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Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections Senior Year By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by ibarna Senior Year, a time of change and growth, A journey of memories, both bitter and sweet, The end of one chapter, a new one to greet. Days filled with laughter, moments of tears, The future lies ahead, beckoning us to explore, Senior Year, a time to cherish, to adore. Endless nights studying, preparing for exams, Counting down to graduation day, Senior Year, a time we won't forget, come what may. To the memories, the love, and the tears, A time of growth, of laughter, and cheer, A bittersweet ending, but a new beginning near. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Kimberly Shrestha - What is Line By Kimberly Shresta November 1, 2020 Marker Volume 1 Issue 1

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Mirror Reflection By Sienna Munro January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Artwork Purpose Back to Sections Kimberly Shrestha - Purple Yellow Study By Kimberly Shrestha November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Story Behind the Shot 03 By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original photography by Grace Martinez Hello everyone! Welcome to the third instalment of “Story Behind the Shot”! My name is Grace Martinez, and I’m the NORTH STAR’s photo editor. That means it’s my job to make sure every article we publish has a photo that goes along with it. In all honesty, I wouldn’t blame you if you read those opening sentences and assumed I spend every waking hour on Instagram. It’s an app full of people sharing stunning photography, so why wouldn’t I be? In truth, I had to reset my password to even write this article. Instagram is far from my favorite social media platform, but when given a shot to talk about photos I’m proud of, I knew I couldn’t waste the opportunity. I should also probably address the other interesting thing about my account; there are no photos of my face. This wasn’t some kind of intentional faceless aesthetic. I just spend too much time behind a camera to capture anything of me in front of it. With that being said, let’s dive into some photos. First up is one of my more recent photos, which features a heavily edited view out a suburban window and a sky full of clouds captured mid sunset. This photo was taken after I had spent the day helping to clean up around the house. I remember seeing the sunset and finally being able to relax. It’s cliché, but there’s something about a sky turning to gold that just puts me at ease. Sadly though, those golden rays don’t always capture well on iPhone cameras. So, I began editing, and although I had planned to keep the editing minimal, one mis-click in lightroom later, I was stunned. Something about the intensity of the colors seemed too good to pass up, and on to my Instagram feed it went. Second is a photo of a girl mid aerial, performing directly in front of a bright colored mural. This photo is still one of my favorites even years after I originally took it. This was the first photo that made me realize that people took pictures as more than just a way to keep track of things. There was an art to this, and it was a skill I wanted to learn. Even to this day I still love the contrast between all the colors in the photo. There are a few things that scream amateur to me now, such as the fact that my friend is facing the opposite direction, but I can’t help but love it due to all the happy memories it holds. If you have even spoken to me once, you’ve heard me mention going to a concert. I have no shame in admitting it, I love live music (even if my bank account doesn’t). This last photo was taken in November of 2019, at the last concert I went to before the pandemic. It isn’t the most high-resolution photo I’ve ever taken, but it’s chock full of memories and some pretty cool-colored lighting. The way the blue spotlight can be seen faintly on the side of the image, and then how everything is so blue it almost hurts amazes me every time. Concert photos are often hard to take because of low lighting, and the movement of the crowds/artists. To have this one come out well was amazing, and I still take so much pride in the fact that this is the raw photo, completely unedited. If you’d like to write our next “Story Behind the Shot,” please contact our Media and Entertainment Editor Garrick Neuner or our Chief Editor Mrs. Mansfield! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections My Sister and I By Willene Exinvil November 24, 2020 Charcoal Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Who Am I? By Arunima Roy November 19, 2021 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Ode to my ID Shea Flanelly Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Walking into VSN I see, three machines staring back at me The security guards at the desk wave, knowing who I am Here’s my ID, the machines beckon for me to scan Security and protection it offers, feeling its presence on my neck, Feeling safe and secure, I walk ahead From lunch, to class, and through the halls Your presence grants safety to us all Swinging the shining photo side to side I walk around with my head up high With it on, I begin to shine Because it holds the essence of a student inside. Even with an unfavorable picture, Its assistance helps my school differ Who I am, where I am, and decipher where I belong Teachers say it’s important, and they were right all along The ID is like my key, that gives me access to my home, Like a knight protecting a king and his throne. With every scan, it unlocks us through the doors Where we can find friendship, community, clubs, and more When that part of me is lost, I know where to go On MySchoolBucks, I can order it and know What’s lost can be found, Especially when you find an ID on the ground. So, here’s an ode, to the one people hate For maybe some will understand that it keeps us safe. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Jeysi Henriquez-Ventura - Pop Art By Jeysi Henriquez-Ventura January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Life is imperfect By Gabriella Basile Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Forbes Nothing is Perfect Life is imperfect, and that is ok Stress is leaving your body, As good things come your way Learning how to find the good is the hardest part, but once it is found, it’s relieved in your heart No more anxiety over every little thing, The “craziness” is over, and is slowly being recovered The good in your life is finally being uncovered Leaving Me Life without you was hard I didn’t understand why you left, you didn’t ever write me a card I wanted things to be okay You said you left for good things, but it felt like it was to just be away I searched for perfect, but realized it’s not what people said The Feelings of Anxiety The feelings of anxiety can make you feel crazy, When you can’t control it, you don’t even feel normal No one is perfect… that’s real moral The only way to feel confident is to let it out Keeping it in, my horrible feelings, just makes me want to shout. I wish I knew how to tell people about it, Because now I can’t believe how much I grew. BACK TO TOP