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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 Polaris Back to Sections Without Her Face 2 By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by National Park Service (Note from the author: If you want to read the previous chapter, click here: https://www.vsnorthstar.com/articles/without-her-face ) Chapter Two: Secretly, beneath his easygoing nature and simple philosophies, he pat himself on the back. He prided himself on being the only kid his age with any common sense. Most teenagers in Snow Valley Square were below him. He thought of himself as a god. However, his dose of reality soon hit him like a bullet piercing between the eye and brain. Who would have thought that leaning, applying your 130-pound weight on a rotten, weak part of a wooden fence, would cause it to snap? Sending you, headfirst, down the tip of a hill. Barreling you towards a dark sea of trees, in the middle of the night. In the town of Snow Valley Square, in the forest below the hills, resided our false god. He was flat on his back, lying on damp, dark green leaves, and the murky shores of a muddy pond. His right leg was snapped and twisted like a twirled mop. With rose leaves as stickers on his face, and grass as hairpins, he bawled for help up the hill, hoping someone could hear him. No one did. Up there, the residents were religious. They had to sleep early, as they had church tomorrow. The boy mewled. His broken leg gave waves of pain, warning him not to move or else. Like a needle to an open wound, sobbed the boy from inside. The wave of nausea wasn’t a pleasant gift either. Oak and spruce trees were the only living things around to hear his shallow breathing. His tears joined the pond under him. He called out once more; the houses above responded by looming before him like a dead streetlamp a someone forgot to light. But just then, a hem of a cheap lemon-colored summer dress approached him from his right, followed by a pair of rawboned legs. When the boy looked up, he felt his eyes burn, swearing they’d cry out blood, as he saw the face of the hideous, gaunt creature. He could’ve sworn he saw his short life flash before him as the humanoid demon reached down towards him. Its pale, spindly fingers extended, and the claws came closer and... --- Two fingers, a pointer and thumb, adorned with blue polish, came down to pinch at Mr. Blue’s right cheek. The sudden action made him gurgle on his spit, but his eyes remained shut. Drool peeked out of the left corner of his mouth. The fingers, still clasping on, gave a couple good yanks on the skin. It was strong enough to trigger his eyes to snap open. His sleepy body bobbed alive; he inhaled as he straightened up on his seat. He drifted his eyes to the fingers, then up at Mrs. Blue, whom they belong to. They were the only ones on the bus. The other couple was still distracted with each other and missed the bus when the married pair had boarded. Mr. and Mrs. Blue sat on their green seats as the white lights shined. The sleeve of Mrs. Blue’s frock intertwined with Mr. Blue’s parka. She leaned on his shoulder, peering up at him, “Our stop is next. I would’ve used a much gentler approach to wake you—If you weren’t such a deep sleeper,” Mrs. Blue said. Mr. Blue hummed in response; his drowsy eyes stared at his right leg contained within his yellow cargo pants, solid and healthy. “Thanks,” he mumbled, smiling softly, still looking at his leg. “You had another dream, Mike?” asked Mrs. Blue. “Yeah, about a monster this time. It was gaunt and ugly,” jested Mr. Blue. “Again!? I’d protect you from those if I could.” “Thanks, Sophia. You’re a sweetheart when you don’t have venom.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Aboard the Linguistic Train Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Noa Cordova This Spring, the Culture Fair, movies in language classes, music in the halls, and paper flowers officiated Foreign Language Month here at North. Foreign Language Month celebrations are meant to foster a deeper appreciation for all our various cultures and most importantly, their languages. “Learning languages promotes friendships” was this year’s Foreign Language Week theme. What else do languages promote? According to an article from the University of North Georgia, languages also promote an understanding of abstract concepts and better communication skills. As we move toward next school year, as the language learners many of us are, we should pledge with ourselves to continue our language studies; a pledge to continue pursuing the study of language is a pledge to enhance your academic and personal journey. I spoke to Ms. Scaglione, nicknamed “Scagz” by the North community, to get her perspective on languages as an Italian teacher; it is not a surprise that she believes that through language, “the world is yours; you conquer it.” Conversation Starter Ms. Scagz firmly believes in “the power of the word” regardless of the language. While having only Spanish and Italian to choose from may seem limiting, as someone who has studied both, the benefits of learning them are limitless. A point of emphasis of Foreign Language Month is that languages expand your worldview and foster an appreciation of diverse cultures. Studying the way a language flows, the expressions, and its idiosyncrasies, enhances your understanding of the members that speak it. Regardless of the language, learning a foreign language stimulates your brain in a way that cannot be underestimated. As highlighted in an Ithaca College article, studying a foreign language “increases analytical abilities” and aptitude in working with “abstract concepts” which sharpens cognitive abilities. During my interview with Ms. Scagz, she expressed that with foreign languages “you have control of everything you need to communicate effectively.” Effective communication in either Spanish or Italian can help form friendships. As a Spanish speaker, I have expanded my social circle significantly by putting myself out there and using my language skills. The ability to communicate with new people is an invaluable part of the language-learning experience and by far one of my favorites. Ms. Scagz shares, “Whether I was sitting in an airport or office, I would find that knowing different languages would somehow commence a conversation.” By the end of foreign language week and my interview with Ms. Scagz, it is reasonable to establish that knowing a foreign language is a big conversation starter. Interview Pleaser From what I have observed as a language student, job opportunities motivate students to learn a foreign language, and with good reason. It is without a doubt knowing a second language can prove useful in a future career and can make you more marketable when it comes to interviewing for a job. Based on Ms. Scagz’s experiences, knowing a foreign language is a big “interview pleaser”, and found that she was hired for virtually every job she applied for. Of course, knowing a second language does not guarantee placement in a field, and the demands of certain careers may vary, but it will not be disregarded in an interview. Linguistic Train Ms. Scagz’s students are familiar with her infamous concept of the linguistic train which occupies the back bulletin board of her classroom. The linguistic train represents the journey languages will take you on; they will take you far. As Ms. Scagz emphasized, “Knowledge of languages is power. You’re either on a linguistic train or you are not and if you’re on it, the more well-rounded you will be." Telling by the undeniable benefits of learning a language, boarding this theoretical linguistic train, will provide you with concrete skills that will shape your future. Bonus interview questions with Scagz:   How long have you been teaching? “30 years…I started teaching at 23 in college.”   Why did you become a world language teacher? “I was kind of pushed into it by my professors. They kept throwing scholarships and positions at me and I couldn’t say no. I wanted to open up my restaurant. I also wanted to be a translator; I was thinking of working in tourism in Europe.”    Has learning languages promoted friendships in your life? “And that’s another thing whether it is sitting in an airplane, airport, or office I would find that knowing different languages would somehow commence a conversation. Even on a train… a lot of times I was asked because I was watching a foreign film, watching an Italian or Spanish film and that would start a conversation. It was amazing, I made friends.”   Are there any challenges that come with speaking more than one language? “I don’t know if I could say there are challenges there and more opportunities. More ability to understand things. Sometimes I’m bewildered as to how I can connect things. You could put me in a room with the pope or the president and I could end up having a conversation where I could give my knowledge and get that respect back. It's more opportunistic than challenging.”   Is there anything I didn't ask you that you would like to talk about?  “I have found in languages something I can’t even explain. I zone in on words…my biggest objective in life, even though I didn’t want to be a teacher, is to give my students the same experience and knowledge and have them love the language instead of having them turned off to them...for them to see the power in language even if it’s hard." Sources: Why Study a Foreign Language? ( ung.edu ) Why You Should Study a Foreign Language | Ithaca College BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliment of Blue By Elizabeth Andre November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles News Back to Sections A Divided America: Can We Actually “Build Back Better”? By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by POSO It’s over. At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, November 7th, the state of Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, was declared to 77-year-old, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., putting him over the 270 threshold of electoral votes needed to win the presidency. He would be announced as the future 46th President of the United States with his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, being declared the future 49th Vice President of the United States. Former Vice President Biden would only be the second practicing Catholic elected as President, and Senator Harris would be the first woman in the position of Vice President. This is not to mention Harris is of Black Caribbean and South Asian descent, which makes another first for an American VP. While this is a monumental win for Democrats, the results of the Senate and House races have made Americans, especially Democrats, question whether the country can actually “Build Back Better,” as well as whether the varying political visions of the Democrats caused the party to lose seats in the House. The infighting of the Democratic Party has been an issue over the last decade, recently exemplified when 29 Democrats, across the large spectrum of the party’s beliefs, ran to become the Presidential nominee for the party. The large spectrum of democrats includes the progressive, liberal, and centrist (or moderate) wings. In this election, the Republicans flipped 11 seats in the house for a net gain of eight, with 8 races yet to be called (As of 11/19/20). Polling suggested Democrats were supposed to gain 10-15 seats, but rather, they lost seats, putting Nancy Pelosi’s position as Speaker of the House in peril. The weakened majority in the House came as a shock to Democrats and Republicans alike. The progressive wing of the party was blamed for these losses based on polling, proving that the Democratic party is not shifting as much left as polls suggested. Many centrist Democrats pointed fingers at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that her self-described democratic socialist agenda caused voters to turn away from the Democratic ticket in the down-ballot races. Even some members of the progressive caucus such as California Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) concurred, stating, “I think Republicans did get some traction trying to scare people on this ‘socialist narrative.’” The results of the House races gave implications that Americans do not agree on policies such as Medicare for All (abolishing privatized healthcare), defunding the police, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a federal job guarantee. Representative Connor Lamb (PA-17), a centrist Democrat, claimed the progressive policies are “unrealistic” and that the false promises being made, cost Democrats in key races. He further went on to say that the Biden administration should keep the progressives at arm’s length. Additionally, moderate Republican and former Ohio Governor, John Kasich, who supported the Biden-Harris ticket, bluntly stated, “The Democrats have to make it clear to the far-left that they almost cost him this election.” The multiple accusations generated a defensive response from Representative Ocasio-Cortez stating to the Times , “I don't even know if I want to be in politics.” The deflection from the Congresswoman reflected the division within the Democratic party and displayed how the many sides of the party cannot seem to be, let alone act unified. Former Vice President Biden has pledged that he will be a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him. However, the divide within his own party might make it difficult for him to reunite the heavily divided nation. This becomes especially challenging with a divided Congress. The Democrats have a slim majority in the House, while the Republicans have a 50-48 majority in the Senate (as of 11/19/20), with two runoff races in Georgia taking place in January that will determine which party has the majority in the Senate. With President Trump refusing to concede, a smooth transition of power is unlikely to happen based on Tweets that he has sent. The lame-duck President has retweeted multiple times, “WE WILL WIN,” even though all major media outlets made the call that the former Vice President would be the projected 46th President. The former Vice-President will have adversities to overcome, no matter the circumstances in Congress. In order to “Build Back Better”, Joe Biden will need to reach across the aisle to work with both parties to amend the great divide in our country. The Biden-Harris Administration will be responsible for establishing new precedents for future generations. The former Vice President is known for his ability for working with the Republican Party, which is reassuring in our currently divided nation. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Juliana Silva By Juliana Silva Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Seratonin By Noorish Atif June 8, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Ode to the Cassiopeia Jellyfish By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original artwork by Luiginna Frederique The jellyfish cannot sleep Sleep, despite all odds, requires brains The jellyfish cannot fight back Fight, unsurprisingly, requires bones The jellyfish cannot feel warm Warmth, like most other things, requires blood The jellyfish floats It may be there, it may not Simply by existing, it will contribute Brainless, spineless, heartless That, for today, must be enough BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 7 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Holiday Films: A Bleak De-Evolution By Alain Deen Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Minnetonka Breezes Ah…the holiday season. A time for extravagantly decorated trees, gingerbread scented candles, family gatherings, and most importantly, holiday films. Watching a holiday film while drinking a warm cup of hot cocoa might be my favorite holiday activity of all time. Doesn’t everyone love watching Kevin defeat the burglars, Walter Hobbs discovering the true meaning of Christmas, and Kris Kringle winning the court case? I sure do. The first known on-screen holiday film was 1898’s “Santa Claus.” The film was approximately two minutes long, created in the UK. A film that long deserves a very in-depth synopsis, right? Just kidding. The film depicts the traditional aura of Santa Claus. He goes down the chimney, and leaves toys for the sleeping children. It is safe to say that the film industry has come a long way since then, especially in the holiday department. The mid to late 20th century presented itself with some of the best holiday films to date. However, after the 2010, in the holiday film department, it is a known fact that the holiday season saw a rapid decline in ratings and viewership. Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life are just some of the most influential holiday films of our time. Each film has a unique characteristic that you really could not find in any other holiday film at the time of each release. However, it is worth noting that each film has a similar message; Christmas spirit always wins. While it is a common theme, it takes great execution to pull it off. Some films hold the very same theme but have awful execution, making the five films mentioned above classics. Let us take a look at 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street. The film centers around divorced mother, Doris Walker and her daughter, Susan. Doris works at Macy’s and is in charge of organizing the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. When the man hired to play Santa Claus is found stone-cold drunk minutes before the parade, Doris hires a sweet old man to take his spot. However, she is startled by his claim that he’s the genuine article. The old man’s legal name is Kris Kringle, which immediately throws the other characters off. On top of that, Kris persuades Doris’ headstrong daughter, Susan, to develop a less rigid imagination, which she does. After about a month of confusion, Macy’s marketing tactics, and people attempting to prove that Kris was indeed not Santa Claus, an official court case was held. Doris’ love interest, Fred Gailey, serves as Kris’ lawyer. Against all odds, he uses his knowledge of the law and postal letters to Santa Claus to prove that Kris is truthfully Santa Claus, allowing the Christmas spirit to flourish. In my opinion, this film had near-perfect execution in its theme delivery. The writing, pacing, and performances were very convincing, allowing for a great film. It was a unique idea at the time, making the film an instant classic. As years have gone by, similar themes have been used in holiday films. For instance, 1994’s The Santa Clause employs a very similar underlying plotline. However, it isn’t as charming as Miracle on 34th Street due to the recycled theme. Recycled themes often foster the failure of modern holiday films. For instance, after Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, 3 new installments were produced. The ratings for each were significantly lower than the first two, starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci. For instance, Home Alone 3 has a 3.6/10 rating on IMDb. Most of the reviews complain about the film’s recycled plot line, bad acting, and lack of charm. Even worse, Home Alone 4 has a 2.6/10 rating on IMDb. Critics tore this film to pieces due to its lack of authenticity. Even the franchise’s latest installment, Home Sweet Home Alone has a 3.6/10 rating on IMDb. Critics emphasize the film’s lack of charm as well. Overall, it is safe to say that modern holiday films flop due to a lack of authenticity, charm, and ever-recycled plotlines. It is crucial for filmmakers to develop new themes for holiday films. If not, future generations would not have their own set of classics, as we do. BACK TO TOP