Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Athletes Supporting Athletes at VSN By Joseph Garofalo Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original image by Joseph Garofalo Valley Stream North Athletics is known as a strong dark horse program in Nassau County with stealthy good sports teams across the board. From volleyball to soccer, track and field to baseball, each program has seen its success rates rise over the past few years, even as players and coaches come and go. As the captain of the reigning Conference Champion Boys Volleyball team, I have seen the strong mentality, determination, and resilience needed to grow a program within our sports programs. My experience as a high school athlete has been one like no other; coaches support coaches, athletes support athletes, and the leadership on each team has been a large part of growing these programs. Starting September 13th, the first Girls Volleyball game of the season, the senior class had produced a plan to support our Lady Spartans as they took on conference rivals, Mepham. We wanted to create a true home-court advantage for our girls, an energy-filled atmosphere to help boost them to victory. As my practice was over, my teammates and I waited in the stands as the visitors arrived. Quiet at first, our girls began to turn up the pace, and the fans became more involved. A student section that started with just the 13 boy volleyball players evolved into a section packed with three varsity teams and two Junior-Varsity teams’ players within thirty minutes. This was only the beginning, as the girls went on to sweep Mepham in three sets, who were at the time second-place team in their conference. A dominant effort by the girls, supported by a crowd of over 100 kids, continued throughout the season and trickled into other sporting events. The student section began to grow for each game; VSN’s athletes were there for each other. When you weren’t playing or practicing, athletes were in the stands. As our fall season ended and playoffs loomed, our section was the largest it had ever been. Home or away, volleyball or football, we supported each other. With the backing of our student body, Valley Stream North sports has hit another level of extreme. Now, we hope to carry the energy into the upcoming winter and spring seasons and lead our Spartan athletes to more successful winning seasons. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections I Don't Know By Elaine Ching November 19, 2021 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Reasons Behind Fans By Isabella Menjivar Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original image by Eva Grace Martinez Question: Who’s your favorite music artist and what about them makes you their fan? “My favorite artist is Maren Morris. She’s my favorite artist because she was passed on from many TV shows such as The Voice , but she never gave up and achieved so much.” -9th grade student “My favorite artist is Whitney Houston. I’m a fan of Whitney because her lyrics mean something, they tell a story. I love her songs that I relate to because they have a meaning. Not only are they entertaining but I learn something from Whitney’s songs.” -7th grade student “If I had to choose, my favorite artist would be Demi Lovato because she’s just a genuine down to earth person. She has songs saying to keep going, always have confidence in what you do, and never give up.” -10th grade student “While I enjoy music from a wide range of artists, I love listening to Mac Miller because he combines the best elements of rap, jazz, and soul with his lyricism in his music.” -11th grade student “My favorite artist is YOASOBI. I’m their fan because I like the way the person sings and the upbeat music.” -8th grade student “My favorite artist is Tame Impala because I find that Kevin Parker is a great songwriter. Not only does he write great melodies, but also great lyrics. Though it’s hard to categorize his music, this is actually an advantage because there’s something for everyone.” -12th grade student. I’ve learned from most of these interviews that what can make us admire a musician is the way they convey their message through song lyrics. We all can find lyrics we relate to, or ones that have given us a new message to live by. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections P.S. I Love You Day: “Purple Day” Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Noa Cordova The week of February 12th, the main hallway was decorated in purple; purple streamers adorned the ceiling, a purple paper tree flourished and purple post-its occupied lockers. So, why did the color dominate the hallways? February 9th marks P.S. I Love You Day; it is a day dedicated to removing the stigma around mental health issues and spreading love to others. P.S. I Love You Day was founded by Brooke DiPalma, a fourteen-year-old girl who lost her father in 2010 due to suicide. Her father’s notable last words, “I love you,” inspired the name of the day we recognize every February. In honor of P.S. I Love You Day, North’s Students Against Destructive Decisions Club (SADD) organizes an annual weeklong campaign. As indicated by the main hallway, purple is the color associated with this campaign. Because Brooke decided to make light of a dark situation, many schools and individuals recognize P.S. I Love You across the state. Mental health advocacy serves as one of the S.A.D.D. club’s main initiatives, so P.S. I Love You Day gets carefully planned out and executed. The club’s advisor, Mr. Moniaci, the officers, and the club members work together to ensure the campaign’s success. The main hallway decorations help bring S.A.D.D. campaigns to life and require a great deal of collective effort. Club members divided themselves into committees for posters, the main office window, the display case, and streamers. The main display case was meant to reflect this year’s theme of “love is meant to be given.” To do this, club members created an array of gifts, bows, and hearts to convey the idea that love is meant to be given like a gift. Additionally, members Navrosedip Kundlas and Wesley Pang crafted a tree that served as a symbol of the growth many experience on their mental health journey. As the vice president, I can attest to the great deal of effort the club members contributed to the decorating process. Working around BSU’s artwork, S.A.D.D. members effectively brought honor to P.S. I Love You Day’s ideals. S.A.D.D. members’ duties were not fulfilled on Monday; Thursday afternoon S.A.D.D. resumed its P.S. I Love You Day activities with post-its in hand. One of the most memorable aspects of P.S. I Love You Day for most students is finding special purple notes on their lockers upon their arrival at school. As involved as S.A.D.D. members are, covering every locker in the building is not a one-club job, so S.A.D.D. enlisted other clubs to assist. A total of ten other clubs assisted and were each assigned a hallway. Each club wrote positive messages on the purple post-its and taped them onto each locker in the hallway. The next day, February 16th, was North’s P.S. I Love You Day when purple-clad students were greeted by some written encouragement on purple-post it notes. P.S. The day is much more than “wear purple day;” it is a reminder we should prioritize mental health and spreading love in any way we can. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections 2024 Presidential Candidates Sahar Ali Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Commonwealth Fund It is finally 2024, which means that during the month of November, eligible United States citizens will cast their vote for the next president. The presidential election takes place every four years and consists of candidates that come from the two major parties in the United States: The Democrats and Republicans. Currently, Democrat Joe Biden is President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman in the history of the U.S. elected Vice President. As citizens of the United States, it is especially important to know who our presidential candidates are. Being the president of the United States is a big responsibility, which is why all eligible voters must think deeply and consider all the reasons why they are casting their vote for a certain candidate. In this article, you will be getting an idea of who the 2024 presidential candidates are. DEMOCRAT – JOE BIDEN Joe Biden, the current president of the United States, will be running for a second term in the 2024 election later this year. Political experts argue that Biden is the most probable democratic candidate to defeat Donald Trump, the most influential Republican candidate. For over 50 years, Biden has worked in the realm of politics and runs a platform that includes gun reform, health care, and abortion rights for women. Joe Biden is the oldest President in the history of the United States at 81 years old. Before Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, he was the 47th Vice President from 2009 until 2017 under President Barack Obama. Not only that, but Biden was a U.S. Senator, representing Delaware from 1973 up until 2009. DEMOCRAT – DEAN PHILLIPS Dean Phillips, a former CEO, and a three-term congressman from the state of Minnesota, is the second Democratic presidential candidate. Phillips challenges Biden by asserting that the next generation should have the ability to lead the country. Not only that, but Phillips has also brought up multiple issues regarding Biden’s old age; being the oldest president at 81 takes a significant toll on Biden’s role as President. According to NBC News, Phillip’s campaign positions include enhancing public safety, supporting immigration reform which includes improved security at the United States border, and believing that patients should have the freedom to make decisions about any aspect of their health. DEMOCRAT – MARIANNE WILLIAMSON Marianne Williamson is the third democratic candidate. After making her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show , Williamson gained popularity as Winfrey’s spiritual advisor. In the previous 2020 presidential election, Williamson was unsuccessful as she ran for a presidential candidate. Earlier in 2014, Williamson also sought for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, but this attempt was also deemed unsuccessful. Marianne Williamson was also the first to announce that she would be a democratic candidate challenging the current president, Joe Biden. Unlike her opponents Biden and Phillips, Williamson has never held a position in any political office. According to NBC News, Williamson’s campaign positions include an effort to restrict or diminish the reproductive rights granted by the notorious case, Roe v. Wade, limiting gun violence, legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, and reaching 100% renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. REPUBLICAN – DONALD TRUMP As you may recall, Donald Trump is the former president of the United States. He is also the top Republican contestant in the 2024 election. Donald Trump is the first former president who has had to face criminal charges, along with federal charges for violation of the Espionage Act. Not only does Trump face criminal charges, but he has also been impeached twice. Donald Trump has also made false assertions by stating that he won the 2020 presidential election against his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. According to NBC News, Trump’s campaign positions include pardoning a large group of people after they faced federal offenses for participating in the January 6th riot at the Capitol, eliminating medical programs that focus on sex/gender transitions, and working on the exceptions for a federal ban on abortions. REPUBLICAN – NIKKI HALEY Nikki Haley is the second Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Before becoming a presidential candidate, Haley was South Carolina’s governor from 2011 to 2017; this was where she began her work in politics. In order to serve as the US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley ended her second term early. Previously, Nikki Haley had stated that she would not run against Donald Trump; however, she was the first Republican to announce that she would run against the former president in the 2024 presidential election. If Haley wins the 2024 presidential election, she will become the first woman in the history of the United States to be President, along with being the first US President of Asian descent as she is the daughter of Indian immigrants. According to NBC News, Haley’s campaign positions include finding a “national consensus” on abortion, preventing illegal immigration, and limiting the term for members of Congress. SOURCES Who’s running for president in 2024? The Republican and Democratic candidates | US elections 2024 | The Guardian The 2024 presidential candidates: Who’s running from both sides ( nbcnews.com ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Cage (a short story) Annie Diep Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image Provided by Annie Diep My mother owns a bird, or perhaps shall I say two birds? Since...I find myself resembling the dove my mother keeps in her office quite a bit. Like the dove trapped in the cage, I am confined to my room. Like the dove unable to fly because its wings were clipped, I am unable to walk because my legs are clipped. Like the dove, I used to think this was for the better. Like the dove, I thought this enclosure is supposed to protect me from the outside. Like the dove, I am punished when I ask for things that I do not deserve. Like the dove, all I know how to do is stare outside the window all day. However, unlike the dove, I am not allowed into her office. However, unlike the dove, she has not once looked at me besides when she punishes me. Unlike the dove...I am not loved. I guess now that I think more about it...I don't resemble the dove my mother keeps after all. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Pride Advice By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by CommonPRObiz Hello my dear readers,  Since June is Pride month, to celebrate it, I would like to answer a few questions related to the LGBTQ+ community.  "What do you do when your family doesn't support your transition?” Firstly, congratulations on getting to know yourself this well; that was tough and worth celebrating on its own. To answer your question, this would depend on how strict your family is. If they do not want to help you with your transition, try to take small steps, with the help of people who do support you, your friends and other family members. It is all about the small victories. It also may take some time for your family to process the fact that you are transitioning, so try to be patient, but not passive. If starting this process poses a danger to you, you will unfortunately have to wait until you can do so safely. “What do you do when someone in the gay community disrespects your identity?” I would address it directly. Since they are in the community, they are more likely to have the knowledge to understand their mistakes. Talk to them, explain which of their actions and opinions you find disrespectful and stand up for yourself. The fact that they are a part of the gay community does not excuse them and is not a protective shield from mistakes. Nobody is perfect, so do not be scared to point out their wrongdoings and speak up! “Where/how can I find local gay communities?” First, consider joining The Alliance club at North. This by itself will open many doors for you. Try to explore where other members are active and see if those places are of interest to you. Besides The Alliance, you can ask your other friends and see where that will lead you. You can also try to find a friendly community online, but that might be less local than you would like.  “What would you do if someone else was being cyber bullied for their sexuality/identity?” If it poses no harm to you, stand up for them! It is hard to be assertive while being the victim of cyberbullying and if you can help them, try your best to! Show the victim they are not alone, reassure them that they are valid in their identity and make your voice heard.  “How do you let a friend know you’re there for them when you suspect they want to come out?” Make sure they know you are their friend and that you will listen to their problems, in a general way. Just being there as a friend who supports them will give them the cushion of security they will need. If they decide to come out, they will come to you. They need to build enough confidence and they need to feel safe enough themselves, you cannot help them more than just ensuring you will listen. Don’t push them, they will come out when it is the right time. “What’s your opinion on Heartstopper ?” This isn’t really advice, but I will gladly chime in. I personally did not watch the Netflix series, but I have read Alice Oseman’s original comic. The warm story, the character development, and the representation drew me in, and I believe it could act as a tool for others to explore and to discover themselves further. Oseman created an inspiring depiction of the realities of being part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the struggles that come with mental illness. Even if I can’t recommend watching the show, since I haven’t watched it myself, the comic is definitely worth reading. I hope this helps, and enjoy Pride Month!! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Former New York Governor George Pataki Should Contest Incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2022 By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Fox News Now that the 2020 Election Results were certified on January 6th, and Judge Merrick Garland was chosen to be President-Elect Biden’s Attorney General over Andrew Cuomo, Governor Cuomo will seek to achieve what his father, Mario Cuomo, could not: win a fourth term as Governor of New York. Cuomo has been a wreck for New York State from the start. Since 2014, according to Forbes , Cuomo pocketed over $6 million in campaign funds from State contractors in return for $7 billion in state funds. Not only is his office riddled in potential ethics violations during the normalcy before the pandemic, Governor Cuomo has also performed some questionable actions during the pandemic. For one, he fudged the true amount of COVID patients sent to nursing homes, only to downplay that the facilities were not required to take in COVID patients, while an order from his office said otherwise. This story was picked up by the left-leaning news outlet CNN. This poor leadership and policy-making abilities have been widespread throughout his three 4-year terms thus far. For example, his tax policies are driving thousands of New Yorkers out of State, forcing our congressional delegation to decrease by two seats, as projected by census approximations. New York would only send 25 Representatives, compared to the 27 we send currently. Cuomo even advocated to raise taxes in December of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. In a new proposal to legalize marijuana recreationally, the State would pocket over $300 million in excise taxes, officials familiar with the matter have stated. However, I will give a thumbs up to Cuomo for allowing us to attend school in-person, though, the cons do outweigh the pros. Who has been frequently vocal against Cuomo’s pandemic leadership abilities? Former Republican New York Governor George Pataki. Don’t know who George Pataki is? Let me give you some background. George Elmer Pataki, a Republican, is a politician who served in both chambers of the New York State legislature as well as Mayor of Peekskill, NY before catapulting into the Governor’s Office in 1995 after defeating popular New York Governor Mario Cuomo, who is also Andrew Cuomo’s father. Pataki served in the Governor’s Office during turbulent times: helping New York rebuild from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th. He also oversaw the construction of the Freedom Tower, beginning in 2006 under his Administration. Currently the most recent Republican to serve in the office, Pataki was able to appeal to both social conservatives and liberals as well as fiscal conservatives and liberals in his policy-making. Reading Pataki’s 2016 Presidential Campaign Platform, it is evident why he appealed to voters across both aisles. While the Republican Party has been labeled “pro-life”, Pataki believes in legalized abortions with limits. He has supported lowering taxes, as well as expanding Obamacare as the nation’s healthcare system. His views have crossed party lines, which is what undecided voters normally look for. Based on the realities under Cuomo’s administration, I think the New York State Republican Party should recruit Former Governor Pataki to run in 2022 against Governor Cuomo. He would be their party’s strongest contender, being a former Governor, and providing strong leadership during 9/11. While he has been out of the political arena for almost 13 years, and tried to jumpstart a campaign for President in 2016, the Republicans have the best candidate right in front of them. It is vital for our State that Cuomo lowers taxes, or that someone steps in and ousts him in 2022. Right now, I think our best option to pass such an action is George Pataki. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections How to Skate – from an Amateur Figure Skater By Olivia Neuner Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by NYC Parks Hello everyone! My name is Olivia, and I have been taking Figure Skating lessons for about 5 months. I started in November of 2020; I always thought it sounded fun, and with all school activities cancelled at the time, I “figured” it would be nice to try something new. I’m so glad about my decision and I am now planning on joining a skating team in college (It’s a really popular thing at all the up-north schools I applied to like UVM, UNH, UMaine. Today I would like to share my love for this sport and teach you the most basic skill needed to skate: how to not fall over. I’ve taken many friends with me to free skate over the last few months, and I’ve seen many falls, trips, and more, and have learned from both my lessons and observations the quickest way to get that first start. Tighten up those skates (You shouldn’t be able to lift your ankle in the skates, but you also should still have the circulation going) and let’s glide! The wall is your friend (but more like one that cheers you on from the sidelines) – One of the most common things I see at my weekly free skate is people clinging to the wall for dear life. Most commonly it’s because they feel terrified of falling over. DON’T DO THIS. When you rely so heavily on the wall, it will be even harder to get off than had you not used it at all. My suggestion is to start out near the wall. If you really need the stability, you can tap the wall with your right hand, or gently hold the hand of a more experienced friend (don’t lean on them too much, or you’ll both take a tumble). Glide, don’t “walk”- A common mistake for first timers is to try to walk across the ice - this will result in a fall quite quickly. As stated in #1 , stay close to the wall, and try to start a simple glide (if you have ever been on an elliptical, it’s a similar motion). It’s hard to describe, but you’ll know it once you do it. Make sure to lift your opposing foot to prepare for the other to land (ex. When you are gliding on your right foot, lift the left foot forward, in front of your right, to keep up your speed). The lift doesn’t have to be high; even an inch should suffice. Just make sure it’s off the ice. Use your knees - When you feel like you are losing your balance, slightly bend down and put both hands on your kneecaps. This will keep you from taking a flailing tumble. Having your knees loose and slightly bent while skating will also make it easier to glide: a stiff body is more likely to lose balance. If you have to fall, just let yourself - Flailing your arms around is not going to help you here; in fact, it will make you less stable than when you first lost your balance. If you feel yourself falling backwards, follow #3 and put your hands on your knees. If you are suddenly falling forward, this doesn’t always work. Here, I would suggest just letting the fall happen. Make sure to distribute your weight so you don’t damage a specific part of your body; I usually try to fall on my side with that same arm out (Let it be noted to avoid putting any weight on the wrist or ankle as you risk serious damage). This should result in a gentle slide rather than a slam and shouldn’t leave any side effects except for slight embarrassment. The next time you go skating, hopefully these tips will have you gliding in no time! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Orb By Alanna Tieschmaker Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Pyro Richard couldn’t believe that he was doing this. Sneaking into the king’s museum was the last thing he wanted to do. Rumors had spread throughout the kingdom, and with them the idea of a cold and unfeeling king. If a village missed their payment, there would be no mercy. Every last person would be hunted down and killed by soldiers told to be as ruthless as their ruler. So why was he here, risking himself a cruel faith? He sighed quietly, careful to not make a sound that could alert the guards patrolling the area. He knew exactly why he was doing this. It wasn’t out of boredom or for fame. No, it was all for the sake of his little brother.  Even thinking of the situation leading up to this moment was hard. They had been sleeping in a sheltered underpass. Richard had been unsure, but his brother seemed so happy to have a clean place to sleep and nothing had happened the past few nights. So, against his better instincts, Richard settled down for the night, pulled his little brother closer and fell asleep. How he paid for ignoring his gut.  Thunder cracked through the air, startling him from his sleep. Looking around frantically, he saw a scene from his worst nightmare. A hulking figure stood over his brother, who was farther away than before. Lightning flickered and illuminated the underpass, gleaming off the blade that was held above his brother’s head. Richard froze, knowing that any wrong move could spell the end for his brother. “Don’t ya move a muscle,” growled the figure, pulling his brother closer and putting the knife at his throat.  “I won’t!” Richard responded desperately; eyes pinned to the knife. “What do you want from us? You can have anything, just please, put my brother down.” “You don’t get to make demands here!” The knife drew blood, waking his brother. “Richie?” he mumbled, still half-asleep and unaware of what was happening. Looking down, he drew a sharp breath when he saw the arms holding him in place. He traced them upwards and found the knife at his throat. “Hey, hey, don’t look at that, eyes on me.” Richard coaxed, trying to prevent his brother from panicking. Panicking could lead to death with the strength of the hold, and he couldn’t handle another death.  The man relaxed his grip enough to snap twice, then re-strengthened it again. Three other people filled the alcove, signaled by the snaps. Without turning away, he ordered one of them to bring a coil of rope and sent the others to restrain Richard. Knowing fighting back would hurt more than just him, he allowed his arms to be roughly pulled behind his back.  “Now this one.” The thug pulled his brother’s face to meet his, greedy eyes meeting terrified eyes. “He would be perfect for the job. He’s skinny and wouldn’t be missed if he was caught by the king.”  Richard went deathly pale, hearing what may happen to his precious younger sibling. The king was ruthless, and any intruders faced a gruesome death. Nothing would change that, not even the intruder being a child. He couldn’t let that happen to his brother. “Wait!” he cried, careful to stay still while grabbing the thug’s attention. “Let me go in his place.” “And why should we do that?” replied the man, a sneer clear on his face. “He’s perfect for the job.” “W-well I would do a better job. I can do everything that he can and would be faster on my feet.” There was silence as the gang considered the offer. Then, to Richard’s relief, the head thug put down his brother although not so gently.  “Fine. A bigger brat is less likely to tattle anyways. But just for a bit o’ insurance...”  The hilt of the knife slammed down onto his brother’s head, knocking him unconscious.  “Emmet!” Richard surged forward, scared that his brother had been killed despite his offer being accepted. However, he was still held by the other thugs, who quickly wrestled him back.  “Oy brat! Be careful or I actually will kill him.” One of the thugs holding him down began to tie his hands behind his back, pulling harder than necessary. The other pulled a piece of cloth across his eyes, taking away one of the senses he needed to survive this situation. “Load ‘em up boys!” hollered the lead thug. “Move it!” Richard was shoved forward, almost falling over from the unexpected push. He caught himself at the last moment, and blindly shuffled forward, having no choice but to trust his captors.  Richard was pulled out of his memory when he heard movement below him. The guards were finally changing shifts. There was only a small period when he could sneak in according to the thugs. He had spent days looking over plans, knowing that everything he had depended on getting this right. It wasn’t just his life on the line.  ‘Now --’ he thought, slipping off his perch and landing next to a window. His location would be out of sight for a minute and a half while the change happened. Richard pushed on the old window, which swiveled and allowed him to slip through and jump down. He landed in a silent crouch on the museum floor. He was in.   BACK TO TOP