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.
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.
Clipper Productions, Patterson’s drama club, performed a brand new play on November 20–a dystopian story titled “In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom” written by Alvaro Saar Rios. Since the script had just been published, cast members had to brainstorm creative ways to draw emotion from the text with little to no visual examples of how the play is supposed to be presented. The actors quickly embraced their characters and prepared for opening night.
The play was performed on Thursday, November 20th with an encore performance the following night. The first performance seemed like it went by slightly faster than the Friday show, which was for the parents, staff and family members.
This is only one of the many challenges our amazing crew members had to endure during the production of this play in a short two months. Everyone in the packed auditorium who watched this play enjoyed every second of escaping into a new world. The audience also liked the authenticity the story displayed.
At times the audience found the plot a little hard to follow, due to some actors who could not make it to the performance, forcing the rest of the cast to improvise. “The storyline was interesting but oftentimes i was confused as to which character was which”, commented alumnus actor Jabari Heartly. Overall, though, most audience members appreciated the meaning of the story–that oftentimes your fears are your worst enemy.
There were mysterious characters named Silencers, who “silenced” the characters by keeping them frozen whenever one entered the stage coming from the depths of darkest corners. Characters weren’t allowed to make sounds, express themselves or create music with any so called “instruments”, and if they were caught doing so they were sent to some place called the “O Pits”.
The resolution of this story ended with a character sharing some top secret dance moves they learned from being sent to the “O Pits” and with combined vocals they created music together. Everyone was happily being themselves without living in fear of being killed, threatened or imprisoned.
This play was impressively put together without much information and time and yet was still a success. In the Spring semester, the Arts department will perform a musical aiming to wow the audience.
At Patterson High School, there is a special program called the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), designed for students who want to learn more about the teaching career and the education system. This program begins in 10th grade and continues through 12th grade, guiding students throughout their high school journey. Through classes, projects, and real experiences, TAM prepares young people not only to become future teaching assistants but also to be leaders capable of making a difference in other people’s lives.
The class is led by Ms. Sánchez, who has been in charge of the program for the past two years. Under her leadership, students gain important knowledge about the teacher’s role—from how to manage a classroom from start to finish, to how to support student learning and create engaging strategies that motivate everyone. Ms. Sánchez doesn’t just teach theory; she encourages students to put their learning into practice, giving them tools that prepare them for real-life situations.
Day by day, students learn how to organize a classroom, help other students, apply teaching strategies, and design activities that make learning fun and interesting. In addition, the program has created a strong sense of community among its members. “TAM isn’t just a class—it’s like a family. We always support each other and care about one another,” says Jihaad Everett, a TAM student.
As students move forward in the program, they reach 12th grade with a special opportunity: to work as teaching assistants in different types of classrooms. This hands-on experience allows them to apply everything they have learned—helping with classroom management, preparing lesson plans, assisting small groups, and using various strategies such as technology, games, and creative activities that make learning more dynamic and enjoyable.
The TAM program also encourages strong connections with teachers who act as mentors, guiding students and sharing their professional experience. Educators like Ms. Pérez, Mr. Pernia, Ms. Edward, Ms. Bell, Ms. Moschelle, Ms. Archie, Ms. Masati, and Dr. Tucker have opened their classrooms to us, allowing us to work alongside them, trusting us, and helping us grow as future educators. This opportunity to learn directly from teachers makes a huge difference and inspires us to continue our journey with passion for teaching.
For many of us, TAM has been more than just a class—it has been a space for both academic and personal growth. Students not only prepare for their future careers but also develop essential skills such as leadership, responsibility, commitment, and empathy. “This program taught me that teaching is not only about giving lessons; it’s also about inspiring, listening, and supporting others,” shares Nelson Fonseca.
TAM is a life-changing experience. It shapes us as students, as future professionals, and as human beings. At Patterson High School, this program has proven that education is not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about building relationships, inspiring others, and leaving a positive impact that lasts over time.
The 11th and 12th grade Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) students from Patterson High School went on a field trip to Towson University on October 15, 2025. The purpose of this trip was to visit the campus and attend a conference about education.
When we arrived, the university staff welcomed us and gave us a tour of the campus. We saw different buildings, classrooms, and student areas. Many of us were excited to imagine what it would be like to study there in the future.
The student who guided us around the campus was a very respectful and inspiring person. She explained the importance of education and talked about Towson University’s commitment to helping students stay on their path and become future educators. Her words made many of us think about our own goals.
Later, we attended several conferences where professors and college students talked about education, careers, and opportunities for the future. They inspired us to keep working hard and to think about our goals after high school.
Ms. Sánchez, the TAM teacher, said, “I am very proud of my students. This trip is important because it helps them see what college looks like in real life. Many of them are the first in their families to explore a university campus, and I feel happy watching them learn, ask questions, and think about their futures. I hope this experience gives them confidence and shows them that they can achieve their goals if they keep working hard.”
Nelson Fonseca, a 12th grade TAM student, said, “For me, this trip was very meaningful. Walking around the campus helped me understand what college life really is. I liked seeing the classrooms, the buildings, and the students. It made me think more seriously about what I want to study and what I want for my future. This visit motivated me to focus more on my graduation and to prepare myself for the next step after high school.”
The trip was a great experience for everyone. We learned more about college life and what it means to be a university student. It was a day full of learning, motivation, and dreams for the future.
El departamento de Arte de Patterson nos presentó una sólida presentación cultural en nuestro pequeño auditorio el martes 30 de septiembre para nuestros estudiantes. El evento celebró nuestro cuerpo estudiantil predominantemente hispano aquí en Patterson, para ayudar a los no hispanos y a los de origen hispano a comprender su identidad haciendo algo divertido. Esto también anima a los estudiantes a sentirse cómodos enorgulleciéndose de su cultura sin miedo ni juicio.
La comida fue servida en la cafetería a las 5:00 pm y terminó a las 6:00pm . Había un montón de pupusas que también incluía variedad de salsas , mientras música latino estaba en el fondo mientras esperamos para el show. A las 7:00 pm la audiencia entró en un auditorio oscuro para ver la muestra informativa.
La actuación de apertura fue un paso apasionado de unos 30 estudiantes que representaban a sus países, envueltos en banderas y atuendos culturales, marchando al ritmo de la introducción de una canción hispana por parte de nuestra banda de música. Cada estudiante sonreía de oreja a oreja, feliz de compartir la historia de su país con el mundo.
Un poco después de que las banderas subieran al escenario, una presentación de diapositivas compartió algunos de los valores apreciados en la cultura hispana. Estas diapositivas mostraron la importancia de las especias en las comidas hispanas, dieron una idea de las vidas de los latinos en Estados Unidos, los trabajos, los estereotipos raciales y la importancia del ritmo y el baile. Aprender sobre las dificultades tácitas de los hispanos, así como su potencial de éxito, ayuda a los estudiantes a ser más conscientes de las similitudes entre su propia cultura y otras culturas.
Muchos vecinos de estudiantes, primos, abuelas y más familia se unieron para apoyar y animar a su gente, sin importar su país.
“Con toda la agitación que está sucediendo en Estados Unidos, es importante celebrar siempre que podamos”, dijo el Sr. Richard, empleado de City School, compartió la importancia del orgullo y la felicidad en las vidas latinas.
Jeanileyshka Rodríguez, estudiante de interpretación, dijo que la mejor parte de su actuación fue “poder bailar junto con mis amigos y compañeros de clase”.
La actuación de los estudiantes fue bien recibida por la audiencia, incluidos los padres, muchos de los cuales expresaron esperanzas de más celebraciones de la herencia hispana en el futuro.
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