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Back to Artwork Chalk Pastel Peppers Back to Sections Chalk Pastel Peppers- Aafia Aswad Aafia Aswad November 6, 2023 Chalk Pastel Volume 4 Issue 1

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

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections College Application Advice Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching College applications can be overwhelming during senior year, especially while trying to manage work, school, sports, and maintaining a high GPA. For me, navigating the Common App and completing applications has been a struggle. Through my own experience, I’ve learned how to better approach the college application process which can help future seniors feel calm and relaxed while completing their applications. #1 - THE SAT/ACT The SAT is an exam many students take before going into college; however, some students opt for the ACT or take both. The SAT, composed of English and mathematics, is scored out of 1600 points, while the ACT, composed of English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing section, is scored out of 36 points. Most students, according to the College Board, tend to take the SAT more than the ACT due to its many benefits such as more time per question. Although the SAT may appear frightening at first, practice can help students with understanding how questions are asked to become accustomed to the exam. I recommend taking an SAT course, either offered in school or from another organization, especially if you are aiming for a high score above 1300 because SAT questions get more complex with each module, so getting the right coaching can help chances of scoring higher. Aiming for a high score is possible for anyone, but it can be difficult to achieve if there is no practice involved. Fortunately, I was able to have the experience of receiving SAT prep outside of school; however, many people are unable to have the same. If you are unable to fit the SAT prep course offered at North in your schedule or are unable to receive prep outside of school, Khan Academy has a free SAT prep course with practice questions and videos on SAT topics. The Princeton Review also has textbooks with a QR code that provides five practice exams. The SAT is not simple English or math, rather, the questions test your deeper understanding and application of diverse concepts. Practicing for the exam can take months, which is why I recommend starting to practice before or during your junior year. Just remember: practice, practice, practice! #2 – STARTING THE COMMON APP The Common App is not something North students will start in class. Instead, they have to start the application on their own time over the summer. I recommend starting it around the start of August, which gives students enough time to answer the surplus of lengthy questions required by Common App. Depending on what schools you apply to, there will be more essays than just the college essay that you work on during English class. Starting the Common App early during the summer can help students jump start supplementals and reduce stress during the start of the school year. However, I believe the essays are the hardest part. #4 – LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Letters of recommendation are also a vital aspect of your college application as they show a student through the lens of other people, like high school teachers. During the end of your junior year, take some time to think about which teachers you would like to write your letter of recommendation. Keep in mind that you should find two teachers to write a letter on your behalf, unless otherwise stated by a specific school or program, like CUNY’s Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program, which requires five letters of recommendation. Think about teachers who you have created a bond with and are aware of your strengths and capabilities. It is recommended that you ask a teacher in person rather through Teams Chat, or email, in an extremely polite manner; writing a letter of recommendation takes time and thought and is no easy task. Ask your teachers at the end of junior year or at the start of senior year, so they have ample time to create a well written letter. Your teachers will upload your letter from Naviance. Guidance will help students navigate through the website during senior year. Common App has a unique feature for most, if not all schools, where students can add additional recommenders besides high school teachers. Select a school, and on the left-hand side bar where it shows the specific parts of the application, you will see “Recommenders and FERPA.” Scroll down until you see “Other recommender.” Over here, all the extra recommender types that are allowed by the school will be shown (Ex. Arts Teacher, Coach, Employer, Peer, Other). Some schools allow students to choose from a lot of recommender types, while other schools may only allow some recommender types; some schools may only allow one additional letter, while others may allow up to three – this solely depends on the school itself. Then proceed to add your recommender, and Common App will send them an email where they can upload your letter. In my own experience, I have asked a peer and an employer to write me an additional letter. Asking a peer to write a letter of recommendation is beneficial in my opinion since it shows admission counselors who you are outside of school and how you resonate with people; I personally love the fact that some schools, like Dartmouth, allow the peer recommendations as it sheds light on an applicant from a different perspective. I have written a peer recommendation for a friend and had found it to be quite interesting, yet fun at the same time. Remember, if you hope to ask a peer recommendation, choose wisely! Additionally, you are unable to see your letters of recommendations and are heavily encouraged to waive your rights. This will be done in the “Recommenders and FERPA” section of each school’s application on Common App. #3 - ESSAYS For many students, writing supplemental essays along with the main essay is one of the hardest parts of a college application. AP LIT students must write a draft of their college essay over the summer as an assignment; however, English 4 students write it during the school year. When writing your essay, you want to focus solely on yourself. That does not mean that you cannot write about others in your life. Focus on a specific event in your life and how it has impacted you. Or think about something that is special to you. It’s important to take some time to think about your essay, especially since it is a reflection of you as a person to admissions counselors. Even if you do not like the first draft of your college essay, do not panic! North’s 12th grade English teachers provide some of the best outlooks and will take time to help you brainstorm ideas. From my own experience, talking with my teacher and revising it with her has made my essay extremely unique; with her coaching, I was able to transform an unlikeable first draft into an exceptional final draft. Supplemental essays for certain schools, however, are not the main focus of 12th grade English classes. The number of supplementals a student has to write depends on the colleges they choose to apply to. Some students may have more essays than others, while some students may not have as many. Although you may not have your teacher to help with these specific essays, students may feel more confident writing them after writing their personal essay. Yet, many students, like myself, still have trouble writing supplementals. This is where I recommend you begin to look for a private writing instructor. My experience with a writing instructor has been immaculate, especially since the instructor has helped me get my thoughts down on words. Preply, a website where students can find tutors, has helped me find a highly qualified instructor for a reasonable price per hour. Even though it is not necessary to have that help, it certainly will help make your essays stand out more. Not only that, but certain supplementals can be reused if essay prompts are similar to one another. Just keep in mind to fix certain sections to make it specific to the school. Always do some research about the school and include it in your essays; whether it be classes, the campus’ environment, or even clubs, showing the school that you are aware of what they offer and showing your interest in the school, which is always favorable. Finally, if you ever need help with college applications, do not hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor, any of your teachers, or even upperclassmen who are completing their applications. College applications can be overwhelming, but don’t forget that there are people who are willing to help. All you have to do is reach out, keep on top of your deadlines, and work hard. SOURCES: SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should I Take? - College Board Blog BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Should sports go on? By Ismaela Andre Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original image provided by Valley Stream North Covid-19 is still around. Many schools and jobs began to open, but should we do the same with sports? In August of 2020, the Governor of New York announced that all school sports could start practices and minor meets starting September 21st, 2020. That changed soon after as Governor Cuomo decided to cancel all scholastic sports. Currently many New York City high schoolers are in full remote until 2021. This is because the COVID-19 cases are beginning to increase in New York. Also, in New Jersey, all high school sports were just cancelled due to the new Covid cases. Do you think our school should do the same? On December 7th, 2020, our school announced Winter Sports sign ups. North will begin low risk sports like track, bowling, and gymnastics. The high-risk sports are on a pause due to Covid. Do you think this is ok? During my interview with an 11th grader, she stated that ALL sports should not go on. She stated “There is close contact within every sport. This can cause COVID to spread.” She also stated “Winter sports especially should not go on because it is cold, so many students might catch a cold. This cold could pass on and turn into Covid.” This student is correct, but I interview a 9th grader who said “Sports should go on because many kids want to interact with other people. Also, during summer many kids had to stay at home and did not get a chance to interact with family and friends.” Both students have a point, but with whom do you mostly agree? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris, Art & Culture Back to Sections Open For the Flower Nora Chery - Class of 2023 Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Nora Chery BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Sophia Rhall - Lights On for Education - 1 By Sophia Rhall April 22, 2021 Colored Pencil Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Explaining The Holy Month of Ramadan By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Shutterstock What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is the holy month of fasting. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar signaling the beginning and end of Ramadan, which depends on the appearance of the crescent moon. In 2022, Ramadan will begin on April 2nd and end on May 1st; however, these dates may vary slightly across different countries due to the moon’s appearance. In Islam, it is believed that during Ramadan on Laylat al-Qadr , also known as the “Night of Power,” God revealed the holy book for Muslims, known as the Quran, to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that during Ramadan, individuals who fast, pray, and have faithful intentions will have all their past sins forgiven by God. What Muslims do during Ramadan The holy month of Ramadan is a time for Muslims to practice self-restraint, spiritual reflections, and growth. Ramadan allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. Sawm , one of the five pillars of Islam, is practiced during Ramadan. Not only meaning the obligation to fast, but sawm also means refraining from food, drinking, unkind thoughts, and immoral behaviors. Before Muslims begin their fast for the day, they have a pre-dawn meal known as suhur (this word may vary between languages). Fajar , the morning prayer, signals to Muslims that their fast for the day has started. Maghrib , the prayer during sunset, allows Muslims to break their fast. Muslims break their fast with the meal known as iftar , which is usually “broken” with eating dates, following Prophet Muhammad’s actions. The fasting hours change with seasons, with summer fasts being longer (16+ hours) than winter fasts (8+ hours). Additional prayers, also known as tarawih , are offered at night and are generally performed in mosques. During tarawih , the entire Quran may be recited throughout Ramadan. Zakat (charity), one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory during Ramadan. All Muslims must give 2.5% of all their assets to charity each year. How sawm is invalidated and reasons why individuals don’t have to fast You have probably heard of Muslims fasting, but have you ever heard that fasts can sometimes become invalid? Yes, you heard that right! A Muslim’s fast can become invalid if they eat or drink on purpose. If an individual forgets that they’re fasting and accidentally eats or drinks, their fast is still valid because they did not mean to consume anything. If a Muslim is ill or traveling during Ramadan, they are not obligated to fast. Muslim women who are pregnant or nursing, the weak and old, travelers on long journeys, children, and the mentally ill are excused from fasting. Menstruating women cannot fast, but it is not because they are considered impure. Instead, it is because it becomes harder to fast when a woman is menstruating, which is why God has made this time easier for women. Healthy adults and older children must fast, but if they miss any of the reasons listed above, they will have to make the missing fasts up after Ramadan is over. The end of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr’s “Feast of Fast-Breaking” celebrations mark the end of Ramadan. It is one of the two major holidays in the Islamic calendar, the second one being Eid al-Adha. This holiday marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to. The pilgrimage is known as hajj . During Eid al-Fitr, people wear new clothes, delicious food is made, gifts are given, the graves of deceased family members are visited, people pray in mosques, and gather with their families. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections New Faculty Piece By Jeselys Vazquez Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Original artwork by Jeselys Vazquez Throughout the time Mr. Chung started working at North, he helped all kinds of members of the school, including students, faculty, and staff, with various computer problems: for example, faulty touchscreens, broken keyboards, nonfunctioning microphones, and charging issues. The common issues he comes across are students needing to remember their laptops, missing styluses, and the consistency of students needing a laptop charger. He has found that our WIFI availability affected the school’s operations for many students. With all the fixing and rebooting in our school, there are so many things he loves about North, and he has many goals to make it even better with his talent and willingness to help. Mr. Chung said, “My goals at North are not only limited to the Technology Department. Initially, during the job search process, I was looking to teach Math or Computer Science in some capacity. After my corporate job, I got a teacher assistant certification so I can be in a school and be allowed in classrooms. I am open and will consider all teaching opportunities.” There are many areas he can help in, not only in the tech department. One of the things he loves about North is that throughout his day, he enjoys when he gets to communicate and have conversations normally with students about life and anything they need help with; he managed to have connected with most of the school and about 30% of the faculty members. Fun fact, he has been taking Spanish 1.2 with a class of 8th graders to communicate fluently and help those in need of translation. His goal this year is for our school community at North to have the best-running tech service department, have everything at our disposal, and ensure for all of us a smooth operational technology. Also, specifically going into details on what sprung his confidence and interest here, he says, “I got this job coming out of retirement 18 months ago from a corporate Technology job, and it still feels like I am in retirement. At VSN, I got free access to the gym, free Spanish lessons, a parking lot, wonderful community, conversations, and get paid for this.” There is no number to put the amazing things North has brought to him and what he loves about it, but it has impacted him positively. He says, “It brought a wonderful community and people into my life, and this makes being here a lot of fun, and did I mention I get paid to be here.” 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

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