Category Archives: Departments

Patterson holds Senior Farewell ceremony

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by Kylayah Davis

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.

Baseball team goes undefeated in regular season

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by Kylayah Davis

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.

Track and field team has another record-breaking year

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by Coach Smith

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.            .
                                                    

Bilingual brilliance in Baltimore: Patterson High School’s double duty dynamo

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by Jasmine Goins

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.”

Lacrosse team destined for greatness

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by Kylayah Davis

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:

  1. Beat the teams they lost to last year
  1. Have a better record than last year
  1. 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 teaches leadership skills

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by Gabriela Hernandez-Guzman

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.”

Let’s learn about badminton

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by Kylayah Davis

Patterson’s badminton team defeated Edmondson Westside High School on Friday, April 19.

Now, I always like to do research before any event but today I decided to go completely ignorant and learn from the team. So I interviewed Coach Bomar and players Banny and Jeani, where I learned some interesting facts about badminton:

  1. There are both JV and varsity teams in badminton.
  2. They play the best 2 out of 3 matches to determine a winner.
  3. A typical game takes around 10 minutes.
  4. It takes 21 points to win each game.
  5. You have to win by at least 2 points.
  6. There are no referees.

Yes, you read that right: There are no refs or officials in badminton. As Coach Bomar explained, badminton is a sport of integrity and etiquette; it goes by honesty. 

The players keep track of the score themselves by saying “Are you ready? (number of points) serving (number of points)”. You have to ask “Are you ready?” before you serve because if your opponent isn’t ready and you serve, it would be unsportsmanlike. 

When I asked Coach Bomar why he coaches badminton, he told me to look around.

“No-one’s yelling, no one’s arguing, there’s no flags, no fighting after the games.”, observed Coach Bomar. “There are Edmondson girls playing with Patterson girls. It’s really a fun sport”.

Coach Bomar has been coaching badminton for ten years, and Coach Bloom has been doing it for two years.

Badminton is an all girls sport in Maryland that was established in order to balance out the amount of male and female sports. Check out our school’s badminton games every Tuesday and Thursday.

Culture Night returns for second year

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by Mirian Maurizaca

Patterson High School hosted its second annual Culture Night on April 30th from 5:00-7:00 PM. The event was sponsored by the student organization, Catalyst for Change. People brought a variety of different foods from their cultures. There were several different types of presentations. There was music and dancing, and people wore traditional clothing styles from their cultures. 

At the event there was a lot of food from around the world, including African food, Filipino food, Jamaican food, Arabic food, Mexican food, and American food. One of the musical pieces presented reminded a teacher about where she was.

One of the reasons for organizing Culture Night was “to bring everyone together,” according to Ms. Olunuga. Another reason was to represent “the culture of every nationality that is in Patterson High School,” said Ms. Godinez. 

The event helped people start to understand and appreciate each other’s cultures more.

“I think everyone had the opportunity to connect more”, said a teacher whose name the Patterson Press did not catch. “It was a really rich experience.”

Patterson competes in first City Schools esports event

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(Photo by Mr. Sokolski)

by Deontay Blackwell

April 11, 2024 marked the first ever Electronic Sports (esports) event in Baltimore City Public Schools with Patterson High School competing against Benjamin Franklin High School in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament bracket. Patterson defeated Ben Franklin by a score of 4-1 in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. The team persevered through a bad internet connection to pull out the win.

Mr. Sokolski (or Mr. Ski, as most students call him) is the coach for Patterson High School’s esports team and runs Patterson’s gaming club.

“I think it is an awesome opportunity for students, especially students who may not have other activities that they are interested in. It’s a place where they can get more involved in the school, and competing against other schools, and be part of that school spirit.”

Mr. Ski wanted students to gain a group of friends, have fun together, and especially get good at video games. As esports events have been becoming more popular, students can potentially start a career in gaming by competing in cash cups and being on an esports team. 

Mr. Ski has an Advisory class and after-school club for the gaming club. He has multiple Nintendo Switches and a PlayStation to run games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, all current year Madden, 2K, FC24, Brawhella, and Rocket League. The students who participated in the esports event against Franklin were Jeremy Jones, Rachard Ockimey, Nicholas Callis, Phillip Jones, and myself–Deontay Blackwell.

For the other players, it has been a great experience for them being able to participate in an esports tournament for the first time.

“You don’t know how experienced they are at the game. You don’t know who they play as. It’s only fun when you actually give yourself a challenge.”, said Rachard Ockimey as they all shared how they felt during the tournament. 

This was the first school year that Patterson participated in esports, but it will not be the last.

(Video by Mr. Sokolski)
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