1 June 2021 Volume 44 Issue 1 The Wingspan Enters a New Era with Advidor Lauren Mancini

After forty-three years as a easier than it would have been dependent on the students, them- publication, the Centennial Wing- otherwise, both for her and the selves. span welcomed its tenth advisor at students involved. While the first “I like anything where I feel like the the beginning of the 2020-21 school few weeks were somewhat of a students are empowered to be creative year. English teacher Lauren Mancini learning period, Mancini and the and do things they are passionate stepped up to fill the role after former team eventually learned how one about,” stated Mancini. “[I wanted to advisor Rus VanWestervelt decided another worked and fell into an give] them more opportunities to do to step away after nine years with the easy routine. t h at .” Wingspan. The fluidity was due, in part, to Letting the staff have freedom has Mancini has been a teacher for Mancini already having a vision of always been vital in how the Wing- thirteen years, and has been at Cen- what the Wingspan could become span operated, and Mancini was able tennial for six of them, but this is her when she stepped in as advisor. to build on that tradition while still first time teaching a class other than being a strong figure for the students English at CHS. to lean on and learn from. After being with the publication for “I trust [this team] to take care of so long, VanWestervelt was confident stuff, and that might not be true every that Mancini was the right person to year. We might not always have a staff take over. where I feel that way; where I might “I was so excited about Ms. Manci- need to be a little more hands-on,” ni coming in because she is much explained Mancini. “I think what has younger than I am,” he expressed. worked well is that [they] do what “She has a better pulse on the technol- [they] need to do and trust each other ogy; on how news is distributed and to get it done. And that way I am truly shared in this twenty-first century. I just an advisor and [they] are running thought she was a brilliant choice.” the paper.” Even prior to being offered the po- With the adversity faced due to sition as advisor, Mancini avidly fol- the COVID-19 pandemic, having lowed the Wingspan. “I thought it was someone to look to was important well-run and the students involved in navigating what being a journal- with it cared a lot about it, which I ist meant in a time when hands-on think is important ,” she stated. investigation was difficult. In a regular Though it was her first year -ad Photo contributed by: Lauren Mancini environment, Journalism is a very vising for Journalism, Mancini does interactive class, but it is hard to truly depend on each other through have experience in the field. “I have The first piece of that vision was a computer screen. With Mancini’s done publication advising for a good brought to life when, in just the leadership, the Wingspan staff was chunk of my career, at least ten years, first few weeks, she changed the able to overcome that obstacle and but usually for literary magazines,” online platform used to upload work together despite the physical Mancini explained. “I attended the articles. Rather than using Word- separation. Columbia Scholastic Press Associa- press, the staff adapted to using According to Mancini, class ac- tion’s annual High School Publication Sno. Sno’s layout is more suitable tivities would have been much more Conference a number of times, [go- for a publication and is easier for dependent on that interactivity had ing] to various sessions about doing viewers to navigate, as everything she taught a full year in an actual the newspaper or yearbook.” is categorized by writer and article classroom. “We would be doing more This interest in journalism and genre. team building, we would be in the other publications has made stepping Other plans were put into action room together, we would be talking into VanWestervelt’s role much as well, most of which were more things out, we would be going and sp- 2 eaking to sources more directly,” be done to get the story. she said. “Those are things that we “I want [my students] as just haven’t been able to do.” reporters to be a little bit the Despite the hardships faced, braver and go out on some Mancini gives credit to her team, limbs. We don’t rock the and the effort they put in all year. boat much, and we probably Wingspan “I think [Delanie has] done a great should be rocking the boat job just being a leader in a hard more just because part of time,” she stated. Although there journalism is making sure Delanie Tucker, Editor-In-Chief were limited events to cover, ar- we are helping to question ticles were written and published things,” Mancini expressed. Sasha Allen, Managing Editor frequently, and photographers “Be brave. Look at those Alexandra Valerio, Online Editor worked to take photos where they things that people might Adithi Soogoor, Photo Editor could. find controversial and that Mancini is not the only one are tough subjects and dig Emily Hollwedel, Copy Editor with good things to say about the through some of those.” Jeramy Stavlas, Sports Editor Wingspan’s work this past year. For future journalists at “I think [the Wingspan has] Centennial, Mancini has a Maggie Ju, Staff Writer has done a tremendous job. I bit of advice: “Remember L. Mancini, Advisor am seeing a lot more presence that you are really never on social media, announcing alone in Journalism. It really the articles that are being pub- only works if you work as a lished,” Vanwestervelt praised. “I collective.” Cover Photo: think [Mancini] is handling this Nour Eloseily at the senior pandemic incredibly, and she is shepherding [the rest of the team] carnival. along in the process, so I could Taken By: Adithi Soogoor not be more happy with the future of Journalism at Centennial under Ms. Mancini.” - Delanie Tucker Her team had similar things to say. “I think teaching such an Centennial High School interactive class in a virtual setting 4300 Centennial Lane is a really difficult hurdle, and yet Ellicott City, MD 21042 Mrs. Mancini was able to step into the role as if she had been teach- 410-313-2856 ing [Journalism] for years,” said www.chs.hcpss.org Jeramy Stavlas, the Wingspan’s Follow us on Twitter: Sports Editor. “The way she was able to help us overcome certain @CHSwingspan challenges was extremely impres- s i v e .” Looking forward, Mancini hopes to implement any changes that she was unable to this year because of the pandemic. These changes include “getting out more All opinions expressed within the issues, playing with things like Wingspan are those of the individual format, [and] bringing in more writers and do not necessarily re- digital media.” Furthermore, she hopes to flect the views of the staff and its teach her students a thing or two entirety , its advisor, or the school. about pushing to do what needs to 3 Meet the

Delanie Tucker Editor-In-Chief Sasha Allen Managing Editor "I really don't think I could have asked for a better four years, or for a better team to end things with. "It's hard to pick just one favorite "I have been working on the Wing- The best part about journalism is thing from Wingspan, but if I had span for the past three years, and I the people. Everyone always gets to, I would say the environment and love the community we have built along really well, which is why space created there. We are so free to together. It's so rewarding to see our it's easy to collaborate and work share our ideas and personalities and team grow and work together, and I've together on different things." I think that's really awesome." had such a great experience writing for our school and community!"

Emily Hollwedel Copy Editor 4 Wingspan!

"My favorite part about the Wing- span is the inclusivity among the members and how coherent the publication flows."

Jeramy Stavlas Sports Editor

"My favorite part of the Wingspan was wearing clay masks and pore strips in class."

Adithi Soogoor Photo Editor

"My favorite part about the Wingspan is that I have made long lasting friend- ships and I was able to learn from skilled journalists."

Alexandra Valerio Online Editor

"My favorite thing about the Wing- span is how collaborative it is! The writers, editors, and photographers work together to produce the best journalism possible."

Maggie Ju Staff Writer 5 Kevin McCoy. "[He] just said to run it like a workout and that was the day I Seniors Soaring to New managed to get under twelve.” Weaver happily shared her plans Heights to take her athletics to the next level. Centennial’s Class of 2021 faced “I’m planning on running track next a huge hurdle this year: tackling the year at Mount St. Mary’s, so I’m look- pandemic while also attending school ing forward to that.” and deciding their futures. However, In addition to athletics and music, despite the unprecedented challenges, seniors have thrived in academics. three Seniors, Jordan Waters, Mi- One such student is Philip Wang, a chelle Weaver and Philip Wang, went Photo contributed by: Jordan dedicated student with interdisci- above and beyond in their interests in Waters plinary interests who worked hard to music, sports and STEM during their Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus. foster his passion for STEM through- time at Centennial and will pursue Waters has paved a strong path out high school. Wang noted, “I am their interests at a professional level. towards her career as an artist and grateful to Centennial for providing From a young age, Jordan Waters producer, and she plans to continue advanced classes in both STEM had a passion for music inspired by this in college by studying business. and in the Humanities. I think my those around her. Immersed in a “Music is my passion and has strongest aptitude is the ability to family full of expierenced singers, always been since I was little,” stated draw connections between different producers and other musicians, “My Waters. “Within art, I feel music has disciplines.” mom taught me and my sister how to the most influence over people. It Throughout Wang’s four years at harmonize, and we would go around takes you to the past. It’s an amazing Centennial, physics and history were singing to everybody whenever we gift.” particularly of interest. “When I took got the chance,” Waters noted. Like Waters, Michelle Weaver, physics, I was fascinated by Newton’s “When I was around ten, I start- a track and field athlete and cross Laws of Motion,” he stated. “I dis- ed working on my own music and country runner at Centennial, has covered the discipline of the History thinking about my future as an artist,” also mapped future plans for herself. of Science, eventually leading to my she continued. “I had to do a lot of Weaver's track journey started research project on Newton.” research, but I also had friends and in elementary school, where in the Due to this interest Wang “con- family that had experience and could second grade she ran for the Striders ducted research on Isaac Newton answer most of my questions. With- Club. Ten years later, she still carries under the guidance of a Professor of out their help, I wouldn’t be doing a passion for the sport. History, which revealed that alchemy what I'm doing.” During three of her four years at and theology heavily influenced New- At eleven, Waters' learned to play Centennial, she ran on the varsi- ton’s optics and mechanics.” her first instrument, the piano. As ty track and cross country teams. Wang’s hard work in research she grew, she added the bass, guitar According to Weaver, her biggest studies did not go unrecognized: his and the drums to her repertoire. Even sports accomplishment in high paper on Newton’s studies of alchemy now, she looks to expand musical school was when she “qualified for and theology was recently published range by learning to play the violin. states and placed well.” in Harvard University’s Synthesis, an To kick start her own career, She is similarly proud of when undergraduate journal on the history Waters researched how to perform she ran under twelve minutes for of science. Starting in the fall, Wang and create some of her own music. “I the two mile in her sophomore year. will pursue a history major at Prince- watched a lot of guitar tutorials and She attributed this achievement to a ton University. read books. I listened to old music piece of advice from her coach, Our seniors have worked hard to and the artist’s techniques. I mim- foster their learning and passions icked what my favorite artist did to throughout their time at Centennial, learn the skill and then incorporated whether it be in the arts, athletics, or it into other things I did.” academics. They have paved their way During her years at Centennial, for excellence and success in their Waters played at the White House, futures beyond high school. and in 2018, performed live at the March for Our Lives rally, where she - Alexandra Valerio and Adithi sang with the likes of Demi Lovato, Photo contributed by: Soogoor Phillip Wang 6 Centennial's Future Collegiate Athletes

In 2020, athletes worldwide, peted with club teams. including young competitors, faced Kwon knew from early on that an unusual dilemma presented by the she wanted to compete at a higher COVID-19 pandemic: how seriously level, but mentioned “[she] didn’t did they want to take their athletic know it would be this serious until pursuits? Safety precautions were [she] started receiving D1 offers the clear priority, with leagues and during [her] junior year.” practices shut down not only on a Going forward, Kwon has high professional level, but also for ameat- expectations for her collegiate Photo contributed by: Fernando Duraes uer athletes of all sports. As some lost career. “I would love to win some accolades." motivation, others had to make the conference meets for my college,” Finally, Fernando Duraes is a Cen- decision to stay strong and continue she stated. “I am very excited to tennial track and field/cross country to push towards improvement, using feel the camaraderie between all runner who committed to Washing- the challenges presented by COVID the teammates and to just grow as ton University in St. Louis in Novem- to help them grow. a team together. I alsoust want to ber of 2020. In the midst of all this, Centennial have fun with it.” Duraes was originally a soccer High School has seen no shortage Another star athlete, Paul Rus- player who never intended to take his of collegiate athletic commitments sell, committed to George Mason athletics this seriously. “I actually only among their student body, which University to play volleyball in ran track to stay in shape for soccer at perennially produces star athletes. December of 2020 after making the the start,” mentioned Duraes. Three Fernando Duraes, Anna Kwon, and most of his opportunities with club years later, Duraes said he would Paul Russell are three Centennial ath- and AAU teams. Russell has not describe his high school running letes who have exhibited the necessary been able to compete with Centen- experience as “life changing.” effort needed to further their athletic nial since the school doesn’t offer One issue faced by many of this interests beyond high school despite a boys’ volleyball program, but year’s seniors, including Duraes, was the challenges of the last year. Russell did spend three years on the difficulty of online college recruit- Anna Kwon, a county-renowned the Eagles’ soccer team. ing. “While in recruitment, I couldn’t swimmer, committed to the Uni- “Although I couldn’t play volley- visit schools or coaches,” he explained, versity of Massachusetts Amherst in ball here, I loved playing soccer for stressing the difficulty of gaging a September of 2020. Howard County Centennial,” Russell remarked. “My school’s environment when he was schools do not offer a swimming teammates, coaches, and fans made not actually present. program, but there is an annual each day of training or playing so Despite the uncertainty he faced county-wide meet in which Kwon was special.” during his recruitment process, the captain twice. Many swimmers, Russell began to take volley- Duraes is entering the next chapter of including Kwon, also routinely com- ball seriously at a very young age. his life with a positive mindset. “I’m “It was certainly my goal to play excited to see how it is to live with Division 1. My dad and two oldest your teammates and go train with brothers played at Penn State, so them everyday,” he said. “I want to I knew I had the ability to do it as win nationals as a team sometime in well.” His brother, Aaron Russell, my four years for both track and cross won a bronze medal in the 2016 country.” Olympic Games with team USA. Remarkable talent, effort, and Looking ahead to college, Rus- achievement have gotten these stu- sell is more focused on prospering dents to where they are today and will as a team than on his personal suc- continue to help them grow as they cess. “The biggest thing I want to make their way through college. do is win a national championship,” he revealed. “[That] is much more Photo contributed by: Paul Russel important to me than individual - Jeramy Stavlas 7 A Conversation With Centennial’s

From one of the most adamant- ools worldwide have experienced, nity -- for other people to see you ly chaotic school years of our time he noted there’s a touch of irony to and say ‘who you are is allowed and springs the Class of 2021. Despite the subject. “In the twenty years I’ve accepted,’” he reflected. “Our default the abnormalities, little has stopped been here, this year I’ve felt least ef- is to make assumptions, to discrim- them from making the most of their fective at my job. But I’m not alone, inate in the way we see the world. final year of high school. This includes around the country, it’s a strug- But I sincerely believe that you could the annual tradition of voting for the gle… It’s my only time being voted learn to assume that you don’t know Teacher of the Year, an honor held by teacher of the year where it’s been a everything. That could be the default. one staff member who then speaks struggle.” Here he began to chuckle. That’s my daily workout- to curb my to the entire class at graduation. This “It’s debilitatingly humbling.” assumptions.” year, after weeks of calculating votes, When I asked him what had At the end of our interview, I the Class of 2021 selected English stuck with him through all these inquired if Mr. O’Brien had any words teacher Corey O’Brien. I had the years (lessons from students? from of advice for the 2021 graduating pleasure of discussing this award with fellow staff? general memories?) class, especially after such abrupt O’Brien on April 20. Mr. O’Brien took a long pause. changes in their expectations; seniors O’Brien has been teaching at The room seemed enveloped in had to curb their own assumptions Centennial his entire career, starting his thoughts, the other students in about their final year of high school in the English Language Arts Depart- the room eagerly anticipating his due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ment in 2001. Currently, he remains response. This, coupled with various forms of in that department, also teaching At first, he developed a small discrimination finally thrust into the extensions of the subject such as Hu- tangent. “I went into this for selfish spotlight, sometimes became under- manities and Advanced Composition. reasons, because I never wanted standably overwhelming. With so It was the latter class in which I had to stop learning- I figured, if that much uncertainty in this world, their the opportunity to talk with him. As I was the case, then I’ll never leave a newly nominated Teacher of the Year sat down with him, he was as cheerful classroom. I am not here to teach as had only one simple sentence to say and kind as ever, cracking jokes by much as I am here to learn. I learn on the matter. comparing the English department from you all every day. Multiply “There will be a time to dance,” to the Chicago Bulls dynasty in the that by 180 school days, times he said. “And when that opportunity 1990s-- just slightly off from the tar- twenty [years]... It’s a lot.” presents itself, dance.” get audience, but still well received by Eventually, after a minute or so those in the room. of signature exasperated noises in He followed this banter by reflect- choosing, he answered. ing on the past twenty years, in order “One of the strongest things that to put life and teaching into perspec- I’ve learned is that all anyone is tive. “For as little as you know about really looking for is recognition and life, that’s as little as I know about dignity, and to be treated with dig- - Emily Hollwedel teaching,” he joked. After the fact, he shared his thoughts on the original nomination. “It’s always an honor to be nomi- nated,” he began. “A former teacher “For as little as you know named Bruce Smith said: ‘We’re more like farmers who only get to plant about life, that’s as little as seeds, and we never get to harvest the I know about teaching.” seeds that we plant.’ It’s moments like being nominated where you get a bit of the bloom of the flowers.” But, given the turbulent year sch- 8 2021 Teacher of the Year

Mr. O'Brien receiving his TOTY award. Photo taken by: Delanie Tucker Photo contributed by: Lauren Mancini

O'Brien with 2020 TOTY, Thomas Wheeler Photo contributed be: Cate Beckner 9 A Season Stripped Away What our Winter Athletes are Doing Next

Bryson Baker Howard University Boys’ Basketball “My favorite HS memo- ry would be scoring 25 points against Marriotts in the playoffs.” Liam Lovering Lehigh University Boys’ Basketball “My favorite basketball Tim Woerner memory was my first UMD varsity game against Boys’ Basketball Hebron at home.” “My favorite HS mem- ory comes from soccer and scoring the game tying goal against He- bron with one minute left.” John Sedor Virginia Tech Wrestling “My favorite HS memo- ry is Mr. Whitakers AP World class.” Andrew Hockersmith Virginia Tech Boys’ Basketball “My favorite HS mem- ory would be yearbook misunderstanding our lacrosse motto of FSG.”

Chris Lee HCC Shane Taylor Wrestling Florida Gulf Coast “Best memory would be Boys’ Basketball getting my hand raised “My favorite HS mem- for the county champi- ory is playing in the onship.” Hebron games, beating Marriotts in the play- offs, and just playing in front of the student section in general.”

10 Matt Harris USC Wrestling “I remember all the helpful animal metaphors Coach John would use to help us get the correct Briana Fant technique. Light and fast Towson University like a cat.” Girls’ Basketball “My favorite memory is definitely sophomore basketball season.”

Charlie Schmitt Allegheny College Wrestling “Favorite memory: Beat- ing Long Reach in the last minute this year in our last football game.” Tori Pearson Howard University Girls’ Basketball “My favorite HS memory is every team dinner and post-game dinner. It was always the highlight of every season.” Ibaad Shaikh HCC Wrestling “Favorite HS memory: chilling with my friends and teammates on the bleachers before wres- tling matches.” Ale Urquiaga UMD Girls' Basketball "My favorite HS memory is beating my personal record in cross country by five minutes."

Nour Eloseily UMD Girls’ Basketball “My favorite HS meory is hanging out with my friends and taking naps in Madame Doff’s room during lunch.” 11 Class of ‘21 Senior Playlist A small playlist commemorating the graduating Class of 2021, in- cluding songs from both the past and present, in hopes of celebrat- ing the future. “Prom” by SZA “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals “Classic” by MKTO “The Adults are Talking” by The Strokes “Basket Case” by Green Day (clean) “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage the Elephant “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty “Replay” by Iyaz “Kids” by MGMT “Die Young” by Kesha “Crazy, Classic, Life” by Janelle Monae (clean) “I Know the End” by Phoebe Bridgers “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman “Ribs” by Lorde “Midnight City" by M83 “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyonce “I Did it All” by Vince Meyers “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna “Dreamland” by Glass Animals “Night Changes” by One Direction

12 Music Through a Screen: Resilience Despite a Difficult Year

Due to the confines of a Google “Singing by myself was not Meet, students in Centennial’s region- fun at all, but that made me enjoy ally and nationally recognized music hearing all of our voices compiled programs were relegated to small in Soundtrap even more,” remarked rectangles. Where the room would freshman Joanna Blackman. She once burst with rich sounds, students is a member of Bella Voce, Cen- now played or sang on their own. tennial’s women’s choir, and will Teachers required cameras on while be rising to Chamber Choir next Marching band performance on April 30, 2021 performing, but due to an audio delay, school year. Photo contributed by: Yearbook microphones needed to be muted. Directors worked diligently to virtual service opportunities. Where The solitude sapped the heart of ensure students understood the they once ushered concerts and sort- making music together. “Ensemble new collaborative resources when ed music, Tri-M now records nursing music is a very collaborative activity,” creating their final projects. The home performances and instruction- said band director James Kranz. “It choir program recorded both de- al videos. “It’s really exciting to see was difficult to translate that into an partment-wide and ensemble piec- members continue to offer so much online format where we couldn't hear es. Orchestra students formed small support for our community in the our students and they couldn't hear groups and presented a Soundtrap virtual setting,” remarked Tri-M presi- one another.” recording of a self-selected piece, dent Cissy Wang. That changed with the hybrid ranging from “Toxic” by Brit- With many students and staff model, when a handful of students ney Spears to the Howl’s Moving already vaccinated, there is hope on returned to the building masked, Castle soundtrack. In addition to the horizon for next year’s students well-distanced, and ready to perform. the band's virtual productions, to fully return to classrooms. “The Morale brightened considerably, even the marching band, which had focus is almost 100% on the in-person for virtual students, who could now resumed in-person rehearsals in kids,” said sophomore Michelle Bank, hear fellow musicians through the March, performed at the Centenni- a percussionist. She looks forward teachers’ Google Meets. al stadium at the end of April. to performing with the entire Wind Managing two formats at the An entire year without live recit- Ensemble again. same time was a new experience, but als was an extreme change for most Centennial’s musicians have instructors handled it well. “This year seniors. From seasonal concerts missed the unique community that has been a lesson in flexibility, grace, and musicals to the annual Pops comes with face-to-face instruction, and resilience,” said choir director Concert, to special performances and they eagerly anticipate socializing Rebecca Vanover. As a self-described like the spring trip, most oppor- with students in the fall. perfectionist, she is working on tunities to showcase Centennial’s “I hope we can come back togeth- maintaining a work-life balance while musical talent were stripped away. er and make more music soon,” said adapting her classes as the situation Even with a wildly different final Vanover. “I'm ready.” calls. year, seniors still expressed their “The pandemic has challenged appreciation for their teachers. music educators to find new strate- Senior Noah Herren has played gies and methods,” orchestra director the viola for all four years of high Allen Leung explained. Most music school. “Mr. Leung has put in so classes utilized a software called much care and effort to make the Soundtrap to enhance the virtual best of our situation,” he said. - Maggie Ju experience. Similar to GarageBand, Centennial’s music community Soundtrap lets students upload re- has adjusted more than just its cur- cordings into individual tracks, and riculum. The Tri-M Music Honor the combined result closely mimics an Society, which comprises over one in-person group performance. hundred members, sought creative 13 really cool and really moving to see those different groups coalescing around the same issue. When I saw 26 Years of that, I felt like it was time. Well, it was really past time, but it couldn't wait any longer.” Immigrant Customs The Bill that was sponsored by Councilmember Walsh passed 3-2, but Howard County Executive Calvin Enforcement in Ball vetoed the vote. This meant that, despite the vote from the council Howard County Comes to members, the HCDC would continue to function. Local advocacy group Howard an End County Coalition for Immigrant Justice, or HCCIJ, with ties to Cen- failed to provide detainees with For the last 26 years, Howard tennial through the Young Socialist two hot meals per day, as required. County has been benefiting from Movement, expressed their disap- For those in segregation, HCDC their contract with ICE, or US Immi- pointment with the decision. The did not consistently document grations and Customs Enforcement, HCCIJ is composed of around twenty that detainees received three meals receiving roughly $2.8 million a year different advocacy groups and named a day and daily medical visits. from the majority privatized impris- ending the ICE Contract in their mis- Further, HCDC did not properly onment system. According to their sion statement. They have not let the document the handling of detainee website, ICE’s mission is to “protect decision on CB51 interfere with their medical grievances.” Despite these America from the cross-border crime work, however. and illegal immigration that threaten numerous violations, it wasn’t until national security and public safety.” March 22, over a year later, that the However, many of the ICE detainees contract was ended with ICE. are mistreated and develop health Before March 22, there had been problems as a result of their imprison- other attempts by legislators to ment, according to reports from the end the contract or at least make “Working with the com- Department of Homeland Security. significant changes. In September munity has always been Since 2003, there have been at least of 2020, Calvin Ball announced 185 deaths nationwide, many the that the detention centers would first and foremost." result of medical neglect. only house detainees convicted ICE detention centers have been of violent crimes as opposed to known to use inhumane practices general crimes, which had been the on their detainees, and immigrant rule before. Violent crimes include advocacy groups in Howard County murder, rape, manslaughter, and have been fighting for years to end robbery. However, this change “I was very emotional when I the government's contract with ICE. came after Howard County Coun- heard that he vetoed it, especially In October of 2020, a Homeland cilmember Liz Walsh introduced a because I was a fan of Calvin Ball in Security report was released detailing bill, CB51in September of 2020 by the past, but we stayed the course,” numerous human rights violations by which aimed to formally end the recognized Thaí Moreira, a member the Howard County Detention Center ICE contract. of the HCCIJ. “[But] we understood (HCDC), specifically. “The final push [to propose that it would not be a smooth sail, and “We determined HCDC exces- CB51] was the advocacy we saw we expected bumps in the road. We over the summer, and that there sively strip-searched ICE detain- [kept the focus] on our messaging and seemed to be momentum growing on why we were doing this.” ees leaving their housing unit to locally in support of ending the Despite the veto, the HCCIJ con- attend activities within the facility, contract,” said Walsh. “The Hoco tinued advocating to put pressure on in violation of ICE detention stan- for Justice group came out and the Howard County Council. dards and the facility’s own search marched with the same immigra- “We did a lot of grassroots mobi- policy,” stated the Homeland Secu- tion advocates that had been work- lization,” said Moreira. “We also had rity Report. “In addition, HCDC ing on this for years, and it was the big events prior to the pandemic; 14 we had a lot of town hall meetings County legislature, and just days certain point, they could have done in which we invited people who had later, on March 22, Howard County everything they possibly could have been personally affected by the ICE passed a bill that formally ended done, and I thought it was my turn to Detention Center [to talk]. I think the ICE contract. do what needed to be done.” that was very impactful to hear what The legislation, once ending the The HCCIJ and Councilmember the detention center or being detained contract, required a 60 day noti- Walsh are currently working to in- did to the family.” fication period, so the detainees form voters about a referendum aim- Ying Matties, another member of were allowed to be held until May ing to overturn a sanctuary law. For the HCCIJ, agreed that they worked 18. After May 18, Howard County more information on the HCCIJ, visit to put the affected community at the removed all ICE detainees from their Twitter (@HC_Immigrants) and forefront of the issue. their facilities, fully shutting down Instagram (@hcimmigrantjustice). “We really try to center the voice the program. and the experience of the people who The HCCIJ was thrilled with have been impacted. Many of the coa- the outcome, as it was the result lition members work with people who of years of hard work from all of have been detained,” said Matties. the groups included. “Working with the community has “It was [the] sheer persistence always been first and foremost.” of those advocates, they are very - Sasha Allen In March of 2021, the Maryland persistent [and] they are highly or- state legislature passed the Digni- ganized,” recognized Walsh. “They ty not Detention Act, which aimed wanted that contract canceled towards preventing the state from and they hounded it. They started entering into any agreements with showing up at press releases and private groups facilitating immigrant conferences [with] their signs, and detention. The passing of this act put people don't like when you do that, even more pressure on the Howard but it sure makes a point. At a

15 Photos taken by: Adithi Soogoor