North's Art Honor Society donates 10+ portraits to the children in Syria through their partnership with the Memory project. Scroll below to view some. ARTWORK CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW ARTWORK MEMORY PROJECT LOAD MORE GALLERY LOAD MORE

North Star Halloween Costume Contest Vote for your favorite costume and photo! The Art Department The Art Department The Art Department The Haunted Maze- Art Club and Art Honor Society Jen ATC and Sam Jen ATC Hot Dogs Alexa D'Andrea and Amelia Muscatelli- Pink and Yellow Princesses Mrs. Meringolo's Class Alexa D'Andrea- Pink Princess Jayda Rutledge- "Joe Cool" Marcus Chiu and Aleeza Dhillon- Wild West Abigail Reichbach and Samantha Defalco- Plum Pudding and Strawberry Shortcake Arianna Hack- Tinker Bell The Art Department The Math Department- Party Animals Fiona from "Adventure Time"- Quinn O'Connor Sophia Reese- Founding Fathers The Math Department- Party Animals Elaine Ching, Melody Chen, Jack Voss VOTE

ALL ARTICLES NEWS ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA FEATURE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLARIS EDITORIAL SPORTS ADVICE The Rabbit’s Foot Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE Polaris Meeting Game Polaris Shea Flanelly June 8, 2026 READ MORE Karma Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE North’s 7th Grade Fun Day Feature Akilan Subramaniyan June 8, 2026 READ MORE Shower Polaris Caitlyn Hunte June 8, 2026 READ MORE Eternal Love Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE Exam Study Tips Advice Wardah Khizer June 8, 2026 READ MORE Tired Blood Polaris Caitlyn Hunte June 8, 2026 READ MORE Does Glasses Equal Intelligence: A Stereotype or Fact? Feature Akilan Subramaniyan June 8, 2026 READ MORE 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 ... 90

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Disney Characters Ariana Hack Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching From a Blonde princess who was forced to clean and cook To mysterious mustache pirates such as Captain Hook From a mermaid curious as can be Who spent most of her time trapped under the sea From a space astronaut “To Infinity and Beyond” To “Best friends forever” that will never break their bond To a little clownfish that almost ends up as bait Up to his father to decide his fate To a one-eyed monster aspiring to be scary To a jealous attitude filled pixie dust fairy What do these characters all have in common you see? Well, my dear they are friends of Walt Disney. Please dream whether you are near or far Because magic happens when you wish upon a star. BACK TO TOP

Welcome to North Star, Valley Stream North High School's student news and literary magazine! Whether you want to read about your specific interests or browse the work of talented students, we have something for everyone. NORTH STAR VALLEY STREAM NORTH'S STUDENT NEWS & LITERARY MAGAZINE Perfect Polaris Stories Two Birds on a Wire POLARIS By Shea Flanelly Read More Eternal Love POLARIS By Nathaly Zavala Read More Events and Advice What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up Advice By Annie Rachek Read More Introductory - Ekin Pinar ADVICE By Ekin Pinar Read More Welcoming Mr. Bracco! FEATURE By Mikayla Aziz Read More VSN Past End of Year Highlights MSA Events MSA's Annual Eid Festival NEWS By Wardah Khizer Read More MSA Day of Unity Conference NEWS By Wardah Khizer Read More Fantastic Features Who is Saint Valentine FEATURE By Annie Rachek Read More Does Glasses Equal Intelligence: A Stereotype or Fact? FEATURE By Akilan Subramaniyan Read More North's Drama Club FEATURE By Rachel Ezeadichie Read More Current Events January 2026 Winter Storm NEWS By Leah Ally Read More The Capture of Nicolás Maduro News By Akilan Subramaniyan Read More Groundhog Day News By Wardah Khizer Read More Olympics of the Visual Arts FEATURE ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA NEWS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLARIS EDITORIAL SPORTS ADVICE Sections ADVERTISEMENTS Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image J1A & VSN Flyer Join Student Council Polaris

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections A Tribute to Selena By Christina Ossa Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Good Morning America article which shows a picture of Selena posing with her Grammy award in 1994 (https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/selena-quintanillas-husband-chris-perez-reflects-death-25-73440003) If you have a dream, don't let anybody take it away." -Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, let's take a moment to remember an insanely talented Mexican Tejano-pop singer, Selena Quintanilla, born on April 16, 1971. I've listened to her songs on repeat since I was a child. As an American Latina, her music was always playing at family get-togethers and at least once every month. The same could probably go for other Latino households and even others in general. She was a rising Spanish singer star in the 1990s who was just about to cross over to sing music in English. At the beginning of her career, she sang and helped her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, write songs, but her passion was to someday sing and write music in English. She had a unique, soulful voice and could sing multiple in genres with no problem. Her story and rise to fame had changed the Hispanic community, but it ended on a tragic note; she was shot dead by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995. Selena's death was a massive shock to the Spanish community up to the present day; however, the lasting impact she left on our community still lingers, as she's widely known by almost all Latino families and has fans across the globe. A Slow Rise to Fame: Selena began her career by singing at quinceañeras, performing at weddings, and at her father's restaurant, “Papa Gayos” in Lake Jackson, which later shut down. She started with a family band, consisting of her dad, Abraham Quintanilla, as the manager, her sister, Suzette Quintanilla, on the drums, and her brother, A.B., writing songs and playing the bass. Once the family restaurant closed down, her dad decided to take a chance on Selena's talent and have them travel across the road. However, his rise to fame proved to be a slow one. She would travel across the West of the United States, performing shows for Latinos and other fan who followed her music. Eventually, she gained recognition and was signed by EMI Latin in 1989. From there, Selena would gain a large and almost cult-like following. Latino fans and others across the globe loved Selena's voice, her music, and her personality. Even when she gained more recognition, she didn't change and continued loving her fans equally no matter how many she had. One of the qualities she's most renowned for is her immense trust and kind attitude toward anyone and everyone. However, one of her most famous albums, Amor Prohibido (Translation: Prohibited Love ), brought her to the peak of her career. Along with one of her hit-singles, Como la Flor (Translation: Like the Flower ), she was recognized for her talent and in 1994-1995 was finally approved for a crossover album. It was rare and revolutionary for her career as a Latina singer to have the opportunity to sing her Hispanic music in English. Only a handful of other Latinos, such as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, or Gloria Estefan, had sung crossover albums; therefore, for Selena to have a crossover contract as a pop singer was an immense achievement, especially considering she was only twenty-four at the time. She even won her first Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album at the 36th GRAMMY Awards in 1994, which marked her as the first female Tejano artist who had ever won that category. Continuing with her momentum, she was even allowed to perform live at The Astrodome in front of over 61,000 fans on February 26, 1995. This concert, unbeknownst to anyone, would be her last live event. An Untimely Death: Selena's success only continued to grow, as the ambitious Tejano-singer would also go to form a fan club in mid-1991. However, since her family was caught up with her music production and she was busy with her new albums, songs, and live appearances, she had no one to manage her club. This led her to hire one of her most enthusiastic followers, "Selena's biggest fan," Yolanda Saldivar, who eventually quit her job as a nurse to run Selena’s club and boutiques. Even though Yolanda was just "Selena's fan" on the surface, she had a crazed obsession with the Tejano-singer. Selena trusted Yolanda to the extent that when she opened her first two boutique locations known as Selena, INC. in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, she relied on Saldivar to run them. At the same time, she was busy with her music career. The club began to go downhill in January of 1995 after her father started receiving calls from angry fans who never received the monthly "Selena goodies" they paid for with their enrollment in the club. With further research by Abraham, he found that Saldivar had used forged checks to embezzle $30,000 from both the fan club and boutiques. Abraham was enraged, consulting Suzette and Selena on what they should do about this situation. Abraham and Suzette wanted Yolanda immediately fired; however, Selena did not want to fire her because she believed Yolanda was her friend. Selena eventually fired Yolanda early spring 1995, and after three weeks, Selena finally agreed to meet Yolanda to get financial records, but Salvador refused to give them back. They met in Corpus Christi at a Days Inn motel, where Yolanda had a handgun ready. The outcome of this meeting was a nearly bled-out, dead Selena, found crawling to the lobby of the Days Inn. The days and weeks after her death, Latino and even American radios across the country played and had fans chanting her songs. Her death also happened just before she was set to release her new crossover album, which was released instead as a memorial to Selena. Selena has been missed since her death, and this year marks the 26th anniversary. She still has millions of fans to this day and is almost worshipped among the Latino community. Her debut, though not as long-lasting as was hoped, forever changed the Hispanic-English music industry. Her influence over the music industry paved the way for many famous Latino-American singers, such as Shakira, Demi Lovato, Becky G, and even Beyonce. She met Selena and looked up to her when she was younger. Even by me, Selena will forever be remembered. Her music will be played in Latino households across the globe for generations to come, and I know I have always admired Selena since I can remember. She's an inspiration through and through, and who knows the immense success she would've had if she continued down the path of global-wide fame she was approaching. Her story and end were overwhelmingly depressing, but this does not muddy the recognition and inspiration that comes along with the name "Selena Quintanilla. Sources Used: The Queen Is Dead – Texas Monthly 17 Artists Inspired By The Divine Glory Of Queen Selena Quintanilla | HuffPost Communities Selena: The Series ( https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjN57npxqTzAhWlY98KHT6SBaoQFnoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netflix.com%2Ftitle%2F81022733&usg=AOvVaw3HZYiJAQMbuCJ0zGZ8TDB- ) (used as more of a guide of events, nothing specific) Selena (film)(again, used as more of a guide of events from what I can recall) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections The Importance of Black History Month Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Texas Public Radio Black History Month is a critical time of the year that allows us to reflect on the contributions, struggles, and achievements of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and the immense impact that black individuals have had on shaping our society. However, racial injustice is still prevalent, regardless of how much progress has been made in the past decades. It is important that we take time to explore the importance of Black History Month in promoting education, challenging stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for social justice. Black History Month traces its roots back decades to the efforts of Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and scholar. According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , Woodson initiated Negro History Week in 1926. It was established to ensure the recognition and celebration of the often-overlooked contributions of black individuals in shaping American history. The week was eventually expanded to a month-long observance in 1976, officially recognized by the U.S. Government. One of the primary reasons Black History Month is essential is because it provides an opportunity to educate ourselves and future generations about the often overlooked or marginalized history of African Americans. It allows us to delve deeper into the stories of black leaders, activists, artists, and everyday individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, such as science, literature, politics, and the arts. By highlighting the accomplishments of African Americans, Black History Month challenges the prevailing narrative that has often excluded or downplayed their contributions. It helps to break down stereotypes and misconceptions, fostering a more inclusive and accurate understanding of our country’s history. This is particularly important for young people who need to see themselves represented and empowered by the achievements of individuals who share their racial or ethnic background. Although more prevalent in the past, racism still exists in our society today. According to Forbes, modern racism can take on different forms, such as racial profiling, microaggressions, and systemic discrimination. It's important to recognize that racism is not just about individual acts of discrimination, but also about the larger structures and institutions that perpetuate inequality. For example, racial disparities in education, employment, housing, and criminal justice continue to significantly impact marginalized communities. It's crucial for us to have open and honest conversations about racism, challenge our own biases, and actively work towards creating a more just and inclusive society for all. One significant aspect is the influence of African traditions and customs, which have been preserved and passed down through generations. From vibrant and colorful traditional clothing to powerful storytelling through oral traditions, these cultural practices celebrate heritage and provide a sense of identity and belonging. Additionally, black cuisine presents a fusion of flavors that have influenced and spread worldwide with rich and varied dishes, spices, and cooking traditions. Black culture is also deeply rooted in the Arts, with remarkable contributions in literature, visual arts, dance, and theater. From the works of author Toni Morrison and poet Langston Hughes to iconic performers, black artists have left an indelible mark on the world of creativity. It's truly inspiring to see how black culture continues to evolve, adapt, and thrive, shaping the global cultural landscape. Honoring Historical Black Figures: 1. Harriet Tubman: As an abolitionist and political activist, Tubman played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, leading countless enslaved individuals to freedom. Her courage and determination continue to inspire generations. 2. Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent civil rights leader, King advocated for racial equality through nonviolent protests and speeches, most notably his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of peaceful resistance. 3. Maya Angelou: An esteemed poet, author, and civil rights activist, Angelou's powerful writings have deepened our understanding of the human experience and the African American struggle for equality. 4. Katherine Johnson: Johnson was a pioneering mathematician whose calculations were instrumental in the success of NASA's early space missions. Her work shattered barriers and inspired future generations of women in STEM. Furthermore, Black History Month serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the African American community. It honors the individuals who have fought for justice and equality throughout history and inspires us to continue their legacy. By celebrating the achievements of African Americans, Black History Month empowers individuals and communities to advocate for change and to work towards a more just and equitable society for all. Black History Month is a necessary observance that allows us to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and social justice and provides an opportunity for education, celebration, and reflection. By recognizing and celebrating Black History Month, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paologaudiano/2021/04/05/how-microaggressions-relate-to-systemic-biases/?sh=682c8113fc6f Carter G. Woodson | NAACP BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Interplanetary to International: Starlight on Abigail Reichbach's Research Noa Cordova Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Abigail Reichbach “Out of this world” accurately captures the focus of Senior Science Research student Abigail Reichbach’s research project. Transcending planetary boundaries, Abigail, known as Abby by her classmates, centered her research around micrometeorites. Inspired by University of Washington professor Donald E. Brownlee’s 1993 research on interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), Abby worked to find what percent of Brownlee’s estimated 40,000 tons of IDPs that fall on earth annually were micrometeorites.  She spent the summer preceding her junior year formulating ideas so that starting in September she had a topic, research question, and a methodology to begin applying in January. In spring, she took her research to the next level: her grandmother’s rooftop. The micrometeorites’ iron and nickel composition enabled Abby to collect them from a marked-off quadrant using a magnet. She dedicated this summer to sorting through and examining her collected particles using a microscope and a camera. As the school year began, she analyzed her data and finalized her results. Abby shares her cosmic findings, “I determined that 113.3 metric tons of micrometeorites fall on earth each year, which is .28% of all IDPs.” Abby acknowledges that her findings leave room for future research, but currently, there is no published research breaking down Brownlee’s estimate. Throughout her research journey, Abby worked closely with Mr. Frazer, her science research advisor, and Dr. David Deamer, a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz and her mentor. Bringing her findings from space to Earth, she presented at the International Forum for Research Excellence, a conference hosted by the renowned science research honor society Sigma Xi, in Washington, D.C. on November 15th. ----------------------------------------------------- Full interview with Abigail Reichbach: How did you get this opportunity? Abby: “As a science research student you have to be working on research with a scientist or professor. I’ve worked with the University of California, Santa Cruz professor David Deamer since the summer before junior year. We email and use Zoom to communicate. He was the one who sent me the email to apply to the conference. High school students sent their abstracts and research, and from there I was selected to present.” What inspired your research project? Abby: “I've always been interested in space science, and I also really like biology. We had to find a mentor who would help us with the process, so I contacted Dr. Deamer to find something that would combine astronomy and biology... astrobiology. You can apply research outside of one field and could do the research hands-on instead of just in a lab.” What was your biggest challenge? Abby: “I would say the distance between my mentor and I. He lives on the other side of the country, so the time difference was a bit of a challenge. While I didn’t get the experience of doing a lab with my mentor next to me, I learned a lot experimenting independently.”  What did you find most enriching about this experience? Abby: “Honestly, the biggest takeaway from this was meeting other passionate students. Also, it was enriching speaking to professionals who are there to help you learn and take you seriously… it’s cool to teach experts about something new.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections MLB 2021 Season By Leah Ally Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Sport Vault MLB The MLB (Major League Baseball) season is over, meaning that one of the most memorable campaigns in recent memory has ended. There were hundreds of unforgettable events this season, from a shocking trade deadline to the continued struggle of playing through a worldwide pandemic. Starting with the 2021 trade deadline, the MLB faced a dramatic shift with 80 players trading teams as deals were consistently developing. As trades progressed, news updates were nonstop, with transactions left and right. Almost every star player who could have been available had secured a deal—some for more apparent reasons. A total of ten players had been through trades in the same season they were to be on the All-Star team, which was record-setting. Kris Bryant, Trea Turner, and Joey Gallo were among those that took part. The Chicago Cubs were one of the busiest teams during the trade deadline as they offloaded a staggering number of top players, including notable names like Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez. As we all know, COVID-19 has affected every one of us one way or another, including the sports industry. Coming back from a brief 2020 season, during which no spectators were allowed at any MLB games, along with the risk of progressing throughout the season, 2021 sought improvement for both fans and players. Following 2020, stadiums implemented suitable procedures to effectively follow CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and accommodate fans/players, even to the point of many stadiums having the ability to carry out audience capacity. Although thorough protocols had been put into place, surges in covid cases throughout the season caused dozens of games to be postponed and became a health concern among numerous teams. An appropriate example is the 167 positive Covid cases that had reached players on 28 MLB teams, apart from the A’s and Rangers that had astonishingly achieved 0 throughout the season. To wrap up this unpredictable yet exhilarating season, The World Series took place between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. It would later end in 6 games as the Braves claimed their second championship since relocating to Atlanta. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Ms. Santomauro Interview By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Wikimedia Ms. Santomauro was a leave replacement English teacher here at North for the first marking period, filling in for Ms. O’Donohue. On her last day, I had the amazing opportunity to interview her about her experience at North High School. How has your time at North been? “My time at North has been absolutely wonderful. I’ve had amazing students and classes. All of my colleagues helped me every step of the way.” If you had a chance, would you continue to work at North High School? “Absolutely, I loved my time here.” What was your favorite thing to teach? “Each of the classes does something different. For the 8A’s I loved The Outsiders . I loved discussing “Stay gold,” because it thinks it’s relevant to your (8A’s) lives. 11AP: I loved doing argument because we debated all the time, and everyone got to share their ideas on controversial or just funny topics. Seniors: I loved doing college essays with the seniors because I got to know them really well.” Why did you become a teacher? “I became a teacher because I think the best gift you can give someone is knowledge and because as a student, my teachers made school a very good experience, and I wanted to give that to the future generation.” What about North High School made you want to teach here? “I really love the community aspect of North. Every teacher and every student is involved in something within the school and the community, which I really love. When I went to high school, I was very involved with the community and the high school, so that was something that I really liked about North. The opportunities for the staff to get involved in activities with the students is something that really drew me in.” As of your departure from North High School, what is something you learned while teaching here? “ I learned to always follow my gut no matter what it is...that I was trained to do this, and I know what I’m doing and to follow my gut. To always have the hard conversations; even though they may be hard, they are important. I learned to always make sure to value my students as people rather than just students because they are people outside of the classroom, and we need to acknowledge that and understand that in order to give them a well-rounded education.” What is something that you’re going to miss about North High School? “I am definitely going to miss my students and my coworkers. Every day was great because of the people I was surrounded with. Teaching is nothing without the people around you, and that’s what makes it such a great job especially if you’re a people person, so I will miss all the people I have worked with.” What advice would you give other teachers who come to or work at North? “My advice would be to get as involved as possible. We have very long days, and we do a lot of work, but taking that extra time to build relationships within the school and the community and with the students is really important. Showing people that you care about the people you work with, the students you work with, and the place you work in really helps build relationships and gets you more involved to make you a better teacher and a better colleague.” What advice would you give to students at North High School? “My advice to students would be to always keep up with the reading because when you fall behind, it gets really hard. And to be honest and open with your teachers. If you are struggling with something, you should be honest. If you could not complete homework because you had work or you had a personal issue going on, honesty is the best policy. Your teachers are very understanding. We are also people, and we understand that we all have personal lives, so it's always best to be as honest as possible and as honest as you are comfortable with being, so that we can help you in any way that you need.” Ms. Santomauro’s final goodbye to her students : “I am so very lucky to have had all of you in our classes and as a first-year teacher, you were a true blessing. You made me feel very comfortable and very at home in the classroom and I will always cherish all of the memories and relationships we built together as a class. Remember to always do your work!” Ms. Santomauro was a beloved teacher and member of North High School. She made students feel safe and comfortable with learning in the new class environment. We are glad and thankful that we were able to experience her first year of teaching with her. We hope that she excels in her teaching career far past North. BACK TO TOP