The SPOKE November Issue 2022/2023

FALL SPORTS SEASON ONE OF BEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Philadelphia sports’ fall to remember

they scored. It was really something special to just be there with our friends and family throughout Philadelphia,” Azad said.

Three of the 29 sports equinoxes in history occurred this year, with at least one Philadelphia team competing in each event.

A rare occurrence in which the “Big Four” leagues — the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL — compete on the same day, this year’s sports equinoxes gave Philadelphia sports fans much to look forward to within the past month.

While the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers are not having the seasons fans may have hoped for, the Phillies and Eagles performed and continue to perform exceptionally well. In addition, the Union played a historic season.

For the rst time since 2009, the Phillies played in the World Series. Although they lost 4-2, the team created a sense of city pride that sports fans can only match to the Philadelphia Eagles’ win in the 2018 Super Bowl. World Series tickets for Citizens Bank Park sold for an average of $2,829 per seat.

Azad is a striker on Conestoga’s varsity boys’ soccer team and considers himself a big fan of the Philadelphia Union. He remembers playing a district playo game at the same time as a Union championship game. During both games, he felt immense pride for both his soccer team and Philadelphia’s.

“It was our own thing with ’Stoga because we had our district game right when the Union had their championship game,” Azad said. “It was just really cool to have our own city team playing in a big championship, and we were relating to that. It was really cool to have them playing while we were playing and to look up to them.”

e Union played in the Major League Soccer Cup for the rst time in the team’s history on Nov. 5. Despite losing to the Los Angeles Football Club, the team’s attendance at the game set a Philadelphia record.

Of Conestoga’s 10 fall sports — football, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, volleyball and eld hockey — eight quali ed for the district playo s, ve qualied for the state playo s and one won its respective state title.

For the second year in a row, the girls’ tennis team won the state championship and both soccer teams and the field hockey team played in the state playoffs. For the first time in eight years, the girls’ cross-country team made it to the state championships.

Conestoga’s 2022 fall athletic season has been one of the most successful seasons in the school’s almost seven-decade-long history, according to Kevin Pechin, the school’s athletic director.

On Nov. 7, even after the girls’ tennis team won its state title and the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams finished their state competitions, Pechin was delighted with how many more games the school’s athletic department had on the calendar. The teams still in season continued to win.

“We’re one of the few schools that still has multiple teams going and competing. Playing for a state title is an incredible feeling and something

I never got to do when I was in high school. I’m glad to be part of it here,” Pechin said. “It’s just really exciting that we are competing in every sport at an outstanding level.”

He attributes the awards and recognitions of the sports teams to their respective players and maintains a sense of pride as the athletic director due to the onthe- eld work ethic of his student-athletes.

By Abby Bagby and Ben Shapiro, T/E Life Editor and News Editor Continued

“Our kids perform so well because (of) their dedication

District implements new visitor screening system

badge will state their name, the visit’s date and its purpose.

On Nov. 7, TESD implemented the Raptor Technologies’ Visitor Management System, a so ware that monitors visitors who enter school buildings. e district implemented the new system to make the acceptance and production of visitor badges more e cient and to ensure that no one in the school buildings poses a safety threat.

e Raptor System requires all visitors and volunteers entering a school building to present a valid, state-issued ID, which school sta will scan across a national sex offender database. If the visitor does not have a match on the database, the system will print out a temporary badge for them to wear. e

If the visitor is matched with the sex o ender database, they will be denied entry unless they are attending a parent-teacher meeting. In this circumstance, they will attend the meeting virtually or sta members will escort them for as long as they are in the building.

“We want to make sure folks feel safe, that they know that people in the building are supposed to be in the building,” said TESD Director of Safety Dr. Chris Groppe. “And if you don’t have one of those things (either a feeling of safety or knowledge of who is allowed in the school building), then we want to know why.” e system’s approximate cost for the whole-district implementation was $18,688.

e added cost to the district brought forth questions about whether it was worth implementing. Twel h grade assistant principal Dr. Patrick Boyle oversees security at Conestoga and believes that the new system will prove to be of assistance.

“I’ve actually visited other schools where they have it in place,” Boyle said. “And I’ve seen how it works and how much quicker it is to get access to the building rather than waiting for (sta ) to handwrite a pass.”

e system is an improvement to the previous process of accepting school visitors by having them write down their names when signing in and out. It allows the individual schools’ administrations to accurately keep track of who is in a given

building throughout the school day in an easier fashion. Students and sta can also identify the visitors within the building as they will have stickers issued for their visit. Because of these reasons, some school security appreciate the system.

“I like (the new visitor system). I’m comfortable with it,” said security member Gennale McKissick. “And for the most part, we haven’t had any negative feedback about it.”

As of now, the Visitor Management System will be in place at all district schools for three years. is time frame is subject to change based on its e ectiveness.

“When we usually have a new system like this,” Boyle said, “we evaluate it as it goes on to see the e ectiveness of it and the viability of it as well.”

to the programs throughout the year. It’s not when it’s football season, they start doing football; it’s that they train and they prepare for the season all year round,” Pechin said.

e regular seasons for high school fall sports typically end in mid-October. However, because of the strength of this year’s athletic program, Conestoga sent athletes to district and state-level competitions until Nov. 16.

on page 3.

As of Nov. 19, the Eagles are currently positioned rst in the NFC East with a record of 8-1, continuing Philadelphia’s city pride post-baseball season.

Junior Aria Azad attended both an Eagles and Philadelphia Union game earlier this year and remembers the exhilarating climates of the games.

“Both stadiums were raging with (the) demand that we were gonna win. When we scored a goal or a touchdown, all the fans got up yelling and screaming, and they played their anthem when

Now that the baseball and soccer seasons are over, Philadelphia sports fans are focusing their attention on the Flyers, Eagles and 76ers. All three seasons continue into the new year.

“They (the Phillies and the Union) had a good run,” Azad said. “It was kind of tragic what happened in both places, but hopefully, the Eagles can take the win for the Super Bowl because they’re doing really well right now.”

More season-speci c information on page 11.

TETV now livestreaming school board meetings

“We are really excited about this, and it is a great addition to the work the board is doing. We can’t wait to see how it works,” school board member Michelle Burger said.

In the past, TETV recorded in-person meetings and uploaded them to its YouTube channel and website a few days later. However, the public expressed interest in live-telecasting the meetings, as done during the pandemic when the board held its meetings online.

e policy committee analyzed the logistics, costs and feasibility and also took into consideration the legal requirements regarding livestreaming meetings. In late June 2022, it passed the resolution 9-0. is decision only pertains to regular school board meetings, not committee meetings.

e motive behind this decision was to ensure that people who cannot make it to in-person meetings still have the opportunity to listen in live. However, to ensure only veri ed residents and taxpayers participate in the public comment section, those who wish to speak must do so in person. Additionally, emails will not be read aloud during board meetings.

“Livestreaming makes the board meetings more accessible and enables a wider audience to be involved in the school community. I appreciate it,” said Hyunsoo Kim, a T/E Middle School parent.

e livestreams are available on the district’s YouTube

channel, TETV.net, Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon Channel 14. Mike Baskins, the TETV supervisor, nds that there isn’t any major addition to his job, except “one more mouse button to click.”

However, according to Baskin, there are potential problems that may impede livestreaming. Alongside rudimentary network and internet issues, if a school board meeting is to take place outside of Conestoga’s cafeteria, it poses a problem as the broadcasting infrastructure is set up only in the high school.

ere has been an increase in expenditure because live-streaming on Verizon and Comcast costs additional money. Currently, the exact spending is unknown, but Burger believes the school board will soon have numbers.

e board, as Burger noted, eagerly awaits feedback from the community.

Opening doors: Security member Charles Davenport admits an adult into Conestoga during the school day. Since the school implementated the Raptor Visitor System, Davenport has scanned visitors’ IDs across a national sex o ender database before allowing them to enter the school building.

Conestoga Music Department Prepares for Long-Awaited Disney Trip

Photo Illustration by Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Western Astrology: Acknowledging its roots

Hitting his stride: Senior

Ben Shapiro News Editor

Sowmya Krishna and Faith Zantua Sta Reporters

Tredy rin/Easttown Television, the school district’s television station, livestreamed the Oct. 25 regular school board meeting for the rst time from Conestoga’s cafeteria.

Tanisha Agrawal Sta Reporter

Pressing record: School board members stand up for the pledge at the beginning of the Oct. 25 meeting. This was the rst meeting that Tredy rin/Easttown Television livestreamed a er the board approved the decision to do so 9-0.

Tanisha Agrawal/The SPOKE

Conestoga

’Stoga at states: From le to right, sophomore Shae Wozniak, freshman Evan Cross and junior Jennifer He play for Conestoga’s eld hockey, boys’ soccer and girls’s tennis teams, respectively.

Tredy rin teens propose township

Considering that the sitting president is a Democrat, the party performed remarkably well in the 2022 midterm elections. Democrats will maintain a majority in the Senate regardless of the results of Georgia’s runo election.

Pennsylvania Democrats Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and Rep. Melissa Shusterman won the gubernatorial, Senate, House of Represenatives and 157th district’s state House races, respectively.

TESD PLANS TO UPGRADE TRANSPORTATION SOFTWARE

At the Nov. 7 finance committee meeting, the school board discussed an upgrade to the software that maps out school bus routes. It will cost $20,000 and, once implemented, will make bus routes more efficient and more quickly notify parents of delays.

AMTRAK SIGNS $6 MILLION LEASE, LOOKS TO UPGRADE ITS TRAINS

In December, Amtrak plans to move into its new property in orndale, allowing the company to roll out a series of updated trains to the Northeast Corridor in the fall of 2023. e new trains will be able to carry up to 380 passengers; provide more table space; and contain ADA-certi ed cars, cafés and bathrooms.

CONESTOGA CLASS OF 1967 DONATES $2,167

On Sept. 18 and 19, the Class of 1967 held its 55th reunion at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. Fourty- ve alumni attended and the Class contributed $2,167 to the Conestoga General Scholarship Fund.

ramps on preserved land within the Chesterbrook community.

e track the teens originally built on Parcel 19, an open space trust, was demolished as it provoked the ire of neighbors disturbed by the commotion. It was not long, however, before the teens commenced the construction of a new set of ramps — this time located in the woods right behind Zadrozny’s property.

Zadrozny was initially brought into the woods by the sounds of the bikers molding the ramps’ features into place — what he described as “whacking noises.” e group initially believed they were in trouble when Zadrozny approached them and were taken by surprise when he instead introduced himself to voice his support for the initiative.

“Where I grew up, we used to have a big open eld where we could build forts and baseball diamonds, and play whatever. So I personally (like) it when I see kids building something so they can get outside and play,” Zadrozny said. “But, I told them people are going to eventually nd out about it and want to take it down again.

I brought it to the attention of the Civic Association and asked, ‘What can we as a group do to help these kids have a proper place?’”

When Zadrozny suggested the teenagers request an o cial bicycle motocross dirt track, Val-

most of the project’s research and planning.

According to Lynch, BMX dirt tracks are circular circuits of “rollers” and “berms” with ramp-like features implemented throughout the route. BMX

Lynch noted that the dirt-jumping style of mountain biking is especially popular amongst youth in the area.

“ ere’ve been tons of kids in Chesterbrook that I see all the time (riding BMX bikes). It’s a fun sport, it’s cool and it’s easy to get into as long as you know how to ride a bike. Unlike skateboarding where a lot of people who get into skateboarding ar-

Flu shot, COVID-19 booster administration overlap

Soumya Sathyanarayana Co-Webmaster

e new COVID-19 booster is now available for those ages 6 and older. is booster is bivalent, as opposed to the older monovalent booster, meaning one-half of the vaccine contains the original COVID-19 strain and the other half contains the two most common strains this season, subvariants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5.

e FDA approved P zer-BioNTech and Moderna’s bivalent formulations of the booster. It is designed for individuals to take as a single dose at least two months after primary vaccination or another booster. is booster o ers broader protection from COVID-19 but can cause

symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, colds and fevers.

Lindsay Walheim, a nurse at Conestoga, has seen cases of students with side e ects from receiving the COVID-19 booster.

“We de nitely have some students coming down saying they had their COVID-19 booster yesterday and aren’t feeling well and need to either just take some medication to help them get through the day or sometimes go home,” Walheim said.

Fall is also the time at which people get their yearly u shot, which has a similar symptom pro le to the booster. Both the u shot and the COVID-19 booster can have side e ects that deter people from getting them at the same time. Some prefer to take both shots at the same time to avoid facing the side e ects

twice and potentially missing work or school.

Sophomore Anshi Maurya took both vaccines together in mid-October. She missed a day of school because of severe symptoms from taking both vaccines.

“I took both shots at the same time to get it over with all at once and I wouldn’t have to miss more school than needed,” Maurya said. “I was extremely tired and sore.”

The CDC recommends that people take both vaccines at the same time, which is a common practice called co-administration. It is convenient in case one cannot make another appointment.

ough taking both vaccines at the same time can increase the likelihood of symptoms by 8-11%, according to the CDC, it is safe to do so.

en’t super comfortable, most people already know how to ride a bike. So you just have to learn how to jump it,” Lynch said.

e rst Tredy rin Township Parks and Recreations Board meeting that the boys attended was on July 13, to which more than 25 youth showed up — many riding their bikes to the meeting. e response from the board has been supportive thus far, and the boys are currently transitioning to the fundraising stages of the project, though they are currently unsure of from where the money will come.

e expected budget is $90,000, and the track requires half of an acre of land at minimum. e site of the park is set to be the Mill Road Compost site, which lies on the outskirts of Chesterbrook, making it easy for kids to bike to the park from their neighborhoods.

e boys believe the park would bene t the community by giving kids a healthy, safe alternative to using technology. e plan is to include three skill-level tracks, allowing for riders to easily switch between levels as they gain experience.

“Collaborating with the Township has been going good. We’ve met with the Parks and Rec Board three times (so far), and next meeting we’re going on to the Board of Supervisors,” Lynch said. “If they say yes, then it will be approved. And then we just have to get funding for everything and hopefully it’ll be built around next summer.”

Jennersville Hospital to reopen

In December 2021, more than 7,200 people signed a petition to keep Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals open. eir e orts failed. Now, months later, there is hope for Jennersville’s reopening.

Tower Health, a regional healthcare provider, closed both hospitals for nancial reasons last December. ChristianaCare, a Delaware-based health system, purchased Jennersville Hospital from Tower Health for $8 million in July. However, it had no means to actually reopen the hospital before now. In September, the American Rescue Fund Plan Act provided ChristianaCare with a $2.5 million grant to jump-start its e orts.

“ e closing of hospitals across the region has made it harder for people to access the care that they need,” said Michael Whalen, emergency medicine

physician and Main Line Health EMS director. “ is is more than just inconvenient. It is a big problem as ambulance travel times for emergency services are going up. Even when you get to the ER, the waiting times are up to six hours. e remaining hospitals have to take on more patients than ever.”

In 2021, around 35,000 patients visited Jennersville and Brandywine Hospitals’ emergency rooms, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. is year, these community members had to nd somewhere else to go. e closest options include Paoli, Chester County and Phoenixville Hospitals.

For some, the nearest emergency room is now 45 minutes away. is places the burden on paramedics to care for patients su ering from life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

“Unfortunately the hospitals that close are usually the ones

serving in areas that need the most help in the rst place. Jennersville Hospital had a prominent role in serving the local Hispanic community, and now that community has to look elsewhere to get the medical care that they need,” Whalen said.

Douglas Azar, ChristianaCare Senior Vice President of Strategic Clinical Integration, said that the abandoned building currently has neither information technology infrastructure nor laboratory equipment, which is why the government funding was necessary.

He noted that even though ChristianaCare will most likely not be in a position to reopen the hospital within the next 12 months, community members and medical sta at Chester County Hospitals are looking forward to the reopening. It is expected to bring great relief to the other hospitals and peace of mind to people in the Jennersville area.

District looking into full-day kindergarten, new elementary school

At the Oct. 10 school board education committee meeting, Dr. Wendy Towle revisited a familiar topic: whether the district should move to full-day kindergarten.

Towle, the District Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Sta Development and Planning has spearheaded the e ort to push TESD in the direction of replacing half-day kindergarten with a full-day program.

434 of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts currently run a full-day kindergarten program. irty-four more of those districts o er a full-day program on an individual basis to students with an Individualized Education Program or who are English Language Learners, including T/E.

Evidence points toward a full-day kindergarten program having many positive bene ts on early childhood development.

“ ere’s been some research that suggests that students who are in a full-day program have a

better overall feeling about being in school and sense of belonging because you’re not as rushed, so you can take more time and dive into things,” Towle said.

e bene ts of a full school day for kindergarteners extend

student relationships and social skills.

“The full-day program really allows the kids more time to work in all the areas of the curriculum (but also) fine motor skills and those formings of friendships.”

Some district parents, most of whom belong to two-income households, are in support of a full-day program that would better coincide with family schedules.

“It would support parents’ work schedules and save parents money on a ercare and activities to ll the day,” said kindergarten parent Marsha Bierly.

However, this isn’t the rst time the school district has taken a fullday program into consideration.

“I have been an administrator for a little over 15 years now, and during that time this is the third time we revisited this idea of full-day kindergarten,” Towle said.

Parents and teachers both have shown interest in the program according to Towle, but a major barrier stands in the way: a lack of adequate classroom

space within the current elementary schools.

e district has considered many solutions to the increasing enrollment within the district, including expanding current facilities, redistricting the elementary schools or simply building a sixth elementary school.

e addition of a new school will also provide a solution to the debate about a full-day kindergarten program. e building would be complete with rooms equipped to handle a bigger class of kindergarten students all at one time throughout the day. is would also free up classroom space in other elementary schools to better utilize the smaller rooms for full-day kindergarten.

However, none of these possible changes have the green light yet.

“ e school board has made no decisions about a new elementary school or full-day kindergarten,” Towle said. “ ere will be a lot more discussion and public input before either of these decisions (are) made.”

Arthur Zadrozny, Vice President of the Chesterbrook Civic Association, heard stories of local youth building unauthorized bike

Shrija Krishnan Sta Reporter

ley Forge Middle School eighth grader Dom Pecora took him up on the o er. Pecora was soon joined by his friend, freshman Ronan Lynch, and together, the boys dra ed a presentation to pitch to the Tredy rin Parks and Recreations Board. While the pair had support from Zadrozny and their parents, they were responsible for

bikes di er from traditional bikes in their 20-inch wheels, smaller frame and upraised handlebars — all features meant to enhance the rider’s speed and ability to perform tricks.

Julia Harris Sta Reporter

BMX building: Freshman Ronan Lynch and eighth grader Dom Pecora are working with the Tredy rin Township to construct a BMX dirt track like the one built in April behind Zadrozny’s home in Chesterbrook. A er clearing the area of vegetation using pickaxes and shovels, the group built a circuit of berms and rollers through a largely trial-and-error process, with the riders adjusting the jumps as needed.

Shrija Krishnan/The SPOKE

Breaking records: Volleyball history in the making

Cra s and corn walls: Peer Mediation hosts Fall Fest

Potential construction of sixth elementary school

DirtSculpt, an Allentown-based landscaper who has worked on similar projects in the past, is the expected contractor. Lynch hopes construction will start next summer.

to academics as well. According to research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, “Numerous large-scale national studies have shown that all students attending full-day kindergarten make greater gains

Remington Vaughan

Sta Reporter

Kindergarten kids: A p.m. kindergarten class at New Eagle Elementary takes part in Calendar Time. New Eagle, like all other TESD Elementary schools, has followed the half-day program, a three hour long school day. The school board will continue to look into the possibility of switching to a full-day kindergarten model in the coming years.

Courtesy Heather Macmichael

in literacy and math skills than their half-day counterparts.”

New Eagle Elementary School kindergarten teacher Alison Troy believes having more time in the classroom would positively influence

Reopening the doors: A “future site” sign stands tall in front of the abandoned building formerly known as Jennersville Hospital. ChristianaCare purchased the hospital for $8 million a er its closing at midnight on Jan. 1, 2022.

Julia Harris/The SPOKE

’Stoga at states: Tennis, soccer, eld hockey, cross-country compete

Girls tennis wins state championship for second consecutive year

On Oct. 29, the girls’ tennis team won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association 3A state championship for the second year in a row, defeating Unionville High School in a tight 3-2 win. Conestoga prevailed in two singles matches and one doubles match.

Juniors Kate Emmanuel and Jennifer He, second and third singles, won their matches in two sets with scores of 7-5, 6-2 and 7-5, 6-3, respectively. Senior Michelle Han and sophomore Sowmya Krishna secured a three-set win as second doubles with scores of 6-3, 6-4 and 7-5.

e win was especially notable considering the team’s signi cant roster changes from last season.

Several varsity players graduated since the previous state championship tournament.

“A er the deciding match was won, we were all so emotional and sobbing, and we were all like, ‘ is is huge! is is such a big win!’ because it’s not like we won last year and then had the same exact team back this year. Pretty much half of our varsity (team) was di erent,” said senior and captain Bella Chen.

A er winning the highest-level award for a high school athletic team last year, He felt substantial in-match pressure this year to perform at the same level. However, for her, the nervousness paid o in the end.

“The expectations weren’t as high this year compared to last year, (but) being the defending champion is harder than you would think,” He said. “When we won states, it just didn’t feel real.”

Boys’ soccer team plays in state playo s, again

Last year, the boys’ soccer team, just like the girls’ tennis team, won its state championships. e team looked like it would do the same this year; however, on Nov. 16, it lost its semi- nal game to Seneca Valley High School 2-0.

On Sept. 17, the boys ended their undefeated run that started in 2019 with a 2-0 loss to the Holy Ghost Preparatory School. While the loss brought the team some disappointment, junior and central attacking mid elder Diego Ramirez looked at the situation’s positives, paving a new road for the rest of the season.

“We lost our streak of being undefeated for three-plus years, but I feel like that was a good thing. It sort of got pressure o of our shoulders and allowed us to realize we’re not going to be undefeated this whole year. At some point, stu like that is going to have to come to an end. So it helped us realize that no matter what, we just got to keep on working,” Ramirez said.

e boys maintained a 16-2 record during their regular season and a 3-1 record throughout the District 1 Playo s. e Pennsylvania state playo games follow a single-elimination structure, which the team referred to as “jersey games.”

“During jersey games, pretty much everything’s on the line — our season could be over. We could return our jerseys a er that game,” Ramirez said. “So our mentality (was) just win one, focus on the next one; win one, focus on the next one.”

termined to surpass its previous season’s state runner-up title this year. However, on Nov. 12, the girls came up short in overtime, losing their quarter nal game 2-1 to Neshaminy High School.

ous years,” Gauthier said. “ e way these (female) coaches explain and do drills and help you out and give you feedback makes us all better. ey push us all to be the best we can be, and I think that shows in the success we’ve been having.”

Girls

soccer once again makes it to state playo s

A er a 2-0 loss during their state championship game last year, the girls’ soccer team was de-

Despite the loss, junior and forward Tory Gauthier attributes much of the team’s success this year to the new all-female coaching sta . She found that, in comparison to their previous male counterparts, this year’s female coaches were able to connect with the team in a unique way.

“ ey’re bringing in new insight that we haven’t had (in) previ-

In addition to the loss of 16 graduating seniors at the end of the 2021 season, the girls’ new coaching sta facilitated a large change for this year’s team. Senior, captain and striker Brynn Borger noted that the new coaching style of focusing on the opposing team’s strengths and weaknesses proved to be e ective.

“ is year, we focus more on game-to-game. We change how we play for the team we’re playing. At the beginning of the season, we went out and played how we always play. But, as we (got) farther, there’s more and more lm of teams, so we see how they play and who their stronger players are,” Borger said.

Field Hockey plays in state playo s for second year in a row e eld hockey team performed well during its 2021 season, making it to the state semi- nals and placing third in PIAA brack-

et 3A. Despite seeing nine seniors graduate last year — a similar loss to that of the girls’ tennis and soccer teams — this year’s team has continued to play at the same high level. is season, the varsity team consisted of seven seniors, eight juniors, six sophomores and one freshman. e girls were the 2022 PIAA District 1 runners-up and, just like boys soccer, lost their semi- nal game on Nov. 16. e girls maintained a 2-2 tie into overtime, but lost when Lower Dauphin High School managed to pull ahead and win 3-2.

Senior and defender Amanda Hill noted that Conestoga’s team consisted of a larger proportion of non-seniors than some of the other teams with which it competed. Nevertheless, the girls nished their regular season with a record of 17-1 and an overall record of 22-3.

“I was surprised this year because I know we have a lot of younger girls, and it’s kind of amazing that we’ve gone this far. Usually, other teams have a bunch of seniors, where we’re more of a younger team,” Hill said. “We’re just so connected. I think it’s amazing that we have such a special bond.”

Sophomore Shae Wozniak, a forward and mid elder, is one of the younger girls on the team. Wozniak just nished her second season playing on the varsity team and emphasized the importance of the girls’ collective drive both on and o the eld.

“When it comes to practices, I think we all know that we have to work really hard and focus because that’s the only way that we’ll win our games. So, we put in a lot of hustle and hard work,” Wozniak said.

e boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams had successful seasons this fall, with numerous runners qualifying for the state championship races.

From the boys’ team, junior Shane Walsh and freshman Parker Warkentine quali ed for states. Warkentine is the fastest freshman in the state and placed 19th overall in the tournament. Walsh feels that the team’s bond was key to its successful performance.

“Without support, there’s no way you can move forward, so we’re very close-knit,” Walsh said.

Senior and captain James Johnson also found maintaining team chemistry to be crucial. He felt that the group bonded naturally both during and outside of practice.

“You can’t really run 10 miles and not be bored unless you’re talking with some of your friends while you’re running, so we’ve formed strong bonds there,” Johnson said. “We had a big turnout of people that went to states and districts and cheered everyone on.” e girls quali ed for states as a team for the rst time since 2014 and the second time since 2004. ey nished 13th in the state. Senior and captain Natalie Haracz felt that the team’s connection greatly contributed to the season’s success.

“I feel like that’s the number one thing: just helping each other out,” Haracz said. “ at’s what helps our training because it’s so mentally tough. Having someone else near you that’s your biggest supporter really helps you get through each run because you’re doing it together.”

Tredy rin Township to construct two new stations for Berwyn Fire Company

Over the past two years, the Berwyn Fire Company and Tredy rin Board of Supervisors met on Zoom to discuss the plans to construct two new re stations in the township. ese stations will be complete rebuilds of the main re station at 23 Bridge Ave. and its substation near Gateway Shopping Center. In rebuilding the stations, the township’s intent is to improve the e ciency and quality of the Berwyn Fire Company.

Julie Gosse, chair of the Tredy rin Supervisors, believes that the re company needs the new stations to shorten medical response times in the district.

“Our re companies provide not just our re protection, but they’re also our rst responders for emergency medical needs,” Gosse said. “It’s important to have the infrastructure in place in order to have top-notch re and emergency medical services.”

e Berwyn Fire Company will rebuild its main station

according to Berwyn EMS captain Michael Baskin.

“For the main station, we should be tearing down the current building this spring, and it’ll take about 15 months to do the

whole project,” Baskin said. “For our substation, we purchased the Boy Scouts property at the corner of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Valley Forge Road, and in the next three to ve years, we’ll

build an actual re station down there on that property.”

e Berwyn Fire Company consists of both paid and volunteer sta , and volunteers can take multiple jobs at the re de-

partment. e company does not plan to make large changes to its sta since it is only rebuilding stations and not moving. According to Goose, once its current main station is fully renovated, there will not be an immediate change in sta ng numbers.

While these stations may not bring sta ng changes, the new facilities and equipment will have e ects on the re company. e current main station on Bridge Avenue was built in 1929 and was not created to work with modern technology or the internet. e full renovation of the building and the addition of a new substation will allow for the latest technology and communications equipment.

Senior Taha Chomewala, an EMT student through the Allied Health program, believes that this improvement of communication technology will improve the e ciency of the Berwyn Fire Company.

“I feel like communication is de nitely going to be better because there will be less pres-

sure on just one re company responding to multiple calls in a day. Right now, Berwyn Fire Company is probably having around 10 to 15 daily re calls, and expanding (the station) and letting them have a renovated space will allow the company to focus and improve communication,” Chomewala said.

e Berwyn Fire Company built the three di erent sections of the current station in di erent decades, which causes some structural problems for the re department, such as the garage door not accommodating taller ambulances. According to Baskin, the new stations will also provide a better working space and allow the re company to meet current and future needs.

“Being able to build from scratch rather than keep doing renovation gives us the ability to really plan it out and make the rooms work for us,” Baskin said.

“We already know the way we operate, so everything that we’re going to build is going to help us and make us more e cient.”

Rohan Anne Co-Webmaster and create a substation at 1100 West Valley Road from where it has currently been operating outside in a tent. It will take at least three years for the construction to be completed

Fighting re: The Berwyn Fire Company is completely rebuilding its main station on Bridge Avenue. It has been working with the Tredy n Board of Supervisors throughout the past two years to plan the build. The renovated main station will allow the re ghters to get out of the building quicker and more e ciently.

Rohan Anne/The SPOKE

Cross Country sends runners to tate championship

Stealing the ball: Sophomore Shae Wozniak takes control of the ball during the eld hockey team’s Nov. 8 game against Penn Manor High School. The girls won the game 3-1 and made it to the state semi- nals. Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Kicking it: Junior Diego Ramirez runs the ball down the eld during the boys’ soccer team’s home game against Hemp eld High School on Nov. 8. The team made it to the state semi- nals, but lost 2-0.

Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Winding up: Senior Brynn Borger scores at the girls’ soccer team’s Nov. 4 game against Central Bucks West High School. They made it to the state quarter nals.

Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Music department prepares for Disney

Prashi Agarwal and Vaishnavi Sriadibhatla Sta Reporters

e music department will travel to Disney World, Orlando, for their big performance trip, happening for the rst time since 2018.

is trip, which is set to take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, has been the cause of excitement amongst many members of the music department.

Multiple music groups will have the opportunity to meet professional movie directors, as well as march along Main Street. Students in the Conestoga music department have been meticulously preparing for their much-anticipated trip to Disney World.

Requiring hours of planning from the music department teachers, the trip also comes at a great cost for individual attendees — $1,595 per student. Students had the opportunity to fundraise as a group through concession stands at football games

and events like the Cavalcade. Some also fundraised individually with ideas such as selling Wawa coupons.

Since the trip will be happening a er a four-year hiatus, the experience is a rst for many in the music department. Junior and saxophone section leader Cooper Ballard has been awaiting his turn to experience Disney as a part of the Marching Band.

“I’m super excited. I remember going when my brother was in Marching Band and I went down there to watch them when they marched through the Magic Kingdom parade.I was like ‘Wow, I want to do something like that,’” Ballard said. “Now that I’m actually doing it seems like ‘Oh, I nally get to do it.’ Especially a er two years of COVID and all those issues we’re nally going to a big trip.”

e Conestoga Marching Band will be performing in the Main Street Parade, which occurs every day of the trip. In the past, the

parade has been in the daytime; however, this year it will take place during the night.

Senior and color guard section leader Khani Valasa has been very excited for the nighttime parade.

“Doing the nighttime parade is actually such a big thing because when you do the nighttime parade, it’s like the entire park is there,” Valasa said. “In the morning, we don’t know who’s there; people sometimes come in late, but at night, everyone is there for the reworks.”

In addition to the Marching Band, some choral ensembles will be performing in the Disney Candlelight Vigil. e Vigil includes other high schools, a professional orchestra, a celebrity narrator and experienced soloists. ey will also be performing at a concert in one of the theme parks at Disney World. Other choral groups will be doing just the Disney workshop and have been meeting less o en as they do not need to prepare for

a performance. Freshman Sophie Wernsing is going on the Disney trip, as a member of both the Cantata and Chorale.

“I’m looking forward to the choral workshop that we’re doing, where we learn a Disney song and then we sing it and record it, played over the top of the movie,” Wernsing said.

Planning a huge trip to Disney a er COVID-19 proved to be very time-consuming for the music directors.

“An incredible amount of time was spent (planning),” said Christopher Nation, one of the music directors at Conestoga. “As with any trip, there’s a lot of logistics that go into it. ere’s spreadsheets and data and things like that. And with this many students, you’ve got 313 going, it’s a lot of emails and correspondence and planning.”

Each music group will be meeting regularly in November to rehearse music pieces before the trip.

Handel’s Ice Cream relocation: The inside scoop

Vanessa Chen and Eva Kennedy Sta Reporters

It’s a warm Friday a ernoon, and groups of friends from T/E Middle School and ’Stoga are walking downtown to socialize and enjoy ice cream, as usual. is time, though, the students’ nal destination is not the familiar Handel’s property next to the Berwyn Shopping Center, but rather the parlor’s brandnew building across the street.

Since its opening in 2005, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has been the social gathering place for many in the T/E community. e shop, which o ers a wide variety of frozen treats and a relaxing atmosphere, has become a popular hangout for friends and families of all ages. While many customers were surprised by Handel’s recent relocation to the other side of Lancaster Avenue, it has allowed for a di erent setting with much more to o er.

“It’s a lot newer (and) it’s a bigger space on the inside,” said junior Jack Block, an employee at Handel’s. “ ere’s more parking for people — there’s a garage next to (the new building). It’s just more convenient for the customers and the people working there.”

e process of Handel’s relocation began around two years ago. As the property’s lease was ending, owner Buck Buchanan

purchased what had previously been the Easttown Township building behind the old Handel’s, with the intent to move his business there. However, Buchanan then began to receive o ers on the old township building.

“I really wasn’t interested (in the offers) until I found out that the strip center alongside (the old) Handel’s would probably never be developed if it wasn’t a larger parcel that would include the property I owned,” Buchanan said. “I then felt it was in the best interest of the village for me to sell (the old township building) to somebody who would do a good job developing it.”

According to Buchanan, the plans to develop the land were at rst opposed by residents who didn’t want to see change. e struggle went on for two more years until the building across the street opened up, and Buchanan decided to move Handel’s there.

e parlor worked with building inspectors and the township’s health department, purchasing new equipment and exterior additions to the new building. On Oct. 7, the Handel’s held its grand opening.

“During this time of year, we start to get less customers because it’s getting colder. But (now) people are coming out to see the new location. So it’s pretty busy,” Block said.

With ve additional benches, signi cantly increased parking,

and more widespread lines across the order windows, the Handel’s experience has improved in both ease and e ciency.

“You get more space to walk around (in the store),” said sophomore Ishaan Kharva, who works at Handel’s. “It makes it easier to work…and now the line is more spread out rather than one big line before.”

Some of the old building’s physical aspects are missed by community members, including the white billboard in front of the property that advertised Handel’s seasonal avors and upcoming events.

“Many (customers) missed the sign that we (would) change with a little bit of humor and goodwill on a regular basis,” Buchanan said.

Overall, though, Handel’s new location has received praise and seems to be a welcomed change to both student life and the wider community. According to Buchanan, the store’s move is just one component of the plan to transform downtown Berwyn into a safer and more open center, with new sidewalks, crosswalks and plazas.

“ e plaza (next to Handel’s) where there are tables and chairs and benches is for the community,” Buchanan said. “ ere will also be a similar plaza built across the street where the old Handel’s was. So we should have a very nice gateway into Berwyn.”

Social media for good: Students use Instagram to showcase work, gain traction

Lily Chen, Isabelle Emmanuel and Abbie Preston Sta Reporters

From sharing pictures of a family vacation to texting a friend, social media has become intertwined in people’s daily lives. ough created for personal reasons, individuals now use social media to promote their hobbies, businesses or organizations — Conestoga students are no exception.

From promoting a school club to showcasing one’s artwork, numerous students have taken to Instagram to develop an audience and achieve their goals.

For example, Conestoga’s chapter of Interact, a national organization that promotes community service, utilizes social media to attract members and showcase their service projects. According to Reese Oakes, junior co-president of Interact, a

substantial number of members is fundamental to the success of a service club.

“When we have more people, we can do bigger projects, larger fundraisers, and then we can help more people. Since we’re a service club, the more people we have, the more resources we have to help others and to make our projects more successful,” Oakes said. “Social media sometimes can be seen as like a highlight reel; in this case, that’s a good thing, because it’ll attract more people. So if we show the best parts of our projects, it’ll show (people) how fun it is, and then (people) will want to join the club.”

For junior Lila Ziegler, social media is a place to organize her artwork and an outlet to inspire others. Her Instagram account features some of her best pieces, most of which are realistic pieces created with colored pencils, Ziegler’s preferred medium. She

also uses her social media to display her progress and pieces to colleges.

“It (social media) has definitely helped me because it gets my name out there, and I can show my best pieces,” Ziegler said. “I can look at it, and I feel accomplished with what I’ve created, and (I want) other people to see what I’ve done.”

Junior Jennifer He, who has had a personal photography account since eighth grade, uses social media to promote pictures of sports games and other school events.

“Honestly, when I rst started this account in middle school I did it solely because I wanted to have a place where I can publicize pictures I took for fun of the sports teams,” He said. “But now, I use my account as a public portfolio where I can post what I love

doing and also let others have access to pictures they are interested in.”

Junior Kat Nguyen, a sta member for TETV and Good Morning ’Stoga, was inspired to start an Instagram account dedicated to her broadcast journalism endeavors a er attending a summer program at Penn State. She showcases events she has attended, such as the Mid-Atlantic Emmys and the KYW Newsradio Newstudies program.

“I use a more professional Instagram as a way to network with college professors, people in the industry and companies that I’m working with. It helps my reputation a lot and also helps me meet and stay connected with a lot of people in the industry,” Nguyen said. “I also just have a lot of fun with broadcast journalism. I like having a place where I can look back and see how much I’ve grown and im-

proved with all my work. “

By using social media, junior Aryan Rana has received interest from digital art galleries, magazines and art book projects to feature his artwork. Rana creates digital art in a “shattered” style, featuring various re ective surfaces within the composition of the piece. For Rana, it is essential to gain a community in social media in order to e ectively promote his work.

“Everyone’s trying to gain traction together, so if you find a community, then you can get involved in it and other social media accounts within that industry will support you,” Rana said. “Right when I started my Instagram, what got me that initial boost was other artists that had a following already reposting my stuff. It got my work in front of so many eyes for free, just because I’m part of the community.”

A wheelie di cult situation: Biking to school

Studies show that biking is one of the least popular options of transportation among others such as driving, taking the bus and walking. Despite this, Alexis and Kayla Allen, sophomore and junior sisters at Conestoga, have no choice but to ride their bikes every morning.

“I can’t do anything about it because my parents are both busy in the morning,” Alexis Allen said.

e Allens feel that biking is the best form of transportation available to them. Since they are unable to take the bus due to their close proximity to the school, riding a bike was more preferable than walking.

“It’s easier to bike to school than to have to walk a longer distance, because we don’t live really close to school, but it’s just close enough that we can’t take the bus,” Alexis Allen said, having biked since eighth grade.

Willard Johnson, a junior biker at Conestoga, agrees. Although he is signed up for the bus, he chooses to bike anyway.

“I like biking to school because of the freedom it gives me and the

fact that I don’t have to sit surrounded by people,” Johnson said. Johnson nds that the weather can inconvenience his rides to school. In the wintertime or when it is dark outside, he chooses to ride the bus instead.

“About a month or so, it’s going to be dark out when I bike to school too,” Johnson said. “But in a month or so it’s going to be too cold to bike anyway. And I’ll probably just take the bus.”

Kayla Allen mentions another downside to biking regarding sports. She claims that the soreness a er sports made biking even more of a challenge.

“Sometimes I do sports. So, sometimes the day a er track, I’ll be sore and that makes it a lot harder,” Kayla Allen said.

Alexis Allen wants to stick with biking as her main form of transportation.

“Occasionally, I think there’ll be a few places that I’ll want to go to that are di cult for me to get to on a bike but for the most part, the places I go to are easy enough to go to with a bike,” Alexis Allen said. “So, I’ll probably stay with a bike primarily.”

Entertaining the crowd: Junior Cooper Ballard plays the saxophone for the marching band during the hal ime break of a football game. The game took place on Sept. 2 and was the band’s rst hal ime performance of the year.

New and improved: Handel’s relocates across the street to a larger building. The move has allowed for expanded facilities and more e cient service.

Safe storage: Students store bikes on the bike rack during the school day.

Lexi Lin and Riddima Pandey Sta Reporters

Photo end: Junior Jennifer He positions to take a photo. She has been taking photos for her Instagram account since eigth grade.

Isabelle Emmanuel/The SPOKE

Eva Kennedy/The SPOKE

Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Technical tactics: Theatre department employs innovative technology in fall play

Zara Samdani Copy Editor

Reading minds, hopping between di erent planets and, of course, using an object with ve dimensions — these elements are nothing but normal for this year’s fall play.

On Nov. 17, Conestoga premiered “A Wrinkle in Time,” an adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic 1962 novel. e play is told from the perspective of Meg Murry, an awkward teenager who is troubled by personal insecurities and concern for her missing father. Even though it is set in a modern town, the play incorporates unreal, futuristic elements — making it di erent from past productions.

“ is show heavily relies on technical aspects, like the lights and the set,” said freshman Prranit Arora, a member of the play’s cast. “ at’s made the rehearsal process

odd. We (the actors) aren’t really sure what the show is going to look like yet because we (don’t) have that technical part.”

To accurately portray the intergalactic setting, the technology crew created digital images, known as projections, of di erent locations on earth and space. ese images are stitched together, projected on the screen — where they serve as the backdrop for the scene — and timed carefully so that they switch to a different image a er a scene is over.

“We used the projector for ‘Anastasia’ (last year),” said sophomore Kaitlyn Hess, a member of the stage crew who controls the lights. “But the di erence with (‘Anastasia’) is that we bought pre-made projections that were from a di erent company. is time (for ‘A Wrinkle in Time’), there (were) no pre-made projections, and we (made) everything from scratch.”

e play also used approximately 30 sound e ects, which is signi cantly more than in previous years. e technology crew implemented particular noises to convey speci c actions — teleportation, space travel and mind-reading, for example — during the play. When timed correctly, these noises add realism and immerse the audience in the surreal environment.

“If we do our job well and seamlessly, then there are beautiful transitions from scene to scene and the audience feels transported from one part of the story to another — especially in this production of ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ because we’re going around the universe,” said senior Ayala Snir, the le deck captain of the stage crew.

Because of “A Wrinkle in Time’s” modern setting, the cast and crew did not need to prioritize the traditional components of a play, such as the costumes

and props. With the exception of interacting with extra-terrestrial creatures, the main actors wear everyday out ts and require minimal theater props.

“Looking at the set itself, there’s really little props,” ’Stoga eatre director Natalie Wallace said. “A lot of (the play) is communicated through sound, through light, through the projections.”

A combination of a heavy reliance on technology and a decreased use of props sets the play apart from past productions, according to Wallace.

“We’re blessed with some very talented actors with a talented tech crew. ey (the tech crew) do a good job telling the story. ey do an amazing job of designing that vision that I’m looking for,” Wallace said. “And that’s what makes this process so much easier. Everyone is working together through all their di erent talents to put on an amazing production.”

Artist of the Month: NAHS sets up new showcase to honor members

Madeline Pulliam and Emily Scheer Sta Reporters

e National Art Honors Society (NAHS) has begun a new showcase for displaying the artwork of Conestoga’s new Artist of the Month. e showcase can be found in the main lobby for students to look at when they walk into school. In September, the rst recipient of the spot in the showcase was senior Avery Taylor. Following Taylor as the October artist, senior Mae Tomar earned a place in the showcase.

is showcase advocates for the arts in the school by showcasing the students’ talents to other students and the community.

“It (the showcase) means a lot because I put a lot of e ort

into it. It’s really nice to have the opportunity to display it, and it’s really fun. I was able to take my work from throughout the years and put it together and see how much I’ve improved and changed,” Tomar said.

A er gaining permission from administration to use the space in the lobby, art teacher and NAHS sponsor Leanne Argonish and NAHS members began putting together the showcase for Artist of the Month. Currently, students can voluntarily enter the running by submitting artwork through a OneDrive folder. If Artist of the Month becomes more competitive, then the NAHS o cers and Argonish will judge the work.

“We do this annually, and I’ve been part of sponsoring the

(NAHS) since probably 15 or 16 years. And it is part of the bylaws of the National Art Honor Society to showcase. is is one of the opportunities for the students to get their work on display, including showcases we do around the school,” Argonish said.

For art students, having their work displayed in the school by the NAHS is a huge accomplishment. e artists get to be recognized for pieces that they have put incredible e ort into over their years in high school. ey also get the opportunity to have their talent shared with other students and show how important art is for the community.

“It was really cool to be able to show it off because the pieces from sophomore year had

just been sitting in my room,” Taylor said.

is showcase has helped get students’ work out there in ways that may not be able to be expressed, according to Taylor. It uncovered talents and allowed the artists of Conestoga to share their art with other students.

“It’s so important for art to be put on display and shared because art really impacts our everyday lives and design impacts everything we do to — from how we brush our teeth to how we perceive the world around us,” Argonish said, “So, if our art is just made in a vacuum in our classrooms, and no one is seeing the talents that happen, it’s kind of like practicing for a beautiful musical and never having the stage performance.”

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Located on Lancaster Avenue, Aneu seemingly blends in with other local stores surrounding the area. However, upon entering this café, the vast array of options presents so much more: It is a dessert parlor with a diverse assortment of ice cream, a juicery with freshpressed drinks and a catering hub that provides pre-packaged meals for families. Yet, most importantly and impressively, it is a modern marketplace that seamlessly incorporates fresh and natural ingredients to make comfort food taste and feel healthy.

e café boasts an extensive menu, o ering a variety of smoothies, fresh pressed juices and other beverages options. e strawberries and cream smoothie is a good rst-choice, as it contains a combination of strawberries, banana, yogurt and skim milk. e smoothie is blended to the perfect consistency and lled with natural avors. Priced at $9.95, the drink comes in 16-ounce portions, but

: ANEU Café

it is well worth the cost. While the drink is heavy on yogurt, the savory taste serves as a good mechanism to o set the sweetness from the fruits.

e Daily Elixir o ers a light and unique refreshment for $4.35 for a medium size and $4.85 for a large. e ginger, lemon and honey combination gave an immediate awakening feeling followed by an herbal a ertaste. For those looking for an unusual and tangy beverage, the Daily Elixir o ers the opportunity to try something new.

Yet the drinks aren’t the only reason to stop by Aneu. e café has a plethora of options, ranging from grab-and-go meals to sweet treats. Many of the menu items are rotated seasonally, ensuring new surprises throughout the year. From the bakery, the sugar cookie has a so and buttery center, with added texture from the appropriately themed Halloween sprinkles.

e glazed icing adds a nishing touch, nicely topping o the cookie with a sweet layer.

e marketplace showcases a variety of fresh salads and delicious quiches that make for a quick and healthy lunch. e pesto pasta salad is rich and so , as the noodles are cooked to perfection. Served cold, the pasta provides a burst of bold avors, but light enough to have you coming back for seconds. e addition of tomatoes and peas adds a slight sweetness that elevated the avor of the pasta.

Overall, Aneu is the perfect location for anyone going out to eat. Whether it’s a grab-and-go dish or a deliciously cra ed meal, the café has a menu-option for every meal of the day. Next time seniors leave on their 30-minute lunch break, they should consider stopping by Aneu for a refreshing treat.

ANEU 1556 Lancaster Ave

Paoli, PA 19301 Price: $$

Rating: Phone: 610-251-9600

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Held captive: Alex Murry, played by senior Scott Angelides is trapped in prison in the far-off universe of Camazotz. He stayed there until his daughter Meg (not shown) played by senior Cate Oken saved him from “It,” reuiniting the two.

Sweet escape: Meg and her father, joined by Calvin, played by seniors Cate Oken and Scott Angelides and junior Akhilesh Baddi, respectively,narrowly escape Camazotz and the wrath of “It.” A er the trio made it to safety, they planned their approach to destroying the darkness and saving Meg’s brother, Charles Wallace.

Ben Shapiro/The SPOKE

Maya Shah/The SPOKE

Art a cionado: Senior Mae Tomar is featured in October’s Artist of the Month showcase. NAHS created this showcase for artists to be displayed in the main lobby.

Madeline Pulliam/The SPOKE

Hiba Samdani

Small delights: The Strawberry and Cream Smoothie and Vanilla Frilla Coffee are placed next to a sugar cookie. The drinks and cookies were made from scratch.

Hiba Samdani/The SPOKE

Hello

Written by Rowan Chetty and Raima Saha, Staf Reporter and Co Design Editor Designed by Raima Saha, Co-Design Editor

“Don’t be discouraged. You have to be open-minded with everything If you have a plan, do it. Don’t be home; try to interact with (others and) don’t close any door ”

“I miss the sidewalks. Next to every street (in Germany) you can go everywhere with (a) bike, because that doesn't exist (here).“

“I (have) always wanted to be an exchange student

(I have) always wanted to know (more about) a dif ferent culture and live (in) another place ”

Aimée Larson, Grade 11 Geneva, Switzerland

Marta Ruiz de la Peña Canseco, Grade 11 Oviedo, Spain

Lukas Nussen, Grade 10

Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Sophie Floegel, Grade 10 Günzberg, Germany

Alessandro Lucchi, Grade 12, Trento, Italy

Inva Furriku, Grade 12 Tirana, Albania

Why

Shreya Vaidhyanathan Opinion Editor

Pennsylvanian voters could register online up until Oct. 24.

Texans, on the other hand, had to register by mail or in-person by Oct. 11 because their state has not yet implemented online voter registration. In Alaska, voters could register online but had to do so by Oct. 9, a full 30 days before election day, while 21 states, including Utah and Wyoming, allow for Election Day registration.

All of this to say, the voter registration process is riddled with complicated, state-speci c rules that overlap and contradict at will, causing voter confusion.

With fairer practice regarding polling place distribution and less room for misinterpretation

need to standardize voting procedures across America

of voting procedures, national standardization under the federal government would serve the people more fairly.

From registration deadlines to the voting rights of convicted felons, election procedure laws vary among the states endlessly. A study by Knight Foundation found that the leading reasons for potential voters’ discouragement from casting a ballot are a lack of information and confusion surrounding the voting process.

Standardizing voting laws across the country, something that can only feasibly be accomplished with the aid of the federal government, would prevent this type of discouragement in voters.

Apart from dissonance throughout current legisla-

tion from state to state, another unpredictable aspect of local governments handling

Curriculum conundrum

eficial in multiple ways. Students would share activities throughout classes, have a fair experience in assessment and grading and would read the same books at roughly the same time, allowing collaboration and discussion outside the parameters of their own classroom.

creating common assessments with fixed dates, they will retain their creative freedom with classroom content while still providing a fair experience to students.

Mareska Chettiar Sta Reporter

I just submitted my Scarlet Letter analysis essay. It was stressful, and I put in a lot of time to make it as refined as possible. But, when I told my friends about it, they were confused why I had to write one in the first place. Some of them had a test weeks ago, while others were doing a creative project. Right down the hall, another class was watching a movie with the book and didn’t have the assignment due for another week.

I was baffled. How are we all doing vastly different things while taking the same course at the same level?

Here lies the curriculum’s conundrum — though covering the same material and skills, our classes are often different in grading and assessments. This results in unfair advantages, where assignments are graded leniently or harshly depending on the teacher, differences in workload and rifts in synchronization.

Having a more similar course overall would be ben-

Surprisingly, there is a simple solution to achieve this: more planning time. If teachers had more district-allotted planning time to personally collaborate, plan lessons and share ideas, many classes would be doing more similar things in the same timeframe.

Though departments meet once a month for about an hour and on inservice days, teachers do not have time to personally collaborate on the curriculum apart from those times. For example, Honors American Voices teachers share calendars to try and keep their classes on the same track, but content covered and grading methods remain unique to each class. While grading rubrics are shared across classes for some cumulative projects, they are rarely used in smaller assignments that make up most of students’ grades.

While teaching the same lesson on a rigid schedule is almost impossible in a subjective class like English, similar content and grading rubrics are not the only ways to get the department on the same page. If teachers engage in

Though some argue that classes that are too similar could become monotonous and restrict creativity in both teachers and students, having synced classes would be more beneficial in both social and academic aspects. Students could discuss the material in the same timeframe and collaborate outside their classrooms, and similar assessments of the content would ensure fairness. As for teachers, they could share ideas to find a middle ground where content taught isn’t the same, thus retaining creative freedom.

Though specific issues may arise with keeping all the classes together, like a teacher not wanting to cover specific material or there not being enough books to go around for all classes, there are multiple pathways for change and improvement in how English classes are conducted.

Other departments would also benefit from district-allotted personal collaboration time between teachers to further enrich the lessons given. The district’s mission to ensure equality in education would also be facilitated with this action, and students would be highly satisfied with synced and equitable classes.

In the past few months, more than 20 politicians, school board members and community leaders nationwide have spread the rumor that schools are providing litter boxes for children who identify as cats in school bathrooms, according to an NBC News article. is is a shocking statement, and for those who believe these allegations and shake their sts at the news — “ e education system is indoctrinating our kids!”— it contributes to anti-trans panic.

e notion of people identifying as animals, cats or otherwise, is taken from the idea of xenogenders. Xenogenders are genders de ned not by relation to “male” or “female,” but by other ideas not usually associated with gender, such as animals, plants and other things, as de ned by the Non-binary Wiki. People who identify with xenogenders do not identify as the things themselves, however, merely in relation to them; the

took the lead on the election process and adopted a bipartisan committee structure, voters’ lack of con dence due to partisan election overseers is addressed.

In fact, Bipartisan Policy Center found that nationally, voters are more trusting of election results when it is a statement made by their state’s nonpartisan chief election official, as opposed to a Republican or Democrat party leader; adopting a bipartisan or nonpartisan structure could lead to a major decrease in voter doubt regarding elections.

Some may argue that, because Clause 1 of the Constitution states that elections are to be le up to

the states, involving the federal government is harmful to states’ rights. What they seem to forget, however, is that the Constitution is a living, breathing document, one that’s entire purpose is to serve the people of the United States to its absolute best ability.

Earlier this year, an NPR survey found that 64% of Americans believe that U.S. democracy is “in crisis and at risk of failing.” When public opinion holds that the current system is broken, it is the government’s job to rectify the situation and better serve the people, even if that means altering the supreme law of the land. To take steps to standardize voting laws across the country, contact your local representatives and make sure they know that this is an issue their constituents care about. Additionally, supporting various programs that lobby against restrictive voting laws is of utmost significance in this fight. Let’s make it easier for Americans to have their voice heard.

,

Yuting Pu/The SPOKE

claim that children are identifying as cats is inaccurate. Politicians also blame furries for the litter box rumors, another mischaracterization. e furry subculture involves people dressing up in anthropomorphic animal suits, and has nothing directly to do with gender identity or identifying as animals. Furries and xenogenders are entirely separate things, but both are blamed interchangeably for the alleged litter boxes, a clear indicator of the lack of understanding on these topics.

But let’s set the record straight. Schools aren’t putting litter boxes in bathrooms. Every school accused of providing litter boxes by these politicians has refuted their claims, and the one Colorado school district that does keep litter in schools, Jefferson County School District, does so in case of a school shooting, according to NBC. e stupidity of these accusations may seem obvious to some, and as far as rumors go, they’re quite farfetched. However, the fact that this urban myth has wormed its

way into serious political debate forebodes something much, much worse for transgender and non-binary students.

Around 1.6% of adults identify with a gender di erent than the sex they were assigned at birth, according to a 2022 Pew research study. Yet, anti-trans legislation has been coming up in record high numbers, with CBS reporting that over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were proposed in 2022 so far, 155 of which target trans individuals speci cally.

What does this have to do with schools and litter boxes?

e litter box rumor, like many others, is a fearmongering tool, used to rally support for anti-trans political agendas under the sensationalist threats transgender people supposedly pose to children. First, it was about physical advantages in sports, then grooming and now something as implausible as litter boxes in schools. All these accusations are baseless.

e point isn’t to prove that these accusations are true, though. ese rumors draw on

Singling out those in the trans community deemed “weird” or “unseemly” comes from a place of fearful ignorance and promotes the idea of being “acceptably trans,” where only certain identities are worthy of respect.

Ostracizing certain people from a community just because others don’t understand their identity or nd it odd is just another form of transphobia and bigotry. Those who identify with xenogenders aren’t harming the trans community; they are simply a scapegoat for hateful ideologies. To create an inclusive and, above all, safe environment for students of all genders, it is necessary to call out purposefully inflammatory misinformation, and recognize the genuine harm it causes.

elections

is the introduction of legislation that makes it harder to vote. e Brennan

Aren Framil Co-Design Editor

Center for Justice states that lawmakers have passed more than 40 restrictive voting laws

across

21 states just this year, 34 of which can “disproportionately a ect voters of color.”

ose who oversee elections are generally partisan; NewsPress nds that in Florida, 66 of

The Sta www.spoke.news @thespoke @thespoke /thespoke the_spoke hello@spoke.news Editors-in-Chief: Evan Lu, Hiba Samdani Managing Editor: Jui Bhatia News Editor : Ben Shapiro T/E Life Editor: Abby Bagby Opinion Editor: Shreya Vaidhyanathan Sports Editors: Howard Kim, Hannah Simon Beats Editor : Maya Shah Multimedia Editors: Katherine Emmanuel, Grace Kuryan Webmasters : Rohan Anne, Soumya Sathyanarayana Business Manager: Michael Tierney Photography Editor: George Zhang Social Media Editor : Akshita Joshi Copy Editor: Zara Samdani Design Editors: Aren Framil, Raima Saha Cartoonists: Angie Chen, Leon Li, Yuting Pu Sta Reporters : Prashi Agarwal, Tanisha Agrawal, Miya Cao, Alexander Carder, Vanessa Chen, Weihan Chen, Mareska Chettiar, Rowan Chetty, Abigail Chong, Ryan Ding, Isabelle Emmanuel, Saktisri Gowrishankar, Joanna Harris, Julia Harris, Je rey Heng, Evangeline Kennedy, Audrey

Kim, Bailey Kreszswick, Soumya Krishna, Shrija Krishnan, Lexi

SORRY, WE MISSPOKE In the October issue, on page 5, the picture for The Spork is flipped on its side. On page 8, the masthead lists Cyndi Crothers-Hyatt as an adviser, which should say Laura Howard.

Unsigned: Election deniers have no place in democracy

“ is is a fraud. Frankly, we did win this election.”

ese ten words from former President Trump kicked o a deluge of lies, violence and dysfunction. In came a steady stream of lawsuits, an insurrection and a candidate for governor that promised to handpick presidential electors for 2024.

Baseless attacks on mail-in ballots and voting machines are not a relic of the peak pandemic era; polling aggregator Five irtyEight found that 60% of Americans had an election denier on their ballot this November. According to Five irtyEight, an election denier is someone who directly states the election was stolen from former President Trump or has raised questions about potential widespread fraud. Mastriano was one of the most prominent election deniers in Pennsylvania, attending the Jan. 6th insurrection, and went on to win the Republican primary with a 23% lead.

Even though Mastriano lost the race for governor, more than 2 million voters cast their vote in support of him. According to Pew Research, 70% of Americans have trust in our election process, down from 81% in 2018 and a 30% partisan gap growing over the years. e fate of free and fair elections cannot be on the ballot every year. These threats to our democracy are too dire to ignore. We

does not resort to fringe conspiracy theories to further their agenda. With the inconceivable in uence that the United States has globally, it is paramount we hold our representatives to the highest standards.

agreeing to accept the results is nonsensical. As with every competition, there is no point if not everyone follows the rules. American elections are far from perfect, but never before have baseless claims of widespread dead voters

on why election deniers did not represent the will of the people, they intend to ip the game board over and cry foul. I already hear the cries: Are barriers to run not fascism? Will this not steal an avenue of recourse

covers political speech on federally regulated broadcasts, even baseless allegations of voter fraud. It is no more oppressive to say you need to accept defeat than needing to be older than 25.

Additionally, candidates would still be allowed to raise legitimate legal questions about election processes. As detailed by Associated Press, the 2000 lawsuits over Florida’s elections centered on legitimately faulty ballots that had tangibly ambiguous results. e issue with the onslaught of lawsuits in 2020 was not that they were simply inquiring about fraud, but rather that they were built on a foundation of lies, deceit and desperate attempts to cling to power.

As NPR put it, the simple act of conceding is wildly powerful. When the dust settles and results are certi ed, the losing candidate must concede to allow for a peaceful transition of power. We can no longer assume that candidates will partake in this centuries-long tradition. is voluntary act must become compulsory to maintain the spirit of fair competition.

Card

Taylor Swift announces US tour

+ THREE Philadelphia shows, Taylor is too good to us - getting tickets was impossibly difficult

A

complex and novel problems we face. Voters deserve a representative that tells the truth and

Starting a campaign with the explicit intention of misleading the public is bad enough, but doing it for personal gain is even worse. Kari Lake, Arizona governor candidate said, “I’m going to win, and I will accept that result” in a troubling CNN interview. Candidates running without

and rogue voting machines been a mainstream critique.

e purpose of elections is to align the will of the people. Election deniers have created their own world in which they can simply declare themselves winners without being in touch with reality. Instead of re ecting

STUDENTS SPEAK OUT

Ask Evan: People problems and social dilemmas edition

learn the economic principles they’re struggling with; troubleshoot their time management di culties together. is way, you’ll end up with a great project, a new friend and a lasting positive impression on your Econ teacher for when you’re looking for a college rec letter down the road.

Q: I’m finally a senior. Each year, my friend group sits

Group Project Nightmares

Q. My Econ teacher assigned us a podcast project, but my partner is just so clueless. What do you mean you “don’t know what GDP is?” We just had a test on it last week! Oh, you’re super busy this week? I’M BUSY TOO AND I’M NOT COMPLAINING! I don’t want to do the whole podcast on my own, but I also can’t a ord to get a bad grade on this. Your thoughts?

A: No question, you’ve been dealt a doozy of a hand. e pain of slacking partners is universally felt, and this is no di erent. It’s not your responsibility to do their job – explain the situation to your teacher. But you can turn this gloomy predicament into an opportunity to shine: be the bigger person! Help your partner

teria. How can we regain our rightful seats?

A: Ah, freshmen. I’m familiar – their ravenous little stomachs descend upon the cafeteria like a plague, pouring in from all doors and directions. If they’ve taken over your table, there’s little you can do. Try everything: negotiate, barter, bribe with pizza sticks. If all fails (freshmen, in my experience, are terri-

freshmen. Ha! Looks like you still get the last laugh.

They’re Coming For My Job!

Q: I work as a part-time waitress at a local food place. My friends are looking for jobs and want to work with me. Nothing against them, but work is my only haven from the day-to-day drama of personal life, and I’d rather not interact with them on the job. How do I convince them to work somewhere else?

A: Dang. This sucks, but there are a few strategies you can try. First, attempt to find them an offer they can’t refuse: their dream job, like working at the Gateway Panera and getting free cookies after closing. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to get more extreme. Tell them your boss is terribly annoying and borderline psychotic – there’s a good chance this is true anyways.

from maligned candidates? Firstly, binding concession does not regulate a matter of opinion. No one is choosing what thoughts are valid, but rather ensuring that the sanctity of our elections is maintained. As Tom Wheeler, former FCC chair, said on NPR, the First Amendment

us, we should call on our legislators to ensure this becomes a commonplace qualication to run for o ce. Even if we cannot get legal safeguards, election denying should become a campaign-ending decision. It all starts with just one vote.

at the same table. However, our lunchroom dominance is being challenged by a group of freshmen. With no respect for tradition, they’ve taken over our spot, relegating us to an inferior table across the cafe-

bly stubborn), you may need to pivot. Find a new table, sit outside in the courtyard or use your senior privileges to leave campus for food. If you choose the latter, keep some of your takeout Chipotle to flex on the

Maybe you should rethink why you don’t want them working with you in the rst place. Friends should make life fun, not stressful. You deserve better – don’t settle for less just because it’s available.

If you have questions, submit them to elu@spoke.news or @thespoke on Instagram.

As someone born on Aug. 10, the Western construct of astrology claims I am con dent, loyal and ambitious — typical traits assumed by fellow Leos. is distinction is based upon the xed position of the sun, creating a strict 12-sign system that seemingly predicts a person’s personality. While Western astrology has long been the prevailing theory, it is important to recognize how it has transformed into the system that social media sites know and love today. For many in the East, astrology has been a constant aspect of culture for thousands of years. Although the American Federation of Astrologers credits the birth of astrology to the Babylonians, Western astrology is more structurally similar to Hindu Vedic astrology. Compared to the Western structure, Vedic astrology is less xed, based more on the current

positioning of the planets in relation to the stars. As a result, the zodiacs change over time, a key aspect distinguishing it from Western astrology. e role of astrology is much more signi cant in Hindu culture than in its Western counterparts. In the West, people turn to astrology to make sense of minor personal concerns — What am I like? When will something happen? Who will I meet? Contrastingly, Hindu culture uses the stars to gain spiritual awareness and help individuals ful ll their dharma, or life’s purpose. In India,

- runoff system has racist origins

- voter turnout could be disproportionately affected, hindering minority votes

D

-

these predictions are used to make major decisions anywhere fromnances to government.

In light of the recent popularization of astrology in mainstream media, much of its cultural signicance has been overlooked. According to the BBC, interest in astrology has seen a dramatic rise following the combination of pandemic un-

+ boosts Philadelphia sports fans’ morale

+ makes up for the Phillies and Union losing...

Georgia runoff election Eagles performing well in the league Drake’s “Her Loss”

+ some highs of the album were ‘Privileged Rappers’, ‘Broke Boys’ and ‘Spin Bout U’ - his old stuff is unmatched, sorry not sorry

Black Panther sequel

+ glad that Disney chose not to recast T’Challa - fight scenes were often hard to follow

Ronaldo leaves United for Portugal + gives him the chance to play for his country’s team

- claims he was unfairly forced out of Manchester United

Trevor Noah Netflix comedy special + his stand-up is always hilarious

- still hurt over his depar ture from the Daily Show

Western astrology: Acknowledging its roots

predictability and increased social media use. Many Western people claim astrology as their new “culture”, comforted by the simplicity of a system that is in reality, anything but. Western views on astrology have become oversimpli ed. e history of astrology is a vastly multicultural tale, yet today’s line of thought has become easily reduced to the question, “Do you believe in astrology?” ese concepts are not original by design; Western astrology is a tossed salad of ingredients that have long been on the table. is system also sees in uence from Greek astrology, the Chinese zodiac and more, each deeply nuanced and important to their respective cultures. To simplify this process is to erase other cultures’ vastly di erent experiences which impact today’s system.

As our society as a whole becomes more prone to the influence of trends through the proliferation of technology, it is important to dig a little deeper into the media we are consuming. The internet is susceptible to ignoring the cultural roots of most mainstream trends and claiming them as uniquely Western. While you do not have to conform to any one system, understanding how structures around us have developed is key to ensuring that these cultural spaces are respected in the future.

Q: What is a holiday tradition you and your family have?

“For anksgiving, usually my grandparents come over in the morning and we make this special vanilla wafer dish and then have turkey for dinner.”

“Every year, my mom and I make dozens and dozens of cookies and give them out to our friends. We use old recipes from my great-grandmother. It’s just something we do to show people we’re appreciative of them.

Sadie Ogleton, freshman

Macyn Bass, senior Minseo You, junior

Harrison Wood, sophomore

“We do a White Elephant with our family friends. Basically, we gather at a friend’s house, exchange gi s and compete for them.”

“We still do Elf on the Shelf, and we have a hideous Ice Queen statue; (when) I was younger I used to believe they were married.”

must institute a law that ensures candidates agree to certi ed and audited election results and concede as a condition of running for o ce.

Claims of widespread voter fraud are blatant lies. en-At-

torney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, and many other executive agencies upheld the integrity of our elections. It is important that candidates have platforms based in reality to address the

Evan Lu offers readers lighthearted advice on day-today conundrums.

Evan Lu Co-Editor-in-Chief

Cafeteria Politics

Maya Shah Beats Editor

Leon Li/The SPOKE

Yuting Pu/The SPOKE

e Spoke Editorial Board voted 15 in favor of and 3 against this editorial, with 1 person abstaining.

Leon Li/The SPOKE

Senior competes at states for golf

Juliana Yao Staff Reporter

Senior Kyle Mauro eyed the leaderboard on the nal day of the District 1 golf state quali ers.

Even though he knew that he was a contender to make states, Mauro still needed a strong nish to ensure his spot. As he played the nal holes, he managed to do just that, qualifying for the rst time in his career and as the rst ’Stoga golfer at states in three years.

Mauro competed for one of 21 spots to go to states in District 1 — one of the most competitive districts in Pennsylvania. He narrowly made the cut after two solid rounds.

“I was super excited. That was my first reaction,” Mauro said. “And my second reaction was relieved since (the match) was very close.”

The PIAA Individual Golf Championships were held at Pennsylvania State University on Oct. 18 and 19. Mauro competed in the boys class 3A, tying for 30th and nishing nine over par. e twoday competition proved to be a test of perseverance for him.

“First day, I couldn’t really get any momentum,” Mauro said. “I gave myself numerous, makeable putts, and I didn’t make a single one.”

Not only did the long

round wear Mauro down, but his score of 82 had also put him near the bottom of the rankings, only adding to his pressure. But such situations were commonplace for Mauro due to the inherent nature of the sport, and he had come to thrive in them.

“I don’t think there’s a sport that challenges you mentally as much as golf, and I love and hate that. One day it can be the easiest sport. Another day, it can feel like you haven’t played in years,” Mauro said. “But I would say I love competing and I love succeeding under pressure.”

Mauro’s amount of experience in these conditions allowed him to rebound. He used his first day to improve his playing, getting a score that was better than most other athletes that day. For boys varsity golf coach John Jones, Mauro’s playing during the second round was representative of his abilities as a golfer.

“You have to forget about when things don’t go your way on the previous shot, or whole previous round and be able to hit that reset button, but still have that focus and confidence that you can do well,” Jones said. “I’m really proud of how he finished.”

Tryoneer Pioneer:

I used to hate pickleball.

I would dread the feeling of walking into the Upper Main Line YMCA gym – looking forward to having a nice hoop session with my friends – and then seeing five pickleball nets set up with a bunch of senior citizens playing. I resented them for stealing my beloved basketball court, a place that I use to relax after a long day of school. One day, however, I remembered an old saying: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” And so I did.

I decided to give pickleball a shot. After all, I do play tennis, and the two sports

seem to have a bit in common: They are both played with a racket and a net. I also aspired to become a professional tennis player – like Roger Federer – when I was a kid. That dream does not seem like a reality any longer, how do you put it, not adequately skilled. Therefore, I started the journey to go professional in pickleball instead, beginning the long trek to stardom while enlisting the help of some of my friends on the way.

It was a chilly Thursday afternoon when we arrived at the local YMCA with high hopes of mastering this sport. But there was a slight problem: we did not have the equipment to play. Luckily, the front desk

staff was able to lend us some paddles and balls. As we got to the court, we started rallying with one another. Something I forgot to mention is that all of us are tennis players, and so we all tried to hit the ball as we do in tennis: with brute force. To our dismay, the ball flew straight into the net almost every time.

We eventually switched up our technique to controlling the ball more and hitting with more spin, as well as playing near the net and hitting the ball out of midair – a move known as a volley. Finally, we were able to get a rally going. I felt like the game had a faster pace and the points lasted longer. Furthermore, the ball

was easier to hit compared to that of tennis, making it easier to volley. I especially enjoyed the intensity of playing near the net and having to react quickly to each shot in order to return it. After rallying for a bit, we decided to start a doubles match. But there was another problem: we didn’t know the rules of the game.

A quick Google search remedied this issue. Some of the rules were similar to that of tennis: the ball may only bounce once, and it is considered out if it goes outside the court. But there were also differences. Each side must complete a ground stroke before volleying and players may not volley while their feet are

inside the area marked by the line in front of the net, also known as the kitchen.”

After a long and competitive match (which included many heated arguments), my partner and I were finally able to pull through with a win. Although this was a small victory, it marks the start of my hopefully successful career as a professional pickleball player: everyone starts somewhere.

This experience has also changed my outlook on pickleball. Maybe next time when I walk into the gym and see a pickleball net, I’ll ask to join in on a game instead of groaning in disappointment and sulking.

Weighli ing gains traction amongst student body

Simon Co-Sports Editor

A er witnessing his older brother’s newfound success in the gym, junior Ethan Marshall was hooked.

“My favorite part about weightli ing is the feeling of satisfaction,” Marshall said. “Every time I nish my workout, I feel accomplished knowing that I’m getting stronger and healthier.”

Students, boys and girls alike, have increasingly picked up the hobby of weighliting. Exercise has become an unbreakable habit for many, and according to e Global Health and Fitness Association, Gen Z holds a particular interest in the tness industry. As avid gym-goers, students spend multiple days a week focusing on pushing their bodies to maximum performance and reaping the multiple health bene ts.

“I think more teenagers are getting involved in weightli ing because it’s a popular method of exercise that does not have to be a sport,” Marshall said. “Also, it doesn’t require much skill. It’s fun and lets you have the freedom to work out how you see most e ectively.”

Marshall rst began li ing in the summer of 2021. He attends Edge Fitness in Wayne, which boasts a majority of high school members of various skill levels. And although he did not see results instantaneously, he eventually developed his current thorough six-day routine consisting of a push, pull, legs format.

“ e most rewarding part for me is looking back at where I was in the beginning and seeing where I am now,” Marshall said. “I like to look at my improvement and see how far I’ve come as well.”

On the other hand, freshman Carolyn Jones took up weightli ing to elevate her performance in lacrosse. In addition to clean

eating, Jones sees the bene ts of her hard work on the eld.

“I’m feeling stronger against defenders,” Jones said. “I do not get pushed o the ball as o en and (weightli ing) also makes me faster, which is good.”

Initially starting for di erent reasons, both Marshall and Jones agree though that new li ers should just go for it. While possibly frightening or intimidating at rst, the weightli ing community is incredibly supportive, and trainers or other gym-goers become parent gures. Even more rewarding is the happiness felt a er hitting a new personal record or nally seeing results.

e assistance or guidance of a mentor is also key to the process, and, in some cases, is a sibling or parent. But the presence of online creators has also served as a source of encouragement.

“My brother started (weightli ing) before me and saw so much improvement. He loves

it, and it helps him in sports, so I did it too,” Jones said.

Some students, inspired by professional pro les, have decided to showcase their journey publicly. An intriguing way to broadcast their progress and further connect with the community, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram allow students to post their commitment and progress in a positive light, with Marshall and junior Kat Nguyen creating their own account in hopes of motivating each other.

“Kat and I decided to make @e.k.li s a er getting inspired by my older brother’s li ing account, @dannym_li s,” Marshall said. “I always learn from him and appreciate his support. I really couldn’t have done it without him.”

Whether a result of post-pandemic stress, social media trends, sport-speci c training or merely as a means to stay healthy, students are taking advantage of weightli ing’s bene ts.

Trying something new: Junior George Zhang serves the ball to begin a match. Initially disliking the sport, Zhang grew to recognize the skill that pickleball requires and now plans to play more frequently.

Evan Lu/The SPOKE

Naomi

George Zhang Photography Editor

Hannah

Swinging to victory: Senior Kyle Mauro celebrates during a match against Radnor. The boys’ golf team quali ed for districts as a runner-up.

Courtesy Maggie Hawkins

The Philadelphia 76ers have made many notable additions this offseason. Such ad ditions include PJ Tucker and Montre zl Harrell for their defensive presence as well as Danuel House and for their threepoint shooting skills. But so far, the change has not helped much as the 76ers are currently 7-7. Scoring a mere 110 points per game (24th in the League), All-Star Joel Embiid has missed games, and although former MVP James Hard en and young star Tyrese Maxey have been playing well, they are still not play ing well enough to be an NBA Champi onship threat. There is hope that the 76ers can get to the championship if they can keep Joel Embiid healthy and figure out a system where both he and Harden can work together to average 25-30 points per game. One part of that puzzle has al ready begun to assemble with Embiid’s new career-high game on Nov. 13 with 59 points and 11 rebounds in Wells Far go Center. If Tyrese Maxey keeps up with his record improvement, and the bench holds their own, there is no reason for the 76ers not to be championship bound.

The Philadelphia Phillies had missed the playoffs for 11 years before this year. Over the offseason, they add ed all-stars Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. Through the first 51 games the Fightin Phils were 22-29, at which time they fired manager Joe Girardi. Rob Thompson took the reins, and they went 65-46 from there, trading for starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and center field er Brandon Marsh at the deadline. finishing the season in third place in the National League Wild Card with a record of 87-75. They started the playoffs against the St. Louis Cardi nals, sweeping them in two games. In the Division round of the play offs the Phillies beat the Braves in four, winning the series 3-1. They then beat the San Diego Pa dres in the Nation al League Champion ship series which they won in five games. The Phillies finally entered the World Series against the Houston Astros and lost in six games. Even though the Phillies did not win the World Series, it is still remarkable that they got that far considering they barely made the playoffs.

On Lincoln Financial Field, the Phil adelphia Eagles made some interest ing moves during the draft, trading for top tier wide receiver AJ Brown. Brown has been an amazing option for quarterback Jalen Hurts so far. The Birds are off to an 8-1 start be hind Hurts, Brown and running back Miles Sanders. They have scored 32 touch downs so far

year. But

amazing defense. Fletcher Cox leads the defense along with the rest of the defensive line by putting pres sure on the opposing quarterback while cornerbacks Darius Slay Jr. and newly acquired James Bradberry block or intercept the passes. Many critics of the Eagles have cited an easy schedule as the reason for their success. While this may hold some weight, it is worth to note that the Eagles have handily defeated the 8-1 Vikings, who defeated the Bills last weekend. And if the Bills are consid ered a frontrunning team, the Eagles should be too.

In Subaru Park, the Philadelphia Union had an electric season fin ishing first in the east and second in the league with a record of 19 – 5 – 10. The Union’s 19 wins has them at third in the league, having the fewest losses with just five. The Union lead the league in goals with 72 and 72 as sists while tying for the points lead with 67 points. They had the few est goals against them with 26 goals which is 11 below the next lowest team. Midfielder Dániel Gazdag tied for second in goals scored with 22, and Kai Wagner tied for second in Assists with 15. They secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. In the conference semifinals, the Union beat FC Cincinnati 1-0 in a very close game. They then faced New York City FC in the Confer ence finals and defeated them 3-1. In the MLS Finals against LAFC the Union lost 3-3 after losing 3-0 in penalty kicks. The Union had an amazing season and just came up a little short.

Hitting his stride: Senior trains for Philadelphia Marathon

The afternoon sunlight dap pled through the maple tree’s vibrant autumn leaves onto the sidewalk in St. Andrews as the lone jogger inhaled deep ly while kneeling down on his driveway to retie his shoes be fore his run. In just a few weeks, he would be doing this in Cen ter City in front of tens of thou sands of spectators.

After senior Theo Simard signed up for the Philadel phia Marathon in May, he has been getting into mara thon-running shape thanks to an online workout plan and support from his friends. Over the past five months, he

has been training for the race and sharing his progress on an Instagram account dedicated to documenting his journey through the highs and lows of transforming from a hockey player and novice runner to completing 17-mile exercises.

“Hockey is a game where you have to give 110%, so this all out mindset of mine real ly helped me when I got into this,” Simard said. “I knew that I was gonna have to give everything I had in order to prepare for this.”

When Simard decided to be gin running, he had never com peted in track or cross-country a day in his life. In fact, he had not even started running until last year when he decided to

get into shape. With the help of a free marathon training plan he found online, Simard began the task of achieving the peak physical fitness necessary for the race while juggling hockey practices and strength work outs. During this months-long journey, his friends and fam ily have been his staunchest supporters and biggest source of motivation with their sage words and companionship.

“The people supporting me have been a big push to help me keep going, especially when I’m unmotivated (to train),” Simard said. “And I’ll think, ‘These people who are follow

ing me are expecting a lot from me, so I gotta deliver.’”

One of those people is Matthew Roeder, Simard’s inspiration and a member of Conestoga’s Class of 2017. He first ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 2019, two years af ter graduating, and he competed in a variety of endurance events — from half-marathons to Iron Mans. His accomplishments are a major reason why the senior first considered running a marathon. After that initial spark, however, it was all Simard.

“I only gave him a couple tidbits about training here and there,” Roeder said. “He did all the work. You can tell somebody

how to do something, but they’ve got to commit.”

After getting started with tips and inspiration from Roeder, Si mard has been following in his footsteps by passing on the inspira tion that got him started to others and impressing his peers with his all around growth.

“Watching his transforma tion both physically and mentally has really motivated me to keep training and be the best I can be because he’s being the best he can be,” said Neel Nag, Simard’s friend since sixth grade. “When everyone around you is pushing you to be your best, you’ve got to push your self too.”

this

they would not be this good with out their

Putting in miles: Senior Theo Simard goes for a run in his neighborhood to train for the Philadelphia Marathon. He signed up for the race in May this year and improved significantly as a runner through his training. He will con tinue to improve his physical ability after the marathon.

Howard Kim/The SPOKE

Howard Kim Co-Sports Editor

Lacing up: Senior Theo Simard ties his shoes before going for a run to train for the Philadelphia Marathon. He began his training five months ago.

Howard Kim/The SPOKE

One step at a time: Boys soccer makes deep playoff run

There are three minutes and 43 seconds left in the match. The boys’ soccer team is down 2-0 to their archrivals and central league counterparts, Lower Merion High School. With all hope seemingly lost, the fans remain passionate for the team in the dwindling minutes. As the clock shows less than three minutes, the boys pile into the box for one of their renowned and deadly throw-ins.

Senior Peter Miller steps up to launch the ball into the box, and like a hawk swooping in, junior Westin Fryberger rises above all to head the ball back into the net, giving the team a glimmer of hope. The boys found a spark of light in the

darkness and scored two goals before the final buzzer. They eventually won with a goal in overtime from sophomore Cole Frederick. And the rest is history.

After their storybook victory over Lower Merion High School, the boys soccer team finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, losing to Radnor High School and Holy Ghost Preparatory School in close contests. They won their first three playoff games, but came up short in a 1-0 loss to Lower Merion High School in the district finals. The squad moved onto the states playoffs. Assistant coach Blake Stabert had a positive outlook on the playoffs and helped lead the team to their playoff success by emphasizing the boys’ mentality and focus.

“The mindset is if you win you get to play another game, and our goal is to win the next one. In the playoffs we just put all of our efforts, all of our focus, and all of our energy into the next game,” Stabert said.

The team lost a large number of seniors last year who made up a big part of the team, resulting in the end of their winning streak of over 40 matches this season. The last two matches of the regular season were some of their lowest scoring games with a 1-0 win over Harriton High School and a 1-0 loss to Radnor High School. Junior Ethan Howard acknowledges the tumultuous end to the regular season with the losses, but despite these challenges, he focused on making a deep run in the district and state playoffs.

“We had a rough patch at the end of the normal season, so we knew we had to make some changes. We saw that our practices and coaches played a big role in making those adjustments. We just want to take it one step at a time,” Howard said. “We can’t be looking too far ahead when we’ve got games we know we got to win.”

Since then, the team defeated Council Rock North High School 2-0, Springford High School 2-0, and Pennridge High School 1-0. In the district finals they faced Lower Merion High School for the second time this season and lost 1-0. Despite the loss, the team still qualified for the state tournament, where they finished their season with a loss in the semifinals. Howard and

Stabert were willing to put in the work necessary to make a successful playoff push.

“We’ve been developing that mindset of focusing on each play, each game and each moment and giving our best efforts,” Stabert said. “You can’t control everything, but we try to control what we can control. We sleep well, practice hard, know the game plan, and if you do all those things right you give yourself a pretty good chance to win.”

Even with the pressure of defending the district and state titles, the boys’ soccer team made it to the semi nals where they went down 2-0 to Seneca Valley.

“ e great thing about this team is their belief in each other and the belief in the team,” Stabert said. “ is is by far one of the hardest working teams we’ve ever had at Conestoga.”

Girls’ soccer team completes successful regular season

“We’ve had a lot more intense practices this year for sure and we’ve started working on what we need to improve for upcoming games,” Steege said.

With a tough training regimen, newly instilled mental prioritization and gratifying community building, the girls soccer team excelled this season — holding the number one seed in the District One PIAA 4A districts bracket.

is is the rst time in many years that the team has been on the top of the leaderboard. Holding a record of 18 wins, two losses and two ties, the team has progressed undeterred and concluded their season strongly.

e team received an all new coaching sta this year with coach Deane Mariotti as the varsity head coach and Kellianne Kaput as assistant coach. Focusing on possessive and shooting strategies integrated into di erent plays, the coaching sta took a di erent approach from other years. Greta Steege, a varsity captain, is the only junior captain and helped encourage the altered training methods implemented by the coaches this year.

Along with the physical training regimen, the girls received a surplus of mental training this season. With frequent one-on-one meetings, the coaches ensured that the mental strength of the team remained strong and constant throughout the season.

“I think that there is a trap of looking too far down the road because you have to win every game to get there,” Mariotti said. “We spend a lot of time talking about building con dence and collecting the small wins.”

Further, the team channeled their hard work and dedication to render to others as well. Donating decorated du el bags lled with personal care items, the girls organized a service project for the Family Services in Montgomery and Chester Counties.

“It (the service project) was a very positive experience for the team. We are fortunate to live in an affluent area, but we can sometimes forget there are

less fortunate in our community,” said Francione, a junior on the varsity team.

While the team recognizes the importance of contribution to the external T/E community, they value their internal community in their often competitive environment. By hosting traditional bonding activities such as team dinners and the annual Linvilla Orchards Trip, the girls aim to improve teamwork in a non-soccer setting.

“ is year we’ve been on a really good run, so doing these things outside the eld really helps us keep the team all together and make sure we’re playing as one team and not individual players,” Steege said.

e bond present within the team allowed them to keep this number one title for most of this past season. Mia Galrao, varsity senior captain, recognizes the growth of camaraderie between her teammates this season.

“ ey’re (the team) the best thing,” Galrao said. “It’s like a second family and I spend every single second with them. We just need to work hard and do it together.”

Leaping into action: Conestoga soccer players jump up to ght for a 50/50 ball a er a corner kick in a playo soccer match against Council Rock North High School on Thursday Oct. 27. Conestoga nished their playo run with a 2-0 loss to Seneca Valley in the state semi nals, ending a strong season adjusting to the loss of many key players who had graduated last year.

season:

Senior trains for Philadelphia Marathon

George Zhang/The SPOKE

Bringing

in: The girls soccer players hug it out a er scoring a goal in the playo game on Nov. 3, qualifying them for districts. The team

in the PIAA for the majority of the season.

Akshita Joshi and Louisa Sandor Social Media Editor and Sta Reporter

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