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Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Aaron Judge Makes History By Leah Ally Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Fox News Aaron Judge has made baseball history. The New York Yankees’ star outfielder, age 30, smashed his 62nd home run of the year, setting a new American League record for most home runs hit in a single season. On October 4th, 2022, against Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco, Roger Maris’s 61 home-run record was surpassed after 61 years of holding the profound title. Coming into the league in 2016 at 24 years old, Yankee fans had high hopes for the young star, as he was the 32nd pick in the first round of the MLB 2013 draft. Judge would go on to have a record-breaking rookie season while winning numerous Player of the Month awards and being named American League (AL) rookie of the year, finishing as runner-up for the most valuable player in the AL. He was selected as an All-Star, becoming the first-ever debut player to win the Home Run Derby. Relating to his current achievement of 62 home runs within a season, Judge stood for two years as having the most home runs (52) for a rookie in MLB history. Unfortunately, after this extraordinary year, Judge would suffer from several injuries, including a wrist fracture and a rib fracture. Although Judge faced numerous setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, he continued to succeed in maintaining high batting averages, getting league awards, and standing out on the team. He is responsible for leading the Yankees to the playoffs for nearly 5 years straight (2017-2022). Before the 2022 season, Judge had not yet successfully negotiated a long-term contract with the Yankees after turning down a seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension, creating tensions with Yankees’ management and uncertainty about Judge’s future with the Yankees. Shortly after, a $19 million deal for one year was made official with the manager, Brian Cashman. As the season began, Judge started off strong, picking up home runs nearly every game and making an even bigger name for himself. As it got deeper into the year, it was clear Aaron Judge had his sights set on making history, as every at-bat without a home run was followed by disappointment by both him and his fans. After hitting his 62nd home run, “Judge spoke about how he felt about being named the AL home run king, which he admitted was a “big relief” getting that done with the amount of pressure hovering over him each at-bat. When asked about the most memorable part of this season he was quoted stating “The fans at home, the fans on the road. The constant support. Seeing Yankee Stadium on their feet for every single at-bat. They’re booing pitchers for throwing balls, which I’ve never seen before. I think I got a base hit the other night and I think I was getting booed for hitting a single.” Although Aaron Judge’s next step in the MLB is unknown, for his 2022 season, he proved his value as a player, and it is safe to say there is more to come for the young star. 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 Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections Memory Tree Entry 5 April 14, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 6

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections America Chavez: The First Openly LGBTQ+ Woman of Color in the MCU By Megan McDermott Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Marvel Note: This will contain many Multiverse of Madness Spoilers America Chavez, portrayed by Xochitl Gomez, made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the latest movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, on May 6, 2022. Many fans, including myself, had very high hopes for this newfound representation after 2021’s Eternals featuring Phastos, the first openly gay superhero, who even having an onscreen husband and son. Phastos and his husband also kiss onscreen, which is an enormous step in the direction of representation, especially for such a big corporation as Disney and Marvel. Chavez is fourteen years old - the youngest in the movie and one of the youngest in the MCU. I attempted not to get my hopes up for full representation upon learning her age, but I was pleasantly surprised upon seeing the movie. Many close-ups of her pride pin on her denim jacket were featured, and this “controversial” scene: Chavez has two moms, and the twelve-second clip of them led to attempted censorship in places such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. This scene consists of Chavez learning about her ability to jump through the multiverses and depicts her mothers getting lost in the multiverse after Chavez accidentally opens a portal. Due to the bans on gay content in the countries mentioned above, they requested Disney and Marvel cut the scene, but the studios refused because they want inclusion and representation to increase in their films. That news filled me with hope for Marvel to introduce more LGBTQ+ characters into their films. Many of the characters are canonically LGBTQ+ in the comics, such as Loki, Yelena Belova, and Wiccan (who translates into the MCU as Wanda Maximoff’s son, Billy Maximoff). I am very optimistic about her future in the MCU. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections XC By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by GWSports out of all the four seasons Fall's my favorite one for many different reasons but XC's the main one   the adrenaline keeps me going no matter how hard the race may seem it's all Boyens's doing that i managed to stay on the team   going up and down those hills really gives me chills all that running is tiring but Boyens's speeches are pretty inspiring   i've never met anyone who could be more understanding or anyone more hardworking it doesn't matter how many miles you can always count on him to crack some smiles   out of all the four seasons fall's my favorite one for many different reasons but XC's the main one   playing sports all three seasons makes me love XC for even more reasons other sports cannot compare to be honest, winter track is just a nightmare   winter track might be in the same tribe but it just doesn't give the same vibe badminton might be more relaxing but it takes a lot more adapting   out of all the four seasons fall's my favorite one for many different reasons but XC's the main one   we don't need announcements like other sports Simply for the same reason we don't need darn courts XC teaches you more than running it teaches you how to be cunning -Dedicated to Timothy Boyens, the best XC coach the world has ever seen. Thank you for everything you have done for North’s XC team. I appreciate all the hard work and effort you have put in. BACK TO TOP

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 Advice Back to Sections Senior Interview with Shubhdip Kundlas By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original photo by Shubhdip Kundlas In this issue I will be interviewing Shubhdip Kundlas, who will be graduating this June. It has been a weird, yet memorable year for the Class of 2021. Today we will be discussing Shubhdip’s tips and advice for the upcoming college freshman. ____________________________________________________________________ What is the most challenging task as a senior? SHUBHDIP The most challenging task is staying on top of college applications while balancing school workload. As a senior, you have the responsibility to complete all necessary components of your college applications while completing schoolwork. It can be difficult at first, but if you stay motivated, it gets easier once you learn what schedule/tactics work best for you. Who has given you the best advice? What did they say? SHUBHDIP The best advice I received was from my mother who said I should always think about the benefits of my future if I work hard now. Every time I feel overwhelmed with stress or work, I think about how it only helps me in the long run. If I work to my fullest extent now, I can enjoy my life when I'm older. Looking back on your high school years, what one piece of advice would you offer to any incoming freshman? SHUBHDIP Always try to do more. Whether it’s schoolwork or extracurriculars or even simple things like being a good student, always try to put in more effort to get the best result. There is always room for improvement. What has been the highlight of your senior year? SHUBHDIP The highlight of my senior year was getting accepted into my dream college with a full ride. It boosted my confidence and provided the premise of my senior year. It validated all my hard work for the past four years and living to see my dreams come true is an experience I will never forget. Where do you imagine yourself 10 years from now? SHUBHDIP I imagine myself to be in a great position working as a full-time doctor and doing what I have planned: building and donating to homeless shelters, leading my community to prosperity, and living a happy yet productive lifestyle. What college/university will you be attending? Why this college/university? SHUBHDIP New York University (NYU) is the college I have always wanted to attend. It is in the heart of NYC and has the rigorous academics I sought. Not only is it close to home, but I am able to work my current job while also pursuing my academic goals. What will you change about yourself in college? Why will you change it? SHUBHDIP I will change my current study habits and schedule. College can be a difficult time if you don’t adjust your high school habits because the life you are used to in high school is very different from the typical college life. Therefore, I plan on adjusting all of my schedules to what will fit best with college. I will also be more forthcoming and be the person to start the conversations with other people. People always told me college was the place where you make lifelong friends and I plan on being the one to introduce myself first because I am eager to meet new people! Is there any additional advice you would like to give?    SHUBHDIP Always think positive. Think about the good things in your life. If you ever feel down or upset about something in your life, think about something you have that others don’t. All you need to jumpstart your career is a home, food, and confidence. Create a mindset where you are always challenging yourself to do better and most importantly, never give up! Thank you so much to my brother for this interview! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Return of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Ava Augello Volume 6 Issue 2 December 22, 2025 The Victoria’s Secret fashion show made its return once again this year on October 15 th , 2025, at 7 p.m. ET. Last October, this fashion show, well known in the past for its glamorous designs, made a return to the runway in New York after a six-year hiatus. This year the runway took place again in our state, New York, and the physical event was invitation-only. Last October, the show was held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Despite this, the event is streamed live on platforms such as Prime Video, Amazon Live, YouTube, and TikTok. Involved within the fashion show are many notable guest appearances and models. Runway models, or “Angels,” included Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, and Angel Reese -- who made history as the first professional athlete to participate in the fashion show. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s focuses on women which makes this event extremely noteworthy and uplifting. The fashion show displays a platform of diverse representation of all body types, ethnicities, and gender identities. Victoria’s Secret, last year, advertised the show as something that would “reflect who we are today.” Furthermore, Victoria’s Secret had once again opted for an all-female lineup of musical guests to perform at the event. This included Missy Elliott, Karol G, Madison Beer, and TWICE. This event’s focus on inclusivity is extremely clear, as last year two transgender models, Valentina Sampaio and Alex Consani, walked the runway. The fashion show, last year, started its revival with a bang as it pulled in a peak of above 2.67 million viewers and 1.34 million average viewers across platforms including YouTube and TikTok. This year, there was also a pink carpet pre-show hosted by Law Roach and Zanna Rossi, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. If viewers end up seeing something they like, they can shop for Victoria’s Secret pieces while watching it through the platform Amazon Live. As reported by People Magazine, over 4,000 styles from both Victoria’s Secret and PINK will be available on the Victoria’s Secret’s Amazon Fashion storefront. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s return to the runway was a powerful reflection of the world today, and the importance of inclusivity in the fashion world. Sources: VS Fashion Show 2025 is coming up. When, who is walking, how to stream Everything to Know About the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Alex Consani & Valentina Make Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show History https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiYr4-djKSQAxVhLdAFHV_qDA8QFnoECB4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Feverything-to-know-2025-victorias-secret-fashion-show-11828503&usg=AOvVaw2WeNYZYhxwM6Me52kkdJpW&opi=89978449 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwin_-f-hqSQAxWx38kDHUncHBAQFnoECCMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teenvogue.com%2Fstory%2Fvictorias-secret-2024-runway-show-promised-inclusivity-where-was-it&usg=AOvVaw35ZkLGIYU3Q3vIVNxUKjkI&opi=89978449 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi7_cbei6SQAxVR4skDHXRfNzcQFnoECCQQAQ&url=https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/alex-consani-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2024-trans-model-1236686317/&usg=AOvVaw08K4Bo8Muqua4lco-iuYJE&opi=89978449 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by The New Yorker Notorious Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG): unstoppable, strategic, dissenting, iconic. The death of late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg came to a shock to many in late September after losing her battle with pancreatic cancer. Ginsburg, beloved by many, was notable for fighting for gender equality and for her feminist qualities prior and during her tenure on the Supreme Court. Prior to her term on the court, she overcame adversities to her gender. When she attended Harvard Law, she was one of nine women in classes consisting of 500 students. However, Ginsburg would not graduate from Harvard Law. Her husband, Martin, graduated from Harvard a year sooner and was offered a job at a law firm in New York City. With Ginsburg still having a year yet to receive her degree, she requested her credits be transferred to Columbia University, which would allow her to graduate with a Harvard Degree. The request was not granted, but she would still graduate top of her class from Colombia. Her past experiences defined her and contributed to the role she would play as both a lawyer and a judge. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter (D-GA) appointed Ginsburg to the United State Appeals for the District of Columbia. Serving for 13 years, President Bill Clinton (D-AR) would then appoint her to the Supreme Court as only the second female Justice (after Sandra Day O’Connor). President Joe Biden (D-DE) chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time of Justice Ginsburg’s nomination, rallying his colleagues to support her nomination to the Supreme Court. When she joined the court, she was known as the “consensus builder,” having a moderate ideology. However, as time progressed and the political landscape of the country changed, she became known as one of the most, if not the most, liberal Justices on the court, even though her views on the law did not change. Ginsburg did not let her liberal ideologies stand in the way of her relationship with conservative Justices such as Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Scalia. In Ginsburg’s and Scalia’s joint appearance in 2015, Scalia jokingly stated, “Call us the odd couple. She likes opera, and she is a very nice person. What is not to like? Except her views on the law.” The ideological opposites attracted and contributed to the civil dynamic on the most prestigious court in the country. Ginsburg’s career epitomizes the idea of equality for all citizens and her views on the law played a crucial role in several landmark decisions. First displayed in her majority opinion in United States v. Virginia, Ginsburg stated the decision that the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) male-only admissions policy was unconstitutional in 1996. Furthering on her views of equal treatment and opportunity for all, the 2015 Supreme Court Case Obergefell v. Hodges decided the fate of legalizing gay marriage on a federal level; she joined the majority opinion of the court. In the controversial 5-4 decision, the opinion of the court claimed that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees the right to marry as one of the foundational liberties it protects. In memory of Ginsburg, a six-foot bronze statue was unveiled on March 15th outside 445 Albee Square in Downtown Brooklyn's City Point in New York City. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D-NY) tweeted on that day: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to breaking down barriers and making our country a more equitable place. Her powerful example has inspired New Yorkers of all generations, and this new statue will ensure her legacy lives on for generations.” Ginsburg challenged laws that discriminated on the basis of sex, and while the door to her composing decisions on the court has closed, the precedents Ginsburg set have changed the course of history, and those doors will forever remain open. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections What is Climate Change? By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by The NOAA Have you ever found yourself wondering why the winters are getting colder and colder? Or why there are more storms and hurricanes, and oceans seem warmer every summer? Well, all these are the effects of climate change and global warming. Climate change is the long-term change in the temperature and weather on Earth. These changes to the Earth’s temperature are caused by the burning of fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide and methane. These gases get trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that reflects off the Earth’s surface. As the heat accumulates in the atmosphere, temperatures rise. And though climate change is naturally occurring, human actions have been accelerating the rate of the phenomenon, causing irreversible damage to the environment, ecosystems, and the Earth as a whole. Over the past century, the Earth’s temperature has increased by 2°F, which may not seem like much, but it has severely impacted the environment. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass through widespread melting; Greenland has lost about 279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019. The global sea level has risen about 8 inches in the past 100 years, and the rate of sea level rising in last two decades has doubled and continues to increase. If it continues at this rate, coastal cities and towns will be flooded. Furthermore, the number of elevated temperature events in the U.S. are rising, as well as the number of intense rainfalls in the U.S. These are only a few of the effects of global warming and they will continue to become more severe over time. Though climate change will still affect our lives, we can still make efforts to reduce its effects on the Earth. Switching to LED lights bulbs and energy efficient electrical appliances can help conserve energy and fossil fuels. Walking or taking a bike to commute could also conserve energy. Just taking shorter showers and not throwing away as much food could help the environment. These may seem like small actions, but if enough people contribute, they will go a long way. So, see what you can do to help and save our planet! Sources: NASA: Climate Change and Global Warming Global Warming 101 - Definition, Facts, Causes and Effects of Global Warming | NRDC Burning of fossil fuels - Understanding Global Change (berkeley.edu) ClimateChange | United Nations BACK TO TOP