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Category Archives: Academics

Journalism class visits Newseum

Posted on April 10, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

By Alvaro Flores-Villegas,

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.

Why high school students should play sports (OPINION)

Posted on February 14, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

By Christian Pietrowski,

In my opinion, everyone should play a sport in high school. Students should play a sport because it helps keep them focused.

If a high school student plays a sport it will help their grades improve because you cannot play if you have more than one “F” on your report card. This rule helps students because students will work hard to be able to stay on the team that the students work so hard on.

”After-school opportunities are enriching experiences for students.”, said Ms.Cook, a graphic design teacher at Patterson High School. “They are often the hook for students to stay engaged in school. They also provide hands-on opportunities for team-work and leadership.”

Senior Alvaro Flores added, ” High school sports can help athletes prepare for college and help them be seen and it can help students stay focused in school.”

Even if you are not a star athlete hoping to get a full-ride sports scholarship, getting involved in school sports can still be a fun and rewarding activity that helps you succeed in life.

Open letter to Donald Trump

Posted on January 22, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 22, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

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 21^st 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 15^th and 16^th, 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

Posted on January 22, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

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.

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

Posted on January 22, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

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)

Mindful Moment Interview and Update

Posted on January 22, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Kirk Intlekofer is one of the Mindful Moment staff members at Patterson. (Photo: Patterson Press)

By Christian Pietrowski,

I interviewed four staff members that work for the Holistic Life Institute’s Mindful Moment program at Patterson High School and this is what they said.

Patterson Press: When did you start working for the Mindful Moment program?

Ross: I started 3 years ago.

Lloyd: This is actually my first year with the Holistic Life Foundation.

Diana: July of 2016.

Kirk: I started 5 years ago.

Patterson Press: Do you enjoy the program?

Ross: It doesn’t feel like a job and I love interacting with the kids.

Lloyd: I enjoy it and love keeping yoga alive.

Diana: I love it. It has a lot of cool and fun things that come with it.

Kirk: Yes, I love the program.

Patterson Press: What is your favorite thing about the program?

Ross: Getting to relax and also to be able to stay calm in stressful situations

Lloyd: Getting good feedback from students and getting good results

Diana: Interacting with individual students and connecting on a personal level with them

Kirk: The discussions with the kids

Patterson Press: What do you hope to change in teens and young adults?

Ross: I wish for teens to have an open mind and to foresee things.

Lloyd: Help lift inner-city people and to bring more of a positive vibe

Diana: That they incorporate these skills into their daily life

Kirk: for teens and young adults and even kids to develop a greater self awareness

Patterson Press: What would you suggest for someone stressing?

Lloyd: Take time out of your life to try the program and to try options and don’t go straight to violence.

Patterson Press: What do you wish to tell people about the program?

Diana: We open our doors to everybody, students and everyone in the Patterson community.

Kirk: Our doors are open to help anyone stressing out and that is in need.

The Patterson Press would like to thank the Mindful Moment staff for taking the time to talk to us.

An update from the Mindful Moment staff:

The Holistic Life Foundation’s Mindful Moment Room is located in classroom 103A. HLF is a Baltimore-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the wellness of children, teens, and adults in underserved communities. Through a comprehensive approach we help develop their inner lives through yoga, mindfulness, and self-care. HLF demonstrates a deep commitment to learning, community, and stewardship of the environment and is also committed to developing high-quality, evidence based, curriculum that focuses on helping to improve the well-being of the community as a whole.

The Mindful Moment (MM) staff hosts daily classes in the MM room (103A). The staff will also visit classrooms to enhance the daily schedule with short sessions, usually involving breathing exercises, seated movement and mindful reflection. With practice, these exercises can help to improve focus and attention, which are both keys to success.

Students having problems, including emotional issues, should be referred to the MM Room by a member of the faculty. However each student must have a referral form, signed by a teacher and an administrator and these forms are located in the Main Office.

MM is looking for all students interested in joining the Mindful Moment Ambassadors program. These students should visit the MM Room during lunch hours, or free periods, for details. Ambassadors will be trained to teach techniques that are used every day, including yoga,mindful reflection and breathing exercises. We asked one of our ambassadors, Chris Bowman, “What is mindfulness to you?”. His response: “Mindfulness is my escape from the clutter of the busy world.”

We have additional roles for students as well. Anyone interested in earning community service hours by helping us with many activities should stop by and talk with a MM staff member about expectations and incentives.

CNA students promote breast cancer awareness

Posted on January 21, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

CNA students sponsored a breast cancer awareness booth (Photo: Mikal McCoy, Patterson Press)

By Mikal McCoy,

Students from Patterson High School’s Certified Nursing Assistants CTE pathway promoted breast cancer awareness in October by holding a fundraiser and educating their fellow students.

Breast cancer is a nationwide problem. A large group of people, mostly women, some men, are affected by breast cancer. Every year over 200,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and people across the country, including here at Patterson, are raising awareness about breast cancer, an abnormal growth of cells in the breast area.

Students who are a part of the CNA pathway walked around the school selling items, near the cafeteria, such as hats, pencils, pens and bracelets, which cost five dollars. The proceeds of these sales went to fund breast cancer research. Students also educated the Patterson community about breast cancer awareness.

“I think everyone should take part in the awareness movement; it could prevent people from getting breast cancer”, said Marina Siebor, a student at Patterson. Students have been supporting the CNA students’ efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer by listening to them speak and purchasing and wearing items that represent breast cancer awareness.

Breast cancer is a serious issue that affects us all. Taking small steps can help prevent breast cancer. Developing and maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent breast cancer and other harmful illnesses. Water, fruit, vegetables and other nutritious foods are all ingredients that support the body by building up its defense system. Another way to help prevent breast cancer is to get regular check-ups by a doctor who specializes in that particular area. “Early detection is the best prevention”, said Ms. Wongus, a teacher at Patterson.

Showing support, maintaining a healthy diet, and having regular check-ups are small steps to defeating breast cancer.

Building over nature

Posted on January 21, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

By Marina Siebor,

For the longest time, we have been polluting the earth by making factories, littering and releasing toxic fumes into the air, which is harmful to humans and the earth.

Even when you think you’re doing the world some good by recycling, you still can’t escape the fact that your everyday uses are polluting the earth and nature around you. In the USA, littering is illegal. If a cop sees you in the act, you can receive a fine up to $500 and receive up to a year in jail.

All in all, we should stop littering because it’s bad for us and it’s bad for the earth.

Winter Concert showcases musical talent at Patterson

Posted on January 21, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

The band performed classic holiday songs at the Winter Concert. (Photo: Marina Siebor, Patterson Press)

by Marina Siebor,

A winter concert was held in the auditorium on Thursday, December 22nd, 2016 at 6 pm. Music teacher Ms.Williams directed the entire show and there were dozens of students preforming in front of parents, teachers and other students.

The winter concert was a success this year. There were snacks, music, and special performances from Patterson High School students. The drum line played a few songs followed by a solo dancer and a group of girls dancing to “All I Want for Christmas”. The audience really enjoyed the solo singer, Mason Nines, as he preformed a moving rendition of “Cadences”. Before the solo performance was done, everyone was clapping and yelling. There were estimated to be just a little over 90 people there at the show.

Keon Williamson, who played bass drum, expressed his opinions about the concert. “The show was a good show overall, even though we had some tech difficulties, but overall we got a lot done during the show. One thing we believe we should work on is outfits and making sure everyone looks good as well as sound good”, Williamson said.

Ms. Williams was satisfied overall with the concert, but there were some things that she thought could be improved. “There will be more great performances to come”, she promised.

EDITOR’S NOTE: CHECK BACK LATER FOR VIDEOS FROM THE CONCERT. THE FILES ARE TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD TO THIS WEBSITE.