The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
Old York, New Age
AP Testing Changes
St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, dance group, the Aegeans, performing a traditional dance called Zeibekiko. Senior Serafim Anastasis is seen in the center of the circle doing an old cup trick filled with water. The group around him is clapping to the beat of the famous song, “Den Thelo Tetious Filos,” by Natasa Theodoridou and Paschalis Terzis.
Greek Festival in Annapolis
Election officials in Maryland worked to correct a ballot printing error that led some voters to receive mail-in ballots for the wrong political party ahead of the June 23 primary election.
Maryland Election Officials Correct Ballot Error Ahead of Primary Election
Junior Adrian Mesa at Brooklyn Park Elementary on March 27 to deliver his children's book to his buddy.
Junior Class’s Service Learning Project
The Backrooms and Obsession movie posters at the AMC Theater in Annapolis.
“Obsession” vs. “The Backrooms”
Junior Adrian Mesa at Brooklyn Park Elementary on March 27 to deliver his children's book to his buddy.
Junior Class’s Service Learning Project
A Year to Remember: Students Reflect on Another Successful School Year
From $30 to $800: How SkillsUSA Members Turned Smart Shopping into Community Impact
From $30 to $800: How SkillsUSA Members Turned Smart Shopping into Community Impact
Ilia Malinin after performing his Olympic gala exhibition skate at Milan Cortina, Italy. Wearing a hoodie and jeans, Malinin skated to “Fear” by NF. The world champion figure skater raised awareness on the impact of social media on mental health after his unexpected loss during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Ilia Malinin and Mental Health Awareness
Olympic Figure skater Alysa Liu wearing her gold medal for her win in the women's individual figure skating category in the 2026 Milan - Cortina Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics for team USA
Michael Queen being awarded the win that allowed him to break the school record. The final score was a 4-3 decision against Laith Zaghari from River Hill High School. “No, I did not feel much pressure because I was focused on the next match instead of breaking the record,” Queen said.
Breaking Records One Match at a Time
Sophomore Riley Buck and junior Ruby Bauer pose in new soccer uniforms outside of a team dinner. The team has since decided to return the jerseys to get them fixed to better suit a women’s team. As for the recent games, they have been sporting the Under Armour uniform from the previous three years.
New Uniforms and Funding
Severna Park No. 81 dives towards the extra yard against Old Mill for the win!
Falcons Soar Past Old Mill in 17–14 Thriller
Quarterback Blake Howell running the ball on the September nineteenth game vs Crofton. Blake is a senior and new transfer this year from Archbishop Spalding making a huge change to the Falcons success on the field.
Severna Park Football Team
“1984” the classic book featuring the iconic “Big Brother” character has had its fair share of adaptations including a movie made in the year 1984 by Virgin Films featuring their own “Big Brother”. Both focus on the same story yet have widely different receptions, leaving the question as to what causes these differences for movie adaptations with both their content and audience opinions?
The Difficulties with Novel Adaptations in Movies
The War in Iran has caused further division between political parties on the U.S' role in foreign affairs. Whilst Democrats believe the war lacks transparency, justification, and represents a gross use of executive power that will only cause retaliation, Republicans believe the war is a necessity to prevent Iran from becoming a threat to national security. *Image above of President Trump in situation room the night of the Iran missile attacks.
War With Iran: Justified or Repeated History?
Poster for the Michael Jackson biopic.
Michael: The Movie
Grogu comes into his own as the co-star of the newest Star Wars movie, with an emotionally engaging plot that highlights superbly written characters. The movie premiered in theaters Memorial Day weekend, although its release date for streaming platforms has not been officially announced.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” Is A New Kind of Star Wars Movie
The video game "Arc Raiders."
“Arc Raiders:” Is it worth all the hype?
“1984” the classic book featuring the iconic “Big Brother” character has had its fair share of adaptations including a movie made in the year 1984 by Virgin Films featuring their own “Big Brother”. Both focus on the same story yet have widely different receptions, leaving the question as to what causes these differences for movie adaptations with both their content and audience opinions?
The Difficulties with Novel Adaptations in Movies
Grogu comes into his own as the co-star of the newest Star Wars movie, with an emotionally engaging plot that highlights superbly written characters. The movie premiered in theaters Memorial Day weekend, although its release date for streaming platforms has not been officially announced.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” Is A New Kind of Star Wars Movie
The Backrooms and Obsession movie posters at the AMC Theater in Annapolis.
“Obsession” vs. “The Backrooms”
The video game "Arc Raiders."
“Arc Raiders:” Is it worth all the hype?
"Sweet Boy" by Malcom Todd.
“Sweet Boy:” A Lyrical Masterpiece
This photo shows the harsh reality of the state testing and SAT testing. Many students are always tired or drained after taking a test for two and a half hours. Most students would like to leave after but they do not want to miss any important class and have to make up the work another day. Some teachers are nice and thoughtful and give the students an easy period while some give you so much work even though you just worked so hard.
Should we be Able to Leave After State and SAT Testing?
Smoothie bowl from Toastique in Annapolis. This smoothie bowl is called the PB and B bowl, featuring a base of acai and peanut butter blend, topped with bananas, blueberries, peanuts, dates, and peanut butter. This bowl usually also features granola but was modified for this particular order.
Smoothie Bowl Craze
The perfect summer day is different in everyone's mind. But a hot summer day always starts with your flip flops, blasting music, and your water bottles under the beaming summer sun. Watching the sunrise from your own sky or a new horizon, these moments, big or small, make up the unforgettable days. Ava Lazzor, an 11th grader, said, “Summer is always my favorite time of the year, and I look forward to every single moment of it!”
Summer Bucket List Ideas
Senior Timeline
Because of Alani Nu’s eye-catching packaging and fun flavors like Cotton Candy, choosing it is compared to other drinks that are much easier. Perfect for on the go pick me ups, many teens tend to lean toward them. Racheal Blizazard, a junior at SPHS, is more than just the flavor for her; she said, “Drinking Alani’s is the perfect pick me up,p whether in the middle of the day or early in the morning, it helps me stay focused and lets me get more work done.”
Alani Nu’s impact on students’ focus in school
The Powder Puff game against the class of 2026 and 2027 group photo.
Powder Puff
An Incorrect Summary of Animation Models
Paradox Interactive’s logo
The best worst game developer
Students Ava Scott, Erin Hussey, Bella Van Gieson, Maria Bragg and Emerson Scott, pose for a picture during Best Buddies themed football game. The football game was at home against Glen Burnie, although the falcons lost 47-18, the fun of the theme and the fun of the game created a great atmosphere.
Best Buddies
Embers underclassmen editors have tabulated the votes and have announced the 2024 senior class superlative winners.
Senior Superlative Winners 2024
The perfect summer day is different in everyone's mind. But a hot summer day always starts with your flip flops, blasting music, and your water bottles under the beaming summer sun. Watching the sunrise from your own sky or a new horizon, these moments, big or small, make up the unforgettable days. Ava Lazzor, an 11th grader, said, “Summer is always my favorite time of the year, and I look forward to every single moment of it!”
Summer Bucket List Ideas
Severna Park High School Students walking out into the bus loop in the front of the school with handmade posters and signs. They walk out together, side by side to show they are using their voice to advocate for the families and community members who have been ripped apart.
Students Voices Rise: ICE Protest at Severna Park High School
Jacob Williams
Jacob Williams
Mrs. Koehler
Mrs. Koehler
Theo Skopp
Theo Skopp
Old York, New Age
Early morning photo of the United States Supreme Court Building day of Chatrie v. United States oral arguments.
Supreme Court and Weight of Digital Privacy
The proposed 250 foot tall Arch is scheduled to be built in the center of Memorial Circle in Washington D.C, with decorations such as 4 golden lions, 2 golden bald eagles, and a large golden winged figure on top that only heighten concerns about the arch’s costs and purpose.
America’s 250th Anniversary: A Time for Patriotism or Worry?
Election officials in Maryland worked to correct a ballot printing error that led some voters to receive mail-in ballots for the wrong political party ahead of the June 23 primary election.
Maryland Election Officials Correct Ballot Error Ahead of Primary Election
Republican candidate Trump and Democratic candidate Harris shaking hands at the start of the debate.
Who won the Presidential Debate?
The May print edition of the school paper is a special senior edition.
May Print
April Print Issue
April Print Issue
February Print Issue
February Print Isse
December Print Issue
December Print Issue
Three national guard members patrol the capital on Monday Sept. 9, 2025. While President Trump has threatened to send the national guard into Baltimore, Chicago and now Portland, they remain a presence in the nation’s capital.
October Print Issue
The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
Categories:

AP Testing Changes

College Board has recently changed it’s AP Policy for the 2025-26 school year.
Andre Boone Jr., News Editor
June 15, 2026

Here is a brief overview of some of the most important changes to the AP Tests:

  • Digital-First Exams: Starting May 2025, 28 AP exams are moving to fully digital or hybrid formats, with no paper options for subjects like AP Human Geography and European History.
  • Capstones Changes: The application requirement for AP Seminar and Research has been removed.
  • Cost Alignment: AP Capstone exam fees are reduced to the standard $99 rate (within the U.S.).
  • Integrated Calculator: A built-in Desmos graphing calculator will be available in Bluebook for exams that allow it, including AP Statistics.
  • AP Psychology Changes: AP Psychology is now officially recognized as a science in addition to social science and will feature a revised 4-choice (instead of 5) multiple-choice format.
More to Discover
More in News
Old York, New Age
St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, dance group, the Aegeans, performing a traditional dance called Zeibekiko. Senior Serafim Anastasis is seen in the center of the circle doing an old cup trick filled with water. The group around him is clapping to the beat of the famous song, “Den Thelo Tetious Filos,” by Natasa Theodoridou and Paschalis Terzis.
Greek Festival in Annapolis
Election officials in Maryland worked to correct a ballot printing error that led some voters to receive mail-in ballots for the wrong political party ahead of the June 23 primary election.
Maryland Election Officials Correct Ballot Error Ahead of Primary Election
Junior Adrian Mesa at Brooklyn Park Elementary on March 27 to deliver his children's book to his buddy.
Junior Class's Service Learning Project
This message appeared on computers across the county on Thursday, May 7 when students tried to access Canvas from Classlink.
Canvas DOWN for the Count
The SPHS chapter of SkillsUSA displaying their awards on April 18 in Westminister at the SkillsUSA Maryland State Skills and Leadership Conference.
SkillsUSA Maryland State Skills and Leadership Conference
More in News
The War in Iran has caused further division between political parties on the U.S' role in foreign affairs. Whilst Democrats believe the war lacks transparency, justification, and represents a gross use of executive power that will only cause retaliation, Republicans believe the war is a necessity to prevent Iran from becoming a threat to national security. *Image above of President Trump in situation room the night of the Iran missile attacks.
War With Iran: Justified or Repeated History?
This picture shows the new schedule for the Severna park middle school and Severna park high school but not for the whole county because i do not have a picture of that. Notice the whopping 81 minute class periods which is 26 minutes longer than the old virtual schedule. Also take a peek at the dismissal time which is an hour and ten minutes later than the old virtual schedule and 15 minutes later than the normal day schedule.
New virtual schedule
Principal Nathan Johnson at the beginning of his State of the Park meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
State of the Park Overview
The presidential 1776 award is a revolutionary concept as it is the first of its kind.
America’s Way of Celebrating the 250th
The predicted precipitation levels for the 25-26 winter season. More precipitation is expected in the north which may lead to higher snowfall with colder weather.
Snow-Storms Hitting Severna Park
Senior Violet Thompson and sophomore Paige Williams at the Harvest for the Hungry food donations booth helping a student donate before classes started on Oct. 22. In addition to students donating monetary donations directly to their 1A as a part of the 1A bracket competition, students are able to donate to Harvest for the Hungry with non-perishable food donations. “Harvest for the Hungry is a county wide initiative that is kind of like a competition between schools, too, where they invite all the schools to raise a bunch of money and or raise a bunch of food,” Williams said. “Some schools do pounds of food. We are one of the schools that takes monetary and food donations.”
Harvest for the Hungry
About the Contributor
Andre Boone Jr.
Andre Boone Jr., News Editor
Andre Boone is the Severna Park News Editor for the Severna Park Talon, and this is his first year being a news editor for the Severna Park Talon, and second semester writing for the Talon. He is currently a senior as of 2025-26 school year.  He loves coding and writing/journaling because they allow him to be creative and work on something in his free time.