Editor’s Note: Ayaan Shah is a senior at Emmaus High School and has served as editor-in-chief of EHS’s student newspaper, The Stinger, since his junior year. He 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. Ayaan is also involved in Chess Club and the EHS Muslim Student Association. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, writing and shaping bonsai trees. We welcome Ayaan to the Lehigh Valley Press.

As school swings back into session, excitement has built across the district in an eventful first two weeks. Students, faculty and staff have an exciting year to look forward to as well, as made evident from some of the events planned and revealed to students so far.

Emmaus High School Principal Beth Guarriello announced during an Aug. 27 assembly several events coordinated by the Class of 2025 officers, as follows:

EHS will host a Senior Sunrise event for all members of the Class of 2025 6:30 a.m. Sept. 19 in the East Penn School District stadium. The rain date for this event is the following day Sept. 20.

On Sept. 27, all seniors should head down to Memorial Field during their Hornet Homeroom to take the senior group picture. The rain date for this event is Oct. 7.

EHS also announced a new policy regarding senior portraits. In order for graduating students’ photos to appear on the Jumbotron screen during graduation (tentatively planned for June 8, 2025), all seniors must get senior portraits taken through local photography company Wesley Works Photography. Photos for the Jumbotron/yearbook with Wesley Works are free of charge. Families can schedule a session by either calling 610-928-2000 or booking online at wesleyworks.com/seniors.

As students get settled into the new school year, EHS’ numerous extracurricular activities are also starting back up. The Bible Study Club will meet after school Sept. 16 and subsequently meet before school 6:45-7:15 a.m. Sept. 24.

Chess Club will meet after school in the multimedia room 2:30-3:30 p.m. every Thursday, beginning Sept. 19.

Chem Club, a school organization founded last year to promote an interest in chemistry and its practical applications through hands-on activities and experiments, will have its first meeting Sept. 23. All are welcome.

Applications have been accepted for the EHS Powderpuff Homecoming Game. Four teams will be selected to compete during the Oct. 1 event.

Finally, EHS received a surprise visitor Sept. 5 – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Shapiro is currently touring schools around the state to promote the Pennsylvania Education Budget, which has historically increased its funding up to $11 billion. Superintendent Kristen Campbell, Student Government Association President Marium Mahmoud and social studies teacher Eric Luckenbill spoke at the event, in addition to several other speakers including Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin and several local state senators and representatives.

“This budget builds on our progress investing in student teacher stipends, mental health resources and school environmental repairs – while we also improve how school funding is allocated with a new formula that drives dollars out to the schools who need it most,” Shapiro said during a news conference in the EHS Library.