Volume 61 | Issue 2 | Severna Park High School | 60 Robinson Road | Severna Park, Maryland | SPTALON.COM STAFF

THE TALON

M AY GO NAVY BEAT ARMY Seniors who have committed to attend the Naval Academy. VAN GOGHING TO COLLEGE Senior artists and where they are headed in the fall. SENIOR DESTINATIONS The class of 2021 shares their plans for next year.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Nick Carparelli, Sydney PAGE 3 Seniors in College Gear Herz, Sophie Krejci PAGE 4 A Shift in Graduation Plans PAGE 5 Go Navy, Beat Army! VIDEOGRAPHER Flynn Prengaman PAGE 6 Class of 202X GRAPHICS CONTRIBUTER Maggie Krejci PAGE 7 Jobs With Vaccination Benefits PAGE 8 STAFF WRITERS Isabella Boettinger, Rachel Van Goghing To College Ghahhari, Anastasia Gobot, Graham Haynie, PAGE 9 Talon Seniors Leave the Nest Zach McGrath, Zoey Nichols, Julia Owens PAGE 10 Senior Destinations ADVISER Valerie Earhart PAGE 11 Senior Destinations, Cont. PAGE 12 Senior Destinations, Cont. PAGE 13 Senior Shoutouts WHO WE ARE The Talon is the principle news publication and public forum of Severna Park High School, which is located on 60 Robinson Road, PAGE 14 Senior Shoutouts, Cont. Severna Park, Maryland 21146. Phone: 410-544-0900 ASSOCIATIONS The Talon is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and “What Should I Bring? Quill & Scroll International Journalism Association. It has won Gold and Necessities for Your Dorms Silver Medals from CSPA. DISTRIBUTION Staff members typically dis- tribute 400 papers to the student body. Magazines are available to pick up PAGE 15 Class of 2021: The Class of in the hallways, the main office and throughout the English department. Resilience Subscribers may pay $50 to have the publication mailed to their home. PDF copies of The Talon are found under Past Print at www.sptalon.com. OPIN- PAGE 16 Fly On Falcons! IONS Views expressed in The Talon do not reflect those of the Severna PAGE 17 COVID Affected The Senior Year Park High School administration or the Anne Arundel County Public School Board of Education. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion Experience of the author. EDITORIALS The Talon’s editorials will reflect a consensus PAGE 18 Senior Sports Commits of the members of the student editorial board. The subjects of the editorials will be determined by the editorial board. The editorial board, which PAGE 19 SPHS Senior Females that are consists of the staff’s student editors, will determine the content, including College Bound all unsigned editorials. Editorial ideas may be submitted to the editorial board by all members of the staff. Editorials should be sent to thesptalon@ gmail.com or dropped off in the publication lab, 245, during school hours. No material will be published for which there is evidence that the author is TALK TO US using the paper for inappropriate personal gain. ADVERTISING Any student, parent, staff member or organization will be allowed to purchase ads. Severna Park Talon Severna Park Talon Non-students, businesses or any person not currently attending or related to @thesptalon an attending student may purchase ads, but the publication asks that those @thesptalon ads be business-related ads or be used to congratulate student or school successes. No ads will be placed in any publication until payment is made. www.sptalon.com Any business wishing to advertise in The Talon must meet district guidelines for obscene or offensive material. All copy or art will be judged by these standards. Any ad found to be in violation must be changed or it will not be published. The publication reserves the right to refuse any ad that is COVER PHOTO libelous, illegal, obscene, irresponsible, inappropriate or in poor taste. The Senior Maggie Krejci celebrates the ending of four years by deco- publication also reserves the right to edit any ad before publication to en- rating a graduation cap. Taken in the front of Severna Park High sure the standards and quality of the product. The publication may limit the School, some seniors did not come in person this school year, but number of type styles offered to ad customers and set guidelines for format decided to remain virtual. “I’m excited to start the the next chap- and style. The publication reserves the right to edit all submitted copy or ter in my book of life” Krejci said. Photo by Sophie Krejci photographs. BYLINES All articles, graphics, photos, art, columns, pages, reviews, and other material creatively conceived, with the exception of staff editorials, mug shots and cut-outs will be bylined with the producer’s name. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work. When more than one person has contributed creatively to a piece of work, any person who has contributed to the work must be bylined as a producer. 2 THE SENIOR ISSUE

3 NEWS A SHIFT IN GRADUATION PLANS Seniors’ feelings about traditional graduation gatherings and events that have changed due to COVID-19. Graham Haynie | Staff Writer ith this must either be canceled graduating seniors, who just in a limited capacity. school year or put on hold. Plans like have persevered through “Graduation for slowly Brant’s are far too risky to a year unlike any other,” SPHS Class of 2021 is Wcreeping to be held at the moment. Dr. Arlotto wrote in a let- Wednesday, June 9 at 10 an end, students can final- However, with vac- ter sent to families of high a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Crofton ly relax a little knowing cines being rolled out, school seniors.. “As I have High School stadium,” that they will be finished life is slowly returning to said for many months, our Principal Bathras shared with school work and will normal. That is no reason team has been committed with senior parents in a have the summer to re- to hold events or gather- to providing an in-person email home the week of lax. But for seniors, their ings with family and or ceremony to salute our April 26. plans have been altered friends, but we can hope graduating seniors in the Seniors will be due to the pandemic and that during the summer best way we can. We be- limited to two tickets and their old graduation plans things will return back to lieve this plan offers us the one parking ticket, as the will have to be changed normal, so we can hold opportunity to do that, and parking is limited. Weath- to accommodate the events or do things that I look forward to helping er might be a factor be- new world we all live in. have been made safe to salute our graduates in cause it will be a outside For most seniors their under COVID-19 reg- June.” event, so the county has graduation would have ulations. “My plans for Last year, seniors slated Friday, June 11 been a time for celebra- graduation now are to go participated in a drive up and Saturday, June 12 as tion, similar to what senior to Disney World with my graduation ceremony, this potential make up days if student Stephen Brant had father,” Brant said. year it will take place in there is inclement weath- in mind. The county has also a venue and faculty and er for the original June 9 “My plans origi- changed graduation plans, staff will be in attendance, date. nally were to have a party with the venue changing. with friends and family,” “Class of 2021 A graduation photo taken a year ago during the lock down, Brant said. Ideas need commencement exer- where getting a high school diploma had to be done in a drive by to be more restricted, es- cises for Anne Arundel one person at a time instead of the usual event that would take pecially when they had County Public Schools’ place, all due to Covid-19. Photo Credit: Graham Haynie originally involved large 12 comprehensive high gatherings of friends and schools with graduating family. This of course is seniors will all take place to help not accidentally in the newly constructed spread COVID-19 to peo- stadium at Crofton High ple. School,” according to an “I feel that it’s im- announcement made April portant to change my plans 21 by Superintendent because the party was go- George Arlotto at a Board ing to have my grandpar- of Education meeting. ents and some older peo- “This has not been ple at risk which would be in any way the kind of bad,” Brant said. Similar school year any of us en- to weddings, most events visioned or wanted for our 4 GO N AV Y, BEAT ARMY! A few SPHS students who plan to attend the Naval Academy for the next four years. Sydney Herz | Editor in Chief

Serving one’s “Ever since I was three “I come from a military emy. But these students country is a passion many years old, I have dreamt family, however I want to recognized all the other people possess and com- of serving in the United establish my own legacy benefits the Naval Acade- mit to throughout their States military,” Shadow- by being the first to enter my had to offer. lives. Four SPHS seniors ens said. “I grew up idol- the service through the “To be a part of the tight in particular have the pas- izing my father and I’ve Naval Academy,” Urrea knit military community, sion and hope to act on always been proud of his said. “As of right now, I surrounded by good peo- it by attending the U.S. nine years of serving in hope to go to Pensacola, ple is something that is Naval Academy in the the United States Army.” Florida to become a Na- important to me,” Kriel fall. Charlie Kriel, Jordyn These four seniors all val Aviator; my ultimate said. “The ultimate goal of Urrea, Carson Sloat and come from military back- long-term goal is to even- attending a service acade- Colin Shadowens now grounds and wish to con- tually outrank my dad who my is for the experiences, have the opportunity to tinue the family tradition is a retired Marine Major.” the people I will get to see their dreams come true of serving their country, However, Urrea isn’t meet, and the places I will and could not be more ex- but always have bigger the only one with big as- be able to go due to the cited for the next chapter dreams and goals beyond pirations for their future at military.” of their lives. that of their family legacy. the Academy. Shadowens The future is bright and has an ultimate goal of exciting for these future graduating from the Naval SPHS graduates as they Academy after serving as have so much to look a commissioned officer forward to and prepare and receiving a world- for. Along the way and class education. through their owed five Similarly, Sloat will be years of service in a spe- attending the U.S. Naval cific field of the Navy af- Academy to run D1 track ter graduation, these stu- and cross country with big dents hope to learn more hopes for his future. about themselves and en- “My ultimate goal in joy being a part of the rich attending [the] Navy in history and culture of the particular is to become U.S. Naval Academy. the best possible officer “First and foremost [my before beginning military goal] is to prepare myself service while also becom- to lead as a Naval officer ing a better athlete and and be a part of something person,” Sloat said. greater than myself,” Ur- Some chose to rea said. “Other goals I Serving her country has always been an ambition for senior Jor- follow in their parents or hope to achieve while at dyn Urrea and choosing the academy in which to do so was not a siblings footsteps, while the Academy are to gain difficult task. Urrea plans to serve in the U.S. Naval Academy for others took a big leap to a top tier education and to the next four years and beyond. “I wanted to be a part of the rich history associated with the Academy, along with it being a top be the first in their family develop lifelong friends academic institution in the nation,” Urrea said. Photo courtesy of to attend a different acad- amongst my peers.” Jordyn Urrea. 5 NEWS CLASS OF 2022X Three SPHS students plan to say goodbye to their childhood, community and high school memories a year earlier than expected. Sydney Herz | Editor-in-Chief his school year has been credits to graduate early, so I’m decision to make for these two stu- anything but normal and skipping senior year.” dents, there are many aspects that with high school being Not only did these students have they will carry with them into the virtual and hybrid for to make sure they got all the cor- next chapter of their lives, whether the remainder of this rect credits and take all the required that be the valuable life lessons they Tyear and unknown for next year, classes in order to leave SPHS a learned, the relationships they built, some SPHS students took their fu- year early, they also had to weigh or the unforgettable memories they tures into their own hands, deciding the pros and cons of ending their made with those closest to them. to rewrite their stories by graduat- high school career. Leaving friends, SPHS will always be their home ing a year early. sports games, dances, and other and one such graduate, Juliette Kry- Making the decision to put on the unforgettable experiences behind cia reminisces on her favorite expe- cap and gown a year sooner than came easy to one student, Logan riences within the community as she the rest of their grade was not an Meachum, as he has his whole fu- prepares to head off to Elon in the easy one, whether that be a heavier ture ahead of him to look forward fall. workload, summer school classes, to. “My favorite part of high school college applications, internships, “I never lived the high school life was probably the football games or projects. Lindsay Hopper had to and I knew that because of Covid, and the teachers that I’ve made a put in extra time and effort to re- balancing a more excessive sched- connection with,” Krycia said. “I ceive the necessary requirements to ule would be easier because of be- will be missing out on things, but graduate early and hopefully attend ing quarantined,” Meachum said. “I that doesn’t bother me [since] I’ll community college and nursing have many projects that I am work- also be gaining new experiences school in Florida after graduation. ing on in my career currently and that I never thought I’d be able to “Graduating early has always being out of high school will allow experience this coming year.” been a plan of mine,” Hopper said. me to focus more on those.” “I took extra classes to get enough While leaving isn’t a difficult

Logan Meachum’s secondary education paned out perfectly to allow him to graduate early. After he receives his diploma, Meachum will be attending Pepperdine University in Malibu, California to begin the next chapter of his life. “I actually started school a year earlier and decided to graduate a year earlier,” Meachum said. “I’m technically graduating two years early.” Photo courtesy of Logan Meachum. 6 JOBS WITH VACCINATION BENEFITS Students have been getting jobs with the Board of Education in order to be eligible for vaccinations earlier.

Bella Boettinger | Staff Writer

lementary schools all over the county are hiring midday monitors, an in person Eposition that only demands a couple hours of service two or four days a week. This position is favored towards seniors because it takes place in the middle of school days, so if your classes end before noon it’s the perfect mid day job. “ I was looking for a job but it’s so hard to find one in the pandemic. Then a friend mentioned this job and they were happy to hear that I wanted to be a midday monitor. There is no shortage of positions and it’s a very rewarding experience.” senior Salma Abushi said. This is a great temporary position because it is only during school which means by summer you’ll be done. It’s a way to make a little extra money before summer and to learn about working in a school atmosphere. The expected duties include supervising children during AACPS has many benefits including eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine. Students lunch, recess, and after recess. can be assigned jobs such as recess monitors or lunch monitors. “It’s been a great expe- “Being a midday monitor rience working with kids and being able to get vaccinated.” Senior Salma Abushi said. has helped me realize what path Photo by: Bella Boettinger I want to take when I’m older,” Abushi said. Students interested in an employee of AACPS. Many se- senior Kayla Stasuli said. “But then teaching would greatly benefit from niors have been able to get vaccina- I took this job and once I was eligi- this opportunity because it gives tions earlier than planned because ble I took the opportunity. It’s a huge you insight to what working in edu- of this job which has been a very relief being vaccinated.” cation is like. beneficial perk. Seniors should take this position As a monitor, vaccinations are “I was scared that I wasn’t to get experience in an educational also available since you become going to get the vaccine for a while,” environment and to get vaccinated.

7 FEATURES VAN GOGHING TO COLLEGE The artists of Severna Park and where they are headed. Sophie Krejci | Editor in Chief AIDAN TURNER Aidan Turner also works on digital art, but his pieces and processes are a little different. Turner layers several pieces of digital work which ultimately builds up to around 100 layers of work. “Almost all my inspiration comes from music and films really. Sometimes I’ll listen to a lyric or witness a scene of a movie and just think ‘how can I turn this into a scene.’ After I begin I usually spend some time working on the framework of the scene and come back to it a day or two later to see if my vision has changed at all,” Turner said. His images are photos with overlays that create an eerie and stunning feel. Turner spends 5-6 hours on each piece.

Ella Woodbury creates online pieces in her free time, using digital tools to compose her artwork. Ella got inspired during quarantine when she had ample time to work. “[I tried] to develop a personal style and to expand my reach to really get my art out there for people to see,” Woodbury said. Graphic by: Ella Woodbury Aidan Turner is a senior at Severna Park High School spends hours on his pieces. Each photo made is layered. “In each ELLA WOODBURY piece there is around 100 layers of little things...” Turner said. Woodbury is a senior at Severna Park who enjoys Graphic by Aidan Turner drawing and creating digital work in her free time. VERONICA DICKERSON “I love art that really tells a story, something that Anyone who has sat next to Veronica Dickerson makes you look at the details and the subject,” in class knows she has a special talent in drawing Woodbury said. Quarantine gave Woodbury am- and 2D art. Moreover, Veronica is planning to go ple time to enjoy what she loved and advance her to for illustration/ communication arts. She becomes skills. Her process varies depending on what piece inspired from many different events, places, and she decides to start and the day. “I’ll usually start things. Dickerson then begins with some smaller by looking at references of things I’d like to draw pieces before tackling her big idea. “Though it de- and then I’d come up with a rough sketch and go pends on the piece, I would say that most of what from there. My process really varies from piece to I’ve been doing recently has taken at least ten hours. piece and it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a I like cramming a lot of detail into what I do so it can couple hours of drawing for me to come to the final end up taking quite a while,” Dickerson said, “On product,” Woodbury said. Woodbury hopes to have the other hand I have the pace of a snail so that never her art seen by the public eye in her future. helps,” she added. 8 TALON SENIORS LEAVE THE NEST Talon seniors reflect on their time on newspaper staff as they prepare to start a new chapter in their life. Sydney Herz | Editor in Chief For those who have never had the privilege of being on the Talon newspaper staff, you’re missing out. This paper is not only a school-day class and extracurricular activity, it’s a family. Talon seniors want to thank Mrs. Earhart and past staff members for believing in them and for providing a safe home where they were free to share their passions and new ideas, while also enjoying the world’s greatest breakfast food: bagels. One such senior is staff writer Bella Boettinger. As a staff writer, she has allowed the newspaper to develop into something the SPHS community abso- lutely loves, “Newspaper has taught me to go outside of my comfort zone,” Boettinger said. “I’ll miss the idea days and bagels [and] just talking with the staff during class.” Boettinger plans to attend Anne Arundel Community College next fall to continue her writing career and take some writing classes to improve her writing skills.

Next is editor-in-chief Nick Carparelli, a student who has been on staff for the last three years, each year assigned a different role. For his senior year, Carparelli now shares the title of Editor-in-Chief. Throughout his time on staff, Carparelli has learned valuable lessons about how to prioritize his time and what it truly means to work hard for something you’re passionate about. “Over time it has taught me to be a prioritizer, be organized and do everything to my best potential,” Carparelli said. Carparelli has enjoyed every moment and every article he wrote while part of the Talon team. “Doing the hard, tedious work to pursue the goal at hand made the end result of getting the paper in hand that much sweeter,” Carparelli said. “That has made Newspaper unique and fun because the Talon is a family and we don’t do anything without each other.”

Last but certainly not least is senior editor-in-chief Sophie Krejci. She earned this role at the start of her senior year from newspaper adviser, Valerie Earhart. Not only does this role allow Krejci to expand her creativity and share her stories with the SPHS community, but also gives her the sense of control and independence to create a newspaper that would inspire and captivate her audience. “My favorite part of Newspaper was probably InDesign because once you have your article ready to go, it gets spiced up and displayed on a page,” Krejci said. “That’s when I really feel like I work for a newspaper because the layout I chose is printed and sent across the school.” While many of us can’t imagine a paper without Krejci’s inspiring, thought-provoking and entertaining stories, Krejci will miss the added benefits of being on staff and more than anything- the bagels given to all staff members on idea day every month. 9 FEATURES TOWSON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND Ashton Antinucci COLLEGE PARK Cameron Brinegar Olivia Abboud ANNE ARUNDEL Lucas Brison Owen Barrett COMMUNITY COLLEGE Anna Kate Campbell Megan Bast Ryan Campbell Erik Binnix Jack Blumenberg Arielle Cannon Erin Chen Kya Charles Owen Crawford Najah Chestnut Allison Chung Isabella Cropper Abigail Collins Daniel Riggin Kelly List Shane Hampson Delia Fishburne HOOD COLLEGE Nick Patzkowski Sean Foreman Daniel Harris Kyle Ernest Emilie Stoudt John Larcher Greta Fritz Kathryn Yeatts Colson Jones Caleb Kassebaum JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY OF Ethan Kent Megan LeBeau UNIVERSITY MARYLAND Ryan Khan Michael Lavallee Fausto Navarro-Cepeda Talynn Lucien BALTIMORE Nicholas Marsella Will Mumford MORGAN STATE COUNTY Mudit Mather McKenzie Pere UNIVERSITY Joseph Fitzell Annalou Marriner Michael Richmond Gabrielle Diggs Nick Ivey Owen Moran Jack Rubiano Jane Jackson Rachel Rinker ST. MARY’S COLLEGE Elizabeth Rye Danielle Larios Sophie Pilon OF MARYLAND Emma Smearman William Mann Fatou Sall Ben Surosky Molly Antinucci Garvin Melles Raquel Smith Patrick Vernon Corinne Hines Sriram Pradeep Evan Stefanvoich Mitchell Weiner Ella Raines Dominick Satterwhite Ryan Leo Sullivan Rory Sullivan Ryan Sullivan Elise Wood SALISBURY Lauren Turk Eleanor Woodbury UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON Vanessa Weiss Mackenzie Young Connor Eaton COLLEGE Katherine Esposito Jake Whitlock FROSTBURG STATE Luke Kuriawa Josie Whittington UNIVERSITY Thomas Macintire US NAVAL Sofia Villagomez Carolina Drummond Nina Romano ACADEMY Sunny Zhang Thomas Lenhart Charlie Kriel Kayla Snyder Colin Shadowens Carson Sloat COLORADO MILITARY Jordyn Urrea SCHOOL OF MINES Luke Durling VERTO Kayla McCool EDUCATION TRADE Claire Kintzley Thomas Melia Sierra-Grace Mok SCHOOL Samuel Spittler UNIVERSITY OF WORK UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SAN DIEGO STATE Christopher Lease EDINBURGH BOULDER Caleb Zyvoloski UNIVERSITY Molly Beairsto Zach Ott Brianna Johnson Steven Zukley Graham Snyder UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY OF GAP YEAR YORK CALIFORNIA SANTA UNIVERSITY OF Emily Dziepak Katie Byrd BARBARA COLORADO, Ellie Norwood COLORADO SPRINGS ARIZONA STATE Maddy Fangio Ella Ryan UNIVERSITY MCGILL Carter Cleary AIR FORCE UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY Hannah Roemer ACADEMY IDAHO Conlan McConnell Evan Wiemann Kyle Griffith Jake Spielman 10 MITCHELL EMERSON COLLEGE FEATURES FORDHAM UNITED STATES COLLEGE Mackenzie Rice MILITARY ACADEMY Hunter Roberts UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN Jaron Givens AT WEST POINT THE UNITED STATES UNIVERSITY Lyla Toomey JT Cushing Grace Yearwood COAST GUARD Jackson Hanlon MIAMI UNIVERSITY ACADEMY Rachel Holly IONA COLLEGE OF OHIO Ella Grizzle Piper Shrout Nora DiMaggio Olivia Pucciarella Jimmy Patz Kennedy Wolfe MANHATTAN Amelia Major Sydney Park COLLEGE THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY OF SMITH COLLEGE Nick Carparelli III UNIVERSITY HARTFORD Rebecca Farrar Kailas Motiram Carson Gotimer MARIST COLLEGE Daniel Parkison STONEHILL COLLEGE Jillian Murphy DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY OF Emersyn Kelter DELAWARE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Nicholas Armellino MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Lauren Sykes Pierre Auchincloss UNIVERSITY Nalani Rios EASTERN UNIVERSITY Trinity Clifford Aidan Byrd PARSONS SCHOOL Olivia Nicholson Rebecca Cremmins Ipek Kuzkaya OF DESIGN GETTYSBURG Tommy Haskell Ellie Lanigan Veronica Dickerson Evan Molavi COLLEGE Kaitlyn Mummert UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER Collin Ryan Douglas Patrick MICHIGAN INSTITUTE OF Elizabeth Roros Olivia Wright TECHNOLOGY PENN STATE Haley Turnback Patrick Elser UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF Tommy Bresson HUSSON NEW HAMPSHIRE SUNY COBLESKILL UNIVERSITY Myles Monroe Reid Figlioli Anneka Fredriksson Braden Jacobs Andrew Stephenson SUNY MARITIME Anna Medina BOSTON MONTCLAIR COLLEGE John Peterson COLLEGE STATE UNIVERSITY Mark Antal Julia Smith Lauren Hong Miriam Zorc UNION COLLEGE Braxton Williams STEVENS AND ALBANY COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL COLLEGE HOLY CROSS PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY Ryan Davis Caroline Gage Katie Currie NORTHWESTERN Sabrina Bowes UNITED STATES Bennett Jefferds Sophia Patz UNIVERSITY MERCHANT VILLANOVA Sydney Astle PURDUE MARINE ACADEMY UNIVERSITY Cade Halloran INDIANA UNIVERSITY Jack Chadwick INSTITUTE OF Andrew Gillespie Braden Layne TECHNOLOGY Marcus Good John Salkeld YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA Noelle Ricci Michael O’Callaghan UNIVERSITY OF Timothy Zyla VERMONT Leah Meyers INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF Cara VandeMeulebroecke SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY Marguerite Krejci BLOOMINGTON MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY BRIGHAM YOUNG Siena DeCicco Lauren Atcheson Madeline Koul Leah St. Lawrence UNIVERSITY Ellie Heath UNIVERSITY OF Matthew Hong CORNELL UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN Delaney Huber Jake Gelfand UTAH Caitlin Tweed Kane Fairweather Paul Judge Kalyssa McNutt 11 FEATURES AUBURN UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY OF OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY TAMPA NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Benjamin McLay Riley Edwards AT CHAPEL HILL Kimberly Williams Zach Plummer Sophie Krejci Ethan Gaige UNIVERSITY OF Alex Soliman UNIVERSITY OF CLEMSON LYNCHBURG ALABAMA Riley Wilbourne Charlie Evans Lauryn Vincent UNIVERSITY Jake McLaughlin Brendan Belloff UNIVERSITY OF Abigail Weist GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Brett Butz MARY WASHINGTON COSMETOLOGY Kelly Smith Sam Feemster Allison Fletcher SCHOOL Ben Simpkins UNIVERSITY OF Isabella Cornetto SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN COASTAL CAROLINA RICHMOND ECKERD COLLEGE Hannah Sherman UNIVERSITY Christina Currie Eliza Patty Reid Koutras UNIVERSITY OF Zachary Schindler EMBRY RIDDLE GEORGIA COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY OF AERONAUTICAL Edie Deegan VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY CHARLESTON Stevie McConkey Connor Craig Carson Smith Benjamin Van Brunt Kristen Murphy Stevie Landis VIRGINIA FLAGLER COLLEGE Renata Stanescu Collin Leeds Sophia Beaulieu COMMONWEALTH TULANE Kelsie O’Neill UNIVERSITY Jack Guerrisi UNIVERSITY Kaitlyn Roemer Audrey DuVall FLORIDA INSTITUTE Kate Stefancik THE CITADEL OF TECHNOLOGY LOUISIANA STATE Keegan Foley VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC Parker Cummings UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY FLORIDA STATE Joshua Okparaocha SOUTH CAROLINA Joshua Boyle UNIVERSITY THE UNIVERSITY OF Ryan Cochran Anthony Dicks Sean Ladas MISSISSIPPI Drew Crowley Michael George Erin Miskowski Kathleen Cutair Jack Vanveelen Amalia Hagerty Matilda Varine Zachary Perchinsky Jack Vracar Eunice Ko FULL SAIL CAMPBELL BELMONT Matthew Meleney UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY & Kyla Paydo Jariel Frazier Carson Shoop VANDERBILT Holden Tatem Aidan Turner PALM BEACH DAVIDSON COLLEGE UNIVERSITY Cat Cleary Robert Weaver ATLANTIC Jack Muldoon UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF THE CATHOLIC DUKE UNIVERSITY Carson Barrett TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY OF Sydney Mudd Tyler Cummings AMERICA UNIVERSITY OF Carter King FLORIDA ELON UNIVERSITY Matthew Thompson Juliette Krycia Ethan Murray Ryan Harrell HOWARD UNIVERSITY HIGH POINT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY OF Jayvyn Wood UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY MIAMI Phillip Bansemer Thomas Kondracki WEST VIRGINIA Janice Chukwu Sarah Gee Benjamin Linthicum UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF Sam Peterson TEXAS A & M Grace Blanchfield SOUTH FLORIDA Keith Powell Clancy Ehnat NORTH CAROLINA Dylan Smith Daniel Key STATE UNIVERSITY JAMES MADISON Janie Powell Ryan Sullivan Adam McLean UNIVERSITY Peyton Sullivan Emma Moore 12 OLIVIA ABBOUD: CLANCY EHNAT: KATELYN LANDGRAF: Congratulations Olivia! We are so proud of We are so proud of you and who you are be- Congratulations! We’re so proud of you. Best all of your hard work and accomplishments! coming! Congratulations- we can’t wait to see of luck in the future. May all your dreams We know you will go out into the world and what the future holds! come true. Tyrese, and the rest of the family! achieve great things. We love you! Mom, Dad, Cameron and Rebecca Mom, Dad, and Eric Mom, Dad, Alexander and William SEAN FOREMAN: TALYNN LUCIEN: ANIYAH ALVELO: I’m so proud of all that you’ve accomplished, Talynn, We couldn’t be more proud of you! Congratulations princess, we are so proud of Sean, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! I Congratulations ! We love you! you and all you have accomplished, can’t wait know you’re going to have an amazing time Mom, Uncle Greg, Grandma, Grandpa, Julai, to see what the future holds for you in college next year. Let’s go Terps! Tyrese, and the rest of the family! and beyond. God bless you Love, Mom CONLAN McCONNELL: Mom and Dad JACKSON HANLON: So PROUD of you Conlan! We love you and COLIN BENEDICT: will miss you soooo much... and we cannot wait Be yourself, everyone else is taken. Besides, Despite a challenging journey that included 7 schools and 4 different countries, you kept true to visit you in Montreal! you’re amazing!! Love Mom, Dad, Grady, Dillon and Quinny Love, Mom, Dad, Jack & Nick to yourself and achieved your goals. We are proud of you and love you tons! LIV NICHOLSON: GRACE BLANCHFIELD: M, D, and P (Ike and Winnie, too) We’re so happy to share in the excitement of We are so proud of you, your accomplishments your graduation. We are incredibly proud of and the person you have become! Continue to RYAN HARRELL: you and look forward to the next chapter in life- follow your heart and stay true to yourself and We are so proud of you! Looking forward Eastern University. you will have success. to the next chapter. We know you will do Mom, Dad, Gabrielle, Hannah, Thumper, Thor,, Dad, Mom, Nicholas and Paul amazing things. Good luck at Florida and GO Lyla BRETT BUTZ: GATORS!! Brett, Congratulations on your graduation! Love, Mom, Dad, Jake, and Fergus DANIEL PARKISON: You have an exciting future ahead of you this We are so proud of the young man you have ELLIE HEATH: become and look forward to seeing the differ- fall at Clemson. We are all super proud of you! Ellie, We are so proud of you! Best of luck with The Fam ence you will make in the world! your next chapter at Salve Regina University in Dad and Mom ALLISON CHUNG: Newport, RI. A HUGH shout out to our awesome girl, Love, Mom, Dad, Robert and Abbie DANIEL PATRICK: Allison! From the day one, you have been the You changed my world when you were born. heavenly blessing and delight. We are thankful BENNETT JEFFERDS: So gentle, fierce, kind, fair, witty and strategic, for you and so very PROUD of you! From your first days in Pre-K at Oak Hill to you will undoubtedly have the same affect on Mom, Dad, Ellie and Nate SPMS and then SPHS, we have enjoyed your so many others. good humor, adventurous personality, and even Mommy CARTER CLEARY: your dare-devil ways. We love you and are so Congratulations Carter! We are so proud of very proud of you. Hail to Pitt! DOUGLAS PATRICK: you! You’re killing it bro!! We Love you- Love Always, Mom, Dad & Kyle You are never that far away. We’re right with Love, Mom, Dad, Jake, and Fergus you. Dad, Mom, Peyton, Sydney KURT KLAUS: Nicholas, Mom, Luke, Dad, Marsha, Grand Kurt! Wow! Great things are around the TRINITY CLIFFORD: Dad and GamMa Trinity, Adventurer, Scholar & Ocean Saver... corner! We are soooo proud of you and will for sure have to put on our shades as we watch ZAK PERCHINSKY You rock this planet! Take with you this ad- Congratulations to you Zak, your friends, and vice from an African Proverb... The Lion does you in the future! Mom, Dad, Eva, Chip! the entire SPHS class of 2021! not turn around when a small dog barks. We Mom and Dad love you! REID KOUTRAS: Mom, Grandma, and all of the rest of your fan Congrats REID KOUTRAS!! You did it!! All JACK PETERSON: club your hard work paid off! You are on your way Your accomplishments inside the classroom, on REBECCA CREMMINS: to NASA! We have never been more proud!! the field, and in our community are all things We are so proud of you. You have done amaz- We Love YOU!! of which you should be proud. We know ing things and cannot wait to see you thrive in Mom, Dad, Ryan, Nannie, Papou and Yia Yia!! you will do GREAT things at Penn State and college (University of Delaware). So excited! beyond. #WEARE so excited for this next Love, Mom, Dad and Samantha SOPHIE KREJCI: chapter in your life and look forward to even Well done Sophie, Editor of The Talon! We more successes. Remember to always work ELISE CRISTALLO: can’t wait to see what happens in your next hard, stay humble, and have fun! We couldn’t be more proud of you. We know chapter. Love, Mom, Dad, and Caroline you will achieve amazing things. The world is Mom, Dad, Maggie and James your oyster... go make a pearl! JAY PIERCE: MAGGIE KREJCI: Mom and Dad Jay, You are capable of WHATEVER you Congratulations Maggie, NHS President! The choose to do. So, reach for the stars!! Congrat- JT (TYLER) CUSHING: world awaits. “And though she be but little, she ulations on completing this phase of your life. 10 moves & 3 high schools-YOU ROCKED is fierce” -Shakespeare You nailed it! IT! Good luck at West Point! GO ARMY! Mom, Dad, Sophie and James Love, Dad, Mom, Lauren & Katie Love, Mom, Dad, Athan and Owen SEAN LADAS: CHRISTINA and KATIE CURRIE: Happy graduation Sean! Looking forward to MYLES QUINONES: Our family is blessed and twice impressed with football games at FSU and seeing all the amaz- We are so very proud of you and cannot wait your graduations during the Covid pandemic! ing things you’ll do! to see where your talents will take you at JWU Currie stars are twinkling brightly and are on We love you-Mom, Dad, Lindsay, CJ AND and beyond! The sky is the limit B! Congratula- the rise; we are so proud of you! Henry! tions on your graduation! We love you! Love, Mom & Dad, Megan, Shelby & Mom, Dad & Kylen Delaware 13 FEATURES HUNTER ROBERTS: Congratulations Hunter. We are so proud of all your high school successes. We can’t wait WHAT SHOULD I BRING? to cheer for you at Mitchell College basketball next year. All good things ahead! Mom, Dad & Kate NECESSITIES FOR DORMS HANNAH ROEMER: A checklist to help get you set up at your Hannah, Congratulations! We are so proud of you! We can’t wait to see what your future college campus. holds at Arizona State University! Zoey Nichols | Staff Writer Mom, Dad, Kaitlyn & Kona KAITLYN ROEMER: Congratulations to the class of 2021. Transitioning to college can Kaitlyn, Congratulations! We are so proud be a stressful time, but with this list, you can be move-in ready with of you! We can’t wait to for you to start your a little preparation. adventures at College of Charleston! Mom, Dad, Hannah & Kona Many people in the past have slept on these beds ELIZABETH ROROS: BED COVER and recommend bringing a mattress cover and You’re a beautiful young lady! You made it! AND SHEETS fresh sheets. A mattress topper is optional, but We are so happy for you-Go Blue Hens! also highly recommended. Love Mom & Anna JAKE SPIELMAN: POWER STRIP This will allow your electronics to stay safe in the Congratulations! We are proud of you and we event of a power surge. Most dorms come with know you’ll do great next year too. Your future WITH SURGE only a few outlets, so it is a good idea to bring a is so bright! power strip for extra room to charge your devices. <3 Mom, Dad, and Abby PROTECTOR KAILA STASULLI: Kaila - We are incredibly proud of you. We As an easy way to transport your clothing to a are excited to watch you shine in Jacksonville. LAUNDRY community laundry room, a basket is a necessi- Phins Up! Love you bunches. Mahal kita! BASKET ty. They even make fabric laundry baskets with Mom, Dad, Bailey, Faith, and Falyn straps so you can wear it like a backpack. LYLA TOOMEY: Congratulations Ly! We are so very proud of the kind-hearted, selfless friend, compassionate Dorm rooms are notoriously small, so bringing human, and amazing daughter that you are. STORAGE ITEMS fabric bins and raising your bed are good ways to Continue to shine! Love you so much! maximize your limited space. Mom and Dad These are easy to pull down and won’t damage JAKE WHITLOCK: COMMAND Wow, that certainly went by too fast. What a your walls. Use them to hang your backpack or wild adventure it’s been! Work hard and don’t HOOKS keys. ever give up. We love you and are truly proud Something you may forget, but you use them of you. SCISSORS more than you think. Dad, Mom, Luke & Abbey JAKE WHITLOCK: A utility cart is a nice way to organize your daily As you step out on your own, remember one UTILITY CART items in an accessible manner. thing: I’ll stalk you if I don’t hear from you. (Kidding! Enjoy every moment at UMD.) Mother You never know when you will need a bandaid or JAYVYN WOOD: FIRST AID KIT Neosporin. ! Determined, Dedicated, Destined, Dreams. You rose above many obstacles. Triumphed wholeheartedly in more ways than one. An epic Not only is it better for the environment, but it REUSABLE WATER will cut down on the cost of buying bottled water. ending to the beginning of your legacy. The BOTTLE reality in realm of all possibilities. Is you, my son Jayvyn Brenden Wood. Severna Park High A closet organizer is a perfect way to keep all School Class of 2021 CLOSET your clothes neat and out of the way while also Love, Blessings, Peace, and Pride, Mom ORGANIZER helping to maximize your limited space. BENJAMIN VAN BRUNT: We are very proud of all of your accomplish- Running between classes across the campus from ments and graduating as a fellow Falcon! We UMBRELLA one another in the rain isn’t fun, so make sure to know that you will continue to soar as you bring an umbrella. continue your journey. Mor, Far, & Jason Having all of your products together in a bag BATH TOTE AND makes this much easier and allows for flexibili- CALEB ZYVOLOSKI: ty. Shower shoes will protect you from the germs Congratulations! You made it. We’re so proud SHOWER SHOES of you and we can’t wait to see how you grow that come with using a community bathroom. as an EMT. Mom, Dad, Ian, Lucas & Amrah 14 OPINIONS CLASS OF 2021: THE CLASS OF RESILIENCE Looking back at the class of 2021’s perseverance in the face of the Coronavirus. Zachary McGrath | Staff Writer

t has been 15 months since reduced. Most prominent of these class of 2021 and make Severna the whole world shut down were Rock and Roll Revival, Win- Park proud. and the pandemic hit Severna ter Sports, and the Washington Area Park. Through Google Meets, Model United Nations Conference. Jamboards and awkward While it would have been Much like Rosie herself, the class of 2021 Ibreak-out rooms we all soldiered easy for the class of 2021 to accept has taken on each challenge an obstacle with grace. Graphic by: Maggie Krejci on. We now come to the end of the the state the world was in and do class of 2021’s journey. The class nothing about it, they found ways of 2020 received much-deserved to make as many things as possible recognition and congratulations for work while keeping everyone safe. their perseverance in the face of the The class of 2021 found creative COVID-19 Pandemic, and the class ways to hold extracurriculars on- of 2021 deserves the same amount line: from an online Rock and Roll of recognition, if not more. While Revival, to club meetings held over many may be disappointed by the Google Meet. Eventually, students of prom and the uncertain future of were able to return to school and graduation, the class of 2021 should have sports seasons. Albeit with a be proud of how they handled and limited season, all of the Severna reacted to the hand they were dealt. Park teams brought their best and What makes the class of did well during the fall season. Mi- 2021’s journey so inspiring is their raculously, through the efforts of all resilience. They stood tall in the face students, spearheaded by the class of a tall mountain of obstacles and of 2021, many extracurriculars and stress. They had to make a complete sports were able to be as normal as 180 turn from in-person learning to possible in the most abnormal year a completely untested and unused in our lifetimes. format of virtual learning. While This year and last year have this hit all students across Severna been disappointing for many, but Park High School, the class of 2021 the class of 2021 made the best of it had to contend with online learn- and succeeded in that effort. Unfor- ing while taking on Junior year, the tunately, their time at Severna Park most academically challenging and is coming to an end and they must crucial year of high school. Not to look to the future with uncertainty. mention the confusion and chal- Even though there is uncertainty lenges that came along with taking about tomorrow, the resilience they all their AP tests online. While vir- exhibited when working through the tual learning was difficult, the class Pandemic will almost certainly help of 2021 also had many extracurricu- them through the uncertain near lar activities and sports canceled or future and beyond. Keep on going 15 OPINIONS FLY ON FALCONS! Here’s some advice to take with you on the adventures that await. Anastasia Gobot | Staff Writer eniors at are facing one of the Haring said that so many are too fo- Take advantage of your time in col- greatest fears known to man- cused on perfection and end up not lege. make the experience worth it. Skind, the unknown. Fortunate- stepping out of their comfort zone. “Never listen to anyone who ly, the gracious teachers at SPHS “Going forward, remember that says ‘you can’t do that’ with your have put together pieces of knowl- the only two questions you need academic program. Just because edge they themselves have picked to answer every day is who you there’s a specific path your col- up along the way to hopefully guide are and who you want to become,” lege wants you to go down doesn’t those who need it. Vickery said. “Relate deeply with mean you can’t find a way to make all the people [you] meet along the it work better for your interests. MAKING MISTAKES AND HAVING REGRETS way, do new things no matter how They tell you two majors won’t ARE INEVITABLE BUT THE BEST THING YOU work together? Take summer class- CAN DO IS FORGIVE YOURSELF TO MOVE ON. uncomfortable they make you, as it English teacher Jake Vick- is likely those things that will cause es and get it to fit. Work the system ery advised not forget to take care the greatest growth. Avoid a singu- and learn all the things,” Bowman of your relationships as well. Hold lar path and travel many roads.” said. “It’s the one time in your life people accountable when they do you get to learn things just to learn Learning doesn’t stop after gradua- them. Take a class because it’s fun. you wrong because you deserve tion or even after college. Your brain better. constantly takes in new information Take a whole major because it’s in- “I think the most important thing everyday. teresting.” is not to define yourself by the peo- “Knowing things in advance would take away the possibilities. Remember when developing your fu- ple in your life. Whether it’s col- ture, do the best with what you have lege or the ‘real world,’ there will Sometimes, when our eyes are open and to put forth your best effort. “Practice being profession- always be people who are stuck in to the side and not straight ahead, al in everything you do, you never that middle school mentality we we see an opportunity we never know when you’re making a po- all hated,” teacher Christina Bow- even thought about or thought was tential contact with someone that man said. “You get to define you. possible. Those are the most mean- will give you an opportunity,” Hill And you’re pretty awesome. And if ingful moments,” Vickery said. said. “[And] learn to budget. Never someone doesn’t see that, it’s okay Knowledge is a valuable thing and spend more than you have and do to find someone who does.” what we do with that knowledge is most valuable. not get caught up in debt. You can

Self-care and healthy relationships Tech Ed teacher Brad Hill do that by keeping a running tab make up only a part of living life. Take and Segnatelli both encourage that risks and be eager to learn. on any credit card. Check it online “Please remember that your life you work to live, and not live to daily to make sure you’re being is a journey — try not to be so fo- work. charged correctly and that you have cused on the ‘destination’ that you “I usually tell my seniors the money to cover the charge.” what my favorite professor told me. forget to enjoy the ride. You’ve The future really is exciting and if you You graduate and they give you a don’t think it is, make it so. It’s all up to barely begun, and I promise that you from here on out, but if you ever high school will be a distant vague piece of paper, but it’s about what need guidance, reach out to a trusted you do with the piece of paper that adult, family member or just someone memory someday,” Dr. Barbara you trust. You can also reach out to Segnatelli said. “Be happy for oth- matters,” Bowman said. “Will you your teachers too of course. ers’ successes and take no joy in use it to benefit others? To take “Expect the unexpected. I others’ struggles.” care of people? Because that’s what see a lot of students who have their we’re here for. We’re supposed to plan,” Haring said. “Be flexible and If you’re dead set on a certain goal make someone else’s life better — learn to roll with the punches.” or you just want to try new things, go for it. Have the confidence to chal- no matter what we major in or path lenge yourself and make mistakes. we take. We make people’s lives Social Studies teacher Mark better or really, what’s the point?” 16 SPORTS COVID EFFECTED THE SENIOR YEAR EXPERIENCE COVID changed many things, one of the major things is the senior year experience. Julia Owens |Staff Writer

OVID has undoubtedly al- was “looking forward to having two few weeks before baseball season,” tered many aspects of life classes, playing sports, and working Foreman said. for high schoolers, one be- a job during senior year.” He said Prom is one of the major as- Cing the senior year, a time that he is “taking two classes in the pects of senior year that most stu- that many people look forward to morning but really had nothing else dents look forward to but it was also throughout their high school career. to do for the rest of the day.” affected by COVID. There will still The senior year has been portrayed The Falcon sports teams be an improvised prom taking place in movies as a year to enjoy your also had to get creative to have their at a beach in Pasadena that was put final times as a high school student, sports seasons. For example, the together by parents and the com- and a valuable time to enjoy your football season is usually in the fall munity. “It’s good that something is childhood before you enter into the but this year it is being completed in happening, but it won’t be the same real world and college. the spring. “High school is getting prom experience,” Radike said. People look forward to their a little closer to being normal be- senior year for different reasons, cause sports are back, but it is weird most being the several celebration that football season is happening a events that occur. Senior Madi Ra- dike described in further detail The varsity football team stays socially distanced as much as they can. They wear their masks and remain socially distanced during the national anthem before the games. the reasons she anticipated going Photo by Eric Shadowens into senior year. “There are a lot of things to look forward to like prom, graduation, and all of the other senior activities,” Radike said. Senior Darek Redmond was looking forward to “having fun, making memories, going to school, and hanging out with friends.” For him, COVID and virtual learning “gave him a chance to step back and figure things out,” Redmond said. One noticeable benefit of senior year is the half schedule, seniors normally take 2 to 3 classes and then head home. Now the half schedule seems useless because seniors are already home when school is let out. When senior Sean Fore- man was a freshman at SPHS he 17 SPORTS EDUCATION IN EXERCISE Senior athletes that will go on to continue their academic and collegiate careers next year. Sophie Krejci | Editor-In-Chief HAILEY BETCH Hailey Betch has been a tri-sport athlete all four years of high school. Recently, she decided to go to St. Mary’s College of Maryland to pursue her passion for lacrosse. A small liberal arts college on the St. Mary’s River, the school is well regarded as a National Public Honors College. “I was really attracted to the beautiful waterfront campus and my... supportive coach,” Betch said. Playing at a Division III level, Betch also plans to major in business marketing. During the pandemic, Betch had some difficulties choosing which school Jack Muldoon plays soccer in the fall and runs for the Severna was her best fit. “Covid did take a hit in the recruiting Park Track and Field Team in the winter and spring. He has committed to Davidson College in North Carolina for their process and slowed it down but in the end it gave me track team and strenuous academics. “The main reason I chose more time to really think about which school was the Davidson was the academics, while the experienced coaches best fit for me,” Betch said. and tight knit team were definitely attractive, the education was what set Davidson apart,” Muldoon said. Courtesy of Jack Muldoon. KAILA STASULLI Kaila Stasulli has known where she wants to play la- JACK MULDOON crosse for a long time and committed before the start of Jack Muldoon is a senior who competes in soccer and the pandemic. “I am going to Jacksonville University track. He has decided to commit to Davidson College to play [Division I] lacrosse,” Stasulli said. Jackson- for track but more importantly the rigorous academics. ville University is a private university on the North- Davidson is a Division I, liberal arts school in North East Coast of Florida. Jacksonville is known for its Carolina with an undergraduate size of just under two beautiful waterfront and dedicated students. “I intend thousand. “...education was what set Davidson apart. to major in biology or health sciences and go to dentist- I intend to major in political science and minor in eco- ry school after college,” Stasulli said. Stasulli contin- nomics on the pre-law path,” Muldoon said. While ued to emphasize the close-knit team and their coaches on the pursuing law, Muldoon will continue to run a and is excited to become part of a new lacrosse family. speedy 4:27 mile in the NCAA.

JAKE GELFAND Kaila Stasulli will soon be on her way to Jacksonville Univer- Jake Gelfand has been a cross country and track runner sity. She has been playing lacrosse for the high school all four years and intends to continue that at Jacksonville! “The team is since freshman year. In the upcoming 2021 fall season like one big family and the coaches are amazing,” Stasulli said. Gelfand has committed to Cornell University in Ithaca, Courtesy of Kaila Stasulli. New York. “My best event is the 2 mile,” Gelfand said. At his most recent indoor 2-mile race Jake finished at an astonishing 9:18 according to MileSplit Maryland. Unfortunately, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many factors made choosing a school harder for the 2021 graduates. “What attracted me to the school was the [great team] and I really clicked with the coach,” Gel- fand said. When he attends the university in the fall , not only is Gelfand running against some of the most competitive Division I, Ivy League athletes, but he also plans to major in bio-engineering. 18 COLLEGE BOUND A brief look at the senior women athletes playing a sport in college next year. Nick Carparelli | Editor-In-Chief Playing a sport as a young kid and in high school is a time that individuals will remember for a lifetime. However, only seven percent of high school athletes will go on to play college athletics. Sports are a way to bring people together, bring happiness and the biggest of all, having people of all different backgrounds and interests, come and work together to achieve one common goal of winning. These players work hard, are determined, and continue to be resilient, so they can continue their sport in the next chapter of their lives.

ELLA RAINES KAT ESPOSITO Raines is also on the girls Esposito was a part of the soccer team and plays forward. field hockey team in which she Raines has viewed the pandemic scored the winning goal in the 2020 in a positive way. state championship game. Due to the season being played in the spring, she decided to opt out of this year as there were other things on her mind. “Playing for the school Senior Olivia Nicholson clearing the ball this spring wasn’t going to work out out of their own territory. Nicholson was named a captain for this season for her for me mainly because of the short resiliency and leadership. “I’ve never been notice given by the county and made happier, my senior year got turned around everything wishy washy,” Esposito now that we have our season,” Nicholson said. However she is very excited said. Courtesy of Olivia Nicholson to play next year, as she committed OLIVIA NICHOLSON to Washington College last fall. “I Nicholson is on the girls Ella Raines looking to cross the ball into chose it because it offers a lot of en- soccer team and plays defense. She the middle of the field for a shot opportu- vironmental opportunities and it is and along with the rest of the soc- nity. Raines and the SP girls soccer team on the water,” Esposito said. She is have high hopes this season. “I’m just cer team have felt the impact of thankful I get to play during the pandem- undecided on what to major at the Covid-19 and were concerned at ic as some people don’t have the same op- moment but is leaning towards his- the start of the season that their se- portunity I have right now,” Raines said. tory or environmental studies. nior athletic year might be in jeop- Courtesy of Ella Raines. ardy. “At first it was horrible and I fell into a pretty bad depression,” “Traveling to different tournaments Nicholson said. “Even though the earlier in the year was a mess be- times are tough, I now get to see cause lots of teams got Covid and my best friends every day, play the contact tracing,” Raines said. But sport I love and compete everyday.” I felt grateful in that I got to play Nicholson will be attending Eastern during the pandemic where some University in the fall and chose the people couldn’t.” Raines will attend school because of its individuali- St. Mary’s College of Maryland in ty. “Basically everything revolves the fall and chose the school be- around soccer and lacrosse,” Nich- cause of its size. “The community is so great since it’s a smaller school, Senior Kat Esposito moving the ball up olson said.”Each team supports field in a game last fall. Esposito will con- each other and shows up to every the teachers actually know who you tinue her field hockey career at Washing- game.” She plans on double major- are,” Raines said. She plans on ma- ton College next fall. “The team culture joring in either biology or psychol- and competitiveness is what drew me to ing in criminal justice and political picking Washington over others,” Esposi- science. ogy. to said. Courtesy of Kat Esposito 19 “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”