Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Lillian Dolan - Prism By Lillian Dolan November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections What is Anime/What is “Fruits Basket”? By Liliana Ossa Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Amazon.com You may ask: what is anime? If you didn't already know, anime is a type of cartoon show; it's a form of animation from Japan. It is characterized by vibrant colors, characters, and overall energy illustrated through the art style. These elements contribute to the emotion of the story and the characters too. Anime is not just a youth cartoon; it has many subtypes of plots, including psychological, romantic, and action plots. Fruits Basket is a Shojo anime (romance animation) that teaches subtle life lessons, like Shigure (a Sohma family member) teaching Tohru (the main character) how to balance her duties, and includes romantic features in its plot, like Tohru and Kyo's (a Sohma family member) blossoming romance. “Fruits Basket” is a story about Tohru Honda, an orphan. After she meets Yuki and Kyo, members of the Sohma family, her life changes drastically because of learning about the Sohma family secret! She learns when a Sohma family member is under a high amount of stress, when they're weak or when they're embraced by a human who isn't a member of the Chinese zodiac, the Sohma family member turns into their animal form. When Tohru found out about the Sohma family's secret, she promised to keep it, so Yuki and Kyo allowed her to live with them. Once Tohru learns about the hardships and pain that they have gone through, she wants to help them heal their emotional wounds because she is a kind-hearted and generous soul. Why I Like “Fruits Basket” In my opinion, Fruits Basket is a spectacular anime! The characters especially make the anime intriguing. It's fascinating how Yuki is hiding his traumatic past. However, he's still the "prince" of his school because of his charismatic nature. It's very interesting how all the girls that like Yuki think he's this perfect prince, but when he expresses to people he can trust that he's not perfect and has many insecurities. On the other hand, Kyo is considered a stereotypical "bad boy" due to his inability to open up to others and because of his aggressiveness. Whenever someone asks Kyo how he's doing or a question relating to his feelings, he always feels the need to attack them. Kyo doesn't like to feel vulnerable around others at all! Tohru is a very kind and generous character that wants to help the Sohma family treat their emotional wounds. She is the main character of the story and a mother figure to Yuki because she cooks for some of the Sohma's, cleans the house, and is very kind to them as well. The supernatural elements of Fruits Basket, like how Tohru's friend, Hanajima, had the electromagnetic power to see the right and wrong in people, also helped make me love the anime. You can't forget about the supernatural ability that the Sohma's had to transform into their animal form, either! It was the most crucial supernatural element in Fruits Basket, in my opinion. Overall, “Fruits Basket” is a wonderful Shojo (romance) anime that expresses romantic elements, like Tohru and Kyo's blossoming romance. Throughout the story, Tohru falls in love with Kyo because of the little things about him and their interactions since the beginning of the story. Kyo fell in love with Tohru's selflessness, loyalty, and how she always found a way to smile and laugh. Kyo and Tohru's romance was an essential part of the “Fruits Basket” story. I recommend you all tune in on this anime, as the story is impressive, the art style is eye-catching, and the characters are relatable and enjoyable. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Jodi Viason - Prism By Jodi Viason November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections What is Climate Change? By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by The NOAA Have you ever found yourself wondering why the winters are getting colder and colder? Or why there are more storms and hurricanes, and oceans seem warmer every summer? Well, all these are the effects of climate change and global warming. Climate change is the long-term change in the temperature and weather on Earth. These changes to the Earth’s temperature are caused by the burning of fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide and methane. These gases get trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that reflects off the Earth’s surface. As the heat accumulates in the atmosphere, temperatures rise. And though climate change is naturally occurring, human actions have been accelerating the rate of the phenomenon, causing irreversible damage to the environment, ecosystems, and the Earth as a whole. Over the past century, the Earth’s temperature has increased by 2°F, which may not seem like much, but it has severely impacted the environment. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass through widespread melting; Greenland has lost about 279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019. The global sea level has risen about 8 inches in the past 100 years, and the rate of sea level rising in last two decades has doubled and continues to increase. If it continues at this rate, coastal cities and towns will be flooded. Furthermore, the number of elevated temperature events in the U.S. are rising, as well as the number of intense rainfalls in the U.S. These are only a few of the effects of global warming and they will continue to become more severe over time. Though climate change will still affect our lives, we can still make efforts to reduce its effects on the Earth. Switching to LED lights bulbs and energy efficient electrical appliances can help conserve energy and fossil fuels. Walking or taking a bike to commute could also conserve energy. Just taking shorter showers and not throwing away as much food could help the environment. These may seem like small actions, but if enough people contribute, they will go a long way. So, see what you can do to help and save our planet! Sources: NASA: Climate Change and Global Warming Global Warming 101 - Definition, Facts, Causes and Effects of Global Warming | NRDC Burning of fossil fuels - Understanding Global Change (berkeley.edu) ClimateChange | United Nations BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Women Who Have Dominated the Grammys By Isabella Menjivar Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Original artwork by Isabella Menjivar Alison Krauss - She currently holds the record for female artist with the most Grammy awards. Her astounding number of awards comes from her work in Country music. In 2019, she was awarded a National Medal of Arts. Some of her well-known songs include “When You Say Nothing at All”, “Gone Gone Gone”, and “Paper Airplane”. Beyonce - After becoming a solo artist, she’s gone on to win 22 Grammy awards. Her 2017 Grammy performance sent an inspiring message of honoring women was a showstopper. Aside from the breathtaking visuals, at the performance she balanced on a floating chair while pregnant. Beyonce also holds the Grammy record for most nominations. Whitney Houston - With 6 Grammy awards and 25 nominations, the legendary singer’s most famous win was her song “I Will Always Love You” being awarded record of the year. Whitney’s powerhouse voice is unforgettable, and her performance at the 36th Grammy Awards featured fireworks, and her vocals were astounding. Taylor Swift - Her Grammy performances that feature incredible music, scenery, and background dancers are what makes her on the list to perform at the 2021 Grammys. Taylor’s 10 Grammy awards and 41 nominations are all products of her relatable music. Many different people make up her fan base because she has written country, pop, and indie music. Taylor is currently re-recording old music to officially hold rights to her records, all written by herself. 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

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Popularity of Stranger Things Mya Hans Volume 6 Issue 3 Image Provided by Unsplash Netflix’s Stranger Things has been named one of the “Greatest TV shows of the 21st Century” by IMDb, a popular and trusted source for entertainment content. Ironically enough, this show was initially rejected about fifteen times by Netflix executives but has now become the most popular show on Netflix ever. This show follows a group of friends who encounter supernatural elements and make discoveries after their friend, Will, goes missing. It contains many plot twists and unfolded mysteries throughout the seasons. New characters are introduced each season, including Eleven with psychokinetic powers. She becomes the main character and helps her friends defeat evil supernatural creatures. You may be wondering: What makes this show so popular? One element of the show that makes it so popular is its setting. This show takes place during the 80’s, a very nostalgic time for adults. However, it also appeals to teenagers and kids because it is an era they have never experienced before, making things like fashion, slang, and music an interesting part of the show. In fact, the song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, a pivotal song in season four of Stranger Things, regained popularity and obtained millions of streams on Spotify and TikTok. Additionally, the main characters are a huge part of what makes the show. Each kid in the friend group: Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Max have different backstories and personalities, but they all come together to defeat the supernatural forces they are up against. The dynamics in the show are unique as the kids, their older siblings, friends, and parents are all involved in the journey. There are very heartfelt moments of friendship within the show including sacrifices, which has led to death for some characters. Additionally, the CGI in the show is incredible. With special sound effects, powers, and monsters it makes you forget it is not real. The mix of genres within the show also makes it popular. It includes comedy, coming of age, horror, and sci-fi elements all in one show, assuring there is always something viewers can look forward to watching. Lastly, the popularity of the show also has to do with the strategic releases of each season. The first season aired in 2016, the second in 2017, the third in 2019, the fourth in 2022, and the fifth and final season is released in parts: on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, consecutively. Each season also ends in a cliffhanger, making the audience eager to see what happens next. On TikTok, Stranger Things has also received attention because fans are posting their theories of what is going to happen next, making the show even more talked about. Moreover, the finale of Stranger Things, which was released on New Years Eve, was available to watch in theaters. This has never happened in Netflix’s existence. Overall, viewers love the show for its blend of nostalgia, suspense, and friendship. Stranger Things will go down as one of Netflix’s most popular shows of all time and one of the most loved shows of the century. It will remain as a show that connected generations through its suspenseful and exciting storytelling, BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections With The Trust I Had By Sarah Velez Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Max Pixel Running through corn fields hand in hand. Not looking back to a wrecked past. Where childhood was nothing but pain. Really hope they live in vain. Worst thing is you meet someone new and they walk right out of your life. Or stab you in the back with your own knife. Wish I could have everyone who left, back here again. I don’t even know why they first came. Everyone who left me thought I was lame. Except for those few that had to go. They probably don’t even know how much they mean. If only right next to them I could be. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections School Times By Augustine Magapan Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by ShutterStock In the year 2020, a new way of teaching has enlightened students and teachers called remote learning. Perhaps because we have done it in the past, but it wasn’t noted until now where it’s starting to not only show a trend, but is relied upon due to the pandemic. There are millions of people across the nation who use remote learning to prevent themselves from getting the coronavirus depending on how severe they think it is. Millions of people have made their own decisions about whether they should send their child to school or stay at home, and we should respect their choice. There are different characteristics for each type of learning they do, but it doesn’t matter as long the student feels safe and can learn. Whether we are on a chair logging on a computer to meet the other side of the classroom or literally inside the classroom, there is a discussion that should be had. Do students have enough school time when they’re fully remote or at school? Eric Suni, a writer who has over a decade of experience in health communications and worked as a science writer and information specialist for the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, had an approval of his report by Dr. Alex Dimitriu. He is the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, and is board certified in psychiatry as well as in sleep medicine. According to Suni, there is a function of your body called the circadian rhythm, which helps you work out with everyday functions of your body. For example, your best coordination might occur at five in the afternoon. Maybe you are at your strongest point at noon and gradually decrease strength or energy during the afternoon. These all are parts of your circadian rhythm. However, we will be focusing on the time when you sleep and when you wake up. This will affect how you perform in school. Not being able to get enough sleep is common with adolescents which affects them, and one of the causes is due to early school times. Adolescents change their circadian rhythms depending on what time they sleep and wake up. When high school times start early, it creates an effect on a student’s learning behavior where they will be a downturn in their mental and physical school performance. In California, they have refined their school times where class starts later, so students can get more sleep. The local districts in the state are already seeing effects from the change and will modify schools over time. High schools will not start earlier than 8:30 a.m. For example, first period at Huntington Beach Union High School District starts at 8:24 a.m. This will also depend on the parents and staff trying to adjust to the new bell system. Therefore, it’s a fascinating question that revolves around today’s society. There had been positive outcomes when schools start earlier since there has been better performance and health for teenagers according to the California Medical Assn. and the California State Parent Teacher Association. Kuss Middle School, in Fall River, Massachusetts, was analyzed as a chronically underperforming school in 2004. As time progressed to 2013, they were finally able to reach great improvements involving students when they took part in longer school days or extended learning times. Creating a school time involving a longer day seems to improve student learning. In addition, their school time was 9am -5 pm. Although that the school day is long, they start school later which can connect to the California school district’s findings. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools should start at 8:30 a.m. or later so students can have more sleep. The CDC has stated that according to 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study, 93% of high schools and 83% of middle schools in the U.S. start before 8:30 a.m. Depending on what state you are in, a lot of public and middle high schools started before 8:30 a.m. From the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, they recommend that teenagers from ages to 13 to 18 years old should sleep 8 to 10 hours on a regular basis. If you do not, you’ll most likely be overweight, not engage in daily physical activity, suffer from symptoms of depression, engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking tobacco, and using illicit drugs, and perform poorly in school . The last part of the previous sentence can help explain some reasons why a school’s schedule can affect a student’s performance. The American Academy of Pediatrics also says that delaying school times can be an effective countermeasure to chronic sleep loss and contains a variety of benefits that revolve around physical and mental health, safety, and academic achievement. Although that there are positive outcomes when students have school starting later, there can be contrasts and obstacles. Every school will function differently. It will depend on how everyone will adjust to it. There are people who will also disagree on having school times later and when school ends. It depends on how much influence students, teachers, and education staff has on the larger population revolving around school and their hours. After reading this article, if you still go to school, did you reflect on what your school is doing right? There are many other resources to find more information about the effects of a later school starting time if you surf through the web or look at the news. This is a fascinating question. It all depends on what you and your school does your sleeping schedule. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections The Pros and Cons of Attending Multiple Schools By Isabella Somma Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Fine Arts America This interview discusses the positives and negatives of attending multiple schools, how that can mold you academically and socially, and compares the schooling system of Valley Stream North to a high school in Chesterton, Indiana. In this interview, conducted by Isabella Somma, Valley Stream North Senior Gurjosh Multani, a newer Valley Stream North High School student, reflected on his previous high school years. Question 1: Have you ever lived anywhere else besides Valley Stream? If so, where? I’ve lived in Germany, Indiana, and Queens. Can you explain the timeline? Yeah, so I was born in Germany in this little city called Ingolstadt. It’s the home of Ali. Then I moved to America in 2008 and then I lived in New York from 2008 to 2016 in Floral Park, Queens. Then I moved to Indiana in 2016 to this little city called Chesterton. It was actually one of the only Blue [Democratic] cities in all of Indiana, and then in 2020, I moved to another city in Indiana called Bloomington, where the University is: Indiana University of Bloomington. In August of 2020, I moved back to New York, here in Elmont actually, and I went to Elmont Memorial, and then in 2021, I moved to Valley Stream. Question 2: Out of all of the schools you attended, which is your favorite? Which has given you the best social experience? The best educational? The best social experience has definitely been North. The best educational experience has definitely been Chesterton High School in Indiana. What programs did they offer that made it superior in education? It wasn’t necessarily the individual programs; it was more of the school as a whole and the budget of the school that allowed for more opportunities. It was ranked in the 1,000s out of the 24,000 high schools in all of the United States. They had a cooler system for scheduling where the day was organized in blocks instead of periods. I really liked that I think about this a lot actually while comparing Indiana to North. So, I would have eight classes, but I would only take four a day and they would all be an hour and a half long so if I had work to do, I would have two days to do it because I take that class every other day. Question 3: How has living in multiple places shaped you as a person? It definitely has helped me socialize better; I know what to do now in any kind of social situation. I’m also very open to change because of this and I think it’s easier for me to make friends. That’s about it. Question 4: How has living in multiple places shaped you academically as a student? I actually think moving has ruined me academically. Well not “ruined,” but definitely made it worse because I was on the track to being an advanced student throughout high school in Indiana, which started in 9th grade, but then moving to New York in 10th grade put me in regular classes, and that really messed me up, but then I got back to AP classes in 11th grade. I still think that if I was in Indiana, I would be a lot smarter. Question 5: What are your plans for after high school? Do you wish to attend college? I do wish to attend college. After college, I definitely plan to stay in New York - just not in Valley Stream. Are there any colleges you have in mind? I am undecided right now, but probably in the state of New York. I definitely hope to get my bachelor’s degree in Engineering or some kind of computer science. BACK TO TOP