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Back to Articles News Back to Sections Goodbye DeBlasio: How the 2021 NYC Mayoral Election is Turning Out By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by the New York Post Republican, turned Independent New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg was term limited and couldn’t run for re-election in 2013. Traditionally a Democratic city, after nearly 20 years of Republican control in the Mayor’s office, the Democrats gained the office back, electing Bill DeBlasio. He would be the first Democrat since David Dinkins, Mayor from 1990-1994, to be elected. Now, it’s a clean slate in 2021, and with what’s currently transpiring in the city, will the Republicans be able to take the Mayor’s Office back? Mayor Bill DeBlasio has been one of the least popular statewide politicians since the beginning of his second term in office, and the piling crises and problems have kept that approval rating on the decline. DeBlasio has tried to deal with a homelessness crisis, an increase in crime rates, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of those residing in the city have disapproved of his response to many of these problems. For example, according to Rolling Stone , 52 percent disapproved of DeBlasio’s response to the homelessness crisis while only 35 percent approved. The Republican and Democratic Party Primaries are heavily contested. In the Republican Primary, only two candidates are running: Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, and Fernando Mateo, Founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. In a hotly contested debate, they went back and forth on stage hosted by WABC. In the Democratic Primary, a slew of candidates are running. Major candidates include former 2020 Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang, Brooklyn Borough President Eric McAdams, and Former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation Kathryn Garcia. Polling indicates that it is a heated race, as Yang and McAdams are nearly tied in polling. New York City is a traditionally Democratic city, but the Republicans held the Office from 1994 until 2014, from Rudy Giuliani to Mike Bloomberg, and possibly again this November. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections How to Deal with Narcissim By Ala Paruch Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by the American Psychological Association Hello Ala! How do you deal with a classmate that’s bluntly narcissistic and only seems to care about talking about themselves? Hello dear reader! Thank you for sending in the question! Well, before the advice itself, I'm sorry you have to deal with that. People who are not friendly to spend time with will show up often in life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. In this situation, it seems the person you are talking about is not trying to be friends with you. On the contrary, they make you feel uncomfortable, so feel free to ignore them. It may seem rude, but they are using you to make themselves feel better, and you do not have any obligation to give away your time to them. If you are forced to interact with them, try to limit contact and only talk about what is necessary. Again, they are not trying to be friends, and you must deal with your life first, not their problems.  I hope this helps! Ala BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Must be Love on the Brain By Christina Ossa Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Shuttershock With Valentine’s Day passing and many people in developing or long-term relationships, the question rises, where exactly does love affect our bodies? Love's most significant effect on our bodies is within several brain regions. The brain is vast, and, to some extent, confusing; we still only know around 10% of how the brain functions, but what we do know well is that love makes people do crazy things. Love is almost like a drug: intoxicating, and more of a phenomenon than anything. Even the most level-headed, practical people can fall victim to being absorbed by love. The Honeymoon Stage (Neurologically) Where exactly does love affect our brains? Why does our brain sometimes react to our deep feelings peculiarly? Well, it depends on what stage of love one is in to truly determine which part of our brains is taking the lead on controlling our emotions and reactions. During the early stages of love, the areas of the brain known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and caudate nucleus control your dopamine levels, better known as the “feel good” neurotransmitter. Early into a relationship, you experience the “honeymoon phase,” not only because we as humans crave new things but also because your VTA and caudate nucleus release dopamine in every interaction you have with your loved one. You love spending time around this person and can’t get enough of them because your VTA and caudate nucleus are spewing dopamine; even if the intense feelings are true, they are also biologically caused since the body is a fiend for dopamine at times causing you to feel almost a “high” from your loved one. Testosterone and estrogen are hormones released by the pituitary gland that causes the sex drive to activate in the early stages of relationships, which can also explain the addictive feelings that the honeymoon stage creates. The pituitary gland also releases oxytocin, another “feel good” hormone associated with love. The hypothalamus creates this hormone known as the “love hormone”. It is highly associated with love since, once released into the bloodstream, it causes many positive effects, such as activation of sex drive (in conjunction with testosterone and estrogen) and building of recognition, trust, romantic attraction, and even parent-infant bonding. All these hormones and neurotransmitters work together, forming the reward system in our brain. Other areas of the brain also releasing these hormones and neurotransmitters are the cerebral cortex, the medial insula, the anterior cingulate, the hippocampus, and (in the subcortex) parts of the striatum and also possibly the accumbens. Scientists are actually unsure of how these parts work together to cause us to act “lovey-dovey” with our loved ones. But, the most important thing to note about these areas is that they make up our reward system in addition to the VTA, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and caudate nucleus. Not Just a Biological Phase If these strong feelings persist past the honeymoon stage, well, not only will one have a lifetime or long-term supply of dopamine and hormones, but also, you’ll have a healthy (hopefully) way of deflecting stressors and decreasing pain/negative feelings. Your VTA intensifies as more and more dopamine is released when you’re around this person; you’ll feel as though you’re immune to bad feelings, or at the very least, you’ll feel safe since you have a safety net of dopamine to either come home to or talk to at any moment. Dopamine is extremely important to long-term relationships. In a study, many married couples still felt intense “honeymoon stage” love for each other. They showed very similar activity to the honeymoon stage in dopamine-rich areas such as the VTA. Therefore, if you want to know if you genuinely have a “deep love” and not just a honeymoon stage fizzled relationship, think back to those dopamine-rich moments you’ve had with your partner early on. Are they still the same now as they were before? Obviously, a relationship matures and grows over time. But based on this study on married couples, the brain sometimes can’t tell the difference between these “stages”. Biologically, love seems to remain stable in the brain when one in a long-term, healthy relationship (or unhealthy too, which can be the issue in many abusive or toxic relationships). So, ask yourself throughout your relationship periodically, do you still have those feelings or has your relationship truly fizzled out? The Crash As much as many of us would love for this love to persist throughout our lives (as with drugs – you get used to the high), sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s heartbreaking. Whether the feelings are still there or fizzled out, your brain essentially experiences withdrawal after a breakup. But why do we experience these intense moments? Your brain and body exhibit behaviors unnatural to your usual personality during break-ups because break-ups activate your fight or flight response, thanks to a structure in the brain known as the amygdala. The amygdala bypasses the rationale of your brain and thoughts as it perceives danger and life-or-death situations. Clearly, while a break-up may be painful, it is not simply “life-or-death.” But your brain quite literally treats it as such. So, when in a breakup, you melt down because your amygdala is causing your body to act as if it were dying. That withdrawal of love is so powerful that it truly causes our bodies to act in a life-or-death manner. The withdrawal can persist for months in unwanted breakups, as shown by a study that scanned the activity in the brains of young adults who experienced unwanted breakups and still felt love for their people. The individuals still sent their loved one's texts and even felt depressed for months. Also, when shown pictures of their ex-partners, the reward areas of the brain (VTA, ventral striatum, and nucleus accumbens) were activated, and dopamine was released. So, even if you’ve been broken up with a person for months, you can still feel that love and dopamine rush when seeing them or even looking at a picture of them. Another series of studies showed that the pain of heartbreak could even manifest as physical pain like a severe burn or broken arm. The areas of the brain, such as the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2), the anterior cingulated cortex, the insular cortex, the and the prefrontal cortex, and the thalamus, are activated as a result of the pain of heartbreak. These areas of the brain are associated with pain and activate when you are in physical pain, so even in breakups, it can be as if you’ve broken your arm. Endorphins are released as a result of the pain, and the pain persists until the endorphins act to calm your body and mind down. Love is a Biologically Taxing Process Love is complicated, even biologically. There’s still so much to learn about how love manifests in our brains and bodies, but the most crucial advice to take away is to enjoy love while it lasts. If it does last, keep enjoying it. Be with your loved one, endorse those dopamine releases, and enjoy the moment. And if that love ends, if you experience the crash, know that it’s normal and okay to feel those heart-wrenching emotions and pain. Think of it like a broken arm: you need time to heal it. So, love is not just an experience that possesses our brains and causes our bodies to act out of wack. It’s complicated but beautiful. Therefore, appreciate love because your body and brain work very hard to make it happen. References: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-goes-on-in-our-brains-when-we-are-in-love/#:~:text=More%20specifically%2C%20in%20a%202012,VTA )%20and%20the%20caudate%20nucleus . https://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/the-neurobiology-of-love-and-relationships/ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-love-do-to-our-brains#Where-in-the-brain-is-love ? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/breakup-neuroscience/ https://www.physio-pedia.com/Chronic_Pain_and_the_Brain#:~:text=Studies%20using%20functional%20MRI%20have,prefrontal%20cortex%20and%20the%20thalamus . https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins#:~:text=Endorphins%20are%20hormones%20that%20are,reduce%20stress%20and%20improve%20mood . BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Thalie Joseph - Pop Art By Thalie Joseph January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Who Do We Belong Madisen Dubose Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by love our age “I am you; you are me. We are one. We have existed here for as long as we can remember. Do not forget what is given.” A voice echoed out into the darkness. It was cold and unfamiliar, yet warm... What was given? I didn’t know. I was floating, like a dream. Who... Am I? What are we? A question left unasked as eyes hazily open to a sea of black nothingness. This place was void of life. My body was heavy yet consciously, I was light like a feather. It didn’t make sense but was perfectly articulate. This is the birthplace ... I’m not sure how I knew, but the thoughts flooded in with profound knowledge I’ve never known of but lived all the same. The accident, on that day... I remember it. What made me, me. It was only bits and pieces, but... As my body’s matter soon began to materialize in this dark realm, I could understand my form again. It was all wrong. My arms stretched harshly with a crackle from my stressed bones, knees that can barely hold themselves up buckling in, long beast-like claws attached to my now ugly form. I tried to look at my face, but it was no longer there. The only thing to stare back were the large razor-sharp teeth that jutted from the deep void I now call a face. A true and pure monster I’ve become. All I could do was tear at my empty sockets, my sunken nose, my bladed teeth in rage and fear. For I've seen what I truly am now. No longer human. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections En Garde! By John McCarthy Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Original photo by Coach Mary Parisi Winter sports have been back for two weeks now, and one team in action is our district fencing team. North’s own Ms. Parisi and her squad has already competed in three matches, with two wins against Syosset and Cold Spring Harbor. The team looks very promising, according to Ms. Parisi. The smart and passionate coach had this comment about the team: “I am very excited to return as head coach of the girls’ district fencing team. From the first ‘en garde’ to the last touch, these ladies truly give their all in practices and competitions. The team has been vigilant in adhering to the new safety protocols this season, and it is truly a pleasure to work with such a responsible and talented group of young ladies. In actuality, fencing strategy can be applied to everyday life, since an important part of the sport is maintaining a safe distance and keeping your mask on! I’m overjoyed to be coaching again and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds!” Here are our own fencers from VS North: Afira Mahmood (epee, 2 wins) Marisa Mohan (epee) Diane Tomax (foil) Filomena Pereira (foil, 1 win) Irene Quintero (foil, 2 wins) Tayler Rochester (sabre, 6 wins) Congratulations to the girls for the success they’ve had so far! Although no spectators are allowed at matches, I’m sure we will hear great things about our sports teams, especially fencing. The Winter Sports season has much more to it, and we can’t wait to see what will come next. Go Spartans! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Giving Back: Donate to SADD's Annual Food Drive By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Island Harvest In the United States before the pandemic, approximately 13.7 million households experienced food insecurity at some point during 2019. A household that is food insecure has limited or indefinite access to enough food to sustain a healthy life. Children especially are more likely to face food insecurity than any other group in the United States. That is about 35 million Americans who were either incompetent to acquire enough food to meet their needs, or unsure of where their next meal may come from. For about a third of these households, gaining access to food was so inadequate that their eating habits were interrupted, and food consumption was reduced greatly. The rest of these households were able to acquire sufficient food to avoid complete disruption from their eating patterns but had to manage by eating a smaller portion of varied diets or utilizing food assistance programs like P-EBT benefits. However, the coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the problem. According to a group of Northwestern University researchers, food insecurity has doubled as a result of the economic crisis passed on by the outbreak, hitting as many as 23% of households earlier this year. In particular, on Long Island, food banks are reporting a nearly 50% increase in their food distribution since the start of the pandemic. Island Harvest is one of the largest hunger relief organizations on Long Island. The organization relies on over 100,000 hours of annual service that volunteers offer to help Island Harvest in their mission to end hunger and reduce food waste. Once again, VSN’s SADD club is working with Island Harvest to sponsor a food drive. Non-perishable items needed include Canned Soup/Stew, Canned Beans/Dried Beans, Peanut Butter/Other Nut Butters, Rolled Oats, Canned Fruit in Juice/Dried Fruit, Canned Tomatoes/Vegetables, Canned Tuna/Chicken Brown Rice/ Instant Rice/Quinoa, Nuts/Seeds, Shelf Stable Milk/Milk Substitutes, Whole Grain Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Box Cereals (Low Sugar), Olive/Canola Oil, etc… Help feed Long Island this holiday season by dropping off non-perishable food. This is the opportunity to give back the community and help a family who may not be as fortunate. SADD will run the food drive from November 16 - December 16th. Donations can be dropped off at the Faculty Entrance, Gym Lobby, and in Room 113. Like Anne Frank once said… “No one has ever become poor by giving” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Boys’ Badminton: Flagship and Banner Year Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Coach Guzzardo Boys Badminton is now a district sport; to learn more about our amazing district team, I reached out to Coach Guzzardo, who guided them to great success in their first-ever season. I also learned more about Coach Guzzardo and how she became the coach of our District Boys' Badminton Team. Background information about Coach Guzzardo Coach Guzzardo attended Valley Stream North and graduated in 1997. After high school, she followed a career in education and has spent the last 24 years teaching Earth Science/Environmental Science at Valley Stream Central. In addition, she coached VSN Girls Varsity Volleyball Team for fifteen years, VSN Boys Varsity Volleyball for ten years, VSN JR High Girls VB for twelve years, and VSC Girls Varsity Badminton for the last eleven years. “I played both volleyball and badminton at North, LIBA Club volleyball, and varsity volleyball at Connecticut College for four years. I was a New York State volleyball referee for 3 years. Can you tell that I love these two sports?” Yes, we can. Her devotion and enthusiasm for the sports she has participated in motivates many players and athletes, including myself. During her time at North, she was a 2nd doubles player on the Girls Varsity Badminton Team for two years. Former Badminton Coach, Mr. Schiavo, led them to the playoffs, and she received the honor of All-Conference in her senior year. Her passion for badminton began when she was a child. Coach Guzzardo, who liked playing tennis, felt “badminton could be fun too,” and “I was right!” she says. It is a high-energy sport that makes her think of chess. “You have to not just outlast your opponent but also outsmart them.” She discusses badminton's similarities to volleyball, including rally scoring and the abilities required to play the sport. Players are continually pushed during the rally, whether with difficult shots, defense, footwork, or mental activity. And “it is so rewarding” when a player ultimately delivers the shot to gain a point, she added. Valley Stream District Boys Badminton There has been a Girls Varsity Badminton Team both at North and Central; however, boys' badminton was not offered. Coach Guzzardo stated that male kids would inquire “if there will be a boys' badminton team”. She hosted clinics for boys previously, and the reaction was fantastic. She was thrilled to learn that there would be a District Boys’ Badminton Team, so she applied to coach. She used to coach three sports seasons every year but missed coaching in the fall. Coaching the Girls Badminton Team at VSC has been “so rewarding,” and she hopes to “help more students learn about and enjoy badminton.” “Being involved in sports has impacted my life in positive ways and given me many memories - both as a player and as a coach. I wanted to be able to offer that to students and give back to the Valley Stream community.” Valley Stream District Boys’ Badminton had an exceptional season, as they earned third place with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses. The 4 matches that they lost were all 3:4. 7 players on the team earned awards with 6 All-Conference players and 1 All-County Honorable Mention. “All 3 Singles players went undefeated in Conference 2! What a great way to let other schools know that Valley Stream has entered the court and we're here to protect it” Coach Guzzardo added. One of the best highlights of their season was their achievement of a 7:0 win, and it was their last match of the season against Calhoun. Coach Guzzardo shared that all the players rushed to the courts to celebrate at the end. Valley Stream North is represented by sophomore Gabriel Manuel who has done an excellent job on the team. He is a part of the 2nd Doubles and has earned All-Conference this season. Coach Guzzardo looks forward to coaching him over the next 2 years. VSN Athlete Gabriel Manuel earned All-Conference “I would like to have more VSN students come out for the team next Fall. Sign-ups will be in the Spring of 2025 and tryouts are the last week of August. All practices and matches are held at VS Memorial. I will be hosting boy badminton clinics towards the end of the year, so please be on the lookout on Instagram and listen to the morning announcements. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the VS District Boys’ Badminton Team and see you on the courts!” Guzzardo says. I would like to thank Coach Guzzardo for sharing her story and telling our readers about the wonderful season our District Boys’ Badminton Team had. Thank you! Congratulations to the boys for their academic excellence and athletic ability. VSN Varsity Boys’ Badminton is a NYS Scholar-Athlete Team. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Gilana Etame - Lights On for Education - 1 By Gilana Etame April 22, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 7