By: Farah Abuolba & Emily Febbraro
By: Julia Mancini
Chance Cortes
By: Emma DeLuca
By: Ariel Soto
By: Chance Cortes
By: Chris Hnasko By: Chris Hnasko
By: Julia Mancini & Jai Colefield
By: Chris Hnasko & Emma DeLuca
By: Emily Febbraro
By: Emma DeLuca By: Emma DeLuca & Farah Abuolba
By: Farah Abuolba
By: Chance Cortes
By: Ariel Soto & Jai Colefield
By: Julia Mancini
AJ Formica, a junior at East High School, found a new and creative way to raise money for a family living in Mongolia.
Using his passion for javelin throwing, AJ was able to give back to the place he was born and shelter a family in need.
AJ’s endeavor began when he received a “Gift of Hope” flyer in the mail from Holt International. Holt International is an organization through which people can support families overcoming poverty, provide care for their specific needs, and help orphans to find families through adoption. AJ was adopted by Joe and Ellen Formica through Holt International when he was almost three years old, so this flyer inspired him to give back
AJ and his parents looked into the program and decided upon raising money for a “ger” for a family in Mongolia Since they don’t have traditional homes in Mongolia, gers are small tent-like homes which protect families from the harsh weather conditions with temperatures as low as -10 degrees fahrenheit This project was important to AJ because he was born in Inner Mongolia, and it’s highly likely he was born in a ger. When creating this service project, he looked to his love for javelin throwing to raise money.
During the competitions, teams perform their “long term,” which is the skit they worked on all year Then they go into the “spontaneous rooms ” Spontaneous is a part of the competition in which teams are given a randomly selected problem and have to give the most creative answers possible. One point is given for a common answer. For example, teams may be asked to name a planet. A common answer is Jupiter But five points are given to the most creative answers, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarf Planets Both scores are added at the end of the day to find out the team’s place and if they are advancing.
Junior Samantha Christman has been a part of this program for seven years; “Odyssey has given me the opportunity to meet so many people from all over the state We are always sharing new ideas with each other Odyssey is all about making connections and sharing new, creative solutions to problems.”
When talking to Sophomore Alorah Badman, she reflected, “There are a lot of little memories from my five years in Odyssey that I love, like when I watched The Hunger Games on the plane to Michigan, or when I sat teary eyed watching Perfect Match in my hotel room with my teammates. Aside from this, my ultimate favorite memory of Odyssey is when my team placed third in the world in 2023. Not only is that trophy a reminder of my team's success, it's also a reminder of how I met some of my favorite people ”
The East High School teams consist of twelve students, ten of whom have made it to Worlds and placed in the top five or higher one or more times!
Both teams advanced to the state competition on April 5-6, 2025.
Problem 5 Division 3
First Place
Alorah Badman
Declan Angulo
Liam Bock
Hayden Christman
Samantha Christman
Sophia Hernandez
Will Crosby
Problem 4 Division 3
Second Place
Julia Mancini
Maya Cheathem
Kylie Steele
Melissa Venkursawmy
Alorah Badman
S mantha Christman
yden Christman
Problem 5 Division 3- First Place
Advancing to World Finals
Problem 4 Division 3- Sixth Place
Julia Mancini and Jai Colefield
Sax to the Max is a musical group composed of five saxophone players who came together in junior high band.
It all began in 7th grade, when the junior high band director, Mr. Bock, wanted to feature a saxophone solo in a band performance of Taylor Swift's “Shake It Off” for the spring concert It was just a few saxophonists at first Declan Angulo said, “They were talking about it and I was like, ‘Hey can I join?’ And then it kind of just happened ” As members were added, they became the group now known as Sax to the Max. The name was given to them by Mr. Bock for their debut at the 7th grade spring concert.
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Finn McGovern is a talented saxophone and piano player who enjoys playing in the school concerts with the group and also at Camelback He wanted to play an instrument when he was first given the choice in 5th grade One of the reasons he chose saxophone was because his mom used to play His favorite song they play is “Full Heart Fantasy” by Lucky Chops In his free time, you can find Finn writing his own music!
Declan Angulo has been a part of Sax to the Max since the beginning Declan has been playing his primary instrument, the piano, for five years His interest in band sparked in 8th grade when he began playing the saxophone Declan s talents don't stop there; he is in the Divisi Choir and can play the recorder too! His favorite memory with the group is when he stuffed a styrofoam apple in Jaiden’s saxophone and he was panicking to get it out
Jaiden Cumberbatch started band in 8th grade as an alto saxophonist and later switched to baritone saxophone He is a member of the jazz and marching bands in addition to Sax to the Max Jaiden’s inspiration comes from saxophone player Leo Pelligrino and a drum line in Philly - who spread positivity through music. In the future, Jaiden wants to go into music production and make beats
Liam Bock started band the minute he could in 5th grade
Liam plays the saxophone, drum set, and the harmonica But it doesn't end there; he is also in the Divisi Choir His favorite song to play with the group is “Tank” by Yoko Kanno Liam's favorite memory is when Rishard had a towel on his shoulder at the restaurant where they were playing and looked like he was doubling as a waiter!
Rishard Alexander, inspired by Stevie Wonder, joined band in 7th grade In addition to the saxophone, Rishard plays the bass and harmonica, and he is a member of the jazz and marching bands His favorite song to play with the group is “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles
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Plans after high school?
I plan on attending a fouryear college to receive my bachelor's degree in Journalism and then work for a magazine as a print Journalist I hope to work for National Geographic some day.
Favorite high school memory?
The ‘24 FBLA State Leadership Conference, where I got to compete in Public Speaking I faced a lot of hardships during that trip, but I think it helped me grow and improved my passion for FBLA Other than that, attending prom with my boyfriend my sophomore year was so much fun! I loved dressing up, going out, and dancing all night.
Advice to underclassmen?
Start developing your passions early on Try EVERYTHING and don't shy away from different activities, because they feel too difficult for you It is always the things that you doubt that end up being the greatest things for you
Favorite thing about Digital Journalism?
I love being given a space where I can write and continue to improve my writing. As a future journalist, the constructive criticism that I receive from my teachers and my peers is so helpful in making me a better writer
One word to describe Digital Journalism? Influential
Plans after high school?
Go to Northampton Community College for general education, then transfer to earn my Early Childhood Education degree
Advice to underclassmen?
Don’t overload yourself with work, but on the flip side, don’t just do nothing either It is all about balance
Favorite thing about Digital Journalism? Having a quiet and peaceful environment to do work
One word to describe Digital Journalism? Complicated
Plans after high school?
I plan to study documentary film design
Advice to Underclassmen? ’Don’t worry about what people think of you all the time.
Favorite high school memory?
Joining Divisi Choir and EPIC, which gave me the chance to help with school events
Favorite thing about Digital Journalism? Creating something for students by students
One word to describe Digital Journalism? Creative
Plans after high school?
To go to college and study to be a pediatric or trauma nurse.
Advice to underclassmen?
Don’t take high school for granted In a blink of an eye, it could all be over.
Favorite high school memory?
How much support I got when I came back after being gone for so long
Favorite thing about Digital Journalism?
Interviewing teachers and taking pictures in all the lunches
One word to describe Digital Journalism? Interesting
Plans after high school? To attend college for Sports Management
Advice to underclassmen? Do and join EVERYTHING and ANYTHING! Don’t stress about it; it will not matter in the future.
Favorite high school memory? Helping out at field day with my best friends and the PASC state trip my senior year
Favorite thing about Digital Journalism? The creative freedom and getting to write about things that are not normally talked about!
One word to describe Digital Journalism? Imaginative
Sophomore Eli Kresge shares his experience being involved in scouting since the first grade with Troop 80 in Reeders.
Eli’s passion for scouting and his father’s encouragement led him to becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest achievable rank in the Scouts BSA program.
Eli took on a considerable service project, creating a hiking trail at Learn Road Park. His biggest challenge as he created a clear, safe trail was the weather. “The weather always determines your day with a project like this,” he explained.
As part of achieving Eagle Scout rank, he earned 21 merit badges. He has learned many lessons from his experience, but what he learned most is, “If you want to do something, just do it Always push yourself to do something you enjoy, and love doing ”
ect, Jai helped Pastor Weber of Reeders hurch turn a storage room into a m. Jai also installed a rack for religious storage room. The entire project took
me and work put in to earn the highest ou have to complete 21 merit badges, volunteer, and complete conservation hours The process also requires a lot of communication, such as getting approval from the National Scouting America Council and the District Eagle Committee Board twice.”
Jai has learned a lot from their experience, such as patience and kindness, working with people, and, most importantly, learning to survive in the wild. “Scouting America teaches you how to be a leader,” Jai explained They continued, “Scouting is not hard; instead, it requires a passion and love for teamwork
