Back to Articles News Back to Sections A Frightening Welcome to the 117th Congress: Impeachment 2.0 By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 No Image available at this time January 6, 2021, 2:07 PM: a moment that history will never forget, when domestic terrorists ransacked the Capitol while congressional leaders were meeting to certify the election for Joseph R. Biden (D-DE). High ranking officials on the floor feared for their lives. The office of Congresswoman Kathleen Rice (D-NY), who represents the students and parents within the Valley Stream Central High School District, responded to my request for a statement; the Congresswoman expressed “For those of us who were in the Capitol that day, this attack will haunt us and our families for the rest of our lives. For every American, it will leave a permanent stain on the great history of our democracy.” The Congresswoman’s statement emphasizes the heinous acts that were committed on the Capitol that horrid day. The 117th Congress was sworn in on January 3rd, having a new perspective on what can happen when democracy is threatened. They would start their term by voting for the Speaker of the House. In the House of Representatives, a slim 222 majority for the Democrats still allowed the party to re-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for Speaker of the House. The leader of the most diverse and dynamically female-led House in history, Pelosi was still blamed by some Democrats for the loss of 10 seats in her party and Republicans gaining 15. Many progressives were dubious about voting for the Speaker but did not want to further voice the divide within the Democratic Party. Speaker Pelosi urged representatives to come together stating, “our promise to [our constituents] will [be to] continue to work in a bipartisan way to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.” Even with Pelosi’s promising speech, problems arose on the first day of order in the 117th House of Representatives. A screaming match, as Business Insider described it, occurred within the chamber because of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) refusal to wear a mask properly. A freshman politician, Representative Greene is seen in many pictures throughout the historic day without a mask. Furthermore, she was one of 121 GOP lawmakers who supported the objection to the presidential election on January 6th. A staunch supporter of President Trump, wearing a mask reading “Trump Won,” Greene has been in strong opposition to the Democratic caucus’ impeachment of the President for a second time, and many of her Republican colleagues also voiced their disapproval of the Democrats’ impeachment efforts. Pelosi brought impeachment papers to the floor on January 11th, citing that Trump encouraged the mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol. The charge, incitement of insurrection (inciting violence against the government against the United States) , was agreed upon in the House by a vote of 232-197 on January 13th, with 10 Republicans breaking party lines. Led by the 3rd highest ranking Republican in the house, Liz Cheney (R-WY) voted for the impeachment of Donald Trump stating, “[he]summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack.” Cheney and her nine Republican colleagues who voted for impeachment have been called on to resign by constituents and other GOP representatives alike. However, a spokesperson for Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), rejected the idea stating, “[The Minority Leader] does not support efforts to remove her as conference chair. The agreed resolution will now go to Senate where an impeachment trial will take place.” The 117th United States Senate will be under new leadership. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-KY) will now be titled as Senate Minority Leader. The two Senate runoffs in Georgia which occurred on January 5th decided the fate of the Senate. For the Democrats to obtain the majority, both Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) needed to win their elections. Both defeated their opponents by over a 0.5% margin, so no automatic recount will occur per Georgia’s state election rules. A concession speech from GOP incumbent David Perdue (R-GA) read, “Although we won the general election, we came up just short of Georgia’s 50% rule, and now I want to congratulate the Democratic Party and my opponent for this runoff win.” In defiance of President Trump’s claim of voter fraud once again, both GOP senators from Georgia gracefully accepted defeat. With 50 Democratic senators and 50 Republican senators, the president of the senate, who is the vice president, breaks the tie to hold the majority. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (D-CA) would hold this position, therefore presumptively making current minority leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the majority leader. With regards to an impeachment trial, Mitch McConnell, who will still be majority leader until the election for the Georgia runoff is certified in mid-January, has stated that due to scheduling, a trial can occur no earlier than January 19th. As a majority leader, an emergency session can be called prior to this date under his leadership; however, he will refuse to do so. A president may be impeached after they have left office. President Trump being impeached in the House would make him the only president in American History to be impeached twice. In the Senate, a two-thirds majority is necessary to find the President guilty, and while some GOP Senators, such as Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), have vowed to charge the president as guilty, it is unlikely that 17 Republican senators will follow suit with their Republican colleagues. The 117th Congress will have to make complex decisions within the first few weeks of office. With both the legislative and executive branch controlled by the Democrats, an ambitious agenda by the Biden administration will be easier to accomplish with a majority in both chambers of Congress. The new leadership will make a priority of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic and helping their constituents, some of whom are in dire need of financial and public health support. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Is War Coming? By Raj Singh Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by BBC As you might have heard, Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine. There have been estimates of 100,000 soldiers at the Russo-Ukrainian border amassed for a potential invasion. Western powers have since acted with no more than warnings to stop this. What is happening, and why is it happening? Context: Ukraine is a nation in Eastern Europe that has historically been either an independent nation fighting for survival or under Russian control. In 2013, the current situation began; Ukraine had considered joining the European Union (EU) and made landmark political and trade deals. Though they had a Pro-Russia president who suspended talks to keep Ukraine away from the West, the citizens in Kiev, the capital city, started protesting this action in the streets. This began hostilities between Pro-Russians against Anti-Russians in Ukraine. Russia then invaded Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, a strategic port next to the Black Sea. Russia, a primarily cold country, has many ports that freeze over the winter; due to this issue, Russia wanted this territory as the peninsula is much warmer. In addition to the favorable Mediterranean climate, millions of Russians reside in Crimea. Russia's casus belli - a reason a nation claims it goes to war, often a lie to war without seeming like an aggressor - was to protect the rights of the millions of Russians living in Crimea. In response to Russia's declaration, Eastern regions in Ukraine then promptly rebelled, causing a brief war which a ceasefire halted. Now the ceasefire is being threatened by Russia invading Ukraine again. INFORMATION – Russia's troops comprise of self-propelled guns, tanks, and infantry fighting vehicles. With this buildup, Russia could launch an invasion in early 2022. The troops are located 186 miles from the Ukrainian-Russian border in a training facility and could attack at any moment. Russia said the troops were there for military drills only, but there is doubt amongst the West. Russian Opinion: The Kremlin states the military buildup and training are being done to curb Western aggression against them. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an alliance of primarily Western countries created decades ago to stop Soviet expansion in Europe, has sold weapons and stationed NATO troops in Ukraine since the ceasefire. Due to this expansion by the West, which is viewed as an aggressive encroachment on Russian security, the Kremlin claims they are the victim and believe they can act on their own security risks. Ukrainian Opinion: Ukraine states that Russia cannot control whether Ukraine gets closer with NATO. The government says that Russia is trying to maintain Ukrainian independence and its future. Citizens of Ukraine fear that a coup d’état, the seizure of a government and its power by an independent group, could happen as a precursor to invasion. In addition, Ukraine is currently going through an energy crisis and believes that its cause is Russia, which is attempting to destabilize the country. NATO Opinion: NATO says if Russia were to invade Ukraine, a NATO partner, they could start economic sanctions and political restrictions on Russia. NATO has prepared the members of the alliance who reside in the Baltic region and the Black Sea for the worst. NATO cannot protect Ukraine with a military force since Ukraine is not a member of the organization. However, NATO will allow Ukraine to become a member, should it choose to, and encourages the country to defy Russia. On January 12th, 2022, a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, occurred to discuss a solution. The situation remains tense, and as I write this, world peace is at stake. American Opinion: America is reviewing multiple options. American officials like President Biden met in Geneva to discuss peace. However, simultaneously, America was armed and continued to supply military assistance to Eastern Europe in preparation for the worst. Fiscally, America delivered 450 million dollars in assistance to Ukraine in 2021 and considered the possibility of launching economic sanctions on Russia. Other factors: Separate from this situation, another former Soviet state has had trouble. Kazakhstan had massive unrest in its capital and in other locations, leading to a Russian-led coalition of troops sent into the state to stop the unrest. There is plenty of doubt that Russian forces will leave Kazakhstan soon. The pipe that leads to Germany, Nord Stream 2, allegedly threatens Ukraine. It uses pipes through the Baltic Sea to pass around Eastern Europe instead of an overland route. Traditionally, the pipes would go through Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, which was a bargaining tool for the country and a source of money through tariffs. These pipes are vital to the Russian gas industry, so if Russia were ever to step out of line, Eastern Europe could cut the lines to damage the industry. However, with the new Baltic pipes, Ukraine loses, in addition to the extra income, its bargaining chip, and leverage over Russia. The U.S. used to have sanctions on the company that built the Baltic pipes but waved them to fix its relationship with Germany depending on those lines. However, in November, America added new sanctions to the company, with growing support from U.S. senators and politicians in Ukraine. Both sides are somewhat to blame; NATO has been encroaching closer to Russia, an aggressive action, but Russia should not have backed the separatists nor have invaded. PRIMARY SOURCE: https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/03/europe/ukraine-russia-2021-tensions-explainer-cmd-intl/index.html BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Fruit Bowl By Isabella Somma November 24, 2020 Sharpie, Pen Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Thirty-Four Minutes of Kindness Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Noa Cordova (Based on Charlie Mackesy's Illustrations) “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Kind.” It is truly an admirable response and captures the main theme of  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse . Its central theme of kindness inspired one of our AP English Language teachers, Mrs. Brodsky, to show us the film “in the spirit of Thanksgiving.” Initially, she planned to connect the film to our AP English Language curriculum but decided that its lessons were more valuable than the lessons of rhetorical devices and grammar instruction we are taught daily during period 4. I have to say, keeping a room full of high schoolers quiet for a solid thirty-four minutes can be a challenge, but it was something that this film was able to do. Most of us had exams and other commitments stressing us out, but for thirty-four minutes, we focused on something worthwhile; we focused on the depth and beauty of the film. Before Mrs. Brodsky, we have Charlie Mackesy to thank for the experience. The story started in a book written and illustrated by British illustrator, Charlie Mackesy. Inspired by the social restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mackesy sought to draw something that would keep us connected as humans regardless of the circumstances at the time. In his interview on CBS Sunday morning, he revealed that when he draws, “it starts as a feeling.” He describes the book as “a story for everyone”, and I’d have to agree; the story’s message, although ironically conveyed by animals, is a story about humanity. Apart from his work on  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse , he worked with Nelson Mandela on  The Unity Series . When he is not working with his pencil in hand, he is co-running Mama Buci, an organization that supports bee-keeping communities in Zambia. I’d say it’s evident that Mackesy is a pure soul and dedicates his time to worthwhile causes he is passionate about; it is not surprising he told such a moving story with simple illustrations in just thirty-four minutes. A lost boy, a sensitive mole, a lonely fox, and a wise horse teach us a whole lot about kindness, friendship, and emotions as they embark on a journey to bring the boy home. We are first introduced to the boy who is feeling lost, as many of us have at one point. Next, we meet the mole who reminds us of the importance of appreciating the beauty of life and worrying less. He reminds us that often our worries have simple solutions, like cake. Like the mole, we all have our equivalent of cake; we each have something that makes us forget our worries, even if it’s just for a while. Under more ominous circumstances, we meet the fox, who becomes an unexpected friend to the boy and the mole. The fox embodies character growth; he teaches us the importance of second chances and seeing the good in others. The horse is the last to join the trio and provides them all with a great deal of wisdom throughout their journey home. He reminds us about the bravery in asking for help, the love of true friendship, and the validity of our emotions. By the end of the thirty-four minutes, it’s easy to see a little bit of ourselves in each of these four friends. Mrs. Brodsky shared the film with us in the spirit of Thanksgiving, Charlie Mackesy released the film last year on Christmas Eve, and I’m encouraging you to watch the film or even read the book to start the new year; it goes to show that its lessons are timeless. I think that since the new year kicks off the winter season, it makes it a perfect time to watch the film as its snowy atmosphere will make you want to wrap up in some blankets with some tea and of course, cake. As we think about going into the new year, watching this film may change your perspective on some things. As you write your New Year's resolutions maybe you’ll be reminded of the things that really matter like kindness, friendship, and love. As the boy reminds us from the beginning, growing up to be a kind person should be our ultimate goal; it should come before any other career choice because “everything happens on the inside.” This year, we can all apply a lesson or two from the film. Although like the mole we may feel small in such a vast world, we’ll be reminded that we do make a difference. I think the mole would likely appreciate Mahatma Gandhi’s saying that “in a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Maybe we’ll choose to accept some unexpected, new people into our lives as the characters did with the fox. Maybe we’ll learn to be someone people can lean on or a source of comfort, as the horse was for his new friends. Maybe we’ll discover what it means to have a home, like the boy. Hopefully, we’ll surround ourselves with people who are glad we are all here and remind us that we each have a purpose. According to the boy, that purpose is primarily to love, and I’d say it's hard to disagree. I’d say this film has a lesson for everyone, so I encourage you to find yours. The profound connections and touching lessons are heart-warming enough to keep us (and the boy who only has a hoodie even though it's snowing) warm this winter season. It is truly impressive how much you can learn about kindness in just thirty-four minutes. Watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Movie - Apple TV+ Charlie Mackesy Charlie Mackesy's lessons in kindness ( youtube.com ) Mama Buci - honey in its purest form BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections My Favorite Anime/Manga (By Women!) By Zoie James Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by Amazon When quarantine first started, my passion for anime grew; I would binge-watch seasons of anime or even finish an entire series in one day. Many teens at our school have an interest in anime like myself, so I decided to write a list of anime and manga written by women since it’s Women’s History Month! Toradora! by Yuyuko Takemiya Toradora! describes the story of Taiga Aisaka and Ryuji Takasu, two high schoolers who have crushes on each other’s best friends. They agree to help each other woo their crushes while dealing with other chaotic predicaments and experiences at their high school. Will Taiga and Ryuji win their crushes’ hearts, or will they end up finding love elsewhere? Kids on the Slope by Yuki Kodama Kaoru Nishimi, the new student, doesn’t have many friends and keeps to himself often. When Kaoru first meets classmate Sentaro Kawabuchi, Kaoru is not too fond of Sentaro because of his bad reputation; however, after meeting Ritsuko Mukae, Sentaro’s best friend, she takes Kaoru to her family’s music store – where they find Sentaro playing the drums to jazz music! Ritsuko asks Kaoru to play the piano along with Sentaro’s drums, but Kaoru refuses at first. However, after playing together, Kaoru and Sentaro develop a friendship, and Kaoru slowly comes out of his shell. Kids on the Slope shows how music can bring different people together and helps others find joy during the toughest of times. Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi Kagome Higurashi, a middle schooler from Tokyo, falls down a well at her family shrine – and wakes up in Japan’s Sengoku Period. Kagome then meets the half-demon Inuyasha after she accidentally shatters the Shikon Jewel, and the shards scatter all throughout Japan. In this anime, Kagome and Inuyasha go on dangerous and mystical adventures to find all the shards of the Shikon Jewel before Naraku, an evil half-demon, snatches the jewel from them. Noragami (Stray God) by Adachitoka Hiyori Iki had a normal middle school life until she got hit by a bus while trying to save a stranger in the middle of the road - but the stranger is not human. He is the nameless god, Yato, who wants someone in the human world to make a shrine for him and hopes that Hiyori will do so when he offers to fix her body. Hiyori’s soul left her body after the bus accident; she can still use her human body, but Hiyori’s soul often leaves her body uncontrollably. After befriending Yato, Hiyori goes on many adventures with him and his friend Yukine while meeting other gods in their town. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun by Izumi Tsubaki Chiyo Sakura confesses her love to fellow student Umetaro Nozaki; in response, Umetaro gives Chiyo an autograph and asks her to work with him. He takes her to his apartment, where Chiyo later realizes that Umetaro is the manga author Sakiko Yumeno and agrees to take the job as his assistant for his latest manga, Let’s Fall in Love, where Umetaro and Sakura use students at their school as influences for the characters. Chiyo sees this as an opportunity to get closer to Umetaro, and hopefully confess her feelings to him once again – will they stay friends, or fall for each other? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Celebrating Lin-Manuel Miranda By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 No Image available at this time Lin-Manuel Miranda: actor, singer, writer, and composer. Even though he was born in New York, his parents are from Puerto Rico. He is primarily famous for the musicals In the Heights and Hamilton ; however, he has accomplished much more. Born on the 16th of January of 1980, Lin attended school in Manhattan, but he often traveled to Puerto Rico to spend time with his grandparents, which is why he became so close to the Latino culture. In 1998 he started Wesleyan College and majored in theater. After graduating in 2002, he appeared in a few movies, such as “Looking for Maria Sanchez” or “The Polar Bears.” During college, he also started his freestyle hip hop group - Freestyle Love Supreme . In 2005, Lin published his first musical - In the Heights . It’s a story about the Latino community of Washington Heights trying to improve their lives. In contrast, the business owner tries to achieve his sueñito (little dream) and learn about his true dreams. Lin attempted to convey the realities he observed of the Latino community he grew up within New York while sharing themes of love, family, community, and hope. Besides the stage being filled with Spanish words and phrases and Latino flags, the Latino songs bring everyone closer to the character’s thoughts, struggles, victories, culture, and lives. After the success of his first musical, he composed 21 Chump Street , a 14-minute musical about high school students and the responsibility they carry, but his previous achievement kept growing, and he eventually won 3 Drama Desk Awards, 4 Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, and 3 Oliver Laurence Awards and gained immense popularity. He then started composing the revolutionary musical Hamilton , and due to his already existing fame, he got to give a preview of it at the White House for President Obama. After his work with Alex Lacomoire, a pianist and conductor, Paul Tazewell, the costume designer, and Andy Blankenbuehler, the choreographer, in 2015, Lin released the long-awaited musical Hamilton; he was inspired while reading Alexander Hamilton , the biography by Ron Chernow. With a few of his friends from Freestyle Love Supreme and some new cast and crew members, the musical debuted and became an instant hit. Seats were sold out months in advance and cost hundreds of dollars. However, with all of his even increased fame, he didn’t just take the money and give himself a happy and peaceful life away from people. He did the opposite and became an activist. Notably, he raised funds for the victims of Hurricane Maria and helped actors and Broadway performers after the hit of the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, Lin composed the soundtrack for Disney’s Moana and got to work with famous actors such as Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, and Auli'i Cravalho. He is continuing his work with Disney and is now composing music for the upcoming movie Encanto , a story about a supernatural family’s life in Colombia. With his many accomplishments and philanthropic actions, Lin-Manuel Miranda should be seen as an example and strive not to be corrupted by fame but help those in need; providing the help so many children like him desperately needed to succeed. BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6 April 14, 2022 "PARALLAX" ARTICLES Alana By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Cherry Blossom Trees By Carolina Grace Figueroa Art Read More Culture Night By Everton Prospere News Read More ENL Buddy Program VSN By Alisson Alas Feature Read More Haikus for North's Athletes By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More How Does One Know When to Ask for Help? By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More James Webb Space Telescope: Where Is It Now? By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More North’s Student Art Scene: About the Heckscher Entries By Kimberly Shrestha Art & Culture Read More TOPSoccer at the Valley Stream Soccer Club By Manal Layachi News Read More The Science of Studying By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More The Valley Stream Challenge By Manal Layachi Sports Read More Wadsworth: An Introspective Dive By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More With The Trust I Had By Sarah Velez Polaris Read More Chapter One By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Cool Creatures: The Crested Gecko By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More Day of Silence 2022 By Eva Grace Martinez News Read More Gas Prices Continue to Increase By Raj Singh News Read More Health and Wellness at VSN: People Providing Support By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More If Aldous Huxley Were a Mathematician By Lucy Wu Editorial Read More NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season By Leah Ally Sports Read More Spring Festivals Celebrated Around the World By Sahar Ali Feature Read More The Culture Fair’s Magnificence By Jeselys Naylana Vazques Feature Read More The Truth By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More Two New North Clubs By Cody Sung News Read More Water God and Child By Alanna Tieschmaker Polaris Read More HECKSCHER SUBMISSIONS LOAD MORE

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

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Dead Inside By Isabella Burmann Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by Favim.com It hurt when you left me alone with nowhere to go It hurt when I was gone and you didn’t seem to care It hurt when I was alone with no one to call It hurt when I saw you smiling but I was alone It hurt when you said “Bye” as I was left to die It hurt when you left me alone with no one to call as I slowly die inside you’re happy with them and I’m not but I’m left alone as I die inside Now I’m gone and you’re still there not even a goodbye to spare You don’t seem to care as you walked away with not one tear BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Artistic Perspective By Olivia Muscatelli Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original artwork by Olivia Muscatelli The images I enjoy taking the most are of landscapes. Like Ansel Adams, a famous landscape photographer, I visualize each picture before taking it. I think about the way I want the picture to look in the final image before I start shooting and prefer a realistic approach rather than relying on heavy editing. I also believe careful composition and balancing the contrast between the light and dark areas of an image lead to the best results. These were all techniques Ansel Adams applied to his work. Although he is known for black-and-white photographs, I also like to use color to bring more life to certain images. BACK TO TOP