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Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Lillian Dolan - What is Line - 3 By Lillian Dolan November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1 This picture is of a wicker basket. I used artificial light (a lightbox). It was taken around noon.

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Mr. Rampersaud By Sarah Velez Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by New Scientist Jobs Mr. Rampersaud is a new teacher working here at North High School who was previously working at Central High School. This new school year, it is important for North to provide a comforting atmosphere where teachers can feel welcomed. Broad question, how are you liking North so far? Mr. Rampersaud: “I love it here, it’s a great school district to be a part of. Kids are great, staff is great, it’s a great location for me. I like how tight my science department is.” Is North a welcoming environment? Mr. Rampersaud: “North is an extremely welcoming environment, the staff I’ve ran into have all said hello to me, all asked me for my name, and introduced themselves. And the students have all been very welcoming towards me.” Is there a difference between North and Central? Mr. Rampersaud: “The layout of the hallways, and also, Central is only grades 10-12, meanwhile here is 7-12. The 7 graders are mad tiny. But other than that, the staff is just as great in both places and in my experience, the students are kind in both locations.” Have you always wanted to be a teacher? If not, what did you originally want to be? Mr. Rampersaud: “I guess I wanted to be a doctor, but senior year of college I realized that I would not be taking the MCAT nor would I want to spend another 8 years or so in school--that’s when I decided to do what I originally wanted to do, which was be a teacher, although I wanted to teach art history originally. It is the perfect career for me right now. Why didn’t you become a social studies teacher since social studies is everyone’s favorite subject? -question by Ms. Dragos. Mr. Rampersaud: “Technically art history is social studies, but the reason I didn’t get my Master’s in social studies education is because social studies isn’t as marketable as science. Do you have a good relationship with the students? Mr. Rampersaud: “I would hope so, but I believe it’s not up to me to decide that, but the other party. I can think we have a good relationship, but in reality, it’s not, you know what I mean? But I do think I do have a good relationship with my students, yes. They’re all good people.” What’s your favorite thing about teaching science? Mr. Rampersaud: “My favorite thing about teaching science—well, science is the most applicable to the real world, as in I think students would use what they learned in science more than they would social studies or math. And also, I really like teaching the double period. And, like, it’s fun. We get to demonstrate cool demos and run lab experiments” If you could meet anybody dead or alive, who would it be? Mr. Rampersaud: “It’s got to be the first human. The very first human. Let me see where we came from.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections NBA 2023-2024 Season Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Dreamstime.com The 78th National Basketball Association (NBA) season kicked off on October 23rd,2023 and thirty of the best teams in the nation each played a total of 82 games in hopes of securing a spot in the playoffs. This season was held at high expectations with star players such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Doncic hoping to grow their legacies. Additionally, unlike previous seasons, there was a “play-in tournament” implemented that brought even more excitement to gameplay. Before discussing the 2023-2024 season in-depth, it is crucial to understand how it is formatted and based on what criteria. To begin with, the teams are separated between an Eastern conference and a Western conference with fifteen teams in each. To qualify for a playoff spot, a team must be in the top six of their conference based on their number of wins and losses. However, with the new play-in tournament, teams in the 7th-10th seed of their conference have a chance to fight for a playoff spot. The 7th seed plays the 8th seed, and the winner secures the 7th seed in the playoffs. Yet, the loser gets another chance. The 9th seed then plays the 10th seed, where the loser is eliminated. The loser of the 7th vs 8th game then plays the winner of the 9th vs 10th seed game for the final playoff spot (Merrell, 2024). Overall, this new aspect of the NBA adds excitement and competitiveness to the end of the regular season. Not to mention the annual All-Star weekend where the dunk contest, a three-point contest, skills challenge, and All-star exhibition games take place. This year was the first time a WNBA player was included as part of a charity event. The matchup was between NBA star Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu, a WNBA star, both competing in a three-point contest and Curry won. Nevertheless, because of this unique matchup viewership skyrocketed to 5.4 million, the most it has ever been within the last 4 years. With a season full of high expectations and the most skilled players in the country, there were bound to be teams that stood out based on their performances and predictions. Some of the most notable teams this year included the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Indiana Pacers. These teams ended their regular season within the top five of their conference proving themselves to have some of the best rosters in the league. Some of these players include Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker. However, there were also teams who had historically terrible records. For instance, the Washington Wizards achieved only 15 wins and had 67 losses, while similarly the Detroit Pistons had 14 wins and 68 losses (ESPN statistics). During the season, the Pistons went on the longest losing streak in NBA history with 28 games in a row. As for viewership of the regular season this year it remained at a steady average of 1.6 million people who tuned in for each game. As usual, betting on NBA games has stayed popular, allowing fans to engage in several types of bets depending on a specific player or a team’s performance. All in all, this season proved to be interesting and full of excitement for fans, players, and coaches. However, it is not over yet as the Celtics who are 3-1 in the series, and Mavericks who are 1-3 are currently waiting to play Game 5 to determine the outcome of the finals. Update: The Boston Celtics won the Championships. Sources: Basketball - 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament Explained: Teams, schedule, how it works ( olympics.com ) 2024 NBA Finals: Win or go home for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 as Boston Celtics look to wrap up 18th championship | CNN BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Purpose Back to Sections Gilana Etame - Blue Orange Study By Gilana Etame November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Tales Through Time: The Medici Family Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by www.history.com The Medici family was a prominent Italian banking and political family that strongly influenced Florence from the 15th to the 18th century, sponsoring artists and dominating Florentine culture. They were influenced by the wealth and importance of the burghers, who had a share in government. The Medici's rise was partly due to their involvement in civic affairs, particularly in the influential merchant guild. The first Medici left their native Mugello around 1200 for Florence, where they made a living as merchants. Ardingo de' Medici became the prior of the Florentine merchant guild in the 1280s, leading to the elevation of other Medici to Florence's ruling council, the Signoria. Their financial acumen as bankers also contributed to their political power. The true Medici dynasty began in 1360 with the birth of Giovanni di Bicci, who started his career in banking under the family name and rose to become a junior partner in the bank's branch in Rome. When his uncle retired in 1393, he was given control of the bank, securing the Medici name with a future of wealth and prosperity. Giovanni officially named and founded the Medici bank in 1397, handling the Church and branches' accounts as far as England. Despite his growing wealth and success, Giovanni worked hard to remain disconnected from the state and politics, choosing to pay fines rather than accepting positions of responsibility within the Florentine government. The early 15th century saw the Medici ascend into the highest ranks of Florentine government under Cosimo, Giovanni’s son. However, Cosimo's chief rival, Rinaldo Degli Albizzi, tried to blame him for the war with Lucca. Despite his efforts, he was exiled to Venice in 1433, allowing Cosimo to return to Florence in strength. Cosimo's popularity with the populace and his family's bank allowed him to return a year later, crushing the Albizzi's hopes for dominance. Cosimo de' Medici, the leading citizen of Florence, managed state affairs for 30 years and was a shrewd politician who supported projects with his wealth and supporters. He took advantage of events that solidified his popularity, such as the Peace of Lodi in 1454. Cosimo's passion for religion and the arts is symbolized by the famous Florence Cathedral, or Duomo di Firenze, which allowed architect Brunelleschi to complete Florence's iconic dome. Cosimo's Elder, a prominent figure in the Medici family, was associated with Donatello's statue David and Fra Angelico's artistic masterpieces. He established the Platonic Academy, contributing to the family's investment in important buildings, art, and education. Under Cosimo de' Medici, the Medici ascendancy was assured. Lorenzo de' Medici, known as "Lorenzo the Magnificent," ruled Florence from 1469 to 1492 and was as able an administrator as his grandfather. He married into the Orsini noble family, giving the Medici the support of aristocratic blood. Lorenzo's diplomacy helped secure Florence against enemies, gain new allies, and maintain his position. His success as a diplomat and politician allowed him to gain influence with the papacy, which relied on the Medici Bank for many years. His success as a diplomat and politician allowed him to gain influence with the papacy, which relied on the Medici Bank for many years. Giovanni, Lorenzo's son, became a cardinal and Pope Leo X. Michelangelo, who had found a patron in Lorenzo, began work on the Medici Chapel. Both Cosimo and Lorenzo patronized artists and humanist scholars, with Donatello and Michelozzo di Bartolommeo finding enthusiastic patrons. Lorenzo, a well-read poet, was known for sponsoring cultural pursuits and helping scholars locate and acquire ancient and medieval manuscripts. The Medici believed in education and diligence. They used their talents to gain power, prestige, and influence, improving the quality of life, sponsoring cultural endeavors, and preventing foreign domination. The Medici produced two popes, one queen of France, and humanist statesmen like Lorenzo. Their accomplishments serve as prime examples of Renaissance ideals. The Medici's contributions to the Renaissance were evident in their long tenure as public figures, their importance to art history, and their intimate involvement in state affairs. Resources: https://themedicifamily.com/ https://www.history.com/topics/renaissance/medici-family#birth-of-the-medici-family https://www.britannica.com/topic/Medici-family https://www.florencetoursitaly.it/blog/who-were-the-medici-family/ BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Effects of Videogames By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Shutterstock The article “How Videogames Affect the Brain” discusses the pros and cons of videogames and whether they either strengthen or weaken the brain. Videogames have been both antagonized and praised by the public without conclusive proof from either side. After years of research, scientists have found that videogames can change different regions of the brain. For example, studies have found that gamers have shown improvements in different types of attention, like selective and sustained attention. Parts of the brain that play a role in attention are more efficient in gamers and they tend to have greater experience focusing on demanding tasks. Though some games improve our brains, others don’t. Even some games branded as “Brain-training” aren’t as beneficial as we may think. Wally Boot, Associate Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, said “Our findings and previous studies confirm there’s very little evidence these types of games can improve your life in a meaningful way”. Researchers found that you could train the brain to do certain things with these games, but these games might not necessarily be helpful in your day-to-day life. In contrast, studies have shown that specific 3-D games can help improve cognitive function in older adults. After 12 hours of training over the period of a month, study participants aged 60-85 improved performance in a game to a greater degree than people in their 20s playing it for the first time. This also improved their working memory and sustained attention; these skills were maintained 6 months after the study. A study done by the University of California-Irvine found that 3-D games could also help the formation of memories. 3-D games are more complex and stimulate the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important for memory. Strategy games have also been seen to improve brain function in older adults and provide protection against dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, video games have more of a positive impact on our bodies than much of the public believes. My Reaction This article is extremely informative about something we use in our everyday lives. I didn’t know that videogames had that much depth to them! The fact that they affect our brains more than we thought is very interesting. Now that I know this information, I can be aware of what the videogames I play are doing to my brain. Knowing that even these things meant for entertainment can change our body makes me interested in what and how other activities affect our body that I may not know about. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Isabella Feldman - Portrait By Isabella Feldman January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Lexi Sowerby - Prism By Lexi Sowerby November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Valley Stream North Breakfast Club’s Performance in Queens Elaine Ching and Manal Layachi Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Elaine Ching Valley Stream North Breakfast Club’s Performance in Queens            On Friday, December 8th, 2023, members of North’s Breakfast Club, a select string ensemble that rehearses on Tuesday and Friday mornings under the instruction of Mrs. Hayden, along with other North High School musicians, took a field trip to P.S. 811Q. This is an annual field trip that the students participate in as they try to bring holiday cheer to P.S. 811Q through festive attire, music, and activities.             The Breakfast Club started with a performance involving various holiday and winter songs. With pieces ranging from Christmas Carols to Hanukkah medleys, the ensemble brought joy to the students as they played. Students had fun as they sang and clapped along to familiar tunes. However, students mainly engaged with the Breakfast Club on their last song,  Jingle Bells  as teachers and students sang the Yuletide tune and North percussionists played jingle bells. Meanwhile, Breakfast Club members played the tune on their instruments and walked around the auditorium. Performing  Jingle Bells  is a beloved tradition by both Breakfast Club members and P.S. 811Q.  -Concert Order- Feliz Navidad Happy Hanukkah Light the Candles We Wish You a Merry Christmas Gloria Deck the Hall Hanukkah Holiday Modern Christmas Classics Jingle Bells                After the Breakfast Club’s performance, the musicians split into pairs to share their instruments with P.S. 811Q students. With violins, violas, cellos, and basses galore students had a pleasure getting to experience playing the string instruments. Some 811Q students even brought in their own instruments; one student brought in his recorder. The sheer amount of joy that the students got from playing the instruments was evident as this was one of the few times they interacted with music at their school. North students were grateful to work with 811Q students, as Arshdeep Singh says, “It really felt like a blessing to work with kids that are not fortunate enough to experience this on a day-to-day basis.”            North students displayed great amounts of respect, integrity, and kindness as they led musical workshops in the gymnasium. North students’ love of music was palpable as one could easily see how much passion they had whether it was teaching about rhythm, boom whackers, or the instrumental anatomy of a violin. Just take it from Breakfast Club bassist Sophia Reese who states, “I’m so incredibly lucky to teach and share my love for music with those who are unable to experience music on the daily like we are. Going to P.S. 811Q with Breakfast Club has been one of the highlights of this year and last.” Additionally, Manal Layachi, Breakfast Club violinist, says “I led the music note station where the kids had to write how music makes them feel on a paper-colored music note. It felt awesome helping the kids express their feelings about music. I helped a boy with his music note and he gave me a hug. It was so heartwarming, and I felt amazing after. Making a difference for these children makes me happy and special. It feels good to make a difference and make connections and new memories with these kids.” BACK TO TOP