Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Lion and the Lamb Leah Ally Volume 6 Issue 3 Image Provided by Unsplash They had always lived in conflict — the lion, ferocious, powerful, and ready to pounce at any given moment, and the lamb, soft, delicate, and sensitive beyond measure. The lion constantly intimidated the lamb for his weak appearance and dainty demeanor , while the lamb lived in fear. They were too different from each other to ever live in complete harmony. This morning was no different than usual, as the lamb carefully walked through the tall grass, waking itself up a little more with each step. The lion on the other hand carefully watched the lamb from a distance, ready to make his usual jeering remarks. It was at this moment; the lamb had appeared to be unable to get through the muddy terrain amidst the weeds. Watching with a smirk, the lion appeared to enjoy the lamb’s seemingly harmless struggle. Within seconds the lamb had started to wail in pain and horror. Forgetting every sense of being enemies, the lion leaped to help the lamb, using all his might to sprint through the harsh conditions. Eventually, reaching him, the lion helped the lamb out of the mud and led him to safety. Every day after that there was a newfound trust between the two, the lamb no longer lived in fear, and the lion no longer lived to intimidate, instead they lived in complete harmony and friendship. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Student Spotlight: Eyslin Turcios (Interview) Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Eyslin Turcios Picture provided by Eyslin Turcios I had the privilege on interviewing our VSN’s pride Eyslin Turcios who is on her way to make history, and this is how it went: How did you get into wrestling and who introduced you to the sport? Turcios: “Both of younger siblings wrestle and they’re really good at it, which is why I decided to join last year, so now it is my second year being part of our wrestling team.” What do you love the most about wrestling? Turcios: “I love the environment our group creates; we make fun of one another all the time!” What aspect of wrestling do you think is the most challenging? Turcios: “It’s cutting weight for the weight class depending on how much you weigh and what weight class you are in. It is also how intense wrestling practices can be.” What do you want people to know more about wrestling? Turcios: “That wrestling is both fun and challenging. You will wrestle opponents that have more experience than you, but you will learn a lot from them. You will gain strengths the more you wrestle and learn.” What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Turcios: “I got first place! and I was able to get it Sunday, January 5th at Uniondale for All Girls’ Wrestling Freestyle.” How do you deal with stress before a match? Turcios: “I walk around, warm up, listen to music and I just don’t think about it too much.” What strengths do you think you have that makes you a great athlete? Turcios: “My supporters are my strength” What sport is your favorite to play other than wrestling? Turcios: “Soccer because I’ve been playing it since 4th grade” What is a short-term goal you would like to achieve at the end of this season? Turcios: “Get first place in All Girls County” Who is a wrestler you look up to? Turcios: “I look up to Naomi Gonzalez; she’s also a girl wrestler and a State Champion. She has more experience than me and I get to learn a lot from her. Also, my brothers... they’re amazing!” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming wrestlers? Turcios: “Wrestling is both a physical and mental sport so be prepared for that and just do you best.” Wrestling Team Opinions on Eyslin: What do you like the most about Eyslin? Alex Poh (VSN Wrestler): “She’s funny and she brings joy while we are conditioning.” Yonny Turcios (VSN Wrestler): “She’s energetic, caring and loving. For wrestling she would cheer you on even if you’re losing and specially when you’re winning; she’s a big supporter for other people.” Naomi Gonzalez (VSN Wrestler): “Her dedication; it’s hard being a girl wrestler. Especially as for right now when there is no one except me and her, it is a hard thing to do.” Jasraj Bajwa (VSN Wrestler) : “She’s second is the county, she’s killing it! She won her first tournament. She teaches freestyle to the people who don’t even do freestyle. I think she’s gonna win counties.” Coach Vic: “She’s tough and she wants to punish these girls on the mat and that is what we need to do, because we are here to win, then we will make friends.” What do you do to help Eyslin achieve her goals? Coach Vic: “I push her to reach her goals. I support her where she needs support. I need to get her to make her weight, and when she gets on that mat, to put it to these other girls the way she should because she practices hard, trains hard and gets what she earns and that’s a First-Place medal!” And she has done it! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections I Love the Color Green Shea Flannelly I love the color green And the emotions it makes me feel. The grass shards, The way the branches bless me by gifting me its leaves. The sun shines on my face as I swim through the memories of when it was light. I love the color green! She lifts me from my labyrinth and makes my vision strawberry tinted. She takes me to where it is not grey and depressing, Where the shadows feast on the body in my bed that is not mine. She gives and she kisses and she embraces me, with all the love she can bestow. She brings me back into the girl that I can finally recognize, Back to the water, the ground, the trees. I am grounded, I hope I can stay. Can I make time stop? Can I be here forever? Four months will never be enough, but even so, Even when she is asleep, drained from giving me her all, I will still love the color green For as long as I am here. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections M'oreal By Nora Chery Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Wikipedia The year is now 2053, and now memories along with consciousness can be saved and transferred They can be transferred to new and improved bodies Memories and conscious Downloaded into chips that’ll be placed in bodies. Ones that are artificial, but well-crafted People can now be clever than they were before People can be better looking than they were before People can be faster and lighter than they were before. Nobody will have to be stuck with bodies they despise, With looks they despise; with skills they despise. Anyone can be who they wish to become. Of course, this costs money. For those with enough money to modify To give the company, L'Oreal. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections COPPA Compliance and the Importance of Internet Safety By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Termly Have you ever wondered how safe you were on the internet? How much information were websites taking and why? How safe is your information on the internet? Certain rules have been put in place to ensure the safety of you and your information. In particular, children’s information has been the focus of government officials and lawmakers. COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rules) is a set of rules and regulations in place for online companies that market towards children under 13 years of age. COPPA was originally written out and suggested in 1998 due to a growth in companies that targeted children. COPPA was only enacted in 2000 and has seen multiple reviews and updates since then from 2001-2022 by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). COPPA applies certain rules to websites and companies that are directed towards or collect the information of children under 13 years of age. If COPPA applies to a company, certain information needs to be included in the company’s privacy policy. Namely, the type of information taken and its reason for use. Additionally, parental consent is required in terms of seeking a child’s information. Personal information cannot be taken for longer than it is being used and data collected must be under careful supervision when in use and when it is discarded. Websites can only share the information with third-party operators’ who can ensure its safety and confidentiality. Parental consent and confidentiality of information are very important and are top priorities of the FTC when it comes to COPPA and the internet in general. So, you can rest easy knowing that your information is federally protected. Safety is one of the first components to be considered while surfing the web. While the internet is a fun place, it is also a dangerous one. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of your interactions on the internet. Going to dangerous websites jeopardizes your safety, your computer’s safety, and the safety of people around you. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Christmas Cookies! By Erin Garnier Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Imager provided by Betty Crocker Kitchen Christmas cookies are a staple of the holiday season. Whether you're baking for a party, as a family activity, or just to have a tasty treat on hand, making Christmas cookies is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the season. Recipe: To make Christmas cookies, you'll need some basic baking ingredients such as flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. You'll also need some decorative ingredients such as sprinkles, icing, and candy canes. First, preheat your oven to 350 ° Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until they are light and fluffy. Beat the eggs and vanilla extract, then gradually stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until a dough forms. Next, roll out the dough on a floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes of your choice. Place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake them in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes or until they are lightly golden. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, you can decorate them with icing and sprinkles. Try using red and green icing and topping the cookies with crushed candy canes for a traditional Christmas look. And there you have it – delicious homemade Christmas cookies that will surely be a hit with family and friends. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg 3 cups plain all-purpose flour 3/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt Icing for Sugar Cookies Sprinkles Candy canes BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections He is waiting for us By Nora Chery Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Amazon I could still recall the memory like it was merely a few days ago. It was a Tuesday-or Friday evening; the sunlight bathed me with its warmth as I was stepping along a path that leads to my home. It had sandwiched me with fences of flowers in contrasting hues, flowing past me with their scents passively entering my snout. The trail riddled with silence; only the whoosh of the petals and the noise of grass being stepped kept it from being deafening. I felt like I could breathe with ease. I felt small fingers squeeze around my much broader ones; I looked down to see my Alex’s round brown eyes staring up at me with his tiny mouth moving up to a smile. “It’s time to go home!” he said bouncing up and down. I beamed at him. “Uh-huh, Daddy’s waiting for us,” I replied, glancing straight at the flowery path which seemed a lot deeper than I expected. Still, it didn’t trouble me. “The toads are humming, that means it’s time to fly home” A tune spring up from my three-year-old' s mouth, his head swaying from side to side. “Where did you hear that song?” I asked, my view still on the path. “From—” He replied then stood still. I looked down to find his face staring at something, his round face framed with awe. I peered in his direction to meet a brown-colored puppy laying under a shrub layered with dark crimson roses, only a few steps away. I would’ve called it cute if its behind wasn’t facing in my direction. I suddenly felt my child’s puny hand slip out of mine; I saw him run towards the dog with his back towards me. He crouched down, laying his small hand down on its stomach. “Hey, don’t touch if you don’t know where it’s been!” I scolded, jogging up to catch up to him. I froze. The puppy was dead, obviously. There was a large gash across its tiny throat, with blood taking its time to seep out making a red puddle on the concrete. It was a nerve-wracking sight to see, and a three-year-old shouldn’t witness such a thing. I slowly reached my hand out, aiming it towards his small back. “It’s dead,” a much deeper voice came from my son’s mouth; I sprang my forearm back in dismay. I marveled to myself. Did that really come out of my son? It sounded exactly like a grown man, almost like my husband. I tried to keep my cool but being taken aback had made it quite difficult. “Now...now honey I—” Then Alex stood up, but I wasn’t looking down at him, I was staring up at him. He turned to me, I looked at the face of my husband who smiled at me. “Don’t worry about it, it’s just a dog” he whispered softly as he wrapped his large fingers around my much smaller fingers, “It’s time to go home,” he said. “...Uh-huh...Alex’s waiting for us,” I replied softly, dazed with bewilderment, as we walked alongside the flowery path, leaving the puppy behind. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Explaining The Holy Month of Ramadan By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Shutterstock What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is the holy month of fasting. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar signaling the beginning and end of Ramadan, which depends on the appearance of the crescent moon. In 2022, Ramadan will begin on April 2nd and end on May 1st; however, these dates may vary slightly across different countries due to the moon’s appearance. In Islam, it is believed that during Ramadan on Laylat al-Qadr , also known as the “Night of Power,” God revealed the holy book for Muslims, known as the Quran, to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that during Ramadan, individuals who fast, pray, and have faithful intentions will have all their past sins forgiven by God. What Muslims do during Ramadan The holy month of Ramadan is a time for Muslims to practice self-restraint, spiritual reflections, and growth. Ramadan allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. Sawm , one of the five pillars of Islam, is practiced during Ramadan. Not only meaning the obligation to fast, but sawm also means refraining from food, drinking, unkind thoughts, and immoral behaviors. Before Muslims begin their fast for the day, they have a pre-dawn meal known as suhur (this word may vary between languages). Fajar , the morning prayer, signals to Muslims that their fast for the day has started. Maghrib , the prayer during sunset, allows Muslims to break their fast. Muslims break their fast with the meal known as iftar , which is usually “broken” with eating dates, following Prophet Muhammad’s actions. The fasting hours change with seasons, with summer fasts being longer (16+ hours) than winter fasts (8+ hours). Additional prayers, also known as tarawih , are offered at night and are generally performed in mosques. During tarawih , the entire Quran may be recited throughout Ramadan. Zakat (charity), one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory during Ramadan. All Muslims must give 2.5% of all their assets to charity each year. How sawm is invalidated and reasons why individuals don’t have to fast You have probably heard of Muslims fasting, but have you ever heard that fasts can sometimes become invalid? Yes, you heard that right! A Muslim’s fast can become invalid if they eat or drink on purpose. If an individual forgets that they’re fasting and accidentally eats or drinks, their fast is still valid because they did not mean to consume anything. If a Muslim is ill or traveling during Ramadan, they are not obligated to fast. Muslim women who are pregnant or nursing, the weak and old, travelers on long journeys, children, and the mentally ill are excused from fasting. Menstruating women cannot fast, but it is not because they are considered impure. Instead, it is because it becomes harder to fast when a woman is menstruating, which is why God has made this time easier for women. Healthy adults and older children must fast, but if they miss any of the reasons listed above, they will have to make the missing fasts up after Ramadan is over. The end of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr’s “Feast of Fast-Breaking” celebrations mark the end of Ramadan. It is one of the two major holidays in the Islamic calendar, the second one being Eid al-Adha. This holiday marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to. The pilgrimage is known as hajj . During Eid al-Fitr, people wear new clothes, delicious food is made, gifts are given, the graves of deceased family members are visited, people pray in mosques, and gather with their families. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship With Someone By Ala Paruch Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Golden Tech Hi Ala, As a senior, it's hard to escape from the social media bubble. Whether it be social anxiety distractions or insecurities that stem from being on Instagram all the time and seeing what people are posting and doing on nights out, how can I maintain a healthier relationship with social media? Dear Reader, Thank you so much for asking this excellent question. I feel this question hits home for many students, and it poses many issues for adolescents and high schoolers. Social media takes up many people's time; just look at your screen time. Using it for so long gives social media a chance to influence us greatly. We get an insight into people's lives, projects, and even food. The beautiful photo compositions, stunning drawings, and stories lure the users in with seemingly no end. As users, we must remember that Instagram and other platforms only show what the author wants to show. The outwardly perfect lives of people on social media are filled with struggles, pain, and sadness outside of the frame of the posts. I notice the more time I spend on social media, the more I doubt myself, my abilities, and my choices. The constant comparisons those platforms force upon us can create anxiety, depression, and even cause people to consider suicide. Thus, it is essential not to let yourself fall into the spiral of despair. Firstly, internalize that the content shown on social media is not the whole truth. This will help you stop comparing yourself to others. Also, remember that making different life choices or being at a different stage in life is okay! Everyone advances at a different rate. You can also try limiting your screen time on social media. You can either specify the time spent or the number of posts you look at each day. This will require a lot of self-control and will take a lot of time to adjust to, so be patient with yourself. When you are on social media, remember that you decide when you start and stop watching social media and choose who you follow. If you know that a specific user makes you anxious or doubtful, you can simply unfollow them. This is, of course, not to say you can't delete social media, but it's understandable to want to keep it. Social media has a lot of positives, so try to concentrate on what makes you happy. Make it a platform to improve your day, not diminish your self-worth. I hope this helps! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes By Elaine Ching, Angelina Odone, and Nora Rivera Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original photography by Elaine Ching Do you want a cold treat to go with the slightly colder temperature? Or how about just some cookies? If so, use this recipe to make your homemade ice cream sandwiches/sugar cookies. Ingredients Sugar Cookies: · 3 cups powdered sugar · 2 cups butter, softened · 2 teaspoons vanilla · 1 teaspoon almond extract · 2 eggs · 5 cups flour · 2 teaspoons baking soda · 2 teaspoons cream of tartar · 1 container of sprinkles Ice Cream: · 2 tubs of ice cream (Feel free to get more or less!) Steps 1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Beat the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract, and eggs in a large bowl. We recommend an electric mixer, but a spoon works too. After it’s all well combined and fluffy, stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. 2. Take the dough out of the refrigerator. It might have to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then take parchment paper and lay it on a cookie sheet. Pour sprinkles into a bowl. Take small balls from the dough and roll and then flatten them. After, stick the dough in the bowl and press down, so the sprinkles stick to the dough. Next, lay it on the cookie sheet. Place each cookie about 1 inch apart. Repeat until you have desired number of cookies. 3. Bake for 4-7 minutes. Leave them to cool. 4. After they’ve cooled, take your ice cream out. Scoop out some ice cream and spread it on one cookie. The ice cream should be about one inch high. Then take another cookie and smash it on top. Repeat till you have the desired amount of ice cream sandwiches. You can either eat them right after or leave them in the freezer for a while! 5. Enjoy! BACK TO TOP