The Student News Site of Conestoga High School

The SPOKE
Subscribe
Revised rules: The 2025-26 Code of Conduct contains changes, including stricter attendance policies and revised language regarding nicotine product usage and gambling. Conestoga administration made the changes to follow the state’s requirements and promote a healthy school environment.
Code of Conduct changes for 2025-26 school year
October 3, 2025
Transitioning devices: Starting this school year, all Conestoga students are using district-issued laptops. The school board agreed on the change in January.
Community responds to district technology updates, changes
October 3, 2025
Security system: A camera at Conestoga overlooks the school grounds. On Aug. 28, local law enforcement responded to a bomb threat directed at Conestoga.
District responds to bomb threat
October 3, 2025
Early-morning commute: Senior Daniel Loza waits at the Paoli SEPTA station for his train to Center City. SEPTA’s service cuts and fare increases affected him and other community members who use the Paoli-Thorndale line to attend events around the area.
Transit turmoil: SEPTA enacts service cuts, judge orders reversal
October 3, 2025
Playground progress: The area near the pavilion and the Tot Lot remains closed off for renovations. Construction began on July 17. Weather permitting, the township plans to complete the renovations by late November.
Wilson Farm Park undergoes renovations
October 3, 2025
Package: Homecoming Court
October 3, 2025
Drawing decorations: A sheet of paper lies on the table filled with images drawn by studio art students. On Aug. 28, studio art teacher Amy Cruz tasked students with drawing images on the paper to be displayed around the school. In the future, Cruz hopes to make more decorations with her classes.
Studio art collaborates with special education classes
October 3, 2025
Activism hero: Karla Gonzales Garcia, the Director of Gender, Sexuality and Identity at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), speaks with students at AIUSA Youth Leadership in Activism’s training retreat. Senior Vibha Besagi, who has long admired Garcia, discussed leadership and sustainability with her at the retreat.
Senior attends Amnesty International USA leadership retreat
October 3, 2025
Construction in action: The community robotics team, Blast 10989, builds parts of their next robotics project. Over the summer, it held a weeklong camp for middle schoolers and rising freshmen. They hope to continue expanding their services to the community.
Sophomores kickstart robotics competition team
October 3, 2025
Love of language: Senior Joanna Harris (back row, second from right) poses with students in their school in the Taichung area of Taiwan. Harris participated in a month-long program where she taught the English language to kids who speak Mandarin while living with a host family.
Seniors tutor English at Taiwanese summer camp
October 3, 2025
Graphic: Philadelphia Field Trips
April 25, 2025
Graphic: Sports Photography
April 25, 2025
Graphic: Nonprofits
April 25, 2025
Calling all caffeine consumers!
Calling all caffeine consumers!
March 21, 2025
'Stoga Theater Presents: Chicago
‘Stoga Theater Presents: Chicago
March 21, 2025
Bubbling broth: The hot pot options at Asian fusion restaurant Gyu Hakata come with a customizable selection of meats and vegetables. The split soup base provided a variety of flavors and spices to cook the ingredients in.
The Spork: Gyu Hakata Hot Pot
October 3, 2025
Radiant refreshments: Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe has a large selection of delicacies, including the Panino Turkey, Peach Green Tea Lemonade and Matcha Latte. The cafe had a pleasant ambiance and was a cozy place for our study session.
The Spork: Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe
June 2, 2025
Noteworthy nachos: The El Tio Nachos come piled high with toppings, such as melted cheese, pico de gallo and avocado. The dish’s flavorful crunch was an excellent way to start the meal.
The SPORK: El Tio Mexican Restaurant
April 25, 2025
Colorful plating: The wok Amish chicken and gulf shrimp is served with lots of vegetables and a side of rice. Personally, the Vietnamese lime basil sauce was too sweet and threw off the balance of the dish.
The Spork: NECTAR Restaurant & Lounge
March 21, 2025
Fantastic fusion: Bartaco’s menu features options that blend tacos with other cuisines, such as the glazed pork belly taco. The restaurant had a casual atmosphere and rustic interior, perfect for having a good time.
The Spork: Bartaco
February 20, 2025
Poised to learn: Math teacher Paul Poiesz sits at his desk and displays his mug with a math pun. Poiesz began teaching at Conestoga 28 years ago after teaching at Bishop McDevitt High School. He will retire at the end of this school year, wrapping up his 43-year teaching career.
Teacher Feature: Paul Poiesz
June 2, 2025
Coaching calculator: Math teacher and head coach of the girls’ tennis team Seth Shore sits at his desk. Shore started to teach at Conestoga in the fall of 1999 and began coaching the girls’ tennis team at the start of the 2023-24 school year.
Teacher Feature: Seth Shore
April 25, 2025
Running the rat race: Personal finance and accounting teacher Bernadette D’Emilio poses in front of the Rat Race Board, an activity in her personal finance class. D’Emilio began teaching at Conestoga in 2006 after working at Sun Valley High School.
Teacher Feature: Bernadette D’Emilio
March 21, 2025
Book lover: English department head Karen Gately poses with “College Girl Missing” by Shawn Cohen, the book she is currently reading. She had aspired to be a teacher since she was young. Gately will complete her 24th year teaching at Conestoga this year.
Teacher Feature: Karen Gately
February 20, 2025
Zooming in: Chemistry and forensics teacher Salvatore Colosi stands next to his double-lens Wi-Fi microscope, his favorite piece of forensic lab equipment. Colosi began his teaching career at Conestoga 12 years ago and has taught in the science department ever since.
Teacher Feature: Salvatore Colosi
December 16, 2024
The CDC is in trouble
The CDC is in trouble
October 3, 2025
The fad diet craze needs to stop
The fad diet craze needs to stop
October 3, 2025
Review: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is as ‘Golden’ as everyone says
Review: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is as ‘Golden’ as everyone says
October 3, 2025
Our 2025-26 Spoke Policy
Our 2025-26 Spoke Policy
October 3, 2025
Jeff’s Gist: My (subtle) beef with the BYOD ban
Jeff’s Gist: My (subtle) beef with the BYOD ban
October 3, 2025
Unsigned: Our rights are in danger, don’t remain silent
Unsigned: Our rights are in danger, don’t remain silent
April 25, 2025
Unsigned: The press is part of the people, not the enemy
Unsigned: The press is part of the people, not the enemy
December 16, 2024
Unsigned: Looking behind the scenes of front page
Unsigned: Looking behind the scenes of front page
November 1, 2023
Unsigned: Court case victory is not the end
Unsigned: Court case victory is not the end
March 20, 2023
Unsigned: The future of AI in the classroom
Unsigned: The future of AI in the classroom
February 21, 2023
Satire: Spend more time on that darn phone!
Satire: Spend more time on that darn phone!
February 20, 2025
Satire: Why Groundhog Day rules
Satire: Why Groundhog Day rules
February 6, 2024
Satire: Why I absolutely will not be getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Satire: Why I absolutely will not be getting the COVID-19 vaccine
February 16, 2021
Satire: drinking boiling water kills the coronavirus
Satire: drinking boiling water kills the coronavirus
May 14, 2020
Review: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is as ‘Golden’ as everyone says
Review: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is as ‘Golden’ as everyone says
October 3, 2025
Review: ‘Common Side Effects’ brings healthcare corruption to light
Review: ‘Common Side Effects’ brings healthcare corruption to light
April 25, 2025
Review: Kendrick Lamar takes victory lap with ‘GNX’
Review: Kendrick Lamar takes victory lap with ‘GNX’
March 21, 2025
Review: ‘The End of Burnout’ reimagines work
Review: ‘The End of Burnout’ reimagines work
February 20, 2025
Review: Ten years later, ‘Interstellar’ highlights humanity
Review: Ten years later, ‘Interstellar’ highlights humanity
December 16, 2024
From the editors: Here’s to 75 years
From the editors: Here’s to 75 years
June 2, 2025
Letter from the Editors: It’s been an honor
Letter from the Editors: It’s been an honor
April 25, 2025
From the Editor: Goodbye and good luck
From the Editor: Goodbye and good luck
April 11, 2024
From the Editor: Why we removed student names from the Senior Destinations Map
From the Editor: Why we removed student names from the Senior Destinations Map
June 5, 2023
Letter from the Editors: Over and out
Letter from the Editors: Over and out
April 25, 2023
Jeff’s Gist: My (subtle) beef with the BYOD ban
Jeff’s Gist: My (subtle) beef with the BYOD ban
October 3, 2025
Jeff’s Gist: I hate men
Jeff’s Gist: I hate men
June 2, 2025
Jeff’s Gist: Censor injustice, not activists
Jeff’s Gist: Censor injustice, not activists
April 25, 2025
Jeff’s Gist: To be an introvert in loud political climates
Jeff’s Gist: To be an introvert in loud political climates
March 21, 2025
Jeff’s Gist: ICE terrorizes undocumented immigrants
Jeff’s Gist: ICE terrorizes undocumented immigrants
February 20, 2025
Boys soccer draws with Henderson 0-0
Boys soccer draws with Henderson 0-0
October 6, 2025
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
October 4, 2025
Football takes tough loss to Strath Haven 35-0
Football takes tough loss to Strath Haven 35-0
October 4, 2025
Girls volleyball dominates Upper Darby 3-0
Girls volleyball dominates Upper Darby 3-0
October 4, 2025
Balanced blades: Senior Sosi Sengal (left) positions her oars to match those of senior Hudson Dunkle (right). On Sept. 14, Dunkle taught Sengal how to enter the scull and row with proper form at the Drexel University boathouse on the Schuykill River in Philadelphia.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Rowing into new waters
October 3, 2025
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
October 4, 2025
Balanced blades: Senior Sosi Sengal (left) positions her oars to match those of senior Hudson Dunkle (right). On Sept. 14, Dunkle taught Sengal how to enter the scull and row with proper form at the Drexel University boathouse on the Schuykill River in Philadelphia.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Rowing into new waters
October 3, 2025
Breaking boards: Junior Rowan Chetty positions himself in front of junior Vaishnavi Sriadibhatla, ready to break a wooden board with a punch. Sriadibhatla taught Chetty the basics of taekwondo, a form of martial arts with Korean origins.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Kicking it up a notch
June 2, 2025
En garde: Senior Howard Kim (left) fences with junior Ritchie Zhang (right) at the Delaware Valley Fencers Club. Kim lost numerous rounds to Zhang but eventually found his rhythm, learning valuable lessons about patience and discipline along the way.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Sabre-ing the challenge
March 21, 2025
Tryoneer Pioneer: Aiming for the bullseye
Tryoneer Pioneer: Aiming for the bullseye
February 20, 2025
Sports opinion: Legalizing checking will level the ice for women
Sports opinion: Legalizing checking will level the ice for women
October 3, 2025
Sports opinion: Sports are more than just a game
Sports opinion: Sports are more than just a game
June 2, 2025
Sports opinon: Sports leagues should stop using lottery drafts
Sports opinon: Sports leagues should stop using lottery drafts
April 25, 2025
Sports Opinion: March Madness is the best sports tournament
Sports Opinion: March Madness is the best sports tournament
March 21, 2025
Sports opinion: Conestoga empowers women and girls in sports
Sports opinion: Conestoga empowers women and girls in sports
February 20, 2025
Boys soccer draws with Henderson 0-0
Boys soccer draws with Henderson 0-0
October 6, 2025
Football takes tough loss to Strath Haven 35-0
Football takes tough loss to Strath Haven 35-0
October 4, 2025
Girls volleyball dominates Upper Darby 3-0
Girls volleyball dominates Upper Darby 3-0
October 4, 2025
Boys soccer wins 3-2 against Springfield
Boys soccer wins 3-2 against Springfield
October 1, 2025
Girls tennis sweeps Marple Newtown 7-0 on Senior Night
Girls tennis sweeps Marple Newtown 7-0 on Senior Night
October 1, 2025
Boys basketball defeats Cheltenham 52-44 in district quarterfinals
Boys basketball defeats Cheltenham 52-44 in district quarterfinals
February 24, 2025
Boys wrestling defeats Marple Newtown 47-27
Boys wrestling defeats Marple Newtown 47-27
February 9, 2025
Girls basketball narrowly beats Haverford 36-32
Girls basketball narrowly beats Haverford 36-32
February 9, 2025
Girls ice hockey celebrates Senior Night, defeats Lower Merion
Girls ice hockey celebrates Senior Night, defeats Lower Merion
February 7, 2025
Boys basketball defeats Garnet Valley 41-33
Boys basketball defeats Garnet Valley 41-33
February 2, 2025
Triple trophy: Boys tennis wins state championship
Triple trophy: Boys tennis wins state championship
May 28, 2025
Boys' baseball dominates senior night against Upper Darby 7-1
Boys’ baseball dominates senior night against Upper Darby 7-1
May 13, 2025
Baseball falls short to Garnet Valley 9-4
Baseball falls short to Garnet Valley 9-4
May 8, 2025
Boys lacrosse falls to Marple Newtown 11-6 in final game
Boys lacrosse falls to Marple Newtown 11-6 in final game
May 6, 2025
Girls lacrosse narrowly beats Archbishop Carroll 10-9
Girls lacrosse narrowly beats Archbishop Carroll 10-9
May 3, 2025
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
October 4, 2025
Package: Homecoming Court
October 3, 2025
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
June 6, 2025
Package: Students create pickleball club
May 8, 2025
Package: Mini THON
Package: Mini THON
April 27, 2025
Day 12: Conestoga Wrapped
Day 12: Conestoga Wrapped
December 20, 2024
Day 11: Newlyweds game
December 19, 2024
Day 10: The Speak
Day 10: The Speak
December 18, 2024
Day 9: News Briefs
Day 9: News Briefs
December 17, 2024
Day 8: Short Story Contest
Day 8: Short Story Contest
December 16, 2024
Issue 6 Crossword 2024-2025
April 25, 2025
2025 Issue 5 Sudoku Answers
2025 Issue 5 Sudoku Answers
March 21, 2025
Day 2: News quiz
Day 2: News quiz
December 10, 2024
Day 1: Reindeer Games
Day 1: Reindeer Games
December 9, 2024
Issue 2 Crossword 2024-2025
Issue 2 Crossword 2024-2025
November 11, 2024
The Student News Site of Conestoga High School

The SPOKE
The Student News Site of Conestoga High School

The SPOKE
Ashley Du

Ashley Du, Co-News Editor

Ashley Du is a junior and Co-News Editor for The Spoke. She enjoys covering News and T/E life stories. Outside of the newspaper, she likes to listen to music, swim, and play with her dog.

Ashley Du can be reached at [email protected].

All content by Ashley Du
Early-morning commute: Senior Daniel Loza waits at the Paoli SEPTA station for his train to Center City. SEPTA’s service cuts and fare increases affected him and other community members who use the Paoli-Thorndale line to attend events around the area.

Transit turmoil: SEPTA enacts service cuts, judge orders reversal

Ashley Du, Tvisha Jani, and Paige Vachris
October 3, 2025
Field hockey secures victory against Strath Haven 10-0

Field hockey secures victory against Strath Haven 10-0

Ashley Du and Tvisha Jani
September 2, 2025
Football falls short to Upper Darby 29-9

Football falls short to Upper Darby 29-9

Ashley Du and Nolan Talley
August 29, 2025
Combatting domestic violence: The Chester County Sheriff’s Office’s Lieutenant Janis Pickell (left) and command staff liaison Noah Stribrny (right) hold a flyer for Shear Hope. They partnered with two other agencies to launch the Shear Hope program.

Chester County launches domestic violence training initiative

Ashley Du, Co-News Editor
June 2, 2025
Funding for fuel: Berwyn Fire Company’s EMS Lieutenant Emily Nudy refuels an ambulance with gas. The Berwyn Fire Company’s EMS decided to use its grant funds from this year and last year to reduce gasoline costs.

Local responders receive grants

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
April 25, 2025
Girls lacrosse triumphs over Lower Merion 16-3

Girls lacrosse triumphs over Lower Merion 16-3

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
April 22, 2025
Setting sustainable standards: Senior Shriya Prakash places a collection box on a table for Conestoga staff and students to recycle pens and other writing utensils. As co-president of environmental club Greening ’Stoga Task Force, she helped audit elementary schools.

Commitments to change: District, community collaboration on environmental efforts

Lily Chen, Vanessa Chen, and Ashley Du
March 21, 2025
Administration, staff, students discuss possible changes to device use

Administration, staff, students discuss possible changes to device use

Ashley Du, Zara Samdani, and Faith Zantua
February 20, 2025
Girls basketball dominates Upper Darby 70-20

Girls basketball dominates Upper Darby 70-20

Sophia Cui and Ashley Du
February 2, 2025
Day 5: Holiday Favorites

Day 5: Holiday Favorites

Ryan Ding, Ashley Du, and Mary Wolters
December 13, 2024
Girls ice hockey defeats Radnor 7-2

Girls ice hockey defeats Radnor 7-2

Ashley Du and Emily S. Wang
November 29, 2024
Rising costs: A cafeteria cashier helps students check out at the lunch line. TESD increased meal prices by 75 cents and a la carte items by 6% for the 2024-25 school year.

District raises lunch meal prices for 2024-25 school year

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
November 11, 2024
Repeat record: (from left to right) Valley Forge Middle School sixth grader Breckin Shefflerwood; science teacher Dr. Derrick Wood; and seniors Charlie Gawthrop, Jeffrey Wang and Matthew Ma pose with their egg drop device. They started reconstructing the contraption last school year.

Fearless fall: Egg drop team re-breaks Guinness world record

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
October 4, 2024
Girls soccer defeats Springfield 4-0

Girls soccer defeats Springfield 4-0

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
September 28, 2024
Volleyball seals victory against Radnor 3-2

Volleyball seals victory against Radnor 3-2

Ashley Du and Audrey Kim
September 4, 2024
2024 Senior Destinations Map

2024 Senior Destinations Map

Rohan Anne, Ashley Du, Aren Framil, Howard Kim, Rajan Saha, and Mary Wolters
May 29, 2024
Pennsylvania switches to digital format for Keystones, PSSAs

Pennsylvania switches to digital format for Keystones, PSSAs

Ashley Du and Rajan Saha
May 29, 2024
Baseball falls short to Garnet Valley 4-3

Baseball falls short to Garnet Valley 4-3

Ashley Du and Rajan Saha
May 9, 2024
AmnestyxStoga hosts open-mic Jamnesty event 

AmnestyxStoga hosts open-mic Jamnesty event 

Ashley Du and Lauren Pinheiro
April 15, 2024
Hope and Beyond Club raises funds to improve mental health care

Hope and Beyond Club raises funds to improve mental health care

Ashley Du, Staff Reporter
March 5, 2024
Students defeat teachers in Faculty vs. Seniors basketball game

Students defeat teachers in Faculty vs. Seniors basketball game

Ashley Du and Benjamin Wang
February 29, 2024
Package: Girls’ basketball coach gets 100th win, team reaches milestones

Package: Girls’ basketball coach gets 100th win, team reaches milestones

Emily Wang and Ashley Du
February 15, 2024
Girls’ basketball coach gets 100th win, team reaches milestones

Girls’ basketball coach gets 100th win, team reaches milestones

Ashley Du, Emily Wang, and Alexa Willrich
February 6, 2024
Girls ice hockey dominates Pennridge 8-0

Girls ice hockey dominates Pennridge 8-0

Prashi Agarwal and Ashley Du
January 27, 2024
Girls basketball crushes Harriton 60-17

Girls basketball crushes Harriton 60-17

Ashley Du and Emily Wang
January 20, 2024
Day 5: Movie recommendations

Day 5: Movie recommendations

Ashley Du, Saktisri Gowrishankar, and Emily Wang
December 15, 2023
Leap of faith: Senior Lia Issakov trains in ballet extensively from Monday to Saturday, taking classes and rehearsing excerpts from full-length ballets. Issakov competed Levels 1 to 4 of the Vaganova method at The Rock School for Dance Education.

On pointe: Senior strives for ballet expertise

Ashley Du and Emily Wang
December 6, 2023
Boys soccer crushes Springfield 6-0

Boys soccer crushes Springfield 6-0

Ashley Du and Prashi Agarwal
October 5, 2023
Load More Stories