Category Archives: Government/Social Studies

EDITORIAL: Immigration ban is illegal and wrong

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Protest at BWI Airport Over Trump's Executive Order on Immigrants, Refugees. (By Deb Belt) Patch.com

Protest at BWI Airport Over Trump’s Executive Order on Immigrants, Refugees. (By Deb Belt 0

By Sartre Ndebaneza and Amadou Bah,

Most Americans are questioning if President Trump’s executive order restricting immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries is legal or illegal. The order appears to be illegal because it puts limits on a particular group of people. Trump’s order is unconstitutional because it targets only one religion. The editors of the Patterson Press believe that everyone should be welcomed and treated fairly in the U.S. regardless of their religion, ethnicity and national origin. The beauty of the U.S. is its diversity. Immigrants also contribute a lot to America’s economy. What is still not understandable is why Trump kept people from those seven Muslim countries from re-entering the country when they were legal residents who already had green cards and had not done anything wrong.

Journalism class visits Newseum

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By Alvaro Flores-Villegas,

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The Journalists Memorial remembers reporters who died in the line of duty (Photos: Amadou Bah, Patterson Press)

Students from Mr. Pesa’s journalism class along with students from several other classes participated in a field trip to the Newseum in Washington D.C. on March 24, 2017. The purpose of the trip was for the students to learn more about how the news is made, explore issues surrounding first Amendment freedoms and see the history of news back in the day through rare artifacts, hands-on exhibits and multi-media displays.

It took students and teachers several hours to explore the massive 7-story building, where they saw all kinds of news articles and other exhibits. One of the other things that students saw include a piece of the World Trade Center that was destroyed on 9/11, surrounded by news headlines and video footage captured by journalists during that tragic event. Another interesting thing students checked out was the virtual reality (VR) room where we could interact with the screens and see how virtual reality brings media to a whole new level. “It made it seem like I was in a video game. It was a wonderful experience”, said Amadou Bah, a student who tried out the VR goggles. Another room that really got a lot of students’ attention was a memorial for all the journalists that died doing their jobs.

Because there was so much to see, some students went off on their own to visit parts of the museum that others skipped over. A student named Faran Nadeem went into a 4-dimensional movie and shared his experience. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I didn’t know technology can go so far.”,  Nadeem exclaimed. The movie contained the first woman journalist ever and a radio reporter who was outside when German planes were bombing London at night during World War 2.  Other students recorded themselves reading the news using a teleprompter and a green screen to make it appear like they were reporting live on the scene.

The field trip to the Newseum was such an amazing experience, not only for the journalism class but for all the other students who were not part of the class but will hopefully be in it next year.

Open letter to Donald Trump

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Dear President Trump:

My name is Tatyana Matthews and I am a 17-year-old junior at Patterson High School in Baltimore, MD.

I am writing to let you know that I am disappointed that you are now the Commander-in-Chief. The way that you degrade women, calling them pigs, ugly, and fat is not acceptable behavior for our leader. You have a mother, a wife, a daughter, and granddaughters. How would you feel if they were targeted in that way?

Your views on Hispanics go to show that you are out of touch with this culture. My mother, uncle, aunt, and cousins are of Hispanic background. They work hard every day, provide food on the table, clothes on our backs, and a roof over our heads. They are not causing any trouble like you said.

Lastly, your comments about helping all African-Americans get off welfare were inappropriate. Not all African-Americans are on welfare. I come from a strong background of hardworking families. I have been nurtured under a grandmother who raised a son and two daughters with no government assistance. My mother is also raising myself and my sister with no assistance from the government.

In closing, you need to choose your words wisely. Also, you need to connect with the people to bridge the gap of hate you created. We are a great nation and we need a great leader.

Sincerely,

Tatyana Matthews

Blue Angels visit Patterson High School

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Blue Angels instructors speak to Patterson students (Photo: AFJROTC)

Blue Angels instructors speak to Patterson students (Photo: AFJROTC)

By Mikal McCoy,

Since 1946, the beginning of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy has flown their aircraft, performing for the public’s view.  Admiral Chester Nimitz organized a flight team in the past that were responsible for performing in their aircrafts for the public. The flight team’s first air show was on June 15, 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida. Back then, in 1946, planes weren’t as fast and accurate as they are now in the 21st century. Due to military progress and advancements in technology, over years planes have improved.

The presentation at Patterson was given in the auditorium by representatives and pilots of the Blue Angels. The audience was composed of Patterson’s AFJROTC cadets and other students who were invited to attend. Representatives and pilots spoke to students about what the Blue Angels are, what they do, and how it felt to fly in one of their high speed aircrafts.

According to an article on aol.com, “The F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets are capable of reaching speeds of just under Mach 2, almost twice the speed of sound — or about 1,400 mph”. Patterson students were pretty amazed at the stories they were being told. After the presentation, to show appreciation for the Blue Angels visit, Sgt. Smith, AFJROTC instructor, with help of students, gave Patterson T-shirts to the Blue Angels representatives. In return, the pilots gave a poster to Patterson. When the presentation was over, students returned back to class while the Blue Angels returned to work.

In downtown Baltimore, the Blue Angels flew over Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, participating in Maryland’s Fleet Week 2016. Fleet Week is an event that is celebrated to promote the United States Navy. On October 15th and 16th, the Blue Angels performed using their aircrafts for the public to see what their aircrafts are capable of doing.

Learning to fly fast planes can be difficult, but the challenge is its own reward.

The Blue Angels flew overhead during the game. (Photo: Lionell Green, Patterson Press)

The Blue Angels flew overhead during Patterson’s Homecoming game. (Photo: Lionell Green, Patterson Press)

Patterson’s SGA represents at citywide student government meeting

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By Mikal McCoy,

Patterson’s Student Government Association (SGA) attended a city-wide SGA meeting at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Academy on Thursday, November 17th, 2016 at 3:30 PM.

The meeting was for all City Schools SGA bodies, to inform members about what is going on in the State and National SGA boards. Patterson’s SGA members John Dingzon (Secretary), Amadou Bah (Vice President), and Mikal McCoy (President), attended the meeting to represent Patterson’s SGA and to learn more about Student Government Association’s program. Other schools such as Digital Harbor High School, Carver High School and Booker T. Washington Middle School attended the meeting. During the meeting , speakers such as Kevin Davis, Commissioner of Baltimore City’s Police Department, spoke to students about what’s going on in the communities of Baltimore City.

Photo By: Patterson Press

Patterson SGA officers Amadou Bah (left) and John Dingzon (middle) pose with BCPD Commissioner Kevin Davis and an unidentified woman (Photo: Patterson Press)

Police Commissioner Davis spoke to students about being safe, steps they can take to improve their communities and how many districts are in the City of Baltimore. “I learned that there are at least 10 districts in Baltimore and community meetings that mostly people older than 55 attend”,said Amadou Bah. During the meeting, one of the focal points Commissioner Davis stressed was that young people don’t attend community meetings that are held to talk about the problems in the community.  “These meetings are a chance for you to give your voice and opinion”, said Davis. Commissioner Davis also told the group that if they attended a community meeting before the end of the year, he personally would take them on a tour of Baltimore City Police Department Headquarters.

Attending community meetings is important. A community meeting is an opportunity where young and older people can come together to talk, and figure out solutions to the problems in their communities. Overall, the citywide SGA meeting was very informative and Patterson’s SGA officers came back with fresh ideas about how to increase their involvement in the community.

Donald Trump’s beginning

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By Joselin Miranda,

In the month of November 2016, the United States elected a new president: Donald Trump. To many Americans, this was a very shocking election but to other Americans, it was the best. One thing that many Americans didn’t like was Donald Trump’s racial slurs. Many things he has said were about Mexicans, Muslims, African Americans/Blacks, disabled people, women and the LGBT community. Donald Trump’s slogan is ‘Make America Great Again’ which is supposedly what he is going to do, but is there a place for everyone in Trump’s America?

For me as a Latina in America, Donald Trump being elected as president is very hard to accept. Many things were said about Mexicans such as “When mexico sends its people they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with them. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists…and some, I assume are good people”. For me being a girl in high school I am offended in so many ways. I may not be from Mexico but he’s basically talking about all Latinos. Here in Patterson High School we have a very diverse group of students, including Latinos, Asians, African American, Africans, Indians, and Muslims. In our Latino culture we are usually united together so we all take this as an offensive matter.

To the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community he disrespected their identity of who they are and who they’re interested in. Donald Trump said, “I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am traditional”, which means he doesn’t approve of it. This means he didn’t gain the vote of their community because the President Obama had approved of gay marriage.

Donald Trump always talks about women and how they are useless and nothing to him. In many feminists’ opinion, he was not a president women wanted, unless you were a stupid women. He would say how he could do anything to a women if he wanted to.

Donald Trump wants to “make America great again” but he does not respect the majority of the American people. We will need to unite together to survive the next four years.

An anti-Trump poster made by student Angela Rivas-Benitez Photo: Patterson Press)

An anti-Trump poster made by student Angela Rivas-Benitez (Photo: Patterson Press)

 

Psychology with Mr. Baron

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Photo: Physicsworld.com

By Jessica Branch,

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. A Psychology class is being taught here at Patterson High School by Mr. Baron in room 216. Throughout the course, students learn the basic fundamentals of Psychology while digging deeper into the brain.

One of the most popular projects Mr. Baron has done with the class is called the ESP Project. ESP stands for Extrasensory Perception. ESP or Esper, also called sixth sense, includes reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses but sensed with the mind. The project was a test to show students that some people may have the talent to read other people’s minds and to tell them things about themselves that they couldn’t have possibly known. It was also a well-liked project in the class because it was out of the ordinary.

Students testify at MTA bus pass hearing

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Students and parents lined up testify against recent changes to the MTA student bus pass (Photo: Brian Clark Jr., Patterson Press)

By Amadou Bah,

Students, teachers, parents and others attended a public hearing on Thursday, January 5th to testify to City Council about the need to extend the MTA student bus pass to 8:00 PM. The hearing took place at Frederick Douglass High School at 4:00 PM.

Until this school year, students were using S-PASS, which allowed users to ride the MTA bus for free between from the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. The S-PASS allowed for multiple rides throughout the day, making it possible for students to go from home, to school, to after-school activities and back home again.

However, with the new “One Pass”, this has changed. The current contract between the school district and the MTA limits the hours students not taking part in school-sanctioned activities can ride the bus for free, cutting it from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. In reality, this is also impacting many student athletes as well as students who participate in after-school clubs like Coding Club, the Patterson Press, Chess Club and many others.

Many critics of the new MTA policy believe that the changes are being implemented in order to save MTA money. However, Sean Adgerson, deputy chief operating officer at MTA, denies this. In an interview with ABC2 News, Adgerson asserted that “any suggestion that the MTA has changed its S-PASS policy to save money at the expense of Baltimore City’s school children is simply inaccurate”. Adgerson told ABC2 News that MTA has created a process for the school system to provide bus fare for after-school programs.

Despite these assurances, students participating in non-athletic after-school clubs at Patterson are still not being provided with any additional bus fare and often have to leave their activities early to ensure that they get on the bus before 6:00. With a dismissal time of 3:35 PM, after-school programs at Patterson often do not start until 4:00 or later. Also, many Patterson students live far from the school and have to transfer busses multiple times. This makes it necessary for some students to board a bus after 6:00 PM if they stay for an after-school activity.

Additionally there is the issue of students who work after school or participate in other activities outside of school, such as volunteering, buying groceries for their families or spending time at a community center or a place of worship. MTA officials insist that this is not their concern. “Our contract was always designed to take kids to and from school and school related activities, not for jobs, not for those other things,” Adgerson said to ABC2 News.

Students and teachers stated their opinions about the bus pass issue at the City Council hearing and elsewhere.

“It’s really a shame that students are not able to ride the bus for free between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm as they were in the past”, said O’Brien Bobbi, an English 1 teacher. “I also think that there are a lot of problems with how the new S-Pass policy was rolled out to the schools because the first we’ve heard about it–well, the first I’ve heard about it–was when students were struggling and didn’t know that the bus pass stopped working at 6pm. I hope this problem will be fixed soon”, she said.

Nathan Nieves, a sophomore from Patterson High School, talked about having to leave Casa de Maryland’s Mi Espacio program early every day. “I’m trying to do my part by seeking out the positive, by learning how to help my community. I hope Baltimore City does their part too, to make sure I get home safe”, he said.

A Patterson student named John Dingzon commented on this issue, stating, “It’s really unfair for students that have after-school activities and don’t have enough time, due to this issue. Students that leave after-school activities wait at the bus stop and sometimes buses are running late.” Dingzon added, “When students get on the bus they’re expected to pay a fee of $1.70 which most kids don’t have and some bus drivers are rude and will not allow them on, due to this issue. All I want is that the new Bus pass be extended back to 8 or 9 pm.”

Dingzon had more to say but the City Council didn’t have enough time to hear him testify. A long line of students and parents who were still waiting to testify were turned away without getting an opportunity to speak. At 5:45 a member of City Council said, “Students need to be dismissed right now. City Council and MTA will try to find the best way to pass this bill”. Some members of City Council have pledged to fight until a new bill is passed and the bus pass for students is extended.

The hearing closed promptly at 5:50 p.m. so students could get that 6 p.m. swipe for the bus home, an irony that was not lost on the students and others who had come to the meeting to testify.

It remains to be seen whether City Council will figure out a way to get this issue resolved.

Patterson AFJROTC March at Veterans Day Parade

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Patterson AFJROTC students in the Veterans Day Parade Photo: AFJROTC)

Patterson AFJROTC students in the Veterans Day Parade (Photo: AFJROTC)

By John Dingzon,

On Veterans Day, Lieutenant Colonel Jones and Technical Sergeant Smith took over 20 Air Force Junior ROTC students on a field trip to a parade honoring veterans. The students all marched downtown through the Baltimore City Council. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was there for the veterans and many retired military vets that fought and have survived. JROTC students from multiple schools marched in the parade alongside survivors of the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and World War 2. Some of the battles the World War 2 veterans fought in include the Soviet Union, the Pacific, the Battle of Manila, the Battle of Corregidor, and the Battle of Pearl Harbor. The first woman who joined the National Guard also attended and were on stage giving speeches.

“[The] Veterans Day Parade is a community service project we try and do every year. It is an opportunity [ . . . ] for the cadets to celebrate and to honor the veterans. And it is a chance for the public to see the Patterson Junior ROTC as the representatives of the military community. We are very proud of our students,” Colonel Jones said.

The Air Force Junior ROTC believe the Veterans Day Parade was a success, marching to honor the veterans that survived WW II. They are looking forward to performing again next year.

 

Freedom of the Press Matters (OPINION)

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By Justist Rice,

Freedom of the press is very important because it gives everybody a right to voice their opinions and express how people really feel. There have been more and more victims to police brutality every day. People’s families have been broken because of the deaths of family members at the hands of police abusing their authority. There are so many people who are hurt and angry. They all have stories to tell, and freedom of the press helps them tell their stories.

Government censorship affects journalism in a very bad way, because it blocks out and ignores very important facts,  making it difficult to tell the whole story. Before Freedom of the Press, people weren’t allowed to voice their opinions, and if they did they were either arrested or bullied, and were stopped from writing–period.

There are limits to Freedom of the Press, such as libel, fabrication, and invasion of privacy. All these things are forbidden. People are not allowed to publish false statements to damage someone else’s reputation. It’s also forbidden to invade someone else’s privacy, meaning you can’t take a picture of someone if they are not in a public place. Similarly, you can’t hack into someone’s emails or messages and post them online.

In many states, reporters for school publications do not have the same rights as other news reporters. In many schools, student reporters are not allowed to talk about certain things, such as politics. The Maryland New Voices Act, which went into affect this October, allows student journalists to exercise freedom of speech without prior restraint. It gives student reporters a chance to express their opinions on any topic. Freedom of the Press is essential for people who want their voices to be heard, who are tired of being overlooked, who want to vent to the world.

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