Note: The above image is an edited photo of Mr. Nelson, made by a student as part of a halloween project in fall 2021. Art shapes McCaskey in so many ways, whether that be performance arts such as theater and music, or visual arts like drawing and painting. Mr. Nelson is one of the few visual art teachers at McCaskey. He teaches Drawing and Painting … Continue reading Mr. Nelson Teaches Confidence Through Art
Left to right: Julio Morales, Diego David, and Jadyn Torres before a performance of Newsies. (Image credit: Rose Carlson) The hundreds of community members who came to see McCaskey’s production of Newsies gave it nothing but glowing reviews. After two years of upheaval and pandemic-induced cancellations, the show was a jubilant symbol of our celebrated music program’s rebirth. Everyone was captivated by the performance of … Continue reading Jadyn Torres on Music and the Strength of the McCaskey Community
Image credit: Rose Carlson For some, spending all day working in the library might be boring, but Ms. Blessing-Hartley, known to many simply as Ms. Blessing, loves her job. She is one of several friendly faces at the front desk of JP’s IMC. Although many initially assume that she is a librarian, Ms. Blessing describes her role as the library’s para-professional. “The librarians are the … Continue reading Melissa Blessing-Hartley, Caretaker of the JP IMC Safe Haven
Image credit: Tim Mercandetti When he was a senior at JP McCaskey High School, Angel Gonzalez made a promise to himself. “I said, ‘you know what, the goal is not to come back, it’s to go off to something else.’” Angel shared. “And then I came right back – and I think it was perfect.” Angel’s biggest dream in high school was to become a … Continue reading No Place Like Home: Angel Gonzalez’s Inevitable Return to McCaskey
Image credit: MSC Photographer Michael Eby-Good is one of the Art Systems Technicians at McCaskey Campus. He spends most of his day with staff helping to plan out the details of any events, and his last period assisting students in the Stage and Design Production class in the JP Auditorium. Like art does with communities, he acts as a glue, connecting a variety of people. … Continue reading Michael Eby-Good: Bridging the Gap Between Math and Art
During the week of March 14, McCaskey’s performing arts department, under the direction of Reynolds Middle School Teacher Kristin Wolanin, will be presenting Disney’s Newsies. “Preparing this show has been such an amazing experience,” said senior Jadyn Torres, who plays the lead role of Jack Kelly along with Zachary White. “Our cast is filled with the most insanely talented kids and I’m so excited for … Continue reading And the World Will Know: “Newsies” Brings Musical Theater Back to McCaskey
There’s a fine line between humor and harassment. Because the internet allows for instantaneous dissemination of information, often anonymously and with no fact-checking, there is great potential for abuses of power. And when these abuses are excused as “funny,” it’s even more difficult to enforce accountability for perpetrators. The recent controversy between Kanye West and Kim Kardashian exemplifies this problem of the digital age. Although … Continue reading From Kanye to McCaskey: The Line Between Humor and Harassment
Recently, McCaskey High School began playing the pledge of allegiance every morning on its announcements. “It mocks our ancestor’s cries and screams: their terror,” shared Essence Winters. “What justice has America shown?” she asked. “Black people still haven’t received reparations.” “Not saying it is disrespectful to those who have died. We should honor it, value it, and be fair to it,” said Sujan Upreti. These … Continue reading We Should Talk About the Pledge
You are holding back tears in a classroom, triggered by some unknowingly hurtful statement made by the teacher. You’re mad at the teacher, despite her not knowing she was causing you pain. You want to fight, or leave; that is if you could get unstuck from the prick of survival response, your brain snagged like a loose thread on the oversized sweater you wish you … Continue reading We Need Sensory Rooms
From 7:50 to 8:49 on every full day of school, 20 McCaskey students produce, write, film, edit, and livestream the WMCC Tornado Alert Morning Show, which features everything from campus sports news and information about upcoming events to current events reports and special videos. “It’s a lot,” said Tacura Tobler, a senior who’s been in the class for a year and a half. Since late … Continue reading WMCC: The Story of a Morning Show
In the midst of the brave individuals that have called out and spoken up about sexual assault (SA) in our McCaskey community, it is more important than ever to believe and support them. Speaking up about rape or SA is not something that comes easily. There are times where the individual will feel alone, depressed, and not speak up because, “who would believe me?” It … Continue reading How Should We Talk About Sexual Assault?
Wednesday’s active shooter training had McCaskey students abuzz with opinions. Two weeks after a Michigan school shooting killed four high schoolers, and in the wake of multiple shooting threats in our own community, fear of a school shooting is at the forefront of our minds once again. This has reignited debates about how to best prepare for a school shooting, and the ethics of said … Continue reading Active Shooter Drills Do More Harm than Good
Education is essential to ensure that a child has a successful future. But, how can you expect black students to excel if they don’t feel as though school is a safe environment for them? First off, it’s not the black community’s responsibility to explain why the n-word should not be used by non-black individuals. By now, most of us should know the harmful history behind … Continue reading (Obviously) Teachers Should Not Use Racial Slurs
As October comes to a close, so are McCaskey’s fall sports. Although a few teams such as boy’s soccer are going into playoffs, it’s time to look ahead to the winter sports season. Last year, winter sports occurred under heavy pandemic restrictions, so teams are looking forward to an increased sense of normality this season. The McCaskey girls wrestling team is especially excited, McCaskey having … Continue reading It’s Almost Time for McCaskey Winter Sports
Image credit: Molly S. Photography In the summer of 2021, Starleisha Gingrich was hired to direct McCaskey’s 2021 fall play. It’s a dream come true for the actor, director, and current education and outreach coordinator of the Fulton Theatre, who has wanted to work at McCaskey ever since she moved to Lancaster in 2015. “I love directing in general,” says Starleisha, “but directing high school … Continue reading Accurate Representation in Theatre: the Mission of McCaskey Fall Play Director Starleisha Gingrich
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