Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections The Deity and the Child Alanna Tieschmaker Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by iStock Editor's Note: This is the third part of a series. The first two parts were previously released in POLARIS. When he opened his eyes, the blinding light made him close them immediately. He tried to bring his arm over his eyes, but they would not move. Blinking rapidly, Kendrick slowly adjusted to the sun. His head was pounding, and images danced under his eyelids as he fully awoke.  The first thing he registered was the amount of green. The grass and bushes and trees were all a healthy bright green. Kendrick had never seen a color so bright. Where was he?  Looking around, he found that on all sides thorny bushes boxed him in. There was enough space to lay down at least. Finally, he looked towards his arms, wondering why he could not move them. Thick vines twisted over his torso, pinning his arms and keeping him on the ground.  He tried to sit up, but it was no use. He could not move.  A panic began to well inside him. He hated being stuck in one place. His parents would always say he moved too much. They would put him in the closet and keep him there, ignoring his shivering sobs and pitiful cries for them. This was like the closet but 10 times worse. At least in the closet he could move his arms, fiddle with his fingers, wrap his arms around himself in a gesture of self-comfort.  His vision was blurred by his own tears, his panic preventing any chance of rational thoughts. He continued to thrash on the ground, movements becoming more frantic after each failed attempt.  Due to his frenzy, he was unable to hear the sounds of someone approaching. The retraction of the bushes went unnoticed, as did the thundering steps that grew closer every second. The vines suddenly unraveled, and Kendrick could move again.  He folded inwards, wrapping his arms around himself and cherishing the movement of his arms. Even with his mobility returned to him, it took a few minutes to regain control of his breathing and register who was in front of him. “W-who are you?” Kendrick quietly asked. The being in front of him did not respond, but instead continued to stare undauntingly at him.  Courage returning, his next question was asked in a steadier, albeit still timid voice. “What do you want from me?”  No response. The silence threatened to overwhelm them. Finally, the figure turned and gestured towards the entrance in the bushes. “Follow.” His voice commanded power and left no room for argument. He began to walk towards the exit. Kendrick slowly climbed to his feet, unsure of what to do. His parents always told him not to follow strangers, but this man was much bigger and scarier. Plus, he thought, maybe his parents were lying to him. After all, they weren’t the nicest to him. Maybe the scary people are nice, like how the not-scary people are mean. Reassured, Kendrick followed the man. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Claudette Colvin, the Girl Who Made History Before Rosa Parks By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by the BBC Most people remember Rosa Parks as the first black woman to refuse to give up her bus seat to a white man. However, many Americans are unaware of the fifteen-year-old black girl who did the same nine months prior to Rosa Parks's arrest. Her name was Claudette Colvin. Colvin was a young black woman who grew up in a poor black neighborhood in Montgomery, Alabama. It all started when Colvin was laughed at by a white boy while she was in the store with her mother. She began to put her hands up and tell him that despite having different skin tones they were really the same. She was slapped by her mother and told to never touch a white person again. After that, she became well aware of the Jim Crow laws and knew she had to be on guarded behavior in public. She attended an all-black school which taught children about black history including famous black Americans. Her teachers thought that African Americans and their legacies weren’t talked about enough in teaching American history. Colvin soon started to look up to Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth to learn more about black historical figures. On March 2nd, 1955, Colvin and her friends were going to take the city bus home from school that day. They sat behind the first five rows which were reserved for white people. A white woman proceeded to walk in after the girls and had nowhere to sit. The bus driver made Colvin and her friends get up. Claudette’s friends got up; however, she herself refused. She remained seated as she remembered her favorite famous black Americans. After she had refused multiple times, a traffic officer was called by the bus driver. Claudette was then asked again why she wouldn't get up, she said it was her constitutional right. The police were called, and they kicked her, threw her books on the floor, and dragged her into the police car. Claudette Colvin became the first black woman arrested for challenging segregation laws. She was called racist and sexist names by the police and was arrested. However, she was soon let out after her minister paid her bail. Soon Claudette started to get bullied by her classmates, and parents told their kids she was crazy. Her experience made her into the historical figure she is today. We can only thank her for her contributions and her heroic actions. However, Colvin thinks her achievements have been greatly forgotten. Many remember Rosa Parks for what she did because she was a lighter middle-class woman while Colvin was a poor and darker colored young girl. Although Rosa Parks's arrest overshadowed Claudette Colvin's arrest, she will still be remembered for her bravery. Her arrest led to the segregation of the Montgomery buses becoming illegal just by testifying in the Browder v. Gayle case. This soon led to the end of many human rights violations of blacks in Alabama and other states.  The stories of MLK and Rosa Parks are very encouraging, but those were the stories of people in their 40s and 50s. Claudette was just 15. Her story should inspire many teens, but Colvin has been largely forgotten. This is why it is important for us to teach our students the broader truths about black history and to remember the lesser known, but still historic figures like Claudette Colvin. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Marissa Nardone - Lights On for Education - 3 By Marissa Nardone April 22, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections North Speaks By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by New York Times The debate over deleting TikTok has taken all over Valley Stream North. I set out to find out what our Spartans think about the famous and extremely popular app, TikTok. I received mixed responses and was intrigued by what our students think about TikTok. Here are the results! Question: What is your stance on TikTok? Do you think there are more pros or cons to the app? Although there are concerns regarding the Chinese government acquiring peoples data, I believe the positives of the app outweighs the negatives since it creates a community where relatable content creation allows adolescents to form stronger bonds and also increase knowledge about a various of social issues. - Anonymous Spartan Personally, I think Tiktok has plenty of pros and cons, and you debate can either side of the team. However, it should be noted that currently it is not the most important issue to deal with. Noting that I also feel that it shouldn't be banned simply because it is not negatively affecting our nation in a significant way. That being said, we have more major things to focus on. -Navrosedip Kundlas TikTok is both negative and positive, but I think it's quite extreme to ban the app completely. I think that the stress of school and work can accumulate negatively and make me have a really negative outlook on life. Even if TikTok might have some unpleasant things on it, I use it as a way to decompress after a long day. The little time that I smile and laugh at TikToks outweighs the cons for me. - Anonymous Spartan I think there are pros and cons to the app. I believe that the app can have both a positive and negative influence on a person. The negatives to TikTok are that the things we see on our For You page are made up and fake. Nothing on our For You pages are real, whether it be an “honest review” or a really pretty girl or boy that you wish to be. The point is that the things we see on TikTok can have a big impact on us and can cause us to hate ourselves. On the other hand, the positives of TikTok are that it can help us discover new things that we may or may not like. TikTok keeps us up with the world and what everyone is doing. TikTok can also help us learn new things and new hacks. Lastly, TikToks are fun to watch. Although the negatives outweigh the positives, I believe that most people will stay on the app because of how addicting it is. - Anonymous Spartan TikTok is a deplorable app that sucks the soul and lifeforce out of the younger generation. The app feeds useless content that degrades the minds of young people. TikTok is currently owned by Byte Dance, a company based in China. Evidently, the Communist Chinese government seeks to influence the course of children's lives in the United States by collaborating with this company. This becomes especially evident when TikTok feeds STEM-based educational content to children in China while young Americans watch useless dance videos. The Chinese government is clearly attempting to advance their foothold as the world's strongest power by attacking youth in the United States through social media platforms like TikTok. Both the Democratic and Republican parties concede that TikTok is a national security threat, indicating a rare instance of bipartisanship during a time of intense division throughout the nation. Therefore, the app must be (and will likely be) swiftly restricted and/or banned from the United States. - Anonymous Spartan My stance on TikTok is it's not the best resource for young teens to be addicted to but it's not the best for younger kids to be on also. Since the app has grown so much, it’s hard to keep younger children away from it. I think the app is very influential to people because it feels like your brain is taking a break from the world and it does help you "pass time" when needed. I think there're more pros to the app than cons because if you're struggling with homework you can search up help, or if you’re going through a heartbreak it can help guide you, if you feel like no one can relate to a situation you have there's people on that app who has gone through what you have gone through and it makes you feel less alone then you did before. - Anonymous Spartan BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections NCOD By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by Keith Harring Hey everyone! Welcome back to Volume 2, Issue 1 of the North Star. My name is Grace Martinez, and besides editing for the fiction and creative section, * Polaris* , for North Star, you can find me running The Alliance club. The Alliance is North’s organization for LGBTQ+ individuals and is genuinely a great space. If you’re interested in checking us out, we meet every other Monday in room 309. Thankfully, however, I’m not just here to pitch The Alliance to all of you. I’m here to explain one of the most important days in The Alliance’s calendar: National Coming Out Day. National Coming Out Day (NCOD) began in 1988 thanks to Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary, two prominent LGBTQ+ rights activists. The two of them were interested in creating a day where all people within the community could celebrate who they are and rise above hate speech and homophobia. 33 years later, while homophobic attitudes are still rooted in the soil of many areas across the world, NCOD has become a bastion of hope and pride for many community members. October 11th was chosen to commemorate the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place on the same day a year prior. NCOD is a day that is always full of hope and joy for me, and unlike Christmas, it can sometimes come early! Eagle-eyed readers may spot that our NCOD posters this year proclaim the 8th as the day to celebrate and not the 11th. This is simply because we are off on the 11th for Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day, but hey, there’s no shame in celebrating twice! If you plan to come out on NCOD, I would first like to say that I, along with the rest of The Alliance, are incredibly proud of you! Coming out is a huge step, and we commend you for feeling comfortable enough with yourself to share it with others. Yet, I would also like to remind you that for the best NCOD possible, you must first make sure it is safe to come out. If you fear that coming out may put you in any sort of danger, it may be best to reevaluate your situation and plan your coming out for another time. If you don’t plan to come out on NCOD, I am proud of you as well! Learning who you are is a challenging process, and you are not obligated to share this process with anyone if you do not want to. If you are an ally of this NCOD, make sure that you show your support. Having a friend trust you enough to share a huge part of themselves is exceptional, and you don’t want to break this trust with an accidentally insensitive remark. If you can’t figure out exactly what to say in the moment, here’s a quick “cheat sheet” of appropriate and kind responses: 1. “Thank you so much for telling me. I appreciate your trust!” 2. “Good for you, I’m proud of you!” 3. “This doesn’t change a thing; you’re still my friend!” Allies, make sure to check in on who else knows about your friend who has just come out; outing someone is a big deal and can cause a severe threat to someone’s safety and reputation. Lastly, suppose you find yourself confused about terminology or anything related to NCOD; you are welcome to ask a friend who has come out to you (as long as you are respectful of their boundaries), or you could also attend the next meeting of The Alliance. I hope to see you there! P.S. If you are looking for me this NCOD, you can find me decked out in as much rainbow as I can find in my closet (aka my old home). BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Gurleen Kaur - Memory Project By Gurleen Kaur March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections A Change in Pitch By Kayla Duvert Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by How to Sing Smarter For a while now, my peers from Mrs. Schneider’s chorus class were accustomed to using our voices as instruments, changing our pitches as the notes changed as we would with instruments. Holding out full notes in music, as we would with instruments. Now with an airborne virus amid us, our instruments were instructed to be put to rest. Our instruments, the only instrument some of us knew how to play, were considered a threat to the health of others and an accomplice to spreading a virus. Though our instruments can’t be used, that doesn’t mean that we can’t find another: an instrument that’s navigable through our fingers and not our mind. An instrument unfamiliar to us, but it becomes familiar once we start playing. An instrument known as the piano to most, but as a substitute to us. As with every instrument, we first learned the basics: the different staffs and notes. Then we put our knowledge to test. Playing the songs, we used to sing with an alternative instrument. The notes we used to sing together, we now play alone at whatever volume we desire. With our voices being the only thing that connects us, playing an almost foreign instrument alone is often undesirable. It was foreign to both our fingers and our minds. Making music alone is foreign to us, but there is comfort in the fact that we are learning it together: learning, playing and performing it together, but in walls that continue to separate us. Those walls that separate us will be the one thing that protects us long enough to unite us, so we could continue to use our vocal instruments alongside our newly introduced one. An instrument with a change in pitch now represents a change in our lives. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: How to Manage Stress By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by The New York Times Q. Hi Ala! This year has been so crazy, and it just seems to be getting worse. How do I manage stress? A. Hello and thank you for asking! This is such an important question to ask, especially now, when everyone is put under even more pressure than during any other school year. Stress can come from many different sources. Getting to know the source can be a good first step in starting to manage the pressure life brings upon us. Even though that sounds easy, the process can become quite complex because stress can come from a mix of categories like personal, family, social, academic, and economic, though now we have been presented with an addition to the list - a global pandemic (Darity 1).  We can also be affected by the “unwanted, random, uncontrollable, and close together in time” type of events (Darity 1). Trying to keep a track of when your emotion changes occur and analyzing the events beforehand can help pinpoint the roots of the stress. Some people practice recording their day as it passes. Writing can help you unravel your thought patterns and recognize what triggers you. It’s important to take this process little by little, to have patience, because this is going to make it possible to work on your problems later on. As I mentioned before, this is a rather complex process, so don’t hesitate to seek professional help. You can share your problems with a professional and get yourself on the right path to figuring things out and learning concrete methods for dealing with all of the ways stress and anxiety affects you. It is important to know what influences you and address the source directly if possible. It is hard to make up scenarios that would answer everyone’s questions due to the intricate nature of stress, however I will try to provide you with as many resources as possible. In this article, Six surprising sources of stress -- and how to do away with them, Erinn Bucklan presents the readers with six sources of stress (such as your surroundings, relations with others, social media, or your attitude) and simple ways to go about dealing with them healthily. Maintaining “[s]trong healthy relationships with supportive friends and family are beneficial, and support groups and social activities, such as clubs … [and] [v]olunteering also provides benefits'' to your self-worth and self-confidence and gives you the validation many seek (Mental Health 2). Writers also recommend to cope with stress by exercising, enjoying nature, writing in a journal, and participating in other activities” (Mental health 2) They deem “[s]kills such as meditation, prayer, and relaxation exercises are also useful in dissolving stress” (Mental Health 2). Washington Post journalist Elizabeth Chang even suggests watching cute animal videos to calm down and feel happy. That definitely works or me! Her uncomplicated way of communicating coping ideas are perfect for high school students and adults during these difficult times. If you are ever dealing with something you can’t handle on your own, please reach out to others like your family, your friends, your guidance counselor or teachers, or even a hotline. You can always visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to learn more about mental health. Additionally, don’t be afraid to call 211 or visit 211.org to get help. You are important, and there always is someone to help you, so you must reach out for such help. You made a great choice reaching out to me, and I appreciate your trust. What you did may just help one of our readers recognize ways to manage stress or ask for help themselves. Everyone could use some help today during this extra-stressful year! Works Cited Life Events, Stress." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences , edited by William A. Darity, Jr., 2nd ed., vol. 4, Macmillan Reference USA, 2008, pp. 443-444. Gale In Context: High School , link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3045301354/SUIC?u=nysl_li_vsnhs&sid=SUIC&xid=c5a14ce2. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021. "Six surprising sources of stress -- and how to do away with them." Washingtonpost.com , 25 Feb. 2015. Gale In Context: High School , link.gale.com/apps/doc/A403143888/SUIC?u=nysl_li_vsnhs&sid=SUIC&xid=5f9fc7da. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021. "Mental Health." Gale In Context Online Collection , Gale, 2019. Gale In Context: High School , link.gale.com/apps/doc/ULXUHX033802376/SUIC?u=nysl_li_vsnhs&sid=SUIC&xid=a7062c8e. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021. "Feeling election anxiety? These 12 articles about coping with covid stress may help." Washingtonpost.com , 4 Nov. 2020. Gale In Context: High School , link.gale.com/apps/doc/A640616471/SUIC?u=nysl_li_vsnhs&sid=SUIC&xid=680f56b4. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021. Nami Website: https://www.nami.org/Home BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Why are We so Obsessed with Cheese? By Christina Ossa Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Christina Ossa From pizza to calzones, cheese tacos, and cheeseburgers, our world seems to have an odd affinity for cheese. But why? This is partly due to our brains and how cheese triggers the same areas of the brain that drugs activate. Cheese is a very rich food, with its gooeyness and melting quality being some of its shining features. It’s the perfect ingredient to supplement almost any dish, providing a thickness that no other ingredient can combat. But apparently, our psychological reaction to cheese can also be to blame for humankind’s “cheese obsession.” A study by the University of Michigan revealed that ingesting cheese has similar effects on the brain to ingesting drugs, which is not as concerning as it seems. Cheese contains a chemical called casein (a chemical commonly found in dairy products like milk, butter, etc.) which activates parts of the brain that recognize proteins known as receptors. These parts of the brain that cheese activates are known as opioid receptors. Now, you may be familiar with opioids - as they are a type of drug/painkiller - but don’t worry, as cheese is (obviously) not an opioid. While it may contain casein, which causes the brain to react similarly to how it would to a drug, the chemical doesn’t have remotely the same effects addictive drugs do (like opioids) on the brain. Think of it like a coffee addiction; yes, it may be harmful to the body nutritionally, but it doesn’t extremely harm people or derail their lives. Cheese is a perfectly normal guilty pleasure, and the casein contained in it is the reason behind this. Furthermore, while all dairy products contain casein, cheese has more than double the amount of casein than a dairy product like milk. Since cheese is derived from milk, which only has a small amount of casein, this “small amount” of the chemical builds up as more milk is used to make cheese (it usually takes 10 pounds of milk to make cheese). This is why you may feel more content while eating a slice of pizza than after drinking a glass of milk. Even if enjoying cheese is normal, the addictive quality of the cheese is one of the more common causes of addictive eating behavior, especially for mainly highly processed cheese such as American Cheese (or “plastic cheese”). Processed Cheese Products, or PCPS, contain calcium phosphate Para casein (more common in cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda), which causes a significant addiction to cheese. The next time you feel like you may be eating cheese too frequently, just remember to eat it in moderation. But if you choose a less processed cheese or simply want cheese every few weeks, feel free to indulge. Just because cheese may be a bit addictive and tasty, this just means that your brain enjoys it. Healthy eating practices are crucial to a healthy life, but a cheese pasta dish every so often or cheese in moderation creates a healthy balance between mental health and diet. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Advice From a Senior Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 The time has finally come for many to graduate from Valley Stream North. After studying at VSN for the entirety of my middle school and high school career, I’ve picked up a load of information from experiences, both good and bad. Often feeling alone at times without guidance, I wished that I had the perspective of a student who had once been in the same or similar situations as me to gain more practical and helpful advice during middle and high school. Knowing that these 6 years are a critical time in a student’s life, here are some tips to help you get through high school in both academic and social aspects, coming from a senior. #1 : Leave your comfort zone Transitioning from elementary school to a middle school combined with high school can be a difficult adjustment. Yet this change from a smaller school to a bigger school comes with bigger opportunities. VSN offers an array of clubs and sports that allow students to express themselves and investigate their likes and dislikes. The main idea is: LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE! In my own experience, I began writing for VSN’s student newspaper, the North Star , and instantly loved it because I was able to write articles on almost any topic. If I had not left my comfort zone and refrained from even writing an article, I would not have had the opportunity to contribute to the club and even become the News section editor. Additionally, I tried out multiple sports including cross country, winter track & field, and badminton; from those experiences, I learned that I could do wonders with abilities I did not know I possessed. Looking back at my experiences, I urge you to try something new. You never know what you can do until you try. Although I know pushing yourself can be difficult at times, it opens up many opportunities. #2 : Learn how to manage your time As a student progresses through high school, the workload typically increases. With that, it becomes hard to manage sports, clubs, and academics. But knowing how important it is to make time for all aspects of school, whether it be extracurricular activities or homework, can significantly increase productivity as well as decrease stress. Based on what activities you have going on at home or at school, plan your day in the morning to know how to manage your time. One key method I used to help me manage my time was to make a list of when assignments were due and when I had certain activities. Then, whichever assignment(s) were due the earliest were the ones completed first. This method helped me manage my time in the best way possible. Additionally, any free time I had at school, whether it be a study hall, lunch, or free period, was used to complete assignments to decrease the workload when I came home after practice or a club. However, it is still always possible to face an overwhelming amount of work. Similarly, in this situation, prioritize the most important task and complete it first. Everyone is different, therefore try different techniques to manage your time! #3 : Stay on top of everything Many times, it is possible to miss out on key information regarding your schedule, courses, and grades. It is extremely important you understand what courses you need to take and what you should be doing, academically and extracurricular-wise. Do not solely rely on guidance counselors to consistently provide you with information since they have more students to assist, but they are always there if you need advice. Do not expect to be handed information easily on a platter; instead, be ready to ask for information as soon as possible! In my own experience, I realized that I had no clue as to what I was doing, mainly because I never asked anyone what steps I should be taking, especially once freshman year of high school started, and did not ask for a long period of time. Please be prepared and do not hesitate at all to talk to your guidance counselors and even teachers to have a feel about what you should be doing as each student is different and has their own paths. If I could go back and change one thing from my high school experience, I would try to gain more information about what steps I should be taking in school and outside of school to ensure I was on the right path towards my goals and to stand out as much as possible when the time came for college applications. #4 : Take challenging courses Another aspect I would change from my high school experience would be the number of AP classes I took. Not only do they help boost your overall average, but AP classes also open up a student to more information that a regents-level class does not always offer. Although AP classes aren’t for all students, there is no harm in trying a class out; you could end up liking the class! Additionally, AP classes help save students money when it comes to college. Depending on the college you choose to continue your studies at, certain AP classes and AP scores can get you credit. Most colleges take a score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam and give you credit for that class without you ever having to take it in college. Even though you pay almost $100 or more for an AP exam now, you end up saving thousands of dollars later if you score high on the exam and if your school takes the credit. Choose an AP class that interests you and do research about what credit the colleges you plan to apply to take. #5 : Surround yourself with the right people Throughout middle and high school, you will meet different people all with different personalities and make several friends. It is important that you choose to surround yourself with people who support you, make you a better person, and inspire you. There may be times when some people may hurt you, and this is an inevitable part of high school. There will be trial and error with certain friends, but all these experiences will help you understand what you value in a friend and help you with your development. #6 : Take care of yourself High school and middle school can get stressful many times. The pressure of work and eventually, when a student becomes a senior, college applications can affect a student’s mental health and often cause a load of stress and pressure. It’s okay to give yourself a break when there is a lot of pressure. Keep in mind that you’re working hard and you need to give yourself a break. Don’t let schoolwork and tests consume your mind; although they are important, remember to keep a balance between everything. Too much studying or too much work is not good; too much relaxation is also not good. When I was extremely stressed, I turned to music as it helped me calm down. Try to find something that eases your nerves as it is important to build these habits and methods to prevent stress from building up. These stress-reducing methods will help you so much in the future in college when your workload increases significantly and in life in general. Each student’s experience is different, and you will all make your own mistakes and learn from them. Remember while you work hard to also enjoy high school; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Always work hard but give yourself a break too. Since this is one of my last articles ever, my last and biggest piece of advice is to cherish the time you have had in high school. Time goes by quickly so don’t forget to make the most out of everything! BACK TO TOP