The School Newspaper of Cherry Hill High School East

Eastside
Eastside leadership says farewell
Eastside leadership says farewell
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
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 Watchlist Episode 1: "Obsession" (2026)
The Watchlist Episode 1: “Obsession” (2026)
The album cover of Drake's "Iceman."
Drake’s surprise trio of albums represents a return to the limelight
"Obsession" has quickly become one of the greatest indie film successes in cinema history.
“Obsession” sparks a cultural phenomenon
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
Depression is often misrepresented in the media
Depression is often misrepresented in the media
Exposure to negative news can worsen anxiety
Exposure to negative news can worsen anxiety
Tech layoffs surge as AI in the workplace grows
Tech layoffs surge as AI in the workplace grows
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
President Donald Trump promoted the development of the Anti-Weaponization Fund despite congressional disapproval. "Donald Trump" by The White House is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’ faces bipartisan backlash
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation from her role due to her husband's health complications. "Tulsi Gabbard" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard resigns from her role following other Cabinet members
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
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 Watchlist Episode 1: "Obsession" (2026)
The Watchlist Episode 1: “Obsession” (2026)
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
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
Claire Ding

Claire Ding, Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Claire Ding is a senior and a Print Editor-in-Chief for Eastside. At East, she is involved in CHEW, Symphony Orchestra, and NEHS (Hi Mr. Connolly!!!). Outside of school, you can find her on the Barnes and Noble floor or expanding her scary ceramic baby collection. She is super excited for her last year with Eastside!

All content by Claire Ding
Mrs. Walker addresses the Eastside Editorial Board on her final day at East.

Mrs. Leslie Walker reflects on her time at East

Claire Ding, Eastside Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2026

Having begun her career there in 1995, stepping through Cherry Hill High School East’s halls in October – this time as the school’s premier female principal – was, to Mrs. Leslie Walker, a quite literal walk down memory lane. A truly full-circle...

East student-pilots take flight to new heights

East student-pilots take flight to new heights

Claire Ding and Chloe Ren
March 22, 2025

Though the true function of dreams remains unknown, most interpretations – whether they act as crystal balls into the future or time machines to our past – reflect subconscious desires; they provide glimpses into the things that keep people’s minds...

Hwang performs at the 42nd Annual Korean Harvest and Multicultural Festival.

Alexander Hwang (‘27) dives into professional songwriting

Claire Ding, Eastside Features Editor
November 28, 2024

“Music has been one of the only things that I’ve loved for my entire life, so… I'm always going to keep on trying,” Alexander Hwang (‘27) told Eastside. The Pew Research Center found that 54% of all U.S. parents sign their children up for...

Brain DuBois poses in front of the house.

DuBois Haunted House’s final year

Claire Ding, Eastside Features Editor
November 16, 2024

Enter: the Rialto Theater. On January 17, 1974, theater manager Joseph Siciliano’s naked, mutilated body was discovered in the Harmony River after a dispute with Phillip Newcombe, the Rialto’s owner. Under the management of Newcombe’s grandson,...

Turning 18 entails many new rights, including the ability to vote.

First-time voters at East share their perspectives

Claire Ding, Eastside Features Editor
November 4, 2024

“The young are not fit to be students of political sciences for they have no experience of life and conduct.” ~ Aristotle in “Nicomachean Ethics.” In school, politics can be a “touchy” subject. Gen Z is full of kids anyway. Why should they...

Reddit being opened on a phone.

Down a Toxic College Admissions Rabbit Hole

Claire Ding, Eastside Staff
August 31, 2024

“Am I Wharton Worthy? Please validate my existence.” “Chance me!! Should I die or do I have a chance at Wellesley (rising senior)?” “Chance an underachieving, mediocre, hopeless sack of s*** (me).” For thousands of seniors applying to...

Monopoly: The (College)Board game

Monopoly: The (College)Board game

Claire Ding, Eastside Features Editor
August 12, 2024

In the college admissions game, there’s one player that dominates: one that deals all the cards – one that can kick you off the board if you don’t pay up. Don’t imagine a cartoon man in a top hat and monocle. Ironically, you’re facing a “not-for-profit”...

JoJo Siwa before her transformation wearing her iconic bow versus now after her epic change.

JoJo Siwa Rebrand

Claire Ding, Eastside Staff
May 12, 2024

Pop culture is no stranger to the good-girl-gone-bad pipeline. From Britney Spears’ “Slave 4 U,” to Miley Cyrus’ “Bangerz,” transitioning from child stardom to adulthood is an inevitable right of passage that tells the world, “Hey, it’s...

"Rather than artwork erasure, actual change can occur by acknowledging and remembering the actions of their creators without diminishing the art that stands alone from them," said Claire Ding ('26).

Separating the art from the artist requires compassion

Claire Ding, Eastside Staff
February 29, 2024

Michael Jackson and Voldemort were my first and greatest phobias. After setting my eyes upon Michael’s uncanny, skeletal face in the “Thriller” music video and that icy, reptilian-like creature in “Harry Potter,” second-grade me was rocked,...