The Pony Express The Wright Beginning....
Volume 36 Number 4
Mustang Sports page 10
Promises a Great Future
C. Milton Wright High School 1301 N. Fountain Green Road Bel Air, MD 21015
Spring Photos page 9
Pet of the Month page 5
April 23, 2016
Promposals pages 6-7
First Ever CMW State Basketball Championship by Skye Graham Yes, you read that right. On March 3rd, C. Milton Wright High School received a well deserved State Championship trophy. Basketball fans went above and beyond to make the trip to the Maryland Xfinity Center, over an hour from Bel Air, to watch the team give 100% effort to win the title. After securing their winnings against Aberdeen, Dundalk, Woodlawn and Huntingtown, the Mustangs took on the final team that stood between them and the State Title. That team was Steven Decatur, a 3A high school located in the popular Ocean City. Equally as talented, both teams were neckand-neck the entire game, ending the fourth quarter with a score of 49-49. The game was forced into a nerve-wracking overtime. The Seahawks suffered a great disappointment when Chris
Lorenzo stole the ball from Stephen The stats were quite monuDecatur guard Torrey Britting- mental. Corey Bays led the team ham, scoring a two with 16 points, even point lay up with after being sat out only six and a half until halftime by short seconds to go. Coach Jon SteIt was this fanides for lay up that won the receiving game for the calm, two fouls cool and collected in the first Mustangs. “I minute of reached in, the game. poked the Kyle Harball out, saw kins made an it was loose impressive 7 and chased out of 9 free throws, it down, and points that proved finished. It was the best feel- crucial to the success of the game. ing in my life when the buzzer After “Bays” was hit zero,” Lorenzo exclaimed. sent to the bench, Harkins
stepped-up as point guard. He “forced patience on offense” as he called an array of plays to confuse Steven Decatur’s defence. The strategy worked. Dante Brown amazed the crowd with a total of 14 rebounds. This was followed by 6’8 Sophomore, Jack Van Syckle who recovered 5 of the shots. The team wasn’t satisfied with last year, after falling short of a win in the State Semifinals to Centennial High School. Returning this year, determined as ever, and winning the State Championship will surely bring students, current alumni, and future graduates pride for years to come.
The Pony Express
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April 23, 2016
Opinion/Commentary
Feeling the “Bern” Sanders to the Rescue by Julia Hall Youth in politics has always been a scarce thing, until recently. Who is the reason for this recent increase in young interest? None other than Bernie Sanders, who has been prompting young voters to come out and participate in politics. It seems impossible to most politicians, but Sanders is appealing to young adults with ease. Why is this? Some people believe it is because Sanders is a grandfatherly figure, though that’s not the case. Others believe it is because he supports free college tuition, which would definitely spark interest for students. Yet neither of those reasons are why young adults are suddently becoming interested in this race for presidency. The reason that they areinterested is that Sanders simply represents the idea that today’s American life is corrupt and unfair, and it should be different. Big names on Wall Street are taking over the wealth in our country, and Sanders seems to be the only one pointing this out. Young voters are happy to hear someone who is actually willing to go against Wall Street; who may be to blame for their dim futures. Young voters are the ones who are the least represented in politics, even though they should be looked at as the most important. After all, who is going to be the politicians soon? Who’s future are today’s politicians preparing for? The popular crowd to appeal to today is the elderley vote, even though they won’t be affected by the decions that are made.
The fact that Bernie Sanders is publically trying to appeal to young voters makes them feel respresented and makes them want to vote for him. It is a simple tactic Sanders uses, and it is very sucessful. After seeing Sanders be so sucessful, some politicians have tried to follow his example, but haven’t been as sucessful. Will Bernie Sanders become out next Presdient? Maybe not, but his candidacy is very important for the future of young voters. Hopefully, from now on, youth will be more represented thanks to Sanders.
Too Young to Vote Not Too Young to be Informed by Jake Younger With another presidential term coming to a close, the election is upon us. Whether age 15, and not being able to vote, or 18 and planning to vote, students nationwide need to do their research and know their facts prior to the election. Going from president Obama to whoever may be elected next, every student has an opinion and a favorite, whether they know it or not. Even though you must be 18 to vote in America, having an opinion is never a bad thing. The majority of high school students do have an opinion these days. Students enjoy political debates in school and learning more and more about politics. At least 90% of studrnts inherit their political party from
their parents. However, some kids change their political party due to debating and talking about politics. One unnamed student claimed that “Politics in school made me change from a democrat to a republican.” Another claimed that “Politics are really my favorite part of the day, I just wish I could vote”. Students who have no vote due to age restrictions can further educate their friends and family on politics, and maybe help people form their opinions. Chances are that if you are
The Pony Express C. Milton Wright High School Student Publication
in high school right now, and can not vote in the upcoming election, you will be old enough to vote in the next election. If you “know your stuff” for this election, you will already have prior knowledge for the next election. Next election, the current president will most likely be running for re-election, so you’ll either be for or against him/her. Knowing politics gives you a leg-up in the world because it’s a common topic of discussion between adults. Everyone should read up and know their politics. The Pony Express contains editorials that express the opinions and viewpoints of individual student writers that are not necessarily shared by all students, staff, or the administration of C. Milton Wright HS.
The Pony Express
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April 23, 2016
Opinion/Commentary It’s Tough to be a Senior
America is in Trouble
by Jaedon Stephens
by Aaron Thalman
Being a senior is an exhausting 164 days. With all of the responsibilities piling up, and the simple fact that it’s the last year, it’s hard so stay motivated. Many seniors develop “senioritis” and lose all academic energy. With 2 months remaining, it seems like everything is dragging. It becomes nearly impossible to not completely give up. However, there are some methods to maintaining senior sanity. Start by finding something to look forward to. Whether it’s the weekend with friends, a sporting event, or a school sponsored activity. Make sure there’s a “prize” at the end of every week. It makes school a lot more bearable. Also, try not to get into any trouble these last few months. No senior wants to stay at the school longer than they absolutely need to. Try not to do anything “stupid” that causes you to get a detention. Partake in clubs, activities, and events for the school. These are great ways to pass time and it makes the year go by faster. It’s also the last chance to spend quality time with some of the students and teachers that will be going in different directions very soon. The most important way to enjoy your last few months of high school is to just have fun. Don’t dread coming to school every day. Make the most out of the last few days with the people you’ll miss.
This election year is a terrible one for voters, as the people have no good candidates to choose from. Take the Republican side, candidates that are still in the race are Senator Ted Cruz, Governer John Kasich, and Donald Trump. Donald Trump is a rich man, but he has no political experience. He has odd views on immigration, such as building a wall between Mexico and the US that he will personally fund if necessary. He oftentimes makes no sense during his arguments, simply yelling louder than others in the debate. Usually he makes personal attacks on other candidates, and doesn’t clearly explain stances or policy. His “believe me” rhetoric is getting a little old. Governer John Kasich is the Govenrner of Ohio. He has controversial views as well. For one, he vows that Planned Parenthood should be defunded and that Obamacare did a great job of helping people. Senator Ted Cruz is a Senator from Texas. His beliefs are that abortion should be illegal, that every life is a gift from God, and Planned Parenthood should be defunded. He believes in the Second Amendment, and believes that people should be able to bear arms. Democratic presidential candidates that are still in the race are Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Hilary Clinton’s stand on abortion is that the government has “no right” telling a woman what decision to make in this matter of abortion. Her other stands include a better, more regulated immigration plan, and stricter gun laws. Senator Bernie Sanders is a
Senator from Vermont. His stands on abortion are almost the same as Hilary Clinton’s, it’s a woman’s decision, not a government’s. His other stands include an easier way to become a citizen, strengthening and enforcing gun laws, and free college education. He plans
to make the rich pay more taxes, instead of even taxation for all. Choosing a candidate for this election (which at this point is like choosing what kind of deadly disease one would rather have) is going to be difficult. Regardless of the eventual outcome, this is an interesting race.
Bloody Red Cross by Georgia Hamann Recently, the Red Cross came to C. Milton Wright to get blood donations. However, there were blatant problems with their process. Students had to wait for outrageous lengths of time, and some were turned away after waiting for reasons including homosexuality. Students who signed up to donate blood were made to wait in the gymnasium. Some of these students had to wait for hours and therefore missed some or all of their classes. “I waited two hours in line,” says a junior who attended the drive, “only to be turned away because I was point 1 percentage away from the required iron amount.” She claims that this could have been from the room being so cold. Many waited all day in the chilly room to get to the front of the line. Once there, they were asked a series of questions including: height, weight, if they had donated before, and finally, if they were homosexual. Another student says that he waited for two hours to get to the front of the line. He went through the questioning process as well, but when he admitted that he had engaged in homosexual relations, he were turned away. “They said that they
couldn’t use my blood because I might have HIV.” The Red Cross official website does indeed state that any man who has had relations with another man will be prevented from giving blood for this reason. The problem with this is that the Red Cross only asked men if they had had any homosexual relations. However, any person could have contracted HIV if they have had relations with someone else, not just homosexual men. Not only did the blood drive discriminate, but it also cost students unnecessary time from their educational day. Perhaps it is time for a more modern and fair processes to be established within the Red Cross.
Right of Reply If you would like an opportunity to respond to the opinions or viewpoints expressed within these editorial pages, please do not hesitate to submit “Letters to the Editor” in the Pony Express mailbox in the main office. Only signed letters will be accepted and they cannot contain any vulgarity. Publication of your letter is not guaranteed, but will be considered.
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The Pony Express
April 23, 2016
Features - General
Lights Out Mustangs by Amanda Irwin
Standing Up for Autism Saturday, April 2nd
Recently, CMW has participated in a “lights out” campaign to reduce electricity usage during the school day. Turning out the lights is just one way C. Milton has been trying to become an environmental-friendly school. There are recycling bins in every classroom and through-
Easter Egg Truffle by Kara Zito
by Caroline Collins For the second year in a row, Mr. Brogley and student volunteers will be putting on the comedy/educational show “Stand Up For Autism” This year the theme is “Saturday Wright Live” and is going to be similar as last year’s show; a combination of stand-up comedy skits, live and on video, as well as educational videos. Student volunteer, Junior, Sarah Chalmin, who has helped plan the educational pieces for the show shares that, “The show of course is going to be funny, but also informative and touching by bringing more awareness to Autism.” Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders are defined as a series of complex mental disorders that effect early brain development. Millions of people worldwide are effected by Autism and recently now occurs in 1 in every 68 children born. With no known cause, the need to find a cure is more important then ever. Head ciematographer and
technician for the show, Sophomore, Jake Burrows said that the C. Milton Wright community should come out to the show because, “It’s going to be a great night and raising awareness for Autism is important because it can lead to more funding to potentially help find a cure”. The show will be on National Autism Awareness Day, Saturday, April 2nd at 7:00 pm. It is encouraged that you wear blue, the color of the Autism ribbon, the night of the show, to show your support. Tickets will be sold the day of the event at the door, but will also be available the week leading up to the show, at lunches. Students and staff that buy their tickets in advance have the opportunity to enter a gift card raffle. Food and drinks at intermission will be provided by and benefit the CMW Best Buddies program. All other proceeds from the night will go to Autism Speaks, a global organization that commints to raising awareness, research, and funding to find a cure to Autism.
out the hallways making it easier for students to recycle papers and water bottles instead of throwing them in the trash. Also, C Milton has sold reusable water bottles so that less plastic bottles are being used, preventing pollution. By turning off the lights and recycling more, students are helping their environment and saving power.
For those who may be searching for a fun and delicious Easter Sunday dessert, here is perfect idea to consider. Ingredients: -1/2 cup of butter -3/4 cups of brown sugar - 2 cups of all purpose flour - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract -14 oz. sweetened condensed milk -1 cup of mini chocolate chips -Pastel chocolate melts Instruction: 1. Mix the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. 2.Slowly add flour to the mix. 3. With the mixer still on, slowly
add the sweetened condensed milk. 4. After everything is fully combined, stir in the chocolate chips. 5. Form the dough into 1 inch egg shaped balls. Place on a pan lined with wax paper and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator overnight. 6. Melt the chocolatemelts according to the directions on package. Dip the truffles in melts using a fork. 7. You can decorate with sprinkles or by drizzling using the extra chocolate. 8. Place the truffles back in refridgerator for a few hours to allow chocolate to fully harden. 9. Finally, the cookie dough truffles are ready to serve!
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April 23, 2016
Features - General
Pet of the Month
Senior Mentor Decision by Austin Dolezal As the process of finding Senior Mentors for next year has begun, there are a few things to know before applying to be one. The job of a Senior Mentor begins before school even starts in August, and lasts throughout senior year. A good Senior Mentor should get to know all of their freshman in homeroom and help them throughout the year. The first couple days will be
8 Year Old, Cooper Beloved dog of Mike Penaherrera
JCC Spring Formal by Cidney Gray On April 9, C.Milton and the Junior Class Council will be hosting Spring Formal, better known as Sadie Hawkins. Which is where the girls ask the boys to the dance instead of the other way around. The theme of this dance is Tiki Island. The theme was chosen to allow boys to wear the very popular Hawaiian shirts.
Tickets will be $15 each, and the DJ will be picked by JCC. The dance will take place in the big gym. Many girls have begun planning their dates and how they are going to ask them. Some seniors have chosen to attend Sadie Hawkins even with Prom approaching. They’re hoping their fellow classmates will follow their lead and enjoy one of the last dances.
the most hectic as there will be many questions about how to get around the school and about how lunches work. Being a Senior Mentor means being in homeroom on time every day. It’s important to try to be in a good mood, as you are a role model to the freshman. What many people don’t know is that being a Senior Mentor also has its perks. Mentors get priority parking passes and also a cord at graduation. For people on the fence, being a Senior Mentor is worth it.
Bunny Fun
by Maria Battaglia
This cute Easter Bunny cup and delicious treat is perfect for students to make with their younger family members. Supplies: -White styrofoam cup -2 googly eyes -1 pink mini pompom -Black pipe cleaners -Construction paper Directions: 1. Cut out bunny ears to desired size 2. Tape googly eyes and pompom to cup to look like the bunny’s eyes and nose 3. Cut 6 small slits in cup just below the nose 4. Stick 6 short pipe cleaners through the slits to look like whiskers 5. Tape bunny ears to the top of the back of the cup 6. Fill the cup with the sweet and salty treat Sweet Treat Recipe: -1 bag of microwave popcorn -1 cup of white chocolate melts
- Easter sprinkles Directions: 1. Pop the popcorn and empty it into a large bowl 2. Melt the white chocolate melts according to the directions on the package 3. Pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn and gently stir 4. Shake your Easter sprinkles over the popcorn
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April 23, 2016
Features -- PROM
Danielle DeAgostino and Jake Litterello
Taylor May and Zack Landsman
Jordan Rampolla and Tyler Williams
Promposals 2016
Sophie Keele and Dan Zvitkovitz
Madelin Hill and David Bishop
Summer Corey and Tanner Page
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The Pony Express
April 23, 2016
Features - PROM
It’s Going to be a Night to Remember Whether you’re attending Prom with your friends, a date, or by yourself, the exravagant night is soon upon us. This year, CMW’s Prom will be hosted on May 14th at Martin’s East at 7 pm. It’s important that you have all of the Prom “essentials” to make the most of your night and to create the most enjoyable memories. Although they aren’t required, many people tend to stress out over where to purchase and rent these items. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered. For the boys who haven’t yet picked out a tuxedo rental, there are several local options for you to choose from. Men’s Wearhouse of Bel Air is a great option. K & B Bridal another wonderful option, is located right on Main Street. Be sure to check out After Hours Formalwear right by the Harford Mall as well as Jos. A Bank. All of these
local options offer a variety of choices for high school seniors looking to find the perfect tuxedo rental. For the ladies, if you still haven’t found your Prom dress, it is highly recommended that you do so soon. Most of the girls that have found their dresses have posted photos on the CMW Prom dress Facebook page to help ensure that no one purchases the same dress as as another. With that being said, it makes it more difficult to shop for dresses. Popular dress shops include: David’s Bridal of Wilmington , DE, Claire’s Boutique of Wilmington, DE, Synchronocity Boutique of Pikesville, MD, Lily’s Bridal & Prom Boutique of Baltimore, MD, and Renaissance Bridals & Prom of York, PA. Please do not feel like you need to go to these places to find your dress. These are just some of the most common shops that girls have been shopping at for this
Prom season. Some of these boutiques offer more affordable options than others. However, some of these boutiques offer more unique options that are one of a kind. If you plan to arrive to Prom in style, you are welcome to rent a limousine with some of your close friends or perhaps a party bus! You are also able to drive up to the dance in your own car and get a ride from your parents or anyone willing to drive you. If you still need to book a limousine rental there are several nearby options to choose from. You could choose to rent through Triangle Limousine (443-966-3051), Price 4 Limo & Party Bus Charter Bus (888-977-4306), Limo Bel Air (410-983-6200), and Goldstar Limousine (410-977-6211). These options are sure to be available for your entire Prom night to provide you with transportation both ways. Because flowers tend to die
rather quickly, you have a bit of extra time on your hands before you order your corsage and boutonnieres. Several local flower shops in the area are sure to provide you with the most beautiful flowers in the area for a very affordable price. A few flower shops in Bel Air include: Bel Air Florist (410838-2010), Richardson’s Flowers (410-838-3883), Ann’s Garden (410-803-0227), Mrs. Flowers (410-838-4980), and lastly , The Flower Cart (410-426-3545). No matter where you choose to rent or purchase any of these Prom “essentials”, you are sure to have one of the best memories of your high school career. Best of luck going out and finding all of these items. Lastly, remember to make smart choices before and after the dance so that you won’t jeopardize your future or high school plans in any way.
Kendall Little and Michael Poorbaugh
Elajah Pace and Wyatt Graham
Nick Maivelett and Emma Brauner
Quinn Ursprung and David McFadden
by Erica Boroshok
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The Pony Express
April 23, 2016
Features: Spring Break
“I’m going to New Jersey to visit my family.” - Aubrey Anderson- 12th -
“I’m going to visit my Grandmother and play in my soccer tournament.” - Carolyn Mang - 10th -
“I’m going to have fun hanging out with friends.” - Ava Krivosh - 10th -
“I’m going on vacation to North Carolina.” - Olivia Hennessey - 9th -
“I have to work.” - Brandon Riportella - 11th -
“I will be playing lacrosse.” - Josh Patterson - 11th -
“I’m going to sleep and hang out “I’m going to an Easter family with friends all break.” party.” - Tai’Juan Generette - 10th - Mark Cantor - 9th -
“I’m going on a cruise to the Bahamas.” - Graceann DiPeso - 9th -
“I will be playing softball.” - Morghan Fulton - 12th -
“I’m going to eat ice cream and watch Netflix.” - Carley Insley - 9th -
“We are going to hang out over break.” - Zach Mangum - 11th and - Corey Bays - 12th -
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April 23, 2016
Features: Spring Photography pictured right: Olivia Nevin was able to capture Brendan Jones on a peaceful hike to the Falls.
pictured left: Madelin Hill immortalizes a classic sign of warmer weather.
Ryan Grauel, above, is happy to be back out on the lake catching some bass.
Alexx Jerscheid is seen enjoying the King and Queens Seat with her boyfriend.
pictured left: Lindsey Stevenson is shown enjoying the snow cleared fields around Harford County
pictured right: Wildflowers as captured by Abby Sostak
pictured above: Morgan Moxley is enjoying the warm weather by taking long walks on the Ma & Pa Trail.
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April 23, 2016
Mustang Sports Section
Winter Sports in Review
Spring Sports in Preview
by Brendan Smith
by Danielle DeAgostino
This winter was filled with lots of success in Mustang athletics. Highlighted by a State Title for the boy’s basketball team (see title page). This was definitely a season C. Milton Wright can be proud of. While the boys basketball team stole the winter headlines, the girls team had a fine season as well. They made it to the third round of the playoffs, where they lost a close game to Towson by a score of 4544. The team can also be proud of senior, Emma Hahner, who was able to accomplish a major feat by scoring her 1,000th point for the school. The swim team once again had a great season, with both the boys and girls teams winning the Harford County Championship. The boys finished with 345 points, while the girls earned 362 for a combined 707 points. That point total was enough for the team to earn its 8th straight County Championship. The winter track season was all about Jessica Rogers. Rogers, a sophomore, qualified for the Maryland State Indoor Track Meet for the 800m and 1600m races. She gave great performances in both races, finishing second in the 800m with a time of 2:24 and seventh in the 1600m with a time of 5:29. In a crowded window for school sports, we can’t forget about the accomplishments of the Cheerleading Team. They were able to win the County Competition and finished fifth at States. The winter of 2016 will surely go down as one of the best seasons for sports in school history. Let’s hope that next year is just as successful.
It’s that time of year again. It is time for spring sports. Tryouts are officially over and teams are set. The weather couldn’t be better This season, all the sports are looking strong. The softball team is determined to win it all this year after coming off of last year’s second place finish at the State Finals. Captain, Morghan Fulton, stated, “We are ready and I couldn’t be happier with the team” . The Girls Lacrosse team is full of talented seniors and are hungry for a winning season. The girls have a new head coach and are excited to see how the season turns out. Time for tennis. Sophie Keele, a senior on the tennis team said, “We are always on top and best in the county and I can see finishing with an undefeated season.” Baseball is looking better than ever this year. With a team full of talented seniors and juniors, the boys hope to be number one in Harford County. For Track this season, Jordan Rampola said, “ We have amazing talent in every event this year and can see us having a very strong season”. Boys lacrosse this year has mostly underclassmen but a lot of talent. Senior, Josh Weaver stated, “Even though this is a very young team, we will be very strong and will have a successful season.” All the sports are looking stronger than ever before. Don’t forget to come out and support all the Mustang athletes as the season gets started.
pictured above: Mr. Thatcher with Anne Capozzoli and Dante Brown
Al Cesky Nominees The Al Cesky Scholarship Winners will be announced at the Richlin Ballroom on May 18th. This year’s CMW nominees are Anne Capozzoli and Dante Brown. The 2 County winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The remaining nominees will recieve $2,000 each.
NFL Admits CTE Link With Football by Mitch Weaver For many decades, football has been Americas favorite sport. The action and violence Americans crave puts them on their feet.However, that violence has taken its toll. Thousand of players and their families have suffered through the pain of a brain disorder called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. These players and their families, as well as their doctors, have tried to urge the NFL to admit that football does indeed cause CTE. The National Football League has been afraid to admit this due to the fear that parents would not let their kids play football. Now that they have finally admitted that contact from football causes CTE, controversy about high school and little league is soon to start up.
Most high schools in the United States will make their players take a mandatory concussion test. The test would be retaken after a head injury to see if the player has received a concussion. CTE is much more serious then a concussion and six out of 26 high school football players already have this disease. What does this mean about the future of football? With the NFL admitting to the link with CTE, parents are going to be more worried about their kids playing the sport. High schools and colleges will likely see less and less players coming to tryouts. Eventually, the sport could see major rule or equipment changes. With the information confirming the long-term consequences of concussions, student athletes should be thankful for the testing.