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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Thank You! Cody Sung Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching It has been an amazing five years at my fantastic school. I truly enjoyed my time here and I will miss North dearly. I would like to thank everyone for their support and made my educational career a success so far. I started at North going into eighth grade at nine years old. I was very confused, but thanks to many people, I am graduating from North a bit less confused. I want to start my appreciation first by thanking Dr. Small, the principal, Mrs. Buonaspina and Mr. Jara, the assistant principals, Mr. Brodsky and Ms. Bloeth, my guidance counselors, and the Valley Stream Central High School District for all their support during my high school years at North. I would also like to thank all my amazing teachers and club advisors who always offered their guidance and support and always made me feel welcome. I could always stop by and discuss any questions or difficulties I had. They helped make my experience at North unbelievably special. Thank you to the security guards, maintenance crew, and other staff for helping me whenever I needed assistance – especially the security guards, they handled a lot of pretzels. Thank you to my wonderful classmates, peers, and friends – those who have graduated before me, those who are graduated with me, and those who are graduating after me – for all your support. Thank you for helping me when I couldn’t open my locker, or when I dropped my books and water bottle down the stairs, or when I didn’t know where my classes were. Thank you to Mom and Dad for supporting me and always pushing me to the next level – and to my brother, I love you. Finally, I would like to thank everyone at Willow Road, where my educational career started, for all their support. Congratulations and good luck to the class of 2024. -Cody Sung BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Apples Never Fall By Anonymous Contributor Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Media Store Apples Never Fall, a compelling thriller by Liane Moriarty, is a mystery novel based on a true story. It takes place from 2019-2021, demonstrating its prolonged timeline and modernistic plot points. The novel follows the Delaney siblings after the disappearance of their mother, Joy Delaney. The police soon identify their father, Stan, as a person of interest. As the story progresses, readers eventually discover the circumstances surrounding Joy’s disappearance. I highly recommend this book, as it proves to be a compelling fictional thriller, leaving readers at the edge of their seat during the read. Happy reading! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections As More Republicans Announce, Should Governor Cuomo be Worried in 2022? By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by RochesterFirst Ever since allegations of sexual misconduct were publicized in March 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s re-election chances have been in limbo. Would he run for re-election despite these serious allegations? Would he resign? Would he be impeached by the New York State Legislature? As of April 8th, 2021, Governor Cuomo is still seeking a fourth term in 2022 despite the political backlash by many politicians, many in his own party. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and other prominent New York Democratic politicians have called on the Governor to resign. However, Cuomo responded that he doesn’t “work for politicians” and that the people should decide. In a poll run by RochesterFirst, Rochester’s local news outlet, a majority preferred a new Governor in 2022 over Cuomo. Over the past few days, several Republicans have announced their bids against Cuomo. On Wednesday, April 7th, Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, announced his intentions to run for the Republican nomination. A political novice, he has held no other political office. On Thursday, April 8th, Representative Lee Zeldin of Suffolk County announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination as well. Zeldin currently serves as Representative of New York’s 1st Congressional District since 2015 and previously served in the New York State Senate from 2011 to 2014. Two lesser known candidates are also vying for the Republican nomination: Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli and Businessman Derrick Gibson. Another potential candidate could be Representative Elise Stefanik, representing Northern New York in the House of Representatives since 2015, as she publicly expressed interest in seeking the office on Tuesday, April 13th. Traditionally, New York has trended to the left since former Republican Governor George Pataki retired in 2007. The last major Republican politicians in high state offices have since retired or lost re-election. Senator Al D’Amato, serving from 1981 to 1999, lost to now Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 1998. No Republican has won the NYC Mayorship since Bloomberg in 2009. However, as Governor Cuomo is facing serious allegations and dropping approval ratings, there may be an opportunity for a Republican pickup, which would be the first since 1994 when George Pataki defeated Governor Mario Cuomo. Will the Republicans succeed in retaking the Governorship? It all depends on the long campaign trail ahead. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliments to Shape and Color By Nehilah Grand-Pierre November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Interview with Alliance Club Officers By Elaine Ching and Melody Chen Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photography by VSN North High School has a multitude of clubs, but one of the most welcoming is The Alliance. I took some time to interview the oldest and the youngest officers of the Alliance, Grace Martinez, the president who is a senior, and Sophia Reese, the vice president who is a freshman. “What is it like being an Alliance officer?” “Very fun, meeting new people, having new experiences, great officer and club experience as only a freshman, becoming higher up ranks in other clubs in future years”- Sophia “It is really fun. The Alliance is a club full of people dedicated to the Alliance’s success and that very much shows. Additionally, I’ve been a part of the Alliance for many years and being able to lead it at this capacity, is incredibly enjoyable.” - Grace “What is the Alliance?” “Alliance was originally the GSA, the Gay-Straight Alliance, but we changed it to the Alliance, so we’re more inclusive to other parts of the community, including the Trans community”- Sophia “The Alliance is North’s LGBT affinity group; we work to help support LGBTQ+ students at North alongside the straight members in North’s community”- Grace “What is your experience with the Alliance and how has it helped your experience with your sexuality?” “I’ve met more people that I’ve become closer with, and they’ve been encouraging to me, and through that supportiveness they’ve helped me be more comfortable, and now I can truly express who I am.”- Sophia “I knew I wasn’t straight from a really young age, but finding a sense of community was difficult as I didn’t know any non-straight people. When I started here, The Alliance was very small, but I felt like even in that small number of people there was some sense of community and because of that I was able to be more open with myself and open to the people around me because I knew that I wasn’t going to be the only one. I was never going to feel alone in who I was.” - Grace “What would you say to incoming seventh graders who are thinking about joining the Alliance?” “Please join, it’s great for club credit. We don’t meet as much as other clubs, so it’s more of a flexible club and we have many opportunities to help decorate and to help spread awareness.”- Sophia “Never be afraid to try. The Alliance is a place where you may find comfort or you may not, but never be afraid to show up on that first day. You’re always welcome to show up and leave, and you’re always welcome to come and try it out. Just keep trying. The Alliance has a space to accept you no matter who you are, but only when you’re ready to be accepted.”- Grace “What would you say to your former pre-alliance self?” “Put yourself out there more, meet new people, join more clubs, and make connections with people that aren’t just from your grade.”- Sophia “It’s okay. Things get better. You’ll find a place where there are people like you, and you’ll stop feeling like the worst person ever for having feelings like you do. Learn to laugh a little bit, it’s okay to have fun.”- Grace “Do you have any messages for graduating alliance members?” “I am going to miss the seniors, so much. Thank you for giving me rides after school, so I don’t have to walk home! Grace’s legacy of The Alliance will live on because Grace made it what it is today.”- Sophia “Outside of myself, thank you for always being here. It’s difficult to be the only person your age in the room, and I really appreciate you guys showing up, I wish you all the best.”- Grace “Future plans for the Alliance?” “I’m going to run for president next year, after Grace graduates. I have the most seniority of the most officers, not including Grace. Because I got a position in eighth grade, I have a lot of experience.”-Sophia “I’ve done a lot of work to make The Alliance as a club functional, and I hope the Alliance moves past being functional and becomes something well beyond. The Alliance is a celebration of North’s community and North’s unity. I hope after I’m gone, The Alliance continues to be a celebration of all of us together, we will be more than we were. My only real hope is that we continue because that’s what matters. That people are here, and visible and present, so that the day comes when someone new walks into the room, that they have a room to walk into. I hope The Alliance grows bigger than me and that by the time I go back that I am so far gone in Alliance history, my work is borderline irrelevant for someone has done something so cool.”- Grace Congratulations to Grace on graduation, and good luck to Sophia on their future work in the Alliance! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections Broken Entry 11 April 14, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 6

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Trip to the Grocery Store Kimberly Shrestha February 24, 2023 Volume 3 Issue 3

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Senior Appreciation Article: 2022 By Shinedip Kundlas, Christina Ossa, Matteo Somma, Elyas Layachi, and Everton Prospere Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by the Motley Fuel Appreciation Messages Below are a few messages written by the non-graduating North Star staff to our seniors, showing their appreciation for everything the graduating upperclassmen have done for the club: Craig Papajohn-Shaw – Editor in Chief and Treasurer “Craig, your time at North Star was impactful, especially to me. As Editor in Chief, you ensured that the club ran smoothly alongside Mrs. Mansfield. Your ideas to promote the club, increase activity, and create a higher standard of writing helped the North Star become a great success. The precedents you set will continue to be used, so thank you for your time and contribution to this club. You will be missed, but congratulations on your graduation and good luck at the University of Richmond.” - Everton Prospere, News Section Editor “ Craig, since joining the North Star last year you have helped me in a multitude of ways, from helping write articles to even pushing in Cross Country. Without you being our EIC, our issues would never have happened, and our club would never have been found. Also, without you we wouldn’t have our sports section, or the creation of the Science section. Thank you for coordinating meetings and Issue dates with Mrs. Mansfield, and helping our club run smoothly. Speaking of everyone here at North Star, we are excited to see what you accomplish in the future. Thank you for also helping me pick out my schedule for the following years and balance school, life, and sports. I wish you all the best in Richmond, go Spiders!” I will miss you. - Matteo Somma, Jr Website Designer Lucy Wu – Senior Website Designer “Lucy, you’ve done so much for not only North Star , but for me too. I’ve appreciated the time we’ve spent together in classes and coordinating North Star issues; you’ve been extremely helpful to me ever since I joined North Star not only as a mentor but also a friend. You’ve had so many creative and brilliant ideas for the North Star website, and the hard work and time you’ve put into our paper has most definitely paid off. Our website always looks stunning thanks to you, and though it will be sad to see you go you deserve all the success in the world at Hopkins. I appreciate all the time and effort you’ve devoted to North Star and the help and support you’ve given me for all the time we’ve known each other. We’ll miss you very much, Lucy, but the North Star staff and I wish you the best of luck at Johns Hopkins!” - Christina Ossa, Feature Section Editor “ Lucy, I couldn’t begin to thank you enough for everything you have taught me this year. Not only have you taught me how to use WIX, but you also taught me to never be afraid to try something new or take a step forward. Thank you for helping me select classes for next year and thank you for always responding to my late-night texts when I need help. Though, you haven't just helped me, you help North Star as a whole. From making sure we get every article in to spending countless hours formatting our website, we couldn’t thank you enough! Without your help our club could never have happened, you along with Mrs. Mansfield and our other senior editors have helped to create a safe and creative place for all students at Valley Stream North High School. On behalf of our whole club, we wish you the best of well-deserved luck at Johns Hopkins, go Blue Jays!” - Matteo Somma, Jr. Website Designer Eva Grace Martinez – Polaris Section Editor & Lead Photographer “Grace, thank you for everything you have done for North Star ! Every meeting, you would always bring great ideas to the table to be included in each issue, and not only in your section, but for other sections as well! You were very helpful in giving new writers ideas for articles, and we all appreciated that very much! Your section has been a joy to watch develop and thrive, and I hope you continue to develop Polaris-like content wherever you are continuing your academic journey! Without your leadership and willingness to help members, I’m not sure if the North Star would be as successful as it is now. Thank you so much for your hard work, and we will miss you so much! Good luck in the rest of your academic career!” – Elyas Layachi, Science and Technology Section Editor Alicja Paruch – Advice Columnist “Ala, thank you for all your hard work and dedication to North Star . The advice column has helped so many students and inspired many. We appreciate your role in the North Star . Your dedication and contributions to North Star have made a huge impact on our issues. The advice column has worked as a resource for students to ask questions about school and other things. Thank you for always helping and guiding me whenever I needed guidance. You have always been helpful and supportive whenever I have any questions, which I truly appreciate. The advice column will continue to help our students, and we are grateful for your work as our advice columnist. Thank you for being an outstanding editor and friend. I hope after graduation you continue to inspire and help many with your advice and kindness! We will miss you, congratulations and best of luck with your journey ahead! - Shinedip Kundlas , North Star writer BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Matteo Somma By Matteo Somma Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Olivia Muscatelli - What is Line By Olivia Muscatelli November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1