First semester of BPHS 2024-25 year coming to an end

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer • January 14, 2025

The word “Academics” welcomes students to the Academic Wing of the high school.

As February approaches, students, teachers, and staff at BPHS can look back on an exciting and eventful first semester.

The first semester has brought its fair share of academic milestones, extracurricular achievements, and memorable moments that have made the experience truly unforgettable.

The first half of the year was highlighted by a multitude of events such as the homecoming dance, college and career fair, the fall play, holiday bingo, signing day, and the games of all BPHS sports teams.

In the classroom, students have been pushing themselves to excel in their various subjects, demonstrating a strong work ethic and dedication to their studies.

Teachers have worked tirelessly to develop engaging lesson plans and provide individualized support to students in need, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.

In addition to their academics, the extracurricular scene at BPHS has also been thriving.

From the football field to the basketball court to the soccer pitch, the school’s teams have shown exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship as they represent their respective teams with pride.

In addition to athletic achievements, students have been excelling in various clubs and activities that cater to diverse interests and passions.

From music and art to student government and community service, students have been allowed to explore their talents and make a meaningful contribution to the school community.

As the first semester comes to a close, students and staff at BPHS can take pride in their accomplishments and look forward to an exciting second half of the year.

With the second semester just around the corner, students are sure to return to school refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities.

About the Contributors

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer

Megan Gaskill, Staff Writer

And 1, 2, 3, 4! Here comes Squad 1 leader Megan Gaskill with her shakers! Megan is a senior this year and this is her first year in Scholastic Publications. "I wanted to take the class to interview people for Hawk Eye and to edit the Yearbook," Megan said. "Liz Mackey recommended the class to me, and I saw all of the social media posts in which I became more interested in." Outside of school and Bethettes, Megan also plays Ultimate Frisbee, and if you have any pets you may find her working at Pet Supplies Plus. Megan's favorite senior memory so far is performing at Friday night football games. "I enjoy hearing the crowd clap with excitement after all of the hard work we put into the halftime show," Megan said. Megan plans on attending Westminister College to major in pre-vet or biology to become a veterinarian. If she could choose any superpower, it would be invisibility so that she doesn't have to show up to school. Megan's dream vacation is Hawaii because of the hot weather. You can look for Megan either flicking the frisbee, marching to "Hot Time," or hitting the books with her 3.8 GPA! Written by: Liz Mackey, Staff Writer