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The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

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The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

The Brantley Banner

The student news site of Lake Brantley High School

The Brantley Banner

Rachel Balkovec, the first professional female baseball manager for the Tampa Tarpons, a low Class A affiliate for the New York Yankees, has been shattering sports stereotypes for years, as she initially became involved with the Yankees organization in 2019. Balkovec was hired as the first full-time female hitting instructor in the MLB for the Yankees farm system, which began her career in professional baseball and has allowed her to acquire significant success in pursuing her dreams to become a professional baseball manager. Her hard work and perseverance in a field dominated by men will hopefully inspire young women and girls around the country to believe in themselves.

Balkovec: breaking barriers

Makayla Martindale, Sports Editor February 7, 2022

Attracting about 2.7 million viewers during the regular season and 14.3 million viewers during the 2021 World Series games, baseball remains one of America’s favorite pastimes. With 120 Minor League...

COVID-19 has given holiday celebrations a significant change. As people consider the risks of the virus, it becomes difficult to travel far or invite others.

What is up with COVID holidays?

Julia Moon, Editor in Chief January 21, 2022

I admit, the winter holiday season of 2021 was kind of a disappointment. After the initial breakout of COVID-19 in the United States back in 2020, I had already expected that holiday gatherings such as...

The main three cast members, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, reminisce about their time working on the film series.

Why I will not be watching “Return to Hogwarts” anytime soon

Faith Shimick, News and Copy Editor January 14, 2022

On Jan. 1, 2022, HBO released the film “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts”. Since it has been 20 years since the release of the first Harry Potter movie, cast members decided to get...

Macaulay Culkin features as Kevin, the supposed protagonist of Disneys 1990 Christmas film Home Alone. While he may be advertised as a lovable hero, he is anything but.

Kevin McAllister is the real villain of “Home Alone”

Faith Shimick, News and Copy Editor November 26, 2021

At first, Disney’s 1990 movie “Home Alone” seems like a happy, lighthearted Christmas classic. It has everything a blockbuster childrens’ movie could want, from a great soundtrack to an action-packed...

Halloween Horror Nights is an event that occurs at Universal Studios between Sept. 3 and Oct. 31 that provides people with the opportunity to walk through up to ten haunted houses, ride roller coasters, and interact with performers all after hours. The 30th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights lived up to its renowned position as one of the largest “scare-fests” in the world, as the performers went above and beyond many people’s expectations, despite the safety precautions put in place.

30 years of screams: Halloween Horror Nights

Makayla Martindale, Sports Editor October 25, 2021

As of this fall season, Universal Studios dusted off the cobwebs for the 30th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). My friends and I took full advantage of the chaos as the 15 of us took on the...

Beginning Sept. 10, Howl-O-Scream opened for its first frightening night at SeaWorld. While it was the parks’ first year hosting the event, Busch Gardens, a neighboring amusement park owned by SeaWorld, has been doing something similar since 1999.

Howl-O-Scream: The inaugural fear

Avery Ranum, Features Editor October 25, 2021

SeaWorld is not usually the first park I think of when I think “scary.” Neighboring parks, such as Universal which hosts “Halloween Horror Nights” and Walt Disney World which hosts “Boo Bash”,...

Halloween frights 2021

Halloween frights 2021

Makayla Martindale and Avery Ranum October 25, 2021

Halloween brings about a multitude of events that many people attend each year. The vast number of Halloween-themed events often create conflict regarding which provides the best scare experience.

The ongoing staff shortages within the local community have negatively impacted the school district, businesses and students. This classroom, now unused, was once full of students, but has been unfilled for weeks after a major schedule change occurred due to the insufficient resources for students and teachers.

EDITORIAL: Understaffed, overworked

Makayla Martindale, Brooke Holland, and Julia Hubbell October 17, 2021

At risk of sounding like a broken record, COVID-19 has made its fair share of negative contributions (record = broken). Among these contributions, there is a shortage of staff at virtually every workplace....

Taylor Swifts first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylors Version), released on Apr. 9, 2021.

Not so swift

Julia Moon, News Editor April 9, 2021

There is no doubt that Taylor Swift is a praiseworthy pop and country singer, songwriter and acclaimed artist. To my knowledge, she is rightfully supported by her fans as she releases albums and unveils...

Taylor Swift’s 8th album folklore was released on July 24. Its companion album evermore was released Dec. 11.

Swift’s new era

Avery Ranum, Staff Reporter April 9, 2021

I cannot say I was surprised on Mar. 14 when Taylor Swift won the 2021 Grammys’ album of the year for her 8th project, folklore. I was even sporting my beige hoodie with the album's cover on it in support....

On Jan. 6 Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in protest of the certification of the electoral votes.

Hypocrisy in this Democracy

Shelby Brunson, Editor-in-Chief February 1, 2021

At the beginning of 2021, most Americans were cheering for the end of the disastrous year of 2020. Instead, we were greeted by white privilege at its finest. Wednesday, Jan. 6, began with a historic senate...

On Dec. 25th, Wonder Woman: 1984, starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal, and Kristen Wiig, was released. It debuted in theaters and became included in an HBO Max subscription.

So let’s talk about WW84

Avery Ranum, Staff Reporter January 26, 2021

After a long day of opening presents and eating Christmas dinner with my family, I was excited to watch Wonder Woman:1984 the day of its release, Dec. 25, especially after months of the date being pushed...

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