The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
The last time Pep Rally was in the gym was Oct. 2023. Caleb Rassofsky, 2024 graduate, plays the xylophone as the marching band welcomes students into the gymnasium.
The Pep In Our Step
Kendrick Lamar’s most recent song in Drake and Lamar’s rap battle is “Not Like Us”, the cover shows a satellite view of Drake’s mansion with red icons, implying that Drake’s home is filled with pedophiles and registered sex offenders. The picture corresponds with the song because Lamar is accusing Drake of being a pedophile by saying lines such as, “Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A-Minor”, and “certified loverboy, certified pedophiles”.
Where did the Beef Come from?
Blessing Basket
Blessing Basket
This photograph demonstrates how students can engage in the novel they're reading, and bond with their peers and teachers. We see sophomore Molly Procida leading her fellow students in a session to speak about their current novel "Five Survive" by Holly Jackson. It also helps students engage more due to the fact that they chose to do this, and could leave at any time.
The Boundless Bookworms
The fabled Autumn Olive. yet to be ripe
Fall Foraging
Liam Sherr, Aya Knox and others in the pit at Pedal Pushers Jan. 27, 2024.
Pedal Pushers Owner Rod Reddish is Bringing Hardcore Music Back to Severna Park
A mural on the second floor created by SPHS students. The mural is an example of colorful artwork that truly gives life to the hallway.
The Importance of Art in School 
Embers underclassmen editors have tabulated the votes and have announced the 2024 senior class superlative winners.
Senior Superlative Winners 2024
SPHS Author
SPHS Author
A picture of the interior of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History located in Washington D.C.
Dive into D.C.’s Museum Wonderland: A Teen’s Guide
An artistic interpretation of how watching and participating in sports creates a sense of eustress. This feeling is the scientific reason why people are so infatuated with sports and sports entertainment.
Go Team
Liam Cleary is introduced at the home varsity boys basketball game against Westlake High School on Dec. 18.
Severna Park High School Student Athletes Open Up about their Mental Health
On Sept. 8, Annapolis Junior Rowing (AJR) practiced a front end pick drill. AJR is based in Annapolis and its population is of students from all over Maryland. Cormac FitzGerald, a rower from Ireland moved to Maryland and joined AJR to continue his rowing career.
Annapolis Junior Rowing
Picture from the PTXC meet on 9/9 up in PA. This is the varsity cross country team photo. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT- Stephen Nunn 2025, Dylan Newhard 2025, Ty Miller 2026, Ryan Crowley 2024, Leo Havens 2025, Caden Lazzor 2025, Cooper Alahverdian 2025, Taylor Jarvis 2024. They placed 6th in this meet. Not our normal placement, as you may know. Jarvis was the star of this meet, coming in first with a time of 17:04. “I don't really do it for myself, I do it for everyone else," Jarvis said.
The Boys Cross Country Team
Taylor Swift is seen at the Chiefs game on Sept 24th cheering on Travis Kelce. Travis might be “The One” for Taylor in this closer look into their shared compatibility. They're not as different as they may seem. 
Unlikely Romance
Don’t Swim with Nessie
Album Cover for Psykos by Yung Lean and Bladee.
Psykos by Yung Lean and Bladee – Album Review
Max Leonard's manager as well as Founder & Talent Manager of Mad Lettuce Management Matt Ladis personally contacted me and shared early access of JUDO!. Additionally, I received access to the press release and some of Leonard's own thoughts on his project. “This project was me getting everything off my chest. I had a lot of changes happening in my life all around me. I had just gotten out of a relationship, I was graduating college, everything just kind of flipped for me. There was a time I wasn’t even making music during that time of change. But eventually, I found my way back and let this project be all the expressed feelings I had kept inside," Leonard said.
JUDO! – EP Review
Many songs contain deeper meanings and references that can be found by looking at its lyrics. Sometimes small details you notice can increase your appreciation for a song.
Have You Decided It’s Enough?
Snowboarding doesn't have to be a solo activity, going with friends and family can make it all the more enjoyable. Severna Park High School seniors Hamzah Hassan, Derrick Liu, Eric Chu and Ian Ireland snowboarding.
Snowboarding vs. Skiing
Kendrick Lamar’s most recent song in Drake and Lamar’s rap battle is “Not Like Us”, the cover shows a satellite view of Drake’s mansion with red icons, implying that Drake’s home is filled with pedophiles and registered sex offenders. The picture corresponds with the song because Lamar is accusing Drake of being a pedophile by saying lines such as, “Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A-Minor”, and “certified loverboy, certified pedophiles”.
Where did the Beef Come from?
Embers underclassmen editors have tabulated the votes and have announced the 2024 senior class superlative winners.
Senior Superlative Winners 2024
According to ericdoa.com, his official website, his debut EP Bleed Vol. 1 released in 2019 under Lopez’s original alias “Killeric.” Additionally, he is affiliated with emo-rap, trap, alternative rock and “danceable R&B.” After becoming famous for belting out the egregious phrase: “Imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade,” after having just spilled out his guts about his late grandfather, ericdoa even has high schoolers like junior Mitch Murray, who singsongingly uttered the phrase to his friends in group chats and showed off his impeccable jawline.
DOA – EP Review
The drawing depicts two people kicking it back and watching a rom-com together. The great thing about movies is that they can be enjoyed alone or with a group of people, so they make for a good holiday activity that can be enjoyed by all.
Rom-Coms are the Bomb
The New Legendary Pokemon Terapagos, who is obtainable through completing the post -game of the Indigo Disk DLC.
The Indigo Disk Arrives
Jacob Williams
Jacob Williams
Mrs. Koehler
Mrs. Koehler
Theo Skopp
Theo Skopp
Ms. Sexton
Ms. Sexton
Timmy Sullivan
Timmy Sullivan
The SPHS College and Career Center where students can meet with regional admissions officers, get help on college essays, and receive advice on the application process as a whole.
A Stressful Senior Year
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
Swiftism Podcast hosted with Abigail Chase
Swiftism Podcast hosted with Abigail Chase
Severna Park students at the USA theme football game against South River holding up a Falcons flag after a touchdown.
The Importance of School Spirit
An artistic interpretation of how watching and participating in sports creates a sense of eustress. This feeling is the scientific reason why people are so infatuated with sports and sports entertainment.
Go Team
Republican candidate Trump and Democratic candidate Harris shaking hands at the start of the debate.
Who won the Presidential Debate?
Race to 270
Race to 270
The United States Capitol Building on Thursday, Jun. 11. The Capitol Building is home to the legislative branch of the United States Government, the branch in which laws are made and citizens are affected.
The United States Today
Around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, Severna Park High School senior Shubh Agnihotri and Congressional candidate John Morse stand near the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in downtown Annapolis as they regroup after knocking on 44 doors together. “You can always be an asset to your community if you work hard enough to do it, so I really encourage you to look around about the stuff you really care about,” Agnihotri said. Agnihotri coordinated the Young Democrats meeting which John Morse attended to inform youth voters about his policies and the importance of voting/registering to vote.
Hit the Polls, Young Voters
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The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
The Student News Site of Severna Park High School

The Talon
Sarah Sternhagen

Sarah Sternhagen, Co-Editor in Chief

Sarah is a senior at SPHS, she’s a Co-Editor in Chief this year and is enjoying her second year of newspaper. She loves writing news and opinion stories about what’s happening in Severna Park. In her free time Sarah reads and can be found baking plenty of sweets in between camping trips.

All content by Sarah Sternhagen
The senior edition of the Talon included destinations for the class of 2023.

May Issue Print

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
June 2, 2023
A good planner will make you want to use it. Don’t be afraid to get one with a nice cover, if it makes the difference between you opening it or not then get the pretty one. Amazon has very cheap planners right now because it’s halfway through the year, so look there. If you’d rather look at the planner in person first, try Barnes and Noble or Hallmark.

How to Keep Your Planner Organized and Stay Motivated

Sarah Sternhagen, Co-Editor in Chief
April 11, 2023
April Print Issue 2023

April Print Issue 2023

Sarah Sternhagen and Lilly Spilker
March 28, 2023
February Print Issue 2023

February Print Issue 2023

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
March 28, 2023
December Print Issue 2022

December Print Issue 2022

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
March 28, 2023
October Print Issue 2022

October Print Issue 2022

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
March 28, 2023
August Print Issue 2022

August Print Issue 2022

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
March 28, 2023
Moving forward, we encourage our peers to be less of a bystander and hold our fellow friends, peers and classmates accountable for their actions and the words they speak. When we don’t stand up, bystanders become just as much of a problem as those afflicting the hurt.

January Staff Editorial

Lilly Spilker and Sarah Sternhagen
January 11, 2023
After having new start and end times, daily cancellations of Falcon Block and several changes in policy to seniors with early release using advisory as their Falcon Block, SPHS has finally settled on a schedule. Now with Falcon Block after first period Tuesday through Friday many seniors are able to get help with their work again, and not worry about a daily change ins cheduals. “It’s hard to find a routine to be successful if everything around us keeps changing,” senior Tatum Sale said.

Falcon Block in the Morning

Sarah Sternhagen, Co-Editor in Chief
December 4, 2022
Lonny Earhart, owner of Pasadena video game store I Got Next: Retro Toys and Game, shared with students how he came to own a store front and his journey in the retail space. "It was a lot harder to find space than I thought, we started in December, and didn't sign a lease until August" Earhart said.

Entrepreneurial Fair Comes to Severna Park

Sarah Sternhagen and Lilly Spilker
October 27, 2022
The entrepreneur fair is an annual event SPHS holds, it lets students, alumni and other local businesses come show SPHS students what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. One senior, Ella Bowen, works at the family owned business she helped found, a candle making store called Blended Essentials.They opened in 2019 and had to face challenges in the following year when Covid hit, making lots of their work shift from in person to non in person. Luckily though, the family overcame the challenge and the business is now thriving even more. “[Covid] definitely taught us the fact that we could overcome a lot more than we thought we could, [it’s]great to see us grow and continue to grow has definitely made me realize we can try new things,” Bowen said.

Here you see one of the build-your own poke bowls. This one had tuna, rice, edamame, scallions, white rice, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sesame seeds. Next to it is the Lychee green fruit tea with boba. Not only is the food great, but it’s a simple and speedy service

The New Boba Favorite

Sarah Sternhagen, Co-Editor in Chief
October 10, 2022
In recent weeks the ACC classes have started operating their pop-up business. The coffee cart is stationed outside classrooms 150 and 151 every morning and for $1 a faculty member can get a cup of coffee or tea. “In the future, I think it would be great to expand what we sell…i.e. snacks, baked goods [and] other drinks,” Blaire Chesek said. Falcon Fuel is already up and running, with the students handling servicing, money management and making the drinks. It’s become a great opportunity for both the students and the faculty, who now have fresh coffee at their workplace for a great price.

The SPHS Coffee Cart – Falcon Fuel

Sarah Sternhagen, News Editor
May 4, 2022
With the recent release of the “Pokémon Scarlet” and “Pokémon Violet” announcement trailer the ninth generation of Pokémon games is here. The official Pokémon website states, “Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: Arriving in late 2022” as the approximate release time. Nintendo seems to be taking a new step towards an open-world game while incorporating elements from its previous few games. It leaves much anticipation for fans while they await an official date of release.

The Ninth Generation of Pokémon

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
March 2, 2022
SPHS students have the opportunity to intern at dozens of different businesses and organizations in their senior year. They have to fulfill a required number of hours during the year to get credit, so it becomes a staple during their last year of high school. But many students pick a field they are interested in and could potentially lead to their future career. “I’m debating between physical therapy, chiropractic, and dentistry,” senior Carina Zelaya said. Her internship at a chiropractor's office gives her the opportunity to learn about her field of interest, which is exactly the goal of the student internships.

Internships as Students

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
January 25, 2022
Bowen oversees the production of many products at Blended Essentials. From helping develop new products, keeping the books and managing, it’s a lot for a full time student. But with the support of her co-workers and family Blended Essentials has become a well-liked small business in Severna Park.

Students Balancing Work

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
December 21, 2021
This cookie was made with a simple sugar cookie base, red icing and minimal sprinkles. It’s that easy. If you have any extra sprinkles of any color, don’t be afraid to use them, even if they might not fit in with a winter holiday theme. Most cookies won’t hold up with tons of icing and sprinkles and won’t be that fun to eat. Keep it simple and don’t stress about making it look professional. As long as you have fun, make some cookies and don’t make a mess of the kitchen, any cookie decorating is a win.

Cookie Decorating Tips

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
November 21, 2021
The SPHS volleyball team starts practicing from the middle of August and goes until November. “Just the mental aspect of keeping at the top of your game is the toughest thing,” Dunbar said. The team needs to focus on their training, and for long term practice and games the ability to stay focused is necessary. Because volleyball doesn’t have a time limit, matched skill levels can make games go for two hours or more, it makes the mental endurance for the players to constantly be at the top of their game a necessary skill.

What Is it Like to Be On the Volleyball Team?

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
November 2, 2021
The Severna Park High School auditorium has held the school’s past musicals such as Mamma Mia and Cinderella, and Freaky Friday will set the stage on Nov. 12-14 and Nov. 19-20, 2021. “The first week of November we’re here every night pretty late, working hard,” drama department director Angela Germanos said.

“Freaky Friday” Starts Prepping

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
October 5, 2021
“The Queen’s Gambit” is a Netflix TV series. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth, a chess player in America 50’s through 60’s. She navigates the chess tournament world during the Cold War, coming across many formidable opponents, but she has a trick up her sleeve and a mind set to win.

The Thrilling Chess Piece, review of “The Queen’s Gambit”

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
June 20, 2021
In Severna Park, Chipotle and MOD Pizza are some of the favorite restaurants. Both located on Ritchie Highway they each have similar formulas to making their food that has enticed customers to come again and again. Several customers gave us feedback on their favorite and why they like it so much.

Favorite Restaurant In Severna Park

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
June 9, 2021
Students in the It's Academic Team had virtual meeting and meets.

Clubs During Virtual

Sarah Sternhagen, Staff Writer
May 11, 2021
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