Back to Articles News Back to Sections Valley Stream 2023 District Science Symposium Cody Sung Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Michael Frazer On April 26, 2023, the Valley Stream Central High School District hosted its yearly science symposium. It was held at South High School, with last year’s being held at Central and next year’s at North, following a cycle that goes through all three schools with the Science Research programs. At the symposium, North had the largest number of students participating in the program. How did our Science Research program grow so big, and what happened at the symposium? The science research program was picked up by Mr. Michael Frazer in 1999, after former North science teacher Ed Gruber started it in 1996. Mr. Frazer is the head of the program. Since then, it has grown to be the largest science research program of the Valley Stream Central High School District, with fourteen seniors who completed this challenging program in the 2022 - 2023 school year. A very successful course we have at North! However, it is very challenging, and takes much hard work to succeed, since it involves doing research and writing a full scientific paper in three years. The symposium had all sophomores, juniors, and seniors display their poster board of their research, with guests viewing them and with the students explaining their research to them. Every board was unique and informative, showing the best of our program and the hard work of our students. After the poster board presentation, Mr. Frazer and North Science Department Chair Mr. Pandolfi gave awards to the fourteen seniors who completed this three-year course to recognize all the hard work they have done and their dedication to their research, with a quick speech made by the head of each school’s program about each senior on South’s stage. After the award ceremony concluded, the seniors had an opportunity to present their research process and results in the South Library. All the presentations were interesting and educational and were fantastic to culminate their three years of hard work, research, and dedication. Here are last year’s fourteen seniors and their general topic of focus. Samantha Altieri – Political science Morgan Buly – Audiovisual science Valentina Castillo – Marine biology (with Christina DePippo) Christina DePippo – Marine biology (with Valentina Castillo) Naila Hashimi – Environmental science Sukhpreet Kaur – Urban science Zara Khan – Plant biology (with Jessica Sehjal) Joseph Marrone – Sport science Gabriela Mensah – Sport science Janine Olivencia – Medical science Ariel Reyes – Medical science Jessica Sehjal – Plant biology (with Zara Khan) Kira Sherman – Plant biology Neha Singh – Dietary science Congratulations to all of them for their success in this challenging but rewarding course over the past three years! And the sophomores and juniors should continue to work hard – North can’t wait to see what the program has in store for us this year! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Sophia Song - Pop Art Sophia Song January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Kimberly Shrestha - Contemplation By Kimberly Shrestha June 8, 2021 Mixed Media Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Marissa Nardone - Lights On for Education - 1 By Marissa Nardone April 22, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Interesting Situation By Victoria Niksa Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Pexels How could Cirice end up in this situation? Her in the same room with her crush, Jacob. Jacob: “Ugh, why are you here?” Cirice loves him. He hates her. Why? Nobody knows. Not even Jacob knows why he hates her either. Cirice: “Oh, uh- hi! Sorry, I’ll just go-” Jacob: “Stay.” Cirice could feel her face burn up. No way in the name of ghost would he want her in the same room as him. Cirice: “I can go-” Jacob: “I told you stay.” Cirice: “Ok but what if I don’t want to stay?” Jacob: “We both know you want to stay so just stay put.” Cirice: “O-okay…” She did as he told her, and she sat there. A few minutes had passed and not a word left either person’s mouth. The silence was so loud. Cirice: “So, how’ve you been?” Jacob: “Really? Small talk? Fine, I’ve been good, I guess. You?” Cirice: “I’ve been… better.” Jacob: “Why so blue? You’re not as outgoing as you were last year.” Cirice: “I’m alright. I’ve just been going through something with my kind-of-friends.” Jacob: “Well… Do you wanna talk about it? Not like I care or anything, but I’ll listen.” Cirice felt her eyes burn, her throat swell up. Cirice: “You’d actually l-listen to me…?” Her voice started breaking. She’d started praying that she wouldn’t start crying in front of him. She’d rather fail one of her classes than have that happen. Jacob: “Yeah… Are you okay?” Cirice: “No… I’m not okay… I-I’m sorry I d-don’t wanna cry i-in front of you… This i-is so embarrassing-” Jacob: “Do you want a tissue?” Jacob asked as he brought her a box of tissues. Cirice: “This is the nicest thing someone has ever done for me in a while… Why are you being so nice to me? II thought you hated me…” Jacob: “Hard to hate you when you’re clearly in need of a friend.” Jacob had a slight smile on his face. Cirice had quite the opposite expression. Within seconds tears started to form and fall from her eyes. She felt so embarrassed. Crying in front of her crush. She felt so weak. Jacob: “Your… Your eyeliner-” Cirice: “My eyeliner is the least of my problems! C-can’t believe y-you’re seeing me c-cry…” Jacob: “It’s not the first time… All those times in orchestra last year, in the hallways-” Cirice: *hic* “You’re not m-making this a-any b-better…” Jacob: “Sorry- I didn’t mean to-“ Before he could say another word, she began sobbing. Hands covering her face, eyeliner streaming down, her lipstick smearing, this was the most vulnerable Jacob would ever see her. Cirice: “D-don’t look *hic* at m-me…” Jacob: “Do you want a hug…?” She nodded her head slightly. He slowly wrapped his arms around her. She felt warm and fuzzy. Him hugging her wasn’t enough, instead she was crying even more. After hearing her sobs, he knew how he could calm her down. He pulled away from the hug. Jacob: “Hey… Can you look at me for a second?” She slowly began to look up at him. The two having eye contact for a few seconds. Jacob knew what he had to do, and he got it done and over with. He leaned in to kiss her. He knew it would calm her and it did. It did only for a split second. Cirice: “W-what!? Why- What- How did you get this idea-” Jacob didn’t want to deal with her questions, so he did the only thing he felt he should do, and he kissed her again. For a bit longer this time mostly so he could think of an answer for any questions she might have for him. Cirice: “If the point of you kissing me was to calm me down it worked. You’ve taken my mind off my friends.” Jacob: “I say that you ditch them.” Cirice: “You don’t even know them or what happened.” Jacob: “Doesn’t matter. Clearly if they’re making you cry then they did something to hurt you.” Cirice: “They did… one of them has been my friend since we were in kindergarten…” Jacob: “Don’t start crying on me again… I know you most likely don’t want to let her go but you’re going to have too eventually.” Cirice: “My mom told me that we’d be friends forever…” Jacob: “I don’t wanna sound cliché but forever is a long time and your friendship is going to fade away eventually. You’re not even going to notice when it happens.” The two had sat in silence until another question came up. Cirice: “Wait… why are you in here in the first place because Kae told me to meet him here-” Jacob: “Kae told me to meet him here too…” Cirice: “Did he-” Jacob: “I think he did…” Cirice: “That is one bold, bold move… I am so going to yell at him tomorrow morning and I cannot wait for it…” Jacob: “Relax… This was an interesting situation …” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections K-pop By Ismaela Andre Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Channel Korea Music is always around us. There are many genres to choose from and many to listen to. Many people listen to rap, pop, and R&B. However, more genres are taking the world by storm. One of them is K-pop. K-pop is Korean music that consists of Korean and English or only Korean. This music genre is taking over the music industry. Most K-pop music is made by groups. Some popular groups are BTS, NCT U, 127 and Dream, Twice, Itzy, Enhypen, Tomorrow x Together, Ateez, Stray Kids, Blackpink, and more. Even some solo artists like IU, Kang Daniel, also fit into this category. This musical genre is very inspirational. Most songs send global messages and inspire their listeners to come together as one. At the beginning of the school year, I talked to two seventh graders. They both told me that they liked K-pop, and ever since then, we always say “Hi” to each other whenever we see each other in the hallways. In that example, I connected with two kids that are three years younger than me because of K-pop. This shows how K-pop can bring many people together. Also, K-pop artists aren’t all Korean. Some are Japanese, Thai, American, or French. Musicians of various races sing K-pop, and all races should feel comfortable listening to it. I recommend K-pop to everyone because it is a unique and diverse music genre. You may be hesitant at first because the lyrics are not sung in English; however, you should go for it because it is a fantastic experience. Have fun listening! BACK TO TOP

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

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

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The History of Valentine's Day and its Tradition Mya Hans Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by HOLA Chocolates, cards, flowers, teddy bears, and hearts. A day to express your love and affection for your family, friends, and/or partner. Valentine’s Day. This is a highly favored day of the year because it’s an emblem of love, and it’s an especially wonderful day to appreciate your loved ones. But what if I told you the origins of this holiday are vastly different from what we know today? What’s the history of it? And who started Valentine’s Day and its traditions? Well, as with most holidays, there are many ways that people believe Valentine’s Day started, but this one starts in Ancient Rome. During the time, the emperor was Claudius II, and he decided to ban marriage because he thought single men were better soldiers, rather than men who were married. However, a priest named St. Valentine disagreed with the emperor’s new rules and married couples in secret. When the emperor found out what St. Valentine was doing, he was put in jail and eventually executed, this happened on February 14th, the day we now refer to as Valentine’s Day. So now that you know the tale behind Valentine’s Day, you may wonder how the traditions began. One gift everyone gives not only for Valentine’s Day but for every holiday is cards. The tradition of giving cards on Valentine’s Day also connects with the legend of St. Valentine. Following the path of the legend, after St. Valentine was put in jail, he befriended the jailer’s daughter, Julia, and some even say he healed her blindness. Before he got executed, he wrote her a goodbye letter and apparently signed it saying, “From your Valentine.” Another gift many people receive on Valentine’s Day is flowers, specifically roses. Roses, especially red ones, signify romance, love, and passion. According to writer Ashley Paige, “The flower's connection to Valentine's Day hearkens back to the 19th century when Victorians used floral bouquets to deliver a message to love interests.” The history of roses goes back to the 19th century! The traditions of Valentine’s Day have been around for the longest time and continue to have an impact on the holiday we know today. Although all the legends and stories about it may not be completely accurate, it’s still interesting to think about how people believe it began. As you celebrate this Valentine’s Day, remember that it’s about celebrating your loved ones and showing your admiration for them. When you’re thinking of what to give your loved ones, remember these traditions that date back hundreds of years ago, or maybe even start your own! Sources: The History of Valentine's Day Cards ( scrapbook.com ) The Real Story of Cupid (and other Valentine’s Day Traditions) - Cincinnatus Insurance LLC The History of Valentine's Day Gift Traditions ( streetdirectory.com ) Valentine's Day 2024: Origins, Background & Traditions | HISTORY BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections I Want to Knit Jasmine Roberts Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Desire is a state of mind, to want does not equate to action, and procrastination thickens into anxiety. I wanted to knit for quite a while now; I needed to do something with my hands other than the rhythmic dance of my fingers against a simulacrum of action a billionaire deemed to be my phone. My mind buzzed with flickering, hot, but cold images of what I should be doing every time I saw a photo-perfect image of the impossible to craft, the Fair Isle sweater, my mind created its own yarn-stitched palace in which, even as I laid in my sticky bed, face buried in a summer-impeding sweaty pillow, it still felt as if that Fair Isle sweater was all mine. Cut and weaved into its soft flesh, the white moon rose on a black, inky night. The hem was ever so perfect that it sent my crooked spine straight, my body tried to fit into it, tried to construct my bones, squish my viscera, twist my nerves until I could squeeze into the sweater behind my blinking phone screen, become what I wanted most, fit my identity as vast as the midnight sky, into the size of an image online. My eyes were dry from staring at the sweater too fondly, envy was bile, and fear of accomplishment worked as vivisection, dissecting my own worthiness for a crowd of my own conscious. The blackness of a wasted night overwhelmed my grey matter and turned me bitter. I wanted to knit like that anonymous adult; they were rich in the token of internet attention, fed plump and fat with congratulations on a completed project when I stewed in my hot room, stretching to do anything…everything. I wanted to manipulate complex weaves of perfection until I created something that would make others stare in awe. I would wear my sweater for others, my body a work of art; it would fit slenderly on my form, and my identity would be crafted, not by my actions, but by how my fingers worked at the needles speaking, by short glances, of a story in every knit and purl. I wanted to knit, I should have screamed, but instead, I muttered the words beneath my determined breath. It had been months, a year. I knew the basics, and so all I needed was the time. I moved from my bed, my forgotten phone, vanquished from the Eden of my attention, I wanted to be Eve if she ignored the apple. I stretched one foot after the other, sneaking past other obligations, I couldn’t walk straight, and I didn’t want to. I moved and danced over to where I stashed my unused yarn, towards the needles I promised my mother I would never lose, for they were made from bamboo, whittled down into a point, just so I could make something someone else would cherish for me. With crooked fingers, gnawed down just to my skin, bloody around square corners from nervousness and despair, I looked for those needles. I only found one. I lost the other. ‘’Oh well.’’ I shrugged and fell right back to my bed, scrolling past the photo of the sweater, I looked upon the next post: A stack of read books, each approximately 1000 pages, and 1 million years old. BACK TO TOP