Bellevue East Student News Site

The Tom Tom
Bellevue East Student News Site

The Tom Tom
Bellevue East Student News Site

The Tom Tom
News
This is it. Sophomore Julian Pulido mentally prepares to play the accordion alongside fellow band members at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The group's performance was scheduled for September 13, but they had been practicing since June in order to ensure their performance would go smoothly. "Right before we performed, I was looking out at all the spectators and letting it sink in," Pulido said.
Student takes the stage at Crawford fight
Lailyah Duncan, Newspaper News Editor • October 30, 2025

On September 13, 2025, sophomore Julian Pulido performed with a band on the accordion at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the Terence...

How to help. Special education instructor Heather England stands in the C wing hallway with a student. As teacher shortages continue to affect schools everywhere, special education instructor positions go disproportionately unfilled. “I do think somehow showing appreciation and reward for the good jobs of the teachers that are sticking around can be beneficial,” special education instructor Heather England said.
Teacher shortage crisis affects students everywhere
Savannah Stultz, Newspaper Opinion Editor • October 30, 2025
Here goes nothing. At East’s annual fall blood drive this year, which partnered with the American Red Cross, junior Devyn Brother donates blood. Brother noted that he wanted to try something new, despite having a fear of needles. “I’m usually scared of needles, but it was painless and kind of fun,” Brother said. “They’ll treat you right, they’ll make sure you’re comfortable and safe for everything.”
Bellevue East hosts annual American Red Cross blood drive
Brianna Yang, Newspaper Managing Editor • October 30, 2025
Whoosh. On a cool autumn day, a special truck (middle) sits on the sight of the upcoming AutoZone right by the intersection of 25th Street and Capehart. Workers arrived earlier in the day to begin the finishing work of the greenery, where soon, the block off of Capehart will have an additional member. “That commercial area stayed quiet for a number of years, but now we’re really kind of seeing it boom again,” Palm said.
City of Bellevue renovates different areas
Avonelle Reliford, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
Entertainment
Students share top fall movies, TV shows
Charley Leon, Newspaper Co-Editor in Chief • October 30, 2025

When freshman Lydia Taylor thinks of “Hocus Pocus”, it reminds her of spending time with her stepmom. When junior Riley Wagoner thinks of “Gilmore Girls”, it reminds...

Thud. Thud. Stepping into Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, sophomore Emily Sterup catches a photo to capture this moment. Sterup visited both Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Bellevue Berry Farm to compare the fall attractions. “The atmosphere [at Vala’s] was clearly more catered towards families with carnival-like games, rides, and even a magic show,” Sterup said.
Review: Vala’s Pumpkin Patch vs. Bellevue Berry Farm
Emily Sterup, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
Slang influences younger generations
Layla Hango, Newspaper Opinion Editor • September 26, 2025
Illustration by Aidan Rollings
“Jurassic World Rebirth” has good cast but boring plot
Maya Valenti, Newspaper Reporter • September 26, 2025
Features
Finishing touches. After making a cookie sale through his baking business, freshman Alex Cunningham adds dried blueberries to the frosting of a cookie. Cunningham started the business with his friend, freshman Brooke Kosnjek. “Baking is one of my strong suits, it’s one of my passions,” Cunningham said. “And who doesn’t love sweet treats?”
Freshmen start baking business together
Victoria Bogatz, Newspaper Co-Editor in Chief • October 30, 2025

The library doors open, and in walk two friends carrying a plate of cookies. They sprinkle dried blueberries on the white icing and pass the plate to a smiling customer.  This...

Boink. The sound of a pickleball hitting the ground fills the ears of pickleball players at the newest addition to Everett Park. The pickleball court opened recently. “The courts are quite attractive and will catch the eyes of all that drive by them,” Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Bellevue Jim Shada said.
New pickleball courts arrive at Everett Park
Emily Hollars, Co-Entertainment Editor • October 30, 2025
Star of the show. While in a shark costume, senior Brooklyn Fleming cheers at the homecoming game with the cheer team on September 19. Fleming, on the dance team, decided to put on the costume to showcase her spirit after another team member originally planned to wear it. “My favorite part was dancing in the shark costume,” Fleming said. “It was funny and felt weird but I know others enjoyed it, and so did I.”
Beast Homecoming 2025: Mamma Mia
October 30, 2025
Ignite. As sparks sizzle around the metal shop, skill tech instructor Logan Patras uses a mig gun to grind down a tool for a friend on October 23. This tool in question, helps make lead pellets for throttle cables. “One of my favorite things about being a shop teacher is I can help my family and friends with what they need shopwise,” Patras said.
MCC trades program has a lot to offer
Giovanna Beck, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
Sports
East athletes to play in collegiate sports
Lailyah Duncan, Newspaper News Editor • October 30, 2025

Two Bellevue East athletes, senior Dylan Bullard and senior Layne Parker, have received college offers after strong seasons in baseball and volleyball. Bullard has received...

Kick. At a junior varsity football game, sophomore Aidan Ameganji, number 25, kicks the football to make a field goal. The team has been working alongside the varsity team in practice to become better players "It felt nice to score, I got to get some varsity points," Ameganji said.
Football ballboy becomes promising new junior varsity player
Layla Hango, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
Go team. The Bellevue East cheerleaders perform their routine to boost morale for one of East’s football games. The cheer team has trained since before school even started up to get ready for events such as this one, only this time, they decided to include local kids to make their showcase even more memorable. “We have dances ready for games and pep rallies,” senior Stephanie Carranza-Pulido said. “Practices are key to have everything ready.”
Cheer welcomes new members
Savannah Stultz, Newspaper Opinion Editor • October 30, 2025
Strike. At The Alley, a bowling alley in Bellevue, junior Haleyn Smith holds the bowling ball up ready to send it down the lane. The unified bowling team has begun practicing every day after school and they have their first competition on Thursday, October 30th. “I’ve practiced some over the summer, with friends and family,“ Smith said.
Unified bowling welcomes all students to the lanes
Charlotte Palm, Newspaper Features Editor • October 30, 2025
Opinion
Illustration by Aidan Rollings
Football’s popularity distracts from other sports
Lillian Herrick, Newspaper Sports Editor • October 30, 2025

Football, one of America’s favorite pastimes, can be a fun sport to watch. As a high school student, I do enjoy going to a Friday night home game with my friends. It’s...

Reap what you sow: manners decline in today’s youth
Giovanna Beck, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
Illustration by Sofia Burton
East should offer a late bus
Tom Tom Staff, Editorial • October 30, 2025
Movie reboots overshadow original films
Julian Ibarra, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
In-Depth
In the wild. Nebraska Game and Parks Natural Heritage Program Zoologist Shaun Dunn works in the field with The Wilds, a conservation safari from Ohio. They were checking an American burying beetle trap, one of many endangered species in the state, as part of the field work that makes up Dunn’s job. “I go out and collect those data for the reptiles, amphibians, insects, the small mammals for our state,” Dunn said.
Endangered species affect Bellevue community
Charlotte Palm, Newspaper Features Editor • October 30, 2025

Over a thousand endangered species live across the U.S., impacting many animals, plants, insects, and the groups working to protect them. According...

Water filtering and pollination: bees, mussels play big role
Brianna Yang, Newspaper Managing Editor • October 30, 2025
Students and staff promote conservation of animal species
Emily Sterup, Newspaper Reporter • October 30, 2025
BPS sees more English language learners
Savannah Stultz, Newspaper Co-Entertainment Editor • September 26, 2025