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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
March 21, 2025
Scheduling decision: The school board education committee reviews data regarding programs and systems in school. The administrators sent out a survey for feedback on the schedule at the beginning of March.
School administrators review schedule for next year
March 21, 2025
AI innovation: Anita, the AI assistant integrated into the new kiosks in Chester County, waits to assist visitors. The county installed the kiosks to help users navigate the large courthouse and access court forms.
Chester County installs AI interactive kiosks to assist visitors
March 21, 2025
Slowing down for safety: A “Please Slow Down” sign is posted near Conestoga Road, a street where the speed limit decreased to 25 mph. Tredyffrin Township administration implemented the change to protect students and commuters.
Township reduces speed limit on Conestoga Road
March 21, 2025
Heading to work: Freshman Sana Bhattacharyya arrives at the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Berwyn’s nursery school, where she works with freshman Sophie Norris on the weekends. She has volunteered at the church since middle school and started working in the nursery this year.
Governor aims to increase minimum wage to $15
March 21, 2025
Pro programmer: Junior Jeffrey Wang codes in Python using Visual Studio Code, a code editor that allows users to code in multiple languages. He worked with senior Rohan Anne to develop and create LemonadeChains, which placed second in the state Congressional App Challenge.
Coding with a purpose: Students create online options trading simulator, see success
March 21, 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
Working together: Spanish 4 students complete an activity as part of their class trip to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The Spanish teachers gave a list of the artists they focused on in class to the museum tour guides so that they could highlight these artists’ work at MoMA.
Artistic immersion: Spanish 4 students visit Museum of Modern Art in New York
March 21, 2025
Working for change: Junior Louisa Sandorff teaches a writing class for CCATE, a Norristown-based organization that empowers Latin American youth. Sandorff joined the organization three years ago, now mentoring 20 students.
Sisters volunteer at Latin American community center
March 21, 2025
Caffeine Graphic
Caffeine Graphic
March 21, 2025
Caffeine Graphic
Caffeine Graphic
March 21, 2025
Chicago Graphic
Chicago Graphic
March 21, 2025
Gaming on the go
Gaming on the go
February 20, 2025
Foreign Exchange
Foreign Exchange
November 11, 2024
Fall Festivities
Fall Festivities
November 11, 2024
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
Hello, portable lunch: The Greek chicken wrap comprises sliced tomatoes, olives and chicken enveloped pita bread. With a side dish of rice, this sandwich was nothing short of tasty.
The Spork: Fattoush Mediterranean Cuisine
November 11, 2024
Succulent salmon: Christopher’s fresh Scottish salmon is plated alongside a bowl of spicy pickled tomatoes and mac and cheese. With sweet sauce and a base of flavorful skin, this entree was nothing short of melt-in-your-mouth.
The Spork: Christopher’s a Neighborhood Place
October 4, 2024
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
Teacher Feature: Dori Madigan
Teacher Feature: Dori Madigan
November 11, 2024
Teacher feature: Jillian Harris
Teacher feature: Jillian Harris
May 29, 2024
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
Review: Kendrick Lamar takes victory lap with ‘GNX’
Review: Kendrick Lamar takes victory lap with ‘GNX’
March 21, 2025
Aviation reaches sky-high sensationalism
Aviation reaches sky-high sensationalism
March 21, 2025
Don’t fall for food fearmongering
Don’t fall for food fearmongering
March 21, 2025
TESD needs to do more to support girls in computer science
TESD needs to do more to support girls in computer science
March 21, 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
Unsigned: Election deniers have no place in democracy
Unsigned: Election deniers have no place in democracy
November 29, 2022
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: 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
Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ lives up to title
Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ lives up to title
October 4, 2024
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
From the Editor: The best teachers I never had
From the Editor: The best teachers I never had
October 20, 2022
From the editor: The United States of Grammarly
From the editor: The United States of Grammarly
June 6, 2022
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
Jeff’s Gist: Till discipline do us part
Jeff’s Gist: Till discipline do us part
November 11, 2024
Jeff’s Gist: What solidarity means for “the heart of our city”
Jeff’s Gist: What solidarity means for “the heart of our city”
October 4, 2024
Boys lacrosse loses 5-4 to Avon Grove
Boys lacrosse loses 5-4 to Avon Grove
March 22, 2025
Sports Opinion: March Madness is the best sports tournament
Sports Opinion: March Madness is the best sports tournament
March 21, 2025
Dribbling on defense: The boys’ basketball team faces off against Upper Darby on Dec. 17. In addition to winning the game, the Pioneers went on to win the District 1 6A Championship for the first time since 1987.
Boys basketball wins district championship
March 21, 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
Supportive sideline: JV boys squash players watch their teammate play in a squash match. The boys competed at the 2025 National Interscholastic Team Squash Championships and took first place.
JV boys’ squash team wins National Interscholastic Championships
March 21, 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
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.
Tryoneer Pioneer: Taking on pickleball
November 29, 2022
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
Sports opinion: Our Olympic athletes deserve better
Sports opinion: Our Olympic athletes deserve better
October 4, 2024
Sports opinion: Why sports and politics are inseparable
Sports opinion: Why sports and politics are inseparable
April 11, 2024
Prepping for pep rally: Behind the school-wide spirit event
September 20, 2023
Conestoga holds Wellness Fair to wrap up Wellness Week
Conestoga holds Wellness Fair to wrap up Wellness Week
January 24, 2023
Wellness Week returns to Conestoga
Wellness Week returns to Conestoga
January 17, 2023
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time
November 16, 2022
Day 12: Spoke Year in Review
Day 12: Spoke Year in Review
December 23, 2021
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
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
2024-2025 Issue 1 Crossword
2024-2025 Issue 1 Crossword
October 4, 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, Staff Reporter

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

Vanessa Chen can be reached at vchen@spoke.news.

All content by Vanessa Chen
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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