint edition of the Patterson Press has been published and is now available free of charge, thanks to the generosity of a number of people who are acknowledged in the print edition. The 12 page tabloid-sized paper features full color on the front back and center pages and includes a wide range of articles and photos from throughout the 2011-2012 school year. To obtain a copy, contact Mr. Pesa in Rm. 203 of Patterson High School or send a large self-addressed envelope with two stamps to: Patterson Press, c/o Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street, Baltimore, MD 21224. The Patterson Press would like to thank everyone who helped make this special edition possible!

Senior Superlatives

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Every year the Patterson Press and the Yearbook committee ask seniors to vote for their favorite candidates for everything from “class clown” to “favorite teacher”. These are the winners of this year’s “Senior Superlatives” election:

Category Female Male
Cutest couple Tionna Johnson Daquan Milburn
Most Fashionable Kabita Magar Arjun Ghaley
Most Talented Genisis Noboa Salah al deen Al Batayneh
Most Artistic Stella Matsangos Mark Wilson
Most Helpful Pabitra Gautam Grace Monga
Most Athletic Michelina Poindexter Derrick Green
Class Clown Amatullan Abdoullah Leroy Clowney
Teacher’s Pet Miquel Vazquez Dominic Jones
Most Argumentative Shaquane Hursey Kenneth Troy
Best Personality Bobbie Scott Robert Joyce
Most Creative Shawna Beckett Ricky Gordon
Best Smile Kristen Edwards Jeffery King
Prettiest Eyes Oni Nana Shad Noori
Biggest Flirt Breana Yancy Devonte Britton
Most Likely to Succeed Hawa Sall Muluberhan Bahre
Favorites – Category Winner
Singer Triple tie – Beyonce, Trey Songz, Rihanna
Vacation Place Miami
Car Nissan
Candy Snickers
TV Show Family Guy
Phone IPhone
Shoes Nike
Fashion Accessories Bracelets
Teachers Ms. Franklin
Color Blue
Movie Twilight
Song Climax by Usher
Clothing line Tie – Polo & Levis
Fast Food Restaurant McDonalds
Ringtone The Motto by Drake

Patterson students win math competition

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By Mengfei Chen, Patterson Press staff writer (with files from Mr. Gil Laqui)

Patterson students won the top 3 prizes of the 2012 National Technical Association (NTA) Mathematics Contest on Saturday, April 21,2012 at Morgan State University. The following are the students who joined the math contest and their respective awards:

Jialin Wang – 1st place ($100 as 1st place winner + $50 and a TI Inspire calculator for averaging at least 90%)
Fenyi Chen – 2nd place ($50 as 2nd place winner+ $50 and a TI Inspire calculator for averaging at least 90%)
MengFei Chen – 3rd place ($25 as 3rd place winner)
Elvyre Djiogo ($15 for participating in the contest)
Vinh Tran ($15 for participating in the contest)

In the two months before the contest began, calculus teacher Mr. Gil Laqui taught an after-school lesson every Tuesday and Thursday for the students who was joining the math contest. He was teaching not only the knowledge that already been taught in high school but also introduced some college level concepts. Every student in this group participated in these lessons and enjoyed the process. On April 28, after the intense competition, Patterson students took the top three places in Group A and everyone on the team participated and did well. The sponsor of this contest introduced Mr.Laqui and gave him high praise for preparing his students so well. “I am very proud of our students and the organizers were very impressed as well for this kind of feat”, said Mr. Laqui.

Success does not happen by chance. It requires both hard work and perseverance. All students can do what this team did if they put in the same effort. All Patterson students are encouraged to join this contest next year. Participants will get a chance to meet professionals in many areas of the scientific fields and will also be given the opportunity to attend an SAT workshop. That is not the exam itself but a training for students to sharpen their mathematic skills.

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