BPHS in need of Cultural Day volunteers

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

March 18, 2025

Staff members dance with the African dancers at last year’s Cultural Day.

The buzz of excitement is in the air as the school prepares for the Third Annual Cultural Celebration Day set to take place on June 6.

What started as an inspiring vision from Mrs. Ford has grown beyond its original intention and flourished into a cherished tradition that unites the community in the spirit of diversity and understanding.

The special celebration is dedicated to embracing and sharing the unique traditions, stories, and experiences that enrich our community.

From lively music and energetic dance performances to captivating storytelling, delicious food, and engaging games, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This annual celebration has become a highlight on the BPHS calendar, fostering connections and promoting inclusivity among students, staff, and families.

It’s a time to step into other’s shoes, gain new perspectives, and appreciate the differences that make everyone unique.

As BPHS gears up for this year’s festivities, it invites members of our BPHS community to contribute to the event by sharing their cultural heritage.

The school is seeking presenters who are enthusiastic about showcasing their cultural traditions, personal experiences, or talents.

Whether it’s through artistic presentations, cooking demonstrations, engaging storytelling sessions, or traditional dance, participation will help make this day truly unforgettable.

If anyone is interested in being a presenter, they are encouraged to take this opportunity to shine and share culture with our community.

Cultural Day is vital for promoting understanding, empathy, and respect among students from different backgrounds. If interested in participating in the celebration, sign up here.

Whether someone chooses to present or simply attend, it is encouraged all BPHS students should partake in this vibrant celebration.

Everyone should come together as a school community to build bridges, celebrate our unique histories and identities, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information and to keep up with the latest updates regarding Cultural Celebration Day, be sure to follow the announcements and stay connected!

BPHS looks forward to celebrating with the community and thanks everyone for being an integral part of the BPHS Cultural Day.

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

Liz Mackey, Editor-in-Chief

Is there a familiar face you always spot behind the camera at Friday night football games? That’s Liz Mackey! This is Liz’s second year taking Scholastic Publications and her third year taking pictures for the yearbook! “Why not take Scholastic Publications if I can also edit the pictures in the yearbook?” she said. Liz was inspired by another photographer, Joey Bova, a BPHS alum. You can see Liz taking pictures for sporting events, in the halls, and even on the sidelines at the girls basketball games. When coming to watch the Lady Hawks win a game, look for #3 on the court! You can also see Liz at track meets and on the girls flag football team. She’s involved in many clubs such as Student Government (SGA) as a senator, Homecoming Committee, Ultimate Frisbee, Quill and Scroll International Honors Society, Campus Life, Best Buddies, Interact, BP Connect, and Fall Play. After high school, Liz hopes to be in the Army National Guard while attending IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania). She dreams of being on SWAT as her future career. When asked if Liz prefers Starbucks or Dunkin, she replied, “I like Starbucks for their refreshers and Dunkin for their coffee.” When ordering at Starbucks’ “Starbies,” she’ll get a Venti strawberry acai, which has no frozen strawberries, peach juice, and light ice. At Dunkin, she’ll choose between a strawberry dragonfruit refresher with green tea or an iced latte with two pumps of caramel, sugar, and oat milk. Be sure to ask Liz Mackey for a picture to be in the 2024-2025 yearbook! Written by: Megan Gaskill, Staff Writer