Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Unknown - Portrait By Unknown January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections What is Racewalking? By Sahar Ali Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 (L to R) Emma Barbosa, Sahar Ali and Hailey Quinlan. Sahar is Conference Champion, took second place in county meet, and holds VSN record for tenth fastest all-time with a 9:48.88 time in the 1500m racewalk. Racewalking: I’m sure you’ve heard of it somewhere or maybe even seen it during the Olympic games. It may look like a piece of cake. However, it’s a challenging sport. Racewalking is a long-distance race in which athletes must walk instead of run. It sounds as though athletes walk during the race; however, there are a few rules in this sport that make it very tricky. Racewalking is different from running because a racewalker must always remain in contact with the ground. The leg in the front must stay straight until it passes underneath the body. Form and technique are essential for a racewalker since athletes can get penalized for a bent knee or losing contact with the ground. Here at VSN, the Winter Track Team consists of racewalkers. This year, they had the unique opportunity to be coached by Emilija Vaskyte, a national racewalk champion and VSN alumni. Navrosedip Kundlas, one of the VSN racewalkers’ captains, is one of the best at what she does. Here are some questions we were able to ask her: Q: What made you choose racewalking as your event? A: “I love running long distances, so when I first came into track, I wanted to do long distance. However, I just wasn’t ready. When I first heard of racewalking, I immediately searched it up on Google and it seemed interesting. So, the next day I went to Frazer and said, ‘I want to be a racewalker.’ And that’s where it all began.” Q: What’s your favorite part about racewalking? A: “That’s a hard one. There are so many great things about racewalking, but my favorite is the feeling. It feels like I’m flying on top of clouds. It makes me feel like I can do anything.” Q: How hard would you say racewalking is on a scale of 1-10? A: “It varies by my day but on average for me, I would say an 8. Racewalking is different for everyone and for me while I do struggle a little with my form, my speed, stamina, and fitness help balance it out.” Q: How does it feel to be captain and teach girls how to racewalk? A: “It feels great! I love co-captaining as it gives me a sense of responsibility and maturity. Teaching my fellow racewalkers makes me feel good, as I was one of them last year. It shows how far I have come. I was in their shoes last year and I know it’s not always easy, so motivating my squad is always essential.” Q: What is your favorite part about being captain? A: “Honestly, my favorite part would be getting to coach the girls. I love helping and teaching others especially at things I am good at. I love the fact that I can pass on my skills to someone else. Making someone else feel accomplished makes me feel accomplished. At the end of the day, I’m proud to be part of such an amazing team of girls.” Q: What has racewalking taught you? A: “Racewalking has taught me many things in the aspect of life. I have learned to never give up even when it seems impossible. To be committed and work hard. As Boyens says, ‘No pain, no gain.’ Track teaches you how to be prepared for the real life, how to handle stress and how to release your stress as well. It’s what Frazer always tells me, ‘Track prepares you for the real world.’” Q: Would you recommend others to try racewalking? A: “If I’m to be honest, it would depend on the person. Racewalking doesn’t always click with everyone. Especially if you don’t work hard. You need to be committed and you need to believe in yourself. If you’re willing to try something new, I would definitely recommend. Racewalking is fun whether you do it for competition or just as exercise. It’s definitely worth a shot if you put your mind to it!” Refrences: Race Walking | USA Track & Field (usatf.org) Race Walking. History and Rules. (athleticscholarships.net) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Wadsworth: An Introspective Dive By Alain Deen Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Fortune "So, in summation…It was Mrs. Peacock in the kitchen with the dagger. Colonel Mustard in the Lounge with the revolver. Mrs. Scarlet in the library with the candlestick. Professor Plum in the hall with the revolver. Mrs. White in the ballroom with the rope. And Mr. Green in the billiard room with the lead pipe." Clue: The Movie (1985) quickly became a staple cult classic. The film is based on the famous Hasbro board game of the same name. In the board game, six characters are invited to an unusual and seemingly random dinner party in the 1950s. They are led to a mansion, where a number of murders occur. The purpose of the board game is to figure out who the murderer is, underscoring its traditional "whodunit" theme. However, it is worth noting that the butler, Wadsworth, is not included in the board game, but he is included in the film and the stage play. In terms of character analysis, Wadsworth does not hold much depth. However, it is worth noting that the character of Wadsworth is a culmination of years of intricate butlery, stereotypes, and other fictional prototypes. Let’s talk about it. In the board game, Wadsworth is not included as a character. In my opinion, this was done on purpose. Here is my take on the dilemma: Wadsworth is actually included in the game, but his figurine is invisible. I am just kidding. At any rate, my point is that Wadsworth serves as a metaphorical puppeteer in the board game. In other words, each player is their own Wadsworth. They manipulate each of the six characters (Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, and Professor Plum) throughout the game's duration in an attempt to frame each of them for murder. Whether it's through utilizing various weapons or locations in Boddy Manor to achieve this purpose, "Wadsworth" is the master puppeteer behind the game's drama. I played Wadsworth in Valley Stream North's recent production of Clue; it was a great experience, to say the least. I had a lot of fun with the character and delved deep into his twisted yet comedic mind. From playing Wadsworth, I gained more insight into the character himself, learning more about the intricacies attached to his puppeteering tendencies. My character served as the driving force for all the events throughout the show. He led the suspects through each and every scene, allowing for a smooth course of events leading up to the show's dramatic culmination. He permits each of the six suspects to enter the mansion, often introducing them to each other. Once they are all comfortable, he reveals the reason they are all there in the first place. "Ladies and gentlemen, my instructions are clear. It seems the six of you have one thing in common. You are all being blackmailed. For some considerable time, all of you have been paying what you can afford, and in some cases more than you can afford, to someone who threatens to expose you." This highlights Wadsworth's knowledgeable background throughout the course of the play. He was aware of most of the events before they occurred. In other words, he was always one step ahead. He also manipulated various events, highlighting his sly, conniving background. "He was Wadsworth, my Butler" "OHHHHH!" "I want to thank all of you for killing off my network of spies and informers, which you all did splendidly, by the way. Not to mention the added bonus of our evening together: I have each and every one of you on the hook for murder." By the end of the play, it is revealed that Wadsworth is actually Mr. Boddy, directly supporting the argument that Wadsworth serves as a puppeteer in every medium of the franchise. He was behind everything all along, highlighting his sly and conniving nature. Thus, it is worth noting that Wadsworth is representative of the audience. In a sense, the audience subliminally desires to manipulate the guests' actions, highlighting their deep alignment with Wadsworth's character arc. Wadsworth's character goes deeper than the surface, and that must be noted when conducting a character analysis. He really is more than just a butler. He simultaneously serves as the audience, the narrator, and the franchise's driving force, even if his likeness isn't 3D modeled on a miniature figurine. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The History of the Penny Lane Coat Ava Augello Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Unsplash Have you been searching for the perfect fall-to-winter, winter-to-spring coat? The Penny Lane coat is not only beautiful but also has a fascinatingly long history. This iconic coat was originally known as the Afghan coat because it originated in Afghanistan during the early 20 th century. This coat, usually made of sheepskin, leather, or a suede material joined by fur lining and cuffs, provided Afghans warmth from the country’s chilly weather. Despite the commonly written idea that only men wore them at the time, women often did too. These coats were omnipresent in Afghan society as national dress. But how have these unique coats become popular all over the world? As stated by The Conversation , from the early 1960’s, an increase of foreigners began to Afghanistan as it embarked on a new program of modernization. This modernization would lead to a significant rise of women in Afghanistan to unveil and find new forms of paid work. Among the influx of foreigners, Western “hippies” came as well. These hippies arrived in Afghanistan to pursue a free spirited, nomadic lifestyle. The widely walked path from Istanbul to Kathmandu would become known as the “Hippie Trail.” On this pilgrimage, a prominent destination was Kabul’s Chicken Street, a shopping destination for Afghan artisans to sell their goods, including Afghan coats. This would further attract Western tourists, especially hippies. From this, Western Hippies would adopt the Afghan coat as a staple piece. Hippies would sell these Afghan coats in their own stores, furthering their popularity. The coat would only truly take the world by storm when it was worn by one of the most influential pop culture figures, The Beatles. According to Scarlette Magazine , “Beatle John Lennon famously wore a yellow Afghan coat with red floral designs and white fur lining…Lennon’s coat was one-of-a-kind and demonstrative of the counterculture’s increasing influence” (Scarlette Magazine 1). This allowed The Beatles’ grasp on the fashion world to strengthen. Other musical artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and David Bowie would also begin incorporating Afghan coats into their style. Later, during the 90’s, the trend to incorporate ‘60s fashion would include Afghan coats. Further popularizing the Afghan coat would be Angelina Jolie on the set of the 1999 film “Girl, Interrupted”. A year later in 2000 the movie, “Almost Famous” would truly revitalize the Afghan coat as a statement piece. In the film, Kate Hudson plays Penny Lane, a prominent character who wears an Afghan coat during a tour with an upcoming band in 1973. Scarlette Magazine says, “The coat was so significant to this character that it has since been synonymous with her name, Penny Lane” (Scarlette Magazine 2). With the Afghan coat’s new nickname, the coat would once again become widely popular, with many adding the coat to their closet. Now, whether you choose to call it an Afghan coat or a Penny Lane coat, it’s undeniable that it is a fashionable way to keep warm during the colder months. Sources: The Evolution of the “Penny Lane” Coat | Scarlette Magazine Penny Lane Coats: Iconic Hippie Clothing - Glamour Daze Friday essay: how ‘Afghan’ coats left Kabul for the fashion world and became a hippie must-have The rock ’n’ roll inspiration behind Penny Lane’s coat in Almost Famous - Interview Magazine BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections After 96 Hours of Counting, We Have a Presumptive Winner By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by CNN Written by: Logan Balsan (in coordination with Craig Papajohn-Shaw) Disclaimer: Election Results can change as campaigns are contesting election results in court On Saturday, November 7th, 2020, the Associated Press announced that Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. would win the State of Pennsylvania and its 20 Electoral Votes, putting him over the 270 minimum needed to win the Presidency. However, the results of congressional elections across the country could seriously affect the Biden/Harris agenda within the next four years. In the House of Representatives elections, the Republicans have (so far, last update on Sunday, November 15th, 2020 as there were still mail-in ballots to be counted) gained 5 seats. Even here in New York, State Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino, Republican, won to succeed retiring Rep. Peter King, Republican, in his House seat. In Staten Island, Max Rose became a single-term representative, losing to State Legislator, Nicole Malliotakis, a registered Republican. Upstate, Claudia Tenney, Republican, ousted Anthony Brindisi to also make him a single-term representative. Many polls (according to Realclearpolitics.com ) had many of these incumbents or Democratic challengers up. For example, FiveThirtyEight projected Jackie Gordon, Democrat, to have a 55 percent chance of defeating Andrew Garbarino to succeed Rep. King. In the Senate elections, the Republicans held significant seats that had Democratic challengers up in polls. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins, Republican, survived a challenge from State House Speaker Sara Gideon, Democrat by more than 7 points, while polling had Gideon up 6 to 7 points. In North Carolina, incumbent Republican Senator Thom Tillis nearly lost to former State Legislator Cal Cunningham, but after a scandal cast a shadow over Cunningham’s reputation, Tillis was able to squeak out a win for the GOP. Republicans did the same in Montana between Senator Steve Daines (GOP) v. Governor Steve Bullock (D). The Republicans lost two senate seats though. In Arizona and Colorado, Senators McSally of Arizona and Cory Gardner of Colorado lost in big races that favored their Democratic challengers. The Senate majority is in tandem, with two Senate seats in runoffs: both of Georgia’s Senate Seats. Senator Perdue failed to reach 50%+1 votes in order to avoid a runoff, and in the Special Election, Senator Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock were unable to reach 50% as well, leading to a runoff. These two seats will decide the fate of the Senate Republicans’ majority come January. If the Republicans made gains in Congress, how does it translate to Joe Biden, Democrat, winning the Presidency? Normally, when Republicans see gains in their congressional races, it gives the Republicans a higher chance of winning the Presidency. President Trump was calling for votes to stop in some places, and recounts in others. After Joe Biden started to lead in Georgia, it was all over for President Trump, because once Biden won Arizona, he needed Georgia to have a chance to win. Did we expect Trump to concede from the get go if he lost? As predictable as he is, Trump filed for numerous court cases in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, and Wisconsin, on the basis of voter fraud. Trump did not see much victory in any Michigan court cases, as the Michigan Supreme Court denied his cases a hearing. However, there were tabulation errors in Michigan. For example, voting technology accidentally projected Biden to win Antrim County, while Trump actually led by 6,000 votes. The Michigan GOP Chairwoman called for a hand recount in all other counties, since they used the same technology that created this error. Trump’s campaign, however, won a case in Pennsylvania that required all counting to be monitored by observers. In the Supreme Court, Justice Alito required all mail in votes that came in after Election Day to be counted separately. Another rumor was spread that voters in Arizona were given sharpies to submit their ballots, and that they bled through the ballot and therefore the scanner could not read it. Due to all the confusion and the numerous rumors spread, it is difficult to determine whether all these rumors are true or false. While it is too early, 2024 will be determined by what President Biden will accomplish in his term, as he has stated on the campaign trail he would only seek one term. Will Biden’s environmental agenda put the economy on the backburner? Will Biden’s tax program actually raise taxes on the middle class, and in New York State alone to a 60 percent cap? Will Biden be able to work with a Republican Senate majority, and a possible House majority after the 2022 midterm elections? While this may be speculation, there is a reality that concerns Biden’s ability to work with the Republican Congress that may kill his agenda point blank, and it may cost the Democrats, and possibly Vice President Kamala Harris, the election in 2024. Now, the Election of 2020 is over, and President Biden must decide the direction of America over the next four years. He has much to do, with the entire world watching him. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Why Do We Love? By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by NDNR.com Why do we love? With Valentine's Day coming up, we must understand why we love. Why do humans feel butterflies in their stomachs and act in absurd ways due to love? Why is it that we even love in the first place? The answer to this question is simple - oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone responsible for the warm sensation we feel when around the people we love.  What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is a hormone that our body emits, and it is known as the "love hormone." It is produced by the hypothalamus and is secreted by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin release is linked to simple actions of touch. Giving someone a hug or a massage leads to increased levels of this hormone. Oxytocin is also connected to greater communication between partners in love - especially during an argument.  How does oxytocin relate to dopamine and serotonin? Dopamine and serotonin are known as the "happy hormones." When you're attracted to another person, both romantically and platonically, your brain releases dopamine. In addition, your serotonin levels increase, and oxytocin is produced as well. In conjunction, these hormones result in a surge of positive emotion. Oxytocin positively impacts social behaviors, such as relaxation, trust, and psychological stability. Overall, the hormone has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety levels, along with dopamine and serotonin. How can one increase their oxytocin levels? After reading about the benefits of oxytocin, if you want to learn how to feel the effects of the hormone, try some of these methods: 1) Share your love and affection with others Sharing your feelings with a loved one often leads to a kind reply which increases oxytocin levels and induces a pleasurable feeling. Also, telling a friend or partner that you love them can prompt a hug, handhold, or even a kiss, which thus increases your oxytocin levels as well.  2) Strengthen friendships with others Having a solid relationship with friends makes an enormous difference in your emotional well-being. Hanging out with friends usually results in a good time, increasing your happiness and thus your oxytocin levels. Also, being around friends makes you feel socially supported and less alone in the world, allowing for an increase in oxytocin and dopamine levels. The trust and affection you have for your friends increase the more time you spend with them.  3) Having deep conversations When you talk to friends or significant others about your inner thoughts, you develop a stronger bond with that person. Bonding and increased feelings of connection and empathy can increase the amount of oxytocin in your bloodstream. When you genuinely listen to what someone has to say, you can be happier in return because of the trust developed. So, the next time your friend wants to talk to you about something important, put down anything that might distract you and give them your full attention. This close interaction can trigger oxytocin release. 4) Be generous Altruistic behavior can promote oxytocin release. When you give someone a gift or practice a random act of kindness, others feel happy, which in return makes you more comfortable too. A simple act of brightening someone's day can lift your spirits and release oxytocin which promotes positive feelings in you, too. Live generously: offer to help with a chore, write someone a love note, or even support your favorite cause. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Yusuf By Elizabeth Andre March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Pandemic and Changes By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by The Cougar Courrier I remember the day that turned our lives upside down as if it was yesterday. We all thought it would be two weeks! Some of us were ready to enjoy those weeks… but later the pressure started building up. We couldn't see our friends and were eager to go back to school. We kept waiting to hear when we could go back to school, but we never thought it would have been that long. It is very sad to think that our last full school year was 2018-2019. Our 7th graders' last normal school year was 4th grade! This is life changing. I know some of the students of class of 2020 who were very excited for their senior year… which didn't turn out as they hoped. Even now for the class of 2022, it would be kind of normal as years before, and I have honestly seen a huge change in many of my friends and even myself, educationally and mentally. In my opinion I now actually care about many things I could not have cared less about two years ago. When it came to learning it was not so great… I feel like I learned a bit in the year the pandemic started, but from March to June 2020, it's all a blur. I think that academically and emotionally we all slowed down, some more than others. It was tough to adjust to it, and it definitely shaped us into better students and human beings. My generation hasn't gone through hardships as past generations, and we have mostly everything we need handed to us. I really do believe that the pandemic has changed this. I went around asking students and staff members a few questions to get more insight. Do you think things will ever go back to “normal”? “I think some people will go back to living normally, like before covid but I think some will continue with masks, boosters and it will go back to normal for people who want to. For some yes for some no and for some of us it's already almost normal.” Would you rather be at home doing virtual classes or being in the building but with a lot of restrictions? “Being in the building without restrictions. I don't enjoy the virtual. Would like to be in the building with restrictions and the biggest preference would be to be in without restrictions.” Do you think students actually learned online? “I think some did the majority learn significantly less. There was a huge learning gap.” If this had happened in your time back in high school, how would you have felt? “We would have had to push through it, and things would have been close to normal, would have been frustrated about it.” We are the generation that has lots of new and improved technology. How do you think this impacted us? “As a whole this generation is behind socially and we use technology a lot, and being distanced and to be behind a bit more than others affected this more.” How do you think this is impacting students hence things are getting back to normal? “For students I think that it's taken some time to readjust to daily school life.” Do you think COVID affected politics in any way? If so, how? “Yes, covid has probably divided our country. The virus has been another thing for people to argue about.” How do you feel about the fact that we are becoming more lenient with masks? “I think that if they are going to have people wear masks there has to be a certain statistic the states hit, that masks will be able to come off, like if a percentage of covid level is hit. Let everyone choose if to wear masks once a statistic is hit. There needs to be stated at what point they will come off.” Do you think things will ever go back to normal? “Yes, I think that eventually enough people will get sick that somehow people will have an immunity that eventually the virus will be another respiratory virus and people will still get sick and will recover and there will be very different ways to treat it.” Do you think students actually learned online? “I think that some did but that it was difficult for many to concentrate given all the distractions.” Being online we were obviously behind a screen even more time than we usually were, so how do you think the pandemic impacted this? “I think that it is another hurdle for your generation because you were dependent on your phones, and had to use more technology and we were better off interacting with people in person than technology, and some tech is good but we need to be face to face.” If a student started doing badly online due to covid reasons, what's something that you did as a teacher to help them succeed? “Well I would try to give them alternatives that could help them be more successful with the project or assignment” Online with grading, it has to be much easier this year, but how do you think it has impacted you? “I think I've learned that there are many different ways to organize and present information and I think struggling to learn some of the new technology has made me realize that not everything is easy for students as well. It's easier to grade online because the work is online and I can access it whenever I want to and it's organized for me. It’s easier because there's a record of everything and students can't say they did hand in something when they didn't.” I honestly don't think that I learned as much as I could have during online school in 2020-2021. It was difficult to wake up every morning and I would sign into class while laying in my bed and I would get distracted easily. I honestly got used to the habit of waking up at 7:55 and I would oversleep and miss the first two periods. I'm truly glad that now we are in person and we are able to see each other's faces again. It feels odd, at least to me, to not wear my mask anymore. It was normal to me and even though I feel empty without one, it is definitely better and hopefully we can keep going like this. With the pandemic I can honestly say I have done a lot growing up and so have many others around me and it's kind of amazing how something can change the whole world, even if it was for a bad reason, but most of us got together and made it through. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Homecoming 2022 By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Rachel Ezeadichie On October 8th, Valley Stream North High School hosted its annual homecoming game. It was as boisterous as ever, with the Homecoming Festival beforehand and Mr. Daddino as the announcer was exciting the crowd and football team. North's homecoming game was something the entire school was waiting for, and our football team did not let us down. Although the season expectations were unclear, our Spartan football team pulled through for homecoming, giving us many highlights and winning 27-6 against Hewlett.                Along with a fantastic game by our Varsity football team, we also enjoyed an incredible performance by North's Marching Band, Cheerleaders, JV Spartanettes and Varsity Spartanettes. The food was also great, with the legendary K-Dogs making their appearance again as a staple of North's football games.            If you were not at the game or want to watch our incredible Varsity football team one more time, the entire game is available on YouTube to rewatch those amazing moments.   Valley Stream North vs. Hewlett Varsity Mens' Football - YouTube BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Farmingdale Bus Accident Sahar Ali, Javier Cael, and Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by ABC7 New York WAWAYANDA, NEW YORK - On September 21st, one of six buses from Farmingdale High School, located in Long Island, was involved in a deadly accident. The bus, carrying teachers and students including the color guard, dancers, and members of the Farmingdale marching band, went through a guard rail and toppled into a ravine in Wawayanda, New York, killing two and leaving many injured. The accident took place after 1 p.m. on Interstate 84. Six buses from Farmingdale High School embarked on their journey to the Pine Forest Camp, located in Greeley, Pennsylvania, for a band camping event. However, one of the coach buses ended up losing control, causing a catastrophic accident. According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the bus landed on its side 50 feet in some trees and bushes. The crash took the lives of two teachers: Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Pellettiere was Farmingdale High School’s band director and Ferrari was a retired teacher. The crash also left 18 people, including 2 adults and 16 students, hospitalized. THE LAWSUIT The parents of a student who was injured in the crash filed a lawsuit against Lisa Schaffer, the driver of the bus involved in the crash, and Regency Transportation Ltd., the bus company. The lawsuit accuses Schaffer of negligence; it also claims that she did not control the vehicle and drove at speeds that could have possibly led her to veer off the road. Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that Regency Transportation did not maintain, repair, and inspect their buses in a proper manner, leaving them in an “unsafe, defective and/or hazardous condition.” The New York State Department of Transportation also found that Regency Transportation had failed 5 out of 10 safety inspections during the 2023 fiscal year. Andrew Finkelstein, the attorney of the family that filed the lawsuit says, “This lawsuit is the first step in holding the bus company and their driver accountable for a crash that never should’ve happened and resulted in significant and serious injuries not just to my client, but to every passenger on that bus.” SUPPORT FOR FARMINDALE HIGH SCHOOL In order to provide support for the Farmingdale High School community, North High School’s music department started a fundraiser selling “music notes,” which were paper cut outs of a quarter note. Students could purchase these music notes for one dollar, write a heartfelt message for the Farmingdale community along with their name, and tape their notes on a wall in the cafeteria. The fundraiser ended up raising 700 dollars. North High School’s marching band also dedicated their first performance on the field to the Farmingdale High School community. CONNECTIONS WITH THE BAND DIRECTOR Gina Pellettiere, often described as an “inspiring figure,” was known for her fun-loving and community-oriented spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and bands. For those fortunate enough to know her, the band felt like a family, fostering a supportive and positive atmosphere that created a safe space for everyone involved. Her impact as an energetic and passionate musician and teacher was truly inspiring. Mr. Malizia, a former student, and North’s newest band teacher, recalls his happiest memory with Pellettiere involving playing in the pit orchestra, where she played the trumpet with enthusiasm. They shared laughter over McDonald’s nuggets, indulging in a nugget fight and discovering a lone, rock-solid chicken nugget. Band camp was filled with memorable moments, from belting out bridge solos to Christmas karaoke duets. What inspired Mr. Malizia most about Pellettiere was the profound relationship she had with her students and her unwavering passion for their success. Her dedication to music and the vibrant community she built served as a beacon for Mr. Malizia’s own journey to become a music teacher. In the realm of music and band, Pellettiere’s work was marked by a blend of professionalism and humor. She occasionally delayed practice with questions like whether to eat a muffin with a hand or fork, and she’d provide weather updates, adding her unique charm to every rehearsal. SOURCES Farmingdale school bus crash: NTSB investigation underway – NBC New York   Farmingdale bus crash: Lawsuit filed against bus company, driver in fatal New York crash | CNN   BACK TO TOP