Back to Artwork Back to Sections Trip to the Grocery Store Kimberly Shrestha February 24, 2023 Volume 3 Issue 3

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Jaba By Luiginna Frederique March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Truth By Huan Evo Alipio Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Vincent Van Gogh In search for love, may he find the right one She walked, she strolls, she arrived quarter to two One foolish man running till three But yet she’ll never budge with great power for four Almost to the middle, with not intentions of meeting The time hit six, with the sun gleaming He or she never crossed the seventh path Which the eight can be revealed with a tremendous wrath He imagines to catch her and take her for a ride Though she assured him she will be her bride The time is twelve, what a shocking sound Then he got up, there he was in bed and bound BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Soldier By Nora Chery Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Medpage Today The soldier has survived the impossible. But there’s so much going on in that little helmet of his That he smacks it away, smacking it away. Until it goes away, except it never does. The soldiers says he’s fine, but those words quickly float away Without any meaning. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections World Cup 2022 By Leah Ally Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image produced by Leah Ally ince 1930, the World Cup has been the most popular and most watched sporting event as 32 qualifying teams go head-to-head in a series of games to determine which nation will hold the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Every four years, the World Cup has become a worldwide event beloved by soccer fans and even those who may not be too familiar with the sport. Undoubtedly, the World Cup will continue its long-lasting legacy for years to come. The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar, starting November 20th and ending December 18th. This would be the first time the World Cup would be held in the winter, as it was determined that Qatar’s hot climate would not be suitable to be played in during the summer. With 64 matches to be played in eight locations across five cities, the contest took place over 29 days (about four weeks). Thirty-one teams were chosen from each of FIFA’s six regional soccer confederations based on their performances over the last four years, while the national football team of Qatar automatically qualified for the event, their first World Cup. Due to its treatment of women and migrant laborers, as well as its climate, lack of vibrant football culture, scheduling adjustments, and claims of bribery for hosting rights, the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has been controversial. The event was estimated to be the most expensive World Cup ever hosted, with $220 billion worth of expenses, which would result in a 40% increase in ticket prices since the 2018 tournament. Over the event, the World Cup was expected to draw 5 billion viewers, over half of the world’s population. This year’s event was bound to be emotional for fans and players as numerous stars announced retirement. These players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Thiago Silva, and Guillermo Ochoa. As of now, Qatar 2022 will mark the last World Cup for these stars as they will continue their legacy off the field while hoping for their final victory. It is safe to say the World Cup of 2022 would be exciting for both fans and teams, with high hopes and anticipation as history would be made. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Two Birds on a Wire Shea Flanelly Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Jeanne Sammons The sun was just barely over the horizon, painting the sky in gold and rose. As if to give the sky company, a blue jay and a cardinal perched side by side on the old telephone wire. “You’ve been quiet,” said the cardinal, fluffing her feathers. “Something on your mind?” The blue jay ruffled his wings nervously, feathers drooping a little. “I… I think I need to fly alone for a while.” The cardinal’s head tilted, her scarlet feathers catching the light. “Alone?” “Yes,” he said, looking at the horizon. “Lately… I’ve been feeling… tangled up. My thoughts are a mess , and my chest feels heavy. I need to find new skies and clear my head. I can’t do that if I stay here.” The cardinal’s beak quivered a little. “I get that. I do. But I thought… maybe we could stick together, at least a little longer.” The blue jay let out a soft noise, almost like a sigh. “I don’t want to leave you. But I’d be holding you back if I stayed. You have your own flights to take too, and I need to find myself before I can really be here with anyone.” They sat in silence, listening to the gentle breeze of morning, the wire swaying beneath their feet. The cardinal finally whispered, “Remember the winter storms? How I held you under my wing until the wind stopped?” “I remember,” the blue jay said, a hint of a smile in his voice. “And you reminded me to sing when everything felt bad.” For a moment, they just shared the quiet comfort of the morning, the air around them soft and still. “Promise me something?” the cardinal asked. “Anything.” “Promise that wherever we go, we’ll remember this… the wire, the sun, the way we helped each other.” “I promise,” said the blue jay. With a final glance, they stretched their wings. One flew east, carrying the weight of his worries into the open sky, the other west, carrying hope and warmth in her heart. Though they flew apart, the memory of the morning stayed with them wherever they went, and their promise was unwavering. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections prejudice tastes like apple pie By Lucy Wu Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Pinterest i why are our apples not the same? i concede our exteriors may not match you arrive pristine untouched from neighboring orchards while i may still be bruised manhandled from my journey but if i wield a knife slicing through translucent veins and thin skin wouldn’t you agree we are the same? ii seventeen years ago my mother sowed her seeds passed down from her family a figment of her mother in a fertile promised land she spread her roots meticulously and eventually without fear my belonging a trellis pale petals wrapped around her backbone after sunset i built palisades shielding her fragile sapling from unforgiving wind the piercing stares so she could assimilate and flourish each year come gentle spring her tree bloomed borne from sacrifice watered with tears and we reaped her ripened fruit cherishing its sweetness yet in one day you intruded on our garden ravaging her tree drowning her roots breaking her branches in insult and scorn what’s more you claim her lovely apples my apples as your own a product of your generosity fallen from the tree that once was small and shriveled pale jade and longing there’s nothing left to promise me her daughter how dare you cut down my mother’s tree you take a bite but i hope you choke iii i walk to the market looking for apples scouring the aisles peering at the mountains it’s easy to spot the bruised with their browned skin sunken in i avoid those and you do too i handpick just a few with crisp sides taut and overflowing with their juices almost permitting myself to believe they’ll be perfect but i’m no fool i show you how i drag my blade piercing the core and examine for rotting interiors and disposing rinse and repeat you follow my lead however some elude me the most deceiving are the ones that appear perfect both inside and out they make it all the way into the oven seeping their spoiled rancid juices into my crust my foundation at the table only i notice the fragrance wafting in the air is wrong it’s faint but brimming with malice spiced with hate that’s the thing they don’t tell you about prejudice and pie the apples seem fine so naively you taste them and then they reveal their true flavors only in the critical moments in solitude after the pie whisked away you’ll realize in your throat the aftertaste souring bitterness lingers forever it’s a shock when my tongue deludes my eyes nothing similar in the slightest i should warn you it’s an acquired taste one you develop after years of picking them letting them ruin your pies it’s subtle yet their acridness so potent to me i hope maybe someday you’ll taste it too and possess the wherewithal to say something but until then i do not betray truth i cut a generous slice feigning a smile through my salty tears swallowing whispering it’s delicious BACK TO TOP

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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