The Orange and Black

By: Laya Chennuru

Martinsburg High School’s Children’s Hospital Club is an organization dedicated to raising funds for the local medical center here in Martinsburg, West Virginia. It is currently preparing to host the Powder Puff Football Game at Cobourn Field on November 1st and 3rd. Tickets will be $2 each and all proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Club organization. Concessions, including chips and drinks, will also be provided at a minimal cost. The seniors will take on the freshmen, while the juniors face the sophomores; ultimately, the two winning teams will be pit against one another in a playoff showdown on November 3rd at 6 P.M.

Powder Puff football has become a popularized tradition here at Martinsburg High School, centered around female students participating in a diplomatic game of flag football. To prepare for the upcoming game, class officers and members of the Children’s Hospital Club organized team practices in each grade and have been working diligently to make sure the event runs as cohesively as possible. Falcan Yancey, a senior and member of the Children’s Hospital Club, states “I think this is a fresh and fun event, and that people are excited to participate in something they love watching regularly.”

The athletes participating in the event are just as enthusiastic in making these games the most beneficial for the organization, as well as the student body, and have donated to the cause. In addition, dedicated students have volunteered to be designated cheerleading teams for the individual grades. As the game approaches, be sure to encourage fellow peers and community members to join an invigorating night of Powder Puff Football!

By: Quinn Hughes and Karlee Domenico

Martinsburg High Schools’ fall sports kick off the athletic school year. MHS hosts many unique and different sports. Fall sports mean a lot to many different athletes. These sports include football, cross country, volleyball, golf, boys and girls soccer, dance team, and cheer. Athletes prepare all summer in order to advance and excel in their sports. These athletes have spoken about how their season has progressed, and their accomplishments.

Martinsburg High is known for their undefeated football team. They are coached by Britt Sherman, Kip Shallis, Mark Hash, Chuck Lynch, Steve Roach, Kevin Jenkins, Mark Ostrowski, and Logan Jenkins. Number 63, Jake Zittle (Sr), says that he is most looking forward to a “Season full of normalcy after the last season ended in playoffs due to COVID-19. “ Our football team has something no one else's football team has. Our team has dedication, and is filled with boys who love what they do each day no matter how much sweat and tears are put into it. Jake Zittle says he “loves the camaraderie that comes along with football, and being part of a team knowing every single player has your back, it is something special.” This year, our biggest rival in our area is “Mussleman”,says Jake. We also have rivals from around West Virginia that are more challenging to play such as Spring Valley and Cabell Midland. Jake says,“ We plan on having a very good season, but we do not look past the next game. We take it week by week and let things play out.”

The MHS golf team is coached by Jim Dailey. Member of the team, Bryson Lewis (Sr), says that he is most looking forward to the special “connection” his team has built, and all the bonding they do after they play their matches. Golfers participate both individually and as a team for overall scores. Bryson Lewis says in golf, "Your biggest rival is a “mental game where you have to battle yourself.” The MHS golf season is looking great so far, and it has been said they have a shot at states if everyone keeps up the good work.

The Cross Country team at Martinsburg High School is coached by head coach, Kasey Whisel, and assistant coach, Zahradnik. This year the boys and girls team has “really pushed through it and all their hard work has paid off.” Millie Cushwa (Jr), says “for the girls team their biggest rival is Spring Mills.” Their season has been going great this year, as both the girls and boys team qualified for states. Two great players that should be recognized for their strive to never stop, and support of their teammates are Phoebe Porter and Betsy Cushwa. “Phoebe has improved a lot this year," says Millie.

The MHS Volleyball team is coached by Mike Nelson, Brooke Layne, and Syd Payne. Amiyah Berry says that “ She has a lot of love for this sport because of all the bonds you get to form over the years that will last a lifetime, with all the unforgettable memories that come with it.” The biggest rival for the junior varsity team this year is Hedgesville, and for the varsity team is Musselman. A “strong asset” to the varsity team is Emonie Fennel, she has so much ”potential” and “always has been positive even off the court”, says Amiyah. Both junior varsity and varsity have had a good season this year. “The season has gone pretty well, we definitely could have done better, but we made so many good memories and improved a lot this season”, says Amiyah.

The MHS boys soccer team is led by coaches Tracy Adams, Patrick Tetrick, and Roger Ausherman, as well as captains Samuel Duffy (Sr), Andrew Fisher (Jr), and Jonathan Stinchcomb (Jr). This soccer season, the team “started off struggling”, says Captain Sam Duffy, however, he then states, “I believe we can have a winning season as long as we keep working”. Martinsburg prepared to play their biggest rival in the section, Musselman High School. Duffy adds, “They have always had a decent team and program in the past years”. This season, Martinsburg has a few very important players that are expected to make an impact. Duffy believes these players are Jon Stinchcomb (Jr), Bryce Carper (So), Dylan Tachoir (Sr), and Hansel Messner (Fr). In the third seed in the section, Martinsburg played and lost to Musselman, who was at the second seed. That game wrapped up their season, with a record of 3-11-1.

The girls soccer team at Martinsburg High School is coached by Katie Meyers, a counselor at MHS, as well as assistant Coach Dunnie Bache. Captains Jaelyn Stely (Sr) and Ella Hensell (Sr) both agree that this season “started out a little rough”. Stely believes that because the team has been consistent with working hard on building as a team, that “the team will work very well together in the future.” According to Stely, some players that are believed to make an impact this season, and moving forward are Quinn Hughes (Jr), Olivia Lewis (Fr), Haylee Sherman (Jr), and Chloe Thomas (Jr). At the fourth seed in the section, Martinsburg prepared to play Spring Mills on Tuesday, October 19. After a loss that day, Martinsburg’s season came to an end. Stely says, “After four years of playing on this team, my favorite part, by far, has to be watching the relationships I have formed with these girls grow.”

Martinsburg High School Velocity Dance Team is led by Ms. Maye, as well as captains Olivia Harman and Gabriella Sergent. Leadership includes treasurer Trinity Jenkins, secretary Makayla Smith, social media coordinator Sydnie Tetrick, peer coordinator Meredith Ballard, and peer relations Ella Hensell. Senior Olivia Harman believes “Velocity’s football season has been very successful up to this point.” She says that they have had many opportunities to perform with the amazing Martinsburg Bulldog Band and cheer on our bulldogs from the sidelines.” The team is very proud of their group performances and have exceeded the teams goals and expectations for this football season. This year’s seniors were recognized during senior night on Friday, October 22. Harman believes “our seniors have put tons of hard work in, and are a key reason why this football season has been so successful.” She explains the importance of this team and how her teammates are what she loves most about this sport. “Velocity has a special team dynamic that I am grateful to be a part of”, says Harman. Velocity is grateful for all of their opportunities and the support from the community. “Nothing is better than Bulldog Friday Night Lights”.

Martinsburg High School Cheer is coached by Samantha Baez and Allee Fream. The team has been a big part of the bulldog’s friday nights. Being on Martinsburg High school's cheer team is a special experience because of all the “positive support from the community, and the team”, says junior Keniya Basey. She says, “My favorite part of the season so far has to be performing in front of the football team because of how much support they show us.” It is nice being on a team that makes you happy, and where you are able to be yourself. So far, the season is going very well. “We placed second at EPAC which is a good thing. As long as we get first or second at Regionals we will make it to states, and I think we will finish our season strong”, says Basey.

By: Valerie Clabaugh

Martinsburg High School and many other schools are educationally suffering due to the increase of substitute teaching, as well as exposed Covid-19 and absent primary teachers. Berkeley County schools are also facing a scarce amount of available substitute teachers. This has led to the question of how schools will be able to stay open and operate properly. Some counties, such as Jefferson County, have already created plans and accommodations to give the best educational opportunities for students.

Many students at Martinsburg High school have reported having a substitute teacher in one or more of their classes. Once teachers are exposed to Covid-19, they are usually quarantined for two weeks. Other teachers are taking their personal absence days for a break and other reasons. This leads to different substitute teachers having to fill in for the missing days. Many agreed this has led to a lack of a well-rounded education and help with schoolwork. Sophomore, Elliana Mosby stated, “Having a substitute teacher has affected my learning because they do not know where we are in a lesson plan. Some substitutes also do not fully understand the concepts and are unable to help with questions. They leave the questions and teaching for the primary teachers, but with a block schedule all the classes get very behind. This makes lots of students feel rushed to catch up and teach the material to themselves. The substitutes are doing their best, but regular teachers are still needed.” Many subjects are a lot more difficult to learn without a knowledgeable teacher, but some students have been lucky. Sophomore, Ruby Amores stated, “In Mr. Shiffler's Algebra 2 class I was fortunate enough to have a substitute that was familiar with math. I felt prepared and was able to ask questions, but in my U.S history class I was unable to. My substitute for U.S History was nice but did not know much about the subject. This makes learning difficult and set me behind on my work.”

The increase of quarantined and absent teachers has also created a lack of available substitute teachers. Many students and guardians are worried about the reliability of schools remaining open without educators. Other counties, such as Jefferson County schools have implemented a shorter school day on Fridays, so teachers can get caught up on schoolwork and lesson plans. This gives students a more organized a well-rounded education. All the questions from students have led to rumors and speculation of schools going back to virtual for a few weeks. Junior, Josephine Mesich, stated, “I have heard about the going virtual rumors and believe it will help a little, but not completely. Teachers will continue to be quarantined after the virtual weeks. I think Berkeley County schools should and try to reach out to more substitutes, from around the state or other areas.”

Many questions about students’ education with substitute teaching have still not been answered. The future is uncertain about schools remaining open, but lots of teachers are prepared for either scenario. Substitute teachers have been a blessing to schools, but still cannot fully fulfill student’s learning. Many students have also planned accordingly and are doing their best with a lack of certainty. Even with schools being open, Covid-19 and absences are still affecting students’ ability to learn.

*Wednesdays

-October 27th

-November 3rd

-November 17th

-December 1st,

-December 15th

These dates will also allow teachers to catch up on grading, due to teachers covering for other classes during their planning time.

By: Antonio Diaz

On Thursday, September 14th the Martinsburg High School robotics team had their first official meeting. The team is run by Mr. Arndt. The meeting was held in Mr. Arndt’s room in the science wing. This is their first meeting since being canceled last year due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions. Since this is the first gathering for the robotics team in almost two years, the robotics team is looking for new recruits to make up for the loss of members in previous years.

Every year, the MHS robotics team competes in robotics competitions. These competitions are different year to year. There are also certain rules and guidelines teams must follow in order to avoid disqualification. The robot must be no more than 17 inches in width, length, and height. Robots must also have no more than eight motors, one motherboard, and can only be connected to two controllers. The robot also cannot be made up of certain materials or contain certain parts. They can range from stacking blocks to shooting a ball at a target. The first competition takes place at James-Rumsey Technical Institute. From there, depending on how the team does, they could advance on to regional and so forth.

Mr. Arndt has made it clear that he doesn’t just want anyone to join. You must have some degree of knowledge on either constructing robots or know how to code in C+. When asked about what the goal of the robotics team is, Mr. Arndt said; “You see that trophy? I want another one of those!” Mr. Arndt was referring to a Vex that the robotics team had won previously. In short, the robotics team’s goal is to win. If you have an interest in joining or want to see what the robotics team has to offer, the team has meetings every Thursday after school in Mr. Arndt's room. The meetings last one to two hours, so make sure you have a ride home after meetings if you don’t drive yourself.

By: Kaitlyn Dudley

Beginning in 1985, within partnership within the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been celebrated through raising awareness and fighting for a cure. Breast cancer is becoming more common over the years, with 1 in 8 women being diagnosed. However, for men it is a bit more rare. Men make up about 1% of all breast cancers, and around three-thousand cases are expected to be men. There are many preventative measures you can take for breast cancer through regular breast screenings, self-checks, and awareness of your genetics. A nurse at Winchester Hospital, Patricia Lanham, says, “ Often people do not have signs or symptoms until cancer is advanced, so early detection is key this is done by: Regular breast screenings, self breast exams, regular doctors appointments, mammograms, ultrasounds and MRI tests. You know your body more than any physician! Breast cancer affects the body by forming a new lump, which is usually painless. The breast may swell or dimple. There may be some breast or nipple pain or skin changes. There may be discharge from the nipple, but not breast milk, and change in the form of the nipple. There may be swollen lymph nodes or if too far along you may have other system issues with metastasis.”

Mammograms are essential for detecting cancer before you can visibly see it, or be able to feel it, and are typically recommended to women once they turn 40. They aren’t usually recommended for women under 40 years old unless they have genetic reasoning, such as family history with breast cancer. If so, then mammograms are possible to begin ten years earlier than the first family member impacted. Another important factor for early detection is the reduction of death caused by the disease by 25-30%. Lanham also adds, “Breast cancer has higher risk factors with increased alcohol intake, obesity, never being pregnant, never breastfeeding, and birth control and hormone therapies.”

Martinsburg High School has also been a part of spreading awareness for breast cancer through various events, specifically from the Student Council. Grace Martin, Student Council President, says, “We sold donuts on Thursday (October 14th) and Friday (October 15th). Our profits will go toward breast cancer research.” Along with Student Council's contributions, the student section on Friday, October 15th, was a pink out theme to further support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

By: Jason Bednarski

Shepherd University is over halfway through the 2021 football season and Shepherd has six former Martinsburg Bulldogs football players on the team. Those players include Tyson Bagent, Matthew Bednarski, Malakai Brown, Ty Lucas, Bryce Morris, and Adam Stilley, who have all gotten playing time so far this season. Martinsburg High School has had a high-caliber football team for many years. All of these players have been on Martinsburg teams that have won state championship’s. Now they are playing at Shepherd University which has competed for conference titles, and DII national championship’s over the years. According to Tyson Bagent, Rams quarterback “It feels great to see similar faces, and to see them continue to grow as players.” Rams Defensive Linemen Matthew Bednarski also said “Being reunited with the guys I had played with before at Martinsburg, makes me feel more comfortable knowing that I have a great group of guys I can trust and work with each day.”

A number of the players showed appreciation for what Martinsburg did to help them move on to the next level. According to Malakai Brown, Rams Wide Receiver “I very much think playing at Martinsburg prepared me for college football because going to Martinsburg and playing football was serious, meaning every week was business and nothing less.” Bryce Morris, Rams Linebacker said “The conditioning and the breakfast club [early morning lifting] at Martinsburg helped me prepare for the early morning workouts at Shepherd.” Ty Lucas, Rams Offensive Linemen, feels very much the same as Bryce and Malakai in saying that “It definitely did because most of the coaches at Martinsburg played college ball and what we did to prepare for the game and practice at Martinsburg is similar to what we do at Shepherd.”

When asked to compare the playing atmospheres of Shepherd and Martinsburg, Adam Stilley, Rams Center, said “The atmosphere at Shepherd is a lot like that of Martinsburg. Coach McCook is coaching the offensive line like Coach Walker did at Martinsburg. It is also a real family atmosphere at Shepherd as well. The players all work together and put the team first.” Matthew Bednarski also compared the atmospheres by saying “The game day atmosphere at Shepherd is very similar to Martinsburg; Shepherd always packs the stands, and brings a great energy and fan base to game day. I have been blessed to have been able to have game day experiences at both Shepherd and Martinsburg.”

Shepherd University is the local state college located in close proximity to Martinsburg so these players are playing close to where they played high school football and where they have grown up. According to Malakai Brown “To be honest Shepherd isn’t where I imagined to go and play football, but I’m glad I did. It keeps me close to my family, and I get to see my little nephew grow up, and Shepherd has made me appreciate what I have. Tyson Bagent commented on Shepherd being close to Martinsburg when saying “It is amazing, my family gets to watch me play without having to travel long distances, and I’m able to play while knowing the people I love are in the stands.”

By: Margarita Salvador

Día del los Muertos is a big celebration for Mexico and other Latin American countries; It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It’s celebrated to honor departed family members that have passed away. On November 1st, the Hispanic’s celebrate “El dia del los Angelitos,” which means, the Day of the Angels. It’s celebrated specifically for the little babies or kids who pass away while infants, because they still have their innocent souls. It is believed the children reunite with their families for 24 hours.

On November 2nd, a celebration called “fieles difuntos” occurs, which means the ”The faithful departed.” This tradition celebrates the adults that have passed away. Then on November 2nd at noon, all the sprits of the dead are celebrating as the grand finale. Before the celebrations start on November 1st; On October 22nd , the novena starts which is nine days later. The novena consists of mostly Christians that pray the rosary. These prayers are meant for all the departed loved ones and souls.

There are celebrations that include parades, music, face painting, Indigenous cultural dances, street foods, local merchants and of course, ofrendas. One of the most important items they set out are white candles of images of the Virgin del Guadalupe and Jesus. There are images of pictures of family members. For the food, the people also set out food like bread, candy, tamales, and Abuelita chocolates. The flower they used are cempasúchil, a type of orange marigold flower that is used to put on the offering to lead the path for the sprits. Patricia Bautista explained” Para nosotros, El Día de los Muertos es uno gran celebracions para nuestros Difuntos” which translates to "the importance of this celebration for Mexicans and Latin American families."

By: Aden Reid

We all have to start somewhere. If running is something you want to start then here is a short article to help you get going. Follow these instructions with recommendations from an expert at our school and you’ll be running 5ks in no time.

Ms. Whisel, Martinsburg High School’s resident cross country coach as well as track coach, has given me some pointers for people new to running. If you’re looking to get started running then you’ll need some comfortable running shoes. Ms. Whisel said, “Go to a running store and have them fit you for a pair of shoes.” Make sure to run around in them to make sure they’re comfortable. Good quality running shoes can even prevent injuries. She has also stated that when running in the winter, you should always wear layers. Having at least two layers is what she suggests.

With or without this crucial gear, your training schedule will be key to your preparation. Ms. Whisel has recommended that you start slow and gradually do more at your own pace. She has also said you should aim to train for three to four times a week spreading them out between recovery and rest days. You can also alternate between running and other similar sports like biking and swimming. She recommended that you start training about 20 minutes a practice to 40 or 50 minutes. If you have the time you should repeat this for about two to three months leading up to the race. If you’re looking for a 5k happening soon I would suggest the South Berkeley Christmas 5k.

During your training sessions always start with a brief warm-up exercise of about 10 minutes. These exercises could include glute stretches, hip stretches, lunges, and a light jog. Once you’re done, take a small drink of water and get ready to start running. When you're just starting out it doesn’t matter how far you’re running as much as how long so try your best not to stop too much and if you do, try to keep walking as opposed to sitting down and taking a break. No matter how tired you are afterwards, one of the most important things you can do is to hydrate and have a drink of water. Don’t forget to do some deescalating exercises afterwards to stretch out your muscles.

When training, make sure you’re eating right as well. Ms. Whisel recommended to “stay hydrated and eat lots of protein to recover.” Don’t eat too heavily on race day either, so no carbs or big meals in the hours leading up to the race. Only a small snack or healthy meal before the run. Now you're finally here, you’ve been preparing and waiting and now you’re ready at the start line. One last tip is to do some short warm-up exercises just before the race. Once the gun fires and the race starts make sure you have a plan depending on your goal time of completing the race. Ms. Whisel has said, “pace yourself and to remember you won’t win the race in the first mile.” She also said to try running the first mile a little faster than your average. Don’t give up and always remember to cross the finish line strong.

By: K'marion Dowe

Bird scooters are a new addition to Martinsburg that many around the city have noticed and become curious about. If you have been downtown or anywhere around the area, you have most likely noticed the scooters parked safely on the sides of roads and sidewalks. They have been a solid incorporation to the city as an extra public transportation option for people who would like to travel faster than walking speed without riding in a car or bus.

The bird scooters were introduced to Martinsburg in late July of this year. The Bird company reached out to Martinsburg about becoming the first city in West Virginia to utilize Bird scooters. Of course, the city accepted the offer and integrated the scooters into daily life.

In terms of operation, starting and stopping your Bird ride is controlled by the Bird app, downloadable for free on app stores. The fees are relatively cheap compared to other means of public transportation, coming in at $1 to start a ride and $0.42 per minute once the ride begins. The ride will begin when the app displays a timer and lets you know that you may begin riding.

After you have been notified that you can begin, you begin riding by pulling up the kickstand, putting one foot on the scooter, and pushing off with the other foot. While you are doing this, you should be pushing on the thumb throttle on the right hand side. You should begin to accelerate once you gain momentum from pushing off.

The scooter has solid power, with a maximum speed around 18 MPH. Many people around town see these vehicles as a way to get to destinations close to them without walking or exploring the city of Martinsburg.

When asked how helpful the scooters have been, an MHS student who uses bird scooters to ride to school said, “Honestly, the scooters helped out a lot. They get me to my destination when I don’t have a ride.” He rides them about 2-3 times a week as a way to get to and from school and other destinations. The only thing he said about what he would change about the bird scooter experience is, “The only thing I'd change about the experience is the charging. Sometimes they are low on battery and the only thing you can do is find another scooter.” He enjoys the scooters and is glad that they are here in Martinsburg as he doesn’t have to walk to places he would usually be required to.

It seems as though there are a lot of Martinsburg residents curious about the Bird scooters, and many excited to utilize them and explore what they can do with the scooters. Many are enthusiastic for the future of the scooters, and eager to see how the city further integrates them into society.

By: Colin O'Kelley

A new 9-episode series called Squid Game made its debut on Netflix that left many people in shock.

Squid Game is all about people playing childhood games to win an insane amount of money. The one thing is that these “games” are deadlier than you would think. Many people including myself were appalled to see how the “games” were played. This is a show that will leave you with questions asking for more at the end. It takes plenty of twists and turns with ups and downs throughout the entire show. Skyler Bitner, an MHS senior said, “The plot was very well made, and it’s actually really unique compared to other shows I’ve seen.” There is a lot of foreshadowing and tons of easter eggs hidden throughout every episode. Lots of people seem to be hoping for a season two.

The actors in this show brought on their A game along with them. Skyler Bitner said, “The characters acting was really good, they put a lot of emotion into their roles, and it was amazing.” With every shocking thing that happened throughout this show, the actors didn’t seem to hold back on any of their emotions. Many times, you could feel the tension and stress that was going on throughout the environment. It almost feels like you could be in the same room that they were in. This is an immersive show that can make you feel how unsettling the situation is. The plot, along with the theme and character development makes for a great show to watch.

This show swept across the entire internet, and this is how it staked its claim as one of the most popular shows watched this year. This show started to gain traction across the internet not too long after it came out. It’s an interesting show with an intriguing theme. People competing to win a plethora of money in childhood games that aren’t so child-like make for a compelling show to watch. If you haven’t watched this show already, I recommend watching it with subtitles as it will help bring the show to life. Squid Game is out now on Netflix and is a must-watch for many people who enjoy heart-pounding shows that will take you on a roller coaster ride.

By: Kamaya Denson

Many people wonder if crosswords and other brain games make you smarter and the truth is they really don’t. Games like sudoku and solitaire don’t boost your IQ, but they can be entertaining to play. It may seem like these games would promote intelligence but all that happens is self-improvement at the particular game. As you play the game you notice that you’re solving it quicker, which is a result of repetition and thinking about specific patterns that you’ve seen before.

People that play these games regularly don’t do so with the thought that they’re raising their IQ. Juleka, a student at MHS, says, “I play these games because they’re fun to me and they pass the time.” The point of these games is not to boost your intellect but to provide a source of entertainment. Those who do not usually play sudoku or crosswords don’t normally realize that the reason certain people excel at these games is not because they have above average intellect, but because they play them regularly and have learned the tricks that come with games like these. According to a study done by Florida State University these games don’t have any significant impact on cognition. Apps that advertise the opposite are being fined for their outrageous claims. All these games provide is entertainment, and in the case of crosswords, a way to expand your vocabulary.

Brain games are just a fun way for people to pass time or learn a new random skill. Players can improve their skills pertaining to a certain game but that doesn’t translate to overall intelligence. Certain games such as crosswords, can introduce new words and sudoku can improve skills pertaining to numbers. Though mainly their only purpose is to entertain and nothing more

Back Row- Antonio Diaz, Aden Reid, Colin O'Kelley, K'Marion Dowe, Kaitlyn Dudley, and Advisor Ms. Foreman.

Second Row- Laya Chennuru, Editor- Valerie Clabaugh, Karlee Domenico, Quinn Hughes, Amani Jones.

Front Row- Margarita Salvador, Jason Bednarski, Kamaya Denson.