Headlines

Hispanic Heritage Month
by: Madeline G., Tom M., Eduardo S., Linda S., Ashley P., & Devin M. (Spanish II students)

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual holiday that goes from September 15th to October 15th. The holiday is to celebrate the anniversary of 5 Latin American countries’ independence. The five countries that celebrate their independence on September 15 are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. While those countries became independent on September 15th, Mexico became independent on September 16th and Chile September 18th. Including celebrating the anniversaries of their independence, the holiday also recognizes the contributions that Hispanic Americans have made toward American society. It recognizes contributions that happen today all the way back to the contributions that Hispanic Americans made when America was being discovered.

Before we could have Spanish Heritage Month we first had to go through Congress to pass the new holiday. In 1968, Congress passed an annual proclamation designating the week including September 15th and 16th as National Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, Congress passed another annual proclamation announcing that from September 15th to October 15th was National Hispanic Heritage Month. Today, many people celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month not only in school but in their own home as well.

In Brunswick, Middle School Spanish students learn about Spanish heritage by creating a project about their favorite Hispanic person who made a contribution to America. Some of the available choices are Roberto Clemente, George Lopez, Mark Sanchez, Roberto Garza, and Shakira. Students can work in pairs to complete the project about this person. The BMS Spanish teachers are: Senora Martinez, Senora Stutzman, and Senora Wienholt.

School is not the only place where Brunswick celebrates Spanish heritage month. The annual Festival Latino de Frederick is the largest Hispanic/Latino event in Frederick and is attended by some Brunswick citizens. Not all people celebrate Hispanic heritage month, but those who do celebrate in many ways. Salsa dancing is a common way to celebrate all over the world. Music is another way it is celebrated as traditional Hispanic music is common during Hispanic heritage month. Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated all over the world by all kinds of people.


Stink Bugs Dominating the Area
by: Kaylie K. and Linda S.

Stink bugs are a real problem here in Maryland. They are invading schools, houses and mostly hot and wet places. We know that stink bugs are a real problem for crops, now they’re a big problem for households!!! In the fall, stink bugs start to leave to hibernate. They can live more than 6 months without eating or drinking anything!

They mostly eat crops during the summer. Stink bugs normally appear in the spring or summer months. In warmer months, female stink bugs attach their eggs to a stem and the eggs go through a process of maturing then they become full stink bugs! Stink bugs should not be handled. If they are startled they will release their odors. Stink bugs have glands in their thorax between the first and second pair of legs which produces a foul smelling liquid. This liquid is for defense. Stink bugs are not known to bite. They are harmless to humans.

Many people are scared of them and don’t like the smell. They are shield shaped insects and they are mostly a brownish color with some red. There are millions

They originated in Asia and they were introduced around 1998; no one really knows exactly when they came and no one knows when they will leave. Let’s hope that next year the stink bug population will decline.



New Maryland Law Regarding Cell Phones While Driving
by: Nathan F.

There is a new law in all of Maryland that involves all of Maryland’s drivers. The new law prevents drivers from talking on their cell phones while driving. This law took effect on October 1, 2010. This law prevents people from talking on their cell phones (holding it up to the ear). But, if you have a bluetooth headset, it’s considered legal. Sync is considered legal as well.