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THE STINGER

THE STINGER

THE STINGER

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Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief

This is Ayaan’s fourth year on The Stinger, and second year as Editor-in-Chief. He is a member of Academic Team, Varsity Chess Team, former President of Chess Club, and Treasurer of World Cultures Club, in addition to being a member of NHS. Ayaan is also a member of the Student Press Law Center’s New Voices program, which is dedicated to passing protective state legislation for student journalists. He won first place for editorial writing in the 2023 Keystone Media Awards and third place in the 2023 Pennsylvania Press Club high school journalism contest. In 2024 he won second place for ongoing news coverage of the EPSD Board elections, and also won the $500 statewide diversity champion scholarship award from the Keystone NewsMedia Association. He also won First Place in editorial writing for the 2024 Pennsylvania Press Club competition in addition to several honorable mentions. In fall of 2024, he nationally won fifth place in Editorial Leadership and jointly won fourth place in News Writing & Reporting with Carina McCallum in the National Scholastic Press Association’s “Best of Show” competition. Prior to becoming Editor-in-Chief last year, Ayaan was the Managing Opinion Editor, and a Deputy News Editor prior to that. Outside of school, Ayaan enjoys reading history books, writing, and shaping bonsai trees.
All content by Ayaan Shah
Junior Olivya Kroope celebrated with the girls wrestling team after winning a match. Photo courtesy of Kroope.

“Just six minutes”

Junior Olivya Kroope brings EHS girls wrestling to states for first time in history
Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2025

“It's just six minutes.” She closes her eyes just for a second, letting the anxiety wash over and move past her. Taking a deep breath, she tilts...

Art by El Skaggs.

‘There’s no one at home’

Local residents prepare for new administration’s deportation policies
Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
March 3, 2025

“There will be kids who will get out of school and find that there’s no one at home. It’s very likely, almost inevitable, that there will be parents...

Art by Nate Garcia.

May 2024 crossword answers

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
May 24, 2024

1: Features 2: Senioritis 3: If 4: Mango 5: Kalb 6: Angela Tran 7: Nick Donati 8: The Weeknd 9: Grill 10: Bower 11: Pine 12:...

Art by Rae Murphy.

Reflecting on Ramadan

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
May 3, 2024

This previously ran in our April 2024 issue. On March 12, millions of American Muslims celebrated the beginning of Ramadan, the lunar month when able-bodied...

Canva by Ayaan Shah.

EPSD board reorganizes

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
December 21, 2023

On Dec. 4, the East Penn School Board officially welcomed three new members to the board during their organization meeting. Gabrielle Klotz, Shonta Ford,...

Candidates discuss issues at a candidate forum at Emmaus High School.

EPSD Board elections

Board candidates discuss plans for upcoming election
Ayaan Shah and Carina McCallum
November 8, 2023

This story previously ran in our October 2023 print issue. On Nov. 7, voters will head to the polls to vote in the general election, choosing leaders...

Senior Issue: Rohan Desai

Senior Issue: Rohan Desai

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
July 3, 2022

This previously ran in our 2022 June Senior Issue. Rohan Desai has been an active member of the EHS community for years, participating on the tennis...

Graphic courtesy of Canva.

Observing Ramadan

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
May 28, 2022

This previously ran in our April 2022 print issue.  Ramadan. The most awaited time of the year for millions of Muslims around the globe, where followers...

President Joe Biden poses for his official portrait Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in the Library of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Biden: one year in office

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
March 8, 2022

This previously ran in our February 2022 print issue. It has been little over a year since President Joseph Robinette Biden first took office after...

Photo by Shah

Bonsai: an ever growing art

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
November 8, 2021

This previously ran in our October 2021 print issue. This past May, I visited a bonsai nursery in New Jersey to get a bonsai tree after weeks of careful...

Islam champions peace, not terror

Islam champions peace, not terror

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
November 5, 2021

This previously ran in our October 2021 print issue. Feb. 6, 1993. Sept. 11, 2001. April 15, 2013. Dec. 2, 2015. These dates swirl around in my head...

Banner courtesy of Canva.

A New Hope

Ayaan Shah, Former Editor-in-Chief
April 17, 2021

When my mom first asked me if I wanted to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine trial for adolescents, my response was a blunt no. Why? I didn’t want an...

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Ayaan Shah