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The News of Communications High School

The Inkblot

The News of Communications High School

The Inkblot

The News of Communications High School

The Inkblot

Teachers ‘AI’n’t stupid: CHS faculty adapts with new tech
U.S. finds itself red, white and clueless:
Actor or activist: When do protests turn performative?
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Past or ‘present’: The nature of gift giving in 2026
Brian Kaplan and Sofia Santillo February 6, 2026

The fire is crackling, the hot chocolate is warm, and the Toys R Us catalog is lying at the doorstep. A few years ago, the only thing left to do was find a marker to circle the toys with.  But in recent...

BLOT GRAPHIC BY TESSA LIU.

Survey of 47 students from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9.
Vacation or vocation: Students struggle to rest over break
Zach Benner and Jason Garrett February 6, 2026

If time off is meant to give students time to rest, why do so many find themselves buried in assignments during holidays meant for family and recovery? After weeks of tests, projects and studying, many...

PHOTO OBTAINED FROM OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS. "Department of Defense Seal" by DonkeyHotey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Defense to war: Frivolous change or angry new posture?
Fintan Christenson-Aurand, Diya Mandal, and Saanvi Dubal February 6, 2026

With the signing of an executive order, President Donald Trump didn’t just alter how the Department of War is referenced within the White House, he signaled an intense shift in how the United States...

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To be or ‘rot’ to be: New internet memes take over modern social media landscape
February 6, 2026

Jokes are a great way to get to know, build trust and understand a person; they are conversation starters and relationship builders. When you don’t have a conversation starter, that’s when memes and...

PHOTO OBTAINED FROM OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS. "Spotify" by Johan Larsson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
CHS ‘unwraps’ 2025 music-listening stats
Sarah Furlong February 6, 2026

Once a brisk chill hits the air, anticipation builds for celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. However, Sophomore Sofia Fulo of Tinton Falls’s favorite winter holiday is the release of Spotify...

PHOTO OBTAINED FROM OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS.

The cast of “Stranger Things” at San Diego Comic-Con 2017. “SDCC2017 - Stranger Things Cast Photoshoot (3) (36109147106)” by William Tung from USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Netflix hit series meets ‘strange’ mix of fan reactions following decade-long awaited final season debut
Everly Coleman, Cece Ribeiro • February 6, 2026

For the last ten years, fans of the Netflix original series “Stranger Things” have grown up watching beloved characters navigate The Upside Down, form friendships and solve mysteries, all while battling...

BLOT GRAPHICS BY CARA HSU, KATRINA HUNG AND KIRTHNA TODUPUNURI.

Survey of 49 CHS students from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9.
Budget cuts put healthcare on the chopping block
Amalia Foster February 6, 2026

In a time of rising prescription prices and economic recession, many lower-income Americans rely on federal programs, which are being cut faster than those who need them can keep up.  In 2023, the...

BLOT GRAPHICS BY CARA HSU, KATRINA HUNG AND KIRTHNA TODUPUNURI.

Survey of 49 CHS students from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9.
Students get to the heart of the abortion debate
Katherine Mountford February 6, 2026

Whether the government should have control over women’s bodies has been an ethical debate for more than a century. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the issue has become more...

PHOTO OPTAINED BY OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS. "Pills 3" by e-MagineArt.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Discrimination woven through healthcare
David Vilacoba February 6, 2026

As Dr. Susan Moore lay in an Indianapolis hospital bed, she could not help but feel that she was being treated unfairly. Diagnosed with COVID-19, Moore, an African American, said that her doctor denied...

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PHOTO COURTESY OF HELENA SZEP.

Senior Helena Szep of Middletown competes in the 5000 meter run at New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Sectionals on Nov. 1, 2025. Szep took first in the race, finishing with a time of 18:26.55.
Miles ahead of the rest: Szep goes the distance, commits to Marist University’s Red Fox runners
Eric Epelbaum and Broderick Salowe February 6, 2026

In her senior year cross country season, Helena Szep of Middletown shattered multiple Middletown High School North (MHSN) previous best times....

PHOTO OBTAINED BY OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS. "Snow kayaking Monarch Mountain white void" by flickr user 'abkfenris' is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Peculiar Pastime: Snow Kayaking
Nate Bainbridge and Ryan Billimoria February 6, 2026

In the winter, most people go skiing or snowboarding; then, there are people who kayak in the snow. Snow kayaking, also referred to as snowboating,...

PHOTO OBTAINED FROM OPENVERSE THROUGH CREATIVE COMMONS. Max Muncy disagrees with umpire’s call. “Max Muncy May 20, 2018 (50121480882)” by All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Major League Baseball dumps the umps
Nathaniel Bainbridge, Ryan Bilimoria, and Zachary Lemberger November 25, 2025

Major League Baseball (MLB) recently announced the implementation of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system for the upcoming 2026 season,...

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Fine print, big problems: Budget cuts spark drama for CHS clubs

Fine print, big problems: Budget cuts spark drama for CHS clubs

November 25, 2025

The room was quiet and filled with confusion as the Communications High School (CHS) Drama Club deptmartment...

SGA “polls” together 2025 to 2026 council

SGA “polls” together 2025 to 2026 council

June 16, 2025

At Communications High School (CHS), the Student Government Association (SGA) wants everyone to have...

CHS drama club’s “Chicago: Teen Edition” dazzled audiences

CHS drama club’s “Chicago: Teen Edition” dazzled audiences

May 29, 2025

The Communications High School (CHS) Drama Club is known for its student-directed productions. Directed...

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BLOT PHOTO COURTESY OF ABIGAIL
GEKKER.

Junior Abigail Gekker dances with Dylan Freedman on
July 5.
Gekker sambas across the stage
Eric Epelbaum and Shawn Retta February 6, 2026

When she’s not at Communications High School, she’s competing around the world. From Canada to Ireland to the Netherlands, Junior Abigail...

“An Automaton and scouts in the snow pulling a sled of supplies.”
- Junior Kathryn Umbs of Monmouth Beach
The Automation Scout
Katie Umbs June 18, 2024

Media Used - Dip Pen Ink Time to Complete - 3 weeks Interesting Fact -“The steampunk and snow combo in the art was inspired by a videogame...

“I was scrolling through a bunch of reference pictures and just really loved how fun and detailed the one I chose was.
This was one of my first ever oil pastel pieces but I love the way it turned out and I had so much fun making it!”

- Junior Bridget Ruane of Middletown
THE ARTIST’S BLOCK
August 20, 2023
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The News of Communications High School
The News of Communications High School