Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Boy's Varsity Basketball Recap with Interviews Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Sophia Song Our Boys’ Varsity Basketball team ended their great season with 13 wins and 7 losses. They went on to the Nassau Class A playoffs and won the first round against Locust Valley with the score 59 – 39 following their quarterfinal round against Friends Academy with the score 58 – 51. The team had started their season with an amazing 6-win streak which included their exceptional matches against Island Trees finishing at a score of 67-44, Oceanside 55-48, Glen Cove 75-48 and more. Great plays from our basketball players Christian St. Amand (#4), Kaisei Sasagawa-Fields (#13), Vincent Rienzie (#2), Noah Obukwelu (#25), Ezekiel Morris (#5), Tristian Mitchell (#1), Omarion Holder (#3), Gavin Ferreira (#11), Mathew Hunt (#20) and Chris Chan (#22) who played incredibly and showed resilience throughout the season. Other matches against Valley Stream South with the dashing score of 50-34, Kings Park 68-52 and Locust Valley 61-54 showed our players’ dominance on the court. I was lucky enough to talk with a few of the senior basketball players that have really showed their skills during their last season for the betterment of the team. Ezekiel Morris How did you get started with basketball, and what inspired you to play? Morris: “I introduced and inspired by my brother back in 2019.” Who are your favorite basketball players and what do you admire about them? Morris: “Anthony Edwards and Collin Sexton are my favorite basketball players, and I admire their defensive play and how intense they are on court.” Can you describe your typical training routine Morris: “I run a mile and come back off court and do 200 shots on court.” What's your favorite basketball drill to practice? Morris: “My favorite drill is called Texas; it’s a 2-3 drill.” What life lessons has basketball taught you? Morris: “To be more outgoing and out there in the world.” Can you describe a time when you need a clutch shot in a game? Morris: “Last year I got a last-minute bucket against Plainedge for like 30 seconds left.” What is your favorite place to run on offense or defense? Morris: “Line. I’ll be near the basket, and somebody would be in the middle, and they would throw me the ball.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? “Play a lot of defenses, don’t shy away from the ball, and be confident.” Christian St. Amand How did you get started with basketball, and what introduced you to the sport? St. Amand: “My dad taught me at a very young age, and I love playing basketball till this day.” Who are your favorite basketball players and what do you admire about them? St. Amand: “Lebron James and I admire his hard work and dedication to the game.” What is your favorite basketball memory or game? St. Amand: “When I was in 8th grade, I dropped like 25 points, and I had a pretty good game.” What are your short-term and long-term goals in basketball? St. Amand: “My short-term goal is getting better every day; every day there’s a new obstacle. My long-term goal is to hopefully get money to play basketball some more.” Have you ever had to overcome a challenge with your team? How did you do it? St. Amand: “There’s ups and downs to the game and when you start losing...guys start getting down of themselves, but we just all have to stay together and pick each other up.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? St. Amand: “Stay focused stay locked in and be dedicated to the game” Gavin Ferreira How did you get started with basketball, and what inspired you to play? Ferreira: “I got started when I was 5 years old. The person who inspired me to play basketball was my brother but the person who motivates me to this day is Jalen Brunson [an American basketball point guard].” What is your favorite basketball memory or game? Ferreira: “My favorite basketball memory is when the team last year clinched conference champs.” What aspects of your game are you currently working on? Ferreira: “I’m currently working on my handles and finishing at the rim.” What is your favorite basketball movie and why? Ferreira: “My favorite basketball movie is The Last Dance because it gave me a history lesson about the game, and it also showed me how good of a player [Michael] Jordan was.” How do you support your teammates on the court? Ferreira: “Whenever I could I try to lift my teammates heads up when they’re down.” What is your favorite basketball drill to practice? Ferreira: “My favorite drill is the 3 on 2 shooting. It’s just rapid-fire shots for a minute straight; it’s really fun.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? Ferreira: “Enjoy these years because after school, most people are done playing sports, so just enjoy it.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Inflation Crisis By Everton Prospere Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by AZ Central The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unforeseen crisis along with the deadly disease, inflation. Inflation, which is the increase in prices with a decrease in the purchasing value of money, has existed as a major problem in the United States (U.S.) since the formation of the country. However, economists have generally controlled the issue, predicting inflating prices and acting appropriately. With the pandemic though, the economy has spiraled out of control, with inflation reaching all-time highs. According to Investopedia , a financial website based in the U.S., inflation primarily occurs from “an increase in production costs or an increase in demand for products and services.” In economic terms, demand-pull inflation is the increase in demand by consumers and, in turn, the price of a specific product. Cost-push inflation is the smaller supply and higher price of a product because of an increase in the price of a key resource. These terms are important, as both demand and resources play a role in the history of inflation in the U.S. For example, in the 1970s, the U.S. experienced heavy inflation due to a limited amount of oil available in the U.S. As per the Federal Reserve, the low supply of oil is attributed to President Nixon’s and the U.S.’s support of Israel in the Fourth Arab-Israeli War. The Middle East supplies a high amount of oil to the world; therefore, these countries - such as Saudi Arabia and Libya - formed a group known as the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) to control and protect the economic oil activities of these nations as a united force. OAPEC then punished the U.S., along with several other supporters of Israel, by creating an oil embargo, which stopped oil exports to the nations targeted. The demand by consumers that followed stimulated high oil prices, as not enough of the resource was available to offer the growing vehicle industry in the U.S. In addition, due to the high oil prices and the other areas of the economy adversely affected, money also lost much of its value, as one could not pay the same amount for oil as paid for before the crisis. Evidently, inflation has shown its impact before in the U.S. While both demand and key resources played a role in the 1970s oil crisis, the current situation is largely attributed to demand. Jeanna Smialek of The New York Times reports that the pandemic has caused many supply chain issues, such as the clogging of shipping routes. However, the cause also lies in consumers; as she states, “consumers, who collectively built-up big savings thanks to months in lockdown and repeated government stimulus checks, are spending robustly and their demand is driving part of the inflation.” According to the Bureau of Labor and the consumer price index, inflation is currently at 6.8%, meaning prices increased by that percentage. This number, almost a 40 year high, is completely off course from the federal target of 2%. While this significant number continues to be monitored, it remains far from the 1970s, when the U.S. experienced inflation rates of over 10%. However, the current 6.8% shows a dangerous upward trend, inching closer and closer to record levels of inflation. Overall, the U.S. has continued to act as a world leader economically. Compared to Turkey - which, according to the BBC, has inflation rates of upwards of 36% - the U.S. has controlled the pandemic and its inflation rates successfully. However, until the pandemic’s negative effects end, Americans will continue to see high inflation rates. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Weight By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original artwork by Nora Chery Wilma Top sucked in a breath and released it as she placed all her weight on the bathroom scale. Rapidly increasing, the numbers on the scale meant everything to Wilma. Panting, she impatiently waited for the numbers to decide her fate. How much weight did I lose? The thought multiplied, swarming around her head like wasps, almost filling her small white bathroom. Suddenly, the display froze; unfeeling black numbers filled the small box. In a fit of rage, she stepped off the scale and slammed it into the wall. It bounced on the tile floor with a loud rattle as Wilma wailed. She weighed 250 lbs. Entering her pale and empty bedroom, she ripped off her baggy shirt. Its large size once brought her comfort but now it seemed to be tighter than ever. Wilma felt her elephant-sized stomach churn; her buzzing thoughts began to sting. Staring at her mirror, she couldn’t help but think: “I look like a tub of lard.” Her arms and legs jiggled disgustingly as she moved them. “You’re a disgrace; look what you’ve done, look what eating has done to you,” her thoughts roared. Wilma slapped her hands over her ears, “I know!... I’m sorry, I-I’ll do better.” “You look like a whale—no a pig, always wanting food and always looking for more.” Her mind was relentless. As her thoughts grew louder, she screamed in an attempt to down them out. Wilma’s stifled scream was enough to reach the ears of her mother. Mrs. Top wrinkled, napping face sprang alive. She flew up the stairs and sprinted up to Wilma’s bedroom. Worriedly, she knocked on her daughter’s door and asked, “Wilma, is everything alright?” All Mrs. Top heard was a muffled gag. Mrs. Top turned the knob and shoved the door open. Her eyes scanned the small bedroom. She saw no sight of Wilma until the door creaked open. A small girl wobbled out of the bathroom, every bone and joint poked out of her thin, sheet-like skin. She glanced at her mother; her vomit-stained mouth turned into a smile. “Don’t worry, only a couple more pounds to lose.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections MBK Zo Elrington Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 The My Brother's Keeper Club at their Project Adventure trip. Image Provided by Ms. Coleman. The My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative, started in 2014 by President Barack Obama, seeks to “Change the Narrative” of boys and young men by closing and eliminating the opportunity gaps they face and helping them reach their full potential. Last year, the initiative was brought to the Valley Stream Central High School District. The pioneering members of VSN's MBK embraced the mentoring brotherhood organization at VSN. VSN’s MBK went on a field trip to Brookville Outdoor and Environmental Education Center’s 20-acre land. In conjunction with the other MBK chapters of our Valley Stream Central High School District, the young men participated in adventure education and teambuilding courses focused on developing trust, communication, problem-solving, risk-taking, and cooperation. Spanning over the center’s twenty-acre former NIKE Missile Base, the teams, diversified into six to eight MBK members from each group, navigated a series of field challenges and trials in the chilling cold. Collective Motion In the first challenge, the boys were tasked by their Brookville Sherpas to complete a racecourse wearing giant team skis. The classic teambuilding exercise, amplified by the biting cold and slippery gravel, initially proved challenging for the boys before they applied their MBK tenets to the exercise. They realized the key to the exercise was to unify and actively listen under one leading voice, a tenet they practice in their respective weekly meetings with the aid of a talking piece or stick. After having this epiphany, the boys were able to finish the racecourse in never-before-seen times and fashions - forwards, backwards, and even while facing different directions on the same skis! The important lesson of unifying under one voice provided a solid example and reinforced the initiatives founding beliefs of organized communal collective work to achieve the same goals and in this case, staying afoot. Building Bridges In the second challenge, the boys were tasked by their Sherpas, in riddle like fashion, to transport each brother platform to platform across three wooden blocks spaced ten feet away from each other. The boys could only use two short planks to set transversely across the gap, relying on their brothers to stand and secure the first plank as they walked across to the second one which overlapped the first plank and connected to the next platform. Repeating this process, they placed plank on top of plank and reached the end ensuring that every brother crossed safely, leaving no man behind. The practice reinforced and symbolized the process of building bridges, a tenet important to MBK’s mission to build bridges of opportunity for boys and young men of color. By Each Other’s Bootstraps The next challenge seemed to be the thrill of the day for many of the brothers. The men shot gasps and gawks at the twelve-foot wall that hung amongst the Brookville trees. The Sherpas, demonstrating the danger of the exercise, told the boys what they’d have to do in a serious fashion, losing the blissful ignorance that might’ve been construed by the previous riddles. The boys would have to support each other up the wall and onto the platform above. Those who summited first assisted in pulling the scaler up the wall while those on the bottom boosted their teammates by cupping their feet in their hands and pushing upwards. The coordinated support and trust of the boys secured and simplified the seemingly risky exercise, as they pulled each other over the wall. The overarching message could not be ignored, as they learned the lesson of peer support in overcoming physical and social obstacles in pursuit of improved outcomes. Redefining the idiom, they pulled each other up by each other’s bootstraps above the wall, symbolizing collective assistance in overcoming social inequities, an important goal of the MBK initiative. The Future The junior members, two of whom will attend the MBK New York State Symposium in Albany this year and continue “Changing the Narrative,” cannot wait to have this experience again. They only hope that next time the weather is a little warmer than thirty-five degrees. MBK North expresses its gratitude to Faculty Advisor Ms. Coleman, Mr. Heyward, and the VSCHS District for facilitating this trip. They hope to be featured once again in the school paper with a positive report from the 2024 New York State My Brother’s Keeper Symposium in Albany. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Christmas Traditions from Around the World By Sahar Ali Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by A&E Networks Celebrated every year on December 25th, Christmas is a religious holiday observed all around the world by Christians and non-Christians. Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Throughout the world, countries have different and interesting ways of celebrating this holiday full of joy. Let’s go around the world and learn about the different Christmas traditions that people around the world have! EUROPE Iceland – Icelandic families celebrate 13 days of Christmas, similar to the 12 days of Christmas in the United States. During these days, young children are visited by 13 Yule Lads each night leading up to Christmas day. Children will place their shoes by a window and proceed to bed. If the child has been good, they will be given candy in the morning. However, if a child has been bad, they will receive shoes full of rotten potatoes. Sounds worse than being greeted with coal in your stocking! Finland – On Christmas morning, Finnish families eat a porridge made with rice and milk topped with either cinnamon or butter. Inside the porridge, a hidden almond is placed. The first person to uncover the almond “wins”. Some families, however, end up adding extra almonds into the porridge to prevent children from getting upset. And at the end of the day, Finnish families will warm up in a sauna. LATIN AMERICA Mexico – Members of the church from all around Mexico present a Shepard’s Play, or Pastorellas , which retells the Christmas story. The country’s Christmas season starts in early December with a march that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s journey, known as Posadas . Mexicans also use beautiful, vibrant red poinsettias in holiday arrangements for decorations throughout the country. El Salvador – On December 24th and 25th, Salvadorians toast Christmas with fireworks. Young children are given volcancitos (translated to little volcanoes) and estrellitas (translated to little stars), which are small firecrackers. On the other hand, older children and young adults prefer larger firecrackers and Roman candles. ASIA Philippines – In the city of San Fernando, the Giant Lantern Festival, known as Ligligan Parul , is held every year. This festival includes dazzling parols (lanterns) that represent the Star of Bethlehem. In each parol , there are thousands of spinning lights that brighten the night sky. San Fernando has become the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” because of Ligligan Parul . Japan – Since 1% of Japan’s population is Christian, Christmas is not a national holiday in the country. However, the Japanese have found a rather interesting way to take part in this global celebration. On Christmas, Japanese families go to KFC instead of having a dinner around the table with their families. This tradition started in 1974. The fast-food chain has remained popular, and now many families order months in advance. On the other hand, some people choose to wait and stand on lines that are two hours long in order to get their meal. NORTH AMERICA United States – American families decorate their homes with colorful lights or large snowmen and/or Santa Clause figures. On Christmas Eve, parents along with their children place cookies and milk as a snack for Santa Clause when he comes to deliver presents during the night. Many people also watch Christmas movies throughout the month of December, decorate gingerbread houses, and exchange gifts. Canada – Just like American families, Canadians also decorate their houses with vibrant lights. Additionally, stockings are hung by the fireplace. In northern Canada, Sinck Tuck is a celebration observed by the native Inuits. This celebration includes dancing, feasting, and the exchange of presents. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Shop: A Pop Opera By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Jack Stauber Whether you are his biggest fan or have never heard of his name in your life, you have probably heard some of Jack Stauber’s music somewhere. His song “Oh Klahoma” was used in over 500k videos on TikTok during a recent Halloween trend. Another one of his songs, “Buttercup,” was used in 1.4 million TikTok videos to convey various trends. Jack Stauber has also over 100 songs and multiple albums and shorts with deeper meaning. A prime example of one of these albums is “Shop: A Pop Opera.” Shop: A Pop Opera was a mini-series that was aired on Adult Swim at midnight from March 4th-9th in 2019. The seven-video series follows a man trying to complete his shopping list, but as he continues down his list, he meets a few peculiar people who have issues relating in some way to the item he is trying to buy. It starts off with the man trying to choose between two yogurt samples. He decides to start looking for the items on his shopping list. The first item on the list is milk. While trying to find milk, he encounters an old lady who cannot reach pecan nuts and thus asks him for help. When he retrieves the pecan nuts for her, the lady claims he did not grab the pecan, while he was certain it was. Before he can pick the lady’s desired item, she disappears without a trace. As soon as she leaves, he finds the milk, but realizes it has expired. He begins to wonder what kind of milk it was. Wondering whether it had a family, if it dripped with calcium, or if it had goals and dreams. He then picks up a carton of unexpired milk and pursues the next item. He heads into the next aisle to find his next item, bread. He finds artisanal multi-grain 12 nut vitamin bread, to be exact. While wondering whether to buy the bread or not, he meets a snobby man who desires the same bread. When our main character asks whether the bread was of decent quality, the snobby man laughs and replies that it was for his dog as it was not edible enough for him. After telling our main character that he must go to a walnut auction, the snobby man leaves, and our shopper is left alone to examen the bread. He wonders if he lets his belongings define him and practically questions his sanity. He finds a normal batch of bread and looks for paper towels next. When he enters the next aisle, the man witnesses the shattering of a glass bottle by another customer. An employee comes up and asks whether he broke it, to which he says no. The employee starts to clean the mess but is cut by some of the glass. The man worries for the employee but asks where the paper towels are located but was promptly interrupted by the employee monologuing about how entities can be easily broken but may take much longer to fix. The employee then tells him the towels reside in the next aisle. The employees’ monologue sparks curiosity within the man. He starts thinking to a universal level, noticing that nothing is reversible. Therefore, it is not worth trying to solve the issue or problem. These quirky interactions continue throughout the shorts. For instance, one finds the relationship between coffee and necessity, while another binds cheese and the concept of acceptance together. The underlying themes are up for interpretation, as they are not set in stone. If you look in the comment section of the video, there are various theories which explain the meaning of this series. If interested, I would totally check it out. The next time you head to the supermarket, look at your shopping list at an introspective level. You may produce something to change the world, develop an artistic outlook, or create a better understanding of life. In contrast, you may just figure out what flavor of yogurt you desire. It really depends on the person. Shop: A Pop Opera Link- SHOP: A Pop Opera | adult swim smalls - YouTube BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections April Showers Bring May Flowers By Manal Layachi Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original artwork by Manal Layachi You may have heard the someone say, “April showers bring May flowers,” but what does it actually mean? The meaning of this phrase is very simple. It is a reminder that the most unpleasant events can bring about enjoyable results. In this case, the rain in April helps bring flowers in May. This phrase also teaches a lesson about patience. While waiting for the rain to stop is boring, being patient pays off because in return, flowers will bloom. Even though the rain might make you feel gloomy, when the sun comes out and it is May, flowers will start to bloom and that will change your mood from sad to happy. You might be wondering where this phrase originated. Thomas Tusser, a poet from England, wrote a similar line in a poem during the 1500s. The phrase that he wrote was “Sweet April showers do spring May Flowers.” In England during the month of April, there are huge weather swings with the jet stream going northward at the start of springtime. The month of April is typically the time when the final bit of snow turns to rain as temperatures climb. Increased rain shower activity sparks the beginning of flowers, trees, and plants that start blooming. April is a soggy month based on the position of the jet stream. Since that area has a cooler climate, the lower temperatures push back the appearance of flowers to late April and early May. So, the next time you hear the phrase “April showers bring May flowers”, remember what delightful and surprising things are brought during that time. Sources : www.army.mil and www.wearegreenbay.com and blogs.missouristate.edu BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Anonymous - Memory Project - 2 By Anonymous March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 7 June 10, 2022 "PERIHELION" ARTICLES A Final Send-Off By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Letter from the Editor Read More A Review of the SCOTUS Leak By Everton Prospere News Read More America Chavez: The First Openly LGBTQ+ Woman of Color in the MCU By Megan McDermott Entertainment & Media Read More Apples Never Fall By Anonymous Contributor Entertainment & Media Read More Dalip Singh Saund | Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month By Shinedip Kundlas Feature Read More Equality By Anonymous Contributor Polaris Read More Farewell, Mrs. Byrne! By Jeselys Vazquez News Read More Goodbye Ms. Suarez! By Elaine Ching News Read More Lumpia Recipe By Elaine Ching Feature Read More Mrs. Suhovsky By Navrosedip Kundlas News Read More Pride Advice By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More Senior Appreciation Article: 2022 By Shinedip Kundlas, Christina Ossa, Matteo Somma, Elyas Layachi, and Everton Prospere Feature Read More Summer Sweet Treats By Christina Ossa Feature Read More The Enigma That is STRANGER THINGS By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More The Johnny Depp Court Case By Sahar Ali Entertainment & Media Read More The Readers: Book Club! By Jeselys Vazquez Feature Read More VSN Future Teacher Club By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla News Read More A New Benefit for Poop By Cody Sung News Read More Alliance By Eva Grace Martinez Feature Read More Apple in 2022 – WWDC and Future Technologies By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More Cherry Topped Cream Cheese Cake By Carolina Grace Figueroa Feature Read More Dolores By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Fall By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Final By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More Interview with Alliance Club Officers By Elaine Ching and Melody Chen Feature Read More Mrs. Rieger, Class of ‘22 By Elyas Layachi News Read More Not all of us are perfect-Chapter 2 By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Senior Advice By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More Six of the Best LGBTQ Manga Must reads for the Sixth (and best) Month of the Year By Alina Khan Entertainment & Media Read More The Division IIIA Track and Field Championships By Manal Layachi Sports Read More The Global Food Crisis: The First Move By Raj Singh News Read More The Neuroscience of Summer Vacation By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More The Warden By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More What is Climate Change? By Rachel Ezeadichie Science & Technology Read More PORTFOLIO LOAD MORE

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Lillian Dolan - What is Line - 8 By Lillian Dolan November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1