Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections NBA 2023-2024 Season Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Dreamstime.com The 78th National Basketball Association (NBA) season kicked off on October 23rd,2023 and thirty of the best teams in the nation each played a total of 82 games in hopes of securing a spot in the playoffs. This season was held at high expectations with star players such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Doncic hoping to grow their legacies. Additionally, unlike previous seasons, there was a “play-in tournament” implemented that brought even more excitement to gameplay. Before discussing the 2023-2024 season in-depth, it is crucial to understand how it is formatted and based on what criteria. To begin with, the teams are separated between an Eastern conference and a Western conference with fifteen teams in each. To qualify for a playoff spot, a team must be in the top six of their conference based on their number of wins and losses. However, with the new play-in tournament, teams in the 7th-10th seed of their conference have a chance to fight for a playoff spot. The 7th seed plays the 8th seed, and the winner secures the 7th seed in the playoffs. Yet, the loser gets another chance. The 9th seed then plays the 10th seed, where the loser is eliminated. The loser of the 7th vs 8th game then plays the winner of the 9th vs 10th seed game for the final playoff spot (Merrell, 2024). Overall, this new aspect of the NBA adds excitement and competitiveness to the end of the regular season. Not to mention the annual All-Star weekend where the dunk contest, a three-point contest, skills challenge, and All-star exhibition games take place. This year was the first time a WNBA player was included as part of a charity event. The matchup was between NBA star Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu, a WNBA star, both competing in a three-point contest and Curry won. Nevertheless, because of this unique matchup viewership skyrocketed to 5.4 million, the most it has ever been within the last 4 years. With a season full of high expectations and the most skilled players in the country, there were bound to be teams that stood out based on their performances and predictions. Some of the most notable teams this year included the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Indiana Pacers. These teams ended their regular season within the top five of their conference proving themselves to have some of the best rosters in the league. Some of these players include Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker. However, there were also teams who had historically terrible records. For instance, the Washington Wizards achieved only 15 wins and had 67 losses, while similarly the Detroit Pistons had 14 wins and 68 losses (ESPN statistics). During the season, the Pistons went on the longest losing streak in NBA history with 28 games in a row. As for viewership of the regular season this year it remained at a steady average of 1.6 million people who tuned in for each game. As usual, betting on NBA games has stayed popular, allowing fans to engage in several types of bets depending on a specific player or a team’s performance. All in all, this season proved to be interesting and full of excitement for fans, players, and coaches. However, it is not over yet as the Celtics who are 3-1 in the series, and Mavericks who are 1-3 are currently waiting to play Game 5 to determine the outcome of the finals. Update: The Boston Celtics won the Championships. Sources: Basketball - 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament Explained: Teams, schedule, how it works ( olympics.com ) 2024 NBA Finals: Win or go home for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 as Boston Celtics look to wrap up 18th championship | CNN BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Unfortunate Woods By Masooma Zaidi Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Bunty Pundir Edmund!!", yelled Lucy in her British accent. "What are you doing?!" Edmund woke up from his sleep startled from Lucy's yelling. "I fell asleep. I didn’t keep track of time," he explained. In impatient frustration and excitement, Lucy sat down next to him. "Did you get permission? Did you pack your bags? Edmund was extremely tired. He just nodded. Then from the other side of the bus stop came Jane and Jake. Lucy, Edmund, Jane, and Jake were all students at Prep-Valley High School. The school has arranged a perfect two-day camping field trip near the Woods…The Unfortunate Woods. These kids have no idea what they are about to face. All the four kid are around the same age. Lucy is 13, Edmund is 15, Jane is 17, and Jake is 19. All four students were good friends. Jake and Jane saw Lucy and Edmund came running to them with their packed bags for the trip. "Wake up Dolly Daydream", joked Jake running toward them. Jane was following Jake behind. "Hey guys, you ready for the trip?" Lucy has a positive and caring personality. "Yes, we are about to have a whole lot of fun", she answered. The bus had just arrived, and all of them got on. Lucy and Jane sat together in one seat. And in the next aisle sat Edmund and Jake. It was an exhausting two-hour trip. After the longest two hours in their lives, the bus arrived at the destination called Wood Camp. The setting was so gloomy and dark. The camp was abandoned. As Jane looked outside, her eyes were sparkling in excitement. However, when Jane saw the depressed feeling of no sunshine, the old wretched camp’s broken, creaking wood steps, and no stranger lurking around, she gave a big sigh in dismay. Then, all the students came out of the bus. "This is greeeaat!" Edmund sarcastically cheered. Lucy tried to be positive, but she was having a hard time to find something positive in this unpleasant area. "Come on let’s eat. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" Jake said. The teachers lit the campfire, and everyone was roasting marshmallows. Suddenly Frank, the 18-year-old, tall skinny guy, had a great idea. "Does anyone want to have a scare? Because I am about to tell you about a hidden legend about these mysterious Woods. I will tell you why it is named the 'The Unfortunate Woods'. Legend says he that goes beyond the caution sign near the Woods gets lost and is never to come back." There was a silence, everyone looked at each other and started laughing as if Frank said something hilarious. BAM! The lightning struck, and it started to rain rapidly. Everyone ran inside the cabins. After the rain slowed down, Edmund convinced all four kids to check out the place in Frank’s story. They left and reached the sign saying in capital bold words CAUTION — DANGER AHEAD. The kids went left, slowly thinking that Frank’s story was not real. The kids later came across a girl wearing a royal looking blue gown and, over it, she was wearing a dark blue, long hood ending just above her beautiful blue heels. She looked as if she was looking for something. She gently lowered the headpiece of her hood. Her hair was dark brown and tied up neatly. She looked back and saw the four kids and she was surprised. "Sorry. Don't mind me asking, but what are you wearing?" Edmund started laughing and said, "Funny, we should ask you the same thing". She looked serious and was not joking. "Hi, I am Jane, we are students from Pre-Valley High School." Jane goes for a handshake. The girl looked at her hand in a weird but friendly way for a moment, then she gave a curtsy and spoke. "Good day to you Jane from Prep-Valley High School. I am princess Rose from the Kingdom of Rosveld, and I just turned twenty actually." As she bent over, she found her crown that on the floor and said, "Finally! I’ve found it!" Now the kids got panicked and told the princess about what happened and introduced each other. The princess was excited. "Yes, an adventure! But first let’s get you all look a little unsuspicious. Come on!" she cheered. The kids followed the princess and they saw two knights standing in armor. "Princess, how are you?" one said in a sweet but honorable voice. "Happy to serve you my lady" the other one kneeled down and said in a charming and pleasant voice. "Come on guys, stop it!" the princess laughed in a friendly way. Both the knights took off their steel head protectors. One was a girl with dark red hair that almost looked dark brown. Her hair was straight and neatly tied in a low ponytail. The other one was a boy. He had short, wavy brown hair. Both the knights were very happy to see the princess. They handed her a gift. And when they saw the four kids, the knights also looked at them weird. The princess introduced us to them, and then they introduced them to us. "These are some people who came from another side of the world, they are extremely different. Remember the legend…it’s true. They seem like good people, so we need to help them" Princess Rose said; then, when all agreed, she turned to the four kids. "As you know, I am princess Rose. These are my two trustworthy friends. They’re nice, kind, generous, funny, and much more." She pointed to the boy. "This is Peter. He is 19 years old." Then Princess Rose pointed at the girl. “She is Violet. Violet is 20 years old." Both gave a friendly wave to us. Princess Rose and her faithful friends helped the four students to stay blended and not look weird. They wore beautiful suits, ready for riding and even battle. The princess also changed her gown into the same type of adventurous clothing. She did not wear her crown. That way no one would know that she is the princess. They all rode horses, took breaks, ate food, and came into some danger. They had to hide from the bad people. But finally, they reached their destination. The other side of the land, there was a tiny door hidden beside the plants. At this point, they all became great friends. "Wow. I can’t believe the legend was true. The royal librarian, Caspian, he told us all about this door" Violet said. After two days, the friend finally found the hidden door. Lucy, Edmund, Jane, and Jane thanked the three friends. But they had a feeling they did not want to go. They decided they will always come the same way they came. And they will always remember them. When they went to the door, they crossed the tunnel and had entered the closet of a certain cabin. When they came out, right in front of them Frank was walking with some sort of ancient ring. He put it on. Lucy's eye caught the ring, and she called out to Frank. "Now you believe me, right?" Frank looked at them, smiling. "It wasn't as bad as you made it sound" said Jake. "Bad? Are you kidding? I want to go again!" said Lucy. "Until next time" said Jane. The five talked about the secret land and went back to school in a positive mood...hoping to go there and meet their friends again. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Way I Really Play: Album Review By William Mullin Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original image from William Mullin On November 12, 1967, Oscar Peterson, Sam Jones, and Bobby Durham recorded at the private studio of Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer. On piano, double bass, and drums, respectively, this trio headed by Oscar Peterson dazzlingly performed originals and renditions of jazz standards to a selectively picked small audience. Peterson was an extreme virtuoso, taught by one of Franz Liszt’s pedagogical successors, one of the most renowned virtuosos of the classical era. Originally classically trained, Peterson shifted focus to ragtime, blues, and jazz, bringing his extreme virtuosity and classical understanding of the piano. The Way I Really Play is the third volume in a series of recordings done in the private studio called Exclusively for My Friends , and debatably the most impressive and cohesive of them all. In this series, Peterson does not hold back. 1. “Waltzing is Hip” Originally this piece was composed by John Wayne and Ray Brown. However, as is the case with many of the pieces Peterson performs, the original does not even compare to Peterson’s rendition. The recording begins with some claps from the audience, and then Oscar Peterson just releases this insane sound from the piano that shoots off into the stars. The central melodic theme, mixed with Peterson’s glissandos and intricate riffing, is jaw-dropping. This piece makes me want to jive to this impossible-to-follow jazz waltz. The fact that a human could be so talented and passionate is disturbing. Also, the idea that this is a trio performing live following each other’s solos is ridiculous to imagine. The only factors that detract from this performance are some of the drummer's solos. While they are impressive, they are not especially memorable and take up a lot of time. That being said, without the drum solos, this would have been rated as at least a 9.3. Favorite Phrase: Approximately around 1:42 - 1:49 Rating: 8.7/10.0 2. “Satin Doll” Satin Doll, a jazz standard created by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, was given new life by Peterson and his trio. Much slower and more reminiscent with a hint of melancholy in comparison to Waltzing is Hip ; however, the harmonies that Peterson employs show the range of Peterson’s skill. Yes, Peterson can be bold, loud, and flex his virtuosity, evident in Waltzing is Hip . But Peterson can also be sentimental, poetic, and lyrical, slowly taking his time to pour his woes into the piano, evident in his rendition of Satin Doll . The tempo ramps up as the piece progresses, and Peterson gets a little brasher as he creates multiple climactic parts until he eventually decrescendos to end in a shy, relieved manner. Favorite Phrase: Approximately around 5:40 - 6:30 Rating: 9.2/10.0 3. “Love Is Here to Stay” Another jazz standard, this one created by the Gershwin brothers, Peterson again makes beautiful art music out of a simple theme. The intro and outro of this piece specifically stick out to me, and the transition from the solo piano to the trio is memorable. This piece is blissful and withholds a sense of comfort, almost as reassuring and comforting as knowing another’s love for you is here to stay. As corny as it sounds, even if the title of this standard were not Love Is Here to Stay , the same atmospheric imagery would appear for me. Favorite Phrase: Approximately 1:48 - 2:12 Rating: 9.4/10.0 4. “Sandy’s Blues” An original by Peterson himself, dedicated to his then-wife Sandra King, Sandy’s Blues, takes on a different meaning with this context. Interspersed with bluesy riffing and running, Peterson is exceptionally light on his feet in this piece. In this recording, you can also hear what seems to be Peterson riffing with his voice. Although this is present in the other recordings to an extent, it is much more noticeable in this one. Peterson’s passionate musicality is most clear in this piece, which I am sure was lovely to hear for his wife. Favorite Phrase: Approximately 4:05 - 4:58 Rating: 9.0/10.0 5. “Alice In Wonderland” Composed by Sammy Fain for Disney’s 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland , this is by far Peterson’s best piece on the album. The melody is so rich and ethereal. An upbeat and jovial jazz waltz that I cannot help but blush and smile at. And the same central theme is repeated just enough times with the right amount of embellishing, as it is interspersed with solos. Again, Peterson gives the audience exactly what it wants. This piece, to me, is just simply lovely. I do not want to give too much away or create too much of an influence, but this is without a doubt the piece I put on first when I go to listen to this record. Easily my favorite. Peterson’s rendition of this piece is revolutionary. Favorite Phrase: Approximately 2:06 - 2:59 (honestly, it was hard not to just put from the beginning to the end). Rating: 10.0/10.0 6. “Noreen’s Nocturne” As a Chopin fanatic, I am obsessed with nocturnes. All of Chopin’s 21 nocturnes hold a special place in my heart and make me feel more human. However, Peterson subverts expectations and redefines what one can call a nocturne. Nocturnes are supposed to evoke images of the night. Chopin’s were created as somber, lyrical, and ethereal pieces. One can connect multiple emotions to Chopin’s compositions, but all with this sad imagery of venting one’s late-night woes to the piano. However, Peterson’s nocturne is on the complete opposite side of the aisle. Noreen’s Nocturne evokes the image of a midnight dance with your beloved. Jiving and dancing the night away. You do not want to go to sleep, nor do you feel the desire to. Wasting away all the hours of the night with the one you are with, except it is not a waste. Favorite Phrase: Approximately 2:28 - 2:41 Rating : 9.6/10.0 Reflections: This recording is a masterpiece. The lowest rating of the pieces is an 8.7, and that was me being harsh, justifying the low score with my dissatisfaction with the long drum solos where I wished for more Peterson. If I were discussing this with my friends, I would give all these pieces a 9.0 or higher and be much less critical. However, due to the nature of this being an article, I feel I must be a little more judgmental and have more of a disparity between the ratings of these pieces. Either way, Oscar Peterson, Sam Jones, and Bobby Durham created something breathtaking with this trio, and I am sure to specially selected for that live audience was priceless. Each piece stands out and is memorable. With each listen, I find myself remembering some of the small phrases in these vast pieces, blissfully scatting out the melodies and dancing to the vibe as I walk to my car, fold laundry in my room, or wander around my town on a late-night stroll. To hear and see Peterson play live must have been quite an awakening. Final Ranking: Alice In Wonderland 10.0 Noreen’s Nocturne 9.6 Love Is Here to Stay 9.4 Satin Doll 9.2 Sandy’s Blues 9.0 Waltzing is Hip 8.7 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Senior Interview with Shubhdip Kundlas By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original photo by Shubhdip Kundlas In this issue I will be interviewing Shubhdip Kundlas, who will be graduating this June. It has been a weird, yet memorable year for the Class of 2021. Today we will be discussing Shubhdip’s tips and advice for the upcoming college freshman. ____________________________________________________________________ What is the most challenging task as a senior? SHUBHDIP The most challenging task is staying on top of college applications while balancing school workload. As a senior, you have the responsibility to complete all necessary components of your college applications while completing schoolwork. It can be difficult at first, but if you stay motivated, it gets easier once you learn what schedule/tactics work best for you. Who has given you the best advice? What did they say? SHUBHDIP The best advice I received was from my mother who said I should always think about the benefits of my future if I work hard now. Every time I feel overwhelmed with stress or work, I think about how it only helps me in the long run. If I work to my fullest extent now, I can enjoy my life when I'm older. Looking back on your high school years, what one piece of advice would you offer to any incoming freshman? SHUBHDIP Always try to do more. Whether it’s schoolwork or extracurriculars or even simple things like being a good student, always try to put in more effort to get the best result. There is always room for improvement. What has been the highlight of your senior year? SHUBHDIP The highlight of my senior year was getting accepted into my dream college with a full ride. It boosted my confidence and provided the premise of my senior year. It validated all my hard work for the past four years and living to see my dreams come true is an experience I will never forget. Where do you imagine yourself 10 years from now? SHUBHDIP I imagine myself to be in a great position working as a full-time doctor and doing what I have planned: building and donating to homeless shelters, leading my community to prosperity, and living a happy yet productive lifestyle. What college/university will you be attending? Why this college/university? SHUBHDIP New York University (NYU) is the college I have always wanted to attend. It is in the heart of NYC and has the rigorous academics I sought. Not only is it close to home, but I am able to work my current job while also pursuing my academic goals. What will you change about yourself in college? Why will you change it? SHUBHDIP I will change my current study habits and schedule. College can be a difficult time if you don’t adjust your high school habits because the life you are used to in high school is very different from the typical college life. Therefore, I plan on adjusting all of my schedules to what will fit best with college. I will also be more forthcoming and be the person to start the conversations with other people. People always told me college was the place where you make lifelong friends and I plan on being the one to introduce myself first because I am eager to meet new people! Is there any additional advice you would like to give?    SHUBHDIP Always think positive. Think about the good things in your life. If you ever feel down or upset about something in your life, think about something you have that others don’t. All you need to jumpstart your career is a home, food, and confidence. Create a mindset where you are always challenging yourself to do better and most importantly, never give up! Thank you so much to my brother for this interview! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Role of an Outgoing President By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Jeremy Enecio Election Day is for most politicians, especially for the executive branch. On November 3rd, people cast their ballots. On November 7th, 2020, 4 days after Election Day, major news networks announced that Former Vice President Joe Biden was going to be the next President of the United States. The time period from the election to the next inauguration is called the transition period, if there is a new president. So, what is this transition all about, and what’s the role of the outgoing president in it? First, we need to explain what happens during the transition. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the government organization behind the transition. It does everything from providing office space for the candidates to providing vital information to the Congressional Inaugural Committees (and other related organizations). It’s the central organization that authorizes the beginning of the presidential transition. If it doesn’t, then the government does not go into transition mode. During this time, the President-Elect's transition team has a meeting with the important staff of the outgoing administration and the president-elect is given access to the resources the president has, including security to keep him/her safe. The security includes restricted airspace above the president-elect's house. The “lame-duck” president (outgoing president) has a role too, though. The outgoing President can let the President-Elect read the President’s Daily Briefing so the new president can be prepared on January 20th to tackle the latest threats to the nation. In fact, President Truman let both candidates in 1952 read the President’s Daily Briefing due to him being upset that he didn’t learn about the US making an atomic bomb until over a week into his presidency. The outgoing president also invites the president-elect to the White House to have a conversation, which is what President Obama did for President Trump. Most importantly, the outgoing president must allow resources to be directed to the president-elect, including the President’s Daily Brief. In short, the outgoing President must provide the President-Elect with the intelligence and resources necessary to have a smooth change of power on January 20th, so the new president can govern on minute one. And yet there is one more thing traditionally done by the leaving president: writing a little note for the new Commander-in-Chief. President Obama wrote a friendly note to President Trump and placed it in the top drawer of the Resolute Desk, and President George W. Bush wrote a note to President Obama as well. 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