Heads-Up East! There’s a Sports Equipment Drive

The East Side News
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Heads-Up East! There’s a Sports Equipment Drive

By: Jack Stewart

From December 2nd through the 13th , the WEHS Sports Equipment Drive will be running. In partnership with Victory Sports, new and used sports equipment will be collected and donated to underfunded sports programs. All collected equipment will stay local, helping schools, leagues, and teams in the greater Buffalo area provide their players with the equipment they need. During the two week stretch when the drive will be running, please place any donations in the designated bins by the main office and by student street. Any bats, balls, helmets, pads, sticks, cleats, skates, and more will be taken and donated. For more updates or any questions, please follow the Instagram linked in the QR code above or @wehsvictorysports. Thanks for the support!

Wrapping Up on East’s Thanksgiving Food Drive

The East Side News
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Wrapping Up on East’s Thanksgiving Food Drive

By: Nehitha Jayakumar

It’s that time of year where the annual thanksgiving food drive takes place! Help the Turkey Basket Project of Western New York and be a part of providing a thanksgiving dinner for over 400 local families in Amherst and Western NY. Some examples of what kinds of foods are needed include: canned vegetables/fruit, boxed stuffing/potatoes, canned cranberries, boxed brownie and cake mixes. Your donations will be put towards helping people at places like the Amherst Senior Center, Hispanics United of Buffalo, Vive la Casa, and Women’s Respite Program. 

Additionally,  you can help your grade win the food drive competition by collecting the most food. When donating, look for the bin that corresponds to your grade level in the business office and place your items inside the bins. Totals will be taken periodically and the standings of each grade level will be announced. It is not too late, there is time till Friday, the 22nd of November to help people out in our community and to contribute to your grade levels. At the time of writing this article the sophomores are currently in the lead with 76 cans/food collected with the seniors and freshman tied for second place with 47 cans and at last place the juniors with 35 cans collected. The winning grade level will earn money towards their class that can be later used for prom, JDD, and etc. 

Spread the love this holiday season and donate to our Thanksgiving food drive to provide families with the items needed so they too can  enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner!

Lit On Fire: Girls Varsity Swim On Top of Their Season

The East Side News
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Lit On Fire: Girls Varsity Swim On Top of Their Season

By: Ramona Galvin ft. Jessica A. Dennehy

For the second consecutive season, the WEHS Girls Varsity Swim Team ended their 2024 dual meet season with an undefeated record of 7-0. This year, the team swam against these schools:  Iroquois, Pioneer, Williamsville South, Lake Shore, Amherst, Cheektowaga, and Hamburg. Each of these individual victories led them to kick off their championship season seeded first in their Division as well as their Class.

By far, the most memorable dual meet of the season was the “Pink in the Pool meet against Amherst.” When asked why, Jessica Dennehy, a junior on the team said, “They [Amherst] would not stop playing ‘FE!N.’ Also, I qualified for champs with my best friend Ramona Galvin. Shoutout.”  As Jessica previously mentioned, the iconic song “FE!N” by Travis Scott, played over 7 times during warm ups. In addition to this excitement, both rival teams collectively raised money for cancer research. However, it is important to note that out of the $1000 raised collectively, East contributed to over $700. 

On October 19, 2024 the team traveled to Clearance for their ECIC Division ll Championship. Williamsville East came out victorious with a final score of 499. The girls swam fast with 18 personal bests and 4 total state cuts. Opening the meet was the 200-yard medley relay, consisting of Lauren Golden, Lennon Anderson, Lily Osterstrom, and Phoebe Risch. These young ladies swam an all time best and NYS qualifying time of 1:51:85. Other NYS cuts were swam by Phoebe Risch in the 50 freestyle, Lauren Golden in the 100 butterfly, and the 200-free relay consisting of  Lauren Golden, Lennon Anderson, Lily Osterstrom, and Phoebe Risch.

It was a tough 2 weeks of training before the team traveled to North Tonawanda on October 30, 2024 for their Section VI Class B Championships. The sheer size of the team was notable, as the 19 qualifying swimmers easily intimidated the smaller schools. The girls were highly motivated by the incentive of  free T-shirts, and after a long, chilly night of swimming, Williamsville East came out on top with a final score of 462. 

As the 2024 season comes to a close, the Williamsville East Girls Swim Team has  proven their strength, dedication, and teamwork both in the pool as well as outside of the pool. The team has set a high bar for excellence, and will undoubtedly carry their momentum through states. The future looks bright for this young team.

East Boys Soccer Dominates Once Again: A 2024-25 Season Recap

The East Side News
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East Boys Soccer Dominates Once Again: A 2024-25 Season Recap

By: Natalie May

Williamsville East’s boys soccer has had an eventful 2024 season with a current standing of 16-1-1 and league champions winning this title after beating Williamsville South 7-0. The captains that led the team through these victories include seniors Gavin Steinacher, Jack Deluca, Evan Griffiths and junior Nico Buscaglia. 

The season came to an unfortunate end on 11/2/24 against Grand Island for section champions with a score of 4-1.

To get to this point, the team kicked off their season with an away game against Maryvale with a final score of 6-0 East. This led to a continuous win streak against North Tonawanda, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga, Amherst, Pioneer, and Lake Shore, until the team’s only in-season loss against Amherst Central when they played them for the second time. They followed this with a win against Nichols and a tie against Williamsville North. Captain Gavin Steinacher commented, “The game against Williamsville North was the toughest one of the season”. Following this, East played a game against Tapestry Health Sci, ending with a score of 11-0, and another game against Amherst, ending with a score of 3-0. These two games led them to the fight for Section champions against Grand Island. 

Overall, the Williamsville East Boys Soccer has had a tremendous season. The entire school conveys their best wishes for the next season. GO FLAMES!

Spooky Scary Skeletons: How East Celebrates Halloween

The East Side News
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Spooky Scary Skeletons: How East Celebrates Halloween

By Armita Rohani

From goblins and ghouls to candy and diabetes, Halloween is a favorite for many of East’s students. This year, the East Side News took a survey to determine how this economically driven holiday is enjoyed by our student population. Disclaimer: this survey may not totally reflect the practices and/or opinions of all of East’s students.

Trick-or-treating is one of the most infamous activities of Halloween, it is the thing that people think of when the holiday comes to mind. Millions of children partake in this holiday across the world. When we asked East’s students whether they went trick or treating this year, the results were very split. 50% of participants said they did go trick-or-treating this year, and 50% said they didn’t. That begs the question–when is the ideal age to stop trick-or-treating? 18.8% of responders reported between the ages of 13-15 (which in my opinion, is too low), and another 18.8% of responders reported between 15-17 years old. An overwhelming 43.3% responded with 18-21, and one respondent (bless your soul) said never. 

Next we asked the infamous question: did school work or college applications disrupt your Halloween plans? To our surprise, 75% of respondents reported no, with only a mere 25% saying yes. Of these plans, 31.3% reported that their favorite activity was “watching scary movies/t.v. shows”, and another 37.6% reported “going to a Halloween party.” Only 12.5% said “trick-or-treating,” with 18.8% saying “indifferent.”

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without candy. With thousands of options lying around, it is hard to have a favorite. It wouldn’t do justice to your second choice, or even your third. So, for our final question, we asked what “Your favorite Halloween candy must have.” An overwhelming 50% said “just chocolate,” so that would include M&M’s, 25% said wafers, so think Kit Kat, 12.5% reported peanut butter, like Reese’s, and the remaining 12.5% said caramel, like Milky Way. 

Forms response chart. Question title: Your favorite Halloween candy has to have.... Number of responses: 16 responses.

And that is a wrap on our survey! We hope everyone had a fun Halloween, until next year!

Halloween Traditions Old and New

The East Side News
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Halloween Traditions Old and New

By Sophia Chung and Nikita Suharu

Trunk or Treat

The National Honor Society and Student Council came together on Tuesday to make every little kid’s dream come true: being allowed to accept candy out of strangers’ cars. Although strangers, the children from Maple East and Country Parkway weren’t scared to walk up to the NHS volunteers and other students’ spooky trunks. Each trunk had its own theme; sports, Jurassic Park, and The Wizard of Oz were some of the children’s favorites, giving a variety of entertainment for the kids to interact with. In addition to the trunks, the children also had face painting and coloring stations to add to the fun of the event. With little bats and pumpkins drawn on their faces, the children seemed to be having a blast in the parking lot. After a successful first Trunk or Treat at Williamsville East, STUCO is likely to continue this event in future years.  

When is Too Old?

The little kids dressed in creative costumes, hungry for candy, had East students reminiscing on childhood memories. “Halloween is not about candy anymore,” said a senior at East. When asked when the last time they went trick-or-treating was, students replied with 14 and 10 years old. On the other hand, when questioned what they think the cut-off age should be, Avery Keenan replied, “After high school.” For some, trick-or-treating has been left in the past long ago, and for others, this Halloween may be their last time trick-or-treating ever. Will high school students be trick-or-treating this year or does Halloween mean something different now?

Fall Chorus Concert Recap

The East Side News
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Fall Chorus Concert Recap

By Hannah Block

The WEHS Choral Department just had its first concert of the year! All five ensembles worked very hard to put on an amazing performance, but they didn’t do it alone. Ms. Girzone and Mr. Ardillo did a great job helping the members of each chorus learn their music, and chorale even had a side-by-side clinic with Transit Middle to work on perfecting their pieces. 

Although Ian Liedke served as the accompanist for most of the concert, chorale  featured student accompanist, Catarina Pedro Ionita, for their first song, Choose Something Like a Star, and Vocal Jazz was accompanied by jazz combo for their piece Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.

This concert was more than just a fall concert, not only because it was Mr. Ardillo’s first concert at East, but because it was also the debut of Dynamics—a new group for lower voices. Dynamics is taught by Mr. Ardillo and meets every other day.

Junior and member of mixed chorus, Elena Goldstein, recalls fondly: “It was fun performing in front of everyone and hearing all the other choruses!” The chorus department will return to the stage December 18th and 19th for Winterfest, so mark your calendars! It will definitely be a performance you won’t want to miss.

A Lifelong Legacy at East: Meet Ms. Ehmann, Beloved English Teacher and Mentor

The East Side News
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By Darshini Dayanidhi 

For more than three decades, Ms. Ehmann has been an enduring presence at East, shaping the lives of thousands of students and embodying the values of the school. Her connection to East runs deep—first as a student, then as a teacher, and now as a beloved mentor who continues to inspire and engage her students every day.

Ms. Ehmann’s journey at East began when she was a student herself from 1985 to 1989. She graduated, attended the University of Buffalo, and by 1993 was back at East, this time as a teacher. Aside from a brief part-time position teaching at another school, East has been her home for her entire career. 

Her teaching path wasn’t always clear, though. In college, she initially pursued a pre-law track. However, her fascination with literature, sparked by a freshman English class, shifted her path toward education. Though she briefly considered a career in social work, she soon realized that the emotional toll of that work wasn’t for her—a realization, as she shared, that her father helped her come to. Her connection to literature, storytelling, and writing led her back to East.

Today, Ms. Ehmann teaches a range of English classes, including English 9, AP Language and Composition, and several senior-level courses. Her teaching assignments change yearly based on rotations within her department, and she values this diversity in her work. Her favorite book to teach? To Kill a Mockingbird, which she describes as a novel “about everything”—a foundational piece she believes provides crucial insights into the human experience. Recently, she has also grown fond of News of the World, enjoying its complexity and the new perspectives she uncovers with each reading. Other past favorites have included Pride and Prejudice and The House of Mirth, each bringing a unique texture to her classroom.

Her teaching approach has also evolved significantly over the years. When Ms. Ehmann began teaching, reading and writing were front and center in the classroom, and her lessons were largely free from today’s technological distractions. Yet, even as students’ reading habits have shifted, she’s found creative ways to connect literature to the digital age, using multimedia tools to engage students while staying true to her goal of fostering critical thinking and an appreciation for reading. She’s especially proud of East’s Friday Reading program, which gives students the time to enjoy a book of their choice. She believes it helps build a reading habit, giving some students who may not read for pleasure a dedicated moment each week to dive into a story.

The highlight of Ms. Ehmann’s day is the time she spends with her students, learning about their lives and watching them grow. Her commitment to building strong relationships is evident in the personalized “all-about-you” assignments she gives, where students share their interests and experiences. She regularly checks in with them, creating a supportive and open environment where students feel seen and valued. She believes that this mutual exchange keeps her young and inspired. In fact, she views her students as her teachers, too, learning from them as much as they learn from her. As Ms. Ehmann put it, “I am taught by you guys just as much as I try to help and teach you.”

Over the years, Ms. Ehmann has also advised multiple clubs, including Hands Around the World and student council, and supported various initiatives, like helping students form a Christianity Club (which has yet to come into fruition). Though her primary focus is teaching, she values these roles as opportunities to connect with students beyond academics.

Ms. Ehmann’s days start early with a quiet moment in her classroom, enjoying coffee before students arrive. These morning reflections set the tone for a day filled with what she describes as her greatest motivation: the chance to make a difference in her students’ lives. For her, teaching at East is a lifelong calling, one that enriches her life daily. From seeing former students return to share their achievements to working with inspiring colleagues, she is grateful for the community she has found here.

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Ehmann acknowledges that East has witnessed every phase of her life. Her siblings attended before her, and her sons’ experiences as teenagers inspire her. In her eyes, East is more than a place to work; it’s where she grew up, where she found her calling, and where she continues to grow alongside her students. As she aptly put it, “It was fate.”

What’s the Scoop with East Side News?

The East Side News
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By Armita Rohani

East Side News, East high school’s official newspaper run by the newspaper club, meets every Wednesday in room 116. We publish issues like this one biweekly, and if you’re lucky, weekly, featuring works of writers, artists, and photographers from all over East’s halls. 

What happens during meetings?

When you enter the fancy computer lab of 116, we usually start most of our meetings by playing a news-themed Kahoot. Sometimes they’re based on major headlines from the week, spotting the fake headline, or some surprising announcements from top companies around the world. The top five winners claim a timbit, as well as the good ol’ bragging rights. After our game, any and all announcements, from coffeehouse to Taste of East, will be presented to members. These are a great way to get involved in the club and volunteer, or to come and have fun with friends. We then move on to our issue pitch, where people present article ideas and sign up for them, as well as work on their articles. Our meetings usually last anywhere from 3:15-3:30.

What are the benefits?

During my freshman orientation four years ago, one of the assistant principals told our class that “you can either be a do-er or a watcher here at East.” You can either get involved, make an impact and be remembered as an alum, or be a bystander and watch the people who make the impacts. At newspaper club, everyone has the chance to make a difference. Whether that is by signing up for articles, taking shifts at coffeehouses, or just showing up at meetings, there are so many opportunities to get involved. Best part, you have control over what you want to do, what articles you want to write, and how often you want to write them. 

Building your Resume…

At the end of the year, officer interviews will take place, and give you a shot at receiving a position. This year, almost every major position will be open as our seniors graduate. Roles like Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Comanaging (there’s three of them), and a plethora of section editors (most notably, the East news section). Not only does this give you a spike for your college resume, but it gives you a chance to show that you are a good candidate for the college community. 

What can I write about?

Anything! For the East News section, you can write about anything that’s happening at East, like sports, clubs, teacher interviews, student interviews, and events. This is a great way to promote your club, or talk to your favorite teacher. For the world section, you can write about any news from the national and international sector. This can include business news, governments, and the election. For the entertainment section, you can talk about concerts, activities to do, and lots of reviews for books, movies, albums, and t.v. shows. The science and technology section is amazing for anyone who’s interested in going into STEM. You can write about research, animals, new vaccines, diseases…all the works. The commentary section is the best way to give an opinion on something, or defer from unbiased hard news. Our commentary section is where the most impact happens, more on that later. The sports section is the perfect place to write about our Buffalo Bills, or any other sports team or sport superstar. 

I don’t want to write, what can I do?

We publish artworks on the backpage, and everyone is welcome to submit (all will be published). We also have a comics section, where you can draw a quick skit, and a photography section, where you can take photos of whatever you’d like or be assigned to an article. We also have a YouTube channel, where you can vlog about your life, an interview with a teacher or a friend, or record an event! 

What has ESN done?

You may recall our impactful commentaries from a previous section. For example, Newspaper club is the only reason why we have sidewalks that extend to our school, because one of our students wrote about it, and their writing was presented to the board and town hall. We have also changed plays, and have promoted various organizations and ideals. We also host coffeehouse, in partnership with the stage crew. Coffeehouse is an open mic event where people can perform any acts they wish, either solo or in a group of friends. Newspaper club will provide food (and let me tell you, they are really good) based on a theme, ranging from $0.50-$5. In the past we have done Asian Fusion Night, Brinner (breakfast dinner), and Italian night! There are three coffee houses each year, with the first one coming up in November!

Ms. Bailey: A Dual Passion for History and Psychology 

The East Side News
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Ms. Bailey: A Dual Passion for History and Psychology 

By Darshini Dayanidhi 

Ms. Bailey didn’t always plan to be a teacher. Teaching was something she stumbled into. As a child, she was an avid reader, often coming across historical references she didn’t understand. Her curiosity led her to delve deeper into those references, and when she got to college, she realized that history was exactly what she wanted to study. Originally, she aimed for a career in historical research, but life had different plans. After getting married and starting a family, one of her professors suggested that she pursue teaching. Ms. Bailey decided to make teaching her minor, and when research positions were scarce, she started applying for teaching jobs. The rest, as she says, is history.

Ms. Bailey’s teaching career took an unexpected turn when she was introduced to psychology. At first, she taught it as an elective at South, but when she moved to East, another teacher already held that position. So, she took the bold step of asking the school principal if she could teach AP Psychology. The answer was yes, but with a catch—she had to undergo an intensive month-long training program at Niagara University. The program was grueling, with eight hours of classes every day, but Ms. Bailey was up for the challenge. During her first year teaching AP Psychology, she often found herself just one unit ahead of her students, but her knowledge and confidence grew, and now she’s an experienced and passionate psychology teacher.

When asked how she balances her passion for both history and psychology, Ms. Bailey says she’s been lucky to teach both subjects at the same school. She prefers world history over U.S. history, as the global perspective is something many students don’t encounter as often. She loves sharing with her students the vast differences and complexities that exist outside of the U.S., helping them understand the broader world. In psychology, she finds personal fulfillment in helping students grasp concepts that not only help them in class but also impact their understanding of themselves and others. It’s those “aha” moments from her students that keep her passionate and inspired.

Ms. Bailey admits that learning psychology deeply affected her personal life as well. Growing up, she had a rocky relationship with her parents, but learning about psychology helped her realize that the struggles in their relationship were as much her fault as theirs. This newfound understanding led to forgiveness and a stronger bond with her parents, who are now a huge part of her life. Her knowledge of psychology also made her a more understanding parent to her children, fostering deeper conversations and connections.

Motivation, Ms. Bailey says, comes from her students. Every class is different, with its own personality, and that uniqueness keeps her teaching fresh. Whether it’s the first period that requires a bit more energy or another more engaged class, each group of students challenges her in different ways. She adjusts her teaching style to meet their needs, keeping her motivated day after day.

One of the most memorable parts of Ms. Bailey’s teaching journey has been seeing the lasting impact she’s had on her students. Some still stay in touch, and while they may not have pursued psychology or history careers, many have told her how her lessons made a difference in their lives. Knowing that her classes have opened doors for deeper self-understanding for her students is something she cherishes.

Ms. Bailey stands out because she’s never complacent. She’s constantly evolving her teaching methods, always looking for new ways to engage her students and make learning more accessible. Whether it’s history or psychology, she’s not afraid to experiment with new techniques, even if they might fail. That willingness to adapt and grow, she believes, is key to being a great teacher. She will also do anything to help her students succeed. Getting access to a back-ordered textbook may have had its challenges, but it was worth it for her students.

Additionally, as for Ms. Bailey’s hobbies, she and her husband finished visiting all 50 states in the US this past summer. Their focus was on hiking five miles in every state and seeing the sunset/sunrise each time. She states, “This is another reason I love teaching World (Global) History. US History is within our reach to explore!”

In Ms. Bailey’s words, the best teachers are the ones who “meet students where they need to be met,” and it’s apparent that her passion, dedication, and adaptability make her one of the all-time best at WEHS.

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