Editor’s Note: What follows are reflections from two graduating seniors who participated in Patterson’s Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) CTE Pathway. We were not able to include these in the May 2024 print edition of the Patterson Press but we present them to you here:
In the program, I learned many things. I progressed in my learning skills and people skills. Before, I was quiet, not really an interactive person, but the program helped me out of my comfort zone to succeed further in everyday life. This program expands my education to have a positive effect on my life. It showed me very important lessons. The T.A.M. program teaches you how to be a teacher and the ways to be a successful one. Being with my mentor (Mr. Baron) was a great experience. He let me in on key things when teaching and he helped me to really interact with students as if I was a teacher. This let me see a different perspective. Enjoy the T.A.M. pathway–It will be a great experience! -Iyanna Jenkins – Internship TAM program, Cohort 2024
My experience being at the pathway Teacher Academy of Maryland has been wonderful. I have learned very nice things and I have also overcome some of my fears in grade ten. I learned all the wonderful things about child development. Throughout this year I have overcome one of my biggest fears, which is to be speaking in front of people I don’t know. The most difficult thing is learning how to teach like a professional, but Ms. Sanchez has helped me and she has has also given me the example of how to do it at the same time. Just like my mentor: he has been patient with me and I have learned a lot in his class because his class is in Spanish, my first language, and I feel good learning too. And of course I am going to recommend this pathway to my friends because it is very nice to learn so many things. -Nesly Oliva, Cohort 2024
Patterson High School offers a plethora of different CTE pathways and clubs. Among them is our school’s band. The and is split into two sections: the marching band, which is mobile and performs at parades and sporting events, and the concert band, which wears formal attire and performs at indoor events. Both sections of Patterson High School’s band have participated in many great events this school year, such as the Mayor’s Parade, the Winter Concert, the School Choice Fair, the St. James Parade, and the Springs Art Show. Additionally, Patterson has added a new musical group this school year: the choir. Although the choir is separate from the band, they frequently collaborate and perform together.
Music teacher and band director Ms. Williams has reflected on her opinions of the band, what they have accomplished, the hardships they faced, and the efforts that went into preparing the students for the many events they did this year.
“One of the things that we’re working on is them coming up with a set list right before the performance to see if they can execute that. They don’t like it but it forces them to bring their ‘A’ game.”, Ms. Williams said.
As a small band, they lack the numbers of performers that some other schools have, so Ms. Williams has to make sure they can play to the best of their ability through practice and testing them with a set list. There also struggles that come with having few staff members to help.
“Sometimes I have to focus on the woodwinds to make sure they sound right, to the neglect of the percussion, which is why I asked Terrance [Whitaker] to come, so he can pay a little bit more attention to them.”
With only Ms. Williams and Mr. Whitaker on staff, they have to split their time to try make sure everyone can get equal attention and improve their abilities. Yet despite these challenges, everyone in the band still performs well. For most students, joining the band has helped them a lot.
“[Ms. Williams] helps me a lot, helps me be outside my comfort zone, which helps me gain that confidence. She’s an amazing teacher.”, said Kailani Becker.
Becker is a band member who plays the flute. In the beginning, she used to be shy, but after a while being around her peers and the teacher it helped her as a person to become confident socially.
Kylayah Davis, the editor in chief of the Patterson Press, also plays in the band as a trumpet player. She expressed how band changed her as a person.
“ I can open myself to a lot more things… and the effort I put into band expanded to other areas.”
Band has helped Davis become capable of putting the same amount of effort into other things she is interested in, which help her apply herself more, changing her as a person and expanding her capabilities.
As this program continues to grow, the experience will hopefully help others to also be a part of something bigger than themselves. As for Patterson, this current iteration of the band didn’t start until 2015, after many years of not having a fully functional band.
“Patterson didn’t have a band program for decades. Until I got here in 2015 is when we started…And it’s a slow build.”, Ms. Williams said.
There are many things Ms. Williams would like to add to the band to get more help, such as having coaching staff for each part of the band, including woodwinds, brass, percussion, flags, etc., and getting more instruments and equipment. But a big barrier to getting those upgrades is obtaining the funds to pay for them. Ms. Williams has been trying to get more funding for the band. Meanwhile, the school administration has been expanding the music program in other ways. This school year, Patterson hired a choir teacher, Mr. Fowler, who has already made a huge impact in terms of what kinds of performances the school can do now that we have both a band and a choir. Next year school leaders aim to add a dance teacher to the staff as well. Together, Ms. Williams and the rest of the Patterson performing arts staff will explore the possibilities of what our talented students can do for next year’s performances and for years to come as the band and the performing arts program as a whole becomes better and better.
(Photo by Mr. Antoine)(Photo by Mr. Antoine)(Photo by Patterson Press)
BOAST stands for Baltimore Online Algebra for Students in Technology. It is a free, after school program for students who are interested in STEM fields and careers and want to apply their Math skills to solving real world challenges. It is part of a research study by Johns Hopkins.
Mr. Tiras is the in school representative for this program. Students in the BOAST program meet every Monday after school in Room 334. The program spans one school year, and students enrolled engage in many different engineering fields including:
Optical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Biomedical engineering
This school year, BOAST went on two field trips to Johns Hopkins University. On the first trip, we went over an introduction of the program. This was where we got to meet our assigned Johns Hopkins representative–the person who guides us through the BOAST curriculum.
The Hopkins representative that Patterson students were assigned was named Mr. Kohlbatz. He not only connected with us on an academic level, but on a personal level as well. He felt more like a friend than a teacher. He shared information about his personal life and academic background with us. This encouraged us to be more engaged with the work.
On the second trip, we met up back at the University and participated in a competition with the other BOAST teams. The focus of the competition was on acoustical engineering. The objective was to make a soundproofing box that could block specific decibel levels. Patterson didn’t win, but we tried our best.
The competition entailed 5 short stages or missions, which were made to be beginner friendly:
Mission 1: BOAST Introduction
¨You and your team of BOAST engineers are applying to be part of the Readiness Taskforce charged with protecting the Baltimore area from alien lifeforms. In your first Mission, familiarize yourselves with the platform used by the Taskforce. Then create an avatar to describe yourself and pitch your engineering team to the city officials looking to hire.¨
Mission 2: Technical Rescue
“The James Webb Space Telescope detects an asteroid leaving the Starfish Galaxy and heading towards Earth. As the asteroid moves closer to Earth, smaller meteoroids crash down in the Baltimore area, blocking the main roads entering the city. Use your knowledge of mechanical advantage and pulleys to design a pulley system that will allow crews to move the meteoroid debris and unblock the road.”
Mission 3: Machine Learning
“Just as things seem to be calming down, more space debris slams into a network of satellites used to gather data for weather forecasts! Using machine learning tools and the K-Nearest Neighbor technique develop a program that can accurately predict precipitation based on historical weather data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.”
Mission 4: Soundproofing
“The meteorites’ energy is causing high frequency sounds. To protect critical operations of Baltimore area institutions from the sound disruptions, city leaders call for engineering teams to develop a soundproofing device. A competition will determine the design implemented in the city. Jump into the research about sound waves and develop a soundproofing device prototype.¨
Mission 5: Business optimization
“Continued weather and public safety disruptions caused by the meteorites mean school is often remote, and students need the ability to learn from home and school. Your soundproofing prototype got the attention of an eccentric billionaire and she offers you a substantial grant to kickstart a business to provide at-home and classroom STEM lab kits. Make a business plan to show cost optimization and profitability predictions so you can receive the funding.”
If you’re looking to get into the engineering or medical fields, BOAST is a great option for you. It not only allows you to network with Johns Hopkins University (which is known for its engineering and medical accomplishments), but it also allows you to get a jump start in the world of engineering. Most importantly, upon completion of the program in May, they give you a college recommendation letter. So if you’re looking to go to college and want an extra credential on your resume, Join BOAST.
Hermanos Mios is a mentoring program that was established to promote and support the youth of our community through educational and tutoring programs, including scholarship, employment opportunities, sports, and sociocultural activities.
At a monthly mentoring session on April 26 the group had a phenomenally inspirational session where our seniors led a panel discussion about not giving up despite facing extremely difficult challenges in your life. We highlighted our seniors. If you see them, please congratulate them on their bravery, courage, leadership, and determination!
Congratulations to the following HM seniors who are graduating this year:
Abisai O. Bargas Canesa
Jonatan O. Escobar Bargas
Wilmer J. Esquite Paredes
Brallan Hernandez Lemus
Selvin Ramirez Garcia
Brandon Revolorio Melendez
Below is a story about our program on Voz de America:
Patterson High School held its 2024 Senior Farewell ceremony on Thursday, May 5th. It was a night to remember, with speeches by administrators, cohort representatives, and underclassmen. Awards were presented for academic excellence, community service, and even surprise scholarships.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Bianca Cruz and Salutatorian, Makayla Hill, as well as the entire graduating class! The commencement ceremony will take place at Coppin University on June 11th at 4:45 PM.
Under the leadership of Coaches Mahach and Mervis, our school’s varsity baseball team went undefeated 13-0 during the regular season, earning their title as Baltimore City Division 2 Champions. The Clippers secured a playoff spot, placing 9th in Maryland’s high school baseball team ranks.
The team was scheduled to have their semifinal game on a Tuesday at home against Aberdeen High School. However, due to unforeseen events, the game had to be moved to Saturday, May 11th at Douglas High School where the Clippers fell to Aberdeen 0-21.
According to Coach Mahach, “Ronald Hawkins (senior, Center Field) led the Clippers at the plate with two hits in three at bats. Quaron Walker-Bey (junior), Colin Washington (senior), and Jose Penalo Guillen (freshman) gave it their all on the mound.”
This playoff loss does not overshadow the impeccable season our boys have had. Below are their regular season game scores:
Edmondson: 19-15, Reginald F Lewis: 9-6, Frederick Douglas: 10-6, Digital Harbor: 14-3, NAF: 22-2, Coppin Academy: 12-8, Forest Park: 13-0, Edmondson: 24-12, Frederick Douglas: 28-2, Reginald F Lewis: 15-6, NAF: 22-2, Digital Harbor: 10-0, Forest Park: 31-2.
“I’d like to offer a big thank you to our captains, Jeter Luna and Robert Alvarez, as well as our other eight seniors.”, said Coach Mahach. “They were all important to the team this year and will be missed.”
You can continue to support our team next year by turning out at games and following their Instagram page: @pattersonbaseball.
The Patterson track and field team had another record-breaking season this school year.
“I feel like the team is on track to take over the city in the next few years and is changing the way people are going to look at Patterson.”, said team member David Wagner.
The foundation of the team’s march to success is discipline and hard work.
Martin Bakondjo has broken every freshman school distance record that we have. Joel Lukoo is the cornerstone of all of our relays. Quintine Nterere has broken the school’s 800 meter record. Najah White won a gold medal in the Baltimore City Track and Field Championships in the 2 mile. Nathalia Espino broke the school’s freshman record in the 800 meters.
Najah White has given special shout-outs to the boys’ track team for dramatic improvement from the indoor to the outdoor track season. Marshall Mallory also gave a special shout out to sophomore distance sensation Vema Maneno. He has broken the school’s sophomore records in the mile and 2 mile and broke the school record in the half mile.
Marshall Mallory captured the essence of the team’s success when she said, “Our team is mostly filled with very young athletes [overwhelmingly freshmen and sophomores that have to compete against juniors and seniors because there is no junior varsity within track and field] compared to the people that we’re competing against and we’re getting closer and closer to these schools’ times. In almost one to two years, if we keep doing how we are doing, Patterson track and field will be on top.”
This march to the top started in the classroom. Consider that seven of our student-athletes have a 4.0 GPA or better: Martin Bakondjo (4.2), Marshall Mallory (4.2), Libni Colocho (4.0), Joel Lukoo (4.0), Quintine Nterere (4.0), Indira Solomon (4.0), and Dayana Cruz-Banegas (4.0).
The star of the future for Patterson Track and Field is Da’Shawn “Day Day” Stackhouse. He has broken the school’s freshman records in the 400 and 800 meters. Additionally, he is Baltimore City’s fastest freshman in the 400 meters. He is less than a second away from qualifying for nationals. In the years to come, Patterson Track and Field will take over the city and as stated before, our march to success starts in the classroom. .
Welcome to Patterson High School, nestled in the heart of Baltimore City, where diversity thrives and cultures intertwine. In this vibrant community, one individual stands out as a beacon of inspiration: Lacrosse Coach Bey. As we explore the journey of this Double Duty Dynamo, we uncover a tale of passion, dedication, and bilingual brilliance.
Coach Bey’s path to coaching excellence began with a deep love for the sport of lacrosse. From his early days as a player to his transition into coaching, his journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a desire to share their passion with others. With experience coaching at both the high school and college levels, Coach Bey brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every practice and game.
Coaching responsibilities at both the high school and college levels is no easy feat, but Coach Bey approaches each day with determination and grace. From managing practice schedules to coordinating game logistics, he navigates the challenges of his dual roles with precision and skill. Through careful planning and effective communication, Coach Bey ensures that both teams receive the attention and support they need to succeed. The coach doesn’t show any favoritism to either team as he recalls, “Time management is the most important thing to continue to not just coach but to be successful and inspire success to encourage. That means being your best self and showing up as your best self at all times.”
Beyond wins and losses, Coach Bey measures his success by the impact he has on their students’ lives. Whether on the field or in the classroom, he serves as a mentor, motivator, and role model to their players. By instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, Coach Bey empowers students to reach their full potential and pursue their dreams both on and off the field.
Coach Bey’s commitment to their community extends far beyond the sidelines. Through outreach programs and community events, he works tirelessly to promote the sport of lacrosse and provide opportunities for youth to get involved. By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, Coach Bey helps to create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
As Coach Bey looks to the future, his goals remain clear: to continue making a positive impact in the lives of their students and community members. Whether coaching at the high school or college level, he is committed to inspiring the next generation of athletes and leaders. With his unwavering dedication and passion for the sport, Coach Bey is poised to leave a lasting legacy that will be felt for years to come.
In the world of sports, true champions are defined not only by his wins and losses but by the lives he touches and the communities he uplifts. In Coach Bey, Patterson High School has found a true Double Duty Dynamo whose bilingual brilliance illuminates the path to success for all who have the privilege of crossing his field. As we celebrate his achievements, let us also be inspired to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in our own communities, one game at a time.
For Coach Bey, it all comes down to his love of lacrosse.
“I guide both teams because I know the game of lacrosse.”, reflected Coach Bey. “It changed my life and sometimes I think that we need guidance more than being told what to do. I think high school and college need the most guidance early in their career.”
Coach Bey also has courage and positivity.
”[Coaching] balances me being driven and having motivation to help people succeed in life and great time management.”
Patterson High School’s lacrosse team is on the rise. At the time of writing this article, the team is number 3 in the city with 9 wins and 2 losses this year, an improvement over last year’s record was of 5-7.
Coach Falcone said he has been coaching lacrosse for seven years and has been coaching at Patterson for two years. When asked what he likes about coaching at Patterson he said the kids and getting to build the varsity program from the ground up and watching it grow. The coach is hopeful that in the next two or three years there will also be a JV team.
Coach Falcone had goals for this year’s lacrosse team:
Beat the teams they lost to last year
Have a better record than last year
Be able to compete.
This team is not the same team from last year and it is not the same team from the beginning of the season when they won their first game against NAF by a score of 13-3. The team has gotten even better at coming together, sharing, and being a family on the field. An extra pass or an extra rep to get to the next goal can make the difference between victory and defeat. The Clippers are always looking for ‘the one more’. However the team has a laid back demeanor and it takes them a while to get started, so their next goal is to work on urgency, coming out of the gate ready and starting fast.
Offensive player Yohan Hernandez is a sophomore who also plays for Patterson’s soccer team and started playing lacrosse at Patterson this year. He came into lacrosse looking for people to hang out with. Hernandez is close with his teammates. He keeps up good grades off the field and he is good with moving the ball on the field. Hernandez had this to say about his coach: “Coach Falcone is a coach that understands discipline. He’s not easy on them because he knows they can do it and understands what it takes to get there.”
Goalie Lykiea Anderson recently reached a record of 100 career saves in lacrosse. When asked about next year’s goalie she says that if the current candidate for goalie takes it seriously she believes they have what it takes to do it.
Another goal for the team is to have a great enough season that they can host their playoffs. Currently their record stands at 9-2.
The Patterson Lacrosse team has already accomplished great things this school year, and their future looks even brighter.
JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), is a program offered by high schools in the United States that focuses on leadership, citizenship, character development, and military skills training. It provides students with opportunities to develop leadership qualities and learn about the importance of service to their community and country.
When Lieutenant Colonel Bill York first became an instructor for JROTC at Patterson High, it was the fulfillment of a longtime dream of his.
“I always wanted to teach”, Lt. Col. York reflected, explaining that JROTC Journey has been the most rewarding job he has ever had in his life.
Lt. Col. York’s best experience teaching JROTC was “the visit to the Columbia internship in Baltimore”. His favorite part of JROTC is helping cadets work through the challenges of their day-to-day lives.
JROTC can help students change their decision-making process and get people to view them in a more positive light.
Some activities that JROTC cadets engage in include wearing their blue uniform every Thursday, wearing their Physical Training (PT) uniform every Friday, and doing exercises. They also plan activities such as walking, running, and playing kickball. JROTC has a lot of competitions such as drill competitions, a 5K run, archery, and the “Toughest Team Challenge”.
JROTC helps cadets develop leadership skills by challenging them to push their personal limits through sports like rappelling, and the aforementioned racing and archery. Lt. Col. York states that when students get through basic training they put them in the position to lead.
One of the main benefits of joining JROTC is learning leadership skills in a safe place for all people. The program also provides opportunities for students interested in joining the military. “For the 2-3 years you are in the programs, you can gain a rank as soon you enter and graduate from basic training.”, Lt. Col. York explained.
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) was established by the National Defense Act of 1916. JROTC’s mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. JROTC programs include a curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects from military history to leadership skills, and health and wellness. Cadets learn through classroom instruction, physical training, and other activities.
JROTC plays a big role in personal development and ethics. Cadets are taught the importance of honor, courage, and commitment, which are values that they can carry with them throughout their lives. JROTC cadets and students can earn community service learning hours by doing reveille (raising the American flag) and retreat (taking the flag down), and also by participating in the Green Team, collecting recycling outside of the building and inside classrooms.
JROTC is a high school program that teaches leadership, citizenship, and life skills. It is sponsored by the U.S military and aims to instill discipline, responsibility, and teamwork in students. JROTC is not a recruitment tool but it offers a structured environment for personal development. Additionally, JROTC provides opportunities for scholarships and military education benefits. Participants can engage in community service, drill competitions, and summer camps, enhancing their high school experience and preparing them for future success.
The JROTC curriculum is designed to prepare cadets for success in both military and civilian life by instilling valuable skills, knowledge, and values. It offers a unique educational experience that combines academic rigor with practical training and leadership development.
Editor’s Note: After this article was written, Lt. Col. Bill York shared the following update: “AFJROTC MD-932 has earned the Distinguished Unit Award for AY2023/24. The award recognizes the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of the instructor as a mentor, and the support of the school and local community.”
pattersonpress.org 