Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Boys’ Badminton: Flagship and Banner Year Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Coach Guzzardo Boys Badminton is now a district sport; to learn more about our amazing district team, I reached out to Coach Guzzardo, who guided them to great success in their first-ever season. I also learned more about Coach Guzzardo and how she became the coach of our District Boys' Badminton Team. Background information about Coach Guzzardo Coach Guzzardo attended Valley Stream North and graduated in 1997. After high school, she followed a career in education and has spent the last 24 years teaching Earth Science/Environmental Science at Valley Stream Central. In addition, she coached VSN Girls Varsity Volleyball Team for fifteen years, VSN Boys Varsity Volleyball for ten years, VSN JR High Girls VB for twelve years, and VSC Girls Varsity Badminton for the last eleven years. “I played both volleyball and badminton at North, LIBA Club volleyball, and varsity volleyball at Connecticut College for four years. I was a New York State volleyball referee for 3 years. Can you tell that I love these two sports?” Yes, we can. Her devotion and enthusiasm for the sports she has participated in motivates many players and athletes, including myself. During her time at North, she was a 2nd doubles player on the Girls Varsity Badminton Team for two years. Former Badminton Coach, Mr. Schiavo, led them to the playoffs, and she received the honor of All-Conference in her senior year. Her passion for badminton began when she was a child. Coach Guzzardo, who liked playing tennis, felt “badminton could be fun too,” and “I was right!” she says. It is a high-energy sport that makes her think of chess. “You have to not just outlast your opponent but also outsmart them.” She discusses badminton's similarities to volleyball, including rally scoring and the abilities required to play the sport. Players are continually pushed during the rally, whether with difficult shots, defense, footwork, or mental activity. And “it is so rewarding” when a player ultimately delivers the shot to gain a point, she added. Valley Stream District Boys Badminton There has been a Girls Varsity Badminton Team both at North and Central; however, boys' badminton was not offered. Coach Guzzardo stated that male kids would inquire “if there will be a boys' badminton team”. She hosted clinics for boys previously, and the reaction was fantastic. She was thrilled to learn that there would be a District Boys’ Badminton Team, so she applied to coach. She used to coach three sports seasons every year but missed coaching in the fall. Coaching the Girls Badminton Team at VSC has been “so rewarding,” and she hopes to “help more students learn about and enjoy badminton.” “Being involved in sports has impacted my life in positive ways and given me many memories - both as a player and as a coach. I wanted to be able to offer that to students and give back to the Valley Stream community.” Valley Stream District Boys’ Badminton had an exceptional season, as they earned third place with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses. The 4 matches that they lost were all 3:4. 7 players on the team earned awards with 6 All-Conference players and 1 All-County Honorable Mention. “All 3 Singles players went undefeated in Conference 2! What a great way to let other schools know that Valley Stream has entered the court and we're here to protect it” Coach Guzzardo added. One of the best highlights of their season was their achievement of a 7:0 win, and it was their last match of the season against Calhoun. Coach Guzzardo shared that all the players rushed to the courts to celebrate at the end. Valley Stream North is represented by sophomore Gabriel Manuel who has done an excellent job on the team. He is a part of the 2nd Doubles and has earned All-Conference this season. Coach Guzzardo looks forward to coaching him over the next 2 years. VSN Athlete Gabriel Manuel earned All-Conference “I would like to have more VSN students come out for the team next Fall. Sign-ups will be in the Spring of 2025 and tryouts are the last week of August. All practices and matches are held at VS Memorial. I will be hosting boy badminton clinics towards the end of the year, so please be on the lookout on Instagram and listen to the morning announcements. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the VS District Boys’ Badminton Team and see you on the courts!” Guzzardo says. I would like to thank Coach Guzzardo for sharing her story and telling our readers about the wonderful season our District Boys’ Badminton Team had. Thank you! Congratulations to the boys for their academic excellence and athletic ability. VSN Varsity Boys’ Badminton is a NYS Scholar-Athlete Team. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Valentines Day: Two Years Since the Start of COVID-19 By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by The Sun Hello Ala! What can I do for Valentine’s Day this year? It has been two years since covid-19 initially shut down most of the world. Many activities, including Valentine’s Day gifting, have drastically shifted, for many from in-person to online. Many had to send gifts to their loved ones directly before vaccines became widely available. Now, with more opportunities, these special occasions can become exciting again. If you are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I recommend going back to the traditional activities, and putting on a little twist if necessary. In order to relate to the traditional part of Valentine's Day celebrations, I recommend dining out or seeing a movie at the theatre. Though, as times progress and knowing that every relationship is different, you can consider other options! You can go to the mall, try to pick out outfits for each other, or buy matching jewelry. You can also try baking cookies or some type of dessert (check out the National Baking Month in North Star ’s last issue for some yummy recipes). In my mind, Valentine’s Day can definitely be celebrated around traditional activities, but in your relationship, you should make it about yourself! Do something that you enjoy, so that you have fun! Feel free to think outside of the box and enjoy your day together! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Break Dancing to Become Olympic Sport for the First Time in 2024 By Carolina Grace Figueroa Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by ABC News The Olympic Games are international multi-sporting events that feature summer and winter sports competitions during which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. More than 200 nations take part in this global athletic sports festival, with the ultimate goal of cultivating people and contributing to unity and world peace through sports. The Olympic Games are normally held every four years, alternating between the Summer and Winter Olympics every two years in the four-year period. The Summer Games were scheduled for Tokyo, Japan in July and August 2020, but were delayed for a year due to the Covid pandemic. They will now take place in July and August 2021 and will not allow spectators from overseas. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the global sporting competition, has chosen three new sports to enter the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Program, which are surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing. In addition, the IOC has announced that break dancing (also known as “breaking”) has been named an official Olympic sport and will first appear at the 2024 Summer Games to be held in Paris, France. Breaking was the only new sport chosen to make its debut in 2024, hoping to attract and appeal to younger audiences. Breaking is an athletic style of street dance that originated in New York in the early 1970’s. It is a full body activity and a high-energy dance, also known as “B-boying” or “B-girling”, that involves moving to hip hop music. It looks like a combination of dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, and martial arts. Break dancers do hand glides, head spins, and back spins using fluid athletic moves and stylized fast footwork. Breaking mainly consists of four kinds of movement, which are toprock, downrock, powermoves, and freezes. There are bursts of flips, spins, kicks, and freezes. Two very famous break dancing moves are known as “the moonwalk” and “the worm”. This cool form of dance was created as part of the early hip hop movement. Break dancing is popular all over the world, highly creative, and has always included a competitive element, with dancers trying to outdo each other in one-on-one dance “battles”. The next step is for break dancers from around the world to start preparing for 2024. Those dancers with dreams of winning an Olympic medal can train, plan, and prepare their break dancing routines, which will be judged in six categories: creativity, technique, variety, performance, musicality, and personality, There is no system in place yet to decide who will be chosen for the Olympics, but many founders of the break dancing movement are expected to help younger competitors prepare and motivate to train those who are gearing up to compete at the Olympic level. Break dancing will attract more youthful athletes and is a more urban dance style sport that will guarantee high levels of entertainment and much competition at the Summer Olympic Games in 2024. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Juneteenth Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Black Independence Day, and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth has only become recognized as a national holiday within the past three years. However, it has a rich, complex history that has been around since 1866. But why was Juneteenth only made a national holiday recently? And why is it celebrated? Celebrated on June 19th, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States following the Civil War. It was first celebrated in Galveston, Texas where on June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced the following, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free” (Associated Press, 2023). This meant slavery was no longer permitted and African Americans were ensured personal rights. Celebrations immediately began with parades and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. This marked a second Independence Day as African Americans gaining their inalienable rights were compared to 1776 when the U.S. gained independence from Great Britain. Not only were African Americans and formerly enslaved people now free but they had more opportunities than ever before. For instance, some worked for more social reform or even attempted to run for office. It is crucial to understand that without the 13th Amendment, this social change would have never been possible. Even though Abraham Lincoln began the movement by declaring the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, it only freed slaves in Confederate states, while the 13th Amendment freed slaves nationally (Taylor, 2024). As stated by Abraham Lincoln, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” However, this amendment did not prevent a new form of slavery that would soon emerge. Law enforcement took advantage of the phrase “...except as a punishment for crime” and would arrest or hurt African Americans for small inconveniences. Regardless of the long history that Juneteenth has in the United States, it only became a national holiday on June 19th, 2021. It stems from the protests against police brutality in 2020 with the most well-known example being George Floyd’s death. During this time, the Black Lives Matter movement also known as BLM was prompted and as a result, sparked conversations concerning racial justice and equality. Prior to Joe Biden signing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, it was a lengthy process. It began with 96-year-old Opal Lee, a dedicated activist who was the first to begin a campaign advocating for Juneteenth to be a national holiday. After rallies and support for the holiday by many citizens, The United States House of Representatives officially voted on the bill and received over 400 votes in favor of it (Taylor 2024). It was then implemented and effective immediately. Similar to Juneteenth celebrations in 1866 and other current national holidays, festivities include processions and community events with food and games. However, it is important to recognize that Juneteenth is more than a day off work or school, it is a celebration of freedom and equality for all. Since Juneteenth was declared as an official holiday, it has created more public awareness and education for all. By bringing attention to this news especially for young people that are continuously getting the opportunities to learn more about the struggles and challenges their country has faced and are still facing. Historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and many others have spent their lives working for not only African American equality but also the chance for recognition and celebrating black individuals. Juneteenth is only a small example of the many ways the United States has progressed in enforcing remembrance and reflection that paves the way for a more inclusive society. Juneteenth stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and resilience, marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the ongoing quest for equality and justice. It deserves to be commemorated not only because of its significance in history but also because there are over 40 million African Americans in the United States who make contributions to politics, the economy, and society every day. Sources: Juneteenth: The History - The New York Times ( nytimes.com ) The Story Behind Juneteenth and How It Became a Federal Holiday | Chicago News | WTTW 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is Passed | National Museum of African American History and Culture ( si.edu ) Juneteenth | National Museum of African American History and Culture ( si.edu ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Quinn O'Connor By Quinn O'Connor Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Easier Times Elaine Ching Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Annie Diep I often find myself wishing for “ the easier times ”. Older Simpler Happier “ easier times ” When things weren’t as hard Earlier bedtime. Less homework. Longer playtimes. When you didn’t find yourself wishing for peace as much Blissful ignorance of everything going on. Not a care in the world. Nothing really mattered to you. When responsibility wasn’t automatically passed into your hands A bigger hand to hold onto. The safety net of someone older helping you. The knowledge that you weren’t completely on your own. When you weren’t anywhere close to growing up 18 seemed millenniums away. Forever 10. Meant to be a child. Yet here we are. One year away from being “an adult” Trying to check off all the “serious, adult, big kid, grown up” to do’s College, SAT, ACT, “Prom!”, etc. All the “You’ll understand when you’re older.” things We may be older now, but I still don’t think our maturity is “were” it’s supposed to be. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Morning Roast By Erin St. Angelo Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Original artwork by Kimberly Shrestha The sun awakens from its slumber As the sky changes from black to blue. The birds sing and dance, For they are joyous to fetch food. A quiet ranch lay on a sloped hill, Basking in the sun’s glory. The smell of fresh, steaming, hot Coffee fills the man’s nose. The sheets were cold beside him, His wife's whereabouts are unknown. He leaves the warm, cozy King-sized mattress to make breakfast. The bittersweet decadent beans become Fragrant as they brew. The man and woman share their 'Good mornings', cherishing each other's presence. Their first sips of the roast burns down their Throats, a satisfying burn. Their senses becoming more alert. The man sighs in comfort and enjoyment, Now ready to start his day. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Kennedys Have Just Lost Their Winning Streak By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by TIME The Kennedy Dynasty has lost its power in government. Recently, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III, a Democrat from Massachusetts, lost his bid for the United States Senate against incumbent Democratic Senator, Ed Markey. With running for re-election to the House of Representatives impossible, he would be the last Kennedy in Congress, after a record of 59 years in which a Kennedy served in Congress. How did the record begin? Young Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts had beaten Vice President Richard Nixon for the Presidency in the closest election of that time in 1960. Once sworn in, he catapulted his brother, Robert F. Kennedy to the Chief Executive of the Department of Justice as Attorney General. Also, once JFK resigned to be sworn in as President, his Senate seat went to a special election. Do you know who ran for the seat? His youngest brother, Ted Kennedy, who would be the only Kennedy to serve in Congress up to his death in 2010. In 1964, after his brother’s death in 1963, RFK ran for the United States Senate from our own state, New York, beating Republican incumbent Kenneth Keating. Unfortunately, he would also be assassinated on the 1968 Presidential Campaign trail. Many of the brothers’ children and other family members would later serve in government. JFK’s daughter, Caroline, was an Ambassador to Japan during the Obama Administration. Sargent Shriver, husband of Eunice Kennedy, was the 1972 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee. Amy Kennedy, wife of former Representative Patrick Kennedy, the son of Ted Kennedy, ran against incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew for the House in 2020. They are a very popular family still to this date. After Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III lost in a tense primary to Ed Markey in 2020, he would be the first incumbent Kennedy to ever lose an election to a congressional position. Will there be another Kennedy in Congress ever again? Only time will tell. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Single Sally Aamna Raja Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching “I'm scared that I'll be alone for the rest of my life. No one has ever been romantically interested in me. I think I'm going to die single... What should I do?” -Single Sally Hi Single Sally! First of all, it's completely normal to have concerns about your future, especially in high school where social dynamics can feel overwhelming. Everyone wants to be appreciated and loved, and you are! Maybe not romantically, but I’m sure your friends and family love you and care about you as well. Remember, your worth isn't defined by whether someone is romantically interested in you. You have so much to offer beyond romantic relationships. If you want a healthy outlet to express these feelings, I’d recommend focusing on building your self-confidence and focusing on your interests and hobbies. This is great to help you feel better and you may find someone with similar interests this way! Friendships often develop into romantic relationships, so focus on fostering meaningful connections with others. Remember, don't rush things. High school is only the early stages of your love life, and there's plenty of time for romance to grow in the future. Stay open to new experiences and opportunities! You are worthy of love and companionship, no matter your relationship status. Hang in there, Sally, and every other person reading this. You're not alone, and there's an entire world of possibilities waiting for you beyond high school. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, and Martin Ganda By Manal Layachi Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by I Will Always Write Back I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, and Martin Ganda is an inspiring true story about a girl from the United States who writes to a boy in Zimbabwe, in Africa. Caitlin and Martin are very different. Martin comes from a poor family. He can barely afford basic necessities, let alone school. On the other hand, Caitlin comes from a wealthy family. She can afford basic necessities and go to school. For example, she has plenty of food, clothes, shoes, and clean water. In the book, Caitlin is supporting Martin by sending him money for school and necessities. At first, she sent money to Martin by mail, but that wasn’t a good idea because the money kept getting stolen. Caitlin and her mom made Martin a bank account so that it would be easier to send money to him. There are many themes that are shown in the story. First, we should not judge a book by its cover. We don’t know what people are going through or what their life is like, so we should not judge them very quickly. Second, a little bit of kindness and generosity can go a long way in changing someone’s life forever. Caitlin helped Martin turn his life around and now he is successful. Third, we should not take what we have for granted. When Caitlin found out that Martin was poor, she realized that she was lucky that she had all these things. It is important to be grateful for what we have. Finally, friendship is forever. Caitlin and Martin’s friendship stayed strong for their whole lives. That is a magnificent example of a long-lasting relationship. Caitlin felt like Martin was her “brother”. Martin felt like Caitlin was his “sister”. This book would be interesting and memorable for people who have liked books like Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. I would recommend this book to people who like non-fiction and reading about true stories. The authors did an amazing job describing what their characters’ lives were like and how writing to each other changed both of their lives forever. I like how they included real pictures because it added a nice touch to the story. As I was reading, I felt happy, upset, concerned, cheerful, nervous, amazed, inspired, hopeful, and motivated. All in all, I loved most everything about this book, and it changed my perspective of life and relationships. BACK TO TOP