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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections A Goodbye to North By Olivia Neuner Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by the LI Herald Like most people, I did not have a great 7th grade experience. Since about 5th grade, I had basically spent every free second with my best friend, Chloe. When her family decided to send her to Kellenberg, I was left to navigate middle school without her, which was extremely difficult. The few friends I had shared either one or no classes with me, so the only person I really had was my twin brother (which is great and all, but having no close friends felt AWFUL). I tried to branch out to little avail: I didn’t make the volleyball team, didn’t pass the audition for jazz band, and the people I tried talking to didn’t seem interested. I thought heavily about transferring to Memorial but feared it would be the same there. Nevertheless, I dragged through the next year and the next. I eventually did get a spot in the jazz band and made a few friends and reconnected with a few from Dever. As far as school goes, it all went up from there! After six years, I can say the tide changed the second half of my high school experience. In 9th grade, I joined North’s no-cut Badminton team, where I was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to do my best. I also joined the district Performing Arts Program, where I have spent the last four years singing, dancing, and acting with pride in my school. It was in these places that I made some of my best friends and met some of my favorite teachers. I am so thankful that I get to end out my year -somewhat- normally as I have been fully in person since March. I wanted to point out the differences in these years to show any younger North students that having a bad middle school experience is “normal”. It took a while, but I am finally happy with how my high school years turned out. Join everything you can! You’ll find your place, even if it’s not where you thought it would be. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Chalk Pastel Peppers Back to Sections Chalk Pastel Peppers- Maida Redzepovic Maida Redzepovic November 6, 2023 Chalk Pastel Volume 4 Issue 1

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

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Happy Park By Luiginna Frederique January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Isabella Somma - What is Line By Isabella Somma November 1, 2020 Graphite Volume 1 Issue 1

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Zaiden Jackson - Portrait - 1 By Zaiden Jackson January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Beyond The Pool: Interview with Varsity Swimmer Sarah Flynn Melanie Cevada Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Sarah Flynn In 2023, Valley Stream North was proud to announce a new addition to the fall sports season lineup: District Girls Swimming. Among this new team, junior Sarah Flynn is one of the first students to compete. In this interview, Sarah shares her experience both personally and with her team. When did you begin swimming? Flynn: “I started swimming when I was around 4 or 5 years old. It's always been a sort of constant in my life, but it didn't get serious until they started a team here at Valley Stream. I've swam on other teams for the past 12 years, but having the varsity experience is far more significant. With a varsity team, I now have the ability to compete for my school at bigger competitions such as divisions and counties, and I have a better chance of getting seen by college coaches.” What or who inspired you to begin swimming? Flynn: “I would say my family was the biggest inspiration to me and the reason why I began swimming so young. I would always watch my sister's practices and meets and wanted to be just like her. My parents were also very involved in the team, so I always felt comfortable in that environment.” How was your experience with the team this past season? Flynn: “My experience with the team this season was really fun. The coaches are so nice and encouraging, and the girls on the team are so friendly. This season, we got to compete at the county championships and made finals which was very exciting for all of us. The bond that we have as a team is very rewarding!” What is your routine? Flynn: “This past season, our schedule was a bit erratic. We typically had practice for 2-3 days and had one meet each week. When we get to the pool, we warm up for about 20-30 minutes and then get into our main set.” How do you balance school and sports in your schedule? Flynn: “At first, I found it hard to balance swimming and schoolwork, but it was something I got better at throughout the season. I always made sure to note when I had practice or meets so I could leave myself enough time to complete my work without rushing at the last minute.” How have you handled high-pressure situations during meets? Flynn: “Some meets can be stressful for me, so I try to remind myself that I'm doing it to see improvements in my own times rather than trying to beat my opponents. I focus my energy on getting a personal best time and use the stress to push myself harder.” How have you improved your performance this season, and what would you do differently for the next season? Flynn: “This season, I was able to improve my performance by focusing on more specific goals. Last season, I didn't really have a goal in mind for myself so I couldn't reach where I exactly wanted to be. This season, I set myself on getting a time to make it to the counties meet, and I was able to accomplish that. Next season, I'll try to work on becoming a more well-rounded swimmer and focusing on other events.” Share a moment when the advice from your coach significantly improved your performance. Flynn: “My coach was very good at giving advice and constantly reminded us how much the little things mattered. She told us how our starts and turns are and where we can make small adjustments that will improve our races. Most people focus only on the stroke, but focusing on those little details was much more beneficial to me and to the rest of the team as well.” What conflict(s) did you encounter this season, and how did you resolve this? Flynn: “Toward the end of my season, I was a bit conflicted because I didn't think I would make the Counties cut. It was my goal, but I decided to not be too hard on myself if I didn't make the cut. Instead of focusing on the fear that I might not reach my goal, I focused on swimming as best as I could, and I ended up making the cut!” What advice would you give to any students interested in joining the team? Flynn: “I would recommend this team to anybody who is willing to put in the work. The girls and coaches are so friendly to everyone, and I think it's such a good environment. Swimming could be of the harder sports to pick up, but we are welcoming to people of all skill levels! Everybody starts somewhere, and there is no reason to be discouraged. We are always looking for more swimmers to build the team!” BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Nayab Raja - Perspective - 1 By Nayab Raja December 16, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Family Photo By Luiginna Frederique January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Kaylan Peters - Prism By Kaylan Peters November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2