The School Newspaper of Cherry Hill High School East

Eastside
Behind the scenes of Senior Assassin
Behind the scenes of Senior Assassin
Coffeehouse 2026 raises awareness for autism acceptance through "Wizard of Oz" theme
Coffeehouse 2026 raises awareness for autism acceptance through “Wizard of Oz” theme
Cary Bloom ('26), Jake Forstadt ('26), Alexis Nowakowski ('26), Tracy Vuong ('26), Ben Sautter ('26) and Aneesh Rajagopal ('27) pose with their second place award. Used with permission from Kaushik Rachuri ('26).
Two East DECA teams take second place at ICDC
Mr. Buco is crowned Mr. East and receives his flowers and prize.
Mr. East 2026 contestants compete for stardom
The Mr. East contestants pose for a photo with their sashes.
Introducing the 2026 Mr. East Contestants
Tyler Whitney ('27) hits his driver off the tee on the par-5 fourth hole.
The Masters: Diving into the sport
Hunter Sobus ('26) runs across lacrosse field mid-game
The end of the beginning: a student-athlete story
Mike Fekete ('27) steps up to bat against Eastern's pitcher. Used with permission from Abigail Callahan ('26).
East baseball defeated by Eastern Regional High School
Josh Hammer ('26) saves the ball during a lacrosse game.
Josh Hammer (’26) reaches 600 saves in his high school lacrosse career
Zach Kellerman ('28) poses with his winning bracket for March Madness.
Kellerman ranks 14th in the country for ESPN’s March Madness bracket
Cherry Hill Township hosts May Wellness Walk at Challenge Grove Park
Cherry Hill Township hosts May Wellness Walk at Challenge Grove Park
"Art Blooms" Juried Art Exhibit celebrates South Jersey artistry
“Art Blooms” Juried Art Exhibit celebrates South Jersey artistry
A sign for Sabrina's Cafe in Collingswood hangs above the sidewalk.
Sabrina’s Cafe in Collingswood celebrates its 25th anniversary
Lockart conducts the Rock Voices choir during the concert.
Rock Voices brings community together through music
Kang ('28) prays for a woman on the streets of Kensington. Used with permission from Emmanuel Church in Philadelphia.
COLUMN: Reaching out in times of crisis at America’s largest open-air drug market
Cherry Hill High School East seniors prepare to graduate on June 18.
Celebrations and controversy surrounds graduation season
East students must stand up to slow walkers
East students must stand up to slow walkers
East needs to address political intolerance
East needs to address political intolerance
Stop blocking my computer and my education
Stop blocking my computer and my education
More than the score: Understanding what DECA results really mean
More than the score: Understanding what DECA results really mean
The power and problems of reality TV
The power and problems of reality TV
The cover of Olivia Rodrigo's "Drop Dead."
Olivia Rodrigo returns with “drop dead” ahead of upcoming album
The cover to Noah Kahan's "The Great Divide."
Noah Kahan’s long awaited album “The Great Divide” lives up to the hype
Young girl illuminated by the glow of the Snapchat app opening
The double-edged sword to social media: a look into Snapchat
Coachella performances spark debate across media platforms.
Differences between Coachella performances divide the internet
France plans to reduce the use of fossil fuels. ExxonMobil operation near Chicago, IL, summer of 2014 by Richard_Hurd is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
France unveils plan to transition away from fossil fuels
Hantavirus outbreak. 3D still showing life cycle of Hantavirus. by scientificanimations is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hantavirus outbreak heightens tensions
Mental health demand outpaces services
Mental health demand outpaces services
AI therapists present risks to users. How ChatGPT Can Revolutionize Testing in 2024 by Olga Ryan is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Study reveals ethical risks for using ChatGPT as a therapist
Climate change is a real global threat.
Challenging the myths: Debunking climate change misconceptions
Throughout President Donald Trump's two terms, the power of the executive branch has greatly expanded, threatening to offset the system of checks and balances.
The threat to checks and balances: Congress and the Supreme Court must stand up to Trump
Contrary to popular belief, religious persecution still remains a major issue in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
An Iranian refugee sheds light on the reality of modern religious persecution
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement conduct a Family Unit (FAMU) removal flight to Guatemala. "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement" by NARA Archive is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
ICE agents induce anxiety at airports nationwide
Julie Lerman (‘26) and Leah Molavi (‘27) share their thoughts on the Iran War as Jewish and Iranian students at Cherry Hill High School East.
Julie Lerman (‘26) and Leah Molavi (‘27) share their thoughts on the Iran War
Protesters gather at a rally for the Philadelphia No Kings protest on March 28.
The power of protest: How collective action shapes society
New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux (left) walks through the halls of John A. Carusi Middle School while conversing with Board of Education President Gina Winters (right).
NJ Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux visits Cherry Hill Public Schools amid budget crisis
Cherry Hill High School East seniors prepare to graduate on June 18.
Celebrations and controversy surrounds graduation season
Behind the scenes of Senior Assassin
Behind the scenes of Senior Assassin
The power and problems of reality TV
The power and problems of reality TV
Throughout President Donald Trump's two terms, the power of the executive branch has greatly expanded, threatening to offset the system of checks and balances.
The threat to checks and balances: Congress and the Supreme Court must stand up to Trump
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 8: Fueling Sustainable Careers In Dance With Alissa Nehrlich
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 8: Fueling Sustainable Careers In Dance With Alissa Nehrlich
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 7: Where pointe shoes meet the stage with Brooke Wasserman
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 7: Where pointe shoes meet the stage with Brooke Wasserman
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 6: From injury to empowerment with Allyson Lowis
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 6: From injury to empowerment with Allyson Lowis
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 5: The psychology behind performance with Lauren Ostrander McArdle
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 5: The psychology behind performance with Lauren Ostrander McArdle
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 4: Helping dancers build a sustainable relationship with dance with Wendy Reinert
The Dancer Diaries Season 3 Episode 4: Helping dancers build a sustainable relationship with dance with Wendy Reinert
COMIC: The procrastinator
COMIC: The procrastinator
COMIC: Student athlete
COMIC: Student athlete
COMIC: Spring break
COMIC: Spring break
COMIC: The alarm
COMIC: The alarm
Comic: The Assignment
Comic: The Assignment
Prom King Nathan Aguelo ('26) and Prom Queen Sophia Esposito ('26) pose together after winning by popular vote among the attendees.
PHOTOS: Senior Prom 2026
Juniors pose for a picture.
PHOTOS: Junior Prom 2026
Erica Li ('29) poses in a standing side split during the CSA performance.
PHOTOS: Multicultural Day 2026
A sign reads "Protest while you still can."
PHOTOS: Protests in the community
No Kings protesters gather at the rally at the intersection of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 22nd street, with Philadelphia City Hall in the background.
Philadelphia’s third No Kings protest through a lens
Growing leaders across Cherry Hill gather to drive community growth
Growing leaders across Cherry Hill gather to drive community growth
Cherry Hill Township hosts May Wellness Walk at Challenge Grove Park
Cherry Hill Township hosts May Wellness Walk at Challenge Grove Park
"Art Blooms" Juried Art Exhibit celebrates South Jersey artistry
“Art Blooms” Juried Art Exhibit celebrates South Jersey artistry
Mr. Know-It-All is thrown into the air by the other Mr. East contestants.
Mr. East 2026 performances
Kaelan Faria ('27) and Taylor Damon ('28) perform a partner dance during the African American Culture Club performance.
Multicultural Day performances celebrate East culture
The School Newspaper of Cherry Hill High School East

Eastside
The School Newspaper of Cherry Hill High School East

Eastside
Dino Russo

Dino Russo, Eastside Online Editor-in-Chief

Dino Russo is a senior and an Online Editor-in-Chief for Eastside. When he’s not running the booth for Italian American Club, he’s tutoring at Rosa Bridge or working for honor societies. He loves food and enjoys eating out with family, especially when he gets to critique it. He also loves hanging out with his dog, Pippa. Dino can’t wait for his last year on Eastside!

All content by Dino Russo
Happy Place Homemade’s experience begins with the neon sign on the exterior.

Happy Place Homemade emerges as a promising community hub

Dino Russo, Eastside Online Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2026

On a rather ordinary road in Medford, among the farmland, parks and business fronts lies an ice cream place radiating with potential—and happiness. As soon as you enter through its doors, Happy Place Homemade invites you into its joyous celebration...

Eastside explores the rich history Haddonfield has to offer.

Exploring Haddonfield: A look into Haddonfield history

Grace Li, Dino Russo, Alexis Rovner, and Gina Park
November 1, 2025
Behind the numerous shops and the aged buildings that line the streets of Haddonfield is a reserve of historical stories that make the town one of New Jersey's oldest communities. In this package, Eastside explores the history behind the borough of Haddonfield, the contributions the town has made to paleontology, and its current efforts in preserving that legacy.
Swirl'in releases new flavors after their reopening.

Swirl’in Ice Cream & Cereal Bar reopens with new flavors

Dino Russo, Online Community Editor
May 5, 2025

In July of 2024, three months after their initial opening, Swirl’in Ice Cream & Cereal Bar on Greentree Rd in Evesham suffered damages after the nextdoor restaurant Montesini Pizza & Pasta went aflame. Almost a year later, Swirl’in has finally...

Stranded in space: NASA astronauts return after 9 months

Stranded in space: NASA astronauts return after 9 months

Dino Russo, Online Community Editor
April 3, 2025

What was originally meant to be a week-trip to the International Space Station (ISS) ended up becoming a 9-month stay for NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. Williams and Wilmore launched on Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June of last...

The Mission BBQ exterior in Sicklerville.

Mission BBQ opens in Sicklerville

Dino Russo, Online Community Editor
March 7, 2025

Mission BBQ opened in Sicklerville in December 2024, next to the Shoppes at Cross Keys in Gloucester Township. The establishment is one of a growing number in South Jersey, with another Mission BBQ expected to open in Cherry Hill. There are already locations...

East needs a civics course to inform future voters

East needs a civics course to inform future voters

Dino Russo, Online Community Editor
March 5, 2025

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, the role of education in voting and in our government could not be more important. As of August 2024, only 35 states and Washington, D.C. require stand-alone civics courses for high school students. New Jersey is...

What is the Green Acres Program?

What is the Green Acres Program?

Dino Russo, Online Community Editor
August 13, 2024

The health of New Jersey’s environment is constantly at odds with the state's rapid urban development. In fact, for most of its history, New Jersey has largely failed to adequately consider the environment in favor of industrialization. While industrial...

Pictures of the Calzone; Quattro Formaggi, Mortadella, and Parma Pizzas

Pizza Pazza – A Crazy Good Surprise

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
May 20, 2024

Situated snuggly on King’s Highway near Verona Ristorante and Gelato Dolceria is Pizza Pazza– a small but charming pizzeria. It offers classic Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. Pizza Pazza opened not long ago on May 3. It adds...

Dave's Hot Chicken in the Ellisburg Shopping Center.

Dave’s Hot Chicken opens in Cherry Hill

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
April 15, 2024

Dave’s Hot Chicken– named the fastest growing restaurant chain in the U.S. in 2022– has recently opened in Cherry Hill, in the Ellisburg Circle Shopping Center. Dave’s features Nashville-style hot chicken with differing levels of spice– including...

During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely covers the sun and reveals the corona.

Total solar eclipse appearing in North America on April 8

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
March 30, 2024

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will appear throughout North America, in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. According to NASA, the first location to experience totality in continental North America will be Mexico’s Pacific Coast at around...

Technology enables people throughout the world to learn new languages with ease.

Technology and language’s strange duo

Dino Russo
January 31, 2024

Technology and language make an unlikely couple. The 1s and 0s on our screens promote peculiar and fascinating developments within our ever-changing languages. Before the 1s and 0s, technology was connecting cultures and promoting new words and styles...

Many individuals of all different backgrounds seek better representation for themselves in healthcare.

Medical representation in healthcare creates modern problems

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
December 17, 2023

The modern healthcare industry is a beast of change. New technology rapidly develops every year and immense progress is made in a myriad of medicines. But in terms of representation and diversity, the healthcare “beast” slows down. While it has most...

The brain changes and adapts in many ways during adolescence.

How does adolescence impact the brain?

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
November 9, 2023

The teenage stage of life is distinguished by the word ‘development’, both the apparent physical development and the often overlooked mental development. Adolescence is an important time for any individual and marks the transition period between childhood...

Hotpot.ai generates a depiction of human hands.

AI art serves as a modern creative dilemma

Dino Russo, Eastside Staff
September 27, 2023

Fascinating or jarring? A step forward or a step back? These questions, words, and phrases all describe one of the most hotly debated topics today: A.I. art. Art that is produced by artificial intelligence programs has fostered many perspectives around...