​By Taniya Gaines
 
As citizens we are electing leaders to have control of our lives and future generations to come. Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities we have as citizens of The United States. It took centuries for women, African-Americans, and others to finally get the right to vote.
Here at East students were able to vote in our mock-election to learn/elect different candidates for our local/state government.
Mr. Jason Taylor holds the mock-election at East. “I held the Mock Election because I wanted students to learn what it's like to participate in the electoral political process. Waiting until students turn 18 in order to teach about politics and voting is too late,” said Taylor.
This is why we need more young people and minorities to vote. Young people are the future and we tend to be more creative and open-minded when it comes to making changes for society. There have been many systems put in place to keep minorities from voting, but they can’t let that stop them.
Young voters need to educate themselves on political issues instead of not voting because they feel like their vote doesn’t matter. By voting you are allowing your voice to be heard. As young voters we account for 50% of the voting population but if only 20% are voting, a change will not happen. Fight against the odds and let your voice be heard!

​By Hana Nakayama
The Intro to Music Technology class performed their first ever Electronic Music Showcase on Friday, November 2nd.  Student wrote their own original electronic music and then played it for visitors during the showcase.
Senior Khivon Manning reflects on his inspiration.  He states, “I want something that I would listen to. I would listen to something I would like.” Fellow classmate Kameron Miles is excited about the class and thinks there are many benefits.  He says, ““You get to let your creativity run wild.”
Music teacher Mr. Weber teaches this new class and says, “It supports the needs of students who didn’t have the opportunities to be in music or band or didn’t know how to play an instrument. Also there were not that many electives offered. This class lets the students display their work and creativity.”  This showcase allowed students to share their original compositions with guests, and play music that truly reflected their personalities and style.
If you wish to know more about this class go to Mr. Weber’s room, A114 to find out more information.

​By Wilson Rivera
East High School students plan to help out homeless teens in Rochester on November 16. To help out these teenagers The National Honor Society and the Lighthouse Committee, with help from The Center of Youth, is planning a “Sleep Out Rochester” event.  
Ms. Courtney, chemistry teacher and National Honor Society advisor explains why this project is important. She said, “It’s important because I know for a fact I had students who were homeless, and other students here could find themselves in that situation. So I think it’s important for us all to develop and awareness about the issue and the resources available to help.”
From Wednesday November 7 through Friday November 16, there will be collection boxes in the main office and by scanning to drop off donations for things such as: new socks, underwear, t-shirts, winter clothes, deodorant, Teen-friendly, non-perishable foods and fast food gift cards. National Honor Society members will also be taking cash donations and checks payable to The Center for Youth or online donations at https://tinyurl.com/CFYEastNHS .
This event was inspired by an event that is going on around the country called “Sleep Out America.” In this event people get sponsors and donations, and sleep outside during that night. All the money that people raise during is then sent to Covenant House in New York City to help support the homeless teens out there.
Another event like this will be planned in spring, but until then save the date and help out any way that you can to make this service project a success. Your help would be appreciated. 

​By Pipper Holmes
We are happy to celebrate the retirement of two staff members this year. Congratulation to Ms. Maria Antonetti and Ms. Brenda Wilkinson. They have both dedicated a life’s work to the Rochester City School District and to our community.
Ms. Antonetti has been in the district for 31 years. She describes her years here at East as “Amazing…a learning experience.” Before she came to East, she started off as an employee of Kodak. She figured out that she did not like that and wanted to “work with people.” It was hard for her in the beginning because she had to reconnect with the kids but that is what kept her going. “I love working around people. I love helping. My desire to help in whatever is needed. That could be interpreting for someone or just the first smile you see when you come in.” When asked what she will miss the most she said, “My colleagues, some students but most of all my friends.” She’s most looking forward to “when I walk out after 31 years!”
I also had the chance to interview Mrs. Wilkinson.  She has been a proud member of the district since 1988.  She stared off in the library for 6 years because she loves books. When asked why she wanted to become a secretary she stated, “I love data entry and tracking down records." She has not had a worst day and she describes, “Every day is like my first day. Honestly it is like opening a new present every day.” Her happiest times here are when she gets to see the kids of children she taught. She says she will really miss the kids. "I love the kids and the work I do. It's really enjoyable.
We are sad to see them go but we are happy for their next chapter. We at the Eagle Express want to wish them the best of luck and a happy retirement. 

​By Zaire Briggs
Many teachers feel like the new cell phone policy has impacted their classes in a positive way.  English teacher Mrs. Price states, “I feel like it improved relationships and students are more focused on academics, and not on drama.  Also it is one less thing teachers have to argue with students about.” English teacher Mr. Appleby agrees and states, “I don’t have to argue with students about their phones and they are not distracted. They are more social without their phones so they participate more.”
The cell phone policy has also had a negative impact on some aspects of class though. Mrs. Price states, “In my bilingual classes we can’t use google translate without getting their chromebooks out and also I can’t text students during school to know where they are if they’re not in class.”
Some students don’t mind the policy.  Senior Shamika Coles states, “I was focused either way. My phone be dry 24/7 so having my phone taken is not a problem for me.  To me there isn’t any negative outcomes.” She also states, “It doesn’t affect my grades because when we were allowed to have phones, we weren’t allowed to be on them in class.” Senior Nina Gambill was impacted differently by the policy. Nina states, “Yes it did help me focus more, but I feel like I’m doing the same with or without my phone and a negative outcome is it’s not very much organized.”
Overall the cell phone policy didn’t really hurt anyone.  Some students might have been angry about it at first, but it’s important to remember that it was put in place to help us all be better and grow as students.
 

​By Clairissa Moore
If you ask any East High student their opinion on the food served in the cafeteria, their response will range anywhere from “okay” to “disgusting.” Bad cafeteria food is a staple in most high schools, but what many don’t realize is that it has an impact on our education. After all, people generally don’t want to sit and listen when they’re hungry. Chef Jeff Christiano, who has advocated for better food asks, “Could you imagine how much academic achievement would increase if students didn’t have to worry about what they’re eating?” Christiano, who feels very strongly about feeding us better says, “The solution is real food, cooked from scratch.”
Chef Jeff stated he’d be happy to provide that for us, but unfortunately his hands are tied. RCSD is a 100% free lunch district, which means all our food comes from the government, and one school can’t have better food than the rest. If we get food made from scratch in a regulated kitchen, the entire district needs to have that too.
So neither the cafeteria staff nor Chef Jeff can get us better food, but maybe we can. I can’t in good conscience suggest a hunger strike, especially considering students who get their only meals here. However, if enough of us contact organizations like the National School Lunch Program, the United States Department of Agriculture, or locally based government officials, and tell them of our problems, maybe we can change what goes on our trays.

​Dear Editor:
We really need to make a change to school lunches. This is a big problem in our public schools because Maslow's Hierarchy of needs shows us that we must first take care of basic needs, like nutrition, if we want students to reach their fullest potential. At the base Maslow’s Hierarchy is physiological needs. This includes air, water, food, shelter, clothes, and sleep. So let's go back to the lunches being nasty, state what the current lunches are like, and what students would prefer.  Keep in mind that the food should be not only tasty, but healthy. If students don’t eat good, healthy food, they can't get to the other stages of Maslow’s Hierarchy. Students get very grumpy if they don't eat properly and when they get to their classes after lunch, they will not want to work or be able to maintain focus. Often these student behaviors can be very difficult for the teacher and stop other students from learning.
Having unappetizing school lunch leads to students skipping school and leaving closed campus schools to get better food somewhere else. If kids start leaving the school they might not come back from going out because they feel like hanging out. Also if student start leaving school they most likely going to a fast food restaurant like McDonalds or Burger King. These companies will serve the student unhealthy food. Eating unhealthy can damage your brain. According to https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2016/may/five-ways-junk-food-changes-your-brain says that junk food or unhealthy food can cause inflammation in your brain. This website also says that junk food can shrink the brain learning abilities.   
Sincerely,
Anna Burton

​By Shaffiria Dortch
 
At East High School we have many different sports during the winter, including modified girls and boys basketball, modified coed swimming, modified wrestling, freshman basketball, J.V girls and boys basketball, varsity girls and boys basketball, varsity bowling, varsity cheerleading, varsity wrestling, varsity indoor track.
 
In order to join one of the teams you will need to get requalified (or a “requal”) from the nurse, which means you will need an up-to-date physical from either the school nurse or you regular doctor’s office. You can only go during family group or during your gym period to get a requal from the nurse.
Each sport will have practice at least 3 days out the week if not every day, and some of the sports will have practice on Saturdays. Practice will always be after school.  For further questions, see Mr. Robinson the Athletic Director.

​By Kermarie Principe Caceres
 
The schoolwide attendance drops when we get close to the winter months. This a problem that affects students and their education. Many students have to walk a long distance just to get to the bus stop and wait for the bus that might take a longer time than expected to get there. Meanwhile it’s snowing or temperature is dropping. This means that students would rather stay home if they don’t have their parent or a friend to take them to school than walk and wait outside in low temperatures.
 
In my own personal opinion, I would rather stay home especially if I know that the bus takes longer than the expected five minute walk to the bus stop and having to stand there in the cold weather to wait for the late bus. While this might affect my education, it prevents me from getting sick since I’m not getting hit by the cold air mass.
 
Other students can relate to this, especially the ones who don’t get transportation offered because they live close to the school. “I stay home because to take the bus, I have to do a 5-8 minute walk just to get to the bus stop where I wait 5 minutes in addition for the bus to arrive. In my opinion, this affects me educationally because when it’s colder I miss the most school days but by doing that every day I get sick more times that I can count. Which means it also affects my health,” said an anonymous East High student.
 
 In addition, the website ‘Education Next’ provides statements contributing to this problem, “While most absences are the result of illness or disengagement from school, some reflect the decision to stay home when the weather is bad, even though schools remain open.”

​By Lynnola Christman
 
Archaeologists discovered that the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds were founded in Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins were originated in Central America about 7,500 years ago. In 1536, “the orange gourds” were first mentioned in Europe, where they were regularly grown. They were originally called “pumpions.” which came from the French word “pompon.” This is a reference to their rounded form and it eventually evolved to the name “pumpkin.”
Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins. They brought the first settlers pumpkins as gifts and taught them the many uses for the gourd. European settlers continued to use the recipes, adding their own special spices. The pumpkin pie was developed 50 years after the first Thanksgiving in America.
The way people originally made pumpkin pie might come as a surprise. European and Native Americans didn't have pie plates and mixers. So how did people make pumpkin pie? They used what they had. The shape of the pumpkin was a perfect pie plate. They didn't use crust, but they used the pumpkin itself as the “crust,” filled it with sweetened milk, spices and just put it into a fire.
If you would like to speak to someone who made the pie, Cedric Scott actually made it himself! He brought it to school and some teachers tried it. Mrs. Vadala says, “The pie was delicious! Eating the pumpkin crust was surprisingly good.”  If you’d like to make this for your family this Thanksgiving, you can find the full recipe at https://soufflebombay.com. It would make an interesting and educational additional to any Thanksgiving feast.