Senior Staff Spotlight – Patrick Romito

Writing his way through the game

Madelyn Hucko, Staff Writer • March 27, 2026

For senior Patrick Romito, joining the school newspaper was a decision based on self-improvement. He became a member at the start of his junior year, seeking a way to strengthen his writing skills. While he did improve, he also found an opportunity to grow, explore his interests, and leave a lasting impact on the Hawk Eye.

Patrick quickly discovered that his favorite stories to write centered around major sports. Due to his genuine interest in athletics, covering these events allowed him to combine passion with purpose. His enthusiasm for sports translated into engaging articles that kept readers informed and connected to what was happening both in and out of school.

Since joining, Patrick has written an impressive 226 articles, demonstrating not only his dedication but also his consistency. With the school year still ongoing, he plans to increase that number further. Over time, he has grown as a writer by expanding his vocabulary and refining his punctuation. His progress proves that hard work and dedication pay off.

Patrick recognizes that being part of Hawk Eye offers more than just writing experience. He believes the club helps students develop essential life skills, whether it’s learning to communicate effectively through interviews or gaining confidence in sharing ideas. Because of this, he encourages others to join, knowing the experience can benefit anyone willing to put in the effort.

After graduation, Patrick will attend Washington & Jefferson College, where he plans to study marketing. He hopes to pursue a career related to sports, blending his interests with his future goals. Although he’s unsure exactly where his path will lead, he envisions himself staying involved in journalism in some capacity, especially since marketing involves writing and design.

Reflecting on his journey, Patrick wouldn’t change anything.

“The experiences I’ve faced, whether in school, sports, or work, have shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m happy with where I am now,” he shares.

He hopes to be remembered in the club as someone who worked hard and showed respect to others.

Patrick Romito’s time with the newspaper has made a significant impact on the club. Through his passion for sports, dedication to growth, and consistent contributions, he has helped strengthen the publication and set a high standard for future members.

About the Contributor

Madelyn Hucko, Staff Writer

And here’s the pitch – strike! Hucko does it again, striking out her opponent from the mound. Madelyn Hucko is a junior pitcher on the slow-pitch softball club team for Bethel Park. She has been playing for eight years, having to take a year off to pursue gymnastics, but she made her return to the mound after injuring herself. She has always been a pitcher, having a “perfect arch pitch” as described by her fellow teammates. When asked why she has taken the Scholastic Publications elective this year for the first time, she replied, “I want to pursue journalism in college and eventually have a career in journalism, hopefully with traveling.” As an avid photographer who captures architecture and nature whenever she can, she wants to focus on the photography aspect of the journalism class, with her sharp knowledge of photo-taking. Her favorite thing about high school is that she loves how self-driven it is. “You can choose the classes you want to take and even add on electives that support what you want to do in college,” she answered. She appreciates the freedom of choice that Bethel Park offers. In her free time, if she’s not competing with Paul Skenes as an amazing pitcher or taking photos, she’s working hard to complete the “Call of Duty” campaigns as a video game player. You could also find her painting or creating a mug with ceramics. She loves the arts aspect of life, as shown by her hobbies. She also likes to read any literature. Her preferred movie type is psychological mysteries, like “Se7en,” “Memento,” or “Fight Club.” If she’s not watching a movie, she’s listening to Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, The Smiths (her favorite), Nirvana, or any dad rock. She dreams of studying abroad in the United Kingdom, possibly in a program given to her by New York University. Her dream vacation is to go backpacking in Europe as well, hoping for a future life across the Atlantic. So the next time you see her, whether it’s behind a camera, on the mound, or jamming out to The Smiths, just know that you can find some of her work right here on Hawk Eye! Written By: Ava Cerro, Staff Writer