Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Leaps and Bouts: Adaobi Okammelu's Fencing Feats Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Adaobi Okammelu Adaobi Okammelu started fencing during her freshman year, inspired by her Aunt from Arkansas. After years of trying to convince her mom to let her play a sport, Okammelu decided to give it a try after finding it listed as one of her district’s winter sport offerings. During tryouts, the gym was packed, but only 22 girls were allowed on the team. Then Okammelu realized that she would be “stabbing” people and getting “stabbed.” At that moment, she described herself as “the worst fencer on the team;” however, she had spirit and drive, so she appreciated the opportunity to fence in exhibitions rather than beating herself up for not fencing in official bouts. Fencing is an individual combat that contributes to the overall team score. During a meet, there are three rounds consisting of nine bouts. A bout is a three-minute individual match where the fencer who reaches five points first wins. Each round has three bouts, one for each of the three fencing weapons: foil, sabre, and epee. Sabre is fast paced, with slashes to the opponent's upper body and head. Foil, the most technical, targets only the upper body and excludes the head. The referee is more critical of attacks and movements with foil, as it is the lightest sword. Epee has fewer restrictions, allowing you to hit anywhere on the body without right of way. Foil starts the round, while epee concludes it, leading into the next round. You win the meet by reaching 14 total bouts first. The team that wins the meet by achieving 14 total bouts first wins. Okammelu won about 2-3 bouts out of the entire season which is approximately 60 potential bouts. To prepare for meets, Okammelu finishes long assignments the night before, eats a filling dinner, packs her gym bag with fencing gear, shoes, and medical supplies, and ensures that she gets a good night's rest. After school, Okammelu prepares for fencing by stretching, practicing drills with a teammate, and coaching epee fencers. She leads a prayer before each round to reassure teammates and offer encouragement. Have you faced any challenges in fencing? How did you deal with them? Okammelu: “I’ve faced many challenges, which I can break down into three categories: mental, physical, and social.” When facing an opponent on a 14-meter-long strip, “I experienced anxiety and thoughts about losing, tripping, or stepping into the warning line.” Most of the time, Okammelu felt she was an opponent to herself. She shares “I would beat myself up over losing a bout or letting my opponent get close to scoring when I could have easily prevented it by changing my movements.” Okammelu talks about her experiences in fencing, highlighting what her coach said about the importance of giving oneself grace and not constantly criticizing oneself. Okammelu has experienced physical injuries, but the worst was when she collapsed during the finalist round of the Manhasset tournament, “at that point, I’d been fencing for almost five hours straight.” Despite the pain, she decided to continue with the tournament after receiving a hug from her coach: she placed 4th out of 40 girls! “I’ve never been prouder of myself. Fencing is about pushing yourself, just like any other sport, and I’m glad I was able to continue even when pushed past my limits,” Okammelu remarks. Okammelu elaborates on a social challenge she faces and states, “A social challenge that many of my teammates and I face as well is racism. Our district’s fencing team is one of the few, if not the only, team in the county with more than three black fencers. Over half of our team is black. Due to this, there have been microaggressions from other coaches or opponents, in subtle ways that don’t warrant a yellow or red card for discrimination.” Okammelu recalled an incident where the coach of an opposing team tried to get their teammate carded for the “inappropriate” length of her faux locs, which concerned the team. “I’ve overheard opponents openly pointing out or discussing when my teammates and I wear bonnets or scarves to protect our natural hair. I’ve even heard coaches and parents say to their children, “Don’t lose to someone like her.” Okammelu keep her head held high and expresses, “this challenge is something we all face, in different ways, throughout our fencing—simply because we’re in a sport dominated by people who don’t look like us. The best way we address it is by making sure we win our bouts. There’s nothing we can say to change their mindset, so we prove we’re here to do one thing and one thing only: fence.” Okammelu finds the team to be more like a found family. “Like many siblings, we sometimes get into silly arguments, eat each other’s food as if we bought it ourselves, or decorate each other’s hair with pink bows for our Wednesday meets, when we all wear pink. Our coach is the glue that keeps us together, even if that means rubbing his bald head like a magic ball to give us ‘good luck’ before we go on the strip to fence. When I joined fencing, I didn’t just gain armor and a weapon—I got a family.” Okammelu aims to improve her parries and flushing techniques, which are hand movements used to set up or prevent an opponent's attack. They use parry 6, which involves tightly circling the blade against the opponent's, parry 4, which beats and presses against the opponent's sword while leaning in to land the attack, and parry 8, which involves tightly circling over the opponent's blade, aiming for their thighs. Okammelu also wants to improve her blade work when performing these parries so she can reduce her reliance on performing the same parry over and over. Flushing is a quick move meant to surprise the opponent, and she has only successfully hit her opponents a few times with this technique and would love to master it.” Full Interview with Adaobi Okammelu How have your challenges impacted your motivation to play sports? Okammelu: “The challenges I face only reinforce my goals to be better. Any microaggression or injury I encounter motivates me to show others that I’m good at this sport for a reason—and I want to show them why.” What do you want to see our school team accomplish? Okammelu: “I want to see over half of our team make it to individuals [County Fencing Championships].” What role do you want to play on our district’s team? Okammelu: “While I am currently captain, if there’s a chance to return after graduation as either a referee or coach, I’d love to!” Coach Ferrante, who has been Okammelu’s coach since her freshman year, and according to her, “one of the funniest, nerdiest, and most teddy-bear-like coaches you could ever meet,” constantly pushes her to improve and reach her full potential. He has taught her to be strong and fence aggressively, constantly defends the team during their meets, and ensures they are treated fairly by both referees and opposing coaches. “He’s a great coach, and I’ll be sad to leave him after our last season together.” One major highlight for Okammelu was their meet against Garden City, where they had been ahead by 6 but tied at 13. Okammelu was originally supposed to fence in two rounds but was subbed in for the final round, knowing she would be the last fencer to fight in the final round. In the final bout, she faced a very skilled opponent. With 20 seconds left, the score was tied at 4. “My teammates were yelling from the sidelines, and my anxiety was through the roof.” As the referee began the bout again, her opponent rushed towards her, “surprisingly, I extended my arm and scored the final point. It was one of the most stressful moments of my fencing career, but also one of the best.” What do you want our readers to know about fencing? Okammelu: “Fencing is just as technical and intense as it seems. It requires time and dedication, just like any sport, so don’t be fooled by its elegance thinking it’s soft. Getting hit with a sword isn’t as bad as it seems. Most of the time, depending on the weapon, you’re getting hit in the same areas, and eventually, you get used to it. While bruises do happen, it’s rarely serious. However, epee fencers often find bruises in the weirdest places! Also, we don’t have a boys’ fencing team at the moment, but hopefully, with time, our district will open up fencing to boys as well!” What do you hope for this season, both for yourself and the team? Okammelu: “As this is my final [senior] year, I hope to perform my best one last time for our district’s team. I just want to go out strong with some of my favorite teammates. While I do worry for the team’s success each year as the seniors leave, I can proudly say we’ll be alright—and even better—after this season.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections NS2 By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Motion Array She wakes up every morning to take her little girl to school. She bathes her and brushes her hair. Exceptionally gentle, she cares. The little girl gets to school, sits on her chair. To pay attention, she swears. Her teacher glances at her. A young Voltaire, she’s aware. School ends. Her mother at work can’t pick her up. So she walks. She walks alone, wanting to get home. Chilly with an evening sky, she notices a man behind her. She hurries up a little. He grabs her from the middle. He puts a wet cloth on her face. The next thing she knows, she is in an unknown place. She screams, “Please let me go; I’m only 8, for all I know.” He doesn’t seem to listen. Screaming in despair, she wishes to see her mother once more. She can feel pain through her veins. So unfair, she thinks. He stops for a while, takes one drink, looks at her, and winks. “Please, my mother is worried. I’m young, and you must be done,” she says with bloodshot eyes. He turns, “You think I mind, little girl? You think I care at all? Chose you of all the young ones in the world, had to hurt your mother one way or another”. She puts her hands to her head. Teardrops on her face. She wonders what her mother has done to deserve such a fate. Why must she receive all this hate? Will I die tonight? Will I have sight of her again? Will I win this fight? Or is he just insane enough to keep hurting me? “Who are you?” she asked with a frightened voice. He turned with a devious smile. She stared for a while. She looked at his hair, his eyebrows, his eyes, and finally, his lips, where a mirror image of her birthmark lay. Exactly where she had hers. Suddenly she knew, and he knew she knew. He smiled and walked towards her. She backed away. There was nowhere to run. No doorway. No way out. “Please, I know who you are!” she screamed with every ounce of her, through the burning agony. “What you did to her, you are doing to me...!” And then everything went black. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Be My Valentine By Huan Evo Alipio Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by National Geographic Kids Another year Another day  Always seeing you just to say “hey” I have been wanting for you to be my valentine But I am quite frightened that we will not combine The day I came up to you to break the question  You shockingly voiced out a confession That night we had fun and a delightful hour  And me, thinking that you are the right person, I would give a bouquet of flowers Mesmerized by your beauty, personality, and amazing sense of humor  I see myself being with you in the future  As we grow old, we stay together  With you by my side making our every struggle light as a feather  Sadly, I went up to the sky  Even though I did not get a chance to say goodbye There I was again in my new life asking, “Would you be my valentine?” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Who is Rohan Murphy? By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original artwork by Elaine Ching On October 6th, the 8th and 9th graders were invited to a special event in the gymnasium. They got to see a motivational speaker named Rohan Murphy, who could inspire many kids by speaking to them and demonstrating his physical abilities despite having no legs. I was also fortunate to meet him after the event during my 2nd-period gym class. Who is Rohan Murphy, and how did he end up at our school? Rohan Murphy was born on December 22nd, 1983, in Queens. He lost his legs at birth, and due to this, before ninth grade, he was unable to participate in sports. In ninth grade, though, Rohan Murphy joined the East Islip wrestling team after training all summer for it with coach Ron Croteau. While he did lose his first few matches, Mr. Murphy entirely dedicated himself to wrestling, becoming one of the most decorated wrestlers in East Islip history. Mr. Murphy went to college at Penn State University, where he continued his wrestling career. During this time, he started to compete in Paralympic weightlifting events. During one of these events, in May 2006 in Busan, South Korea, Mr. Murphy won a bronze medal in his category by lifting 281.1 pounds, more than any other American Paralympian. Nike noticed this and featured him in an ad called “No Excuses,” encouraging people to make a workout plan and stick to it. Mr. Murphy is an inspirational speaker, traveling to schools around the country and motivating kids to believe that they can do whatever they set their mind to, no matter what hurdles they face. At North, Mr. Murphy had the same mission, speaking to bleachers full of 8th and 9th graders and inspiring them. Mr. Murphy gave us hope that if we believe in ourselves, no matter what our current states are, we can do it. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Marjorie’s SOTU Stunt By Samantha Altieri Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Marjorie Taylor Greene (via her Twitter account) Prior to the 2023 State of the Union, the annual event in which the President of the United States addresses the United States Congress in a joint session, a Congressional event in which the Senate and House of Representatives meet at the same time to discuss the current issues facing Americans and how he believes to solve them, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, representing Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, dressed up as a white balloon, parading around the halls of The Hill. Greene, representative of Georgia’s 14th District since 2021, earned widespread media coverage during the 117th Congress for her far-right, QAnon promoting, conspiratorial beliefs, going so far as to claim that the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks were a “hoax.” Greene, ironically placed on the House Homeland Security Committee earlier this year, brandished a white balloon around the Capitol, on Tuesday, February 7th, to comment on the recent spotting of a Chinese spy balloon in the United States airspace. Greene posted a photo of herself, balloon in tow, to her Twitter account with the caption “It’s just an innocent balloon,” leading to a flurry of memes across social media platforms. Despite soaring through the Capitol for most of the afternoon, the balloon’s flight path was intercepted prior to the President’s speech, remaining outside the House Chamber during the joint address. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Jealous Ghost By Victoria Niksa Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elaine Ching Jennifer had been writing in her diary the past few days and ending every entry with these words. She’d being going through trouble with her friends because they’d been talking and playing around without her. Now, she would’ve been alright with this, as long as it wasn’t happening in their group chat with them and their other friends. E: ‘Hi darling :)’ L: ‘Hello bae!!’ “ Ugh ” Jennifer scoffed. “These two and their shenanigans again?” Not even five seconds later, her friend Angelica texted her. A: ‘Are you seeing this? I swear these two are killing me.’ J: ‘Yes, I am seeing this. Can’t they do this in private messages???’ A: ‘I guess not because they’re still at it.’ *In the group chat* A: ‘Can you guys like stop there’s more than just the two of you guys here and this getting very annoying.’ L: ‘You’re just jealous.’ E: ‘Yeah you’re just jealous of bae and my relationship.’ L: ‘Yeah and Jennifer’s our bae too!’ *Messaging Angelica* J: ‘Are you seeing this!? They don’t include me in their conversations, but they include me in this??’ A: ‘What? Wait let me scroll up and look through the messages.’ at 4:35pm A: ‘Oh my gosh they don’t even respond to you they just continue to talk and ignore you. Aren’t they your friends?’ J: ‘Yes, they are but I don’t know why they’re including me in this. What the hell, they don’t even pay me any mind half the time.’ Lilac and Evie were in the group chat once again talking, ‘singing’ songs. Jennifer was feeling extremely confused and upset. She had no idea why they’d always ostracize her from everything. *a week goes by* Aside from Jennifer crying in Social Studies one period, crying while texting her friend about her issue, crying herself to sleep, and just crying. She had been feeling alright about where she stood with her friends, but she and her friend Donna agreed it’s about time Jennifer confronted Evie and Lilac. J: ‘Guys if I’m going to be like 100% real with you. I’m honestly upset with how I’m being ignored by you both. I feel as if you’re both constantly ignoring me, and I’m just done with it.’ E: ‘I was doing homework what.’ J: ‘No I mean like a week ago, when you guys would talk to each other.’ E: ‘I never purposefully tried to ignore you…’ J: ‘That’s the point.’ L: ‘Eliza and I are doing ‘’The Call of the Wild’’ questions lol these are so difficult.” J: ‘Are you kidding me. Did you seriously just ignore all of this??’ Jennifer had gotten no response. She decided to tell Donna the issue. After an emotion-filled document Jennifer made to send Donna to fill her in so she wouldn’t be clueless. She’d gotten a response about 20 minutes later. D: ‘That was a lot to take in but oh my goodness how come they still haven’t responded? Also, Lilac must be joking. Can she not read the room?’ J: ‘She has to be. This is so stupid. All I wanted was for them to include me in their conversations and now this has happened?’ D: ‘At this point just ghost them. No pun intended.’ J: ‘At this point maybe I should.’ *the next morning* In her Home and Careers class, Jennifer’s class had been learning what to do about anger. What a coincidence. During class, she’d been excluding herself from her group. She didn’t want to associate herself with them. While they were all rambling on about the supernatural and whatever anime it is that Evie and Lilac liked, she sat there and listened. Head down, mind blank. Nobody saw her there. It was like she was a ghost to them. A jealous ghost. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Esther By Isabella Somma March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Cool Creatures: Episode 2, The Axolotl By Matteo Somma Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by BBC At first glance, the axolotl ( ak ·suh·laa·tl) may look like a scene from a nightmare, but it actually is a mystical and mysterious creature about which scientists don’t know much. Indigenous to only Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico, the axolotl inhabited the regions for the last 10,000 years. However, they are now critically endangered. Being a type of salamander, the axolotl is an amphibian, spending most of its time in the water. Recently, axolotls have been forced into the pet trade, as more are bred in captivity due to more people wanting this mysterious creature as a pet. Unfortunately, this does mean multiple accounts of severe animal neglect occur both in pet stores and at people's homes. What many don’t realize before buying these animals is how large they grow and how complex their diet is. Similar to other amphibians, axolotls are carnivores. They require a large variety of foods such as mollusks, different kinds of worms, insect larvae, crustaceans, and even small fish. However, many of these dietary items can be difficult to find. Axolotls are not just “fish,” they are complex creatures that need adequate care to thrive, let alone survive. In the wild, as well as in captivity, axolotls are known to be tough and healthy. They can survive in waters as cold as 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Considering they are from the warm climate of Mexico, that’s pretty impressive! Axolotls are often described as forts stuck in their tadpole phase, due in large part to them having both long tails and legs. Furthermore, axolotls are much larger than normal-sized amphibians, growing up to 18 inches long. Overall, the axolotl is a super cool, mysterious, and mystical creature. Unfortunately, due to large amounts of pollution, water diversion, and an expanding human population, their habitats are slowly disappearing. However, there is hope for the future, with many captive breeding projects for the species in the works. Thanks for tuning in for Cool Creatures Episode 2! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections The Comeback of Winter Track and Field By Joseph Garofalo Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Original photo by Coach Michael Frazer: Ryan John, Junior, 300m January 4th was a great beginning to the new year for many student athletes across Long Island as low and moderate risk sports could begin playing again. Though many sports are still on hold in the modified Winter season, such as all Junior High Sports and JV/Varsity Basketball, New York State classifies Winter Track and Field, Fencing, Rifle, and Gymnastics to be low and moderate risk sports, allowing these teams the ability to return to a sense of normalcy. As a track athlete myself, it feels a little strange due to all the new protocols; however, it is a great feeling to be back on the track. As we are two weeks into the season already, the protocols have become normal rather than a distraction, and we are all hard at work again. On the first day of practice, we began in the gym, all 6 feet apart with masks on as Coach Frazer and Coach Boyens instructed us in the new rules. Some included masks while we run, indoors and outdoors where we cannot keep 12 feet of social distancing, sanitizing weights, poles, and other equipment before another person uses them, and no more indoor meets at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington, which to many, was the best part of the meets. All this aside, many aspects were still the same including many events, practices, and just our team being together in general. As we were hard at work the past two weeks, Friday, January 15th was our first track meet in the “new normal.” With it being held on our home field, and with only North athletes attending, it was a great success even with the cold weather. Many athletes got outstanding scores for their first track meets of the season including junior Ryan John who jumped 20 feet - 3 inches in the Long Jump, and Senior Danielle Phillip who had a 45.00 second run in the 300 meters (both former state qualifiers). We also had great performances by 9th graders Nicola Petruccelli, Zaiden Jackson, and Nattaly Lindo in their first meet on the Varsity Track and Field team. It was a great feeling to be back, and we hope to see other sports return soon. Do your part by wearing a mask and keep your physical distancing up so that many other athletes can participate in the modified Fall and Spring seasons. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Presenter and the Friend By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Migration Navigator I look out towards the crowd Suck in my breath and turn around 1…2…3…4 Deep breath in and deep breath out Introductions are made The lights start to fade Turn around and address the mass As time slowly starts to pass Clear my throat a couple times Sweat drips as I read my lines Mind starts to wonder I forget to ponder I look out towards the crowd Suck in my breath and turn around 1…2…3…4 Deep breath in and deep breath out Focus on the task Emotions flood my face, unable to mask At the end of the room My friend smiles, allowing me to resume Careful hand gestures Taking careful measures A smile blooms on my face As I remember my case I look out towards the crowd Suck in my breath and turn around 1…2…3…4 Deep breath in and deep breath out Traditions fly out my mouth Cultures from the north, west, east, and south I talk about them all Big or small The sun hits the class Showering us all, making us look like glass The shiniest of us all Is my friend who leans agaisnt the wall I look out towards the crowd Suck in my breath and turn around 1…2…3…4 Deep breath in and deep breath out But this time I hear applause I smile knowing what I cause I couldn’t do it without the friend Who never takes credit for all she mends BACK TO TOP