Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Teacher Appreciation Week Ava Augello Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Image Provided by Christy Mansfield Teacher Appreciation Week is all about celebrating educators who have made a positive impact on students and honoring their hard work and dedication. While there are many different teachers at North High School who exhibit these refined traits, one teacher who sticks out among the crowd is Michelle Puleo. Ms. Puleo is a Special Education teacher who always looks out for her students, having their best interests in mind. She has become a prominent safe space for students who feel that they can share anything with her. Teachers and students alike look to her for guidance and support. One student that has been impacted by Puleo is Junior Jaanvi Chauhan. She says, “Puleo doesn’t judge when you ask for help, she has a gentle heart, she always knows when something’s up with her students and sees the best in them. When I was having a bad day, she asked me what was wrong and listened to me, giving me good advice I will hold onto forever.” When asked about her favorite thing about teaching, Puleo said, “Watching students gain self-confidence and improve their self-esteem as the year progresses. Watching students be kind to one another gives you a sense of faith in humanity and the future. Students come from all sorts of backgrounds, as teachers we learn from them as well. It’s important to me to make sure that I give attention to all my students because nobody should feel left out or lonely.” Puleo has been teaching for 25 years, allowing her to meet hundreds of different students throughout her career. When asked about something she has seen often, she said, “One common thing I’ve seen throughout teaching is that students want to be heard and noticed, it has never changed.” When Puleo was asked to share something about teaching that she wasn’t told during college, she responded with, “The strong friendships you will make with other teachers. It's crazy when I think about how we’ve all seen each other through different stages in our lives.” Having Puleo among the many amazing teachers here at North High School emphasizes just how extraordinary the staff is. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Evolution of Growing Up By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Aly Buyer I can’t wait to grow up. I can’t wait to go to high school. I can’t wait to drive. I can’t wait to live my life to its fullest. I wish I was like them. I wish I wasn't afraid of failure. I wish I could go back. I wish I wasn’t my own worst enemy. I wanted to live my life. “Life will only get harder from here,” we were told at a young age. We ignored the warning. But now that we are older, We understand that our dreams may not always become reality. And we just have to focus on the little joys of life. BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 November 2, 2022 ARTICLES The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More The Rabbit’s Foot The Rabbit’s Foot Nathaly Zavala Read More PORTFOLIO LOAD MORE

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 10 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The 2024 Presidential Election Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching The 2024 Presidential Election The moment we wait for every four years is on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, when all eligible Americans can cast their vote for the next President of the United States of America. This year’s candidates are Republican Former President Donald Trump, and Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris. The 2024 presidential election is going to be a close one. According to 270toWin, many states are closely split between the Republican and Democratic candidates. Although both candidates have a good shot at winning the election, they have many different views about key issues including abortion and immigration. To better understand Trump and Harris’s opinions on these issues, it is vital to understand the political backgrounds of their parties. The Republicans Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, represents the more conservative ideals. Essentially, the Republican Party is not as liberal when compared to the Democratic party in terms of social policies. However, the party favors a laissez-faire economy, in which the government is more laid back and does not interfere as much by regulating the free-market system. The Democrats Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate who replaced President Joe Biden in the race, represents a more liberal aspect of democracy. Historically, the democratic party has supported government intervention in the economy and continues to stand today as a part of the Democratic Party’s policies. Abortion During his time campaigning, Donald Trump has been inconsistent with his point of view regarding abortion. The Republican Party is more conservative with 57% of its members asserting that abortion “should be illegal in all or most cases” (Pew Research Center). His opponent, Kamala Harris, claims that Trump will enforce a nationwide abortion ban, which Trump claims he will not do. According to CBS News, Trump favors abortion in the cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. Trump also claims that his “administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights” (CBS News). Trump does face backlash from conservatives when he claims he is somewhat in favor of abortion; therefore, understanding his stance on abortion is muddy. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has made the issue of abortion a major aspect of her campaign as she stands for women’s choice regarding their bodies. Harris stated during her campaigning, “Ours is a fight for the future and it is a fight for freedom, like the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do” (CBS News). Harris’s stance on abortion is obvious as she claims that she would not allow an abortion ban to be signed into law; she also claims that when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive rights throughout the nation, she will sign it. Immigration After the inconsistencies with immigration policies in the Biden Administration, Trump, if elected, intends to make immigration stricter and plans to carry out “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” (Peterson Institute for International Economics). Trump also plans to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants; this means that if undocumented parents have a child in the United States, the child will not automatically be a citizen. He also plans to deport pro-Palestinian student protestors along with their visas and abolish humanitarian parole. Trump also plans to extend his wall at the border between the United States and Mexico to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing the border (Peterson Institute for International Economics). Like Joe Biden, Kamala Harris acknowledges the fact that the American immigration system has holes in it which require patching. She claims that the US immigration system “needs to be repaired, and we are working on that in a way that we establish a safe, humane and orderly immigration system at the border” (Peterson Institute for International Economics). According to the Peterson Insititute for International Economics, Harris differs from Trump in that she hopes to increase asylum eligibility as well as increase pathways to legal immigration. Although both candidates differ in their thought processes, it is up to Americans to make their choice on who they hope to see in office for the next four years. Remember to conduct research on the candidate you are voting for; not only does it increase an individual’s knowledge of current events, but understanding why you are voting for a certain candidate makes one a smarter voter. After all, the presidential election comes every four years, giving us citizens the ability to voice our opinions through our ballots. SOURCES: 2024 Presidential Election Polls: Harris vs. Trump - 270toWin Republican Party | Definition, History, & Beliefs | Britannica Trump and Harris' views on abortion and IVF access, explained - CBS News Trump vs. Harris on immigration: Future policy proposals | PIIE Public Opinion on Abortion | Pew Research Center\ Trump vows to end birthright citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants if he wins in 2024 - CBS News BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Valentines’ Sweets By Christina Ossa Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original photo by Christina Ossa With Valentine's Day creeping closer and closer, why not take initiative and bake something sweet for you and your special someone? If you have a valentine, whether it be a significant other or a friend, and you’re wondering what you could give them or do for them to show some love, it could be a good idea to put in some effort to bake them something. Valentine's Day is the day of the lovers or even just special connections with others, so I’ve compiled two recipes for that special someone that you can bake. While it may not be the easiest task, baking can be an amazing way to show someone that you care. Even if you don’t have a valentine, why not treat yourself and bake these sweets for yourself! “Sweetheart” Vanilla Cookies: Similar to its sister cookie, sugar cookies, this cookie is a buttery-delight that would easily please that special someone. These vanilla cookies are a treat for anyone who eats them, as they’re crisp and crunchy on the outside but have a buttery and soft texture when you bite into them. Also for an extra “touch” if you want to add some decoration to your cookies, I added a drizzle of melted white chocolate dyed red. If you want to wow your valentine or even just treat yourself, these cookies will leave you more than satisfied even if it seems like quite a bit of work at first. But, once you have your finished product of a beautiful vanilla cookie, you won’t be unsatisfied with the amount of work you put into them, and neither will your valentine! Ingredients: 3 ⅓ sticks butter 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar 1-2 large eggs 3 ¼ cups flour 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract A pinch of salt 3 oz white chocolate melts 3-4 drops of red food coloring Directions: Either wait until your eggs and butter are room temperature and the butter is softened, or put each stick of butter in the microwave for 10-15 seconds Add your butter to a large bowl and slowly add your powdered sugar and mix with a hand mixer, whisk, or kitchen aid if you have one Add in the eggs one by one, mixing each time you add an egg Just as you mixed in the powdered sugar, pour in the flour little by little and mix it together until fully incorporated (batter should be sticky but not so much that it fully sticks to hands) Add in the salt and vanilla extract then transfer to either a piping bag to pipe the cookies or take about a golf ball size of batter and roll it in your hands into a ball Place or pipe the cookies onto a baking sheet and bake at 340°F for 10-15 minutes *OPTIONAL* Once the cookies are done and cooled down, melt 3 oz of melting white chocolate in a medium-sized bowl and dye it red with red food coloring once melted *OPTIONAL* drizzle the chocolate onto the cookies with a spoon and enjoy! “Cupid’s” Red Velvet Cake Pops Cake-pops are similar to cake since it’s the same as baking a cake only without the more complex icing aspect of it. These valentine red velvet cake-pops are especially delicious, as they’re covered by a hardened-layer of delicious white chocolate or candy and clumped together with decadent buttercream. If you’re deciding whether you want to bake a special treat for your valentine or just to treat yourself, then baking these cake-pops could be an amazing idea. The cake is airy and soft to bite, and the hint of chocolate from the red velvet flavor may be subtle, but is always an amazing touch. If the cake is a bit too much work for you, just substitute it for a boxed cake mix and follow the instructions on the back. If you’re looking for another recipe to bake for that special someone, feel free to wow them with some delicious Valentine themed cake-pops! Ingredients: Cake: 1 ½ sticks butter 5 tbsp sugar 4 egg yolks 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract ⅛ cup milk 3-4 drops red food coloring ¾ cake flour 4 tsp cocoa powder 2 tsp baking powder 4 egg whites ¼ cup sugar OR Substitute with boxed cake mix Buttercream Frosting: 3 sticks unsalted butter (softened) 3 cups powdered sugar 1 tbsp vanilla extract 2-3 tbsp milk Chocolate Coating: 12 oz white chocolate/candy melts 1 ½ tsp coconut oil (or substitute any other flavorless oil) Toppings of choice (sprinkles, candies, etc.) Cake-pop sticks *OPTIONAL* styrofoam Directions: Follow instructions on the back of the boxed cake mix OR Make sure the butter and eggs are room temperature and the butter is softened Separate the egg yolks from the whites Add the butter to a large bowl and mix with a hand mixer, whisk, or kitchen aid until it turns a light yellow and seems airy Once the butter is whipped, add the sugar and mix until combined Add the egg yolks one by one, mixing with every yolk you add-in and add in the vanilla extract Pour in the milk and red food coloring then mix Use a sift to sift in the CAKE flour (a type of flour made to make an airy cake), cocoa powder, and baking powder then use a spatula to fold it in or mix it in then set aside once combined In a separate, medium-sized bowl, pour in your egg whites and use a hand mixer, whisk, or KitchenAid and whisk until the egg whites become frothy/bubbly on the top Once the egg whites look frothy, add your sugar in ⅓’s and 30-second intervals into the egg white mixture (meaning once the whites are frothy add in about ⅓ of the ¼ cup sugar every thirty seconds and mix in between the thirty seconds) until the egg whites form a meringue (or when you take out the mixer they’ll form hardened peaks at the tips of the whisk or mixer attachment, if still confused look up “how to make meringue” on YouTube or Google) Once the merengue is complete, add it in thirds with a rubber spatula into the cake mixture until combined Prepare 2 cake tins with butter or PAM spray and bake the cake at 335°F for 30 minutes Combine the ingredients for the buttercream in a medium-sized bowl while the cake is baking, mix the butter and the sugar together for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy then add the rest into the mixture Melt the white chocolate/candy melts with coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds each time you place it into the microwave until smooth and fully-melted then add either red, pink, or white food coloring Once the cake is out of the oven and cooled, take it out of the tin and into a large-sized bowl and mash it until it’s crumbled, and set it aside Add the frosting into the bowl with the cake until combined Form about a golf-ball sized ball of cake for each cake pop and place a cake pop stick into each ball Dip the cake-pop balls with the sticks on them until it’s fully covered then add decorations of your choosing Either place the cake pops on a baking sheet to dry by smushing the top part onto the baking sheet so that it’s flat or stick the cake pop stick into the styrofoam Place the cake pops in the freezer/fridge for 20-40 minutes until dried, and once dried, enjoy! 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Back to Artwork Black American Artists Back to Sections Slum Gardens No. 3 By Joseph Norman February 12, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 5 Medium: Charcoal on Wove Paper, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Being a Good Ally By Joseph Evola Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Your Queer Story My name is Joseph Evola, the President of North’s Gay-Straight Alliance, and I am going to help you out when or if someone comes out to you as LGBTQIA+. Coming out as a member of the community is something traumatic for almost everyone. The fear of not knowing what someone is going to say or how they will react, the anxiety of not knowing how your parents are going to take it, or even if friends are going to remain after coming out. Knowing this is crucial because a majority of people do not fully understand how traumatic coming out is and how much goes into someone coming out. Some things that lead into this anxiety for coming out are, people using slurs as if it's a normal word, or openly supporting Anti-LGBT groups, but the most important part is what you do after the person comes out to you. Now that you are versed in how traumatic it can be for someone to come out or why they are scared, you can fully understand why your reaction, and what you do or say in those moments, is very important. First, be calm. Reacting with a surprised tone can come off as negative or demeaning during this experience. Second, be kind. From what I previously said, it's very tough and scary for someone to come out to you, so make sure that they know how much you care about them. An example of this is showing them that you still love and support them, and show them that you will stick up for them. Third, be proud. This will contribute to the aspect of being kind. By fully and openly supporting your friend shows them how proud you are of them, who they are, and the courage it took them. An example of this is how all of my friends took me to the Pride parade in NYC in 2019 to show their support. Finally, be understanding. Someone who is doing all of this is going through a lot of trauma, and they might be frustrated with other people's reactions or just the stress of coming out. So if they might be struggling at being a good friend or whatever it is, understand that they are going through something that not many people experience, and they are just struggling. I hope that after you have read this, you understand why coming out is such a big deal and why it is so important that you respond kindly and with respect for them. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Life of a Jellyfish By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Numeral Paint Plunge deep into the dark sea Where there are many wonders to be seen Pearls as small as a pea Fishes that are bright green But the most wondrous of all Is the one that shall never fall They’re shinier than your shoe polish These beautiful jellyfish Some glow in the dark They really know how to leave their mark Others are the most venomous of all One touch and you’ll fall Some jellyfish are vegetarians Others are pescatarians The scariest of all jellyfish Are the ones that eat the other as a dish Jellyfish don’t settle down How do you think they get their crown? They drift throughout oceans Going through several motions They live all over the world Their arms and tentacles have never curled Such fascinating creatures They go on so many adventures However, don’t get a jellyfish sting Or else you’ll never be able to sing These wonders don’t like to be tampered with They’ll leave you battered Gorgeous, yet deadly After all jellyfish aren’t known to be friendly BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Fitness in a Global Pandemic By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by ProRedhadb PC Exercise. Mankind’s social construct to maintain both physical health and even mental wellness. Although you might not exercise daily, it is certain that you have before. With that said, after the pandemic first hit, many of our fitness tracks came to a halt. Whether we found pleasure in it or not, it’s safe to say that many left fitness behind at one point. Along with this, the importance of fitness during a time of COVID-19 shines through our extra belly fat and random spikes of unwanted laziness. However, it should be noted that there are various ways to keep fit during these strange times. Whether through a one-minute “Flipgrid” video or a daily routine, it definitely could be done. The Benefits of Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic Although we may not want to exercise, it sure is necessary, especially while we’re at home binge-watching our favorite cheesy Netflix originals that happen to be very captivating. Anyway, studies show that levels of anxiety have greatly increased in the past year. Surprisingly enough, a few minutes of exercise a day can aid in preventing an anxious mindset. According to Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s department of health and wellness, strength training has indicated a reduction in symptoms of anxiety for individuals without any type of anxiety disorder. This research highlights the importance of exercise for not only our physical health, but mental health as well. Michigan Medicine’s research further highlights the psychological benefits of exercise. For instance, it promotes positive feelings; “For children and adolescents, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and exercise during the day are associated with elevations in self-esteem, improved concentration, reductions in depressive symptoms, and improvements in sleep”. With all of that said, there are a plethora of easy-to-perform exercises you can do at home…some you might even recognize from your gym class. How has fitness changed? As I mentioned before, fitness during these times has seen rapid and immense change. This is greatly evident in your very own gym class. I had the privilege of interviewing North High School’s PE instructor, Ms. Abbate, about the benefits of fitness, physical education during the pandemic, and her very own exercise routines. What are some of the exercises you've assigned to you students? “We assigned our students more fitness concepts rather than actual exercises. As a department we felt it helped students to understand WHY certain exercises are done and how they benefit the body rather than just giving them a list of workouts to do. Plus, not being able to supervise them while doing exercises at home is a safety concern. Physical fitness is something that will always be part of your life and understanding how you have to modify based on your current fitness level is important to everyone.” How has your teaching style changed for both Health class and physical education? “UGH. How hasn’t it changed? PE was super limited in the beginning and we were not permitted to use any equipment at first, which is kind of critical in PE. I think just having the break from sitting in front of a screen for students who came in person gave PE that glimmer of light that other classes couldn’t offer. But it’s not the same at all; whether you all realize it or not, PE is more than just getting activity in. You’re meshed with students of other grades, some probably not your tight group of friends, working together and breaking social boundaries that aren’t always offered in other class settings. As Ms. Zovich often says, you learn the history of some of the activities we do that ‘might come in handy if you’re ever on Jeopardy! one day!’ and the light-heartedness of PE now is just overshadowed by restrictions. As far as health, a lot of what we do is based on what is called “skills based learning”, meaning we teach through activity. For example, a lesson I love in the Drug and Alcohol Unit involves making everyone jog in place in the classroom and see how they feel. Then they try again but this time I give them a straw (usually I’m able to snag a bunch from Starbucks in the morning) and have them jog in place only breathing through the straw. The point being that it is more challenging, representing how it would feel to have lungs that were damaged from smoking cigarettes/e-cigarettes. While I could probably do that with my in person students, what about those who are fully remote? That was a big challenge I found with revamping my lessons, I would get it to work but then remembered there would be students that I would never have in the classroom. Which brings me to another point, there are students I’ve genuinely never met; this is only my second year at North so most of my students are new to me regardless. Having only met them through a screen is wild to me. So much of health class deals with that quality in person face-to-face experience that this year is lacking. It is quite a challenge to facilitate that same quality connection to fully remote students. It breaks my heart to see you all going through your days like this. To end on a positive note, I’ve improved with my technology use, which is cool. “ What are some exercises YOU do at home to stay fit? “I love to run the boardwalk in Long Beach where I live. If I put on a good playlist or podcast I really get to escape and just go, the views are great too! [I use a] Peloton login, so I have that app with tons of different workouts, not just cycling. I recently started seeing a personal trainer too who is great; it’s 1 on 1 which makes me feel really good with COVID safety protocols and it’s a workout catered just to me”. Do the exercises you assign have both psychological and physical benefits? “Again, like I said we didn’t assign specific exercises we assigned fitness related concepts, but generally speaking if students were to apply those concepts the benefits both physically and mentally are huge. When you exercise, like even something super simple as taking a 20-30 minute walk, is enough to get your heart working enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and decrease body fat. As far as mentally, exercise increases your memory (more blood flow to the brain), helps you sleep more restfully, and over time can make your mood elevated and lower stress levels. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to get quality exercise in and reap these benefits, start small and consistency is key!” Although it may be hard to find the motivation to exercise, it is definitely worth the try. From psychological benefits to physical outcomes, performing a 20-30 workout everyday proves to have its perks. Whether it’s learning why fitness holds such great importance, or simply the desire to stay fit, exercise and fitness will always be of great importance in our daily lives. BACK TO TOP