Issue 1: Turning the Page on Fall
Dialing into Disconnection: Hanover County's Phone Policy
Note: Although some of this news is a bit outdated, our staff put a lot of hard work into bringing it together and we think this information deserves to be published. Now, as we move forward, we'll continue to strive for timely updates while maintaining the same dedication to quality journalism.
Over the summer, the Hanover County School Board held a meeting to discuss a potential new phone policy which would be issued to all the schools within the county.
The board members voted on whether or not the policy should be put into place. The vote resulted in a 6 to 1 outcome with the majority in favor of a ban on phones in school. This means that for the coming 2024-25 school year, this policy will be in place. Going into the school year, this will be quite an adjustment for both students and faculty. Also during the summer, Virginia's governor Glenn Youngkin instructed the Department of Education to make policies which ban phone usage within public schools. The governor believes that this will help to both prepare the kids for their future in the workforce, where they will be unable to look at their phone all day, as well as limit distractions within the classroom environment.
This proposed action issues an absolute ban on cell phone usage as well as the use of earbuds and headphones whilst in school. This also encompasses the time allotted for the lunch period and class changes.
Phones are expected to remain within backpacks and out of sight. Breaking the phone ban policy is not to be taken lightly either. Should this policy not be followed by a student, consequences are given in the form of confiscation of devices and/or contacting parents/guardians. If actions are repeated it can result in detention and/or in school suspension.
We would like to also highlight Mrs. Cobb and her Government classes for their recognition at the recent school board meeting. They received a commendation for their letters addressing the school’s phone policy, which demonstrated their engagement and advocacy skills.
Written by Evie Keener (HHS)
Athletic Section & Activities
Fall Sports Schedule: (click here)
Fall Football Schedules
Atlee High School
10/11 Atlee vs. Patrick Henry (Away)
10/18 Atlee vs. Armstrong (Away)
10/24 Atlee vs. Varina (Home)
11/1 Atlee vs. Mechanicsville (Away)
11/8 Atlee vs. Henrico (Home)
Hanover High School
10/11 Hanover vs. Mechanicsville (Away)
10/17 Hanover vs. Varina (Home)
10/25 Hanover vs. Henrico (Away)
11/1 Hanover vs. Freeman (Home)
11/8 Hanover vs. Highland Springs (Away)
Mechanicsville High School
10/11 Mechanicsville vs. Hanover (Home)
10/18 Mechanicsville vs. Henrico (Home)
10/25 Mechanicsville vs. King William (Home)
11/1 Mechanicsville vs. Atlee (Home)
11/7 Mechanicsville vs. Armstrong (Kennedy) (Home)
Patrick Henry High School
10/11 Patrick Henry vs. Atlee (Home)
10/25 Patrick Henry vs. Thomas Dale (Away)
10/31 Patrick Henry vs. Henrico (Home)
11/8 Patrick Henry vs. Varina (Home)
Written by Eli Agustin (HHS)
Mechanicsville’s own Georgia Tyler is a standout athlete on the girls' volleyball team, earning recognition from her coach, Mr. Sladic. A junior, Georgia has been a dedicated member of the team since 8th grade at Bell Creek Middle School, marking her fourth year of commitment.
Georgia's commitment to volleyball is evident through her participation in open gyms, showcases, and her travels with her club team along the coast. Her hard work and passion for the sport has improved her skills but also fostered a sense of connection with her teammates.
With the arrival of new athletes this year, Georgia is optimistic about the Mechanicsville team’s potential. She shared that she hopes to win more games than they lose this year, which she believes is entirely possible. The team is gearing up for a strong comeback against Atlee, with high hopes for a successful season. “I think we have a chance this year,” Georgia commented about the prominent school rivalry that drives Mechanicsville to bring home a win against Atlee.
A key figure in Georgia’s volleyball journey has been Coach Sladic, who also coaches her travel
team. His guidance and support have been instrumental in her development as a player.
Georgia values the supportive and vibrant environment of volleyball, cherishing the deep connections she has formed with her teammates over the years.
Team Spotlight: Hanover Hawks Set Sights on Season Showdowns
After speaking with several athletes on the Hanover High School football team, one question kept coming up.
Which matchup are you most excited about this season?
Brayson Bristow: "Definitely Mechanicsville, we're going to win back to back."
Gabe Jenkins: "Atlee, we're coming for them. We're confident in every game we're playing."
Jose Guadalupe: "Definitely PH."
JJ Parker: "Definitely Atlee or Godwin."
Lane Zyglocke: "Definitely Atlee and I want PH back."
Nolan Crist: "Freemen was a great game last year, one of the best. We’ll see if we can win again this year."
"We're a lot more prepared than last year going into the Patrick Henry game. We know we have the C.H.I.P—Communication, Honor, Integrity, Perseverance—and we're going in there to try to beat them."
Zach Ulrey: "Atlee and Mechanicsville, of course."
These matchups stir up excitement among students and fans, notably the county rivalries!
Written by Chance Archer (PHHS)
The Heartbeat of the Field: A Dive into Marching Band
Of the several after school activities that the high schools offer, amongst the most popular is a marching band. Marching band serves multiple purposes, from entertainment and physical exercise to the display of musical adroitness and, most importantly to its members, the creation of performative art. Marching band itself is the performance of a musical score while performing a physical performance in a coordinated manner, or specific pattern.
Typically, marching band can be seen participating in Football (American) games, either during the halftime break, but can also be seen participating in other competitions solely for marching band, such as Drums along the Boulevard, though not all have to be exclusive to competitions, as they have previously attended in parades and other parties. Many of these activities take place throughout the year, so there is never a worry about not being able to participate in one.
To gain entry into the marching band, there is a list of requirements that a student must complete before gaining admittance into this performing arts. The first of these requirements is the baseline for gaining entry, which is to be proficient in an instrument beforehand. The following requirements would be to be enrolled in a band class, regardless of year or status/progress within marching band, request to band teacher or director, and audition during tryouts, which can vary from school to school. After successfully completing these requirements and getting accepted into marching band, there are still certain standards that must be met and maintained, which is where rehearsals come into the discussion. Any students participating in marching band are expected to appear at rehearsals that take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. There are also band camps that take place two weeks prior to the beginning of the school year, which takes place over the span of two weeks. The first week consists of eight hour days of nothing but play and practice, and the second week that number jumps to 12 hours. Overall, these rehearsals and band camps are made to create a deeper bond between the students and sharpen the skills the students already possess.
Marching band is a performance art that takes skill, endurance, precision, and dedication to the complex scores chosen for their performances, while requiring the utmost dedication from its members. Marching band is an inviting club that has a positive atmosphere, with many of its members describing their fellow peers and the the people involved in it as a whole as being “family”. Marching band creates a sense of community within the students and is a great way to find friends, perfect your musical skills, and enjoy doing something related to both physical excursion and playing musical instruments.
Written by Pablo Castillo (HHS)
Community & Leadership
Hanover Youth Service Council
Interested in community service? Want to be involved in your community with your peers? Then the Hanover Youth Service Council might be for you! The Hanover Youth Service Council (HYSC) is a youth-led organization that focuses on making a difference in the community through service and leadership. The members plan and participate in service projects they are passionate about and address community needs. All 8th-12th graders that live or go to school in Hanover County are welcome to apply. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and complete 50+ service hours, 25 through HYSC and 25 through other organizations. To apply you must complete the application and attend an interview to be considered. Once selected, you will renew your membership yearly. Keep an eye out for application details on the Hanover County website. For any other information, email the Youth Specialist, Morgan Lindsay at mtlindsay@hanovercounty.gov
As a member myself, I have nothing but good things to say about this organization. This not only allowed me to be provided with service project information, but I also built my leadership and communication skills. I got to help create service projects that I thought would be fun, it's important to enjoy service, vibes can transfer. I continued to increase my volunteer experience and build new relationships.
Senior Section:
For many, senior year can be a stressful time, and this stress can increase if you're unsure how to start with college applications and career exploration. Whether you plan to apply to colleges, enter the workforce through trades, or join the military, here are a few key things to keep in mind.
College Applications and Scholarships
With numerous deadlines associated with college applications, it's easy to lose track of time. To stay organized, research your universities of interest and narrow down your list. Once you have a list, familiarize yourself with each school's application process. Many institutions use the Common Application, so create an account and get to know the platform. Track each school's application deadlines (Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision), financial aid deadlines, and any other important dates.
Check if your chosen schools are test-optional to decide if you need to take or retake the SAT or ACT if you haven't already. Applications often open on August 1st, so start the application process as early as possible. Reach out to teachers and other mentors for Letters of Recommendation well before applications are due if needed. Begin drafting your essays or other writing supplements and shoot to have a solid draft a month before applications are due.
Scholarships and Grants are another big part of the college application process, but it can often be difficult to find scholarship opportunities. It’s important to start researching scholarships as early as possible and STAY ORGANIZED. Scholarship applications are very similar to college applications, they may need essays/personal statements, or transcripts. Request needed Letters of Recommendation at least two weeks before the due date. It's important to give yourself enough time to complete the applications.
Ask your parents/guardians if their employers have scholarships available as well as your employer (if applicable). Check local organizations (including your high school) for available scholarships, as you have a better chance at getting these, in addition to any national scholarships. Finding scholarships through various search engines can be helpful, but keep in mind that you should NEVER pay to apply for a scholarship, this is a sure giveaway that the “scholarship” is a scam. A useful and reliable search engine is College Board, it's very easy to find scholarships for your unique characteristics. As you find scholarships, review the eligibility requirements very carefully and stay on top of due dates.
Of course, your counselor can help you throughout this entire process. They can request fee waivers for SAT/ACT or application fees on your behalf if these fees are a problem. Additionally, they can connect you with resources such as your school's writing center to help with application essays. They can also help with various financial aid forms or point you in the direction of reliable help. You can also meet with them to ensure you are on track for graduation and meet the school requirements you plan to attend.
Career Exploration
While college is one path to starting a career, it’s not the only one. College isn't right for everybody and many careers don’t require a college degree to excel. To determine what career you want to pursue, it’s important to understand yourself and what you’re willing to do. Explore your interests and identify your strengths to find related career paths. Once you identify possible careers, continue deeper research using various resources such as Career Outlook and College Board’s: Big Future.
Once you have identified some areas of interest, gain experience through job shadowing and talking to professionals in those fields. To get more hands-on experience you can do all types of internships. Additionally, research various trades and trade schools, as well as the option of joining the military, which can offer fulfilling opportunities and potentially fund higher education.
Remember, a career counselor can be a valuable resource for career exploration, helping to reduce confusion and stress. It’s perfectly fine not to have a clear career plan after high school or to change your mind as you learn more about your options. Through your career explorations, it's crucial to keep an open mind and explore careers that you would enjoy doing every day.
Written by Arianna Salemme (PHHS)
Important Events:
Patrick Henry High School:
Patrick Henry Homecoming - 10/12/24 (7:00PM - 10:00PM) - 12449 W Patrick Henry Rd, Ashland, VA 23005
PSAT Test Day - 10/14/24 (8:45 AM - 12:00 PM) - Practice SAT day for Patrick Henry underclassmen. Seniors will have a planned event during this time.
Hanover High School:
Senior Breakfast - 10/14/242 - This will be on Practice SAT day for Hanover underclassmen, Seniors will have a breakfast.
Atlee High School:
VACROA College Fair - 10/21/24 (6:30PM - 8:00PM) - College fair held at Atlee High School - AHS-Commons & AHS-Faculty Dining room, 9414 Atlee Station Rd Mechanicsville, VA 23116 United States
PSAT Test Day - 10/14/24 (8:45 AM - 12:00 PM) - Practice SAT day for Patrick Henry underclassmen. Seniors will have a planned event during this time.
Mechanicsville High School:
Mechanicsville Homecoming - 10/19/24 (7:00PM - 10:00PM) - 9414 Atlee Station Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
PSAT Test Day - 10/14/24 (8:45 AM - 12:00 PM) - Practice SAT day for Patrick Henry underclassmen. Seniors will have a planned event during this time.
Other Important Events:
School Board Meeting - 10/08/24 (7:00PM - 9:00PM) - Hanover county school board meeting. - 200 Berkeley Street Ashland, VA 23005
Student Holiday - 10/18/24 (All Day) - There is no school for Hanover county students due to the second quarter coming to a close.
SAT Test Day - 10/05/24 (8:00AM - 1:00PM) - October SAT test date - Held at multiple locations.
Beaverdam Elementary Fall festival Volunteering - 10/26/24 (12:00PM - 4:00PM) - Beaverdamn is looking for student volunteers to help with setup, cleanup, manning stations such as games, bounce houses, petting zoo and face painting. - Pop's Country Store Museum, 19419 Beaver Dam Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015
Ashland Halloween Market - 10/31/24 - Market with vendors set up throughout downtown Ashland and a scavenger hunt for collecting stamps as you explore downtown! - 121 Thompson St Ashland Town Hall Pavillion
Candypalooza Lane - 10/31/24 - Fun and family friendly trunk-or-treat held at New Community Church - 201 England Street Ashland 23005
Written by Jes Roberts (PHHS)
What is the Hanover Monthly?
The Hanover Monthly is a newspaper publication collectively run and operated by a select few members from the general student body of the four Hanover High Schools and is proudly overseen and backed by the Hanover County school board. It has a monthly release schedule, with all its committed staff actively working on producing organically engaging material relevant to its student body which it stands to serve, all set to release on a specified, yet to be determined date.
The Hanover Monthly has been long in the making initiative started by a small group of students and remains determined to be a student-led organization that focuses on its peers in hopes of making an impact on the schools in Hanover County. With a particularly strong focus on distributing reliable and up to date information on the topics most important to the student body of our high schools, this publication also focuses on the teacher faculty and related events occurring within the county, and all the stories that arise from the events that take place in the high schools to the students that this proud publication aims to administer to.
The team behind this up-and-coming organization is full of all the expected members that would be seen in any other large media or newspaper publication. A proper introduction to the team would involve beginning with the two Editor in Chiefs, which also happen to be the very same founders of the publication. These two individuals spearheaded this initiative and helped build a team of people who all shared the same vision of a newspaper organization voiced by the students that it reported on, and from this came the unification of all the other roles. The role of an Editor in Chief is to direct the editorial team, set the publication's vision, oversee content quality, and make certain that all published material aligns with the publication's standards and goals. The assistant editors are both incredibly gifted who have a knack for writing, but also have been naturally able to support others around them while still conducting day-to-day tasks that contribute to steady operation of the publication. The writers, or authors, are all people who enjoy being able to communicate ideas as well as information that they deem to be interesting or important. They are handed the task of producing articles that are pleasing to read and appealing to a large audience. They must conduct research, verify, and create all whilst being in agreement with the publication’s guidelines and deadlines. Finally, arriving at the photographers, these people are amongst some of the most well-traveled and adventurous people on the staff, and must attend local events, interview students and teachers alike, and take photos of it all.
The combined efforts of its members naturally leaves room for new members and higher quality stories, and this is exactly why the Hanover Monthly is seeking new members who will be capable of quality output, will contribute to the publication, and can engage in conversations with the rest of the organization as a whole to make the production of the publication smoother, quicker, more appealing stories. The link below https://thehanovermonthly.squarespace.com/ will allow for a more streamlined way of allowing any interested student from any of the four high schools to submit an application form that will be subject to review from one of our staff members, and allow for the possibility of the applicant becoming the next valuable member of an already growing and popular newspaper publication in all of Hanover, Virginia. Your Voice, Our Stories – Together We Inform
Written by Pablo Castillo (HHS)
