TP-week is an American high school tradition that teens have been participating in for years. The week of Homecoming students go out and TP friends, foe, and everyone in between. TP week has been used as an outlet for people to get back at others and it has become a serious debate if all TP week activities have malicious intent. Cameron Hatch is a senior … Continue reading Is TP week here to stay?
In the past couple of days, a lot of people have been talking about seven boys from Cornell University and the disgusting crime they committed; gang rape. But unfortunately, this conversation is not a new one, it is just one that has been ignored for decades. It is time for something to change. It is time to wake up. In October of 2024, a Cornell … Continue reading Why you should care about the Cornell 7
On Sept 11, 2001 2,977 people lost their lives in the tragic attacks that took place across the United States. What occurred that day was life-changing for millions of Americans, however, unlike many schools across the country, students at East still attend school on Continue reading Should students have 9/11 off?
East seniors graduate in nine days, but still have over five events at the high school. With the emotions, excitement, and energy through the air, we want to help ensure a smooth finish to the school year. There are many things seniors should keep in mind as the school year wraps up. Prom East’s prom this year will be on May 9 from 6-10 p.m. … Continue reading Seniors last Week at a Glance
As of recently, have you looked at gas prices and been shocked at the price spike in the past week? Well, that’s no coincidence. Gas prices have been surging throughout the country because of a recent conflict in Iran. On Feb 28th, 2026, President Donald J. Trump initiated a major military campaign with Israel against Iran in which he launched a surprise barrage of airstrikes … Continue reading Why are Gas Prices so High?
East is planning to implement a new policy regarding Chromebook chargers on April 7, changing how students obtain a loaner charger. Amy Whitlock is a teacher at East and leads the Tech Hub. Since its implementation, the Tech Hub has been loaning out chargers to students. “We know people want their phones back, so they will bring the charger back to get their phone back,” … Continue reading New Chromebook charger policy to be implemented at East
As the NFL combine has just come to an end, there is a lot to talk about. With many records broken and some big numbers put up, the athletes in this class were amazing . To start things off, the NFL combine is an invitational 4-day event that is located in Indianapolis, and has been since 1987. The combine allows college prospects to showcase their talents … Continue reading NFL Combine predicts the future of the NFL
Spring sports are right around the corner, and student-athletes and coaches are always stressed this time of the year. While coaches get to hand-select their team, that means they also have to turn away many kids. Spring sports have a few new upgrades that people are looking forward to as well! Varsity baseball coach Brian Schaeffer talked about how stressed he gets this time of … Continue reading East Spring Sports Preview
This weekend, East looks to compete at state for Business Professionals of America (BPA). As the largest program at East, they are sending a record number of students to the state this year in a variety of events, including tests, group presentations, and individual speeches. If they rank at the top of their category, they will compete in May to contend for a National BPA … Continue reading Business Professionals of America to compete at state
Illinois Music Educator Conference (IMEC) is an annual event held in Peoria, Illinois featuring hundreds of clinics and performances from across the state. This year, only four high school ensembles were selected to perform including East’s wind symphony. Wind symphony will travel to Peoria on Jan. 29 to perform at the conference making it a major opportunity for the ensemble. The group has spent months … Continue reading East Wind Symphony Selected to Perform at Illinois Music Educator Conference
Martin Luther King Jr. is an influential figure when it comes to the civil rights movement. His very famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” helped influence and shape the way our country is today. Martin Luther King became famous by leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which made him very recognizable. He led marches for the right to vote, desegregation, and the overall civil rights of … Continue reading Celebrating the Accomplishments of MLK Jr.
The military operation, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve”, targeted the Venezuelan President and his wife to indict them on several charges relating to narcoterrorism. Maduro pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Manhattan federal court on Jan. 5. Continue reading Trump’s Attack on Venezuela
This winter, East will put on a production of “Heaven Can Wait” written by playwright Harry Segall. The production will showcase a romantic comedy reflecting the journey of life, death and everything that happens in between. “Heaven Can Wait” will be the perfect kick off to the 2026 program with a mix of challenge and excitement for the cast and crew as they dive into … Continue reading Timeless Classic “Heaven Can Wait” Prepares to Come to Life on East’s stage
Every Thanksgiving, the Macy’s Parade brings out a bunch of giant balloons, and this year the new ones are already starting drama. Some people think the characters are super cool, while others say they’re kind of unnecessary. Junior Yazmine Cruz said she’s not really into the new lineup. She said she usually prefers the older balloons that everyone grew up seeing. “They’re okay, but I … Continue reading Mario and Pac-Man Taking over the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The East Performing Arts Center (PAC) has been closed since the beginning of the school year for repairs. Right now, the PAC is set to be back up and running in mid-late January. The district began repairs in October to repair damage to the walls which caused the paint to deteriorate. The paint is intended to slow down the progression of fires if one occurs. … Continue reading With no Performing Arts Center East Programs look to Adjust
With the abrupt absence of East’s principal, Laura Bankowski, students and staff are left wondering where their leader has gone. On Oct. 23, East families received an email from the district informing them that “Principal Bankowski is currently away from the building”. No other information regarding her whereabouts was shared. District 308 Chief Communications Officer Thersea Komitas elaborated on what “away from the building” means. … Continue reading What we Know about Principal Bankowski’s Absence
National Chocolate Day is on Tuesday, Oct. 28, this year. This day recognizes all things chocolate, like candy, pastries, drinks, and more! But how did it all come together in the first place? Chocolate comes from the seed of a cacao tree that originates in Central America, Mexico, and Northern South America. In the past, the chocolate-making process was long and time consuming but now, … Continue reading National Chocolate Day: East is Ready for a Sweet Treat
International Animation Day is a holiday established by the Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA ) on Oct. 28, dedicated to celebrating the importance of animation and its cultural significance, and how it has impacted multiple generations throughout their lives. International Animation Day is important because it highlights the influence of animated pictures throughout the history of movies and TV shows. In 2025, International Animation … Continue reading Get Animated: International Animation Day has arrived
On Oct. 31, East will be hosting its annual Blood Drive. There is currently a national blood shortage that has reached crisis levels, according to the American Red Cross. Students at East have the opportunity to step up and help those who are in need of blood. This year’s student council president, Harper Dawe, a junior at East, has been working hard to coordinate this … Continue reading Annual Blood Drive back at East
On Aug. 20, East’s E-wing hallway flooded, damaging computers used by the E-sports team. Nearly two months later, the team is still feeling the impact. The team practices for competitions at the school and needs working computers to remain competitive. Repairs in the E-wing started almost immediately and have only recently been finished; the computers have yet to be replaced. Amy Whitlock is the sponsor … Continue reading East E-sports Team Faces their Final Boss: Weak Water Pipes
East’s speech team is holding its first meeting of the year on Oct. 20; students are encouraged to come out and get involved in this team. The speech team, which began last year, is a space where creativity is kindled and opportunities are given to students who are interested in any event involving public speaking. Events include performing speeches, poetry, monologues, skits and more. There … Continue reading East Speech Team to Hold First Meeting on Monday, October 20.
The early application deadline for many colleges is on November 1st. The deadline marks the start of the admissions process for the incoming fall of 2026 college students. Applying during the early admissions cycle may allow for students to have an advantage in admission decisions and scholarship consideration. On top of their school work, seniors at East have been working on the next steps of … Continue reading Early Application Deadline Approaching for Seniors
Marching band is an activity that includes a mixture of woodwinds, brass, and percussion, which are the three large pieces that make a marching band. It requires lots of memorization, precision, and synchronized movement to make the performance play out. East senior Blake Weber, the flute section leader, prepared with the flute section by playing their parts individually. “A lot of the time we are … Continue reading How the Marching Band Prepares for Performances
Operation Snowball, a club that started outside of Oswego East High School, turned into a thriving community, earning a spot next to other clubs at East. Recently, however, they have been entangled in an unfortunate controversy that has put a fork in plans for the club, giving its leaders a challenge to figure out. Continue reading A New Beginning For Operation Snowball
East’s Women’s Empowerment club is working hard to make a change on campus this year by initiating multiple projects, including making menstrual products free on campus. The Women’s Empowerment club works to promote gender equality and uplift women in the community. The club is a space created to be a safe and inclusive environment where members can share their experiences and highlight women’s accomplishments. Through … Continue reading Women’s Empowerment Club brings Strong Ideas to New School Year
Coalition Club is holding their next meeting on Sept. 17 in room F231. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Coalition defines itself on their Instagram page as, “a student-led group amplifying diverse voices, fostering inclusion, and driving change in our schools and community.” Club President Carsyn Poindexter and Vice President Kameron Williams work together with board members from Oswego East and Oswego High School … Continue reading Above and Beyond: Coalition Club
In the 10 years that Athletic Director, Tony Millard, has been nominating students for the NIAAA scholarship he’s never had a winner. This year he has two. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) takes nominations from across the state each year to recognize distinguished scholastic, leadership, and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes. Each year one boy and girl winner from the state of … Continue reading A Win for the Wolves; East’s First Two NIAAA Scholarship Winners Andrew Pohlman and Mae Robinson
The 2024-2025 Cheer Team has prospered, being the highest-scoring sectionals team in school history. On Feb. 7 at Illinois State University, the competitive cheer team will compete at state for the first time since 2018. The girls are very proud to have made it this far and to get a chance to show their routine, alongside the other best teams in the state. There is … Continue reading East Cheer Makes School History and Earns a Spot at State
On Jan. 23, 2025, East hosted their Girl’s Basketball senior night against the Plainfield Central Wildcats, which resulted in East’s thirteenth win of the season with a final score of 71-41. In one of their last regular season games, the team kept their winning record and earned themselves a ten-game winning streak. Varsity Basketball is hoping to keep the momentum as they get closer to … Continue reading East Varsity Girls Basketball Earns Senior Night Win Against Plainfield Central Wildcats
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the National Honors Society (NHS) at East hosted an event in collaboration with Samaritan’s Purse called Operation Christmas Child. The project aims to aid kids in need during the holiday season in the form of gifts. With the help of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian organization, students packed shoeboxes full of goodies depending on the kid’s age range and gender. They … Continue reading Operation Christmas Child – Giving Joy to Those In Need
November 23 marks National Espresso Day, a celebration of the rich, energized beverage that is a staple for many students at East. This day shines a spotlight on caffeine consumption, a routine that fuels students as they balance school, work, and extracurriculars. From coffee runs to caffeine pills, students find creative ways to stay energized and productive. Caffeine habits among high school students vary widely. … Continue reading National Espresso Day at East: How Students Use Caffeine to Power Through School Days
November is National Gluten-Free Month, a time to spread awareness of gluten-related health issues, including their effects on people, and to show support for those who follow a gluten-free diet. For many high school students, following a gluten-free diet goes beyond being a choice, it significantly impacts their daily routines and overall lives. For people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity avoiding gluten, a protein … Continue reading Spreading Awareness for Gluten-Free Month
From Nov. 7 to Nov. 10, students from Digital Journalism and Yearbook Journalism at East had the amazing opportunity to go to Philadelphia, Pa, and learn from journalists, professors, and advisors worldwide through JEA’s program. The Journalism Education Association also known as JEA, holds a yearly conference that provides educational resources for free and responsible scholastic journalism. During this trip students not only learned many … Continue reading East Takes Philadelphia by Storm on Journalism Education Association (JEA) Trip.
Posters are displayed in the hallways at East to encourage students to donate blood and support the community. Photo by Syeda Zaidi. On November 1, East’s student council will kick off its annual fall blood drive. Welcoming students aged 16 and above to make a difference by donating blood to help local hospitals with the ongoing blood shortage. This one-day event encourages eligible students to … Continue reading East’s Fall Blood Drive: Students Step Up to Save Lives
Photos from Target, Meijer, and Walmart in the Energy Drink section. As shown there are no Alani Nu drinks in these sections. Photos by Allie Heren. Throughout the month of October, the number of Alani Nu energy drinks at grocery stores in Oswego, Ill has declined dramatically. High school students and teachers, having busy schedules and early wake-up times often drink energy drinks such as … Continue reading Alani Nu Energy Drink Shortage in Oswego, Ill.
East’s set crew’s hard work comes to life when the backdrop is finally put into place at the tech run-through. Photo by Syeda Zaidi. Bringing East’s annual fall production, Almost, Maine, to life involves more than just the actors performing on stage. There is a dedicated crew working behind the scenes, constructing sets, organizing props, and managing technical elements to create the world the audience … Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Unveiling the Hard Work from East Set Crew for Almost, Maine
“Changes happen in an instant with car collisions and the pain will affect either you or another person,” Thompson said. Photo courtesy of blog.drivedifferent.com. On July 1, 2021 Senior Jadyn Thompson and her mother were parked in their driveway when a distracted driver lost control and hit their car. The car spun out causing Thompson to hit her head on the window resulting in a … Continue reading Walk Against Distracted Driving: A Senior Project Spreading Awareness
Members of WE Club participate in an icebreaker activity at their first meeting of the year. Photo Courtesy of Anna Walker. The Women Empowerment (WE) Club at East began its first meeting of the year, focusing on creating a lasting impact and building a supportive community. Led by senior and club president Anna Walker, the group is determined to not only address gender equality issues … Continue reading Women Empowerment Club Sets Ambitious Goals for this Year at East
Class of 2025 students exploring over 60 college and career opportunities during the school day. Photo by Zach Jacobson. East seniors were offered a glimpse into the wide range of paths available after graduation during a college fair on Sept. 12, 2024. Over 60 college and career representatives attended to give students quick and important facts on post high school opportunities. One of the hardest … Continue reading East Hosts Exciting College Fair To Help Students Explore Future Opportunities
National English Honors Society sponsor Mrs. Tamara Diprima gives junior Samantha Burk her certificate during the induction ceremony. Photo by Allie Heren. On Sept. 10 2024 the East chapter of The National English Honors Society inducted 34 new members for the 2024/2025 school year. Junior and Senior students who excel in their English classes, achieving over a 3.5 grade point average, have the opportunity to … Continue reading East Welcomes New Students into The National English Honors Society
