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
Nico Spatucci

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Global Commentary Editor

Nico Spatucci is a senior and a Global Commentary Editor for Eastside. His back hurts from carrying the paper so hard. He is involved with History Club, Model UN, Cum Laude, and a bunch of music stuff. Often, he can be found solving the LATimes crossword in six or seven minutes, or solving Rubik’s Cubes in 2% of that time. Nico is ready to graduate.

All content by Nico Spatucci
Religious nationalism affects numerous countries across the globe, from India to the United States.

Religious nationalism rises globally

Stella Kim, Nico Spatucci, and Elias Kang
December 24, 2025

Christian nationalism threatens democracy During the Jan. 6 insurrection, over 2,000 rioters stormed the Capitol building to protest the results of the 2020 election. Among the crowd's shouts of election fraud, crosses and Christian flags waved overhead....

An East student stands with a Labubu keychain attached to their backpack.

Labubus take the world by storm

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Global Commentary Editor
December 24, 2025

In a crowded store, frenzied teens shove their way through the masses in hopes of attaining the hottest new product on the market. Enamored by its captivating appearance, millions of people would pay exorbitant prices and risk their safety for one...

Disagreement over a spending bill escalated into a government shutdown on Tuesday evening. "U.S. Capitol Building" by William Warby is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Lack of bipartisan progress results in a government shutdown

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Global Commentary Editor
October 1, 2025

In a time when political polarization has rendered bipartisan progress nearly impossible, consequences are inevitable. On Oct. 1 at 12:01 a.m., the federal government formally underwent a shutdown after a spending bill was not agreed upon before the Senate...

Millions of people will be affected by this drastic change in the pharmaceutical industry.

FDA finds common decongestant ineffective

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Online STEM Editor
November 15, 2024

On Nov. 7, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to proceed with the removal of phenylephrine, a common decongestant found in a variety of over-the-counter medicinal products. Phenylephrine is an active ingredient in many allergy...

Photo released of the Chang’e-6 probe on June 4 by Xinhua News Agency.

China’s lunar probe wraps up a successful mission

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Staff
June 8, 2024

On June 2, 2024, at 7:38 a.m. Beijing time, China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe touched down on the moon’s surface after several weeks of traveling. For the first time, it placed the Chinese flag on the far side of the moon, drilled and collected nearly...

Children play in the bed of a washed-up lake.

Asia faces a record-breaking heat wave

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Staff
May 25, 2024

In America, people are often heard complaining about temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. However, other parts of the world are currently facing extremely high temperatures, with extreme consequences. Asia’s recent heat wave has had a devastating...

A refined version of the first photograph ever taken, View From the Window at Le Gras, 1826

The fascinating evolution of a camera

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Staff
January 16, 2024

The year is 1826. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce takes a heated plate out of his homemade “camera obscura” and observes the result. Over the more than eight hours Niépce had waited, bitumen (asphalt) with light-sensitive properties had gradually hardened...

Henry Kissinger in 1972 (Courtesy of The New Yorker).

Henry Kissinger dies, leaving behind a controversial legacy

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Staff
December 23, 2023

On November 29th, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died at 100 years old. Having served under the administrations of 12 presidents, the tenured politician and diplomat has undeniably shaped American politics for the better part of the last century....

AI has numerous capabilities in the field of computer science.

How does AI impact computer science careers?

Nico Spatucci
December 2, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has received more attention than ever in recent years, doing everything from generating text-based prompts with ChatGPT to organizing facial recognition networks containing hundreds of millions of people, to correctly diagnosing...

Harmony officially made it to Broadway theaters featuring Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Blake Roman, Eric Peters, Zal Owen, and Steven Telsey.

Broadway’s new Harmony shines light on a forgotten past

Nico Spatucci, Eastside Staff
November 14, 2023

On November 13, 2023, the play Harmony finally debuted on Broadway after 30 years of production. This tenured play provides an intriguing and historically based plot, entertaining and emotional scenes, and thought-provoking questions throughout the entertaining...