Category Archives: Clubs and Organizations

Patterson celebrates Black History Month with special performance

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Drama Club members perform original poems modeled after the poetry of James Weldon Johnson (Photo: Tamika Addison, Patterson Press)

By  Tamika Addison

Members of  the Patterson Drama Club and Patterson Dance Team performed for our Black History Month assembly on  March 4th  in the auditorium. The Patterson Drama Club did a staged reading of  poems by Patterson students. These poems were written in Ms. Bell’s African American Literature class and were modeled after James Weldon Johnson’s ” Lift Every Voice and Sing “. The Patterson Dance Team performed a  series of  pieces which created a timeline from African Dance through modern hip hop. The performance demonstrated how modern hip hop moves evolved from African dance. The invited audience showed enthusiastic appreciation. Stay tuned for more activity performances!

With files from Ms. Bell

The Dance Team shows how African dance developed into hip-hop moves (Photo: Tamika Addison, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Tamika Addison, Patterson Press)

Patterson Press visits the Newseum

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Students use a teleprompter to broadcast the news (Photo: Brennan Meeks, Patterson Press)

By Jevaughn Taylor

The Patterson Press, the official student news publication of Patterson High School, organized a field trip to the Newseum in Washington D.C. on January 31, 2013. We went on this trip to learn more about news reporting and to witness some of the great stories and events that have happened in history and made the world what it is today. We saw exhibits of significant events, like the 9-11 terrorist attack that happened in New York City. This exhibit included the wreckage of the antenna from the top of the world trade center, along with news headlines, photos and videos taken during the attack. We also saw the cell door that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived behind after one of his many arrests during the Civil Rights Movement.

Another section of the Newseum featured an FBI exhibit that showed some of the murder weapons used to commit famous crimes.  We also got to see a “4-D” movie that uses new technology to make the viewer feel like they are actually in the movie. We even took a tour of a live broadcast studio that was used during the 2012 Presidential debates.

Many of the exhibits at the Newseum were interactive. This included an exhibit that allowed students to make their own news broadcast. By selecting a background screen and reading from a device called a teleprompter, students could make a video of themselves reporting the news. Most of the students on the trip participated in this activity and had a lot of fun doing it.

The trip to the Newseum was fun and educational. We learned all about journalism, history and life in general. Students who weren’t a part of the Patterson Press news team are now considering joining us because they realize how much fun they can have and how becoming a student reporter can help them to become  that special person they want to be in life. We would like to thank Mr. Pesa, Mr. Cox and Ms. Deihl for organizing this trip for us.

(Photos by Brennan Meeks and Brenden Williams, Patterson Press. Click on a photo for a larger image.)

Former Ravens player visits Patterson to announce opening of new community center

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Principal Benton and Jonathan Ogden cut the ribbon on the new community room. (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

By Jevaughn Taylor

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Patterson High School  on the morning of Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 to announce the opening of the Jonathan Ogden/Cristata Cares Community Center. The Community Center will be located inside the school and will be a partnership between Patterson and several community organizations.

Jonathan Ogden, a former Baltimore Ravens player and NFL Hall of Famer, is working hands on with the community to build a better future. Ogden spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to show his support for and involvement with the project.

“You’ve got to help educate the parents to help their children. So this is another way to continue to make this a better community, a better school, a better environment for these people around here,” Jonathan Ogden declared. Ogden has been providing academic support to student athletes at Patterson for the past 16 years through his Jonathan Ogden Club.

The purpose of the community center is to give back to the community and dive deeper into students’ family life. They also plan to  have sessions where they can teach financial literacy so people will know how to be wise about their money. They will help out the homeless by making sure they have access to resources like food, computers with internet, and staff to help to assist families going looking for jobs. Families are helping out too, by donating clothing to people who need them. It’s all about helping our community to rise so we can be a better city and make it possible for everyone to be successful in life. By doing this as a team we can accomplish anything.

“I love giving back to the community,” said senior Sherrod Hawkes, a member of the Jonathan Ogden Club who has been helping out with the new community center. “It feels good.”

“I think it means a lot. They look back and are proud of themselves as well as they should be,” says Coach Kelly Bagdasarian, who also works for the Jonathan Ogden Foundation.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, 30 families were given holiday food baskets and got a chance to meet Jonathan Ogden for the first time in their life. The Jonathan Ogden/Cristata Cares Community Center is located on the first floor of Patterson High School and will be open two days a week from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, several other days for classes, and some weekends.

With files from Great Kids Up Close (http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/greatkids).

Students and visitors pose with Jonathan Ogden in the new Community Room (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

Jonathan Ogden gives a holiday dinner to a member of the community (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

Patterson staff members and community partners celebrate the opening of the new community center (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

 

 

Patterson students participate in CyberPatriot competition

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By Ms. Ball

Patterson’s amazing cyber security team, the Cyber Trolls, performed quite well in the first two rounds of Northrop Grumman’s Annual CyberPatriot Competition.  The first round was held in November and the 2nd round was held on December 7, 2012.  The time frame for both rounds was from 12:00 to 6:00 PM.  Our industry mentors were Tyler Lillard, a former Patterson student, and Sergeants Jessica Yanzick & Rain from the Air Force.  Students put in a full day’s work trying to find computer system vulnerabilities and prevent others from hacking into their system.

Cyber security is one of the fastest growing STEM careers in the world.  The U.S. desperately needs computer engineers and software programmers to help fight the cyber attacks that threaten our businesses on a daily basis.  Our students are learning the skills necessary to protect the virtual machines they work on.  Please congratulate the students listed below for doing a fantastic job in the competition.  Round 3.5 will be held in February, 2013.  Wish us luck!

DeOnte Green
Onyekachi Ekeagwu
Aaron Wheeler
Abhishek Younghang
JeVaughn Taylor
James Siebor

S. Ball, Cybersecurity Coach

The Arts at Patterson

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A student plays the steel drums in Mr. Gagne’s Music Club. Other instruments used by the club include an electric guitar, two pianos and an electric keyboard. (Photo: Clinton Adams, Patterson Press)

By Clinton Adams

Two teachers, both involved in the Arts, recently spoke to the Patterson Press. Both of these teachers are advisors for clubs that students can participate in.

Ms.Bell, the teacher for Drama Club, said that the Drama Club will be performing 3 different shows this year: a Christmas show (scheduled for December 20th), a Black History variety show, and a Spring musical called “Once on this Island”.

Mr. Gagne, the teacher for the music club, says he would like to have his club perform this year and they will go to various locations to play music for people.

The Drama Club meets from 3:45-4:45 in Room 201 or the Auditorium, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Music  Club meets Tuesdays at 3:45 in Room 200. Any students interested in these clubs should attend a meeting or talk to the teachers in charge.

School Garden Grows Organic Vegetables

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Patterson staff members working in the garden (Photo: Angel Sisounong, Patterson Press)

By Corey Grisson

The Patterson School Garden  was started in 2011 by three staff members:  Diane Snyder, school social worker, Susan Steigner, school social worker, and Monica Broere, art teacher. They built three raised beds for vegetables and a pollinator bed for flowers that will attract insects that will carry pollen from plant to plant.  Hollins Organic soil was delivered and dumped into the beds.  The garden is located behind the Academy of Engineering inside a fenced-in area.

The purpose of the garden is to:

  • To grow organic vegetables
  • To teach students about gardening
  • To provide service learning hours for students

The garden was started with a grant from the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. The amount of the grant was $1000 and was used to purchase soil, plants,seeds, materials like ground covering, and watering equipment, like hoses and nozzles. Visits were made to CGRN (Community Greening Network) and Baltimore Great Kids Farm to obtain sweet potatoes, onions, and a sprinkler system. In the spring of 2012 onions, broccoli rabe, radishes, sweet peas, and Swiss chard were planted and harvested. The early summer planting grew tomatoes, corn, zucchini, more onions, more Swiss chard, and sweet potatoes. The garden has been cleaned out and made ready for growing lettuces and rye from seed.  The garden staff have sold the vegetables to Patterson high school staff for several weeks in the spring, summer, and early fall.

In order to grow enough vegetables for student consumption more grow space is needed, such as a hoophouse and more raised beds. Another grant  application has been submitted to Lowes for a hoophouse and hopes are high that the grant will be given to Patterson. Meanwhile students help the Garden staff every Monday after school and earn service learning hours for clearing the garden, planting seeds, and digging out the area around the beds so paving stones can be laid.

 

Radishes from the garden (Photo: Angel Sisounong, Patterson Press)

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)

 

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)

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!

New group at Patterson will tackle issues facing homeless students

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By Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press staff writer

A new group is forming at Patterson High School to support the rights of homeless students. The group, called On Our Own Together, also teaches people what homelessness is really like. According to the group’s spokesperson, attorney Monisha Cherayil, being homeless doe not necessarily mean you have to be living on the street. If you and your family are crashing at someone else’s house or living or in your car, you are still considered homeless and are entitled to certain rights and support.

On Our Own Together is being organized by school-based social workers and legal advocates from a public justice center. The program can help homeless students get the resources and services they need. The program educates people who are and are not homeless. On Our Own Together also helps children and young adults enroll in school and tells them how they can get free healthcare, clothing and other support. On  Our Own Together is a program that empowers and provides information while helping to keep young people off the streets. They also plan to organize fun social events like movie nights.

The group plans to have their first student meeting on Thursday, March 22nd at 2:00 PM in the Media Center. This meeting is not only for homeless students but also for any other students who want to support their homeless classmates and raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Baltimore. All students and staff are encouraged to attend.

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