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Year in photos
Year in photos
June 13, 2025
Fresh and local: The Chester County Food Bank provides locally sourced vegetables to the Chester County community. The food bank received a notice from the USDA that a $250,000 food order would be canceled quarterly.
USDA cancels $250,000 Chester County Food Bank order
June 2, 2025
Personal perspectives: Junior Katie Fradkin reads the updated Challenges and Cirumstances prompt on the Common Application website. This prompt replaced the Community Disruption question in the application’s changes for next year.
Common Application makes changes for the 2025-26 year
June 2, 2025
Continuing the legacy: Laminated pages of The Spoke line the walls alongside signs with the school years. The newspaper served as a local news source, beginning under the name Eastfrin Echoes, shifting to The Conestoga Spoke and later choosing The Spoke.
The Spoke celebrates 75th year: Reporters, advisers reflect on beginnings, experience beyond graduation
June 2, 2025
On track: A SEPTA inbound train comes into Daylesford station in Berwyn. SEPTA proposed to cut this route in its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal.
SEPTA proposes service cuts, fare hikes
June 2, 2025
Year in photos
Year in photos
June 13, 2025
New Beginning: Seniors celebrate their time at Conestoga and reflect on valuable experiences, important lessons and treasured memories throughout high school. The graduating class enjoyed a performance by the senior members of Camerata and listened to speeches from their peers at Teamer Field.
Farewell until the future: Class of 2025 say their goodbyes to Conestoga
June 4, 2025
Mixed media masterpieces: Artwork ranging from sculptures to watercolor pieces from the Yellow Springs Art Show sit in the museum’s gallery. The museum recognized more than 4,500 pieces of art by 220 artists during the art show, which lasted from April 26 to May 11 in the Lincoln Building.
Historic Yellow Springs museum holds annual art show
June 2, 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
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
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
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
The Spork: Saigon Eats
The Spork: Saigon Eats
December 16, 2024
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
Jeff’s Gist: I hate men
Jeff’s Gist: I hate men
June 2, 2025
From the editors: Here’s to 75 years
From the editors: Here’s to 75 years
June 2, 2025
The messy side of the clean girl aesthetic
The messy side of the clean girl aesthetic
June 2, 2025
Hit backspace on the Ghibli AI art trend
Hit backspace on the Ghibli AI art trend
June 2, 2025
We must fight for SEPTA
We must fight for SEPTA
June 2, 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: ‘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
Review: ‘White Bird’ is your reminder to be kind, always
Review: ‘White Bird’ is your reminder to be kind, always
November 11, 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: 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
Jeff's Gist: I Gru brain rot to a whole new level
Jeff’s Gist: I Gru brain rot to a whole new level
December 16, 2024
Year in photos
Year in photos
June 13, 2025
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
June 6, 2025
Rising rugby: Atlantis’ women’s senior elite rugby team, including alumnae Elsa Burgo and Sarah Durant, poses together at the Tropical Sevens tournament. The team took seventh place overall in the tournament. Both alumna hope to compete with Atlantis again in the future.
Playing on Atlantis: Alumnae find rugby success
June 2, 2025
Watchful gaze: Varsity boys basketball head coach Sean Forcine observes his players during the home opener against Upper Darby on Dec. 17. The Pioneers won 58-44 and went on to win the district championship in the 2024-25 season.
Basketball coach receives All Area Coach of the Year
June 2, 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
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
Hitting his stride: Fourteen miles into his race, junior Rowan Chetty runs in the 2024 AACR Philadelphia Marathon. Chetty finished in three hours and 11 minutes, placing 11th in his age group. He will continue to run during the winter track season.
Tryoneer pioneer: Running the Philly Marathon
December 16, 2024
Locked in: Junior George Zhang concentrates in anticipation of hitting the ball in a game of squash. Zhang eventually lost with a record of 2-1 a er a tough battle.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Squashed on the court
January 17, 2023
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
Sports Opinion: Every youth athlete deserves a fair chance
Sports Opinion: Every youth athlete deserves a fair chance
December 16, 2024
Package: Tryoneer Pioneer
June 6, 2025
Package: Students create pickleball club
May 8, 2025
Package: Mini THON
Package: Mini THON
April 27, 2025
Package: Tesla Takedown
April 25, 2025
Prepping for pep rally: Behind the school-wide spirit event
September 20, 2023
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
Vanessa Chen

Vanessa Chen, Business Manager

Vanessa Chen is a junior and Business Manager for The Spoke. She primarily writes for the T/E Life and News sections.

Vanessa Chen can be reached at [email protected].

All content by Vanessa Chen
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

Vanessa Chen, Business Manager
June 2, 2025
Famous frame: Freshman Ayaan Jariwala’s award winning drawing “The Rainbow Farm” sits on display. Jariwala won first place for “The Rainbow Farm” in UNESCO’s “The Water We Want” art competition in 2022.

A sketch with success: Freshman sells art, gets recognition

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
April 25, 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
Girls ice hockey celebrates Senior Night, defeats Lower Merion

Girls ice hockey celebrates Senior Night, defeats Lower Merion

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
February 7, 2025
Girls basketball beats Radnor 57-41

Girls basketball beats Radnor 57-41

Vanessa Chen and Saktisri Gowrishankar
January 8, 2025
Stunning showcase: Sophomore Shirin Patel walks down the runway at GlambyRissh’s fashion show during New York Fashion Week. Patel and junior Ridhima Parnati modeled Indian clothing and jewelry at the event.

On the runway: Students model in New York Fashion Week

Vanessa Chen and Nishta Subramanian
December 16, 2024
Day 6: Sports teams give back

Day 6: Sports teams give back

Lauren Pinheiro, Sophia Wu, Vanessa Chen, and Alex Carder
December 14, 2024
Leading change: Members of Write4Change present plans for their literary magazine NOVA at the Philadelphia Writing Project Conference. NOVA released its first issue earlier this year on Aug.13. Write4change will continue their research on the impact of AI on writing.

Alumni lead youth writing initiative Write4Change

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
November 11, 2024
New Teachers

New Teachers

Vanessa Chen, Lauren Pinheiro, and Mary Wolters
October 4, 2024
Field hockey sweeps Lower Merion 9-0

Field hockey sweeps Lower Merion 9-0

Vanessa Chen and Saktisri Gowrishankar
September 25, 2024
Girls volleyball loses to Strath Haven 3-1

Girls volleyball loses to Strath Haven 3-1

Vanessa Chen and Saktisri Gowrishankar
September 12, 2024
Sophomore leads environmental cleanup

Sophomore leads environmental cleanup

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
May 29, 2024
Budding Barbers

Budding Barbers

Lily Chen, Mary Wolters, Vanessa Chen, and Madeline Pulliam
April 11, 2024
Penn Medicine deal to buy Brandywine Hospital falls through

Penn Medicine deal to buy Brandywine Hospital falls through

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
March 5, 2024
Package: NexTrex plastic collection challenge sees success at ’Stoga

Package: NexTrex plastic collection challenge sees success at ’Stoga

Lauren Pinheiro and Vanessa Chen
February 15, 2024
Girls ice hockey loses 10-3 to Downingtown East

Girls ice hockey loses 10-3 to Downingtown East

Vanessa Chen and Lauren Pinheiro
December 9, 2023
Moving toward mental health: The new Haven Behavioral Hospital in West Chester plans to provide 24/7 inpatient psychiatric care and walk-in clinical services. The Chester County Department of Human Services established the facility to set up a new comprehensive mental health system.

Haven Behavioral Hospital planned to open in West Chester

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
December 6, 2023
Automatic voter registration implemented in Pennsylvania

Automatic voter registration implemented in Pennsylvania

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2023
Girls tennis beats Unionville, secures spot in states

Girls tennis beats Unionville, secures spot in states

Vanessa Chen and Lauren Pinheiro
October 10, 2023
Girls soccer dominates Ridley 6-0

Girls soccer dominates Ridley 6-0

Vanessa Chen and Saktisri Gowrishankar
September 19, 2023
Pennsylvania House bill proposes greener education grants

Pennsylvania House bill proposes greener education grants

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
June 5, 2023
FBLA: New club sees success

FBLA: New club sees success

Vanessa Chen, Staff Reporter
April 25, 2023
'Stoga's got style

‘Stoga’s got style

Vanessa Chen and Aren Framil
March 20, 2023
Gov. DeSantis opposes AP African American Studies

Gov. DeSantis opposes AP African American Studies

Vanessa Chen and Isabelle Emmanuel
February 21, 2023
New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

Raima Saha, Riddima Pandey, and Vanessa Chen
January 17, 2023
Day 6: Holiday Music Reviews

Day 6: Holiday Music Reviews

Maya Shah, Lauren Pinheiro, Vanessa Chen, and Mareska Chettiar
December 15, 2022
New and improved: Handel’s relocates across the street to a larger building. The move has allowed for expanded facilities and more efficient service.

Handel’s relocation: The inside scoop

Vanessa Chen and Eva Kennedy
November 29, 2022
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