Announcements

Know Your Planet Night

Words: Sarah Paz

On March 7, Centennial hosted its sixth annual Know Your Planet Night from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Centennial students from Biology G/T, Physics AP, Earth Science and Environmental Science classes gathered to present engaging projects about the issues affecting the environment.

With topics ranging from tsunamis, earthquakes, plate tectonics and space, students created
fun, interactive projects including an earthquake table, trivia games with prizes, and an active
volcano made with newspaper and paint.

Environmental Science students displayed their research on various environmental issues such as an overflow of plastic in the ocean.

“All these projects are about helping the environment and raising awareness,” explained Green Club member, Aria Ma.

At the end of the night, English students presented poems explaining humanity’s
connection to nature.

Reflecting on the evening, Centennial Biology GT teacher Lori Griffiths hoped that Know Your Planet Night helped students understand the importance of protecting the environment.

“I hope students learn something new about the earth and become more aware and
respectful.”

For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.

Sports

Centennial Sports for Life Class Loses to Homewood Basketball Team

Words & Photos: Jenna Marie Torres

On Friday, March 15, the Centennial sports for life class lost to the Homewood basketball team. The close game was nothing less than electrifying.

In the first quarter, Centennial took the lead with a score of 11-10.

By halftime, the game gained intensity at an astonishing rate. Homewood took the lead by scoring three 3-point shots and four aggressive layups. Centennial, however, changed up their scoring strategy by making seven layups and only one 3-point shot. At the end of the second quarter, Homewood led 30-27.

Both teams kept their high spirits through the third quarter, but the final quarter is where both teams made the game intense for the crowd.

Rob Hix made the biggest impact in the final moments of this game. His quick feet and aggressive play made the competitive fight for victory even more desired.

With a close score of 52-46, the win went to Homewood after an impressive game-ending 2-point dunk on Homewood’s side.

For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.

Sports

JV Boys Basketball Season in Review

Words: Thomas Hitt

On Tuesday February 26, the Centennial Boys’ Junior Varsity basketball team concluded their season with a record of 21-1.

Christian Sanders, the coach of the boys’ Centennial JV basketball team said, “We set the bar very high and expect to win every game… efficiently [using] practice time to be ready to play what turns out to be a long season.”

The JV basketball team is similar to the Varsity team regarding structure and style. “Our players are coachable, seem to buy-in to our system, and [execute it in games].” Coach Sanders is proud to be apart of such a successful team.

“I thought we were one of the best JV teams at this school in awhile,” said Bryson Baker, a sophomore and captain of the team. “I thought we handled the pressure of trying to go undefeated well, since teams would try their hardest to end our winning streak.”

Baker explained that the team had difficulty starting in the first half however in the second half they would come back and win. “We showed a lot of toughness in crucial road games against Howard, Hammond, and Hebron,” said Baker.

Starters on the team would score points however players from the bench would come into the game and score crucial points as well.

In a review of this year’s basketball season, the JV Boys’ basketball team had their only loss against Atholton, losing by only two points.

“[The] Howard [basketball team] proved to be a top-level team, [falling to the Centennial JV team] twice by double digits” Sanders said.

Lastly, the win against Wilde Lake allowed the JV team to clinch a place at the top of the county for the second year in a row.

For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.

Sports

Jason Kraisser Wins His Fourth State Championship

Words: Joey Sedlacko

On Saturday, March 2, Centennial senior Jason Kraisser won his fourth state championship in four years at the MPSSAA state championships at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Kraisser defeated Josh Stokes from Huntingtown High School in the 152-pound, 4A/3A final to make him the eighth Maryland public-school wrestler to win four state titles. The state championship match between Kraisser and Stokes was a rematch of last year’s state final.

The Kraisser family has dominated the sport for many years. The family has now won a combined 12 state championships: four by Jason, four by his older brother Nathan, three by his second older brother Austin, and one by his father Cliff.

The victory on Saturday sealed an undefeated 40-0 season for Kraisser. Kraisser finished with a career Varsity record of 159-4.

For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.

News

Sara Duran is Named Centennial’s 2019 Teacher of the Year

Words: Javiera Diaz-Ortiz

Photos: Zach Grable

This morning, Teacher-of-the-Year nominees, along with seniors selected by them, gathered in the staff lounge for the first ever Teacher-of-the-Year Breakfast. At the breakfast, English teacher Sara Duran was named Centennial’s Teacher of the Year for 2019.

Following the announcement, Duran gladly accepted her award and flowers with a smile.

“I feel honored,” said Duran. “I was in shock, and I’m really thankful for the seniors who voted for me.”

Duran is in her seventh year of teaching at Centennial. She has also been the sponsor for Centennial’s National Honor Society, and she is currently an SAT coordinator. Being a multi-level English teacher has allowed Duran to watch some of the seniors grow.

“I do think that this is a phenomenal group of students, and they’re unlike any other class that I’ve taught before them,” Duran claimed. “So, it’s an extra special honor not to just be there as they graduate, but also to be part of their moving-on to the next step of their lives. And I know that they will all be really successful in whatever they do.”

Nominees present at the breakfast expressed their praise for Duran.

“[Duran] is a great person and a great teacher, and I’m happy for her. She’s so deserving,” said teacher of the year nominee Lauren Mancini.

Leading up to her win, Duran overcame some challenges, as all teachers do. She says that she has had to find a balance between rigor and fun, both for her students, and for herself as a teacher.

“That’s something that for me, took a little while to figure out, and weirdly, last year was the year that I was able to get that together,” said Duran.

With her title as Teacher of the Year, Duran will give a speech at graduation this May.

“It’s definitely a privilege, an honor, with this class especially.”

For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.