Category: News
Gun Control & Mental Health Public Forum with Superintendent Dr. Martirano at River Hill High School
By: Tigerlily Johnson
Staff Writer
All across the country, students have participated in several walkouts due to the mass school shooting in Florida on Wednesday, February 14th. On Tuesday, February 20th, the Florida state House declined to pass a ban on semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines. Florida students planned a walkout on Wednesday, February 21st at noon to combat this decision and put pressure on Congress to pass more gun reform, but their determination has spread across the country and pushed other students to do the same. On February 21st at Hammond, many students participated in the walkout and contributed to the protests against gun violence sweeping the nation. There have been several walkouts that have taken place since then, including one on April 20th to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. Continue reading
Hammond Named 2017 School of Opportunity
By: Molly Schreier
Features Editor
On January 22, 2018, Hammond High School was named a 2017 “School of Opportunity” by the National Education Policy Center (Boulder, Colorado) (NEPC). The NEPC acknowledges that most school recognition favors schools whose students are affluent and have high access to opportunities. This award instead recognizes schools who close opportunity gaps and are dedicated to equity.
The Washington Post article that announced Hammond’s award described why Hammond won: “Hammond’s impressive curriculum is grounded in rich, project-based learning. The school has eliminated its low-track classes and significantly increased African American enrollment in its AP courses.” Continue reading
The Walkout Against Gun Violence: Why Hammond Students Participated
By Kylie Potter
Editor-in-Chief
All across the country, students have been planning several “walkouts” due to the recent mass school shooting in Florida on Wednesday, February 14th. On Tuesday, February 20th, the Florida state House declined to pass a ban on semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines. Florida students planned a walkout on Wednesday, February 21st at noon to combat this decision and put pressure on Congress to pass more gun reform, but their determination has spread across the country and pushed other students to do the same. On February 21st at Hammond, many students participated in the walkout and contributed to the protests against gun violence sweeping the nation.
Students gathered in front of Hammond to make their voices heard and stand in solidarity with the victims in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Some students held up signs, and others gave speeches about the severity of the situation and what they believe needs to be done to fix it. There was also a moment of silence in memory of the 17 victims that were murdered in the shooting. Continue reading
A Little Night Music: A Night of “Great Performances and Good Food”
By: Molly Schreier
Staff Writer
On the evening of Saturday, February 3rd, Hammond’s Music Department hosted their second Annual “Little Night Music,” a cabaret-style event featuring student performers and student staff. As audience members enjoyed performances from the Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, Chamber Music Club, Percussion Ensemble, and small student groups, their food was brought to them by music department students. The evening was hosted by seniors Emma Schreier and Ina O’Ryan, who both performed with several groups as well. Continue reading
Don’t Do Nothing
By Kavitha Brunner
English 10 and 11 teacher Mr. Chiarella is well-known around Hammond. Today, April 15th, students may observe that Mr. Chiarella’s magnificent mane and beautiful beard are different than usual: Both are spray-painted in Hammond spirit colors as a result of his classes raising the most money for a student-powered fundraiser.
Sean Stewart and Meg Murray, 12th grade students taking Mr. Livieratos’ Leadership class, were the leaders of the fundraiser. Raising money for the Grassroots “Don’t Do Nothing” suicide prevention campaign, Stewart and Murray searched for ways to get students more excited for and involved with donating money. Says Stewart, “We originally wanted to get teachers involved in outlandish ways, so we got some of the ‘hairier’ teachers to volunteer to dye their hair as a kind of incentive to get students excited.” Mr. Seibel, Mr. L, and Ms. Leonard were other candidates for the position, but Mr. Chiarella swept the contest in a landslide (who raised about 60% of the total).
“My students love seeing me do things that are out of the ordinary,” smiles Mr. Chiarella, “so I think that may have been a big factor in their donations.” The Grassroots homeless shelter campaign brings awareness to suicide and the prevention of suicide. Murray states that she and Stewart decided to raise money for this initiative not only because the SGA is already really committed to the campaign, but also because it is a unique and relevant campaign for students to participate in.
Mr. L jests, “I’m proud of my students for raising money for such a good cause, but I am also very thankful that I’m not the one with spray-painted hair!” Mr. Chiarella is glad to be able to support his students, Hammond, and the “Don’t Do Nothing” campaign.
Ms. Zepp, Ronald McDonald and Dr. Foose: Told Through Tweets
Ms. Zepp was presented with a $10,000 check from McDonald’s for winning Maryland Teacher of the Year. County executive Allan Kittleman, superintendent Dr. Renee Foose and Ronald McDonald were all on hand. Here’s all of our tweets from the eventful day.
