Back to Articles News Back to Sections Small Ensembles 2024 Elaine Ching and Lauren Orsano Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Lauren Orsano On June 4th, 2024, at Elmont Public Library, all five of North’s musical small ensemble groups gathered to have one last performance. In the past, the annual Valley Stream North High School Small Ensembles Concert mainly featured high school small ensembles such as Mrs. Hayden’s Breakfast Club and Ms. Ansbacher’s Senior High Jazz Band; however, this year, the end-of-year musical event grew to include both Senior High and Junior High Jazz Bands, Treble Choir, Junior High Select Chorus, and the Breakfast Club. The concert was spectacular and showcased the musical talents of North High School students and teachers. Firstly, the Junior High Jazz Band started the evening off with four fantastic pieces. Their first piece was C Jam Blues , a relaxing jazz melody featuring several solos. In contrast, their next song, Blue Bossa had a catchy and quick tune, demonstrating the ensemble’s ability to balance different tempos. Additionally, the style of the piece was very jazzy due to the strong saxophone presence, much like their first piece. Their third song, Birdland , was a true testament to the jazz genre as it was named after the first jazz club in New York City. Lastly, they closed their performance with a song featuring harmonies from the famed Pixar movie, The Incredibles. The Junior High Jazz Band’s performance served as evidence of the hard work they have put in this year. The second small ensemble to perform was the Junior High Select Chorus. Their first song was Do Wah Diddy Diddy, made famous by Manfred Mann in the 1960s. The younger group was very energetic as there were a few giggles at the beginning of their performance; however, they managed to pull it together by the end and made for a sophisticated presentation. Other pieces included Stand Together and The Lion Sleeps Tonight , demonstrating the chorus’ ability to blend their vocal parts. After the Junior High Select Chorus, the Swingin’ Spartans’ Jazz Ensemble entered the stage. The group exemplified the talents of the entire group while highlighting the skills of select dedicated players. Additionally, the group demonstrated their range of capabilities as they shifted tempos from fast in the songs “Conga,” “Route 66”, and “Nothing from Nothing”, to slow in “The Way We Were”. Additionally, the amazing staccato abilities featured in “Nothing from Nothing” made the notes sound very crisp. This contrasts with the ensemble’s legato notes in “The Way We Were.” The Senior High Jazz Band’s performance illustrated their ability to play a vast range of music while maintaining the same musicality and sensitivity for each piece. The fifth small ensemble group to perform was the Treble Choir, led by Mr. Thorn. The group accomplished a wide musical range while only including sopranos and altos. Also, the song selection allowed the group to show their ability to perform various tempos and showcase their acapella abilities. The singers demonstrated excellent vocal blending while still highlighting each distinct voice. The group’s last song was a medley of several Aretha Franklin pieces including, Natural Women , I Say a Little Prayer, and Respect . The medley included two beautiful solos by Kayla Duvert and Samantha Salnave. For the night's final event, the Breakfast Club, led by Mrs. Hayden, beautifully showed their hours of dedication through their performance. Their first song was a piece that included the classic fiddle tunes, Folk Tune Air, and Fiddler’s Fury. It featured solos by Lillian Dolan and Arshdeep Singh, both senior violinists of the Breakfast Club. Later, once the other string instruments joined in, they blended their sound very well, and the rhythms were truly clear. Throughout all the pieces, the different instruments of the group had a very balanced sound. Afterward, they performed a slower and more mellow song, Don’t Know Why, an instrumental take on the classic Norah Jones tune, featuring Jake Heiss on the drum set and Rebecca Hayden on piano. Finally, for their last piece, they performed Fantasia Espanol, a dramatic and bold piece composed by Soon Hee Newbold. The Small Ensembles Concert is traditionally the last concert of the Valley Stream North school year, effectively wrapping up the musical activities of the 2023-2024 school year in a beautiful bow that exhibits the talents of musicians who attend rehearsals outside of their music education classes. This year was certainly no exception! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Line Study By Kimberly Shrestha April 22, 2021 Study Volume 1 Issue 7

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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Summer Festivals Celebrated Throughout the World Sahar Ali Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Aesthetics Wiki - Fandom When summer was just around the corner, various countries started to welcome the most beloved season. Here are some places where the summer season has a grand entrance! KRAKOW, POLAND – WIANKI FESTIVAL This Polish festival began with an ancient pagan fertility festival. Wianki Festival originated in Krakow but is celebrated all over Poland. Wianki translates to the wreath and represents the future, good fortune, being in love, and fertility. Along the Vistula River, the Poles have special wreath-floating events, festivals, concerts, bonfires, traditional food, firework displays, and vodka drinking. Polish women also wear, and deposit garlands weaved with symbolic herbs in a river. Hiding in boats lined up along a river, boys try to catch their girlfriend’s wreaths. BARCELONA, SPAIN – THE NIGHT OF FIRE FESTIVAL OF SANT JOAN This Spanish festival celebrates the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. On the night of Sant Joan, celebrations commence when the sun is at its highest in the sky, symbolizing fertility. Representing wealth and strength, bonfires and fireworks take place all over Barcelona. Sant Joan has three symbols: water, herbs, and fire. Water symbolizes the cleansing of sins. As a result, locals often dive into the Mediterranean Sea for a late-night swim. Herbs symbolize remedy and healing. Since it is believed that thyme, rosemary, and verbena contain aphrodisiac properties, many eat these herbs on the night of Sant Joan. Fire represents abundance, purity, and fertility. On the night of Sant Joan, Barcelona lights up with bonfires and fireworks to eradicate bad- luck. JAPAN – AOMORI NEBUTA MATSURI FESTIVAL One of Japan’s largest festivals, the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival (August 2 - 7), takes place in the Aomori, a prefecture on Japan’s island of Honshu. The Aomori prefecture is notable for its natural landscapes, like volcanic mountain ranges. It is also Japan’s largest apple producer. This festival originated amongst the Aomori people to eradicate the drowsiness that came over them on warm summer days. During the Japanese festival, large floats made from wood and paper are decorated and lit up from the inside. Complemented by taiko drums, flutes, and hand cymbals, these large floats parade throughout the Aomori prefecture. There is no fee to attend the festival as attendees take part in dancing as they wear the traditional Haneto dancing costume. ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – WHITE NIGHTS OF SUMMER May through July, the “White Nights” are celebrated when the sun does not fully set, leading to sun-filled days. Russians refer to this festival as Beliye Nochi. During the White Nights, people come out on the streets and visit special concerts, festivals, ballet, opera, and certain restaurants/bars that stay open all night. Additional celebrations include bridges being raised over the River Neva, best seen from an evening cruise, swimming in Lake Ladoga, and walking through the “Summer Gardens” or Letnii Sad . On June 22nd, millions of Russians gather for the Scarlet Sails as a tall ship sails to recreate a well-known children’s story with a fake pirate battle, all taking place on the River Neva. Sources: Great Summer Traditions around the World: Festivals & Celebrations ( internationalteflacademy.com )   BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Hakeem Makes History By Samantha Alteri Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by NBC News Congressman Hakeem Jefferies, the Representative of New York’s 8th Congressional District since 2013, was recently selected to serve as the minority leader for House Democrats in the 118th Congress. Representative Jefferies, who currently serves as the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, is no stranger to leadership positions in the lower house. The former whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and prior co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, Jefferies will be the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress. Jefferies will assume the slot in leadership currently held by Nancy Pelosi, the first female to serve as Speaker of the House. Shortly after the 2022 Midterm Elections, Pelosi announced her intention to step down from House leadership, signaling a change in Democratic politics. Not only did Pelosi step down, but the other top two Democratic leaders in the House did as well. Representative Steny Hoyer, the former majority leader representing Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, and James Clyburn, the whip from South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, stepped down as well. Representative Katherine Clark, who serves as the Congresswoman of Massachusetts’s 5th District, will assume Clyburn’s former role, while Pete Aguilar, the Representative for California’s 31st District, and current Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, will assume the role of Democratic Caucus Chair. The transition to new Democratic leadership in the House represents a generation change for Congress. Current House Democratic leadership members are three decades older than Jefferies. This key move by Democrats was made just a few weeks after a midterm election in which Generation Z voters represented a large portion of the voting block for Democrats. These young, politically active voters moved to elect Democrats on a large scale, with a CNN House exit poll showing 63% of Generation Z voters cast ballots for the left. The move by House Democrats to place younger politicians in key leadership roles may resemble a desire to maintain large numbers of voter participation from this group of young constituents. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections How Accurate is Wikipedia? By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by Giulia Forsythe Wikipedia...the website that is turned to for information about everything from train stations to musicians. According to the website, Wikipedia has over 6 million (and counting) pages describing an object, event, or place (content pages), and has over 52 million pages in total. But not everything on the Internet is accurate. So, how accurate is Wikipedia? According to The New Yorker , Wikipedia is neoliberalism, or “economic liberalism and free-market capitalism” (Wikipedia), applied to knowledge. People with only partial knowledge exchange knowledge and get the missing part of their knowledge, meaning that through many exchanges with many people, Wikipedia would become more and more accurate with time. In fact, according to a study published in Nature in 2005, Wikipedia averaged 4 errors in 42 science articles. The Encyclopedia Britannica averaged 3 errors. It can be concluded that Wikipedia is almost as accurate as Britannica in scientific entries. Wikipedia doesn’t need to self-correct. The invisible hand does its thing. This was intended by the creators of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. In fact, Wales doesn’t care about editors being revealed as impostors, because the outliers are cancelled out by other outliers and information close to the truth. But teachers don’t favor the website because anybody can edit it. Britannica doesn’t allow that. It only allows experts to edit the encyclopedia, although the public can give feedback on articles. Personally, my elementary school librarian would prevent us from using Wikipedia. Instead, we would have to use “PebbleGo” or Britannica. And yet Wikipedia is starting to become less taboo among teachers as they start using it as well. However, Wikipedia is still distrusted by many, mostly since Wikipedia can be edited by the general public. According to a survey I conducted, 58% of people use Wikipedia, 84% don’t use Wikipedia often, and 60% think Wikipedia is not accurate. This means that a plurality of people use Wikipedia but don’t rely on it often due to the skepticism. Comments stated that the most uses of the website consist of facts, creating a growing concern over its reliability. In fact, a Business Insider article states that Wikipedia is a great place to start for information but should not be used for research or other academic use. This attitude is also shared by our very own, Mr. Toffolo. In my interview with him, he revealed that he is using Wikipedia, and has been since 2005 or earlier, stating that most information is accurate on Wikipedia because people monitor the pages, so it was good to use to start finding information on a topic (such as an article from Business Insider, as mentioned earlier). However, he also wouldn’t recommend Wikipedia as a research tool for students unless it’s for quick use, matching the opinions of so many. In conclusion, Wikipedia can shine with accuracy due to its neoliberalist approach to knowledge, but is inaccurate in some case as well, due to public editing. Lots of people don’t rely on Wikipedia heavily due to the “anyone can edit” policy. Wikipedia is used by lots of people for trivial facts or quick definitions, though, and is considered a great place to start for information. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Ode to Normalcy By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Kendall McLeod To find love in simple things isn't easy, so over the past month, I have challenged myself to write dramatic descriptions of simple objects as an exercise in reminding myself about all the beautiful things around us. The following are 5 selections from this challenge:  The orange bowl I eat from each morning:  Smooth, cold, yet entirely perfect. A shade too dark to be tangerine, yet too light to be anything close to amber. Far from the neon shades of paint seen in stores, it is an orange that is perfectly acceptable, not too much of anything, just a simple, and maybe perfect for it, bowl.  The aqua blue glasses, the only glasses I will drink from: Slightly too heavy for a cup, almost as weighty as a mug, yet not nearly light enough to hand to anyone under the age of 6. These made-in Bulgaria IKEA glasses stand as a testament to the awe-inspiring power of light. No matter how dark or bright, the shifting shades of blue paint an ocean in my cup, and for a moment, all is well.  The out of tune acoustic guitar next to my window: The strings are too tense; each note plucked resonates sharp and unforgiving. This is the price of progress, as the electric hangs beautifully in tune away from any potential threats to its static perfection. Rarely now will I find my fingers wrapped around the wooden neck of an instrument that has taught me to love sound in all its forms, and even when reaching out for it, it knows me now as an unloving parent, doomed to place it by the wayside.  The polka dot lunchbox I’ve kept since 4th grade:  Obnoxiously bright, I hide the flinch at its migraine-inducing coloration each time I pack myself a simple sandwich or salad. The yellow has dulled to a mustard grey as the years have passed, and the pinks have blended into their red neighbors. I have always hated this lunchbox, never marked with the trademarked characters which inspired lunchroom seat hierarchies; I loathed ever to let my 4th-grade enemies catch a glimpse of this glaring weakness. Yet, as I place it into my bag, I am reminded of an easier time, where a polka dot lunch box can hold and is the biggest of my worries.  The vejigante which sits on my dresser:  Are you indeed a demon? The eight-year-old who placed you so gently in her room nearly ten years ago would like to know. If so, are you not indebted to me? The bright yellow triangle carved into a coconut painted in a deep black, or what would be your face, has been well-loved since you have been brought here. Though your left horn is no longer as tight as it once was, I hope you are still comfortable here, in this house, or maybe as that eight-year-old futilely hoped—your home.  BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections History of New Year's Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Max Ching With the arrival of the new year of 2025 and the passing of 2024, it is a milestone worth celebrating. Whether it’s by watching the ball drop at Times Square, lighting fireworks, or making New Year’s resolutions, there are countless traditions that billions of people around the world look forward to. After all, a new year is often considered a clean slate and fresh start for many. However, why is January 1st considered the “new year” and how was it decided? While many may not think about it, there is a rich history behind New Year’s, its origins, and previous celebrations. To really understand the origins of New Year’s we must go thousands of years back to Mesopotamia. Roughly around 2000 BCE was their first New Year’s celebration, which also marked the beginning of a harvest. However, this holiday acknowledged as “Akitu” took place during the Vernal or spring equinox, where there are 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime. While Mesopotamia is credited with the earliest celebration of New Year’s, ancient Rome is believed to have played an even more important role. This is because a change in the calendar was made. The original Roman calendar only contained 10 months with March 1st considered New Year’s Day. However, this calendar was based on the lunar cycle and had become misaligned with the seasons. Therefore, a more accurate system that aligned with the solar year had to be created. Julius Caesar would go on two more months, January and February to have a 12-month calendar known as the Julian calendar. The length of the months was also adjusted during this time to better reflect the Earth’s orbit around the sun, ensuring a more consistent and predictable year. January held a lot of importance as well because it was known to honor a Roman God known as Janus, who represented the past and the future. As a result, January 1st was determined to be New Year’s Day. Nonetheless, even more reforms would be made to the calendar to form what is known as the Gregorian Calendar. This was created by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It was based off of the 46 B.C Julian Calendar, only with minor changes made with days. This is when December 31st was officially coined as “New Year’s Eve”. To this day, the Gregorian Calendar is what is globally followed and accepted, with exceptions of Afghanistan, Iran, Ethiopia, and Nepal. The Gregorian Calendar holds significant importance as it is what determines the dates of holidays, days of the week, and months. Now that the origins of New ear’s have been established and could be better understood, it is significant to discuss some popular traditions that people did to celebrate during ancient times. It is crucial to keep in mind that New Year’s was originally often celebrated in a way that incorporated religion, and mythology yet may have similarities to current traditions. For instance, in Mesopotamia festivals and parades were very common, however these celebrations were very focused on the gods and honoring them. This symbolized the gods rising above all to enter the new year. Another interesting ritual is that the current king at the time would have to kneel to a statue of the god Marduk and confirm that he was leading the city and its civilians correctly. While this appears to be humbling for the king, it represents a sense of loyalty to his people and a reminder of his purpose as not only a ruler, but a leader. In terms of denoting religious significance to their celebrations, Rome proved to be very similar. As previously mentioned, January was significant because it served as representation of Janus the god of the future and transition. Therefore, it was common for Romans to make offerings to Janus. Additionally, they prided themselves on generosity and contributing to their society. As a result, people often gave treats and gifts to the people around them and would even work for part of the day. It is clear both Mesopotamia and Rome considered New Year’s Day to be special particularly in terms of spirituality, but they also had their own individualistic perspectives about it. People have always believed the new year to be a chance to restart or be a new beginning for themselves. This belief encourages many people to seek improvement and look forward to their future with hope. In modern times it is referred to as New Year’s resolutions, but the same ideology has been around for ages. New Year’s has a rich history in a variety of contexts that connect to how we celebrate today. From creations of new calendars to rituals, New Year’s has been through a constantly evolving process. It is no doubt that ancient times differ from our modern society, but it is interesting to learn about what has led to our current perspectives and traditions to ring in the new year. So as we celebrate the beginning of 2025, remember that the past continues to shape our future. Sources: Happy New Year 2025: Happy New Year 2025: Why the world celebrates New Year’s day on January 1st and what are some of its traditions? - The Economic Times The New Year’s Holiday, Explained: From Mesopotamia to Temecula, How We Celebrate the New Year The History of New Year’s Eve | How NYE Celebrations Started 5 Ancient New Year’s Celebrations | HISTORY BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections My Favorite Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe By Carolina Figueroa Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Taste of Home The winter season is here, and there is no better way to put you in a good mood than by baking a warm, homemade, delicious dessert. My personal favorite dessert during the cold months would have to be pecan pie! Homemade pecan pie is a classic, rich, old-fashioned, Southern dessert that has the best combination of sweet and salty. It is perfect to share and enjoy with your family and friends. The gooey, dense combination of the mixed ingredients of sweet filling and delicious pecans fill your mouth, leaving you wanting more. Pecan pie tastes best when served warm, giving you a cozy sensation. It is very easy to make, and here is my favorite pecan pie recipe: Ingredients: 1 cup Karo brand Light OR Dark Corn Syrup 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons butter (melted) 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecan nuts 1 (9-inch) unbaked OR frozen deep-dish pie crust Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract using a spoon. Stir in the pecans. Pour the filling into the pie crust. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 60 to 70 minutes. (The pie is done when the center reaches 200 degrees F. Tap the center surface of the pie lightly – it should spring back when done). Cool for 2 hours on a wire rack before serving. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and preheat the oven as directed. Pour the filling into the frozen crust and bake on the preheated cookie sheet. Pecan pie reigns supreme on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is so easy to make that some families make it a year-round dessert. Pecan pie is classified as a “sugar pie” and is often served warm with whipped cream or cold vanilla ice cream. There have also been additions to the traditional pecan pie, like bourbon whiskey, shredded coconut, chocolate, and butterscotch. Pecan pie was created by French people who had settled in New Orleans years ago and is now the official state dessert of Texas. Pecan pie is an all-time favorite dessert of mine, packed with a nutty and sweet filling nestled inside a savory pie crust! Enjoy! BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 October 8, 2021 "EXOMOON" ARTICLES A Recommendation of Brahms: Op. 39, Sixteen Waltzes By William Mullin Entertainment & Media Read More Border Crisis: The Reasons Behind the Surge By Everton Prospere Editorial Read More Cool Creatures Episode 1: Water Bears By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More First Day of School Traditions Around the World By Carolina Grace Figueroa Art & Culture Read More Hispanic Heritage Month By Disha Bhalla Art & Culture Read More Inspiration 4: A New Precedent for Space Exploration By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More Meet VSN’s New Principal: Dr. Robin Small By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More NCOD By Eva Grace Martinez News Read More Signs for Wellness By Aleeza Dhillon News Read More The Monsters in Us By Saniyah Corbin Polaris Read More Welcome Back: A Short Guide to the Beginning of the Year at North By Ala Paruch Advice Read More “Once On This Island” is coming soon! By Rachel Ezeadichie News Read More A Tribute to Selena By Christina Ossa Feature Read More Celebrating Lin-Manuel Miranda By Alicja Paruch Feature Read More Deltarune: A Game Review By Rachel Ezeadichie Entertainment & Media Read More Flower Lady; A Sky Children of the Light Shore By Catherine Duong Polaris Read More In the Heights: A Tale of Love, Culture, and Hair By Lucy Wu Art & Culture Read More Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Cultural Identity Done Right By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More Mixed Feelings Regarding the Covid-19 Vaccine By Ismaela Andre Editorial Read More One Year of India’s Farmers’ Protest By Shinedip Kundlas News Read More The Golden Tragedy By Catherine Duong Polaris Read More The Removal of the Minute Bell By Cody Sung News Read More Without Her Face 2 By Nora Chery Polaris Read More CONTEMPLATION LOAD MORE