School News

One Team, One Goal --Gigi Waters

They pass. They shoot. Goal! Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is also popular here at Bay High and your Girl’s Soccer team is on a roll! They have not lost a single game this fall as varsity has won 3 games and tied 1 game in conference play, and overall has won 7 games and tied 2 (at the time of publication). The team is moving forward with high expectations and one major objective. 

Maya Holmes, a senior on varsity says, “Our team goal this season is to win state.” The competition will consist of Ohio’s best girls high school soccer teams competing for the state title in Columbus, Ohio. These girls are determined to win. To the spectators, some games may seem to be played with ease and high endurance, but it all comes from the hard work that the girls put in during training and at practices. They have three two-hour practices a week to prepare for games. At practice, they work on everything from foot skills to fitness, and it shows. The success achieved in each game comes from teamwork and practice as well as each player's personal goals and mindset. 

Senior and varsity captain Emery Aschenberner says, “What I need to do in order to have success on the field is to consistently provide quality service, and play well with my teammates.” Quality over quantity is what they say and it’s no different in soccer. Making good passes and touches will have its reward in the game. Their skills get better with every practice and some of these girls have been playing their whole lives. 

Senior varsity captain Lizzie Fetterman says, “Soccer is my favorite sport because I’ve played it my entire life next to the same people, especially the senior class. I’ve made my best friends from soccer.” Soccer is not just about winning but also about the atmosphere, the friends you make, and how you play the game.

Bay Girls Golf --Morgan Aquino & Amelia Dalalau 

Out of all the fall sports teams, the Bay Girls Golf Program is one of the best to join. Golf is a lifelong sport that you can play forever. Many people even use golf for business meetings, to relate to their clients. Bay Girls Golf is no different as many players use it as a way to meet new people and find new friends. 

During practice we had the opportunity to interview people that are part of the program. Lucy Korth has played golf at Bay High School for 3 years. Her best score for 9 holes was a 42 and her favorite part of golf is playing with her friends in groups because it allows her to be social. She also enjoys meeting new people from opposing teams. Her favorite memory from golf was when she was playing at Bunker Hill during a storm, and the rain caused her club to slip out of her hands and into a tree! 

Another player we got the chance to interview was Nadia Wynocker, a second-year member of the team. Her favorite part about playing is being able to hangout with her friends. Nadia’s favorite memory was Mariah VanNewhouse breaking her club while taking it out of her car. 

Our last interview was with Mrs. Walukas, a counselor at Bay High, who has worked at the school for 19 years. This is her first year as the girls JV golf coach. However, prior to coaching golf, she used to coach girls JV volleyball until she became a mom, which kept her very occupied. Her favorite part of coaching is, by far, getting to know all the players. She has enjoyed this season very much and her funniest memory is from chipping and putting practice when some funny language was being thrown around. Mrs. Walukas enjoys every practice, getting to watch each player improve and bond with their teammates. 

Overall, the girls golf players love the sport and the team. The environment is always welcoming and the matches are tons of fun. 

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Thornsberry --Reese Roche & Mackenzie Zastudil

Mr. Thornsberry has been working at Bay High for over a decade. He teaches business classes such as finance, marketing, law, and accounting. After having him in class, we decided he would be the perfect teacher to interview. 

What was your motive for getting your masters in education? 

“At the time, in order to be a teacher you had to have your temporary license and master's degree. I didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher for a very long time. At Baldwin Wallace, I was offered a unique opportunity where I could get my masters for free, work for two separate professors, and obtain a salary during grad school”. 

If you could give any piece of advice to a freshman, what would it be?

“Get involved. Be involved. Stay involved.”

What subject would you teach if you didn't teach business?

“I would teach math.”

What is your biggest pet peeve for students? 

“I do not like when they go on their phones during class.”

What is your best bowling score?

“A 300, I've only said it a thousand times!”

Peter and the Starcatcher --Alice Jones 

In addition to the spooky delights of the Halloween season, October brings another exciting event to look forward to: the Fall Play! 

As many of us at Bay High know, the fall play is put on by a cast of talented actors, a hardworking and devoted crew, and a dedicated leadership team. This year, the Bay High Drama club is putting on Peter and the Starcatcher, a humorous and action packed background story of Peter Pan’s most beloved characters. The story follows young Molly Aster, the daughter of a prominent merchant who faces a dangerous task, and the three orphan boys on her ship. When pirates and storms strike, they are thrown into turmoil, and their loyalties are questioned. Featuring song, dance, mermaids, fights, pirates, and magic, this show is sure to keep even the most cynical viewer thoroughly entertained. 

According to Lucas Harrod, an actor playing Prentiss, the “leader” of the orphans, “The show is one of the most fun and challenging plays set to music that has ever been seen on the Bay High Stage!”. The show is half musical/half play, and all enjoyable for any audience. With a run time of about two and a half hours, there is plenty of time to pack in humor, love, friendship, and, of course, swashbuckling heroism. 

The play runs October 24 and 26, starting at 7pm. Tickets are sold at the door: $7 for adults and $5 for students. For a night of fun and adventure, don’t miss Bay High’s Peter and the Starcatcher! 

Food Drive --Reese Roche 

Thanks to teamwork from YPF, Key Club, and Student Council, Bay will be collecting food for local food pantries during the week of October 21st as a competition with Rocky River High School. There will be a culminating count at the Bay vs. River football game on October 25. All of the donations at Bay will be donated to the Bay Village food pantry as well as the St. Barnabas Cupboard. 

Where do I donate? 

Friday, October 18 before the Bay vs. Lakewood football game 

Thursday, October 24 at the community drop off from 6-8pm at Bay High School 

Friday, October 25 at the Bay vs. River football game at 7pm

Monday, October 21-Friday, October 25 at Bay High School during school 

What should I bring? 

Plan on bringing in non-perishable, non-expired items such as noodles, crackers, breakfast bars, chili, canned chicken, instant potatoes, cookies, cereal, pasta, boxed dinner meals, chips, canned fruit and vegetables, canned soups, canned tuna, coffee, and tea. 

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Gorman --Gigi Waters 

Mr. Gorman teaches World History at Bay High School. So many students are lucky to have him their freshman year! 

Why did you choose to become a teacher?

“I tried banking, I tried retail, and when I was in the military I supervised classroom environments. That’s why.”

What is your favorite subject to teach?

“I miss teaching APUSH.”

What is your favorite movie?

“No Country for Old Men. You have to watch it.”

If you had to live off any one food for the rest of the year, what would you choose?

“Pizza. If it’s New York pizza, what else do you need?”

What is your biggest pet peeve?

“Tardiness.” 

What did you do before you became a teacher?

“I was an assistant hall director [for dorms] at BW, and I was an RA (resident academic advisor) as an undergraduate. Those were the jobs I had immediately before becoming a teacher.”

 
What is your dream vacation destination?

“That’s easy, Southern Utah. Hiking, biking, scenery. Next to California, it’s got the most varied landscape, and it’s not that populated.”

Bay Wrestling 2024-25 --Rose Burgett

With the Bay High wrestling team officially kicking off its season, I thought it would be fitting to spotlight a few of the team’s athletes: seniors Jackson Kloepfer and Ike Pederson, along with junior Joseph Beauchesne. I asked them a few questions to get a little bit of an inside scoop on the sport and its effect on their lives. The team has only had a few events thus far, but their success is looking promising. Come out to the high school to support the seniors for Senior Night on February 1st! 

Interview:

What’s been your favorite team memory, either this year or in the past?

JK: Christmas Eve practice last year when we got gifts from our coach and played dodgeball.

IP: Any time that the team is together, especially when you’re on the side of the mat helping, celebrating, or wrestling. You can feel the energy of the team around you.

JB: Team parties after meets.

Explain the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome either mentally or physically while wrestling.

JK: Getting used to cutting weight and maintaining.

IP: Getting up when you’re tired because you know that you’re teammates aren’t the ones winning matches for you.

JB: In my match to qualify for the national team I was down 7-0 and came back to win.

How has wrestling influenced other areas of your life?

JK: It has taught me to stay dedicated.

IP: Wrestling has influenced pretty much every area of my life because I have a new level of discipline I’ve never had before.

JB: Wrestling has made me a stronger, more disciplined, hard working, and healthier person.

What are some goals you have in mind that you would like to reach by the end of the season?

JK: I would like to go farther than I have previously.

IP: My biggest goal for this season is to beat the pin record of 7 seconds.

JB: My goal is to go to states.

Good luck to the team with the rest of 

their season and GO ROCKETS!

Bay Swimming 2024-25 --Audrey Kirkland 

As we near the holidays, winter sports teams are continuously working their hardest to create a good name for Bay High. The Bay High Swimming and Diving team is contributing to Bay’s success, having kicked off their season with a victorious start, adrenaline-inducing meets, and newly inducted captains. There are 7 current captains: swimming seniors Aaron Bernys, Jennifer Harman, and Gwynn Miller; juniors Ollie Brown, Lily Wavak, and Cecilia Gomez; and diving senior Charlie Vatolin. 

At their most recent meet, taking place at the Westlake Rec Center, both the girls and boys teams put up a strong fight against Westlake High School. The boys team continued their undefeated winning streak through their strong individual events and relays, securing a victory with a score of 90-87. The girls put up a powerful fight with commendable performances, though faced a narrow loss with a score of 74-99. Overall, the team’s hard work at this meet demonstrated their skill and dedication to creating an eventful and successful season.

I had the opportunity to interview a few people from the team about their thoughts on the sport and meets. When asked to give advice to incoming swim team members, Jennifer Harman says to “take it one day at a time; don’t become discouraged if you don’t swim your best”. She says that her best memory is the first team dinner, which took place in the Bay High cafeteria after an early season practice. She encourages incoming freshman and current students to join the team, emphasizing the fun experiences and team camaraderie.

How do they plan on adding to their victory streak? Aaron Bernys says that the team will “continue swimming fast and working hard at practice” to continue earning wins. He says the team’s goals for the season are to “take the team to sectionals and help everyone gain a PR”. Through their determination and continuous work, the Swimming and Diving team is sure to bring home success in their upcoming meets. 

Boys Varsity Basketball --Kaitlyn Aquino & Rose Saracusa

The Boys Varsity Basketball Team has an impressive record of 10-6, ranking 3rd in the Cleveland West Conference. Coach LaRiccia can be found on the sidelines supporting, coaching, and cheering on the boys to victory. Today, we interviewed four star players on the team. 

First, we chatted with Wondu Evans, a 6’1 senior. He absolutely tears up the court as a shooting guard, but he also stated that he is a very diverse player and can play all over. He has been playing basketball since 4th grade and admires Steph Curry as his favorite player. One of his favorite memories from his basketball career was when the team played at the Cedar Point Battle. While there, the team stayed overnight at teammate Tommy Mack’s house. Wondu especially enjoys playing with his friend and teammate Max Cockburn, stating that they bring a lot of energy to the court together. 

Max Cockburn is a Junior who has been playing since kindergarten. He is 6’0 and is also a shooting guard. His favorite memories are from the Ohio University summer trip, and his favorite player is Larry Bird. The dynamic duo, Max and Wondu, truly bring the energy to the game and are fan favorites in the student section. 

Speaking of fan favorites, Collin Melvin is towering over teams standing at 6'3, making him an excellent center point guard. He can be seen taking 3-point shots throughout most of the game, which receive a lot of cheers from the stands. He has been playing since kindergarten and his dedication shows. Collin enjoys playing with teammate Derek Gura, and they love to go to Wingstop together after practice. He told us that Anthony Edwards is his favorite NBA player. 

We also had the chance to get to know the Caleb Reinhart. He is a 5’ 11 point guard who has been grinding since kindergarten. His favorite basketball memory is when fellow teammate, Max Cockburn, dunked on Morgan Simolin causing commotion during QRP, and he also enjoyed their game against Avon Lake. His favorite teammate is Dave because of all his wisdom, but his favorite NBA player would have to be Jason Williams. 

The boys have been doing a great job this year and all their effort and dedication has led them to become a successful team on and off the court. If you would like to see more of these stars consider heading out and cheering them on at one of their exciting games. Go Rockets! 

Winter Cheerleading Competition --Nora French

On Sunday, January 12th, the Bay High Winter Cheerleaders went to Columbus to compete in the state competition for the first time in over a decade. The competition took place at Marysville High School with teams competing all throughout the day. The competition was divided into two sections: Traditional and Gameday. Traditional Cheerleading is a full routine, focused on the competition, not the crowds. It is more technical and packed with greater difficulty. Game Day Cheer is centered around getting the crowd involved and excited about the performance. Both take skill, preparation, and enthusiasm. 

The team first learned the choreography for the competition in August. The choreography was first competed at the CWC competition back in October where they placed 4th. Because of this success, the team decided to continue using the same choreography with a few minor changes. More jumps were added, which are a large part of cheerleading. The team also had to make adjustments to have higher level choreography. 

Teams from all over Ohio competed in this competition, and Bay brought home 5th place in their division. The highlight of the night, however, was receiving zero deductions during the routine. This means they had no falls, mistakes, or parts where they broke the competition’s strict rules. This was great news for the team and cause for celebration before and during awards. 

The cheerleaders have been working to build the cheer program for years at BHS, and only now did they have a large enough team to attend these competitions. While new, they were still placed in the large division at the competition. This placement is not based on team size, but school size and often is not an accurate representation of the team. Therefore, they competed against very large teams from schools all around Ohio. Even though the team thought their chance of placing was slim, the team gave their all, and all of the hard work paid off. Even though they didn’t get their dream place, they will be competing in two more competitions this season and are looking forward to competing against different teams. They are hoping to earn a first place spot, as this is the team’s main goal.

Their next competition is the “Fighting with Fire Cheer Competition” at Firelands. It is on Sunday, January 19th. The feedback they receive from the judges will help the team improve choreography, motions, and skills showcased for their final competition at Ashland University on February 16th. The team is so excited to showcase their talent and routine in these two competitions, and cannot wait to see how they place. But above all, having a close knit team is so important to them and they just love to perform together.

Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Gess --Josie Drenkhan

Mrs. Gess is a music teacher at Bay High School. She teaches all choirs including: Acapella, Choraleers, Treble Pop Choir, BHS Choir, and Show Choir. She also teaches independent study classes like music theory. I interviewed her to ask her a few questions about her time here at Bay High School: 

Q: What is your favorite song that acapella is singing right now? 

A: “My favorite song is Love: Then and Still.” This song will be performed at the Winter Concert. It is a sad, but beautiful, song about love and loss. She picks her songs in a meticulous way, only stopping when she finds one that is a moving and beautiful piece. 

Q: What is your favorite part of working at Bay? 

A: “I think it's the students. I love being part of a community where I live. I feel like I'm giving back to the community by teaching. I love teaching music, there is an extra special aspect to it because I get to have everyone for four full years… it's a tight knit community.”

Q: What is the best memory you remember at Bay? 

A: “Musically speaking, the times we performed at music conventions, in particular 2010. We got a standing ovation at the conference that we sang at in Cincinnati at the Ohio Music Educators Association State Conference.” 

Q: What choir class would you recommend to students? 

A: “I'd recommend all of them! I think being a part of any choir is just a wonderful break in your day, there is a special aspect as well. Singing is like therapy… music is such a therapy. I think it is so good for kids to be a part of and I think in choir you get to sing real text and truly feel as well as convey a message. No matter my mood or what's going on personally, being in the classroom with students are the moments I really enjoy and don't let anything else weigh on me. I try to give my students 100% all the time so it is a happy space to come into.” 

Mrs. Gess really cares for her students and loves teaching. She is a special teacher at Bay and a part of what makes our community a positive place! 

Team Village With a Vision --Abigail Feiszli

Bay High School’s Team Village With a Vision is nearly done with their seven-week Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. But what is Team Village With a Vision? Team Village With a Vision is Bay High School’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) team. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a global organization that raises money to help fund research for a cure to blood cancer and helps improve the wellbeing of blood cancer patients. The Student Visionaries of the Year campaign is an annual, seven-week program in which students across the nation form teams to raise money in the fight against blood cancer.

Team Village With a Vision consists of 32 students at Bay High school, lead by student-leaders Paige Kerber, Izzy Frombach, Sydney Martin, and supervisor Mr. Martin. This year, the LLS team has a goal of raising $100,000 between January 17th and March 8th. If this goal is reached, Bay High School will have raised a total of over one million dollars since the first BHS LLS team was started eight years ago. 

Team Village With a Vision has raised much of their money through a variety of fundraisers. Beginning in late January, they held community fundraisers at restaurants such as City Barbecue and Chipotle, at fitness centers such as Spenga and CycleBar, and local businesses like the Print Shop. They also held school-wide fundraisers like the Battle of the QRPs, Valentine's Day Crumbl cookies, and Chuck-a-Duck. 

Some of their biggest fundraisers are still yet to come. On February 28th, Team Village With a Vision will hold their annual Shave It or Save It assembly, in which nine Bay High School students have generously volunteered to shave their heads to help raise money for LLS. Students and staff may also donate to Mr. Martin’s “Shave It” or “Save It” fundraising pages, which will determine if Mr. Martin shaves his beard or keeps it. Another big fundraiser for Team Village With a Vision is the SnoCo dance on March 1st, with all ticket proceeds going to LLS. Tickets to SnoCo will be available for purchase during all lunch periods the week leading up to March 1st. The dance is always a blast, so bring a friend or two and head to Bay High School on Saturday, March 1st, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. 

Team Village With a Vision’s campaign will conclude on Saturday, March 8th, at the LLS Grand Finale event, where teams from across northeast Ohio will come together to celebrate their work in the fight against blood cancer. If you want to make a difference in the lives of those with blood cancer, you can help by supporting Team Village With a Vision’s fundraisers using the link below.

https://events.lls.org/noh/svoynoh25/bayvillage

Bay Hockey --Curran Wank

Check out Bay High’s very own Varsity Hockey Team! The team takes the ice every weekend, whether it's home or away, to fearlessly take on competition in the Blue South Conference of the Greater Cleveland West Conference. For home games, you can look to find them at Winterhurst Ice Arena in Lakewood, where they skate their way to victory. The Rockets finished the season with a record of 4-5-2 in their conference. 

Today, I'm interviewing JR Kenney, one of the highest ranked goal scorers for the Rockets Hockey Team and titled Morning Journal Player for the week of January 24th. JR has been a part of the Bay High Hockey team for 3 years now, contributing an accumulation of 13 goals this 2025 winter season with his master experience and domination on the rink. 

Q: What is your favorite part about playing on the hockey team?

A: “My favorite part of playing on the team is the team itself. I love playing with all my friends, and watching everyone grow both as athletes and people”.

Q: What areas does the team look to improve on?

A: “I think the team looks to improve in all aspects. We all have a common goal of wanting to be the best for one another. Hockey is a very mental sport, which all starts with mindset. I think most of my teammates, including me, need to learn to cope with our nerves and just play the sport that we love.”

Q: What is one of the Bay High Hockey teams strong suits on the rink? 

A: “One of our team's strong suits is that we play very well as a team because we are all very close to each other. Having those friendships off the rink is just as important as when we're on the rink, so we can always provide each other with as much support as possible.”

The Rockets took the ice one final time this season on Tuesday, February 11, where they took a hard-fought loss to the Avon Eagles. After a successful season, the Rockets can't wait to get back on the ice next year and improve together as a team. Be sure to come out and support them for the next 2025-26 season! Go Rockets! 

The Music Man --Alice Jones

As the third quarter closes, a much anticipated school tradition grows near: the Bay High Musical. This year’s show, The Music Man by Meredith Wilson, is sure to enthrall audiences young and old with its dazzling costumes, catchy numbers, and astounding choreography. Directed by Luke Scattergood and assistant Elaine Dwyer, the actors have been working hard since December to put on the show of a lifetime. Not to be outdone, the crew has built an amazing set, procured stunning costumes, and ensured the musical goes off without a hitch under the direction of Keith Stevens. Finally, the fine musicians of the pit have put an arm and a leg into making the musical, well, musical with the leadership of Middle School band director extraordinaire, Mark Awad. 

A classic show, The Music Man promises to combine the old fashioned charm of 1950s musicals with a touch of modern excitement as it follows the story of con man Harold Hill. The story starts with Hill coming to a small town in Iowa, intending to sell the citizens their band instruments at high prices and then escape with the money before anyone is the wiser. While the chip-on-the-shoulder residents are wary at first, he soon has them under his spell, including the cranky school board and gossipy town wives. However, not everyone in town is enamored with the spellbinding con man; the local librarian, Marian, and the ill-tempered mayor both want him gone. Hijinks ensue as the characters chase each other in circles, sometimes literally, to reveal the truth before Hill can escape. 

The music and dancing bring the show to life! While the show might be vintage, the dancing is anything but, bringing 21rst century pizzaz onto the Bay High Stage once more. Senior Dance Capitan Abby Estridge raves that the dances are so interesting to watch because of the “energetic choreography mixed with classic ballet”. Encapsulating classic styles with modern twists is no easy feat, yet the dancers pull it off seamlessly under the leadership of Dance Coach Liz Baumgarner. In the same vein, the pit has learned more than 2 ½ hours of music with influences from all styles, providing the groundwork for the whole show to be built on. With members from both bands and orchestras, the accomplished musicians of the pit have prepared music of the highest caliber for the audience’s listening pleasure. 

With talented actors, a prolific pit, and a stage crew of the highest caliber, The Music Man comes to life on the Bay High Stage. Join us at Bay High Auditorium on April 3, 4, 5, and 6 for the show of a lifetime, and thrills for all ages! Tickets are on sale on the Bay High Website: $10 for students and seniors, $12 for everyone else. Please come see The Music Man!

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Gorman --Mirella Martin & Addison Schmeltzer

Mr. Gorman, a 9th grade World History and past APUSH teacher, met with us and answered a few questions about himself. 

When asked what his favorite Starbucks order is, he answered promptly that he is “not a coffee guy” but that his wife, Erica, orders a french vanilla macchiato. Next, if Mr. Gorman could travel back in time to any historical event, he would choose to go back to the lunar landing. Because he was only six years old during this event, he feels that he didn’t appreciate it as much as he should have, and regrets taking that experience for granted. 

As known by many as the girl’s cross country coach, Mr. Gorman is also an avid marathon runner, stating that he’s “only ran 10 marathons” and followed by saying that his go-to post marathon meal is a “ginormous cheese burger, shovelful of fries, and a big slab of chocolate cake”. His typical Saturday consists of, most importantly, “team Erica” stuff. Everything else, such as working out by swimming, running, spinning, or doing yoga are simply spokes in the wheel. 

If Mr. Gorman had to choose between flying or breathing underwater, he would choose to breathe underwater because he could be a stronger swimmer, and stated that breathing slows him down. Finally, Mr. Gorman stated that teaching was not his initial plan for his future, but after serving in the military, he realized that his strengths were shown best when he was helping and teaching in an educational setting.

Prom Preview --Audrey Kirkland

As the end of the year approaches, seniors are getting ready to depart and go their separate ways, but not before the numerous events of spring. Between the recent musical, college decisions, senior pictures, and upcoming prom and graduation, seniors have their hands full with activities. 

This year, prom is being held at the Browns Stadium. On Saturday May 17th, from 6pm to 10pm, students will have a buffet-style dinner, photo booths and a professional photographer, and a DJ. The after party (which will include a mechanical bull) will be at the middle school, hosted by generous student parents.

The looming question for many students is the outfit—formal with dress shoes. Some search for their dream dresses, while others search for suits, working to create matching themes and pictures that they will look back on proudly in the future. There are various options for both, from fabric to color to style. 

If you’re struggling to find an outfit, read on. Having spoken to seniors around the school, I’ve created a list of places to shop for dresses from cheap to expensive, sleek to extravagant. The well-known, reliable, and cheaper places where most people look for dresses are the usuals: Lulus, Lucy in the Sky, Princess Polly, Beginning Boutique, Babyboo, and Oh Polly. If you’re focused on the availability of refunds, Lulus, Princess Polly, Hello Molly, Beginning Boutique, and Oh Polly are the picks. If you’re searching for a store with more expensive options and perhaps better quality, the seniors of Bay High are turning to Stacees, KissProm, TheDressOutlet, Rent the Runway, Revolve, and Free People.

While the prom process is stressful at the time, the end result will be memorable.

Bay's Mural Club --Avery Schriner 

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, Bay High School’s creative minds have had the chance to truly make their mark. With a project that will outlive their time here, countless students have contributed to a permanent art installation that reflects both the values of the school and the collaborative design of its students. This year, the Ohio Arts Council provided a one-year grant for a therapeutic arts program. Led by Ms. DiLisi, a familiar face to many from her previous years as an art teacher at Bay High School, the club that became of this wonderful opportunity sparked creativity, inclusivity, and cooperation. Equally as important, all of the development these students have obtained came from the design and construction of four murals representing the pillars of the school, as well as numerous therapeutic art activities open to all.

The murals this group has created are probably the most well-known amongst the students at Bay High. While at the beginning of the year the design process included just art students, the physical painting involved all students who were interested, attracting attention from across the school. Meeting most Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunches, QRP’s, and after school, those walking past the art hallway could see the true community the murals brought to each student helping. 

Each of the four murals themselves symbolize one of the four values of Bay High School: Punctuality, Accountability, Community, and Kindness. To plan the design and layout process, a small number of art students met with Ms. DiLisi and various faculty and administrators to develop ideas for a series of murals that would speak for the voices of the students. Using computer design platforms to lay out ideas, slowly, as a group, options were narrowed down until a consensus was reached. One major part of this arts program is making sure it is open to every student at Bay High. This meant including students with and without disabilities, as well as students with and without previous experience in art courses. With the kind and caring help from Ms. DiLisi, painting the backgrounds of the murals (blends of mostly blues and complementary strokes of reds and yellows) was a job every student could undertake. Then, it was time to sketch out the designs onto the Masonite boards, which were used instead of painting directly onto the walls so that the hard work put into the painting could be moved and preserved longer. While a projector displayed the computer-designed images onto the canvas, students roughly sketched out the necessary guidelines. Finally, students could start the painting process. With a short time window to achieve the completion of four entire murals, students needed to work efficiently, something Ms. DiLisi helps greatly with. By establishing a schedule of days she would be in the school to advise and creating flexible deadlines for each mural, the students were able to finish the murals by mid-April. 

Each mural’s central focus is greyscale, realistic hands, contrasting the blue backgrounds, and one of the four pillars. The hands represent the common humanity each student shares at Bay High and vary for each pillar to specifically illustrate that characteristic. Toward the end of the year, these beautiful pieces will be hung as murals throughout the school for all to see, a manifestation of hard work and collaboration from all types of students. 

In addition to her work with the murals, Ms. DiLisi also spent one of the lunch periods on most Tuesdays and Thursdays with various students with disabilities. Through the therapeutic arts program, Ms. DiLisi developed activities that would be inclusive, but also would allow each student to use their abilities to the fullest extent, whether they had art experience and skills or not. 

This project allowed for the immersion of art into the lives of each student at Bay High School, whether they participated in the lunch period art workshops, contributed to any of the murals, or simply enjoyed seeing these works as they passed the art hallway. Art truly is a beautiful thing that can bring people together and, paired with the work of Ms. DiLisi and the students of Bay High, it has created a lasting impact on the community.

The Music Man Review --Rose Burgett

At the onset of the month, I had the chance to attend Bay High School’s rendition of The Music Man. The musical takes place in River City, Iowa in 1912 and follows con artist Harold Hill in his attempt to sell uniforms and instruments to families in the city, promising to create a children’s band. Little does the town know, Mr. Hill has no intention of following through with the band but rather plans to flee the city as soon as he collects his money from the locals. However, his plan is foiled as he catches feelings for the town librarian, Marian Paroo, and no longer wants to dart away so quickly.

In contrast to last year’s musical Something Rotten!, The Music Man features more classical numbers, as it was written decades before the newer, more modern and innuendo-filled composition. That being said, I 

was interested to see how Bay High would pull off the 180 degree turn, having to completely switch gears in the world of theater. And I am delighted to say that the Thespians definitely pulled it off!

To start, what immediately stood out to me while watching was the dancing. The amount of practice in coordination and communication was clearly evident as the dancers rapidly dashed around the stage in a whirlwind of elegance and grace. “Shipoopi,” mine and many others’ favorite number, was bursting with energy, and not a single face on the stage lacked enthusiasm or character. The preciseness of each twist and twirl most definitely helped to pull the entire show together.

While very obvious, it would be a sin not to mention the actors. Jacob Dwyer and Emma Maiure were perfect co-stars for the show, both possessing their own special talents in singing, dancing, and bringing each act to life. Special mention goes to Conor Murtaugh who never failed to bring the passion and fervor to the stage every time he stepped into the light. While that just names a few, there is no doubt that each and every person involved in the show encapsulated an immense love for theater that the audience could feel. Witnessing the community and support the cast found within each other made the musical that much more special.

I could go on and on about the clear dedication behind this project, but, to wrap up, I would like to mention the set design, costumes, and sound technicalities that secured the success of the show. The actors’ attire perfectly suited the time period of the musical, and each piece fell right into place on each person. The detail on each outfit helped to make the audience feel as if they hopped into a time machine. Additionally, while invisible to the audience’s eye, the members of the crew deserve boatloads of praise for the work that they did on creating the set pieces and transitioning between scenes. I was fascinated by the painting and intricacies of each piece of furniture and product placed on the stage, and production behind the curtain appeared to run smoothly. Finally, the musical would not be a musical without the members of the pit orchestra. As a former member, I know how much time is required to master each musical piece involved in the show. The little sound effects that often go unnoticed add detail that one wouldn’t realize is crucial to the liveliness of the performance. Not to mention the members of the crew on sound control, having to make sure the volume of the microphones were perfect before every act.

To conclude, every single person involved in The Music Man helped aid the achievement of the show in one way or another. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my peers do what they love, which I believe is the ultimate secret ingredient to a musical well done.

Little Heroes Prom --Abigail Feiszli

On Saturday, April 12th, BHS held the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Little Heroes Prom for the second year in a row. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an organization dedicated to raising funds in an effort to find a cure for blood cancer, as well as helping patients and their families as they go through treatment. Little Heroes Prom is an annual event that LLS holds in order to give cancer patients and their families a night off from treatment and the worries they face living with cancer. Families were able to participate in many activities and enjoy a carefree night of fun. 

As cancer patients and their families entered the BHS gym, they were greeted by a red carpet and the Rockettes cheering them on. Decorations and posters covered the room and music was played for families to enjoy. The guests were provided with dinner from multiple food vendors, and then they participated in a variety of activities. They could have a unique caricature drawn of them, meet one of the many Disney princesses or Marvel superheroes roaming around, dance to music, or play an assortment of games. 

The event was very successful, helping numerous cancer patients and their families from the Cleveland area have an unforgettable night of fun. The event would not have been possible without the help of the many YPF high school volunteers or Mr. Martin, who planned the event. 

Senior Festivities --Audrey Kirkland

As graduation rolls around, seniors’ calendars are filled with a multitude of events as they get ready for their final moments in high school, including Baccalaureate, Commencement, and graduation parties. These experiences will create some of their last memories as high schoolers, and they are important to be celebrated and enjoyed. 

Throughout May and into the summer, seniors host graduation parties to celebrate their achievements and memories attending Bay Schools. Either hosted individually or as a group effort, these parties are packed with food and games to create an evening of activities surrounded by family and close friends. Summer outfits make the occasion, creating a vibrant and spirited atmosphere to generate an evening of laughter, memories, and recollection.

Baccalaureate is a senior parent-run, multi-denominational church service for the senior class families. It will occur on June 1st (the day before graduation) at Bay Presbyterian Church, and there will be a Minister or Elder/Deacon from each church in Bay Village in attendance. Senior class members are encouraged to participate in various roles for this event including speaking, singing, playing instruments, reading scripture, or any other talent that is meaningful to an individual or the class as a whole. All seniors are invited to this pre-graduation send off!

Commencement, occurring the day after, will be held in the High School Stadium, if weather permits. This action packed day begins with a senior breakfast and graduation practice in the morning that leads into the evening when seniors will walk the stage, give meaningful speeches to reminisce on their years in high school, and take pictures with family and friends. With a final wave, this year’s seniors will be continuing on to the next chapter of their lives—wish them luck!

The Thirst Project --Mirella Martin & Addison Schmeltzer 

Due to the water crisis, around 1,000 children die every day as a result of easily preventable waterborne illnesses. By providing a community with safe drinking water, these disease rates can drop by up to 88% overnight! People living in eSwatini, Africa walk an average of 3.75 miles a day to acquire around 5 gallons of dirty drinking water for their entire family. To give perspective, an average American uses about 90 gallons of clean water per day. Additionally, the citizens in eSwatini Africa have high numbers of HIV/Aids, with every 1 in 4 people contracting the disease. Clean water is a key factor in recovering from these illnesses.

In order to make a freshwater well for a community, $12,000 is needed. That may seem like a lot, but every bit of money donated matters, and each and every person is making an active difference. Even a donation of 50 cents gives one person clean water for a year! The Thirst Project Organization targets students because they believe they are the most powerful agents to make a change. There are over 200 Thirst Project Student chapters/clubs around the world. 

The Thirst Project guarantees that 100% of all public donations go directly towards our well projects. In over fourteen years, Thirst Project has spoken to more than 5 million students on over 2,500 campuses across the United States. These students have helped raise over $15 million, which has provided more than 650,000 people in 13 countries access to safe, clean water. $25 is all it takes to give one person clean water for LIFE. The Thirst Project is making a remarkable difference, but in order to continue its movement, we need each and every person's help. Water is a human right. Join the fight.

This year, the Thirst Project committee, in coordination with Key Club, held their annual walk for water. This kicks off next year’s Thirst Project funding. Despite the less than ideal walking conditions, the walk raised $1,373.21! This is more than 10% of the $12,000 goal of the BHS Thirst Project committee for next year’s fundraising. The $12,000 goal is based on the cost to build a whole freshwater well in eSwatini, Africa. Throughout the next year, students will be able to help fund building a freshwater well through many engaging fundraisers and activities, which will be announced as the year progresses.